OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS REPORT, SCORES

RAMSAY LEADS BY ONE AT 12 UNDER

BUT DONALDSON IS ON HIS TAIL 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay set an imposing target of 12 under par at the midway stage of the Omega European Masters, but the 2012 champion has Jamie Donaldson breathing down his neck after the in-form Welshman carded a superb round of 64 at the Swiss venue.
Donaldson, seeking successive victories after his triumph in the Czech Republic two weeks ago, is one shot behind Ramsay at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, with American Brooks Koepka and England’s Graeme Storm a further stroke adrift on ten under par. 
Ramsay was soon back among the birdies on day two in Crans Montana, picking up shots at the 15th and 16th holes – having started on the tenth tee – to  reach the turn in 32.
After another birdie on the par five first – a hole he eagled in the first round – the 31 year old from Aberdeen dropped his first shot of the week on the testing fourth hole.
Ramsay then birdied the fifth hole before driving the green on the short seventh to set up an eagle chance, and whilst he was unable to take it a tap-in birdie meant a round of 66 and a 128 aggregate total.
For much of the afternoon the World Number 177 appeared destined to carry a two-stroke lead into the weekend, only for Donaldson to notch seven birdies – including four in a row from the seventh hole – in a stunning display which moved the Ryder Cup rookie to 11 under par.

Key quotes:

Richie Ramsay
“It’s never nice to make a bogey but four is a very difficult hole – I don’t think there will be too many birdies there today. And it was great to get the shot straight back, because that settled me down again. 
“Today was a little bit tougher especially on the back nine, where some of the pins were very tricky. The rain made life a bit trickier and the temperature also dropped, which made distance control difficult. So it was definitely harder than yesterday, but I stayed steady and my attitude was spot on again so overall it was another good day’s work.”

Jamie Donaldson
“I played well again today, especially on the front nine. I probably could’ve gone one or two shots lower today, but us golfers always say that! Overall, I’ve got to be very happy with the way I played and the position I’m in.
“There are definitely birdies to be had out there, but you have to play really aggressively and then you run the risk of getting yourself into trouble. It’s a very fair course, but it’s also a real test in places so you have to stay patient and not go too gung ho.”
  
QUALIFIERS
Par 140 (2x70)
128 R Ramsay  (Sco) 62 66
129 J Donaldson (Wal) 65 64
130 G Storm  (Eng) 64 66, B Koepka  (USA) 65 65
131 D Lipsky (USA) 67 64, G Maybin (Nir) 64 67, S Lowry  (Irl) 66 65
132 T Fleetwood  (Eng) 64 68, E Molinari  (Ita) 62 70, S Benson (Eng) 65 67, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 65 67, M Warren (Sco) 69 63
133 R Derksen (Ned) 66 67, T Hatton (Eng) 67 66, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 65, D Lynn (Eng) 65 68, M Hoey  (Nir) 65 68.
134 R Jacquelin (Fra) 65 69, E Grillo (Arg) 66 68, P Hanson (Swe) 66 68, B Rumford (Aus) 69 65, W Ormsby (Aus) 67 67, F Aguilar (Chi) 66 68
135 M Nixon (Eng) 66 69, R Green (Aus) 71 64, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 68 67, J Morrison  (Eng) 66 69, J Quesne  (Fra) 69 66
136 A Saddier (Fra) 69 67, R Karlberg  (Swe) 68 68, J McLeary  (Sco) 66 70, L Slattery (Eng) 68 68, S Hansen (Den) 69 67, C Nirat (Tha) 66 70, M Baldwin (Eng) 68 68, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 66 70, C Lee (Sco) 66 70
137 J Randhawa (Ind) 72 65, G Stal  (Fra) 71 66, A Lahiri (Ind) 70 67, R Wattel  (Fra) 68 69, R Santos  (Por) 67 70, H Otto (RSA) 68 69, P Harrington (Irl) 66 71, D Willett  (Eng) 67 70, G Havret  (Fra) 68 69, M Foster (Eng) 69 68, A Quiros  (Esp) 69 68
138 P Lawrie (Sco) 70 68, M Rominger  (Sui) 68 70, A Hansen (Den) 67 71, F Calmels  (Fra) 70 68, T Olesen (Den) 69 69, N Elvira  (Esp) 70 68, M Lundberg (Swe) 67 71, R Gonzalez (Arg) 70 68, A Otaegui  (Esp) 68 70, R Rock (Eng) 69 69, J Walters (RSA) 70 68, T Björn (Den) 66 72, S Kim (SKor) 72 66, M Crespi  (Ita) 69 69, A Da Silva (Bra) 73 65
139 P Meesawat  (Tha) 66 73, J Carlsson (Swe) 70 69, R Gangjee (Ind) 72 67, J Jeong (SKor) 71 68, D Drysdale (Sco) 66 73, J Lima  (Por) 71 68, J Knutzon (USA) 70 69, P Lawrie (Irl) 69 70, M Madsen  (Den) 70 69, P Uihlein  (USA) 72 67, R Bland (Eng) 70 69, S Jamieson  (Sco) 70 69, B Seuk-Hyun (SKor) 69 70, J Hansen  (Den) 72 67, M Manassero (Ita) 68 71, B Dredge (Wal) 70 69, J Parry (Eng) 71 68, M Ilonen  (Fin) 73 66, D Howell (Eng) 69 70

MISSED THE CUT
 140 A Levy (Fra) 71 69, J Granberg  (Fin) 73 67, C Doak (Sco) 69 71, M Jiménez (Esp) 70 70, A Sullivan (Eng) 67 73, P Waring  (Eng) 71 69, G Coetzee (RSA) 74 66, D Clarke (Nir) 74 66, S Kjeldsen (Den) 70 70, V Riu  (Fra) 71 69,
 141 C Wood  (Eng) 70 71, R Fisher (Eng) 70 71, D Brooks (Eng) 68 73, R Kakko  (Fin) 71 70, P Larrazábal (Esp) 71 70, S Kapur (Ind) 74 67, C Pigem (Esp) 69 72, M Perera (Sri) 69 72,
 142 M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 73 69, M Kawamura (Jpn) 68 74, M Kieffer (Ger) 71 71, K Broberg (Swe) 70 72, M Carlsson  (Swe) 71 71, J Olazábal (Esp) 70 72, T Pieters  (Bel) 70 72, S Strüver (Ger) 73 69, J Campillo (Esp) 68 74, D Ulrich (Sui) 68 74
 143 R Karlsson (Swe) 70 73, N Fasth (Swe) 71 72, K Gi-Whan (SKor) 71 72, D Huizing (Ned) 72 71, M Lampert (Ger) 69 74, T Aiken (RSA) 69 74,
 144 G Bhullar (Ind) 73 71, D Singh (Ind) 71 73, F Zanotti (Par) 74 70, G Bourdy (Fra) 73 71, D Fichardt (RSA) 73 71
 145 M Mamat (Sin) 74 71, A Que (Phi) 73 72, T Levet (Fra) 71 74, S Thornton (Irl) 73 72, A Pavan (Ita) 68 77, R De Sousa (Sui) 72 73, J Kruger (RSA) 72 73, J Singh (Ind) 72 73, J Girrbach (am) (Sui) 72 73,
 146 A Wall (Eng) 70 76, K Pratt (Aus) 69 77, E De La Riva  (Esp) 73 73, A Hartø  (Den) 72 74, S Manley (Wal) 73 73
 147 C Del Moral (Esp) 75 72, B Henson (USA) 73 74, S Chowrasia (Ind) 75 72, P Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 73 74, M Both (Aus) 68 79, F Campigli (am) (Ita) 68 79
 149 D Foos (Ger) 76 73
 150 A Vongvanij (Tha) 74 76, M Grönberg (Swe) 73 77, F Zucchetti (am) (Ita) 76 74,
 151 M Quiros (Esp) 79 72, R Lacerda Soares  (am) (Bra) 78 73
 154 F Svanberg  (Sui) 79 75
 155 J Lucquin (Fra) 78 77
 169 E Amacher (am) (Sui) 88 81
Retired or withdrew: S Rahman (Ban) 75 , S Webster (Eng) 70, R Lee (Can) 78, T Wiratchant (Tha) 76, M Siem  (Ger) 74, R Khan  (Ind) 72



EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT IN FRANCE REPORT, SCORES

DAVID LAW LYING JOINT SEVENTH
 
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
 Ross McGowan stormed into the lead at the Open Blue Green Cotes d`Armor Bretagne with a brilliant second round of eight under par 62.
The Englishman could have been forgiven a dizzying sense of déjà vu as he compiled the best scOre of the week so far at the Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, having shot a second round 62 there in 2007 – the year he eventually lost the tournament in a sudden-death play-off to former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker.
In the seven intervening years, McGowan has experienced the extreme highs and lows that only a top-level professional golfer can endure – from European Tour victories, appearances in Major and World Golf Championships to the plague of injuries that played a huge part in his return to the Challenge Tour.
But, as is often the case in the professional game, the old sporting adage that form is temporary and class is permanent can be applied to McGowan, whose outstanding ball striking and distance control were very much to the fore during his second round performance.
Eight birdies and not a single dropped shot saw the 32 year old rampage up the leaderboard and post a halfway score of 11 under to establish a two-stroke lead over compatriot Dave Coupland, with Frenchman Benjamin Hebert flying the French flag with pride alongside England’s Paul Dwyer on eight under.
“That was pretty good,” smiled an ever-modest McGowan. “I played well today and managed to roll a few of the birdie putts in today which is always the difference at this level.
“The conditions were great again today so there was always going to be a few low ones out there. It feels pretty good at the moment and even though my results haven’t been great recently I have been playing quite well.
“It’s always nice to go low and this is a golf course that I like. I shot 62 here seven years ago when I eventually lost the play-off to Peter Baker so I have a lot of good memories of this place and that always helps your confidence.”
Aberdeen's David Law is lying joint seventh on134 (67-67), only five off the lead.
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
129 R McGowan  (Eng) 67 62
131 D Coupland (Eng) 64 67
132 P Dwyer (Eng) 67 65; B Hebert  (Fra) 66 66;
133 M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 68 65; C Ford (Eng) 68 65
134 E Johansen  (Nor) 67 67; J Winther (Den) 67 67; D Perrier (Fra) 66 68; H Joannes  (Bel) 64 70; D Law (Sco) 66 68; R Coles (Eng) 68 66; J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 69 65;
135 M Ford (Eng) 69 66; N Quintarelli (Ita) 66 69; P Maddy (Eng) 68 67; O Farr (Wal) 66 69;
136 D Vancsik (Arg) 70 66; R McEvoy  (Eng) 70 66; J Sjöholm (Swe) 67 69; B Evans  (Eng) 63 73; M Tullo (Chi) 66 70; N Joakimides (Fra) 69 67; A McArthur  (Sco) 67 69; A Hortal  (Esp) 67 69; J Roos (RSA) 66 70; E Espana (Fra) 68 68; J Edfors (Swe) 67 69; C Hanson (Eng) 68 68; J Senior (Eng) 68 68;
137 P Figueiredo  (Por) 70 67; D Kemmer (USA) 66 71; L Nemecz (Aut) 66 71; J Doherty  (Sco) 64 73; A Tadini (Ita) 68 69; C Aguilar  (Esp) 68 69; M Haines  (Eng) 68 69;
138 A Velasco (Esp) 69 69; R Gouveia (Por) 64 74; A Dunbar (Nir) 68 70; R Russell (Sco) 70 68; G Shaw (Nir) 67 71; B Stone (RSA) 65 73; L Jensen (Den) 74 64; J Elson  (Eng) 68 70; D Antonelli (Fra) 69 69; M Trappel  (Aut) 71 67; J Stalter (Fra) 66 72;
139 J Rask (Swe) 69 70; S Arnold  (Aus) 68 71; A Bernadet  (Fra) 70 69; S Gros (Fra) 70 69; J Fahrbring (Swe) 72 67; J Palmer (Eng) 68 71; A Marshall (Eng) 69 70; N Johansson (Swe) 70 69; M Delpodio  (Ita) 70 69; M Rocchi  (Fra) 71 68; R Langasque (am) (Fra) 71 68;
140 D Bobrowski (Fra) 69 71; P Relecom  (Bel) 68 72; G Woolgar (Eng) 67 73; T Lawrence (RSA) 70 70; C Brazillier  (Fra) 69 71; D Gavins (Eng) 72 68; R Davies (Wal) 69 71; P Couvert (Fra) 69 71; C Arendell (USA) 71 69; L Kennedy  (Eng) 71 69; K Subregis (am) (Fra) 74 66
MISSED THE CUT
141 J Garcia Del Moral (Esp) 66 75; D Frittelli (RSA) 72 69; M Lafeber (Ned) 69 72; B Åkesson (Swe) 69 72; A Domingo (Esp) 67 74; T Linard (Fra) 70 71; N Lemke (Swe) 68 73; O Wilson (Eng) 70 71; A Björk (Swe) 68 73; E Larrañaga (Esp) 71 70;
142 J Guerrier  (Fra) 70 72; S Hutsby  (Eng) 72 70; T Remkes (Ned) 72 70; B An (SKor) 71 71; G Cambis  (Fra) 71 71; W Booth  (Sco) 70 72; A Snobeck  (Fra) 69 73; G Lockerbie  (Eng) 70 72; P Erofejeff (Fin) 69 73; C Mivis  (Bel) 69 73; O Stark (Swe) 70 72; M Wiegele  (Aut) 70 72;
143 R Steiner (Aut) 71 72; Z Scotland  (Eng) 72 71; M Orrin (Eng) 75 68; J Lagergren (Swe) 71 72; T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 73 70; F Fritsch  (Ger) 67 76;
144 L Goddard  (Eng) 71 73; D Stewart (Sco) 71 73; P McKechnie (Sco) 70 74; S Henry  (Sco) 72 72; S Casabona-Navarro (Esp) 75 69; W Harrold (Eng) 68 76; S Fallon (Eng) 70 74; C Tortuyaux (Fra) 73 71; S Little (Eng) 72 72; J Gandon (am) (Fra) 68 76;
145 J Foret (Fra) 74 71; R Whitson (Nir) 70 75; C Bouniol (Fra) 71 74; C Russo (Fra) 72 73; F Adarraga (Esp) 73 72; A Schwartz (Fra) 71 74; J Grillon  (Fra) 69 76; J Legarrea (Esp) 67 78
146 K Benz (Sui) 67 79; J Sarasti  (Esp) 73 73; J Huldahl (Den) 75 71; R Kind (Ned) 75 71; A Rota (Ita) 78 68; L Bem (am) (Fra) 74 72;
147 J Adarraga Gomez  (Esp) 73 74; M Carroll (USA) 70 77; R Schneider (Fra) 77 70; F Delamontagne  (Fra) 74 73; N Ravano (Ita) 75 72; C Garrido (Esp) 69 78; J Gressier (Fra) 70 77
148 P Edberg (Swe) 76 72; G Boyd  (Eng) 74 74; M Decottignies-Lafon (Fra) 75 73; T Lee (USA) 76 72; O Rozner  (Fra) 72 76; J Gonnet  (Fra) 71 77; R McGee (Irl) 72 76
149 J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 74 75; K Le Sager  (Fra) 73 76; A Bihan (Fra) 73 76; G Leriche (Fra) 73 76; N Kimsey (Eng) 74 75;
150 L Claverie (Esp) 75 75; A Knappe (Ger) 79 71; B Chapellan (Fra) 75 75; S Dumez (am) (Fra) 78 72
151 F Becker (Ger) 79 72; P Peracino (Fra) 70 81; C Batut (Fra) 78 73152 C Rameaux (Fra) 72 80; F Abadie (Fra) 77 75
154 C Gonzalez (Esp) 78 76
156 J Rodallec (Fra) 75 81
163 C Menut  (Fra) 83 80
** B Parker  (Eng) 67 WD; F Bergamaschi (Ita) 65 RT; L Gagli  (Ita) 73 WD

-
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

MONTY TIED FOR FIFTH AT END OF DAY 1 IN MOSCOW

FARRY LEADS BY TWO IN RUSSIAN 


SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Marc Farry carded a flawless seven-under-par 65 to storm into a two-shot lead at seven under par after the first round of the Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) at Moscow Country Club.
The 55 year old Frenchman hit 17 greens in regulation round the testing Robert Trent Jones Jnr lay-out to go into the second round two shots ahead of Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin/
England’s Phil Golding and Steen Tinning of Denmark are a further shot adrift at four under.
Colin Montgomerie began his quest for a fourth European Senior Tour title of the season with a three under par 69 that left him in a tie for fifth place alongside Paraguay’s Angel Franco
Leading the way, Farry opened his round with a birdie from six feet on the 327yd par four first before gaining another shot at the short eighth thanks to a pin point six iron, following a string of pars.
The man from Lamorlaye made five further gains in his opening round, four of which came from within eight feet on the 10th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes, before he finished with a flourish, thanks to a 20-footer at the last for a seventh birdie of the day.
“I have been working hard on my wedge shots from 80 yards and in and it paid off today,” he said. “I hit a lot of approaches close and I might even have scored lower because I missed from six feet on the seventh and from around ten feet on the 12th.
Montgomerie arrived in Moscow as the clear favourite after winning his third title of the season at last weekend’s Travis Perkins Masters at Woburn, and he could still be the man to beat after an opening 69, which would have been better but for a closing bogey after finding sand from the tee.
“It was a disappointing way to finish,” admitted the victorious 2010 Ryder Cup Captain. “I’d describe it as one of those days when not much happened. I hit a lot of good shots but I couldn’t get the putts to drop. But I’m still in a pretty good position despite that dropped shot at the end.”
The best shot of the first round came from recent SSE Scottish Senior Open champion Mark Davis who had a hole in one with a five iron on the 193 yard par four eight hole. He also birdied the ninth to go out in 32 but four dropped shots on the back nine saw him finish in a share of 20th place after he signed for a level par 72. 
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
65 M Farry (Fra)
67 M Martin (Esp)
68 P Golding (Eng) , S Tinning (Den) 
69 A Franco (Par) , C Montgomerie  (Sco)
70 T Thelen (USA) , A Sherborne (Eng) , C Williams (RSA) , J Remesy (Fra)
71 P Wesselingh (Eng) , G Brand Jnr (Sco) , S Luna (Esp) , B Cameron (Eng) , G Manson (Aut) , D O'Sullivan (Irl) , B Ruangkit (Tha) , G Rusnak (USA) , W Grant (Eng)
72 M Cunning (USA) , C Mason (Eng) , A Oldcorn (Sco) , P Eales (Eng) , B Conser (USA) , M Davis (Eng) , C Monasterio (Arg)
73 J Bruner (USA) , S Van Vuuren (RSA) , T Price (Aus) , R Drummond (Sco) , R Gibson (Can) , L Carbonetti (Arg) , J Berendt (Arg) , R Rafferty (Nir) , M McLean (Eng) , A Bossert (Sui) , J Quiros (Esp) , B Lane (Eng) , N Ratcliffe (Aus)
74 G Wolstenholme (Eng) , H Carbonetti (Arg) , B Marchbank (Sco) , N Job (Eng) , S Cipa (Eng) , G Ryall (Eng) , E Romero (Arg) , G Brand (Eng) , B Longmuir (Sco) , M Harwood (Aus) , P Linhart (Esp) , R Thompson (USA) , B Lincoln (RSA) ,
75 A Murray (Eng) , P Fowler (Aus) , P Walton (Irl)
76 J Smith (USA) , S Brown (Eng) , K Spurgeon (Eng) , H Buhrmann (RSA) , S McAllister (Sco) , J Gould (Eng) , J Carriles (Esp)
77 J King (Eng) , D Hospital (Esp)
78 G Emerson (Eng) , P Jonas (Can)
79 M Mackenzie (Eng) , M Bianco (Ita)
80 G Joyner (Aus) , M Belsham (Eng)
81 A Garrido (Esp)
82 J Sallat (Fra)


EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

DEVELOPMENT PLANNED AT KERSEWELL ESTATE

CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE INCLUDED

 IN PLANS FOR FIVE-STAR LEISURE 

RESORT NEAR EDINBURGH

NEWS RELEASE

Owners of a major leisure and residential development in the heart of Scotland are now seeking interest from international resort hotel operators. 

The 500 acre Kersewell Estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh has received planners approval for a 240 bedroom, five-star hotel with leisure, spa and conference facilities alongside an 18-hole championship golf course and the first phase of 250 lakeside holiday chalets with potential for up to 700.

Scotland is crying out for a five star world class resort hotel and has been on the radar of several international operators for some time. 

Edinburgh is the UK’s largest international and domestic tourist destination outside London with hotels enjoying some of the highest occupancy levels in Europe.

Scotland is a favourite with international conference organisers but is limited in what it has to offer in terms of true international convention space. 

While Scotland enjoys a good level of corporate visitors, larger global companies looking to accommodate 200 or more delegates under one roof are limited in choice.

Given the Kersewell hotel scheme will incorporate a golf course, leisure facilities and substantial conference venues, it should prove attractive to anyone operating in the global conference arena. Another attraction is its close proximity to the capital and Edinburgh International airport.

The owners have not ruled out and outright sale of the developmernt and a full investment brochure is available by contacting Alexandra Hayward.

alex.hayward@debutesq.com

SENIOR SCOTS MEN LOSE IN EURO SEMI-FINAL

Scotland lost to top seeds Sweden in the semi-finals of the European senior men's amateur team championship at Sierra Golf Club, Poland today (Friday).

The Scots went down 3 1/2-1 1/2

Details (Swedish names first)

C Kinell and H Backstromg bt R Stewart and B Brooks 3 and 2.

T Persson bt I Brotherston 1 hole

B Backstedt bt J Fraser 2 and 1.

S Lindberg lost to D Gardner 4 and 3.

P Carstenius halved with M Reid

Sweden's opponents in the final will be Ireland who beat England 3-2.

Scotland will play England for third place on Saturday.

CLUBMATE PAUL SHIELDS GETS £7,500 FOR JT 2ND FINISH

KIRKHILL AMATEUR CRAIG ROSS WINS 

EUROPRO TOUR EVENT AT MAR HALL 

Craig Ross, an amateur member of Kirkhill Golf Club, Glasgow,  gave the  GB and I Walker Cup selectors a timely reminder about selection for the 2015 match with a brilliant display to beat a field of professionals to win the PGA EuroPro Tour 54-hole event today (Friday) over the Mar Hall course at Bishopton, near Glasgow.

Had he been a pro, Craig would have collected a £10,000 prize.

He shot a professional-standard total of 16-under-par 194 with rounds of 63, 67 and 64 for the par-70 course.

He was by three shots from Kirkhill clubmate Paul Shields (68-62-67) and Northern Ireland's Jonathan Caldwell (64-67=66) who each earned £7,500.

Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield) and Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) also made the final top 10.

Saltman shot 68, 65 and 69 for 201 and joint sixth place to earn £1,125.

Young, like Ross an amateur, finished joint 10th on 203 with rounds of 71, 67 and 65.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

par 210 (3x70)

194 C Ross (Kirkhill) (am) 63 67 64

197 J Caldwell (NIre) 64 67, 66, P Shields (Kirkhill) 68 62 67 (£7,500 each).

201 J Fraser (Pennard) 68 67 66, S Campbell (Hallowes) 68 66 67 (£2,100 each)

OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS

202 L Saltman (Archerfield) 68 65 69 (T6) (£1,125)

203 D Young (Craigie Hill) (am) 71 67 65 (T10)

204 J Henry (Clydebank and Dist) 67 67 70 (T13) (£675)

206 K Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC)_ 69 67 70, R Kellett (Kingsfield) 68 68 70 (T25) (£355 each).

207 N Fenwick (Dunbar) 72 66 69, S Crichton (Aberdour) 66 70 71, S Kiloh (Paul Lawrie GC) 69 66 72 (T30)  (£291 each)

210 P Robinson (Largs) 68 70 72, M Isaacs (Newmachar) 68 69 73 (T47) (£217 each)

211 C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 66 71 74 (T51) (£197)

JAMES WHITE FINISHES T22 IN ALPS TOUR EVENT IN ITALY

James White earned 564 Euros for a joint 22nd place finish in this week's Alps Tour 54-hole event in Italy, the Open La Pinetina Memorial at La Pinetina Golf Club.
The Fifer shot 71, 69 and 67 for a total of three-under-par 207 over the par-70 course.
Winner by a shot was Spain's Borja Virto with ronds of 65, 64 and 69 for 12-under 198. He won 5,800 euros.
  TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

WIN NUMBER 10 FOR GREIG, NUMBER ONE FOR GAVIN

HUTCHEON AND HAY TIE FOR VICTORY

WITH 68s AT VERY WET ELGIN


Greig Hutcheon  scored his 10th win of the Tartan Tour season in today's Elgin Golf Club pro-am but the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre man had to share the spotlight with Nairn Dunbar's Gavin Hay.
Both shot one-under-par 68s on a very wet course - tournament director Glen McPhee helped the greenstaff squeejee the greens for the best part of 90min so that play could start at 9am. 
Hay won the Scottish young professionals' championship earlier this season but this was his first victory - albeit shared - in a full-scale pro-am on the PGA in Scotland circuit.
Hutcheon, who has a phenomenal record in pro-ams in his native North-east, was scoring his third win in this event in the past four years. He scored at Elgin in 2011, again in 2013 and now, 12 months later.
Greig said later:
"The weather was tough at Elgin today with persistent rain throughout the round. All credit to the green staff for clearing greens and keeping the tournament going .
"The course was in fantastic condition. A double bogey at the sixth after a birdie at five halted me. Although birdies at 12,13 and 15 got things going until the tough 18 took another shot back."
Hay and Hutcheon, who each earned £807,  finished a shot ahead of the third placed former PGA Cup player, Craig Mathison (Falkirk Tryst) who had a par-matching 69 to earn £538.
Kemnay club pro David Brown led the Norco Group trio of amateurs, Walter Tombelson, Dave Ewan and Ian Gauld to victory with a net team score of 59. They all played off 18.
Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) and the Elgin 2 team also had a score of 59 but lost out in a card play-off.

PRO SCORES

Par 69
68 Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre), Gavin Hay (Nairn Dunbar) (£807 each).
69 Craig Mathison (Falkirk Tryst) (£538)
70 Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Kenny Hutton (Downfield), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) (£331 each)
71 Stephen Gray (Hayston), Lee Vannet (Craibstone) (£215 each)

REST OF SCORES
72 P Brookes (Pitreavie), A Cooper (Newmachar) (£161 each)
73 A Duncan (Moray), G Brown (Montrose Links), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), R McConnachie (Peterculter) (£121 each)
74 C Brown (Carrick on Loch Lomond) (£98)
75 J Lomas (Caprington) (£90)
76 I Stoddart (Uphall) (£80)
77 M McAllan (Elgin) (£71)
79 D Brown (Kemnay) (£63)
80 D Thomson (Carnegie Club) (£56)
81 R Mackenzie-Smith (Carnegie Club)
83 R Harrower (Boat of Garten) 

LEADING PRO-AM TEAMS
Net totals 59 David Brown (Kemnay) and Norco Group Ltd team  (first on countback)
59 Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) and Elgin 2 team

PGA IN SCOTLAND NEWS RELEASE - TEE TIMES AT ROYAL DORNOCH

 Sandy Pipey Young Masters

21/09/2014

 Tee  Time      Name

  1   8:00 am   Sean Fay, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
                Chris Brown, Carrick on Loch Lomond

  1   8:09 am   Richard Mackenzie-Smith, Carnegie Club
                Christopher McManus, Kilmarnock (Barassie)Golf Club

  1   8:18 am  Callum Fountain, Buchanan Castle Golf Club
                Mark Penny, Montrose Golf Links Ltd.

  1   8:27 AM   Andrew Hutchison, Douglas Park Golf Club
                Iain McNab, Dundonald Links

  1   8:36 AM   Tom Dingwall, Kemnay Golf Club
                Craig Armstrong, Burntisland Golf Club
                Ian Anderson, Colville Park Golf Club

  1   8:45 AM   Gavin Hay, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
                Cameron Farrell, Cardross Golf Club
                Jordan Gallagher, Douglas Park Golf Club

  1   8:54 AM   Jamie Fraser, Renaissance Club
                Colin Robinson, Elie Sports Centre
                Ross Munro, Duddingston Golf Club

  1   9:03 AM   Robert King, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                Callum Beveridge, West Kilbride Golf Club
                Fraser Rummins, Canmore Golf Club

  1   9:12 AM   Ross McConnachie, Peterculter Golf Club
                Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club
                Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club

  1   9:21 AM   Palmer Mitchell, Stirling Golf Club
                Stuart Milne, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Andrew Burns, Bothwell Castle Golf Club

  1   9:35 AM   Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club
                Paul O'Hara, Clydeway Golf
                Oliver Huish, North Berwick Golf Club

  1   9:44 AM   Fraser Thomson, Turnberry Hotel
                Robert Rushford, Glenbervie Golf Club
                Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club

  1   9:53 AM   Rodger Clarke, Gamola Golf
                Gordon Hillson, Dunbar Golf Club
                Murray Patterson, Cruden Bay Golf Club

  1   10:02 AM  Stephen Wilson, Greenock Golf Club
                Tim Poyser, Renaissance Club
                David Stein, Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

  1   10:11 AM  Sam Craigon, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Callum Nisbet, Dukes Course St Andrews
                Mark Thomson, Panmure Golf Club

  1   10:20 AM  Andrew Munro, Elie Sports Centre
                Michael Mackenzie, Edzell Golf Club
                Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel

  1   10:29 AM  Blair Harvey, Loudoun Castle Golf Range
                Gregor Wright, Ladybank Golf Club
                Iain Lowdean, Murrayfield Golf Club

  1   10:38 AM  Jamie Treasurer, Loch Ness Golf Club
                Kevin Moran, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Craig Goodwin, Duff House Royal Golf Club

  1   10:47 AM  Allan Todd, Prestwick Golf Club
                Kirstin Scott, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
                Fraser Robertson, Lundin Golf Club

  1   10:56 AM  Stewart Watters, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Colin Dick, Royal Burgess Golfing Society
                Lewis Burnett, Mearns Castle Golf Academy

  1   11:05 AM  Kamran Zeynalov, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre
                Richard Pickard, Loretto School Golf Academy
                David Lee

Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

SCOTTISH DISABLED GOLF AT MURRAYSHALL HOUSE HOTEL COURSES

 Left to right: James Hourigan (gross winner), Mick Horsely (gross runner-up), Pul Cunningham (nett winner), Billy Cairns (Stableford winner), Stevie Cunningham (nett runner-up), Trevor Crombie (Stableford runner-up). Centre is Tom Cavanagh from Sidey Ltd.

  NEWS RELEASE

The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership has just concluded its fourth Pan-Disability Open Golf Championship at the Murrayshall House Hotel and golf courses near Perth.

The SDGP Open, which was the first to be fully inclusive for the disabled, was played over the Murrayshall course over 54 holes and was won by James Hourigan of Ireland (gross) and Paul Cunningham of England (net) with Billy Cairns of Scotland taking the Stableford championship.

The Scottish Open trophy, which will remain in Scotland on display with other international trophies, in St Andrews, was sponsored by Sidey Windows Ltd of Perth. 

Jim Gales, secretary of the charity said, "Sidey Ltd have sponsored all the trophies this year and have done so since we began the Open back in 2008.  Along with other supporters like the Royal and  Ancient Golf Club and UK-wide Trusts, we have been able to provide a golf clinic for beginners and novices and subsidise everyone's attendance at the Open, so a special thanks must go to everyone who came good with support in these tricky financial times".

Stevie Cunningham, the charity's vice-chairman, said, "Richard Holt, the resident PGA professional at Murrayshall, and his team, provided a First Swing Clinic for some 30 beginners, novices and established disabled golfers on the opening day of the event.   

"Training and tuition was provided, with some fun elements, including a putting and chipping competition for youngsters.  Participants were also provided with equipment for the training and the chance to meet some of the Open and international players and have some golfing fun with them".

Leading results at the three-day competition were:

Overall net winners:

1 Paul Cunningham (England),  2 Steven Cunningham (Scotland). 

Overall gross winners:

1 James Hourigan (Ireland),  2 Mick Horsley (England).

Overall Stableford winners:

1 Billy Cairns (Scotland.), 2 Trevor Crombie (Scotland).

 

 

THREE ABERDEEN LINKS CLUBS VOTE TO AMALGAMATE

The three Aberdeen golf clubs based at the Kings Links - Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern - have, at separate EGMS, voted to amalgamate and become the Kings Links Golf Club.

Full story later.

LATE BOGEYS COST McILROY OUTRIGHT LEAD IN DENVER

SHARING LEAD WITH SPIETH AND WOODLAND

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Two late bogeys saw Rory McIlroy slip back into a share of the lead after round one of the BMW Championship at Denver as he chases a first FedEx Cup title.
The world number one came into the third leg of the four-tournament play-off series sitting second in the overall standings and led in Colorado on five under after 15 holes.
But dropped shots on two of his last three saw the Northern Irishman record a 67 and drop back into a share of top spot alongside Jordan Spieth and Gary Woodland.
"You can see by the scores it's pretty tricky out there," he said. "Low scores aren't really too easy to come by so 67 is still a good start even though it could have been a bit better.
"The fairways are firm so even when you're hitting irons and fairway-woods off the tees they're running out and through fairways and into the rough and the rough is thick.
"Then the greens are so firm, the greens have got so much firmer over the past 24 hours and it's really made a huge difference."
Beginning his round on the 10th, McIlroy picked up shots on 12 and 17 and a run of three birdies from the first to the third put him in the driving seat before his two late bogeys brought him back to the pack.
The top 30 in the FedEx Cup rankings after this weekend at Cherry Hills Village will advance to next week's Tour Championship where the points will be reset so every player has a chance of claiming the 10million US dollar (£6.1million) bonus.
And after day one, while the positions within that top 30 had provisionally altered, no player from outside that group was on target to break in, although nine players were still on the course when play was stopped due to risk of electrical activity.
Woodland enjoyed a steady round as he registered four birdies and a bogey while Spieth was a touch more erratic with three blemishes on his card countered by six birdies.
A group of nine players sat a single shot off the lead including McIlroy’s European Ryder Cup team-mates Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson - who was coming up 18 when the horn sounded to end play.
Justin Rose was in a group a further shot back with Ernie Els, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson all level par.

GULLANE ARE EAST LOTHIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONS

 

  The Gullane team for the final match, proudly displaying the Ben Sayers Trophy, are: Left to right -  Joanne Free, James Chalmers, Captain Oliver Ladbrooke, Andrew Ni, Graeme Chalmers, William Ladbrooke. 

By David Warren, League Secretary

Gullane Juniors, who are already holders of the Team Scratch Stroke-play title, are the East Lothian Junior Golf League Champions for 2014.

In the final match at The Glen, they defeated a strong Tantallon team 6 - 1. 

The Glen was in excellent condition, the weather was wonderful, the generous hospitality of the club and the superb carvery they laid on for the players, altogether made for a wonderful ending to the League season. The League would thank The Glen, especially Junior Convener John Lunn, for making all the arrangements.

This win ensured that Gullane won their fourth League title in the last eight years - following on from the good work done by former junior conveners Gordon Swan and Iain McLean, present conveners Martin Black and Gail Chalmers (Mum of two of the team) and keen supporter Ian Ladbrooke (Dad of two of the team) have built a strong team and managed them well through a tough season, during which they lost only two matches, to both The Glen and to Dunbar. Gullane won seven matches out of nine and finished strongly by winning their last two against contenders Kilspindie and Tantallon.   

They held off a strong challenge by The Glen who won 7-0 against Haddington, to finish in 2nd place. Kilspindie and Dunbar finished third and fourth.

Gullane, The Glen and Kilspindie all now proceed to the Scottish semi-finals of the Junior Team Golf (JTG) Championships, which will be held over the next two  weekends at Alyth, Scotscraig and Downfield. 

The Teams have a chance to progress to the Scottish Final which will be held at Kingsbarns in October when the winners will progress to the JTG Finals in Spain next year.  The League wishes them well.

A new format - four-ball, better-ball matches off 3/4 handicap - was trialled this year, to give clubs having mainly younger players with higher handicaps, a chance to play and compete. 

The Gullane Team fielded both low and high handicap players at times, and their team, unusually, comprised two sets of brothers, the Ladbrookes and the Chalmers. Joanne Free, who represented Scotland in the Junior Home Internationals this year, and Andrew Ni, who has represented the Lothians at county uniors level, also played in the final match. 

Other players who played for the Gullane team this season (with handicaps at that time) are Daniel Darrie (14) , Keiran Wyness (9), Cameron Blair, Calum Black (20), James Clark (17), Archie Wilson (20), Gregor Griffiths (22), Jack Pearson (24), and David Neden (7), thus proving their strength in depth! Many of these younger players will be challenging for regular places next year!

The Gullane team (and handicaps) for the final match: Joanne Free (5), James Chalmers (14), Captain Oliver Ladbrooke (6), Andrew Ni (3), Graeme Chalmers (12), William Ladbrooke (11).