AMERICAN COLLEGE WOMEN
Golfstat Cup Standing
Minimum number of rounds played: 6
Abbreviations: FR, Freshman (first year) student; JR, junior year; SO, sophomore year; SR, senior (final) year)
1 Amanda Blumenherst JR Duke 12 69.58.
2 Stacy Lewis SR Arkansas 12 70.92.
3 Anna Nordqvist SO Arizona St 12 71.25.
4 Alison Walshe SR Arizona 15 71.33.
5 Tiffany Joh JR UCLA 12 71.58.
6 Azahara Munoz JR Arizona St 12 71.67.
7 Pernilla Lindberg JR Oklahoma St 12 71.67.
8 Belen Mozo SO USC 12 72.17.
9 Maria Jose Uribe FR UCLA 12 72.25.
10 Jennie Lee JR Duke 9 72.33.
11 Maria Hernandez JR Purdue 12 72.08.
12 Cydney Clanton FR Auburn 15 72.07.
13 Sandra Gal SR Florida 9 72.00.
14 Laura Kueny SO Michigan St 12 72.33.
15 Dewi Schreefel SR USC 12 72.75.
16 Valentine Derrey SO Texas Christian9 72.67.
17 Glory Yang FR UCLA 12 72.92.
18 So-Hyun Park FR Notre Dame 15 72.53.
19 Jodi Ewart SO New Mexico 12 73.17.
20 Mari Chun JR Stanford 12 73.25.
21 Lene Krog JR Virginia 12 72.92.
22 Carmen Perez-Narbon SO UNCW 11 73.27.
23 Taylore Karle FR Pepperdine 12 73.42.
24 Sydnee Michaels SO UCLA 12 73.50.
25 Calle Nielson FR Virginia 9 73.22.
26 Katie Kempter JR Denver 12 72.83.
27 Kathleen Ekey JR Alabama 12 73.00.
28 Taryn Durham SR Middle Tennessee 14 73.21.
29 Christina Boeljon JR Purdue 12 73.25.
30 Whitney Myers SR Florida 12 73.25.
31 Kira Meixner SR Kent State 12 73.25.
32 Marci Turner SR Tennessee 12 72.92.
33 Emelie Lind SR E Carolina 12 73.67.
34 Lizette Salas FR USC 12 73.83.
35 Jessica Yadloczky FR Florida 12 73.42.
36 Blair Lamb JR Furman 11 73.27.
37 Adriana Zwanck JR Arizona 15 73.73.
38 Emma deGroot FR Chattanooga 14 73.71.
39 Amber Littman FR East Carolina 12 73.75.
40 Jennifer Osborn JR Arizona St 12 73.92.
41 Kirby Dreher JR Kent State 12 73.42
42 Natalie Sheary FR Wake Forest 12 73.75.
43 Liebelei Lawrence SR Vanderbilt 12 73.83
44 Alison Whitaker SO Duke 12 73.83
45 Joanne Lee FR USC 9 73.89
46 Iliska Verwey FR Georgia St 13 74.23
47 Malin Thorberg FR California Baptist 9 73.56
48 Laura Crawford SR Wake Forest 12 73.83
49 Jennifer Pandolfi SR Duke 12 73.92
50 Abby Bools SO East Carolina 12 73.92
51 Linn Gustafsson FR Texas State 11 73.64
52 Rebecca Kim SO Duke 6 74.00
53 Diana Cantu SO Tennessee 12 73.25
54 Catherine Fortin SR East Michigan 11 73.55
55 Lisa Maunu JR Notre Dame 15 73.73
56 Chelsea Benton SR Denver 12 73.42
57 Julia Potter SO Missouri 14 73.86
58 Michaela Cavener SR Tulsa 12 74.00
59 Shanna Page JR Bethel-Indiana 10 72.80
60 Danielle McVeigh SO Texas A&M 6 73.67
61 Dawn Shockley JR Denver 9 73.56
62 Roseanne Niven SO California 12 74.25
63 Pia Halbig FR California 12 74.25
64 Ashley Rollins SR Texas 12 73.92
65 Therese Kolbaeck FR UNLV 14 74.14
66 P. Phol-uayporn JR Florida Atlantic 13 73.62
67 Nicole Smith JR Tennessee 12 73.42
68 Benedicte Toumpsin SO South Carolina 12 73.67
69 Hannah Burke SO Baylor 15 74.13
70 Katie Tewell SR Franklin 11 73.36
71 Dominique Pytlewski SO Colorado 15 74.13
72 Angela Oh SO Tennessee 12 73.58
73 Stephanie Sherlock SO Denver 12 73.75
74 Dori Carter JR Ole Mississippi 12 74.08
75 Jacqui Concolino JR Vanderbilt 12 74.33
76 Mallory Blackwelder JR Kentucky 11 74.27
77 Leanne Bowditch SR Pepperdine 12 74.50
78 Garrett Phillips SR Georgia 9 74.56
79 Pennapa Pulsawath SO Iowa State 11 74.82
80 Sara Wikstrom JR Arkansas-Little Rock 13 74.31
81 Araceli Felgueroso SO Coastal Carolina 9 74.89
82 Caroline Westrup JR Florida St 9 74.00
83 Seul Ki Park SR Illinois 15 74.40
84 Brittany Beltran JR Pfeiffer 9 74.78
85 Alexandra Bodemann FR Wake Forest 9 74.56
86 June Bolme SR Florida Atlantic 10 73.90
87 Xyra Suyetsugu SR Hawaii 8 74.25
88 Angela Drane JR Louisiana Monroe 13 74.00
89 Tamasin Clelland SR Oklahoma St 12 74.17
90 Stefanie Kenoyer FR Furman 12 74.17
91 Carolina Andrade SO Georgia 12 74.50
92 Sara Brown SR Michigan St 12 74.42
93 Martina Gavier FR Kent State 12 74.17
94 Jutta Degerman SR Winthrop 11 74.09
95 Allison Goodman JR California 12 74.75
96 Helena Blomberg SO Alabama 12 74.08
97 Paola Moreno SR USC 9 74.56
98 Cindy LaCrosse JR Louisville 12 74.58
99 Tyrette Metzendorf JR Iowa 12 74.92
100 Lauren Hunt JR North Carolina 12 74.17
Selected others:
109 Krystle Caithness FR Georgia 12 74.75
123 Tara Delaney SR Kent State 12 74.58
129 Anna Scott JR Georgia St 13 75.46
132 Gemma Webster JR Ohio State 12 74.83
234 Kelly Brotherton SO Chattanooga 14 76.00
250 Ellie Givens FR Denver 6 75.67

LORENA OCHOA TOPS AP FEMALE

ATHLETE OF YEAR POLL AGAIN

British Women's Open champion Lorena Ochoa from Mexico has topped the annual Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year poll. The 26-year-old, the world's No 1 female pro golfer and the first LPGA player to win more than $4million in one season, gained 71 votes, more than all the other leading candidates put together.

Lorena, pictured right, also won the AP Female award last year and follows in the famous footsteps of Annika Sorenstam, Kathy Whitworth, Mickey Wright and Babe Zaharias as the only golfers to win the prestigious poll two years in a row.

French Open women's tennis champion Justine Henin was runner-up with 17 votes.

New York Marathon winner Paul Radcliffe came third, Tennessee basketball player Candace Parker fourth and Allyson Felix, winner of three gold medals at the world track and field championships, completed the leading five this year.

Strangely enough, Tiger Woods did not win the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year award which went to an American Football player - New England Patriots quarter back Tom Brady.

Tennis ace Roger Federer from Switzerland was runner-up in the male voting.

MOVE TO START A NEW ZEALAND
WOMEN'S OPEN IN EARLY 2009

New Zealand Golf, buoyed by its successful staging of the New Zealand Open Championship in Queenstown this year, is keen to develop a women's equivalent.
NZG has established a working party to investigate the feasibility of a New Zealand Women's Open, which could be staged in early 2009 (which would be during their summer season).
Their decision follows their ultra-successful move to stage the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.
The men's event at The Hills three weeks ago returned record gate takings in excess of $250,000, considerably more than recorded returns when the event was staged at Gulf Harbour.
There was an impressive total paid attendance of 34,000.
NZG chief executive Bill MacGowan said lessons learned from the staging of this year's New Zealand Open will provide excellent data to determine the feasibility of a women's version.
"We believe we now fully understand what is required to stage a successful tournament at this level," MacGowan said.
"We know that there is real interest out there for a New Zealand Women's Open. We have had approaches from potential sponsors and also a number of golf courses have expressed interest.
"We have recognised this and indeed funds have been set aside from the old Womens Golf NZ organisation at the time of the amalgamation for such an event.
"We have included this as part of our new strategic plan and if we can tick all the right boxes, then we have an opportunity to stage an event as early as the summer of 2009. A key is also finding a suitable date."

Where have all the professionals

gone? Only four have entered

Festival so far

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Tournament Controller

While the number of new amateur entries for the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival continues to increase, we have stuck for ages at the figure four for the professionals.

If we can get another six Lady pros to enter before the January 15 deadline, I can guarantee a minimum first prize of 500 Euros in cash for the professionals at each of the six Festival competitions between February 10 and 23.

Of course, part of the attraction about the Festival is also the opportunity to devote a lot of time on the five-star practice facilities to put an edge on your game for the new season.

Entries should be E-mailed direct to colin@scottishgolfview.com

Same address if you want more details about the Festival or you want clarification on any point.

ENTRIES SO FAR

PROFESSIONALS

Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)

Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS

Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.

Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 17.

Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.

Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.

Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.

Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.

Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.

Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion) handicap 5. Age 15.

Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.

Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.

Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.

Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). scratch. Age 18.

Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

Peter Whiteford, Dunfermline Building Society chief executive Graeme Dalziel and Clare Queen (picture by Rob Eyton-Jones).

TOP GOLFERS LAUNCH DUNFERMLINE BUILDING
SOCIETY JUNIOR CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Scotland’s new European Tour star Peter Whiteford and rising Ladies European Tour player Clare Queen were on hand to launch the SGU’s latest initiative for junior golf, the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year Awards.
Part of Dunfermline Building Society’s £100,000 sponsorship agreement with the Scottish Golf Union, the new awards have been designed to reward clubs across the country for their efforts in promoting junior golf and encouraging more young participants in the game.
The awards will be open to all golf clubs and facilities in Scotland, with the winning club receiving £1,000 towards their junior programmes, plus five runners-up awards of £300.
The six winning entrants will also have their work showcased to other clubs and facilities in Scotland, aiming to encourage further good practice across the country. The awards will also be supported by clubgolf, Scotland’s national junior golf programme.
Fife professional Peter Whiteford, who has made the cut on his opening four events on his debut European Tour season having successfully graduated from the 2007 Challenge Tour, welcomed the new initiative:
“The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year awards is a great idea and one which will encourage more clubs to promote golf among youngsters in their community.”
“There are many examples of clubs and volunteers doing great work at junior level and these awards will help highlight that activity even more.”
Each club and golf facility will be invited to nominate themselves for the Awards, with entries being judged on a number of different criterion, including accessibility, community links, achievements, coaching programmes and testimonials from other parties.
Clare Queen, who has recently completed her second season on the Ladies European Tour, finishing 39th on the Order of Merit, said:
“It’s really important that clubs in Scotland do all they can to encourage boys and girls to play and enjoy golf and its great that the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year Awards will recognise those clubs who are doing the most.
“I was lucky enough to benefit from being part of a very good junior section at Drumpellier Golf Club and there seems to be more girls getting involved in golf from an early age, which is great for the game in Scotland.”
Nomination forms will be posted out to all clubs and facilities in Scotland during the first week of January and will also be available to download on-line on the SGU website. The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year Award winners will be announced at the Scottish Golf Dinner on Friday, March 28.
The Awards strengthen Dunfermline Building Society’s commitment to junior golf in Scotland, following a successful first season of their Junior Masters sponsorship, with more than 2,500 youngsters from 200 clubs taking part, with one third of the field in some of the events made up of girls.
Dunfermline Building Society also launched their new Fairway Saver Account for golfers two months ago, with more than 850 accounts with a value in excess of £2m already opened.
Chief Executive Graeme Dalziel added:
“Sponsorship of golf in Scotland is extremely important to Dunfermline Building Society and our values are closely linked to those of the Scottish Golf Union and the great work being done by volunteers in golf clubs.”
“We are very proud to be making a difference and hope that our sponsorship can lead to Scotland producing more exciting young players like Peter and Clare in the future.”

NEW SPONSOR AND VENUE FOR SCOTTISH GOLF DINNER

The Dunfermline Building Society is to be the new sponsor of the annual Scottish Golf Dinner, which will be held at a new venue – the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow – in March next year.
Already the biggest sponsors of junior golf in Scotland with a £100,000 investment announced earlier this year, Dunfermline Building Society will become headline sponsors of the event which the SGU and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA) will jointly host for the second successive year.
The annual Scottish Golf Dinner will move to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, with the event being staged on Friday 28 March, providing the curtain raiser to the domestic 2008 golf season.
Graeme Dalziel, Chief Executive of Dunfermline Building Society, was delighted to further strengthen the company’s links with golf in Scotland:
“The annual Scottish Golf Dinner is a great way to launch the new golf season so we are thrilled to become sponsors of such a prestigious event. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of Scotland’s golfers and golf clubs in what has been another very good year for the game.”
“We have had a fantastic first year of sponsorship with the Scottish Golf Union and the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters has been a welcome addition to our sponsorship portfolio.”
The Scottish Golf Dinner will move to Glasgow for the first time, to accommodate the increased demand on tickets, with the previous venue selling out for the past two years. Tickets go on sale today priced at £42.50 per person or £425 per table of ten.
SGU Chief Executive Hamish Grey welcomed the opportunity to extend the organisation’s partnership with one of their biggest partners:
“Dunfermline Building Society’s sponsorship of the Scottish Golf Dinner is a great boost for the event and one which will allow us to further raise the profile of the event and increase the high standards we have set ourselves.”
“The Scottish Golf Dinner is a great show case for golf and next year’s event promises to be a fantastic occasion with great entertainment on offer. The fact that we have had to move to a new, larger venue speaks volumes on how popular the Dinner has become in its relatively short life.”
A number of awards will be presented on the night, including the SGU Order of Merit and Scottish Golfer of the Year titles, whilst the cream of ladies amateur golf will be present to collect the SLGA Golf Ranking awards. The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year will also be awarded on the night for the first time.
Further details of guest speakers and entertainment will be announced early in the New Year.

NO SONY OPEN INVITATION FOR

MICHELLE WIE THIS YEAR

Falling star Michelle Wie has not received one of the four sponsor's invitations to the men's Sony Open on Hawaii this year.

The teenager from Honolulu, a student at Stanford University, California, had played in the US PGA Tour event every year since 2004.

Coach David Leadbetter says Wie, now 18 with professional status as a golfer, would probably seek to play in one or both of the LPGA Tour events in Hawaii that start the women's golf season in February. He also said competition against the men would probably be on hold until she gets her health and her game back together.
``She's not ready to play in that yet,'' Leadbetter said of the Sony Open, where Wie first rose to fame by shooting 68 at age 14 and missing the cut by one shot. ``Her health is getting better, her game is getting better, the confidence is growing. The plan hasn't been made totally for this year yet, but she's looking to play one or two Hawaiian events against the women.
``The whole goal is to get back on track after the debacle last year."
``She knows she's got to earn people's respect back,'' said Leadbetter, who has been working with Wie this week at ChampionsGate Resort outside Orlando, Fla. ``She's grown up in some ways. She seems a little more independent. She's a lot happier.''
Wie finished her first semester at Stanford, and Leadbetter said the family was trying to decide a balance between golf and school for the spring semester. He said the plan was for a full schedule, although it's no longer that simple.
Wie is not exempt for any of the majors, although she could try to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open and Women's British Open. But she essentially will be starting from scratch.
``The sad part about it is if she had taken the year off, nobody would think the less of her,'' Leadbetter said. ``You don't go from being in contention in every LPGA event to not being able to break 80 without something being wrong. Everybody was too gung-ho for her to get out there and play. She used to leave high school for a couple of days and be competitive. And it didn't happen this year.''
The Sony Open still will have a couple of teenagers from Hawaii in the tournament that starts Jan. 10.
One exemption went to Tadd Fujikawa, who last year became the youngest player in 50 years to make a cut on the US PGA Tour. The Sony Open also saves an unrestricted exemption for the low amateur in local qualifying. That went to 17-year-old Alex Ching, Wie's former classmate at Punahou School.
Wie and Ching were teammates in the Pro-Junior Skills Challenge last year at the Sony Open, which they won in a playoff. Not many could have guessed then that Ching would be the one who returned.

TWENTY-EIGHT EVENTS, RECORD
PRIZE MONEY ON 2008 LADIES'
EUROPEAN TOUR

Ladies European Tour's executive director Alexandra Armas (pictured right) has revealed the 2008 LET schedule.
Next year the Tour will feature an unprecedented 28 events. It will also boast total prize money in excess of €12.3 million, which is the highest in the LET's 30-year history.
“The 2007 season has been a huge success with The Solheim Cup in Sweden and new events in Australia, Scotland, Madrid, India and Northern Ireland,” said Armas.
“In 2008 we continue to build our tournament schedule with a further five new events, higher prize money and yet more first rate tournament venues.”
The five new tournaments in 2008 are:
*The European Ladies' Golf Cup.
*The Turkish Ladies' Open.
*The Hypovereinsbank Ladies' German Open presented by Audi.
*The AIB Ladies Irish Open.
*The Göteberg Masters.
The inaugural European Ladies Golf Cup, from April 4-6, at La Sella Golf Resort in Spain, will be a team event featuring prize money of €300,000. The tournament will be organised and promoted by Deporte & Business, who also promote the successful Open de Espana Femenino and will be supported by the Spanish Golf Federation.
It will feature 24 teams of two players from qualifying countries, based on the previous year's New Star Money List and Rolex Women's World Rankings.
The inaugural Turkish Ladies Open, from May 8-11, Hypovereinsbank Ladies' German Open, from May 29-June 1 and Göteberg Masters, from September 18-21, will be full field stroke-play events with prize money of €250,000 each.
In addition, after a four-year absence, the AIB Ladies Irish Open will return to the 2008 schedule and will feature prize money of €450,000.
In 2008, six existing tournaments will change venue.

*The MFS Women's Australian Open will now be played at Kingston Heath Golf Club.
*The Ricoh Women's British Open returns to Sunningdale Golf Club.
*The Open de Espana Femenino returns to Panoramica Golf and Country Club.
*The Ladies English Open moves to The Oxfordshire Golf Club.
*The Scandinavian TPC hosted by Annika, moves to Frösåker Golf Club.
*The SAS Masters takes place at Haga Golf Club in Norway.

Once again the Ladies European Tour season will be launched with the Women's World Cup of Golf on the Gary Player Course at Sun City, South Africa, from January 18-20. The season will conclude with the Dubai Ladies Masters, from December 11-14, on the highly acclaimed Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

2008 LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE
Prize funds in Euros
Jan 18 - 20 SOUTH AFRICA. Women's World Cup of Golf. Gary Player Country Club,
Sun City, Johannesburg (€ 979,599).
Jan 31 - 3 Feb AUSTRALIA. MFS Women’s Australian Open. Kingston Heath Golf Club,
Melbourne (€ 298,797).

Feb 7 - 10 AUSTRALIA. ANZ Ladies Masters. Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland (€ 358,726).

April 4 - 6 SPAIN. European Ladies Golf Cup. La Sella Golf Resort, Alicante (300,000).
April 17 - 20 SPAIN. Open de España Femenino. Panoramica Golf & Country
Club, San Jordi, Castellon (275,000).

May 2 - 4 SCOTLAND. Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. De Vere Cameron House, The Carrick on Loch Lomond (200,000).
May 8 - 11 TURKEY. Turkish Ladies Open. National Golf Club, Belek, Antalya (250,000).
May 22 - 25 SWITZERLAND. Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open. Golf Gerre Losone, Ticino,
Switzerland (525,000).
May 29 - 1 June GERMANY. Hypovereinsbank Ladies German Open presented by Audi. Golfpark Gut Häusern, near Munich (250,000).

June 6 - 8 NETHERLANDS. KLM Ladies Open. Eindhovensche Golf, Valkenswaard, Holland
(250,000).
June 12 - 15 PORTUGAL. Ladies Open of Portugal. Venue tbc (200,000).
June 19 - 22 SPAIN. Tenerife Ladies Open. Venue tbc. (300,000).

July 4 - 6 ENGLAND. The Oxfordshire Ladies English Open. The Oxfordshire Golf Club,
Thame, Oxfordshire (165,000).
July 10 - 13 IRELAND. AIB Ladies Irish Open. Venue tbc (450,000).
July 17 - 20 ITALY. BMW Ladies Italian Open. Venue tbc (400,000).
July 24 - 27 FRANCE. EVIAN MASTERS. Evian Masters GC, Evian-Les-Bains, France (2,084,790).
July 31 - 3 Aug ENGLAND. RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN. Sunningdale Golf Club, Berkshire (1,462,914).

Aug 7 - 10 SWEDEN. Scandinavian TPC hosted by Annika. Frösåker G&CC, Västerås, Sweden (525,000).
Aug 14 - 17 WALES. S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe. Machynys Peninsula Golf &
Country Club, Carmarthenshire (487,682).
Aug 22 - 24 NORWAY. SAS Masters. Haga Golf Course, Oslo (200,000).
Aug 29 - 31 FINLAND. Finnair Masters. Helsinki Golf Club, Tali (200,000).

Sept 5 - 7 DENMARK. Tournament and venue tbc (200,000).
Sept 11 - 14 AUSTRIA. UNIQA Ladies Golf Open presented by Raiffeisen. Golfclub Föhrenwald, Vienna Neustadt (250,000).
Sept 18 - 21 SWEDEN. Göthenburg Masters. Lycke Golf Club (250,000).
Sept 25 - 28 FRANCE. Vediorbis Open de France Dames. Golf d'Arras, Nord-Pas de Calais (350,000).
To be confirmed: SPAIN Madrid Ladies Masters. Venue tbc (400,000).

Dec 3 - 6 INDIA. EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters. Eagleton Golf Resort, Bidadi, Bangalore (200,000).
Dec 11 - 14 DUBAI. Dubai Ladies Masters. Emirates Golf Course (500,000).

MICHELLE WIE CHANGES TACK:
NO MORE PLAYING IN MEN'S
EVENTS IN 2008

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By LEWINE MAIR
Michelle Wie, who has aroused much controversy through accepting invitations to play on men's tours, has said that she will not be playing in any men's events in 2008. The only exception may come at the end of the season with an appearance in Asia.
Wie, now 18, has explained her change of tack to her coach, David Leadbetter, during lessons at his Florida academy this week.
It was back in 2004, at the age of 14, that Wie caused a sensation as she had rounds of 72 and 68 to miss the cut by just a single shot in the men's Sony Open in Hawaii. That, though, was arguably her best performance in the men's arena.
By the end of last year, she had missed 11 men's cuts out of 12, with her only success coming on the Asian tour a couple of seasons ago.
This year was an almost total write-off for Wie after she injured her wrist in a fall. After six top-five finishes in majors between 2004 and 2006, she withdrew from the women's US Open and missed the cut in the Ricoh British Women's Open.
As far as Leadbetter is concerned, she should not have been playing at all. "Michelle kept thinking that the injury was about to get better, but it never did," he explained. "She's full of the joys of spring and is back to full health. For the first time in 12 months, she is swinging well and feeling no pain."
One problem is the fact that LPGA rules do not allow Wie, who chose not to join the association, to be given an invitation to the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship, which could pose problems when it comes to the British Women's Open at Sunningdale on July 31-Aug 3.
"We would try to accommodate any request but we cannot make any guarantees," noted Susan Simpson from the Ladies' Golf Union. "Usually we keep in step with the other tours and, if the LPGA are knocking her back, it would look odd if we let her play."
But Simpson added that the LGU had always seen the upside of having Wie in the field, not least because of the enhanced publicity she brings to the women's game.
The Kraft Nabisco, the first women's major of the season, is off Wie's schedule for the first time in six years, even though she finished only one shot off the lead in 2006.
www.telegraph.co.uk/mair

CAITHNESS, WEBSTER AND NIVEN:

SCOTS' FEMALE AMATEUR POWER

BASE IS IN UNITED STATES

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Three of the top four Scots in the final European Golf Association women's amateur golf rankings for 2007 are in the United States on golf scholarships.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), pictured right, the highest ranked Scot in 24th place, is a student at Georgia University.
Hilton Park member Gemma Webster, ranked No 54 in Europe, is at Ohio State University and captain of the Buckeyes' women's golf squad.

Gemma has had eight top-20 finishes in her last 13 US college tournaments, including three out of her last four events in the autumn season. That is impressive form indeed, given the strength of most of the fields in which she is competing.

Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), who cut short a four-year course at Jacksonville State University, Alabama at this time last year, is ranked No 86. She is the only home-based Scot in the top 150 of the EGA women's amateur rankings.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff), a student at the University of California-Berkeley and ranked No 89, is the only other Scot to get a mention.
EUROPEAN TOP TEN
The top 10 in the EGA Rankings are:
1 Sandra Gal (Germany), 2 Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), 3 Carlota Ciganda (Spain), 4 Caroline Westrup (Sweden), 5 Melissa Reid (England), 6 Marjet Van der Graaff (Netherlands), 7 Dewi-Claire Schreefel (Netherlands), 8 Valentine Derrey (France), 9 Christel Boeljon (Netherlands), 10 Pernilla Lindberg (Sweden).
Sandra Gall and Melissa Reid have recently turned professional.

HDA FESTIVAL FEVER IS SWEEPING

ACROSS IRELAND!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Hacienda del Alamo "Festival Fever" seems to be sweeping across the golf clubs of Ireland.
Today we have had SIX entries from the Emerald Isle - five ladies from Navan Golf Club in County Meath and 15-year-old Emma O'Driscoll, who plays off five at Ballybunion Golf Club, Tralee.
The five from Navan are Marion Geoghegan, Gemma Jennings, Mary McAree, Margaret Rooney and Philomena Sheeran.
Orla Barry from Galway entered previously so the Festival list has seven Irish entries so far ... and I believe more are on their way.
No names, no pack drills but I can tell you that we now have two over-50s in the party so it looks as if we will have a senior prize list after all.
The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival will run from Sunday, February 10 (first practice day) to Saturday, February 24. The six competitions over the two weeks are open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs up to a maximum handicap of 20.
E-mail your entries to the Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson, at colin@scottishgolfview.com

Incidentally, after consultation with Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort Director of Golf Billy Sim, the closing date for Festival entries has been fixed as MONDAY, JANUARY 15. Tell your friends who are thinking about it but have not filed their entries that there is now a deadline.

Festival entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway)
Lisa BARTON (Coventry)
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath)
Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan).
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park)
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy)
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy)
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan)
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough)
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath)
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan).
Mary McAREE (Navan)
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath)
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon)
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon)
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough)
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough)
Emma O'DRISCOLL (Ballybunion)
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder)
Margaret ROONEY (Navan).
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan)
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan)
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon)
Jane TURNER (Mortonhall).

HANNAH BURKE? YES, SHE'S

TOP GB&I AMATEUR IN

FINAL EUROPEAN
RANKINGS FOR 2007

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

One of the most intriguing observations to come out of the European Golf Association's release of its final women's amateur rankings for 2007 is that if the Great Britain & Ireland team of eight for the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews in just five months' time were chosen from the top eight eligible players in the rankings, it would be:

22nd Hannah Burke (Mid-Herts & Baylor University, Texas).
23rd Breanne Loucks (Wrexham).

24th Tara Delaney (Carlow & Kent State University, Ohio).

24th Krystle Caithness (St Regulus & Georgia University).
31st Elizabeth Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).

35th Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan)

36th Jodi Ewart (Catterick & New Mexico University).
38th Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down & Texas A&M University).

Hannah Burke? Yes, the Mid-Herts player (pictured above) who, as a Baylor University, Texas student won an event on the American college circuit a month or two ago and finished third in another is the leading British or Irish player in 22nd place in the EGA rankings after discounting those above her who have turned professional - Melissa Reid and Rachel Bell.

Hannah is NOT a member of the Ladies Golf Union Elite winter training squad, which is not surprising, given that she has no "form" in British tournaments.

There are several basic flaws in the European Golf Association rankings' system. One is that too many points are awarded for performances on the American college circuit which, of course, is "closed" to all but student golfers.

Yet, no points can be earned in "closed" events in Europe, such as the Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh national championships. That means Jenna Wilson received no EGA rankings points for winning the "Scottish" and Naomi Edwards none for becoming English champion.
And the counting events designated by the European Golf Association do not include the St Rule Trophy which nowadays attracts an international field.

It would take an Einstein to come up with a perfect women's ranking system. The R&A backroom boys eventually produced an excellent World Amateur Golfing Ranking system for men. I believe they are working on setting up an equivalent one for women.

Can't resist showing you another photo of Oliver!

This is him yesterday (5 days old!)

SPANISH ISLANDS GIRLS' CHAMPION

LAUREN ADMITS SHE PREFERS

RUNNING TO GOLF!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Since we published the story of Lauren Mackin, a 16-year-old Scottish girl living with her parents on the island of Majorca, winning the Spanish Balearic Islands' girls golf championship recently, it has come to light that golf is by no means her No 1 sport.

In an E-mail to Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, Lauren has confessed that running is not her main sport at the moment. She really does not have time to play golf!
The amazing thing about Lauren, who did not take up golf until four or five years ago, is that has improved her handicap from seven to four this year despite giving running her top priority
Last year Lauren played in the St Andrews girls’ open quaich (handicap) tournament and lost to Jessica Scott (Wanstead) by one hole in the final. Lauren was conceding nine strokes to her opponent.
Miss Mackin is a member at Son Muntaner golf course, a newer course than its immediate neighbour, the better-known Son Vida. Both are fairly close to Palma, the capital of Majorca.
“I am also a member at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club in Scotland but I have not played there for a while,” said Lauren.
“Sometimes I go over to Scotland to visit family and friends.
“I’m a very sporty girl. I love all sports and challenges. I lay beach volleyball and I’m in the beach volleyball team here in Majorca. During the week I play tennis with my friends and sometimes I play golf.
“But my main sport at the moment is running. I compete nearly every weekend in races and I’m a member of a running team in Majorca.”
Lauren's mother Jennifer summed up her sporting daughter's prowess:
"I hope you don't think we are playing this (winning the Balearics' girls championship) down but we don't want you to think that our daughter is an up and coming golf star. However she is a very good runner and was the national Scottish Under-13 crosscountry champion, Scottish schools crosscountry champion, national 1,500 metres champion and national road champion - all in the same year: 2003 !
"Lauren is still a member of the Giffnock North Athletic Club in Glasgow. When she is in Glasgow she sees golf coach Karyn Burns at Mearns Golf Academy. She has not had many golf lessons and never had any here in Majora where we have been for the past three years. "She is a very fluent Spanish speaker and is now studying German ."
In short, Lauren Mackin is a talented young lady on and off the golf course.

