NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE TEE TIMES FOR BUCKPOOL NEXT WEDNESDAY

8:15 A Campbell, B Main, R Fitzpatrick/10:21 D Fleming, A K Pirie, L Fowler
8:22 C Carnegie, C Cassie              10:28 Lawrie, D Strachan, I M Rogers
8:29 B Harper, G Leslie                 10:35 A.Graham, W Skene
8:36 P Farnan, C Buchanan            10:42 B.Lumsden, J Lumsden, G Homer
8:43 Ord, S Scott, G Geddes        /10:49 R O'Donnell, K Beveridge, J Hopwood
8:50 C Nelson, P Anderson, J Dalgarno/10:56 J Murray, D Bisset, D Randall
8:57 G Allan, S Mackie, P Cornfield/  11:03 B Shaw, D Law, C Law.
9:04 Lamb, R Merchant, L Prouse     11:10 J Borthwick, S Kennedy, F Bisset
9:11 K Nicol, J Findlay                     11:17 P Guthrie, J Jessiman, A Petrie
9:18 J M Hamilton, Randall              11:24 T Collie, M Lawrie, D Brown
9:25 Davidson, M Brown, R Brown     11:31 I Smith,  S Finnie, J Gall
9:32 J MacIntosh, J McPherson, T Slater/ 11:38 J Roberts, K Duncan, J Reid
9:39 I Bratton,GPaterson,M Forrester/11:43 S Chalmers, C Stewart, C Brindley
9:46 D Philip, J Duncan, P McIntosh /   11:52 N Parker, M Booth, G Steveley
9:53 N Chisholm, S Elrick                    11:59
10:0 N Stewart, J Forrest, D Leslie       12:06 S Lawrie, Sean Lawrie
10:07 S Leslie, J Lumsden, C Farquhar/ 12:15 D Wilson, M Jenkins
10:14 MacNaught, M.Ord

PETER UIHLEIN BACK AT NO 1 IN WORLD AMATEUR RANKINGS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
American college student Peter Uihlein is back in the No 1 position in this week's updated RandA World Amateur Golf Rankings.
He had lost it temporarily to compatriot David Chung who this week drops down to No 2 again.
Banchory's James Byrne, who flies back to Arizona State University this weekend for the start of his final term, has risen one place to No 16. The only other Europeans in the top 20 are Sweden's Henrik Norlander, who goes up one place to No 13, and Ireland's Paul Cutler, unchanged at No 19.
England's highest rated players are young Tom Lewis, the past British boys' champion, at 32nd positiion (down one spot) and Andrew Sullivan, unchanged at No 47.
Michael Stewart is the only other Scot apart from James Byrne in the top 100. The Scottish match-play champion from Troon Welbeck stays at No 59.

TOP TWENTY RANKINGS
1 Peter Uihlein (US) (+1).
2 David Chung (US) (-1).
3 Alex Ching (US) (no change).
4 Kevin Tway (US) (nc).
5 David McDaniel (US) (nc).
6 Patrick Cantlay (US) (nc).
7 Scott Langley (US) (nc).
8 Eugene Wong (Canada) (nc).
9 Blayne Barber (US) (nc).
10 Chris Williams (US) (+1).
11 Harris English (US) (+1).
12 Russell Henley (US) (+1).
13 Henrik Norlander (Sweden) (+1).
14 Bobby Hudson (US) (+1).
15 Patrick Reed (US) (+1).
16 James Byrne (Scotland) (+1).
17 T J Vogel (US) (-7).
17 Yoshinori Fujimoto (Japan) (nc).
19 Paul Cutler (Ireland) (nc).
20 Daniel Merricks (US) (nc).

SELECTED RANKINGS
32 Tom Lewis (England) (-1).
47 Andrew Sullivan (England) (nc).
59 Michael Stewart (Scotland) (nc).

OTHER SCOTTISH RANKINGS
126 Ross Kellett (+3).
161 Stuart Ballingall (+6).
162 Kris Nicol (+6).
300 Scott Crichton (+5).
314 James White (+4).
331 Scott Larkin (+5).
356 Peter Latimer (+8).
371 Brian Soutar (+9).
461 Paul Shields (+5).
493 Allyn Dick (+4).
506 Steven Rennie (+4).
517 Greg Paterson (+3).
534 Philip McLean (+3).
656 James Ross (+5).
707 Scott Gibson (+11).
742 Grant Forrest (+9).
746 Gordon Stevenson (+9).
751 David Law (+9).
752 Graeme Robertson (+9).
778 Matthew Clark (+8).
810 Jordan McColl (+11).
858 Jordan Findlay (+8).
866 Andrew Gunson (+8).
885 Neil Henderson (+9).
890 Sam Binning (+10).
970 Fraser McKenna (+10).
992 Adam Dunton (+14).

MUSSELBURGH MAN'S NET 60 WINS EAST ALLIANCE

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance secretary
secretary.eesga@talktalk.net
After the festive break the East Alliance headed down the coast to Gullane No 3 today and the 92 players enjoyed the opportunity to escape the winter conditions that have closed so many courses.
First man out, Bill Bonar of Musselburgh set an early tough target of 74 less 14 for a fantastic net 60, sprinting round in 3hr 7min. His net 60 was not to be beaten despite some great scoring from the professional ranks with Elie's David Patrick carding a superb gross 61, made up of two numbers - 11 3s and seven 4s.
Bill Bonar is the winner of The John Glen Trophy with his net 60 followed by Andrew Wight of Glencorse with a net 63 (65 less 2) and a three-way tie for third spot with net 64s by Neil Bain (Haddington), Grant Skinner (Glencorse) and Justin White (Harrison), all playing off four of a handicap.
The scratch prizes were scooped up by tour, club and trainee professionals. The 61 of David Patrick secured the top prize. Second place went to Scott Catlin of Bathgate with a 62. Third was Daniel Wood of Eyemouth with a 63 and fourth place was shared by Stephen Lamb of Broomieknowe and Andrew Oldcorn of Kings Acre, both with 64s.
The trainee professional prize went to Graham Mackay of Prestonfield with a score of 73.
Senior prize was shared by Gordon Bell of Gullane and Arthur Harper of Dunfermline with net 65s.
The Order of Merit looks like it will run to the wire.
The scratch section is still headed by Chris Morris of Kingsknowe with 377 points, followed by Scott Catlin of Greenburn with 376 and Mike Thomson with 365.5.
The handicap top three are unchanged - George Wither of Lothianburn 88 points, Graeme Johnston of Glenbervie 87 points and Stuart Brown of Glencourse 86.5.
The next event is an Invitational Greensomes at Braids No.1 on January 19 and after that the East Alliance heads back down the coast to The Glen, North Berwick on January 26.

PRIZEWINNERS
Scratch
1st £100 David Patrick (Elie) 61.
2nd £80 Scott Catlin (Greenburn) 62
3rd £60 Daniel Wood (Eyemouth) 63
T4 £30 Stevie Lamb (Broomieknowe) 64
T4 £30 Andrew Oldcorn (King's Acre) 64
Handicap vouchers
1st £100 Bill Bonar (Musselburgh) (14) 60
2nd £80 Andrew Wight (Glencorse) (2) 63
T3 £40 Neil Bain (Haddington) (4) 64
T3 £40 Grant Skinner (Glencorse) (4) 64
T3 £40 Justin White (Harrison, Braids) (4) 64
Trainee Professional Prize
1st £20 Graham MacKay (Prestonfield) 73
Senior Prize vouchers
T1 £10 Gordon Bell (Gullane) 65
T1 £10 Arthur Harper (Dunfermline) 65

LEADING SCRATCH SCORES
Patrick, David (Elie) Trainee 61
Catlin, Scott (Greenburn) Professional 62
Wood, Daniel (Eyemouth) Trainee 63
Lamb, Stevie (Broomieknowe) Professional 64
Oldcorn, Andrew (King's Acre) Professional 64
Wight, Andrew (Glencorse) Senior 65
Knowles, Scott (Kingsknowe) Amateur 67
Thomson, Mike (Torwoodlee) Amateur 67
Bain, Neil (Haddington) Amateur 68
Bell, Gordon (Gullane) Senior 68
Morris, Chris (Kingsknowe) Professional 68
Skinner, Grant (Glencorse) Amateur 68
White, Justin (Harrison, Braids) Amateur 68
Gordon Craig (Edinburgh Golf Centre) Professional 69
Reid Alan (West Lothian) Professional 69
Cliff Jonnie (Murrayfield) Professional 70
Harper, Arthur (Pitreavie) Senior 70
Marshall, Andrew (Houston Golf Range) Professional 70
Robson, Mike (Harrison, Braids) Amateur 70
Rothney, Andrew (Deer Park) Amateur 70
Colquhoun, Neil (Merchants of Edinburgh) Professional 71
Louden, Michael (Glencorse) Amateur 71
Wardell, Paul (Whitekirk) Professional 71
Callan, Stuart (Bathgate) Professional 72
McGarvey, Sean (Glencorse) Amateur 72
Neill, Ross (Drumpellier) Professional 72
Wither, George (Lothianburn) Amateur 72
Cordery, Thomas (Musselburgh) Amateur 73
Mackay, Graham (Prestonfield) Trainee 73
McAllan, Michael (Glenbervie) Professional 73
Mungall, Kurt Lothianburn Professional 73
Bonar, Bill (Musselburgh) Senior 74
Cartmill, Harry (Bathgate) Amateur 74
Graham, David (Lochend) Amateur 74
Grant, Ronald (Baberton) Senior 74
McKenzie, Alex (Lothianburn) Amateur 74
McLean, Alastair (Duddingston) Professional 74
Miller, William (Falkirk Tryst) Amateur 74
Stavert, Iain (Duddingston) Amateur 74
Black George (Torwoodlee) Amateur 75
Downing Stewart (Craigmillar Park) Amateur 75
Forsyth Walter (Peebles) Amateur 75
Gilhooley Stephen (Duddingston) Senior 75
Lamb Jordan (Peebles) Amateur 75
Masterton John (Mortonhall) Amateur 75
Morris Jamie (Peebles) Amateur 75
Rodaks George (Dunfermline) Senior 75
Scott Jim (Swanston New) Senior 75
Taylor Ian (Royal Burgess) Amateur 75

LEADING NET SCORESBonar, Bill (Musselburgh) Senior 74 14 60
Wight, Andrew (Glencorse) Senior 65 2 63
Bain, Neil (Haddington) Amateur 68 4 64
Skinner, Grant (Glencorse) Amateur 68 4 64
White, Justin (Harrison, Braids) Amateur 68 4 64
Bell, Gordon (Gullane) Senior 68 3 65
Harper, Arthur (Pitreavie) Senior 70 5 65
Knowles, Scott (Kingsknowe) Amateur 67 2 65
Roberts, Graham (Liberton) Amateur 76 10 66
Forsyth, Walter (Peebles) Amateur 75 8 67
Jeffrey, Peter (Duddingston) Amateur 77 10 67
Louden, Michael (Glencorse) Amateur 71 4 67
Miller, William (Falkirk Tryst) Amateur 74 7 67
Ritchie, Peter (Bathgate) Senior 76 9 67
Grant, Ronald (Baberton) Senior 74 6 68
Mills, Alex (Lothianburn) Amateur 78 10 68
Rothney, Andrew (Deer Park) Amateur 70 2 68
Stevens, Glyn (King's Acre) Amateur 76 8 68
Thomson, Mike (Torwoodlee) Amateur 67 -1 68
Wilson, Gerry (Musselburgh) Amateur 79 11 68
Cartmill, Harry (Bathgate) Amateur 74 5 69
Downing Stewart (Craigmillar Park) Amateur 75 6 69
Gilhooley, Stephen (Duddingston) Senior 75 6 69
Lamb, Jordan (Peebles) Amateur 75 6 69
Masterton, John (Mortonhall Amateur 75 6 69
McKenzie, Alex (Lothianburn) Amateur 74 5 69
Robson, Mike Harrison (Braids) Amateur 70 1 69
Scott, Jim (Swanston New) Senior 75 6 69
Watson, David (Peebles) Senior 82 13 69

MIDLAND ALLIANCE SNOWED OFF AT CHARLETON

The Midland Golfer’s Alliance, due to be played at Charleton Golf Course, Fife tomorrow (Thursday) has been cancelled due to snow on the course. The next meeting is at the Drumoig Hotel course, Leuchars on Tuesday, January 18 (tee reserved 8.30am to 12.15).

ERNIE ELS SCRUBS SCOTTISH OPEN FROM HIS ITINERARY

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
HONOLULU (AP) — Ernie Els has reached a point in his career where he will not be travelling as far, and making decisions based as much on his business ventures as the golf itself.
One of the first tournaments to go is the Scottish Open, which he has won twice and played the last nine years.
Els signed an endorsement deal with the Royal Bank of Canada, the title sponsor of the Canadian Open. The third-oldest national championship in golf falls at an awkward time in the US PGA Tour schedule - one week after the British Open, two weeks before the start of a grueling stretch that includes a World Golf Championship, the US PGA Championship and four FedEx Cup playoff events.
The Big Easy said he would be there - at the Canadian Open.
"Yes, but I'm changing it up," he said. "I'm not going to play the Scottish Open."
Els said he wants to focus more on America, where he now spends most of his time, and where his children are in school. He also is trying to raise money for an autism centre in Florida.
"I'm going to play less in Europe, play a bit more in Asia," he said. "That's good for the personal brand and stuff we do out there."
On the list of tournaments he likely will play is the Asia-Pacific Classic in Malaysia, where he is designing golf courses. He said his wine label is doing well in South Korea, so he will be at the Ballantines Championship at the end of April.
"Then you look at China," he said. "China is quite a big market in just about everything. You've got to show your face there every now and then. I'd like to do that at the end of the year."
Els is taking a four-week break from golf after the Sony Open this week. He said he hasn't done that, except for injury, since before he had children when Els and his wife would go home to South Africa. That means missing the Middle East swing on the European Tour. Els said his next event would be the Northern Trust Open at Riviera.
Keeping an eye on business would seem to indicate a shift in his priorities, although Els said this has been going on for a few years.
"I'm just trying to position myself," he said. "Obviously the world has changed the last few years. We used to have quite a bit of business in the U.S. That's a little bit out the window now. You've got to look for work where it is. Asia is where it is.
"I'm definitely not thinking of retirement," he said. "But I'm definitely positioning myself for when that day comes."
 ON AIR: It looks like the Golf Channel's plans to put a microphone on a player will get its first test at the Sony Open. Defending champion Ryan Palmer said he has agreed to be heard and seen during the first or second round at Waialae.
"I think it's good," he said with a slight hesitation.
The Golf Channel does not plan to air the comments live, but package them in features as part of its spotlight on a player. The concern from some players has been private talk that can be heard by someone, even if it doesn't make the broadcast.
"I think it's good they can hear the talk between our shots and the green. Obviously, the only one listening is the guy in the truck, but who's to say. But I've talked to them all. I'm confident they have to protect us and themselves."
Television officials couldn't find a volunteer among players they asked at Kapalua, and when Jonathan Byrd agreed, there were technical problems Friday. On the weekend, Byrd declined.
Palmer said he has never worn a microphone except when conducting a clinic.

SUPER BOWL CLASH: Matt Kuchar is the latest American to dip his toes in the Middle East. He said he will be playing the Qatar Masters the first week of February, which already has attracted Steve Stricker.
"I've never been to the Middle East," Kuchar said. "You get an opportunity, and what the heck? It's a place in the world I want to see."
But there could be one problem.
Kuchar, who went to Georgia Tech University and only recently moved from Atlanta, thinks the Atlanta Falcons have a good chance to get to the Super Bowl, which is Sunday of the final round at Qatar.
"That's the one thing," he said. "I think the Atlanta Falcons have a shot at the Super Bowl. I'll be bummed if I'm in Qatar and I can't see the Super Bowl."

BIG BROTHER WATCHING: The disqualification of Camilo Villegas at Kapalua renewed outrage in some quarters that television viewers are able to report violations. But they don't have to be watching from home, as Ryan Palmer learned.
In the opening round, Villegas hit a chip up the slope to the 15th hole and flicked away a few loose pieces of grass near his divot when he saw it rolling back. That violates Rules 23-1, and he was disqualified before the second round for an incorrect scorecard.
The day after Villegas was knocked out of the tournament, Palmer had a delicate chip up the hill to the 14th green. He hit it fat, and tamped down his divot as the ball was rolling back down the hill. It rolled about 6 feet away, nowhere near his previous shot. But given the Villegas incident, Palmer thought for a second that he might have broken the same rule.
A spectator thought the same thing and told PGA Tour rules official John Mutch, who met Palmer in the scoring trailer.
"The guy didn't know what he was talking about," Palmer said. "He saw me hit a shot and tamp down my divot. It rolled 6 feet away, not even close to my lie. I knew I hit it fat, and I knew it was coming down."
Mutch asked him what happened, Palmer told him, and that was that.

