OLD COURSE HOTEL WINS THREE HIGH PROFILE AWARDS

NEWS RELEASE 

The five red star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews is celebrating "the best possible start" to 2013 with three very high profile awards.

VisitScotland has acknowledged the "exceptional standards" at the Home of Golf resort with five gold stars through its national tourism Quality Assurance Scheme. 

Richard Pinn, VisitScotland Regional Director, explains: "Our gold award recognises serviced accommodation businesses across Scotland that consistently achieve the highest levels of excellence. Businesses achieving this prestigious award excel in customer care and hospitality and show real commitment to staff development and training." Richard adds: "Establishments such as the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa are the stand-out businesses when it comes to exceptional quality and service in providing accommodation for visitors. It is a real pleasure to make this announcement – and we congratulate all at the St Andrews resort."

The iconic resort has also been recognised by Conde Nast Traveler in their 'Platinum Circle', an award for destinations that have made their gold list every year for five consecutive years.

 The 144-bedroomed hotel scores highly with those voting for the award, achieving over 90% for the "killer location", "Jacques Garcia-designed rooms" and the array of activities available to guests. 

The service provided by the resort staff is complimented as "courteous, prompt and professional" and the award-winning Kohler Waters Spa, the three AA rosette Road Hole Restaurant and the world famous Road Hole Bar all receive mentions within the award summary.  

And hot on the heels of the Gold and Platinum recognition is the resort's inclusion in the exclusive Travel and Leisure's Top 500 Worldwide Resorts – the Old Course Hotel being the only destination recognised in Scotland. 

General Manager, Daniel Pereira, is "absolutely delighted" with the news, saying: "Awards are always welcome, but accolades that recognise our ongoing commitment and investment in our staff and training are especially welcome."

 Daniel adds: "Recognition from those who travel the world and stay in destinations around the globe are also very highly valued as they truly reflect the customers' views.

"When we share news of this kind, it helps to show that the resort is so much more than a hotel. It is the day-to-day enthusiasm, dedication and commitment from our entire team that results in such recognition, benefiting not just the resort but also our many local, regional and Scottish suppliers as well as the wider tourism market. It is wonderful news of which we are enormously proud - and the best possible start to 2013."

Ends

BYRNE AND STEWART SET FOR SUNSHINE CARDS

If James Byrne and Michael Stewart can hold their current positions over Saturday's fifth and final round of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, they will earn playing rights on the South African circuit. The top 30 and ties at the end of 90 holes win cards and Byrne is joint eighth on 10-under-par 278 while Stewart is joint 15th on 279. A total of 68 players from a starting field of 264 made the cut with aggregates of 287 and better. Byrne has shot 68, 66, 73 and 71, his fourth-round being inflated by a double bogey 6 at the 18th. The Banchory man had been four-under-par for the round after 10 holes. Stewart's scores have been 72, 70, 67 and 70. Like his Walker Cup team-mate of 2011, the Ayrshire man had a double bogey on his card - a 7 at the long fifth, but he compensated with a bag of six birdies. "It's my first time to South Africa. It's a little different, but I am used to the firm fairways and the style is reasonably similar to Links golf," said Northern Open champion Byrne (24). "I had heard a lot of great things about the Sunshine Tour, but last year I played on the Asian Tour, so I wasn't able to try it. This year I planned early to come over, and hopefully I'll be playing here in South Africa this year," he said Byrne is focusing on finishing as well as possible in order to secure a good position in the Sunshine Tour rankings. "The better you do, the better category you have and the more events you might be able to play. The goal is always to win, and I was in a good position over the first two rounds, so I'm a little disappointed to not be there now. One of the perks of this tour is the co-sanctioned events, but I need to focus on the final round and lock that card up first," he said SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Bloemfontein and Schoeman Park golf clubs. FOURTH-ROUND LEADERS Par 288 (4x72) Players from South Africa unless stated 269 Johan de Beer 72 66 67 64. 271 J P Van der Walt 66 66 69 70. BRITISH SCORES 278 James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 71.RossMcGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 69 (T10). 279 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67 70 (T15). 280 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 72 (T20). 283 Tim Rice (Ire) 71 68 71 73 (T33) 284 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 71, Charlie Ford (Eng) 73 68 75 68 (T37) ends

ROSE FLOWERS AS MCILROY AND TIGER MISS THE CUT

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS 

World Number Five Justin Rose holds a one shot lead over Jamie Donaldson, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño and Thorbjørn Olesen at the midway stage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

While the World Numbers One and Two Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – who incurred a two-shot penalty for a rules infringement on the fifth hole – are heading home after missing the cut, Englishman Rose continued to enjoy himself at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The 32 year old, who is currently in fifth place in the World Ranking, added a round of 69 to his opening 67 to climb to eight under par.

