HARRINGTON ON A HIGH FOR EUROPEAN MASTERS

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

It might be 13 years since Padraig Harrington last played in the Omega European Masters, but the Irishman is relishing his return to one of The European Tour’s most picturesque venues.

The three-time Major Champion last visited Crans-sur-Sierre in 2000, and while the renowned festival feel in the Swiss mountains remains the same, he has found plenty of changes to the course in the intervening years.
“Clearly it is right up there as the most beautiful venue we play tournament golf at around the world,” said Harrington. “It is a beautiful place, let alone the golf course. Secondly, it always has a great atmosphere here.
“The course is in the centre of the town and everyone seems to be into their golf here. You walk around the town and there are three caddie carts outside the pub because they haven’t made it home. It reminds you of home because a lot of links courses at home are like that, where the clubhouse is nearly in the town and everyone, even if they don’t play, is involved.
“Here you can’t go ten yards without seeing a poster for the event. Every shop window has clubs and balls in it. It really is a nice atmosphere. I’m staying in a golf hotel and it is stunning, with stunning views. There is a putting course in front of us and I am going to have a game against my caddie - the big match of the week! It really looks difficult too; there is a volcano hole and I don’t know how you play it!”
While the 42 year old is enjoying matters off the course this week, Harrington knows there is plenty of work to be done on it after five years without a European Tour title.
And he feels he has a good idea of what is required if he is to end that run in Switzerland.
“Two six-unders and two two-unders would be pretty close,” he added. “It’s really hard. There are some short holes, but there is a lot of difficultly around the greens.
“The condition of the course is immaculate and there is a substantial difference in the quality and condition of the course from back when I played it.” 

Also in the field this week is 13 year old Chinese amateur Ye Wo-cheng, who will become the youngest player to tee it up on European soil.

Ye played earlier this season in the Volvo China Open as a 12 year old, setting a new record for the youngest player in a European Tour event, but he is determined just to enjoy the occasion this week.  

“I’m feeling a little nervous as I’m aware that I’m the youngest player in the field this week,” said Ye. “But I tell myself to always stay focus and be relaxed. I just want to do my best and not give myself any pressure.”

 

 

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

ANOTHER YANKEE DOODLE DANDY LOOKING TO STEP UP FROM CHALLENGE TOUR

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

With Brooks Koepka and Peter Uihlein now mixing it with some of the best players in the world, having begun their respective seasons on the Challenge Tour, Daniel Im is the latest young American looking to follow them onto The European Tour and he is hoping to take a big step towards that goal this week at the Open Blue Green Cotes d’Armor Bretagne. 
The 28 year old is playing his first full season on the Challenge Tour in 2013, thanks to a tie for 44^th place in last year’s Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort, and Im comes to Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André off the back of three top ten finishes so far this year. 
A tie for fourth in India at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge was a fine way to start the year, and he followed that with a tie for fifth a few months later at the Challenge de España in the picturesque island resort of La Gomera.

However, his best result so far came just four weeks ago at the 

Norwegian Challenge where he finished three strokes adrift of 

winner Jens Fahrbring in a tie for second alongside Pontus Widegren, a result which propelled Im up to 13^th position in the 

Challenge Tour Rankings.

The top 15 at the end of the season will gain their European Tour 

card and, while the American comes to north western France in a 

strong position, he is reluctant to get too excited with so many 

important tournaments still to come.

“There are a lot of big tournaments left,” said the 28 year old. “I 

just need to keep playing the way I have been, especially as I am 

heading home after Kazakhstan, before coming back for China. 

That means I’ve got six events remaining, so I’m just looking 

forward to those.

“My game feels alright, but it feels OK every week, it just depends 

on how I’m putting. Last week I started well in Northern Ireland, I 

was in the top ten after two rounds, but I didn’t play too well at the 

weekend. It was pretty tough, and obviously the scores weren’t as 

low as they have been the last few tournaments.

“For me the goal is to just keep the Rankings out of my head, they 

don’t mean too much at this point, but in my current position I just 

need to keep playing well and I think I’ll be OK. That’s all I’m 

focussing on.”

Im will be joined in France by compatriot Brinson Paolini, who has 

settled into life on the Challenge Tour more quickly than most, 

picking up a maiden title at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in just his 

third start as a professional back in July.

There will also be plenty of home talent too, spearheaded by 

Rankings number three François Calmels, who will once again be 

on the lookout for a third title of the year that would earn him an 

automatic ascent to The European Tour.

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

SCOTS MEN MAKE TOP FLIGHT OF EUROPEAN TEAM MATCH-PLAY

Scotland qualified with ease for the championship match-play flight after the two qualifying rounds of the European men's team tournament at Pannonia Golf and Country Club, Hungary.
Ireland dominated the qualifying with a one-over-par team total of 721, finishing nine shots ahead of second seeds England.
Scotland and Sweden tied for third place on 752.
Other top-flight qualifiers were Spain (756), France (766), Norway (768) and Germany (776).
England's Richard Latham had the lowest qualifying aggregate of six-under-par 138 (70-68) but the Scots achieved a good "grouping" with all five players finishing on 149, 150 or 151.
Ian Brotherston shot 74-75 for joint ninth place on 149.
Alan O'Neill made the top 20, jt 18th to be precise with rounds of 76 and 74 for 150.
Lindsay Gordon (76-75), John Fraser (74-77) and Lindsay Blair (80-71) tied for 22nd place individully on 151.

SCOT MACKENZIE FALLS OUT OF LEAD IN GLENEAGLES FINALE

Scot Albert Mackenzie, club pro at Saunton, Devon and his amateur partner Will Hunt fell out of the lead over the final 18 holes to finish a creditable joint fifth on seven-under-par 137 in the Lombard Trophy Grand Final over the Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel.
Mackenzie, who earned a four-figure cheque, and Wills had rounds of 67 and 70.
They finished four shots behind the winners, Ian Walley (Kedleston Park) and amateur Ian Neal who had scores of 68 and 65 for 11-under-par 133 and a two-stroke win from another English pair, Tim Stevens (Shirland) and amateur Keith Cornish (69-66)
Walley won the top prize of £12,000
Craig Sutherland, the Scot who is professional at Cherry Lodge Golf Club, and amateur Chris Witts) finished eighth on 138 with rounds of 72 and 66.
Prestonfield pro Gavin Cooke and amateur Kevin Wood) finished 13th with rounds of 75 and 71 for 146.
Tain professional Stuart Morrison and amateur Iain Cowper tied for 15th place on1 50 with scores of 74 and 76. 

REPORT FROM THE PGA WEBSITE


Kedleston Park Golf Club proved kings of the glen by lifting the Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles over the 2014 Ryder Cup course – and carving out a slice of history in the process.
Head PGA professional Ian Walley (above right) and club captain Ian Neal (left) emerged triumphant in an enthralling second day on the PGA Centenary Course with their seven-under-par 65 giving them an 11–under 133 total and two-stroke victory over fellow Midland club Shirland represented by Tim Stevens and Keith Cornish.
It also means Kedleson Park become the first club to have won the PGA National Pro-Am Championship twice, having captured it in 2005 when Paul Wesselingh and Chris Nye landed the prestigious title.
Walley sealed the victory in style by holing a birdie putt from the fringe on the last to also secure the first prize of £12,000 which, according to Neal, a chartered accountant, was richly deserved following an outstanding display of golf.
“Ian has just played a fantastic round, he must have had six or seven birdies and I just came in where I could,” said Neal who will also team up in the PGA Pro-Captain Challenge grand final in November where Walley is the defending champion.

“If we were going to win today, Ian had to play well and we were due it because yesterday it was a bit of a struggle for him and he didn’t hole any putts.
“But today he’s holed two or three long ones and I’ve holed a couple myself.
“It’s awesome to win, I can’t believe it’s happening in my captain’s year. To qualify for two PGA finals is pretty amazing, the only decent competition round I’ve had all year is the one that qualified for this.
“It has just been a great experience. This is the most enjoyable golf I’ve played but also the most stressful I have ever played, but I like it and enjoy that challenge.”
Walley, who is in his first year at the Derbyshire club, revelled in the experience, particularly playing a daunting 18^th pin which left him a potentially tricky conclusion to his round.
“I knew nine under was leading so had three shots to win but I didn’t do myself any favours leaving it on edge but that last hole is going to be so good for the Ryder Cup. That is a testing flag,” he said.
“This year has been tough with the new job and I’ve put in a lot of hours but the club and members have been great and it’s great to get the name on the trophy again.”
“Ian came in came in when it mattered and this is what this format is all about. There were holes where I was out of play and he probably made three or four net birdies out there.”
Shirland were leading at the turn at eight under and two vital sand saves for par by Walley on eight and nine proved decisive.
“I got it up and down on greenside bunkers on nine and ten, and made two saves for pars – one of them was from 15 feet – when it looked like we were going to drop shots.
“I made birdie at 11 which was key having gone save, save and we just pushed on from there.
“I made birdie on 13, Ian made gross birdie 14 and net birdie on 15 and that turned things round and got us to 11 under. I knew Shirland had got it eight under through nine so I said to Ian we’ve got to press on because we are not on our own up here.”
West Berkshire pro Paul Simpson’s brilliant eagle at the last earned he and Richard Muldoon a share of third alongside the Fynn Valley pair of Chris Smith and Kane Mayes on eight-under-par.
Overnight leaders Saunton shared fifth with Parkstone and Hendon a stroke further back.
Shirland head pro Stevens, who ironically succeeded Walley in the role, picked up £7,500 for runners up spot and described the event as a fantastic experience.
“It has been a great week with good company, great surroundings and superb hotel,” he said.
“Playing in the Lombard Trophy has been great for the club and it’s generated a lot of interest.
“I only took over in March so the first months have just been settling in. I haven’t managed to play too much so it’s just been nice to come here and have access to great practice facilities and few hours on range.”
His partner Cornish revelled in the tournament atmosphere which justified his decision to take up golf.
“I moved away from home when I was younger and gave up golf but always intended to take it up again,” he said.
“I was coming up to 50, eating too many bacon sandwiches and the most exercise was lifting a pen so thought I’d better do something.
“I did a bit of fishing but thought if I don’t do golf before I’m 50 I never will.
“My wife said they are doing winter offer at Shirland so I said I thought I’ve got to give it a go and here I am playing in a national final at Gleneagles – it’s quite surreal.”

PAUL O'HARA GOES FOUR CLEAR AT HALFWAY IN YOUNG PROS' CHSHP

Paul O'Hara has a great chance of scoring his first big win since he joined the PGA ranks after extending his lead to four shots at halfway in the Scottish Young Professionals' Championship at West Lothian Golf Club, Bo'ness.
O'Hara, attached to Clydeway Golf for his PGA training after campaigning on various Continental Tours, has shot 65-67 for an impressive 10-under-par total of 132.
His second-round bag of five birdies were made up of sub-par figures at the short sixth, seventh, 10th, long 12th and 17th. His one clip was a bogey at the long 14th.
But it is by no means all over bar the shouting.
Caldwell's Daniel Flannery shot the round of the day - a five-under-par 67 - to leap into second place on 136, which means he has four shots to make up on O'Hara after Thursday's final 36 holes.
Flannery had a bogey-free round studded with birdies at the second, long fourth, 13th, long 14th and 17th.
Blairgowrie's Sam McLaren (67-70) is in third place on 137, a shot ahead of one of the most experienced competitors in the field, Dunbar's Neil Fenwick who has scored 70 and 68 for 138.
Players with totals of 149 and better qualified for the final-day action.
QUALIFIERS
Par 142 (2x71)
132 P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) 65 67.
136 D Flannery (Caldwell) 70 66.
137 S McLaren (Blairgowrie) 67 70
138 N Fenwick (Dunbar) 70 68
142 R Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) 74 68, P Betty (Hamilton) 69 73, G Paterson (St Andrews Links Golf Acad) 69 62
143 N Cameron (Blairgwrie) 70 73, R Holt (unatt) 71 72.
144 P Robinson (Largs) 70 74, Christopher Robinson (Portpatrick Dunskey) 73 71.
145 Colin Robinson (Prestonfield) 71 74, G Wright (Ladybank) 73 72. 
146 G Smith (Gleneagles) 71 75, F Clarke (Newmachar) 73 73, S Costello (Strathaven) 74 72, J Gallagher (Douglas Park) 75 71.
1457 L Gaughan (Bathgate) 73 74, C Lawson (Wellsgreen) 72 75, J Mackay (North Gailes) 71 76, I Anderson (Colville Park) 75 72, K McNicoll (Gullane) 72 75.
148 A McIntyre (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 71 77, R Munro (Duddingston) 74 74, I McNab (Dundonald Links) 75 73
149 J McBrearty (Haggs Castle) 77 72, T Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 78 72, R Satterley (Swanston New) 73 76, Robert Rushford (Swanston New) 76 73, Sean Bissett (unatt) 71 78, M Patterson (Cruden Bay) 73 76, C Brown (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 72 77.
NON-QUALIFIERS INCLUDED
150 C Marr (Musselburgh) 76 74, C Haugh (Linlithgow) 77 73, C Armstrong (Burntisland) 74 76.
151 R Penny (Kings Links) 78 73, D Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 77 74, M Robertson (Balmore0 75 76, K McNiven (Gleneagles) 76 75, Ailsa Bain (Macdonald Cardrona) 76 75.
152 S Fay (Royal Dornoch) 80 72, S Watters (Balbirnie Park) 79 73, M Burt (Helensburgh) 73 79, F Rummins (Canmore) 79 73, A Welsh (Cathkin Braes) 81 71, G Robertson (Airdrie) 79 73, J Ramanauskas (Gullane) 77 75, F Cramb (unatt) 77 75, J Fraser (Renaissance) 74 78, R King (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 79 73, R McConnachie (Peterculter) 73 79.
 

FROM GERMANY TO AUCHMILL ALLIANCE FOR DAVID LAW VICTORY

                       DAVID LAW ... Have clubs, will travel

David Law dashed back from a disappointing final round in a German PGA Tour Event on Tuesday to tee it up in the first North-east Alliance competition of the season - in his native Aberdeen.
And his "have clubs, will travel" policy paid off when he returned to winning form with a bogey-free, four-under-par round at Auchmill.
"I felt a bit tired over the last few holes," said 22-year-old David who had a bogey-free, four-under-par 66 (32-34) with birdies at the short fourth, long seventh, short ninth and long 11th.
Perhaps seven straight pars to finish indicated that his hectic travelling schedule had caught up with him.
He had played the former Aberdeen municipal course, now leased by its members, only once previously.
"It was in good condition and I enjoyed the round," he said.
Law headed a field of 70 in winning by three shots from fellow professionals, Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 33-36 and Keil Beveridge (Kippie Lodge) 35-34.
A bogey at the 12th and a double bogey at the 14th cost Fitzpatrick his victory chance.
Beveridge varied from par only three times, birdies at the long sixth and 12th and a solitary bogey at the eighth.
Highest one-hole score of the day? A 19 at the par-3 17th.
"I took 15 shots to get out of a bunker, but never thought of picking my ball up," said Tom Collie (Kemnay) whose inward half of 60 gave him a score of 101.
Well done, Tom for returning your card. Quite a few others did not.
Next Wednesday's competition is at Kemnay. Hope to have the draw on the website on Thursday.
 
  SCRATCH SCORES
Par 70, SS 69. CSS 69 (no change)
66 D Law (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 32-34
69 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 33-36, K Beveridge (Kippie Lodge) 35-34.
70 J Nicolson (Auchmill) 33-37
71 J Duff (Newmachar) 34-37, J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) 33-38, C Nelson (Mackenzie Shop) 34-37.
72 A Campbell (Deeside) 35-37, G Paterson (Northern) 33-39.
73 K Shanks (Elie) 33-40, S Lawrie (Portlethen) 34-39.
74 S Finnie (Caledonian) 36-38
76 D Leslie (Northern) 35-41, A Gall (Deeside) 36-40, J Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 38-38
77 B Main (Murcar Links) 36-41, D Brown (Kemnay) 40-37.
78 Laura Murray (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 36-42.
79 P Morrison (Oldmeldrum) 41-38, C Law (Kings Links) 37-42, B Nicolson (Auchmill) 39-40.
80 H Roulston (Stonehaven) 38-42, D Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 36-40, N Chisholm (Kemnay) 40-40, D Mackay (Newmachar) 35-45.
81 R Brown (Newburgh) 39-42, L Fowler (Royal Aberedeen) 39-42, G Moir (Auchmill) 40-41, M Lawrie (Kemnay) 41-40, D Wilson (Duff House Royal) 39-42.
82 P Cheyne (Northern) 40-42, D Bisset (Banchory) 41-41.
83 M Winton (Caledonian) 40-43.
84 J Hamilton (Murcar Links) 40-44, F Bissett (Banchory) 43-41, D Nelson (Aboyne) 40-44.
85 P Anderson (Deeside) 40-45, J Scott (Peterculter) 42-43, J Murray (Banchory) 40-45, A Graham (Aboyne) 42-43, M Duncan (Murcar Links) 41-44
86 R E Masson (Auchmill) 41--45, R Ord (Oldmeldrum) 38-48, I Esslemont (Cruden Bay) 43-43.
89 P Cornfield (Auchmill) 41-48.
90 D Bingham (Newburgh) 39-51, D Randall (Banchory) 44-46.
92 C Duncan (Auchmill) 43-49.
93 C Redman (Inchmarlo) 41-52.
94 M Smith (Inverurie) 42-52, G Clayton (Northern) 44-50.
95 M Rendall (Stonehaven) 47-48, M Rogers (Kemnay) 46-49, M Brown (Newburgh) 46-49, G Allen (Newmachar) 48-47.
101 T Collie (Kemnay) 41-60.
104 G McDonald (Auchmill) 47-57.

HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS
Class 1 - J Nicolson (Auchmill) (4) 66; J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) (2) 69; A Campbell (Deeside) (1), A Gall (Deeside) (5), G Paterson (Northern) (1) 71.
Class 2 - N Chisholm (Kemnay) (12) 68; R Brown (Newburgh) (13) 68; G Moir (Auchmill) (12) 69; M Winton (Northern) (13) 70; D Bissett (Banchory) (10) 72.

 BEST CARDS OF SUNNY  DAY

Par: OUT - 4-3-4-3-4-5-5-4-3: 35 In - 4 5 4 4 4 3 4 3 4: 35

DAVID LAW 66 (-4)
OUT: 4-3-4-2-4-5-4-4-2: 32 IN: 4-4-4-4-4-3-4-3-4: 34

KEIL BEVERIDGE 69 (-1)
OUT: 4-3-4-3-4-4-5-5-3: 35. IN: 4-5-3-4-4-3-4-3-4: 34

RYAN FITZPATRICK 69 (-1)
OUT: 3-3-3-3-4-6-4-4-3: 33 IN: 3-4-5-4-6-3-4-3-4: 36

JIM EMSLIE 71 (+1)
OUT: 4-3-3-3-4-5-5-3-3: 33. IN: 4-6-4-4-4-3-5-4-4: 38

COLIN NELSON 71 (+2)
OUT: 4-3-4-3-4-5-5-4-2: 34. IN: 4-5-4--4-4-3-5-4-4: 37

JOHN DUFF 71 (+2)
OUT: 4-3-4-4-4-5-4-4-2: 34. IN: 5-7-4-4-3-2-4-3-5: 3

North-east Alliance joint secretary Dave Wilson putting on the18th                              green at Auchmill today.

CHALLENGE TOUR GRAND FINAL GOES TO DUBAI FOR NEXT THREE YEARS

                                    Not your normal clubhouse! Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai

 

 

The United Arab Emirates will become the 45th country to stage a European Challenge Tour event when the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club is staged from October 31 to November 3, 2013.

The €330,000 tournament marks the start of a three-year relationship between the Challenge Tour and Al Badia Golf Club and will feature the top 45 players on the Challenge Tour Rankings. 

In addition to a first prize of €56,650 and increased Official World Golf Ranking Points as per a standard Challenge Tour event, the top 15 players in the rankings after the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club will win a European Tour playing card for 2014.

It will be the first time the Challenge Tour has visited the UAE and will come just four days after the penultimate event on the calendar, the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, is staged in Oman. It also means both The European Tour and the Challenge Tour will end their 2013 seasons in Dubai.

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the Challenge Tour, said: “One of the objectives of the Challenge Tour is to stage events in different locations around the world so we are delighted that the UAE – renowned worldwide for its golfing infrastructure – has become the 45th country in the history of the Challenge Tour. It is a fitting way for us to celebrate the conclusion of the 25th anniversary of the Challenge Tour. 

“With a significant prize fund, a magnificent golf course and a global TV reach of over 367 million households, we believe this will be a Grand Final that showcases the best of both the Challenge Tour and Dubai so we thank our sponsor Al Futtaim Automotive Group, Dubai Festival City and Al Badia Golf Club for their outstanding support.”

Celebrating its 25th year of operation, the Challenge Tour has consistently acted as a springboard to The European Tour and has helped launch the careers of golfing superstars such as current US Open Champion Justin Rose, Major Champions Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer and current Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson. 

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate, Director of Hospitality Moutaz Duwaji: “There is no doubt that the Challenge Tour plays an important role in the development of golf stars of the future so we are proud to be able to stage the final event of the season – the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club – for the next three years.

“We believe that with a high quality field, global TV exposure and free entrance for spectators, the tournament will become one of the most prominent sporting occasions on the UAE calendar and a true showcase for Dubai Festival City.” 

The Challenge Tour has enjoyed a successful first 25 years and in 2013 will stage 26 events in 17 countries before reaching the Grand Final in Dubai.

And while it has produced many notable names over the years, it also has strength in depth with some 21 players from the Challenge Tour going on to play in The Ryder Cup, while 65% of players who play on The European Tour have also played on the Challenge Tour.

 

As well as a 72-hole, four-day tournament with no cut, the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club also offers a host of sponsor benefits including a Pro-Am on October 30 featuring all 45 qualifiers.

 

“With the golf course measuring 7,330 yards, we believe Al Badia Golf Club will offer a tough test for the players and will certainly be fitting of its status as the venue for the Grand Final,” said Golf Club Manager James Shippey.

 

“Our members and regular golfers will notice a few changes with a new tee on hole 18 and some strategic bunker and tree placements for the tournament. Over the coming eight weeks, we will work round the clock to have everything in place for the first tee time on October 31 and look forward to welcoming golf fans to the course to see the stars of tomorrow in action at one of the best venues in the Middle East.”

 

The Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, the Emirates Golf Federation and the Arab Golf Federation.

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS