GRAMPIAN HOUSTON JUNIORS AT THE LONGHORNS' STADIUM, TEXAS

  One of the highlights of the trip to Texas for the Grampian Houston Juniors - they are pictured on the 50yard line at the University of Texas - The Longhorns American college football team - home stadium.
As Paul Girvan, Director of Golf at the Kings Links Golf Centre and the man in charge of the GHJ party on the trip, said: "It was a great honour to be allowed on to the 'hallowed turf!"
Pictured (left to right):
Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen), Paul Girvan (Kings Links Golf Centre director of golf, Chris Somers (Murcar Links), Grant Joss (Royal Aberdeen), Cameron Kerr (Elgin), Jack Harling (Banchory), Cameron Franssen (Inverness), Kimberly Beveridge (Aboyne), Niall Young (Insch), Craig Lawrie (Deeside), Adam Fisher (Newmachar), Ray Gordon (Alford), Andrew Burgess (Nairn), Ryan McKinnon (Peterculter). 

Kimberley Beveridge writes:
 

Just back from a fantastic trip to Houston. It was a great opportunity to see and play golf in the USA.
We played some terrific golf courses such as Carlton Woods, Braeburn County Club, University of Texas Golf Club, Miramont County Club, Redstone Golf Club (Tournament Course) Shadow Hawk Golf Club, River Oaks Country Club and Lakeside County Club
The highlight of the trip was meeting Mark O’Meara at River Oaks Country Club. He did a golf clinic and a Q and A. It was very informative and interesting.  We also had a tour around University of Texas.

MELDRUM HOUSE ROUNDS OFF RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IN SPAIN

NEWS RELEASE
One of Scotland ’s most decorated golf hotels will be celebrating at this year’s International Golf Travel Market, which will be held from 11-14 November in Catalunya , Spain . The four Gold Star Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course, which enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2013, will be exhibiting throughout the show on VisitScotland’s stand (C520).

Confirmation of the hotel’s attendance follows what representatives describe as an “exceptional 12 months” at the Aberdeenshire resort. It began in April when Meldrum House was awarded Golf Hotel of the Year and Event Hotel of the Year at the 10^th annual Scottish Hotel Awards in Glasgow . During the ceremony, the venue’s manager, Peter Walker, also received the Rising Star of the Year title.

Later, Meldrum House was named the Best Hotel in the North East and Tayside at the Scottish Thistle Awards – an award that automatically earned its place at the national finals which will take place in November. That, along with being nominated as the UK ’s Best Small Hotel at the prestigious International Hotel Awards; the winners of which will also be announced in November, has meant 2013 could be a momentous year for the hotel.

“It has been a wonderful year,” said the hotel’s CEO Andy Burgess. “Over the last few years we have pushed forward with a number refurbishments and developments that have created a unique property with exceptional facilities. 

"Our hard work was recognized by organisations like Golf Tourism Scotland and VisitScotland in 2011, which was wonderful. But if I am being honest, I thought it would be tough to beat what we had achieved, but we have, and that comes down to the special team we have at Meldrum. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. It has been an exceptional 12 months.”

Along with a packed trophy cabinet, Meldrum House has also experienced a massive boost to the golf side of the business with year-on-year bookings at its 18-hole championship course up by 400%. 

As Walker explained, the massive hike not only reflects a surge of interest in golf but also Meldrum House’s growing reputation as a notable golf retreat.

“The figures are remarkable - they’ve smashed all previous records which is exceptional,” he said. “These are exciting times for the golf industry in the north east and across Scotland generally. The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen next year will only bolster that interest which is something to look forward to. But our championship golf course and world-class academy run by Neil Marr, the SGU’s under-18s boys’ national head coach, are already attracting golfers who want to explore this area. There is simply no other property in this part of Scotland that can offer the kind of facilities, top-tier accommodation and catering dominated by local produce that we have, and that makes us stand out from the crowd.”

Located just 15 miles from Trump International and other top-quality courses like Cruden Bay , Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen, it is easy to see why Meldrum House has become the first choice for golfers looking for a luxurious golf break in the north east of Scotland . With direct flights to Aberdeen from across Europe there is also growing interest from further afield.

“This is the fifth year Meldrum House has exhibited at IGTM, and each year it gets better and better,” Burgess said. “The show gives us an opportunity to meet up with our contacts from around the world and show them what Meldrum House and Aberdeenshire is all about. If this event is anything like last year, it’s going to be a busy week.”

 

- Ends -

 

AMERICAN GUTHRIE LEADS BMW MASTERS BY FOUR IN CHINA

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Luke Guthrie will take a four-shot lead into the weekend of the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group after carding a battling round of 71 on another windy day in Shanghai. 

The young American, pictured left, who is playing his first European Tour event, was unable to reproduce the heroics of his first day, when he posted a round of 65, but still retains a healthy advantage over his nearest rivals after mixing five birdies with four bogeys to move to eight under par.

The chasing pack is led by the English duo of Paul Casey and Simon Dyson, who would have closed the gap on Guthrie were it not for a double bogey on the finishing hole.

Guthrie himself dropped a shot at the last, but was nonetheless pleased with a display which puts him in sight of a place at next week’s money-spinning WGC-HSBC Champions – the second of four tournaments which comprise the Final Series.

He said: “It was another difficult day out there. Anything in the red was a good number today, and I was able to manage a 71. I made a few more mistakes than yesterday, which was a bit disappointing. 

“It’s never fun to bogey the last hole, but it’s playing tough. And I hit a lot of good shots, so there are lot of things to build on. 

“I was in good form coming here. I’ve been hitting it really well, and I kind of felt the trend going in the right direction.  Plus it helps that the putts are going in. I managed a few timely up-and-downs to keep the round going, and here I am with a four-shot lead. But there are 36 holes left, so still plenty of golf to be played yet.”

Dyson is among six players sharing second on four under, with Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez posting the lowest round of the day – a 67 – which included six birdies and a solitary bogey on the 18th.

Scott Jamieson’s only bogey of the day also came on the 18th as he signed for a round of 68, whilst his fellow Scot Craig Lee holed out from 188 yards on the 16th hole for an eagle in his round of 70.

Irish Open winner Casey, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Dyson all posted rounds of 70 for the second day in succession to complete the six-way tie for second place, with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello alone in eighth place on three under par.

Former World Number Ones Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy are seven shots off the pace on one under par, with Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson of Sweden two over par after carding a round of 74.

Stenson currently holds a lead of €425,573 over Graeme McDowell in The Race to Dubai, but the Northern Irishman was unable to capitalise on the Swede’s slip-up after shooting a round of 74 to fall back to level par at the midway stage of the US$7million showpiece at Lake Malaren Golf Club.      

 

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

 136 L Guthrie (USA) 65 71

140 P Casey  (Eng) 70 70, S Dyson  (Eng) 70 70, R Gonzalez (Arg) 73 67, C Lee (Sco) 70 70, S Jamieson  (Sco) 72 68, T Jaidee (Tha) 70 70

141 R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 73 68

142 J Daly (USA) 68 74, G Fernandez-Castaño  (Esp) 71 71, B Rumford (Aus) 73 69

143 M Fraser (Aus) 73 70, P Larrazábal (Esp) 70 73, G Bourdy (Fra) 70 73, F Molinari (Ita) 72 71, I Poulter (Eng) 74 69, R McIlroy  (Nir) 71 72, L Westwood (Eng) 72 71,

144 B Wiesberger  (Aut) 75 69, P Harrington (Irl) 72 72, D Horsey (Eng) 72 72, M Kieffer (Ger) 72 72, P Uihlein  (USA) 69 75, G McDowell  (Nir) 70 74,

145 T Olesen (Den) 75 70, T Björn (Den) 73 72, R Fisher (Eng) 75 70,

146 M Griffin (Aus) 74 72, G Mulroy (RSA) 74 72, D Willett  (Eng) 74 72, R Sterne  (RSA) 74 72, H Stenson (Swe) 72 74, M Kaymer (Ger) 75 71,

147 P Lawrie (Sco) 74 73, E De La Riva  (Esp) 75 72, S Kjeldsen (Den) 76 71, P Hanson (Swe) 79 68, L Donald  (Eng) 75 72,

148 B Grace  (RSA) 79 69, S Gallacher (Sco) 77 71, R Jacquelin (Fra) 76 72, P McGinley (Irl) 77 71, H Mu (Chn) 75 73,

149 T Fleetwood  (Eng) 72 77, D Fichardt (RSA) 74 75, M Jiménez (Esp) 74 75, W Ashun (Chn) 73 76, F Aguilar (Chi) 77 72, J Donaldson (Wal) 79 70, S Lowry  (Irl) 78 71

150 A Noren  (Swe) 74 76, L Hao-Tong (Chn) 78 72, L Wen-Chong (Chn) 75 75, D Howell (Eng) 76 74, H Wen-Yi (Chn) 71 79, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 74 76, A Cañizares  (Esp) 75 75, J Quesne  (Fra) 73 77, M Warren (Sco) 73 77, T Aiken (RSA) 80 70, M Ilonen  (Fin) 80 70

151 S Dong (Chn) 76 75, L Oosthuizen  (RSA) 74 77,

152 S Webster (Eng) 79 73, Z Lian-Wei (Chn) 78 74, G Coetzee (RSA) 78 74, M Siem  (Ger) 81 71

153 Z Xin-Jun (Chn) 76 77, R Santos  (Por) 77 76, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 78 75, S Khan (Eng) 77 76

154 L Xin-Yang (Chn) 77 77

155 L Yan-Wei (Chn) 78 77

156 H Shao-Cai (Chn) 83 73, H Ming-Jie (Chn) 81 75

162 C Wood  (Eng) 79 83

163 L Xuen-Cheng (Chn) 85 78

 ** J Luiten (Ned) RT  0,

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

DUNCAN STEWART IN JT 14TH PLACE AFTER TWO ROUNDS IN OMAN

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

A little touch of brotherly love helped Daniel Im to the lead at the midway point of the inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, as the American carded a three under par second round of 69 with his brother on the bag to move one clear in Muscat.

Im admitted that he had not been very close to his younger brother growing up due to a five-year age gap but they have recently bonded as the older of the two began his quest for European Tour stardom.

It certainly gave him a fillip on day two at the stunning Almouj Golf, The Wave as he moved one clear of the chasing pack on six under, thanks to five birdies and two bogeys.

Im currently lies in 21^st position in the Challenge Tour Rankings and needs a big finish to the season if he is to move into the crucial top 15 and secure graduation to The European Tour, barely a year after travelling to Europe for the first time.

He did those chances no harm at the penultimate event of the 2013 campaign and Im thinks his brother - also a professional golfer who plied his trade in Asia this year - has brought the perfect blend of added expertise and mental tranquillity to the equation having taken up the bag at last week’s Foshan Open, where ‘Team Im’ finished tied 12^th.

“I've been hitting it really well all year and just haven’t been making the putts but my brother has been helping me with my putting stroke and I think it’s working,” said the 28 year old.

“He’s my younger brother and he also plays but he has some time off now so he just said, ’bro I want to come out and help you out’.

“He makes me laugh sometimes when I'm heated and that keeps me in a good mood. He will be with me next week at Grand Final and hopefully for a while.

“It’s great having him on my bag. When we grew up we were kind of distant because he is five years younger and we had different groups of friends. But starting at the end of last year when he caddied for me at Qualifying School Final Stage (where Im earned his Challenge Tour card), we got together for a good period of time and shared some moments and got pretty close.

“Now it’s pretty comfortable I guess and it’s helping my golf. I can trust him, he’s a professional golfer and I know that he cares, so it’s helpful mentally.

“I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing for the last couple of days, keeping it on the fairways and greens and trying to make one-putts or two-putts.

“I haven’t had a good run of a few good results this year so hopefully this is that stretch for me. I'm looking forward to the weekend.”

Duncan Stewart from Grantown on Spey is the leading Scot in joint 14th place after rounds of 71 and 72 for 143, five shots off the pace

There were three players tied for second place heading into the weekend in Oman including Finland’s Roope Kakko, who currently lies in 17^th position in the Challenge Tour Rankings and is chasing a big result to climb into the top 15 with next week’s season-ending Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club looming large. He carded a three under par 69 to move to four under par for the tournament.

Marco Crespi is also just one shot off the pace in Oman after a second round 67 and his goals are a little different as he attempts to consolidate or better his 14^th position in the Rankings, the Italian edging closer to a rookie season on The European Tour.

They were both joined by promising 20 year old South African Brandon Stone, who carded a four under par 68.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72)

138 D Im (USA) 69 69

139 R Kakko  (Fin) 70 69, B Stone (RSA) 71 68, M Crespi  (Ita) 72 67

140 T Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 69, N Ravano (Ita) 68 72, C Del Moral (Esp) 74 66

141 N Dougherty  (Eng) 73 68, P Dwyer (Eng) 73 68, J Moul  (Eng) 72 69, C Aguilar  (Esp) 71 70

142 G Cambis  (Fra) 76 66, S Arnold  (Aus) 71 71, J Guerrier  (Fra) 68 74,

143 A Pavan (Ita) 72 71, D Stewart (Sco) 71 72, J Huldahl (Den) 76 67, A Domingo (Esp) 72 71, N Kimsey (am) (Eng) 71 72,

144 O Wilson (Eng) 74 70, J Carlsson (Swe) 72 72, R McGowan  (Eng) 72 72, K Borsheim  (Nor) 75 69, D Huizing (Ned) 75 69, N Elvira  (Esp) 74 70, J Dantorp (Swe) 74 70, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 76 68, J Barnes (Eng) 72 72, A Gee  (Eng) 71 73,

145 R Russell (Sco) 75 70, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 75 70, N Lemke (Swe) 71 74, L Jensen (Den) 74 71, L Goddard  (Eng) 78 67, S Kim (SKor) 71 74, A McArthur  (Sco) 71 74, R Davies (Wal) 77 68

146 J McLeary  (Sco) 72 74, A Marshall (Eng) 72 74, W Besseling  (Ned) 74 72, M Ford (Eng) 72 74, J Fahrbring (Swe) 74 72, G Murray  (Sco) 74 72, B Paolini (USA) 72 74, J Abbott (Eng) 74 72, G Stal  (Fra) 74 72, V Riu  (Fra) 75 71

147 T Nørret (Den) 75 72, M Jonzon (Swe) 75 72, B An (Kor) 79 68, J Elson  (Eng) 74 73, B Ritthammer (Ger) 76 71, E Dubois (Fra) 72 75, S Walker (Eng) 74 73

148 B Longmuir (Sco) 74 74, S Tiley (Eng) 78 70, L Saltman (Sco) 76 72, D Ulrich (Sui) 73 75, P Archer (Eng) 77 71, F Praegant (Aut) 78 70, C Ford (Eng) 70 78, M Lampert (Ger) 73 75, M Haastrup  (Den) 74 74, A Otaegui  (Esp) 74 74

 

MISSED THE CUT

 

149 P Widegren  (Swe) 78 71, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 78 71, M Glauert (Ger) 75 74, J Lima  (Por) 73 76, S Manley (Wal) 76 73, S Hutsby  (Eng) 75 74,

150 A Snobeck  (Fra) 77 73, A Bernadet  (Fra) 76 74,

151 M Brier (Aut) 76 75, A Velasco (Esp) 78 73, T Sluiter  (Ned) 72 79, T Murray (Eng) 78 73, L Claverie (Esp) 79 72,

152 T Hatton (Eng) 73 79, J Howarth (Eng) 77 75, P Maddy (Eng) 77 75,

153 P Oriol (Esp) 81 72, D Vancsik (Arg) 70 83, D Griffiths  (Eng) 80 73, B Parker  (Eng) 77 76, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 84 69,

154 P Edberg (Swe) 79 75, A Rota (Ita) 78 76, D Gaunt (Aus) 79 75, D Brooks (Eng) 76 78, F Calmels  (Fra) 78 76,

155 J Timmis (Eng) 76 79,

156 D Kemmer (USA) 78 78, T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 77 79,

157 A Perrino  (Ita) 81 76, G Porteous (am) (Eng) 75 82,

158 J Shepherd  (Eng) 82 76, C Brazillier  (Fra) 80 78, H Bacher (Aut) 81 77, J Townsend (Aus) 82 76, R Steiner (Aut) 79 79, P Stojanovski (am) (Aus) 82 76,

159 G Boyd  (Eng) 81 78,

160 A Almusharrekh (Uae) 80 80, H Mubarak (am) (Brn) 80 80,

161 A Dunbar (Nir) 78 83,

167 D Frittelli (RSA) 82 85,

168 G Al Kuwari (am) (Qat) 90 78, A Al Rumhy (am) (Oma) 86 82,

170 A Hameed (am) (Oma) 83 87,

171 F Alsalhab (am) (Ksa) 88 83,

172 D Taylor (Eng) 83 89,

176 S Al Kaabi (am) (Qat) 88 88,

** F Colombo (Ita) 85 WD, L Kennedy  (Eng) 72 RT,

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS