WOODLAND, VEGAS SHARE BOB HOPE CLASSIC ROUND 3 LEAD

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
LA QUINTA, California. (AP) — Gary Woodland played basketball for a season at Division II Washburn University, and the 6-foot guard still describes a 30-point loss to his beloved Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse as the biggest thrill of his life.
If he keeps hitting his shots at the Bob Hope Classic this weekend, Woodland might have an even bigger achievement in his back-up athletic career.
Woodland shot an 8-under 64 on Friday to join Jhonattan Vegas in the lead after three rounds in the 90-hole tournament on four Palm Springs-area courses.
Woodland made five straight birdies on the front nine at the Nicklaus Private course, with only a missed 10-foot putt keeping him from stringing together seven in a row. He added three birdies on the back nine to claim his first lead after any round in 28 US PGA Tour events while putting up the best 54-hole score of his career.
Not bad for a guy who didn't get serious about golf until putting his hoop dreams to rest.
"I learned how to play the game over the last year and a half," Woodland said. "I've got great people around me, great people mentoring me, and I'm starting to get there. I'm not anywhere close to where I want to be, but I'm on that road right now."
After a year at Washburn, the Kansas native transferred to KU in 2003 to get serious about golf. But as a multi-sport athlete growing up, he embraced the grip-it-and-rip-it school of golf until learning how to harness his athleticism on tour.
"There's a lot of guys out here that know how to play this game," Woodland said. "I could probably beat them on the basketball court, but out here, for a year and a half, I was getting my butt kicked. ... There's so much up-and-down in other sports. You're never going to win all the time, so I learned how to play through adversity."
Woodland still hasn't fully recovered from surgery during his rookie season in August 2009 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, a product of cumulative wear dating to his basketball days. He used cortisone to keep playing through the pain until his doctors "told me I couldn't have it any more."
He still doesn't have the strength he remembers, but he's no longer playing in pain - and he has more than enough oomph to overpower the shorter courses at the Hope Classic.
Vegas also maintained his steady play in his fifth US Tour event with a 67 - the first bogey-free round of his career - on the Silver Rock course, keeping a share of the lead for the second straight day.
Woodland and Vegas are the same age (26) with the same Nationwide Tour background, and they have similarly ferocious power off the tee. They're among the longest hitters in the Hope field, yet Woodland barely touched his driver on the friendly Nicklaus course while carding the best round of his career in relation to par.
Australia's Greg Chalmers (65) was a stroke back at 17-under 199, while Scotland's Martin Laird was 16 under after a bogey-free 64. Sixteen players were within five shots of the lead, including Matt Kuchar (13 under after a 67) and second-round co-leader Boo Weekley, also 13 under after a 72 at Silver Rock.
Although Vegas is still 36 holes away from ultimate success in this endurance-testing tournament, the rookie's strong start is attracting attention back home in Venezuela, where golf gets little attention and President Hugo Chavez decries the sport as a pastime of the rich.
"Everybody has been waiting for this for a long time," said Vegas, the first Venezuelan to earn a US PGA Tour card. "Even the media, they're really interested in showing the results. I've got a lot of friends there that love golf and that support me, and I've heard a lot from them."
With only a missed 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole separating him from sole possession of the lead, Vegas clearly isn't feeling the pressure of leading a US Tour event. He hit 14 of 14 fairways on Friday while wearing all-white Nike duds.
Although his putting still isn't stellar, he isn't losing sleep over it.
"If there's something that I do well, it's sleep," the 26-year-old Vegas said. "Leading a golf tournament is not going to cut into my sleep, but it's always fun."
Woodland, Vegas and Chalmers all are hoping for their first US Tour victory on these generous courses that just keep on giving to the largely star-free field.
Justin Leonard, the 2005 Hope champion, made six straight birdies while shooting a 64 on the Nicklaus Private course to get back in contention at 12 under. Jesper Parnevik made five consecutive birdies on the Palmer course, matching the best streak of his lengthy career. He was 8 under after a 65.
David Duval was six shots back in a pack at 12 under after shooting a 69 with playing partners Julius Erving and George Gervin. On Saturday, Duval will play the Palmer course, where he famously punctuated his 59 in 1999 with an eagle on the final hole to win the Hope by one stroke.
Two players, Scott Verplank and Ricky Barnes, withdrew during the third round. Verplank said he had an injured left wrist. Barnes's reason to return to the clubhouse was a recurring back injury. His agent, Dennis Blake, described the injury as a fatigued lower-back, the result of an increased off-season regiment. Barnes is coming off a career year, during which he finished 43rd on the US PGA Tour money list.
“He practised really hard in the offseason, and we all know he likes to work out. He did a lot of both in the off-season,” Blake said. “When it came time to tee it up at the beginning of this year, his lower back was just tired and fatigued.
“He’s had it checked out, and all the doctors have said it’s just one of those things that’s going to need some rest. It’s nothing major, just strained from overuse. They explained it as when your back gets over-tired, it can flare up. You just have to let the inflammation settle down.”
Barnes will skip next week’s Farmers Insurance Open, and hopes to return for the Waste Management Phoenix Open (February 3 to 6).
Blake said this is the first time Barnes, the 2002 US Amateur champion and 2009 US Open runner-up, has suffered from this injury. Barnes skipped the Sony Open because of the injury. He was in 13th place after shooting 65-70 in the Hope’s first two rounds. He withdrew after completing eight holes of the third round in two over par.
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
198 Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) 64 67 67, Gary Woodland (US) 65 69 69.
199 Greg Chalmers (Australia) 67 67 65.
200 Martin Laird (Scotland) 68 68 64.
Selected score:
204 Brian Davis (England) 67 66 71 (jt 17th)


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ENGLISHMAN SULLIVAN LOSES LEAD IN LAKE MACQUARIE

LATER NEWS FROM THE LAKE MACQUARIE INTERNATIONAL
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FROM THE BELMONT CLUB, NSW WEBSITE
Diminutive Englishman Andy Sullivan took the early lead at eight under par on the second day of the Greater Building Society Lake Macquarie International Golf Championships at Belmont, New South Wales in Australia today.
Sullivan , 23, from the Nuneaton Club in Warwickshire, followed his five under 67 on the opening day yesterday with a three under 69 today.
He eagled the par five 9th, birdied 10, 11 and 16 and bogeyed 13 and 15.
Sullivan began playing golf at the age of 9 at the Purley Chase Golf Club, also in Warwickshire.
This is his second trip to Australia and his first attempt at the Lake Macquarie tournament.
Last week he was equal second in the Master of the Amateurs tournament at Royal Melbourne tied with two other players in the Lake Macquarie event, Tasmanian Ryan McCarthy and New Zealander Ryan Fox.
McCarthy, 21, a member of Australia’s national golf team, soared up the leaderboard with a sizzling five under 67 today after his even par round 72 yesterday.
He had seven birdies --at 2,7,10,11, 12, 14 and 17 – and bogeys on 3 and 15.
Fox is teeing off later today.
Outstanding Newcastle (Australia) junior, 17 year old Jake Higginbottom, of Charlestown Club, also climbed the leader board with a four-under 68 today to follow his two under 70 yesterday.
Fourteen year old Italian star, Domenico Geminiani, made a good recovery to finish one over today after his four under yesterday.
Geminiani was two over the card at the eighth hole but birdied 9, 10 and 11 in his fight back.
Brady Watt, of Royal Perth Club, moved into second place on 7 under with a three under today to follow his four under 68 yesterday.
Brett Drewitt, of Long Reef, Michael Smyth, of The Australian and Englishman Ben Loughrey, who all had 69s yesterday, carded the same score today to be on six under

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PETER SMITH APPOINTED DEESIDE GC TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

The Deeside Golf Club pro shop team: Left to right, standing: Graham Nethercott (assistant pro), Sheila (Frank's wife) Coutts (shop manager), Peter Smith. Front: Frank Coutts. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

DIRECTOR OF GOLF FRANK COUTTS AND HIS TEAM

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Former Northern Open champion Peter Smith, who has played on the European Tour and the Challenge Tour in years gone by, has been appointed teaching professional at Deeside Golf Club, in the leafy, western suburbs of Aberdeen, by the Bieldside venue's Director of Golf Frank Coutts.
"Peter gave me my first job as an assistant professional in December 1983 when he was Murcar's club pro, so I've finally returned the favour," said Frank.
"But, of course, it's more than that. We now have excellent practice facilities here at Deeside Golf Club and it follows that we need a first-class, experienced man like Peter here to help members make the most of them.
"Peter's services will also be available to non-members, whether individuals or corporate groups."
Smith is 51 now but his total of 20-under-par 264 still stands as a record low for the Northen Open he won at Murcar in 1992. Winner of the New Zealand club pro title during his spell down there, Peter has a competitive streak that would serve him well if he got on to the European Seniors Tour but he missed out narrowly at the over-50s Q School on the Algarve last November.
He might still be able to make a handful of appearances on the European Seniors Tour in 2010 and that will not interfere with his duties at Deeside Golf Club.
"I've been training hard in the gym, the motivation being that I want to get back to playing golf at the level I once enjoyed. Playing with Deeside club members and others who fancy a round with me will be good for my game, and, as Frank says, the practice facilities, particularly for the short-game here at Deeside are excellent" said Peter who hails from Udny Station, Aberdeenshire originally. His father was a Highland League footballer.
"Club golfers tend to go and hit balls on the range with perhaps the odd spot of putting when they turn their minds to practice. But if you really want to get your handicap down, the short-game work is where you can make the biggest difference by regular practice.
"That's the message I want to get across to Deeside members and other golfers in the North-east - male or female, boys or girls, individuals or corporate groups - who would like to be better golfers: Come and see me and give me the chance to lower your handicap.
"Frank's duties as director of golf mean he doesn't have as much time as he once had for teaching and coaching - and this is my opportunity to fill the gap. I'm very grateful to him but I am sure there will be a two-way benefit."
Peter, who has an infectious enthusiasm for the game, realises that his biggest hurdle, especially in the depths of this long winter, is letting the North-east golfing public know that he is now based at Deeside Golf Club  after years away from his homeland and he is itching to pass on the know-how he has acquired over the past 30 years. 
If you want to contact Peter Smith, his E-mail address is:
petergolfsmith@hotmail.com
To get in touch with Frank Coutts, the address is:
pro@deesidegolfclub.com

FOOTNOTE: Peter Smith tells the story that when Frank Coutts applied for the vacant assistant pro's job at Murcar late in 1983, he actually told him that he (Frank) was too good a player to get the job.
"Frank was still an amateur, having been named non-travelling reserve for the GBandI Walker Cup team and having just returned from missing out at the European Tour School," says Peter.
"I told Frank, who was 23 then, that if he joined the Murcar pro shop staff, he could forget about a playing career ... he would have to work hard as an assistant and that his future in game would be as a club professional ... and that he should really go away and think about such a move because he was a very good player and, in many ways, it was a waste of his golfing talent.
"Frank consulted his father and came back to tell me the next day that he did want to become a club professional and that he wanted to start as an assistant with me."
Coutts stepped up to become the head pro at Murcar when Peter Smith moved to then new club and course, Newmachar, to become its director of golf. In 1989 Frank became the pro at Deeside, renewing his relationship with the club where he had been a member since he was a junior.

TITLE-HOLDER KAYMER TAKES HALFWAY LEAD IN ABU DHABI

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Martin Kaymer put himself in pole position to successfully defend his Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship title as he reached the halfway stage 12 under par today.

A week after Charl Schwartzel retained the Joburg Open, US PGA Championship winner Kaymer added a superb second round 65 to his opening 67 despite wet and windy conditions.
Schwartzel, yet to finish outside the top four in his four events this season, is second on nine under after adding a 71 to the opening 64 which gave him the first round lead, with Northern Ireland's US Open Champion Graeme McDowell four behind in third spot thanks to a 70.
This is Kaymer’s first event of 2011, but there were no signs of rust as he burst out of the blocks with five birdies in his first seven holes en route to a bogey-free round.
Even as rain and wind arrived, the German, pictured, kept a bogey off his card and the good news keeps coming for The Race to Dubai champion, who looks well placed to take the top seven finish he needs this week to replace Tiger Woods as World No. 2
“Yesterday I thought I had a good day already, but today I made early birdies,” said the 26 year old.
“On the first nine, I was five under par, and it also gave me the hope and the belief that I can play well again.”
Kaymer made the perfect start when he hit his wedge approach within five feet, before knocking one even closer at the third.
He holed from ten feet at the par four fifth, and a similar distance at the next.
The birdies were not as regular on the back nine, but a seven iron to a couple of feet at the 12th and a 15 foot putt two holes later kept the scoring ticking over.
“My ball striking was okay,” added Kaymer. “I missed a few drives way left on 8 twice, way right on ten. So it was spraying a little bit, but my putting always was consistent and good.
“Of course, if your short game is sharp, you can get a little bit more confidence than usual. You know if you miss a fairway, if you miss a green that you have a good chance to make the up and down.”
Kaymer expressed sympathy for Padraig Harrington after the Irishman was disqualified over a rules incident that came to light only after he had handed in a first round 65.
Kaymer, seeking a third win in the event in four years, had been due to play with Harrington again.
"It's a very unfortunate thing, obviously," he said. "But that's how it is.
"The way he played I think he would have had a chance to win, so he's a little unlucky there."
The only mistake Kaymer made was not bringing warmer clothing as the weather changed.
"I didn't even bring a sweater - I didn't think I needed one in the desert," added last season's European Tour No 1.
"All I had was a rain jacket and a little cardigan."

Second-day play was halted because of darkness with two or three groups still to finish their second round. Peter Whiteford has one hole to play in his second round and needs at par at the last to qualify on the limit mark of 144 (level par). He had a 70 in the first round.

If the projected cut is correct then big-name non-qualifiers will be Ian Poulter (75-70) and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (72-73), both on 145.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PADRAIG HARRINGTON DISQUALIFICATION STORY

LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
132 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 67 75.
135 Charl Schwartzel (S Africa) 64 71.
136 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 66 70.
137 David Lynn (England) 69 68, Niclas Fasth (Sweden) 66 71, Rafa Echenique (Argentina) 69 68.
138 Gareth Maybin (N Ireland) 71 67, Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 71 67, Seren Kjeldsen (Denmark) 69 69, Robert Coles (England) 68 70.
Selected scores:
139 Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) 70 69 (jt 11th).
141 Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 74 67, Phil Mickelson (US) 71 70 (jt 25th).
143 Paul Casey (England) 73 70.
144 Lee Westwood (England) 69 75.

PROJECTED CUT-OFF FIGURE IS 144 OR BETTER
(depending on the groups who will not complete their second rounds until early Saturday morning).
145 Ian Poulter (England) 75 70, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 72 73 (jt 72nd).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
145 Gary Orr 74 71 (jt 72nd).
146 Paul Lawrie 74 72 (jt 82nd).
148 Richie Ramsay 76 72 (jt 96th).
150 Marc Warren 76 74 (jt 105th).
151 Steven O'Hara 77 74 (jt 112th).
154 David Drysdale 74 80 (120th).

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ROSS BAIN'S 65 PUTS HIM SECOND IN ASIAN TOUR Q SCHOOL

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Hua Hin, Thailand: Bangladeshi Shakhawat’s dream of earning an Asian Tour card hangs by a thread after the third round of the Qualifying School Final Stage today.

Shakhawat shot a one-under-par 71 for a three-day total of two-under-par 214 to lie in 59th place, outside the safety zone where the top-40 and ties at the end of the tournament will earn playing opportunities for the new 2011 Asian Tour season.

