PGA Scottish Region Scoreboard
WATERAID TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER
Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club
Par 72
1 66 Stuart Pardoe (ENG) Scottish Golf Centre »»
END OF QUALIFYING PLACES
T2 68 Gordon Sherry (SCO) Gordon Sherry Golf »»
T2 68 Neil Fenwick (SCO) Dunbar »»
4 69 Ross Cameron (SCO) McDonald »»
T5 70 Christopher Russell (SCO) RAW Golf Course Design »»
T5 70 Malcolm Isaacs (SCO) Nairn Dunbar »»
T7 71 Stewart Savage (SCO) Dalmuir »»
T7 71 Greig Hutcheon (SCO) Banchory »»
T7 71 Graeme Lornie (SCO) Paul Lawrie Foundation »»
T10 72 Par David Knapp (SCO) Playsport Golf »»
T10 72 Peter Kerr (SCO) Hayston »»
T10 72 Ross Leeds (SCO) Turnberry Hotel »»
T10 72 Ross Dixon (SCO) Renaissance Club »»
T14 73 Euan Cameron (SCO) Hamilton »»
T14 73 Andrew Fullen (SCO) Largs »»
T14 73 Ian Graham (SCO) Crow Wood »»
T14 73 Graeme Brown (SCO) Montrose »»
T18 74 Alan E Reid (SCO) West Lothian »»
T18 74 Andrew McMahon (SCO) Grove Golf »»
T18 74 Michael Patterson (SCO) Kilmacolm »»
T18 74 David Broadfoot (SCO) Dumfries & County »»
T18 74 Chris Conroy (SCO) Unattached »»
T18 74 Ian Robertson (SCO) Dalmilling »»
T18 74 Ross Murdoch (SCO) Dumfries & Galloway »»
T18 74 Andrew Cooper (SCO) Newmachar »»
26 75 Ewan Davie (SCO) Dunblane New »»
27 75 Scott Herald (SCO) Mearns Castle »»
28 75 Ian Taylor (SCO) Drumpellier »»
29 75 Duncan Williamson (SCO) Kirkhill »»
30 75 Steven Duncan (SCO) Balbirnie Park »»
31 75 Alistair Brown (SCO) Whitecraigs »»
32 75 Anthony Mackrell (SCO) Playsport Golf »»
T33 76 John Robertson (SCO) Glasgow »»
T33 76 Stuart Reekie (SCO) Blairgowrie »»
T33 76 Greg Paxton (SCO) Ralston »»
T33 76 Matthew Burt (SCO) Helensburgh »»
T33 76 Ross MacLeod (SCO) Greaves Sport »»
T33 76 Matthew Laughtland (SCO) Future Starz in Golf »»
T33 76 Iain Hanna (SCO) Strathclyde Park »»
T33 76 Gavin Cook (SCO) Prestonfield »»
T33 76 Heather MacRae (SCO) Gullane »»
T33 76 Craig Gordon (SCO) Edinburgh Golf Centre »»
T33 76 Sean O'Donnell (SCO) Balbirnie Park »»
T33 76 Andrew Erskine (SCO) Ratho Park »»
T33 76 Daniel Wood (SCO) Eyemouth »»
T33 76 James Clive (SCO) Carrick »»
T47 77 Lewis Burnett (SCO) Mearns Castle »»
T47 77 Alan Reid (SCO) Gary Mitchell Golf »»
T47 77 Ewan Hogarth (SCO) Peebles »»
T47 77 Craig Ronald (SCO) Carluke »»
T47 77 Stuart Kerr (SCO) Strathaven »»
T52 78 Alan Gowran (SCO) East Renfrewshire »»
T52 78 David Fleming (SCO) Prestwick »»
T52 78 Ewan Grimes (SCO) Cardross »»
T52 78 James Boyce (SCO) Erskine »»
T52 78 Adam Aitken (SCO) Unattached »»
T52 78 Hamish Kemp (SCO) Bishopbriggs Golf Range »»
T52 78 Nick Walton (ENG) Glasgow »»
T52 78 Alan Fleming (SCO) North Highland College »»
T60 79 Keil Beveridge (SCO) Aboyne Golf Club »»
T60 79 Graeme Stewart (SCO) Gleddoch »»
T60 79 Kieron Stevenson (SCO) Royal Troon »»
T60 79 Alan Gibson (SCO) Troon Municipal »»
T60 79 Owen Leslie (SCO) Craigentinny »»
T60 79 Michael Rae (SCO) Alyth »»
T60 79 Gordon Law (SCO) Uphall »»
T60 79 Nicholas Reid (SCO) Unattached »»
T60 79 Andrew Meikle (SCO) Archerfield »»
T69 80 Nicky Sinclair (SCO) Prestwick »»
T69 80 James Smallwood (SCO) Fereneze »»
T69 80 Brian Gibson (SCO) Carrick at Cameron House »»
T69 80 Ian Rowlands (SCO) West Linton »»
T69 80 Gary McFarlane (SCO) Clober »»
T69 80 Jonas Hedberg (SWE) Royal Aberdeen »»
T75 81 Derek Watters (SCO) Gourock »»
T75 81 Gareth Hardy (SAF) Belleisle »»
T75 81 Paul Wilson (IRE) World of Golf »»
T75 81 Graeme Fisher (SCO) Glasgow »»
T79 82 Iain Colquhoun (SCO) Dundonald Links »»
T79 82 Sven Nielsen (SAF) Turnberry »»
T79 82 Stuart Williamson (SCO) Unattached »»
T79 82 Stuart Roberts (SCO) Bothwell Castle »»
83 83 Campbell Donaldson (SCO) Campbell Donaldson Golf Aca »»
84 84 Paul Malone (SCO) Braid Hills Golf Centre »»
85 85 Kevin McAleer (SCO) Gleddoch »»
86 86 Stuart Smith (ENG) Unattached »»
87 87 Peter McLachlan (SCO) West Kilbride »»
88 89 Georgina Snow (SCO) Turnberry Hotel »»
No Returns:
James Mooney (SCO) Kingscliff Golf Solutions »»
David Ross Nicol (SCO) Dundonald Links »»
Liam Neeson (SCO) Gleddoch House G&CC »»
Norman Huguet (SCO) Musselburgh »»

*Official tour scoring and statistics provided by the
Professional Golfers' Association

Chappell scores first win on US Nationwide Tour

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
HAYWARD, Callifornia-- Kevin Chappell hit the number and it paid off like a winning lottery ticket at the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae.
Chappell posted a 6-under 65 in the final round Sunday and earned his first career title, beating Canadian David Hearn by one stroke and collecting $108,000 in the process.
The win moved Chappell to No. 2 on the Nationwide Tour money table through six of 28 events on the 2010 schedule. He won the 2008 NCAA individual title as the Bruins captured the overall team title.
Chappell walked off the 13th green in Saturday's third round and put a number in his head that he thought he needed to get to in order to have a chance to win the tournament. The Fresno native had just stumbled to a bogey, dropped to 13 under par and fallen out of a share of the lead with Hearn.
"I put a number in my head at that point," said the Fresno native. "I just wouldn't tell anybody what it was."
It turned out that Chappell's magic number was 20, as in 20 under par, which is exactly where he finished after calmly tapping in for par on the final hole and collecting his first win since he captured a one-day mini-tour event in Boise, Idaho, in 2008.
"It's been a long time coming," said the 23-year-old. "It's a surreal feeling but it's one I could get used to."
Canada's Jon Mills finished solo third, three back. Doug LaBelle II was alone in fourth, four behind.
Chappell began the final round one back of Hearn, but surged to the lead with birdies on his first three holes, forcing Hearn and everyone else to play catch up.
"I knew I had to get off to a quick start because the back nine plays a lot tougher," he said. "Getting those birdies early just kick-started me."
Chappell ran off six birdies on the front and made the turn at 19 under, one up on Hearn. The rest of the field was making plenty of birdies too, but they were too far behind to challenge for the lead. Several came close but the outcome would be decided by the final twosome.
"I didn't know if anyone was making a move. I didn't hear any roars out there, but you never know," he said. "I knew we were playing pretty good and I thought if I could beat him (Hearn) I thought I'd have a pretty good chance."
Chappell and Hearn were in the final pairing and much of the back nine felt like match play between the two. Chappell led but Hearn tied it up with a birdie at No. 11. Hearn bogeyed No. 13 to fall one back. The pair switched places when Hearn birdied No. 14 and Chappell made bogey.
"It was almost calming to make bogey there and give up the lead," said Chappell. "I knew I could play well coming from behind."
Chappell birdied No. 15 to regain a share of the lead and Hearn's bogey at No. 16 left him one back. Chappell rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt at No. 17 to put him at 20 under and two up with one to go.
"I thought 18 was going to be a walk in the park after that," he said.
Hearn refused to give in. His second shot at the uphill, 438-yard hole nearly spun into the cup before settling within inches, leaving him a tap-in to get within one.
"We couldn't see it but I thought he holed it," said Chappell. "There was a loud roar but it wasn't a 'holed it' roar. I kept telling myself to finish the race. The day wasn't over. I wasn't going to be done until I putted out."
Chappell's 8-iron from 178 yards climbed over a front bunker and left him 25 feet short of the flag.
"I wanted to hit 9-iron there but my caddie Brandon wouldn't let me," he said. "I thought an 8-iron would put me in the bleachers."
Chappell calmed his nerves, rolled his birdie putt to within six inches of the hole and tapped in the winning putt.
"Kevin is fearless, which I guess you are when you are only 23," said Hearn, 30, who was looking for his first win since the 2004 Alberta Classic. "On 18, he did what do with a two-shot lead on the last hole."
When all was said and done, Chappell finally confessed his winning prediction.
"At the beginning of the week I didn't think 20 under would win this tournament," he said. "I thought it might be closer to 2 under."
Good thing he didn't bet on that number.
Fourth-Round Notes: Ex-NFL wide receiver star Jerry Rice will return in 2011 to serve as the tournament host and a professional competitor in the event. Rice, 47, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. The former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver shot scores of 83-76 but missed the 36-hole cut. Rice will once again headline the Jerry Rice Celebrity Pro-Am, which will be held on Wednesday of tournament week.
"My main goal has been to help the tournament be successful and I am happy that we have been able to do that," said Rice. "I loved working with the Nationwide Tour, the players and all the people here at Stonebrae. I can't wait to do it again."
The Nationwide Tour moves to Valdosta, Georgia this week for the South Georgia Classic at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club from April 22 to 25.

Ross Bell wins last Midland Alliance at Scotscraig with a 67

By LEE SUTHERLAND
Midland Golfers Alliance held their final meeting of the season with the Hi Tech Acustic Services Ltd Pro Am at Scotscraig Golf Club, Fife.
Leading scratch score came from Scottish champion of champions' tournament winner Ross Bell (Downfield) with a superb, four-under-par 67.
Winners of the team prize with a 16-under-par total were Derek Adams (Carnoustie), Jim Ward (Carnoustie), Drew Herd (Scotscraig) and Alan McEwan (Carnoustie).
LEADING SCRATCH
67 R Bell (Downfield).
71 C Mathieson (Falkirk Tryst) ap.
72 D Herd (Alloa) p.
73 R Walker (Lundin) p, K Harper (Carnoustie).
74 M Pirie (Pitlochry) p, G Abel (Alloa) ap, D Adams (Carnoustie).
LEADING TEAM SCORES
126 D Adams (Carnoustie) (4), J Ward (Carnoustie) (10), D Herd (Scotscraig) (11), A McEwan (Carnoustie) (13).
130 R Malcolm (Dunfermline) (3), J Barnett (Dunfermline) (9), J Rennie (Dunfermline) (13), G Atkinson (Dunfermline) (14).
131 (better inward half) P Brookes (Pitreavie) p, K Thomson (Alloa) (11), J Wilson (Dunfermline) (14), I Milne (Edzell) (13).

Troon Welbeck and Ardeer retain Ayrshire boys' titles

Troon Welbeck and Ardeer retained the Matt Lygate and Andrew D. Nimmo Trophies at the Ayrshire boys' team championships at Troon Portland.
Troon Welbeck began the scratch event, for the Matt Lygate Trophy, as favourites. Fielding the lowest handicapped team of 14 competing clubs, they did not disappoint on their way to retaining the title of Ayrshire boys' team champions which they won for the first time at Ardeer 12 months ago.
Marc Smith returned an excellent two-under-par 69. David Wilson (75) and Charlie Macneal (77) provided the other two counting scores for the Welbeck team, with Calum Beveridge (80) posting a good fourth score, to be considered in the event of a tie.
The Welbeck team retained the Lygate Trophy by a 13-shot margin from their closest challengers, Kilmarnock Barassie whose team of Euan Henderson (83), Euan Walker (70), Callum Gorrie (81) and Blair Garven (89) combined for a scratch total of 234.
In the handicap competition, for the Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy and the handicap championship title, Ardeer set the early target with Robbie Fitzpatrick (67), Daniel Forbes (81), Sandy Walker (70) and Nick Carr (70) posting a net team total of 207.
This ultimately proved to be a winning score for Ardeer who retained the trophy won on their home course in 2009. The only real challenge came from the team from Irvine Golf Club as Chris Hobson (66), Greg Cathie (80), Stuart Easton (72) and Jack Thomas (70) came up only one stroke short of the winning score on 208.
In individual competition, Marc Smith took the Prestwick Circuits Trophy, for the best scratch score of the day, back to Troon Welbeck after his superb 69, following on from teammate David Wilson's win at Ardeer last year.
The Carrick Trophy, awarded to the player returning the best net score of the competition, was won by 12 handicapper Robert Montgomery (West Kilbride) who returned a six under par net score of 65 to take the trophy by one stroke.
The two handicap class vouchers were won by Chris Hobson (Irvine) with 75 - 9 = 66 and Matthew Smith (Loudoun) with 86 - 18 = 68.
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

TEAM SCRATCH
221 TROON WELBECK (Marc Smith, David Wilson, Charlie Macneal, Calum Beveridge)
234 KILMARNOCK BARASSIE (Euan Henderson, Euan Walker, Calum Gorrie, Blair Garven)
237 PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT, ARDEER.
239 IRVINE.
241 AYR BELLEISLE.
242 WEST KILBRIDE.
244 PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS.
248 BALLOCHMYLE.
253 TROON ST MEDDANS.
266 LARGS.
268 LOUDOUN.
288 SKELMORLIE.
204 IRVINE RAVENSPARK.

TEAM HANDICAP
207 ARDEER (Robbie Fitzpatrick, Daniel Forbes, Sandy Walker, Nick Carr)
INDIVIDUAL
Scratch
69 MARC SMITH (Troon Welbeck).
Handicap
65 ROBERT MONTGOMERY (West Kilbride) (12).
Class 1 (0-9)
66 CHRIS HOBSON (Irvine) (9) bih.
Class 2 (10-18).
68 MATTHEW SMITH (Loudoun) (18).

Monty backs decision to make

Gleneagles home of PGA

National Academy for Scotland

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Colin Montgomerie has greeted the decision to make Gleneagles the home of the PGA National Academy for Scotland as a welcome and much-needed initiative to grow the game in the country.
Gleneagles, which has three championship courses and will stage the 2014 Ryder Cup on one of them, already enjoys a reputation as a golfing mecca.
And for Montgomerie, one of Scotland’s most renowned golfers, the move to site the country’s PGA National Academy there is as timely as it is fitting.
He said: “Golf in Scotland will get a huge boost when the Ryder Cup is contested on Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary course in four years time. The PGA National Academy at Gleneagles should provide a very inspiring backdrop for the next generation of golfers and coaches who will be training there.
“It is one of many important grass roots initiatives being put in place to ensure we grow the game in Scotland and capitalise on the benefits of hosting the Ryder Cup.”
As well as staging the Ryder Cup in 2014, Gleneagles has been the venue for the Johnnie Walker Championship since 1999 and has agreed to stage and support the Scottish PGA Championship for the foreseeable future.The resort is also a PGA Partner of long-standing and the Association’s chief executive Sandy Jones said:
“We’ve enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Gleneagles for many years and our Scottish regional office has been based there since 2002. We’re delighted with the latest development as we see it as a natural progression of our partnership.”
Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles general manager, echoed those comments and added: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as the venue for the PGA National Academy for Scotland. We continually strive to improve all aspects of our golf experience and very much look forward to being able to enhance and develop all areas of tuition at the resort in partnership with the PGA.”
In addition to its three 18-hole courses, Gleneagles boasts a nine-hole course – the Wee - and state of the art golf academy, both of which are in line for major investment as part of the resort housing the PGA National Academy for Scotland.
Commenting on the plans, Colin Pearson, The PGA’s strategic head of golf development (Scotland), said: “The addition of the PGA National Academy at Gleneagles is a fantastic boost to the many exciting developments that are already happening in Scottish golf at the moment. “This facility will provide an excellent opportunity for players and coaches to work together to develop their skills and expertise, and over time can potentially provide a focal point for the development of coaching and education in Scotland.
“This further strengthening of the link between the PGA and the 2014 Ryder Cup venue will be of great interest to the many new coaches and young players in Scotland who have particularly benefited from the clubgolf programme which is evolving into a great Ryder Cup legacy for Scotland.
*Image of Gleneagles managing director Patrick Elsmie (left) and PGA chief executive Sandy Jones (right) by courtesy of Andy Forman Photography.

Lothians' David Patrick wins Titleist

PGA Rookie of the Year award

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Former Walker Cup player David Patrick has added another significant achievement to his golfing CV by winning the Titleist PGA Rookie of the Year award.
The 36-year-old Scot from the Lothians came top of the pile of his first year peers on the PGA Foundation Degree to collect the Major John Bywaters Memorial Trophy and a cheque for £1,000 from D J Spoony, the guest of honour at the PGA Graduation ceremony at the University of Birmingham.
Patrick, who is based at Elie Sports Club in Fife, was a team-mate of Paul Casey and Luke Donald in the Walker Cup of 1999 when Great Britain beat the US at Nairn.
He then turned professional and pursued a career in the paid ranks with a number of seasons on the Challenge Tour, which included victory in the Kenya Open.
But the rigours of being on Tour and having a young family have seen Patrick swap life on the road to pursue a successful coaching career.
“I’d spent seven years on the Challenge Tour and a combination of factors - finances, happiness and health, meant I needed to do something else as I have got a young family,” said Patrick.“I had always been interested in teaching, I helped my fellow pros when on tour and so taking the three-year PGA foundation degree seemed a good option.
“It’s been refreshing as it has been good to have a break from playing all the time. It wasn’t too hard to adapt to the studying, having done a degree course in the United States. I thought there would also be areas I would be strong in, given my years on tour while I’ve always been a bit of a golf geek and read lots about aspects of the game.
“I am enjoying the combination of working and studying and being able to play when I have the opportunity. I certainly don’t envisage going back to playing full time or having another crack at the Tour when I finish my course.”
The PGA’s education and training programme equips successful graduates with the skills and expertise to fulfil a wide range of roles within the golf industry. And the learning doesn’t stop once qualified with PGA members also undergoing a process of continual professional development to keep them up to date with all the latest developments in the sport.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: "This is a tremendous achievement for David and marks a year of hard work. He deserves huge applause for his outstanding efforts and I wish him more success during the rest of his foundation degree.”
Titleist sales and marketing director Ken Graham said: “PGA professionals play a key role in golf at all levels of the game and Titleist is delighted to be supporting the next generation of highly qualified golf professionals.”

*Image of David Patrick (left) and guest speaker DJ Spoony (right) by courtesy of Jamie Jones Photography.

The majestic Victorian mansion that is Letham Grange Golf & Country Club, with the 18th green of the Old Course in the foreground.

Letham Grange + Four a bargain at £279 per person

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ANDREW TREMLETT ASSOCIATES (Pete Simm)
There are few better places in the world to play golf than in Scotland and visitors to Angus can enjoy some of the best-value golf to be found anywhere in the country thanks to the launch of a new offer for 2010.
With its wide range of historic courses, Angus has it all and with the Letham Grange PLUS FOUR offer, golfers can now play four rounds of golf with three nights’ accommodation at Letham Grange Hotel, Golf & Country Estate including dinner, bed and breakfast from just £279 per person.
The deal includes 18 holes on both of Letham Grange’s courses - the Old Course and Glens - plus rounds at Arbroath or Montrose Medal and Forfar or Kirriemuir.And golfers looking for a real challenge can upgrade one course for £90 so that they can play Carnoustie’s world renowned Championship Course - a regular venue on the Open Championship rota.
Jamie Le Friec, general manager at Letham Grange, said: "We have worked hard to put this deal together and I believe it represents great value for money. Four rounds of golf with dinner, breakfast and accommodation every night is virtually unbeatable for the quality of courses we are offering."
Originally an early Victorian mansion house, Letham Grange - two miles from Arbroath - was converted into a golf resort at the start of the 1990s and the 300-acre parkland estate boasts two 18-hole courses - the Old Course and Glens.
The 6,632-yard Old Course, designed by Donald Steel in 1987, has been referred to as ‘the Augusta of the North’, features water on 13 of the 18 holes and includes its very own ‘Amen Corner’ around the turn.
The Glens Course opened four years later and while, at 5,276 yards, the par-65 lay-out is not as tough or punishing as its older brother, it offers its own series of challenges including the testing final four holes.
Golf has been played on Montrose’s famous links since 1562 and the Medal Course is regularly used as an Open qualifying venue.
Arbroath and Forfar were both laid out by the game’s most famous designer Old Tom Morris while Kirriemuir was created by another legendary Scottish golf architect James Braid.
Le Friec added: "We look forward to welcoming guests to Letham Grange for an offer that will be a superb golfing experience based in a magnificent setting."
For more details on the Letham Grange PLUS FOUR offer, contact Scotia Travel on 0141 305 5050.
For more information about Letham Grange, go to http://www.lethamgrangehotel.co.uk/ or phone 01241 890459.

Bolton wins Argyll & Bute title for sixth time

Rothesay's Graham Bolton secured his sixth Argyll & Bute match-play championship with a hard fought 2 and 1 victory over Millport's Les Pirie at a sun-drenched Machrihanish.
Bolton got off to a flying start with gains at holes 1, 2 and 4 before winning the 11th to go four up.
However,Pirie fought back bravely with wins at the 12th and 14th to take the match into the closing holes, but Bolton managed to cling on for a narrow victory.
The star of the weekend was young Craig Pirie who, in rounds one and two, beat two vastly more experienced competitors in Gordon McClean and Allan McKie, only to have to play his father Les in Sunday morning's semi-finals.
Experience prevailed with Les coaxing home a four-footer on the last green to end his son’s challenge. The other beaten semi finalist was another Millport member, Gordon Lundie, who went down to a narrow defeat at the hands of Bolton on Sunday morning.
Results:
FIRST ROUND
Craig Pirie bt Gordon McClean at 19th.
Allan McKie bt Kenneth McCallum 2 and 1.
Les Pirie bt Stephen Renfrew 5 and 3.
Bobby Willan bt George Reynolds 2 and 1.
Gordon Lundie bt Steve Ellis 2 and 1.
Reevie Thomson bt Alistair McPherson 2 and 1.
George MacMillan bt Philip Murphy 2 and 1.
Graham Bolton wo Ross Speirs scr.
QUARTER-FINALS
Craig Pirie bt Allan McKie 3 and 2.
Les Pirie bt Bobby Willan at 20th.
Gordon Lundie bt Reevie Thomson 1 hole
Graham Bolton bt George MacMillan 1 hole
SEMI-FINALS
Les Pirie bt Craig Pirie 1 hole
Graham Bolton bt Gordon Lundie 2 and 1.
FINAL
Graham Bolton bt Les Pirie 2 and 1.

Hugh Hunter's Clackmannan County News

PROVAN SALVER TRIUMPH

The Clackmannan County team made a good start to the 2010 season with a win in the Provan Salver team event contested by the Midland Counties, although it has to be said that after winning at Dollar by 5 matches to 3, Fife did Clackmannanshire a favour by beating Angus by the same margin over Drumoig golf course.
Stars of the day were the three Alloa Golf Club team members who all won their matches plus fine performances from home-based players. Darren Hulston was 6 under par for the first nine holes in his win; junior Gary Chalmers (playing in his first County Match); was even for some time until he won 4 holes in a row and never looked back in a 5 and 4 win.
Team captain John Gullen was pleased with the team performance---“This was just what we needed to boost confidence for the Scottish Area Team Championship at Kinross in May, when we will be competing with the best in Scotland.”
For the record, Clackmannan won quite clearly with two match wins out of three. Angus and Perth & Kinross tied for second place with one and a half matches, then Fife with one match win.
CLACKMANNAN 5, PERTH & KINROSS 3
At Dollar
(Clackmannan names first)
Scott Borrowman (Dollar) lost to Nicky Barr (Craigie Hill) 4/3
Steven Horne (Tulliallan) lost to Stuart Graham (Blairgowrie) 3/2
Darren Hulston (Dollar) beat Scott Michie (Kinross) 3/2
Jamie Aitken (Alloa) beat George Brass (Blairgowrie) 3/2
Scott Moffat (Alloa) beat Craig Stephen (King James VI) 5/4
John Maxwell (Tulliallan) lost to Stuart McKendrick (Dunkeld & Birnam) 1 hole
Ian Ross (Alloa) beat Malcolm Davidson (Craigie Hill) 2/1
Gary Chalmers (Dollar) beat Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) 5/4

LAWRENCE ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY
In the Under 16 Quadrangular Golf Matches held in Holland last week, Alva’s junior star continued the good work from the Scottish Boys Championship. Playing at number one in the foursomes matches and number two in the singles, Lawrence had a pretty good tournament, considering it was his first International event in Europe.
On the first day, partnered by Euan Scott (St Andrews), they lost out to the top Dutch pairing by 3/2 He then narrowly lost by one hole his singles in the afternoon---- however he bounced back on days 2 and three with halved matches, and is clearly among the top Scottish Under 16 golfers.
Regrettably the Scottish team were held up in Holland due to the grounded flights, so much so thhat they missed the 72 hole SGU Junior Tour event at Newmachar.
Thanks to a withdrawal, Lawrence is now in the field for the Scottish Youths Championship at Monifieth from the 7th till 9th May---- he was on the reserve list for a few days due to his handicap of 1.7 being right on the limit.

2010 COUNTY GOLF SEASON TEES OFF
Three big events of the Clackmannan County Golf season will be contested this coming weekend and next week. The SPRING MEETING is taking place over Tulliallan (Division 1) and Alloa (Division 2) golf courses this weekend.
County Secretary Tommy Johnson is highly pleased.”There is an excellent entry of 135 in the first division and 93 in the second division----- this is a very good proportion of the golf club members in Clackmannanshire, and helps to fulfil one of the main objectives of Clackmannan County----to promote golf among the six member golf clubs” Draws have been posted in the Golf Clubs.
The Clackmannan boys championship goes to Tillicoultry on Sunday 25th April. Boys Convenor Sam Kinnaird is a bit disappointed. “There is a lower than normal entry, but we hope to get a few late entries for both the Senior and Junior boys events”
At present, the Junior boys event has only attracted 8 entrants with 5 of them from Braehead. Low handicaps Grant Murray and Ricky Alexander playing of 10 must be favourites for the Junior title, and as things stand, all 8 will qualify for the Junior Match play title. The senior boys event has attracted 16 entrants ( 7 from Alloa, 4 Tillicoultry, 2 Alva, 2 Braehead and 1 Dollar). The 2010 titles will probably go to the “ Big Three” in County Boys golf----- Lawrence Allan (Alva), Gary Chalmers (Dollar) and John Salmond (Alloa)--- the lowest handicaps in the field.
The first two ties in the COUNTY FOURSOMES TEAM TOURNAMENT will be held at the start of next week with Dollar hoping to retain their title from 2009.

NATIONAL GOLF EVENTS
Clackmannan county president Bill Abernethy is hoping that more County golfers will test their skills in the bigger Scottish competitions----in the recent Craigmillar Park 72 hole event locals Scott Borrowman and Darren Hulston (both Dollar) took part. Scott was lying second equal after the first days play with two rounds of 65…. Darren scored 76,73 just missing the cut. In the final two rounds, Scott could not sustain the good work and finished on 281 (65, 65, 74, 77) and finished in 29th equal position.
This weekend, Scott plays in the Edward Trophy 72 hole event over Glasgow Gailes--- in a field of 72, he is one of the higher handicaps (they are all plus)------there are 4 players off plus three, and 22 off plus two; such is the standard of golf these days.

MIDLAND ALLIANCE
Local golfers continue on their winning ways!!. In the event held at Monifieth last week, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) took second equal scratch prize while the team of Paul Brookes (Pitreavie), Kenny Thomson , Chris Westland (both Alloa) with a net 60, tied for first in the team event.

FORTH VALLEY SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Top golfers from schools in Clackmannan, Stirling and Falkirk will be contesting the local schools Championships this Thursday at Alloa Golf Club. The leading golfers on the day will be given the chance to represent these areas in the Scottish Schools Championships to be held at Murrayshall on the 7th June.

TV DEBUT FOR LOCAL GOLF ADMINISTRATOR
The BBC Sport website contains a short 5 minute video of the 2010 Scottish Boys Championship final. While there might be limited local interest in the two finalists, there might be more interest in the brief appearances of Kenneth Ellacott (Dollar) who refereed the final. Sharp eyed viewers will spot him at various points during the final, and his voice is recognisable announcing the result. The video can be reached through the Scottish Golf Union web site.

Spanish win is Raymond Russell's
-
first pro title in 14 years

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Raymond Russell survived an early wobble to claim his first big title in 14 years with victory in the Alps Tour's Emporda Open in Spain.
The 37-year-old Scot, who won the European Tour's Cannes Open back in 1996, closed with a one-under 70 for an 11-under 202 and a two-shot win over Italy's Matteo Delpodio and Spanish duo Carlos Del Moral and Xavier Guzman.
Russell, who finished fourth in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale, was leading by three strokes heading into the closing round at Emporda. He made a perfect start to his title bid with a birdie on the first hole but he toppled off the top with a calamitous run of five dropped shots over the next three holes.
The Prestonpans pro (picture above from the Alps Tour website) rallied and picked up another five birdies, including two in a row at 17 and 18, to edge back to the front and pick up the top prize of almost £6,000.
"I told myself to take it the same as on the first two days and I managed to make a few more birdies," said Russell.
Scone's Gavin Dear sagged to a closing 75 and finished near the foot of the standings on a 216.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
Prizemoney in Euros
202 Raymond RUSSELL (SCO) 68 64 70 (6,633.60).
204 Matteo DELPODIO (ITA) 68 69 67, Carlos DEL MORAL (ESP) 65 71 68, Xavier GUZMAN SADABA (ESP) 68 67 69 (3,577.60 each).
205 Eduardo DE LA RIVA (ESP) 71 69 65, Moises COBO (ESP) 69 68 68, Jordi GARCIA PINTO (ESP) 68 69 68, Jaime CAMARGO (ESP) 67 69 69, Jurgen MAURER (AUT) 69 66 70 (1,505.28 each).
206 Pedro LINHART (ESP) 68 72 66 937.60, Olivier SERRES (FRA) 67 72 67, Kenny LE SAGER (FRA) 69 67 70, Juan Antonio BRAGULAT (ESP) 66 70 70, Jesus LEGARREA (ESP) 65 70 71, Matthew CRYER (ENG) 67 68 71 (937.60 each).
207 -6 Jason BARNES (ENG) 68 72 67, Jorge GARCIA FERNANDEZ (ESP) 68 70 69, Edouard DUBOIS (FRA) 68 70 69, Alvaro SALTO (ESP) 68 70 69, Sergio GUTIERREZ (ESP) 68 70 69 (782.40 each).
208 Jason PALMER (ENG) 73 68 67, Jose Luis ADARRAGA (ESP) 72 68 68, Pol BECH (ESP) 69 69 70, Damien PERRIER (FRA) 69 67 72 (691.20 each).
209 Carlos GARCIA SIMARRO (ESP) 71 70 68, Paolo TERRENI (ITA) 72 69 68 (636 each).
210 Marco CRESPI (ITA) 69 72 69 574.40, Richard KILPATRICK (NIR) 69 72 69, Cesar MONASTERIO (ARG) 69 70 71, Matjaz GOJCIC (SLO) 69 70 71, Matthieu BEY (FRA) 65 73 72, Juan PARRON (ESP) 64 73 73 (574.40 each).
211 Farren KEENAN (ENG) 69 72 70, Jose Manuel CARRILES (ESP) 68 72 71 (523.20 each).
212 Marc PEREZ GELMA (ESP) 71 70 71, Jann SCHMID (SWI) 69 71 72, Borja GUERRERO GARCIA (ESP) 69 70 73, Ivan ARQUILLO (AM) (ESP) 66 70 76 (amateur), Daniel ALONSO (ESP) 69 66 77 (490.80 each, except amateur).»
213 Georg SCHULTES (AUT) 71 70 72, Ignacio FELIU (ESP) 67 72 74, Carlos BALMASEDA (ESP) 67 71 75 (456 each).
215 Gabriel CANIZARES (ESP) 72 69 74, Pierre RELECOM (BEL) 69 71 75 (432 each).
216 Gavin DEAR (SCO) 69 72 75 (417.60) (45th)
217 Borja ETCHART (ESP) 68 72 77 (412.80).
MISSED THE CUT
142 Sebastian GARCIA GROUT (ESP) 73 69, Fernando ROCA (ESP) 67 75, Felix FIHN (SWE) 73 69, David ANTONELLI (FRA) 69 73, Jacques GUILLET (FRA) 70 72, Ismael DEL CASTILLO (ESP) 73 69, Matthew BALDWIN (ENG) 70 72, Sam ROBINSON (ENG) 71 71,
Julien FORET (FRA) 72 70, Ivan IRAZUSTA (ESP) 71 71.
143 Sergio GONZALEZ GARCIA (ESP) 72 71,Ignacio SANCHEZ PALENCIA (ESP) 73 70, Alfonso GUTIERREZ (ESP) 75 68, Jose Manuel OCEJO (ESP) 73 70, Romain SCHNEIDER (FRA) 70 73, Pedro ERICE (ESP) 70 73, Diego SUAZO GONZALEZ (ESP) 70 73, Ivó GINER (ESP) 72 71, Francisco CEA (ESP) 70 73, Iñigo URQUIZU (ESP) 70 73.
144 Marco GUERISOLI (ITA) 70 74, Daniel QUIROS (ESP) 72 72, Mikel GALDOS URIBESALGO (ESP) 74 70, Agus DOMINGO HOSPITAL (ESP) 69 75, Ion GARCIA (ESP) 73 71, Santiago TARRIO (ESP) 72 72, Alfredo GARCIA-HEREDIA (ESP) 71 73, Ricki NEIL-JONES (ENG) 71 73, Jose LORCA (ESP) 68 76, Ivan MUNOZ (ESP) 74 70.
145 Matthias MONTGAILLARD (FRA) 70 75, Pablo MENJIBAR (ESP) 72 73, Uli WEINHANDL (AUT) 71 74, Raul QUIROS (ESP) 70 75, Simone BRIZZOLARI (ITA) 72 73, Nicolas SULZER (SWI) 74 71, Francisco VALLS (ESP) 74 71, Robert SVENSSON (SWE) 73 72, Eduardo FERNANDEZ (ESP) 71 74, Nicholas MURTAGH (ENG) 72 73, Bruno-Teva LECUONA (FRA) 73 72, Mark HOOPER (ENG) 69 76.
146 Thomas FOURNIER (FRA) 74 72, Claudio BLAESI (SWI) 69 77, Jose Miguel ROSILLO (ESP) 75 71, Michael MOSER (AUT) 71 75, Giacomo TONELLI (ITA) 74 72, Max BRACKLEY (ENG) 73 73, Vicente BLAZQUEZ (ESP) 70 76, Jordi GARCIA DEL MORAL (ESP) 72 74,
Alan BIHAN (FRA) 75 71, Daniel COUGHLAN (ENG) 71 75.
147 Roberto LANTSOGHT (ESP) 75 72, Ignacio BERMUDO (ESP) 72 75, Mariano SAIZ (ESP) 70 77, Francisco LAGARTO (ESP) 72 75, Neil CHAUDHURI (ENG) 72 75.
148 Bernie SOLANES (ESP) 71 77, Maximilian BOSSE (ESP) 74 74,
149 Ivan LARA (ESP) 70 79, Daniel PALENZUELA (ESP) 73 76, Rafael GALLARDO MORENO (ESP) 74 75.
150 Kim JOON (ITA) 73 77, Alex MUNRO (AUS) 76 74, Juan Manuel FUENTES (ESP) 74 76,
Gervasio CUQUEJO (ESP) 70 80, Carlos PEREZ BARBERAN (ESP) 73 77,
Txomin HOSPITAL (ESP) 72 78, Jose Manuel MANCEBO (ESP) 78 72.
151 Andrea SIGNOR (ITA) 75 76,Jerome THEUNIS (BEL) 76 75, Carlos SANCHEZ (ESP) 78 73, Miguel PUJALTE SASTRE (ESP) 80 71, Marcos JUAN TOMAS (ESP) 77 74, Roger ALBINYANA (ESP) 73 78, Xavier PONCELET (FRA) 72 79.
152 Santiago SEIJO GARCIA (ESP) 75 77.
153 Giorgio DEL BOCA (ITA) 74 79.
154 Carlos GALLARDO MORENO (ESP) 76 78, Panagiotis KARANTZIAS (GRE) 77 77.
155 Mathieu BOZIO (FRA) 76 79, Carlos AGUILAR (ESP) 79 76 »»
156 Antonio ARJONA (ESP) 76 80, Damaso CARRERA (ESP) 76 80 »»
160 Ivan OLLER (ESP) 77 83 »»
166 Robert SANCHEZ (AM) (ESP) (amateur) 84 82.
167 Miguel FAJARDO (ESP) 82 85.
168 Alvaro BELTRAN TOLOSA (ESP) (amateur) 80 88.
Retired: Steven HUME (SCO) 73, Tony RAILLARD (FRA) 78, Alberto DONIGA (ESP) 71.

ALPS TOUR ORDER OF MERIT
following the Peugeot Tour Empordà Golf
1 Matteo DELPODIO 13,654
2 Lawrence DODD 9,464
3 Gavin DEAR 6,946
4 Xavier GUZMAN SADABA 5,128
5 Jordi GARCIA DEL MORAL 4,713
6 Damien PERRIER 4,535
7 Carlos BALMASEDA 3,691
8 Richard KILPATRICK 3,252
9 Nicolas JOAKIMIDES 2,678
10 Matthew CRYER 2,321

*Official tour scoring and statistics provided by the ALPS TOUR

MICHAEL SIM ON INJURED LIST

Aberdeen-born US PGA Tour player Michael Sim is meantime out of action due to an injury. His father George reports from Australia:
"Michael has injured a tendon in his right shoulder. He should be OK in two to three weeks. It was disappointing for him to pull out of the Masters."