Jamie Stevenson (68) wins Midland

Alliance at Ladybank by four shots

By LEE SUTHERLAND
This week the Midland Golfer’s Alliance held the Fraser Bros (Tyres) pro-am at a sunny Ladybank Golf Club in Fife. Braehead professional Jamie Stevenson won the scratch prize by four strokes with a superb, three-under-par score of 68.
Leading team of the day were the Edzell quartet of Keith Bruce (2), Ian Milne (13), Ron Brownhill (5) and Alex Smith (7) also by a four-stroke margin returning a total of 128.
LEADING SCRATCH
Par 72
68 J Stevenson (Braehead) p.
72 R Stewart (Tulliallan), D McKay (Wellsgreen) p.

74 P Wytrazek (Burntisland) p.

75, H. Wong (Wellsgreen) ap, P Brookes (Pitreavie) p, C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) p, G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle).
LEADING TEAM
128 K Bruce (Edzell) (2), A Milne (Edzell) (13), R Brownhill (Edzell) (5), A Smith (Edzell) (7)
131 A Mason (Thornton) (4), P Rhind (Grange) (8), C Wallace (Caird Park) (10),
D Black (Dunfermline) (11).
132, J. Stevenson (Braehead) p, M Gilmour (Braehead) (5), J Stevenson (Dunfermline) (8), K Kilgour (Dunfermline) (10).


NEXT WEEK'S COMPETITION
October 5, 6 and 7 (Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday)
Scottish Alliance Championship
at
Murcar Links and Newburgh on Ythan Golf Clubs

Next MIDLAND Alliance meeting
Thursday, 14th October

Downfield Golf Club

Tee reserved: 9.00 - 1.30

Sponsored by Jolly’s Hotel, Broughty Ferry

TARTAN TOUR

CALLAWAY CHALLENGE
reduced to one round because of bad weather
HAGGS CASTLE GOLF CLUB, GLASGOW
FINAL TOTALS
Par 72
66 James McKinnon (Irvine) £760, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) £575, David Patrick (Elie) £575 (after play-off).
67 Christopher Currie (Caldwell), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) £425 each.
68 Stephen Gray (Hayston), Gordon Law (Uphall), Paul Wardell (Whitekirk),
Derek Watters (Gourock), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links) £252.85 each. 
69 Graham Fox (East Kilbride), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), Graeme Brown (Montrose), Graeme Lornie (Paul Lawrie Foundation), Gareth Wright (West Linton) £127.50 each.
70 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range), Scott Herald (Mearns Castle),
Kenneth Hutton (Downfield), Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar), Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie), Colin Gillies (Braid Hills), Chris Doak (unatt), Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon), Chris Kelly (Cawder) £20.50 each.
71 Samuel Cairns (Colville Park), Hamish Kemp (Bishopbriggs Golf Range).


72 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Euan Cameron (Hamilton), Stewart Savage (Dalmuir), James McGhee (Turnhouse), Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg).
73 Alan E Reid (West Lothian), Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), Stuart Kerr (Strathaven), Greg Paxton (Ralston), David Orr (Eastwood).
74 Mark King (Kingsfield Golf Centre), Craig Ronald (Carluke), Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre).
75 Stephen McAllister (Playsport Golf), Ross Dixon (Renaissance Club).
76 Lee Harper (Archerfield Links). 
77 Iain Hanna (Strathclyde Park).
78 Ewan Davie (Dunblane New), David Broadfoot (Dumfries and Co).
79 Andrew Fullen (Largs).
80 Duncan Anderson (Murrayfield). 
81 Sean O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park).
83 David Knapp (Playsport Golf), Paul Jamieson (Dunblane New).
NR Steven Duncan (Balbirnie Park).

Henry 71, Lee 77 in EuroPro

Tour Championship

Scott Henry, pictured, five shots off the pace, is the leading Scot after the first day in the biggest event of the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour season.
The Marfin Popular Bank EuroPro Tour Championship features only players ranked inside the top 60 on the Order of Merit and is being staged at Aphrodite Hills Golf in Paphos, Cyprus.
A successful event in Cyprus could clinch the players a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour where they would be only one level away from joining the golfing elite on the European Tour.
Henry is in joint 19th position after returning a one-over-par 71, five shots behind the three men who share the lead on 66 -
Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC), Jeremy Kavanagh ( Stoke Park ) and James Hepworth (Ilkley GC).
Harris claimed birdies at the third, fifth, 14th and 18th, while Kavanagh and Hepworth will be rueing dropped shots that would have gave either of them an outright lead.
The trio sit one shot ahead of Daniel Perrett (Clevedon GC) in fourth and two ahead of James Heath, Kevin Harper ( East Devon ) and Noel Fox in tied fifth.
Craig Lee, the only other Scot in the field apart from Scott Henry after the withdrawal of Lloyd Saltman, had a disappointing day at the end of whch he was in joint 46th place after a seven-over-par round of 77.
In previous seasons, the players who finish the campaign in the top five on the EPT Order of Merit advance to the Challenge Tour.
However, seven players from the 2010 EuroPro Tour will move up to the Challenge Tour. Daniel Gaunt (winner of a Challenge Tour event earlier in the year) and Craig Lee (guaranteed a place in the top 80 of the Challenge Tour money list) have already secured their spots at the higher level.
Matthew Evans and James Hepworth are guaranteed high finishes on the EPT money list so three spots are still up for grabs.
Nick McCarthy is currently fourth in the Order of Merit and needing a good competition but lies tied 29th after a day one score of two-over.
Other Challenge Tour contenders include Ian Keenan (+1), James Busby (Evens), Paul Maddy (+2), Gary Wolstenholme (+2) and Zane Scotland (+3).
There is no cut in the Marfin Popular Bank EuroPro Tour Championship so all of the players will play a second round on Friday and the final round on Saturday.

For more information about the PGA EuroPro Tour, visit the official website www.europrotour.com


LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 70
66
Nicky Harris Whitefield GC
Jeremy Kavanagh Stoke Park
James Hepworth Ilkley GC
67
Daniel Perrett Purplegolf.com/Clevedon GC
68
James Heath Robert Heath Heating
Kevin Harper East Devon
Noel Fox
69
Brian McElhinney Team Ireland
Brendan McCarroll JFG Acadamie
Daniel Belch Hillside GC
George Woolgar Capitalservices.com
Graeme Clark Doncaster GC
Stuart Archibald ClaimsJustice.co.uk
Matt Allen
Selected scores:
71 Scott Henry (jt 19th).
77 Craig Lee (jt 46th).
Withdrew
Lloyd Saltman.

TO SEE ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES
CLICK HERE

RYDER CUP OPENING FOUR-BALL TIES

Westwood, Kaymer lead off for Europe

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Europe’s captain Colin Montgomerie revealed Lee Westwood asked to be in the opening match of The 2010 Ryder Cup, and "as reigning European No 1 deserves to be given that honour."
Westwood will partner rookie Martin Kaymer against World No 2 Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in the Friday morning four-balls, with Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy – the other partnership Montgomerie considered sending out first – in the second match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.
Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter are matched up with Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods in a mouth-watering clash, while Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald are in the final group against rookie duo Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.

“These matches will be very close,” said Montgomerie. “The players and I are very excited and we are looking forward to it. It was always going to be either Lee and Martin or Rory and Graeme out first. Lee asked me if he could have that honour of hitting the first shot for Europe, and he deserves it.”

Asked whether he was surprised to see Woods in the third pairing, Montgomerie replied: “Yes, I was. I expected him to either be in the first or fourth group. But Corey has decided to hide him in the third group, if you like, and obviously Corey’s spoken to Tiger and Tiger is happy where is playing.

“Ian Poulter cannot wait for 8.15am tomorrow morning to get going against Tiger. That’s the match that jumps out. It’s going to be a difficult one as Tiger and Steve are two of the best putters in the game.
“I was also surprised to see two rookies in the last group. Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington would not have expected to be against two rookies.”
Like Montgomerie, United States Captain Corey Pavin intends to use all 12 players tomorrow and said Mickelson and Johnson cannot wait to get going.
“Phil and Dustin are playing great golf right now and love to play together, and I thought it was a great team to send out first. Phil likes to get out first and Dustin is champing at the bit. I think if I’d waited to play them they would go crazy waiting.”
Asked why Jim Furyk, a veteran of six Ryder Cups and Sunday’s winner of the Tour Championship and FedExCup which earned him $11million, was left out of the morning session, Pavin joked: “He said he was tired from counting all his money. Seriously, somebody has to sit out and that’s the decision a captain has to make. I have every intention of using all my players tomorrow.”
Both teams will enjoy a relaxing evening with their families tonight ahead of the first session. Montgomerie added: “Tonight Gaynor and I are delighted to be presenting each player and vice-captain with a special gift we have chosen for them. It’s an honour for Gaynor and me to do this.”

Karmis leads Taiwan Masters

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
Taipei, September 30: South Africa ’s Peter Karmis continued his rich vein of form by taking the opening lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.
On a day of tough scoring conditions, the diminutive Karmis, who won his maiden Asian Tour title in Singapore earlier this month, was one of four players to break par with a two-under-par 70 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand, Malaysia ’s Iain Steel and Chinese Taipei’s Chen Tsang-te battled to a 71 at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event where rain and strong wind made life difficult for players.
Lu Wei-chih, also of Chinese Taipei and former Mercuries Taiwan Masters champion in 2005, closed with a 72 to take a share of fifth place with countryman Lin Keng-chi, Prom Meesawat of Thailand and Filipino Mars Pucay.
Title holder Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei was bunched up in tied ninth position on 73 while Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Min-nan posted a 76 to give himself a chance of becoming the oldest player on the Asian Tour to make the halfway cut at the age of 70 years and 51 days old.
Karmis, who started on the back nine, made the turn in 37 before shooting birdies on holes three, six and eight where he sank a huge 40 feet putt from the edge of the green.
“It was very tough out there and you were coming out of the rough all day and it is difficult for guys like me to hit it on the green. I played well on my back nine because I hit a lot of fairways,” said the 29-year-old.
He admitted that his confidence is soaring following his victory at the Handa Singapore Classic.
“I’m playing with a lot of confidence after my victory in Singapore . I played well in all the tournaments after my win and my game has been good from my driving to my putting,” said Karmis who finished in tied 12th place at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taipei two weeks ago.
Malaysian Steel, who finished third in Taipei two weeks ago, got off to bright start when he birdied the first hole after his eight iron approach landed three feet from the hole. He made the turn in 36 and was disappointed not to take a share of the lead after a bogey on the last hole.
“It was hard today. I don’t know how the conditions were in the morning but it couldn’t be any better. I hit the ball solid off the tee and that kept me in play and when I missed the green I would get up-and-down,” said the 39-year-old.
“I didn’t think scores would be that great. I thought maybe one guy would go to four or five-under but that didn’t happen which is good,” added the Malaysian.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 72
70 Peter Karmis (RSA)
71 Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA), Iain Steel (MAS), Chen Tsang-te (TPE)

72 Lu Wei-chih (TPE), Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Mars Pucay (PHI), Prom Meesawat (THA)

73 David Johnson (USA), Tsai Chi-huang (TPE), Angelo Que (PHI), S. Sivachandran (MAS), Lin Wen-Tang (TPE), Sattaya Supupramai (THA), Udorn Duangdecha (THA), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Adam Blyth (AUS)

74 Lee Sung (KOR), Weng Young-tien (TPE), Panuwat Muenlek (THA)
Selected other scores;
75 David Glesson (Australia).
77 Chris Rodgers (England.
78 Brad Smith (Australia), Simon Griffiths (England).
79 Rohan Blizard (Australia), Gavin Flint (Australia), Petere Cooke (Australia).
81 Ross Bain (Scotland).

