The winning Renfrewshire boys' team who played Lanarkshire at Kilmacolm GC.

Renfrewshire boys' West title chance

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNIONDon Bremner: e-mail- donbremner@ranfurly9.freeserve.co.uk
With two matches to play, Renfrewshire Golf Union junior team were still in with a chance of taking the West League championship. Victory in the home game against Lanarkshire at Kilmacolm Golf Club was a must and team convenors Graham McGee and Gary Havlin stressed that fact before the boys went to the tee.
Their pep talk obviously worked as Paul Reilly (Lochwinnoch), in the first game, won 7 and 6 followed by Whitecraigs’ Euan Waugh winning 5 and 4. Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) continued the pattern with a 6 and 5 victory and his day was further enhanced when he learned that he had been selected to play in the under 16 Scotland team against England which is to take place on October 3 at Dinsdale Spa, Darlington.
This is just reward for the 15-year-old following his tremendous performance in the Scottish match- play championship.
Fraser Lauder (Paisley) looked as if he was going to break the sequence when he found himself four down with five holes remaining. The enigma which is Fraser again revealed itself as he proverbially pulled his socks up and proceeded to win the last five holes to record a one-hole victory. When he is good, he is very, very good.
Anton O’Donnell and Jamie Alexander from Whinhill and Gareth Caldwell (Greenock) also recorded good victories, leaving Old Ranfurly’s Stewart Watt as the odd boy out when he was beaten at the 15th hole.
A 7-1 victory and the team, full of confidence, travel to Dumbarton on September 19 when a similar performance will give them a good chance of the title.

RESULTS
Paul Reilly (Lochwinnoch) bt James Allison (East Kilbride) 7 and 6.
Euan Waugh (Whitecraigs) bt Callum Connagher (Wishaw) 5 and 4.
Alasdair McDougal (Elderslie) bt Jay Haine (Bothwell Castle) 6 and 5. 
Fraser Lauder (Paisley) bt Ross Williamson (East Kilbride) 1 hole.
Anton O’Donnell (Whinhill) bt Jordan Bryce (Strathaven) 1 hole. 
Gareth Caldwell (Greenock) bt Calum Harrison (Carluke) 1 hole. 
Jamie Alexander (Whinhill) bt James Reilly (East Kilbride) 5 and 4.
Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) lost to Martin Scott (Hamilton) 4 and 3.

World Hickory Golfer

Some of you will know that I sometimes play (at) hickory golf.  The history of the game continually fascinates me,  and I love to read about golf in "the old days".

I'd like to draw your attention to a new on-line publication which has started this month called World Hickory Golfer.   The address is www.worldhickorygolfer.com.   I've made a permanent link in the index on the left so that you can always find it.   The editor is Lionel Freedman, founder and organiser of the World Hickory Golf Festival which is being played over courses in East Lothian in three weeks time.

I'm sure you'll enjoy his first edition as much as I have... Enjoy!

Best wishes
Gillian

European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 begins

DOHERTY, McNICOLL START

WELL BUT CORMACK

WELL BACK ON DAY ONE


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll (pictured) and former Scottish match-play boys' champion Paul Doherty made a good start to the long, long road that leads to the European Tour Final Qualifying School when they posted sub-par scores in the first round of the Stage 1 event at the London Club, Ash in Kent today (Tuesday).
But Inchmarlo's Paul Cormack's two-over-par 74 leaves him in joint 58th position in a field of 99. The precise number of qualifiers for Stage 2 at the end of 72 holes has not been finalised.

Doherty, based in South Wales, had a four-under-par 68 for joint eighth place overnight behind joint leaders Daniel Perrett (England) and Tim Sluiter (Netherlands) on 65.

McNicoll is sharing 13th place after a 69.

Doherty, McNicoll and Cormack are the only three Scots in the field at the Kent venue. The bulk of the Scottish aspirants will play in the Stage 1 event at Dundonald Links next week (September 7 to 10).

In the only other Stage 1 eliminator to begin today,

Jonas Pettersson of Sweden got his bid to earn a European Tour card off to an impressive start with a four under par 68 to set the early pace at Ribagolfe near Lisbon in Portugal.

It’s the start of a long road for many hopefuls with two stages to be negotiated before the six-round examination at the Final Stage. Those who make the grade will have played 280 holes to reach their goal.
Pettersson has a one-stroke lead over Neil Chaudhuri from England and Portugal’s Tiago Cruz.

