Steve Stricker and Nick Price named captains for 2017 Presidents Cup

FROM SKYSPORTS.COM

Steve Stricker has been named captain of the USA Team

Steve Stricker and Nick Price have been named as the captains for the 2017 Presidents Cup match.

Stricker will captain the USA team while Price will lead the International squad as the pair go head-to-head in the bi-annual tournament scheduled to start on September 28.
Nine of the last 11 Presidents Cups have gone the way of the USA, a competition that features 12 Americans competing against 12 players from the rest of the world, usually excluding British and European players.

Stricker is a 12-time winner on the US PGA Tour and while the 49-year-old has played in five previous Presidents Cups, he has never before been captain.
"I'm incredibly honoured to have been selected as a U.S. Team captain for the Presidents Cup, and am looking forward to it coming to Liberty National, one of my favourite venues," Stricker said.
"This event has meant a lot to me, and I'm looking forward to leading what will be a very promising U.S. Team in 2017."
Price has also competed for the International team five times, captaining them twice and making his first appearance in 1994.
The Zimbabwean has 18 Tour victories as well as three major triumphs, including wins at the Open in 1994 and the PGA Championship in 1992 and 1994.
"It's an honour for me to continue to serve as International Team captain once again in 2017," said Price.

US Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau 

turns pro with Cobra Puma backing 

NEWS RELEASE
Cobra Puma Golf announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to an endorsement contract with stand-out amateur and first-week professional Bryson DeChambeau.

“Bryson shares in our mission of game enjoyment and our desire to grow the game and make it more fun and inclusive for golfers of all levels,” said Robert Philion, president and CEO of Cobra Puma Golf.

In the last few weeks, DeChambeau, the current NCAA and U.S. Amateur champion and the low amateur at last week’s Masters, had put in play both a Cobra driver and a custom-made Cobra set of irons, the latter tailored to the single-length theory he espouses. DeChambeau has been playing a Cobra King F6+ driver set to 7 degrees of loft and configured to his unique specifications. 

While the King F6+ features an 18-gram weight that slides to five different positions from front to back in the sole, DeChambeau’s version has removed the weight entirely to get to his preferred swingweight of B-9. He also will play a Cobra King F6 fairway wood (14.2 degrees) and a Cobra King Utility iron (18.5 degrees).

England Golf announce three-year Get Into Golf

 partnership with Sky Sports

England Golf have announced a three-year partnership with Sky Sports to promote the Get Into Golf initiative across the UK, with the aim of bringing 500,000 new or lapsed golfers into the sport by the end of 2018. 

Get Into Golf is a national campaign supported by the four Home Unions of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, The European Tour, The PGA, The Golf Foundation and The R and A. 

The announcement comes as golf is set to get a huge boost from Danny Willett's dramatic win in the Masters. He's only the second Englishman to win the title and the first for 20 years - and his victory is predicted to inspire new generations of golfers. 
England Golf is committed to increasing the number of people that play golf; www.getintogolf.org inspires people to take up and play more golf by providing a local activity finder for taster sessions, beginner and improver courses, plus a wealth of information about the game.
Nick Pink, CEO of England Golf, commented on the announcement: “Working alongside Sky Sports as part of our marketing strategy for Get Into Golf is a great opportunity for the sport, their support will be invaluable in inspiring new golfers and spreading the message that golf is a game for all.”
He added: “We are aware, like many other sports, golf faces challenges around declining participation. Get Into Golf is a call to action and working with Sky across their channels and digital outlets, as well as the wider golfing community puts us in a strong position to change perceptions, ensuring a bright future for golf”

Jason Wessely, Head of Golf at Sky Sports, said: "Our partnership with Get Into Golf illustrates our desire to help get more people to the range and out on the course. This partnership comes at a great time after the amazing and inspiring success of home grown talent at The Masters. We hope to inspire players and fans further around the BMW PGA Championship, The Open, The Ryder Cup and The British Masters.”

Get Into Golf is supported by Sport England National Lottery funding and activity is delivered by over 760 local clubs and PGA professionals. In 2015 www.getintogolf.org had over 800,000 visits and has already seen an increase in regular participation and has impacted club membership numbers.

Press Office
England Golf
pr@englandgolf.org
01526 354500

La Manga Club put new tech navigation 

system in fleet of golf buggies

  

NEWS RELEASE

La Manga Club’s golf investment programme for 2016 has moved into full gear following the installation of a new GPS system in its fleet of golf buggies at the prestigious Spanish resort.

Fresh from taking delivery of a range of new greenkeeping machinery, the multi award-winning venue in Murcia, south-east Spain, is offering players an improved golfing experience by fitting its golf carts with the latest Sentinel GPS navigation system.

Incorporating a wide range of features including instant touch screen information, aerial views of each hole, distances to the green and obstacles from any position on the course, internal power supply and cameras that monitor the users’ actions during every round,  the seven-inch screen is easy to use and is the ideal device for golfers bidding to improve their scores.

The tracking system has initially been installed in 55 of La Manga Club’s golf carts – including 37 new ones – with the remainder of its 120-buggy fleet due to be fitted with the GPS technology over the coming months.

Other redevelopment plans at La Manga Club this summer include installing new signage on its three 18-hole courses, improved landscaping and access to each hole and the refurbishment of Bar 37 in the golf clubhouse, while members and guests can already enjoy an improved experience with the redesign of the resort’s golf shop.

Top 20 Morocco finish by Chris Robb

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Chris Robb (Meldrum House) and Sam Kiloh (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre), the only two Scots to qualify for the final round, finished joint 16th and 37th respectively in the Madaef Open at El Jadida Royal Golf Club, Morocco.

Robb, pictured, the 2014 Scottish amateur champion, had scores of 74, 76 and 76 for 10-over-par 226. In testing conditions for the final round, Robb was three over par for the last 10 holes alone.

Kiloh fared even worse. He took 43 strokes to cover his final inward half for an 82 after earlier scores of 77 and 78. The Portlethen youngster had a total fo 232.
He had four 6s over his final nine holes - a bogey at the par-5 11th, a triple bogey at the short 13th, a double bogey at the par-4 15th, and a bogey at the 18th.
Two Frenchmen headed the final placings. Stanislas Gautier shot 72-69-71 for four-under 212 (he wan't affected by the weather on the final day!), winning by five LEstrokes from Kenny Subregis (70-72-75).
 MADAEF OPEN
El Jadida Royal Golf Club, Morocco
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
212 Stanis Las Gautier (Fra) 72 69 71
217 Kenny Subregis (Fra) 70 72 75.

SCOTS' SCORES
226 Chris Robb 74 76 76 (T16)
232 Sam Kiloh 77 73 82 (T37)





TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALSc

CLICK HERE

 2017 Irish Open heading for Portstewart 

instead of Lough Erne

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH

 Plans to take Ireland's biggest golfing tournament to the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland next year have hit the rough after officials opted for a traditional links course.

Portstewart is now favourite to host the Irish Open tournament - hosted by Rory McIlroy's Rory Foundation.

Owners of the Lough Erne Resort say they are "extremely disappointed" at the European Tour's decision.

The Co. Fermanagh five-star resort and local area will miss out on millions of pounds.

Tour officials have visited Portstewart to check its suitability to host next year's tournament, and if selected it will be the second time the north coast has staged the event in five years.

Lough Erne Resort's owners Mark Ward and Jeff Mahan said they had been "excited and committed to hosting the event".

They said: "We have in fact continued to make additional investments in the course and the resort facilities, both of which are in superior condition to when the 2014 announcement was made, but, over the last several months, senior tour officials began telling us that European Tour management was considering a 'traditional links course strategy' for future Irish Opens, and because of that new strategy there had been indications that the 2017 date at Lough Erne might be in jeopardy.

"From the beginning of those conversations we have remained steadfast in our position not to accept this change from the tour, and we have spent the last few months trying to work with tour officials at the highest level to persuade them to keep their commitment to Lough Erne Resort and the region.

"However, despite our willingness to work with the tour in every way to convince them to maintain their commitment, they have made the decision to change the venue to a traditional links course in 2017 and at this point we have no choice but to accept it. We are disappointed not only for the resort, but also for our staff and the good people of Co Fermanagh."

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: "During a recent visit to the Lough Erne Resort I was delighted to meet the owners and to learn more about their significant investment plans for the golf course and hotel. 
"It is a beautiful facility with an outstanding championship golf course designed by Nick Faldo.

"While the 2017 Irish Open will not be staged there, the European Tour looks forward to working with the new ownership consortium, and I am confident that the Lough Erne Resort will host an event with the European Tour in the future."

Enniskillen hotelier Terry McCartney said it was a bitter disappointment for the county.

He added: "We are still hopeful something can come of it, perhaps the Irish Open can get past the links course idea."

Two Scottish courses qualifying venues for UK 

pairs championship

NEWS RELEASE

 

Club golfers are set to battle it out to win a week of golfing luxury 

at Antalya, Turkey as the top prize in a new pairs' competition.

A seven-night, all inclusive stay for four people including flights is up for grabs in the Gloria Hotels and Resorts UK Pairs Golf Championship 2016 with eight qualifying events being held across the country.

Gloria Hotels and  Resorts in Belek boasts two 18-hole championship courses, a nine-hole academy course and top-class practice facilities as part of its lavish five-star complex on the south coast of Turkey, just 45 minutes from the airport in Antalya.

It offers quality accommodation across three resorts, an extensive choice of fine à la carte restaurants, fantastic spa and leisure activities in beautiful surroundings, while the beach and a host of swimming pools are available within the grounds.

Held in association with Elegant Golf Resorts - specialists in luxury golf holidays - and Monarch, the competition will see teams of two attempting to qualify from eight different host clubs - including: 

Golf at Goodwood

The Mere Golf Resort and  Spa

Stoke Park Country Club

Cranleigh Golf and Country Club

Helensburgh Golf Club

The Carrick at Cameron House

Mottram Hall.

The winners will be flying from London Gatwick to Antalya airport in Turkey with scheduled leisure airline Monarch. Antalya is one of more than 40 destinations that Monarch flies to from its five UK bases including London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds Bradford and London Luton, with the airline's scheduled network focusing on beach, city and ski breaks.

Those who make it through successfully will then earn the right to play in the Grand Final at Stoke Park - at no extra charge for the finalists - where a dinner and prize presentation will be held.

The race for a holiday at Gloria will start on May 2 at Golf at Goodwood and the final qualifier will take place at The Mere in August. The Grand Final will take place on Monday, September 26, 2016.

Elegant Golf Resorts are offering a seven night, all-inclusive stay with three rounds of golf across Gloria Old and Gloria New courses at the following hotels: Gloria Verde Resort from £719pp, Gloria Golf Resort from £719pp and Gloria Serenity Resort from £839pp, subject to availability.

Price includes all food and beverages, meet and greet, private airport transfers and is based on two adults sharing a double room and groups of four golfers. The offer is valid from April 26 - May 31 2016.

About Gloria Hotels & Resorts

Located just 30km away from Antalya International Airport, Gloria Hotels & Resorts (opened in 1997) is a five-star venue. It is the largest golf complex in Turkey with 45 holes (two 18-hole championship courses and a nine hole academy course), designed by the French golf course architect Michel Gayon. It has hosted the European Seniors Tour Classic and World Amateur Team Championship. www.gloria.com.tr/en/golf

Arbroath Golf Club Texas Scramble Open

Sunday 24th April 2016
£50 per team of four
Men, women or mixed teams
Enter at www.arbroathgolfcourse.co.uk
or contact professional Lindsay Ewart
on 01241 875837 for tee time.
 

Stevie Blair
Open Secretary
Arbroath Golf Links

Ayrshire student finishes T5 after sharing lead 

in Greenbrief Collegiate at West Virginina

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Stuart Easton from Irvine, Ayrshire, a freshman student at Western Kentucky University, finished tied fifth in a field of 89 after
sharing the lead with one round to go in the Greenbrier Collegiate Invitational at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Stuart had a pair of 69s for 138 to share the second-round lead with Gudmund Kristjansson (East Tennessee State) with scores of 70 and 68. 
But Nick Rencis (Old Dominion), after a pair of 71s, shot a final round of seven-under-par 65, a great score over a long par-70 course of 7,287yd to sweep past the leaders and post a winning 54-hole aggrregate of three-under-par 207
Easton shot a final round of 73 for a one-over-par total of 211 which helped Western Kentucky to finish third.
East Tennessee State (846) won the team title ahead of Eastern Kentucky (861), Western Kentucky (866) and Ohio (869) in a field of 17 teams.

East beat West 15-9 in Alliances match at 

Irvine Bogside

FROM ALAN GREENSHIELDS
The 70th annual match between East and West Golfers' Alliances was played at Irvine Bogside with the East securing the UniRoyal Trophy after being held by the West for the past three years.

Morning foursomes saw the East hold a 5.5 to 2.5 advantage which increased in the afternoon to reach 12 to 9 with three games in the singles left. 

A strong East finish in the last three games saw the East secure the silverware by a 15-9 margin.
The match was first played in 1947 and has missed only three years since then. The overall score is now:
West 38 wins
East 27 wins
Draws 3
 
Results at Irvine Bogside (East names first)

FOURSOMES (5.5-2.5)
Craig Gordon and George Wither halved with Alan Reid and Frank Drum.
Ross Munro and Paul Porteous bt Raymond Donnelly and Scott Robertson 1 hole.
Craig Imlah and Andrew Rothney bt Michael Patterson and John McDonald 3 and 2.
Marc Owenson and Tony Boyle lost to Jonny Mullaney and Jim Fraser 3 and 2.
Neil Henderson and Richard Johnston bt Paul Wilson and Jonathan Gilmour 3 and 2.
Sandy Strachan and Malcolm Pennycott bt Ian Robertson and Stephen Coyle 3 and 2.
Louis Gaughan and Robin Cockburn lost to Ryan McCafferty and Colin Halcrow 1 hole.
Neil Colquhoun and Willie Laing bt James Smallwood and George Downie 3 and 1.

SINGLES (6-2)
Gordon bt Reid 7 and 6
Munro bt Donnelly 3 and 2.
Imlah lost to Patterson 3 and 2
Owenson lost to Mullaney 5 and 4.
Henderson bt Wilson 2 and 1.
Strachan bt Robertson 2 holes
Gaughan bt McCafferty 2 holes
Colquhoun bt Smallwood 2 holes.