THE KITTOCKS RE-OPENS AT

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS
The Kittocks course at Fairmont St Andrews re-opened last weekend after a being included in a £17m refurbishment at the five-star resort.
The course – formerly known as The Devlin after its eponymous designer – now includes two holes from The Torrance course: the 17th and 18th, setting up one of the finest series of closing holes in the game.
Stewart Elder, golf sales manager for Fairmont St Andrews, said: “After an innocent start, the fifth hole begins a real roller-coaster ride through a spectacular landscape – it’s even been said that the finishing holes start on the fifth, giving The Kittocks’ golf’s longest finish.”
When the course was originally designed, Devlin was assisted by legends Gene Sarazen and Sam Torrance. And with the additional input of Gary Stephenson recently, the course is now arguably the most stunning at the Home of Golf.
The white water of St Andrews Bay crashes on to the historic seashore and the often snow-covered Grampian Mountains dominate the distant horizon beyond Dundee and Carnoustie.
The entire right side of the 17th is now bordered by a 100ft cliff, falling into the sea. The left is a mixture of mounds, hazards, gorse, fescue and bunkers, while in the distance behind the green, the Old Town of St Andrews with its many spires beckons.
Green fees at The Kittocks start at £40 per person with tee-time rates from £99.

Nicklaus adds extra spice to playing in Morocco

FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE
By COLIN BYRNE
A caddie on the European Tour and a weekly columnist for the Irish Times
We were in Rabat, Morocco last week for the 37th Hassan II Golf Trophy. It has been some time since this venue has hosted a regular tour event and this year the trophy is part of the European Tour schedule in its amended pro-am format.
The Royal Dar Es Salam courses outside Rabat are Robert Trent Jones senior golf treasures hidden amongst the giant gum trees and mature oak trees just beyond the embassies and diplomatic residences of the capital. Built in the early 1970s, the red and blue courses have withstood the test of time and the rapid advances in technology that have rendered so many old courses obsolete for professionals.
The reason the courses have survived is they are well designed with clever dog-legged fairways and small punishing greens. The main reason the scoring was so low last week was there was almost no wind and virtually no rough. The course was sensibly set up this way because it made it more playable for the amateurs.
Despite the inconvenience of playing alongside amateurs there was not much complaining. Normally there is a pro-am on the Wednesday before the event, there was none last Wednesday. Instead the amateurs got to play Thursday and Friday and it was only professionals at the weekend.
It is perhaps the way for the tour to combat the current economic difficulties in the future and introduce more semi pro-am events.
So we all congregated at the clubhouse to restart our seasons, many having enjoyed a three-week break. Some of the younger players were intrigued by the prominent notice on the board advising players that there would be a clinic the next day by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, accompanied by Tony Jacklin.
Apart from the usual exuberance of the younger players for just playing in an event there seemed to be an added amount of excitement about watching the 18-time major winner giving a clinic at the exotic location in North Africa. Some of them planned their practice rounds to fit in with the 10.30am appointment with Mr Nicklaus.
It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day as the stand behind the range started to fill, mainly with players and caddies, all in anticipation of the arrival of the 70-year-old Golden Bear. It got hot in the raised seats as we all waited. Most of the younger players positioned themselves directly behind the balls that had been laid out for Jack to hit. Others sat in the stand square to the prepared hitting zone in order to get the side on view.
The cameramen assembled, the crowd thickened, the journalists arrived and finally a polite ripple of applause trickled across the range as the legend made his way onto the practice area.
The host of the clinic was the ex-broadcaster Peter Kessler, who was ready to run Jack through a range of shots for the largely young professional gathering. “Hi Jack, great to see you, are you ready to hit some shots for us?” Kessler asked expectantly.
“I don’t have any clubs, no shoes, anyway I don’t play golf anymore,” was the legend’s response.
The young pros waited for the humorous aspect of the opening dialogue. It never came. Jack was serious. “I don’t have any clubs, I am not hitting any shots, I am here to promote the game of golf and make it grow in Morocco.”
Whoops, was the tacit look from the stand of young players.
Kessler is a seasoned broadcaster who is acutely aware of the dangers of getting on the wrong side of an irate, ageing superstar. He had worked for one of the big television channels in the US previously but lost his job due to comments that Arnold Palmer felt were inappropriate. He has since moved to radio commentary.
It seems Kessler has learned the importance of diplomacy, particularly with former giants of the game, because when Jack was adamant he was not hitting balls the compere did not attempt to force him.
Tony Jacklin made a timely entrance to the range as the clinic had got off to a non-start. He had his clubs with him, was happy to hit balls and Jack agreed to talk about the swing and his practice routine. Kessler had not lost his job over this little awkward situation, he had just had his momentum set back with Jack’s reaction to being asked to hit some shots.
I take it the organisers forgot to mention this to Nicklaus before his appearance on the range last Wednesday.
He softened somewhat as he talked about his practice regime and importantly, the difference between warming up for a competitive round of golf and a practice session. He maintained that before he played he was simply trying to warm his body up with hitting shots and the warm-up was based on the fundamentals of the game.
He had always left the course the previous evening with his mind clear about what he wanted to do on the course the next day. So the kinks were ironed out before he went home so that he could have some down time away from the course.
He continued that, in his warm-ups, he was preparing for the conditions of the golf course, so if it was windy he would hit shots accordingly. He always maintained that one of his main attributes was he was prepared to change his swing on the course if he felt he needed to. His coach Jack Grout, apart from guiding him, also helped him to be independent.
Having watched Tony Jacklin hitting balls Jack obviously got inspired, because he grabbed his driver, threw his sun glasses on the ground and started to hit some drives. The young pros who hadn’t gone back to their own practice sessions already had finally got to see the legend’s action live and were somewhat rewarded for shaping their strict regimes around a disappointing exhibition from Big Jack.
In the end Jack got to talk about course design in aspiring golf nations; it is business after all. Europe’s aspiring young pros at least got to see Jack swipe at a few drives and the announcer Kessler got to keep his job after what was looking like another prickly interlude with a golfing legend on the back of the range at the Royal Dar Es Salam Golf Club in North Africa.
After all, Jack Nicklaus was there primarily to build golf courses and not to endear himself to young golf pros.

April 30 to May 2 at ExCel venue

FREE ENTRY TO THE LONDON GOLF SHOW

The London Golf Show returns for its sixth outing from April 30-May 2 and this year every golf club member in the country can attend for free.
As part of a new relationship with the England Golf Partnership, every golf club member in the country will be entitled to free entry to the golfing extravaganza, all they have to do is register on www.londongolfshow.com before April 17.
Roger Moreland, chief operating officer of the England Golf Partnership, said: “The London Golf Show is established as the country’s major consumer event for golfers and we wanted to ensure our members can benefit from it.
“Because every member of a golf club is a member of the English Golf Union or the English Women’s Golf Association, which are founder members of the England Golf Partnership, it means our support benefits golfers across the country with free membership.
“This is a fantastic addition to our support for the show and we’re looking forward to even more golfers having the chance to attend and see everything that’s going on in golf.”
The London Golf Show returns to ExCeL for its sixth outing from April 30 to May 2 and will once again offer the entire golfing spectrum under one roof.
Visitors will be able to test the latest clubs from all the big brands, enjoy custom fitting, see cutting-edge golf gadgets, try their hand at a host of competitions to win fantastic prizes and much more.
In addition, this year’s event runs alongside the inaugural London Tennis Show and visitors to one event get free entry to the other.
For more information go to www.londongolfshow.com.

The Carrick on Loch Lomond links up with Woburn

NEWS RELEASE

The stunning Carrick on Loch Lomond golf course has quickly established itself as one of the leading new golf courses in the United Kingdom, and has added a strategic partnership with Woburn Golf Club to enhance its offer to members.

This partnership will see members of The Carrick receive preferential rates at the renowned Buckinghamshire course, and follows partnerships with two Canadian clubs where members of The Carrick receive reciprocal playing rights.

As well as aligning itself with leading golf venues, The Carrick has also re-defined its membership, which now offers members use of the luxury spa and leisure facilities and ‘Wee Demon’ course at no additional charge.

Joining fees have also been removed for new members as the exclusive resort looks to drives memberships forward in 2010.

