NORTH OF SCOTLAND WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - ELGIN GOLF CLUB

TAYLOR v DOCHERTY IN FINAL OF NORTH OF SCOTLAND WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Top seed Carinne Taylor (Nairn) is playing Ellie Docherty (Elgin) in this afternoon's scratch final of the North of Scotland women's championship at Elgin Golf Club.

Taylor beat Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 3 and 1 in this morning's semi-finals while Docherty beat Caitlin Boa (Royal Dornoch)  by one hole in the other tie.

The handicap final is between Debbie Bird (handicap 16) and Angela Grant (Brora) who has a handicap of 17.

In the semi-finals, Bird beat Alison Taylor (Kemnay) (20) at the 19th while Grant, who plays off 17, beat Rhianna MacKay (Royal Dornoch) (handicap 32) by one hole.

 

CATRIONA STEPPING AWAY FROM LPGA

 

TOUR AND COMMITTING TO EUROPE

 

SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN: Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, European Solheim Cup Captain, has confirmed that she will be stepping away from the LPGA Tour this year and will be playing more on the Ladies European Tour in the future.

The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on July 17-20 will be her last LPGA event on US soil and she will also play in the AIG Women’s British Open and Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, which are co-sanctioned by the two tours.

“This is my 25^th year on the LPGA and I decided it was time to call it a day,” she said at the new La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational event, which tees off tomorrow in Spain.

“I just want to be at home a bit more. It’s a lot easier commuting to Europe. I’m going to play in the KPMG Championship and then the DOW with Suzann (Pettersen). Being the Solheim Cup captain, it’s good to be around the other players.

“I’ve had a good career and everything comes to an end. It just hit me and I thought: this is it. I missed the cut in L.A. about a month ago and realised I’d had enough of the grind, being week in, week out and then going back home and having to practise, with the kids. It just got old.

“I’m not quitting: I’ll play in Europe and I’m keen to play in the U.S. Senior Open next year. I’m moving my focus to try and win that. I’m not retiring, I’m just retiring from the LPGA.

“I enjoy playing in Europe. It’s that little bit more relaxed. I still feel I can come out here and win. It’s just the week in, week out grind. I still want to win.”

The former British Open champion will partner her vice captain Pettersen in the The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in July, which will be the Norwegian’s first return to competition since giving birth to her first child, Herman Alexander, last August.

As she gears up for her return, she will attend the La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational at La Reserva Club de Sotogrande this weekend, where “Beany” is playing.

Matthew said: “She’s coming down on Saturday night and going to watch a few people play on Sunday, so it will be good to catch up and see her in person and meet Herman.”

Pettersen said if she finds some “magical game” she might try to qualify for The Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland in September.

“She’s going to be practising the next couple of months before the Dow and she’ll see how she thinks she does in that as to her plans for the future. She’d be a great addition if she was playing well, though,” Matthew said.

As vice captain to Annika Sorenstam, Matthew stepped in to wear the blue and gold of Team Europe for a ninth time two years ago at Des Moines, taking the place of the injured Pettersen

DEESIDE GREENKEEPER LEEL RETIRES AFTER 50 YEARS

    Frank Coutts (left), PGA Scotland captain and Deeside GC's Director of Golf, with retiring greenkeeper Andrew Leel. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

  

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Deeside Golf Club's head greenkeeper Andrew Leel has retired after 50 years on the Bieldside club's ground staff.

It would have been 51 years had not Cults Academy refused to let Andrew leave school until he was 15.

"I always wanted to get a job that involved me working outdoors," said Leel.

He was originally offered a job on the Deeside greenstaff under head greenkeeper Steve Donnachie when he was 14.

Ironically for a man who has spent all of his working life on a golf course. Leel does not play golf.

"I did get clubs at one time but after a couple of unsuccessful and not enjoyable games, I decided that actually playing the game was not for me," said Leel who is looking forward to indulging in his first love, walking in the countryside.

Past club captain David Rennie, at a presentation in the clubhouse,  paid tribute to Leel's expertise in having the Deeside course in tip-top condition early in the season.

Secretary Mike Winton (left) welcomes new pro Gary Casey to Pitlochry Golf Club

GARY CASEY IS NEW PRO AT PITLOCHRY

PITLOCHRY Golf Club has appointed a new professional.

After spending much of his 33-year career in England and Holland, it heralds a homecoming for Gary Casey.

He takes over from one-time Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy team player Wallace Booth, who enjoyed a year with Niall McGill’s Noah’s Ark team in Highland Perthshire.

Wallace has been recuperating from shoulder surgery but is planning to tee-up in the EuroPro Tour this season.

Pitlochry members are delighted to have secured an experienced successor to Comrie-born Wallace, who was heavily committed to coaching novices and more experienced players.

Gary (48) arrives in the Big County with a hard-earned reputation for coaching skills honed during a career which has taken him from home club Dullatur, near Cumbernauld, as raw teenager to Lavender Park Golf Centre in Berkshire and a spell in Holland at the Wouwse Plantage club before becoming head teaching pro at Thorpe Wood Golf Club in Peterborough in 1992.

“My partner Britt and I have been touring 10 countries across Europe in a camper van for the last six months and when we spotted the opening at Pitlochry we thought it would be perfect for us,” said Gary.

“The quality of life here is wonderful in this part of the world and the golf course and practice facilities at the club are superb.

“It’s great dealing with members and the many visitors, such as a group welcomed from New Hampshire this week.

“We also have the 100^th anniversary of the Highland Open to look forward to in August.

“My first boss at Dullatur, Duncan Sinclair, had been assistant to Pitlochry legend John Panton. He was something of a hero of mine so it’s nice to follow in his footsteps.

“It’s an exciting time for us, with the new season under way.

“I’m a coach by nature so that will be a big part of my role here.

“Pitlochry is a great coaching centre. The facilities, combined with one of the most scenic courses in the country, make it an exceptional place for golf.”

Niall McGill welcomed the latest addition to his Noah’s Ark team.

“Wallace did a wonderful job while he was recovering from surgery,” he said.

“We wish him well on the EuroPro Tour and we’re delighted to get a PGA pro of Gary’s calibre to carry on his good work.”

Dalmahoy sign rising Scottish golf star Rory Smith

2^nd April 2019. Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has signed up-and-coming Edinburgh golf professional Rory Smith as its new ambassador, fresh on the heels of signing Jane Turner, Ladies European Tour campaigner, last month.

 Rory Smith, 23 from Kirknewton in Edinburgh, is a professional golfer looking to break through the ranks and achieve his goal of playing on the European and PGA tours.  He’s been a member at Dalmahoy since the age of seven, representing the club at both junior and gents level, winning the club championship for the past four consecutive years, holding the course record of 65 8 under par.

“While representing Dalmahoy at amateur level, I have managed to compete against the best golfers in the country, and the impeccable golfing facilities there have helped me hone my game over the years”, said Smith, who won the Lothians Champion of Champions event in 2018. 

Smith, who will compete in the PGA EuroPro Tour Q School tournament this week, added: “I’m proud to now be representing Dalmahoy at professional level, and I hope the partnership will help take me to the next level and achieve my PGA and European Tour dreams.”

As one of Scotland’s leading golf resorts, Dalmahoy was host to Scotland’s first ever Solheim Cup in 1992, and is proud to shine a light on Scottish golf ahead of the golf tournament returning to Scotland later this year.

Sam Oliver, director of golf and leisure at Dalmahoy continued: “Rory has been a colourful and well-liked part of our golfing community here at Dalmahoy for a number of years and he’s been performing really well recently, with his best year ever last year. As proud advocates of Scottish golf, we’re keen to do what we can to help take one of our own to the next level.”

Smith added: “With two brilliant golf courses, as well as excellent practice facilities, my long and short game training are both covered at Dalmahoy. I can also cover off my fitness routine when I’m there as the hotel Leisure Club has a state-of-the-art new Lifefitness gym.”

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     Eilidh and Tommy entertain   
      Blairgowrie GC members   

SPORTS presenter Eilidh Barbour and St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright entertained Blairgowrie Golf Club members at a Welcome Back dinner.

Perthshire-born Barbour, who succeeded fellow Scot Hazel Irvine as the face of golf on the BBC, is counting down to the 2019 Masters and a hectic summer fronting coverage of The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Portrush.

On the football front, she has the Women’s World Cup lined-up in the summer after presenting and trackside reporter duties at big games on both sides of the border for the Beeb and BT Sport.

Like Wright - the only Saints manager ever to lift the Scottish Cup – Eilidh plays her golf at Blairgowrie.

The duo took part in a wide-ranging question and answer session conducted by freelance journalist Gordon Bannerman

Club captain Peter Inglis said: “We were delighted that Eilidh and Tommy made time in their busy schedules to entertain us with fascinating and humorous tales from their successful careers in sport.”

 

Left to right: Peter Inglis (Blairgowrie GC captain), Gordon Bannerman (Master of Ceremonies), Tommy Wright, Eilidh Barbour and Steven Morgan (club managing secretary). Picture by Stuart Cowper Photography

Hi Colin,

 

I have been asked to pass this onto you in the hope that you would spread the word about this fantastic chance to become a Life Member to the Isle of Harris Golf Club, while helping to raise money for a worthy local charity.

 

Here is some information on Crossroads Harris, and more information can be found on their website.

 

Crossroads (Harris) exists to provide respite care to carers of ill, elderly and people with disabilities and also support to ill, elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.

These services are free of charge to users.

 

www.crossroadsisleofharris.co.uk

 

ENGLAND PLAYERS NAMED FOR SCOTTISH U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

NEWS RELEASE

Leading players have just been selected to represent England in three international championships.

 

They are:

The Italian Women’s International at Is Molas Golf Club from 20–23 March:  Georgina Blackman of Essex, Annabell Fuller of Surrey, Cara Gainer of Oxfordshire, Lily May Humphreys of Essex, Caley McGinty of Gloucestershire and Emily Toy of Cornwall

 

The Scottish U18 Girls’ Championship at St. Andrews Eden Golf Club from 10 – 12 April: Rafiah Banday of Surrey, Jess Baker and Rosie Belsham (pictured) of Northumberland, Scottish-based Ellie Gower, Thalia Kirby of Buckinghamshire and Caitlin Whitehead of Cumbria.

 

The French U21 Women’s Championship at St Cloud from 18-22 April: Emily Brennan of Staffordshire, Lily May Humphreys, Charlotte Heath of Yorkshire, Caley McGinty, Mimi Rhodes of Somerset and Caitlin Whitehead.

 

All the players are members of England Golf national squads.

 

The players:

 

Jess Baker, 16, (Gosforth Park Ladies’) was joint runner-up in the English U16 Girls’ Championship and 10^th in the Scottish Girls’ Championship. 

 

Rafiah Banday, 15, (Royal Mid-Surrey) won the 2018 Midland U16 Championship and was joint runner-up in the English U16 Girls’.

 

Rosie Belsham, 17, (Whitley Bay) was runner-up in the Scottish Girls’ last year, third in the North of England U16s and sixth in the English U16s.

 

Georgina Blackman, 22, (Chelmsford) is the English Women’s Amateur Champion and followed up this year with third place in the Portuguese Women’s Amateur.

 

Emily Brennan, 19, (Trentham) was ninth in the 2019 South American Amateur, having been runner-up in the St Rule Trophy last year and a semi-finalist in the English Women's Match Play.

 

Annabell Fuller, 16, (Roehampton) is a Curtis Cup player who has just won the girls’ championship at the Major Champions Invitational in Florida, was third in the Harder Hall Women’s Invitational and fourth in the Annika Invitational USA.

 

Cara Gainer, 23, (Castle Royle) was fourth in the New South Wales Stroke Play and reached the last eight in the NSW Amateur. She tied fourth in the 2018 English Women’s Amateur.

 

Ellie Gower, 16 (Gleneagles) won the North of England U16 Girls’ Open and was joint runner-up in the English U16s and sixth in the Fairhaven Trophies. 

 

Charlotte Heath, 17, (Huddersfield), won the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and was a semi-finalist in the British Girls’ Amateur Championship.

 

Lily May Humphreys, 16, (Stoke by Nayland) is a Curtis Cup player and the Scottish women’s open champion. She represented Team GB in the Youth Olympics.

 

Thalia Kirby, 18, (Stoke Park), was third in the Welsh Women’s Open and had top tens in the Liphook Scratch Cup, Critchley Salver and Roehampton Gold Cup.

 

Caley McGinty, 18, (Knowle) won the U18 prize at last year’s St Rule Trophy, where she was 10th overall. She also had top ten finishes in the Irish and Welsh women’s opens.

Mimi Rhodes, 17, (Burnham and Berrow), reached the last 16 in the British Girls’ Championship and was fourth in the English Girls’ Championship.

 

Emily Toy, 21, (Carlyon Bay) won the 2019 New South Wales Stroke Play Championship and was fourth in the English Women’s Amateur.

 

Caitlin Whitehead, 16, (Carus Green), won the 2018 European Young Masters, the Asia Pacific Junior Championship and the West of England Open.

 

 

 

   Annabell Fuller and Conor Gough

England pair win junior Major

 

Champions' individual titles

 

England teenage internationals Conor Gough and Annabell Fuller pulled off a national double when they won the individual titles at the Major Champions Invitational at Bella Collina in Florida.

Gough was 15-under in the boys’ event, while Fuller was 11-under in the girls’ championship.

The event, in its second year, was created by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo to give opportunities to young golfers. It was supported by 18 major winners including England’s Georgia Hall, the Women’s British Open champion.

Hall was represented by a team of four: Gough (Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire), Fuller (Roehampton, Surrey) and fellow England player Lily May Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland, Essex), alongside Switzerland’s Alexis Valenzuela. Together they were runners-up in the team event, on 26-under, three behind Annika’s team.

Gough, 16, the British Boys’ Champion, shot scores of 68 65 68, playing the final five holes in two-under par to finish three clear of the USA’s Andrew Goodman. Defending champion Tom McKibbin was third on 11-under.

Fuller, a Curtis Cup player, snatched a one-shot victory over Korea’s Jung-Min Hong when she birdied the last hole and her opponent bogeyed it. The 16-year-old had rounds of 68 69 68.

Click here for more information

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ProDreamUSA clients to benefit from enhanced Footage & Analysis at Europe’s premier performance facility

We are thrilled to announce that ProDreamUSA clients will have the opportunity to attend their own individual Swing Footage andAnalysis session at the renowned Archerfield Performance Centre in East Lothian.

Originally home to Nike Golf’s European fitting centre and opened in 2013 by Rory McIlroy, the site was acquired by Archerfield Golf Club following Nike’s withdrawal from golf equipment manufacturing.
Now professional and amateur golfers alike travel from across the world to utilise the world-class facilities, technology and coaching available.
Renowned coach and founder of The Leading Edge golf company Oliver Morton, joins ProDreamUSA as Analysis and Performance Manager, responsible for taking each client through a bespoke session using Trackman, SAM Putt Lab, SAM Balance Lab and Gears Sports technology to create a 10-15 minute video which US Coaches can view.
Aside from the footage of the clients swing, Oliver is able to provide an in depth analysis and breakdown of the players technique and point to areas for development, thus giving US Coaches a unique perspective on the player they are recruiting.

Our new Swing Footage and Analysis sessions are a terrific asset for clients, not only in terms of their college recruitment, but also their own development as golfers. We are excited to be partnering with the Archerfield Performance Centre and to welcome Oliver to the team. His passion and enthusiasm for junior golf is incredible to witness and we’re sure he will prove a valuable asset for our clients.

ProDreamUSA managing director, Brendan McKenna

I’m delighted to be joining the ProDreamUSA Team and very much looking forward to helping the next generation of golfers connect with the best environments to help them develop as Student Athletes

Oliver Morton

COWGLEN GOLF CLUB RECEIVES AWARD RECOGNITION
South-west Scotland Golf Club of the Year 2019

The Cowglen Golf Club staff and council members pictured with their award.

The award has come in recognition of the outstanding facilities that are available to golfers from Glasgow and the surrounding areas. It is no surprise that the club is constantly striving to improve on what is already an outstanding venue for members and visitors alike.
 In fact, club captain Jim Bonner has stated that this recognition has come mainly due to the amount of hard work that has been put in by Simon Payne (club secretary and head professional) and his team to make the club such a welcoming environment, this has also been equally matched by the dedication and sterling efforts of the head greenkeeping staff, lead up by head greenkeeper Michael Stack.
This has clearly gone towards giving the club its current stature of being the single best golfing experience in the South-west of Scotland.
Upon receiving the award club captain Jim Bonner said “The club is absolutely delighted to have received this award. It has come as a true reflection of the huge amount of hard work and effort that has been put in by all the staff and council members over the past few years, and it is fantastic to see this recognised within the golfing press.”
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Cowglen Golf Club has been announced as Your Golfer Magazines South West Scotland Golf Club Of The Year 2019. Jim also went on to say "There has also been a great sense of pride around the club from our members who feel that achieving an award like this is really something special to the club”.
One of the reasons for Cowglen being selected for this is due to the overall friendliness of the club, as well as its innovative junior+ category allowing adults to play with the junior+ member for free, which is a sure sign that Cowglen Golf Club really are looking to the future.
Memberships are still available for this year, so, if you are looking to join an award-winning club in the region or looking for a society venue with something a little extra then look no further than Cowglen Golf Club.

Muriel Thomson is feeling fantastic. REPORTING FROM HER TOUR OF INDIA

1 hr ·

Superb couple of days exploring Mumbai. Visited the city's laundry, Dharavi slums, met the Dabbawalas and had lunch at the famous Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

+26

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  Laura Jaffray Fab x

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  Jill Nicoll Amazing pictures Mu. How much longer have you got in India?

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Blairgowrie Golf Club ambassador Bradley Neil (centre) will wear the club crest on the Challenge Tour this season. He is pictured with managing secretary Steven Morgan (left) and professional Charles Dernie (right).

 

BRADLEY NEIL TEES UP

 

BLAIRGOWRIE GOLF CLUB

 

AMBASSADOR ROLE

 

NEWS RELEASE 

BLAIRGOWRIE Golf Club has unveiled Bradley Neil as its club ambassador.

The Perthshire professional, who has his sights set on a top 10 Challenge Tour finish this season to reclaim his European Tour status, will also sport the club badge in a clothing deal supported by Glenmuir.

Blairgowrie managing secretary Steven Morgan explained: “Bradley represented the golf club superbly in his junior years and was made an honorary member in recognition of his Amateur win and selection for the Junior Ryder Cup.

“He has regularly supported events at the golf club, encouraged our junior section at every opportunity and profiled the club on the European stage.

“We felt it was timely to offer support and encouragement as he bids to regain his European Tour card. Hopefully our tie-up with Glenmuir will encourage other potential sponsors further down the line.”

Bradley (23), who is counting down to the first Challenge Tour event in Turkey in late April, said: “I was introduced to golf here with my dad when I was three and the club has been a big part of my life for 20 years now.

“I think I was 10 when I first played a match representing Blairgowrie and went on to fly the flag at county and international level. The club name was always there alongside mine on entry lists.

“It’s fantastic that the club and such a high profile brand in golf like Glenmuir are supporting me on the Challenge Tour as I look to get back to the top tier.

“The name of Perthshire company Graham Environmental Services will again be on my bag.”

Having tied eighth in a MENA event in South Africa, Neil will fine-tune his warm-up schedule in Dubai and Bahrain.

“It’s one step back to take two forward,” he said.

“It was great to see David Law winning in Australia recently, with Bob MacIntyre, Grant Forrest and Liam  Johnston joining the other Scots on Tour this season.

“I have always said we want as many Scots competing at the top level as possible. Hopefully they all do well and I can join them next season.

“Scottish Golf and Sport Scotland have been very supportive to me and others.

“It tends to go in stages and I know the U16 Scotland team is fantastic.

“It’s down to the individual to succeed when you reach the pro game but hopefully they will be spurred on by seeing Scots making their mark.”

Bradley was the first Perth and Kinross player for 40 years to reach the top tier.

“I have had a lot of time to analyse what went wrong last year. I have used it positively,” he said.

“I have been happy with the progress I have made on and off the golf course. My form was good in South Africa in a recent high profile event. It was very encouraging so early in the season.

“It was hard to make improvements, given the schedule last year on the full Tour and doubts began to creep in. It was especially annoying not to put together four rounds of my best golf.

“There were a few low points but I have had great support from various quarters.

“I have been figuring out what I need to do with my new coach, Fintan Bonner at St Andrews.

“I want to make sure there is not an inkling of doubt in any part of my game when the Challenge Tour begins.

“I know I am a better player than this time two years ago when I was starting out on my first full season on the Challenge Tour. I have more experience behind me.

“The target for the season is to regain that full European Tour card.

“I am aiming for a top 10 finish – and I want to win tournaments.”