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.

Top table guests at the Glasgow City Council Civic Reception to mark Haggs Castle Golf Club's Centenary Year. Names listed below. Click on image to enlarge.

Centenary Year Civic Reception for Haggs Castle Golf Club

Haggs Castle Golf Club continued its Centenary Year celebrations recently when the Glasgow City Council hosted a Civic Reception for the Club at the City Chambers.
Bailie Jim McNally hosted the event, at which 220 members and staff attended, and in a brief speech welcomed all those attending and wished the Club and its members every success for the Centenary year and for the future.
Graeme Shaw, the club captain replied, thanking everyone in attendance and paying tribute to the City Council for their support. He particularly mentioned the Glasgow Classic, European Tour event held at Haggs in 1983, sponsored by the Council and which was the forerunner of what has become the Scottish Open.
Pictured above are the top table guests at the event:
Front row (left to right): Liz Shaw, Jennifer Mack (ladies’ captain), Audrey Sturgess (immediate past captain).
Back row: Neal Stewart (vice-captain), Graeme Shaw (captain), Bailie Jim McNally (Glasgow City Council) and Gus Lamond, Chairman Centenary Committee.
With an active and friendly membership Haggs Castle GC welcomes new members in all categories – for more information please contact Alan Williams, General Manager on 0141 427 1157.

Duddingston want to turn winter into a glorious summer

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Duddingston are hoping their successful campaign in the South East Edinburgh Winter League will augur well for this season's Edinburgh Summer League.
Steve Gilhooley's side suffered just one defeat in lifting the title in the four-team event that also involves Craigmillar Park, Liberton and Prestonfield.
Duddingston also claimed the team trophy in the Individual Championship over their own course, with Derrick Williams making it a clean sweep for the club as he won that event with a superb five-under-par 67.
"It was disappointing to lose our final game (to Prestonfeld], especially at home, but local derbies are unpredictable," said Gilhooley.
"The positive side of winning the Winter League is that we used 19 players and a few new young pretenders were bloodied and responded very well."
With five wins from six games, Duddingston finished on ten points, three ahead of second-placed Prestonfield with Craigmillar Park, last year's winners, third this time around on four points and Liberton (3pts) propping up the table.
However, the signs for the future look good for Liberton after they lifted the Junior title in style, Robert Ross' side recording a 100 per cent record in finishing six points clear of second-placed Duddingston at the top of that table.
"We used 14 different juniors in the matches, trying to play at least three of our younger, higher handicapped juniors alongside three of the boys who did so well last summer to help bring them on," said Ross.
"This has proved quite successful, especially with one of our big hopes for the future, Kieran Cantley, who has come on leaps and bounds."
Craigmillar Park finished third in the Junior League, with Prestonfield, the defending champions, dropping to bottom spot in a real turnaround of fortunes.
In the individual event, Williams won by two shots from clubmate David Miller with Colin McNeill making it a 1-2-3 for the host club as he shot a 70.
With the best scores counting, Duddingston's eight-under-par aggregate earned them a comfortable win in the team event.
The Junior individual title was won by Prestonfield's Lewis Blyth with a gross 78, while the Handicap Trophy went to Jonathan Brown of Liberton with a net 65 playing off 18.
+The above article appears in today's Edinburgh Evening News.

Riversdale Cup Scoreboard
RIVERSDALE GOLF CLUB, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Final Totals
Par 288 (4x72)
274 Jin Jeong (Australia) 70 71 68 65.
277 Luke Bleumink (Australia) 70 73 66 68.
279 Ashley Umbers (Australia) 72 70 67 70.
Selected totals
284 Neil Raymond (England) 69 77 68 70 (jt 9th).
287 Stephen Speirs (Scotland/Australia) 71 72 71 73 (jt 19th).
291 Toby Burden (England) 69 74 71 77 (34th).

Haines beats Fleetwood at 37th hole in classic Spanish final

The all-England final of the Spanish men's amateur international championship turned out to be a classic match-play contest at La Canada Golf Club on the Costa del Sol.
Thirty-six holes were not enough to provide a winner. The match went to the 37th before No 1 seed Matthew Haines (Rochester & Cobham) beat his Walker Cup team-mate and reigning Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall).
Fleetwood was 10th of the 32 qualifiers.

Somerset man Canter wins South African amateur title

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Somerset county player and England A Squad invitee Laurie Canter secured the biggest win of his career when he won the 108th South African Amateur Championship in East London. The 20-year-old from Bath beat Johannesburg’s Allan Versfeld 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final, having also topped the 36-hole stroke-play qualifying.
The final was played against a fierce wind, making for some demanding shot-making, but Canter was one under par for the morning round and two under for the 13 holes played in the afternoon, which was good scoring in the conditions.
“I can’t actually believe that I’ve won the South African Amateur,” he said. “I’m still nervous as hell; my stomach is still in a knot.” Over the course of the week, the Saltford club member had just seven bogeys in 10 rounds.
"I've won a few tournaments along the way but I never felt that type of ease on a golf course," he said. “I felt really uncomfortable on this course because of the grain on the greens and the slopes on the putting surfaces.
“A few days in, I felt very differently. I could see every shot no matter what it was. I wasn’t always playing at my best, but I managed to pull off the shots at the times it counted.”
Canter was one up on Versfeld at lunch, having won the second, seventh, 13th and 16th offset by Versfeld’s wins at the eighth, ninth and 18th. But Canter’s clutch putting and a superb stretch of ball-striking left Versfeld in a fight for survival over the next 13 holes.
“Laurie was just holing everything in sight and I had no answers,” said Versfeld. “I’m really happy with how far I came, but I certainly don’t think I lost. He played brilliantly and he thoroughly deserved to win.”
Canter went two up at the 20th hole and was six ahead through 27. Although Versfeld halved six holes, he won only one with a par at the short tenth against Canter, who claimed the first and second, the seventh to the ninth and the 12th.
In the earlier rounds, Canter wrapped up his matches in double time and was taken to the 18th for the first time when South Africa’s Dean O’Riley pushed him to the final hole in the semi-final. Otherwise he cantered home 7 and 6; 6 and 4; 3 and 2; and 5 and 4 on his way to the semis. “That sent me straight to the driving range,” said Canter. “The north-easterly wind was definitely going to blow again in the final and I needed to practise all my clubs and find a way to hit them low.”
Canter also paid tribute to caddie Lyle Rowe. “He was just brilliant at reading the greens,” said the Somerset man. “These greens were so true and just the best I’ve played in South Africa but I had a hard time reading them. I could trust Lyle 100% all the time to get the lines right.”
In the 36-hole stroke-play qualifier, Canter also came out on top against Versfeld, beating him at the first play-off hole after they had tied on 138, eight under par, Canter with a brace of 69s.

English Walker Cup players meet in Spanish final

Spanish men's amateur international championship
La Canada Golf Club, Costa del Sol

QUARTER-FINALS
Matthew Haines (England) (No 1 qualifier) bt J Lopez-Lazaro (Spain) (8) 1 hole.
Juan Sarasti (Spain) (5) bt Emilio Cuartero (Spain) (4) at 25th.
R Lykke-Kjeldsen (Denmark) (27) bt Sebastian Garcia (Spain) (19) 1 hole.
Tommy Fleetwood (England) (10) bt Julien Brun (France) (2) 2 and 1.
SEMI-FINALS
Haines w.o. Sarasti (injured) scr
Fleetwood bt Lykke-Kjeldsen 5 and 3.

FINAL over 36 holes on MONDAY: HAINES v FLEETWOOD

Riversdale Cup Scoreboard
Riversdale Golf Club, Victoria, Australia
LEADING THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Gavin Fairfax (Australia) 69 71 67.
208 Alex Hendrick (Australia) 69 72 67, Michael Williams (Australia) 73 68 67.
Selected scores:
214 Neil Raymond (England) 69 77 68, Toby Burden (England) 69 74 71, Stephen Speirs (Scotland/Australia) 71 71 72.
MISSED THE CUT (146 or better qualified)
150 Craig Whitehead (England) 76 74.
151 Craig Harkins (Scotland) 76 75.
156 Fraser Fotheringham (Scotland) 78 78.

Fotheringham, Harkins held up by rain Down Under

Scots Fraser Fotheringham from Nairn and Ayr Belleisle's Chris Harkins have still to complete their second rounds in the rain-hit Riversdale Cup tournament at Riversdale Golf Club, Victoria in Australia.
Harkins had a 76 in the first round and Fotheringham a 78 so both have to work hard if they are to make the halfway cut, which will not be until play resumes on Sunday morning.
Aussie Jordan Zunich has had rounds of 74 and 65 to lead on 139, one shot ahead of five players at the moment.
Stephen Speirs, a Scot who emigrated to Australia a few years back, has a 36-hole tally of 143 (71-72) so should figure in the last two rounds of this prestigious 72-hole open tournament.

Rain in Spain hits men's amateur international championship

No play was possible today in the Spanish men's amateur international championship at La Canada Golf Club on the Costa del Sol.
The quarter and semi-finals have been put back 24 hours to Sunday and the 36-hole final will now be played on Monday.

Haines, Fleetwood Britain's last
-
survivors in Spanish championship

England's Walker Cup players, Matthew Haines (Rochester & Cobham), pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), winner of the Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship at Murcar Links last year, are the only two British players in the last eight of the Spanish men's amateur international championship at La Canada Golf Club on the Costa del Sol.
Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol, the No 3 qualifier, won his first tie by 2 and 1 over Adam Carson (England) but lost to Spain's No 19 qualifier, Sebastian Garcia, by two holes in the round of the last 16.
Gordon Yates, Scotland's only other representative among the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages, was the No 6 seed. He lost to the 27th qualifier, R Lykke-Kjeldsen (Denmark) by one hole.
Results:
FIRST ROUND
Qualifying number in brackets
Matthew Haines (England) (1) bt James Watts (England) (32) 2 and 1.
Max Kieffer (Germany) (16) bt Carlos Pigem (Spain) (17) 1 hole.
Antonio Hortal (Spain) bt Ian Winstanley (England) 7 and 5
J Lopez-Lazaro (France) bt Alex Christie (England) 3 and 2
Juan Sarasti (Spain) bt Leo Lespinasse (France) 5 and 4.
J Lando-Casanova (France) bt #Adrian Otaegui (Spain) 3 and 2.
Nino Bertasio (Italy)bt Thomas Shadbolt (England) 5 and 3.
Emilio Cuartero (Spain)bt Jamie Abbot (England) (29) 3 and 2.

Kris Nicol (Scotland) (3)bt Adam Carson (England) (30) 2 and 1.
Sebastian Garcia (Spain) (19) bt Stiggy Hodgson (England) (14) at 21st.
Dara Lernihan (Ireland) (22) bt Tapio Pulkkanen (Finland) (11) at 19th.
R Lykke-Kjeldsen (Denmark) (27) bt Gordon Yates (Scotland) (6) 1 hole.
Elias Bertheussen (Norway) (26) bt Gary Stal (France) (7) 3 and 1.
Tommy Fleetwood (England) (10) bt Alexander Levy (France) (23) 2 and 1.
Toni Hakula (Finland) bt Ben Loughrey (England) (15) 4 and 3.
Julien Brun (France) (2) bt Manuel Gil C (Spain) (31) 2 holes.

SECOND ROUND
Haines bt Keiffer 2 and 1.
Lopez-Lazaro bt Hortal 2 and 1.
Sarasti bt Lando-Casanova 3 and 2.
Cuartero bt Bertasio 3 and 2.

Garcia bt Nicol 2 holes.
Lykke-Kjeldsen bt Lernihan 3 and 2.
Fleetwood bt Bertheussen 2 and 1.
Bruin bt Hakula 2 and 1.

Harkins 76, Fotheringham 78 in Riversdale Cup

Ayrshire's Chris Harkins and Fraser Fotheringham from Nairn had rounds of 76 and 78 respectively on the opening day of the Riversdale Cup stroke-play golf tournament at Riversdale Golf Club, Victoria today).
Ayr Belleisle member Harkins had a double bogey at the 12th and a birdie at the 18th in halves of 38 for a share of 76th place in the field of 156 players.
Fotheringham had double bogeys at the eighth and 16th and birdies at the seventh and 18th in halves of 40 and 38. He is joint 114th going into the second round.
Australian Cameron Powell and New Zealanader Ben Wallace share the lead on four-under-par 68.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72, 6057 metres.
Players from Australia unless stated
68 Ben Wallace (NZ), Cameron Powell.
69 Alex Hendrick, Adam Boyer, Neil Raymond (Eng), Gavin Fairfax, Toby Burden (Eng), Patrick Wilson.
Selected scores:
76 Craig Whitehead (Eng), Chris Harkins (Sco) (jt 83rd).
78 Fraser Fotheringham (Sco) (jt 114th).

INITIAL GB&I SQUAD SELECTED FOR

ST ANDREWS TROPHY MATCH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A
A preliminary Great Britain & Ireland squad has been selected for this year’s St Andrews Trophy Match, which will be played at Golf Club Castelconturbia, Italy, on August 27-28. The squad contains 18 players from whom the nucleus of the nine-man team to face the Continent of Europe will be drawn.
It is anticipated that this 18-man squad will also form the basis for selection of the GB&I team to contest the Walker Cup Match at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club next year.
Four 2009 Walker Cup team members – Tommy Fleetwood, Matthew Haines, Stiggy Hodgson and Chris Paisley – add valuable experience to the squad, while talented young players, like 2009 Scottish Amateur Champion David Law, and Paul Dunne, who captained GB&I to victory over the Continent of Europe in the 2009 Jacques Leglise Trophy Match, add considerable depth.
This year, Nigel Edwards will be taking charge of his first GB&I team after being named as Captain for both the St Andrews Trophy Match against the Continent of Europe, and the 2011 Walker Cup Match against the USA.
"We’ve selected a very strong initial squad for this year’s match. Every one of the 18 young players is more than capable of excelling at the highest levels of the amateur game,” said Edwards, a playing member of victorious St Andrews Trophy teams in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
“It is now down to the players involved, and to those who narrowly missed out on selection, to use the summer to prove that they are deserving of one of the nine places available in the team."
The group will assemble at Celtic Manor Resort for a two-day session on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 May, giving players a chance to spend some time together, both on the golf course and socially, before the Match.
There is every chance for other players to force their way into the squad, and the selectors, who will be in attendance at events throughout the summer, fully expect several players not included in the initial 18 to be in contention for a place in the team.

The members of the squad are as follows:

Jamie Abbott – Fynn Valley Ross Kellett - Colville Park
James Byrne – Banchory David Law - Hazlehead
Paul Cutler – Portstewart Tom Lewis - Welwyn Garden City
Alan Dunbar – Rathmore Chris Lloyd - Kendleshire
Paul Dunne – Greystones Matthew Nixon - Ashton under Lyne
Rhys Enoch – Truro Chris Paisley - Stocksfield
Tommy Fleetwood – Formby Hall Eddie Pepperell - Drayton Park
Matthew Haines – Rochester & Cobham Darren Renwick - Hill Barn
Stiggy Hodgson – Sunningdale Michael Stewart - Troon Wellbeck

The Great Britain & Ireland selectors are as follows:

Nigel Edwards, Captain – Wales Michael Burns – Ireland
Tony Disley, Chairman – Wales Mark Heames – Wales
Allan Brodie – Scotland Jonathan Plaxton – England

Spanish men's amateur
international championship
La Canada Golf Club, Costa del Sol

MATCH-PLAY
QUALIFIERS

1 HAINES, MATTHEW ENG 66 72 138
2 BRUN, JULIEN FRA 73 67 140
3 NICOL, KRIS (Fraserburgh) SCO 69 71 140
+Kris Nicol is pictured right.
4 CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO ESP 67 73 140
5 SARASTI, JUAN FRANCISCO ESP 73 68 141
6 YATES, GORDON SCO 71 70 141
7 STAL, GARY FRA 71 70 141
8 LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN FRA 74 68 142
9 HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO ESP 74 68 142
10 FLEETWOOD, TOMMY ENG 75 68 143
11 PULKKANEN, TAPIO FIN 70 73 143
12 LANDO-CASANOVA, JEROME FRA 75 69 144
13 SHADBOLT, THOMAS ENG 74 70 144
14 HODGSON, STIGGY ENG 72 72 144
15 LOUGHREY, BEN ENG 72 72 144
16 KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN GER 76 69 145
17 PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS ESP 75 70 145
18 HAKULA, TONI FIN 75 70 145
19 GARCIA RODRIGUEZ, SEBASTIAN ESP 75 70 145
20 BERTASIO, NINO ITA 74 71 145
21 OTAEGUI JAUREGUI, ADRIAN ESP 73 72 145
22 LERNIHAN, DARA IRE 73 72 145
23 LEVY, ALEXANDER FRA 72 73 145
24 WINSTANLEY, IAN ENG 72 73 145
25 CHRISTIE, ALEX ENG 71 74 145
26 BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS NOR 74 72 146
27 LYKKE-KJELDSEN, RASMUS DEN 73 73 146
28 LESPINASSE, LEO FRA 73 73 146
29 ABBOTT, JAMIE ENG 75 72 147
30 CARSON, ADAM ENG 75 72 147
31 GIL CASTRO, MANUEL ESP 75 72 147
32 WATTS, JAMES ENG 75 72 147
NON-QUALIFIERS
FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, ALBERTO ESP 74 73 147
FRIESTAD, ARE NOR 73 74 147
PASTOR RUFIAN, MARCOS ESP 71 76 147
MOTTA, LEONARDO ITA 75 73 148
LEWIS, TOM ENG 74 74 148
PIETERS, THOMAS BEL 74 74 148
NIXON, MATTHEW ENG 73 75 148
RUSHFORD, BOBBY SCO 73 75 148
SHEPHERD, JAKE ENG 71 77 148
BROWN, STEVEN ENG 79 70 149
PAISLEY, CHRIS ENG 79 70 149
ESPAÑA, EDOUARD FRA 77 72 149
SIMON DE MIGUEL, JORGE ESP 77 72 149
BERGAMASCHI, FILIPPO ITA 76 73 149
SAINZ DELGADO, JAVIER ESP 75 74 149
MCEWAN, STEVEN SCO 74 75 149
PRIHODA, MARTIN CZE 73 76 149
OROZCO CALLEJA, JOSE MARIA ESP 80 70 150
JOIA, JOSE MARIA POR 78 72 150
DUNNE, PAUL IRE 77 73 150
RODRIGUES, TIAGO POR 76 74 150
JOHN, ALLEN GER 75 75 150
MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER BEL 75 75 150
CURLEY, CIAN IRE 75 75 150
KING, TOMMY ENG 74 76 150
PATERSON, GREG SCO 74 76 150
59 NEMECZ, LUKAS AUT 80 71 151
FERNANDEZ SALMON, SCOTT WILLIAM ESP 77 74 151
WATTEL, ROMAIN FRA 76 75 151
CUENCA BELMONTE, ANDRES ESP 73 78 151
BORROWMAN, SCOTT SCO 73 78 151
GAUTIER, STANISLAS FRA 73 78 151
STABEN, BENEDICT GER 84 68 152
RAHM RODRIGUEZ, JON ESP 80 72 152
D´INCAU, NICOLAS SWI 77 75 152
ELISSALDE, THOMAS FRA 76 76 152
ABADIE, FREDERIC XAVIER FRA 76 76 152
ROBINSON, JAMES ENG 75 77 152
SORDET, CLEMENT FRA 75 77 152
BERTRAN CROUS, VICTOR ESP 74 78 152
BOLOGNESI, ANDREA ITA 79 74 153
MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ AUT 78 75 153
MCLEAN, PHILIP SCO 77 76 153
WOLTERS, STEPHAN GER 76 77 153
SENIOR, JACK ENG 76 77 153
DECOTTIGNIES-LAFON, MATHIEU FRA 75 78 153
SCHWARTZ, ANTOINE FRA 74 79 153
PEYRICHOU, NICOLAS FRA 73 80 153
DUNBAR, ALAN IRE 82 72 154
PUIG GINER, XAVI ESP 81 73 154
JUANEDA GRIMALT, JOSEP ESP 80 74 154
MATTON, SAM ENG 80 74 154
BERNA MANZANARES, DANIEL ESP 79 75 154
VERSELIN, JEAN-PIERRE FRA 78 76 154
SOUTHGATE, MATTHEW ENG 77 77 154
COUVERT, PIERRE-LUDOVIC FRA 77 77 154
CROOKALL-NIXON, SEBASTIAN ENG 77 77 154
MENA RUIZ, OLIVER ESP 75 79 154
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER GER 75 79 154
LINARD, THOMAS FRA 75 79 154
PEPPERELL, EDDIE ENG 75 79 154
WRIGHT, DARREN ENG 78 77 155
KELLETT, ROSS SCO 80 76 156
DALL´ARCHE, VALENTINO ITA 80 76 156
TERRAGNI, CRISTIANO ITA 79 77 156
LAW, DAVID SCO 78 78 156
ERREA MAYO, XABIER ESP 78 78 156
HOGAN, ANDREW IRE 81 76 157
WHITE, JAMES SCO 79 78 157
HILLSON, MARK SCO 78 79 157
BONDIA GIL, JOSE ESP 77 80 157
BORDA ANTOÑANA, DAVID ESP 73 84 157
BERARDO, CLEMENT FRA 72 85 157
GARCIA-MANCEBO GONZALEZ, CARLOS ESP 80 78 158
MOROZOV, MIKHAIL RUS 79 79 158
TURLAN, KEVIN FRA 80 79 159
MORENO LINARES, EDER ESP 79 80 159
ANGLES ROS, PEP ESP 75 84 159
GROS, SEBASTIAN FRA 81 79 160
LOKKE, DANIEL DEN 86 76 162
PIRIS MATEU, GERARD ESP 85 77 162
CABALLER HERNANI, ANDRES ESP 81 81 162
AYOSO ALVAREZ, MANUEL ESP 84 79 163
QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO ITA 82 81 163
NOGUE LOPEZ, SERGI ESP 84 81 165
SMITH, MAX ENG DESC. DESC.
WEBER, LIONEL FRA RET. RET.

John Duncan in his office at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Picture by Robin Wilson.

John Duncan taking early retirement as

-

Royal Dornoch GC secretary-manager

By ROBIN WILSON

Approaching his 63rd birthday, John Duncan secretary/manager of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club for close on the past 16 years, is taking early retirement from his post at the end of this month but lays his pen to rest next Wednesday due to holiday leave accrued.
The ex Royal Army Pay Corps Lieutenant-Colonel was appointed in charge of Royal Dornoch in July of 1994, five months after the sudden death of the previous incumbent Ian Walker, who took ill in his car when travelling home after attending a Scotland-France rugby international.
Mr. Duncan had the administrative responsibility of running one of the world's best known golf courses. The links are rated 15th best in the World and third in Scotland and with a membership base of 1700 that includes approx 500 overseas members, he also found time to show a welcoming hand to close on 9000 visiting golfers per year.
During his time at Dornoch Mr Duncan also contributed his administrative skills to the Golf Club Managers Association, a body that succeeded the Association of Golf Club Secretaries, and was instrumental with colleagues of setting up the Club Managers Association of Europe, a body having strong links with their American counterparts who promote education and training of Club Managers in Europe to certificate level in the 21st century.

Mr Duncan has just recently returned from the Club Managers Association of America world conference in San Diego where he discussed common problems in club management with counterparts from as far apart as Russia and China to Colombia.
Jim Campbell, captain of Royal Dornoch, speaking on behalf of his Council of Management and members expressed their appreciation of all the work undertaken by Mr. Duncan since his arrival in Dornoch and wished his outgoing Secretary a long and happy retirement away from the daily rigours of office work. The Royal Dornoch Council hope to have a replacement person in post by mid Season.
John Duncan will remain a resident in Dornoch and will be happy not to have the golf fixture problem's currently befalling the North Alliance Secretary, Tony Gill. With a further North Alliance fixture cancelled at Golspie last weekend Gill keeps his fingers crossed Tarbat goes ahead this weekend for now he is contemplating a first ever Saturday fixture to clear some of the back log.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOHN DUNCAN (from Colin Farquharson)

John Duncan was born in Galashiels but attended school in Selkirk before studing at Edinburgh University where he achieved an MA in Economics and Economic History followed by a Dip Ed at Moray House.
He had a short time in the Educational Corps before the Royal Army Pay Corps.

"I spent 14 years in Germany but the high point of my service career was being Commanding Officer of the Command Pay Office in Hong Kong," he said.
"My outstanding moment at Royal Dornoch was being invited to play one evening with President Bill Clinton a few years ago.
"I had in my job description 'a duty to inspect the course,' so I have played reasonably frequently and have been in club teams. I have my name on one piece of club silver; the McNaughton Rose Bowl, played over the Struie.

"However, my handicap has gently increased over the years and I hope that with more time to play regularly I can reverse that trend."

Spanish men's open amateur championship Scoreboard
LA CANADA GOLF CLUB, COSTA DEL SOL

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
1 HAINES, MATTHEW ENG 66
2 CUARTERO BLANCO, EMILIO ESP 67
3 NICOL, KRIS SCO 69
4 PULKKANEN, TAPIO FIN 70
5 SHEPHERD, JAKE ENG 71
5 STAL, GARY FRA 71
5 PASTOR RUFIAN, MARCOS ESP 71
5 CHRISTIE, ALEX ENG 71
5 YATES, GORDON SCO 71
5 SMITH, MAX ENG 71
11 LEVY, ALEXANDER FRA 72
11 BERARDO, CLEMENT FRA 72
11 WEBER, LIONEL FRA 72
11 WINSTANLEY, IAN ENG 72
11 HODGSON, STIGGY ENG 72
16 BRUN, JULIEN FRA 73
16 LERNIHAN, DARA IRE 73
16 PRIHODA, MARTIN CZE 73
16 OTAEGUI JAUREGUI, ADRIAN ESP 73
16 SARASTI BERNARAS, JUAN FRANCISCO ESP 73
16 FRIESTAD, ARE NOR 73
16 BORDA ANTOÑANA, DAVID ESP 73
16 LESPINASSE, LEO FRA 73
16 LYKKE-KJELDSEN, RASMUS DEN 73
16 GAUTIER, STANISLAS FRA 73
16 RUSHFORD, BOBBY SCO 73
16 NIXON, MATTHEW ENG 73
16 PEYRICHOU, NICOLAS FRA 73
16 CUENCA BELMONTE, ANDRES ESP 73
16 BORROWMAN, SCOTT SCO 73
31 HORTAL OCHOA, ANTONIO ESP 74
31 LEWIS, TOM ENG 74
31 BERTASIO, NINO ITA 74
31 PATERSON, GREG SCO 74
31 SHADBOLT, THOMAS ENG 74
31 PIETERS, THOMAS BEL 74
31 LOPEZ LAZARO, JOHANN FRA 74
31 KING, TOMMY ENG 74
31 BERTRAN CROUS, VICTOR ESP 74
31 SCHWARTZ, ANTOINE FRA 74
31 BERTHEUSSEN, ELIAS NOR 74
31 FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, ALBERTO ESP 74
43 MOTTA, LEONARDO ITA 75
43 GARCIA RODRIGUEZ, SEBASTIAN ESP 75
43 MENA RUIZ, OLIVER ESP 75
43 LANDO-CASANOVA, JEROME FRA 75
43 MIVIS, CHRISTOPHER BEL 75
43 PEPPERELL, EDDIE ENG 75
43 CURLEY, CIAN IRE 75
43 ANGLES ROS, PEP ESP 75
43 GIL CASTRO, MANUEL ESP 75
43 LINARD, THOMAS FRA 75
43 ROBINSON, JAMES ENG 75
43 DECOTTIGNIES-LAFON, MATHIEU FRA 75
43 SORDET, CLEMENT FRA 75
43 SAINZ DELGADO, JAVIER ESP 75
43 WATTS, JAMES ENG 75
43 HAKULA, TONI FIN 75
43 JOHN, ALLEN GER 75
43 PIGEM XAMMAR, CARLOS ESP 75
43 CARSON, ADAM ENG 75
43 FLEETWOOD, TOMMY ENG 75
43 ABBOTT, JAMIE ENG 75
64 BERGAMASCHI, FILIPPO ITA 76
64 WOLTERS, STEPHAN GER 76
64 ELISSALDE, THOMAS FRA 76
64 RODRIGUES, TIAGO POR 76
64 KIEFFER, MAXIMILIAN GER 76
64 WATTEL, ROMAIN FRA 76
64 ABADIE, FREDERIC XAVIER FRA 76
64 SENIOR, JACK ENG 76
72 FERNANDEZ SALMON, SCOTT WILLIAM ESP 77
72 SIMON DE MIGUEL, JORGE ESP 77
72 DUNNE, PAUL IRE 77
72 SOUTHGATE, MATTHEW ENG 77
72 D´INCAU, NICOLAS SWI 77
72 MCLEAN, PHILIP SCO 77
72 ESPAÑA, EDOUARD FRA 77
72 COUVERT, PIERRE-LUDOVIC FRA 77
72 CROOKALL-NIXON, SEBASTIAN ENG 77
72 BONDIA GIL, JOSE ESP 77
82 WRIGHT, DARREN ENG 78
82 HILLSON, MARK SCO 78
82 LAW, DAVID SCO 78
82 VERSELIN, JEAN-PIERRE FRA 78
82 JOIA, JOSE MARIA POR 78
82 MAYRHAUSER, MORITZ AUT 78
82 ERREA MAYO, XABIER ESP 78
89 TERRAGNI, CRISTIANO ITA 79
89 BOLOGNESI, ANDREA ITA 79
89 MORENO LINARES, EDER ESP 79
89 BROWN, STEVEN ENG 79 79
89 MOROZOV, MIKHAIL RUS 79 79
89 PAISLEY, CHRIS ENG 79 79
89 WHITE, JAMES SCO 79 79
89 BERNA MANZANARES, DANIEL ESP 79
97 DALL´ARCHE, VALENTINO ITA 80
97 KELLETT, ROSS SCO 80
97 TURLAN, KEVIN FRA 80
97 OROZCO CALLEJA, JOSE MARIA ESP 80
97 GARCIA-MANCEBO GONZALEZ, CARLOS ESP 80
97 JUANEDA GRIMALT, JOSEP ESP 80
97 MATTON, SAM ENG 80
97 RAHM RODRIGUEZ, JON ESP 80
97 NEMECZ, LUKAS AUT 80
106 HOGAN, ANDREW IRE 81
106 CABALLER HERNANI, ANDRES ESP 81
106 GROS, SEBASTIAN FRA 81
106 PUIG GINER, XAVI ESP 81
110 DUNBAR, ALAN IRE 82
110 QUINTARELLI, NICCOLO ITA 82
112 AYOSO ALVAREZ, MANUEL ESP 84
112 NOGUE LOPEZ, SERGI ESP 84
112 STABEN, BENEDICT GER 84
115 PIRIS MATEU, GERARD ESP 85
116 LOKKE, DANIEL DEN 86
117 CUTLER, PAUL IRE disqualified
First round not completed yet
LOUGHREY, BEN ENG Finish Tomorrow
MCEWAN, STEVEN SCO Finish Tomorrow
KNAPPE, ALEXANDER GER Finish Tomorrow
Campeonato Internacional de España Amateur Mascu

Fairways Target Golf Leagues Week 6

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

MONDAY LEAGUE REPORT
Once again the frosty weather made it a tricky task keeping the balls in the targets on Monday night but it did make for some exciting viewing.
League leaders Orion maintained their position at the head of affairs with an easy two points as the Neverwillbees didn’t field a team, but their nearest challengers both won their games as well to keep up the pressure.
BM Trucks beat the Sainties and the Parahandies, who top scored with just 29, defeated the Specialists. These three teams are now guaranteed to be in the top half when the split comes after next Monday’s games.
The most exciting battle will be for the final spot in the top half which is currently occupied by the Royal Swingers. They are just two points ahead of the Specialists, whom the play next week, and with their shots scored tally almost the same it will be a winner-takes-all crunch game.
At the foot of the table the Sainties are still yet to score but with a total of four games still to be played in the league they still have plenty time to avoid the wooden spoon.

MONDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Happy Gilmour’s 4 – 27 Royal Swingers
Orion 21 – 0 The Neverwillbees
Parahandies 29 – 13 Specialists
Sainties 13 – 21 BM Trucks.

TUESDAY NIGHT REPORT
The icy conditions continued for the Tuesday teams and it was the Mad Drivers who made the most of the slippery conditions to post the night’s top score. Their performance belied their lowly league position and the result lifted them from the foot of the table as they leapfrogged their opposition Fairways.
At the other end of the table the Luckless Leadbetters' poor run of form continued as they lost to league leaders Kenyon’s Klan, a result that puts the Leadbetters in danger of failing to make the top half after the split and leaves the Klan two points clear at the top.
Fairhurst Fore are hot on the heels on Kenyon’s Klan with another solid victory of the Senior Moments and they are joined by the Muirton Marvels who had the closest of battles with the Coastguards winning by just one shot.

TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Coastguards 14 – 15 Muirton Marvels
Mad Drivers 33 – 12 Fairways
King Kenyon’s Klan 17 – 12 Luckless Leadbetters
Fairhurst Fore 22 – 11 Senior Moments.

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

Law, McLean, Kellett and White are

Scotland four for Sotogrande

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Scotland’s leading men's amateur golfers will be aiming to add to last year’s European amateur team championship success with a victory in the European Nations Championship which gets underway in Spain later this month (March 17 to 20).
Colville Park’s Ross Kellett is the only player named in the side announced today to feature from the six-man team who defeated England in the European Final in Conwy last July, as the Scots look for their second title in the space of three years at the Copa Real Golf Club in Sotogrande.
Kellett is joined by reigning Scottish Men’s and Boys’ champion David Law (Hazlehead) , 2009 Leven Gold Medal winner Philip McLean (Peterhead) and former Scottish boys' match-play champion James White (Lundin).

All four players will be making their debut in the tournament, formerly named the Sherry Cup.
McLean, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who finished fourth in the 2009 SGU Order of Merit, is relishing lining up in the championship:
“It’s a real honour to be selected for Scotland in this event and I hope we can build on the recent success our teams have enjoyed in the World and European Championships. We’re all new to this one, but we’ve had a good build up to the season in the States, Portugal and Spain and the boys are well prepared.”
“The championship has a strong history and some great players have taken part over the years, including Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia, as well as Ross Fisher and Richie Ramsay of late. It would be great to follow in their footsteps and doing well would be a good boost for the season ahead,” added the 22-year-old.
Scotland finished 11th in last year’s tournament, having won the title the previous year with a side that featured Callum Macaulay, Wallace Booth, Keir McNicoll and Scott Henry. The best three scores each day contribute to the team score, whilst the event also features an individual championship.

European Tour players Richie Ramsay and Andrew McArthur finished joint runners-up in the individual event back in 2005.
England will defend the European Nations Championship with a team which includes Walker Cup players Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Haines and Chris Paisley.
The Scotland team is sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade-adidas Golf.

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Kevin McAlpine, the former double Scottish champion, is handily placed at the halfway stage of The Master Golf Championship at Archerfield Links.
McAlpine, who turned professional towards the end of last year, opened the event for professionals aged 26 and under with a 70 to lie just two shots behind the leader, Dannny Belch.
Ian Gregory is lying third on 72, with Dale Marmion, a former winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour, alongside Stephen Clarke and James Westwood on 73.
Greg McBain, winner of a similar event at the East Lothian venue last October, shot a 74, one better than Turnhouse trainee James McGhee and fellow Scots David Laing and Steven Hume.
Lloyd Saltman, playing over his home course, looked to have left himself with a mountain to climb in today's second round after he could only manage a 77 in his opening round, while younger brother Zack signed for an 80.
In the amateur event, tournament host David Platt was setting the pace, the former England fooball star amassing 35 Stableford points in his first round to lead by a point from Ben Trengove and Liam Jeffrey.

FIRST-ROUND PRO SCORES
Par 72
68 Danny Belch.
70 Kevin McAlpine.
72 Ian Gregory.
73 Stephen Clarke, Dale Marmion, James Westwood.
74 Ryan Riley, Greg McBain.
75 David Laing, James McGhee, Steven Hume.
76 Kenny Monaghan.
77 Lloyd Saltman, Ryan Buckley.
78 Stuart Hemming, Adam Taylor, Ben Brierley.
79 Jon Jones, Adam Partington, Thomas Higson, Graham Neville.
80 Zack Saltman.
81 Ryan O'Neill.
82 Declan Dixon.
84 Stuart Burns, Bobby King.
85 Scott Wilson.
86 Kyle Denham, Steven Mayer.

LEADING AMATEUS
(Stableford format)
35 David Platt
34 Ben Trengrove, Liam Jeffrey.

England name four to defend European Nations title in Spain

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
British and English boys' champion Tom Lewis has been included in the four-man England team to defend the European Nations Championship in Spain next month. The 19 year old from Hertfordshire will link up with Walker Cup men Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Haines and Chris Paisley in a powerful young side (average age 20) that will seek to complete a second successive victory at Sotogrande from March 17 to 20.
Lewis won the Carris Trophy (English boys' championship) at Moor Park last summer by beating England team-mate Chris Lloyd in a sudden-death play-off, then edged out full international Eddie Pepperell for the British boys' title in the 36-hole final at Royal St George’s. Fleetwood and Haines recently returned from a successful month in Australia during which Fleetwood finished runner-up in the New South Wales Amateur and sixth in the New South Wales Medal and the Lake Macquarie International.
Paisley, 23, from Northumberland, who spent four successful years at the University of Tennessee, won the 2008 Czech Amateur Championship, and also that year finished runner-up in the Tillman Trophy, the English Amateur Championship and the South of England Open Stroke Play Championship. He was selected by GB&I in 2008 for the St Andrews Trophy and last year became a full England international as well as a member of the Walker Cup team.
The European Nations Championship, formerly known as the Sherry Cup, the Grey Goose Cup, and the Sotogrande Cup, is competed for over 72 holes with the best three cards each day counting towards the team event.
An individual competition runs simultaneously with the Nations Championship, the champion collecting a trophy and the Amateur Masters Jacket. If the Championship ends in a tie, the teams involved will nominate one player to compete in a sudden death play-off.
England won the title over the same course a year ago with the team of Charlie Ford, Luke Goddard, Sam Hutsby and Dale Whitnell, all of whom have turned professional.
England also won the Championship in 2004, finished runners-up in 2007 and third twice. Hutsby also won the individual title last year.

“Course improvements underway
after a good year for the Glen,”
says club captain Alasdair Kerr

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE GLEN GOLF CLUB, NORTH BERWICK
At its AGM, held in the clubhouse, the Glen Golf Club captain told members that the Glen Golf Club at North Berwick came through 2009 in a much better financial position than expected and announced that it was making further improvements to improve the course for members and visitors.
The Glen Golf Club had rallied well in difficult circumstances for golf in 2009 to stabilise its membership and to attract more visitors to the course.
The Glen is confident that it can approach 2010 in a healthy financial state.

Improvements to course
The Club also announced further investment in improvements to the course and clubhouse. The club has now incorporated land acquired adjacent to the sixth and seventh holes into the course and this will come fully into play during the 2010 season. The par-5 sixth hole has also been redesigned with new bunkering on the fairway and around the green. This will ensure that the hole continues as the stroke index one hole on the course.
The Club has also invested heavily in its Junior section with expenditure on tuition and the introduction of new forward “blue tees” for Juniors which will be playable in the new season. This is part of the policy of making golf accessible to all children in Scotland.
The club’s junior section performed very strongly last year with club member Rebecca Edgar (pictured above) winning the Dunfermline Masters South qualifying event at Lothianburn and playing in the finals at Gleneagles in October.
The clubhouse’s Belhaven lounge has also been improved and is now a wonderful location for visiting societies as well as club members.

Long-time members honoured
At its AGM the club also honoured long time members Jimmy Jack and Gordon Wardrop with honorary life membership in recognition of their fifty years of membership of the club.
The club also recognised the achievements of club treasure Derek Carmichael by awarding him honorary life membership.
Club captain Alasdair Kerr said, “The Glen is a wonderful course and clubhouse which has seen major investment over the last three years. That period has been difficult for us but we are now beginning to see the benefits of our investment. This is good news for our members and for visitors to the Glen.
"In particular I am pleased that we have invested in our Junior section which is the future of the club. The Glen has always been a major course for visitors and we attracted many more than we expected in 2009 and already our bookings are looking good for 2010. We are predicting that this will continue.
"And, of course, we are praying for a good summer! But the message to visiting societies is that if you want to come to the Glen next season get your bookings in now!”

Background information
The Glen Golf Club is in East Lothian and is part of Scotland’s Golf Coast.
The Glen is one of the most scenic course in Scotland.
The Glen Golf Club was initially laid out in 1894 as a nine-hole course by the legendary Ben Sayers. In 1906 the most famous of golf course architects, James Braid extended the Glen to an 18 hole course.
The club celebrated its centenary in 2006 with the opening of a new clubhouse which has all of the facilities a modern golfer needs.
The Club has over 1000 members and attracts around 12000 visitors a year.
To mark its centenary in 2006 the club built a state of the art clubhouse which has everything the modern golfer and golf visitor needs.
The club has a very well stocked golf shop attached to the club house.
The course is in a spectacular location to the east of North Berwick. It sits on a cliff top position with every hole having a view of the sea and the Bass Rock. To the east the course has views of the ruins of Tantallon Castle.
The course has been undergoing improvements over the past few years and has new greens, improved bunkering and two of the holes have been extended to create par fives.
The Glen has also recently introduced new forward tees to encourage junior players to take up the game. The Glen has one of the best Junior coaching set ups in Scotland.
The Glen has been featured in many television golf shows and magazine articles.

