At the ‘Fore’ Front of Golfing Excellence The UK’s No.1 Junior Golf Academy

Merchiston is steeped in sporting excellence and the impressive achievements of the Golf Academy’s Junior Team have only added to the School’s rich sporting tapestry. The Golf Academy has been ranked No.1 in the UK by the ISGA, for the third year running, with the team collecting its trophy after the final win of the season at the prestigious ISGA Junior Open at Radley College.

Not only has the Golf Academy secured number one Junior Ranking Golf School for the third year in a row, but also two Merchiston pupils have been officially ranked as the top five UK Junior Players. Cameron A (S2) was crowned number one Junior National Individual Ranked Player for 2017 and Lyle M (S1) came in fourth.

Director of the Golf Academy, Alan Murdoch, commented:

“I am an extremely proud coach who has been very fortunate to work with such a super group of young golfers during my time at Merchiston. As you can see, we have maintained the number one position since 2014.”

The Golf Academy at Merchiston has truly established itself as a premier school for preparing pupils for the next step in their professional careers. The golf programme offers a completely customized approach that is implemented to cater for the specific needs of each individual player, utilising the latest training methods and techniques. Combining all aspects of training, coaching, a comprehensive match and tournament schedule and individualized conditioning and performance training, we have a proven track record in helping pupils to vastly improve all areas of their game. The School has considerable experience with helping pupils prepare their applications for Scholarships in the US.

The ISGA league table can be found here.

Please click here for more information on The Golf Academy.

Merchiston Sport
Merchiston prides itself on fostering the pursuit of excellence in a sport-for-all environment. In 2016/17, there were 73 different teams, of all abilities, playing competitive fixtures across 16 sports; a total of 539 fixtures, with a win ratio of 56%. More impressive is that 89% of all pupils, from 7 – 18, represented the School at some stage. The School is currently represented nationally and internationally in many sports, such as athletics, cricket, golf, rugby and target shooting. We have also achieved Scottish honours in tennis, rugby and clay pigeon shooting in the last three years. The Tennis Academy is ranked number two World Tennis School, ISF 2017; the Golf Academy is ranked number one UK Junior Ranking School, ISGA 2016/17.

For further information, supporting photography, or to arrange an interview with Alan Murdoch, please contact 0131 312 2236 or email externalrelations@merchiston.co.uk.

Fancy working at Shotscope? Read on.....

Shot Scope is currently recruiting for a number of positions in their Commercial Team

Marketing/Communications Executive 

Key responsibilities

• Supporting marketing and digital media projects 
• Building and executing social media strategies 
• Writing press releases for events and product news 
• Organising marketing copy and materials for events 
• Designing artwork concepts 
• Helping with other areas in the Commercial team 

Community Engagement Executive
Key responsibilities ·

• Creating help desk processes · 
• Acting as point of contact for the Shot Scope user base 
• Building and executing community engagement strategies 
• Helping with other areas in the Commercial team 

The positions are based at Shot Scope’s office in Edinburgh and are full time.

Shot Scope also has a number of tech roles which can be viewed at: http://www.shotscope.com/careers/

For more information or to apply can you please send a cover letter and CV to jobs@shotscope.com

