Swede success for Daniel Jennevret - leading Amateur qualifier

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE R AND A

Royal Troon:  Sweden’s Daniel Jennevret leads the field into the match-play stage of the 2012 Amateur Championship at Royal Troon and Glasgow-Gailes Links.  

Jennevret, ranked 576 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) is looking to become just the second Swede to win the Amateur Championship after Christian Hardin triumphed in 1988 at Royal Porthcawl.

The 22-year-old student at Texas Christian University in the United States broke the Royal Troon amateur course record with a 6-under-par 65, adding to his opening level par 71 at Glasgow- Gailes Links yesterday.

Jennevret has his eyes on the ultimate prize that goes with winning the Amateur Championship. “It would be huge to get into The Open Championship,” Jennevret said. “That’s what I’m aiming for.”
The native of Sandviken, Sweden, only made one mistake around Royal Troon. He bogeyed the 503-yard par-4 15th hole, when he drove into the left hand rough and could only chip the ball back into play.
“I putted incredibly well,” he said. “It’s all about hitting fairways, too. I was good off the tee and hit 17 greens. This is one of the better rounds I have played.”

Joint overnight leader Geoff Drakeford finished two shots back in second position, after the Australian scored 71 at Glasgow-Gailes Links to go with the 67 he scored at Royal Troon. Frenchmen Paul Barjon and Adrien Saddier finished in third position on 3-under-par alongside Ireland’s Richard O’Donovan.

O’Donovan, who finished 4^th at the St Andrews Links Trophy, equalled the amateur course record at Glasgow Gailes-Links, currently held by Scotland’s Ross Kellett.  

His fantastic bogey-free 5-under- par 66 included a series of long putts and a chip-in at the second hole.

The qualification mark after the stroke play stages sits at a 3-over-par total of 145. Seventy-eight players from twenty-five countries progressed to the match play stages where the last man standing on Saturday earns a spot in The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, a place in the US Open and traditionally an invitation to The Masters.
Daan Huizing, currently fifth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, was among those to make it through. He returned rounds of 71 at Glasgow-Gailes Links to go with his opening 72 at Royal Troon to finish joint 28th of the 288 starters.

The Dutchman warmed up for The Amateur by winning the Lytham Trophy by eleven shots and the St Andrews Links Trophy by 14 shots. Huizing is keen to make it a British treble. “I’ve been aiming to be ready for this for many months,” Huizing said. “I realise how big it is and I’ve tried to be at my best. Hopefully I can win it.”

Other notables to qualify include WAGR number nine Julien Brun of France, 2011 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup players Rhys Pugh and Alan Dunbar, former Boys Amateur champion Emilio Cuartero of Spain and European Amateur champion Manuel Trappel.
Local boy Jack MacDonald from Kilmarnock (Barassie) also progressed, along with fellow countrymen James White, Paul Ferrier, Daniel Young and Brian Soutar.

WAGR number seven Corbin Mills did not advance to the match play stages. The American missed out by four shots after returning a second round 77 at Royal Troon to finish on 149. Australia’s Jake Higginbottom, the WAGR number eight, also finished on the same score to miss out.
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Tomorrow’s preliminary match play round will get underway at 7am.

ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES DOWN TO LAST FOUR

Tulloch Recruitment will play Baker Hughes and Greenkeepers will face Lawyers in tomorrow's semi-finals of the Aberdeen Trades foursomes. Last night's quarter-finals results at Hazlehead: Tulloch Recruitment w.o. Meat Trade scr. Baker Hughes beat Sparrows Group at 19th (J Cumming, R Davidson 2, J Strachan S Moore 0; C McGill, M Elrick 0, R Grant, D Stuart 2). Greenkeepers wo Grampian Police scr. Lawyers bt Morrison Construction by 11 holes (W Barclay, J Christie 11, G Horne, P Wilson 0; S Allan, D Purdie 0, D Davie, P Henderson 0) SEMI-FINALS 16.47 Tulloch Recruitment v Baker Hughes 17.01 Greenkeepers v Lawyers.

