MONTY SAYS MCILROY'S THREE-WEEK BREAK IS A MISTAKE

"I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE HIM PLAY

BETWEEN THE TWO MAJORS"

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Colin Montgomerie believes it would have been in Rory McIlroy's best interest to play an event before next week's Open at Sandwich.
Golf's newest superstar decided to take three weeks off after his amazing eight-shot victory at the US Open last month.
"I can understand two out of three, but I would like to have seen him play a competitive tournament between the two majors," said Montgomerie.
"He's so natural I don't think there are any fears about his game, but it's the locker room - there are going to be so many people wanting to congratulate him.
"Whether it was the French or the Scottish Open, he could have got that out of his system and out of the way so he can start the Open afresh.
"Now he's got that ahead of him and on the first tee I think he will be mentally tired - but who am I to say?"
Montgomerie, of course, has never won a major and as things stand he is not even in the field next week - his last opportunity is to finish in the top five at Castle Stuart this week.
"I hope he does well - of course I do - and I think he will contend," added the veteran Scot.

FRENCH OPEN WINNER INJURED WHEN HE JUMPED INTO LAKE!

FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE
French Open winner Thomas Levet has also emerged as a doubt for Sandwich after injuring himself during his exuberant celebrations at his home tournament on Sunday.
Frenchman Levet, 42, jumped into a lake at Le Golf National, Paris after ending a 25-year wait to win the competition and suffered a small fracture to his shin.
He had his leg put in a cast today and has already pulled out of this week's Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
Levet will now undergo intensive treatment before consulting a specialist later this week to decide if he will be able to compete at Royal St George's.
The moral of this story is never jump in a lake fully clothed - even if you have just won the French Open!
Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and big-hitting fellow Spaniard Alvaro Quiros have also withdrawn from the Scottish Open.
For Olazabal, who has battled with rheumatic pains for well over a decade, it means he will not be part of the Open.
Castle Stuart near Inverness would have been his last chance. An Open spot is on offer to the leading non-exempt player providing he finishes in the top five.

Former world number one Vijay Singh has been offered an Open Championship place but may not be fit enough to take it.
The Fijian, 48, was joint runner-up the last time it was held at this year's venue, Royal St George's in Sandwich.
The Masters and double US PGA winner pulled out of last week's AT&T National in America with back trouble.
He was one of five players added to the Open field today along with Americans Webb Simpson, J B Holmes and Steve Marino and Japan's Yuta Ikeda.
The places became available because Rory McIlroy (US Open winner), Charl Schwartzel (Masters), K J Choi (Players Championship) and Luke Donald (PGA Championship) were already exempt - and because past champions Sir Nick Faldo and Greg Norman have decided not to play.
Vijay Singh was golf's world number one for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005
Singh, currently 63rd in the world rankings, has been plagued by injury and indifferent form in recent months.
He finished tied for 43rd at his most recent event, the US PGA Tour's Travelers Championship.
Earlier in June, his decision not to play in qualifying for the US Open ended a run of 67 consecutive appearances in majors.
Australian Brendan Jones is now first reserve for the Open and will be waiting for news on whether former champion Tiger Woods makes the trip.
Woods is still recuperating from injuries to his left leg and said last week that he would not play tournament golf again until he was 100% fit.

RUSSELL KNOX NOT DOING TOO BADLY ON NATIONWIDE TOUR

Former US college golf circuit player Fergal Rafferty, entered from "Carrickmore, Ireland," finished joint 10th in the Hooters Tour weekend event, the Victoria Texas Open at Victoria Country Club Texas.

Rafferty shot 74, 66, 65 and 70 for nine-under-par 275 and a pay-out of $4,755.
The standard of scoring of the winners on the Hooters Tour continues to impress. The winner of the Victoria Texas Open, Jeff Corr finished 20 under par with rounds of 67, 66, 65 and 66 for 264 to his the $28,000 individual jackpot.
Mind you, Inverness exile Russell Knox, pictured right, made a good living on the Hooters Tour over the past few years, more money that he is making since he earned promotion to the Nationwide Tour.
Knox finished joint 35th in the recent Mexico Open at El Bosque GC, Leon with scores of 71, 72, 72 and 67 for 282, which earned him $3,710 which might not leave much change from a week's trip to Mexico.
Winner of that Nationwide Tour event was the double transplant man, Erik Compton (fascinating story, you should read it sometime on the Nationwide Tour website: scroll down to get the link) with scores of 68 70, 68 and 65 for 271 which earned him $126,000.
Have just checked the Nationwide Tour money list this morning and Russell Knox is in 27th place, thank you very much, with $70,947 earned from eight tournaments. He is the leading British or Irish player on the money table.
Englishman Gary Christian is 34th with $57,906 from nine vents. Compatriot Greg Owen, who lost his playing rights on the No 1 US PGA Tour at the end of last season, is in 37th place with $50,103 from 10 events; and another Englishman, Matthew Richardson, is 132nd with $8,339 from eight events.

So Russell Knox is doing OK on the Nationwide Tour. It just seemed he was earning less than he did on the Hooters Tour. Pity the Inverness exile is not playing this week in the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

By the way, at the top of the Nationwide Tour money table it is:

1 Matthew Goggin (Australia) $303,898 from nine events.

2 Erik Compton (the double heart transplant man) with $215,709 from nine events.

3 Kyle Thompson, $214,568 from 10 events. 

TO ACCESS THE US NATIONWIDE TOUR WEBSITE STORY ABOUT ERIK COMPTON

CLICK HERE

CULTS HOTEL ABERDEEN MEN'S PENNANT LEAGUE RESULT

REARRANGED MATCH, PLAYED ON SUNDAY

BANCHORY 4, AUCHMILL 1
At Banchory

HOW THEY STAND
LEAGUE A
                     P-W-D-L  Diff  Pts
Portlethen       5-4-0-1-- +10   8
Newmachar      3-3-0-0-- +6    6
Nigg Bay         3-3-0-0-- +5    6
Murcar Links    4-2-0-2-- +4    4
Hazlehead       4-1-0-3--  -4    2
Caledonian      4-1-0-3--  -8    2
Peterculter      5-0-0-5-- -13    0

LEAGUE B
Banchory          4-4-0-0-- +14   8
Royal Aberdeen 5-4-0-1-- +10   8
Deeside           4-2-1-1-- +3     5
Auchmill           4-2-0-2--  -1     4
Stonehaven      4-1-0-2-- - 9     2
Bon Accord       3-0-1-2-- - 5     1
Northern          4-0-0-4-- -12     0

TUESDAY EVENING MATCHES

Caledonian v Newmachar
Stonehaven v Northern

+Officlals of home club are invited to send the results and details to Colin@scottishgolfview.com ASAP.

LANARKSHIRE MEN'S COUNTY STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

AIRDRIE GOLF CLUB - SUNDAY, JULY 10

Competitors must report to the Recorder at least 10 mins prior to starting time.

1. 8.00-12.30 C.MORROW K.LOUGHRIE C.LONGMUIR
Drumpellier Cambuslang Bellshill
2. 8.07 -12.37 S.GILLESPIE A.STEVEN G.SHANKS
Cambuslang Easter Moffat Drumpellier
3. 8.15-12.45 J.J.SMITH S.WILLS D.KEENEY
Cambuslang Lanark Bellshill
4. 8.22-12.52 G.GILLICK D.FORD M.LUTTON
Drumpellier Airdrie Bellshill
5. 8.30-1.00 G.SPEIRS M.DUBBER S.LUTTON
Drumpellier Bothwell Castle Bellshill
6. 8.37-1.07 S.DOUGLAS D.FEARON P.BURKE
Drumpellier Colville Park Bellshill
7. 8.45-1.15 S.HOUSTON D.HIGGINS J.HAINIE
Kirkhill Airdrie Bothwell Castle
8. 8.52-1.22 G.HADDOW A.WATT O.SHEERAN
Colville Park Airdrie Bothwell Castle
9. 9.00-1.30 J.RALSTON L.GRINDROD G.DALZELL
Shotts Crow Wood Airdrie
10. 9.07-1.37 P.ANDREW J.STEVEN S.MURRAY
Airdrie Bothwell Castle Drumpellier
11. 9.15-1.45 C.DUGUID J.GALLACHER A.CARR
Strathaven Crow Wood Airdrie
12. 9.22-1.52 J.RUIZ C.CLIMSON M.BRODIE
Drumpellier Lochview Crow Wood
13. 9.30-2.00 W.BRYSON S.HENDERSON A.McDONALD
Drumpellier Hamilton Crow Wood
14. 9.37-2.07 S.SHEVILL C.ANDREW C.MALONE
Airdrie Kirkhill Crow Wood
15. 9.45-2.15 A.M.FERGUSON G.CROSS S.WHITTERS
Drumpellier Kirkhill Crow Wood
16. 9.52-2.22 S.BRYSON A.FAIRBAIRN D.LEE
Drumpellier Kirkhill Crow Wood
17. 10.00-2.30 S.BOYD M.RUSSO R.JENKINS
Airdrie Drumpellier Crow Wood
18. 10.07-2.37
19. 10.15-2.45 S.COSTELLO R.CORRIGAN ST.RUSSELL
Kirkhill Airdrie Drumpellier
20. 10.22-2.52 R.MAIN SC.RUSSELL A.GRAHAM
Airdrie Drumpellier Crow Wood
21. 10.30-3.00 C.GIBSON K.FLYNN R.GILLAN
Hamilton Lanark Torrance House
22. 10.37-3.07 J.SHANKS I.McDOWALL R.McLEISH
Airdrie East Kilbride Torrance House
23. 10.45-3.15 M.O’DONNELL B.WHARTON J.REILLY
Hamilton Kirkhill East Kilbride
24. 10.52-3.22 A.D.FERGUSON K.TURNBULL P.SCANLAN
Drumpellier Larkhall Playsport
25. 11.00-3.30 J.WHITELAW
Mouse Valley
26. 11.07-3.37
27. 11.15-3.45
28. 11.22-3.52

STARS OF FUTURE ON PARADE AT FORFAR THIS WEEK

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
While the golfing spotlight falls on Scotland this week as the world’s best golfers assemble on Castle Stuart, 134 miles south of the Moray Firth venue in Forfar the next generation of young stars will be battling it out for their own headlines in the Scottish boys' Under-16s championship (Tuesday to Thursday).
Among those with an interest in both events will be Paul Lawrie. As the former Open champion goes in search of his second European Tour title of the season, 15-year-old son Craig is eyeing his first national triumph, boosted by a strong showing in his Scottish boys' championship earlier in the year where he reached the third round, pushing one of the title favourites Jack McDonald all the way to the final green.
Another youngster who performed well in the Under-18s' match play was St Andrews’ Benjamin Kinsley, a beaten semi-finalist at Dunbar. This Scottish Golf Academy player will start as one of the favourites to lift the title at Forfar. Kinsley will be aiming to join a notable duo of former winners from Fife, Peter Whiteford (1996) and George Murray (1999), both now plying their trade on the European Tour.
Bradley Neil finished runner-up in the Under-16s event at Auchterarder, just a shot behind Swiss golfer Remo Fueg and the rising start from Blairgowrie will be hoping to go one better this time around to add to his double success in the Scottish Boys Under-14s championship.

Other notable names in the 120-strong field are Glencruitten’s 14-year-old Bob MacIntyre, already a winner this year, having tasted success on the SGU Junior Tour at Rowallan Castle and Fort William’s Alasdair Ross, a successful graduate of the clubgolf programme now coached by David Torrance within the Highlands Academy.
Young Englishman Nick Ward (Redbourn), third in the event last year and also a former winner of the Scottish Under-14s title, leads a strong challenge from south of the border while there is representation from ten different countries, including Barbados, The Netherlands, France and Italy.
This year’s championship will be played over 72 holes for the first time, having been a 54-hole event for the past six years and a 36-hole event prior to 2005. The event gets underway at 7.30am on Tuesday morning with the leading 40 players and ties contesting Thursday’s final two rounds.
Scoring and updates will be available on the SGU website.


Click below for the first round draw.

WILLIAMS' GRANDSTAND FINISH WINS ENGLISH MID-AMATEUR TITLE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
A spectacular eagle-birdie finish saw Neill Williams crowned English Mid Amateur champion at a sun-drenched Ipswich Golf Club at Purdis Heath.
The 38 year old surveyor from Walton Heath posted a closing 68 for 206, seven under par, and a three-stroke winning margin over Steve Graham, who stormed through the field with a course record 64.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Williams. “I’m staggered by it all. I didn’t know I had that finish in me but winning a national title will be something to remember for a long time.”
He started the day a shot behind overnight leader Danny Curtis, his playing partner in the final game, and fell further behind with a bogey-five at the first. “It was just nerves but I got it back with a birdie at the second,” he added.
Out in 35, Williams suddenly found himself ahead as Curtis was going backwards with two double-bogeys and a bogey in an outward 39. But with Graham having set the bench mark at four under with his 64, Williams knew what he had to do. “I found out on the 16th tee that a 64 had been recorded which meant I had to birdie one of the last three holes,” added Williams.
“I found sand at the 16th and made par but I knew I had a chance at the long 17th. I hit three-wood, something I’d done all week, then six-iron to 18 feet and made it for eagle.”
His birdie at the last put the icing on the cake in only his second appearance in the championship and came after a somewhat nervous start.
 “I was hitting it dreadfully on the range this morning and it wasn’t helped by the three putts on the first,” added Williams, “but I’m really chuffed. I felt I could compete and I had a chance if I could produce my best game.”
Graham’s record 64 was somewhat overshadowed by Williams’ finish but the Littlehampton secretary deserved second spot.
“I didn’t play any worse than in my first round 76 but it all came together,” he said. “I said to my wife this morning that I had to shoot 65 to stand a chance and that’s the best round I’ve played for a long time but starting eight shots back, I wasn’t under any pressure. I’ve been watching a Peter Cowan video for the past three weeks and remembered to ‘swing in balance’ and managed to hold on to it. I’m chuffed to bits.”
Richard Latham, the first-round leader, finished with 72 for third place on 213, level par, while former winner Nigel Chesters was fourth a shot further back after a 71.
Curtis, a legend in Kent golf, stumbled to 78 for fifth spot on 215 adding: “I didn’t play well but Neill deserved to win. He played superbly.”
Perhaps the unluckiest player on the final day was David Brown from Sherwood Forest, who was forced to withdraw after damaging his back removing his clubs from the boot of his car. He was lying equal 13th on three under par.

STONEHAVEN OPEN ON SATURDAY, JULY 9

FROM BRIAN LAWSON, MATCH SECRETARY
STONEHAVEN GOLF CLUB


Would it be possible to put a small mention on your website regarding the Stonehaven 18-hole Men's Open?
Date: Saturday, July 9.
Late entries can be phoned to  01569 762124
Scratch Prizes and Handicap Prizes in all categories.
Entry Fee £14

GLENEAGLES HOTEL DONATE '£5 FRIDAY' REVENUE TO CLUBGOLF

NEWS RELEASE
As the venue for the Johnnie Walker Championship and the Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup, The Gleneagles Hotel is one of the strongest supporters of golf in Scotland. That support is being increased this year with the introduction of ‘£5 Friday’ during the week of the Johnnie Walker Championship.
Gleneagles will donate all the revenue from on-the-day ticket sales to clubgolf – Scotland’s junior golf development programme.
Patrick Elsmie, Managing Director of the AA Five Star resort, said: ‘We regularly welcome golfers of all levels to Gleneagles, including aspiring junior players. It is important to us that, as a high profile golfing venue in the home of golf and the Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup, we help to create opportunities for the next generation of players and this support for clubgolf allows us to do that.
‘The Johnnie Walker Championship is a tremendous tournament and enjoys great support from players and spectators alike. By taking this initiative with the ticket price we hope that many more spectators will come to the event, enjoy a great golfing spectacle and the magnificent setting here in Perthshire while supporting the development of the game in Scotland.’
Jackie Davidson, clubgolf Manager, said: ‘We are delighted that The Gleneagles Hotel has created £5 Friday as a further commitment to clubgolf.
‘Gleneagles already makes a huge impact in our programme through its fabulous opportunities for our young players. Thousands of clubgolfers benefit from coaching clinics every year at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Many more take up the offer of tee times on the Wee Course throughout the season.
‘Donating the proceeds of ‘£5 Friday’ ticket sales to clubgolf will enable us to invest further in the clubgolf programme and reach our ambitious targets in clubs and schools, ensuring clubgolf leaves a lasting legacy beyond the 2014 Ryder Cup.’
Tickets are available at the course and at www.europeantourtickets.com Parking is free. For full details on the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles visit www.johnniewalkerchampionship.com; for further details on The Gleneagles Hotel, visit www.gleneagles.com

MONTY AND HARRINGTON PICK OPEN VENUES' BEST 18 HOLES

NEWS RELEASE FROM HSBC
Which is the greatest opening hole in golf’s Open Championship, or the best around the turn, or indeed the finest finishing hole? These are questions golfers ask and debate up and down the land.
HSBC, celebrating its first year as Patron of the Open Championship, decided to take that debate a step further by engaging two of the world’s finest golfers of recent times, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, to create a course of the finest holes in Open Championship golf, “The HSBC Ultimate Open 18”.
HSBC asked each of the players, who with 35 Open appearances between them know a thing or two about Open Championship golf, to produce an 18 hole Open Championship course, using holes from the nine courses on the current Open rota.
Their brief was simple: to create a genuine Championship course in terms of length and par and with the sequence of holes corresponding to the actual hole number on the respective course, as played at The Open. They were then pitted against one another in debate, with the BBC’s Andrew Cotter keeping order, to produce the HSBC Ultimate Open 18, potentially the greatest of Open courses, were it to be played for real!
Padraig Harrington commented: “I really enjoyed the whole process as it's a discussion we often have. But taking it to the next level, actually to create a whole course, was a real challenge, as well as a lot of fun! There are so many great golf holes on all the Open courses that it’s sometimes hard to pick out one above another.
"I chose to look at both the design of the hole and the strategy required to play it while, of course, my emotions came into play. My own personal experiences, including the great weeks I enjoyed at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale, and the history and theatre that I feel when at the home of golf, St. Andrews, for example, were definitely part of my decision making. I’m sure not everyone will agree to every selection– Monty certainly didn't!”
Both players brought a rich experience to the table. Irishman Padraig Harrington has won two Opens (’07 and ’08) and played in 14. Colin Montgomerie holds course records at St Andrews and Carnoustie, finished second in the Open at St Andrews in 2005 and has played an incredible 21 consecutive Open Championships. But they also brought a different approach.
“I focused purely on the quality of the hole, though undoubtedly those that suit me better, the 12th at Royal Birkdale for example, came ahead of others.” said eight-times European Order of Merit Winner, Colin Montgomerie. “I found it a fascinating exercise and I’m sure plenty of players, professional and amateur alike, will come up to us at Sandwich to tell us we got it wrong. But that's one of the reasons why we love The Open, because we have nine wonderful courses which all bring their own challenge, their own unique qualities to bear. I look forward to the debate to come!”

THE ULTIMATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Best 1st hole - St Andrews Burn 376yd par 4
Best 2nd hole - Royal Birkdale 2nd 421yd par 4
Best 3rd hole - Carnoustie Jockies Burn 361 4
Best 4th hole - St Andrews Ginger Beer 480 4
Best 5th hole - Carnoustie Brae 392 4
Best 6th hole - Carnoustie Hogan's Alley 512 5
Best 7th hole - Royal Birkdale The 7th 177 3
Best 8th hole - Royal Troon Postage Stamp 123 3
Best 9th hole - Turnberry Bruce's Castle 449 4
Best 10th hole - Muirfield The 10th 475 4
Best 11th hole - Royal Troon Railway 490 4
Best  12th hole - Royal Birkdale The 12th 183 3
Best 13th hole -  Royal Birkdale The 13th 498 4
Best 14th hole - St Andrews Long 618 5
Best 15th hole - Royal St George's The 15th 496 4
Best 16th hole - Carnoustie Barry Burn 245 3
Best 17th hole - St Andrews Road 495 4
Best 18th hole -  Muirfield The 18th 473 4


TOTAL 7264 yards. Par 70 (35-35).

Sean Burgess lowers record in winning North District boys' championship

Nairn''s winning team in the Emslie Shield at Kinloss GC. Images by courtesy of Peter Abbott Nairn's Sean Burgess lowered the Kinloss Golf Club course record to 65 - two holes were altered recently - in winning the North District boys' golf championship for the R P B Bain Trophy on Sunday. Burgess added a second-round 68 for a total of 133, which gave him a three-stroke victory over runnerup Mark Dingwall (Forres) (68-68) and third-placed Jordan Milne (Elgin) (69-69) on 138. The Under-16 scratch prize went to Lewis Davis (Forres) with scores of 69 and 71 for 140 Runner-up on 142 was Craig Black (Inverness) (72-70).   Michael Schinkel (Kirkwall) won the leading handicap award with a net two-round total of 121 (61-60) off 17. He won by two shots from Aaron Stewart (Moray) (18) (63-60) and Gregor Miller (Forres) (23) (62-61). Stewart's lower second round earned him second place. The team event for the Emslie Shield produced a tied for the first time. Nairn and Inverness both had a total of 586. Nairn's lower second round of 285 to Inverness's 294 was the tie-breaker. Forres finished only one shot behind on 587. The winning Nairn team was S Burgess, R Asher, A Burgess and S Scott. NORTH DISTRICT BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP Kinloss GC. CSS 65 64 Leading scores Scratch 133 Sean Burgess (Nairn) 65 68. 136 Mark Dingwall (Forresd) 68 68. 138 Jordan Milne (Elgin) 69 69. 139 Freddi9e Brown (Nairn Dunbar) (69 70, Ross Proctor (Forres) 656 73. 141 Craig Oram (Nairn Dunbar) 69 72. Under-16  Scratch 140 Lewis Daley (Forres) 69 71. 142 Craig Black (Invernss) 72 70. 145 Cameron Franssen (Inverness) (73 72. Handicap Michael Schinkel (Kirkwall) (17) 121 (61-60); Aaron Stewart (oray) (18) (63-60), Gregor Milne (Forres) (23) (62-61) 123. Team 586 Nairn (better second-round total), Inverness. 587 Forres.