Lloyd Saltman (67) sharing second place in Spain

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
Tiago Cruz from Portugal shot a fantastic 65 (-7) today to lead the Spanish Hi5 Pro Tour Fall Series' opening event at the Dave Thomas-designed Al Torreal golf course.
His round featured eight birdies and he did not have a single 5 on his scorecard. Cruz leads a group of four players who are all tied  for second place on 67.
The group consists of Ruaidhri McGee, Kryon Sullivan, Lloyd Saltman and amateur Mark Suursalu. McGee, first out in the morning, was the clubhouse leader for many hours. He was joined by the other three who came in late in the day, but it was Tiago Cruz who came in the near the end of the day when the winds subsided slightly and he took advantage of it.
Play resumes on Wednesday at 81m local time. The top 40 players will advance to the final round on Thursday.
SCOTS' SCORES
Par 72
67 Lloyd Saltman (jt 2nd).
70 Eric Ramsay (jt 8th).
73 Elliot Saltman (jt 21st).
75 Jack Doherty, Paul Doherty, Keir McNicoll, Zack Saltman (jt 30th).
Field of 79 players.


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ends

MIDLAND ALLIANCE

Jamieson's 69 wins at Crail's Craighead Links

By LEE SUTHERLAND
This week the Midland Golfers’ Alliance was held in the East Neuk of Fife at Crail Golfing Society's Craighead Links. Dunblane New professional Paul Jamieson led the way in the scratch with a three-under-par 69, one stroke ahead of assistant professionals Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) and Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) and amateurs Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and Martin Brown (Monifieth).
Scratch match Stewart won the handicap prize with a net/gross 70.

LEADING SCRATCH
69, P. Jamieson (Dunblane New) p.
70, A. Lockhart (Ladybank) ap, R Stewart (Tulliallan), G Brown (Montrose) ap, M Brown (Monifieth).
71 G Tough (Edzell).
73 J Stevenson (Braehead) p, P Brookes (Pitreavie) p.
74 M MacKenzie (Forfar) ap, C Knowles (Panmure) ap.
75 K Bruce (Edzell), J Craig (Carnoustie).
76 J Crawford (Dunblane New, 5)
77 M Gilmour (Braehead), R Redpath (Scotscraig), J Black (Scotscraig),
J Paisley (Lundin), L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p, S Harrod (Ballumbie Castle), J McIntyre (Lundin).
LEADING HANDICAP
70 R Stewart (Tulliallan) (scr)
71 N Henderson (Scotscraig) (12), J Crawford (Dunblane New) (5), G Tough (Edzell) (scr), M Brown (Monifieth) (+1).
72 M Gilmour (Braehead) (5), R Redpath (Scotscraig) (5), J Black (Scotscraig) (5), J Paisley (Lundin) (5).
73 R Baldie (Crieff) (7), I McMurray (Downfield) (10), J Craig (Carnoustie) (2),
A Mason (Thornton) (8), S Andrews (Ladybank) (10), C Marr (Glenrothes) (13).
74 E Starritt (Crieff) (14), G Mitchell (Blairgowrie) (5), A Black (Dunfermline) (13), J Wilson (Dunfermline) (14), R McLean (Dunnikier Park) (6), T Jamieson (Dunnikier Park) (6), T Jamieson (Dunnikier Park) (4).

Qualifiers for the JTC Interiors Express Championship in April at Arbroath Links

R Stewart (Tulliallan)
G Tough (Edzell)
J Craig (Carnoustie)

Qualifier for the McQueen Shield Championship in April at Arbroath Links

R Stewart (Tulliallan)

Next Meeting
Tuesday, November 23
Balbirnie Park
Tee reserved: 8.30am to 12 noon.

Collins' motivational skills help Tour hopeful McAllister

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Shaun McAllister is feeling positive about his bid to pass the next phase of the European Tour qualifying - thanks to former Hibs boss John Collins.
The 21-year-old heads for Spain this week to finalise his preparations for stage two of the marathon process at Hacienda del Alamo.
It is the first time McAllister, a former Scottish boys' stroke-play champion, has given himself a chance to make the third and final phase and no-one would be happier to see him secure a card than Collins.

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HENRY, McGHEE, HARPER BEAT ALPS TOUR CUT

All three Scots in the fial - Scott Henry, James McGhee (Turnhouse) and Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) - survived the halfway cut in the Alps Tour Final Qualifying School.
Henry is sharing 17th place on 137 with scores of 69 and 68.
McGhee is joint 26th on 138 with rounds of 70 and 68.
Harper made the cut with nothing to spare, adding a 74 to his opening 79 for 143.


