ELLIOT SALTMAN (73) PUTS

"OFFICIAL" SCOTS IN

THE SHADE IN SPAIN

Craigielaw's Elliot Saltman, not a member of the official Scottish Golf Union squad, was the top Scot at the end of the first qualifying round of the Spanish men's open amateur championship at Desert Springs Golf Club today.
Elliot, pictured right, coped better with the heat than his compatriots, returning a a one-over-par 73 to be sharing 20th place going into the second and final qualifying round.

Only the leading 32 players at the end of Thursday's play will advance to the match-play stages.
The oldest of the three Saltman brothers, Elliot, although he is a +3 handicap player and won the North of Scotland open amateur stroke-play at Elgin two years ago, has never had the same recognition as Walker Cup player Lloyd nor the youngest of the three, Zack, who won the world hickory championship last year. Zack had a 79 today.
Former Scottish champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) and young Robert McKnight (Barassie) had 76s.
Youngster Ross Kellet (Colville Park) had a 77 and John Gallagher (Swanston) a 78. Both Ross and John began their rounds with double bogeys.
England's Gary Boyd, a winner at Mission Hills, China earlier this winter, set the first-round lead with a sparkling five-under-par 67.

LEADING FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SCORES

67 Gary Boyd (Eng).
68 Edouard Dubois (Fra), Jesus Legarrea (Spa), Paul Waring (Eng).
69 Miro Veijalainen (Fin).
70 Gonzalo Berlin (Spa), Steven Capper (Eng), Alexander Knappe (Ger), John Parry (Eng), Antonio Rosado (Por), Chris Wood (Eng).
71 Sam Hutsby (Eng), David Horsey (Eng), Pedro Figueiredo (Por).
Other scores included:
72 Lloyd Campbell (Eng), Matthew Cryer (Eng).
73 Jack Hiluta (Eng), Ben Parker (Eng), Elliot Saltman (Sco).
74 Jamie Abbott (Eng), Matt Haines (Eng), Simon Ward (Ire), Ricki Neil-Jones (Eng), Matthew Baldwin (Eng), Ryan Thomas (Wal).
75 Jonathan Hurst (Eng), Ben Evans (Eng), Daniel Belch (Eng).
76 Robert McKnight (Sco), Daniel Brooks (Eng), Glenn Campbell (Sco), Gareth J Evans (Eng), Rhys Enoch (Wal), Adam Hodkinson (Eng), Jack Senior (Eng).
77 Ian Winstanley (Eng), William Bowe (Eng), Ross Kellet (Sco), Llewellyn Matthews (Wal).
78 John Gallagher (Sco).
79 Zack Saltman (Sco).

GARY ALLISS LAUNCHES GOLF
ACADEMY ON MAURITIUS

Barwell has teamed up with one of Britain’s top golf coaches to create the Gary Alliss Golf Academy.
Gary Alliss – head coach at the PGA’s National Golf Academy and named as one of the top 25 coaches in the UK by Golf Monthly – will be welcoming golfers to the beautiful island of Mauritius from January 26 to February 8 2008.
The academy, based at the five-star Paradis Hotel and Golf Club features coaching sessions with Alliss in both the morning and the afternoon as well as the opportunity to play with “The King of Swing”, as he is affectionately known.
Clients can choose when to attend the academy and spend the rest of their time enjoying the resort’s fantastic facilities including the course and the Clarins’ Spa.
Alliss said: “This is something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time and I’m grateful to Barwell for helping set it up.
“Spending 12 days with students will give us the opportunity to enjoy some worthwhile tuition and really achieve something.
“And where better to do it than a five-star resort on a glorious island like Mauritius?”
Mike Laney, business development manager for Barwell, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this package to golfers.
“Gary Alliss is one of the top coaches in the country, if not the best, and spending 12 days under his tutelage will seriously benefit any golfer.
“And if you’re looking to improve your golf there aren’t many better places to do it than in glorious weather beside the Indian Ocean.”
The package costs £2,999 per person and includes flights with Air Mauritius, 12 nights’ half-board accommodation in the five-star Paradis Hotel & Golf Club, all tuition with the Gary Alliss Academy, unlimited golf and two 60-minute Clarins’ Spa treatments for non-golfers.
§ For more information visit www.barwellevents.co.uk/garyalliss.asp or to book your place contact Barwell on 0870 049 3010 or email groups@barwell.co.uk.

JENNA (72) LEADS SCOTS CHALLENGE
IN SPANISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Strathaven's Jenna Wilson had a par-matching 72 in the first qualifying round of the Spanish women's open amateur golf championship at Sherry Golf today (Wednesday).
Scottish Under-21 champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) had a 74, Kylie Walker (Hilton Park) a 79 and Heather MacRae (Dunblane) an 82.
Two English girls, Danielle Montgomery and Elizabeth Bennet, did well. Danielle goes into the second qualifying round in second place after a 70 while Elizabeth shares third place on 71 with the title-holder, Spain's Carlota Ciganda.
Leading first qualifying round scores:
67 Emilie Alonso (Fra).
70 Danielle Montgomery (Eng).
71 Elizabeth Bennet (Eng), Carlota Ciganda (Spa).
72 Patricia Sanz Barrio (spa), Marta Silva Zamora (Spa), Jacqueline Hedwall (Swe), Jenna Wilson (Sco), Emma Cambrera Bello (Spa), Anna Dahlberg-Soderstrom (Swe).
73 Lydia Hall (Wal), Sahra Hassan (Wal), Denise Becker (Ger), Rosa Svahn (Fin), Alexandrea Vilatte (Fra), Stephanie Doering (Ger).
Other scores included:
74 Krystle Caithness (Sco), Rachel Connor (Eng), Rachel Jennings (Eng), (jt 17th).
75 Henrietta Brockway (Eng) (jt 28th).
77 Kerry Smith (Eng), Naomi Edwards (Eng), Bronwig Mullins-Lane (Eng) (jt 43rd).
79 Kylie Walker (Sco), Joanne Hodge (Eng) (jt 70th).
80 Rachel Bell (Eng), Hanna Barwood (Eng) (jt 80th).
81 Breanne Loucks (Wal), Melissa Reid (Eng) (jt 88th).
82 Heather MacRae (Sco) (jt 97th).
83 Rozalyn Adams (Eng) (jt 101st).

MACDONALD HOTELS SIGN THREE-YEAR
DEAL TO HOST SCOTTISH CHALLENGE
AT ONE OF THEIR HOTEL VENUES

Macdonald Hotels and Resorts have signed a three-year deal with the European Challenge Tour to be the host venue to the Scottish Challenge.
The event this year will be played at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Country Club, Peebles, from August 9-12, with a total prize fund of €200,000.
Designed by the world renowned golf course architect, Dave Thomas, and set against the backdrop of some of the Scottish Borders’ most beautiful scenery, the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Country Club will pose a fitting test for one of the 2007 Challenge Tour’s richest, and therefore, most important events.
Last year’s inaugural Scottish Challenge at Murcar Links Golf Club was won by Sam Walker, whose victory enabled him to claim one of the 20 European Tour cards available through the final Challenge Tour Rankings.
Murcar Links Golf Club could not stage this year's Scottish Challenge because the tournament is being played later in the summer.

RONNIE McDONALD COMES
WITH LATE BIRDIE RUN
TO WIN AT NEWBURGH

Kemnay club professional Ronnie McDonald, in the second last group to finish in a field of 88, covered the last 10 holes in five under par at Newburgh on Ythan today on his way to a first victory of the season on the North-east Golfers’ Alliance circuit.
McDonald, who would dearly love to get on the European Seniors Tour, was three over par after eight holes in quite windy conditions, but he got his game into gear with birdies at the ninth, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th for 32 home and a two-under-par score of 70.

At the last hole, he sank a 6ft putt to save par and clinch a one-shot victory.

Playing partner David Corkey (East Aberdeenshire) said: "I thought Ronnie drove the ball very well. That was the key part of his game and I had a feeling that putt he holed at the last would prove crucial - and so it did."
Earlier Ronnie had bogey 5s at the fourth, sixth and eighth.
McDonald's 70 demoted the long-time clubhouse leader Meldrum House amateur Craig Stephen, who plays off +2. Stephen had earlier birdied four holes in a row from the ninth to the 12th and returned a 71.
Until late slips at the 16th and 18th, Craig's only shot dropped had been at the first hole.
Four-handicapper John Nicolson (Auchmill) and Colin Nelson, the professional at MacKenzie Club Shop at Hazlehead, tied for third place on 73.
Nicolson has been playing well this winter season and this was another gutsy round in testing conditions. He dropped shots at the second and eighth, but got one back with a birdie 4 at the long ninth to turn in one-over 37.
Coming home, John had a string of pars before dropping a shot at the 16th. Once again he hit back right away with a birdie at the 17th to come home in level par 36.
Colin Nelson gave himself too much ground to make up after bogeying the second, third and fifth to be out in three-over-par 39. He began to make amends with birdies at the 10th and 12th but dropped a fourth shot at the 16th and a birdie 3 at the 17th was needed to share third place.
Conditions were tough, especially for those with double-figure handicaps. One, who shall remain nameless, finished 10-5-11 for an inward half of 56. But that's winter alliance golf.
As one player said to me as he handed his scorecard to Ron Menzies, "That's it! I'm giving this game up .... until next Wednesday."

Leading scores (par 72)

SCRATCH
70 R McDonald (Kemnay) p.
71 C Stephen (Meldrum House).
73 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club) p, J Nicolson (Auchmill).
74 P Lovie (Inchmarlo) p, S Fraser (Northern).
75 A Campbell (Deeside), T Mathieson (Murcar Links), D Corkey (East Aberdeenshire).
76 N Murray (Cruden Bay) p, A K Pirie (Hazlehead), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) s.
77 I Bratton (Newburgh) p, S Murray (Aspire) p, S Finnie (Caledonian), E Kennedy (Stonehaven).
78 I Welsh (Nigg Bay), G Ingram (Inverurie).
79 R Pirie (Caledonian), C Alexander (Murcar Links) s.
80 R L Nicoll (Murcar Links) s, R Stewart (Cruden Bay) p, D Wilson (Duff House Royal), A Graham (Portlethen), A Grant (Portlethen).
81 S Kidd (Newburgh).
82 C Cassie (Nigg Bay), D Leighton (Murcar Links).
83 B Harper (Newburgh), J Roberts (Cruden Bay), N Reid (Deeside) ap, N Parker (Murcar Links) s.
84 A Innes (Murcar Links).
85 S Elrick (Kemnay), J M Hamilton (Murcar Links), N Williamson (Banchory).
86 C Hood (Alford), M Lawrie (Kemnay), P Cornfield (Auchmill), F Bisset (Banchory).
87 A Nelson (Banchory).
88 J Murray (Banchory), D McKay (Caledonian) s, D Moir (Murcar Links), D McGlachan (Inverurie).

HANDICAP
Class 1 – J Nicolson (Auchmill) (4) 69; C Stephen (Meldrum House) (+2), A Grant (Portlethen) (7), S Fraser (Northern) (1), D Corkey (East Aberdeenshire) (2) 73; C Cassie (Nigg Bay) (8), S Kidd (Newburgh) (7), A K Pirie (Hazlehead), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) (2) s 74; A Campbell (Deeside) (scr), R L Nicoll (Murcar Links) s, D Wilson (Duff House Royal), G Ingram (Inverurie) (3) 75; J Roberts (Cruden Bay) (7), R Pirie (Caledonaian) (3), A Graham (Portlethen) (4), C Alexander (Murcar Links) (3) s 76; B Harper (Newburgh) (6), T Mathieson (Murcar Links) (+2), K Smith (Aboyne) (6), S Finnie (Caledonian) (scr), E Kennedy (Stonehaven) (scr), D Leighton (Murcar Links) (5), N Parker (6) s 77.
Class 2 – P Cornfield (Auchmill) (11) 75; C Hood (Alford) (10), D Moir (Murcar Links) (12) 76; D Lawrie (Inchmarlo) (12), C Carry (Inchmarlo) (11) 78; M F R Rogers (Kemnay) (14) s, W Forbes (Murcar Links) (15) s 79; D Wood (Newburgh) (14) s, W D Rae (Kemnay) (11) s, G Kennedy (Meldrum House) (11), J Penny (Huntly) (12) 80; K Duncan (Cruden Bay) (12) 81; J Robb (Turriff) (11), M Ord (Royal Aberdeen) (12) s 82; I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (11) s; D Randall (Banchory) (11) s 84; B Lumsden (Northern) (16) 85; G Homer (Lumphanan (12) 86; T Collie (Kemnay) (10) 87.

p denotes professional; ap assistant professional; s senior.

SCORECARD FOR NEWBURGH WINTER COURSE: Par 72
OUT: 4-3-5-4-3-4-4-4-5-36. IN: 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-36

RONNIE McDONALD 70
OUT: 4-3-5-5-3-5-4-5-4-38. IN: 4-4-3-3-4-3-4-3-4-32

CRAIG STEPHEN 71
OUT: 5-3-5--4-3-4-4-4-4-36. IN: 3-3-3-4-4-4-5-4-5-35

COLIN NELSON 73
OUT: 4-4-6-4-4-4-4-4-5-39. IN: 3-4-3-4-4-4-5-3-4-34

JOHN NICOLSON 73
OUT: 4-4-5-4-3-4-4-5-4-37. IN: 4-4-4-4-4-4-5-3-4-36

NEXT WEDNESDAY'S ALLIANCE COMPETITION IS AT CRUDEN BAY.
WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME NEWS ON THIS WEBSITE BEFORE THEN OF WHICH COURSE WILL BE IN OPERATION FOR ALLIANCE MEMBERS THAT DAY.

KATE RUNNER-UP

IN FIGHTING
CAMEL SPRING

CLASSIC

Kate O'Sullivan from Paisley, a senior year student at High Point University, North Carolina, finished runner-up in the Fighting Camel Spring Classic women's college tournament over the Keith Hills Golf Club No 1 course at Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Kate, pictured above, had rounds of 77 and 72 over the 6,012yd, par-72 course for a total of 149.
Maite Ortiz de Pinedo (Campbell University) won the individual honours with two rounds of 74 for a four-over-par total of 148.
One of Kate O'Sullivan's team-mates at High Point, AnnMarie Dalton, from Carlow, Ireland, finished joint 42nd with 84 and 80 for 164.
Campbell University (605), the host college, won the team event by 30 strokes from joint runners-up Illinois State and Mercer University (635) with High Point (636) fourth of 15 competing college teams.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
148 Maite Ortiz de Pinedo (Campbell) 74 74.
149 Kate O'Sullivan (High Point) 77 72.
150 Emily Simpson (Campbell) 73 77, Mary Mattson (Campbell) 72 78.
Other total:
164 AnnMarie Dalton (High Point) 84 80 (jt 42nd).
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
605 Campbell. 635 Illinois State, Mercer. 636 High Point. 640 Colorado State, Gardner-Webb, Richmond, Xavier.

SOMMERVILLE, McBRIDE IN
MIDDLE OF SAVANNAH FIELD

Daniel Sommerville from St Andrews and Glasgow's Neil McBride, both students at Clayton State University, Atlanta finished 32nd and 39th respectively in a field of 63 players for the Southbridge Pirate Invitational college tournament over a 6,922yd, par-72 course at Southbridge Golf Club, Savannah in Georgia.

Sommerville, pictured right, scored 77 and 76 for 153 while McBride's rounds were 76 and 79 for 155.

Jason Flowers (Valdosta State) was the winner by four strokes with 68 and 72 for four-under-par 140.

Georgia College & State University (574) won the team title by 10 shots. Clayton State (610) finished eighth of the 11 colleges participating.

TOUGH START FOR YOUNG

ROSEANNE ON AMERICAN

COLLEGE CIRCUIT

Crieff’s Roseanne Niven, a student at the University of California Berkeley only since the start of the year, finished 72nd in a field of 84 players in only her second tournament on the American women’s college circuit.
The Arizona Wildcat Invitational brought together all the leading ladies from the US colleges at the Arizona National course near Tucson, a 6,166yd lay-out with a demanding par of 71.
Roseanne, the current Scottish Under-18 girls match-play champion, had five double bogeys, two of them at her last two holes, the 15th and 16th, in a closing 84, following scores of 87 and 78, for a total of 36-over-par 249.
Over the three rounds, the Scot had one quadruple bogey and eight double bogeys.
It is all a learning process for Roseanne at the moment. She is playing long, tough courses she has never seen before against better-class opposition than she has met previously. Once she finds her feet in a “strange” land, Miss Niven, who turned 18 only last Saturday, will soon go on to better things.
Jodi Ewart (pictured above) from Catterick, a freshman student at New Mexico University finished joint 16th , saving her best to last with a par-matching 71 for eight-over-par 221. Her earlier rounds were 72 and 78.
In her final round, Jodi birdied the fifth, 11th, 12th and 14th but cancelled them out with bogeys at the first, third, sixth and 15th.
Miss Ewart had one eagle and nine birdies over the three rounds.
United States Curtis Cup player Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) was the only player in the quality field to finish under par for the 54 holes. She shot three very steady rounds of 70, 69 and 71 for a three-under-par 210 total and an impressive victory by four shots from two Europeans – former British girls champion Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) from Sweden and Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) from the Netherlands.
Azahara Munoz (Arizona State), the Spaniard who won the British girls’ open title at Lanark in 2004, was one of five players who shared thifourth palce on 216.
Belen Mozo (Southern California), Spanish winner of the British women’s and girls’ open amateur titles in Northern Ireland last summer, finished joint 20th on 224.
Arizona State (868) won the team title by eight shots from Duke with Southern California (881) third.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 213(3 x 71)

210 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) 70 69 71.
214 Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 67 70, Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 72 72 70.
216 Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 74 69 73, Angela Oh (Tennessee) 71 74 71, Jennifer Osborn (Arizona State) 74 67 75, Kristen Svicarovich (Vanderbilt) 73 70 73, Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (Stanford) 74 70 72.
Other totals:
221 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) 72 78 71 (jt 16th).
224 Belen Mozo (Southern California) 75 73 76 (jt 20th).
249 Roseanne Niven (California) 87 78 84 (72nd).
TEAM TOTALS
868 Arizona State. 876 Duke. 881 Souothern California. 895 Brigham Young. 897 New Mexico, Pepperdine. 903 Tennessee. 907 Arizona. 912 UCLA. 914 Vanderbilt, Stanford. 931 UNLV. 934 California. 935 Virginia. 937 Washington.

TIRED FINDLAY SLUMPS

IN FINAL ROUND OF

PUERTO RICO CLASSIC

Fraserburgh’s Jordan Findlay, weakened by a bout of pneumonia in January, did not have the stamina to maintain his one-under-par standing through a third competitive round of golf in three days in the Puerto Rico Collegiate Classic at Rio Mar Country Club on the Caribbean island.
After opening rounds of 71 and 72 over the 6,902yd, par-72 course, Jordan, an 18-year-old second-year student at East Tennessee State University, slumped to a closing, five-over-par 77 for a four-over-par total of 220.
The former British boys’ champion’s final halves of 40 and 37 included a triple-bogey 8 at the long fifth and six other holes where he dropped a single shot. On the credit side he had birdies at the fifth, 13th, 15th and 16th.
Team-mate Rhys Davies, the Walker Cup player who was born in Edinburgh but brought up at Bridgend, South Wales, finished joint third on six-under-par 210 with scores of 65, 73 and 72.
He finished one shot behind Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) and Joseph Bramlett (Stanford). Castro gained the individual honours with the better last round, a 71 to a 73.
Another East Tennessee State player, Ireland’s Cian McNamara finished joint 17th on one-under-par 215 with scores of 65, 74 and 76.
Team-mate and compatriot Seamus Power from Waterford came 24th equal with 72, 72 and 73 for 217.
And the fifth East Tennessee State team player, Gareth Shaw from Lisburn, finished joint 39th on 221 with scores of 76, 73 and 72.
East Tennessee State who had jumped into the team leadership in the first round after 65s by Davies and McNamara eventually subsided, in a high-class field, to a creditable fourth place on 856, six shots behind winners Georgia in a field of 18 college teams.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
209 Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 68 70 71, Joseph Bramlett (Stanford) 69 67 73 (Castro won individual title on better last round).
210 Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) 68 72 70, Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 65 73 72.
211 Hudson Swafford (Georgia) 70 70 71, Matthew Swan (Alabama) 69 68 73, Brendon Todd (Georgia) 68 68 75.
Other totals:
215 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 65 74 76 (jt 17th).
217 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 72 72 73 (jt 24th).
218 Peter Richardson(Purdue) 71 69 78 (jt 27th).
220 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 71 72 77 (jt 36th).
221 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 76 73 72 (jt 39th).
224 Farren Keenan (Texas) 71 76 77 (jt 57th).
TEAM TOTALS
850 Georgia. 851 Clemson, Stanford. 855 Alabama. 856 East Tennessee State. 862 Oklahoma State. 864 Minnesota. 865 Georgia Tech. 867 Florida. 878 Virginia Tech. 882 Texas. 884 Duke. 890 Kent State. 894 Northwestern. 899 Purdue. 900 Illinois. 904 Michigan. 910 North Carolina State.

LORETTO SCHOOL GOLF ACADEMY'S

NEW THREE-YEAR SPONSORSHIP

OF UNDER-14s' CHAMPIONSHIP

The Loretto School Golf Academy has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with the Scottish Golf Union to sponsor the Scottish boys' & girls' Under-14s championship from 2007 to 2009.

The agreement, worth more than £20,000 over the next three years, marks Loretto’s second spell as sponsor of the event, having come on board as one of the SGU’s junior partners in 2004.

The championship is Scotland’s youngest age group event and was launched seven years ago to provide a national show case championship for boys and girls aged 14 and under.

The competition has already witnessed some notable winners in its short history, with the 2001 winner Peter McLachlan (pictured right) going on to win the Scottish youths championship and represent his country at youths level, whilst Frazer Ogston – winner three years ago – was a member of the Scotland Under-16 boys' team who defeated England for the first time last season.

MAJOR PLAYER IN GOLF EDUCATION

Rick Valentine, Director of Golf at Loretto School, said the sponsorship has helped establish the school as a major player in the golf education sector:

“Having already worked with the SGU for the past three years, we are confident the sponsorship can further build our reputation as one of the best independent golfing schools in the UK.

“Our association with such a prestigious national championship has helped attract a large number of talented young golfers into our programme, and a number of our pupils have already excelled on the national and international stage.

“We run a wide range of events for golfers throughout the year this includes our golf talent spotting days in the autumn for golfers who are interested in joining the Golf Academy and our golf camps which run during the spring and summer.”

The Loretto Golf Academy, established in 2002, offers pupils an opportunity to develop their golfing talents in parallel with an all-round Loretto education. Loretto Golf Scholarships are offered to outstanding or promising golfers who show exceptional potential from aged 12 and upwards. A recent golfing highlight included winning the HMC foursomes championship, the most prestigious independent schools' golfing event of the year.

HANDICAP BALLOT DOWN TO 18

The investment will assist the SGU in further enhancing the championship, which has seen the handicap ballot fall from 23 to 18 in the last five years, illustrating the increased level of talent among younger golfers in Scotland.

Hamish Grey, the SGU Chief Executive, added:

“The Scottish boys' and girls' Under-14s championship is the first step on the ladder for many of our talented youngsters in Scotland, and supports our goal of developing talent through the staging of national championships. It is also an event where we work in partnership with the SLGA, which puts out a positive message for our One Plan for Golf route plan.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Loretto School Golf Academy, who have already established themselves as an innovative provider of full-time sports education programmes which sits well alongside our own development systems."

This year's Scottish boys' and girls' Under-14s' open amateur stroke-play championship will take place at Brunston Castle Golf Club, Ayrshire on Friday, July 15.

(THE ABOVE IS REPRODUCED FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE, http://www.scottishgolfunion.org/).

DATES FOR POPULAR ST ANDREWS
LINKS ANNUAL TOURNAMENTS

St Andrews Links stages some of the most popular open amateur tournaments to be found in Scotland. Entries come from all over the Britain & Ireland and overseas as well.
Here is the 2007 list from the official website (from which you will be able to download the entry forms and conditions:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/events/annual_tournaments/index.html

ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY
Current holder: Oliver Fisher (West Essex Golf Club).
For gentlemen with a handicap not exceeding scratch.
Played over the Old Course and the Jubilee Course from Friday, June 8 until Sunday, June 10 (72 holes).
Maximum field 144. Closing date for entries is Friday, May 4 (noon).
Practice day: Thursday, June 7.
Entry fee £50.00

ST RULE TROPHY
Current holder: Krystle Caithness (St Regulus Golf Club).
For ladies with a handicap not exceeding 6.
Played over the Old Course and New Course on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 (54 holes) Maximum field: 60. Closing date for entries is Saturday, May 5.
Practice day: Friday, June 1.
Entry fee £30.00

ST ANDREWS BOYS' OPEN
Current holder: Michael Williams (Craigielaw GC).
For boys under 18 years of age on January 1, 2007 with a handicap not exceeding 9.
Played over the Eden Course and the Old Course from Tuesday, August 7 to Friday, August 10.
Maximum field: 150. Closing date for entries is Friday, June 15 (noon).
Practice day: Monday, August 6.
Entry fee £25.00 (to include BBQ on Tuesday, August 7).

ST ANDREWS JUNIOR LADIES' OPEN
Current holder: Whitney Hillier (Joondalup GC, Australia).
For ladies under 23 years of age on January 1, 2007 with a handicap not exceeding 36.
Played over the Strathtyrum Course, the Eden Course and the Old Course from Tuesday, August 7 to Friday, August 10. August to Friday 10 August.
Maximum field: 60. Closing date for entries is Friday, June 29.
Practice day: Monday, August 6.
Entry fee £25.00 (to include BBQ on Tuesday, August 7).

EDEN TOURNAMENT
Current holder: Oliver Farr (Ludlow GC).
For gentlemen with a handicap not exceeding 15.
Played over the Eden Course and New Course from Monday, August 13 to Friday, August 17.
Maximum field 240 (the first 120 entries with a handicap of 15 or better will be automatically accepted; the remaining 120 entries will be filled according to handicap and date of entry). Closing date for entries is Friday, April 27 (noon).
Practice day: Sunday, August 12. Practice rounds to be booked from Monday, June 25.
Entry fee £100.00 (inclusive of commemorative shirt and BBQ on Tuesday, August 14).

STRATHTYRUM TOURNAMENT
Current holder: Karen Marshall (Baberton GC).
For ladies with a handicap not exceeding 36.
Played over the Eden Course and New Course from Monday, August 13 to Friday, August 17. Maximum field 102. Closing date for entries is Friday, April 27 (noon).
Practice day: Sunday, August 12. Practice rounds to be booked from Monday, June 25.
Entry fee £100.00 (inclusive of commemorative shirt and BBQ on Tuesday, August 14)

R&A PROPOSES NEW RULES
FOR GOLF CLUBS TO LIMIT

AMOUNT OF SPIN ACHIEVED

The R&A is proposing changes to golf’s equipment rules that seek to restore the historic importance of driving accuracy in the game.
The proposed rules changes to club face groove markings are based on extensive research into the effect of such markings on spin generation for balls hit from the rough. Club face markings have been observed to significantly increase spin from the rough compared to previous eras when there was a greater premium on driving accuracy.
Announcing the proposed club face markings rule change, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman said:
“We invest heavily in the science that informs our decision making and there is clear evidence that certain club face groove markings increase the amount of spin that highly skilled players can achieve from the rough, especially when striking thin urethane-covered golf balls”.
AMOUNT OF SPIN TO BE LIMITED
“By limiting the amount of spin that can be generated for shots from the rough, we hope to place greater emphasis on accuracy and the skill required to recover from the rough. It is a matter of re-establishing a proper balance to the game and ensuring that skill remains the dominant element of success”, added Rickman.
The new limits proposed for groove cross-sectional area and groove edge sharpness would apply to all clubs (except driving clubs and putters) manufactured after 1 January 2010, but the rules could be introduced for competitions restricted to highly skilled players (via a condition of competition) from 1 January 2009.
A five-month consultation period with equipment manufacturers now gets underway that will also help determine when the new rules would come into effect for ordinary handicap golfers.
However, a concessionary period of at least 10 years is anticipated, recognising the costs involved in changing equipment.
Also announced today, The R&A is to consult golf equipment manufacturers on changes to the Rules that would permit new adjustable features in woods and irons. These proposals offer the potential of extending the playing benefits of club fitting to all golfers without diminishing the challenge of the game.
ADJUSTABLE FEATURES
Adjustable features, in addition to weight adjustment that is permitted for all clubs, have been allowed in the Rules of Golf for putters since 1992.
Consultation periods with manufacturers on both sets of proposed rules changes are time limited to allow adopted rules to feature in the 2008 revision of the Rules of Golf.


Further information:

1. Proposed new rule on club face markings and spin generation

This proposal is to update the specifications contained within Appendix II, 5a of the Rules of Golf in relation to club face markings. Most of the current Rules would remain unchanged and there are two additional specifications proposed for clubs other than driving clubs and putters.
The total cross-sectional area of a groove divided by the groove pitch (width plus separation) would be limited to 0.0025 square inches per inch (0.0635 mm²/mm);
Groove edge sharpness would be limited to an effective minimum radius of 0.010 inches (0.254 mm).

