SOMERSET PLAYER SHOOTS 11-UNDER 131 TO CLAIM 2,000 EUROS PRIZE3

DAVID DIXON IS FIRST WINNER ON 

NEW ALGARVE PRO TOUR 

David Dixon (37) from Bridgwater, Somerset is the first winner on the new, 15-event Algarve Pro Tour.
At the Alamos course, near Portimao, today, Dixon, pictured below, who won the

2009 Saint-Omer Open on the European Tour and ws leading amateur in the 2001 Open, shot rounds of 66 and 65 for 11-under-par 131 to win the 2,000 euros first prize by three strokes from two other Englishmen who tied for second place - Harry Casey (71-63) and James Maw (69-65), both on 131.
They earned 1,125 euros each.
It was an English 1-2-3-4 as Will Roebuck earned 800 euros for fourth place on 135 (68-67).
Only two Scots in the field of 40 - both these numbers will increase as the 15-event schedule becomes better known within the golfing fraternity
Ted Innes-Ker finished T10 on 141 (71-70) while Mark Hillson slumped to T21 on 144 with rounds of 68 and 76.
The second Algarve Pro Tour event is on Monday-Tuesday at Espiche Golf Club near the town of Lagos.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AND FIND OUT
MORE ABOUT THE ALGARVE PRO TOUR

CLICK HERE

GORDON GIRDLER IS FIFE GOLFER OF THE WEEK

The My Golf Ranking Fife Golfer of the Week is Gordon Girdler of Leven Golfing Society, who has ascended to the Top 10 of the MGR Fife Men’s Ranking for the first time at Number 10.

The Fife Club of the Week is Dunfermline Golf Club with three players in the Top 20 of the MGR Fife Men’s Club Rankings, including two in the Top 5 – Ryan Brown and Steve Merrett.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Men, Week 2014/44

1 Colin Campbell (Aberdour) 1317 points,

2 Ryan Brown (Dunfermline) 1156,

3 Barry Logan (Dunnikier Park) 1117,

4 Steve Merrett (Dunfermline) 1111,

5 Gary Sharp (St Andrews GC) 1110,

6 Paul Hobbin (Balbirnie Park) 1092,

7= Ross Burnett (Scotscraig) 1058, Michael Henderson (St Andrews GC) 1058,

9 Steve Elias (Thornton) 1040,

10 *Gordon Girdler (Leven GS) 1036,

11 Remi Passiatore (Dunfermline) 1021,

12 Paul Manderson (Forrester Park) 997,

13 Paul Meikle (Dunnikier Park) 991,

14 Robbie MacMillan (Elmwood) 984,

15 Jon Holguin (Burntisland GH) 981,

16 George Glen (Earlsferry Thistle) 975,

17 John Douglas (Leven Thistle) 971,

18 Paul Martin (Charleton) 969,

19 Marcus Rickard (Cupar) 965,

20 John Murray (Balbirnie Park) 963.

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Clubs, Week 2014/44

1 Dunfermline 947 points,

2 Dunnikier Park 869,

3 St Andrews GC 868,

4 Balbirnie Park 855,

5 Glenrothes 829,

6 Scotscraig 828,

7= Canmore 825, Kirkcaldy 825,

9 Aberdour 817,

10 Thornton 813,

11 Burntisland GH 808,

12 Forrester Park 803,

13 Ladybank 802,

14 Pitreavie 800,

15 Crail 787,

16 Cupar 783,

17 Leven Thistle 778,

18 Lundin 776,

19 *Leven GS 767,

20 St Andrews New 753.

* New entry this week

For up-to-date ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Regional, National and International Rankings and how it works, visit www.mygolfranking.net.

The MyGolfRanking service is free to clubs and members. Clubs wishing to participate should register on www.mygolfranking.net or email info@mygolfranking.net for information.

