SCOTS NOW SECOND BUT FIVE BEHIND LEADERS FRANCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Scotland have improved into second place in a field of 26 teams with one round to go in the PGAs of Europe international  championship over the Vale do Lobo Ocean Course on Portugal's Algarve coastline. But Jim McKinnon (Irvine), Ladybank's Alan Lockhart and Chris Currie (Caldwell) have five shots to make up on leaders France - a tall order, even under the two-from-three scores to count format. France, represented by "unknown" club pros Benjamin Nicolay 68, Stephane Lahary 70 and Bertrand Cornut 72 (non-counting), had a third-round team total of six-under 138 today to take up the outright pole position on 14-under 418. Scotland, with Currie having his first counting round of the tournament, a two-under 70, and the steady McKinnon chipping in with a 71, added 141 to their score to be on nine-under 423. After two rounds of 70, Lockhart sagged to a 77. The Scots are shot ahead of third-placed England (Craig Goodfellow 69, Gary Brown 72 and Chris Gill a non-counting 78) who score 141 for 424. Ireland (David Ryan 72, John Kelly 75 and Eamonn Brady a non-counting 83) dropped back to seventh place on 429 after a third-round score of 147. Wales (Andrew Barnett 71, Simon Edwards 72 and Matthew Parsley a non-counting 89) are 11th on 439 with a 143 addition.

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 432 (6x72)
418 FRANCE 140 140 138.
423 SCOTLAND 145 137 141.
424 ENGLAND 136 147 141.
425 SPAIN 142 138 147.
427 ITALY 138 142 147.
428 DENMARK 148 142 138.
429 IRELAND 139 143 147.
433 AUSTRIA 147 144 142.
436 POLAND, SOUTH AFRICA.
439 WALES 151 145 143.
440 SWEDEN, PORTUGAL.
441 SWITZERLAND.
442 NETHERLANDS.
443 GERMANY.
444 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
449 CZECH REPUBLIC.
452 NORWAY, BELGIUM.
459 CROATIA.
464 SLOVENIA.
468 ICELAND.
469 FINLAND.
472 HUNGARY, RUSSIA

FRANCE FAVOURITES TO WIN - WITH OR WITHOUT THE WEATHER

FROM THE PGAs OF EUROPE WEBSITE
Benjamin Nicolay played the role of Capitaine Fantastique to perfection at Vale do Lobo to put France on track to win the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship and make up for last year’s bitter disappointment.
Nicolay was a member of the team 12 months ago when, with France looking the likely winners, thunder, lightning and a deluge, which swamped the course, caused the fourth round to be abandoned.
As a result England were declared the winners by virtue of the fact they were leading at the end of round three. Which, thanks to Nicolay’s joint best of the day four-under-par round of 68 and another valuable contribution from Stephane Lahary, is where France find themselves going into the final day.
Their combined effort has put France five strokes clear of Scotland in the race for the €6,000 first prize and a victory that would be only their second in the competition. Given the tournament’s format – the best two scores from three counting – a five-stroke advantage could hardly be described as unassailable – unless, of course, the weather has the last word again.
However, Nicolay is confident all three members of his team are playing well enough to withstand any challenges mounted by Scotland or the five others that remain under par - without any assistance from Mother Nature.
Talking of his game after recording the fourth birdie of his round at the par-five 18th, the Frenchman said: “It was the right time to produce a round like that. It’s helped us get into a great position but my team-mates are also playing well. Stephane followed up his second round of three-under by shooting two-under and Bertrand (Cornut) was level par for the second round running.
“As well as playing consistently, we’re improving all the time. We’re in a great position and it’s a big chance for us. We were very disappointed last year, especially as we were going so well. Hopefully, it will work out for us this time.”
Scotland, with Chris Currie finding form on day three with a round of two-under and Jim McKinnon (one-under) also contributing, look the likeliest lads to poop the French party. And England, a shot further adrift, cannot be discounted, especially after Craig Goodfellow rediscovered his mojo and Gary Brown is finding his touch.
Goodfellow, whose round of 66 on day one was the second best of the tournament so far, put the memory of his disastrous six-over-par follow-up to post three-under.Meanwhile, Brown contributed to his side’s total for the first time by shooting level par.
Spain, on seven-under, are also in the hunt, although they will have to make up the leeway a man short if Fernando Roca does not recover from an injured thumb. And Italy, joint-leaders overnight with France and Spain, will have to produce a collective recovery after posting five-over and slipping to fifth.
As for a dark horse – look no further than Denmark who are improving with every round. An opening round of four-over was followed by one of two-under before Rune Olsen and Martin Hansen both carded 69s to take the Danes to four-under for the competition and up to sixth place.
The rounds were also one stroke short of the best of the day posted by Nicolay and Sweden’s Peter Grimfjord. Olsen, however, was left to curse some near misses for not surpassing that total. “The putts just would not drop,” he said, “although I was very pleased with my round. If we can play like that again in the fourth round, we could get up to third or fourth, which would be the best we’ve ever done.”
The PGAs of Europe’s Annual Congress and International Team Championship are supported once again by Glenmuir, Associaçäo Turismo do Algarve and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.

