COLIN TAKES A BREAK - AND SO DOES SCOTTISHGOLFVIEW.COM

Colin Farquharson is now on holiday until the second week of April.
Normal service on Scottishgolfview.com will be resumed when he returns.

United States PGA Tour Scoreboard
PUERTO RICO OPEN
FIRST ROUND
Par 72.
64 Bo Van Pelt
66 Kyle Thompson, Ted Purdy
67 Jerry Kelly, Jeff Overton, Briny Baird, Brenden Pappas (Rsa), Nicholas Thompson
68 Billy Andrade, John Merrick, Miguel Suarez, Marco Dawson, Jason Dufner, Bob Sowards
69 Jin Park (Kor), Esteban Toledo (Mex), Brian Gay, Eric Axley, Greg Kraft, Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Joe Durant, Ryan Blaum, Dan Forsman, Ryan Armour, Tom Gillis, Skip Kendall
70 Chris Stroud, Chris Riley, Andrew Buckle (Aus), Joey Sindelar, Diego Vanegas (Col), Mathias Gronberg (Swe), James Driscoll, Steve Allan (Aus), Paul Claxton, Kevin Stadler, Duffy Waldorf
71 Stephen Leaney (Aus), Ben Curtis, Ronnie Black, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), Bob Tway, Justin Bolli, Brett Quigley, Travis null Perkins, Shaun Micheel, John Riegger, Larry Mize, Bob Heintz, Jason Allred, Garrett Willis, Gavin Coles (Aus), Chad Collins, Cameron Beckman, Jay Williamson
72 Rafael Campos, Charley Hoffman, Patrick Sheehan, Kris Cox, Gabriel Hjertstedt (Swe), Kenneth Ferrie (Eng), Tommy Gainey, Ronald Whittaker, Tommy Armour III, Jim McGovern, Ryan Palmer, Pablo Martin (Spa), Kent Jones, Tom Scherrer, Michael Sim (Sco), Jim, jr. Gallagher, Omar Uresti, Kevin Streelman, Richard S Johnson (Swe), Guy Boros, Wilfredo Morales, John Huston, Carlos Franco (Par)
73 David Lutterus (Rsa), Miguel Rodriguez (Arg), Willie Wood, Jeff Gove, Chris Smith, Harrison Frazar, Tom Byrum, Jimmy Walker, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Dicky Pride, Jon Mills (Can), Chip Sullivan, Craig Kanada, Douglas Labelle, Dudley Hart, Phil Tataurangi (Nzl), Neal Lancaster, Lee Janzen, Scott Sterling, Robert Damron, Stephen Gangluff, John Morse
74 Richard Johnson (Wal), Scott Gump, Matt Kuchar, Tom Lehman, Brent Geiberger, J.L. Lewis, Bill Haas, Tim Petrovic, Johnson Wagner
75 Bob Estes, Robin Freeman, Mike Heinen, Glen Day, Dong-Hwan Lee (Jpn), Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn)
76 Jay Delsing, Brad Elder, Cody Freeman, Martin Laird, Lee Rinker
77 Max Alveiro, Paul Stankowski, Tom Kite, Alex Cejka (Ger), Bob Burns, Marco Ruiz (Par), Grant Waite (Nzl), Roland Thatcher
78 Joel Edwards
79 Mark Brooks
84 J.T Kohut

World Golf Championships
Doral Resort & CC, Miami, Florida.
FIRST ROUND
Par 72
65 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)
66 Stewart Cink
67 Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott (Aus), Anders Hansen (Den), Nick O'Hern (Aus)
68 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Ross Fisher (Eng), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Toru Taniguchi (Jpn), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Mark Calcavecchia, Andres Romero (Arg), Ryuji Imada (Jpn), Luke Donald (Eng), Gregory Havret (Fra)
69 Zach Johnson, Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Charles Howell III, Aaron Baddeley (Aus), Justin Leonard, J.B. Holmes, Robert Allenby (Aus), Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia (Spa)
70 Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Justin Rose (Eng), KJ Choi (Kor), Nick Dougherty (Eng), Woody Austin, Chapchai Nirat (Tha), Brett Wetterich
71 Steve Stricker, Retief Goosen (Rsa), Graeme Storm (Eng), Peter Hanson (Swe), Ian Poulter (Eng), Camilo Villegas (Col), Lee Westwood (Eng), Tim Clark (Rsa), Scott Verplank, Richard Sterne (Rsa)
72 Anton Haig (Rsa), Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), Arron Oberholser, Graeme McDowell (NIrl), Hunter Mahan, Paul Casey (Eng), Daniel Chopra (Swe), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Boo Weekley, Henrik Stenson (Swe), Paul Sheehan (Aus)
73 Vijay Singh (Fij), Sean O'Hair, Mike Weir (Can), Craig Parry (Aus), Mark Brown (Nzl), Stuart Appleby (Aus), Stephen Ames (Can)
74 James Kingston (Rsa), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Heath Slocum, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind), Andrew McLardy (Rsa), John Rollins, Ernie Els (Rsa), Richard Green (Aus), Wen-chong Liang (Chn), Brandt Snedeker, Jonathan Byrd, D.J. Trahan
75 Colin Montgomerie (Sco), Angel Cabrera (Arg), Shingo Katayama (Jpn)
76 Brendan Jones (Aus)
77 Soren Hansen (Den)

European Tour Scoreboard
MADEIRA ISLAND OPEN
Santo da Serra Golf Club.
FIRST ROUND
Par 72
66 Sven Struver (Ger)
67 Hennie Otto (Rsa)
68 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Peter Gustafsson (Swe), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Fredrik Widmark (Swe)
69 Matthew King (Aus), John Bickerton
70 Juan Parron (Spa), Nicolas Vanhootegem (Bel), Mattias Eliasson (Swe), Gareth Paddison (Nzl), Peter Whiteford, Alastair Forsyth, Bradley Dredge
71 Richard Bland, Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Kyron Sullivan, Sion Bebb, Gary Lockerbie, Pedro Linhart (Spa), Andrew Oldcorn, Sebastien Delagrange (Fra), Alexander Noren (Swe), Notah Begay III (USA), Markus Brier (Aut), Miles Tunnicliff, Manuel Quiros (Spa)
72 Gary Orr, Liam Bond, Luis Claverie (Spa), Tim Dykes, Rafael Echenique (Arg), Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Joakim Backstrom (Swe), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa), Alan McLean, Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Hugo Santos (Por), Gary Clark, Jamie McLeary, Lee S James, Tom Whitehouse
73 John Mellor, Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Alvaro Velasco (Spa), Ben Mason, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Alvaro Salto (Spa), Andreas Hogberg (Swe), Michael Jonzon (Swe), Santiago Luna (Spa), Wade Ormsby (Aus), Martin Wiegele (Aut), George Murray, Phillip Talbot, Diego Borrego (Spa), Gabriel Canizares (Spa), Ricardo Santos (Por), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra)
74 Ben Evans, Juan Abbate (Arg), Benn Barham, Anthony Tarchetti, Andrew Coltart, Simon Wakefield, Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Lee Slattery, Sam Walker, Marcus Higley, David Dixon, Pedro Figueiredo (Por), Ariel Canete (Arg), Lawrence Dodd
75 Jamie Little, Matthew Millar (Aus), Peter Lawrie, Nuno Campino (Por), Andrew McArthur, Stephen Dodd, Ian Garbutt, Jan Are Larsen (Nor), Paul Waring, Rikard Karlberg (Swe), Marco Soffietti (Ita), Mark Pilkington, Taco Remkes (Ned), Jamie Donaldson, Dave Horsey, Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Philip Golding
76 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Robert Dinwiddie, Robert Coles, Duarte Freitas (Por), Anthony Wall, Robert Rock, Iain Pyman, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Steve Alker (Nzl), Henrik Nystrom (Swe), Christian Nilsson (Swe), Peter Baker, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Julio Zapata (Arg), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Paul Lawrie, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Florian Praegant (Aut), Antonio Sobrinho (Por)
77 Chris Gane, Oliver Whiteley, Stuart Manley, Doug McGuigan, James Hepworth, Steven O'Hara, Gary Emerson
78 Tiago Cruz (Por), Henrique Paulino (Por), Rolf Muntz (Ned), Fredrik Henge (Swe), Warren Bennett, Andrew Willey, Joao Pedro Sousa (Por), Sean Hawker (Por)
79 Gary Boyd, Paolo Terreni (Ita), Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Peter Fowler (Aus), Antonio Rosado (Por)
80 Olivier David (Fra), Craig Lee, David Drysdale, Lee Corfield, Marcel Siem (Ger), Benoit Teilleria (Fra)
81 Matthew Cort, Francois Calmels (Fra)

CHAMPION CRAIG STEPHEN ALSO LEADING
MONEY-WINNER ON NE ALLIANCE CIRCUIT

New North-east Golfers' Alliance champion Craig Stephen (Meldrum House) was the leading money-winner, by a considerable margin, on the 2007-2008 circuit which ended at Cruden Bay on Wednesday.
As an amateur, Stephen cannot accept money so he received £760 in prize vouchers during the season.
MacKenzie Club professional Colin Nelson came next with £507 in winnings, followed by two amateurs, Philip McLean (Peterhead), £500, and Anthony Bews (Murcar Links), £431.
Stephen also won the Scratch section of the Order of Merit with an average score - 10 events to count - of minus 0.6 under the standard scratch score per round.
John Nicholson, the consistent Auchmill three-handicapper, won Class 1 with a net average score of minus 0.1 under SSS.
Another Auchmill player, Paul Cornfield, who plays off 10, won Class 2 of the Order of Merit with a net average score of 0.5 over SSS.
LEADING STATISTICS 2007-2008
MONEY/VOUCHERS
1 C Stephen (Meldrum House) £760.
2 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club) £507.
3 P McLean (Peterhead) £500.
4 A Bews (Murcar Links) £431.
5 G McInnes (Murcar Links) £330.
6 J Nicolson (Auchmill) £327.
6 W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) £311.
8 R Cameron (McDonald Ellon) £285.
9 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) £268.
10 G Bruce (Westhill) £240.
11 D Law (Hazlehead) £237.
12 G Esson (Portlethen) £230.
13 S Finnie (Caledonian) £229.
14 F Bisset (Banchory) £210.
14 G Forbes (Murcar Links) £210.
16 A Styles (Caledonian) £207.
17 S Scott (Auchmill) £200.
18 D Read (Banchory) £194.
19 N Reid (Deeside) £180.
19 S Garden (Hazlehead) £180.
19 W Main (Murcar Links) £180.
22 D Bisset (Banchory) £175.
22 J Mooney (Turriff) £175.
22 S Lawrie (Portlethen) £175.
25 D Nelson (Aboyne) £170.
25 C Hood (Alford) £170.
27 S Davidson (Banchory) £160.
28 J M Hamilton (Murcar Links) £156.
29 I Bratton (Newburgh) £150.
30 P Anderson (Deeside) £145.
30 D Corkey (Murcar Links) £145.
30 G Mitchell (Braemar) £145.
33 P Cornfield (Auchmill) £144.
34 C Alexander (Murcar Links) £151.
35 D Moir (Murcar Links) £140.
36 A Grant (Portlethen) £135.
37 C Buchanan (Hazlehead) £134.
37 M F R Rogers (Kemnay) £134.
39 R L Nicoll (Murcar Links) £129.
40 D Randall (Banchory) £126.
41 G H Paterson (Northern) £125.
42 D Garrett (Huntly) £120.
43 R McDonald (Inchmarlo) £112.
45 B Bavidge (Murcar Links) £110.
45 C Carnegie (Kemnay) £110.
47 P Lovie (Inchmarlo) £109.
48 W Forbes (Murcar Links) £107.
49 J Wilson (Deeside) £105.
50 D McDowell (Aberdeen Council) £100.
ORDER OF MERIT - Scratch
Average of best 10 gross scores in relation to CSS
1 C Stephen (Meldrum House) -0.6.
2 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club) 0.2.
3 A Bews (Murcar Links) 0.6.
4 A Campbell (Deeside) 1.5.
4 G Bruce (Westhill) 1.5.
6 P Lovie (Inchmarlo) 2.1.
7 S Finnie (Caledonian) 2.3.
8 S Davidson (Banchory) 2.4.
8 W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) 2.4.
8 D Garrett (Huntly) 2.4.
11 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 2.5
12 G H Paterson (Northern) 2.6.
13 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 1.8.
14 J Nicolson (Auchmill) 2.9.
15 A Styles (Caledonian) 3.1.
16 J Mooney (Turriff) 3.2.
17 R McDonald (Inchmarlo) 3.4.
18 D Corkey (Murcar Links) 3.6.
19 F Bisset (Banchory) 4.3.
20 S Scott (Auchmill) 4.6.
21 N Reid (Deeside) 4.7.
22 C Carnegie (Kemnay) 4.9.
23 D Clark (Duff House Royal) 5.1.
24 D Read (Banchory) 5.5.
25 S Pert (Huntly) 5.6.
26 M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 5.7.
27 C Alexander (Murcar Links) 6.3.
28 D Wilson (Duff House Royal) 6.8.
29 J M Hamilton (Murcar Links) 6.9.
30 A Graham (Portlethen) 7.2.
31 R L Nicoll (Murcar Links) 74.
32 A Innes (Murcar Links) 7.5.
33 M Lawrie (Kemnay) 7.6.
34 H Roulston (Stonehaven) 8.0.
35 l Tayulor (Auchmill) 8.3.
36 J Dalgarno (Hazlehead) 8.9.
36 C Hood (Alford) 8.9.
38 D Nelson (Aboyne) 9.4.
39 J Murray (Banchory) 9.5.
40 I D Smith (Hazlehead) 9.6.
41 F G Gray (Deeside) 9.7.
42 B Shaw (Banchory) 9.9.
43 P Farnan (Royal Aberdeen) 10.0.
43 R M Grant (Caledonian) 10.0
45 N Parker (Murcar Links) 10.1.
46 D Leighton (Northern) 10.4.
47 S Lawrie (Portlethen) 10.7.
48 D Bisset (Banchory) 10.9.
ORDER OF MERIT - Class 1
Average of 10 best net scores in relation to CSS
Handicap in brackets.
1 J Nicolson (Auchmill) (3) -0.1.
2 W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) (2) 0.5
2 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) (2) 0.5
4 S Scott (Auchmill) (4) 0.6.
5 J M Hamilton (Murcar Links) (6) 0.9.
6 C Hood (Alford) (7) 1.1.
7 S Finnie (Caledonian) (1) 1.3
8 C Stephen (Meldrum House) (+2) 1.4.
9 D Read (Banchory) (4) 1.5.
9 C Alexander (Murcar Links) (4) 1.5.
11 D Corkey (Murcar Links) (2) 1.6.
12 R L Nicoll (Murcar Links) (5) 1.7.
12 J Murray (Banchory) (8) 1.7.
14 D Wilson (Duff House Royal) (4) 1.8.
15 C Carnegie (Kemnay) (3) 1.9.
15 J Dalgarno (Hazlehead) (7) 1.9.
17 D Nelson (Aboyne) (7) 2.0.
18 C Cassie (Nigg Bay) (8) 2.1.
19 A Graham (Portlethen) (5) 2.2.
20 A Campbell (Deeside) (+1) 2.3.
21 D Garrett (Huntly) (scr) 2.4.
21 N Parker (Murcar Links) (7) 2.4.
23 G H Paterson (Northern) (scr) 2.6.
23 M Lawrie (Kemnay) (5) 2.6.
25 B Shaw (Banchory) (7) 2.8.
26 K Minty (Turriff) (8) 3.1.
27 A Styles (Caledonian) (scr) 3.2.
27 F Bisset (Banchory) (1) 3.2.
27 D McKay (Caledonian) (8) 3.2.
30 H Roulston (Stonehaven) (4) 3.3.
30 L Taylor (Auchmill) (5) 3.3.
32 I( D Smith (Hazlehead) (6) 3.4.
33 A Bews (Murcar Links) (+3) 3.6.
33 S Pert (Huntly) (2) 3.6.
35 M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) (2) 3.7.
36 D Clark (Duff House Royal)( (1) 4.1.
37 P Farnan (Royal Aberdeen) (5) 4.2.
38 D Leightonh (Northern) (6) 4.4.
39 R M Grant (Caledonian) (5) 5.0.
40 A Innes (Murcar Links) (2) 5.3
40 D MacKay (Newmachar) (7) 5.3.

ORDER OF MERIT - Class 2
Handicaps in brackets.
1 P Cornfield (Auchmill) (10) 0.5.
2 I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (11) 1.5.
2 M F R Rogers (Kemnay) (13) 1.5.
4 S Lawrie (Portlethen) (9) 1.7.
4 D Randall (Banchory) (15) 1.7.
6 D Bisset (Banchory) (9) 2.0.
7 J Forrest (Northern) (9) 2.2.
8 W Forbes (Murcar Links) (12) 2.5.
9 R Brown (Craibstone) (13) 2.6.
10 F Barclay (Kintore) (9) 2.8.
11 D Moir (Murcar Links) (13) 3.09.
12 B Bavidge (Murcar Links) (10) 3.1
12 D Wood (Newburgh) (14) 3.1
14 G Kelly (Peterculter) (11) 3.3.
15 S Youngson (Turriff) (14) 3.4.
16 M Ord (Royal Aberdeen) (11) 3.5.
17 T Collie (Kemnay) (10) 3.7.
17 W D Rae (Kemnay) (13) 3.7.
19 S Garden (Hazlehead) (9) 3.8.
20 S Higgins(Royal Aberdeen) (10) 3.9.
20 G Homer (Lumphanan (12) 3.9.
22 J Penny (Huntly) (11) 4.3.
23 H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (10) 4.9.
23 J Wilson (Deeside) (10) 4.9.
25 M Brown (Craibstone) (17) 5.0.
26 N Chisholm (Kemnay) (10) 5.2.
26 R Alison (Deeside) (13) 5.2.
28 R Lumsden (East Aberdeenshire) (18) 5.4.
20 J Jessiman (Oldmeldrum) (14) 5.6.
30 J Robb (Turriff) (10) 6.0.
31 B Lumsden (Northern) (13) 6.1.
32 C Adie (Murcar Links) (14) 6.4.
32 J Jones (Craibstone) (17) 6.4.
34 D Lawrie (Inchmarlo) (13) 7.7.
35 A Buchan (Northern) (9) 10.1.

+Scottishgolfview is indebted to North-east Golfers' Alliance secretary Ron Menzies for the above treasure trove of statistics.

Midlands Alliance

Wind-tamer Alan Lockhart at Crieff

Ladybank assistant professional Alan Lockhart won today's Midlands Golfers' Alliance meeting at Crieff with a creditable 71 in very windy conditions.
James Milne, who plays off 12 at Drumoig, won the handicap section with a net 68.

LEADING SCRATCH
71 A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap.
72 M Rae (Alyth) ap, A J Webster (Edzell) p, L Vannet (Carnoustie) p, M Brown (Monifieth).
73 M Pirie (Pitlochry) p, S Smith (Ladybank) p.
74 I Bell (Vicars Ford) p.
75 D M Cameron (Pitlochry).
76 G McLeod (Monifieth).
LEADING HANDICAP
68 J Milne (Drumoig) (12).
71 M Brown (Monifieth) (1).
72 D M Cameron (Pitlochry) (3).
73 W Crosbie (Blairgowrie) (6).
74 M Niven (Alloa) (3), I D Henderson (Craigiehill) (7), I Watson (King James VI) (13), D Fordyce (Dun Ochil) (12).

Press Release

European Challenge Tour renews
links with Finland

The European Challenge Tour will return to Finland after a four-year absence with the announcement of the SK Golf Challenge at St. Laurence Golf from June 12-15, 2008.
The SK Golf Challenge, the first Challenge Tour event to be played in the country since 2004 when Finland’s Roope Kakko won the Volvo Finnish Open as an amateur, will carry a prize fund of €150,000. The 2008 SK Golf Challenge will be the first event in a three year agreement with promoters SK Festivals Oy.
St Laurence Golf, located at Lohja, 50 kilometres west of the capital, Helsinki, was opened in 1990. The course is located on the grounds of the old Gunnarla Mansion and boasts two championship courses, Kalkki-Petteri (old course) and Pyhä Lauri (new course) along with a new six-hole practice course. It is widely regarded as one of the best golf facilities in Finland.
Finland hosted one of the first events on the Challenge Tour in its inaugural season of 1989 and the Volvo Finnish Open continued for 16 years until 2004. For six of those years there were in fact two Challenge Tour events in the season with the Finnish Masters from 1998-2000 preceding the Talma Finnish Challenge from 2001-2003.
The SK Golf Challenge in Finland further strengthens the ties in the Nordic region, joining events in Sweden, Norway and Denmark on the 2008 Challenge Tour schedule. Ultimately, SK Festivals’ goal for 2011 is to promote an event on The European Tour International Schedule in Finland.
Sedu Koskinen, owner of SK Festivals, said: "We are delighted and proud to announce that SK Festivals will be the promoter for a new era of Challenge Tour events in Finland. Our goal is to produce a streak of ‘high end’ entertainment golf events.”
SK Festivals are well known for ensuring their events stand out prominently and draw attention both at the location and in the media. Koskinen continued: "We believe that by combining sports and entertainment we can make SK Golf Challenge an interesting event for the players, spectators and especially the sponsors.”
Mika Walkamo, Chairman of the Board of the Finnish PGA, said: “To get a Challenge Tour event back on the Finnish calendar is just fabulous news for tournament golf in Finland.
“Finland deserves its own tournament for the tournament players. The SK Golf Challenge also gives the Finnish golf enthusiasts a great chance to see future star players perform in the Finnish summer.”
Alain de Soultrait, Director of the European Challenge Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce the SK Golf Challenge which renews our long association with Finland after a four year absence. Finland hosted one of the first events on the fledgling Challenge Tour in 1989 and that relationship continued right through to 2004. It is therefore particularly pleasing to be returning to Finland, a country that has always been such a staunch supporter of the Challenge Tour, in this our 20th season.
“The SK Golf Challenge offers a wonderful opportunity for Finnish golfers, all of whom will have been inspired by the recent exploits of Mikko Ilonen, who progressed from the Challenge Tour to win twice on The European Tour last season. We look forward to working with our hosts, St Laurence Golf, and the promoter, SK Festivals Oy, to make the SK Golf Challenge a great success.”

Asian Tour Press Release

LLOYD SALTMAN'S ONE-OVER 73
LEAVES HIM FIGHTING
TO SURVIVE CUT IN THAILAND

Chonburi, Thailand, March 20: Local young gun Sattaya Supupramai fired an impressive eight-under-par 64 alongside Korean rookie Noh Seung-yul for the joint lead in the opening round at the Asian Tour International today.
Sattaya, 24, posted nine birdies against a lone dropped shot for the outright lead matched by the former Korean amateur No 1 who nailed two eagles at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort.
Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang shot a 65 with a similar score by England’s Simon Griffiths who emulated his start from last week in a tie for third place. India’s Rahil Gangjee was pleased to be up in the mix in joint five place two strokes off the pace alongside Japan’s Mitsuhiro Tateyama and Welshman Craig Smith in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
Malaysia’s Ben Leong, who will be riding on his success on the same venue at the 2006 Asian Tour Qualifying School, posted a 67 and was among those in a tie for eighth spot alongside Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Englishman Yasin Ali.
But it was Sattaya who stole the limelight earlier in the day when he conquered the back nine with six birdies.
“I’m enjoying my game right now. I finished in the top-10 in a local tournament last week and I had a solid finish today with birdies on my last two holes so I’m very happy with my performance,” said Sattaya, who resides in the outskirts of Bangkok.
It was a welcome return to form for Sattaya who had missed the top-40 mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in December last year.
With the support of his caddie Silikon Aimsamaong, who was the former caddie of Thai stalwart Prayad Marksaeng, Sattaya is now relishing his chances of securing his full playing rights on the Asian Tour this week.
“I missed the Qualifying School by three strokes and it was frustrating as I had struck bogeys in my last three holes. My mental game has been the letdown for me but I have learnt from that experience and it showed today. I can handle the pressure and I’m comfortable out on course compared to how it was before,” admitted Sattaya, who was part of the 2005 national team.
Sattaya was a football enthusiast before making a switch to golf at the age of 15. He turned professional in 2006 and chalked up one win on the local circuit last year.
With two eagles and four birdies, Korean youngster Noh enjoyed a bogey free round. The 2005 Korean amateur number one was unfazed by the array of Asian giants present at Chonburi having previously finished third at the 2006 Maekyung Open and a top-10 result at the Korean Open in the same year.
“It was down to my putting today which helped me produce a low score. But my dad has been great helping me read the greens and I’m pleased with the result,” said the 16-year-old talent, who eagled the par five second and 11th holes.
“The eagles were great as the ball landed around 15 feet away from the pin on both holes. I’m happy to be playing here and I hope to keep up my steady performance on the greens,” said Noh, who has the support of his caddie and father Noh Gu-huieun this week.
Starting on the back nine, Chinese Taipei’s Lin was eight under after 16 holes but struck a costly bogey on the seventh hole.
“After the Pro-Am yesterday, I told my brother (Lin Wen-hong) that if I putt well this week, I have a strong chance to win. Today’s effort was a reflection of that. I was accurate off the tee but my putting proved costly in the closing stages. I missed a three foot birdie opportunity at the seventh hole, it was frustrating but if I can improve my performance on the greens, then I will stay among the leaders,” said Lin, with two wins on the Asian Tour.
Thai stalwarts Thaworn Wiratchant shot a 71 in a tie for 56th spot while Thongchai Jaidee was even-par for the day in joint 82nd place.
Rookie pro Lloyd Saltman shot a one-over-par 73 which, in different circumstances, would have been an acceptable score. But with so many very good players you've never heard of competing on the Asian Tour, the Scot is well down the first-round scoreboard and fighting to survive the Friday cut.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
64 Sattaya Supupramai (Tha), Seung-yul Noh (Kor)
65 Simon Griffiths (Eng), Wen-tang Lin (Tpe)
66 Craig Smith (Wal), Mitsuhiro Tateyama (Jpn), Rahil Gangjee (Ind)
67 Wisut Artjanawat (Tha), Pijit Petchkasem (Tha), Han Lee (USA), Young-jin Kim (Kor), Ben Leong (Mal), Yasin Ali (Eng), Mardan Mamat (Sin), Tatsuya Sato (Jpn)
68 Will Yanagisawa (USA), David Bransdon (Aus), Mars Pucay (Phi), Amandeep Johl (Ind), Gavin Flint (Aus), Chang-ting Yeh (Tpe), Choengchai Panpumpo (Tha), Somkiat Srisanga (Tha), Gaurav Ghei (Ind), Naoya Takemoto (Jpn), Juvic Pagunsan (Phi), Michael Wright (Aus)
69 Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn), Neven Basic (Aus), S.Siva Chandran (Mal), Brad Kenned (Aus), Jerome Delariarte (Phi), Scott Hend (Aus)
70 Piya Swangarunporn (Tha), Chawalit Plaphol (Tha), Ross Bain (Sco), Jason King (Aus), Kevin Chun (Nzl), Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha), Antonio Lascuna (Phi), Tatsuhiko Ichihara (Jpn), Danny Chia (Mal), Lien Lu-sen (Tpe), Ashley Hall (Aus), Toru Morita (Jpn), Guido Van Der Valk (Ned), Prayad Marksaeng (Tha), Wen-teh Lu (Tpe), Terry Pilkadaris (Aus), Anthony Kang (USA), Angelo Que (Phi), Marcus Both (Aus), Stephen Scahill (Nzl), Cookie Lao (Phi), David Freeman (Hkg)
71 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha), Tse-peng Chang (Tpe), Brett Bingham (Can), Adam Blyth (Aus), Artemio Murakami (Phi), Andrew Dodt (Aus), Richard Moir (Aus), Udom Duangdecha (Tha), Kheng-hwai Khor (Mal), Mitchell Brown (Aus), Wei-tze Yeh (Tpe), Jamnian Chitprasong (Tha), Adam Groom (Aus), Tetsuya Koyama (Jpn), Mong-nan Hsu (Tpe), Metee Siripoch (Tha), Mahal Pearce (Nzl), Taichiro Kiyota (Jpn), Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha), Tony Carolan (Aus), Mao-chang Sung (Tpe), Chih Bing Lam (Sin), Yoshinobu Tsukada (Jpn), Steven Tan (Mal), Pornsakon Tipsanit (Tha), Simon Dunn (Sco).
72 Yuan-chi Chen (Tpe), Vuttipong Puangkaew (Tha), Steven Tiley (Eng), Prom Meesawat (Tha), Richard Gallichan (Aus), Manus Saengsui (Tha), Kodai Ichihara (Jpn), Rick Kulacz (Aus), Rhys Davies (Wal), Zaw Moe (Mya), Ty Puekdang (Tha), David Gleeson (Aus), Sirapong Maitreeyeunyong (Tha), Arjun Singh (Ind), Namchoak Tantipokakul (Tha), Panuwat Muenlek (Tha), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Digvijay Singh (Ind), Richard Lee (Nzl), Simon Hurd (Eng), Tomoo Bise (Jpn), Thepthat Senawong (Tha), Darren Beck (Aus), Todd Vernon (USA)
73 Jun Kikuchi (Jpn), Narut Arayangkul (Tha), Rashid Ismail (Mal), Takuya Taniguchi (Jpn), Jirapat Pattaranavik [A] (Tha), Lloyd Saltman (Sco), Wei-chih Lu (Tpe), Gerald Rosales (Phi), Soomboon Leelathitikul (Tha), Jun-won Park (Kor), Wut Anuttrachotikul (Tha), Firoz Ali (Ind), Wen-hong Lin (Tpe), Gurbaaz Mann (Ind), Shunta Maewakura (Jap), Martin Rominger (Swi), Unho Park (Aus), Dinesh Chand (Fij), Kwanchai Tannin (Tha), Yutthaporn Pongsantiey (Tha)
74 Pornpong Phatlum (Tha), Joakim Renstrom (Swe), Henry Epstein (Aus), Peter Cooke (Aus), Motoharu Mukai (Jpn), Chien-bing Lin (Tpe), Atthaphon Prathummanee (Tha), Thammanoon Srirot (Tha), Nakul Vijityuthasart (Tha), Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind), Clay Devers (USA), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha).
75 Kunihiro Kamii (Jpn), Michio Matsumura (Jpn), Mark Mouland (Wal), Airil Rizman (Mal), Nozomi Kawahara (Jpn), Bryan Saltus (USA), Tomoyuki Uno (Jpn), Anusorn Songserm (Tha), Ashun Wu (Chn)
77 Ronnachai Jamnong (Tha), P. Gunasegaran (Mal), Craig Mclean (Aus), Sorawit Phongthipphanat (Tha), Hironori Yoshida (Jpn), Marlon Dizon (Phi)
78 Olle Nordberg (Swe)
79 Wittawat Sae-Ung (Tha), Saharat Wecharungsi [A] (Tha)

W: http://www.asiantour.com/

Press Release

Ladybank pair qualify for Grand
Final in Egypt

MORE than 50 amateur golfers will battle it out next week (March 25 and 26) for a place in the Grand Final of one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions.
A total of 52 players in 26 teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Grand Final of the Matchplay Championship being held at the luxurious five-star Marriott Taba Heights Resort in Egypt.
But first, they must overcome the Regional Finals being held at De Vere Carden Park on 25 March for qualifiers in the North and The Vale on 26 March for golfers in the South.
The Regional Finals will be played over an 18-hole combined Stableford competition with 12 teams – including men’s and mixed pairs - progressing to the Grand Final to join four mixed teams who have already qualified from the North.
A total of 32 golfers will then compete in the Grand Final over 54 holes of Taba Heights’ renowned championship course for the title of Matchplay Champions and Mixed Matchplay Champions from 19-26 April 2008.
The Matchplay Championship, which costs just £20 per person to enter, is one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions with more than 800 teams from the UK & Ireland competing.
Teams will play a series of local matches before progressing to a Regional Final on one of the UK’s top courses to ultimately win a week-long all expenses paid trip to Egypt for the Grand Final.
The Marriot resort, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea cost, is famed worldwide for its luxurious surroundings, championship golf course and stunning scenery.
John Woosey, managing director of The Golfer’s Club which promotes the Matchplay Championship, said: “The Matchplay Championship not only offers players a tremendously exciting and competitive tournament of golf but the chance to play in one of the most stunning golfing locations on the planet.
“Anyone who has reached the regional finals has done extremely well to get this far because more than 1600 golfers entered the tournament.
“It is amazing to think that, for just £20, they are getting to play at one of the UK’s most prestigious courses in the regional final and stand a chance of winning a luxury trip to Egypt.
“I wish all the competitors the best of luck and I know that the ones who end up joining us in the beautiful surroundings of Taba Heights in April will enjoy a golfing experience never to be forgotten.”
Four teams have already qualified for the Grand Final from the North region.
They are: Ryan Boal and Catherine Corry from Spa Golf Club in County Down; James and Margaret Hair from Ladybank Golf Club in Fife; Gary Cook and Kelly Morley from The Tytherington Golf Club in Cheshire and Lynda and Barry Golightly from Slaley Hall Golf & Country Club in County Durham.
They will be joined by another four mixed teams from the south and eight men’s teams from the North and South.
The Matchplay Championship is sponsored by American Golf, BUPA Travel Services and The Golfer’s Club.
Golfers are now able to enter next year’s event and details are available on www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk

About the Matchplay Championship:
*All rounds up until the regional finals are knockout stages using a better ball matchplay format at the home team’s course over 18 holes. The winning team qualifies for the next round.
*The regional final is played using a combined Stableford format over 18 holes
*The Grand Final is played over three days using an accumulative Stableford format.
*The first Matchplay Championship took place in 2003 and has grown in popularity ever since. *The first four Grand Finals took place in Jamaica and this year is the first time the event has been held in Egypt.

Press Releas

THREE-YEAR GUARANTEE ON STYLISH
GLENMUIR WATERPROOF JACKETS

The strength of Glenmuir’s growing performance outerwear range is showcased this Spring Summer by the Scottish company’s flagship Rain Bloc ® waterproof jackets.
The men’s Inverurie and ladies’ Elie waterproof jackets from Glenmuir - one of Europe’s leading golf apparel brands - deliver superb weather-beating performance backed by a three-year guarantee.
Both high-quality jackets feature the Glenmuir Rain Bloc ® waterproof system, comprising a laminated microfibre fabric which uses a special inner membrane to allow moisture vapour created by the body to escape, but repels external wind and rain.
The fabric is extremely lightweight and quiet, waterproof and breathable, with the waterproof system guaranteed against laminate breakdown or leakage through the fabric or taped seams for three years.
Both the Inverurie and Elie are styled in a performance fit and feature concealed zip-off sleeves, Velcro side tabs for fit adjustment, elasticated cuffs with Velcro adjusters, adjustable draw cord waist, high-neck storm collar, water repellant full-length zip and side pockets and chest ventilation flaps.
The Inverurie, which also boasts a stretch panel at back shoulder for freedom of movement and a back scorecard pocket, is available in sizes S-XXL and three colourways – Caribbean blue/navy, storm grey/burnt orange and black/sand.
The Elie comes in S-XL and a choice of three eye-catching colours – sky blue, mint and raspberry – with black detailing.
Both jackets are available for a suggested retail price of £84.00.
Andy Bough, Glenmuir Marketing Director, said: “The waterproof market has been identified as a key area for growth for Glenmuir and our 2008 range of top-quality jackets, trousers, wind shirts and fleeces uses a variety of fabric technologies to deliver superb weather-beating performance.
“In addition, the Inverurie and Elie waterproof jackets are backed by a three-year guarantee as part of our on-going commitment to customer service.”

Fairways Target Golf Leagues 2008
Week 10

By NEIL HAMPTON
Web: http://www.golflochness.com/

While the title had been decided in the Tuesday League, the second play-off place was not and both teams fighting for it seemed intent on giving it away.
The Grumps, who were in decline during the run-in, contrived to have their lowest score of the season and helped the Coastguards avoid the wooden spoon.
Meanwhile, Raigmore Motel were also finding out that they needed to play well to qualify as the Old Swingers had their second highest total for the season while Raigmore had their lowest.
All this meant that the Grumps made the play-offs by virtue of their better shots scored record. Fairways grabbed the wooden spoon from the Coastguards as they fell to the league champions, the Luckless Leadbetters.

Results:
Luckless Leadbetter’s 46, Fairways 16.
Old Swingers 70, Raigmore Motel 20.
Coastguards 20, Grumps 11.

The annual Target Golf Texas Scramble will take place over Loch Ness Golf Course at Fairways on Sunday, March 23.
Please contact Neil Hampton on 01463 713335 or info@golflochness.com to enter a team.

FINAL TABLE

Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-For-Against-Difference-Points.
1 Luckless Leadbetter's 10-9-0-1-545-357-plus 188-18.
2 Grumps 10-6-0-4-400-353-plus 47-12.
3 Raigmore Motel 10-6-0-4-314-405-minus 91-12.
4 Old Swingers 10-4-0-6-429-439-minus 10-8.
5 Coastguards 10-3-0-7-328-373-minus 45-6.
6 Fairways 10-2-0-8-368-457-minus 89-4.

The Spring Top Team Trophy was guaranteed to have a new name on it as all the teams were visiting the play-offs for the first time. It was the Loch Ness Juniors who took the Top Team Trophy, continuing with the scoring form that saw them squeeze into the play-offs despite a three-week lay-off.
It will be the Luckless Leadbetters who will be kicking themselves though as the nerves came through and they compiled their worst score of the season on a night that was good for scoring. Trilight battled bravely but they could not match the prowess of the Juniors who will feel that they have achieved their just deserts after failing to make the play-offs in the Winter League. The Grumps, who stumbled into the play-offs, couldn’t field a team as holidays and work commitments decimated their squad.

Top Team

Loch Ness Juniors – 53
Trilight – 37
Luckless Leadbetters – 25
Grumps – No Show

The Captains' Cup gave its usual story of highs and lows but it was a great result for Fairways who, after their dismal showing in the league, saw their captain take the individual honours. Greg Forsyth scored an exceptional 30 shots to win easily from Gerry Allan of the Old Swingers who seems to excel in this type of game, having taken the Winter title.
Steven Lymburn, who won this trophy 11 years ago and is now heading for New Zealand, took th spot in his last ever target golf outing.

Captains' Cup
Greg Forsyth (Fairways) – 30
Gerry Allan (Old Swingers) – 20
Steven Lymburn (Luckless Leadbetters) – 10
Jamie Treasurer (Loch Ness Juniors) – 8
Neil Hampton (BM Trucks) – 8
Graeme Twaddle (Trilight) – 5
Neil Birnie (Coastguards) – 4
Matthew MacPherson (Underdogs) – 1


Captain for photograph above:

Front row (left to right): Jamie Treasurer (Loch Ness Juniors), Keith Campbell (Trilight), Graeme Twaddle (Trilight), David Brown (Trilight), Darren MacIvor (Luckless Leadbetters).

Back row (left to right): Gerry Allan (Old Swingers), Cameron Nelson (Loch Ness Juniors), Jamie Gordon (Luckless Leadbetters), Andy Leil (Trilight), Greg Forsyth (Fairways), Steven Lymburn (Luckless Leadbetters).

Instinctive Golf coaches in the making "at work" at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain last month (Cal Carson Golf Agency image). Click on the image to enlarge it.

Instinctive Golf coaching
doesn't use cameras or computers: It's natural
and non-technical

THE KENDAL McWADE STORY:
FINAL PART

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
(Scroll down to read the first two parts of this article about the Hayston Golf Club professional and founder of the "Instinctive Golf" coaching movement).
In the earlier parts of this article, I explained how Kendal McWade's life was changed when he read a book by an American, Fred Shoemaker, who questioned the traditional approaches by golf professionals to teaching and coaching the game.
So what’s the difference between Fred Shoemaker’s revolutionary theory to Kendal McWade’s “Instinctive Golf?”
McWade, picture above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, explains it thus:
“My version of Fred Shoemaker´s teaching is definitely a different beast but driven by the same understanding that human beings have an innate ability to learn and problem solve
And that’s what we are really trying to access.
“How do we problem solve and how does that tie in with golf and how do we get in our own road as it were with golf and fail to develop skills as we manage to do in other sports.
"If I was to give an overview of what Instinctive Golf is, it is probably natural, non-technical skill development.
“We don’t use cameras and computers. We are certainly not into telling people what they are doing wrong. We are into drawing out rather than the filling people up with stuff.
“We’re into exploring their ability to learn and their ability to, in a conscious, pre-determined manner, to carry out a predetermined shot
“Once that experience has been had by the pupil, if the outcome is not what they want the experience allows them to apply the club in a different way to see if they can achieve a different outcome.
“It’s what we call experiential learning, which is the way that most learning occurs. I throw a ball and it doesn´t go in the bucket. I learn from the experience and I make a new throw, making adjustments.”
McWade’s “Instinctive Golf” company has embarked on a training programme involving about 50 or 60 golf pros in Europe.
“The good news is that we welcome everyone who wants to become an instinctive coach. Not all out coaches are PGA-qualified professionals," says McWade.
"A number of years ago we had a decision to make. Should Instinctive Golfing Coaching be only for PGA professionals or not? After a lot of consideration we came to the decision that what we do should be available to anyone who, like us, has a passion for the game and for helping people.
“We are going to continue that and grow it, take it around the world. Our ultimate goal is for ‘Instinctive Golf’ to become the No 1 natural, most effective brand of coaching golf in the world.”
+You can read more about Kendal McWade and his method on his website: www.instinctivegolf.com

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance leading scores from competition at Glencorse Golf Club.
SCRATCH
1st £100 David Patrick (Mortonhall) 60.
2nd £50 Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre) 66.
2nd £50 Gordon Law (Uphall) 66.
2nd £50 Steven Neilson (Dunbar) 66.
2nd £50 Alan Reid (West Lothian) 66.

HANDICAP
1st £90 voucher Alan Brown (West Linton) (14) 61.
1st £90 voucher Tom Lewis (West Lothian) (13) 61.
3rd £20 voucher Keith Cowie (Newbattle) (8) 63.
3rd £20 voucher Alistair Anderson (Peebles) (4) 63.
3rd £20 voucher Kenny Bisset (Prestonfield) (6) 63.
3rd £20 voucher Steve Cameron (Peebles) (12) 63.
3rd £20 voucher Gavin Clark (Duddingston) (6) 63.
3rd £20 voucher Stewart Downing (Duddingston) (9) 63.
3rd £20 voucher David Graham (Lochend) (5) 63.
Trainee Professional Prize.
£20 Ewan Hogarth (Peebles) 67.
£20 Alan Martin (Dunbar) 67.

English Golf Union Press Release

Strong English squad for European
Nations event at Sotogrande

The English Golf Union has named a highly experienced four-man squad to contest the European Nations Championship at Sotogrande Golf Club in Spain from April 2 to 5.
The four-day championship, formerly known as the Sherry Cup and last year as the Grey Goose Cup, will see England represented by internationals Matthew Cryer, Ed Richardson and Gary Wolstenholme plus Elite Squad member Gareth Evans.
Although Evans, who is based at Northcliffe Golf Club, has yet to be capped by England, the 28 year old is a former Yorkshire champion who has enjoyed a successful time over the past two years at home and abroad.
Beside his county crown in 2006, Evans also won the English county champions' event at Woodhall Spa while last year he finished sixth in the South of England stroke-play championship , eighth in the Welsh Open stroke-play and reached the last 16 of the Spanish Amateur. He also helped Yorkshire retain the English county championship.
Cryer, 32, from Coventry, has been a full international since 2005. A semi-finalist in the English and Italian amateur championships and runner-up in the Russian amateur in 2006, he lost to Willett in last year’s English amateur final before winning the British mid-amateur title.
He was also second in the Midland Open Amateur, third in the South of England Stroke Play and sixth in the Lytham Trophy. In January this year, Cryer won the Avondale Medal in Australia with Wolstenholme in third place.
Richardson, 39, a former Kent champion, is a past winner of the West of England stroke-play and the Midland Open amateur. He was capped by England for the first time in the 2005 Home Internationals and has played 15 matches for his country.
In late 2006, Richardson partnered Seve Benson to victory in the Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup in Buenos Aires while last year he was runner-up in the Italian amateur championship and reached the quarter finals of the British mid-amateur. Recently he was a quarter-finalist in the Spanish amateur.
Wolstenholme, 47, England’s most capped player - he made his debut in 1988 - completed 200 appearances when he played against Spain last May. The winner of numerous tournaments at home and abroad, he was awarded an MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours List.
Now based at Carus Green Golf Club and representing Cumbria, Wolstenholme added to his vast tally last year by winning the New South Wales Amateur as well as retaining the European Mid Amateur Championship and in January returned to Australia to win the Lakes Medal.
He was recently fourth in the Portuguese Amateur Championship.
The European Nations Championship is competed for over 72 holes with the best three cards each day counting towards the team event. An individual competition runs simultaneously with the Nations Championship, the champion collecting a trophy and the Amateur Masters Jacket.
If the Championship ends in a tie, the teams involved will nominate one player to compete in a sudden death play-off.
England last won the Championship in 2004 and for the past three years they have finished third twice and equal second last year, but Wolstenholme has an impressive record in the individual contest with four victories. He won the individual title in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

DRAW FOR NE ALLIANCE FOURSOMES

Draw for the North-east Alliance pro-am foursomes at Murcar Links next Thursday:

Evening Express Shield - First round

+Scratch match-play

9.30 R McDonald (Inchmarlo), S Pert (Huntly) v G McInnes (Murcar Links), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links).

9.40 J Mooney (Turriff), A J Smith (Turriff) v N Reid (Deeside), A K Pirie (Hazlehead).

9.50 S Davidson (Banchory), C Stephen (Meldrum House) v R Cameron (McDonald Ellon), A Bews (Murcar Links).

10.0 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo), D Law (Hazlehead) v G Bruce (Westhill), D Garrett (Huntly).

Press and Journal Shield - First round

+Handicap match-play
10.10 C Buchanan (Hazlehead) (8), M F R Rogers (Kemnay) (13) v A Nelson (Banchory) (7), P Cornfield (Auchmill) (10).
10.20 N Parker (Murcar Links) (10), J Penny (Huntly) (11) v S Scott (Auchmill) (4), J Wilson (Deeside) (10).
10.30 L Taylor (Auchmill) (5), S Higgins (Royal Aberdeen) (10) v K Minty (Turriff) (8), D Moir (Murcar Links) (13).
10.40 D MacKay (Newmachar) (7), W D Rae (Kemnay) (13) v F G Gray (Deeside) (4), T Collie (Kemnay) (10).

Semi-finals to be played on Thursday afternoon; finals in both competitions on the Friday morning at 9.30 and 9.45am.

Classy Craig Stephen

wins North-east

Alliance title by five

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Leading Meldrum House amateur Craig Stephen lived up to his +2 handicap rating in winning the North-east Golfers' Alliance championship by five strokes today.

Stephen, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, followed up a 70 at Duff House Royal in last week's first round with a brilliant three-under-par 67 in windy conditions – the best second-round score by four strokes in a field of 83 - at Cruden Bay today for a one-under-par total 137.

He won the Uniroyal Quaich by five shots from Scotland youth cap Philip McLean (Peterhead) who, as leading amateur with a pair of 71s for 142, earned the J K Hall Quaich.

Deeside assistant professional Nick Reid, first-round leader with a 68, putted his way out of the picture with a 81 for 150. He had three double-bogey 6s in halves of 42 and 39: at the third, fifth and 14th.

Stephen, in contrast, swears by a new putter, even though he three-putted the 10^th and 16^th – "tough pin placings rather than poor putting" - in halves of 33 and 34. Driving long and straight, he birdied the third, fifth, seventh, 12^th and 14^th.

Craig missed the green at the first but saved his par with a sand wedge and a single putt. From that "escape" he went on to cover the next eight holes in three under par with a two-putt birdie 3 after driving the green with a three wood; then reducing the fifth to a birdie 3 with a drive, five-iron and a 20ft putt and the eighth to a drive and two putts for a birdie 3.

He was 20ft past the hole with his second to the 10th and took three putts to get down for the first of two bogeys.

A three wood and a pitch-and-putt gave him his fourth birdie at the 12th and he got the last of his five birdies at the 15th where he had "a good drive and two putts from off the green."

His only deviation from pat over the last four holes was a three-putt bogey at the 16th from 25 yards.

Stephen, 48, works for a living in the car trade - Huntly Motors - but young McLean is a full-time amateur who will play the 72-hole national circuit in the new season.

McLean's 71 included a triple bogey 7 at the fifth. Birdies at the fourth, 10^th and 12^th highlighted halves of 38 and 33.

Gary Esson (Portlethen), beaten in a play-off for the NE Alliance championship in 2006 and again last year, had a No Return at Cruden Bay.

Bill Urquhart (Murcar Links), winner of the Class 1 handicap title and with it the Chapper's Pot, holed from 75yd distance for an eagle 2 at the 389yd 14th in halves of 39 and 32 for a 71. He three-putted the last for his only bogey at the eighth.

Michael Rogers (Kemnay) won the Major's Pot as the Class 2 handicap champion.

Former Walker Cup player Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) won the Veterans' Pot for the best over-60s' gross 36-hole total.

+NE Alliance stalwart Archie McInnes is in a BRISTOL hospital and about to have an operation for a broken hip. Obviously the news made it difficult for son Graeme, the defending champion, to concentrate and he had a No Return at Cruden Bay today.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES

First round Duff House Royal, Second round Cruden Bay.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 138 (Par 68 + 70)

SCRATCH

137 C Stephen (Meldrum House) 70 67.

142 P McLean (Peterhead) 71 71.

143 R Cameron (McDonald) 70 73, W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) 72 71, A Bews (Murcar Links) 71 72; A Styles (Caledonian) 71 72.

145 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 71 74, R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 72 73.

149 D Garrett (Huntly) 72 77, G Bruce (Westhill) 76 73.

150 A Campbell (Deeside) 75 75, N Reid (Deeside) 69 81, R McDonald (Inchmarlo) 73 77.

151 C Nelson (MacKenzie Club) 80 71.

152 S Pert (Huntly) 74 78.

153 D Law (Hazlehead) 80 73.

154 A J Smith (Turriff) 78 76.

156 S Scott (Auchmill) 79 77.

157 S Davidson (Banchory) 81 76.

158 D MacKay (Newmachar) 75 83, R Pirie (Caledonian) 80 78.

159 H Roulston (Stonehaven) 79 80, C Buchanan (Hazlehead) 83 76, F G Gray (Deeside) 82 77, A Nelson (Banchory) 77 82, C Alexander (Murcar Links) 77 82.

160 L Taylor (Auchmill) 79 81.

161 M Lawrie (Kemnay) 77 84.

HANDICAP

Class 1 – W S Urquhart (Murcar Links) (2) 70 69; C Stephen (Meldrum House) (+2) 72 69, A I Pirie (Hazlehead) (2) 69 72 141; C Buchanan (Hazlehead) (8) 75 68, A Styles (Caledonian) (scr) 71 72, D Leighton (Northern) (6) 72 71 143; D Mackay (Newmachar) (7) 68 76 144; A Nelson (Banchory) (7) 70 75 145; P McLean (Peterhead) (+2) 73 73 146; S Scott (Auchmill) (4) 75 73, S Pert (Huntly) (2) 72 76, A J Smith (Turriff) (3) 75 73, D Nelson (Aboyne) (7) 75 73 148; D Garrett (Huntly) (scr) 72 77, K Minty (Turriff) (8) 75 74, A Bews (Murcar Links) (+3) 74 75 149; L Taylor (Auchmill) (5) 74 76 150.

Class 2 – M F R Rogers (Kemnay) (13) 75 72, D Moir (Murcar Links) (13) 71 76 147; B Bavidge (Murcar Links) 73 76, D Randall (Banchory) (15) 77 72 149; P Cornfield (Auchmill) (10) 76 74, W D Rae (Kemnay) (13) 72 78, J Wilson (Deeside) (10) 74 76, S Higgins (Royal Aberdeen) (10) 77 73 150; T Collie (Kemnay) (10) 74 77, D Bisset (Banchory) (9) 75 76 151; M Ord (Royal Aberdeen) (11) 74 78; P Anderson (Deeside) (11) 78 75, R Brown (Craibstone) (13) 79 74 153.

CRUDEN BAY SCORECARD: PAR 70

OUT: 4-4-4-3-4-5-4-4-4--36. IN: 4-3-4-5-4-3-3-4-4--34.

CRAIG STEPHEN: 67

OUT: 4-4-3-3-3-5-4-3-4--33. IN: 5-3-3-5-3-3-4-4-4--34

PHILIP McLEAN: 71

OUT: 4-4-4-2-7-5-4-4-4--38. IN: 3-3-3-5-4-4-3-4-4--33.

COLIN NELSON: 71

OUT: 5-4-3-4-4-5-3-3-4--35. IN: 4-3-5-5-4-3-3-4-5--36.

BILL URQUHART: 71

OUT: 4-5-4-3-5-6-3-5-4--39. IN: 4-2-4-5-2-3-3-4-5--32.

+Note from Colin Farquharson: I am off on Friday for three weeks of a holiday before a busy golf season starts, so I won't be able to provide any updates for Scottishgolfview.com until late in the second week of April. This means no news about next week's NE Alliance foursomes ... except in your Press and Journal.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

Six Clubs Short-listed For Junior Awards

Six of Scotland’s golf clubs have been short listed for the final of the inaugural Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year Awards with the winners to be announced at the Scottish Golf Dinner later this month.
North-east clubs Alford and Inverurie were selected for final nomination, alongside Turnhouse GC from Edinburgh, Greenock Whinhill, Reay Golf Club in the north of Scotland and Ayrshire club, West Kilbride.
Nominations from 50 golf clubs across Scotland were received by the Scottish Golf Union’s judging panel, who were left with the difficult decision of which clubs to leave out.
“The standard of entry has been excellent, demonstrating the high level of commitment many of our clubs have towards encouraging junior participation and growing the game in their communities.” said Andy Salmon, Development Manager for Scottish Golf.
“Whilst we have short listed six golf clubs, all those who were nominated can all be very proud of their efforts and will undoubtedly become the benchmarks for other clubs to follow. All the entries we have received are reflective of the positive attitude Scottish golf has towards youngsters in the game.” he added.
Following the launch of the Awards in December by leading Tour professionals Peter Whiteford and Clare Queen, clubs have been working hard to complete their nominations, based on their efforts to encourage juniors, provide improved facilities, harness links to their local community and develop talent at their club.
Graeme Dalziel, Chief Executive of sponsors Dunfermline Building Society, was delighted to see the Awards prove so popular in their first year:
“We are very proud to sponsor the Junior Club of the Year Awards and support grass roots golf in Scotland. Much of the hard work done by volunteers in our clubs goes unnoticed and these Awards will help recognise the fantastic efforts of so many people.”
“Dunfermline Building Society’s commitment to junior golf in Scotland will hopefully encourage even more youngsters to get involved in golf across our communities and support the great work being done both locally and nationally.”
The judging panel will select the winning club over the next two weeks, with the announcement of the Junior Club of the Year made at the Scottish Golf Dinner on Friday 28 March in Glasgow.
The winning club will be presented with a cheque for £1000 for their junior section, which will be awarded by former European Tour star Dean Robertson alongside Graeme Dalziel. The five-runners up will each receive £300, with all clubs represented by their junior convenors at the event.
Dunfermline Building Society’s Fairway Saver account, which also supports golf clubs in Scotland, has already attracted nearly 2,000 new customers, with £500 given to any club who signs up 50 of their members.

NOVEMBER 2 to 9 for SENIOR MEN'S FESTIVAL AT

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

The dates for the inaugural Senior Men's Festival at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, where north-east man Billy Sim is director of golf, have been fixed.
The Festival will run from November 2 to 9.
Click on the words SENIORS FESTIVAL at the top of the left-hand column to find out more details and how to enter.

FERRIES AND TAYLOR NECK AND

NECK AS NORTH ALLIANCE

SEASON CLIMAXES AT WICK

By ROBIN WILSON
The North Golf Alliance season will climax at Wick on Sunday with Tain's Munro Ferries and Wick's Ronnie Taylor going neck and neck for the individual Scratch Quaich held by Taylor for the past three seasons.
Two other trophies will be decided at Wick. Bonar Bridge's Seann Sutherland carries north a three-shot lead over the holder, Mike Keay (Tarbat), in the race for the handicap Mackintosh Salver.

The third trophy to be contested at Wick is the Team Shield of which Durness are the holders. A change in the rules this year allows any four scores from the handicap categories to count. That will help the other clubs who do not put forward so many players in the higher category.
Following the fixture at Brora last Sunday the four score aggregate totals of Taylor and Ferries are the same.

Taylor has the advantage of the final fixture being played over his home course. He must be ranked favourite to lower his now running total of 279. At the the final remaining Sutherland fixture at Brora last Sunday the Wick scratch man missed his last chance to improve on his “away” rounds of 67 at Golspie and 72 at Struie while on home turf he will be banking to better his two counting Caithness scores at Reay (69) and Wick (71) to retain the trophy.
Ferries, with a 76 at Brora last Sunday, gave up his last opportunity to lower his South counting scores of Struie (68) and Tain (73) and he will have to show a return to form to better his two current Caithness scores, both from visits to Reay, a 70 and 68, that make up his total of 279. The only slight advantage Ferries holds is that if he and Taylor remain tied after Wick on Sunday the Tain member has the better “away” record, his two score “away” total of 138 from Reay beating Taylor's “away” total of 139 from Golspie and Struie.
Mike Keay, the holder of the handicap Mackintosh Salver, will try to make up the three shots on Sutherland by lowering his last October net 71 at Wick while Sutherland can relax in the knowledge that his work in Caithness is done with a 66 and a 67 already banked from the Reay fixtures.

The leaders' current totals are: Sutherland 268 and Keay 271. After the Invergordon fixture Alister McCowan (Durness) came into the frame on 273 and could still be a threat.
The members were welcomed to Brora last Sunday by a course decked out in its summer finery and a new medal tee at the 11th hole brought into use for stroke play competition for the first time.

With all other 17 medal tees in use the course yardage was extended close to 6150 yards. March also brought with it the first cold north/north-east wind of spring accompanied by a customary fifteen minute squally shower that swept down from the surrounding hills to wreck many a card.
Given the opportunity to play to their full strength, Caithness duo Don Mackay (Thurso), picture above by courtesy of Robin Wilson, and Ronnie Taylor (Wick) stood out above the remainder of the field and both returned very good scratch scores of 72 from which, after a card comparison, Mackay shrugged of his three times bridesmaid tag and was credited with his first scratch win of the season.
The two-handicap Thurso member was the only player not to be put out of his stride by the sudden squall. A former Quaich winner in season 2003/04, he was the only player to make any adjustment to his scratch aggregate four score total and his winning 72 brings him within sight of Taylor and Ferries, now just two behind on 281 from Reay 66 and 71, Struie 72 and Brora 72.
Taylor was the halfway leader at Brora but was fizzing after a three putt on the ninth green dropped his excellent outward half card back to a one under par 34, he had birdied the first and fourth holes.

The lashing rain caught up with him on the tenth tee and his start to the inward half was 6,5 against the par of 4,4. He warmed up again with a closing birdie 2 but it came too late as his inward card mounted up to 38 to lose first place to Mackay who came home in 35 for his untroubled 72.
So high did the scores soar that even scratch player Ferries got a handicap place with his net 76, but standing out in the Class one Section was a remarkable nett 66, off 7, in the tough conditions from Reay's Richard MacDonald, after halves of 38 and 35.

His highlights were three birdies, at the 8th, 12th and 14th holes, for him to finish five ahead of Hamish Skinner (Tarbat).

In the Class Section local member Peter Etheridge also stuck to his task to win with a net 69 for what is the biggest winning margin of the year, ten ahead of William Thain (Wick). Etheridge drove the ball very well all day and just when the rain was beginning to fall he brightened up his inward card with a birdie 3 at the 14th hole only to let it slip with a three putt on the 17th green. So tough was the full length Brora course that even a nett 83 came into the prize list!
Results:

SCRATCH

72 D A Mackay (Thurso) 37-35, R W Taylor (Wick) 34-38).

73 R MacDonald (Reay).

79 H Skinner (Tarbat).

HANDICAP

Class 1 - R. MacDonald (Reay) (7) 66; H Skinner (Tarbat (8) 71; L Parnell (Reay) (5) 75; W Murray (Wick) (6) 75; M Ferries (Tain) (scr) 76.

Class 2 – P Etheridge (Brora) (11) 69; W Thain (Wick) (13) 79; A McCowan (Durness) (12) , D A Matheson (Brora) (15) 83.

Sandy Lyle confirmed for Ryder Cup
Wales Seniors Open in June

Double Major winner Sandy Lyle has confirmed he will compete in this year’s Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open in North Wales.
The tournament, which is the third event in the Ryder Cup Wales Summer of Golf programme, will take place from June 13-15 and will return to Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club for the second consecutive year.
Now eligible to play on the European Seniors Tour after turning 50 on February 9, Lyle became the first Briton to win the Open Championship since Tony Jacklin in 1969 when he won at Royal St George’s in 1985. Three years later, he became the first Briton to win the Masters Tournament when he triumphed at Augusta National in.
The Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments on The European Seniors Tour, and the second most lucrative after the Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard. In recent years, the event has attracted some of golf’s greatest champions from yesteryear, and this year promises to be no different with a world-class field expected to attend.
Among the star names joining Lyle to compete for the £75,000 first prize fund will be former Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, and past Ryder Cup players José Rivero and Costantino Rocca, plus defending champion Carl Mason of England, who will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories having also claimed the title in 2005.
Lyle said: “It will be an honour for me to play in this year’s Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open. It means a great deal to me to play in front of my home fans here in the British Isles, and the chance to compete against some of my old adversaries will make the experience even more enjoyable.
“Many people already know of my desire to be Ryder Cup Captain. It would be a defining moment in my career, and one I would cherish until the end. I hope this may be the start of an exciting relationship with the Ryder Cup Wales team, and I look forward to supporting this event for many years.”
As one of Ian Woosnam’s Assistant Captains at The Ryder Cup in 2006, Lyle played his part in Europe’s record-equalling 18½ -9½ winning margin at The K Club, marking a successful return to the Ryder Cup fold for the first time since 1987.
John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales, said: “Twice a winner of a Major Championship, Sandy Lyle has been one of the world’s great golfers as well as a charming and popular competitor wherever he has played, and we are delighted and thrilled to welcome him to Wales. The spectators at Conwy will have a wonderful opportunity to watch a true champion.”
A great ambassador for golf in Europe, Lyle – who learned to play the game at Hawkstone Park Golf Club in Wem, Shropshire – is one of the players credited with breaking America’s stranglehold on the world stage.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, said: “It is fantastic to be able to confirm the participation of a player of Sandy Lyle’s stature and reputation at the Ryder Cup Wales Senior Open in this, his debut season on the European Seniors Tour.
“As a member of the “Big Five” who dominated the European game in the 1980s and ‘90s, his inclusion in this year’s field can serve only to enhance the strength and quality of what is already one of the most prestigious tournaments on the European Seniors Tour Schedule.
“The name of Sandy Lyle is instantly recognisable around the world, and I’m sure the Welsh public and golfing fans from across the British Isles will turn out in their droves to welcome him home.”

www.europeantour.com

JACK NICKLAUS'S CLUB FITTER ONE OF
ATTRACTIONS AT LONDON GOLF SHOW

Float like a butterfly, swing like a bear…
It may not be what most sportsmen aspire to but visitors to the London Golf Show will be able to take advice from the same man as the Golden Bear himself.
Jack Nicklaus’ personal club-fitter, Rick Gomes, will be at show from April 25-27 in the American Golf test areas, advising golfers on the best product for them.
Gomes has worked for Nicklaus since 2000 and is the chief club fitter in Nicklaus Golf’s research and development division.
Hundreds of visitors to last year’s show benefited from his wisdom and he’s expected to be just as popular this year when he will be showcasing Nicklaus Golf’s new Dual Point driver technology and MTR Polarity iron – voted best iron of 2008 by Golf Illustrated magazine.
Paul Hendry, Nicklaus Golf Equipment’s European representative, said “This is once again a great opportunity for golfers of all abilities to test our products under the guidance of Rick. It’s not every day you get the chance to hit shots under the watchful eye of Jack Nicklaus’s own personal club fitter.”
The London Golf Show – Europe’s largest consumer golf show – returns to ExCeL from April 25-27, 2008, bringing with it the iconic floating green; Europe’s biggest golf retail area courtesy of American Golf; hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the best in equipment, fashion, golf holidays and much more.
There will be chipping and putting competitions and an indoor driving range on which to try out the new equipment before buying, in addition to dozens of interactive activities, many with great prizes up for grabs.
This year there will also be free flights to win in pre-show competitions with the event’s official airline partner Monarch.
Advanced tickets are two for £15 and all visitors get free entry to A Place in the Sun Live, taking place at ExCeL the same weekend. And, what’s more, under-13s go free when with an adult.
■ Call 0871 9454900 for tickets or visit www.londongolfshow.com for more details.
For more information on Nicklaus Golf visit www.nicklausgolf.co.uk.

Ultimate low for
McWade - No
Return in pro-am
but team were
still winners!

PART TWO OF THE
KENDAL McWADE
STORY

Kendal McWade (right) in demonstrative mood as he talks to Willie MacCallum from Ellon at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort driving range.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
So what did Kendal McWade find so mind-blowing within the pages of Fred Shoemaker's book, "Extraordinary Golf?"
“Really, Fred, in his book, asked the question ‘Is there a better way, a more natural way (to teach or coach golf pupils …?’ He certainly opened my eyes to something I didn’t ever consider. Having said that, when I came home the experience I had actually drove me into an even more disastrous place," said McWade who is the Bonnyton Golf Club professional but, more important in the context of this article, the founder of "Instinctive Golf" Coaching.
“My own golf fell apart completely because now I was kind of betwixt and between, didn´t know where I was, becoming the new guy or still the old guy. I was nobody.”
McWade candidly reveals that he spent the next two or three years with a state of mind which, in golfing terms, meant he did not know the difference between Shrove Tuesday and Good Friday.
“It wasn’t terribly pleasant. I went from being maybe the busiest golf coach in the West of Scotland to the quietest one, which caused some interesting financial challenges to me. But I knew there was no question of going back to where I once had been as a golf coach. And I didn’t.
“I was still teaching the ‘pre-Fred Shoemaker’ conventional, PGA-style technical coaching.
Then I got kind of caught between the two methods. I was trying to do Fred’s stuff but I couldn’t because I didn´t really know how to do it and, of course, that made everyone think I was a complete crackpot coach.
In 1997, McWade decided he had to do something to snap out of his golfing life in limbo.
“I went back to the States to see Fred Shoemaker, to see if going back would help to clear the air, or, more importantly, clear my mind. When I came back to Scotland after that trip, I definitely saw a little bit of a change in the way I was delivering what I was trying to deliver but, if I am honest about it, I was still floundering around.
“I went back again to Fred Shoemaker in the States and these were hugely expensive trips, four days at a time on the West Coast of America, usually at very exclusive resorts. It was costing me four grand at least every time I went out there.
“So it was very, very challenging to come home and find that I had not really discovered any more than I thought I knew when I came home the last time.”
Life, in golfing terms, at this stage for McWade had become “the pits.”
“I suppose the ultimate low when coming back from one of the trips was when I No Returned in my own club’s pro-am. So, having told the world how amazing Fred Shoemaker was, I had a No Return!
"What made it even more painful was the fact that “we” won the pro am team event that day and I had to stand up and make a speech. That wasn’t good but I did get a cheque, so that offset the downside of it all.
“At that moment I decided not to make another trip back to the States and I changed what Fred Shoemaker had started. I began by looking at how we learn all the other sports and I tried to apply that to golf. So that started another journey.
McWade gave a lesson to one of the Bonnyton members two or three years after Kendal “saw the light,” and he thought this was a pretty novel approach.
“The member liked the idea. I was still in the infancy of this new approaching to coaching. He asked if I considered this might be a business opportunity and I became partners with him
He was a marketer, so he was very good at getting into places I would never have considered getting into. He managed to get to the PGA and get me a slot on the programme at a European Coaching Summit in 2002
“And that´s where Paul Affleck, now one of my partners, listened … there were six coaches and you could go and listen to any of them. The lead coach was David Leadbetter who came and everyone went to listen to him
“Paul Affleck liked what he heard from me and contacted me. He then subsequently contacted Paul Eales and I did a day for them and a few other coaches at Royal Lytham.”
McWade looks back and pinpoints that as a big, big turning point in the development of “Instinctive Golf.”
“I had now had credibility and access to another level of player. Paul Eales thought it was fascinating stuff. He invited me to go with him on to the Tour a couple of times and introduced me to various people, including, ultimately, Paul McGinley
"I worked with McGinley for 18 months. It was the biggest success we had had at that level.
McGinlay climbed from 160th in the world rankings to 58th and made the Ryder Cup team that year.”
So what’s the difference between Fred Shoemaker’s revolutionary coaching theory and Kendal McWade’s “Instinctive Golf?”

+++FIND OUT TOMORROW IN THE THIRD AND FINAL PART OF THE KENDAL McWADE STORY.
IF YOU MISSED PART ONE, SIMPLY SCROLL DOWN UNTIL YOU COME TO IT.
YOU CAN ALSO LEARN MORE ABOUT "INSTINCTIVE GOLF" BY LOGGING ON TO www.instinctivegolf.com

Tartan Tour Press Release

Scottish pros to play four-ball

match-play championship


By RON MARSHALL

PGA Scottish Region Press Officer
The growing popularity of the PGA Four-ball Championship, re-introduced three years ago, is being reflected north of the Border, where two new events are being held this season.
An 18-hole tournament will be played over Irvine Golf Club on Monday, April 28, and, running the entire season will be a Scottish four-ball match-play championship.
No details as to the final venue have been sorted out yet, but effectively the event will be run in similar fashion to a club amateur competition, i.e. once partners are chosen a draw will be made, each round will have a closing date, and ties will be played on either of the home-drawn players’ course.
Speaking at today's Press & Sponsors Day at Gleneagles Hotel, regional secretary, Gordon Dewar, pictured above, said “We know the members enjoy getting away from the standard 18-hole format, so this is an opportunity to play in maybe a slightly more relaxed fashion, especially if their partner has just played a cracking shot. We hope to find a sponsor for the season-long event, and it goes without saying that we’re aiming to provide a course of first-class quality for the final.”
Scottish members will be playing for a total pot of around £750,000, with an Order of Merit providing 12 opportunities, from which the best seven will be extracted.
The new season tees off with the 36-hole Callaway/Audi tournament at Monifieth on Wednesday, April 2 and 3.

Press Release

Turkey with trimmings - what a feast

for PGA National Pro-Am Final

The PGA National Pro-Am Grand Final is set to return to Turkey for a second consecutive year.
It follows the successful staging of last year's event at the Sirene Beach Hotel Resort and Antalya Golf Club, which saw the title claimed in a gripping finale by Machynys Peninsula pro John Peters and partner Adam Curtin.
This year's 36-hole final, which will be staged over the challenging PGA Sultan Course, will be held between November 30 and December 4 and will also include four nights at the all-inclusive Sirene Hotel.
A total of 16 pairs from across Great Britain and Ireland will secure their places via a series of qualifiers being staged all over the country from May 7 to July 7.
The return of Europe's largest pro-am to Turkey's Mediterranean shores has been warmly welcomed by Club manager Ugur Budak.
"We can't wait to host the event again," he said."Being the only PGA-branded course on the Turkish Riviera, to host and assist the PGA is a real privilege - this event is the jewel in our crown.
"In 2007 we attracted a lot of attention both from English and Turkish golfers and by repeating our support to the event I believe this attention will increase this year.
"We worked very hard last year to please the competitors and their families during the grand final and the return of the event shows that we achieved our goals.
"Now we will work even harder to build on the success of the last year's event. We are very happy to working closely with PGA and we see these events as a chance to prove our commitments to the PGA and the golf sport."
This year's tournament carries a prize fund of £30,000 with £5,000 going to the winning professional.
It will be the 24th staging of the event, which has boasted a host of glamorous destinations in Portugal, Spain, Sardinia and even the Bahamas
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones expressed his delight at returning to Turkey and hoped it would encourage even more amateurs and professionals to enter the tournament.
"The National Pro-Am has always been one of the most popular events on the PGA calendar and last year's was no exception," he said."By returning to the Sirene Beach Hotel and Antalya Golf Club, who were marvellous hosts and staged one of the year's most thrilling finals, we hope more players will go all out to reach the final.
"The pro-am format is one of the most successful and offers both amateurs and professionals a chance to bond and test their mettle regardless of handicap."
With 16 top class qualifying venues lying in wait, the PGA National Pro-Am Championship is again living up to its reputation as Europe's biggest and best pro-am tournament."
REGIONAL FINAL VENUES
The 16 regional finals for the PGA National Pro-Am Championship will be held at the following venues:
SAUNTON Golf Club on Wednesday 07 May.
COUNTY LOUTH Golf Club on Thursday 08 May.
CARDIFF Golf Club on Friday 09 May.
ROYAL ASHDOWN FOREST Golf Club on Monday 12 May.
KING'S LYNN Golf Club on Wednesday 14 May.
OLD FOLD MANOR Golf Club on Friday 16 May.
ST ANNES OLD LINKS Golf Club on Wednesday 21 May.
DUNHAM FOREST Golf Club on Friday 23 May.
BROADSTONE Golf Club on Tuesday 03 June.
HINDHEAD Golf Club on Thursday 05 June.
LITTLE ASTON Golf Club on Monday 09 June.
WHITTINGTON HEATH Golf Club on Wednesday 11 June.
FRILFORD HEATH Golf Club on Monday 23 June.
FULFORD Golf Club on Wednesday 25 June.
CRIEFF Golf Club on Monday 30 June.
LANARK Golf Club on Monday 07 July.

For further information, please contact Kelly Lewis at PGA Headquarters on 01675 470 333 or e-mail media@pga.org.uk
Visit www.PGA.info for up to date reports and scores from the PGA National Pro-Am Championship and all PGA tournaments.

Asian Tour Press Release

DATE CHANGE FOR BARCLAYS SINGAPORE
OPEN AND HSBC CHAMPIONS

Sentosa, March 18: The Asian Tour has announced a change of dates for the Barclays Singapore Open and HSBC Champions in November.
Both the US$5 million events will swop dates on the Asian Tour Schedule. The HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai will now be played from November 6-9 and the Barclays Singapore Open will be held from November 13-16.
The HSBC Champions, won last year by Phil Mickelson, will be played at Sheshan International Golf Club while Sentosa Golf Club will host the Barclays Singapore Open, won by Argentine Angel Cabrera last year.

"INSTINCTIVE GOLF IS THE WAY AHEAD"

Bonnyton club pro McWade aims to make

his coaching style the world leader

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

colin@scottishgolfview.com
There is more than one way to skin a cat and since meeting a little-known Scottish club pro, Kendal McWade, little-known outside the “trade” that is, it would seem to me that there is more than one way to teach someone to play golf.
A golf professional can set up a complete novice with the correct way to hold the golf club, a textbook stance as he or she addresses the ball, the correct way to start and complete the backwing, the body turn and so on.
Then there is the way of Kendal McWade, pictured above, the founder of the “Instinctive Golf” coaching method, which is about as far removed from the “I’ll show you and tell you how it’s done” school of traditional golf teaching as Buckie is from Birmingham.
In the words of McWade, whose bread-and-butter occupation is club professional at Bonnyton Golf Club, Eaglesham:
“`Instinctive Golf` is committed to changing the mindset that believes golf can only be mastered by being taught the correct technique. Teaching good technique is extremely logical but unfortunately the reality is that all too often logic doesn’t deliver. Golfers still believe there is a secret out there, a magic move, and once they get it, everything will be fine.
“They read about how to do, watch how to do it, listen to how to do it, and yet, for most, the game of golf remains a frustrating exercise. Why? Well, because that is not how we best learn motion skills. We are all individuals. We are all unique. And therefore so are our golf swings. Insttinctive Golf does not believe that is our job (as golf coaches) to impart some opinion on how you should or shouldn’t swing the club. Our job is to help you acquire new skills.”
McWade makes no bones about his beliefs. He says: “Instinctive Golf is the future of golf coaching. Why? Well, because it is the simplest, most effective way of learning and developing your golf. It’s fun, it’s natural and it’s empowering, just the way we learned as youngsters to catch, throw, whistle, ride a bike or, in fact, any motion skill.”
McWade is training and indoctrinating an ever-expanding coterie of “Instinctive Golf Master Practitioners” and simply “Instinctive Golf Practitioners” who have to attend three four-day coaching summits conducted by Master McWade and his chief disciples, Paul Affleck and Paul Eales, over a 12-month period before they acquire the “Master” tag.
Former Walker Cup player, former Scottish amateur and professional champion and the 1999 Italian Open winner on the European Tour, Dean Robertson from Paisley swears by McWade.
“Kendal has restored my love of golf and in particular given me such an insight into teaching and coaching youngsters that I now get probably more enjoyment from it than I do from playing the game myself,” says Deano.
So how did it all start for the 51-year-old McWade who was born in Glasgow and played his amateur golf in Helensburgh where he achieved a handicap of one only three years after taking up the game?
“It came about through my own personal journey in golf because how I coached was not within my own game and ended up turning a game that I had a passion for into a game that actually had huge anxieties, fear and doubt for me,” says McWade.
After 15 years as a golf professional – he turned pro much to his mother and father’s disgust; they had other plans for him – McWade was a very busy golf coach ….
“I was very busy, yes, but unfortunately I had got to the point where I did not want to play. I would make up stories about why I did not want to play, because I believe I was protecting myself from failure, looking stupid in front of my pupils and my fellow professionals.
“Then I read a book called ‘Extraordinary Golf’ and felt compelled to go to America to speak personally to the author of the book, a chap called Fred Shoemaker. I went to the States, spent four days with Shoemaker and that was the turning point in my golfing career.”
So what did McWade find so mind-boggling in the pages of ‘Extraordinary Golf?’

+FIND OUT TOMORROW IN PART TWO OF THE KENDAL McWADE STORY

.

Press Release

Kevin Hale (left) and Mike Kinloch, new recruits to the St Andrews Links Golf Academy coaching staff.

St Andrews Links Golf Academy

introduces two new coaches

St Andrews Links Golf Academy has strengthened its coaching team with the addition of two
new members of staff who have experience in some of the finest golfing destinations in the
world.

St Andrews-born Mike Kinloch returns to his home town from the Dubai Creek Golf &
Yacht Club, while Kevin Hale makes the journey north from Ryder Cup venue The Belfry.
"I am thrilled to welcome two such experienced and knowledgeable people to St Andrews,"
said director of instruction Steve North.

"I am committed to bringing the best possible coaching to the Home of Golf, and in Mike and Kevin I have two more excellent members of the team who can improve the performance of golfers at all levels of the game."
Mike started his coaching career at The Duke’s Course and joined the PGA of Great Britain
and Ireland in 1999 after being named Scottish Trainee Professional of the Year. He was
appointed golf professional at the Sahara Golf & Country Club in Kuwait, helping to establish
a golf academy and overseeing the creation of the first junior development programme in the
country. His responsibilities included coaching the Kuwait national team.
"It is great to be back in St Andrews,"said Mike. ‘The improvement to the facilities here over
the last decade has been amazing and I am looking forward to assisting in the future
development of the academy."
Kevin spent seven years at The Belfry, which is home to the PGA National Golf Academy.
While still a junior golfer, Kevin won the Staffordshire county championship and he later
turned professional. His coaching expertise has enabled international players to achieve
greater levels of performance, and helped to strengthen the competitiveness of county
squads. Kevin also has experience of running corporate clinics.
"With its combination of leading edge technology and traditional teaching skills, the academy is already one of the finest in Europe," said Kevin. "I am delighted to make a contribution to its continuing success."
St Andrews Links general manager Alan McGregor commented: "St Andrews Links Golf
Academy offers the public technology and teaching skills usually only available to touring
professionals. Mike and Kevin will enhance the service we provide and I wish them both a
long and happy career at the Home of Golf."

RAIN COSTS EDZELL STUDENT VICTORY
CHANCE AT GOOSE POND, ARIZONA

William Bremner from Edzell, runner-up in last year's Scottish boys' match-play championship, had a victory chance on the US college golf circuit dashed at the weekend by heavy rain which washed out the final round of the Goose Pond Spring Fling college golf tournament at the Goose Pond Colony course, Scottsboro in Arizona.
William, pictured above, a first year student at John A Logan College, Illinois, was lying joint third after rounds of 73 and 71 for level par 144, only one shot behind the joint leaders after 36 holes.
The two-round totals became the final placings when the course was flooded.
John A Logan College head golf coach Tom Ferris is pleased with Bremner - on and off the course.
John A Logan College (595) finished third of 17 teams behind winners Central Alabama Community College (579).
"William had a good fall (autumn) season with a second place in one tournament, a third in another and two fifth-place finishes. He finished the first half of our college season with a scoring average of 73, and had three rounds in the 60s with 67 his lowest round yet," said Tom.
"He is a great person and a pleasure to work with. Scotland can be proud of him as a representative here in the States. We have changed his golfing stance to be a little more upright and he is still adjusting to it.
"Incidentally, you might like to know that Scott McGrenaghan from Paisley, who played for John A Logan College last year and made All-American, is coming back to the States to play for Southern Illinois University after the summer vacation."
GOOSEPOND SPRING FLING
FINAL TOTALS
Individual
143 Jin Woo Chung (Darton CC) 71 72, Richard Williams (Central Alabama CC) 71 72.
144 William Bremner (John A Logan College) 71 73, Wade Holland (Central Alabama) 73 71.
Teams
579 Central Alabama CC.
589 Darton CC.
595 John A Logan CC.
17 Teams took part.

English Golf Union send Coupland
and Thistleton down Mexico way

David Coupland and Mark Thistleton, both members of the England ‘A’ Squad, will represent the English Golf Union in the annual Mexican Amateur Championship and International Pairs Tournament in Mexico City on 27th - 30th March.
Coupland, from the Boston club in Lincolnshire, will turn 22 just prior to the championship. He will be making his first overseas trip for the EGU.
Included in the England ‘A’ Squad for the first time this year, he is a regular county player, who enjoyed some fine performances in 2007. He played in the Open Championship at Carnoustie after winning his Final Qualifying stage at Monifieth while he also finished tied third individual in the Midland Qualifying for the English County Championship.
A fourth place was also secured in the Lincolnshire Championship and equal seventh in the North of England Youth Championship. Thistleton, from Hayling Golf Club, is a former Hampshire Champion and the winner of the Lagonda Trophy in 2006.
Like Coupland, he is a newcomer to the England ‘A’ Squad following a successful 2007. He won the Selborne Salver after a playoff, qualified second in the Amateur Championship and made a solid defence of the Lagonda Trophy by finishing tied third. He also represented the EGU in the Finnish Amateur and Hampshire in the County Championship finals.
The Mexican Amateur is played over 72 holes of stroke play with the International Pairs Tournament running alongside, the aggregate scores each day of both players counting. This will be the sixth occasion that the EGU has sent players to the event but the title has yet to be brought back to England.
Kent’s Lloyd Campbell and David Skinns from Lincolnshire won the pairs event in 2005, while full internationals Matt Cryer from Warwickshire and Cheshire’s Paul Waring finished third in the pairs in 2006.

Ryder Cup race
.
World Points List
1 Lee Westwood 143.61
2 Justin Rose 131.12
3 Henrik Stenson 130.87
4 Daniel Chopra 107.88
5 Martin Kaymer 99.11
6 Luke Donald 90.07
7 Ian Poulter 88.68
8 Padraig Harrington 86.72
9 Graeme McDowell 80.42
10 Soren Hansen 76.15
European Points List
1 Lee Westwood 1,290,238
2 Justin Rose 1,160,608
3 Henrik Stenson 1,064,991
4 Graeme McDowell 841,051
5 Nick Dougherty 830,799
6 Martin Kaymer 751,443
7 Steve Webster 715,868
8 Robert Karlsson 708,722
9 Soren Hansen 704,438
10 Soren Kjeldsen 653,910

*Five to qualify off world list, five off European list, plus two
wild-card selections by skipper Nick Faldo.

KINGS LINKS GOLF CENTRE, ABERDEEN

Biggest Names in Golf Under
One Roof for One Day Only

Aberdeen's Kings Links Golf Centre will be host to the biggest names in golf on Saturday, March 22.
Representatives from Ping, Callaway, Nike, Wilson, Taylor Made, Mizuno and Cleveland to name a few, will be at Aberdeen’s biggest golf retail outlet and driving range for a one-day only event where North-east golfers will have an opportunity to try out the very latest in golf equipment.
The Demo Day, which will run from 10am until 4pm, gives golfers the chance to meet the manufacturers and the centre’s professionals to discuss and try out the best and most suitable equipment for them.
For the first time at the Kings Links, Mizuno will have representatives on hand to demonstrate the benefits of its new Trackman technology. Based on Doppler radar technology, Trackman measures the exact 3-D club movement and ball flight, and provides precise data on the ball launch, ball flight and ball landing.
Paul Girvan, director of golf at The Kings Links Golf Centre says: “This is the first time ten leading manufacturers of golfing equipment will be under one roof to showcase their latest products. It is an ideal opportunity for golfers to have one-to-one session to find out which kit is best for them. Our professional golfers will offer their views on what each golfer needs, depending on his or her ability and aspirations.”
Golfers are recommended to book appointments in advance to avoid disappointment. For more information contact Paul Girvan on 01224 641577.
The Kings Links Golf Centre, situated on Golf Road, Aberdeen (behind Pittodrie Stadium) is the largest independent golf retail centre in Scotland and boasts a 56 bay floodlit driving range on two tiers with carpeted bays and the finest quality mats and range balls. The award-winning 3000 sq ft superstore, stocks everything for the beginner to the seasoned golfer. Kings Links is operated by Craig Group Leisure, a division of global shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group

Tiger Woods wins again!
Birdie putt on last green to

make Arnold Palmer Invitational

his sixth success in a row

There's just no holding that Tiger! Woods maintained his perfect record in 2008 by holing a 25ft birdie putt on the final green to win the Arnold Palmer Inviational at Bay Hill, Florida by one shot from Brad Bryant
It was Tiger's 64th US PGA Tour win, putting him alongside Ben Hogan at No 3 on America's most successful list.
Woods' putt was for a four-under-par 66 and a 10-under-par total of 270. He had started the final round in a five-way tie for the lead.
Bryant finished with a 67 for 271.
Woods earned $1,044,000 for his latest win and he is on the verge of notching up $80million in US PGA Tour cash alone - and that doesn't count his lucrative contracts from Nike and others.

FROM THE AOL.COM SPORTS NEWS:

Tiger Woods convinced himself he could succeed with a 24-foot approach shot that saw him claim a dramatic victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Woods hit the shot at the par-4 18th, before curling in his putt to edge Bart Bryant by one stroke at Bay Hill. It was the only putt Woods holed from outside 20 feet all week, but nobody was at all surprised that Woods rose to the occasion when it really mattered to extend his six-month winning streak to six official tournaments - five on the PGA Tour, plus the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic.
"I kept telling myself, 'I've done this before and I can do it again'," Woods said.
"I was just trying to make sure I got the speed right. I felt good over the putt. I hit the putt down there and it took forever to start breaking, but once it started, it went straight right and in the hole."
It was Woods' 64th career victory on the PGA Tour, equal third on the all-time list with Ben Hogan, behind only Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73).
This was a more hard-fought victory than most recently, coming after a slow start, a seven-stroke halfway deficit and a tight battle down the stretch with Bart Bryant.
But Woods did what he had to do, shooting a final-round 66 to finish at 10-under-par 270, one stroke ahead of Bryant (67), with Cliff Kresge (67), Vijay Singh (69) and Sean O'Hair (69) another two strokes behind.
Woods, who collected £515,099 (US dollars 1.44 million) for his fifth title at Bay Hill, will savour his latest victory more than most, although he is reluctant to compare.
"I don't know where it ranks," he said. "It was great to make the putt, but I was so excited with the five-iron I hit in there to give myself a putt at it.
"You have to understand I had not hit the ball well the last three days, and then to have that shot with everything on the line, and to hit a shot and give myself a putt at it, I was so fired up."

FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70)
270 Tiger Woods 70 68 66 66
271 Bart Bryant 68 68 68 67
273 Vijay Singh (Fij) 66 65 73 69, Sean O'Hair 72 69 63 69, Cliff Kresge 67 68 71 67
274 Hunter Mahan 68 72 65 69, Ken Duke 67 67 72 68
276 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 71 66 73 66, Bubba Watson 67 69 68 72, Tom Lehman 66 69 71 70, Tom Pernice Jnr 73 66 68 69, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 68 65 74 69, Alex Cejka (Ger) 67 70 71 68
277 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 70 71 68 68, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 72 69 70 66, Brandt Snedeker 70 70 68 69
278 Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 71 70 67 70, Woody Austin 71 67 72 68, Lee Westwood (Eng) 66 68 72 72, Frank Lickliter II 69 71 68 70
279 Nick Watney 69 67 70 73, Brian Gay 70 71 68 70, John Mallinger 69 70 70 70, Phil Mickelson 72 67 71 69, Steve Marino 75 67 66 71, Chad Campbell 68 68 72 71, Boo Weekley 71 69 70 69, Dicky Pride 71 70 67 71, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 71 68 69, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 69 71 70 69
280 Pat Perez 73 65 70 72, Vaughn Taylor 68 67 72 73, Joe Ogilvie 70 70 70 70, Billy Mayfair 69 71 71 69, Webb Simpson 71 71 70 68, J J Henry 65 70 76 69, Jim Furyk 67 67 73 73, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70 66 73 71, Tim Clark (Rsa) 68 70 72 70, D.J. Trahan 70 72 70 68
281 D.A. Points 68 68 73 72, John Rollins 70 68 71 72, Lucas Glover 66 75 70 70
282 Will MacKenzie 70 71 70 71, Bo Van Pelt 69 73 71 69, Camilo Villegas (Col) 69 70 73 70, Brian Bateman 69 70 75 68
283 Kenny Perry 69 72 72 70, Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 73 64 75 71, Andres Romero (Arg) 68 71 73 71, John Senden (Aus) 70 72 72 69, Ian Poulter (Eng) 72 70 72 69, Matthew Jones (Aus) 70 68 72 73
284 Brian Davis (Eng) 75 64 68 77, Richard Johnson (Wal) 69 70 70 75, Dustin Johnson 68 69 75 72, Zach Johnson 70 71 72 71, Mark Wilson 70 69 71 74
285 J.B. Holmes 71 67 74 73, Ben Crane 70 68 75 72, Stephen Ames (Can) 74 68 72 71
286 George McNeill 70 72 71 73, Davis Love III 72 69 73 72
287 Paul Goydos 73 67 74 73, Steve Elkington (Aus) 74 68 71 74, Fred Couples 65 73 78 71, Andrew Magee 72 70 75 70
289 Marc Turnesa (USA) 70 70 77 72, Robert Gamez 72 68 76 73
292 Steve Lowery 68 72 79 73
294 Heath Slocum 71 70 73 80

FORD AND PAISLEY DOWN THE FIELD
AT STATESBORO, GEORGIA

English students Charles Ford and Chris Paisley, both at Tennessee University, finished joint 40th and 44th respectively in the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club, Statesboro in Georgia today.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72). 6962 yd
208 George Bryan (South Carolina) 73 66 69.
209 Michael Thompson (Alabama) 69 71 69.
Other totals
221 Charles Ford (Tennessee) 74 72 74 (jt 40th).
222 Chris Paisley (Tennessee) 70 78 74 (jt 44th).
96 players in the field.
LEADING TEAMS
849 Alabama. 856 Florida. 859 South Carolina. 965 Tennessee. 870 Georgia State, Alabama-Birmingham. 18 teams took part.

SHERREARD JOINT NINTH IN LINGER
LONGER INVITATIONAL

England's Tom Sherreard, a student at Georgia State University, was the leading British or Irish player at the Linger Long Invitational men's college tournament which finished today at Reynolds Landing, Greensboro in Georgia.
Tom scored 71, 72 and 73 for joint ninth place on 216.
The tournbament was won by Robbie Greenwell (Memphis) with scores of 68, 68 and 72 for eight under par 208. He had three shots to spare at the finish from a Sherreard team-mate, Sweden's Joel Sjoholm.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Individual
Par 216 (3 x 72). 6985yd
208 Robbie Greenwell (Memphis) 68 68 72.
211 Joel Sjoholm (Georgia State) 69 70 72.
Other scores:
216 Tom Sherreard (Georgia State) 71 72 73 (jt 9th).
222 Johnny Caldwell (South Alabama) 73 73 76 (jt 25th).
228 Jack Hiluta (South Alabama) 80 77 71 (jt 46th).
236 Mark Trow (Memphis) 78 82 76 (jt 68th).
Teams
856 Mississippi. 861 Georgia. 868 Tennessee-Chattanooga. 880 Georgia State. 881 Memphis. Also: 899 South Alabama (jt 11th of 13).

Asian Tour Press Release

Graeme McDowell with the Ballantine's Championship trophy (image copyright Asian Tour).

McDowell beats Milkha Singh in
Ballantine's Championship play-off

Jeju Island, Korea, March 16: The eagerly anticipated showdown between India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell at the inaugural Ballantine’s Championship came down to the wire in a nail-biting finale which McDowell eventually prevailed to win after the third play-off hole.
It was all square for both Singh and McDowell after they battled to a share of the lead with matching six-under-par 66 for a 24-under-par 264 total in regulation time.
The spirited charge by Ireland’s Paul McGinley, where he posted a total of five birdies and an eagle on the final day for a 271 total, was not enough to catch the leaders and he had to settle for third position, seven shots behind McDowell and Milka Singh.
Japan’s Shingo Katayama carded a final round 67 to finish in fourth position on 273 while America’s Anthony Kim, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and Sweden’s Johan Edfors were a further stroke back on 274 in joint-fifth.
The expected showdown between Singh and McDowell at the US$2.9 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Korean PGA was played out to the large gallery that was eagerly following the leaders at the Pinx Golf Club.
Singh fired the first salvo, reeling in three birdies in his opening four holes. A lone bogey on the 7th only halted his charge momentary before he reached the turn in 32.
McDowell responded well with three birdies against one bogey on the outward nine in 34.
While Singh thought he could go further ahead after reeling in another birdie at the start of the back-nine, McDowell matched it with an eagle three on the par five 10th and pulled level with Singh again with another birdie of his own on the 12th.
When Singh dropped a shot for a bogey on the 17th and McDowell making another birdie on the 15th, the enthralling contest was well headed for a play-off.
After being even again in the first and second play-off holes, the deadlock was finally broken in the third when Singh missed his crucial birdie putt to hand McDowell the title.
“Obviously you play to win but somebody has to win. McDowell played really good and I think the best man won,” said the 2006 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner
“The week’s over and I’ve got to look forward to something better,” added Singh.
McDowell, who takes home the winner’s cheque of US$512,028.21, left it late to seal his win.
But when he finally did, the 28-year old had his seven-iron to thank for presenting him with that perfect swing in the final third play-off hole.
“It’s no doubt definitely my top five best shots that I ever hit under the gun. I hit 177yd the first time and I had 179 the second time, and when it came to the third, I knew that the seven‑iron was obviously perfect,” said McDowell.
“And this time I just had to make sure I aimed right at the flag, and it came off. It's a great feeling right now,” added a delighted McDowell.
Korean sporting icon, Choi Kyung-ju who has been the main attraction all week long had to settle for a share of 24th position after signing off on 281.
The US-based Choi, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, has relished his return home to take part in the Ballantine's Championship but was disappointed to have let his home fans down.
“The tournament week didn’t go the way I expected it to go. The only thing I could do was to give it my best, which I did,” said Choi whose putting has been his Achilles heel all week.
“Looking at the fans cheering me on until the very last hole, I was very moved by that,” added Choi.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
264 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 66 64 66, Graeme McDowell 68 64 66 66 (Graeme McDowell won at the third hole )
271 Paul McGinley 68 67 67 69
273 Shingo Katayama (Jpn) 68 70 68 67
274 Anthony Kim (USA) 68 68 69 69, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 70 66 70 68, Johan Edfors (Swe) 69 65 69 71
275 Oliver Wilson 70 69 67 69
276 Phillip Archer 71 70 67 68, Kane Webber (USA) 71 68 65 72
277 Zane Scotland (Gbr) 74 69 68 66, Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 66 71 69, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 68 72 70 67
278 Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) 69 70 68 71, David Frost (Rsa) 69 71 70 68, Padraig Harrington 71 65 68 74, Hyung-sung Kim (Kor) 72 70 66 70
279 Chris DiMarco (USA) 70 68 72 69, Sang-moon Bae (Kor) 71 71 69 68, Adam Blyth (Aus) 69 72 70 68
280 Hyung-tae Kim (Jpn) 69 66 74 71, Ariel Canete (Arg) 70 68 67 75, David Lynn 71 71 68 70
281 Anthony Kang (USA) 70 71 69 71, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 69 72 71 69, Damien McGrane 71 69 70 71, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 67 70 69 75, KJ Choi (Kr) 71 69 69 72, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 68 71 71 71, Wen-Tang Lin (Tai) 72 71 69 69, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 70 70 70
282 Inn-choon Hwang (Kor) 68 69 73 72, Garry Houston 69 74 69 70, Wook-Soon Kang (Kor) 73 70 68 71, Do-kyu Park (Kor) 71 72 67 72, Joong Kyung Mo (Kor) 74 70 70 68, Paul Broadhurst 70 72 70 70
283 Marcus Both (Aus) 74 70 71 68
284 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 71 73 69 71, David Griffiths 69 71 76 68, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 72 71 70 71, Thomas Levet (Fra) 71 73 72 68
285 Yong-eun Yang (Kor) 73 70 70 72, Jong Yul Suk (Kor) 71 70 71 73, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 71 71 68 75, S K Ho (Kor) 74 67 70 74, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 71 73 71 70
286 Gary Simpson (Aus) 70 70 74 72, Scott Barr (Aus) 70 70 74 72
287 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 72 72 70 73, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 70 73 72 72, Tony Carolan (Aus) 67 75 72 73, Juvic Pagunsan (Phi) 70 73 73 71, David Bransdon (Aus) 72 70 73 72, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 69 71 75 72, Mardan Mamat (Sin) 73 71 71 72
288 Prom Meesawat (Tha) 71 71 76 70, Gaurav Ghei (Ind) 72 72 74 70, Oliver Fisher 70 74 75 69
289 Frankie Minoza (Phi) 75 69 76 69
291 Sang-ki Kim (Kor) 70 74 70 77
292 Tom Whitehouse 70 70 77 75, Gavin Flint (Aus) 72 72 74 74, Kyung-Tae Kim (Kor) 74 70 76 72
293 Ter-Chang Wang (Tpe) 71 73 72 77, Tae-hyun Jun (Kor) 69 71 78 75
295 Simon Griffiths 68 74 80 73

Tiger Woods in five-way tie for lead
in Arnold Palmer Invitational

FROM THE AOL SPORTS NEWS SERVICE
Tiger Woods hoped to be within striking distance after the third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but not in his wildest dreams did he expect to be leading.
Woods began the day seven strokes behind halfway leader Vijay Singh and would have been happy to cut the margin to three or four.
Instead, he found himself the man to beat going into the final round, part of a tournament record five-way tie for the lead, as he tries to extend his six-month winning streak that has included four PGA Tour events, one European Tour start, as well as his own unofficial tournament.
Woods posted a six-under 204 total which was matched by Sean O'Hair (63), Bart Bryant (68), Bubba Watson (68) and Singh (73).
The world number one, who did not look at a leaderboard until the 18th, was the beneficiary of an error-strewn series of disasters by his fellow competitors, many of whom struggled in the gusty winds.
Most notably Nick Watney, who got to nine under after 12 holes, only to suffer a quadruple bogey at the par-four 16th.
He drove out of bounds and compounded his problems by dumping his approach into the pond protecting the green, to limp home two strokes behind the leaders.
Woods' performance overshadowed the 63 registered by O'Hair, who is seeking back-to-back victories after winning the Pods Championship last week.
Worksop's Lee Westwood managed to hold his round together as he twice carded back-to-back bogeys but one birdie on the front nine and another coming home reduced the damage.
He signed for a 72 to drop to four under but remain in the top 10 while Londoner Brian Davis improved his position with a 68 which lifted him to three under for the tournament.
Ian Poulter was the only other British player to survive the halfway cut.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Scoreboard
Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida.
THIRD ROUND
Par 210 (3 x 70)
204 Vijay Singh (Fij) 66 65 73, Tiger Woods 70 68 66, Bart Bryant 68 68 68, Sean O'Hair 72 69 63, Bubba Watson 67 69 68
205 Hunter Mahan 68 72 65
206 Nick Watney 69 67 70, Ken Duke 67 67 72, Tom Lehman 66 69 71, Lee Westwood (Eng) 66 68 72, Cliff Kresge 67 68 71
207 Brian Davis (Eng) 75 64 68, Jim Furyk 67 67 73, Vaughn Taylor 68 67 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 68 65 74, Tom Pernice Jnr. 73 66 68
208 Pat Perez 73 65 70, Alex Cejka (Ger) 67 70 71, Steve Marino 75 67 66, Chad Campbell 68 68 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 71 70 67, Dicky Pride 71 70 67, Brandt Snedeker 70 70 68, Frank Lickliter II 69 71 68
209 D.A. Points 68 68 73, Richard Johnson (Wal) 69 70 70, John Rollins 70 68 71, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70 66 73, Retief Goosen (Rsa) 70 71 68, Brian Gay 70 71 68, John Mallinger 69 70 70
210 Joe Ogilvie 70 70 70, Woody Austin 71 67 72, Matthew Jones (Aus) 70 68 72, Mark Wilson 70 69 71, Phil Mickelson 72 67 71, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 71 66 73, Boo Weekley 71 69 70, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 71 68, Tim Clark (Rsa) 68 70 72, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 69 71 70
211 Will MacKenzie 70 71 70, J J Henry 65 70 76, Billy Mayfair 69 71 71, Lucas Glover 66 75 70, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 72 69 70
212 Dustin Johnson 68 69 75, J.B. Holmes 71 67 74, Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 73 64 75, Andres Romero (Arg) 68 71 73, Camilo Villegas (Col) 69 70 73, D.J. Trahan 70 72 70, Webb Simpson 71 71 70
213 Kenny Perry 69 72 72, Ben Crane 70 68 75, George McNeill 70 72 71, Zach Johnson 70 71 72, Bo Van Pelt 69 73 71, Steve Elkington (Aus) 74 68 71
214 Paul Goydos 73 67 74, Davis Love III 72 69 73, John Senden (Aus) 70 72 72, Ian Poulter (Eng) 72 70 72, Heath Slocum 71 70 73, Brian Bateman 69 70 75, Stephen Ames (Can) 74 68 72
216 Robert Gamez 72 68 76, Fred Couples 65 73 78
217 Marc Turnesa (USA) 70 70 77, Andrew Magee 72 70 75
219 Steve Lowery 68 72 79