Wednesday, April 02, 2014

BANCHORY MAN MAINTAINS LAST WEEK'S GOOD FORM

CORMACK LEADS TARTAN ARMY IN CHASE
FOR PLACES ON PGA EUROPR0 TOUR

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Banchory man Paul Cormack, who has been playing the satellite tours in America for
several years, has returned to Britain in time to lead the 31 Scots after the first round of the PGA EuroPro Tour Final Qualifying School at Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire.
A former North-east Alliance champion, Cormack, playing out of Inchmarlo Golf Club, Banchory, shot a bogey-free, five-under-par 67 over the Blue Course to be lying joint third in the massive field of 240.
It was a continuation the good form Cormack showed last week to be one of the leading qualifiers from Stage 1 of the EuroPro Tour Q School.
The leading 80 and ties after the second round will go forward to Friday's third and final round.
At the end of the opening 18 holes, there are 103 players with scores of 72 or better, of whom 31 were on the 72 mark.
That indicates how tough it is going to be survive the second round.
Apart from Cormack, who birdied the second, fourth, sixth, 12th and 13th, the only
Scots within the "safety mark" at the moment are Paul Robinson (Largs) on 69, Aberdour amateur Scott Crichton, Chris Currie (Caldwell) and Carnoustie's Eric Ramsay on 70,
Graham Rankin (Drumpellier), Craig Lawrie (Paul Lawrie (GC), John Hendry (Clydebank and Dist), Jordan McColl (Scotscraig), Kris Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC) on 71 and Greg McBain (Kemnay) on 72.
Even an experienced campaigner like Motherwell's Ross Kellett will have to "find" a stroke or two in the second round to cope with the pressure and step over the cut-off point. He and Ellon's Ross Cameron, former Walker Cup player Graham Rankin (Drumpellier), Neil Henderson (Renaissance Club), Mark Hillson (Tandridge) and Graham Guthrie (unattached) are tied 104th on 73.
Those with the proverbial mountain to climb include Fraser McKenna (Balmore) on 76 and former British boys champion Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) plus Downfield's Ross Bell, both on 77. 
NOTES FROM SCORECARDS
Craig Lawrie finished with a 71 after bogeys at the first and long fourth had seemed ominous. Paul's elder son clawed his way out of his doldrums with birdies at the short sixth, 11th, 12th and long 15th in halves of 33.
Greg McBain, now playing out of Kemnay, finished on 72 after the same kind of potentially demoralising start as young Lawrie with bogeys at the third and fifth. McBain borided the long 10th, short 11th, stuttered again with bogeys at the 12th and 13th, before picking up the momentum again with birdies at the 14th and 18th.
Graeme Brown had a disappointing 75 with a five-hole span around the turn costing him four shots. The Montrose man bogeyed the sixth and th eighth and then had a double bogey 7 at the long 10th. His only birdie came late - at the 17th.
Amateur Scott Crichton had a great start on his way to a 70. He birdied the second, third, fourth, fifth and ninth. Bogeys came at the seventh, 10th and 18th.
Paul Robinson's 69 might well have been a 67 because had had a double bogey 7 at the 17th after at tremendous six-under-par run from the long fourth to the long 15th. After a bogey at the short third, Paul birdied the fourth, fifth, eighht, 10th, 13th and 15th.
Kris Nicol salvaged a 71 after bogeys at the third and seventh. He birdied the 11th, 12th and long 15th to get under par for the day.
Jordan Findlay had five bogeys over his last 10 holes and finished with a 77. He started with a double bogey 6 but birdied the second. A bogey at the fourth was followed by a birdie at the long sixth. Then came his bad run - bogeys at the ninth,1 2th, 13th and 15th, then a birdie at 16th, only to bogey the 17th.
Chris Currie returned a 70 after being four under par as early at the sixth tee. He birdied the short third, got an eagle 3 at the long fourth and then a birdie 3 at the fifth. Looking set for a score in the 60s, the Caldwell tour pro covered the last nine holes in two over par with bogeys at the 11th and long 15th.
Eric Ramsay turned the clock back to his vintage years with a 70 which had birdies at the fourth, 10th and 15th with only one bogey, at the ninth.
John Henry probably had more birdies than anyone in the field - seven in total - but the Clydebank and District men also had six bogeys, adding up to a one-under 71
Jordan McColl also had a 71 of which the highlight was an eagle 3 at the long sixth. He had birdies at two other long holes, the second and 10th but was dragged down by bogeys at the third, ninth and 12th.
Ross Kellett started well and finished well but the middle of the "sandwich" was not so tasty. He had a 73 which included birdies at the second, eighth, 15th and 16th. The downside@ A double bogey 6 at the 12th and bogeys at the fourth, 11th and 13th.


scroll down to view the first-round scores at
Frilford Heath

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PGA EUROPRO TOUR FINAL QUALIFYING SCHOOL SCOREBOARD

FRILFORD HEATH GC, OXFORDSHIRE

+SCROLL DOWN PAST THE SCORES TO READ
   THE PGA EUROPRO WEBSITE REPORT

FIRST ROUND (Red and Blue Courses, both par 72)

65 David Booth (Eng),. Chris Forsyth (Eng)
67 Dale Whitnell (Eng), Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo), Max Williams (Eng), Mark Ramsdale
68 Billy Downing (Eng), Rory Walsh (Eng), Mark Murphy (Ire), Ricky Brackenbury (Eng), Liam Robinson (Eng).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
69 Paul Robinson (Largs) (T12)
70 Scott Crichton (Aberdour) (am), Cris Currie (Caldwell), Eric Ramsay (Carnoustie) (T24)
71 Graham Rankin (Drumpellier), Craig Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC), John Henry (Clydebank and Dist), Jordan McColl (Scotscraig), Kris Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC) (T44)
72 Greg McBain (Kemnay) (T73)
73 Graham Guthrie (unatt), Neil Henderson (The Renaissance), Ross Kellett (Aberdeen Asset Management), Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy), Mark Hillson (Tandridge) (T104)
74 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) (am). Malcolm Isaacs (Newmachar) (T130).
75 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), Conor O'Neil (Pollok), Graham Forbes (Bob Torrance School of Golf) (T161)
76 Scott Herald (Mearns Castle Golf), Andrew Borg (Forthview Golf Range), Fraser McKenna (Balmore), Callum Trahan (Gleneagles) (T183)
77 Ross Bell (Downfield), Robert Reynolds (Global Sports), Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie GC) (T199).
79 James Hendrick (Pollok) (am), Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) (T225)
81 Mark Rae (Aberdeen Door Systems) (T234).

The leading 80 and ties after 36 holes will go forward 
to Friday's final round. 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE 


REPORT FROM EUROPRO TOUR WEBSITE

David Booth and Christopher Forsyth set the pace on day one of Qualifying School Final Stage, shooting 65s on the Red Course at Frilford Heath to share a two-stroke lead on -7.
Dale Whitnell, Paul Cormack, Max Williams and Mark Ramsdale share third, all making 67s for five under on the Blue Course on day one.
On a day of excellent scoring in Oxfordshire, 72 players concluded their opening rounds under par.
Former Stirling University graduate and a past Scottish youths open champion, Booth, now 25 and based at Rotherham Golf Club, is making his debut on the PGA EuroPro Tour this year. 
He made a superb start when he finished tied fourth at First Stage Qualifying School at Formby Hall and raced out of the blocks in his opening round on Frilford Heath on Wednesday.
His front nine saw him card six birdies and three pars, with further par breakers at 16 and 17 blighted only by a bogey on the 13th.
For Forsyth (Topgolf Watford) it was two eagles which helped propel him to top of the leaderboard after round one. He finished an already excellent day with a two on the par-four 18th to add to his three birdies and earlier eagle on the sixth.

We will be tweeting from Frilford Heath throughout the tournament, you can follow us @PGAEuroProTour.









 

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SCOT REWARDED FOR HIS PERFORMANCES IN MIDDLE-EAST



Stephen Gallacher, first man to win Dubai Desert Classic two years in a row. Picture by Kenny Smith
STEPHEN GALLACHER IS golf in DUBAi’s 

NEWEST AMBASSADOR

NEWS RELEASE 
DUBAI, April 2 – Promoters and organisers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic have signed up Stephen Gallacher, one of the most naturally gifted golfers in the world, as their newest global ambassador, taking their association with international golf to a new high. 
The amiable Scot, who let his swing do the talking, created history by becoming the first man to mount a successful defence of the recent Omega Dubai Desert Classic after a final round that demonstrated the value of patience, lighting up the 25th anniversary celebrations of the event.
“To defend on the 25th anniversary, with such a strong field of former champions, makes it even more special,” said Gallacher, who will promote the premier golf tournament and, in turn, the brand ‘golf in DUBAi’ on the global stage as part of a three-year partnership which extends up to 2017. 
“I love Dubai, I love the tournament and it will be a great honour and privilege to be a part of the golf in DUBAi team that has done a tremendous job in raising the profile of this brilliant city on the global stage,” said Gallacher who himself has featured 14 times in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic with his recent record making an impressive 10th, 2nd, 1st and 1st reading. 
“What's happening out here in the UAE and certainly in Dubai is just so impressive to see. Dubai is one of our favourite stops on the European Tour,” said the affable Scot who joins a celebrated roster of golfers who represent ‘golf in DUBAi’ as their ambassador, stars such as Mark O’Meara, Jeev Milkha Singh, Laura Davies, Zane Scotland and renowned coach Peter Cowen.
Having achieved the pre-season goal of breaking into the top 50 in the world, Gallacher, a three-time winner on the European Tour, is eyeing a Masters and Ryder Cup debut after finishing in a tie for sixth at the WGC-Cadillac Championship recently, a creditable achievement which placed him ‘37th in the world rankings and improved his chances of a place in Paul McGinley’s side at Gleneagles in September. 
Born in 1974 at Dechmont in Scotland, Gallacher enjoyed a glittering amateur career which saw him win the Scottish match play and stroke play titles as well as the European Amateur Championship before turning professional in 1995 and winning a Tour card in his first attempt the same year. 
Welcoming Gallcher to the ‘golf in DUBAi’ family of global ambassadors, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, commented: 
“Stephen is a fine player whose on-course performance creates a lot of excitement. Like everyone, we are really impressed by his outstanding golf talent, dedication and natural flair. 
“He is fast becoming an influential figure in the world of golf and his constant quest for high performance is in line with Dubai’s vision of making the city the hub for all things golf. Indeed, we are honoured to have him on board.”

‘golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and DUBAL as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World and Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi's drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.



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THURSDAY DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES TO FIRST EVENT AT FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS

ENTRIES - from lady professionals or lady
amateurs with a handicap of 9 or under - for the
PGA in Scotland Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tartan Tour opening 36-hole event at Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance Course) on April 14-15 - CLOSE on Thursday, April 3

YOU CAN ENTER THROUGH THE PGA IN SCOTLAND WEBSITE IF YOU ARE A PGA PRO
LOG ON TO THE FOLLOWING

http://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgagbi14/schedule/scotlandladies/index.htm

Only PGA pros can enter via the website. Non- members (pros and amateurs) must enter by phoning the Gleneagles HQ office of the PGA in Scotland on 01764 661840
 

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