World No 5 has a double-figure hole in South African Airways Open

GOOSEN RUNS UP AN 11 ON WAY
TO A 69 AT PORT ELIZABETH

Retief Goosen, pictured right, hot a 69 in the first round of the South African Airways Open at Humewood Golf Club, Port Elizabeth in South Africa today.
Nothing untoward about that, you might say, until you discover that his scorecard included an 11 at the 17th.
The S0uth African, who was leading the field by three strokes at the time, twice his his ball into unplayable lies and after the second occasion he took a drop within two club lengths of where his ball had finished.
However, having dropped the ball, it rolled backwards a few centimetres so Goosen picked it up and dropped again.
He finished with a quadruple-bogey 9 on the par-5 but worse was to follow.
After his round, officials ruled that because the ball landed within two club lengths it was in play and Goosen should not have picked it up.
"By picking the ball up, he needed to replace it to incur only a one-shot penalty. But by dropping it, it became two shots," European Tour official Andy McFee said.
Goosen birdied the 18th to finish with a 69 and was only two strokes behind the leaders at the end of the first day.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
(Players from GB&I unless stated)
67 Carl Suneson (Spa), Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Ernie Els (Rsa), Andrew Raitt.
68 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Lee Westwood, Desmond Terblanche (Rsa)
69 Alan McLean, Retief Goosen (Rsa), Gareth Davies, James Kingston (Rsa), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), James Kamte (Rsa).
70 Hennie Otto (Rsa), Ross Fisher, Bradford Vaughan (Rsa), Robert Rock, James Heath, Nico Van Rensburg (Rsa), Edward Rush, Edoardo Molinari (Ita).
71 Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Divan Van Den Heever (Rsa), Benn Barham, Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Nic Henning (Rsa), Lee Slattery, Wade Ormsby (Aus), Juan Parron (Spa), Titch Moore (Rsa), Brandon Pieters (Rsa), Steve Basson (Rsa), Garry Houston, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Andrew McLardy (Rsa), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), Lee S James, Richard Finch, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Steve Van Vuuren (Rsa).
72 Joakim Backstrom (Swe), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Andrew Tampion (Aus), Tony Johnstone (Zim), Andre Cruse (Rsa), Mathias Gronberg (Swe), Johan Axgren (Swe), David Frost (Rsa), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Sam Walker, Hendrik Buhrmann (Rsa), Chris Williams (Rsa), Dion Fourie (Rsa), Mark Murless (Rsa), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa).
73 Chris Swanepoel (Rsa), Branden Grace (Rsa), Nigel Edwards, Warren Abery (Rsa), Warren Bennett, Sam Little, Gregory Havret (Fra), Vaughn Groenewald (Rsa), Desvonde Botes (Rsa), Ian Hutchings (Rsa), Scott Drummond, Gary Lockerbie, Grant Muller (Rsa), Christiaan Basson (Rsa), Derek Crawford, Werner Geyer (Rsa), Keith Horne (Rsa), Justin Walters (Rsa), Richard Sterne (Rsa).
74 David Carter, Merrick Bremner (Rsa), Wayne De Haas (Rsa), Matthew Richardson, Oliver Wilson, Eugene Marugi (Rsa), Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Birgir Hafthorsson (Is), Alexandre Rocha (Bra), Mark Pilkington, Billy Valentyn (Rsa), Alessandro Tadini (Ita), Tom Whitehouse
Other scores:
75 Doug McGuigan, Angel Cabrera (Arg).
77 Oliver Fisher.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

COLIN FARQUHARSON has been to meet NEIL HOBDAY, Project Director of the Donald Trump International Links multi-million pounds resort planned for the North-east of Scotland. We will be publishing articles from that interview on this website, one a week, for the next few weeks.
This is the first:

DONALD TRUMP LINKS IN PLAY
BY SPRING OF 2009, SAYS
PROJECT DIRECTOR HOBDAY

PROJECT director Neil Hobday (pictured right) today outlined what he believes is a realistic timetable for the Donald Trump International Links – and most of its massive infrastructure – to be in place and functioning at the Menie Estate, Balmedie, 12 miles north of Aberdeen.
“On Monday, November 27 we lodged our outline planning application.
In February of 2007, we will lodge three very significant reports to back that planning application. One is the environmental report, the second is the economic report and the third is the transport and infrastructure report. Those then will form the base of the planning application,” said Hobday who has been through the mill several times before.
Neil managed top European Tour players with both Mark McCormack’s International Management Group and Carnegie Sports International.
Later he led Lyle Anderson’s operational team in the development of Loch Lomond Golf Club and also advised on the opening of Kingsbarns Links.
“Planning committees normally have a strategy period of some three months to consider an application and their consultees’ views and reports. Then the planning committee of elected members sit down and hear it – and then they make a decision about it.
“This is a very big development and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if various consultees request more time. That’s understandable. It is a very big plan – the biggest mixed-use resort not only in Scotland but Europe - and we’ve done everything to ensure that we submit a very robust and responsible planning application.”
Hobday thinks that by next June, the Aberdeenshire Council planning committee will have reached the decision stage with regard to Donald Trump International Links planning application.”
“We have no doubt that there will be things in that decision that are conditions or things that we need to clarify, purify – whatever. There may have to be some negotiations,” he said.
“But, if we were able to put a shovel in the ground next July, then I think we would be playing golf in the spring of 2009. We would have the clubhouse built by then, and the maintenance facility, and the driving range and the practice facility ... and the associated infrastructure that goes with all that.”
But does the future of the Donald Trump Internationals Links project stand or fall, depending on whether or not permission is granted to build on the 1,400acre estate:
+Two championship links courses designed by Tom Fazio II.
+Golf driving range and short game practice area.
+A state of the art golf academy.
+A luxurious clubhouse with sea views.
+A 450-room five-star resort hotel with conference and banquet facilities.
+A full service spa.
+A turf grass research centre.
+Tennis courts and recreational facilities.
+Thirty-six luxury four and eight-bedroom golf lodges.
+Nine hundred and fifty holiday homes with sea views.

“Absolutely not. I think we are realistic enough to have applied for what we think we would like to have on the property but we will scale everything according to what we get out of the planning,” said Hobday.
“The response we’ve had from the North-east business community, the public and our neighbours has been so encouraging that we have very good vibes about this project.
“Mr Trump is a very shrewd individual. He does not go into things unless he feels there’s a strong sense of certainty that they are going to work out.
"We feel comfortable and confident that we will be building the best links golf course in the world on this property.”

IRELAND GETS 2001 SOLHEIM CUP

Scotland's bid to stage the 2011 Solheim Cup has failed - but there is some consolation in the fact that it will be staged in Ireland at Kileen Castle, County Meath.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Meath venue is still under development with the course due to open late in 2008 and the accompanying hotel the following year
Part of the five-year deal between the Ladies European Tour and Failte Ireland (the national tourism authority) is that a new tournament, the Irish Ladies Open, will begin in 2008.
For the full story, switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