Rose said: “Conditions this morning were absolutely perfect for low scoring. And that approach on my last hole was the perfect way to finish. I guess any time you break 70, you always feel a bit better about things.

“That shot on the last did epitomise my iron play a little bit. I felt like I hit the ball pin high an awful lot today, and I guess that shows that you are swinging the club well, so I felt very good about my game today, and I’m excited about the weekend.” 

A birdie putt from six feet on the 16th hole led to his solitary gain on the back nine – Rose’s front nine – before he holed longer putts on the second and fourth holes, with his only blemish of the day sandwiched in between.

But the finish was spectacular, as Rose hit an eight iron to less than a foot for a tap-in birdie.

Rose will be joined in the final group on Saturday by Fernandez-Castaño, whose round of 67 was the lowest of the day. 

Like the Spaniard, Donaldson and Olesen are also one stroke off the pace after posting respective rounds of 70 and 69. 

In contrast, however, McIlroy and Woods will not be around for the weekend, as the Northern Irishman laboured to a round of 75 for the second day in succession, while Woods signed for the same score and a three over par aggregate total. 

The World Number Two had appeared on course to make the cut, only to be penalised two strokes for a rules infringement on the fifth hole, where he took a drop for an embedded ball.

Woods was not entitled to a free drop as his ball was embedded in sand, and the subsequent two-stroke penalty for contravening Rule 25/2 moved him the wrong side of the cut line.

  He said: “It’s tough to take, because I didn’t get off to a very good start today but then fought back well. I felt that if I’d got close to level par I had a chance going into the weekend, but obviously the penalty killed any chance I had.”

 ROUND 2 SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

136 J Rose (Eng) 67 69,

137 T Olesen (Den) 68 69, G Fernandez-Castaño  (Esp) 70 67, J Donaldson (Wal) 67 70,

139 J Luiten (Ned) 70 69, G Mulroy (RSA) 71 68,

140 G Coetzee (RSA) 69 71, M Campbell (Nzl) 69 71, H Stenson (Swe) 69 71, M Kaymer (Ger) 71 69, B Grace  (RSA) 71 69, J Dufner (USA) 71 69, D Howell (Eng) 69 71, M Manassero (Ita) 72 68,

 141 L Wen-Chong (Chn) 69 72, K Horne (RSA) 72 69, J Kruger (RSA) 72 69, R Jacquelin (Fra) 72 69, T Jaidee (Tha) 70 71, R Ramsay  (Sco) 73 68, S Kjeldsen (Den) 70 71, D Willett  (Eng) 70 71, J Sjöholm (Swe) 71 70,

 142 A Hansen (Den) 71 71, L Gagli  (Ita) 74 68, P Larrazábal (Esp) 68 74, G Maybin (Nir) 71 71, J Campillo (Esp) 74 68, R Wattel  (Fra) 73 69, C Lee (Sco) 72 70, A Cañizares  (Esp) 73 69, D Fichardt (RSA) 72 70,

 143 R Santos  (Por) 71 72, R Coles (Eng) 73 70, P Whiteford (Sco) 73 70,

 144 J Edfors (Swe) 71 73, P Harrington (Irl) 72 72, E Els (RSA) 71 73, A Dodt (Aus) 74 70, P Casey  (Eng) 71 73, M Foster (Eng) 72 72, M Siem  (Ger) 72 72, A Sullivan (Eng) 71 73, R Gonzalez (Arg) 72 72, O Fisher  (Eng) 73 71, C Wood  (Eng) 73 71, P Lawrie (Irl) 72 72, T Hamilton (USA) 75 69,

 145 P Meesawat  (Tha) 76 69, P Hanson (Swe) 73 72, P Lawrie (Sco) 74 71, S Dyson  (Eng) 75 70, R Bland (Eng) 72 73, M Hoey  (Nir) 72 73, G Storm  (Eng) 72 73, G Bourdy (Fra) 72 73, I Garrido (Esp) 75 70, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 74 71, S Webster (Eng) 73 72,

 146 P Price (Wal) 72 74, F Zanotti (Par) 76 70, M Fraser (Aus) 75 71, T Lewis (Eng) 74 72, S Chowrasia (Ind) 73 73, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 74 72, D Horsey (Eng) 74 72, A Hartø  (Den) 74 72, T Björn (Den) 72 74, R Green (Aus) 71 75, A Noren  (Swe) 76 70,

 MISSED THE CUT

147 T Aiken (RSA) 73 74, T Woods (USA) 72 75, M Baldwin (Eng) 73 74, C Paisley  (Eng) 71 76, M Ilonen  (Fin) 73 74, L Slattery (Eng) 71 76, G Bhullar (Ind) 74 73, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 74 73, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 72 75,

 148 R Finch  (Eng) 75 73, S Gallacher (Sco) 76 72, H Otto (RSA) 73 75, B Rumford (Aus) 75 73, A Kaleka  (Fra) 75 73, S Wakefield (Eng) 71 77, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 74 74, D Drysdale (Sco) 77 71, A Wall (Eng) 76 72,

 149 A Tadini (Ita) 72 77, J Singh (Ind) 70 79, S Jamieson  (Sco) 75 74, G Havret  (Fra) 78 71, J Morrison  (Eng) 75 74, J Lara (Esp) 77 72, P McGinley (Irl) 76 73, E Kofstad (Nor) 72 77, F Molinari (Ita) 73 76,

 150 M Wiegele  (Aut) 76 74, E Molinari  (Ita) 78 72, D McGrane (Irl) 76 74, C Montgomerie  (Sco) 76 74, M Warren (Sco) 78 72, R McIlroy  (Nir) 75 75, M Lafeber (Ned) 78 72, T Fleetwood  (Eng) 76 74,

 151 E Grillo (Arg) 78 73, S Khan (Eng) 75 76, C Doak (Sco) 77 74, J Olazábal (Esp) 76 75, C Cévaër (Fra) 73 78, S Lowry  (Irl) 78 73,

 152 T Levet (Fra) 73 79,

 153 A Levy (Fra) 81 72, K Broberg (Swe) 76 77, N Fasth (Swe) 75 78, J Gonnet  (Fra) 75 78, S Henry  (Sco) 78 75,

 154 P Waring  (Eng) 78 76, D Clarke (Nir) 79 75,

 156 F Aguilar (Chi) 78 78,

 159 C Nicoll (Sco) 81 78,

 160 J Hansen  (Den) 80 80,

 171 S Al Marzuoqi (am) (Uae) 81 90,

 ** J Quesne  (Fra) 73 WD, R Rock (Eng) 76 WD, J Van Zyl (RSA) 76 WD,

LA MANGA GOLF POST FOR DUNDEE MAN GARY SILCOCK

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Dundee man Gary Silcock, who began his PGA career as an assistant at Panmure Golf Club, near Carnoustie, has been appointed director of golf at La Manga, the five-star sports resort in Murcia in the south-east of Spain. Silcock is a much travelled pro, moving steadily up the ladder over the years. He began his PGA training as an assistant at Panmure, then moved to Westerwood. He qualified as a pro at St Andrews where he was attached to the Old Course Hotel. Then came his first overseas job when he went to the Western Algarve to become club pro at Parque da Floresta where fellow Scot Billy Sim was the director of golf. From Portugal, Silcock moved to India for a spell as chief executive officer at an Aamby Valley golf establishment, before coming back to Europe to take up a post in Ireland at Palmerstown House Golf Club, near Dublin. In 2006, Gary landed the plum job as Director of Golf at The Belfry. Now he has moved on this month to another high-profile at La Manga where the golf facilities include three 18-hole courses and a nine-hole academy course. La Manga has hosted the Spanish Open five times and was, until recently, the Ladies European Tour's Qualifying School headquarters. Silcock said: "La Manga Club is a name that is synonymous with golf and sport, not just in Europe but around the world, and it's a great honour to be working here. "Some of the biggest names in the game have been associated with the resort and it has always been a venue that I've admired and respected. "Having worked for some top destinations in several different countries, I feel I have a lot to offer in in improving the service and the overall golf experience that La Manga Club can provide. It's a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to a new challenge." Silcock's arrival comes at an exciting time for La Manga Club with the five-star venue having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, and he faces a busy time in his new role over the coming months.

ASIAN TOUR Q SCHOOL REPORT AND SCORES

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Hua Hin, Thailand: Rashid Khan of India kept up the chase for a Qualifying School Final Stage spot by posting a two-under-par 70 in the third round of the First Stage Section B today.

The talented Indian trailed the penultimate round leaders Matt Johnston of Canada and Australian amateur Daniel Bringolf by two shots at the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club.

Overnight leader Johnston shot a 76 while Bringolf carded a 74 to lead the chasing pack on seven-under-par 209 while Khan shared third place with Chase Wright of the United States and Neil Reilly of England.

At the Springfield Royal Country Club, Bryce Easton of South Africa and French amateur Lionel Weber shared the lead for the third straight day following matching one-under-par 71s.

They lead over former European Tour player Pelle Edberg of Sweden, who shot a 74, by four shots on 13-under-par 203 while Jake Redman of South Africa was third after registering a 71.

After four rounds, the top 15% players from each venue will qualify for the all-important Final Stage which will be held at Imperial Lakeview and Springfield Royal next week.

The top-40 and ties from the Final Stage will earn playing rights on the new 2013 Asian Tour season.

Players who play in the Qualifying School are also eligible to play in the Asian Development Tour (ADT) which will be afforded with Official World Golf Ranking points starting this season.

TO VIEW THE SCORES AT SPRINGFIELD ROYAL

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TO VIEW THE SCORES AT IMPERIAL LAKEVIEW

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EARLY STARTER PAUL LAWRIE BOOKS HIS PLACE IN WEEKEND ACTION

Paul Lawrie, one of the early starters on Day 2 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, looks as if he has secured his place in the weekend action.
The Aberdonian shot a one-under-par 71 for a 36-hole tally of one-over 145.
The halfway cut projection is that players with totals of 146 and better will qualify for the third and fourth rounds.
Scott Jamieson, who has been on such a high over the last few weeks, is one of the Scots who won't be playing this weekend.
The Glasgow man, runner-up to Louis Oosthuizen in the Volvo Champions last weekend after leading by five shots going into the final round, had a 74 for 149.
Colin Montgomerie is also heading for the exit on 150 (76-74) while former Tartan Tour player Callum Nicoll, who is based out on the United Arab Emirates, shot 81-78 for 159.
Former Open champion Darren Clarke is also going to be among those who  have missed the cut over a course that punishes those who stray from the straight and narrow.

TO KEEP A CHECK ON THE LIVE SCORING SERVICE
FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

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NEIL RAYMOND SOLE GB SURVIVOR IN AUSSIE QUARTERS

Only Neil Raymond of the four England players who reached the second round is through to the quarter-finals of the Australian men's amateur championship at Commonwealth Golf Club, Melbourne.
The Corhampton player, pictured by Tom Ward Photography when he won the Brabazon Trophy, will cross swords with Cameron Smith (Queensland) for a place in the last four.
Smith beat Craig Hinton 2 and 1 in the second round.

RESULTS
SECOND ROUND
Players from Australia unless stated
Tyler Hodge (NZ) bt Garrick Porteous (Bamburgh Castle) 1 hole.
Neil Raymond (Corhampton) bt Jack Williams at 20th
Cameron Smith bt Craig Hinton (Oxfordshire) 2 and 1.
Blair Riordan bt Nathan Kimsey (Woodhall Spa) at 19th.

THIRD ROUND
Raymond bt S Daley 5 and 4.

SHOCK DEFEAT FOR WORLD NO 1 LYDIA 
Defending champion Lydia Ko (NZ), the world's No 1 female amateur, was beaten by the 19th qualifier Jo Charlton in the second round of the Australian women's amateur championship at the same venue.

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CHAMPIONSHIPS' RESULTS

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IT AIN'T HALF HOT, MUM! BUT TEAM GB IS THRIVING

 Ewan Scott shading himself with a towel from the sizzling heat

              Picture from Tegwen Matthews 

From: Kyle Phillpots
with the Team GB golfers in Australia
The story of Day 2 of the Australian Youths Olympic Festival golf tournament at Twin Creeks, Sydney was how well Team GB coped with the intense heat. 
Despite being in the lead or joint lead in each of the three categories, every member of the team was disappointed with his or her  own performance on the opening day  and there was a steely determination about them as they set about their task.
The weather forecast had promised high temperatures and by 8am it was 30C (86F); by 10am it was 40C (104F) and when it reached an area record of 45C (113F) at 12.30, play was suspended for the day. This left players with up to four holes still to play and the round will be resumed at 6.45am on Saturday.
The GB players were not to be deterred. Taking every advantage to find natural shade, many of them also used their umbrellas to block out the direct sun. They also were constantly supplied with cold towels and, of course, plenty of fluids. 
Only five of them completed the round and none of them scored worse than the par of 72.  Three were level par. 
Harry Ellis, who had started with three birdies in the first three holes, finished on the same par mark as the previous day and. Gabriella Cowley and Georgia Hall also finished level.  Chloe Williams made up for her disappointment on day one with a very impressive three under par 69 and Ewan Scott from St Andrews went even better with an outstanding five-under score of 67
Of those still on the course when play was suspended, Jack Singh Brar is one over  with four to play, Bradley Neil from Blairgowrie is on three under with two to play, as is  Lauren White (St Regulus) who was on the 15th tee when play was halted. 
Amber Ratcliffe marked her ball on the 15th green on two under par. The overnight leader, Ashton Turner continued his good form and stands at four under for the round with one hole to play. 
The highlight of another excellent performance from the Kenwick Park player came when he drove the green at the 433yd eighth hole.
"I knew I had hit it well, but not that well. I was looking for my ball from around 100 yards out, and I couldn't believe it when I saw it was on the green. That's certainly my longest drive in competition."
Plenty more to come from this GB team. And the temperatures on Saturday will be much cooler.


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FESTIVAL WEBSITE

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