EUROPEAN TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL STAGE 1 - ROUND 2 TOTALS

There will be a cut at both venues after Thursday's third round to the leading 25 and ties plus those within seven strokes of the 25th placed player (s).
At the end of the fourth round, only the leading 25 and ties at each venue will advance to Stage 2 in Spain.

FRILFORD HEATH
Par 144 (2x72)
136 D Whitnell (Eng) 67 69
137 M Lemesurier (Eng) 68 69
139 R Karlberg (Swe) 68 71
140 T Hatton (Eng) 71 69, M Staunton (Irl) 72 68
142 E Pepperell (Eng) 73 69, S Hodgson (Eng) 73 69, S Lilly (Eng) 71 71
143 D Higgins (Irl) 74 69
144 M Jager (Aus) 72 72, M Sell (Eng) 70 74
146 J Cunliffe (RSA) 70 76, S Matton (Eng) 71 75, L O'Neill (Eng) 72 74, J Watts (Eng) 71 75, J Kavanagh (Eng) 72 74, L Noott (am) (Eng) 71 75, C Hinton (am) (Eng) 71 75
147 J Banbury (Eng) 72 75, T Burden (Eng) 74 73, J Poulton (Eng) 75 72, R Harrison (Eng) 76 71, N Jones (Ber) 73 74, W Harmston (Eng) 75 72, T Adcock (am) (Eng) 75 72, M Allen (am) (Eng) 75 72
148 S Fallon (Eng) 74 74, T Denton (USA) 74 74, M Smith (Eng) 76 72, R Laino (Eng) 73 75, D Seymour (Eng) 76 72, G Woodman (Eng) 74 74, M Allen (Eng) 75 73, W Bennett (Eng) 73 75, J Evans (Eng) 76 72, G Paterson (am) (Sco) 74 74, R Kellett (am) (Sco) 75 73
149 D Law (Sco) 77 72, M Kelly (Irl) 75 74, M Mackman (Eng) 76 73, N Cheetham (Eng) 75 74, W Johnson (Eng) 72 77, T Vickers (Eng) 75 74
150 D Griffiths (Eng) 70 80, N Howell (Eng) 76 74, C Gill (Eng) 72 78, J Westwood (Eng) 72 78, A Wootton (Eng) 74 76, L Robinson (Eng) 70 80, S McDonagh (Eng) 74 76, T King (am) (Eng) 71 79
151 L Bangerter (Eng) 77 74, K Pratt (Aus) 72 79, J Oliphant (Eng) 72 79, J Webber (Eng) 74 77, P Woodbury (USA) 74 77, B Phillips (Wal) 73 78, E Porter (Aus) 74 77, A Butterfield (Eng) 75 76, R Tipping (RSA) 74 77, T Boys (Eng) 76 75, I Brown (Eng) 73 78, B Stow(am) (Eng) 73 78
152 J Feather (Eng) 78 74, S McAnally (Eng) 74 78, K Crossland (Eng) 76 76, L Burns (Eng) 75 77, D Thomas (Eng) 75 77
153 A Carson (Eng) 76 77, D Perrett (Eng) 74 79, A Mawji (Eng) 78 75, B Vongvanij (USA) 78 75, I Redford (Sco) 78 75, L Mason (Eng) 75 78, C Von Borsig (USA) 78 75, L Canter (Eng) 78 75, P Cutler (Nir) 77 76
154 S Mitchell (Eng) 73 81, W Roebuck (Eng) 80 74, B O'Dell (Eng) 79 75, D Lernihan (Irl) 75 79, G Gancedo Onieva (Esp) 80 74

--------------PROJECTED CUT MARK AFTER THREE ROUNDS -----

155 D Thomas (Wal) 75 80, S Dhaduk (Pak) 73 82, S Grewal (Eng) 77 78, F Jewsbury (Eng) 78 77, J Horn (Eng) 78 77, H Sayin (am) (Tur) 75 80
156 P Newman (Eng) 79 77, D White (Eng) 77 79
157 M Hodgson (Aus) 81 76, J Galante (Esp) 78 79, M McCormack (Eng) 81 76, K McNicoll (Sco) 77 80, R Gurney (Eng) 83 74, M Smith (am) (Eng) 79 78
158 M Chamberlain (Eng) 78 80, M Davenport (Eng) 77 81, N Brennan (Irl) 78 80
159 B Cummings (Eng) 81 78, P Bannon (Can) 80 79, N Smith (Eng) 83 76, R Carter (Eng) 83 76, M Hillson (Sco) 82 77
160 J Ashton (Eng) 79 81, M Floyd (Eng) 82 78, R Edwards (Aus) 76 84,
162 D Rickwood (am) (Eng) 77 85
163 J Carter (Eng) 80 83
164 D Gwilliam (Eng) 80 84
181 M Packard (Eng) 95 86

RIBAGOLFE, nr LISBON
Par 144 (2x72)
136 R De Sousa (Sui) 68 68
137 B Pettersson (Swe) 72 65
139 B McDonald (Zim) 70 69, M McGeady (Irl) 70 69
140 J Adarraga Gomez (Esp) 71 69, B Vaughan (RSA) 73 67
141 V Blazquez (Esp) 67 74, T Shadbolt (Eng) 70 71, B Detweiler (USA) 72 69, D McGuigan (RSA) 69 72
142 C Devlin (Nir) 70 72, P Cassagne (Fra) 70 72, N Ledesma (Arg) 73 69, B McCarroll (Irl) 71 71, T Rodrigues (am) (Por) 64 78
143 J Van Der Vaart (Ned) 75 68, M Azcue (Mex) 71 72, R Bastard (Eng) 71 72, R Furrer (Sui) 70 73
144 A Long (USA) 71 73, M Bey (Fra) 72 72, A Sjöstrand (Swe) 70 74, G Vicente Elena (Esp) 76 68, R Quiros (Esp) 72 72, J Gibb (Eng) 72 72, J Kelly (USA) 72 72, D Noh (Esp) 75 69
145 J Billing (Swe) 71 74, I Van Weerelt (Ned) 72 73, J Mommo (Fin) 75 70, S Wolters (Ger) 74 71, D Coughlan (Eng) 72 73, O Bekker (RSA) 70 75, J Kelly (Irl) 70 75, X Poncelet (Fra) 71 74, X Guzman (Esp) 73 72, P Rasmussen (am) (Den) 74 71, P Croonquist (am) (USA) 73 72
146 T Sundström (Fin) 74 72, N Bermudo (Esp) 76 70, C Balmaseda (Esp) 74 72, P Menjibar (Esp) 74 72, C Perez Barberan (Esp) 73 73
147 G Jackson (Eng) 78 69, S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 73 74, F De Haas (Ned) 73 74
148 J Chevallier (Fra) 76 72, C Orozco (Esp) 74 74, O Fraustro (Mex) 74 74, J Fernandez (Esp) 75 73
149 N Floren (Swe) 75 74, T Murphy (USA) 75 74, F Rafferty (Irl) 73 76, J Little (Eng) 75 74, A Sagar (Eng) 76 73, H Santos (Por) 78 71, J Gallegos (am) (Esp) 75 74
150 A Hedlund (Swe) 73 77, J Byrne (Sco) 74 76, B Houle (Can) 76 74, Campbell (Eng) 73 77, K Sullivan (Wal) 75 75, A Castineira Marcos (Esp) 78 72, J Foret (Fra) 76 74, J Kennegard (Swe) 72 78
151 J Ochoa (Esp) 74 77, N Chaudhuri (Eng) 78 73, J Fransson (Swe) 78 73

---------- PROJECTED CUT-OFF MARK AFTER THREE ROUNDS ---

152 E Barry-Walsh (Eng) 76 76, S Gutierrez (Esp) 79 73, J San Felix (Esp) 77 75, S Abreu (Aus) 72 80, L Johansen (Den) 74 78
153 R Lantsoght (Esp) 76 77, F Adarraga (Esp) 76 77, H Dobson (Eng) 78 75, C Cousins (Wal) 78 75, R Thomas (Wal) 75 78, S Franky (Col) 75 78
154 T O'Flynn (Irl) 77 77, A Rosado (Por) 78 76, D Renfro (USA) 76 78
155 P Simard (Esp) 77 78, M Antona (Eng) 78 77, S Boyd (Imn) 78 77, T Kogler (Aut) 80 75, P Ellerstrom (Swe) 79 76, P Ceron (Mex) 78 77
156 D Borda (Esp) 80 76, A Wilson (USA) 77 79, R Lopez Perales (Esp) 76 80, J Monroy (Arg) 81 75, N Gillespie (Nzl) 78 78
157 A Columbia (USA) 78 79, M Lester (Eng) 80 77, A Cuenca (Esp) 82 75, J Asikainen (Fin) 80 77
158 H Yamac (Tur) 83 75
160 J Martikainen (Fin) 79 81, M Bosse (Ger) 80 80
161 J Fuentes (Esp) 83 78
163 J James (Esp) 77 86
165 G Seegmuller (Bel) 78 87, A Arjona (Esp) 82 83
169 J Lee (Esp) 84 85
175 Y Shin (am) (Kor) 88 87
176 P Sikkelee (USA) 90 86

** C Chapa (USA) 108 WD, M Pilkington (Wal) WD 0, B Rollinson (Eng) RT 0,

THREE PAIRS SHARE LEAD IN PGA FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
An unmistakeable sense of déjà-vu enveloped the opening round of the Skins PGA Four-ball Championship at Forest Pines as three pairs shared pole position at its close today.
Yorkshire duo Adrian Ambler and Aran Wainwright and Ireland's Colin Clancy and Michael McDermott accounted for two of them - all of which evoked memories of the 2009 tournament.
Then Ambler and Wainwright set the pace with a blistering 13-under-par round of 60 to lead the field by four strokes after the first round but were denied the £5,000 first prize by an Irish-based pair and finished second.
That the trio was completed by Richards Sadler and O'Hanlon, a pair that did not take part two years ago, went some way towards tempering the feeling of yesterday once more.
All three carded nine-under-par rounds of 64 to lead the 60-strong field by one stroke going into the second.
Which, with a strong wind having an increasingly malevolent influence as the day unfolded, was more than Sadler and his partner anticipated.
The pair were in the second half of the draw and Sadler, the pro at Killiow Golf Club, Cornwall, said: "The wind was blowing a real hooley by the time we reached the third hole and was getting stronger and stronger."
Despite that Sadler negotiated the par five third in four and another quartet of birdies followed in the outward half.
"We were five-under for the first nine," added O'Hanlon of Lanhydrock Golf Club, Cornwall. "And we came very close to repeating that on the back nine - my birdie putt on the 18th stopped a fraction short of the hole. Still we would have settled for six-under at the start of the round, so we're happy."
In addition, to the near-miss at the last, the pair also rued a missed opportunity at the 15th, one of a quintet of par fives on the tree-lined Lincolnshire course.
All proved fertile sources of birdies for the co-leaders, not least Ambler and Wainwright, PGA pros at Moor Allerton and Mid Yorkshire Golf Clubs respectively.
Benefitting from an early start when the wind was it its most benign, a repeat of their pyrotechnics of two years ago looked in the offing.
"Adrian started off like a train," explained Wainwright. "He birdied the second and third and then had an eagle at the fifth. And he was fantastic from tee to green all the way round."
Wainwright, who birdied the seventh, eighth and tenth before Ambler followed suit at the 14th and 15th , also played his part as did their early start time.
"We set oursleves a target of nine-under, so we're happy," Wainwright added. "And with the wind getting stronger throughout our round, we benefitted from starting early."
Meanwhile, Clancy and McDermott, who were in the 12th group to tee off, overcame the worsening conditions and the fact that this was their first visit to Forest Pines.
McDermott, who is attached to Pure Golf, was particularly unfazed by either the weather or the occasion.
"He was in cracking form while I had to scramble a bit," said Clancy of Castle Golf Club, Dublin. "He had eagles on the tenth and 17th."
Meanwhile, hot on the heels of the leading trio, are another pair who benefitted from an early start - Crue Elliott (Sandy Lodge Golf Club, Middlesex) and Philip Trow (Cherry Lodge Golf Club, Kent).
The duo also found the par fives a happy hunting ground, recording an eagle at the second of them, the fifth, and birdies at the remainder. A bogey at the last, however, cost them the chance of joining the early leaders.
SCOTSWATCH:
David Orr (East Renfrewshire) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) are the leading Scots in joint 13th place on 69.
Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) and Jamie Stevenson (Braehead) are joint 22nd on 70, the same mark as Simon Payne (Cowglen) and Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf).

