PENULTIMATE PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT OF SEASON

FOUR SCOTS IN THE MIX AFTER DAY 1  

 

AT THE  OXFORDSHIRE

Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel), Ross Kellett (Kingsfield), Dunbar's Neil Fenwick and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) are sharing 13th place on two-under-par 70 at The Oxfordshire Golf Club at the end of the first round in the penultimate PGA EuroPro Tour 54-hole event of the season.

Doherty, out in 33, looked like finishing fewer than three shots behind overnight leader with a 70, Peter Tarver-Jones (Worthing), but took 37 for the inward half.

Carnoustie's Eric Ramsay  and Elliot Saltman (Archerfield) are sharing 26th place on 71 while Paul Robinson (Largs), Ellon's Ross Cameron and Jordan McColl (Scotscraig) are joint 42nd on level par 72.

Zack Saltman (Archerfield) had a 73 for a share of 57th place.

Only the leading 50 and ties will qualifying for the final round so that means the rest of their Scots must improve in the second round.

Neil Henderson (Renaissance) and Scott Crichton (Scotscraig) are joint 72nd after a 74s

Paul Lawrie Golf Centre pair Kris Nicol and Craig Lawrie are joint 104th on 76, a shot ahead of stablemate Jordan Findlay who is sharing 114th spot.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 72

67 P Tarver-Jones (Eng)

68 R Law (Eng), J Harper (Eng), R Prophet (Eng), J McAllister (Eng)

SCOTS' SCORES

70 P Doherty, R Kellett, N Fenwick, P Shields (T13)

71 E Ramsay, E Saltman (T26)

72 P Robinson, R Cameron, J McColl (T42)

73 Z Saltman (T57)

74 N Henderson, S Crichton (T72)

75 J Hamilton (T89)

76 K Nicol, C Lawrie (T104)

77 J Findlay (T114)

80 C O'Neil (T144)

VICTORY OVER WILTSHIRE ON SECOND DAY

Essex on brink of title after second big win Essex are within touching distance of their third English boys' county title after beating Wiltshire 6-3 on Day 2 at Sandiway in Cheshire, while Durham bounced back from their opening day setback by overcoming Derbyshire 7-1 with one game halved. Tomorrow Essex face Derbyshire and need only to draw to lift the title for the first time since 2004. Durham are the only county that can deprive them but they must beat Wiltshire and hope Essex lose heavily. Despite winning all three morning foursomes, Essex were given a fight by Wiltshire in the singles which were eventually shared 3-3. In the top game, James Wiltshire dented Todd Clements 100% record by beating the Essex lad by one hole. Clements won the opening hole but a Wiltshire eagle at the long fourth levelled matters but it wasn’t until the 11th that he got ahead with successive birdies. Clements then birdied the 13th while a par at the next squared the contest again.  They both birdied the par five 16th but when Wiltshire added another at 17 he stayed ahead to claim his narrow victory. Wiltshire added to their tally when Rhys Edwards overcame George Whitbread 4 and 2, while Jamie Amor secured his first singles win with a 2 and 1 score against Elliot Fullalove. Edwards reeled off three birdies in a row from the third to race three up over Whitbread and although the Essex man pulled it back to two down at the turn he soon found himself three down again when Edwards parred the tenth. Again Whitbread battled back to cut the deficit to pne down after 12 but a run of birdie-par-birdie from the 14th saw Edwards to victory. Amor won the opening two holes against Fullalove but the Essex lad eagled the fourth, hitting a three-iron close then squared matters with a birdie at five. But a run of pars enabled Amor to go three up at the turn and 4up after ten. That was still the score after 14 but Fullalove won 15 and 16 with pars but couldn’t complete the climb. However, Essex took the other three games through Louise Lazarus, 4 and 2 over Charles Dunn, Bradley Bawden (image © Leaderboard Photography), 4 and 3 against Dom Patton, plus a 3 and 2 win for Taylor Carter over Tom Law. In the Derbyshire v Durham match it was a case of beware the injured golfer. In this case it was the Durham team who put the previous day’s heavy defeat by Essex behind them by dropping just one and a half points to their opponents. Having made their intentions known by taking all three morning foursomes, the Northern champions kept up the pressure with Aaron McManus beating Josh Williams 4 and 3 and Sam Donald overcoming Will Painter 5 and 3. McManus fell behind after three holes but was back on terms after four and two up at the turn. He won the next two holes with pars and despite losing the 12th he parred the 15th for a half and victory. Donald was always ahead after taking the first hole. He was five up at the turn, thanks to birdies at eight and nine, and despite losing the tenth and 12th, the latter to a birdie, he took the 14th and 15th to close out the game. The top single looked to be a comfortable victory for Derby’s Josh Thorley but Chris Handy had other ideas. Thorley won the opening three holes, Handy losing a ball on the second, and although the latter won the fourth with a concession, Thorley restored his three-hole lead with a chip-in birdie at the next.  Thorley was still four up at the turn and through 11 but a par at the 12th and a birdie at 13 saw Handy halve the deficit. Handy produced his own chip-in for a winning birdie at 16 followed by a birdie 3 at 17 which brought the contest back to all square where it remained, Handy being congratulated for his amazing fightback. Derbyshire’s only success was secured by John Ashton who battled back several times to beat James Rogers 2 and 1. Otherwise it was Durham all the way, wrapping up the bottom two games out in the country. James Wilson trailed Derby’s Will Davidson over the front nine. He was three down after four but pulled back to just one down at the turn and was all square after ten. It was then that the Durham man pressed the accelerator. He won three holes in a row from the 12th, two with pars, and stayed ahead to win 3 and 2. Then Cameron Wallace boosted by his morning foursomes’ win, was always ahead against Jamie Booth. A par at the third followed by a conceded birdie at four put the Durham lad two up, which was the score at the turn.  He went three up for the second time on the tenth and while the pair both birdied the 15th, another Wallace birdie at 16 sealed the point in his favour by 4 and 2. “It was an astonishing turnaround from yesterday,” said Durham manager Ken Joel. “We sat down last night and came up with a few positives and forgot the negatives. We also switched the team around a bit and it worked. Today was a case of teamwork on and off the course.”  For more information visit the championship website Press Office England Golf pr@englandgolf.org01526 354500

THIS WEEK'S ITALIAN OPEN IS CRUNCH FOR SCOT

GALLACHER RELISHES LAST CHANCE 

RYDER CUP SALOON SITUATION

  EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Stephen Gallacher knows his 2014 Ryder Cup destiny is in his own hands at the 71st Open d'Italia this week.

The Scot, picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c), needs to win or finish runner-up alongside no more than one other player at the Circolo Golf Torino-La Mandria to leapfrog Graeme McDowell and secure the final automatic spot on the European team for the event taking place in his homeland at Gleneagles, Perthshire next month.
Bernard Gallacher's 39-year-old nephew from Bathgate is in high spirits after finishing in a share for seventh at the Czech Masters, where Welshman Jamie Donaldson confirmed his place in Paul McGinley’s team with victory.
While Gallacher is the only man who can affect the nine automatic qualifying places available to the European Team, Italy’s Francesco Molinari – playing at the course he grew up on this week - and Dutchman Joost Luiten are among the main contenders looking to secure victory in Italy to try and force their way into McGinley’s mind for one of the three Captain’s Picks available to the Irishman which he will announce next Tuesday.
McGinley is playing the tournament this week after a two-month injury lay-off.
Key player quotes
Stephen Gallacher: “There are a lot of things on my mind this week. The most difficult thing for me this week is trying to focus just on the golf. If I play well and finish in the top two then I am a Ryder Cup player and that is something that I have dreamed about my whole life.
“It’s quite funny that everyone’s asking if am nervous about the week ahead but the best place for me to be at the moment is on the golf course. That is where I can think about my next shot and my processes and block the other stuff out. It is when you come off the course that you just cannot escape it.
“Everyone wants to ask about The Ryder Cup, or talk to you about it or just wish you all the best which is all great but, as I said, it makes it very difficult to get it out of your mind which is what a part of you wants to do. But the whole thing is really exciting for me – that is the main feeling I have. 
"To be a Scotsman who lives 35 miles from Gleneagles trying to get into the team brings a lot of hope and expectation and pressure, but most of all it is an exciting week for me.”

Paul McGinley: “It’s a big event and a big week for so many people. It’s an exciting week. I have been in this situation before, going into the last calendar event in 2004, where I was, I think, just outside the team. I think I may have been 11th place with Frederik Jacobson just ahead of me. 
"We had a race to the finish line right until the last day. We were drawn together on the last day and I think I finished in the top five of the tournament and edged just ahead of Freddie. I then went on to play what I considered to be my best Ryder Cup in 2004.
“I can understand the pressure the guys are under. I can relate to it. There is no doubt that the performance I had in Munich in 2004 that pushed myself over the line was a huge psychological boost for me.
"It was one of the reasons why I believed I played so well. There is an opportunity for the guys that are here this week to do something similar.
“To play well in the last counting event, with the spotlight on you, will be huge for them. If not making the team, then it’s certainly useful in terms of making an impression.”
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

PHILIP McLEAN RETIRES AFTER FIRST-ROUND 76

SAM KILOH'S SIX BIRDIES IN GALLANT

BID TO BEAT CUT IN GERMANY

Portlethen youngster Sam Kiloh, a rookie pro in the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre stable, failed to beat the second-round cut in the German PGA Tour's developmental competition, the Gut Bissenmoor Classic at Bad Bramstedt - but did improve by seven shots with a two-over-par 73 for a tally of 153.

Kiloh, pictured, had six birdies in his second round (first, seventh, ninth, 14th, 17th and 18th, but a triple bogey 7 at the 15th after a double bogey 5 at the short 11th scuppered his qualifying hopes.

Stablemate Philip McLean from Peterhead retired after his first-round 76.

Germany's Sebastian Heisele leads by one with a 10-under-par total of 132 (68-64).
Compatriot Julian Kunzenbacher is lying second on 133 (65-68).

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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ends

SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHP, AUGUST 30-31

 HOSTED BY BRUNTSFIELD LINKS GOLFING SOCIETY
 72-hole SGU ORDER OF MERIT EVENT

DRAW FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST  0

7.00 and  12.00
Craig Deerness (Harburn), Benn McLeod (Musselburgh), George Thomson (Gullane)
7.09 and 12.09 
 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), Keith Reilly (Silverknowes), Paul Reilly (Kilmacolm) 
7.18 and 12.18 
Connor Syme (Drumoig), Cameron Hay (Bruntsfield Links), Antony Blaney (Liberton)
7.27 and 12.27
Tom Caldwell (Silverknowes) Ryan Boyle (Bathgate) Mike Gray (North Berwick)
7.36 and 12.36
Simon Lockhart (Bathgate), Jordyn Rhind (Kingsfield), Mark Napier (Turnhouse)
7.45 and 12.45 
Lewis Bain (Turnhouse), Richard Gill (Tantallon), Alan Anderson (Bruntsfield Links) 
7.54 and 12.54 
Sean Heads (Hexham), Myles Johnston (West Lothian), Iain Melville (Glencorse)
8.05 and 13.05  
Will Robson (Bellingham), Steven Scott (Mortonhall), Jackson Berry (Torwoodlee)
8.16 and 13.16 
Craig Howie (Peebles),  Scott Gibson (Southerness), Duncan Cairnie (Carnoustie Caledonia)
8.25 and 13.25
Jamie Lamb (Lanark), Alan Sutherland (Ladybank), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon)
8.34 and 13.34 
Kevin Duncan (Cruden Bay), David Miller (Duddingston), Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar)
8.43 and 13.43 Scott McClory (Bathgate), Conor Gask (Letchworth),  Scott Stewart-Cation (Leven Thistle)
8.52 and 13.52 
 Daniel Kay (Dunbar), Alex Moir (Thornton), Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)
9.00 and 14.00
Sean McGarvey (Dunbar), Keiran Cantly (Liberton), Nicholas Peoples (Tantallon) 
9.12 and 14.12 
Auster Hain (St Andrews), Gary Wright (Bonnybridge), Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
9.21 and 14.21 
Steven Rennie (Drumpellier), Steven Aitken (Leven GS),  James Wilson (Balmore)
9.30 and 14. 30 
Andrew Davidson (Charleton), Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten), Jake Hogg (St Andrews New)
9.39 and 14.39 
Kyle Godsman (Moray), Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs), Chris Maclean (Balmore)
9.48 and 14.48 
Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen), Sean Walter (West Linton), Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran)
9.57 and 14.57 
Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry), Greg Marchbank (Thornhill), Tom Watson (S Africa)
10.06 and 15.06
 John Yuille (Royal Burgess), Euan Bowden (Tantallon), Jack Valentine (Musselburgh)
10.18 and 15.18  
Craig Chalmers (Cawder), Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle), Lewis Bain (Musselburgh)
10.27 and 15.27
Fraser Davren (Williamwood), Calum Burgess (Musselburgh), Alastair Thurlow (Murrayfield) 
10.36 and 15.36
John Duff (Newmachar), Stuart McLaren (Bruntsfield Links), Mike Howard (Royal Birkdale)
10.48 and 15.48
 Jeff Wright (Forres), Angus Carrick (Douglas Park), Blair Carnegie (Glenbervie)
10.57 and 15.57 
Kenny Gunnyeon (Murcar Links), Conor Farrell (Longniddry), Steven Smith (Deeside)
11.06 and 16.06 
David Watson (Murrayshall), Greg O’Neil (Dullatur), Paul Dorrian (Greenock)

GREIG'S BEST BUT IT MAY NOT BE A RECORD

HUTCH THINKS THAT COLIN GILLIES WON 

MORE THAN HIS NINE IN ONE SEASON


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
 Greig Hutcheon continues to dominate the PGA in Scotland season. His play-off win over Robert Arnott at Cawder yesterday was his ninth of the domestic season.

We asked "Hutch" (pictured right)  if that was a record, personal or Tartan Tour as a whole, and to look back on the exciting finish.

 
 "It certainly was a exciting finish with Robert Arnott and myself both getting in difficulties down the last hole of the 36-hole event," E-mailed the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player. 
"Cawder's 18th has a huge drop in elevation plus a stiff breeze coming across the hole and at just under 200yds in length it made for a testy finish. 
"A huge thanks must go to Scott Bisset from Clyde Scaffolding Ltd for supporting a new event around two of Glasgow's great courses. Hayston GC was the Day 1 venue. 
"As for my ninth win being a record I'm not sure about that. I am pretty certain that Colin Ghilles was winning more than that in a season a while back."
GREIG HUTCHEON

Editor's Note: We've sent a note to Colin Gillies (pictured right), asking him if he can remember how many wins he had in one season when he was a his peak.
Colin has since replied and says he never won nine 
Tartan Tour events in a season but he thinks that the late Adam Hunter would have won more than nine in a season at his peak.
We have now asked for the PGA Scotland HQ at Gleneagles to consult their records and see if they can settle it.