ASIAN TOUR FINAL QUALIFYING SCHOOL

JAMIESON DROPS BACK WITH
A 75 FOR 141 IN THAILAND

Cathkin Braes member Scott Jamieson dropped down to a share of 26th place after a disappointing second round of three-over-par 75 over the Emerald Golf Club course on the second day of the Asian Tour Final Qualifying School at Pattaya, Thailand.
Scott had a great opening round of 66 so he is on the 141 mark.
Only the top 40 and ties after the completion of four rounds will gain full playing rights on next year's Asian Tour - so no need for Scott to panic yet. Dubai-based Scot Simon Dunn is on the same mark as Jamieson with scores of 68 and 73.
Switzerland’s Martin Rominger, the 2004 Swiss Amateur champion, and Welshman Craig Smith, competing in Asia for the first time, are tied for the halfway lead on 134.
A total of 103 players with 36-hole tallies of 146 or better qualified from a starting field of 175 to play the final two rounds.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
134 Craig Smith (Wal) 68 66, Martin Rominger (Swi) 67 67.
137 Troy Kennedy (Aus) 65 72.
Other scores:
139 Ed Barr (Ire) 67 72 (jt 10th).
140 Mark Mouland (Wal) 70 70 (jt 195h).
141 Scott Jamieson (Sco) 66 75, Simon Dunn (Sco) 68 73 (jt 276th).
142 Ben St John (Eng) 72 70 (jt 36th).
143 Matthew Woods (Eng) 76 67, Ross Bain (Sco) 70 73 (jt 53rd).
144 Neil Price (Eng) 74 70 (jt 67th).
145 James Morrison (Eng) 68 77 (jt 78th).
146 Simon Griffiths (Eng) 72 74, Steve Parry (Eng) 71 75 (jt 92nd).
++A total of 103 players with scores of 146 or better qualified for the final two rounds.
NON-QUALIFIERS INCLUDED:
148 Joe Templer (Eng) 76 72, Nick Redfern (Eng) 76 72.
149 Ross McGowan (Eng) 72 77.
150 Alex Belt (Eng) 73 77, Gary Oliver (Eng) 75 75.
151 James Sheffield (Eng) 78 73, Lawrence Dodd (Eng) 73 78.
152 Jonathan Evans (Eng) 74 78.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ BARRY HUME'S DIARY

YATES (72), HUME (74) IN ASIA
VOLVO MASTERS' ROUND ONE

Scots Simon Yates and Barry Hume (pictured right) had scores of level par 72 and 74 respectively in the first round of the Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club, Bangkok today.
Prayad Marksaeng powered into lead with a sizzling five-under-par 67 as the Thai contingent dominated the Asian Tour's grand finale.
The smooth-swinger put aside his disappointment of missing his US PGA Tour card at qualifying school earlier this month with a stylish display, collecting six birdies against a lone bogey.
He leads the US$650,000 event by one stroke from compatriot and former champion Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh, seeking a third straight tournament victory, and his countryman Shiv Kapur, the title holder, fired 72s after overcoming sluggish starts.
"I did not drive the ball well but my short game saved me today," said Prayad, who needed only 24 putts. "I hope I can drive the ball better tomorrow. If I can do that and keep my short game sharp I think I can win this week."
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
(Players from Thailand unless stated).
67 Prayad Marksaeng.
68 Lin Keng-chi (Tpe), Terry Pilkadaris (Aus), Thongchai Jaidee, Prom Meesawat.
69 Adam Groom (Aus), Lu Wei-chih (Tpe), Iain Steel (Mas), Chawalit Plaphol, Chris Rodgers (Eng), Chapchai Nirat, Lee Sung (Kor), Wang Ter-chang (Tpe).
70 Ted Oh (Kor), Adam Blyth (Aus), S.S.P. Chowrasia (Ind), Amandeep Johl (Ind), Suk Jong-yul (Kor), Unho Park (Aus)
71 Gary Rusnak (US), Edward Loar (US), Thammanoon Srirot, Jason Knutzon (US), Chinarat Phadungsil, Mardan Mamat (Sin), Brad Kennedy (Aus), Charlie Wi (Kor), Andrew Buckle (Aus)
72 Marcus Both (Aus), Rick Gibson (Can), Angelo Que (Phi), Lu Wen-teh (Tpe), Yasin Ali (Eng), Simon Yates (Sco), Thaworn Wiratchant, Shiv Kapur (Ind), Juvic Pagunsan (Phi), Jyoti Randhawa (Ind), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind),
Other scores included:
74 Barry Hume (Sco).

VOLVO DIARY: HUME HAPPY TO BE IN BANGKOK

From the Asian Tour website (www.asiantour.com)

Bangkok, December 14: Barry Hume from Glasgow was the last player to qualify for the Volvo Masters of Asia, thanks to South African Anton Haig.
Haig declined to play in the US$650,000 season-ending event, exclusive to Asia's top-60 players, and was removed from the UBS Order of Merit as he did not play the minimum number of events.
In a diary from Thai Country Club, Hume talks about his opening round's effort and also why he's delighted to be in Bangkok.

BARRY HUME WRITES:

I actually started quite nicely. I felt like I was hitting the ball very well and then I missed a couple of fairways. Bogeyed the tough par-3 at the sixth and then missed a couple of fairways for bogeys. I struggled for a while and whenever I missed a fairway, I would drop a shot. Driving is normally the strongest part of my game but recently it's been fairly poor. I'll need to work on it.
It's nice that there's no cut this week. I'll just try to get myself back into the tournament again tomorrow.
You always want to be at the Volvo Masters of Asia which is the No 1 goal at the start of the season. At least I'm here now. I thought I had missed my chance of finishing inside the top-60 of the UBS Order of Merit. I figured it would all hinge on one tournament, the UBS Hong Kong Open. I thought if I made the cut there, I would get into the top-60.
But I missed the cut by one shot in Hong Kong and I thought there was no way I would get into the top-60. I assumed I had to go back to qualifying school, if I decided to go back. I later found out on Sunday morning back in Scotland that Anton wasn't going to play his minimum events.
It was officially announced on Monday and it changed everything for me. From not knowing where to play or if I'll play next year, I'll have every start that I want.
I hadn't entered the (Asian Tour) Qualifying School. I wasn't thinking about entering yet as I was going to take 10 days or so to decide if I wanted to go back, if I wanted to play tournament golf again. I felt like I just had enough. I played well this year and that it could have been I wouldn't have gotten anywhere.
I would have been back to where I had 12 months ago. I was starting to wonder if I was good enough to do it or if I wanted to put myself through it all again.
I was mulling things over and then I found out I was fine. I was delighted.
This year, I've had a couple of top-10s which was fairway successful and that was why it was hard to decide if I wanted to do it again if I had missed my card. I felt like it was a decent year for me and if I was 61st, I would have been no where. To finish 60th changed everything and made me feel like I got what I felt I deserved.

Disappointment for Scots on United States mini-tours

RHIND MISSES TEXAS CUT

Uphall’s Leed Rhind had an uncharacteristic, error-strewn second round of seven-over-par 79 to miss the cut by seven strokes in the Tight Lies Tour Winter Series event, Kingwood Classic 2, at Kingwood Golf Club, near Houston, Texas.
Former Scottish boys’ stroke-play champion Rhind, a winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour as well as the American mini-tour circuit, ran up double bogeys at the 11th and 14th and had only one birdie, at the 12th.
Coupled with an opening round of par 72, Lee had a 36-hole tally of 151.
Only 19 players on 144 or better made the cut. American Brett Callas (70-66) led the qualifiers on eight-under-par 136.
But victory in the end went to Connie Pierce after a play-off against Todd Rosetti. They tied on 207, Pierce with 73-67-67 and Rosetti with 67-71-69. Pierce won the $5,625 first prize.

SCOTS MISS CUT IN FLORIDA

Scots David Kirkpatrick from Edinburgh and Paul Cormack from Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory failed to qualify for the final round of the NGA Professional Tour Winter Series event at Southern Dunes Golf Club, Haines City in Florida.
Kirkpatrick, based in Florida, had a second-round 71 for a 36-hole total of three-over par 147.
Cormack scored a 74 for 150.
Matt Every, a member of the winning United States Walker Cup team at Chicago last year, led the qualifiers with scores of 69 and 68 for seven-under-par 137.
Every went on to win the first prize of $12,000 with a final round of 67 for 12-under 204.
He won by two shots from fellow American Jay Woodson ($6,000) who scored 71, 67 and 68 for 206.