JAMES ROSS FINISHES SECOND, BEATEN BY ONE SHOT, IN AMERICA

JAMES ROSS: GOOD START SINCE TRANSFER TO HOUSTON UNIVERSITY  By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com James Ross from Edinburgh, now a student at the University of Houston after two years at Michigan State University, finished a close runner-up in the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic college golf tournament at the Warren golf course, South Bend, Indiana today. Ross shot 72, 70 and 69 for a one-over-par total of 211 over a long course, 7023yd, with a testing par of 70. Ross will be rueing a double bogey 6 at the eighth in his second round.for he finished only one shot behind the winner, Paul McConnell (Texas-Arlington) with scores of 71, 68 and 71 for level par 210. There were 70 players in the field. A member of Royal Burgess, Ross, who finished a close runner-up in the Leven Gold Medal before he turned to the States, helped Houston tie with St Mary's (California) on 870 at the head of the team title event. Minnesota (873) finished third. There was no doubt a play-off for the team title but it will be breakfast time tomorrow morning before we can tell you how that finished. PAUL FERRIER jt 33rd in VIRGINIA SHOOTOUT Former Scottish boys match-play champion Paul Ferrier of Baberton, a student at Charlotte University, finished joint 33rd in a field of 90 players at the VCU Shootout at Hermiatage Country Club, Manakin-Sabon,Virginia. Ferrier, pictured left, had fluctuating scores of 76, 69 and 73 for a total of two-over-par 218 over a par-73 course of 6955yd. Another man from the Lothians, Neil Henderson from North Berwick, a student at Old Dominion University, finished joint 47th. Neil had scores of 72, 72 and 76 for a total of 220 against a par of 216 (3x72) over a 6955yd course for a total . He finished 15 shots behind the winner Scott Fernandez (Iowa State) who shot 66, 69 and 70 for 11-under-par 205. Another Old Dominion student, Tom Wilde, from Berkshire, shot

79, 71 and 71 for 222 and a share of 61st lace.
A third ODU student, Garth McGee from Bangor, N Ireland - that's where Rory McIlroy has his mansion - finished joint 68th on 225 with scorfes of 76, 76 and 73.
Hosts Virginia (837) won the team title ahead of East Carolina (844) with Charlotte (863) joint seventh of 15 participating teams.

SCOT BEN COLLIER SHARES THE PGA PRO LEAD IN BULGARIA

FROM ADRIAN MILLEDGE OF THE PGA
Exiled Scot Ben Collier and Hugo Santos set the pace in the opening round of the revived PGA Professional Championship of Europe at Pravets Golf Resort and Spa, Bulgaria today.
Both carded flawless five-under-par rounds of 67 to open up a two-shot gap on the rest of the field in the championship that is sponsored by UniCredit Bulbank and carries a first prize of €10,000.
Collier, the Holland-based winner of the Scottish boys' match-play championship in 1990, and Portugal’s Santos also carded five birdies on the Peter Harradine-designed course that was in such superb condition it was difficult to accept it had only been opened in May.
Collier, who is based at the Royal Hague Golf and Country Club, said: “It must be the first time in my life that I’ve had a bogey-free round, so it’s good timing.
“And the course is in super condition, especially the greens. They are very true – you can read them and that gives you confidence.”
Not that Collier, a left-hander who worked at a Harradine-designed course in Abu Dhabi for two years before moving to Holland in January, was surprised by how quickly Pravets has matured.
He added: “That was good, so is this. It’s clear he knows what he’s doing. The front nine is quite tight and the back nine opens up a bit, which suits me.”
As if to prove the point, four of Collier’s quintet of birdies came in the back nine – at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th.
Santos, by contrast, carded two birdies in the first three holes and then followed suit at the 10th, 13th and 16th.
Santos, who is attached to Vila Sol and has made two appearances on the Challenge Tour this year, attributed his encouraging start to his driving.
He said: “I was very solid off the tee. I missed one fairway, so that set me up for a good round.”
And like Collier, he was similarly impressed with Harradine’s handiwork.
He added: “It’s a very good golf course that’s in perfect condition.”
Meanwhile, England’s Simon Edwards, the best placed representative from the home countries as a result of carding a three-under-par 69, was even more effusive.
He said: “It’s visually stunning, challenging and is in superb condition. If this is how golf in Bulgaria is going to be, then how can the game not take off here?”
Edwards, who represented Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup earlier this month and played in The Open at Royal St George’s, looked on course to make it a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard going into the par three 17th.
Four-under at that stage, thanks to a birdie blitz at 10, 11, 12 and 13, his 3ft putt for par on the island green lipped out to cost him his sole bogey of the day and leave him level with Germany-based Briton Simon Brown.
But, with three more rounds remaining of the championship, which is being contested for the first time since 2004, Edwards was happy with his opening effort.
He added: “The bogey was disappointing, especially as I’d been putting OK. But if I’d been offered a 69 at the start of the day, I’d have taken it.”

TIGHT AT THE TOP IN NORTHERN LINKS CALLAWAY CHALLENGE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  It's a four-way tie for the top spot at the halfway stage of the Tartan Tour's £7,100 Northern Links Callaway Challenge at the Highland venues of Tain and Brora golf clubs. In the first round, over Tain's par-70 course, Steven Duncan (Carnoustie), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links) and Stephen Gray (Hayston) set the pace on three-under-par 67. Henderson would have taken a clear lead into the second and final round at Brora but for a double bogey 6 at the 15th. Fox too made a late slip with a 4 at the short 16th. Sharing fifth place, two shots behind on 69, in the chase for the £800 prize and Order of Merit points are another quartet - Alan Reid (West Lothian), James McGhee (Duddingston), Chris Kelly (Cawder) and Paul McKechnie (Briad Hills). FIRST ROUND LEADERS Tain par 70. 67 Steven Duncan (Carnoustie), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Stephen Gray (Hayston). 69 Alan Reid (West Lothian), James McGhee (Duddingston), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills). 70 Scott Grieve (Turnhouse), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Graeme Brown (Montrose), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Lee Harper (Archerfield Links). 71 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), David Patrick (Elie SC), Kenny Hutton (Downfield). 72 Stuart Morrison (Tain), Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), Stuart Williamson (West Kilbride), Mark Kerr (Murrayfield). 73 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Andrew Crerar (Panmure), Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie).

NICOLSON TURNS PRO ON MONDAY AND HAS DEBUT ACE TUESDAY

                                        SHEIKH ON IT ... CONGRATULATIONS FOR GREG NICOLSON

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Edinburgh’s Greg Nicolson is the latest Scottish golfer to turn professional – and he had his first ever hole in one today in his debut event on the MENA Tour, the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Nicolson, 25, who played out of Mortonhall Golf Club as an amateur, used a nine-iron to ace the 168yd par-3 sixth hole in a second-round, two-under-par 70, which represented a seven-shot improvement on his Monday effort.

With a 36-hole tally of 147, he easily made the cut in joint 16th place and is looking forward to making the top 10 at least over Wednesday’s final round.

Leading the field on five-under-par 139 is Yasin Ali with rounds of 70 and 69. He leads by one shot from Shafia Masih (69-71) and Younes El Hassani (69-71).

Zane Scotland and Scots-born Ross Bain are joint fourth on 141, Zane with ronds of 69-72, Ross 72-69.

Greg is staying with his brother Jeff, a former Scottish Claymores American football player and also ex-Watsonians) in Abu Dhabi. He did not decide until Monday morning before his first round to turn professional.

Commenting on his hole in one, Nicolson said:

"It wasn’t a fluke. I struck it very well and the ball went straight into the hole after one bounce. It certainly was the best shot that I hit all day.

"Today was quite an eventful day. I had my chances to put up good numbers, but missed at least six putts. So you can say it was pretty frustrating out there, but that strike on the sixth kind of made my day." said Nicolson, who took to golf when he was about 17 years old.

"I represented Scotland in field hockey and was equally good at tennis and squash, but I gave up all to focus on golf. I thought I would be as good at golf as I was at the other sports.

"I am very happy the way things are shaping up. I will always remember this MENA Golf Tour event. It’s turning out to be quite dramatic for me," said Nicholson, who is attached to the Yas Islands Links Golf Club.

Greg spent four years on a golf scholarship at Long Island University, where he played NCAA Div 1 golf, won one tournament, was LIU MVP twice, posted the lowest ever score in the North East Conference Championships , and made the All Conference team three times.

When he returned to Scotland two years ago, he lowered the Mortonhall course record by four strokes to 62. He was recently the MVP in the Edinburgh Summer League.

STRONG SCOTLAND LINE-UP FOR U16s MATCH v ENGLAND

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNIONScottish Boys Under-16s champion Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) will head a strong Scotland side to face their English counterparts in Sunday’s annual ‘Auld Enemy’ encounter at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire.
Kinsley, who reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Boys Championship in April before storming to national under-16s victory at Forfar in July, will be hoping to cap a fine season by helping the Scotland Boys side to their first international victory over England at Under-16s level since their win in 2006.
Last year’s match was abandoned due to the weather, but the young Scots performed well the previous year, holding England to a 7.5 – 7.5 draw.
Ewan Scott, a clubmate of Kinsley at St Andrews, is the most experienced player in the Scotland side, having represented his country at Under-18s level for the past two years, while Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil, who finished runner-up at the English Under-16s Championship this season, is also included.
Kilmarnock Barassie continue their tradition of developing young talent with the inclusion of two players in the side, Euan Walker and Callum Gorrie, while Robert MacIntrye, a winner on the SGU Junior Tour at Rowallan Castle at the start of the season, earns a well deserved call-up.
Tantallon’s Calum Hill, also a semi-finalist in the Scottish Boys Championship and the leading under-16s player at the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship, is included alongside fellow East Lothian youngster Alexander Wilson from Gullane.
Conor Syme from Dumfries and County, a club who had the top two players in this year’s SGU Boys Order of Merit, will feature in Sunday’s match while promising Bearsden youngster Ewen Ferguson also plays.
The teams will compete for The Shamash Quaich and will play five foursomes matches in the morning followed by ten singles contests in the afternoon. The Scotland Boys Under-16s team is supported by national team sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade-adidas Golf.
The full Scotland Boys Under-16s team to play England Under-16s Boys on Sunday 2 October is:
1. Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden)
2. Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock (Barassie)
3. Calum Hill (Tantallan)
4. Ben Kinsley (St Andrews)
5. Robert MacIntyre (Glencuritten)
6. Bradley Neil ( Blairgowrie)
7. Ewan Scott ( St Andrews)
8. Connor Syme (Dumfries and County)
9. Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)
10. Alexander Wilson (Gullane)

BELLY PUTTER HAS NOT BEEN BANNED ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGAThe Professional Golfers’ Association and the PGA Europro Tour would like to clarify that they are NOT banning belly putters as was reported during Sky Sports’ golf coverage at the weekend.
Ben Groutage, PGA tournament director, said “We would like to clarify that this is definitely NOT the case and we have no intention of bringing in this condition of competition in any of our tournaments in the foreseeable future.
“The confusion has arisen due to an independently run professional tour in Spain called the “Gecko Euro Pro Tour” - to which the PGA has no affiliation. They have taken the move to ban all belly putters in their tournaments.
“The PGA Europro Tour has a very close relationship with the R and A and European Tour and, whilst there has been much discussion recently about the use of the belly putter at the highest level of the game, ultimately we will be led by those bodies on any decisions going forward.”

SPECIAL THANKS TO EDDIE SHERWOOD, "Mr Northern Counties Cup"

FROM RICHARD BARR
Member of Newmachar's Northern Counties Cup-winning quartet
On behalf of the Newmachar Golf Club team, and some of the fellow competitors I spoke to, a special thanks should be given to Eddie Sherwood, the tournament organiser, who manned his post at registration, and starting the matches off, from Thursday through to Saturday, at Lossiemouth.
I gather this was his 12th year at running the tournament, and for the three occasions i have played in the event it has run very smoothly - a credit to Eddie for this. Without his input, support and enthusiasm we may not have the event that we have.
I am also including some bullet points that i could find on the history of the event, and regarding Newmachar's back-to-back wins etc
+This was the 100th year of playing the event. Although it's been running since 1900, it was not played during the war years.
+Played Orkney in opening match, one of the founders, and Newmachar are the newest club to join the Northern Counties competition. Thrashed them (as Scottish Golf View put it) +16 holes: J Duff and R Barr +9, and M McKechnie and C Simpson + 7.
+Newmachar won in 1997, and also the 99th hosting at Royal Dornoch last year, with same team as this year. This is only the third time, since World War that the same team has successfully defended the Northern Counties Cup.
+It is the largest and oldest inter-club golf competition in the North and North-East. There was an entry of 40 teams at Lossiemouth.

Scores below for Newmachar Golf Club back-to-back victories in 2010 and this year:

2010
+10 v Cruden Bay
+12 v Elgin
+2 v Forres - Quarter Final
+4 v Moray - Semi Final
+2 v The Nairn - Final

2011
+16 v Orkney
+6 v Royal Aberdeen
+2 v Peterhead - Quarter Final
+2 v Meldrum House - Semi Final
+4 v Brora - Final

Total of +30 up against oppenents in each year, over the five rounds - could this be a record, given back-to-back victories?
Over the 10 matches played (2010 and 2011), each pairing has only lost once, albeit the team won.

Richard Barr
PS Also, over the 10 matches, each pairing only lost one golf ball...not bad for playing at times in +20mph winds!

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:  Eddie Sherwood (pictured right) tells me that he intends to make next September at Balgownie, his last as organiser of the Northern Counties Cup. Eddie discovered from his predecessor, Jim Hamilton, that running the Northern Counties Cup tournament is a one-man operation ... no help in the starting, no help collecting the scores.

How about some volunteers to make Eddie's last show one he will remember with pleasure?

And perhaps the member clubs should be making plans to make a suitable presentation to Eddie at Royal Aberdeen next September.
And they had better start looking now for a man to succeed the affable Eddie as the tournament organiser in 2013. Mr X  could "shadow" Sherwood, you might say, at the 2012 tournament and learn the ropes.

But don't hold your breath waiting for things to happen - Eddie tells me that only TWO club delegates attended this year's Northern Counties Cup annual meeting on the eve of the tournament hosted by Moray Golf Club.

COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

MICHAEL STEWART TO TURN PRO IN DECEMBER

FROM TODAY'S SCOTTISH DAILY EXPRESS

By JOCK MacVICARMichael Stewart is turning professional, despite failing in the first stage of the European Q School last week.
Stewart 21, is taking advantage of an exemption into the South African Open in December, and will make his move into the pro ranks immediately afterwards.
The young man from Troon is set to sign up with Chubby Chandler's ISM group, who look after the affairs of US Open champion Rory McIlroy and Open champion Darren Clarke.
Stewart said: "I made up my mind just before the Q School that I was going to turn professional. Mentally, I was a wee bit tired after the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, but, in a way, not getting through,woke me up. I am joining a great group of players and the other great thing is that with ISM I will be able to focus completely on my golf.
"I don't think the step up is that different, but I know I am going to have to play well.
"I believe I am good enough. It's just a case of sorting things out mentally."

KENNY HUTTON WARNS AGAINST BUYING FAKE CLUBS ON E-BAY

FROM KENNY HUTTON
PGA Professional at Downfield Golf Club, Dundee.

The number of fake golf clubs being sold on the Internet to innocent golfers is getting completely out of hand, and it's about time as many golfers as possible out there knew about it.

In the last week, I have seen three people who have bought fakes online from different sources, for a lot of money, including one junior member who was absolutely devastated when he realised he'd been ripped off for £120 for a fake R11 3 wood.

That was his last eight weeks' hard-earned paper delivery money lost! 

The counterfeiters are pitching their prices about 15 - 20% less than normal prices for authentic golf clubs, and golfers think then that they are buying genuine goods. 

I know that a lot of people don't believe this but we genuine retailers don't make 20% of a profit on these clubs, so it's not possible for them to be sold at these prices.

I wish the golfers in the generla public would realise that you can't buy a genuine Taylormade R11 driver for £199, or a set of the latest Mizuno irons for £400.

The retailers pay much more than that direct from the suppliers so why would any genuine retailer sell them for less than they paid for them in the first place? 

The only way to stop golfers getting ripped off is for all you golfers out there to stop buying clubs that you know are at a price that's too good to be true. You are buying clubs made of tin and plastic.

As a major stockist of Taylormade and Ping, it is against the terms of my retail contracts with them to sell any of their new clubs on auction sites, or I will get my account closed. Every other genuine retailer is in the same boat.

Not only are the golfers getting ripped off, but the golf trade in general is really suffering due to the number of counterfeiters continuing to make a living.

There are too many golfers out there who think they are being clever and are saving themselves a few pounds? All you're being is naive and stupid.

True statistic: 70% of the Callaways, Taylor-Made, Mizune, Ping etc clubs available online on E-Bay are fake. Buyers find this out a week weeks later when the club breaks or the head falls off.

Remember manufactuters don't sell direct to the general public and there is no such thing as a direct sale from a wholesaler. Check that the seller is an authentic supplier and that they sell all types of golf items.

