WILLIE PARK ANNIVERSARY GOLF SUCCESS

 Lionel Freedman, organiser of the Willie Park Anniversary Tournament,
and Perry Somers from Australia, winner of the hickory division

Last weekend there were two days of golf over the Old Links to celebrate anniversary of the winning of the 150th Open Championship by Willie Park Sr. Saturday’s competition saw around eighty players battling it out with both hickory and modern clubs in a number of different divisions. The conditions of the day, though fine, were cold and blustery.
The men’s scratch prize was won by Christopher Higgins of the Musselburgh Club who scored 72. The ladies scratch prize was won by Ruth Carroll, also from the Musselburgh Club with 80. The hickory scratch was won by Perry Somers from Australia with 82.
The handicap prizes were won by Richard Mackie, Strathaven, with a net 70 and Marion Bell of Musselburgh Links Ladies carded a net 82. The first hickory handicap prize went to John Still of Bruntsfield with 73.
Two juniors figured in the prizes with Oliver Duffy and Catherine Small, both of Craigielaw, winning scratch prizes finishing second and third in their respective divisions.The prizes were awarded at the Gala Dinner in the Brunton Hall where the main speakers were Alex Hay, Mungo Park and David Kirkwood. Among those present were Sheena Richardson, Provost, Irene Tait, Chairperson of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council and the organisers, Alan Hay, Vice Chairman, Councillor John Caldwell and Lionel Freedman, Chairman of World Hickory. The evening was a great success and over 160 attended.
Having been treated to some excellent golf in difficult conditions on Saturday, ten amateurs qualified to join ten of our local young professionals in a team competition on the following day. The conditions were, if anything, more difficult than the day before but the Old Links was privileged to see some tremendous golf, where the winner of the Professional individual prize, Sean McAllister of Craigielaw scored a 5 under par 63. In second place was Elliot Saltman, Archerfield with 67 and third was Chris Russell, RAW Golf Design with 69. The Pro-am team prizes went to Sean McAllister and Douglas Harris (Kilspindie) with 61. Second was Chris Russell and Malcolm Roberts (Duddingston) 65 and third went to Chris Kelly and David Kirkwood (Gullane) with 66. Perry Somers from Australia, again playing with hickories, scored 77. Willie Park would have been proud of the calibre of golf played by the young professionals celebrating his historic win.

1st MOROCCO FAMILY GOLF FESTIVAL
October 9 to 16, 2010 – based at MARRAKECH

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TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Colin Farquharson

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
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The MOROCCO GOLF FESTIVAL will be an annual golf competition – open to amateur golfers (Senior men, Senior women, men, women, boys & girls). Handicap limits: Men: 28, Ladies/girls 36.
AGGREGATE STABLEFORD TOURNAMENT: Four rounds, best three points totals to count
In addition to competitive golf, there is an exciting programme full of various activities: Cocktails party – City sightseeing tour of Marrakech– Gala Dinners– Accompanying person programme.
This tournament week in the warm of the North African sun in October is certain to be great fun and an enjoyable way of making new friends, enjoying friendly competition and playing a variety of outstanding golf courses in Morocco

PROGRAMME:

Saturday 9th October 2010:
Flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech (operated by ROYAL AIR MAROC (Flight AT673, depart from London Gatwick North Terminal at 20:30 and arrive to Marrakech at 23:05).
Assistance in Marrakech airport and transfer to the PALM PLAZA HOTEL & SPA 5*****
Check-in and overnight at the hotel
* Please note that flights can be arranged from other airport direct to Marrakech (From Edinburgh, Manchester, East Midlands, London Luton, Bristol) at a supplement.
Sunday 10th October 2010:
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the ROYAL Golf Club
Better-ball pairs, with a partner of your choice of with a partner allocated by the Tournament Director.
Transfer back to the hotel
Cocktail party at 19:00 in the hotel
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel
Monday 11th October
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to PALMERAIE Golf Club
Individual Stableford Tournament Round 1
Transfer back to the hotel
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel
Tuesday 12th October
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the AMELKIS Golf Club
Individual Stableford Tournament Round 2
Transfer back to the hotel in the hotel, Dinner & overnight
Wednesday 13th October
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel – Guided city tour of Marrakech
Transfer back to the hotel - Afternoon at leisure
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel
Thursday 14th October
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the AL MAADEN Golf Club
Individual Stableford Tournament Round 3
Transfer back to the hotel in the hotel
Dinner & Overnight
Friday 15th October
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the AMELKIS Golf Club
Individual Stableford Tournament Round 4 (Final Round)
Transfer back to the hotel in the hotel
Gala Dinner with entertainment & Prizes presentations ceremony
Overnights at the hotel
Saturday 16th October 2010
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel – Morning at leisure
Transfer to Marrakech airport for the return flight to UK – assistance with the check-in formalities
(Flight AT672, Depart from Marrakech at 15:05 and arrive at 19:40)

WHAT IT WILL COST YOU
Golfer: £789 per person (sharing a Twin or Double room)
Non-Golfer: £630 (Sharing a Twin or Double Room)
Single room Supplement: £80 (for 7 Nights)
The price includes:
*Return schedule flight with Royal Air Maroc from London Gatwick to Marrakech (Flights from other UK airports at a supplement)
*Seven (07) Nights accommodation in the PALM PLAZA HOTEL & SPA 5***** in Marrakech
*Daily buffet breakfast
*Five rounds of competitive golf and playing on the Royal, Amelkis, Plameraie & Al Maaden Golf Courses
*Cocktail Party
*Gala Dinner with Prizes Presentation
*Five (05) Dinners at the hotel as per the programme
*Half Day guided tour of Marrakech
*Ground transfers & Transportation
*Our Permanent assistance in Marrakech

PRIZES
1st, 2nd & 3rd of each category: senior men, senior women, men, women, boys (under-18 and under-16), girls (under-18 and under-16).

OTHER Flight Options:

From EDINBURGH to MARRAKECH
+Saturday 9th October 2010: RYANAIR Flight No FR6824, Depart from Edinburgh at 14:50 and arrive to Marrakech at 18:10
+Saturday 16th October 2010: RYANAIR Flight No FR6825, Depart from Marrakech at 18:35 & Arrive to Edinburgh at 23:55
From BRISTOL to MARRAKECH
+Saturday 9th October 2010: RYANAIR Flight No FR8218, Depart from Bristol at 15:55 and arrive to Marrakech at 18:30
+Saturday 16th October 2010: RYANAIR Flight No FR8219, Depart from Marrakech at 18:55 & Arrive to Bristol at 23:35
From MANCHESTER to MARRAKECH
+Saturday 9th October 2010: EASYJET Flight No 1893, Depart from Manchester at 14:35 and arrive to Marrakech at 17:40
+Saturday 16th October 2010: EASYJET Flight No 1894, Depart from Marrakech at 18:10 & Arrive to Manchester at 22:55
From London Gatwick to MARRAKECH
+Saturday 9th October 2010:
+EASYJET Flight No 8895, Depart from Gatwick at 12:25 and arrive to Marrakech at 15:05
+EASYJET Flight No 8897, Depart from Gatwick at 15:35 and arrive to Marrakech at 18:15
+Saturday 16th October 2010:
+EASYJET Flight No 8896, Depart from Marrakech at 15:40 & Arrive to Gatwick at 20:10
+EASYJET Flight No 8898, Depart from Marrakech at 18:50 & Arrive to Gatwick at 23:20 ===============ENTRY FORM================
Competing as (Please tick the appropriate box)
Senior Man (over 55 yrs on Jan 1)

Senior Lady (over 50 yrs on Jan 1)
Man Lady

Boy (under 16yrs on Jan 1)

Girl (Under 16yr on Jan 1)
Boy (Under 18yr on Jan 1)

Girl (Under 18yr on Jan 1)

Title:
First Name:


Surname

Handicap
(Competitors should take up an up to date handicap from their home club)
Golf Club:

Full Postal
Address

Post Code

Tel (Home)

Tel (Mobile)

Email Address
Name of partner for Better-Ball Pairs
If you wish the Tournament Director to allocate you with a partner at random (Please indicate (Yes / No)

Accompanying Person / Non Golfer

Preferred Airport to fly from & to

Comments / Remarks


I confirm that I agree to abide by all the tournament rules & regulations and I enclose a deposit of £100 (please make cheques payable to MENARA TRAVEL LTD) – payment by cards accepted

Signature:


Please send your complete Entry Form to: Mohamed Fakir at Menara Travel Ltd, 200c Blythe Road, London W14 0HH

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MARRAKECH
The Golf Holiday to remember in a city you will never forget
Lying at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, nested in the midst of a palm-grove is the red pearl, Marrakech! More than an Imperial city, Marrakech legitimately boasts the sumptuous relics of its glorious past: palaces, tombs, gardens and minarets compete with each other for the pleasure of the visitor. A most lively city, a city of thousand and one perfumes, colours and melodies where life is a continuous show, climaxing at the natural theatre of Djemaa El Fna Square where magicians, acrobats, storytellers, and fortune-tellers gather to entertain you. Extending north from the square is the medina within which lies the imperial heritage of Marrakech. Wandering the SOUKS in the Medina is like travelling back in time, some shops glittering with jewellery, some festooned with richly coloured carpets and all around you the sounds of bargaining for that all important “best price”!
A dry and healthy climate adds to the pleasures of visits and excursions, making it possible to practice all kinds of open-air sports.

Palm Plaza Hotel & Spa 5*****
Located in Agdal, a new residential district, Palm Plaza Hotel & Spa welcomes you in a luxury setting in the heart of Marrakech, 10 minutes from the airport and 8 minutes from Djamaâ Elfna Square. Palm Plaza Hotel features comfortable rooms and suites. Savour exotic dishes in the hotel’s restaurants.Have a snack in the pool bar and in the evening, a quiet time in the piano bar or an exciting night in the night club. Enjoy a relaxing stay in Palm Plaza Hotel. The spa features a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a Hammam and a gym
Palm Plaza Hotel & SPA has 230 rooms, including 151 Twin, 52 Double, 2 rooms for disabled persons, 6 junior suites, 20 senior suites and a royal suite. Houses of Palm Plaza Hotel & Spa are equipped by air conditioning, heating, Internet access and free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, safe, mini bar, telephone, hair dryer, voice mail and automatic alarm

MUIRFIELD MATCH FOR SCOTTISH ELITE SQUAD

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
David Law, last year's double Scottish champion, and Ross Kellett, the country's highest-ranked amateur, joined five international team-mates in getting a couple of rounds at Muirfield in preparation for the Amateur Championship on the East Lothian links later in the year.
They lined up for the SGU Elite Squad against the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the host club select including two former internationals in George Macgregor and Alistair Low.The SGU Elite Squad, which also included Greg Paterson, Steven McEwan, Philip McLean, Gordon Yates and Paul Shields, won 5-2.

Burntisland Golf House Club win West/Central Fife Winter League

Burntisland Golf House Club won the 2009-2010 West/Central Fife Scratch Winter League, Alistair Low Trophy. after a keenly fought contest. Many teams had the chance to prevail over the winter but it was the Burntisland side that proved most resolute.
This title adds to the Club's success in 2000/1 and 2004/5 and the winning side now look forward to playing for the Elspeth Rae Trophy against St Andrews New Club, the winners of the NE Fife equivalent, on the 18th April at Balbirnie Golf Club.

Tom Lewis destroys Berkhamsted Trophy field

British and English Boy Champion Tom Lewis was in record-breaking form as he demolished the field in the 51st Berkhamsted Trophy.
Exactly a week after helping England retain the European Nations Cup in Spain, Lewis carded rounds of 67 and 66 for a nine-under-par 133, the lowest ever aggregate, and a five stroke winning margin over Wiltshire’s Ben Loughrey.
“This is the third time I’ve played the Berkhamsted and on the two previous occasions I’ve messed up one round. But this time it all came right for me,” said Lewis, the first Hertfordshire player to win the title for 17 years.
In conditions similar to those sampled in Spain the previous week, sunny intervals with occasional showers, Lewis was a cut above the rest. “The time in Spain helped a lot,” he added. “I didn’t think I’d get into that team but spending time with some of the best England players definitely helped to sharpen up my game.”
He also felt his knowledge of the Berkhamsted course was another contributing factor. “I’ve played in a lot of events here and I know where the dangers are. But it is not a course that gives a lot of birdies. You have to work for them.”
He certainly did that. The 19-year-old from Welwyn Garden City (photo © Tom Ward) reeled off nine straight pars on the front nine of his morning round but came home in four-under 32 with an eagle, three birdies and just one dropped shot. In fact, he had only three bogeys in 36 holes, while his afternoon 66 from the tenth tee contained seven more birdies plus two three-putts.
But it was the manner of his play that stood out. He drove the ball well, peppered the pins with his approach shots, and would have secured even more birdies but for the tricky early-season greens. He was also able to play with the comfort of knowing that no one was making a threat to his supremacy, boy cap Max Smith carding the next best with 68 after a morning 75 which left him joint 12th.
Loughrey was only a shot behind Lewis at lunch but added 70 for second place on 138 while the home club’s Luke Colgate finished joint third on 139 with Andrew Shakespear from Five Lakes in Essex
.Final scores:
133 T Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) 67 66
138 B Loughrey (Wrag Barn) 68 70
139 L Colgate (Berkhamsted) 70 69, A Shakespear (Five Lakes) 70 69
140 R Smith (Notts) 71 69, T Hatton (Harleyford) 69 71
141 D Coupland (Boston) 71 70, M Wallace (Batchworth Park) 70 71
142 D Ginn (Sudbury) 73 69, A Wootton (Oxford City) 70 72, J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 69 73

Musselburgh Old Links highlight this weekend

WILLIE PARK 150TH ANNIVERSARY COMPETITION

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ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

There will be much excitement at Musselburgh Old Links this weekend as 80 golfers from all over the UK and Europe play in this celebratory competition to celebrate Willie Park senior’s winning the Open.
All competitors will receive a commemorative medal as a souvenir of the day and the winners will be presented with highly sought-after Musselburgh Open Champions medals.
Following the golf there is a Gala Dinner in the evening at the Brunton Hall with speakers Alex Hay and Mungo Park who is a great grandson of Willie. The Dinner is sold out which shows how popular the event is to Musselburgh people.
On the following day, Sunday, there is an 18 hole pro-am. Nine of the local pros, along with Perry Somers, the French Hickory 2009 Champion and runner-up in the Australian Hickory Open of 2009, will partner ten of the qualifiers from Saturday’s competition in a two-ball better-ball competition.
Among the pro. team are Elliot and Zack Saltman, Lee Harper, Chris Kelly, Chris Russell, Kenny Glen, Jonathan Porteous, Chris Callman and Sean McAllister.
Though the Dinner is sold out, there’s still room for a few more players on Saturday.

Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo Golf Centre) with the North-east Alliance championship trophy with which he was presented at lunchtime today in the Murcar Links clubhouse (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on it to enlarge).

Paul Cormack has chance of NE Alliance title double

North-east Alliance champion Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo Golf Resort) is on target to complete the end of season double in the winter circuit's foursomes tournament at Murcar Links.
Tour professional Cormack and Duff House Royal senior amateur Mike Jenkins are through to the final of the scratch section.
They will play Aboyne assistant pro Keil Beveridge and Murcar Links amateur Kyle Nelson in this morning's final (9.30am).
Beveridge arrive at the course in the morning to be first reserve but he came into the field as a replacement for late call-off James Mooney (Kingscliffe).
The handicap final (9.40am) will feature Adam Dunton, who plays off +2 at McDonald Ellon) and Neil Chishom (Kemnay) (9) against Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) (5) and Nigel Parker (Murcar Links) (9).
Results:

SCRATCH

FIRST ROUND

Evening Express Shield pro-am
professional's name first
Keil Beveridge (Aboyne) & Kyle Nelson (Murcar Links) beat David Naylor (Banchory) & Anthony Bews (Murcar Links) at 19th.
Richard Hyland (Craibstone) & Scott Larkin (Banchory) bt Patrick Lovie (P1 Corporate) & Duncan Clark (Duff House Royal) 1 hole.
Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) & Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal) bt Steven Chalmers (Banchory) & Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 4 and 1.
Ian Bratton (Newburgh) & Fergus Bisset (Banchory) bt Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) and Craig Carnegie (Kemnay) 4 and 3.

SEMI-FINALS

Beveridge & Nelson bt Hyland and Larkin 2 and 1.

Cormack & Jenkins bt Bratton & Bisset 3 and 1.

HANDICAP
Press and Journal Shield
David Wilson (Duff House Royal) (6) & Hamish McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (11) bt Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) (3) & Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10) at 19th.
Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) (5) & Niger Parker (Murcar Links) (9) bt David Corkey (Royal Aberdeen) (2) & Benny Lumsden (Northern) (14) 1 hole.
Brian Harper (Newburgh) (6) & Mike Booth (Kemnay) (10) bt Mark Lawrie (Kemnay) (5) & Norman Stewart (Northern) (12) 1 hole.
Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) (+2) & Neil Chisholm (Kemnay) (9) bt Paul McIntosh (Newburgh) (4) & Derek Randall (Banchory) (14) 1 hole.

SEMI-FINALS

Cassie & Parker bt Wilson & McNaughton 1 hole.

Dunton & Chisholm bt Harper & Booth 5 and 4.

FRIDAY MORNING FINALS

Scratch at 9.30am.

Handicap at 9.40am.

Gavin Dear (left) and Wallace Booth, setting the record straight (images by Cal Carson Golf Agency).

E-mail from Gavin Dear

Walker Cup: Gavin Dear and Wallace Booth

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felt it was great honour to play in match

Hi Colin,

I have been out of the country for a few weeks playing and hadn't until last night had a chance to catch up with Wallace Booth. I saw Ross Kellett's comments on Scottishgolfview about the Walker Cup and how we felt about it.

Both myself and Wallace felt a bit hard done by the article and felt that it made us look a bit ungrateful. We know both Ross and Martin Dempster very well and know that there would definitely be no ill intent in how the article was written or what was commented on within the article.

But we just wanted the opportunity to tell everybody what we had discussed with Ross and felt about the Walker Cup and kind of set the record straight.

Both Wallace and I really enjoyed the event and it was a great honour to be involved in a match of that calibre. It was a very important for both us of to play and it was undoubtedly our aim at the start of the 2009 season.

Ross asks our opinions for time to time, and this is one of the reasons he will become an even more successful golfer because he is extremely willing to learn. He asked about the Walker Cup and what we would recommend.

Both Wallace and I told him the Walker Cup is something to mark on the calendar for 2011. But that's some time away. This year we felt that the big goal should be a place in the Eisenhower team and trying to win a national championship, something which Ross is very capable of doing.

Then, the way he is playing, we both said that he has to go to Tour School. If he doesn't gain whatever he feels appropriate to turn professional, then he should remain amateur for another year.

If that happens then the Walker Cup will be his goal. The Walker Cup is difficult, being bi-annual and a player for instance like Callum Macaulay was unlucky because it was never really an option for him.

Maybe it will be an option for Ross, maybe not. With regards to the perception of the Walker Cup in the professional game, it is difficult to tell. Professionals are interested to hear about the experience of playing in the Walker Cup but do not hold you in high regard just because you played. You are just another golfer in their eyes - and that's the way it should be.

From Ross's perspective he has seen both Wallace and I miss out at Tour School, struggle for sponsorship and struggle to secure invites to events. Maybe that has pushed him to think a little differently.

We have told him we didn't expect playing in the Walker Cup to open many doors and, from what we have seen of professional golf, it's tough and you have to really work for what you get but both of us would rather have the experience of playing in the Walker Cup than not.

I hope this clears up a few things.

Regards,

Gavin Dear and Wallace Booth

New Head Greenkeeper

for Brora Golf Club

NEWS RELEASE
Following our Head Greenkeeper, Iain Wakeman’s decision to accept a position at Rosslare Golf Club in Ireland, Brora Golf Club is happy to announce that James Macbeath, pictured above, has been appointed as the new Head Greenkeeper. He will return to Brora in his new role on April 1, 2010.
James will be well known to most members, and many golfers throughout the North of Scotland, having played golf here for the last 35 years. Starting as a junior, James steadily improved to become one of the best golfers in the club, winning the Club Championship on eight occasions and the Clynelish Open seven times since 1994.

He also won the Sutherland County Championship in 2000. James currently holds a scratch handicap at his home course.
James has been working as the Deputy Head Greenkeeper at the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle. He has worked there for the past six years, moving there from Brora Golf Club where he undertook his training. He worked at Brora for nine years before his move to the Carnegie Club.
James is very passionate about his new role and said: “This is the only job I would leave the Carnegie Club for.”

Having made a short presentation to the Management Committee on his vision for the future of the golf course and how he can help improve the presentation and preparation of the already excellent course.

James proved to be the strongest candidate of the seven people who had applied for the post and his appointment was unanimously endorsed by the committee.
We would like to wish James every success in his appointment and hope that the membership will give James their support.

Inverness Fairways Target Leagues: Week 9

By Neil D. Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
http://www.golflochness.com/

MONDAY LEAGUE SUMMARY
The Monday league is coming to an exciting climax with several outcomes that are all equally likely after this week's results.
Orion beat BM Trucks by just three shots and are now guaranteed a place in the play-offs whereas the Trucks need results to go their way to scrape a place in the play-offs.
But it is the Parahandies who have most to gain, or lose, depending on their performance next week. This week they saw off a determined challenge from the Royal Swingers and now have the possibility of taking the league title if they can beat the leaders Orion by more than 42 shots next week.
If Parahandies lose, however, and BM Trucks win, then the Parahandies will drop to third and out of the play-offs!
In the other games, the Neverwillbees had the night’s top score of 76 in their game against the Sainties and move up to fifth while the Specialists continue their run of good form. Their win over the Happy Gilmour's moves them up to fourth spot.
RESULTS
Orion 40 – 37 BM Trucks.
Sainties 22 – 76 The Neverwillbees.
Parahandies 62 – 53 Royal Swingers.
Happy Gilmour’s 54 – 72 Specialists.

TUESDAY LEAGUE SUMMARY
The Tuesday Night League title was decided this week with King Kenyon’s Klan following form to get their name on the trophy. The Luckless Leadbetters were their only challengers and were their opponents this week but it was the Klan who rose to the challenge and saw off the Leadbetters by a margin of 13 shots.
The Leadbetters now have a fight to take the second play-off place as Fairhurst joined them on 12 points after a win over the absent Muirton Marvels. It is the Leadbetters who have the better shot scored record and this could prove decisive in the final tally after next week’s games. In the other games the Coastguards have moved up to fourth after their win over Fairways who are now guaranteed the wooden spoon.
The Mad Drivers over the Senior Moments also managed to win and while it doesn’t move them up the table it puts them within striking distance of sixth place if results go their way.
RESULTS
King Kenyon’s Klan 54 – 41 Luckless Leadbetters.
Fairways 8 – 24 Coastguards.
Senior Moments 28 – 37 Mad Drivers.
Muirton Marvels 0 – 58 Fairhurst Fore.

HOW THEY STAND

MONDAY LEAGUE
1 Orion 16pt
2 Parahandies 14
3 BM Trucks 12
4 Specialists 10
5 Neverwillbees 8
6 Royal Swingers 6
7 Happy Gilmour's 6
8 The Sainties 0
TUESDAY LEAGUE
1 King Kenyon's Klan 16pt
2 Luckless Leadbetters 12
3 Fairhurst Fore 12
4 Coastguards 10
5 Senior Moments 8
6 Muirton Marvels 8
7 Mad Drivers 6
8 Fairways 2

Scot wins David Platt Tour event at Rotherham

Andrew Patterson, an exiled Scot from Glasgow, now a member of Rotherham Golf Club, won yesterday's Major Golf Tour event, organised by former England football international, David Platt, at Sunningdale.
The format was Stableford and the points scores, supplied as ever by David Platt himself, were:
The event's title was "The Masters" - all four events on David's tour are named after THE Majors.
David, a six-handicapper, was actually the defending champion in the amateur section.

AMATEUR SCORES
1 Andrew Patterson (handicap 22) - 39pt.
2 David Platt (6) - 36pt.
T3 Kevin Rose (9) - 34pt.
T3 Conrad Stretch (16) - 34pt.
5 Jason Hayley (8) - 32pt.
6 Jonathan Goddard (18) - 31pt.
T7 Jim Woodward (5) - 30pt.
T7 James Peacock (10) - 30pt.
T9 Richard Grindon (13) - 28pt.
T9 Wayne Harold (10) - 28pt.
T9 Tommy McCormack (7) - 28pt.
T12 Iain Gorman (13) - 26pt.
T12 Rex Tattersall (12) - 26pt.
T12 David Gardner (13) - 26pt.
T12 Paul Taylor (12) - 26pt.
T12 Tom Warsop (16) - 26pt.
T17 Ross Westwood (14) - 25pt.
T17 Andy Brown (8) - 25pt.
T19 Nick Fitzryk (5) - 24pt.
T19 Graham Miles (5) - 24pt.
T21 David Orchard (16) - 23pt.
T21 Richard Scragg (18) - 23pt.
T21 John Lipton (19) - 23pt.
24 Bob Burrows (22) - 22pt.
PROFESSIONAL SCORES
Par 140 (2x70)
143 James Westwood.
146 Adam Taylor.
148 Jonathan Jones.

David Platt writes:
We go to Woburn (Marquess) in May, Celtic Manor (20-10) in July - 6 weeks before the Ryder C - up and Royal Lytham in September.
We had a 'warm up' round at Sunningdale and the scores counted from both events towards our order of merit leaderboard. At the end of the season we will take the top four to a grand final. Here's how the table stands:
1 Andrew Patterson 77.
2 Kevin Rose 71.
3 Jason Hayley 66.
T4 Jim Woodward 64.
T4 David Platt 64.
6 Iain Gorman 62.
7 Richard Grindon 61.
T8 David Gardner 60.
T8 James Peacock 60.
T8 Conrad Stretch 60.
T11 Rex Tattersall 59.
T11 Paul Taylor 59.
T11 Jonathan Goddard 59.
T14 Richard Scragg 57.
T14 David Orchard 57.
T14 Ross Westwood 57.
17 Graham Miles 55.
T18 Nick Fitzryk 54.
T18 Wayne Harold 54.
T20 Bob Burrows 52.
T20 Tom Warsop 52.
T20 Tommy McCormack 52.
23 Andy Brown 48.
24 John Lipton 46.

Scottish Champion of Champions Tee Times
Sponsored by John Smith’s
Leven Links
Saturday & Sunday, April 3 and 4.
This year's field includes David Law (Hazlehead), record-setting winner of both the Scottish boys and Scottish men's match-play championships last year, and also English Walker Cup player Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) who won the Scottish open amateur stroke-play title at Murcar Links last season.
Title-holder Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) and the young man he beat at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off, Philip McLean (Peterhead), are also among the select field. Later in the season McLean returned to the Leven links to win the Standard Life Leven Gold Medal.
Angus Cappi (Carnoustie), the Scottish youths champion in 2009, is in the field.

SATURDAY DRAW
08:00 12:30 Colin Martin Balbirnie Park/Colin Mundie Falkirk
08:08 12:38 Paul Betty Hayston /Chris Lawton Stirling
08:16 12:46 Daniel Sommerville St Andrews /Scott Borrowman Dollar
08:24 12:54 James White Lundin /David Law Hazlehead
08:32 13:02 Allyn Dick Kingsknowe /Greg Paterson St Andrews New
08:40 13:10 John Shanks Irvine /Ronnie Clark Erskine
08:48 13:18 Allan McDonald Crow Wood /Brian Graham Kelso
08:56 13:26 Matthew Clark Kilmacolm /Steven Rennie Drumpellier

09:04 13:34 Tommy Fleetwood Formby Hall /Ross Kellett Colville Park
09:12 13:42 George Reynolds Rothesay /David Gillie Torwoodlee
09:20 13:50 Ed Wood Crow Wood /Ross Bell Downfield
09:28 13:58 Paul Shields Kirkhill /Glenn Campbell Blairgowrie
09:36 14:06 Angus Cappi Carnoustie /Bobby Rushford Grangemouth
09:44 14:14 Bryan Fotheringham Forres /Gordon Yates Hilton Park
09:52 14:22 Philip McLean Peterhead /Craig Watson East Renfrewshire

10:00 14:30 Ross Coull Edzell /Gordon Stevenson Whitecraigs
10:08 14:38 Nicky Barr Craigie Hill / Jamie Aitken Alloa
10:16 14:46 Scott Brown Turnberry / Garry Duncan Carnoustie Caledonia
10:24 14:54 Mark Bookless Sandyhills / Kris Nicol Fraserburgh
10:32 15:02 Steven McEwan Caprington / Mark Hillson Cragielaw
10:40 15:10 Andrew Lynch Glenbervie / Michael Daily Erskine
10:48 15:18 Steven Robertson Sandyhills / Oliver Huish North Berwick
10:56 15:26 Paul Drake Pumpherston / Euan Brown Kilmarnock (Barassie)

11:04 15:34 Fraser McKenna Balmore / Iain Thomson Powfoot

Keith Nicholson new Baberton club manager

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Keith Nicholson, the Lothians captain and current county champion, is the new club manager at Baberton, where he has succeeded Bernard Flockhart.
Nicholson, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, had been out of work since his services in a similar role at Haddington were dispensed with due to cost-cutting measures."It is close on a couple of years since I left Haddington and I am delighted to get this job, particularly at such an interesting time for the club," said Nicholson.
That was a reference to Baberton having recently secured planning permission for a new clubhouse and efforts are now being made to finance that by finding a developer to build flats on the site of the existing clubhouse.
"Like most other clubs, we are trying to retain membership and, even since I started at the beginning of the month, we've had ten under-30s join, which is encouraging," noted Nicholson.
"Baberton are also in a fortunate position that a lot of the work has already been done on a major project for its greens. The club is spending between £600,000-£700,000 on putting in USGA greens and 15 have been done, so it is just a case of putting the final touches with the remaining three.
"Bernard and his committee have done a great job planning things out over a period of time and I feel fortunate to be taking up the reins from him."
Flockhart, who has been at the Juniper Green club for the past ten years,leaves at the end of the month.

St Andrews New, Ladybank take NE Fife Winter League honours

Congratulations to The St Andrews New Club on winning the 2009-2010 scratch North East Fife Winter League. This is the fourth time they have won the league in its 30 year history.
Ladybank won the Handicap League for a second time.

Paul Cormack withdraws from Xltec Pro Tour opener

to play as champion in North-east Alliance foursomes

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
New North-east Alliance champion Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo Golf Centre) has had second thoughts about playing in the new Xltec Pro Tour event at Whitekirk, instead of the North-east Alliance pro-am match-play foursomes at Murcar Links on Thursday and Friday this week.
"I had entered the Xltel Pro Tour competition at Whitekirk on the same days but that was before I had won the North-east Alliance championship and before I realised there was a clash of dates between the two events," said Cormack tonight.
"I've had a think about it and, as North-east Alliance champion, I feel that I have to be loyal to it and play in its foursomes.
"I can always play in later events on the Xltel Pro Tour but this is the last North-east Alliance event until next September and I feel my place is at the foursomes."
Cormack, 26, lives in Banchory when he is at home - he is a regular competitor on the EPro Tour in North Carolina and other American satellite events.
Xltec Pro Tour's self-funded prizefund for their first 36-hole event at Whitekirk will amount to at least £5,000 whereas the NE Alliance foursomes' pro prize money will be considerably less.
Cormack partners Duff House Royal senior circuit amateur Mike Jenkins in the first round of the foursomes against Banchory assistant Steven Chalmers and McDonald Ellon amateur Kevin Duncan.
One definite change in the line-up at Murcar Links sees Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) substitute for Martin Forster (Cruden Bay as partner to Nigel Parker (Murcar Links) in the handicap tournament.
Revised draws for Thursday are:
SCRATCH (Evening Express Shield)
professional named first
9.30: J Mooney (Kingscliffe) & K Nelson (Murcar Links) v D Naylor (Banchory) & A Bews (Murcar Links).
9.40 P Lovie (P1 Corporate) & D Clark (Duff House Royal) v R Hyland (Craibstone) & S Larkin (Banchory).
9.50 S Chalmers (Banchory) & K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) v P Cormack (Inchmarlo) & M Jenkins (Duff House Royal.
10.0 I Bratton ( Newburgh ) & F Bisset (Banchory) v R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) & C Carnegie (Kemnay).

HANDICAP (Press and Journal Trophy)
10.10 J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) & A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) v D Wilson (Duff House Royal ) & H McNaughton ( Cruden Bay ).
10.20 D Corkey (Royal Aberdeen) & B Lumsden (Northern) v C Cassie (Nigg Bay) & N Parker (Murcar Links).
10.30 B Harper ( Newburgh ) & M Booth (Kemnay) v M Lawrie (Kemnay) & N Stewart (Northern).
10.40 P McIntosh ( Newburgh ) & D Randall (Banchory) v A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) & N Chisholm (Kemnay).
+Second-round ties in both competitions will be played on Thursday afternoon with both finals at Murcar Links on Friday morning.

Scotland finish 14th at Sotogrande

England men run away with
-
European Nations Cup

England, the defending champions with a team of three Walker Cup players: Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Haines and Chris Paisley, plus British boys champion Tom Lewis, won the European Nations Cup men's tournament by the runaway margin of 23 strokes at Sotogrande on Spain's Costa del Sol today.
Italy were runners-up in 853.
Wales finished fifth with a team total (best three from four scores counted daily) on 861 - 31 shots behind England.
Ireland came sixth on 864 while Scotland, represented by Ross Kellett, James White, Philip McLean and David Law, were a disappointing 14th in a field of 18 teams. The Scots' team total was 885.
Kellett and White had counting scores in all four rounds. McLean had three out of four counting scores, missing out only in the first round.

FINAL TOTALS
(Best three from four individual scores counted daily; NC = non-counting score)
830 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY NC 70 67 68.
HAINES, MATT 69 69 70 71 279.
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68 71 68 NC.
LEWIS, TOM 70 NC NC 69.
853 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70 73 64 68 275
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO NC NC NC 74.
MANASSERO, MATTEO 75 69 71 70.
MOTTA, LEONARDO ITALIA 75 76 68 NC.
857 DENMARK
HANSEN, JOACHIM BRANDT 77 69 NC 69.
LOKKE, DANIEL 67 72 73 NC.
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71 NC 71 71.
HARTOE, ANDREAS NC 71 73 73.
858 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT NC 74 NC 69.
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73 67 69 71 280
WATTEL, ROMAIN 76 73 69 74 292
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72 NC 71 NC.
861 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72 NC 69 74.
FRAZER, JAMES 72 71 70 NC.
PUGH, RHYS 73 74 73 72 292
VICKERY, JOE NC 73 NC 68.
865 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73 73 71 70 287.
DUNBAR, ALAN NC 71 68 NC.
MURRAY, PAT 73 NC 72 70.
LERNIHAN, DARA 76 76 NC 72.
867 BELGIUM.
871 SPAIN.
873 GERMANY.
874 FINLAND.
878 AUSTRIA.
880 SWEDEN.
882 NETHERLANDS.
885 SCOTLAND
KELLET, ROSS 72 72 75 73 292.
WHITE, JAMES 75 78 72 72 297 885
McLEAN, PHILIP NC 79 71 75.
LAW, DAVID 71 NC NC NC.
894 PORTUGAL.
896 NORWAY.
903 CZECH REPUBLIC.
962 SLOVENIA
+Switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk to see the final totals in the European Nations Cup for women at Sotogrande.

England get to keep the cup after fifth victory

REPORT FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
England retained the European Nations Cup with a dazzling display of golf over four days at Sotogrande in southern Spain.The four-man team of Matt Haines, Tom Lewis, Chris Paisley and Tommy Fleetwood, who capped a personal triumph with a hole-in-one, finished on 830, 34 under par, 23 strokes ahead of runners-up Italy and 27 clear of Denmark in third place.
With the best three scores to count on each day, the England quartet led from start to finish and such was their supremacy over the other 17 competing teams that their overall score was ten shots better than their winning mark last year.
The only missing element was the individual prize which Sam Hutsby won last year. That went to Italy’s Nino Bertasio on 275, one ahead of Fleetwood while Haines was third on 279.
In fact, all four England players finished in the top six with Paisley joint fourth on 280 and British and English boy champion Lewis sixth on 282.
The English quartet made their mark from the start. They led on day one with 207, eight strokes better than Denmark and Germany, then added 210 on day two for 417, nine ahead of the Germans.
Despite being outscored by Italy with 203 to 205 on day three, thanks mainly to a brilliant 64 from Bertasio, England increased their advantage to 19 strokes over the second-placed Italians which left them in an almost unassailable position going into the final day.
Even then, the English boys maintained their dominance, posting 208 to Italy’s 212 to win by 23 strokes.
Fleetwood recorded England’s lowest round with 67 on day three, finishing birdie-eagle-birdie, the eagle being his ‘ace’ with a seven iron at the 171yd 17th, while all England’s counting scores on each day were under par. It was Fleetwood’s second ever hole-in-one.
“It was a staggering performance,” said team manager Bob Meston. “It was a real team effort and as this was England’s fifth victory in the event, we are being allowed to keep the trophy in perpetuity.”
The England team’s performance must have impressed Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards, who was present for all four days.
Picture above shows, from left to right, Chris Paisley, Matt Haines, Tommy Fleetwood, Tom Lewis, Bob Meston.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
275 N Bertasio (Ita) 70 73 64 68.
276 T Fleetwood (Eng) 71 70 67 68.
279 M Haines (Eng) 69 69 70 71.
280 J Lopez Lazaro (Fra) 73 67 69 71, C Paisley (Eng) 68 71 68 73.
282 T Lewis (Eng) 70 71 72 69.
283 R Kind (Ned) 72 71 70 70

EUROPEAN MEN'S NATIONS CUP
Real Golf Club, Sotogrande, Costa del Sol, Spain

THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Best two from three scores to count daily
NC denoted non-counting score
622 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY NC 70 67
HAINES, MATT 69 69 70 208
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68 71 68 207
LEWIS, TOM 70 NC NC
641 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70 73 64 207
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO NC NC NC
MANASSERO, MATTEO 75 69 71 215
MOTTA, LEONARDO 75 76 68 219
644 GERMANY
KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN 71 NC 74
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER 71 71 NC
JOHN, ALLEN NC 69 69
ROEHRIG, MAXIMILIAN 73 71 75 219
644 DENMARK
HANSEN, JOACHIM BRANDT 77 69 NC
LOKKE, DANIEL 67 72 73 212
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71 NC 71
HARTOE, ANDREAS NC 71 73
644 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT NC 74 NC
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73 67 69 209
5 WATTEL, ROMAIN 76 73 69 218
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72 NC 71
467 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72 NC 69
FRAZER, JAMES 72 71 70 213
PUGH, RHYS 73 74 73 220
VICKERY, JOE NC 73 NC
653 SPAIN
SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO 72 NC NC
PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS 75 76 72 223
CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO NC 74 69
HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO 70 73 72 215
653 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73 73 71 217
DUNBAR, ALAN NC 71 68
MURRAY, PAT 73 NC 72
LERNIHAN, DARA 76 76 NC
653 BELGIUM
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER 75 71 70 216
PIETERS, THOMAS 75 74 69 218
DETRY, THOMAS 76 NC 68
RICHELLE, JULIEN BELGICA NC 75 NC
656 AUSTRIA
657 FINLAND
658 SWEDEN
660 HOLLAND
665 SCOTLAND
KELLET, ROSS 72 72 75 219
WHITE, JAMES 75 78 72 225
MCLEAN, PHILIP NC 79 71
LAW, DAVID 71 NC NC
670 PORTUGAL
675 NORWAY
686 CZECH REPUBLIC
723 SLOVENIA

Charlotte and Nikki in Sunningdale semi-finals

Charlotte Wild (Mere) and Nikki Foster (Pleasington) have done splendidly to come through a huge field to reach this morning's semi-finals of the prestigious Sunningdale foursomes.
Charlotte and Nikki now play M Morris (Walmley) and S Davis (Keddleston Hall).
All ties are under handicap.
In the second semi-final, C Cowper (World of Golf) and N Reilly (Surbition), conquerors of English women's champion Charlie Douglass and her partner N Pateman a day or so ago, will play S Lilly (Wellingborough) and A Lilly (Ketting).
If you want to look up the results, here's the link:
http://www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk/site/competitions/assets/docs/MjY3MjE=.xls
The day's results are usually posted on the Sunningdale Golf Club website in the evening.

South Africa 21, Scotland 7 in Test Match

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
South Africa continued their dominant form into the second and final day of the inaugural Test Match against Scotland, played at Leopard Creek Country Club near Malalane in Mpumalanga. The host nation won comfortably by 21pt to seven.
Enjoying the cloudy and cool weather, the teams started the day with a singles and four better-ball matches in the morning, in that order. The South Africans won all but one of these games. Jared Harvey and Dean O’Riley lost by two holes to Scotland’s Gordon Yates and Mark Bookless.
Going into lunch, South Africa were 8pt clear of Scotland, meaning only 2pt, being two wins, was all that was required to win the Test Match.
The first two South Africans out, in the afternoon singles, Riekus Nortje and Johan Bekker respectively, did the deed for the host nation, beating Yates and Bookless by one and two holes respectively.
Tyrone Ryan was the only South African to lose his singles, against Steve McEwan, 4 and 3.
Jared Harvey managed a half against the experienced Scot, Glenn Campbell.
With all the remaining matches going to South Africa, some in grand fashion, the home team amassed a further 7 1/2pt to their opponents' 1 1/2, from the singles.
Dean O’Riley, South Africa’s top ranked amateur, won handsomely 8 and 7 against Paul Sheilds. “O’Riley was six under after 11 holes, playing superb golf,” said Neil Homann, the South African team’s assistant manager.
J G Claassen also showed his class, beating Greg Paterson of Scotland 6 and 5.
“Johann Rupert and members of Leopard Creek have been fantastic to us this week,” explained Homann. He said that with Rupert’s support and members opening up their houses to the teams along with the uncompromising manner in which the club’s staff prepared the golf course and looked after their every need, made the week most memorable.
The Scotland team now fly down to Cape Town and take on a provincial team at Pearl Valley Golf Estates near Paarl before returning home.
RESULTS
Leopard Trophy Test Match:
Leopard Creek Country Club, near Malalane, Mpumalanga
MORNING
(South African players are mentioned first)
Singles:
Danie van Tonder bt Steven McEwan 1 hole.
Better-ball:
Riekus Nortje & Johan Bekker bt Jack Macdonald & Glenn Campbell 1 hole.
Aaron Russell & Tyrone Ryan bt Scott Gibson & Paul Shields 2 and 1.
Jared Harvey & Dean O’Riley lost to Mark Bookless & Gordon Yates 2 holes.
Ryan Dreyer & J G Claassen bt Greg Paterson & Kris Nicol 3 and 2.
AFTERNOON
Singles:
Riekus Nortje bt Gordon Yates 1 hole.
Johan Bekker bt Mark Bookless 2 holes.
Tyrone Ryan lost to Steven McEwan 4 and 3.
Jared Harvey halved with Glenn Campbell.
Danie van Tonder bt Scott Gibson 2 and 1.
Aaron Russell bt Jack Macdonald 2 holes.
Ryan Dreyer bt Kris Nicol 3 and 2.
J G Claassen bt Greg Paterson 6 and 5.
Dean O’Riley bt Paul Shields 8 and 7.
FINAL RESULT
South Africa 21pt, Scotland 7pt

EUROPEAN MEN'S NATIONS CUP
Real Golf Club, Sotogrande, Costa del Sol, Spain
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Best three from scores count
417 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY 70
HAINES, MATT 69 69 138
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68 71 139
LEWIS, TOM 70
426 GERMANY
KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN 71
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER 71 71 142
JOHN, ALLEN ALEMANIA 69
ROEHRIG, MAXIMILIAN 73 71 144
427 DENMARK
HANSEN, JOACHIM BRANDT 77 69 146
LOKKE, DANIEL 67 72 139
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71
HARTOE, ANDREAS 71
433 AUSTRIA
NEMECZ, LUCAS 70 68 138
MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ 73
GOGER, ROBIN 72
NEMECZ, TOBIAS 74 76 150
435 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72
FRAZER, JAMES 72 71 143
PUGH, RHYS 73 74 147
VICKERY, JOE GALES 73
435 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT 74
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73 67 140
WATTEL, ROMAIN 76 73 149
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72
438 FINLAND
SAMOOJA, KALLE 75 72 147
PULKKANEEN, TAPIO 70
SATAMA, HENRI 74 73 147
VEIJALAINEN, MIRO 74
438 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70 73 143
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO ITALIA
MANASSERO, MATTEO ITALIA 75 69 144
MOTTA, LEONARDO ITALIA 75 76 151
439 SWEDEN
CARLSSON, NICLAS 75
KOKOCINSKI, ROBIN 68
FLATAU, VICTOR 76 73 149
LAGERGREN, JOAKIM 74 73 147
440 SPAIN
SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO 72
PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS 75 76 151
CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO 74
HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO 70 73 143
440 HOLLAND
KRAAIJ, MICHAEL 76 73 149
KIND, ROBIN 72 71 143
BOSHART, DYLAN
HUIZING, DAAN 77 71 148
442 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73 73 146
DUNBAR, ALAN 71
MURRAY, PAT 73
LERNIHAN, DARA 76 76 152
446 BELGIUM
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER 75 71 146
PIETERS, THOMAS 75 74 149
13 DETRY, THOMAS 76
RICHELLE, JULIEN 75
447 SCOTLAND
KELLETT, ROSS 72 72 144
WHITE, JAMES 75 78 153
McLEAN, PHILIP 79
LAW, DAVID 71
450 PORTUGAL
JOIA, JOSE MARIA 77 70 147
GASPAR, MIGUEL 74
SILVA, TOMAS 79 74 153
RODRIGUES, TIAGO 76
453 NORWAY
BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS 77 74 151
RAMSNES, OLE
OLSEN, AKSEL 76 75 151
GUNDROSEN, MAGNUS 76 75 151
464 CZECH REPUBLIC
ONDREJ, LIESER 82 76 158
KORDA, JIRI 76
POSPISIL, MICHAL 79 72 151
PROCHAZKA, DAVID 79
485 SLOVENIA
VIDMAR, JAKA
STANIC, MARTIN 73 78 151
ZIGA, AVSEC 84 81 165
GREGORINCIC, GRECA 83 86 169

Inverness Fairways Target Golf Leagues

By Neil D Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
Web: www.golflochness.com
WEEK EIGHT SUMMARY
The top of the table got tighter on Monday night and it looks like it could go all the way to the final game. BM Trucks top scored with 58 as they beat the Parahandies and retook second place on the better shots scored record but Orion remain in pole position and favourites for the title as they are still two points ahead after their win over the Royal Swingers.
At the other end of the table Sainties still haven’t got off the mark, this week falling to the Specialists who now find themselves in fourth place. The Happy Gilmour’s continued their good form with a win over the Neverwillbees and join them on six points just two behind the Specialists.
The crunch game next week is BM Trucks against Orion with an Orion win almost guaranteeing them the league title but a win for the Trucks will bring them and the Parahandies into the reckoning for the final game.
RESULTS
Orion 57 – 32 Royal Swingers
Sainties 22 – 7 Specialists
Parahandies 43 – 58 BM Trucks
Happy Gilmour’s 24 – 18 The Neverwillbees.

TUESDAY LEAGUE SUMMARY
In the Tuesday League, King Kenyon’s Klan have one hand on the league title and a guaranteed place in the top team playoffs are seeing off the Muirton Marvels.
It was close game with just one ball separating the teams but this result drops the Marvels down to fourth place and they will have their work cut out to get into the play-offs now that the Luckless Leadbetters seem to have their form back.
The Leadbetters were the night’s top scorers with 53 which was easily more than enough to take the points from a very lacklustre Fairhurst Fore. The Leadbetters join Fairhurst on 10 points but their much better shots scored record could prove crucial.
At the other end of the table the wooden spoon will be a dog fight between the Mad Drivers and Fairways after both suffered defeats to the Coastguards and Senior Moments respectively. Fairways are on the bottom with just 2 points but the Mad Drivers only have 4 points so there battle on the last day of the season in a fortnights time will give them a lot to play for.
RESULTS
Fairhurst Fore 15 – 53 Luckless Leadbetters
Mad Drivers 9 – 34 Coastguards
Senior Moments 36 – 16 Fairways
Muirton Marvels 35 – 42 King Kenyon’s Klan.

HOW THEY STAND

MONDAY TABLE
1 Orion 14pt
2 BM Trucks 12
3 Parahandies 12
4 Specialists 8
5 Royal Swingers 6
6 Neverwillbees 6
7 Happy Gilmour's 6
8 The Sainties 0

TUESDAY TABLE
1 King Kenyon's Klan 14pt
2 Luckless Leadbetters 10
3 Fairhurst Fore 10
4 Muirton Marvels 8
5 Senior Moments 8
6 Coastguards 8
7 Mad Drivers 4
8 Fairways 2

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP SCOREBOARD
MEN AMATEURS - Real Club Sotogrande, Spain
FIRST ROUND TOTALS
(Three from four scores to count)
207 ENGLAND
FLEETWOOD, TOMMY N/C
HAINES, MATT 69
PAISLEY, CHRIS 68
LEWIS, TOM 70

215 GERMANY
KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN 71
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER 71
JOHN, ALLEN N/C
HANSEN, JOACHIM 73

215 DENMARK
BRANDT 77
LOKKE, DANIEL 67
BJERREGAARD, LUCAS 71
HARTOE, ANDREAS N/C
216 AUSTRIA
NEMECZ, LUCAS 70
MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ N/C
GOGER, ROBIN 72
NEMECZ, TOBIAS 74
217 SPAIN
SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO 72
PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS 75
CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO N/C
HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO 70
217 WALES
FARR, OLIVER 72
FRAZER, JAMES 72
PUGH, RHYS 73
VICKERY, JOE N/C

218 SCOTLAND
KELLET, ROSS 72
WHITE, JAMES 75
McLEAN, PHILIP N/C
LAW, DAVID 71

219 FINLAND
SAMOOJA, KALLE 75
PULKKANEEN, TAPIO 70
SATAMA, HENRI 74
VEIJALAINEN, MIRO N/C
220 ITALY
BERTASIO, NINO 70
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO N/C
MANASSERO, MATTEO 75
MOTTA, LEONARDO 75
221 FRANCE
SORDET, CLEMENT N/C
LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN 73
WATTEL, ROMAIN 76
LEVY, ALEXANDER 72
222 IRELAND
CUTLER, PAUL 73
DUNBAR, ALAN N/C
MURRAY, PAT 73
LERNIHAN, DARA 76
225 HOLLAND
KRAAIJ, MICHAEL 76
KIND, ROBIN 72
BOSHART, DYLAN N/C
HUIZING, DAAN 77
225 SWEDEN
CARLSSON, NICLAS 75
KOKOCINSKI, ROBIN N/C
FLATAU, VICTOR 76
LAGERGREN, JOAKIM 74
226 BELGIUM
DETRY, THOMAS 76
RICHELLE, JULIEN N/C
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER 75
PIETERS, THOMAS 75
229 NORWAY
BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS 77
RAMSNES, OLE N/C
OLSEN, AKSEL 76
LUNDROSEN, MAGNUS 76
232 PORTUGAL
JOIA, JOSE MARIA 77
GASPAR, MIGUEL N/C
SILVA, TOMAS 79
RODRIGUES, TIAGO 76
240 SLOVENIA
VIDMAR, JAKA N/C
STANIC, MARTIN 73
ZIGA, AVSEC 84
GREGORINCIC, GRECA 83
240 CZECH REPUBLIC
ONDREJ, LIESER 82
KORDA, JIRI N/C
POSPISIL, MICHAL 79
PROCHAZKA, DAVID 79
+Switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk to see the women's scores at the same venue.

It ain't half hot, Mum! Scots swelter in South Africa

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ROSS DUNCAN OF SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scotland trailed a strong South African side 8½ - 3½ at the close of play on day one of the Test Match at Leopard’s Creek Country Club before thunder and lightning halted play with two matches remaining on the course.
Youngster Jack McDonald, the reigning Scottish Boys Stroke Play Champion, was the star of the Scots side on the opening day, claiming a half point alongside Scott Gibson in the morning foursomes before comfortably winning his singles match 4&2.
Mark Bookless and Gordon Yates were Scotland’s other winning duo in the morning with a 2&1 victory over their opponents, with the pairings of Paul Shields/Kris Nicol and Glenn Campbell/Steven McEwan both losing by a 4&3 margin.
Former national champion Glenn Campbell was the only other victor for the visitors in the afternoon singles with Gordon Yates one up with two to play in the closing match. 17-year-old Gibson lost by one hole in his match, the same margin of defeat as Paul Shields, as the Scots closed the day trailing by five.
National junior coach Spencer Henderson, who is out with the squad, reflected on the opening day’s performance:
“We’re obviously disappointed to be trailing in the match but it’s been a fantastic experience for the players, particularly the young lads who have performed very well. The course is superb but it’s much hotter than we’re used to (36 degrees) so it’s taking time to get used to.
“With our four leading amateurs playing in the Nations Cup, the South African training camp has given us the opportunity to develop some of our up and coming players, who are competing against a very strong host side in the peak of their season.”
“It was great to see Jack (McDonald) and Scott (Gibson) performing so well on their senior debut and the experience of guys like Glenn is really helping them. We’re looking forward to another great day tomorrow, with an early start because of the weather, and hopefully the team will make up some ground.” he added.
Day One – Results
Morning Foursomes
J McDonald & S Gibson halves match.
P Shields & K Nicol Lost 4&3
M Bookless & G Yates Won 2&1
G Campbell & S McEwan Lost 4&3
Morning Singles
G Paterson Lost 1 Hole
Afternoon Singles
J McDonald Won 4&2
S Gibson Lost 1 Hole
G Paterson Lost 4&3
K Nicol Lost 4&3
P Shields Lost 1 hole
S McEwan Lost 5&4
G Campbell Won 4&3
M Bookless 1 down thru 16
G Yates 1 up thru 16
Latest Score:
South Africa 8.5 – 3.5 Scotland

+Ross Duncan is not being parochial by only naming the Scottish players - the South African website did not list the names of the home players!

SCOTS TAKE COUNT AT SUNNINGDALE

Carnoustie's Colin Sinclair and Kris Harper won their first-round tie in the Sunningdale foursomes today. They beat B Monks and C Rodgers of Royal Mid-Surrey by one hole before losing by 4 and 3 in the afternoon second round to C Griffiths (Wentworth) and C Bull (Sunningdale).
Banchory's Fergus Bisset and his partner, D Ford of Royal North Devon, lost by 3 and 2 to former tennis ace Tim Henman and T Crawley, both Sunningdale members, in the first round.

'It is not as important as some people say'

Walker Cup won't stop

Kellett turning pro

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Ross Kellett, Scotland's highest-ranked amateur, has revealed he won't be hanging around to play in next year's Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen because he feels such an honour counts for little in the professional game.
The 22-year-old from Colville Park, Motherwell (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency), one of four Scots named in the Great Britain & Ireland squad for this season's St Andrews Trophy match against the Continent of Europe, is gearing up instead for a switch to the paid ranks later in the year.
He will enter the European Tour Qualifying School and will definitely turn professional before the start of next season if, at the very least, he can secure a Challenge Tour card.
"I have spoken to Gavin (Dear] and Wallace (Booth] about the Walker Cup and they said they don't feel it is the be-all and end-all," said Kellett, who chalked up three runner-up finishes in top amateur events around the globe last year and is currently the world No 49 amateur.
"Although it is nice to represent Great Britain & Ireland against America, you shouldn't stay amateur just for that because, once you turn professional, no-one is saying you are super or can definitely beat them because you played in the Walker Cup. They probably wouldn't care so I don't think it is as important as some people say."

In recent years, Pablo Martin, Danny Lee and Shane Lowry have all won European Tour events while still amateurs, the latter lifting the Irish Open title in a play-off at Co Louth last season. The week before, Kellett had played with Lowry in the Irish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and the Scot believes he could just as easily enjoy such a life-changing experience.
"You can only take inspiration from those guys winning," added Kellett, who is joining forces with David Law, Philip McLean and James White in the European Nations Cup, formerly the Sherry Cup, which gets underway at Copa Real Golf Club in Sotogrande tomorrow.
"I spoke to Shane on the Sunday of the Irish Stroke Play last year and asked him when he was going to the Brabazon Trophy the following week. He said he wasn't going there as he was playing in the Irish Open and, lo and behold, he's the champion the following week.
"While these sort of wins aren't common, it shows that amateurs can achieve life-changing successes and, if people I am used to playing against in the amateur ranks can do it, then I can, too."
*The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

Nine Scots warm up in South Africa - thanks to Rupert!

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Nine of Scotland’s leading amateur golfers arrive in South Africa today to complete their winter training programme, boosted by the support of the man behind the Dunhill Links Championship, Johann Rupert.
The South African business tycoon has sponsored the SGU’s Men’s Elite Squad training camp in his home country, providing golf, accommodation and facilities to the Scotland players over the next ten days. The Scots will use three different world-class courses during the trip as the final part of their preparation for the season ahead under the warmth of the South African sunshine.
The trip will include a two-day Test Match against South Africa at Leopard Creek, a three-team tournament against the South African Development and Junior sides at Houghton Golf Club and a match at Pearl Valley – scene of Richie Ramsay’s recent win in the South African Open - against a combined Provincial team.
A mixture of youth and experience has been selected for the squad, with four other players heading for Spain to play in the European Nations Cup next week. Former Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Champion Glenn Campbell is included in the squad alongside the youngest member of the team, Jack McDonald, the reigning firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Stroke Play Champion.
Kirkhill’s Paul Shields, a recent Academy graduate to the Men’s Elite Squad makes the trip, whilst another youngster, 18-year-old Scott Gibson earns his first call up to the senior team. Fraserburgh’s Kris Nicol and Hilton Park’s Gordon Yates, fresh from reaching the knock-out stages of the Spanish Amateur Championship, are included alongside former SGU Order of Merit winner Steven McEwan, 2008 Scottish boys stroke play champion Mark Bookless and St Andrews’ Greg Paterson.
Rupert, who is the current chairman of the South African PGA Tour, said:
“I am delighted to support the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad and bring them over to South Africa to experience our wonderful facilities and beautiful golf courses. I am very proud to be associated with the Home of Golf through the Dunhill Links Championship and wanted to give something back to the development of talented young golfers in Scotland.”
“We will also be offering our support to the young South African golfers by way of competition against some of Scotland’s best, which will assist with their development. There should be some great matches in prospect.”
Douglas Connon, SGU Chairman, added:
“This is an exceptional gesture from Johann Rupert and we are very grateful for his generous support. This new partnership allows us to further expand our winter training programmes for our elite squads, providing opportunities for our players to experience world class facilities.”
The Scotland squad is also sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade adidasGolf.
Scotland Squad for Player Development Camp in South Africa:
1. Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)
2. Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)
3. Scott Gibson (Southerness)
4. Jack Macdonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
5. Steven McEwan (Caprington)
6. Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh)
7. Greg Paterson (New Club, St Andrews)
8. Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
9. Gordon Yates (Hilton Park)

Squad Itinerary:
March 12-13
Practice at Vodacom World of Golf in Johannesburg
March 14-15
Triangular Match: Scotland v South Africa Junior Team v South Africa Development Team, Houghton GC
March 16
Practice, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 17-18
Test Match: South Africa v Scotland, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 19
Fly to Cape Town
March 20
Practice at the River Club
March 21
Provincial Match: Combined Provincial Select v Scotland, Pearl Valley GC
Depart

Gullane gallop away with title as defending champs drop

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Gullane turned out for their final match in the East Lothian Winter League knowing anything but a 5-0 home defeat would be enough to secure the title.
That thought may have given some hope to opponents Haddington, themselves in need of a couple of league points to make sure of avoiding relegation.However, the match was more of a victory march for Jeff Aitken's side, with the hosts quickly taking control of all but the top tie, and in the end, there was some doubt as to which pairing secured the vital first point that won the title for Gullane.
Whether that claim fell to Fraser Syme and Murray Saunders on the 15th green in match 2, to Rob Jack and Mike Corrie on the 14th in match 3, or to Stuart Menzies and George Paterson on the 13th in match 5, nobody is quite sure.
What is certain is that Gullane secured their first Winter League title for 29 years, and Duncan Low and Scott Walker completed the day's work with a victory on the last green over Keith Nicholson and David Warner in the top tie.
Last year's Division 2 champions, Longniddry, completed their campaign with a win on the road at Kilspindie, and in so doing claimed runners-up spot.
However, there were more twists and turns in the race to avoid relegation and Dunbar completed their struggle for survival with a solid win away to Craigielaw. That was enough to preserve their top-flight credentials for another season and, at the same time, send the defending champions down.
Royal Musselburgh, the champions 11 times, suffered defeats at Haddington on Saturday and at Tantallon on Sunday and that leaves them vulnerable to the drop.
Tantallon's emphatic home win went some way to restoring confidence in a side that has been inconsistent this term, though they travel to Haddington next Saturday in the knowledge that they still need a draw to avoid the third automatic relegation spot.
And, should they win that match, they will move up to third place and send Royal Musselburgh into the play-off. Haddington will take heart from the 5-0 thrashing they handed out when they travelled to the coast in October, and have their sights set on a home win that will earn them the right to contest Sunday's play-off at Tantallon's expense.
Kilspindie return to Division 2 and will be joined in the drop by last year's champions, Craigielaw.
Glen have been on top of the Division 2 table all season, and duly finished off the job with a 4-1 win on the road against Musselburgh Old.
With just one defeat all season, Innes Christie's side can now look forward to competing in an elite six-team Division 1 next year.
Whitekirk have kept up the pressure all the way, and started the day just a point in arrears. Their match at Gifford was postponed due to snow and, with the title decided, that fixture cannot now have any bearing on the final placings.
As Division 2 runners up, Andy Ovens' men will have a second shot at promotion in the play-off match at Gullane next Sunday.

Lothians warm up with match at Kingsknowe
Lothians are to face a club side in Edinburgh as part of their preparations for the new season.
Keith Nicholson has indicated he'll be trying to field his strongest side possible for the friendly at Kingsknowe on Saturday week.
"This is a real feather in our cap as I don't think it's something the Lothians have done before," said Kingsknowe team captain Bill Buchan.
"We were delighted that Keith liked the idea straight away when we made the approach."
The following weekend – on 27 March – a Lothians Select will face a Lothians Boys/Youths Select at Craigielaw, giving Nicholson another chance to run the rule over players.

Fairways Target Golf Leagues Week 7

By Neil D. Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
Web: www.golflochness.com
MONDAY LEAGUE REPORT
It was a night of upsets in the Monday league as both the top two teams lost. Orion and BM Trucks found themselves in the unusual position of being the night’s two lowest scoring teams as they tasted rare defeats.
Orion fell to the Parahandies, the night’s top scorers and now second in the league but it was the BM Trucks defeat that caused the biggest sensation as they lost to the Happy Gilmour's who recorded only their second win of the season.
The Sainties had their best score of the season but are still to get off the mark as the Neverwillbees also had their highest score! As this was the last game before the league splits the crunch match was for the final place in the top half and Royal Swingers who were 4th faced their nearest challengers the Specialists.
It was the Specialists who took the win and joined the Royal Swingers on 6 points but the Swingers held onto 4th spot by virtue of a better shots scored record having scored a total of just 10 more points than the Specialists in 7 games!. There are now 3 games left to decide the two qualifiers for the end of season play-offs.
RESULTS
Specialists 55 – 48 Royal Swingers
Sainties 43 – 63 The Neverwillbees
Parahandies 64 – 34 Orion
Happy Gilmour’s 37 – 32 BM Trucks.

TUESDAY LEAGUE REPORT
Things were a little bit more clear cut in the Tuesday League and only one of the top teams suffered defeat but this was not enough to drop them out of the top half. It was the Senior Moments who took the scalp of Muirton Marvels with their best score of the season so far but it was just too late and they will have to content themselves with being the best of the rest at the moment now that the league table split has been made.
The Marvels drop down to 4th place as the Luckless Leadbetters finally got back on form knocking in an impressive 61 (their best of the season too!) against the Coastguards. Fairhurst continued their good form and consolidated their second place in the league table with a solid win over the Mad Drivers but it was league leaders King Kenyon’s Klan who had the best score of the night with 72 as the thumped stable mates Fairways who are still adrift at the bottom.
The Klan have a 2 point lead over Fairhurst moving into the split but the Leadbetters look menacing just 2 points behind Fairhurst with 3 games to go.
RESULTS
Coastguards 27 – 61 Luckless Leadbetters
Mad Drivers 28 – 40 Fairhurst Fore
King Kenyon’s Klan 72 – 21 Fairways
Muirton Marvels 36 – 53 Senior Moments.

TABLES

MONDAY LEAGUE
1 Orion 12pt
2 Parahandies 12
3 BM Trucks 10
4 Royal Swingers 6
5 Specialists 6
6 Neverwillbees 6
7 Happy Gilmour's 4
8 The Sainties 0
TUESDAY LEAGUE
1 King Kenyon's Klan 12pt
2 Fairhurst Fore 10
3 Luckless Leadbetters 8
4 Muirton Marvels 8
5 Senior Moments 6
6 Coastguards 6
7 Mad Drivers 4
8 Fairways

Monty, Lawrie and Matthew to help pick

players eligible for transition cash

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
The likely involvement of Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Catriona Matthew in the body that will manage the new investment in Scottish golf (announced by Alex Salmond at North Berwick yesterday) will help ensure the right players are selected to receive support, according to Douglas Connon, the Scottish Golf Union chairman.
While it will no doubt be claimed that amateurs who come through the SGU and SLGA systems are likely to receive the bulk of the money up for grabs each year, Connon insists the net will be spread across the whole of Scottish golf and players already in the paid ranks will also be considered if Montgomerie, Lawrie or Matthew support their case.
"The main job of the board is to manage the resources and, below that, there has to be involvement from bodies such as the PGA and SPGA," noted Connon. "It's not just amateurs, men or women. It's people who've perhaps already turned professional and are in a position where they need a leg up.
"The board, which is yet to meet, will be chaired by Graeme Simmers, a former chair of sportscotland, and, in addition to Bernard Gallacher, will comprise of Louise Martin, the current chair of sportscotland, its chief executive officer Stewart Harris, the SGU's chief executive officer Hamish Grey and his SLGA counterpart, Shona Malcolm. One other person could be added.
"The problem with getting professional golf advisers is their time," said Connon. "Because they play into their 50s between main and Senior Tour, it is trying to get someone who can devote the time to this sort of thing.
"In many respects, Bernard was a bit of a shoe-in because, not withstanding the fact he's has agreed to do it, he has the time and also the necessary experience. He's still in touch with what's going on today in terms of the Tour. As for the chairman, sportscotland is leading on this and collectively we needed someone with the necessary experience, hence the appointment of Graeme.
"There will also be an advisory board or committee and Paul, Colin and Catriona have all agreed to be supportive in that, though clearly Colin has got other things on his mind this year. I'd imagine they'll be advising as to whether there is a chance here, whether this is the right person.
"Our most recent history is littered with young talent that has not made it for one reason or another and that seems to me to be a bit wasteful."
While the sportscotland money becomes available at the end of this month, it is likely to be towards the end of the year before the first recipients are identified. Ross Kellett, currently Scotland's highest-ranked player in the amateur world rankings, could be in the frame if he manages to secure at least a Challenge Tour card at the end of the year, while the likes of rookie pros Paul O'Hara, Carly Booth and Kylie Walker might also receive support depending on how they fare this year.
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE NEWS RELEASE FROM THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Help for young players to make grade as professionals

Scottish amateur golf gets
-

£2million boost


An investment package worth over £2 million to golfers at every level of the sport, from young children to Scotland's best prospects was announced today.
The package includes:
£1 million of new investment from sportscotland over the next five years to provide support for Scotland's most talented players as they bid to make the transition to tour professional
£1,073,720 from sportscotland to the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA) to support coaching, the Academy programme and the strategic development of the sport
Of the £1,073,720 listed above, £500,000 is targeted investment in the successful clubgolf programme, with a new strategy also launched today.
Announcing the funding, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "As Scotland gears up to stage five Women's British Open championships over the next decade and host the Ryder Cup in 2014, this investment puts us in a great position to attract more professional players to the game.
"It will also build on the success of clubgolf, our national junior programme, which has introduced golf to record numbers of children in Scotland - almost 40,000 primary five pupils last year. We aim to give every child in Scotland access to our national game. This excellent package of support at every level puts us well on the way to re-establishing Scotland as the world's greatest golfing nation."
To manage the new investment targeting the transition of amateurs to tour professionals, an independent company will be established. The board will be chaired by former R&A captain Graeme Simmers OBE, who is also a former Chair of sportscotland, and supported by a board of advisors including former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallagher.


The longer term aim will be to supplement sportscotland's contribution through private sector investment and ensure that players get tailored support in their early professional development.
Both male and female players will benefit from a range of valuable services including coaching and training, sports science, the opportunity to attend warm weather training camps in the off season and in some cases, meet the underwriting of playing costs.
Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "Today's announcement marks an important step forward for the future of golf in Scotland, filling in the last piece of the puzzle to allow Scotland's golfing talent to flourish. SGU and SLGA deliver consistently both on and off the course and that's why sportscotland has increased investment in a sport which is part of the very fabric of our nation.
"sportscotland is also exceptionally proud of the success of the clubgolf programme, delivered in conjunction with our golf and local authority partners. I am delighted to see that the new strategy aims to keep that momentum going with ambitious targets and a robust plan to join up the people, places and thinking required to deliver on our Ryder Cup legacy commitment and give Scotland's youngsters every opportunity to experience this fascinating sport for themselves."
Sharing the spotlight today were three young golfers from North Berwick who are the product of the hugely successful clubgolf programme. Clara Young (13), Euan Bowden (14) and Calum Hill (14) demonstrate a real aptitude for the game and have now been selected for Scottish Golf's Academy programme. clubgolf, which was established in 2003 to deliver a lasting legacy from the 2014 Ryder Cup, today announced its new strategy for 2010 - 2014 containing ambitious targets to grow participation, expand the number of centres delivering clubgolf and further develop an effective coaching network which will deliver the right coach to the right place at the right time.
Cumulatively over 140,000 children have now been introduced to golf at school through introductory game, firstclubgolf. In 2010 all 32 Scottish Local Authorities will offer firstclubgolf and 41,000 children in P5 are set to benefit. By the time the Ryder Cup comes to Scotland in 2014, every nine year old child in Scotland will have been given the opportunity to try the game. The existing substantial network of qualified volunteer coaches will have grown to 1650 and 150 PGA Pros will be working in a variety of roles with clubgolf. As a result of school/club links there will be 15,000 children in coaching programmes at clubgolf centres, with the aim of retaining them in club membership and enjoying golf as a sport for life.
Scotland's top female golfer Catriona Matthew MBE said: "clubgolf is doing a great deal to encourage more children to take up the game and develop their skills. Getting golf into so many primary schools is generating a huge amount of interest and clubgolf's Girls Only coaching is definitely helping to keep more girls involved.
"It is very encouraging to see that children are now starting to come right through the clubgolf programme and into the national academies. I am delighted to support this new strategy and I am sure it will be a huge success."
Reflecting on the exciting times that lie ahead, Douglas Connon, Chairman of the Scottish Golf Union, said: "We are delighted that sportscotland is investing so much into golf, including the new funding to support young Tour professionals, which is really the missing piece in the jigsaw of our player development pathway."
"The support will be hugely important in giving players every opportunity of achievement on the world and European stage in the professional ranks as we have done at amateur level in recent years. No programme can guarantee this success but the players will certainly be better positioned to achieve their ambitions as a consequence of the investment."
Shona Malcolm, Chair of the SLGA, said: "There is fantastic talent in Scottish golf right now and the funding sportscotland has put in place has contributed greatly to players' progress at every level. We've had two players - Carly Booth and Kylie Walker - who have graduated to the Ladies European Tour this season and will be excellent role models for the girls coming through our development programmes."
Golf has always had an important part to play in Scottish life, providing thousands with a healthy leisure pursuit, delivering memorable sporting success for the nation and making a huge contribution to the Scottish economy. The strategy and investment packages announced today are designed to ensure that golf continues to deliver for Scotland to 2014 and beyond.