December 2006 Archive

Sunday 31st December 2006

Junior Orange Bowl winners
L to R: Coral Gables mayor Don Slesnik, girls' champion Maude Aimee-Blanc, boys' champion Shiwan Kim, commissioner Bill Kerdyk

SALLY (jt 12th) HIGHEST PLACED GB&I FINISHER IN FLORIDA
South Queensferry 15-year-old Sally Watson, beaten finalist in this year’s British girls’ championship, was the highest placed British and Irish finisher in the 43rd Junior Orange Bowl international golf championship over the Biltmore Hotel golf course on Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida.
Sally, a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, had rounds of 76, 72, 80 and 73 for a total of 301 over the par-72, 6,299yd Donald Ross-designed course.
She finished joint 12th in an invited field of 39 for girls’ championship which was won by French Canadian, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc from the quaintly named Ascot Corner, Quebec.
Maude-Aimee had established a potential winning lead after 54 holes so she was able to coast home by three shots with a total of 288, despite finishing with her worst round of the four, a birdie-less 76.
Miss LeBlanc, overcome with relief as she came off the 18th green, “Did I win, honestly? That's so great! It was a really tough struggle today, hard pins, the wind. I just kept telling myself that it was difficult for everyone, so keep on trying, every shot, every hole.
Rachel Connor, daughter of Manchester Golf Club’s Scottish-born professional Brian Connor, saved her best until last, matching the par of 72 in the fourth round with birdies at the first, ninth, 10th and 18th for a joint 19th finish on 306. Her earlier scores were 83, 74 and 77.
Another club professional’s daughter, Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale), a Curtis Cup reserve in the summer, had a disappointing tournament with scores of 77, 74, 80 and 78 for joint 24th place on 309. She had double bogeys at two short holes in her final round.
Irish girls champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, a student at the International Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, finished on a low note with an birdie-less 83 (38-45) for 26th place on 311 after earlier scores of 78, 76 and 74.
That closing round, which had a triple bogey 6 at the short 12th and a double bogey 6 at the 11th , dropped the Nick Faldo Junior Series girls champion down the field from the joint 15th place she held at the start of the last day.
Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven broke 80 for the first time in her last round with a 77 for 34th place on 324. She had a double bogey at the 10th but cancelled that out with an eagle 3 at the long 13th, which had to be her highlight of the 72 holes.
Her earlier scores were 83, 82 and 82. Roseanne will enrol on a four-year golf scholarship at the University of Berkeley, California in the New Year.
Sihwan Kim from Buena Park, California calmly sank an 8ft birdie putt on the 72nd hole to edge out pre-tournament favourite Peter Uihlein, a +3 player from Bradenton, Florida, to claim the boys’ title by a single stroke.
Breezy conditions and tight pin positions made sub-par golf very difficult to achieve and it was 11 holes before Kim made a birdie, immediately followed by a bogey. Uihlein birdied his opening hole but he also gave one back at the second so with no charges from the rest of the field, the closing holes became a head-to-head battle.
Kim double-bogeyed the par-3 14th to give Uihlein a two-stoke advantage with four to play but thereafter Kim's tenacity was unmatchable. He birdied the tough par-5 15 th into the wind, followed up with another birdie putt to draw level at the 16th and then retook the lead at the 17th when Uihlein failed to save par.
Both birdied the par-5 final hole, Kim finished with scores of 71, 64, 68 and 70 for an 11-under-par total of 273 over the par-71, 6,766yd course.
Uihlein scored 75, 71, 67 and 71 for 274 and so was runner-up for the second year in a row. Last year it was England’s Ben Parker who finished ahead of him.
"I only hit six greens in regulation," Kim said , "but my putter saved the day. I knew it would be the toughest of the four rounds with the wind and the very fast greens, so I tried to stay patient, even after my double.”
Italy’s Andrea Pavan was the leading European player in joint fifth place on 281 with rounds of 70, 76, 66 and 68. He had the lowest tally over the final 36 holes.
Darren Renwick, from Worthing, winner of the Scottish Under-16 open stroke-play title last year, was the top British player in a share of 23rd place on 294 with scores of 74, 76, 72 and 72. After birdies at the first, second and 13th, Darren was head for a sub-par score until he had a double-bogey at the 17th. A birdie at the 18th could not quite repair the damage.
Luke Goddard from Hendon birdied the third, 10th and 14th on his way to a final round of 70 to finish joint 35th with Cornwall-based Welshman Rhys Enoch on 297. Luke’s earlier scores were 78, 75 and 74.
Enoch had a double bogey at the 16th after birdies at the fourth, 12th and 15th in closing with a 75 after earlier rounds of 74, 75 and 73.
Spanish men’s international amateur champion Sam Hutsby from Lee on Solent, Hampshire, was in with a title chance after opening rounds of 74 and 69 but he fell away with a 79 and 77 to finish tied 37th on 299. He had a double bogey at the fifth in his final round.
JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Biltmore course, Coral Gables, Florida.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
(Players from US unless stated)
BOYS (Par 274: 4 x 71)
273 S Kim 71 64 68 70.
274 P Uihlein 65 71 67 71.
277 J Hack 72 67 69 69.
280 M Hoffman 67 68 74 71.
281 A Pavan (Italy) 70 76 66 68, D Chung 70 71 70 70.
283 S Franky (Colombia) 73 66 74 70.
284 V Dubuisson (France) 71 70 74 69.
285 J Widmer (Cayman Islands) 75 67 72 71.
286 Minghao Wang 74 73 69 71.
288 P Figeuiredo (Portugal_) 75 70 73 70.
289 S Einhaus (Germany) 76 70 72 71, T Mou (Taiwan) 74 69 76 70, P Westermann (Germany) 74 72 75 70, D Tamayo (Venezuela) 71 74 73 71.
Other European scores:
293 M Jedrzejczyk (Poland) 77 71 71 74 (jt 20th).
294 M Dobias (Switzerland) 77 71 72 74, X Feyaerts (Belgium) 78 76 70 70, R Wingardh (Sweden) 78 67 73 76, D Renwick (England) 74 76 72 72 (jt 23rd).
295 B Palanszki (Hungary) 74 74 74 73 (jt 28th).
297 L Goddard (England) 78 75 74 70, R Enoch (Wales) 74 75 73 75 (jt 35th).
299 S Hutsby (England) 74 69 79 77 (jt 37th).
303 C Suk (Czech Rep) 78 74 75 76 (jt 43rd).
309 J Vidmar (Slovenia) 81 80 70 78 (jt 51st).
315 R Huijsman (Netherlands) 83 78 77 77.
Disq – L Bierregard (Denmark) 83, 74.
GIRLS (Par 288: 4 x 72)
(Players from US unless stated)
288 M-A LeBlanc (Canada) 75 69 69 76.
291 V Hurst 76 68 73 74.
295 L Duncan 71 72 75 77, J Han (Korea) 79 73 74 69, J Korda (Czech Rep) 72 72 79 72, L McCloskey 74 75 71 75, J Shin 77 71 71 76.
297 A Thompson 78 74 73 71.
297 L Gonzalez-Escallon (Belgium) 72 73 72 80, T Wadawa 77 75 73 72.
298 I Lendl 74 74 74 76.
301 S Watson (Scotland) 76 72 80 73.
Other European scores:
304 T Koelbaek (Denmark) 75 79 77 73 (jt 15th).
305 I Boineau (France) 81 71 74 79 (18th).
306 R Connor (England) 83 74 77 72 (jt 19h).
308 C Lorentzen (Denmark) 76 77 76 79 (jt 22nd).
309 F Parker (England) 77 74 80 78 (jt 24th), A Gourmard (France) 77 78 77 77.
311 S Meadow (Ireland) 78 76 74 83 (26th).
314 M Causin (Italy) 79 80 79 76 (jt 29th).
324 R Niven (Scotland) 83 82 82 77 (34th).

Saturday 30th December 2006

Some familiar faces gather at Kirriemuir for a surprise party. Karyn Dallas is first on the right.

Karyn Dallas speechless for once!
For ex-national coach Karyn Dallas it was just another Christmas Dinner at the Golf Club. Invited by Kirriemuir Head Greenkeeper, Jim McCormack, Karyn had no idea what was in store as she headed for the club.
Lying in wait were over 20 of Scotland’s top female golfers who had made the trip to thank Karyn, in person, for her contribution over the past five years and to wish her a merry Christmas. For all of the girls this trip was a great sacrifice, at this time of the year. However, they all felt it was worthwhile, even if it was just to see Karyn lost for words, for the first time in her career.
During Karyn’s time Scotland produced three British Champions, became a major force at European ladies events and for the first time in a decade Scotland was sending players to the European Tour.
This year for the first time in history Scotland could have sent a team of plus handicap golfers to the Ladies Home Internationals. The U18 girls finished 4th in the European Team Championships but what was even more impressive was that this was achieved with basically an U16 team. These girls went on to win the Junior Home Internationals by the biggest margin in the history of Home International Golf, whitewashing Ireland on the way.
Joining the Amateurs were LET Professionals Lynn Kenny and Clare Queen who said, “"Saturday night was a great opportunity for us to thank Karyn for all her hard work. The support she gave all of us over the last 5 years has been amazing. Karyn used all her experiences as a player and coach to inspire us to achieve our goals and believe in ourselves."
[Thanks to Graham Dallas for the words and image]

ANOTHER SECOND PLACE IN TEXAS FOR JAMES BYRNE
Banchory teenager James Byrne finished runner-up in the Holiday Classic at Barton Creek, the last of the Texas Junior Tour events over the Festive period.
Byrne, a Great Britain & Ireland boys’ international who is bound for the University of Arizona State next autumn, had rounds of 78, 75 and 68 for an eight-over-par tally of 221 – two shots behind the American winner, Josh Jones (76-74-69).
James, who will be 18 on January 2, birdied the third, 12th, 15th, 17th and 18th and bogeyed the 14th and 16th in halves of 34 over the par-71 course near Austin, Texas.
Aberdeen-born Tommy Mitchell finished joint 61st in a field of 102 with scores of 85, 84 and 80 for 249.
Byrne finished fourth and second in his first two TJT events over the past week or so.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
219 Josh Jones 76 74 69.
221 James Byrne 78 75 68.
222 Travis Klutts 75 73 74.
223 Zack Fisher 75 77 71.
Other total:
249 Tommy Mitchell 85 84 80 (jt 61st).

BAD DAY FOR TOP BRITISH PLAYERS IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL ROUND 3
It was not a good day for the leading British hopes in the third round of the Junior Orange Bowl golf championship over the Biltmore course, Coral Gables in Florida.
Sally Watson from South Queensferry had her worst score yet – a six-over-par 78 – and dropped from joint sixth to joint 11th with one round to go.
In the boys’ championship, Sam Hutsby from Lee on Solent, Hampshire, winner of The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Dundonald, slumped from a second-round 69 to a 79 and dropped from joint ninth to joint 27th in the field of 65.
Sally, a 15-year-old pupil at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Bradenton in Florida, bogeyed the fourth, eighth, 10th and 11th before running up a double-bogey 5 at the short 12th. She battled on to par the last six holes for halves of 37 (two over par) and 41 (four over).
Professional’s daughter Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) had a torrid time with a third-round 80 to plummet to a share of 24th place on 231.
Florentyna, out in four over par 39, had a double bogey 6 at the 10th, birided the 13th and then shed shots at the 15th, 16th and 17th in coming home in 41.
Scottish professional’s daughter Rachel Connor from Oldham and Scottish Under-18 champion Roseanne Niven (Crieff) had not finished their third rounds at the time of writing.
There is a new leader in the girls’ championship – Maude-Aimee LeBlanc from Canada. She had a 69 for four-under-par 212 to go five shots clear of Laura Gonzalez-Escallon (Belgium) and Vicky Hurst from Florida.
Long-time leader Lindy Duncan (Florida) lost the pole position with a 75 for 218 and fourth place.
In the boys’ event Sam Hutsby’s winning chance evaporated with a double bogey 5 at the short 12th and a triple bogey 8 at the long 18th in halves of 38 and 41 for a 79. That dropped him 222. Also on that mark is Cornwall-based Welsh teenager Rhys Enoch who had a third-round 73, which included birdies at the first and 13th in halves of 36 and 37.
Darren Renwick from Worthing, past winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys’ open stroke-play championship, had his best score yet, a one-over-par 72 with birdies at the first and 15th. Darren could have got under par for the day but for a double-bogey 5 at the short 14th in halves of 35 and 37.
He is on the same 222 mark as Hutsby and Enoch.
The third English boy in the field, Luke Goddard from Hendon, had a 74 for 227, including birdies at the 15th and 18th but a double bogey 6 at the 17th in halves of 37 for joint 42nd place.
It’s neck and neck at the top of the boys’ leaderboard with two Americans, Sihwan Kim from California and Peter Uihlein, the favourite from Florida, sharing the pole position on 10 under par 203.
Kim had a third-round 68 and Uihlein a 67.
Overnight leader Morgan Hoffman from New Jersey dropped back to fourth place with a 74 for 209.
LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
BOYS (Par 213: 3 x 71).
Players from United States unless stated otherwise.
203 Sihwan Kim 71 64 68, Peter Uihlein 65 71 67.
208 Jhared Hack 72 67 69.
209 Morgan Hoffman 67 68 74.
211 David Chung 70 71 70.
212 Andrea Pavan (Italy) 70 76 66.
213 Sergio Franky (Colombia) 73 66 74.
214 Johnny Widmer (Cayman Islands) 75 67 72.
215 Victor Dubuisson (France) 71 70 74, Minghao Wang 74 73 68.
Other totals:
218 Sean Einhaus (Germany) 76 70 72, Robin Wingardh (Swe) 78 67 73.
219 Philipp Westermann (Germany) 74 72 73.
220 Marc Dobias (Switzerland) 77 71 72.
222 Rhys Enoch (Wales) 74 75 73, Sam Hutsby (England) 74 69 79, Darren Renwick (England) 74 76 72 (jt 27th).
227 Luke Goddard (England) 78 75 74 (jt 42nd).
GIRLS (Par 216: 3 x 72).
212 Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (Canada) 75 68 69.
217 Laura Gonzalez-Escallon (Belgium) 72 73 72, Vicky Hurst 76 68 73.
218 Lindy Duncan 71 72 75.
219 Jenny Shin 77 71 71.
220 Lisa McCloskey 74 75 71.
223 Jessica Korda (Czech Rep) 72 72 79, Isabella Lendl 74 74 75.
Other totals:
226 Sally Watson (Scotland) 76 72 78 (jt 11th).
231 Florentyna Parker (England) 77 74 80. (jt 22nd)
234 Rachel Connor (England) 83 74 77 (28th)
234 Roseanne Niven (Scotland) 83 82 82 (34th)

Friday 29th December 2006

PACE OF PLAY CHECKPOINTS SPEEDED UP ROUNDS IN USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2006
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
My thanks to former Scottish Golf Union president Hugh Hunter and life-long golf enthusiast for bringing an interesting United States Golf Association article to my attention.
It concerns the modern-day curse of all forms of golf – SLOW PLAY.
The USGA has adopted a policy, which is by no means new, but this time it seems to have worked in the 10 national amateur championships it presided over in 2006.
Here is the USGA article. Read and digest … and I may ask you questions about it.

RULES & COMPETITIONS
Checking in with the USGA’s new pace-of-play policy.
By David Shefter, USGA Staff Writer
They are just three simple words but oh how much consternation they create: Pace of Play.
It’s a major concern, whether it’s just a weekly game among friends at the local municipal course or the world’s best gathering for a national championship. For years, the USGA has looked for the right formula to curtail slow play at its competitions.
And it looks like the association has finally come up with a formula that works. While it my not be perfect, the policy adopted in 2006 for all 10 national amateur championships (in the United Sates) seems to have had a major effect on speeding up play.
On average, rounds of stroke-play qualifying (groups of three players) at this year’s (USGA) amateur championships saw an approximate 30min reduction in playing time.
So what caused this transformation? By placing the onus on the players through a series of time-related checkpoints, the USGA made the enforcement of its policy a lot less subjective. No longer do officials have to shadow golfers with stopwatches.
Basically, each group has to hit four checkpoints - generally the fourth, ninth, 13th and 18th holes in a certain allotted time, depending on the course, or stay within 14min of the group in front of them, once the flagstick is put back into the hole.
The first breach is a warning and the second infraction makes the entire group liable for a one-stroke penalty. Once the warning is given by the checkpoint official, a Rules official will monitor the players in the group to see if the culprit is just one player or if the entire group is lagging behind.
ONE-STROKE PENALTIES
At the US amateur championship, a total of 12 one-stroke penalties were imposed, nine in the first round and three more on day two of the stroke-play qualifying . The average times of the championship were reduced by roughly 45min.
“The bottom line is this is the first pace of play policy where we have actually seen marked improvement,” said Mike Davis, senior director of the USGA Rules & Competitions.
“The other method just simply does not work at reducing time as well. Why does this one work? The responsibility is put on the player, not the committee. We give each group times to complete each checkpoint hole. And we are not asking for a ridiculously fast pace. In fact, we were very cognizant of how hard these championship courses would play.
“Pace of play is a Condition of the Competition. Breaching the policy is no different than breaching any other Rule. This new policy is less subjective and deals with pace from the beginning of the round, not when there is already a problem and damaged has been caused.
“The new policy is not perfect and does have a few drawbacks, but, on balance, it does do one thing much more effectively – reduce the time it takes to play a round of golf.”
The Checkpoint Pace Policy is not something a USGA official concocted in a back room at a Rules meeting. The genesis was actually the Vancouver Golf Association. The idea then seeped across the border to the Pacific Northwest and to other state and regional golf associations.
The American Junior Golf Association has been using this policy for the last four years. Arizona, Texas and California are other states that have adopted it as well.
USGA SET EXAMPLE
Now that the USGA has adopted the policy for its championships, Davis expects more and more state and regional associations will use it.
During the 2005 season, the USGA decided to experiment with it at three events – the US junior amateur championship, the US girls’ junior championship and the US women’s mid-amateur championship.
The girls’ junior championship organisers tried it with just two checkpoints (after nine and 18 holes) while the other two employed a four-hole checkpoint policy.
The success was overwhelming and the USGA championship committee voted to use the four-hole checkpoint policy at all 10 amateur competitions in 2006.
The only event where the pace slowed was the USGA senior amateur championship. That was more due to the difficulty of the course, which was one of the most challenging lay-outs the 35-and-over set had ever played, than the actually policy.
“Slowly but surely the players are going to have a better understanding of the policy. The juniors are already used to it from playing in American Junior Golf Association competitions. More of the mid-amateurs (25 and older) and older amateurs had to adjust because they had never experienced it.
But what about the three Opens (under USGA jurisdiction)? Shouldn’t a policy good enough for amateurs be applied to the professionals?
PROFESSIONALS NEXT
That’s something the USGA championship committee will ultimately have to vote on but Davis said the USGA would like to perfect the checkpoint pace of play policy at its 10 amateur events before taking it to the next level.
“Our answer is we are going to go about it slowly,” said Davis. “We want to get it to a place where we are comfortable with it. I don’t think we are ready for the US Open yet but there may be a time when there are several years of proven results that might persuade us to take it to the next level.”
ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

SALLY WATSON JOINT SIXTH AT HALFWAY IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL
Edinburgh 15-year-old Sally Watson, pictured right, is halfway towards improving on last year’s joint ninth place in the Junior Orange Bowl girls’ championship at Coral Gables, Florida.
After 36 holes of the four-round event, the South Queensferry girl who is a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is sharing sixth place with former tennis ace Ivan Lendl’s daughter Isabelle Lendl (third last year) and jenny Shin from California.
They are all on the four-over-par 148 mark – five shots behind joint leaders Lindy Duncan (Florida) and Maude-Aimee Le Blanc (Canada).
Sally has had rounds of 76 and 72 over the par-72, 6,299yd course. In her second round, she had a double bogey at the fifth and dropped another shot at the eighth to be out in three-over 38.
Then Miss Watson showed the stuff that took her to the British girls final earlier this year and won the Daily Telegraph national girls’ title by birdieing three long holes on the inward half – the 13th, 15th and 18th for 34 home and a par-matching 72.
Germany-based professional’s daughter Florentyna Park, a Curtis Cup reserve in the summer, is sharing 13th place on 151 after scores of 77 and 74. She took had a double bogey on the outward half – at the ninth – but was three-under-par for the inward nine, with birdies at the 13th, 17th and 18th.
ONE BIRDIE FOR STEPHANIE
Irish girls champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, a student at the Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head, South Carolina, has scored 78 and 76 for joint 22nd place on 154 at the halfway stage.
Stephanie had only one birdie, at the short 14th in halves of 37 and 39.
Rachel Connor from Oldham, daughter of the Scottish-born Manchester Golf Club professional Brian Connor, improved by nine shots with a 74 for 157 and 29th place. Rachel highlighted her card with an eagle 3 at the long 13th in halves of 37.
Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven, who will be enrolling at the University of California Berkeley in the New Year, continued to struggle with an 82 for 165 and joint 34th place. Once again Roseanne had an early setback – a triple bogey 6 at the short second and never recovered in halves of 40 and 42. She did birdie the ninth.
In the Junior Orange Bowl boys’ championship over 72 holes, Morgan Hoffman from New Jersey and Sihwan Kim (California) are sharing the lead on seven-under-par 135, one shot ahead of the first-round leader, Peter Uihlein (Florida).
The top British player is England’s Sam Hutsby in joint ninth place on 143 with scores of 74 and 69. Sam, winner of The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Dundonald earlier this year, birdied the first, fourth and 10tth in halves of 33 (two under par) and 36 (level par).
Rhys Enoch from Wales I sharing 32nd place on 149 after a second-round 75 which included a double bogey at the 11th but birdies at the 17th and 18th for the second day in a row.
Darren Renwick from Worthing, winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys’ open stroke-play championship last year, had a dreadful finish – double bogeys at the 16th and 17th, for a 76 and joint 35th place on 150.
The third English representative, Luke Goddard, had a 75 for 153 and a share of 42nd place. Luke too had a double bogey at the 17th.
LEADING SCORES
BOYS (Par 142: 2 x 71)
Players from US unless stated
135 Morgan Hoffman 67 68, Sihwan Kim 71 64.
136 Peter Uihlein 67 71.
139 Jhared Hack 72 67, Sergio Franky (Colombia) 73 66
141 Victor Dubuisson (France) 71 70, David Chung 70 71.
142 Johnny Widmer (Cayman Islands) 75 67.
143 Sam Hutsby (England) 74 69, Bud Cauley 73 70, Benjamin Martin (Trinidad) 74 69, Tommy Mou (Taiwan) 74 69.
Other scores:
146 Sean Einhaus (Germany) 76 70 (jt 16th).
149 Rhys Enoch (Wales) 74 75 (jt 32nd).
150 Darren Renwick (England) 74 76 (jt 35th).
153 Luke Goddard (England) 78 75 (jt 42nd).
GIRLS (Par 144: 2 x 72)
Players from US unless stated.
143 Lindy Duncan 71 72, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (Canada) 75 68.
144 Vicky Hurst 76 68, Jessica Korda (Czech Rep) 72 72.
145 Laura Gonzalez-Escallon (Belgium) 72 73.
148 Sally Watson (Scotland) 76 72, Isabella Lendl 74 74, Jenny Shin 77 71.
Other scores:
151 Florentyna Parker (England) 77 74 (jt 13th).
154 Stephanie Meadow (Ireland) 76 76 (jt 22nd).
157 Rachel Connor (England) 83 74 (29th).
165 Roseanne Niven (Scotland) 83 82 (jt 34th).

BYRNE HAS FIVE SHOTS TO MAKE UP IN FINAL ROUND IN TEXAS EVENT
Banchory teenager James Byrne is lying fourth - five shots off the pace - with one round to go in the Holiday Classic at Barton Creek, the latest event in the Texas Junior Tour.
Byrne followed up his opening round of 78 with a 75 after starting with a double bogey at the first. He birdied the seventh and 16th in halves of 37 (two over par) and 38 (two over par) for a two-round tally of 153 over the par-71, 6,553yd lay-out near Austin.
Aberdeen-born Tommy Mitchell had another disappointing day with an 84 which included two triple bogeys and a double bogey in halves of 41 and 43 for a share of 69th place on 169.
Travis Klutts (75-73) leads on 148 by two shots from fellow American Josh Jones (76-74) with Zack Fisher (75-77) third on 152.

Thursday 28th December 2006

TOUGH FOR BRITISH GIRLS IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL
British girl competitors in the Junior Orange Bowl championship over the Biltmore course at Coral Gables, Florida were finding the going tough.
Daily Telegraph national girls champion Sally Watson was faring the best at four over par 76 in her first round.
The 15-year-old South Queensferry girl, who is a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, bogeyed the second and sixth, birdied the short eighth but dropped shots again at the 11th, 16th and 17th.
Professional's daughter Florentyna Parker, whose brother Ben won the boys' title 12 months ago, finished with a 77. She made a bright start with a birdie at the long first but then ran up a triple bogey 6 at the short second.
Miss Parker birdied the fourth before dropping shots at the seventh and 10th. She grabbed her third birdie of the round at the 13th but bogeyed the 14th and then had a double-bogey 6 at the 17th. Her halves were 37 and 40 from the girls' tees (Par 72, 6,299yd).
STEPHANIE HAS A 78
Irish girl champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, a student at the International Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, finished with a 78 after having two double bogeys and two birdies on her card.
Stephanie had a double bogey 5 at the short second and dropped further shots at the seventh and ninth before double-goeying the par-4 10th.
Then came her bright spots, a birdie 4 at the long 13th and a birdie 2 at the short 14th. Stephanie bogeyed two of the last four holes, the 15th and 18th for halves of 39.
Roseanne Niven, the Scottish Under-18 girls' champion from Crieff was on her way to a high score after starting with a double-bogey 7. She did birdie the fourth but then had seven successive bogeys from the fifth to the 11th.
Out in 41, Roseanne had a double-bogey 5 at the short fifth before birdieing the 13th and bogeyind the 14th. She finished with an 83.
Scots-born Manchester club professional's daughter Rachel Connor from Oldham, runner-up behind Carly Booth in the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play championship at Strathtyrum in the spring, had a 83.
She dropped shots at the first, third, fifth, sixth and seventh in reaching the turn in 40. Things didn't get any better - no birdies but bogeys at the 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th for an inward 43.
The boys' championship leader was Peter Ulhlein from Bradenton, Florida with a six-under-par 65.
England's Sam Hutsby (35-39) and Darren Renwick (37-37) and Rhys Enoch from Wales (39-35) were lying joint 13th on three-over-par 71 for the 6,766yd course.
Another English representative, Luke Goddard, was sharing 39th place on 78.
BOYS' SCOREBOARD
65 Peter Ulhlein (US).
67 Morgan Hoffman (US).
70 Louis Amara (US), David Chung (US), Andrea Pavan (Ita).
Other scores:
74 Sam Hutsby (Eng), Rhys Enoch (Wal), Darren Renwick (Eng) (jt 13th).
76 Sean Einhaus (Ger).
78 Luke Goddard (Eng) (jt 39th).
GIRLS SCOREBOARD
+First round still to be completed.
76 Sally Watson (Sco)
77 Florentyna Parker (Eng).
78 Stephanie Meadow (NIr).
83 Roseanne Niven (Sco), Rachel Connor (Eng).

TOUGH IN TEXAS FOR BANCHORY BOY BYRNE
Banchory teenager James Byrne struggled to a seven-over-par 78 in windy conditions for the Holiday Classic at Barton Creek, the latest event on the Texas Junior Tour golf circuit over the Festive period.
Byrne could not conjure up a single birdie over the 6,553yd, par-71 course near Austin in halves of 38 and 40 to be sharing 11th place with two rounds to go.
Three Americans, Travis Klutts, Brenden Redfern and Zack Fischer lead the field on 75.
Aberdeen-born Tommy Mitchell had two triple bogeys and two double bogeys but finished well with birdies at the 17th and 18th in an 85 which left him in joint 68th place.
The competition is over 54 holes.

Wednesday 27th December 2006

SALLY AND ROSEANNE PLAY BUT NO SCOTS BOYS IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL
The Junior Orange Bowl boys and girls' championships over 72 holes tees off at Biltmore golf course, Coral Gables in Florida in Wednesday.
Last week's Doral-Publix Junior Championship, which attracted 628 competitors, may claim to be the world's largest Under-18 tournament but the Junior Orange Bowl is certainly one of the most prestigious events.
The Scottish Golf Union is one of the few governing bodies that does not send any of its top youngsters to the event.
When Scottishgolfview.com queried the merits of this policy a year or two ago, we were told that it was an "out-of-season event for golfers in Scotland" .... whatever that means, considering that James Byrne from Banchory, under his own steam, is meantime playing the Texas Junior Tour over the Festive break, while Sally Watson from South Queensferry and Roseanne Niven from Crieff are in the field for the Junior Orange Bowl.
Last year's Junior Orange Bowl boys' champion was England's Ben Parker whose sister Florentyna Parker is among the field of 40 girls at Coral Gables this week.
Apart from Sally Watson and Roseanne Niven, Rachel Connor from Oldham, whose father Brian is the Scots-born professional at Manchester Golf Club, is competing over a 6,261yd course with a ladies' par of 72.
The boys' championship field includes Darren Renwick (Worthing), winner of the Scottish boys' Under-16 open stroke-play championship two years ago, Sam Hutsby, the English boy who won The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy at Dundonald in the autumn after a superb last round, Luke Goddard, also from England, and Rhys Enoch from Wales.
The boys' course is 6,642yd and has a par of 71.
+We'll have the daily scores from the Junior Orange Bowl on our websites at breakfast time each morning, beginning on Thursday. (Watch HotNews if it's not up on this page)

JAMES BYRNE RUNNER-UP ON TEXAS JUNIOR TOUR
Banchory's James Byrne has finished joint fourth and runner-up in two Texas Junior Tour events over the past seven days.
In the 36-hole competition at Blackhorse Golf Club, James shot 73 and 74 for three-over-par 147, four shots behind the winner, Broc Raymond (74-69).
In the Christmas Break Shoot-out at Walden on Lake Conroe Golf & Country Club, Byrne had scores of 76 and 73 for 149 and finished only one shot behind winner Josh Jones (72-76).
Aberdeen-born Tommy Mitchell, whose parents moved to Texas, finished 15th at Blackhorse GC with 82 and 72 for 154 and joint seventh in the Christmas Break Shoot-out with scores of 75 and 83 for 158.

Tuesday 26th December 2006

KELLY WILL MAKE US COLLEGE COMEBACK, THANKS TO FELLOW-SCOT COLETTE MURRAY
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Former Scottish girls Under-18 and Under-21 champion Kelly Brotherton from Tulliallan, one of Britain’s brightest female golfing prospect in her teens, will make a comeback on the American women’s college circuit next August.
Kelly did not come even close to playing to her potential with Colorado University in 2005-2006 when she lost confidence and her form slumped.
During the summer Colette Murray, born in Leith and brought up in Dumfries, persuaded her to transfer to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where Miss Murray was appointed women’s golf head coach about a year ago with the task of reviving a programme that had been dormant for more than a decade.
“Our new team won’t start playing competitively until the autumn of 2007 but I told Kelly that she could come to Tennessee-Chattanooga right away. A year out from all competition was the best thing for Kelly because her confidence was low.
FIGHTING SPIRIT
“This past term at Chattanooga has been good for her academically, and good in the way that she has that fighting spirit to win growing inside her again. She practises hard every week and she will be in my team as a sophomore (second year) student from next autumn,” said Colette.
“Kelly is a great girl, hard working and keen to learn. She is a solid foundation for what we are building and I’m so glad that she is part of what we are doing, and that I can be a part of what she would like to do!
“I am itching to get started again with a college team on the American circuit. I am sure it’s going to be worth the wait!”
Colette herself played the American women’s college circuit for four years as a student at Jacksonville State University, Alabama.
She stayed on to become a member of the JSU women’s team back-up and coaching staff and created such a good impression that she was head-hunted by Tennessee-Chattanooga to restart their women’s golf programme.
TALENT SPOTTING
Colette flew over on a talent-spotting mission to watch The Duke of York Young Champions’ Trophy tournament at Dundonald, in September and has signed up two of the Continental players she watched there – Christine Wolf from Austria and Moa Duff from Sweden.
Christine is currently the No 3 player in the Austrian women’s rankings while Moa has made appearances on the Swedish Ladies Pro Tour.
Miss Murray’s other signings for the team that won’t play until August at the earliest are Kayla Stewart, who has transferred from the University of Memphis, and Emma de Groot, one of the top-ranked juniors in Australia.
“I believe this team of young ladies will have an immediate impact on the American college golf circuit and be a strong contender in the Southern Conference title,” said Colette.
+Colette Murray is still looking for short and long-term additions to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga women’s golf squad. If you have a low handicap and are in your teens, you can contact her at Colette-Murray@utc.edu

SALLY TAMES THE MONSTER TO FINISH THIRD IN DORAL-PUBLIX CLASSIC
Florida-based South Queensferry girl Sally Watson produced a brilliant one-under-par 71 – two shots better than anyone else in the final round – over the Blue Monster course, home of the US PGA Tour Ford Championship, to finish a gallant third in the Doral-Publix Junior Classic girls’ 16-18 years’ championship at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami in Florida on Saturday.
Sally, who had earlier scored a pair of 75s, made up a lot of ground on the leaders, finishing on 221 which was only two strokes behind the 11-year-old winner, Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida.
Miss Watson, beaten in the final of the British girls’ championship and winner of the Daily Telegraph national girls championship final at Dubai Creek earlier this year, is 15. Scottish girls’ match-play champion in 2005, she has been a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida since the autumn.
Alexis Thompson, sister of US PGA Tour player Nick Thompson and the first girl permitted to play two groups above her age category, scored 72, 74 and 73 for 219.
She won by one shot from Japan’s Mitsuki Kathira who had 75, 72 and 73.
Sally Watson finished ahead of Spain’s Marta Silva Zamora, a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup team, who tied for fifth place on 223.
Rachel Connor from Oldham, daughter of Manchester Golf Club’s Scottish professional, Brian, finished eighth on 224 with scores of 76, 77 and 74.
Sally Watson’s older sister Rebecca, who will enrol at the University of Tennessee next autumn, totalled 236 with scores of 80, 80 and 76.
Carlos Goya from Cordoba, Argentina won the boys’ 16-18 title with a total of 211, made up of a 72, 69 and 70.
He won by a single shot from Sean Einhaus from Borken, Germany, a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor earlier this year. Einhaus shot 71, 70 and 71.
Francisco Pintor from Alicante, youngster ever winner of the Scottish youths’ open title at Mortonhall this year, finished down the field on 233 with scores of 77, 79 and 77.
Darren Renwick from Worthing Sussex, winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys’ open stroke-play title last year, won the boys’ 16-18 years consolation tournament with scores of 79, 80 and 70 for 229 – one shot ahead of Mohammad Mandhu (Zambia).
Irish girls’ match-play champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim and a student at the International Golf Academy, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina since the autumn, finished a close-up fourth with 208 (72-68-68) in the girls’ 14-15 years category.
Christina Miller from Bradenton, Florida (who had scores of 65, 74 and 68 ) won a three-way play-off on 207 against Susana Benavides (Bolivia) and Amelia Lewis from Jacksonville, Florida.
A total of 628 competitors from 43 countries, including 38 different states in America, contested 12 age and sex groups in what is reputed to be the biggest junior golf tournament in the world.
FINAL TOTALS
BOYS 16-18 years
211 Carlos Goya (Arg) 72 69 70.
212 Sean Einhaus (Ger) 71 70 71.
216 Felipe Velazquez (Venz) 72 73 71.
219 Luciano Dodda Arg) 73 74 72.
Other score:
233 Francisco Pintor (Spa) 77 79 77.
Consolation tournament
229 Darren Renwick (Eng) 79 80 70.
230 Mohammad Mandhu (Zamb) 81 78 73.
GIRLS 16-18 years
219 Alexis Thompson (US) 72 74 73.
220 Mitsuki Katahira (Jap) 75 72 73.
221 Sally Watson (Sco) 75 75 71.
222 Jennifer Hirano (US_) 75 74 73.
223 Andrea Watts (US) 73 73 77, Maria Villanueva Arg) 78 71 74, Marta Silva Zamora (Spa) 79 70 74.
224 Rachel Connor (Eng) 76 77 74.
Other score:
236 Rebecca Watson (Sco) 80 80 76.
GIRLS 14-15 years
207 Christina Miller (US) 64 75 68, Susan Benavides (Bolv) 69 68 70, Amelia Lewis (US) 72 68 67.
208 Stephanie Meadow (NIr) 72 68 68.

Sunday 24th December 2006

SALLY WATSON (71) FINISHES WELL OVER "BLUE MONSTER" TO CLAIM THIRD PLACE
Still no official final results from the Doral-Publix Junior Classic championship at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, near Miami, Florida ...
But Graham Watson , farther and Rebecca and Sally, has E-mailed us with the following information:
"Sally finished third with a final round of one-under-par 71 over the Blue Monster course, home of the US PGA Tour Ford Championship. It was the best final round by anyone in the girls' field and she finished two shots behind the winner.
"Behind Sally in the final standings were Marta Silva Zamora (Spain), who was a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup team, and also Cassandra Blaney, who played for the United States side in the match earlier this year at the Celtic Manor.
"Rebecca shot 76 on the final day.
"Now we're off to the Junior Orange Bowl with Roseanne Niven.
"Have a very pleasant Christmas."

Saturday 23rd December 2006

SALLY SLIPS BACK TO JOINT SEVENTH IN FLORIDA
South Queensferry 15-year-old Sally Watson, pictured right, a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida, fell back to a share of seventh place despite repeating her opening round of 75 on the second day of the Doral-Publix Junior Classic golf championships at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, near Miami, Florida.
On the same 150 mark in the girls’ 16-18 years’ age group is Rachel Connor from Oldham with scores of 76 and 74.
Sally Watson’s 17-year-old sister, Rebecca, also a Scotland girls' international team player, has a pair of 80s for 160.
Two American girls share the lead on 146 – Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida, sister of US PGA tour player Nick Thompson, and Andrea Watts from Bradenton, Florida.
Alexis has scored 72 and 74, Andrea 73 in both rounds.
Alexis Thompson is only 11 years of age and she is the first girl of her age in the 25-year history of what is reputed to be the biggest junior golf tournament in the world – 628 contestants from 43 countries and 12 age/sex categories – to be allowed to play in the oldest, 16-18 years, section.
Irish girls champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, a student at the International Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is lying joint sixth in the girls’ 14-15 years section after a 70 and 74 for 144 – seven strokes behind leader Susan Benavides from Bolivia (69-68).
Junior Ryder Cup player Sean Einhaus from Germany is sharing the lead with Carlos Goya (Argentina) in the boys’ 16-18 years group. Sean has shot 71 and 70 to Carlos’s 72 and 69.
Francisco Pintor from Alicante, at 16 the youngest-ever winner of the Scottish open youths championship at Mortonhall during the summer, is down the field on 156 (77-79).
SCOREBOARD
BOYS 16-18 years
141 Carlos Goya (Arg) 72 69, Sean Einhaus (Ger) 71 70.
145 Felipe Velasquez (Ven) 72 73.
147 Luciana Dodda (Arg) 73 74.
148 Constantin Heinrich (Ger) 77 71, Antonio Grillo (US) 75 73.
Other score:
154 Francisco Pintor (Spa) 77 79.
GIRLS’ 16-18 years
146 Andrew Watts (US) 73 73, Alexis Thompson (US) 72 74.
147 Mitsuki Katahira (Jap) 75 72.
149 Maria Villanueva (Arg) 78 71, Marta Silva Zamora (Spa) 79 70, Jennifer Hirano (US) 75 74.
150 Sally Watson (Sco) 75 75, Rachel Connor (Eng) 76 74, Therese Kolbaek (Den) 75 75, Stephanie Kenoyer (US) 74 76.
Other score:
160 Rebecca Watson (Sco) 80 80.
GIRLS’ 14-15 years
137 Susan Benavides (Bol) 69 68.
139 Christina Miller (US) 64 75.
140 Amelia Lewis (Fla) 72 68, Diana Fernandez (Par) 71 69.
142 Valentina Fontaine (US) 72 70, Ana Fernandez (Spa) 73 69.
144 Stephanie Meadow (NIr) 70 74, Elia Folch (Spa) 72 72.

Friday 22nd December 2006

WATSON GIRLS FROM EDINBURGH IN TOP 20 IN WORLD’S BIGGEST JUNIOR EVENT
South Queensferry sisters Sally and Rebecca Watson were lying joint fourth and 19th respectively at the end of the first round of the Doral-Publix junior golf championships at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami in Florida.
Reputed to be the world’s biggest junior golf tournament, 628 competitors from 43 countries are competing in 12 different age and sex categories.
Sally, a 15-year-old pupil at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida, shot a three-over-par 75 – three shots behind the leader in the girls’ 16 to 18 years’ section.
Rebecca, 17, who will be enrolling at the University of Tennessee next autumn, had an 80 to make the top 20 overnight in this 54-hole competition.
Rachel Connor from Oldham, had a 76 to be lying joint ninth.
Irish girls champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, Northern Ireland, is in third place in the girls 14-15 years’ category. She had a 70, six shots behind Florida girl Christina Miller.
LEADING SCORES
GIRLS 16-18 years
72 Alexis Thompson (US).
73 Andrea Watts (US).
74 Stephanie Kenoyer (US).
75 Sally Watson (Sco), Hannah Yun (US), Therese Koelbaek (Den), Mitsuki Katahira (Jap), Jennifer Hirano (US).
76 Rachel Connor (Eng), Courney Gunter (US).
BOYS 16-18 years
71 Kenneth Leech (US), Sean Einhaus (Ger).
72 Felipe Velazquez (Venezuela), Diego Tamayo (Venezuela), Carlos Goya (Arg).
GIRLS 14-15 years
64 Christina Miller (US).
69 Susana Benavides (Bolivia).
70 Stephanie Meadow (N Ire).
71 Alexandra Peres (US), Diana Fernandez (Paraguay), Yushira Budhram (SAfr).

Thursday 21st December 2006

Photo by kind permission of the Matthew family.

LOW PRIZE FUNDS AT NINE EVENTS ON 2007 LADIES’ EUROPEAN TOUR DOES NOT BOTHER LYNN KENNY
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
The Ladies European Tour got some good publicity earlier this week from chief executive Alexandra Armas’s announcement that the 2007 schedule would have a minimum of 25 events – 10 more than in 2004 – and record prize money of 11.02million Euros.
But one disturbing fact seemed to escape the attention of the few golf writers who bother to follow the activities of the LET. In nine tournaments the prize fund will be only £140,000 or less.
The worst of the lot is the English Ladies Open at Chart Hills, Kent – the only women’s pro event in England in 2007. The prize money for it is a paltry 165,000 Euros, or £116,000 in “real money.”
Even the new De Vere Ladies Scottish Open, to be played at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, from September 21 to 23, can hardly blow its trumpet at how much is on offer there - £140,000.
Same applies to the new Northern Ireland Ladies Open at Hilton Templepatrick, Belfast. Only £140,000 prize money for that one as well.
NO MUSCLE
There is no question that the Ladies European Tour is getting stronger. It’s just a pity that the accent at the moment is on quantity rather than quality (of prize funds).
Which would seem to suggest that the LET does not yet have the “muscle” to quote a reasonable minimum figure – say £300,000 or £400,000 – to potential sponsors with a “take it or leave it” ultimatum.
Any individual or company would be laughed out of court if they went to the men’s PGA European Tour and asked to be able to sponsor an event with £140,000 (or less) prize money.
Equal rights for women? That doesn’t apply when it comes to sponsors and the low prize funds – in the main – they can get away with on the Ladies European Tour.
Former Scottish amateur champion Lynn Kenny, pictured right, from Stirling, who is sponsored by the Clydesdale Bank, regained her LET player’s card with a good performance at the Qualifying School a few weeks back.
Lynn is not of a mind to bite the hand that potentially feeds her and she explains why:
DIRE STRAITS
“I think it is worthwhile remembering that the Ladies European Tour was in dire straits only a few years ago (1998-2001) and we should be thankful that it still exists (I did my Stirling University dissertation n the LET's growth since 1998, so I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to the subject!).
“Although the prize money is lower than on the men’s tour, it's always been this way - and it's the same on the LPGA in America (albeit with a lesser differential).
“Women's sport in general always receives lower prize funds than men. Unfortunately that's the way the world is at the moment. Hopefully things will change soon!
“Personally, I'm glad that we are getting more tournaments each year. That is primarily what we all want, to play: competitive golf. Of course a healthy prize fund helps - but one step at a time!
“You can see that the events from the last few years are gradually increasing their prize funds. We just have to hope that the rest of our events follow suit over the years (the sooner the better).
ODD GRUMBLE
“Exposure first – and this should lead to increased sponsorship. Pair that with successfully run tournaments and more prize money should follow close behind.
“Yes, you hear the odd grumble on tour about a poor pay-out from the previous week but we all know what we are playing for before we tee off, so it just means that you need to play well to get paid well.”

Wednesday 20th December 2006

A BABY GIRL FOR CATRIONA MATTHEW
Catriona Matthew, Scotland's most successful female professional golfer and her husband-caddie Graeme, are celebrating the birth of their first baby, Katie Jessica, in Florida on Monday. Katie weighad in at 6lb 12oz and is 19 1/2 inches long
Catriona, who hails from North Berwick - her mum and dad still live there, plans to return to the LPGA circuit in time for the first major of 2007, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California in March.
Another Scot who plays on the LPGA Tour after a stellar amateur career, Janice Moodie had a son, Craig, at the start of September.

SWEDISH PLAYER IS MID-SEASON PLAYER ON US COLLEGE CIRCUIT
Sweden’s Caroline Westrup, a regular competitor at the St Rule Trophy tournament in St Andrews, has been named the “Mid-Season Player of the Year” on the American women’s college circuit by Golf World Magazine.
Caroline, pictured right, with an eight-under-par total of 280, won the individual title at the women’s world amateur team championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy in South Africa in October when Sweden lost out in a card countback to South Africa for the team title.
A sophomore student at Florida State University, she is the top-ranked female college player in the United States with a scoring average of 71.71.
She finished the fall season with four rounds scored at par or better and with six of her seven single-round scores at 75 or below.
Westrup shot her career-best 66 in the final round of the Cougar Classic to score her second US college tournament victory.

STAND BY FOR THE TURF THUMPER: YARDSTICK FOR GREENS, FAIRWAYS
The R&A Golf Course and Equipment Standards Committees have joined forces to develop a device, the Turf Thumper, which measures the firmness of turf.
The Golf Course Committee believe that firmness is one of the most important performance characteristics of a green or fairway.
Dr Steve Otto, Director – Research and Testing at The R&A, has produced software which provides data on the deformation and resilience of turf impacted by the Turf Thumper, a tool initially advanced by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Over a year of monthly assessment at three golf courses in Fife, Dr Otto and Steve Isaac, R&A Assistant Director – Golf Course Management, have compiled a mass of data. The information collected from Balbirnie Park, Ladybank and the Old Course, St Andrews has confirmed the viability of the Turf Thumper as a means of objectively assessing one aspect of the performance of golf greens and fairways.
Analysis of data collected shows the thumper can determine seasonal variation in the firmness of turf, the effect of weather patterns (drying and wetting) and the impact of course maintenance practices.
This has implications for benchmarking and reviewing the performance of playing surfaces, assessing the value of maintenance regimes and changes to current practices, and monitoring turf performance against other measurable parameters.
The success of this initial study has encouraged The R&A to commission an extended testing programme at sites across the UK, with a view to the production of guidelines on acceptable ranges of firmness for golf courses.

RECORD PRIZE FUND FOR LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR IN 2007
The Ladies European Tour’s executive director Alexandra Armas, pictured right, today announced the 2007 Ladies European Tour (LET) schedule, which will feature a minimum of 25 events with prize money of more than 11.02 million Euros, the highest ever in LET history.
“The 2006 season has been a huge success with new events in Switzerland and Dubai and has laid the foundations that will enable the Tour to grow in the future,” said Armas.
“However, with four new events in 2007 and the return of the Solheim Cup to Sweden, I am confident that 2007 will be the Tour’s most exciting year to date.
“The Solheim Cup at Halmstad will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind throughout the season and let’s hope that Helen Alfredsson and her team can bring the Cup back to Europe.” The four new tournaments in 2007 are: the MFS Women’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney, the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, the Northern Ireland Ladies Open at Hilton Templepatrick Hotel and Country Club and the Madrid Ladies Masters in Spain, at a venue soon to be announced.
The inaugural Madrid Ladies Masters will be a limited field event which will feature a prize fund of Euros 400,000. The tournament will be organised and promoted by Double Match, who also promote the successful Catalonia Ladies Masters and the event will be supported by the Comunidad de Madrid.
The Madrid Ladies Masters, from October 5-7, will be the penultimate event of the season, but there will be a gap of fully two months before the end-of-the-season climax - the Dubai Ladies Masters from December 6 to 9.
The richest event of the season continues to be the Evian Masters from July 25 to 28 in France with a prize fund of Euros 2,287,457 which tops the Weetabix Women's British Open - to be played over the Old Course, St Andrews, from August 2 to 5 - with a prize fund of Euros 1,567,164.
There were only 15 events on the LET schedule for 2004, compared with 25 this coming year.
The LET schedule for 2007 is:
JANUARY
19-21 Women's World Cup (Sun City, South Africa).
FEBRUARY
1-4 Australian Women's Open (Royal Sydney).
8-11 ANZ Ladies Masters (Royal Pines, Queensland).
MAY
3-6 Tenerife Ladies Open (venue tbc). Euros 275,000.
10-13 Spanish Women's Open (Mediterrrane CC, Castellon). Euros 275,000.
17-20 Swiss Ladies Open (Ticino, Switzerland). Euros 525,000.
TBC Ladies Italian Open (venue tbc). Euros 400,000.
JUNE
1-3 Northern Ireland Ladies Open (Hilton Templepatrick, Belfast). Euros 200,000.
8-10 Dutch Ladies Open (Eindhoven). Euros 180,000.
15-17 Catalonia Ladies Masters (venue tbc). Euros 200,000.
21-24 French Women's Open (Anzin St Aubin). Euros 340,000.
JULY
6-8 English Ladies Open (Chart Hills, Kent). Euros 165,000.
13-15 Hungarian Ladies Open (Tata). Euros 200,000.
25-28 Evian Masters (Evian Les Bains) Euros 2,287,457.
AUGUST
2-5 Weetabix Women's British Open (Old Course) Euros 1,567,164.
9-12 Scandinavian TPC (Malmo). Euros 525,000.
16-19 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe (Llanelli). Euros 522,388.
24-26 SAS Masters (Oslo, Norway). Euros 200,000.
31-Sept 2 Finnair Masters (Helsink). Euros 200,000.
SEPTEMBER
6-9 Nykredit Masters (Helsingor, Denmark) Euros 200,000.
14-16 SOLHEIM CUP (Halmstad, Sweden).
21-23 De Vere Ladies Scottish Open (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) Euros 200,000.
27-30 Austrian Ladies Open (Vienna). Euros 250,000.
OCTOBER
5-7 Madrid Ladies Open (venue tbc). Euros 400,000.
DECEMBER
6-9 Dubai Ladies Masters (Emirates). Euros 500,000.

Tuesday 19th December 2006

US Handa Cup team

HANDA CUP FUTURE BRIGHT
By LISA D MICKEY
The inaugural Handa Cup had a lop-sided start with the United States team posting a 27 to 11 victory over the World Team at St Augustine, Florida at the weekend.
But, reminiscent of the first Solheim Cup back in 1990, in which the US side defeated Europe 11.5 to 4.5, the first edition of the Handa Cup ended with a future sponsorship promise and a call for the World Team to bolster its talent.
"I was there for the first year of the Solheim Cup and the score was lopsided, too," said US Team member and World Golf Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan, "But like the Solheim Cup, this event is going to grow and strengthen every year we play. And just like the Solheim Cup, the players will get younger, as I get older."
The inaugural contest between 11 players from the U.S. and 11 players from around the world was an official event of the Legends Tour, the LPGA's official tour for women professionals age 45 and over.
And it was an event sponsored by Japanese businessman Haruhisa Handa, who vowed to bring the event back to Florida in 2007. And while Handa, also an opera singer, kicked off the week at the opening ceremonies serenading players and guests with an operatic baritone version of "Danny Boy" in English and "O Sole Mio" in Italian, it was his promise to continue sponsorship that proved to be music to the ears of this year's participants -- many of whom have scaled back or ended LPGA Tour careers.
"I don't think it's the competition that builds the event right now," said U.S. Team member Jane Geddes, who won today's first singles match 3 and 2 over World Team member Anne-Marie Palli of France. "It's the players. People came out to see some of these great players they used to follow for years."
"Our team played great," said U.S. Team captain Kathy Whitworth. "But we had some Hall of Famers on our side, some former Solheim Cup players and players who have known each other for years, so that's got to be an advantage."
At least for this year's inaugural Handa Cup. But members of the World Team are already counting birthdays for future team members entering their 40s. Down the road, they envision players like Alison Nicholas, Laura Davies, Liselotte Neumann and Helen Alfredsson playing the Legends Tour and joining their side.
And just as the Solheim Cup has given the best players from the US and Europe something to look forward to, the newly-minted Handa Cup seems poised to offer 40-somethings a place to play with plenty of bragging rights up for grabs.
For more information, visit www.thelegendstour.com and www.LPGA.com.

Monday 18th December 2006

William Russell with Dukes Captain, Gavin Hastings

ABERDEEN YOUNGSTER (15) BECOMES YOUNGEST EVER DUKE’S MEN’S CHAMPION
An Aberdeen youngster, who now lives in St Andrews, has become the youngest ever men’s club champion of The Duke’s Golf Club, St Andrews.
William, now 15 and a pupil at St Leonard’s School, St Andrews, attended Milltimber Primary School before the family moved to Fife.
Master Russell beat Mike Fraser in the final by one hole in the final, played off the back tees – 7,512yd.
He was presented with the Peter Thomson Trophy – named after the Australian designer of the course and five times Open champion – at the club’s annual prizegiving dinner a few days ago.
William has a handicap of four and has already been spotted as a talent worth developing – he is a member of the Scottish Golf Union’s Under-16 squad. He is coached by Banff-born Spencer Henderson who is the SGU’s junior national coach.

R&A ANNOUNCES GRANTS IN EXCESS OF £1 MILLION
The R&A has announced a series of grants aimed at supporting the development of golf around the world.
In eastern Europe, Bulgaria and Poland will receive coaching grants for the first time to support their junior grassroots activities.
Further afield, international amateur team championships being played in Canada, Guatemala and South Africa will also receive R&A funding for the first time.
Duncan Weir, pictured below right, the R&A’s Director of Golf Development, said: “We are fortunate that the annual surplus from The Open Championship enables us to distribute funds widely and it is therefore appropriate that the junior programmes run by Nick Faldo and Paul Lawrie, both Open champions, are included in this latest list of awards.”
GRANTS
Arab Golf Federation
£5,000 towards 2006 Pan Arab Junior Championship in Morocco
Barbados Golf Association
£55,000 towards public driving range
Brazilian Golf Confederation
£5,000 towards 2007 South American Junior Team Championship
Bulgarian Golf Association
£10,000 towards junior development activities
Copa los Americas
£20,000 towards 2007 event in Canada
European Golf Association
£20,000 towards 2007 European Young Masters in France
Faldo Series
£25,000 towards existing European programme and £85,000 towards expanding Asian series
Golf Foundation
£600,000 towards junior development activities in England, Scotland and Wales
Guatemala Golf Federation
£5,000 towards 2007 Central American Amateur Team Championship
Hong Kong Golf Association
£12,500 towards 2007 Asia-Pacific Junior Team Championship
Junior Golf Ireland
£60,000 towards junior development activities
Keilir Golf Club, Iceland
£30,000 towards covered driving range and indoor short game facility
Kenya Ladies’ Golf Union
£10,000 towards 2007 triangular international with Zambia and Zimbabwe
Namibia Golf Federation
£12,000 towards 2007 African Amateur Team Championship
Palm

RAMSAY THIRD TO RYDER CUP TEAM, CLARKE IN WRITERS' TROPHY POLL
Walker Cup player Richie Ramsay, winner of the United States amateur championship this year, finished a close third in the Association of Golf Writers' Trophy poll for 2006.
The annual vote among the writers is to seek their opinion as to which individual or team has done the most for the standing of European golf, amateur or professional, over the past 12 months.
Ian Woosnam expressed his delight after Europe's Ryder Cup team won the Golf Writers' Trophy.
Woosnam captained Europe to a third successive victory over the Americans at the K Club as the team matched their record nine-point winning margin from two years ago.
Darren Clarke, whose courageous performance just weeks after losing his wife, Heather, to cancer was the highlight of an emotional week in Ireland, was the runner-up in the annual poll.
After the Ryder Cup team missed out at the BBC Sports awards last week, Woosnam was particularly pleased to win the Golf Writers' Trophy.
BBC AWARDS FIASCO
"At last!" said the Welshman. "Thank God, we've won a prize after that BBC fiasco."I am very honoured, both for myself and on behalf of the players," he added. "It was an unbelievable performance. To get 18.5 points, to equal the record, and also to win all five series of play for the first time ever, is the stuff of dreams.
"It was a very special week. It was the best week of my life without question, very hard but the best. I can't say enough about my wonderful players and the way they played.
"Clarke won three matches out of three at the K Club despite having played only one tournament in the previous two months.
"I am very grateful for all the recognition I have received and I would especially like to thank the golf writers for their support, not just this year, but throughout my career," said the Northern Irishman.
"But for the Ryder Cup team to win this trophy is the absolutely the right result. To win as we did was a stunning performance and Woosie was fantastic as our captain. We had 12 players all playing to their best and I was just proud to play my part.
"It is rare for an amateur golfer to figure in the Association of Golf Writers' annual voting so for Royal Aberdeen member and Stirling student Ramsay, pictured right, to finish third is quite an achievement. So, of course, was his capture of the United States amateur championship, a title which has earned him the No 1 world amateur ranking over the weeks and months since his memorable triumph at Hazeltine

Sunday 17th December 2006

CATHY GOES DOWN TWICE AS AMERICANS WIN HANDA CUP
John Panton's daughter Cathy Panton-Lewis, pictured right, was a double loser – but enjoyed every minute of it.
Cathy was the only British or Irish player in the World Team who went down heavily to the United States in the inaugural two-day Handa Cup match-play tournament for senior women professionals over the Slammer & Squire Course at the World Golf Hall of Fame, St Augustine in Florida on Saturday and Sunday.
With 2pt gained for a victory and 1pt for a halved game, the Americans ran out winners by 27pt to 11, having led 11-5 going into the final set of singles.
Cathy partnered Italy's Anne-Marie Palli to a 2 and 1 defeat by Amy Alcott and Rosie Jones in a better-ball match over nine holes on Saturday.
The highlight for the Scot was holing a 25ft birdie putt at the fourth hole after she and her partner had lost the first two holes.
A fine pitch to within 2ft of the flagstick for a birdie by Amy Alcott at the eighth clinched victory for the US pair.
Cathy Panton-Lewis, playing in the last of the 11 Sunday singles, lost by one hole to American Sandra Haynie. The Scot lost the fifth and sixth to be two down at the turn. She won back the 13th but Sandra held her bay with halves at the remaining holes.
The Handa Cup is an official event of The Legends Tour, the LPGA's official tour for women professionals aged 45 and higher.
(Saturday’s format amended)
HANDA CUP
World Golf Hall of Fame, St Augustine, Florida.
First day results:
Results:
DAY 1 FOURSOMES (over nine holes)
Patty Sheehan & Pat Bradley (US) bt Jan Stephenson (SAf) & Alicia Dibos) (Peru) 1 hole.
Martha Nause & Marylin Lovander (US) lost to Dawn Coe-Jones (Can) & Nayoko Yoshikawa (Jap) 2 holes.
DAY 1 BETTER-BALL (over nine holes)
Amy Alcott & Rosie Jones (US) bt Anne-Marie Palli (Ita) & Cathy Panton-Lewis (Sco) 2 and 1.
Joanne Carner & Christa Johnson (US) halved with Barb Scherback (Can) & Maria Gonzalez (Braz).
Jane Geddes & Sandra Haynie (US) bt Mieko Nomura (Jap) & Angie Tsai (Tai) 2 holes.
DAY 1 SCRAMBLE (over nine holes)
Nause & Lovander (US) bt Coe-Jones & Stephenson (World) 3 and 2.
Sheehan & Bradley (US) bt Dibos & Michiko Okada (World) 2 holes.
Cindy Rarick & Jones (US) lost to Nomura & Gonzalez (World) 1 hole.
+2pt for win, 1pt for halved game.
DAY 2 SINGLES (over 18 holes)
(US names first)
Nause halved with Coe-Jones.
Geddes bt Palli 3 and 2.
Lovander bt Scherback 4 and 3.
Rarick bt Okada 2 and 1.
Sheehan halved with Stephenson.
Carner lost to Dibos 2 and 1.
Bradley bt Tsai 3 and 1.
Johnson bt Gonzalez 7 and 6.
Alcott lost to Nomura 1 hole.
Jones bt Yoshikawa 3 and 2.
Haynie bt Panton-Lewis 1 hole.
Overall result: United States 27, World 11.

CATHY GETS A BIRDIE BUT US LEAD 11-5 WITH SINGLES TO COME IN HANDA CUP
The United States team lead the World line-up 11-5 after the first day's play in the inaugural Handa Cup over the Slammer and Squire course at the World Golf Hall of Fame, St Augustine, Florida.
The match will conclude with 11 singles on Sunday, all over nine holes as have been all the earlier ties.
The Americans won the opening nine-hole foursomes by 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 which, under the scoring format of 2pt for a win and 1pt for a halved match, translated into a US 7, World 3 scoreline.
The foursomes were followed by three nine-hole "scramble" ties, which the United States won 2-1, or 4-2, all of which adds up to an 11-5 lead.
Scotland's Cathy Panton-Lewis, the only GB&I player in the match, lost her foursomes tie in partnership with Italy's Anne-Marie Palli. They went down by 2 and 1 - losing on the eighth green) to Amy Alcott and Rosie Jones.
Cathy and Anne-Marie three-putted their second hole and went two down at the next. The Scot later holed a 25ft birdie putt to cut the deficit to one but Amy Alcott set up a clinching birdie for the Americans with an approach to within 2ft of the flagstick at the eighth.
The Handa Cup is an official event of The Legends Tour, the LPGA's official tour for women professionals age 45 and higher.
Results:
DAY ONE - FOURSOMES
Matches over nine holes.
Patty Sheehan & Pat Bradley (US) bt Jan Stephenson (SAf) & Alicia Dibos) (Peru) 1 hole.
Martha Nause & Marylin Lovander (US) lost to Dawn Coe-Jones (Can) & Nayoko Yoshikawa (Jap) 2 holes.
Amy Alcott & Rosie Jones (US) bt Anne-Marie Palli (Ita) & Cathy Panton-Lewis (Sco) 2 and 1.
Joanne Carner & Christa Johnson (US) halved with Barb Scherback (Can) & Maria Gonzalez (Braz).
Jane Geddes & Sandra Haynie (US) bt Mieko Nomura (Jap) & Angie Tsai (Tai) 2 holes.
*2pt for win; 1pt for square match - United States lead World Team 7-3.
DAY ONE - SCRAMBLE
Matches over nine holes.
Nause & Lovander (US) bt Coe-Jones & Stephenson (World) 3 and 2.
Sheehan & Bradley (US) bt Dibos & Michiko Okada (World) 2 holes.
Cindy Rarick & Jones (US) lost to Nomura & Gonzalez (World) 1 hole.
United States won the session 4-2 to increase their overall lead to 11-5.
SUNDAY'S SINGLES LINE-UP
Matches over nine holes
M Nause v D Coe-Jones
J Geddes v A-M Palli
M Lovander v B Scherback.
C Rarick v M Okada.
P Sheehan v J Stephenson.
J Carner v A Dibos.
P Bradley v A Tsai.
C Johnson v M Gonzalez.
A Alcott v M Nomura.
R Jones v N Yoshikawa.
S Haynie v C Panton-Lewis
For more information, visit www.thelegendstour.com and www.LPGA.com.

Saturday 16th December 2006

UNITED STATES TAKE EARLY LEAD IN INAUGURAL HANDA CUP
By LISA MICKEY
The United States Team took a 7-3 lead in the morning matches of the inaugural Handa Cup, being held at the Slammer and Squire course at the World Golf Hall of Fame, St Augustine, Florida today.
Led by the World Golf Hall of Fame pairing of Pat Bradley and Patty Sheehan, the US team secured its first win (worth 2pt) in the nine-hole, alternate-shot format against the World Team's Alicia Dibos of Peru and Australia's Jan Stephenson.
The Americans were one up going into the final hole, which both squads parred, giving the US. an early jump in the points race of this weekend's inaugural Handa Cup.
"We played a great team this morning and there was no room for error out there," said a relieved Bradley."And with only nine holes, you have to get out there fast," added Sheehan. "There's a little bit of urgency to it."Bradley and Sheehan both have played on, as well as captained US Solheim Cup teams. And both felt similar nerves going into this morning's matches.
LOT MORE FUN
"The competitive juices are there, but this is a lot more fun," said Bradley. "The Solheim Cup felt more like life and death."
"I'm glad to know I still have a heart," said World Team member Anne-Marie Palli of France. "My shirt was just pounding because I was so nervous this morning."
Canada's Dawn Coe-Jones and Japan's Nayoko Yoshikawa evened the overall points count in the morning alternate-shot matches with their one-up victory over the US team of Martha Nause and Marilyn Lovander.
Yoshikawa chipped from the right greenside rough to four feet and Coe-Jones converted the putt for par on the ninth green.The Americans won the first two holes in that match, but three-putted the fourth. Then the World Team won the sixth and seventh holes and the Americans could never square up the match.
"We made a good team," said Coe-Jones. "She's a very consistent partner with a phenomenal short game."
While she never played on a Solheim Cup, Hall of Famer Amy Alcott proved herself as a worthy partner with Solheim Cup stalwart Rosie Jones in the opening of the morning's best-ball matches.
CATHY'S BIRDIE PUTT
The pair won their match 2 and 1 after eight holes over Palli and Scotland's Cathy Panton-Lewis.The World Team three-putted their second hole (No. 11) for the US Team to go one-up, then Alcott birdied No. 12 to give the Americans a 2-up advantage.
But Panton-Lewis drained a 25-footer for birdie to trim the US lead to one.Alcott steadied the match, however, and set up her side's final birdie with an approach to two feet on the 17th hole. All Jones had to do was tap in.
"I've been waiting my whole career to play match play with Amy Alcott," said Jones after the match. "She had two birdies out there and I didn't have any."
Hall of Famer JoAnne Carner showed her old form when she sank a breaking downhill 20-footer for birdie on the 18th green to put the pressure on the World Team pairing of Barb (Bunkowsky) Scherbak of Canada and Brazil's Maria Gonzalez, who held a one-up lead going into the final hole.
With Carner's birdie, Gonzalez had to make her 12-foot birdie putt to keep the Americans from winning the final hole and squaring the match. The feisty Brazilian made an aggressive stroke, but her putt hung on the lip of the cup, giving the Americans a square match, worth 1pt to both sides.
SUPPORTING CAST
"Our match was close all the way," said Carner's partner Christa Johnson. "I was just a supporting cast member today."
The U.S. Team pairing of Jane Geddes and Hall of Famer Sandra Haynie won the final morning foursomes match two-up over Mieko Nomura of Japan and Angie Tsai of Taiwan. The Americans birdied their first hole (No. 10) from eight feet, then went two-up after the 15th hole when the World Team bogeyed. Both sides birdied the 16th.
On the 18th hole, Haynie struck her approach to four feet, setting up another birdie chance to the Americans. After a brief huddle between players and a summoning of World Team captain Chako Higuchi, the World Team conceded the final hole to give the U.S. Team the win."They had birdie putts and we were left with par putts," said Nomura. "It was not a hard decision."
Sunday's final matches will consist of 11 singles.The Handa Cup is an official event of The Legends Tour, the LPGA's official tour for women professionals age 45 and higher.
DAY ONE - MORNING FOURSOMES
Matches over nine holes.
Patty Sheehan & Pat Bradley (US) bt Jan Stephenson (SAf) & Alicia Dibos) (Peru) 1 hole.
Martha Nause & Marylin Lovander (US) lost to Dawn Coe-Jones (Can) & Nayoko Yoshikawa (Jap) 2 holes.
Amy Alcott & Rosie Jones (US) bt Anne-Marie Palli (Ita) & Cathy Panton-Lewis (Sco) 2 and 1.
Joanne Carner & Christa Johnson (US) halved with Barb Scherback (Can) & Maria Gonzalez (Braz).
Jane Geddes & Sandra Haynie (US) bt Mieko Nomura (Jap) & Angie Tsai (Tai) 2 holes.
+2pt for win; 1pt for square match - United States lead World Team 7-3
LATER INFORMATION:
DAY ONE - AFTERNOON SCRAMBLE
Matches over nine holes.
Nause & Lovander (US) bt Coe-Jones & Stephenson (World) 3 and 2.
Sheehan & Bradley (US) bt Dibos & Michiko Okada (World) 2 holes.
Cindy Rarick & Jones (US) lost to Nomura & Gonzalez (World) 1 hole.
United States increased their lead to 11-5 with two matches to finish.

TEAM ASIA LEAD 7-5 IN LEXUS CUP IN SINGAPORE
Team International, skippered by Annika Sorenstam, trail 7-5 to Grace Park's Team Asia going into the final day of 12 singles in the Lexus Cup women's professional team match at Tanah Mera Country Club, Singapore.
The first-day action saw the honours shared at 3-3 in the foursomes programme.
The second day was better-ball and the Asians won four of the ties and lost only two to move 2pt ahead over all.
Laura Davies lost for the second day in a row. She was partnered by Carin Koch (Sweden) on the second day and they finished two holes down to Candie Kung (Taipei) and Jennifer Rosales (Philippines).
The International Team's only winners were Annika Sorenstam and Natalie Gulbis, and Paula Creamer and Stacy Prammanasudh (US).
SECOND-DAY RESULTS
(Team Asia names first)
Four-ball, better-ball
Jee Young Lee (Kor) & Meena Lee (Kor) lost to Natalie Gulbis (US) & Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 2 holes.
Hee-Won Han (Kor) & Grace Park (Kor) bt Morgan Pressel (US) & Julieta Granada (Par) 1 hole.
Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor) & Joo Mi Kim (Kor) lost to Paula Creamer (US) & Stacy Prammanasudh (USA) 3 and 2.
Candie Kung (Tpe) & Jennifer Rosales (Phi) bt Brittany Lincicome (US) & Nikki Campbell (Aus) 3 and 1.
Young Kim (Kor) & Sakura Yokomine (Jap) bt Laura Davies (Eng) & Carin Koch (Swe) 2 holes.
Seon-Hwa Lee (Kor) & Se-Ri Pak (Kor) bt Sherri Steinhauer (US) & Angela Stanford (US) 4 and 2.
First day foursomes: Team Asia 3, International Team 3.
Second day better-ball: Team Asia 4, International Team 2.
Overall scoreline: Team Asia leads International Team 7-5 with one day to go.

Friday 15th December 2006

Muriel Thomson with some of the children at the St Joseph’s Social Service Centre

MURIEL – THE ANGEL FROM SCOTLAND – GOING BACK TO INDIA’S ORPHANS NEXT MONTH
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Portlethen’s Muriel Thomson – one of the few female club professionals in the golfing world – is returning to India next month for a month’s volunteer work among orphanage and other deprived children.
She made the trip for the first time last February and said it “changed her life.”
She spent a month helping with the children at the St Joseph’s Social Service Centre, a small orphanage on the outskirts of Chennai.
The centre was originally set up in 1984 by Sister Bakkiam, a Franciscan nun. Sister Bakkiam had discovered children under the age of five were being left to roam around on the streets while their mothers, the main bread-winners of the family, went out to find work.
The St Joseph’s Social Service Centre now has 23 children who are semi-orphans ranging in age from three to 14. They live there day and night.
The centre also takes in 90 children six days a week from the poor neighbourhood area so that their mothers can go out to work.
“When I came back at the end of February it seemed like it would be a long time passing until January came around and I would return to India,” said Muriel.
“ However, I have found that I have needed that time to be back in Aberdeen to move things on further. My time in India, when I lived in the St Joseph’s Centre, learning the history and background of the children who lived in the orphanage and spent time with the local people finding out about the problems they face in their daily life, proved to be the most amazing experience of my life.
“I came home with a very different outlook on life altogether - it made missing a six-foot putt seem monumentally irrelevant!
“Having lived with the children for a month I can’t turn my back on them and am determined to do whatever I can to help. I have been running talks to golf clubs, Rotary clubs, women’s guilds, etc to raise funds for the children in the orphanage.”
Muriel says she has been “completely overwhelmed” by the support and interest from the people of the North-east. It has enabled her to raise a substantial amount of funds for all the children at St Joseph’s Centre.
“Sister Bakkiam, who runs the centre is concerned about what will happen to the children when she is gone. The funds raised here in the North-east of Scotland will help ensure the children in that small part of India have a secure future there,” said Muriel.
“My campaign for sponsors to put some of them to an English-peaking school in India has been successful. In June this year four children - Lakshmi, Antony, Daniel and Cysilraj – started at the school. They have their school fees guaranteed for all their school days.
“It is hoped there they can gain a first-class education which will give them the opportunity of a better future for themselves and their families.
“I have now secured another three sponsors to set up more children at the English school as well as a sponsor to support one of the children living in the centre.
“I can’t wait to see all the children again!”
It won’t simply be more of the same when Muriel gets to India. She has been working on the next step for some time.
“I plan to move onto phase two when I'm there this time, setting up things to progress from my last trip and making arrangements on what all I can do for them in the future,” said Muriel.
“I hope to be able to arrange security and medical care for the children who are looked after by the St Josephs Social service centre and also to move on perhaps to helping the children in the neighbourhood who come in for day care.
“I have arranged to take a Tri Golf golf kit with me this time and hope to be able to arrange to go to the English-speaking school attended by the children for whom I’ve found sponsors. It will be a nice change for them from cricket!!
“I have plans to be going back to India for a number of years yet. There is so much to be done.”
+++Muriel Thomson, Portlethen Golf Club’s first and only club professional (she was appointed in April 1990), gained Curtis Cup honours as an amateur in the 1970s and then won nine tournaments as a professional on the fledgling WPGA Tour of the 1980s.
An adventure-lover, Aberdonian Muriel has scaled all of Scotland’s 284 Munros and been on expeditions to the Himalayas in Nepal and once saw in the New Year in a tent on the wastes of Patagonia on the tip of South America.
Born in Aberdeen on December 12, 1954, one of triplets – her father, “Chapper” Thomson, in his later years, was a leading figure in the administration side of North-east golf and played a part in the foundation of the PGA Scottish Region.
Muriel has never married but now she has a family of children in India awaiting the return of “The Angel from Scotland.”

Thursday 14th December 2006

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour (LET)
and John O’Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism at the announcement that
the 2011 Solheim Cup will be held at Killeen Castle, Dublin.

THE 2011 SOLHEIM CUP AWARDED TO KILLEEN CASTLE, IRELAND
Dublin, Ireland - Thurs 14 December 2006. At a Press Conference at The National Museum, Dublin, Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of The Ladies European Tour (LET), announced that The 2011 Solheim Cup would take place at Killeen Castle, County Meath, Ireland. A new five-year agreement was also announced between LET and Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, to stage a new and important tournament on The Ladies European Tour, The Irish Ladies Open. This will commence in 2008.
Alexandra Armas said: “The Solheim Cup has grown rapidly over the last few years never more notably than in 2003, when it was held at Barseback in Sweden. Sweden was an outstanding success for us with over 100,000 spectators, live TV coverage in Europe and the United States. Swedish companies were also generous with their sponsorship. Such was the acclaim of Sweden in 2003 the LET decided to take The Solheim Cup back there in 2007. This time to Halmstad Golf Club (between Malmo and Gothenburg) we anticipate that Sweden will again take The Solheim Cup to a higher level. So we at the LET were faced with choosing a venue for 2011, one which could build on the great achievement of Sweden.”
“To demonstrate the interest that has now built up around The Solheim Cup we were delighted to receive bids from seven different countries. These were (alphabetical order): England, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland and Spain. Each bid was strong. Good courses, sound financial structure and some receiving considerable government support. We have chosen Ireland and Killeen Castle for a number of reasons. The first of which is the superb way the whole nation supported The Ryder Cup in September. The second is that we believe the modern Ireland is a young vibrant society compatible with the image we wish to promote for ladies golf. It is true that Ireland does not have a great history in ladies professional golf, but we firmly believe that the decision we have taken to come to Ireland will help to change that.”
“We have been greatly impressed by the people at Failte Ireland and Killeen Castle. The course and facilities will be excellent. The course is designed by Jack Nicklaus and will meet top Championship standards. It is designed for spectator viewing and will have a stand alone Clubhouse as well as a 179 room luxury hotel and spa. There are ample grounds for spectator parking and all the facilities needed for a major golf event. It is easy reach of both Dublin and the international airport. As you may know the venue is still in development. The golf course will open in autumn 2008 and the hotel in 2009.”
“To emphasise our commitment to what we see as the ‘new’ Ireland we have also reached agreement with Failte Ireland to stage a new tournament ‘The Ladies Irish Open.’ We have an initial five year agreement starting from 2008. The venues for this tournament are not yet agreed but it will move around Ireland. In 2010 it will be played at Killeen Castle.
“The Ladies Irish Open is an important addition to the growing Ladies European Tour. In November of this year we staged our first event in Dubai, The Dubai Ladies Masters and looking forward to 2007 we have already announced three new tournaments, the MFS Women’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney, the Ladies European Masters at The Oxfordshire England and the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open at The Carrick on Loch Lomond.
“I would like to thank, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue, Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority and the owners of Killeen Castle for making this magnificent commitment to Ladies Golf.”
John O'Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, said: “I am delighted that Ireland will be hosting The Solheim Cup in 2011. Given the great success of the Ryder Cup in Ireland in September, I was pleased to join forces with Snowbury Ltd to put forward the best possible bid for the holding of The Solheim Cup in Ireland in 2011. The experience and expertise gained over the past eight years since signing the Ryder Cup agreement, ensures that Ireland is ideally placed to host an enhanced Solheim Cup. I look forward to the prospect of developing a long-term relationship with the Ladies European Tour to help invigorate and increase awareness of ladies’ golf in Ireland and further a field."
Brian Wallace, on behalf of Killeen Castle said: “The nomination to stage The Solheim Cup makes another bold statement about Ireland as the leading golf destination in Europe. We at Killeen Castle promise to make it an occasion to remember as the best Solheim Cup ever staged.
On behalf of myself and my partners, Joe O’Reilly, Liam Maye and John Fitzsimons, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, the Irish Government, the officials at the Ladies European tour, to Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority and to all local representatives, led by Mr. Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, for all their proactive work and support in bringing this most prestigious event to Ireland and Killeen Castle”.
Jack Nicklaus, course designer at Killeen Castle, said: “As the course designer, I am proud to be part of what is happening at Killeen Castle. It is phenomenal, what with the Castle as a focal point. You have wonderful facilities to stage The Solheim Cup or the Ryder Cup in the future. It is a very strong course and will be nicely matured for 2011. I congratulate the Ladies European Tour and The Solheim Cup organisers for picking Killeen Castle.”
John A. Solheim, Chairman and CEO of PING said: “After visiting the site and seeing the development and viewing some of the golf course, I am excited about this venue. I know it will be very challenging for the ladies as well as exciting and enjoyable for the people watching. Picking a golf course that is still under construction is not something we would normally consider, however Killeen Castle is going to be something very special. Also, we are thrilled to be coming to Ireland for The 2011 Solheim Cup having witnessed first hand how well the Irish hosted this year's Ryder Cup event. It is also fitting that The Solheim Cup is coming to Ireland as the Trophy was originally created in 1990 by Waterford Crystal and has been associated with the matches ever since. The Solheim Cup is indeed ‘coming home.”

R&A Press Release
THE R&A WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING GOES LIVE
The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) will go live on the internet http://www.randa.org/wagr in January 2007 following an 18 month trial during which it has been welcomed by governing bodies and tournament organisers throughout the world.
The R&A first proposed the WAGR as a means of clarifying entry into its championships but the trial introduction has gone further, with the criteria now seen as a valid indicator of player rankings throughout the elite amateur game.
“We are pleased with the way the Ranking has developed during this trial period” said Mike Tate, Director of The R&A.
“In particular, the level of international support for its adoption has convinced us that it will be seen throughout the golfing nations as an increasingly useful tool and as a way of comparing one elite amateur player against another”.
“Until now this has been a difficult task given that many play on different continents and with different handicap systems.”
“Early indications suggest that the Ranking will be embraced by a significant number of the major golfing nations and we are hopeful that others will realise the benefits that can accrue through its use.”
Notes:
1. The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) will be issued weekly on completion of the previous week’s Counting Events and will rank amateur golfers on the basis of performance in these events.
2. The calendar of Counting Events currently comprises 280 amateur events worldwide – Africa (17), Asia/Pacific (40), Continental Europe (33), GB&I (50), Latin America including the Caribbean (15), and North America (125). Other events will be accepted if nominated by an affiliated Union/Federation where no counting event presently exists.
3. The list of Counting Events includes the four Major Championships and official events from the six professional tours that make up the International Federation of PGA Tours, together with the Canadian, Challenge, Korean, Nationwide, Scandic League, Telia, the Tour de Las Americas and any other tour recognised by the WAGR Committee. For a professional event to be considered a Counting Event, it must have a WAGR Player in its starting field.
4. In all Counting Events, stroke play scores and match play results are deemed Counting Rounds that are taken into account and WAGR points awarded. To reflect current form, points are accumulated over a rolling period of 52 weeks. Each player is ranked according to his average pointage that is determined by dividing the total number of points by the number of Counting Rounds played over that period of 52 weeks. There is a minimum divisor of 32 Counting Rounds over the 52 week period.
5. To become an R&A WAGRanked Player, a golfer must reach the latter stage of a match play Counting Event or finish within those places awarded points in a strokeplay Counting Event.

Wednesday 13th December 2006

Miss McNeil's Funeral
Greenock Crematorium was filled today with over 200 friends of Miss Kathleen W. McNeil MBE who died on Saturday. Miss McNeil had no close family and was 90 years of age, and yet the congregation filled the Crematorium - a demonstration of the strong affection we had for a lady who led a very busy and active life in golf.
The Rev. Alan Ward from Ardgowan Parish Church conducted the service and paid the following tribute.

Carol Fell has put some recent photographs of Kathleen up on the Renfrewshire website.
[Many thanks to Carol for forwarding the Tribute and links to the photographs]

Press Release
Golf: European Tour’s Dean Robertson inspires young golfers at Erskine Golf Club
Dean Robertson, the reigning Scottish PGA champion and Italian Open winner in 1999, took time out of his schedule this weekend to encourage a new generation of local golfers.
On Saturday, the Paisley 36 year old gave a clinic to a group of children who are being coached by Erskine Golf Club volunteer coaches, through the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf.
Encouragement from the European Tour player comes at a perfect time for the youngsters. Whilst other golfers in Scotland have hung up their clubs for the winter, the children are mid-way through a coaching course organised by the Club.
“This group of children had an Easter starter session, then a summer school, and now we are giving them a six week winter slot,” said Erskine Golf Club’s Junior Development Co-ordinator, Janette McCartney.
“We wanted to keep their enthusiasm going so we are very grateful that Dean could spare time this weekend. The children loved the experience and we hope that the word will spread and we will attract more juniors next year.”
Erskine has always had a strong junior section and a welcoming approach to its young players. Janette, together with fellow club members, has made an extra commitment to encourage local children to take up the sport by becoming the only club in Renfrewshire to offer clubgolf coaching.
Launched by Colin Montgomerie and First Minister, Jack McConnell in 2003, clubgolf aims to create the opportunity for every nine year old in Scotland to experience the game from 2009. Six Erskine GC members have since become qualified to coach the programme’s Level 1 course. This winter a further three will become trained to join them as volunteer coaches.
“We did have a big junior section before but we realised that they weren’t going to be around for ever unless we did something about it,” admits Janette
“After six of us became qualified to coach last year, we advertised in local papers, spread the word amongst our members, I approached the Active Schools Co-ordinator and got permission to send flyers around local schools.
“We attracted over 50 children, most of whom hadn’t played golf before. One of my main reasons for doing clubgolf was we had no girl players but now we have five as a result of this programme.”
In addition to creating this Christmas treat for the current children on the programme, the Club hopes that Dean Robertson’s clinic this weekend will generate further interest from other local children.
“The children on our programme have varying levels of ability but they are all enjoying it and improving,” said Janette. “Some of them are only just learning to hold the club whilst others are already at the stage where they are ready to move on to being coached by our local Pro, Peter Thomson, who can take them to the next stage.
“We start the coaching again at Easter time and now that we have a larger group of coaches, I’m hoping we will get a similar number of children from the local community signing up for the course.”
Dean Robertson said, “Erskine Golf Club is helping the development of golf in Scotland by giving these local children the opportunity to play golf at an early age in a fun environment.
“The volunteers are doing a fantastic job in teaching these children the fundamental skills. Golf programmes like this one will provide the required platform from which these kids can follow their dreams and aspire to one day play like their golfing heroes.”

Tuesday 12th December 2006

ACTIVE PEOPLE SURVEY PUTS GOLF AT THE HEART OF SPORT IN ENGLAND
England’s second most popular ball sport well-placed to help increase the health of the nation
England Golf has welcomed the findings of Sport England’s Active People survey which has confirmed that golf is the second most popular ball sport in England.
According to the survey’s results, almost a million and a half (1,457,347) people play golf each month, making it the seventh most popular sport and recreational activity in the country behind recreational walking, swimming, going to the gym, recreational cycling, football and running/jogging. This equates to 3.6% of the adult population of England playing golf at least once a month.
The sport is particularly well-placed to assist the government in achieving its goal of increasing public participation in sport because of its appeal across the community. Golf can do this primarily because it can be played by people of all ages and both genders.
Despite having just under 900,000 club members, golf also has room for growth. With a well developed and accessible network of places where people can learn and play the sport (over 400 ranges and 2,000 clubs in England alone), access to facilities is not as significant an issue for the sport as it is for others.
Golf also lends itself to both recreational and competitive sport and, perhaps most importantly in the context of the findings of the Active People survey, golf can attract and retain participants who might ordinarily retire when they stop playing other sports such as football, rugby union or netball. Ultimately, golf provides opportunities for all players to realise their potential.
Each of the partners of England Golf, the English Golf Union, the English Ladies Golf Association and the PGA plays a role in the delivery of golf development at every level in England, from junior and beginners’ coaching sessions, co-ordinated by the EGU/ELGA development teams and delivered by PGA Professionals, through to the national elite amateur squads, managed by the EGU and ELGA and coached by the PGA’s members. The Golf Foundation supports all of this activity with its range of community and schools-focused initiatives.
Bill Bryce, Chairman of England Golf said: “Naturally, we are delighted that Sport England’s Active People survey has confirmed what we in golf have believed for some time. The findings demonstrate that golf is a major contributor to the health of the nation and we are certain that it is also one that offers even greater leisure opportunities in the future for people in all walks of life.
“We will not be resting on our laurels, however. England Golf is charged with delivering the Whole Sport Plan for Golf which is funded by Sport England and designed to pursue a six point agenda in order to grow the game.
“This agenda aims to ensure that there are more people playing golf; more clubs achieving the GolfMark standard; more players joining clubs; that the sport attracts and develops more and better coaches; that the sport provides more support for volunteers; and that we deliver more opportunities for players to realise their potential.
“We are pleased that the Active People survey has underlined the central role that golf has to play in helping to increase active participation in sport in England and, with increased investment from government and other sources including the commercial world, we are confident that golf can significantly assist the government as it seeks to improve the health of the nation. This can only be of benefit to the health of golf, and its clubs in particular, because having more players playing makes the sport more sustainable, accessible and affordable for everyone who wants to participate. Quite simply, we are about growing the game for everyone”.

James Byrne gives a warning re US College Golf
Do your homework before you sign up for a United States college golf scholarship or run the risk of being bitterly disappointed!
That warning comes from Banchory’s GB&I boy international James Byrne as hardly a month seems to go by without yet another Scottish teenage golfing prospect commiting himself or herself to two or four years at an American college.
The “homework” James refers to has nothing to do with swotting up on maths, etc. What he means is that a boy or girl, on receiving a golf scholarship offer from America, should do their best to find out everything there is to know about the place he or she will be calling home for an extended period.
Before James committed himself to join Arizona State University on a four-year golf scholarship, starting next August, he spent four weeks in America, visiting the colleges who were top of his list.
“I am sure you have heard many stories of youngsters who have gone to college in America and returned home within weeks, even days. Choosing which university to attend is a huge decision in somebody’s career, especially if they are to be moving abroad,” says James.
LONG TIME AWAY
“Four years is a long time to be away from home and I really don’t see why guys and girls should let agencies do the work for them and leave their careers in somebody else’s hands.
“We (the Byrne family) started the process of selecting the best American university for me about 12 months ago, gathering together bundles of information on four or five universities which I fancied.
“Before I made the final decision, I knew exactly what each school could provide me with, whether in terms of golf or academics. I knew what the facilities were like at each college. I knew the distance from the campus and I built up strong relationships with the coaches and, more importantly, the players I might be sharing the next four years with.
“I know of players who signed up at junior colleges and realised only as they got off the plane in the States that it snowed six months of the year where they had committed themselves to for the next two years.
“I am good friends with Mark Barnard from Inchmarlo. He went off to a college in Chicago and returned two months later because:
1 The college had no golf coach.
2 The nearest practice range was a 30min drive away.
3 The weather from late autumn through to spring was abominable.
WASTE OF TIME, MONEY
“Had Mark put some effort into selecting a college, he would almost certainly be still in America and perhaps he would be a better player. Surely that goes down as an unfortunate waste of time, money, effort and talent.
“Having spoken to many of my fellow competitors, it is clear that very few of them have any real idea about how the American college system works. “The ones that do have an idea, probably don’t know how to go about applying. Hopefully, I can give a lot of the guys and girls a better knowledge of how things work but it is important for them all to do their own research into where they are going in America and to know precisely what the deal is in advance.”
James Byrne spent about four weeks in America this past October-November on four officials visits to Arizona State University, the University of California Berkeley, the University of Texas and Oklahoma University.
“All four are very strong schools from all points of view. It was a tough decision but the visits were very worthwhile. For any other junior players who are hoping to continue their education/golf careers in America, I would strongly advise making the trip over.
VERY IMPORTANT
“Touring around the campus and meeting up with the players was very important to me. Now I can be 100% confident that I have made the right choice.
“The practice facilities at Arizona State University are superb. They have an 18-hole Pete Dye-designed golf course right on campus and the players can walk straight from class to the course. There is a large practice range and an excellent short-game area also, so the players really are spoiled for choice.
“The weather in Arizona is excellent all the year round and this was a prime factor for me in choosing a college.
“The coach there, Randy Lein is a very experienced man and has coached the likes of Paul Casey, Alejandro Canizares and Jeff Quiney. Arizona State has a strong squad and a reputation for being an excellent place to play golf.
“I chose ASU ahead of the other three colleges, mainly because of the quality of the golf programme it has in place.
“The team has great ambition and is certainly capable of winning national championships every year. I wanted to make sure I went to a place with top quality players around me and Arizona State was the best fit.”
James singles out the Grampian Houston Junior Trip organisation, in particular Ian Ord, Bruce Davidson and John Connon, for their support – and also Scottish Golf Union coaches Ian Rae and Spencer Henderson for their backing.
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SGU
“It would have been easy for Ian and Spencer to persuade me to remain in Scotland to help the national teams for a few years but they were very supportive and encouraged me to find out as much information as I could before making any decision,” says James.
“Attending university in America is always something I have wanted to do and I very lucky now to have that opportunity. I know I will be in safe hands at Arizona State and I am very confident that my four years spent there will give me the best possible opportunity to pursue a career in golf”.

14 YEAR OLD KIRRIEMUIR BOY IS TOP JUNIOR GOLFER IN ANGUS
Kirriemuir Junior Boy golfers take top eight spots In the 2006 Angus Junior Order of Merit
(Grange Golf Club, Monifieth, Thursday 7th December) The Angus County Golf Associations annual dinner was dominated by the phenomenal success of Kirriemuir Junior Golfers.
14 year old Daniel Naismith from Kirriemuir received an award for winning the Angus County Junior Order of Merit and a voucher for £100. Daniel who has been playing golf for around four years was delighted with his achievement and says he wants to have a career in golf.
When the results were published the dominance of Kirriemuir Golf Club Junior Section was obvious for all to see. The top eight spots were all held by Kirriemuir players a feat that has never occurred in the past and one, which is unlikely to be repeated In the future.
Charlie Gowrie, President of the Angus County Golf Association said, "Daniel has done well, we became aware of him last year when he had a couple of good results. He has a bright future In golf, should he wish to pursue It, however, we have to take our hats off to Kirriemuir golf Club and their Junior Programme for helping Daniel and the other children who made up the top eight In our Junior Order of Merit.
The Juniors at Kirriemuir are all part of the Tgolf Coaching Programme Initiated by Kirriemuir PGA Professional, Karyn Dallas. The program has now been running for five years and at Kirriemuir has over 200 children participating.
The programme does not test children but allows them to develop at their own pace under the watchful eye of a PGA Professional. Coach Karyn Dallas says, "Many people are surprised that I don't test the children and believe we should not push them into competition. I believe we are all Instinctively competitive and like to see the child develop this Instinct in their own time". Few can argue with the results when so many children stay on the programme and when the top eight spots In the Angus Junior Order of Merit went to Kirriemuir.
For more Information please contact:
Graham Dallas Tel: 01575 573317 Email: graham@tgolf.info

Monday 11th December 2006

DON’T LOOK NOW, MICHELLE WIE, BUT SOUTH KOREAN GIRL (16) IS HEADING YOUR WAY
From Colin Farquharson
Ryu So-Yeon – remember where you heard the name first.
This 16-year-old high school girl from South Korea won the women’s golf title at the Asian Games, of which the golf programme was staged at Doha Golf Club, the traditional home of the Qatar Masters professional tournament.
The length of the course was “only” 5,751yd and the par was 73 but Ryu So-Yeon won the 72-hole event with the fantastic total of 29-under-par 263, made up of the following scores: 66, 66, 64 and 67.
She won by nine strokes from Mika Miyazato, who is Japan’s world junior champion.
Ryu, from the land which is flooding the American women’s professional circuits – the LPGA and the Futures Tour – with very good players, plans to turn professional in two years when she is 18.
“I will try hard to continue with my golf and want to play in Japan and the United States,” she said.
South Korea won all four gold golf medals in the Asian Games – the men’s and women’s individual and team titles.
Why are Korean girls – from the North and the South of this Far East peninsula – so good at golf at an early age?
Can we import some of their coaches to see if it makes a difference in the United Kingdom
[After reading a recent interview from Grace Park, I do think the Korean's work ethic is a major factor in their success. Gill]

KRYSTLE FLIES OUT TO RUN RULE OVER THREE US UNIVERSITIES
By Colin Farquharson
Scottish Under-21 girls’ golf champion Krystle Caithness from Cellar Dyke, Fife, is heading for the United States before making up her mind which college’s four-year golf scholarship offer she is going to accept.
Curtis Cup reserve Krystle, who will be 18 on January 21, is to visit the campuses of Texas A&M, Ohio State and Georgia universities.
All three have front-rank women’s squads on the American women’s college golf circuit.
“My dad and I are going to fly out to the States on January 6 and we will come back on January 12 after visiting Georgia, then Texas A&M and finally Ohio State,” said Krystle, a St Regulus member who rates beating an international field to win the St Rule Trophy over 54 holes over her home courses at St Andrews as her highlight of the 2006 season.
Former Walker Cup player and himself a past US college student, Lorne Kelley, whose ProDream company is helping Miss Caithness find the best college for her, said:
“Krystle is probably the most talented player we have had the pleasure in dealing with during 2006. Now that her final decision approaches, I must admit it is exciting. She has had fantastic choices to make in the past six months but she has singled out these three colleges.
“All three universities have quality NCAA DI programmes and are all eager to land Krystle.”
Last week Miss Caithness was named in the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad for winter training in preparation for next summer’s Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe and also the Commonwealth team tournament in South Africa.
She was second reserve for the GB&I team of eight for the past summer’s Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon.
And Krystle’s wish for the New Year: “I would like to be more consistent in 2007.”
+There are already nine Scottish girls at colleges in America – Gemma Webster (Ohio State), Michele Thomson & Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State, Alabama), Ashton Ingram (Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina), Katy McNicoll (Lynn University, Florida), Kelly Brotherton (Tennessee-Chattanooga), Kate O’Sullivan (High Point, North Carolina) and Carly Booth and Sally Watson, both students at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida. Scottish girls champion Roseanne Niven from Crieff is enrolling at the University of California Berkeley in January on a four-year golf scholarship and Sally Watson’s older sister Rebecca will start at the University of Tennessee next August.

University of Stirling's squad in Florida this spring
when they played in several Orange Blossom Tour events.
L to R: Dawn Dewar, Emma Tipping, Alex Marshall, Olivia Briggs

Univeristy of Stirling announce plans
The University of Stirling is to support 6 women students with their travels to Florida to compete in the following events:
Dixie Amateur Championship, Palm Aire Country Club, 2 – 5 January 2007
The Sally Amateur Championship, Oceanside Country Club, 10 – 13 January 2007
The Doherty Amateur Championship, Coral Ridge Country Club, 15 – 21 January 2007.
The following players will be travelling:
Clare-Marie Carlton, 3rd year Sports Studies student (Scottish girls’ internationalist
Dawn Dewar, 4th year Marketing student (Scottish girls’ internationalist
Emma Tipping, 3rd year Business Studies student (English girls’ internationalist
Rachael Cassidy, 1st year Psychology student (Irish girls’ internationalist
Catherine Baines, 2nd year Marketing student (England
Courtnay Montgomery, 1st year Law student (USA)
The trip is supported by the International Sports Scholarships Programme that provides performance development services including coaching and sports science support, as well as competitive funding, to allow young players to combine their academic studies and their golf.
The University of Stirling hopes to emulate the successes of last year’s trip where Olivia Briggs and Alex Marshall, now graduated, reached the finals of Doherty Championship events. Dawn Dewar partnered Olivia to a semi-final appearance in the Women’s International Fourball event as well.

University of Stirling Mens' team with the trophies they won last season

Meanwhile, the University of Stirling men’s golf team will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa in late January for an 11-day tour that includes a ‘Ryder Cup’ style match against Tshwane University over 3 Championship courses. The trip also includes a visit to Sun City, home of the Million Dollar Classic. 12 players and 2 coaches make the journey, providing a fantastic opportunity to practice, play and compete in warm weather conditions. US Amateur Champion, Richie Ramsay has decided not to travel, choosing instead to spend some time in Atlanta, USA, in preparation for the Jones Cup and the US Masters in April.

CARLY JOINT SIXTH IN FLORIDA
Carly Booth finished joint sixth on Sunday in a field of 15 for the Mystic Dunes Open 36-hole girls' tournament in Florida, part of the Future Collegians Tour. The 14-year-old from Comrie, a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, played quite well in her first round of 76 but she had a triple-bogey 7 at the 12th in her second and bogeyed every hole after that for 45 home and an 84 for a total of 160.
That was the same total as Zahra Shah from London. She had scoresof 82 and 78.
Winner was Victoria Kiser from Orlando with 73 and 66 for 139, winning by eight shots from Sherlyn Popelka from Zurich. The Swiss girl had rounds of 72 and 75.
Carly's co-student at the Leadbetter Academy, 15-year-old Sally Watson from South Queensferry, did not play in the event, saving herself for the Doral Publix Junior Championship in Miami the week before Christmas, when her older sister Rebecca will also be in the field.
The week after Christmas will see Sally playing in the Junior Orange Bowl in Miami before going on to the Harder Hall Women's Invitational, the start of the Orange Blossom Tour, at Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring in Florida.
Sally Watson and Carly Booth were last week named in the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad for winter training in preparation for GB&I's women's match against the Continent of Europe for the Vagliano Trophy at Fairmont St Andrews Bay and the Commonwealth Trophy team tournament in South Africa.
The Scots girls are two of the youngest ever selected for an LGU Elite Squad.

Sunday 10th December 2006

US College Golf
ARIZONA STATE HEAD COACH RANDY LEIN SAYS BYRNE AND KENNEGARD ARE TWO OF HIS BEST EVER SIGNINGS
Arizona State University head golf coach Randy Lein, pictured right with James Byrne, considers his five recent signings to be as good as it gets in the recruitment of top talent.
Coach Lein has added the names of Jesper Kennegard (Stockholm) and Jed Dirksen (Hampton, Iowa) to add to his three earlier "captures" - James Byrne from Banchory, Scott Pinckney (Anthem, Arizona) and Cameron Edens (Phoenix, Arizona).
"In my 26 years of coaching this is certainly our best recruiting class ever," says Randy, who is in his 15th year as ASU head coach and has been seven times Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
FORMIDABLE FIVE-MAN LINE-UP
"These five guys could make up a formidable five-man line-up on their own. Coach (Mickey) Yokoi and I are extremely pleased with this year's signees."
Kennegard is the 2006 recipient of the Sorenstram Award for Sweden's Junior Player of the Year and a member of Sweden's team for the world boys team championship and the European boys team championship. He was also a member of the Continent of Europe team in the jacques Leglise Trophy match, in which James Byrne (and Lewis Kirton) played for Great Britain & Ireland.
"Jesper brings with him an abundance of international competition experience. He has had much success both as an individual and in representing Sweden in team competitions. He will be a tremendous asset to our Sun Devil team," said coach Lein.
Byrne and Kennegard will enrol at Arizona State University after next summer.

SALLY PLAYS ON ORANGE BLOSSOM TOUR
Sally Watson, the 15-year-old South Queensferry girl who has been named in the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad for winter training, has entered the Harder Hall Women’s Invitational stroke-play tournament.
The 72-hole event, hosted by Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring is the first of four tournaments that make up the Orange Blossom Tour in Florida every January.
Miss Watson is already in the United States as a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Also among the entries is Welsh senior women’s champion Vicki Thomas.

How do you pronounce Gwladys?
LET Pro Lynn Kenny from Dunblane has come up with the answer.... She says "Gwladys is pronounced the same as we say Gladys - no idea why she has a 'w' to make it look so awkward!" She continues "And 'Nocera' I have heard pronounced 2 ways - either "no-ch-era" or "no-s-era". Not sure which one is absolutely correct?!"
Lynn carries on to say that Gwladys Nocera definitely deserves the player of the year award.
"I played with her once last year at the English Open and she had a horrible day but she remained upbeat and positive towards myself and Maria Hjorth (who was on her way to victory) and this year she has always been one of the friendliest girls on Tour, always saying hello, happy to stop for a chat, a very pleasant person. Well done Gwladys!"

Saturday 9th December 2006

Death of Miss Kathleen McNeill MBE
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Miss Kathleen W. McNeill MBE. Miss McNeill died last night (11:30pm, Friday 8th December). She was 90. She had a stroke a month ago and never recovered.
A solicitor by profession, Miss McNeill was very involved with the adminstration of golf.
Kathleen was a past President (1987/88) and current Hon. Vice-President (since 1991) of the LGU.
She had also been Chairman (1965/67), President (1982/85) and was a current Hon. Vice-President of the SLGA.
Miss McNeill was also Honorary Life President of Renfrewshire.
Everyone in Scotland is going to miss her as she was still attending our events until very recently. We always looked forward to meeting up with her as she took such a great interest in the golf and golfers, and was such a friendly lady who put everyone at their ease. Our sympathies go to her family and her many friends all over the world.
The funeral arrangements are 12 noon Wednesday 13th December at Greenock Crematorium.
Further inforrmation can be found on the Renfrewshire website.
[Photo Courtesy of Carol Fell, Renfrewshire]

Friday 8th December 2006

LGU Press Release
LGU TRAINING SQUAD NAMED
Curtis Cup players Tara Delaney, Naomi Edwards, Breanne Loucks and Melissa Reid form the nucleus of the 15-strong squad selected by the Ladies’ Golf Union for close season training in preparation for 2007 team events - the Vagliano Trophy and Commonwealth Tournament.
Wrexham based Loucks, 19, was GB&I’s top scorer in the Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, winning all three of her matches, a performance that helped her win ‘Wales Young Sports Personality of The Year’. Ms Edwards meanwhile, reached the semi-finals of the Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Royal County Down and won the Welsh Stroke Play and fellow Curtis Cup team member Reid lifted the Helen Holm Trophy at Royal Troon.
Former English Champion Kerry Smith, winner of the 2006 ELGA Order of Merit and a Curtis Cup player in 2002, represents the more experienced players while Carly Booth of Scotland, still only aged 14, is one of the youngest players ever to be selected for a GB&I training squad.
Gillian Kirkwood, Chairman of the LGU Selection Committee was enthusiastic over the squad’s potential. “We are delighted to give a number of young players the opportunity of being part of the LGU training programme and believe that the mix of youth and experience will ensure that strong teams are selected for the two matches in 2007.”
“This year, a number of potential team members have turned professional, so the squad contains quite a few ‘new faces’. However, while the two teams will mostly consist of players named today, the way is still open for players outside the squad to ‘play their way in’.”
2006/2007 LGU TRAINING SQUAD
Rachel Bell, Ganton
Elizabeth Bennett, Brokenhurst Manor
Krystle Caithness, St Regulus
Tara Davies, Holyhead
Naomi Edwards, Ganton
Sahra Hassan, Vale of Glamorgan
Breanne Loucks, Wrexham
Florentyna Parker, Gut Waldhof
Melissa Reid, Chevin
Kerry Smith, Waterlooville
Kylie Walker, Buchanan Castle
PLAYERS IN US
Carly Booth, Comrie
Tara Delaney, Carlow
Danielle McVeigh, Royal County Down Ladies’
Sally Watson, Elie & Earlsferry Ladies’
CAPTAINS
Mary McKenna, Vagliano Trophy 2007 & Curtis Cup 2008
Sue Turner, Commonwealth Trophy
TRAINING PROGRAMME
14 - 17 December 2006 Winter Warm Weather Training 1
Desert Springs, Spain
25 – 28 January 2007 Winter Warm Weather Training 2
Desert Springs, Spain
22 – 25 February 2007 Winter Warm Weather Training 3
Desert Springs, Spain
15 – 18 March 2007 Spring Matches
Royal Liverpool & TBC
28 June – 1 July - TBC Vagliano Team Practice
Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland
(formerly St Andrews Bay)

R&A Press Release
WALKER CUP SQUAD ANNOUNCED
A squad of 22 players has been selected to prepare for the Walker Cup match to be played at Royal County Down, Newcastle on 8 and 9 September 2007.
Former Walker Cup players Lloyd Saltman, Richie Ramsay (US Amateur Champion), Gary Wolstenholme, Rhys Davies and Nigel Edwards (South African Amateur Champion), plus 2006 St Andrews Trophy players Rory McIlroy (European Individual Amateur Champion) and Jamie Moul, head an exciting squad with an excellent blend of youth and experience.
Captain Colin Dalgleish explained that exclusion from the squad did not mean that players could not eventually force their way into the side next year, “We are very conscious that young players improve so quickly that it is very possible, indeed likely, that one or two players in the team could come from outside this squad. However, we want to familiarize our best players with the course and consequently we are planning a trip to Royal County Down in April. We also want to let the squad know that every one of them is in a strong position to force his way into the team”.
Retiring Chairman of Selectors, Peter McEvoy agreed, “It is nice to see five Walker Cup players in the squad, together with six St Andrews Trophy players. If they can play well in the lead up to the match and are joined by some of the existing young talent which abounds, we should have another very strong 10-player team.”
THE SQUAD
Gary Boyd, Cherwell Edge
Jonathan Caldwell, Clandeboye
Glenn Campbell, Blairgowrie
Rhys Davies, Royal Porthcawl
Nigel Edwards, Whitchurch
Zac Gould, Vale of Glamorgan
Scott Henry, Cardross
David Horsey, Styal
Stephen Lewton, Woburn
Llewellyn Matthews, Southerndown
Kevin McAlpine, Alyth
Rory McIlroy, Holywood
Kier McNicoll, Carnoustie
Jamie Moul, Stoke by Nayland
Paul O’Hara, Colville Park
Ben Parker, Royal Birkdale
Richie Ramsay, Royal Aberdeen
Lloyd Saltman, Craigielaw
Gareth Shaw, Lurgan
Simon Ward, Co Louth
Paul Waring, Bromborough
Gary Wolstenholme, Killworth Springs
CAPTAIN
Colin Dalgleish, Helensburgh

GWLADYS IS TOP OF POPS WITH LET PLAYERS
Gwladys Nocera today gained a measure of consolation for failing to win an LPGA player's card last week. She has been voted as the Players’ Player of the Year by her fellow Ladies European Tour professionals after a superb 2006 season.
It was a year of phenomenal consistency for Gwladys, who snared her maiden victory at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open in May.
She then won her second title in four weeks at the BMW Ladies Italian Open in June and she earned her third tournament victory inside ten weeks at the Catalonia Ladies Masters.
In total, she posted 12 top 10 finishes and three further top 20 places from 17 events played in 2006 and finished second on the New Star Money List with Euros 415,020.50 in earnings – her best year by far in four years as a professional.
++If anyone knows the correct pronunciation of Mademoiselle Nocera's first name, please send an E-mail to the Editor of Scottishgolfview.com - colin@scottishgolfview.com

ELGA Press Release
Kent’s Sarah Miller is new ELGA chairman
Kent’s Sarah Miller is the new chairman of the English Ladies’ Golf Association and will lead the 127,000 members in an exciting and upbeat era.
ELGA is driving forward women’s golf with a three-year strategy which is designed to grow the game and Sarah said: “I am very honoured and thrilled to become chairman of ELGA at such an upbeat time.”
She took up her new role after the ELGA annual meeting on December 5 when the ELGA Order of Merit trophies and the Silver Tee award were also presented.
Sarah has a wealth of experience of all aspects of golf. She has been a top-class player who represented both England and Great Britain and Ireland and has since enjoyed a successful senior career. She has also captained national teams, most recently taking charge for England in this season’s women’s word team championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy. Previously she has captained the England girls’ and seniors’ teams and she led Kent to consecutive successes in the county golf championship.
As an administrator she spent four years as south-east training officer before being elected to the ELGA executive in 2004, where her roles have included chairing the English selection committee. She is currently president of the Kent ladies’ county golf association and chairman of her golf club, Langley Park.
The new ELGA vice-chairman is Ruth Whitehead from Cheshire, who joined the ELGA executive in 2005. She has chaired the rules and regulations committee and is the organiser of the Abraham Trophy competition for England’s most improved girl golfers. Ruth is a past Cheshire county player and has also been Cheshire vets’ champion. Her home club is Delamere Forest and she is also a member at Sandiway.
The ELGA Order of Merit was won by international Kerry Smith, pictured right, for the second time in three years.
“I am thrilled and honoured to win,” said Kerry, 34, from Waterlooville in Hampshire. She paid tribute to ELGA for giving her the “opportunity to travel and play golf in parts of the world I could only have dreamed of.”
Kerry’s 2006 successes included winning the silver medal at the European ladies’ championship in Germany when she shot a career-best 65 in the final round. Other highlights in her year included her 10th consecutive appearance in the Home International matches - which were won by England - and representing England in the Espirito Santo Trophy.
The ELGA girls’ Order of Merit was won by 17-year-old English champion, Kiran Matharu from Leeds. Kiran turned professional after playing in the Curtis Cup and has just won her player’s card for the Ladies European Tour. She was unable to attend the annual meeting because she was in India but Yorkshire county captain Ann McMullen accepted the trophy on her behalf and remarked: “Kiran has represented our county from the age of 12 and she will be greatly missed, but I am certain she will do well in her professional career.”
The Order of Merit is sponsored by One-Up-Golf, the UK’s premier ladies’ mail order golf clothing company, and it was announced at the meeting that this support is to continue next season, for the third consecutive year.
The Silver Tee Award was won by Olivia Briggs, pictured left, of Delamere Forest, Cheshire, in recognition of the way she has combined her education and her golf.
Olivia, 23, has recently graduated from Stirling University with a 2:1 degree in business studies. Alongside her academic work she also managed to reduce her handicap to scratch, to captain Stirling, to win the British Universities Sports Association’s order of merit, and to make her ninth consecutive appearance for Cheshire.
“I’m really proud to win this and it’s a lovely end to my university career,” said Olivia who now works for HSBC.

Tain golfer Sammy Vass selected for Highland Institute of Sport
(Picture of Sammy Vass in action, courtesy: Rob Eyton-Jones)
Tain 15 year old, Sammy Vass, who earned a Scotland cap for the first time this summer at under 16 level, is the newest athlete to be selected for the Highland Institute of Sport.
 Vass’s induction comes a year after Scotland’s Area Institute of Sport network began to embrace golf as a core sport.  John Fair (Fortrose), Christopher Gaittens (Fortrose) and Kelsey McDonald (Nairn) were the first Highland golfers selected for the Area Institute network, which supports around 400 athletes from 15 sports. 
 A feeder to the Scottish Institute of Sport, the Area Institute network helps provide athletes with access to quality training facilities and a fully integrated strength and conditioning programme.  Complementing the work of the athletes’ individual coaches, the Area Institute network provides access to sports science, sports medicine and performance lifestyle services.
 “I’ve been to a gym before and I do some swimming but this is the first time I will have had a strength and conditioning programme worked out for me,” said Sammy, who was nominated for the Highland Institute by the Scottish Ladies Golf Association.  “All the top players do this type of training, which will help make me more powerful, be able to hit further, as well as being fitter and more flexible.” 
 For Sammy, whose mother Magaret is a former Scotland junior player, “golf was a natural thing for me to do”.  As a nine year old Sammy was coached at Tain Golf Club with Mike Sangster.  For the past 18 months Martin Piggot, Head PGA Professional at Fairways in Inverness, has been her mentor, helping her reduce her handicap from 9 to 5 during this season.
 “Sammy is a good all round athlete and a very talented golfer who works extremely hard,” said Martin.  “Technically she has become a lot stronger, which means she will hit better shots far more often.  We are also working on course management, so that she can plot her way around the golf course and she already has the game to be able to apply this too.
 “With the strength and conditioning she will receive through the Highland Institute of Sport, she is only going to get stronger.  The top end players realise the importance of conditioning, nutrition and the need to balance exercise. Golf is a fairly one sided affair and it’s easy to pick up injuries when you are hitting the amount of balls these players do.
 “What the Highland Institute will be doing is making sure her fitness is symmetrical, which will prevent injuries and allow Sammy to hit golf balls for a longer time.”
 Said Highland Institute of Sport Manager, Chris Hildrey,  “The Golf programme within the Highland Institute of Sport has established itself very well and we are excited that, as another talented athlete from the Highlands, Sammy has been nominated for our support. 
 “Achieving the performance objectives for Sammy will be challenging but all the relevant service providers look forward to enhancing her training programme."

ANOTHER NE YOUNGSTER BOUND FOR UNITED STATES COLLEGE
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Another teenage North-east golfing prospect is bound for the United States on a golf scholarship.
Grant Carnie, junior champion of both McDonald Ellon and Newburgh golf clubs, flies out to North Carolina on January 8 to enrol at Brevard College, North Carolina.
Earlier this year, Carnie finished third in the Paul Lawrie Junior Match-play Challenge at St Andrews Bay, finished second in the North-east District Junior Order of Merit and won the Inverallochy junior open.
There are already two Scots on the Brevard College golfing roster – Myles Johnson from Bo’ness and Craig Galloway from West Lothian. They are both sophomore (second-year) students).
Grant Carnie can look forward to a spring trip to California with his new golfing mates and Brevard College’s schedule also includes trips to South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
Grant’s father Murray Carnie is a staff coach at the Grampian Institute of Sport and a good friend of Paul Lawrie. Carnie senior is one of the few sportsmen or women who can claim to have played for Scotland at two sports.
Murray Carnie was capped at Under-18 level in tennis and both Under-18 and Under-21 in hockey.
+Other North-east young golfers at college in America are Lewis Kirton (University of Louisville, Kentucky), Michele Thomson (Jacksonville State University, Alabama), Keith Spence (Jacksonville University, Florida), Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State University), Adam Lindsay (Iowa Wesleyan University), Webber Internatonal College, Florida (Andrew Hay), Chris Baron (Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina). James Byrne from Banchory will join Arizona State University next autumn.

Tuesday 5th December 2006

SPAIN’S EMMA VILLACIEROS NAMED IGF WOMEN’S CHAIRMAN
Far Hills, N.J., USA – Emma Villacieros of Spain has been named to succeed Vicky Whyte of Brazil as the Women’s Chairman of the International Golf Federation.
Villacieros’ nomination was ratified at the biennial meeting of the IGF at the World Amateur Team Championships in South Africa in October. The chairman serves a six-year term, long enough to assist in the administration of the championships conducted in each of the IGF’s three geographic zones.
A six-time past member of the Spanish team at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Villacieros was captain of her nation’s team which won the Espirito Santo Trophy in 1980. A five-time Spanish Amateur champion, she also brings a valuable playing background to the office; however, it is her commitment to administration that sets her resume apart. Villacieros has been president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation since 1988. During her tenure, she was the chairman of the 1997 Ryder Cup National Committee and has overseen large growth in golf participation and numbers of golf courses in Spain.
“It is a great honor to have been appointed as Women’s Chairman of the International Golf Federation,” Villacieros said. “I will do my best to promote the development of women’s golf. I think it is very important that women participate as much as they can in the game of golf and my aim is to increase the number of future players. I also extend my congratulations to the outgoing Chairman Vicky Whyte of Brazil for the work she has done and, of course, I will be open to receive all the suggestions from Women’s Committees from around the world.”
Villacieros has won three prestigious awards for meritorious service to the game – the Gold Medal of Merit in Sports awarded by the Consejo Superior de Deportes in 1998, the Royal Order of Isabel La Catolica awarded by the Spanish Royal Household in 1998, and the Christer Lindberg Bowl awarded by the PGA of Europe in 2001.
As Women’s Chairman, Villacieros will work closely with the joint secretaries of the IGF, Peter Dawson (The R&A) and David Fay (USGA), as well as the joint chairmen David Pepper (The R&A) and Walter Driver (USGA).

Bumper entry for naming competition
More than 4000 entries have been received from all over the world for the competition to name the seventh course at the Home of Golf.
The competition run by St Andrews Links Trust, which manages and maintains the Old Course and the other five courses on the Links, closed at the end of last week. The massive field of entries, which came from as far away as Australia, Argentina, Thailand, Canada and Iceland, will now be carefully sifted to select a shortlist of possible names.
The Board of Trustees will have the final say in deciding the name of the new course. A decision will be made and announced in January.
All those entries which have suggested the chosen name will be entered into a random draw and the winner will be invited to the VIP opening ceremony and given the opportunity to play one of the first rounds on the new course when it opens for play in 2008.
A vast array of imaginative and colourful names have been suggested through the competition including Dragon’s Lair, Ruggedoon, No 7 Cliffs of Heaven, Fairway to Heaven, the Rocks of Alba, The Pilgrimage, The Back and Beyond and the Mither’s (Scots for mother) Course.
Some suggestions have invoked golf legends such as Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who all have strong associations with St Andrews Links. Many people have also focused on the location of the course on cliffs with spectacular views overlooking St Andrews, the rocky outcrops on the shore and out to the North Sea. The suggested names have included Sea Winds, Kinkell Point, The Castle, The Cliffs, The Braes, The Maiden Rock and The Rock and Spindle.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “We will now face an extremely tough challenge in selecting the shortlist of possible names from the many wonderful suggestions we have received. This is an historic moment in the world of golf as it is the first time in 600 years of history that we have asked the public to help us find a name for a new course at St Andrews. It is very important that we select an appropriate name which stands the test of time and is worthy of St Andrews’ status as the cradle of the game. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to enter the competition and played their part in golf history.”
The seventh course is under construction on a 220 acre clifftop site to the south east of St Andrews centred on Kinkell Ness and near Brownhills Farm.

West of Scotland (Mens) Golf Association
[This story is currently running on our brother site www.scottishgolfview.com. I wonder if any kirkwoodgolf reader might be able to answer the questions it poses? - GGK ]
READERS' FORUM - TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Note from Editor: We welcome E-mails (send them to colin@scottishgolfview.com) from any of our readers/viewers on any golfing topic
From Garry Campbell:
A few years ago the (men’s) West of Scotland Golf Association disbanded. They ran competitions such as the West of Scotland Open (72 holes), the West of Scotland Team Trophy, the West of Scotland Closed Championship (36 holes) and the Evening Times Casket (Order of Merit).
Cawder Golf Club have rekindled the WOS championship.
Do you think there may be other clubs in the West who could do the same with the other competitions?
It’s sad that these championships should die. Should the Scottish Golf Union be taking over the role as organisers as, after all, they are the organisation running men’s amateur golf in Scotland?
It would be good to hear why it was that West of Scotland Golf Association folded and if anyone would be up for rekindling the association?
Editor: Do you know why the men's West of Scotland Golf Association folded? Do you think the other competitions mentioned by Garry should be revived - and by whom. Let me know.
NB. The Editor of Scottish Golf View is Colin Farquharson

Monday 4th December 2006

DATES CORRECTED FOR CYPRUS OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
In our recent list of Continental men's and women's open amateur championships, which we published for the benefit of those who want to have a competitive golfing holiday, Hugh Hunter has drawn our attention to the dates we listed for the Cyprus men's and women's open amateur championships.
This is when and where they are being played:
CYPRUS WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Secret Valley Golf Club, Paphos
April 17 and 18.
Two rounds of stroke-play.
Handicap limit 24.4
CYPRUS MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Also at Secret Valley Golf Club, Paphos
April 20 to 22.
Three rounds of stroke-play.
Handicap limit 12.4
CYPRUS SENIOR OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Tsada Golf Club.
October 5 to 7.
No other details available.
You can call up the Cyprus Golf Federation website for more details and entry forms at http://www.cgf.org.cy/

STEPHANIE LYING SECOND IN IJGT GIRLS' ORDER OF MERIT
Stephanie Meadow, pictured right, the Irish girls' champion from Antrim, is lying second in the International Junior Golf Tour girls' 15 to 19 years' order of merit.
Stephanie, a pupil at the International Junior Golf Academy at Hilton Head, South Carolina, has scored 6,050pt in IJGT events. The leader, Marisa Kamelgram from Mahopac, New York State, has 6,500pt to her credit.
Third-placed Jaclyn Hilea from Hawaii has 4,700pt.

FLORIDA IN JANUARY - IT'S APPLE BLOSSOM TOUR TIME!
If you want to have a golfing holiday in Florida next month, why not play on the Orange Blossom Women's Amateur Tour - if you have a low enough handicap.
The Stirling University women's team are going out again.
Some of the fields may be full up by now because this is a very popular mini-tour so contact the organisers listed below without delay if you are serious about giving it a go.
We will, of course, carry a daily scores service from each venue.
The 2007 APPLE BLOSSOM TOUR
January 4-7
Harder Hall Women's Invitational
Harder HAll CC, Sebring, Florida
Contact: Carol Semple Thompson (412) 741-0503 / cell: (412) 897-9097
E-mail: cstplaywell@comcast.net
Website: http://www.harderhallwomens.com
January 10-13
South Atlantic Amateur (Sally)
Oceanside CC, Ormond Beach, Florida
Contact: Mike Kulzer (386) 677-7200 / fax: (386) 672-1926
E-mail: mjkulz@aol.com
Website: http://www.occ1907.com
January 15-20
Doherty/Jones Challenge Cup
Coral Ridge CC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Contact: Michael Broad (954) 449-4420
E-mail: michael.broad@coralridgecc.com
Website: http://www.coralridgecc.com
January 22-26
61st Women's International Four-Ball
Orangebrook CC, Hollywood, Florida
Contact: Brian Gilchrist (954) 967-4653 ext. 8720 / fax: (954) 967-4652
E-mail: brgilchrist@aol.com
Website: http://www.orangebrook.com

REBECCA MISSES OUT AT LPGA Q SCHOOL AFTER FINISHING OFF WITH A 77
Ireland's Rebecca Coakley had her worst round of the week - a five-over-par 77 - in the decisive fifth and final round of the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida today.
Rebecca's earlier rounds were 71, 76, 72 and 76. She finished on 372, joint 73rd or last but one of the players who survived the fourth-round cut.
Only the leading 15 players, with totals of 359 or better gained full playing rights on next year's lucrative LPGA circuit. The next 41, with totals between 360 and 368, gained conditional status, which means they they might get into as little as two tournaments.
The top 15 celebrating in Florida tonight are headed by two South Koreans, one of whom played the tournament as an amateur but will obviously be turning professional very soon, if not already.
Hye Jung Choi collected the $6,000 first prize while 18-year-old amateur In-Kyung Kim, also from Seoul, was unable to accept anything.
Third-placed Maru Martinez (Venezuela) received the second cash prize of $5,000.
FIFTEEN WINNERS OF FULL PLAYING RIGHTS
347 (-13) Hye Jung Choi (SKo) 67 70 75 68 67, (am) In-Kyung Kim (SKo) 67 73 68 66 73.
350 Maru Martinez (Venezuela) 70 69 73 70 68.
353 Kimberley Hall (US) 70 69 73 72 69.
355 Clarissa Childs (US) 70 68 73 73 71, Angela Park (US) 70 67 71 74 73.
356 Carri Wood (US) 72 70 73 67 74, Katherine Hull (Aus) 71 70 72 69 74.
357 (am) Ji-Young Oh (SKo) 73 70 75 68 71.
358 Sarah Lynn Johnston (US) 72 73 72 71 70, Irene Cho (US) 68 72 72 73 73.
359 Aram Cho (Kor) 71 71 73 74 70, Erica Blasberg (US) 68 75 71 72 73, Ashley Hoagland (US) 70 69 71 75 74, Paige Mackenzie (US) 68 74 68 72 77.
Other final totals:
CONDITIONAL STATUS
361 Sophie Giquel (Fra) 73 74 74 70 69 (jt 18th).
365 Louise Stahle (Swe) 71 78 75 69 72 (jt 43rd).
NO CONDITIONAL STATUS
372 Rebecca Coakley (Ire) 71 76 72 76 77 (jt 73rd).

Sunday 3rd December 2006

VIKKI FAILS BY ONE STROKE AFTER FOURTH-ROUND 68 IN FLORIDA
Vikki Laing found the form that made her such a first-class amateur player when she shot a four-under-par 68 in the fourth round of the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday.
Incredibly, after her disappointing earlier scores of 78, 75 and 75, the 25-year-old from Musselburgh failed by only one tantalising shot - one more putt holed would have done it - from figuring among the 75 players with totals of 295 (seven over par) who qualified for the decisive fifth and final round.
At the end of that, only the top 15 will gain full playing rights on next year's LPGA Tour. For the next 35 after that, there is the debatable consolation prize of excempt status which, in effect, means they will get into only the tournaments that the majority of card-holders are prepared to miss.
On the same eight-over-par mark of 296 was England's Samantha Head who shot four consistent rounds of 74, 73, 75 and 75 but almost missed out by one stroke.
Kathryn Imrie from Dundee - the first Scot ever to win on the LPGA Tour - failed to make it with 74, 74, 74 and 75 for 297.
Successful Ladies European Tour player Gwladys Nocera from France never recovered from an opening round of 80. She subsequently scored 71, 77 and 71 for a total of 299.
Jo Clingan from Gloucester finished on 300 with 74, 77, 75 and 75.
Irish-Australian Rebecca Coakley will be in action on Sunday after a fourth-round 76 to make it through with nothing to spare on 295. But, she starts the last day in joint 70th place and somehow has to get herself up in the top 15 - a very tall order indeed.
Twice British women's open amateur champion Louise Stahle (Sweden) is on 293 after a very good fourth-round 69. She is sharing 50th place.
At the top of the leaderboard, we have two South Koreans. Eighteen-year-old amateur In-Kyung Kim from Seoul opened up a six-shot lead with a brilliant fourth-round 66 for 14-under-par 274.
Hye-Jung Choi, also from Seoul, had a 68 to be in second place on her own on 280.
LEADING FOURTH-ROUND TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
274 (am) In-Kyung Kim (SKo) 67 73 68 66.
280 Hye Jung Choi (SKo) 67 70 75 68.
282 Carrie Wood 72 70 73 67, Katherin Hull 71 70 72 69, Maru Martinez 70 69 73 70, Paige MacKenzie 68 74 68 72, Angela Park 70 67 71 74.
Other qualifiers:
293 Louise Stahle (Swe) 71 78 75 69 (jt 50th).
295 Rebecca Coakley (Ire) 71 76 72 76 (jt 70th).
NON-QUALIFIERS included
296 Vikki Laing (Sco) 78 75 75 68, Samantha Head (Eng) 74 73 74 75.
297 Kathryn Imrie (Sco) 74 74 75 75.
299 Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 80 71 77 71.
300 Jo Clingan (Eng) 74 77 74 75.

Saturday 2nd December 2006

KATHRYN HOPEFUL BUT PROSPECTS BLEAK FOR VIKKI AFTER ROUND 3
One more round to go at the LPGA Final Qualifying School before the first hurdle is cleared – a cut to the leading 70 and ties who will go forward to the final round at LPGA International, Daytona Beach in Florida.
If they maintain their third-round standings, then Ireland’s Rebecca Coakley (jt 42nd on three-over-par 219 with 71-76-72), England’s Samantha Head (jt 56th on five-over 221 with 74-73-74) and Scotland’s Kathryn Imrie (jt 67th on 222 with three rounds of 74) will make it through to the last day of action.
But Jo Clingan (Gloucester), Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) and Gwladys Nocera (France) look to be in dire straits. Jo is sharing 93rd place on nine-over 224 with scores of 74, 77 and 74.
Vikki and Gwladys are in joint 113th position on 228. Vikki has scored a very disappointing 78, 75 and 75; Gwladys 80-71-77.
Two 18-year-olds lead the field – South Korean In-Kyung Kim and Angela Park from Torrance California – on eight-under-par 208. It is a different ball game for them. They have their sights set on being one of the 16 leading players after 90 holes who will gain full playing rights on the LPGA Tour next year.
For the next 35 at the end of the tournament, exempt status is good but sometimes not good enough to gain entry into one or two events on the tour.
LEADING SCORES AFTER THREE ROUNDS
208 (am) In-Kyung Kim (SKo) 67 73 68, Angela Park (US) 70 67 71.
210 Paige Mackenzie (US) 68 74 68, Ashley Hoagland (US) 70 68 71.
211 Clarissa Childs (US) 70 68 73.
212 Irene Cho (US) 68 72 72, Mary Martinez (US) 70 69 73, Hy Jung Choi (SKo) 67 70 75.
213 Katherine Hull (Aus) 71 70 72.
214 Erica Blasberg (US) 68 75 71, (am) Adrienne Millican (US) 70 72 72.
Other scores:
219 Rebecca Coakley (Ire) 71 76 72 (jt 42nd).
221 Samantha Head (Eng) 74 73 74 (jt 56th).
222 Kathryn Imrie (Sco) 74 74 74 (jt 67th).
225 Jo Clingan (Eng) 74 77 74 (jt 93rd).
228 Vikki Laing (Sco) 78 75 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 80 71 77 (jt 113rd).

Friday 1st December 2006

CHANCE TO ADVERTISE ON THIS WEBSITE OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
We're trying something new on our two websites - www.scottishgolfview.com and www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk - over the Christmas and New Year period.
We will accept small advertisements which would run unchanged from December 18 to January 7. You can place your advertisement on one website or the other. If you want to place the same advertisement on both, there were be a reduction in the cost.
What kind of advertisement?
Well, it could be a golf club wishing all its members or potential visitors a Happy Christmas and New Year.
It could be a golf club pro, letting potential customers know that he is slashing 50 per cent off his prices (!) over the Festive period.
It could be a hotel, reminding people what they are offering over Christmas and New Year.
E-mail colin@scottishgolfview.com if you want to take advantage of the offer

LPGA FINAL Q SCHOOL SECOND ROUND
Kathryn Imrie from Dundee repeated her first-round 74 on the second day of the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida. That put the 39-year-old Scot in joint 70th place on the four-over-par 148 mark.
Only the top 70 and ties at the end of four rounds will contest the fifth and final round to decide which 15 players will gain full playing rights on the world's most lucrative women's professional tour next season.
Vikki Laing from Musselburgh improved from a 78 to a 75 but a tally of 153 for 36 holes still leaves her languishing in joint 120th position in a field of 38 players.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
137 Angela Park (US) 70 67, Hye Jung Cho (SKor) 67 70.
138 Clarissa Childs (US) 70 68.
Other scores:
147 Rebecca Coakley (Ire), Samantha Head (Eng) 74 73 (jt 58th).
148 Kathryn Imrie (Sco) 74 74 (jt 70th).
149 Louise Stahle (Swe) 71 78 (jt 78th).
151 Jo Clingan (Eng) 74 77, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 80 71 (jt 101st).
153 Vikki Laing (Sco) 78 75 (jt 120th).