Some counterfeit retailers set up what look like genuine websites but they appear and disappear every two or three months as they get found out.
You've been warned, so stop being stupid with your money. Buy only genuine golf clubs from genuine outlets.
MOST GOLF AND PRO SHOPS OUT THERE ARE NOW ULTRA COMPETITIVE AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO MATCH ANY OF THE GENUINE INTERNET PRICES BEING OFFERED.
I hope you see fit to print this and try to help stop this madness.
Thanks
Kenny Hutton
PGA Professional
Downfield GC

SCOTS BID FOR SKINS PGA FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY PGA
Two Scottish PGA pros will shrug off injury worries as they bid to land the prestigious Skins PGA Fourball Championship next week.
Michael Rae from Perthshire’s Alyth Golf Club and Sean O’Donnell from Fife course Balbirnie Park have been nursing pelvic and wrist problems respectively but the pair are confident of mounting a challenge in the £30,000 event which is staged at Lincolnshire’s Forest Pines Golf and Country Club from October 5-7.
Image of Michael Rae (left) and Sean O'Donnell by courtesy of Ian McNicol at Getty Images.
The duo are among several Scottish pairings targeting the £5,000 first prize including Tartan Tour aces David Orr (East Renfrewshire) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) who topped the qualifier at Musselburgh.
“We’re the sort of players who like to attack every hole, we like this format, it takes the pressure off you individually a little bit,” said Rae.
“We’ve had a couple of injury problems to contend with - I’ve had a pelvic injury which has led to some back problems and Sean’s had a wrist injury - but we’ll be there for the final, we may not be 100 per cent fit, but we’ll be fighting 100 per cent.”
The pair know each other’s games inside out, having played junior golf together and are looking to dovetail well both on and off the course.
“I’ve known Sean forever it seems. We grew up together and played as amateurs at Alyth before Sean moved up to Balbirnie,” addd Rae.
“We’re good friends and he was one of the ushers at my wedding. It’s great to have the opportunity to play together and hope it’s a fun week but at the same time want to do well.”
Other Scottish pairings include Musselburgh’s Andrew Munro and Norman Huguet, Simon Payne (Cowglen Golf Club) and Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf) and Paul Brookes (Pitreave Golf Club) and Jamie Stevenson (Braehead Golf Club).
For title sponsors Skins, the four-ball championship is set to cap a successful year on the golfing front which has seen one of its brand ambassadors Rory McIlroy clinch a major breakthrough with his stunning victory in the US Open at Congressional.
The Northern Irish superstar is helping Skins to establish its already successful worldwide brand in the golf market.
SKINS PGA FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Forest Pines, 5 – 7 October 2011
PGA Scottish Region competitors:
David Orr (East Renfrewshire) and  Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills)
Andrew Munro & Norman Huguet (Musselburgh)
Sean O’Donnell (Balbirnie Park) and Michael Rae (Alyth)
Simon Payne (Cowglen) and Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf)
Paul Brookes ( Pitreavie) and Jamie Stevenson (Braehead)
Full list of entries and event information for the Championship can be found at:
http://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgagbi11/event/pgagbi11231/index.htm
Visit http://www.pga.info/PGAFourballChampionship.aspx for more information on the Skins PGA Fourball Championship

JAPANESE PIN-UP BOY JOINS MAJOR WINNERS IN THAI CH/SHIP

                         RYO ISHIKAWA ... TO PLAY IN THAILAND CHAMPIONSHIP IN DECEMBER
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOURBangkok: Japanese golfing star and pin-up boy Ryo Ishikawa is the latest marquee name to confirm his participation in the Asian Tour’s season-ending Thailand Golf Championship in December.
The supremely talented Ishikawa will join newly crowned Major champions Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and the cream from the Asian Tour in the inaugural US$1 million showpiece from December 15 to 18.
World number two Lee Westwood of England will also feature in Thailand’s most prestigious championship at the majestic Amata Spring Country Club on the outskirts of Bangkok.
“I’m very excited to play at the Thailand Golf Championship. Many of the world’s best players have confirmed their participation and I’m glad to be a part of an elite field,” said the 20-year-old.
“The Amata Spring Country Club is a great championship test and I’m looking forward to competing at the venue again. It will provide a strong challenge to all the players.
“With the top stars from the Asian Tour competing as well, the Thailand Golf Championship will be a very exciting tournament for both players and spectators. I can’t wait to get back to Thailand,” added the Japanese, who is ranked 46th in the world.
Ishikawa burst onto the scene by winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in Japan as a 15-year-old amateur. With his dashing good looks and easy-going personality, Ishikawa’s fame has grown with each passing year where he has now won eight more titles in Japan.
The highlight of his career thus far came in 2010 when he fired a scintillating 12-under-par 58 in the final round of the Crowns tournament to win by five shots. His final round was the lowest ever recorded on any major international golf tour.
His popularity has extended to Europe and the United States where he has made numerous appearances in all four Majors. His best placing was at this year’s Masters Tournament where he finished tied 20th.
The young Japanese earned plenty of admiration when he announced he would donate all his winnings from the 2011 season towards the rebuilding efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis which hit his country earlier this year.
The winner of the Thailand Golf Championship will earn a spot in the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational 2012.