Lucas Lee of Brazil tightened his grip on the lead following a 70 for a three-day total of 197 at the Springfield Royal Country Club.
Ross Bain of Scotland , who returned a solid 65, was five strokes back in second place while Australian Tim Stewart and Pierre-Henri Soero, who hails from New Caledonia , an overseas French colony shared third place on a 204 total at the Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand.
Himmat Rai of India suffered a minor setback with a nervy 73 to lie in 31st place while David Johnson of the United States , who was in fourth place going into the third round, slipped back to tied 42nd after posting a 77 for a 212 total.
Amateur golfer Miguel Tabuena, 16, of the Philippines charged up the leader board after firing a superb 65 for a 211 total to put himself in a strong position of finishing in the top-40.
Shakhawat, 26, who finished tied first at the Asian Tour Qualifying School First Stage, turned in 33 before dropping shots on holes 13 and 18, where his second shot found water.
“That was my worst shot for the whole day (on the 18th hole) I played quite good but suffered a couple of bad shots. My second shot went into the water on the last hole or I would have had a better score and be closer to the top-40,” said Shakhawat, who turned professional last month.
He will be on attack mode in the final round as he aims to be the second Bangladeshi, after 2010 Brunei Open champion Siddikur to earn a Tour card.
“It will mean a lot to me to earn my Asian Tour. It will be like a dream come true and it will change my life tremendously. It is about time I do something for my country,” added Shakhawat who worked as a caddie before becoming the captain of the Bangladesh national team for the last two years.
Overnight leader Lee held on to his lead despite finding water on the 13th hole from the tee but with his Asian Tour card within his grasp, he is now aiming for glory.
“I’m going to try and win but this is a tournament and getting first place any time is good. I struggled a bit with the wind so I’m going to try and stay more focussed tomorrow and it should be good,” said the 24-year-old.
On the other side of the spectrum, Johnson rued a bad day in the office where he closed with two birdies against five bogeys and one double bogey. However, he still remains upbeat of turning his fortunes around and breaking into the top 40.
“I slipped back big time. It was an unfortunate day with a lot of bad breaks which all came at once. I had balls plugged in the bunker (five and eight) and had a great drive land right in the middle of a divot. I’m so upset I can’t even talk about it but I’m not really too worried about it and I’m confident of bouncing back,” said Johnson, who had two nine place finishes last season before finishing in 90th place on the Order of Merit.
Meanwhile, India ’s Rai, known for pushing Asian Tour honorary member K.J. Choi to the brink of the 2009 Iskandar Johor Open title, wobbled on the front nine where he turned in 38 before recovering with two birdies in the last three holes.
“I had a couple of missed opportunities early in my round but luckily I had a good finish. I should be okay if I can stick to the basics. I need to treat it like any other day. I did the best I could today with the skill I had and I gave it my all and a 73 was all I could do,” said Rai, who lost his Asian Tour card last season after finishing in tied 76th on the Order of Merit.
Tabuena, who had decorated Canadian professional Rick Gibson on his bag, overcame his jitters to bounce back with a sparkling round highlighted by six birdies and one eagle against one bogey. He finished fourth at the Philippines Open last month and believes the experience of playing in the Qualifying School will help boost his career in the future.
“I wanted to see how I fared against the other players and see how I can improve my game. I just need to keep doing what I have been doing. It would be great if I could shoot another seven-under tomorrow,” said Tabuena, a silver medallist at the Asian Games.
LEADING THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
197 Lucas LEE (BRA) 62-65-70

202 Ross BAIN (SCO) 68-69-65

204 Tim STEWART (AUS) 70-67-67, Pierre-Henri SOERO (FRA) 68-65-71

205 Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 65-72-68, Hirohito KOIZUMI (JPN) 65-68-72

206 Andrew RAITT (ENG) 71-68-67, Do KIM (AUS) 71-66-69

207 CHOI Jae-Ho (SKOR) 70-70-67, Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 69-68-70, Dion SIRIANNI (CAN) 69-67-71, Adam GROOM (AUS) 67-68-72

208 KANG Kyung-Nam (SKOR) 69-71-68, Joonas GRANBERG (FIN) 71-69-68, Jonathan MOORE (US) 66-72-70, PARK Jin-Woo (SKOR) 71-67-70
Selected scores
209 Simon Griffiths (England) 67 74 68 (jt 17th).
211 Miles Tunnicliff (England) 72 72 67 (jt 31st).
212 Niall Turner (Ireland) 73 70 69 (jt 42nd).
215 Guy Woodman (England) 73 70 69 (jt 68th).
222 Chris Gill (England) 68 75 79 (112th).

PADRAIG HARRINGTON DISQUALIFIED FOR ROUND 1 OFFENCE

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By KEVIN GARSIDE
Padraig Harrington was disqualified from the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi this morning following the intervention of the golf police watching on TV.
Almost 24 hours after his ball moved on the seventh green when retrieving his marker, Harrison found himself hauled before the rules committee to be informed he was out of the tournament.
The offence was not that the ball had moved but that it was not replaced. That incurs a two-shot penalty. Harrington signed for a 3 on a hole that should have been scored 5. That was the offence for which he was kicked out, signing for an incorrect score that was lower than it should have been.
Harrington was aware that he had touched the ball but judged that it hadn’t moved. When put under the microscope of the super slo-mo camera it was established that the ball had rolled a fraction, three dimples was the best guess, then fell back approximately one and a half dimples, undetectable to the naked eye.
Harrington knew the rules. Had he picked up the marker to replace the ball he would not have infringed the regulations. He did not do that because he, in good conscience, did not believe the ball had advanced one iota, and therefore judged any action to be unnecessary.
Tour senior official Andy McFee sympathised, but under the rules they had no option but to swing the axe. The business of applying the sanction of disqualification on top of the penalty in cases where breaches are not detectable by the eye is now under review.
McFee conceded that the player and the game had not been served well by the disqualification but was adamant, as was Harrington, that the two-stroke penalty was the correct ruling on the basis that the ball had demonstrably moved and was not replaced.
Harrington has been here before. Eleven years ago at the B and H International at The Belfry he held a five-shot lead at the start of the final round when learned that he had not signed for his first day scorecard.
Harrington said: “I was aware I hit the ball picking up my coin. I looked down at the time and was pretty sure it had just oscillated and had not moved, so I continued on. In slow motion it's pretty clear the ball has moved three dimples forward and it's come back maybe a dimple and a half.
“At the end of the day that's good enough, but I wouldn't have done anything differently yesterday - there was nothing I could do about it at that moment in time. If I'd called a referee over it would have been pointless because if he'd asked me where my ball was I'd have said it was there. As far as I was concerned it didn't move.”
McFee, who also disqualified Harrington 11 years ago, stated: "I got an E-mail from the Tour feedback site just before six o'clock last night.
"I managed to get a look and knew immediately we had an issue. I got all members of the rules committee to look at the tape.
"Because everything was closing down I decided to sleep on it and speak to Padraig first thing this morning.
"It's a minute movement, but it's a movement and he never replaced it, so he should have included a two-stroke penalty.
"The fact that he is unaware he moved the ball, unfortunately does not help him. Because he signed for a score lower than actually taken the penalty is disqualification."
It is only two months ago, of course, that Ian Poulter lost a play-off for the Dubai World Championship after he dropped his ball on his marker and it flipped over."
Harrington's disqualification has provoked debate among the golfing fraternity.
Graeme McDowell said: “It's just not great for the game. The rules are there for everyone's protection. But, you know, is Pádraig Harrington trying to gain an advantage by what he's doing? No, he's not.

“At some point the common sense has got to take over, I think that you have to look seriously at that rule. I don't think a player should be penalised for trying to take his marker out of the way and glancing his ball.

"You know, like I say, it's a grey area and I think it's a tough rule and it's a horrible way to be DQ'd. The guy's first tournament of the year. I feel for him. It's not nice, at all.

“The rules are there for everyone's protection. But it makes a bit of a mockery of the game when we are penalising players for something as crazy as that.

"The game has had a lot of bad press lately, stupid rules; Dustin Johnson at the US PGA championship, there's too much of that going on nowadays.

“TV viewers are important to us, and High Definition and 3D and slow-mo add to the experience of watching golf on TV. But I think we need to take a serious look at the rules of golf and make sure that, yeah, they are protecting people. Some of these fiddly little pernickety, stupid little rules, you know, we need to have a look at them.”

Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

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DAVID HUISH DEFENDS GOLF'S DISCIPLINARY SET-UP

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
http://sport.scotsman.com/golf

By MARTIN DEMPSTER

Golf's disciplinary procedures have been defended by a Scottish professional who served on his fair share of committees and says the game would "go to ruin" if players who break the rules aren't punished.

It has been suggested that the European Tour could overhaul its disciplinary procedures in the wake of the three-month ban handed to Elliot Saltman this week after he was found guilty of a "serious breach" of the rules.
According to a report yesterday, officials are concerned the ban may not stand up to legal scrutiny due to the fact the decision was made by Saltman's fellow players, thus creating the possibility of a "conflict of interest".
However, David Huish, pictured, the long-serving North Berwick professional who served on PGA and Ryder Cup committees during his distinguished career, said he believes there is nothing wrong with the current set-up and reckons it would be a sad day for the sport if lawyers started to dictate what can and can't be done in disciplinary matters.
"We are talking about the 'cleanest' game on the planet. That's why when something like this rears its ugly head people are going to come down on you like a ton of bricks. If the same thing had happened in football, we wouldn't have to put up with the behaviour we see today," Huish told "The Scotsman."
"It all comes down to rules and regulations. In my time, if someone was accused of doing something wrong on the Tartan Tour then the matter was dealt initially by the PGA Scottish Region. It was then up to that committee to make a decision and, if the player decided to appeal, the matter then went before to the British PGA.
"If you don't take action in matters like this, then the game is going to go to ruin and I certainly wouldn't like to see fancy lawyers being brought in and starting to dictate."

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