ELS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED AT POULTER COURSE CRITICISM

FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITE

Ernie Els has reacted angrily to Ian Poulter's criticism of Wentworth's revamped West Course, labelling the Englishman's words as "craziness".

Poulter - who eventually finished tied for 18th - launched a scathing attack on the Surrey lay-out after finishing Friday's second round at the BMW PGA Championship with a double-bogey at the much-changed 18th.

"We'll have a word when it's suitable, when he's calmed down a little bit and maybe reflects on the week. But he (Poulter) has done a lot of damage to the flagship event. He's a Ryder Cup player and to come out with things like that is uncalled for."

"I don't like this golf course. Period. End of story," blasted the Englishman. "It's a very difficult golf course, especially now it's been redesigned.

"It's not fun. I was here as a kid watching those great shots but you can't remember them now.

"They've got what they wanted. I'll speak freely. Many others will not."

Els, pictured, who masterminded the £7million modifications to the course and who still owns a house on the property, admits he was left deeply disappointed by the remarks and claims Poulter has damaged the European Tour's flagship event with his outburst.

Indeed, the South African revealed he would be seeking "a word" with Poulter to discuss his comments.

"It's difficult not to take it personally, especially when it's coming out of left field," stated Els.

"A guy double bogeys the last because he doesn't hit the right shot and then he blames the golf course for his bad shots.

"I don't take that lightly. We'll have a word when it's suitable, when he's calmed down a little bit and maybe reflects on the week.

"But he (Poulter) has done a lot of damage to the flagship event. He's a Ryder Cup player and to come out with things like that is uncalled for - he should think twice when he does that.

Craziness

"You should maybe take 10 minutes after you've done a double; I've done the same and it is difficult to keep your composure... he obviously lost his. I'm not going to take that craziness."

Els conceded that he wasn't entirely happy with some of the pin positions selected by organisers throughout the week, but insisted the difficulty of the course was more than suitable given the tournament's status.

Indeed, he felt Sunday's thrilling climax had provided a real validation of the track, Luke Donald edging out Lee Westwood in a play-off to clinch both the title and the World No.1 spot in a finale that will live long in the memory.

"This was as good as you'll see the golf course," Els continued. "We were unhappy with the flag positions at the last five holes on Saturday, but not (Sunday). If you were on your game you shot a good score.

"Major championships aren't won at 17-under. The philosophy here was to test the players and if you're not quite sharp enough you'll have a tough time. You have to play with your head - if you go at every flag you're going to get burnt, like any major.

"Lee and Luke understand major championship golf and applied that all week. You're going to get your bad breaks, but you've got to move on and be mentally tough. That's the test here.

"They haven't got into the mud-throwing match. They've just applied themselves to playing golf on a very tough course.

"Guys who are on their games are enjoying this challenge and to see the two best players in the world slug it out at the flagship event, our home on tour, is something very special."

The South African also revealed that there would be further tweaks to the West Course but urged players to be rather more discreet than Poulter.

"We'll consider more changes," he added. "The 15th hole is a big par-four and I'm still not happy with the right side of the green.

"We'll look at number 12 as well, we'll take stock. But instead of getting on a stage and talking to the world, come up with constructive criticism and we will listen."

LOTHIANS BID FOR RECORD 10th SCOTTISH BOYS' AREA TEAM TITLE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Defending champions Lothians will have a record tenth title in their sights when the 2011 Scottish boys' area team championship, supported by Dunfermline Building Society, gets underway at Hayston GC on the outskirts of Glasgow this Sunday (June 5).

Two of the players who enjoyed success at Peebles last year retain their places in the side, with former Scottish boys' champion Grant Forrest lining up alongside Liberton’s Anthony Blaney for the second year in a row. The duo combined superbly in the morning foursomes twelve months ago with a superb four-under par 66, setting their side up for a four-shot victory over Lanarkshire.

They will be joined by Scottish Golf Academy player Callum Hill, a semi-finalist in the national match play championship at Dunbar and Newbattle youngster Lee Morgan, who makes his first appearance in the team.

The recently crowned Scottish boys' champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) heads a strong Ayrshire quartet with 2008 Scottish boys' stroke-play champion Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) also in the side alongside clubmate Euan Walker and another promising Troon Welbeck member, Charlie MacNeal.

Last year’s silver medallists Lanarkshire will be aiming to go one better this time around and their line-up features Junior Champion of Champions winner Craig Ross (Kirkhill) and Mount Ellen’s Eamon Bradley, who performed well in last week’s Scottish men's stroke-play championship at Blairgowrie.

Host Area Dumbartonshire, looking for a seventh championship win, include Angus Carrick, son of former Scottish amateur champion David, while Fife, whose men’s side won the recent Scottish area team championship, go in search of an historic double with a side featuring Scottish boys' championship semi-finalist Benjamin Kinsley (St Andrews).

Meanwhile, the Argyll and Bute boys side, eyeing a first title win, features 14-year-old Bob MacInytre (Glencruitten), who shot to prominence with a win in the recent SGU Junior Tour event at Rowallan Castle.

Sixteen Area Associations will compete in the Scottish boys' area team championship, supported by Dunfermline Building Society, with the four leading Under-18s in each area being selected for the teams. The format is two foursomes pairings in the morning with four singles in the afternoon.

Dunfermline Building Society supports the championship for the second year in a row, having been a partner of the Scottish Golf Union since 2007. Through their Fairway Saver Savings Account, more than £30,000 has been invested in grass roots golf in Scotland, with the opportunity for golfers to open an account available at Dunfermline Building Society’s 34 branches across Scotland. For more information visit www.dunfermline.com

Hayston Golf Club is located is located one mile from Kirkintilloch on the north- east side of Glasgow and the James Braid-designed parkland course is a gently undulating, tree-lined lay-out which will prove an enjoyable challenge for the country’s leading young golfers.

Click here for the draw and team list.

CRAIBSTONE GOLF CLUB SENIOR MEN'S OPEN ON JUNE 23

Craibstone Golf Club, Bucksburn near Aberdeen is holding a senior men's 18-hole competition on Thursday, June 23. 

Tee times will be from 08.30 until 2pm.

 Entry fee is £10 for Craibstone Golf Club members and £12 for non-members.

Entries can be phoned to 01224 716777 or E-mail to golf@marshall-leisure.co.uk

Prizes will be by division and not scratch/handicap.

RISING STARS CONTEST ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY THIS WEEK

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST

Some of the world's leading amateur golfers will take part in the St Andrews Links Trophy this weekend

Three of the top 20 players in the Rand A's World Amateur Golf Rankings head up the international field for the prestigious 72-hole tournament played over the New and Old Courses from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5.

Matthew Stieger from Australia is the highest ranked player in the field at 13th in the world, closely followed by Andrew Sullivan, who won the Scottish stroke-play championship at Blairgowrie last weekend, at 15th and then New Zealander Ben Campbell two places further back. 

The on-form Stieger has two victories under his belt already this season, having won the Tasmanian Open Championship in February and then defeating Campbell in the Australian Amateur Championship in Melbourne in March. It was Campbell's second consecutive defeat in the final of the championship and he also finished third in this season's Australian stroke-play championship.

The joint runners-up in last year's St Andrews Links Trophy, Stiggy Hodgson, from Sunningdale, and Peterhead's Philip McLean, will bid to go one better this year. And some of Scotland's leading amateurs such as David Law, from Hazlehead, who won the Northern Amateur Open in South Africa in March, Michael Stewart, from Troon Welbeck, who recently added the South African Amateur Championship to his Scottish Amateur title last year, and Ross Kellett from Colville Park will be looking for victory on home soil.

St Andrews New Club golfers Greg Paterson, who won the Craigmillar Park Open in April, and Peter Latimer, join 15 year-old Ewan Scott, from the St Andrews Golf Club, in the field. All three players progressed through the ranks at the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA).

More than 20 countries are represented in the 144 man field with players from countries as diverse as Bolivia, Slovenia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and the Netherlands taking part. The cut-off for entries was +2.5.

John Grant, Director of Golf at St Andrews Links Trust, said "The St Andrews Links Trophy is one of the highest ranked events of the amateur season in the UK and it is an excellent opportunity to see at first hand some of the most talented young players in the next generation of golfers. 

"The home players will be looking to put on good performances with the Walker Cup in September on their minds and the overseas players will be desperate to make their mark at the Home of Golf. It should be an enjoyable week with some excellent golf on show."

Live scoring from the 2011 St Andrews Links Trophy will be available at www.standrews.org.uk.

HARDELOT, FRILFORD HEATH JOIN QUALIFYING SCHOOL SCHEDULE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

The First Stage of The 2011 European Tour Qualifying School will take in visits to new venues in England and France, with Frilford Heath near Oxford and Hardelot Golf Club near Boulogne joining an already impressive roster of championship courses.

Located close to the Edwardian seaside resort of Hardelot in the Pas de Calais region of northern France, the historic Pines Course at Hardelot Golf Club, which has hosted events on the Challenge Tour and the Senior Tour Qualifying School, is set among dunes and the picturesque pine forest from which it takes its name.

Along with the magnificent Circolo Golf Bogogno near Milan, Italy, the Pines Course, which first opened for play in 1905 and was re-designed by Tom Simpson in 1931, will stage the First Stage Section C from September 27-30, 2011.

Ken Strachan, General Manager of Hardelot Golf Club, said: “Staging The European Tour Qualifying School First Stage at Hardelot is a great honour for our complex, and we are looking forward to the challenges that come with hosting such a great event.”

One week later, from October 4-7, another venue new to the Qualifying School Schedule, Frilford Heath, will host the First Stage Section D. The Red Course was designed by five-time Open Champion JH Taylor, whose other courses include Royal Birkdale and Royal Mid-Surrey.

Situated just south of the historic city of Oxford, Frilford Heath was built on 600 acres of undulating heathland, parts of which have been designated a site of Special Scientific Interest. The English Amateur Championship will be held at the venue for the second time from July 29-August 3, 2011.

Alistair Booth, Executive Director of Frilford Heath Golf Club, said: “Frilford Heath is delighted to be chosen by The European Tour as one of its venues for the First Stage of the Qualifying School. We feel privileged to make our Red Course available, which at just under 7,000 yards will present a suitably tough challenge for the professionals. Our members are also excited to be supporting The European Tour, and I’m sure many of them will come along to attend the event.”

The other course hosting Section D is the returning Ribagolfe, a world-class venue near the Portugese capital Lisbon which forms part of the European Golf Design portfolio.

For the second successive year Ebreichsdorf Golf Club, south of Vienna, will appear on the Qualifying School Schedule when, one week before the Austrian GolfOpen, its stunning parkland course hosts Section A from September 13-16. The other venue being used for Section A is the superb course at Dundonald Links Golf Club in Ayrshire.

Section B welcomes back the 7,191 yard, par 72 course at Wychwood Park in Cheshire, England, which drew widespread praise when it made its debut on the Qualifying School last year. Old favourite Golf and Country Club Fleesensee, which was designed by European Golf Design and is part of The European Tour Properties portfolio, will stage Section B in tandem with Wychwood Park from September 20-23.

Mike Stewart, European Tour Qualifying School Director, said: “Having recently visited both courses, I have no doubt that Hardelot Golf Club and Frilford Heath will prove welcome additions to the First Stage of the Qualifying School. Each year we strive to improve the quality of the venues we use, and I think the reputations of the Pines Course at Hardelot and the Red Course at Frilford Heath speak for themselves. We look forward to visiting them later in the year and also to returning to some of the more established venues on the Qualifying School Schedule, where we are always afforded a warm welcome.

THE ULTIMATE "BIG BOYS" GETAWAY AT ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY HEADY PR

Email: helen@headypr.co.uk

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa is offering the ‘Ultimate Boys Getaway’ that includes golf over two courses in the Home of Golf and additional off-course activities that would appeal to the more adventurous male looking to celebrate a birthday or business deal ... or just enjoy a weekend away with the boys.

Whilst staying at the luxurious Old Course Hotel overlooking the 17th fairway of the iconic course, the boys first get to play the Hotel’s very own championship heathland course The Duke’s St Andrews, third hole pictured below, designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson followed by 18 holes over one of the seven St Andrews Links Trust courses. The choice includes the recently-opened Castle Course which has met with great acclaim, the respected New or Eden course and of course the world-famous Old Course.

In addition to enjoying golf in St Andrews, the Old Course Hotel and its concierge team can arrange a choice of activities off the course such as a Connoisseur Tour of the Tullibardine Distillery where, whether enthusiast or novice, you can experience whisky tasting and ‘nosing’ of this exceptional single malt or take a trip around the famous Bellhaven Brewery, the oldest independent brewery in Scotland and one of the oldest in Britain.

For those that enjoy the outdoors, the Hotel can organize a day of salmon fishing on the River Tay which is one of the best salmon rivers in the United Kingdom, indeed in the European Union, or set up a day of clay pigeon shooting, archery or rifle shooting in nearby Cluny.

Back at the Hotel for a little relaxation, the numerous facilities of the Resort complete this five-star golfing package: gastronomic dining in the Road Hole Fine Dining Restaurant overlooking the infamous Road Hole of the Old Course, relaxing treatments in the world-class Kohler Waters Spa and the chance down a pint of Jigger Ale in St Andrews’ favourite 19th Hole, the Jigger Inn, also in the Resort.

The ‘Ultimate Boys Getaway’ includes:

Two nights’ luxury accommodation at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

Full Scottish breakfast each morning

A round of golf on The Duke’s

A round of golf on one of the St Andrews Links courses*

Golf Valet Service including golf storage, club cleaning and shoe cleaning

Complimentary access to the Kohler Waters Spa

Additional activities available through the concierge

Packages start from £219 per room, per night, based on two-night minimum stay, pending availability.

*pending availability plus supplement for the Old Course

For bookings and further details please call the reservations team on +44 (0) 1334 474371 or email reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk or visit www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk

Helen Heady,  Heady PR: Tel: 020 8789 0900 / 07966 491 509

ABERDEEN LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP TEE TIMES

ABERDEEN LINKS SENIORS – FRIDAY, JUNE 3
(10min intervals)

Abb. BA- Bon-Accord, C- Caledonian, N-Northern

8.00 J.L. Duncan BA, J. Murphy N, G. Fiddes N; J.A. Morrison BA, R. Green C; A.J.Reid BA; E.P. Morrison BA, A.W.Mathieson BA; D.L. Ross BA, D. Yeats C, S. Robertson N; E. Leigh BA, E. Yeats C, I. Morrice BA.

9.00 D.J. Duncan BA, E. Mitchell C, D.Shand BA; W. McKay BA, A.R.Bean C, C. Cheyne BA; A. Hearns BA, S. Moir C, S. Davidson N; J. Wilson BA, D.J. Hampton C, D. Coull N; G. Bothwell BA, I. McLaughlin C, L.M.Thom BA

10.00 D. Leighton N, G. Forbes C, N. West N; C.L. Forbes BA, R. O’Rawe C, P. Reid BA; A. Low BA, J. Gall C, J. Muir N; F. Watson BA, C. Carson C, A.G.A.Forbes C ; A. Henderson BA, G. Beattie C, A.Davis BA; S.Duthie N, S. Law C, R. Jones N

11.00 R. Ludlam BA, G.F.Webster N, D. Harman N; G. Allan C, J. Forrest N; D. McKay C, J. Duff N; R.A. Cheyne BA, R.M. Grant C, A.Fiddes N .

LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP –  SATURDAY 4TH JUNE (10min intervals)

SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

6.30 I.Welsh BA, R.Young BA, K.Dalglish BA; K.Ross BA, P.McIntosh C, A.Phillip C; A. Haining BA, S. Davidson N; J.M. Annand BA, D. Mullen C, G. Bond N; G. McLaggan BA, M. Taylor C, L. Morrice C; R. Allerton BA, A.Fiddes N, R. Evett N; M. Dunn BA, C. Dunbar C, M. Burnett N; N. Mitchell BA, M. Beattie C, A.J. Sherriffs N; B. Edmond BA, G. Grimmer C, C. McBain N

8.00 Matt. Greig BA, G. Stewart BA, G. Horne N; M. Smith BA, R. Davidson C, D. Mair N; M. Edmond BA, R. Rimmer C; J. Kilman BA, B. Reid C, D. Leslie N; S. Murray BA, G. Allan C, J. Ritchie N; D.S.S. Smith BA, A. Cruickshank C, A. Howie C.

9.00 G.V. Somers BA, S. Finnie C, A.Shand BA; R.McCulloch C, G. Forbes C, S. Muir N; R. Watson BA, P. Cheyne N, G. Morrison N; W. Smith BA,D.Nicholson N, S. Slessor N;

9.50 S. Murphy BA, J.McConnon BA, S. Kennedy N; S. Jamieson BA, R.Stewart BA, J. Murphy N; K. Ironside BA, T.Still BA, J. Forrest N; W. Shand BA, A. Davidson C, A. Patterson N; C. Johnstone N, S. Allan C.

11.00 N. Gray BA, T. McGovern C, D. Johnstone N;

11.30 S.A. Smith C, M. Ogston N; G.Reid BA, D. Forbes C; S. Kelly BA, A. Divers C, J. Inglis N; S. Allison C, W. Ross C, S. Stewart N; G. Geddes N, D. Galloway N; E.M. Leslie BA, J.S. Gray C, G. Brown N; S.Doig C, A. Styles C, R. Pirie C; P.Angelo N, R. Neilson N; G. Nicholson N, A. Sheldrick C, J. Duff N

1.00 D. Grieve BA, Mark. Greig BA, W. West N; C.Ross N, P.Boyce N; S.Manson N, B.Rae N

MURRAY CUP – SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 

(10min intervals)

7.10 I. Stewart BA, D.McEwan BA , G. Fiddes N; A. Greig BA, D.Daniel C, T.Butler N ; R.Buchan N , D. McPherson C, T. Leslie N; M. Flanagan BA, K.G. Robertson C, J. Muir N;

8.00 C. Robertson C, I. Petrie N, A. Handsley N; D.Greig BA, A.G.A.Forbes C, D.Baxter C; N.Rose N, M.Kane N; D.Watson C, J.Davidson C, G,Duncan N

9.00 S.Guyan BA, C. Gunn BA, S. Barclay N; D.Henderson BA, C. Carson C, G. Adams N;C.Somers BA, J. Gall C, D. Coull N;F.Kennedy BA, W. Ross N, G.W. Kidd N; D.Armour BA, C. Taylor N, J. Watt N; M. Rennie BA, G. McDonald N, D. Gill N

10.00 A. Rea BA, G.F.Webster N, R. Sellar N; G. Hewitson BA, D.Stewart C, M. McLeod N; D. Barclay BA, M. Winton C, R. Jones N; W. Guyan BA, N. Pickard BA, G. Homer N; G.Shand BA, N.Christie BA, P.Gray BA.

10.50 J. Hay BA, G. Reaper C, B. Lumsden N; K. Rennie BA, M.Rimmer C, B. Lumsden jnr N, G. Martin BA, K. Gray C, J.Skinner N; R. Grieve BA, J. McKechnie BA, A. Pirie N; R. Dunn BA, L.Ross C, E.Anderson N; R.Urquhart BA, S.Leslie C, C.Murphy BA; D.Still BA, N.Carnegie C, J.Urquhart BA; L.Hadden BA, G.Meade C, R.Moir C.

PAUL LAWRIE INVITATIONAL INCENTIVE AT ROWALLAN CASTLE

Press Release From PGA Scottish Region.

Nearly 100 Professionals have entered the second PGA Scotland Order of Merit event of the season, the Skycaddie Challenge at Rowallan Castle, being staged over 36 holes next Wednesday and Thursday, June 8 and 9.

The Colin Montgomerie-designed course will be hosting its first professional tournament, and it’s something that is being eagerly anticipated by head professional Ross Aitken.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we have here. I’m sure the players will be really impressed and I hope they will go back to their own clubs and recommend that their members give us a try,” said Ross.

Michael MacDougall, pictured, the PGA Scotland Regional Secretay, commented:“I’m sure our professionals will thoroughly enjoy the venue. We’ve been down a couple of times to look over it, and it has the potential to become one of the top courses in the country in the next few years. The number of entries we’ve had is a testament to the reputation that Rowallan has already gained.”

In addition to the prize-fund of £10,000 there is an added incentive on offer for the top performers during the tournament. Four spots in the inaugural “Paul Lawrie Invitational” at Deeside the following week have been kept in reserve for the top performers at Rowallan. The two leading players in the tournament and the two highest ranked players in the 2011 Order of Merit who have yet to gain a place in the tournament will receive an invitation to Deeside.

RAMSAY ROBBED OF PLACE IN US OPEN QUALIFYING PLAY-OFF

 FROM THE SKYSPORTS WEBSITE

Aberdonian Richie Ramsay was left feeling physically sick last night after a US Open qualifying play-off went ahead without him at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey.

Johan Edfors beat Andreas Harto for the last of 11 spots on offer just before 9.30pm, just as a disbelieving Ramsay pulled into the car park.

Ramsay had finished his fog-delayed two rounds at four-under-par some four hours earlier, before deciding to go to Heathrow to try to catch a flight to Belfast and attend the wedding reception of fellow Tour player Gareth Maybin.

It was then that things took a distinct turn for the worse. Not only did the Scot miss the plane, he was then told he could be in a play-off.

The expectations all day were that it would take place on Tuesday morning because of the time lost, but when the last group finished officials saw the opportunity to get at least one extra hole in.

Edfors and Harto were understandably keen, especially knowing that former US amateur champion Ramsay was likely to be absent, and with it being switched from a par four to a par three to speed things up Harto lost when he failed to get up and down from a bunker.

"I can't believe they played when it was pitch dark," said Ramsay after being told that it was all over and he had been made a (second) reserve for the major at Congressional Country Club, Maryland on June 16-19.

"As I left at 5.30, guys were teeing off the first hole, but they made the decision and I can't do anything about it.

"It's not up to me to say it's right or wrong, but it's just been an horrific day - just an awful, awful day."

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE TOURNAMENT REPORT AND SCORES

STEPHEN GALLACHER QUALIFIES AT WALTON HEATH FOR US OPEN

FROM THE USGA WEBSITE

Compiled by European PGA Tour

Nicolas Colsaerts led 11 qualifiers for the U.S. Open Championship after a dominant display at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey yesterday.

The big-hitting Belgian continued his fine form with a nine under par aggregate total to book his place in the field for the second major championship of the season at Congressional Country Club from June 16-19.

Colsaerts will be joined at the Bethesda, Maryland venue by Maarten Lafeber, Shane Lowry (who finished joint second), Thomas Levet (fourth), David Howell, Robert Rock (tied fifth), Robert Dinwiddie, Marcel Siem, Alexander Noren, Stephen Gallacher (tied sixth) and Johan Edfors, who took the 11th and final berth after a sudden-death play-off with Denmark's Andreas Hartø.

Colsaerts' appearance at the U.S. Open Championship will be his first in a major championship in America, and the 28-year-old is understandably relishing the prospect.

"I remember Ernie [Els] winning at Congressional in 1997, so I can't wait to get out there and experience it for myself," said Colsaerts." I think it's the sort of course which will suit my game, so hopefully I can play well and enjoy it. I'll probably have to work hard on my short game in the build-up, but I'm excited about it already. I came here with high hopes and did the hard part this morning with my round of 64, so this afternoon I was just able to go out there and enjoy it."

Lafeber's day was almost the polar opposite of Colsaerts, after a morning round of 73 over the Old Course left the Dutchman with the proverbial mountain to climb to ensure qualification.

But he rose to the task magnificently, shooting a scintillating round of 63 over the New Course in fast-fading light to surge through the pack and book his third trip to the U.S. Open.

"I felt like walking off the course after the seventh hole, because I was level par for the day and one over par overall," said Lafeber. "But then I made eagle and followed it up with a birdie, and all of a sudden I got a little bit more interested. Then when I made two more birdies I got very excited, and to finish with three more from the 16th was an incredible feeling."

Lowry was equally ecstatic after rounds of 69 in the morning and 67 in the afternoon secured him a first visit to the U.S. Open.

"It feels great to qualify - I've never played the U.S. Open before, so I can't wait to get out there," said Lowry. "I've been playing well for a while now and obviously came off a great result at the BMW PGA Championship, so I fancied my chances of qualifying. But it's all very well fancying your chances, it's quite another to go out there and do it, so I'm absolutely delighted."

Among the men who failed were Colin Montgomerie, Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay although the Aberdonian is second reserve, having been deprived of a play-off place to which he was entitled.

QUALIFYING SCORES

WALTON HEATH G.C. (Old and New Courses)

Nicolas Colsaerts--Belgium 64-71--135

Shane Lowry--Ireland 69-67--136

Maarten Lafeber--The Netherlands 73-63--136

Thomas Levet--France 66-71--137

Robert Rock--England 70-68--138

David Howell--England 72-66--138

Stephen Gallacher--Scotland 70-69--139

Alexander Noren--Sweden 67-72--139

Marcel Siem-Germany 67-72--139

Robert Dinwiddie--England 69-70--139

Johan Edfors--Sweden 70-70--140

Failed To Qualify

(Alternate 1) -Andreas Harto--Denmark 70-70--140

(Alternate 2) -Richie Ramsay--Scotland 71-69--140

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AT WALTON HEATH


CLICK HERE

Dumfries and County Golf Club boys represent South at Hayston on Sunday

The team to represent the South Area at the 2011 Boys Area Team Championship this Sunday at Hayston Golf Club are all members of Dumfries and County Golf Club.

The Team is club junior captain Daniel McConnachie , this year's Scottish boys' championship finalist Liam Johnston , Greig Marchbank (joint second in the Scottish youths stroke-play championship) and Connor Syme, son of club professional Stuart Syme.

All four boys represent Dumfries and County Golf Club in the Dumfriesshire League.

From Brian Duguid

Secretary

Dumfries and County Golf Club

+If you have a piece of golf news (or a picture) you would like so see displayed on Scottishgolfview.com or Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, E-mail it to Colin@scottishgolfview.com 

HAND INJURY PUTS JAMIE McLEARY OUT FOR FIVE WEEKS

Edinburgh-based Challenge Tour player Jamie McLeary can't swing a club for the next five weeks. He's been playing with a painful hand and wrist injury for several weeks. It's now been diagnosed as a fractured bone called the "hook of the hamate."

It is caused by the top of the grips hitting the base of the hand repeatedly. Apparently a common injury among tennis and baseball players but not so often in golf.

McLeary tells readers of "The Scotsman" today:

"Unfortunately, it means I'll miss the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley, where I won two years ago and was looking forward to returning in a few weeks' time with the other members of Team Scottish Hydro."

SCOTTISH ALLIANCE ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM DAVE MACKAY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Dave Mackay, joint secretary of the North-east Alliance, now has entry forms for the 2011 Scottish Alliance championship - at Buchanan Castle GC, Drymen from October 4 to 6 - and he can be contacted on 01224 696154.
The North-east Alliance annual meeting will be held in the Auchmill GC clubhouse on Monday, September 5. The first competition of the new 2011-2012 season will be held at the Auchmill course two days later on Wednesday, September 7.
The two Daves - Dave Mackay and Dave Wilson - are busy putting together a list of venues for the new Alliance season. With the soaring cost of petrol in mind, in general the clubs hosting Alliance competitions will be nearer to Aberdeen where the bulk of the members live. 
I have it on good authority that Craibstone Golf Club - under new ownership and with the well-known figure of Billy Sim (pictured) as Golf Operations Manager in charge - will be back on the NE Alliance roster when the list is finalised.
Following the employment of a Polish chef, catering is now available on a daily basis at Craibstone Golf Club's "Brimmond Bistro." Additional bar and catering staff are being sought.
The Craibstone clubhouse is open seven days a week (9.30am to 6.30pm) to non-members for light meals, sandwiches, coffees, teas and cakes.
You can find out more about what's happening at Craibstone golf course by logging on to its website: http://www.marshall-leisure.co.uk/

TOP 50 IN WORLD PRO RANKINGS ... WITH A NEW No. 1

1 Luke Donald, Eng 9.14.
2 Lee Westwood, Eng 8.74.
3 Martin Kaymer, Ger 7.41.
4 Phil Mickelson, USA 6.18.
5 Graeme McDowell, NIr 5.62. 
6 Rory McIlroy, NIr 5.42.
7 Matt Kuchar, USA 5.15.
8 Steve Stricker, USA 5.15.
9 Paul Casey, Eng 5.12.
10 Charl Schwartzel, S Africa 5.10.
11 Bubba Watson, USA 4.98.
12 Ian Poulter, Eng 4.87.
13 Tiger Woods, USA 4.86.
14 Dustin Johnson, USA 4.86.
15 Nick Watney, USA 4.74.
16 K J  Choi, S Korea 4.45.
17 Jim Furyk, USA 4.38.
18 Hunter Mahan, USA 4.19.
19 Jason Day, Aus 4.14.
20 Francesco Molinari, Ita 4.10.
21 Ernie Els, S Africa 4.08.
22 Adam Scott, Australia 4.07.
23 Robert Karlsson, Swe 4.05.
24 Alvaro Quiros, Spain 3.85.
25 Martin Laird, Sco 3.84.
26 Miguel A Jimenez, Spain 3.71.
27 David Toms, USA 3.63.
28 Retief Goosen, Zaf 3.61.
29 Justin Rose, Eng 3.51.
30 Matteo Manassero, Ita 3.36.
31 Geoff Ogilvy, Australia 3.31.
32 Tim Clark, S Africa 3.27.
33 Edoardo Molinari, Ita 3.24.
34 Zach Johnson, USA 3.20.
35 Louis Oosthuizen, S Africa 3.20.
36 Kim Kyung-Tae, S Korea 3.17.
37 Robert Allenby, Aus 3.06.
38 Anders Hansen, Dnk 2.86. 
39 Ben Crane, USA 2.83.
40 Y E Yang, S Korea 2.83.
41 Jonathan Byrd, USA 2.82.
42 Ryan Moore, USA 2.82.
43 Bill Haas, USA 2.79.
44 Bo Van Pelt, USA 2.74.
45 Rickie Fowler, USA 2.71.
46 Rory Sabbatini, S Africa 2.69.
47 Brandt Snedeker, USA 2.67.
48 Ryan Palmer, USA 2.66.
49 Peter Hanson, Swe 2.65.
50 Padraig Harrington, Irl 2.63.

Oldmeldrum's Cameron Fraser wins on Paul Lawrie Tour at Turriff

PAUL LAWRIE FOUNDATION TOUR REPORT
U15 Stableford, Turriff, Sunday, May 29
This past weekend the PLF tour headed to a wild and windy at Turriff but as ever we had a great welcome from everyone at the club.

It was great to see some new competitors and really good to see some of the graduates from the flag events doing well. 38 points from Oldmeldrum's Cameron Fraser was very good in such windy conditions, not to mention the hard and fast greens.


Boys CSS - 68. Girls CSS - 71
38 pts Cameron Fraser (Oldmeldrum) (17).
34 pts Tyler Ogston (Nigg Bay) (15).
34 pts Kiran Nolan (Kemnay) (9).
32 pts Paul Morgan (Portlethen) (16)
32 pts Ross Cooper (Peterculter) (18)
32 pts Michael Carrell (Peterculter) (15)
32 pts Josh Bruce (Peterhead) (11).

Iain Powell
Paul Lawrie Foundation
07919 330130
http://www.paullawriefoundation.co.uk/

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

BOB STEWART BACK AT

THE TOP AGAIN

Following on from his early season success, Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency) finished third in the Scottish Seniors event at Montrose. A 36-hole aggregate of 149(76, 73) was only two shots behind the winner, and gave Bob more points to take him to the top of the Scottish Seniors Order of Merit for 2011.

With 220 points, he leads by 40 points, and is surely staking his claim to return to the Scottish Seniors team.
Two 36 hole Scottish Seniors events (with points) come up in the Seniors calendar - the East of Scotland at Kinross and the Central Scotland at Glenbervie where Bob is a member.


SUMMER MEETING SUCCESSES


At the recent Clackmannan County Summer meetings, the best scores in the first division at Tulliallan were B Cairnie winning with a net 67 and one shot ahead of home player Scott Walker. Top scratch score of 72 came from former County Team Captain John Gullen (Tillicoultry) which must have pleased him greatly being one shot ahead of Robert Lyons and current County Team Captain Jamie Aitken.
The top scratch scores from both the Spring and Summer meetings will now contest the County Match Play Championship over the next two weeks.
In the second division at Alloa Golf Club, the Best scores were R Hartley and B Candlish both recording net 70’s.


COUNTY BOYS GO WEST


This coming Sunday, teams of four boys representing the sixteen golfing Areas in Scotland will assemble at Hayston near Kirkintilloch to contest the 2011 Boys Area Team Championship. Last year at Peebles, the County Boys team did very well and came close to a medal, so the four locals will be trying hard to match that performance.
Selected for Clackmannan County are Lawrence Allan, Reyner Kennedy (both Alva), Kevin Ross (Tillicoultry) and Rikky Alexander (Braehead). The title is decided by morning foursomes and three from four scores in the afternoon.


PAUL LAWRIE SCOTTISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Annual Scottish Schools Championships sponsored by Paul Lawrie will be held next week on Monday, June 5 over the Murrayshall golf courses near Perth. Teams of three boys representing Local Authority Areas throughout Scotland will play 36 holes for Team and Individual prizes.

The girl’s event is an individual entry also playing 36 holes. The top scoring boys and girls will have the chance to represent Scotland in the Annual Schools International against England to be held on the September 12.

Clackmannan Schools will be represented by Charlie Linton and Robert Watson (both Dollar Academy) along with Reyner Kennedy (Alva Acad).

LUKE DONALD LEADING MONEY-WINNER IN USA AND EUROPE

Luke Donald heads the money-winners' tables on both sides of the Atlantic

US PGA TOUR
1 Luke Donald (England) $3,344,867 (8 events).
2 Nick Watney (US) $2,960,733 (11).
3 Bubba Watson (U#S) $2,948,790 (12).
4 K J Choi (S Korea) $2,941,699 (12).
5 David Thoms (US) $2,842,215 (11).
6 Mark Wilson (US) $23,516,570 (14).
7 Phil Mickelson (US) $2,362,152 (11).
8 Martin Laird (Scotland) $2,314, 996 (13).
Selected totals
30 Justin Rose (England) $1,342,182 (12).
82 Tiger Woods (US) $571,363 (6).
90 Ian Poulter (England) $525,201 (8).
93 Brian Davis (England) $501,976 (16).
116 Paul Casey (England) $357,117 (7).
208 Michael Sim (Scotland/Australia) $38,043 (12).
+ Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood do not appear on the US PGA Tour website's official money table, presumably because they are not members of the Tour.

RACE TO DUBAI
(Totals in Euros)
1 Luke Donald (England) 2,581,495 (5 events).
2 Charl Schwartzel (S Africa) 1,699,833 (11).
3 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 1,312,144 (9).
4 Anders Hansen (Denmark) 893,471 (10).
LEADING SCOT
27 Paul Lawrie 337,846 (10 events)

FRASER'S THE MANN AT BISHOPBRIGGS PRO-AM

Musselburgh professional Fraser Mann won the first prize of £1,263 in yesterday's Bishopbriggs pro-am.
In windy conditions, a one-over-par 72 was good enough for the European Senior Tour campaigner  to head the field. He had birdies at the long eighth, long 15th and short 17th and bogeys at the sixth, ninth, 10th and 13th in halves of 37 and 35.
Runners-up, a shot behind on 73, were Blairgowrie's Stuart Reekie, birdies at the fifth and eighth, and Craig Ronald (Carluke) with birdies at the eighth, 10th and 11th but a string of bogeys from the 12th to the 17th.
LEADING SCORES
Par 71
72 Fraser Mann (Musselburgh), £1,263.
73 Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie), Craig Ronald (Carluke), £884 each.
74 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf), David Orr (East Renfrewshire), Mark King (Kingsfield), £432 each.
76 Lee Vannet (Carnoustie Golf Links), Brian Mason (Callaway Golf), James McKinnon (Irvine), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), £230 each.
TEAM EVENT LEADERS
61 N Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) and Messrs Maxwell, Perry, Johnston.
61 J McGhee (Duddingston) and Messrs Ross, Liddell.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE PGA SCOTLAND WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

BRADLEY BEATS PALMER IN PLAY-OFF FOR "BYRON NELSON"

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE

iRVING, Texas (AP) — Keegan Bradley won the Byron Nelson Championship for his first US PGA Tour victory, parring the first hole of a play-off with Ryan Palmer on Sunday.

Bradley, the nephew of LPGA Tour great Pat Bradley, sank a 2-foot par putt at the 419-yard 18th hole in the playoff. Palmer's approach went into the water and he made a bogey with a 13-foot putt.

About an hour earlier, Bradley finished his closing round of 2-under 68 with a par at No. 18, dropping into a squat and hopping a few times in frustration when his 10-foot birdie chance slid by the hole.

Palmer (72) and Bradley finished at 3-under 277, the highest winning score on the US PGA Tour this year. It was the fifth play-off in six weeks.

"I don't know what to say. I'm so happy, I can't believe this just happened," Bradley said. "This is a dream come true. I've waited for this my whole life."

The US Tour rookie's aunt won 31 tournaments, including six majors. The first victory for the Vermont native who played at St. John's came nine days before his 25th birthday.

On the 172-yard 17th hole, Bradley sank a 12 1/2-foot par-saving putt and responded with an emphatic fist pump. After Bradley tapped in his par putt at No. 18, third-round leader Palmer was in one of the five groups still playing.

Bradley then sat for a few minutes before going to the practice range to prepare for a play-off that almost wasn't necessary for him to become the US PGA Tour's sixth first-time winning this season.

Ryuji Imada (71) and Joe Ogilvie (70) finished a stroke back at 2 under. Imada bogeyed three of his last four holes after getting to 5 under.

Defending Nelson champion Jason Day (67) was fifth at 1 under. Only five players finished under par this week at TPC Four Seasons. There were brutal scoring conditions the last three days, particularly for both weekend rounds when the wind was sustained at 25 mph with gusts howling near 40.

It was the highest finishing score for the Nelson since the tournament moved to its current location in 1983.

After Palmer blasted from a greenside bunker to 3 feet for a birdie at the 523-yard 16th hole to get back to 3 under, he gave that stroke right back when he missed a 7-foot par putt at No. 17.

Palmer forced the playoff with a 6-foot birdie putt at No. 18, where there was only one other birdie all day. When the putt dropped, Palmer punched his right fist in the air and then raised both arms over his head.

Bradley and Palmer then played No. 18 again, both going way right with their tee shots to start the playoff.

Tournament volunteers quickly dismantled and moved a temporary lemonade stand to give Bradley a line of sight to the green and avoid the necessity for a drop.

Bradley's approach was dangerously close to sliding off the side of the green into the water, but stayed up. Palmer went in the same direction but his ball didn't stay dry.

Imada was 5 under after his 11-foot birdie putt trickled in at the 170-yard 13th, then blasted out of a greenside bunker to inside a foot at 14th to save par. He missed a 3-foot par chance at No. 17 and then was unable to save par again out of a bunker on the closing hole.

Sergio Garcia, the 2004 Nelson champion who hasn't won since 2008 and hasn't locked up a spot this year in the U.S. Open and British Open, began the day one stroke off the lead and in the final group.

Garcia missed a 4-foot par putt on the opening hole, then slammed his putter down on his bag walking off after his bogey putt. Things only got worse from there on way to a closing 77. He had a double bogey at the par-4 fourth hole after needing four shots to go the final 12 feet - his first chip rolled back to his feet and he ended with a double bogey.

Day, the runner-up at this year's Masters, had his fourth top-10 finish in his last five tournaments.

After a bogey-free front nine with three birdies to get to 1 under for the tournament, Day was even par over a seven-hole stretch without a par on any of the holes. His birdie at No. 10 got him to 2 under before consecutive bogeys, a birdie, a double bogey and then consecutive birdies.

Teenage amateur Jordan Spieth had a rough finish. The 17-year-old player closed with two double bogeys and two bogeys for a 7-over 77 to finish at 6 over - 10 strokes higher than he shot last year at TPC Four Seasons.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 280 (4x70

277 Keegan Bradley (US) 66 71 72 68, Ryan Palmer (US) 65 67 73 72 (Bradley won play-off).

278 Joe Ogilvie (US) 66 70 72 70, Ryuji Imada (Japan) 69 68 70 71.

279 Jason Day (Australia) 72 71 69 67.

Selected total

283 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 66 66 74 77 (T20).

TO VIEW ALL THE TOTALS ON THE US TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

TOM WATSON WINS US SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky. (AP) — Tom Watson summoned up some of his old major magic, holing a 3ft birdie putt on the first play-off hole to beat David Eger in the United States Senior PGA Championship on Sunday.

The 61-year-old Watson, pictured, down a shot with four holes left in regulation, became the oldest player to win a major since the seniors tour was created in 1980.

Watson closed with a 2-under 70 to finish at 10-under 278 and capture his 14th career major, six since turning 50 to go with five British Opens, two Masters and a U.S. Open.

Perhaps better known as a rules official than as a player, Eger closed with a 67.

Both Eger and Watson missed short birdie putts on the 72nd green that would have won it in regulation, Eger pulling a 6-footer and Watson pushing one from 4 feet.

Watson went for the green with his rescue-club second shot on the playoff hole, the 18th, but it came up short and in the deep and gaping bunker that fronts the green. Eger had caught a bad break when his drive came to rest in a grassy finger on the edge of a large bunker along the left side of the fairway. He hit a layup and then a wedge to 10 feet, but missed the birdie attempt.

Taking little time after blasting out of the sand to 3 feet, Watson calmly stroked in the winner while a large gallery cheered and applauded.

Kiyoshi Murota, who had at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, closed with a 72 and was alone in third, a shot out of the play-off.

Five days before he turns 66, four-time Senior PGA winner Hale Irwin had a double bogey and two bogeys in a 73 that left him at 8 under.

Eduardo Romero (68), the benefactor of a lucky bounce off the rocks that turned a bogey into a birdie at the 13th hole, and Peter Senior (69) were at 7 under. Nick Price shot a 72 and to finish another stroke back.

Steve Pate, who turned 50 on Thursday to qualify for his first senior event, closed with a 69 and was at 5 under along with Corey Pavin (70) and Loren Roberts (72).

Watson became the third-oldest winner of a Champions Tour event. The victory came 10 years, 2 days after he won his other Senior PGA Championship at Ridgewood Country Club in 2001. Watson captured his first major since 2007.

The 59-year-old Eger has played the Champions Tour full-time for a decade. But he's perhaps best known as a top rules official for the PGA Tour and U.S. Golf Association from 1982-95. He never finished better than a tie for fifth in 75 PGA Tour starts between 1979 and 1981. He regained his amateur status and was a three-time Walker Cupper during his days as a golf administrator. Since turning pro at 50, he has won four times on the Champions Tour, including this year's Liberty Mutual Legends.

Much like the Indy 500, the leader changed every few minutes. Playing partners Irwin and Murota shared the lead until Murota was assessed a one-stroke penalty for a double-hit on a chip shot at the third hole.

Irwin clutched the lead for the next three holes before making double at the difficult sixth when he hit a shot from the rough into a greenside bunker and failed to get up and down. That mistake dropped him into a tie at 8 under with Eger, Watson and Murota. Watson then took the lead by himself with a birdie at the seventh hole.

Eger, playing two holes ahead of the lead group, pulled even with Watson by chipping to 15 feet and making the birdie putt at 10. They shared the lead, together or with others, for the next four holes while they traded pars.

Eger then grabbed the top spot by rolling in a short birdie putt at the 15th. But he turned right around and gave it back on the next hole when his approach came up short of the green and he made bogey.

An instant later, Watson stroked in an 18-footer for birdie from the first cut behind the 15th green go up by a shot.

