ELLIOT SALTMAN CHASING £10,000 JACKPOT ON EUROPRO TOUR FINAL ROUND

Elliot Saltman ([pictured) is hanging on in there and has an outside chance of scooping the £10,000 first prize if he can produce an outstanding third and final round in the Motocaddy Masters, the first event of the PGA EuroPro Tour at Wensum Valley, Norfolk. The Archerfield Links is in joint fourth place on 146 after rounds of 72 and 74 over the par-73 course. He is four shots behind the leader, Billy Fowles (Wentworth) (72-70). The only other Scots to make the cut at 153 and better were Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) and Elliot Saltman's youngest brother Zack. McKechnie improved from an 80 to a 69. He is joint 16th on 149. Zack had 74-77 for 151. Three Scots missed out by one shot - Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) (74-80), John Gallagher (Duddingston) (75-79) and Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) (79-75), all on 154. Others now on the sidelines are: Ian Redford (83-73 for 156), Paul Shields (80-76 for 156), Jordan Findlay (75-86 for 161), Callum Trahan (88-74 for 162), Mark Rae (84-80 for 164) and Steven Mackie (86-80 for 166). MOTOCADDY MASTERS Wensum Valley Golf Hotel & Country Club, Norfolk SECOND-ROUND TOTALS Par 146 (2x73) 142 Billy Fowles (Wentworth) 72 70. 144 Stiggy Hodgson (Wisley) 74 70. 145 James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City) 75 70. 146 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Lnhks) 72 74, Bruce McDonald (Pentland Golf) 75 71. OTHER SCOTS' SCORES 149 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 80 69 (T16) 151 Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) 74 77 (T27) MISSED THE CUT (Top 50 and ties qualified at 153 and better) 154 John Gallacher (Duddingston) 79 75, Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 74 80, Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 79 75 156 Ian Redford (St Andrews New) 83 73, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 80 76. 161 Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 75 86. 162 Callum Trahan (Gleneagles) 88 74 164 Mark Rae (Pitlochry) 84 80. 166 Steven Mackie (Dunnikier Park) 86 80

KRIS NICOL JUST OUTSIDE ALPS TOUR TOP 10 IN FRANCE

Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol had a bag of four birdies in returning a two-under-par 71 for a share of 13th place at the end of the firstround in the Alps Tour's Rebetz Open in France today (Wed).Nicol is three shots behind joint leaders Juliet Foret (France), Jesus Legarra (Spain) and Fabien Marty (France).Ross Cameron (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) from Ellon matched the par of 73 for a share of 39th place but former Walker Cup player Michael Stewart from Troon had a 78 and, in joint 115th place, looks destined to miss the cut. LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORESPar 7368 J Foret (Fra), J Legarra (Spa), F Marty (Fra)SCOTS' SCORES71 K Nicol73 R Cameron79 M Stewart. ends

