Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WHAT A YEAR FOR KINGDOM OF FIFE GOLFERS

When Fife won the Fife-Lothians Winter League this past weekend, it was the icing on the cake for the Kingdom - a seal of a marvellous collection of victories stretching back to early in the 2011 season.
Fife Golf Association president Jim Horsfield, in his message in the Fife Golfing Association Yearbook, has paid tribute to the achievements of Fife golfers during the 2011 season which include:

Midland Team Championship at Blairgowrie - Colin Martin (Balbirnie Park) Individual Winner

National 72 hole events
Scottish Champion of Champions at Leven - Brian Soutar (Leven GS)
Craigmillar Park Open - Greg Paterson (St Andrews New Club)
Tennant Cup at Glasgow Gailes/Killermont - James White (Lundin)
Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Castle - Scott Crichton (Aberdour)
North of Scotland open amateur stroke-play championship at Nairn Dunbar - James White

Scottish Order of Merit 2011
Four in the top 10 of the Scottish Order of Merit
1st James White, 3rd Scott Crichton, 5th Greg Paterson, 7th Peter Latimer (St Andrews New Club)
British Amateur championship at Hillside/Hesketh - Greg Paterson (semi-finalist)
Home Internationals at County Sligo, Ireland - Greg Paterson, Brian Soutar and James White in Scotland team.
Boys' Home Internationals at Royal St David’s - Ewen Scott (St Andrews) and Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New Club)
Scottish U16 Boys v England U16 Boys - Ewen Scott and Ben Kinsley (St Andrews)
Scottish Boys'; U16 Stroke Play Championship at Forfar - Ben Kinsley
Scottish Boys' Stroke Play Championship at Nairn Dunbar - Josh Jamieso
Scottish Boys' Area Team Championship at Hayston - Fife 3rd
Team members - Ben Kinsley, Josh Jamieson, Cameron Mitchell (Lundin) and Andrew Whyte (St Andrews New Club)

Scottish Junior Champion of Champions at The Dukes - 2nd Ewen Scott

Scottish Area Team Championship at Prestwick - Winners - Fife
Kevin Blyth (Lundin), Scott Crichton, Peter Latimer, Brian Soutar, Scott Stewart-Cation (The Duke’s) & James White

Fife/Lothians Winter league – Winners – Fife.

President Horsfield also congratulated Fife professionals George Murray and Peter Whiteford for their recent successes on the PGA European Tour.

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AUSTRALIAN MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

TO VIEW ALL THE FIRST ROUND SCORES IN THE AUSTRALIAN MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH TEED OFF AT WOODLANDS GOLF CLUB, MELBOURNE TODAY

CLICK HERE

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GALLACHER, FORSYTH, MACAULAY JOIN BOUNCE (Edinburgh) STABLE

NEWS RELEASE FROM BOUNCE SPORTS MANAGEMENT CO
Bounce are delighted to announce that Stephen Gallacher, Alastair Forsyth and Callum Macaulay have all elected to sign management agreements with us, starting with immediate effect and we very much look forward to representing all three to the best of our abilities.
This represents another big step forward for the company and we, as I believe we have always done in the past, look forward to working with you all to make the players as accessible as possible for any activity or enquiries that you may have. 
Looking forward to a great 2012

Iain Stoddart
Founding Partner
E: iain@bouncesport.com
T: +44 (0)131 226 1230
M: +44 (0)77151 77770
W: www.bouncesport.com

Bounce
Thistle Court
1 - 2 Thistle Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1DD







