RENFREWSHIRE MAKE IT ELEVEN IN A ROW

RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION

                                

PRESS RELEASE

  

 turnberry.db@gmail.co

Prestwick was the venue for Renfrewshire Golf Union’s “A” team’s challenge for yet another West of Scotland Inter Counties Championship where they faced a high quality Ayrshire team which was determined to put an end to Renfrewshire’s dominance.

The ten man team started badly with Ayrshire taking advantage of course knowledge to take the lead in six of the matches with Matt Clark (Kilmacolm), recently returned from representing Scotland in Turkey and suffering badly with a trapped nerve, going five down after five holes to Loudoun’s Tommy McInally.   

This was a match that Renfrewshire manager, David MacFarlane, had been counting on and heads were down as the top games all seemed to be going Ayrshire’s way.

Whitecraig’s Gordon Stevenson started to turn the tide as he fought back for a half match against Keith Hamilton but Jack McDonald from Barassie, one of Scotland’s most promising golfers, overcame the challenge of Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) and with Chris Kelly, Alistair McDougall and Ryan Mackenzie, in addition to Matt Clark, all down, it looked as if win eleven was slipping away.

There were great wins for Paul Alexander (Caldwell), Michael Daily (Erskine) and Bonnyton’s Grant Beaton, who has won all of his three matches this season, but it was Matt Clark, like a limping Lazarus, who shocked his opponent by clawing his way back into the match from five down with some inspired golf.  Having driven the par four sixteenth to get the match back to all square, Matt won the seventeenth and halved the last in three to get a point on the board which not even the most optimistic expected to see.

Team captain Ronnie Clark from Erskine had past Scottish Boy’s Champion, David Wilson as his opponent and this deciding match swung one way then the other before Ronnie showed his course management experience and some of the best golf of the day to win with a birdie on the seventeenth to remain undefeated for his five West of Scotland appearances.

David MacFarlane was delighted.  He said “In my first year as manager, I was under pressure to continue the winning run and all the players have given me a hundred percent.  We have a great pool of players in Renfrewshire and twelve in a row is now the target”

Full results:

AYRSHIRE 4 1/2, RENFREWSHIRE 5 1/2

Ayrshire players named first

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) halved with Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs).

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 3 and 2.
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) lost to Matt Clark (Kilmacolm) 1 hole.
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) bt Chris Kelly (Bonnyton) 2 and 1.
David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) lost to Ronnie Clark (Eskine) 2 and 1.
Stephen Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Paul Alexander (Caldwell) 5 and 4.
Stewart Spence (Irvine Bogside) lost to Michael Daily (Erskine) 5 and 4.
John Haggert (Loudoun) bt Alistair McDougall (Elderslie) 3 and 2.
Steven Stamper (Turnberry) lost to Grant Beaton (Bonnyton) 6 and 4.
Gordon Boyle (Turnberry) bt Ryan McKenzie (Erskine) 3 and 2.

 

BLAYNE BARBER'S CONSIENCE DISQUALIES HIM FROM US TOUR Q SCHOOL

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE

By SEAN MARTIN

Blayne Barber had easily advanced out of the First Tage of the US PGA Tour Qualifying School, but something was weighing on his conscience.

It was an incident in the tournament's second round, one of those moments when the game of golf's rules so harshly penalise the slightest mis-step.  

Barber was unsure if he’d brushed that leaf in the bunker on his 13th hole at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia so he knew what he had to do: disqualify himself and forsake the opportunity to earn a US PGA Tour card this time round. 
His honesty allowed six other players – Jamie Arnold, Corbin Mills, Jonathan Moore, Chesson Hadley and former European Tour winners Robert-Jan Derksen and Maarteen Lafeber – to advance to Q-School’s second stage in his stead.
Barber, a member of last year’s U.S. Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen GC, immediately penalised himself one stroke for the potential infraction even though his caddie/brother, Shayne Barber, said the leaf hadn’t moved. 
Blayne also informed his playing partners of the penalty. He was discussing the incident that evening with his former Auburn teammate, Michael Hebert, when Hebert said the penalty for such an infraction was two shots, not one. 
“That’s when things went haywire in my mind,” Barber said.
 “My caddie was watching and didn’t see the leaf move. I thought maybe I’d psyched myself into thinking I’d (touched the leaf).”
Barber played the final two rounds because his caddie was certain the leaf hadn’t moved. 
“I continued to pray about it and think about it and I just did not have any peace of mind about it,” Barber said. “I knew I needed to do the right thing. I knew it was going to be disqualification.”
Barber called the US PGA Tour on November 2, six days after the tournament ended, to report that he’d signed an incorrect scorecard. His disqualification moved the six players who’d tied for 19th into a tie for 18th. The top 18 and ties at Callaway Gardens were slated to advance to Q-School's second stage.
“I just feel peace about it,” Barber said. “Doing the right thing and doing what I know is right in my heart and in my conscience is more important than short-term success.”
Barber had advanced to the second stage with five shots to spare, but his failure to penalise himself that additional stroke resulted in him signing a lower scorecard, which results in disqualification. 
"It ultimately comes down to me not knowing it was a two-stroke penalty," Barber said.
It’s a tough turn in what had started as a promising pro career. Barber, 22, was one of the world’s top amateurs when he turned pro earlier this year after graduating from Auburn University with a degree in finance.
He tied for 33rd in his pro debut at this year’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational on the Web.com Tour, and finished 15th in his other start on that circuit, at the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. He won three of five starts on the NGA (formerly Hooters) Tour, including a win at Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Florida, which would’ve been his site for Q-School’s second stage.
He’ll rely on Monday qualifying and sponsor exemptions for starts on the US PGA and Web.com tours, and try to earn a card or his way into the Web.com Tour Finals, the tournaments that will replace Q-School as a source of PGA Tour cards. Barber is getting married on December 15 to Morgan Stanford.
Mills, the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion, birdied two of his final three holes at first stage. He thought he’d safely advance to second stage after making a 15-foot birdie putt on his final hole. He drove home disappointed, though, after apparently missing by a single stroke. He learned Nov. 2 that his quest for a PGA Tour card continues. He called his new opportunity “a second life. It’s a blessing.”
Moore is seeking his first trip to Q-School finals after a successful amateur career that included the 2006 NCAA title and an appearance on the 2007 U.S. Walker Cup team that also featured PGA Tour winners Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Kyle Stanley and Chris Kirk. Moore played this season in Asia, recently collecting a career-best second-place finish at the Macau Open.
“You don’t even think it’s an option, that once you miss that you’re going to get a call back that you get to keep going,” said Moore, who’s 16th on the Asian Tour’s order of merit. He was scheduled to play in the Hong Kong Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours, next week, but will stay Stateside to chase his PGA Tour dream. “It was a shock more than anything.”

US CHAMPIONS TOUR FINAL Q SCHOOL CONTESTANTS

Below is the list of qualifers for the final stage of United States Champions (Seniors) Tour Qualifying School at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Florida from November 11 to 16. 
The top five finishers will earn full status on the Champions Tour in 2013.

