October 2005 Archive

Sunday 30th October 2005

Group of youngsters from the Aberdeen area who went out to Houston, Texas this month
Read Michele Thomson's Grampian Houston Junior Trip diary

ILGU Press Release
ILGU launches AA Insurance National Championships
The ‘AA Insurance Ladies Championships’ were launched at Elm Park Golf Club on Thursday 27th October, marking the largest sponsorship ever in Irish ladies golf. The 3 year partnership between AA Insurance and the Irish Ladies Golf Union introduces six new inter-club matchplay competitions for all handicap ranges of all ages to the ladies national golfing calendar.
The Championship is the first of its kind in ILGU history. Its inception reflects the considerable growth of ladies golf in Ireland.  The ILGU has seen its membership double to 60,000 since 1990 and the organisation is confident that the new competition will increase membership significantly, over the next ten years.
The ILGU will promote the ‘AA Insurance Ladies Championships’ throughout the country to target club golfers of all handicap ranges and ages. It is expected that one in four lady club golfers will participate in the new Championship across the Northern, Eastern, Southern, Western and Midland Districts.
Chief Executive of the ILGU, Sinéad Heraty, believes the deal with AA Insurance will be a huge boost to the sport of ladies golf and described the new ‘AA Insurance Ladies Championship’ as a radical development in ladies golf in Ireland.
“’The AA Insurance Ladies Championship’ will ensure, for the first time, that we have clubs across the country competing nationally.  This will not only encourage our golfers to achieve at a high level but it will also promote camaraderie among all players nationwide”.
“AA Insurance is Ireland’s largest personal insurance provider with almost 100,000 policy holders.  Their generous sponsorship over the next three years will greatly assist the ILGU in attracting new players to the game and develop the talent that presently exists at club level”.
The new ‘AA Insurance Ladies Championship’ will replace the current District inter-club matchplay competitions with new competitions for all handicap ranges leading to a National Finals Tournament.  It will run from March to October, 2006.
- The Championships will consist of six separate tournaments, four singles matchplay competitions and two foursomes competitions as follows:
- The Junior Cup (Handicap range 8 – 15)
- The Intermediate Cup (Handicap range 16 – 22)
- The Minor League Cup (Handicap Range 23 – 29)
- The Challenge Cup (Handicap Range 30 – 36)
- Senior Foursomes (Handicap range +- 16 – maximum combined 28)
- Junior Foursomes (Handicap range 17-30 – maximum combined 56)
In order to achieve four teams at national semi-final stage, a rota has been agreed for the National play-off starting with the Eastern and Northern Districts, which will be played in Greenore Golf Club on September 19th, 2006. The winners in each of the six competitions will progress to the national semi-finals.
The AA Insurance Ladies National Championships begins in March, 2006. Events culminate with the District Finals in July/August, the National play-off in September and the National Finals in early October, annually.

Friday 28th October 2005

Midland Vets AGM
At the AGM held at Dunblane New Golf Club on 26th October, Sheila Travers (Alloa) took over as Captain from Cecily Black (Elie).    Ann Hood (Dunblane) was appointed Vice Captain. 
New Commitee Members are Ann Moffat (St. Regulus) and Mrs. Shirley Erskine (Dunblane).

Thursday 27th October 2005

Greenlees Trophy winners
From Left to Right : - Caroleen Clark (Cardross- Winners Division 2), Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle- Division 1 - The Winners of the Greenlees Trophy) Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle- Runners Up Division 1) and Morag Little (Whitecraigs- Winners Division 3)

Cochrane Castle win Greenlees trophy
The Greenlees Lunch and presentation of trophies took place yesterday at Milngavie Golf Club. Willeen McCallum, the Greenlees Secretary gave a most informative speech detailing how close all the divisional matches had finished.
Cochrane Castle were the winners of the Greenlees Trophy with 52 Points with last years winners, Ranfurly Castle, second on 51 points.
Division 2 was won by Cardross with 45 points and Lanark were runners up with 43 points.
Whitecraigs were Division 3 winners with 54.5 points with Hilton Park runners up on 48.5 points.
It was mentioned that Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle-- the winners of the Greenlees Trophy) had played 80 times in their Greenlees Matches over the years with only 3 defeats !!. She is also Captain of Cochrane Castle this year. [Report from Carol Fell, Renfrewshire webmaster]

Aberdeenshire Girls line up for coaching
Left to right: Lauren Duncan (Aboyne), Bryony Buchan (Banchory), Andrew Locke (Inchmarlo Golf Centre head coach), Jade Kemp (Peterculter) and Caitlin Geddes (Northern).
 

Aberdeenshire girls golf organiser Ethel Farquharson just gets into the picture top left as Lauren Duncan (Aboyne), Bryony Buchan (Banchory) and Jade Kemp (Peterculter) watch Inchmarlo Golf Centre head coach Andrew Locke check the address position of Caitlin Geddes (Northern).

Wednesday 26th October 2005

CARLY FINISHES THIRD BEHIND JODI EWART IN DUBAI HEAT AND HUMIDITY
Carly Booth finished a creditable third in the girls’ section of the Daily Telegraph Junior Championships’ Grand Final over the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course.
In strength-sapping conditions and heat and humidity for every round, the 13-year-old, plus one junior member at Auchterarder Golf Club, had rounds of 77, 73 and 73 for a total of 10-over-par 223.
She finished seven shots behind the title winner, Jodi Ewart from Catterick. Jodi came from behind to win the title, overtaking defending girls’ champion Melissa Reid from Chevin, Derbyshire over the last round.
Jodi had scores of 75, 70 and 71 for three-over-par 216 while Melissa scored 72, 71 and 75 for 218.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), the Scottish Under-16 girls’ open champion for the past two years, finished fifth on 231 with rounds of 77, 76 and 78.
The third Scot in the select girls’ field of nine players, Borders women’s champion Emma Fairnie (Peebles) totalled 253 with scores of 84, 86 and 83.
Walker Cup teenager Oliver Fisher, now 17, justified his rating of hot favourite to follow in the footsteps of Fraserburgh’s Jordan Findlay as boys’ champion.
The West Essex lad had scores of 73, 71 and 70 for a one-over-par total of 214 – four shots clear of runner-up Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) who scored 73, 72 and 73 for 218.
FINAL TOTALS
GIRLS
Par 71
216 Jodi Ewart (Catterick) 75 70 71.
218 Melissa Reid (Chevin) 72 71 75.
223 Carly Booth (Auchterarder) 77 73 73.
225 Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil) 75 75 75.
231 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76 78.
243 Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 77 89 77.
245 Laura Harvey (Richmond) 80 87 78.
251 Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton Hweath) 85 83 83.
253 Emma Fairnie (Peebles) 84 86 83.
BOYS
Par 71
214 Oliver Fisher (West Essex) 73 71 70.
218 Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) 73 72 73.
229 Martin Edge (Hesketh) 79 76 74.
231 Richard Smith (Oakmere Park) 79 78 74.
233 Haminder Matharu (Leeds) 78 75 80.
234 Steven Capper (Caldy) 78 81 75.
237 Ross Mackay (Beauchief) 76 82 79.
246 Ryan Madigan (Waterford Castle) 83 79 84.
248 K Taylor (The Cambridgeshire) 79 85 84.
249 Chris Nicholas (Bush Hill Park) 81 87 81.
252 James Patterson (Royal Portrush) 81 86 85.
259 David Simpson (Penrith) 94 85 80.

US College Golf
BOGEY MAN HAUNTS BOOTH AS PABLO WINS FLORIDA TOURNEY
Last year’s Scottish youths champion Wallace Booth finished a disappointing joint 61st in a field of 90 for the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational golf tournament at Isleworth Country Club, Windermere in storm-hit Florida yesterday (WED, USA TIME).
The third round was delayed 24hr to let Hurricane Wilma blow through the area.
Booth, a golf scholarship student at Augusta State University, had scores of 81, 73 and 80 from the championship tees of a long course (7,493yds, par-72) for an 18-over-par total of 234.
In his final round, Wallace, whose parents live near Comrie, Perthshire, started at the 10th and promptly had a triple bogey 6 at the short 11th. He also had a triple bogey at the first hole. Birdies at the 14th, 17th and seventh could not offset his profusion of bogeys – four in a row from the third to the sixth.
In his first round, Booth had a triple bogey at the 11th and a double bogey at the 10th.
The tournament was won by Pablo Martin, the Spaniard who won the British boys’ open title at the age of 15 and lost in the final two years later. A student at Oklahoma State, Martin shot 67, 72 and 73 for a four-under-par total of 212.
Starting at the first hole, he had a roller-coaster finish of double bogey-birdie-eagle-bogey to win by two shots from Chris Kirk (Georgia).
Sean Moore (Wake Forest), overnight leader after a pair of 69s, plummeted to a share of 26th place with a third-round 87 which included triple bogeys at the seventh and 14th.
Georgia (872) won the team title by seven strokes from Oklahoma State with Georgia Tech (894) third. Wallace Booth’s Augusta State came 16th in a field of 18 with a 917 total.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
212 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State 67  72 73.
214 Chris Kirk (Georgia) 68 71 75.
Other totals:
225 Sean Moore (Wake Forest) 69 69 87.
234 Wallace Booth (Augusta State) 81 73 80.
LEADING TEAMS
872 Georgia.
879 Oklahoma State.
894 Georgia Tech.
Other total:
917 Augusta State.

Tuesday 25th October 2005

CARLY JOINT THIRD IN DAILY TELEGRAPH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT DUBAI CREEK
Carly Booth is lying joint third on 150 after two rounds of the girls’ section of the Daily Telegraph junior champions’ Grand Final over the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course.
The 13-year-old Auchterarder member has had rounds of 77 and 73 over the par-71 course. Carly is seven shots behind the leader, defending girls’ champion Melissa Reid (Chevin) who has scored 72 and 71.
Jodi Ewart (Catterick) is in second place on 145 after rounds of 75 and 70. Her very good second-day score could have been even better as she had a double-bogey 5 at the short 14th.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) is in fifth place with 77 and 76 for 153.
Emma Fairnie (Peebles) is in ninth place with 84 and 86 for 170.
Oliver Fisher, the 17-year-old Walker Cup favourite from West Essex, is one shot clear of Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) in the boys’ championship. Oliver has scored 73 and 71 for 144; Tom 73 and 72 for 145.
The tournament is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland.
SCOREBOARD
GIRLS
143 M Reid (Chevin) 72 71.
145 J Ewart (Catterick) 75 70.
150 C Booth (Auchterarder) 77 73, H Brockway (Yeovil) 75 75.
153 K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76.
166 H Grant (Enmore Park) 77 89.
167 L Harvey (Richmond) 80 87.
168 K O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 85 83.
170 E Fairnie (Peebles) 84 86.
BOYS
144 O Fisher (West Essex) 73 71.
145 T Sherreard (Chart Hills) 73 72.
153 H Matharu (Leeds) 78 75.
155 M Edge (Hesketh) 79 76.
157 R Smith (Oakmere Park) 79 78.
158 R Mackay (Beauchief) 76 82.
159 S Capper (Caldy) 78 81.
162 R Madigan (Waterford Castle) 83 79.
164 K Taylor (Cambridgeshire) 79 85.
167 J Patterson (Royal Portrush) 81 86.
168 C Nicholas (Bush Hill Park) 81 87.
179 D Simpson (Penrith) 94 85.