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ENGLAND GOLF NAME 2014 DATES, VENUES FOR MEN AND BOYS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLAND GOLF
Two prestigious clubs with challenging courses at opposite ends of the country have agreed to host the blue riband men’s events on England Golf’s calendar of venues for 2014 just released.
Seaton Carew in County Durham will stage the English Open Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy in late June while the English Amateur Championship will return to Saunton in North Devon in late July.
The Brabazon Trophy will be making only its second visit to Seaton Carew. The only other occasion it has been played there was in 1985 when Peter Baker, who went on to become a Ryder Cup player, and Roger Roper shared the title. Since then the club has hosted the Boys under 18 Championship for the Carris Trophy and the Seniors Home Internationals. The regional qualifying events will be staged at Effingham in Surrey and Ringway in Cheshire.
Saunton has been a regular on the England Golf fixture list, staging the Brabazon and Carris Trophies plus the County Championship finals as well as a number of R and A events and this will be the fourth occasion that it has hosted the English Amateur. The first time was in 1937 when Frank Pennink beat former champion Leonard Crawley 6 and 5 in the final. Pennink went on to become a Walker Cup player, President of the English Golf Union, course designer and renowned golf writer, as was Crawley.
It was another 56 years before the English Championship returned to Saunton with David Fisher beating Richard Bland 3 and 1 in the 1993 final, while in 2001 the title went to Scott Godfrey when he came out on top 4 and 3 over Simon Robinson. The East and West courses will be used for the first two days qualifying while the match play will be held on the East.
Several clubs not previously having staged England Golf or EGU events are on the 2014 list including Matfen Hall and Hexham in Northumberland, which will host the Seniors Championship in early June
However, the Mid Amateur for the Logan Trophy in early July visits Worksop in Nottinghamshire, scene of the Men’s County Finals in 2004, which saw Surrey triumph.
Of the junior events, the under 16 Championship for the McGregor Trophy and under 18 Championship for the Carris Trophy return to their ‘traditional homes’ on the four-year rotation, the McGregor to Radcliffe-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, its regular base from its inception in 1982 until 1998, and the Carris to Moor Park in Hertfordshire, its home from 1935 to 1987, both in July.
The under 14 Championship for the Reid Trophy in August calls in at Enville in Staffordshire, which staged a highly successful Seniors Championship in 2007 and the 1984 playing of the Presidents and Guests event.
The English Boys' County Championship finals will be played at Sandiway in Cheshire, scene of the Champion Club Tournament in 1997, the County Champions event in 1984 and the 1988 Seniors Championship, in late August.
Another Staffordshire club, Trentham, scene of the 2008 Seniors County Finals, the 1986 County Champions Tournament, and the 1994 Mid Amateur, will host the Champion Club Tournament in September.
The Men’s County Finals are scheduled for Royal North Devon in late September and the Seniors County Finals for Hindhead in Surrey in early October. The last visit to Royal North Devon was in 2008 for the Boys County Finals but Hindhead will be hosting the an England Golf event for the first time.
The 2014 fixture list is:
13 May - Brabazon Southern Qualifying, Effingham
20 May - Brabazon Northern Qualifying, Ringway
4-6 June - English Seniors Championship, Matfen Hall and Hexham
25-28 June - Brabazon Trophy, Seaton Carew
4-6 July - Mid-Amateur Championship, Worksop
9 July - English Schools Championship, Woodhall Spa (Bracken Course)
15-17 July - Under 16 Championship, Radcliffe-on-Trent
22-25 July - Under 18 Championship, Moor Park
28 July-2 August - English Amateur Championship, Saunton (East and West Courses)
5-7 August - Under 14 Championship, Enville
9-10 August - Junior Champion Club, Woodhall Spa (Bracken Course)
16-17 August - London Pride EGU Gold Medal, Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin Course)
26-28 August - Boys County Finals, Sandiway
13-14 September - County Champions Tournament, Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin Course)
20-21 September - Champion Club, Trentham
26-28 September - County Finals, Royal North Devon
5 October - England U16 v Scotland U16, Sandwell Park
7-9 October - Seniors County Finals, Hindhead
12 October - England U16 v Ireland U16, Delamere Forest

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SCOTTISH GOLF AWARDS IN GLASGOW ON FRIDAY, MARCH 23

 Catriona Matthew with the Solheim Cup and a billboard for the Scottish Golf Awards

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE SGU AND SLGA
The countdown to this year’s Annodata Scottish Golf Awards has officially begun after Catriona Matthew and Michael Stewart were reunited with the Solheim Cup and Walker Cup trophies at today’s launch.
A celebration of Scottish Golf’s achievements over the past 12 months, the prestigious event takes place on Friday 23 March, returning to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, with all proceeds from the Awards going towards the development of young golfers in Scotland.

Open to all golf fans, the glittering evening of champagne and champions will bring together players from all spectrums of the game, from the top Tour professionals past and present to those involved in the grass roots of the game.
The Annodata Scottish Golf Awards will be hosted by respected BBC golf commentator Andrew Cotter, the anchorman for coverage of The Masters and The Open Championship in 2011.
Tickets for the event cost £75 per person or £700 for a table of 10. It offers a great night out for groups of golfing friends or companies and organisations looking to entertain key clients and customers.
Scotland’s leading male and female amateurs from 2011 will be presented with their Awards, while the work of clubs at community level will be recognised with the RBS Junior Club and Volunteer of the Year Awards. There will be a new recipient of the SGU and SLGA ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, won last year by former Open Champion Paul Lawrie and victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.
Catriona Matthew, Scotland’s leading female professional, enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011, winning on the LPGA Tour and the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open on home soil, as well as playing a pivotal role in Europe’s famous Solheim Cup win, while Michael Stewart helped Great Britain and Ireland to victory in the Walker Cup alongside James Byrne, in addition to winning the South African Amateur Championship and reaching the final of The Amateur Championship.
Clutching the Solheim Cup, Matthew said: “The 2012 Scottish Golf Awards will be a great event with lots to look back on and celebrate from last year.
“It was a great year with Scots winning on the PGA, Nationwide, European, LPGA and Ladies European Tours - quite a feat when you think about it. Notably, there were also the amazing performances of both The Solheim Cup and Walker Cup teams.”

Stewart, the 2011 Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year, holding the Walker Cup, added: “I’m sure anyone who buys a ticket will have a great night on Friday 23 March.
“It’s always great to be honoured at these events and it’s nice that these awards reflect the achievements of all levels of the Scottish game. It’s good for the young amateurs and volunteers to also be mingling with the top pros.”
A new award for 2012 is the overall ‘Player of the Year’ category, with the likes of Matthew, Stewart, Open de Andalucia winner Paul Lawrie, two-time Scottish Amateur champion David Law, European Tour rookie Scott Jamieson and Scottish Women’s Amateur champion Louise Kenney all in the running. An on-line vote for golf fans, via the Scottish Golf Union website at www.scottishgolf.org, will determine the winner, with all voters entered into a free prize draw to win a free pair of tickets for the event.
Tickets for the evening can be purchased on-line via the Scottish Golf Shop at www.scottishgolf.org or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01334 466477.
A new name will be sponsoring the event this year, with Annodata acquiring last year’s event sponsors Xerox Office Solutions. Annodata is one of Europe’s largest independent vendors for print, document, data and communication technologies and is the SGU’s official office equipment supplier, providing services to many golf clubs across Scotland.

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ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT EXTEND SGU, SLGA SPONSORSHIP


      Catriona Matthew with the Solheim Cup and James Byrne with the Walker Cup

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE SGU AND SLGA
Aberdeen Asset Management, the global investment group, are to continue their fantastic support of the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) after today announcing a new two-year dual extension of its sponsorship of the respective National Squads.
The investment takes Aberdeen Asset Management’s partnership with the SGU to seven years, having begun their support of the Men’s Elite Squad and Academy back in 2007, coupled with their sponsorship of Scotland’s leading female amateurs which commenced in 2010.
Scotland players competing at Boys’ and Men’s level will continue to wear the Aberdeen Asset Management logo on their national team apparel and golf bags, as will the SLGA’s Girls’ and Ladies’ Squads.
The deal – until 2013 - again strengthens Aberdeen Asset Management’s commitment to golf in Scotland. In addition to the investment in the amateur game, Aberdeen also sponsor a number of leading Scottish tour professionals including former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, ex-Open champions Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle, Scotland’s leading female golfer, Catriona Matthew, and Michael Stewart, the SGU Golfer of the Year in 2011 who recently turned professional.
Their events sponsorship portfolio also includes the Ladies Scottish Open and the Northern Open.
Matthew, representing Europe, and Stewart, playing for Great Britain & Ireland, helped secure the Solheim Cup and Walker Cup for their respective teams in 2011 and they were delighted to be reunited with the silverware as the sponsorship announcement was made at Aberdeen Asset Management’s office overlooking Edinburgh Castle.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are very proud to support Scotland’s National amateur squads and delighted to see the progress many of the players have made since we began our sponsorship back in 2007. It’s vital for Scottish Golf that these young players are given the best opportunities to develop their games.”
“Aberdeen Asset Management is committed to helping Scottish golfers perform at the highest level, from our leading amateurs to our top professionals and keeping our profile as ‘The Home of Golf’ within the global game,” he added.
Matthew, who played a pivotal role in helping Europe regain the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003 after a dramatic final-day victory over the USA at Killeen Castle, Dublin, also expressed her delight at the sponsorship extension.
Speaking at the announcement, Matthew said: “It's fantastic that Aberdeen Asset Management have renewed their sponsorship with the SGU and SLGA.
“They are great supporters of both amateur and professional golf in Scotland. I am sure that with their help amateur golfers will have more opportunities to take their games to the next level.”
Michael Stewart, part of the winning Walker Cup side at Royal Aberdeen, was also in attendance to announce the two-year sponsorship extension, having benefited hugely from Aberdeen Asset Management’s support during a distinguished amateur career.
The Troon professional said: “During my time as an amateur, I received great support from Aberdeen Asset Management, giving me great opportunities such as warm weather training, working with their sponsored professionals and gaining experience off the course.
“It’s brilliant news for the current male and female squads that such support is going to continue for another two years. I’m sure the players will benefit hugely from Aberdeen Asset Management’s backing.”
Less than a week after Paul Lawrie’s Foundation were announced as title sponsors for the 2012 Scottish Boys Championship in an historic deal for the SGU, Aberdeen Asset Management’s continued backing again reflects the SGU’s growing sponsorship portfolio.

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R AND A ANNOUNCES SENIOR EXECUTIVE RESTRUCTURE


St Andrews: The R and A has announced a restructure of its senior Executive within its operating companies, R and A Championships Ltd, R and A Rules Ltd and R and A Group Services Ltd. The restructure has established five divisions, with five Executive Directors reporting into the Chief Executive.

Championships
Responsible for staging all R and A Championships and International Matches.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton is appointed Executive Director – Championships
Michael Wells is appointed Director - Championship Staging
Rhodri Price is appointed Director - Championship Operations

Business Affairs
Responsible for all commercial, marketing and communications activities.

Michael Tate is appointed Executive Director - Business Affairs
Angus Farquhar will continue as Commercial Director
Malcolm Booth is appointed Communications Director
Robin Bell is appointed Marketing Director

Rules and Equipment Standards
Responsible for The R and A’s governance role in administering the Rules of Golf, Amateur Status and Equipment Standards.

David Rickman is appointed Executive Director – Rules and Equipment Standards
Grant Moir, Director - Rules and Steve Otto, Director - Research and Testing will continue to report to David Rickman

Working for Golf
Responsible for all the work carried out by The R and A for golf’s benefit in golf development, golf course management and heritage.

Duncan Weir is appointed Executive Director – Working for Golf
Steve Isaac, Director - Golf Course Management, Angela Howe, Museum and Heritage Director, Peter Lewis, Director - Film Archive and Alison White, Assistant Director – Golf Development, will report to Duncan Weir

Finance
John Murray is appointed to take over from Mark Dobell as Executive Director – Finance

Mark Dobell will retire in April 2012, after more than 14 years of service, and will work closely with John Murray in the intervening handover period.

Note: Dominic Wall, Director – Asia/Pacific, whose duties extend across all R and A activities in that region, will report directly to Peter Dawson.

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CRUDEN BAY'S ROBBIE STEWART BECOMES FELLOW OF THE PGA





NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CRUDEN BAY GOLF CLUB
Cruden Bay Golf Club is delighted to announce that its Director of Golf and former Head Professional Robbie Stewart has been accorded the status of Fellow Professional of The Professional Golfers Association.
The APAL Council (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning) has been sitting for over seven years and consists of long-standing Members of the PGA, representatives from the R and A, the golf industry, the university sector and senior members of the PGA staff.
The Council acknowledged Robbie’s dedication to the development of golf in the North-east of Scotland, his coaching skills, and his managerial progress since becoming Director of Golf at Cruden Bay.
Lossiemouth born Robbie has been attached to Cruden Bay Golf Club for more than 20 years, latterly in the management position of Director of Golf, and is delighted to have been recognised by the APAL Council.
‘‘I have always felt extremely proud and fortunate to me member of the PGA and to be recognised in this way by my peers is very special. I do enjoy learning new things and the PGA has been excellent in providing its members with opportunities to continue learning through the CPD structure’’.
Speaking on behalf of Cruden Bay Golf Club, captain Brem Forbes said ‘‘Robbie has put in a tremendous effort since taking on the role of Director of Golf and this recognition of his work is thoroughly deserved.  I am sure that in the years ahead members and visitors will reap the benefits of Robbie’s total dedication to the management, promotion and marketing of Cruden Bay Golf Club’’.



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ROSS FISHER BECOMES A NIKE GOLF TOUR STAFF PLAYER

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY NIKE
Nike Golf is proud to announce that Ross Fisher, a four-time winner on the European Tour, has joined the Nike Golf Tour Staff with immediate effect.
In switching to exclusively play and wear Nike Golf products, Fisher is making the first manufacturer change during his seven-year career as a tour professional.
The 31-year-old from West London, whose most recent victory was at the Irish Open in 2010, has signed a multi-year staff contract that will see him head-to-toe in Nike Golf’s innovative range of apparel, footwear, and equipment, including the new 20XI ball, which goes on sale in Europe next month.
Fisher said he was attracted to the energy and innovation that Nike Golf has been bringing to golf since it launched its first equipment range just over 10 years ago.
"Just looking at the history of Nike, it's all about innovative products that are designed specifically for athletes. Nike Golf is the same. At Nike, golfers are athletes," said Fisher.
Speaking about his plans for the 2012 season, Fisher said: “My first priority this year is to get back into the world’s top 50, and with the backing and support of my coaches and the team at Nike Golf, I am sure that it’s a realistic goal.
"Since the end of the season I’ve been working hard on all aspects of my game. I’m really bombing it with the VR Pro Ltd driver and I’m looking forward to putting all the new gear into play. At the moment we’re experiencing a golden period for European golf, particularly in Britain, and I just want to be back up there challenging for Majors and another Ryder Cup appearance.”
With four individual wins to his name, and team wins in the 2010 Ryder Cup and Seve Trophy, Fisher remains one of the most talented players of his generation.
Joining the European Tour in 2006, he has won four times in consecutive years from 2007, with victories at the KLM Open, the European Open in 2008, the Volvo World Match Play in 2009, and the 3 Irish Open in 2010, where he fired a second round 61 at Killarney.
A notoriously long and accurate striker of the ball – he averaged 293 yards of the tee in 2011 – Fisher gained the honour of having the lowest cumulative score for the four major championships in 2009, with a best-placed finish of fifth at The Open Championship, a position he matched in the US Open.
In his bag for 2012 will be a selection of products from the highly successful VR woods and iron range and the tour proven Method putter line.
Fisher will also join members of Nike Golf’s Tour staff in putting the ground-breaking 20XI ball into play. Featuring a revolutionary new resin core, the 20XI-S and 20XI-X balls creates faster initial ball speeds to deliver even greater distance off the tee for those with 90mph+ swing speeds, while retaining high levels of spin and control around the greens. New construction materials also ensure unparalleled levels of consistency from ball-to-ball, for highly predictable performance.
“Changing balls is much harder than changing clubs,” says Fisher. “With a new driver, that’s basically just one shot you have to understand. But a new ball affects all 14 clubs in your bag, and you have to have confidence in how each of those clubs is going to play. It’s not something you can do overnight, but I’m really excited about what this ball is going to do for my game.”
Robin Murray, EMEA sports marketing manager for Nike Golf, is equally excited about his latest signings’ prospects in 2012. "Ross is going to light it up this year" he said. "We ask our players for their input and their opinion so that we can get them what they need to compete at the highest level. Ross feels that we can help him return to prominence. In turn, we take player feedback and develop products that will help the average golfer compete at the highest level. What is nice for us is that Ross has really embraced this concept."
Fisher’s first outing as a Nike Golf staff athlete will be at the Abu Dhabi Championship, which takes place from January 26-29.

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