ELS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED AT POULTER COURSE CRITICISM

FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITE

Ernie Els has reacted angrily to Ian Poulter's criticism of Wentworth's revamped West Course, labelling the Englishman's words as "craziness".

Poulter - who eventually finished tied for 18th - launched a scathing attack on the Surrey lay-out after finishing Friday's second round at the BMW PGA Championship with a double-bogey at the much-changed 18th.

"We'll have a word when it's suitable, when he's calmed down a little bit and maybe reflects on the week. But he (Poulter) has done a lot of damage to the flagship event. He's a Ryder Cup player and to come out with things like that is uncalled for."

"I don't like this golf course. Period. End of story," blasted the Englishman. "It's a very difficult golf course, especially now it's been redesigned.

"It's not fun. I was here as a kid watching those great shots but you can't remember them now.

"They've got what they wanted. I'll speak freely. Many others will not."

Els, pictured, who masterminded the £7million modifications to the course and who still owns a house on the property, admits he was left deeply disappointed by the remarks and claims Poulter has damaged the European Tour's flagship event with his outburst.

Indeed, the South African revealed he would be seeking "a word" with Poulter to discuss his comments.

"It's difficult not to take it personally, especially when it's coming out of left field," stated Els.

"A guy double bogeys the last because he doesn't hit the right shot and then he blames the golf course for his bad shots.

"I don't take that lightly. We'll have a word when it's suitable, when he's calmed down a little bit and maybe reflects on the week.

"But he (Poulter) has done a lot of damage to the flagship event. He's a Ryder Cup player and to come out with things like that is uncalled for - he should think twice when he does that.

Craziness

"You should maybe take 10 minutes after you've done a double; I've done the same and it is difficult to keep your composure... he obviously lost his. I'm not going to take that craziness."

Els conceded that he wasn't entirely happy with some of the pin positions selected by organisers throughout the week, but insisted the difficulty of the course was more than suitable given the tournament's status.

Indeed, he felt Sunday's thrilling climax had provided a real validation of the track, Luke Donald edging out Lee Westwood in a play-off to clinch both the title and the World No.1 spot in a finale that will live long in the memory.

"This was as good as you'll see the golf course," Els continued. "We were unhappy with the flag positions at the last five holes on Saturday, but not (Sunday). If you were on your game you shot a good score.

"Major championships aren't won at 17-under. The philosophy here was to test the players and if you're not quite sharp enough you'll have a tough time. You have to play with your head - if you go at every flag you're going to get burnt, like any major.

"Lee and Luke understand major championship golf and applied that all week. You're going to get your bad breaks, but you've got to move on and be mentally tough. That's the test here.

"They haven't got into the mud-throwing match. They've just applied themselves to playing golf on a very tough course.

"Guys who are on their games are enjoying this challenge and to see the two best players in the world slug it out at the flagship event, our home on tour, is something very special."

The South African also revealed that there would be further tweaks to the West Course but urged players to be rather more discreet than Poulter.

"We'll consider more changes," he added. "The 15th hole is a big par-four and I'm still not happy with the right side of the green.

"We'll look at number 12 as well, we'll take stock. But instead of getting on a stage and talking to the world, come up with constructive criticism and we will listen."

LOTHIANS BID FOR RECORD 10th SCOTTISH BOYS' AREA TEAM TITLE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Defending champions Lothians will have a record tenth title in their sights when the 2011 Scottish boys' area team championship, supported by Dunfermline Building Society, gets underway at Hayston GC on the outskirts of Glasgow this Sunday (June 5).

Two of the players who enjoyed success at Peebles last year retain their places in the side, with former Scottish boys' champion Grant Forrest lining up alongside Liberton’s Anthony Blaney for the second year in a row. The duo combined superbly in the morning foursomes twelve months ago with a superb four-under par 66, setting their side up for a four-shot victory over Lanarkshire.

They will be joined by Scottish Golf Academy player Callum Hill, a semi-finalist in the national match play championship at Dunbar and Newbattle youngster Lee Morgan, who makes his first appearance in the team.

The recently crowned Scottish boys' champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) heads a strong Ayrshire quartet with 2008 Scottish boys' stroke-play champion Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) also in the side alongside clubmate Euan Walker and another promising Troon Welbeck member, Charlie MacNeal.

Last year’s silver medallists Lanarkshire will be aiming to go one better this time around and their line-up features Junior Champion of Champions winner Craig Ross (Kirkhill) and Mount Ellen’s Eamon Bradley, who performed well in last week’s Scottish men's stroke-play championship at Blairgowrie.

Host Area Dumbartonshire, looking for a seventh championship win, include Angus Carrick, son of former Scottish amateur champion David, while Fife, whose men’s side won the recent Scottish area team championship, go in search of an historic double with a side featuring Scottish boys' championship semi-finalist Benjamin Kinsley (St Andrews).

Meanwhile, the Argyll and Bute boys side, eyeing a first title win, features 14-year-old Bob MacInytre (Glencruitten), who shot to prominence with a win in the recent SGU Junior Tour event at Rowallan Castle.

Sixteen Area Associations will compete in the Scottish boys' area team championship, supported by Dunfermline Building Society, with the four leading Under-18s in each area being selected for the teams. The format is two foursomes pairings in the morning with four singles in the afternoon.

Dunfermline Building Society supports the championship for the second year in a row, having been a partner of the Scottish Golf Union since 2007. Through their Fairway Saver Savings Account, more than £30,000 has been invested in grass roots golf in Scotland, with the opportunity for golfers to open an account available at Dunfermline Building Society’s 34 branches across Scotland. For more information visit www.dunfermline.com

Hayston Golf Club is located is located one mile from Kirkintilloch on the north- east side of Glasgow and the James Braid-designed parkland course is a gently undulating, tree-lined lay-out which will prove an enjoyable challenge for the country’s leading young golfers.

Click here for the draw and team list.

CRAIBSTONE GOLF CLUB SENIOR MEN'S OPEN ON JUNE 23

Craibstone Golf Club, Bucksburn near Aberdeen is holding a senior men's 18-hole competition on Thursday, June 23. 

Tee times will be from 08.30 until 2pm.

 Entry fee is £10 for Craibstone Golf Club members and £12 for non-members.

Entries can be phoned to 01224 716777 or E-mail to golf@marshall-leisure.co.uk

Prizes will be by division and not scratch/handicap.

RISING STARS CONTEST ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY THIS WEEK

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST

Some of the world's leading amateur golfers will take part in the St Andrews Links Trophy this weekend

Three of the top 20 players in the Rand A's World Amateur Golf Rankings head up the international field for the prestigious 72-hole tournament played over the New and Old Courses from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5.

Matthew Stieger from Australia is the highest ranked player in the field at 13th in the world, closely followed by Andrew Sullivan, who won the Scottish stroke-play championship at Blairgowrie last weekend, at 15th and then New Zealander Ben Campbell two places further back. 

The on-form Stieger has two victories under his belt already this season, having won the Tasmanian Open Championship in February and then defeating Campbell in the Australian Amateur Championship in Melbourne in March. It was Campbell's second consecutive defeat in the final of the championship and he also finished third in this season's Australian stroke-play championship.

The joint runners-up in last year's St Andrews Links Trophy, Stiggy Hodgson, from Sunningdale, and Peterhead's Philip McLean, will bid to go one better this year. And some of Scotland's leading amateurs such as David Law, from Hazlehead, who won the Northern Amateur Open in South Africa in March, Michael Stewart, from Troon Welbeck, who recently added the South African Amateur Championship to his Scottish Amateur title last year, and Ross Kellett from Colville Park will be looking for victory on home soil.

St Andrews New Club golfers Greg Paterson, who won the Craigmillar Park Open in April, and Peter Latimer, join 15 year-old Ewan Scott, from the St Andrews Golf Club, in the field. All three players progressed through the ranks at the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA).

More than 20 countries are represented in the 144 man field with players from countries as diverse as Bolivia, Slovenia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and the Netherlands taking part. The cut-off for entries was +2.5.

John Grant, Director of Golf at St Andrews Links Trust, said "The St Andrews Links Trophy is one of the highest ranked events of the amateur season in the UK and it is an excellent opportunity to see at first hand some of the most talented young players in the next generation of golfers. 

"The home players will be looking to put on good performances with the Walker Cup in September on their minds and the overseas players will be desperate to make their mark at the Home of Golf. It should be an enjoyable week with some excellent golf on show."

Live scoring from the 2011 St Andrews Links Trophy will be available at www.standrews.org.uk.

HARDELOT, FRILFORD HEATH JOIN QUALIFYING SCHOOL SCHEDULE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

The First Stage of The 2011 European Tour Qualifying School will take in visits to new venues in England and France, with Frilford Heath near Oxford and Hardelot Golf Club near Boulogne joining an already impressive roster of championship courses.

Located close to the Edwardian seaside resort of Hardelot in the Pas de Calais region of northern France, the historic Pines Course at Hardelot Golf Club, which has hosted events on the Challenge Tour and the Senior Tour Qualifying School, is set among dunes and the picturesque pine forest from which it takes its name.

Along with the magnificent Circolo Golf Bogogno near Milan, Italy, the Pines Course, which first opened for play in 1905 and was re-designed by Tom Simpson in 1931, will stage the First Stage Section C from September 27-30, 2011.

Ken Strachan, General Manager of Hardelot Golf Club, said: “Staging The European Tour Qualifying School First Stage at Hardelot is a great honour for our complex, and we are looking forward to the challenges that come with hosting such a great event.”

One week later, from October 4-7, another venue new to the Qualifying School Schedule, Frilford Heath, will host the First Stage Section D. The Red Course was designed by five-time Open Champion JH Taylor, whose other courses include Royal Birkdale and Royal Mid-Surrey.

Situated just south of the historic city of Oxford, Frilford Heath was built on 600 acres of undulating heathland, parts of which have been designated a site of Special Scientific Interest. The English Amateur Championship will be held at the venue for the second time from July 29-August 3, 2011.

Alistair Booth, Executive Director of Frilford Heath Golf Club, said: “Frilford Heath is delighted to be chosen by The European Tour as one of its venues for the First Stage of the Qualifying School. We feel privileged to make our Red Course available, which at just under 7,000 yards will present a suitably tough challenge for the professionals. Our members are also excited to be supporting The European Tour, and I’m sure many of them will come along to attend the event.”

The other course hosting Section D is the returning Ribagolfe, a world-class venue near the Portugese capital Lisbon which forms part of the European Golf Design portfolio.

For the second successive year Ebreichsdorf Golf Club, south of Vienna, will appear on the Qualifying School Schedule when, one week before the Austrian GolfOpen, its stunning parkland course hosts Section A from September 13-16. The other venue being used for Section A is the superb course at Dundonald Links Golf Club in Ayrshire.

Section B welcomes back the 7,191 yard, par 72 course at Wychwood Park in Cheshire, England, which drew widespread praise when it made its debut on the Qualifying School last year. Old favourite Golf and Country Club Fleesensee, which was designed by European Golf Design and is part of The European Tour Properties portfolio, will stage Section B in tandem with Wychwood Park from September 20-23.

Mike Stewart, European Tour Qualifying School Director, said: “Having recently visited both courses, I have no doubt that Hardelot Golf Club and Frilford Heath will prove welcome additions to the First Stage of the Qualifying School. Each year we strive to improve the quality of the venues we use, and I think the reputations of the Pines Course at Hardelot and the Red Course at Frilford Heath speak for themselves. We look forward to visiting them later in the year and also to returning to some of the more established venues on the Qualifying School Schedule, where we are always afforded a warm welcome.

THE ULTIMATE "BIG BOYS" GETAWAY AT ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY HEADY PR

Email: helen@headypr.co.uk

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa is offering the ‘Ultimate Boys Getaway’ that includes golf over two courses in the Home of Golf and additional off-course activities that would appeal to the more adventurous male looking to celebrate a birthday or business deal ... or just enjoy a weekend away with the boys.

Whilst staying at the luxurious Old Course Hotel overlooking the 17th fairway of the iconic course, the boys first get to play the Hotel’s very own championship heathland course The Duke’s St Andrews, third hole pictured below, designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson followed by 18 holes over one of the seven St Andrews Links Trust courses. The choice includes the recently-opened Castle Course which has met with great acclaim, the respected New or Eden course and of course the world-famous Old Course.

In addition to enjoying golf in St Andrews, the Old Course Hotel and its concierge team can arrange a choice of activities off the course such as a Connoisseur Tour of the Tullibardine Distillery where, whether enthusiast or novice, you can experience whisky tasting and ‘nosing’ of this exceptional single malt or take a trip around the famous Bellhaven Brewery, the oldest independent brewery in Scotland and one of the oldest in Britain.

For those that enjoy the outdoors, the Hotel can organize a day of salmon fishing on the River Tay which is one of the best salmon rivers in the United Kingdom, indeed in the European Union, or set up a day of clay pigeon shooting, archery or rifle shooting in nearby Cluny.

Back at the Hotel for a little relaxation, the numerous facilities of the Resort complete this five-star golfing package: gastronomic dining in the Road Hole Fine Dining Restaurant overlooking the infamous Road Hole of the Old Course, relaxing treatments in the world-class Kohler Waters Spa and the chance down a pint of Jigger Ale in St Andrews’ favourite 19th Hole, the Jigger Inn, also in the Resort.

The ‘Ultimate Boys Getaway’ includes:

Two nights’ luxury accommodation at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

Full Scottish breakfast each morning

A round of golf on The Duke’s

A round of golf on one of the St Andrews Links courses*

Golf Valet Service including golf storage, club cleaning and shoe cleaning

Complimentary access to the Kohler Waters Spa

Additional activities available through the concierge

Packages start from £219 per room, per night, based on two-night minimum stay, pending availability.

*pending availability plus supplement for the Old Course

For bookings and further details please call the reservations team on +44 (0) 1334 474371 or email reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk or visit www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk

Helen Heady,  Heady PR: Tel: 020 8789 0900 / 07966 491 509

ABERDEEN LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP TEE TIMES

ABERDEEN LINKS SENIORS – FRIDAY, JUNE 3
(10min intervals)

Abb. BA- Bon-Accord, C- Caledonian, N-Northern

8.00 J.L. Duncan BA, J. Murphy N, G. Fiddes N; J.A. Morrison BA, R. Green C; A.J.Reid BA; E.P. Morrison BA, A.W.Mathieson BA; D.L. Ross BA, D. Yeats C, S. Robertson N; E. Leigh BA, E. Yeats C, I. Morrice BA.

9.00 D.J. Duncan BA, E. Mitchell C, D.Shand BA; W. McKay BA, A.R.Bean C, C. Cheyne BA; A. Hearns BA, S. Moir C, S. Davidson N; J. Wilson BA, D.J. Hampton C, D. Coull N; G. Bothwell BA, I. McLaughlin C, L.M.Thom BA

10.00 D. Leighton N, G. Forbes C, N. West N; C.L. Forbes BA, R. O’Rawe C, P. Reid BA; A. Low BA, J. Gall C, J. Muir N; F. Watson BA, C. Carson C, A.G.A.Forbes C ; A. Henderson BA, G. Beattie C, A.Davis BA; S.Duthie N, S. Law C, R. Jones N

11.00 R. Ludlam BA, G.F.Webster N, D. Harman N; G. Allan C, J. Forrest N; D. McKay C, J. Duff N; R.A. Cheyne BA, R.M. Grant C, A.Fiddes N .

LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP –  SATURDAY 4TH JUNE (10min intervals)

SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

6.30 I.Welsh BA, R.Young BA, K.Dalglish BA; K.Ross BA, P.McIntosh C, A.Phillip C; A. Haining BA, S. Davidson N; J.M. Annand BA, D. Mullen C, G. Bond N; G. McLaggan BA, M. Taylor C, L. Morrice C; R. Allerton BA, A.Fiddes N, R. Evett N; M. Dunn BA, C. Dunbar C, M. Burnett N; N. Mitchell BA, M. Beattie C, A.J. Sherriffs N; B. Edmond BA, G. Grimmer C, C. McBain N

8.00 Matt. Greig BA, G. Stewart BA, G. Horne N; M. Smith BA, R. Davidson C, D. Mair N; M. Edmond BA, R. Rimmer C; J. Kilman BA, B. Reid C, D. Leslie N; S. Murray BA, G. Allan C, J. Ritchie N; D.S.S. Smith BA, A. Cruickshank C, A. Howie C.

9.00 G.V. Somers BA, S. Finnie C, A.Shand BA; R.McCulloch C, G. Forbes C, S. Muir N; R. Watson BA, P. Cheyne N, G. Morrison N; W. Smith BA,D.Nicholson N, S. Slessor N;

9.50 S. Murphy BA, J.McConnon BA, S. Kennedy N; S. Jamieson BA, R.Stewart BA, J. Murphy N; K. Ironside BA, T.Still BA, J. Forrest N; W. Shand BA, A. Davidson C, A. Patterson N; C. Johnstone N, S. Allan C.

11.00 N. Gray BA, T. McGovern C, D. Johnstone N;

11.30 S.A. Smith C, M. Ogston N; G.Reid BA, D. Forbes C; S. Kelly BA, A. Divers C, J. Inglis N; S. Allison C, W. Ross C, S. Stewart N; G. Geddes N, D. Galloway N; E.M. Leslie BA, J.S. Gray C, G. Brown N; S.Doig C, A. Styles C, R. Pirie C; P.Angelo N, R. Neilson N; G. Nicholson N, A. Sheldrick C, J. Duff N

1.00 D. Grieve BA, Mark. Greig BA, W. West N; C.Ross N, P.Boyce N; S.Manson N, B.Rae N

MURRAY CUP – SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 

(10min intervals)

7.10 I. Stewart BA, D.McEwan BA , G. Fiddes N; A. Greig BA, D.Daniel C, T.Butler N ; R.Buchan N , D. McPherson C, T. Leslie N; M. Flanagan BA, K.G. Robertson C, J. Muir N;

8.00 C. Robertson C, I. Petrie N, A. Handsley N; D.Greig BA, A.G.A.Forbes C, D.Baxter C; N.Rose N, M.Kane N; D.Watson C, J.Davidson C, G,Duncan N

9.00 S.Guyan BA, C. Gunn BA, S. Barclay N; D.Henderson BA, C. Carson C, G. Adams N;C.Somers BA, J. Gall C, D. Coull N;F.Kennedy BA, W. Ross N, G.W. Kidd N; D.Armour BA, C. Taylor N, J. Watt N; M. Rennie BA, G. McDonald N, D. Gill N

10.00 A. Rea BA, G.F.Webster N, R. Sellar N; G. Hewitson BA, D.Stewart C, M. McLeod N; D. Barclay BA, M. Winton C, R. Jones N; W. Guyan BA, N. Pickard BA, G. Homer N; G.Shand BA, N.Christie BA, P.Gray BA.

10.50 J. Hay BA, G. Reaper C, B. Lumsden N; K. Rennie BA, M.Rimmer C, B. Lumsden jnr N, G. Martin BA, K. Gray C, J.Skinner N; R. Grieve BA, J. McKechnie BA, A. Pirie N; R. Dunn BA, L.Ross C, E.Anderson N; R.Urquhart BA, S.Leslie C, C.Murphy BA; D.Still BA, N.Carnegie C, J.Urquhart BA; L.Hadden BA, G.Meade C, R.Moir C.

PAUL LAWRIE INVITATIONAL INCENTIVE AT ROWALLAN CASTLE

Press Release From PGA Scottish Region.

Nearly 100 Professionals have entered the second PGA Scotland Order of Merit event of the season, the Skycaddie Challenge at Rowallan Castle, being staged over 36 holes next Wednesday and Thursday, June 8 and 9.

The Colin Montgomerie-designed course will be hosting its first professional tournament, and it’s something that is being eagerly anticipated by head professional Ross Aitken.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we have here. I’m sure the players will be really impressed and I hope they will go back to their own clubs and recommend that their members give us a try,” said Ross.

Michael MacDougall, pictured, the PGA Scotland Regional Secretay, commented:“I’m sure our professionals will thoroughly enjoy the venue. We’ve been down a couple of times to look over it, and it has the potential to become one of the top courses in the country in the next few years. The number of entries we’ve had is a testament to the reputation that Rowallan has already gained.”

In addition to the prize-fund of £10,000 there is an added incentive on offer for the top performers during the tournament. Four spots in the inaugural “Paul Lawrie Invitational” at Deeside the following week have been kept in reserve for the top performers at Rowallan. The two leading players in the tournament and the two highest ranked players in the 2011 Order of Merit who have yet to gain a place in the tournament will receive an invitation to Deeside.

RAMSAY ROBBED OF PLACE IN US OPEN QUALIFYING PLAY-OFF

 FROM THE SKYSPORTS WEBSITE

Aberdonian Richie Ramsay was left feeling physically sick last night after a US Open qualifying play-off went ahead without him at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey.

Johan Edfors beat Andreas Harto for the last of 11 spots on offer just before 9.30pm, just as a disbelieving Ramsay pulled into the car park.

Ramsay had finished his fog-delayed two rounds at four-under-par some four hours earlier, before deciding to go to Heathrow to try to catch a flight to Belfast and attend the wedding reception of fellow Tour player Gareth Maybin.

It was then that things took a distinct turn for the worse. Not only did the Scot miss the plane, he was then told he could be in a play-off.

The expectations all day were that it would take place on Tuesday morning because of the time lost, but when the last group finished officials saw the opportunity to get at least one extra hole in.

Edfors and Harto were understandably keen, especially knowing that former US amateur champion Ramsay was likely to be absent, and with it being switched from a par four to a par three to speed things up Harto lost when he failed to get up and down from a bunker.

"I can't believe they played when it was pitch dark," said Ramsay after being told that it was all over and he had been made a (second) reserve for the major at Congressional Country Club, Maryland on June 16-19.

"As I left at 5.30, guys were teeing off the first hole, but they made the decision and I can't do anything about it.

"It's not up to me to say it's right or wrong, but it's just been an horrific day - just an awful, awful day."

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE TOURNAMENT REPORT AND SCORES

STEPHEN GALLACHER QUALIFIES AT WALTON HEATH FOR US OPEN

FROM THE USGA WEBSITE

Compiled by European PGA Tour

Nicolas Colsaerts led 11 qualifiers for the U.S. Open Championship after a dominant display at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey yesterday.

The big-hitting Belgian continued his fine form with a nine under par aggregate total to book his place in the field for the second major championship of the season at Congressional Country Club from June 16-19.

Colsaerts will be joined at the Bethesda, Maryland venue by Maarten Lafeber, Shane Lowry (who finished joint second), Thomas Levet (fourth), David Howell, Robert Rock (tied fifth), Robert Dinwiddie, Marcel Siem, Alexander Noren, Stephen Gallacher (tied sixth) and Johan Edfors, who took the 11th and final berth after a sudden-death play-off with Denmark's Andreas Hartø.

