BUT DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH WAITING FOR A YES VOTE

MUIRFIELD PREPARED TO REVIEW ITS 

ALL-MALE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

FROM THE GOLFTALK CHANNEL
By WILL GRAY

One day after the R and A announced plans to vote on adding women as members this autumn, the course that hosted the Open Championship last summer appears poised to consider taking similar steps.
According to a Golfweek report, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield is prepared to review its all-male membership criteria, a stance the club has had since its founding in 1774.
“A working group has been empowered to consult with the membership and to make recommendations to the board about our future,” read a club statement according to the report. 
“As a club, we comply fully with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 (U.K. anti-discrimination legislation) and there are no current plans to change the membership criteria, but these will be reviewed.
“Most importantly, we intend to take the time to ensure that plans we adopt will stand us in good stead, not only for the immediate future but for the next 270 years of our great club.”
When it hosted the Open for the 16th time last year, Muirfield received significant criticism for its lack of female membership. Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, refused to attend the event, stating, "I just think it's indefensible in the 21st century not to have a golf club that's open to all."
R and A chief executive Peter Dawson described the membership issue as "divisive" last summer and as one that "we're finding increasingly difficult," and added plans to address the subject after the event's conclusion.
Muirfield is one of three courses currently in the Open rotation that does not allow female members, along with Royal St. George's, which last hosted the event in 2011, and Royal Troon, which will serve as host course in 2016.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The odds are that the R and A members will vote later this year to admit women members because the St Andrews hierarchy want a  "Yes" vote as much Alex Salmond does too!

But don't hold your breath waiting for Muirfield and Royal Troon to follow suit.

 

WEB.COM TOUR EVENT REPORT AND SCORES

GUNN STOPS THE ROT WITH A 70 IN

LOUISANA OPEN ... but he's only tied 68th

Jimmy Gunn showed something more like his true form with a one-under-par 70 in the first round of this week's Web.com Tour event, the Louisiana Open.
Mind you, the standard of play on the No 2 men's pro circuit in the States is so high that Gunn's performance was good enough only to have him sharing 68th place.
The projected cut mark after two rounds is two under par aggregates which means that Gunn needs at least to repeat his 70 to make his first Web.com Tour cut of the year.

Kyle Reifers fired a 6-under 65 to grab a share of the first-round lead.
By Joe Chemycz, Web.com Tour staff

BROUSSARD, Louisiana – Ryan Blaum and Kyle Reifers took advantage of some early tee times to post 6-under 65s Thursday and share the first-round lead in the 23rd Chitimacha Louisiana Open.
Winds were steady most of the day at the Le Triomphe Country Club outside Lafayette but the co-leaders, and those in the morning half of the day, didn’t have to battle the additional nuisance of afternoon rains. Stronger storms never materialized but officials decided to play the round under lift, clean and place conditions.
Morning starters Fabian Gomez, the 2010 champion, Doug LaBelle II and Jeff Curl posted 66s and are one back along with veteran Glen Day. Monday qualifier Ryan Baca of Sugar Land, Texas, is also at 5-under par but couldn’t beat the darkness and will have to return in the morning to putt out at 17 and then play the 18th.
Among those tied for 8th at 4-under 67 is Colombia’s Andres Echavarria, who was a senior at the University of Florida and runner-up in 2011 while playing as an amateur.
“I’m very satisfied. I haven’t gotten off to a very good start this year,” said Blaum, who has missed two cuts in his first four starts this season. “I’ve been hitting the ball well but not really scoring.”
This was the first time in 2014 the former Duke standout managed to break par in the opening round.
“Hitting the greens is one thing but hitting greens in certain proximity to the hole is another,” he said.
Maybe the proximity to being ‘home’ has something to do with it.
 Blaum’s mother grew up in Alexandria, about 90 miles away. His parents both attended Louisiana State Universityw here his father, Steve, played defensive back for the Tigers and his younger brother, Brent, played on the golf team from 2006-10.
“I’m the one guy who didn’t go to LSU but this is a blast this week,” said Blaum, who is hoping to make the drive to Alexandria to see his grandparents. 
“I grew up eating Cajun food. My favourite meal is when my mom makes shrimp creole and jambalaya.”
Reifers was also steady, hitting 16 greens in regulation while assuming a share of the top spot.
“There’s some considerable wind out there and at times it’s a couple of clubs,” he said.
 “You just have to play for it. I played solid all day. Even my two bogeys were pretty good shots and pretty good putts. You have to have the mindset not to let those affect you.”
Reifers rallied with a couple of birdies at Nos. 7 and 8 to join Blaum, who vaulted to the top with six birdies in a seven-hole stretch.
“I’ve been here enough years that I’ve played in all kinds of wind conditions so I think I’ve got a pretty good feel for what to hit,” said Reifers, who finished T2 in 2010. “The greens are pretty quick and you almost have to play for a little wind on some of the putts.”

• Thursday weather: Cloudy skies. Winds SE 15-20 mph. Daytime high of 68 degrees, overnight low of 52.
TO VIEW ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES

CLICK HERE

PHIL MICKELSON HAS FIRST-ROUND 77 AT SAN ANTONIO

KIWI DANNY LEE TIED FOR TEXAS 

OPEN LEAD WITH A 68

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

SAN ANTONIO – Confidence is key in golf, a fact that was affirmed Thursday at the Valero Texas Open. New Zealander Danny Lee, buoyed by the best finish of his US PGA Tour career, is tied for the lead with Andrew Loupe and Pat Perez, who’s off to a solid start this season thanks to swing changes.
Lee and Perez shot 68 on Thursday at TPC San Antonio, while Loupe was 4 under through 11 holes before the round was suspended due to darkness.  
Lee, 23, had missed six consecutive cuts when he arrived earlier this month at the Puerto Rico Open. He finished second there and is in contention again this week.
“I was kind of doubting myself,” Lee, the 2008 U.S. Amateur champion, said of his attitude entering Puerto Rico. “I wasn’t really committed to every shot I hit.
“Ever since I finished second at Puerto Rico, everything changed a little bit for me. I was starting to act more positive. I was believing in every shot I hit and was believing in my game. ... I'm really believing in myself and I know I can do this.”
Lee is No. 79 in the FedExCup.
Perez has credited his good play this season to his work with instructor Joe Mayo. Perez is No. 32 in the FedExCup after posting three top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the Farmers Insurance Open, in 12 starts. He has missed just one cut.
“I’ve got a pretty good understanding of what my swing is doing and what the ball is doing,” Perez said. “I feel as confident as I ever have with my ball striking and where the ball is going to go and if I can make a couple putts, I feel like I can shoot a pretty good score.”

---

WAITING GAME: Heavy fog delayed the start of the first round by 2 1/2 hours. Perez was wearing four layers of clothes while warming up for the first round. 
“Now I’m sweating,” he said after finishing his round under sunny skies.
 The delay meant that 45 players did not complete their first round Thursday. Play will resume at 8 a.m. Friday Texas time

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 72. Players from USA unless stated
68 Pat Perez, Danny Lee (NZ)
69 Will MacKenzie, Seung-Yul Noh (S Korea), Cameron Beckman, Chesson Hadley
SELECTED SCORES
71 Brian Davis (England) (T30)
72 Martin Laird (Scotland) (T51)
74 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium), Russell Knox (Scotland), Ernie Els (S Africa) (T85)
76 Padraig Harrington (Ireland), Jimmy Walker (T121)
77 Phil Mickelson.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

SIX-MAN TEAN BEING SENT TO USA FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

 DEAF GOLFERS HAVE THEIR OWN 

ASSOCIATION AND WEBSITE 

NEWS RELEASE

Scottish Deaf Golf Association is the only governing body for amateur golf in Scotland, representing individual golfers with all levels of hearing loss, including those who use British Sign Language as their first or preferred language.
SDGA has been operating over 25 years to arrange national events and also arrange an international team for international events.
We are a non-profit making organisation, and also a registered charity, number SC039108 in Scotland.
We have several National events coming up. Visit our website www.scottishdeafgolf.com or email Secretary for more information.
We are sending a six-man team to Traverse City, USA for the 10th World Deaf Golf Championships in July. 

We participate in this event every two years, why not give yourself a chance to compete against the worlds finest deaf amateur golfers?

Steven Cafferty

LONE SCOT JAMES ROSS HELPS EARN 1 1/2 PT OUT OF 2 ON DAY 2

EUROPE LEAD BY FIVE POINTS IN SIR

MICHAL BONALLACK TROPHY MATCH

Europe lead Asia-Pacific by 12 1/2pt to 7 1/2 after two days of the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy match at Bangalore, India.
Europe extended their Day 1 lead of 6-4 by sharing the Day 2 foursomes 2 1/2-2 1/2 and then taking the four-ball session 6-4 for a 6 1/2-3 1/2pt gain on the day.
James Ross (Royal Burgess), the only Scot in the Europe team, halved his morning foursomes match in partnership with Albert Eckhardt. 
Ross and Eckhardt won their afternoon four-ball tie by one hole.
The third and final day is a singles-only session.

TO VIEW ALL THE RESULTS 

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LAST MENA TOUR EVENT UNTIL THE AUTUMN

DOHERTY EARNS A FEW DOLLARS 

MORE OUTSIDE TOP 20 IN MOROCCO

Paul Doherty, Scottish boys' match-play champion at Dunbar in 2003, earned $588 for a joint 21st place finish in the MENA Tour's Royal Rolf Dar Es Salam Open at Rabat, Morocco today.
The Cardiff-based Scot had rounds of 77, 75 and 74 for a total of 10-over-par 226.
Winner of the $9,000 first prize was France's Edouard Espana with scores of 71, 73 and 69 for 203.
Runner-up, three strokes behind, was England's Ross McGowan whose scores of 71, 71 and 74 for level par 216, earned him $6,000.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
213 Edouard Espana (France) 71 71 69
216 Ross McGowan (England) 71 71 74
217 Alessandro Tadini (Italy) 75 72 70, Sebastian Heisele (Germany) 78 67 72

OTHER SCORE
226 Paul Doherty (Scotland) 77 75 74 (T21)

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

ABERDONIAN PAUL CORMACK TOP SCOT AMONG 25 QUALIFIERS

Craig Lawrie, chip off the old block under pressure 

 

CRAIG LAWRIE SQUEEZES THROUGH 

WITH LATE BIRDIE AT SLALEY HALL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
A total of 25 Scots over the four Stage 1 venues have qualified for next week's 54-hole PGA EuroPro Tour Final Qualifying School at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire.
Paul Lawrie's elder son Craig made it through with nothing to spare, thanks to a late birdie in his second round at Slaley Hall.
Craig shot a pair of 79s for 158 - the limit mark at the Northumbria venue.
He had a quadruple bogey 8 at the ninth and other shots dropped at the sixth, seventh, 11th and 13th but, knowing that a birdie over the last few holes could be vital, he got one at the 15th.

There were 16 other Scots qualifiers at Slaley Hall, led by Aberdonian Paul Cormack, pictured, who has been playing the mini-tours in America for the past three or four years. A former NE Alliance champion, Cormack had rounds of 74 and 72 to be joint second qualifier on 146.
Jordan McColl and Ross Kellett qualified in joint fourth place on 147 and Mark Hillson was a shot behind them in a tie for seventh place.
Paul Lawrie Golf Centre man Kris Nicol and Montrose assistant Graeme Brown made it through in joint 10th place on 150.
Other Scots who qualified at Slaley Hall were John Henry (154), Scott Henry, Graham Rankin and Neil Henderson (all 155), Conor O'Neil, Sam Binning, Eric Ramsay and James Hendrick (all 157). Fraser McKenna and Scott Crichton got through alongside Craig Lawrie on 158.
Calum Smith (159) will be a reserve.
Scots qualifiers at Formby Hall were Ross Bell and Graham Forbes in joint ninth place on 148, Paul Robinson (149) and Andrew Borg (156)

Ellon's Ross Cameron, pictured left, sponsored by Saltire Energy, totalled 143 and was the only Scottish qualifier at Woldingham. 
At the Players Club, Graham Guthrie (149), Robert Reynolds (150) and Mark Rae (151) were the Scots who made it.

STAGE 1 SCOREBOARD

DE VERE SLALEY HALL

LEADING QUALIFIERS

145 J Wilkinson (Eng) 71 74

146 P Cormack (Sco) 74 72, M Murphy (Ire) 71 75

OTHER SCOTS QUALIFIERS

147 J McColl 76 71, R Kellett (T4)

148 M Hillson 76 72 (T7)

150 K Nicol 73 77, G Brown 74 76 (T10)]

154 J Henry 75 79 (T17)

155 S Herald 77 78, G Rankin 78 73, N Henderson 79 76 (T19)

157 C O'Neil 81 76, S Binning (am) 79 78, E Ramsay 75 82, J Hendrick (am) 77 80

158 F McKenna 78 80, S Crichton 79 79. C Lawrie 79 79.;

SCOTS WHO FAILED

159 C Smith 82 77

161 J Dick79 82

162 M Patterson 82 80.

168 N Huguet 85 83, J Mullaney 83 85

172 S Macneil (am) 86 86, P Allan 85 87.

175 I Robertson 84 91

179 S Coia  85 94

Retired: M Cunningham 82 -

No Return: E Walker 83 NR

FORMBY HALL

LEADING QUALIFIERS

143 D Wright (Eng) 70 73

144 S Douglas (Eng) 75 69

SCOTS WHO QUALIFIED

148 R Bell 72 76, G Forbes 74 74 (T9)

149 P Robinson 75 74 (T25)

156 A Borg 79 787 (T47)

SCOTS WHO FAILED

166 P McGhee 80 86

169 J Pollock 82 87.

THE PLAYERS CLUB

LEADING QUALIFIERS

140 M Swales (Eng) 71 69

141 R Boyns (Eng) 75 68

SCOTS QUALIFIERS

149 G Guthrie 79 70 (T26)

150 R Reynolds 75 75 (T29)

151 M Rae 77 74 (T36)

SCOT WHO FAILED

154 F Bullough 74 80.

WOLDINGHAM

LEADING QUALIFIERS

131 P Tarver-Jones (Eng) 64 67

136 J Rutherford (Eng) 71 65

SCOTTISH QUALIFIER

143 R Cameron 72 71 (T15)

SCOT WHO FAILED

151 T Innes Ker 74 77

ARCHERFIELD PLAYER REGANS ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

  Stephen Doyle, president of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance, presents the Uniroyl
                                  Trophy to the new champion, Lloyd Saltman.

LLOYD SALTMAN WINS EDINBURGH 

AND EAST OF SCOTLAND TITLE


REPORT FROM ALAN GREENSHIELDS
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance

The East Alliance Annual Championship took place at Gullane No.2 and No.3 this week when the top 60 players competed for the UniRoyal Trophy over 36 holes on a day with more good weather albeit with a testing easterly cool wind.

In the morning Daniel Wood (The Hirsel) held the best score on No.3 with a seven-under-par 61 but hot on his heals was Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield), the 2006 champion, with 62. 

Over on No.2 course Scott Grieve (Turnhouse) held a similar one-shot lead with a two-under-par 69 from Scott Catlin (Greenburn) on 70.

The afternoon saw three of the above players feature in the challenge to become 2014 champion. Scott Catlin carded a 66 over No.3 to gain 3rd place overall on 136. 

Scott Grieve went one better over No.3 with a 65 to secure second place on 134. However, the comfortable winner of the Uniroyal Trophy by five shots after  a superb four-under 67 on No.2 for an aggregate of 129 was Lloyd Saltman
 Amateurs competed for the Gavin Clark Trophy for the best net aggregate score and as with last year the winner had to be decided by the best net score over No.2. Robin Cockburn (Harburn) and Glyn Stevens (Kings Acre) both carded a 140 net total but eight-handicapperRobin Cockburn's net 71 was one better than Glyn Stevens who plays off seven.
 The win was appreciated by Robin Cockburn having lost out in a similar situation last year.

Today also saw the conclusion of the Scratch Order of Merit with more swapping of places in top 3. Chris Morris held on to 3rd place but Louis Gaughan eased ahead of long time leader Ross Neil to secure the title. 

1. Louis Gaughan (Bathgate) - 656.5

2. Ross Neill (Drumpellier) - 642.0

3. Chris Morris (Kingsknowe) - 630.0

This now leaves the final event of the season to take place at Troon Portland on Tues 8th April when the East and West Alliances have their annual match. The top 8 Amateur and top 8 Professional players from the Scratch Order of Merit will do their best to rescue the annual trophy contested for back from The West.

All the best.

PRIZEWINNERS                       
Scratch   
1st  £300    Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield)    129
2nd £250    Scott Grieve (Turnhouse)         134
3rd £200    Scott Catlin (Greenburn)          136
4th £150    Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 138      T5 £50    Keir McNicoll (Gullane)             139
T5 £50    Louis Gaughan (Bathgate)          139
         
Gavin Clark Trophy (Best net score)           
Robin Cockburn (Harburn)  
+better net round over no 2 course         
           
Handicap   
1st    £150    Robin Cockburn (Harburn)    140
2nd    £125    Glyn Stevens (Kings Acre)    140
3rd=    £75    Derek Fish (Glenbervie)    142
3rd=    £75    Alan MacKay (Kingsknowe)    142
3rd=    £75    David Nicolson (Craigielaw)    142
          
Afternoon prizes for players not included above                
Scratch   
Gullane No.2 £25 Alan Reid (West Lothian)   74
Gullane No.3 £25 Zack Saltman (Archerfield) 68
Handicap   
Gullane No.2 £25 Andrew Rothney (Bathgate) 73  
Gullane No.3 £12.50 Tony Boyle (Glenbervie)  69
                      £12.50 Ian Wilson (Longniddry)  69

SCOREBOARD
                  
                       
                                                                 Gullane No.2        Gullane No.3        Totals   
   
Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield)    67        62        129   
Scott Grieve (Turnhouse)        69        65        134   
Scott Catlin (Greenburn)         70        66        136   
Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 72        66        138   
Keir McNicoll (Gullane)          72        67        139   
Louis Gaughan (Bathgate)       74        65        139   
Daniel Wood (The Hirsel)       79        61        140   
Zack Saltman (Archerfield)     72        68        140   
Alan Reid (West Lothian)       74        67        141   
Gordon Law (Uphall)             72        70        142   
Stephen Lamb (Cardrona)     76        66        142   
Gordon Hillson (Dunbar)       77        66        143   
Mark Kerr (Dalmahoy)          77        66        143   
Craig Gordon (Edbgh GC)    75        69        144   
Neil Colquhoun (Mchts)        73        71        144   
Chris Morris (Kingsknowe)    75        70        145   
Colin Fraser (Peebles)            78        67       145   
Derek Fish (Glenbervie)         77       69       146   
Andrew Marshall (Hstn GR)   77       70        147   
Iain Wilson (Longniddry)        76      71       147   
Alan MacKay (Kingsknowe)    74     74      148   
Duncan Martin (Longniddry)    80     68      148  
Hugh Fraser (Niddry Castle)    79      69      148  
David Nicolson (Craigielaw)    79     71       150   
Donny Munro (Kingsknowe)    76    74      150  
Ross Neill (Drumpellier)           79    71      150   
Andrew Rothney (Bathgate)     77    74       151   
Antonio Yaguez (Kingsknowe) 77    74        151   
Andrew Munro (Musselburgh) 78   74        152   
Callum Nisbet (Bathgate)         79   73        152   
Graham MacKay (Melville)     81    71        152   
Robin Cockburn (Harburn)     77     75      152   
Ross Munro (Duddingston)    79      73        152   
Steven Dunsmore (Falkirk T) 80      72        152   
Tony Boyle (Glenbervie)        80     72       152   
Wilson Morton (Dunbar)       78      74       152   
Glyn Stevens (Kings Acre)    79      75      154   
Iain Stavert (Duddingston)    80      74       154   
Justin White (Harrison)        78       76       154   
Neil Bain (Duddingston)      79      75       154   
Ewan Robertson (Lnddry)    82     73      155   
Martin Rennie (Uphall)       80      75     155   
Sandy Strachan (Deer Pk)    77      78        155   
William Laing (Prestonfield)  76      79      155   
Ailsa Bain (Cardrona)            78     79        157   
David Brydon (Torwoodlee)    84      73      157   
George Wither (Duddingston)  76       81     157   
Joshua Lamb (Peebles)            84      73      157   
Michael Louden (Glencorse)    79      78      157  
Steven Lees (Dalmahoy)          89       68     157  
John Denham (Torwoodlee)    82      76      158   
Thomas Cordery (Muslbgh)    83     77      160   
Grant Skinner (Glencorse)       82     79      161  
Paul Porteous (Uphall)            85      77     162  
Liam Allison (Bathgate)          86       77     163  
Ian Jeavons (Dunbar)              82      84      166   
Phil Leggate (Musselburgh)     89       83     172   
Bob Allan (Cardrona)             93      85      178    
James Silvestro (Mlbgh)         NR     79       NR    
Richard Johnston (Gbervie)    75     WD     WD   

EUROPEAN AND ASIAN TOURS DEFEND THEIR POSITION

Statement on Behalf of The European Tour and the Asian Tour

 

With regard to the EurAsia Cup and The Seve Ballesteros Foundation

 

The European Tour and the Asian Tour very much regret comments made in a recent statement by the Royal Trophy organisers.

The inaugural EurAsia Cup was successfully launched yesterday at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia and featured the highest qualified available players from both continents; Team Asia featuring players from Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, while Team Europe featured players who, on selection, were all within the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Over the past few weeks there has been speculation and comment aimed at the EurAsia Cup. Much of this has centred on the question of why The European Tour and the Asian Tour are staging and are supportive of this tournament and not the Royal Trophy. 

There are three reasons.

1. While The European Tour and the Asian Tour fully respect the right of Entertainment Group (Asia) Ltd. to promote the Royal Trophy, this tournament is not sanctioned by either Tour, and indeed has not been sanctioned by either Tour since 2009. 

The sanction was declined due to the qualification criteria of the Royal Trophy and Entertainment Group (Asia) Ltd’s commercial strategy. Despite this, both Tours have been respectful to and supportive of the Royal Trophy by giving releases, without question, to players who have wanted to play in the event, even when staged at the same time as events on both Tours.
2. The European Tour and the Asian Tour proceeded to establish direct ownership of an organisation, which is directly responsible for staging a match – the EurAsia Cup – between players from both territories. 

This structure is 100% owned by these player organisations. The EurAsia Cup offers The European Tour and the Asian Tour an opportunity to further develop the game of golf in a part of the world where their existing relationship and partnership is already strong; a partnership which has existed since 1999.
3. The EurAsia Cup will provide a new platform to continue the considerable charitable work already undertaken on behalf of The Seve Ballesteros Foundation. Since 2010, The European Tour has raised over £1.2 million for the Foundation and that figure will be added to following the playing of the EurAsia Cup itself. 

To that end, The Seve Ballesteros Foundation fully supports the EurAsia Cup through its position as Official Charity. The Foundation, which holds all of Seve’s intellectual property, image and trademark rights, is run by Seve’s children and heirs, Javier, Miguel and Carmen. 

 The Seve Ballesteros Foundation has been clear in its private discussions with The European Tour and the Asian Tour that it fully supports the objectives of the EurAsia Cup and its desire to spread international interest in golf and major match play tournaments.
Just as The Ryder Cup delivers substantial benefit to The European Tour and to the countries chosen to host the match, it is the hope that as the EurAsia Cup develops, the locations chosen over the years to showcase the contest will also benefit from a similar legacy.

 

 

George O’Grady CBE                                      Kyi Hla Han

Chief Executive                                                Chairman

The European Tour                                         The Asian Tour

SCOTTISH CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS' TEE TIMES FOR APRIL 5

LEVEN GOLFING SOCIETY
FIRST ROUND
08:00
Colin Mundie (scr) Glenbervie GC
Daniel Young (+3) Craigie Hill GC
08:08
Scott Borrowman (+2) Dollar GC
+Scott Borrowman is the defending champion.
Mark Hislop (scr) Glenbervie GC
08:16 
Stewart Henderson (scr) Hamilton GC
Matthew Clark (+4) Kilmacolm GC
08:24
Stuart Robin (+2) Prestwick St Nicholas GC
Allan Watson (scr) Stirling GC
08:32
Glenn Campbell (+4) Blairgowrie GC
Steven Meiklejohn (1) Lundin GC
08:40 
Graeme Robertson (+4) Glenbervie GC
Jack Currie (3) Greenock GC
08:48 
Ian Ross (+1) Alloa GC
John Duff (+1) Newmachar GC
08:56
Lyle McAlpine (+1) Royal Dornoch GC
Gordon Stevenson (+2) Whitecraigs GC
09:04
Alan Sutherland (+2) Ladybank GC
Stephen F Carruthers (scr) Pitlochry GC
09:12
Scott Graham (2) Arbroath Artisan GC
Adam Dunton (+4) McDonald GC, Ellon
09:20 
Colin A Baird (+1) Bothwell Castle GC
William Bremner Jnr (+2) Edzell GC
09:28
Fraser Moore (+2) Glenbervie GC
Fraser Grant (+1) Ralston GC
09:36
Jack McDonald (+4) Kilmarnock (Barassie) GC
Keith Horne (1) Portlethen GC
09:44
Allan Anderson (scr) Bruntsfield Links GC
Kyle McClung (+2) Wigtownshire County GC
09:52
Steven McEwan (+2) Loudoun GC
Gary Tough (+1) Edzell GC
10:00
Simon Fairburn (+2) Torwoodlee GC
Allyn Dick (+3) Shotts GC
10:08
John Ralston (1) Shotts GC
Scott Gibson (+3) Southerness GC
10:16
Michael Daily (+3) Erskine GC
Bradley Neil (+4) Blairgowrie GC
10:24
Robert MacIntyre (+4) Glencruitten GC
Grant Beaton (+1) Bonnyton GC
10:32
Bobby Willan (scr) Machrihanish GC
Lindsay Blair (scr) Grangemouth GC
10:40
David Brodie (+1) Portpatrick Dunskey GC
Craig Ross (+3) Kirkhill GC
10:48
Hugh Nelson (+1) Kilsyth Lennox GC
Steven Stewart (+3) Clydebank Overtoun GC
10:56 
Clinton Maxwell (2) Clober GC
Tom Watson (+3) St Andrews GC
11:04 
Jeff Wright (+1) Forres GC
Steven Gilmour (2) Lochgilphead GC

NORTH-EAST ALLLIANCE FOURSOMES SCOREBOARD

GREIG HUTCHEON ON TRAIL OF 

ALLIANCE TITLE DOUBLE

Greig Hutcheon, winner of the individual championship last week, is in with a sporting
chance of a North-east Golfers' Alliance title double. The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player and Auchmill amateur Scott Mackie have won their way through to Friday morning's scratch final of the Alliance match-play foursomes.
Hutcheon and Mackie will play the amateur pairing of Fergus Bisset (Banchory) and John
Borthwick (Craibstone) in the final.
The handicap final will pit Alastair Petrie (Oldmeldrum) and Paul Cornfield (Auchmill)
against Charlie Cassie (Nigg Bay) and Hamish McNaughton (Cruden Bay).

NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE FOURSOMES
Murcar Links Golf Club.
Results:
SCRATCH
First round
G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC) and S Mackie (Auchmill) bt L Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) and M
Duncan (Murcar Links) 4 and 3.
D Fleming (Portlethen) and C Duffus (Kemnay) bt John Duff (Newmachar) and D McDougall (Caledonian) 7 and 5.
D Wilson (Duff House Royal) and N Young (Insch) bt B Nicolson (Auchmill) and J Hamilton (Murcar Links) 6 and 5.
F Bisset (Banchory) and J Borthwick (Craibstone) bt J Nicolson (Auchmill) and B Harper (Newburgh) 1 hole.
SEMI-FINALS
Hutcheon and Mackie bt Fleming and Duffus 1 hole.
Bisset and Borthwick bt Wilson and Young at 19th.
HANDICAP
First round
A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) and P Cornfield (Auchmill) bt J Forrest (Northern) and M Rogers (Kemnay) 5 and 4.
L Roger (Royal Aberdeen) and B Lumsden (Northern) bt W Skene (Deeside) and M Winton
(Caledonian) at 19th.
C Cassie (Nigg Bay) and H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) bt J Scott (Peterculter) and D Mackay (Fort Augustus) 2 holes.
M Smith (Auchmill) and T Collie (Kemnay) bt D Townsley (Auchmill) and M Booth  (Kemnay) 4 and 2. 
SEMI-FINALS
Petrie and Cornfield bt Roger and Lumsden 3 and 2.
Cassie and McNaughton bt Smith and Collie 7 and 6.
FRIDAY MORNING FINALS
9.30 Petrie and Cornfield v Cassie and McNaughton.
9.45 Hutcheon and Mackie v Bisset and Borthwick. 
 

WORRIES ABOUT SLOW PACE OF CONSTRUCTION

R and A chief Peter Dawson 'not satisfied' with 

 

progress of Rio course for 2016 Olympics

 

FROM GOLF TALK CENTRAL

By WILL GRAY

Construction continues in Rio de Janeiro on the course that will host golf's re-introduction to the Olympics in two years' time. According to Peter Dawson, pictured, however, those behind the bulldozers need to pick up the pace.
In addition to his role as the chief executive of the R and A, Dawson also serves as the president of the International Golf Federation. It was in the latter position that he recently visited the construction site in Brazil, returning unimpressed by its progress.
"We are not satisfied," Dawson told Ireland's RTE. "I was down there just recently and, while the design of the course looks really good, the progress with the construction is not where we want it to be."
This is not the first time that the IGF has voiced concern over the progress of construction, which has also at times frustrated the course's designer, Gil Hanse. 
While it remains widely anticipated that the inaugural Latin America Amateur Championship will serve as the venue's "test event" in 2015, Dawson believes that could be in jeopardy.
"There have been so many revisions to the plan it's quite hard to say how far behind they are, but I think we are going to struggle to get a test event a year before the Games," Dawson said.
 "I'm not writing that off completely, but we have to recognize that might be difficult."
Despite the delays, Dawson reiterated his belief that the course will be ready in time to host the Olympics in August 2016.
"There are other courses in Rio, but there is no Plan B at present because I don't think we'll need one."

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R and A PLAN FOR AUTUMN VOTE ON ADMITTING FEMALE MEMBERS