AIDAN, LOUISE ARE SCOTTISH SCHOOLS

INDIVIDUAL GOLF CHAMPIONS

 

Leading boys' prizewinners at Murrayshall. Left to right: Lewis Irvine, Aidan O'Hagan, Sebastian Sandin, Ruben Lindsay. Picture courtesy of Nigel Pennie.


By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Aidan O'Hagan (Renfrewshire) and Louise Duncan (North Ayrshire) won the individual scratch titles at the Scottish schools golf championships at Murrayshall near Perth today (Monday).

O'Hagan, a member at Old Ranfurly Golf Club, had scores of 70 and 72  for a total of 142 - four strokes ahead of the boys' section runner-ups Sebastian Sandin (Stirling and Dunblane New GC) and Lewis Irvine (Glasgow and Kirkhill GC) who both had rounds of 75 and 71 for 146.

South Ayrshire (Cameron Johnstone and Ruben Lindsay) won the boys' team title with a total of 297, only one shot ahead of runners-up Fife (John Paterson and Ben Caton).

West Kilbride GC member Louise Duncan won the girls' title with steady scores of 73 and 72 for 145, which gave her a five-stroke margin over runner-up Lorna McClymont (West Dunbartonshire and Milngavie GC) (70-80) with Molly Richmond (South Lanarkshire) and Strathaven GC) third on 154 (74-80).

The girls' handicap section was won by Jodie Taylor (Dundee City) with a net total of 147 (70-77) off 10.

Megan Ashley (Perth and Kinross and Strathmore GC), playing off five, was second on 150 (73-77) and Zoe Morton (Forth Valley and Auchterarder Gc), playing off six, finished third on 151 (75-76).

The girls' team event was won by Lanarkshire with a total of 323. Their representatives were Molly Richmond and Eilidh Crawford.

Dunbartonshire (Megan Docherty and Lorna McClymont) were second, only one shot behind on 324, with Perth and Kinross (Katy Alexander and Christine Wietrzyk) third on 325.

Leading girls' prizewinners at Murrayshall. Left to right: Louise Duncan, Lorna  McClymont, Molly Richmond, Jodie Taylor. Picture by courtesy of Nigel Pennie.



 

THE RandA STAGES BOTH WOMEN’S AND MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME

 

RandA NEWS RELEASE 

More than 400 of the world’s leading men’s and women’s amateur golfers will tee it up in two of the game’s most prestigious championships this month, the 114^th Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship and the 122^nd Men's British Open Amateur Championship.

The Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship gets underway tomorrow at Pyle and Kenfig in South Wales and concludes on Saturday. It is followed by the Men's British Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s and Prince’s in Kent from  June 19-24.

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R&A said, “We look forward to staging these two great championships for the first time since our merger with the Ladies’ Golf Union and it will be fascinating to watch the world’s leading men’s and women’s amateur golfers compete on three of Great Britain and Ireland’s finest links courses.

"There will be some outstanding golf on display from potential stars of the future at both events. I would encourage spectators to take advantage of the free admission and enjoy these world-renowned events.”

The Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship will be contested by 144 competitors from 24 countries, including 33 players ranked in the Top 100 of the WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING™ (WAGR™). A total of 86 players will travel from overseas from countries such as Germany, Sweden and the United States while 58 players from Great Britain and Ireland will compete in the championship.

Julia Engstrom, pictured, at the age of 15, made history last year by defeating Dewi Weber on the first extra hole to become the youngest ever winner of the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship last year at DundonaldLinks and will defend her title on the South Wales coast this week.

The Swede will be joined by several of the world’s leading women’s amateur golfers, including Ireland’s Leona Maguire, who currently holds the number one position in the WAGR™, and is bidding to win the women’s McCormack Medal for a record-equalling third successive year.

Olivia Mehaffey, who recently led Arizona State University to a win over Northwestern in the final of the NCAA Division One title at Rich Harvest Farms, St Rule Trophy winner and beaten finalist in the "Scottish" at Royal Aberdeen last week Clara Young, Scottish Women's Amateur champion Connie Jaffrey and Linnea Strom, runner-up in the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship in 2015 and a Junior Ryder Cup player in 2014, are also players to watch. 

Five RandA Foundation scholars, including current RandA Foundation Scholar Tournament champion Emily Toy, feature in the starting field. 

The winner of the Ladies’ British Amateur Championship will earn a place in the 2017 US Women’s Open next month and the Ricoh Women’s British Open being played in August at Kingsbarns, near St Andrews. Previous winners include Anna Nordqvist, Georgia Hall, Catriona Matthew and Carlota Ciganda.

The first stage of the championship comprises two qualifying rounds of stroke play before the leading 64 players progress to the match-play stage. Each match will consist of one round of 18 holes including the Final.

The men's British Open Amateur Championship continues to attract the most international field in the men’s amateur game, with 288 competitors from 40 countries.

Almost two thirds of the field (65%), from 36 countries, will travel to the south-east of England from as far afield as Australia, China, South Africa and the United States. A total of 100 players from Great Britain and Ireland will compete, including 51 golfers from host nation England.

Several members of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squad will feature, including last year’s beaten finalist Robert MacIntyre (pictured left) from Glencruitten GC, Oban, who is the highest-ranked player in the field (No.6 in WAGR™), 2016 Australian Amateur champion Connor Syme, Spanish International Amateur winner Jack Davidson and Alfie Plant, who won the Lytham Trophy last year.

GB and I captain Craig Watson, who won The Amateur at Royal St George's in 1997, will play in the championship as an exempt past champion.

Newly crowned St Andrews Links Trophy champion Matthew Jordan is set to be among the contenders, while the 2017 Latin America Amateur Champion Toto Gana, 2015 Boys Amateur Champion Marcus Svensson and Alejandro Aguilera, who finished runner-up in the Boys Amateur Championship at Muirfield last year, are other notable entrants. 

Fourteen R and A Foundation scholars, including the winner of this year’s R and A Foundation Scholars Tournament, Stuart Grehan, are also included in the starting field. 

The reward for the winner of The Amateur Championship is a place in The 146^th Open at Royal Birkdale in July and the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Traditionally, the Amateur Champion is also invited to compete in the Masters Tournament.

Several Champion Golfers of the Year have played in The Amateur Championship over the years including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Louis Oosthuizen, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson. 2017 Masters Champion Sergio Garcia won The Amateur at Muirfield in 1998.

The first stage of the championship comprises two qualifying rounds of stroke play, one round on each course, before the 64 players with the lowest scores and ties for 64th place progress to the match play stage at Royal St George’s. Each match will consist of one round of 18 holes except the Final which will be over 36 holes.

Bathgate GC Pro-Am tee times Bathgate Golf Club Saturday, June 24 1 8:00 David Stein, Ranfurly Castle GC 1 8:10 James McGhee, Swanston New GC 1 8:20 Cameron Marr, Musselburgh GC 1 8:30 Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst GC 1 8:40 Jonathan Sharp, Carrick on L Lomond 1 8:50 Graham Forbes, Mar Hall Hotel 1 9:00 Andrew Marshall, Houston GR 1 9:10 Vincent Brown, L G Ministries 1 9:20 Gavin Cook, Elie Links 1 9:30 Christopher McMaster, Downfield GC 1 9:40 Greg Miller, Royal Cinque Ports GC 1 9:50 Scott Clelland, Hayston GC 1 10:00 Calum Allison, Glenbervie GC 1 10:10 Norman Huguet, Musselburgh GC 1 10:20 David-Ross Nicol, Dundonald Links 1 10:30 Stephen Gray, Lanark GC 1 10:40 Gareth Hardy, Prestwick St N GC 1 10:50 Jonathan Lomas, Caprington GC 1 11:00 Steven O'Hara, N Lanarkshire Leisure  1 11:10 Greig Hutcheon, PLGC Inchmarlo 1 11:20 Paul McKechnie, Braid Hills GR 1 11:30 Christopher Currie, Caldwell GC 1 11:40 Paul O'Hara, N Lanarkshire Leisure   1 11:50 Gareth Wright, West Linton GC 1 12:00 Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club 1 12:10 Graham Fox, Clydeway Golf 1 12:20 Alastair Forsyth, Mearns Castle GA 1 12:30 Scott Henderson, Kings Links GC 1 12:40 Gavin Hay, Grantown-on-Spey GC 1 12:50 Neil Fenwick, Dunbar GC 1 1:00 Louis Gaughan, Bathgate GC 1 1:10 Robert Arnott, Bishopbriggs GR 1 1:20 Graeme Brown, Montrose Links  1 1:30 Michael Kanev, Bruntsfield Links  1 1:40 Ross Cameron, Saltire Energy 1 1:50 Michael Patterson, Kilmacolm GC 1 2:00 Jason McCreadie, Largs GC 1 2:10 Samuel Binning, Mearns Castle GA 1 2:20 Fraser Rummins, Canmore GC 1 2:30 Cameron Adam, Harburn GC

Duncan and McLean in top 10 after Day 1 of


Austerlitz Classic


Two North-east professionals, Kevin Duncan (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) and Peterhead's Philip McLean were in the top 10 at the end of the first round in the Pro Golf Tour's Austerlitz Classic I the Czech Republic.
Duncan had an eagle 3 and four birdies in compiling a five-under-par 67, four behind the leader by three, Peter Valasek (Slovenia).
McLean also had an eagle 3 and three birdies for a 68 and a joint ninth placing.
Three other players from the North-east, Sam Kiloh (Portlethen), Ross Cameron (Peterhead) and Chris Robb (Meldrum House) had scores of 70 71 and 72 respectively to be T19, T28 and T34 in a field of 95 players.


FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
63 P Valasek (Cze)
66 S Gautier (Fra)
67 K Duncan (Sco), A Leitmannstetter (Ger), T Gissurarson (Ice), M Walz (Ger), F Beeka (Ger), F Fleer (Ger).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
70 S Kiloh (T19).
71 R Cameron (T28).
72 C Robb (T34)
74 A Culverwell (T50).




To view all the scores
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Belhaven Best Captain and Secretaries' tournament regional eliminator

Hollandbush pair head qualifiers at Prestonfield


Hollandbush Golf Club's Gordon Brown and Mark Cairnie led the eight qualifying pairs at today's Belhaven Best Captains and Secretaries tournament regional qualifying round 2 at Prestonfield Golf Club.
They headed a field of 68 players with a round of 68. The first eight clubs, with scores from 68 to 70,  qualified to advance to the Grand Final later in the season.


QUALIFIERS
68 Hollandbush GC (G Brown, M Cairnie).
69 Burntisland Golf House Club (A D McPherson, A Maxwell), Charleton Members GC (J Davidson, A Paterson), Harrison GC (R Ackroyd, C Hutcheson), Brora (A Gill, K Lorimer), West Linton GC (S M Mackay, P Drury).
70 Logie GC (G Urquhart, K O'Neill), Prestonfield (A McEwan, S Noble).
LEADING NON-QUALIFIERS
71 Niddry Castle GC, Ratho Park GC, Crail GS.
72 Harburn GC, Craigmillar Park GC, Burntisland GC, Lochview GC, Register House GC, Lochend GC
73 Taymouth Castle GC, Royal Burgess GS, Aegon GC, Winterfield GC.
74 Thorntree


TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
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Grant's Foods Tartan Tour senior pros' better-ball pairs

McAllister and Niven swoop to conquer


with a seven-under 63 at Buchanan Castle


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Stephen McAllister (S McAllister Golf) and Gordon Niven (Ping) came with a late swoop to win the Grant's Foods Tartan Tour senior pros better-ball pairs tournament at Buchanan Castle Golf Club today.
They dovetailed their games well to shoot a seven-under-63 to win the top prize of £400.
Runners-up Brian Marchbank and Ronan Rafferty, both unattached, also started near the end of the field and, like McAllister and Niven, they forged the long-time clubhouse leaders, Craig Imlah (Craigielaw) and Steven Dunsmore (Falkirk Tryst) to post a 64 round the 6,131yd par-70 course. They earned £250,
Imlah and Dunsmore eventually were relegated to third place with 67 and earned £200.
Two pairs on 68 completed the prize list, Keith Baxter (Buchanan Castle) and Alastair McLean (Duddingston), and Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) and Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie Golf Links. Each pair earned £75.
GRANT FOOTS PGA IN SCOTLAND SENIOR BETTER-BALL PAIRS TOURNAMENT
Buchanan Castle Golf Club
Par 70. Yardage: 6,131
63 S McAllister (S McAllister Golf) and G Niven (Ping) (£400).
64 Brian Marchbank (unatt) and Ronan Rafferty (unatt) (£250).
67 C Imlah (Craigielaw) and S Dunsmore (Falkirk Tryst) (£200)
68 K Baxter (Buchanan Castle) and A McLean (Duddingston), S Savage (Dalmuir) and L Mann (Carnoustie Links (£75 per pair).
69 R Bowman (unatt) and C Elliott (Haggs Castle).
70 N Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) and Paul Brookes (Pitreavie), G Forbes (Murcar Links) and F Coutts (Deeside).
73 J Montgomery (Dunbar) and S Craig (Craig Golf 79), A White (Lanark) and Billy Marchbank (Crieff).
79 K Kelly (unatt) and S Kelly (Buchanan Castle).








CLICK HERE

 

Wednesday's Aberdeen Links championship quarter-finals:

CHAMPIONSHIP 

4.47 D Oliver (C) v C Ross (N).

4.54 B Innes (Murcar Links) v N Mitchell (BA).

5.01 B Reid (C) v B Edmond (BA).

5.08 M Greig (BA) v R Davidson (C).

HANDICAP SHIELD

5.15 G Meade (C) (6) v A Sheldrick (C) (9).

5.22 J Thomas (BA) (4) v D Smith (Portlethen) (5).

5.29 A Doig (C) (4) v G Robertson (N) (5).

5.36 D Forbes (C) (8) v J Gray (C) (7).

MURRAY CUP

 

5.43 R Grieve (BA) (12) v J Forrest (N) (12).

5.50 A Shirreffs (N) (12) v R Duncan (BA) (13).

5.57 P Kane (Murcar Links)(10) v S Kelly (BA) (10).

6.04 B Smith(C) (10) v N Stewart (N) (14).

Abbreviations:

BA Bon Accord

C  Caledonian

N  Northern

USA beat Europe 19.5-10.5 in Palmer


Cup match in Georgia


KEVIN CASEY REPORTING
GOLFWEEK.COM
After an incredible Saturday singles session, Team USA had all but locked up the Arnold Palmer Cup transatlantic students' Ryder Cup style match against Europe. The Americans indeed put on the finishing touches the following day.
The U.S. cruised to a 19.5-10.5 victory over Europe on Sunday at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, to earn back the Palmer Cup. The home team dominated Saturday singles with a stunning 9.5 out of 10 points to enter Sunday with a 14.5-5.5 lead. All the Americans had to do was earn one point in Sunday singles to close this out.
No problem. Norman Xiong buried Harry Hall, 8 and 7, in the first match out to secure the cup for the U.S. From there, it just came down to how much the home team would win by.
American former World No 1 amateur Maverick McNealy took down Rory Franssen from Inverness in his own 8 and 7 one-way traffic victory.
Doug Ghim (4-0 for the weekend) beat Irishman Stuart Grehan 2 and 1. Nick Hardy defeated Harry Ellis 3 and 2, and Sean Crocker bettered David Wicks by the same margin.
That was five points for the U.S.A with Europe matching that total in Sunday singles. Europe's wins against the tide came from Viktor Hovland who defeated Jimmy Stanger 3 and 2, Kristoffer Ventura who beat Sam Burns and Fredrik Nilehn who got the better of Collin Morikawa, both by 2 and 1 margins.
Richard Mansell scored a 2-hole win over John Coultas, and Hannes Ronneblad was a 2 and-1 winner over Chandler Phillips.
The U.S.A. 19.5-10.5 victory outdid Europe’s 18.5-11.5 triumph at last year’s Arnold Palmer Cup at Formby Golf Club in Lancashire. The nine-point margin is the largest since the Americans’ 20.5-9.5 shellacking in 2013. This result also marked the seventh straight year by the home team won this event.
The U.S. now leads the overall series 11-9-1.
As is custom, one player from the event was selected by his peers to earn an exemption in to the following year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. The golfer earning that invitation is the one players from both teams feel best represents the values with which Arnold Palmer took through his life.
American Collin Morikawa received that honour this time, meaning the exemption into the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational. It actually won’t be Morikawa’s first start on Tour, as the incoming California junior missed the cut at the 2016 Safeway Open.
Morikawa previously tied for second – losing in a playoff – at last year’s Air Capital Classic on the Web.com Tour.
This was the last Arnold Palmer Cup in its current iteration.
Starting in 2018, the competition will shift to U.S. vs. Internationals squad, with each team having 12 male and 12 female golfers.
Next year’s matches will take place at Evian Resort Golf Club in France.