STEPHEN GRAY WINS SPEY VALLEY 36 HOLE CHALLENGE

STEPHEN GRAY ... pipped Greig Hutcheon and Greg McBain    By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com In the final analysis it was Stephen Gray's hole in one at the 202yd 16th in the first round that won him the Spey Valley 36-hole Challenge at the Aviemore course today (Wed). The Hayston man added a four-under 68 to his opening 73 and a three-under 141 aggregate earned him the £1,750 first prize by a single shot from joint runners-up Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) (73-69) and Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) (73-69), both picking up £1,125 for their two days' work. Gray eagled the long third and birdied two other par-5s, the fifth and 13th. His other birdie came at the par-4 ninth in an outward 33. And so the Hutcheon-Hayston rivalry for the top spots on the Tartan Tour money table and Order of Merit is set to continue in the new season. Hutch was level par for the final day with five to play but moved up a gear when he had to with birdies at the 14th, short 16th and 17th for 33 home. Aberdeen-based McBain was five under par for the first seven holes in his second round with a birdie at the first, and eagle 3 at the third, a birdie 2 at the fourth and a birdie 3 at the seventh. Out in 32, with a bogey at the eighth, McBain was ahead of Gray and Hutcheon at that point and favourite to stay there but he let the chance slip away with a bogey at the 11th and seven straight pars to finish LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 144 (2x72) 141 S Gray (Hayston) 73 68 (£1,750). 142 Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) 73 69, Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 73 69 (£1,125 each). 144 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 74 70, Stewart Savatge (Dalmuir) 73 71, Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 72 72 (£633 each). 145 James McKinnon (Irvine) 72 73 (£450). 146 David Orr (Mearns Castle) 72 74 (£400). 147 John Henry (Clydebank & Dist) 79 68, Chris Kelly (Cawder) 75 72, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 74 73, Paul Robinson (Largs) 74 73, Craig Ronald (Carluke) 73 74 (£301 each). 148 Christopher Robinson (Portpatrick Dunskey) 76 72, Christopher Russell (RAW Golf Design) 76 72, Stephen Lamb (Macdonald Cardrona) 76 72, Scott Herald (Mearns Castle) 77 71, Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 77 71 (£181 each). 149 Ian TYaylor (Drumpellier) 77 72, Gareth Wright (West Linton) 75 74, Kenny Hutton(Downfield) 73 76, David Patrick (Elie SC) 73 76 (£127 each). 150 Ken Campbell (Machrihanish) 76 74 (£115). 152 Fraser Cromarty (Castle Stuart) 74 78 (£110). 153 Grant Smith (Gleneagles) 75 78, Mark King (Kingsfield) 75 78, Christopher Currie (Caldwell) 80 73, Colin Gillies (Kingsfield) 78 75, Jonathan Lomas (Caprngton) 75 78, Fraser Dunlop (Gleneagles) 73 80, Stuart Morrison (Tain) 74 79 (£15 each). 154 James Erksine (Portpatrick Dunskey) 82 72, Conor O'Neil (Pollok) (am) 80 74, Fraser Robertson(Elie SC) 78 76, David Roger (Windyhill) 74 80, Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) 75 79. 155 Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) 83 72, Gary McFarlane (Clober) 82 73, Gareth Hardy (Belleisle) 79 76, Tom Dingwall (Nairn Dubar) 77 78. 156 Graham Forbes (unatt) 82 74, Stephen McAllister (Renaissance) 82 74, Craig Knowles (Panmure0 77 79, Keir McNicoll (Gullane) 77 79, Christopher Tierney (Affordable Golf) 77 79. 157 Colin Robinson (Prestonfield) 80 77, Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) 78 79. 158 Malcolm Murray (Brora) 78 80. 159 Peter Smith (Deeside) 84 75, Iain Stoddart (Uphall) 84 75, Jonathan Cliff (Murrayfield) 82 77, Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle) 81 78, Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 81 78, Craig Everett (Caldwell) 80 79, Andrew Rollo (Nairn Dunbar) 79 80, Paul Wilson (Cawder) 78 81. 160 Jordan Gallagher (Douglas Park) 80 80, Malcolm Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 77 83, Murray Urquhart (Spey Valley) 76 84, Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 81 79. 161 Les McLaughlin (Whitecraigs) 81 80, Calum Lawson (unatt) 86 75, Ian Brown (Newent) 78 83, Robert Rushford (Swanston New) 84 77, David McCallum (Gllsphere) 83 78. 162 James Dick (Duddingston) 81 81, Matthew Laughtland (Bishopbriggs) 80 82, Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre) 79 83. 163 Christopher McMaster (Panmure) 83 80, Lewis Burnett (Mearns Castle) 82 81, Andrew Munro (Musselburgh) 79 84. 164 M Mackenzie (Edzell) 84 80, R Dixon (Renaissance) 82 82, J Fraser (unatt) 82 82, M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 80 84. 165 R Harrower (Boat of Garten) 87 78, K McNiven (Gleneagles) 83 82. 166 J Hopwood (Royal Aberdeen) 80 86. 167 E Walker (Burntisland) 81 865 168 F Clarke (Newmachar) 84 84 169 R Holt (unatt) 89 80. 172 E Hogarth (Peebles) 86 86. Disqualified - R Arnott (Bishopbriggs). Retired - S Henderson (Kings Links), A Purdie (Kignsbarns).

THE MASTERS OPEN DAY AT BONNYTON GC, EAGLESHAM

NEWS RELEASE

Following the excitement of last week’s thrilling US Masters Bonnyton Golf Club, in the pretty conservation village of Eaglesham, is holding its very own Masters Open Day on Saturday May 4th. The connection between Bonnyton and the world famous Augusta National is actually much stronger than it might first seem, both courses were designed by the same golf visionary. 

Dr. Alister MacKenzie, a remarkable man who designed some of the most famous golf courses in the world including Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne, originally designed Bonnyton, using it to hone the skills that would later make him one of the most sought after course designers in the world. 

The open day allows non-members a unique opportunity to play on one of MacKenzie's creations; it costs only £25 for a round and post round buffet.     

RECORD NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS FOR RYDER CUP JOBS AT GLENEAGLES 2014

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

The 1,800 volunteers required for The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles have now been selected, following the largest number of applications received for a volunteer programme in Ryder Cup history.
Ryder Cup Europe received a record 17,500 applications from a total of 27 different countries for the volunteer roles since the programme was launched in February this year. Applications from Scotland, England, USA, Wales and Ireland make up the top five countries to submit applications.
Applicants yesterday received notification of whether they had been successful, selected for a small reserve list, or unsuccessful.
European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley commented: “I am delighted to welcome each and every one of the 1,800 people who have volunteered to be part of the experience at Gleneagles next September. 
"No golf tournament could exist without volunteers and that is especially true in terms of a competition of the size and magnitude of The Ryder Cup, so I thank them all for their participation.
“Success in The Ryder Cup is all about great teamwork inside the ropes, but it is just as important to have great teamwork outside the ropes too, and I know we are set to have that at Gleneagles.”
Successful volunteers will take up on and off-course roles, including: on course Marshals; park and ride volunteers; crowd safety marshals; bus ambassadors; programme and radio sales assistants; buggy shuttle drivers; and media centre or merchandise pavilion assistants.
Antonia Beggs, operations director for The 2014 Ryder Cup, said: “The level of applications for our volunteer programme is unprecedented and we would like to thank everybody who took the time to apply. The process demonstrates the extraordinary appeal of The 2014 Ryder Cup, both in Scotland and throughout the rest of the world. It truly is a unique sporting event and people just want to play their part.
“The Ryder Cup volunteering programme differs somewhat to those of larger events and therefore our selection criteria included specific qualifications and skills in many cases. 
"Our volunteers will set the tone for the event and will be responsible for helping to welcome the world to Scotland in 2014, meaning finding those with a positive attitude and genuine desire to be involved in one of the world’s greatest sporting events was a priority.”
Along with their volunteering duties, every Ryder Cup volunteer will be guaranteed at least a half-day of viewing time on course during each day of the competition as well as receiving clothing, food and the guarantee of the opportunity to purchase a Ryder Cup season ticket for a friend or family member.
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: “The fantastic response to the Ryder Cup volunteering programme, from both Scotland and around the world, shows just how much global interest there is in a Ryder Cup in Scotland, the Home of Golf.
“We are currently developing a new and separate scheme with the event organisers that will open up extra volunteer places at The 2014 Ryder Cup and will announce further details later this year. All of the volunteers at Gleneagles will make the Ryder Cup an event to remember in an historic year for Scotland, alongside the Commonwealth Games and the Year of Homecoming.”

