THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB

 

ANNOUNCES CLIVE EDGINTON AS

 

CAPTAIN FOR 2019/20

 

 

 

8 May 2019, St Andrews: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has announced that Clive Edginton will serve as Captain in 2019/20. 

Mr Edginton has been nominated by the Past Captains of the Club and will begin his year in office with the traditional Driving-in ceremony on the first tee of The Old Course on Friday, 20 September 2019.

Born in Walton-on-Thames, Mr Edginton was educated at Malvern College and Oxford University, graduating in 1973 with a degree in law and a Blue for golf. 

After a successful business career in the City of London, latterly as Chief Executive and then Chairman of Tindall Riley, a specialist insurance management company, he retired in 2014.  He has since been a non-executive director and now consultant to the Medical Defence Union.

Mr Edginton became a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1997.  He served on the Rules of Golf Committee from 2000 to 2004 and was its Deputy Chairman from 2002 to 2004 when he also sat on the Joint Rules Committee with the USGA. 

He was Chairman of the Amateur Status Committee from 2007 to 2011 during which time The R and A and the USGA produced the first unified Amateur Status Code.  He was elected to the General Committee of the Club in 2014 and became Chairman of the General Committee and of the R&A’s principal companies from September 2015 until September 2018.

Mr Edginton’s home club is St George’s Hill in Weybridge, Surrey where he became a member at the age of eight.  He has served St George’s Hill as Committee Member, Captain, Director and Trustee.  He has been Club Champion on four occasions and is a nine-time winner of the club’s scratch Gold Medal. 

At various times he has also been Captain of the South Eastern Junior Golfing Society, the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, the Moles Golfing Society and the Old Malvernian Golfing Society, for whom he played more than 100 matches in the Halford Hewitt.

Aged 67, Mr Edginton currently plays to a handicap of eight.  He is married to Debbie, who is a member of both St George’s Hill and The St Rule Club.  They have two children, Robert and Claire, and two grandchildren and will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in July.

For Immediate Publication

NEW WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM PREPARES FOR IMPLEMENTATION BEGINNING 2020

30 April 2019, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA: 

Golf’s new World Handicap System (WHS), which is designed to bring the game of golf under a single set of Rules for handicapping and provide a more consistent measure of players’ ability between different regions of the world, remains on track for implementation starting in 2020.

Education has begun with events being held in Singapore, South Africa, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Continental Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and the USA.

A secure resource portal, accessible via whs.com, has also been launched to provide national associations with a library of materials that they can use to help support their own education efforts.

Coinciding with this release, The R&A and the USGA are launching a social media video campaign today to remind golfers of the eight key features of the new Rules of Handicapping and to reveal more details.  These features include:

• Minimum number of scores to establish a Handicap Index and maximum Handicap Index of 54.0
• Basis of calculation of Handicap Index
• Acceptability of scores for handicap purposes
• Course Rating and Slope Rating
• Calculation of a Playing Handicap
• Maximum hole score for handicap purposes
• Adjustments for abnormal playing conditions
• Frequency of updating a Handicap Index

Significant progress has been made in preparation for the rollout of the new system, which includes building a library of education materials, finalising the new Rules of Handicapping, release of the technical specifications and the continuation of testing. Many national associations around the world are busy ensuring that their golf courses are rated in accordance with the Course Rating System and working to update local software platforms so that they are ready to apply the new Rules of Handicapping. 

While many countries will be ready to transition to the WHS early in 2020, given both the magnitude of the change for some jurisdictions and varying seasonality throughout the world, it is anticipated that some will need more time.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “There are many ways in which it is important for golf to modernise and become more appealing for people thinking of taking up the sport and handicapping is clearly one of them. The World Handicap System is a major new initiative for the sport which will establish a clearer and more consistent handicapping process for golfers throughout the world.

“We are working closely with national associations, as we do across all our core activities, to ensure they are fully prepared for the introduction of the new system as soon as possible after it becomes available for implementation.”

“The World Handicap System is the latest example of our work to make the game more welcoming,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. 

“Golfers throughout the world will be able to play equitably, measure their success and more fully enjoy and engage with the game. After working with national associations across the world on Course Rating throughout the past 30 years and now the World Handicap System, this monumental collaborative effort will benefit everyone in golf.”

Since its conception, the development of the WHS has focused on three key goals: to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index; to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their Handicap Index to any course around the world and compete on a fair basis; and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.  

The system has been devised following extensive consultation with the six existing handicapping authorities: Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA. The Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada have also been closely involved in developing the new system.

Widespread support for the WHS was expressed in an international survey of 52,000 golfers with 76% in favour of the new system and a further 22% saying they were willing to consider its benefits. Focus groups were also held in different regions of the world to elicit detailed feedback on the features of the new system, which have contributed to the finalised Rules of Handicapping.

The World Handicap System will unite the golf world under one single set of handicapping rules and will be governed by the USGA and The R&A, with support from the existing six handicap authorities.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A’s and the USGA’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System. 

Scot Lorna and Aled from Wales come out top at R and A Foundation Scholars Tournament

Milngavie's Lorna McClymont and Welshman Aled Greville produced impressive final round displays to claim success in The R and A Foundation Scholars Tournament at  St Andrews today (Tuesday).
While McClymont held her nerve to defeat countrywoman Chloe Goadby at the second extra hole of a play-off and win the women’s event, Greville surged through the men’s field with a closing 65 on his first ever round on the Old Course.
McClymont, representing nearby SRUC Elmwood, and University of Birmingham student Greville came out on top in the two-day World Amateur Golf Ranking™ counting event, featuring 60 men and women students representing 24 universities from across the world.
By virtue of their respective victories, both players achieved automatic spots in the International Team to face the United States of America in the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup match being played at Alotian, Arkansas from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June.
Biggest ever win
McClymont shared the overnight lead with Goadby (University of Stirling and a local member at St Regulus Ladies) after the opening 36 holes over the Eden Course and they couldn’t be separated after three-under-par rounds of 73 on the Old Course to post eight-under-par totals.
It was McClymont, 18, who went on to achieve the biggest win of her career to date, making an up and down from the Valley of Sin at the 18^th, the second hole of overtime, while Goadby bogeyed.
She said, “It feels amazing, I’m struggling for words. I knew it would be tight the whole way around, with Nicola (Slater) as well, as she had a good front nine.
“I just tried to enjoy the play-off and thankfully managed to get up and down on the last. I’m in the Scottish Golf Academy and hope to keep progressing.”
Sparkling golf
Hazlehead's Jasmine Mackintosh (Robert Gordon University) and Slater (University of Stirling) shared third place on six-under-par.
On a pleasant final day at the Home of Golf, with only a light breeze to contend with over the links, Greville clawed back his six-shot deficit to overnight leader, Caolan Rafferty (Maynooth University).

While Rafferty faltered to a 74 to share second place with last year’s men’s champion, Ronan Mullarney, Greville produced a sparkling seven-birdie effort on his Old Course debut to win by three shots on six-under-par.

“I hadn’t played the Old Course before, I was playing it blind,” said Greville, who has just turned 19-years-old. “I’ve been very consistent the last few years, but I’ve just come back from a back injury and had to take most of last year out. I struggled a lot with it, so today is reward for all the hard work I’ve put in to fight back.”
Amazing feeling
Greville, involved with the Wales Golf set up since the age of 12, added, “Down the stretch I played some of my best golf, making birdies on 17 and 18. I holed two clutch par putts on 15 and 16 and then struck my approach on 17 to four feet, which was an amazing feeling on such a tough hole. Making birdie on the last just sealed it.”
On securing an Arnold Palmer Cup spot, Greville added, “I can’t wait, it will probably be the trip of a lifetime. I can’t put it into words.”
McClymont said: “I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the event. I can’t wait to compete.”

R and A FOUNDATION SCHOLARS TOURNAMENT
FINAL TOTALS
First and second rounds over Eden Course; Third round over Old Course, St Andrews
MEN
Par 212
206 A Greville (Ashburnham) 74 67 65
209 R Mullarney (Galway) 71 71 67, C Rafferty (Dundalk) 68 67 74
210 A Fahy (Dun Laoghaire) 71 70 69, P Kerr (Royal Portrush) 71 69 70
214 P Swanepoel (De Zalze) 75 68 71, A McDougall jun (Elderslie) 72 76 66, R Foley (Lausanne) 72 71 71
215 C Wallace (Seaton Carew) 72 69 74
216 M Napier (Turnhouse) 78 68 70
216 M Schinkel (Royal Dornoch 74 71 71, M Downes (Ingestre Park) 73 75 69, A McNaughton (Caldwell (73 70 74), L Hinton (Foxhills) 71 73 73
218 G Ward (Kinsale) 74 74 70, J Blyth (St Andrews) 74 70 74, J De Wouters (D'Hulencourt) 73 75 70,  M Essam (Dartford) 71 77 70
219 J Sundborg (Shanklin and Sandown) 71 75 73, J Sutherland (Garcorm Castle) 68 74 77
220 M Hibbs (Broome Manor) 73 71 76
221 T J Ford (Co Sligo) 74 69 78
222 E Griffins (Waterford) 76 72 74
223 C Ryan (Dun Laoghaire) 74 76 73
224 J Hood (Galcorm Castle) 74 73 77

SELECTED TOTALS
225 C Edgar (Elderslie) 75 76 74 (T26)
233 R Cellerino (UHI) 84 73 76 (35th)
Field of 39 players

WOMEN
Par 222 (Eden Course x 2, Old Course x 1)
214 L McClymont (Milngavie) 72 69 73, C Goadby (St Regulus Ladies) 70 71 73 (please insert result of play-off, if there is one)
216 J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 74 68 74, N Slater (Lindrick) 71 71 74
219 P Brown (Worthing) 73 71 75, EM Laws (Norway) 69 73 77
220 C Casey (Hermitage) 73 74 73
221 H MacGarvie (Royal Troon) 75 70 76
225 E Toy (Carlyon Bay) 75 74 75
226 L Van Veggel (Maastricht) 78 70 78
227 R Thompson (Cork) 81 72 74, K Napoleaova (Pysely) 73 76 78
230 B-J Smith(Woodhall Spa) 74 76 80, M Dowling (Lucan) 73 76 81
231 F Clark (S Staffs) 78 75 78.

