North Alliance report and scores

Munro Ferries wins at Tarbat with a 66

By ROBIN WILSON
After weeks of missed fixtures and inclement weather, Tain's Munro Ferries hit the front for the fourth time this season when the North Alliance visited Tarbat on Sunday.
There was no sign of the snow and frosts that have plagued the January and February fixture calendar when the +2 handicapper returned a stunning gross 66 by matching par on his first nine holes and scoring 32 on his second time around the nine-hole course.

Ferries had three second-round birdies - the 11th, 15th and 17th holes - and just the one bogey at the 12th. The 66, his best winning score out of his three previous wins, lifts the “lefty“ into a strong position to retain the Scratch Quaich by returning the season's “best of four” gross aggregate score.
The Tain club champion won by two strokes from Thurso's Alan Swanson (pictured left on first tee by Robin Wilson) who matched the par of 68 (35-33) in a six-birdie round that began with the weight of a two-shot penalty on his card for playing a wrong ball at the opening hole. Thurso's Jim Sangster had a gross 70 for third place.
Local member Hamish Skinner was first out on the course and when he returned with his gross card of 74 (35-39), his net 65 in Class 1 was still the winning score at the end of play.

Tain's Andrew Watt has been a consistent scorer all season but his consistency left him at one hole during his first round. A triple bogey 6 at the par-3 fifth hole was included in his first nine of 39 but, back to normal,his second nine was 35 for a gross 74, which gave him second place with a net 66.

MacKintosh Salver holder, Seann Sutherland (Bonar- Bridge) shared a net 68 with a former salver winner, Alec Gunn (Tain) with Gunn getting the third place on the better last nine hole card play-off.
Durness club members provided the two leading scores in Class 2. Both were 65s and Billy McBain after a first place at Royal Dornoch claimed a second success in this section and put himself in the frame for a trophy when he beat clubmate Alister Corbett on the count back. Third place went to Ian Ross (Reay) with net 66.
The fixtures stay on track this weekend at Brora and on the weekend of March 20-21 there will be two fixtures played to catch up on lost dates - Golspie on Saturday the 20th with limited tee times available up until 11.30am, and the next day the scheduled final fixture and presentation of prizes at Reay.
Results

Scratch

66 M Ferries (Tain).

68 A Swanson (Thurso).

70 J Sangster (Thurso).

74 B Ronald (Thurso), A Gunn (Tain), A Watt (Tain), H Skinner (Tarbat).

76 S Holmes (Tain), M MacKintosh (Brora).

Handicap

Class 1 – H Skinner (Tarbat) (9) 65; A Watt (Tain) (7) 67; A Gunn (Tain) (6) 68; S R Sutherland (Bonar-Bridge) (8) 68.

Class 2 – B McBain (Durness) (19) 65; A Corbett ((Durness) (16) 65; I Ross (Reay) (11) 66.

