Scottish Golf View - Golf News from Scotland

All the scores from Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:30:00 +0000

US PGA Tour Scoreboard
TRANSITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
Innisbrook, Tampa Bay, Florida
FIRST ROUND
Par 71
Garrett Willis 65
Jonathan Byrd 67
Retief Goosen 67
Jeff Maggert 67
Rickie Fowler 67
Carl Pettersson 67
Jim Furyk 67
Jeff Quinney 68
J.B. Holmes 68
Steve Elkington 68
Ross Fisher (England) 68
Alex Cejka 69
Brandt Snedeker 69
John Senden 69
Stephen Ames 69
Lucas Glover 69
Spencer Levin 69
Josh Teater 69
Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 69
K.J. Choi 69
Brett Quigley 70
Nicholas Thompson 70
D.A. Points 70
Mathew Goggin 70
Charlie Wi 70
Ricky Barnes 70
Steve Stricker 70
Bill Haas 70
Brad Faxon 70
Martin Laird (Scotland) 70
Steve Flesch 70
Trevor Immelman 70
Jason Dufner 70
Jimmy Walker 70
Brian Stuard 70
Roland Thatcher 70
John Daly 70
Jerry Kelly 70
Steve Lowery 70
Fred Funk 70
Bubba Watson 70
Brian Davis (England) 71
Boo Weekley 71
Ryan Moore 71
Tom Lehman 71
Scott McCarron 71
James Nitties 71
Matt Jones 71
Matt Every 71
Luke Donald (England) 71
Kenny Perry 71
Brian Gay 71
Justin Leonard 71
Chris DiMarco 71
Joe Ogilvie 71
Ted Purdy 72
Tim Petrovic 72
George McNeill 72
Johnson Wagner 72
Sean O'Hair 72
Daniel Chopra 72
Aaron Baddeley 72
Lee Janzen 72
Charles Howell III 72
Matt Bettencourt 72
Corey Pavin 72
Nick O'Hern 72
Bob Estes 72
Kevin Na 72
Brendon de Jonge 72
J.J. Henry 72
J.P. Hayes 72
James Driscoll 72
Bo Van Pelt 72
Dustin Johnson 72
Greg Chalmers 72
David Duval 72
Briny Baird 72
Jason Day 72
Kris Blanks 72
Jeff Klauk 73
Nathan Green 73
Derek Lamely 73
Ian Poulter (England) 73
Sergio Garcia 73
Parker McLachlin 73
Heath Slocum 73
Scott Piercy 73
Justin Rose (England) 73
Webb Simpson 72
Tim Wilkinson 73
Rod Pampling 73
Kevin Sutherland 73
Nick Watney 73
John Rollins 73
Geoff Ogilvy 73
Zach Johnson 73
Adam Scott 73
Richard S. Johnson 73
Will MacKenzie 73
Troy Merritt 73
Greg Owen (England) 73
Bob Heintz 73
Chad Collins 73
Rory Sabbatini 73
Mark Wilson 74
Blake Adams 74
Yuta Ikeda 74
Chez Reavie 74
Omar Uresti 74
Stuart Appleby 74
David Toms 74
Troy Matteson 74
Andres Romero 74
Brett Wetterich 74
Jeev Milkha Singh 74
Rod Perry 74
Ty Harris 74
Tom Gillis 74
Bryce Molder 74
Jason Bohn 75
Greg Kraft 75
Pat Perez 75
Vaughn Taylor 75
Michael Letzig 75
Ben Bates 75
Woody Austin 75
Rocco Mediate 75
Paul Goydos 75
Cameron Beckman 75
Chris Couch 75
John Huston 75
Jeff Overton 75
Ryan Armour 75
Bill Lunde 76
Robert Karlsson 76
Michael Bradley 77
Rich Beem 77
Chris Stroud 78
Stewart Cink 78
Alex Prugh 78
Patrick Moore 80
Steve Wheatcroft 81
Ryo Ishikawa 83

SALTMAN BROTHERS' NOTABLE SUCCESS

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:27:00 +0000

First Lloyd, then Elliot wins on Spanish Tour

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR
Scotland's Elliot Saltman closed out the win at the Hi5 pro Tour Condado Open by five shots today with a two-over-par aggregate of 218 (72-73-73) in Murcia, south-east Spain.
How often, on any tour, do brothers score back-to-back victories? Probably never. But it has happened over the past two weeks on the Hi5 Pro Tour. Last week Lloyd, the middle one of the three Saltman siblings, won easily in the Condado Open. This week it was Elliot who triumphed, equally easily on the Nicklaus-signature designed Condado course.
Elliot, the oldest of the Lothians brothers, who are all sponsored by Aegon, showed his calm by playing the back nine in two under par to close out the title with a commanding lead.
In second place tied were Andreas Saltberg (Sweden) , Brad Clapp (Canada) , Michael Collins (Ireland) and Frederick Hamarberg of Sweden.
Gary Wolstenholme, arguably the most distinguished English male amateur golfer of the last two decades. won the seniors championship by converting a birdie on the second extra play off hole over countryman Stephen Shields.
The Hi5 Pro Tour marches on to the “Club De Golf Altorreal” one of the oldest Clubs established in Spain based in the region of Murcia. Surely the Saltmans can't make it three in a row? Watch this space.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
218 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 72 73 73.
223 Andreas Hogberg (Sweden) 75 77 71, Michael Collins (Ireland) 71 75 77, Brad Clap (Canada) 75 73 75, Fredrik Hammarberg (Sweden) 72 75 76.
225 Gary Wolstenholme (England) 73 76 76, Stephen Shields (England) 78 67 80.
226 Lasse Sonne Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur) 78 77 71, James Housby (England) 74 74 78, Felix Fihn (Sweden) 77 71 78.
227 Martyn Hamer (England) 74 76 77, Pablo del Grosso (Spain) 77 71 79, Ruaidhri McGee (Ireland) 75 79 73.
229 Bjorn Pettersson (Sweden) 78 76 75, Ignacio Sanchez Palencia (Spain) 79 72 78, Gary King (England) 76 79 74, James Johnson (England) 74 78 77.
230 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 77 81 72, Richard Carter (England) (amateur) 78 78 74, Stefan Stefansson (Sweden) 77 78 75.
233 Patric O'Neil (amateur) 73 87 73.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:13:00 +0000

EUROPEAN MEN'S NATIONS CUP
Real Golf Club, Sotogrande, Costa del Sol, Spain
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Best three from scores count
417 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY 70
HAINES, MATT 69 69 138
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68 71 139
LEWIS, TOM 70
426 GERMANY
KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN 71
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER 71 71 142
JOHN, ALLEN ALEMANIA 69
ROEHRIG, MAXIMILIAN 73 71 144
427 DENMARK
HANSEN, JOACHIM BRANDT 77 69 146
LOKKE, DANIEL 67 72 139
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71
HARTOE, ANDREAS 71
433 AUSTRIA
NEMECZ, LUCAS 70 68 138
MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ 73
GOGER, ROBIN 72
NEMECZ, TOBIAS 74 76 150
435 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72
FRAZER, JAMES 72 71 143
PUGH, RHYS 73 74 147
VICKERY, JOE GALES 73
435 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT 74
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73 67 140
WATTEL, ROMAIN 76 73 149
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72
438 FINLAND
SAMOOJA, KALLE 75 72 147
PULKKANEEN, TAPIO 70
SATAMA, HENRI 74 73 147
VEIJALAINEN, MIRO 74
438 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70 73 143
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO ITALIA
MANASSERO, MATTEO ITALIA 75 69 144
MOTTA, LEONARDO ITALIA 75 76 151
439 SWEDEN
CARLSSON, NICLAS 75
KOKOCINSKI, ROBIN 68
FLATAU, VICTOR 76 73 149
LAGERGREN, JOAKIM 74 73 147
440 SPAIN
SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO 72
PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS 75 76 151
CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO 74
HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO 70 73 143
440 HOLLAND
KRAAIJ, MICHAEL 76 73 149
KIND, ROBIN 72 71 143
BOSHART, DYLAN
HUIZING, DAAN 77 71 148
442 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73 73 146
DUNBAR, ALAN 71
MURRAY, PAT 73
LERNIHAN, DARA 76 76 152
446 BELGIUM
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER 75 71 146
PIETERS, THOMAS 75 74 149
13 DETRY, THOMAS 76
RICHELLE, JULIEN 75
447 SCOTLAND
KELLETT, ROSS 72 72 144
WHITE, JAMES 75 78 153
McLEAN, PHILIP 79
LAW, DAVID 71
450 PORTUGAL
JOIA, JOSE MARIA 77 70 147
GASPAR, MIGUEL 74
SILVA, TOMAS 79 74 153
RODRIGUES, TIAGO 76
453 NORWAY
BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS 77 74 151
RAMSNES, OLE
OLSEN, AKSEL 76 75 151
GUNDROSEN, MAGNUS 76 75 151
464 CZECH REPUBLIC
ONDREJ, LIESER 82 76 158
KORDA, JIRI 76
POSPISIL, MICHAL 79 72 151
PROCHAZKA, DAVID 79
485 SLOVENIA
VIDMAR, JAKA
STANIC, MARTIN 73 78 151
ZIGA, AVSEC 84 81 165
GREGORINCIC, GRECA 83 86 169

EUROPEAN TOUR IN MOROCCO

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:36:00 +0000

In the Nick of Time, Dougherty comes good ...

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Nick Dougherty, desperate to ride of wave of English success in golf lately, did his battered confidence the world of good with an opening seven under par 66 at the Hassan Trophy in Morocco today.
Home in 30 with an eagle and five birdies, the 27-year-old from Liverpool took a one-stroke lead over Ireland's Peter Lawrie, Scot Stephen Gallacher, Italian Francesco Molinari, India's SSP Chowrasia and South Americans Ricardo Gonzalez and Fabrizio Zanotti.
"I've been struggling so much I'm just trying to build some confidence and hit as many good shots as I can," said the three-time European Tour winner who has dropped to 120th on the rankings from a high of 46th two years ago.
==============================
Links to more golf news
Goosen expects fans to respect Woods
Olazabal to miss Masters
Monty welcomes Woods return
Rose hoping to blossom in Florida
==============================
"Thomas Bjorn gave me quite a bit of help yesterday on the range, which meant the world to me obviously, but it's a work in progress.
"Anything under par I would have been happy with, so I was delighted with that. I think seven under is a really, really good score round there.
"I putted fabulous and I'm delighted with my short game in general, but it's the long game that's concerning me. I've been battling with that for a long time now."
Breaking his driver on the eve of the event did not hold Lawrie back.
"The head of the driver came loose during practice. I have a spare, but I'm just not not 100% confident with it," said the former Rookie of the Year, whose only European Tour win came in the 2008 Spanish Open.
"The three-wood's going well, but the driver will have to come out somewhere."
TROPHEE HASSAN II SCOREBOARD
Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco.
At Blue Course (Par: 72)
66 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Stephen Gallacher, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Peter Lawrie
67 Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Shiv Kapur (Ind), Alejandro Canizares (Spa), David Horsey, Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Sam Little
68 Niclas Fasth (Swe), Rafael Echenique (Arg), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra)
69 Richard Bland, Anthony Wall, David Lynn, Pablo Martin (Spa), Darren Clarke, Mark Brown (Nzl), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra)
70 Anthony Kang (USA), Azuma Yano (Jpn), David Howell, Gregory Havret (Fra)
71 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned), Andrew Butterfield, Gary Boyd, Richard Finch, Richard McEvoy, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Younes El Hassani (Mor)
72 Ariel Canete (Arg), Gregory Bourdy (Fra)
73 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Andrew Tampion (Aus), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Faycal Serghini (Mor), Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Graeme Storm, Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), David Dixon, Markus Brier (Aut), Jamie Donaldson
74 Sam Hutsby, Gary Lockerbie, Christian Cevaer (Fra), Daniel Brooks
75 Chris Gane
76 Paul Waring
79 Macon Moye (US)
At Red Course (Par: 73)
66 Nick Dougherty
67 Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind)
68 Rhys Davies
69 Phillip Price, Julien Clement (Swi), Thomas Levet (Fra)
70 Stephen Dodd, Joost Luiten (Ned), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa)
71 Jhared Hack (USA), David Drysdale, Christian Nilsson (Swe), Robert Rock, Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Carlos Rodiles (Spa)
72 Steve Webster, Peter Whiteford, Gareth Maybin, Robert Coles, Thomas Bjorn (Den), Julien Quesne (Fra), Simon Khan
73 Peter Baker, Danny Willett, Seve Benson
74 John Parry, Gary Orr, Marcel Siem (Ger), Paul Broadhurst, Marco Ruiz (Par), Shane Lowry, Alastair Forsyth, Tano Goya (Arg), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Barry Lane
75 Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Damien McGrane, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren, Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Wen-chong Liang (Chn), Kenneth Ferrie, Peter Hedblom (Swe)
76 Reda Rhazali (Mal), Oskar Henningsson (Swe), Paul McGinley, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa)
77 Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Alexander Noren (Swe), Santiago Luna (Spa), Mark Foster
80 Michael Hoey

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:22:00 +0000

Graeme Brown wins Midland Alliance at Crieff with a six-under 65

By MARTIN BROWN
(Lee Sutherland is on holiday).
This week's Midland Alliance meeting was held at Crieff Golf Club and was won by Montrose assistant professional Graeme Brown with a magnificent, six-under-par effort of 65.
Tieing for second place were senior amateur Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and Edzell assistant pro M Finlayson with commendable 67s.
There was a three-way tie for leading handicap with G Jenkins (Crieff) (3), H Hunter (Alloa) (10) and C Westland (Alloa) (11) leading the way with net 66s.
LEADING SCRATCH
65 G Brown (Montrose) ap.
68 R Stewart (Tulliallan), M Finlayson (Edzell) ap.
69 S Smith (Ladybank) p, S O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park) ap, G Jenkins (Crieff).
70 M Pirie (Pitlochry) p, A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap, S Cargill (Arbroath), A J Webster (Edzell) p, C Mathieson (Falkirk Tryst) ap, K Harper (Carnoustie), G Finlay (Ballumbie).
LEADING HANDICAP
66 G Jenkins (Crieff) (3), H Hunter (Alloa) (10), C Westland (Alloa) (11).
67 R Bell (Pitlochry) (5), R Stewart (Tulliallan) (1).
68 J Crawford (Dunblane) (6), D K Hutchison (Murrayshall) (6), A Mason (Thornton) (7).

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:51:00 +0000

Super Seniors and Autumn
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Doubles new events on
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Scottish Seniors' Golf
-
Society 2010 circuit

By KEITH HOWIE
Captain of the Scottish Seniors Golf Society
These are the two new events on our fixture list this year - the Super Seniors Open at Stirling on July 29 and 30, and the Autumn Meeting Douobles for pairs over two East Lothain course, the Glen and Haddington, on August 26-27. Briefly the Super Seniors is Sandy Pirie's idea and the main trophy bears his name (Sandy is pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency). It is appropriate that the first one is at Stirling which, apart from its convenient central location, is where it all started for the Society.
The event is two rounds stroke play open to all amateurs, whether SSGS members or not, who have reached the age of 65 by competition date. There is a separate trophy for the over-70s and prizes, scratch and handicap, in age categories. Handicap limit is 12.4.
Entry forms can be obtained by emailing http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=khnextlevel@aol.com or in writing to Scottish Seniors Golfing Society, 69 Russell Drive, Bearsden, G61 3BB.
The suggestion for the Autumn Doubles came from Senior International and former Scottish Seniors Strokeplay Champion Steve Ellis. We are delighted to announce that Tullibardine Distillery have stepped in to offer sponsor support and we hope members will reciprocate by supporting the "doubles" connotation.
Host clubs will be The Glen in North Berwick and Haddington with one round of four-ball better- ball and one greensomes - the same format as we use for the Murcia Seniors Doubles. Pairings will consist of one member and one guest. The writer has managed to coax Bobby Blackwood, Cochrane Castle out of retirement for the event and there will no doubt be many interesting pairings.
Our season tees off with the Spring Meeting over Montrose Links and entries are coming in fast. 2010 is Royal Montrose's bicentenary and we are honoured to be invited to share the celebrations with the club.
Our regional 36-hole fixtures are hosted this year by Dumfries and County, Kinross, Glenbervie, Duff House Royal (in their centenary year) and Lanark. The Match-play is at Kinross and the Inter-county at Musselburgh.
The Order of Merit Shoot-out features the OOM top 30 and is held over Landsdowne course Blairgowrie. The fixture list is completed by the SSGS Murcia Seniors Open held for the third consecutive year at the brilliant Hacienda del Alamo Resort course from October 24-31st. Again the event is not limited to members and entry forms are available as detailed above.
The Society is buoyant with currently 400 on our member database and we are quietly pleased that President Gordon MacDonald's vision has re-awakened the competitive fire in so many senior amateurs the length and breadth of Britain and beyond. Membership details can be found on our website http://www.scottishseniorsgolf.com/

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Stephen Gallacher has a 67 in Morocco

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez was the clubhouse leader at the Trophée Hassan II on its European Tour International Schedule debut in Morocco.
The 40 year old, winner of last season's SAS Masters in Sweden, played his opening round on the shorter (par 72) Blue course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat and grabbed five birdies in the space of seven holes before reaching the turn in four under 32.
Gonzalez did not waste his good start and set the clubhouse target with a six under par 66.
He shared top spot with the highest ranked player in the field - Italian Francesco Molinari , who had one to play, with Spain’s Igancio Garrido one behind along with France's Jean-François Lucquin and Indian S S P Chowrasia.
England's Sam Little burst to five under after seven, but then double bogeyed the ninth, while former Ryder Cup players Darren Clarke and David Howell stood two under.
The first two rounds are in a pro-am format - Clarke is partnering his father - before the leading professionals progress to the closing 36 holes at the weekend.
The Red Course has a par of 73 and measures 7,344 yards.
First Scot to finish was Stephen Gallacher with a five-under-par 67.
SCOREBOARD AT END OF PLAY
Switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, to follow the Ladies European Tour event, also being played in Morocco. Carly Booth started her pro career with a double bogey 6. What happened next? Switch over and find out!

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Inverness Fairways Target Golf Leagues

By Neil D Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
Web: www.golflochness.com
WEEK EIGHT SUMMARY
The top of the table got tighter on Monday night and it looks like it could go all the way to the final game. BM Trucks top scored with 58 as they beat the Parahandies and retook second place on the better shots scored record but Orion remain in pole position and favourites for the title as they are still two points ahead after their win over the Royal Swingers.
At the other end of the table Sainties still haven’t got off the mark, this week falling to the Specialists who now find themselves in fourth place. The Happy Gilmour’s continued their good form with a win over the Neverwillbees and join them on six points just two behind the Specialists.
The crunch game next week is BM Trucks against Orion with an Orion win almost guaranteeing them the league title but a win for the Trucks will bring them and the Parahandies into the reckoning for the final game.
RESULTS
Orion 57 – 32 Royal Swingers
Sainties 22 – 7 Specialists
Parahandies 43 – 58 BM Trucks
Happy Gilmour’s 24 – 18 The Neverwillbees.

TUESDAY LEAGUE SUMMARY
In the Tuesday League, King Kenyon’s Klan have one hand on the league title and a guaranteed place in the top team playoffs are seeing off the Muirton Marvels.
It was close game with just one ball separating the teams but this result drops the Marvels down to fourth place and they will have their work cut out to get into the play-offs now that the Luckless Leadbetters seem to have their form back.
The Leadbetters were the night’s top scorers with 53 which was easily more than enough to take the points from a very lacklustre Fairhurst Fore. The Leadbetters join Fairhurst on 10 points but their much better shots scored record could prove crucial.
At the other end of the table the wooden spoon will be a dog fight between the Mad Drivers and Fairways after both suffered defeats to the Coastguards and Senior Moments respectively. Fairways are on the bottom with just 2 points but the Mad Drivers only have 4 points so there battle on the last day of the season in a fortnights time will give them a lot to play for.
RESULTS
Fairhurst Fore 15 – 53 Luckless Leadbetters
Mad Drivers 9 – 34 Coastguards
Senior Moments 36 – 16 Fairways
Muirton Marvels 35 – 42 King Kenyon’s Klan.

HOW THEY STAND

MONDAY TABLE
1 Orion 14pt
2 BM Trucks 12
3 Parahandies 12
4 Specialists 8
5 Royal Swingers 6
6 Neverwillbees 6
7 Happy Gilmour's 6
8 The Sainties 0

TUESDAY TABLE
1 King Kenyon's Klan 14pt
2 Luckless Leadbetters 10
3 Fairhurst Fore 10
4 Muirton Marvels 8
5 Senior Moments 8
6 Coastguards 8
7 Mad Drivers 4
8 Fairways 2

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:24:00 +0000

Lady professionals' Scottish events looking for your help

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
If you don't switch over regularly to our sister website, http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/, you might not know that the new XLtec Pro Tour, founded by Alan Tait, the director of golf at Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel, starts next Thursday and Friday (March 25-26) at Whitekirk Golf Club near North Berwick.
You might not know either that each of the six, two-day 36-hole events will have a section for women/girl professionals. They will be playing for the sum of their own £50 competition entry fees ... unless you or your company would like to donate £200 to one of the prize pots.
You can E-mail Colin@scottishgolfview.com to find out how to go about it.
The six XLtec Pro Tour events are:
March 25-26: Whitekirk.
April 28-29: Hilton Park.
May 25-26: Dalmahoy.
July 28-29: Westerwood.
September 28-29: Spey Valley, Aviemore.
October 6-7: Dundonald Links.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:17:00 +0000

Forsyth's back woes subside

in time for Moroccan tilt

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Two weeks after being forced to halt a journey to Malaysia due to a back injury, Alastair Forsyth is among seven Scots teeing off in today's first round of the Hassan Trophy in Morocco.
The two-time European Tour winner, pictured right, got as far as Dubai on his way to the Far East before the pain became so unbearable that he turned around and jumped on the first flight back home.

A week ago Forsyth was still being troubled by the problem but, thanks to Gerry Docherty, the physio at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, he's been able to join David Drysdale, Stephen Gallacher, Gary Orr, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren and Peter Whiteford in this week's field at Royal Dar Es Salam.

"The fact I'm playing this week is all thanks to Gerry, who I was referred to by Stephen Gallacher, who has fought back problems for years," said Forsyth.

"Gerry thought that just one session would be enough but it needed a few more. It was painful but he knows what he is doing so I'm grateful to him. I hit some balls last Friday and decided to play this week. I'm a bit stiff but the back is feeling good. I didn't think I would be back playing anywhere near this time, so I'm delighted."

Ramsay and Warren are both making their returns this week after spending time working on their games in America recently. Ramsay, the South African Open champion, has been practising at the Golf Club of Georgia since he tied for 14th in India, while Warren has been back at his home in Florida since playing in the three events on the Middle East Swing.

This is the first time the tournament in Rabat has been part of the European Tour schedule, but the course has hosted the Moroccan Open, the last winner of which was Ian Poulter in 2001.

On the US PGA Tour, Justin Rose is trying to book his place at the Masters in this week's Transitions Championship at Palm Harbor on Florida's west coast. Rose stands 59th in the world, with the leading 50 on Monday week qualifying for the opening major of the season.

World Match Play champion Poulter, also part of the Innisbrook field, is one of Rose's closest friends in golf – as well as his Ryder Cup partner two years ago – and said:

"It would be good to see him get back into the top 50 and into The Masters. I know that's why he has been playing a busy schedule and he's obviously playing well. His place in the world rankings is not reflective of the type of player he is."

Rose is mightily relieved to see his hard work paying dividends at last. The 29-year-old has yet to win in over 150 US Tour starts, but has earned well in excess of $10million and said: "I've played good enough golf to win out here. I've been close a few times. Sometimes winning just gets in the way without you trying too hard – it's felt like it's been a bit of a battle. If I can maintain the direction I'm going I certainly believe it will happen."

+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Aberdeen link with US v Europe two years from now

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:38:00 +0000

Tom Bendelow course
-
at Medinah to host the
-
Ryder Cup 2012 match

Medinah Country Club, the site of many memorable moments spanning 60 years of Major Championship golf, will host The 39th Ryder Cup from September 25-30, 2012, marking the Illinois debut of golf's most compelling event.
Located some 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, Medinah Country Club has hosted three US Opens (1949, 1975 and 1990) and two US PGA Championships (1999, 2006); while also the site of the 1988 US Senior Open and three Western Opens [now BMW Championship] (1939, '62, '66).
As part of its 2012 preparations, Medinah is nearing completion of a $1.5 million greens renovation project on Course No. 3, led by renowned course architect Rees Jones. The project included a dramatic redesign of the 15th hole.
The 15th now offers players with a great risk-reward opportunity with a driveable par 4 by reducing its length by 100 yards and adding a two-acre lake that borders the right side of the fairway and green. The new forward tee allows Number 15 to be set up as short at 280 yards. The original tee area of 392 yards from the championship tees will be preserved to provide the club with flexibility in course set-up.
Jones, who has overseen all architectural design aspects of Medinah's three golf courses since 2000, moved the 15th green to the left (south), which made way for the creation of a new back tee for Medinah's famed 16th hole. The tree-lined par 4 now measures 15 yards longer – playing approximately 470 yards from the championship tees.
The major greens renovation took place on 11 of Course No. 3's original 18 greens and its main putting green, which was rebuilt to USGA specifications. Course No. 3's other six greens were re-grassed and the 15th green rebuilt.
This year, Medinah's famed No. 3 Course is ranked 20th by Golf Digest among "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses." All three of Medinah's 18-hole courses were designed by Aberdonian Tom Bendelow, pictured above, in 1928 and completed two years apart.
Medinah County Club is expected to reopen the No. 3 Course on June 19, 2010.
The Ryder Cup, among the last great professional sporting events where winning, and not prize money, is its own reward, spans 37 competitions over 81 years. The competition was born in 1927, when enterprising English seed merchant Samuel Ryder commissioned the casting of a gold chalice that bears his name.
The US Team defeated Great Britain, 9½ to 2½, in the inaugural matches in Worcester, Mass. Since then, The Ryder Cup has expanded to involve the finest players of Europe. Except for a span (1939-45) during World War II and following the September 11, 2001 attacks upon America, The Ryder Cup has been held biennially with the US and Europe alternating as host.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:35:00 +0000

Rheumatism will KO Olazabal from Masters

The manager for two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal says the Spaniard will pull out of the Masters next month because he is suffering again from rheumatism.
Sergio Gomez told the Press Association on Wednesday that Olazabal has pain in his shoulder, forearms and hands and is unable to swing properly. He said Olazabal cannot practise for much more than an hour and that traditional medicine is not working.
Olazabal won the Masters in 1994 and 1999. The only year he missed was in 1996, when he sat out the entire season after being diagnosed with rheumatoid polyarthritis.
The 44-year-old Spaniard, inducted last year into the World Golf Hall of Fame, has not played a tournament since he finished 14th in the Castello Masters in Spain last October.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:09:00 +0000

Hendry 70 ... but only joint 32nd on America's eGolf Pro Tour

Twice past winner of the Scottish youths champion, Elgin-born Joel Hendry shot a two-under-par round of 70 on the opening day of the eGolf Professional Tour at the Cabarrus Country Club, Concord in North Carolina.
Despite that, the Scot was only tied for 32nd place in a huge field of around 200.
Chris Epperson is setting the pace with a 65, ahead of fellow Americans Chase Carroll, Joe Daley and Dustin Bray on 66.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:47:00 +0000

Oh, brother! Elliot following in Lloyd
-

Saltman's footsteps in Spain

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
Elliot Saltman leads the Hi5 Pro Tour Condado Open after day 2 with the field playing once again in blustery wind conditions.
The Scotsman takes a one-shot lead into the final round over day 1 leader, Ireland's Michael Collins.
Aegon-sponsored Elliot, pictured right, is looking to keep the Condado title in the family following last week's win by one of his younger brothers, Lloyd on the Nicklaus signature course in Murcia.
His lead was cemented with a run of four birdies scored between the 11th and 16th hole today.
Leading the seniors section is England's Stephen Shields after shooting a superb low round of the day 67. Stephen's 67 included two eagles, made on the par-5 fourth and 13th holes. He takes a four-shot lead into the final round over Englands Gary Wolstenholme .
SECOND ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
145 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 72 73.
146 Michael Collins (Ireland) 71 75.
147 Fredrik Hammarberg (Sweden) 72 75.
148 Felix Fihn (Sweden) 77 71, Pablo del Grosso (Spain) 77 71, Brad Clapp (Canada) 75 73, James Housby (England) 74 74.
150 Martyn Hamer (England) 74 76.
151 Ignacio Sanchez Palencia (Spain) 79 72.
152 James Johnson (England) 74 78.
Selected score:
156 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 77 81.
SENIORS SECTION
145 Stephen Shields (England) 78 67.
149 Gary Wolstenholme (England) 73 76.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:57:00 +0000

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP SCOREBOARD
MEN AMATEURS - Real Club Sotogrande, Spain
FIRST ROUND TOTALS
(Three from four scores to count)
207 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY N/C
HAINES, MATT 69
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68
LEWIS, TOM 70

215 GERMANY
KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN 71
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER 71
JOHN, ALLEN N/C
HANSEN, JOACHIM 73

215 DENMARK
BRANDT 77
LOKKE, DANIEL 67
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71
HARTOE, ANDREAS N/C
216 AUSTRIA
NEMECZ, LUCAS 70
MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ N/C
GOGER, ROBIN 72
NEMECZ, TOBIAS 74
217 SPAIN
SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO 72
PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS 75
CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO N/C
HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO 70
217 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72
FRAZER, JAMES 72
PUGH, RHYS 73
VICKERY, JOE N/C

218 SCOTLAND
KELLET, ROSS 72
WHITE, JAMES 75
McLEAN, PHILIP N/C
LAW, DAVID 71

219 FINLAND
SAMOOJA, KALLE 75
PULKKANEEN, TAPIO 70
SATAMA, HENRI 74
VEIJALAINEN, MIRO N/C
220 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO N/C
MANASSERO, MATTEO 75
MOTTA, LEONARDO 75
221 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT N/C
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73
WATTEL, ROMAIN 76
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72
222 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73
DUNBAR, ALAN N/C
MURRAY, PAT 73
LERNIHAN, DARA 76
225 HOLLAND
KRAAIJ, MICHAEL 76
KIND, ROBIN 72
BOSHART, DYLAN N/C
HUIZING, DAAN 77
225 SWEDEN
CARLSSON, NICLAS 75
KOKOCINSKI, ROBIN N/C
FLATAU, VICTOR 76
LAGERGREN, JOAKIM 74
226 BELGIUM
DETRY, THOMAS 76
RICHELLE, JULIEN N/C
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER 75
PIETERS, THOMAS 75
229 NORWAY
BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS 77
RAMSNES, OLE N/C
OLSEN, AKSEL 76
LUNDROSEN, MAGNUS 76
232 PORTUGAL
JOIA, JOSE MARIA 77
GASPAR, MIGUEL N/C
SILVA, TOMAS 79
RODRIGUES, TIAGO 76
240 SLOVENIA
VIDMAR, JAKA N/C
STANIC, MARTIN 73
ZIGA, AVSEC 84
GREGORINCIC, GRECA 83
240 CZECH REPUBLIC
ONDREJ, LIESER 82
KORDA, JIRI N/C
POSPISIL, MICHAL 79
PROCHAZKA, DAVID 79
+Switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk to see the women's scores at the same venue.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:41:00 +0000

It ain't half hot, Mum! Scots swelter in South Africa

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ROSS DUNCAN OF SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scotland trailed a strong South African side 8½ - 3½ at the close of play on day one of the Test Match at Leopard’s Creek Country Club before thunder and lightning halted play with two matches remaining on the course.
Youngster Jack McDonald, the reigning Scottish Boys Stroke Play Champion, was the star of the Scots side on the opening day, claiming a half point alongside Scott Gibson in the morning foursomes before comfortably winning his singles match 4&2.
Mark Bookless and Gordon Yates were Scotland’s other winning duo in the morning with a 2&1 victory over their opponents, with the pairings of Paul Shields/Kris Nicol and Glenn Campbell/Steven McEwan both losing by a 4&3 margin.
Former national champion Glenn Campbell was the only other victor for the visitors in the afternoon singles with Gordon Yates one up with two to play in the closing match. 17-year-old Gibson lost by one hole in his match, the same margin of defeat as Paul Shields, as the Scots closed the day trailing by five.
National junior coach Spencer Henderson, who is out with the squad, reflected on the opening day’s performance:
“We’re obviously disappointed to be trailing in the match but it’s been a fantastic experience for the players, particularly the young lads who have performed very well. The course is superb but it’s much hotter than we’re used to (36 degrees) so it’s taking time to get used to.
“With our four leading amateurs playing in the Nations Cup, the South African training camp has given us the opportunity to develop some of our up and coming players, who are competing against a very strong host side in the peak of their season.”
“It was great to see Jack (McDonald) and Scott (Gibson) performing so well on their senior debut and the experience of guys like Glenn is really helping them. We’re looking forward to another great day tomorrow, with an early start because of the weather, and hopefully the team will make up some ground.” he added.
Day One – Results
Morning Foursomes
J McDonald & S Gibson halves match.
P Shields & K Nicol Lost 4&3
M Bookless & G Yates Won 2&1
G Campbell & S McEwan Lost 4&3
Morning Singles
G Paterson Lost 1 Hole
Afternoon Singles
J McDonald Won 4&2
S Gibson Lost 1 Hole
G Paterson Lost 4&3
K Nicol Lost 4&3
P Shields Lost 1 hole
S McEwan Lost 5&4
G Campbell Won 4&3
M Bookless 1 down thru 16
G Yates 1 up thru 16
Latest Score:
South Africa 8.5 – 3.5 Scotland

+Ross Duncan is not being parochial by only naming the Scottish players - the South African website did not list the names of the home players!

North-east Alliance title in doubt until mid-evening

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +0000

CORMACK CHAMPION AFTER

SCORECARD HITCH

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Inchmarlo tour professional Paul Cormack, one of the last men to finish in a field of 85, was confirmed as winner of the North-east Golfers' Alliance championship more than two hours after he returned his second-round card at Cruden Bay today.
Cormack's two-under-par 68, coupled with last week's one-under-par 67 in the first round at Duff House Royal for a total of 135 gave him the title and earned him the Uniroyal Quaich by the resounding margin of eight strokes.
But they don't present the trophies until next week's foursomes at Murcar Links so there was no need for Paul to hang around the Cruden Bay clubhouse after he had finished.
However, during Alliance secretary Ron Menzie's thorough scrunity of all the scorecards at the end of the day, he noticed that Cormack's inward half total had been entered by his marker as 35 while the figures entered per hole added up to 34.
The 26-year-old player, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who spends much of his time playing on satellite tours in the United States, had left Cruden Bay for his Banchory home before the secretary could check out the discrepancy.
It was after 7.30pm before Ron Menzies was able to get hole of Cormack by phone and- fortunately - the player was able to confirm that the figures he had signed for at each hole were correct. And that's all that matters, the totals for halves are irrelevant if the the score per hole is correct.
Had it been the other way round, the player would have been disqualified, almost an astonishing repeat of last week's events at Duff House Royal where Phllip McLean, the leader, was disqualified long after he had left the course.
It was a double-eagle performance by Cormack who had a 3 at the long sixth and a 2 at the par-4 14th. He also birdied the second, fourth, and 12th - and also had five bogeys in halves of 34 (two under par) and 34 home (level).
"There was a fair mix of the good and the bad in that round," said Paul. "I'm glad it all worked out in the end."
For the record, Cormack's figures today were:
OUT: 5-3-4-2-4-3-4-4-5--34. IN; 5-4-2-6-2-3-4-4-4--34.
Joint second overall on a bright, sunny day but with a veering wind, eventually behind the players down the 17th and 18th, made conditions tricky, were Newburgh professional Ian Bratton who came home in 40 with six bogeys for a 76 and 143, a total matched 21-year-old Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon), who has played on the US college circuit, a 69 at Banff and a 74 today, which made him the winner of the J K Hall Quaich as the leading amateur.
Kevin Duncan's figures today:
OUT: 4-4-4-2-5-5-5--3-5--37. IN: 5-3-4-5-6-3-3-4-4--37.
Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal), joint eighth overall with a scratch total of 148, won the Veterans' Cup.
Scotland international Laura Murray (Alford), the only female in the field, won
the Chapper's Pot with the lowest Class 1 net 36-hole aggregate of 138 with a pair of net 69s off her Alliance handicap (she plays off the men's tees) of four.
Her birdie 4 at the last followed one of the longest drives by anyone at the 18th.
Laura's figures were:
OUT: 4-4-5-4-6-5-4-3-4--39. IN: 4-2-5-5-4-3-4-4-3--34.
Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum), who plays off 10, won the Major's Pot for the best Class 2 aggregate of 140.
No award for Fergus Bisset but the golf writer from Banchory deserved one for his loyalty to the North-east Alliance. Fergus played in the Sunningdale foursomes on Tuesday - and the Alliance championship today! He finished joint 12th in the scratch aggregates on 149 and qualified to play in the pro-am foursomes for the Evening Express Shield at Murcar Links next Thursday (draws for both scratch and handicap competitions can be seen below today's collated scores.
+Cruden Bay's "extra short hole" - it was played as the 12th - out at the far end of the course and played towards the North Sea, was well received by all the players I spoke to. It was the first time it had been played in a competition outwith Cruden Bay members.
+The general opinion was that, depending on the strength and direction of the wind, it could be a great, testing hole.
+The hole has been created so that it can be brought into play when another hole is having work done on it. Great idea, the envy of most golf clubs and their head greenkeepers!

2010 NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP TOTALS
(first score at Duff House Royal, second score at Cruden Bay).
Par 138 (68 at DHR, 70 at Cruden Bay)
135 Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) 67 68.
143 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 69 74, Ian Bratton (Newburgh) 67 76.
144 Anthony Bews (Murcar Links) 70 74, Scott Larkin (Banchory) 72 72.
145 Stewart Finnie (Caledonian) 72 73.
146 Laura Murray (Alford) 73 73.
148 Justin Duff (Fraserburgh) 73 75, Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 77 71, Craig Carnegie (Kemnay) 72 76, Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 71 77.
149 Kyle Nelson (Murcar Links) 71 78, Fergus Bisset (Banchory) 72 77.
150 Duncan Clark (Duff House Royal) 72 78.
151 John Mitchell (Fraserburgh) 79 72, Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) 74 77.
152 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 79 73, Richard Hyland (Craibstone) 73 79.
154 Paul McIntosh (Newburgh) 76 78, James Mooney (Kingsliffe) 79 75.
155 Stewart Pert (Huntly) 77 78.
158 David Wilson (Duff House Royal) 78 80.
159 Andrew Campbell (Deeside) 84 75.
160 Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum) 80 80, Martin Forster (Cruden Bay) 78 82.
161 David Corkey (Royal Aberdeen) 75 86.
162 Mark Lawrie (Kemnay) 74 84.
165 Norman Stewart (Northern) 83 82.
166 Brian Harper (Newburgh) 80 86, Hamish McNaughton (Cruden Bay) 83 83, Nigel Parker (Murcar Links) 80 86.
167 Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) 80 87, Dave MacKay (Newmachar) 81 86, Neil Chisholm (Kemnay) 80 87.
168 Mike Booth (Kemnay) 81 87.

HANDICAP
Class 1
138 Laura Murray (Alford) (4) 69 69.
140 C Carnegie (Kemnay) (4) 68 72.
143 K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) (scr) 69 74.
145 J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) (3) 71 74, K Nelson (Murcar Links) (2) 69 76, F Bisset (Banchory) (2) 70 75.
146 P McIntosh (Newburgh) (4) 72 74, M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) (1) 70 76; D Wilson (Duff House Royal) (6) 72 74.
147 S Finnie (Caledonian) (+1) 73 74.
Class 2
140 A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10) 70 70.
141 N Stewart (Northern) (12) 71 70.
144 H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (11) 72 72.
146 D Randall (Banchory) (15) 75 71.
148 M Booth (Kemnay (10) 71 77, N Parker (Murcar Links) (9) 71 77.
149 N Chisholm (Kemnay) (9) 71 78.

FOURSOMES DRAWS
Draws for the North-east Alliance pro-am foursomes at Murcar Links next Thursday and Friday are:
SCRATCH (Evening Express Shield).
10 min intervals
9.30: J Mooney (Kingsliffe) & K Nelson (Murcar Links) v D Naylor (Banchory) & A Bews (Murcar Links).
9.40 P Lovie (P1 Corporate) & D Clark (Duff House Royal) v R Hyland (Craibstone) & S Larkin (Banchory).
9.50 S Chalmers (Bnchory) & K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) v P Cormack (Inchmarlo) & M Jenkins (Duff House Royal.
10.0 I Bratton (Newburgh) & F Bisset (Banchory) v R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) & F Bisset (Banchory) v R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) & C Carnegie (Kemnay).
+Second round on Thursday afternoon.

HANDICAP (Press and Journal Trophy)
10.10 J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) & A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) v D Wilson (Duff House Royal ) & H McNaughton (Cruden Bay).
10.20 D Corkey (Royal Aberdeen) & B Lumsden (Northern) v M Forster (Cruden Bay) & N Parker (Murcar Links).
10.30 B Harper (Newburgh) & M Booth (Kemnay) v M Lawrie (Kemnay) & N Stewart (Northern).
10.40 P McIntosh (Newburgh) & D Randall (Banchory) v A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) & N Chisholm (Kemnay).

+Second round on Thursday afternoon; Finals on Friday morning.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:53:00 +0000

SCOTS TAKE COUNT AT SUNNINGDALE

Carnoustie's Colin Sinclair and Kris Harper won their first-round tie in the Sunningdale foursomes today. They beat B Monks and C Rodgers of Royal Mid-Surrey by one hole before losing by 4 and 3 in the afternoon second round to C Griffiths (Wentworth) and C Bull (Sunningdale).
Banchory's Fergus Bisset and his partner, D Ford of Royal North Devon, lost by 3 and 2 to former tennis ace Tim Henman and T Crawley, both Sunningdale members, in the first round.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:00 +0000

Elliot Saltman one off the pace in Spain

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
Michael Collins, representing Ireland, was the only player to beat par today in demanding conditions over the signature Nicklaus course situated in Murcia, Spain.
Michael , a last minute entry , played a solid round of 71 consisting of 3 birdies , two bogeys and 13 pars to set the pace in the Hi5 Pro Tour Condado de Alhama open.
Close on his heels, just one shot behind are Scotland's Elliot Saltman, whose younger brother Lloyd won last week's event, and Fredrik Hammarberg of Sweden.
Leading the Seniors section with a score of 73 ( +1 ) is England's Gary Wolstenholme who turned pro late in his career after establishing a stellar amateur CV.
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
71 Michael Collins (Ireland).
72 Elliot Saltman (Scotland), Fredrik Hammarberg (Sweden).
73 Gary Wolstenholme (England), Patrick O'Neil (Denmark) (amateur).
74 Alex Belt (England), John Green (England), James Housby (England), Martyn Haymer (England), James Johnson (England).
75 Andreas Hogberg (Sweden), Ruaidhri McGee (Ireland), Brad Clapp (Canada).
76 Gary King (England).
77 Felix Fihn (Sweden), Zack Saltman (Scotland), Pablo Del Grosso (Spain), Stefan Mar Stefansson (Iceland), Miguel Angel Martin (Spain).
78 Bjorn Pettersson (Sweden), Lasse Sonne Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur), Richard Carter (England) (amateur), Stephen Shields (England).
79 Dominik Weissar (Germany), Ronan Collins (Ireland), Ignacio Sanchez Palencio (Spain).
80 Ryan Street (Canada), Daniel Sandberg (Sweden).
81 Chris Linstead, Robert Svensson (Sweden).
83 Joacim Hultman (Sweden).
85 Edward Barry-Walsh (England).
86 Stuart Hemming (England).
87 Alex Moron (England).
89 Roy Van der Loop (Netherlands).

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:13:00 +0000

Tiger Woods comeback in

Masters confirmed

Tiger Woods is to make his comeback in the Masters tournament at Augusta National, Georgia from April 8 to 11:
He issued the following statement today:
"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta.
"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played.
"I have undergone almost two months of in-patient therapy and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.
"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
"I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments and I look forward to competing in them again.
"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Kintore and Westhill not fielding teams in Aberdeen

and District Junior Pennant League this season

The Aberdeen & District Junior Pennant Golf League, sponsored by Kings Links Golf Centre, will not have teams from Kintore or Westhill competing in the new season but Inverallochy are playing.
The previous match-day format of six ties featuring 12 boys (or girls) competing in four-ball, better-ball pairs off scratch is being changed to threee scratch matches and three handicap matches.
League secretary Gordon Murray, vice-president of the Scottish Golf Union, explains:"The change is to stop younger team members getting thrashed in a scratch game.
"The first three pairs will play off scratch and the next three play off handicap with the lower handicap players giving strokes accordingly to players with higher handicaps."
Teams in the League's Section B will have one fewer game due to Kintore's withdrawal.
The sectional ties begin on Sunday, April 11. The section winners will contest the semi-finals at neutral venues on Sunday June 13. The final will be played over Newmachar Swailend on Sunday, June 20.
SECTION A - Auchmill, Banchory, Deeside, Murcar Links, Northern, Peterhead, Royal Aberdeen.
SECTION B - Bon Accord, Cruden Bay, Hazlehead, Kemnay, Newburgh, Nigg Bay.
SECTION C - Alford, Craibstone, Inverallochy, Newmachar, Oldmeldrum, Peterculter, Stonehaven.
SECTION D - Aboyne, Caledonian, Inchmarlo, Inverurie, McDonald Ellon, Portlethen

'It is not as important as some people say'

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:48:00 +0000

Walker Cup won't stop

Kellett turning pro

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Ross Kellett, Scotland's highest-ranked amateur, has revealed he won't be hanging around to play in next year's Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen because he feels such an honour counts for little in the professional game.
The 22-year-old from Colville Park, Motherwell (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency), one of four Scots named in the Great Britain & Ireland squad for this season's St Andrews Trophy match against the Continent of Europe, is gearing up instead for a switch to the paid ranks later in the year.
He will enter the European Tour Qualifying School and will definitely turn professional before the start of next season if, at the very least, he can secure a Challenge Tour card.
"I have spoken to Gavin (Dear] and Wallace (Booth] about the Walker Cup and they said they don't feel it is the be-all and end-all," said Kellett, who chalked up three runner-up finishes in top amateur events around the globe last year and is currently the world No 49 amateur.
"Although it is nice to represent Great Britain & Ireland against America, you shouldn't stay amateur just for that because, once you turn professional, no-one is saying you are super or can definitely beat them because you played in the Walker Cup. They probably wouldn't care so I don't think it is as important as some people say."

In recent years, Pablo Martin, Danny Lee and Shane Lowry have all won European Tour events while still amateurs, the latter lifting the Irish Open title in a play-off at Co Louth last season. The week before, Kellett had played with Lowry in the Irish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and the Scot believes he could just as easily enjoy such a life-changing experience.
"You can only take inspiration from those guys winning," added Kellett, who is joining forces with David Law, Philip McLean and James White in the European Nations Cup, formerly the Sherry Cup, which gets underway at Copa Real Golf Club in Sotogrande tomorrow.
"I spoke to Shane on the Sunday of the Irish Stroke Play last year and asked him when he was going to the Brabazon Trophy the following week. He said he wasn't going there as he was playing in the Irish Open and, lo and behold, he's the champion the following week.
"While these sort of wins aren't common, it shows that amateurs can achieve life-changing successes and, if people I am used to playing against in the amateur ranks can do it, then I can, too."
*The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:55:00 +0000

No, US Tour commissioner doesn't know when Tiger's coming back

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
The Tiger Woods waiting and guessing game goes on - just when it looked as if a date for his comeback was going to be announced.
Excitement mounted when US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem called a teleconference today, but it was purely to announce a new tournament sponsorship deal.
==================
More News
McIlroy out of top 10
==================
Woods has been pictured practising and there has been mounting speculation that he could return to action in the unofficial Tavistock Cup next Monday and Tuesday, the Arnold Palmer Invitational later the same week or The Masters at August 8-11. But Finchem was unable to shed any light on any of that and there was no announcement on the world number one's website either.
"We have the general information that Tiger is preparing to play and there's been a lot of speculation about when he might come back out," said Finchem.
"Tiger's indicated to us that he will give us reasonable notice because we know we've got some preparation to do.
"But I don't have a specific date when he's going to come back and I can only assume, though, that all this speculation about late March and early April, if he is going to start back then, we will know soon. Beyond that I can't help you."

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Nationwide Tour graduate Lamely wins Puerto Rico Open

US PGA Tour newcomer Derek Lamely won the weather-prolonged Puerto Rico Open which finished on the fifth day today over a the rain-softened Trump International Golf Club course tropical course at Rio Grande.
Lamely won with a 19-under-par total of 269, managing to outlast Kris Blanks (271) at a palm-fringed 7,526yd course which was deluged by rain early in the competition.
Lamely earned promotion to the tour by finishing fourth on the 2009 Nationwide Tour money list, earned $630,000 along with PGA Tour playing privileges through 2012.
Lamely had to watch his competitors for more than two hours to see if he'd be overtaken or forced into a sudden-death play-off.
FINAL TOTALS
(USA unless stated, par 288: 4x72):
269 Derek Lamely 69 71 63 66
271 Kris Blanks 65 70 67 69
272 Brendon De Jonge 69 68 67 68, James Nitties (Aus) 68 66 69 69, Steve Wheatcroft 68 67 67 70, Kevin Streelman 67 68 64 73
273 Bryce Molder 71 71 65 66, Woody Austin 69 68 66 70, Steve Elkington (Aus) 68 70 66 69
274 Bill Lunde 68 72 68 66, Chad Collins 69 65 68 72
275 Jeff Maggert 69 67 69 70, Paul Stankowski 66 70 68 71, Nicholas Thompson 68 69 69 69
276 Jeff Overton 66 70 67 73, Michael Bradley 71 67 68 70
277 Jeff Klauk 72 68 68 69, Kirk Triplett 69 69 66 73, Kevin Stadler 72 67 65 73, Henrik Bjornstad (Nor) 70 68 70 69, Marco Dawson 70 71 68 68, Skip Kendall 65 70 70 72, Cameron Tringale 69 69 69 70
278 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 70 70 68 70, Graham Delaet (Can) 67 69 69 73, Tom Pernice Jnr. 71 67 72 68, John Daly 69 73 66 70, Mark Calcavecchia 68 73 68 69, Guy Boros 71 67 69 71, Boo Weekley 74 68 69 67, Jimmy Walker 73 69 67 69, Jhonattan Vegas 69 67 68 74
279 Spencer Levin 69 69 69 72, Aron Price (Aus) 72 65 70 72, Martin Flores 71 70 68 70, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 67 69 71, Michael Connell 71 69 69 70
280 Kent Jones 68 74 68 70, J J Henry 70 69 68 73, Robert Garrigus 68 70 71 71, Kevin Johnson 70 66 71 73
281 Jeff Quinney 72 69 71 69, Craig Barlow 71 65 72 73, Johnson Wagner 70 69 69 73
282 Jonathan Kaye 73 69 67 73, Omar Uresti 70 72 71 69, Phil Tataurangi (Nzl) 72 69 71 70, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 67 73 69 73, Manuel Villegas (Col) 72 69 72 69, Shaun Micheel 73 69 68 72, Chez Reavie 70 71 66 75, Daniel Barbetti (Arg) 68 72 69 73, Rich Barcelo 70 72 68 72
283 Jarrod Lyle (Aus) 69 70 73 71, Jeff Gove 72 68 69 74, Steve Flesch 72 66 72 73, Matt Bettencourt 67 72 71 73
284 Richard S Johnson (Swe) 70 72 71 71, Billy Mayfair 69 73 71 71, Mathias Gronberg (Swe) 69 71 73 71
285 Chris Stroud 76 66 73 70, Erik Compton 72 69 70 74, Chris DiMarco 68 72 72 73, Roger Tambellini 70 71 68 76
286 Jay Williamson 70 68 74 74, Jerod Turner 71 70 73 72
287 Cameron Percy (Aus) 69 72 70 76
288 Brent Delahoussaye 69 73 73 73, John Merrick 71 70 74 73
292 Steve Lowery 71 70 76 75

Paul Lawrie Foundation leading trophy-winners in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:09:00 +0000

Paul Lawrie Foundation's leading trophy winners in 2009 with their prizes at last night's junior conveners' evening at The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel. Left to right: Alex Wiseman (Order of Merit winner), Ryan Bain (boys' match-play champion again) and Louise McGillivray (girls' match-play champion, with, of course the man himself, writes Colin Farquharson.
I forgot to take my camera but I am sure that Paul will not mind me having "lifted" the above picture from his website!
Sad news that Murray Carnie is having to stand down as the Paul Lawrie Foundation Manager due to pressure of work - he is a P.E. teacher.
Murray has put in a power of work over the past three or four years and his successor, Iain, Powell, has a hard act to follow.
We'll be telling you more about Iain when the Media Release comes out. This is, in fact, a bit of a scoop for Scottishgolfview.com!

Next to playing in Ryder Cup, Paul would love to be one of Monty's lieutentants

Paul Lawrie conducted a Question-and-Answer session with the junior conveners and other guests. The 1999 Open champion has become quite polished in this routine - and that's a fact.
He expressed the opinion that Colin Montgomerie will be a "phenomenal" Ryder Cup team captain, having played in three Seve Trophy matches under Colin's captaincy, so Paul knows what he's talking about.
And Lawrie thinks that the European line-up is also shaping up to be a very powerful force.
Paul, who played in the 1999 Ryder Cup match at Brookline, Massachusetts after winning the Open at Carnoustie, would love to earn a place in Monty's team for the Celtic Manor Summit Meeting but, failing that, he would like to be one of Colin's lieutenants. Fingers crossed for you, Paul.
Paul responded to one question from the floor about just how good a player Tiger Woods is.
"I've played with him three or four times in tournaments, so I have seen him in action at close quarters .... even at 60 per cent of his powers, Tiger is good enough to beat anyone in any tournament .... he can play some shots that are not within my range, such as a three-iron out of a bunker, which carried a tall tree between him and the green, magnificent shot!"

Lawrie and Monty were partners four times in 1999 Ryder Cup match

+Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie were paired together four times by skipper Mark James in the 1999 Ryder Cup match which the Americans won by a single point: 14 1/2-13 1/2.
Lawrie and Montgomrie beat David Duval and Phil Mickelson 3 and 2 in the lead-off foursomes on the first morning. In the afternoon, they again were first off the tee and got a halved match with Davis Love and Justin Leonard in the four-balls.
On the second day, Colin and Paul lost to Hal Sutton and Jeff Maggert by one hole in the morning foursomes but beat Steve Pate and Tiger Woods, no less, by 2 and 1 in the afternoon four-balls.
In the final set of singles on the Sunday, Lawrie completed what was a great Ryder Cup personally by performing the anchor role and beating Jeff Maggert 4 and 3.