David Moir

MyGolfRanking

In League with Golf Ltd

 

STAGE 2 OF EUROPEAN Q SCHOOL

 WALLACE BOOTH SHARES LEAD AT

EL SALER AFTER 68 IN ROUND 2

On day two in Spain, it was a British assault at two of the four Second Stage of The European Tour Qualifying School events.
A quintet of Brits head up the leaderboard on three under par at Campo de Golf El Saler, while Englishman Sam Walker flew the Union Jack at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club, reaching 11 under par.
Walker, with the help of a hole in one, produced a course record eight under par 63 on day two at Las Colinas to amass a cumulative 11 under par score for the tournament and lead by one stroke ahead of his two compatriots, Richard McEvoy and Chris Paisley - both sat on ten under par.
Concurrently, amidst the toughest of scoring conditions, five British players on three under par - consisting of three Englishmen, a Welshman and a Scot – enjoy a one shot advantage at El Saler.
Chris Lloyd, James Ablett and Simon Griffiths of England all shot three under par 69s, while Welshman Garry Houston signed for a one under par 71 and the Scottish co-leader, Comrie's Wallace Booth, pictured below, notched an four under par 68.
Booth’s score was all the more impressive

considering the harsh conditions at an event where only ten men are the good side of par.
Meanwhile in the corresponding tournaments, Ricardo Gouveia got his Q School campaign going with a seven under par 64 at Lumine Golf and Beach Club to reach an 11 under par total.
The Portuguese carded his second successive flawless round, consisting of seven birdies, at the par 71 Spanish venue and is one shot clear of overnight leader, German Julian Kunzenbacher - who also enjoyed a bogey-free day.
At the final qualifying event, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet held on to his first day lead at the halfway stage at Panoramica Golf and Sport Resort with a four under par round of 68.
Gonnet put together a solid scorecard, consisting of six birdies, to post a 12 under par halfway score in Spain and progression to the next stage looks promising for the Frenchman.

SCOTSWATCH 
COLIN FARQUHARSON reporting
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Comrie's Wallace Booth is the best placed Scot among the 17 competing at four Spanish venues in the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2.

Booth is sharing the lead at halfway at El Saler Golf Club, Valencia after a second-round 68 for a three-under-par tally of 141.

At the same venue Jack Doherty is joint 10th on 144 (70-74) while David Law (71-76), Elliot Saltman (77-70) and Jamie McLeary (74-73 are tied 30th on 147.

A total of 67 player across the four venues will qualify for the final stage which means approximately 16 or 17 will advance from each.

Duncan Stewart shot an 11-under-par 63 - one eagle, nine birdies - at Panoramica, Castellon but is still well back in joint 26th place on 138 because he started with a 75.

Doug McGuigan (68-70) is also on 138.

Ross Kellett is sharing 38th place on 139 (71-68) alongside Scott Borrowman, playing as an amateur. The Dollar man has had scores of 68 and 71.

Lloyd Saltman, although he is several under par, looks as if he is going to miss out on promotion to the European Tour for another year. He is joint 46th on 140 (73-67) at Panoramica.

Raymond Russell (68-70) leads the Scots in a share of 21st place on 138 at Las Colinas, Alicante.

Former Scottish amateur champion Alexander Culverwell has scored 66-73 for 139 and joint 27th place.

Chris Robb (Meldrum House), the current Scottish amateur champion, has a lot of work to do to improve on joint 42nd place on 141 (69-72).

Paul Shields (Kirkhill)_ is sharing 63rd spot on 145 (74-71).

Scott Drummond is joint 70th at this venue on 146 with rounds of 74-72.

Dunbar's Neil Fenwick is still "alive" at Lumine, Tarragona where he is joint 17th on 139 (72-67).

Also at this venue, George Murray is joint 24th on 140 (71-69).

HALFWAY SCOREBOARD

EL SALER (Valencia)

Par 144 (2x72)

141 James Ablett (England) 72 69, Simon Griffiths (England) 72 69, Garry Houston (Wales) 70 71, Chris Lloyd (England) 72 69, Wallace Booth (Comrie) 73 68.

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES

144 Jack Doherty 70 74 (T10)

147 David Law (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 71 76, Elliot Saltman (Archerfield) 77 70 (T30)

PANORAMICA (Castellon)

Par 144 (2x72)

132 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (France) 54 57

133 Johan Wahlqvist (Sweden) 68 65, Toby Tree (England) 66 567, Alessio Bruschi (Italy) 67 66,  Marcel Schneider (Germany) 67 66

SCOTS' SCORES

138 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 75 63, Doug McGuigan 68 70 (T26)

139 Ross Kellett (Kingsfield) 71 68, Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 68 71 (T38).

140 Lloyd Saltman (Archerfield) 73 67 (T46)

LAS COLINAS (Alicante) 
Par 142 (2x71)
131 Sam Walker (England) 68 63
132 Richard McEvoy (England) 67 65, Chris Paisley (England) 66 66.