Arnie's grandson Saunders is a chip off the old block

FROM THE GOLFDIGEST.COM WEBSITE
By Tim Rosaforte
The shot defining his fourth event on the US PGA Tour as a pro had nothing to do with genes, and everything to do with Sam Saunders.
Thinking he needed eagle to make the top 10, Arnold Palmer's grandson took the head cover off his driver on the 18th hole at PGA National on Sunday, and from 290 yards out on the 72nd hole of the Honda Classic, slashed one off the deck just like you know who.
"I wasn't thinking what he would do," the 22-year-old said after the round. "Honestly I thought I had a shot to pull it off. I needed 3. I was just going to rip it."
Twenty-six years ago his grandfather walked off that same 18th green at PGA National after winning the 1984 Senior US PGA Championship. On this day Palmer hit balls at Bay Hill and nervously waited for his "Sambo" to appear on television. Late in the broadcast, he watched Saunders hit his second shot into a bunker 60 yards short of his target at 18 and his third into a bunker behind the green, where it could have become expensive.
Saunders saved a few dollars by making bogey 6 to finish T-17 at even-par 280, saying afterwards the overall risk in seeking an exemption into the Puerto Rico Open was worth it. But, was it?
Saunders knew his "only coach," would be proud.
"He used to give me a hard time," Saunders said. "He would say, 'You don't ever listen to me.' Finally I said, 'I do listen to you.'''
Saunders and Palmer share a relationship that is captured in pictures on display in the hallways of the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando. In one, young Sam is sitting on the lap of the icon he lovingly called "Dumpy," while Arnie is giving a press conference. Palmer said he would not drive to PGA National and be a distraction. Not surprisingly, Saunders said his presence wouldn't have bothered him.
Growing up around the Palmer Family put Saunders in close proximity to the Nicklaus family as well. "In one of the last Father-Son tournaments, he shot 63 on his own ball the last day," said Roy Saunders, Sam's father.
"Mr Nicklaus shook his hand, looked him in the eye and said, 'You've figured it out. You've come into your own as a golfer.' It was pretty inspiring hearing it like that."
Saunders secured a sponsor's invitation to the Honda, his fourth of the year, by writing a personal letter to Barbara Nicklaus, the driving force behind the Nicklaus Childrens' Health Care Foundation, the charity the tournament supports. When the request came across the desk of Gary Nicklaus, he responded by saying, "Mom, Sam can play."
Saunders showed that a week earlier with a 66 in the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but followed with a 79 to miss the cut. At Honda he qualified for the weekend and a late Sunday tee time with three rounds of 69.
"I've said many times that my game will become good enough, and I'll become a good enough player that I'll be known as Sam Saunders and not Arnold Palmer's grandson," he said. "I think I'm getting there."
The final round at PGA National was a struggle, with Saunders reaching the jaws of the vaunted Bear Trap, figuring three under was the number to qualify for Puerto Rico. Three over for the day and even par for the tournament, he began the home stretch by making an 8½ft birdie putt at the par-3 15th to pick up one stroke.
On 16 he displayed the short game that veteran caddie Ron (Bambi) Levin praised as he watched Saunders play the final holes. "A lot of talent," said Levin, who worked for Todd Hamilton at the Honda. "He's like a quarterback coming out of college drafted by the pros. He just has to learn the offense."
The flag at 17 was tucked way right, and Saunders wasn't tempted. Saunders blew his tee shot into the back bunker and made an 11-footer for par with his parents watching from near the electronic scoreboard 100 yards away. He was still two strokes off what he thought was going to be the number for a top-10.
"I have a new-found appreciation for what my mother went through," said Sam's mother (and Palmer's daughter) Amy.
What Saunders couldn't know when he made his decision to go for the green on 18 is that the groups behind him would make a mess late on the back nine. Five players inside the top 10 would combine to go 12 over on the last three holes to bring 10th place closer to Saunders. In reality, a birdie 4 on 18 would have given him a T-9 at two-under 278 and a spot in the field at Trump International at Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
"At the time there was no way I would have known that," Saunders said Monday, back home in Orlando. "You could say, 'Oh man, all you needed was birdie,' but you can't control what everybody else is doing. I played for what I thought was the whole deal."
At Phoenix, Saunders learned, "It wasn't the golf swing. It was between the ears." At Honda, he learned he's got what it takes to be more than Arnold Palmer's grandson. He will attempt to Monday qualify for the Transitions Championship and prepare to compete at Bay Hill.
His winnings for T-17 ($68,444) were more than Palmer ever took home for a victory ($50,000 in the 1971 Westchester Classic) with more to come.
"This week I've realised I can play out here and I belong,'' he said. "I think I can win out here. If I keep doing the things I'm doing and working hard, I think it will happen pretty soon."

Help for young players to make grade as professionals

Scottish amateur golf gets
-

£2million boost


An investment package worth over £2 million to golfers at every level of the sport, from young children to Scotland's best prospects was announced today.
The package includes:
£1 million of new investment from sportscotland over the next five years to provide support for Scotland's most talented players as they bid to make the transition to tour professional
£1,073,720 from sportscotland to the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA) to support coaching, the Academy programme and the strategic development of the sport
Of the £1,073,720 listed above, £500,000 is targeted investment in the successful clubgolf programme, with a new strategy also launched today.
Announcing the funding, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "As Scotland gears up to stage five Women's British Open championships over the next decade and host the Ryder Cup in 2014, this investment puts us in a great position to attract more professional players to the game.
"It will also build on the success of clubgolf, our national junior programme, which has introduced golf to record numbers of children in Scotland - almost 40,000 primary five pupils last year. We aim to give every child in Scotland access to our national game. This excellent package of support at every level puts us well on the way to re-establishing Scotland as the world's greatest golfing nation."
To manage the new investment targeting the transition of amateurs to tour professionals, an independent company will be established. The board will be chaired by former R&A captain Graeme Simmers OBE, who is also a former Chair of sportscotland, and supported by a board of advisors including former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallagher.