Contestant List

Ahmad Bateman Jerudong, Brunei Ben Bates Pensacola, Fla. Ronnie Black Tucson, Ariz. James Blair Odgen, Utah Jeff Brehaut Los Altos, Calif. Danny Briggs Franklin, Tenn. Greg Bruckner Phoenix, Ariz. Mark Bucek Winter Springs, Fla. Patrick Burke Trabuco Canyon, Calif. Robin Byrd Satellite Beach, Fla. Tom Byrum Sugar Land, Texas Barry Cheesman Sarasota, Fla. Bobby Clampett Bonita Springs, Fla. Trevor Dodds Chesterfield, Mo. Joel Edwards Irving, Texas Mark Farry Lamorlaye, France Jack Ferenz Simpsonville, S.C. Lloyd Fisher Grand Rapids, Mich. Anders Forsbrand Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Peter Fowler Auckland, New Zealand Jeff Freeman Windermere, Fla. Robin Freeman La Quinta, Calif. Glenn Gabriel Weeki Wachee, Fla. Doug Garwood Stevenson Ranch, Calif. Marc Girouard Saint-Sauveur, QB, Canada Ernie Gonzalez Las Vegas, Nev. Steve Gotsche Great Bend, Kan. Damon Green Kissimmee, Fla. Jerry Gunthrope Ovid, Mich. Kirk Hanefeld Acton, Mass. Jeff Hart Solana Beach, Calif. P.H. Horgan III West Palm Beach, Fla. Peter Horrobin Miami, Fla. John Inman Durham, N.C. Mark Johnson Helendale, Calif. Gene Jones Orlando, Fla. Steve Jones Tempe, Ariz. Warren Jurkowitz Aventura, Fla. Ed Kirby Cumberland, R.I. Mark Knecht Paduiah, Ky. Neal Lancaster Smithfield, N.C. Barry Lane Chiswick, England Rick Lewallen Kannapolis, N.C. Chie Hsiang Lin Taipei, Taiwan Santiago Luna Madrid, Spain Miguel Martin Madrid, Spain James Mason Dillard, Ga. Dick Mast Amherst, Va. Blaine McCallister Jacksonville, Fla. Shawn McEntee Petaluma, Calif. Mike Miles Huntington Beach, Calif. Mark Mouland Kenilworth, England Bob Niger El Dorado Hills, Calif. David Peoples Germantown, Tenn Chris Perry Powell, Ohio John Riegger Henderson, Nev. Larry Rinker Winter Park, Fla. Lee Rinker Jupiter, Fla. Eduardo Romero Buenos Aires, Argentina Gary Rusnak Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Jim Rutledge Victoria, BC, Canada Javier Sanchez Fayetteville, Ga. Ted Schulz Louisville, Ky. Matt Seitz Hutchinson, Kan. Andrew Sherborne Gloucestershire, England Sonny Skinner Sylvester, Ga. Rod Spittle Dublin, Ohio Chris Starkjohann Oceanside, Calif. Lance Ten Broeck Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Robert Thompson Huntsville, Texas Esteban Toledo Irvine, Calif. Stan Utley Scottsdale, Ariz. Bruce Vaughan Hutchinson, Kan. Fred Wadsworth Columbia, S.C. T.C. Wang New Taipei City, Taiwan Dave Wettlaufer Ontario, Canada Zess Willis Montgomery, Ala. Kim Young Oviedo, Fla.

FIRST TUNISIA GOLF FESTIVAL - FEBRUARY 9 to 16 AT HAMMAMET

                                     

By MOHAMED FAKIR of London-based Menara Travel
Promoter of the successful Morocco Festival at Marrakesh.
info@morocco4golf.com
There is always something special about playing in a "new" country for the first time. Ever played in Tunisia? No? Well, we are going to give you the chance!
The first Tunisia Golf Festival, based a Hammamet,  will be held from February 9 to 16 next year.
The Festival is open to golfers of all levels and will be played on the fabulous golf courses of YASMINE Golf Club and CITRUS Golf in the all-year sunshine resort of HAMMAMET.
The festival starts with a gentle warm-up round to allow golfers to acclimatise to the warm and sunny conditions.
The first day we'll send teams of four out in a team format.
For the four competitive rounds, players will be playing in separate categories and will see them play four rounds of Stableford competition of your official handicap (no slope rating adjustment). 
Out of the first three rounds, the worst
score will be discarded and the score of your best two rounds will get you up the leader board. 
The final round always counts and will be added two your best two round score. The total will determine where you end up, suspense guaranteed. Players will go out in real tournament conditions and in order of score with the best players out last.
Added to competitive golf, there is an exciting social programme with cocktail parties, excursions and a Gala Dinner with entertainment. There is also a separate programme for non-golfers. 
This tournament week is bound to be great fun and an enjoyable way of making new friends, enjoying some friendly banter, competition and playing on some outstanding golf courses in TUNISIA
Tournament Directors will be Jo Maes and Benjamin Oosterveer

WHAT IT WILL COST YOU
Tournament Package
£995 per GOLFER on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room)
£769 per NON-GOLFER on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room)
£60: Single room Supplement (for 7 nights)
The prices above are based on a direct flight from London Heathrow to Tunis operated by TUNISAIR
Flights can also be booked for you from Manchester and Scotland (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)
This Tournament Package with the price as indicated above includes:
 Return Flight from London Heathrow to Tunis Airport (operated by TUNISAIR) inclusive of taxes +
“LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 20Kg for Luggage in the hold + Golf Clubs are carried Free of Charge) +
FREE in-flight Meal & Drinks
 Seven (7) Nights’ Accommodation and ALL INCLUSIVE in the PHENICIA HOTEL 4* in HAMMAMET
 Five (5) Rounds of competitive golf to be played on YASMINE golf Course x 2 + CITRUS Golf x 3
(LA FORET & LES OLIVIERS Course)
 Two (2) Cocktail Parties (On Sunday 10 February at 18h00 and on Thursday 14 February at 18h00)
 Prize Presentation Ceremony on Friday 15 February 2013
 Gala Dinner with entertainment & Drinks on Friday 15 February 2013
 One (1) Massage of 30 Minutes in the SPA centre of the hotel
 One (1) HAMMAM Session (Turkish Bath) in the SPA centre of the hotel
 Excursion on Wednesday the 13th February to historic TUNIS, CARTHAGE & SIDI BOU SAID
 Transfers: Tunis / Enfidah or Monastir Airport – Phenicia Hotel – Tunis / Enfidah or Monastir Airport
 Daily transfers: Hotel – Golf - Hotel
 Our Permanent assistance in TUNISIA
PLEASE NOTE:
Caddies. Buggies and Trolleys are NOT included in the price
 Caddies cost 28 Tunisian Dinar (around £12) per 18 hole round
 Buggy hire is £24 per round of golf
PLEASE NOTE that there is a limited numbers of BUGGIES in the Golf Clubs in Hammamet - Buggies
need to be pre-booked through us well in advance
PRIZES
There will be several prizes for the winners in the different categories.

PROGRAMME
Saturday 9th February 2013:
Flight from London Heathrow (Terminal 4) to Tunis (operated by TUNISAIR) Flight No TU791 depart from
HEATHROW (Terminal 4) at 16h50 and arrive to Tunis airport at 20h50
- Assistance in the airport in TUNISIA and transfer to the PHENICIA hotel
Sunday 10th February 2013:
Buffet Breakfast at the Phenicia hotel - transfer to the CITRUS Golf Club
Day 1: Teams of 4 out in a Team format on the LES OLIVIERS Course of the CITRUS Golf Club
- Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Cocktail party at 18:00 in the hotel with introduction to the rest of the week.
- Dinner and Overnight in the PHENICIA HOTEL
Monday 11th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the Phenicia hotel - transfer to the YASMINE Golf Club
Round 1: Stableford competition on Yasmine Golf Club
- Transfer back to the hotel
- Dinner and Overnight in the PHENICIA HOTEL
Tuesday 12th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the CITRUS Golf Club
Round 2: Stableford competition on the LA FORET Course of the Citrus Golf Club
- Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Dinner & Overnight in the PHENICIA HOTEL
Wednesday 13th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
- Full day excursion to historic TUNIS, the ancient city of CARTHAGE & the village on the cliffs SIDI BOU SAID
- Return to the hotel in the afternoon
- Dinner & overnight
Thursday 14th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the YASMINE Golf Club
Round 3: Stableford competition on the Yasmine Golf Club
- Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Cocktail Party at 18h00 in the hotel.
- Dinner & Overnight in the PHENICIA HOTEL
Friday 15th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the CITRUS Golf Club
Final Round: Stableford competition on the LES OLIVIERS Course of the Citrus Golf Club
- Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon
- Gala Dinner with entertainment + Drinks & Prizes presentation Ceremony
- Overnight in the PHENICIA Hotel
Saturday 16th February 2013
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Tunis airport for the Return flight with TUNISAIR to London Heathrow
Flight No TU970, depart from Tunis at 13h45 and arrive to Heathrow (Terminal 1) at 15h50

MORE INFORMATION ON THE ALL-INCLUSIVE FORMULA WINTER 2012-2013 & SUMMER 2013All you can EAT (Buffet Service):
Breakfast Buffet: 06.00 to 10.00.
Continental Breakfast: 10.00 to 12.00 (French pastries, juice, coffee, tea and milk )
Lunch Buffet: 12.00 to 14.00
Dinner Buffet: 19.00 to 21.00 (obligatory dress code)
SNACKS Buffet in the afternoon between 14.30 and 18.00 Clock: (Sandwich, pizza, ice cream, salads,
afternoon tea, coffee & cakes...)
Thematic restaurants (to be booked the day before, upon availability): Oriental or Mediterranean
restaurant (offer of a thematic dinner once per stay in one of these restaurants)
Midnight snacks (on request)All you can DRINK
Selected local alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks: Wines, beers, soft drinks, mineral water, juices,
cocktails and local spirits ( gin , cognac , whiskey , pastis, martini ,boukha , cédratine , vodka ) , also
hot drinks (tea, coffee…) in the following bars:
OASIS Bar (lobby Bar) : from 09.00 till 23.30
Pool Bar : from 08.00 till 16.00 (summer from 09.00 till 18.00) . Depending on weather in winter.
Beach Bar: from 08.00 till 16.00 (summer from 09.00 till 17.30) . Depending on weather in winter.
Moorish Café : from 15.00 till 23.00 ( soft drinks , mineral water , tea , coffee )
Night Club: from 21.00 till 01.00 (till 01.30 summertime)All you can SPORT
Tennis: One hour per day for two persons (with prebooking at reception 24 hours in advance)
Mini Golf
Beach Volley ball, Aerobic, Archery, Water Polo , Ping Pong and all daily animation programmes
Pedalos and windsurfing with prebooking 24 hours in advance (Summer only).
Evening animation programme.
Also INCLUDED in your ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE:
Sun beds & Mattresses
Free use of towels for the beach and the pool
The “All Inclusive” package does NOT include:
Room service, Safety deposit box, A la carte restaurant, The American bar “Carillon”, Asian restaurant, Horse riding club, Mini bar (room), Golf practice, Fitness centre, Massage and the Hammam (Turkish bath).

 THE TUNISIA GOLF FESTIVAL
 IS ORGANISED BY:

Menara Travel Ltd  (UK Head Office)        

70 Shepherd’s Bush Road,

London W6 7PH - England   

Tel:  + 44 (0) 207 371 2030

Fax: + 44 (0) 207 785 9236

Email: info@morocco4golf.com     

www.morocco4golf.com  

Email: info@menaratravel.co.uk    

www.menaratravel.co.uk
==================== 

+If you have any queries about the 2012 Tunisia Golf Festival, call
  0207 371 2030   or Email:  info@morocco4golf.com

MENARA TRAVEL WILL LOOK AFTER ALL YOUR FLIGHT AND HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL THEM AND GIVE YOUR DETAILS, SUCH AS PREFERRED AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE. 

COACH'S TERMINAL ILLNESS SPURS LEHMAN ON TO VICTORY

          TOM LEHMAN WITH A DOUBLE HANDFUL OF TROPHIES

FROM THE US CHAMPIONS TOUR WEBSITE
By John Schwarb, PGATOUR.COM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tom Lehman has tried to talk to his long-time teacher and mentor Jim Flick every day while Flick battles terminal pancreatic cancer.
He was able to get a few words with Flick on Sunday morning before starting his final round at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

SCHWAB CUP

Results, money
Final leaderboard

Flick's words of wisdom: "Be Tom Lehman."
Lehman was. And being Tom Lehman is pretty good these days.
Lehman won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship by six shots, shooting a final-round 65 to finish at 22 under on the par-70 Desert Mountain Cochise Course. He set a Champions Tour record aggregate score of 258 and, oh yeah, in doing so also won the Charles Schwab Cup, becoming the first back-to-back winner of the season-long points race.
Bernhard Langer came to Desert Mountain atop the Schwab Cup standings by 211 points, but the volatility of the double-points final left a few scenarios where Lehman could leapfrog his friend. The simplest one was for Lehman to win the tournament, and he did.
"There's a lot of times in this world where you need to play well and you don't. This is one of those weeks where I needed to and I did," Lehman said. "All in all, it's a bit of a dream-come-true week."
Lehman is the first player since Tom Watson in 1995 to claim the season-long title by winning the season finale. His spectacular play at the Cochise Course (68-63-62-65) included a 47-hole bogey-free stretch from late in Round 1 to the turn of Round 4, and his Moving Day 62 was a personal best by two shots on the Champions Tour.
On Sunday, he birdied the second and third holes to open up a cushion that was never threatened, then birdied four of the final five to finish in style.
"Today, he went out and played extremely well," Couples said. "When you know you have to win and you win, that's a nice feeling."
Couples, playing alongside in the final group, went birdie-less until the final hole and shot 73, the third-highest score of the day in the field of the year's top 30 money winners. Jay Haas, who started two shots back of Lehman, shot 69. He was 10 under in the second round in a Tour-record-tying 60, but was just 6 under on the other 54 holes.
That left the spotlight squarely on Lehman, who dazzled in front of family and friends in his hometown and, through television at home in California, Flick.
Lehman couldn't get away from the memories of two-plus decades with Flick, though he tried to push them to the back of his mind while competing.
The now-seven-time Champions Tour winner first contacted Flick in 1990 while on the Hogan (now Web.com) Tour, looking for help on his wedges. Flick, having no idea who Lehman was, first called pros Andrew Magee and John Adams to see if the Minnesotan was worth his time. Yes, fellow pros told Flick, he was worth spending some time with.
So they did over Flick's lunch hour, kicking off a long and fruitful relationship. Lehman went on to win five times on the PGA TOUR, including the 1996 British Open.
Lehman remembers many times wearing out the back of the range at the Renegade Course at Desert Mountain, where Flick was the longtime PGA teaching pro. Then there was the time they were in the fairway on the eighth hole at the Cochise Course, launching 3-wood after 3-wood down the hill to the par-5 green.
"We probably spent half an hour just back there hitting shots," Lehman said. "Those are the kind of things you think about.
"But the more I thought about that, the more teary-eyed I would get. I decided I can't play this round of golf with tears in my eyes. I have to wait until business was finished.
When it was -- with a birdie on the last hole -- Lehman buried his face in his white TaylorMade hat, able to take in all those emotions.
"The last hole, I know that he was probably watching today," Lehman said. "I felt quite certain that that was probably the last driver he was ever going to see me hit and I wanted to make it a good one. And the last 7-iron he will ever see me hit, and I wanted to make that a good one. And the last putt, I wanted to make that putt."
Lehman didn't make that last putt -- it was a two-putt birdie -- but his work was complete. He was then swarmed by family, plus fellow pros Langer, Fred Funk and Loren Roberts.
"Back-to-back (titles), that's awesome. That just shows you what a consistent player he is," said Roberts, one of four others (Hale Irwin, Watson, Haas) to win a pair of Schwab Cups. 
"He's always been a consistent ballstriker, and when he gets the putter going he's hard to beat, because he's just always there tee to green."
"When you beat Tom, you've played your ball," Haas added.
Except there was no beating Lehman this week. Just being himself was more than enough for a historic sweep.

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE 

BUBBA WATSON SEEKING FIRST INTERNATIONAL WIN AT THAILAND CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

 

Bangkok, November 5: Masters Tournament champion Bubba Watson will be aiming for his first international victory at the Thailand Golf Championship next month to cap a life-changing season in 2012.

The swash-buckling American left-handed Ryder Cup player, pictured, makes his debut at the prestigious US$1 million Asian Tour tournament at Amata Spring Country Club from December 6-9 along with other world-class names including title holder Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan and Ryo Ishikawa.

Watson, ranked eighth in the world, claimed his first Green Jacket in April in sensational style following a play-off victory over Oosthuizen at Augusta National. He hooked an approach shot from deep in the pine trees which led to a par for his first Major victory that came weeks after adopting a son.

“I would love to walk away with the trophy there. I’m looking forward to going to the Thailand Golf Championship and challenging myself and challenging the golf course and trying to beat some of the best players in the world,” said the 34-year-old Watson.

He believes his Major breakthrough in April would help him win more titles in his burgeoning career. “It was a crazy week. To pull that off to win and put on the Green Jacket, it was very special. It hasn’t changed me as a person, but it has changed me as a golfer. Knowing that I can do it and perform under pressure, I’m looking forward to many more Majors and trying to win more Majors and another Green Jacket.”

Watson said Westwood convinced him to commit to the Thailand Golf Championship, which will be only his second trip to Asia after featuring in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last week.

“Lee won it last year and he said it was a great event and he enjoyed his time there. I heard there are some islands which are beautiful and I would like to do some sight-seeing,” he said.

“It’s been a blessing, winning a Major. On top of that, the number one thing for me was adopting our new son (Caleb).  He’s eight months old now, he’s been with us for seven months. That’s been the most fun the whole year.”

He said family life has been the main factor for his rise in the Official World Golf Ranking, moving up from 21^st position when he started the 2012 season. Apart from his Major breakthrough, the tall American racked up six other top-10s and nine other top-25s. With four US PGA Tour victories in his career, he is eager to ply his trade abroad more regularly and experience different challenges and cultures.

“It has changed. You know, when you see him (Caleb) smile, when you come off the golf course and you’re not happy with your round, you see him smiling at you and giggling, you’ll think that round didn’t mean that much,” said Watson.

“There’s no reason to get down too badly. Your son smiling at you, whether you win or lose, your son still smiles at you.

“I think on the mental part, my caddie has also helped me a lot by just trying to stay positive on the golf course and not thinking about the bad stuff. Over the years, you get better and better and this year, it’s all come together. This year, it’s got better and it’s come together.”

Watson believes that the game has evolved immensely especially in the Far East. “I think the whole world is growing. Golf is getting bigger and more popular,” said Watson.

“I’m learning. I like going to different places and learning different cultures and also learning to play in different parts of the world. And I like to win, I like to win outside the U.S. I think it’ll be fun to hold a trophy in another country.”

A self-taught golfer who has never had a golf lesson in his life, Watson’s mantra in the game is to enjoy himself and have fun while playing, which has since earned him the brand “Bubba Golf.”

“Bubba Golf is about having fun,” he said. “It’s about using your imagination to hit shots and hopefully they turn out good. As a kid, you learn the game and you have fun. You’re out there being free and playing the game that you enjoy and that’s what I’m trying to do in my golf career which is to have fun and play golf,” he said.

Part of the wacky world of Watson has seen him play a starring role with Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler and Mahan in the YouTube hit Golf Boys video. Watson said the sequel would be out by early next year.

“We’re having a video shoot coming out pretty soon, by the beginning of next year, it’ll be out. It’ll be pretty much the same, maybe some treats here and there. Can’t let everyone know about it yet!” he smiled.

ROSS KELLETT HEADING FOR CHALLENGE TOUR, BUT Q SCHOOL FIRST

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE

 By ED HODGE

Coming hot on the heels of Scott Henry and Chris Doak’s progression to The European Tour in 2013, Scots are continuing to make their mark in 2012 with Ross Kellett (pictured) gaining promotion to the Challenge Tour by finishing fifth in the Alps Tour Order of Merit.

We caught up with Ross for the following Q&A and session.

How nerve-racking a week was it, in terms of staying in the top five?

Ross Kellett: “It was a tough course but probably the toughest set of circumstances I’ve played in. It’s the biggest event on the Alps circuit and there were good crowds out watching with a good atmosphere.

“You know that you shouldn’t worry about what the others are doing but it’s natural you do. I think all the guys in contention were the same this week, as there were four of us going for three spots. There was lots of stuff going through my head, knowing a few bad shots could really cost me, but I’m chuffed I managed to see it through and cope with the pressure.”

How satisfying is it to achieve your card?

RK: “I’m relieved to finally get over the line. People had been saying that the job was almost done for a few weeks, but a few players had really come into the mix in the last few tournaments. I’ve kept my focus on the Alps Tour for the whole season as I knew that’s what I was in control of. I turned down a few other events like the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and I’m delighted it has paid off in the end.”

Can you sum up the Alps Tour experience?

RK: “I’m always learning. The travel goes with the territory but I’ve enjoyed playing across Europe. I learned a lot with the SGU and playing for Scotland which has been invaluable with the schedule we’ve had this season. 

"My win in Italy back in July was huge and it proved I can compete on the professional stage. It was important financially and to back it up the next week with a runner-up finish was equally important.”

How important has been your support network?

RK: “My coach, (National Coach) Ian Rae, has been a huge help, not just with my swing but all the advice he has given me. I’ve been with him for six or seven years since being part of the SGU squad and I can’t thank him enough. I’m also indebted to Aberdeen Asset Management for giving me financial backing at the start of the year which has enabled me to focus on golf. Taylormade-adidas Golf have also been hugely supportive.”

Have you been inspired by other Scottish successes in 2012?

RK: “Scott Henry has done incredibly well since graduating from the Alps Tour and it’s great he’s now on The European Tour. It definitely gives you more belief seeing guys you know and play with, like Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson, progressing so well and it’s been a really good year for Scottish professionals. 

"Watching Team GB in the Olympics was also inspiring. Knowing how hard they work makes you work even harder to succeed.”

What next?

RK: “I’m flying to London tonight (Sunday), then straight off to Spain for the Second Qualifying Stage for The European Tour, which tees off on Thursday.  In some ways, the pressure is off me, knowing that I have a Challenge Tour card but I’ll be focused on doing well and hopefully getting through to the Final Stage.”