Route 66 for resurgent Ramsay

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Aberdonian Richie Ramsay, pictured by courtesy of Getty Images(c), put injury and form frustrations behind him to surge through the field in the second round of the Trophee Hassan II, with the Scot firing a six under par 66 to share the halfway lead in Morocco with Wales’ Oliver Farr, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Australian Richard Green.

Ramsay, who has been struggling with a back injury, has not registered in the prize money on The European Tour so far this year, missing four cuts and withdrawing after three rounds in Dubai due to illness.

But he showed the kind of form that has earned him two European Tour titles with six birdies at Golf du Palais Royal in Agadir, to join morning starters Cabrera-Bello (69) and Green (70) at the top of the leaderboard on six under par 138.

Welshman Farr, playing in the final group of the day off the first tee, reached seven under par when he posted his fifth birdie of the day on the penultimate hole, but chipped up short on the last and could only make bogey for a four under par round of 68.

Farr won the Turkish Airlines Challenge last May and finished tenth on the 2014 Challenge Tour rankings to earn his card for the current European Tour season, and after making his fifth cut in ten events he will be looking to earn a maiden victory in the top tier.  

South African George Coetzee remains in contention for a second European Tour title in as many appearances, and a spot in next month’s Masters Tournament, after a level par round of 72. He is one shot off the pace on five under par, in a five-way tie for fifth position.

Key player quotes

Richie Ramsay – 66 (-6 total)
“The last few months have been frustrating. You just want to go out and play. I’ve had a few niggling injuries. I’ve just tried to stick to my guns and make sure I stretch, Have a good practice routine. That builds up and slowly but surely it comes around and today was the day it happened. Hopefully it can stay for the weekend.”
Oliver Farr – 68 (-6 total)
“It’s my first time here and it is absolutely fantastic to play, in the King’s garden. It’s spectacular, that’s all I can say.

This year has been great. Each week there are new challenges. Dealing with everything is tricky but I’m enjoying it. I have played nicely in South Africa. There is a lot to take in with the altitude. It’s nice to come back to more European style course.

Being in a share of the lead is great. It’s what we prepare for and practise for. We are only halfway through but hopefully I can be there on Sunday.”

Rafa Cabrera-Bello – 69 (-6 total)

“This is the first time I’ve worn golf shoes in six weeks. I broke my pinky toe on my right foot – not even a funny story, just banging it on a table. I haven’t been able to wear golf shoes as it was too painful. Today was the first day I’ve been able to wear them again, and it has been fine. I tried them on this morning and it felt fine. It was a little risky but it was ok. 
Yesterday was superlight golf shoes. I had to play in Puerto Rico in tennis shoes and could barely tie them. I then managed to get some really wide, and big shoes to wear in Tampa, and today’s the first day it has been ok to wear the proper golf shoes. I’m pleased it didn’t bother me too much.”

Richard Green – 70 (-6 total)

“I had a bit of break since Thailand and not played a lot of golf. I got myself ready for this week and to find myself six under after two rounds is great. I was pretty happy with the form in Thailand and the tournaments leading up to that. I’ve still got the same swing thoughts and mental thoughts, so it has carried on this week. 
"This is a tricky golf course and you have to stick to a conservative plan. I like that sort of golf and it is suiting my game so far. It is very much like an Australian conditions, with a bit of wind, and it is suiting me.”

SECOND-ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72) 72 players made cut on two-over 146 and better 
138 O Farr (Wal) 70 68, R Ramsay  (Sco) 72 66, R Green (Aus) 68 70, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 69 69
139 G Coetzee (RSA) 67 72, C Wood  (Eng) 67 72, B Evans  (Eng) 69 70, P Larrazábal (Esp) 70 69, R Bland (Eng) 69 70
140 K Phelan (Irl) 70 70, J Campillo (Esp) 71 69, D Drysdale (Sco) 67 73, J Lagergren (Swe) 72 68, D Howell (Eng) 70 70, A Wall (Eng) 68 72, M Orrin (Eng) 70 70, J Van Zyl (RSA) 69 71
141 O Wilson (Eng) 68 73, C Paisley  (Eng) 71 70, T Fleetwood  (Eng) 70 71, R Santos  (Por) 69 72, B Ritthammer (Ger) 71 70, D Horsey (Eng) 70 71, S Kjeldsen (Den) 68 73, S Benson (Eng) 73 68,

142 R Wattel  (Fra) 68 74, M Schneider (Ger) 73 69, A McArthur  (Sco) 71 71, P Edberg (Swe) 71 71, F Fritsch  (Ger) 70 72, M Korhonen (Fin) 68 74, A Saddier (Fra) 65 77

143 E Grillo (Arg) 74 69, M Lampert (Ger) 68 75, E Espana (Fra) 73 70, S Jamieson  (Sco) 74 69, M Manassero (Ita) 72 71, M Hoey  (Nir) 70 73, B An (Kor) 72 71, A Johnston (Eng) 72 71, E De La Riva  (Esp) 68 75, M Carlsson  (Swe) 73 70, W Ormsby (Aus) 71 72, K Broberg (Swe) 73 70

144 N Fasth (Swe) 71 73, P Waring  (Eng) 70 74, S Hend (Aus) 71 73, J Walters (RSA) 71 73, A Marshall (Eng) 71 73

145 M Lundberg (Swe) 70 75, J Olazábal (Esp) 69 76, J Quesne  (Fra) 70 75, S Kapur (Ind) 72 73, N Elvira  (Esp) 73 72, M Foster (Eng) 73 72, J Morrison  (Eng) 72 73, O Fisher  (Eng) 74 71, E Pepperell (Eng) 71 74, C Lloyd (Eng) 76 69

146 M Matsumura (Jpn) 72 74, G Bourdy (Fra) 75 71, R Karlsson (Swe) 72 74, P Oriol (Esp) 71 75, L Slattery (Eng) 77 69, B Hebert  (Fra) 75 71, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 74 72, R Jacquelin (Fra) 70 76, R Rock (Eng) 74 72, T Lewis (Eng) 69 77, M Kieffer (Ger) 73 73, P Widegren  (Swe) 73 73, R Finch  (Eng) 75 71

MISSED THE CUT

147 G Stal  (Fra) 70 77, M Siem  (Ger) 68 79, D McGrane (Irl) 76 71, J Parry (Eng) 74 73, A Levy (Fra) 72 75, J Palmer (Eng) 74 73, S Manley (Wal) 74 73, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 74 73, G Storm  (Eng) 74 73

148 A Tadini (Ita) 72 76, D Gaunt (Eng) 66 82, A Velasco (Esp) 76 72, Y El Hassani (Mar) 74 74, A Quiros  (Esp) 73 75, D Lipsky (USA) 76 72, J Lee (am) (SKor) 75 73

149 L Jensen (Den) 75 74, M Tullo (Chi) 71 78, J Scrivener (Aus) 75 74, P Maddy (Eng) 72 77, A Hortal  (Esp) 77 72, A Sullivan (Eng) 74 75

150 G Maybin (Nir) 74 76, A Pavan (Ita) 71 79, J Roos (RSA) 75 75, A Cañizares  (Esp) 77 73, R Paratore (Ita) 74 76, M Keskari (Ger) 74 76

151 R McEvoy  (Eng) 75 76, M Crespi  (Ita) 73 78, M Ford (Eng) 77 74, B Dredge (Wal) 72 79

152 A Otaegui  (Esp) 71 81, P Lawrie (Irl) 76 76, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 78 74, J Hahn (USA) 78 74, M Nixon (Eng) 76 76, T Pieters  (Bel) 71 81

153 S Hutsby  (Eng) 74 79, C Lee (Sco) 78 75, R Davies (Wal) 82 71, M Baldwin (Eng) 76 77

154 M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 77 77, J Edfors (Swe) 77 77, D Woltman (USA) 77 77, R Fisher (Eng) 77 77, J Barnes (Eng) 76 78, F Serghini  (Mar) 75 79

155 T Hatton (Eng) 79 76, C Bouniol (Fra) 80 75, T Murray (Eng) 77 78, C Del Moral (Esp) 76 79, J Fahrbring (Swe) 73 82, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 81 74, R Gonzalez (Arg) 76 79

158 J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 76 82

159 S Henry  (Sco) 80 79, A Lguirati (am) (Mar) 80 79

160 A Marjane  (Mar) 83 77, P Dedek (am) (Cze) 80 80

161 T Levet (Fra) 83 78, J White (Eng) 75 86, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 76 85

162 D Brooks (Eng) 73 89

165 R El Kharraz (Mar) 82 83

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

NEW COMPETITION CEMENTS RYDER CUP 

LEGACY AT PERTHSHIRE VENUES
NEWS RELEASE
Two of Scotland’s brightest golfing talents have hailed the introduction of a new competition for club amateurs, which will build on the massive interest generated by the 2014 Ryder Cup year.
Over 600 million viewers watched Europe triumph on The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles last September, while Blairgowrie’s Rosemount course hosted one of the best attended Junior Ryder Cup events in history.
Now both Perthshire venues, in conjunction with Ryder Cup Europe and sponsors Highland Spring, have introduced The Legacy Cup, which will ensure 2014’s achievements create lasting benefit.
The new two-round Stableford competition for amateurs, boasting a prize pot to the value of £2000, will enable golfers to play both courses over two days - September 6-7, refocusing the interest once again on Perthshire.
Homegrown starlets Bradley Neil and Carly Booth, who have both savoured Junior Ryder Cup occasions, believe the new trophy, launched today at The Scottish Golf Show, will build on the buzz created around Scottish golf last year.
“It is really important now to build on 2014 and keep people coming back. Giving golfers from across the UK the chance to play these two great courses on the same weekend is brilliant,” said 19 year old Blairgowrie member, Neil, taking time out of preparations for his US Masters debut in Augusta next month.
“The Junior Ryder Cup at my own club and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles were up there with Scotland’s greatest moments of 2014, alongside the Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow. They showed what a great county, and country, we have,” said the Amateur Champion, part of the Junior Europe side that lost to USA at Rosemount.
European Ladies Tour player Booth (22), who grew up in the Perthshire village of Comrie, watched last year’s Ryder Cup from Spain but was proud of her home county’s time in the spotlight.
The new Legacy Cup, she believes, maintains momentum.
“It was incredible thinking that there were some of the world’s biggest superstars just 15 minutes from my home,” said the player, who starred in the 2006 and 2008 Junior Ryder Cups.
“Having the Legacy Cup means people get the chance to play two of the best courses in Scotland.”
With Sheffield Hallam University set to publish its Economic Impact Study from the events, both clubs are already seeing benefits.
Blairgowrie Golf Club’s school and community links have strengthened and Managing Secretary Douglas Cleeton is excited at the prospect of welcoming newcomers through the competition.
“The trophy is precisely what it says; a legacy to 2014, the most exciting year in golf Perth and Kinross is ever likely to have.”
Gleneagles’ Golf Marketing Manager Billy Murray, who has seen a significant shift in volume of play on the Centenary Course, agreed: “2014 was an incredible year for golf in the county and for Scotland, as a whole. The Legacy Cup aims to prolong that success for years to come.”
All parties are hoping the weather will once again show Perthshire in its most favourable light.
Perth and Kinross Provost Liz Grant, said, “Perth and Kinross is home to world-class golf courses, set in unrivalled scenery. This is sure to be a wonderful event and ensures that the many benefits from golf tourism are long-lasting in our area.”
Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Director hailed the work of the hosts at the two Ryder Cups held in Scotland, in 1973 and 2014.
“We hope that by donating The Legacy Cup we can, in a small way, preserve the memory of friendship and teamwork that have flourished during these treasured moments we have shared at The Home of Golf.”
+The format for the Legacy Cup will be Stableford (full handicap); entry fee is £150 per person and all players must hold a national handicap in accordance with CONGU recommendations. Maximum handicap allowance is 24 for men and 36 for ladies.

TRUMP TURNBERRY MULTI-MILLION 

TRANSFORMATION ON COURSE

 NEWS RELEASE

 Details behind the multi-million pound plans to renovate Trump Turnberry have been revealed for the first time as the project to  upgrade substantially the world’s first ever golf resort takes shape
An extensive 18 month refurbishment programme is now underway and the resort will re-launch on June 1, 2016 when the redesigned Open Championship golf course, The Ailsa, will be available for play for the first time.
In May, Trump Turnberry hotel will re-open its doors following an extensive upgrade to world leading standards, which includes the lavish refurbishment of all hotel bedrooms.
The detailed and sensitive project requires a partial closure commencing September 27, 2015 until mid to late May 2016 when improvements to the hotel and Ailsa course are carried out.
During this time, the new clubhouse, The Villas and golf academy will be open for business with tee times available to members and guests on the Kintyre, a challenging course which hosted the qualifying rounds for the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2004.
Detailing the changes, Donald J. Trump, Chairman and President of The Trump Organization, commented;
“In close consultation, we will be refining the great Ailsa Championship course including lengthening, re-grassing and making certain changes, many of which have been sought by the R and A for over 25 years. 
"This work will be carefully and studiously crafted and when completed, will bring this already amazing masterpiece to a level that even it has never attained.
“At the conclusion of our hotel rebuilding, we will have exquisite new suites, magnificent ballrooms, restaurants and meeting facilities plus a sprawling and luxurious spa. When completed, Trump Turnberry will be the finest resort of its kind anywhere in the world.”

IMPROVEMENTSIncluded in the exciting plans being revealed for the first time are the following improvements:

    The upgrading of conference and banqueting facilities with the creation of The Caledonia Ballroom, The Old Tom Morris Suite and The Ailsa Craig Suite, as well as three new meeting rooms and a luxurious business centre. (March 2015)
    The creation of a new world class 18 hole pitch and putt in front of the hotel, designed by the internationally renowned golf architect Martin Ebert.
    The creation of a new Lobby bar featuring over 250 whiskies within the Grand Tea Lounge.
    The launch of the refurbished clubhouse, proshop with largely extended retail facility, The Duel in the Sun restaurant and a purpose built east facing viewing balcony in April 2015.
    The creation of a luxurious two bedroomed suite and the Halfway House for the Ailsa course will be located within the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse.
    The repositioning of 1906 restaurant to its original location from when the hotel opened.
    The creation of a new Crystal Ballroom named in recognition of the six original crystal chandeliers which are a historic feature of the room.
    Development of the new destination spa, The Trump Spa by Ivanka Trump.
    The creation of a masterpiece, The Donald J Trump Ballroom, situated at the north elevation of the hotel facilitating 500 guests with panoramic sea views.
    Extensive renovation of the self-catering Villas at Trump Turnberry and the creation of a new family centre will take place with work commencing in the winter of 2016 completing spring 2017.

Meanwhile, works to complete the £5m refurbishment of the clubhouse continue as a priority in preparation for hosting the RICOH Women’s British Open which takes place at Trump Turnberry 30 July – 2 August 2015.  The new clubhouse will open its doors in late April 2015, also in time for the summer golf season.

MyGolfRanking Fife Men and Fife Men's Clubs

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Men, Week 2015/12

1 Barry Logan (Dunnikier Park) 1197pts

2 George Lorimer (Cupar) 1106

3 Ryan Brown (Dunfermline) 1088

4 Steve Elias (Thornton) 1064

5 George Gibson (Dunnikier Park) 1042

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Clubs Men, Week 2015/12

1 Dunnikier Park 802

2 Lochore Meadows 782

3 Burntisland GHC 781

4 Dunfermline 768

5 Earlsferry Thistle 764

 

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

info@mygolfranking.net

Marc Warren 'pleased' with a 74 in Texas wind

FROM SKYSPORTS.COM

Charley Hoffman fired a five-under 67 in strong winds to hold a one- shot first-round lead at the Valero Texas Open.

​Strong winds played havoc with the scoring at TPC San Antonio, with over threequarters of the field signing off over-par and 31 players, including two-time major winner Martin Kaymer, posting first round scores of 80 or higher. Part of the afternoon group playing in slightly improved conditions, Hoffman posted two birdies from his first three holes before making three further gains from less than 12-feet in a blemish-free round to move one shot clear of Australia’s Aaron Baddeley.

First Round leaders

par 72
67 Charley Hoffman (USA)
68 Aaron Baddeley (Aus)
69 Max Homa (USA)
70 Ryan Palmer (USA)
70 Phil Mickelson (USA)
71 Chesson Hadley (USA)
71 Cameron Beckman (USA)
71 Daniel Summerhays (USA)
71 Jimmy Walker (USA)
71 Chris Kirk (USA)
71 Jordan Spieth (USA)
71 Zach Johnson (USA)

 SELECTED SCORES
73 Brian Davis (England) (T23)
74 Marc Warren (Scotland), Shane Lowry (Ireland) (T32)
76 Martin Laird (Scotland), Jim Furyk (US) (T57)
78 Russell Knox (Scotland) (T79).

Hoffman, the world No 259, without a USA PGA Tour title in four years, opened with back-to-back gains and recovered from missing an eight-foot par-save putt at the seventh by making a third birdie at the next.

Baddeley picked up two further strokes in his back nine, including a remarkable birdie at the 17th where he took a penalty and returned to the tee after striking his initial shot into trees, only to hole his third shot from over 330 yards.
Max Homa finished with successive gains in a first round 69 containing six birdies to stay within two of the lead, with Phil Mickelson also having a birdie-birdie finish to join the group a further stroke back.
Mickelson, a five-time major winner, lost the head of his 8-iron when it snapped off as he played a bunker shot at the 13th but finished strongly with three late birdies, while seven players including Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson ended one-under.
Four years on from posting a US PGA Tour record 16 at the par four ninth, Kevin Na  found the cup in par to reach the turn two-over, making two gains in a bogey-free back nine to sit alongside Matt Kuchar and FedEx Cup winner Billy Horschel in a ten-man group level par.
“It was extremely tough,” Kuchar told Sky Sports 4. “This golf course is a great challenge in still conditions, so you throw on 30mph winds and it becomes really hard.
“It’s hard, if you get out of place here you’re really struggling and I was glad to just walk off with a bogey on the ninth today.”
With low scores hard to come by, Scotland's Marc Warren, who needs a high finish come Sunday to make it into the Masters field, missed two 10-foot par putts in his first three holes and also made bogeys at the eighth and the par three 13th, where his five-foot par putt ended further away from the cup than it started.
The Scot was able to post two birdies to close with a two-over 74 first round, telling Sky Sports 4: “Really pleased with that start, as it was a really tough day. The front nine seemed to be the more difficult of the two and seemed to go on forever.”
Graeme McDowell was one of three players forced to withdraw during the opening round, with the Northern Irishman five-over through nine when dropping out with an ankle injury.
The unwanted title of highest round when to amateur Sam Burns, who failed to register a single birdie in an opening day 89, with the American reaching the turn 12-over and making five more bogeys on the front nine.

Watch day two of the Valero Texas Open on Friday live from 7pm on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf. 

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