The longer term aim will be to supplement sportscotland's contribution through private sector investment and ensure that players get tailored support in their early professional development.
Both male and female players will benefit from a range of valuable services including coaching and training, sports science, the opportunity to attend warm weather training camps in the off season and in some cases, meet the underwriting of playing costs.
Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "Today's announcement marks an important step forward for the future of golf in Scotland, filling in the last piece of the puzzle to allow Scotland's golfing talent to flourish. SGU and SLGA deliver consistently both on and off the course and that's why sportscotland has increased investment in a sport which is part of the very fabric of our nation.
"sportscotland is also exceptionally proud of the success of the clubgolf programme, delivered in conjunction with our golf and local authority partners. I am delighted to see that the new strategy aims to keep that momentum going with ambitious targets and a robust plan to join up the people, places and thinking required to deliver on our Ryder Cup legacy commitment and give Scotland's youngsters every opportunity to experience this fascinating sport for themselves."
Sharing the spotlight today were three young golfers from North Berwick who are the product of the hugely successful clubgolf programme. Clara Young (13), Euan Bowden (14) and Calum Hill (14) demonstrate a real aptitude for the game and have now been selected for Scottish Golf's Academy programme. clubgolf, which was established in 2003 to deliver a lasting legacy from the 2014 Ryder Cup, today announced its new strategy for 2010 - 2014 containing ambitious targets to grow participation, expand the number of centres delivering clubgolf and further develop an effective coaching network which will deliver the right coach to the right place at the right time.
Cumulatively over 140,000 children have now been introduced to golf at school through introductory game, firstclubgolf. In 2010 all 32 Scottish Local Authorities will offer firstclubgolf and 41,000 children in P5 are set to benefit. By the time the Ryder Cup comes to Scotland in 2014, every nine year old child in Scotland will have been given the opportunity to try the game. The existing substantial network of qualified volunteer coaches will have grown to 1650 and 150 PGA Pros will be working in a variety of roles with clubgolf. As a result of school/club links there will be 15,000 children in coaching programmes at clubgolf centres, with the aim of retaining them in club membership and enjoying golf as a sport for life.
Scotland's top female golfer Catriona Matthew MBE said: "clubgolf is doing a great deal to encourage more children to take up the game and develop their skills. Getting golf into so many primary schools is generating a huge amount of interest and clubgolf's Girls Only coaching is definitely helping to keep more girls involved.
"It is very encouraging to see that children are now starting to come right through the clubgolf programme and into the national academies. I am delighted to support this new strategy and I am sure it will be a huge success."
Reflecting on the exciting times that lie ahead, Douglas Connon, Chairman of the Scottish Golf Union, said: "We are delighted that sportscotland is investing so much into golf, including the new funding to support young Tour professionals, which is really the missing piece in the jigsaw of our player development pathway."
"The support will be hugely important in giving players every opportunity of achievement on the world and European stage in the professional ranks as we have done at amateur level in recent years. No programme can guarantee this success but the players will certainly be better positioned to achieve their ambitions as a consequence of the investment."
Shona Malcolm, Chair of the SLGA, said: "There is fantastic talent in Scottish golf right now and the funding sportscotland has put in place has contributed greatly to players' progress at every level. We've had two players - Carly Booth and Kylie Walker - who have graduated to the Ladies European Tour this season and will be excellent role models for the girls coming through our development programmes."
Golf has always had an important part to play in Scottish life, providing thousands with a healthy leisure pursuit, delivering memorable sporting success for the nation and making a huge contribution to the Scottish economy. The strategy and investment packages announced today are designed to ensure that golf continues to deliver for Scotland to 2014 and beyond.

