February 2005 Archive

Monday 28th February 2005

US College Golf
DAY OF REST FOR PAMELA FEGGANS
Sunday's first-round play in the Lady Moc Classic at Lakeland, Florida had to be postponed because of rain. The organisers are still hoping to complete the 54-hole schedule with two rounds on Monday and the final round on Tuesday.
Florida Southern College student Pamela Feggans - winner of her last event on the college circuit - will be hoping to follow up that with another good performance.

Ladies European Tour
This site does not often publish news about Womens' Pro golf but I thought you might find this News Release from Martin Park, Media Director of the Ladies European Tour, an interesting read.

Portuguese Amateur
FRENCH DOUBLE TITLE WIN IN PORTUGUESE AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
French girl Anne-Sophie Le Nalio, who has played in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, scored her biggest international win on Sunday when she beat Carolina Catanha (Portugal) by 5 and 3 in the 36-hole final of the Portuguese women's amateur international championship at Estela Golf Club in the north of the country.
Miss Le Nalio qualified in 13th place of the 16 qualifiers while Miss Catanha was No 11.
Miss Catanha beat third seed Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) by 5 and 3 in the quarter-finals after the Scot had beaten the top-ranked Portuguese female player, Carla Cruz, earlier in the match-play stages.
The 36-hole men's final of the Portuguese international championships saw France complete a double with Francois Calmels beating Matthew Cryer from Coventry by 2 and 1.

LGU Press Release
THE PEUGEOT CORONATION FOURSOMES
The Peugeot Coronation Foursomes continues to grow in stature and over 35,000 players this year are expected to enter for the most popular of club foursomes competitions in England, Scotland and Wales.
At stake for handicap golfers throughout Great Britain is not only the glory of winning their own club’s qualifying competition, for that is only the start.
Winning teams go forward to one of eleven Area Finals and from there, the eleven successful teams will make the trip to St Andrews for the Grand Final over the testing Jubilee Course on Monday 19th September.
In addition to a guaranteed place in an Area Final for each winning club team, there will be a prize draw in each of England, Scotland and Wales with the three lucky clubs ‘out of the hat’ receiving a range of exclusive golf wear for their club ladies’ team, courtesy of Peugeot.
In 2004 it was the Delamere Forest pairing of Susan Dyke and Jackie Hesketh who triumphed at St Andrews but part of their prize has still to come – places in the pro-am preceding the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale in July.
"We are now entering the third year of Peugeot’s sponsorship of the Coronation Foursomes and are delighted at the response from our member clubs," said Andy Salmon, CEO of the Ladies’ Golf Union.
"Last year we had almost 1400 clubs taking part and with a little bit of a push from ourselves and with the marketing support of Peugeot, I am certain that we can increase that number.
Gareth Foden, Manager of Marketing Programmes for Peugeot, said " We are delighted to support what is the largest competition for lady golfers in the UK and hope that the added incentive of exclusive golf wear for club teams will encourage clubs to hold a qualifying round and provide an opportunity for their members to progress all the way to the Grand Final."
AREA FINALS 2005
ENGLAND – NORTH Thirsk & Northallerton 7 July, Houghwood 23 June
ENGLAND – MIDLANDS Harbourne 21 June, Wellingborough 20 June
ENGLAND – SOUTH Cowdray Park 22 June, Bude & North Cornwall 13 July
SCOTLAND – NORTH Whitemoss 20 June
SCOTLAND – EAST West Linton 14 June
SCOTLAND – WEST Kilmacolm 5 July
WALES – NORTH Rhuddlan 23 June
WALES – SOUTH Fairwood Park 28 June
GRAND FINAL Jubilee Course, St Andrews 19 September

PRESS RELEASE
Playgolf's 'Golf in an Hour' Concept Receives Prestigious Leisure Award
Playgolf Holdings Plc, the creators of the acclaimed 'golf in an hour' concept housed at Northwick Park, Middlesex, have been awarded the 'Most Innovative Entertainment Concept' at the prestigious Leopards awards.
The urban golf complex with it's signature six hole course, where the holes are inspired by the great holes of the world, has already received widespread praise from the golf media.  However, the winning of this leisure operator award has given the project mainstream credit.
"We are all very delighted here at Playgolf to get this broad leisure quality award.  It is one thing to get the praise of the golf industry but, it is unusual for golf in any form to receive recognition from the whole leisure industry" said David Piggins, Chief Executive Officer.
Playgolf are working hard on rolling out the 'golf in an hour' concept throughout the UK.  Working closely with the national governing bodies, projects are advancing in Scotland, Wales and some of the major cities in England, where centres will be added to those already in place in Manchester, London - North and London - West (Northwick Park). See www.playgolfworld.com

Sunday 27th February 2005

Portuguese Mens Amateur
PAUL O'HARA LOSES IN PORTUGAL SEMI-FINALS
Paul O'Hara, kid brother of tour player Steven O'Hara, lost in the semi-finals of the Portuguese men's amateur international golf championship at Estela Golf Club in the north of the country yesterday (SATURDAY).
O'Hara, a member at Colville Park Golf Club, Motherwell, beat Englishman Kevin Harper in the morning semi-finals by 3 and 2. But then lost by 2 and 1 to another Sassenach, Matthew Cryer, by 2 and 1.
Cryer will play Frenchman Francois Calmels in today's (SUNDAY) 36-hole final.
Collated results
PORTUGUESE MEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Estela Golf Club
Quarter-finals - M Cryer (Eng) bt T Cruz (Por) 2 and 1, P O'Hara (Sco) bt K Harper (Eng) 3 and 2, J Granberg (Fin) bt R Santos (Por) 6 and 5, F Calmels (Fra) bt E Molinari (Ita) 1 hole.
Semi-finals - Cryer bt O'Hara 2 and 1, Calmels bt Granberg 1 hole.

PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S FINALISTS
Sunday's 36-hole final of the Portuguese women's amateur international championship will feature Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (France) against Carolina Catanha (Portugal) at Estela Golf Club.
Carolina, conqueror of Jenna Wilson from Strathaven in the quarter-finals, beat Tamara Luccioli (Belgium) by 2 holes in Saturday's semi-finals.
Anne-Sophie Le Nalio beat compatriot Julie Berton by 2 and 1.
Results:
SEMI-FINALS
Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (France) bt Julie Berton (France) 2 and 1.
Caroloina Catanha (Portugal) bt Tamara Luccioli (Belgium) 2 holes.

Spanish Seniors
SCOTLAND TIE WITH SWEDEN BUT TAKE SECOND PLACE IN NATIONS CUP
Scotland tied with Sweden, but lost out on the third score tie-breaker, in the Nations Cup, held at the same time as the Spanish Seniors Individual Championship.

US College Golf
THREE SCOTS GIRLS PLAY AT RIO VERDE, ARIZONA
Three Scots - Laura Walker, Fiona Gilbert and Emily Ogilvy - are in the Arkansas-Little Rock team for the East-West Rio Verde Invitational women's college tournament at the White Wing golf course at Rio Verde, Arizona from March 3 to 5.
A total of 18 women's college teams are in the line-up for the three-day event.
Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar) is a former Scottish girls' match-play champion. Fiona Gilbert from Carnoustie lost in the final of the Scottish girls' championship to Louise Kenney.
Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) transferred to Arkansas-Little Rock from Sam Houston State earlier in the season.

Saturday 26th February 2005

Spanish Seniors
SCOT NOREEN FENTON  RUNNER-UP IN SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Scotland's Noreen Fenton, pictured right, a member of Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club, produced her best-ever overseas performance to finish runner-up in the Spanish senior women's amateur international golf championship at Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz (on Friday).
Mrs Fenton had rounds of 75 and 77 for a total of 152 - two shots behind the title winner, Cecilia Mourgue d'Algue from France who scored 72 and 78.
Vicky Pertierra (Spain) and Francoise Colmant (Italy) matched pharmacist Noreen's aggregate but the Scot gained the second prize with the better inward half - a 77 to Vicky's 78 and Francoise's 80.
Scotland had a second player in the top seven - Pamela Williamson of the Baberton club. Mrs Williamson had a 76 and 79 for 155.
collated scoreboard
SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz
Leading final totals
150 C Mourgue d'Algue (Fra) 72 78.
152 N Fenton (Sco) 75 77, Vicky Pertierra (Spa) 74 78, F Colmant (Ita) 72 80.
153 D Williams (Can) 78 75.
155 C Birke (Swe) 77 78, P Williamson (Sco) 76 79.
156 E Ansgarius (Swe) 81 75, M-B Heden (Swe) 80 76, B Ramirez (Spa) 80 76, M McKenna (Ire) 75 81.
157 H Smyth (Eng) 82 75.
Other scores:
160 V Hasset (Ire) 80 86, S Westall (Eng) 77 83.
161 V Saunders (Eng) 80 81.
162 J Gardner (Sco) 83 79.
163 B Woodham (Eng) 79 84.
164 E Hanlon (Sco) 81 83.
167 H Faulds (Sco) 79 88.
168 A Telfer (Sco) 85 83, S Timberlake (Eng) 80 88.
170 J Mack (Sco) 85 85.
176 M Bryson (Ire) 86 90.
178 M Charleton (Ire) 90 88.
186 A Glynn (Ire) 99 87.
187 F Roger (Sco) 93 94.

Portuguese Amateur
JENNA BEATEN IN QUARTER-FINALS OF PORTUGUESE CHAMPIONSHIP
Strathaven's Jenna Wilson knocked out the top-ranked Portuguese player in the first round of the match-play stages in the Portuguese women's amateur international championship at Estela Golf Club on Friday - and then lost to another player from Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Jenna was the only Scot taking part in the match-play after the organisers decided that because there were only 33 entries, there would be only 16 qualifiers instead of the traditional 32.
That meant that British women's stroke-play champion Clare Queen from Drumpellier, who had the 17th best two-round total, missed out along with other Scots Gemma Webster, Kylie Walker and Lesley Hendry.
Jenna, the No 3 seed, beat Carla Cruz by 4 and 2 in the first round but Portuguese honour was upheld when Carolina Catanha beat the former Scottish Under-21 champion by 5 and 3 in the quarter-finals.
Leading qualifier Stenna Westerlund (Finland) and the No 2 seed Elodie Wanet (Belgium) did not make it through to Saturday morning's semi-finals.
COLLATED RESULTS
PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Estela Golf Club
Match-play results
First round
S Westerlund (Fin) bt L Vieira (Por) 6 and 4, J Berton (Fra) bt F Rocard (Fra) 1 hole, B Toumpsin (Bel) bt L Willems (Bel) 2 holes, A-S Le Nalio (Fra) bt S Harkonen (Fin) 2 and 1, J Wilson (Sco) bt C Cruz (Por) 4 and 2, C Catanho (Por) bt E Geury (Bel) 1 hole, J Barbier (Bel) bt J C Silva Pinto (Por) 4 and 2, T Luccioli (Bel) bt E Wanet (Bel) 1 hole.
Quarter-finals
Berton bt Westerlund 2 and 1, Le Nalio bt Toumpsin 7 and 5, Catanho bt Wioson 5 and 3, Luccioli bt Silva Pinto 2 holes.

Friday 25th February 2005

SLGA Chairman Emma Wilson, flanked by Paull and Williamson partners, Elaine Farquharson-Black and Bruce Smith

SCOTTISH LADY AND GIRL GOLFERS TO COMPETE FOR PLACES ON PAULL & WILLIAMSONS RANKINGS
Paull & Williamsons, a leading commercial legal firm with offices in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, is to sponsor a new Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association player rankings scheme.
The Paull & Williamsons’ Rankings 2005 will be calculated on the stroke average, in relation to CSS (Competition Scratch Score), in a series of tournaments designated by the SLGA.
Only competitions based in Scotland will count towards the rankings.
Mrs Emma Wilson, the SLGA chairman, said:
“The SLGA is very excited that Paull & Williamsons will be sponsoring our new ranking system for ladies and girls in 2005. The systems will measure the players’ stroke average against the competition scratch score to find the best players over the golfing season.”
Bruce Smith, senior partner of Paull & Williamsons, said:
“Paull & Williamsons has acted as legal advisers for the SLGA for a number of years now and has built up a strong relationship with ladies’ golf in that time. The firm was delighted to be given the opportunity to help promote ladies’ golf in Scotland, which deserves a much higher profile.”
The firm contains many keen golfers, none more so than partner, Elaine Farquharson-Black who will skipper the Scotland squad in the European Team Championship at Karlstad, Sweden in July.
“Paull & Williamsons hopes that the widening of the qualifying events and regular publication of the updated player rankings as the 2005 season progresses will stimulate greater interest and bigger entries in the designated tournaments from golfers across the country. We are particularly pleased that the Paull & Williamsons Rankings will extend to girls’ golf for the first time,” said Elaine.
The counting events for ladies in 2005 are:
- Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke-play (Troon Portland & Royal Troon).
- Scottish Ladies (Close) Amateur Championship (Cruden Bay).
- St Rule Trophy (St Andrews).
- County championship qualifying rounds.
- Munross Trophy (Montrose Links).
- Mackie Bowl (Gullane).
- Riccarton Rosebowl (Hamilton).
- Mary McCallay Trophy (Dumfries & Galloway).
- Ness Open (Inverness).
- Divisional championships (North of Scotland championship, etc).
Only the players’ best 10 individual scores in relation to CSS from an approximate 20 or 22 rounds will count towards the Paull & Williamsons’ Rankings 2005. To qualify for an end-of-year ranking, a player will have to play a minimum of 10 rounds.
Along with the ladies’ rankings, a Girls’ Golf Ranking system will run in parallel.
The qualifying event for the girls are:
- SLGA St Leonards under 16 open stroke-play championship (St Andrews).
- Scottish schoolgirls championship (St Andrews Bay).
- Scottish girls & boys Under-14 championship (Craigielaw).
- BP Scottish Junior Ladies stroke-play championship (West Kilbride).
- Janice Moodie Trophy (Windyhill).
- BP Scottish girls’ (close) championship (Tain).
- St Andrews junior ladies’ tournament.
- County junior stroke-play events.
Girls’ rankings will be calculated from their nine best scores in relation to CSS from the possible 14 designated rounds. A minimum of seven scores must come from girls’ events, with two from ladies’ events being accepted. If a girl has played in more than seven rounds in girls’ events, those would take precedence.

EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE
The 3rd PING Junior Solheim Cup 2005 will take place at the Bridgewater Club, Carmel, Indiana, USA on 7-8 September 2005.
The event is played prior to The Solheim Cup which takes place at Crocked Stick in Indiana on September 9-11, 2005. Further information on event, team selection etc (Word Doc)

PORTUGUESE AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) was the leading Scottish qualifier in the Portuguese Womens' amateur international championships at Estela Golf Club in the north of the country today (Friday). Jenna had the day's best second round - a 72 - and her aggregate of 151 took her through as No 3 seed.
Clare Queen (Drumpellier) qualified in 17th place with 77 and 82 for 159.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) progressed in 24th spot with 85 and 81 for 166.
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) and Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) both qualified on 168. Gemma had 85 and 83 for 26th place. Lesley had a pair of 84s for 27th place.
A total of six Scots will be taking part in the first match-play round of the Portuguese Mens' Championship played at the same venue.
Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) made it through in 21st place among the 32 men's qualifiers with a couple of shots to spare after rounds of 77 and 72 for five-over-par 149.
Robert Taylor (Cardross) was eliminated in 39th place with scores of 76 and 75 for 151.
PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Estela Golf Club
Leading qualifiers
149 Stenna Westerlund (Fin) 73 76.
150 Elodie Wanet (Bel) 76 74.
151 Jenna Wilson (Sco) 79 72, Sohvi Harkonen (Fin) 75 76.
Other match-play qualifiers included:
159 Clare Queen (Sco) 77 82.
166 Kylie Walker (Sco) 85 81.
168 Gemma Webster (Sco) 85 83, Lesley Hendry (Sco) 84 84, Tara Davies (Wal) 84 84.
171 Katie Thompson (Eng) 89 82.
172 Natalee Evans (Wal) 86 86.
178 Melanie Peake (Wal) 92 86.
Men
138 Julien Guerrier (Fra) 68 70.
140 James Ruth (Eng) 67 73.
143 Ben Westgate (Wal) 73 70, Lee Corfield (Eng) 72 71.
144 Michael Lowe (Eng) 76 68.
Other match-play qualifiers included:
149 Paul O'Hara (Sco) 77 72.
Non-qualifier:
151 Robert Taylor (Sco) 76 75.

Spanish Seniors
NOREEN AND MARY HEAD GB&I CHALLENGE IN SPAIN
Scotland's Noreen Fenton and Irish golfing legend Mary McKenna led the Great Britain & Ireland challenge in the first round of the Spanish senior women's international championship at Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz yesterday (Thursday).
Merchants of Edinburgh member Noreen and Mary from Donabate shared fourth place on 75, three shots behind joint leaders Francois Colmont (Italy) and Cecilia Mourgue d'Algue (France) in a field of 104.
Pamela Williamson (Baberton) was joint seventh on 76 with England's Sue Westall tieing for 10th place on 77.
Collated scoreboard
SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz
Leading first round scores
72 Francois Colmont (Ita), Cecilia Mourgue d'Algue (Fra).
74 Vicky Pertierra (Spa).
75 Mary McKenna (Ire), Noreen Fenton (Sco), Anki Hermason (Swe).
76 Pamela Williamson (Sco), Gunilla Nordgren(Swe), Cristina Osborne (Spa).
77 Sue Westall (Eng), Karin Forsblad (Swe), Christina Birke (Swe).
78 Diane Williams (Can), Emma Villacieros (Spa), Laurance Neuhais (Fra), Maria Munoz (Spa0, Milagros Yanes (Spa).
79 Helen Faulds (Sco), Barbara Woodham (Eng).
Other scores:
80 Vivien Saunders (Eng), Sue Timberelake (Eng), Valerie Hassett (Ire).
81 Elspeth Hanlon (Sco).82 Hilary Smyth (Eng).
83 Janice Gardner (Sco).
85 Jennifer Mack (Sco), Anna Telfer (Sco).
87 Maureen Bryson (Ire).
90 Maureen Charleton (Ire).
93 Fiona Roger (Sco).
99 Anna Glynn (Ire).

FIRST ANNIVERSARY FOR BEST PRACTICE WEBSITE
Twelve months ago, The R&A Course Management Best Practice website, www.bestcourseforgolf.org, was launched to provide guidance on all aspects of course development and management. The site is a unique facility designed to support anyone planning to build a course or caring for an existing one and gives free access to extensive information and links to expert organisations around the world.
Clubs can register to access a secure area on the site which allows them to work through a series of relevant checklists, providing the ability to compare their own management procedures with The R&A’s view of best practice. In its first year, 970 clubs from 78 different countries have taken up this challenge by registering to the site and in this time, the site has seen over 23,000 unique visitors, with over 804,000 hits.
Clubs from as far apart as Singapore, Turkey, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Columbia, Argentina, Zambia and the U.S. have registered, with the geographical split being roughly 50/50 for GB&I and the rest of the world. After going through the disciplines on the site and completing the management procedures, each club will be awarded a certificate of best practice achievement.
Steve Isaac, Assistant Director – Golf Course Management, commented: "Our Golf Course Committee is delighted with the uptake to the site, and the favourable reaction it has had over its first year. Clearly, we want to see many more clubs registering and working the site, as this demonstrates the importance that golf places on best practice. This can only be good for the future development of the game in increasingly challenging times, both in terms of environmental stewardship and economic management."
The site is updated twice a year and its future development will concentrate on providing supportive evidence, based on actual golf course case studies, for sustainable course management.
For further information, log on to www.bestcourseforgolf.org

Thursday 24th February 2005

Portuguese Amateur
CLARE QUEEN LEADING SCOT IN PORTUGAL
British women's amateur stroke-play champion Clare Queen (Drumpellier), pictured below right, was lying joint eighth with a five-over-par 77 at the end of the first qualifying round of the Portuguese women's amateur international championship at Estela Golf Club in the north of the county.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) was tied for 12th on 79 - five shots better than Lesley Hendry (Routenburn).
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) were both on 85.
There is little danger of any of the Scots failing to figure among the 32 players who will go forward to the match-play stages at the end of the second round.
There are only 33 players in the field and Welsh girl Melanie Peake is three shots adrift in last place with a 92.
Stenna Westerlund (Finland) leads with a one-over 73.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Estela Golf Club
First qualifying round
Leading scores
73 Stenna Westerlund (Fin).
75 Sohvi Harkonen (Fin), Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra), Fanny Ricard (Fra).
76 Elodie Wanet (Bel), Benedicte Tampsin (Bel), Julie Berton (Fra).
77 Clare Queen (Sco), Lien Wileems (Bel), Carolina Catanho (Por).
Other scores:
79 Jenna Wilson (Sco).
84 Lesley Hendry (Sco), Tara Davies (Wal).
85 Kylie Walker (Sco), Gemma Webster (Sco).
86 Natalee Evans (Wal), Corisande Lee (Eng).
89 Katie Thompson (Eng).
In the Portuguese men's amateur international championship, being played on the same course as the women'' event, Robert Taylor (Cardross) and Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) shot 76 and 77 respectively in the first qualifying round.
James Ruth (England) led the field of 92 with a five-under-par 67.

Spanish Seniors
SCOTS TIE FOR SIXTH IN SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Anna Telfer (Milngavie) tied with fellow Scot Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and her Canadian partner, Diane Williams) for sixth place in the Spanish senior women's international doubles championship which ended at Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz yesterday (Wednesday).
Helen and Anna had rounds of 74 and 76 for 150. Pamela and Diane achieved that mark with scores of 72 and 78.
The title was won by the Swedish combination of Christina Birke, the 2003 British senior women's open champion, and Anki Hermanson. They totalled 144 with scores of 69 and 75.
The Swedes won by two shots from Ireland's Mary McKenna and Valerie Hassett who returned scores of 69 and 77.
Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) and Janice Gardner (Drumpellier) finished in a tie for 11th place with scores of 78 and 75 for 153.
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) and Fiona Roger (Ranfurly Castle) came joint 25th in a field of 36 couples with scores of 80 and 87 for 167.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL DOUBLES
Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz
Leading final totals
144 Christine Birke & Anki Hermanson (Swe) 69 75.
146 Mary McKenna & Valerie Hasset (Ire) 69 77.
147 Eva Ansgarius & Gunilla Nordgren (Swe) 70 77.
149 Sharon Rodriguez & Vikki Pertierra (Spa) 71 78, Laurance Marie Neuhaus & Catline Pequignot (Fra) 69 80.
150 Helen Faulds & Anna Telfer (Sco) 74 76, Pamela Williamson (Sco) & Diane Williams (Can) 72 78.
Other scores:
153 Noreen Fenton & Janice Gardner (Sco) 78 75.
164 Sue Westall & Susan Timberlake (Eng) 78 86.
167 Jennifer Mack & Fiona Roger (Sco) 80 87.
172 Mary Charleton & Maureen Bryson (Ire) 80 92.

ELGA Press Release
ONE UP GOLF TO SPONSOR ELGA ORDER OF MERIT TABLE
England’s Order of Merit is to be sponsored for the first time by One-Up-Golf, the UK’s premier ladies mail order golf clothing company.
The winners of the women’s and girls’ tables will both receive vouchers from One-Up-Golf as part of the three-year deal with the English Ladies’ Golf Association.
Sue Binnie, director of One-Up-Golf, said:  “We are delighted to be associated with the English Ladies’ Golf Association through our sponsorship.   ELGA is doing a wonderful job in encouraging more women to take up the sport and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership”.
ELGA’s Order of Merit is keenly contested and in the 2004 season it tracked the fortunes of 400 adults and 150 girls, ranging from county golfers to the country’s elite players.
It was won by English champion Kerry Smith of Waterlooville, Hampshire, while 17-year-old Felicity Johnson from Harborne, Warwickshire, topped the girls’ table.
The race for the 2005 title is already underway, with Yorkshire’s Kiran Matharu (Sand Moor) posting points from the Doral-Publix Junior Championship in the USA. The 15-year-old from Sand Moor was runner-up in her age group.
The first UK event which counts towards the table is the Weetabix Challenge at Wentworth in April when a team of GB&I players take on professionals from the Ladies European Tour.
ELGA, founded in 1952, represents about 130,000 women golfers through its 1785 member clubs. Full details of the Order of Merit are on the website: www.englishladiesgolf.org

St Andrews Links Trust Press Release
GREENKEEPER'S SEVENTH HEAVEN AT ST ANDREWS
St Andrews Links Trust has appointed a head greenkeeper for its seventh course, which is being created just outside St Andrews.
Allan Patterson, head greenkeeper on the Kings, Queens and Wee courses at Gleneagles, will take up the post on 4 April and will oversee the construction, opening and long-term development of the cliff-top course.
The appointment was made following a thorough selection process involving over 70 applicants from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the USA. The decision, as the Trust's links superintendent Gordon Moir indicates, was based on Allan's experience and knowledge.
"Allan has the desired greenkeeping skills to develop a golf project of this size and quality. His experience at Gleneagles combined with his ability will help ensure that the new course complements the broad range of golfing experiences available at St Andrews."
Allan held the position of head greenkeeper at Gleneagles for seven years following an apprenticeship which saw him take on a variety of roles including deputy head greenkeeper and assistant greenkeeper at the resort. Prior to this, Allan spent nine years at Powfoot Golf Club, Dumfriesshire, where he was responsible for training and completed the first of two courses on greenkeeping and course management at Elmwood College in Fife.
His appointment at St Andrews Links is a move that the 38-year-old greenkeeper  relishes. "This is a great opportunity to work at the Home of Golf. The course design is fantastic and the location couldn't be better. It promises to be an outstanding golf course."
At over 7,000 yards, the seventh public course at St Andrews is being created in response to demand on the existing Links courses where approximately 210,000 rounds are played every year. Designed by David McLay Kidd, the new course is expected to open in 2007.

SCOTS GIRLS  IN OXFORD-CAMBRIDGE VARSITY GOLF MATCH LINE-UPS
Two Scots golfing girls will be on opposing sides in this year's Oxford v Cambridge annual Varsity women's glf match at Aldeburgh Golf Club, Suffolk on March 21.
Both come from the Lothians. Turnhouse Golf Club member Elaine Evans is in the Cambridge University line-up. Rachel Carson from North Berwick - who is hoping to join Gullane Ladies GC later this year - has been selected to play for Oxford University.
Teams:
CAMBRIDGE: Kirsty Wybar capt., Elaine Evans, Helen Moore, Alexander Leriche, Angela Donoghue, Erin Mitchell. Reserve: Sarah Meadows.
OXFORD: Jennifer Harvey capt., Meredith Riedel, Camilla Day, Tania Oh, Gillian Diesen, Rachel Carson, Elin Hellum.

US College Golf
TARA FINISHES JOINT FOURTH IN LADY PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Irish women's amateur stroke-play champion Tara Delaney, a golf scholarship student at Kent State University, Ohio, signed off with a 72 - par for the 6,033yd course in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic women's college tournament at Dorado Del Mar, San Juan.
But that was not enough to put the Carlow Golf Club member in contention for the title. That went to Diana Ramage (Auburn) by a five-stroke margin on level par 216. Diana blew apart the overnight logjam at the end of the field of 75 with a closing round of 69 after earlier scores of 76 and 71.
Tara Delaney had earlier shot 75 and 72. She finished a highly creditable joint fourth.
Kent State team-mates Becky Wood from Glossop and her own sister, Karen, did not do so well. Beck scored 82, 82 and 83 for a 65th place tie on 247 while Karen had a nightmare last round of 88 after 82 and 83 on the first two days. She finished joint 72nd  on 253.
With no back-up for Tara Delaney, Kent State finished 10th in the team event with a total of 938. Victory went to Auburn, not surprising after they placed three players in the top five.
Auburn (888) won by 21 shots by Texas Christian (909).
LEADING INDIVIDUAL
216 Diana Ramage (Auburn) 76 71 69.
221 Camille Blackerby (Texas Christian) 75 72 74, Margaret Shirley (Auburn) 76 74 71.
222 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 75 72 72, Jessica Lovell (Auburn) 76 73 73.
Other totals:
247 Becky Wood (Kent State) 82 82 83.
253 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 82 83 88.
LEADING TEAMS
888 Auburn.
909 Texas Christian.
910 Florida.
912 Wake Forest.
913 Georgia.
920 Tulsa
Other total:
938 Kent State (10th).

US College Golf
LOUISE FINISHES 10 SHOTS BEHIND FLORIDA WINNER
Scotland cap Louise Kenney, pictured right, from Pitreavie had a slightly disappointing start to the second half of the American women’s college season when she finished tied for 17th place in a field of 98 for the Miccosukee Championship at Miccosukee Country Club, Miami in Florida.
Louise, a student at Iowa State University, had rounds of 80, 74 and 78 for a 13-over-par total of 232 over a 5,919yd course with a par of 73.
The Fifer finished 10 shots behind the tournament winner, Hannah Hoch (Colorado) who had scores of 74, 73 and 75 for three-over 222 to win by a couple of shots from Anastasia Kostina (Washington State) (77-74-73).
Iowa State (940) came eighth in the team event won by Georgia State (914) from Washington State (922) and Florida International (923).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
222 Hannah Hoch (Colorado) 74 73 75.
224 Anastasia Kostina (Washington state) 77 74 73.
Other score:
232 Louise Kenney (Iowa State) 80 74 78.
LEADING TEAMS
914 Georgia State
922 Washington State
923 Florida International
Other total:
940 Iowa State (8th).

US College Golf
BRITISH CHAMPION LOUISE STAHLE WINS ARIZONA INVITATIONAL
British women’s open amateur champion Louise Stahle, pictured right, who began the tournament with a blistering course record of 64, won the Arizona Wildcat Invitational women’s college tournament by a single shot at Arizona National Golf Club, Tucson.
The Swedish player, who also won the St Rule Trophy during her short trip to Scotland last June, had second and third rounds of 72 and 73 for a total of four-under-par 209.
Charlotte Mayorkas (UCLA) was runner-up on 210 with scores of 70, 68 and 72.
The first four players in a field of 80 all had sub-par final totals.
Annie Thurman, the US Curtis Cup player at Oklahoma State, tied for fifth place on 215 with rounds of 69, 75 and 71.
Her team-mate, Sweden’s Karin Sjodin came 12th on 219 with 72, 73 and 74.
UCLA (864) won the team event by a shot from Arizona (865) with Tennessee (876) third and Arizona State (877) fourth.

US College Golf
NORTH TEENAGERS' TOP-EIGHT FINISH IN SOUTH CAROLINA
North of Scotland teenagers Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) and Russell Knox from Inverness both finished in the leading eight players of the CSU Kick-off golf tournament at Coosaw Creek Country Club, Charleston in South Carolina.
Both are golf scholarship students at Jacksonville University. Stewart had rounds of 71, 70 and 75 for a three-over-par total of 216, which earned him sixth place in a field of 85 competing over the par-71, 6,593yd course.
Knox had rounds of 71, 72 and 76 for 219 and eighth place.
A third Scot on the Jacksonville team, Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh, tied for 74th place with scores of 80, 85 and 87.
Fredrik Sundberg (Campbell University) won the individual title by five strokes with scores of 70, 68 and 69 for six-under-par 207.
Jacksonville (901) finished sixth behind Charleston Southern University (865) in the team event.

Wednesday 23rd February 2005

US College Golf
TARA HAS OUTSIDE CHANCE OF WINNING PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Irish women's open amateur stroke-play champion Tara Delaney, pictured below right, from Carlow is tied for eighth place - only four shots off the pace - with one round to go in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic women's college golf tournament at Dorado.
Tara, a golf scholarship student at Kent State University, Ohio, had a pair of 75s through the first 36 holes to be on 150 and in with a chance, if she can produce a storming last round, of catching leader Tiffany Chloy (Florida) who had tagged together a 74 and 72 for two-over-par 1436 for the 6,000yd course.
Tiffany leads by one shot from Camilla Blackerby (Texas Christian) and Diane Ramage (Auburn).
Tara Delaney's team-mates, Becky Wood from Glossop, England, and Tara's own sister, Karen, are well down the field, which means Kent State are lying 12th in the team event behind leaders Auburn.
Becky has had two 82s to be tied for 54th place on 164 while Karen is in joint 59th place after an 82 and 83 for 165.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
LADY PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Dorado, Puerto Rico
Leading second-round totals (Par 72)
146 Tiffany Chloy (Florida) 74 72.
147 Camilla Blackerby (TCU) 75 72, Diane Ramage (Auburn) 76 71.
Other scores:
150 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 75 75.
164 Becky Wood (Kent State) 82 82.
165 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 82 83.

US College Golf
LATE SLIPS COST SIAN RIDDICK FLORIDA COLLEGE VICTORY
English women's native stroke-play and Under-23 champion Sian Reddick from Folkestone tied for fourth place in the Central District Invitational women's college golf tournament at River Wilderness Golf Club, Parrish in Florida on Tuesday.
Sian, a member at Sene Valley Golf Club and in her first year as a golf scholarship student at Baylor University, Texas, shot rounds of 73, 72 and 73 for a two-over-par total of 218 over the 6,099yd par-72 course.
She had eight birdies over the 54 holes, three of them on the outward half of her final round. She birdied the first, seventh and eighth to be out in three-under-par 33 and was leading the field of 75 players with nine holes to go.
Then Miss Riddick stumbled to a double-bogey 6 at the 10th, dropped another shot at the 12th and shed another to par at the 16th for an inward half of four-over-par 40.
Stacey Lewis (Arkansas) and Amy Schmucker (Michigan) tied for victory on level par 216 - only two shots ahead of the English player.
Ireland's Suzie Hayes (Notre Dame) finished in a tie for 58th place with rounds of 78, 78 and 82 for 23-over-par 239. Suzie wasn't doing too badly at the turn in her final round. She bogeyed the fourth and sixth but got it out in two-over 38.
Then it was gloom all the way. Miss Hayes bogeyed the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th, crashed to a triple bogey 7 at the 16th and then finished with a bogey to be back in a catastrophic 44 shots.
She had had two double bogeys in her second round and one double bogey on the first day. Clearly Suzie needs a lesson in damage limitation.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
CENTRAL DISTRICT INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
River Wilderness Golf Club, Parrish, Florida.
Leading totals (Par 72)
216 Stacy Lewis (Arkansas) 72 70 74, Amy Schmucker (Michigan) 74 72 70.
217 Amanda McCurdy (Arkansas) 71 75 71.
218 Sian Reddick (Baylor) 73 72 73, Maria Ohlsson (Missouri) 76 70 72.
Other total:
239 Suzie Hayes (Notre Dame) 79 78 82.

Spanish Seniors
IRISH PAIR HASSET, McKENNA SHARE LEAD IN SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Scotland's Pamela Williamson from Baberton and her Canadian partner, Diane Williams, were lying eighth on the 72 mark at the end of the first round of the Spanish senior women's international doubles golf championship at Sherry Golf Jerez, Cadiz yesterday (Tuesday).
Pamela and Diane, both of whom play off 2.9,  are joint backmarkers with a combined handicap of 5.8 in a field of 47 pairings.
Ireland's Valerie Hasset and Mary McKenna were triple joint leaders with a fine score of 69. Also on that mark were the Swedes, Christina Birke and Anki Hermanson and France's Laurance Marie Neuhaus and Cataline Pequignot.
The all-Scottish partnership of Helen Faulds and Anna Telfer were tied for 11th place with a 74 - four shots ahead of Noreen Fenton and Janice Gardner, who were occupying joint 19th place.
Collated scoreboard (Word Doc)

US College Golf
SCOTT JAMIESON RECOVERS PRIDE WITH PAR-MATCHING 72 IN FINAL ROUND
Scotland amateur international Scott Jamieson, pictured right, from Cathkin Braes was never going to make even a top-20 finish after starting with scores of 78 and 82 in the 54-hole Mercedes-Benz Collegiate championship at Sawgrass Country Club, Florida.
But the Augusta State University student regained his pride by matching the par of 72 in his final round over the tough 6,949yd course.
Scott tied for 65th place in the field of 90 with an aggregate of 14-over-par 230.
In his final round, Jamieson birdied the eighth, 14th and 18th and bogeyed the third, seventh and 15th in halves over 37 and 35.
Ironically, if Augusta State team-mate Major Manning, the overnight leader, had been able to match Scott’s 72, then he would have won the tournament. Instead Manning slipped to a 74 for level par 216 and a share of second place behind winner Matt Every (Florida) who signed off with a 71 for 215.
Augusta State had been leading the team race after two rounds but they subsided to fourth place on 884 behind winners Florida (874), Alabama (879) and UCLA (883).
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
MERCEDEZ-BENZ COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sawgrass Country Club, Florida.
Leading totals (Par 72)
215 Matt Every (Florida) 71 73 71.
216 Tyler Brown (North Florida) 74 71 71, Major Manning (Augusta State) 73 69 74.
217 Joakin Renstrom (UCLA) 71 74 72.
Other totals:
221 David Skinns (Tennessee) 76 75 70.
222 Ross McGowan (Tennessee) 72 77 73.
225 Chris Cousins (UAB) 76 73 76.
230 Scott Jamieson (Augusta State) 76 82 72.

Tuesday 22nd February 2005

US College Golf
NIKKI AND FIONA HELP PFEIFFER WIN COLLEGE TEAM TITLE
Nikki Taggart from Belfast and Edinburgh's Fiona Hindshaw helped Pfeiffer University, North Carolina win the team title in the 7th annual Lady Bear women's college golf tournament at Catawba Springs, Hickory in North Carolina.
Nikki scored 75 and 80 for 155 to finish in second place, one shot behind Paige Haverty (Catawba) who shot 74 and 80 over the 5.929yd course.
Fiona Hindshaw was placed joint 20th on 176 after rounds of 90 and 86.
Pfeiffer (659) won the team award by a resounding 23 shots from runners-up Lenoir-Rhyne College in a field of seven.

US College Golf
SUZIE HAS LOT OF GROUND TO MAKE UP IN WILDERNESS
Notre Dame scholarship student Suzie Hayes from Ireland is tied for 49th place on 157 after rounds of 79 and 78 in the Central District Invitation women's college tournament at River Wilderness Golf Club, Parrish in Florida.
Stacy Lewis (Arkansas) leads by three shots on two-under-par 142 after scores of 72 and 70 over the 6,099yd course.
Notre Dame (618) are lying in 12th place behind team leaders Missouri (587).

US College Golf
Scottish amateur international Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), a student at Augusta State University, was languishing in a tie for 72nd place after rounds of 76 and 82 for a 14-over-par tally of 158 in the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate championship at Sawgrass Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.
Jamieson had a nightmare second round (41-41) with a 9 at the par-5 fourth and double  bogeys at the par-4 13th and par-5 18th over the 6,949yd course.
Scott's Augusta State team-mate Major Manning had a one-shot lead going into the final round after scores of 73 and 69 for two-under 142.
Augusta State (596) are lying tied sixth in the team event behind pacemakers Alabama (588).

Monday 21st February 2005

RAMSAY IS TOP SCOT IN TIE FOR 11TH PLACE IN JONES CUP
Scottish open amateur stroke play champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), pictured right, finished top Scot in a tie for 11th place in the prestigious 3rd Jones Cup Invitational, contested by Walker Cup team place contenders from both sides of the Atlantic at Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia on Sunday.
It was Ramsay's best performance since a damaged left wrist forced him to retired midway through the Scottish match-play championship at Gullane last summer. He finished on song at Georgia with a great last round of two-under-par 70 after earlier efforts of 73 and 78 in windy conditions over a tough course for a 54-hole final total of five-over-par 221.
Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies, a golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University and No 5 in the American college rankings, had the highest finish of all the Great Britain & Ireland competitors in the select field of 80+.
Davies, from Bridgend, scored 73, 74 and 70 for one-over-par 217 and joint third place, three shots behind tournament winner Nicholas Thompson, the only man to finish under par with rounds of 77, 71 and a fantastic 66 for two-under 214. He won by two shots from fellow American Brian Harman.
Scottish match-play champion George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle) was placed joint 24th with scores of 79, 74 and 72 for nine-over 225.
British amateur champion Stuart Wilson from Forfar had a miserable first two days of 80 and 78 and then got it altogether with a last-round 69 to tie for 30th place on 11-over 227.
Former Scottish champion Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) put together scores of 81, 77 and 73 for 231 and a share of 46th place with a number who included past British champion Gary Wolstenholme.
Youngsters Scott Henry (Cardross) and Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) both finished on 232. Henry, the first player for over 30 years to win both the Scottish Under-18 boys' match-play and stroke-play titles in the same year in 2004, scored 81, 77 and 74. Saltman had 80, 77 and 75.
Collated scoreboard
JONES CUP INVITATIONAL - Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia.
FINAL TOTALS (Par 72)
Players for US unless stated
214 Nicholas Thompson 77 71 66.
216 Brian Harman 71 73 72.
217 Jason Hodges 70 78 69, Rhys Davies (Wales) 73 74 70, Matt Rosenfeld 74 72 71.
218 Roberto Castro 71 73 74.
219 Jeff Overton 78 72 69, Jack Ferguson 72 76 71, Richard Scott 73 75 71.
220 Kevin Larsen 77 75 68.
221 Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 73 78 70, Luke List 72 78 71, Duke Delcher 73 77 71, Roy Moon 71 75 75.
222 Tripp Davis 76 75 71, Michael Green 73 76 73, Kyle Reifers 80 74 68.
223 David Denham 75 77 71, Chris Kirk 81 71 71, Pat Tallent 76 74 73.
224 Nigel Edwards (Wales) 78 73 73, Jon McLean 74 74 76, Brendon Todd 76 71 77.
225 Martin Ureta 75 79 71, George Murray (Scotland) 79 74 72, Chan Song 79 72 74, Todd White 79 71 75, Michael Barbosa 74 72 79.
226 Mark Love 79 71 76.
227 Jordan Dempsey 73 80 74, Adam Gee (England) 81 72 74, Craig Smith (Wales) 77 76 74, Stuart Wilson (Scotland) 80 78 69, Matthew Richardson (England) 77 79 71, Brent Delahoussaye 71 76 80.
228 Webb Simpson 74 79 75, Dayton Rose 74 78 76, Wright Waddell 75 77 76.
229 Danny Green 74 75 80, Gareth Wright (Wales) 75 81 73, Carlton Forrester 82 76 71.
230 Jimmy Johnston 75 78 77, Gene Elliott 80 76 74, Kevin Kisner 77 77 76, Michael Morrison 78 76 76.
231 Gordon Strother jun 77 77 77, Cian McNamara (Ireland) 79 73 79, Andrew McArthur (Scotland) 81 77 73, Trent Leon 81 76 74, Gary Wolstenholme (England) 79 77 75.
232 Scott Henry (Scotland) 81 77 74, Trip Kuehne 80 77 75, Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 80 77 75, Buddy Marucci 79 77 76.
233 Dalton Melnyk 83 78 72, David Abell 85 73 75, Paul Simson 82 75 76, Josh Dennis 82 74 77.
234 Lee Corfield (England) 80 84 70, Zac Gould (Wales) 82 82 70, Jeff Knox 82 77 75, Tim Jackson 76 81 77, Nathan Smith 77 77 80.
236 Jon Curran 79 80 77, Austin Eaton 83 77 76, Michael McCoy 82 76 78, Steve Smyers 75 80 81.
237 Brian Duncan 79 86 72, Todd Satterfield 77 81 79, David May 79 77 81.
238 Rob Langley 79 77 82.
239 Sean Knapp 80 82 77, Jonathan Moore 82 79 78.
240 Roger Hoit 84 80 76.
241 Thomas Jordan 85 79 77.
243 Robert Gerwin 89 80 74, Butler Melnyk 82 77 84.,
244 Kelly Miller 86 76 82.
245 Alan Fadel 84 83 78, Chip Lutz 80 85 80.
249 Michael Skelton (England) 84 79 86.

PAUL LAWRIE AND PATRICIA FERGUSON TEAM UP TO LAUNCH FIRSTCLUBGOLF
Paul Lawrie MBE, the former Ryder Cup competitor and winner of the 1999 Open Championship, joined forces with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson today (Monday 21 February 2005) to launch firstclubgolf, the national junior golf strategy's introductory game which will make golf accessible to every child in Scotland.
Edinburgh's Gylemuir Primary School set the scene for what will be replicated at over 300 schools across Scotland this term when Primary Five children will experience the game for the first time as part of their curriculum.
Played with multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets, and taught by teachers, firstclubgolf is designed as a safe and exciting introduction to the game. The age of nine has been identified as the best stage for children to learn and become involved with the game.
A partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association and sportscotland, clubgolf was created as a direct result of the Scottish Executive's successful bid to host the Ryder Cup in Scotland.
Sports Minister, Patricia Ferguson said, "The Executive's aim from the outset was that by 2009 clubgolf would provide every child in Scotland the opportunity to have fun trying their hand at golf, and give our most talented young players the best chances to emulate the many achievements of players like Paul Lawrie.
"With the successful pilots of the clubgolf scheme now behind us, we are today moving to the next stage of the scheme which will bring opportunities for children in over 300 schools across the country to participate in structured programmes in appropriate facilities with the coaching they need to help develop their game.
"The launch today of firstclubgolf is another major step in providing opportunities for our children to enjoy the benefits that golf brings, and perhaps unearth more top class players like Paul for the future."
Launched in 2003 by Colin Montgomerie OBE and First Minister, Jack McConnell, clubgolf is funded by the Scottish Executive which has committed £500,000 per year to the scheme through sportscotland until 2009 to support its commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game.
"The creation of a sound structure for the young people of Scotland to experience golf gives me great hope for the game in the years ahead," said Paul Lawrie.
"firstclubgolf is the perfect way to give children who have never experienced the game the opportunity to do so through Scotland's national programme. The equipment is exciting, attractive and it is designed to make the game easy for youngsters to learn. The children take to it very quickly and it is obvious they enjoy using it."
clubgolf's early statistics are convincing. On pilots in 2004, over 2,500 primary aged children experienced firstclubgolf at school. In many parts of the country the youngsters enjoyed the introduction to the extent that 80 percent enrolled for Level 1 courses.
The Gylemuir children who enjoy the next six weeks' golf lessons will have the opportunity to play the Level 1 game at nearby Turnhouse Golf Club in April.
"Young people are the life blood of our sport and with the first stage of the player development pathway in place, every child will have the opportunity to learn the basics of golf by 2009," said Alan McMillan, clubgolf's Junior Golf Manager.
"Our targets are ambitious but, with the co-operation of golf clubs and schools and the commitment of local authorities, with their appointment of Active School Co-ordinators, they are achievable."
With so many more children playing the game, it is inevitable that playing standards will rise as a direct result.
"Not only does clubgolf have the potential to introduce children to a game for life, which promotes good health and instils important social values, it offers a structured programme which could guide complete beginners through every level of the game up to the professional game," said Paul Lawrie.
"I strongly believe that there are many more potential Open Champions and Ryder Cup players out there in Scotland and through clubgolf, we will make it far easier for them to be discovered and developed."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said, "We are delighted to be a part of the clubgolf initiative which is helping to provide the opportunity for all young people to experience the game of golf through a series of structured programmes.
"To fulfil our vision of improving health and fitness levels in Scotland, it is important that we introduce children to the fun and enjoyment of a sport like golf at an early age.  Hopefully this will encourage them to make physical activity part of their everyday lives and lay the foundations for lifelong participation, which in the long term will help to create a healthier, more active nation."

Sunday 20th February 2005

DAVIES KEEPS GB&I CHALLENGE ALIVE IN JONES CUP ON SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
Edinburgh-born Rhys Davies from Bridgend, Wales kept the transatlantic challenge alive in the second round of the 3rd Jones Cup amateur tournament while most of the rest of the potential 2005 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team were down in the bottom half of a top-class field at Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island in Georgia on Saturday.
Davies, 19-year-old and a smash hit for East Tennessee State University golf team since enrolling in the autumn of 2003 - he is No 5 in the All-America college rankings, has shot rounds of 73 and 74 over for a three-over-par tally of 147 over a tough course where the average score for the second round was 76.6 - about a shot less than on an opening day of high winds.
The biennial tournament, designed to showcase Walker Cup team candidates from both sides of the Atlantic, is being dominated by the Americans. Robert Castro, a sophomore at Georgia Tech - ranked two places above Rhys Davies nationally, and high school senior Brian Harmon are setting the pace on level par 144 with one round to go.
Davies, who won the British boys'championship in 2003, is three shots behind in sixth place in a week when he learned he has made the short leet for the 2005 Ben Hogan Award, which goes to the leading American college circuit player in the opinion of a panel of coaches.
Apart from the Scottish-born Welshman (his Welsh father worked for the Scottish Sports Council in Edinburgh in the mid-1980s), there is no other Great Britain and Ireland player in the top 20 of the select field of 83.
Stirling University student Richie Ramsay, the reigning Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion from Royal Aberdeen, and Walker Cup veteran Nigel Edward from Wales are the next best in joint 22nd place on 151. Ramsay has had rounds of 73 and 78, Edwards 78 and 73.
Scottish champion George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle) is on nine-over 153 after scores of 79 and 74.
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) is on 157 after an 80 and 77.
British amateur champion Stuart Wilson, who played a practice round or two over the Angusta National course on his way to Sea Island in preparation for his appearance in the US Masters in April, was on the 158 mark alongwith compatriots Scott Henry (Cardross), the Scottish boys' match-play and stroke-play champion of 2004, and past Scottish champion Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) who should know American conditions well enough because he was a successful college player at Pfeiffer University for two or three years.
Forfar's Wilson had an 80 and 78, Henry an 81 and 77, McArthur and 81 and 77.
Collated scoreboard
JONES CUP - Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia.
Second round scores (players from US unless stated)
Par 72
144 Roberto Castro 71 73, Brian Harman 71 73.
146 Michael Barbosa 74 72, Matt Rosenfeld 74 72, Roy Moon 71 75.
147 Brendon Todd 76 71, Rhys Davies (Wales) 73 74, Brent Delahoussaye 71 76. 148 Nicholas Thompson 77 71, Jon McLean 74 74, Richard Scott 73 75, Jack Ferguson 72 76, Jason Hodges 70 78.
149 Danny Green 74 75, Michael Green 73 76.
150 Mark Love 79 71, Todd White 79 71, Jeff Overton 78 72, Pat Tallent 76 74, Duke Delcher 73 77, Luke List 72 78.
151 Chan Song 79 72, Nigel Edwards (Wales) 78 73, Tripp Davis 76 75, Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 73 78.
152 Chris Kirk 81 71, Cian McNamara (Ireland) 79 73, Kevin Larsen 77 75, David Denham 75 77, Wright Waddell 75 77, Dayton Rose 74 78.
153 Adam Gee (England) 81 72, George Murray 79 74 (Scotland), Craig Smith (Wales)  77 76, Jimmy Johnston 75 78, Webb Simpson 74 79, Jordan Dempsey 73 80.
154 Kyle Reifers 80 74, Kevin Kisner 77 77, Michael Morrison 78 76, Nathan Smith 77 77, Gordon Strother jun 77 77, Martin Ureta 75 79.
155 Steve Smyers 75 80.
156 Josh Dennis 82 74, Gene Elliott 80 76, Rob Langley 79 77, Buddy Marucci 79 77, David May 79 77, Gary Wolstenholme (England) 79 77, Matthew Richardson (England) 77 79, Gareth Wright (Wales) 75 81.
157 Paul Simson 82 75, Trent Leon 81 76, Trip Kuehne 80 77, Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 80 77, Tim Jackson 76 81.
158 David Abell 85 73, Carlton Forrester 82 76, Michael McCoy 82 76, Scott Henry (Scotland) 81 77, Andrew McArthur (Scotland) 81 77, Stuart Wilson (Scotland) 80 78, Todd Satterfield 77 81.
159 Jeff Knox 82 77, Butler Melnyk 82 77, Jon Curran 79 80.
160 Austin Eaton 83 77.
161 Dalton Melynk 83 78, Jonathan Moore 82 79.
162 Kelly Miller 86 76, Sean Knapp 80 82.
163 Michael Skelton (England) 84 79.
164 Thomas Jordan 85 79, Roger Hoit 84 80, Zac Gould (Wales) 82 82, Lee Corfield (England) 80 84.
165 Chip Lutz 80 85, Brian Duncan 79 86.
167 Alan Fadel 84 83.
169 Robert Gerwin 89 80

Queen of ambition embarks on ascent
by MARK WOODS
" A CANNY motivational guru of my acquaintance has a theory on the pathway to success. Starting off at the foot of the mountain, you climb as far as the eye can see only for the clouds to clear and reveal that the summit is far, far above. ".....
Article by Mark Woods on Clare Queen in today's Scotland on Sunday

Open still as good as closed
by JOHN HUGGAN
"THE strange thing was how everyone seemed to be getting so excited. Indeed, it was easy to imagine Royal & Ancient secretary, Peter Dawson, sitting behind his desk in the world’s greatest office overlooking the Old Course at St. Andrews, a mocking grin on his face as he slowly shook his head in wonderment at the extent to which the press and public can be manipulated." ....
Article by John Huggan on Women being able to enter the Open in today's Scotland on Sunday

Saturday 19th February 2005

RICHIE RAMSAY ONLY SCOT TO SHINE IN JONES CUP FIRST ROUND
Aberdonian Richie Ramsay, pictured right, the current Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play champion and a Stirling University student, and Edinburgh-born Rhys Davies (Wales), a recent British boys’ champion led the transatlantic challenge in the first round of the 3rd Jones Cup biennial tournament over the Ocean Forest course on Sea Island, Georgia.
The field of 80 includes the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup training squad for the defence of the trophy at Chicago Golf Club in August.
Ramsay and Davies both shot one-over-par 73s on a windy day which ended with Georgia University student Jason Hodges leading on two-under-70.
Ramsay and Davies were joint eighth.
There were disappointing performances from the other Scots.
Scottish champion George Murray from Earlsferry Thistle had a seven-over 79 (the same score as former British amateur champion Gary Wolstenholme).
British amateur champion Stuart Wilson (Forfar) and Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) could do no better than 80 apiece.
Wilson went to Sea Island after practising over the Augusta National Course in preparation for playing in the US Masters in April as British amateur champion.
Former Scottish champion Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) had an 81, the same score as top prospect Scott Henry (Cardross) who last year became the first player for over 30 years to win the Scottish boys’ match-play and stroke-play titles in the same season.
Scoreboard (players from US unless stated)
70 Jason Hodges
71 Roberto Castro, Brent Delahoussaye, Brian Harman, Roy Moon
72 Jack Ferguson, Luke List
73 Duke Delcher, Michael Green, Rhys Davies (Wales), Richard Scott, Jordan Dempsey, Richie Ramsay (Scotland)
74 Michael Barbosa, Danny Green, Webb Simpson, Jon McLean , Matt Rosenfeld, Dayton Rose
75 Gareth Wright (Wales), Steve Smyers, David Denham, Martin Ureta, Wright Waddell, Jimmy Johnson
76 Pat Tallent, Tim Jackson, Tripp Davis, Brendon Todd
77 Todd Satterfield, Matthew Richardson (England), Gordon Strother Jr., Kevin Kisner, Kevin Larsen, Nathan Smith,Nicholas Thompson, Craig Smith (Wales)
78 Nigel Edwards (Wales), Jeff Overton, Toby Ragland, Michael Morrison
79 Jon Curran, Gary Wolstenholme (England), Brian Duncan, David May, Todd White, Rob Langley , George Murray (Scotland), Chan Song, Buddy Marucci , Cian McNamara (Ireland), Mark Love
80 Lee Corfield (England), Sean Knapp, Trip Kuehne, Gene Elliott
81 Kyle Reifers, Stuart Wilson (Scotland), Chip Lutz, Lloyd Saltman (Scotland), Chris Kirk, Andrew McArthur (Scotland), Trent Leon, Scott Henry (Scotland), Adam Gee (England)
82 Josh Dennis, Paul Simson, Carlton Forrester, Jonathan Moore, Zac Gould (Wales), Michael McCoy, Alex Smith (Wales), Butler Melnyk, Jeff Knox
83 Ausin Eaton III, Dalton Melynk
84 Roger Hoit, Alan Fadel, Michael Skelton (England)
85 David Abell, Thomas Jordan
86 Kelly Miller
89 Robert Gerwin
Gus Sylvan WD

Laing swings into action
by MIKE AITKEN
"IF THE notion of a talented golfer encountering financial hardship on the road to success sounds like old news from another era, a distant echo of the time when Ben Hogan was forced to sell his wristwatch to pay a caddie, Vikki Laing understands only too well how it feels here and now to struggle in pursuit of a dream. ".........
Article by Mike Aitken on Vikki Laing in today's Scotsman

Thursday 17th February 2005

Long-driving
You might have read the article on Monday on Paul Slater's world record monster drive... but did you read it all the way through and wonder who was 14 year-old Bianca Flynn who took the Junior prize... (Bianca sounds like a girl's name???... yes... you are right!!! )
Her drive landed in the middle of the runway and stayed in the centre as it bounced and rolled for a total distance of 510 yards. Long drive records for under-16s are hard to track down, but the consensus of official opinion at the close of play was that she had claimed British, European and world records for her age – and for women in general. Well done Bianca!
NB This long driving contest was sponsored by the London Golf Show

Wednesday 16th February 2005

Press Release
2007 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP REGIONAL QUALIFYING COURSES
Enville Golf Club and The Gog Magog are named as new additions in the list of 16 clubs that will host Regional Qualifying for the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.
The other 14 venues will be Ashridge, Effingham, Minchinhampton, Musselburgh, Notts, Old Fold Manor, Pannal, Pleasington, Prestbury, Rochester & Cobham Park, Royal Ashdown Forest, Silloth-on-Solway, The Island and Trentham.
Enville, which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary is located in the South Staffordshire countryside and in the past 20 years has extended its facilities to include two eighteen hole courses. Regional Qualifying will be played over the longer Highgate Course consisting of nine holes of woodland and nine holes of heathland.
The second new venue The Gog Magog, is set in rolling East Anglian terrain amongst the chalk hills of Gog and Magog, two legendary giants from ancient mythology.
The club was founded by Cambridge University in 1901 as a recreational facility for its Dons and in 1997 a second course, The Wandlebury, was opened. It is this course, stretching to 6735 yards that will host Regional Qualifying.
The four Local Final Qualifying courses for 2007 have been previously announced as Downfield, Monifieth Links, Montrose Links and Panmure.
When The Open returns to Carnoustie in 2007, it will be 100 years since qualifying was first introduced. It was however only in 1977 that Regional Qualifying in its present form was added.

STEP UP TO THE SP-3
Nike Golf Expands Ladies Footwear for 2005
Since the release of the SP5 in 2004, Nike Golf has been gently pushing forward the boundaries of ladies golf footwear with products that provide supreme comfort and a unique feminine style. As the latest offering from Nike Golf’s Sport Performance range, a line which has produced some of the finest golf shoes currently available on the market, the SP-3 Saddle is no exception.
This shoe uses the most technologically advanced outsole in golf, the newly designed T@C 4 (Traction At Contact) rubber outsole. The T@C4 outsole offers more than 130 points of contact with the ground, providing maximum stability and enhanced flexibility for a balanced swing. There is also a full-length Phylon midsole that provides excellent cushioning and extreme comfort for even the most dedicated golfers.
The SP-3 is an ideal choice for the lady golfer who is not put off by a little wet weather. This shoe incorporates a leather upper with Watershield technology, a waterproof membrane that provides maximum protection from an occasional stray into the thick wet rough. The SP-3 is also tested to the most stringent of waterproofing standards, meaning that even the heaviest downpour won’t leave your feet feeling wet.
The SP-3 comes with a 1-year limited warranty in two equally elegant stylings. Available from January 2005, the SP-3 offers ladies a chance to step out in Nike Golf’s latest, elegant styles at a price that guarantees value for money (£50.00, €80.00, SEK 795.00).

Anyone got any announcements to make? Not much happening score-wise at the moment... (email Gill )

Tuesday 15th February 2005

Student News
Elaine Evans (Craigielaw), a Midlothian Junior last year, has been picked to play for Cambridge in the Annual Varsity match against Oxford at Aldeburgh GC on the 21st of March. See Cambridge ULGC website

Monday 14th February 2005

SLATER SLAMS NEW WORLD RECORD
Paul “St George” Slater claimed a new world record for the longest golf drive at London City Airport today (Saturday) in an event hosted by the London Golf Show..
Braving difficult weather which included torrential rain and gusty winds, Slater, 34, from Warrington, fired a drive 720 yards down the runway.
It beat the previous best of 696 yards – set recently by Australian Tour pro Stuart Appleby .
He said: “I knew it was right as soon as I hit it. You know when you’ve hit a good shot; you get the surge going right up through your body. That’s what we do it for really.”
Slater, the current RE/MAX European Order of Merit holder and 2004 Scottish long drive champion, remained outwardly calm despite all the acclaim from his fellow Long Drivers of Europe competitors and the gathered spectators.
“This is as excited as I get,” he smiled. “But I must admit there was a bit of arm waving and shouting soon afterwards.”
The secret of his success, the Bolton club pro insisted, was the same as all golfers.
“It’s all about practice,” he insisted.
But most golfers wouldn’t be using the club with which he set the new record.
“I took some loft off the club I was using after the first couple as the ball was losing energy on the runway as it was dropping from a height.
“This club has a 2 ½ degree loft and the stiffest shaft I’ve ever used. It’s an SMT 02 with a 50” Apache shaft. And I owe a lot to Mike Tait, of SMT, who has been the only one who stood by me. Without him I would not have achieved this.”
Ross Broadstock, managing director of the London Golf Show, which hosted the event, explained: “Like everything else to do with the London Golf Show this has become huge.
“The first time we have done this and golfers from across Europe turned up and we broke the world record.
“It’s the first ever London Golf Show and that’s also going to be huge with events like this and more.”
Juniors and celebrities – including rock legend Rick Wakeman, All Black Zinzan Brooke, and Wasps and England second-row forward Simon Shaw – also participated.
Shaw took the amateur prize with a fine effort of 465 yards.
Slater also paid tribute to the juniors, whose top effort of 510 yards was recorded by Bianca Flynn, 14, from Rugby – also believed to be a world record for an under-16.
“Their performance was fabulous. I was delighted to see them hitting the ball so well. Without youngsters we wouldn’t have a future for the sport.

International Pairs
OPEN QUALIFIERS WILL TEST SEMI-FINALISTS
Two Open final qualifying venues are among the courses selected by the International Pairs for its semi-finals in October.
In advance of the grand final at St Andrews Bay, Irvine, West Kilbride, Glen, Montrose and Drumoig will be welcoming club golfers from all across the UK.
In addition, The Kendleshire, Bristol, will host an earlier semi-final on September 7 and competition organisers have plans to announce one more semi-final venue to host an event in the summer.
The International Pairs have managed to procure some superb courses - among them are two Open Final qualifier venues, Irvine and Montrose, and the former home of the Scottish National Golf Centre, Drumoig.
Competitors will find each of the courses a stiff test of their golf and will enjoy a traditional Scottish welcome reception at the start of their stay in Scotland which includes free accommodation and golf.
Tournament founder Ross Honey said: “We have worked long and hard to assemble a line up that we feel represents some of the best courses Scotland has to offer.
“I’m sure this announcement will inspire even more clubs to enter this year and with the grand final at St Andrews Bay it promises to be a top golfing trip for anyone who qualifies.”
The International Pairs – the largest club competition of its kind in the world - is now in its seventh year with around 12,000 club golfers across the UK competing last year alone. And it’s so simple to enter.
All it costs is £5 to enter, £10 per pair – unchanged for the fifth successive year – and each participant is entitled to receive a free* Hippo lob wedge (rrp £39.95).
Each club hosts a qualifying event and the winning pair travels to a semi-final on a championship golf course, which includes complimentary accommodation and golf, with an invitation to a special Scottish-themed welcome reception.
If they make the cut they stay on in Scotland for two more days and experience the golfing event of the year at the luxurious St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Hotel with two nights’ accommodation, two rounds of complimentary competition golf – one each on the Torrance and Devlin courses - the championship gala dinner and the chance to win the coveted International Pairs title and progress to the 2006 world final, representing their country.
On top of all that, competitors are also entitled to take advantage of myriad special offers from the event’s sponsors and partners – not a bad return for a £5 investment.
To find out how to register for the 2005 International Pairs call the competition hotline on 08700 330 633; fax (023) 9282 6000 or visit: www.internationalpairs.com
* Lob wedge subject to a £9.99 postage and packing charge.

Sunday 13th February 2005

US Student Golf
SCOTT 11 UNDER PAR AND STILL ONLY 19TH IN US COLLEGE GOLF
Scotland amateur international golfer Scott Jamieson finished tied 19th in a very low-scoring tournament for the Waikoloa Intercollegiate men's golf tournament at Waikoloa Village Golf Club, Hawaii.
Jamieson, a golf scholarship student at Augusta State University and a member at Cathkin Braes Golf Club, had rounds of 66, 69 and 70 for an 11-under-par total of 205 - but still finished 10 shots behind the winner, Tyler Leon (Oklahoma State). He score 64, 66 and 65 for an incredible 21-under-par aggregate of 195 over a 6,814yd course with a par of 72.
Another past Scotland cap,  Wallace Booth, a member of Crieff Golf Club and a team-mate of Jamieson's at Augusta State, finished at two-under-par 214 with rounds of 69, 74 and 71 for joint 68th place.
Augusta State (827) tied for sixth place in the team event won by Oklahoma State (801).

US Student Golf
SCOTS CLAN DO WELL FOR JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville University's Scots "clan" of Russell Knox from Inverness, Jamie Kennedy (Edinburgh) and Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey helped their college finish second in the Stetson University Triangular golf tournament at Deland, Florida.
Bethune Cookman (288) won from Jacksonville (294) with hosts Stetson (296) third.
Knox had a two-under-par 70 in the one-round tournament, being pipped by one shot by individual winner Stefan Strandlund (Bethune Cookman). It was the Nairn Dunbar Golf Club member's fourth top-five finish in American college golf.
Jamie Kennedy tied for fourth place with a 73 while Duncan Stewart's 78 saw him finished joint 14th.

Saturday 12th February 2005

SLGA Press Release
SLGA INTRODUCE DRIVING CLUB CONDITION
The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association is introducing the driving club condition for the following championships in 2005:
SLGA St Leonards Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship.
Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship.
Scottish Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship.
Scottish Girls' & Boys' Under 14 Championship.
BP Scottish Ladies Junior Open Stroke Play Championship.
BP Scottish Girls' (Close) Amateur Championship.
Scottish Senior Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship.
Driving Club Condition - Driving clubs must not have a characteristic time greater than 257 microseconds when measured on pendulum testing apparatus approved by R&A Rules Limited - see also Appendix II, 5a of the Rules of Golf."
[NB For further information on the Driving Club Condition and those clubs which do not comply go to the Rules section of the R&A Website ]
OTHER SLGA NEWS:
As part of the training programme many of our players enjoyed a presentation from Robin Sieger, motivational guru and author of "Natural Born Winners", on Saturday, February 5 at Drumoig. We have had very positive feedback from those who attended.

US Student News
NIKKI AND FIONA PLAY KIAWAH ISLAND AND HELP THEIR COLLEGE FINISH SIXTH
University of Pfeiffer, North Carolina golf-team mates Nikki Taggart from Belfast and Fiona Hindshaw from Edinburgh  helped their college finish a creditable sixth of 16 in their first event of the second half of the American women's college golf circuit.
It was the Tusculum/Kiawah Island Invitational at Cougar Point Golf Club, Kiawah Island.
Nikki shot 78 and 82 over a tough women's course of 5,861yd with a par-72 course. Miss Taggart finished 13th individually with a total of 161.
Fiona scored 78 and 91 to tied for 22nd place on 169.
Clara Fornella (West Florida University) won individual honours with a 75 and 77 for 152 - one shot ahead of Carlie Gordon (Lenoir-Rhyne College) (75-78).
Central Arkansas, with four top-10 finishers, won the team title with a totla of 627 from West Florida (636), Nova Southeastern (650), Grand Valley state (661), Northern Kentucky (669) and Pfeiffer (686).

Friday 11th February 2005

CARLY (12) FLIES OFF TO CALIFORNIA WITH TEAM FALDO ELITE
Last month Hong-Kong … this week it's "California here I come" for 12-year-old Carly Booth from Comrie, Perthshire.
Carly is the only Scot in an eight-strong Team Faldo squad who will out today (Friday, February 11) to "enjoy" nine days of intensive traiing at the Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott.
Accompanied by head coach Jeremy Bennett, the following will by flying out to Pam Desert to stay at the Marriott Shadow Ridge resort:
Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale).
Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil).
Ben Evans (Rye).
Oliver Fisher (West Essex).
Kiran Matharu (Sandmoor).
Rory McIlroy (Holywood, Belfast).
Ruby Tseng (Taiwan).
The group will be having coaching sessions from a group of experts on every aspect of the game and some one-on-one tuition from the man himself, six-time major winner Nick Faldo.
Nick extended a personal invitation to Taiwan's Ruby Tseng, the 16-year-old who won the girls' section in the Faldo Series International tournament in Hong Kong last month.
One of the highlights of the trip will be to accompany Nick Faldo to the Nissan Open in Los Angeles where he will be in the American TV commentary box.
"This trip is an opportunity for them to live and breathe golf in ideal conditions," said Nick. "My time with the players will be spent on the course, on the practice ground, in the classroom and even over breakfast, lunch and dinner, in an attempt to pass on as much help, advice, inspiration and experience as I possible can."

Thursday 10th February 2005

English Ladies' Golf Association
Press release
England captains named for 2005
ELGA has named the England team captains who will lead the 2005 campaign for international honours.
Lancashire's Hilary Green joins the line-up for the first time, taking over as captain for the Senior Home International matches at Radyr, Wales. England will bid for a hat trick of consecutive wins in the competition, which takes place from October 4-6.
Somerset's Beverley New will be captain for the European Ladies' Team Championship at Karlstad, Sweden, from July 5-9; and, for the second year, at the Home International matches at Dundalk, Ireland, from September 14-16.
Pat Skelton of Gloucestershire, one of England's most experienced captains, will be in charge for the European Girls' Team Championship at Lucerne, Switzerland, from July 5-9.
Joy Trafford of Lincolnshire returns as captain for the girls' International Matches at Worplesdon, Surrey, from August 3-5, after her winning debut last year.
Hilary Green (Royal Lytham & St Anne's) succeeds Bridget Jackson as captain of England's all-conquering team for the Senior Home Internationals. The matches have been played twice and England has won on both occasions.
She commented: "This is a wonderful honour and I was very surprised, but very pleased, to be asked. Bridget has had two wonderful successes and hopefully we will get a third."  
Hilary is a prominent figure within senior golfing circles, both as a player and a captain. She represented the English Senior Ladies' Golf Association three times in the European Senior Ladies' Team Championships, twice helping to win the trophy. She also captained the team three times and steered them to victory in Sweden.
Hilary has also been manager of England teams at the European Ladies' and the European Junior Ladies' Team Championships.
She's a past winner of the Lancashire and the Northern Vets Championships, she's represented Lancashire seniors, captained the Lancashire county team and been a single figure golfer since the 1960s.
Hilary, a former England and international selector, is a member of the ELGA executive committee.
Beverley New captained England's Home International side for the first time last year and now tackles the additional challenge of the European Ladies' Team Championship.
She brings tremendous experience to her role. Beverley was a top amateur, who won the English championship at 19, played in the European Ladies' Team Championships twice and the Home Internationals four times, and represented GB&I in the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy matches.
She then pursued a professional career which brought her wins in four countries before she returned to amateur ranks in 2001. She immediately won the Somerset county title for the sixth time, playing at Lansdown where she is an honorary life member.
Beverley, who works at and plays for Minehead & West Somerset GC, commented on her captaincy: "I am really enjoying this. What I have to do is try and get the girls to have the week of their life. I know exactly what they are feeling because I have been there."
Pat Skelton (Henbury) is one of England's most experienced captains. This is her fourth appointment in charge of the side for the European Girls' Team Championship and she has also captained three winning teams in the girls' International Matches.
Last year she steered England to a very creditable fourth place in the European Lady Juniors' Team Championship at Royal Cinque Ports.
"It's quite hard work but I do enjoy it. The girls are super, such a great bunch, and it's lovely to see how they progress," she said.
Pat was an England selector before turning to captain's duties. She has also been Gloucestershire county captain and played for her county for many years.
Joy Trafford (Woodhall Spa) steered England to victory in the 2004 girls' International Matches, extending the team's current run of success in the Stroyan Cup to five consecutive wins.
She looks forward to defending the title on home ground, where she anticipates stiff competition. "It's closer than people think and while England's record in this event is excellent we mustn't get complacent. There is talent in all the teams."
Joy, who also captained England girls to a win over the England boys' U16 team last season, has been involved with junior golf for many years. She has been county junior organiser for Lincolnshire and was one of ELGA's national training officers with responsibility for the midlands. She is also handicap secretary at her club.

English Ladies' Golf Association
Press release
England teenagers head for Portugal
Ten teenagers from England squads will spend half-term week in Portugal, gearing up for the new season with warm weather training.
Among them is Staffordshire's Katrina Holford (Ingestre Park) who helped England win the Nations Cup at the 2004 British Girls' Championship. The 18-year-old junior international also led the qualifiers at the tournament.
The group includes three other girl internationals: Jodi Ewart, 17, (Catterick), Rachel Jennings, 16, (Izaak Walton), and Florentyna Parker,15, (Royal Birkdale), who helped Europe win the junior Ryder Cup
They will be joined by Hannah Barwood, 14, (Knowle); Hannah Burke, 16, (Mid-Herts); Rachel Connor, 14, (Manchester); Laura Cutler, 16, (Warley Park); Natasha Podmore, 17, (Delamere Forest); and Emilee Taylor, 15, (Gainsborough).
Katrina and Florentyna are members of ELGA's Elite Potential U21 squad while the others are in the Elite Potential Girls squad.
They will be based at Barringtons Health and Golf Spa in the Algarve's Vale do Lobo. The group will be accompanied by Joy Trafford, England's captain for the girls' Home International matches, national coach Pat Smillie and physiotherapist Julie Sparrow.

US Student News
BRITTANY LANG WINS IN CALIFORNIA
United States Curtis Cup team player Brittany Lang (Duke University) scored the fourth individual win of her American college career when she finished four shots ahead of a strong field for the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge at Palos Verdes, California on Wednesday.
But top-ranked Duke University did not win the team title. That prize went to the Pepperdine University team from along the coast at Malibu.
Duke University lacked the services of another Curtis Cup player, Elizabeth Janangelo who did not make the trip because she is recovering from pneumonia. Duke’s line-up at Palos Verdes was only four-strong and they finished third behind Pepperdine (896) and UCLA (898). Duke’s three-round total was 900 – four shots ahead of furth-placed Florida.
Pepperdine did not have a player in the top five but they had a better grouping than anyone else with three players in the top 18 and four in the leading 29.
Brittany Lang had a level par aggregate of 213 with scores of 68, 72 and 73.
She won by four strokes from Charlotte Mayorkas (UCLA) with Kristen White (Ohio State) third on 220.
Annie Thurman (Oklahoma State), like Lang and Janangelo a member of the winning US Curtis Cup team at Formby last June, tied for fourth place with Irene Cho (Southern Carlifornia) on 221.
British women’s open amateur champion Louise Stahle (Arizona State) finished a disappointing joint 12th on 12-over 225 while fellow-Swede Karin Sjodin (Oklahoma State) tied for 15th place on 226.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL
213 Brittany Lang (Duke) 68 72 73.
217 Charlotte Mayorkas (UCLA) 74 71 72.
220 Kristen White (Ohio State) 76 73 71.
221` Annie Thurman (Oklahoma State) 74 72 75, Irene Cho (Southern Californoia) 74 74 73.
221 Eileen Vargas (Pepperdine) 74 71 77.
222 Melissa Martin (UCLA) 70 80 72, Susie Mathews (UCLA) 70 76 76.
223 Paige Mackenzie (Washington) 73 76 74.
224 Sandra Gal (Florida) 76 73 75, Tiffany Chudy (Florida) 74 77 73.
225 Carolina Llano (Pepperdine) 75 72 78, Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 75 74 76, Niloufar Aazam (Due) 73 73 79.
226 Amy Wang (Washington) 74 78 74, Hanna Jun (UCLA) 71 77 8, Karin Sjodin (Oklahoma State) 72 76 78.
TEAM TOTALS
896 Pepperdine.
898 UCLA.
900 Duke.

Wednesday 9th February 2005

US Student News
WIN NO 5 FOR PAMELA FEGGANS ON US COLLEGE GOLF CIRCUIT
Pamela Feggans from Ayr has scored her fifth win on the American women's college circuit and she did it in record-breaking style.
The 22-year-old Doon Valley Golf Club member, a golf scholarship student at Florida Southern University, shot rounds of 68 and 73 for a three-under-par total of 141 to win the University of Central Florida Invitational at Stoneybrook Country Club, Orlando for the second year in a row.
The consistent Miss Feggans now has 14 top-five finishes to her credit in the United States.
She broke her own tournament aggregate record this week by two shots and her first-round four-under-par 68 over the 5,919yd course was a record for the Florida Southern University women's golf programme.
Pamela led by by one shot overnight and clinched victory with an eagle 2 at the par-4 17th. That gave her a two-stroke lead over the challenging Anna Scott (Georgia State) who reduced the deficit to one at the final hole in finishing with scores of 72 and 70 for 142. A total of 61 competitors took part in what was the first event of the second half of the college golf season.
Georgia State (583) won the team title from Rollins College (591), Florida International (604) with Florida Southern (608) fourth among the 12-team line-up.
Miss Feggans will not be home in time to compete in the Scottish women's amateur championship at Cruden Bay from May 17 to 21 so she has to rely on her American form to convince the selection committee she should be in the Scotland team of six for the European women's team championship at Karlstad, Sweden from July 5 to 9.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
141 Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) 68 73.
142 Anna Scott (Georgia State) 72 70.
144 Lisbeth Meincke (Georgia Stgate) 70 74.
145 Charlotte Campbell (Rollins) 71 74, Marie-Pierre Bernier (Rollins) 70 75.
146 Sofia Edman (Florida International) 69 77.
147 Heather Hagerman (Florida Guilf Coast) 74 73.
150 Lindsey Bergeon (Florida Southern) 72 78, Erica Wein (Georgia State) 74 76, Jenae Riehlman (Georgia State) 73 77.
TEAM EVENT
583 Georgia State.
591 Rollins College.
604 Florida International.
608 Florida Southern.
618 Augusta State
629 Central Florida.
622 Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast.
625 Daytona Beach.
635 Troy.
648 Stetson.
669 Winthrop

Spanish Ladies' Senior Championships
Scot Pamela Williamson from Baberton and her Canadian partner Diane Williams are the back-markers off a combined handicap of 5.8 in the foursomes section of the Spanish Open Ladies Senior Championship to be held at the Sherry Golf Jerez Golf club (Cádiz, Spain) between 22nd and 25th February.
Other Scottish combinations in the field are Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) paired with Janice Gardner (Drumpellier) (combined handicap 8), Helen Faulds and Anna Telfer (10.3), Elspeth Hanlon paired with Catherine Carty from Ireland (11.7) and Jennifer Mack and Fiona Roger (16.5).
England's Vivien Saunders heads the field in the Individual section with a handcap of -0.4, close followed by France's Cecilia Mourgue d'Algue on 0.1.

LGU Press Release
GENDER POLICY
The Ladies' Golf Union has finalised a Gender Policy Document that will now be a  integral element of the Conditions of Competition for all championships run under the auspices of the LGU .
This new policy has been drawn up in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and seeks to secure the concept of fair competition for all women golfers.  Now, in addition to players who are 'female at birth' a player who has had the female gender assigned at some later stage will be permitted to take part in LGU competitions, provided proof of gender can be provided.
The policy document lays out in detail the method by which 'proof of gender' must be provided and allows for an appeals procedure should there be a dispute.
"It has taken a considerable time to finalise the Gender Policy document and we are convinced that we have a document that is fair to all," said Andy Salmon, CEO of the Ladies' Golf Union.
"I do not believe that there will be any great effect on our championships but for one or two individuals our Gender Policy will now present them with a realistic opportunity of competing at the top level of amateur or professional golf."

Callaway Press Release
ARLSBAD, CA –  Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced that its new Big Bertha® Titanium 454 Driver – at 454 cubic centimeters, the largest driver the Company has ever brought to market – is available in models designed to perform best for women golfers.
The women’s version of the hot new Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver is available in lofts of 11 and 13 degrees, as well as a High Trajectory (HT) model that has 15 degrees of loft. The ladies edition also features a Gems 55w ladies flex graphite shaft with launch properties designed to produce longer, straighter drives. The higher lofts make getting the ball airborne much easier.
Subtle curves designed into the Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver give the clubhead a surprisingly compact look at address, inspiring confidence reinforced time and again by a consistently powerful performance. The Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver’s high Moment of Inertia combines with its ultra-thin, refined titanium face to create a huge effective hitting area on the hottest face of any conforming Big Bertha Driver ever made. The satisfying results – increased distance and accuracy – are what every golfer seeks. The Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver is designed to reach the maximum allowable level for spring like effect as measured by the USGA’s new characteristic time (CT) test, and conforms to all USGA Rules.
“We believe that the vast majority of the women who play golf will find the higher-lofted models of the Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver to be the best choice in a driver,” said Bill Baker, Chairman and CEO. “This driver is easy to get airborne and the hot face is tuned right to the allowable USGA limit for CT, helping generate higher ball speed for more distance.”
The new Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver also incorporates patented core technologies that have made Callaway Golf the technology leader in woods for more than a decade. An integral element of S2H2® (Short Straight Hollow Hosel), a staple of Callaway Golf woods for more than 15 years, is Tru-Bore® Technology, which extends the shaft tip completely through the club head to the sole for greater feel and superior control.
In addition to the 11 degree, 13 degree and HT lofts, the Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver is also available right handed in 8-, 9-, and 10-degree lofts. Left handed availability is 9- and 10-degree lofts. The standard shaft is the RCH 65w and comes in light, regular, firm and strong flexes. The women’s Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver has a luxurious champagne finish with shiraz overtones and medium blue fill, and the shaft features a rich shiraz hue. The men’s version also has a striking new appearance, with a charcoal-black head and fiery red shaft.

Tuesday 8th February 2005

US Student Golf
PAMELA STARTS SECOND HALF OF COLLEGE SEASON IN FINE STYLE
Defending champion Pamela Feggans from Ayrshire, pictured right, a golf scholarship student at Florida Southern University, shot a four-under par 68 to claim the individual lead after the first round of the University of Central Florida Invitational women's tournament at Stoneybrook Country Club in Orlando on Monday.
The career-best round by Pamela, a two-time All-American selection, was one shot better than the 69 by Sofia Edman of Florida International.  The Scots' 68 tied the Florida Southern women's college golf programme  individual record (set by Jana Peterkova in 2002) for lowest round.
Georgia State had the first round lead in the 12-team field after shooting a team score of 286.  Rollins is in second place with a 289.  Florida International is third with a 299 and Florida Southern are fourth at 300. 
In addition to Miss Feggans in first place, the Florida Southern (The Moccasins) have Lindsey Bergeon in a tie for seventh with a 72, her best round as a college player shot an 81 and are among six players tied for 42nd.  The final round of the tournament will be played on Tuesday.
Pamela Feggans won the individual title last year with a 36-hole total of one-under-par 143, a record low for the tournament.
The Scot has achieved 13 top-5 finishes in her college career at Florida Southern.

Press Release
Pick a junior golfer for the best coaching in the world!
Butch Harmon, the world’s No 1 golf coach, is returning to the UK for an exclusive coaching clinic designed to prepare the UK’s best young golfers to be the stars of the future. It’s a dream opportunity for any junior to follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods – and this year you can nominate juniors to attend the Mastersclass and get lessons from Butch.
Butch and his three brothers, Dick, Bill and Craig, are hosting the Red Bull Mastersclass – a week-long summit concentrating on providing the best coaching to the UK’s best young players. It was a real hit in 2004 with the UK’s top professional coaches nominating the young golfers to attend. This year it’s up to you to choose!
Is there a junior at your club or local course who is dedicated to the game and is desperate to take their game to the top? Do you know a youngster with real talent and commitment who deserves to be taught by the best? If so, log on to www.redbullfinal5.co.uk and click on the Mastersclass nominations link to nominate your junior.
Butch said: “When we ran the Red Bull Mastersclass in 2004 we had a huge response from golf coaches across the UK and the talent they put forward to attend Mastersclass was phenomenal. This year, anyone who knows a kid with real dedication or a junior at their club who spends hours on the range and course desperate to succeed at this game, can put them forward to attend Mastersclass.”
He added; “I just know it’s going to be a real eye-opener for me and my brothers. We are very excited to have the refreshing opportunity to work with raw talent. Who knows, the UK’s Tiger Woods could be waiting for someone to give them the chance they deserve.”
The Red Bull Mastersclass takes place at St. Andrews Bay, Scotland on May 30th and 31st and at Druids Glen, Ireland on June 2nd and 3rd 2005. The closing date for nominations is March 31st

Butch Harmon instructs junior golfer, Sian James, at the 2004 Red Bull Mastersclass
while PGA Coach Sarah Claridge looks on.

ROYAL ABERDEEN TO HOST BRITISH SENIORS OPEN PROS IN JULY
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club has accepted an invitation to host this year's British Seniors Open professional golf championship. It will be played at Balgownie from Thursday to Sunday, July 21-24 and will have prize money in excess of £1million.
It will be the biggest pro golf tournament ever played north of Carnoustie. A major sponsor will be announced later this week.
This means that some of the best known names in the world of over-50s tour pro golf will be heading for Aberdeen this summer and the news is a major boost to the summer tourist trade in the North-east of Scotland.
Last year's championship at Royal Portrush provided a surprise winner in one of the "lesser" Americans, Pete Oakley, who shot a four-under-par aggregate of 284 to win by one shot from former US Open champion Tom Kite and Eduardo Romero (Argentina).
It was the second year in a row that the British title had been won by an American. In 2003 at Turnberry, Tom Watson, winner of five Open championships between 1975 and 1983, shot a last round of 64 to tie with Carl Mason on 17-under-par 263 and then beat the Englishman in a play-off.
Tom Watson, a lover of Scottish links courses, has played over the world-rated Balgownie while in this country for Open championships in the past.
Peter Oakley, a 55-year-old from Delaware, did not quite have the same calibre of CV as Tom Watson. He secured his place in the starting field at Royal Portush last year only by progressing through a pre-qualifying round at the beginning of the week in Antrim.
His cash prize was £157,800 and a place in this year's Open over the Old Course, St Andrews.
The field for Balgownie in July will include names such as former Ryder Cup skippers Sam Torrance and Mark James. James won the Ford Senior Players championship - the second major on the seniors' calendar - in Detroit a week or two before finishing fourth in last year's championship at Royal Portrush.
Aberdeen's former Scottish PGA champion John Chillas, winner of the Estoril Seniors Tour championship last October, will be returning to a Balgownie course he knows well. John finished third behind England's Carl Mason and Pete Oakley in the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit for 2004 with earnings of £198,000.
Royal Aberdeen, founded in 1780 and one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, hosted the Scottish Seniors Open pro championship from 1991 to 1993 when Tommy Horton, Antonio Garrido and Brian Huggett were the title winners.
Since then, the course has been stretched, with the help of golf course architect Donald Steel, to around 6,800yd since then, including the lengthening of the 12th hole to become a par-5.
There will be a qualifying competition to reduce the number of entries to the starting field of 144 for the 72-hole championship.
One or two other links courses in the North-east will be used for that purpose.
Royal Aberdeen is also the venue this summer for the Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship over 72 holes from June 10 to 12.
Next year, Balgownie will be the venue for the British boys' open championship from August 14 to 19.

Monday 7th February 2005

LGU Press Release
MICHELLE WIE ACCEPTS INVITATION TO ROYAL BIRKDALE
 Michelle Wie has accepted a special exemption from the Ladies' Golf Union and will be one of five amateurs who are entitled to play in the Weetabix Women's British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from 28-31 July.
Other amateurs who have qualified to play at Birkdale are Jane Park, the 2004 US Ladies Amateur Champion, Clare Queen, the 2004 Ladies British Open Amateur Stoke Play Champion and Carlota Ciganda, the 2004 European Individual Champion.  A place will be retained for the winner of the 2005 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Littlestone.
In announcing her acceptance of the invitation Andy Salmon, CEO of the LGU said: "We have followed Michelle's development over the last two years with great interest and admiration and in particular her performance in major championships. We have no doubt that she is ready to compete with the world's best players at Royal Birkdale."
When she tees off at Royal Birkdale, Ms Wie will be making only her second competitive appearance in the British Isles, following her first experience of links golf in the 2004 Curtis Cup match at Formby.  There she won both her singles but was defeated in both foursomes.
The field for the Weetabix Women's British Open, which was designated one of the four major championships by the LPGA in 2001,  is set at 144, with Pre-Qualifying being played at The Berkshire on 11 July and Final Qualifying at Hillside on 25 July.
The Weetabix has been played at Royal Birkdale on three previous occasions, in 1982 when Marta Figueras-Dotti was the winner, in 1986 with Laura Davies lifting the trophy and most recently in 2000 when Sophie Gustafson won the title.
At Sunningdale in 2004 Karen Stupples won the Championship by five shots from Australian Rachel Hetherington.
A large attendance at Royal Birkdale is anticipated and  tickets can now be purchased by calling NEC Box Office, tel: 0870 010 9021

Sunday 6th February 2005

East of Scotland Girls'
The web pages for the East of Scotland Girls Golfing Association have been updated. Click on the link to see the 2005 Fixtures and pick up a Membership registration form. Once you are a member you can enter competitions on-line!

Senior Men
LANE SO NEAR TO DOUBLE HAUL IN SPANISH OPEN SENIORS WEEK
England's David Lane from Goring & Streatley Golf Club, Berkshire went pretty close to pulling off a notable double at the Spanish senior men's international golf championships at Isla Canela Golf Club, Huelva, in south-west Spain (Feb 3-6).
Lane and Ian Mason (Royal Cinque Ports) won the pairs title over 36 holes and then Lane finished runner-up to Spain's Miguel Preysler de la Riva in the individual championship.
Preysler de la Riva (+0.5), the defending champion, and scratch man Lane, former British, English and Scottish seniors' champion, were the lowest handicapped players in the international field of 101.
Preysler de la Riva shot 74 and 73 for a three-over-par total of 147, finishing two shots ahead of the consistent Lane who followed up a 75 with a 74.
Spain also supplied the third finisher in Luis Javier Trenor Suarez de Lezo (77-74) on 151.
Scotland's Robert Gill (78-74) tied with England's Brian Prosser (77-75) and David Leadbetter (77-75) for fourth place.
LEADING TOTALS
147 Miguel Preysler de la Riva (Spa) 74 73.
149 David Lane (Eng) 75 74
151 Luis Javier Trenor Suarez de Lezo (Spa) 77 74.
152 Robert Gill (Sco) 78 74, Brian Prosser (Eng) 77 75, Robert Leadbetter (Eng) 77 75.
153 David Stevenson (Eng) 81 72, Eustaquio Delgado del Barrio (Spa) 77 76.
154 Andy Williams (Wal) 76 78.
155 Guida Vigna (Ita) 78 77, Jesus Rueda Rodriguez (Spa) 77 78.
Other scores:
158 Ian Mason (Eng) 83 75, Colin Moir (Eng) 81 77.
160 Sea Lynch (Ire) 86 74, Charlie Woods (Eng) 81 79, Alan Ferguson (Sco) 78 82.
161 Jon Marks (Eng) 80 81.
162 John Doe (Eng) 78 84.
163 Sean Horkan (Ire) 80 83.
164 Gordon Edwards (Eng) 85 79.
165 Robert Clarke (Eng) 84 81, Denis Martin (Eng) 81 84.
166 David Jamieson (Eng) 87 79, Dennis Swan (Eng) 86 80, John Hindshaw (Eng) 79 87.
167 David Shaw (Eng) 87 80, Chris Ginn (Eng) 80 87.
168 Michael Wilks (Eng) 85 83, Philip Platten (Eng) 82 86.
173 Graham Steel (Sco) 82 91.

Saturday 5th February 2005

Senior Men (New category!)
ENGLAND PAIR HOLD ON TO SPANISH SENIORS TITLE IN TIGHT FINISH
The Berkshire-Kent partnership of David Lane (Goring & Streatley) and Ian Mason (Royal Cinque Ports) held their nerve and their narrow lead in a tight finish to win the Spanish international senior men's doubles championship at Isla Canela Golf Club, Huelva, Cadiz (Feb 3-4).
For scratch man Lane - the second lowest handicap in a field of 46 pairs - it was yet another open senior title to add to the British (1998), the English (1997 & 1999) and the Scottish (2001 & 2002).
Lane and Ian Mason, who plays off 3.7, had rounds of 68 (better-ball) and 74 (stableford) for a two-under par total of 142.
They won by one shot from Italians Vanni Mandelli and Guida Vigna (69-74) with Spain's Juan Antonio Ortin and Alvaro Herrero coming up through the field at top speed in the second round to finish third on 143 after scores of 75 and 69.
The Anglo-Irish combination of Brian Prosser and Sean Lynch finished a creditable fourth on 145 (71-74).
Lane and Mason dovetailed well for a six-birdie opening round which gave them a one-stroke lead from Mandelli and Vigna. It was to stand them in good stead after bogeys at the second and third holes in the Greensome second round allowed the Italians to wipe out the overnight deficit.
With five holes to play the Englishmen and the Italians were level, with Ortin and Herrero's bag of five birdies to that point, breathing down their necks, one shot off the pace.
The 14th hole was to prove decisive in favour of Lane and Mason. They regained the lead with a par 4 while their leading rivals both bogeyed the hole.
The last four holes produced identical figures for the 1-2-3 finishers - birdie-par-par-par … but that bland statement does not to justice to the mounting tension.
LEADING TOTALS (Par 72)
(First round better-ball; Second round greensomes)
142 David Lane (Eng) & Ian Mason (Eng) 68 74.
143 Vanni Mandelli (Ita) & Guida Vigna (Ita) 69 74.
144 Juan Antonio Ortin (Spa) & Alvaro Herrero (Spa) 75 69.
145 Sean Lynch (Ire) & Brian Prosser (Eng) 71 74.
149 John Hindshaw (Eng) & Dennis Swan (Eng) 72 77, Robert Gill (Sco) & David Stevenson (Eng) 72 77.
152 Colin Moir (Eng) & David Brytan (Eng) 75 76, Gordon Edwards (Eng) & Gustava Larrazabal (Spa) 74 77.
152 Andy Williams (Wal) & Graham Steel (Sco) 77 75, Agustin Mazarrasa & Jesus Perez (Spa) 74 78, Alan Ferguson (Sco) & Mike Wilks (Eng) 73 79.
Other totals included:
153 Robert Leadbetter (Eng) & Ronald Eastwood (Eng) 73 80.
154 Robert Clarke (Eng) & David Shaw (Eng) 77 77.
155 Jon Marks (Eng) & John & Doe (Eng) 77 78.
165 David Jamieson (Eng) & Andrew Duncan (Eng) 79 86, David Robinson (Eng) & Roger Burges (Eng) 79 86, Chris Ginn (Eng) & Peter Savage (Eng) 79 86.
167 Robert Coe  (Eng) & John Hawker (Eng) 81 86.
173 John Brys (Eng) & Guy Lovett (Eng) 83 90.
188 Dougie Watson (Sco) & Jack Quinn (Sco) 92 96.

Friday 4th February 2005

UNIVERSITY GOLF FEATURES MEN AND WOMEN AT LOSSIEMOUTH
The Scottish universities' individual and team golf championships will feature men's and women's events for the first time over the Moray Golf Club courses at Lossiemouth from March 27 to 30.
The Scottish male students have staged their championships at Lossie for the past few years but the female students have, in the past, held their annual tournament on different dates at a variety of venues.
Entry fee is £30 per individual and £50 per team.
Aberdonian Richie Ramsay (Stirling) is the holder of the men's individual title while St Andrews beat Stirling in last year's men's team final.
Heriot Watt student Ann Ramsay from Kirriemuir won the women's individual universities' title at Edzell last year and Stirling won the women's team crown.

Elie Sports Club
53rd OPEN AMATEUR TOURNAMENT
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS UNDER 18
Tuesday-Thursday, March 29th-31st 2005
Download an Entry Form (Word doc)
or apply to Ian Muir, 01333 330955
for an entry form to be posted to you.
(Entrance money £6.00 - £9.00, according to age)
Excellent links courses.
Those over 13 years play on the 18 hole course at Elie and the youngsters play on the nine hole course.
Hot food and snacks available all day in the Pavilion.

JO LEAVING SGU TO JOIN SPORTSCOTLAND STAFF
Scottish Golf Union Press and Public Relations Officer Jo Storrar is leaving the Drumoig-based staff to take a new post as Press Officer at sportscotland in Edinburgh.
Jo has been three years with the Scottish Golf Union. She will leave on Friday, February 25 and start her new job on Monday, February 28.

Winners of the Florida Orange Blossom Tour's Women's International Four-Ball championship last week.
Mary Ann Plunkett from Locanto, Florida (left) and Marian Riordan from Tipperary, Ireland (right).
The magnificent trophy is 59 years old!

Thursday 3rd February 2005

US Student News
SCOT RUNS INTO LATE BOGEYS IN US COLLEGE GOLF EVENT
Mark Lamb from Haddington, winner of the Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship at Peterhead in 202, finished in a tie for 29th place in a field of 88 for the Arizona Intercollegiate - the first event of the second half of the American college golf circuit - over the Arizona National course.
Lamb, a golf scholarship student at Arizona University, had rounds of 71, 69 and 77 for a four-over-par total of 217. Lamb double-bogeyed the short fourth and the long 18th to take the shine off what had been a good tournament for the Scot.
Spaniard Alejandro Canizares (Arizona State) won the title with an 11-under total of 202, made up of scores of 65, 66 and 71.
He won by one shot from Spencer Levin (New Mexico) with 70, 67 and 66.
Mark Lamb did help Arizona to finish a creditable fourth of 16 in the team event with a total of 852 - behind New Mexico (840), Brigham Young (842) and Tulsa (851).

Press Release
ENGLISH GOLF RECEIVES £8 MILLION BOOST
Golf has won the government’s backing with the announcement today from Sport England that it is to receive an £8 million boost over the next four years for the development of the game.
The 88 per cent increase of its annual grant to £2 million represents a major leap forward for the England Golf Partnership, which is planning to increase the number of individuals playing golf by 10% by 2009 and grow the active members of affiliated clubs by 50,000.
Under this new umbrella the three major governing bodies, The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), English Golf Union (EGU) and the English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) will be working with Sport England to maximise opportunities and meet the challenges facing the game.
In addition to the £2 million annual grant, The England Golf Partnership is also receiving £1.2 million over two years from Sport England through the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s Community Club Development programme for investment into small capital projects from April 2006.
Commenting, Norman Fletcher, manager of The England Golf Partnership said:  “This is a welcome fillip for the game and sees the start of a new era for golf in England and the chance to widen participation levels.  Thanks to this support we can now make our vision a reality by implementing a pathway of programmes to 2009.
“Contributions from within golf, funding the development of the game, are currently £6.8 million which means that we now have nearly £9 million to invest annually in its future.  Our focus will therefore be divided into three categories targeting newcomers, club golfers and elite players through our ‘Get into Golf’, ‘Club England’ and ‘Team England’ programmes.
“The additional £1.2 million funding for capital projects is icing on the cake and we now have to review and prioritise our proposals within the Whole Sport Plan with great care and consideration”, he added.
The main thrust of the campaign will be focused on providing more opportunities and reasons for participants to start, stay and succeed in the game.  Extensive research will also be commissioned to provide critical benchmarking data from which to evaluate future activities and targets.
Diane Horsley, Senior Development Manager at Sport England said:  “Golf in England is really on the up and deserves its rightful place amongst the nation’s top four sports of football, rugby, cricket and tennis.
“The panel were particularly impressed by the approach adopted by the England Golf Partnership and its vision for the game, which has been developed over the last year through consultation and dialogue with their key stakeholders.”
In terms of timing, the England Golf Partnership expects to finalise details of the Whole Sport Plan for Golf and its actual activity programmes over the next two months, culminating with its launch in April.
Vital technical expertise in its development is being provided by specialist sports consultants, Performance Matters.

Press Release
LAUNCH OF 2005 VOLVO MASTERS AMATEUR
Volvo, one of the best-known names associated with world class professional golf for more than 17 years is launching The Volvo Masters Amateur Tournament to UK clubs for the first time.
A total of 100 clubs will be selected on a first come first served basis to participate in this prestigious event with winners competing in Regional Finals and a UK Final to be held at Wentworth Golf Club in September. The successful UK Finalists will be rewarded with a place in the 2005 World Final held in Andalucia and staged in conjunction with the Volvo Masters in Valderrama in October.
Each club will run a Volvo Masters Amateur competition with the title sponsor providing a £100 prize fund and promotional material to publicise the event. From each club, the top scoring gentleman, lady and an overall runner up will qualify for the Regional Final as will the Club Secretary or Manager who gains automatic qualification. Each Regional Final will generate six club members and two Secretaries or Managers who will compete in the UK Final with at least one Manager or Secretary winning the opportunity to play in the World Final.
A pilot event in 2003 proved so successful that the first Volvo Masters Amateur was rolled out in 2004 to 17 countries and attracted over 70,000 amateurs to play in the qualifying rounds, with 62 players earning a coveted place in the World Final.
Volvo, has long been associated with top class professional golf in both Europe and the Far East, but now the company’s focus is moving closer to its customers bringing together its’ network of world-wide tournaments to create one outstanding amateur event.
For further information on the 2005 Volvo Masters Amateur and to register your interest e-mail:
volvomastersamateur@fstrk.com

Tuesday 1st February 2005

EGU Press Release
JUNIOR PARTNERSHIP PROVING TO BE DRIVING FORCE IN ENGLAND
Now in its sixth year, the England Junior Golf Partnership (EJGP) continues its success and positive impact on the development of junior golf in England.
The English Golf Union (EGU), English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA), the Golf Foundation and Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), with the support of Sport England funding, created the partnership in 1999 with the aim of promoting golf within schools and developing junior structures within golf clubs.
The number of links with schools, the amount of volunteers involved with juniors and the number of junior friendly accredited golf clubs have all significantly increased and provide a strong foundation at grass roots level.
The Golf Foundation launched Tri-Golf in the summer of 2000 and the programme has been a huge success with over half a million children involved in Tri-Golf activity sessions at their primary school. In addition 50,000 children in over 1,000 secondary schools received subsidised coaching sessions run by PGA Professionals.
To provide a follow on from this school based activity the Starter Centre Initiative was set up. This scheme, aimed at providing low cost opportunities for children to receive coaching in appropriate golf facilities, has seen in excess of 100,000 boys and girls attend sessions since it started in 1999.
All coaching was conducted using the Golf Foundation’s recommended training syllabus called the ‘Junior Golf Passport’. This programme, which can be used to meet the requirements of the national curriculum, ensured that those children coached in school were then encouraged to continue their learning at a golf club or Starter Centre.
Further assistance has been provided via the EGU/ELGA Junior Club Coaching Grant (JCCG), which, through the provision of £250,000, has helped in the coaching of nearly 50,000 boys and girls at over 1,000 golf clubs since its launch in 1999. Other resources such as the Junior Organisers Handbook and Junior Handicapping Scheme have also provided additional support for clubs.
The EGU/ELGA Junior GolfMark is a further initiative to develop stronger structures within golf clubs and over the past 12 months almost 400 clubs have applied to participate. A recent survey of accredited clubs highlighted that a high percentage offer equal access for juniors to enter competitions, with 93% offering at least 10 junior competitions per year and 81% provide cut down clubs for juniors to use. In 73% of golf clubs the majority of junior members are classed as active and 92% of golf clubs have junior friendly amenities.