Rules course at the Belfry
The PGA is launching two new courses so amateur golfers can bring their rules knowledge up to scratch.
From its famous Belfry headquarters, the PGA's tournament department will run the two one-day courses covering all aspects of the Rules of Golf.
Among the course tutors will be two of the world's most experienced referees, Stephen Cox and Kevin Feeney, who between them have officiated at Ryder Cups and several Majors including the Masters and Open Championships.
"Whether you're Tiger Woods or a club golfer competing in his monthly medal, every golfer at some stage will require some knowledge of the rules. Throughout the summer the PGA are inundated with queries regarding the rules and we feel it's time we cater for this demand" said Cox, who is the PGA's Head of Tournaments.
"Improving your understanding of the rules not only adds to the whole enjoyment of golf but for club secretaries and committee members who are running tournaments at their clubs, it's beneficial to have a sound understanding of the rules.
"But the courses are also open to club golfers who might just want to learn more about what is a fascinating subject."
The courses are entitled Introduction to the Rules of Golf and Advanced Rules of Golf & Refereeing and will take place in February and March. The Advanced Rules of Golf & Refereeing Course will culminate in an optional assessment with successful candidates receiving a PGA Rules of Golf Award.
Emphasis is on increasing knowledge and understanding of the game's rules using actual footage of televised rules incidents, practical sessions and group discussions.
The first course takes place on Saturday 25 February 2006 with the second on Saturday 11 March in the PGA Training Academy at the De Vere Belfry. For an application form or further information contact the PGA Tournament Department on 01675 470333 or email: barnaby.coleman@pga.org.uk

Monday 24th October 2005

US College Golf
KATE O’SULLIVAN RUNS INTO STRONG OPPOSTION ON WEST COAST
Kate O’Sullivan from Paisley was the leading High Point University, North Carolina team member in the three-round Stanford Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament over the Stanford University par-71 golf course at Palo Alto, California on Sunday.
Both Tiger Woods and Mhairi Mackay were students at Stanford University.
Kate, who tied for 65th place in the field of 102, scored 77, 77 and 76 for a 17-over-par total of 230 in possibly the strongest college field she has played against since she went to the States.
High Point team-mates Jenna Kinnear from Belfast and Ann-Marie Dalton from Carlow finished 97th and 98th respectively with totals of 251 and 252.
Jenna had rounds of 84, 85 and 82; while Ann-Marie scored 86, 87 and 79.
American Curtis Cup player Liz Janangelo won the individual title by the runaway margin of seven strokes from Duke University team-mates Anna Grzebien and Amanda Blumenhirst.
Liz scored 70, 67 and 65 for an 11-under-par total of 202. Anna scored 71, 71 and 67, while Amanda recorded 70, 71 and 68.
Not surprisingly, Duke (834) won the team title by a landslide margin. UCLA were runners-up on 861. High Point, rather out of their depth at this high level, were last of 19 on 963.

Daily Telegraph junior championships' grand final
CARLY AND KRYSTLE FIVE SHOTS OFF HOT PACE IN DUBAI
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) were five shots off the pace in the girls’ section of the Daily Telegraph junior championships' grand final at the end of the first round over the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course.
Defending girls’ champion Melissa Reid from Chevin, Derbyshire set the pace with a one-over-par 72 in strength-sapping conditions of heat and humidty.
"It was like spending more than four hours in a sauna," said one of the competitors.
Melissa was four over par after only three holes but fought back impressively with an inward half of three-under-par 33.
She leads by three shots from Jodi Ewart (Catterick) and Henni Brockway (Yeovil).
Emma Fairnie (Peebles) is back on the 84 mark.
The tournament is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland and features nine girls and 12 boys who have come through the qualifying tournaments or, in the case of Krystle Caithness and Walker Cup teenager Oliver Fisher, have been given special invitations by the organisers.
Fisher, now 17, shares the boys’ championship lead on two-over-par 72 with Tom Sherreard despite sending balls into the water at the 13th and 14th. He was able to escape with bogey figures at both holes.
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), winner of the boys' title last year, was unable to accept an invitation to defend the title as he is now at East Tennessee State Universtiy.
First-round scoreboard
GIRLS (Par 71)
72 Melissa Reid (Chevin).
75 Jodi Ewart (Catterick), Henni Brockway (Yeovil).
77 H Grant (Somerset), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
80 Laura Harvey (Yorkshire).
84 Emma Fairnie (Peebles).
85 K O’Connor (Tadmorton).
BOYS (Par 71)
73 Oliver Fisher (West Essex), Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills).
76 R Mackay (Beauchef).
78 H Matharu (Cookridge Hall), S Capper (Caldy).
79 M Edge (Hesketh), R Smith (Oakmere Park), K Taylor (Cambridgeshire).
81 C Nicholas (Bush Hill Park), J Patterson (Royal Portrush).
83 R Madigan (Waterford Castle).
94 D Simpson (Penrith).

US COLLEGE GOLF
WALLACE BOOTH PERKS UP AS HURRICANE WILMA APPROACHES
Wallace Booth from Comrie, Perthshire, Scottish youths’ golf champion last year, was in joint 68th position at the end of two rounds of the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational tournament at Isleworth Country Club, Windermere in Florida (Sunday, USA time).
The first 36 holes were played on Sunday because of the impending arrival of Hurricane Wilma in the area on Monday when no play is scheduled. The three-round tournament will be completed on Tuesday.
Augusta State University student Booth, a member of Scotland’s European youth title-winning team in Ireland in 2004, shaved eight shots off his opening score with a second-round 73, one over par for a course well in excess of 7,000yd.
Wallace birdied the seventh and 17th and had bogeys at the sixth, 11th and 12th. In his first round, which he had to begin at the 10th, he double-bogeyed his first two holes.
Sean Moore (Wake Forest) leads the field with a pair of 69s for four-under-par 138. He is one shot ahead of Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State), the Spaniard who won the British boys championship at the age of 15 in 2001 and lost in the final two years later; Chris Kirk (Georgia) and Doug Manchester (Wake Forest).
Wake Forest (569) lead the team event from Georgia (570) with Augusta State (601) lying 17th of 18 with one round to go.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
138 Sean Moore (Wake Forest) 69 69.
139 Chris Kirk (Georgia) 68 71, Doug Manchester (Wake Forest) 67 72, Pablo Martin(Oklahoma State) 67 72.
Other score:
154 Wallace Booth (Augusta State) 81 73.
LEADING TEAMS
569 Wake Forest.
570 Georgia.
Other total:
601 Augusta State (17th of 18).

Sunday 23rd October 2005

US College Golf
WALLACE BOOTH STRUGGLES AFTER DISASTROUS START IN FLORIDA
Last year’s Scottish youths golf champion Wallace Booth never recovered from a disastrous start to his opening round in the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational tournament at Isleworth Country Club, Windermere in Florida (Sunday USA time).
Wallace, a golf scholarship student at Augusta State University and whose parents live near Comrie, Perthshire, began at the 10th tee and double-bogeyed his first two holes on his way to an nine-over-par 81 over a 7,493yd course.
Going into the second round, Booth was sharing 83rd place behind joint leaders Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State), the Spaniard who won the British boys’ title in 2001 and was beaten finalist in the same championship two years later, and Doug Manchester (Wake Forest) on the 67 mark.

US College Golf
SECOND ROUND DISASTERS COST TARA TOP-10 PLACE IN TENNESSEE
Irish international team player Tara Delaney from Carlow improved from 24th to a final placing of joint 11th in the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship college golf tournament at Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville in Tennessee (Sunday, USA time).
Tara, a golf scholarship student at Kent State University, Ohio, had rounds of 71, 81 and 72 over the par-71 course for a total of 224. She had birdies at the 11th and 16th but bogeys at the second, 10th and 12th in her closing halves of 36.
She would clearly have gained a top-10 finish but for that disastrous second-round 81 which included a double bogey at the first and a quadruple-bogey at the fourth.
Tara’s Kent State team-mates, Becky Wood from England, and her own sister, Karen, finished joint 24th and tied 73rd respectively. Becky scored 75, 77 and 75 for 227 while Karen had rounds of 95, 82 and 85 for 252. Over the 54 holes, Karen had nine double bogeys – five of them in her final round - and two triple bogeys.
Anna Nordqvist, winner of the British girls’ open championship this past summer and a member of the Swedish Junior Team competing in the Mercedes-Benz championship, tied for sixth place with scores of 76, 72 and 72 for 220.
Amanda McCurdy (Arkansas) won the individual title with scores of 70, 74 and 69 for level par 213. She had two shots to spare over Marci Turner (Tennessee) who scored 76, 71 and 68 for 215.
Whitney Wade (Georgia) was third with 71, 73 and 72 for 216.
Georgia (882) won the team title from Purdue (885) and Arkansas (889) with the Swedish Junior Team fourth on 892.
Kent State (914) came eighth of 14.

US College Golf
LOUISE FLEMING DISAPPOINTS IN US COLLEGE TOURNAMENT
Scottish Under-21 girls’ stroke-play golf champion Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State University) finished a disappointing 89th equal in the Taco Bell Intercollegiate women’s tournament over the Bradford Creek course in Greenville, North Carolina (Sunday, USA time).
The Kelso player had three rounds of 80 for an aggregate of 240 over the par-72 course. She had only one birdie (at the 15th in the first round) over the 54 holes. Her last round included a double bogey at the 17th and bogeys at the first, fourth, sixth, eighth, 11th and 18th .
Over the three rounds Louise had three double bogeys. The first two came in her first round.
Anna Scott (Georgia State University) from Consett, Co Durham slipped out of the top 10 overnight to finish in a share of 19th place with scores of 75, 70 and 78 for a seven-over-par aggregate of 223.
The six-footer birdied the 11th and 14th after an outward half of 41 but bogeyed the last three holes.
Katie Stepanek (Maryland University) won the event by four strokes with a five-under-par total of 211 with scores of 69, 67 and 75.
Augusta State (875) won the team title from Georgia State (880) with Maryland (882) third.
Jacksonville State, whose assistant coach is Colette Murray from Dumfries, finished 19th in a field of 21 teams with a total of 940.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
(Par 72)
211 Katie Stepanek (Maryland) 69 67 75.
215 Emilie Geury (Augusta State) 70 74 71.
Other totals:
223 Anna Scott (Georgia State) 75 70 78 (19th equal).
240 Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State) 80 80 80 (89th equal).
LEADING TEAMS
875 Augusta State.
880 Georgia State.
882 Maryland.
Other total:
940 Jacksonville State (19th of 21).

