TRAINEE LOUIS GAUGHAN WINS BERNARD GALLACHER TROPHY

EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND ALLIANCE

REPORT FROM ALAN GREENSHIELDS

A great turnout today of 101 players enjoying a Royal Musselburgh course in great condition verified by the many comments after play. The forecast suggested rain may hit play in the afternoon but all survived the threat before arrival thankfully after end of play.

On the scratch score front first man out Gordam Law (Uphall) set the pace with a 3 under par 67 and was followed at the midway point by another 67 via Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield). However, later in the day Trainee Louis Gaughan (Bathgate) carded a superb 65 with 6 birdies in the front nine to not only secure top scratch score but also make sure the Bernard Gallacher Trophy was secured by the Bathgate player.

1st Scratch - Louis Gaughan (Bathgate) - 65

2nd= Scratch - Gordon Law (Uphall) - 67

2nd= Scratch - Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield) - 67

+SCROLL DOWN  TO VIEW ALL THE SCRATCH RETURNS

The top Handicap prize ended up being shared 3 ways with net 67's

John Denham (Torwoodlee) 73 less 6 = 67

Steven Lees (Dalmahoy) 74 less 7 = 67

Alan MacKay (Kingsknowe) 70 less 3 = 67

On the Senior front Ken Clarke had top score on net 69 (83 less 14) and Trainee Prize went to new member Gordon Hillson (Dunbar) with a 72.

After 3 events the Order of Merits top three's are -

Scratch

1. Louis Gaughan (Bathgate) - 171 points

2. Chris Morris (Kingsknowe) - 155 points

3. Ross Neill (Drumpellier) - 154.5 points

Handicap

1. Martin Rennie (Uphall) - 46.5 points

2. David Nicolson (Craigielaw) - 45 points

3. Stuart Wardlaw ( Harburn) - 42.5 points

Next week we head down the Borders to The Roxburghe where players will compete for The T C Jordan Trophy.

 Bernard Gallacher Trophy            Royal Musselburgh        16.10.13  
ALL THE SCRATCH RETURNS                        
No    Surname    Forename    Club    Category    Gross    Scratch O.of M.
1   Gaughan    Louis    Bathgate        Trainee    65    60.0
2    Law    Gordon     Uphall               Pro    67    58.5
3    Saltman    Lloyd    Archerfield      Pro    67    58.5
4    Gordon    Craig     Edinburgh GC Pro    69    56.0
5    Johnston    James    Greenburn    Amateur    69    56.0
6    Oldcorn    Andrew     Kings Acre    Pro    69    56.0
7    MacKay    Alan     Kingsknowe    Amateur    70    52.5
8    MacKay    Graham     Melville GC  Pro    70    52.5
9    Marshall    Andrew     Houston G.R.Pro    70    52.5
10    Morris    Chris    Kingsknowe    Pro    70    52.5
11    Erskine    Andrew    Ratho Park    Pro    71    48.5
12    Fraser    Hugh    Niddry Castle    Amateur    71    48.5
13    Henderson Neil     Renaissance Club    Pro    71      48.5
14    Huguet    Norman     Musselburgh    Pro    71    48.5
15    Grieve    Scott     Turnhouse    Pro    72    45.0
16    Hillson    Gordon     Dunbar                   Trainee    72    45.0
17    Martin    Duncan     Longniddry    Amateur    72    45.0
18    Denham    John    Torwoodlee    Senior    73    41.0
19    Fraser    Colin     Peebles                   Amateur    73    41.0
20    McNicoll    Keir    Gullane                   Trainee    73    41.0
21    Munro    Ross     Duddingston    Trainee    73    41.0
22    Nicolson    David    Craigielaw    Amateur    73    41.0
23    Lees    Steven     Dalmahoy                   Amateur    74    36.5
24    Neill    Ross     Drumpellier    Pro    74    36.5
25    Rennie    Martin    Uphall          Amateur    74    36.5
26    Wither    George     Lothianburn    Amateur    74    36.5
27    Boyle    Tony    Glenbervie    Amateur    75    31.0
28    Buckley    Ryan    Unattached    Pro    75    31.0
29    Dick    James     Duddingston    Pro    75    31.0
30    Huish    Oliver    North Berwick    Trainee    75    31.0
31    Jeavons    Ian     Dunbar          Amateur    75    31.0
32    Millar    Andrew    Musselburgh    Amateur    75    31.0
33    Wight    Andrew     Glencorse      Senior    75    31.0
34    Bain    Neil     Haddington    Amateur    76    23.0
35    ColquhounNeil     Merchants    Pro    76    23.0
36    Gilhooley    Gordon     Craigielaw    Amateur    76    23.0
37    Johnston    Richard     Glenbervie    Amateur    76    23.0
38    Morton    Wilson    Dunbar                   Senior    76    23.0
39    Nisbet    Callum     Bathgate                   Trainee    76    23.0
40    Porteous    Paul    Uphall                   Amateur    76    23.0
41    Stavert    Iain    Duddingston    Senior    76    23.0
42    Strachan    Sandy    Deer Park      Pro    76    23.0
43    Lamb    Jordan    Peebles                   Amateur    77    18.0
44    Black    David    Bathgate                   Amateur    78    14.0
45    Cockburn    Robin    Harburn                   Amateur    78    14.0
46    Grant    Ronald    Baberton      Senior    78    14.0
47    Louden     Michael     Glencorse                   Amateur    78    14.0
48    Mackenzie-Smith R     Kings Acre    Trainee    78    14.0
49    Munro    Andrew    Musselburgh    Trainee    78    14.0
50    Stevens    Glyn    Kings Acre    Amateur    78    14.0
51    Brown    Stuart     Dunbar                   Amateur    79    8.0
52    Forsyth    Walter     Peebles                   Amateur    79    8.0
53    McElhinney Andrew    Harburn                   Amateur    79    8.0
54    Robertson    Ewan    Longniddry    Amateur    79    8.0
55    Smith    Calum    Royal Musselburgh    Pro    79    8.0
56    Bain    Ailsa    Cardrona                   Trainee    80    3.0
57    Davidson    Stuart     Merchants    Amateur    80    3.0
58    Johnston    Graeme D    Glenbervie    Amateur    80    3.0
59    Kerr    John    Ratho Park    Amateur    80    3.0
60    Stott    Richard     Prestonfield    Amateur    80    3.0
61    Burnside    John    Dunbar            Amateur    81    0.0
62    Catlin    Ian    Greenburn    Senior    81    0.0
63    Cowie    Keith    Dunbar                   Senior    81    0.0
64    Gilhooley    Stephen     Duddingston    Senior    81    0.0
65    Marshall    Robert     Greenburn    Amateur    81    0.0
66    Masterton    John     Mortonhall    Amateur    81    0.0
67    Rothney    Andrew    Bathgate                   Amateur    81    0.0
68    White    Justin    Harrison (Braids)    Amateur    81    0.0
69    Love    Chris    Glenbervie    Amateur    82    0.0
70    Wyse    Ian    Falkirk Tryst    Amateur    82    0.0
71    Clarke    Ken    Uphall                   Senior    83    0.0
72    Doyle    Steven     Liberton         Amateur    83    0.0
73    Adam    John    Innerleithen    Amateur    84    0.0
74    Airens    Daniel    Falkirk Tryst    Amateur    84    0.0
75    Chrystal    Brian    Baberton        Senior    84    0.0
76    Cordery    Thomas    Musselburgh    Amateur    84    0.0
77    Jeffrey    David    Whitekirk                   Senior    84    0.0
78    Jervis    Derek    Prestonfield    Senior    84    0.0
79    Allan    Robert     Cardrona        Amateur    85    0.0
80    Allison    Liam    Bathgate       Amateur    85    0.0
81    Cooney    Kieran    Bathgate      Amateur    85    0.0
82    Marr    William    West Lothian    Senior    85    0.0
83    Ritchie    Peter     Bathgate                   Senior    85    0.0
84    Bootland    Hinton     Duddingston    Senior    87    0.0
85    Brown    Gordon     Baberton                   Amateur    87    0.0
86    Wardlaw    Stuart     Harburn                   Senior    87    0.0
87    Stewart    Duncan     Craigielaw    Amateur    88    0.0
88    Wilson    Gerry    Musselburgh    Amateur    88    0.0
89    Fyfe    Derek    Duddingston    Amateur    89    0.0
90    Webster    Alex    Niddry Castle    Amateur    89    0.0
91    Carrigan    Michael     Greenburn    Amateur    90    0.0
92    Downing    Andy    Duddingston    Amateur    90    0.0
93    Leggate    Philip    Musselburgh    Amateur    91    0.0
94    Stronach    Alan     Falkirk Tryst    Amateur    91    0.0
95    Kay    Michael     Dalmahoy                   Amateur    92    0.0
96    Catlin    Scott     Greenburn    Professional    NR    0.0
97    Lamb    Peter    Glencorse                   Amateur    NR    0.0

Alan Greenshields

Secretary/Treasurer

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Golfers' Alliance

44/2 Pitt Street

Edinburgh

WELSHMAN OLIVER FARR WINS EUROPRO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

PGA EUROPRO TOUR REPORT
FROM NICK TEALE
Welshman Oliver Farr won the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour Championship, and with it the 2013 season Order of Merit, after finishing 13 under par for his 54 holes at Prince’s Golf Club.

Daniel Gavins was one behind in second place, which also confirmed his position as runner-up on the tour rankings. Paul Reed and James Watts finished the tournament tied for third on ten under par.

The top five on the Order of Merit are awarded Challenge Tour cards for 2014. George Woolgar, who was guaranteed a top-five finish before Tour Championship, came third with Dave Coupland and Paul McKechnie also progressing to Europe’s second-tier Tour.

Farr (Worcester Golf and Country Club) shot a final-round 67, five under, to beat overnight leader Gavins (De Vere Oulton Hall) by one and in doing so also claimed the Order of Merit title.

“The last two days I have really controlled the ball well and put some great scores in,” said Farr. “It was nice to do that under a lot of pressure. I wasn’t quite sure of my Challenge Tour card for next year but it is brilliant to get it.

“The Challenge Tour card only really occurred to me on the 18^th. I was focussing on the last round. I came here this week to just play this tournament as it is and I did that. It only really came into my mind on the 18^th tee, then I thought I could win the Order of Merit.

“Playing on the Challenge Tour is something to really, really look forward to. I have played some Challenge Tour events this year and I feel comfortable on there. There is a little step up but I will prepare myself and get some good practice in over the winter to get ready for next year.”

The Welshman led for much of the back nine after shooting five birdies on the first 11 holes. A birdie for Gavins on the last left Farr with a short but nervy putt for victory, which he calmly made to collect a winner’s cheque of £15,000 and a brand new Motocaddy S3 Pro.

Richard Wallis finished sixth on the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit, missing out on the top five by tjust £69.17. However, if any of the top five earn a Challenge or European Tour card via the European Tour Qualifying School, he will receive their satellite tour graduate category.

Marcus Armitage collected the Rookie Of The Year trophy after finishing ninth on the Order of Merit.
Top Scot in the Tour Championship was Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) in joint 12th place on 210 with rounds of 79, 71 and 70. He earned £685.
Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) also made th top 20 with scores of 69, 71 and 71 for 211 and a share of 18th place for which he received £453.

A two-hour highlights package from Tour Championship will be broadcast at 8pm on Tuesday, October 29 on Sky Sports 2 HD, repeated four times the following day.

The Tour Championships concludes the 2013 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour season. Details of the 2014 Qualifying School will be available at www.europrotour.com in December.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS AND PRIZE MONEY
Par 216 (3x72)
203 Oliver Farr (Wal) 71 65 67 (£15,000)
204 Daniel Gavins (Eng) 70 65 69 (£8,000)
206 Paul Reed (Eng) 70 70 66, James Watts (Eng) 69 70 67 (£4,825 each)
207 Richard Wallis (Eng) 71 70 66, Simon Lilly (Eng) 67 70 70 (£2,500 each).
SCOTS'  TOTALS
210 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 69 71 70 (T12) (£685)
211 Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 69 71 71 (T18) (£453)
212 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) 67 74 71, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 68 71 73 (£390 each)
215 Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) 67 72 76 (T33) (£295)
217 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) 72 72 73 (T42) (£242).

HEDBLOM DARES TO DREAM AFTER FOUR-UNDER 68 DOWN UNDER

 

 

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS 

In need of nothing less than a victory at the ISPS HANDA Perth International to secure his playing rights on The European Tour for next season, Peter Hedblom set-up that dream scenario by taking a share of the first round lead at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Western Australia.

The Swede, one of many European Tour players in the last chance saloon to secure their cards for next year at this, the last counting event for the all-important top 110 in The Race to Dubai, put together a fine opening round of four under par 68 to join former World Amateur World Number One Jin Jeong of South Korea and the Australian pair of James Nitties and Clint Rice at the top of the leaderboard. 

If Hedblom is to achieve his dream he will have to overcome, among others, American star Dustin Johnson who posted a three under 69 to lurk just one shot off the pace and join an eight-strong group of players tied for fifth spot.

That group also includes the Swedish duo of Bjorn Akesson and Fredrik Andersson Hed as well as England’s Sam Little who all need to finish the week within the top few to continue their European Tour careers next year. 

Johnson’s compatriot and defending champion, Bo Van Pelt, is another name Hedblom will be more than aware of in the chasing pack, but the Swede is hoping his care-free attitude from round one can carry him to what would be a remarkable fourth European Tour career victory.

“I'm so far back that I need to win so I have nothing to hold back on,” said Hedblom. “You just have to go for everything. I can’t be happy with second, third, fourth or fifth – I just have to play as well as I can and see if I can win the tournament. 

“Today it felt like any tournament when I'm starting.  But if I will be leading playing the last day, then maybe I'll feel the tension.  But right now, it's just one round out of four but it's good to at least have a chance to do it.”

Johnson doesn’t have to worry about where he will be playing his golf next year. The seven-time PGA Tour winner and Ryder Cup star was pleased with his opening effort given he is recovering from a slight illness. 

“I'm feeling way better than I was,” said Johnson. “I just have a little bit of a cough which is okay – I'm back to where I feel good enough to play good golf. I played pretty well today and the course is fun to play.

“The greens are really firm and they are really fast so you have got to be careful where you hit the ball on your second shots.  You don't want too many downhill putts because it's hard to stop the ball and if you miss the green in the wrong side, you're dead.”

 

Complete Round One Scores: 

Par 72

68 P Hedblom (Swe); C Rice (Aus); J Jeong (Kor); J Nitties (Aus);

69 N Cullen (Aus); F Andersson Hed (Swe); D Johnson (USA); S Little (Eng); D Papadatos (Aus); B Åkesson (Swe); N O'Hern (Aus); B Watt (am) (Aus);

70 B Van Pelt (USA); R Coles (Eng); J Hansen  (Den); A Brown (Aus); R Blizard (Aus); J Younger (Aus); T Petersson (Swe); M Brown (Nzl);

71 C Campbell (Aus); E Kofstad (Nor); R McGowan  (Eng); B Rankin (Aus); S Hansen (Den); B Rumford (Aus); D Bransdon (Aus); J Sjöholm (Swe); T Bond (Aus);

72 D Drysdale (Sco); D Popovic (Aus); R Haller (Aus); R Fisher (Eng); M Fraser (Aus); P Cooke (Aus); R Finch  (Eng); P Wilson (Aus); S Wakefield (Eng); P Spargo (Aus); A Hall (Aus); A Bland (Aus); O Fisher  (Eng); N Basic (Aus); C Parry (Aus); D Willett  (Eng); B Ninyette (Aus); B Lamb  (Aus); C Doak (Sco);

73 M Jonzon (Swe); P O'Malley (Aus); B Grace  (RSA); P Lonard (Aus); J Lara (Esp); J Morrison  (Eng); A Snobeck  (Fra); C Lee (Sco); M Griffin (Aus); M Hoey  (Nir); J Edfors (Swe); A Katholos (Aus); D Higgins (Irl); W Ormsby (Aus); M Korhonen (Fin); G Havret  (Fra); P Lawrie (Irl);

74 S Leaney (Aus); M Guyatt (Aus); G Paddison (Nzl); M Millar (Aus); A Kaleka  (Fra); M Jager (Aus); A Levy (Fra); R Fox (Nzl); A Kelly (Aus); J Kingston (RSA); S Henry  (Sco); S Jones (Aus); S Dartnall (Aus); A Buckle (Aus); L McKechnie (Aus); A Martin  (Aus); G Lockerbie  (Eng);

75 N Holman  (Aus); M Cain (Aus); F Zanotti (Par); A Stolz (Aus); M Ballard (Aus); M Tullo (Chi); K Mueck (Aus); O Floren  (Swe); T Cox (Aus); A Summers (Aus); T Van Der Walt (RSA); C Hancock (Aus); P Erofejeff (Fin); M Stieger (Aus); T Wood (Aus); A Crawford (Aus); D McKenzie (Aus); D Fox (Aus); J Wilson (Aus); J Scrivener (Aus); R Bland (Eng);

76 S Kjeldsen (Den); N Green (Aus); M Wright (Aus); J Walters (RSA); P Casey  (Eng); S Jeffress (Aus); M Sim  (Aus); R Karlberg  (Swe); A Presnell (Aus); J McLean (Aus); M Foster (Aus); R McEvoy  (Eng); J Wade (Aus);

77 C Paisley  (Eng); R Batibasaga (Aus); S Laycock (Aus); P Fowler (Aus); B Shilton (Nzl); A Hartø  (Den); B Stone (RSA); L Jensen (Den);

78 D Van Der Walt (RSA); K Felton (Aus); J Norris (Aus); M Delpodio  (Ita); L Deagan (Aus); K Richardson (Aus); J Geary  (Nzl); M Moore (Aus); R Lynch (Aus); L Gagli  (Ita); M Pearce (Nzl); A Dodt (Aus);

79 M Nixon (Eng); K Pratt (Aus); M Goggin (Aus);

80 R Kulacz (Aus);

81 J Lagergren (Swe); G Reed (Aus);

82 A Tschudin (Aus);

85 M Giles (Aus)

 

ENDS

 

DUNCAN STEWART JOINT FIFTH AFTER FIRST HOLE IN ONE AS A PRO

Arnold and Davies set the pace in China

Rhys Davies returned to the form which earned him one European and two Challenge Tour titles with a sparkling round of 65 on the opening day of the inaugural Foshan Open.

Davies has endured a spell in the doldrums recently but the Welshman was back to his brilliant best in Foshan City, China, notching seven birdies in a flawless display at Foshan Golf Club to set a new course record and share the first round lead with Australian Scott Arnold.

The 28 year old burst into life on The European Tour in 2010 on the back of a stunning Challenge Tour season which yielded victories in his native Wales and Spain. He then took the step up to the top tier in his stride, winning in Morocco en route to finishing in 18^th place in The Race to Dubai.

Since then the boy from Bridgend has found the going rather tougher, but he believes a return to his former glories could be just around the corner after rediscovering his touch with the putting stroke which has been hailed by many observers as amongst the best in the game.

 Davies said: “I think I had 25 putts today, which is probably my best putting display for quite a while. It surprised me a little because these greens are quite difficult to read with the grain and the slopes, but I’ve played quite a lot in Asia so I’m probably more used to them than some of the other guys. It’s been a tough season but I’m slowly getting my form and confidence back, and today was another step in the right direction.”

Davies also revealed that, having flown to China from America, his body clock was haywire and so he has decided to stick to an unusual sleeping pattern this week.

He said: “I’ve been going to bed around five o’clock and waking up at four in the morning, which obviously isn’t ideal but at least it meant I was wide awake when I teed off at 7.40 this morning. It’s just as well I don’t need to do much work on my game this afternoon, as I might fall asleep on the range! Obviously if I have an afternoon tee time later in the week I may need to adjust my sleeping pattern, but it’s working fine for me so far.”

Arnold was also an early riser, but he made light of any lingering lethargy by blitzing the front nine in just 33 strokes. He went one better on the back nine with the highlight coming on the par five 13^th hole, where he drilled a three-iron to 12 feet and duly sunk the putt for an eagle.

Having slipped to 84^th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings, the Sydney native will need to finish the season with a flourish if he is to retain The European Tour card he earned at the Qualifying School last year. But with more than US$1million up for grabs over the next three weeks, Arnold could have timed his run to perfection.

The former World Amateur Number One said: “I’m delighted with the way I played today, other than a couple of poor drives which cost me bogeys, it was pretty much flawless golf. So it was nice to get off to a good start but I did the same in Kazakhstan then came unstuck at the weekend, so I won’t be taking anything for granted over the next three days.”

Davies’ playing partner Sam Walker and his fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton currently share third place on six under par. Walker found himself one over par through four holes, but plundered seven birdies in his next 14 holes to sign for his lowest opening round of the season.

Having found water from the tee at the final hole, Hatton was grateful to salvage par with a clutch putt from six feet. 

Thanks chiefly to his tied second finish in last month’s money-spinning Kazakhstan Open, Hatton is currently in possession of the 15^th and final card available for The 2014 European Tour International Schedule. With US$350,000 on offer to the field this week, a repeat of his performance in Kazakhstan would effectively clinch a place on the top tier for Hatton, who did his chances no harm at all with seven birdies and a solitary bogey in his round of 66. 

Amongst the group in a share of fifth place on four under par is Scot Duncan Stewart, who notched his first hole in one in a professional event at the 16^th hole. 

The leading Chinese player is Yuan Tian, who is in a tie for 15^th place on two under par alongside the Rankings leader, Italian Andrea Pavan.

 

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

par 72

65 R Davies (Wal) , S Arnold  (Aus) ,

66 T Hatton (Eng) , S Walker (Eng) ,

68 D Stewart (Sco) , W Besseling  (Ned) , N Elvira  (Esp) , R Russell (Sco) , N Lemke (Swe) ,

69 J Guerrier  (Fra) , T Nørret (Den) , S Tiley (Eng) , J Dantorp (Swe) , A Gee  (Eng) ,

70 D An (Aus) , S Kapur (Ind) , S Manley (Wal) , Y Tian (Chn) , D Ulrich (Sui) , J Elson  (Eng) , A Pavan (Ita) , M Brier (Aut) ,

71 W Kang-Chun (Chn) , A McArthur  (Sco) , M Crespi  (Ita) , L Kennedy  (Eng) , H Wen-Yi (Chn) , F Calmels  (Fra) , D Brooks (Eng) , P Archer (Eng) , B Paolini (USA) ,

72 D Gaunt (Aus) , L Hao-Tong (Chn) , R Dinwiddie  (Eng) , G Stal  (Fra) , R Kakko  (Fin) , J McLeary  (Sco) , D Im (USA) ,

73 D Griffiths  (Eng) , B An (Kor) , S Zi-Han (Chn) , J Barnes (Eng) , G Boyd  (Eng) , V Riu  (Fra) , H Ming-Jie (Chn) , S Kim (Kor) , T Sluiter  (Ned) , W Hong-Fu (Chn) , T Pilkadaris (Aus) , B Ritthammer (Ger) , J Da-Xing (Chn) , Z Guo-Wu (Chn) , J Fahrbring (Swe) , Y Sheng-Qin (Chn) , A Velasco (Esp) ,

74 O Zheng (Chn) , E Dubois (Fra) , D Vancsik (Arg) , C Aguilar  (Esp) , S Dong (Chn) , O Wilson (Eng) , H Ren (Chn) , K Wei-Hai (Chn) , C Ding-Gen (Chn) ,

75 P Edberg (Swe) , W Yong-Qiang (Chn) , J Ellison (USA) , C Hai-Meng (Chn) , G Murray  (Sco) , Y Jin-Biao (Chn) 

 76 J Huldahl (Den) , L Ding-Feng (Chn) , H Bacher (Aut) , R Rhee (USA) , F Zhi-Peng (Chn) , D Huizing (Ned) , J Garcia Pinto (Esp) , N Dougherty  (Eng) , Z Hui-Lin (Chn) ,

 77 G Cambis  (Fra) , M Cheng-Yao (Chn) , C Del Moral (Esp) , W Tu-Xuan (Chn) , L Xue-Wen (Chn) , L Jun-Feng (Chn) , J Cheng (Chn) , A Domingo (Esp) , W Wei-Huang (Chn) ,

 78 L Xiao-Wen (Chn) , S Nan-Nan (Chn) , D Frittelli (RSA) , L Seong Ki (Kor) , L Yu-Xiang (Chn) , J Chuan-Lin (Chn) , W Yi-Chen (Chn) , L Meng-Yang (Chn) ,

 79 C Yi (Chn) , Y Jia (Chn) , O Zhi-Jun (Chn) , K Borsheim  (Nor) , C Brazillier  (Fra) , L Zhuo-Chuan (Tpe) , M Lampert (Ger) , Z Xin-Jun (Chn) ,

 80 O Tian-Peng (Chn) , G Yi-Jie (Chn) , F Praegant (Aut) , Y Quan (Chn) ,

 81 F Tai (Chn) , G Cui-Lin (Chn) , Y Yi-Nong (Chn) , C Jia (Chn) , W Wei (Chn) , W Jian-Long (Chn) , C Jian (Chn) , C Gatto (USA) , Z Xiongyi (Chn) , A Jin-Wei (Chn) ,

 82 H Yi-Cheng (Chn) , X Peng-Fei (Chn) ,

 84 Y Xiong-Hui (Chn) ,

 88 S Chao (Chn) , W Xu (Chn) ,

 91 X Cheng (Chn) ,

 92 L Wei-Hong (Chn) ,

 ** H Shao-Cai (Chn)

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

JAMES BYRNE TIED 10TH AFTER FIRST ROUND OF MACAU OPEN

                                                                           

  NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR

Macau, October 17: Australian Scott Barr battled to a three-under-par 68 for the joint first round lead at a wind-swept Venetian Macau Open on Thursday as he renewed his love affair with the US$800,000 Asian Tour tournament.

Barr, 41, produced a measured performance at the par-71 Macau Golf and Country Club, shooting four birdies against a lone bogey to set the early pace with rookie Ben Campbell of New Zealand, who shot the tournament’s first hole-in-one, and Finland’s Kalle Samooja.

Birthday boy Ernie Els of South Africa salvaged a 71 after fighting back from being four-over-par through his opening seven holes to lie three shots behind the leaders.

Two-time champion Zhang Lian-wei rolled back the years with a 69 for a share of fourth place with Thai teenager Jazz Janewattananond and Prom Meesawat, Australian Marcus Both and Bangladeshi Siddikur, who led on four-under before bogeying his closing two holes.

Singapore-based Barr broke onto the Asian scene some 10 years ago in Macau when he lost in a play-off to Colin Montgomerie after agonisingly lipping out a birdie putt for victory on the 72^nd hole.

“It’s a long time ago. I thought about it this week. I horse-shoed the last hole then and the pin was about the same spot today and I know what that does,” said Barr, whose four birdies included a birdie on the 18^th hole.

“It’s history, this week is the priority. I hit the ball good enough and made some up and downs early in the round and kept it going. The ball wasn’t flying early this morning.  It was very windy, very dark and murky. I knew it was going to be tough. I have played here a lot and I get the idea of the wind and what to hit.

“It’s a long way to go. I’m not sure what the forecast is going to be but if it stays like this, I’m actually looking forward to it,” ” added Barr, who is still seeking the elusive first Asian Tour victory.

Less than 24 hours after arriving at the Venetian Macau Open, four-time Major champion Els, who turned 44 today, looked to be in trouble after playing his first seven holes in four over. However, the Big Easy, as Els is known around the world, birdied four of his last 10 holes to make his birthday cake taste sweeter.

“I have to be happy with that. It was a tough start. It’s still blowing now,:” said Els, who is seeking his 71^st professional victory this week. “I started hitting some nice shots, made a little adjustment with my putter and made some three or four footers. All in all, it’s not a bad day. It’s a demanding course. When you’re off, you’re going to make big numbers.

““I always love coming here. It’s a wonderful place in the world to come play golf. I’ve seen the (Asian) Tour grow nicely and there’re so many great players now. Golf is such an exciting sport in Asia and you just want to be part of it,” added the South African, who will spend the next three weeks playing in the region.

Samooja, who has made only one cut all season which he attributed to his swing change, charged home in 30 thanks to an eagle on the second hole. The 25-year-old is hoping his new swing will hold out in the wind in Macau.

“I’m in the middle of a swing change. You will never know what happens the next day. You can have a good round and stay in the game but in the next round, it can be whatever,” he said.

Campbell aced the challenging par three 17^th hole, which drops 140 feet from the tee box on the cliff to the green, with a six iron. “I was rapped about it and couldn’t take the smile off my face. I lost track what I was shooting and it was good,” said the 22-year-old.

The evergreen Zhang, who won here in 2001 and 2002, thrilled his fans with four birdies against two bogeys to trail the leaders. “The wind made it difficult. You have to control your distance and try to keep the ball on the fairway. Sometimes, the ball goes this way but after you hit the ball, it goes another way,” said Zhang, China’s pioneer in professional golf.

“I’ll try to win the tournament. But it’s only one round. I’m not too old … 48 already.”

Three players failed to complete their opening rounds and will resume on Friday morning.
Banchory's James Byrne and England's Simon Griffiths were tied for the honour of being the leading Europeans - both shooting one-under-par 70s to be joint 10th in a field of 144.
Byrne birdied the long scond, the third, the long 12th and staged a grandstand finish with an eagle 3 at the long 18th in halves of 35. He bogeyed the first, eighth, 15th and short 17th.

For more details on the Venetian Macau Open, please visit www.thevenetianmacauopen.com

Scores after round 1 of the Venetian Macau Open 2013 being played at the par 71, 6606 Yards Macau GCC course (a- denotes amateur):

68 - Scott BARR (AUS), Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN), Ben CAMPBELL (NZL).

69 - Marcus BOTH (AUS), ZHANG Lian-wei (CHN), Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA), Prom MEESAWAT (THA), SIDDIKUR  (BAN), Jason KNUTZON (USA).

70 - Sujjan SINGH (IND), HUNG Chien-yao (TPE), Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND), LU Wei-chih (TPE), Elmer SALVADOR (PHI), CHAN Yih-shin (TPE), Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA), Adam GROOM (AUS), Jay BAYRON (PHI), LU Wen-teh (TPE), James BYRNE (SCO), Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG).

71 - Ernie ELS (RSA), Ryan MCCARTHY (AUS), Sam BRAZEL (AUS), Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN), TSAI Chi-huang (TPE), Nicolas MEITINGER (GER), Rory HIE (INA), Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA), LIANG Wen-chong (CHN), Antonio LASCUNA (PHI), BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR), LEE Sung (KOR), Anthony KANG (USA), Adam BLYTH (AUS), Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA).

72 - LAM Chih Bing (SIN), Carlos PIGEM (ESP), Adilson DA SILVA (BRA), Stephen LEWTON (ENG), S.S.P CHOWRASIA (IND), CHIANG Chen-chih (TPE), Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA), Timothy TANG (HKG), David PALM (SWE), Arjun ATWAL (IND), Darren BECK (AUS), Kwanchai TANNIN (THA), Himmat RAI (IND), Peter GUSTAFSSON (SWE), YEH Chang-ting (TPE), Shankar DAS (IND).

COLIN WOOD BECOMES PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

SGU MEDIA RELEASE 

Scottish Golf Union Director Colin Wood has become only the second Scot after Sandy Sinclair some 30 years ago to be elected the new European Golf Association President.

The 68-year-old from Peebles has been appointed to the prestigious role for a two-year term (2014-15) following a recent gathering of leading golf officials in Finland. 

“I’m proud to achieve this, quite humbled actually,” said Colin, who currently serves on the SGU Board as Chairman of the Golf Course Committee and Handicap and Course Rating Committee.

Wood, an honorary member and past captain of Peebles Golf Club, will use his wealth of experience to aid with the running of national championships across 44 countries in Europe, as well as assist with issues such as handicapping, the environment and legislation. 

Wood joined the SGU Board in January 2009, having previously served as President of the SGU between 1999 and 2001. He is also a past non-playing captain of the Scotland team (1997-98).

“It was Great Britain and Ireland’s turn for the Presidency,” explained Colin, also a member at Dunbar and the New Club, St Andrews. 

“There are four zones in Europe and the Presidency goes around the zones on an eight-year basis. I was selected by GB and Ireland after I had talked it over with Hamish Grey, the SGU Chief Executive, who then proposed me for the role. It’s a great honour and a role I’m very much looking forward to.”

“There are 44 countries under the banner of the European Golf Association,” he added. “It runs national championships, as well as assisting with handicapping, environmental and legislative issues. The Association also seeks to help developing countries as much as possible. I’m going to be busy, together with my work for the SGU and my day job as a farmer.” 

Sandy Sinclair OBE became the first Scot to hold the post of European Golf Association President in 1983-84, trying then to reconcile the interests of 21 golfing countries at a time when European golf was coming to the fore.

Sinclair was also President of the SGU from 1976 to 1978 and he went on to become captain of the R and A in 1988.

 

OVERSEAS VENUE MOOTED FOR FUTURE US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

by Bob Harig | ESPN.com

Officials at the PGA of America are studying the possibility of taking the US PGA Championship overseas sometime in the next decade, according to a GolfWorld report.
PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua told the magazine that the organization, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, is going through an analysis.

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel 

Jason Dufner hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. The event has never been staged outside the United States.

"It is far from a fait accompli that we are going to take the PGA Championship international,'' Bevacqua said. "When we sat down to map our strategic plan to service our members and grow the game, the question arose as to what impact it would have to take the PGA Championship to an international local once or twice a decade.''
One of the four major championships, the PGA Championship began in 1916 as a match play event and switched to stroke play in 1958. Jason Dufner won the tournament in August at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. It has never been played outside the United States.
The PGA of America is a different organization from the  US PGA Tour; it represents club and teaching pros around the country and gives 20 spots to the PGA of America professionals in the PGA Championship each year.
Much like the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship rotates to top courses around the U.S.; next year's venue is Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., where Tiger Woods won a memorable playoff over Bob May in 2000. It is also where the PGA of America staged the Ryder Cup in 2008.
The tournament has been awarded through the 2019 event at Bethpage Black on Long Island.
"It would be something we would only do if had the cooperation of quite a few groups,'' Bevacqua told GolfWorld. "It would need to work for the PGA Tour, and it would need to work for the PGA Tour players. Another would be the PGA in the particular area we would consider. We would want the international PGAs to be part of this and share in this. Many pieces would have to fall in place.''

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This would likely be welcome news to the growing number of international players who compete around the world.
Only the Open Championship is played outside of the United States among the four majors. The Masters is played each year at Augusta National Golf Club, with the United States Golf Association moving the U.S. Open around the country. The Open Championship has always been played in the United Kingdom, including one year when it was played in Northern Ireland.
And it offers some intriguing possibilities: Australia, Japan, China?
"We need to push ourselves to think outside the box,'' Bevacqua said. "What I have said internally is, 'Shame on us if we don't consider it and go through the exercise.'"
Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus hold the record with five PGA titles. Woods has won it four times.

ELS HAS A PAR 71 ON HIS 44TH BRTHDAY AT MACAU OPEN

NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR
Macau, October 17: Birthday boy Ernie Els battled to an opening level par 71 in the US$800,000 Venetian Macau Open as he stayed within striking reach of clubhouse leader Scott Barr on Thursday.
The South African four-time Major winner fought back from being four-over-par through seven holes at a blustery Macau Golf and Country Club, coming home with three birdies for a polished inward nine.
Barely 24 hours after landing in Macau after enduring flight delays en route from Las Vegas, Els, who is an Asian Tour honorary member and international ambassador, showed why he has won 70 tournaments worldwide despite his horrendous start.
“I have to be happy with that. It was a tough start. It’s still blowing now. It was quite dark and it looked like it was going to come down on us. But we got it in the house. I started hitting some nice shots, made a little adjustment with my putter and made some three or four footers. All in all, it’s not a bad day,” said the man nicknamed “The Big Easy”.
“It’s a demanding course. When you’re off, you’re going to make big numbers. That’s the challenge, stay away from the big numbers and try to plod away. I felt good with the driver today and hit some good drives. Some of the par fives were a good advantage for me.”
Celebrating his 44^th birthday on Thursday, Els, has endured a whirlwind past 24 hours upon his late arrival into Macau. He played several holes of the pro-am in the afternoon, attended a gala dinner in the evening and then teed up at 7.10am this morning.
“I think I had a four-hour sleep which was great. I slept quite a lot on the plane coming here as it was a long flight. You just get on with it. But the older you get, the tougher it gets. At 44, it’s getting difficult. I’ve got to look at my schedule,” said Els.
“I always love coming here. It’s a wonderful place in the world to come play golf. I’ve seen the (Asian) Tour grow nicely and so many great players now. Golf is such an exciting sport in Asia and you just want to be part of it. I’ve been coming over here for nearly 20 years now and it’s exciting to see the changes over here.”

DAVID FLEMING WINS NE ALLIANCE AT BALLATER

Amateurs dominated the scratch prize list in this week's North-east Golfers Alliance fixture at Ballater Golf Club.
Portlethen's David Fleming took the top honours with a three-under-par 67, a shot ahead of
John Duff (Newmachar) with Bruce Mitchell (Cruden Bay), Sean Lawrie (Portlethen) and Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre), the leading pro on the day, sharing third place on 69.
 LEADING SCORES
SCRATCH
67 D Fleming (Portlethen).
68 J Duff (Newmachar)
69 B Mitchell (Cruden Bay), S Lawrie (Portlethen), J Findlay (Paul Lawrie GC).

HANDICAP
Class 1 - D McKay (Bon Accord) (9) 63; M Forster (Cruden Bay) (8) (bih), F Bisset (Banchory) (4) 67; D Leslie (Norther) (4) (bih), J Duncan (Newburgh) (5) 68
Class  2 - R Orr (Kemnay) (11) (bih), D Lawrie (Ballater) (15) 67; D S Bisset (Banchory) (11) (bih), R Duncan (Deeside) (13) 69; C Duncan (Auchmill) (17) 71 (bih)


NOTE: As the NE Alliance computer system crashed, there is no start sheet for next week's competition. Players have agreed to keep the starting times they played at Ballater

AYRSHIRE WINTER GOLF ASSOCIATION SCOREBOARD

Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) mastered the testing conditions over the 6700 yds  Dundonald  Links course to win the opening fixture in AYRSHIRE WINTER GOLF ASSOCIATION with a 72. Last years Order of Merit winner Graham Fox (Clydeway) finished jt 2nd with a 73 alongside Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle). Difficult pin positions added to the firm test that Dundonald normally offers.

Colin Peddie (Kirkintilloch) posted the best amateur score with a net 76  followed by Peter Boyd (Glasgow G.C) with a 77.

Next Fixture is WESTERN GAILES on Wednesday 13th Nov.

 

Full results are posted on the website at www.ayrshirewintergolfassociation.webs.com.

 

 

Gerry Smith
 

	A.W.G.A.	DUNDONALD LINKS		15/10/2013
	PROFESSIONALS/TRAINEES	CLUB	PRO/TRN	SCORE
1	R. Arnot	Bishopbriggs	Pro	72
Jt 2nd	G.  Fox	Clydeway	Pro	73
Jt 2nd	J McCreadie	Buchanan Castle	Pro	73
Jt 4th	S. Gray	Hayston	Pro	74
Jt 4th	J Mullaney	Unattached	Pro	74
Jt 6th	D.Waters	Gourock	Pro	75
Jt 6th	C.Elliot	Haggs Castle	Pro	75
Jt 6th	C.Ronald	Carluke	Pro	75
9	M.Burt	Helensburgh	Pro	77
10	S.Garrett	Fereneze	Pro	78
		J KERR WYLIE SALVER
	AMATEURS	CLUB	NET	HCAP
1	COLIN PEDDIE	Kirkintilloch	76	2
2	PETER BOYD	Glasgow G C	77	5
JT 3rd	CRAIG WRIGHT	Dundonald	79	6
JT3rd	JIM FREW	Irvine G.C. / Glasgow G.C.	79	9
JT 5th	MARK LIRONI	Cathkin Braes	80	7
JT5th	PAUL MOULTRIE	Royal Troon	80	-3
JT 5th	IAN WALLACE	Royal Troon	80	6

ADAM SCOTT WINS PGA GRAND SLAM OF GOLF IN BERMUDA

FROM THE BBC SPORT.COM WEBSITE

Masters champion Adam Scott fired a course-record 64 to claim victory at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda.

US Open winner Justin Rose had a two-shot lead after the first round and was still ahead with three holes to play.
But Rose, 33, bogeyed the 16th in carding a 69 while Scott, also 33, eagled the 17th to win by two shots.
US PGA champion Jason Dufner finished five shots behind Scott with Padraig Harrington, playing in place of Phil Mickelson, another six strokes back.
The 36-hole exhibition is for the year's four major winners, but Open champion Mickelson opted not to compete.
Irishman Harrington won the event last year after stepping in for Ernie Els.