Colsaerts' appearance at the U.S. Open Championship will be his first in a major championship in America, and the 28-year-old is understandably relishing the prospect.

"I remember Ernie [Els] winning at Congressional in 1997, so I can't wait to get out there and experience it for myself," said Colsaerts." I think it's the sort of course which will suit my game, so hopefully I can play well and enjoy it. I'll probably have to work hard on my short game in the build-up, but I'm excited about it already. I came here with high hopes and did the hard part this morning with my round of 64, so this afternoon I was just able to go out there and enjoy it."

Lafeber's day was almost the polar opposite of Colsaerts, after a morning round of 73 over the Old Course left the Dutchman with the proverbial mountain to climb to ensure qualification.

But he rose to the task magnificently, shooting a scintillating round of 63 over the New Course in fast-fading light to surge through the pack and book his third trip to the U.S. Open.

"I felt like walking off the course after the seventh hole, because I was level par for the day and one over par overall," said Lafeber. "But then I made eagle and followed it up with a birdie, and all of a sudden I got a little bit more interested. Then when I made two more birdies I got very excited, and to finish with three more from the 16th was an incredible feeling."

Lowry was equally ecstatic after rounds of 69 in the morning and 67 in the afternoon secured him a first visit to the U.S. Open.

"It feels great to qualify - I've never played the U.S. Open before, so I can't wait to get out there," said Lowry. "I've been playing well for a while now and obviously came off a great result at the BMW PGA Championship, so I fancied my chances of qualifying. But it's all very well fancying your chances, it's quite another to go out there and do it, so I'm absolutely delighted."

Among the men who failed were Colin Montgomerie, Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay although the Aberdonian is second reserve, having been deprived of a play-off place to which he was entitled.

QUALIFYING SCORES

WALTON HEATH G.C. (Old and New Courses)

Nicolas Colsaerts--Belgium 64-71--135

Shane Lowry--Ireland 69-67--136

Maarten Lafeber--The Netherlands 73-63--136

Thomas Levet--France 66-71--137

Robert Rock--England 70-68--138

David Howell--England 72-66--138

Stephen Gallacher--Scotland 70-69--139

Alexander Noren--Sweden 67-72--139

Marcel Siem-Germany 67-72--139

Robert Dinwiddie--England 69-70--139

Johan Edfors--Sweden 70-70--140

Failed To Qualify

(Alternate 1) -Andreas Harto--Denmark 70-70--140

(Alternate 2) -Richie Ramsay--Scotland 71-69--140

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AT WALTON HEATH


CLICK HERE

Dumfries and County Golf Club boys represent South at Hayston on Sunday

The team to represent the South Area at the 2011 Boys Area Team Championship this Sunday at Hayston Golf Club are all members of Dumfries and County Golf Club.

The Team is club junior captain Daniel McConnachie , this year's Scottish boys' championship finalist Liam Johnston , Greig Marchbank (joint second in the Scottish youths stroke-play championship) and Connor Syme, son of club professional Stuart Syme.

All four boys represent Dumfries and County Golf Club in the Dumfriesshire League.

From Brian Duguid

Secretary

Dumfries and County Golf Club

+If you have a piece of golf news (or a picture) you would like so see displayed on Scottishgolfview.com or Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, E-mail it to Colin@scottishgolfview.com 

HAND INJURY PUTS JAMIE McLEARY OUT FOR FIVE WEEKS

Edinburgh-based Challenge Tour player Jamie McLeary can't swing a club for the next five weeks. He's been playing with a painful hand and wrist injury for several weeks. It's now been diagnosed as a fractured bone called the "hook of the hamate."

It is caused by the top of the grips hitting the base of the hand repeatedly. Apparently a common injury among tennis and baseball players but not so often in golf.

McLeary tells readers of "The Scotsman" today:

"Unfortunately, it means I'll miss the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley, where I won two years ago and was looking forward to returning in a few weeks' time with the other members of Team Scottish Hydro."