Turner has Irish eyes on Galgorm prize

Ireland’s Niall Turner shares the lead heading into the final round of the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank after a three under par third round 68 at Galgorm Castle moved him to the summit alongside second round leader Emilio Cuartero Blanco. Turner birdied the 18th to set the clubhouse target at 14 under par while his Spanish counterpart could only make par to remain on the same score, with Jamie McLeary and Clément Sordet two shots further back in joint third place. The 32 year old suffered a bad back injury in January that disrupted most of his season thus far but credited the support of the local crowds with spurring him on this week. “It’s fantastic playing in front of an Irish crowd,” he said. “This event is so well supported, and I had some close friends and family up here today. “It’s great to hear the roar from the crowds, like on the last hole when I made a long birdie putt, and it’s fantastic to know that you’ve got the home crowd behind you. “It was actually a bit of an up and down round. I got it going really well in the middle of the round but missed a lot of short putts coming in. “I was happy with my final two holes though, saving par on 17 and then a lovely birdie on the last. All in all I’m delighted with a 68. “It’s exciting to be in the final group in the final round. I’ve always enjoyed playing in front of crowds so I’m looking forward to it. “I’ll treat it like any other round and go through the usual pre-round routine. It’s hard to do but you have to stay true to what you’ve been doing and trust in your game. I’m really excited about it.” Cuartero Blanco admitted nerves got the better of him as he made a double bogey on the first hole, but he made five birdies and an eagle to fire a 69 and remain in a share for the lead. “I started very badly, just some bad swings,” said the 24 year old. “I was a bit nervous today because I haven’t held the lead in a tournament since I was an amateur, but now I’m so excited. “My round was a bit messy but the eagle on the ninth helped. I putted well and made a lot of birdies, and I was happy to be able to come back after a bad start and to be able to hold a lead. “I’m looking forward to seeing how I perform under final round pressure. The people just want to see good shots, so I think they enjoyed me today because I made a lot of birdies, as well as quite a few bogeys, but it was good fun. “I couldn’t be happier with the crowd that followed me. There was a family from San Sebastián and they were cheering ‘vamos, vamos’ which was nice to hear. But everyone claps and cheers everything, it’s great to have this support out here and I’m excited for even more people.” Frenchman Sordet, in just his fourth event since turning professional, almost made a hole in one on the par three fifth as he shot a 68 to move to 12 under par. McLeary started with a sublime approach to the first and three other birdies on the front nine moved him into contention before a bogey coming home meant he remains two shots back. His fellow Scot Peter Whiteford fired the best round of the day, a six under par 65, and sits on 11 under par alongside Denmark’s Jeff Winther and American John Hahn. A clutch of players remain well within striking range at 10 under par, including Road to Oman Rankings leader Ricardo Gouveia and 2013 Northern Ireland Open champion Daan Huizing. The home hopeful Chris Selfridge, having this week made his eighth successive cut since turning professional, fired a level par round of 71 to remain on eight under par. Scores: 199 E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 65 65 69, N Turner (Irl) 65 66 68, 201 C Sordet  (Fra) 67 66 68, J McLeary  (Sco) 67 65 69, 202 J Hahn (USA) 65 66 71, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 69 65, J Winther (Den) 67 68 67, 203 D Law (Sco) 67 67 69, H Porteous (RSA) 65 69 69, M Armitage (Eng) 72 65 66, S Wakefield (Eng) 66 69 68, D Huizing (Ned) 65 68 70, R Gouveia (Por) 70 67 66, S Gros (Fra) 66 66 71, 204 A McArthur  (Sco) 68 67 69, D Coupland (Eng) 69 69 66, 205 C Selfridge  (Nir) 68 66 71, S Arnold  (Aus) 66 67 72, C Gloet  (Den) 73 65 67, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 69 65 71, 206 V Riu  (Fra) 67 69 70, S Thornton (Irl) 66 69 71, J Glennemo (Swe) 66 71 69, D Im (USA) 68 67 71, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 73 64 69, J Lara (Esp) 70 66 70, S Manley (Wal) 66 70 70, G Woolgar (Eng) 67 68 71, 207 R Kellett (Sco) 66 69 72, T Linard (Fra) 68 70 69, G Murray  (Sco) 70 67 70, B Stone (RSA) 66 71 70, 208 B Hafthorsson (Isl) 69 69 70, E Goya (Arg) 66 70 72, J Watts (Eng) 68 71 69, H Joannes  (Bel) 69 68 71, R Evans  (Eng) 66 70 72, P Maddy (Eng) 68 67 73, 209 G Shaw (Nir) 73 64 72, P Lawrie (Irl) 68 70 71, T Sluiter  (Ned) 66 71 72, D Perrier (Fra) 69 67 73, S Matus  (Cze) 70 67 72, 210 P Figueiredo  (Por) 70 67 73, M Orrin (Eng) 71 68 71, B Casey  (Irl) 69 70 71, A Knappe (Ger) 69 68 73, J Lima  (Por) 70 66 74, 211 G King (Eng) 70 69 72, N Kearney (Irl) 69 69 73, O Stark (Swe) 68 71 72, N Elvira  (Esp) 68 70 73, N Raymond (Eng) 69 67 75, J Robinson (Eng) 68 68 75, S Walker (Eng) 71 68 72, 212 J Billing (Swe) 70 67 75, 213 L Gagli  (Ita) 69 68 76, 214 N Kimsey (Eng) 67 72 75, 216 A Snobeck  (Fra) 68 69 79, S Henry  (Sco) 70 69 77,  - Ends -

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS /

United Sports USA

UNITED SPORTS USA CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY FOR FEMALE BRITISH GOLFERS GAINING GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS IN AMERICA

Golf scholarship experts United Sports USA excellent run of success was typified by Meghan MacLaren’s recent win at the British Woman’s Stroke Play Championship last month. Meghan an England International won 4 times in her first 2 years at Florida International University and we look forward to her continued success in her junior year in the collegiate system.
Another of United Sports clients, Olivia Winning had a great tournament and finished tied 3rd at the British Ladies open. Olivia studies at Tulane University, Louisiana.
The Glasgow based company have excelled in recent years by placing all of their female golf clients most of whom have achieved 100% funding at American Universities. The company work with some of the top talent leaving Britain in securing female golf scholarships.
This year Scottish Order of Merit Winner Connie Jaffrey [Royal Troon] left for Kansas State University and runner up Clara Young [Berwick GC] opted for the University of Missouri while Nicola Callander [Mill Green] another Scottish International joined Southern Mississippi University. Other news across in the states Lesley Atkins has left Florida International to join ranks with Louisiana University Monroe.
Jess Meek [Carnoustie GC] had a fantastic first season at The University of Missouri breaking the Freshman scoring average and we wish Jess another successful year with the Mizzou Tigers.
It is not only the top Scots that are leaving for America, English, Welsh and Irish Internationals have joined their Scottish counterparts in ‘fleeing the nest’  in their quest for full time golf in a warm climate as most of the events are held in the south of the country. The girls also study a degree of their choice on a full time basis and gain significant life experience which will stand them in good stead for future professional careers whether it be on or off the course.
If you would like to join the list of girls who have worked with the company receive golf scholarships in the USA please contact our golf consultant Jamie Alexander on 0141 332 0690 or Jamie@unitedsportsusa.com

Meghan MacLaren     Florida International University    WEXHAM PARK GC
Ashleigh Greenham     Arizona State University    TANDRIDGE GC
Connie Jaffrey          Kansas State University        ROYAL TROON GC
Emma Allan          University of Missouri        MEON VALLEY GC
Paige Kemp          Stetson University        ROCHFORD HUNDRED GC
Clara Young          University of Missouri        NORTH BERWICK GC
Nicola Callander      Southern Mississippi University     MILL GREEN GC
Sana Tufail          University of Tulsa        YAS LINKS ABU DHABI
Emma Miller         Arkansas State University    NEWPORT [GWENT] GC
Aimee Ponte          University of Texas San Antonio  ROYAL GUERNSEY GC
Emily Turner  University of South Carolina Beaufort    STOCK BROOK MANOR GC
Jess Meek          University of Missouri        CARNOUSTIE GC
Sophie Godley         Florida International University    LINDRICK GC
Lesley Atkins         University of Louisiana Monroe GULLANE GC
Lucie Walker         Winthrop University        SOUTHPORT AND AINSDALE GC
Abi Laker          Arkansas State University    FRILFORD HEATH GC
Olivia Winning          University of Tulane        ROTHERHAM GC
Megan Burgess     Lindenwood University        Unattacted
Megan Garland          Daytona State Junior College    SELBY GC

2015/2016 leavers
Eloise Healey        The WEST LANCASHIRE GC
Kirsty Beckwith        ALWOODLEY GC
Emily Coleman        TRENTHAM GC
Chloe Thackeray    STOCK BROOK MANOR
Lucy Eaton        SKIPTON GC
Hollie Vizard        PLEASINGTON GC
Jemima Gregson    KNOWLE GC

GLENMORANGIE - THE SPIRIT OF THE OPEN

As the ‘Spirit of The Open’, Glenmorangie is searching for the world’s most ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’ golf holes. Nominate and vote for your favourites to help produce the definitive global list of the finest 18 golfing challenges.

Enter now at www.glenmorangie.com/golf  for the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to The 2015 Open at St Andrews, including rounds at some of Scotland's finest courses and a trip to the home of Glenmorangie in Tain. There are also monthly prize giveaways of  TaylorMade SLDR Drivers, Troon Golf Certificates and Glenmorangie golf merchandise.

NEW ONLINE GOLF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS SYSTEM LAUNCHED

LowerYourScores.com is an innovative new Performance Analysis system for golfers, designed and developed by Perth-based brothers Niall and Alasdair McGill.

After launching into the Golf Professional market in October last year (Niall is a PGA Professional, based at Noah’s Ark Golf Centre in Perth), the system will have its full Public Launch on 28th March. With over 200 golf professionals already signed up, LowerYourScores is ready to take the UK golf market by storm!

Two years in the making, LowerYourScores.com is the realisation of a vision to help golfers play better golf, reduce their scores and enjoy the game more. Despite the advances in technology over the past thirty years, the average golfer’s handicap has remained the same.

LowerYourScores.com provides the player with a unique insight into their game. Our innovative Relative Handicap system rates the player for ten different aspects of their game – providing an overview of their strengths & weaknesses. In this instance, the statistics don’t lie!

Working alone, or with their coach, the player can then use this information to identify the areas of their game to work on that will deliver the biggest returns.

Instead of going to the driving range and just getting the driver out, LowerYourScores.com will make your practice more effective and you’ll be able to track your performance improvement over time.

Where LowerYourScores differs from existing golf statistics systems is in the way it presents data and also in the depth of Performance Analysis it provides.

Rather than presenting the user with rows of data in tables, which is very difficult to read and interpret, LowerYourScores is a graphically rich system that makes Performance Analysis easy to understand and makes you want to use it more!

The system is hosted online, with monthly or annual payment options. At £3.99 per month, or £39.90 per year, it’s a small investment that will make a big difference. To put it in context, a new driver will cost upwards of £200, with no guarantee that you will improve. Put LowerYourScores.com in your bag and your scores will tumble!

Don’t just take our word for it however, here’s what some of our users have to say: -
“Serious about your season and want to track your stats? LowerYourScores.com is the best way in my opinion. Visually much easier for most.” – Billy Fyfe, PGA Golf Professional, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, Aberdeen
“I've been using LowerYourScores since August and it’s improved my game and practice like you won't believe.” – Iain Taylor, Aberdeen

To find out how LowerYourScores.com can transform your golf game, visit www.loweryourscores.com today and sign up for our 30 day Free Trial (no credit card required). You can also follow us on twitter @loweryourscores and Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/loweryourscores

Contacts: -
Niall & Alasdair McGill
LowerYourScores.com,
c/o Noah’s Ark Golf Centre, Newhouse Farm, Perth, PH1 1QF.
Tel 07775 940981 (Niall) or 07515 067786 (Alasdair)
Email – niall@loweryourscores.com / alasdair@loweryourscores.com

The Best Drivers of 2013

If you are golf fanatic you will know the key importance of a good driver. And if you are in the market for a new club then here are the best drivers of 2013:

TaylorMade R1 
With dramatic graphics in bright colours this club is a great choice for golfers who like to make a statement. This TaylorMade R1 offers the latest in golfing engineering too, so as well as looking great it should do a very good job when you take to the tee. Of course whether you hit it cleanly or even in the right direction is up to you.

Nike Covert Drivers
Nike has its fingers in many sporting pies and to be fair it chooses the products it endorses very carefully and very well. That is certainly true of this quite fantastic Nike Covert Driver. This is another great looking club, with dark red metallic finish on the club head. It packs a real punch too and, provided that you can swing a club properly, it should help you get some real distance on your drives and help you fly down the fairway.

Callaway Xtreme Driver 
Callaway is another famous name in golf and its clubs offer a lot of promise to golfers of all levels. The Callaway Xtreme Driver uses the best elements of recent Callaway drivers and puts them together to offer better ball speed than ever before.

Callaway X Hot Driver
This is another fine example of the stunning clubs to come from the Callaway brand. There is a big buzz around this club in 2013 and it seems that this is the driver to have if you take your golf seriously and really want to get some distance when you tee off.

TM RBZ Stage 2 

 This is another club with bold looking graphics. This club has lower weight which is moved forward too to offer a powerful swing and great ball speed. It should help you to gain more distance than ever before and it looks pretty damn good too. To find out more about the best drivers available on the market right now just go to mygolflocker.co.uk

This advertisement placed by Julian Harvey Carax