Royal Troon GC set to admit women members

NEWS RELEASE FROM ROYAL TROON GOLF CLUB
The Committee of Royal Troon Golf Club has this week told Members that it will propose fundamental changes to the Constitution of the Club, allowing women members, at a SpecialGeneral Meeting on 1st July 2016, before The Open Championship.
 A detailed consultation programme with Members found that opening the club to women members is supported by over three-quarters of the Members who participated in the Club’s survey.
 Martin Cheyne, Captain of Royal Troon Golf Club, said: 
“Following our consultation with members, the Committee of Royal Troon Golf Club is moving to convene a Special General Meeting on the 1st July, at which we will propose that the Constitution of the Club is changed to allow women members to join on exactly the same basis as the men.
 “Recently we spoke about the need for our Club to reflect the modern society in which we exist and I am pleased that a large majority of Members who responded to our survey agree and support opening the Club to women.
 “Looking ahead to the Open Championship, we want Scotland to be proud of Royal Troon Golf Club and the Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon as we jointly host this most prestigious competition in front of a worldwide audience. 
"That is why we are moving quickly to a Special General Meeting and to have these matters resolved as swiftly as possible following our consultation. We will make a further statement after that meeting.”
 
Stephen Anthony
The Secretary
Royal Troon Golf Club
Tel: +44 (0) 1292 311555

Latham’s super 67 leads English senior championship at Kirby Muxloe Former English senior men’s champion Richard Latham took a step towards reclaiming his crown today with a superb 67 at Kirby Muxloe Golf Club in Leicestershire. Latham (image © Leaderboard Photography) won the title on his senior debut in 2013 and launched his current championship campaign with a four-under par round which put him three shots clear of the field. His closest challengers are two ‘new boys’ Nigel Chesters, from Shropshire, and Lancashire’s Trevor Foster, who both scored one-under par 70 at the championship’s other host venue, Rothley Park. Behind them on level par are Johnny Lawrence (Moor Allerton) and Keith Young (Ashridge), who also played at Rothley Park. Latham, the general manager at Woodhall Spa, made a dream start to his senior career. He quickly added the Scottish title to his English triumph and topped the England Golf senior order of merit. But last year, by his own admission, was poor – and he has arrived at this championship determined to revive his fortunes. He worked hard on his swing over the winter and was rewarded today, reaching the turn in one-under and coming home in three-under. “It was a relief,” he said after holing a 15-footer on the last for his seventh birdie of the day. “Funnily enough I didn’t hole a lot of putts because I hit a lot of iron shots close, so it was nice to hole a good one on the last. “I just kept going, aiming for fairways and greens, and I played really steadily.” Chesters and Foster are both making their first appearance in this event, but come armed with much experience. Chesters (Hawkstone Park) is a past winner of the English men’s mid-amateur championship for the Logan Trophy, while Foster (Accrington and District) played 108 times for Lancashire and was in the 1988 Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Chesters' round marked his return to form after three years of nearly-but-not-quite results which have seen his handicap creep up from plus-two to scratch. Today, though, his short game was hot and he had a purple patch around the turn, with three birdies in four holes from the eighth. Foster had four birdies in his round, including one on the last to tie with Chesters. He’s enjoyed much success in Lancashire and he commented: “It’s nice to come here and see what I can do. I wanted to dig in and this is a nice opening round, but there’s still two rounds to go.” The 288 competitors had to contend with chilly temperatures and blustery winds and only five players in the field of 288 equalled or bettered par. Overall, the better scoring was at Rothley Park, where 10 players were among the top 15 on the leaderboard. The more penal rough at Kirby Muxloe was generally reckoned to be the difference between the two. Cheshire’s David Nelson (Northenden) had the second best score at Kirby Muxloe after returning one-over 72, despite a tweaked back. “Beware the injured golfer,” he joked. Nelson’s round had a dramatic start when he opened with an eagle two on the first, after holing an eight-iron, and followed up with birdie three on the fourth. He is another player in good form having won the recent West of England seniors, a scratch event at Wallasey and the Cheshire senior matchplay. The shot of the day belonged to Tony Croasdale of Stanton on the Wolds who had a hole in one on 183-yard 12th at Rothley Park. The championship is played over 54 holes of stroke play. All competitors play 18 holes on each of the two courses over the first two days. After tomorrow’s second round the field will be cut to the leading 80 competitors and ties who will play the final 18 holes at Kirby Muxloe on Friday. Click here for full scores Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

NE golf architect Graeme Webster oversees  

renovation of Ballybunion Old Course

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  Greens are now being cut at 6.25mm, with 6mm being the long term height of cut at Ballybunion
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  Ballybunion’s Old Course has now reopened for play
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  All 18 greens were given a new pure fescue surface
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  The course lies on Ireland’s Atlantic coast in County Kerry
  
• 
  
  

  Greens are now being cut at 6.25mm, with 6mm being the long term height of cut at 
  

  Ballybunion
• 
  Ballybunion’s Old Course has now reopened for play

By Sean Dudley

Initial feedback for the recent renovation project at Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland, has been very positive.
That’s according to John Bambury, course manager at the club on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
The extensive project included the replacement of all eighteen Ballybunion’s Old Course greens with a pure fescue surface and entirely new rootzone.
The project also included the revetting of 38 sand-faced bunkers, the returfing of 30,000 sq m of green surrounds with fescue, and significant design changes to the seventh hole.

Work was led by Atlantic Golf Construction – whose principal Anthony Bennett hails from the area – and was overseen by  North-east of Scotland golf architect, Graeme Webster (pictured right).
The course reopened for play last month, and Bambury told the magazine "Golf Course Architecture" that everything has gone to plan so far.
“The greens are bedding in immensely well,” he said. “We are now cutting our greens at 6.25mm. 6mm will be the long term height of cut for Ballybunion.”
Bambury added: “Density is excellent despite high traffic volumes. What is really great to see is how our members and returning guests recognise how the team kept the integrity of the original architecture. The revitalised dunescapes are really developing with marram grass plantations establishing excellently. Grass pathways are very much a positive for the landscape.” 

ORR AND KELLY TIE FOR POLLOK

 PRO-AM WIN WITH 66s

Eastwood's David Orr and the unattached Chris Kelly, last year's Scottish professional champion, tied for victory with five-under-par 66s in today's Tartan Tour shotgun start pro-am at Pollok Golf Club, Glasgow

Both had eagle 3s at the long seventh and there was also a similarity about the holes they birdied.

Orr had gains at the second, sixth, 13th, 17th and 18th; Kelly at the second, fourth, fifth, 15th and 16th.

Kelly dropped shots at the sixth and 12th; Orr at the third and 14th. They each earned £600.

They finished two shots clear of third-placed Greig McBain (Newmachar) who earned £400 for a 68. He also led the Arbour No 2 trio of amateurs, William Doherty (handicap 18), John Docherty (18) and Steve Kelly (13) to victory in the pro-am team event with a 13-under-par total of 129.

Five players tied for Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Paul O'Hara (Clydeway Golf), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) and Greig Hutcheon (PLGC Inchmarlo). They each earned £325.

PRO SCORES AND PRIZEMONEY

Par 71

66 C Kelly (unatt), D Orr (Eastwood) £600 each.

68 G McBain (Newmachar) £400.

70 S Henderson (Kings Links), P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf), G Wright (West Linton), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), G Hutcheon (PLGC Inchmarlo) £325 each.

71 S Craig (Craig Golf), P Robinson(Largs) £235 each

72 K Hutton (Downfield) £200

75 J McTear (unatt), V Brown (Logos GM), C Ronald (Carluke) £160 each.

76 G Forbes (Mar Hall), D-R Nicol (Dundonald Links) £115 each.

Steve McNally wins Senior Circuit play-off 

in wet Paris (54-hole event cut to one round!)

FROM THE SENIOR GOLF CIRUIT
Following yet more rain the Senior Golf Circuit's Le Trophee at Paris at La Vaucoulers Golf Club was shortened from the scheduled three rounds to just 18 holes.  
Steve McNally and Jean-Pierre Sallat, who had tied with 71s, played off for the €3,000 first prize and the Trophee.  Steve holed a 25 yard chip  to stay alive at the first extra hole.  
Three holes later, after declining Ground Under Relief, Steve up and downed from a wet, downhill bunker lie for a birdie 3, one better than J-P who had driven over the green.  Steve was thrilled by his first win since 1999.
David James, the Dumfries man who organises the Senior Golf Circuit for those pros aged 48 and over, finished fifth with a 75.

SCOREBOARD				Score
1	McNALLY STEPHEN (won play-off)			71
	SALLAT Jean-Pierre			71
.
3	EL BRADIE KARIM			73
4	KALITA Patrice			75
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5	JAMES DAVID			75
6	LITSCHKA GILBERT			76
.
7	SPENCE TIM			76
	DALE MATT			76
.
9	GRENIER CLAUDE			77
	MONK COLIN			77
.
11	GROSSET-GRANGE Frederic			79
12	LESTER Mike			80
.
13	WAITE RICHARD			82
14	BRANCA Eric			83
.
15	BETTS NIGEL			83
16	MUDHOO-DUCOURET Prateema	102	18	84
.
17	NAAS Richard	93	9	84
	BOUBA Todou			84
.
19	SAROT SUN PANTONG			85
	MACDOUGALL DEREK			85
.
17	FOULETIER Fabrice	96	10	86
	PONIER MICHAEL			92
.
18	COMAN GHEORGHE LULIAN			92
	CAPRE Joël			92
.
	BROUCHOUD RENE PIERRE			WD
	CHERON Olivier			WD
	CAPAUL Marcel			WD
	NAUDET Xavier			WD
	SABAROS Roger			WD
	EVANS Neil			WD
	SWEET Nigel			WD
	GRAHAM Steve			WD
	KAMI Kumar			WD
	MERCIER Daniel Julien			WD
	ELIASON Per			WD
	THORNLEY Paul			WD
	NOVAK STEPHEN			WD

East of Scotland Seniors' Open at Edzell

By GORDON THOMSON 

The third event in the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society season takes place on Thursday and Friday with the East of Scotland Seniors Open (sponsored by McCrea Financial Services) at Edzell.

 There is a full field of 141 for the event with a good mix of ages and handicaps and all are looking forward to the Society’s first trip to one of the finest inland courses in the North of Scotland.

Nick Robson (Meldrum House), winner of the Spring Open at Monifieth and second at Elgin, leads the Order of Merit from new member, Maurice Lindsay (Broughty) in second place with Senior international, Graham Bell (Downfield) in third place.

 Wilson Morton (Dunbar) and Andrew Stracey (Denham) are tied at the top of the Handicap Order of Merit table with Gordon MacDonald (Glenbervie) leading the Super Seniors (over 65) Order of Merit.

The established group of leading players are all in action this week including the holder, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and the 2015 Seniors Order of Merit title, Ronnie Clark (Erskine) so some good scoring is in prospect. 

Formed in November 2006, the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society is the brainchild of former amateur international, Gordon MacDonald. It was formed to meet a significant demand for high level competition for senior amateur golfers still keen to test their games at a high level. All the events take place in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere on good courses.There are age group prizes and separate order of merit titles on a handicap basis and for members over the age of 65.

Membership of the Society is open to golfers over the age of 50 with handicaps of 9.4 or less. Further details can be obtained via the website –www.scottish seniorsgolf.com or by contacting Ian Kerr at admin@scottishseniorsgolf.com.

  Big Johnson's Tour at Irvine Bogside on June 6

The next Big Johnson's Tour event will be held on Monday, June
6  at the former Open qualifying venue -  Irvine Golf Club (Bogside).
If any pros would like to play or  wish more info please contact johnhenry92@hotmail.com

Solway Cup and Bowl.

Entries were up on previous years in the Solway Cup and Bowl that was played over the Colvend Course on Saturday.  The day was perfect for good scoring with the weather very summery and the course in good condition. 

 The Championship   was also a qualifying competition for the Order of Merit for both Scratch and Handicap.  

Winner of the Solway Cup (handicap) was Colin Heuchan (Sn), scoring 68-01-67

 Runner up was  Colvend member Charles Stewart 85-18-67

3rd Eric Neilson (Col) 87-18-69

4th James McWhir (Col) 81-12-69

 5th Robert Patterson Snr (Kbt) 75-05-70.  

Winner of the Solway Bowl (scratch) was Michael Whalen (Sn) with a 74 winning on countback from William Squires (Kbt). 

 Full results can be found on www.Masterscoreboard.co.uk under Kirkcudbrightshire Golfers' Association.  

The presentation of trophies was made by the Vice President Peter Haslam (Gh).  The Competiion Scratch Score was 69.  Thanks go to the Committee and Members of Colvend Golf Club for permitting the Championship to take place on their course.

Order of Merit (handicap)

N. Watson (Kbt) 10pts

C. Heuchan (Sn) 10 pts

B. Kirkpatrick (CD) 6 pts

C. Stewart (Col) 6 pts

S. Findlay (CD) 4 pts

E. Neilson (Col) 4 pts

A. Bendall(CD) 3 pts

J.McWhirr (Col) 3 pts

R.Whalen (Dal) 1 pt

R.Patterson Snr (Kbt) 1 pt

Order of Merit (scratch)

N. Watson (Kbt) 10 pts

C. Heuchan (Sn) 10 pts

A.Bendall (CD) 6 pts

M. Whalen (Sn) 6 pts

W. Squires (Kbt) 4 pts

S. Finlay (CD) 4 pts

R. Murray (Sn) 3 pts

R. Kerr (Sn) 3 pts

I. McBeth (CD) 1 pt

R. Patterson Snr (Kbt) 1 pt

 

The next Order of Merit Competition is the Cally Cup at Gatehouse Golf Club on Saturday 18th June.

Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Schoolboys Championship
Two rounds at Murrayshall Hotel golf courses
Monday, June 6

Match
No.
1 07:44  Callum Bruce          North Aberdeenshire
12:44     Darren Howie         Scottish Borders
              Eric McIntosh         Edinburgh

2 07:52 Callum Burns          East Dunbartonshire
12:52    Graeme Greer          South Lanarkshire
             Marc Watt                North Aberdeenshire

3 08:00 Michael Lawrie       Aberdeen City
13:00    Ross Callan            West Lothian
             Robert Watson         Clackmannan

4 08:08 Kyle Reid           East Dunbartonshire
13:08   Sam Locke          South Aberdeenshire
            Andrew Benson   West Lothian

5 08:16 Craig Leith           Aberdeen City
13:16    Jack Broun           South Ayrshire
             John Paterson        Stirling

6 08:24 Harry George             Dundee City
13:24   Greg Dalziel                North Lanarkshire
            Alex Simpson                Perth and Kinross

7 08:32 Aidan Smith               South Aberdeenshire
13:32    Matthew Dalrymple      Glasgow
             Jonathan Torrance         North Lanarkshire

8 08:40 Andrew Moir           Moray
13:40    Lorne Ross                Highland
              Lewis Irvine             Glasgow

9 08:48 Lewis Brown              Argyll and Bute
13:48   Jack Currie                  Inverclyde
            Cameron McArthur    North Aberdeenshire

10 08:56 Jamie Mackintosh       Highland
13:56      David Rudd                 Edinburgh
               Nathan Watson            Dumfries and Galloway

11 09:04 Jack McMorris        S. Lanarkshire
14:04      William Squires      Dumfries and Galloway
              Kieran McCormick   N. Lanarkshire

12 09:12 Thomas Bell       Moray
14:12      Jamie Connelly   Angus
               Sam Nicholson    Fife

13 09:20   Jake Carpenter      Moray
14:20        Ibrahim Hussain  East Refrewshire
                 Connor Wilson     East Lothian

14 09:28 Scott Young           East Lothian
14:28      Zach Geddes          South Lanarkshire
              Greg Cessford         Fife

15 09:36 John Bisset            Glasgow
14:36      Ellis Gray              North Aberdeenshire
               Aaron Hall             East Lothian

16 09:44  Scott Swayne        Dundee City
14:44       Cameron Gray      North Aberdeenshire
                Callum Elliott       Glasgow

17 09:52 Ben McKay           Fife
14:52     Jack Williams        North Lanarkshire
              Euan McBride        East.Dunbartonshire

18 10:00 Ian Taggart          E. Dunbartonshire
15:00     Stewart Philip      Fife
               Niklaus Knall      Perth and Kinross

19 10:08 Rory Cromarty     Highland
15:08      Jack Lockhart      Fife
               Ewan Wheat         South Aberdeenshire

20 10:16  Liam Strath         Aberdeen City
15:16       Logan Gillies     Highland
                Shaun Lynch      Falkirk

21 10:24 Jack Savage         East Dunbartonshire
15:24      Sean Logue          South Aberdeenshire
               Tom MacKenzie   Glasgow

22 10:32 Jamie Roberts             Perth andKinross
15:32      Roddy McAuley         East Renfrewshire
               Christopher Strachan    West Lothian

23 10:40 Callum Paterson           South Lanarkshire
15:40      Daniel Gaines               East Lothian
               Cameron Johnstone       South Ayrshire

24 10:48 Ross Flanagan                West Lothian
15:48     Hamish McColm              Highland
              Joshua Grahame               Midlothian

25 10:56 Christian Barbour          Fife
15:56      Cameron Davidson        South Aberdeenshire
               Cameron Finch               West Lothian

26 11:04 Jonathan Murphy           Renfrewshire
16:04     Calum Scott                    Highland
              Timothy Erskine             Glasgow

27 11:12 Brendan Murdoch         Perth and Kinross
16:12 Liam Martin                      Glasgow
          Cameron Gallagher           East Lothian

Aberdeen Pennant League results

Opening matches in the Aberdeen and District Men's Pennant Golf League, sponsored by the Douglas Hotel's Molly's Bistro and Malone's Bar, resulted:

Section A
 Royal Aberdeen 5, Auchmill 0.
M Halliday, N Macandrew bt D Yaes, G Hay 1 hole.
D Macandrew, D Raitt bt I Watt, K Duncan 2 and 1.
I Middleton, C Leith bt W Gibson, K Duncan 7 and 5.
M Wilson, D Purdie bt M Mearns, M Albeston 4 and 3.
A Buchan, E Laird bt R Milne, R Yule 4 and 3.

Section B
 Murcar Links 5, Northern 0
R Brechin, B Innes bt C Law, G Paterson 2 holes.
A Holbook, C Stewart bt D Mair, R Morrison 1 hole.
A Bews, I Galbraith bt C Johnstone, N Walker 3 and 2.
W McKenzie, R Sharp bt L Minty, W West 2 and 1. 
J Henderson, G Stewart bt S Kennedy, S Slessor 3 and 2.

Portlethen 3.5, Bon Accord 1.5
C Brechin, M Garvie bt G Mitchell, M Dunn 2 and 1.
K Daglish, S Cook lost to M Smith, M Edmond 1 hole
K Horne, G Esson bt M Greig, D Leslie 4 and 3.
L Shand, M Shand bt G Somers, C Somers 2 and 1.
R Murdoch, R Donaldson halved with B Edmond, G McLaggan
 

Section C
 Newmachar 3, Stonehaven 2
S Gauld, E Kennedy halved with K Brown, J Barbour
J Wilson, C Simpson halved with S Dempster,  B McGillivray
C Lamb, M Barclay bt L McKay, G McGarlane 2 and 1.
N Melvin, C Cheyne bt B Ferguson, S Guzik 2 and 1.
G Mitchell, A Giles lost to I Taylor, McAllen 1 hole

Nigg Bay 5, Craibstone 0
I Welsh, R Young bt M McDonald, K Milne 2 and 1
G Grimmer, L O'Connor bt A Carle, A Ashley 2 and 1.
R Forbes, Z Wood bt C Wilkinson, J Borthwick 2 and 1.
R Nielsen, S  Jamieson bt I Still, S Milne 4 and 3.
G Stewart, B Ruce bt L Richards, S Bruce 5 and 3. 

+Thanks to all the match secretaries for supplying the results and the details

NEXT FIXTURE
Thursday, June 2
Section A - Caledonian v Hazlehead