2. Proposed new rule on adjustability in woods and irons:

All clubs may incorporate mechanisms for weight adjustment. Other forms of adjustability may also be permitted upon evaluation by The R&A.
The following requirements apply to all permissible methods of adjustment:
+the adjustment cannot be readily made;
+all adjustable parts are firmly fixed and there is no reasonable likelihood of them working loose during a round; and
+all configurations of adjustment conform with the Rules.
The penalty for purposely changing the playing characteristics of a club during a stipulated round (Rule 4-2a) applies to all clubs including a putter.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

FRASER CROMARTY LEAVES
AVIEMORE FOR £20million
PROJECT POST AT
'haunted' CASTLE STUART
PGA professional Fraser Cromarty, formerly manager of Golf Highland, and in charge of developing and marketing the MacDonald Spey Valley course since 2005, is moving from Aviemore to carry out a similar role at the Castle Stuart estate, close to Inverness Airport where a £20million golf complex is being developed. The first of two 18-hole courses is planned to be opened in 2009. A start will be made to the seeding operation in early March.
“I am looking forward immensely to the new challenge. I won’t have a title because a lot of different jobs will come under my umbrella. I will certainly be diversifying a lot more than I have done at Spey Valley.
The plans for Castle Stuart include the two courses, a driving range, a clubhouse, a 57-bedroom hotel, 120 timeshare units, two apartment blocks containing 28 flats, a spa and a leisure complex.
The developers, Cornerstone Golf Development International and Moray Estate Development Co, have a 2012 completion target for the huge extensive project on 176 hectares of land at Balnaglack and Lonnie farms.
The man behind the project is Californian businessman Mark Parsinen, who was one of the key men behind the opening of Kingsbarns Links, Fife, arguably the most successful up-market, pay-and-play course to open in Scotland in recent years.
Log on to www.castlestuartgolf.com for more details and images.

"BIG ANGUS" DID NOT BELIEVE CASTLE STUART
WAS HAUNTED ....

Castle Stuart, on the Moray Firth, is perhaps the grandest tower house to be built in the Highlands in the 17th century. This is not surprising as it is owned by the Earls of Moray whose ancestor James Stewart, later Regent of Scotland, was given this land by Mary Queen of Scots, his half sister. Two square towers protect the main entrance and watchtowers cover the back. An Earl's coronet in stone caps the west tower.
The honeymoon suite at the top of the East tower is haunted. In the 18th century, the Earl of Moray offered a reward to anyone who would spend a night in the room, just to prove that it was NOT haunted. The local poacher, known as "Big Angus" feared neither man nor beast and took up the challenge. Next day he was found dead, face down in the courtyard below, a look of horror on his face.
So, did he jump or was he pushed?

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

FINDLAY HAS ROLLER-COASTER

RIDE IN PUERTO RICO

SECOND ROUND

Fraserburgh teenager Jordan Findlay, a second-year golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University, is lying in 21st place in a quality field of 90, going into the third and final round of the Puerto Rico Collegiate Classic at Rio Mar Country Club on the Caribbean island.
Jordan, pictured right in action in America, has scored 72 and 71 for a one-under-par tally of 143 – seven shots behind the leader, Brendon Todd (Georgia University).
Findlay, playing his first tournament since he was taken to hospital after taking ill on the course in Arizona at the end of January, had a roller-coaster inward half of level par 36 in his second round.
Jordan, who had reached the turn in level par with a bogey at the fifth and a birdie at the ninth, birdied the short 10th, bogeyed the 11th, got an eagle 2 at the 12th, bogeyed the 15th, double-bogeyed the 16th but birdied the 18th.
Findlay’s team-mates, Walker Cup player Rhys Davis from Wales and Irishman Cian McNamara from Limerick fell out of a share of the lead on 65. Davies had a 73 for 138 to be sharing second place while McNamara had a 74 for 139 to drop to joint sixth place but still very much in contention for individual honours.

Peter Richardson (Purdue) from Carlisle is lying in joint 10th place on 140 with 7a and 69 while another Englishman, Farren Keenan (Texas) is back in a share of 52nd place on 148 with 75 and 73.
East Tennessee State have also lost the team event leadership to Georgia who have a seven-stroke advantage with 18 holes to play in a field of 18 colleges.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 Brendon Todd (Georgia) 68 68.
138 Rhys Davis (East Tennessee State) 65 73, Matthew Swan (Alabama) 69 769, Matthew Savage (Stanford) 68 70, Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 68 70.
Also:
139 Ciana McNamara (East Tennessee State) 65 74 (jt 6th).
140 Peter Richardson (Purdue) 71 69 (jt 10th).
143 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 71 72 (jt 21st).
144 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 72 72 (jt 27th).
148 Farren Keenan (Texas) 75 73 (jt 52nd).
149 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 76 73 (jt 57th).
LEADING TEAMS
556 Georgia. 563 East Tennessee State. 564 Stanford. 567 Alabama, Clemson. 572 Minnesota. 574 Florida, Geogia Tech. 577 Oklahoma State. 581 Texas.

ROSEANNE IMPROVES BY NINE
IN ARIZONA SECOND ROUND

Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven from Crieff, now a student at the University of California Berkeley, had rounds of 87 and 78 for a 36-hole tally of 165 in the Arizona Wildcat Invitational women’s college tournament at the Arizona National course, Tucson. Playing in only her second event since enrolling at the university after the New Year, Roseanne, pictured left, is lying in joint 72nd position in a high-class field of 84 with one round to go.
In her morning round, Roseanne ran up a nightmare 9 at the par-5 second and also had a couple of double bogeys. But Miss Niven, who had her 18th birthday last Saturday, showed a bit more of her true capabilities later in the day, improving by nine strokes. Even then, she had a double bogey at the 10th but she did birdie the 18th.

JODI'S NO-PARS SECOND NINE
Jodi Ewart (New Mexico University) from Catterick is in joint 23rd place after rounds of 72 and 78 for 150 over the 6,166yd, par-71 course.
Jodi had an unusual second nine holes in her opening round – one eagle, four birdies and four bogeys for two-under-par 34, without a single par.
In her second round, Miss Ewart had a triple bogey 7 at the 10th and a double bogey 5 at the short fourth.
British women’s and girls’ open amateur champion Belen Mozo (Southern California) from Spain is sharing 14th place on 148 with scores of 75 and 73.
US Curtis Cup player Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) leads the field by two shots with 70 and 69 for three-under-par 139.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2 x 71)
139 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) 70 69.
141 Jennifer Osborne (Arizona State) 74 67.
143 Alison Goodman (California) 73 70, Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 74 69, Kristen Svicarovich (Vanderbilt) 73 70.
144 Hannah Jun (UCLA) 73 71, Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 67, Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 72 72, Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (Stanford) 74 70.
Other scores:
148 Belen Mozo (Southern California) 75 73 (jt 14th).
150 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) 72 78 (jt 23rd).
165 Roseanne Niven (California) 87 78 (jt 72nd).
TEAM SCORES
577 Arizona State. 588 Duke. 590 Southern California. 595 New Mexico. 597 Pepperdine. 600 Vanderbilt. 606 Arizona. 607 Brigham Yong. 608 Stanford. 611 Tennessee, UNLV. 612 UCLA. 619 California. 620 Washington. 630 Virgina.

ends

ROSEANNE HAS AN 87 IN FIRST
ROUND AT ARIZONA NATIONAL
Roseanne Niven (California Berkeley) from Crieff returned a 16-over-par score of 87 over the 6,166yd Arizona National course at Tucson in the first round of the 54-hole Arizona Wildcat Invitational tournament today.
Before the end of the day, she would have played her second round.
Roseanne had a nightmare 9 - a quadruple bogey at the second and double bogeys at the 13th and 17th - but the Scottish Under-18 girls champion, playing in only her second round on the American women's circuit, was not alone in struggling over a tough course, tough if you did not keep the ball on the fairways.
Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) from Catterick had a remarkable score of 34 for the second nine - an eagle at the 18th, birdies at the 12th, 13th, 16th and 17, and bogeys at the other holes. So she did not have a par on her inward half!
Jodi finished her first round on one-over-par 72 to be two shots behind the pacemaker, Amanda Blumenherst (Duke).

TAIN PAIR 1-2 IN HANDICAP
CLASS 1 OF NORTH ALLIANCE
MEETING AT WICK

By ROBIN WILSON
Tain pair Alec Gunn and Mike Keay were first and second handicap winners in the North Alliance fixture at Wick on Sunday with Gunn scoring better over the last nine holes but Keay using his fine net 68 moved ahead in the run in for the Mackintosh Salver.

Keay, the nine hole Tarbat golf course green keeper, now has two net scores of 68 from Caithness venues, one each at Reay and Wick, to add to his 69 at Invergordon and 71 at Tain for a total of 276, two ahead of Helmsdale’s Graham Grant after Grant made no improvement to his Caithness returns at Wick. Keay’s club mate Steve Holmes reduced his aggregate by one stroke with a 71 at Wick to remain in third place on 281.

Gunn’s gross score of 75 (37/38), mostly compiled from fours and fives had just the one double bogey at the 16th where the blown beach sand onto the fairway made the second shot that little bit more hazardous, finished one ahead of Keay, who double bogied the 13th in halves of 37 and 39 but with the added handicap stroke they both shared net 68’s with Gunn’s birdie at the 10th separating them into first and second place.
FAMILIAR NAMES
The Caithness top duo, Doug Thorburn and Wick’s Ron Taylor were again familiar names at the top of the scratch returns. Both grossed two over par 71’s with Taylor edging out Thorburn on the inward half count, Taylor 35 to his rival’s 36.

Thurso’s Thorburn was one of the players complaining bitterly about the pin positions that he blamed for missing a short birdie putt on the 10th hole and then four putting the par three 14th green. His final birdie at the 18th came too late.

Taylor did well to complete his round as he was carrying an energy sapping flu bug but after a lost ball at the at the 12th he found inner strength from a birdie at the next hole to get him home in 35 and his gross 71 improved and increased his Scratch Quaich lead to three shots over Thorburn. Taylor now 283 and Thorburn remaining on 286 with Tain’s Munro Ferries in third place some distance back on 291.

Ferries enjoyed a good outward nine holes of level par 35 but began dropping shots on the inward half with a plugged ball at the second inward hole, the par three 11th which brought about a double bogey five. In an unusual wind and poor light conditions Ferries found difficulty judging distance and on the several occasions he came up short of the putting surfaces to leave himself tricky par saving putts. It all added to a disappointing inward 38 and 73, one ahead of his brother Billy who had to contend with a lost ball as early as the second hole.
FIXTURE OVER STRUIE COURSE
The fixture this weekend will be at the Struie Course in Dornoch after its due date January was exchanged with Brora. The Struie course has dried out and a full length course has been promised.

Leading returns:

SCRATCH
71 R. W. Taylor (Wick) (36/35), D. Thorburn (Thurso) (35/36). 73 M. Ferries (Tain). 74 B. Ferries (Tain), D.A. MacKay (Reay). 75 C. Ilett (Tain) W. Murray (Wick) R. Matheson (Thurso), A. Gunn (Tain), L. Parnell (Reay). 76 M. Keay (Tain), S. Holmes (Tain). 77 W. Taylor (Wick), R. MacDonald (Reay), S. Cowie (Thurso).
HANDICAP
Class 1 – A. Gunn (Tain) (7), M. Keay (Tain) (8) 68. W. Murray (Wick) (6), K. Lorimer (Brora) (9) 69. G. Gunn (Reay) (10) 71. Class 2 – D. Gray (Reay) (11) 66. S. Ross (Thurso) (20) 69. A. Williamson (Thurso) (18) 70.

MORRISON LEAVES ROYAL DORNOCH
TO BE SPEY VALLEY HEAD PRO
Stuart Morrison, No 1 assistant to head professional Andrew Skinner at Royal Dornoch for the past eight years, has been appointed head professional of the new MacDonald Spey Valley course at Aviemore.
Gary Dingwall has been promoted to Morrison's post at Royal Dornoch, which means that Andrew Skinner is now in a position to take on and train to PGA standard a new young apprentice or traineee professional.

BUNKERED MAGAZINE OFFERING FREE
TICKET TO SCOTTISH GOLF SHOW

Scotland’s No.1 golf title and the associate media partner of the Scottish Golf Show, Bunkered Golf Magazine is currently running a fantastic free ticket offer for this year’s event, taking place from March 30 to April 1 at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, near Edinburgh.
Readers of the magazine are able to claim a free ticket, redeemable on any of the three days of the golfing extravaganza, simply by buying a copy of Issue 73 of the magazine, which is on sale now.
Commenting on the free ticket offer, Bunkered Editor Martin Dempster said: “Having attended last year’s inaugural Scottish Golf Show, I know that it is precisely the kind of event that will appeal to all of our readers, and, indeed, the wider Scottish golfing community.
“I have been lucky enough to see plans for this year’s event and I can confirm that it is bigger and better than before, and a real ‘must’ for any serious golfer.
“Therefore, with just over 30 days to go until the 2007 Scottish Golf Show, I would urge anyone with an interest in the game to purchase the latest copy of Bunkered and get their hands on one of these free tickets.”
The Scottish Golf Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, near Edinburgh, on March 30 through to April 1. Log-on to www.thescottishgolfshow.co.uk
For further information on the Scottish Golf Show 2007, contact Tom Lovering, Events Organiser on 0141 950 2216 or Fax : 0141 954 8963 or email : tom@thescottishgolfshow.co.uk

ROSEANNE (and others) STRUGGLE IN
ARIZONA WILDCAT INVITATIONAL

Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven from Crieff is having a tough introduction to the American women's college circuit.
Playing in her second tournament as a student at the University of California Berkeley - the Arizona Wildcat Invitational at Arizona National golf course, Tucson, Roseanne was nine over par after only seven holes of her first round.
Starting at the 15th, Miss Niven bogeyed the 15th and 16th and double-bogeyed the short 17th. She then bogeyed the first, followed by a nightmare quadruple bogey 9 at the par-5 second.
But, to put Roseanne's scorecard into perspective, an awful lot of more established, more experienced competitors from Europe are also struggling in the first round of the 54-hole event.
British women's and girls' open amateur champion Belen Mozo from Spain, a freshman student at Southern California University, is three over par after five holes.
Former British girls' champion Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) is five over par after seven holes.
Jodi Ewart from Catterick, a student at New Mexico University), started at the ninth and was five over par until she birdied the 16th and 17th to be three over par, having played nine holes.

YOUR CHANCE TO MEET RYDER
CUP HERO DAVID HOWELL
AT LONDON GOLF SHOW

If you are going to be in London or thereabouts between April 26 and 29, well worth considering paying a visit to the London Golf Show on its return to ExCeL.
Ryder Cup hero David Howell, pictured right, is just one of the celebrities of sport, stage and screen who will be visiting the show.
The 31-year-old helped contribute 2½ points to the overall winning total at The K Club, as he added to his already burgeoning reputation on the world stage.
Now, he sits proudly ranked 16th in the world and the chance to meet him at the London Golf Show will be a rare opportunity to see him off a golf course, so busy is his normal schedule.
Howell is one of the Tour pros contracted to Cleveland Golf and the US manufacturer has confirmed its presence at the 2007 London Golf Show, where it will showcase its latest ranges as used by the likes of Howell and Vijay Singh.
Other manufacturers who have confirmed include Nike, PING and Wilson – and more are expected to follow suit.
Howell said: "I'm delighted my schedule allows me to attend this year's London Golf Show. I've heard a lot about the previous two events and I'm looking forward to seeing it all for myself."
The London Golf Show's marketing director, Andy Barwell, said: "David Howell is a torchbearer not just for British golf at the moment but also for the European Tour. He's also a genuinely nice guy which means he's doubly welcome at the show.
"In an ideal world David will win the Masters in the first week of April and we will be able to welcome a Major winner on to the stage."
The London Golf Show 2007 returns to ExCeL from April 26-29 with Europe's largest golf retail store, courtesy of the UK's No. 1 retailer, American Golf; a 30-bay driving range; the chance to go head-to-head on the chipping green with celebrities; the opportunity to sink a 100ft putt; the iconic floating green; myriad game-improvement gadgets; a fashion show; plus a much bigger area dedicated to junior golf with free coaching, fun and games and prizes.
What's more, two Under-16 years juniors may go free with every paying adult!
For tickets visit http://www.londongolfshow.com/ or call Ticketmaster on 0870 1451205.

EXTRA PLACES IN FOOTBALLERS’
CLASSIC AT LA MANGA

Following the tremendous response to this year’s La Manga Footballers’ Golf Classic, organisers have increased the number of team places in the event.
Now in its 11th year, the event will see teams of three playing with a different football celebrity in three competition rounds of golf from June 2-7.
Ex-Arsenal and Ireland defender, Terry Mancini, now Barwell Leisure’s sports events director, said: “We’ve been running the La Manga Footballers’ Classic for 11 years now and I still can’t believe the response we get every year from both the footballers and the public alike.
“The level of interest this year has been phenomenal, so much so that we have extended the number of places in the event and there are still a few available.”
A host of famous footballers have accepted invitations to play in the event from current managers – including Wigan boss Paul Jewell, Wolves chief Mick McCarthy and David Jones of Cardiff – to Sky Sports’ pundits Andy Gray, Matt Le Tissier and Alan McInally.
The package price for golfers is £1,499 per person and includes flights, transfers, shared accommodation, with breakfast, in the Hyatt Regency hotel, two dinners, entry to the competition, four rounds of golf and an exceptional goodie bag.
There is also plenty for non-golfers to do with La Manga’s wide-ranging sport and leisure facilities including the luxurious spa and a special non-golfer package price of £789 is available.
To book your place, or for more information on additional nights or flight and room upgrades, call Barwell Leisure on 0208 786 3010 or email events@barwell.co.uk.
Footballers’ Golf Classics also take place annually in Dubai and Mauritius; contact Barwell Leisure for more information.

MARC WARREN IN RUNNING

FOR JOHNNIE WALKER

YOUNG PLAYER AWARD

European Tour Rookie of the Year Marc Warren from East Kilbridge is one of the nominations for the prestigious annual Johnnie Walker "Keep Walking" awards for players' performances in 2006.

The awards were created over a decade ago by Johnnie Walker to recognise great progress and inspire others to pursue their own dreams and goals, in the spirit of Johnnie Walker’s “Keep Walking” message.
Marc Warren, Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Costana and Alvaro Quiros are the three contenders for the Johnnie Walker Young Player of the Year award.

The winners of the three coveted Awards will be announced at a Gala Evening on Saturday night during the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic, which takes place at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, Thailand, from Thursday to Sunday.
England’s Paul Casey, who is competing in this year’s Johnnie Walker Classic, is the reigning Young Golfer of Year, an Award that has previously been won by Luke Donald (2004), Adam Scott (2003), Justin Rose (2002) and Sergio Garcia (2001).

MORE ON THE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD CONTENDERS:

Gonzalo Fernandez-Costano (Spain, 26 yrs)
Based in Madrid, Gonzalo has been seen as one of Spain’s rising talents since he turned pro in 2004. He followed in the footsteps of his idol Seve Ballesteros when his maiden victory came in The KLM Open at Hilversumsche Golf Club in June 2005 (Seve won his maiden tournament in Holland in 1976). After winning the Rookie of the Year on the European Tour in 2005, Gonzalo won the BMW Asian Open and came second in the Volvo China Open in 2006 to secure 40th position in the Order of Merit.
Alvaro Quiros (Spain, 24 yrs)
Although he had already secured the 18th card out of 20 on the Challenge Tour Rankings, Quiros chose to attend the Final Stage of the dreaded Qualifying School to improve his ranking. He managed to secure the 34th card (out of 35) for 2007. A month later, he claimed the Alfred Dunhill Championship, beating world class players Ernie Els and Lee Westwood, in South Africa. He will no doubt be one of the longest hitters on Tour, having recorded drives of over 350 yards on the Challenge Tour.
Marc Warren (Scotland, 25 yrs)
Marc won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year at the close of the 2006 season after a wonderful debut year on The European Tour which included a win at the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters in August and three top-10 finishes. By the end of the season, he had secured more than Euros 600,000 in prizemoney and 42nd spot in the Order of Merit. In December, he and Colin Montgomerie only just lost out in a play-off for the WGC-Barbados World Cup.

ROSS DRUMMOND MAKES

SENIORS TOUR DEBUT

IN BARBADOS OPEN

Ross Drummond, whose most successful season on the European Tour was chronicled in a best-selling golf book, will this week write a new chapter in his own career when he tees up for his first event on the European Seniors Tour at the DGM Barbados Open at Royal Westmoreland.
The $250,000 tournament, the curtain-raiser to the 2007 European Seniors Tour schedule, runs from Wednesday to Friday and will see Spanish former Ryder Cup player José Rivero defend the title he won in a play-off last year.
Alongside Drummond, pictured right, four times Scottish professional champion, in the select field of 48 are two other Seniors Tour debutants, the 1989 European Open winner Andrew Murray and fellow Englishman Tim Rastall, a graduate of the 2006 Qualifying School.
Drummond turned 50 last November and the man who was the subject of Guardian golf correspondent, Lawrence Donegan’s entertaining travelogue, ‘Four Iron in the Soul’, admits to being excited that, even more than a decade later, his literary contribution is still a big talking point.
He admitted: “It’s amazing really, after all those years it still gets mentioned. It’s surprising how many people bring a copy along to a pro-am and ask me to sign it.”
The book followed Drummond during 1996, which coincidentally turned about to be his most successful season as he twice finished runner-up, to Retief Goosen in the Slaley Hall Northumberland Challenge and to Jesper Parnevik in the Trophée Lancôme, en route to 42nd place on that year’s European Tour Order of Merit.
“I suppose, looking back, I didn’t really deserve to win either of them,” recalled Drummond with admirable honesty. “Against Goosen I came from behind on the final day, shooting 65, and Jesper ran away with it in France.”
These are happy memories but when asked to pick a highlight from his European Tour career he chose his longevity. “I was on Tour for 24 years and 20 years consecutively before I lost my card in 1997. Psychologically that was very difficult to come back from. I did win the Qualifying School in 1998 and I thought that was a major step, but I never managed to re-establish myself.”
Now the likeable 6ft 4in Scot from Paisley, who has a Prestwick Driving Range attachment and has played on the Tartan Tour successfully in recent years, has a second chance on the European Seniors Tour and few in the sport would begrudge him if he finally managed to cross the winning line.
The field at Royal Westmoreland includes five winners from 2006 - Gordon J Brand of England, Giuseppe Cali of Italy, Guillermo Encina of Chile, Juan Quiros of Spain and, of course, Rivero, who won this title in a thrilling play-off against England’s David J Russell.
The example of Rivero should prove a source of inspiration for the three debutants, as he captured the title in only his fifth event after turning 50.
And Murray, for one, is no stranger to fairytale victories having overcome the pain of spondylitis – a form of arthritis – to register an emotional triumph at the 1989 European Open, beating New Zealand’s Frank Nobilo by a shot.
This year’s tournament will follow the now established format of a pro-am for the first two days of competition with the European Seniors Tour players taking centre stage on the third and final day.

FIGHTING FIT FINDLAY PLAYS

HIS PART IN EAST

TENNESSEE STATE JOY DAY

Fraserburgh teenager Jordan Findlay played his part in a brilliant performance by the East Tennessee State University golf team in the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Golf Club on the Caribbean island on Sunday.
Findlay, pictured right, ended up in hospital when he was taken off the course feeling ill in his last event in Arizona at the end of January. His strength had been drained by a bout of pneumonia.
The 18-year-old former British boys champion from the Broch, a second-year student, showed he was fighting fit again with a one-under-par score of 71 over the 6,902yd course. That put him in a share of 24th place.
Team-mates Rhys Davies, the Edinburgh-born Welshman and Walker Cup player, and Limerick’s Cian McNamara shared the lead on 64, McNamara was out in 34 and home in 31, Davies reversing these outsanding figures.
Two other Irish students, freshman Seamus Power from Waterford and Gareth Shaw (Lisburn) completed the joy day for East Tennessee State with returns of 72 and 76 respectively.
The team, with a 15-under-par tally of 273 – the second lowest in East Tennessee State University golf programme history - surged six shots clear of an 18-team field containing most of the top American college players.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
65 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 34-31, Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 31-34.
68 Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State 34-34, Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 32-36, Matthew Savage (Stanford) 31-37, Brendon Todd (Georgia) 34-34.
Other scores:
71 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 36-35 (jt 24th).
72 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 35-37 (jt 38th).
76 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 35-41 (jt 68th).
LEADING TEAMS
273 East Tennessee State.
279 Georgia.
281 Stanford.
282 Oklahoma State.
283 Clemson.

SPANISH TROPHY FOR

MAUREEN RICHMOND

COULD BE FIRST OF

MANY .....

Many thanks to Fiona Roger, who took the picture, and Carol Fell for passing it on.

It's Dr Maureen (Walker) Richmond receiving the runners-up trophy in

last week's Spanish senior women's open amateur individual championship near Alicante.

Maureen, a Curtis Cup player in the 1970s when she was based in Kilmacolm, now lives at West Kirby on the Wirral and is a GP.

Now past her 50th, birthday, Maureen could be about to plunder the trophies on the seniors' circuit - as she did when she was a talented teenager.

GREAT START BY McNAMARA, DAVIES

Irishman Cian McNamara and Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies - both golf scholarship students at East Tennessee State University both shot seven-under-par 65s in the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Golf Club, Puerto Rico today.
There was no early indication of the score returned by their Scottish team-mate, Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh who was taken ill during the college team's last event in Arizona at the end of January.

Accenture world match-play championship at Tucson, Arizona

STENSON COMES WITH

STRONG FINISH TO

BEAT OGILVY 2&1

Swedish Ryder Cup player Henrik Stenson and title-holder Australian Geoff Ogilvy had a titanic struggle in the 36-hole final of the Accenture world match-play championship at Dove Mountain, Tucson in Arizona.
After 31 holes, Ogilvy held a one-hole lead but Stenson, pictured right, finished the stronger, squaring the tie and then going on to win a classic match by 2 and 1.
Henrik is the second European to win the title.
Defending champion Ogilvy had been two down after 18 holes but turned that position on its head after lunch to lead by two holes after 26.
EARLIER DETAILS:
Stenson made a good start, by holing an 8ft eagle 3 putt at the par-5 first hole.
He also took the second to be two up after two holes but Ogilvy fought back to win the next four holes and be two up on the seventh tee.
Stenson won the par-4 seventh to get back to one down and then did not lose another hole before the lunch-time break. He won the 10th, 12th and 15th holes to wipe out the deficit and go two holes up.
The absence of Tiger Woods in particular and any American in general from the final result in only a small gallery.
Only 7,500 tickets were sold in advance for the final in an effort to prevent over-crowding, but authorities need not have worried, because most of those with tickets did not turn up, at least not for the morning round.
CAMPBELL WINS THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
Chad Campbell (US) won the third-place play-off over 18 holes against South Africa's Trevor Immelman. Campbell won by 4 and 2.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

OOSTY WINS SOUTH AFRICAN
PGA TITLE AT JO'BURG
South African Louis Oosthuizen claimed his second victory in four tournaments when he won the Telkom PGA championship at Country Club Johannesburg’s Woodmead Course today.
Oosthuizen, pictured right, birdied the last for a 65 and a total of 22-under-par 266, giving him a one-stroke victory in the final tournament of the Sunshine Tour’s 2006-07 season.
The win was his second this summer after his triumph in the Dimension-Data Pro-Am, and came a week after he lost a play-off for the Vodacom Championship.
Richard Sterne finished second on 267 with a 71, while Charl Schwartzel shared third place with Marc Cayeux on 268.
“I didn’t think I had a chance at the start of the day, being six shots behind,” Oosthuizen said. “But after a good front nine I saw myself up there. The win in the Dimension Data Pro-Am certainly gave me the confidence to know I can do it. It’s changed the way I think on the golf course now.”
Schwartzel’s finish was good enough to see him win the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit a third successive time, becoming the first South African to achieve this, making his sacrifice of a place in the Accenture world match-play championship to play in this event well worthwhile.
The final round began with Andrew McLardy one clear of Sterne. McLardy, the one man who could still pip Schwartzel to the Order of Merit title if he won this event, saw his challenge falter with successive double bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes on his way to a finish of tied 11th.
Sterne took the lead but was soon caught by the charging Oosthuizen, who tied him at 20 under with five birdies on the front nine.
Sterne moved two clear early on the back nine, and Oosthuizen hit back with successive birdies at 12 and 13. Oosthuizen then took the lead when Sterne dropped at the short 15th.A birdie at the last gave Oosthuizen a two-shot cushion, allowing Sterne the birdie at 18.
Schwartzel birdied two of his final three holes to threaten Ooosthuizen’s lead and complete his Order of Merit triumph.
Glasgow-born Alan McLean tied for 22nd place on 278 with a closing 71.
LEADING TOTALS
288 (4 x 72)
Players from South Africa unless stated.
266 Louis Oosthuizen 676 65 69 65.
267 Richard Sterne 66 68 62 71.
268 Charl Schwartzel 69 64 70 65, Marc Cayeux (Zim) 66 67 65 70.
Other totals:
273 Andrew McLardy 65 66 64 78 (jt 11th).
278 Alan McLean (Sco) 72 66 69 71(jt 22nd).

STENSON v OGILVY FOR TITLE
Sweden's Henrik Stenson will meet Australian Geoff Ogilvy, the defending champion, in the 36-hole final of the Accenture world match-play championship at Tucson, Arizona today.
In the semi-finals, Stenson beat South Africa's Trevor Immelman by 3 and 2 and Ogilvy had a similar winning margin over the sole surviving American player, Chad Campbell.
Scroll down for the quarter-final results.

LAIRD JOINT 49TH IN NZ PGA

CHAMPIONSHIP

Martin Laird, a former Scottish youths amateur champion from Glasgow, finished joint 49th in the New Zealand PGA championship at Clearwater Resort, Christchurch today.
Hilton Park GC member Laird, 24, who spent four years on the American college circuit as a student at Colorado State University, shot a final round of one-under-par 71, birdieing the sixth and parring every other hole, for a four-over-par total of 292. His earlier rounds in a weather-distrupted tournament were 71, 75 and 75.
American Nicholas Thompson, pictured above, born on Christmas Day, 1982 at Coral Springs, Florida, and Canadian David Morland tied at the top of the leaderboard on eight-under 280. Thompson, who had birdied the last two holes, won a sudden-death play-off with a par at the first extra hole.

The HSBC New Zealand PGA championship is part of the US Nationwide Tour.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
280 Nicholas Thompson (US) 69 73 70 68, David Morland (Can) 70 72 70 68.
281 Michael Letzig (US) 69 68 79 65, Lee Williamson (US) 70 69 73 69.
Other total:
292 Martin Laird (Sco) 71 75 75 71 (jt 49th).

STACY WINS FIELDS OPEN

ON HAWAII, LAURA

DAVIES JOINT 33rd
Angela Park failed in her bid to become, at 18 years of age, the youngest-ever winner on the LPGA Tour.
Joint leader with Stacy Prammanasudh with one round to go in the Fields Open, Angela closed with a 71 for a final total of 205, which earned her a share of third place at Ko Olina Golf Club, Hawaii.
Stacy Prammanasudh, pictured right, went on to win by one shot from Jee Young Lee after returning a 68 for 14-under-par 202. That earned her a second LPGA Tour win and a cheque for $180,000.
Laura Davies tied for 33rd place on 214 with a 70.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72). Course: 6,519yd
202 Stacy Prammanasudh 66 68 68 ($180,000).
203 Jee Young Lee 69 66 68 ($110,950).
205 Al Miyazato 71 68 66, Morgan Pressel 71 65 69, Ang4ela Park 66 68 71 ($64,288 each).
206 Cristie Kerr 71 70 65, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman 70 67 69 ($37,662 each).
Other total:
214 Laura Davies 73 71 70 (jt 33rd) ($6,793).

MHAIRI MISSES HAWAII CUT

Mhairi McKay, with rounds of 75 and 73 for four-over-par 148, failed to survive the 36-hole cut in the Fields Open on Hawaii today.
Only players with level par 144 or better went on to the third round.
Laura Davies (73-71 for 144) was one of the qualifiers.
LEADERBOARD
134 S Prammanasudh 66 68, A Park 66 68.
135 J Young Lee 69 66.
136 M Pressel 71 65.
137 W Doolan 70 67, V Goetze-Ackerman 70 67.
Other qualifier:
144 L Davies 73 71.
DID NOT QUALIFY
148 M McKay (Sco) 75 73.

RESULTS FROM WORLD MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

IT'S LOOKING LIKE A STENSON v OGILVY FINAL

Saturday results from the Accenture world match-play championship at Tucson, Arizona:

QUARTER-FINALS
H Stenson bt N O'Hern 1 hole.
T Immelman bt J Rose 5 and 4.
C Campbell bt S Ames 1 hole.
G Ogilvy bt P Casey 5 and 4.

SEMI-FINAL POSITIONS
Stenson two up on Immelman after 14 holes.
Ogilvy two up on Campbell after 14 holes.

THE FIVE-MILLION DOLLAR CLUBHOUSE THAT WAS BUILT IN JUST SIX MONTHS

INTRODUCING THE FIVE-STAR TURKISH DELIGHT OF
CORNELIA GOLF CLUB AND THE FALDO COURSE


The distinctive club logo and sign over the entrance
to the clubhouse.


Marble basement of the sumptuous Cornelia clubhouse,
where the changing rooms are to be found.


Looking back down the ninth hole of the Faldo Course
at Cornelia Golf Club.



Sideview of the Cornelia clubhouse from the third nine-
hole lay-out being built at the "Faldo Course."




Magnficient clubhouse Turkish-style. Front view of the
palatial Cornelia clubhouse.





Another view of the entrance to the Cornelia clubhouse.

SPREAD THE WORD: TURKEY IS NOT FOR CHRISTMAS,
IT'S FOR WINTER GOLF HOLIDAYS PAR EXCELLENCE
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
If you can remember what the Costa del Sol in Spain and Portugal's Algarve looked like in golfing terms 30 or 40 years ago, then you will have no problem in conjuring up a mental picture of the Antalya Region of Turkey.
This Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coastline is a golfing boom area in the making.
Six more golf courses - including one designed by Colin Montgomerie - are under construction, which means the number will be rise to 14 by 2010.
And that number will keep on mounting because the Antalaya Region is simply perfect as a golfing holiday destination, much like the Algarve with the mix of golf courses and sandy beaches, except that on the Turkish Riviera, all the hotels seem to back on to the Mediterranean.
If it's a traditional summer holiday basking in the sunshine, then southern Turkey is for you, although perhaps just a little too hot.
BETTER THAN A SCOTTISH SUMMER
But in the winter, the temperatures come down and are bearable ... still better than most Scottish summers ... and perfect for shirt-sleeve golf.
We were there from February 10 to 17 with an international band of media folk for the European Golf & Travel Media Association's Media Masters. It was cool first thing in the morning and again when darkness fell but in between it was just right for playing golf every day.
My wife and I had never been to Turkey previously. To be honest, we had never even considered Turkey for a holiday, golfing or otherwise. This proved to be an eye-opening visit. It's not Spain. It's not Portugal. It is Turkey and it is delightfully different.
Over the next few days, I am going to tell you about the four venues, we visited ... National Golf Club, Gloria Golf Club, Antalya Golf Club and Cornelia Golf Club ... and also the five-star hotels.
The one that made the biggest impression of me was the Cornelia Golf Club. I don't play the game these days but those who did tackle the 18-hole Faldo Course - opened only last November and there is another nine-hole lay-out just waiting to be brought into play - say that it was first-class, a little difficult perhaps for their standard, but, nevertheless, a course to be savoured.
AWE-INSPIRING CLUBHOUSE
From my point of view, it was the clubhouse that was simply awe-inspiring. I've seen some magnificent clubhouses over the years, but Cornelia Golf Club has to top the list.
Director of Golf Ali Sahin told me that it could five million US dollars to build and was opened within six months ... a work-rate that puts the construction industry to shame in this country.
If the Royal Family all followed Prince Andrew's example and played golf, then Cornelia Golf Club is the kind of "Buckingham Palace of clubhouses" they would want have for their private pleasure.
I cannot begin to convey to you, just how big and palatial it is although it covers an area of 4,800 square metres, which gives you some idea of the dimensions.
The "pro's shop" covers an area that any professional in this country would die for (if you know what I mean!). The changing rooms and toilets downstairs have marble walls and floors. There's an indoor restaurant that looks big enough to feed hundreds and there's even more space round the perimeter of the clubhouse for outdoor eating.
DON'T MISS CORNELIA GOLF CLUB
Log on to the Cornelia Golf Club website, www.corneliaresort.com, and you can see all the details, how much it costs to play the course which, as far as I could ascertain, is not "burdened" by the demands of members.
If you are going to go to the Antalya Region for next year's winter golf holiday, and I hope that by now I have got you even thinking about it, then don't miss Cornelia Golf Club, it's palatial marble clubhouse and its Faldo Course, which will have three nines by then.
+++++It goes almost without saying that the Cornelia Hotel, or Corneilia De Luxe Resort to give it its official title, owned by the same company as the golf club, is different class. It is one of the most modern-designed hotels I have been in and has 381 rooms, 90% of which have sea views. It has umpteen restaurants, eight bars, five swimming pools and so on. I'm not an authority on hotels but Cornelia Hotel struck me as being the complete "all-rounder" you might say in that it would be perfect for a family holiday, something to keep the kids amused from dawn to dusk and beyond, and also a great conference facility with a huge amphitheatre.

STERNE STUFF (62) CUTS McLARDY
LEAD IN S A PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

South African Richard Sterne shot a brilliant 62 in the third round of the South African Telkom PGA championship to be only one shot behind leader and compatriot Andrew McLardy going into the final round on Sunday at Country Club Johannesburg.
Scot Alan McLean is on nine-under-par 207 after a 69 but is a distant 12 shots off the pace.

LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
Players from South Africa unless stated.
195 A McLardy 65 66 64.
196 Richard Sterne 66 68 62.
198 Marc Cayeux (Zim) 66 67 65.
Other total:
207 A McLean (Sco) 72 66 69.

LAIRD LONG WAY BEHIND IN
NZ PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Martin Laird, the former Scottish youths amateur champion from Glasgow, survived the second-round cut in the New Zealand PGA championship but is well down the field with one round to go at Clearwater Resort, Christchurch.
In a tournament interrupted first by rain and then by 20 to 25mph winds, Martin has had rounds of 71, 75 and 75 for 221 - 11 shots behind the leader, Ryan Howison who has scored 65, 75 and 70.
Howison is one of six North Americans in the leading eight after 54 holes.
In the third round, Laird reached the turn in level par 36 with a bogey at the eighth and a birdie at the short ninth but he lost his way over the next three holes with bogeys at the 10th, 11th and 12th. He got one back with a birdie 4 at the long 14th but promptly gave it back again with a bogey at the 16th.
He was back in 39 for a 75.
LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3 x 72)
210 Ryan Howison (US) 65 75 70.
211 James Nitties (NZ) 69 70 72.
212 Nicholas Thompson (US) 69 73 70, David Morland (Can) 70 72 70, Lee Williamson (US) 70 69 73, Sal Spallone (US) 69 68 75, Peter Senior (Aus) 66 75 71, Mark Brown (US) 71 75 76.
Other score:
221 Martin Laird (Sco) 71 75 75.

SLGA NAMES PLAYERS FOR
WINTER TRAINING CAMP
WITH NEW COACH IN SPAIN

New national coach Kevin Craggs will be in charge of the training programme at the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association's annual winter camp at Pals in North-east Spain from March 10 to 24.
Players were invited to attend for one of the two weeks.
Players available to go are:

Week 1: March 10 to 17.
Emma Fairnie (Dunbar)
Kerri Harper (Inverness)
Lesley Hendry (Routenburn)
Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton)
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)
Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey)
Laura Murray (Alford).
Jane Turner (Mortonhall)
Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth).

Week 2 -March 17 to 24
Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
Carly Booth (Comrie).
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus)
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old)
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus)
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle)
Sammy Vass (Tain).
Kylie Walker (Hilton Park).
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).

EDINBURGH & EAST OF SCOTLAND
ALLIANCE ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance Order of Merit leading totals after 11 rounds:
SCRATCH
533.00 Scott Grieve.
527.50 Neil Colquhoun.
492.50 Andrew Dunsmore.
467.50 Mike Thomson.
467.00 Craig Imlah.
447.00 Stevie Lamb.
444.00 Andy Oldcorn.
433.00 Ross Harrower.
404.50 Ally MacKenzie.
391.00 Andrew Marshall.
390.00 Steven Doyle.
388.50 Colin Fraser.
357.00 Tom Buchanan.
355.00 Andrew Wight.
340.50 Chris Morris.
316.50 George Wither.
312.00 Scott Walker.
309.50 Adam Strang.
305.00 Thomas Wilson.
298.00 Owen Leslie.
294.60 Alistair Anderson.
283.00 Callum Smith.
272.50 Kenneth Glen.
270.00 Andrew Rothney.
268.50 John Kerr.
255.50 Derek Fish.
253.00 Richard Johnston.
252.50 Ross Noon.
25.00 Norman Forsyth, Derek P Miller.
250.50 Graeme D Johnston.
250.00 Alexander Culverwell.
HANDICAP
152.25 Steven Doyle.
102.50 Thomas Flaherty.
95.15 Harry Cartmill.
94.80 William Laing.
93.50 Scott Walker.
93.00 Andrew Wight.
90.00 Douglas Ferguson.
86.90 Robert Clapperton.
84.30 John Kerr.
78.30 Graeme D Johnston.
75.45 Colin Fraser.
73.00 William Marr.
71.80 Alistair Anderson,.
69.85 Douglas Hume.
69.00 Peter Sewell.
68.50 James Laurieston.
67.50 Walter Forsyth.
63.50 Thomas Wilson.
63.40 Scott Watson.
63.00 Andrew McLennan.
62.50 Ronald Grant.
60.00 Wilson Morton.
58.80 Stuart Brown.
56.40 M David Graham.
53.00 Brian Smith.
52.50 Alexander Culverwell.
51.25 Stuart Wardlaw.
50,80 George Wither.
50.00 Norman Forsyth.
49.00 Andrew Rothney.
48.00 John Wardrop.
44.00 Alan Devlin.
41.30 Graham Grieve.
40.40 Derek P Miller.
39.20 Ian A Fraser.
38.50 Alan Robson.

+Next meeting is at Mortonhall on Wednesday, March 7.

++Members who are not available to take part in the championship meeting at Dalmahoy should they qualify are asked to inform secretary Duncan Ireland.

MHAIRI McKAY RESUMES WITH
UPHILL TASK IN HAWAII

Due to a 3hr rain delay during Friday's second round of the Fields Open at Ko Olina Golf Club, Kapolei on Hawaii, second-round play was not completed.
The 70 players who have not completed their second rounds resume today at 7.30am local time.
The start of the final round will take place once the second round concludes and the cut of the top-70 players and ties is made.
Of the players who completed 36 holes on Friday, Stacy Prammanasudh
set the clubhouse target of 10-under-par 134 with a second-round 68 just before the heavy rain started.
Eighteen-year-old Morgan Pressel had a 65 for 136.
Laura Davies finished 36 holes on level par 144 after a 71 and should survive the cut which is projected at two-over-par 146.
Mhairi McKay was four over par for the tournament, having played only six holes of her second round before play was halted. She had a three-over-75 in the first round.
Janice Moodie was disqualified after handing in a first-round 77. It transpires that her transgression was forgetting to sign her scorecard.
36-HOLE LEADERS
134 (-10) Stacy Prammanasudh 66 68.
136 Morgan Pressel 71 65.
138 Carrie Wood 70 68, Mi Hyun Kim 71 67.
Other two-round total:
144 Laura Davies 73 71.
INCOMPLETED SECOND ROUND
Figure in relation to par takes into account first-round score
-9 after 14 Jee Young Lee.
-9 after nine Angela Park.
+4 after six Mhairi McKay.

Updated report from NGA Tour Winter Series Championship

HENDRY FOURTH BUT NOT

TOO UNHAPPY WITH FLORIDA

MINI-TOUR FINISH

Elgin-born Joel Hendry was not too unhappy with losing a share of the lead to finish fourth in the NGA Tour Winter Series championship at Black Bear Golf Club, Eustis in Florida at the weekend.
Hendry, Scottish amateur youths champion in 1999 and 2000, started the fourth and final round in joint pole position in the chase for the $14,000 jackpot prize. But the 28-year-old shot a two-over-par 74 for a 14-under-par 288 and had to settle for a $5,000 reward for fourth place.
Joel’s co-overnight leader, American Jeff Schmid, suffered a bigger slump under pressure. He finished with a 76 and dropped to joint seventh place and a $3,375 pay-out.
Another American Brian Stuard went on to win with a closing score of 67 for 17-under-par 271.
“Joel played steadily but his putter let him down. Conditions were very windy but he was happy with his play as he has been working hard in the gym over the winter and has made a few swing changes with his coach, “ said Joel’s dad, Elgin businessman Mike Hendry after a phone call to Florida.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
Players from US unless stated

271 Brian Stuard 66 72 66 67 ($14,000).
272 John Koskinen 67 71 68 66 ($8,000).
274 Rob Johnson 70 68 66 70 ($6,000).
276 Joel Hendry (Sco) 69 69 64 74 ($5,000).
277 Rob Oppenheim 67 71 71 68, Erik Herberth 72 66 69 70 ($3,875 each).
278 Brad Klapprott 66 70 68 74, Jeff Schmid 67 66 69 76 ($3,375 each).
279 Ty Harris 71 69 73 77, Chris Erwin67 70 73 69, Nick Gilliam 70 70 69 70, Andrew Morse 70 68 69 72 ($2,697 each).

Accenture world match-play thrills in Arizona

TIGER WOODS MISSSES SHORT

PUTT AT 19TH - AND GOES

OUT TO O'HERN AT NEXT HOLE

Tiger Woods' winning streak in US PGA tournaments is over.

He was beaten at the 20th in the third round of the Accenture world match-play championship at Tucson, Arizona by left-hander Nick O'Hern.

Woods fought back from four down to level the match .... then birdied the 18th to square the contest again ... but he lost out at the second extra hole.

O'Hern won the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh to surge four holes up. Then Woods steadily reeled his man in again by winning the eighth, 11th, 12th and 15th to be all square.
O'Hern won the 17th to be one up with one to play but Woods birdied the 18th to get back on level terms again.
The 19th was halved in par when Woods missed a putt of only four feet. He claimed later that he had forgotten to repair a pitch mark on his line and this knocked his putt for victory off line ... a curious admission by a man who normally pays more attention to detail on a golf course than any player around.

England has two representatives in the quarter-finals - Justin Rose and Paul Casey. They are in opposite halves of the draw.
THIRD ROUND RESULTS
Top half of draw
N O'Hern bt T Woods at 20th.

H Stenson bt A Baddeley 4 and 3.
J Rose bt C Howell III 3 and 2.
T Immelman bt I Poulter 2 and 1.
Bottom half of draw
C Campbell bt D Thoms 1 hole.
S Ames bt S Cink after 3 and 1.
P Casey bt S Micheel 2 holes.
G Ogilvy bt N Fasth 2 and 1.

QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP

O'Hern v Stenson.

Rose v Immelman.

Campbell v Ames.

Casey v Ogilvy.

MAUREEN RICHMOND PIPPED
FOR SPANISH SENIORS TITLE

Former Curtis Cup player Maureen (Walker) Richmond from Kilmacolm finished runner-up in the Spanish senior women's open amateur championship at Club de Golf de Bonalba, Alicante today
Maureen, who studied medecine at Edinburgh University and is now a GP in England, led the international field with a first-round 77 before being overhauled by Italy's Francois Colmant.
Francois, who had opened with a 78, had a second-round 79 for a final total of 157, one ahead of Dr Richmond who had a second-round 81.
Vickie Thomas from Wales finished joint seventh on 164 with rounds of 78 and 85.
Pamela Williamson from Baberton shared 13th place with a pair of 83s for 166.
Earlier in the week at Alicante, Maureen Richmond and Barbaret Biggart had the second best aggregate of 157 in the doubles championship, one strong behind the Spanish winners, Marta Estany and Vicky Pertierra.
There were three pairings on the 157 mark. Barbara and Maureen were placed third on a comparison of the second-round scores.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOTALS
157 Francois Colmant (Ita) 78 79.
158 Maureen Richmond (Sco) 77 81.
161 Ana Vilella (Spa) 80 81.
162 Christina Birke (Swe) 80 82, Gunilla Ekman (Swe) 78 84.
163 Birgitta Ljung (Swe) 80 83.
164 Anki Hermansson (Swe) 81 82, Viveca Hogg (Swe) 81 83, Vicki Thomas (Wal) 79 85.
165 Cristina Marsans (Spa) 86 79, Milagros Yanex (Spa) 79 86, Beatriz Ramirez (Spa) 78 87.
Other totals:
166 Pamela Williamson (Sco) 83 83 (jt 13th).
167 Julie Ballard (Eng) 83 84.
170 Diane Williams (Can) 88 82, Valerie Hasset (Ire) 86 84.
171 Helen Faulds (Sco) 87 84 (jt 21st).
172 Mary McKenna (Ire) 84 88.
173 Elspeth Cooper (Eng) 91 82.
174 Hilary Smyth (Eng) 88 86.
175 Pat Bennett (Eng) 92 83.
176 Gillian Nelson (Eng) 88 88.
177 Sue Westall (Eng) 94 83.
180 Helen O'Donoghue (Ire) 96 84.
181 Barbara Biggart (Sco) 93 88.
184 Fiona Roger (Sco) 94 90.
185 Roma English (NIre) 93 92.
187 Marianne Copp (Eng) 94 93.
192 Jennifer Mack (Sco) 97 95.

TEAM EVENT
Leading totals
319 Spain A (C Marsans, M Yanes, A Vilella).
324 Scotland A (H Faulds, M Richmond, P Williamson), Sweden B.
326 Sweden A.
Also:
353 Scotland B (B Biggart, J Mack, J Paterson).

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Leading totals
156 Marta Estany & Vicky Pertierra (Spa) 75 81.
157 Cristina Marsans & Beatriz Ramirez (Spa) 77 80, Barbara Biggart & M Richmond (Sco) 75 82, Erika Annison (Swe) & Edeltraut Jacob (Ger) 73 84.

HOLLY IS NUMERO UNO IN EUROPE
AFTER VICTORY IN PORTUGAL

England's Holly Aitchison is the No 1 female amateur golfer in Europe - and that's official!
She won the first counting event in the new European Golf Association women's amateur rankings, the Portuguese women's open amateur championship on the Algarve.
The next three in the rankings, Sandra Gal (Germany), Pernilla Lindberg (Sweden) and former British girls champion Azahara Munoz (Spain) have all earned their points so far with their performances on the American women's college circuit.

The top 20 placings at the moment are:
1 Holly Aitchinson (Eng) 60pt.
2 Sandra Gal (Ger), Pernilla Lindberg (Swe), Azahara Munoz (Spa) 51pt.
5 Nicola Roessler (Ger) 50pt.
6 Ines Lescudier (Fra), Ana Santos Melo (Por) 42.50pt.
8 Celine Herbin (Fra), Satu Harju (Fin), Carla Cruz (Por), Carolina Afonso (Fra) 29pt.
12 Belen Mozo (Spa) 26.50pt.
13 Caroline Westrup (Swe) 13pt.
14 Marion Bernard (Fra), Rosa Svahn (Fin), Valentine Gevers (Bel), Mireia Prat (Spa), Caroline Masson (Ger), Fanny Rocard (Fra), Marie Tschida (Ger), Ane Urchegui (Spa) 11.88pt.

COUNTING EVENTS FOR THE 2007 EUROPEAN
WOMEN'S AMATEUR RANKINGS ARE:

Feb 7-11: Portuguese Ladies International, Quinta de Cima GC.
Feb 28 - Mar 4: Spanish Ladies' International, Sherry Golf.

Apr 27-29: Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play, Troon.

May 5-6: Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play, Newport.
May 24-27: International German Ladies, Dusseldorfer GC.
May 24-27: Austrian Ladies Amateur, Fürstenfeld-Loipersdorf.

Jun 1-3: French Ladies Amateur Stroke Play, Golf d'Esery.
Jun 12-16: Ladies' British Open Amateur, Alwoodley, Leeds.
Jun 25-29: Russian Ladies Amateur Open, Le Meridien Moscow.

Jul 28-29: Danish International Ladies, Silkeborg.

Aug 3-5: Swiss Ladies Amateur, Basel.
Aug 8-11: Czech International Ladies Amateur, Cihelny.
Aug 9-11: Finnish Ladies Amateur, Helsinki.
Aug 22-24: British Open Amateur Stroke Play, Conwy, Wales.
Aug 29 - Sep 1: European Ladies' Individual, Sporting Club Berlin.

Sep 12-16: Italian International Ladies Amateur, Villa d'Este.

R&A GIVE ST ANDREWS LINKS
JUNIOR ASSOCIATION
£62,500 OVER NEXT 5 YEARS

The R&A is extending its original five-year support for the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association with a second five-year term over which the financial contribution will rise to £62,500 - a 25 % increase.
"We have been involved with the SALJGA since 2002, right from the start," said Duncan Weir, R&A Director of Golf Development.
"Enormous progress has been made, with hundreds of kids getting a start in the game, and St Andrews is now punching its weight at county and national level in boths boys' and girls' events."
Paul Kirkcaldy, Junior Golf Manager of the St Andrews Links Turst, welcomed the endorsement by the R&A of the sterling work done by the junior association.
"This is a great boost for all of us who work with the juniors in St Andrews. The R&A's generosity is an indication of their long-standing commitment to grass roots golf," said Paul.
The award comes from the annual surplus generated by the Open championship and is just one of a multitude of R&A grants that encourage young people worldwide to take up golf and develop their skills.
SALJGA members enjoy a wide range of benefits, including privileged access to the Golf Practice Centre.
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie is honorary president of the SALJGA.
+The above, including the photograph of Duncan Weir (left) and Paul Kirkcaldy, is reproduced from the new issue of LINKS NEWS, the Newsletter of St Andrews Links.

FINDLAY MAKES COMEBACK IN
PUERTO RICO THIS WEEKEND

Fraserburgh exile Jordan Findlay will return to the American college golf circuit this weekend for the first time since he was finished up in Arizona hospital after being forced to retire out on the course at the end of last month.
Finday, 18-year-old former British boys' champion and a second-year golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University, had returned to action too soon after a bout of pneumonia had sapped his strength.
"Jordan's been back in the gym over the past fortnight and he has been practising. He's still not 100 per cent but he's progressing," said his father Ian.
"He's now in Puerto Rico with the university team for the three-round Puerto Rico Classic which begins at Rio Mar Country Club on Sunday.
I hope he can stand the heat because his illness took a lot out of him."

McLEAN BACK IN 31 TO BEAT

SOUTH AFRICAN CUT BUT

LITTLE TWO SHOTS OVER

Glasgow-born Alan McLean, thanks to an inward half of 31, survived the halfway cut in the South African Tekom PGA championship with a seven-birdie round of six-under-par 66 and a 36-hole total of 138.

Alan, pictured right, goes into the third round in joint 23rd place, seven shots off the lead.
But Euan Little from Dumfries failed to make the field for the last two rounds after a 71 for 145 - two shots over the limit qualifying mark.
South African Andrew McLardy leads by one shot with scores of 65 and 66 for 13-under-par 131.
LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
Players from South Africa unless stated
131 Andrew McLardy 65 66.
132 Louis Oosthuizen 67 75.
133 Branden Grace (am) 65 68, Divan Van den Heever 65 68, Charl Schwartzel 69 64, Marc Cayeux (Zim) 66 67.
Other scores:
138 Alan McLean (Sco) 72 66
145 Euan Little (Sco) 74 71.

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIE HOLDS
ON TO WIN PAM GOLDING
INTERNATIONAL EVENT

South African rookie professional Lee-Anne Pace, the overnight leader, held on to win the Pam Golding Ladies International tournament over the Dainfern Country Club course, Johannesburg today.
Miss Pace finished with a one-under-par 72 - her worst of the three rounds - for a final total of 11-under-par 208.

She was delighted to achieve a victory so early on in her professional career.
“It feels great. But it had to take a second or two to actually sink in,” she said. “I wanted to win a tournament especially in South Africa. Coming back here you almost have to prove yourself, so I’m very happy.”
The win is also a big step towards her goal of earning a place in the two-strong South African team for next year's Women’s World Cup of Golf
It’s also the result of a new training programme she has undergone and which is also used by former Masters champion Mike Weir.
“It’s a good programme where I go through a number of tests to tell me my weaknesses. My left knee showed up as a weakness and I’ve been training certain muscles for that. It’s a work-out to prevent injury and to make you fit.”
Fellow South African Stacy Bregman, her closest rival overnight, slipped back with a 75 for 212 and it was Denmark's Julie Tvede who finished runner-up, one shot behind the winner, after a 71 for 209.
Welsh player Eleanor Pilgrim made up a lot of late ground with a closing 69 to fill third place on 211.
England's Kiran Matharu and Rebecca Hudson shared fourth place with Stacy Bregman on 212.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3 x 73)
Prizemoney in South African Rand.
Players from South Africa unless stated
208 Lee-Anne Pace 69 67 72 (R37,500).
209 Julie Tvede (Den) 70 68 71 (R27,500).
211 Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 72 70 69 (R20,000).
212 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 68 73 71, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 69 72 71, Stacy Bregman 66 71 75 (R12,375 each).
214 Sophie Walker (Eng) 73 73 68, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 70 72 (R8,000 each).
215 Emelie Svenningsson (Swe) 70 72 73, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 69 70 (R6,000 each).
216 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 72 70 74 (R5,125).
217 Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 71 71 75, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo) 75 71 71, Anna Becker (Swe) 74 73 70 (R4,516 each), Ashleigh Simon (am) 73 70 74.
218 Kelli Shean (am) 76 69 73.
219 Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 72 74, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 70 76 73 (R4,062 each).
220 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 75 73 72, Morgana Robbertze 71 71 78 (R3,812 each), Bertine Strauss (am) 74 74 72.
221 Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 71 76, Frederique Dorbes 77 76 68 (R3,562).
222 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 71 76 75, Michele De Vries 75 75 72, Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73 76 73, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 78 72 (R3,187 each).
Other totals:
223 Sarah Heath (Eng) 75 73 75 (R2,456).
224 Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 74 74 76 (R2,000).
225 Kelly Hutcherson (Eng) 76 74 75 (R1,862).
227 Felicity Johnson (Eng) 73 78 76 (R1,412).

The Way We Were - Scottish boys championship, April 1954

MAURICE MOIR HAD

MANY HAPPY YEARS

AS HAMILTON PRO

AFTER NORTH

BERWICK VICTORY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Today’s flashback picture shows Maurice Moir from Ellon, Aberdeenshire receiving the Scottish boys’ match-play championship trophy from Provost G Gilbert of North Berwick in April 1954.
Maurice had beaten H McCrae of Paisley by 8 and 6 in the 36-hole final of the championship which had a permanent home in North Berwick from its birth in 1935 until 1975 inclusive.
When Maurice won the title it was the 13th staging of the championship, certainly not unlucky for young Moir who turned professional within days of his success.
He became an assistant professional with Gordon Durward at Deeside Golf Club, Aberdeen.
Maurice later became head professional at Hamilton Golf Club for over 40 years before he retired in the early 2000s.
Mr Chapman, the Hamilton GC secretary, tells me that Maurice was made an honorary member of the club for his distinguished service. He still enjoys a game of golf.
Maurice’s twin sons, Euan and Michael, inherited some of their dad’s golfing prowess.
Euan was runner-up to Brian Smith in an all-Hamilton final of the 1996 Scottish mid-amateur championship at Blairgowrie.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

LPGA TOUR EVENT ON HAWAII

JANICE MOODIE DISQUALIFIED
AFTER RETURNING A 77
Janice Moodie was disqualified after returning a four-over-par score of 77 in the first round of the Fields Open, this week's LPGA Tour event at Ko Olina Golf Club, Kapolei on Hawaii.
The Glasgow-born player, pictured right, had halves of 37 and 40, finishing with a double-bogey 6 at the 18th.
It was not immediately clear why the Scot had been disqualified.
Laura Davies was the leading British player with a 73 (37-36).
Mhairi McKay returned a 75 (37-38).
The lead was shared by rookie Angela Park and Stacy Prammanasudh on six-under-par 66.

LAIRD STILL ON COURSE

TO BEAT HALFWAY

CUT IN WET NZ PGA

Scot Martin Laird still has eight holes of his second round to complete at the end of a rain-disrupted second day in the New Zealand PGA championship at Clearwater Resort, Christchurch.
The former Scottish youths amateur champion from Glasgow, who had a one-under-par in the first round, started at the 10th in his second and double-bogeyed the 12th. He bounced back with birdies at the 13th and 17th before dropping a shot at the 18th to cover his first nine holes in one-over-par 37.
Laird, pictured right, then got back to level par for the day and one under for the tournament with a birdie at the first before the organisers decided to end play for the day as the saturated greens began to flood.
Four players are sharing the lead at seven under par for the tournament but only one of them has completed 36 holes.
The projected cut at the halfway stage is one-over-par 145.

NGA Tour Championship at Black Bear GC, Florida

JOEL JUMPS INTO SHARE
OF LEAD WITH A 64

Former Scottish youths champion Joel Hendry from Elgin is joint leader of the NGA Tour championship going into the final round of the 72-hole event at Black Bear Golf Club, Eustis in Florida.
Hendry, pictured right, who had earlier scored a pair of 69s, shot a third-round, eight-under-par 64 for a 54-hole tally of 14-under-par 202, matched only by halfway leader Jeff Schmid (67-66-69).
They lead by two shots from Americans Brad Klapprott and Brian Stuard.
Hendry, who had his 28th birthday on February 14, played on the US Nationwide Tour last year. Son of Elgin businessmen Mike Hendry, Joel has lived in America since he went to the International Golf Academy at Hilton Head, South Carolina as a teenager.
He won the Scottish youths championship at Crieff in 1999 and retained the title at Newmachar in 2000.

LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Par 72 (Players from US unless stated)

202 Jeff Schmid 67 66 69, Joel Hendry (Sco) 69 69 64.
204 Brad Klapprott 66 70 68, Brian Stuard 66 72 66.
206 Rob Johnson 70 68 66, John Kiskinen 67 71 68.
Non-qualifiers for final two rounds included:
143 Paul Curry (Eng) 72 71.
149 David Kirkpatrick (Sco) 74 75.

Accenture world match-play championship Day 2

MONTY LOSES TO CASEY BUT

ROSE BEATS MICKELSON

Colin Montgomerie lost to Paul Casey by 4 and 3 in the second round of the Accenture world match-play championship at Tucson, Arizona today.

Shock result of the day was, however, Justin Rose beating Phil Mickelson by 3 and 1.

Results in draw order:

TOP HALF OF DRAW

T Woods bt T Clark 5 and 4.

N O'Hern bt R Sabbatini 2 and 1.

A Baddeley bt L Donald 1 hole.

H Stenson bt K Choi 2 holes.

J Rose bt P Mickelson 3 and 1.
C Howell bt S Garcia 4 and 3.
I Poulter bt B Dredge 3 and 1.

T Immelman bt C DiMarco 3 and 1.

BOTTOM HALF OF THE DRAW

C Campbell bt J Furyk at 19th.

D Toms bt B Crane 3 and 2.

S Ames bt V J Singh at 19th.

S Cink bt P Harrington 1 hole.

S Micheel bt R Pampling 1 hole.

P Casey bt C Montgomerie 4 and 3.
N Fasth bt R Goosen 1 hole.

G Ogilvy bt J M Olazabal 2 and 1.

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIES
1-2 IN "PAM GOLDING"
EVENT AT JOHANNESBURG

Lee-Anne Pace is making a strong bid for inclusion in the next South African Women’s World Cup of Golf team as she heads into the final round of the Pam Golding Ladies International with a one-stroke lead.
Pace, in her rookie season as a professional, took the lead on 10 under par 136 with a solid second-round 67 over the par-73 Dainfern Country Club course, Johannesburg today.
Her nearest challenger is another rookie South African professional in Stacy Bregman, who led the first round but had to settle for a 71 and a total of 135 with one round to go.
Denmark's Julie Tvede is leading the overseas challenge on 138.
Then come England's Kiran Matharu, picture right, and Rebecca Hudson, joint fourth on 141. Kiran, winner of the English women's amateur championship and Curtis Cup honours last year before she turned professional, celebrates her 18th birthday on February 27.
Both Pace and Bregman represent the new wave of talent in South African women’s professional golf. Pace enjoys playing privileges on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour, while Bregman has earned her card for the Ladies European Tour.
The non-qualifiers - those with 36-hole tallies of nine-over-par 155 and higher - surprisingly included Irish Curtis Cup player and rookie pro Claire Coughlan from Cork who did well at the LET Qualifying School last year.
Claire had rounds of 80 and 77 for 157.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Players from South Africa unless stated.
(am) denotes amateur.
Par 146 (2 x 73)
136 Lee-Anne Pace 69 67.
137 Stacy Bregman 66 71.
138 Julie Tvede (Den) 70 68.
141 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 68 73, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 69 72.
142 Emelie Svenningsson (Swe) 70 72, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 71 71, Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 72 70, Morgana Robbertze 71 71, Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 72 70, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 70.
143 Ashleigh Simon (am) 73 70.
144 Natou Soro 71 73.
145 Kelli Shean (am) 76 69, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 69, Florence Luscher (Swi) 74 71, Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 72, Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 71.
146 Sophie Walker (Eng) 73 73, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo) 75 71, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 70 76.
147 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 71 76, Viva Schlasberg (Swe) 74 73, Anna Becker (Awe) 74 73, Mandy Adamson 72 75.
148 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 75 73, Suzette Venter 76 72, Bertine Strauss (am) 74 74, Leandri Pieterse 76 72, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 74 74, Lizelle Muller (am) 75 73, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 79 69, Sarah Heath (Eng) 75 73, Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 74 74, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 75.
149 Josefin Svenningsson (Swe) 76 73, Laurette Maritz 75 74, Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra) 74 75, Cuyler Hedley (Can) 72 77, Sohvi Harkonen (Fin) 76 73, Elin Brask (Swe) 73 76, Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73 76.
150 Edita Nechanicka (Cze) 75 75, Kelly Hutcherson (Eng) 76 74, Michelle de Vries 75 75, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 78.
151 Lena Tornevall (Swe) 75 76, Monique Smit (am) 78 73, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 73 78, Madeleine Holmblad (Swe) 77 74, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 75 76, Nicole Becker (am) 73 78.
153 Sandra Winter (am) 78 75, Zelda Smook (am) 76 77, Frederique Dorbes (Fra) 77 76.
154 Kim Williams (am) 78 76, Tandi von Ruben (am) 77 77, Vicki Traut (am) 76 78, Hanna-Sophia Svenningsson (Swe) 77 77, Mercia Pretorius (am) 76 78, Nuria Clau (Spa) 75 79, Julie Berton (Fra) 79 75.
DID NOT QUALIFY
155 Monja Richards 77 78, Maria Ohlsson (Swe) 75 80, Caryn Louw 81 74, Ashleigh Holmes (am) 81 74, Nina Hansson (Swe) 77 78, Henriette Frylinck (am) 81 74, Yushire Budhram (am) 82 73.
156 Frederique Seeholzer (Swi) 80 76, Shelley McKevitt (Eng) 78 78.
157 Sarah Faller (Ire) (am) 76 81, Sandra Eggermont (Net) 77 80, Claire Coughlan (Ire) 80 77.
158 Angie Green (Can) 78 80, Lise Botha 77 81.
159 Michelle Smith (Eng) 78 81, Nora Kagonyera (Uga) 78 81.
160 Lumien Lausberg 82 78, Santie Koch 86 74, Fabienne Haremza (Ger) 83 77, Kim Brookes (am) 77 83.
162 C Cheryl Smith (Eng) 77 85.
163 Iliska Verwey (am) 79 84, Crizelda van Niekerk 83 80, Elsabe Hefer 80 83.
165 Alexandra Hinteregger (am) 82 83.
167 Jessica Wycherley (am) 86 81.168 Maria Jimenez de Miguel (Spa) 84 84.

MIDLAND GOLFERS' ALLIANCE NEWS

DRAW FOR PRO-AM AT SCOTSCRAIG
ON THURSDAY, MARCH 1

The meeting at Aberdour had to be cancelled due to the bad weather.
Next week's competition is the Hi Tech Acoustic Services Ltd pro-am at Scotscraig on Thursday, March 1.
Draw for Scotscraig is:

8.30 M Pirie, M Niven, D Cameron, D Spaven.
8.38 T McLevy, R Taylor, I Butchart, A N Other.
8.46 E Walker, G White, J Scally, J Edmiston.
8.54 K McGowan, H Haldane, A N Other, A N Other.
9.02 C Mackie, D Roberts, R Beatt, J Brown.
9.10 D Mason, I Mason, A Mason, B Crombie.
9.18 J Stevenson, J McCormack, D Skinner, I Mitchell.
9.26 R Ford, R Redpath, J Black, N Henderson.
9.34 R Walker, M Fraser, K Fraser, S Herd.
9.42 D McKay, M Scobbie, D Gillespie, W Smith.
9.50 S Gillespie, B Liddle A Landsburgh, G Mathieson.
9.56 P Brookes, R Malcolm P Pennycook, J Rennie.
10.0 D Mitchell, G Paton, W Miller, J Meikle.
10.06 C Nugent, B Black, R De Rose, T McKenna.
10.14 E Malcolm, A Douglas, S Knight, G Henderson.
10.22 H Salmond, J Irwin, B Douglas, G Wilkie.
10.30 S Smith, J M Gray, A Lindsay, K MacKenzie.
10.38 I Henderson, I Wilson, J D Gray, W Smeaton.
10.46 S Craig, J Barnett, G Atkinson, J Wilson.
10.54 S Rettie, J Ward, J Muir, J Cree sen.
11.02 L Vannet, J Milne, F McKay, P Philip.
11.10 A Aitken, J Laing, C Wallace, I Watson.
11.18 D Chillas R. Taylor, G McCarthey, F Thomson.
11.26 H Barton, P Callender, A Philip, E Starritt.
11.34 C Knowles, D Redford, J Meddicks, D Hutchison.
11.42 R Gatherum, A Terras, A Robertson, R Rairley.
11.50 R Barton, H Hunter, D Black, W G Hyde.
11.58 A Webster, G Tough, J Bruce, F Gemmell.
12.06 K Hutton, D Adams, J Cree jun, A Herd.
12.14 W Crosbie, L Irving, A Cameron, W Farquharson.
12.30 R Lamont, J Leddy, J Muirden, D McGlashan.
12.38 R Francy, M Watkin, S Reith, K Smith.
12.46 R Sinclair, H Cowburgh, H Grant, R Wallace.
12.54 R Robertson, I Thomson, G Duncan, R Keir.
1.10 L Sutherland, I Thompson, C Myles, E Sherry.
1.18 I McLeod, G Smith, G Cant, R McDonald.

JOEL HENDRY IN CONTENTION

IN NGA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Elgin exile Joel Hendry, 28-year-old twice winner of the Scottish youths title when an amateur is in joint fifth place at the halfway stage of the four-round NGA Tour championship at Black Bear Golf Club, Eustis in Florida.
Hendry, who has lived in the United States since he went to college there as a teenager, had a pair of 69s for a 36-hole tally of six-under-par 138. He is five shots behind the three-stroke leader American Jeff Schmid with 67
and 66 for 11-under 133.
A total of 31 players made the cut at 141 or better.
Englishman Paul Curry missed out in joint 34th place with 72 and 71 for 143.
Another who failed to qualify for the final two rounds in the final event of the NGA Tour Winter Series was former Scotland amateur international cap David Kirkpatrick, now based in Florida. David shot 74 and 75 to be joint 66th on 149 in a field of 97 players.

BMW EXTEND BACKING OF PGA
CHAMPIONSHIP UNTIL 2010

BMW and the European Tour have announced that BMW has extended its commitment to the BMW Championship by a further two years until 2010, and that the event will now be known as the BMW PGA Championship.
There will be a tournament record prize fund of 4,350,000 Euros at Wentworth Club from May 24-27 this year.
This new agreement further enhances the global relationship between the European Tour and BMW, which encompasses the BMW Asian Open and the BMW International Open in Munich, as well as BMW’s position as Official Car of the European Tour and Official Car at the 2006 Ryder Cup.
The prize fund shows an increase of 100,000 Euros from 2006, with the field, headed by defending champion David Howell, chasing a new record first prize of 725,000 Euros.

MARTIN LAIRD ONLY JT 38TH
AFTER 71 IN NZ PGA EVENT

Former Scottish youths champion Martin Laird was lying in joint 38th place with a one-under-par 71 after the first round of the New Zealand PGA championship at Clearwater Resort, Christchurch.
Laird, who spent four years on the American college circuit as a student at Colorado State University, had birdies at the third, fifth, seventh and 12th but dropped shots at the eighth, ninth and 10th in halves of 35 (one under par) and 36 (level).
The Hilton Park Golf Club member, pictured right, could not get a birdie putt to drop in the closing stages and parred the last six holes.
American Ryan Howison led the field with a seven-under-par 65, one shot ahead of Australia's Peter Senior.
Ireland's Keith Nolan had a 73.

£100,000 deal over two years - New sponsor for Junior Masters

DUNFERMLINE BUILDING SOCIETY
BOOST FOR SCOTTISH JUNIOR GOLF

The Scottish Golf Union today announced a major new sponsorship agreement with Dunfermline Building Society which will see a £100,000 investment into junior golf in Scotland over the next two years.
The deal is the biggest private sector investment into grass roots golf in Scotland and one of the largest sponsorship deals in the organisation’s history, supporting the SGU’s commitment to growing and developing the game at entry level.
Dunfermline Building Society will become the official sponsor of the SGU’s Junior Masters – the largest participation golf championship for under-16s in Scotland. The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters will become the only nationally recognised junior event for players of all abilities, open to boys and girls alike.
The sponsorship agreement also sees Dunfermline Building Society becoming the official partner of a new initiative launched by the SGU – the Scottish Junior Club of the Year Awards, which will reward clubs for encouraging junior golf accessibility and participation in their community.
Speaking at today’s announcement at the Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Ross Duncan, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager for the SGU, welcomed the new partnership:
“We are naturally thrilled with the investment from Dunfermline Building Society, who are one of Scotland’s most respected brands. The sponsorship is another huge boost to the SGU on the back of a highly successful year in 2006.”
“The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is a vitally important event for us, giving the opportunity for young boys and girls of all abilities to experience golf and showcase their talents. The handicap system gives golf a great advantage over other sports, giving youngsters who have just started out the chance to compete against a player at the top level.”
Dunfermline Building Society’s Chief Executive, Graeme Dalziel, added:
“Dunfermline Building Society is delighted to be going into partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, whose involvement with junior golf complements the objectives of the Dunfermline Building Society, namely enhancing local communities and encouraging participation at grass roots level.”
“Our commitment to young people is intentional - they represent Scotland’s future and our future - that of Dunfermline Building Society.”
The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is open to all SGU affiliated golf clubs in Scotland with a junior section. Each club is invited to host a local qualifying event, with Regional Finals taking place at Kingussie, Stirling, Dunfermline, Paisley and Peebles in July, with the Grand Final being hosted by Gleneagles, home of the 2014 Ryder Cup, in October.
Dunfermline Building Society also plan to launch a savings account to help parents and youngsters save up for golf related activity, whilst also benefiting the clubgolf programme in Scotland.
“Whilst golf in Scotland for youngsters is more affordable than ever before, there are still some relatively significant outlays for parents whose children take up golf. Our Savers account will encourage good financial practise for youngsters, enabling them to save up for things like their annual membership, more lessons or a new driver,” said Phil Kennedy Head of Marketing at Dunfermline Building Society.
Alastair Forsyth (pictured above), one of Scotland’s European Tour stars and Mearns Castle’s affiliated professional, was on hand to launch the partnership and was enthusiastic about the increased investment into Scottish junior golf.
“The sponsorship is fantastic news for young golfers in Scotland. There’s been a lot of great work done in recent years through the clubgolf programme and initiatives such as the Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year awards will help open up even more doors to boys and girls starting out in the game,” said Alastair.
“Whilst I’ve been lucky enough to compete at the top level, it’s vital that everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy golf, from beginners upwards, and the incentive of playing a national final at Gleneagles will undoubtedly attract more players in the years ahead.” he added.
For more information on the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year Awards, visit http://www.scottishgolfunion.org/

MONTY CLEARS FIRST HURDLE
IN WORLD MATCH-PLAY

Colin Montgomerie advanced to the second round of the Accenture world match-play championship at La Costa Resort near Tucson, Arizona. He beat Johann Edfors 2 and 1 with an impressive performance that included seven birdies.
Monty now plays Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey.

FIRST-ROUND RESULTS
(USA unless stated)

Trevor Immelman (SAf) bt Thomas Bjorn (Den) 6 & 5.
Chris DiMarco bt Brett Wetterich 4 & 3.
Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) bt Steve Stricker 4 & 3.
Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa) bt Paul Goydos at 19th.
Henrik Stenson (Swe) bt Zach Johnson 1 hole.
K J Choi (Kor) bt Carl Pettersson (Swe) 2 & 1.
Padraig Harrington (Ire) bt Lee Westwood (Eng) at 19th.
Stewart Cink bt Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 3 & 2.

Bradley Dredge (Wal) bt Ernie Els (SAf) 4 & 2.
Ian Poulter (Eng) bt Bart Bryant 5 & 4.
Retief Goosen (SAf) bt Scott Verplank 5 & 4.
Niclas Fasth (Swe) bt Joe Durant 1 hole.
Luke Donald (Eng) bt Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 3 & 1.
Aaron Baddeley (Aus) bt Shingo Katayama (Jap) 1 hole.
Vijay Singh (Fij) bt John Rollins 4 & 3,
Stephen Ames (Can) bt Robert Karlsson (Swe) 8 & 7.

Sergio Garcia (Spa) bt Darren Clarke (NIre) at 19th.
Charles Howell III bt Stuart Appleby (Aus) 4 & 3.
Paul Casey (Eng) bt Mike Weir (Can) 1 hole.
Colin Montgomerie (Sco) bt Johan Edfors (Swe) 2 & 1
Nick O'Hern (Aus) bt Lucas Glover 4 & 3.
Rory Sabbatini (SAf) bt David Howell (Eng) 2 holes.
Ben Crane bt Davis Love III 3 & 1.
David Toms bt Arron Oberholser 5 & 4.

Phil Mickelson bt Richard Green (Aus) 1 hole.
Justin Rose (Eng) bt Michael Campbell (NZ) 6 & 5.
Shaun Micheel bt Adam Scott (Aus) at 21st.
Rodney Pampling (Aus) bt Y E Yang (Jap) 5 & 4.
Tiger Woods bt J J Henry 3 & 2.
Tim Clark (SAf) bt Robert Allenby (Aus) 2 & 1.
Jim Furyk bt Brett Quigley 2 & 1.
Chad Campbell bt Angel Cabrera (Arg) 1 hole.

Accenture world match-play championship starts

OUT-OF-TOUCH ELS IS KNOCKED
OUT BY WELSHMAN DREDGE

Fifth seed Ernie Els was the first big name to take the knock-out count on the opening day of the Accenture World match-play championship at La Costa Resort near Tucson, Arizona.
The South African's short game - he took four to get down from the front of one green - was abysmal and he lost by 4 and 2 to Welshman Bradley Dredge.
Trevor Immelman, the South African who was the US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2006, cuffed Thomas Bjorn by 6 and 5.
Padraig Harrington won the battle of the Ryder Cup victors, beating Lee Westwood at the 19th.
Stephen Ames (Trinidad & Tobago) was an 8 and 7 winner over Sweden's Robert Karlsson.
Jose-Maria Olazabal won at the 19th against American Paul Goydos.

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance at Craigielaw

KENNY GLEN WINS PATERSON
MEDAL ON COUNTBACK

By DUNCAN IRELAND
Just when you thought it couldn't get better, we get the day we had today at Craigielaw Golf Club. Fantastic!
A total of 111 players enjoyed a great day's weather and a course in excellent condition.
An incredibly tight finish saw Kenny Glen from the "Royal" snatch the Paterson Medal from long-time leader James Laurieston (Easter Moffat) on the better back nine.
Kenny's 35 back was good enough to beat James' 38, allowing him to take his first Edinburgh and East of Scotland Allance Trophy.
Spare a thought for Alexander Culverwell though. The Lothians champion also had a scratch 67 but he had to add his +1 handicap ... and that took him out of the running for the trophy.
On the scratch side of things, we also had four players tieing for third place on 68 - Andy Marshall, last week's winner Paul Wardell, Lloyd Saltman and Andy Oldcorn. They all just missed out on best scratch by one shot.
Things are starting to hot up in the race for Scratch Order of Merit points in order to qualify for the championship at Dalmahoy.

LEADING RETURNS
Paterson Medal - Overall winner - Kenneth Glen (Royal Musselburgh) 67 (better inward half).

SCRATCH
67 Kenneth Glen (Royal Musselburgh), Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) (£90 voucher each).
68 Andrew Marshall (Houston DR), Andrew Oldcorn (King's Acre), Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) (£30 voucher each), Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) (£30 voucher).
Other scores:
70 C Lee (All Golf Swing Centre).
71 T Buchanan (Duddingston), C Fraser (Peebles).
72 S Grieve (King's Acre), D Miller (Duddingston), C Smith (Royal Musselburgh).
73 R Harrower (unatt), C Imlah (Peebles).
74 N Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh), D Hume (Greenburn), J McGhee (Turnhouse), R Neill (West Lothian), N Shillinglaw (Glencorse), M Thomson (Cardrona), T Wilson (Glenbervie).
75 H Fraser (Niddry Castle), O Leslie (Prestonfield), A MacKenzie (Liberton), C Morris (Kingsknowe), R Noon (Longniddry), A Robson (Burntisland), G Wither (Lothianburn).
76 S Brown (Glencorse), H Cartmill (Bathgate), J Kerr (Deer Park), D P Miller (Murrayfield), G Thomson (Duddingston), S Walker (Ratho Park).

HANDICAP
67 James Laurieston (Easter Moffat) (10) (£100 voucher).
68 Douglas Ferguson (Dunfermline) (12) (£80 voucher).
69 Douglas Hume (Greenburn) (5), Alan Robson (Burntisland) (6) (£50 voucher each).
70 Stuart Brown (Glencorse) (6), Colin Fraser (Peebles) (1) (£10 voucher each).
Other scores:
71 H Cartmill (Bathgate) (5), S Wardlaw (Harburn) (11).
72 A Devlin (Pumpherston) (13), J Kerr (Deer Park) (4), A Love (Mortonhall) (5), W Marr (West Lothian (10), J Masterton (Mortonhall) (7), J Rankeillor (Edinburgh Western) (11), L Saltman (Craigielaw) (+4), G Thomson (Duddingston) (4), S Watson (Dundas Park) (5), T Wilson (Glenbervie) (2).
73 S Doyle (Liberton) (4), T Flaherty (Gullane) (9), H Fraser (Niddry Castle) (2), D Miller (Duddingston) (+1), N Shillinglaw (Glencorse) (1), S Walker (Ratho Park) (3).

TRAINEE PROFESSIONAL
71 Tom Buchanan (Duddingston), Norman Huguet (Royal Musselburgh) (£10 each).
SENIOR
71 Stuart Wardlaw (Harburn) (11), John Wardrop (Niddry Castle) (6) £10 voucher).

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIE
LEADS PAM GOLDING
INTERNATIONAL
Stacy Bregman, the South African who beat top qualifier Azahara Munoz (Spain) in the first round of the match-play stages of the British women's open amateur championship at Royal County Down, has made a promising start in her first tournament as a professional in South Africa.

Stacy, pictured right, claimed a two-stroke lead in the first round of the Pam Golding Ladies International at Dainfern Country Club, Johannesburg.

Bregman, who turned professional after winning the world amateur team championship with Ashleigh Simon and Kelli Shean and immediately qualified for the Ladies European Tour, opened with a seven-under-par 66.

The young star carded seven birdies, an eagle and two bogeys to head the field from English women's title-holder and 2006 Curtis Cup player Kiran Matharu, who posted a 68.

Another former English amateur champion, Rebecca Hudson and South African rookie professional in Lee-Anne Pace were next best with rounds of four under 69.

Defending champion Nora Angehrn opened with a one under 72, while amateur sensation Ashleigh Simon signed for a level par 73.

“I played really well and everything was going exactly where I wanted it to,” said Bregman, who returned home from the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School confident of claiming a maiden victory on the Ladies African Tour.

“I have really been looking forward to these tournaments because I feel I can win at least one of them. I’ve been working very hard on my game and I gained a lot of experience playing in Australia.”

Irish rookie pro Claire Coughlan had a disappointing round of 80.

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 73
Players from South Africa unless stated.
(am) indicates amateur.

66 Stacy Bregman.

68 Kiran Matharu (Eng).

69 Lee-Anne Pace, Rebecca Hudson (Eng).
70 Julie Tvede (Den), Emelie Svenningsson (Swe), Jehanne Jail (Fra).
71 Johanna Westerberg (Swe), Natou Soro, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor),Morgana Robbertze .
72 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin), Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Cuyler Hedley (Can), Nora Angehrn (Swi), Mandy Adamson.
73 Sophie Walker (Eng), Ashleigh Simon (am), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Lisa Jean (Aus), Elin Brask (Swe), Maria Boden (Swe), Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73, Nicole Becker (am).
74 Bertine Strauss (am), Viva Schlasberg (Swe), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Florence Luscher (Swi), Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra), Martina Gillen (Ire), Kirsty Fisher (Eng), Anna Becker (Swe).
75 Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Lena Tornevall (Swe), Maria Ohlsson (Swe), Edita Nechanicka (Cze), Lizelle Muller (am), Laurette Maritz, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo), Sarah Heath (Eng), Michelle de Vries, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 75, Nuria Clau (Spa).
Other scores included:
76 Kelly Hutcherson (Eng), Sarah (Ire) (am).
77 Cheryl Smith (Eng).
78 Michelle Smith (Eng), Shelley McKevitt (Eng).
80 Claire Coughlan (Ire).

North-East Golfers' Alliance competitor in the wars

FLORENCE ENDS UP IN HOSPITAL
AFTER BEING STRUCK BY DRIVE
AT MURCAR LINKS

North-east Golfers' Alliance competitor Stuart Florence from Oldmeldrum was struck on the head by a wayward drive from the second tee as he approached the first green at Murcar Links Golf Club today.
Stuart was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance and released after having several stitches inserted in the wound.
Banchory assistant professional Stewart Davidson, pictured right, scored his second win of the Alliance season with a one-under-par round of 68 on a day of non-stop rain. The 25-year-old from Braemar scored his first-ever Alliance win at Portlethen in late November.
Highlight of Stewart’s card at Murcar Links was an eagle 2 at the 323yd ninth hole.
He backed that up with birdies at the sixth, 10th, 15th, 16th and 17th , cancelling out bogeys at the third, fourth, seventh, eighth, 13th and 14th in halves of 36 (one over par) and 32 (two under par).
Davidson won by one stroke from professionals Neil Murray (Cruden Bay) and Graeme McInnes (Murcar Links), both of whom had halves of 36 and 33.

CAMPBELL BACK IN 31

Fourth-placed Andrew Campbell, the scratch Deeside amateur, had the best inward half of the day - 31 shots with four birdies and a bogey in the last six holes. He finished on 70.

Host club professional Gary Forbes was not able to finish at all after going out in 37. He tore the muscles of his upper right arm in trying to stop his caddie car, heavier than usual with an umbrella attached, toppling over.

"It happened at the seventh and I managed to play a couple of holes but it was so painful playing the shots that I had to close my eyes and I couldn't see where the balls were going. So I walked in after nine," said Gary.

Another Murcar Links player, Nigel Parker, ran up a 10 - including five bunker shots - at the par-4 last when he was heading for a respectable score.

A total of 92 players braved the rain but the fact that there were 31 No Returns underlines that the conditions were pretty miserable even by mid-winter Alliance standards.

Hopefully, the sun will shine next Wednesday at Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club.

LEADING SCORES
(Par 69)

SCRATCH
68 S Davidson (Banchory).
69 N Murray (Cruden Bay), G McInnes (Murcar Links).
70 A Campbell (Deeside).
71 T Mathieson (Murcar Links), R McDonald (Kemnay).
72 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club), G Ingram (Inverurie).
73 W Main (Murcar Links), S Murray (Aspire).
74 N Reid (Deeside), D Yeats (Newmachar).
75 S Elrick (Kemnay), D Wilson (Duff House Royal), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links)..
76 M Kidd (Newburgh), S Kidd (Newburgh), R Penny (Portlethen).
77 A K Pirie (Hazlehead), I Welsh (Nigg Bay), J Roberts (Cruden Bay), R Stewart (Cruden Bay), S Scott (Auchmill), S Finnie (Caledonian), D Garrett (Huntly), S Fraser (Northern).
78 C Hood (Alford), G Grimmer (Nigg Bay), A S Buchan (Newburgh).
79 F Bisset (Banchory), A Grant (Portlethen), D Leighton (Murcar Links), A Thouless (Nigg Bay).
80 M Lawrie (Kemnay), A Innes (Murcar Links).

81 T Collie (Kemnay), A Graham (Portlethen).

82 B Harper (Newburgh), K Smith (Aboyne).

HANDICAP
Class 1 – G Ingram (Inverurie) (4) 68; S Kidd (Newburgh) (7) 69; A Campbell (Deeside) (scr), S Elrick (Kemnay) (5), J Roberts (Cruden Bay) (7), D Wilson (Duff House Royal) (5) 70; A S Buchan (Newburgh) (6), A Grant (Portlethen) (7) 72; T Mathieson (Murcar Links) (+2), W Main (Murcar Links) (scr), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) (2), F Barclay (Kintore) (7) 73.

Class 2 – M Kidd (Newburgh) (10) 66; D Barr (Murcar Links) (10) 67; C Hood (Alford) (19) 68; T Collie (Kemnay) (10) 71; M F R Rogers (Kemnay) (14) 73; D Wood (Newburgh) (14) 77; D Randall (Banchory) (11), B Lumsden (Northern) (16) 78.

LEADING SCORECARDS

MURCAR LINKS WINTER COURSE PAR 69

OUT - 4-4-4-4-3-4-4-4-4-35; IN - 4-4-3-4-3-4-4-4-4-34

STEWART DAVIDSON 68

OUT - 4-4-5-5-3-3-5-5-2-36; IN - 3-4-3-5-4-3-3-3-4-32

NEIL MURRAY 69

OUT - 4-4-4-5-3-5-4-4-3-36; IN - 3-4-4-4-4-3-4-4-3-33

GRAEME McINNES 69

OUT - 3-4-4-3-4-4-6-4-4-36; IN - 3-4-3-4-3-4-4-4-4-33

ANDREW CAMPBELL 70

OUT - 5-4-3-5-3-5-5-5-4-39; IN - 4-4-3-3-4-3-4-3-3-31

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

ASHTON 33rd IN LADY FALCON
INVITATIONAL IN STATES

Ashton Ingram from Fort William, a first-year student at Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina, finished 33rd in a final of 79 for the Lady Falcon Invitational college tournament at Old North State Club, New London in North Carolina.
Ashton, pictured right, had rounds of 85 and 86 for 171.
Antrim’s Charlene Reid, a student at Pfeiffer University, North Carolina, finished fourth for the second event in a row with scores of 80 and 78 for a total of 158 – seven shots behind the winner, Jean Chua (Wake Forest) who shot 76 and 75 for five-over-par 151 over the 5,842yd, par-72 course.
Charlene Reid’s Pfeiffer team-mate from Belfast, Nikki Taggart shared 55th place on 185 with rounds of 90 and 95.
Pfeiffer (661) finished joint third behind winners West Florida (653) and Belmont Abbey (682) came eighth in the field of 15 colleges for the team event.

CALLUM 4TH BUT LEWIS
JOINT 72ND IN
FLORIDA EVENT

Callum Macaulay (Mississippi) from Tulliallan and Oldmeldrum's Lewis Kirton (Louisville) finished fourth and joint 72nd respectively in the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate tournament at Rio Pinar Country Club, Orlando, Florida today.
Macaulay, pictured right, had rounds of 66, 75 and 74 for a one-under-par tally of 215 - seven shots behind the three-stroke winner Brett Myers (Tulsa) (68-68-72).
Kirton had a good opening round of 70 over the 6,978yd, par-72 course but struggled in his later rounds of 80 and 79 for a 13-over-par tally of 229. A field of 96 players took part.
Tennessee-Chattanooga, who had Bryce Ledford (69-72-70=211) and Jonathan Hodge (73-68-72=213) in second and third places, won the team event with a total of 862, pipping Tulsa (863) for the title.
Macaulay's effort helped Mississippi (872) to finish fourth, four shots ahead of Louisville in the 18-team field.

KATY'S KNEE OP "WENT WELL"

News from Katy McNicoll's dad Dave in Carnoustie that his daughter, whose 19th birthday it was today, is "in a bit of pain but coping ... Surgeon said the knee operation went well."
Katy, a second-year golf scholarship student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, will not be able to play golf for at least six months after the operation to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Katy's older brother Keir, winner of the East of Scotland Open at Lundin Links last year and a member of Scotland's title-winning team in the men's home internationals, is on hand to comfort his sister.
Although his eligibility to play golf for the Lynn University men's team expired after four successful years, Keir returned to the university to complete his degree course.

YORKSHIRE'S CLAIRE STARKIE
JUST OUTSIDE MIAMI TOP TEN

Claire Starkie (Georgia State), a sophomore student from Skipton, Yorkshire, finished in joint 11th place in the Papa Johns Collegiate women's tournament over the 6,317yd, par-72 course at Don Shula's Golf Club, Miami (Don Shula was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins' American football team).
Claire, pictured right, had rounds of 81, 75 and 77 for a total of 233 in a field of 64 players.
Louisville provided the individual winner in Cindy LaCrosse and also won the team event with a total of 924, two shots ahead of San Jose State with South Florida and East Carolina (932) tied for third place in a field of 12 teams.
Cindy LaCrosse's scores were 73, 81 and 72 for 226, one shot ahead of Erica Moston (San Jose State) (77-73-77) with Kathleen Ekey (Furman) third on 229 (79-76-74).

KENT STUDENT SHARES

11TH PLACE AT SAWGRASS

COUNTRY CLUB

Tom Sherreard (Georgia State), a 6ft 1in freshman from Maidstone Kent, finished joint 11th in the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational over a 6,805yd, par-72 course at TPC Sawgrass Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.
Sherreard had rounds of 77, 75 and 71 for a total of 223. His last round, which featured a birdie at the first hole, followed by 17 straight pars, hauled him up from a share of 27th place overnight.
Tom, pictured above, would certainly have had a top-10 finish with ease but for late disasters in his first round in which he had a triple bogey at the 14th and a double bogey at the 16th.
Team-mate Ben Taylor from Hexham, a senior student at Georgia State and another six-footer, finished in a share of 36th place on 229 with scores of 76, 75 and 78.
Kevin Chappell (UCLA) won the individual honours with a two-under-par total of 214, made up of scores of 72, 73 and 69.
Cruising to victory with a few holes to play, Kevin ran up a double bogey at the 16th and final scrambled home by one shot from John Curran (Vanderbilt) (73-71-71) with Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina) third on 216 (73-68-75).
Alabama (881) won the team title from Vanderbilt and Coastal Carolina (both on 891) with UAB, UCF, UCLA and Georgia State sharing fourth place on 899.

ANOTHER SOUTH AFRICAN
HONOUR FOR IMMELMAN

Trevor Immelman has picked up a second South African Player of the Year award for 2006.
Just two months after being named the Golf Digest Player of the Year for 2006, Trevor doubled up on honours when he was named the 2006 Golfer of the Year at the Compleat Golfer Annual Awards dinner held at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.
Last year was the breakthrough season in world pro golf for the 27-year-old double SAA Open champion, who has long been earmarked for greatness.
After losing in a play-off to Jim Furyk in May, Immelman fought back with a breakthrough maiden victory at the Cialis Western Open, holding off Tiger Woods, coming down the stretch.
He set a new record for rookie earnings (nearly $4million) and was awarded the US PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year honours for 2006, having finished seventh on the money list, and he climbed 49 places in the Official World Golf Rankings, finishing the year at number 13.

GEMMA RECAPTURES FORM
TO CLINCH THIRD PLACE
WITH SPARKLING 69

Gemma Webster, Glasgow-born sophomore student at Ohio State University, quickly bounced back from a disappointing display in her last tournament to finish third in the Central District Invitational women's college event at River Wilderness Golf Club, Parrish in Florida.
Gemma, pictured right, had rounds of 73, 74 and 69 for a level par total of 216 over the 6,099yd, par-72 course. She was competing as an individual as Ohio State did not enter a team of five.
In her sparkling final round, which was equalled only by the six-stroke winner, Ashley Knoll (Texas A&M), the Scot birdied the first, sixth, 10th and 12th and had only one bogey, at the ninth. Over the 54 holes, Gemma had a bag of eight birdies.
Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M), Irish girls champion in 2005, finished sixth on 222 with scores of 77, 72 and 73. Danielle, a Royal County Down Golf Club member, notched 10 birdies over the the three rounds but also had 16 bogeys.
Hannah Burke (Baylor) from Hertfordshire tied for 30th place on 230 with scores of 77, 81 and 72. In her second round, the English girl had a nightmare run of a double bogey at the 15th, a triple bogey at the 16th, a double bogey at the 17th and a bogey at the 18 - which added up to eight shots dropped over four holes.
But in her closing par-matching 72, Hannah had third birdies.
Baylor team-mate and compatriot Sian Reddick from Folkestone finished joint 63rd on 241 with 83, 77 and 81. She had two double bogeys in her final round and five doubles in all over the three rounds.
Ashley Knoll (Texas A&M) won the individual title by the runaway margin of six shots from Sara Brown (Michigan State). Ashley finished with a seven-under-par total of 209, comprising rounds of 67, 73 and 69.
Texas A&M (874) won the team event by 13 shots from Michigan State with Baylor (905) third of the 14 competing colleges.

GET YOUR CLUB OPEN DATES
ON EVENING EXPRESS
GOLFERS' CALENDAR

The Aberdeen "Evening Express" Golfers' Calendar will be printed soon.
If golf club secretaries and tournament organisers want their open dates included on the calendar, they should send the details, as soon as possible, to:

BY POST
Alan Brown, Evening Express Sports Desk, Lang Stracht, Mastrick, Aberdeen AB15 6DF
BY FAX
01224 699575
BY E-MAIL
a.brown@ajl.co.uk

Events should be split into individual categories - men, women, seniors, juniors and mixed opens.

CARLY SIXTH IN STRONG
FIELD FOR DORAL
JUNIOR CLASSIC

Carly Booth, 14-year-old Perthshire golf prospect, finished sixth in a strong international field for the prestigious Doral Silver Junior Classic over the Doral Golf Resort & Spa Silver Course in Florida.
Carly, pictured right, from Comrie, a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida since the autumn, had rounds of 83, 75 and 79 for a total of 237.
In her final round, Miss Booth was heading for a very good score over a tough par-71 course when she was only one over par with six holes to play, having bogeyed the first and then reeled off 11 straight pars.
Unfortunately she ran up three double-bogey 6s over the closing holes to finish with a 79 that might well have been a 69.
Italian Giulia Molinaro, Carly's foursomes partner in the Junior Ryder Cup draw with the United States at Celtic Manor last September, won the tournament by one stroke with scores of 71, 76 and 77 for 11-over-par 224.
Carly finished ahead of the Torino teenager in last summer's European Young Masters tournament in Austria.

SCOTTISH AMATEUR GOLF DRIVES
FOR SUCCESS WITH
SPORTSCOTLAND INVESTMENT

Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport was today joined at the Marriott Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club by Scotland’s number one amateur golfer, Richie Ramsay, as sportscotland acknowledged an extremely successful 2006 for the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association with the announcement of annual investment of £571,000.
The investment, of which £324,000 comes from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards player improvement and coaching, organisational development and medal success. Part of this funding will also support the clubgolf programme, now being delivered by clubgolf Ltd, a new partnership made up of the SGU, SLGA, PGA and the Golf Foundation with sportscotland fulfilling a strategic role.
In the past 12 months the SGU and SLGA have guided Richie Ramsay, Carly Booth and many others to major achievements including top spot at the US Amateur Championship, involvement in the Junior Ryder Cup and a quadruple of Home International triumphs with the seniors (male), men’s, boys and girls teams all claiming victory.
Ms Ferguson commented: “Scotland is recognised internationally as the ‘Home of Golf’, and so I am delighted to welcome funding which will help to encourage more people to take up the sport and hone their skills. This will further increase access to the game and bring a range of golf related opportunities to a wider audience.
“Participation in golf in Scotland is already twice the UK average and we would like to see this grow even further. 2007 is certainly poised to be an exciting year for the sport in Scotland, with a number of major events coming up including The Open at Carnoustie and the Women’s British Open Championship at St Andrews.”
Building on these achievements are the key aims of both the SGU and the SLGA and one of the SGU’s main initiatives, the academy programme, has just completed it’s first year of operation with over 40 under 16 boys receiving intensive coaching across the country.
During 2007 over 90 boys will be involved with the academy and significantly, in conjunction with the SLGA ten under 16 girls have been introduced into the programme. The SLGA has also boosted their coaching staff with the full time appointment of Kevin Craggs as the Ladies National Coach.
Both the SGU, SLGA, along with the PGA and other partners are working towards ‘One Plan for Golf’ marking a new era for the sport in Scotland and the effective collaboration of organisations involved in golf. This will promote a more cohesive and ultimately more successful player pathway and coaching programme for all aspiring golfers.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair sportscotland said: “2006 was a tremendous year for amateur golf in Scotland and the SGU and SLGA have to be commended for their efforts in guiding our golfers to so much success.
“sportscotland’s funding of £571,000 not only recognises the achievements of Richie and Carly but of so many amateur golfers and we are committed to ensuring through this investment that the next few years continue to be a very exciting time for Scottish golf.”
Alistair Low, Chairman of the SGU, commented, “We are delighted that our Scottish golfers are being recognised and the announcement of sportscotland’s funding is an acknowledgement of their exceptional achievements, both in terms of individual and team performances in 2006.
"The funding makes a significant contribution to Scottish amateur golf and ensures we continue to deliver the best coaching resources and structures we can to maintain and build upon the success we have enjoyed in recent years.”
Margaret MacNaughtan, Chairman of the SLGA added: “This funding has enabled the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to fund our first full-time coaching position, Ladies Coach Kevin Craggs.
“We are confident that this appointment will enable our golfers to continue to fulfil their potential and reap even greater successes in the seasons to come.”

GOOSEN WINS EUROPEAN TOUR
SHOT OF THE MONTH
AWARD FOR JANUARY

Retief Goosen’s magnificent eagle putt to snatch The Commercialbank Qatar Masters from under the nose of Australian Nick O’Hern at Doha Golf Club has been recognised as The European Tour Shot of the Month for January.
The double US Open Champion was two strokes behind with two holes remaining, but produced a remarkable birdie-eagle finish to deprive O’Hern of his first European Tour title.
Goosen, who made a short birdie putt for a 2 at the 17th, found the middle of the 18th green in two shots. The South African sized up his putt from 30 feet, worked out how to negotiate two different slopes as well as the five foot right to left borrow and calmly produced the decisive eagle 3 that settled the destination of the €282,743 (£185,566) first prize.
The World Number Six said: “On the 17th I finally made a putt for a birdie 2 and at the 18th I hit a good drive and hit the fairway then reached the green with a three wood. From about 30 feet I was looking to get my putt close. It was not an easy one, going uphill first and then downhill. But when it got over the hill, it looked to me like it had a chance and went right in.”

HARDYS WINES CONTINUES
SUPPORT OF EURO SENIORS

Hardys, the leading Australian wine brand in the UK, will continue to sponsor the Hole-in-One Prize and the Rookie of the Year Award on the 2007 European Seniors Tour.
The Hole-in-One sponsorship, which is entering its seventh year, will begin this month with the season-opening DGM Barbados Open at Royal Westmoreland from February 28-March 2. Appropriately, the defending champion in Barbados will be Spanish former Ryder Cup player José Rivero, who claimed the second Hardys Rookie of the Year Award at the end of 2006. Under the terms of the Hardys Hole-in-One Prize, every professional recording an ace during a European Seniors Tour officially-sanctioned event will win a bottle of Hardys Nottage Hill wine for every yard of the hole in question.
Additionally, every amateur achieving the same feat during the tournament Pro-Am is rewarded with 10 cases of Hardys Nottage Hill wine.
During 2006 there were five holes-in-one by European Seniors Tour professionals. Club.
Paul Hillier, Marketing Manager at Hardys, commented: “This year promises to be an exceptionally exciting time for the European Seniors Tour and Hardys Wines is delighted to once again be part of that.
“A number of European golf’s biggest names, including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer, all celebrate their 50th birthdays in 2007 and become eligible to play on the Seniors circuit, heightening anticipation amongst spectators and fellow players alike.”

NEWS FOR EDINBURGH & EAST
OF SCOTLAND ALLIANCE
MEMBERS

FROM DUNCAN IRELAND

A quick note to remind you of Wednesday's event at Craigielaw Golf Club. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
This will be a popular outing so please try and arrive in good time.
I have spoken to Craigielaw and they will have coffee and bacon rolls available from 7am.
I've asked, but haven't had an answer yet, if Craigielaw will allow us a dual tee off at the first and 10th tees for the first 14 groups.
If they will allow us to do this then this will get 42 players off in approximately one hour , which should help alleviate some of our congestion problems. I'll let you know as soon as I find out as it may have an impact on when you travel.
We will also make the first hole a "call through" hole. This means that when you arrive at the first green, please mark your balls and allow the group behind you to tee off.

Championships - Dalmahoy
Can you all please let me know whether you would be interested in taking part in this event, should you qualify. See you on Wednesday.

ROSEANNE JOINT 51ST ON

COLLEGE DEBUT

IN CALIFORNIA

Scottish Under-18 girls’ champion Roseanne Niven, who enrolled at the University of California Berkeley just last month, finished joint 51st in a field of 80 players on her debut on the American women’s college golf circuit.
The tournament was the Northop Grumman Regional Challenge over a 5,912, par-71 course at Paolos Verdes Golf Club, California and was contested by a high-class field, including many Europeans. Roseanne, pictured right, who had two of the California team behind her in the final placings, scored 79, 79 and 80 for a 25-over-par total of 238 – the same total as Scotland international Gemma Webster from Glasgow, a student at Ohio State University. Gemma had scores of 81, 80 and 77.
Irish cap Tara Delaney and her sister Karen, both students at Kent State University, finished joint 26th and 64th respectively. Tara scored 77, 77 and 74 for 228 while Karen had rounds of 84, 79 and 80 for 243.
Another Irish player, Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M) finished joint 34th on 231 with scores of 80, 80 and 71.
BRITISH CHAMPION JT EIGHTH
British women’s and girls’ open champion Belen Mozo from Spain, now a student at the University of Southern California, came joint eighth on 221.
The title was won by Misun Cho (Pepperdine) with a five-over-par total of 218.
Pepperdine also won the team title with a total of 882 – nine shots ahead of Arizona State.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
218 Misun Cho (Pepperdine) 76 73 69.
219 Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 72 76 71, Christa Spedding (Texas A&M) 71 75 73, Jayvie Agojo (Pepperdine) 69 73 77, Pernilla Lindberg (Oklahoma State) 78 73 69, Sandra Gal (Florida) 76 74 69.
220 Adriana Zwanck (Arizona) 70 76 74.
Other totals:
221 Belen Mozo (Southern Californai) 75 72 74.
223 Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 74 72.
224 Caroline Westrup (Florida State) 79 79 66.
228 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 77 77 74.
231 Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 76 78 77, Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M) 80 80 71.
238 Gemma Webster (Ohio State) 81 80 77, Roseanne Niven (California) 79 79 80.
243 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 84 79 80.
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
882 Pepperdine. 891 Arizona State. 901 Florida. 904 Oklahoma State. 907 Arizaona. 908 Southern California, Texas A&M. 915 Stanford.
Other totals:
937 Kent State (12th). 940 Ohio State (13th). 944 California (14th of 15).

IRISH STUDENT CONFOUNDS

COACH BY WINNING RICE

INDIVIDUAL TITLE IN TEXAS

Aaron O’Callaghan, a sophomore student from Cork, holed a 12ft eagle putt at the first play-off hole to win the Rice Intercollegiate tournament over a 7,184yd, par-72 course at Westwood Golf Club, Houston.
O’Callaghan, pictured right, was playing as an individual, which means his Southeastern Louisiana University team coach, Tim Baldwin, considered five other players on the squad were likely to score better than the Irishman.
But O’Callaghan had rounds of 71, 77 and 69 to tie with Harrison Moore (Charleston) (71-72-74) on one-over-par 216.
Aaron trailed Moore by five strokes after 36 holes but then produced a final round of 69, the lowest by any of the 72 players over the 54 holes.

HOLED EAGLE PLAY-OFF PUTT
Moore holed a 20ft birdie putt at the first play-off hole but O’Callaghan sank his shorter putt for a 3 to take the individual title.
Southeastern Louisiana have several English and Irish players on their roster.
Sophomore James Taverner from Lordon was seventh on 222 (73-77-72).
Junior Peter O’Keefe from Cork tied for 28th place on 224 (78-76-70).
Sophomore Graham Benson from Leighton Buzzard finished joint 40th on 237 (74-86-77).
Coach Benson said: “Aaron is usually a starter for us but our other players have been playing very well in qualify rounds. I wanted Aaron to get some competition in this week so that’s why I had him play as an individual. He performed exceptionally well. Needless to say, he’ll be in our starting line-up next time out.”
O’Callaghan’s exclusion from the Southeastern Louisiana team probably made the difference between them winning and finishing second on 905 – five shots behind Sam Houston State.

SLGA NAME TEAM CAPTAINS

The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has announced the following team captains for 2007:

European women’s team championship (Castelconturbia GC, Italy, July 10-14) - LESLEY JOHNSTON (Gullane).
European girls’ team championship (Oslo GC, Norway, July 10-14) – JENNIFER JENKINS (Ralston).
European senior women’s team championship (Royal Drottningholms GC, Sweden, July 24-27) – PAM GORDON (Inverness), pictured right.
Women’s home internationals (Dun bar GC, September 12-14) – JAYNE SMITH (Gullane).
Girls’ home internationals (Southerndown GC, Wales, August 8-10) – KATRINA MILNE (Dunfermline).
Senior women’s home internationals (Royal Tara GC, Ireland, October 2-4) – JOAN MARSHALL (Baberton).

EUROPEANS WARM UP FOR
WGC MATCH-PLAY
European Tour Members Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington fine tuned their preparations for this week’s WGC – Accenture Match Play with strong finishes at the US PGA Tour’s Nissan Open at the weekend.
Els shared third place, alongside Robert Allenbey and Jim Fuyrk, with a final score of 13 under par 271 at the Riviera Country Club in California, while Garcia and Harrington respectively took sixth and seventh place on 11 and 10 under.
Charles Howell III of the USA took the title after a play-off with his compatriot Phil Mickelson and is the leading money-winner on the US PGA Tour.

GILLIAN IS FLOWER

OF SCOTLAND AT

MEDIA MASTERS

IN TURKEY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Webmaster Gillian Kirkwood, Scotland's only competitor in the European Golf & Travel Association's Media Masters in Turkey last week, won the ladies' title in a thrilling finish

with Geraldine Bradley from Belfast.

You can read the full story on www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk.

Picture shows Gillian with men's winner Erwin Mulder (centre) from the Netherlands and tournament organiser Jo Maes.

The Stableford competition was played over five different courses in the Antalya region of Belek on Turkey's southern Mediterranean coastline - National Golf Club, Gloria Golf Club's New Course, Antalya's Sultan & Pasha Courses, and finally the Nick Faldo Course at the palatial Cornelia Golf Club.

MONTGOMERIE COURSE

The Editor had never been to Turkey before and didn't know quite what to expect ... I certainly had my eyes opened. There are something like seven courses at the moment in the Antalya region but they can build a course and open it (perhaps a shade too early) within months in the warmth of southern Turkey.

Soon there will be a Colin Montgomerie Course and a five-star hotel next to it.

In short, the Turkish Riviera is in the same position as Portugal's Algarve or Spain's Costa del Sol 30 or 40 years ago.

Watch this space. Turkey, the new kid on the block, over the next few years could become just as popular a golfing tourist destination as the more established venues.

US OPERATION BLOW

FOR KATY McNICOLL:

OUT FOR SIX MONTHS

Carnoustie’s Katy McNicoll, one of Scotland’s best teenage golf prospects, is out of the game for at least the next six months.
Katy, whose 19th birthday it is on Tuesday (February 20), had a right knee operation today at Boca Raton, Florida where she is a second-year golf scholarship student at Lynn University.
Before the operation, Miss McNicoll, whose father owns a golf shop in Carnoustie and whose older brother Keir played for Scotland in last year’s home internationals, said:
“I have torn my anterior cruciate ligament and damnaged the menicus on the inside of my right knee. How I managed to do this, I don’t actually know!
“The knee gave out when I was playing golf about two weeks ago and the trainer at the university referred me to a specialist who then referred me for an MRI.
“When the results came through, I was told that the only option if I wanted to continue playing competitive golf was to have an operation. They will repair both at the same time.
“As for recovering, it will take around six months before I can think about golfing again but I will be doing intense rehab basically from day one after surgery.
“Maybe around May I might be allowed to start putting or working on my short game but sometimes the anterior cruciate ligament takes fully a year for a 100% recovery. Fingers crossed.”
Katy has been a winner on the American women’s college circuit and was rated a key player in Lynn University’s bid for a national title in the spring.
Last year she was runner-up to Krystle Caithness with a nine-under-par, three-round total in the Scottish Under-21 girls’ stroke-play championship at Stirling.
In the Scottish Under-18 girls’ match-play championship, Katy lost to the eventual champion, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) in the semi-finals at Peebles and she also lost in the semi-finals of the North of Scotland women’s championship at Montrose to Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) who went on to retain that title.

CAROL STEWART DIES PEACEFULLY
AT HOME IN BANFF

Former Murcar Golf Club ladies’ captain and 14 times ladies' club champion, Carol Stewart has died in Banff at the age of 56.
She had fought a long and brave fight against cancer before succumbing peacefully at the home she shared with her partner, former Fraserburgh and Duff House Royal club professional Bob Strachan.
HONORARY MEMBER AT TWO CLUBS
Carol was an honorary member at both Murcar and Duff House Royal.
Her dominance of the Murcar women’s club championship spanned 18 years from 1967 to 1985. She was only 16 when she won it for the first time in 1967. Then followed nine straight title wins from 1970 to 1978 inclusive.
Carol’s success continued into the 1980s when she was club champion in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1985 before she moved to Banff to live.
She was capped for Scotland in the Under-18 girls’ home internationals in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and played regularly for the Aberdeenshire team for a number of years.
Carol won the Aberdeenshire county title in 1976 and 1981. She was ladies’ captain of Murcar Golf Club from 1982 to 1984.
GREATLY MISSED
"Carol was a highly-respected and skilled golfer who will be greatly missed by all who knew her, both on and off the golf course,” said Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association captain Ros Dunsmuir.
The funeral service will be held at Moray Crematorium on Thursday at 11am.

SEVEN-HANDICAPPER

RICHARD WINS
REAY ALLIANCE

WITH GROSS 70!
By ROBIN WILSON
Ignoring all the hot spots on adjacent Sandside Beach, the hottest golf of the day in the North Alliance fixture at Reay on Sunday came from local member Richard Macdonald, a seven-handicapper, who enjoyed a stroll under a clear blue sky to record a remarkable winning gross 70 and leave a quality field of low handicappers in his shadow.
Macdonald ignited his card at the sixth hole where he chipped in for an eagle 3. Another highlight was a 30ft putt for a birdie at the 16th in equal halves of 35 to pip Thurso’s scratch member Doug Thorburn by a shot.
Thorburn, although pushing Wick’s Ron Taylor for the scratch trophy, is still looking for his first win after three runner-up places this season.
POSITIONS CONSOLIDATED
Tain club member Steve Holmes and Mike Keay consolidated their positions as contenders for the North Alliance handicap trophy after visiting the Caithness course.
Keay, the Tarbat course greenkeeper, lowered his four-round total to 280 and Fortrose Academy teacher Holmes reduced his total to 282 when both featured in the prize list with net 68s.
But a similar net score from the Reay fixture by Graham Grant (Helmsdale) cut five shots from his previous total and lifted him into the lead for the Mackintosh Salver on 278.
This trio’s main threat now comes from Reay’s scratch winner. With his handicap applied MacDonald’s net 63 lowered his aggregate to 285. An eradication of his Invergordon return of 84 will hoist him ahead of the other three contenders but a handicap cut of two strokes applied to the Reay member will make his task a little more difficult.
With Macdonald upsetting the winning scratch habit of Ron Taylor (Wick) it meant little change in the scoring for the end of season scratch trophy. Tain’s Munro Ferries made only a one shot improvement to his total, down to 291, but still trailing Taylor by seven and Thorburn by five. Ferries was in a position to better his aggregate but he bogeyed the last three holes to add 38 to his outward 35 and 73.
LOCALS LEAD WAY IN CLASS ONE
In the lovely sunny overhead conditions all the winning handicap scores were below par. In Class 1 Three locals lead the way, Bruce Mackay, Steve Efemey and Gavin Gunn. Behind came Grant, Holmes and Keay. The highlights of Holmes’s round came from a holed forty yard approach shot to the 6th green followed by birdie two on the next hole in halves of 36 and 37. Mike Keay like Ferries dropped shots over the closing stages, bogies at four of the last five holes. Peter Etheridge (Brora), pictured above, the winner of Class 2, also found a birdie 2 on the sixth green but was deflated with four putts on the next green only to recover his outward score of 40 with another 2 at the ninth. Aided by his third birdie of the round at the 12th and another on the par-5 14th hole, he came home in 37 for net 66 and relegate Thurso’s Doug Mackenzie to second place in Class 2.
With the weather disruption on February 11, there is just a seven-day break until Wick hosts its fixture on Sunday.

LEADING RETURNS
(All Reay players unless stated)

SCRATCH
70 R MacDonald (Reay).
71 D Thorburn (Thurso).
72 J. Sangster (Thurso).
73 D A Mackay, R W Taylor (Wick), S Holmes (Tain), L Parnell, M Ferries (Tain).
74 G Grant (Helmsdale).
75 B Ferries (Tain), G. Sutherland.
HANDICAP
Class 1 -B Mackay (8), S Efemey (9) 67; G Gunn (10), G Grant (Helmsdale) (6), S Holmes (Tain) (5), M Keay (Tain) (8) 68.
Class 2 - P Etheridge (Brora) (11), D MacKenzie (Thurso) (12) 66; A Mackay (12), D Gray (11) 68.

ABERDEEN ASSET

MANAGEMENT
STRENGTHENS

TIES WITH

PAUL LAWRIE
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the international investment management group, announced today that it has strengthened its eight-year sponsorship agreement with Paul Lawrie.

The new agreement, which comes into force with immediate effect, will see the former Open champion wear Aberdeen-branded headwear at tournaments worldwide. In line with the existing sponsorship arrangement, Paul will continue to wear Aberdeen-branded patches on his tournament clothing and attend Aberdeen events and engagements during the course the year.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are delighted to extend, and indeed strengthen, our sponsorship agreement with Paul Lawrie. We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Paul since he became the Open Champion at Carnoustie in 1999. He has been a tremendous ambassador for Scotland and for Aberdeen Asset Management, and we look forward to further building on our relationship in the coming years.”

SUPPORT FOR PAUL LAWRIE JUNIOR GOLF
As part of the agreement, Aberdeen will continue its support of the Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Programme with a percentage of the sponsorship funds contributing towards the overall management of the programme, including investment in volunteers and coaches.
“Our support of the Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Programme reinforces our longstanding commitment to support the local community and we are proud to be associated with Scotland’s leading junior golf programme.”
Paul Lawrie joined the European Tour in 1992. He became a household name upon winning the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, coming from 10 strokes behind on the final day to defeat Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard in a four-hole play-off. He remains the last European golfer to capture the sport's most prestigious title. He also represented the European team in the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline, finishing as the joint top points scorer with 3.5 - including a brave win over Jeff Maggert in the bottom singles tie.

"FANTASTIC SUPPORT"
Paul Lawrie commented: “I am delighted to further extend my relationship with Aberdeen Asset Management. They have given fantastic support to me over the last eight years.”
Aberdeen Asset Management manages investments for individuals and institutional investors alike. Although the company’s headquarters remain in Aberdeen, Scotland, its offices and fund managers can now be found across more than 20 locations around the world.
Earlier this month, Aberdeen announced a long-term sponsorship deal with fellow European Tour golfer Colin Montgomerie. The company’s sponsorship portfolio also includes the Senior British Open Championship, US Champions Tour golfer, Mark McNulty and Asian Tour golfer, Simon Yates.

+Martin Gilbert and Paul Lawrie are pictured above at today's Press Conference (Picture by Andy Forman).

MOUL NEW WORLD NO 1
AMATEUR GOLFER

England international Jamie Moul has moved up to No 1 in the latest R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings. The 22 year old from Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club, Suffolk has jumped up from third on the previous list to demote the previous No 1, Belfast teenager Rory McIlroy to second spot.
US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) is third while the next best British player is English Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme, who has moved up one spot to 10th following a victory in Australia.Although Moul had a disappointing performance in the recent Jones Cup tournament in Georgia, the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings are based on a 52-week average.
Consequently players can drop down the rankings if they had a good week a year ago which is now discounted.
The top 10 placings are:
1 J Moul (Eng), 2 R McIlroy (Ire), 3 R Ramsay (Sco), 4 P Martin (Spa), 5 Kyung Tae Kim (Kor), 6 C Kirk (US), 7 R Davies (Wal), 8 W Simpson (Eng), 9 B Horschel (Eng), 10 G Wolstenholme (Eng).
Other Scots in the top 100 are:
39 L Saltman, 48 P O'Hara, 63 C Macaulay, 66 J Gallagher, 74 D Stewart, 85 S Henry, 98 J King.

HORSEY RUNNER-UP IN TASMANIA

England international David Horsey finished runner-up in the Tasmanian Open championship at Devonport Golf Club.
A closing afternoon round of 67 left the Cheshire golfer on 266, 14 under par, a stroke behind the winner, Australia’s Rohan Blizard, who closed with 68.
Horsey led after a first-round 65 and was still clear after repeating it in round two. But while the 21-year-old returned 69 on the morning of the final day, Blizard nipped in front with 66 to lead by two. Although Horsey came roaring back with 67, Blizard managed to cling on to his lead by the narrowest of margins.
England’s Stephen Lewton, who beat Blizard to the New South Wales Medal earlier this month, finished seventh on 275 after a closing 67, while Matthew Cryer was one shot further back in ninth.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
265 R Blizard (NSW) 67 64 66 68.
266 D Horsey (Styal) 65 65 69 67.
268 M Griffin (Vic) 66 67 67 68.
Other scores:
275 S Lewton (Woburn) 69 70 69 67.
276 M Cryer (Coventry) 72 64 70 70.
286 N Howell (Goring & Streatley) 71 73 72 70.

BARCLAYS PLC TO CONTINUE
SPONSORSHIP OF SCOTTISH OPEN
UNTIL 2012

Barclays PLC will continue as Title Sponsor of The Scottish Open on The European Tour International Schedule for a further six years at Loch Lomond Golf Club with the prize fund for the 2007 event from July 12-15 increasing by £500,000 to £3,000,000.
The new agreement between Barclays, The European Tour and Loch Lomond Golf Club, will ensure that The Barclays Scottish Open is played over the world renowned Tom Weiskopf-Jay Morrish course in the week immediately preceding The Open Championship until 2012 with a minimum annual prize fund of £3,000,000.
First prize in 2007 will be £500,000 - four times the amount which Denmark's Thomas Björn collected for winning the inaugural tournament at Loch Lomond Golf Club in 1996.
Barclays took over as Title Sponsors in 2002 as part of an initial five-year agreement. The firm also sponsors The Barclays tournament in Westchester New York, part of the FedEx Cup schedule, and The Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa.
Commenting on the continued partnership, Bob Diamond, the President of Barclays PLC, said: "Golf is a significant part of the Barclays worldwide sponsorship portfolio and The Barclays Scottish Open is a real highlight. It gives us the opportunity to meet with our clients and to experience great golf in an intimate and spectacular setting.
"I am always impressed by the knowledgeable and courteous fans and volunteers who make the tournament such a special event. I couldn't be more pleased that we are continuing our partnership with The European Tour and Loch Lomond Golf Club."
The Barclays Scottish Open has become one of the most prestigious and exciting events on The European Tour International Schedule. Its timing just before The Open, its stunning, picturesque venue and the strong support of the players and spectators have ensured the tournament's continued and increasing success.
George O'Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: "We are delighted that Barclays, who joined our robust family of sponsors in 2002, are intending to continue their sponsorship with The European Tour and Loch Lomond Golf Club for another six years."
The Scottish Open title is one of the most esteemed in the game of golf and the combination of a superb sponsor in Barclays, allied to our partnership with Lyle Anderson and Loch Lomond Golf Club and a prime position in the calendar just one week before The Open Championship, makes The Barclays Scottish Open one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments on our International Schedule."
Loch Lomond Golf Club Chairman, Lyle Anderson said: "We are very pleased at the prospect of continuing our valued relationship with Barclays in the years ahead and look forward to working with them and our partners, The European Tour, to ensure The Barclays Scottish Open becomes one of the great international sporting events with a worldwide field that enjoys worldwide exposure."
Loch Lomond Golf Club, which officially opened in 1994, first hosted European Tour competition in 1996 when Thomas Björn of Denmark won the first of his nine titles to date. American Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman (1997), Lee Westwood of England (1998), Scotland's Colin Montgomerie (1999) and South African Ernie Els (2000) were subsequently successful.

NAIRN TO HOST 2012 CURTIS CUP

Nairn Golf Club will host the Curtis Cup in 2012, the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the club that lies on the southern shore of the Moray Firth.
This will mark the 38th playing of the biennial contest between GB&I and the United States of America for the simple silver trophy, gifted in 1932 by sisters Margaret and Harriot Curtis, ‘to stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of many lands’.

The next three Curtis Cup venues are:
2008: Old Course, St Andrews, 30 May-1 June
2010: Essex County Club, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, 11-13 June
2012: Nairn Golf Club, 8 – 10 June

LOG ON TO OUR SISTER WEBSITE, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, FOR THE FULL STORY

CLARE'S BEST YET SETS HER

UP FOR NEW EURO SEASON

While the Scottishgolfview.com and Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk team were in Turkey last week for the Media Masters - report and results later - Clare Queen produced the best result of her professional golf career.

Clare, now representing The Carrick on Loch Lomond Golf Club, finished joint sixth behind Karrie Webb, winner of the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort, Queensland.

Clare, pictured right, shot 69, 69, 70 and 68 for a 12-under-par total of 276 - seven shots behind Karrie.

Miss Queen earned 16,975 Euros, a tidy sum that will set her up both financially and mentally for the new Ladies European Tour season. Well done, Clare!

Karrie Webb was following up her victory a week or two earlier in the Australian Women's Open and won 80,200 Euros for scores of 71, 68, 62 and 68 for 19-under-par 269. She won by two shots from Korea's Ji Yai Shin (70-66-66-69).

ILONEN BECOMES FIRST FINN
TO WIN EURO TOUR EVENT

Mikko Ilonen inked his name in the record books when he emerged as the first Finn to win an Asian Tour and European Tour co-sanctioned event at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open today.
Ilonen, 27, battled through the inclement weather and fended off a charging field to complete the final round with a one-under-par 70. The Finnish talent delivered a winning total of nine-under-par 275 at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club and walked away with the top prize of US$175,000.
Filipino Frankie Minoza, who won the Philippine Open two weeks ago, was piling on the pressure at the top midway through but he suffered a double bogey on the 14th hole and finished even-par for the day in joint second spot with India's Shiv Kapur and Australian Andrew Tampion.
Incidentally, the Editor's thanks go, once again, to Graham Suttie for reminding us that Andrew Tampion was the player who lost to Carnoustie's Eric Ramsay in the 36-hole final of the 2005 Australian open amateur championship. Eric was two up after 18 holes and went on to win 6 and 5.
Thanks, Graham ... what a memory!
Ilonen, a former winner of the British amateur title, said after his victory:
“I have been thinking about it (winning) all week. I had a really good start to the week and I have been trying to keep my mind clear on the golf course, but off the course it's really tough. Obviously we have had a long week, a lot of waiting, but finally now it's over it feels really nice.
“I have been imagining how it would feel to win and right now, when I was imagining it was probably a bit better. It's a bit of a rush everywhere at the moment but in the next couple of hours I will be able to relax and enjoy it,” he added.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
275 Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 66-68-71-70
276 Andrew Tampion (AUS) 68-66-73-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 67-73-69-67, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 71-68-66-71
279 Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 72-67-71-69, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 69-68-69-73
280 Alexandre Rocha (BRA) 72-68-73-67
281 Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-69-72-72, James Heath (ENG) 70-70-70-71, Tony Carolan (AUS) 71-71-67-72
282 Rick Gibson (CAN) 72-70-72-68, Simon Dyson (ENG) 70-71-71-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 75-69-72-66, Christian Cevaer (FRA) 68-72-71-71, Henrik Nystrom (SWE) 70-69-72-71, Scott Strange (AUS) 69-69-72-72, Gareth Davies (ENG) 71-67-72-72, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-67-71-72, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 65-74-70-73

TERRY GETS OFF THE MARK IN
N E ALLIANCE AT DEESIDE

By RON MENZIES

Last week's North-east Alliance meeting at Deeside provided Terry Mathieson of Murcar Links with his first win of the season - and the +2 player did it by the handsome margin of four strokes at the head of a big field of 102.
After a bogey start, Terry, pictured right, had birdies at the sixth and eighth holes and reached the turn on one-under-par 35.

Three consecutive birdies from the 15th produced a three-under-par inward half of 31 and a total of 66.

Runner-up on 70 - two shots clear of professional Colin Nelson, was home-course player Andrew Campbell who had been the early clubhouse leader with halves of 36 and 34. He had birdies at the sixth, ninth and 14th.

Leading returns:
SCRATCH

66 T Mathieson (Murcar Links).

70 A Campbell (Deeside).

72 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club), N Reid (Deeside), P Cormack (Inchmarlo), S Davidson (Banchory).

73 A K Pirie (Hazlehead), G Forbes (Murcar Links), R Hyland (Hazlehead), R McDonald (Kemnay).

74 W S Urquhart (Murcar Links), G McInnes (Murcar Links).

75 C Stephen (Meldrum House).

76 G Esson (Portlethen), B Ritchie (Inverallochy), I Bratton (Newburgh).

77 C Duffus (Kemnay), S Elrick (Kemnay), G Grimmer (Nigg Bay),
R Nicoll (Murcar Links), S Murray (Aspire), S Fraser (Northern), G Ingram (Inverurie).
HANDCAP

Class 1 - T Mathieson (Murcar Links) (+2) 68; A Campbell (Deeside) (scr) 70; A K Pirie (Hazlehead) (2) 71; W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) (2), C Duffus (Kemnay) (5), S Elrick (Kemnay) (5), R Nicoll (Murcar Links) (5), F Barclay (Kintore) (7) 72.
Class 2 - G Kennedy (Meldrum House) (13) 66; M Kidd (Newburgh) (10), P Cornfield (Auchmill) ((11) 69; W McBain (Turriff) (13), W Forbes (Murcar Links) (15) 70; C Hood (Alford) (10), J Wilson (Deeside) (10) 73).

This Wednesday's meeting is at Murcar Links.

LEE VANNETT WINS AGAIN
IN MIDLAND ALLIANCE
The Midland Alliance meeting over the Carnoustie Buddon course was won by Lee Vannet, the Carnoustie Links professional.
It was Lee's fourth win in a row, this time by four strokes with a score of four-under-par 62
Kenneth Smith (St Andrewes New), playing off 14, won the handicap prize with a net 63.
Team event winners with a net 55 - but only after a card countback that went down to the last hole, were Jack Rennie (Dunfermline), George Atkinson (Dunfermline) and John Gray (Ladybank).

LEADING SCRATCH
62 L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
66 B Gallaway (Carnoustie), S Craig (Edinburgh Leisure) p.
69 S Rettie (Royal Troon) ap.
70 L Cargill (Arbroath), I. Cameron (Panmure).
71 M Pirie (Pitlochry) p, D McKay (Wellsgreen) p, N Christie (Carnoustie) ap.

LEADING HANDICAP
63 K D Smith (St Andrews New) (14).
64 B Galloway (Carnoustie) (2), J Rennie (Dunfermline) (10).
65 A Douglas (Caird Park, 13), P. Callander (Creiff) (7), F. Gemmell (Letham Grange) (13), J.M.Gray (Ladybank) (8), J Atkinson (Dunfermline,14)
66, W. Miller (Monifieth) (9), I Cameron (Panmure, 4), F. McKay (Drumoig) (6), J Leddy (Bathgate) (11), A. Mason (Thornton) (7).

TEAM WINNERS

55 Jack Rennie (Dunfermline) (10), George Atkinson (Dunfermline) (14),John Gray (Ladybank) (8).

Qualifiers for the Championship at Scotscraig in April

B Gallaway (Carnoustie), I Cameron (Panmure), N. Christie (Carnoustie)

Next meeting is at Aberdour on Thursday, February 22 (9.30am - 1pm).

BIRDIE BURST BY JOHN FORBES
WINS NORTH ALLIANCE

A three-birdie burst at the start of the inward half helped John Forbes (Inverness) secure his first win of the North of Scotland Alliance season with a level par 69 at Elgin. He won by a single shot from three players. There was an entry of 114 the highest of the season so far.
James Souter from Moray had five birdies in a net 68 off four to win the Handicap Section Class 1.
LEADING SCRATCH
69 J Forbes (Inverness).
70 M Macdonald (Fortrose), J A Grant (Grantown), J S D Campbell (Grantown).
71 R A L Cameron (Inverness).
72 J R Souter (Moray), D Hector (Elgin), D Hexley (Inverness), J Simpson (Forres), R McKerron (Forres).
73 K Taylor (Elgin), B Fotheringham (Forres), N D Hampton (Loch Ness).
74 G Hay (Grantown), I Findlay(Grantown), S Wilson (Inverness), B Inch (Elgin).
75 K Thomson (M), B A Watson (Nairn Dunbar), M Mann (Moray), K Gaittens (Fortrose).
76 S Johnston (Elgin).
77 A W Mair (Moray), J R Ingram (Boat of Garten), C Gaittens (Fortrose), G Short (Fortrose).
78 S Mitchell (Moray), S G Milne (Elgin), R Stewart (Grantown), I Rodger (Elgin) p, J A G Innes (Elgin).
HANDICAP
Class 1 (eight and under)
68 J R Souter (Moray)(4).
69 B H Inch (Elgin)(4).
70 D Hector (Elgin)(2), M Mann (Moray) (5), I Findlay (Grantown) (4), G Short (Fortrose) (7).
Class 2 (nine to 14)
70 D Ross (Boat of Garten) (14), R J Milne (Elgin) (9), K Hayllar (Moray) (14).
71 W Rusk (Torvean) (12), M McLaren (Fortrose) (13), W Fairfield (Nairn Dunbar) (13).

DUNCAN STEWART PIPPED FOR
EIGHTH US COLLEGE VICTORY

Jacksonville University senior-year student Duncan Stewart from Grantown on Spey went so close to notching up an eighth victory in his four years on the American college golf circuit in the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational tournament at Sunbrook Golf Club, St George’s in Utah.
Stewart, pictured right, who had been one of four players sharing the first-round lead on five-under-par 67, set the clubhouse target of nine-under-par 135 with a second-round 68 over the 6,781yd, par-72 course.
That look like being the winning total until Aaron Weston (Colorado State) followed up an opening 71 with a 64 to tie with Stewart.
Weston won the play-off with a birdie from 4ft at the first extra hole.
It was Duncan Stewart’s first tournament of the second half of the college season.
Russell Knox from Inverness, one of Stewart’s team-mates at Jacksonville, Florida, tied for 19th place with a pair of 71s for two-under-par 142.
A third Jacksonville Scot, Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh, finished 101st in the field of 112 with scores of 81 and 82 for 163.
Jacksonville University (588) finished 10th equal behind winners Southern Utah (562) in the team event which had a field of 18 colleges.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
135 Aaron Weston (Colorado State) 71 64, Duncan Stewart (Jacksonville) 67 68 (Weston won play-off at first extra hole).
136 Nic Van Vuuren (Utah Valley State) 67 69.
Other scores:
142 Russell Knox (Jacksonville) 71 71 (jt 19th).
150 Sean McNamara (Colorado State) 80 70 (jt 61st).
163 Jamie Kennedy (Jacksonville) 81 82 (101st).
LEADING TEAMS
562 Southern Utah.
565 Denver.
570 Oral Roberts.
575 Utah.
576 Colorado State.
Also:
588 Jacksonville (jt 10th).

Scottish Golf View on holiday!

Apologies to all our loyal readers.
Your editor Colin Farquharson and webmaster Gillian Kirkwood are at the European Media Masters tournament in Belek, Turkey.
We'll be back for business on Sunday 18th February.
We hope that you can last that long!

OVERNIGHT LEADER ROCK
CRUMPLES IN MALAYSIAN
OPEN SECOND ROUND.

Overnight leader Robert Rock sagged from a first-round 66 to a second-round 78 for a 36-hole total of level par 144 in the Maybank Malaysian Open at Saujana Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur today.
A lightning storm hit the course, delaying the end of play. The second round will not be completed until early Saturday morning.
Thai teenager Chinarat Phadungsil brilliantly snatched the clubhouse lead with a second round five-under-par 67 for a halfway total of seven-under 137 before the storm sent everyone scurrying off the course.
The 18-year-old, already a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, struck seven birdies against two bogeys to give himself a chance at fast-tracking his burgeoning career.
Asian specialist Simon Dyson of England, who has won four times in the region including the Order of Merit title in 2000, bolted into contention with a 68 to lie two behind. Tied with him in second place is compatriot Marcus Higley (67) and Finland's Mikko Ilonen (70) in the US$1.29 million Championship jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Players were called off the course at 4.50pm when a lightning storm hit Saujana and officials later abandoned play for the rest of the day. All the 78 players in the afternoon session will return Saturday, 8am to complete their second rounds, with the third round expected to begin no earlier than 11.15am.
Dyson, who started from the 10th, made a strong charge with an outstanding outward 30 which included four birdies and one eagle before tripping up with a double bogey on the eighth when he caught the heavy rough. Still, the Englishman was upbeat.
"After the year that I had out here (in 2000) whenever I come back I feel like I'm the one to beat. So the confidence is up. I played great the front nine but the second nine, nothing went for me," said Dyson.
Former US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand bounced back with a 70 after an opening 75 but will enter the weekend rounds eight off the pace. "It's awfully hard to read these greens sometimes. Yesterday, I hit 14 greens and shot 75 and today I hit 17 greens and shot 70. One thing that stands out is the putting.
"Obviously I'm not here to make the cut, I'm here to win a tournament. There might still be a chance if I can shoot a couple of low rounds," said Campbell.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, a key member of Europe's recent victories in the Ryder Cup, carded a 72, which included a double bogey on his last hole, for a two-over-par 146 total, which stood at the projected cut mark when play was abandoned.
Clarke, who slipped out from the world's top-10 for the first time in 10 years, is desperately looking for some Irish luck. "I played lovely all day and had a lot of really good shots but if they could finish a foot off the green or be buried in the rough, they did. It was the same as yesterday but 10 times worse today. At 15 I missed the fairway by two inches and had to chip out sideways," said Clarke.
Amongst those who will return to complete their second rounds on Saturday morning include Europe's Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood, who is two-over for the championship with two holes to complete.

INCOMPLETE SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
+See footnote below scores:
137 Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-67
139 Simon Dyson (ENG) 71-68, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 69-70, Marcus Higley (ENG) 72-67
140 Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 70-70
141 Kane Webber (AUS) 68-73
142 Gavin Flint (AUS) 71-71, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 71-71, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 72-70, Alessandro Tadini (ITA) 70-72, Simon Yates (Sc0) 73-69, Cesar Monasterio (ARG) 71-71
143 Damien Mcgrane (IRL) 70-73, Angelo Que (PHI) 70-73, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 71-72, Andrew Coltart (Sco) 74-69, Sam Walker (ENG) 72-71, Gary Simpson (AUS) 71-72, Kyron Sullivan (WAL) 73-70
144 - Graeme Storm (ENG) 72-72, Andrew Marshall (ENG) 75-69, Robert Rock (ENG) 66-78, Peter Hedblom (SWE) 73-71, Adam Groom (AUS) 73-71

+A total of 78 players will tee off at 8am on Saturday to complete their second rounds.

CLARE QUEEN IN TOP 10
BUT KATHRYN IMRIE
MISSES ANZ CUT

There was joy for Clare Queen but sadness for Kathryn Imrie at the halfway stage of the
ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia.
Clare has had a pair of 69s to be lying in joint ninth place on six-under-par 138, six shots off the pace, in what is the Drumpellier's best tournament performance so far for some time.
But Kathryn will be packing her bags. She had rounds of 74 and 72 for two-over-par 146. Only those with 36-hole tallies of 144 and better will play the final two rounds.
Korea's Sun Ju Ahn continues to lead on 12-under-par 132 after a second-round 68.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
(Par 72; Players from GB&I unless stated)
(x) denote amateur
132 Sun Ju Ahn (Kor) 64 68
133 Michelle Ellis (Aus) 67 66
135 Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 68 67
136 Tamie Durdin (Aus) 67 69, Ji Yai Shin (Kor) 70 66
137 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 68 69, Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 68 69, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 70 67
138 Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 67 71, Clare Queen 69 69, Cristie Kerr (USA) 69 69, Yun Jye Wei (Tpe) 67 71
139 Su-Jung Yoon (Kor) 70 69, Karen Quinn (Aus) 72 67, Loraine Lambert (Aus) 67 72, Karrie Webb (Aus) 71 68, Becky Brewerton 66 73
140 Ya-Ni Tseng (Tpe) 71 69, Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 70 70, Sophie Sandolo (Ita) 70 70, Young Ran Jo (Kor) 71 69, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 73 67, Ji Na Lim (Kor) 69 71, Rachel Bailey (Aus) 69 71, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 71 69, Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 68 72
141 Diana Luna (Ita) 73 68, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 72 69, Louise Stahle (Swe) 71 70, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 72 69, Hee Young Park (Kor) 70 71, Trish Johnson 73 68, Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe) 66 75
142 Rui Kitada (Jpn) 71 71, Anja Monke (Ger) 70 72, Marta Prieto (Spa) 69 73, Natalie Gulbis (USA) 69 73, Laura Davies 69 73, Sara Beautell (Spa) 71 71, Elizabeth McKinnon (Nzl) 72 70, Mianne Bagger (Den) 72 70, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn) 67 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 72 70, Nadina Light (Aus) 71 71, Tamara Beckett (Aus) 71 71, (x) Emma Bennett (Aus) 69 73, Lora Fairclough 69 73, Hae-Jung Kim (Kor) 72 70
143 Kristie Newton (Aus) 73 70, Katherine Hull (Aus) 70 73, Sarah Kemp (Aus) 72 71, Martina Eberl (Ger) 71 72, (x) Haeji Kang (Kor) 69 74, Elisa Serramia (Spa) 72 71, Tullia Calzavara (Ita) 71 72, Beatriz Recari (Spa) 71 72, Ana B Sanchez (Spa) 73 70, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 72 71, Lindsey Wright (Aus) 69 74, Paula Marti (Spa) 71 72, Rebecca Stevenson (Aus) 70 73, Na Yeon Choi (Kor) 71 72, So Hee Kim (Kor) 73 70, Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 73 70
144 Carmen Alonso (Spa) 72 72, (x) Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 74 70, Riikka Hakkarainen (Fin) 72 72, (x) Frances Bondad (Aus) 73 71, Belinda Kerr (Aus) 73 71, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 72 72, Leah Hart (Aus) 72 72
MISSED CUT
145 Rachel Duncan (Aus) 73 72, Anna Tybring (Swe) 75 70, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 73, Kris Lindstrom (USA) 74 71, Crystal Fanning (Aus) 73 72, Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 73 72, (x) Helen Oh (Aus) 74 71, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 72 73, Dana Lacey (Aus) 73 72, Danielle Masters 72 73, Ran Hong (Kor) 71 74, Nikki Campbell (Aus) 72 73, Shani Waugh (Aus) 69 76, (x) Shan Shan Feng (Chn) 71 74, Tamara Hyett (Aus) 70 75, Minji Song (Kor) 71 74.
146 Natascha Fink (Aut) 76 70, Kathryn Imrie 74 72, Lisa Hall 70 76, Da-Ye Na (Kor) 74 72, Nathalie David-Mila (Fra) 71 75, (x) Sarah Oh (Aus) 70 76, Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Aus) 75 71, Karen Lunn (Aus) 73 73, Carmen Railton (Aus) 73 73, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 74 72, Louise Friberg (Swe) 70 76, Anna Rawson (Aus) 74 72, Amy Yang (Kor) 71 75, (x) Kate Combes (Aus) 73 73
147 Joanna Whalley (Aus) 78 69, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 75 72, Joanne Mills (Aus) 74 73, Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den) 74 73, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 72 75
148 Joanne Bannerman (Aus) 72 76, Virginie Auffret (Fra) 72 76, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 76 72, Nienke Nijenhuis (Ned) 75 73, Federica Piovano (Ita) 75 73, Sharon O'Neill (Aus) 73 75
149 Bree Turnbull (Aus) 72 77, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 75 74, Georgina Simpson 74 75, Katherine MacDouall (Aus) 77 72, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 76 73, Susie Mathews (Aus) 76 73, Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 76 73
150 Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 78 72, Eleanor Pilgrim 75 75, Asa Gottmo (Swe) 79 71, Lisa Jean (Aus) 74 76, Kirsty S Taylor 73 77, Bettina Hauert (Ger) 74 76, Hye Jin Jung (Kor) 76 74
151 Vicky Thomas (Aus) 75 76, Denise Simon (Ger) 76 75, Heidi McCulkin (Aus) 74 77, Marousa Polias (Aus) 75 76, Helen Beatty (Aus) 75 76, Carlie Butler (Aus) 75 76, Angela Harris (Aus) 76 75
152 Melanie Holmes-Smith (Aus) 75 77
153 Katy Jarochowicz (Aus) 76 77
154 Sapna Patel (Aus) 79 75, Chieko Amanuma (Jpn) 78 76
155 Rebecca Coakley 76 79, Wendy Berger (Aus) 72 83, Louise Ferguson (Aus) 80 75
156 Vikki Tutt (Aus) 73 83, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 76 80
157 Corinne Furnell (Aus) 82 75, Suzie Fisher (Aus) 74 83.

WOLSTENHOLME BEATS CRYER
AT 38TH IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) is through to the last four of the New South Wales amateur golf championship after being England team-mate Matthew Cryer (Coventry) at the 38th hole in the quarter-finals.
All the ties are over 36 holes in this tournament and each of the ties in the round of the last eight went all the way to the 18th second time round - and some went beyond.
No 5 seed Wolstenholme, one up playing the 36th, missed from 3 1/2ft after Cryer, the 20th seed. had holed from 35ft. After the 37th was halved in pars, Wolstenholme holed from 5ft for victory at the second extra hole.
In the semi-finals Wolstenholme will meet the 16th seed, Australian Scott Arnold.
In the other tie, Australian champion Tim Stewart, the No 3 seed, will play compatriot Danny Ahn, the 26th seed, who ousted the No 2 seed, Rohan Blizard at the 38th.
Results:
QUARTER-FINALS
(Seeded position in brackets, all players from Australia unless stated)
Scott Arnold (16) bt Paul Blake (25) 2 holes.
Gary Wolstenholme (Eng) (5) bt M Cryer (Eng) (20) at 38th.
Danny Ahn (26) bt Rohan Blizard (2) 2 holes.
Tim Stewart (3) bt Matthew Jones (11) 3 and 1.

COLIN FARQUHARSON writes:
As you all know, I love a good human-interest golf story. It doesn’t matter if the subject is not Scottish, if there’s a good story line, then I’ll read it from start to finish and maybe come back to again for a second read.
I hope you like this one I came across in my nightly trawling of the websites of the world. If you are having a tough time for any reason, this is the kind of story, with a happy ending, that will lift your spirits.

Chip Beck proves you can come
back – if your wife has faith

By Randall Mell, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

First Chip Beck lost his golf swing. Then he lost his way.
He will tell you he never lost the love he needed to find his way back, and that's why he is such an improbable favorite this week at the Allianz Championship at The Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton in Florida.
"I wouldn't have had a chance without my wife," Beck, 50, said of his comeback. "She always believed in me. I don't know why. She always had this confidence in me. She'd tell me that I would always be her winner, and it's unbelievable what that meant to me. Without her, I'd be gone from this game.
"Karen Beck saw what nobody else could when her husband slipped into a slump rivaling the worst the game's ever seen. She's even more determinedly optimistic than he is, and that's saying something. Chip's sunny disposition is legendary on tour. Nobody endured a bad round more cheerfully than he did, but in the worst of times, his hopefulness was tested.
NEVER LOST HOPE
"I love Chip tremendously, and my love for him was never based on his golf," Karen said. "I never lost hope in him."
Beck went nearly two seasons on the PGA Tour without making a cut from the spring of 1997 to the fall of '98. He missed 46 consecutive cuts. He was embarrassed as attention mounted over whether he would break Doug Ford's record of 54 consecutive missed cuts.
"Chip couldn't keep the ball in a 20-acre field when we started working together," said Jim Suttie, the teacher who helped Beck rebuild a new swing. "He was missing left and right. He was down as far as you can get, further down than Seve Ballesteros and Ian Baker Finch ever got. Nobody's ever been where Chip's game was and come back the way he has.
"Since joining the Champions Tour last September, Beck has shown he isn't just competitive again. He's a threat to win. He tied for fifth in his debut at the Constellation Energy Classic and was second twice and third once in four other starts.
FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE
"The real lesson here is about faith and perseverance," Beck said. "It's about my family loving me for who I am, not what I can do. I never lost myself completely because my family loved me."
Through the worst of his slide, Beck went 18 months without cashing a check in an official event. That was tough on a four-time US PGA Tour winner who once shot 59 at the Las Vegas Invitational, making him one of just three players to do so in a PGA Tour event. He was the tour's second-leading money winner in 1988 and nearly won The Masters in 1993, the same season he clinched the Ryder Cup for the United States with a clutch singles victory against Barry Lane.
Still, Beck's slump was so profound, he sold his home in Lake Forest, Illinois, and moved his wife and their four children into a rented house. Three years ago, he took a job selling insurance.
For two years, Beck dressed in a suit and tie and toted a suitcase onto a train to an office in downtown Chicago.
"I didn't know if I could really make a living doing anything else besides golf," Beck said.
BOTH VERY RELIGIOUS
Beck, who as a young man thought seriously about becoming a priest, said he found solace in his routine attending 6 a.m. Mass every day. His prayers, though, were particularly intense as he sought to build a new career for his family.
"Both of us are very religious," Karen said. "We both believed that God wouldn't give us anything we couldn't handle, and we believe He answers prayer. It's just that sometimes you have to figure out the answer."
Beck's people skills helped him make a six-figure income in his new field, but he never lost his desire to play. He continued to work his game around his new career while revamping his swing with Suttie.
Today, Suttie attributes a number of factors to Beck's decline, including a back injury and a change in equipment that didn't suit his swing.
For a long time, Beck's peers have wondered if his failure at the '93 Masters didn't lead to his slump. Beck trailed Bernhard Langer by three shots when he famously laid up at the 15th hole in the final round. He endured harsh criticism for failing to make the bold play.
Suttie believes that shot might have contributed to Beck's problems, but not for the reason everyone thinks. Beck hit a low cut back then. His low ball flight didn't suit Augusta National, especially the shot he needed to catch Langer with a bold play at the 15th.
"Chip tried to learn to play with a higher ball flight," Suttie said. "He got too mechanical."
Beck found his new swing with Suttie over more than six years of work, but it took him the first 21/2 years just to begin to feel comfortable with the change. Suttie gave Beck a stronger grip, less erect posture and a steeper angle to impact. Beck now plays with a more neutral swing he can work left and right.
LEFT INSURANCE JOB
Last year, Beck left his insurance job and tested his new game on the Nationwide Tour to prepare for the Champions (Seniors) Tour. He made only three of 13 cuts, but he got control of his ball again, and he began to score respectably.
When Beck moved over to the Champions Tour, he relished being an immediate contender. His children at home range from 16 to 11, and he has two older children from a first marriage. The younger children didn't realize their father was really a player until he made ESPN SportsCenter's highlights with a hole-in-one on a 316-yard par 4 in a Nationwide Tour event four years ago.
"The beauty of all of this is that I got away from golf," Beck said. "I was a husband and father spending time at home. Our life as a family came together."
Now, his family is loving how his game is coming together.

SCOTS STRUGGLE IN
COSTA RICA OPEN

Two former Scottish amateur champions, Andrew McArthur and George Murray, past European Tour Rookie of the Year Scott Henderson and a former SGU Order of Merit winner Jamie McLeary never threatened to break par in the opening round of this week's European Challenge Tour event, the Costa Rica Open at Cariari Country Club, San Jose.
Later starters Henderson and McLeary finished on five-over-par 76 and eight-over 79 respectively.
Henderson, starting at the 10th, had a double bogey 6 at the 11th but got back to one over par after nine holes with birdies at the 13th and 14th plus another bogey at the 15th.
The Aberdonian had a disastrous run when he came to the front nine. He bogeyed the second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh before birdieng the eighth and was four over par for his second nine holes.
FRONT NINE MORE DIFFICULT
McLeary was two over par after nine holes, having bogeyed the 10th, 13th, 14th and 17th but birdied the 12th and 18th. Like Henderson, Jamie found the front nine holes much more difficult. He bogeyed the first and then had dobule bogeys at the third and fifth before dropping yet another shot at the sixth. He required 41 shots for his second nine.
McArthur returned a three-over-par 74 after bogeying every hole from the first to the fourth. After chalking up another bogey at the 10th, running up a double bogey at the 11th.
On the credit side, Andrew birdied the sixth, eighth, 14th and 18th in halves of 37.
Rookie pro Murray will be fighting to make the halfway cut after a 76 in which the Fifer was four over par after four holes, a double bogey at the third and single shots shed at the second and fourth.
Having almost repaired the damage with birdies at the fifth, seventh and ninth, Murray promptly let it slip again with bogeys at the 10th, 12th and 13th. A birdie 4 at the long 14th was followed by a double bogey 6 at the 15th in an inward half of 40.
Peter Whiteford, the fifth Scot in the field, was one of the last to go out. He was one over par after nine holes, having started at the 10th and double-bogeyed he 15th.
Walker Cup player Robert Dinwiddie from the north of England was the early clubhouse leader with a five-under-par 66 in which he birdied the first, fifth, seventh, eighth, 12th and 14th before he had his only bogey, at the 17th in halves of 31 and 35.
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
66 Robert Dinwiddie (Eng).
67 Olivier David (Fra).
68 Alvaro Ortiz (Costa Rica) (am), Jamie Little (Eng).
Scottish scores:
74 Andrew McArthur.
76 George Murray, Scott Henderson.
79 Jamie McLeary.

ST ANDREWS PLAYER JOINT 30th
IN US COLLEGE TOURNAMENT

Daniel Sommerville from St Andrews, a freshman student at Clayton State University, Atlanta, finished joint 30th in his first tournament of the second half of the American college golf season.
Daniel had rounds of 80 and 75 for a 12-over-par total of 155 in the Outback Steakhouse Intercollegiate tournament oer a 6,479yd, par-72 course at Hombre Golf Club, Panama City in Florida.
Team-mate Neil McBride, a sophomore student from Glasgow, had scores of 83 and 78 for a share of 56th place on 161.
The tournament was won by Chris Wolfe (Armstrong Atlantic) by four strokes with a four-under-par total of 138 (70-68).
Clayton State (628) finished 11th of 16 teams behind winners St Edward’s University (590).

Midland Alliance meeting at Arbroath

IT'S THAT MAN VANNET AGAIN
AND LEDDY MAKES IT TWO
WINS OUT OF TWO

Carnoustie Links professional Lee Vannet made it three wins in a row at this week's Midland Alliance meeting over the Arbroath course.
Lee shot a three-under-par 67 to win by three strokes from Edzell professional Alastair Webster.
The top handicap prize was won by John Leddy (Bathgate) with a net 65 off 11. Almost as good as Lee Vannet's record, John was winning for the second week in row.

Leading scores:
SCRATCH
67 L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
70 A J Webster (Edzell) p.
71 K McGowan (AP, Burntisland) ap, D Adams (Carnoustie) (5).
72 S Craig (Edinburgh Leisure) p, G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) (+1).
73 P Brookes (Pitreavie) p.
74 L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p.
HANDICAP
65 J Leddy (Bathgate) (11).
66 D Adams (Carnoustie) (6), F Gemmell (Letham Grange) (13).
70 A Smith (Edzell) (6), J Rennie (Dunfermline) (10), J Wilson (Dunfermline) (14), M Watkin (Panmure) (10), J Ward (Carnoustie) (8).
71 J Cree jun (Thornton) (10).
72 A Douglas (Caird Park) (13), A Herd (Scotscraig) (9).
73 E Rae (Arbroath) (4), J Cree sen (Carnoustie) (13).
74 I Cameron (Panmure) (4), G Cant (Monifieth) (8).

Qualifiers for the Championship at Scotscraig in April
A J Webster (Edzell) p.
K McGowan (Burntisland) ap.
D. Adams (Carnoustie) (5).

Next Meeting
Thursday, 15th February, Carnoustie Caledonian, Buddon Links, 8.30 – 12.30

ROCK-STEADY ROBERT
SURPRISE LEADER
IN MALAYSIAN OPEN

England's Robert Rock was rock-steady to shoot a six-under-par 66 and eclipse some the stars of the game after a brutal opening day at the Maybank Malaysian Open today.
The Englishman, forced out from last year's event after coming down with chicken pox, grabbed the day's top honour at a steamy Saujana Golf and Country Club, Kuala Lumpur to lead by one stroke from Indian prospect, S.S.P. Chowrasia, who produced an eye-catching 67 in the US$1.29 million championship co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
American left-hander Edward Loar, a two-time winner in Asia, Australian Kane Webber and Argentinean Rafael Echenique were a stroke further back on 68.
Former Malaysian Open champions Yeh Wei-tze of Chinese Taipei and Scot Alastair Forsyth were amongst those bunched on 69 while two-time winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand battled to a 71, matched by reigning Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh of India.
The tournament's top draws, England's Lee Westwood, winner here in 1997, and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand failed to ignite their games with 75s while Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland was only one shot better.
Last year, Rock withdrew from the Maybank Malaysian Open after becoming ill on the eve of the tournament and the Englishman, who is winless in Europe, is determined to stick around much longer.
PRETTY BORING
"It was pretty boring being stuck in the hotel room all week," recalled Rock. "Six under is my lowest round since playing the European Tour. My name usually comes off the leaderboard quite quickly once it gets on there so at least it will stay up there overnight," said the 29-year-old Rock.
Rock's nerves was in disarray on the eve of the tournament after struggling to find any feel with his putting on the tricky greens at Saujana's Palm course, dubbed "The Cobra" but a new putter, and the experience of his caddie Ryan McGuigan, saw him tame the greens with seven birdies against a lone bogey.
"I was in a panic with my putting last night. I had a new putter today – an Odyssey White Steel, similar to my old one but with a little more loft on it. Ryan is really good at reading the grains and suggested that a little more loft might work well on these greens. It was a good choice," he said.
Chowrasia, who grew up at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club where his father is the greenskeeper, bravely carried Asia's charge with a seven-birdie display. The Indian was initially overwhelmed by daunting challenge that the Palm course poses but a chat with compatriot Rahil Gangjee and a good warm-up this morning pushed him to the forefront.
"I told Rahil yesterday that my feel wasn't good. He said to just play it safe and not to attack the course, take your pars and one or two birdies would be good," said Chowrasia.
PUTTED REALLY WELL
Instead, some superb shot-making from the Indian, nicknamed "Chip-putt-sia" back home because of his short game prowess, saw him pick up a hatful of birdies, mostly from inside the range of 10 feet. "I putted really well and played solid. It's a tough course. After hitting some balls at the range this morning and making some putts, I had a good feel. I thought to myself today my scoring would be very good."
The 28-year-old enjoyed a memorable rookie season on the Asian Tour in 2006 with three top-10s but endured the heartbreak of being disqualified at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters when he led by three shots as he had not signed his scorecard. "I'll try to win this year. This week? I don't know. I am aiming for one this year," said Chowrasia, who was beaten in a play-off by Jyoti Randhawa for the Hero Honda Indian Open title last October.
HEAT AND HUMIDITY
The heat and humidity wore the players down, with Loar, who has won the national Opens of Thailand and Korea, saying: "This place, it's all about survival. I played my front nine (back nine) really well but on the back, it was a struggle. I chipped and putted beautifully. I just had to hang in there. I was struggling coming in."
Westwood, one of Europe's stars in their Ryder Cup triumph over the US last year, found water twice and struggled on the greens. "I didn’t have many breaks out there. I hit into the water at the fourth hole from the middle of the fairway. I also three putted the second and the fourth (his fourth hole but the 13th on the course), and hit it into the water at seven," said Westwood. "I can’t see a line on these greens now and I’m struggling to see a score under par. I don’t know how others have got it round in four under. That’s amazing," he said.
Like his good friend, Clarke also struggled on the putting surface. "I actually played nicely. I just struggled on the greens. At the moment, it's not going my way, that's to be expected as I've not played a lot," said the Ulsterman, whose wife Heather lost her battle to cancer last year which saw Clarke take time off from the game.
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
66 Robert Rock (Eng).
67 S.S.P. Chowrasia (Ind).
68 Rafael Echenique (Arg), Edward Loar (US), Kane Webber (Aus)
69 Yeh Wei-tze (Tpe), Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Alastair Forsyth (Sco), Mark Foster (Eng), Mikko Ilonen (Fin)
70 David Bransdon (Aus), Robert-Jan Derksen (Net), Rahil Gangjee (Ind), Chapchai Nirat (Tha), Damien Mcgrane (Ire), Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Angelo Que (Phi), Chinarat Phadungsil (Tha), Gerald Rosales (Phi), Alessandro Tadini (Ita)
71 Ian Garbutt (Eng), Marcus Both (AUS), Stephen Gallacher (Sco), Airil Rizman Zahari (Mas), Anthony Kang (US), Simon Wakefield (Eng), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Wang Ter-chang (Tpe), Johan Axgren (Swe), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Simon Dyson (Eng), Gavin Flint (Aus), Suk Jong-yul (Kor), Cesar Monasterio (Arg), Gary Simpson (Aus).
72 Prom Meesawat (Tha), Terry Pilkadaris (Aus), Mardan Mamat (Sin), Gaurav Ghei (Ind), Hendrik Buhrmann (SAf), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Gary Lockerbie (Eng), Graeme Storm (Eng), Frankie Minoza (Phi), Graeme Mcdowell (Ire), Barry Hume (Sco), Sam Walker (Eng), Marcus Higley (Eng).
Other Scottish scores:
73 David Drysdale.
74 Andrew Coltart.
80 Steven O'Hara.

SGU SECURES BEST EVER
SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH
BELHAVEN BREWERY

The Scottish Golf Union has announced the biggest ever sponsorship deal in the organisation’s history with an investment worth £250,000 over the next three years with the Belhaven Brewery Company.
The agreement comes on the back of a fantastic 12 months for Scottish amateur golf, with the SGU’s national teams picking up three Home Internationals titles, whilst Richie Ramsay won the US Amateur Championship taking him to the top of the world amateur rankings.
Belhaven are already one of the SGU’s longest serving partners and the new sponsorship deal will see the partnership extended to a total of ten years. The Dunbar-based drinks brand will become the exclusive long drinks partner of the SGU, whilst expanding its sponsorship of the Scottish Club Handicap Championship and the Scottish Captains & Secretaries Championship. Belhaven Best will also extend their support of golf clubs in Scotland via the SGU through sponsorship of fixture booklets, competition materials and other activities.
SUCCESS STORY
Stuart Ross, Group Managing Director for Belhaven, was delighted to extend his company’s commitment to the Scottish Golf Union:
“Amateur golf in Scotland has been at the heart of Belhaven Best’s success story over the past 15 years and has helped us become Scotland’s No 1 ale brand. We have built up a fantastic relationship with the SGU during this time, along with more than 300 golf clubs where our products are served.”
“The new Captains & Secretaries Championship which we launched last year was a hugely successful event for us, and with the Scottish Club Handicap Championship, we have built up the largest participation golf event in Scotland.”
HEAVY INVESTMENT
“We are investing heavily in the Belhaven Best brand portfolio and these are exciting times for us. There is a strong affinity with the grass roots golfer in Scotland and hopefully our new sponsorship will drive that relationship even more,” added Ross.
The new sponsorship deal will provide the SGU with valuable funding to extend its support for golf clubs across Scotland and the agreement was welcomed by Chief Executive Hamish Grey:
“Belhaven have been a wonderful partner for the SGU and the three-fold increase in the value of the sponsorship since Belhaven first came on board says a lot about how we have developed as an organisation and how successful our partnership has been.”
“The new investment will allow us to increase our support to golfers and golf clubs, which is a key part of our strategy, along with growing the game and developing talent. Its important that we can attract more high profile Scottish brands to keep our recent momentum going.”
BIGGEST SCOTTISH EVENT
The Belhaven Best Scottish Club Handicap Championship is Scotland’s biggest golf event, with 24,000 expected to play in this year’s competition across more than 300 clubs with the final being held at the Macdonald Cardrona Golf Hotel & Country Club on Friday 14th September.
The inaugural Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship took place last year and proved hugely popular among Scotland’s club officials with 192 clubs taking part. The 2007 championship final will be held at Blairgowrie’s Rosemount course, one of the country’s finest inland venues.
Belhaven Best is Scotland’s No.1 ale brand and an established favourite among golfers in Scotland, with golf clubs accounting for an estimated one million pints consumed each year.
The schedules for the 2007 Belhaven Best SGU events are detailed below:

Belhaven Best Scottish Club Handicap Championship
Regional Finals
Forrester Park, Friday 10th August
Cawder, Friday 17th August
Dumfries & County, Friday 24th August
Murcar Links, Friday 31st August
National Final
Macdonald Cardrona Golf Hotel & Country Club, Friday 14th September

Belhaven Best Captains' & Secretaries' Championship
Regional Finals
Ballater, Tuesday 29th May
Eastwood, Wednesday 27th June
Lanark, Tuesday 17th July
Duddingston, Tuesday 21st August
National Final
Blairgowrie, Tuesday 12th September

GRAHAM SUTTIE FILLS IN
THE BACKGROUND OF
GEORGE FINLAY

By Colin Farquharson
If you are an avid reader of www.scottishgolfview.com - aren't you all? - you will know that Graham Suttie has been helping me track down the home club of a George Finlay, one of the Scots who has entered the forthcoming Spanish men's amateur international champonship.
I sent a note off to Graham, thanking him for his splendid efforts as a golf detective and suggesting he should have been a golf writer ..
Here is is response:

========================

Colin, we've cracked it!

The secretary at Panmure, Barry, has confirmed to me this morning that George Finlay, of Ballumbie Castle, is to be competing in the Spanish men's amateur international c0hampionship.
George, who plays off either scratch or plus 1 (he wasn't sure) is the current club champion at Panmure, Barry, but his home club is Ballumbie Castle.
Due to his participation in Spain, George is to miss the Panmure Barry, annual dinner on March 2, when he would have been presented with the club championship trophy.
Re your comments that I should have been a golf writer, I am really a bit of one as I do freelance sports correspondent work for various local newspapers in my area (Carnoustie).
It's a career I would loved to have followed more fully had it not been for my lack of sight. I've been blind from the age of 16, but thanks for the encouragement.
Keep up the good work with scottishgolfview.com. If I can be of any further help in the future, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Graham Suttie

CLARE QUEEN'S GOOD START
TO ANZ LADIES MASTERS
IN QUEENSLAND

Drumpellier's Clare Queen has made a very good start to the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia.
Clare, who was beaten in a play-off in the pre-tournament qualifier for the recent Australian Women's Open, found her form here with a three-under-par round of 69 to be joint 14th behind leader Sun Ju Ahn (Korea).
Miss Queen had birdies at the long third, the seventh and ninth and the long 15th. She dropped only one shot, at the par-3 11th in halves of 34 and 35.
Best British player on the opening day was Becky Brewerton from Wales with a 66 to share second place with Sweden's Cecilia Ekelundh.
On 69 alongside Clare Queen are Lora Fairclough and Laura Davies.
Australian Women's Open winner Karrie Webb had a 71, one shot ahead of Inverness-based Kiwi Liz McKinnon who recovered from a double-bogey 6 at the second to birdie the sixth and 15th in halves of 38 and 34.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
(Players from Australia unless stated, Par 72)
(am) denotes amateur
64 Sun Ju Ahn (Kor).
66 Becky Brewerton (Wal), Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe).
67 Loraine Lambert, Sakura Yokomine (Jap), Michelle Ellis, Yun Jye Wei (Tpe), Sarah Nicholson (NZ), Tamie Durdin.
68 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Lotta Wahlin (Swe), Linda Wessberg (Swe), Eun Hee Ji (Kor)
69 Rachel Bailey, Lindsey Wright, Cristie Kerr (US), Shani Waugh, Emma Bennett (am), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Natalie Gulbis (US), Marta Prieto (Spa), Laura Davies (Eng), Haeji Kang (am) (Kor), Clare Queen (Sco), Ji Na Lim (Kor).
70 Louise Friberg (Swe), Su-Jung Yoon (Kor), Rebecca Stevenson, Hee Young Park (Kor), Tamara Hyett, Anja Monke (Ger), Lisa Hall (Eng), Katherine Hull, Rachel Hetherington, Ji Yai Shin (Kor), Minea Blomqvist (Fin), Sarah Oh (am), Sophie Sandolo (Ita)
71 Ran Hong (Kor), Nikki Garrett, Louise Stahle (Swe), Karrie Webb, Nadina Light, Amy Yang (Kor), Paula Marti (Spa), Na Yeon Choi (Kor), Tamara Beckett, Shan Shan Feng (am) (Chn), Minji Song (Kor), Rui Kitada (Jpn), Nathalie David-Mila (Fra), Ya-Ni Tseng (Tpe), Martina Eberl (Ger), Tullia Calzavara (Ita), Sara Beautell (Spa), Young Tan Jo (Kor), Beatriz Recari (Spa).
72 Karen Quinn, Mianne Bagger (Den), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Maria Hjorth (Swe), Brittany Lincicome (US), Nikki Campbell, Leah Hart, Wendy Berger, Hae-Jung Kim (Kor), Joanne Bannerman, Nora Angehrn (Swi), Virginie Auffret (Fra), Carmen Alonso (Spa), Sarah Kemp, Riikka Hakkarainen (Fin), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Bree Turnbull, Tania Elosegui (Spa), Elisa Serramia (Spa), Elizabeth McKinnon (NZ), Danielle Masters (Eng).
73 Belinda Kerr, Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Ana B Sanchez (Spa), So Hee Kim (Kor), Trish Johnson (Eng), Stephanie Arricau (Fra), Kate Combes (am), Sharon O'Neill, Vikki Tutt, Rachel Duncan, Crystal Fanning, Diana Luna (Ita), Cherie Byrnes, Kristie Newton, Karen Lunn, Carmen Railton, Frances Bondad (am), Dana Lacey, Ana Larraneta (Spa).
74 Heidi McCulkin, Lisa Jean, Anna Rawson, Bettina Hauert (Ger), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Kris Lindstrom (US), Kathryn Imrie (Sco), Da-Ye Na (Kor), Ashleigh Simon (am) (SAf), Joanne Mills, Helen Oh (x), Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Suzie Fisher
75 Marousa Polias, Melanie Holmes-Smith, Helen Beatty, Sophie Giquel (Fra), Carlie Butler, Federica Piovano (Ita), Anna Tybring (Swe), Lynn Brooky (NZ), Sarah-Jane Kenyon, Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Vicky Thomas, Nienke Nijenhuis (Ned)
76 Katy Jarochowicz, Rebecca Coakley (Ire), Hye Jin Jung (Kor), Angela Harris, Rui Yokomine (Jap), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Eva Steinberger (Aut), Susie Mathews, Natascha Fink (Aut), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Denise Simon (Ger).
77 Katherine MacDouall.
78 Chieko Amanuma (Jap), Joanna Whalley, Elisabeth Esterl (Ger).
79 Sapna Patel, Asa Gottmo (Swe).
80 Louise Ferguson.
82 Corinne Furnell.

EDINBURGH & EAST OF SCOTLAND
ALLIANCE ORDERS OF MERIT


Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance Order of Merit placings after 10 events:

SCRATCH
485.50 Neil Colquhoun.
484.00 Scott Grieve,
474.00 Andrew Dunsmore.
428.50 Stevie Lamb.
425.50 Mike Thomson.
420.50 Craig Imlah.
387.50 Andrew Oldcorn.
386.50 Ross Harrower.
371.50 Steven Doyle (am).
370.00 Ally MacKenzie.
343.40 Andrew Wight (am, sen)
336.50 Colin Fraser (am).
334.50 Andrew Marshall.
309.50 Adam Strang.
306.00 Chris Morris.
305.00 Tom Buchanan.
294.60 Alistair Anderson (am).
284.50 Scott Walker (am).
282.00 George Wither (am).
263.50 Owen Leslie.

HANDICAP
149.75 Steven Doyle.
100.00 Thomas Flaherty (sen).
94.80 William Laing.
93.00 Andrew Wight (sen).
91.00 Scott Walker.
86.90 Robert Clapperton (sen).
78.30 Graeme D Johnson.
78.15 Harry Cartmill.
73.80 John Kerr.
71.80 Alistair Anderson.
69.00 Peter Sewell.
67.50 Walter Forsyth.
66.50 Douglas Ferguson (sen).
63.00 Andrew McLennan.
62.50 Ronald Grant, William Marr (sen).
60.00 Wilson Morton.
56.40 David Graham.
55.95 Colin Fraser.
53.00 Brian Smith, Thomas Wilson.

WOLSTENHOLME, CRYER MEET
IN NEW SOUTH WALES
QUARTER-FINALS

England's Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) and Matthew Cryer (Coventry) are through to the last eight of the New South Wales amateur championship - but unfortunately they meet in the quarter-finals at Terry Hills Golf & Country Club on Friday.
Wolstenholme and Cryer are the only non-Australians in the tournament in which all the ties are over 36 holes and fifth seed Wolstenholme never missed a fairway or green in regulation in winning by 4 and 3 over Australian Richard Gallichan, the No 12 seed.
Cryer, the No 20 seed, went to the 37th hole for the second day in a row. This time he beat Blake McGrory, the 29th seed who won the recent Lake Macquarie tournament.
Australian champion Tim Stewart, the No 3 seed and conqueror of Steven McEwan (Barassie) in the first round, is through to a quarter-final tie against compatriot Matt Jones.
Gavin Fairfax, who ousted Bryan Fotheringham from Forres on Wednesday, was beaten by one hole by Paul Blake.
Alex Edge, the 17-year-old who toppled No 1 seed Stephen Lewton from Woburn, was cut down to size by Scott Arnold who won by 4 and 3.

Results (seeding in brackets, all players Australian unless stated):

Scott Arnold (16) bt Alex Edge (31) 4 and 3.
Paul Blake (25) bt Gavin Fairfax (24) 1 hole.
Matthew Cryer (Coventry) (20) bt Blake McGrory (29) at 37th.
Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) (5) bt Richard Gallichan (12) 4 and 3.

Rohan Blizard (2) bt Daniel Jones (18) 6 and 5.
Danny An (26) bt Brendan Smith (23) 2 and 1.
Tim Stewart (3) bt Justin Roach (14) 4 and 3.
Matt Jones (11) bt Dean Mulley (27) 7 and 6.

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance at Whitekirk

WEST LINTON PLAYER WINS TOM
GALLOWAY TROPHY WITH NET 69

Peter Sewell, an eight-handicap member at West Linton, won the Tom Galloway Trophy with a net score of 69 in today's Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance at Whitekirk Golf Club.
Whitekirk professional Paul Wardell, playing over his home course, won the £100 top scratch prize by two clear shots with a round of 70.

Leading returns
SCRATCH
70 Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) £100.
72 Mike Thomson (Cardrona), Andrew Oldcorn (King's Acre) £70 each.
73 Scott Grieve (King's Acre), Tom Buchanan (Duddingston), Alistair McLean (Duddingston), Stevie Lamb (unatt) £15 each.
HANDICAP
69 Peter Sewell (West Linton) (8) £100 voucher + Tom Galloway Trophy.
71 Willie Laing (Prestonfield), Robert Clapperton (Glenvbervie) (10) £70 voucher each.
72 Stevie Doyle (Liberton) (4) £40 voucher.
73 Derek Miller (Murrayfield) (2) £20 voucher.
SENIOR
73 Willie Marr (West Lothian) (10) £20 voucher.

Leading totals in the Scratch and Handicap Orders of Merit will be displayed on Thursday.

BOAT OF GARTEN'S FIRST PRO FOR 36 YEARS

Boat of Garten Golf Club, Inverness-shire has appointed 29-year-old Ross Harrower as its first PGA professional for 36 years.
Harrower will take up his new post on March 1 at one of the most picturesque courses in the Scottish Highlands.
The Boat of Garten course was designed by James Braid and the club was founded in 1898. The village of Boat of Garten is 27 miles south-east of Inverness.
Ross began his professional career at Prestonfield, Edinburgh in 1995 under Graeme Macdonald before moving to Peebles Golf Club in 1997 where he was first assistant to Craig Imlah.
Since 2003, Harrower has been director of golf at Cardrona Hotel Golf & Country Club near Peebles.

COSTANTINO ROCCA MAKES
SENIORS DEBUT THIS YEAR

An increased prize fund and an appearance by Italy’s most decorated golfer, Costantino Rocca, will boost this year’s Sharp Italian Seniors Open, which has grown into one of the most popular events on the European Seniors Tour.
The 2007 Sharp Italian Seniors Open will be played at the historic Circolo Golf Venezia for a fourth successive season from May 18-20 and will carry a prize fund of €200,000 – an increase of €25,000 from when Sam Torrance captured the title in 2006.
Among the new names heading to Venice this May is Rocca, who joined the Seniors Tour on his 50th birthday last December following a hugely successful career on the European Tour.
Rocca collected five European Tour titles, including the prestigious PGA Championship in 1996, and remains the only Italian to have played in the Ryder Cup, having featured in 1993 plus the winning European teams of 1995 and 1997.
During that time he never quite managed to win the Italian Open but memorably finished third behind Torrance in 1995, so the prospect of the two Ryder Cup team-mates renewing their rivalry at Circolo Golf Venezia is one of the many enticing plotlines to this year’s event.

THIRTEEN SCOTS OFF TO SUNNY SPAIN

A total of 13 Scots have entered the Spanish men's amateur international championship at Desert Springs Golf Resort from February 28 to March 4 and the women's equivalent at Sherry Golf in the south of the country.
Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Robert McKnight (Barassie), John Gallagher (Swanston) and Ross Kellett (Colville Park) are being sent by the Scottish Golf Union.
The other Scots male entries are:
Elliot and Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), Zander Culverwell (Dunbar), Scott Mann (Carnoustie), pictured right, and George Finlay.
Scots competing in the women's championship are:
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), Heather Macrae (Dunblane New) and Kylie Walker (Hilton Park).

If any reader can help with a home club for George Finlay, you can E-mail me at colin@scottishgolfview.com with the details.
Thanks

Response from Graham Suttie:
.

A George Finlay from Ballumbie Castle took third place in the scratch section of the Midland Golfers' Alliance meeting held at Ballumbie Castle on August 29 last year. Could this be the player in question? If so, he may also be a member at Panmure Golf Club, Barry.
Hope this info is of help.
Graham

Top seed Stephen Lewton beaten in first 36-hole tie

SCOTS BEATEN IN NEW

SOUTH WALES

MATCH-PLAY
Bryan Fotheringham from Forres and Steven McEwan (Barassie), pictured right, both lost in the first round of the New South Wales amateur match-play championship at Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club today.
All ties in the tournament are played over 36 holes.
Fotheringham, the No 9 seed, based on his finish in last week's NSW stroke-play championship, was beaten 3 and 2 by Australian Gavin Fairfax, the No 24 season.
The Australian was two up after nine and 18 holes and three up after 27 but Fotheringham rallied over the last nine holes and got back to only one down before losing the 33rd and 34th holes.
McEwan lost by 6 and 4 to the No 3 seed, Tim Stewart, the Australian amateur champion. Stewart was two up after nine, four up after 18 and three up after 27 holes.
The only two English players to get through to the last 16 were Gary Wolstenholme, seeded No. 5, and Matthew Cryer, seeded No 20.
Wolstenholme won by 6 and 5 over Kyu-Ha Sim (Australia) while Cryer won at the 37th against Do Kim (Australia).
Top seed Stephen Lewton (Woburn), winner of the NSW stroke-play title, was surprisingly beaten 3 and 2 by the last of the 32 qualifiers, Australian Alex Edge.
England's Jason Palmer was beaten by 2 holes by Daniel Jones (Australia) and compatriot David Horsey, the seventh seed, lost by one hole to Danny An (Australia).
Play was twice halted due to thunder and lightning storms.

GORDON MACDONALD

RETAINS SPANISH
SENIORS TITLE

AT LA MANGA

Gordon MacDonald (Callander) has retained the Spanish senior men’s international amateur championship at La Manga Golf Resort. He had rounds of 78, 74 and 74 for a 54-hole total of 226 to head a field of 120 over-55s (handicap cut-off 4.7) from all over Europe.

He is pictured right after being presented with the trophy for the second year in a row.
Gordon, the 2005 Scottish senior men’s champion, holed a 12ft birdie putt on the very last green to avoid a play-off and win by one shot from Irishman Maurice Kelly with Englishman David Lane third on 228.
Another Scot, Donald McCart, shared the first round lead on 75 but dropped out of the title hunt with a second-round 83.
MacDonald took closer order with rounds of 78 and 74 to be lying second on 152, one shot behind Francesco Guirardi (Italy) with one round to play.
The Italian subsided to a final round of 82 while Gordon closed with a 74 for a memorable victory.
Royal Aberdeen’s John Johnston, another member of the Scotland team who won the senior men’s home internationals title at Dunbar last autumn, finished in joint 13th position on 235.
Conditions were quite difficult with a wind, sometimes hot, sometimes cold. Course had fair amount of water hazards and the greens were difficult to read.

But, a good time was had by all - especially Gordon MacDonald, champion for another year!
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
226 G K MacDonald (Sco) 78 74 74.
227 M Kelly (Ire) 78 75 74.
228 D Lane (Eng) 78 76 74.
229 M Preysler (Spa) 78 78 73, H Smyth (Ire) 77 82 70, B Griffiths (Wal) 75 78 76.
239 G Vigna (Ita) 77 76 77.
232 P Hildebrand (Swe) 79 78 75.
233 N De Brito (Spa) 79 80 74, F Guirardi (Ita) 75 76 82.
Other totals:
234 D Longmuir (Eng) 81 77 76 (jt 11th).
235 J W Johnston (Sco) 81 78 76 (jt 13th).
237 G Steel (Sco) 77 81 79 (jt 17th).
238 D McCart (Sco) 75 83 80 (jt 20th).
239 L Wallace (Sco) 80 80 79 (jt 26th).
240 B Brown (Sco) 79 83 78 (jt 29th).
241 A Ferguson (Sco) 83 84 74 (jt 34th).
243 R Gill (Sco) 79 83 81 (jt 39th).
244 J Kinloch (Sco) 85 78 81 (jt 42nd).
245 D Millar (Sco) 83 82 80 (jt 46th).
246 A K Pirie (Sco) 78 84 83 (jt 51st).
253 B Edgar (Sco) 83 84 88 (jt 61st).

24 Weeks in pole position come to an end for Aberdonian

RAMSAY LOSES WORLD NO 1
RANKING TO 17-year-old

BELFAST BOY McILORY
US amateur championship title-holder Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) has finally been knocked off his pedestal after 24 weeks at No 1 in the R&A world amateur rankings.
The 23-year-old Stirling University student from Aberdeen has paid a high price for retiring with a painful hip after 14 holes of the second round of the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island, Georgia.
The new world No 1 is Rory McIlroy, pictured right, from the Holywood club near Belfast.

The youngster finished a very creditable three-under-par for the 72 holes, gaining a share of 52nd place in the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

McIlroy, Irish amateur champion in 2005 and 2006, won the European individual amateur title in Milan last year. He turned down umpteen offers from American colleges because he wants to turn professional sooner rather than later, i.e. after the Walker Cup match on home turf (Royal County Down) on September 8 and 9, taking it for granted, of course, that he will be a member of the GB&I team to play the United States.
Former British boys' champion Pablo Martin from Spain, a student at Oklahoma State University - he did not play in the Jones Cup Invitational - moves up from fourth to second in the world rankings.
Ramsay is No 3 and England's Jamie Moul drops from No 4 to No 2.

One of the biggest "climbers" is Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll who finished joint 19th in the Jones Cup Invitational. He moves up the rankings from 103rd to 81st position.

Other Scots in the top 100 are:
40 Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) (down 3).
53 (equal) Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) (down 8).
64 Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan & Mississippi Univ) (same).
66 John Gallagher (Swanston) (down 3).
77 Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey & Jacksonville Univ) (down 2).
81 Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) (up 22).
97 Jonathan King (Glasgow) (down 5).

The new top 20 are:
1 R McIlroy (Ire), 2 P Martin (Spa), 3 R Ramsay (Sco), 4 J Moul (Eng), 5 Kyung Tae Kim (Kor), 6 C Kirk (US), 7 R Davies (Wal), 8 B Horschel (US), 9 W Simpson (US), 10 N Edwards (Wal).
11 G Wolstenholme (Eng), 12 B LaCassie (Aus), 13 J Moore (US), 14 S Benson (Eng), 15 J Guerrier (Fra), 16 G Coetzee (SAf), 17 G Woodland (US), 18 J Carlsson (Swe), 19 N Lemke (Swe), 20 D Johnson (US).

++To see all the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, log on to http://www.wagr.randa.org/

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

The Way We Were: June 1954 issue of "Golf Monthly" (1/6)

BERNARD DARWIN, LEGENDARY GOLF WRITER
WHO BECAME CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL
AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB

Click on the above page from the June 1954 issue of "Golf Monthly" (costing only one shilling and sixpence, 7 1/2p new pence) to read more clearly the cartoon-style artistry of "Mel" to mark the dinner in honour of Bernard Darwin at the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Grocers - what a super title! - in the City of London, presumably a month or two earlier that year, writes Colin Farquharson.

So who was Bernard Darwin (pictured top right)? Just about the most famous, certainly the first professional golf writer. But Bernard (nowadays he would have been knighted) was more than a golf writer. He was captain of the R&A, for instance in 1934. I cannot think of any other golf writer to have achieved that lofty position in golf.

Bernard, born on September 7, 1876, was still writing for "Golf Monthly" in the 1950s. He died on October 18, 1961.

GRANDSON OF NATURALIST CHARLES DARWIN

Here are some notes from "Wikipedia," the free Internet encyclopedia:

Bernard Darwin was the son of Francis Darwin and Amy Ruck.

His mother died from a fever only four days after his birth.
Bernard was the first grandson of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, the man who said after studying evolution in nature that we are all descended from apes rather than Adam and Eve.

Bernard was brought up by Charles and his wife Emma. His younger half-sister was a poet, Frances Cornford.
Darwin was educated at Eton and Cambridge University where he was a Cambridge Blue in golf 1895-97 and captain in his final year.
He married the engraver Elinor Monsell in 1906. Their children were Sir Robert Vere Darwin and Ursula Mommens.

FIRST GOLF WRITER ON A DAILY BASIS
After Cambridge, Darwin became a court lawyer.He covered golf for "The Times" from 1907 to 1953 and for "Country Life" from 1907 to 1961. He was also still a regular contributor to the pages of "Golf Monthly" through the 1950s.

Bernard Darwin was the first writer ever to cover golf on a daily basis, instead of an occasional feature. He was Captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in 1934.

In 1938 Bernard, alongwith Percy Huggins, Frank Moran, Henry Longhurst and others, were founder members of the Association of Golf Writers. Darwin became president of the AGW, probably the first before Moran and Huggins.
A Commander of the British Empire, Bernard was elected to the World Golf Hall of Game in 2005, some 44 years after his death.

Laurence Viney also wrote a very nice piece on the life of Bernard Darwin.

Here is part of it:

There has been no finer writer on the game of golf than Bernard Darwin, who was the grandson of Charles Darwin, author of the Origin of Species, the great work on evolution which challenged all earlier theories on the subject.

Bernard Darwin had a conventional up-bringing of the sons of successful men, being educated at Eton college and Cambridge University, where he gained his golf blue 1895-97, being Captain in his last year.

After Cambridge he was a court lawyer in London for a few years. He was not happy in his work and soon began to write about his first love, the game of golf.
Over the years he became acknowledged as one of the best essayists in Britain and the first man to describe golf in immaculate prose, often with touches of humour. His weekly articles in the London Times revealed a prodigious memory for literature in general and great appreciation of all aspects of golf.

He would quote an apt passage from Charles Dickens, of whom he was a leading authority, both in articles and reports of tournaments and matches. Such was his wide horizon, he was later to be the Editor of the renowned Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. His articles were enjoyed by nearly as many non-golfers as players of the game.
No mean player himself, he reached the semi-finals of the British Amateur Championship in 1909 and 1922 and won numerous amateur tournaments. He played in the first Walker Cup match at the National, Long Island, New York in 1922. Accompanying the team as Times correspondent, Darwin took took the place of the team captain, Robert Harris, who fell ill, both as player and skipper.

"OUR GOLF CORRESPONDENT"

Partnering Cyril Tolley in the 36-hole foursomes, they were heavily defeated by Francis Ouimet and Jesse Guilford, but Darwin was one of three GB&I team winners in the singles, beating W.C. Fownes, jun., the US captain, by 3 and 1.
Darwin was golf correspondent of "The Times" for 46 years from 1907. Always writing anonymously as "Our Golf Correspondent", it was not until some years after he retired that the paper began to name its writers.

Yet Bernard was so well-known that many readers were aware of his identity. His mellifluous style was easily recognised. Indeed when the Editor required a report of an event of special interest or a light-hearted leader column, Darwin was often invited to produce it.
He wrote many books, mostly about golf, some of them collections of his articles in the "The Times" and "Country Life," a sporting magazine for which he contributed a weekly golf article for over 50 years.

No man has left a greater literary legacy to golf. Very few have approached his standard; perhaps Herbert Warren Wind and Henry Longhurst have come closest to it. Some of Darwin's earlier works are collectors' pieces, selling for more than $1000 each in the market. Fortunate is the man who has a complete set of his works.
It was not only in golf literature that he was prominent. At the Royal and Ancient he was Chairman of the Rules of Golf Committee and in 1934 Captain of the Club. He was a member or honorary member of numerous well-known clubs, of which his favourites were St Andrews, Hoylake, Rye, Woking and Aberdovey in Wales, where he regularly spent his summer holiday.

His writing style was the envy of other correspondents. In the torrid atmosphere of the press tent or the chatter of a clubhouse he could run off a report in rapid time without hesitation and with seldom a word altered (by the sub-editor).

Bernard would not relate any part of a tournament which he had not witnessed himself: if he did, it was always "a kind friend told me that ..." He seemed to have a sixth sense which ensured he was at the right place at the crucial moment.
Golfing history he revered, as he did famous players and events; indeed he took part in some himself. His only other visit to the USA was in 1913 when he actually marked the card of Francis Ouimet when he beat Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the famous US Open play-off at The Country Club, Brookline. The framed card with his signature is to be seen there today.

PARTNERED BY "AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN"

Darwin was always modest about himself when he had to report one of his successes. Typical is his passage about the Worplesdon Mixed Foursomes in his "Golf Between Two Wars."

It was a top-class event in those days, which Joyce Wethered, the greatest lady golfer of her time, was in the winning pair on eight occasions with seven different partners. Darwin lists six of them and describes the seventh as "an elderly gentleman whose name for the moment escapes me".

Bernard Darwin had won the event playing with her in 1933 when he was 57.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

FOUR AUSSIES BOOK THEIR PLACES
IN OPEN FIELD AT CARNOUSTIE

Sydney’s Ewan Porter played the round of his life while veteran professional Peter Fowler at last came to terms with The Lakes to be the first two of four players to make it through the Australasian leg of International Final Qualifying for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in July.
The competition for the remaining two spots was much more tense with Scott Laycock making a birdie at the first hole of sudden-death to take the third spot. That left Victorian Ben Bunny and Canberra’s Chris Campbell to tussle for the fourth and final spot.
And when Bunny played a delightful lob wedge to less than a foot on the second play-off hole for a tap-in birdie, Campbell was unable to match that effort and set off on the long trudge back to the clubhouse. So it is Porter, Fowler, Laycock and Bunny, who can pack their bags for the Open Championship in July.
For Fowler it will be his 11th Open championshp.
QUALIFIERS FOR CARNOUSTIE
135 Ewan Porter 66 69.
138 Peter Fowler 74 64.
141 Ben Bunny 71 70, Scott Laycock 68 73 (beaten in play-off: Chris Campbell 71 70).

MONTROSE LINKS GREENS FROZEN
- NE ALLIANCE CANCELLED

Wednesday's North-east Golfers' Alliance competition at Montrose Links has been cancelled because of frozen greens.
There is no snow on the Montrose Links but the course was closed today because of the frozen putting surfaces.
With several degrees of frost forecast for tonight, the decision was taken to cancel the Alliance to save members making a wasted journey.
The next meeting is at Deeside on Wednesday, February 14.

CLARKE DROPS OUT
OF WORLD
RANKINGS' TOP 50
IN TEN-YEAR LOW

Darren Clarke, pictured left, perhaps not surprisingly, has dropped out of the top 50 world men's professional rankings for the first time since the 1990s.
The Ulsterman, now 38, finished 20th in the Dubai Desert Classic. That dropped him from 47th to 51st in the global ratings.
No comparatively young man could lose his wife to cancer and stay focused on his profession even though he did summon up a great performance in the Ryder Cup on his home turf.
In the golfing world of "Going Up/Going Down," the Dubai victor, Sweden's Henrik Stenson has forced himself into the top 10 for the first time in his career at the age of 30. Another Ryder Cup hero, Henrik was 14th before Dubai and is now No 10 in the world.
And yet it's not so long ago - 2002 to be precise, that Stenson could hardly hit his hat and plummeted to 176th in the European Order of Merit.
But, after also playing a key part in Europe's Ryder Cup success, the 30-year-old has now jumped up from 14th to 10th in the world.
England's Luke Donald is still the top European in the world rankings at eighth spot, just ahead of Irishman Padraig Harrington.

The world's top 20 are:

1 Tiger Woods (US).

2 Jim Furyk (US).

3 Adam Scott (Aus).

4 Ernie Els (SAf).

5 Retief Goosen (SAf).

6 Phil Mickelson (US).

7 Vijay Singh (Fiji).

8 Luke Donald (Eng).
9 Padraig Harrington (Ire).

10 Henrik Stenson (Swe).

11 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus).

12 Sergio Garcia (Spa).

13 Trevor Immelman (SAf).

14 Paul Casey (Eng).

15 David Howell (Eng).

16 Nick O'Hern (Aus).

17 Davis Love (US).

18 David Toms (US).

19 Colin Mongomerie (Sco).

20 Chris DiMarco (US).

Other Scottish rankings in the top 500 include:

132 Gary Orr.

133 Marc Warren.

192 Paul Lawrie.

250 David Drysdale.

275 Stephen Gallagher.

334 Andrew Coltart.

349 Alastair Forsyth.

351 Simon Yates.

451 Barry Hume.

487 Steven O'Hara.

492 Alan McLean.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview

THAI BOY WINS FROM

BEN EVANS IN FALDO

SERIES ASIA FINAL

Thailander Nakarin Ratanakul, 18, forged clear of the field with a final round of five-under-par 67 to win the Nick Faldo Series Asia Grand Final by six strokes with a 10-under-par total of 206 over the 54 holes at Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China today.
Ben Evans from Rye, Sussex was runner-up and won the Under-21 boys’ award with a closing 70 for 212.
Also on 212 was 14-year-old Taiwanese girl Hsieh Yu Ling who led the combined field after two rounds. She finished with a 75 for 212 and won the girls’ Under-18 title.
“The boys hit the ball too far for me to compete with them,” she said with a smile.
They certainly have some outstanding young golf prospects on Taiwan. The third boy, Chien Yao Hung, who totalled 216 is only 14 years of age.

*Picture shows Dr David Chu, chairman of Mission Hills Group, winner Nakarin Ratanakul and Nick Faldo at the presentation ceremony.

LEADING TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 Nakarin Ratanakul (Thai) 67 72 67.
212 Ben Evans (Eng) 70 72 70, Hseih Yu Ling (Tai) 68 69 75 (girl).
216 Chien Yao Hung (Tai) 66 67 72.
217 Ainil Lahiri (Mal) 71 75 71 (girl), T G Huang (Tai) 73 75 69.
Other scores:
220 Eddie Pepperell (Eng) 72 75 73.
221 Darren Renwick (Eng) 75 74 72.
224 Jack Hiluta (Eng) 77 72 75.
239 Simon Doherty (Ire) 78 80 81.

JONES CUP REASONS TO BE
CHEERFUL, says COACH RAE

Scottish Golf Union national coach Ian Rae, pictured right, who made the trip to the United States with the Scots involved, says there are many reasons to be cheerful following the Jones Cup Invitational over 54 holes on Sea Island, Georgia at the weekend.
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan & Mississippi University) and Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) all finished in the top 20 in a quality field of prospective Walker Cup team selections from both sides of the Atlantic, as well as some foreign players who are currently attending American colleges.
Macaulay, the West of Scotland open amateur champion, was not a member of the Scotland team who successfully defended the home internationals title last autumn but he has staked an early claim for a place in the smaller squad for the European team championship at Western Gailes in early July.
"This was a really good start to the season. The Jones Cup is a great tournament and has provided the boys with really valuable competition experience. There is plenty they can take away from this event and will help them as they prepare for the next few events," said Ian Rae.
Scotland's No 1 ranked player, Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen & Stirling University), had to retire during the second round because the very low temperatures that day made a hip complaint he has been nursing too painful to play on.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross) managed to complete all three rounds although he suffered from a sickness bug.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

Perthshire 14-year-old runner-up in international event

BOGEY MAN COMES

BACK TO HAUNT
CARLY IN FLORIDA

JUNIOR CLASSIC

A double bogey 6 as early as the third hole ultimately cost Carly Booth, the 14-year-old top golf prospect from Perthshire, victory over an international field in the Mission Inn Junior Classic over the Las Colinas course at Howey-in-the-Hills near Orlando, Florida (at the weekend). Carly, a golf scholarship student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, had rounds of 72 and 72 for a four-over-par total of 144.
She finished runner-up, pipped by one stroke, by Doris Chen from Taiwan. Doris scored 71 and 72 for 143.
Carly's early double-bogey 6 came back to haunt her even though she thought she had more than cancelled it out with a birdie 2 at the short 12th followed by an eagle 3 at the 425yd 13th for an inward half of 33 in her first round.
But Miss Booth, a Junior Ryder Cup player from Comrie, could manage only one birdie in her second round and bogeyed the second, 14th and 15th for halves of 35-37 and a 72.

LEADING TOTALS
Par 140 (2 x 70)
143 Doris Chien (Taiwan) 71 72.
144 Carly Booth (Scotland) 72 72.
145 Annie Park (New York) 73 72, Laetitia Beck (Israel) 72 73.
147 Giulia Molinaro (Italy) 74 73.
148 Chelsea Czinski (California) 77 71, Christina Miller (Florida) 74 74.

ABERDEEN & DISTRICT JUNIOR PENNANT
LEAGUE FIXTURES FOR 2007

FIRST TEE-OFF TIME: 12 NOON. Six tee-off times per match

APRIL 29
Section A – Hazlehead v Oldmeldrum, Inchmarlo v Alford, Newmachar v Peterculter.
Section A – Auchmill v Cruden Bay, Peterhead v Murcar, Royal Aberdeen v Northern.
Section C – Caledonian v Portlethen, Deeside v Stonehaven, Kintore v Ellon.
Section D - Aboyne v Nigg Bay, Banchory v Craibstone, Westhill v Inverurie.
MAY 6
Section A – Alford v Kemnay, Oldmeldrum v Newmachar, Peterculter v Inchmarlo.
Section B – Cruden Bay v Murcar, Northern v Auchmill, Peterhead v Royal Aberdeen.
Section C – McDonald Ellon v Caledonian, Portlethen v Deeside, Stonehaven v Kintore.
Section D – Craibstone v Newburgh, Inverurie v Aboyne, Nigg Bay v Banchory.
MAY 13
Section A – Alford v Peterculter, Hazlehead v Newmachar, Inchmarlo v Kemnay.
Section B – Auchmill v Peterhead, Murcar v Northern, Royal Aberdeen v Cruden Bay.
Section C – Caledonian v Stonehaven, Deeside v McDonald Ellon, Kintore v Portlethen.
Section D – Aboyne v Westhill, Newburgh v Banchory, Nigg Bay v Craibstone.
MAY 20
Section A – Hazlehead v Peterculter, Kemnay v Oldmeldrum, Newmachar v Alford.
Section B – Murcar v Royal Aberdeen, Northern v Cruden Bay.
Section C - Kintore v Caledonian, Stonehaven v McDonald Ellon.
Section D – Craibstone v Aboyne, Newburgh v Inverurie, Westhill v Nigg Bay.
MAY 27
Section A – Inchmarlo v Hazlehead, Kemnay v Newmachar, Oldmeldrum v Alford.
Section B – Auchmill v Murcar, Cruden Bay v Peterhead.
Section C – Caledonian v Deeside, McDonald Ellon v Portlethen.
Section D – Aboyne v Newburgh, Inverurie v Craibstone, Westhill v Banchory.
JUNE 10
Section A – Alford v Hazlehead, Oldmeldrum v Inchmarlo, Peterculter v Kemnay.
Section D – Banchory v Inverurie, Craibstone v Westhill, Nigg Bay v Newburgh.
JUNE 17
Section A – Kemnay v Hazlehead, Newmachar v Inchmarlo, Peterculter v Oldmeldrum.
Section B – Northern v Peterhead, Royal Aberdeen v Auchmill.
Section C- Deeside v Kintore, Portlethen v Stonehaven.
Section D- Banchory v Aboyne, Inverurie v Nigg Bay, Newburgh v Westhill.
JULY 15
Semi-finals: League winners to meet at neutral venues (to be drawn).
JULY 29
Final at McDonald Ellon.

The Clubhouse will tee off in May at Fountainbridge

EDINBURGH TO HOST
SCOTLAND’S FIRST
INDOOR GOLF CENTRE

Scotland’s first indoor golf centre, The Clubhouse, will open in May and will be located at Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge.
Golfers of all abilities from beginners to scratch will have the opportunity to play over 50 of the world’s best courses on six, state of the art, Full Swing Golf simulators. The contemporary setting also includes a bar, restaurant and a putting green.
The Clubhouse is the brainchild of Scots businessmen Andy Murray, Stephen McKenzie and Charlie Simpson. With assistance from Lloyds TSB Scotland, the group has invested round £1million in the venture, which has taken around 18 months to come to fruition.
WORLD LEADER IN GOLF SIMULATION
Andy Murray, said: ‘The company which developed the simulators, Full Swing Golf, is the world leader in golf simulation. The simulators are so good that they are used by the USPGA for training and clubfitting. They are completely accurate and above all, great fun to play!
"Combine that with the latest TaylorMade clubs and balls and our guests at The Clubhouse will have a high quality experience playing Pebble Beach, The Old Course, Valderrama and many more – they get to choose. Of course, the added advantage of being indoors means that golfers can play or practice at any time and in any weather conditions – an obvious bonus in Scotland!!"
BALL TRACKING SYSTEM
Every shot is played in the simulator, from driving off the tee to hitting irons, to putting out once on the green. The ball tracking system allows golfers to play their shots from anywhere in the simulator enabling the use of simulated rough and sand areas to make the game even more realistic. Without the usual dress code restrictions and handicap requirements, the team is expecting to attract golfers of all abilities.
After much consideration, Edinburgh Quay became the preferred location due to its design, location and proximity to Edinburgh’s thriving business district.
Stephen MacKenzie said: ‘We are very excited about opening our first venue in Scotland and already have considerable interest including a number of advanced group bookings. Our design team, 442 design, has come up with a great contemporary setting in which to play golf. In addition we have located potential sites beyond Edinburgh for our second and third venues.
BAR & RESTAURANT OPEN EVERY DAY
Simulators can be booked by the hour and a range of venue hire options will be available. The bar & restaurant will be open seven days a week for golfers and non-golfers. There will also be small, exclusive, retail area offering quality golf equipment.
The Clubhouse will be open for players from May and fees will start around £30 for an hours’ play for up to 4 players.
For further information please visit http://www.edinburghclubhouse.co.uk/.
DETAILS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW:

1. The Clubhouse opening hours will be: 10am to 11pm, 7 days a week
2. The bar will be supplied by Scottish & Newcastle and Alliance Wines
3. Lunch will be served in the restaurant between 12pm and 3pm, and an all day menu will available from 12pm until 9pm.
4. The menu will feature a range of plates to share and classic favourites such as steak sandwich and home made chips
5. About the partners – all of whom are golf lovers:
· Andy Murray has a background in corporate HR.
· Stephen Mackenzie has a hospitality background
· Charlie Simpson previously worked on European Tour for Wilson.
6. Full Swing Simulators – The Full Swing Golf simulators are the best and most used around the world. Using a proprietary ball tracking system the ball flight is totally accurate and reflects the shot played – hooks, slices and all.
7. The Clubhouse – facts :
Play over 50 of the world’s top courses
Play day or night, whatever the weather
Several play formats – strokeplay, matchplay, etc.
Putting green for practice and PGA tuition
PGA tuition on simulator – using video swing analysis
Club fitting service
Play using the latest Taylor Made R7 clubs and balls
Shot analysis with each shot
Exclusive Peak Performance golf apparel available for purchase
TaylorMade clubs for sale and demo days
Drinks and food served to players at their simulator as they play
Bar and restaurant open to non-golfers for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Range of venue hire options available
Ideal for corporate entertainment from 4 to 250 people
Tailored menu and drinks packages available
Corporate merchandising available
Online gaming – compete against your office in New York or London.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview

FOTHERINGHAM JT 8TH IN
NEW SOUTH WALES -McEWAN
ALSO MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIER

Bryan Fotheringham (pictured right) from Forres and Steven McEwan (Barassie) finished joint eighth and 30th respectively in the New South Wales amateur stroke-play golf championship at Mona Vale Golf Club.
Both made it through to the New South Wales match-play championship at Terrey Hill, starting on Wednesday, as finishers in the top 32.
Fotheringham had scores of 71, 72, 69 and 72 for a two-under-par total of 284.
McEwan had rounds of 74, 74, 75 and 72 for 295.
The stroke-play championship was won by England’s Stephen Lewton (Woburn), a former North Carolina State University player on the American circuit.
The final two rounds of the 72-hole event were played today and Lewton virtually “stole” the title from the top Australians with a morning third-round 64 on his way to an 11-under-par total of 275.
He won by one shot from New South Wales player Rohan Blizard with the current Aussie champion Tim Stewart third on 279.
Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) finish fifth on 281 and England team-mate David Horsey (Styal) joint sixth on 282.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 286
275 S Lewton (Eng) 69 71 64 71.
276 R Blizard (Aus) 66 70 68 72.
279 T Stewart (Aus) 65 70 69 75.
280 M Raseta (Aus) 77 69 66 68.
281 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 72 69 74 66.
Other scores:
282 D Horsey (Eng) 68 70 75 69 (jt 6th).
284 B Fotheringham (Sco) 71 72 69 72 (jt 8th).
289 J Palmer (Eng) 75 72 69 73 (jt 14th).
291 M Cryer (Eng) 78 68 72 73 (jt 18th).
295 S McEwan (Sco) 74 74 75 72 (jt 30th).

PETER THOMSON INVOLVED IN
NEW UAE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the international golf course architecture practice founded by five times Open champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has been appointed by HOK, global leaders in innovation for the built environment, to create a championship golf course, Ain Al Emarat, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 18-hole golf course will be part of a new community in the desert on the outskirts of Al Ain, the UAE’s largest inland city and the second city of
the Abu Dhabi Emirate, designed by the pioneering sustainable architectural practice HOK.
The settlement will be home to 120,000 people with facilities including a 40,000-seat sports stadium, leisure complex, business district and housing.
It will be a major suburb for the oasis city of Al Ain, known as The Garden City of the Gulf, and will feature an innovative 7km canal system integrated into both the residential community and golf course.
Announcing the news at Golf