SCOTS' SCORES
138 Raymond Russell 68 70 (T21)
139 Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) 66 73 (T27)
141 Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 69 72 (T42)
145 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 74 71 (T63)
146 Scott Drummond 74 72 (T70).

LUMINE (Tarragona)
Par 142 (2x71)
131 Richard Gouveia (Portugal) 67 74
132 Julian Kunzenbacher (Germany) 66 66

SCOTS' SCORES
139 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 72 67 (T17)
140 George Murray 71 69 (T24)

TO VIEW THE SCORES AT ALL FOUR VENUES ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE
 

The number of qualifying spots available to the Final Stage from across the four Second Qualifying Stage events is 67, 17 each from three venues and 16 from one venue.
The Final Stage – which returns to European Tour Destination, PGA Catalunya Resort - will ultimately allocate the 25 European Tour cards that are on offer for Qualifying School hopefuls.

FRENCHMAN MAKES CHALLENGE TOUR HISTORY

For immediate release
 HAT-TRICK HERO HEBERT SIGNS OFF


IN GRAND STYLE AT GRAND FINAL

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
On a day of drama at the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club, it was Benjamin Hebert who wrote his name into the record books, thanks to an emphatic third win of the 2014 European Challenge Tour season.
The Frenchman finished five clear of compatriot Jérôme Lando Casanova on 12 under par, thanks to a three under closing 69 on Saturday, a feat which ensured he became the first player in Challenge Tour history to win three titles in one season on two separate occasions.
Few could question the serene way in which Hebert went about his business on the final day, as he built an unassailable lead thanks to five birdies and just two dropped shots, meaning attention soon turned to the battle for a place in an increasingly fluid top 15 on the Rankings.
While Andrew Johnston rubber-stamped his title as the 2014 Challenge Tour Number One with a top ten finish after a level par final round of 72, it was all happening further down the list as dreams were made and hearts were broken.
For much of the day it had looked like Dane Lasse Jensen had done enough to earn his place amongst the graduating class, but five dropped shots in as many holes around the turn put paid to his chances and left the way clear for the charging Lando Casanova, who hit light speed on the final day in Dubai.
The Frenchman started the week with a six over par 78 in the opening round, but a fantastic run over the closing three rounds culminated in a final round 69, which meant he climbed 25 places in the Rankings to 13th place.
It was not all plain sailing for the 29 year old though, thanks to a bogey at the 17th which had seen him drop out of the reckoning for promotion, but a birdie at the last saw him vault back in. He would have to wait anxiously by as Oliver Farr played the last, but when the Welshman hit his tee shot in the water, Lando Casanova’s graduation was all but secure.
As for his compatriot Hebert, he was just pleased to sign off the season in such a positive manner, as he prepares for a second crack at the big time next year.
“It is a perfect end to the season for sure,” said the 27 year old. “I played very well the last three months, but this is a great feeling. I always practice hard and keep myself positive in the bad times, but now everything is OK, and we will have a lot of fun over the next week before I start practicing to improve my game for The European Tour.
“My game is much better than the last time I graduated, but sometimes I still feel so-so on the course, and I have a few bad stretches which I want to fix. If I can sort that out then I feel I can perform well next season.
“It was a hard day, with the wind getting up at the end of the round, but I stayed focused with my caddie and played it shot-by-shot. I had some good birdies on the 14th and 15th which gave me a good advantage, and over the last two holes I was just patient up until the end.
“My goal will be to keep my card next year. I have won six times on the Challenge Tour, but now I want to win on The European Tour. Winning three times in two different seasons has never been done before, which is a great achievement, but I would exchange all of those for one win on The European Tour.
“I’m going to keep it the same for next year, stay focused and play my game, and we’ll see what happens. I had a good winter last year, and I want the same this time around, so if I can do that then it will be OK for next year.”
Lando Casanova may sound like a fictional villain from a Disney movie, but the man with one of the best names in golf proved he is more than just an impressive moniker.
His form over the final 54 holes was nothing short of miraculous, and in every way deserving of a starting berth in The Race to Dubai for 2015.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it is the first time in my career I am happy to be second,” said the Cannes resident. “On the 18th, watching (Oliver) Farr was the longest time of my life, and really, I don’t know what to say as I can’t quite believe it. Maybe when I put my tee in the ground on the first hole on The European Tour, then I will believe it.
“It feels great, but we’ll see how it goes next year. I’m so excited to get out there as soon as I can, and I can’t wait to get home and rest with my family and friends and stop golf for a while. For the moment I don’t care about the schedule for next year, I just want to rest.”
Farr might not have realised the effect his play on the final hole would have had on so many players’ careers, but regardless of his crucial bogey at the last to card a closing 73 and finish six adrift of Hebert, the Welshman will be elated with a third place finish that guarantees a maiden sojourn on The European Tour at the end of an impressive rookie season.
In fourth was the ever-consistent Byeong-hun An (68) who has long been assured of a place on The Race to Dubai in 2015, while Hugues Joannes (70) and Alessandro Tadini (71) rounded out the top five.
In the Rankings, Antonio Hortal was the unfortunate one to miss out in the dreaded 16th spot on the season-long list, after he fell to a 78 on Saturday.
Ben Evans (72) had briefly climbed into the top 15 at the end of his round after Lando Casanova’s bogey at the penultimate hole, but the Frenchman’s crucial four at the last knocked the Englishman back down to 17th.
There was also disappointment for Jensen (77), who had entered the final day inside the top 15 on the provisional list, but eventually missed out.
As for top spot, Johnston always looked like he had it under control having entered the week with a substantial lead, and his tie for ninth at the end of 72 holes in Dubai ensured a return to The European Tour in 2015, thanks to earnings of €190,856 this season, the highest winning total since Edoardo Molinari in 2009.
 
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
276 B Hebert  (Fra) 70 69 68 69,
281 J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 78 66 68 69,
282 O Farr (Wal) 69 71 69 73,
283 B An (SKor) 72 71 72 68,
284 H Joannes  (Bel) 74 71 69 70, A Tadini (Ita) 71 75 67 71,
285 C Bouniol (Fra) 78 68 69 70, B Ritthammer (Ger) 72 71 69 73,
286 E Espana (Fra) 70 68 76 72, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 72 69 70 75, R Coles (Eng) 73 69 70 74, A Johnston (Eng) 73 72 69 72,
287 B Evans  (Eng) 72 73 70 72,
288 J Lagergren (Swe) 78 69 70 71, J Fahrbring (Swe) 71 71 72 74, P Widegren  (Swe) 74 73 68 73, M Tullo (Chi) 68 70 73 77,
289 M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 74 71 73 71, J Huldahl (Den) 76 74 73 66, J Barnes (Eng) 71 73 72 73, S Hutsby  (Eng) 76 74 69 70, L Jensen (Den) 69 75 68 77, A Marshall (Eng) 71 70 72 76, D Gaunt (Eng) 76 73 70 70, P Oriol (Esp) 75 71 72 71,
290 T Linard (Fra) 79 69 69 73, A Hortal  (Esp) 72 72 68 78, W Harrold (Eng) 70 78 68 74,
291 S Brown (Eng) 74 71 73 73, A Velasco (Esp) 71 78 70 72, P Edberg (Swe) 81 70 70 70
292 M Orrin (Eng) 69 74 74 75
293 J Roos (RSA) 73 69 80 71, A McArthur  (Sco) 73 77 71 72,
294 A Bernadet  (Fra) 74 73 71 76, S Henry  (Sco) 76 72 73 73, J Edfors (Swe) 76 70 76 72
295 M Lampert (Ger) 76 75 71 73, D Coupland (Eng) 71 76 74 74,
296 C Shinkwin (Eng) 77 73 72 74
298 B Åkesson (Swe) 74 70 77 77
301 N Quintarelli (Ita) 74 75 73 79
307 M Delpodio  (Ita) 72 78 77 80
309 J Palmer (Eng) 76 76 79 78



EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

ASIAN TOUR REPORT AND LEADING SCORES

GANGJEE HOLDS SLIM ADVANTAGE AT 

THE PANASONIC OPEN INDIA

 

ASIAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

Delhi: Rahil Gangjee of India rolled in a close range birdie putt on the last hole to hold a one-shot lead after the third round of the US$300,000 Panasonic Open India on Saturday.