Eger responded with a 7-foot birdie putt at the uphill 16th to even things up once again.

After first Eger and then Watson missed easy birdie putts that would have given them a win, they headed for the extra hole.

As has been the case 13 times before, Watson had what it took to capture another major.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
278 David Eger (US) 74 68 69 67, Tom Watson (US) 70 70 68 70 (Watson won play-off).
279 Kiyoshi Murota (Japan) 66 67 74 72.
280 Hale Irwin (US) 69 68 70 73.
281 Eduardo Romero (Argentina) 73 67 72 69, Peter Senior (Australia) 73 68 71 69.
282 Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 67 70 73 72.

SELECTED TOTALS
288 Mark Mouland (Wales) 68 72 72 74 (T22).
289 Roger Chapman (England) 73 70 74 72 (T27).
297 Barry Lane (England) 71 75 76 75, Des Smyth (Ireland) 70 73 76 78 (T50).
299 Christopher Williams (England) 74 74 76 75 (T60).
305 Ross Drummond (Scotland) 77 71 79 78 (T76).

MISSED THE CUT (148 or better qualified)
151 Sam Torrance (Scotland) 79 72.

NEWS FROM WELSH OPEN YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP

FOR NEWS OF THE WELSH OPEN YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP AT CLYNE G C

CLICK HERE

BIG WIN FOR DUNBARTONSHIRE BOYS AGAINST LANARKSHIRE

Dunbartonshire boys had a resounding 7-1 victory today at Vale of Leven over Lanarkshire boys in their first West of scotland League fixture of 2011.

RESULTS

Under-18s

1. Cameron Farrell (Cardross) bt Jordan Bryce (Strathaven) 5 and 4.

2. Craig Chalmers (Lenzie) bt James Steven (Bothwell Castle) 2 holes.

3. Gavin Roger (Clober) bt Ross Gillan (Torrance) 2 and 1.

4. Euan Ferguson (Bearsden) bt Ross McLeish (Torrance) 6 and 5.

Under-16s

1. Robert Johnston ( Helensburgh)' lost to Innes Ferguson (Drumpellier) 4 and 3.

2. Keiran McHale (Clydebank) bt Calum Connacher (Wishaw) 3 and 2.

3. Cameron Kirkwood (Bearsden) bt Matt Brennan (Kirkhill) 8 and 7.

4. Chris Maclean (Clydebank) bt Jay Hainie (Bothwell) 4 and 3.

Willie Sharpe

President

Lanarkshire Golf Association

AUSSIE TAMPION WINS CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT IN BELGIUM

From Challenge Tour Press Officer Paul Symes 

Fewer than six months after he came closing to quitting the game altogether, Australian Andrew Tampion lifted his second Challenge Tour title at the Telenet Trophy in Belgium today. .

Having earned less than €10,000 after making just four cuts on The European Tour last season, Tampion returned to his native Melbourne, packed his clubs away in the garage for three months, and instead turned his hand to the building trade to try to make ends meet.

But the decision to return to Europe last month and give his career one last shot paid handsome dividends when he closed with a stunning round of 66 to prevail by one stroke at Royal Waterloo Golf Club near Brussels.

Tampion started the day five shots off the pacesetters, but blitzed through the field with eight birdies to set the clubhouse target on eight under par.

With joint overnight leaders Jason Palmer of England and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos both struggling to maintain the sparkling form they had shown on the third day, it was left instead to Oliver Whiteley – who had himself recently taken an extended break from the game – to mount the most serious challenge.

But after Whiteley’s birdie putt on the 18th green had rolled agonisingly past the hole, the trophy – and with it a much-needed cheque for €25,600 which moved him to 12th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings – was Tampion’s to cherish.

The 26 year old, who also came from five strokes behind when he won the Challenge of Ireland in 2008, said:
“I played pretty well all week, but until today just hadn’t got much out of my rounds. So it’d been a frustrating week, and maybe I was due a decent score today. I just went out there with the mindset of trying to give myself as many chances as possible.
"It wasn’t until I’d walked off the 18th green that it dawned on me that I might actually win the tournament. Even then, I didn’t think eight under was going to be enough to win, but I’m obviously delighted it was.

“I had very low expectations coming into the week, so nobody’s more surprised than I am. Last season was pretty tough, to say the least. I missed a few cuts in a row, and my confidence was just shot to pieces. I didn’t really want to play the game any more, and for the first three months of the year I didn’t actually touch a club.
"I went and did some building work with a few friends, and I really enjoyed it. It was nice to sleep in my own bed every night and pick up a regular cheque. But some friends and family persuaded me to give the game one last go, and I’m pretty pleased that I did.”

Whiteley also exceeded his own expectations with a runner-up finish on his first competitive outing for six months.

The Englishman, who closed with a round of 71, said: “Finishing with two pars was slightly annoying because I’ve finished birdie-birdie for the last two days, although I holed a good par putt on the 17th. It was only from three feet, but when you haven’t earned anything for a while and could do with the money, the knees were starting to knock a little bit.

“I thought my birdie putt on the last was in, but it just fell away at the last minute. But if anything that probably made it a bit easier to take, because if I’d hit a poor putt it might’ve left a sour taste in the mouth. So overall I’ve got to be delighted with how I’ve played after six months off, because if you’d offered me second place at the start of the week, I would’ve definitely taken it.”

FINAL TOTALS

Par 288 (4x72)

280 A Tampion (Aus) 70 72 72 66,

281 O Whiteley (Eng) 68 72 70 71,

282 C Brazillier (Fra) 74 68 69 71, B Chapellan (Fra) 74 70 73 65, J Lima (Por) 72 71 67 72, R Santos (Por) 68 73 68 73,

283 B Grace (RSA) 68 75 68 72, S Davis (Eng) 75 68 70 70, J Palmer (Eng) 70 70 69 74, A Maestroni (Ita) 76 69 70 68, D Lokke (Den) 71 71 71 70,

284 T Fleetwood (Eng) 73 65 74 72, C Paisley (Eng) 71 71 71 71, B Åkesson (Swe) 71 71 76 66,

285 A Canete (Arg) 71 72 73 69,

286 H Bacher (Aut) 77 67 71 71, K Eriksson (Swe) 79 64 71 72, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 75 71 71 69, C Doak (Sco) 74 72 72 68,

287 L Jensen (Den) 74 68 76 69, D Denison (Eng) 71 72 72 72, J Garcia (Esp) 70 74 71 72, B Barham (Eng) 76 70 72 69, J Quesne (Fra) 78 68 73 68,

288 A Haindl (RSA) 73 71 73 71, F Colombo (Ita) 71 69 72 76, M Lundberg (Swe) 71 70 71 76, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 73 72 71 72, B Hafthorsson (Isl) 75 69 72 72, P Relecom (Bel) 74 72 66 76, A Hansen (Den) 71 73 72 72,

289 P Archer (Eng) 72 74 73 70, A Pavan (Ita) 72 71 71 75, A McArthur (Sco) 72 71 72 74, G Molteni (Ita) 73 72 72 72, D Vanegas (Col) 68 73 72 76,

290 L Canter (Eng) 71 74 70 75, M Kieffer (Ger) 75 71 71 73, E Bertheussen (Nor) 74 72 73 71, N Vanhootegem (Bel) 71 73 73 73, J Guerrier (Fra) 75 69 73 73, B Evans (Eng) 74 70 70 76,

291 S Hutsby (Eng) 73 72 74 72, B Miarka (Ger) 73 68 75 75, A Perrino (Ita) 77 69 70 75, M Warren (Sco) 71 75 70 75, G Adell (Swe) 71 71 76 73, R De Sousa (Sui) 73 71 73 74,

292 C Mivis (Bel) 72 74 73 73, C Moriarty (Irl) 77 68 69 78, G Dear (Sco) 72 71 74 75, A Signor (Ita) 72 73 76 71, L Richard (Bel) 73 73 73 73, J Legarrea (Esp) 73 72 74 73, J Doherty (Sco) 74 72 76 70,

293 P Golding (Eng) 73 71 78 71,

294 M Baldwin (Eng) 72 73 76 73,

295 S Bebb (Wal) 75 70 74 76, J Grillon (Fra) 73 72 74 76, K Hesbois (am) (Bel) 76 68 75 76,

296 S Robinson (Eng) 70 76 73 77,

297 G Jackson (Eng) 67 74 80 76, I Keenan (Eng) 72 74 74 77, J Hepworth (Eng) 75 71 74 77,

301 N Lombardi (Ita) 75 71 80 75,

GORDON SMITH WINS GLAMIS QUAICH WITH A 68 AT EDZELL

Downfield's Gordon Smith won the Glamis Quaich open tournament at a windy and wet Edzell Golf Club with a brilliant round of three-under-par 68 - three shots ahead of home course player Ross Coull with Gary Duncan (Carnoustie Caledonia) taking third place with a 75 (better inward half).

OTHER DETAILS (CSS 74, reduction only)

HANDICAP

1 John Carlin (Logie) (4) 73 (bih).

2 Scott Graham (Arbroath) (2) 73 (bih).

CAMPERDOWN SHIELD

HANDICAP

1 C Morrison (Camperdown) (9) 76 (bih).

2 B McLanders (Logie) (15) 76.

SCRATCH

1 T Feeney (Logie) 89

CSS + 3 74 R/O

er

ear Colin--result of above competitions played at a windy and wet Edzell course.  Won with a magnificent 3 under par 68 by Gordon Smith (Downfield)

Results

          Glamis Quaich

                               1--Gordon Smith (Downfield)---68

                               2--Ross Coull (Edzell)--71

                               3--Gary Duncan (Car/Cal)--75 bih

 

                     H/cap  1--John Carlin (Logie)  77--4--73 bih

                                2--Scott Graham (Arbroath)  75--2--73 bih

 

           Camperdown Shield

                               1--C Morrison (Camperdown)   85--9--76 bih  (winner)

                               2--B McLanders (Logie)    91-15-76

 

                     S/cr    T. Feeney (Logie)   89

 

CSS + 3  74 R/O

 

Colin I would be obliged if you will forward to the Courier

 

 

                                                                         Bill

Bill

DONALD WORLD NO 1 AFTER BEATING WESTWOOD IN PLAY-OFF

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Luke Donald captured The European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth Club, Surrey  after a titanic final round battle with Lee Westwood at the BMW PGA Championship today.

The World Number One and World Number Two traded blows all day, and Westwood's 68 drew him level with his compatriot after 72 holes.

But for the first time in his career it is now Donald (pictured) atop the Official World Golf Ranking. After pitching his third to six feet at the first extra hole, he looked on as Westwood spun his into the water.

Westwood took a double bogey 7 and Donald won the €750,000 first prize with a birdie 4.

In regulation play Donald was left with a 30 footer for victory on the final hole after Westwood, playing in the group ahead, had missed from 6ft, but his two-putt par meant they tied on the total of 278.

Westwood was two behind at the start of the day, but went one in front with a front nine 33 and was two clear when he birdied the 15th following a brilliant approach within three feet.

However, he then bogeyed the next and Donald hit his approach to a foot to draw level.

Simon Dyson signed for a closing 69 to finish four under and create the first all-English one-two-three in the event since 1974.

Marcus Fraser, Raphaël Jacquelin and Shane Lowry tied for fourth on two under, while a shot further back there was a first top-ten finish for Colin Montgomerie since the 2008 Alstom Open de France.

Record crowds of 93,404 enjoyed some spectacular action over the four days, nearly 5,000 more than attended in 2010.

Donald, who revealed his wife Diane is expecting their second child in November, said: “Looking back to the birth of my first child, Elle, my golf has only gone from strength-to-strength. It's been a real blessing to become a father, it's given me a lot more responsibility I think as a person. I've grown up - I've become a better person.

“My daughter is the best, she sleeps 12 hours every night. It's nice to come home even when you finish second or don't quite close out a tournament; when you've got her little face smiling back at me, you're able to forget things pretty quickly. She really is an inspiration to me.”

Westwood said: "It's amazing it went in the water, but it shouldn't have gone into a play-off.

"I had a good chance at 17 going in with a three iron (pushed right) and on the last I just misread it.

"The finish was a bit iffy I suppose, so that's the reason I finished second. Not because I lost the play-off - they are volatile - but because I didn't take my chances."

The high-class field included all four current Major Champions, seven of the game's top nine and all but the injured Padraig Harrington of the winning Ryder Cup Team last year.

Although Westwood was so close to achieving a third successive stroke play victory, nobody can say that his Celtic Manor Resort teammate does not deserve top spot.

This was Donald's ninth successive top-ten finish, a run that began with his victory at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play in Arizona in February.

The 33 year old also became the third successive English player to win after Paul Casey and Simon Khan, who Donald narrowly missed out to 12 months ago after taking a 7 at the 17th.

“They are gone,” he said, when asked if his win banished the memories of that day.

Donald then admitted that when the "runner-up" was called up at the prize giving he very nearly stepped forward instead of Westwood.

Luke, the leading money-winner on the US PGA Tour this year, was second at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain last week and at the Heritage tournament after a play-off in South Carolina last month. On both occasions a win would have made him Number One.

“It feels great obviously,” he added. “I’ve been the runner-up a few times in my career, a few times this year, and to obviously come through in these circumstances in one of the biggest tournaments in the world, going head-to-head with Lee, is pretty special.

“It doesn't get much better. I'm not sure if there will ever be a case where Number One and Number Two in the world are playing off for the tournament, but also a chance for the Number One ranking in the world. A unique history I think has been made, and glad to be a part of it.”

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71). Prizemoney in Euros
278 Luke Donald (England) 64 72 72 70, Lee Westwood (England) 72 69 69 68 Donald (750,000) bt Westwood (520,000) at first hole of sudden death play-off).

280 Simon Dyson(England) 71 68 72 69 (281,700).

282 Marcus Fraser (Australia) 70 72 73 67, Raphael Jacquelin (France) 72 70 69 71, Shane Lowry (Ireland) 74 72 69 67 (191,000 each).

283 Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 71 71 72 69, Johan Edfors (Sweden) 66 75 71 71, David Horsey 70 68 74 71, Matteo Manassero (Italy) 66 70 72 75, Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) 69 76 71 68, Peter Whiteford (Scotland) 71 69 73 70 (99,750 each).

SELECTED TOTALS

285 Ernie Els (S Africa) 75 68 72 70 (T16) (621,100).

286 Ian Poulter (England) 68 74 73 71 (T18) (53,400).

287 Paul Casey (England) 72 71 71 72, Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 76 70 68 73 (T24) (44,100 each).

294 Steven O'Hara (Scotland) 74 71 71 78 (T50) (13,838).

300 Greig Hutcheon (Scotland) 74 71 79 76 (T62) (11,250).

303 Scott Jamieson (Scotland) 71 69 85 78 (65th) (10,350).

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