TONIGHT'S ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES RESULTS

AT HAZLEHEAD NO 1 COURSE   FIRST ROUND Royal Mail 1 bt Teachers by 16 holes T. Robertson, S. Spiers bt J. Lamont, S. Donald 8 holes. C. Gilbert, R. McKen bt A. Jenkins, D. Smith 8 holes.   Bankers bt Grampian Fire and Rescue by 1 hole. G. Stewart, B Gibson lost to D. Watson, G. Shearer 1 hole C. Malcolm, S. Carmichael bt N. Meldrum, K. Joss 2 holes.   PSN wo, Motor Trade scr   Surveyors bt Royal Mail 2 by 9 holes M. Halliday, J. Broadley bt D. Stott, A. Robertson 5 holes. G. Hendry, C. Kerr bt S. Middleton, R. Cheyne 4 holes.   Grampian Police bt Bancon Construction 13 holes H. King, B. Ritchie bt R. Barron, C. Hay 3 holes. D. McCormack, E. Duthie bt N. Robertson, P. Stott 10 holes.   Elmar UK bt Meat Trade 4 holes R. McKenzie, S. Glessler bt B. Fraser, E. Leslie 3 holes A. Strath, K. Selbie bt I. Ewing, M. Cruickshank 1 hole.

ROSS KELLETT SHARES TOP BALGOWNIE HONOURS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Motherwell's Ross Kellett and Irishman Alan Dunbar are topping the individual player points' table after three sessions of play in the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup practice match which will end over the Royal Aberdeen links with morning foursomes tomorrow morning. Colville Park GC member Kellett scored a maximum 4pt out of four in today's singles by beating Welshman Rhys Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan) by 2 and 1. That earned him 2pt and the supplementary points system also awarded the Scot 1pt for winning the first nine holes by 2 and 1 and a further 1pt for beating Pugh by two holes over the second nine holes. Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol also scored 4pt out of 4 in the singles by beating Darren Wright (Rowland Castle) by one hole over the first nine, by one hole over the second nine and by 2 and 1 over the 18 holes. David Law (Hazlehead), playing over the Balgownie links where he won the Scottish boys championship in 2009, won his morning foursome in partnership with Alan Dunbar over Nicol and Irishman Kevin Phelan but the Aberdonian had a tiger by the tail in the singles. Facing Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), the British boys champion of 2009, Law was left pointless after losing the first nine holes by 2 and 1, the second nine by one hole, and the 18-hole match by 3 and 1. "It was another good day from my point of view," said Welshman Nigel Edwards, captain of the GB and I team for the match against the United States over the same links on September 10 and 11. "The conditions were slightly different from Wednesday, with the wind shifting to a different direction, and that adds to the players' knowledge of the Balgownie links," said Nigel. The match ends on Friday morning with four foursomes, teeing off at 8.32, 8.40, 8.48 and 8.56. Spectators will be welcomed and they can even take cameras with them! There is no admission charge and car parking is also free. Tickets for the 43rd Walker Cup match are now on sale through the R and A. SCROLL DOWN TO READ TODAY'S RESULTS AT BALGOWNIE

WALKER CUP PRACTICE RESULTS

Day 2 Royal Aberdeen GC GANTON TEAM 31, NAIRN TEAM 33 Wednesday: Ganton team 7, Nairn team 9 Thursday: Ganton team 24, Nairn team 24. Ganton team players named first in results FOURSOMES First nine holes S Hodgson (Sunningdale) and T Hatton (Harleyford) halved with T Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) and P Cutler (Portstewart). R Enoch (Truro) and R Kellett (Colville Park) bt J Senior (Heysham) and S Brown (Wentworth) 1 hole. O Farr (Ludlow) and D Wright (Rowland Castle) halved with R. Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan) and D McElroy (Ballymena). A Dunbar (Rathmore) and D Law (Hazlehead) bt K Phelan (Waterford) and K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 1 hole. Second nine holes Hodgson and Hatton lost to Lewis and Cuitler 1 hole. Enoch and Kellett lost to senior and Brown 4 and 3. Farr and Wright bt Pugh and McElroy 4 and 3. Dunbar and Law bt Phelan and Nicol 1 hole. Over 18 holes Hodgson and Hatton lost to Lewis and Cutler 1 hole. Enoch and Kellett lost to Senior and Brown 3 and 2. Farr and Wright bt Pugh and McElroy 4 and 3. Dunbar and Law bt Phelan and Nicol 2 holes. SINGLES First nine holes Dunbar bt Senior 1 hole. Kellett bt Pugh 2 and 1. Law lost to Lewis 2 and 1. Hatton lost to McElroy1 hole. Farr bt Brown 3 and 1. Enoch bt Phelan 1 hole. Wright lost to Nicol 1 hole. Hodgson bt Cutler 2 and 1. Second nine holes Dunbar bt Senior 1 hole. Kellett bt Pugh 2 holes. Law lost to Lewis 1 hole. Hatton lost to McElroy 3 and 1. Farr lost to Brown 4 and 3. Enoch bt Phelan 3 and 2. Wright lost to Nicol 1 hole. Hodgson lost to Cutler 1 hole. Over 18 holes Dunbar bt Senior 2 holes. Kellett bt Pugh 2 and 1. Law lost to Lewis 3 and 1. Hatton lost to McElroy 3 and 2. Farr lost to Brown 3 and 2. Enoch bt Phelan 4 and 2. Wright lost to Nicol 2 and 1. Hodgson halved with Cutler. Leading player points totals Kellett 8 1/2, Dunbar 8 1/2, Lewis 8, Brown 8, Farr 8, McElroy 7 1/2, Enoch 7, Nicol 7, Cutler 6, Law 5, Senior 5.

YOUNG GUNS LEAD AT PHILIPPINE OPEN

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Himmat Rai and Thanyakon Khrongpha showed why they were the emerging stars of Asia when they shared the opening clubhouse lead at the weather-hit ICTSI Philippine Open today.
Rai of India and Thailand ’s Thanyakon shot matching four-under-par 68s to take a one shot lead at the challenging Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
Veteran Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei, who at the age of 49 is more than 20 years the senior of the clubhouse leaders, was tied in third with an in-form Berry Henson of the United States and Peter Karmis of South Africa.
Local hopes Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay and Jay Bayron were also bunched up in third in the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament.
Play was suspended at 2.30pm due to lightning for one hour and 25 minutes which led to the suspension of the first round of the ICTSI Philippine Open. A total of 12 players will resume play at 6.45am on Friday.
Playing from the back nine, Rai turned in 32 highlighted by a huge 25 feet birdie putt on the 14th hole and credited his strong iron play where he found 15 greens.
“You need to keep the ball in play and that’s what I did. If you find the fairways, you have a very strong chance of scoring because the greens are excellent,” said the 23-year-old, who registered one birdie and one bogey in his homeward nine.
He was delighted to bounce back from last week’s Impian Classic in Malaysia on the Asian Development Tour where he was tied for the lead before shooting a final round 75 to finish in tied fifth place.
“There were a lot positive things that came out from last week. I’m beginning to feel competitive again and I learned a lot from that experience which I’m carrying with me this week,” added Rai, who is looking for his maiden Asian Tour victory.
Highly rated Thanyakon peppered the flags with acute iron play and was rewarded with six birdies which came from inside three feet.
“My iron shots were excellent. This is a very difficult golf course and you need to stay patient,” said the 20-year-old.
Veteran Wang, winner of the 1992 Philippine Open, rolled back the years as he stayed in touch with the clubhouse leaders. He said playing against the younger players on the Asian Tour will prepare him for the Senior Tour.
“This is a short golf course which requires accuracy and that suits my game because of my age. I’m weaker now compared to the younger players but it will be a good test as I’m preparing for the Senior Tour,” said the four-time Asian Tour winner.
Filipino Dumandan, who has won three titles on the local circuit, was unlucky not to go lower when numerous birdie putts lipped out.
“This is a great start for me, I could have gone lower but it is okay. I haven’t played much outside the country and this is my opportunity to play in an international setting,” said Dumandan, who traded four birdies against one bogey.

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Pat 72. Yardage: 7,222
68 Himmat RAI ( IND ), Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA).
69 WANG Ter-chang (TPE), Marvin DUMANDAN (PHI), Berry HENSON (USA), Peter KARMIS (RSA), Mars PUCAY (PHI), Jay BAYRON (PHI).
70 Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN), Gavin FLINT (AUS), Digvijay SINGH (IND), Prom MEESAWAT (THA), Takafumi KAWANE (JPN).
71 Anura ROHANA (SRI), LIN Wen-hong (TPE), Danny CHIA (MAS), Sujjan SINGH (IND), Orlan SUMCAD (PHI), Corey HARRIS (USA), Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA), Jbe KRUGER (RSA), Darren BECK (AUS), Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA), Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA), SIDDIKUR (BAN), Quincy QUEK (SIN).
Selected scores
74 Rikard KARLBERG (SWE)
76 Frankie Minoza (Phi)

GLENMUIR PGA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER AT DUNDONALD

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Robert Arnott, of Glasgow‘s Bishopbriggs Golf Range, is hoping Dundonald Links doesn’t bare its teeth when he tees up at the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship qualifier on Tuesday, May 24.
The former PGA Cup player, pictured, won the Scottish qualifier when it was staged at Dundonald Links in 2009 but slumped to an 80 during the final held at the same venue.
Other qualifying hopefuls include former Scottish PGA Champion Mark Loftus, Scott Grieve(Turnhouse), Scott Catlin (Greenburn), Ryder Cup referee Ian Taylor (Drumpellier), Alan Gibson (Troon Municipal), Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) and Katie Thomson (Kings Links).
All are targeting a place in the £78,000 final which is supported by Peugeot and is being staged over The Belfry’s PGA National course from June 14-17.
“I’ll be on familiar territory at Dundonald even though it’s the scene of one of the worst golfing days of my life,” said Arnott.
“Two years ago, I won this qualifier with a round of 72, but then I returned there for the actual final and I shot about 80, although a lot of good players made high scores at that event.
“But it just goes to show, you can have some really nice days at Dundonald or it can turn like it did in 2009.
“I am looking to qualify once more though, particularly as the final is at The Belfry which is a venue I’ve never played.
“It would also be good to collect a national title and put it on my CV - but I also know there are going to be a lot of good players there if I qualify.”
The qualifiers will be part of a 156-strong field at The Belfry with the added incentive of a place on Great Britain and Ireland’s PGA Cup team up for grabs for the leading finishers. GB&I will face their United States counterparts at CordeValle in September.
Arnott added: “It’s a PGA Cup year of course and I played in 2003. That was great fun and it would be good to be part of that again. It won’t be easy but it’s possible.”
Glenmuir, which has established a position as one of the most prestigious and successful golf and leisurewear brands in golf including supplying Europe's Ryder Cup team, is sponsoring the PGA Professional Championship for the 19th year.
Glenmuir managing director Colin Mee added: "The quality of courses hosting the championship qualifiers this year is exceptional.
"And with all roads leading to The Belfry for the final we expect this to be a well-supported championship and we welcome all players - new and old - to what should be a real festival of golf.”

*Image of Robert Arnott by courtesy of Ian McNichol at Getty Images…/

Olé Seve event at Wentworth will raise funds for Ballesteros Foundation

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Many of the world’s leading players will assemble at Wentworth Club on Monday, May 23 to honour the memory and celebrate the life of the late Seve Ballesteros and to raise considerable funds for his Foundation.
No fewer than six Major Champions will take part in Olé Seve! – aid of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation over the West Course, with all proceeds being donated to the SBF in partnership with Cancer Research UK, with the ambition of raising substantial monies for research into the illness which sadly cost the five-time Major Champion his life on May 7.
The Invitational event has been in planning for many months and was aimed, and still is, to both honour and celebrate Seve's career taking the form of a shotgun Pro-Am at 13.00 with a minimum of 22 teams participating and professionals including Major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell and Ballesteros’s Ryder Cup team-mate, and soul-mate , José Maria Olazábal.
Olazábal will take on the role of tournament host at a Press Conference in honour of his close friend at Wentworth Club before the Pro-Am, which will be followed by an evening reception, prize giving, and auction with all funds being donated to the SBF.
The event, which will precede a packed week of thrilling golfing and social activity during the BMW PGA Championship from May 26 to 29, will be open to the public and admission will take the form of a minimum £5 donation to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation. Car parking is free of charge and catering facilities will be open on the course and in the tented village.
In addition to those Major Champions, the field will comprise defending BMW PGA Champion Simon Khan and past winners Paul Casey, Anders Hansen, David Howell and Miguel Angel Jiménez, along with 2010 European Ryder Cup Team Captain, Colin Montgomerie, victorious Team member Peter Hanson and the 2010 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year and two-time Tour winner, Matteo Manassero.
Ballesteros won the PGA Championship twice, in 1983 and 1991, along with five World Match Play titles over the iconic West Course – his total haul of seven victories making the West Course his most productive return from any venue.
Furthermore, the second round of the BMW PGA Championship on Friday, May 27 – coincides with the 20th anniversary of Ballesteros’s second PGA Championship victory, when he beat Montgomerie at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.
To mark that achievement, everyone attending Wentworth Club that day is being encouraged to wear navy blue in honour of the trademark outfit which Ballesteros wore to victory in the 1991 in the PGA Championship and, of course, when winning The Open at St Andrews so gloriously in 1984 and which went on to become a symbol – alongside the familiar clenched fist salute - of the Seve Trophy in recent years.
George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Seve was the inspiration behind The European Tour. He cut a dashing and imposing figure and fought illness with the same flair, passion, courage and willpower that he displayed on golf courses the world over.
“Olé Seve! is a fitting platform from which to raise considerable funds for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation in partnership with Cancer Research UK, aimed to helping combat this devastating disease. We welcome everyone to Wentworth Club on May 23 to pay their own, personal tribute to one of golf’s greatest Champions.”
Richard Caring, Chairman of Wentworth Club, added: “We are delighted to co-host this event with The European Tour. Seve won more times over the West Course than anywhere else in the world and we all remember how he entertained us during those seven victories with flair and a swashbuckling style. We hope the day will be a fitting tribute to Seve while raising a significant sum to help battle brain cancer.”
The Seve Ballesteros Foundation is also the Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship., Everyone attending Wentworth Club later in the week will have the opportunity to support the Foundation in other ways.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE MAJORCA FOR BOURDY, LEADER WITH A 63

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Grégory Bourdy returned to Majorca, the scene of his first European Tour title and set a new course record to lead after the first round of the Iberdrola Open.
The Frenchman completed the Pula GC lay-out in a seven under par 63, having captured the 2007 Mallorca Classic at the same venue.

"I feel very good and I like this course - I won three years ago so everything is great here," said Bourdy, who has three European Tour titles to his name and won the Scottish youths championship as an amateur at Murrayshall in 2002.

"It's always great to hold a course record. It's very nice on Tour to get a score like this.

"I made nine birdies, only two or three mistakes but it was a wonderful day."

Bourdy went out in a five under par 31 after starting at the tenth, and then birdied the first to complete a run of four successive gains.

He then holed a six footer at the third and from 30 feet at the par three eighth, with his two bogeys coming at the 15th and seventh.

The 29 year old has not returned to Son Servera since his win, but explained: "There was no tournament two years ago and last year the flights were really difficult with my schedule, but really happy to come back here to try to win again."

Danny Willett had a front-row seat as playing partner Bourdy dazzled in the Balearic sunshine, but the 23 year old Englishman almost matched his effort - an approach to five feet at the third and a 20 foot putt at fifth amongst the highlights of his seven birdie-one bogey 64.

That left him alone in second place, one ahead of compatriot Matthew Nixon and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.

"It was really good today, as the last few weeks on Tour have been," said Willett, who is still seeking a maiden European Tour title despite 17 top-ten finishes.

"I have had some really good finishes and results recently but been struggling with the putter a little bit so today was better on that front. Today was good - Grégory holed a few and then we followed him. It's a good score at the end of the day."

Clarke holed a ten footer at the first and struck his approach to three feet two holes later as he completed the front nine in a four under par 31.

And the Ryder Cup vice-captain believes he has been rejuvenated by a three-week holiday in the Bahamas - the same venue last week's winner Thomas Aiken recuperated before capturing his maiden European Tour title.

"My distance control and wedges were very good today and I putted nicely," said Clarke, whose last victory came at the KLM Open in 2008. "It's nice to have a little bit of break and get away from it."

Welshman Rhys Davies is fifth on four under, while Ryder Cup Captain José Maria Olazábal - who designed the course - returned a one over 71.

Olazábal and predecessor Colin Montgomerie missed their practice round to attend Seve Ballesteros' funeral on Wednesday, and it showed as the Scot dropped five shots in his last three holes for a 77.

Rookie Nixon, enjoying his maiden campaign in the professional ranks, said: “It was good. This course sets up nicely for my eye and is more my length.

“I just hit some nice shots and holed some putts and here I am. I had a few good approaches and kept hitting good putts all day so hopefully I can continue in that vein over the next three days.”
SCOTSWATCH. Apart from Colin Montgomerie, it was a good day for most of the Scots in the field. Scott Jamieson is off to another good start with a 67 to be joint sixth and he is only one shot ahead of Alastair Forsyth, David Drysdale, Paul Lawrie and Elliot Saltman.
Steven O'Hara is tied 29th on 70, a shot ahead of Chris Doak. Sharing 60th place on two-over-par 72 are Marc Warren and Peter Whiteford. Lloyd Saltman and George Murray had 73s.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 70
63 Gregory Bourdy (France).
64 Danny Willett (England).
65 Darren Clarke (N Ireland), Matthew Nixon (England).
66 Rhys Davies (Wales).
67 Scott Jamieson (Scotland), Chris Wood (England), Cesar Monastero (Argentina), Jaco Van Zyl (S Africa).
68 Alastair Forsyth (Scotland), Damien McGrane (Ireland), David Drysdale (Scotland), Simon Wakefield (England), David Lynn (England), Martin Wiegele (Switzerland), Miko Ilonen (Finland), Paul Lawrie (Scotland), Elliot Saltman (Scotland), Marco Ruiz (Paraguay), Barry Lane (England).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
70 Steven O'Hara (T29).
71 Chris Doak (T42).
72 Marc Warren, Peter Whiteford (T60).
73 Lloyd Saltman, George Murray (T79).
74 Jack Doherty (T96).
77 Colin Montgomerie (T130).

ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES OPENING NIGHT RESULTS

HAZLEHEAD NO 1 COURSE

FIRST ROUND

ABERDEEN TELEPHONES beat GARAGE TRADE by 17 holes
Bill Smith and Peter Coutts bt John Stuart and Scott Feaks by 8 holes.
Donald Smith and Ally Haining bt Dave Goodfellow junior and Dave Goodfellow senior  by 9 holes. 


BAKER HUGHES  v MORRISON CONSTRUCTION
 PLAYING FRIDAY


ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY scratched INSURANCE walk-over

R and C CONSTRUCTION beat LUMSDEN SECURITY by six holesLICENSED TRADE  v ABERDEEN PRESS
Chris Simpson and Paul Urquhart bt Mike Wheeler and Austin Hay by 4 fours.
John Spiers and Kevin Allan bt Fred Lawson and Neil Forbes by 2 holes.

 PLAYING THURSDAY


GREENKEEPERS beat BAKERS by three holes

Ross McRace and Dennis Grant bt Kenny Milne and Stuart Milne by 7 holes.
Derek Green and Fraser Downie lost to John Borthwick and Steve Kennedy by 4 holes.

PETER SMITH SHARES LEAD IN SENIOR PGA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

REPORT FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
A hole-in-one from former winner John Lower was the highlight on the opening day of the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Northants County.
The 62-year-old Wollaton Park professional, who won the title in 2003, notched his ace at the 135-yard 12th to give him a share of the lead with tournament debutant Peter Smith (Deeside), pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency.
On a poignant day when the seniors paid their respects to the great Seve Ballesteros, many reflected on the loss of the five-time major winner and fellow senior.
The hole-in-one, plus an eagle from Smith on the last, which enabled both players to card three-under-par 67s, were fitting tributes to a player who touched so many of those competing this week.
The testing Northants County track once more took no prisoners with just five players shooting under-par with Graham Farr (Worcester G and CC) sitting third on 68, while defending champion Bob Larratt (Kibworth) and Garry Harvey (Kinross) carded 69s to complete the top five.
Lower admitted the ace came out of the blue and was more of an unsteadying influence on his round than a confidence boost.
"The hole-in-one did unsettle me a bit," said Lower.
"It wasn't a perfectly struck shot, it was ok. I came in a bit steep at it, it wasn't the best swing but it was straight at the pin.
"I thought it was short and it was only when we got up there we knew it had gone in. I've had nine hole-in-ones but that is the first one I have had in a tournament.
"I wasn't really expecting that at all as I was plodding along at one-under and suddenly I found myself three-under. I lost my rhythm a bit and bogeyed the next and birdied the one after that.
"I three-putted the 15th and scrambled fours at the next two holes and after a poor drive at the last, hit a good lay up and then got up and down for a birdie."
Aberdeen-based former Scottish Northern Open champion Peter Smith, who returned to the UK last year after 10 years working in New Zealand and the Netherlands, was delighted with his opening round and especially his finish after a double bogey at the 14th almost undid all his good work having eased to three-under on the back of four birdies, with just one bogey at the ninth.
Smith said: "I four-putted the 14th but I made eagle at the last, which made up for it because I was really disappointed with the four-putt.
"Throughout, I was just thinking 'keep it steady' as there are not going to be too many scores under par for this type of course.
"It is more a course for hanging on in there and hoping to make a few putts as the greens are very tricky."
Farr, who only turned 50 a matter of weeks ago to be eligible to compete in the £33,000 tournament, could have joined the leaders - only to commit the cardinal sin of thinking ahead, which resulted in a bogey six at the last.
"I got too excited and went in with a six iron and put it wide and then fluffed it into the bunker. I got far too excited thinking a birdie at the last would give me the lead," he said.
"But that aside I'm absolutely delighted with my start as I came here with no expectations.
"I only play three or four competitive rounds a year I thought I'd give it a go as I used to be able to play a little bit.
"I've not had a practice round and zero preparation so I started a bit iffy but then got it going. The putting was really good today, I made some nice birdies and then made some crucial putts coming in to save par.
"I played better when I was under pressure as I was getting confident under the pressure and hitting better and better shots but then lost my way a little bit thinking about the result rather than a shot a time."
Former British boys champion Garry Harvey from Kinross is sharing third place on 69, one shot ahead of Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle) and former title-winner Bill Lockie (North Gailes).A cut will reduce the 144-strong field to 40 and ties. The top 20 players will qualify for the De Vere Club PGA Senior Championship at Slaley Hall in June, which has a prize fund of £250,000, while the winner will also compete in Scottish Seniors Open at Fairmont St Andrews in August.

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 70
67 Peter Smith (Deeside), John Lower (Wollaton Park).
68 Graham Farr (Worcester).
69 Bob Larratt (Kibworth), Garry Harvey (Kinross).
Selected scores:
70 Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), Bill Lockie (North Gailes).

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