The amiable Indian was disappointed not to extend his overnight two-shot lead after shooting a one-under-par 71 at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

His three-day total of 11-under-par 205 gave him a slim advantage over title holder Wade Ormsby (70) of Australia who shared second place with popular Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman (69), Indian teenager Shubhankar Sharma (68) and Mithun Perera (69) of Sri Lanka.

Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat battled into contention with a 69, courtesy of two closing birdies, to trail Gangjee by two shots at the challenging Delhi Golf Club.

 

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 216 (3x72) Yardage: 6,983

205 - Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 66-68-71.

206 - Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) 73-65-68, Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 70-67-69, Mithun PERERA (SRI) 70-67-69, Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 68-68-70.

207 - Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-68-69.

208 - Unho PARK (AUS) 69-71-68, Lionel WEBER (FRA) 73-66-69, Pratap ATWAL (am, IND) 69-68-71.

209 - Rashid KHAN (IND) 68-70-71.

210 - Akinori TANI (JPN) 71-72-67, S.S.P CHOWRASIA (IND) 70-71-69, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 69-70-71.

211 - Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 73-70-68.

WGC-HSBC CHAMPIONS REPORT AND SCORES

McDOWELL HANGS ON TO LEAD ON 


COLD AND WINDY DAY IN CHINA

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Graeme McDowell kept himself in pole position in the third round of the WGC-HSBC Champions with a one-under-par 71 in tricky conditions at Sheshan International Golf Club.
The Northern Irishman had three birdies against two bogeys on a cold, windy day at the Shanghai, China venue to move to 11 under overall, one shot clear of Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata (68) and two clear of Germany’s Martin Kaymer (66) and American Bubba Watson (69).
Reigning US Open Champion Kaymer, the champion here in 2011, had the lowest round of the day thanks to seven birdies, while Watson, who won the Masters Tournament for the second time earlier this year, recovered from a double bogey six at the tenth with four birdies in the last five holes.
Another American, Rickie Fowler, is another shot back at eight under, alongside South African Tim Clark. Both players signed for rounds of 69.
The WGC-HSBC Champions is the second event in The Race to Dubai’s Final Series, a lucrative four-tournament swing to culminate the 2014 season.

Quotes

Graeme McDowell
“I was generally happy with the way I hit the golf ball. I didn't quite score as well as I did the last couple of days but I really gave myself some confidence from a ball‑striking point of view that I can get the job done tomorrow. Conditions were more difficult, colder, and the overnight rain made the course play a little bit longer. 
"I tried to just execute a conservative game plan when I could and try to rely on the putter. I hit a lot of good putts today that didn't go in and that's probably the main difference between shooting one under and three or four under today.”

