Left to right: Sir Menzies Campbell, University Chancellor, Padraig Harrington, Arnold Palmer, Jim Farmer, Honorary Professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Tom Watson and Johann Rupert, CEO of Richemont Group.

JIM FARMER ACCOLADE AT ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION
PGA captain and home town hero Jim Farmer stepped into the limelight during a special graduation ceremony at the University of St Andrews.
Farmer took centre stage with three of golf's biggest names when he was presented with the University Medal in recognition of his lifetime achievements and outstanding contribution to the community of St Andrews.
Making up a dream four-ball on the eve of the Open Championship were Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington who were also presented with honorary degrees.
For Farmer, who was born in St Andrews and made two of his six Open Championship appearances at the Old Course, receiving the award had special resonance due to his links with the town.
"To be a St Andrews boy who started as a pro footballer and then pro golfer with no chance of going to university, to be given this award is an honour," said Farmer.
"It's even more special to receive it alongside Arnold, Tom and Padraig.
"As a six-year-old I started off watching the Big Three on TV - Palmer, Nicklaus and Player - and Palmer was the first person that got me excited about the game.
"Then as a national coach I used Tom Watson as a role model, used his technique as the benchmark and it's stood the test of time as we saw last year when he should have won the Open so I got good vibes as national coach that I was passing on the right message.
"And Padraig I have met a couple of times and he seems a great guy."
Farmer, who is Honorary Professional at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, has enjoyed a hugely influential career as a player, coach and administrator.
To many in St Andrews, where he grew up and still lives, he is ‘Mr Golf’ coaching and mentoring generations of amateurs and professionals.
He received the award University Chancellor from Sir Menzies Campbell at the University's graduation venue at Younger Hall in North Street, St Andrews.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Louise Richardson said: "To many, Jim Farmer's name is synonymous with golf in St Andrews.
"He is a widely respected figure in our local community and throughout golf.
"We're absolutely delighted that Jim has agreed to be with us and accept this richly deserved award.”

CARRIS TROPHY BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD
Woodhall Spa Golf Club, Lincolnshire
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 73
1st Toby Tree Worthing GC 69
1st Jorge Simon Spain 69 
3rd Jake Harrison Grassmoor GC 70
3rd Levi Desmond DeVere Belton Woods GC 70 
3rd Freddie Sheridan Mills Walsall GC 70 
3rd Thomas Clements Royal Norwich GC 70 
3rd Nathan Kimsey Woodhall Spa GC 70 
8th Sam Young Rotherham GC 71
8th Colin Walsh Hayling GC 71 
8th Matthew Chapman Wentworth 71 
8th Tomasz Anderson Mill Green GC 71 
8th Curtis Griffiths Wentworth 71 
8th Jonny Mcallister Hallowes GC 71 
8th Jerome Titlow The London GC 71 
8th Edward Peters Notts GC71 
16th Jeroen Krietemeijer Netherlands 72 
16th Oliver Carr Heswall GC 72 
16th P Lockwood Hessle GC 72
19th Benjamin Wheeler Purley Downs GC 73 
19th Jack Heasman West Essex GC 73 
19th Thomas Pieters Belgium 73
19th Sam Cutting Berkhamsted GC 73 
19th Samuel Echikson Belgium 73
19th Matthew Bacon Costessey Park GC 73
25th Christopher Lloyd Kendleshire GC 74
25th Corrado De Stefani Italy 74
25th Robert Aldred Stourbridge GC 74 
25th Thomas Detry Belgium 74
25th Gareth Johnson Worksop GC 74 
25th James Simpson Whickham GC 74 
25th Harry Casey Enfield GC 74 
25th Ben Smith Worksop GC 74
25th Thomas Rowland Prudhoe GC 74
25th Ben Smith Sandy Lodge GC 74 
25th Matthew Langley Sitwell Park GC 74
25th Michael Helyard Beverley and East Riding GC 74
25th Nick Ward Redbourn GC 74
38th Adam Batty Hazlemere GC 75 
38th Axel Geers Netherlands 75
38th Cedric Van Wassenhove Belgium 75 
38th Freddie Price Royal Blackheath GC 75 
38th James Newton Prestbury GC 75 
38th Emanuele Sesia Italy
38th Connor Fletcher Chart Hills GC 75 
38th Nick Buckland Sundridge Park GC 75
38th Scott Fernandez Spain 75
38th Mark Geddes Prenton GC 75
38th Nathan Kemp Sweetwoods Park GC  75 

Paul O'Hara needs low final round to win again in Germany

Motherwell's Paul O'Hara will need a final round in the low 60s if he is to register back-to-back wins on the EPD Tour in Germany.
The Scot will go into Wednesday's final round of the EPD Tour event, the Pfaffing Classic at Golfanlage Pfaffing, in joint fifth place, six shots behind Dutchman leader, Jurrian Van Der Vaart.
O'Hara has had a pair of 70s for a four-under-par tally of 140. He had a bogey-free second round but not enough birdies to advance his cause significantly. P{aul had 16 pars and birdies only at the 11th and 18th.
Van Der Vaart, by contrast, has scored 69 and 65 for 10 under par 134 and leads by two shots from Englishman Grant Jackson who followed first-round 65 with a 71 for 136.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
134 Jurrian Van Der Vaart (Net) 69 65.
136 Grant Jackson (Eng) 65 71.
137 Max Kramer (Ger) 69 68, Dennis Kupper (Ger)70 67.
140 Paul O'Hara (Sco) 70 760, Tiago Cruz (Por) 71 69.
141 Lee Corfield (Eng) 71 70, Jochen Lupprian (Ger), Tim Sluiter (Net) 70 71.
Selected scores:
143 Stephen Grant (Ire) 71 72 (jt 14th).
145 Ben Parker (Eng) 74 71 (jt 24th).
Cut at 149 or better.
ends

Scottish Under-18 boys' open stroke-play starts at Craigielaw Links

Grandstand finish by Lloyd Best from Sherwood Forest
FROM ROSS DUNCAN
Scottish Golf Union Press Officer
The English duo of Lloyd Best (Sherwood Forrest) and Lewis Fairbairn (Berwick upon Tweed) joined Finnish boys international Linus Vaisanen at the top of the leaderboard on four-under par after the opening round of the Scottish boys’ open stroke-play championship at Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian today.
Notts youngster Best had a superb finish, firing birdies at the closing three holes to post a 67, which was matched by Northumberland’s Fairbairn who sank four birdies in an impressive outward nine of 32. Young Finn Vaisanen was four-under par through 14 holes but bogeyed the 17th before bouncing back with a fine birdie on the last.
Liam Johnston (Dumfries and County), a member of Scotland’s recent European boys' team championship side, led the home contingent in fourth place with a fine three-under par 68, taking advantage of calm conditions in the first game out this morning, one shot ahead of the host club’s Ewen Donaldson who also played in the opening group of the day.
Grant Forrest, looking to become the first golfer to do the boys’ match play and stroke play double since Scott Henry in 2004, got his bid off to a solid start with a two-under par 69 to sit tied fifth, enjoying a fine finish to his round with birdies on the last two holes.
Another player with records on his mind is Barassie’s Jack McDonald, chasing Stephen Gallacher’s achievement of two consecutive titles, but the Ayrshire youngster had to settle for a one-over par opening round of 72 having parred the final 12 holes.
Another member of Scotland’s European boys side, Scott Gibson (Southerness), is just three shots back after an opening 70, while Loretto School’s German star Maximilian Walz opened with a level par 71 as he began his attempt to join countryman namesake Maximilian Rotluff as a German winner in Scotland this year. He was joined on level par by SGU Boys Order of Merit leader Simon Fairburn and Angus Carrick, son of former Scottish amateur champion David Carrick.

SCOTTISH BOYS’ STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian.
FIRST ROUND
Par 71
67 Linus Vaisanen (Finland), Lewis Fairbairn (Berwick), Lloyd Best (Sherwood Forest).
68 Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co).
69 Grant Forrest (Craigielaw), Ewan Donaldson (Craigielaw), Michael Younie (Frilford Heath)
70 Scott Gibson (Southerness), Dale Wright (Alness).
71 Maximilian Walz (Germany), Chris Johnson (Truro), Arne Ravndal (Norway), Callum Graham (Milnathort), Simon Fairburn (Torwoodlee), Andrew Whyte (St Andrews New), Angus Carrick (Douglas Park).
72 Craig Hamilton (NZ), Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie), Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), Christopher Lamb (Newmachar), Cameron Michell (Lundin), Scott Wightman (Powfoot), Ross Gillan (Torrance House), Callum Cromar (Aboyne), Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton), Ben Anderson (Woodhall Spa), Jordan Lambert (Australia), Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and Galloway).
73 Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck), Daniel Hendry (United Arab Emirates), Ryan Campbell (Grangemouth), Ian Redford (St Andrews New), Paul McPhee (King James VI), Calum Hill (Tantallon), Fraser Thain (West Linton), Fraser McNeill (Cathkin Braes), Conor O’Neil (Pollok), Rodger Clarke (Moray), Declan Flood (Murcar Links).
74 Jack Scott (Deeside), Connor Neil (Blairgowrie), Jamie Lynch (Falkirk Tryst), Jack Thorburn (Dunfermline), Craig Ross (Kirkhill), Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen), Andrew Borg (Penwortham), Thomas Schofield (Barbados), Daniel Flannery (Peebles), Andrew Carrell (Peterculter), Jeff Wright (Forres).
75 Ross Gordon (Peterhead), Ryan Simpson (Bonnyton), Sean Blinkhorn (Leigh), Graeme Ritchie (Troon Welbeck), Kurt Yule (Berwick), Jordan Shaw (Kingussie), Anthony Blaney (Liberton), Jamie Savage (Cawder), Peter Sangster (Thurso), Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs), Scott Costello (Kirkhill), Louis Gaughan (Bathgate), Charlie MacNeal (Troon Welbeck), Greg Smail (Craigielaw), Cameron Marr (Musselburgh), Gary Chalmers (Dollar), Euan Bowden (Glen), Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie).
.
76 Ritchie Manson (Kemnay), John Fernandes (Enfield), Thomas White (Milnathort), Jordyn Rhind (Uphall), Jamie Arthur (Milnathort), Derek Kunecki (Callander), Oliver Roberts (Archerfield), Sam Craigon (Milnathort), Ryan Caldwell (Burnham and Berrow), Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New), Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barasse), Anthony O’Donnell (Greenock Whinhill), Sebastian Riegelbauer (Germany), Craig Anderson (Sandyhills), Craig Howie (Peebles), Jordan Milne (Elgin).
77 Raphael Higuet (Belgium), Lewis Mutch (Duff House Royal), Carl Johnston (Carlistle), Martin Scott (Hamilton), Martin Buchan (Balbirnie Park), Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry), John Douglas (Thornton), William Aldred (Mid Herts), Blair Todd (Greenburn), Euan Mackay (Craigielaw), Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay), Cameron Farrell (Cardross), John Bradford (Braintree), Nathan Free (Craigielaw), Chris Forrest (Northumberland), Fraser Lauder (Paisley), Patgrick Skakel (Copt Heath), John Salmond (Alloa).
78 Thomas Goodair (Woodsome Hall), Ben Murray (Portlethen), Euan Paterson (Bruntsfield), Lewis Johansen (Caldy), Harrison Savage (Australia), Patrick O’Neil (Pollok), Lee Shepherd (Sherwood Forest), Chris Moore (West Essex), David Docherty (Bonnyton), James Steven (Kirkhill), Graeme Duncan (Kingsknowe), Greig Stewart (Crieff), Jake Hogg (Germany), David Gallagher (Glasgow), Steven Smith (Deeside).
79 Daniel Thompssett (Aboyne), Ross Storrier (Downfield), Jordan Gallagher (Crow Wood), Glenn Fotheringham (Grangemouth), Lewis Bain (Turnhouse), Alexander Wiseman (Fraserburgh), Alasdair Simpson (Tantallon), Jordan Bryce (Strathaven), Calum McLean (Cowglen).
80 Jake Scott (Strathlene), Cameron West (Scotscraig), Christopher Low (Tantallon), Daniel McConnachie (Dumfries and Co), Alexander Wilson (Gullane), Ryan Boyle (Bathgate), Josh Bogle (Ranfurly Castle)..
81 Reece Mitchell (Downfield).
82 Ciar Porciani (Ayr Belleisle), Lewis Campbell (Baberton), Greg Dunsmore (Saline), Fergus Smith (Paisley).
83 Neil Beattie (St Andrews).
84 Calum Stewart (Brora), Grant Bowman (Monifieth).
85 Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie).
86 Philip Gordon (Paisley).
ends

Glasgow-born US club pro shot four-under-69 at Dundee venue

JACK’S ALIVE AS TOP QUALIFIER FROM


DOWNFIELD FOR CARNOUSTIE SENIORS

Glasgpw-born United States club professional Billy Jack fired a four under par 69 to head the 11 qualifiers at Downfield Golf Club today for the Senior Open Championship, presented by MasterCard, which starts at Carnoustie on Thursday.
Jack, the head pro at St Ives Country Club, Johns Creek in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, finished one stroke clear of Canadian Graham Gunn and Englishman John Hoskison.
Jack as a teenager was a student at Ohio State Unversity and he was a leading member of the Buckeyes' team who won the NCAA team title in 1979. He stayed on in the States after his college days and turned professional.
His first club was Frenchman's Creek at North Palm Berach, Florida followed by a spell at Muirfield Village, Ohio, Treyburn County club and, in 2002, he was appointed head pro at St Ives Country Club.
Torrential rain had forced the suspension of play at the Dundee venue on Monday with only 14 of 30 groups completing their rounds. That meant the remainder of the field had to return the following day to settle the 11 players who would join the 22 qualifiers who progressed from Monifieth and Panmure on Monday.
Qualifiers at Downfield.
Par 73
69 Billy Jack (Sco).
70 Graham Gunn (Can), John Hoskison (Eng).
71 Matt Briggs (Eng), Mark Belsham (Eng), Brad Smith (Eng), Fred Holton (US), Mike McDonald (US).
72 Grant Turner (Eng), Gary Trivisonno (US).
73 Gary Hallberg (US).
Non-qualifiers included:
73 Michael S Harmon (US) (after play-off).
74 Claude Grenier (Aut), Tony Charnley (Eng), David Blakeman (Eng), Enrique Alessandrini (Ita), Tony Allen (Eng), Joe Shaktman (US).
Selected non-qualifiers:
76 Phil Dempsey (Sco) (am).
79 Murray White (Sco) (am).

PATERSON CLEARS FIRST HURDLE IN TITLE DEFENCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Aberdeen’s George Paterson, the defending champion, qualified in joint eighth position for the match-play stages of the Scottish senior men’s amateur stroke-play golf championship over the Montgomerie course, Kinross today .
Northern Golf Club member Paterson, the winner at Newmachar 12 months ago, had steady rounds of 79 and 78 for 157 over two days of contrasting weather - a terrible day of wind and rain for the first round when the CSS was 75 non-counting and bright sunshine for the second when the CSS came down to 74, two over par.
Paterson, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, plays Jim Watt from Edzell in the first round of the match-play on Wednesday.
Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline), winner of the Scottish seniors’ stroke-play title a couple of weeks ago, is still on course for the double. He qualified with ease on 157 (78-79) and plays David A Millar (St Andrews New).
The leading qualifier by six strokes was Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) with a pair of 74s for 148. The second and third seeds are Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) (80-74) and Tony Stafford (Gleneagles) (77-77), both on 154.
The competitor who actually had the lowest stroke-play aggregate, local man Richard Campbell (Kinross) with scores of 72 and 74 for 146, discovered, belatedly but in time not to be included in the match-play draw, that he was not available to play in the later stages of the tournament.
The match-play stages will feature one round on Wednesday to bring the field down to 16 players, followed by two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2x72). CSS 75 74
148 Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 74 74.
154 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 80 74, Tony Stafford (Gleneagles) 77 77.
155 Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 80 75, John Johnston (Lanark) 78 77, Bill Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 77 78.
156 Stephen Ellis (Innellan) 79 77.
157 James Kinloch (Cardross) 81 76, George Paterson (Northern) 79 78, John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 79 78, David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) 78 79, John McDonald (Cowglen) 78 79.
158 Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 82 76, Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) 81 77, Richard Gray (Cowglen) 79 79, Derek Murphy (Kinross) 79 79, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 77 81.
159 Iain Stewart (The Curragh) 84 75, David A Millar (St Andrews New) 85 76, Jim Paton (Kirkintillooch) 80 79, Jalil Aman (Grangemouth) 78 80.
160 Ian Campbell (Kinross) 82 78.
162 James T Johnston (Northumberland) 84 78, Jim Watt (Edzell) 84 78, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 82 80.
163 Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) 81 82.
164 Andrew Campbell (Kinross) 87 77, George Payne (Prestbury) 83 81.
165 Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 85 80, Allan Cameron (Gourock) 79 86.
166 Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 83 83.
167 John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 79 88.
MATCH-PLAY DRAW
Christy v John W Johnston, Murphy v R Stewart, Kinloch v Bruce, Paterson v Watt, G McDonald v Howie, Pirie v Paton, John Johnston v Payne, J McDonald v Aman.
Taylor v Fiddes, R T Gray v I Stewart, Ellis v Fowler, Fraser v James T Johnston, Stafford v Cameron Scott MacDonald v D A Millar, Erskine v Andrew Campbell, D J Miller v I Campbell.

THE FOUR JUST MEN. Europe's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and his vice-captains Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images.

Monty announces Björn, Clarke and McGinley as vice-captains

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie has named Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley as Vice Captains for The 2010 European Team.
Björn, Clarke and McGinley, who between them have played in ten Ryder Cups, were announced today during a press conference at The European Tour Headquarters at Wentworth Club. They bring a wealth of experience and success to Montgomerie’s backroom team hoping to regain The Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales, from October 1-3, 2010.
Montgomerie said: “The Ryder Cup is about passion, commitment and will to win and all three men I have named today as my Vice Captains possess these qualities in abundance.
“Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are vastly experienced players who have the respect and admiration of everyone in golf. They have all been part of successful European Ryder Cup Teams in the past and know the players who will be part of my Team at Celtic Manor in October as well as anyone.
“I am delighted to have them by my side as we head to Wales and I know they will be of invaluable assistance to me and everyone associated with the Team as we aim to regain The Ryder Cup.”
Björn, who in 1997 became the first Dane to play in The Ryder Cup, has represented Europe twice in the biennial match against the United States and been on the winning side on both occasions, with victory in 2002 at The Belfry following the 1997 success at Valderrama. As a player he has a Ryder Cup record of played 6, won 3, lost 2 and halved 1 and he also served as assistant to Bernhard Langer in 2004 at Oakland Hills. Björn has also captained Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros.
Clarke has played on five European Ryder Cup teams, and tasted victory on four of those occasions. Like Björn, he made a winning debut in 1997 at Valderrama, and after defeat at The Country Club, Brookline, in 1999, played a key role in Europe’s first hat-trick of victories in 2002, 2004 and 2006. His inspirational performance in 2006 at The K Club helped Europe to a third successive win with a record-equalling nine point winning margin. Clarke has played 20, won 10, lost 7 and halved 3 and together with Lee Westwood formed the second most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history as they won six of their eight matches together.
McGinley has made three Ryder Cup appearances, famously holing the winning putt in 2002 at The Belfry and then sharing the record successes of 2004 and 2006. McGinley sparked joyous scenes on the 18th green at The Belfy when he halved his singles match with Jim Furyk to carry Europe over the line. He tasted more success in 2004 at Oakland Hills and then on home soil in 2006 at The K Club, before captaining Great Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros last September. His Ryder Cup record reads played 9, won 2, lost 2 and halved 5.
The nine automatic qualifiers for The European Ryder Cup Team, four from the World Points List and five from the European Points List, will be confirmed on Sunday August 29 at the conclusion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Montgomerie will then announce his three Captain’s Picks to complete his 12 man team on the same day.
The eight automatic qualifiers for the US Team will be determined on August 15, 2010, at the conclusion of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. US Captain Corey Pavin will announce his four Captain’s Picks on September 7, 2010.

Oosthuizen changes mind about getting a new caddie

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
On the Monday morning after the 139th British Open, Zack Rasego was celebrating his man winning a Claret Jug. Had things been a little different, he could have been searching for a new bag.
For seven years, Rasego has worked for fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen, who had enjoyed enough success to hover around the top 50 in the world ranking. But on Monday prior to the start of this year’s Open Championship, Oosthuizen told Rasego that two would part ways after St. Andrews.
Rasego’s reaction?
“I just did my job,” Rasego said. “I am a caddie. It’s all I’ve wanted to be.”
Six days later, Oosthuizen and Rasego walked across the Swilcan Bridge, knowing the Claret Jug would be at the end of the walk. Proud South Africans the both of them, Oosthuizen looked at Rasego and said, “You’re not going anywhere.”
As The Man Out Front scanned the crowd behind the Royal and  Ancient clubhouse, he spotted a group of gentlemen who seemed to love the moment as much as anyone else. Some fought back tears, all of them smiled.
They are caddies. And on this day, they were together in arms to toast a colleague they love dearly.
“This,” said Jimmy Johnson, Steve Stricker’s longtime bagman, “is a caddie’s story.”
Johnson calls Rasego “Zero My Hero” for the number (0) Rasego wore during his days on the soccer pitch.
Rasego hadn’t made a putt, avoided a bunker with his drive, or carved a single 4-iron into the wind at the Old Course. What he had done, however, was build an allegiance of friends through that time-honoured foundation of loyalty and trust.
“Besides the day I got married,” Johnson told caddie friends Tony Navarro and Brian Smith, “this is the happiest day of my life.”
That is how much these caddies think of Rasego.
In Sun City, South Africa, Rasego would return home after elementary school, drop off his books, and then run NINE miles to get a chance to caddie at the Gary Player Country Club.
“I would get 350,” Rasego said.
Leaning in, Johnson told The Man Out Front, “that’s $3.50.”
Before he became one of the game’s best caddies, Johnson played professionally in South Africa. On those occasions when exempt players would go to Europe, Johnson would upgrade by hiring Rasego. Their friendship has endured for 25 years and on those occasions when Oosthuizen plays in the United States, “it’s Jimmy who looks after Zack,” said Navarro.
The 139th Open will be remembered as a player’s win, yes.
But it was a caddie’s story, too.

Local farmer gets police warning after Trump course flags theft

FROM THE HERALDSCOTLAND WEBSITE
By heraldscotland staff
A farmer at the centre of a land battle with property giant Donald Trump has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing flags from the billionaire’s golf course.
Michael Forbes, 57, was given a formal police warning after he was allegedly spotted removing more than 20 boundary flags from Menie Estate on June 13.
Marker flags worth about £13 were taken from the controversial development.
A Grampian Police spokesman said yesterday: “We can confirm a 57-year-old man was spoken to in connection with the theft of identification flags at the Menie Estate. He received an adult formal warning letter from officers.”
Police said they were taking no further action against Forbes.
He will not appear in court in relation to the case unless he decides to challenge the charge which will otherwise remain on his criminal record.
Forbes, who lives at Mill of Menie, is one of the four homeowners refusing to sell their plots of land to Donald Trump.
David Milne, Susan Munro and Mark Hewison are also campaigning against the development on their doorsteps.
The homeowners were recently further infuriated when aerial sketches on Trump’s masterplan revealed their houses were removed from the site.
Now they are living in fear the council will force the sale of their parcels of land under compulsory purchase orders.
Trump recently pointed out that no properties were required for his 18-hole championship course.
Yesterday, Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, said the firm was not surprised by Forbes’ alleged actions.
She said: “It’s unfortunate that he feels the need to resort to criminal activity but we’re pleased that police are taking this very seriously.”
Security at the 1400-acre development has already been tightened following a spate of vandalism acts earlier this year.
Newly-planted marram grass was ripped up, fences pulled down, diesel supplies polluted, and two JCB diggers destroyed in April.
Work was temporarily halted on the site and the police were called in.
No-one has been charged over the incident which cost the Trump Organisation around £50,000.
Outline planning permission for Trump’s proposals for two golf courses, 500 houses, 950 holiday homes and a 450-bedroom hotel was granted by the Scottish Government in December 2008.

The Old Course as an Open venue: Time to face a few facts

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By Peter Hutcheon
It boasts one of the most iconic settings of any course in the world. Players fall over themselves to say how much they love it. And it revels in its role as the Home of Golf.
And yet, when it comes to staging the Open Championship, the R and A may have to face up to the hard fact that St Andrews may have outlived its usefulness.
To many, like Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy who proclaim it their favourite course in the world, that may seem like sacrilege, but it’s time to face a few facts.
Louis Oosthuizen won the Claret Jug on Sunday by seven shots.
That could have happened on any course, but a look back through the recent history of Old Course Opens and a pattern begins to emerge.
Woods’ margin of victory there five years ago was by five shots and the manner of his win in 2000 was even more convincing at eight shots clear of the field.
Granted, John Daly needed a play-off to triumph in 1995, but when Sir Nick Faldo won the last of his three Opens, it was by five on the Old Course. That’s one competitive finish in five Opens spanning 20 years.
Colin Montgomerie, runner-up to Woods five years ago, says it is almost impossible to come from behind and win at St Andrews.
“It’s the pin positions which make it so difficult to attack, but relatively easy to defend,” he explains
“If you are trying to force the pace to make birdies, you make mistake.
“But it is a place you can play conservatively and make par to hang onto a lead.
“I found it very difficult to get back at him.”
Compare Sunday’s procession to the drama of Tom Watson’s missed eight-footer at Turnberry 12 months ago.
Or to Padraig Harrington’s two thrilling victories at Carnoustie in 2007 or Royal Birkdale a year later.
Royal Troon produced a play-off for Todd Hamilton’s victory over Ernie Els in 2004 while in 2003 Royal St George’s — next year’s venue — produced the stunning collapse of Thomas Bjorn and the unlikely Ben Curtis as last-gasp winner.
Those are the kind of thrilling conclusion an Open championship deserves — not a dull plod towards the title which Oosthuizen, however well he played to claim the title, enjoyed on Sunday.
The Old Course is also the most awkward of Open venues for spectators.
The double greens for which the course is famed, are also the biggest drawback when it comes to the paying punters who, for the most part, struggle for a glimpse of the action.
To lengthen the Road Hole for this year’s Championship, the R and A was bitterly criticised for straying beyond the boundaries of the original course.
And the 18th tee has been pushed back until it is practically touching the Road Hole green. Yet it is still nothing more, these days, than a glorified par-3.
The Old Course has history on it side, but maybe it’s time that’s where it should be consigned.

RandA declares Open a success and puts faith in Old Course

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
The 150th anniversary Open Championship has been hailed a success by the R and A despite the cancellation of the Champions' Challenge, criticism of a decision to suspend play, revenue lost from a reduced attendance, and the Old Course producing a shock winner.
Speaking at the traditional debriefing, R and A chief executive Peter Dawson, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Michael Brown, chairman of the championship committee, were both upbeat about the celebratory occasion at the home of golf, where, subject to confirmation, the event is likely to return again in 2015.
If that is the case, the world's top players won't have to deal with more changes to the Old Course like the controversial new tee built at the Road Hole for this year's event, with Dawson insisting it would be unthinkable to even contemplate changing the 18th, which virtually played as a long par-3 as South African Louis Oosthuizen strolled to his seven-shot success.
"We have a new a very worthy champion in Louis Oosthuizen, who played tremendous golf under pressure and, in the end, won with some comfort," said Brown. "I'm also well pleased with the attendance of 201,000 (compared to 230,000 in 2000 and 223,000 in 2005]. In the circumstances of the economy and the absolutely foul weather we had at the beginning of the week, we'd regard that as a very satisfactory attendance."
On the decision to suspend play for an hour on Friday, he added: "Balls were moving in such numbers (on the greens] at the far end of the course that to ask players to continue was not reasonable, so I'm perfectly happy about that.
"I'm aware there were one or two comments from players. But the weathermen and the recorded wind speeds were behind all the decisions we made."
For most of the week, the conditions meant the last hole played easier than it probably ever has in the Open Championship. Its scoring average for the week was 3.36, with a total of 16 eagles and 186 birdies.
However, Dawson insisted the R and A is "happy with it" and ruled out any attempt to toughen up the hole for the next Open at the home of golf.
"I think you'd have your legs cut off if you contemplated that," he suggested. "The 18th played downwind substantially all week and, therefore, was playing short. But, short though it may be, it does serve to split players. You've still got to make your 3, or in the odd case a 2, and a 4 just won't do downwind. It's still a very famous hole here so there are no plans to change the 18th. In fact, we don't even have any embryonic plans for lengthening the course any further."
As always, the Road Hole proved the toughest on the course, with a scoring average of 4.665 for the week and 4.97 in the final round.

Editor's Note: Why was it OK to make changes to the 17th Road Hole but it is "unthinkable" to do anything to the 18th - the blandest, easiest par-4 finishing hole in Major venue golf?