US TOUR DROP CASE AGAINST VIJAY SINGH AND DEER-ANTLER SPRAY

FROM THE GOLF CHANNEL WEBSITE
Vijay Singh has not been suspended by the US PGA Tour and the case has been dropped, commissioner Tim Finchem said in a news conference yesterday.
On January  28, Singh, now 50, admitted in a Sports Illustrated article to using deer-antler spray, which contains IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), a banned substance in all major sports leagues, including the US PGA Tour. 
In a statement at the time, Singh denied knowingly taking the substance.
Though IGF-1 is on the Tour’s banned-substances list, the circuit does not test for either IGF-1 or human growth hormone.

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PGA Tour's official statement on Singh decision

Q&A: Finchem's news conference

Vijay Singh: Articles, videos and photos

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“The PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy provides that an admission to the use of a prohibited substances is a violation of the policy even if there is no positive drug test.” Finchem said.
“(The World Anti-Doping Agency) clarified that it no longer considers the use of deer-antler spray to be prohibited unless a positive test results.”
WADA then provided this statement to the Tour:
“In relation to your pending IGF-1 matter, it is the position of WADA, in applying the Prohibiting List, that the use of ‘deer antler spray’ (which is known to contain small amounts of IGF-1) is not considered prohibited.”
Said Finchem: “Given WADA’s lead role in interpreting the Prohibited List, the Tour deemed it only fair to no longer treat Mr. Singh’s use of deer-antler spray as a violation of the Tour’s anti-doping program.” 
Singh has been allowed to continue playing as the Tour investigated his case, and he is in the field this week at the Wells Fargo Championship. His best finish in eight starts was a tie for 20^th at the Sony Open.

PGA OF AMERICA PRESIDENT ON DIFFERENT TACK FROM R AND A CHIEF

FROM THE GOLF CHANNEL WEBSITE
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The biggest rivalry in golf at the moment could be the heads of two different organizations on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
PGA of America president Ted Bishop has been vocal about his opposition to the proposed rule that would ban the anchored stroke used for long putters. Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson last week referred to Bishop's public comments as a ''campaign.''
''The PGA of America knows my views about this and I'm disappointed at the way that campaign was conducted,'' Dawson said. ''It put rule-making onto the negotiating table. The negotiating table is no place for rule-making to take place. Obviously, the feelings are strong. We shall have to see where it goes.''
Bishop took it one step further in an interview and exchange of emails with Golf World magazine, in which he revealed details of his encounter with Dawson during the Masters and questioned the R&A's male-only membership.
''I find that to be very curious and perplexing given the fact that the R&A has not been inclusive, as evidenced by their unwillingness to accept women as members to the R and A,'' Bishop told the magazine. ''This is a much different approach than we have taken in America.''
Bishop said when he told Dawson that the PGA of America was looking after the best interests of the amateur golfer, Dawson pointed a finger at him and said, ''That's not your role.'' He said they met again at a reception that night that was more civil.
But he continues to challenge Dawson, particularly the 90-day comment period that ended two months ago.
''The PGA of America has gotten the impression from the R and A that we should have just accepted the proposed rule change and not issued any comments,'' Bishop said in an email to Golf World. 
''Then why have a comment period at all? If you remember, Dawson stated on November 28 that he doubted if any new evidence would surface during the comment period that would result in the ban on anchoring being dropped. That hardly set the stage for an 'open' comment period.''
Bishop also made a comment that won't make this issue any less divisive, saying the differences between the PGA of America and the R and A came down to cultures.
''Europeans have a tendency to accept the things that are imposed by their respective governments, while Americans will debate, argue and vote on issues,'' Bishop said in the email. ''I think that is the fundamental premise that America was founded on.''
The PGA Tour and PGA of America are opposed to the new rule. The European Tour is in favour of it. A decision whether to adopt the rule is expected by the end of May. If it's approved, it would not go into effect until 2016.