SELECTED TOTALS
238 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 82 82 74
250 M M Richmond (Strathaven) 82 76 92

Field of 21 players








TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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CHLOE AND LORNA SHARE WOMEN'S LEAD AFTER 36 HOLES

Chloe Goadby (St Regulus Ladies), a student at Stirling University, and Lorna McClymont (SRUC Elmwood) share the 36-hole lead in the R and A Foundation Scholars' women's tournament.
Chloe posted the clubhouse target of 141 with rounds of 70 and 71 over the Eden course. The final round will be over the Old Course at St Andrews.

Goadby's  efforts were highlighted by an eagle 3 at the second hole in her opening 18 holes.
In the final group of the day, Milngavie's McClymont  joined Goadby, pictured on right, at the summit after a superb four-under-par 69 in the afternoon.
Hope for biggest career win
“I gave up a few chances out there, but there were some tough pin positions, so I couldn’t get too greedy,” Goadby, 21, said. “I played steadily, just didn’t hole many putts so I felt as though I could have been a few shots better, but I’ll certainly take five under for the day.
“It’s nice to be in my home town. I don’t get to play the Eden Course much these days, as obviously I’m at university. I like it, I grew up on it. It’s now good to get the chance to play the Old Course tomorrow. I’m excited for that as I’ve not played it in a while. Hopefully the putts will drop.”
McClymont, 18, making her debut in the event, added, “It’s great to be sharing the lead, especially as my second round included a double bogey at the 14^th.
“I won the Scottish School Girls last year, but winning tomorrow would be the biggest win of my career so far, definitely.”
The pair sits one-stroke clear of a trio of players, Aberdeen's Jasmine MacKintosh (Robert Gordon University), Nicola Slater (University of Stirling) and Norway’s Emily Michelle Laws (University of Stirling).
Mackintosh had scores of 74 and 68 - her second round being the lowest of the day in the women's tournament. She had five birdies in halves of 35-33.

WOMEN'S LEADING SECOND ROUND TOTALS
141 C Goadby (St Regulus Ladies) 70 71, L McClymont (Milngavie) 72 69.
142 J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 74 68, N Slater (Lindrick) 71 71
144 P Brown (Worthing) 73 71
145 H MacGarvie (Royal Troon) 75 70
147 C Casey (Hermitage) 73 74
148 L Van Veggel (Maastricht) 78 70
149 E Toy (Carlyon Bay) 75 74, M Dowling (Lucan) 73 76, K Napoleaova (Loreta Pysely) 73 76
150 B-J Smith (Woodhall Spa) 74 76
153 F Clark (South Staffs) 78 75
158 M Richmond (Strathaven)
164 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 82 82

Irishman Rafferty takes five-stroke lead into final day of R and A Foundation Scholars' tournament

Irishman Caolan Rafferty from Dundalk jumped into a five-stroke lead over the first 36 holes of the R and A Foundation Scholars tournament for male students, played over the Eden Course at St Andrews.
The final round will be played over the Old Course on Tuesday morning.
Rafferty posted excellent rounds of 68 and 67 for a five-under-par tally of 135.
The winner of the 54-hole men's event will automatically get a place in the international team for the Palmer Cup match against an American students' select at the Evian Resort in France.
Next best overnight is Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush) (71-69 for 140) with three players sharing third place on 141 - Cameron Wallace (Seaton Carew) (72-69), Alan Fahy (Dun Laughaire) (71-70) and Aled Greville (Ashburnham) (74-67).
Leading Scot at the end of the opening day was Alistair McNaughton (Caldwell), joint eighth on 143 (73-70).

MEN'S LEADERBOARD
Eden Course par 140 (2x70)
135 C Rafferty (Dundalk) 68 67
140 P Kerr (Royal Portrush) 71 69
141 C Wallace (Seaton Carew) 72 69, A Fahy (Dun Laughaire) 71 70, A Greville (Ashburnham) 74 67
142 R Mullarney (Galgway) 71 71, J Sutherland (Galcorm Castle) 68 74
143 P Swanepoel (De Zalze) 75 79, T J Ford (Co Sligo) 74 69, A McNaughton (Caldwell) 73 70 R Foley (Lausannce) 72 71.
144 M Hibbs (Broome Manor) 73 71,  L Hinton (Foxhills) 71 73, J Blyth (St Andrews) 74 70.
146 M Napier (Turnhouse) 78 68, J Sundborg (Shanklin and Sandown) 71 75, M Schinkel (UHI) 74 72.
147 J Hood (Galgorm Castle) 74 73
148 E Griffin (Waterford) 76 72, J De Wouters (D'Hulencourt) 73 75, M Downes (Ingestre Park) 73 75,  McDougall (Elderslie) 72 76, M Essam (Dartford) 71 77, G Ward (Kinsale) 74 74
150 C Ryan (Dun Laoghaire) 74 7, C Ferrreira (Centurion CC) 78 72
151 T Hein (Mannheim) 76 75,  C Edgar (Elderslie) 75 76
SELECTED SCORE
157 R Cellerino (UHI) 84 73 (34th)
Field of 36 players

LINK TO R AND A FOUNDATION SCHOLARS' TOURNAMENT AT ST ANDREWS


CLICK BELOW

https://www.golfbox.dk/livescoring/tour/default.asp?language=2057#/competition/1770940/players

 

151^ST OPEN TO BE PLAYED AT ROYAL

LIVERPOOL IN 2022

 

R and A NEWS RELEASE

The 151^st Open will be played at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) Golf Club from July 10-17 2022.

The occasion will mark the 13th time that golf’s original championship has been played over the famous links where many of the greatest names in the sport have lifted the iconic Claret Jug.

The Open was last played at Hoylake in 2014 when Rory McIlroy famously completed a wire-to-wire victory by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia to become the third golfer from Northern Ireland, after Fred Daly (Hoylake,1947) and Darren Clarke (Royal St George’s, 2011), to win the Championship.

More than 230,000 fans turned out to watch Tiger Woods lift the Claret Jug for the third time in his celebrated career when The Open was played at Hoylake in 2006, which was a record attendance for a Championship held outside of St Andrews until the total was surpassed at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

For Immediate Publication

THE R and A AND THE USGA RELEASE PROGRESS REPORT ON DISTANCE INSIGHTS PROJECT

14 February 2019, St Andrews and Liberty Corner, New.Jersey., USA:

The R and A and the USGA have issued a periodic update of progress made to date on the Distance Insights project.

 

The update can be viewed and downloaded via this link.

 

The project was initiated last May to provide the most comprehensive understanding of the past, present and future impact of distance on the game of golf.

 

A complete report is expected to be delivered in late 2019. 

 

For more information on the Distance Insights project, please visit www.randa.org/theranda/distance-insights or www.USGA.org/distanceinsights

From R and A/USGA

For Immediate Publication

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

February 2, 2019, St Andrews and Liberty Corner, New Jersey

 

Following an ongoing dialogue with players and in co-operation with the US PGA TOUR rules team, The R and A and the USGA revisited the penalty assessed to Denny McCarthy during round two of the Waste Management Open. After an additional review of available video this morning, it was determined that the penalty would not apply in this instance nor in a similar instance involving Justin Thomas.

In each of these cases, when the caddie was standing behind the player, the player had not yet begun taking the stance for the stroke, nor could useful guidance on aiming be given because the player was still in the process of determining how to play the stroke. The same would be true for any similar situation that might occur.

 

The R and A and the USGA recognise that clarity on how to appropriately apply this Rule is needed. We are committed to assessing its impact and will provide the necessary clarifications in the coming days.

 

 

For Immediate Publication 

 

STATEMENT FROM R AND A CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARTIN SLUMBERS

 

ON THE LI HAOTONG RULING IN EUROPEAN TOUR EVENT

 

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The RA, said:

 “We have reviewed the Li Haotong ruling made by the European Tour referees and agree that it was correct. There has been some misunderstanding of the new Rule and I would point out that it is designed to prevent any opportunity for the caddie to stand behind the player as he begins to take his stance.

"Whether the player intends to be lined up is not the issue. We appreciate that it was a very unfortunate situation  and I completely understand Keith Pelley's concerns when a Rules incident occurs at such a key stage of a European Tour event but there is no discretionary element to the Rule precisely so that it is easier to understand and can be applied consistently.

“We are continuing to monitor the impact of the new Rules but I made it clear to Keith that our focus is very much on maintaining the integrity of the Rules for all golfers worldwide.”

Ends. 

ROMAIN LANGASQUE, CHARL SCHWARTZEL AND OLIVER WILSON QUALIFY IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE 148^TH OPEN



NEWS RELEASE FROM R and A
Johannesburg, South Africa: Romain Langasque, Charl Schwartzel and Oliver Wilson have secured their places in The 148th Open after qualifying at the South African Open hosted by The City of Johannesburg.
South Africa’s national Open took place at Randpark Golf Club on the outskirts of Johannesburg and was the second event in The Open Qualifying Series which gives golfers around the world opportunities to book their place at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
Langasque recorded a five-under-par 66 at the Firethorn course to book his spot at The Open. It will be the second time that he plays in golf’s original championship after the Frenchman qualified to play at St Andrews in 2015 as a result of winning The Amateur Championship at Carnoustie.
In an up-and-down round that included five birdies, two bogeys and an eagle, Langasque finished in outright second on 12-under-par – four shots behind winner Louis Oosthuizen, who is already exempt for The Open.
The 23-year-old, who recently regained his European Tour card through Qualifying School in November, will now tee it up at Royal Portrush in July for the first time as a professional.
Several players finished on ten-under-par in a tie for third place, but it was 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and England’s Oliver Wilson who took the remaining spots for The Open on account of their higher positions in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Schwartzel, playing alongside two-time Open Champion Ernie Els, struggled to bring his final round to life after finishing on one-over-par for the day. But it was his earlier scores, an opening day 67 and an eight-under-par 63 at the Bushwillow course on Friday, that saw him hold his place in prime position by the time play was over on Sunday.
The South African will now make his 15th appearance in The Open with his best previous result -  a tie for 7th - coming in 2014 at Royal Liverpool.
A four-under-par 67 was enough to see Wilson claim the final qualifying place. The 38-year-old went bogey-free on the front nine, recording four birdies to go out in 31. He added another two birdies at the 12^th and 14^th holes but bogeys at the 13^th and 18^th derailed his chances of catching Oosthuizen or finishing in outright second.
Royal Portrush will be Wilson’s sixth appearance in The Open having made his debut at Carnoustie in 2007. He will be looking to better his 2009 tied for 24^th finish at Turnberry, which is so far the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links champion’s most successful result.
The next event in The Open Qualifying Series will be the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club from  January 17-20, 2019.
Key Quotes
Romain Langasque
“It’s amazing. I played really nicely today and the conditions were really tough, but I just stayed focused and now I’ve qualified. I’m really happy.
“I think [Portrush] will be a totally different course. It was good to play in St Andrews for my first Open because it's quite wide and I could play left if I couldn’t quite feel the shot.
"Portrush is not quite the same, the course is more narrow but I think I’m ready to play these kind of events as a pro. I’m going to be patient and not put too much pressure on myself and do my best and enjoy myself over there.
“I’m ready. My game is ready. My last results have been good. Golf can go quick in every sense. I will continue to work and focus on the tournaments coming up, and then on The Open and we will see what will happen.”
Charl Schwartzel
“I was hoping to do better in this tournament but I’m still happy that I get to play The Open in Northern Ireland which will be really nice.
“Watching Ernie’s last win and when Tiger won at Hoylake are two of my best memories of The Open, and obviously when my good friend Louis won at St Andrews.
“It’s special. There’s so much history behind it and it would be nice to have my name on the trophy one day.”
Oliver Wilson 
“I’m delighted. It wasn’t really something I was thinking about going out there today. It was tough conditions again but I played lovely and obviously coming down the stretch you realise what position you’re in. I was pleased to sneak in and get this spot because I bogeyed the last hole and I thought it was going to cost me the spot.
“This is quite big to know that you’re in The Open at this stage of the year. It’s great that I can have something that I’m really looking forward to. I managed to get in last year, and it’s where you want to be. You never want to miss The Open.
“The Open is the best one there is. I played it this last year but I hadn’t played it for a few years. Coming back and seeing what is was like at Carnoustie, the infrastructure there, and knowing the eyes of the whole world are on the tournament. You want to be there, everything about it and the way that it was run was fantastic. To qualify and get in there is nice.”
 

World ranking for golfers with disabilities

NEWS RELEASE

The R and A and the USGA will administer a global ranking for golfers with disabilities, which will help to grow participation and competition around the world and to promote inclusivity within the sport.  

The World Ranking for Golfers with Disability will launch on  January 1, 2019 and will be administered in tandem with the World Amateur Golf Ranking™ (WAGR™) for both men and won via www.WAGR.com.

The R and A and the USGA will assume responsibility for the ranking following agreement with EDGA, who created the comprehensive and independent Ranking for Golfers with Disability in 2014.

Further information for golfers and tournament organisers

wishing to register their details with the World Ranking for

Golfers with Disability will be made available later this year. 

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Events at The R and A, said, “There is an accelerating growth in the number of events around the world for golfers with disabilities to compete in, so it makes absolute sense that there is a global ranking to provide a robust measurement of an individual’s skill and ability.

“It is another important step towards ensuring that golf is more inclusive of people of all ages and abilities. Along with our colleagues at the USGA we will continue to support EDGA’s drive to grow participation and competition in the sport among all disability groups.”

“One of golf’s best benefits is that it can be played by everyone."

ALFORD PAIR FINISH JT 13th AT CORONATION 

FOURSOMES GRAND FINAL

Alford Golf Club's Angela Joss (handicap 9) and Hannah Bycroft (8) finished joint 13th in a field of 16 regional qualifying pairs at the Grand Final of the R and A's Coronation Foursomes women's tournament played under Stableford handicap rules over the Eden Course, St Andrews today.
Angela and Hannah earned 26pt - 12 behind the winners from Whittlebury Park, Towcester, Ann Lester (28.7) and Christina Hancock (6.2). Lester gained 17 points on the outward half and 21 after the turn.
Norma Hughes (13.5) and Julie Line (8.8) from the Llanymynech GC, Shropshire finished second with 36pt. Hughes and Line scored 15pt on the way out and 21 on the way home. 
The highest-placed Scots were Emma Cassidy (20.5) and Barbara McCrory (32) from Uphall Golf Club, West Lothan. They finished joint fourth with 33pt.

FINAL STABLEFORD POINTS TOTALS

38 Ann Lester (28.7) and Christina Hancock (6.2) (Whittlebury Park)
36 Norma Hughes (13.5) and Julie Line (9.8) (Llanymynech)
34 Vicky Corner (13.8) and Lilian Allison (12) (Parklands)
33 Emma Cassidy (20.5) and Barbara McCrory (32) (Uphall); Pippa Harrison (17) and Breege Owen (23.9) (Lincoln).
32 Irene Currie (34.8) and Marian Hamilton (32) (Portstewart).
30 Michelle Leveridge (31.9) and Beverley Heald (35.1) (Stoke Park).
29 Lynn Williams (21.2) and Christine Sandham (29.4) (Caermarfon), Lisbeth Pow (28.5) and J Allan (26.6) (Ralston), Linda Atkins (17.1) and Christine Knight (8) (Cottesmore).
28 Sarah Rees (18.2) and Kay Harcombe (26.9) (St Mary's Hotel)
27 Elizabeth Keenan (20.3) and Linda Douglas (24.4) (Brookmans Park).
26 Angela Joss (9) and Hannah Bycroft (8) (Alford), Lauren Pearce (0.4) and Sonia Hodges (24) (Woodbury Park).
25 Caroline Richardeson (22.4) and Dianne Aloia (24.2) (Brampton Park)
24 Maria Downey (10.5) and Bessie Brophy (27.9) (Castlecomer).

Link to Coronation Foursomes 2018 scores/results

CLICK HERE

CHAMPIONSHIP DAY TICKETS FOR THE 148TH OPEN 

AT ROYAL PORTRUSH SOLD OUT ALREADY

R and A NEWS RELEASE

Unprecedented demand for tickets for The 148th Open at Royal Portrush during the week July 14 to 21, 2019 has led to all four Championship days being completely sold out.

The Open was last played in Northern Ireland in 1951 and there has been huge excitement about the return of one of the world’s great sporting events. 

In anticipation of high levels of demand, Championship organisers The R&A moved to an all-ticket model for 2019 but the surge in ticket sales has surpassed all expectations.

Fans wishing to book their place at Royal Portrush next year still have time to visit TheOpen.com to purchase the remaining tickets for the four practice days taking place from 14-17 July.

Prices start from as little as £15 for adults while youth tickets for those aged 16-24 begin at £10. Children under the age of 16 can attend the Championship for free, if they are accompanied by an adult and have a ticket, under The Open’s “Kids Go Free” programme.

A waiting list has been introduced for fans wishing to register their interest in purchasing any cancelled or returned tickets for Championship days which may become available at a later date.

Priority for these tickets will be given to members of The One Club. It is free to sign up to and provides access to a range of other benefits associated with The Open.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R and A, said, “It is clear from the record-breaking ticket sales that golf fans are looking forward to the long-awaited return of The Open to Northern Ireland.

"We knew there would be great demand but it has been even higher than we expected and we believe fans will take advantage of the remaining practice day tickets, now that we have sold out on Championship days.

“The 148th Open is set to be a truly historic and memorable occasion and we are encouraging fans to act quickly to avoid disappointment by securing their place at Royal Portrush through visiting TheOpen.com or one of our official ticket providers.”

The R andA is also reminding fans of the importance of buying from only official source of tickets for The 148th Open via TheOpen.com or Authorised Ticketing Providers.

Any tickets made available on websites such as Viagogo, Safetickets.net, Stubhub, eBay and Gumtree are done so without the permission of The R and A and as such, may be refused entry to the Championship.

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CONOR GOUGH WINS THE 92ND BOYS' AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL PORTRUSH


R and A NEWS RELEASE

Conor Gough beat Jose Luis Ballester in the final to win the 92nd Boys' Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush today.
Gough, a member of Stoke Poges Golf Club, near Slough, becomes the first Englishman to lift the trophy since Matthew Fitzpatrick’s victory at Notts (Hollinwell) in 2012. He will now play in The 124^th Amateur Championship at Portmarnock and The Island, and gains an exemption into Final Qualifying for The 148^th Open, also at Royal Portrush, as a result of his victory.
The 15-year-old teed off for the second round of the final  leading by two holes over Ballester after a closely contested opening 18 holes of high quality golf. Neither player managed to advance further than a one-hole lead until the par three 16th where Ballester, at one-down, faltered with a bogey. Gough went further ahead, thanks to a birdie at the 17th but the Spaniard hit back on the next to reduce his opponent’s lead to two holes heading into the break.
Gough stumbled in the early stages of the afternoon round with a double bogey at the 20th and a bogey on the 21st which enabled Ballester to square the match once more. The lead continued to swing to-and-fro on the front nine with neither player able to build a commanding lead.

With the crowds building, the key moment came at the par four 29th. Having watched Ballester roll in a 20ft putt for birdie, Gough stood over his own which rested around 15ft from the pin. Under pressure, he read the line brilliantly and used the break off the left to find the hole.
On the next, both players found the bottom of a steep embankment with their approach shots to the green. Ballester showed his touch to pitch close to the pin from the heavy rough but Gough went one better as he delighted the crowd by chipping in for eagle and a one hole lead.
Gough, who already has two big wins under his belt this season, having claimed the McGregor Trophy in July and the boys’ title at the Fairhaven Trophy earlier in the year, never looked back from that point and grew in confidence as the match neared its conclusion. He carded another birdie at the par four 32nd to double his lead and required just a half for victory at the 35th.
When Ballester’s tee shot landed in a gorse bush to the left of the fairway he deemed the ball unplayable and took a drop under penalty of one stroke. Sadly, the young Spaniard’s approach fell just short and found a greenside bunker at which point he conceded the hole and the match to the Englishman who completed a memorable 3 and 1 victory.
Key quotes:
Conor Gough
“I feel incredible. It’s a dream come true. I never thought it would have happened this year. I knew I was playing well but I didn’t quite think I’d go this far. Now I’m here the winner so I’m really happy with myself.
“The turning moment was 11. I made a 15ft putt birdie to stay all-square and then 12 was big for eagle. I parred 13 and then made another really important birdie on 14.
“Jose was really good. He gave me a very good game and he impressed me quite a lot with his irons – he was hitting it close.
“I thought I may be picked for the Jacques Léglise Trophy before but I’m hoping now this has really secured it.
“I have had an incredible season. I don’t think I have finished outside the top 12 in any competition this year so I am just playing really well and I’ve managed to keep the form going.

“Matt Fitzpatrick (the 2012 Boys Amateur Champion and last English winner) is a very good person to follow. If I can keep on following in his footsteps I won’t be doing too bad.

(On winning in Ireland. His father is originally from just outside Dublin and his mother is originally from County Down.)
“The family are really enjoying this. They couldn’t have picked a better place for me to win so they will be buzzing for me.
(On getting into Final Qualifying for The 148^th Open at Royal Portrush)
“If I get into The Open, especially here at Royal Portrush, that would be a real dream come true.”
Jose Luis Ballester

“I am very happy to be in the Final but I am a little bit sad because I lost but I played very well so I’ve got to be happy with my golf. I have to say congratulations to Conor.

“It was amazing to play in front of the crowd. I felt like a pro.”

The 93^rd Boys Amateur Championship will be played at Saunton, East and West courses, from August 13 to 18, 2019.

Video footage from the Final is available to download at https://we.tl/t-3r2EF9IDWh.

 

O'Hagan and Wilson through to last 32 of British boys' championship

Two Scots - Aidan O'Hagan (Old Ranfurly) and Connor Wilson (Castle Park) - have reached the last 32 of the British boys amateur championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland. In today's (Thursday) first-round ties, O'Hagan won by two holes against Kief Van Der Weele (Netherlands) while Wilson won by 4 and 3 against Massimiliano Campigli (Italy).
The two other Scots who qualified for the match-play stages were both beaten. Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie) lost by 4 and 3 to Bard Bjornevik (Norway) and Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) lost by two holes against Josh Hill (Jumeirah).

 

    
CLICK HERE to view all the results

 

LEADING QUALIFIERS WILLIAMS AND POWER PROGRESS TO SECOND MATCH PLAY ROUND

R and A NEWS RELEASE

Leading qualifier Robin Williams is through to the second round of match play at the 92nd Boys Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush.

Williams, who was a semi-finalist last year, defeated Wales’ Archie Davies 5 and 4. The pair enjoyed a close tussle until reaching the 12^th where Williams, in a fine display of driving, moved up a gear to open a gap and see out the match at the 14th.

The 16-year-old England boy internationalist will now play Scotland’s Aidan O’Hagan, who recorded a two-hole victory over the Netherlands’ Kiet Van Der Weele. The 14-year-old, playing in his first Boys Amateur Championship, held his resolve to deal with the wind and come through the match in style.

Mark Power, second in the stroke play qualifying, reached Friday’s second round with a 2 and 1 win over countryman Alex Maguire. The two-time Irish Boys Amateur Champion started well with two birdies and an eagle to be three up after five holes. Maguire looked to stage a comeback with birdies on the 12th and 14th but, as the dark clouds rolled in and the heavens opened, Power kept his cool and secured the win at the 17th.
Nicolai Højgaard, who moved into the top ten of the World Amateur Golf Ranking^TM this week and is the highest-ranked player in the field, also secured his spot in the next round following an impressive 4 and 3 victory over his good friend Eduard Rousaud.
The Dane will now play Australian-based Scot Connor McKinney, who defeated Russia’s Artem Yalovenka 4 and 3. The 16-year-old is another making his Boys Amateur debut following his family’s relocation from Dunfermline in Fife to Perth in Western Australia three years ago.

Højgaard’s twin, Rasmus, exited the championship after a close match with Conor Gough that required four extra holes. The 15-year-old England boy internationalist recorded one bogey throughout in a match that was testament to the high quality golf played by both players. He now takes on countryman Matthew Jackman on Friday.

Defending champion Pedro Lencart is still on track to become only the third player to win back-to-back championships, and the first since 1930, thanks to a 2 and 1 victory over England’s James Cooper. The 18-year-old from Portugal, who also won the Junior Open in 2016, is playing in his final Boys Amateur Championship after lifting the trophy last year at Nairn.

:Link to British boys championship first qualifying round scores

CLICK HERE

67 J Pagdin (Eng)
68 J de Sousa (Australia)
69 H A Puertes (Spn), R Williams (Peterborough Milton)

VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR R and A CHAMPIONSHIPS AND INTERNATIONAL 

MATCHES IN 2020

 The R and A has announced the venues for its 2020 men’s and women’s championships and international matches which include some of the world’s finest golf courses.

While The 149^th Open will be played at Royal St George’s, the 15th occasion in the Championship’s history, a full season of prestigious amateur championships and international matches for men, women, boys and girls will also be staged by The R and A.

The 41^st Curtis Cup match between Great Britain and Ireland and the United States will be played at Conwy in North Wales for the first time in the history of this biennial women’s amateur match. Conwy has a long-standing reputation for hosting professional and amateur events including Final Qualifying for The Open, the Boys Amateur Championship and the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Prestigious links courses will host the flagship events of the men’s and women’s amateur seasons. The 125^th Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire, while Kilmarnock (Barassie) in Ayrshire will stage the 117^th Ladies British Open Amateur Championship for the first time.

The Boys Amateur Championship will be played at Moortown for the fifth time in its history and returns to the Yorkshire venue for the first time since 1972. Nearby Alwoodley will co-host the championship during the stroke play stage and is a venue for Regional Qualifying for The Open.

The Girls British Open Amateur Championship will be played at Southport & Ainsdale, a venue which has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open, The Amateur Championship and the Ryder Cup on two occasions.

The Junior Open will continue to be played at a venue close to The Open when it is staged at Littlestone in Kent and the Girls Under 16 Open Championship will return to Fulford in Yorkshire.

The Seniors Amateur Championship will also visit the famous Kent coastline when it is played at Royal Cinque Ports (Deal), while the Ladies Senior Amateur Championship will be contested at Ashridge in Hertfordshire.

The St Andrews Trophy match between Great Britain and Ireland and the Continent of Europe will be staged at Royal Porthcawl for the first time in its history, while the Jacques Leglise Trophy will also break new ground when it is played at Blairgowrie (Lansdowne) in Perthshire.

Killarney in Ireland will stage the Boys Home Internationals and the Ladies and Girls Home Internationals will take place at Royal St David’s. The Senior Ladies Home Internationals will be played at West Kilbride.  

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R and A, said, “Our aim is always to offer professional and amateur golfers the opportunity to compete on some of the world’s finest courses and to give them the platform to show just how good they are. In 2020 we can look forward to an excellent series of men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ events played on some outstanding golf courses.”

The R and A’s championships and international matches will be played on the following dates in 2020:

The Girls U16 Open Championship, Fulford, 24–26 April

The 41^st Curtis Cup, Conwy, 12–14 June

The 125^th Amateur Championship, Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire, 15–20 June

The 117^th Ladies British Open Amateur Championship, Kilmarnock (Barassie), 23–27 June

The 149^th Open, Royal St George’s, 12–19 July

The Junior Open, Littlestone, 13–15 July

The St Andrews Trophy, Royal Porthcawl, 23–24 July

The Seniors Amateur Championship, Royal Cinque Ports (Deal), 29–31 July

The Boys Home Internationals, Killarney, 4–6 August

The Ladies and Girls Home Internationals, Royal St David’s, 5–7 August

The Boys Amateur Championship, Moortown and Alwoodley, 11–16 August

The Girls British Open Amateur Championship, Southport & Ainsdale, 11–15 August

The Jacques Leglise Trophy, Blairgowrie (Lansdowne), 28–29 August

The Ladies Senior British Open Amateur Championship, Ashridge, 15–17 September

The Ladies Senior Home Internationals, West Kilbride, 29 September–1 October