NICOL AND BYRNE LEADING SCOTS AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

LEADERBOARD IN THE EUROPEAN INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT HALMSTAD GC, SWEDEN ARE:
SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)

136 Steven Brown (England) 65 71
137 George Thacker (England), \Juliet Brun (France), Gary Stal (France), Manuel; Trappel (Austria)
SELECTED SCOTS SCORES
142 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh), James Byrne (Banchory) (T13)
143 David Law (Hazlehead) (T20)
145 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) (T37)

ARCHER HOMES IN ON £10,000 EUR0PR0 TOUR PRIZE AT FORMBY

FIVE successive birdies helped Phillip Archer to a share of the lead at the end of the second day of the Formby Hall Classic.
The event, which is the ninth of the PGA EuroPro Tour season, comes from Merseyside and features more than 160 players aiming for the £10,000 top prize.
Archer has a chance of claiming that as a round of 66 (-6) on Thursday left him on -9 for the tournament and in joint first position.
He is joined by local golfer Tommy Fleetwood, a player who has finished second on the Challenge Tour and who started the event as betting favourite with bookmakers SkyBet.
Archer’s round included birdies at every hole from the third to the seventh, while Fleetwood claimed an eagle three at the 492-yard par-five third.
Order of Merit leader Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield ) is one of four players in tied third a shot behind Archer and Fleetwood.
Hanson, who began his round from the tenth hole due to the two-tee start, would have gone into the final day in tied first if he had not bogeyed the seventh.
Warren Bennett ( Sudbury ) shot the round of the day with a score of 65 (-7) to force himself into contention after looking like he might struggle to make the cut after Wednesday’s play.
George Cowan (Westerhope) and Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) are also on -8 for the tournament with four players – Tim Dykes (Penrith), Billy Fowles (Wentworth), Justin Evans (Wentworth) and day one leader Luke Goddard (Hendon) - on seven-under.
Last year’s winner Nick McCarthy went round in 67 (-5) on Thursday but his hopes of a successful tournament had been dashed on Wednesday with a disappointing effort of 77 (+5).
The top 50 players plus ties have advanced to the last round and Graeme Clark, second in the Order of Merit, was safely among them following a score of 68 (-4) on Thursday.
However, Jamie Abbott and James Busby, third and fourth respectively in the money list, both failed to qualify for the final day.
It promises to be a thrilling final day as 11 players are within two shots and all the action will be filmed with a two-hour highlights package being shown on Sky Sports on Wednesday, August 17.
For more information about the PGA EuroPro Tour, visit the official website www.europrotour.com.


FORMBY HALL CLASSIC
LEADERBOARD AT THE END OF DAY TWO
Par 144
Phillip Archer Unattached 69 69  135
Tommy Fleetwood Formby Hall 67 68 135
George Cowan Westerhope Golf Club 67 69 136
Warren Bennett Sudbury Golf Club 71 65 136
Paul Grannell Vale Royal Abbey 67 69 136

Chris Hanson Woodsome Hall Golf Club 66 70 136
Tim Dykes Penrith Golf Club 67 70 `137

DUFF HOUSE FIVE-DAY TOURNAMENT DOWN TO SEMI-FINALS

 

In tough conditions, Justin Duff ledthe way in the Qualifying Rounds on Monday and Tuesday with a superb 135 at the 76^th Duff House Royal 5 Day.  The junior section continues to emerge young talent, with youngsters Lewis West, Andrew Cran and Lewis Mutch all showing good performances.

The scratch semi finals on Friday will feature 3 DHR representatives including the evergreen Ian Angus, fluying the flag for the over 40’s.  Angus has lifted the title a record 5 times and will be looking to make it number 6 with a sensational performance against DHR Club Champion and favourite David Morrison, fresh from the lifting the 4 Day open at Buckpool by a score of 7&5.

The other two local semi finalists are Luke Sutherland and Craig Young, both of whom have overcome serious injuries in recent times and have bounced back well.  The semi final line up also features John McWilliams of West Linton, a past winner and 3 times finalist.

The low handicap section could see a brotherly final, with Ryan and Andrew Lovie kept apart in the semi’s.  Ryan faces Eric Capocci from Lochgilphead while Andrew faces Scott Cruickshanks of Dunfermline .  The Lovie factor also extends to the High Handicap section where Uncle Mark Lovie is in action against Michael Kelly from Strathclyde.  The other semi is between Jamie Illingworth (Shipley) and Michael Herbertson (Newmachar).

ENGLAND WIN BOYS' HOME INTERNATIONALS AT HARLECH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R AND A
4 August 2011, Royal St David’s, Harlech: England have won the 2011 Boys Home Internationals for the 12th time in sixteen years on the final day of play over the Royal St David’s links at Harlech. A comprehensive 11-4 triumph over 2010 champions Ireland secured the victory as England won all three matches.
At the end of an amazing final day, a count back of individual matches won was needed to determine the other team positions. Wales, who looked likely to finish in last place, came second with Scotland third edging out Ireland who took the fourth spot.
“I am really proud of the players; they played really well throughout the week. The standard was exceptionally high and the other teams also played well. Maybe we should not have won by so much and were fortunate to do so,” said English captain Derek Hughes.
There was never much doubt about England’s contest as they took the morning foursomes 4-1 and soon built up substantial leads in sufficient matches to appear unassailable, although the scoreline was perhaps a little flattering.


Wentworth’s Curtis Griffiths was one of the stars of the show as he was three-under-par in seeing off one of the top Irish boys Gavin Moynihan by 3&2 while Paul Kinnear was a comfortable winner as well. One of the most spectacular finishes was produced by 2011 Peter McEvoy Trophy winner, Nathan Kimsey, winning the last two holes to halve with Kieran Lynch.
Kimsey (Woodhall Spa) birdied the 17th, one of the most difficult holes on the course, and then hit his tee shot at the last to within four feet of the pin.
Oliver Carr who clinched 5 ½ points out of six for England said; “It is a real thrill to be in a team with such spirit and passion. All of us were determined to do something special after a poor European championship and we certainly did that. I was glad to play a major part in our victory."
Wales finished in second place producing an amazing performance against Scotland this afternoon. They started the final day’s play looking likely to collect the wooden spoon for the second consecutive year and when they lost the morning foursomes 4-1 to Scotland that seemed an even more probable outcome.
The Welsh team came out with all guns blazing in the afternoon and did not lose one singles match, winning seven of the ten games and halving the other three. That remarkable display brought them a 9 ½ -5 ½ victory moving them into second place on a count back.
Welsh captain Leighton Smith said; “I am an extremely proud captain. The boys were patient, focused and showed a lot of spirit. They got no more than they deserved.”
Irish captain Liam Martin, disappointed to relinquish the crown said; “The standard was so high, there was not much between the teams and it was a week of tremendous battles. We will be back.”
The majority of those who competed this week will now travel to Somerset to compete in next week’s Boys Amateur Championship at Burnham & Berrow and Enmore Park from Tuesday 9 – Sunday 14 August.
The Boys Home Internationals will be played at County Louth in Ireland from the 7-9 August, 2012.

FRASER'S THE MANN AT PANMURE GOLF CLUB PRO-AM

European Senior Tour player Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) showed he could still more than hold his own against the younger brigade of the Tartan Tour by winning the first prize of £1,105 in today's (Thu) Panmure Golf Club pro-am.
Mann, returning to his roots in Carnoustie country, shot a three-under-par 67 to win by one stroke from David Patrick (Elie Sports club), Andrew Oldcorner (Kings Acre) and Stephen Gray (Hayston) who each earned £681.
Banchory's Greig Hutcheon was fourth with a 69, which was worth £397.
Host club pro Andrew Crerar, Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills earned £252 each for sharing fifth place on 70.
Alan Purdie (Kingsbarns) leds the "Four Tops" trio of amateurs, James Hollywood (18), Gordon Liddle (14) and Susan Arbuckle (5) to victory in the team event with net team score of 59 after a card play-off against the team led by Kings Acre pro Andy Oldcorn.PANMURE GC PRO-AM
Leading pro scores
Par 70
67 Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) £1,105.
68 David Patrick (Elie SC), Andrew Oldcorner (Kings Acre), Stephen Gray (Hayston) £681 each.
69 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) £252 each.
71 Chris Kelly (Cawder), Alan Reid (West Lothian) £160 each.
72 Kenneth Hutton (Downfield), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Mark Kerr (Murrayfield) £127 each.

GULLANE GOLFER WINS ST ANDREWS BOYS OPEN

Entered from Portmarnock Golf Club, Ireland, Gullane golfer (explanation below, after the results), Alexander Wilson, 28th of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the St Andrews Boys Open tournament, improved round by round and finished up winning the Merchants Cup at the end of the popular four-day tournament which draws entries from all the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Wilson won by one hole against Craigielaw’s Willem Kerr, the sixth seed, in today’s (Thu) final over the Old Course.
The boys’ open handicap competition for the Murray Mitchell Trophy was won by Callum Cochrane, who plays off four at Marriott Dalmahoy Golf Club. He beat Sam Fitzsimmons, a five-handicapper at Glasgow’s Windyhill club by 5 and 3 in the final.
Cochrane was eighth of the of the 16 qualifiers, Fitzsimmons 14th.
The St Andrews Junior Ladies Open tournament for the Golf Monthly Trophy was won by Carnoustie Ladies youngster Jessica Meek who came through the stroke-play qualifier 11th of 16.
She won by 4 and 2 in the final over the Old Course against Emma Greenlees, the ninth qualifier from Dumfries and Galloway.
The girls’ open quaich handicap competition was won by the top seed, Kara Yule who plays off 12 at Goswick GC, Berwick on Tweed.
She beat Samantha Taylor (Parklands) by 4 and 2. Samantha, who plays off six of a handhocicap, was sixth of the eight qualifers.


RESULTS
ST ANDREWS BOYS OPEN
Old Course
Final – Alexander Wilson (Portmarnock) bt Willem Kerr (Craigielaw) one hole.

Handicap competition
Final – Callum Cochrane (Marriott Dalmahoy) (4) bt Sam Fitzsimmons (Windyhill) (5) 5 and 3.


ST ANDREWS JUNIOR LADIES OPEN
Old Course
Final – Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) bt Emma Greenlees (Dumfrfies and Galloway) 4 and 2.
Handicap competition
Final – Kara Yule (Goswick) (12) bt Samantha Taylor (Parklands) (6) 4 and 2.

WHY GULLANE GOLFER ALEXANDER WILSON ENTERED FROM PORTMARNOCK
FROM IAIN McLEAN
Alexander Wilson, the new St Andrews Boys Open champion, is a fully fledged Scot in disguise !! He is Gullane member, a former junior champ and regular junior team player. Also has link to Loretto Golf Academy and Scottish U16 squad. His Dad is 100% Scottish. Mum is Irish.
So why did he enter from Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin?
His dad was entering him last minute from Spain and couldn't easily get hold of his handicap certificate online from Gullane at the time so got one online from GUI (the Irish Golf Union). Portmarnock is his home club in Ireland.
e was announced on the tee at St AndrDuews as being from Gullane.
Alexander fared better in the wind a
In today's final over the Old Course with the wind and rain coming in after the 11th, Willem was 3 under up to that point, putting beautifully. Alex got up and down from the Road Hole bunker for a sandy par!
Alexander defends his Renaissance men's championship this weekend. He played for Scotland (out of Gullane)  in U16 boys quadrangular this year and  has also played Scottish Boys events, SGU junior tour , Mc Gregor Trophy. He resisted approaches from Irish junior selectors last year after a good performance in irish boys  strokeplay last year.  

LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT STONEHAVEN MEN'S OPEN

 Stonehaven GC 18 Hole Open On Saturday 13th August.

Rearranged from July 9

Late entries can be made by phoning 01569 762124

Scratch Prizes and Handicap Prizes in all categories.

Entry Fee £14

 

STANDARD LIFE LEVEN GOLD MEDAL - REVISED DRAW SATURDAY

1 7.30 1 Chris Lawton (Falkirk Tryst)
12.30 2 Steven Rennie (Drumpellier)

2 7.38 3 Alister Hain (Ladybank)
12.38 4 Greg Smail (Craigielaw)

3 7.46 5 Scott Crichton (Aberdour)
12.46 6 David Mitchell (Leven Thistle)

4 7.54 7 Marc Gentles (St Andrews)
12.54 8 Liam McGowan (St Andrews New)

5 8.02 9 Alex Main (Thornton)
13.02 10 David Oldham (Crail Golfing Society)

6 8.10 11 Alex Moir (Thornton)
13.10 12 David Docherty (Bonnyton)

7 8.18 13 Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs)
13.18 14 John Duff (Newmachar)

8 8.26 15 Conor O'Neil (Pollock)
13.26 16 Ross Noon (Craigielaw)