Kingston Heath ousts Royal Melbourne as Aussie No 1

FROM THE AGE.COM.AU WEBSITE
By MARTIN BLAKE
Royal Melbourne has lost its customary position as Australia's No. 1 ranked golf course for the first time, with Kingston Heath crowned as the new leader.
Golf Digest, the Sydney-based national magazine, has sent the esteemed ''Royal'' and its west course slumping to No. 3 in its list released today. New South Wales, in Sydney's southern suburbs and the host for last year's Australian Open, is at No. 2.
Constant problems with greens and fairways have dogged Australia's most prestigious club through the drought, with the west course currently closed for most of the greens to be relaid and the fairways being resown.
It is not expected to reopen until next month. Some holes on the east course also have been closed for attention.
Golf Digest editor Steve Keipert described Royal Melbourne as ''a masterpiece'', but added that ''severe conditioning issues'' and the splitting of the two courses for the purposes of ranking had been important to the change in ranking. It is the first time since rankings began in the 1980s that ''Royal'' has moved from the top.
''It would be easy to say 'we don't worry about those things', but it's not the right thing to say,'' said Royal Melbourne's chief executive Paul Rak last night. ''We do look at the rankings. We just congratulate Kingston Heath.''
Rak said the drought had pummelled the two courses over the past five years, but that recent moves had addressed the problems. The club has built a 37-megalitre lagoon, begun a stormwater harvesting project and built a wetlands and a bioretention area.
Previously most course-ranking panels have judged Royal Melbourne on its composite course, the tournament lay-out that has 12 holes from the west course and six from the east. Under this method, Royal was on top of the most recent list released by Golf Australia magazine, and also was the top-ranked Australian course at No. 6 in a list of the best courses outside the US compiled by Golf Digest in America.
Recently there has been a push to split the courses for purposes of ranking, since the composite course is rarely played.
Twenty-one Victorian courses made the top 100, with Kingston Heath, highly successful host of last year's Australian Masters, leading the way.
Royal Melbourne is hosting the Presidents Cup between the US and an International team next year, drawing the best players in the world. Rak said the club would have its courses shipshape by then.
''We believe we've got the water-supply issues right, and we've addressed the quality of the turf. The members have been very supportive.
''Of course you'd like to be No. 1 but we're doing what we can to get back to where we should be,'' Rak added.
TOP COURSES
Australia's top 10 golf courses by Australian Golf Digest:
1. Kingston Heath (Victoria)
2. New South Wales (New South Wales)
3. Royal Melbourne, West (Vic)
4. Barnbougle Dunes (Tasmania)
5. Ellerston (NSW)
6. The National, Moonah (Vic)
7. Metropolitan (Vic)
8. Royal Melbourne, East (Vic)
9. Royal Adelaide (South Australia)
10. Victoria (Vic)
Other Victorian clubs in the top 40:
13. Moonah Links (legends); 14. The Dunes; 16 The National (old); 21. Barwon Heads; 22. Woodlands; 24. Commonwealth; 25. Peninsula (north); 26. Moonah Links (Open); 29. Thirteenth Beach (Beach); 32. St Andrews Beach; 34. Yarra Yarra; 36. Huntingdale; 37. The National Ocean); 38. Portsea; 39. Peninsula (south).

Left to right at Millbrook: Sir Bob Charles, Jim Hardie, Michael Hill and Geoff Saunders. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Sir Bob and Lady Verity make Jim Hardie's latest trip to New Zealand

- where it's a boiling hot summer - one to cherish forever

North-east businessman and golfer Jim Hardie reports on his
annual winter trip to New Zealand.
Greetings from, at long last, a boiling hot New Zealand !
I say at long last as the first five weeks were a bit like a bad Scottish summer, and to quote Sir Bob Charles, he saw more rain in New Zealand in the first two weeks in January than he saw in his entire Scottish Wish list Tour last year.
To start from the beginning, way back early December, I had my first game with the great man at Pegasus Golf Club just outside Christchurch, and on a day more like a winter alliance day at Inverallochy, I'm glad to report that Geoff Saunders and I had a 4 and 3 victory over Sir Bob and Simon Robinson, with yours truly having the distinction of birdieng the 15th to finish the game.
Sir Bob at this point said, "Geez, you fly thirteen thousand miles to beat me up in my own back yard!"
Geoff Saunders still plays off 2 and is a former Canterbury team player, as was Simon Robinson who plays off 5.
I felt great as not too many people can claim a victory over Sir Bob!
Pegasus is the venue for the forthcoming New Zealand Ladies Open, and a wondeful new course.
I had the pleasure later that night of dining with Sir Bob and Lady Verity at their house overlooking the 17th fairway at Clearwater, another fabulous course in Christchurch.
The golf stories were simply amazing, could have listened for ever, but as much as that evening was special, a few days later they invited me to their farm at Oxford, which, not surprisingly, is named Lytham, and is approximately 800 acres.
We spent some time going round the property, saw his herd of deer,and then the process of how they produce Deer Velvet, which acts as an anti-inflamatory!
Sir Bob showed me a lot of memorabillia from years gone by. What a collection he has, far too numerous to even mention, but he has a complete book showing his Open championship victory in verse and pictures, news reports etc of other events he won what at the time, including the Piccadilly World match-play at Wentworth. Simply awesome reading!
During this visit we had been discussing various courses all round the Central Otago area, which is about 350k south of Christchurch, and as I metioned several of my favourites, discovered that Sir Bob had never played a couple, so he suggested a "mini tour" of Central Otago.
First point of call was Wanaka Golf Club, and Sir Bob partnered Bob Mcrae, a well-known farmer in that area, and I played with my cousin Bill Grigor who, like myself, originates from Ballater.
A wonderful sunny day, game was very well balanced until Bob Mcrae decided to hole a 30 footer on the 17th to close the game 2 and 1 to them !
Following day we were off to Cromwell Golf Club, one of my all time New Zealand favourites, and this time I've got the President of Shirley Golf Cub in Christchurch, Ken Fergus, a five- handicapper as my partner, against Sir Bob and John Roache, a very good senior golfer from Alexandra, just along the road from Cromwell, and a four-handicapper.
Ken and I combined really well and despite Sir Bob being three under after 13, Ken and I were two up!
Sir Bob did sort of mention at this time, "Doesn't twp up with five to play never win?"
I said "Well, today looks like it will buck the trend."
WRONG, Sir Bob throws in a couple of birdies to stand all square on the 18th, a wonderful 200 metre par 3, and then John decides to hole a 25-footer for a birdie 2, and, oh dear, another defeat by one hole !
After a great lunch Sir Bob and I visited a few wineries in the Bannockburn area of Central Otago, then back to his house at the Millbrook Resort, which is where Peter Smith (former Northern Open champion from the North-east) was at one time was the Director of Golf.
Next venue was the Hills Course, where the NZ Open has just been played, and this was mind blowing. I can't describe it as anything else.
We played with the owner, Michael Hill, and I can honestly say I was in hysterics all the way round. What acharacter this man is and his devotion to golf is absolute.
This game was unfortunately cut short by rain, but what a course, simply incredible.
On we went and Sir Bob arranged our next game to be at Millbrook, where Greg Turner has recently redesigned a new nine holes. I have to say its the best new nine holes I personally have ever seen!
Sir Bob played with Michael Hill, and Geoff Saunders and myself were the opposition .
I honestly think we were "set up" as Michael, who normally plays off 13, decided with his own unique handicapping system, that as he was not playing well and he had not played the "new nine" at Millbrook, "I'll just play off 18 today just to assist Sir Bob!"
Michael then has nine pars, so Geoff and I were "beaten" 2 and 1. I refrain from making any other "comment," suffice to say Michael did sort of see the funny side !
Having returned to the clubhouse, we then meet Mr and Mrs Peter Alliss who had just arrived three hours earlier as Peter was commentating for the NZ Open later that week.
Next port of call was another new course called Jacks Point, just outside Queenstown, where I have Sir Bob as a partner, this time against Geoff Saunders and a four-handicapper from England named Kevin Sutherland, who I believe is involved in Corporate Finance within the ANZ Banking Group in Australasia.
The scenery i could not even begin to describe. Breathtaking does not do this course justice. I can honestly say I have never seen views from a golf course like this, ever!
Great game ended all square after Sir Bob and I trailed most of the way, but a couple of late birdies, one each, saved our bacon, and we were all happy with a drawn match.
The NZ Open at the Hills was simply awesome, and I had lunch one day with Sir Bob and the great Peter Thomson. Yes, I've got the autograph to prove it!
Peter talked about his love of Brora, and, of course, Sir Bob had played it last year. Peter did laugh when I told him I'd sort of "set up" Sir Bob when he played there as I arranged for him to play with Jim Miller. Sir Bob said that guy can play some!
Returning to Christchurch, I am playing at Shirley Links, where I had the pleasure of lunch again with Peter Thomson, as he was visiting to see how the course changes were coming along.
Returning to Pegasus, Sir Bob had Aliatair Kidd as a partner against myself anf the Director of Golf at Pegasus, Brett James, an ex tour pro, who played in Australia.
This was probably yours truly's best display so far, and Brett and I went into a three-hole lead over Sir Bob and Alistair, when,on the 15th tee, Brett says "Sorry guys, I've got to attend a PGA meeting, so I'll have to leave."
And he says to me "Your playing well, I'm sure you can bring home a victory for us."
Well, Sir Bob starts the birdie stuff and I'm only one up playing the last but managed to halve the hole in par, so hang on I did, albiet just!
Alistair Kidd used to be a touring European pro way back, and was attached to Turnberry and Troon, before moving to New Zealand and was pro at the Otago Golf Club (Balmacewen) in Dunedin for a while.
You will see that I have been fortunate with a couple of victories over Sir Bob, but golf apart, i can't speak highly enough of this man. He has gone out of his way to reciprocate my small involvment in last year's wish list tour os Scotland.
The kindness of Sir Bob and Lady Verity I will cherish forever.
New Zealand should be justifiably proud of this gentleman. He is in a class of his own, and I recall Gordon Brand junior saying the same thing last year after playing with Sir Bob in a Seniors event.
Anyway that's an update. I still have another two weeks of sun to survive, and I have at least another two games arranged with Sir Bob, so onwards and upwards.
In closing, I'd like to say to all your readers, anyone thinking of visiting New Zealand, don't hesitate. A long way from Scotland it most certainly is, but once you get here, you are in one of the most beautiful unspoiled areas of the world.
Jim Hardie

Spey Valley pay-and-play enoys huge revenue increase

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
It came as no surprise really but the revenue increase at one of Scotland's leading 'pay-and-play' courses last year certainly highlights why golf clubs are finding it difficult at the moment to fill their memberships.
According to Ruaridh Macdonald, the sales and marketing director of Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, the overall revenue at the Spey Valley course, Aviemore increased by 25 per cent year on year in 2009 and the forecast for this year is a rise of 30-35 per cent.
"As a business, we have seen a huge upturn across the country in people paying and playing," he said, adding it had become a preferred option for many "because they can't finance a year's membership at a golf club."
He's right, of course, and that's making life difficult for clubs but hats off to those who are trying to address the problem by thinking out of the box. Take Dollar, for example. One of the first clubs in Scotland to admit that membership loss was threatening its existence, it has just taken an enterprising step by creating a holiday flat in the upper floor of the clubhouse.
Club officials are confident 'The Glen' apartment will become an attractive tourist venue and it certainly should with golf on offer to visitors for only £10 per day and, what's more, they can play in club medals if they have an official handicap certificate.
Little things like that can have a big impact, so let's see more clubs coming up with similar money-making ideas.

... on the other hand, East Aberdeenshire complex to close

David Watson, owner and founder of the East Aberdeenshire Golf Centre at Milden, north of Aberdeen and near Balmedie, is to close its facilities for good on April.
Farmer Watson built the 18-hole course on his land at a cost of £1.2million - having been turned down by the Scottish Sports Council's lottery fund committee - and the course and 16-bay driving range opened for business on May 1, 1999.
Mr Watson said that after a happy 10 years in the business, it was time for him to focus on other interests.
"We would like to thank our loyal members and their families for the support and friendship over the years and look forward to keeping these relations," said Mr Watson who employed former North-District Golf Association president Ian Creswell as his course designer and director of golf in the early year or two.
The course is just under 6,400yd with a par of 70.

Wildlife on Australian golf courses: Enough to put you off your game

New South Wales Golf Association official Graeme Phillipson thought you might like to see some of

the wildlife that abounds on Australian golf courses and would have been seen by Fraser Fotheringham, Scott Borrowman and the other British competitors during this week's New South Wales Medal.

Below: A leaf-eating Koala bear up a tree at the Muree course and, right, a snake in the grass at the Newcastle course (we have a few of these in Scotland!)

Thanks, Graeme! But no kangaroos?

ANY COMMENTS?

You can E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Send us any pictures you might have of wild

animals you have come across on your golf course travels. Fellow golfers excepted!

Enterprising Dollar G C converting clubhouse

upper floor into holiday flat to boost income

By DAVID BORROWMAN
Dollar was one of the first golf clubs in Scotland to admit that membership loss was threatening the club’s very existence.
But since the club council “went public” the club membership and the village community have rallied round and a massive fund-raising effort has given the club new hope of long-term survival.
A members' levy, a local appeal and a whole host of fund-raising events including a three-round Birdie and Eagle challenge featuring Wallace Booth and Gavin Dear has raised a total of £20,000.
These funds have been generously complemented by funding from Forward Scotland, a charity dedicated to supporting community facilities.
However whilst the fund-raising has ensured the short-term future of the club a longer term remodelling of the club’s finances is being addressed by the club council.
The first step in creating a new financial model is the club’s enterprising decision to create a spectacular holiday flat in the upper floor of the clubhouse. People who know the Dollar club will be aware of the magnificent position of the clubhouse at the foot of Dollar Glen, and the club are confident that ‘The Glen’ apartment at Dollar will be an attractive tourist venue for many.
Club captain Dugdale Bradley comments “Being in a small village it is difficult to attract very many new members so we need to find another source of income. Letting out this flat will create a new income stream. Renovations are already underway and I believe we are going to produce a really special holiday destination here.
"The views are just stunning and residents of the flat will be able to play our scenic golf course just as much as they like for only £10 a day. We are even happy to let visitors play in our club medals if they have an official golf handicap certificate.
"This is a friendly village club and we welcome visitors on the course at all times including the weekends. We plan that the flat will be ready to let by Easter 2010 - it is designed for four or six people and you can just about fall out of bed on to the first tee! On top of that Dollar is a terrific tourist destination with super golf courses all around us and many other tourist attractions close by. We feel sure visitors can have a wonderful holiday here.”
The renovation will be to four-star standard and photographs will appear on the club website on completion of the work, which is scheduled for early in March. Letting availability will be from March 26, 2010.
Booking procedures will appear shortly on the club website http://www.dollargolfclub.com/ .
In the meantime anyone wanting to let should contact Dollar Golf Club at flatbooking@dollargolfclub.com or telephone 01259 742400

Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch re-opens on April 1

The Royal Golf Hotel, overlooking the first tee of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, will re-open on April 1. Its new owners have teamed up with Castle Stuart Golf Links who are assisting with pre opening and ongoing operations. Castle Stuart partner Grant Sword, whose family owned and operated the Royal Golf Hotel for many years, is spearheading the pre-opening works and preparations.
The hotel will offer 22 four-star bedrooms, cosy log fires, a golfers’ bar, plus informal wining and dining in the conservatory overlooking the first tee.
All rooms are equipped with direct dial telephone, Wifi, colour television, hospitality tray and complementary toiletries.

New Italian golf resort developed by Sir Rocco Forte

One thing leads to another: From Kingsbarns to

Verdura in Sicily is Kyle Phillips' golf journey

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Kaufmann
When Americans contemplate a golf trip to Europe, the default choices are either Scotland or Ireland. And why not? Whether it’s a buddies' trip or a couple's getaway, one could hardly go wrong in either destination.
But perhaps the most interesting development this year in European golf is taking shape on the southern tip of Italy, where Verdura Golf & Spa Resort (www.verduraresort.com) is scheduled to open March 1 in Sicily.
The resort sits on 570 acres, with 1.2 miles of private Mediterranean coastline, and has 45 holes of golf – two regulation 18s and a nine-hole par 3 course.
The man behind Verdura is Sir Rocco Forte, whose eponymous Rocco Forte Collection operates some of Europe’s most acclaimed hotels. Sir Rocco, who turns 65 on January 18, grew up in the hotel business and in 1982 became CEO of Forte Group plc, the conglomerate built by his father, Lord Charles Forte.
The company owned hotels, restaurants, a winery and even highway service areas. But in 1996, the Forte family lost control of the company to Granada plc in a £3.9 billion hostile takeover.
The Forte family walked away with £325 million, and Sir Rocco used the money to begin building a new chain of decidedly upscale hotels.
The Rocco Forte Collection now operates 13 properties, with four more in development. Sir Rocco recently received Hotels Magazine’s 2009 Corporate Hotelier of the World award.
Verdura is the first golf resort developed by Sir Rocco, who is described as an avid golfer, but is better known as a competitive triathlete who has represented Great Britain in the World Triathlon Championships.
He approached California-based course architect Kyle Phillips eight years ago about taking on the project. Phillips said that his design of Kingsbarns, ranked No. 1 on the list of Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses of Great Britain & Ireland, apparently had caught Forte’s eye.
In a phone interview, Phillips said Verdura’s East and West courses have a similar architectural style. Both courses, for instance, have seaside holes and similar green complexes.
“One of the mistakes that people make with sites like this is they build a seaside course and then they build an inland course,” he said.
Phillips said that the sea is visible even from the most inland holes, and his routings allow for the two courses to be combined to form a tournament course that incorporates all of the resort’s seaside holes.
Sir Rocco has established a reputation for operating five-star hotels, each with a distinct style that fits into its surroundings rather than having a cookie-cutter feel, an approach that appealed to Phillips.
“What he’s trying to do in the hotel world is what I’m trying to do in golf,” the architect said.
The resort’s director of golf is Niall Cameron, who played on the European Tour in the early 1980s and previously worked at clubs such as Royal St George’s and Turnberry. Cameron also designed the course at Assoufid, a Forte Collection resort that’s under development in Marrakech, Morocco.

An aerial view gives one some idea of the stunning beauty of Lough Erne Golf Resort, the new "must-visit" location in Northern Ireland.

Old Course connection at five-star Lough Erne Resort

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Having previously held senior positions at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, it was going to take something special to get the juices flowing for Jonathan Stapleton and Andy Campbell.
It has come across the Irish Sea, where the pair are now part of the management team at the excellent Lough Erne Golf Resort just outside Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh.
Designed by Nick Faldo, the championship course has been described as 'the new Loch Lomond' and it certainly enjoys a similar stunning location to the home of the Scottish Open.
Water comes into play at 14 holes and on the course's signature hole, the par-4 10th, the green is guarded by the Lough on three sides. A bit like at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, the views are stunning when you play the long sixth and, in particular, stand on the tee at the seventh, a real risk-and-reward hole.
Faldo has created a course that's tight in places but one that is highly enjoyable, the test being continued right to the end with three excellent closing holes in front of the Loughside Lodges and the resort's five-star hotel that includes a Thai Spa.
Lough Erne has been described as 'the hottest thing to come out of Northern Ireland since Rory McIlroy' - the rising European Tour star is the resort's touring professional - and it's easy to see why.
Highly luxurious, it's the complete package in terms of a top-class golfing resort, with Stapleton, the general manager, and Campbell, the director of golf, certainly having found somewhere on a par with the Old Course Hotel.
Gavin Rimmer, the resort's executive assistant manager - rooms, and Andy Peoples, the golf services supervisor, also worked at the world-famous St Andrews hotel before moving to Northern Ireland.
Since the course last July, it has hosted just over 7,000 rounds and, as Scottish golfers look for new places to play this year, it's likely that many will be making the short journey over the Irish Sea to enjoy the Lough Erne experience.
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

Russian super-rich build their own golf courses

FROM THE TELEGRAPH.CO.UK WEBSITE
By ANDREW OSBORN in MOSCOW
Their penchant for super-yachts and owning football clubs is well known but Russia's tycoons are now shopping for a new rather larger status symbol: their own custom-built golf course.
Shrugging off concerns about Russia's long snow-bound winters and the fact that many of their fellow compatriots can barely afford a set of golf clubs let alone a golf course, some of Russia's richest business people are pouring their millions into a pastime whose aristocratic overtones made it taboo in the Soviet Union.
"Only the super rich can afford golf courses," says Chris Weafer, a strategist at Moscow's Uralsib bank who keeps a close eye on how the oligarchs spend their wealth.
Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich is one of the tycoons taking the plunge in the country where he made his fortune. His spokesman said a sprawling course beyond Moscow's outer ring road is already "in the planning stage."
Metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska is ahead of the curve. He already has an exclusive £18.5 million Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course in Moscow. The initial membership fee is a cool £185,000 and the club says it is extremely picky about who it allows to join.
Vladimir Potanin, who made his money from Russia's vast nickel reserves, is also in the process of building a course, as is Elena Baturina, Russia's richest woman. But it is Andrei Komarov, a senator in Russia's upper house of parliament whose wealth comes from steel pipes, who seems to be the most committed. He is ploughing £370 million into a chain of golf clubs in three Russian regions.
It is an unlikely trend for a country that has little history of golf. Modern Russia's first course only appeared in 1989 in the twilight of the Soviet Union and even now the world's largest country only boasts 14 courses and around 15,000 golfers. Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, prefers judo and the sport was so alien when it first appeared in the 1990s that some wealthy Russians had to be asked not to park their cars on club fairways.
But in a country where status is king and the pursuit of exclusivity a national sport, associating oneself with golf is seen as a way to buy cachet and something that Russia lost when the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917: class.
"It is just an extension of the 'I've got the biggest yacht' mentality," says Mr Weafer. "It is a question of status and a toy. Many of these clubs appear to have no commercial purpose. They are trophy assets."
It is also a handy way for an oligarch to burnish his patriotic credentials. With golf set to become an official event at the 2016 Olympics, the Kremlin wants Russia to field a decent team. In Russian eyes, the Olympics, as in the Soviet era, are a global platform to flex the country's geopolitical muscles through sport.
The fledgling Russian Golf Association has a Soviet-style five-year plan to ensure Russian shines at the games. It wants to boost the number of golf enthusiasts to 100,000 players by 2014, to increase the number of golf courses to 100, and for Russians to start winning both professional and amateur tournaments.
+Scotland's former British amateur champion Stephen Dundas is Russia's national golf coach.

*You can E-mail the Editor, Colin Farquharson, with your view on any golfing topic. Send your message to colin@scottishgolfview.com

Scot is director of golf at holiday destination in Canary Islands

Murdo McCorquodale ready to give you a warm

Scottish welcome at Playitas, Fuerteventura

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Kilmarnock-born (but brought up in Inverness) PGA professional Murdo McCorquodale is certainly not missing the winter chills of his home land.

As director of golf and head pro at Las Playitas Grande Resort (http://www.playitas.net/) on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, Murdo, pictured right, is not only basking in the sunshine, he is a very happy man with the opening of the resort's golf course which has been extended from a six-hole academy lay-out to a full 18-hole course.

"All initial comments have been very positive from the Press and golfers alike. The par 67 course is proving a fun test for all levels of player," says Murdo.
"The course architect, John Chilver-Stainer from Scotland, has a philosophy which is far removed from ‘clichéd’ modern golf courses and which aims to give intelligent shot-makers a fair chance on every hole.

"Wind conditions and flag positions can really change the course in an instant and it is a definite case of ‘brains before brawn’.
"It is early days but as pro here at Playitas Golf I am convinced that this course will have a lasting appeal to many golfers who will return year after year and see it as a ‘home from home’."

Ryanair announced this month that they will soon start regular flights to Fuerteventura with Prestwick, Bournemouth and Dublin the departure points in Britain and Ireland.
Murdo has seen more of Europe golf courses than most PGA professionals. He did his apprenticeship with the late Doug Smart at Banchory Golf Club and then Dean Vannet at Peterculter.

He was head professional at Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory from 1995 to 2000 - and can claim to have given James Byrne, now the top-ranked Scottish amateur golfer, his first golf lessons.
From Inchmarlo, Murdo started his travels on the Continent by joining Elgin-born pro Derek McKenzie in Cologne for a spell.

After two seasons as a teaching pro at the Rhine Valley club, Murdo moved on to the Algarve before teaming up with Derek McKenzie again at Somabay on Egypt's Red Sea Riviera.

In early 2007, Murdo and his wife Ana and their baby daughter Alba was offered the post at Las Playitas Grande Resort as director of golf and headprofessional.

"My job was to open the golf academy and eventually the 18-hole golf course. After all our travels, I believe this is the ideal spot for us," said Murdo.

"We've been very lucky with the friends we've made and the cultures and languages we've learned but we still have very close links with our friends and families back home."

Playitas Grand Resort is located in the picturesque bay of the fishing village Las Playitas in the Municipality of Tuineje on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canaries.

It has a sandy volcanic beach, which is perfect for playing, walking or just relaxing and enjoying the sun.
The resort has extensive sports and leisure facilities catering for all tastes. It is fast becoming the largest sports and training centre on Fuerteventura. High performance athletes, as well as those seeking a wide variety of fun and adventure sports, are well catered for.

The facilities include a gym, biking, scuba diving, windsurfing, athletics, triathlon, beach volleyball, tennis, table tennis, football, swimming, inline skating, basketball and golf.

Christmas stocking fillers: Why not tickets for

Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie?

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY EUROPEAN TOUR
There can surely be no better stocking filler for the golfing fan in your life this Christmas than tickets for The 2010 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard from July 22-25.
The 24th edition of this prestigious event will for the first time be held over the magnificent links course at Carnoustie, the scene of American Tom Watson’s first Major victory in 1975.
Watson, three times a winner of The Senior Open Championship, is sure to be in the field alongside his compatriot Loren Roberts, who will be defending the title he won at Sunningdale Golf Club earlier this year.
Co-sanctioned by The R&A, the European Senior Tour and The Champions Tour and recognised as one of golf’s three Senior Majors, this year’s event featured appearances from many of the game’s greatest players including England’s Sir Nick Faldo, Germany’s Bernhard Langer, the Scottish duo of Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance, Australian Greg Norman and Wales’ Ian Woosnam.
Substantial savings can now be made both on day passes and season tickets for The 2010 Senior Open Championship, which are priced respectively at £16.50 and £60, with a further 10% discount available to MasterCard holders.
To order your tickets, visit www.europeantour.com/tickets, or call +44 800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123, Renfrew Court Three, Paisley. PA3 4EA. Alternatively, you can email tickets@europeantour.com.

Castle Stuart 'best new international golf course'

Castle Stuart, the Mark Parsinen-designed new links course near Inverness Airport - between Inverness and Nairn, has been awarded the title of ‘Best New International Golf Course for 2009’ anywhere in the world by the Golf.com website.
Click on this link to read the article:
http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/article/0,28136,1945796,00.html
and scroll down to read the review of the course by Press and Journal staff writer Dave Edwards.

Designer of Kingsbarns has done

it again with creation of Castle

Stuart links course near Nairn

FROM THE PRESS AND JOURNAL
By DAVE EDWARDS
Donald Trump's controversial plans for a multi-million £ golf resort on the Menie Estate, near Balmedie north of Aberdeen, made international headlines and divided councils and communities.
Just 100 miles west along the north-east coast, another American's golfing dream slipped quietly under the radar.
After six years of planning, Mark Parsinen's Castle Stuart development, a 425-acre slice of farmland on the shores of the Moray Firth and in the shadow of a 17th century castle and with views of Kessock Bridge and the Chanonry lighthouse is now a reality.
The critically-acclaimed championship course is in its infancy, having only opened on July 13.
Almost 150 lodges are due to be finished next year and the 57-room luxury hotel and spa is expected to be completed by the spring of 2012.
A second 18-hole links course is also planned.
Like tycoon Trump, Parsinen, pictured above, does not do things by half.
His first venture into course design on this side of the pond was Kingsbarns, now firmly entrenched as one of the world's leading 100 courses after only a decade of life.
Even before the now famous Fife links had been played in earnest, its creator was scouring the Scottish coastline to find an even better site.
In 2003, he found Castle Stuart (between Inverness and The Nairn golf course).
Parsinen and his team have created a course there whch, like Kingsbarns, looks as if it has always been there and the art-decor style clubhouse also melts into the surrounding dunes.
The man from Minnesota said as soon as he set eyes on this stretch of Moray Firth coastline he knew instantly his search was at an end.
He has also tramped the dunes which years later Trump would identify as home to his own development.
Parsinen said: "I looked north of Embo and around Inverness but it was purely by accident that I stumbled across this side.
"On a trip to Cawdor Estates, a friend, who was a consultant for the project they were hoping to develop, said I really should have a look down the road, by the (Inverness) airport, at Castle Stuart.
"After only 15 minutes on site I saw the things which are important to me. When you look for a site for four years and you find it, it doesn't take long (to realise it) and after 15 minutes I knew this was it.
"In that short time I could visualise the kind of holes I could do, imagine holes, tees and greens down on the water and against the top of the sea cliff, where it appears you are on the water. It gives the course Pebble Beach-like charactersistics.
He added: "My wife and I walked the coast all the way from Aberdeen along to Cruden Bay and through the Menie Estate without knowing it. We liked everything but, for me, the perfect site may be very different from Donald Trump's perfect site.
"I was looking for elevation differential, access to views of the sea and landmarks in your pesspective.
"The Menie Estate has these amazing dunes, not unlike Cruden Bay, but to me there is a sameness about the site which makes it difficult to do the kind of things I like to do. Menie was't for me and was quickly discarded."
Parsinen said his affinity with Scotland and the Scots was a factor in Castle Stuart becoming a reality (as a golf course).
He said: " I was a student at the London School of Economics in the late 60s and had worked professionally on and off in the UK for years, so by the time I did Kingsbarns, my wife, who is from Calfornia, and I were very comfortable in this country.
"I had been playing golf in the Higlands since 1969, I've been a lifelong lover of links golf and I've been living on and off in the UK for a very long time. I've had children born here and our best friends are Britons.
"We are very comfortable here and this gives us a different perspective on what local councils are looking for.
"When we first came, our first goal was to fit into the local community. We spent a lot of time talking with planners and councill0rs about what would be good, what we were planning to do, so when the first application went in we already know what the issues were. We modified our thinking and our plans so it had a higher probability of receiving a warm reception.
"In October 2004 my wife and I moved into the farmhouse on site and we've lived here for the better part ever since, spending time with neighbours and making friends. By understanding the fabric of a local commuity, you can do something people will embrace.
"I love to build golf courses, I love links and this is the bst site I've ever seen. This is my life's work. When that is the case, you go the extra mile."
Parsinen believes his hands-on approach works and added: "I know Donald Trump. I have an apartment in Manhattan and his office is only three blocks away.
"Donald may have as many as 25 projects on the go at the same time, Menie Estate being one. He is a golfer who has numerous courses in some form of development. He has armies of people working for him and, although they are very professional, I am on site."
To protect the links and following the precedent set at Kingsbarns, the Castle Stuart course closed on November 30 and will not open again until April 1.

Guess how many miles Poulter has travelled over last seven weeks

Did you know Ian Poulter has travelled 28,784 miles in the last seven weeks?
According to NBC, the Englishman tweeted about how he was considering FedExing his baggage around the globe since the extra weight of his seven-week wardrobe was getting expensive...
Here was Poulter's travel itinerary as detailed by NBC on Saturday:

Orlando - Singapore (11,090 miles).
Singapore - Shanghai (2,350).
Shanghai - Hong Kong (754).
Hong Kong - Dubai (3,690).
Dubai - Shenzen, China (3,670).
Shenzen - Los Angeles (7,230).

Editor's note: But think of the Air Miles he must be accumulating.

Scots golf tourism industry is

upbeat about 2010 propects

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY GOLF TOURISM SCOTLAND
Scotland’s golf tourism industry has sent the clearest signal yet that confidence is returning to Scotland ’s beleaguered economy. In a straw poll taken at Golf Tourism Scotland ’s Gold Standard Awards, industry representatives from the travel, hospitality and golf service sectors were united in their positive outlook for 2010.
In a short survey conducted during a glitzy evening in November, golf professionals were asked if they felt more or less positive about the year ahead. The vast majority indicated they had an optimistic view of 2010 with 90% responding positively. Only 8% felt less confident and 2% were undecided.
“We’ve been through a tough year,” said Nick Hunter, pictured above, chairman of GTS, “but it’s encouraging to see the positivity being taken forward into the New Year. There’s a lot to look forward to especially with the Open Championship being held at St Andrews and celebrating its 150th anniversary. It should be a year to savour.”
One of the reasons for this shift in business opinion is the upbeat predictions for next year’s visitor numbers, especially those from the US which GTS board member Fraser Cromarty said already look positive.
“Going on our 2010 bookings compared to 2009, we see American travellers are coming back,” said Cromarty, whose day job is looking after sales and marketing at Castle Stuart Golf Links. “We’re also seeing a lot more Europeans especially since the Euro is so strong. Indeed, come the New Year, I think we’ll see even more bookings because people are still holding off making their plans for 2010.”
Although Castle Stuart only enjoyed half a season due to its summer launch, next year’s tour operator bookings have already outstripped 2009’s total at the Inverness course. “The tour operator business is a lot more positive than in 2009,” commented Cromarty. It’s going to be an upbeat year and more buoyant than last season.”

Dates for 2010 curtain-raising Champion of champions' event

The Scottish champion of champions' 72-hole tournament, hosted and organised by Leven Golfing Society, will ring up the curtain on the men's 2010 domestic amateur competitive season on Saturday and Sunday, April 3-4.
The Craigmillar Park Open, over 72 holes at the Edinburgh venue, will be played the following venue, Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11.
The Leven Golfing Society's other big 72-hole amateur event - the Standard Life Leven Golf Medal - will be played on Saturday and Sunday, August 7-8.

KOHLER CO ACQUIRES HISTORIC HAMILTON

HALL, BEHIND 18th GREEN AT ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY HELEN HEADY PR
Herb Kohler, Chairman and CEO of Wisconsin-based Kohler Co, today announced that the company, through its subsidiary, The Old Course Limited, has purchased Hamilton Hall of St Andrews, one of the most photographed buildings (behind the 186th green on the Old Course) in the world of golf.
Kohler Co emerged as the accepted party from a competitive bidding process for the property conducted by Jones Lang La Salle and the Bank of Scotland. The Old Course Limited now owns and operates the 5 AA Red Star Old Course Hotel, the Kohler Waters Spa and The Duke’s golf course, all of which will play a role in the future of Hamilton Hall.
Hamilton Hall, which opened as a hotel in its own right in 1895, remains a stately four-storey building of 45,000 square feet that overlooks the 18th green and fairway of the Old Course, the world’s most famous golf course, and looks down The West Sands beach and out to the North Sea and sits adjacent to the 255 year old Royal & Ancient Golf Club.
Unfortunately, its interior is little more than rubble. Nevertheless, when Hamilton Hall became available for purchase, Herb Kohler felt that it was restorable and a good fit with the Kohler resort properties.
“We are honoured,” he said, “to own such an iconic building in the home of golf.”
Hamilton Hall was originally opened as the Grand Hotel in 1895 to capitalise on the rapid expansion of St Andrews as a popular tourist destination for golf and sea bathing.
Founder Thomas Hamilton is said to have commissioned the construction immediately after his application for membership had been rejected by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. In an attempt to draw attention away from the Royal & Ancient, Hamilton constructed the much larger and more extravagant building adjacent to it.
During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned by the armed forces and never reopened as a hotel. Shortly after the end of the War, the hotel was acquired by the University of St Andrews and was opened as a hall of residence in 1949 under the name Hamilton Hall.
In 2005, the University announced that it had sold the Hall as the result of an unsolicited bid and consequently the university session 2005-06 would be the last year Hamilton Hall would be open as a hall of residence.
The building is one of the most famous in St Andrews as it was featured in the film Chariots of Fire and in global television coverage of the many golf tournaments played on the Old Course.
“We are excited about the development opportunities for Hamilton Hall, and appreciate both the support and enthusiasm the local community has for the property,” added Kohler. “We look forward to gathering input from the townspeople and the Fife Council as to what the name of the building should be along with its future use.”
Kohler Co. intends to conduct a “public consultation process” over the next few months toward creating a unique and economically viable product that will enhance St Andrews standing as the world’s premier golf destination.

Herb Kohler suggested that “individuals who may one day occupy Hamilton Hall would be afforded a number of hospitality amenities including public and private dining at the Old Course Hotel, concierge and valet service, Kohler Waters Spa membership and The Duke’s Golf Club membership, as well as a week at our very special private club called Riverbend in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA.”
“Our priority is to complete the preservation of Hamilton Hall and return it to a viable and prominent position in St Andrews for generations to come,” Kohler continued. “Our company has long demonstrated the passion and ability it takes to restore historic buildings back to great distinction.”

PERFECT TEES, PERFECT GREENS, PERFECT WINTER GOLF:

IT'S THE TORRANCE COURSE AT FAIRMONT, ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE
2009 has been a phenomenal year at Fairmont St Andrews. Not only has the luxury five-star hotel completed a comprehensive £17 million refurbishment program, hosted the world’s press and political leaders with the G20 Summit but it has also enjoyed substantial changes to its two championship courses and seen two great tour events, the Cleveland/Srixon Scottish Senior Open and The Partypoker.com International Open, being played on The Torrance.
The Torrance course, that was designed by Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance and major Open winner Gene Sarazen (also known as The Squire), was always recognised as a secret hidden gem in Scotland. Now its star is rising. Acclaimed by critics and discerning locals alike, The Torrance is one of the finest courses in Scotland.
The most striking changes were the re-design of eight holes and the new traditional Scottish links style revetted bunkers. Some tee lines have also been changed also to accentuate the views and playability of the hole.
The greens, usually considered the best and fastest in the area, are simply divine. New state of the art drainage and planting has been added that allows for fantastic golf all year round. On The Torrance course this winter, golfers will be treated to brand new tees, critically acclaimed greens and stunning panoramic views of the Fairmont St Andrews hotel, the town of St Andrews and the Eden Estuary.
Golfers don’t have to play on temporary greens this winter. Enjoy perfect golf in perfect conditions here at Fairmont St Andrews.
Speaking about the Scottish Senior Open and the new changes, Sam Torrance, ambassador for Fairmont St Andrews said ‘I am honoured that such a great event as the Cleveland/Srixon Scottish Seniors Open has come to The Torrance course. This was my first design and I am very proud of it.
"The changes have really helped take the course to an all new level and I think when people play it, they will thoroughly enjoy not only the exciting layout with the new revetted links bunkers, but also the joy of playing in such a fabulous setting.’
2010 is looking equally bright for The Torrance with the Scottish Senior Open returning and also Open Qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews.
Charles Head, General Manager at the resort today said, ‘This is the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship and it is particularly appropriate that the championship is being held in St Andrews, the Home of Golf. We are very much looking forward to hosting the great and the good during Open qualifying.
"Our courses and facilities here provide for a great day out, especially for groups of golfers. With our sea view clubhouse, we also have one of golf's greatest 19th holes, as listed in James Finegan's classic golf reference book GREAT PLACES TO PLAY. The Fairmont St Andrews courses are located in golfers’ heaven with Kingsbarns Golf Links, The Castle course and the Old Course only a few minutes away.’
For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/standrews

GLENMUIR BECOMES EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR

FOR SUNDERLAND BRAND

NEWS RELEASE
Glenmuir, one of Europe’s leading golf apparel brands, has announced an historic agreement with Sunderland of Scotland to become the official European distributor for the world-class Sunderland product range of waterproofs and windproofs.
Effective from January 1, 2010, the convergence of these two Scottish-based golf clothing legends into Glenmuir’s Lanark headquarters will further establish both brands at the forefront of the European golf industry supply chain.
Glenmuir has achieved significant growth over recent years and adding the European-wide Sunderland distribution to its business provides the opportunity for immediate growth and improved utilisation of its Lanark administration, warehousing and distribution facilities.
Administration of Sunderland business will be absorbed within Glenmuir’s Lanark facility from January 1 and it is anticipated that product fulfilment will be fully moved to Lanark by early 2010.
Brian Mair, currently Sunderland Sales and Marketing Director, will be joining Glenmuir as Marketing Director and will oversee the absorption of the Sunderland activities and assume responsibility for marketing both brands.
Further Glenmuir reorganisation sees Ann Turner appointed Product Development and Buying Manager. Ann will join the existing senior management team of Graham Hayward, Sales Director, Colin Mackay, Commercial Director and Fiona Barclay, Financial Controller. Announcing the significant news, Colin Mee, who continues as Glenmuir Managing Director, said: “This is an historic day in the golf industry and brings together two of the most-respected golf apparel brands in Europe. I have personally assured Warren Sunderland, the Sunderland of Scotland Chairman, that his brand is in safe hands and that the benefits we can achieve longer term in product and market development are many - and to the benefit of both brands.
“The addition of the Sunderland distribution provides Glenmuir with a great opportunity to drive our warehouse and distribution facility to maximum efficiency and will provide additional long term security for our Lanark workforce.
“I look forward to the association with Sunderland with great excitement. I have long been an admirer of the Sunderland product and its brand values, which mirror closely those of Glenmuir and its proud Scottish heritage.”
Following its management buy-out from Harris Watson, the Sunderland Board has re-established their leading waterproof brand position within the Great Britain and Ireland markets.
The alliance with Glenmuir will provide the platform for further aggressive growth within the European market for Sunderland, which has repeatedly enjoyed the largest market-share in the golf waterproofs category in the UK.

Cameron House (left) and (right) a view of the 15th hole on the Carrick on Loch Lomond course.

Cameron House named best golf resort hotel in Scotland

NEWS RELEASE

The spectacular 5-star Cameron House hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond received national recognition as the best resort hotel in Scotland at Golf Tourism Scotland’s Gold Standard Awards ceremony.

The ceremony brought together Scotland’s leading representatives from the travel, hospitality and golf service sectors, recognising the leading providers from across Scotland. In a category that included a future Ryder Cup venue, this years’ Open Championship venue and 5-star resorts in St Andrews, the ‘Home of Golf’, it was the uncompromised guest services, opulent furnishings and spectacular location that made Cameron House on Loch Lomond Scotland’s best resort hotel.
Ross Whitfield, Director of Golf and Estates at Cameron House Resort, Loch Lomond, commented:

“It is an honour to have won this prestigious award and is testament to the hard work and dedicated team of staff that we have at Cameron House. The facilities are second to none and it is great to know that Golf Tourism Scotland have recognised the continued improvements that we have made to the luxury hotel.

"We continually look to improve our facilities and guest services, and look forward to further establishing our position as one of the best golf resorts in Scotland in the future.”
The luxury Cameron House hotel recently underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment which has enhanced the enviable reputation of one of the UK’s premier high-end hotels. The 5-star hotel coupled with a roof-top spa, state-of-the-art fitness suite and championship golf course, The Carrick on Loch Lomond, combine to create one of Scotland’s finest golf resorts in a stunning setting.
Designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick and opened in 2007, the championship lay-out meanders between the lowland banks of the loch and the undulating highland heath; all of which offer stunning views and a stern test to players of all abilities. Despite its relatively short history, The Carrick has already hosted some of the world’s best players, having been home to the Ladies' Scottish Open on the Ladies European Tour in 2007 and 2008, and this year saw the return of the PGA Cup Match to Scotland.

Meldrum House Hotel & Country House chairman Bob Edwards shaking hands with Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United manager had performed the official opening ceremony. They are flanked by brothers Davie and Terry Buchan, members of the Meldrum House Hotel & Country House board of directors.

Sir Alex Ferguson opens luxury suites in renovated

stable block at Meldrum House Country Hotel

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY FIFTH RING COMMUNICATIONS
Sir Alex Ferguson visited Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course to launch the renovated 17th century stable block last week (4 November).
Meldrum House, which has invested £2.5 million in a development programme, has transformed the stable block into 13 modern, luxury suites for guests as part of the investment, augmenting the nine already available at Meldrum House itself and five rooms in the historic Chain Lodge.
In addition, the A-listed stable block, which dates back to 1628, also houses new conference facilities that can accommodate up to 50 delegates. The conference centre has an impressive vaulted ceiling and is fully equipped – including sound and IT systems – for the modern corporate and residential conference markets.
The Manchester United manager joined members of the golf club for a round of golf at the 18-hole course in the afternoon before joining 100 guests for the official opening.
Bob Edwards, chairman of Meldrum House. said: “We are delighted Sir Alex was able to take the time out of his busy schedule to open The Stables and join us for a round of golf. We continually strive to raise the bar in terms of the facilities. By making significant investment in the stable block and the accommodation at the hotel we can create a closer relationship between the hotel, conference and weddings, short breaks and our golf offering.
“The course is in fantastic condition as is our clubhouse, practice facilities, tuition services and all- round package. With additional top class accommodation, conference room and our plans for a spa and permanent banqueting options we are well placed to create an unrivalled experience for our visitors.
"We foresee Meldrum House complementing the proposed golf developments at Donald Trump’s Menie Estate, Ury, Blairs and Hazlehead that would put Aberdeenshire on the world map as premier golf tourism destination.”
Sir Alex, said: “I am delighted to be back in the North-east and visiting Meldrum House. It was great to get the opportunity to play the course. The new facilities are very impressive, successfully complementing the hotel’s other facilities.”
Meldrum House Golf Club celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, which coincided with the spectacular 18-hole course becoming the first in the North-east of Scotland and one of only a handful of courses in Scotland that measures more than 7,000 yards, the benchmark by which talented golfers measure their ability.
It now ranks alongside Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Royal Troon, St Andrews and the Gleneagles Centenary Course in the select group.
The extended course, designed by local golf architect Graeme Webster, now measures 7,024 yards (up from 6,375 yards) and is the first 7,000-yard plus course in the North-east.

Carnoustie's 16th green on the championship links with the Carnoustie Golf Hotel providing the backdrop (click on the Cal Carson Golf Agency image to enlarge it).

CARNOUSTIE IS RIGHT ON LINE: Internet bookings soar by 18%

Tee time bookings via the Internet for Carnoustie's championship links and its two subsidiaries, the Burnside and Buddon courses, have soared by 18% over the 12 month period from October 1 last year to October 31 this year.
The value of online green fee sales rose by 24% during the same period and for the first time exceeded £400,000.
"We launched our online booking system back in 2003 and each year since then we have seen significant increases in online sales," said Colin McLeod, the Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee's Golf Services Manager.
"The income we take from online bookings is now approximately 20% of our green fee revenue but we expect it to continue to grow in the years ahead particularly as, unlike many other websites, CGLMC does not make an additional charge for credit card bookings."
Golfers anywhere in the world who want a tee time to play at Carnoustie can now log onto http://www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk where they can check availability on all three of its courses and book a tee time on any day up to October 31 2010.
Two of the most exciting Opens over the past decade have been played over the Carnoustie championship course: 1999 when Paul Lawrie won a three-man play-off and in 2007 when Padraig Harrington defeated Sergio Garcia, also in a play-off.
Carnoustie will stage its first Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard on July 22-25 next year and then 12 months later in 2011 will welcome the world's leading women professionals for the Ricoh Women's British Open, won this year by North Berwick's Catriona Matthew who, as Catriona Lambert, won the 1991 Scottish women's amateur championship over the Carnoustie links, beating Fiona Anderson (Blairgowrie) in the final.

European Club calls time on Irish PGA

The European Club confirmed today they will not be hosting next year’s Irish PGA Championship. The Wicklow venue staged the event for the last three years, during which time Pádraig Harrington won before going on to secure the Open in 2007 and 2008.
In a letter sent to the PGA Irish Region, European Club owner Pat Ruddy, said it was time to cut back and the “time has come for our members and guests to have a break and to that end we have begun a severe cutting back of our rough.”
The European Club is one of Ireland’s finest links courses and Harrington reaped the benefit of playing in the Irish PGA Championship the week before the Open instead of teeing it up in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond which is played on a parkland.
The European club also hosted the ladies’ and men’s amateur championships in 2006 when Trish Mangan and Rory McIlroy were respective winners.

Playing to the 18th green in front of the Letham Grange Hotel (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency).

Letham Grange gets a £300,000 facelift inside and out

NEWS RELEASE

Letham Grange Hotel, Golf & Country Estate, one of the best kept golfing secrets in Scotland, is undergoing a £300,000 refurbishment as part of a major upgrade of its facilities.

Set in 300 acres of parkland, Letham Grange boasts two 18-hole courses and the extensive redevelopment program is being undertaken on and off the course to modernise the resort near Arbroath.

Refurbishment work includes upgrading bedrooms, opening a contemporary new brasserie and bar, the launch of a new website

http://www.lethamgrangegolf.co.uk/

and improving the drainage on the resort’s two courses - the Old and Glens.

Jamie Le Friec, general manager at Letham Grange, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be involved in this project. My background is in developing resorts to their full potential and, with the quality of accommodation and golf that we have here, we are set for a bright future.

“We are in the middle of phase one of our refurbishment work, and exciting building development plans are under consideration at the moment which will concentrate on hotel and alternative leisure pursuits to broaden the country house, golf and leisure experience on the estate.”

Letham Grange was originally an early Victorian mansion house but was converted into a golf resort at the start of the 1990s. All 19 bedrooms in the main house are being refurbished over the winter while the new Grange Brasserie and Bar offers a choice of a la carte, two or three-course menus with sweeping views of the estate.

On the course, money is being spent on irrigation, tree surgery and improving the bunkering to make the two courses playable all-year round, while further expenditure is planned in the New Year to introduce a new fleet of grass-cutting equipment for the greenkeeping staff.

And a significant new feature of Letham Grange is the new interactive website which gives visitors the chance to check room availability and book online, as well as discover what else the resort can cater for including weddings, meetings and conferences and parties and entertainment.

Letham Grange’s 6,632-yard Old Course, designed by Donald Steel in 1987, has been referred to as ‘the Augusta of the North,’ features water on 13 of the 18 holes and includes its very own ‘Amen Corner’ around the turn.

The Glens Course opened four years later and while, at 5,276 yards, the par-65 lay-out is not as tough or punishing as its older brother, it offers its own series of challenges including the testing final four holes.

Mr Le Friec added: “The owners are certainly committed to the long-term development of Letham Grange and, with the continued support of the membership, who have been very supportive of what is a period of significant change, I am convinced that we are laying the foundation stones to reflect what is deserved by this magnificent location.”

For more information about Letham Grange and its latest golf and hotel offers, go to www.lethamgrangegolf.co.uk

Winter tee time offer for four at Gleneagles

Gleneagles Hotel management are offering golfers the chance to purchase a tee time for for four for £199 - a saving of £81.
The tee time charge of £199 applies whether there are three or four players in the group.
With three of the finest 18-hole championship courses in Scotland – the King’s Course; the picturesque Queen’s Course; and venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, the challenging PGA Centenary Course – Gleneagles offers an exhilarating test for any golfer.
The special rate of £199 is available from from Sunday to Thursday inclusive every week until March 31, 2010 and is subject to availability.
No handicap certificate is required to play any of the three championship golf courses.
To check availability or to book please call resort sales on 0800 704 705.
+From the PGA E-Bulletin.

Offers also at Muirfield, Prestwick & Royal Troon

Members of Scottish Golf Union-affiliated golf clubs can take advantage of exclusive preferential green fees this winter at three of Scotland’s most famous Open championship venues with proceeds from sales being invested in junior golf.
Muirfield, Prestwick and Royal Troon have all generously donated tee-times to the Scottish Golf Union between November and the end of March, with a four-ball on each course costing just £280, representing great savings against the standard green fee rates. The Troon Portland course is also available, at £140 per four-ball.
These special offers are only available to existing members of SGU affiliated clubs, adding great value to your club membership. To book, please call us 0n 01334 466477 or e-mail sgu@scottishgolf.org
There are restrictions on which days and at what times these offers apply.
+From the Scottish Golf Union website (www.scottishgolf.org)

BUCHANAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB
DRYMEN

Come along and join us on our

OPEN DAYS

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October
11 am until 3 pm

There will be Special Deals on the following Membership
Adult • Junior •Academy • Clubhouse

TRY OUT:
· 18 Hole Course*
· 6 Hole Academy Course*
· Driving Range
· Short game Areas
· Putting Green
·
MEET THE PROFESSIONALS:
· PGA Professional Coaching- Individual and Group Coaching
· Children’s Tuition (CLUBGOLF )
·
RELAX IN THE “NEW LOOK” CLUBHOUSE:
· Refreshments available
· See “What’s On”
· Junior’s Room with games


*Telephone 01360 660330 to book golf Telephone 01360 660307 for enquiries

Winter Golf is just the Ticket at Dundonald

NEWS RELEASE
The acclaimed Dundonald Links Golf Club, situated just a couple of miles from Prestwick, on Scotland’s West Coast has launched a new Winter Season Ticket which allows golfers who make an initial down payment of £195 to play unlimited golf between October 1st 2009 and March 31st 2010 for just a further £15 a round.
The Winter Season Ticket entitles golfers to play as many rounds as they like, both at weekends and during the week (subject to available tee times).
The deal will undoubtedly appeal to many golfers because the Club steers clear from using winter greens and winter tees and does not insist on golfers hitting off Astroturf mats.
“We believe the Winter Season Ticket will prove to be extremely popular and not just with those golfers whose own Clubs insist on players using mats and playing from winter tees to winter greens through the winter months,” commented Guy Redford, Director of Golf at Dundonald Links.
“At Dundonald, we pride ourselves on producing a classic links in pristine condition throughout the year and whilst we can’t guarantee the weather, we’re confident you’ll want to use your Winter Season Ticket again and again,” he added.
Dundonald Links is rapidly building a reputation as one of the finest seaside courses in the Home of Golf . The sister course to Loch Lomond, it was designed by acclaimed American architect, Kyle Phillips, who also created Kingsbarns Golf Links in Fife and The Grove in Hertfordshire. The course provides a stern test and regularly hosts both the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy and Stage 1 of the European Tour’s annual Qualifying School .
To book a tee time at Dundonald Links please call +44 (0)1294 314006 or e-mail reservations@dundonaldlinks.com.

A glorious view of the North Sea from The Duke's Course, St Andrews. Click on it to enlarge.

Wonderful Winter Awaits at The Duke’s St Andrews

NEWS RELEASE
The Duke’s St Andrews is already looking forward to a full season of golf as winter approaches and unlike many other courses in Scotland, the championship heathland course will allow golfers to play the full length of the course from a choice of four sets of tees to full greens and directly from the fairways (as opposed to from mats).
With the continual improvement in grass conditioning and drainage, The Duke’s is confident that the course will stand up to even the most extreme weather conditions over the winter.
“The Duke’s is in wonderful shape now after several years of perfecting the course following the remodelling by Tim Liddy in 2006 and the great work that the greenskeepers at The Duke’s have put in over the last three years,” comments David Scott, Manager at The Duke’s.
“Off the course, we also pride ourselves in a fantastic welcome, friendly service and excellent clubhouse facilities so you will leave having had a truly memorable experience on the course and a lot of fun in the clubhouse.”
A protégé of renowned golf course architect Pete Dye, Liddy redesigned the closing holes of the 7,512 yard Championship course and introduced spacious, rough-edged bunkers synonymous with the bygone years of heathland golf.
The Duke’s of course is in stark contrast to its illustrious links neighbours that form the St Andrews Links Trust but offers players of all levels a genuine challenge and some of the most picturesque and spectacular golf on the east coast of Scotland.
With the transformation of The Duke’s almost complete, the course is now gaining plaudits from the world of golf. In 2008, The Duke's was voted one of the UK's premier golf courses by Golf World magazine and was positioned in the UK’s Top 100 courses and just recently climbed the rankings from 44th to 37th in this year’s Scottish Top 100 Golf Course Rankings.
For more information or to book a tee time, please call the reservations team on 01334 470214 or email http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk