GREG McBAIN AND WEATHERFORD TRIO WIN NORTHERN OPEN PRO-AM

Aberdeen's Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) led the Weatherford team to victory with a net total of 14-under-par 56 in the curtain-raising pro-am for the Northern Open golf championship, sponsored by AVC Media, at Meldrum House Golf Club, Oldmeldrum.
The winning amateur trio were John Seymour (handicap 16), Ian McKinnon (3) and Willie Jaffrey (8).
Chris Kelly (Cawder) led the runners-up to second place on 57.
They were: Brian Hendry (12), Steve Penman (14) and Stewart Clow (14).
Andrew Weir (unattached) was the pro with the third placed team on 12-under-58. There were several teams on the 58 mark. Andrew's trio of amateurs had the best net last nine. They were:
Anshu Mather (18), Jim McNiven (18) and Sandy Sleigh (15_.
The Northern Open, with a prize fund of £22,500, tees off on Tuesday morning with a further 18 holes on Wednesday and a 36-hole finale on Thursday.
James Byrne from Banchory is defending the title.
Former winner Greig Hutcheon, who has dominated the Tartan Tour since he won the Scottish PGA title at the end of July at Gleneagles, fancies his chance - but knows he will have to play well.
"Meldrum House, off the back tees, is quite a test and I rate it one of the best inland courses in Scotland. Whoever wins will have played well over four rounds. It is one of the weeks in the year that I really look forward to."

A MUST READ FOR ALL LOVERS OF GOLF AND GLENEAGLES

Left to right at Gleneagles: Marc Warren, Scott Jamieson, Ed Hodge and Scott Henry. Picture by  courtesy of Kenny Smith.

Jewel in the Glen

Gleneagles, Golf and the Ryder Cup

by Ed Hodge - Find out more about the author

'I have always thought Gleneagles is one of the greatest places in the world to play golf' - Jack Nicklaus
The Ryder Cup is coming back to its spiritual home. The 40th staging of golf's showpiece event is returning to Gleneagles - where it all began. Ed Hodge's book tells the intertwining stories of the Ryder Cup and of golf at Gleneagles, from the USA v GB match in 1921 that sparked a rivalry for the ages, all the way to the latest installment of an international sporting phenomenon in the 90th year of the iconic hotel.
 Tracing the history of the Ryder Cup back to that first forerunner encounter at Gleneagles in 1921, Ed Hodge interviews an array of national and international celebrities, from Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Paul McGinley, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, Bernard Gallacher and Peter Alliss to Andy Murray, Kenny Dalglish, Stephen Hendry, Gavin Hastings and Sir Jackie Stewart, revealing what Gleneagles and the Ryder Cup means to them while examining the impact that the tournament will have on the local community and the wider Scottish society, culture and economy.
With a foreword by Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer of all time and the designer of the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, as well as a hole-by-hole guide to the course by Ryder Cup legend, Colin Montgomerie, Jewel in the Glen paints a unique portrait of Gleneagles, Scottish golf and the history of the Ryder Cup.
Ed Hodge grew up in Perthshire, is a former Gleneagles caddy and employee and has enjoyed a writing relationship with the five-star resort for a number of years. A University of St Andrews modern history graduate with 11 years previous experience as a sports writer in Scotland, Ed is now PR and Media Executive for the Scottish Golf Union.
 Jewel in the Glen is his first book.
Jack Nicklaus is globally regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. Together with fellow American Arnold Palmer and South African Gary Player, known as the "Big Three", he is credited with turning golf into the major spectator sport it has become. Nicklaus was a key driver of change for the Ryder Cup, proposing the inclusion of European players to try to even up the competition after another comfortable win for the US over Great Britain in 1977; his influence will be as keenly felt at Gleneagles in 2014 after designing a number of changes to the PGA Centenary Course, where the battle for the Ryder Cup will be fought.

JOHN RIEGGER WINS ON FIFTH APPEARANCE ON CHAMPIONS TOUR

SNOQUALMIE, Washington (AP) -- John Riegger won the Boeing Classic on Sunday in his fifth Champions Tour start, holding off John Cook and Fred Couples at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.
The 50-year-old Riegger birdied three of the final four holes -- holing a 20-footer for birdie on the par-5 18th -- for a 4-under 68 and a two-stroke victory over Cook. Riegger finished at 15-under 201.
"I didn't look at the board," Riegger said. "The only person to put pressure on you is yourself. I knew these guys were great players their whole careers. Still are. I knew they were going to come out and throw some birdies at me early. I was going to play my game and I knew if I played the way I was capable of playing, things would take care of themselves."

Riegger, a two-time winner on the Web.com Tour, is the fifth rookie to win this year on the 50-and-over tour, matching a record. He won $300,000, the biggest check in his professional career.
"This is going to go down as the best win of my career," Riegger said. "It's been a long, crazy career. I've been around the world and had a little success on the PGA TOUR, European Tour, Web.com, but my game has actually gotten better the last couple years. ... I was just trying to play my game, do what I was capable of doing, play the smart percentage and that's what I did all day long."
Cook closed with a 65.
"For him to come out and not have that much experience, to do what he did down the stretch is very commendable," Cook said about Riegger.
Couples, from Seattle, was third at 11 under after a 66. He birdied the last three holes and four of the final five.
"Today it was a nice finish," Couples said. "In the middle, I had a couple (missed) putts and that was about as good as I could have shot." 

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STEWART HENDERSON WINS THIRD LANARKSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM WILLIE SHARPE

 Left to right: Stewart Henderson, Craig Longmuir and Bellshill club cpatain Jim Forester.

Stewart Henderson of Hamilton won his third County Championship today at Bellshill Golf Club. Forty seven years old Stewart has won many tournaments over the years in Lanarkshire and continues to flourish. 

Despite not playing well in his second round his great short game kept him in it and a 71 gave him a 144 total and a two shot victory over local favourite Craig Longmuir who scored 74, 72 for 146. 

First-round leader Dominic Dougan of Airdrie with 68 in the morning, including a holed bunker shot at the last, fell away to an 80 in the second round.

CSS         71     71

Leading Scores:

Stewart Henderson    Hamilton      73  71  144

Craig Longmuir             Bellshill        74  72  146

Paul Burke                    Bellshill         75  72  147

Alistair Read       Bothwell Castle    76  72  148

Declan Dooey      Colville Park         73  75  148

Dominic Dougan  Airdrie                  68  80  148

Kevin Loughrie   Cambuslang           78  71  149

John Ralston     Shotts                        75  74  149

Mark Lutton       Bellshill                    72  77  149

Derek Loudon  Hamilton                    80  70  150

Ricky Wilson     Bellshill                     76  74  150

Scott Gillespie   Cambuslang           71  79  150   

Declan Dooey won the Youth Championship with 148 on the best second round.

The leading eight available players will start the Matchplay tomorrow at Bellshill at 5pm.

Draw:

Craig Longmuir    v     Ricky Wilson

Alistair Read        v       John Ralston

Declan Dooey       v     Dominic Dougan

Paul Burke           v      Mark  Lutton    

MyGolfRanking International,

 

 24 August 2013:

1 Sean Davidson (Craigie Hill) 1200 points

2 Ben Askew (Silverdale) 1179

3 John Boag (Blairgowrie) 1173

4 Kevin Wood (Prestonfield) 1171

5 Scott Moffat (Burntisland GH) 1136

6 Lewis Blyth (Prestonfield) 1094

7 Jiles Johnson (Seacroft) 1092

8 Andrew Maiden (Montrose Mercantile) 1067

9 Chris Gamrot (Lothianburn) 1067

10 Chris Taylor (Stonehaven) 1050

11 Robert Johnstone (Dunnikier Park) 1046, 12 Frank Murray (Montrose Mercantile) 1043, 13 John Douglas (Leven Thistle) 1037, 14= Keith Taylor (Balbirnie Park) 1033, Gus Calder (Scotscraig) 1033. For up-to-date ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Regional and National Rankings and how it works, visit www.mygolfranking.net

 

 

Hi Everyone

I have attached the above MyGolfRanking table for Week 2013/33 which I would ask you to publish in its entirety in your publication.

 

This week’s MyGolfRanking Golfer of the Week is Sean Davidson of Craigie Hill Golf Club, Perth, who takes over at MyGolfRanking International No 1 from Andrew Maiden of Montrose Mercantile.

                                                                                                                                                

The MyGolfRanking Club of the Week is Kingsknowe Golf Club, Edinburgh.                   

 

For your further information.

MyGolfRanking Men, 24 August 2013: 1 Sean Davidson (Craigie Hill) 1200 points, 2 Ben Askew (Silverdale) 1179, 3 John Boag (Blairgowrie) 1173, 4 Kevin Wood (Prestonfield) 1171, 5 Scott Moffat (Burntisland GH) 1136,.

MyGolfRanking Women, 24 August 2013: 1 Emily Aird (BLairgowrie) 1010 points, 2 Joyce Mackay (Drumoig) 1004, 3= Evelyn Hamilton (Kirkcaldy) 1000, Linda McDonald (Ladybank) 1000, 5 Hilary Brown (Scotscraig) 979.

MyGolfRanking Clubs, 24 August 2013: 1 Kingsknowe 879 points, 2 Dunnikier Park 874, 3 Prestonfield 858, 4 Carluke 857, 5 Dunfermline 839.

 

David Moir

Past President
SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Hon Life President
FIFE GOLFING ASSOCIATION
Managing Director
in LEAGUE with GOLF Ltd
23 Links Road
Lundin Links
Leven
Fife KY8 6AS
Scotland

EURASIA CUP JOINS 2014 EUROPEAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE

NEWS RELEASE

The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, a new match-play event between Europe and Asia, will be part of the initial sector of The 2014 European Tour International Schedule, which was unveiled today.

Taking place at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from March 28-30, 2014, the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will be sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour, pitting ten of Europe’s leading players against a ten man team from Asia in a format similar to The Ryder Cup. 

Europe will select the leading four players available from the final Race to Dubai rankings at the conclusion of the 2013 season, the leading four players available from the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday, February 3, 2014 and two captain’s picks.

The make-up of the Asian team will include the leading four available Asian players from the final 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit, the leading three available Asian players invited on the basis of their Official World Golf Ranking and three captain’s picks.

The two captains will be chosen by The European Tour and the Asian Tour respectively and will be announce at a later date.

 

The inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will be held 15 years after the historic first event to be co-sanctioned between the two Tours, the Malaysian Open – a tournament that continues to go from strength to strength under the title sponsorship of Maybank.

 

It is one of two new events announced on the early part of the 2014 International Schedule, along with the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which takes place at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, from December 5-8, 2013.

 

With a prize fund of US$6,500,000, the Nedbank Golf Challenge will be co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour and will feature a 30-player field boasting some of the world’s leading stars.

 

It is one of seven events in South Africa on the initial sector of The 2014 Race to Dubai, which is launched with the South African Open Championship at Glendower Golf Club, Johannesburg, from November 21-24, 2013.

 

The Alfred Dunhill Championship takes place the following week, from November 28 –December 1, at Leopard Creek Golf Club, Malelane, with the Nedbank Golf Challenge completing the initial South African swing, before the second edition of The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa takes place at Mount Edgecombe CC, in Durban, from December 12-15, 2013.

 

The European Tour will then return to South Africa for the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, from February 6-9; the Africa Open at East London Golf Club, from February 13-16; and the Tshwane Open, which returns to Copperleaf Golf and Country Club, from February 27-March 2.

 

After the Volvo Golf Champions heralds the start of the 2014 calendar year from January 9-12 (venue to be confirmed), the traditional ‘desert swing’ begins with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, from January 16-19, followed by the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, from January 22-25, and culminating with the 25^th anniversary edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club, from January 30-February 2.

 

With the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club (February 19-23) and the WGC-Cadillac Championship (March 6-9) taking place in America, the global appeal of The European Tour’s initial sector is further highlighted with the return to The Race to Dubai of the Hong Kong Open, from December 5-8, 2013, and the fifth consecutive appearance of the Trophée Hassan II, in Morocco, from March 13-16, 2014.

 

Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, said: “We are delighted to announce the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM as part of our initial sector of The 2014 European Tour International Schedule, and we are all excited by the prospect of this match-play event between Europe and Asia.

 

“Our thanks go to DRB-HICOM, Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)  and  the Malaysian government for supporting this event, which extends The European Tour’s already strong partnership with the Asian Tour that dates back to 1999, when Malaysia staged the first co-sanctioned event between the two Tours.

 

“With the addition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge – one of seven events in South Africa – and the continued strength of the ‘desert swing’, including the 25^th anniversary of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, we can look forward to an outstanding start to The 2014 Race to Dubai.”

 

 

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

BLAIRGOWRIE JUNIORS REACH BELL TROPHY FINAL

Blairgowrie Junior Bell Trophy Team beat Strathmore

Golf Club 3.5 to 1.5 to reach the final of the P and

K Junior Bell Trophy, which will be held over the

Kings Course at Gleneagles next Sunday. 

Back row Rory Bayne, Paul Scott, Kieran Matthews. 

Front Cormac Sharpe and Gregor Graham. 

ADAM SCOTT WINS AS HIS RIVALS MAKE A MESS OF IT

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey -- Masters champion Adam Scott won The Barclays on Sunday after everyone around him did their best to lose it.
Scott played bogey-free at Liberty National, making only two birdies on the back nine for a 5-under 66 that put him in the mix of a crowded leaderboard at the top. Turns out he was the only one who stayed there.
"I can't believe it, to be honest," Scott said after winning the FedExCup Playoffs opener to earn 2,500 FedExCup points, moving to second in the standings behind Tiger Woods. "I just played a good round today and I came in and really didn't think it had a chance. But obviously, things went my way a lot out there."
Justin Rose had a 25-foot birdie putt for the lead, ran it 5 feet by the cup and three-putted for a bogey for a 68. Kevin Chappell had a two-shot lead through 10 holes, only to play the next seven holes in 7-over par to close with a 76.
Woods suffered a back spasm on the par-5 13th hole and hooked a fairway metal so far left that it landed in a swamp on the other side of the 15th fairway, leading to bogey. He dropped another shot on the 15th, and then gamely birdied the 16th and 17th holes to pull within one shot of Scott. Woods' putt from the back of the 18th green was one turn short of falling to force a playoff.
The last challenge came from Gary Woodland, who fell out of the lead when he hit driver on the 13th that ran into the water, leading to bogey. Woodland had birdie chances from inside 10 feet on the final three holes, and missed them all. He closed with a 73.
"I found a way to hang in there and grind it out and gave myself a chance on the back nine on Sunday, which is everything you can ask for," Woodland said.
Scott finished at 11-under 273 and moved to a career-best No. 2 in the world.
"I guess it's different playing an hour-and-a-half in front of the leaders, the guys who have been under pressure all day than when you're out there," Scott said. "I know how they feel. When the pressure is on you to close out, it's much harder, and the holes become much harder and shots are far more crucial.
"I feel like I've been given a bit of a gift," he said. "But I'll take it."
It was the second time Woods has missed a playoff by one shot at Liberty National.
Woods, Woodland and Rose shared second place with Graham DeLaet of Canada, whose 65 matched the low score of the final round. DeLaet will move up to No. 9 in the Presidents Cup standings, and with one week before qualifying ends, is in good shape to make the International team.

Camilo Villegas and Stuart Appleby sneaked inside the top 100 to advance to next week at the Deutsche Bank Championship. See which other players will move on. 
Recap
FedExCup standings
Playoffs Tracker

Woods had all four rounds in the 60s for the first time in a year on the PGA TOUR, though it wasn't enough. He battled stiffness in his lower back all week, which he attributed to a soft bed in his hotel room -- the second straight year he has had back issues from a mattress at this event.
In a brief interview with CBS Sports, he said it was "hypothetical" when asked if he would compete in the Deutsche Bank Championship, the next FedExCup Playoffs event that starts Friday at TPC Boston. The tournament gives its charity money to Woods' foundation. Woods already missed the AT&T National this year, which also benefits his foundation.
"I just got off and I'm not feeling my best right now," he said.
Rose wasn't feeling that great, either. He was in position to win the tournament with a birdie putt, and the U.S. Open champion did not want to leave it short. Instead, he knocked it by farther than he imagined, the ball stayed on the high side of the cup the whole way.
"I got too aggressive," Rose said. "I thought it was a putt to win the tournament. It's tough to take."
Scott won for the second time this year, and at least put himself into the conversation for PGA TOUR player of the year if he were to go on to win the FedExCup.
The first FedExCup Playoffs event was packed with plenty of energy on a spectacular day across from the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Five players had at least a share of the lead at some point in the final round. Woods put up a great fight despite his back injury. Scott played the final 24 holes without a bogey.
Sunday also had some of the emotions found at q-school for players whose season came to an abrupt end. And it was just as wild at the bottom. Only the top 100 players in the FedExCup advance to the second Playoffs event next week outside Boston. Geoff Ogilvy could have joined them except for missing a 2-foot par putt on the final hole that ultimately knocked him out of the top 100.

Camilo Villegas, at No. 110, thought he needed a 6-foot par putt on the last hole to advance. He missed it and was visibly angry. More than an hour later, Aaron Baddeley appeared to be a lock to advance to Boston despite being at No. 119. Baddeley, however, bogeyed his last three holes, missing a 5-foot par putt on the 18th. That knocked him out and put Villegas back in at No. 100.
Scott didn't miss anything. He made three straight birdies on the front nine, got into the mix with a 10-foot birdie on the 14th, and then chose to lay up with an iron on the 16th hole, which played about 290 yards.
 He holed a 15-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead, never realizing he would be there by himself when it was over.
He was on the practice range, looking at a video board of Woodland's last birdie attempt, lwhen he saw the miss.
"It was a good charge, but obviously I got a lot of luck, the guys struggled coming in," Scott said. "I've been in their position, too. It's hard getting it done and I was playing from a position of nothing to lose today."

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HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS ROUND-UP

Hugh Hunter (right), president of Clackmannan County Golf Union, presents the county championship trophy to Ian Ross (Alloa). Also in picture, left to right, Allan Watson (Braehead), John Maxwell (Tulliallan) and Andrew Main (Alloa).

ROSS TAKES COUNTY TITLE

Eighteen years after taking his first Clackmannan County Championship, Alloa’s Ian Ross continued his Autumn Meeting success, winning the 2013 title with several rivals close behind. 
In the first round his one under par 70 was a model of steadiness with two 3’s and sixteen 4’s, and tied him with fellow Alloa player Ian Guthrie.   
In the second round Ross was two shots worse but his rivals came close but just couldn’t match his aggregate of 142.  Best efforts came from John Maxwell and Andrew Main with sub 70 scores of 68 and 69.
Four players tied on 143 with the two prizes available going to the better second rounds.  Best handicap prize went to home player Andrew Main.

Ian Ross will go forward along with Allan Watson (the County Match play Champion) to represent the Clackmannanshire in the 2014 Champion of Champions event at Leven.

There was a disappointing low entry, made worse by several call offs including some who showing some discourtesy couldn’t be bothered to notify the organisers … maybe an unwelcome sign of the times.

  LEADING RESULTS
.Par 142 (2x71)   CSS Round 71 71 (Home and Visitors)

1.  I. Ross (Alloa) 142 (70, 72)

2.  J Maxwell (Tulliallan) 143   (75, 68)

3.  A Watson (Braehead) 143 (73, 70)

4.  R Benvie (Braehead) 143 (72, 71)

5.  I R Guthrie (Alloa)   143 (70, 73)

6.  A Main (Alloa) 144 (75, 69)

7.  A Scotland (Alloa) 149 (77, 72)

8.  D Hulston (Dollar) 150 (74, 76)

9.  C Philp (Alloa) 154 (77, 77)

10 D Beaton (Braehead) 158 (76, 82)

11 R Alexander (Braehead) 160 (83,77)

In the team event to decide the Clackmannan County Representative in the Scottish Club Championship to be held at Luffness late in September,  Alloa won by a few shots from Braehead.

                   

                              TULLIALLAN WIN FOR ROSS

  In the Clackmannan Autumn Meeting played at Tulliallan recently in difficult wet conditions. With both divisions playing over the one course, visitors took the scratch prizes and locals took the lion’s share of the handicap prizes Best scratch scores were par 69’s from Ian Ross and Ross Benvie on while J Mercer was the best handicap on a net 69. 

  FULL RESULTS
Par 69 CSS 70

Div 1 (Scr-12)
SCRATCH  
1. I Ross (Alloa) 69    (BIH)

2. R Benvie (Braehead) 69.

HANDICAP
1.  A Scotland (Alloa)   67 net

2. D Beaton (Braehead) 69

3. C Turner (Tulliallan) 69

 Div 2  ( 13-28) 
 1 J Mercer (Tulliallan)   69 (net)

 2. S Kennedy (Tulliallan) 70

 3. I McCall (Tulliallan)  70

 4. D Saunders (Tulliallan) 72

 AGGREGATE TROPHIES

  In the Harrower Trophy which is the best scratch aggregate from the Spring , Summer and Autumn meetings, Braehead’s Ross Benvie on 216 won by a single shot from Ian Ross on 217.

  In the 2013 Order of Merit trophy, and after the County Championship, Allan Watson (Braehead) who holds a huge lead is the provisional winner with only the Dollar Open results to come.

                            COUNTY SUCCESS AT MUCKHART

  Wee County golfers quickly stamped their authority on the new Midland Alliance season, taking prizes at Muckhart last week. Top performer was Alloa’s Michael Niven, showing some of his former prowess on the course when he took the top handicap prize with a net 65… indeed his 72 scratch was the fourth best of the day.
The winning scratch score of 66 came from former Alloa golf professional Paul Brookes, now at Pitreavie. 
Fellow Alloa member Chris Westland took the second handicap and although out of the prize list, credit must go to Harry Salmond (Tulliallan) (4th) and Andy McLeod (Alloa) (5th). 
This week's Midland Alliance event is at Blairgowrie.

                                 MORE SUCCESS FOR SCOTT

In the North of Scotland Championship held at Nairn at the weekend, Dollar’s Scott Borrowman had a runner up finish in the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit event. 
After two rounds, Scott was eight shots behind Jack McDonald; he then pulled back to be within three shots, but with a second 66, Jack won the title comfortably by seven shots.  
The result should move Scott (the 2012 holder) up the Order of Merit where he currently lies 13th.

  LEADING FINAL SCORES 
  1  Jack McDonald 274 (69, 66, 73, 66)

  2 Scott Borrowman 281 (72, 71, 68, 70)

                         

                                 CALL UP FOR EILIDH

Congratulations to Muckhart member Eilidh Watson from Dollar who has been named as second reserve for the Ladies Home Internationals to be played at Scotscraig from 11th to 13th September. Eilidh recently won the North of Scotland U18 girls title at Deeside.

                      LOCAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

   Saturday 31st August—Open Greensomes   Braehead

   Sunday 1st September - Mixed Open Alva; Westland Trophy   Alloa