SCOREBOARDLONDON CLUB, Ash, Kent
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 72
65 Daniel Perrett (Eng), Tim Sluiter (Ned).
66 Will Roebuck (Eng), Ryan Harrison (Eng).
67 Ricky Neil-Jones (Eng), Richard Wallis (Eng), Michael McGeady (Ire).
68 Robert Perrett (Eng), Nick Redfern (Eng), Andrew Johnston Eng), Paul Doherty (Sco), Tom Sherreard (Eng) (am).
69 Matt Ford (Eng), Paul Maddy (Eng), Keir McNicoll (Sco), Guy Woodman (Eng), David Griffiths (Eng), Rohan Blizard (Aus), David Coupland (Eng) (am).
70 Ben Welch (Eng), Andrew Martin (Aus), Jason Barnes (Eng), Ben Fox (US), James Oliphant (Eng) (am), Steven Brown (Eng) (am)
71 James Horn (Eng), Shaun Norris (SAf), James Webber (Eng), Michael Vandenberg (Eng), Francis G McGuirk (Eng), Johan Eerdmans (Ned), Kieran Staunton (Eng), Mu Hu (Chn), Josh Cunliffe (SAf), Constantin Schwerz (Ger), Rory Kirway (Eng), Stiggy Hodgson (am).
72 Doug K Lee (Eng), Nicky Harris (Eng), John Hearn (Eng), Ross Whitelock (Eng), Kevin Harper (Eng), Billy Fowles (Eng), George Parker (Eng), David Callaway (Eng), Jon White (Eng) (am).
Selected scores:
73 Paul Cormack (Sco).


RIBAGOLFE, PORTUGAL
Par 72
68 Jonas Pettersson (Swe).
69 Neil Chaudhuri (Eng), Tiago Cruz (Por).
70 Oscar Fraustro (Mex), Dok Rea Noh (Spa).
71 Nico Bollini (US), Borja Etchart (Spa), Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez (Spa) (am).
72 John M Kelly (US), Chris Cousins (Wal), Xavier Guzman (Spa), Ricardo Santos (Por), Miguel Pujalte Sastre (Spa).
73 Younes El Hassani (Mor), Iwan Griffiths (Wal), Andrea Basciu (Ita), Raul Quiros (Spa), Sam Vautier (Eng), Carlos Aguilar (Spa), Sebi Garcia (Spa), Robert Sture (Swe), Gonzalo Vicente Elena (Spa), Manuel Violas (Por) (am).

European senior men's amateur team championship

Scott MacDonald a non-counter but

Scots 4th after QR1

Despite a nightmare, non-counting round by Scottish seniors champion and former Walker Cup player Scott MacDonald, Scotland could fell well satisfied with fourth place at the halfway stage of the 36-hole qualifying test in the European senior men's amateur team championship at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire.
Ireland set the pace ahead of defending champions England in the first qualifying round. With Maurice Kelly and Tom Cleary leading the way with rounds of 71 and 72 - the par is 73 - respectively, the Irish were in a good enough position to discard a 78 by Adrian Morrow.
Their three other scorers were Arthur Pierse and Michael Quirke with 74s and Garth McGimpsey with a 76.
The top eight teams after Wednesday's second qualifying round will make up the championship match-play flight.
Tony Stafford (Dun Ochil) leding the way for the Scots with a two-under-par 71. He was backed up by Edzell's Jim Watt, pictured above by Tom Ward, with a 74, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 78, Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 79 and David Gardiner (Broomieknowe) also with a 79.
The surprising non-counter under the best five from six format was Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) who was expected to be the team leader. He had a nightmare round of 12-over-par 85.

SCOREBOARD

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Par 73
367 IRELAND (Maurice Kelly 71, Tom Cleary 73, Michael Quirke 74, Arthur Pierse 74, Garth McGimspey 76. Non-counting: Adrian Morrow 78.
372 ENGLAND (Alan Squires 73, Andrew Carman 73, Chris Reynolds 75, Philip Slater 75, Doug Arnold 76. Non-counting: Dave Jessup 83.
378 SWEDEN
381 SCOTLAND (Tony Stafford 71, Jim Watt 74, Ian Taylor 78, Colin Christy 79, David Gardiner 79. Non-counting: Scott MacDonald 85).
382 GERMANY.
393 FRANCE.
401 AUSTRIA, DENMARK.
===============TOP EIGHT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT QUALIFY
403 ITALY
404 SPAIN, SWITZERLAND.
406 NETHERLANDS, NORWAY.
415 BELGIUM.
416 PORTUGAL.
419 FINLAND.
425 SLOVENIA.
446 LUXEMBOURG.
457 POLAND.

Rhys Davies will be Monty's buggy

driver at Ryder Cup

FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE
Rhys Davies insists he is not the token Welshman in Colin Montgomerie's Europe team for the first Ryder Cup in Wales.
Davies has been awarded an unofficial role in captain Montgomerie's backroom team at the Celtic Manor in October.
"Colin really wants me there to gain the experience of what it is like at a Ryder Cup," said Wales' number one.
The 25-year-old missed out on a Ryder Cup place in his rookie season but won a role as Montgomerie believes Davies is a 'Ryder Cup player of the future.'
Davies is the Celtic Manor's Ryder Cup course record holder after his 62 at this year's Wales Open where he finished runner-up to European team member and subsequent US Open champion Graeme McDowell.
The young Welshman - (Editor: He was born in Edinburgh actually) - will be Montgomerie's "personal buggy driver" in Newport at the golfing showpiece between October 1-3 after the world number 52 missed out on a place in the European team.
Davies secured a maiden win in his first season on the European Tour at the Hassan II Championship in Morocco in March and enjoyed five other top six finishes - including his second at June's Wales Open.

And Davies, son of a Welsh table tennis international, expectedly missed out on one of Monty's three wild card picks as Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari were chosen to make up the 12-man European team who will bid to regain the Ryder Cup from the Americans at Celtic Manor.
European captain Colin Montgomerie explains Rhys Davies appointment
But Davies insists his role as Montgomerie's driver at his home Ryder Cup "makes up" for the disappointment of missing out on the team.

"It has helped overcome the disappointment of not making the team," Davies told BBC Sport.

"Hearing that you are not picked to play in the Ryder Cup is disappointing to an extent as I worked so hard to be in a team like that but at start of the season it was so far off my radar.

"So I believe truly to come as close as I did was an achievement in itself and I suppose be included by Colin is a recognition of that and that pleases me to a large amount.

"I'm not just the token Welshman at all and Colin emphasised that.

"Two years ago in Valhalla, Martin Kaymer fulfilled a very similar role and it is obvious to see the success he has had in recent years and that was in a big way of being part of a Ryder Cup team.

"I guess this is something Monty thought of with his vice captains and perhaps the tour in general and I'm thrilled to be included in that kind of position."

German Kaymer has secured his spot in the 2010 European team after winning the US PGA Championship and moving to fifth in the golf world rankings.

And Davies, hailed by Montgomerie as "the guy with the $1m putting stroke," revealed the 'huge morale boost' of Ryder Cup great Monty considering him a Ryder Cup star of "the very near future."

Montgomerie played in eight European Ryder Cup teams - winning five - and  never lost in a singles match and his points scored tally of 23.5 is only 1.5 points behind all-time record-holder Nick Faldo.
"Colin's comments were a huge honour," said Davies.

"It was a very flattering comment from someone who really knows about the Ryder Cup and has achieved a huge amount of success in the Ryder Cups.

"And that emphasises the belief he has in me and it gives myself some confidence as people may think of me in that way."

Europe's victorious 2006 Ryder Cup skipper Ian Woosnam ruled out being on Montgomerie's backroom team after the Scot beat him to the role of 2010 European captain.

Monty also overlooked Welsh Ryder Cup hero Phil Price, who starred in Europe's 2002 win at the Belfry, as part of his backroom team while Davies was the closest player in the Ryder Cup qualification place as he finished 15th.

Late entries accepted for Sunday's Cadzow Cup

Ed Wood (Crow Wood) is defending the Cadzow Cup which is being played at Hamilton on Sunday (September 5).
Entries - handicap limit 5 - will be taken on the day to fill spaces or by phone to the secretary of Hamilton Golf Club at 01698 282872.

TEE TIMES
7.30 J Perera (Auchterarder), J Ralston (Shotts), K Loughrie (Cambuslang).
7.38 K Nisbit (Strathaven), S Wills (Lanark), S Gillespie (Cambuslang).
7.48 A Laird (Strathaven), G Nisbit (Strathaven), D Laing (Carluke).
7.54 A Ritchie (Strathaven), R Scott (Strathaven), K Will (Falkirk Tryst).
8.02 I Ross (Lenzie), E Moir (Hamilton), S Sewers (Cawder).
8.10 D Nichols (Carluke), C Rowan (Hollandbush), D Loudon (Hamilton).
8.18 A McEwan (Western Gailes), i MacMillan (Glasgow), M Moir (Hamilton).
8.26 R Jenkins (Crow Wood), G Campbell (Colville Park).
8.34
8.42
8.50 A Lunny (Strathclyde Park), S Douglas (Drumpellier).
8.58 D Fearon (Colville Park).
9.08 P Dempsey (Tulliallan).
9.14 P Gault (Westerwood).
9.22 K Bell (Elderslie).
9.30 B Smith (Hamilton).
9.38 S Rennie (Drumpellier), A Dick (Shotts), P Shields (Kirkhill).
9.46 A Weir (Crieff), E Wood (Crow Wood), I Ferguson (Drumpellier).
9.54 M Scott (Hamilton) J Bryce (Strathaven), J Hainie (Bothwell Castle).
10.02 J Whitelaw (Kames), Alan MacDonald (Crow Wood), C Carson (Innellan).
10.10 C Graham (Hamilton), S Whitelaw (West Linton).
10.18 I MacMillan (Glasgow).
10.24 D Wightman (Easter Moffat).
10.32 S Henderson (Hamilton), A Fairbairn (Kirkhill), W Bryson (Drumpellier).
10.40 G Beaton (Bonnyton), C Kelly (Bonnyton), W S O Sharpe (Hamilton).
10.48
10.56
11.04
11.12

EUROPEAN SENIOR MEN'S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The European senior men's amateur team championship started today at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORING

Luke Donald wants Ryder Cup     

selection overhaul

FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE
Luke Donald has called for an overhaul of Europe's Ryder Cup qualification system despite being chosen as a wildcard for the event in October.
Donald, Padraig Harrington and Edoardo Molinari were Colin Montgomerie's three wildcard picks, meaning world number eight Paul Casey missed out.

World number 23 Justin Rose, a two-time winner in the United States this season, was also overlooked.

"The European Tour has to look harder at the system," said Donald.

"I understand they want to protect the European Tour but at the same time the top guys are going to want to play against the best players in the world and you shouldn't be penalised for that."

European players qualify for their team either via the Ryder Cup World Points List or the Ryder Cup European Points List.
The best four players from the world list automatically qualify, as do the best five players on the European list who have not qualified via the world list, plus three captain's wild cards.
Some critics argue the system prevents the European side being as strong as it could be because too much importance is given to performances on the European Tour - Donald, Casey and Rose all spend large chunks of their seasons playing on the PGA Tour in the United States.
All three players, plus Harrington, chose to play in last week's Barclays FedEx Cup event in New Jersey rather than compete at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and attempt to qualify automatically.
Their decisions led to a lot of criticism, with some questioning their commitment to the European cause, although Casey said his failure to nail down an automatic place was more down the rib injury which kept him out of the game for more than three months last season.
"Being injured last year really hurt my ability to qualify automatically, but I'll be supporting them in the match," said the 33-year-old Englishman, who has played in three Ryder Cups.
"I probably need time to take it in. Simple fact is I'm not on the team. But I think Europe have got an unbelievable team and I wish them the best for the match, simple as that.


EUROPEAN RYDER CUP TEAM
Lee Westwood (England) Age 37; Previous Ryder Cups 6
Martin Kaymer (Germany) 25; Debut
Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 21; Debut
Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 31; RC 1
Ian Poulter (England) 34; RC 2
Ross Fisher (England) 29; Debut
Francesco Molinari (Italy) 27; Debut
M A Jimenez (Spain) 46; RC 3
Peter Hanson (Sweden) 32; Debut
Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 38; RC 5
Luke Donald (England) 32; RC 2
Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 29; Debut

Casey added: "I'm not going to stand here and sort of plead a case for why I should be on the team. It's done and dusted. I tried my hardest and I didn't make it. I wasn't picked. I didn't qualify automatically. I wish I had."

Casey climbed from ninth to eighth in the world with a 12th-place finish on Sunday and also finished 12th in the USPGA Championship three weeks ago.

In addition he finished third in the Open Championship and his match play record - one win at Wentworth and the last two finals in Arizona - is exemplary.

"It's been one of the craziest selections for the Ryder Cup ever when guys in the top 10 in the world [himself and Casey] didn't know they were playing," added Donald, who has since slipped to 11th and who missed the last match after wrist surgery.

Rose said he "only had himself to blame", while outlining a case for why Montgomerie could have picked him.

The 30-year-old lost once on his debut two years ago, winning twice with Ian Poulter and beating Phil Mickelson in singles.

"When you play one you never want to miss another," he said. "I have and I only have myself to blame for that. I'm very disappointed. I figured I had as good a shot as anybody.

"For Paul Casey not to be in as well I think was a very interesting selection. I don't think many people would have got those three [picks].

"Unfortunately two of us were going to be left out, but that's ultimately our own fault. If you put yourself in that precarious position of looking for a wildcard this is what happens.

"I've got a three out of four record and a great ready-made partner in the team [in Poulter]. I thought those sorts of things would be positives in the pros and cons columns, so I'm disappointed not to be able to renew that partnership.

"But you have to pick yourself up and carry on. It's not like I'm Miguel Angel Jimenez trying to do it for the last time either - I've got plenty of time."

Poulter said: "I'm gutted for Justin and Paul - they are two great mates and golfers.

"I know what's going on in their minds. I know what the guys have gone through because I've been there and it's very hard to play golf that way."

This year's Ryder Cup takes place at Celtic Manor in Wales between 1-3 October.