9 8.34 17 Scott Ritchie (Coringa)
13.34 18 James Ross (Royal Burgess Golfing Society)

10 8.42 19 Keith Shanks (Briar Ridge)
13.42 20 John Laurie (Cowglen)

11 8.50 21 Ross Bell (Downfield)
13.50 22 Ewan MacGregor (Leven Golfing Society)

12 8.58 23 Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall)
13.58 24 Matthew Allen (The Kendleshire)

13 9.06 25 Darren Gould (Woodhall Spa)
14.06 26 Jamie Stephen (Aberdour)

14 9.14 27 Ian Bell (Scotscraig)
14.14 28 Scott Stewart-Cation (Dukes)

15 9.22 29 Alan Sutherland (Ladybank)
14.22 30 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill)

16 9.30 31 Paul McPhee (King James V1)
14.30 32 Fraser McKenna (Balmore)

17 9.38 33 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon)
14.38 34 Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe)

18 9.46 35 Stephen Speirs (Portpatrick Dunskey)
14.46 36 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle)

19 9.54 37 Brian Erskine (Merchants of Edinburgh)
14.54 38 Mark Dickson (Mortonhall)

20 10.02 39 Grant Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan)
15.02 40 Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes)

21 10.10 41 Nick MacAndrew (Cullen)
15.10 42 Kyle McClung (Wigtonshire County)

22 10.18 43 Hugh Nelson (Kilsyth Lennox)
15.18 44 Michael Daily (Erskine)

23 10.26 45 Bryn Rocke (Twin Creeks)
15.26 46 Alasdair MacLennan (Kings Acre)

24 10.34 47 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon)
15.34 48 Paul Ferrier (Baberton)

25 10.42 49 Daniel Kay (Dunbar)
15.42 50 Craig Deerness (Harburn)

26 10.50 51 Scott Gibson (Southerness)
15.50 52 Fraser Moore (Glenbervie)

27 10.58 53 Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar)
15.58 54 Scott Borrowman (Dollar)

28 11.06 55 Graeme McDougall (Bishopbriggs)
16.06 56 Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth)

29 11.14 57 Myles Cunningham (Longniddry)
16.14 58 Lee Morgan (Swanston)

30 11.22 59 James Aitken (Alloa)
16.22 60 Dan Lawrence (Ballumbie Castle)

31 11.30 61 Jordan McColl (Scotscraig)
16.30 62 Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)

32 11.38 63 Kevin Blyth (Lundin)
16.38 64 Peter Latimer (St Andrews New)

33 11.46 65 Daniel Sommerville (St Andrews)
16.46 66 Graham Robertson (Silverknowes)

34 11.54 67 Stephen Neilson (Dunbar)
16.54 68 James Hendrick (Pollock)

35 12.02 69 Steven Smith (Dalmahoy Hotel)
17.02 70 Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie)

36 12.10 71 Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire)
17.10 72 Chris Robb (Inchmarlo)

RANFURLY CASTLE DOMINATES RENFREWSHIRE MERIT TABLE

It has been an amazing season for 18 year old Andrew Cunningham from Ranfurly Castle Golf Club as he challenges for top spot in the Renfrewshire Golf Union’s Order of Merit. Points are awarded for success at the various club open events and for boys’ competitions organized by the Union. With seven events still to be played, Andrew leads the rankings with 577 points having already won six events with very impressive scores – Eastwood (72), Caldwell (70), Erskine (68), Paisley (73), Greenock (68) and another great 68 over his home course, Ranfurly Castle.
In addition to his wins, he has won place points at the Caven Menzies Trophy and at Old Ranfurly and Cochrane Castle.
Stuart Watt from Old Ranfurly is in second place in the Order of Merit rankings with 537 points and, also from Old Ranfurly, Conor Toal is in third place with 413 points. They will try hard over the remaining events but Andrew will be very hard to catch.
In the 14 and under category, Colin Edgar (Cochrane Castle) leads the way on 870 points which includes a very impressive 72 over his home course. With 729 points and hot on his heels is Conor Toal who also shot 72 on his home course. Third, on 587 points, is Kyle Turner of Cochrane Castle who scored 71 at Greenock and 72 at Caldwell. These are great scores for young boys and augur well for the future.
In the men’s events, former British Amateur Champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) leads the way with 474 points. His season includes a great two round total of 135 at Elderslie. Cochrane Castle’s Derek Anderson on 333 points has work to do but his 141 over Bonnyton shows that he can do it on the day. Not far behind is Gregor Munro on 325 points and his highlight was at the Craigston Rose Bowl where his aggregate of 137 beat Andrew Farmer by one shot.
With five events to go in the men’s section, including the Herbie Pirie Trophy which has double points, there is still a lot to play for.

RANFURLY CASTLE WIN NEWTON SHIELD FOR RECORD 4TH YEAR

The Ranfurly Castle Junior Newton Shield squad made history at Ralston by defeating Erskine and winning the Junior Newton Shield for the fourth year in a row, a feat never previously achieved.
It was a close run affair, with the top match going right to the wire before Andrew Cunningham holed a monster putt on 17 and then saw his opponent three putt 18, turning a one hole deficit into a crucial win.
Greg Paterson seemed secure at four up with four to play, but a slight wobble meant he had to go down the 17th before winning 2 and 1, the same margin as Tom Binning, who completed the season as the top performer, undefeated in eight matches.
The clinching point came when Ben Adamson had a landslide 7 and 5 victory, his 7th win of the campaign. Mark Turnbull and Matthew Wight were very narrowly defeated but a 4-2 victory was secured, and the celebrations were deservedly led by vice captain Jack Snell and convener Karen Binning, both of whom are to be congratulated on another fine season for the Juniors.
Mention should also be made of Lee Wingate and Josh Bogle, who contributed significantly to the team's success this season.

SKIPPER RUSSELL WEIR RALLIES HIS PGA CUP TEAM TROOPS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
A team bonding session has teed up Great Britain & Ireland's PGA Cup squad for a crack at regaining the famous Llandudno Trophy.
Captain Russell Weir gathered his 10-man side at The Belfry to ready his troops ahead of the trans-Atlantic battle which commences in California at the CordeValle resort on September 16
"It was a great meeting, the guys got to know each other better and it was a good team building exercise," he said.
"The main thing was they got to know each other and feel comfortable in each other's company. It also gave me a chance to look at possible pairings and see how they gelled as partnerships.
Weir, a veteran of a record-equalling eight appearances as a player and the head pro at Cowal Golf Club, will be hoping his vast experience can help drive his players to success but is not underestimating the size of the challenge with GB&I never having won on US soil since the event's inception in 1973
The Scot also believes America's defeat in the Ryder Cup will make them even more determined to cling on to the PGA Cup which they won in convincing fashion at The Carrick on Loch Lomond two years ago.
"We know the Americans, being as professional and patriotic as they are, will be really fired up especially as they lost the Ryder Cup so they will want to make sure they don't lose the Llandudno Trophy," he said.
"The GB and I players know they can expect some tough matches because the Americans have not been beaten on home soil and will be determined to keep that record going."It will be hard but the players will enjoy the course and as soon as the tournament starts, being pros, they will know what has to be done."
The GB and I side features eight rookies with just Craig Goodfellow (Carlisle Driving Range) and Simon Edwards (Windermere) the two players with past experience.
"It's great to have them but I don't want to put too much pressure on anyone's shoulders because everyone has an equally important part to play," insisted Weir.
"Simon is a great spirit and a real warrior while Craig was part of the team that narrowly lost in Georgia four years ago and is in some of the best form of his life having won the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

"Although we have eight rookies, there is a lot of experience in that side and they know the score and what to expect."
As Weir counts down the days until they fly out to California he admits the biennial contest, which is the club pros' equivalent of the Ryder Cup, is becoming an all-consuming passion.
"I think about the PGA Cup every day, there is no day where I don't think about it in some capacity. I just hope everything goes right and that the whole team has a memorable experience representing their country."
The last two places in the US team will be decided after next week's USPGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

The full 2011 Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team is as follows:
Russell Weir (Captain), Cowal Golf Club
Craig Goodfellow, Carlisle Driving Range
Robert Giles, Greenore Golf Club
Gary Brown, Ganton Golf Club
David Mortimer, Galway Golf Club
Stuart Little, Minchinhampton New Golf Club
Christopher Gill, Exeter Golf & Country Club
David Shacklady, Mossock Hall Golf Club
Matthew Morris, Walmley Golf Club
John Wells, Cherry Burton Golf Club
Simon Edwards, Windermere Golf Club


+Image of the 2011 GB&I PGA Cup team with captain Russell Weir (front row, centre) courtesy of Warren Little at Getty Images