MAHAN'S BIG WEEK: Hunter Mahan shot a 67 in his last PGA Tour round as a single man.
He tied for 25th in the Tournament of Champions, not bad considering it was a week before his matrimony. He is to wed Kandi Harris on Saturday in Dallas. The couple will go to Aspen, Colo., for their honeymoon, a popular place to ski.
This is where it gets interesting, because Mahan doesn't ski.
"I'm going to take lessons," Mahan said. "I wouldn't say I have a desire to ski, but I've never done it and I'm looking forward to experience it."
He plans to return at Torrey Pines, assuming he doesn't get hurt on the slopes.

DIVOTS: Ten players who were at Kapalua to start the year have decided not to play the Sony Open. Among them is Bubba Watson, who plays a heavy West Coast schedule but added two events this year by winning - Maui and the Match Play. Three of the European players on Kapalua are going to Abu Dhabi next week. Bill Lunde is playing every other tournament on the West Coast.
The LPGA Tour said the Safeway Classic on Aug. 19-21 will be the final qualifying event (as far as the Americans are concerned) for Solheim Cup selection, the transatlantic team match to be held Sept. 23-25 in Ireland.
Joseph Bramlett, the first PGA Tour player of black heritage since Tiger Woods, has signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

SELWYN-SMITH NAMED PGA CAPTAIN ELECT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS' ASSOCIATION
A Midland PGA professional, inspired to take up golf after seeing Sir Henry Cotton play, will follow in the footsteps of the legendary Open champion after being named captain-elect of The Professional Golfers’ Association.
Neil Selwyn-Smith will take on that role from April this year before being given the prestigious role of PGA Captain in 2013. The honour caps a wide-ranging and successful career for the 64-year-old that has covered all aspects of the golf industry from club professional through to coaching, corporate golf entertainment and lecturing on the sport.
“Being asked to be PGA captain took me completely by surprise but I’m deeply honoured and very excited at the prospect of being captain-elect to Eddie Bullock and then captain for 2013-2015,” said Selwyn-Smith.
“I’ve had a lifelong love of the game and been fortunate that I have always been able to do for a living something I love doing.
“I’ve always been very proud to be a member of the PGA - 48 years - and it’s led to developing some lasting friendships.”
Bromsgrove-based Selwyn-Smith, who last year achieved PGA Master Professional status, runs Golf by Design Ltd, a thriving corporate golf business which each year charters a train to take clients to the Open Championship.
He also still coaches while he is familiar to hundreds of young aspiring professionals as a PGA tutor and also as a lecturer on the Applied Golf Management Studies degree at the University of Birmingham.
Selwyn-Smith revealed he was bitten by the golfing bug in 1959 when as reward for helping a neighbour dig a ditch during the summer holidays near his Kings Heath home in Birmingham, he was taken to the Swallow-Penfold Tournament at Copt Heath where great names of the day were in action including newly-crowned Open champion Gary Player and Cotton – a three-time Open champion and twice a PGA captain.
“I was hooked from that moment on,” said Selwyn-Smith, who obtained his first post at Cocks Moors Woods at aged 16.
In 1969 he became head professional at Edgbaston Golf Club where he stayed until 1984 before branching out into corporate golf and also golf driving range and course architecture including designing and building Henley in Arden Golf Club in the early 90s.
A well-known figure in the Midlands, he has been both captain and chairman of the region and is secretary of the Warwickshire PGA as well as club and coach co-ordinator for the Warwickshire County Golf Partnership.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “I’m delighted that Neil has accepted the invitation of the members to be the captain-elect and ultimately captain in 2013.
“Neil has been a long-standing member of the Association and has accomplished many things in the game. Last year he was given the accolade of PGA Master Professional – a recognition given only to a few and now he has achieved the position of captain – a recognition achieved by even fewer.
“I look forward very much to working with Neil in his term of office.”

PHILIP McLEAN THREE OUT OF THREE HOME ALLIANCE WINS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
SGU Elite Squad player Philip McLean maintained his aura of invincibility over his home course when he won the North-east Golfers’ Alliance competition over his home Peterhead links today with a four-under-par round of 66.
“There’s only one event at Peterhead during the Alliance season and that makes three years in a row, I’ve won it,” said McLean (pictured) who will be off shortly to spend eight weeks in South Africa, courtesy of the Scottish Golf Union.
On a cool but pleasant day by Peterhead standards, McLean headed a field of 83 with a bag of five birdies – at the second, third, fourth, eighth and 17th in halves of 32 (three under par) and 34 (one under).
“I played well on the outward half after holing putts of 15 and 12ft for birdies at the second and third and I knocked my approach in to about 4ft at the fourth to make it a hat-trick of birdies,” said Philip.
“I set up some birdie chances after the turn but I only took one, a 6ft putt, at the 17th.” He had only one bogey at the sixth where he missed the green.
McLean won by two shots from fellow Elite Squad player Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh), who also has a handicap of +3, and Auchmill one-handicapper Brian Nicolson.
Nicol had the best outward half of the day – four-under-par 31 – and he was on course for a 65 until he bogeyed the 15th and double-bogeyed the 17th where he lost a ball in an inward 37.
Nicolson was the only player to get an eagle 3 at the par-5 eighth and he turned in 32 but he went off the boil on the homeward journey with eight pars and a bogey at the 13th.
Having highlighted fellow golf writer Fergus Bisset's 92 at Newburgh last week, I feel I have to record that the Banchory two-handicapper improved by NINETEEN shots this week with a 73. Well done, Fergus!
+CORRECTION: In last week's NE Alliance report, it was stated that Ian Bratton had won the first prize of £100. In fact, Ian won the first prize of £75. When the field is less than 80 strong, as was the case at Newburgh last week, the cash (to pros) and voucher prizes (to amateurs) are reduced accordingly. From the sum of competitors' weekly entry fees of £10 per head, the host club has to be paid an agreed sum per competitor, less professionals and local club members.


LEADING SCRATCH
Par 70. Yardage 6,147
66 Philip McLean (Peterhead) 32-34.
68 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) 31-37, Brian Nicolson (Auchmill) 32-36.
69 Ian Bratton (Newburgh) p 34-35.
70 Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay) 34-36.
72 Robert O’Donnell (Oldmeldrum).
73 Colin Nelson (MacKenzie Club) p, Fergus Bisset (Banchory), Sandy Elrick (Kemnay), Stewart Finnie (Caledonian).
74 Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) p, David Brown (Kemnay) p.
75 Andrew Campbell (Deeside), Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen).
76 Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead), Mike Booth (Kemnay).
77 Paul McIntosh (Newburgh), Willie Skene (Deeside), Joel Hopwood (Skibo Castle) ap, John Roberts (Cruden Bay), Scott Mackie (Kemnay), Sean Lawrie (Portlethen).
78 Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay), George Paterson (Northern), Keil Beveridge (Aboyne) p, Bill Shaw (Banchory), Steven Chalmers (Banchory) ap, Chris Brindley (Banchory), John Nicolson (Auchmill), Robert Lamb (Newmachar), Davie Wilson (Duff House Royal).
79 Steve Scott (Auchmill), David A Fleming (Portlethen), Alister B Clark (Newmachar).
81 Craig Carnegie (Kemnay), Martin Forster (Cruden Bay), Alastair Graham (Aboyne), Jackie Forrest (Northern), Jim Murray (Banchory), Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum), Manson Merchant (Newmachar), Steve Lawrie (Portlethen).
82 Lawrence Prouse (Hazlehead), John Borthwick (Craibstone), Gary Homer (Lumphanan).
83 Brian Harper ( Newburgh ), John Dalgarno (Hazlehead), David Mackay (Newmachar), David Philip (Newburgh).
84 Gary Geddes (Auchmill), David Bisset (Banchory).
85 Derek Randall (Banchory), John Jessiman (Oldmeldrum).
86 Mike Brown (Inverurie), Norman Stewart (Northern), Nigerl Parker (Murcar Links), Jim Gall (Caledonian).
87 Benny Lumsden (Northern).
88 Mike Randall (Stonehaven), Graham Allan (Newmachar), Raymond Brown (Inverurie).
89 Colin Ord (Auchmill), Paul Cornfield (Auchmill).

HANDICAP
Class 1 – S Elrick (Kemnay) (7) 66; B Nicolson (Auchmill) (1) 67; W Skene (Deeside) (9), J Reid ( Cruden Bay ) (2) 68; R O’Donnell (Oldmeldrum) (3), P McLean (Peterhead) (+3) 69; L Fowler (Royal Aberdeen ) (5) 70.
Class 2 – M Booth (Kemnay) (11) 65; C Brindley (Banchory) (12) 66; M Brown (Inverurie) (10), A B Clark (Newmachar) (10) 69; A Graham (Aboyne) (11) 70; G Homer (Lumphanan) (11), J Jessiman (Oldmeldrum) (14), A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10), J Gall (Caledonian) (15) 71.

+If any member's name is mispelled above or the initial(s) are wrong, or their home club is wrongly stated, they are asked to E-mail Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com so that corrections can be made to the NE Alliance data base.

PETERHEAD PAR SCORECARD - OUT: 4-3-4-4-4-3-4-5-4--35.
                                                  IN: 3-4-4-4-4-4-3-4-5--35
PHILIP McLEAN 66 (-4)
OUT: 4-2-3-3-4-3-5-4-4--32. IN: 3-4-4-4-4-4-3-3-5--34

KRIS NICOL 68 (-2)
OUT: 5-3-3-3-3-3-4-4-3--31. IN: 3-4-4-3-4-5-3-6-5--37.

BRIAN NICOLSON 68 (-2)
OUT: 3-2-4-4-5-3-4-3-4--32. IN: 3-4-4-5-4-4-3-4-5--36.
 
IAN BRATTON 69 (-1)
OUT: 3-3-4-5-3-3-5-4-4--34. IN: 3-4-4-4-4-4-3-3-6--35

+We'll have the collated tee times later this evening for next Wednesday's competition at Buckpool - where Paul Lawrie had a 10 at one hole and still won the NE Alliance meeting there in 1999, later to be crowned Open champion at Carnoustie

AUSTRALIAN MASTER OF THE AMATEURS CHAMPIONSHIP

FOUR ROUNDS STROKE-PLAY
ROYAL MELBOURNE GOLF CLUB

ALL THE HALFWAY TOTALS
Fox Ryan NEW ZEALAND 64 74 138
Hodgson Stiggy ENGLAND 69 69 138
+Hodgson picured by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography.
McCarthy Ryan AUSTRALIA 65 73 138
Sullivan Andrew ENGLAND 68 71 139
Bringolf Daniel NSW /AUS 72 68 140
Goss Oliver AUSTRALIA 68 73 141
Higginbottom Jake AUSTRALIA 69 72 141
Kawamura Masahiro JAPAN 70 71 141
Lewis Tom ENGLAND 72 69 141
MacManus Tarquin AUSTRALIA 74 67 141
Richardson Kalem AUSTRALIA 69 72 141
Russell Jordan USA 71 70 141
Campbell Ben NEW ZEALAND 68 74 142
Drewitt Brett AUSTRALIA 70 72 142
Wright Darren ENGLAND 67 75 142
Perry Mathew NEW ZEALAND 70 73 143
Senior Jack ENGLAND 72 71 143
Wood Christopher AUSTRALIA 70 73 143
Cabban Joshua AUSTRALIA 73 71 144
Canter Laurie ENGLAND 73 71 144
Clementson Benjamin AUSTRALIA 70 74 144
Holman Nathan AUSTRALIA 70 74 144
Stieger Matthew AUSTRALIA 71 73 144
Hart Tim AUSTRALIA 71 74 145
Jeong Jin AUSTRALIA 71 74 145
Ninyette Brody AUSTRALIA 69 76 145
Chen Zihao CHINA 70 76 146
Kinch Nathan AUSTRALIA 74 72 146
Moules Brad AUSTRALIA 74 72 146
NG Jerome SINGAPORE 69 77 146
Rindfleish Joshua AUSTRALIA 72 74 146
Rudolph Harry USA 70 76 146
Smith Matthew AUSTRALIA 74 73 147
Patel Bhavik USA 76 72 148
Asaji Yosuke JAPAN 74 75 149
Geminiani Domenico ITALY 76 73 149
Drakeford Geoffrey AUSTRALIA 76 74 150
Kendall Bradley NEW ZEALAND 72 79 151
Yim John AUSTRALIA 73 78 151
Chandra Vikrant FIJI 74 78 152
Evans Alan AUSTRALIA 76 76 152
Hardham Tim AUSTRALIA 77 75 152
Allen Olaf FIJI 76 77 153
Dall'Arche Valentino ITALY 74 79 153
Murdaca Anthony AUSTRALIA 75 78 153
Zhiqun Lam SINGAPORE 80 73 153
Zhu Weiyu CHINA 76 77 153
Park Andrew KOREAN 75 82 157
Chandra Anuresh FIJI 81 78 159
Malapa Malcolm VANUATU 79 82 161
Matauatu Josepho VANUATU 81 80 161
Rarick Rick USA 79 84 163
LaRose Rick USA 80 84 164
Narayan Greg FIJI 87 81 168

ABERDEEN ASSET EXTEND SPONSORSHIP OF SGU ELITE SQUAD

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT. Left to right: James Byrne, Philip McLean, David Law, Michael Stewart and Ross Kellett celebrate the SGU’s new sponsorship deal with Aberdeen Asset Management on the rooftop of the company’s Edinburgh office overlooking Princes Street. Picture by courtesy of Alistair Devine/SGU.

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Global investment group Aberdeen Asset Management has strengthened its commitment to golf in Scotland with a one-year extension of its official sponsorship of the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad.
The investment marks Aberdeen Asset Management’s fifth year of partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, having begun their support of the Men’s Elite Squad and Academy back in 2007, coupled with their sponsorship of the SLGA which commenced last year.
As part of the sponsorship, Aberdeen Asset Management will also support the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad’s forthcoming trip to South Africa, which will see ten of the country’s most promising amateur players competing in five events on the South African circuit as well as a Test Match against their hosts.
The players will leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday, January 25 and will be overseas for eight weeks, returning to Scotland on Monday, March 21.
They will compete in the Gauteng North Open, the South African amateur stroke-play championship, the Free State and Northern Cape Open, the South African amateur match-play championship and the Northern Amateur.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said:
“We are very pleased to be extending our sponsorship of the Scottish Golf Union and the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad having enjoyed a successful partnership over the past four years. Our investment has helped bring some exciting young talent through the amateur ranks and we look forward to seeing these players progressing further.”
“Golf is hugely important to Aberdeen Asset Management and we are committed to every level of the game in Scotland with a strong desire to see our players flourish, from the leading Tour professionals to the youngsters in the Scottish Golf Academy,” added Gilbert.
Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union, welcomed the extension to the sponsorship:
“Martin and his team at Aberdeen Asset Management have been fantastic supporters of Scottish Golf and their commitment over the past four years has allowed the SGU to enhance our player development programmes” said Grey.
“The training camps to the United Arab Emirates and South Africa this winter have been made possible with their extended support and our players are extremely grateful for the new opportunities they have been given.”
Scotland players competing at boys’, men’s and seniors’ level will continue to wear the Aberdeen Asset Management logo on their national team apparel and golf bags, while also benefiting from working with Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie.
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SCOTS’ SOUTH AFRICAN ITINERARY
Jan 25 Leave UK for South Africa
Jan 26-28 Training and practice Johannesburg
Jan 29-30 Gauteng North Open Stroke Play (Pecanwood GC).
Jan 31-Feb 4 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 5 - 7 Practice for South African stroke-play championship (Mount Edgecombe No 1).
Feb 8–11 South African stroke-play championship (Mount Edgecombe No 1).
Feb 12-15 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 16-17 Practice for Free State and Northern Cape stroke-play championship (Bloemfontain)
Feb 18–20 Free State and Northern Cape stroke-play championship (Bloemfontain).
Feb 21-24 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 25-26 Practice for South African amateur match-play championship (Vaal de Grace).
Feb 27–Mar 4 South African amateur match-play championship (Vaal de Grace).
Mar 5–6 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Mar 7-10 Test Match v South Africa (Leopard’s Creek).
Mar 11-12 Practice for Northern Amateur Open (Randpark Club).
Mar 13-18 Northern Amateur Open (Randpark Club).
Mar 19-20 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Mar 21 Depart South Africa for UK

 +Scots entered for the South African amateur stroke-play championship (February 8 to 11) are:
Jordan Findlay, Scott Gibson, Ross Kellett, David Law, Philip McLean, Kris Nicol, Greg Paterson, Paul Shields, Michael Stewart and James White.

IT IS NOW DOWN TO THE PLAYERS TO DELIVER, SAYS HAMISH GREY

Admitting there would be extra pressure on the Elite Squad players to deliver when the domestic season teed off in April, SGU CEO Hamish Grey told Martin Dempster of "The Scotsman":
"We are looking to see a number of Scots in the Walker Cup team this year and there is no room for excuses. We've done all we can and it is now down to the players, who will get the plaudits when they deliver."