ROYAL DORNOCH GC REFRESHES STRUIE COURSE

NEWS RELEASE

Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the renowned Championship club in the Scottish Highlands, continues to invest in their playing facilities, ensuring they improve on their world championship standards.  Following a series of intensive guest and member surveys there have been a number of welcome additions and developments to the Royal Dornoch Struie Course.

There are many admirers of Royal Dornoch Struie Course, which is ranked in the UK top 50 links courses.  Opened to the present 18 holes in 1999, the course was in need of a gentle facelift to ensure it remains a firm favourite with members and visitors.

General Manager Neil Hampton explains “Royal Dornoch is about two world class links courses that are a joy to play.  The feedback from our members and visitors over the last year, clearly told us how much they enjoy playing Royal Dornoch Struie, but there were some improvements to the signage that would help.  

"Working with our dedicated green staff, a some holes have been improved and the whole course has had signage consistent with a world ranked course.” 

Of particular note from the survey was how pleased the golfers are with the exceptional level of maintenance on the course and attention to detail paid to upholding the same quality of course finish on the tees, greens and bunkers as the Championship Course - it was mostly the signage and aspects of the layout that let the course down.  

Eoin Riddell, Course Manager comments “The ground staff team have worked hard at developing the course and wanted it to be the kind of course you can play every day and not get tired of.  I think we are starting to achieve that.”

The Struie course originally opened as a 12 hole Ladies course in 1899 and is a traditional links course that provides a test for golfers young and old, male and female.  The work of Donald Steel and his design team back in the 1990s encapsulates natural Scottish Links golf, working with the natural landscape, local plant and wildlife, the layout incorporates many of the unique Dornoch features.  The new signage helps make the most of the features while ensuring golfers stay on course.

Commenting on behalf of Eagle, the UK's market leader for golf course signage and collateral, sales manager for Scotland, Eddie Comerford said, "I'm delighted that Royal Dornoch has chosen Eagle to manufacture and deliver the new signage system for Royal Dornoch Struie course. We already supply the club with the Championship course guide and the score cards for both courses, so we are very pleased the club is keen to extend its relationship with Eagle in this way.

He further adds “We had clear guidelines from Royal Dornoch regarding the signage and improvements needed to the Struie course and matching their expectations with our range of golf furniture was a straightforward task.  It is unusual for clubs to carry out such intensive survey work of their members and visitors but it has clearly paid to gain an insight into the needs of the golfers. 
Our top quality Iroko hardwood tee posts with deep etched zinc plates will make a dramatic difference to the Struie's presentation, marking the many recent improvements that have been made to the Royal Dornoch Struie course.  I am sure that returning visitors will be impressed and that new visitors to Royal Dornoch Struie will be delighted at the attention to detail the course receives.”

General Manager Neil Hampton added that “Royal Dornoch is committed to ensuring that all golfers, members, guests, low & high handicappers and beginners will have a wonderful day of golf.  The Royal Dornoch Struie course is as important to that as the Championship course.”   

He continued “We are about developing the game and investing in courses that help every golfer get the best from their game.  Our Struie course is a great course that can often challenge even the most serious golfer, while giving those with higher handicaps the chance to play a highly respected links course.”

Founded in 1877, Royal Dornoch Golf Club presents exceptional standards that extend beyond the courses and greens to the restaurant, bar and lounge and other facilities. The Championship course is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 of the world’s top 100 courses and Royal Dornoch Struie course is highly ranked UK and Ireland links course.

PAUL FERRIER PLAYING AS A PRO ON EGOLF TOUR IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Paul Ferrier, the 2007 Scottish boys' match-play champion from Baberton, is lying T50 at the halfway stage of the Egolf Professional Tour's Columbia Open at Columbia Country Club, Ridgewood Tall Pines, Blythewood in South Carolina.

Ferrier, who turned pro after four years at college in the United States,. has earned $3,822 from seven events on the American satellite tgour, of which $1,010 came from a T34 finish in the tour's last event, the Forest Oaks Classic from April 17 to 19.
Leading the field before the end of the second day's play was American Tanner Erwin with rounds of 67 and 63 for 13-under-par 130.

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WALLACE BOOTH POSTS A 67 BEFORE THUNDERSTORMS HALT PLAY IN ITALY

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Charles-Edouard Russo took inspiration from his best friend François Calmels’ victory last week to shoot a seven under par 64 in the first round of the Challenge Tour's Montecchia Golf Open before thunderstorms interrupted play.

All but five of the afternoon groups will have to return on Friday morning to complete round one, but Frenchman Russo was safely in the clubhouse with a one-shot lead after carding eight birdies and one bogey earlier in the day at Golf Club della Montecchia near Venice.

Northern Ireland’s Gareth Shaw and Danes Lucas Bjerregaard and Mark Haastrup all signed for six under par 65s, while Irishman Simon Thornton was also six under with three holes to play. 
Wallace Booth (pictured) from Comrie was back in the clubhouse with a four-under-par 67 and George Murray had signed for a 68 before play was halted.

Russo, playing on a sponsor’s invitation in the €160,000 event, said: “François is like a brother to me and it was fantastic to see him win the Challenge de Madrid last week. We’ve been friends since we were in the same class at school as ten year olds and now we live very close to each other.

“It has inspired me, although I’ve been playing very well for the last month and a half now. I came third in the French National PGA Championship, which helped me get an invite here.

“Hopefully I can continue to be motivated by what François did and carry on playing like this.”

Haastrup called his six under par 65 one of the best rounds he has played on the Challenge Tour, signalling a welcome return to form.

“It has been a long time since I had a round as good as that,” said the 29 year old. “To be honest I’ve been struggling recently and didn’t hit it very well for the first eight holes, but my putting kept me in it. Then on the back nine I improved a lot and was able to make some birdies – again from excellent putting.

“The course is in great shape. If I can keep playing and putting as well as this it will be a good week.”

Bjerregaard was delighted that he was able to convert his good progress on the practice range to a promising score, saying: “I’m excited about the way my swing has been going, but I haven’t played much competitive golf yet this season – only a Nordic League event in Spain and the Barclays Kenya Open in March. So I’m pleased I was able to take some good form out on the course.

“I hit a lot of fairways, which is important on this course as it’s very difficult to get out of the rough. I hit some good wedge shots too – there are a lot of them as it’s a pretty short track.”

Shaw added: “I played the last ten holes in six under par, so I got on a good run and it was nice to finish just before the storm hit. It’s the first round in the 60s for me this year so I’m very happy.”

Three time European Tour winner struggled to a seven over par 78, while 2008 Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson opened with a one over par 72.

MONTECCHIA OPEN

Near Venice, Italy.

Several players still to complete rounds

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 71

64 Charles-Edouard Russo (Fra).

65 Mark F Haastrup (Den), Lucas Bjerregard (Den), Gareth Shaw (NIre)

SCOTS' SCORES

67 Wallace Booth (T13).

68 George Murray (T27).

69 Jack Doherty (T42)

71 Steven O'Hara, Lloyd Saltman (T91)

72 David Law (T107).

To complete rounds Friday morning: Jamie McLeary, Callum Macaulay, Alastair Forsyth, Duncan Stewart, Raymond Russell, Andrew McArthur, Ross Kellett.

ends

KRIS NICOL IN TOP 20 ON ALPS TOUR EVENT

A pair of 71s over a par-73 course have Kris Nicol (pictured) from Fraserburgh in joint 17th place after two rounds of the Alps Tour's Rebez Open at Golf de Rebetz in Picardy, France.

Nicol's 142 tally is 10 shots behind the leader, Spaniard Jesus Legarrea who has shot 68-66 for 12-under 134 and a two-stroke lead from Ireland's Stephen Grant (71-65) and Borja Etchart (Spain) (69-67).
Former Stirling student David Booth from Rotherham is in joint sixth place on 139 with rounds of 72 and 67.
Michael Stewart from Troon and Ellon's Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy) missed the cut. Stewart made a very good attempt to recover from an opening round of 79 with a six-under-par 67 but his aggregate of level par 146 was one shot too many to qualify him for the final round.
Cameron missed out by six shots with 73-78 for 151.


LEADING SECOND-R0UND TOTALS
Par 146 (2x73)
134 Jesus Legarrea (Spa) 68 66.
136 Stephen Grant (Ire) 71 65, Borja Etchart (Spa) 69 67.

SELECTED SCORES
139 David Booth (Eng) 72 67 (T6)
142 Kris Nicol (Sco) 71 71 (T17)
 
MISSED THE CUT (145 and better qualified)
146 Michael Stewart (Sco) 79 67
151 Ross Cameron (Sco) 73 78.

ELLIOT SALTMAN LAST ROUND NIGHTMARE SMASHES £10,000 DREAM

Elliot Saltman's dream of a £10,000 payday in the first EuroPro Tour event of the season, the Motocaddy Masters at Wensum Valley Golf Hotel and Country

Club, Norfolk turned into a nightmare today (Thu).

The Archerfield Links player finished with a nine-over-par round of 82 for a total of 228 and a share of 24th place alongside his youngest brother, Zack. They both earned £330.

Elliot had three double bogeys - at the long sixth, par-4 10th and long 16th.

Birdies at the 11th and 18th could not repair the damage.

Zack Saltman finished with a repeat of his second-round 77.

The only other Scot to beat the cut, Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) slipped back from a second-round 69 to an 80, which was a repeat of his first round. Paul's total of 229 earned him £285.

Dan Waite (Wisley) (74-72-72 for one-under 218) won the £10,000 jackpot prize by one shot from Paul Grannell (Vale Royal) (77-74-68) and StiggyHodgson (Wisley) (74-70-75).

MOTOCADDY MASTERS

Wensum Valley Golf Hotel, Norfolk

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 219 (3x73)

218 Dan Waite (Wisley) 74 72 72 (£10,000)

219 Paul Grannel (Vale Royal) 77 74 68, Stiggy Hodgson (Wisley) 74 70 75 (£3,750 each).

221 James Robinson (Southport & Aindsale) 76 72 73, Nick McCarthy (Moortown) 74 73 74 (£1,550 each).

SCOTS' TOTALS

228 Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) 74 77 77, Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) 72 74 82 (£330 each).

229 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 80 69 80 (£285).

WAITE WINS MOTOCADDY MASTERS

Wisley golfer records first professional win on 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour

 

Dan Waite won the Motocaddy Masters by one stroke to Paul Grannell and Stiggy Hodgson after he finished one under par in the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour season opener at Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Norfolk today.

 

Waite, based at Wisley Golf Club in Surrey, holed a birdie putt on the 18th to record a one-under-par final-round 72 and beat overnight leader Hodgson (Wisley Golf Club) and Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey), who shot the week’s best score of 68. Waite won £10,000 and a brand new Motocaddy trolley and also secured an invite to the Scottish Hydro Challenge event on the Challenge Tour.

 

The 24-year-old opened his final round with a bogey but made birdies at three and four. He dropped down the leaderboard after a bogey at seven and a double on the eighth but birdies at 14, 15 and 18 saw him conclude the tournament one under par.

 

“It feels great to get my first professional win under my belt,” said Waite. “I want to take it from here and try and get a couple more.

 

“This morning I thought I had a shout. I saw Billy Fowles had finished strongly yesterday and had given himself a bit of a lead but I felt if I stayed patient and tried to get some birdies I would have a chance.

 

“I thought I would need a birdie on the 18th and I knew I just needed a good drive and that would give me a good chance of making the green in two. I hit a good second shot and then holed the birdie putt.”

 

Grannell had a nervous wait in the clubhouse after he signed for a five under two hours before the final groups completed their rounds. The 27-year-old began the day nine strokes off leader Fowles but a birdie at the third and four on the last six holes saw him complete the week level par.

 

Hodgson was second overnight but shot four bogeys on his final round. An eagle three at the 14th was his only par breaker on the final day.

 

Overnight leader Fowles struggled in his closing round and finished tied sixth, three over for the tournament, after recording a third-round 80, three-over-par.

 

James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) and Nick McCarthy (Moortown Golf Club) finished tied fourth on two over par.

 

Highlights of the Motocaddy Masters will air on Sky Sports HD on Wednesday, May 15.

 

PADRAIG HARRINGTON WILL USE BELLY PUTTER IN WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Less than a year after wishing anchored putters would swiftly be banned, three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has said he intends to use one in the Wells Fargo Championship which starts today.

After the Open Championship at Lytham last year, which was won by Ernie Els using a belly putter, Harrington said:
 "I suspect that they (the R and A) are going to ban them. That's more or less the consensus; they're going to have a two-year grace (period) a bit like the grooves.

"I just hope that they don't wait too long – I hope they don't wait until I'm 50 years of age to change the rule."

The R and A and USGA – the game's governing bodies – subsequently proposed a ban on anchored strokes which would come into effect from 2016, but Harrington wrote on his personal website today: 
"The main thing that I changed in the last week is my putter. I was at home last week and I was messing around with a belly putter and it felt very good.

"I decided to bring it with me this week and see how it would go in practice. Having used it for the two days I am probably going to use it in the tournament; I putted nicely with it in the pro-am and so am happy to try it out.

"I like the course (Quail Hollow) and have had some good results here over the years. I am out early on Thursday and late Friday. Whilst a little rusty, I know that my game is in good shape and I am feeling positive about my new putter so I am looking forward to a good week."

Proponents of anchored putters have opposed the ban, claiming there is no reason for it now after long putters have been in use since the 1980s, although four of the last six majors have been won by players using anchored putters.

"The fact is, if somebody invented the belly putter tomorrow, it would not pass," Harrington added at last year's Open. "I think we could all agree with that.
"The only reason it got through is the people that used it 20 years ago were coming to the end of their careers and people would have been sympathetic and didn't want to finish Bernhard Langer's career by telling him you can't hold it like this, you can't attach it to your arm."

CLYDEWAY GOLF RANGE IS THE PLACE TO GO

                           Ross MacLeod and Stuart Williams at the Clydeway Driving Range

NEWS RELEASE

At the beginning of the year PGA professional Stuart Williamson, along with Stuart Geddes and Frances Doyle, took over Clydeway Golf Driving Range on Blantyre Farm Road.  

Between them they have a wealth of experience in golf, business and retail.  So far things are going great!

Clydeway Golf Performance Centre offers a 24-bay driving range with 20,000 brand new balls put just in last week.  Balls are priced at £6 for 100 or £4 for 50.  

During happy hours (9.30am-11am and 5pm-6pm Mon-Thurs) golfers can get a basket of 100 for the price of 50.  Loyalty cards are also available.  

The range is in a great location just off the new M74 and as well as being accessible to its surrounding areas it is also, due to the new road, less than 10 minutes from the city centre and only 20 minutes from as far out as the airport! 

Clydeway also boasts a fully stocked shop offering top brands including Ping, Srixon, Cleveland, Callaway, Taylor Made, Titleist, Galvin Green, Footjoy, Nike, Oakley, Cobra, Puma, Lyle and Scott and Sunderland.  

Also on offer is a top quality custom fitting service using Flightscope Radar and a full repair service including re-gripping, re-shafting, loft and lie checks/adjustments, etc.  Lessons tailored to the needs of golfers are also available via PGA Professionals Stuart Williamson, Graham Fox or Ross MacLeod.

Some big names in Scottish golf are connected to the facility. Steven and Paul O’Hara regularly practise there when not competing around Europe and Steven is now officially attached to Clydeway while Paul is about to embark on his PGA Training at the facility.   

Current Scottish PGA champion and former European Tour player Graham Fox can also be found there on a regular basis, giving lessons and practising in between his schedule on the Scottish PGA circuit.

As a special offer to Scottishgolfview readers you can get a £10 introductory lesson (balls not included) with PGA Professional Ross MacLeod by emailing him on rossmacleodgolf@hotmail.co.uk and quoting “scottishgolfview” in the subject line.  

 Normal lesson price is £22 at Clydeway so this offers great value.  People can only do this once and Ross must be emailed by May 31 to arrange the lesson.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Clydeway Golf Driving Range,

 Uddingston, Bothwell G71 7RR

• 0141 641 8899
• Fax: 0141 641 9299

REILLY IS RENFRESHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS AGAIN

RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION

 PRESS RELEASE

turnberry.db@gmail.com

Paul Reilly of Kilmacolm Golf Club has become the first player to win the Renfrewshire Golf Union Junior Champion of Champions for three consecutive years.  A quick check of historical records show that only two players (Murdoch Carmichael and Ian Darroch in the Freedman Trophy) have equalled this feat.

Paul had made short work of Erskine’s Martin McCorkell in the semi final contest with a 6 and 5 win over a wet and windy Paisley course.  His opponent was to be Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) who also won convincingly against Old Course Ranfurly’s Champion, Ross Robertson.   

In an earlier round, Alasdair had faced the challenge of Colin Edgar who started with three birdies but was only one up with Alasdair shooting an eagle at the third hole.  Such is the quality of this competition.

In the final, Reilly took control and a birdie at the tenth hole and solid golf in difficult conditions took him to 3 up at the twelfth.  McDougall showed his top level experience and determination with a birdie at the next hole and a par into a stiff wind at the fifteenth took him back to only one down.  Paul withstood the challenge and parred the remaining three holes to win one up. 

A great final and an historic moment for young Paul.

Pictures of Paul and Alasdair