Saturday 22nd October 2005

THREE SCOTS COMPETING AT DUBAI
There are three Scottish girls in the field of nine for the girls' section of the annual Daily Telegraph junior championship, being staged this year in Dubai.
They are Emma Fairnie (Peebles), Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
Emma and Carly qualified by being several under par in designated tournaments. Krystle, a full Scotland women's international for the past two years and still only 16, was a tournament organisers' choice. Krystle, earlier this month, won the SLGA's second champion of champions' event at Glasgow Gailes and has been Scottish Under-16 girls' open champion for the past two years.
The rest of the girls' field are:
Jodi Ewart, Henni Brockway, Laura Harvey, Hannah Grant, Katherine O'Connor and last year's winner, Melissa Reid.
We will do our best to keep you up todate with news from this girls' championship.

US College Golf
LOUISE FLEMING TRAILS
Scottish Under-21 girls' champion Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State University) had a disappointing round of 80 (41-39) in the first round of the Taco Bell Intercollegiate women's tournament at Bradford Creek Golf Club, Greenville in North Carolina.
Louise had double bogeys at the fourth and 12th and was in 101st place going into the second round over a par-72 course measuring 6,232yd.
Anna Scott (Georgia State) from Consett, Co Durham was tied for 33rd place with a three-over-par 73.

US College Golf
TARA IN TENNESSEE TOP TEN
Ireland international player Tara Delaney and her sister Karen, both golf scholarship students at Kent State University, Ohio had mixed lucked in the first round of the Mercedes Benz Women's Championship at Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville in Tennessee.
Tara was tied sixth after a 74 over the 5,932yd, par-71 lay-out. Karen was back in a share of 69th place following a round of 85.
A third member of the Kent State University team, Becky Wood from England, was joint 27th on the 75 mark.
Onnarin Sattayabanphot (Purdue) was the first-round pacemaker with a one-under-par 70.

Friday 21st October 2005

US College Golf
LINDSAY TIES FOR FOURTH WITH BEST AMERICAN COLLEGE PERFORMANCE
Banchory Golf Club champion Adam Lindsay, a golf scholarship student at Iowa Wesleyan College, finished in a tie for fourth place in the NAIA Region VII college golf tournament at Weaver Ridge Golf Club, Illinois this week.
Lindsay shot rounds of 75 and 70 for a one-over-par total of 145 – his lowest score since he went to America after the summer holidays. He finished only two shots behind individual winner Ben Bradbury (St Francis University). 
His performance helped Iowa Wesleyan College finish runners-up in the team event, contested by 14 other colleges. They totalled 587, seven behind winners St Ambrose University. It was Iowa Wesleyan College’s best performance in the competition in which they finished seventh last year.

R&A RULES MAN CRITICISES AMERICAN JOURNALIST IN MICHELLE WIE INCIDENT
R&A Assistant Secretary of Rules Grant Moir has criticised the American golf writer who spotted Michelle Wie’s rules infringement that led to her disqualification after she had completed four rounds of the Samsung Championship at Palm Desert, California.
Michael Bamberger, a journalist on the staff of American magazine Sports Illustrated, delayed 24 hours in reporting what was an incorrect drop from a bush by the 16-year-old Hawaiian who was making her professional debut. LPGA tournament officials had no option but to disqualifier her.
Had Bamberger gone straight to the LPGA tournament staff with his observations before Miss Wie had signed her scorecard, she would have escaped with a two-stroke penalty.
Writing in the “Daily Telegraph,” Lewine Mair quotes Grant Moir as follows:
"We feel very strongly that Michelle should not be hung out to dry over this," he said. "Those who do not know golf can very easily get the wrong end of the stick when they hear that a player has been disqualified. What Michelle did was not intentional and not a serious breach of the rules.
"If Bamberger had done the right thing in reporting the incident before Michelle had signed her card that day, she would have been given the appropriate penalty of two shots and there would have been no mention of disqualification."
Moir said that even the most experienced of golfers can make a mistake as he or she tries to judge equidistant points when taking the kind of drop Michelle Wie was forced to take at the seventh hole on the Canyons course at Bighorn.
"Often, when we are overseeing this particular ruling and the player is measuring his two club lengths, we have to point out that he is either getting closer to the hole or that he is going far further away than he needs to," he said.
"Michelle," he continued, "thought she knew what she was doing and went ahead with the drop on her own. At her first attempt, she thought she had dropped closer and so she dropped again, which tells its own story as to how she was attempting to get it right."
More than anything, the R & A were "frustrated" with Bamberger's handling of events. "If he felt at the time that he had witnessed a breach and was sufficiently sure of himself to raise it, he should have found an official at once.
"He should have known just how serious it would be for Michelle if he hung on to the information until the following day."

Thursday 20th October 2005

PAMELA FEGGANS TURNS PROFESSIONAL
Scotland amateur international golfer Pamela Feggans from Ayrshire has turned professional in the United States. She has entered the US Futures Tour Qualifying School, to be played soon at Lakeland, Florida where Miss Feggans has been a student at Florida Southern College for the past two years.
In all she has been at college in America for more than four years.
She was a member of the Scotland squad in the European women’s team championships in Sweden earlier in the summer and had been the most successful player in the Florida Southern women’s team until her eligibility to play on the American college circuit expired at the end of the 2004-2005 season.
Pamela, who was 23 in August, did return to Florida Southern after the summer holidays so that she could complete her degree course and she will graduate before Christmas.
“I’m looking forward to coming home to Scotland at Christmas after I graduate but I don’t know for how long. It all depends on how I get on at the Futures Tour Qualifying School,” she said.

SORRY, LESLEY! FIVE SCOTS IN ACTION AT LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR Q SCHOOL
Apologies to former Scottish international player Lesley Mackay for missing her name out of the list of Scots who have entered the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 competition at La Cala Resort on the Costa del Sol next month.
Lesley, a professional for two or three years now, is entered from “Total Golf.”
So that means there will be five Scots bound for Spain – Lesley Mackay, Clare Queen, Cara Gruber, Vikki Laing and Heather Stirling.
The full list of entries is now available and includes notable English amateurs Sophie Walker, Laura Eastwood and Rachel Bell.
And former Irish amateur champion Martina Gillen, winner of the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur title at Troon at the start of this season, is another big name who wants to gain tour pro credentials.

EUROPEAN DATE FOR SENIORS
Next year’s European senior golf championships for men and women will be played at Ribagolfe, a new, two-course complex to the east of Lisbon in Portugal, from Wednesday to Friday, June 14 to 16.

Wednesday 19th October 2005

You'll all be pleased to know that Colin is back from holiday and normal service has been resumed!

US College Golf
KELLY’S BEST YET FOR COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Former Scottish girls champion Kelly Brotherton achieved her best finish so far on the American women’s college circuit when she tied for 12th place in the Prices’ Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate tournament at Las Cruces, New Mexico.
A first-year student at Colorado State Universtiy, Kelly had rounds of 75, 73 and 75 for a total of 223 – 10 shots behind Sweden’s Mikaela Backstedt (New Mexico) and Jessica Potter (San Francisco).
Emily Ogilvy from Muckhart shot 78, 77 and 78 for a share of 51st place on 233.
Her Arkansas-Little Rock team-mate, Fiona Gilbert from Carnosutie), tied for 86th place on 240 with scores of 82, 81 and 77.
Colorado State finished eighth in the team event with a total of 909. Missouri (891) were the winners. Arkansas-Little Rock shared 16th place on 936.

US College Golf
WELSH WONDER RHYS DAVIES SCORES SEVENTH WIN ON US COLLEGE CIRCUIT
Twice British boys championship finalist Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh tied for 69th place in the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate tournament at The Ridgers Golf & Country Club, Tennessee.
Jordan had rounds of 78, 73 and 79 over the par-72, 7147yd course. His middle round of one-over-par 73 over a course much longer than he is used to was an encouraging sign that the North-east teenager is beginning to settle at last in the United States.
Another former British boys’ champion, Rhys Davies from Bridgend, Wales – a team-mate of Findlay’s at East Tennessee State University won the event with an 11-under-par total of 205. It was Davies’ second win of the season and his seventh in the past 12 months. His scores were 68, 69 and 68.
Davies is now ranked No 4 nationally.
He won this event – which was East Tennessee State’s home tournament – by three shots from Florian Fritsch (South Carolina.
Here’s how the other GB&I players on the East Tennessee State team fare:
219 (tied 16th) Cian McNamara 70 74 75.
221 (tied 22nd) Gareth Shaw 78 72 71.
227 (tied 56th) Adam Hodkinson 77 71 79.
230 (tied 69th) Jordan Findlay 78 73 79.
South Carolina (859) won the team event from Auburn (867). East Tennessee State tied for third place with Texas Christian on 871.

European Golf Association looking for Championship Secretary
The European Golf Association is looking for a Championship Secretary to start on 1 January 2006 (or date to be discussed).
The job, located in Lausanne, Switzerland, is suited to someone seeking to work at a highly professional level on a full time basis.  The candidate is a golfer of good level with extensive awareness of running championships and sound administrative knowledge.
The person reporting to the General Secretary of the European Golf Association and the association's Executive Committee will be responsible for running all EGA Championships, for the management of teams to play in International Matches, for the European Amateur Ranking, the coordination of the fixtures list and matters relative to the EGA Championship Committee.
The candidate will require excellent communication skills, be of English mother-tongue or equivalent, and ready to travel extensively throughout the year.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Place : the Championship Secretary will be located at the EGA office in Switzerland .
Period of notice : according to Swiss Federal Law.
Holidays : 5 weeks and official Swiss Bank Holidays.
Starting date : 1 January 2006 or to be discussed.
Salary indicator : A suitable salary will be available to the appropriate candidate.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be sent with an accompanying covering letter to :
The General Secretary
European Golf Association
Place de la Croix-Blanche 19
CH – 1066 Epalinges
Switzerland
Or via e-mail to : info@ega-golf.ch no later than 20th November 2005.
For further details and a full job description, please contact John C. Storjohann on +41/21 784 3532 or info@ega-golf.ch

LET Tour School
FOUR SCOTS ENTER LET Q SCHOOL
Four Scots – amateurs Clare Queen (Drumpellier) and Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) and US-based tour professionals Vikki Laing from Musselburgh and Heather Stirling (Bridge of Allan) – are among the record number of 165 entries for next month’s Ladies’ European Tour Qualifying School on the Costa del Sol.
Clare, Cara, Vikki and Heather must play in a 36-hole pre-qualifying Stage 1 event on November 16 and 17 at La Cala Resort where a field of 119 will be competing for 44 spots in the four-round Stage 2 event from November 19 to 22.

US College Golf
HEATHER HELPS SAN DIEGO STATE TO LADY AZTEC FALL CLASSIC WIN
British women’s open amateur stroke-play golf champion Heather Macrae, pictured right, led San Diego State University to their second tournament win of the 2005-2006 American college golf season.
Heather from Dunblane shot rounds of 73, 75 and 78 for a total of 226 to finish joint seventh in the Lady Aztec Fall Classic tournament over the Auld Course at Chula Vista, California.
San Diego State’s team total of 906 saw them finish 10 shots ahead of second-placed Sacramento State University with Montana University (919) third in the field of 13 universities for the team event.
It was the second time San Diego State had won the Lady Aztec Fall Classic in the past three years and it was also their second team win of the season.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL SCORES
217 Margaux Sheehan (Sacramento State) 68 75 74.
222 Mary Betancourt (Texas A&M) 79 71 72, Jennifer Yoo (California State Northridge) 72 73 77.
Other placing:
226 Heather Macrae (San Diego State) 73 75 78.
LEADING TEAMS
906 San Diego State.
916 Sacramento State.
919 Montana.