Martin Kaymer
“Finally I could make some putts today. The first two days I played really well but the putter was a little cold. Today was even more important to hit the fairways. Once you were in the rough, it was wet, thick rough, and it's tough to get it on to the green, especially on that golf course where you have a lot of bunkers around the greens. 
"I’ve driven the ball really well for three days and I think that was key for my scoring. Obviously you need a little help from Graeme in order to win but I'm playing really well and that's all I can do.”
Bubba Watson
“I was playing pretty well and then I had that hiccup on the tenth, and then missed a short one on the 12th, but I made some solid birdies down the stretch which really helped a lot. The golf course played a little longer today. With the irons, the ball is not travelling as far because it's cold. It's maybe one club more in this temperature. I think I just missed out on playing in the final group tomorrow but overall it was a good day.”
THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
205 G McDowell  (Nir) 67 67 71,
206 H Iwata (Jpn) 73 65 68,
207 B Watson (USA) 71 67 69, M Kaymer (Ger) 69 72 66,
208 R Fowler  (USA) 69 70 69, T Clark (RSA) 69 70 69,
209 T Olesen (Den) 72 68 69, I Poulter (Eng) 70 67 72,
210 J Blixt  (Swe) 71 68 71,
212 L Westwood (Eng) 70 73 69, B Snedeker  (USA) 69 74 69, M Leishman (Aus) 72 71 69, C Kirk (USA) 69 74 69, L Oosthuizen  (RSA) 70 70 72,
213 H Mahan  (USA) 74 68 71, A Levy (Fra) 74 68 71, W Ashun (Chn) 74 70 69, A Scott  (Aus) 70 72 71,
214 G Coetzee (RSA) 72 73 69, J Holmes (USA) 70 71 73, J Dufner (USA) 72 70 72,
215 S Gallacher (Sco) 72 72 71, P Reed (USA) 71 73 71,
216 J Spieth  (USA) 70 74 72, M Warren (Sco) 75 72 69, H Matsuyama  (Jpn) 74 69 73, B Haas  (USA) 70 74 72, J Donaldson (Wal) 71 77 68, P Larrazábal (Esp) 75 72 69,
217 D Van Der Walt (RSA) 70 72 75, J Luiten (Ned) 77 71 69, R Moore  (USA) 74 71 72, J Walker  (USA) 73 69 75,
218 A Lahiri (Ind) 74 70 74, T Fleetwood  (Eng) 69 75 74, K Na (USA) 71 68 79, E Els (RSA) 74 70 74, R Palmer (USA) 74 72 72, B Todd (USA) 71 74 73, J Senden (Aus) 73 73 72,
219 S Garcia  (Esp) 74 72 73, K Hyung-Sung (SKor) 70 74 75, J Rose (Eng) 72 71 76, T Bjørn (Den) 72 75 72,
220 O Wilson (Eng) 71 70 79, L Donald  (Eng) 74 72 74, D Fichardt (RSA) 74 72 74, K Streelman (USA) 77 72 71, M Siem  (Ger) 72 72 76, R Henley (USA) 71 75 74,
221 H Otto (RSA) 74 72 75, S Lowry  (Irl) 78 69 74, F Aguilar (Chi) 76 74 71,
222 L Wen-Chong (Chn) 75 74 73, T Jaidee (Tha) 71 76 75, M Ilonen  (Fin) 75 76 71, M Jones (Aus) 75 76 71, K Bradley (USA) 72 73 77, M Every  (USA) 75 72 75, H Stenson (Swe) 70 71 81, G Woodland (USA) 73 75 74,
223 H Mu (Chn) 78 71 74, Z Lianwei (Chn) 73 76 74, D Ze-Cheng (Chn) 76 73 74, D Lipsky (USA) 78 73 72, L Hao-Tong (Chn) 75 72 76,
224 M Hendry (Nzl) 76 75 73,
226 M Jiménez (Esp) 78 75 73,
227 C Schwartzel  (RSA) 74 76 77, J Knutzon (USA) 78 74 75, S Stallings (USA) 74 76 77,
228 J Van Zyl (RSA) 70 75 83, A Lascuna (Phi) 76 79 73,
230 Y Takeya (Jpn) 77 78 75,
236 B Horschel (USA) 80 77 79,
239 J Jeong (SKor) 85 79 75,
** V Dubuisson  (Fra) 76 77 WD,
** B Ninyette (Aus) 86 DQ  0, K Stadler (USA) RT  0 0, G Delaet (Can) RT  0 0,



EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

CLUBHOUSES' LAND TO BE SOLD TO DEVELOPERS

 Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern clubhouses on Aberdeen's Golf Road with the Aberdeen FC grandstand in the background at Pittodrie Stadium. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

BON ACCORD, CALEY and NORTHERN

TO MERGE INTO ABERDEEN LINKS G C

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern, Aberdeen's three oldest golf clubs south of the River Don and based in the shadow of Pittodrie Stadium, have finally settled their differences and agreed to amalgamate.

The new "super" golf club will be named Aberdeen Links Golf Club, based at the municipal Kings Links, and will have more than 600 members, making it one of the biggest in

Scotland. 
April 1 is planned to be the official birth of the new club as the three present clubs' financial years end on March 31.

Bon Accord was formed in 1872, Northern in 1897 and Caledonian in 1899. Aberdeen Football Club was not formed until 1903 and they plan to vacate Pittodrie Stadium around 2017 - which is an important factor in dictating the speed at which the merging officials want things to happen on their side of the fence.

The clubs, sited next door to each other on a 100 yard strip along Golf Road, are playing their cards close to their collective chest but it understood that they plan to sell the land occupied by their clubhouses and car parks to a developer in a million £ deal.

The new club would then move across Golf Road if they can purchase the vacant Broadhill Bar building from Aberdeen Town Council.
There were originally FOUR Aberdeen golf clubs sited on Golf Road. The Victoria Golf Club, founded in 1879, was on the other side of Pittodrie Stadium, opposite the present Kings Links Golf Centre car park.
Northern Golf Club captain Derek Johnstone recalls that before Victoria went defunct in the late 1960s the club moved across Golf Road and operated out of a new building which later became the Broadhill Bar.
I was a Victoria GC member and I do not recall that move. Victoria were struggling financially in their final years and I cannot see where they would have got the money to put up a new building.

On another tack, Derek Johnstone said:
 " This is the fourth time there has

been an amalgamation move. In the past the members of one club or another has voted against it but now we have an agreement that it is going to happen.

"Not everybody is happy with it and all three golf clubs could lose members over it but it is the way ahead. The clubhouses are old and in need of repair. Now is the time to amalgamate as new club in new premises."

Sean Murray, the Bon Accord captain, said: 

"Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern will keep their identities for next year's Aberdeen Pennant League and Maitland Shield tournaments, as the draws are done so far in advance." 

POOR CONDITION OF KINGS LINKS

IS COSTING CLUBS MEMBERS

There is another issue in Aberdeen Links Golf Club being born next spring. By general agreement the condition of the Kings Links - the reponsibility of "Sport Aberdeen" -  particularly the greens, is "awful" - to the extent that low handicappers who are members of Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern are playing most of their golf away from the Links.
Mr Johnstone admits that membership of the Northern club is falling and he believes that the poor condition of the Kings Links course has more than a little to do with that.
"Over the last 10 to 12 years," said Derek, "there has been a huge under-investment in maintaining the condition of the course to the required standard."
Aberdeen Town Council take the green fees paid by ALL golfers who play the Kings Links, not just the Bon Accord, Caley and Northern members. The Town Council department responsible for balancing the municipal golf books will be well aware that revenue from green fees at the Kings Links - and Hazlehead too for that matter - is falling every year. 
In a perfect world, the new Aberdeen Links Golf Club would take over the maintenance of the Kings Links course by special arrangement, just as Auchmill Golf Club has done at the municipal course where it is based on the other side of Aberdeen.

FALLING MEMBERSHIPS AT ABERDEEN 

GOLF CLUBS OVER PAST 50 YEARS

Proof that Aberdeen golf club membership figures have fallen dramatically over the past 50 years is provided by the following figures published in the 1964 edition of the "Golfer's Handbook.
Bon Accord .. 550 members
Caledonian .... 600 members
Northern ....... 600  members
Victoria ......... 200  members
Hazlehead ..... 916 members
Nigg Bay ...... 500 members
Murcar .......... 525 members
Royal Aberdeen 400 members
Cruden Bay ...... 400 members

The vacant, derelict and shabby looking premises formerly occupied by the Broadhill Bar on Golf Road. Projected as the "home" for the new Aberdeen Links Golf Club. It is owned by Aberdeen Town Council.
The amalgamated Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern club officials, if successful in purchasing the property from the Town Council, would knock it down and build a new clubhouse capable of housing more than 600 members.

ABERDEEN GOLF HISTORY
 (from the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club website)

The Aberdeen Golf Club was formed in 1815 and its members continued to play on the Queen's Links and over the Broad Hill until 1888 when they picked up their hickory clubs and gutty balls and migrated to the magnificent links at Balgownie on the north side of the River Don..
It was Captain H V Brooke in 1886 who moved that 'considering the way that the links was being cut up by cricket and football players, a private course at Balgownie should be procured for golfing purposes'.   Less than two years later, with very little ado the Aberdeen Golfers "folded their tents and silently stole away" to the peaceful seclusion of Balgownie Links.
Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world.   For the first thirty five years of its existence the club was known as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, with membership of the Society being determined by ballot.
In 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, the Society changed its name to the Aberdeen Golf Club and in 1903 the accolade of Royal favour was conferred on the club by His Majesty King Edward VII.  
 In 1872 the club received the patronage of Prince Leopold.   However the Royal title was not applied for until 1903 and granted by his majesty the King on the 10th August that year.

 FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON:
Pictured below is the original Aberdeen Golf Club premises on the south side of the Broad Hill and at the back of the City Hospital.
Engraved on its front wall is the date "1866"
We have heard how Aberdeen Golf Club (prior to that known as the Society of Aberdeen Golfers) was founded in 1815 so we can only presume it was based at an earlier building than this one which was opened in 1866, 20 years before the decision to abandon it and move to north of the River Don and the Balgownie links.