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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SCOTTISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY TEE TIMES

GLENEAGLES KING'S COURSE - FIRST ROUND

8:40
Fraser Dunlop, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
Steven Dunsmore, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
Nigel Scott-Smith, Palacerigg Golf Club
8:49
Steven Duncan, Carnoustie Golf Links
Alastair Mackenzie, Renaissance Club
Paul Jamieson, Dunblane New Golf Club
8:58 Ross Dixon, Renaissance Club
Andrew Crerar, Panmure Golf Club
Scott Garrett, Irvine Golf Club
9:07
Alan Reid, West Lothian Golf Club
Steven Taylor, Bothwell Castle Golf Club
Anthony Mackrell, Playsport Golf
9:16
Craig Gordon, Edinburgh Golf Centre
Ian Brown, Newent Golf Club
Gordon Law, Uphall Golf Club
9:25
Mark Loftus, Adam Hunter Golf
David Orr, East Renfrewshire Golf Club
Andrew Jowett, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
9:34
Paul McKechnie, Braid Hills Golf Range
Chris Doak
Neil Fenwick, Dunbar Golf Club
9:43
Colin Gillies, Kingsfield Golf Range
David Patrick, Elie Sports Centre
Graham Forbes, Gourock Golf Club
9:57
Campbell Elliott, Haggs Castle Golf Club
Stephen Gray, Hayston Golf Club
Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club
10:06
Graeme Brown, Montrose Golf Links Ltd.
Tom Buchanan, Duddingston Golf Club
Paul Brookes, Pitreavie Golf Club
10:15
Chris Kelly, Cawder Golf Club
Iain Colquhoun, Dundonald Links
Stuart Morrison, Tain Golf Club
10:24
Ross Cameron, McDonald Golf Club
Scott Grieve, Turnhouse Golf Club
Joseph McBrearty, Haggs Castle Golf Club
10:33
Christopher Currie, Caldwell Golf Club
Graham Fox, Rowallan Castle Golf Club
Paul Wardell, Whitekirk Golf Course
10:42
Kenneth Hutton, Downfield Golf Club
Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre
Michael Rae, Alyth Golf Club
10:51
Gareth Wright, West Linton Golf Club
Alan Lockhart, Ladybank Golf Club
Michael Patterson, Kilmacolm Golf Club
11:00
James McKinnon, Irvine Golf Club
Greig Hutcheon, Banchory Golf Club
Scott Herald, Adam Hunter Golf
11:14
Mark Kerr, Murrayfield Golf Club
Robert Arnott, Bishopbriggs Golf Range
Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
11:23
Greg McBain, Gamola Golf
Scott Catlin, Greenburn Golf Club
Mark King, Kingsfield Golf Range
11:32
Stephen McAllister, Renaissance Club
Russell Smith, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
Ronan Rafferty, Roxburghe Golf Course
11:41
Lee Harper, Archerfield Links
Jonathan Lomas
Gordon Stewart, Cawder Golf Club
11:50
Jason McCreadie, Buchanan Castle Golf Club
Christopher Russell, Dunbar Golf Club
Grant Smith, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
11:59
Samuel Cairns, Colville Park Golf Club
James McGhee, Duddingston Golf Club
Lee Vannet, Carnoustie Golf Links
12:08
Christopher McMaster, Panmure Golf Club
Iain Stoddart, Uphall Golf Club
John Ruth, Clydeway Golf

Course too wet - SCOTTISH ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP ABANDONED

The 2011 Scottish Golfers Alliance championship is over - even though only 18 holes were played at Buchanan Castle Golf Club on Tuesday. After a night of heavy rain on an already wet course, the second day's play did start after a two-hour delay but at 1pm after another downpour quickly flooded parts of the course, play was abandoned. Representatives from all Alliance areas then held a meeting in the clubhouse and took advice from the groundstaff and club representatives, together with weather forecasts. After much discussion it was decided to cancel Thursday's third and final round. The 2011 Scottish Alliance championship is therefore decided over the 18 holes played on Tuesday. The prize fund will be accordingly reduced to reflect the amount of play involved and all participants  should expect to receive a part refund of their entry fee. MAJOR PRIZEWINNERS Professional Prize (awarded for the best scratch score by a pro) - Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 72. The Scotsman Trophy (awarded for the best scratch score overall) - Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes)  71. Clydesdale Bank Quaich (best scratch score by an amateur) - James Hendrick (Pollok) 72. Caldwell Trophy (best scratch score by a senior amateur) - George Wither (Lothianburn) 75. Amateur Handicap Winner - Ian Cameron (Crow Wood) (5) 71. Amateur Senior Handicap Winner - James Kinloch (Cardross) (3) 73.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

2012 SCOTTISH ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP - Venue: Monifieth and Arbroath.
Dates: October 9-10-11

WATCH IT! TIGER WOODS IS BACK ON THE ENDORSEMENT WAGON

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
SAN MARTIN, California (AP) — Tiger Woods has a new endorsement deal with Rolex.
It's the first major endorsement deal for Woods in more than two years. He previously had an endorsement with Tag Heuer, which dropped him two months ago. Woods will become one of the global ambassadors for the Swiss-based watch company.
Terms of the Rolex deal were not disclosed, although it is believed to be longer than five years.
Rolex says it is convinced that Woods still has a long career ahead of him. Woods, who has 14 majors and 82 wins worldwide, has not won in nearly two years. He lost five major endorsement contracts in the two years since he was exposed for serial adultery and eventually divorced.
Woods returns to the US PGA Tour this week at the Frys.com Open.

FOUR SCOTS UNDER PAR IN SPAIN

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Four Scots - Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) and Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) - had sub-par opening rounds in the PGA EuroPro Tour Championship at Mar Menor Golf Resort in the Murcia region of south-east Spain today. McAllister, pictured, the 2006 Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion, shot a five-under-par 66 - and it could have been better for he had a double bogey 6 at the fourth. Young Shaun, who starts the second day in joint eighth position, had seven birdies - at the third, long sixth, long seventh, long 10th, 15th, 16th and 18th. Tartan Tour campaigner Chris Kelly and Duncan Stewart are tied 10th on 67. Kelly birdied the sixth, seventh, e3ighth, 11th and 17th with one bogey, at the 13th. Stewart birdied the sixth, ninth, 10th, 11th, and 17th. Former Scottish boys match-play champion Harper had a double bogey 6 at the fourth but birdies at the fifth, 11th, 13th and 18th helped him salvage a two-under-par 69 and joint 16th position. Ed Wood (Crow Wood) and another past Scottish boys match-play title holder Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) both hit the par mark of 71 and are sharing 34th place in a field o4 48 players. Leading the field on eight-under 63 is Englishman Steve Uzzell (Hornsea) by one from compatriot Adam Hodkinson. This is the final event on the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour calendar. At its conclusion the top five in the season-long money table will earn automatic promotion to the European Challenge Tour next season. LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES Par 71 63 Steve Uzzell (Hornsea). 64 Adam Hodkinson (Eng). 65 Steve Surry (Cumberwell Park), James Maw (Hallowes), Jason Levermore (Clacton), James Busby (The Shropshire), Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth). Scottish scores: 66 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) (T8). 67 Chris Kelly (Cawder), Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) (T10). 69 Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) (T16). 71 Ed Wood (Crow Wood), Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) (T34).

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ROSS CANAVAN WINS SECOND EVENT ON MENA TOUR IN U A E

   Ross Canavan has the "shakes" at the prizegiving ceremony after his victory in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.

Ross Canavan, a 24-year-old Englishman who turned pro in January this year, scored his first victory today in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, the second event on the MENA Tour in the United Arab Emirates.
Canavan started the last round of the 54-hole event six shots behind compatriot Jake Shepherd who led the field by five.
Canavan birdied the closing hole to complete his memorable day at the Tower Links Golf Club. He signed off with a three-under-par 69 for a seven-under total of 209.
He won by one stroke from Faycal Serghini. The experienced Moroccan, who led by a one shot with three holes to play, had his chances to seal the victory, but bogeyed the 16th and the 17th. A birdie at the last was too late to repair the damaged.
Jake Shepherd, 21, collapsed under the pressure of being favourite to chalk up his first win in his rookie year as a pro. He closed with a disappointing 77 to finish tied third with compatriot Peter Richardson on five-under-par 211.
With Shepherd dropping shots at regular intervals, it threw the tournament wide open. At one stage just one shot separated the top six, but Canavan held his nerve when it mattered most to clinch the issue in style.
"I thought I needed an eagle to wrap up the victory and that's the reason I took time to read the putt (on the 18th). I read it right, but missed it by a whisker and tapped in for birdie. This is my first tournament win as a professional and obviously I have every reason to feel great," said the Englishman after receiving the trophy and the winner's cheque for $9,000 from Shaikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone.
Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Arab Golf Federation, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, were also present at the presentation ceremony.
Canavan admitted it was a grind all day, "but I still managed to hit all greens on the back nine, like I did in the second round. The putting too was steady. When I made the turn, I was about three to four shots off the pace and knew I had a chance if I can shoot anything under par.
"Things worked out well. I am really pleased with my work on all three days. It's an emotional moment for me," said Canavan.
Heartbreak was the story of the tournament for young Shepherd who blew away a big lead.
"I think tried a bit too hard to focus on my game. It was a tough day and nothing worked for me, absolutely nothing. Maybe it's a learning curve for me. At the moment, however, it's quite painful and I have no words to describe my feelings."
Greg Nicolson from Edinburgh, in only his second week and second tournament as a professional finished on an encouraging note with a one-under-par 71 for a total of 223 and a share of 23rd place.
Craigielaw club pro Jonathan Porteous finished 28th with scores of 75, 73 and 77.
The next event on the MENA Tour is the Shaik Maktoum Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Course, beginning on Monday.
Morocco's young Ahmed Marjan emerged as the best amateur with rounds of 72, 75 and 71 for a two-over total of 218. Daniel Owen of England was placed second best amateur, a shot back.
.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
209 Ross Canavan (England) 73 67 69
210 Faycal Serghini (Morocco) 71 70 60
211 Peter Richardson (England) 72 67 72, Jake Shepherd (England) 67 67 77 212 Lindsay Renolds (Canada) 69 72 71; Matloob Ahmed (Pakistan) 73 67 72
213 Ross Bain (Scotland) 74 71 68, Yasin Ali (England) 72 67 74
214 Simon Dunn (Scotland) 73 73 68, Chris Chamberlain (England) 72 71 71
215 Shahid Ahmed (Pakistan) 70 73 72, Ahmed-Reda Rhazali (Morocco) 67 72 76
Selected totals:
223 Greg Nicolson (Scotland) 77 75 71 (T23)
225 Jonathan Porteous (Scotland) 75 73 77 (28th).

OPTICAL EXPRESS TOUR EVENT AT IRVINE BOGSIDE TOMORROW

NEWS RELEASE
The last scheduled two-day event of The Optical Express Pro Golf Tour 2011 tees off at Irvine (Bogside) Golf Club tomorrow (Thursday, October 6), the last counting event for the Tour Championship in Son Gual, Mallorca at the end of the season.
The draw has been announced with a field of 44 consisting of 41 pros and three amateurs who will compete for the guaranteed £8,000 prize fund over the Ayrshire Links - a final qualifying venue of The Open. The top 24 from the 2011 season money list will go to Spain for an all expenses paid trip to play for a £10,000 prize fund.
Notably absent from the draw is treble event winner Paul McKechnie from Braid Hills, who is due to play in the PGA Fourball Final down south at Forest Pines. Although missing the Irvine event, McKechnie cannot be caught at the top of the order of merit, having earned over £5,000, well ahead of Paul O'Hara from Colville Park in second place.
Playing at Irvine are former European Tour winners, Ronan Rafferty and Paul Affleck with Banchory's Greig Hutcheon, who is having his best season yet, also in the draw. Corisande Lee from West Lancs who plays on the Ladies European Tour is the only female professional in the field.
The forecast is looking to be very windy for the Irvine event and Tournament Director Alan Tait knows what a test this will provide, having grown up on Irvine (Bogside) as an amateur and now also a Life Honorary Member.
Tait said, "I am really excited to be returning to my old club. The course is a true inland links and if the wind blows it will make life very difficult for the players. Off the tee, keeping the ball in play is key, given the penal rough with the gorse and the heather. Length will not be everything round Irvine, more to those who keep it on the fairway.”
Jim McKinnon, the resident Professional at Irvine, is also looking forward to playing in the event, commenting, "Both our members and I are very excited to be hosting another Pro Tournament here at Irvine and our course provides a superb venue on the Optical Express Pro Golf Tour. I am sure the players will all enjoy the course."

Draw Thursday 6th October
10:25 Graham Rankin (Drumpellier), Mark Kerr (Murrayfield), Graeme Brown (Montrose)
10:34 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Fraser Mann (unattached), Martin Lawrence(Newmachar)
10:43 Scott Garrett (Irvine Bogside), Cameron Tortolano (Stirling), Scott Herald (Mearns Castle)
10:52 Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Scott Pithie (Carluke)
11:01 Ben Irving (Kirkcudbright), Fraser Grant (amateur), Chris Currie (Caldwell)
11:10 Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), David Roger (Windyhill)
11:19 Steve Johnson (The Roxburghe), Peter Latimer (amateur), Tim Rich (Royal Lytham St Annes)
11:28 Ted Innes Ker (The Roxburghe), Carl Thompson (Pikefold), Stewart Savage (Dalmuir)
11:37 Paul Gallacher (Dalmuir), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Neil Colquhoun (Merchants)
11:46 Graham Forbes (Gourock), Chris Hogg, Kevin McAlpine (Alyth)
11:55 Paul Wardell (Whitekirk), Sam Binning (am), Lorne Kelly (Pro Dream USA)
12:04 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), John Henry (Clydebank and District)
12:13 Paul Affleck (Unattached), Ronan Rafferty, Scott Henderson (Kingslink)
12:22 Corisande Lee (West Lancs), Paul O’Hara (Colville Park), Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm)
12:31 Nigel Scott Smith (Palacerigg Golf Centre), Vincent Brown (The Westerwood), Jim McKinnon (Irvine Bogside)

Late entries to the event at Irvine (Bogside) will be accepted on the day by contacting Alan Tait on 07734 207119.

JUSTIN ROSE HEADING FOR HONG KONG OPEN IN DECEMBER

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Justin Rose will hope to add a European Tour title to his success in America this season when he joins a world-class field in the UBS Hong Kong Open from December 1-4.
Rose recently captured his third US PGA Tour title in the past two seasons with a wire-to-wire victory in the BMW Championship but has to go back to 2007 for the last of his four European Tour wins, which came at the Volvo Masters.
The 31 year old Englishman will be hoping to change that at Hong Kong Golf Club where he will make his debut in the $2,750,000 UBS Hong Kong Open won last year by his close friend Ian Poulter.
“I’m looking forward to being part of what is shaping up to be a tremendous field for the UBS Hong Kong Open,” said Rose. “I know there was a great atmosphere when Ian won there last year and I cannot wait to be part of it.
“My recent win in the United States gave me a lot of confidence going into the final part of 2011 and it would be great to round the year off with a victory in Hong Kong and win another European Tour title.”
World Number 17 Rose is one of seven big-name players who have today confirmed their participation in the UBS Hong Kong Open. Joining the Englishman will be Miguel Angel Jimenez, Ross Fisher, Edoardo Molinari and Peter Hanson, three of the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup Team, as well as the big-hitting Alvaro Quiros of Spain, who won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic earlier this season.
Also heading to Hong Kong is Korea’s YE Yang, who became the first Asian to win a Major Championship when he held off Tiger Woods down the stretch to win the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine

SCOTTISH ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP - START DELAYED BY RAIN

Heavy overnight rain - as feared - delayed the start of the second round of the Scottish Alliance championship at Buchanan Castle GC.
Play did get under way with a two-tee start - from the first and 13th - at 10.30am.