MONTY AND PGA BOOST FOR BRITISH TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

Colin Montgomerie, the Ryder Cup and the PGA officials with some of the British troops in Afghanistan.  Image by courtesty of Major Danny McDermid.

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION
PGA captain Eddie Bullock and Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie helped give British troops a boost with a whistle stop tour of Afghanistan.
The PGA-organised trip was designed to show support for the efforts of soldiers in helping establish a new future for the war-ravaged country.
Former PGA captain Parnell Reilly from Huddersfield club Bradley Park also joined Bullock and Montgomerie as they delivered a series of golf clinics to soldiers and local school children and also brought along the famous Ryder Cup trophy.
Europe’s victorious 2010 Ryder Cup captain took part in a Q&A during an army dinner with Montgomerie also hosting a special golfing masterclass with Bullock and Reilly delivering an insight into the great Scot’s swing.
Bullock, a consultant at Golf at Goodwood, said: “It was just sensational to see the troops and their reaction to us and Colin and the Ryder Cup and it was a wonderful opportunity to engage and connect with them.
“It was also a tremendous thrill to engage with Afghani youths and introduce them to golf.
“During the golf clinics with the soldiers we had everybody from plus one handicappers to beginners who were just there for the experience.
“I lost count of how many lessons we gave but it felt like thousands between the three of us.
“My father was in the RAF and I have always had a huge amount of respect and admiration for the forces and I came away with a smile in my heart after meeting the troops.
“This has been a trip I will never forget, the British troops are so professional, working seven days a week without hesitation and when you think of the sacrifice and effort they make on our behalf it is very humbling.”
During the three-day trip, the trio travelled to Camp Bastion, the British military’s main base in Helmand Province.
At Kabul headquarters they met the Afghan President of the National Olympics Committee, General Mohammad Aghbar and also spent time at the British Embassy, briefing ambassador, Sir William Patey, about the trip.
Montgomerie commented: “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent the PGA along with Eddie Bullock and Parnell Reilly to come to Camp Bastion with the Ryder Cup and give a series of golf master classes to the troops and to show them that we are thinking about them back home and appreciate the difficult job they are doing here to protect not just us but the rest of the world.
“We have had an enjoyable and informative time during our short visit. We have been impressed by the calm and professional way in which everyone seems to be going about their business. We have been made to feel most welcome by all in the camp.”
Reilly, who in 2010 took the Ryder Cup trophy on a helicopter tour of Welsh clubs, described the visit as life-changing.
“It was a humbling experience, it was just an honour to be invited to represent the PGA and go and see the troops,” he said.
“The whole camp was buzzing that the PGA had taken the effort to come out and see them. They all shook our hands it was just that little extra time that takes their minds off what they are doing out there.
“Many of the troops love their golf and they had created a special driving range on the Apache helicopter area and it was wonderful to see their passion for golf and to be able to give something back, especially with Colin and the Ryder Cup being there.
“To see what they do out there brings into perspective what dangers they face but equally impressive is the quiet, confident way they go about their work and we felt very safe in their hands.”
In addition several companies also lent their support to the three day trip with equipment and clothing donated by Tildenet, Huxley, Titleist, PING, Callaway, Golf Foundation and Glenmuir.

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION UPDATE ON SLGA AMALGAMATION BID

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
The Scottish Golf Union (SGU), in consultation with the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA), remains committed to working towards a unified body in the Home of Golf.
Following encouraging meetings with the SGU Areas, the organisation’s shareholders, a statement from the SGU Board said: “The SGU remains committed to amalgamation. Further details are being discussed within the SGU and meetings are ongoing.
"The Board will establish some principles which we trust may provide a sensible starting point to re-open discussions on amalgamation with the SLGA. Clubs will be advised as soon as possible of progress on this matter.”
Recently, the merger of the English Golf Union (EGU) and the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) was approved at simultaneous general meetings of both organisations and will come into effect on January 1. One national governing body – "England Golf" – will be created to represent all amateur golfers in England.
The SGU Board added: “The Board is delighted that the English bodies have achieved their combined goal. The goal in Scotland is similar as it is in the best long-term interests of Scottish Golf.”

OLD COURSE TEE TIMES BALLOT CHANGING TO 48 HOURS AHEAD

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST
Golfers are being reminded that the ballot for tee times on the world famous Old Course will be changing to being drawn two days ahead from January 2012.
The ballot has been drawn one day ahead for many years but St Andrews Links Trust, which manages the seven public courses in the town, is making the change to help people plan their golf more effectively.
On Saturday, January 7, 2012, the ballot will be drawn for Monday, January 9 and will continue to be drawn two days ahead from then onwards.
The plans to make the change were announced earlier this year and the Trust has been communicating with the many thousands of golfers from near and far who play the Old Course to make sure they are aware that the change is being made. The Trust conducted its Advanced Reservations for visiting golfers for play on the Old Course in 2012 on September 7 and has advised the more than 2500 applicants of the change.
The 48 hour ballot will dovetail with the one-day ahead booking system on the Castle, Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum courses and will enable golfers who have been unsuccessful in the ballot to book an alternative course for the day they want to play.
The earlier draw will make it easier for visiting golfers to plan accommodation and travel arrangements and will encourage them to stay longer in St Andrews and play more golf in and around the town.
Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “The ballot is designed to ensure that golfers who haven’t been able to book in advance still have a chance to play the Old Course. It has been drawn one day ahead for many years but we conducted an extensive consultation exercise with a range of different stakeholders and the feedback was that people felt drawing it two days ahead would make it much easier for people to plan their golf. We believe the change will help to improve the experience of playing in St Andrews and to ensure that people have more opportunity to book golf on the other courses.”
To enter the ballot requires at least two golfers and they will have to enter their names, home clubs and handicaps by 2pm. The ballot will take place every day of the week with the exception of Friday as there is no play on the Old Course on Sundays. The entries can be made by phone on 01334 466666 or in person at any of the three clubhouses at the Links.

Takayama wins Casio World Open in Japan by two shots

Japan's Tadahiro Takayama won the CASIO World Open at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club, Japan on Sunday.
Takayama posted a four-under 68 in his final round for a 15-under-par total of 273 to win the title by two shots. His ea;oier rpimds were 67, 68 and 70.
It was Takayama's fifth on the Japanese Tour and his second of the year after winning the Token Homemate Cup in April.
He is now second on the Japanese tour money list.
Yusaku Miyazato (69) was second at 13-under with Yui Ueda third three strokes further back following a final round 67.
Shunsuke Sonoda (69), Satoshi Tomiyama (68) and Kunihiro Kamii (70) shared fourth at eight-under 280.