RYAN’S A CHRISTMAS CRACKER: CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS FOR
SCOTTISH GOLF

Stewart Maxwell MSP, Minister for Communities and Sport and Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, today joined clubgolf youngsters at Turnhouse Golf Club in Edinburgh. They were there to celebrate sportscotland’s annual investment in Scottish golf through the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association of £911,000 and at the same time, highlight 13 year old Ryan Gordon from Alford, Aberdeenshire as Scottish golf’s latest success story.
This is one of the largest awards to be given to a sport in Scotland and will benefit the sport right across the board, including £500,000 for the clubgolf (national junior golf) programme. clubgolf has been developed through a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland. The programme is the result of the Scottish Government's commitment to create the opportunity for every nine-year-old in Scotland to experience golf, on the back of the successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said: “This is a significant investment in Scottish golf which I hope will help us to continue the excellent work that’s been done recently to introduce new players to the sport.“It’s particularly important that more young people will have the chance to try out golf through the clubgolf programme, which is already helping youngsters to discover their passion for the sport and building a pool of fresh talent to produce our golfing stars of the future.”
Originally co-ordinated by sportscotland, clubgolf has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2003 and last year its management was appropriately transferred to golf’s governing bodies. This change is reflected in the funding package announced today.
CLUBGOLF MILESTONES
In 2007 clubgolf achieved some significant milestones:
*Within schools, 26,000 P5 children introduced to golf through firstclubgolf, bringing the number of children who have experienced the programme to over 50,000.
*5,852 children in structured coaching programmes at golf clubs and facilities comprised of: *4,895 children involved in Stage 1 programmes; 527 children in Stage 2 programmes; 430 children coached by PGA Pros on Stage 3 programmes.
*945 clubgolf volunteer coaches active in clubs.
*182 golf clubs and facilities delivering clubgolf.
*21 PGA Pros delivered Stage 3 programmes.
RYAN GORDON A NOTABLE FIRST
In another exciting development, 13 year old Ryan Gordon from Alford, was recently selected for the SGU Academy at Grampian (under coach Neil Marr) and in doing so became the first youngster to progress through every step of the clubgolf pathway.
Having started with firstclubgolf at Alford Primary School and continued his development at Alford Golf Club, Ryan’s achievement proves clubgolf’s structure not only increases participation in golf amongst youngsters but provides the opportunity for talented golfers to emerge.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Ryan said: “I have certainly benefited enormously from the clubgolf programme. The coaching ensured that I developed good habits right from the start and I would like to thank all the clubgolf coaches, in particular Neil Cobban (Alford’s clubgolf coordinator and a PGA Level 2 coach) and PGA Pro Andy Locke who have both been really supportive.”
With a handicap of 9.7 down from 15.0 at the start of this season, Ryan is clearly an exciting young talent and he is hoping that a place in the SGU Academy programme will help improve his all round game and enable him to realise his dream of becoming a professional golfer.
“Getting into the Academy programme is just a fantastic opportunity and has enabled me to get the help of a really good coach in Neil Marr. It has given me the extra motivation to follow my dream, I feel like I am a step closer to reaching my goal and I look forward to working hard to make my wish eventually come true.”
LASTING LEGACY
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair sportscotland said, “We are delighted to offer the SGU and the SLGA our continued investment and support. clubgolf is a fantastic example of using a major event like the Ryder Cup as a catalyst for delivering a lasting legacy in terms of increasing participation and improving performances in sport. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in clubgolf on the significant progress being made and wish Ryan every success in the future.
“I am also sure that we can learn some important lessons for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. However, just like clubgolf, we need to have the vision and aspiration along with the long-term planning and investment and we must start now if we are to make a legacy a reality.”
Acknowledging the investment, Hamish Grey, Chief Executive Officer of the SGU said: "The SGU is delighted to accept this annual award which significantly contributes to our development programmes and is recognition of the many successes Scottish golfers have enjoyed in recent years.
“As a result of this funding we are able to provide world class coaching structures to Scottish golfers - which is increasingly important as Scotland's hosting of the Ryder Cup draws ever closer.
“Ryan Gordon is an excellent example of a young golfer exploring his talent through structured coaching and as one of the key partners in clubgolf, we can provide continued and joined up programmes through our ‘Pathways’ coaching and development strategy - ensuring every golfer can progress to whatever level they aspire to."
Margaret MacNaughtan, Chairman of the SLGA, added: "The SLGA very much appreciates the support it receives from sportscotland. It has enabled us to have Kevin Craggs as our full time national coach and already Scottish ladies' teams have benefited from his experience. We look forward to a successful 2008."

+Picture above of Ryan Gordon with MSP Stewart Maxwell by courtesy of Stewart Lindridge of Ideal Images. Another picture available on www.scottishgolfview.com

Sunny southern Spain here they come!

FRILFORD HEATH FOUR ADD TO
NUMBERS FOR HACIENDA DEL
ALAMO WOMEN'S FESTIVAL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON (Tournament Controller)
Four ladies from Frilford Heath in Golf Club are the latest entries to the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
The Festival, which has six competitions, open to Lady Professionals and Lady Amateurs - separate prize lists - over the two weeks, runs from Sunday, February 10 (first official practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed 18-hole course at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort near Fuente Alamo in the Murcia region of south-east Spain) to Saturday, February 23.
Jane Binning (2), Annie Gowing (5), Kate Evans (7) and Judy McCairns (9) are all single-figure handicap players but we did raise the handicap limit to include all Silver Division players (i.e. maximum 20) just in case there were those of you out there who were desperate to come but did not have a single-figure handicap.
Buggies are not mandatory but will be permitted during all six Festival events.
Director of Golf Billy Sim has obtained a reduction in the hire cost for Festival competitors - only 10 Euros each for a shared buggy, 20 Euros if you want to go solo.
Electric trolleys are also available for hire.
The countdown has begun .... if you have not entered so far, get cracking before Christmas, please!

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway, Ireland) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2
Anna CARLING (Wales) handicap 4.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 17.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 4.
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 7. Age 13.
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.
Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Handicap 1. Age 18.

To be confirmed:
Rachael LIVINGSTONE (Musselburgh Old) scratch. Age 19.

HOW TO ENTER
E-mail your entry direct to colin@scottishgolfview.com, giving full name, state whether amateur or professional, name of home golf club and handicap if an amateur, give date of birth if under 20 years or state if you are a "senior" if over 50 years on January 1.

LARA TADIOTTO TAKES

MAURITIUS LADIES

OPEN TITLE FROM
LORA FAIRCLOUGH

Belgium’s Lara Tadiotto successfully defended a two-stroke overnight lead to secure the Ladies’ Mauritius Open title on the windswept Legend course at Belle Mare Plage with rounds of 72, 75 and 76 for a seven-over-par final total of 223.
Title-holder Lora Fairclough from Lancashire was runner-up on 225 with scores of 76, 73 and 76
The 33-year-old Tadiotto, pictured right with the trophy, had laid the foundations for her victory in the opening two rounds, launching her challenge with a three-over-par 75 on Friday and following up with the only level-par round of the tournament in difficult conditions on the second day.
A one-stroke lead over four players – Melodie Bourdy, defending champion Lora Fairclough, Isabella Maconi and Silvia Knaubel – after the first round was extended by a further stroke in round two.
The final round on Sunday saw Fairclough close the gap on the front nine and then take a slender lead.
But at the crucial 14th hole, Taddioto sank a 40ft putt for birdie while Fairclough missed a six-footer for par.
After that, Taddioto maintained her slender one-stroke advantage and when Fairclough three-putted the 16th and 17th for bogeys, the title was in her grasp.
However, a pulled drive at the final hole forced the Belgian to reload and from her second drive, Tadiotto put a three-wood approach on the green.
Fairclough had the slight advantage but a two-putt for par was answered by a two-putt for bogey by Tadiotto and the title was hers.
“I am really pleased for Lara,” said a gracious Fairclough at the presentation ceremony. “She played well and deserved her victory.”
Tadiotto responded by saying that she was thrilled by her success:
“I have won in Belgium but not outside the country, so this is a pleasing success for me.
“It may have been a small field but the competition was strong and to win here was important to me.”
Third-placed Bourdy enjoyed a good tournament although her temperament in the final round probably cost her a chance of a higher placing, while the expected challenge from Lynn Kenny failed to materialise. The Scot finished fourth on 229 with scores of 77, 76 and 76.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
223 L Tadiotto (Bel) 75 72 76
225 L Fairclough (Eng) 76 73 76.
227 M Bourdy (France) 76 73 78.
229 L Kenny (Scotland) 77 76 76.
231 I Maconi (Italy) 76 74 81.
247 C Foong (Canada) 86 82 79.
252 S Knauber (Germany) 76 90 86.
254 K Fisher (England) 85 80 89.
257 L Wright (England) 80 89 88.
266 S Hunter (England) 87 88 91.

SCOTTISH BOY PROSPECT SIGNS UP FOR US COLLEGE

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), one of Scotland's leading Under-18 boy golfers, has signed a Letter of Intent to enrol at East Tennessee State University next autumn.
Full story is available on www.scottishgolfview.com

UNITED STATES WIN

EIGHT OF 12 SINGLES

TO RETAIN HANDA CUP

FOR OVER-45s

The United States retained the Handa Cup with a 26-22 win over the World Team - co-captain Cathy Panton-Lewis - in the two-day match for over-45s female professionals at the World Golf Village, St Augustine in Florida today.

Two points were awarded for a win and one for a halved match.

The World team led 14-10 at the conclusion of Saturday's nine-hole ties. They won the foursomes 9-3 but United States began to narrow the gap by taking the better-ball session 7-5.

In the concluding singles ties, the Americans were the dominant force, winning eight of the 12 ties.

Perhaps the World would have been better off with Cathy Panton-Lewis as a player as she was last year.

+US team captain Kathy Whitworth is pictured with the Handa Cup.

Sunday's singles results (US names first):

Sherri Turner bt Sally Little 2 and 1.

Beth Daniel bt Dawn Coe-Jones 2 and 1.

Patty Sheehan bt Alicia Dibos 4 and 2.

Amy Alcott lost to Nancy Harvey 1 hole.

Nancy Scranton lost to Jan Stephenson 6 and 5.

Christa Johnson lost to Anne Marie Palli 1 hole.

JoAnne Carner bt Mieko Nomujra 2 and 1.

Cindy Rarick bt Barb Scherbak 5 and 4.

Pat Bradley bt Nayoko Yoshikawa 5 and 4.

Rosie Jones bt Michiko Acada 3 and 2.

Sandra Haynie lost to Angie Tsai 4 and 3.

Marilyn Lovander bt Maria Alice Gonzales 7 and 5.

ANNIKA SORENSATAM WINS DUBAI LADIES
MASTERS AS IBEN TINNING TAKES A
DOUBLE BOGEY 7 AT THE LAST HOLE

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE:
Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam successfully defended the Dubai Ladies Masters on the Emirate’s Majlis course today, collecting her first victory of 2007 after a year blighted by injury. Sorenstam posted a winning score of 278, 10-under-par, after rounds of 70, 70, 68 and 70 to claim a first prize of 75,000 Euros. It was her first victory since the inaugural Dubai event on the same course in October 2006.
“Obviously winning this tournament means a lot to me,” said Sorenstam, who spent much of the year battling a succession of neck and back problems. “It’s been kind of a tough year for me inside the ropes and to come here and defend a title and to play so consistently and bring the trophy home; it’s just a wonderful feeling.
"I’ve missed the feeling; I’ve missed being in contention. I’ve missed coming down the stretch and having a chance to win so I could not have asked for a better week.”
The 37-year-old Swede began the day one stroke behind the leader, Denmark’s Iben Tinning, but after shooting a final round of two-under-par she finished two strokes ahead of the Dane, who had a 73 and England’s Laura Davies, who shot 72 to share second on eight-under-par. Tinning began the final round with a one stroke lead on nine-under-par but bogeyed the sixth to draw level with Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam. The three players were tied for the lead on nine-under-par after nine holes. Sorenstam was one behind Tinning with only two holes to play, but holed a key 20 foot birdie putt at the 17th to tie for the lead.
“I knew I was running out of holes. Iben had a one stroke lead at the time and all I was focusing on was the hole. There really was no other option. It wasn’t just trying to get it close: it was the hole that mattered. I saw the line right away and once the ball got rolling I thought “This is looking good,” and then it dropped. Obviously it was a key putt and kind of set the stage for 18,” said Sorenstam, the winner of 10 major championships in a career spanning 14 years.
In a dramatic finish, Tinning’s third shot to the green at the par-5 18th spun back into the water, resulting in a double bogey 7.
"I was just focusing on my own game and I wasn’t really looking at what Iben was doing. She has played so well the whole week,” said Sorenstam, who admitted that it wasn’t fun to see Tinning’s title hopes sunk at the last hole.
"I looked up and I saw this ball coming down. To be honest I didn’t really know what to say or what to do at that time. I just took a quick turn. All I wanted to do was get on the green and finish. I told her, 'You know Iben, you played very well. Don’t let that shot ruin this whole tournament.'
"Sometimes you win tournaments and sometimes you lose them. At this particular time it was my turn and obviously I’m thankful for that but I also feel for Iben.”
Sorenstam added that the victory would give her a boost ahead of the 2008 season. “It’s a little light in the tunnel. It’s been a tough year and I’m still working a lot on my game.
“I think the key for me this week was to post some solid scores under par. Being in the last group on the last day; there is extra pressure and I haven’t had that in a long time. It’s something that you have to train and get used to again so I think it was very important.
"To be able to finish and walk home with the trophy; just getting the job done, means a lot to me. It’s going to carry on for next year. I need that and so this is a very special win in many, many ways.”
Tinning, a winner of five LET tournaments, said: “Of course I’m disappointed with the finish but before coming here I would have taken second place. Annika holed such a good putt on the 17th, so good for Annika. It was a good finish to the year. Losing to Annika is something that you can accept.”
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson won the New Star Money List with earnings of 222,081.47 Euros, edging Germany’s Bettina Hauert into second by 2,218 Euros. Hauert was voted as the Players’ Player of the Year on the LET for her outstanding achievements throughout the 2007 season, after two wins, two runners-up spots and a debut appearance in The Solheim Cup.
Sweden's Louise Stahle won the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Award to join the ranks of past winners which include Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Suzann Pettersen.
Catriona Matthew signed off with a 70 for six-under-par 282 and a share of fourth place.
Clare Queen had a 73 today to finish in 34th place on 293.
FINAL TOTALS
Emirates Golf Club, Majilis Course, Dubai
Par 288 (4 x 72)
278 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 70 70 68 70 (75,000 Euros).
280 Laura Davies (Eng) 67 70 71 72, Iben Tinning (Den) 72 68 67 73
282 Anja Monke (Ger) 71 68 75 68, Lisa Hall (Eng) 67 69 77 69, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 72 70 71 69, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 70 72 70 70, Amy Yang (Kor) 71 73 68 70, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 70 68 70 74 (17,400 Euros each).
283 Paula Marti (Spa) 73 72 71 67, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 72 74 70 67, Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 69 72 73 69, Louise Stahle (Swe) 64 74 73 72
284 Johanna Head (Eng) 71 72 70 71
285 Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 68 74 72 71, Linda Wessberg (Swe) 70 74 69 72
286 Trish Johnson (Eng) 70 72 73 71
287 Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 73 75 73 66, Louise Friberg (Swe) 72 72 74 69, Carlota Ciganda (Spa) (amateur) 72 70 74 71, Federica Piovano (Ita) 69 75 71 72
288 Joanne Mills (Aus) 72 71 72 73, Becky Brewerton (Wal) 73 72 69 74, Smriti Mehra (Ind) 76 70 68 74
290 Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 69 72 78 71, Martina Eberl (Ger) 70 72 75 73, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 73 69 73 75, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 72 72 71 75
291 Ha-Neul Kim (Kor) 71 73 76 71, Marta Prieto (Spa) 73 74 72 72
292 Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 73 73 75 71, Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa) 78 70 73 71, Christine Hallstrom (Swe) 77 72 71 72
293 Clare Queen (Sco) 72 76 72 73 (4,500 Euros).
294 Natascha Fink (Aut) 78 73 76 67, Sara Beautell (Spa) 76 74 74 70, Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den) 76 75 73 70, Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 77 74 73 70, Melissa Reid (Eng) 74 72 74 74
295 Asa Gottmo (Swe) 73 72 76 74, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 68 79 73 75, Fame More (Eng) 71 77 71 76, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 75 73 71 76
296 Martina Gillen (Irl) 76 75 74 71, Danielle Masters (Eng) 72 71 79 74, Chutichai Porani (Tha) 72 77 73 74, Kirsty S Taylor (Eng) 72 71 78 75, Sarah Kemp (Aus) 73 70 77 76, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 74 71 75 76
297 Ana B Sanchez (Spa) 75 73 77 72, Leah Hart (Aus) 74 72 78 73, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 74 77 73 73, Helena Alterby (Swe) 77 74 72 74, Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 72 74 72 79
299 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 71 78 78 72, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 80 69 74 76, Kirsty Taylor (Eng) 76 74 73 76
300 Anna Tybring (Swe) 74 76 77 73, Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 74 76 74 76
301 Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 72 77 77 75
302 Maria Boden (Swe) 74 74 75 79, Claire Coughlan (Irl) 70 79 73 80
304 Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 75 74 79 76, Hee Jung Kim (Kor) 76 72 79 77
305 Bettina Hauert (Ger) 73 76 81 75, Anna Rawson (Aus) 78 72 79 76
309 Mette Buus (Den) 75 76 79 79
310 Georgina Simpson (Eng) 76 75 78 81
312 Jo Clingan (Eng) 75 76 79 82

"Pops and Sunshine" by Dave Andrews

A golf book that will

make you laugh,

it will make you cry

Just in case you missed our recent review of

Dave Andrews' novel "Pops and Sunshine,"

here are some of the details you need to

know if you want to order a copy direct

from the author in the United States.

Jason Sobel, the golf editor at ESPN.com, has reviewed the Dave Andrews novel in his column. He put it on a list of eight golf books he is recommending as holiday gifts.

US magazine "Golf For Women" has also given it a great review. If you're interested, you can read the reviews through a link on the front page of the website for the novel... http://popsandsunshine.com/
Anyone who has lost a loved one too soon or faced high hurdles in his or her own life will be captivated by this touching story.

It will appeal to golfers and non-golfers alike.

Dave Andrews, pictured above, is a Harvard-educated former television news reporter. An avid golfer, he has become a fan of the Duramed Futures Tour in the United States and knows Vikki Laing.

His home course at Concord, New Hampshire is annually the site of one of the tour’s events.

His inspiration for the novel came from meeting many of the young aspiring women golfers on American's No 2 women's pro circuit.

Each of them had a passion, dedication, and determination that he found remarkable. Dave's novel is the fictionalisation of the dream that these young women share.
To obtain a copy of "Pops and Sunshine," you can E-mail Dave Andrews at popsandsunshine@comcast.net

Simply give him your mailing address. When you receive your book, send back a cheque to Dave Andrews, for $24.95 which includes half the $ transatlantic postage. Dave will cover the other half himself.
**Dave Andrews is now writing the sequel to "Pops and Sunshine." He hopes to have it finished in the spring of 2008. We'll keep you posted.

WORLD WOMEN LEAD AMERICANS 14-10
GOING INTO HANDA CUP FINAL SINGLES

The World Team - of which Scot Cathy Panton-Lewis is the co-captain - led the United States 14-10 going into the final-day singles in the Handa Cup match for over-45 women's professionals at the World Golf Village, St Augustine, Florida.
Results from the Saturday afternoon better-ball matches over nine holes:
(American names first):
UNITED STATES 6 1/2, WORLD 4 1/2
(2pt for win, 1pt for halved match)
Pat Bradley & Patty Sheehan lost to Sally Little & Anne Marie Palli 3&1.
Beth Daniel & Rosie Jones lost to Dawn Coe-Jones & Nancy Harvey 1 hole.
Amy Alcott & JoAnne Carner bt Jan Stephenson & Nayoko Yoshikawa 3&1.
Cindy Rarick & Sherri Turner bt Alicia Dibos & Mieko Nomura 1 hole.
Nancy Scranton & Christa Johnson bt Angie Tsai & Michiko Okada 3&2.
Sandra Haynie & Marilyn Lovander halved with Barb Scherbak & Maria Alice Gonzalez.