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EUROPEAN SENIOR TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL

Van Vuuren ahead at halfway point


By STEVE TODD
European Senior Tour Press Officer
South African Steve Van Vuuren has a one stroke lead at the halfway point of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School after a second consecutive three under par 68 in Portugal.
The 51 year old strengthened his bid to win a full card for the Senior Tour for the first time with a solid display around Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta Course.

Van Vuuren birdied the first hole then picked up further shots on the eighth and tenth holes before his only bogey of the day on the 11th, when he overclubbed and sent the ball 15 yards beyond the green.
A further birdie on the 17th hole regained that shot and moved him to six under par, one stroke clear of Australian Graham Banister with 36 holes remaining at Senior Tour Qualifying School.
“It was a solid round just like yesterday although I missed three greens today compared to only the one yesterday,” said Van Vuuren. “Maybe I need to putt a little better than I have been but I’m happy with the round and I’d take four rounds of 68. Leading after two rounds is a nice position to be.”
Van Vuuren played six times on the Senior Tour in 2010, bookending his season with top 20 finishes in Mauritius and Sicily to finish 77th on the Order of Merit.
He is trying to secure a full card for 2011 after his exemption expired for the Sunshine Tour, on which he has won eight times.
“I guess I’m looking for a home,” he said. “I finished 39th here last year but had a triple bogey one day on the 14th and the played the wrong ball on the second hole so I’m hoping my luck here changes!”
Keeping up the pressure on Van Vuuren is Banister, who carded a rather eventful 69 to move to five under par.
The 54 year old recovered after starting with consecutive bogeys on the second and third holes to reach the turn level par for the day, with birdies on the eighth and ninth. However, further drama was to follow when he double bogeyed the par five tenth hole, dredging up memories of similar incident 12 months ago.
“I’d messed up two wedge shots on the second and third then decided to lay-up on ten and probably had 50 yards to the pin,” he said. “The ball landed about a foot from the flag but then spinned back 15 yards into the bunker. “I’d said to my caddie before taking the shot that had happened last year and the identical thing happened again. I then took three shots to get out because the ball kept running back into my foot print but holed a 25ft putt to make a ‘great’ 7.
“I was in a bit of a daze after that but it was a great recovery to birdie the 11th and 12th holes and then knock it stiff for birdies on the last two holes.
“It was just one of those days that could only happen at Qualifying School! To have just 220 yards to go from the middle of the fairway on both par fives and then take six and seven is disappointing. You expect to birdie at least one of those so I’ve lost four shots effectively. Given those circumstances, 69 was a great score.”
American Tim Thelen, who had a share of the overnight lead with Scot Gordon Manson and Sweden's Peter Dahlberg, also endured a disastrous hole, double bogeying the 16th to card a level par 71 and lie two strokes off the pace.
Dahlberg and St Andrews-born Manson are a further shot back after rounds of 72, while there are five players tied for sixth place on two under par -Scottish pair Terry Burgoyne and Peter Smith, Irish amateur Pat Errity, Spaniard Manuel Moreno and American Mitch Thomas.

COLIN FARQUHARSON'S SCOTSWATCH
Gordon Manson leads the Tartan Army but a one-over-par 72 (35-37) cost the Fifer his share of the overnight pole position. Manson, Austrian national coach for many years, birdied the short third but bogeyed the fourth and fifth in turning in one-over 35. He birdied the long 12th but dropped a shot at the short 16th.
Aberdeenshire-born Peter Smith remained in joint sixth position - which he needs to maintain through another two rounds to gain full playing rights on next year's over-50s' tour - with a par 72 (32-39). For the second day in a row, the former Northern Open champion from Udny turned in two under-par 32 after birdies at the sixth and eighth but he gave the shots back early on the inward journey with bogeys at the long 10th and 11th.
A 2 at the short 13th got one of them back but he bogeyed the 18th for two-over 39 home.
Terry Burgoyne is on the same mark as Smith after a 70 (32-38). Terry birdied the fourth and short fifth in reaching the turn in two-under-par but he dropped shots at the long 10th and long 12th before birdieing the 18th.
Ian Dougan improved his hopes by moving up to joint 11th place with a 68 (33-35) for 141. Dougan birdied the long second and the seventh but dropped a shot at the ninth. He birdied the long 10th, dropped a shot at the 11th but finished on a high by covering the last seven holes in two-under-par with birdies at the long 12tn and 17th.
Carnoustie-born Fraser Mann, who came through the Q School process last year and is entered again to try to improve his Category of membership which would gain him entry to more events than he has enjoyed in 2010, is back in a share of 21st place after rounds of 72 and 71 (34-37).
Albert Mackenzie plummeted to joint 21st position by following up a 69 with a 74 for 143.
Former Scotland amateur cap Mike Miller is sharing 48th place on 146 with a pair of 73s.
Alan Hemsley is tied for 64th spot on 151 (76-75).

ALL THE SECOND-ROUND SCORES
Par 142 (2x71)
136 S Van Vuuren (RSA) 68 68,
137 G Banister (Aus) 68 69,
138 T Thelen (USA) 67 71,
139 P Dahlberg (Swe) 67 72, G Manson (Aut) 67 72,
140 M Thomas (USA) 70 70, T Burgoyne (Sco) 70 70, P Smith (Sco) 69 71, M Moreno (Esp) 70 70, P Errity (am) (Irl) 69 71,
141 I Dougan (Sco) 73 68, M Briggs (Eng) 69 72, H Francis (Eng) 70 71, T Planchin (Fra) 72 69, J Stansberry (USA) 72 69, J Stuart (USA) 71 70, D Gavrilovic (Eng) 71 70, F Illouz (am) (Fra) 71 70,
142 A Barrera (Arg) 71 71, A Johnsson (Swe) 71 71,
143 A Fernandez (Chi) 71 72, S Cipa (Eng) 72 71, F Mann (Sco) 72 71, G Krause (Eng) 75 68, S Shields (Eng) 70 73, J Sallat (Fra) 72 71, M Gallagher (Eng) 70 73, A Mackenzie (Sco) 69 74, J Davila (Esp) 75 68, B Evans (Eng) 73 70,
144 N Mitchell (Eng) 74 70, M Deboub (Eng) 73 71, F Regard (Fra) 72 72, J Heggarty (Nir) 72 72, K Tarling (Can) 73 71, P Allan (Eng) 75 69, J Carson (USA) 75 69, J Empey (USA) 71 73, J Hoskison (Eng) 74 70,
145 R Masters (Eng) 73 72, M Lord (Eng) 72 73, D Talbot (Can) 73 72, M Kierstenson (Eng) 71 74, E Rodriguez (Esp) 70 75, P Dugeny (Fra) 72 73, D Narveson (USA) 73 72, S East (am) (Eng) 74 71,
146 D Blakeman (Eng) 71 75, M Miller (Sco) 73 73,
147 V Garcia (Esp) 70 77, M Guzman (Arg) 73 74, T Feminis (USA) 74 73,
148 N Clarke (RSA) 71 77, C Acutis (Ita) 75 73, A Macdonald (Eng) 75 73,
149 E Costa (Por) 78 71, S Bennett (Eng) 74 75, P Oakley (USA) 74 75, J Murphy (am) (Eng) 74 75,
150 T Giedeon (Ger) 77 73, R Hunter (Eng) 75 75, P Puisset (Fra) 78 72, A Westwell (am) (Eng) 78 72,
151 M Howell (Eng) 76 75, A Hemsley (Sco) 76 75, A Romanoff (USA) 72 79, R Williams (Wal) 76 75,
152 M Aparicio (Esp) 75 77,
154 L Soto (Ven) 78 76, D Stirling (Eng) 74 80, J Buendia (Esp) 79 75,
155 J Naya Palleiro (Esp) 74 81, H Larsen (Den) 73 82,
159 G Bothwell (Eng) 81 78,
** E Feely (Irl) 76 DQ, S Ball (Eng) DQ 0,

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Barron, Knox have common goal this week

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
NEW YORK (AP) — Doug Barron had a marathon day of golf by his standards, leaving him more excited than he was exhausted.
Only a few months ago, he had no energy for anything, even after a long night of sleep. Last week in Houston, Barron played 18 holes in the wind at a mini-tour event, then drove 90 miles to play nine holes at Redstone Golf Club, where one of the six competitions in the second stage of US PGA Tour qualifying school starts Tuesday.
"It was great having my energy back," he said in a telephone interview.
Now he's trying to get his job back.
Barron, the first player suspended under the tour's anti-doping policy, returns to the US PGA Tour on Tuesday at Q-school, among those facing a long road back to the big leagues. For the 41-year-old Barron, his path includes an unprecedented detour.
The one-year suspension was lifted in September, with Barron granted a therapeutic use exemption for low testosterone. He didn't have the exemption last year at the St. Jude Classic, when he was randomly picked for drug testing at his only US PGA Tour start. His lawsuit against the tour has been settled. All he wants to think about now is his golf.
"I've been preparing for this day for more than a year," Barron said.
He did not resume taking testosterone until after he was approved for the exemption, and Barron says it has been "the best seven weeks of my life." His strength and spirits restored, he set out to get back in golf shape before Q-school.
Instead of trying to Monday qualify for tour events, he went looking for competition on mini-tours, playing six times. He finished 13th in his last two-day tournament, earning $750. The previous event he was seventh and made $1,100.
"Vacation money for when I retire," he said with a laugh.
There has been little to laugh about until recently.
The stunning news that a player had violated the tour's doping policy was tempered by the fact it was Barron. He had played only eight full years on tour, never making more than $461,981 in any season. He is best remembered for taking his shirt off to play a shot out of the water at Innisbrook in 2006, exposing a physique that did little to persuade skeptics that golf is an athletic endeavor.
And that injection of testosterone he says he took three weeks before the St. Jude Classic?
"The idea that one shot could help someone out here is a joke," he said.
Barron has coped with health issues most of his life, including mitral valve prolapse as a teenager that landed him on beta blockers. Four years ago, doctors found his testosterone level to be that of an 80-year-old man. He began taking a steroid to get his level back to normal, and two years later, the tour's doping policy began.
Barron was denied an exemption, and for the next eight months was miserable.
"I couldn't get out of bed. I was tired. I had no sex drive," he said. "I decided to get back on testosterone, and my doctors had no problem with me doing it."
Barron said the testosterone level of his 69-year-old father was higher than his, so he had one shot of the steroid about three weeks before the St. Jude Classic, where he received a sponsor's exemption as a hometown player. The results came back a little more than month later, and when the suspension was handed down, he chose not to appeal.
"The reason we decided not to appeal was we had to fly all my doctors and all my attorneys to Jacksonville (Fla.) to listen to a committee in the court system of (PGA Tour Commissioner) Tim Finchem. And I thought, 'Heck with that, we can't win,'" Barron said. "We filed a deal in federal court."
PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said in an e-mail that the lawsuit has been dismissed. Barron said it had been "resolved" and that he was precluded from saying anything else because of a confidentiality agreement. His good friend and one of his attorneys, Arthur Horne, would only say, "We're pleased with outcome."
Barron is simply glad it's behind him.

He is happy he was able to spend more time with his two children last year. The worst of it was the lack of energy, the strain on his marriage for not feeling as if he could support his family. His wife, Leslie, is a contemporary folk artist who was doing her best to help pay the bills. There also was a lawsuit that seemed to drag on.

"I hold no grudges against the tour," he said. "They did what they thought was right, and I did what I thought was right. I'm back taking testosterone. I have a chance again, and I'm confident I can do it."

He'll find out starting Tuesday, when he tries to get through the second stage of Q-school with hopes of getting to the six-round final stage in December, a grind like no other in golf.

"I'm glad I can move on with my life," Barron said. "I'm going to keep playing until I don't think I'm good enough anymore."
+Inverness exile Russell Knox is in the the US PGA Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 field at Southern Hills Plantation Club, Brooksville in Florida, teeing off on Tuesday and finishing on Saturday. 

Sandy Lyle yearns for place in World Golf Hall of Fame

By JIM BLACK
IT seems incongruous that Sandy Lyle, winner of two majors and a host of tournaments across the globe, has not been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at St Augustine, Florida.

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Turkey triumph by four shots for Raymond Russell

FROM THE PGAs OF EUROPE WEBSITE
A final-round six-under-par 65 for a 54-hole total of 19-under-par steered Raymond Russell to a comfortable four-stroke victory in the 2010 Beko Classic Pro-Am as a quality international field finally gave way to his relentless low-scoring consistency in Antalya, Turkey.
With rounds of 69 and 65 on the tougher, PGA-branded Sultan course, and a crushing 11-under-par 61 on the more forgiving Pasha, the 38-year-old Scot, who is currently rolling out a rich run of form, left joint runners-up Carl Suneson and Jamie Little too far back to catch him on fifteen under.
Russell's decisive third round 65 was the best of the day alongside a similar score by James Heath who recovered nobly from an opening day 77 to finish on ten under, a fine contribution in its own right but, in a tournament of quite phenomenal scoring, not good enough for a top six finish.
For celebrity guest John Daly it was an impressive confirmation of the all-round quality of European golf as his final round level par 71 left him on five under and trailing down the leader board in fifteenth place.
In all 19 players carded sub-par rounds including former Ryder Cup man Andrew Coltart who shot level par on his two 'Sultan' rounds and four under on the Pasha to finish one stroke back from Daly.
A bottom-line conclusion after three days of competitive tournament play, was that the PGAs of Europe-endorsed event continues to grow in stature by the year and that the appearance of Daly, like that of Ian Woosnam in the event previously,and other top quality performers and to bring out the best in them.

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PGA Seniors Championship returns to Slaley Hall

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
One of golf’s most prestigious tournaments – the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship – will return to leading UK golf resort Slaley Hall next summer.
The championship, which carries a prize fund of £250,000, will be making its fourth successive visit to the venue when the event returns between June 9-12, 2011.
The tournament – one of only two 72-hole stroke-play events on the European Senior Tour – will again be played over the Dave Thomas-designed Hunting Course.
England’s David J Russell, who captured the title by a two-shot margin over Angel Franco, Barry Lane and Chris Williams in June for his first success at senior level, is expected to return to defend his crown among a cast of household names.
Also set to feature at the Northumberland venue are former Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance, the latter a two-time winner of the championship, and Lane – who made his European Senior Tour debut in the event.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Slaley Hall and the Hunting Course have been excellent hosts to the championship over the past three years, providing some enthralling golf during that time.
“I am sure that will be the case again as we prepare to return there for a fourth successive year and hope that golf fans across the north east will again continue to support the event.
“The PGA Seniors Championship has a long and illustrious history and once more we’re delighted to be continuing our strong association with De Vere who over the years have been staunch supporters of tournament golf.”
The championship has developed a strong following since its return to the North-east of England with free entry at last year’s tournament helping make it the most successful to date with 14,000 spectators attending over the four days.

Three readers' views on impending Scottish Open "transfer"

E-mail from Danny Wightman (Scottishgolfview.com reader)

Is move to Castle Stuart or Renaissance Club

a bridge too far away from Loch Lomond?

(EDITED BY COLIN FARQUHARSON)
I have read a lot of comments in the papers and on the Internet about the decision to move the Scottish Open championship away from Loch Lomond to either Castle Stuart of the Renaissance Club.
I am very disppointed with that because i have never missed attending the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. I think they are making a mistake to move the championship to somewhere else.
Never mind the money aspect ... it's about the other things like the fans who could be struggling to afford the petrol and the cost of staying at hotels up there in the North compared with what has been a day trip from anywhere in the Central Belt which is where the bulk of Scotland's population lives.
I believe that a new venue for the Scottish Open wont will match the attractions of Loch Lomond where the scenery is superb, you can get a good view of the golf and the fans can get easy connections by train to Balloch where there are plenty hotels/digs that are used by the players, caddies and fans.
I don't think the attendance figures at either Castle Stuart of the Renaissance Club will be nearly as high as has been the case at Loch Lomond.
The East Lothian venue would also mean fans from the West would have to fork out for pertol. There is no close train station there, with North Berwick being a little too far away.

DANNY WIGHTMAN

E-mail your view to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

First response:

E-mail from John Harris

Having attended a Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and been disappointed with the spectator facilities, the news that it is moving to another venue is good. In fact, Scotland has such an abundance of superb courses, it seems ludicrous that its Open hosting should be confined to merely one venue.

No, relocation to Castle Stuart and the Renaissance will give a much stronger "links" feel to the event which traditionally prefaces the Open itself over a links course as always.
East Lothian and Moray have less access problems than Lomond and the event will give a welcome boost to two local economies in dire need of stimulus during the wider recession.
The Renaissance is a particularly well-prepared course and, unlike Lomond, can withstand the threat of heavy rain with absolute impunity. Attending spectators will also be spoilt for golf-playing opportunities while they are staying in the area.
While we are on the subject, and in order to allow all of Scotland to share equally in the benefit of hosting its premier annual golf jamboree, how about establishing a small rota for the event? My starting bid would be a list comprising:
            
Castle Stuart
The Renaissance
Royal Dornoch
Kingsbarns
Turnberry
Royal Aberdeen
Gleneagles
Carnoustie.    
JOHN HARRIS

Second response

E-mail from Bryan Fotheringham

I think it's great news that the Scottish Open is moving up here to the North of Scotland, then moving on to the Renaissance Club thereafter. But I would like to see it move more often than that so that every area of the country would get the chance to see top class players form the European Tour on their doorstep.
I take it from his E-mail that Mr Wightman is from near Glasgow, complaining about paying for petrol to get to Castle Stuart and East Lothian. What about the people from the North and North-east of Scotland who, over the years, have shelled out lots of money to get to Loch Lomond, stay there and eat there.
It's the SCOTTISH Open after all which doesn't mean major sporting events can't go any further north of Gleneagles. It should go to other places like your other reader John Harris suggested You could add to his list:
Western Gailes
Panmure
Nairn
Wouldn't it be nice for it to be moved around annually.

Bryan Fotheringham

COLIN FARQUHARSON COMMENTS:
As one experienced golf writer - even more experienced than me - summed up the situation succinctly to me:

"The problem with venues for the Scottish Open is that the top links courses are tied in with THE Open.
"As Keith Waters said some weeks ago, the whole thing is very complicated, not just regarding the Open but also what is the best venue, should it be there for a few years etc, etc?
"Also there is the matter of infrastructure. Loch Lomond was established re TV cabling and other permanent fixtures for a tournament. The Tour and the TV companies will have to start from scratch at Castle Stuart, The Renaissance or any other 'new' host venue.
"Giving lists of preferred courses is all very well, but there is so much more to it."

SGU Elite Squad to spend month

training at Dubai, then Abu Dhabi

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Ten members of the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad are heading to the United Arab Emirates this week (17 November) for a four-week block of warm-weather training as part of a new performance approach by the Scottish Golf Union.
Supported by Aberdeen Asset Management, WSM Sponsorship and InterContinental Hotels Group, the programme in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a change in direction from previous winter camps in countries such as Australia, Spain and Portugal as the national performance team looks to improve players’ preparation for the year ahead.
The squad will travel to the Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai on Wednesday and will spend the first two weeks of the camp working on short game, fitness and golf psychology with national coach Ian Rae as well as members of the Scottish Institute of Sport support team. Al Badia, part of the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, will be the Official Host Venue of the training camp.
The players will then move to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi on 2 December for the second two weeks of the programme, which will take in a test match with the Emirates Golf Federation elite squad.
Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf Performance Manager, looked forward to seeing the results of the new approach with September’s Walker Cup in Royal Aberdeen one of the key targets target for the players:
“While our previous warm weather training camps and winter competitions have been successful we have decided to switch the emphasis away from playing and more towards practice, preparation and development. The need to move our training base was enhanced by the poor weather in Spain and Portugal over the past two winters, whereas good weather is almost guaranteed in the United Arab Emirates.”
“We have worked hard to create the correct approach to our off-season programme and believe the players will benefit from not travelling as much from country to country or playing in events at this time of year. We have access to some of the finest facilities in the world with everything we need to work with the players on short game, fitness and a variety of other aspects.”
“The SGU is grateful to Aberdeen Asset Management for their fantastic support of our travel logistics and WSM Sponsorship, our strategic partners in this new venture, who have mirrored their commitment to the development of golf in Scotland with the work undertaken by their new international office in enabling our alliance with the Emirates Golf Federation and other new partners.” he added.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said:
“As a company proud of our Scottish heritage, we are delighted to be lending our support to the Scottish Golf Union. We hope that our investment in the team’s warm-weather training will help continue to grow the success of Scottish amateur golf.”
“With the emergence of new training techniques and performance tactics, we at Aberdeen Asset Management are pleased to be involved with assisting the development of the players.”
The players will return home on 12 December before the squad embarks of the second stage of their winter programme which will take place in South Africa for the second consecutive year, with the team departing in the third week of January.
The squad travelling to the UAE is:
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh)
Scott Gibson (Southerness)
Ross Kellett (Colville Park)
David Law (Hazlehead)
Philip McLean (Peterhead)
Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh)
Greg Paterson (New Club, St Andrews)
Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
James White (Lundin).