US College Golf
MCLACHLAN GETS FRESHMAN ACCOLADE ON US COLLEGE GOLF CIRCUIT
Scottish youths golf champion Peter McLachlan, pictured right, has been named one of the top freshmen – first-year students – among the teams that compete in Division 1 of the American men’s college golf circuit.
McLachlan, a member of Eastwood Golf Club, Glasgow and now a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, was the highest-placed team member in his first four tournaments of the autumn season. His best finish so far has been a tie for seventh place in the Bill Ross Intercollegiate. Over 12 competitive rounds, Peter has a scoring average of 73.5.
McLachlan won the Scottish youths’ title at Glenbervie and reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish men’s amateur championship at Southerness this past summer.

Tuesday 18th October 2005

Scottish Champion of Champions
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), pictured right, the Scottish Under 18 Junior Open Stroke-Play Champion, won the Scottish Champion of Champions title on Friday at Glasgow Gailes by three strokes with a scratch 77. Donna Jackson representing Renfrewshire took second spot with an 80 and third, one shot behind, was Claire Hargan representing Midlothian.
The girls played off the yellow tees as there were no red tees on the course. SSS and CSS were 77.
Full results
77 Krystle Caithness (JOSP U18)
80 Donna Jackson (Renfrewshire County)
81 Claire Hargan (Midlothian County)
82 Carly Booth (Perth & Kinross County) , Emma Fairnie (Borders County), Mary Summers (Angus County)
85 Lesley Hendry (Ayrshire County)
86 Diane MacDonald (Dumfriesshire County)
W/D Sara Bishop (Dunbartonshire & Argyll County)

University of Bath team after the prizegiving.
There will be no chance of not spotting them on the golf course now!

UK Student Golf
Stirling Uni take individual honours in BUSA Order of Merit, Bath win team award.
Scottish Women's Internationalist, Kylie Walker, and Paul Betty, both students at the University of Stirling, won the Womens' and Mens' Individual tournaments at St Andrews Bay yesterday.
Kylie had rounds of 76 and 70 to finish two shots clear of her Stirling team-mate, English Internationalist, Alex Marshall, with Claire Marie Carlton (also Stirling) another three behind.
Paul Betty, with a pair of 71's finished one shot ahead of Colin Colraine (Strathclyde) and Ross Jones (Bath)
The University of Bath (Andy Shakespear, Adam Meads, Ross Jones, Tim Baker) won the team award with a total of 431, seven strokes ahead of Loughborough and one of four Stirling teams entered.
Womens Results
146 Kylie Walker (Stirling +1) 76 70
148 Alex Marshall (Stirling 1) 75 73
151 Claire Marie Carlton (Stirling 2) 75 76
153 Kim Ulander (Guest) 77 76
156 Emma Tipping (Stirling 1) 80 76
158 Olivia Briggs (Stirling 1) 83 75 , Heather Gallagher (St Andrews 5.7) 80 78, Gillian Kinnear (Bath 6.5) 79 79
161 Lucinda Davies (Birmingham 5) 82 79
163 Morag McPherson (St Andrews 7.9) 81 82
164 Dawn Dewar (Stirling 3) 82 82
166 Claire McLoughlin (St Andrews 5.6) 82 84
167 Jess Florey (Birmingham 6) 80 87
168 Colleen Winstanley (St Andrews 6.9) 86 82
Mens Results
142 Paul Betty (Stirling +1) 71 71
143 Colin Colraine (Strathclyde +2) 76 67, Ross Jones (Bath 0.8) 68 75
144 Andy Shakespear (Bath 2.1) 75 69, Grant Little (St Andrews 0.3) 74 70, Bobby Rushford (Stirling 0) 71 73, Pontus Ellerström (Guest) 73 71
145 Ross Dixon (St Andrews +1.7) 72 73, Craig Wilkinson (Northumbria +1) 72 73, James McCracken (Ulster 1) 72 73
146 Mark Dixon (St Andrews +0.9) 72 74
147 Mike Watts (Loughborough 1) 73 74, Andrew Cooper (Loughborough 1) 76 71, Jason Palmer (Birmingham +2) 74 73, Alex Christie (Loughborough +0.4) 71 76, Scott Borrowman (Stirling +1) 77 70, Graham Turner (Stirling 0) 73 74
148 Adam Meads (Bath +1) 75 73, Ally Love (Heriot Watt +1) 72 76, Nick Scholey (Northumbria +1) 73 75, Gordon Yates (Stirling +1) 74 74, Kevin Wilson (Stirling 1) 77 71
149 Jack Musgrove (Edinburgh 2.2) 76 73, Sean Heads (Northumbria 0) 78 71, Karl Shepherd (Stirling 0) 73 76, Andrew Thorpe (Sheffield Hallam 0.4) 77 72
150 Alex Morton (Birmingham 1.6) 76 74, Neil Cameron (Stirling 0) 75 75, Ben Shamash (Edinburgh 0.6) 73 77, Simon Ward (Ulster +1) 74 76
151 Adrian Ait Lafkih (Stirling +2) 68 83, Philipo Okan (St Andrews +0.3) 76 75, Jarred McKnight (Loughborough 0) 73 78, Evan Bryceland (Stirling 0) 74 77, Tim Baker (Bath 2.3) 71 80
152 Niall Finlay (Glasgow 2) 72 80, Blair Paterson (Stirling +1) 73 79, Stuart Turnbull (Stirling +1) 77 75, Tom Curtis (Northumbria 0) 77 75, Jonny Heaslip (Northumbria 1) 76 76
153 JJ McCarthy (Birmingham 1) 79 74, Marcus Read (Bournemouth 1.2) 74 79, Chris Graham (Northumbria 2) 77 76, Douglas Graham (Edinburgh 2.7) 76 77, Jonathan Watt (Stirling +1) 74 79, Fraser Symon (Dundee 0.6) 76 77, Gary Davidson (St Andrews 0.7) 75 78, Iain Brown (Heriot Watt 1) 77 76
154 Adam Jenkinson (Dundee 1.1) 73 81, Dave Greenshields (Edinburgh 1.8) 76 78, Alex Pallin (Edinburgh 2) 78 76, Georg Schulles (Imperial 2) 76 78, Robert Narouzzo (UW Newport 0) 75 79, Ross Duncan (Heriot Watt 0.2) 77 77, James Sharpe (Birmingham 1) 77 77, Niclas Rundlöf (Guest) 77 77
155 Andrew Crux (Imperial 2) 73 82, Christian Abrahamsen (Edinburgh 2.1) 75 80, Ross Lando (St Andrews 0.4) 77 78
156 David Holt (Birmingham 1) 76 80, Craig McGann (Stirling 2) 79 77, James Millard (Cardiff 2) 78 78, Jack Pringle (Sheffield Hallam 2.7) 76 80, Adam Stockwell-Price (UW Newport 2) 75 81
156 Euan Polson (Stirling +1) 78 78, Shane Ruddle (Bournemouth 0) 79 77, Billy Hemstock (Cardiff 1) 74 82
157 Alex Rule (Loughborough 1) 77 80, Edward Parker (Birmingham +1) 81 76, Tim Cockill (Northumbria +1) 76 81, Richard Aspin (Strathclyde 3) 80 77
158 Scott Finlay (Heriot Watt 2.3) 78 80, Richard Raye (Bournemouth +0.3) 78 80, Ricardo Rebecchi (St Andrews 0.5) 81 77
159 Fergus Niven (Edinburgh 1.5) 80 79
160 Adrian harris (Birmingham 1.9) 78 82, Sebastian Linde (Guest) 83 77
162 Gary Reid (Heriot Watt 3) 78 84, Jonathan Rodgers (Ulster 0) 78 84
163 Richard Wilson (Northumbria 3) 75 88, Malcolm Cronhamn (Guest) 78 85
164 Charlie Swann (Bournemouth 1.3) 80 84
166 Rhys Pigeon (UW Newport 3) 86 80
167 Matt Everson (Loughborough 0.6) 87 80
170 Tom Veitch (Sheffield Hallam 2.5) 78 92
178 Oskar Almlund (Guest) 97 81
NR Mark Kerr (Edinburgh +2.2) 73 -, Jason Edgeworth (St Andrews 0.7) 77 - , Ally Leggate (Strathclyde 1.1) 80 -, Sam Hotten (Sheffield Hallam 2.9) - 88, Peter Milligan (Sussex 3) - -
Mens Team Result
431 Bath
438 Loughborough, StirlingA
441 St AndrewsA
442 StirlingB
444 StirlingC
445 NorthumbriaA
451 NorthumbriaB
453 EdinburghA, St AndrewsB
454 StirlingD
455 BirminghamA,Heriot Watt
456 EdinburghB
457 Ulster
461 BirminghamB
467 Bournemouth
471 Sheffield Hallam
476 UW Newport
NR Strathclyde

Donald Ross Junior International Golf Tournament at Royal Dornoch - October 11/12.
[report by Robin Wilson]
Over 100 junior golfers from throughout Scotland and Europe, mainly the Scandinavian countries, were drawn to Royal Dornoch during week commencing 10th October to compete in the Donald Ross Invitational Tournament that was being played for the sixth year in honour of the former Dornoch greenkeeper who emigrated to America over 100 years ago and left a legacy of over 500 course designs, perhaps his most famous and best known, Pinehurst.
After a qualifying round on the relief Struie course the leading 65 youngsters, that included all of the overseas visitors, progressed onto the world famous championship course to compete for the trophy in memory of the Royal Burgh's favourite son.
Taking home the Donald Ross Trophy with a wonderful scratch score of 74 that converted to 42 stableford points from his ten handicap was David Beaumont from Cruden Bay and the runner up Fiona Fullerton from nearby Huntly Golf Club who scored 41 points from 25 handicap. Overseas visitor Christian Larson (Rossons) was third with 40 points off 20 handicap.
Two superb gross scores of 72, two over par, were returned by Michael Campbell (Buckpool) who won the Royal Dornoch Trophy for best scratch score on the inward half card countback over Chris Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie).
The North East District provided another prizewinner in Ewan Noble (Kintore) with 38 points,off 4, and Inverness's Donald Rae was third in the boy's listings, also 38 points,off 10. Second placed girl was Natalie Hogg (St. Annes Old Links), 38 points off 15, and third girl, Christina Matre (Oslo) with 37 points off 10.
Two handicapper Ryan Elder from Nairn Dunbar who missed the quailfying cut on the Struie course went back onto this venue on the second day and made amends with a marvelous 41 points to win the supplementary Dornoch Firth Trophy.Other Struie scores were; Jane Turner (Mortonhall) (3) 40pts; Rachael Watton (Baberton) (16) 39pts; James Park (Royal Burgess) (20) 38pts.   

Monday 17th October 2005

ILGU Press Release
ILGU National Training Panels
St. Margaret’s Golf & Country Club, St. Margaret’s, Co. Dublin
The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union has announced its three panels of players who will attend Coaching & Training over the coming winter months. Each panel will attend three sessions from November through to February at St. Margaret’s Golf & Country Club followed by a panel of 10 players travelling to travel La Cala Resort in Spain in early March for a week of Warm Weather Training.
David Kearney has been re-appointed National Coach for a further 3 years and the 2006 Ladies’ Home International side will be captained by Lillian Starrett and managed by Phil O’Gorman (nee Wickham). The Girls’ team will be captained by Greenore’s Jackie Quinn and managed by Rose Doyle and for the second year running will attend the 4 -player Girls’ European Team Championships in Denmark, 11-15 July 2006. The ILGU will also send a 6-player U-21 side to the Junior European team Championships in the Netherlands, 11-15 July 2006.
Meanwhile Claire Coughlan, Martina Gillen and Tricia Mangan have been selected on the GB&I Winter Training panel who will prepare for the 2006 Curtis Cup matches at Bandon Dunes, Oregon, 29-30 July 2006. Maura Morrin is 4th reserve.
ILGU Training Panel A (10): Claire Coughlan, Martina Gillen, Sinead Keane, Tricia Mangan, Danielle McVeigh, Maura Morrin, Sinead O'Sullivan, Marian Riordan, Deirdre Smith, Catherine Tucker
ILGU Training Panel B (10): Victoria Bradshaw, Fiona Carroll, Maura Diamond, Sarah Faller, Laura Holmes, Emma Gilmore, Niamh Kitching, Anne McCormack, Niamh McMahon, Linda Toomey
ILGU Training Panel C (15): Louise Coffey, Sarah Cunningham, Alice Davis, Kate Gallagher, Hannah McInerney, Stephanie Meadow, Louise Mernagh, Aedin Murphy, Niamh O'Connor, Caoimhe Quinn, Ciara Sharkey, Lucy Simpson, Holli Snelling, Ciara Walsh, Sarah Louise Winter

Press Release
Changing traditions put juniors first at Agais
Agais Golf Club, one of 27 Highland clubs supporting Scotland’s Junior National Golf Strategy, clubgolf, has broken with tradition by transforming its end of season dinner dance into a prize giving ceremony for both children and adults.
The decision to include juniors this year was agreed unanimously by the committee as an incentive to keep the growing band of 30 plus enthusiastic youngsters progressing in the game. It was no doubt helped by the fact that five of the youngsters, aged between 11 and 13, have already reached a level where they all won senior prizes. 
“We wanted to elevate the standing of the juniors by making the prize giving into something special,” said the Club’s junior convenor, Jack Kirkland. “Our aim is to make them feel important, let them know how well they’ve done and hopefully give them an extra impetus for next season.
“This was the first year we’ve combined the two and the youngsters were very pleased indeed. Twenty-five of the juniors came along and four boys and one girl won senior medals. The adult members supplied all the food and drinks for the kids - this is the sort of spirit our club is based on.”
Five miles south of Beauly, Agais is a nine hole course in the heart of Highland. The remoteness of its outlying villages means that some of the children need to make a 40 mile round trip to take part in the weekly junior sessions. But neither the local preference for shinty nor the long travelling distances required to play golf have created a barrier to participation in the sport. Last week the Club’s third group of youngsters completed clubgolf’s Level 1 course.
“One of the benefits we have found is that in these small villages, if one youngster starts golf then others want to do the same, whereas in a town you don’t have the same closeness and there are 101 other activities for them to do,” said Mr Kirkland.
“In general terms most of the children who have taken part in clubgolf may have already done some putting but would not have played golf.
“The most common sport in the area is shinty and most of the children on this year’s clubgolf course play it so they are already good strikers of the ball.  It’s just a case of teaching them to modify this into a golf swing.”
Whilst the 2005 golf season is effectively over at Agais, moves are already afoot to increase the intake of children through the clubgolf programme next year. The club has approached the local primary school and found them keen to put the introductory course, clubgolf on the 2006 curriculum. An Awards for All grant has also been applied for to help improve the quality of the coaching facilities.
“We’re planning to get more practice facilities and once we have another member going through the Level 1 volunteer training, we will have two people capable of coaching and then we will be able to do more,” said Mr Kirkland.
“As a nine hole course, the facilities are limited and you have to do your best to cope with what you have got. But we have applied for practice nets and safety nets and if we can get these facilities I can see many more children coming along for coaching.
“At that stage we will take in more children from the local primary school. We have already been in touch with local teachers to get golf onto the curriculum and the enthusiasm is certainly there.” 

Saturday 15th October 2005

The Spirit
England were convincing winners of the Spirit International Amateur tournament held at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Trinity, Texas, largely due to their female combination of English Champion, Felicity Johnston, and Sophie Walker, who won the Women's tournament with a total of 19 under par 269 (65, 68, 68, 68). The English men, Oliver Fisher and Jamie Moul, were second to Germany in the Men's section with 24 under par 264 (68, 67, 66, 63). England's combined total was 43-under par 533.
Scotland finished 18th overall on 10 under par 566, with a gradual improvement each day. Their disastrous starting total of 148, which had put them at the bottom of the leaderboard, was followed by 144, 138 and 136. The latter two scores were much more respectable. Scottish Ladies Champion Fiona Lockhart and Jemma Wilson tied for 15th place on the Women's leaderboard with a even par 288, and Lloyd Saltman and John Gallagher were tied for 18th place on 10 under 278.
Lloyd Saltman must have been playing well in parts, as he finished third on the Men's birdie leaderboard with 18 birdies, only three behind the winner of this section of the prize table, Stefan Kirstien of Germany.

Friday 14th October 2005

The Spirit
Scotland are moving very slowly up the leaderboard, and are now fifth from bottom after the third round of the Spirit International Amateur Tournament at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Trinity Texas. Their combined total of two-under-par 430 puts them 28 strokes behind the leaders, England who are on 30 under par 402.
Our Scottish women, Jenna Wilson and Scottish Champion, Fiona Lockhart, are tied for 16th place on two over par 218, after a best ball score of 71 today. England (Felicity Johnson and Sophie Walker) lead the women's table on 201, from South Africa and the United States on 203.
Lloyd Saltman and John Gallagher are tied for 20th place on 212, 17 shots behind the leaders Germany on 195.
Live scoring can be found at http://www.golfstatresults.com/home.cfm
Information about the tournament can be found at http://www.thespiritgolf.com/

Thursday 13th October 2005

The Spirit
Scotland have moved one place up the leaderboard after the second round of the Spirit International Amateur Tournament, a mixed event where the best ball scores of two women and two men are added together to make an aggregate score. Scotland now lie in 22nd place, with just Russia and Puerto Rico below them (it's easier than naming the 21 teams above them!). England are leading with a 20 under par total of 268. Scotland are four over par (292).
Fiona Lockhart and Jenna Wilson are doing slightly better than the Scottish men, as they are in 18th place in the womens list, adding a one over par 73 to their first round 74. England (Felicity Johnson and Sophie Walker) are 11 under par, and it's their contribution to England's aggregrate total which has put them into first place overall.
Scotland's men, Lloyd Saltman and John Gallagher, improved on their first round 74 with a second round 71, but they are still in 22nd place, third from the bottom on the Men's leaderboard. Canada lead the men's list on 14 under par 130.
Live scoring can be found at http://www.golfstatresults.com/home.cfm
Information about the tournament can be found at http://www.thespiritgolf.com/

US College Golf
Louise fifth in Alabama
Scottish Under-21 Strokeplay Champion Louise Fleming from Kelso, a student at Jacksonville State, tied for 5th place in the Chris Banister Gamecock Classic at the Silver Lakes Golf Course, Calhoun Co., Alabama earlier this week. Her 229 total was 14 strokes behind her team-mate, Argentinian Mercedes Huarte, who set the pace with a one under par total of 215.
Jacksonville State won the team title on 923, two strokes ahead of the University of Southern Alabama.
Top scores
1 Mercedes Huarte J'ville St 73 72 70 215 -1
2 Therese Nilsson N. Orleans 72 75 73 220 +4
3 Hiliary Zeigler Lamar 74 74 76 224 +8
4 Alexis Beard So Alabama 77 76 73 226 +10
T 5 Elin Andersson So Alabama 75 76 78 229 +13
T 5 Louise Fleming J'ville St 74 77 78 229 +13
T 7 Ashley Harris Mercer U. 82 75 73 230 +14
T 7 Shauna McVeigh Troy 79 74 77 230 +14

US College Golf
Emily in 31st spot.
Emily Ogilvy from Muckhart, Perthshire, a Senior student at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, was the top finisher in her team, with a share of 31st place in the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational tournament in Manhattan, Kansas. Her scores of 77, 76 and 80 for a total of 233 put her 18 shots behind winner, Kansas State's Helene Robert who claimed medalist honors after defeating Nebraska's Stephanie Ruiz in a two-hole playoff.
The UALR team finished in 8th place.

US College Golf
Jenna Kinnear from Northern Ireland and Kate O'Sullivan from Paisley, helped their team, High Point University, to a second place finish in the Diet Coke Wofford Autumn Invitational on the par 72, 5,878-yard layout at the Woodfin Ridge Golf Club.
Senior Jenna led the way for the Panthers carding a final round 75 to shoot a total of 151 earning a tie for third-place in the individual medalist competition. It marked a career best showing for the Belfast, North Ireland, native, and was just her third career Top 10 placing.
Kate, a Junior student, had a second round 85 for a total of 167 and tied for 24th place.

ELGA Press Release
JOINT NETWORK PROVIDES IMPROVED SUPPORT FOR GOLF CLUBS AND COUNTIES : 
The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies' Golf Association (ELGA) have confirmed that their existing regional development officer networks will combine to become a single team.
The EGU and ELGA are committed to the targets set by the England Golf Partnership (EGP), including increasing participation, the number of active members and the number of accredited golf clubs. The creation of a single development team means that the EGU and ELGA will be able to deliver the programmes that will support both golf clubs and golfers in a more streamlined and effective way.
The new regional development team will consist of six officers and includes two recent appointments, Melanie McMahon and Andy Willems to complement the established four officers from the EGU and ELGA.
Pauline Perla, CEO of ELGA commented, "By working together the ELGA and the EGU will be able to considerably improve the support we offer golf clubs throughout England. More officers will also enable us to provide solutions that reflect more local requirements."
The new development team will continue to work closely with County Unions and Associations to support the formation of County Golf Partnerships that will provide a framework and implementation programmes based on the local needs of facilities, golfers, volunteers and professionals.
Golf clubs are fundamental to the development of the game. The development team will provide guidance and direction on a range of issues including junior development, GolfMark accreditation, sourcing of funds and grant aid, attracting and retaining members, child protection, equity policies and the production of development plans.
Paul Baxter, EGU Chief Executive added, "The England Golf Partnership has set stretching targets to reach whilst providing further financial support to the game of golf. I am confident the new team working together will help deliver those targets whilst providing more support for our clubs."
The EGU and ELGA will continue to work alongside the Golf Foundation in order to support their development work within schools.

Nothing to do with golf....
You just have to watch this trailer for the film "Ice Age II The Meltdown" (I've obviously not got enough to do this afternoon!)

Wednesday 12th October 2005

The Spirit
Scotland are languishing tied for 22nd place, right at the bottom of the leader board, after the first round of The Spirit International Amateur Tournament at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Trinity, Texas. The only team below them is Russia, who did not finish, and the only way is UP!
In the Womens' competition, Jenna Wilson and Fiona Lockhart scored a birdie apiece, and their joint best ball score of 74 (+2) puts them nine strokes behind first round leaders England (Felicity Johnson and Sophie Walker) who carded a seven under 65.
Lloyd Saltman and John Gallagher also handed in a 74, and they are 10 shots behind first round leaders Canada (James Allenby and Andrew Parr) ,
Live scoring can be found at http://www.golfstatresults.com/home.cfm
Information about the tournament can be found at http://www.thespiritgolf.com/

UK Student Golf
BUSA ORDER OF MERIT GETS UNDERWAY AT ST ANDREWS BAY
The British Universities Sports Association’s Golf Order of Merit commences this weekend, with a 36-hole tournament over the excellent Torrance and Devlin courses at St. Andrews Bay Resort. The event has recorded an entry of 100 student golfers – 82 men and 18 women – with 95% of the field holding a category 1 handicap. 20 different universities from across Britain are represented, including a 7-player guest team from Sundsgymnasiet Sports School, Vellinge, Sweden. The field includes a strong Stirling female contingency made up of Kylie Walker, a recent addition to the GB & I senior squad, England internationalist Alex Marshall, and Olivia Briggs, the 2004/5 Women’s Order of Merit champion. The men’s field is also strong, with more than 30 players holding scratch handicaps or better. Individual and team prizes are awarded to the players and teams with the lowest 36-hole gross totals in addition to important Order of Merit points. Round 1 tee-times (Excel file)
Date for the diary.....

Tuesday 11th October 2005

Deeside Clubhouse

DEESIDE GOLF CLUB TO HOST THREE NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS IN 2006
Deeside Golf Club, whose new £1.7million clubhouse was opened by HRH The Duke of York earlier this year, will host at least three national tournaments in 2006 over its Haughton course at Bieldside in the western suburbs of Aberdeen.
The Douglas Gillespie Scottish Under-16 boys’ championship and the Scottish boys and girls’ Under-14 stroke-play championships will be played consecutively over a Tuesday to Friday in early July, probably July 4 to 7.
The Scottish mixed foursomes, won for the past two years by Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and former British amateur champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire), will be played at Deeside Golf Club on Sunday, September 10.
A new practice range adjacent to the Deeside clubhouse should be up and running by the summer.
The Deeside parkland course has the River Dee as its southernmost boundary. Bieldside is situated between the villages of Cults and Peterculter on the North Deeside Road running west out of Aberdeen at Mannofield.

Monday 10th October 2005

US College Golf
RUSSELL KNOX TIES FOR 14TH PLACE IN FLORIDA EVENT
Russell Knox from Inverness tied for 14th place in the Mission Inn Collegiate Classic golf tournament at Howie in the Hills, Florida (at the weekend).
Russell, a golf scholarship student at Jacksonville University, Florida, had rounds of 73, 72 and 68 for a level par aggregate of 213 – eight shots behind the winner, Julian Colmenares (Jacksonville State University) who had scores of 69, 71 and 65 for a two-stroke victory.
Russell Knox’s team-mates, Duncan Stewart from Grantown on Spey and Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh, finished joint 30th and joint 42nd respectively.
Stewart scored 71, 73 and 73 for 217 while Kennedy had rounds of 71, 77 and 72 for 220.
Jacksonvaille State (845) won the team event by five shots from Murray State. Jacksonville University (878) finished 12th.

Sunday 9th October 2005

Junior Masters winners and officials
Back row (left to right): SGU vice-pres Gordon McInnes, boys' runner-up Duncan Searle (Kilspindie), boys' winner Grant McLeod (Pumpherston), boys' third Andrew Pender (Balfron), Margaret Rodgers, vice-chairman SLGA.
Front (l to r): Kesley MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (3rd girl on best inward half), girls' winner Fiona Milne (Glen), girls' runner-up Natalie Thomson (Murcar).

Scottish Junior Masters
Grant and Fiona win the Masters
Pumpherston's Grant McLeod and Fiona Milne (Glen)  - both 14 years old - won the boys' and girls' title respectively in the Scottish Junior Masters for Under-16s in wind and rain over the Queen's Course, Gleneagles today (Sunday).
Grant, whose stepfather is Dave Renwick, six-times caddie to a Major winner, won the leading boys' award in a "photo-finish" involving Duncan Searle (Kilspindie) and Andrew Pender (Baffron).
All three totalled 36 Stableford points, Grant off 16 of a handicap, Duncan off 36 and Andrew playing off 20. In the countback by the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association organising committee, Grant McLeod won the title with an inward half points total of 22, compared to 19 by Duncan Searle and 18 by Andrew Pender.
Fiona Milne, a 31-handicap player, returned the very good score of 42pt in far from easy conditions. She had eight points to spare from runner-up Natalie Thomson, who plays off 20 at Murcar, and third-placed Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), whose two-handicap rating made her the backmarker in the girls' field. Kelsey scored 33pt and had a better inward half than the two other girls who had the same total - Louisa Pelosi (Hilton Park) (26) and Susan Jackson (Ladybank) (5).
scoreboard
SGU-SLGA JUNIOR MASTERS - Grand Final - Queen's Course, Gleneagles Hotel.
Leading Stableford points scores:
BOYS (CSS 68)
36 G McLeod (Pumpherston) (16), D Searle (Kilspindie) (36), A Pender (Balfron) (20).
34 M Hyde (Kirkcaldy) (18), M Kelly (Deeside) (10).
33 L Muir (Longniddry) (11), I Young (Vale of Leven) (6), G Dowie (Alloa) (9), K Moore (Jedburgh) (8).
32 N McLean (Peterculter) (12), E Noble (Kintore) (4), C Stevenson (Cardross) (12), D Rae (Inverness (10)
31 J Coyne (Cowglen) (6), C Robinson (Millport) (8).
30 C Young (Cardross) (11), S Kerr (New Cumnock) (24).
29 M Barclay (Alyth) (5), S MacKinnon (Tantallon) (6), J Park (Royal Burgess) (20), J Henry (Clydebank & Dist) (10), C Lawson (Kilbirnie Place) (16).
28 J Wright (Leven GS) (11), G Chalmers (Alloa) (12), M Campbell (Buckpool) (5), F Clarke (Westhill) (4), R Jack (Alness) (4).
27 T Wilson (Leven GS) (15), C White (Haddington) (13), G McDougall (Bishopbriggs) (5).
26 J McFarlane (Dunblane New) (12), S Hepburn (East Aberdeenshire) (16), C Gunn (Castle Heather) (16), T Cox (Portpatrick Dunskey) (13), G Rose (Jedburgh) (8).
25 B Munro (Thurso) (5).
24 J Fieldsend (Forrester Park) (6), C Kelly (Bridge of Allan) (11), S Patterson (Peterculter) (13).
23 J Gavin (Archerfield Links) (14), F McAndrew (Marriott Dalmahoy) (5), S Fitzgerald (Torvean) (6).
22 C McLean (Murcar) (9), C Penny (Newburgh on Ythan) (21), A Harper (Insch) (23).
21 D Beaumont (Cruden Bay) (10).
18 S Munro (Dunfermline) (13).
17 B Daniel (Northern) (7).
GIRLS ( SSS 72 for Gleneagles' Queen's Course., Girls' CSS: Reduction only.)
42 F Milne (Glen) (31).
34 N Thomson (Murcar) (20).
33 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (2), S Jackson (Ladybank) (5), L Pelosi (Hilton Park) (26).
32 S Cameron (Gullane Ladies) (27), G Simpson (Elie & Earslferry Ladies) (16), S Lamb (Glencorse) (23), K Ward (Glen) (31).
31 S Vass (Tain) (9).
30 C Prouse (Hazlehead) (24).
29 L Byrne (Helensburgh) (15), R Shewan (McDonald Ellon) (29), G Stewart (Newmachar) (15).
28 L Duncan (Aboyne) (28), L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (10), K McNee (Ayrshire County Girls).
27 J Turner (Mortonhall) (3), C MacLeod (Nairn Dunbar) (20).
26 R Watton (Baberton) (16).
25 H Harvey (St Rule) (5), J Graham (Dumfries & Galloway) (7).
24 F Fullerton (Huntly) (25), N McCluchie (Wishaw) (22), A Taylor (Forres) (25).
22 L Allan (Kilbirnie Place) (16).
18 S Broughe (Strathmore) (27), J Gray (West Kilbride) (36).
17 K MacPherson (Ayrshire County Girls) (21).

Saturday 8th October 2005

Thanks from the Senior International Team
Pam Gordon has asked me to thank everyone who sent cards and encouraging messages to the Scottish Senior International Team who played at Radyr this week. The girls all played well and they were so close to winning... just one point would have made all the difference! Pam and her team really appreciated your good wishes.

Press Release
NEW PAIRING TAKE UK TITLE
Edinburgh’s Carole Mason and David Donaldson landed the International Pairs UK mixed title after two excellent rounds of 43 and 39 pts at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa.
But the victory will have left a sour taste in the mouth of Carole’s husband James.
He double booked when due to play in the qualifier with his wife at their club, Marriott Dalmahoy, and asked five-handicapper David to step in.
“James didn’t expect us to qualify, never mind go on to win it,” said Carole, who plays off 14.
“We thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s been a new experience. Despite living in Edinurgh we’ve never played at St Andrews Bay - but we will be back.
“The qualifier was the first time we played together. The competition is fantastic value for money.”
David added: “We played two great golf courses in wonderful condition with great company on and off the course.
“But to pay a £5 entry for the treatment we’ve had, and two nights in a magnificent five-star complex can’t be bad, can it?
“The organisation has been fabulous and we didn’t appreciate, until we arrived, the amount of work that goes into organising such a fantastic event.
“I would put St Andrews Bay on a par with the likes of Turnberry and Gleneagles.”
After Carole and David won their semi-final at Drumoig, they were forced to dash back to Edinburgh to pack a case for a further two-night stay – this time at St Andrews Bay.
But it was certainly worth the effort as their success in the UK final means they will go on to represent the UK in the world final in Wales next year against national winners from around 40 other countries.
Now in its seventh year the International Pairs is the largest club competition of its kind in the world and is attracting support from throughout the golfing world.
As many as 20,000 club golfers across the UK competed this year alone - and every participant was entitled to a free Hippo lob wedge.
It’s so simple to take part in the International Pairs.
All it costs is £5 to enter - £10 per pair – at any competing golf club. Carole Mason and David Donaldson paid their entry earlier this year and it’s taken them all the way to Wales
[To find out how to register for the 2006 International Pairs call the competition hotline on 08700 330 633 or visit: www.internationalpairs.com. ]

LPGA Qualifying School
FAME AND DANIELLE MAKE IT THROUGH TO LPGA FINAL QUALIFYING
Former Curtis Cup players Fame More from Chesterfield and Danielle Masters from Kent both figured among the 30 players and ties who will go forward from the LPGA Sectional Qualifier at Venice, Florida today (Friday, USA time) to the 90-hole Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida, beginning on November 30.
Fame shot 73, 73, 75 and 72 for a five-over-par total of 293. She qualified with a little bit of ease in joint 19th place.
Danielle responded well to the pressure of not being in the top 30 going into the last round. She returned a par-matching 72 after earlier rounds of 76, 74 and 73 for a seven-over-par total of 295. That put her in a tie for 27th place, which meant she qualified with nothing to spare.
The third English player to survive the halfway cut, Jo Clingan from Gloucestershire, had scores of 78, 72, 79 and 78 for 19-over 307 and a final placing of 69th.
The tournament was won by Annie Young from Highland, Utah with scores of 68, 67, 71 and 74 for eight-under 288. She had four shots to spare from runner-up Kelly Lagedrost with 69, 70, 73 and 72 for 284.
 
LPGA
NIGHTMARE IN CALIFORNIA FOR VIKKI
Vikki Laing cut short her ongoing nightmare in the LPGA’s Long Drugs Challenge tournament at The Ridge Golf Club, Auburn in California.
She withdrew before completing her second round. At that point she was 25 over par after returning a 14-over-par 85 in the first round.
On the first day, Vikki had halves of 41 and 44. She had a double bogeys at the second and 12th and triple bogeys at the 16th and 17th apart from birdies at the second, 10th and 15th.
This was Miss Laing’s eighth start on the 2005 LPGA circuit and she has survived the cut in only two events. With only $7,867 in earnings she will be going back to the Final Qualifying School unless she experiences a sudden upsurge in her fortunes.
Vikki was 168th of the 190 players listed on the LPGA current money table going into the Long Drugs Challenge.

Friday 7th October 2005

LPGA Qualifying School
FAME, DANIELLE STILL IN WITH CHANCE
Former Curtis Cup players Fame More and Danielle Masters will be walking a tightrope in Friday's final round of the LPGA Qualifying School Sectional Qualifier over a 6,401yd course at Venice, Florida.
Only the top 30 and ties will go forward to the Final Q School at Daytona Beach, Florida at the end of November-beginning of November.
After 54 holes, Fame is tied for 27th place and Danielle is sharing 38th place.
The third English player who survived the halfway cut, Jo Clingan, looks out of it, back in joint 70th place.
SCOREBOARD
206 (-10) Annie Young (US) 68 67 71.
212 Kelly Lagedrost (US) 69 70 73.
English scores:
221 Fame More 73 73 75.
223 Danielle Masters 76 74 73.
229 Jo Clingan 78 72 79.

Orange Blossom Tour
The Orange Blossom Tour is a series of Womens' Amateur events which take place in Florida in January.
British and European amateurs used to go and play, but not so many have gone in recent years. Perhaps we can reverse the trend? Information is in the image (yes... it's a .jpg file!) below.

Press Release
NGCAA 'overwhelmed' by response to disability seminar
OVERWHELMING demand for a seminar on the Disability Discrimination Act has meant that the event has been extended and more places are now available.
The new Act comes into force on 1st December 2005.  The National Golf Clubs' Advisory Association (NGCAA) organised the seminar after it became clear that many clubs were confused about their new obligations.
Golf clubs and bodies that organise golf competitions, who are not already attending, are being urged to book a place.
Representatives from the EGU, Ladies' Golf Union, Royal Lytham and St Annes and dozens of other clubs across the UK will be attending the seminar.
Michael Shaw, national secretary of the NGCAA, said:
"Complying with the Disability Discrimination Act is not only a legal necessity but also has commercial benefits for golf clubs.  In the UK, over 80% of disabled people are over 50, the prime golf playing age, and the disabled pound is worth over £80 billion annually. 
"Too many clubs wrongly assume the majority of disabled members are wheelchair users when, in fact, of the 11 million disabled people in the UK, only 3% use a wheelchair.  The vast majority have other impairments.  For instance, around 8.7 million have some degree of hearing loss.  Preparing for the Act means much more than just improving wheelchair access.
"If clubs fail to 'make reasonable efforts' to comply, they could find themselves facing hefty fines, court appearances and of course immeasurable negative publicity."
The seminar will explain how the Act affects golf clubs and competition organisers.  It will also show how clubs can unwittingly break the law and will set out practical steps that clubs and bodies need to take to ensure they comply.
The event takes place at the De Vere Belfry on Tuesday 29th November.  Places cost £135 + VAT for single delegates or £210 + VAT for two delegates from the same organisation.
To book a place call the NGCAA on 01684 311 353 www.ngcaa.org.uk 

SGU Press Release
Teed Up For New Academy Programme
42 of Scotland’s most promising young golfers have been selected to be the first beneficiaries of a new coaching regime, following the launch by the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) of The Golf Academy programme.
Seven SGU Academy Coaches throughout Scotland will each work directly with six youngsters (see names in regional split attached) on a two-year/40 week intensive training programme, focussing on the players’ specific strengths and weaknesses. The young golfers have all earned their place on the new programme through their performance at tournaments and Talent Identification days.
Group training sessions, lasting four hours, together with one hour of individual tuition will be conducted on a weekly basis from September 2005.
SGU National Junior Coach, Spencer Henderson explains, “The new Academy programme is based on video analysis and much of the work is done over the winter months to complement competition and on course work during the playing season.
“Scotland is already the first country in the world to create a complete coaching programme from entry level to elite and this latest development continues to broaden the base of players receiving structured, intensive coaching and it can only result in raising the standard of Scottish golf.”
In order to coach in the Academies using the SGU Stage 4 resources, coaches must be qualified PGA (Professional Golfers Association) professional coaches and have a proven track record in performance coaching. 
The main purpose of the SGU Golf Academy is to raise the standard of coaching, support services and advice available to young, developing players who aspire to National level.
The Academy programme is supported by sportscotland and is part of their roll out of a National Academy programme across a number of chosen sports. The programme builds on the work being done across Scotland in clubgolf and also is fed by Area Coaching provided by the 16 SGU Areas. This is a key part of the SGU’s work to develop a strong and comprehensive pathway for young players in Scotland.
For further information, contact Stuart Turner, SGU Performance and Development Manager. Tel: 01382 549500. E-mail: s.turner@scottishgolfunion.org

SGU Coaches... all lined up.

Mike Sangster (left of centre) and junior assistant Michael Brandt (right of centre) with Tain GC clubgolf children

Press Release
Tain golf club “Sports Personality” Mike Sangster raises coaching standards
 Tain Golf Club volunteer coach Mike Sangster, newly crowned Ross-Shire Sports Personality Coach of the Year, is hoping to raise the club’s impressive junior coaching standards to higher levels still after being invited onto Britain’s first PGA Level 2 Training for Volunteers Course.
Mr Sangster and 15 carefully selected volunteer club coaches (from a growing army of over 600 across Scotland) who have already been trained up to Level 1 standard by Scotland’s junior national golf strategy, clubgolf, were invited to sportscotland's National Training Centre in Largs for the past two weekends. PGA tutors from the Belfry conducted the intensive training, preparing the coaches for Level 2 qualification (the second of five levels of coaching).
“If I get the Level 2 qualification, which is my intention, then we’d be looking to increase the amount of coaching and also coach up to a higher standard at the club; give the kids a wee bit extra,” said Mr Sangster.
Mr Sangster has already proved himself to be one of Scotland’s most highly motivated coaches. Ever since Tain embraced the National Junior Golf Strategy, clubgolf, he has devoted every summer weekday evening and Saturday morning to helping transform the club’s junior section. Around 100 children now take part each week in the club’s Level 1 course. The club recently started coaching mothers who have been enthused by their children’s participation in the game.
A former publican who holds a handicap of three, Mr Sangster has until now never fully realised his talent for coaching. Coincidentally, almost 30 years ago he took a badminton coaching course in Largs, which qualified him as the first Scottish school boy to coach at county standard. He was also assistant pro at Greenock Golf Club for two years. But otherwise he had not explored his talents.
“Mike, the other volunteers and the clubgolf programme have been a godsend for the youngsters and local children have been able to get tuition ever since he started,” said Tain GC member, Rob Hudson, whose son, Charlie won the club’s Junior Medal this summer. “Mike seems to have a vocation for teaching the kids and can sort out anything that is wrong with their technique.”
Sangster’s drive to introduce the game to a large section of the local community is only matched by his modesty.
“I had no idea at all that I had been nominated for the award,” he said, “When I was a junior my impression was that you felt in awe of the pro and you would almost walk past with your head down. Things are changing now and people are encouraging kids to be more involved but there isn’t a pro at Tain so when I came back up here I thought I’d try coaching and see how we could get on.
“I have one other level 1 coach, Chris Illet, who helps me on a Monday night and Saturday morning and I’ve started getting some of the older juniors involved in helping me when I’m coaching.”

Press Release
REALITY TV STARS WILDE ABOUT ANGUS AND DUNDEE
The area of Angus and Dundee is receiving a fillip to its tourist industry with the coverage of the golf reality TV show The Big Break IV: USA vs Europe, which is showing currently on The Golf Channel UK.
The fourth outing for golf’s Pop Idol-style show has seen Europeans enter the fray for the first time - and a change of format to a Ryder Cup-style system with the ultimate showdown a head-to-head clash between the last surviving member of each team.
The majority of the series – which ends its run on Boxing Day – was filmed at Carnoustie and the competitors were full of praise for the golf course and the region.
Team USA member TJ Valentine said: “Carnoustie is a little piece of heaven. The way it falls into the sea is breathtaking.
“Taking part in the Big Break IV was such an honour in itself, but then having it take place on such a sacred land made the experience even better. The people treated us with open arms and made us feel at home.
“It was my first trip to Scotland and it definitely won’t be my last – I’ll hopefully be at the Open in 2007.”
His sentiments were echoed by Team Europe’s Thomas Blankvoort, from The Netherlands.
He said: “Having never been to Carnoustie it was a thrill to go somewhere steeped in so much history and tradition. Carnoustie over the years has become a place of folklore what with the events that have unfolded.
“I really enjoyed it. We had the opportunity to experience every kind of weather and that added to the experience and helps one understand the impact nature has on the way a golf course plays.
“Carnoustie is a golf town and there are very few of those in the world - and with St Andrews in such close proximity it tends to play second fiddle. But the golf courses there are all wonderful.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and hope to one day compete there again on golf’s grandest stage.”
In addition, media interest in the competition has also garnered coverage worldwide for the region.
VisitScotland’s area director, Patrick O’Shaughnessy, explained: “The Big Break IV has highlighted the superb golf which is available in Angus and Dundee.
“Carnoustie is one of the top courses in the world and will play host to the Open Championship in 2007. But not only do we have a championship course we also have three Open qualifying venues in Montrose, Monifieth and Downfield.
“There are over 20 courses in the region which have the canny knack of being playable by the high handicapper while remaining a worthy test for the better golfer. It would appear the attraction of Angus and Dundee has not been lost on the show’s participants.”
The prize at the end of the show is what drives on the individuals as they try to make it in the professional game - exemptions for European Tour events in 2006, starting with next year’s Celtic Manor Wales Open, and an endorsement contract with Bridgestone Golf.
Three Britons are competing in the event and one is no stranger to fame and fortune already.
Marty Wilde jnr, 24, has eschewed the music industry which proved such a success for father Marty snr and sister Kim and is looking for the chance to play on the European Tour.
The youngest competitor in the competition, Wilde certainly has a golfing pedigree; he was once the fourth-placed finisher in the Daily Telegraph Junior Championships when it was won by Justin Rose.
His family ties are, however, mentioned only in passing during the series.
A spokesman for The Golf Channel UK said: “Marty’s keen to stand on his own two feet and not to be thought of as trading on the Wilde name.
“However, the name Wilde is becoming something of a dynasty, with Kim now making a name for herself as a TV gardener and author and Marty snr still going on tour at the age of 66.
“If Marty jnr is concerned about having the stamina required to complete the series I don’t think he need worry.”
* The Big Break IV: USA vs Europe continues on The Golf Channel UK (Sky Digital 423) at 9.30pm every Monday until December 26.

Thursday 6th October 2005

Womens Senior Home Internationals
RUNNERS-UP SCOTLAND FINISH ON A HIGH
Scotland finished runners-up to England despite a 6 ½- ½ win over Wales on the last day of the senior women’s home international golf matches at Radyr Golf Club near Cardiff.
England beat Ireland 6-1 and were the only country to win all three matches. Scotland won twice.
The Scots swept the singles 5-0 against Wales. Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) was the most successful Scotland player over the three days. She won four out four ties and was closely followed by Moira Thomson (North Berwick) who gained 3 ½ pt out of four. Other Scots points earners were:
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) 3pt; Liz Campbell (Torwoodlee) 2 1/2 pt; Pamela Williamson (Baberton) 2pt; Fiona De Vries (St Rule) 2pt; Rose Anderson 1 ½ pt.
Player of the tournament was English seniors champion Christine Quinn who won six out of six ties. Chrstine Stirling was a closed second with 5pt out of five.
Collated scoreboard
SENIOR WOMEN’S HOME INTERNATIONALS – Radyr GC, South Wales.
Day 3
SCOTLAND 6 ½ , WALES ½
Foursomes – M Thomson & E Campbell halved with P Chugg & P Valentine; L Bennett & N Fenton bt V Thomas & J Doleman 1 hole (1 ½- ½).
Singles – P Williamson bt Thomas 1 hole, F De Vries bt Valentine 2 holes, Bennett bt J O’Connor 4 and 3, R Anderson bt Chugg 2 and 1, Fenton bt H Joyce 2 and 1 (5-0).
IRELAND 1, ENGLAND 6
Foursomes – V Hassett & M Henderson lost to C Quinn & P Wrightson 3 and 2; M Gorry & M Madden lost to C Stirling & H Smyth 5 and 3 (0-2).
Singles – Henderson lost to Quinn 7 and 6, Hassett bt C Watson 2 and 1, E MacMullen lost to C Caldwell 2 and 1, R English lost to Wrightson 2 and 1, P Walsh lost to Stirling 2 and 1 (1-4).
FINAL STANDINGS
1 England 3pt, 2 Scotland 2pt, 3 Wales 1pt, 4 Ireland 0pt.

Inaugural clubgolf Young Professionals Masters Pro-Am at Royal Dornoch Golf Club
A new event for a group of Highland’s most talented junior golfers, staged at Royal Dornoch Golf Club as part of last weekend’s Young Professionals Masters Pro-Am, has been hailed a success by the competition’s organisers, participants and development staff from Scotland’s Junior National Golf Strategy, clubgolf.
The 15 juniors, from Alness, Brora, Castle Heather, Dragon’s Tooth, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Invergordon, Muir of Ord, Nairn, Nairn Dunbar, Reay, Royal Dornoch, Tain and Torvean Golf Clubs were given an invaluable learning opportunity to prepare for, play in a tournament and receive on course advice from an Assistant Professional.
Scottish international and new Assistant PGA Professional, Lesley MacKay from Golspie led her team of three young Highland junior girls to victory against the four all-male teams.
MacKay, along with Nadia Green (Nairn GC), Kelsey McDonald and Sammy Vass (Tain GC) beat boys teams headed by Assistant PGA Professionals David Gray (Westin Turnberry), Ian Pender (Cadwer GC), Steven Rettie (unattached) and David Finlay (Braehead) into second, third and joint fourth spots respectively.
A special clubgolf team comprising Louise Clark (SLGA Chairman of Girl’s Golf), Hamish Grey (SGU Chief Executive), Willie MacKay (clubgolf Regional Manager for Highland) and Derek Watters (Largs, Assistant Professional) teed off to open the event, which was organised for the first time by the National Junior Golf Strategy, clubgolf, and the PGA.  
“It has been an instant success, the club and sponsors all embraced it immediately and we are delighted to be involved in it,” said PGA Scottish Region Secretary, Peter Lloyd. 
“I’m certain the youngsters have learnt a lot about preparing for and playing in a golf event. They might not all become professional golfers but we are putting opportunities their way to learn the game in a different environment.
“I’ve spoken to the sponsors and the captain and they’re all quite happy to continue and maybe get the next batch of youngsters involved next year.”
The same view is echoed by Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
“The event was a huge success and we are delighted that the juniors were able to experience the course as part of the competition,” said Royal Dornoch’s Manager, John Duncan. “We would certainly be interested in holding this type of competition again in the future.”
Said clubgolf’s Willie MacKay: “Every junior commented on how much they enjoyed the day. In being able to play a competitive match with a young Assistant Professional from last year’s order of merit, the benefits to their long term development are immense. I have no doubt the experience has motivated them all to keep practising during the winter.”

Womens Senior Home Internationals
SCOTS WIN FOURSOMES AGAINST WALES
Scotland took a 1 1/2- 1/2 pt lead over Wales into the final session of singles in the Senior Women's Home International Matches at Radyr Golf Club, South Wales today.
Moira Thomson and Liz Campbell halved the opening foursomes tie agaisnt Pam Chugg and Pamela Valentine.
The new Scots' pairing of Lorna Bennett and Noreen Fenton won on the last green against Vicki Thomas and Janet Doleman.
England, cruising to their third title in a row, won the foursomes 2-0 against Ireland.

LPGA Qualifying School
PAMELA FEGGANS MISSES HALFWAY CUT
Scotland amateur international player Pamela Feggans failed to survive the halfway cut in the LPGA Qualifying School sectional tournament at Plantation Golf & Country Club, Venice in Florida (Wed, USA time).
Pamela had two rounds of 79  for a total of 158 - six shots too many to be among the 74 players with totals of eight over par 152 who made it through to the final two rounds.
There was no indication if Miss Feggans, whose eligibility to play golf for Florida Southern College expired before the summer, was playing as an amateur or a professional. She went back to Florida Southern after the holidays to complete her educational course and was not available for selection for the Scotland team in the women's home internationals.
At the end of 72 holes, only the top 30 and ties will go forward to the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida from November 30 to December 3.
Former Curtis Cup players Fame More from Chesterfield and Danielle Masters from Kent survived the 36-hole cut. Both are having another go after failing to qualifying in the first LPGA sectional qualifying tournament in California.
This time round Fame had two 73s for 146 and Danielle had a 76 and 74 for 150.
Another English player but a pro for much longer than More and Masters, Jo Clingan also will contest the final 36 holes after scoring 78 and 72.
Annie Young from Highland, Utah leads on nine-under-par 135, a tournament record.
SCOREBOARD|
135 Annie Young (US) 68 67.
139 Kelly Lagerdrost (US) 69 70.
Other qualifiers:
146 Fame More (Eng) 73 73.
150 Jo Clingan (Eng) 78 72, Danielle Masters 76 74.
Non-qualifiers included:
158 Pamela Feggans (Sco) 79 79.
+74 players with totals of 152 (+8) qualified for the final two rounds.

US College Golf
EMILY’S TOP 20 FINISH IN TULSA
Perth & Kinross county team player Emily Ogilvy from Muckhart, a golf scholarship student at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, tied for 18th place in the ORU Shootout women’s college tournament at Meadowbank Country Club, Tulsa in Oklahoma.
Emily had scores of 81, 76 and 76 for a total of 233 – seven strokes behind the winner, Chelsey Pryor (Kansas).
Arkansas-Little Rock (934) finished fourth in the team event behind winners Oral Roberts (913).

US College Golf
ANNA TIES FOR THIRD IN FLORIDA
Anna Scott from Consett, Durham figured in a quadruple tie for third place in the Pelican Preserve Invitational women's college golf tournament at Pelican Preserve Golf Club, Fort Myers, Florida this week.
Anna, one of the leading players in the successful Georgia State University team, had rounds of 78, 73 and 74 for a total of 225 - three shots behind the winner, Jaclyn Perlman (Campbell University) who scored 78, 74 and 70.
Runner-up was another Campbell University student, Alejandra Shaw with 79, 73 and 72 for 224.
San Francisco (907) won the team event from Campbell University (910) with Georgia State (912) third.
 

Wednesday, 5th October 2005

Womens' Senior Home Internationals
ENGLAND BEAT SCOTLAND AND HEAD FOR TITLE
England look set to win the senior women’s home international golf championship for the third year in a row after being Scotland 4 ½-2 ½ at Radyr Golf Club, South Wales today.
The Scots shared the foursomes 1-1 but only Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh), a 6 and 5 winner, and Rose Anderson (Huntly), who halved her match, added to the points total in the afternoon singles.
Wales beat Ireland 4 ½-2 ½ in the other match.
England, with two wins out of two, face bottom of the table Ireland and Scotland play Wales in the final day matches.
SENIOR WOMEN’S HOME INTERNATIONALS – Radyr GC, Wales.
Day 2
ENGLAND 4 ½, SCOTLAND 2 ½
Foursomes – C Quinn & P Wrightson bt P Williamson & F De Vries 2 and 1; C Watson & G Bray lost to M Thomson & E Campbell 1 hole (1-1).
Singles – Quinn bt Williamson 2 and 1, C Stirling bt De Vries 1 hole, C Caldwell bt L Bennett 2 and 1, H Smyth halved with R Anderson; Watson lost to N Fenton 6 and 5 (3 ½-1 ½ ).
WALES 4 ½, IRELAND 2 ½
Foursomes – P Chugg & P Valentine bt V Hassett & M Henderson 2 and 1; V Thomas & J Doleman bt M Gorry & M Madden 3 and 1 (2-0).
Singles – Thomas bt Henderson 4 and 3, Chugg lost to Hassett 6 and 5, J O’Connor halved with E MacMullen; V MacKenzie lost to R English 5 and 4; H Joyce bt P Walsh 3 and 1 (2 ½-2 ½ )

Baby boy for Hilary
Congratulations to Hilary (nee Monaghan) and Paul Wardell who had a baby boy yesterday (4th Oct) to be called Owen - I'm told that mother, father and baby are all well.

Mail on Sunday Golf Classic – UK Finals
STIRLING WIN THROUGH... NEXT STOP - SPAIN!
Stirling Ladies reached the Grand Finals of the Mail on Sunday Golf Classic following a very close match against Bingley St Ives.   At the gala dinner on the pr