RAMSAY, JAMIESON WORDS OF WISDOM TO SGU'S TOP AMATEURS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson, two of the three Scottish professionals who reached the Race to Dubai finale, have provided the nation’s leading male amateurs with a fascinating insight into what it takes to reach the higher echelons of The European Tour.
The duo, who both enjoyed impressive amateur careers, took time out from their quests for success at the Dubai World Championship over the weekend to sit down with members of the Men’s National Squad during their warm weather winter training trip to Abu Dhabi.
Paul Shields, Scott Crichton, Daniel Kay, Fraser McKenna, Conor O’Neil and Brian Soutar have moved into the final days of their four-week intensive camp at Yas Links Golf Club, who together with Centro Yas Island Hotel and Aberdeen Asset Management have sponsored the hugely beneficial trip.
Having taken advantage of the wonderful playing and practice facilities at Yas and eased to a 9-0 success over the UAE national team during their stay, the trip has now been further benefited following the in-depth discussions with Ramsay and Jamieson.
While former Open champion Paul Lawrie pocketed a cheque for over £500,000 following his superb runners-up finish behind Alvaro Quiros in Dubai, Ramsay and Jamieson, both 28, also enjoyed notable success in 2011 and were delighted to share their tips for the top with the aspiring amateurs.
Ramsay, pictured above, who famously became the first British golfer in almost a century to win the US Amateur Championship in 2006, ended the season in style, recording three top-five finishes in his last six events to come 28th in the Race to Dubai rankings and book his place at The Open next summer. Given his current form, the Aberdonian has emerged as a genuine candidate for Europe’s Ryder Cup team at Medinah next September.

Glaswegian Jamieson, pictured right, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong rookie season on the main circuit, finishing 59th in the overall standings. The 2006 SGU Order of Merit champion played his best golf in the first half of the season, impressively securing three third-place finishes – including the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart – during a summer purple patch.
Having quizzed Ramsay and Jamieson on a number of issues at Jumeriah Golf Estates, the SGU players feel they will reap the rewards from the experience in the immediate future.
Shields, the ever-improving 20-year-old Scotland international from Kirkhill, said: “We received fantastic advice from Richie and Scott.
“Richie spoke about his journey from amateur to professional and playing golf to your strengths and the team around him. It was very interesting, beneficial and good to hear from somebody that has achieved what we are all trying to achieve.
“We also sat down with Scott to talk about his rookie season on tour and he was telling us how he is planning for next year. He still has two feet securely on the ground and is very gracious with what he has achieved. Scott talked about life on and off the course.”
National coach Ian Rae, among the support staff with the squad in the Middle East, added: “They had a great day and spent 45 minutes with Scott and an hour with Richie.
“The chats were very informal on the putting green and the guys asked plenty of questions on how to compete on The European Tour. The key points discussed were the importance of wedge play from 100 yards in, the short game and, the major point, the mental game.
“Both Richie and Scott thought a strong confidence in your own ability and getting on with your own game rather than watching and listening to others was key - trust yourself, make a plan and commit to the plan.”