ELLIOT SALTMAN SHARES TOUR SCHOOL LEAD IN SPAIN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

The Lothians' Elliot Saltman fired a six under par 64 to take a three-way share of the lead with Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and Steve Lewton at the halfway stage of The European Tour Qualifying School in north-east Spain.

On a day of low scoring at PGA Catalunya Resort, Girona, Garcia-Heredia and Elliot Saltman, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, kept their cards bogey-free, posting six birdies each over the par 70 Tour Course to move to 11 under par, while Lewton recovered from a hat-trick of bogeys to sign for a 66.

It proved to be a successful day all round for the Saltman family, with Elliot’s younger brother Lloyd carding a 65 to lie in a group of five players one stroke off the pace as the pair look to join the Molinaris as the only other siblings on The European Tour.
Elliot Saltman, who at 28 is the elder brother by three years, feels he is right at the top of his game after hitting 17 greens in regulation and is confident he can keep his form going for another three days.
“I think this is the best I've played,” he said. “My game's always been there and I've been working hard with my coach, Bob Torrance, but something's always been holding me back - the mental side of the game.
“I've been getting too far ahead of myself and thinking 'what if'. It's nice to be top of the leaderboard but there's a long way to go. I said to myself if I can get to 13 under for six rounds I'll have a good chance.
“As long as I can keep my game and keep my head positive, I should be fine. The more you think about things in golf, the worse you play. So right now I'm just trying to stay focused on the hole I'm on, the shot I'm on, and take it from there.
“I said to Bob last night I was feeling a little nervous but he just said 'what have you got to be nervous about? Just go and hit the ball'. That was the attitude I took today.”
Garcia-Heredia, who claimed the last available card at the 2008 Qualifying School, said improvements to the mental side of his game contributed to his flawless display.
“I’ve been working hard for the past six months, and I’m feeling good at the moment,” he said. “ I’ve been working mainly on my head, because my technique has always been pretty good. I wasn’t getting the results I should have, so I started seeing a psychologist and my results have got much better.
“I’m staying much calmer now, even if things aren’t going my way. And I’m enjoying my golf a lot more. If I get my card back this week, I’m absolutely confident I’ll make more use of it next season. I’ll be a better player if and when I get back on Tour, for sure.”
Englishman Lewton, who was the first-round leader after opening with a 63, carded four birdies in his closing six holes after a shaky spell on his front nine.
"It was a better day than yesterday but I started off poorly again,” he said. “I birdied my first hole - the tenth - then managed to bogey the 13th, 14th and 15th to go two over for the day. But from there I played really nicely.

"It was a lot easier today because it wasn't blowing a gale. Obviously that means the scoring will be lower as well though. I'm just trying to play steady golf and not get too far ahead of myself. I'm just trying to play one round at a time.”

Overnight leader Florian Fritsch, of Germany, shot a 68 to join the group of players one stroke off the lead on ten under par, along with Welshman Liam Bond (67), Scot Jack Doherty, Englishman Adam Gee (65) and Lloyd Saltman.

The younger Saltman brother is now looking forward to challenging his brother at the top of the leaderboard.

He said: "I'm one behind the big man. I was looking at him and trying to work out how he was getting on but he didn't look too happy. Then I came in and he was 11 under so you never can tell. I'm delighted. It was a good day.”

All of the current top 30 – a position which would secure a European Tour card at the end of six rounds – came from the Tour Course, which has the lower par of the two courses in Girona.

On the more difficult par 72 Stadium Course, which the leaders will tackle tomorrow, English amateur Matthew Nixon impressed most, posting a seven under par 65 to move to six under par and a share of 34th place.

HALFWAY LEADERBOARD
Par 219
201 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 66 71 64, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spain) 70 67 64, Steve Lewton (England) 63 72 66.
202 Jack Doherty (Scotland) 66 73 63, Adam Gee (England) 66 71 65, Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 68 69 65.
Other Scots' scores:
204 Chris Doak 67 73 64 (jt 15th).
209 Alastair Forsyth 73 69 67 (jt 59th).
213 Raymond Russell 69 75 69 (jt 82nd).
216 Andrew Coltart 75 70 71, Jamie McLeary 71 75 70 (jt 110th).
220 Marc Warren 72 72 76 (jt 128th).
221 Scott Drummond 72 74 75 (jt 136th).

TO READ ALL THE THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

CLICK HERE

2nd MOROCCO GOLF FESTIVAL, MARRAKECH, OCTOBER 8-15, 2011

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY MENARA TRAVEL
The 2nd MOROCCO GOLF FESTIVAL, to be held from October 8 to 15, 2011 and based at the mystical city of Marrakech, is open to amateur golfers (Handicap limits: Men/boys 28, Ladies/girls 36. Slope rating will not apply; all competitors must play off their lowest home-club handicap. You should take your handicap certificate with you).
Apart from the Sunday better-ball pairs tournament and the Stableford Team Sweepstake on the Friday, Male competitors will be divided into two handicap categories (Class 1 and Class 2) with the aim of having an equal number of competitors in each category. The same will apply with the female competitors.

SUNDAY BETTER-BALL PAIRS, October 9.
Competitors should name their playing partners on the entry forms.
Competitors without nominated playing partners will be linked up by the Tournament Director. There will be three categories: Male and Male, Female and Female, Male and Female. Prizes will depend on the number of entries in each category. Format: Stroke-play.

AGGREGATE THREE-ROUND TOURNAMENT: Monday-Tuesday-Thursday, October 10, 11 and 13.
Male Class 1 and Female Class 1 competitors will play a stroke-play round on each of the designated days. Male Class 2 and Female Class 2 competitors will play a Stableford round on each of the designated days.
The number of prizes awarded in each of the four categories for the best 54-hole totals will depend on the number of competitors within each. There will also be one male senior and one female senior prize. Competitors will tee off in fours where possible.

FRIDAY STABLEFORD TEAM SWEEPSTAKE, October 14.
On the Thursday night, in public at the hotel, the names of all competitors who wish to play in this event will go into a hat/box and will be drawn out in teams of four (or three if the number of entries is divisible by three rather than four), with the best two individual totals to count for each team’s total. The “entry fee” of £5 (equivalent of 65 Moroccan Dirhams) per head should be paid to the Tournament Director on the Thursday evening at the draw. All
the money will be paid out again in prizes at Friday’s Gala Dinner.

EXCITING PROGRAMME
In addition to competitive golf, there is an exciting programme full of various activities: Cocktail parties – City sightseeing tour of Marrakech– Gala Dinners– Accompanying person programme. This tournament week is great fun and an enjoyable way of making new friends, friendly competition and the chance to play on some outstanding golf courses in Morocco

Tournament Director for a second year: COLIN FARQUHARSON

PACKAGES / PRICES
Flying from LONDON GATWICK
(Flights operated by ROYAL AIR MAROC)
7 Nights stay
£1089 per GOLFER
£895 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Flight Times
08 OCT 2011: Flight No AT673, Departs from Gatwick
(North Terminal) at 13h00 – Arrive to Marrakech at
15h35
15 OCT 2011: Flight No AT672, Departs from Marrakech
at 07h30 – Arrive to London Gatwick (North Terminal) at
12h05

Flying from EDINBURGH
(Flights operated by RYANAIR)
7 Nights stay
From £1145 per GOLFER
From £975 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Based on a flight fare of £270 (subject to availability at the time
of booking)
Flight Times
08 OCT 2011: Flight No FR6824, Departs from Edinburgh at
14h50 – Arrives at Marrakech at 18h10
15 OCT 2011: Flight No FR6825, Departs from Marrakech at
18h35 – Arrives at Edinburgh at 23h55

Flying from MANCHESTER
(Flights operated by EASYJET)
7 Nights stay
From £1125 per GOLFER
From £955 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Based on a flight fare of £250 (subject to availability at the time of booking)
Flight Times
08 OCT 2011: Flight No 1893, Departs from Manchester
at 14h40 – Arrives at Marrakech at 17h35
15 OCT 2011: Flight No 1894, Departs from Marrakech at
18h05 – Arrives at Manchester at 22h50

Flying from LONDON GATWICK
(Flights operated by EASYJET)
7 Nights stay
From £1125 per GOLFER
From £955 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Based on a flight fare of £250 (subject to availability at the time
of booking)
Flight Times
08 OCT 2011: Flight No 8895, Departs from London Gatwick
(North) at 12h20 – Arrives at Marrakech at 15h00
15 OCT 2011: Flight No 8896, Departs from Marrakech at 15h35
– Arrives at Gatwick (North) at 20h10

Flying from LONDON GATWICK
(Flights operated by BRITISH AIRWAYS)
7 Nights stay
From £1089 per GOLFER
From £895 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Based on a flight fare of £200 (subject to availability at the time of booking)
Flight Times
Sunday 09 OCT 2011: Flight No BA2892, Departs from
London Gatwick at 13h05 – Arrives at Marrakech at 15h35
Sunday 16 OCT 2011: Flight No BA2893, Departs from
Marrakech at 16h20 – Arrives at Gatwick at 20h55

Flying from LONDON LUTON
(Flights operated by RYANAIR)
7 Nights stay
From £1175 per GOLFER
From £1005 per NON-GOLFER
£140 Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
Based on a flight fare of £250 (subject to availability at the time
of booking)
Flight Times
Sunday 09 OCT 2011: Flight No FR3506, Departs from London
Luton at 16h05 – Arrives at Marrakech at 18h40
Sunday 16 OCT 2011: Flight No FR3507, Departs from
Marrakech at 19h05 – Arrives at Luton at 23h45

Other flights available with THOMSON AIRWAYS from Manchester and London Gatwick (10 Nights stay)
- Flying out to Marrakech on Friday 07th October 2011
- Flying back from Marrakech on the Monday 17th October 2011
Please contact us for more details
The prices includes:
 Return Flight from UK to Marrakech
 07 Nights Accommodation in the KENZI FARAH HOTEL 5***** in Marrakech
 Daily buffet breakfast
 5 Rounds of competitive golf and playing on the Samanah, Royal, Amelkis, Palmeraie and Al Maaden Golf Courses in Marrakech
 02 (two) Cocktail Parties at the hotel
 Gala Dinner with Prizes Presentation
 Six (06) Dinners at the KENZI FARAH HOTEL as per the programme
 Half Day guided tour of Marrakech for the whole group
 Excursion (for Non-Golfers / Accompanying persons)to the OURIKA VALLEY at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountain and Visit to Berber villages
 One HAMMAM (Traditional Moroccan Bath) or One Relaxing Massage session per person
 Ground transfers and Transportation from hotel to golf courses as well as from and back to the airport.
 Our Permanent assistance in Marrakech

PLEASE NOTE:
All the golf courses in Marrakech are quite flat and easy to walk
Caddies are compulsory (100 to 120 Moroccan Dirham = around 9 GBP for the caddy per 18 hole – to be paid directly to the Caddy) However, if a client chooses to hire a buggy, he or she would not have to have a caddy.
Buggies can be booked through us but have to be paid directly to the Golf Clubs
Buggy hire is 350 Moroccan Dirham (around 29 GBP) per 18 holes at the ROYAL Golf Club, AL MAADEN Golf Club and SAMANAH Golf Clubs.
Buggy hire is 400 Moroccan Dirham (around 32 GBP) per 18 holes at the AMELKIS Golf Club and PALMERAIE Golf Clubs.
+As far as possible competitors will be drawn to play in fours by the Tournament Director and competitors should arrange to share the cost with their playing partners.

PRIZES
Depending on the number of entries received, prizes will be awarded in each of the four categories in the three-round aggregate tournament and there will also be senior prizes (over-55 years for men, over-50 for women). The better-ball pairs will have prizes in the male and male, male and female, and female and female categories.

KENZI FARAH HOTEL 5*****
Situated in the main hotel area of the new city, in the Hivernage District. The old city of Marrakech is easily accessible by taxi just 10 minutes from the walls of Marrakech.
All the rooms of the Kenzi Farah are spacious and comfortable. All are en-suite and are equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, a mini bar, Telephone, Wi-Fi.
Facilities within the hotel include: Large outdoor pool with separate children’s area - Wellness Centre with indoor swimming pool - Children’s Play area - Multi-functional sports area - Tennis Courts - International Buffet Restaurant - Italian A La Carte Restaurant - Moroccan A la Carte Restaurant - Poolside snack bar - Piano Bar - 24-hour room service

PROGRAMME
Saturday 8th October 2011:
Flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech (operated by ROYAL AIR MAROC - Flight AT673, departs from London Gatwick North Terminal at 20:30 and arrives at Marrakech at 23:05).
Assistance in Marrakech airport and transfer to the KENZI FARAH HOTEL 5*****
Check-in , Dinner and overnight at the hotel
* Please note that flights can be arranged from other airport
direct to Marrakech (From Edinburgh, Manchester, East Midlands,
London Luton, Bristol) at a supplement.

MARRAKECH: Lying at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, nestling in
the midst of a palm-grove, is the red pearl: Marrakech! More than
an Imperial city, Marrakech legitimately boasts the sumptuous
relics of its glorious past: palaces, tombs, gardens and minarets
compete with each other for the pleasure of the visitor. Most lively
and also known a City of Thousand and One Perfumes…

Sunday 09th October 2011:
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the SAMANAH Golf Club
“Better-ball pairs Tournament.”
 Transfer by coach back to the hotel after golf.
- Cocktail party at 19:00 in the hotel
- Dinner and Overnight in the hotel.

Samanah golf course is located 8Km from Marrakech International
Airport on the road to Amezmiz. The domain covers more than 300 acres and benefits from an open view of the Atlas Mountain. Created by
Jack Nicklaus Design, Samanah is “Desert Type” golf course: the choice of vegetation and plants was made in this spirit (Cacti, Palm trees, Olive trees, etc)
The length is 6800m from the back tees but there is a selection of tees to suit every golfer.  Par is 72. The quality of
the greens is the key point of the course: every player will take lot of pleasure in that part of their game
The clubhouse occupies an area of 2000 square metres. Its architecture
is inspired by the bulwarks of Marrakech and decorated with ponds
and fountains. The clubhouse includes players' bar, TV lounge,
restaurants, bridge room, lockerrooms, pro's shop and a caddiemaster.


Monday 10th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the ROYAL Golf Club
“Individual Three-round Aggregate Tournament Round 1”
Transfer by coach back to the hotel after golf.
Dinner and Overnight in the hotel

The Royal golf course is one of the oldest golf courses and clubhouses in Morocco. It is a course of extreme beauty, located in the foothills of the highAtlas Mountains. Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and General Eisenhower have played here and Churchill probably did some painting as well.. The fairways are relatively narrow and wind through a profusion of cypress, eucalyptus, palm, olive, orange and apricot trees.

Tuesday 11th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer by coach to the PALMERAIE Golf Club
“Individual Three-round Aggregate Tournament Round 2”
Transfer by coach back to the hotel after gofl.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Palmeraie Golf Club: When the international master Robert Trent Jones Sr. was presented with a perpetually limpid sky, the celebrated Palmeraie (Palm Grove) at Marrakech and the majestic Atlas mountains, he created an 18- holes masterpiece. The golf course is dotted with seven lakes and beautiful fairways among palm trees with an unforgettable panorama of the high Atlas Mountains.

Wednesday 12th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel – Guided city tour of Marrakech
Transfer by coach back to the hotel - Afternoon at leisure
Dinner and Overnight in the hotel

Thursday 13th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the AL MAADEN Golf Club
 “Individual Aggregate Tournament Final Round ”
Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.
The draw for partners for Friday’s Stableford Team Sweepstake
Tournament will be made in public at the hotel on Thursday
evening during the cocktail party at 19h45.
Dinner and Overnight

Al Maaden Golf Club is situated near the fascinating historical and cultural center of Marrakech, with the majestic Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. This 18-hole golf course is designed by Kyle Phillips
The golf course has been designed in grand rolling terrain, placed at the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains. Strategically placed bunkers give players multiple lines of play from the tee and tightly-cut spill-off areas around the greens gather errant shots, providing a variety of exiting recovery opportunities.
Keeping with the traditions of golf, AI Maaden is designed as a walker-friendly course, with a designed landscape and geometric water features that give a feeling of playing through a Moroccan garden.

Friday 14th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the AMELKIS Golf Club
Stableford Team Sweepstake.
Transfer by coach back to the hotel after golf.
Gala Dinner with entertainment and Prizes presentations ceremony –
Overnight in the Kenzi Farah Hotel

Amelkis Golf Course is set in a beautiful landscape – near the Royal Golf Club and with wonderful views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Course is testing for any golfers with a number of water features and bunkers but set beautifully amongst palm groves and Moroccan architecture.

Saturday 15th October 2011
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Marrakech airport for the return flight to UK –
assistance with the check-in formalities
(Flight AT672, Departs from Marrakech at 07h30 and arrives at
Gatwick (North Terminal) at 12h05.

============================
For bookings and further details please contact Mohamed Fakir (who will make all your flight arrangements) at:
MENARA TRAVEL LTD
70 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PH – England
Tel: 0207 371 2030
Email: info@morocco4golf.com
www.morocco4golf.com

NAIRN GOLF FESTIVAL APRIL 11 to 15, 2011

NEWS RELEASE

The North of Scotland is to host a new sporting event that has been specifically created to kick start the golfing season. The inaugural Nairn Golf Festival (www.nairngolffestival.co.uk) will take place in April and includes a packed programme of events designed to help eager golfers ready themselves for golf in 2011.

The announcement follows confirmation that the Moray Firth coast has been named one of the world’s top coastal destinations by National Geographic Traveller magazine.

“It’s an exciting time for the area and everyone associated with Nairn and golf in the Highlands,” said Alister Asher, chairman of the Festival committee. “This is an extraordinary part of the world where you can find some of the finest golf courses in Europe. The Nairn Golf Festival is really about celebrating that as well as getting everyone primed for the year ahead.”
Timed to coincide with the start of the golfing season, the Nairn Golf Festival incorporates a host of activities and events designed to help avid players and beginners alike. With a busy schedule of social fixtures, practical advice and the opportunity to play two of the finest courses in the Highlands, at Nairn and Nairn Dunbar, the Festival is a potent mix of fun, play and tuition.
“We’ve brought together some of the biggest names in golf who, along with a team of experienced golf pros, will provide unparalleled guidance on how to improve your game,” said Asher. “This is an exciting event that will attract golfers to one of Scotland’s great golfing coasts. It’s also the beginning of what will be an exciting year for golf in the Highlands.”
One of the highlights of the festival will be a specially arranged evening with Karl Morris, the mind coach to Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell. “It’s been a terrific year, and I’d like to think 2011 will provide even more opportunities, but preparation is key,” said Morris. “Where better to prepare for the year ahead than at Nairn? Come and learn how you can lower your score without changing your swing.”
The Nairn Golf Festival will take place between the 11th – 15th April. For booking information and a full programme of events, please visit the recently updated website www.nairngolffestival.co.uk.

*Packages vary but typically include two rounds of golf at The Nairn Golf Club, two rounds of golf at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, use of facilities at both clubs throughout the week, a welcome drinks reception at Golf View Hotel, golf clinics, a golf psychology evening with Dr Karl Morris, a rules night and a final night golf dinner with prominent speakers Eric Davidson and Campbell Elliot.

*Packages are set at £249.

*Top coaching professionals are available all week for lessons to help individuals sharpen up their game.

*Also included in the programme are specialist clinics, club checks and new tech demonstrations offering golfers plenty of opportunities to get the best out of their existing set-up and their hands on the very latest gear.

*Nairn is only 10 minutes from Inverness airport with links all over the UK through Flybe and EasyJet.

*For more information, please visit www.nairngolffestival.co.uk

KAYMER, McDOWELL JOINT WINNERS OF EURO GOLFER OF YEAR

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOURMartin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell spent most of the 2010 season making golfing history and, fittingly, they ended the year in a similar vein when, for the first time since the award was initiated in 1985, they were voted as joint winners of The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year.
A respected judging panel featuring all sectors of the golfing media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – debated the many merits of both men but when it came to the vote the result was split right down the middle, leading to the historic decision.
It was an appropriate conclusion to a groundbreaking season for European Tour Members in tournaments across the globe; a year which saw three – Louis Oosthuizen, Kaymer and McDowell – win Major Championships for the first time; a further trio – Ernie Els, Francesco Molinari and Ian Poulter – lift World Golf Championships; and the 2009 Golfer of the Year Lee Westwood displace Tiger Woods as World Number One before ensuring he would begin 2011 in that position following his success in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
On The European Tour International Schedule, Miguel Angel Jiménez became, at the age of 46 years and 243 days, the oldest player to win three times in one season while at a mere 17 years and 188 days, Matteo Manassero became the youngest Tour winner in history.
Furthermore Bernhard Langer, the winner of the inaugural Golfer of the Year award in 1985, claimed two Senior Major titles in consecutive weeks on his way to winning the US Champions Tour Player of the Year and Money List for the third consecutive season, while on the regular US PGA Tour, European Tour Members dominated the mid-season with seven victories in 11 weeks.
All of the above players were commended by the panel for their achievements but, in terms of the Golfer of the Year, it was the respective feats of Kaymer and McDowell which stood out.
Kaymer, 25, won four times on The European Tour International Schedule, capturing the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the start of the season and three tournaments in a row during a sensational autumn spell, a run which began with his first Major Championship victory when he came from behind in a three-hole play-off at Whistling Straits to beat American Bubba Watson to the US PGA Championship title.
He then followed that with a win on his return to competitive stroke play action in the KLM Open in the Netherlands before triumphing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. It was a run which provided the platform for him to also finish Number One on The Race to Dubai with record season earnings of €4,461,011.
In the midst of his triumphant autumn, he also made his Ryder Cup debut at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, returning two and a half points from his four matches including a vital fourball victory in the first match of the entire contest, in partnership with Lee Westwood, against Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
Kaymer said: “This has been a truly great year for me and winning this award is the perfect ending. It is recognition for my performances in 2010 and to be voted for by the golfing media, the people who watch and report on our sport throughout the year, makes me feel very proud.
“I am always trying to follow in Bernhard Langer’s footsteps and to see that I have now won an award that he was the first to win back in 1985 is very satisfying indeed. I followed in his footsteps earlier this season by winning a Major Championship, playing in a winning Ryder Cup Team and being given Honorary Membership of The European Tour and now I have taken another step by winning the Golfer of the Year Award. But he is still many steps ahead of me!
“Graeme and I had pretty much the same level of success this season in terms of the Majors and on The European Tour and he deserves this recognition as much as I do. His winning match in The Ryder Cup was huge for all of Europe and for both of us to now make history in terms of sharing this award for the first time, represents a very proud moment for both our families and also shows how strong European golf is right now.”
McDowell, 31, won three times on The European Tour International Schedule, beginning with victory in The Celtic Manor Wales Open in June on The Twenty Ten Course where he would play such a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph a mere four months later.
Like Kaymer, he then went on to pick up his first Major Championship victory in the United States, an emotional success in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach where his dad Kenny was on hand, on Fathers’ Day, to see his son become the first European golfer to win the US Open in 40 years, since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine National in 1970.
His third victory came in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters at the end of October, a win which helped reignite The Race to Dubai and he chased Kaymer all the way to the final event – the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates – eventually having to settle for a career high of second place with season earnings of €3,896,995.
Sandwiched between his victories in the United States and Spain was his second Ryder Cup appearance and one which ended in nail-biting fashion as, in the last singles out on the course, he was handed the task of getting Europe over the winning line which he achieved with a thrilling 3 and 1 victory over Hunter Mahan which saw Colin Montgomerie’s Team win 14 ½ - 13 ½. Like Kaymer, he too contributed two and a half points overall to the European cause.
McDowell, who climbed to a career-high seventh on the Official World Golf Ranking following his victory in the Chevron World Challenge, said: “I am truly humbled to accept this coveted award. It is the icing on the cake on what has been a very special year for myself, Martin and everyone involved in European golf. It is an honour to share this award with a player of Martin’s calibre. He is one of the best players of our generation and I am sure will enjoy many more successes in the years to come.
“We have both enjoyed superb seasons, winning our first Major Championships and numerous other tournaments across the world. However, to be jointly voted European Tour Golfer of the Year by the members of the media makes me very proud. I would like to thank everyone involved with The European Tour and the wider golf media for their hard work in promoting our sport around the world.
“I achieved many of my dreams this season and feel fortunate to have enjoyed some very special moments. However, the highlight of the year for me was being a part of the winning European Ryder Cup Team at Celtic Manor. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of The Ryder Cup and the experience of playing for both your team-mates and the European fans under the most extreme pressure. I hope that I am lucky enough to play in many more successful teams in the future.”
Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live and a member of the judging panel, explained the reason why the historic verdict to give the award jointly had been taken. “Like Colin Montgomerie when he was faced with the decision of who to select for his wild cards for The Ryder Cup, I think the panel faced the most difficult judgement call in the history of this award,” he said.
“It is an extraordinary move, I know, but one which we felt reflected an extraordinarily successful year for The European Tour and one which also properly honoured two men who are not only exceptional golfers, but who are also exceptional people and who both promoted European golf superbly in 2010.
“Both won their first Major Championships in 2010 and were part of a winning European Ryder Cup Team and, wherever you looked during the season they always seemed to be together at the head of affairs. Even their statistics show that while Martin narrowly shaded the Stroke Average Category by 70.04 to 70.07, in the Putts per Greens in Regulation Category, Graeme had the edge by 1.755 to 1.756.
“These margins are too close to differentiate one of these great golfers from another and it was fitting to see that they ended their season tied together in 13th place in the Dubai World Championship. They were side by side in the desert and the panel could not separate them so therefore they will stand side by side in the history books as winners of this prestigious award.”

MIDLAND GOLFERS' ALLIANCE

Due to the snow, here are revised dates for Drumoig and Charleton Midland Alliance competitions:

Charleton
December Tuesday 21st 8.45 - 12.00 or
January Tuesday 11th 8.45 - 12.00

Drumoig
January Tuesday 18th 8.30 - 12.15


Lee Sutherland
PGA Professional
Ballumbie Castle Golf Club
Old Quarry Road
Dundee
DD4 0SY
Tel. (01382) 770028
Fax. (01382) 770251
email leesutherland@btconnect.com

2011 ASIAN TOUR SCHEDULE

Jan 13-16: Qualifying School First Stage, Imperial Lake GC and Majestic Creek GR, Hua Hin, Thailand.
Jan 20-23: Qualifying School Final Stage, presented by Sports Authority of Thailand, Imperial Lakeview and Springfield Royal CC, Hua Hin.

Feb 10-13: Myanmar Open, Pun Hlaing GC, Yangon, US$300,000.
Feb 17-20: Avantha Masters, DLF GCC, New Delhi, €1.8 million (approx: US$2.3 million).

Mar 22-25: SAIL Open, Delhi GC, India, US$300,000.

Apr 14-17: Maybank Malaysian Open, KL GCC, Kuala Lumpur, US$2.5 million.
Apr 21-24: OSK Masters, Damai Laut CC, Lumut, Malaysia, US$300,000.
Apr 28-May 1: Ballantine's Championships, Blackstone Resort, Seoul, €2.2 million (approx US$2.8 million).

May 5-8: Philippine Open, Wack Wack GCC, Manila, US$300,000.

June 23-26: Queen's Cup, Santiburi Samui CC, Samui, Thailand, US$300,000.

July 21-24: Brunei Open, Empire Resort and CC, Bandar Seri Begawan, US$300,000.
July 28-31: Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters, Seri Selangor GC, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, US$300,000.

Aug 4-7: Omega Mission Hills World Cup Qualifying – Asia, Venue TBA.

Sept 1-4: Omega European Masters, Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans, Switzerland, €2 million (Approx US$2.6).
Sept 8-11: Handa Singapore Classic, Orchid CC, Singapore, US$400,000.
Sept 22-25: Asia Pacific Panasonic Open, Venue TBA, Japan, ¥150 million (Approx. US$1.7 million).
Sept 29-Oct 2: Indonesia President Invitational, Venue TBA, US$400,000.

Oct 6-9: Yeangder Tournament Players Championship, Linkou International GCC, Taipei, US$300,000.
Oct 27-30: CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, The Mines Resort and GC, Kuala Lumpur, US$6 million.

Nov 3-6: WGC HSBC Champions, Venue TBA, China, US$7 million.
Nov 3-6: Mercuries Taiwan Masters, Taiwan GCC, Taipei, US$500,000.
Nov 10-13: Barclays Singapore Open, Sentosa GC, Singapore, US$6 million.
Nov 17-20: Iskandar Johor Open, Venue TBA, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, Prize money TBA.
Nov 24-27: Omega Mission Hills World Cup, Mission Hills Resort, Hainan, China, US$6 million.
Nov 24-27: Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, Phokeethra CC, Siem Reap, US$300,000.

Dec 1-4: UBS Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong GC, Hong Kong, US$2.5 million.
Dec 8-11: King's Cup, Venue TBA, Thailand, US$300,000.
Dec 15-18: Tour Championship, Venue TBA.

THREE IN A ROW FOR LANGER AS US SENIORS' Player of Year

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AP) — German-born Bernhard Langer has been voted Player of the Year on the United States Champions (Seniors) Tour for winning five times, including back-to-back majors against the 50-and-older set.
Former European Ryder Cup team captain and player, Florida-based Langer becomes the first Champions Tour member to win Player of the Year and lead the money list for three straight years.
The two-time Masters champion had the most wins in a season since Craig Stadler won five times in 2004. Langer had top 10s on the circuit in 15 of 23 tournaments.
Fred Couples was voted Champions Tour Rookie of the Year, while Ken Green was Comeback Player of the Year for returning to competition after losing his left leg in crash that killed his girlfriend and brother.

RYDER CUP MAN GEORGE WILL DIES AT 73

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
George Will, who played in three successive Ryder Cups in the 1960s, beating Arnold Palmer in his very first match in the biennial event, has died at the age of 73.
Born at Ladybank, Fife, Will survived a serious illness as a youngster to carve out a successful amateur career, winning the Scottish Boys' Championship in 1955 then the British youths' championship two years later. He also won the Army Championship twice during National Service.
After turning professional in 1957, he was attached to Walton Heath when he won the Northern Open at Cruden Bay as an assistant the following year, his name being sandwiched on the roll of honour by Eric Brown (1957) and John Panton (1959).

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