ARCHERFIELD'S FIDRA LINKS DEBUTS IN TOP 100 COURSES

NEWS RELEASE
Archerfield Golf Club’s Fidra Links, venue of the 2012 Ladies Scottish Open, has been ranked among the best golf courses in the UK and Ireland by an influential international golf magazine.
The biennial Top 100 Golf Courses in Britain & Ireland, published in the latest issue of Golf World magazine, positioned the landmark East Lothian links overlooking Fidra Island and the Firth of Forth 100th out of a total of 2,989 courses.
The 6,948-yard, par-72 East Lothian links, designed by European Senior Tour professional David J Russell and opened in 2004, combines a tree-lined front nine with a classic, open links challenge on the return, and features eye-catching revetted bunkers and sloping greens throughout.
The Golf World accolade comes a few days after 19-year-old golfing starlet Carly Booth secured her maiden Ladies European Tour title on the Fidra Links in her country’s national open.
The announcement also coincides with the opening of Archerfield’s luxury Fletcher’s Cottage Spa and sumptuous members’ lodges, available to both members and guests.
Tom Younger, Chief Executive of Archerfield Links and Archerfield House, said: “To be voted into Golf World’s Top 100 Courses as one of only four new entries is an honour that underlines not only the quality of the Fidra Links, but the Archerfield House estate as a whole.
 “Our two golf courses and clubhouse offer a relaxed, informal and welcoming family atmosphere, while our spa, luxury accommodation, hospitality and event facilities are second to none. As we say, at Archerfield we play a different game.”
The estate’s accommodation has recently been relaunched under the Archerfield House brand, offering 70 comfortable bedrooms in a variety of settings, from an exclusive sea front villa to the sumptuous Pavilion Suites attached to historic Archerfield House itself.
New three and four-bedroom luxury members’ lodges are also now open to non-members of the golf club, who can benefit from a special ‘Time to Discover Archerfield’ package throughout July, August and September 2012. The offer includes two nights’ accommodation, a round of golf for four people, plus two spa treatments, all for £1,250 (equivalent to £312.50 per person, based on four people sharing a lodge).

• Press release issued on behalf of Archerfield Links by Landmark Media International Ltd

ENGLAND BEAT FRANCE 15--9 BUT IT WASN'T QUITE AS EASY AS THAT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLAND GOLF
It is said there is no gain without pain and that summed up England’s hard-fought 15-9 victory over France on a dramatic afternoon at Rochester and Cobham Park in Kent.
It was England’s 28th success of the series that dates back to 1934. But few could have been quite as nail-biting as this before Craig Hinton saw his side to a scoreline that appears more comfortable than it was.
Having seen his side beaten in the previous contest at Chantilly two years ago, England captain Colin Edwards was not looking for further agony. But his side gave him a few headaches until Hinton’s 2 and 1 win over Nicolas Manifacier made the result safe.
It was a huge relief to Edwards. “The match was a whole lot closer than the scoreline suggests,” he said. “At one stage this afternoon it could have gone either way, but a couple of big performances turned it in our favour.
“The defeat in Chantilly two years ago really hurt so this is sweet revenge. A win here means a lot to me and the lads played magnificently, their attitude was good and there was a good spirit.”
The match also marked the swansong of French captain Pascal Grizot after eight years of success at the helm. “England were much better than us,” he admitted. “We made too many mistakes and the result is clearly in England’s favour.”
Going into the final series of singles, England required just three points. Yet for most of the afternoon it seemed that France might provide a sting in the tail.
They drew first blood when Edouard Espana inflicted Toby Tree’s first defeat of the match, winning 4 and 3 in the top game. It was the fourth time the pair had faced each other in two days and Espana was determined not to be second best again.
Neil Raymond, the reigning Brabazon Trophy winner, was locked in a titanic struggle with Kenny Subregis, a talented 16 year old. There was never more than one hole between them and it was perhaps fitting that it ended all square, the half marring Subrigis’s perfect record, but both going round in an approximate 67.
But a perfect record was reserved for Callum Shinkwin who was in fine form again. He won the opening two holes against Mathieu De Cottignies-Lafon and was never really threatened, running out a 3 and 2 winner.
But with two points still needed, where were they going to come from? The French were up in several other games but Ben Loughrey provided one. He trailed for most of the way against Lionel Weber, being 3-down at the turn.
But Loughrey got back level with three to play and won the last two holes for a stunning victory.
The all important win fell to Hinton who led for a long time but was pegged back to all square after ten holes. However, the Englishman won the 13th with a concession and put the result beyond doubt by taking the 17th with a par for a 2 and 1 success.
In the other games, Jack Hiluta went down 2 and 1 to Adrien Saddier but Ben Stow and Josh White tied up the bottom two games against Romain Langasque and Antoine Schwartz respectively to round off a clear if less than easy victory.
For more information including scores, interviews and photos visit the England Golf website.
Image copyright Tom Ward Photography.

TOMLINSON WINS FALDO SERIES EVENT AT WEST LANCS

NEWS RELEASE

 Louis Tomlinson triumphed in the fourth Faldo Series UK Championship of the 2012 season at West Lancashire Golf Club in Liverpool. 18-year-old Tomlinson fired rounds of 71 and 74 on his home course to win by one shot and secure a spot in the Grand Final.

“Course knowledge was really important, especially on the second day when the wind got up,” said Tomlinson, a former junior member of Sir Nick Faldo’s home club at Welwyn Garden City. “I’m delighted to get my first win of the season and can’t wait for the Grand Final at Lough Erne.”

Twelve-year-old Holly Muse (Girls’ Under-16), another member of West Lancashire, also made the most of local knowledge to seal her place in the 16^th Faldo Series Grand Final, to be hosted by six-time Major Champion Faldo at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland.
Three other age-group winners heading to the World Amateur Golf Ranking event at Lough Erne this September are Kieran Waters from Carlisle (Boys’ Under-21), Daniel Croft of Huyton and Prescot (Boys’ Under-16) and Poppy Finlay from Vicars Cross (Girls’ Under-21).

Leading final scores:

Boys’ Under-21

146 Kieran Waters (Carlisle) 75-71

153 Bradley Read (Warrington) 77-76

156 Kyle Evans (Prenton) 73-83.

Boys’ Under-18

145 Louis Tomlinson (West Lanchashire) 71-74

147 Nick Marsh (Huddersfield) 71-76

149 Cameron Massey (Chorlton-Cum-Hardy).

 Boys’ Under-16

152 Daniel Croft (Huyton and Prescot) 73-79

153 Hayden Mccullen (Delamere Forest) 76-77

154 Oliver Clarke (Formby) 76-78. 

Girls’ Under-21

167 Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross) 82-85

176 Amelia Taylor (St Anne’s Old Links) 87-89. 

Girls’ Under-16

158 Hollie Muse (West Lancs) 78-80

163 Eloise Healey (West Lancs) 78-85, Sophie Lamb (Clitheroe) 77-86.

TOM WATSON RETURNS TO TURNBERY: HIS FIELD OF MEMORIES

NEWS RELEASE ISSIED BY THE R AND A

Three years after his unforgettable attempt to make golfing history ended in heartache, Tom Watson will make an emotional return to Turnberry, scene of so many of his greatest moments, when he joins the field for The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex from July 26-29.

The American agonisingly missed out on becoming the oldest Major Champion in history when, at the age of 59, he led The 2009 Open Championship going into Turnberry’s 72^nd hole.
Needing a par for a record-equalling sixth Claret Jug, Watson could only manage bogey meaning he joined compatriot Stewart Cink in a play-off, which the younger American duly went on to win.
However, Watson’s remarkable performance captured the imagination of the golfing world and wider sporting public, coming 32 years after he was part of another of the game’s most enthralling battles, the famous Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus, also over Turnberry’s iconic Ailsa Course.
Watson emerged victorious on that occasion, winning The 1977 Open Championship, and he also won the first of his three Senior Open Championships in dramatic fashion at Turnberry in 2003, beating Carl Mason in a play-off after Mason had led by two shots going into the final hole.
The 62 year old, who won the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid last year, returns to Turnberry hoping to become the most successful player in the history of The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex, having also won the replica Claret Jug at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in 2005 and Muirfield in 2007. This year’s Championship is the 26^th staging of the event.
Watson also finished tied third in last year’s Championship at Walton Heath, won by his compatriot Russ Cochran, and his presence in the field is certain to be popular with the Scottish crowds, with whom he has such a strong affinity.
Watson is closely affiliated with The Senior Open Championship’s new Presenting Patron, Rolex, and the leading Swiss watchmaking brand is proud to count such a legendary player among its valued family of Testimonees. Considered one of golf’s most enduring professionals, Watson’s etiquette, passion and excellence exemplify Rolex’s philosophy and values.

Discounted advance tickets for The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex can now be purchased online, with season passes now available at £60 and any one day tickets at £18. They can be booked online at www.europeantourtickets.com as well as www.senioropengolf.com where other discounts and offers can also be found.

Hospitality packages are also now available at £95 per person inc VAT, which includes admittance to the course along with a three-course lunch and glass of champagne in Turnberry’s signature restaurant, 1906, reserved parking, a Championship programme and a draw sheet.

2012 FIFE GOLFING ASSOCIATION BOYS' ORDER OF MERIT

Sponsored by www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk

Positions after four events:
1 Ewan Scott (St Andrews) 210 pts
2 Greg Forrester (Lundin) 160
3 Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) 150
4 Ryan Brown (Dunfermline) 130
T5 D Neilson (Aberdour) 7
T5 Kyle Ritchie (Leven Thistle) 73
T5 Robbie Spriddle (Dunfermline) 73
T5 D Stewart (Lochgelly) 73.

The next counting event for the 2012 FIFE BOYS ORDER OF MERIT

is THE SGU JUNIOR TOUR at THE ROXBURGHE on 26 & 27 May.