CLUBGOLF PRO-AM AT SPEY VALLEY

 Winning team picture by Rob Eyton Jones (L to R):  Bill Miller, Chair ClubGolf Scotland Ltd.; Ken Nairn, Calum Nairn both Prestwick St Nicholas; Scott Henderson, Professional; Iain Dalling, Dumfries and Galloway; Willie MacKay, ClubGolf Regional Manager, Highlands and Islands)

WHEN YOU COME TO THE END OF A PERFECT DAY 

By ROB EYTON-JONES

If there was such a thing as a perfect day for rewarding the largely unsung volunteer coaches for their Herculean efforts in developing junior golf then yesterday was it.

The magnificent Dave Thomas-designed Spey Valley Championship course, in sparkling early summer form, was the scene for the latest instalment of the ClubGolf Scottish Hydro Challenge Pro-Am, a fiercely sought after and hotly contested event for 60 volunteers leading junior development in their clubs through ClubGolf. 

ClubGolf programme is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which is supporting the development of golf at a community level in Scotland for three years.  Its sponsorship is endorsed by 18-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus.

Whilst the emphasis on the Pro-Am was reward, shared coaching experience and camaraderie, there were, of course, winners. 

The team prize went to the combined threesome - Prestwick St Nicholas’s father and son Ken and Calum Nairn, and Dumfries and Galloway’s Iain Dalling - who joined forces with the experienced Tartan Tour player Scott Henderson, from Aberdeen.  

Their score of 60 put them comfortably clear of Newburgh on Ythan and Invergordon Golf Clubs, in second and third place and both scoring 62, and secured the main prize of a week’s stay at MacDonald’s La Armiat resort in Mijas, Spain.

“Today was a great reward for the people that are involved in ClubGolf,” said Ken Nairn.  “The organisation of the day was phenomenal and it's lovely when you come to a venue like this and you know that everything has been organised well and you are cared for from start to finish.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our professional, Scott Henderson, who played unbelievably well.  From the first we knew we were in safe hands with a fantastic ambassador for the game.  It was a tremendous pleasure for me to play with Iain Dalling and my son.”

Prestwick St Nicholas has been on board with ClubGolf for two years.  The volunteers coach 18 juniors a week, and last week taught a group of 14 children with a learning disability. 

“ClubGolf is a fantastic initiative, a tremendous pleasure for me and the people at St Nicholas,” continued Ken.

“At the start we saw ClubGolf as an initiative just to teach the kids but I now think we've got to look at bringing the young kids into the club through ClubGolf because the days of junior golf being for members’ sons are long gone.  We had to spread our nets much wider than that and I’m sure we will get new members as of this.”

Simon Jackson, CEO of Macdonald Hotels, Aviemore presented the prizes at Spey Valley last night with Tournament Director Kevin Feeney, master of ceremonies for the evening, who added his own ringing endorsement:   “Over 12,000 children come to clubs for lessons through ClubGolf and that is all because of people like these incredible volunteers that we have here today.

“What these volunteers do is absolutely outstanding and on behalf of the Challenge Tour and the professionals here I would like to give them a huge thank you.

“Without the help of these volunteers, people like myself who work on the tour level just wouldn't see the youngsters coming through. Today really was about us putting something back for the volunteers and I hope they enjoyed it.”

Later this week the Scottish Hydro Challenge will give 250 children on ClubGolf programmes at Highland schools and golf clubs the unique opportunity to watch European Challenge Tour players and also have coaching clinics from several of the Challenge Tour Pros.

The combination of junior coaching and volunteer Pro-Am at the Scottish Hydro Challenge encourages aspiring young golfers and acknowledges those who have the vital role of nurturing them at club level.  Ultimately it will develop more active junior members and create a large pool of well coached youngsters from which more talented players will emerge.

Said ClubGolf’s Highland and Islands Regional Manager, Willie MacKay:  “Today was a great opportunity for ClubGolf to recognise our volunteer coaches who work so hard for the good of junior golf in Scotland.

“We are delighted with how it went, and our 60 ClubGolf volunteer coaches had a fantastic day out on a wonderful course and gained valuable on course advice from their Challenge Tour Pros.

“Thanks must go to Macdonald Hotels, for the European Challenge Tour, Bounce, EventScotland, and the Scottish Hydro for creating such a fabulous day. With Murray Urquhart and his staff working so well with the Challenge Tour staff the day goes like clockwork from start to finish.”

“I would encourage all coaches to look to entering in 2013.  There were 41 teams this year and a ballot for places but that still gives your team a one in two chance.  

