LANARKSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

COUNTY SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP and HANDICAP COMPETITION

COLVILLE PARK GOLF CLUB – MONDAY 4^TH JUNE 2018.

　

Competitors must report to the Recorder 15 mins prior to their starting time.

Competitors are reminded that jeans, denim trousers, trainers, collarless or sleeveless shirts, shell suits are not permitted in the clubhouse or on the course. Distance measuring devices ARE allowed.

8.00 L INNES (Colville Park),  R CLOSE (Bothwell Castle), K LUTTON (Bellshill).                       
8.07 J EWING (Shotts), J RALSTON (Shotts), I STEVEN (Easter Moffat).
8.15 K WILL (Strathclyde Park),  A ELLISON (Strathclyde Park),  G GRAY (Colville Park).
8.22 J HAMILTON (Hamilton),  D CARDWELL  (Hamilton)
8.30 R McCRUM (Dalziel Park),  W KERR (Strathaven), D IRVING (Colville Park)

9.30 S FORREST (East Kilbride),  J COLLIGAN (Colville Park),  T KEMP (Colville Park).
9.37 R McINNES (Shotts) and partners.
9.45 J GREEN (Kirkhill), N DOUGLAS (Hamilton), G NEILSON (Hamilton).
9.52 J DONNELLY (Kirkhill),  S McGREGOR (Kirkhill), S KENWARD (Hamilton).

10.00 B CLEMENTS (Kirkhill), T WATT (Kirkhill), E S SOMERVILLE (Shotts)
10.07 B MACKINTOSH (Kirkhill), J BREWSTER (Kirkhill),  G COWAN (Shotts)
10.15 M DOCHERTY (Kirkhill), T OSPREY (Kirkhill), D MILLER (Torrance House).
10.22 C ARROL (Kirkhill), T MacNIVEN (Kirkhill), Ray JONES (Torrance House).
10.30 R WYLIE (Kirkhill), A BYRNE (Kirkhill), I FORREST (Kirkhill).
10.37 T DUNCAN (Kirkhill), Ed SMITH (Kirkhill), G GRAY (Torrance House).
10.45 A MELLIN (Kirkhill) and partners
10.52 H McGHEE (Drumpellier), R GRAY (Drumpellier), I McWHIRTER (Drumpellier)

11.00 Iain RAE (Kirkhill), C SCOTT (Kirkhill), M MURRAY (Torrance House).
11.07 Alby SCOTT (Kirkhill),  J McCLUSKEY (Kirkhill), J BLACKWOOD (Torrance House)
11.15 G SHANKS (Drumpellier), K McLEAN (Drumpellier), IAN SHORT (Torrance House).
11.22 I WILES (Drumpellier),  J MacMANUS (Drumpellier), W CLARK (Torrance House)
11.30 R DICKSON (Torrance House) and partners.
11.37 J DAVIDSON (Colville Park), R BARNES (East Kilbride)

12.00 G SEMPLE (Colville Park), W DICKIE (Bellshill), M ROWAN (Colville Park)

12.52 A MURPHY (Kirkhill), IAN RANKIN (Colville Park)  

1.00 F CRAIG (Hamilton), H MILLAR (Larkhall

1.07 W MATHIESON (Hamilton), G BROOKS (Hollandbush)
1.15 W BURTON (Hamilton), J GALLACHER (Larkhall)
1.22 J MILES (Larkhall), B FINDLAY (Larkhall).
1.30 J LEGGATE (Hamilton),  A LOVE (Larkhall)
1.38 B WILLIAMSON (Larkhall), R LOCKHART (Shotts)
1.52 B MacFARLANE (Easter Moffat),  A GRANT (Strathaven)

 

Only four Scots survive EuroPro Tour cut 

By JAKE ASHBY

Billy Spooner shot a course record in the second round of the  PGA EuroPro Tour’s Matchroom Sport Championship at Harleyford Golf Club today.

 

Spooner (Boston West Golf Club) started the day three shots off the lead after carding a solid 69 opening round but finished the second round a shot clear of his nearest rival with a stunning 64 (-8) for 133. The previous record held at the club was made by European Tour’s Tyrrell Hatton, one of Harleyford’s own and a former EuroPro member, who shot 65 as an amateur in 2011.

 

On his bogey-free round, Spooner said: “I started off pretty well but still missed three good chances from seven feet. I stayed patient though, kept going and got some momentum in my game.”

 

Patience paid off as Billy’s round developed from okay to outstanding with back-to-back eagles on the 9^th and 10^th holes – both par 5’s nonetheless. He said: “After picking up four shots in two holes and knowing I was in the mix for the lead, I tried my best not to think about it. I took it a shot at a time and talked things through with my caddie as usual.”

 

A further two birdies not only cemented his spot at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round, but also the Harleyford history books. He said: “It feels amazing, it is a brilliant course in great condition and I’m really happy to have that accolade.”

 

A cut to the leading 50 players and ties has now been made, with those two-under par or better proceeding to the final round, after which the winner will take home £10,000.

Only four Scots with 36-hole tallies of 142 and better survived the cut - Craig Ross (66-70 for 136 and a T4 position, three behind Spooner); Danny Young (73-68 for 141 and T36 alongside Paul McKechnie (70-71); and Jordan McColl (71-71 for 142, the limit mark.
The Scots who did not qualify for the third round were:
143 Neil Henderson 73 70, Sam Kiloh 71 72, Lawrence Allan 68 75 and Craig Lawrie 72 71.
146 Michael Stewart 72 74
147 Ryan Campbell 72 75
148 Lloyd Saltman 72 76, Jamie Savage 72 76.
149 John Henry 74 75
151 Alan Sutherland 73 77, Sean Lawrie 76 75
152 Conor O'Neil 81 71
150 Lee Morgan 78 81

Highlights of the Matchroom Sport Championship will air on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday, June 12.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Murcar Links beat Bon Accord 3-2 at the Links

Murcar Links beat Bon Accord 3-2 in this evening's Aberdeen Pennant League match at the King's Links.
The Murcar men established a winning lead by taking the first three games for a 3-0 advantage but Bon Accord regained some pride by winning the last two games.
Details:
BON ACCORD 2, MURCAR LINKS 3
Bon Accord names first
Matty Smith and Mark Greig lost to Corin Stewart and Neil Sadler 3 and 2

Graeme Somers and Chris Somers lost to Adrian Styles and Bryan Innes 5 and 4

Matty Greig and Matty Dunn lost to Ronnie Brechin and Anthony Bews 2 and 1

Davie Leslie and Allan Strath bt Kenny Gunnyeon and Gregor Stewart 3 and 2

Barrie Edmond and Ross Allerton bt Ryan Sharp and Jim Henderson 6 and 5

The Aberdeen Pennant League is sponsored by the Douglas Hotel's Molly's Bistro and Malone's Irish Bar at their Market Street premises.

Recap of first week's results:

SECTION A
Nigg Bay 4, Caledonian 1
Stonehaven 1.5, Royal Aberdeen 3.5

SECTION B
Auchmill 1, Portlethen 4.
Peterculter 4, Hazlehead 1

SECTION C
Bon Accord 2, Murcar Links 3
Craibstone 4, Banchory 1

WEEK 2 FIXTURES

TUESDAY, JUNE 5
A - Royal Aberdeen v Northern
B - Newmachar v Auchmill, Portlethen v Peterculter
C - Deeside v Craistone, Murcar Links v Banchory

THURSDAY, JUNE 7
A - Caledonian v Stonehaven

Rock, Canter, Sterne share Italian Open lead with 63s

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Robert Rock, Laurie Canter and Richard Sterne made the most of the scoreable conditions at Gardagolf Country Club to share the lead after the first round of the Italian Open.

Canter and Rock capitalised with rounds of 63 to set the target at eight under and after an hour and 19 minutes'  play was lost in the afternoon due to storms in the area, it looked like none of the afternoon starters could catch them.

Enter six-time European Tour winner Sterne, who carded a total of ten birdies - including three on the bounce at the end of his round - to make it a three-way tie at the top.

There was then a group of nine players with 22 European Tour wins between then at six under, made up of Englishmen Ross Fisher, Charlie Ford, Matt Wallace and Danny Willett, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, American Daniel Im, Dane Thorbjørn Olesen, Belgian Thomas Pieters and South African Erik van Rooyen.

Canter is looking for his first European Tour title after coming through the Qualifying School the last three seasons, while Rock is seeking win number three at the event where he claimed his maiden victory seven years ago.

Home favourite Francesco Molinari - a two-time winner of this event – is three shots off the pace at five under in the chasing pack as he searches for back-to-back Rolex Series titles.

Player Quotes

Robert Rock: “I had a provisional ball off the second tee, both were in trouble and casual water saved me with the first one, turned into a bogey, and then nine holes I think in possibly 26 shots, which I've not done before.

“So any time you do something like that, you feel a bit lucky, and managed to progress on after that and make a couple more birdies and we end up at eight under.

“The course is soft and fairways are playing a bit wider because it's just landing and stopping, and on the greens you have to hole some putts. I holed some sort of the usual, solid birdie putts and holed a couple of bonus ones as well, so that was pretty cool.

“It’s nice to come to a tournament that's got a lot of history to it and nice to see your name on the board somewhere. It means a lot. Ten years to win my first event, so hopefully I get to play this for a few more years, anyway, but I'll always remember this one best I think.”

Richard Sterne: “It was lovely. The course is playing nice, giving a lot of opportunities, so you've got to take them. I saw a lot of guys shoot quite low this morning. The greens were a bit bumpy this afternoon but it was probably one of the best putting days I've had in many a year, so it was nice.

“It makes the course a bit more accessible. The greens could be pretty quick here if it was firm, but as I said they are pretty soft, so you can get close, and the par fives are reachable. So it takes the long hitters out of play and everybody can attack this week.

“Last week was unfortunate. This week, I've just putted a lot better. It's a strange game, you make a couple of putts here and there, and you have a good day like today and last week hopefully is all forgotten.

“I haven't done well in any of the Rolex Series to be honest. It would be nice to put in a couple solid rounds. It's a long way to go, only day one. Hopefully put some solid rounds together.”

Laurie Canter: “I just got the shots really close, and then a nice shot from the left semi into the par five seventh, a straight forward eagle putt, and kind of just happened. Nothing was forced. It was there, and I hit some nice shots and it kind of just all happened.

“I've had times in the past where I've got two under, three under, four under par and as good as that is out here, that doesn't often make that much of a dent. I think you've got to just try and stay out of your own way as much as possible, and you know, keep focusing on that next shot, the old clichés, everyone falls back on them and that's all I try to do.

“I just got a call Sunday night, a Member of the European Tour staff was up late on a bank holiday Sunday and he gave me a ring and said, "You're into the event." That was a nice bonus. I was just putting some meat on the barbeque. I was over the moon.

“It is a great opportunity for the guys in the Q-School category to get into those Rolex Series Events. You try and play your best every event, but obviously it's nice if you do get into an event like this and you put yourself in a position to play well and have a good finish come Sunday.”

Round One Scores

par 71

63 L Canter (Eng); R Sterne  (SAf); R Rock (Eng)
65 M Wallace (Eng); D Willett  (Eng); C Ford (Eng); E Van Rooyen (SAf); T Pieters  (Belgium); R Fisher (Eng); R Cabrera Bello (Spn); T Olesen (Denmark).
66 W Ormsby (Australia); M Manassero (Ita); D Im (USA); J Donaldson (Wal); C Shinkwin (Eng); L Westwood (Eng); M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra); G McDowell  (Nir); D Fichardt (SAf); M Fitzpatrick  (Eng); F Molinari (Ita); L Slattery (Eng);
67 C Wood  (Eng); R Evans  (Eng); R Ramsay  (Sco); D Frittelli (SAf); D Brooks (Eng); J Smith (Eng); J Kruyswijk (SAf); A Sullivan (Eng); I Poulter (Eng); H Tanihara (Jpn); E Pepperell (Eng); A Romero (Arg); M Schwab  (Austria); A Rai (Eng); J Morrison  (Eng); A Chesters  (Eng); J Scrivener (Australia).
68 T Fleetwood  (Eng); J Campillo (Esp); G Havret  (Fra); J Lagergren (Swe); H Li  (China); M Jiménez (Esp); C Syme  (Sco); O Fisher  (Eng); L Gagli  (Ita); L Bjerregaard  (Den); M Kaymer (Ger); A Levy (Fra); A Otaegui  (Esp); J Dantorp (Swe); A Saddier (Fra); P Hanson (Swe); J Geary  (Nzl); S Hend (Aus); M Warren (Sco); D Lipsky (USA); D Drysdale (Sco); B Dredge (Wal); P Waring  (Eng); J Wang (SKor); M Korhonen (Fin); R Jacquelin (Fra)
69 A Johnston (Eng); C Sordet  (Fra); N Bertasio (Ita); A Connelly (Can); D Howell (Eng); S Jamieson  (Sco); S Gallacher (Sco); S Horsfield (Eng); T Detry  (Bel); N Elvira  (Esp); J Winther (Den); L Cianchetti (Ita); F Zanotti (Par); P Khongwatmai (Tha); B Stone (SAf); P Larrazábal (Spn); J Norris (Australia); R Fox (Nzl); T Aiken (SAf); A Pavan (Ita); T Immelman  (SAf); P Dunne (Irl); P Widegren  (Swe); M Kinhult (Swe)
70 S Brazel (Aus); R Karlsson (Swe); G Fernandez - Castaño  (Esp); F Aguilar (Chi); A Wu (Chn); G Bourdy (Fra); P Oriol (Esp); S Lee (SKor); D Burmester (RSA); A Noren  (Swe); G Coetzee (SAf); R McGowan  (Eng); J Guerrier  (Fra); L Jensen (Den); S Kjeldsen (Den); A Bland (Aus); B Rumford (Aus); R Bland (Eng); H Porteous (SAf); B Hebert  (Fra); M Ilonen  (Finland).

71 M Southgate  (Eng); R Wattel  (Fra); M Kieffer (Ger); F Bergamaschi (Ita); S Gros (Fra); S Heisele (Ger); J Choi (SKor); S Fernandez  (Esp); M Foster (Eng); F Laporta (Ita); R Cho (Kor); C Hanson (Eng); G Green  (Mas); A Quiros  (Esp); T Jaidee (Tha); S Brown (Eng); P Harrington (Irl); A Björk (Swe); C Paisley  (Eng)

72 C Koepka (USA); M Siem  (Ger); A Dodt (Aus); D Horsey (Eng); R Gouveia (Por); G Migliozzi  (Ita); T Hatton (Eng); C Pigem  (Esp); J Heath  (Eng); M Pavon (Fra)

73 P Angles  (Esp); R Paratore (Ita); B Neil (Sco); S Chawrasia (Ind); C Bezuidenhout (SAf).

74 N Colsaerts  (Bel); J Vecchi Fossa  (Ita); N Geyger (Chi); E Di Nitto  (Ita); T Pulkkanen  (Fin); M Fraser (Australia).

 75 F Maccario (Ita); M Baldwin (Eng)

 76 E Molinari  (Ita)

 77 O Farr (Wales).

 78 Z Lombard  (SAf)

Carly Booth takes 12 shots at a par-5 hole in France

By BETHAN CUTLER

Evian-les-Bains, France – Ana Menendez of Mexico held the lead on four-under-par at the Jabra Ladies Open when a  storm forced round one play to be suspended overnight.

Menendez had completed 12 holes at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, before the skies overhead filled with heavy rain, thunder and lightning.

She leads by one over Switzerland’s Valeria Martinoli, who was in the clubhouse on 68, with Camille Chevalier from France and Iceland’s Gudrun Bjorgvinsdottir on three-under-par after 15 and 12 holes respectively.

The first round will resume at 7.30am local time on Friday, before the second round gets under way at 8.30. After 36 holes, there will be a cut to the leading 50 professionals and ties, who will play the final round on Saturday.

The winner of the Jabra Ladies Open will also secure their place in this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open championship.
Carly Booth, pictured, ran up a 12 at the par 5 13th in an inward half of 44 and a round of 80.

Scots' scores:
70 J Turner (T12)
72 V Laing (T32)
75 K Macdonald (T81)
76 K Henry (T93)
80 C Booth (T125)
+M Thomson +1 after 12; L Murray +1 after 9.

TO VIEW THE LET SCOREBOARD

CLICK HERE

 

Brabazon Trophy play halted by bad weather 

- Round 2 on Saturday

Bad weather halted play early afternoon on the opening day of the English men's open amateur stroke play championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire.
Play will not resume until 8am on Friday.
The second round has been put back until Saturday.
The leading 60 and ties at the end of Round 2 will play 36 holes on Sunday


LEADING SCORES BEFORE PLAY HALTED

Par 72
67 W Nienaber (SAfr), J Cope (Players Club), F Mueller (Ger)

SCOTS' SCORES
68 S Easton (Irvine)
69 D Howie (Peebles)
71 C Fyfe (Cawder)

Nairn's Robert Smith shares lead with Mortonhall man after first round of East of Scotland Senior Open

                                               By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Nairn's Robert Smith and Duncan Hamilton (Mortonhall) share the lead at the halfway stage of the East of Scotland Senior Open. They were the only players in the field of 132 over-55s to post sub-par scores of one-under 71 over the Fairmont St Andrews Torrance Course. 

Smith, pictured, birdied the first, fourth, sixth and 11th but dropped strokes at the second, seventh an eighth

Hamilton had birdies at two par-5s, the third and the sixth, in an outward 35 but he dropped shots at the short eighth and 10th before getting back on track with his third and final birdie at the 14th.

With 18 holes to go, they lead by one from Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) and William Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox). Erskine would have been the leader on his own but for running up a double bogey 5 at the short fifth. He did birdie the sixth, seventh, ninth and 15th.
Erskine, in fact, had the lowest net score of the day - a 69 off his handicap of three.

There were 119 scores returned, six No Returns, and seven players retired during their rounds.

 

FIRST ROUND
par 72. SSS 72, CSS 74
71 D Hamilton (Mortonhall), R W Smith (Nairn)
72 S Henderson (Hamilton), W Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox)
73 K Bruce (Edzell), John Johnston (Lanark), K Reilly (Silverknowes), S McKendrick (Dunkeld and Birnam), M Lindsay (Broughty), R Clark (Erskine), J Archibald (Luffness New), N Robson (Meldrum House).
74 M Whatley (Southerness), G Tough (Edzell), I Brotherston (Dumfries and Co), S Easingwood (Dunbar), L Blair (Grangemouth)
75 G Grimmer (Nigg Bay), A Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas), C Wilson (Ladybank).
76  R Craw (Glenbervie), R Jenkins (Royal Troon).
77 I Stewart (Glenbervie), I Smith (Gullane), N Dyce (Strathmore), D Low (Gullane), J A Fraser (Royal Burgess), L Chancellor (Inverness), K Renton (Lundin), I Graham (Lochmaben).
78 D Hart jun (Downfield), S Finnie (Caledonian), K McArthur (St Andrews), B Bingham (Royal Troon), K Thomson (Bramall Park), D Waddell (Glasgow), R Johnston (Glenbervie), D Imrie (Turnhouse), K McAllister (South Shields_.
79 J McLay (St Andrews New), J Devaney (Clydebank and Dist), G B S Doig (Southerness), D Logie (Craigie Hill), T Stafford (Whitemuir), A J Hogg (Turnhouse), A Ross(NorthumberlandP)
80 G Bell (Downfield), P Brewer (Drumoig), N Lamond (Tantallon), I Christie (Mortonhall), I Jeen (St Andrews New), D Shields (Glenearn), J Gullen (Tillicoultry), G MacDonald (Glenbervie), L Pirie (Millport), G J Rodaks (Pitreavie), G Curran (Mortonhall), G Sharp (Dumfries and Co), J Watt (Edzell), P Hardwick (Newbattle).
81 G McNab (Lundin), A K Helm (Merchants of Edinburgh), B Reid (Dunbar), T Sirel (Largs), I Dickson (Lundin), I Morrison (Royal Aberdeen).
82 D A Hunter (Southerness), K Cooper (Canada), D Walker (Lanark).
83 A White (Newton Stewart), Jim Johnston (Northumberland), W Barclay (Downfield), J Strang (Banchory), A Michie (Crail), J L S Kinloch (Cardross), G Hunt (Turnhouse), B J Reid (Glasgow)
84 D Downie (Clober), T Anderson (Downfield), P B Kinloch (Cardross), R Lumsden (Edzell), J Russell (Goose Creek).
85 F McLennan (Royal Aberdeen), I Fraser (Dumfries and Co), A J Smith (Duff House Royal), S Drysdale (Leven GS), D Lindsay (Kilmarnock Barassie_.
86 S Rowell (North Berwick), D Ireland (Craigie Hill), J S Macdonald (Dunfermline), L Taylor (Kirriemuir).
87 D McQuade (Glenbervie), N Whitehead (Kemnay), D Wilson (St Andrews New), D MacDougall (Royal Dornoch), E Robertson (Stirling).
88 A T Campbell (Murcar Links), D A Taylor (St Andrews New), N McGarva (Kilmacolm), D J Smith (Stirling), R Scott (Downfield0.
89 G Cochran (Irvine Ravenspark), I I Gourlay (Strathaven), K Ross (Glasgow), A Hogg (Stirling), R Farquhar (Carnoustie).
90 A Raphael (St Andrews), D Nelson (Aboyne).
91 R Gray (Rowallan Castle), D Scott (Royal Troon), I S Kerr (Kilmacolm).
92 G Smith (Royal Troon), R Macpherson (Tantallon).
97 R Jones (St Andrews New)
105 N Chisholm (Kemnay)

TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL SCOREBOARD

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Kellett and Henry leading Scots in Swiss Challenge

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Germany’s Marcel Schneider took the lead on Day One of the Swiss Challenge with a sublime round of eight-under-par 63.

The 28-year-old birdied half of the holes at Golf Sempachersee and was bogey-free until a missed fairway at the last led to his only dropped shot of the first round.

Despite the finish, Schneider was in good spirits as he assessed his game afterwards.

“I felt really good out there,” he said. “My putting was really good, and my iron game was really strong as well. I had three birdie chances from inside one metre, which helps a lot.”

The impressive score ties a second round 63 at the Open de España on the European Tour as his low round of the year.

The result also represents a trend that the German has seen coming since a string of missed cuts on the European Tour in the early stages of his 2018 campaign.

“I feel like I’m doing better and better,” he said. “Since the season started I had a bit of struggle but its been improving and I can see it in the results, which is really nice.”
Schneider sits two shots clear of fellow countryman Philipp Mejow as well as England’s Jack Senior and American Sihwan Kim, all of whom hold a share of second place following six under par 65s.

With the Swiss alps visible from the course, Golf Sempachersee has proven to be a popular venue among European Challenge Tour Members.

“It’s probably one of the best venues I’ve played as a professional golfer so far,” said Adam Chapman, following a solid opening round of five under par 66, which put him in a two-way tie for fifth. “The whole place is beautiful, the facilities are great, it's in great condition and it’s a good test of golf.”

The weather was co-operative for most of Day One, however play was suspended at 7:21 pm when thunderstorms rolled across the mountain range and over the course.

Almost all of the 156-player field were able to successfully complete their first round, and the remaining two groups will conclude their final holes on Friday morning at 8:00 am.

Tee times for Day Two will go ahead as scheduled.

                                                

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
par 71
63 M Schneider (Ger)
65 P Mejow (Ger), J Senior Eng), S Kim (USA)
66 S G Rodriquez (Spn), A Chapman (Eng)

SCOTS' SCORES
69 R Kellett, S Henry (T25)
70 D Stewart (T43)
71 D Law (T65)
73 J Doherty (T111)
74 P Shields (T120)
76 C Doak (T137)
78 G Forrest (T148)

+Still to finish: J McDonald +1 after 15 holes.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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NEW SIGNATURE HOLE FOR BRUNTSFIELD

Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society clubhouse and 18th green., Edinburgh

By GORDON BANNERMAN

A MAJOR makeover at one of Scotland’s oldest golf clubs is celebrating a milestone in the two-year project.

The first phase in a £1 million project at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society will be unveiled to members and guests today in a members’ nine-hole captain v vice-captain team competition.

The Edinburgh club, which traces its roots back to 1761 and has been a regional qualifying course for The Open, commissioned top golf course architects Mackenzie and Ebert to redesign several holes and refresh the bunkering around the course.

Despite a harsh winter, the new-look 11th, 16th and 17th holes are ready for play.

Club captain Mike Smith revealed the ambitious makeover is on track to be completed next year.

The most striking feature of work completed so far will test the mettle of golfers off the tee at a new signature par 3 created on the home stretch.

“The introduction of a significant water feature at the 16th hole sees golfers face a daunting 170-yard tee shot over a pond to an undulating green,” he said. “This has been created on part of the old practice area.

“The new par 4 17th hole, at 445 yards, will also present a real challenge, particularly when the wind blows in from the east.”

Mike said the 1 st Golf construction team will press on with the project over the summer in the count down to a formal opening scheduled for spring next year.

“Their main focus now will be on remodelling the 9th, 10th and 18th holes.

“Following a long winter the new areas of the course have settled remarkably quickly.

“It is a credit to our green staff that they have got the new holes, and the course generally, playing consistently well.

“We never imagined that we’d have the new holes in play by May as we feared the grim winter weather had put paid to that.

“The new holes will be open in time for the club championships’ qualifying and match play events which all take place in June. It’s all very exciting for the membership.

“It is truly remarkable the difference that the redesign has made already and while not yet  fully complete, the changes already elevate the course quite considerably after 40 years since the last significant project.”

Bruntsfield, which is the fourth oldest club in world golf, bears the stamp of legends Willie Park junior, Dr Alister Mackenzie of Augusta National and Cypress Point fame, and James Braid.

Bruntsfield's new par-3 16th hole.

Almost a grand Pollok performance by Hutcheon!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Greig Hutcheon has been a professional for 26 years - since 1992 - but there's a lot of golfing life left in the Aberdeen-born competitor.  Today (Wed) he won the Pollok Golf Club pro-am's individual pro prize with a four-under-par score of 67 - one shot ahead of Paul O'Hara - and, with a cheque for £984, boosted his earnings for the month of May to £3,689.
So Hutcheon, pictured, has finished first, second, third and fifth in the four pro-ams he has played this month.
At Pollok the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player had an eagle at the 15th, birdies at the second, third, seventh and 10th, offset by bogeys at the first and eighth.
Hutch also earned £115 in team event in which he and his amateur partners finished joint second.

POLLOK GOLF CLUB PRO-AM
PRO SCORES
par 71
67 G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC) (£984)
68 P O'Hara (N Lanarkshire Leisure) (£786)
69 G Wright (West Linton) (£590).
70 D Orr (Eastwood), N Fenwick (Dunbar), R Leeds (Archerfield Links), R Arnott (Bishopriggs) (£336.74 each).
71 S Binning (Mearns Castle) (£216.53).
72 C Currie (Erskine) (£187.03).
73 G Fox (Clydeway Golf), S O'Hara (N Lanarkshire Leisure), G Hay (Mearns Castle) (£150.49 each).
74 C Ronald (Carluke), S Henderson (Kings Links) (£123 each).
75 A Forsyth (Mearns Castle) (£108)

TEAM EVENT
Each of five pros received £115.
126 S Binning and JCT II
127 G Hutcheon and Claymore Consulting Services II, D Orr and Blantyre Park Services.
130 G Hardy and Team G Peters; G Wright and Team Cup and Saucer.

Maguire twins make pro debuts at LPGA Shoprite Classic, June 8 to 10 (same dates as Curtis Cup)

               Lisa (on left) and twin sister Leona Maguire

So now we know why Leona Maguire told GB and I team captain Elaine Farquharson-Black that she would not be available for the Curtis Cup match against United States at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in New York State from June 8 to 10.

Leona - and twin sister Lisa - will be making their pro debuts not all that far away from Quaker Ridge - in New Jersey, in fact - in the LPGA Shoprite Classic on the same June 8 to 10 dates as the 40th Curtis Cup match.

 

“We are extremely proud to offer Leona and Lisa their first starts as LPGA professionals,” said Tim Erensen, Executive Director of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. “The golf world has eagerly anticipated their professional debut for a number of years and we’re excited that they will launch their careers in front of the tremendous golf fans of South Jersey.”

 

Leona Maguire, a two-time WGCA and ANNIKA National Player of the Year, became just the second three-time ACC Champion with the Blue Devils in April.  She owns the most weeks ranked No. 1 in the Women’s Amateur Golf Ranking and is a three-time winner of the Mark H. McCormick Medal. 

 

Maguire competed in the Curtis Cup on three occasions and won the 2017 Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship.  She concluded her collegiate career with 10 victories and a school-record 87 rounds of even or under par.

 

DELIGHTED

“I’m so delighted to make my professional debut at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer,” said Leona Maguire. “This is a tournament I’ve heard so many great things about from other players and it will be honour to make my professional debut at such a great event.”

 

Lisa Maguire has been ranked as high as 35th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is a winner of the Great Britain and Ireland Women’s Order of Merit. She is a two-time member of the European Junior Solheim Cup team, played on the Curtis Cup squad in 2010, and was the 2011 European Ladies Amateur and Spanish Ladies Amateur champion.

 

“I’m so grateful to ShopRite for giving myself and Leona this incredible opportunity at the start of our professional careers,” said Lisa Maguire. “Thanks to everyone who made this happen and we’re looking forward to a memorable week.”

 IMPRESSIVE LIST

The Maguires join an impressive list of LPGA stars that have launched their careers at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, including Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson.

 

Over the last four years, the twins have helped lead Duke University women's team to three appearances in the NCAA Championship match play, two ACC Championships and to a total of 14 victories. 

 

For more information on the ShopRite Classic visit www.shopritelpgaclassic.com.  Fans will be able to follow the action via the Golf Channel on June 8 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., June 9 from 3-5 p.m., and June 10 from 3-5 p.m.

 

  Millicent Bowl Open prizewinners (left to right): Danny Doogan, William McBeath (Golspie Golf Club captain) and George Paterson. Picture by Robin Wilson

Danny Doogan, only 15, wins Millicent Bowl at Golspie

By ROBIN WILSON

Generous sponsorship from Dunrobin Castle allowed Golspie Golf Club to reward the two principle winners of the 36 hole Millicent Bowl Open tournament with prize vouchers to the value of £250 each.

The Castle, the Dukes of Sutherland and their heirs have had a long connection with the local golf club and it was a family relative, the Earl of Rosslyn, who, in 1963, gifted the competition's handicap trophy to the golf club in affection of his great aunt, Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland.

Many of the winners have, over the past 55 years, been Golspie local teenagers when developing their golf on the Golspie course . Following in their footsteps the new name added to the affectionately known Millicent Bowl this year was current top club junior Danny Doogan, aged just 15.

After 1963, when the event was growing in stature, the suggestion of a scratch trophy was put forward by the late local fishmonger, Alick Campbell, and the trophy now awarded for the leading scratch aggregate is the Campbell Shield.

The winner it was awarded at the weekend tournament, George Paterson, is no stranger to the Golspie links, being one of the few to have won the Sinclair Cup in the August tournament three years in succession: 1992, 1993 and 1994, long before the bowl winner was born.

George Paterson (51) was serving a greenkeeping apprenticeship on the Fortrose and Rosemarkie golf course when he was winning the Sinclair Cup but after spells in Ireland and Moray he returned to the Black Isle course last year as its head greenkeeper.  With the help of a hole-in-one on Golspie's 10^th hole, “The Lochy” 140 yards, with a seven iron, he posted a first round one under par 69.

Paterson's level par 69 (36/33) was matched by last year's scratch winner, John Forbes (Inverness), and closely followed by the reigning Sutherland county champion, Chris Mailley (Royal Dornoch), making his first tournament appearance following a shoulder injury. Mailley opened with a 71 and local lefty Darren Hexley was in the mix with a 72.

Conditions toughened in the afternoon and Forbes and Mailley struggled and fell from contention with 80 and 79 respectively.  Paterson fell back to a 76 (37/39), three three-putts, and three bogeys over the closing four holes but his 36 hole gross of 145 held first place by two shots over Hexley, 147 (72/75), and into third place arrived Dornoch college student Graham Minton (Greenock) 75/74 149.

But the most consistent scoring of the day was from young Doogan, two gross 75s and from an ever-improving handicap of seven. His net 136 aggregate lifted the Millicent Bowl by two from clubmate and last year's winner, Colin Sutherland, who had net cards of 72 and 66 for 138.

The third place voucher was won another local, Colin “Scooty” Sutherland, with netb scores if 69 and 72 for 141 off  5. 

GOLSPIE TEXAS SCRAMBLE WINNERS

The golf course hosted a following day's Texas Scramble and Golspie club captain William MacBeath enlisted two of Saturday's prize winners to lift his team of Danny Doogan, Scooty Sutherland and Danny's father, Steve, to first place with a gross card of 59 (net 56.6). Second place vouchers were won by the Alness Golf Club members, Shaun McKinlay, Scott Sutherland, Sean Doull and Campbell Jamieson with a return of 63, nett58.

Kyle Godsman comes from behind to win Boyd Anderson Trophy at Lossie

By ROBIN WILSON

North District champion Kyle Godsman from the Moray Golf Club headed a field of 141 competitors to win the Belhaven Boyd Anderson Trophy over 36 holes on his home links at Lossiemouth. 
David Joel (Inverness) led him by two shots after a first-round 67 against Godsman’s 69.

But the North champion, pictured, moved up two gears in round two and was five under par through 10 holes with an eagle 2 on the 10th.  But a double bogey from the home player on the 12th let Joel draw level, only for Godsman to birdie the next hole and par in for 67 against Joel’s closing 70.
And so Godsman (136) won the trophy and a £200 value voucher by a single stroke from Joel (137)

Mark Hislop (Glenbervie) finished third on 141 (69 72).
Steven Todd (Moray) won the Campbell and McConnachie Trophy leading handicap award with a net total of 136 (75-61) off 14 of a handicap

LEADING AGGREGATES
136 K Godsman (Moray) 69 67
137 D Joel (Inverness) 67 70
141 M Hislop (Glenbervie) 69 72.
143 L Reid (Fortrose and Rosemarkie) 71 72.
146 D Edwards (Elgin) 76 70
147 D McIvor (Moray 75 72, K Thomson (Moray) 74 73
148 J R Mitchell (Torvean) 80 68, Jamie Edwards (Moray) 73 75, D M Black (Stornoway) 74 74.
149 P Stewart (Moray) 77 72, Jordan Edwards (Moray) 73 76.
150 R MacEwan (Moray) 76 74.

HANDICAP
Class 1
138 G McDonald (Inverurie) (7) 69 69
140 J Edwards (Moray) (4) 69 71, R MacEwan (Moray) (5) 71 69.
141 P Stewart (Murcar Links) (4) 73 68, D Fiske (Moray) (6) 72 69.
142 M Quilter (Moray) (5) 73 69, J Martin (Moray) (5) 72 70.
Class 2
136 S Todd (Moray) (14) 71 65
140 A Blake (Moray) (17) 70 70
146 S Grant (Moray)( (12) 72 74, G Silver (Newmachar) (13) 74 72, W Gibson (Moray) (13) 73 73.

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Craig Ross joint leader on 66 at

EuroPro Tour event

Craig Ross from Kirkhill, pictured in action today, shares the lead with three Englishmen on the 66 mark at the end of the first round of the EuroPro Tour event at Harleyford, Buckinghamshire.

Ross was the first of four to reach the clubhouse and did so in style, picking up just a single bogey en route to his 66.

 “I felt I played really well today”: said the Scot, who burst onto the EuroPro Tour scene in 2014, winning at Mar Hall Golf Club as an amateur.

He added: “I hit a lot of greens, but what was key to my round was my driving which gave me plenty of scoring chances. You can’t win it on the first day though, if I go out again tomorrow with a similar performance I’ll be in a great position.”
Lawrence Allan (Alva) is the second best Scot on 68.

The field will be cut to the leading 50 and ties at the end of Thursday's second round. Overnight there are five Scots in the top 50 - Ross 66, Lawrence Allan (Alva) 68,  Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 70 , Jordan McColl (Kingsbarns Pro Academy) and Portlethen's Sam Kiloh, who plays out of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre. McColl and Kiloh are both on the 71 mark.

DAY 1: LEADING CLUBHOUSE SCORES
par 72
66 C Ross (Kirkhill), A Cheese (Sutton Coldfield), C Long (Burton on Trent), L Hirst (Banstead Downs)
67 N McCarthy (Moortown), R Mansell (Beau Desert)
68 B Hall (Spurk Golf), L Allan (Alva), M Collins (Stoke by Nayland), J Dean (Hillsborough), A Lodge (Azego), A Dalgleish (Haywards Heath), W Whiteoak (Shipley), J Freeman (Retford), L O'Neill (Leeds).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
70 P McKechnie (Braid Hills) (T29)
71 J McColl (Kingsbarns Pro Acad), S Kiloh (Paul Lawrie GC) (T42)
72 R Campbell (Falkirk), L Saltman (Renaissance), M Stewart (Troon Welbeck), J Savage (Cawder), C Lawrie (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) (T65)
73 D Young (Kingsbarns PA), N Henderson (Renaissance), A Sutherland (The Dukes) (T85)
74 J Henry (Clydebank and Dist) (T104)
76 S Lawrie (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) (T130)
78 L Morgan (Dunbar) (T146)
81 C O'Neil (Mearns Castle) (154th)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Tuesday night's Aberdeen Pennant League results

Confident start by Royal Aberdeen with away win over Stonehaven

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Royal Aberdeen, beaten 3-2 by Newmachar in last year's Aberdeen Pennant League final, made a confident start in their bid to go one better in this year's tournament.

The Balgownie men, whose line-up included three members of the Macandrew family, won 3 1/2-1 1/2 at Stonehaven

Newmachar don't start their defence of the title until next Tuesday when they are at home to Auchmill.

Nigg Bay are in the same Section A as Royal Aberdeen and the Balnagask team were too strong at home for Caledonian, beating them 4-1.

In Section B, Portlethen won 4-1 at Auchmill. Also in this section Peterculter had an impressive 4-1 win at home to Hazlehead on Monday evening.

Craibstone made a solid start to their Section C campaign by winning 4-1 at home against Banchory.

One fixture will be played on Thursday - a Section C match at the Links between Bon Accord and Murcar Links. 

SECTION A
NIGG BAY 4, CALEDONIAN 1
Nigg Bay players first
Adam Giles and Kev Dalgleish lost to Roy Pirie and Dave Oliver 1 hole.
Tyler Ogston and Richard Nielsen bt  Barry Reid and Graham McBeath 2 and 1
Ian Welsh and Steve Jamieson bt Stewart Finnie and Alan Doig 5 and 3.
Lee O'Connor and Ryan Forbes bt Matty Beattie and Mark Ingram 6 and 5.
Gary Stewart and Steve Bennett bt Walter Ross and Levi  Ross  1 hole.

STONEHAVEN 1 1/2, ROYAL ABERDEEN 3 1/2
Stonehaven players first
Kevin Riddell and Paul Kelly lost to D W Macandrew and C Leith 3 and 2.
Graeme McFarlane and Craig Mackay lost to N Macandrew and G Joss 4 and 3.
Ross McAllan and James Arandia bt I Middleton and F McKenna 2 and 12.
Stuart Wright and Adam Smith lost to M Wilson and D Purdie 3 and 2.
Barry McGillivray and Chris Brown halved with D F Macandrew and D Sim.


SECTION B
AUCHMILL 1, PORTLETHEN 4

C Polson and C Ord jun lost to C Brechin and G Esson 3 and 2.

J Gregor and G Hay  lost to R Murdoch and K Horne 4 and 2.

J Newcombe and M Newcombe lost to L Shand and B Murray 2 and 1.

M Albiston and I Watt bt S Cook and M Thomson 1 hole.

G Mennie and H Holman lost to D Fleming and B Inkster 2 and 1.

+PETERCULTER 4, HAZLEHEAD 1 (played Monday)
Peterculter players first
John Kennedy and Ryan McKinnon bt J Pirie and S Wilson 5 and 4.
Richie Taylor and Greg Donaldson lost to R Hyland and G Cheyne 1 hole.
Ross Jaffray and Lee Buck bt G Kennedy and G Elrick 2 and 1.
Andy Smith and Pat Doherty bt D Ogston and I Murray 2 and 1.
Martyn Aitken and Paul Forbes bt E Brown and M Allan 5 and 4.

SECTION C
CRAIBSTONE 4, BANCHORY 1
Craibstone players first
John Borthwick and Murray Bruce bt A Lindsay and R Black 3 and 2.
Steve Prince and Lee Richards lost to F Milne and F Lawrence 7 and 6.
Craig McKinnon and Stuart Milne bt B Milne and B Reid 3 and 2.
Jon Bodicoat and George Breen bt S Strachan and K Scott 4 and 3.
Andrew Findlay and Andrew Ashley bt C Lindsay and D Brand 4 and 3.

The Aberdeen Pennant League is sponsored by Molly's Bistro and Malone's Bar, both at the Douglas Hotel, Market Street.

Auchmill Golf Club launch big drive to attract junior members

 

We are having an open weekend for golfers at Auchmill Golf Club.

 

Trom 11am this Saturday and Sunday, golfers can play our course for

just £10.

We have some very good offers for yearly membership aimed at attracting younger golfers to our club, as follows:

Age 19 - 22 - One year's membership £250

Age 23 - 30 - £350 for a year's membership.

 

We have been working with Clubgolf and Sports Aberdeen in the last three to four  

years in attempt to build our junior section back up.

Any adult who becomes a member this year is entitled to have a junior join for free for one year.

 

We also have very competitive rates for all other yearly memberships.

Further details can be obtained by phoning our club on 01224 715214

 

Mark Albiston  

Junior Convener/Club Captain