A new Scottish mini-tour for next season

needs somebody to be putting it together NOW

E-mail fron Neil McAllister
I was interested to read yesterday's Scottishgolfview.com article regarding guys playing, or not as is the case here, in various events and in the comments made by Gavin Dear and Steven Hume.
Sadly, it seems that in Scottish golf (professional and amateur) there are too many associations, unions and organisations, many doing a good job, but whose rules, often written decades ago, prevent participation and development instead of encouraging it.
They also seem to be run and structured in a way to protect their ‘patch’ at the expense of a more open and forward thinking approach.
It seems for Gavin, Steven and many others (and I include my son Shaun) they want, and very much need, action NOW in time for next season and a structure that can help them and others in the seasons to come.
What they do not need is blokes in blazers deliberating for months or years.
This is about our young professional golfers and in particular the guys (I know there will be girls too in a very similar position) who have taken the decision to turn professional in order to play tournament golf and who aspire to do so at the highest level.
Not all will make it but these are the potential stars of the future and it is their careers and aspirations that are suffering because no-one is genuinely putting them first, dealing with their collective and individual needs and employing some lateral thinking in order to find immediate and long term solutions to organise competitive events, funding, etc.
Scotland, as the Home of Golf, should offer the very best of support and a programme of competitive events, designed to encourage the participation of this group of young people.
Instead we have a mish-mash of events run by, and for, specific interest groups albeit some with good intentions. The guys themselves are crying out for change and for competition on their doorstep but are the players being asked what they want/need? It seems not.
I think one of the fundamental problems at the root of this and at the lower end of the competitive professional ladder is that the tournaments are basically ‘sweeps’ where the players are just playing for their own money.
Don’t get me wrong, the EuroPro Tour etc are well run and of a very good standard but this structure is not creating much needed money for these guys. It simply redistributes it among them.
I also think that when it is money ‘belonging’ to a particular association or union they are, perhaps quite rightly, protecting their pot for their members. I am sure the guys on the EuroPro Tour or the Alps Tour would be a bit miffed if Lee Westwood entered one of their events on a week off and walked away with the £10,000 first prize!
For our Scottish guys in this category, Europro Tour, Alps Tour, etc are all out of their own country with nothing of a similar standard on their own doorsteps. They are also expensive. I thought the Xltec Tour was a great idea but unfortunately a number of the tournaments clashed with the EuroPro Tour or other events and again £100 to enter an event when taken with travel costs etc all adds up.
Not only do these guys have to put up their own prize money but they have to pay for travel, accommodation, food etc. Some well organised events within Scotland could cut costs (I expect they or members of host clubs can help with accommodation for example) and if some funding is secured it can then put prize money in their pockets that they can then use to pay for competing on Europro, Challenge Tour etc.
Apart from the Ryder Cup (hopefully if we get this right we will have Scots playing again) golf is a very individual sport and these guys all have individual needs that are mostly met by their families and any personal sponsorship they can muster.
However, collectively they all need competition and funding and surely that should not be difficult to sort out.
Perhaps there is too much emphasis on seeking high value sponsorship when if the costs are broken down or if funding is looked at differently then there can be more tournaments and more involvement from what I am sure would be a very supportive public.
If we can encourage golf clubs, small businesses and individuals to contribute a little cash or perhaps products and services, then funding that is of direct benefit to these guys can be found.
We need a structure (perhaps a Trust of some sort) however that does not absorb any of the money in administration, administrators’ salaries and their expenses, and which promotes the players them as a group and provides advice, help and support.
What if a host club got £5 from each member (£2,500?) and with a ‘Pro-Am’ or ‘Team’ type of event raised another £2,500, then there is already a decent prize pot that is only going to be split between a few people and it is therefore directly benefitting them.
Club golfers and local businesses can then watch, meet and get to know these guys and you then create a support base and perhaps some sponsorship.
There must obviously be a trade off here with the guys giving something back - their time, promotion of sponsors' products or businesses etc - and a commitment to this structure longer term, particularly if they 'make it' to the main tour.
There must be ways we can solve this and if we get our heads together and, most importantly, include our young golfers in the discussions. we can make a difference and make a difference quickly.
I would be interested to hear other views.
NEIL McALLISTER

+If you feel you can contribute to the debate, E-mail your view to Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

Pavin back in military mood for Ryder Cup

FROM THE HERALDSCOTLAND.COM WEBSITE
Douglas Lowe Golf Correspondent at Celtic Manor
douglas.lowe@heraldandtimes.co.uk
For the second time in his controversial Ryder Cup career, US captain Corey Pavin has linked the biennial match against Europe to the military.
On his debut at Kiawah Island in 1991 that became known as the “War on the Shore”, Pavin wore a Desert Storm cap, ostensibly to show support for US troops during the first Iraq war, a gesture that inflamed some Europeans who took it as misplaced aggression in the golfing context. Pavin has maintained his actions were misconstrued on this side of the Atlantic.
Now he has enlisted the support of F-16 fighter pilot Major Dan Rooney, who has three Iraq campaigns behind him and, uniquely, is also a PGA of America professional, to deliver a motivational address before the Ryder Cup that begins tomorrow at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Colin Montgomerie, the captain of the European team, has restricted his idea of war games to the use of the ailing Seve Ballesteros and Welsh rugby legend Gareth Edwards to fire up his team. It is a stark contrast to what has been going on in the US team room.

Pavin said: “I think what the military does is amazing – to put your life on the line for what you believe and for the freedoms of other people. Obviously, it’s the ultimate sacrifice to do that, and I think it is very worthwhile to recognise that.”

He said Rooney had talked for about 20 minutes and every one of his 12-player US team payed full attention. “I want these guys to be accountable to each other and basically that is what happens in the military,” said Pavin.