STEWART HEADS FOR ANOTHER £10,000 PRIZE

DUNCAN STEWART ... On a roll Grantown on Spey's Duncan Stewart is set to win his second £10,000 first prize of the season on the PGA EuroPro Tour and his third in all as he leads by three strokes with one round to play in the Sweetspot Masters at Huntly Hotel and Golf Club, Yorkshire.The top five after Tour Championships are rewarded with Challenge Tour categories for 2013, and Stewart could guarantee his move to European golf's second tier should he become the first player to win two Tour events this summer with victory in the Sweetspot Masters. Stewar leads Englishman James Maw by three strokes after both carded second-round 68s, five under par on the Morgans Course. Stewart had record an eight-under-par opening round on Wednesday and went low again today, despite two bogeys on the back nine. He opened with five pars before embarking on a run of three consecutive birdies from the par-four sixth. A bogey at 11 set him back a shot but a birdie at 12 and an eagle at the par-four 13th quickly made amends. His second bogey was made at the 14th but a three at 15 cancelled that out immediately and he negotiated his final three holes of the round to par. A cut to the leading 50 players has now been made. All golfers with a 36-hole score of one-under-par advance to Friday's final round, Scots who made the cut alongwith Duncan Stewart were Elliot Saltman (Archerfield) on 141 (70-71) joint 15th, Ed Wood (Crow Wood) (70-72) and John Henry (Clydebank and Dist) (68-71) joint 21st on 142, John Gallagher (Swanston) joint 26th on 143 (71-72) and Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) (72-72) on 144 (jt 34th). Wallace Booth (Comrie) (72-74), Chris Kelly (Cawder) (69-77) and Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) (74-72) were eliminated on 146. Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy) failed on 147 (73-74) and Zack Saltman (Archerfield) missed out on 151 (72-79) Eric Walker (Burntisland) failed on 152 (79-73) and Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) was eliminated on 154 (76-78) TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

GRAEME BROWN WINS SCOTS YOUNG PROS TITLE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Montrose Links' Graeme Brown, pre-tournament favourite for the Scottish Young Professionals Championship at West Lothian, duly justified the tag with a four-round total of 284. For most of the 72-hole tournament, Keir McNicoll (Gullane) made the running and he was still in the front rank, although sharing it with Brown with one round to go. Brown collected the £1,000 first prize and the prestigious title by signing off with a 73, two shots better than McNicoll who did not even have the consolation of gaining second place in the end with his 286 total. That went to Michael Paterson (Kilmacolm) who shot a closing 69 to post the clubhouse target of 285, a target which only Brown, who played on the US college golf circuit before turning pro, was able to beat. SCOTTISH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP West Lothian Golf Club LEADING FINAL TOTALS 284 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 72 69 70 73 (£1,000) 285 Michael Paterson (Kilmacolm) 72 71 73 69 (£800) 286 Keir McNicoll (Gullane) 68 72 71 75 (£600) 287 Thomas Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 70 71 72 74 (£450) 288 Malcolm Isaacs ( Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 70 72 70 70 (£360) 293 Chris Robinson (Dumfries and Galloway) 74 69 73 77 (£320) 294 Cameron West (Scotscraig) 75 76 74 69, Ross Jack (Dumfries and Galloay) 76 73 73 72, Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle) 74 74 83 83. David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 72 72 75 75 (£245 each) 296 Andrew McIntyre (Ranfurly Castle) 74 74 72 75, Adam McCabe (Gordon Sherry Golf) 73 72 75 76, Craig Haugh (Linlithgow) 75 69 76 76 297 Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 75 71 74 77, Daniel Wood (Hirsel) 75 69 76 77 298 Paul Robinson (Largs) 75 71 72 80 299 Jamie Mackay (North Gailes) 78 74 77 70 300 Joseph McBrearty (Haggs Castle) 72 76 75 77, Stuart Boyle (The Belfry) 74 72 77 77 301 Andrew Rollo (Moray) 80 70 75 76 302 Paul Betty (Hamilton) 70 79 78 75 303 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 74 72 76 81 304 Ewan Macpherson (Auchterarder) 78 77 76 76, Rob Satterley (Swanston) 73 78 77 76, Iain Dean (Murrayfield) 75 72 81 76, Sean Fay (Royal Dornoch) 69 78 81 76. 305 Nikki Christie (Carnoustie) 78 74 74 79, Sam McLaren (Crieff) 76 73 76 80 307 Iain McNab (Dundnald Links) 79 73 80 75 308 Ewan Grimes (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 73 70 80 80 309 Gregor Wright (Ladybank) 73 79 76 81, Cameron Tortolano (Stirling) 75 73 80 81 310 Grant Smith (Gleneagles) 76 73 82 79 312 David Laing (Craigielaw) 72 80 74 86, Andrew Burns (Bothwell Castle) 76 76 76 84 TO VIEW THE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL THE PRIZE MONEY CLICK HFRE