“To get an impression of the day log onto www.clubgolfscotland.com or if you are a facebook user, go to ClubGolf’s facebook page:  www.facebook.com/clubgolfscotland

 

LEADING PRIZES

 

1^st Place Team:

A one-week stay in the Macdonald La Ermita resort in Mijas, Spain.

Winners:  Prestwick St Nicholas, and Dumfries and Galloway GCs

 

2^nd Place Team:

Fourball with DB&B at Macdonald & Spey Valley

Winners:  Newburgh on Ythan GC

 

3^rd Place Team:

Fourball at Gleneagles

Winners:  Invergordon GC

YOUNG SCOTS SCALE THE HEIGHTS FOR SCOTTISH HYDRO CHALLENGE AT AVIEMORE

 Left to right: Michael Stewart, James Byrne, David Law, Eddie Pepperell and Michael Lorenzo-Vera.

NEWS RELEASE

Three of Scotland’s top young golfers, James Byrne, David Law and Michael Stewart, reached new heights in their burgeoning professional careers when they launched the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts by hitting the highest golf shots in the UK from 1097m above sea level.

One of the flagship tournaments on the European Challenge Tour schedule, the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts takes place this week at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club in Aviemore.

The Ptarmigan restaurant at the peak of the Cairngorm Mountain was the perfect setting to launch the tournament as the three Scots were joined by Eddie Pepperell of England and France’s Michael Lorenzo-Vera to sample the stunning views and wow the crowds with their pinpoint accuracy.

Striking from an elevated tee and with the wind howling, they were given the difficult task of trying to land the ball on a small, specially-constructed green about 130 yards down the mountain. While the players found it a tough task at first, they soon found their range and 23 year old Byrne even came close to a hole-in-one as one of his final attempts bounced out of the cup before resting on the green.

Byrne celebrated in style by dropping to his knees and clenching his fists, before he was congratulated by his fellow players.

It was Lorenzo-Vera who emerged victorious though, by hitting closest to the pin with a shot that bounced off the rocks before landing five yards from the hole to the delight of the onlookers.

The players agreed that it was a perfect warm-up for the week ahead as they were able to enjoy some relaxed fun with a slight competitive edge.

“It was really good fun to come out here before the tournament and relax and have a laugh with the lads,” said Law, who is mentored by fellow Aberdonian Paul Lawrie. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever done before, that’s for sure.
“I thought we had no chance when I saw it at first but a couple of the guys hit some good shots and it was great to see.”
Byrne said of his near hole-in-one: “It was brilliant. It was such a tough shot and to actually pull it off, I felt I had to celebrate.
“We thought it was around 70 yards when we saw it first and so we thought it would be reasonably easy, even with the wind. But it’s actually about 130 yards and the green was only about two metres in length and width so the chances were pretty slim and to hit it was pretty impressive.
“Maybe that was close to being the highest hole-in-one in the world!”
Stewart, Byrne’s team-mate from the winning Great Britain and Ireland team in last year’s Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, said: “It was good fun. It’s good to keep it light-hearted before the tournament, it keeps your mind off the business this week.
“I’m really excited and nervous for the tournament to start now and obviously I want to play well because it’s a home event.”
The Scots are well represented this week with the five members of Team Scottish Hydro – Chris Doak, Jack Doherty, Callum Macaulay, Andrew McArthur and Jamie McLeary – all playing, as well as brothers Elliot and Lloyd Saltman.
Former BMW PGA Championship winner Scott Drummond and Wallace Booth, whose sister Carly won the Ladies Scottish Open on the Ladies European Tour earlier this year, are also present.
Gary Lockerbie, the current Rankings leader, is also in attendance for the €220,000 event, as are former champions Robert Dinwiddie (2007) and Sam Walker (2006), and England’s three time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty.

FORTROSE and ROSEMARKIE WAIVE JOINING FEE IN SPECIAL OFFER

THE VIEW IS FREE...AND SO IS THE JOINING FEE 

By MIKE MacDONALD

Club secretary, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club

For a Limited period only: We are waiving the joining fee, so you can become a member of Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club for just £275 for the rest of the 2012 season.

Now you can enjoy much more than just a great view.

   OPEN EVENING at 5pm, FRIDAY, JUNE 29

On Friday 29th June 2012 between 5.00pm–7.30pm Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club will be holding an Open Evening to give prospective members the opportunity to sample the facilities. Whether you are an experienced player, have never played before or are simply looking to use the club facilities you will always find a warm welcome.

• Novices can get free starter tips in our practice area.

• Experienced players can join one of our members and play for free (booking recommended).

• Prospective social members can view the facilities and enjoy a free welcome drink and complimentary canapés.

PACKAGES

Full Membership

Take advantage of our FULL membership package where you can play for the rest of the 2012 season for only £275 (Juniors £30). For all FULL and COUNTRY/OVERSEAS Members we have reciprocal agreements in place with Royal Dornoch, Brora, Moray, Tain, Nairn Dunbar, Inverness, Golspie and Forres Golf Clubs which will allow you to play up to three times per year at a considerably reduced rate.

Country Membership

If you live out with 50 miles from the Golf Club you can take advantage of our Country Membership for only £175.

Social Membership

For only £20 per annum social members will be able to use the club house and relax whilst looking out over one of the finest views of the Moray Firth.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, call the secretary on 01381 620529 / 620733 or email Mike MacDonald at secretary@fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Mike MacDonald [Club Secretary]

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

Ness Road East

Fortrose

Ross-Shire

IV10 8SE

Tel: 01381 620529

Fax: 01381 621328

E-mail - secretary@fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Web - www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Twitter - @FortroseGC1888

Facebook – Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club Links

Photobox – www.photoboxgallery.com/fortrosegolfclub

SCORES FROM SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND OF AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

SCORES FROM THE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND OF THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL TROON AND GLASGOW GAILES ARE AVAILABLE ALL DAY ON THE R AND A WEBSITE


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JACKLIN JUNIOR MAKES PRO DEBUT AS DAD PLAYS AT TURNBERRY

FROM THE R AND A WEBSITE
They may be at opposite ends of their playing careers and separated by nearly half of a century in age, but Tony Jacklin and his youngest son Sean will be united by a common goal next month when they compete on the European Senior Tour and European Challenge Tour in the same week.
Two-time Major Champion Tony Jacklin, one of England’s greatest golfers and a four-time Ryder Cup Captain, will return to the competitive game after an absence of five years when he takes part in The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex at Turnberry, on the west coast Scotland, from July 26-29. 
Meanwhile, some 412 miles away at Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club, Sean will embark on his professional career after receiving an invitation to play in the English Challenge, which takes place the same week.
The youngest of Jacklin’s six children, 21 year old Sean recently graduated from the University of North Carolina where he majored in Business Administration, and he is now hoping to follow in his famous father’s footsteps.
Sean has been playing on the West Florida Golf Tour which bears his father’s name but, having completed his studies, he is now ready to make the step up to the Challenge Tour.
“I always wanted to be a pro golfer,” said Sean. “It was just the dream of being the best that always drove me on. I love the competition. My dad never really had to push me because I never wanted to do anything else. I never had a change of heart about playing golf. 
“I played soccer and baseball at school and I was quite good, but for some reason golf always stuck with me. 
“Of course, my father set me off with the fundamentals of the game. To be honest, he just told me to watch the best guys and see how they do it. It was more a case of watching how they deal with pressure rather than analysing their swings. He constantly tells me to watch these guys and see what their traits are when the pressure is on. Watch them coming down the stretch.” 
He added: “My dad has definitely been the most help in my career so far. I know I'm really lucky to have a former Major winner as my dad. 
“He’s pushing 68 now, but he hasn’t changed. It’s funny, I caddied for him when he played The Open in 2007 and when he finished he said, ’I’m done’. But since I’ve become a good player and I turned pro he’s really getting back into it. 
“We always play together and he plays one tee up just because of length, but he’s always taking it to me. He gets really into it. It’s really fun to see and it’s great that we can practise together and drive each other on. Of course, I'm victorious most of the time. But not all the time.” 
Tony Jacklin turns 68 three weeks before The Senior Open Championship and while he is understandably disappointed at missing out on being at Sean’s professional Challenge Tour debut, he is relishing the chance to play in another Senior Open Championship.

“I am over for The Open at Royal Lytham, where I won in 1969, then I’m playing in the British Par 3 Championship a couple of weeks later so as I’m exempt for The Senior Open I thought I would play,” he said. “It is at Turnberry, which is one of my favourite spots.

“I’m sure as it gets closer I will be a bit more apprehensive, but I’ve been playing a bit more recently and I’m hitting it well. The putting has been in and out which has always been the case with me. I’ve been playing at the Concession, the course I built with Jack (Nicklaus), and it’s a very demanding lay-out so it’s good preparation.
“I’ve been going to Turnberry since the early 60s and I’ve got some great memories there. It is one of the great links courses. You have to manufacture your shots around there. It’s a great course which has produced some great champions and is a special place.” 
Having mentored Sean through his formative years in the game, the 1969 Open Champion and 1970 US Open Champion believes his son could have a big future.
“He’s just finished college and golf is now the centre of his life,” he said. “It will be nice for him to play a couple of times on the Challenge Tour and get some experience. It gives him a chance to see how he fares against the other young hot shots. It’s difficult for the young players to get a chance so it is a big opportunity for him.
“We’ve been careful not to push him too much in junior golf as so many kids burn out by the time they are 17. He is ready now physically and mentally and this is a chance for him to see how good he is. I’m fairly confident of his ability and he has ambitions to get on Tour.
“It will be a proud moment for me to see him playing on the Tour and starting in the game. He’s had a life apprenticeship in the business, having been around the game for so many years. He’s got to keep playing well and keep his game sharp.
"He doesn’t shoot high numbers and is physically strong. It’s just a question of how hungry he is. You can’t look inside a person. He needs the competition now, but I’ve got a good feeling about him.” 
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, 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. 
American Russ Cochran won The 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath, England, holding off the challenge of former Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia, three-time Senior Open Champion Tom Watson and 2010 United States Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin.

WORLD NO 1 AMATEUR PATRICK CANTLAY TURNING PRO TODAY

FROM THE GOLFWEEKWEBSITE
SAN FRANCISCO -- World-ranked No 1 amateur Patrick Cantlay will announce that he is turning pro at 3 p.m. local time this afternoon, his swing instructor, Jamie Mulligan, told Golfweek a day after Cantlay posted a T-41 finish in the U.S. Open at Olympic Club.
Cantlay, who just completed his sophomore season at UCLA, will make his pro debut at this week's Travelers Championship, and also play the month-ending AT amd T National in Washington, D.C. and the Greenbrier Classic at the beginning of July.
He'll have six remaining sponsor invitations as he tries to get his US PGA Tour card without attending Q-School, much like Bud Cauley did at the end of 2011.
Cantlay will be represented by Mark Steinberg, longtime representative for Tiger Woods.
Cantlay has not signed with an equipment company as of yet, and will carry a UCLA stand bag and wear a Virginia Country Club hat in the meantime. Fellow Viriginia CC member John Cook is also represented by Steinberg.
Cantlay has already made a splash on the US PGA Tour as an amateur, making headlines after firing a 60 and taking a four-shot lead at the 2011 Travelers, while also garnering low-amateur status at the 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 Masters.
Cantlay was the winner of the 2012 Hogan Award, the first sophomore to ever win the annual award for the best college and amateur player in the U.S.
Cantlay was the U.S. Amateur runner-up in 2011 and won the prestigious Haskins Award, given to the best player in college golf, as a freshman.
He played in the United States team beaten by GB and I in the September 2011 Walker Cup match at Royal Aberdeen.

MyGolfRanking.co.uk, Fife Golfing Association

Week ending 10 June 2012

1 A Jones (Kirkcaldy) 1121.43 pts

2 M Rickard (Cupar) 1092.86

3 I Fleming (Auchterderran) 1031.25

4 K Lowey (Kirkcaldy) 1013.50

5 G Brooksbank (Falkland) 992.86

6 M Clark (Thornton) 953.33

7 B McGowan (Thornton) 952.83

8 M Rooney (Lundin) 950

T9 T G Caldwell (Burntisland GH) 941.67

T9 E M Diston (Ladybank) 941.67

11 M Elvin (Forrester Park) 935.71

12 J Woods (St Andrews GC) 925

13 B A A Kinsley (St Andrews GC) 907.14

T14 A Cannon (St Andrews GC) 900

T14 G Walker (Earlsferry Th) 900

16 G Hay (Dunnikier Park) 885.71

17 J Lamb (Dunfermline) 883.33

18 M Miller (Canmore) 878.57

19 J Henderson (Ladybank) 875

20 S C Simpson (St Andrews GC) 866.67  

For ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Fife and other Area and National ranking lists and How It Works, visit www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk