Gareth's made of the Wright stuff!

                                               Image of Gareth Wright courtesy of Kenny Smith

By NATHANIEL SYLVESTER, PGA Press Officer

Gareth Wright bounced back from the disappointment of just missing the cut in the last week's British Masters to open up a five-shot lead after the opening round of the M and H Logistics Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles today.

On a changeable day in Perthshire, the 34-year-old West Linton professional carded an eagle and seven birdies in a nine-under-par 62 on the King's Course as he made a flying start in his bid to regain the title he won at the same venue in 2014.

While preferred lies were in operation, Wright's impressive effort in blustery conditions was just two shots outside the course record, set by Englishman Paul Curry in the second round of the Bell's Scottish Open in 1992.

On a day when only 11 players in a 69-strong field broke par, Chris Doak, who signed for a 61 when he lifted this title in 2010, Ross Cameron, Jonathan Lomas and Sam Binning were Wright's closest challengers after the opening salvos in the event's 100th staging as they signed for matching 67s.

"I shot 11-under once, but this is right up there as one of my best scores as the weather wasn't pretty out there at times," said leader Wright of squally showers being mixed in with spells of sunshine.

An eagle-2 at the 309-yard 14th, where he hit his drive to 10 feet, was the highlight of the Welshman's round, though he was just as pleased with a scrambling birdie at the sixth.

"I just about missed my tee shot when my hand came off the club and had to chip out from a bunker," he reported. 

"I then thought my third shot with a 3-wood had gone into the bushes, but it was just short and I pitched in from 45 yards. Those are the kind of lucky breaks that keep the momentum going."

The eagle at the 14th took Wright to eight-under for the round and he admitted: "I thought I could maybe break 60 but shaved the edge of the hole from five feet at the 16th then lipped out at the 17th before finishing with a birdie."

Wright came agonisingly close to making it into the final two rounds in the British Masters at The Grove - he fell one shot short after rounds of 70 and 73 - having achieved that feat in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

"I felt disappointed when I drove up the road on Friday night, having frittered shots away in my second round after almost holing my first shot of the day," he said.

"But I had a lesson with my stepfather, Ian, on Saturday, hitting balls for an hour and 45 minutes, and it was more visualisation that stopped me from making the cut at The Grove.

"I'd become too robotic by trying to hit the perfect shot and the fact it was windy today helped because, even with my driver, I had to hit knock down shots occasionally."

Doak, who beat Wright in a play-off when recording his win in the Tartan Tour's flagship event six years ago, recovered from being one-over after eight by picking up five birdies in the last 10 holes.

"I holed a couple of long putts for birdies, including one at the 10th that I didn't know was a par-5," said the 38-year-old Livingston-based player, who is preparing for the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain next month.

Two-over after three, Cameron made his score with five birdies in six holes from the sixth - the pick of those gains came at the 230-yard 11th with an 8-iron - before also picking up a shot at the last.

"I've been playing mainly on the Pro Golf Tour this year and had six top-10s, including a fourth, but also missed about eight cuts," said the 37-year-old Peterhead man, who is among the players supported by the Paul Lawrie Foundation.

"There's definitely progress, but I also feel there's more to come when the Pro Golf Tour starts up again in mid-January."

"It was a pretty tough day in the wind and rain. I made my score with a wee spell of birdies around the turn. "

 

Ayrshire-based Englishman Lomas, the European Tour Rookie of the Year in 1994, two years before he won the Czech Open, illuminated his card with an eagle at the 10th while Binning, who is attached to Mearns Castle, signed for seven birdies.

Craig Ronald, the 2004 winner, is on 69 alongside Paul O'Hara, winner of the P&H Championship earlier in the season, and another of the Scottish circuit's rising stars, Louis Gaughan.

Two-time winner and Order of Merit leader Greig Hutcheon dropped four shots in a row from the 13th as he opened with a 70, one less than former European Tour player Alastair Forsyth, while defending champion Chris Kelly is 12 off the lead after he had to settle for a 74.

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD

(King's Course, Gleneagles, Par 71)

62 G Wright (West Linton) 

67 R Cameron (Saltire Energy), C Doak (unatt), J Lomas (Caprington), S Binning (Mearns Castle)

69 P O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure), C Ronald (Carluke), L Gaughan (Bathgate)

70 G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Inchmarlo), I Campbell (Cheshunt Park), G hay (Grantown-on-Spey)

71 P Wardell (North Berwick), A Brown (Whitecraigs), A Forsyth (Mearns Castle), I Stoddart (Greenburn)

72 C Currie (Caldwell), C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), G McBain (Newmachar), M Owenson (Gullane), M Loftus (Mearns Castle), J Fraser (Renaissance Club)

73 S Henderson (Kings Links), P McKechnie (Braid Hills), K McNicoll (Gullane), A Reid (West Lothian)

74 C Kelly (Taymouth Castle), K Hutton (Downfield), E Bowden (North Berwick), C Elliott (Haggs Castle), I Colquhloun (Loch Lomond), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), J McCreadie (Largs), S O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure), R McConnachie (Peterculter), M Hillson (Kilconquhar Castle Estate)

75 S Milne (Balbirnie Park), A Hogg (Kingbarns Links), M Bradfield (Elie Links), S Catlin (Affordable Golf), M Pottinger (American Golf), C Sutherland (Cherry Lodge)

76 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range), P Robinson (Largs), J McGhee (Whitehill House), C Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), G Brown (Montrose Golf Links), M Kerr (Dalmahoy)

77 F Rummins (Canmore), R Neill (Drumpellier), S Gray (Lanark), S Morrison (Tain), F Mann (Carnoustie Golf Links)

78 O Huish (North Berwick)

79 A Jowett (Gleneagles Hotel), G McDougall (Elie Links), F Robertson (Lundin), G Law (Uphall), R Clarke (Golf Dedication Centre)

80 K McNiven (Gleneagles Hotel)

81 P Jamieson (Dunblane New), I Anderson (Colville Park), J Bell (Lanark), N Huguet (Musselburgh), D Flannery (Caldwell)

82 R Munro (Duddingston), C Marr (Musselburgh)

83 E MacDonald (Musselburgh), A Forrow (Whitecraigs)

Rtd C Adam (unatt)

Jack McDonald tied for fourth with a 65 in MENA Tour event

 Herati's 62 puts him two clear in Sahara 

Kuwait Championship

KUWAIT CITY— Joe Herati kept his emotions in check and pulled off his career-best round on the MENA Golf Tour to get his nose in front after the opening round of the inaugural Sahara Kuwait Championship today

The 25-year-old Englishman, whose father was diagnosed with brain tumour last week, fired a sizzling eight-under 62 to open up a two-shot lead over compatriot Stuart Archibald and Fernand Osther of the Netherlands. 

England’s Craig Hinton, the winner of the Abu Dhabi Open two weeks ago, heads the chasing pack in a five-man group which includes Lebanon’s Peter Badawi.

Scotland’s Jack McDonald, Fredrik From of Sweden and England’s Daniel Owen completed the group tied for fourth at five-under 65 as former English cricketer Craig Kieswetter, playing for the first time on the MENA Golf Tour, kept himself firmly in contention, carding a four-under 66.

The day belonged young Herati, who flew off the gate in style, making back-to-back birdies to set the tone for an excellent round that contained just one bogey.

“I was just thinking about my father all the time, but managed to keep the round going. I had everything under control. I drove the ball well and holed lots of good putts,” said the Leeds native, his voice choking with emotion.

Playing in his very event on the MENA Golf Tour, Netherland’s Osther went bogey-free in his opening 65, studded with three birdies in each half.

“Played really nicely. I don’t think I missed any green out. Basically I was bang on target. Gave myself plenty of birdie opportunities and made good use of the par-5s,” said Osther, who made birdies on both the two long holes.

“If you can drive well off the tee, you can post a good score and that’s exactly what I did to keep the ball in play,” said 28-year-old Dutch golfer, who turned professional in 2012.

“I like the course. It’s a bit wide open on the front nine, but it becomes more challenging, especially after the 13th due to the narrow fairways,” said Osther, who plies his trade on the Pro Golf Tour in Europe.

Cricketer-turned golfer Kieswetter, who represented England in 46 one-dayers and 25 T-20 matches, played his last 10 holes in five under to lead the amateur division, one ahead of Brazil’s Dubai-based Tiago Lobo..

Elsewhere, Zane Scotland, the most prolific winner on the MENA Golf Tour, returned a 67 to join Scotland’s Paul Doherty and his compatriot Lee Corfield in a tie for 13th.
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
par 70
62 Joe Herati (Eng)
64 Stuart Archibald (Eng), Fernand Osther (Netherlands)
65 Daniel Owen (Eng), Craig Hinton (Eng), Peter Badaway (Lebanon), Jack McDonald (Sco), Fredrik From (Swe)

 SELECTED SCORE
67 Paul Doherty (Sco).

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

A winter month at Vilamoura villa for 500 euros + gas, water, electricity ... add it all up to less than 600

MOURAGOLF VILLAGE IS OFFERING FRIENDS OF SCOTTISHGOLFVIEW.COM FOR ONLY 500 EUROS A WINTER MONTH OF THEIR CHOICE AT THIS VILAMOURA VENUE WHICH NEIGHBOURS ON THE OCEANICO OLD COURSE, A RESTAURANT AND A SMALL SUPERMARKET.

GAS, WATER AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES ARE NOT INCLUDED BUT NORMAL USAGE OVER A MONTH WOULD BE LESS THAN 100 EUROS EXTRA TO THE 500 EUROS RENT FOR THE MONTH.
Email Colin@Scottishgolfview.com for more details if you are interested.

    Two-storey Mouragolf villas round the small resort's swimming pool. Two bedrooms and another sleeping facility on upper level. Spacious indoor design.

Accommodation in the villas:

Upstairs, with balcony, en suite Master bedroom with double bed.

Also upstairs, bedroom with two single beds and another bed in an alcove on way through to place for storing suitcases.

Also second toilet, shower and washhand basin.

Ground floor:

Kitchen with microwave, gas rings, fridge, toaster, blender, dishwasher, washing machine,  spacious lounge and access to patio with sun loungers, table and sun parasol looking out on to swimming pool.

Maid service every three days, change sheets, etc.

Wifi in Reception area which is kept open during the evening. Lots of books there. Tea/Coffee machine, etc there.

Mouragolf Village is next door is Paula and Baz's restaurant (not open on a Sunday).

Within walking distance up the hill is the Hotel do Golfe whose dining facilities are open to non-residents.  Also up the hill, but to the right, is the Oceanico Old Course.

Mouragolf Village is over the fence from the seventh fairway.

Spar Supermarket also within walking distance.

West of Scotland Inter County “A” League

 

Dumbartonshire v Ayrshire

 

Report from Jim Paton, DGU “A” Team Manager.

 

The final game of this year’s WOS team matches resulted in a winner takes all match between the holders Ayrshire and ourselves, although we could have won the league with a drawn match, as we were at the top of the league by one point.

 

Ayrshire, who has been our nemesis for the past two years having also defeated us in the Scottish Area Team Championship final last year, rose to the occasion once again by defeating us by 6 games to 2 at a wet and windy Cardross and therefore retained the West of Scotland Trophy.  This was presented to their team manager John Rushbury by DGU president Hugh Semple at the meal after the match.

 

The results, apart from 2 were all very close and with the DGU officials standing on the 15th green, it looked as if it was close enough for DGU to just get the half match they need.  Unfortunately for us the strong Ayrshire players prevailed over the 16 & 17th holes and eventually ran out worthy winners in a game that was played in best of sportsmanship which has now come to be expected by these two counties.

 

My thanks to ALL the players who have represented DGU in our games this year in what has been our most successful year since 2001.  Hopefully next year with either the same players, or any of the successful Youth players moving up we can continue our progress.

  Results:

Dunbartonshire 2, Ayrshire 6

Steven Stewart   won 2&1         Jim Johnston

David Lindsday  lost 2&1   to    Malcolm Pennycott

Chris Thursby    won 2&1         John Shanks

Craig Bisset        lost 1 hole  to  Stuart Robin

Richard Law      lost 5&4     to  Tommy McInally

Andy Campbell  lost 2&1    to   Greg Telfer

Richard Bridges lost 6&5    to   Steven Wallace

John McMahon  lost 3&1    to   Charlie MacNeal

 

Result   2 - 6

Graham Fox hole in one on way to finishing T2 behind Robert Coles in PGAs of Europe Beko Classic in Turkey

1	Robert Coles (p)The PGA in England’s Robert Coles carded a two-under par 70 in the final round of the 2016 Beko Classic Pro-Am at Gloria Hotels & Resorts to add another Beko Pro-Am title to his collection. Coles’ past wins came in 2009 and 2013, with the latter also taking place at Gloria in Belek, Turkey, where he again finished on a -12 total (204). Watch interview highlights with Robert Coles, John Daly & Graham Fox - https://youtu.be/eQOxCOJij6I “It’s been a great week – I got off to a reasonable start and had a great day yesterday and scrambled through today really…so delighted to win three times,” explained Coles. “It’s quite bittersweet with the sad loss of Mustafa.  I think golf in Turkey is better for Mustafa – it’s a great week with the tribute and trophy named after him and hopefully it’s not just this week but it’s years to come that his legacy lives on.” Coles began the day with a four-shot lead but had lost three of those shots in his opening four holes on Gloria’s New Course.  But a birdie on the 18th hole, his ninth, followed by a further three birdies in a row allowed him to recover that deficit, with a further birdie at hole nine to close out the event. Four shots behind Coles, ending the round as he had begun it, was the Champions Tour’s own and two-time major winner, John Daly, alongside the PGA in Scotland’s number one on the 2016 moneylist, Graham Fox. Daly, beginning on hole one, made his way out in one-under par, but mid-way through his back nine had a bogey at the par-four 13th hole.  But bouncing-back on the next hole with a birdie recovered that drop-shot and then a further birdie on hole 18 brought him into the second position. “As always with the last five or six years I’ve been coming here, it’s a class act,” said Daly.  “The course was great and all the amateurs and pros loved it and that’s what it’s all about. “Unfortunately Mustafa wasn’t here to see it this year and I know it was dear to his heart like it is to mine, and that’s why we keep coming back: for him.” Fox, who also made a hole-in-one during Round 02 of the Pro-Am, began the round at five-under par, but advanced his way up the leaderboard with four birdies and a bogey for a three-under 69. “But getting an invite and coming out here to this weather and mixing with all the Turkish guys is great and they’re great guys to play with,” added Fox.  “You’ve got to be on top of your game here as it’s a great test of golf, both courses are and I love coming here.” The Team Pro-Am was won by Opet 2, made up of amateurs Huseyin Demirag, Nida Cireli and Richard Ozatacan.  They were joined in Round 03 by England’s Jamie Moul, having also been helped along by Liam Bond (PGA in Wales) and Jamie Little (England). After rounds of 88 and 89 points, a further 89 points gave them an outstanding overall total of 266 points (-50). Team Opet 1 maintained their hold on second position with 259 points (-43) whilst Team Sarum Diamond earned third place with 253 points (-37).									-2	F	-12	70	64	70	204
Robert Coles   T2	John Daly (p)	-2	F	-8	72	66	70	208
T2	Graham Fox (p)	-3	F	-8	71	68	69	208
T4	Bjorn Pettersson (p)	-3	F	-7	71	69	69	209
T4	Pierre Relecom (p)	-4	F	-7	71	70	68	209
T6	David Lynn (p)	E	F	-5	71	68	72	211
T6	Pontus Widegren (p)	-3	F	-5	74	68	69	211
T8	Garry Houston (p)	-2	F	-4	71	71	70	212
T8	David Griffiths (p)	+2	F	-4	67	71	74	212
T8	Oscar Floren (p)	-3	F	-4	72	71	69	212
T8	Raymond Russell (p)	+2	F	-4	65	73	74	212
T12	Erol Simsek (p)	-3	F	-2	72	73	69	214
T12	Phil Golding (p)	+2	F	-2	65	75	74	214
14	Christopher Mivis (p)	+1	F	-1	75	67	73	215
T15	Jamie Elson (p)	+3	F	E	71	70	75	216
T15	Jamie Little (p)	E	F	E	71	73	72	216
T15	Jamie Moul (p)	+1	F	E	70	73	73	216
T18	James Hepworth (p)	-1	F	+3	74	74	71	219
T18	Liam Bond (p)	+1	F	+3	76	70	73	219
20	Philip Archer (p)	+2	F	+4	75	71	74	220
T21	Joakim Rask (p)	+3	F	+5	74	72	75	221
T21	Ediz Kemaloglu (p)	E	F	+5	79	70	72	221
T21	Sion Bebb (p)	+2	F	+5	75	72	74	221
24	Jon Bevan (p)	+2	F	+7	76	73	74	223
25	Peter Scott (p)	+5	F	+17	76	80	77	233
26	Simon Forrest (p)	+15	F	+33	78	84	87	249

Euan Walker's 12th place finish in Tennessee

Ayrshire's Euan Walker, a final-year student at the University of Missouri, finished 12th in a field of 84 at the Bank of Tennessee Collegiate tournament at Blackthorn Club, the Ridges, Jonesborough in Tennessee.

The Scot,  pictured left, shot three rounds of 70 over a par-72 course of 7,217yd for a total of six-under-par 210 - seven behind the winner by two, Charles Huntziner (Penn State) (66-68-69 for 203).
Charlotte's three freshman from Ireland and England, finished as follows:
Connor Purcell 74 69 75 for T33 on 218
Matty Lamb from Hexham 75 71 74 for 220 and T44
John Gough 78 71 72 for 221 and T48

Missouri (842) finished second to team title winners Virginia (829) with Kent State (848) third. Charlotte (863) finished seventh of the 15-team line-up.

Colin Montgomerie earns $71,500 for tied seventh place finish

Doug Garwood earns first US Seniors' Tour title as Charles Schwab Cup play-off field is set

By Golfweek Staff

Doug Garwood captured a four-shot win at the SAS Championship Sunday. (Getty Images)

Doug Garwood pulled away from the field with an 8-under 64 to win the SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina.
The SAS Championship was the regular season finale for the US PGA Senior Tour and finalized the 72-man field field for the Charles Schwab Cup Play-offs, a three-tournament competition to determine the Charles Schwab Cup Champion.
Garwood missed out on a 63 by making bogey at 18, but had plenty of ground between him and overnight leader Bernhard Langer, who finished  second fou,r shots back.
The victory is Garwood’s first on the US Senior Tour, with his previous best finishes being two runner-ups – the 2014 Principal Charity Classic and the 2013 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
Tom Byrum nearly matched Garwood’s round of the day, as he shot a 7-under 65 to jumped seven spots and share third with Jeff Sluman and Larry Mize.
Colin Montgomerie earned $71,499 for a tied seventh place finished on 207 (70-70-67)

FINAL TOTALS AND PRIZEMONEY
par 216 (3x72)

1	Doug Garwood	65	71	64			200	$315,000
2	Bernhard Langer	67	67	70			204	$184,800
T3	Tom Byrum	69	71	65			205	$125,300
T3	Jeff Sluman	70	67	68			205	$125,300
T3	Larry Mize	67	69	69			205	$125,300
6	Miguel Angel Jimenez	69	72	65			206	$84,000
T7	Colin Montgomerie	70	70	67			207	$71,400
T7	Joe Durant	69	69	69			207	$71,400
T9	Tom Pernice Jr.	74	69	65			208	$54,600
T9	Glen Day	70	70	68			208	$54,600
T9	Steve Pate	70	70	68			208	$54,600
12	Michael Allen	72	70	67			209	$46,200
T13	Jay Haas	74	70	66			210	$36,750
T13	Bart Bryant	73	70	67			210	$36,750
T13	Michael Bradley	68	73	69			210	$36,750
T13	Billy Andrade	72	69	69			210	$36,750
T13	Wes Short Jr.	69	72	69			210	$36,750
T13	Kevin Sutherland	70	71	69			210	$36,750
T19	Stephen Ames	75	68	68			211	$27,580
T19	Tom Lehman	72	68	71			211	$27,580
T19	Paul Broadhurst	68	69	74			211	$27,580
T22	Mark Brooks	70	73	69			212	$20,659
T22	Jerry Smith	71	72	69			212	$20,659
T22	Jim Carter	72	71	69			212	$20,659
T22	Brian Henninger	70	72	70			212	$20,659
T22	Scott Hoch	72	71	69			212	$20,659
T22	Fred Funk	71	71	70			212	$20,659
T22	Dan Forsman	70	69	73			212	$20,659
T22	Billy Mayfair	68	70	74			212	$20,659
T30	Mike Goodes	73	75	65			213	$13,907
T30	Scott McCarron	75	71	67			213	$13,907
T30	Willie Wood	71	74	68			213	$13,907
T30	Loren Roberts	76	68	69			213	$13,907
T30	Gene Sauers	71	73	69			213	$13,907
T30	Jeff Hart	71	72	70			213	$13,907
T30	Carlos Franco	72	71	70			213	$13,907
T30	Joey Sindelar	73	69	71			213	$13,907
T30	Scott Dunlap	71	69	73			213	$13,907
T39	Bob Tway	74	70	70			214	$10,920
T39	Brandt Jobe	68	75	71			214	$10,920
T41	Woody Austin	72	73	70			215	$9,240
T41	Lee Janzen	71	73	71			215	$9,240
T41	Scott Verplank	73	71	71			215	$9,240
T41	Mark Calcavecchia	74	69	72			215	$9,240
T41	Olin Browne	71	72	72			215	$9,240
T41	Brad Faxon	66	75	74			215	$9,240
T47	Tommy Armour III	74	74	68			216	$6,326
T47	Bob Gilder	74	71	71			216	$6,326
T47	Guy Boros	73	72	71			216	$6,326
T47	Duffy Waldorf	73	72	71			216	$6,326
T47	Mike Grob	71	74	71			216	$6,326
T47	Steve Lowery	77	66	73			216	$6,326
T47	Esteban Toledo	70	73	73			216	$6,326
T47	Jesper Parnevik	71	68	77			216	$6,326
T55	Todd Hamilton	75	73	69			217	$4,515
T55	Ian Woosnam	71	73	73			217	$4,515
T55	Rod Spittle	73	71	73			217	$4,515
T55	Kenny Perry	72	71	74			217	$4,515
T59	Gil Morgan	75	73	71			219	$3,675
T59	Jay Don Blake	77	70	72			219	$3,675
T59	Grant Waite	73	74	72			219	$3,675
T59	P.H. Horgan III	72	72	75			219	$3,675
T63	Wayne Levi	73	76	71			220	$2,835
T63	Tim Petrovic	69	79	72			220	$2,835
T63	Tom Kite	77	69	74			220	$2,835
T63	Craig Parry	71	74	75			220	$2,835
67	Jerry Haas	77	70	74			221	$2,310
T68	Marco Dawson	76	74	72			222	$1,974
T68	Kirk Triplett	78	73	71			222	$1,974
T68	James Mason	70	77	75			222	$1,974
71	Paul Goydos	73	75	75			223	$1,722
72	Mark Wiebe	78	74	72			224	$1,596
T73	Bobby Wadkins	73	75	77			225	$1,428
T73	Tom Purtzer	75	72	78			225	$1,428
T75	Mike Springer	82	74	70			226	$1,218
T75	Neal Lancaster	77	76	73			226	$1,218
T75	Gary Hallberg	71	76	79			226	$1,218
78	Scott Simpson	78	75	74			227	$1,050
79	Hal Sutton	79	73	77			229	$966
80	Craig Stadler	79	79	79			237	$903