This year the USPGA told 3.2 million readers on its website that
“The Glen is …. as welcoming an institution as you will ever come across.
Barely a century old, The Glen may lack the seniority of its more famous neighbour, the West Links, but any comparative youth is more than made up for by buckets full of charm, personality and the genuine Scottish golf experience it bestows on each and every visitor…..anyone who fails to enjoy their round here, doesn't really enjoy golf at all ….but for true drama, few holes in Scotland can match the 13th, the Sea Hole. An attention grabbing par-3 which, aided by the incessant though ever changing wind, might call for a pitching wedge one day and a 3 iron the next. The green lies almost surrounded by the sea, among rocks and sand -- shades of the 7th at Pebble Beach….
……For sheer character and personality, few courses can match The Glen.”

The Glen will always be remembered as the course which former US Open Champion Payne Stewart went to play after he was refused a game at Muirfield.
The Glen welcomed him!

Sandy Ross
Glen Committee marketing
07803 970 107
sandy.ross@murrayfieldmedia.com

One club has dispensed with professional and secretary

Lothian clubs in struggle to survive harsh winter

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By Martin Dempster
Golf clubs in and around Edinburgh are fighting for survival as they battle it out to attract new members at a time when the number of people playing the game is suffering a dramatic drop.
In the past, the majority of clubs in the Lothians, which has more golf courses than anywhere else in Scotland, had long waiting lists and talk of financial troubles was as rare as a sighting of Tiger Woods since his world was turned upside down.
But, as the sport continues to suffer from the recession – in Scotland alone membership levels are down 2.6 per cent in the men's game and 4.6 per cent in the women's game – even some of the more established clubs in the Capital and surrounding areas are feeling the pinch.
They have been forced to put up huge banners in prominent positions on clubhouses to advertise memberships, have held Open Days to let potential members see what's on offer and, in some cases, have even scrapped their joining fee.
Desperate times have called for desperate measures and one club has even dispensed with both its professional and secretary in a bid to cut costs.
Others have had to cut back on greenkeeping staff and the situation may get worse before it gets better.
A number of clubs are currently in the middle of their annual membership renewal process and the early indications suggest that the levels are still dropping despite the efforts to, at the very least, halt the decline.
"We've had a further fall at the start of this year of around about 20 full members and half a dozen five-day members," revealed Louis Fairlie, secretary/manager at Kingsknowe.
According to Fairlie, the majority of those giving up memberships are people who don't feel they are getting value for money due to the fact they perhaps can't get out on the golf course as much as they used to.
"The hard-nosed golfers, the ones who play 15-20 medals a year and are out every weekend, are sticking by the system," he added.
"However, the people on the periphery of golf, those who have knee or back problems or don't play enough due to business or family commitments, are giving up their memberships because they are not finding value for money at this time."
One of the clubs hardest hit by a falling membership is Torphin Hill. Where it once had close to 500 members, that figure is now nearer the 300 mark and, over the last year or so, both the professional and the secretary have departed without being replaced.
"Those decisions were both purely financial," said Colin Gallacher, the club captain and a Torphin Hill member for as long as he cares to remember. "At the moment, we are keeping our head above water but we are having to fight to keep costs down. The greenstaff may not have been happy about certain things we have done but they've accepted the situation because it is better to have a job than not."
A few miles along the city bypass, Lothianburn are trying their hardest to attract new members but appear to be fighting a losing battle if an initiative they launched last year is anything to go by.
The club offered a special summer membership at half the rate being paid by full members and had around 40 people take up that offer.However, the initial boost that created has been dampened by the fact that only four of them have since gone on to become full members of the club.
"That is disappointing," admitted Lothianburn captain David McBain, who revealed the unrest such offers can have within clubs. "When we introduced the summer membership last year I promised the members it would be a one-off because some of them were upset to be paying £580 for a full year and seeing others coming in for six months at a lesser rate.
"Therefore, we'll have to go down a different route this year when we look at offers."
In Fairlie's opinion, that route shouldn't simply be a case of clubs ditching the joining fee.
"We feel it is essential to the fabric of a golf club," he said.
That view was echoed by a fellow club secretary, who wished to remain anonymous as he warned that "a few clubs could go to the wall in the next year or two."
He added: "Twenty or twenty five years ago, there were big waiting lists and people knew that if they left a club they'd struggle to get back in. Now they can almost pick a different club each year and, at a lot of them, they won't even have to pay a joining fee – that's proving a big carrot for some people."
Newbattle were one of the clubs that held an Open Day last year, attracting more than 100 people to the Eskbank course for an event which included a game of golf and a buffet for £5. "Our recruitment day was very successful and it was needed as the waiting list was exhausted," said a club spokesman.
"It used to be that an average of 15 or so would drop off annually for one reason or another but last year we suddenly got 40 either leaving or looking for their membership suspended, leaving a vacuum. We put a big sign up at the gate and the response to that was amazing, as was the Open Day."
At a time when every penny counts, the last thing a lot of clubs needed was the recent bad weather, which not only stopped people getting out on the course but also hit traffic in clubhouses.
"The last five or six weeks have been tough for everyone," noted Fairlie at Kingsknowe, where an active tightening of the belt has seen the club put on hold a project to upgrade all of its greens to USPGA standard.
If membership levels continue to fall, it seems inevitable that at least one golf club in the Lothians will be shutting its doors before too long and, for those brought up in an era of those long waiting lists, that will come as much of a surprise.
As membership levels at golf clubs in Edinburgh drop, it seems that more people are turning to the city's municipal courses.The total number of rounds for April-December last year at Edinburgh Leisure's six courses – Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, Portobello, Princes and Silverknowes – was seven per cent higher than the same period in 2008.
The total golf income for the same period was also seven per cent higher (£72,000) than last year.
Edinburgh Leisure had a 28 per cent increase in sales of annual season tickets for April to September 2009 compared to the same period the previous year while more than 500 winter season tickets – this offer runs from 1 October until 31 March – were sold last year and this year is looking equally successful.
David Atkinson, Golf Course Manager for Edinburgh Leisure, said: "We have no plans for cost-cutting measures in relation to greenkeeping/course maintenance. We feel it's vital that we do all we can to retain or improve the quality of our courses in what is becoming an ever more competitive marketplace."
+The full article above appears in today's Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.