David Law and Ross Kellett just outside top 20 with 71s

Play it again, Sam! Walker leads by two in 

Irish Challenge Tour opening round

FROM THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR WEBSITE

Sam Walker shot a six under par round of 66 to claim a two-shot lead after day one of the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resor at Tullow, Co Carlow.
The four-time European Challenge Tour champion, who won his most recent title four weeks ago in Finland, made four birdies in nine holes to reach the turn in 33 at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort.
The Englishman, who broke the course record at Golf Club de Genève with a sublime ten under par opening round of 62 at the Rolex Trophy three weeks ago, then made four further gains over the front nine, his back nine, to take the clubhouse lead.
It was at the summit of the leaderboard where the 38 year old remained all day, and he is confident that he can sustain his impressive form over the next three rounds.
“I played very well,” he said. “I was on good form and I hit a lot of shots very close and didn’t have many long putts for birdies. That was the key for me today, I didn’t really need to think about holing a putt.
“I got a bit lucky on 18 where I came out of the rough and hit the bank of the water and my ball shot back across into the bunker, but other than that I was really solid. I can’t grumble and I have put myself in a good position for the next few days.
“I am feeling very confident at the moment. I was struggling at the start of the season with my putting, but I went away and worked at it and it just clicked in Finland. Then it was also good again at the Rolex.
“I changed my clubs in Finland and they are now the right weight, so I feel a lot more comfortable with them and I can attack the pins more.
“That has made a massive difference, especially on days like today where I am really in control and able to spin the ball on the greens. I can’t argue with my performance today as everything was good and everything was in play.
“It is a fantastic course this week – one of my favourite ones on the Challenge Tour. It plays tough with the par threes, which are very good par threes. I can’t really fault it!”
Two shots behind Walker are France’s Edouard Dubois, Holland’s Darius Van Driel and England’s Steven Brown.
Three off the lead is Paul Maddy, who made a hole-in-one on the par three sixth after holing out from 195 yards with a five iron. 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

SCOTS' SCORES
71 D Law, R Kellett (T21)
73 J Doherty (T63)
74 P Shields, E Ferguson, S Henry, J McDnald (T82)
76 C Syme (am), P Whiteford (T116)
77 D Stewart (T128).

Peter Kerr (St Andrews) has narrow lead in men's section

Gemma Batty goes four shots clear of 
student women's field

After a day of rain delays at the 6th Stirling International Students' tournament over The Duke's Course, St Andrews, the big mover from the back of the pack in the women's tournament was Exeter’s Harrie Llewellyn (Vale Resort) who shot a 75 to move into sixth place. 
The round of the day, however, saw Stirling student Gemma Batty (Moffat), pictured, make light of the testing conditions shoot a 72 to move to the top of the women's leaderboard at five over 147 with a lead of four from Alexa Hammer (St Andrews).

On the men’s side, rhe rain delay came right in the middle of the round for a number of those players, providing some extra drama to the back nine as students battled to make the cut. The stand-out from the early tee times was guest player Oliver Bailey, from Sweden, who battled through to return a level par 71 and move comfortably into the top half of the leaderboard. 
At the top of the men's leaderboard St Andrews student Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush) repeated his level par round from the first day to take the lead. 
Laird Shephed (Rye) shot a 70 to move into second place at one over 143 while his Stirling colleague William Walker (Belton Park) has had a pair of 72s to siet in third place at 144, only two shots off the pace going into the final day.

MEN'S LEADERBOARD
Par 142
142 P Kerr (St Andrews) 71 71
143 L Shepherd (Stirling) 73 70
144 W Walker (Stirling) 72 72
145 C Low (Abertay) 72 73, R Dutton (Ulster) 70 75
146 C MacLean (Stirling) 72 74, S Locke (Scottish Golf) 71 75
148 S Flanagan (Maynooth) 74 74
149 M McKinstry (Queens, Belfast) 75 74, M Myers (St Andrews) 73 76, K LeBlanc (Maynooth) 73 76, J Glenn (Durham) 71 78.
WOMEN'S LEADERBOARD
Par 142
147 G Batty (Stirling) 75 72
151 A Hammer (St Andrews) 72 79
155 C Goadby (Stirling) 78 77, S Burke (Maynooth) 74 81
156 H Llewellyn (Exeter) 81 75, S Sexton (Stirling) 79 77
157 Meadhbh Doyle (Maynooth) 78 79, Mary Doyle (Maynooth) 75 81
159 E Toy (Exeter) 80 79, E Hale (Glasgow Caledonian) 80 79, M
Danielson (St Andrews) 70 89.
161 J Saxton (Stirling) 79 82, T Mactaggart (Stirling) 76 85

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

Men - http://bucs.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3521&preview=1

Women - http://bucs.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3525&preview=1

Dutch amateur leads KLM Open with 

five-under 66

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Dutch amateur Rowin Caron grabbed the headlines on day one of the KLM Open after a brilliant opening round of five under par 66 saw the 23 year old move into a tie for second place, just one stroke behind Englishman Ben Evans.
Caron, who is in his final year at Florida State University, produced a fine first-round performance at the tournament’s new home, The Dutch, as he joined a seven-strong group of players sitting just one stroke behind Evans.
Caron is in exalted company, with former Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson joined by European Tour winners Ben An and Bernd Wiesberger, as well as Chris Hanson, Mikko Korhonen and Joakim Lagergren on five under.
Evans is looking to avoid a repeat of last season when he had to wait until the last event of the season – the UBS Hong Open – to retain his playing privileges on the European Tour and the 26 year certainly made a perfect start in his bid to secure his European Tour future for 2017.
Home hero Joost Luiten is lurking on two under par after a solid opening round of 69, while there was huge disappointment for defending champion Thomas Pieters who was forced to withdraw from the tournament this morning.
The 24 year old Belgian, who will make his Ryder Cup debut for Darren Clarke’s European team in three weeks’, was stung by a bee on Monday afternoon during a challenge match against Luiten and then suffered a major allergic reaction to the sting which meant he could not defend his title.
The KLM Open broke new ground on Thursday by hosting a unique ‘Beat the Pro competition’, where amateurs were given the chance to challenge the professionals during tournament play on the par three 14th hole.
Three amateurs actually achieved the feat, most notably a 13 year old Dutch lad by the name of Benjamin Reuter (handicap 1.9) who stood on the tee and bettered the approaches of two Ryder Cup stars and a Major champion in the form of Nicolas Colsaerts, Stephen Gallacher and Y E Yang.

PLAYER QUOTES
Ben Evans: “I holed a lot of putts early on in the round to get me to two under and then hit a few nice wedges in close to get off to a pretty fast start. The putting was the difference today – I holed a lot of mid-range putts which I haven’t been doing a lot of lately. I came here on Monday and had some extra time to practice. I like the course visually. It’s like an in-land links and you can see that they have done that with the decision. It looks like a links course and with a lot of slopes and undulations it plays quite like a links course too.
 “I am in a similar position to what I was last year in terms of my card. I need to play well to keep it but I am confident that I can do that It only takes one good week to turn everything around and I hope this is the week.”
Rowin Caron: “I am really happy. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens so in some ways it was a pretty easy round. The wind got up a little bit later in the round but I was playing well so it was a solid round. I have played here at The Dutch a lot so it helped me a lot today to know the course so well. I like the course a lot and have played well here in the past so I am just enjoying myself.
“The game plan is always to try and win the tournament – every time you tee it up in any event that is the goal. That is everyone’s goal. It would be really nice to win my national Open but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.
“Playing at Florida State has really helped my game because you are playing against the top guys in the college system and that makes you get better. Plus, it has helped me away from the course too – I think I am more confident and independent as a person because I have spent time over in the states.”
Joost Luiten: “It was a decent result today. I was struggling with my swing and really trusting the swing, especially in the early part of the round so today was quite tough mentally. The main positive for me today was that I didn’t make a bogey and when you do that you are going to stay in the tournament. The crowds were great out there and hopefully I can give them a little more to cheer tomorrow.
“The Beat the Pro competition is a great idea. It was really fascinating to see an amateur player joining us on the tee to hit one shot. It was interesting to see how they handled the pressure because usually the pressure is all on us pros. I think it’s a good idea and it could add a lot to any tournament.”
 
ROUND ONE SCOREBOARD
par 71
65 B Evans  (Eng)
66 C Hanson (Eng), N Bertasio (Ita), B Wiesberger  (Aut), P Hanson (Swe), B An (SKor), J Lagergren (Swe), M Korhonen (Fin), R Caron (am) (Ned)
67 M Foster (Eng), M Manassero (Ita), O Fisher  (Eng), T Fleetwood  (Eng), R Bland (Eng), M Baldwin (Eng), N Srithong (Tha), D Horsey (Eng), S Hend (Aus), A Cañizares  (Esp), R Jacquelin (Fra)
68 S Jamieson  (Sco), T Van Der Walt (RSA), B Rumford (Aus), F Zanotti (Par), J Carlsson (Swe), S Chawrasia (Ind), J Robinson (Eng), S Lee (SKor), R Langasque  (Fra), S Khan (Eng), M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra)
69 A Noren  (Swe), L Haotong (Chn), J Roos (RSA), J Luiten (Ned), R Karlsson (Swe), P Meesawat  (Tha), M Carlsson  (Swe), S Benson (Eng), R Gonzalez (Arg), N Elvira  (Esp), R McEvoy  (Eng), S Webster (Eng), M Hoey  (NIr), B Åkesson (Swe), G Storm  (Eng), T Linard (Fra)
70 R Paratore (Ita), J Veerman (USA), D Gavins (Eng), M Kieffer (Ger), D Im (USA), R Fisher (Eng), P Larrazábal (Esp), J Campillo (Esp), L Bjerregaard  (Den), J Walters (RSA), J Hansen  (Den), J Fahrbring (Swe), F Aguilar (Chi), B Virto  (Esp), D Burmester (RSA), E Pepperell (Eng), C Pigem Xammar (Esp), M Warren (Sco)
71 M Tabuena (Phi), M Lafeber (Ned), L Slattery (Eng), C Lee (Sco), R Davies (Wal), R Dinwiddie  (Eng), R Van West  (Ned), T Detry  (Bel), D Drysdale (Sco), D Dixon (Eng), L Nemecz (Aut), A Quiros  (Esp), N Colsaerts  (Bel), F Laporta (Ita), D Huizing (Ned), P Melching (am) (Ned)
72 E De La Riva  (Esp), D Brooks (Eng), J Scrivener (Aus), R Kakko  (Fin), G Havret  (Fra), J Hahn (USA), M Madsen  (Den), N Ravano (Ita), J Knutzon (USA), R Ramsay  (Sco), S Manley (Wal), C Wood  (Eng), O Bergqvist  (Swe), U Van Den Berg  (RSA), T Pilkadaris (Aus), T Jaidee (Tha), J Hugo  (RSA), A Levy (Fra), M Southgate  (Eng), B Stone (RSA), R Wattel  (Fra), L Jensen (Den)
73 A McArthur  (Sco), W Besseling  (Ned), R Evans  (Eng), B Hebert  (Fra), A Otaegui  (Esp), T Lewis (Eng), F Fritsch  (Ger), N Fasth (Swe), J Winther (Den), M Kraaij  (Ned), S Gallacher (Sco), L Canter (Eng), P Edberg (Swe), M Fraser (Aus), T Fisher Jnr (RSA), M Ilonen  (Fin), D Fichardt (RSA), P Bootsma (am) (Ned)
74 J Jeong (SKor), H Porteous (RSA), S Gros (Fra), J Parry (Eng), J McLeary  (Sco), R McGowan  (Eng), P Dunne (Irl), T Remkes (Ned), Y Yang (Kor), M Siem  (Ger), C Shinkwin (Eng)
75 W De Vries (Ned), E Molinari  (Ita), M Ford (Eng), D Howell (Eng), J Singh (Ind), G Boyd  (Eng)
76 G Coetzee (RSA), R Miller (Ned), C Kumar (Ind), P Lawrie (Irl), R Green (Aus), M Bosch (Ned), R Lee (Can), S Dyson  (Eng), A Dodt (Aus), A De Bondt (am) (Bel), L Van Meijel (am) (Ned)
77 O Wilson (Eng), T Merkx (Ned)
78 D Van Den Dungen  (Ned), J Busby (Eng), N Holman  (Aus), V Van Veen (am) (Ned)

Blairgowrie Finals Day over Lansdowne Course

Graham Bell pips Ronnie Clark for Seniors'

 Merit title with Nick Robson third

Downfield's Graham Bell, with the day's joint best score, leapfrogged Ronnie Clark (Erskine) to win the Senior Golf Society's Order of Merit at Blairgowrie's Finals Day today.

 Over the par-72 Lansdowne course, Graham and home-course man Tom McLevy shot 73s. Table leader Clark returned a 76 but did not gain enough points to hold Bell at bay.

Aberdeen businessman Nick Robson (Meldrum House) shot a 76 and finished third behind Bell and Clark in the final Order of Merit table.

It was a fairly rough day weatherwise wiwith a constant wind and rain throughout. Flooding caused some delays of play.

SCOTTISH SENIOR GOLFING SOCIETY
ORDER OF MERIT FINALS DAY
Blairgowrie Lansdowne Course
LEADING SCORES
par 72. SSS 73. CSS 75
73 G Bell (Downfield), T McLevy (Blairgowrie)
74 D Waddell (Glasgow), R Johnston (Glenbervie)
75 R Craw (Glenbervie)
76 L Chancellor (Inverness), R Clark (Erskine), N Robson (Meldrum House), D Logie (Craigie Hill), K Reilly (Silverknowes), J A Fraser (Royal Burgess)
77 S Finnie (Royal Aberdeen), M Lindsay (Broughty), J Aman (Grangemouth)
78 I Jeen (St Andrews New), G Murray (Moray), A Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas), L Gordon (Turnhouse), J Johnston (Lanark), G MacDonald (Glenbervie)
79 T Patterson (Sunningdale), G Forrest (Northumberland), R W Smith (Nairn), D Hamilton (Mortonhall).

Age Group winners
55-59 years:
72 Drew Waddell, Tom McLevy
60-64 years:
78 John Johnston
65-69 years:
78 Gordon MacDonald
70+ years
80 Thomas Sirrel (Largs)

FINAL ORDER OF MERIT TOP PLACINGS
1 Graham Bell (Downfield)
2 Ronnie Clark (Erskine)
3 Nick Robson (Meldrum House)

GORDON THOMSON REPORTS
With a fine score of 73 in difficult conditions, Graham Bell (Downfield) secured enough points to secure the Seniors Order of Merit (sponsored by McCrea Financial Services) by tying for first place in the Finals Day event over the Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie today.
Bell’s score was equalled by local star Tom McLevy but importantly it gave him a three-stroke advantage over the holder, Ronnie Clark (Erskine). Clark could only secure points for a share of sixth place on the day and was pipped on the line by his international team-mate.
It was a fitting end to the season with Bell and Clark, who played major roles in last week’s Scottish success in the European senior team championship, involved in a dramatic shoot-out for the coveted title. 
It caps a fine season for Bell who has been well placed in every event in which he has played and came agonisingly close to winning the Seniors Open Amateur Championship, losing in a play-off.




TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Corcoran leads at nine-over-par 153 in tough 

weather for Irish senior women

Wind and rain - and more is forecast for the final day - made it tough going for the competitors in the Irish senior women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Arklow Golf Club today.
Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) had a second-round of 78 - six over par - but that was good enough to put her two strokes clear of the field on nine-over 153.
She leads by two from Pat Doran (Donabate) (75-80) and by three from joint third placed Sheena McElroy (Grange) (76-80) and South African Sonja Bland (79-77).
Defending champion Gertie McMullen (Island) is lying fifth with rounds of 80 and 77 for 157.

The top 40 and ties now move forward to the final 18 holes tomorrow. With heavy rain forecast for tomorrow afternoon it will be survival of the fittest to see who will be crowned Irish Women’s Senior Open Championship 2016.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES

Par 144 (2x72)

153 Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) 75 78

155 Pat Doran (Donabate) 75 80

156 Sonja Bland (South Afria) 79 77, Sheena McElroy (Grange) 76 80

157 Gertie Mullen (Island) 80 77

159 Maria O'Reilly (Headfort) 82 77, Alison Murdoch (Canada) 76 83, Margaret McAuliffe (Ballybunion) 75 84

161 Lesley Olive Henry (USA) 81 80

SELECTED SCORES

162 Mary Dowling (Mallow) 80 82, Minna Kaarnalahti (Finland) 80 82 (T10).

 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

EuroPro Tour event at Mar Hall reduced to two rounds with cut at 70

The PGA EuroPro Tour event at Mar Hall, Bishopton, the Glenfarclas Open, has been reduced from three to two rounds because of rain.
No play was possible today. 
A cut has been made to the leading 50 and ties with scores of 70 or better in Wednesday's first round.

Pamela Pretswell in the mix after Round 1 of Ladies European Masters

For scores from the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Golf Club Hubbelrath, Germany click here

Pace shoots 65 to lead 

LET NEWS RELEASE FROM BETHAN CUTLER, LET MEDIA MANAGER

South African Lee-Anne Pace made nine birdies and two bogeys in an opening round of seven-under-par 65 to grab a one stroke lead at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters, the Ladies European Tour’s showcase event at Golf Club Hubbelrath in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The 35-year-old from Paarl began with a bogey on the first but picked up five birdies on the front nine, with four in a row from the fifth in hot weather. She added another bogey on the 10^th but quickly fired four more birdies, including on the 17^th and 18^th holes. 

“I had an unlucky break on my first hole. I don’t know what it hit but it jumped a fairway, which was kind of unfortunate. After that, not a lot of mistakes. I hit a lot of fairways and greens and made quite a few putts so I’m happy with it,” said the winner of nine LET titles.

“It’s the kind of course where you need to shape it off the tee. The greens do hold quite easily so even with long irons or hybrids they do stop.

“I just got new irons, the new PING blade irons and I absolutely love them, so I feel really comfortable. I’m playing nicely. My swing is good and I feel like I can shape it both ways.”

Pace is a stroke ahead of Katie Burnett from the United States, who made seven birdies and one bogey in a 66 under brilliant blue skies early in the day. 

The 26-year-old from Georgia went out in two-under but picked up four shots on the back nine. She said: “I hit a lot of greens. The greens are soft so if you’re hitting your irons well you can attack the flags. I hit quite a few within a couple of feet.  It’s a great golf course. The greens are good, fairways are good. The greens are soft, which is nice because you don’t get the run-out that you might on a firmer course.”

Scotland’s Pamela Pretswell and Amelia Lewis of the United States share fourth spot on four-under-par 68. Pretswell enjoyed her round and said: “It was nice to be back out there after a long break. I’ve been busy working on a few things and having some time off so it feels like the first day of school. I’ve been working on my putting and I’ve got a new putter and driver so it was nice to be out there today and my hard work paid off.”

Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord, Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth, American rookie professional Angel Yin and England’s Jessica Bradley share sixth place on three-under.

The defending champion Beth Allen, who won the title last year at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in England, is in a tie for 10^th on two under alongside the leading German players Isi Gabsa and Sandra Gal, English pair Florentyna Parker and Georgia Hall, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and Mireia Prat from Spain.

Allen said:  “I hit it really well and my putting was not great but I’m playing well enough so hope to have a good day tomorrow. I’m feeling pretty confident, so that’s good. The greens are really quick, even quicker than at Woburn, so it’s been a while since I’ve played fast greens and it’s taking a bit of getting used to. You really have to think you’re way around. It’s not a grip and rip sort of course.”

Second round play on Friday begins at 7.40am local time and there will be a cut to the leading 65 players and ties at halfway.

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 72
65 Lee-Ann Pace (South Africa)
66 Katie Burnett (USA)
67 In-Kyung Kim (S Korea)
68 Pamela Pretswell (Scotland), Amelia Lewis (USA), Jessica Bradley (England)

SELECTED SCORES
70 Beth Allen (USA), Flo Parker (England), Georgia Hall (England) (T10)
71 Annabel Dimmock (England), Melissa Reid (England) (T17)

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
72 Kylie Walker T25)
73 Kelsey MacDonald (T36)
75 Gemma Dryburgh (T63)
76 Laura Murray (T80)
78 Carly Booth (T112)
79 Sally Watson, Vikki Laing (T120)

Full scores: http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/

CLAN Insch Young Pros' pro-am at Insch Golf Club

O'HARA BROTHERS AND STEIN IN TRIPLE TIE FOR VICTORY AT INSCH YOUNG PROS' PRO-AM

The O'Hara brothers, Steven and Paul, playing out of North Lanarkshire Leisure, and Ranfurly Castle's David Stein figured in a triple tie for victory with one-under-par 68s in the CLAN Insch young professionals' pro-am at Insch Golf Club, Aberdeenshire today.

They earned £433 each.

Paul O'Hara hit two balls out of bounds and Steven one.

A shot behind in fourth place was Gavin Hay (Grantown on Spey) who earned £260.

Christopher Billows (Gleneagles) led the "Oilfield Trash" amateur team to victory with an 18-under-par total of 120 in the pro-am team event.

CLAN INSCH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS' PRO-AM

Insch Golf Club, Aberdeenshire.

PRO SCORES

Par 69
68 David Stein (Ranfurly Castle), Steven O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure), Paul O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure) (£433 each).
69 G Hay (Grantown on Spey) (£260).
70 A Welsh (Cathkin Braes), C Billows (Gleneagles) (£212 each).
71 R Munro (Duddingston) (£175)
72 J Gallagher (Westerwood), K Zeynalov (Portlethen) (£137 each)
73 D Flannery (Caldwell) (£100)
74 P McKenna (Paul Lawrie GC) (£80)
75 A Todd (Downfield) (£70)
76 C Goodwin (Duff House Royal), A Hutchison (Douglas Park) (£57 each)
81 R McKen (Trump International) (£50).

Team winners: 
120 C Billows (Gleneagles) (£50) and "Oilfield Trash" - David Whicher (handicap 14), David Gair (16), Gordon Skinner (16).
122 R McKen (Trump International (£50) and Kore Solutions.
124 A Welsh (Cathkin Braes) (£50) and "Two auld boys and a loon."

Golfing Dads and Lads head for Andalucia

for annual Father and Son championship

     Late entries accepted

Andalucia, Spain: A host of golfing dads and their lads will head for the sunny climes of Andalucia, Spain, at the end of next month to compete in the European Father and Son Golf Championship 2016.

Last-minute entries are still available for this annual tournament which will be played over the stunning championship courses at the Costa Ballena Ocean Club and the Sherry Golf Jerez in Cadiz from October 24^th to 29^th.

The stunning Costa Ballena Golf Course in Andalucia

This popular event has not only proved to be a great bonding opportunity between fathers and sons but an excellent way to meet fellow golfers who come to play in the tournament from all over the world.

This year Father and Son Champions from America, Australia and Italy are flying in to contest the ninth staging of the event whilst in the past the tournament has attracted the likes of former Ryder Cup players Phillip Price and Paul Broadhurst, who have played alongside their sons.

Last year’s thrilling final in the Scratch Trophy was eventually won by Britons Gary and Justin Milner who are based Germany, while three-time winners, David and George Mills from Sussex, won the Handicap Trophy.

 

As well as triggering the competitive juices, the Championships is regarded as a holiday event that is relaxed and fun for all the different generations that come together to golf.

To add to the festival-like atmosphere, the competition is run along the lines of a professional golf tournament with an official announcer introducing the teams on the tee, scoreboards on the course, referees on hand to settle any rulings issues, caddies to carry the bags and help read putts, an official photographer, volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the event and even a few spectators to watch the action!

Competitors can also expect to see their names up in lights as top sports broadcaster, Sky Sports, will be on site to capture the action in order to produce a highlights show that will go to air shortly after the event.

As one of Europe’s best family golf destinations, Andalucia is the perfect venue for the Championships thanks to the fact that the sun shines virtually every day of the year whilst the hotel host, the Elba Costa Ballena Beach & Thalasso Resort, is ideal for both parents and youngsters. The modern, 4* star hotel boasts two pools (one outdoor and one indoor), a Thalasso spa, a games room as well as a friendly bar with live music.

The golf meanwhile is played over two excellent championship courses. The Costa Ballena course, designed by Spanish golfing legend Jose Maria Olazabal, is a Par 72, 6,700 yard layout located next to the beach. Though the course is relatively flat, the small, undulating greens test the golfers’ approach shot accuracy whilst the club also boasts one of Europe’s largest and most complex practice facilities. 

 

Located inland just outside the famous sherry city of Jerez, Sherry Golf is a gently undulating Par 72, 7,100-yard track set in rolling green countryside. It has previously held the Spanish Men’s Amateur Championship so is a testy golf course that presents the competitors with a good challenge.

Whilst over 50 teams have already signed up, a few slots are still available and can be booked online at www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk.

The 2016 package price starts at £699 per person and includes:

·         4 rounds of golf over  the Costa Ballena Ocean Club & the Sherry Golf Jerez in Cadiz 

·         5 nights at the Hotel Elba Costa Ballena Beach & Thalasso Resort on a half-board basis (excluding drinks)

·         Welcome Drinks Reception 

·         Gala Dinner with prize presentation, including local wine & coffee

·         Championships Tournament Entry

·         Nightly Entertainment

·         Competition prizes

·         All Taxes

·         Return private escorted coach transfers from airport to hotel on Monday 24th & Saturday 29th October

 

For more information or to book your place, visit www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk or phone + 44 (0)1702 680180, or email Jackie@fatherandsongolf.co.uk.

2019 R and A highlights: Open at Royal Portrush; Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool

June 17-22: British Amateur Championship, Portmarnock and The Island, near Dublin, Ireland.
 

July 18-21: The 148^th Open, Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.

July 31-August 2: British Seniors Amateur Championship, North Berwick

August 6-8: Boys' Home Internationals, Ashburnham, South Wales.

August 13-18: British boys' amateur championship, Saunton, East and West courses, North Devon

August 30-31: Jacques Leglise Trophy, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

September 7-8:  Walker Cup, Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, The Wirral, Cheshire.

American students start Scottish tour at 

Crail's  Balcomie Links today

Stanford University, California's men's golf squad flew into Edinburgh Airport this morning and tee off their Scottish Tour at Crail Golfing Society's Balcomie Links later in the day.
Their party includes the world's top ranked amateur, Maverick McNealy.
The Stanford itinerary is:

 STANFORD'S ITINERARY
Thursday, September 8
Land at Edinburgh Airport
Tee times at Crail GS (Balcomie Links)

Friday, September 9
Tee times at Carnoustie Golf Links
Private dinner in the St. Andrews GC dining room overlooking 18th green of Old Course

Saturday, September 10
Tee times at St Andrews New Course.
Match v University of St. Andrews
Tour of British Golf Museum

Sunday, September 11
Tee times at Kingsbarns Golf Links
Match v Oregon State University

Monday, September 12
Tee times at Cruden Bay GC

Tuesday, September 13
Tee times (7.45am) at Trump International Links 
Tee times (2.30pm) at Royal Aberdeen GC

Wednesday, September 14
Tee times at Nairn GC 

Wednesday, September 15
Tour of Culloden Battlefield
Tee times at Castle Stuart Links 

Thursday, September 16
Boat cruise of Loch Ness
Tee times at Royal Dornoch GC
Match v Royal Dornoch GC team

Friday, September 17
Arrive back  in Edinburgh

Saturday, September 18
Depart for California.

Link to tee times today at Blairgowrie for Seniors' Finals Day

CLICK HERE

Hot start to Students' Tournament at The 

Duke's, St Andrews

The 6th Stirling International got underway at The Duke’s course at St. Andrews on Wednesday in hot and humid conditions for the 94 men and 21 women contesting this year’s tournament.

With the course set up as an examination of the students’ golfing education, there were rewards available for sensible course management, but danger lurking for errant shots.

On the women’s side, the stand-out round of the day came from University of St. Andrews student Marie Danielsson (Saint German), who shot a one under 70. Two shots back, St. Andrews team-mate Alexa Hammer (Quail Ridge CC) sits at one over, with Ulster’s Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) a further shot back. 

Mary Doyle (The Heath) from Maynooth and Stirling’s defending champion Gemma Batty (Powfoot) round out the top five at four over.

The men’s competition saw some very strong scoring with the top ten players separated by only two shots at the end of the first day. Leading with very impressive one under par 70s are Stirling’s Jordan Sundborg (Shanklin and Sandown) and Ulster’s Ross Dutton (Tandragee).

 The next three golfers are bunched together at level par, St Andrews' Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush), Sam Locke (Banchory) from the Scottish Golf team, and James Glenn (Brancepeth Castle) of Durham University.

For full results:

Men - http://bucs.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3518&preview=1

Women - http://bucs.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3522

Stay up to date with the event through facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/1248535088514658/?active_tab=posts

Ben Philip

Sports Manager

Scottish Student Sport (SSS)

3rd Floor

48 Pleasance

Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

Tiger Woods plans return to golf in California 

next month and in Turkey in November

By Golfweek Staff

Tiger Woods (Getty Images)

survey tools

Tiger Woods is back.
That phrase is something many fans have craved for months. Now, it’s a reality.
Woods, 40, announced on Wednesday that he hopes to make his long-awaited return to golf at the 2016 Safeway Open, Oct. 13-16, at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California.
“My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do,” Woods said on tigerwoods.com. “Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.”

Regardless, the likely re-emergence will end Woods’ long absence from the game – which will have reached nearly 14 months by the time the Safeway Open comes around.
The 14-time major champion had been sidelined from competitive golf after undergoing two back procedures in the fall. His last tournament came in August 2015 at the Wyndham Championship, where he finished in a tie for 10th.
Woods also intends to compete in the Turkish Airlines Open on Nov. 3-6 in Antalya, Turkey, and at the Hero World Challenge on Dec. 1-4 at Albany in the Bahamas. The first appearance by Woods will be at the Tiger Woods Invitational, which benefits his foundation, on Oct. 10-11 on the Monterey Peninsula, before the Safeway Open.

“I’m looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I’m also excited to return to Turkey and Albany. It could be a fun fall.
“It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn’t rush it. It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters. But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I’ve been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never waned.”
• A timeline of Tiger Woods’ injury history
Now, though, he’s back.
Woods’ announcement ends the long period of speculation about when he would return.
Now at 79 US PGA Tour victories, Woods last won on the circuit at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. His T-10 two years later at Wyndham was just his second top 10 since that victory.
Regardless, you can now say it: he’s back.