NOW GOLF WRITERS ADD TO SCOTTISH LIST OF TRIUMPHS

It's been an excellent 2012 for Scottish golfers. Paul Lawrie has enjoyed a career renaissance with two victories on the European Tour and six further top-10 finishes. He has climbed into the top-30 on the Official World Golf Ranking and has made the Ryder Cup team for the first time since 1999 - the year of his Open triumph.
Richie Ramsay has enjoyed a fine second half of the season and, with a win at the European Masters, has pocketed almost €1 million in 2012. Marc Warren and Stephen Gallacher have both had solid years while, on the Ladies European Tour, Carly Booth and Catriona Matthew have been winners.
Scotland's amateur men won the Home Internationals for the first time since 2006 and 19-year-old Jack McDonald was a semi-finalist in the Amateur Championship.
And the success stories keep coming with news of a momentous victory for the Scots in the Association of Golf Writers' (AGW) Home Internationals, contested this week at Close House in Northumberland.
For the first time since 2001, the Scottish have their hands on this prestigious and much coveted trophy. Relying on a blend of age and experience, the Scots team of Martin Dempster, Mike Aitken, Allan Herron, Nick Rodger, Bill Robertson and Fergus Bisset secured victory with a 2-1 win over Ireland in Tuesday's final round.
The competition began at Close House on Monday with the opening games: England v Scotland and Wales v Ireland.
The matches were, as ever, played in the best possible spirit and all involved greatly enjoyed the course. It's a relatively new track, opened for play just 18 months ago. But it has the feel of a far more established layout and is already earning a good reputation in the North-east of England.
Former World Number 1, Lee Westwood opened the course and is attached to Close House as their Tour Professional.
Set in the beautiful hill country surrounding Close House - a stunning 18th century mansion and now an opulent hotel - the course winds through mature trees and up towards the higher ground where there are superb views across the Tyne Valley.
There's a fantastic selection of memorable and challenging holes. It may not be the longest layout at just over 6,800 yards, but it's a true strategic test where placement rather than power is the key to success. The green complexes are testing to say the least and demand a deft touch: Not something AGW members are renowned for.
In the first match, the Scottish pairing of Robertson and Bisset secured a point with a narrow win over England's Alan Hedley and Trevor Peake; Rodger and Herron were undone by a half-time pie and, despite being three-up at one point, were pegged back to lose out by 3 and 1.
It was left to team captain Martin Dempster and the consistent Mike Aitken to bring the match home. They did their job well as they ran out winners over Jim Mossop and Martin Hardie. In the second match, Ireland defeated defending champions Wales.  
On Monday evening, the players were entertained by Director of Golf, Russell Smith, in the clubhouse's excellent restaurant: No. 19. Russell has moved to Close House from Gleneagles and is a fine addition to the hotel and golf club staff. After a wonderful meal, it was time to retire to the hotel and prepare for the challenge of 36-holes on day two.
Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins performed in front of 5,000 people at Close House on Sunday but, unfortunately, was unable to stay for a second night to perform in front of the golf writers. Thankfully, members of both the Welsh and Irish teams have impressive voices and they did their level best to make up for the disappointment with a lengthy, late-night recital in the hotel bar.  
At 8.30 in the morning, the mood was reserved as the players gathered for the second round matches. Whether it was nerves or the glass of Knob Creek bourbon at 2.30am, the start made by the Scottish lead off pair was a touch shaky.
Robertson and Bisset just couldn't get it going against the Welsh duo of John Hopkins and Simon Curle. In the end, a 4 and 3 defeat was a fair result. It was a disappointing blow for Bisset who has never won a match against this renowned pairing. But, he consoled himself with a couple of pints of Moretti beer at lunchtime and these seemed to give him a far more positive outlook as he approached the afternoon game.
One-nil down, the Scots had to hope the final two matches would go their way. Allan Herron who, at 83, was the oldest man in the field, looked a good deal spritelier than a number of the younger competitors as he guided Nick Rodger through to a crucial win. Then, the anchor pairing of Dempster and Aitken secured the point for Scotland with a tremendous win over David Facey and Martin Johnson.
A win for Ireland over England set up a deciding match: the Irish against the Scots: The fate of this historic tournament rested on three final games.
Rejuvenated by a half-time break, Bisset and Robertson re-found their games to record the first point. Robertson, despite having a triple heart bypass earlier in the year, showed no signs of fatigue as he completed 54-holes in just over 24-hours. It was a great effort and one thoroughly appreciated by his playing partner.
Herron and Rodger began their final game a little slowly - five down at the turn. They battled back well, (a hole halved in conceded 8s was, perhaps, the highpoint,) but they were unable to overturn the deficit. That meant, once again, the match came down to the steady pairing of Martin Dempster and Mike Aitken. They saw the Scots home with authority to make sure the trophy would be heading north of the border for the first time in a decade.
The presentation dinner was held in the hotel's sophisticated Argent d'Or restaurant, where the food was of exceptional quality. Everything about Close House is done with a sense of relaxed style. The writers commented on how friendly and helpful the staff members were, and how welcome and comfortable they were made to feel.
So comfortable in fact, that it was rather difficult to dislodge them from the hotel bar that night. An encore by the Welsh and Irish male voice choirs and an accompaniment from Langholm's Nick Rodger on the spoons celebrated the general bonhomie amongst the team members.
There's clearly fabulous camaraderie in the event and, combined with some thoroughly excellent hosting by the ladies and gents of Close House, the tournament was a great success.

LOUIS GAUGHAN MAKES MARK ON ALLIANCE DEBUT

 By ALAN GREENSHIELDS

A field of 77 enjoyed a bit sunshine on a course playing its full length when the East Alliance headed to the opening outing of the 2012/13 season at Bathgate.

Winner of the Ramsay Trophy with a net 66 (73 less 7) is new member James Salvestro of Dalmahoy.

Top scratch prize also went to a new member via Louis Gaughan who is Stuart Callan's (Professional at Bathgate) 2nd assistant with a magnificent 3 under par score of 68 - great job Louis.

Second place in scratch was shared 3 ways via stalwarts of the East Alliance - Andrew Oldcorn (King's Acre) and Gordon Law (Uphall) along with another new member, Neil Henderson of The Glen all on 70.

Second place in handicap was split two ways via Derek Fish (Glenbervie) and George Wither (Lothianburn) both with 69 (70 less 1)

Senior top prize went to Willie Miller (Falkirk Tryst) net 71 (81 less 10).

Next week the East Alliance head to West Lothian.

 

Alan Greenshields

Secretary/Treasurer 

 

SCOREBOARD WILL APPEAR THIS EVENING

HUTCH'S EURO DREAM HOPES FADE

Greig Hutcheon's dream of playing on the European Tour looks like remaining just that for another year after the Banchory man returned a third-round 77 at the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 eliminator at The Roxburghe Hotel and golf course near Kelso today (Thursday). The Banchory man, leader of the Tartan Tour money table and Order of Merit, is now on the 221 mark and he is in joint 15th place with one round to go. Only the leading nine players and ties after 72 holes will go forward to Stage 2. Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) and Scott Henderson (Kings Links) are within the "safety zone" at the moment. Irishman Mark Staunton continues to make the running and is six shots clear with an 11-under-par tally of 205. EUROPEAN TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Stage 1  The Roxburghe Hotel and golf course, near Kelso LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS Par 216 (3x72) 205 Mark Staunton (Ire) 67 68 70. 211 Peter O'Keeffe (Ire) 73 70 68. 214 George Thacker (Eng) 72 75 67 216 Alex Christie (Eng) 74 72 70, Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 74 67 75, Joel Hendry (US) 73 75 68 217 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) 72 70 75 218 Zane Scotland (Eng) 74 69 75, Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) 76 68 74, Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 75 70 73 OTHER SCOTS SCORES 219 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 79 76 74 (T15) 221 Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 74 73 74. Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 72 72 77 (T15) 223 Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 70 80 73, Stephen Gray (Hayston) 76  73 74 (T20) 224 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) 77 76 71, John Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 75 75 84 (T24) 225 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 73 78 74 (T29) 226 Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) 70 75 81 (29th). 227 Philip McLean (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 78 75 74 (T30). VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

THRILLING FINISH TO SCOTTISH YOUNG PROS CHAMPIONSHIP

The stage is set for a thrilling last round in the Scottish Young Professionals' championship at West Lothian Golf Club this afternoon. 
Long-time leader Keir McNicoll (Gullane) has been joined in the lead a two-under-par 211 by Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), the pre-tournament favourite.
In this morning's third round Brown had a 70 after earlier scores of 72 and 69, while McNicoll has shot 68-72-71
Not out of it by any means is the third-placed Thomas Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) who is on 213 after rounds of 70-71-72
First prize is worth £1,000 and, of course, the title of Scottish Young Professional Champion has a touch of prestige attached to it.

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
211 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 72 69 70, Keir McNicoll (Gullane) 68 72 71
213 Thomas Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 70 71 72
216 Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 72 71 73, Christopher Robinson (Dumfries and Galloway) 74 69 73
218 Paul Robinson (Largs) 75 71 72, Malcolm Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Club) 70 72 76
219 Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) 75 74 70, David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 72 72 75, Malcolm Murray (Bearsden) 71 71 77

KAZAKHSTAN OPEN CHALLENGE TOUR'S MAJOR EVENT

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR PREVIEW

Gary Lockerbie has insisted that the Challenge Tour Rankings Number One crown will not weigh him down as the Englishman returns to the tournament which produced his biggest career win at the Challenge Tour season’s ‘Major’, the Kazakhstan Open.

Second-placed Carlsson closed the gap at the top of the Rankings to just €390 last week at the M2M Russian Challenge Cup and this week’s €400,000 event at Zhailjau Golf Resort is sure to play a pivotal part in the battle to follow Tommy Fleetwood and become the tour’s number one player for 2012.

Lockerbie has form in this tournament and his win in 2008 at Nurtau Golf Club, the other course in Almaty which hosts this event biannually, played a massive part in his gaining a European Tour card for the 2009 season.

Neither Lockerbie nor Carlsson have won this year but have produced results at the most lucrative tournaments, namely the dual-ranking Madeira Islands Open – Portugal and St Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC, but Lockerbie insists it will not become a duel between himself and the Swede.

“I don’t look too much at the Rankings,” he said. “People remind me of it a lot but it’s not the biggest issue. I'm not just trying to beat Magnus every week and if it turned into a match play situation where we’re just trying to beat each other every week it wouldn’t be good for our golf.

“I'm sure Magnus is trying equally as hard but we just want to do our best and see where we end up. There are still loads of players who can win the Rankings and anyone who wins here will be right up there and have a very good chance.

“I just want to get to the (Apulia San Domenico) Grand Final and there will probably be a few of us in with a shout so it will be exciting.”

Indeed, the 29 year old believes that there is much less pressure now that he is guaranteed a European Tour card and that could suit the laid-back Cumbrian.

“I guess there’s a little less pressure because of where I am in the Rankings but I’ll still be trying as hard and it would still be great to come out on top at the end of the week,” he said. “I'm just going to enjoy myself.

“I've won the tournament before but it’s a totally different venue and they’re quite opposites as courses – the last one was tight and the scores were high but this is wider and the scores will be lower.

“It’s a lovely course. It’s very new and it’s a modern golf course. The rough is up from what the members play but it looks like a score-able course, although the greens act as a defence as they’ve got a lot of slopes.

“It could be good fun if the greens firm up but it’s going to be a good week and I'm going to have to go deep.”

Aside from Kristoffer Broberg, who gained automatic promotion to The European Tour thanks to three Challenge Tour wins this season, and Raymond Russell, all of the top 20 players on the Challenge Tour Rankings are present for what is regarded as the Challenge Tour’s Major in the Central Asian city of Almaty.

The Kazakhstan Open is an event where success almost guarantees promotion to The European Tour.

Since its inception in 2005, every winner of the tournament has gone on to gain a card for The European Tour, and the last three victors have emerged as the Challenge Tour’s Number One player that same season – beginning with Italian Edoardo Molinari in 2009, then Spaniard Alvaro Velasco in 2010 before England’s Fleetwood repeated the feat last year.

For those players further down the Rankings, meanwhile, it can prove a crucial fortnight in turning their seasons round.

Fleetwood’s superb win last season moved him from 18th place in the Rankings to the very top, where he stayed until the season’s end, while it was also crucial for the likes of Matthew Southgate and Simon Thornton, who both finished tied third last year, in earning their European Tour status.