Lloyd Saltman, Gary King share lead in Spain

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
The seventh event of the 2010 Hi5 Pro Tour got underway today at newly opened Condado course, part of the Nicklaus Golf Trail at Polaris in Murcia, south-east Spain.
The cool weather that has plagued most of Europe is currently also in Spain but players were greeted with bright blue skies and calm winds today. The 6800 metre course at Condado showed its strength today as only 14 players managed to shoot par or better.
At the top of the leaderobard at four-under-par is 18-year old Gary King from England and Lloyd Saltmann of Scotland.
In second place at two under pare are four players: Richard Kind (Netherlands), Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Tim Sluiter (Netherlands) and current course record holder (with a 61) at Condado, Lasse Sonnie Nielsen, a young amateur from Denmark.
In the ladies division, Johanna Sundberg from Sweden shot a 74 and holds a two-shot lead over compatriot Josefin Leijon.
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
LEADING MEN'S SCORES
Par 72
68 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland), Gary King (England).
70 Richard Kind (Netherlands), Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Tim Sluiter (Netherlands), Lasse S Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur).
71 Andreas Hogberg (Sweden), Reichard Carter (England), Alex Belt (England), Felix Finn (Sweden), Callum Macaulay (Scotland).
72 James Housby (England), Elliot Saltman (Scotland), Patrick O'Neill (Denmark).
73 Floris De Vries (Netherlands), Martyn Hamer (England), Jan Neuendorf (Germany), Adrian Axelsson (Sweden), Emilio Rodriguez (Spain).
74 Paul O'Hanlon (Ireland), Vidor Thorstensen (Norway).
75 Gareth Davies (England), Zack Saltman (Scotland), Ruaidhri McGee (Ireland),
76 Ryan Street (Canada).
Selected score:
78 Miguel Angel Martin (Spain).

LEADING LADY PRO SCORES
Par 72
74 Johanna Lundberg (Sweden).
76 Josefin Leijon (Sweden).
78 Antonella Cvitan (Sweden), Mari Suursalu (Finland).
79 Emelie Lind (Sweden).
81 Elin Emanuelson (Sweden), Carolina Martens-Larson (Norway).

2010 Estoril Open de Portugal moves to June date

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The European Tour has announced the Estoril Open de Portugal, originally set to be played from April 1-4, will now take place from June 10-13, the week previously occupied by the Austrian Golf Open.
The tournament, to be played at Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Linho Sintra, Estoril, moves to a new summer date after the week became available following the change to September 16-19 for the Austrian Golf Open on The 2010 European Tour International Schedule.
The opportunity to move the Estoril Open de Portugal from the Easter weekend to a new summer date, the week prior to the US Open Championship, will also ensure the course is presented to the highest of standards befitting of European Tour competition, following a significant €2 million refurbishment programme.
The greens, tees and bunkers are already in outstanding condition, and the new dates will ensure the golf course presentation levels are further enhanced.
Duarte Nobre Guedes, President of Turismo Estoril: “Penha Longa has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme and the date change will ensure the course is played in excellent condition. The new June date will help promote this spectacular region just ahead of the summer holiday season and we are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to play the Estoril Open de Portugal during this important week.”
Manuel Agrellos, President of the Portuguese Golf Federation, said: “The Estoril Open de Portugal is an important and long standing tournament on The European Tour and the extra time will guarantee that Europe’s top players are presented with the best possible test.”
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “The opportunity to move the Estoril Open de Portugal to a new summer date has been welcomed by all parties and will showcase Penha Longa and the Estoril region in the height of the golfing summer. The Estoril Open de Portugal is part of the bedrock of The European Tour and we look forward to another successful tournament in June.”
Situated amongst the magnificent landscape of the Sintra Hills, with the beautiful Atlantic ocean in the distance, the Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, which is operated by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, hosted the Open de Portugal in 1994 and 1995 when Welshman Phillip Price and Scotsman Adam Hunter respectively took the title.
For the fourth successive year, the event will be supported by the Estoril Tourist Board (Turismo Estoril) when Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey defends the Estoril Open de Portugal title following his thrilling play-off victory over Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño last season.

Slaley Hall to stage EuroPro Tour event in late August

By ANTHONY LEAVER, PGA EuroPro Tour Press Officer
The PGA EuroPro Tour is delighted to announce that 2009 Tour Championship venue De Vere Slaley Hall will host a Tour event in August.
The Northumberland venue is one of three courses to host the first stage of Qualifying School in March and will open its doors to the players once more when they return from August 25-27.
“We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the PGA EuroPro Tour Championships at the end of last season and are delighted to further our involvement with the Tour this year,” said Daniel Hodson, Director of Golf and Leisure for De Vere.
“We are committed to supporting the game across all levels, from our new De Vere Club membership scheme which offers flexible membership to all eleven of our championship venues, to the PGA Seniors Championship and two PGA EuroPro Tour events, and we’re looking forward to another exciting season of championships in 2010.
"I am sure the EuroPro players will enjoy the different tests provided by the Hunting and Priestman courses, and will offer a great showcase of golf for the North-East.”
“It is great news that Slaley Hall will host a full tour event and I am delighted they are fast becoming a feature on the schedule,” said Danny Nickless, Operations Manager of the PGA EuroPro Tour. “Slaley Hall did a great job in hosting the Tour Championship and it Course will provide an early test for this year’s hopefuls at Q School as well as being a challenging obstacle as the Tour nears its conclusion in the autumn.”
Further events will be announced soon and entry for the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour Q School is open via the link on the homepage of the official website – www.europrotour.com
For further information on the PGA EuroPro Tour, please contact Anthony Leaver – anthony.leaver@matchroom.com or on 01277 359930.

Bank of Ireland end sponsorship of Irishman

Padraig Harrington's ranking

slipping but he's still big earner

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By Karl MacGinty
After a nondescript start to 2010, Padraig Harrington has tumbled eight places down the world rankings and out of the top-10 — to No 13 to be precise.
A fortnight ago, newspaper headlines suggested he'd been’'dumped' by one of his sponsors, Bank of Ireland.
And Harrington hasn't won in the international arena since clinching his third Major title, the US PGA Championship, at Oakland Hills 19 months ago.
Though a tournament victory is long overdue for the 38-year-old and, clearly, he was disappointed not to pick up a win on Tour in 2009, Harrington remains one of the biggest earners and most powerful players on the world stage.
Indeed, the decision of Bank of Ireland not to take up an option to renew their three-year deal with him when it expires in May illustrates how Harrington has outgrown a shrunken sports sponsorship market in his homeland. The bank effectively hit the jackpot when they struck that three-year deal with Harrington in May 2007 — and more power to them.
Within weeks, he'd win the Irish Open; within a couple of months, he'd become a Major champion at Carnoustie and within a year and a half had carved a place in history as the only European to win the British Open and US PGA in the same season.
Though bonuses reputedly swelled the cost to Bank of Ireland from €250,000 to €400,000 per annum, the deal still represented massively good value. To embroider one's name on the front of a multiple Major champion's sweater and to have him for three corporate outings a year would normally cost several times that amount.
For example, when Harrington entered a three-year ‘partnership' with leading US business consultancy FTI in November 2008, there were no objections when the media guesstimated its worth at $12m.
Yes, that's $4m a year, for which FTI get pride of place on the front of the Irishman's hat; several opportunities each year for staff and clients to play golf with the affable Irishman, and his participation in a range of TV and other media promotions.
Several weeks later, Wilson Golf revealed that they called in their parent company to help drum up the reported $10m it
took to extend their association with Harrington for another 36 months and establish him as an ambassador for the company's sports equipment on a par with Roger Federer.
Harrington banked just €14,006 on Sunday as he finished The Honda Classic tied 40th with Rory McIlroy on four-over, 17 strokes behind hugely impressive winner Camilo Villegas. Yet that modest sum pushed his career prize-money over the €34m mark, and the Irishman has earned at least that much again, if not more, off the course during 12 years as a professional.
Since he's signed contracts worth well in excess of €20m in the 19 months since his US PGA win, it's safe to assume that Harrington's gross income is approaching the €70m mark, with little sign of his corporate value being eroded by recession.
Harrington conceded last summer, during the depths of the world financial slump, that some of his personal investments inevitably had taken a hit.
“I'm like everybody else, looking at investments down 25pc and thinking, hey, that's okay,” he said at that time. “The greatest plus for somebody like me compared to someone on the street is that I have an earnings potential going forward and would be able to sustain ups and downs.
“The fact that I've got positive income streams is always a good way of looking at it.
“As somebody said to me the other day, birdies are recession-proof.”
Harrington certainly hasn't made enough birdies recently but he's a notoriously slow and skittish starter.
With just 10 rounds of stroke play and 17 holes of match play under his belt since his return last month from an eight-week midwinter break, it's too early to judge the Dubliner's form.

Top table guests at the Glasgow City Council Civic Reception to mark Haggs Castle Golf Club's Centenary Year. Names listed below. Click on image to enlarge.

Centenary Year Civic Reception for Haggs Castle Golf Club

Haggs Castle Golf Club continued its Centenary Year celebrations recently when the Glasgow City Council hosted a Civic Reception for the Club at the City Chambers.
Bailie Jim McNally hosted the event, at which 220 members and staff attended, and in a brief speech welcomed all those attending and wished the Club and its members every success for the Centenary year and for the future.
Graeme Shaw, the club captain replied, thanking everyone in attendance and paying tribute to the City Council for their support. He particularly mentioned the Glasgow Classic, European Tour event held at Haggs in 1983, sponsored by the Council and which was the forerunner of what has become the Scottish Open.
Pictured above are the top table guests at the event:
Front row (left to right): Liz Shaw, Jennifer Mack (ladies’ captain), Audrey Sturgess (immediate past captain).
Back row: Neal Stewart (vice-captain), Graeme Shaw (captain), Bailie Jim McNally (Glasgow City Council) and Gus Lamond, Chairman Centenary Committee.
With an active and friendly membership Haggs Castle GC welcomes new members in all categories – for more information please contact Alan Williams, General Manager on 0141 427 1157.

Duddingston want to turn winter into a glorious summer

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Duddingston are hoping their successful campaign in the South East Edinburgh Winter League will augur well for this season's Edinburgh Summer League.
Steve Gilhooley's side suffered just one defeat in lifting the title in the four-team event that also involves Craigmillar Park, Liberton and Prestonfield.
Duddingston also claimed the team trophy in the Individual Championship over their own course, with Derrick Williams making it a clean sweep for the club as he won that event with a superb five-under-par 67.
"It was disappointing to lose our final game (to Prestonfeld], especially at home, but local derbies are unpredictable," said Gilhooley.
"The positive side of winning the Winter League is that we used 19 players and a few new young pretenders were bloodied and responded very well."
With five wins from six games, Duddingston finished on ten points, three ahead of second-placed Prestonfield with Craigmillar Park, last year's winners, third this time around on four points and Liberton (3pts) propping up the table.
However, the signs for the future look good for Liberton after they lifted the Junior title in style, Robert Ross' side recording a 100 per cent record in finishing six points clear of second-placed Duddingston at the top of that table.
"We used 14 different juniors in the matches, trying to play at least three of our younger, higher handicapped juniors alongside three of the boys who did so well last summer to help bring them on," said Ross.
"This has proved quite successful, especially with one of our big hopes for the future, Kieran Cantley, who has come on leaps and bounds."
Craigmillar Park finished third in the Junior League, with Prestonfield, the defending champions, dropping to bottom spot in a real turnaround of fortunes.
In the individual event, Williams won by two shots from clubmate David Miller with Colin McNeill making it a 1-2-3 for the host club as he shot a 70.
With the best scores counting, Duddingston's eight-under-par aggregate earned them a comfortable win in the team event.
The Junior individual title was won by Prestonfield's Lewis Blyth with a gross 78, while the Handicap Trophy went to Jonathan Brown of Liberton with a net 65 playing off 18.
+The above article appears in today's Edinburgh Evening News.

Colin Gillies aims for £500,000

career mark in 25th year

By Nick Rodger
Colin Gillies, the Tartan Tour's all-time most prolific money winner, is aiming to celebrate his 25th anniversary on the domestic circuit this season by breaking the £500,000 barrier in career earnings.
The 43-year-old, Scottish boys' champion in 1983 and a two-time winner of the Scottish PGA Championship, is just over £18,500 short of that historic milestone and is looking to produce another financially fruitful year on home soil in 2010 and earn a place in the tour's record books.
"I earned around £19,000 last year and finished fifth on the money list and hopefully there's enough in the prize pot this season to do that again and get past the mark," said Gillies, who was an assistant professional to the former Ryder Cup skipper, Bernard Gallacher, at Wentworth in the mid-1980s.
"To get to half a million would be a great achievement and, as it's my 25th year on the Tartan Tour, there is a big incentive to do it this season. It would be a nice way to mark my long service."

Gillies, with over 120 Tartan Tour wins to his name, will make his assault on the earnings record at a time when the Scottish tour is facing challenging times in terms of prize-money and sponsorship.
"When I was starting out on the Tartan Tour we had something like seven 72-hole events a year as well as the pro-ams," added Gillies, who is attached to the Playsport facility in East Kilbride. "We were actually moaning about being tired because of the amount of golf we were playing. But we still have a strong pro-am circuit and hopefully we can ride out these tough times."

STEVE McNALLY FOR SLALEY HALL
Steve McNally, the former Scottish national high performance coach, has become the head teaching professional at De Vere Slaley Hall, moving to the Northumberland resort from Oulton Hall in Yorkshire.

+The above article appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.