February 2007 Archive

Wednesday 28th February 2007

JENNA (72) BEST OF SCOTS SO FAR IN SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Strathaven's Jenna Wilson had a par-matching 72 in the first qualifying round of the Spanish women's open amateur golf championship at Sherry Golf today (Wednesday).
Scottish Under-21 champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) had a 74, Kylie Walker (Hilton Park) a 79 and Heather MacRae (Dunblane) an 82.
Two English girls, Danielle Montgomery and Elizabeth Bennet, did well. Danielle goes into the second qualifying round in second place after a 70 while Elizabeth shares third place on 71 with the title-holder, Spain's Carlota Ciganda.
Collated scoreboard:
SPANISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Sherry Golf, Cadiz.
Leading first qualifying round scores:
67 Emilie Alonso (Fra).
70 Danielle Montgomery (Eng).
71 Elizabeth Bennet (Eng), Carlota Ciganda (Spa).
72 Patricia Sanz Barrio (spa), Marta Silva Zamora (Spa), Jacqueline Hedwall (Swe), J Wilson (Sco), Emma Cambrera Bello (Spa), Anna Dahlberg-Soderstrom (Swe).
73 Lydia Hall (Wal), Sahra Hassan (Wal), Denise Becker (Ger), Rosa Svahn (Fin), Alexandrea Vilatte (Fra), Stephanie Doering (Ger).
Other scores included:
74 Krystle Caithness (Sco), Rachel Connor (Eng), Rachel Jennings (Eng), (jt 17th).
75 Henrietta Brockway (Eng) (jt 28th).
77 Kerry Smith (Eng), Naomi Edwards (Eng), Bronwig Mullins-Lane (Eng) (jt 43rd).
79 Kylie Walker (Sco), Joanne Hodge (Eng) (jt 70th).
80 Rachel Bell (Eng), Hanna Barwood (Eng) (jt 80th).
81 Breanne Loucks (Wal), Melissa Reid (Eng) (jt 88th).
82 Heather MacRae (Sco) (jt 97th).
83 Rozalyn Adams (Eng) (jt 101st).

ELLIOT SALTMAN (73) PUTS "OFFICIAL" SCOTS IN THE SHADE IN SPAIN
Craigielaw's Elliot Saltman, not a member of the official Scottish Golf Union squad, was the top Scot at the end of the first qualifying round of the Spanish men's open amateur championship at Desert Springs Golf Club today.
Elliot, pictured right, coped better with the heat than his compatriots, returning a a one-over-par 73 to be sharing 20th place going into the second and final qualifying round.
Only the leading 32 players at the end of Thursday's play will advance to the match-play stages.
The oldest of the three Saltman brothers, Elliot, although he is a +3 handicap player and won the North of Scotland open amateur stroke-play at Elgin two years ago, has never had the same recognition as Walker Cup player Lloyd nor the youngest of the three, Zack, who won the world hickory championship last year. Zack had a 79 today.
Former Scottish champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) and young Robert McKnight (Barassie) had 76s.
Youngster Ross Kellet (Colville Park) had a 77 and John Gallagher (Swanston) a 78. Both Ross and John began their rounds with double bogeys.
England's Gary Boyd, a winner at Mission Hills, China earlier this winter, set the first-round lead with a sparkling five-under-par 67.
LEADING FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SCORES
67 Gary Boyd (Eng).
68 Edouard Dubois (Fra), Jesus Legarrea (Spa), Paul Waring (Eng).
69 Miro Veijalainen (Fin).
70 Gonzalo Berlin (Spa), Steven Capper (Eng), Alexander Knappe (Ger), John Parry (Eng), Antonio Rosado (Por), Chris Wood (Eng).
71 Sam Hutsby (Eng), David Horsey (Eng), Pedro Figueiredo (Por).
Other scores included:
72 Lloyd Campbell (Eng), Matthew Cryer (Eng).
73 Jack Hiluta (Eng), Ben Parker (Eng), Elliot Saltman (Sco).
74 Jamie Abbott (Eng), Matt Haines (Eng), Simon Ward (Ire), Ricki Neil-Jones (Eng), Matthew Baldwin (Eng), Ryan Thomas (Wal).
75 Jonathan Hurst (Eng), Ben Evans (Eng), Daniel Belch (Eng).
76 Robert McKnight (Sco), Daniel Brooks (Eng), Glenn Campbell (Sco), Gareth J Evans (Eng), Rhys Enoch (Wal), Adam Hodkinson (Eng), Jack Senior (Eng).
77 Ian Winstanley (Eng), William Bowe (Eng), Ross Kellet (Sco), Llewellyn Matthews (Wal).
78 John Gallagher (Sco).
79 Zack Saltman (Sco).

SCOTTISH VET LADIES TEAM TO PLAY MARY McKENNA’S SELECTION
The Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association team to play a “Mary McKenna Seniors Selection” from Ireland at Southerness Golf Club on the Solway Firth on April 15-16 is:
Lorna Bennett (Midlands), Liz Campbell (Borders), Fiona de Vries (Midlands), Helen Faulds (West), Noreen Fenton (East), Kathleen Sutherland (North), Moira Thomson (East), Margaret Tough (Midlands), Pamela Williamson (East).
The Mary McKenna select team is Roma English (Larne), Rhona Fanagan (Milltown), Valerie Hassett (Ennis), Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine), Mary Madden (Ballinasloe), Anna Moloney (Clonmel), Mary McKenna (Donabate), Eileen MacMullen (Donegal), Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange).
The first-day programme will consist of four-ball matches with singles on the Monday.
At stake is the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy. The annual match was not held last year because of reorganisation of senior women’s golf within Ireland.

US College Golf
KATE RUNNER-UP IN FIGHTING CAMEL SPRING CLASSIC
Kate O'Sullivan from Paisley, a senior year student at High Point University, North Carolina, finished runner-up in the Fighting Camel Spring Classic women's college tournament over the Keith Hills Golf Club No 1 course at Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Kate had rounds of 77 and 72 over the 6,012yd, par-72 course for a total of 149.
Maite Ortiz de Pinedo (Campbell University) won the individual honours with two rounds of 74 for a four-over-par total of 148.
One of Kate O'Sullivan's team-mates at High Point, AnnMarie Dalton, from Carlow, Ireland, finished joint 42nd with 84 and 80 for 164.
Campbell University (605), the host college, won the team event by 30 strokes from joint runners-up Illinois State and Mercer University (635) with High Point (636) fourth of 15 competing college teams.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
148 Maite Ortiz de Pinedo (Campbell) 74 74.
149 Kate O'Sullivan (High Point) 77 72.
150 Emily Simpson (Campbell) 73 77, Mary Mattson (Campbell) 72 78.
Other total:
164 AnnMarie Dalton (High Point) 84 80 (jt 42nd).
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
605 Campbell. 635 Illinois State, Mercer. 636 High Point. 640 Colorado State, Gardner-Webb, Richmond, Xavier.

US College Golf
SHEFFIELD PLAYER JOINT FIFTH IN TEXAS
Daniel Willett (Jacksonville State) from Sheffield finished joint fifth in the All-American Classic men's college tournament at Traditional at Cypresswood Spring Golf Club, Texas.
Over a long par-72 course, measuring some 7,142yd, Daniel had rounds of 70, 74 and 72 for a level par aggregate of 216.
Aaron O'Callaghan (Southeastern Louisiana) from Cork was joint 11th on 220 with scores of 77, 71 and 72.
He had four team-mates from Britain and Ireland behind him in the final standings.
Peter O'Keefe, also from Cork, finished in a share of 20th place on 222 with 76, 75 and 71.
Graham Benson from Leighton Buzzard came joint 29th on 224 with 74, 75 and 75 while James Taverner (London) tied for 32nd place on 225 with 75, 76 and 75.
Winner of the event by three strokes with a five-under-par total of 211 was Gary Woodland (Kansas) with 69, 71 and 71. Kansas (872) also won the team title but only by one shot from Lamar with Southeastern Louisiana and Middle Tennessee State joint third on 878 in a field of 11 college teams.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
211 Gary Woodland (Kansas) 69 71 71.
214 Justin Harding (Lamar) 73 71 70.
Other totals:
216 Daniel Willett (Jacksonville State) 70 74 72 (jt 5th).
220 Aaron O'Callaghan (SE Louisiana) 77 71 72 (jt 11th).
222 Peter O'Keefe (SE Louisiana) 76 75 71 (jt 20th).
224 Graham Benson (SE Louisiana) 74 75 75 (jt 29th).
225 James Taverner (SE Louisiana) 75 76 74.
LEADING TEAMS
872 Kansas. 873 Lamar. 878 SE Louisiana, Middle Tennessee State. 886 Houston.

US College Golf
SCOTS DOWN THE FIELD IN SAVANNAH
Daniel Sommerville from St Andrews and Glasgow's Neil McBride, both students at Clayton State University, Atlanta finished 32nd and 39th respectively in a field of 63 players for the Southbridge Pirate Invitational college tournament over a long (6,922yd) par-72 course at Southbridge Golf Club, Savannah in Georgia.
Sommerville scored 77 and 76 for 153 while McBride's rounds were 76 and 79 for 155.
Jason Flowers (Valdosta State) was the winner by four strokes with 68 and 72 for four-under-par 140.
Georgia College & State University (574) won the team title by 10 shots. Clayton State (610) finished eighth of the 11 colleges participating.

US College Golf
TOUGH START FOR YOUNG ROSEANNE ON AMERICAN COLLEGE CIRCUIT
Crieff’s Roseanne Niven, a student at the University of California Berkeley only since the start of the year, finished 72nd in a field of 84 players in only her second tournament on the American women’s college circuit.
The Arizona Wildcat Invitational brought together all the leading ladies from the US colleges at the Arizona National course near Tucson, a 6,166yd lay-out with a demanding par of 71.
Roseanne, the current Scottish Under-18 girls match-play champion, had five double bogeys, two of them at her last two holes, the 15th and 16th, in a closing 84, following scores of 87 and 78, for a total of 36-over-par 249.
Over the three rounds, the Scot had one quadruple bogey and eight double bogeys.
It is all a learning process for Roseanne at the moment. She is playing long, tough courses she has never seen before against better-class opposition than she has met previously. Once she finds her feet in a “strange” land, Miss Niven, who turned 18 only last Saturday, will soon go on to better things.
Jodi Ewart from Catterick, a freshman student at New Mexico University finished joint 16th , saving her best to last with a par-matching 71 for eight-over-par 221. Her earlier rounds were 72 and 78.
In her final round, Jodi birdied the fifth, 11th, 12th and 14th but cancelled them out with bogeys at the first, third, sixth and 15th.
Miss Ewart had one eagle and nine birdies over the three rounds.
United States Curtis Cup player Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) shot three great rounds of 70, 69 and 71 for a three-under-par 210 total and an impressive victory by four shots from two Europeans – former British girls champion Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) from Sweden and Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) from the Netherlands.
Azahara Munoz (Arizona State), the Spaniard who won the British girls’ open title at Lanark in 2004, was one of five players who shared thifourth palce on 216.
Belen Mozo (Southern California), Spanish winner of the British women’s and girls’ open amateur titles in Northern Ireland last summer, finished joint 20th on 224.
Arizona State (868) won the team title by eight shots from Duke with Southern California (881) third.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3 x 71)
210 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) 70 69 71.
214 Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 67 70, Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 72 72 70.
216 Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 74 69 73, Angela Oh (Tennessee) 71 74 71, Jennifer Osborn (Arizona State) 74 67 75, Kristen Svicarovich (Vanderbilt) 73 70 73, Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (Stanford) 74 70 72.
Other totals:
221 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) 72 78 71 (jt 16th).
224 Belen Mozo (Southern California) 75 73 76 (jt 20th).
249 Roseanne Niven (California) 87 78 84 (72nd).
TEAM TOTALS
868 Arizona State. 876 Duke. 881 Southern California. 895 Brigham Young. 897 New Mexico, Pepperdine. 903 Tennessee. 907 Arizona. 912 UCLA. 914 Vanderbilt, Stanford. 931 UNLV. 934 California. 935 Virginia. 937 Washington.

Tuesday 27th February 2007

US College Golf
TIRED FINDLAY SLUMPS IN FINAL ROUND OF PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Fraserburgh’s Jordan Findlay, weakened by a bout of pneumonia in January, did not have the stamina to maintain his one-under-par standing through a third competitive round of golf in three days in the Puerto Rico Collegiate Classic at Rio Mar Country Club on the Caribbean island.
After opening rounds of 71 and 72 over the 6,902yd, par-72 course, Jordan, an 18-year-old second-year student at East Tennessee State University, slumped to a closing, five-over-par 77 for a four-over-par total of 220.
The former British boys’ champion’s final halves of 40 and 37 included a triple-bogey 8 at the long fifth and six other holes where he dropped a single shot. On the credit side he had birdies at the fifth, 13th, 15th and 16th.
Team-mate Rhys Davies, the Walker Cup player who was born in Edinburgh but brought up at Bridgend, South Wales, finished joint third on six-under-par 210 with scores of 65, 73 and 72.
He finished one shot behind Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) and Joseph Bramlett (Stanford). Castro gained the individual honours with the better last round, a 71 to a 73.
Another East Tennessee State player, Ireland’s Cian McNamara finished joint 17th on one-under-par 215 with scores of 65, 74 and 76.
Team-mate and compatriot Seamus Power from Waterford came 24th equal with 72, 72 and 73 for 217.
And the fifth East Tennessee State team player, Gareth Shaw from Lisburn, finished joint 39th on 221 with scores of 76, 73 and 72.
East Tennessee State who had jumped into the team leadership in the first round after 65s by Davies and McNamara eventually subsided, in a high-class field, to a creditable fourth place on 856, six shots behind winners Georgia in a field of 18 college teams.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
209 Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 68 70 71, Joseph Bramlett (Stanford) 69 67 73 (Castro won individual title on better last round).
210 Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) 68 72 70, Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 65 73 72.
211 Hudson Swafford (Georgia) 70 70 71, Matthew Swan (Alabama) 69 68 73, Brendon Todd (Georgia) 68 68 75.
Other totals:
215 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 65 74 76 (jt 17th).
217 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 72 72 73 (jt 24th).
218 Peter Richardson(Purdue) 71 69 78 (jt 27th).
220 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 71 72 77 (jt 36th).
221 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 76 73 72 (jt 39th).
224 Farren Keenan (Texas) 71 76 77 (jt 57th).
TEAM TOTALS
850 Georgia. 851 Clemson, Stanford. 855 Alabama. 856 East Tennessee State. 862 Oklahoma State. 864 Minnesota. 865 Georgia Tech. 867 Florida. 878 Virginia Tech. 882 Texas. 884 Duke. 890 Kent State. 894 Northwestern. 899 Purdue. 900 Illinois. 904 Michigan. 910 North Carolina State.

LORETTO SCHOOL GOLF ACADEMY'S NEW THREE-YEAR SPONSORSHIP OF UNDER-14s' CHAMPIONSHIP
The Loretto School Golf Academy has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with the Scottish Golf Union to sponsor the Scottish boys' & girls' Under-14s championship from 2007 to 2009.
The agreement, worth more than £20,000 over the next three years, marks Loretto’s second spell as sponsor of the event, having come on board as one of the SGU’s junior partners in 2004.
The championship is Scotland’s youngest age group event and was launched seven years ago to provide a national show case championship for boys and girls aged 14 and under. The competition has already witnessed some notable winners in its short history, with the 2001 winner Peter McLachlan going on to win the Scottish youths championship and represent his country at youths level, whilst Frazer Ogston – winner three years ago – was a member of the Scotland Under-16 boys' team who defeated England for the first time last season.
MAJOR PLAYER IN GOLF EDUCATION
Rick Valentine, Director of Golf at Loretto School, said the sponsorship has helped establish the school as a major player in the golf education sector:
“Having already worked with the SGU for the past three years, we are confident the sponsorship can further build our reputation as one of the best independent golfing schools in the UK.”
“Our association with such a prestigious national championship has helped attract a large number of talented young golfers into our programme, and a number of our pupils have already excelled on the national and international stage.”
“We run a wide range of events for golfers throughout the year this includes our golf talent spotting days in the autumn for golfers who are interested in joining the Golf Academy and our golf camps which run during the spring and summer.”
The Loretto Golf Academy, established in 2002, offers pupils an opportunity to develop their golfing talents in parallel with an all-round Loretto education. Loretto Golf Scholarships are offered to outstanding or promising golfers who show exceptional potential from aged 12 and upwards. A recent golfing highlight included winning the HMC Foursomes Championships, the most prestigious independent schools' golfing event of the year.
HANDICAP BALLOT DOWN TO 18
The investment will assist the SGU in further enhancing the championship, which has seen the handicap ballot fall from 23 to 18 in the last five years, illustrating the increased level of talent among younger golfers in Scotland.
Hamish Grey, the SGU Chief Executive adds:
“The Scottish boys' and girls' Under-14s championship is the first step on the ladder for many of our talented youngsters in Scotland, and supports our goal of developing talent through the staging of national championships. It is also an event where we work in partnership with the SLGA, which puts out a positive message for our One Plan for Golf route plan.”
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Loretto School Golf Academy, who have already established themselves as an innovative provider of full-time sports education programmes which sits well alongside our own development systems.”
This year's Scottish boys' and girls' Under-14s' open amateur stroke-play championship will take place at Brunston Castle Golf Club, ayrshire on Friday, July 15.
(THE ABOVE IS REPRODUCED FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE, www.sgu.com).

US College Golf
LUCY DOWN THE FIELD IN CHRYSLER CHALLENGE
Lucy Gould (East Tennessee State), Welsh girls champion in 2002 and 2003, finished joint 49th in a field of 55 players for the Chrysler Challenge women's college tournament over 54 holes at Baytowne Golf Club, Sandestin in Florida.
Lucy had rounds of 89, 84 and 84 for a 41-over-par total for the 6,095yd, par-71 course.
Sweden's Caroline Westrup, ranked No 1 female player on the US college circuits earlier in the 2006-2007, became the first Florida State University player to win this tournament.
She did it in style with a seven-stroke victory margin after rounds of 74, 73 and 68 for two-over 215.
Dori Carter (Ole Miss) was runner-up with 75, 74 and 73 for 222.
Florida State (895) also won the team event by 24 shots from North Carolina with Charleston (937) third. East Tennessee State (997) finished last of the 10 competing colleges.

R&A Press Release
R&A PROPOSES NEW RULES FOR GOLF CLUBS
St Andrews, Scotland, 27 February 2007 – The R&A is proposing changes to golf’s equipment rules that seek to restore the historic importance of driving accuracy in the game.
The proposed rules changes to club face groove markings are based on extensive research into the effect of such markings on spin generation for balls hit from the rough. Club face markings have been observed to significantly increase spin from the rough compared to previous eras when there was a greater premium on driving accuracy.
Announcing the proposed club face markings rule change, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman said:
“We invest heavily in the science that informs our decision making and there is clear evidence that certain club face groove markings increase the amount of spin that highly skilled players can achieve from the rough, especially when striking thin urethane-covered golf balls”.
“By limiting the amount of spin that can be generated for shots from the rough, we hope to place greater emphasis on accuracy and the skill required to recover from the rough. It is a matter of re-establishing a proper balance to the game and ensuring that skill remains the dominant element of success”, added Rickman.
The new limits proposed for groove cross-sectional area and groove edge sharpness would apply to all clubs (except driving clubs and putters) manufactured after 1 January 2010, but the rules could be introduced for competitions restricted to highly skilled players (via a condition of competition) from 1 January 2009. A five month consultation period with equipment manufacturers now gets underway that will also help determine when the new rules would come into effect for ordinary handicap golfers.
However, a concessionary period of at least 10 years is anticipated, recognising the costs involved in changing equipment.
Also announced today, The R&A is to consult golf equipment manufacturers on changes to the Rules that would permit new adjustable features in woods and irons. These proposals offer the potential of extending the playing benefits of club fitting to all golfers without diminishing the challenge of the game. Adjustable features, in addition to weight adjustment that is permitted for all clubs, have been allowed in the Rules of Golf for putters since 1992.
Consultation periods with manufacturers on both sets of proposed rules changes are time limited to allow adopted rules to feature in the 2008 revision of the Rules of Golf.

Scottish Vets launch a new website.
The Scottish Veteran Ladies Golfing Assocation has launched a web site - www.svlga.co.uk. It has been designed by Jan Jeffrey of Workwize - check it out!!! I've added a link to the list on the left (under Vets) so you should find it easily if you forget to bookmark it.

ROSEANNE IMPROVES BY NINE SHOTS IN SECOND ROUND IN ARIZONA
Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven from Crieff, pictured left, now a student at the University of California Berkeley, had rounds of 87 and 78 for a 36-hole tally of 165 in the Arizona Wildcat Invitational women’s college tournament at the Arizona National course, Tucson.
Playing in only her second event since enrolling at the university after the New Year, Roseanne is lying in joint 72nd position in a high-class field of 84 with one round to go.
In her morning round, Roseanne ran up a nightmare 9 at the par-5 second and also had a couple of double bogeys. But Miss Niven, who had her 18th birthday last Saturday, showed a bit more of her true capabilities later in the day, improving by nine strokes. Even then, she had a double bogey at the 10th but she did birdie the 18th.
Jodi Ewart (New Mexico University), pictured right, from Catterick is in joint 23rd place after rounds of 72 and 78 for 150 over the 6,166yd, par-71 course.
Jodi had an unusual second nine holes in her opening round – one eagle, four birdies and four bogeys for two-under-par 34, without a single par.
In her second round, Miss Ewart had a triple bogey 7 at the 10th and a double bogey 5 at the short fourth.
British women’s and girls’ open amateur champion Belen Mozo (Southern California) from Spain is sharing 14th place on 148 with scores of 75 and 73.
US Curtis Cup player Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) leads the field by two shots with 70 and 69 for three-under-par 139.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2 x 71)
139 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke) 70 69.
141 Jennifer Osborne (Arizona State) 74 67.
143 Alison Goodman (California) 73 70, Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 74 69, Kristen Svicarovich (Vanderbilt) 73 70.
144 Hannah Jun (UCLA) 73 71, anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 67, Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 72 72, Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (Stanford) 74 70.
Other scores:
148 Belen Mozo (Southern California) 75 73 (jt 14th).
150 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) 72 78 (jt 23rd).
165 Roseanne Niven (California) 87 78 (jt 72nd).
TEAM SCORES
577 Arizona State. 588 Duke. 590 Southern California. 595 New Mexico. 597 Pepperdine. 600 Vanderbilt. 606 Arizona. 607 Brigham Yong. 608 Stanford. 611 Tennessee, UNLV. 612 UCLA. 619 California. 620 Washington. 630 Virgina.

US College Golf
FINDLAY HAS ROLLER-COASTER RIDE IN PUERTO RICO SECOND ROUND
Fraserburgh teenager Jordan Findlay, a second-year golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University, is lying in 21st place in a quality field of 90, going into the third and final round of the Puerto Rico Collegiate Classic at Rio Mar Country Club on the Caribbean island.
Jordan has scored 72 and 71 for a one-under-par tally of 143 – seven shots behind the leader, Brendon Todd (Georgia University).
Findlay, playing his first tournament since he was taken to hospital after taking ill on the course in Arizona at the end of January, had a roller-coaster inward half of level par 36 in his second round.
Jordan, who had reached the turn in level par with a bogey at the fifth and a birdie at the ninth, birdied the short 10th, bogeyed the 11th, got an eagle 2 at the 12th, bogeyed the 15th, double-bogeyed the 16th but birdied the 18th.
Findlay’s team-mates, Walker Cup player Rhys Davis from Wales and Irishman Cian McNamara from Limerick fell out of a share of the lead on 65. Davies had a 73 for 138 to be sharing second place while McNamara had a 74 for 139 to drop to joint sixth place but still very much in contention for individual honours.
East Tennessee State have also lost the team event leadership to Georgia who have a seven-stroke advantage with 18 holes to play in a field of 18 colleges.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 Brendon Todd (Georgia) 68 68.
138 Rhys Davis (East Tennessee State) 65 73, Matthew Swan (Alabama) 69 769, Matthew Savage (Stanford) 68 70, Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 68 70.
Also:
139 Ciana McNamara (East Tennessee State) 65 74 (jt 6th).
140 Peter Richardson (Purdue) 71 69 (jt 10th).
143 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 71 72 (jt 21st).
144 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 72 72 (jt 27th).
148 Farren Keenan (Texas) 75 73 (jt 52nd).
149 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 76 73 (jt 57th).
LEADING TEAMS
556 Georgia. 563 East Tennessee State. 564 Stanford. 567 Alabama, Clemson. 572 Minnesota. 574 Florida, Geogia Tech. 577 Oklahoma State. 581 Texas.

Monday 26th February 2007

US College Golf
ROSEANNE HAS AN 87 IN FIRST ROUND AT ARIZONA NATIONAL
Roseanne Niven (California Berkeley) from Crieff returned a 16-over-par score of 87 over the 6,166yd Arizona National course at Tucson in the first round of the 54-hole Arizona Wildcat Invitational tournament today. Before the end of the day, she would have played her second round.
Roseanne had a nightmare 9 - a quadruple bogey at the second and double bogeys at the 13th and 17th - but the Scottish Under-18 girls champion, playing in only her second round on the American women's circuit, was not alone in struggling over a tough course, tough if you did not keep the ball on the fairways.
Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) from Catterick had a remarkable score of 34 for the second nine - an eagle at the 18th, birdies at the 12th, 13th, 16th and 17, and bogeys at the other holes. So she did not have a par on her inward half!
Jodi finished her first round on one-over-par 72 to be two shots behind the pacemaker, Amanda Blumenherst (Duke).

US College Golf
ENGLISH GIRLS SHARE SECOND PLACE AT DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
Fern Grimshaw (Bethune-Cookman College) from Dorset and Channel Islander Olivia Higgins (Charleston Southern University) finished joint second, only one stroke behind the winner in the Bethune-Cookman College Spring Invitational at Indigo Lake Golf Club, Daytona Beach in Florida.
Both Fern and Olivia scored 76 in each round of the 36-hole event won by Rachel Edwards (Daytona Beach Community College with scores of 74 and 77 for seven-over-par 151.
Another Daytona Beach CC player, Victoria Harris from England, finished joint seventh with 76 and 81 for 157.
Becky Dowell (Bethune-Cookman) from Thornecombe tied for 32nd place in a field of 59 players with 89 and 82 for 171.
Daytona Beach CC (617) won the team event by 10 strokes from hosts Bethune-Cookman College with Wofford College (643) third and Charleston Southern University and Stetson University sharing fourth place on 647 in the field of 11 colleges.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL FINAL TOTALS
151 Rachel Edwards (Daytona Beach) 74 77.
152 Fern Grimshaw (Bethune-Cookman) 76 76, Olivia Higgins (Charleston Southern) 76 76.
154 Ashley Kozlowski (Stetson) 73 81.
Other totals;
157 Victoria Harris (Daytona Beach) 76 81 (jt 7th).
171 Becky Dowell (Bethune-Cookman) 89 82 (jt 32nd).
LEADING TEAMS
617 Daytona Beach.
627 Bethune-Cookman.
643 Wofford.
647 Charleston Southern, Stetson,
648 Jacksonville.

SHELLEY HOPES TO COPY RYDER CUP STARS’ SECRETS FOR SUCCESS
FORMER Curtis Cup player Shelley McKevitt is hoping to relaunch her professional golf career by using the same scoring analysis system used by four members of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team at the K Club last year.
The 27-year-old from Ashford, in Kent, has signed up with strokeaverage.com – also used by Ross Fisher who finished fifth in Dubai on the men’s tour earlier this month, having played the final round with world number one Tiger Woods. Read more....
[photo Copyright © Ady Kerry]

ELGA Press Release
Staffordshire’s Emily Priest reaches national final
Staffordshire teenager Emily Priest (pictured right) has played her way into the final of a national championship for college golfers.
The 16-year-old won the British Colleges Sport south-west golf tournament at Bristol Golf Club to qualify for the organisation’s national championships at Loughborough University from March 30 to April 1.
The weekend will see 2000 students from the UK's further education colleges competing in 15 different sports. The golf event begins with a team event at Park Hill Golf Club followed by the individual championship at Rothley Park Golf Club.
Emily, who is a student at Filton College in Bristol, is a member of the English Ladies’ Golf Association’s Select Midlands Squad. She belongs to Stourbridge and Enville Golf Clubs and is the reigning Staffordshire girls’ and schools champion. She has just become the Staffordshire junior vice-captain.

Group of Scots at the Spanish Seniors last week
L to R: Fiona Roger (Ranfurly Castle), Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool), Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm), Pam Williamson (Baberton) Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle), Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Janice Paterson (Drumpellier)
[Thanks to Fiona Roger (though Carol Fell) for supplying the picture]

US College golf
FIGHTING FIT FINDLAY PLAYS HIS PART IN EAST TENNESSEE STATE JOY DAY
Fraserburgh teenager Jordan Findlay played his part in a brilliant performance by the East Tennessee State University golf team in the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Golf Club on the Caribbean Island yesterday (Sunday).
Findlay ended up in hospital when he was taken off the course feeling ill in his last event in Arizona at the end of January. His strength had been drained by a bout of pneumonia.
The 18-year-old former British boys champion from the Broch, a second-year student, showed he was fighting fit again with a one-under-par score of 71 over the 6,902yd course. That put him in a share of 24th place.
Team-mates Rhys Davies, the Edinburgh-born Welshman and Walker Cup player, and Limerick’s Cian McNamara shared the lead on 64, McNamara was out in 34 and home in 31, Davies reversing these outsanding figures.
Two other Irish students, freshman Seamus Power from Waterford and Gareth Shaw (Lisburn) completed the joy day for East Tennessee State with returns of 72 and 76 respectively.
The team, with a 15-under-par tally of 273 – the second lowest in East Tennessee State University golf programme history - surged six shots clear of an 18-team field containing most of the top American college players.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
65 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 34-31, Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 31-34.
68 Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State 34-34, Robert Castro (Georgia Tech) 32-36, Matthew Savage (Stanford) 31-37, Brendon Todd (Georgia) 34-34.
Other scores:
71 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 36-35 (jt 24th).
72 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 35-37 (jt 38th).
76 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 35-41 (jt 68th).
LEADING TEAMS
273 East Tennessee State.
279 Georgia.
281 Stanford.
282 Oklahoma State.
283 Clemson.

US College Golf
TARA DELANEY JOINT 21ST IN LADY PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Tara Delaney and her sister Karen, both students at Kent State University, Ohio, finished joint 21st and 78th respectively in a field of 85 for the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at Coco Beach Golf Club, San Juan today.
Tara had rounds of 72, 77 and 72 for a six-over-par total of 222 over the 6,168yd, par-72 course.
Karen scored 84, 82 and 79 for 245.
There was an usually dense logjam at the top of the leaderboard after 54 holes - five players shared the individual title on one-over-par 217. They included early leader Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian), the Parisienne girl playing in only her second US college tournament and the beaten finalist (by Azahara Munoz of Spain) in the 2004 British girls' open amateur championship final at Lanark), and Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg (Oklahoma State).
Taylor Leon (Georgia), ranked No 1 on the American women's college circuit, finished in joint eighth place on 219.
Auburn (873) won the team event by five shots from joint runners-up Georgia and Oklahoma State.
Kent State (896) came eighth of the 16 competing colleges.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
217 Alina Lee (Georgia) 72 72 73, Jenny Suh (Alabama) 70 76 71, Mariana Macias (Auburn) 70 70 77, Pernilla Lindberg (Oklahoma State) 69 71 77, Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian) 67 74 76.
218 Candace Schepperle (Auburn) 72 72 74, Garrett Phillips (Georgia) 78 72 68.
Other totals:
219 Taylor Leon (Georgia) 76 71 72 (jt 8th).
222 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 72 77 73 (jt 21st).
245 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 84 82 79 (78th).
TEAMS
873 Auburn.
878 Georgia, Oklahoma State.
882 Purdue.
892 South Carolina.
893 Texas Christian, Oklahoma.
986 Kent State (8th of 16 teams).

Sunday 25th February 2007

US College Golf
GREAT START BY McNAMARA, DAVIES
Irishman Cian McNamara and Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies - both golf scholarship students at East Tennessee State University - matched each other's performance of seven-under-par 65s in the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Golf Club, Puerto Rico today.
There was no early indication of the score returned by their Scottish team-mate, Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh who was taken ill during the college team's last event in Arizona at the end of January.

FOURTEEN CLUBS ENTER SHIRE'S GOLFVIEW TROPHY LEAGUE
A total of 14 clubs will take part in the Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association Scratch League for the Golfview Trophy this year.
Banchory are the defending champions.
The sections are:
Section A – Aboyne, Ballater, Cruden Bay, Ellon, Peterculter.
Section B - Banchory, Deeside, Fraserburgh, Hazlehead, Newmachar.
Section C – Aberdeen Ladies, Inchmarlo, Murcar Links, Westhill.
The ties are:
Section A – Aboyne v Cruden Bay, Aboyne v Ellon, Ballater v Aboyne, Ballater v Cruden Bay, Cruden Bay v Ellon, Cruden Bay v Peterculter, Ellon v Ballater, Ellon v Peterculter, Peterculter v Aboyne, Peterculter v Ballater.
Section B – Banchory v Fraserburgh, Banchory v Hazlehead, Deeside v Banchory, Deeside v Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh v Hazlehead, Fraserburgh v Newmachar, Hazlehead v Deeside, Hazlehead v Newmachar, Newmachar v Deeside, Newmachar v Banchory.
Section B – Aberdeen Ladies v Murcar Links, Inchmarlo v Aberdeen Ladies, Inchmarlo v Westhill, Murcar Links v Inchmarlo, Westhill v Aberdeen Ladies, Westhill v Murcar Links.
First mentioned club is the home club and is responsible for arranging the date and time of the match. April 1 is the deadline for arrangements to be completed.
All section matches by must be played by July 15. The three section winners will contest the final by September 16. Two points are awarded for an overall win and one point for a drawn match.
Teams are required to play members in handicap order.

TARA DROPS BACK TO JT 25th IN LADY PUERTO RICO CLASSIC
Ireland's Tara Delaney, pictured right, has dropped back to joint 25th place with one round to go in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at Coco Beach, San Juan.
Tara, from Carlow, has had rounds of 72 and 77 for a 36-hole tally of 149.
Her sister Karen is back in joint 82nd place in a field of 84 players with scores of 84 and 82 for 166.
At the top of the leaderboard, Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg (Oklahoma State) shares the lead on four-under-par 140 for the 6,168yd, par-72 course with Mariana Macias (Auburn).
Pernilla has had rounds of 69 and 71, Mariana a pair of 70s.
First-round leader Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian) from Paris, beaten finalist in the 2004 British girls' open amateur championship at Lanark, is now in third place with scores of 67 and 74 for 141.
Meanwhile, in the Bethune-Cookman College Spring Invitational at Indigo Lake, Daytona Beach in Florida, Fern Grimshaw (Bethune-Cookman) from Dorset and Channel Islander Olivia Higgins (Charleston Southern) are among a group of four players on 76 at the end of the first round.
Becky Dowell (Bethune-Cookman) is sharing 33rd place in a field of 59 players with an 89.
Ashley Kozlowski (Stetson) leads the field with a one-over-par 73 for the 5,913yd course, one ahead of Rachel Edwards (Daytona Beach).

STACY WINS FIELDS OPEN ON HAWAII, LAURA DAVIES JOINT 33rd
Angela Park failed in her bid to become, at 18 years of age, the youngest-ever winner on the LPGA Tour.
Joint leader with Stacy Prammanasudh with one round to go in the Fields Open, Angela closed with a 71 for a final total of 205, which earned her a share of third place at Ko Olina Golf Club, Hawaii.
Stacy Prammanasudh, pictured right, went on to win by one shot from Jee Young Lee after returning a 68 for 14-under-par 202. That earned her a second LPGA Tour win and a cheque for $180,000.
Laura Davies tied for 33rd place on 214 with a 70.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72). Course: 6,519yd
202 Stacy Prammanasudh 66 68 68 ($180,000).
203 Jee Young Lee 69 66 68 ($110,950).
205 Al Miyazato 71 68 66, Morgan Pressel 71 65 69, Angela Park 66 68 71 ($64,288 each).
206 Cristie Kerr 71 70 65, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman 70 67 69 ($37,662 each).
Other total:
214 Laura Davies 73 71 70 (jt 33rd) ($6,793).

Saturday 24th February 2007

MHAIRI MISSES HAWAII CUT
Mhairi McKay, with rounds of 75 and 73 for four-over-par 148, failed to survive the halfway cut in the weather-disrupted Fields Open on Hawaii today.
Only players with level par 144 or better went on to the third round.
Laura Davies (73-71 for 144) was one of the qualifiers.
LEADERBOARD
134 S Prammanasudh 66 68, A Park 66 68.
135 J Young Lee 69 66.
136 M Pressel 71 65.
137 W Doolan 70 67, V Goetze-Ackerman 70 67.
Other qualifier:
144 L Davies 73 71.
DID NOT QUALIFY
148 M McKay (Sco) 75 73.

SLGA WINTER TRAINING CAMP IN NE SPAIN
New national coach Kevin Craggs will be in charge of the SLGA annual winter training camp at Pals in North-east Spain from March 10 to 24.
Players were invited to attend for one of the two weeks.
Players available to go are:
Week 1: March 10 to 17.
Emma Fairnie (Dunbar)
Kerri Harper (Inverness)
Lesley Hendry (Routenburn)
Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton)
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)
Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey)
Laura Murray (Alford).
Jane Turner (Mortonhall)
Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth).
Week 2 -March 17 to 24
Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
Carly Booth (Comrie).
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus)
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old)
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus)
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle)
Sammy Vass (Tain).
Kylie Walker (Hilton Park).
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).

MHAIRI RESUMES WITH MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB IN HAWAII
Due to a 3hr rain delay during Friday's second round of the Fields Open at Ko Olina Golf Club, Kapolei on Hawaii, second-round play was not completed.
The 70 players who have not completed their second rounds resume today at 7.30am local time.
The start of the final round will take place once the second round concludes and the cut of the top-70 players and ties is made.
Of the players who completed 36 holes on Friday, Stacy Prammanasudh
set the clubhouse target of 10-under-par 134 with a second-round 68 just before the heavy rain started.
Eighteen-year-old Morgan Pressel had a 65 for 136.
Laura Davies finished 36 holes on level par 144 after a 71 and should survive the cut which is projected at two-over-par 146.
Mhairi McKay was four over par for the tournament, having played only six holes of her second round before play was halted. She had a three-over-75 in the first round.
Janice Moodie was disqualified after handing in a first-round 77. It transpires that her transgression was forgetting to sign her scorecard.
36-HOLE LEADERS
134 (-10) Stacy Prammanasudh 66 68.
136 Morgan Pressel 71 65.
138 Carrie Wood 70 68, Mi Hyun Kim 71 67.
Other two-round total:
144 Laura Davies 73 71.
INCOMPLETED SECOND ROUND
Figure in relation to par takes into account first-round score
-9 after 14 Jee Young Lee.
-9 after nine Angela Park.
+4 after six Mhairi McKay.

Friday 23rd February 2007

Anyone watching Carol Fell's excellent Renfrewshire website will have noticed that she has completely scooped the news on what was happening in Spain this week. With no shame at all I replicate her report here.....

Honorary RLCGA Member Maureen Richmond is runner up in the Spanish Seniors
The Italian François Colmant became the Spanish Seniors Champion today at the Club of Golf of Bonalba (Alicante). A final round of 79 , which was one better than her first round and one less than the total by RLCGA's Maureen Richmond (Kilmacolm)
Maureen who was the leader after day one had a chance to force a play-off by sinking a putt on the last green. However it was not to be and the Italian won by one shot.
Final Results
1 - François Colmant (ITA) 157 (78+79)
2. - Maureen Richmond (SCO) 158 (77+81)
3. - Ana Vilella (SPA) 161 (80+81)
Other Scots:
13 - P Williamson (Baberton) 166 (83+83)
15 - J Paterson (Drumpellier) 167 (83+84)
21 - H Faulds (Douglas Park) 171 (87+84)
57 - B Biggart (Kilmacolm) 181 (93+88)
63 - F Roger (Ranfurly Castle) 184 (94+90)
75 - J Mack (Haggs Castle) 192 (97+95)
The Spanish partnership of Marta Estany and Vicky Pertierra won the Senior Womens "Doubles" Championship today at the Club of Golf of Bonalba, in Alicante. On a day that was cloudy and very windy the scoring was exceedingly difficult. Congratulations go to RLCGA's Maureen Richmond and Barbara Biggart on their tremendous achievement in just missing out on the big win by 1 or 2 shots and ended up being 3rd overall 1 shot behind the Spanish winners
FINAL Scores. - Marta Estany (ESP) /Vicky Pertierra (ESP) 156 (75+81)
2. - Cristina Marsans (ESP) /Beatriz Ramirez de Haro (ESP) 157 (77+80) (Better 2nd round)
3. - Barbara Biggart (SCO) /Maureen Richmond (SCO) 157 (75+82)
4- Erika Annison (SWE) /Edeltraut Jacob (GER) 157 (73+84)
Other Scots:
7 - Pamela Williamson and Diane Williams (Can) 161 (80+81)
12 - Helen Faulds and Janice Paterson 164 (80+84)
29 - Jennifer Mack anfd Fiona Roger 175 (87+88)
[Very many thanks to Carol for sending me a gentle reminder!]

HOLLY IS NUMERO UNO IN EUROPE AFTER VICTORY IN PORTUGAL
England's Holly Aitchison is the No 1 female amateur golfer in Europe - and that's official!
She won the first counting event in the new European Golf Association women's amateur rankings, the Portuguese women's open amateur championship on the Algarve.
The next three in the rankings, Sandra Gal (Germany), Pernilla Lindberg (Sweden) and former British girls champion Azahara Munoz (Spain) have all earned their points so far with their performances on the American women's college circuit.
See http://www.ega-golf.ch/080000/080100.asp for an explanation of the Ranking points.
The top 20 placings at the moment are:
1 Holly Aitchinson (Eng) 60pt.
2 Sandra Gal (Ger), Pernilla Lindberg (Swe), Azahara Munoz (Spa) 51pt.
5 Nicola Roessler (Ger) 50pt.
6 Ines Lescudier (Fra), Ana Santos Melo (Por) 42.50pt.
8 Celine Herbin (Fra), Satu Harju (Fin), Carla Cruz (Por), Carolina Afonso (Fra) 29pt.
12 Belen Mozo (Spa) 26.50pt.
13 Caroline Westrup (Swe) 13pt.
14 Marion Bernard (Fra), Rosa Svahn (Fin), Valentine Gevers (Bel), Mireia Prat (Spa), Caroline Masson (Ger), Fanny Rocard (Fra), Marie Tschida (Ger), Ane Urchegui (Spa) 11.88pt.
COUNTING EVENTS FOR THE 2007 EUROPEAN WOMEN'S AMATEUR RANKINGS ARE:
Feb 7-11 Portuguese Ladies International, Quinta de Cima GC (Algarve)
Feb 28 - Mar 4 Spanish Ladies' International, Sherry Golf
Apr 27-29 Scottish Open Stroke Play, Troon
May 5-6 Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play, Newport GC
May 24-27 International German Ladies, Dusseldorfer GC
May 24-27 Austrian Ladies Amateur, TGC Fürstenfeld-Loipersdorf
Jun 1-3 French Ladies Amateur Stroke Play, Golf d'Esery
Jun 12-16 Ladies' British Open Amateur, Alwoodley GC
Jun 25-29 Russian Ladies Amateur Open, Le Meridien Moscow CC
Jul 28-29 Danish International Ladies, Silkeborg GC
Aug 3-5 Swiss Ladies Amateur, Basel GC
Aug 8-11 Czech Int. Ladies Amateur, Cihelny GC
Aug 9-11 Finnish Ladies Amateur, Helsinki GC
Aug 22-24 British Open Amateur Stroke Play, Conwy GC
Aug 29 - Sep 1 European Ladies' Individual, Sporting Club Berlin
Sep 12-16 Italian Int. Ladies Amateur, Villa d'Este GC

R&A EXTENDS SUPPORT OF ST ANDREWS LINKS JUNIOR ASSOCIATION
The R&A is exending its original five-year support for the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association with a second five-year term over which the financial contribution will rise to £62,500 - a 25 % increase.
"We have been involved with the SALJGA since 2002, right from the start," said Duncan Weir, R&A Director of Golf Development.
"Enormous progress has been made, with hundreds of kids getting a start in the game, and St Andrews is now punching its weight at county and national level in boths boys' and girls' events."
Paul Kirkcaldy, Junior Golf Manager of the St Andrews Links Turst, welcomed the endorsement by the R&A of the sterling work done by the junior association.
"This is a great boost for all of us who work with the juniors in St Andrews. The R&A's generosity is an indicationof their long-standing commitment to grsss roots golf," said Paul.
The award comes from the annual surplus generated by the Open championship and is just one of a multitude of R&A grants that encourage young people worldwide to tak eup golf and develop their skills.
SALJGA members enjoye a wide range of benefits, including priviledged access to the Golf Pracgtice Centre.
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie is honorary president of the SALJGA.
+The above is reproduced from the new issue of LINKS NEWS, the Newsletter of St Andrews Links.

JORDAN MAKES COMEBACK IN PUERTO RICO THIS WEEKEND
Fraserburgh exile Jordan Findlay will return to the American college golf circuit this weekend for the first time since he was finished up in Arizona hospital after being forced to retire out on the course at the end of last month.
Finday, 18-year-old former British boys' champion and a second-year golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University, had returned to action too soon after a bout of pneumonia had sapped his strength.
"Jordan's been back in the gym over the past fortnight and he has been practising. He's still not 100 per cent but he's progressing," said his father Ian.
"He's now in Puerto Rico with the university team for the three-round Puerto Rico Classic which begins at Rio Mar Country Club on Sunday. I hope he can stand the heat because his illness took a lot out of him."

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIE HOLDS ON TO WIN PAM GOLDING INTERNATIONAL EVENT
South African rookie professional Lee-Anne Pace, the overnight leader, just held on to win the
Pam Golding Ladies International tournament over the Dainfern Country Club course, Johannesburg today.
Miss Pace finished with a one-under-par 73 - her worst of the three rounds - for a final total of 11-under-par 219.
Fellow South African Stacy Bregman, her closest rival overnight, slipped back with a 75 for 212 and it was Denmark's Julie Tvede who finished runner-up, one shot behind the winner, after a 71 for 209.
Welsh player Eleanor Pilgrim made up a lot of late ground with a closing 69 to fill third place on 211.
England's Kiran Matharu and Rebecca Hudson shared fourth place with Stacy Bregman on 212.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3 x 73)
Prizemoney in South African Rand.
Players from South Africa unless stated
208 Lee-Anne Pace 69 67 72 (R37,500).
209 Julie Tvede (Den) 70 68 71 (R27,500).
211 Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 72 70 69 (R20,000).
212 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 68 73 71, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 69 72 71, Stacy Bregman 66 71 75 (R12,375 each).
214 Sophie Walker (Eng) 73 73 68, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 70 72 (R8,000 each).
215 Emelie Svenningsson (Swe) 70 72 73, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 69 70 (R6,000 each).
216 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 72 70 74 (R5,125).
217 Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 71 71 75, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo) 75 71 71, Anna Becker (Swe) 74 73 70 (R4,516 each), Ashleigh Simon (am) 73 70 74.
218 Kelli Shean (am) 76 69 73.
219 Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 72 74, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 70 76 73 (R4,062 each).
220 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 75 73 72, Morgana Robbertze 71 71 78 (R3,812 each), Bertine Strauss (am) 74 74 72.
221 Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 71 76, Frederique Dorbes 77 76 68 (R3,562).
222 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 71 76 75, Michele De Vries 75 75 72, Vannesa Bell (Eng) 73 76 73, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 78 72 (R3,187 each).
Other totals:
223 Sarah Heath (Eng) 75 73 75 (R2,456).
224 Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 74 74 76 (R2,000).
225 Kelly Hutcherson (Eng) 76 74 75 (R1,862).
227 Felicity Johnson (Eng) 73 78 76 (R1,412).

JANICE MOODIE DISQUALIFIED AFTER RETURNING A 77
Janice Moodie was disqualified after returning a four-over-par score of 77 in the first round of the Fields Open, this week's LPGA Tour event at Ko Olina Golf Club, Kapolei on Hawaii.
The Glasgow-born player, pictured right, had halves of 37 and 40, finishing with a double-bogey 6 at the 18th.
It was not immediately clear why the Scot had been disqualified.
Laura Davies was the leading British player with a 73 (37-36).
Mhairi McKay returned a 75 (37-38).
The lead was shared by rookie Angela Park and Stacy Prammanasudh on six-under-par 66.

Thursday 22nd February

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIES 1-2 IN "PAM GOLDING" EVENT
Lee-Anne Pace is making a strong bid for inclusion in the next South African Women’s World Cup of Golf team as she heads into the final round of the Pam Golding Ladies International with a one-stroke lead.
Pace, in her rookie season as a professional, took the lead on 10 under par 136 with a solid second-round 67 over the par-73 Dainfern Country Club course, Johannesburg today.
Her nearest challenger is another rookie South African professional in Stacy Bregman, who led the first round but had to settle for a 71 and a total of 135 with one round to go.
Denmark's Julie Tvede is leading the overseas challenge on 138.
Then come England's Kiran Matharu on Rebecca Hudson, joint fourth on 141.
Both Pace and Bregman represent the new wave of talent in South African women’s professional golf. Pace enjoys playing privileges on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour, while Bregman has earned her card for the Ladies European Tour.
The non-qualifiers - those with 36-hole tallies of nine-over-par 155 and higher included Irish Curtis Cup player and rookie pro Claire Coughlan from Cork. Claire had rounds of 80 and 77 for 157. Scottish girl, Jessica Wycherley Vilakazi, who played in the East of Scotland Girls Championship last year, had rounds of 86 and 81 and also failed to qualify.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Players from South Africa unless stated.
(am) denotes amateur.
136 Lee-Anne Pace 69 67.
137 Stacy Bregman 66 71.
138 Julie Tvede (Den) 70 68.
141 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 68 73, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 69 72.
142 Emelie Svenningsson (Swe) 70 72, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 71 71, Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 72 70, Morgana Robbertze 71 71, Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 72 70, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 70.
143 Ashleigh Simon (am) 73 70.
144 Natou Soro 71 73.
145 Kelli Shean (am) 76 69, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 69, Florence Luscher (Swi) 74 71, Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 72, Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 71.
146 Sophie Walker (Eng) 73 73, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo) 75 71, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 70 76.
147 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 71 76, Viva Schlasberg (Swe) 74 73, Anna Becker (Awe) 74 73, Mandy Adamson 72 75.
148 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 75 73, Suzette Venter 76 72, Bertine Strauss (am) 74 74, Leandri Pieterse 76 72, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 74 74, Lizelle Muller (am) 75 73, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 79 69, Sarah Heath (Eng) 75 73, Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 74 74, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 75.
149 Josefin Svenningsson (Swe) 76 73, Laurette Maritz 75 74, Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra) 74 75, Cuyler Hedley (Can) 72 77, Sohvi Harkonen (Fin) 76 73, Elin Brask (Swe) 73 76, Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73 76.
150 Edita Nechanicka (Cze) 75 75, Kelly Hutcherson (Eng) 76 74, Michelle de Vries 75 75, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 78.
151 Lena Tornevall (Swe) 75 76, Monique Smit (am) 78 73, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 73 78, Madeleine Holmblad (Swe) 77 74, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 75 76, Nicole Becker (am) 73 78
153 Sandra Winter (am) 78 75, Zelda Smook (am) 76 77, Frederique Dorbes (Fra) 77 76
154 Kim Williams (am) 78 76, Tandi von Ruben (am) 77 77, Vicki Traut (am) 76 78, Hanna-Sophia Svenningsson (Swe) 77 77, Mercia Pretorius (am) 76 78, Nuria Clau (Spa) 75 79, Julie Berton (Fra) 79 75.
DID NOT QUALIFY
155 Monja Richards 77 78, Maria Ohlsson (Swe) 75 80, Caryn Louw 81 74, Ashleigh Holmes (am) 81 74, Nina Hansson (Swe) 77 78, Henriette Frylinck (am) 81 74, Yushire Budhram (am) 82 73.
156 Frederique Seeholzer (Swi) 80 76, Shelley McKevitt (Eng) 78 78.
157 Sarah Faller (Ire) (am) 76 81, Sandra Eggermont (Net) 77 80, Claire Coughlan (Ire) 80 77.
158 Angie Green (Can) 78 80, Lise Botha 77 81.
159 Michelle Smith (Eng) 78 81, Nora Kagonyera (Uga) 78 81.
160 Lumien Lausberg 82 78, Santie Koch 86 74, Fabienne Haremza (Ger) 83 77, Kim Brookes (am) 77 83.
162 C Cheryl Smith (Eng) 77 85.
163 Iliska Verwey (am) 79 84, Crizelda van Niekerk 83 80, Elsabe Hefer 80 83.
165 Alexandra Hinteregger (am) 82 83.
167 Jessica Wycherley (Sco am) 86 81.
168 Maria Jimenez de Miguel (Spa) 84 84.

SGU Press Release
DUNFERMLINE BUILDING SOCIETY BOOST FOR SCOTTISH JUNIOR GOLF
The Scottish Golf Union today announced a major new sponsorship agreement with Dunfermline Building Society which will see a £100,000 investment into junior golf in Scotland over the next two years.
The deal is the biggest private sector investment into grass roots golf in Scotland and one of the largest sponsorship deals in the organisation’s history, supporting the SGU’s commitment to growing and developing the game at entry level.
Dunfermline Building Society will become the official sponsor of the SGU’s Junior Masters – the largest participation golf championship for under-16s in Scotland. The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters will become the only nationally recognised junior event for players of all abilities, open to boys and girls alike.
The sponsorship agreement also sees Dunfermline Building Society becoming the official partner of a new initiative launched by the SGU – the Scottish Junior Club of the Year Awards, which will reward clubs for encouraging junior golf accessibility and participation in their community.
Speaking at today’s announcement at the Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Ross Duncan, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager for the SGU, welcomed the new partnership:
“We are naturally thrilled with the investment from Dunfermline Building Society, who are one of Scotland’s most respected brands. The sponsorship is another huge boost to the SGU on the back of a highly successful year in 2006.”
“The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is a vitally important event for us, giving the opportunity for young boys and girls of all abilities to experience golf and showcase their talents. The handicap system gives golf a great advantage over other sports, giving youngsters who have just started out the chance to compete against a player at the top level.”
Dunfermline Building Society’s Chief Executive, Graeme Dalziel, added:
“Dunfermline Building Society is delighted to be going into partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, whose involvement with junior golf complements the objectives of the Dunfermline Building Society, namely enhancing local communities and encouraging participation at grass roots level.”
“Our commitment to young people is intentional - they represent Scotland’s future and our future - that of Dunfermline Building Society.”
The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is open to all SGU affiliated golf clubs in Scotland with a junior section. Each club is invited to host a local qualifying event, with Regional Finals taking place at Kingussie, Stirling, Dunfermline, Paisley and Peebles in July, with the Grand Final being hosted by Gleneagles, home of the 2014 Ryder Cup, in October.
Dunfermline Building Society also plan to launch a savings account to help parents and youngsters save up for golf related activity, whilst also benefiting the clubgolf programme in Scotland.
“Whilst golf in Scotland for youngsters is more affordable than ever before, there are still some relatively significant outlays for parents whose children take up golf. Our Savers account will encourage good financial practise for youngsters, enabling them to save up for things like their annual membership, more lessons or a new driver,” said Phil Kennedy Head of Marketing at Dunfermline Building Society.
Alastair Forsyth, one of Scotland’s European Tour stars and Mearns Castle’s affiliated professional, was on hand to launch the partnership and was enthusiastic about the increased investment into Scottish junior golf.
“The sponsorship is fantastic news for young golfers in Scotland. There’s been a lot of great work done in recent years through the clubgolf programme and initiatives such as the Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year awards will help open up even more doors to boys and girls starting out in the game,” said Alastair.
“Whilst I’ve been lucky enough to compete at the top level, it’s vital that everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy golf, from beginners upwards, and the incentive of playing a national final at Gleneagles will undoubtedly attract more players in the years ahead.” he added.
For more information on the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year Awards, visit www.scottishgolfunion.org

Wednesday 21st February 2007

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOKIE LEADS PAM GOLDING INTERNATIONAL
Stacy Bregman, the South African who beat top qualifier Azahara Munoz (Spain) in the first round of the match-play stages of the British women's open amateur championship at Royal County Down, has made a promising start in her first tournament as a professional in South Africa.
She claimed a two-stroke lead in the first round of the Pam Golding Ladies International at Dainfern Country Club, Johannesburg.
Bregman, who turned professional after winning the world amateur team championship with Ashleigh Simon and Kelli Shean and immediately qualified for the Ladies European Tour, opened with a seven-under-par 66.
The young star carded seven birdies, an eagle and two bogeys to head the field from English womenm Kiran Matharu, who posted a 68.
Rebecca Hudson and another South African rookie professional in Lee-Anne Pace were next best with rounds of four under 69.
Defending champion Nora Angehrn opened with a one under 72, while amateur sensation Ashleigh Simon signed for a level par 73.
As impressive as Bregman's round was, it could by her own admission have been even better.
She lipped out for birdie at the first two holes, then lipped out for eagle at the third but secured her birdie. Bregman went on to make birdie from two feet at the fourth, lip out for birdie at the seventh, hole a six-footer for birdie at the eighth and then hole a 65-foot putt for eagle at the ninth.She opened her back nine with four birdies in five holes from the 10th, then dropped her first shot with a three-putt on the 15th and her second when she failed to get up and down for par on the 17th.
“I played really well and everything was going exactly where I wanted it to,” said Bregman, who returned home from the Ladies European Tour confident of claiming a maiden victory on the Ladies African Tour.
“I have really been looking forward to these tournaments because I feel I can win at least one of them. I’ve been working very hard on my game and I gained a lot of experience playing in Australia.”
Bregman has been working on her short game with close friend Neil Schietekat, who is also in his rookie season as a professional on the men’s Sunshine Tour.
Schietekat made an impact in only his third event when he challenged for the recent Vodacom Championship title and finished tied fifth.
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 73
Players from South Africa unless stated.
(am) indicates amateur.
66 Stacy Bregman.
68 Kiran Matharu (Eng).
69 Lee-Anne Pace, Rebecca Hudson (Eng).
70 Julie Tvede (Den), Emelie Svenningsson (Swe), Jehanne Jail (Fra).
71 Johanna Westerberg (Swe), Natou Soro, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor),Morgana Robbertze .
72 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin), Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Cuyler Hedley (Can), Nora Angehrn (Swi), Mandy Adamson.
73 Sophie Walker (Eng), Ashleigh Simon (am), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Lisa Jean (Aus), Elin Brask (Swe), Maria Boden (Swe), Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73, Nicole Becker (am).
74 Bertine Strauss (am), Viva Schlasberg (Swe), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Florence Luscher (Swi), Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra), Martina Gillen (Ire), Kirsty Fisher (Eng), Anna Becker (Swe).
75 Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Lena Tornevall (Swe), Maria Ohlsson (Swe), Edita Nechanicka (Cze), Lizelle Muller (am), Laurette Maritz, Zuzana Kamasova (Slo), Sarah Heath (Eng), Michelle de Vries, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 75, Nuria Clau (Spa).
Other scores included:
76 Kelly Hutcherson (Eng), Sarah (Ire) (am).
77 Cheryl Smith (Eng).
78 Michelle Smith (Eng), Shelley McKevitt (Eng).
80 Claire Coughlan (Ire)
86 Jessica Wycherley Vilakazi (Sco am).

CHARLENE FOURTH AGAIN IN LADY FALCON INVITATIONAL
Antrim’s Charlene Reid, a student at Pfeiffer University, North Carolina, finished fourth for the second event in a row in the Lady Falcon Invitational college tournament at Old North State Club, New London in North Carolina yesterday (Tuesday).
Charlene had scores of 80 and 78 for a total of 158 – seven shots behind the winner, Jean Chua (Wake Forest) who shot 76 and 75 for five-over-par 151 over the 5,842yd, par-72 course.
Ashton Ingram (Belmont Abbey College) from Fort William finished joint 33rd in a field of 79 with scores of 85 and 86 for 171.
Charlene Reid’s Pfeiffer team-mate from Belfast, Nikki Taggart shared 55th place on 185 with rounds of 90 and 95.
Pfeiffer (661) finished joint third behind winners West Florida (653) and Belmont Abbey (682) came eighth in the field of 15 colleges for the team event.

CALLUM FOURTH BUT LEWIS DOWN THE FIELD IN FLORIDA
Callum Macaulay (Mississippi) from Tulliallan and Oldmeldrum's Lewis Kirton (Louisville) finished fourth and joint 72nd respectively in the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate tournament at Rio Pinar Country Club, Orlando, Florida today.
Macaulay had rounds of 66, 75 and 74 for a one-under-par tally of 215 - seven shots behind the three-stroke winner Brett Myers (Tulsa) (68-68-72).
Kirton had a good opening round of 70 over the 6,978yd, par-72 course but struggled in his later rounds of 80 and 79 for a 13-over-par tally of 229. A field of 96 players took part.
Tennessee-Chattanooga, who had Bryce Ledford (69-72-70=211) and Jonathan Hodge (73-68-72=213) in second and third places, won the team event with a total of 862, pipping Tulsa (863) for the title.
Macaulay's effort helped Mississippi (872) to finish fourth, four shots ahead of Louisville in the 18-team field.

KATY'S KNEE OP "WENT WELL."
News from Katy McNicoll's dad Dave in Carnoustie that his daughter, whose 19th birthday it was today, is "in a bit of pain but coping ... Surgeon said the knee operation went well."
Katy, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, will not be able to play golf for at least six months.

Tuesday 20th February 2007

US College Golf
GEMMA RECAPTURES FORM TO FINISH THIRD IN FLORIDA
Gemma Webster, Glasgow-born sophomore student at Ohio State University, quickly bounced back from a disappointing display in her last tournament to finish third in the Central District Invitational women's college event at River Wilderness Golf Club, Parrish in Florida.
Gemma had rounds of 73, 74 and 69 for a level par total of 216 over the 6,099yd, par-72 course. She was competing as an individual as Ohio State did not enter a team of five.
In her sparkling final round, which was equalled only by the six-stroke winner, Ashley Knoll (Texas A&M), the Scot birdied the first, sixth, 10th and 12th and had only one bogey, at the ninth. Over the 54 holes, Gemma had a bag of eight birdies.
Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M), Irish girls champion in 2005, finished sixth on 222 with scores of 77, 72 and 73. Danielle, a Royal County Down Golf Club member, notched 10 birdies over the the three rounds but also had 16 bogeys.
Hannah Burke (Baylor) from Hertfordshire tied for 30th place on 230 with scores of 77, 81 and 72. In her second round, the English girl had a nightmare run of a double bogey at the 15th, a triple bogey at the 16th, a double bogey at the 17th and a bogey at the 18 - which added up to eight shots dropped over four holes.
But in her closing par-matching 72, Hannah had third birdies.
Baylor team-mate and compatriot Sian Reddick from Folkestone finished joint 63rd on 241 with 83, 77 and 81. She had two double bogeys in her final round and five doubles in all over the three rounds.
Ashley Knoll (Texas A&M) won the individual title by the runaway margin of six shots from Sara Brown (Michigan State). Ashley finished with a seven-under-par total of 209, comprising rounds of 67, 73 and 69.
Texas A&M (874) won the team event by 13 shots from Michigan State with Baylor (905) third of the 14 competing colleges.

US College Golf
KENT STUDENT SHARES 11TH PLACE AT SAWGRASS COUNTRY CLUB
Tom Sherreard (Georgia State), a 6ft 1in freshman from Maidstone Kent, finished joint 11th in the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational over a 6,805yd, par-72 course at Sawgrass Country Club.
Sherreard had rounds of 77, 75 and 71 for a total of 223. His last round, which featured a birdie at the first hole, followed by 17 straight pars, hauled him up from a share of 27th place overnight.
Tom would certainly have had a top-10 finish with ease but for late disasters in his first round in which he had a triple bogey at the 14th and a double bogey at the 16th.
Team-mate Ben Taylor from Hexham, a senior student at Georgia State and another six-footer, finished in a share of 36th place on 229 with scores of 76, 75 and 78.
Kevin Chappell (UCLA) won the individual honours with a two-under-par total of 214, made up of scores of 72, 73 and 69.
Cruising to victory with a few holes to play, Kevin ran up a double bogey at the 16th and final scrambled home by one shot from John Curran (Vanderbilt) (73-71-71) with Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina) third on 216 (73-68-75).
Alabama (881) won the team title from Vanderbilt and Coastal Carolina (both on 891) with UAB, UCF, UCLA and Georgia State sharing fourth palce on 899.

US College Golf
CLAIRE STARKIE JUST OUTSIDE TOP 10 AT DON SHULA'S GOLF CLUB, MIAMI
Claire Starkie (Georgia State), a sophomore student from Skipton, Yorkshire, finished in joint 11th place in the Papa Johns Collegiate women's tournament over the 6,317yd, par-72 course at Don Shula's Golf Club, Miami (Don Shula was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins' American football team).
Claire had rounds of 81, 75 and 77 for a total of 233 in a field of 64 players.
Louisville provided the individual winner in Cindy LaCrosse and also won the team event with a total of 924, two shots ahead of San Jose State with South Florida and east Carolina (932) tied for third place in a field of 12 teams.
Cindy LaCrosse's scores were 73, 81 and 72 for 226, one shot ahead of Erica Moston (San Jose State) (77-73-077) with Kathleen Ekey (Furman) third on 229 (79-76-74).

CARLY SIXTH IN DORAL JUNIOR CLASSIC
Carly Booth, 14-year-old Perthshire golf prospect, finished sixth in the prestigious Doral Silver Junior Classic over the Doral Golf Resort & Spa Silver Course in Florida.
Carly from Comrie, a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida since the autumn, had rounds of 83, 75 and 79 for a total of 237.
In her final round, Miss Booth was heading for a very good score over a tough par-71 course when she was only one over par with six holes to play, having bogeyed the first and then reeled off 11 straight pars.
Unfortunately she ran up three double-bogey 6s after that for a 79.
Italian Giulia Molinaro, Carly's foursomes partner in the Junior Ryder Cup draw with the United States at Celtic Manor last September, won the tournament by one stroke with scores of 71, 76 and 77 for 11-over-par 224.
Carly finished ahead of the Torino teenager in last summer's European Young Masters tournament in Austria.

SGU/SLGA/Sports Scotland Press Release
SCOTTISH AMATEUR GOLF DRIVES FOR SUCCESS WITH SPORTSCOTLAND INVESTMENT
Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport was today joined at the Marriott Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club by Scotland’s number one amateur golfer, Richie Ramsay, as sportscotland acknowledged an extremely successful 2006 for the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association with the announcement of annual investment of £571,000.
The investment, of which £324,000 comes from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards player improvement and coaching, organisational development and medal success. Part of this funding will also support the clubgolf programme, now being delivered by clubgolf Ltd, a new partnership made up of the SGU, SLGA, PGA and the Golf Foundation with sportscotland fulfilling a strategic role.
In the past 12 months the SGU and SLGA have guided Richie Ramsay, Carly Booth and many others to major achievements including top spot at the US Amateur Championship, involvement in the Junior Ryder Cup and a quadruple of Home International triumphs with the seniors (male), men’s, boys and girls teams all claiming victory.
Ms Ferguson commented: “Scotland is recognised internationally as the ‘Home of Golf’, and so I am delighted to welcome funding which will help to encourage more people to take up the sport and hone their skills. This will further increase access to the game and bring a range of golf related opportunities to a wider audience.
“Participation in golf in Scotland is already twice the UK average and we would like to see this grow even further. 2007 is certainly poised to be an exciting year for the sport in Scotland, with a number of major events coming up including The Open at Carnoustie and the Women’s British Open Championship at St Andrews.”
Building on these achievements are the key aims of both the SGU and the SLGA and one of the SGU’s main initiatives, the academy programme, has just completed it’s first year of operation with over 40 under 16 boys receiving intensive coaching across the country.
During 2007 over 90 boys will be involved with the academy and significantly, in conjunction with the SLGA ten under 16 girls have been introduced into the programme. The SLGA has also boosted their coaching staff with the full time appointment of Kevin Craggs as the Ladies National Coach.
Both the SGU, SLGA, along with the PGA and other partners are working towards ‘One Plan for Golf’ marking a new era for the sport in Scotland and the effective collaboration of organisations involved in golf. This will promote a more cohesive and ultimately more successful player pathway and coaching programme for all aspiring golfers.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair sportscotland said: “2006 was a tremendous year for amateur golf in Scotland and the SGU and SLGA have to be commended for their efforts in guiding our golfers to so much success.
“sportscotland’s funding of £571,000 not only recognises the achievements of Richie and Carly but of so many amateur golfers and we are committed to ensuring through this investment that the next few years continue to be a very exciting time for Scottish golf.”
Alistair Low, Chairman of the SGU, commented, “We are delighted that our Scottish golfers are being recognised and the announcement of sportscotland’s funding is an acknowledgement of their exceptional achievements, both in terms of individual and team performances in 2006.
"The funding makes a significant contribution to Scottish amateur golf and ensures we continue to deliver the best coaching resources and structures we can to maintain and build upon the success we have enjoyed in recent years.”
Margaret MacNaughtan, Chairman of the SLGA added: “This funding has enabled the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to fund our first full-time coaching position, Ladies Coach Kevin Craggs.
“We are confident that this appointment will enable our golfers to continue to fulfil their potential and reap even greater successes in the seasons to come.”

US College Golf
ROSEANNE JOINT 51ST ON AMERICAN COLLEGE DEBUT IN CALIFORNIA
Scottish Under-18 girls’ champion Roseanne Niven, who enrolled at the University of California Berkeley just last month, finished joint 51st in a field of 80 players on her debut on the American women’s college golf circuit.
The tournament was the Northop Grumman Regional Challenge over a 5,912, par-71 course at Paolos Verdes Golf Club, California and was contested by a high-class field, including many Europeans.
Roseanne, who had two of the California team behind her in the final placings, score 79, 79 and 80 for a 25-over-par total of 238 – the same total as Scotland international Gemma Webster from Glasgow, a student at Ohio State University.
Gemma had scores of 81, 80 and 77.
Irish cap Tara Delaney and her sister Karen, both students at Kent State University, finished joint 26th and 64th respectively. Tara scored 77, 77 and 74 for 228 while Karen had rounds of 84, 79 and 80 for 243.
Another Irish player, Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M) finished joint 34th on 231 with scores of 80, 80 and 71.
British women’s and girls’ open champion Belen Mozo from Spain, now a student at the University of Southern California, came joint eighth on 221.
The title was won by Misun Cho (Pepperdine) with a five-over-par total of 218.
Pepperdine also won the team title with a total of 882 – nine shots ahead of Arizona State.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
218 Misun Cho (Pepperdine) 76 73 69.
219 Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 72 76 71, Christa Spedding (Texas A&M) 71 75 73, Jayvie Agojo (Pepperdine) 69 73 77, Pernilla Lindberg (Oklahoma State) 78 73 69, Sandra Gal (Florida) 76 74 69.
220 Adriana Zwanck (Arizona) 70 76 74.
Other totals:
221 Belen Mozo (Southern Californai) 75 72 74.
223 Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 77 74 72.
224 Caroline Westrup (Florida State) 79 79 66.
228 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 77 77 74.
231 Dewi Schreefel (Southern California) 76 78 77, Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M) 80 80 71.
238 Gemma Webster (Ohio State) 81 80 77, Roseanne Niven (California) 79 79 80.
243 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 84 79 80.
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
882 Pepperdine. 891 Arizona State. 901 Florida. 904 Oklahoma State. 907 Arizona. 908 Southern California, Texas A&M. 915 Stanford.
Other totals:
937 Kent State (12th). 940 Ohio State (13th). 944 California (14th of 15).

US College Golf
IRISH STUDENT O’CALLAGHAN WINS RICE INTERCOLLEGIATE TITLE IN TEXAS
Aaron O’Callaghan, a sophomore student from Cork, holed a 12ft eagle putt at the first play-off hole to win the Rice Intercollegiate tournament over a 7,184yd, par-72 course at Westwood Golf Club, Houston.
O’Callaghan was playing as an individual, which means his Southeastern Louisiana University team coach, Tim Baldwin, considered five other players on the squad were likely to score better than the Irishman.
But O’Callaghan had rounds of 71, 77 and 69 to tie with Harrison Moore (Charleston) (71-72-74) on one-over-par 216.
Aaron trailed Moore by five strokes after 36 holes but then produced a final round of 69, the lowest by any of the 72 players over the 54 holes.
Moore holed a 20ft birdie putt at the first play-off hole but O’Callaghan sank his shorter putt for a 3 to take the individual title.
Southeastern Louisiana have several English and Irish players on their roster.
Sophomore James Taverner from Lordon was seventh on 222 (73-77-72).
Junior Peter O’Keefe from Cork tied for 28th place on 224 (78-76-70).
Sophomore Graham Benson from Leighton Buzzard finished joint 40th on 237 (74-86-77).
Coach Benson said: “Aaron is usually a starter for us but our other players have been playing very well in qualify rounds. I wanted Aaron to get some competition in this week so that’s why I had him play as an individual. He performed exceptionally well. Needless to say, he’ll be in our starting line-up next time out.”
O’Callaghan’s exclusion from the Southeastern Louisiana team probably made the difference between them winning and finishing second on 905 – five shots behind Sam Houston State.

US College Golf
NORTHERN IRELAND GIRLS HELP PFEIFFER TO WIN TEAM TITLE
Northern Ireland girls Charlene Reid from Antrim and Belfast's Nikki Taggart helped Pfeiffer University win the team event in the Lady Pirate Invitational women's college tournament at Southridge Golf Club, Savannah in Georgia.
Charlene, a freshman student, had rounds of 83 and 78 to finish fourth on 161 over the 6,006yd, par-72 course.
Sophomore Nikki came 18th in the field of 30 with scores of 90 and 87.
Their Pfeiffer team-mate, Brittany Beltran from California, won the individual title by two shots with scores of 72 and 78 for six-over-par 150.
Pfeiffer won the team title with a total of 651, two strokes ahead of runners-up South Carolina Upstate in a field of six teams.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
150 Brittany Beltran (Pfeiffer) 77 75.
152 Richelle Wedzik (SC Upstate) 77 75.
153 Crhistina Crovetti (UNC-Pembroke) 74 79.
161 Charlene Reid (Pfeiffer) 83 78.
Other score:
177 Nikki Taggart (Pfeiffer) 90 87.

EGU Press Release
Over 1000 clubs participate in EGU Golf Central
EGU Golf Central reached a milestone at the end of January when the 1000th club registered to participate in the service.
EGU Golf Central is the only online club directory that is endorsed by the governing body, the English Golf Union and provides golfers with the opportunity to get outstanding value at many of the 1900+ courses throughout England in just three clicks.
Windmill Village Golf Club in Allesley, near Coventry is the latest club to be using EGU Golf Central to promote their facilities to a worldwide audience.
Marci Hartland, Golf & Leisure Manager at Windmill Village said “This is a great opportunity for clubs. EGU Golf Central is simple to use, is free of charge and provides us with 100% control over what we want to promote and when we want to promote it. And there’s a great potential audience from golfers, in England and overseas, linking from the main EGU site.”
Since its launch in September last year thousands of golfers have accessed the website and requested details of special offers being offered by clubs countrywide, entered open competitions and made membership enquiries. And as the season draws ever nearer these numbers are only going to increase.
Colin Spurr, EGU Chairman commented, “I have always believed in the potential of EGU Golf Central. It was important that our clubs supported the website and from the start and we made sure we got as many club secretaries and managers involved in its development as we could. We have been delighted with the response from clubs and its great to celebrate the 1000th milestone at Windmill Village.”
EGU Golf Central employs unique technology using maps to search for clubs, in addition to the usual alphabetical search. This makes it really easy to find clubs within a 10, 25 or 50 mile radius of any point. At a glance golfers can see which clubs have special offers, open competitions or vacancies and get general information including directions, sat-nav coordinates and local weather.
You can access EGU Golf Central from the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org/golfcentral.

Monday 19th February 2007

SLGA NAME TEAM CAPTAINS
The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has announced the following team captains for 2007:
European women’s team championship (Castelconturbia GC, Italy, July 10-14) - LESLEY JOHNSTON (Gullane).
European girls’ team championship (Oslo GC, Norway, July 10-14) – JENNIFER JENKINS (Ralston).
European senior women’s team championship (Royal Drottningholms GC, Sweden, July 24-27) – PAM GORDON (Inverness)
Women’s home internationals (Dunbar GC, September 12-14) – JAYNE SMITH (Gullane).
Girls’ home internationals (Southerndown GC, Wales, August 8-10) – KATRINA MILNE (Dunfermline).
Senior women’s home internationals (Royal Tara GC, Ireland, October 2-4) – JOAN MARSHALL (Baberton).

US OPERATION BLOW FOR KATY McNICOLL FROM CARNOUSTIE
Carnoustie’s Katy McNicoll, one of Scotland’s best teenage golf prospects, is out of the game for at least the next six months.
Katy, whose 19th birthday it is on Tuesday (February 20), had a right knee operation today at Boca Raton, Florida where she is a second-year golf scholarship student at Lynn University.
Before the operation, Miss McNicoll, whose father owns a golf shop in Carnoustie and whose older brother Keir played for Scotland in last year’s home internationals, said: “I have torn my anterior cruciate ligament and damnaged the menicus on the inside of my right knee. How I managed to do this, I don’t actually know!
“The knee gave out when I was playing golf about two weeks ago and the trainer at the university referred me to a specialist who then referred me for an MRI.
OPERATION ONLY OPTION
“When the results came through, I was told that the only option if I wanted to continue playing competitive golf was to have an operation. They will repair both at the same time.
“As for recovering, it will take around six months before I can think about golfing again but I will be doing intense rehab basically from day one after surgery.
“Maybe around May I might be allowed to start putting or working on my short game but sometimes the anterior cruciate ligament takes fully a year for a 100% recovery. Fingers crossed.”
Katy, pictured above, has been a winner on the American women’s college circuit and was rated a key player in Lynn University’s bid for a national title in the spring.
Last year she was runner-up to Krystle Caithness with a nine-under-par, three-round total in the Scottish Under-21 girls’ stroke-play championship.
In the Scottish Under-18 girls’ match-play championship, Katy lost to the eventual champion, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) in the semi-finals at Peebles and she also lost in the semi-finals of the North of Scotland women’s championship at Montrose to Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) who went on to retain that title.

CAROL STEWART DIES PEACEFULLYAT HOME IN BANFF
Former Murcar Golf Club ladies’ captain and 14 times ladies' club champion, Carol Stewart has died in Banff at the age of 56.
She had fought a long and brave fight against cancer before succumbing peacefully at the home she shared with her partner, former Fraserburgh and Duff House Royal club professional Bob Strachan.
Carol was an honorary member at both Murcar and Duff House Royal.
Her dominance of the Murcar women’s club championship spanned 18 years from 1967 to 1985. She was only 16 when she won it for the first time in 1967. Then followed nine straight title wins from 1970 to 1978 inclusive.
Carol’s success continued into the 1980s when she was club champion in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1985 before she moved to Banff to live.
She was capped for Scotland in the Under-18 girls’ home internationals in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and played regularly for the Aberdeenshire team for a number of years. She was Aberdeenshire county champion in 1976 and 1981 and ladies’ captain of Murcar Golf Club from 1982 to 1984.
"Carol was a highly-respected and skilled golfer who will be greatly missed by all who knew her, both on and off the golf course,” said Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association captain Ros Dunsmuir.
The funeral service will be held at Moray Crematorium on Thursday at 11am.

R&A Press Release
CHINA WILL HAVE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD RULES OF GOLF OFFICIALS IN TWELVE MONTHS
Beijing, China 13 February 2007 – China will have international standard Rules of Golf officials in twelve months according to a new agreement signed today in Beijing between The R&A, golf’s world rules and development body, and the China Golf Association (CGA), the national governing body for the Rules of Golf in China.
The agreement follows a direct request from the CGA that The R&A provides expert Rules of Golf coaches, structured learning materials and a new graduated examination system that leads to accredited national and international referee status.
Key targets are set out in the agreement that challenges the partners to successfully train across China: 100 Primary and Intermediate level Rules Officials by the autumn of 2007, 60 new National level Rules Officials by the end of the year and two International level referees by February 2008.
Speaking at the signing ceremony R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson said:
“We are delighted to assist our affiliated national association in China in this very practical way. Golfers worldwide follow the same set of rules and with more competitions being played in China it is critical that the game, locally, finds referees that match up to the growing demand”.
The R&A is to meet the cost of staging Rules of Golf Schools in China throughout a two-year programme.
Last week two Chinese rules officials, Mr Feng Liyuan and Mr Xiao Yufeng, attended the annual International Rules of Golf School in St Andrews, Scotland, the Home of Golf.

Sunday 18th February 2007

I'm back but my luggage isn't.
Watch this space!

US Student Golf
DUNCAN STEWART PIPPED FOR EIGHTH US COLLEGE VICTORY
Jacksonville University senior-year student Duncan Stewart from Grantown on Spey went so close to notching up an eighth victory in his four years on the American college golf circuit in the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational tournament at Sunbrook Golf Club, St George’s in Utah.
Stewart, who had been one of four players sharing the first-round lead on five-under-par 67, set the clubhouse target of nine-under-par 135 with a second-round 68 over the 6,781yd, par-72 course.
That look like being the winning total until Aaron Weston (Colorado State) followed up an opening 71 with a 64 to tie with Stewart.
Weston won the play-off with a birdie from 4ft at the first extra hole.
It was Duncan Stewart’s first tournament of the second half of the college season.
Russell Knox from Inverness, one of Stewart’s team-mates at Jacksonville, Florida, tied for 19th place with a pair of 71s for two-under-par 142.
A third Jacksonville Scot, Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh, finished 101st in the field of 112 with scores of 81 and 82 for 163.
Jacksonville University (588) finished 10th equal behind winners Southern Utah (562) in the team event which had a field of 18 colleges.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
135 Aaron Weston (Colorado State) 71 64, Duncan Stewart (Jacksonville) 67 68 (Weston won play-off at first extra hole).
136 Nic Van Vuuren (Utah Valley State) 67 69.
Other scores:
142 Russell Knox (Jacksonville) 71 71 (jt 19th).
150 Sean McNamara (Colorado State) 80 70 (jt 61st).
163 Jamie Kennedy (Jacksonville) 81 82 (101st).
LEADING TEAMS
562 Southern Utah.
565 Denver.
570 Oral Roberts.
575 Utah.
576 Colorado State.
Also:
588 Jacksonville (jt 10th).

LGU Press Release
NAIRN TO HOST 2012 CURTIS CUP
The Nairn Golf Club, one of the jewels of Scotland’s links golf, will host the Curtis Cup in 2012, the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the club that lies on the southern shore of the Moray Firth.
This will mark the 38th playing of the biennial contest between GB&I and the United States of America for the simple silver trophy, gifted in 1932 by sisters Margaret and Harriot Curtis, ‘to stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of many lands’.
This sentiment is likely to be proved true when the best women golfers on both sides of the Atlantic meet in friendly competition at the most northerly venue yet.
Not that the club’s northern location has been a deterrent to Nairn hosting an impressive tally of top line tournaments. For after the 15 mile stretch of railway line from Inverness to Nairn was opened in 1855, and The Nairn Golf Club was formed in 1887, golfers from all corners of the world have been making tracks for the town.
The Walker Cup of 1999, Scottish Amateur Championships, Northern Professional Opens, European Championships and several British and Scottish ladies’ tournaments, have all been played over the links at Nairn which are rightly reputed to have the finest greens in Scotland.
“The Ladies’ Golf Union is delighted that the Nairn Golf Club has agreed to host the Curtis Cup in 2012,” said Susan Simpson, Director of Championships for the LGU.
“We could not have chosen a more welcoming club or a more testing venue for the match. It was a very difficult decision but I have no doubt that we have made a wise choice in Nairn. Our past experience of the club and course has been without fault.
“The membership and officials of The Nairn Golf Club are delighted that the Ladies’ Golf Union has chosen the Club to host the 2012 Curtis Cup. Not only is this a tremendous honour for the Club but also for the town of Nairn and the Highlands of Scotland. We look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike to this most prestigious event,” said Club Captain, Harry Sinclair.
David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland, welcomed the announcement, saying, “This is a great achievement for The Nairn Golf Club, as well as another ringing endorsement from the Ladies Golf Union of the ability of Scotland’s golf courses to host major women’s golf tournaments. EventScotland will work with and support the Ladies Golf Union and The Nairn Golf Club to market and promote the Curtis Cup to ensure that spectators and viewers from all over the world have the opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s and the Highlands’ real gems.”

LGU Press Release
THE 2007 PEUGEOT CORONATION FOURSOMES
The Ladies’ Golf Union is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007 Peugeot Coronation Foursomes. Now entering its sixth year of partnership with Peugeot, the French car manufacturer, the competition continues to grow from strength to strength with more than 34,000 lady golfers from 1400 clubs nationwide competing in 2006.
Winning at club level is only the start of a trail that leads through to Area Finals, the Grand Final in St Andrews and ultimately a place in the Pro-Am of the 2008 Women’s British Open for the winners.
“One of the great attractions of the Peugeot Coronation Foursomes is that it is a handicap tournament for all lady club golfers” said Susan Simpson the LGU’s Director of Championships.
“We have found over the years that it is not necessarily the lower handicapped players who reach the Grand Final. We hope that this competition not only encourages as many ladies as possible to take part in competitive golf but also allows them to play other courses, have fun and make new friends”
In 2006, it was the Yorkshire pairing of Denise Jenkins and Pat Stageman from Allerthorpe Park, Yorkshire who overcame any nerves to win the Grand Final in St Andrews. They now look forward to playing with one of the world’s leading professionals in the Pro-Am of the 2007 Women’s British Open, which will be played over the Old Course, St Andrews on Wednesday 1 August 2007.
2007 also sees the launch of a new online entry system. From March 2007 clubs will be able to enter and pay club entry fees online using the latest technology so successfully implemented for other LGU Championships a few years ago.
Clubs are invited to hold qualifying rounds between 1 March and 20 June with the closing date for entries 22 June 2007. From there, successful pairs will progress through to one of twelve Area Finals, which will be contested throughout July and August.
The Grand Final will be played over the Eden Course, St Andrews on 24 September 2007.
Further details can be viewed on the LGU Website at www.lgu.org

ELGA Press Release
England teenagers aim for Solheim Junior Cup team
Two of England’s leading teenage golfers, Florentyna Parker and Hannah Barwood, are aiming for places in the European team for the 2007 PING Junior Solheim Cup.
They’ve set their sights on joining the 12-strong side which will take on the American girls in Sweden in September – just days before the Solheim Cup itself is contested by professionals from the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA.
Florentyna, an England international from Royal Birkdale, is already a veteran of transatlantic team competition. The 17-year-old helped Europe win the Junior Ryder Cup in 2004 and went on to play (pictured right, playing for Europe in the 2005 Junior Solheim Cup) in the Junior Solheim Cup in 2005, which the Americans won.
She remarked: “They were both amazing experiences. I was lucky that both events were held in the USA and we were treated like celebrities! I really hope I will get to play the Solheim Cup in Sweden this year because it is such a great event, the standard of golf is excellent - and I need to get revenge from last time’s event!”
Hannah, from Knowle in Gloucestershire, is hoping to make her debut at this level. The 16-year-old girl international (pictured below left) said: “It would be such a great experience to play with the top European girls and to see what the Americans have to offer.
“Also, Catrin Nilsmark is going to captain the team and you can learn such a lot from people like her.” Nilsmark is a former Solheim Cup player and captain.
The PING Junior Solheim Cup will be played at Båstad Golf Club in Sweden on September 11 and 12. Fourball and foursomes matches will take place on the first day with 12 singles matches on the final day. The girls will then watch the Solheim Cup itself which will takes place at Halmstad, Sweden, from 14-16 September.
Five events on the European Golf Association’s calendar are qualifying tournaments for the PING Junior Solheim Cup 2007. They are:
· Spanish International Ladies Amateur Championship from February 28-March 4
· French Lady Juniors Championship, April 5-9
· Skandia Lady Junior Open, Sweden, May 25-27
· Girls’ European Team Championship (36 hole strokeplay), Norway, July 10-14
· Girls’ British Open Championship, Southerndown, Wales, Aug 13-17
After the British girls’ championship, the leading seven players on the points table will be automatically selected for the team. Five further players will be chosen as captain’s picks. Performance in all girls’ and lady amateur events will be taken into consideration when deciding the captain’s picks.
An advisory board of five European coaches will help to choose the captain’s picks. Great Britain is represented by Pat Smillie who is also the national junior coach for the English Ladies’ Golf Association.

ELGA Press Release
England’s PING championship is about to get underway
The 2007 PING Ladies’ Four Ball Better Ball Tournament of England is about to get underway – and it promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s inaugural competition.
The Marriott hotel group has joined the sponsors and its golf courses will host the six regional finals and the grand final, which will take place at the Marriott Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club in Warwickshire on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.
Information packs about the tournament, which is run by the English Ladies’ Golf Association, have just been sent to clubs across England and many more competitors are expected to enter this year’s event.
ELGA tournament secretary Emma Lowe said: “Last year we had a tremendous response, with players entering from over 800 clubs, and we are expecting to attract many more this year. Lots of other clubs told us they were planning to include it in their 2007 schedules and we had fantastic feedback from competitors who were going out to spread the message and to encourage other ladies to take part.”
The PING Ladies' Four Ball Better Ball Tournament of England costs just £1 per player to enter and starts with club qualifying rounds, to be played by June.
The winning pair from each club will go forward to one of six regional finals – two more than last year. These will be held at: Marriott Tudor Park Golf & Country Club, Kent, on August 6; Marriott Worsley Golf Club, Lancashire, on August 20; Marriott Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club, Yorkshire, on August 22; Marriott Meon Valley Hotel and Country Club, Hampshire, on August 28, Marriott St Pierre Hotel and Country Club, Monmouthshire, on August 30; and Marriott Breadsall Priory Golf & Country Club, Derbyshire, on September 10.
The best eight pairs at each regional final will go forward to the grand final at Marriott Forest of Arden on October 2. All 96 finalists will receive a voucher for a pair of ECCO shoes and an item of clothing from PING Collection to wear on the day. PING Collection will sponsor the grand final and the winners will receive prizes worth up to £500.
Full details are available on the championship website: www.pingchampionship.com

ELGA Press Release
England’s Holly wins Portuguese Ladies’ Championship
England’s Holly Aitchison has won the Portuguese Ladies’ Championship at Quinta de Cima - on her first outing in an international event.
In fact, it was only the second time the 19-year-old from Bedfordshire Golf Club had played abroad.
“I didn’t really rate my chances very highly. I went for the experience,” said Holly. “I want to progress my golf and thought the best place to do it was in Europe where ultimately I want to play as a pro.”
She added: “I’m still a bit surprised to win – but it feels fantastic!”
Holly achieved her first goal when she qualified for the matchplay stages of the tournament – and then she battled her way to the title with a series of comeback performances.
In her first match against the number two seed, Spain’s Ane Urchegui, she was three down after nine but emerged the 3/2 winner. In the next round against France’s Carolina Afonso she was two down after nine – but went on to win two up. In the semi-final against Portugal’s Ana Santos Melo she was all square at the turn. “It was rather nice!” said Holly. “But this was a tough match, really nip and tuck, and I only won one up.”
The 36-hole final against Germany’s Nicola Roessler again saw her trailing before she claimed the trophy with a 3/2 win.
Holly was three down after 19, clawed her way back to all square only to slip again to three down with 10 to play. But then Holly turned it around with the help of a hot putter, winning six holes in a row: “I was about three under par for the last eight holes,” she said. “I holed lots of really good putts and she couldn’t do anything about it.”
She added: “It was very much a comeback week! It’s nice to do this so early in the year – it really opens up the season.”
Holly has been the Bedfordshire ladies and girls’ champion and is a former member of ELGA’s Select Midlands squad.

Best result ever in LET tour for Clare Queen
Congratulations to Scotland's Clare Queen who finished joint sixth in the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia last weekend. Her final two rounds of 70 and 68 for a total of 276 lifted her up the leaderboard to be only seven shots behind Australian Karrie Webb in a star studded field, and earned her €16,975.67.
New Zealander Liz Mackinnon also performed well with scores of 72 70 69 and 72 for a 283 total and a share of 22nd place.
Final scores
269 Karrie Webb (AUS) 71 68 62 68 (€80,200.01)
271 Ji Yai Shin (KOR) 70 66 66 69 (€52,932.00)
272 Cristie Kerr (USA) 69 69 66 68 (€37,426.67)
274 Sun Ju Ahn (KOR) 64 68 72 70 (€26,733.33)
275 Ya-Ni Tseng (TPE) 71 69 69 66 (€21,654.00)
276 Clare Queen (SCO) 69 69 70 68, Michelle Ellis (AUS) 67 66 68 75 (€16,975.67 each)
278 Young Ran Jo (KOR) 71 69 71 67, Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 72 69 68 69, Becky Brewerton (WAL) 66 73 68 71, Rachel Hetherington (AUS) 70 67 69 72 (€11,027.50 each)
279 Hee Young Park (KOR) 70 71 69 69
280 Louise Stahle (SWE) 71 70 70 69, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 68 69 72 71, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 72 69 66 73, Lotta Wahlin (SWE) 68 67 69 76
281 Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 72 70 67 72
282 Marta Prieto (ESP) 69 73 69 71, Sakura Yokomine (JPN) 67 75 68 72, Paula Marti (ESP) 71 72 67 72, Ana Larraneta (ESP) 73 67 67 75
283 Martina Eberl (GER) 71 72 73 67, Eun Hee Ji (KOR) 68 69 76 70, Cecilia Ekelundh (SWE) 66 75 72 70, Lora Fairclough (ENG) 69 73 71 70, Sarah Kemp (AUS) 72 71 70 70, Lindsey Wright (AUS) 69 74 70 70, Elizabeth McKinnon (NZ) 72 70 69 72, Tamie Durdin (AUS) 67 69 74 73
284 Nadina Light (AUS) 71 71 71 71, Sarah Nicholson (NZ) 67 71 74 72, Loraine Lambert (AUS) 67 72 72 73
285 Na Yeon Choi (KOR) 71 72 73 69, Riikka Hakkarainen (FIN) 72 72 72 69, Hae-Jung Kim (KOR) 72 70 73 70, Rebecca Stevenson (AUS) 70 73 71 71, Ludivine Kreutz (FRA) 68 72 73 72, Sophie Sandolo (ITA) 70 70 71 74, Minea Blomqvist (FIN) 70 70 67 78
286 Stephanie Arricau (FRA) 73 70 73 70, Beatriz Recari (ESP) 71 72 71 72, Haeji Kang (Am) (KOR) 69 74 69 74, Tamara Beckett (AUS) 71 71 69 75
287 Laura Davies (ENG) 69 73 74 71, So Hee Kim (KOR) 73 70 73 71, Ji Na Lim (KOR) 69 71 75 72, Rachel Bailey (AUS) 69 71 75 72, Tullia Calzavara (ITA) 71 72 72 72, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 71 69 73 74, Diana Luna (ITA) 73 68 72 74, Anja Monke (GER) 70 72 71 74, Karen Quinn (AUS) 72 67 73 75
288 Natalie Gulbis (USA) 69 73 76 70, Ashleigh Simon (Am) (SA) 74 70 74 70, Kristie Newton (AUS) 73 70 73 72, Belinda Kerr (AUS) 73 71 72 72, Laurette Maritz (SA) 72 72 71 73, Katherine Hull (AUS) 70 73 71 74,
289 Elisa Serramia (ESP) 72 71 75 71, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (FRA) 72 71 74 72, Leah Hart (AUS) 72 72 73 72, Yun Jye Wei (TPE) 67 71 78 73, Ana B Sanchez (ESP) 73 70 73 73, Su-Jung Yoon (KOR) 70 69 76 74, Trish Johnson (ENG) 73 68 70 78
290 Emma Bennett (Am) (AUS) 69 73 76 72
291 Rui Kitada (JPN) 71 71 73 76
292 Frances Bondad (Am) (AUS) 73 71 74 74, Mianne Bagger (DEN) 72 70 72 78
294 Sara Beautell (ESP) 71 71 77 75
296 Carmen Alonso (ESP) 72 72 79 73

GILLIAN AND ERWIN ARE THE MEDIA MASTERS IN TURKEY
By Colin Farquharson
Gillian Kirkwood is the 2007 European Golf & Travel Media Masters’ women’s champion after a dramatic finish to the five-round event in Turkey last week.
Gillian (KirkwoodGolf), who plays off 10 at Broomieknowe, started the fifth and final round of the week-long Stableford tournament 10 points behind the leader, Geraldine Bradley (Ladies Golf Times, Ireland) but came storming through to equal Geraldine’s final total of 126 points.
Mrs Kirkwood was declared the winner of the title by virtue of having a better final round points total of 36 to Geraldine’s 26pt.
There was high drama in the closing stages of the last round, played over the Faldo course at Cornelia Golf Club.
Mrs Bradley, who publishes the Irish Golf Times, the Official magazine for the ILGU, and is on the Junior Committee of the ILGU Northern district, had her handicap cut by the organisers of the tournament from 28 to 27 after amassing a 40pt score in the fourth round over the Antalaya Golf Club’s Pasha course.
But the Northern Ireland player still led the women’s field by a couple of points with only one hole to play.
Then came disaster for Geraldine. She and the three other lady members of her group all drove off the wrong tee. They corrected their mistake – but the damage had been done: an automatic two-stroke penalty for all four players.
That meant Mrs Bradley scored no points at her final hole. Despite that, it looked as if she would still finish at the top of the small female field but, coming up behind, Gillian Kirkwood, was on her way to her highest one-round points total of the week and a score of 36 wiped out her rival’s lead and also won the card countback.
Gillian said "We all found it very difficult to stay on the fairways and out of the trees on these marvellous Turksh courses. For the last round I decided to play the percentage shots and gave myself the target of playing to my handicap. I really enjoyed playing the Nick Faldo Course at the Cornelia Golf Club. I was more surprised than anyone when I found out that I won.
"Geraldine really deserved to win as she had played well all week, and a combination of her handicap cut and two penalty shots at the last hole scuppered her chances. Sorry Geraldine, your time will come!"
The tournament, underwritten by the Turkish tourist authority, was held in the Antalya region of the country, on the country’s Mediterranean coastline.
The earlier rounds were played at National Golf Club, Gloria Golf Club and Antalaya Golf Club (Sultan & Pasha courses).
Competitors were able to discard their lowest points score from the first rounds but the fifth and final round had to be counted.
Erwin Mulder, the backmarker with three of a handicap and from the Netherlands, won the men’s Media Masters title 130pts, four ahead of Danny Lockwood from Yorkshire.
Erwin, a 6ft 6in Dutchman who won the European Golf Writers’ championship in Spain in 2003, came to the front in Turkey with a 36pt score in the fourth round over the shorter of the two Antalya courses, The Pasha.
Mulder consolidated his No 1 position with the best score in the men’s field – 31pt– in the final round over arguably the toughest course of the five, Cornelia Golf Club’s Faldo Course.
FINAL POINTS TOTALS
WOMEN
126 Gillian Kirkwood (Scotland) (handicap 10) 31-(29)-30-29-36; Geraldine Bradley (Northern Ireland) (28) 29-31-(27)-40-26 (Gillian won on the better last round points total). Geraldine played off 27 in the final round.
121 Sue Farmer (England) (25) (22)-35-28-35-23.
112 Amanda Torpey (England) (6) (26)-31-34-28-19.
111 Inge Kent (England) (17) (28)-30-33-30-18.
109 Ann Mooney (Ireland) (18) (27)-29-28-31-31.
MEN
130 Erwin Mulder (Netherlands) (3) (23)-31-32-36-31.
126 Danny Lockwood (England) (13) (24)-33-25-38-30.
122 Wieland Wagner (Germany) (10) (23)-31-36-25-30(better last round), Alan Hedley (England) (9) (26)-32-34-30-26.
117 Ray Scott (Ireland) (14) (27)-35-27-27-28.
113 Klaus Braun (Germany) (12) (23)-31-31-28-23.
111 Jose Rocha Vieira (Portugal) (15) (18)-29-31-28-23.
110 Noel Gavin (Ireland) (10) (21)-31-29-26-24.
108 Morten Buckhoej (Denmark) (10) (18)-25-27-29-27.
104 Jo Maes (Ireland) (8) (19)-24-35-27-18.
103 Mike Rees (England) (13) (23)-24-28-26-25 (better last round), Roland Maier (Germany) (14) 26-33-(24)-29-15.
93 Bert Haller (Germany) (16) 23-29-(17) 24-17.
92 Aidan Cunningham (Belgium) (11) (17)-24-29-25-14.
90 Frank Vuylsteke (Belgium) (11) 16-26-(14)-33-15.
84 Mervyn Marles (England) (23).(18)-19-19-23-23.
83 Geoffrey Farmer (Portugal) (13) (16)-23-17-13-20
79 Joao Patricio (Portugal) (21) (13) 17-18-21-23.
75 Ronan Lang (Ireland) (5).23-25-DNP-27-DNP
73 Vic Bernstein (Belgium) (7) 21-20-21-(17)-11

Friday 9th February 2007

CLARE QUEEN HAS A SECOND 69, KATHRYN IMRIE MISSES CUT BY TWO SHOTS IN ANZ LADIES MASTERS
Scotland's Clare Queen (Drumpellier), pictured right, carded a second successive 69 to lie in 9th equal position after the second round of the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia while her compatriot Kathryn Imrie from Monifieth missed the halfway cut.
Kathryn had rounds of 74 and 72 for two-over-par 146. Only those with 36-hole tallies of 144 and better will play the final two rounds.
Korea's Sun Ju Ahn continues to lead on 12-under-par 132 after a second-round 68.
[Watch the Ladies European Tour Website for updated results]
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
(Par 72; Playeres from GB&I unless stated)
(x) denote amateur
132 Sun Ju Ahn (Kor) 64 68
133 Michelle Ellis (Aus) 67 66
135 Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 68 67
136 Tamie Durdin (Aus) 67 69, Ji Yai Shin (Kor) 70 66
137 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 68 69, Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 68 69, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 70 67
138 Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 67 71, Clare Queen 69 69, Cristie Kerr (USA) 69 69, Yun Jye Wei (Tpe) 67 71
139 Su-Jung Yoon (Kor) 70 69, Karen Quinn (Aus) 72 67, Loraine Lambert (Aus) 67 72, Karrie Webb (Aus) 71 68, Becky Brewerton 66 73
140 Ya-Ni Tseng (Tpe) 71 69, Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 70 70, Sophie Sandolo (Ita) 70 70, Young Ran Jo (Kor) 71 69, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 73 67, Ji Na Lim (Kor) 69 71, Rachel Bailey (Aus) 69 71, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 71 69, Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 68 72
141 Diana Luna (Ita) 73 68, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 72 69, Louise Stahle (Swe) 71 70, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 72 69, Hee Young Park (Kor) 70 71, Trish Johnson 73 68, Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe) 66 75
142 Rui Kitada (Jpn) 71 71, Anja Monke (Ger) 70 72, Marta Prieto (Spa) 69 73, Natalie Gulbis (USA) 69 73, Laura Davies 69 73, Sara Beautell (Spa) 71 71, Elizabeth McKinnon (Nzl) 72 70, Mianne Bagger (Den) 72 70, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn) 67 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 72 70, Nadina Light (Aus) 71 71, Tamara Beckett (Aus) 71 71, (x) Emma Bennett (Aus) 69 73, Lora Fairclough 69 73, Hae-Jung Kim (Kor) 72 70
143 Kristie Newton (Aus) 73 70, Katherine Hull (Aus) 70 73, Sarah Kemp (Aus) 72 71, Martina Eberl (Ger) 71 72, (x) Haeji Kang (Kor) 69 74, Elisa Serramia (Spa) 72 71, Tullia Calzavara (Ita) 71 72, Beatriz Recari (Spa) 71 72, Ana B Sanchez (Spa) 73 70, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 72 71, Lindsey Wright (Aus) 69 74, Paula Marti (Spa) 71 72, Rebecca Stevenson (Aus) 70 73, Na Yeon Choi (Kor) 71 72, So Hee Kim (Kor) 73 70, Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 73 70
144 Carmen Alonso (Spa) 72 72, (x) Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 74 70, Riikka Hakkarainen (Fin) 72 72, (x) Frances Bondad (Aus) 73 71, Belinda Kerr (Aus) 73 71, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 72 72, Leah Hart (Aus) 72 72
MISSED CUT
145 Rachel Duncan (Aus) 73 72, Anna Tybring (Swe) 75 70, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 73, Kris Lindstrom (USA) 74 71, Crystal Fanning (Aus) 73 72, Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 73 72, (x) Helen Oh (Aus) 74 71, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 72 73, Dana Lacey (Aus) 73 72, Danielle Masters 72 73, Ran Hong (Kor) 71 74, Nikki Campbell (Aus) 72 73, Shani Waugh (Aus) 69 76, (x) Shan Shan Feng (Chn) 71 74, Tamara Hyett (Aus) 70 75, Minji Song (Kor) 71 74.
146 Natascha Fink (Aut) 76 70, Kathryn Imrie 74 72, Lisa Hall 70 76, Da-Ye Na (Kor) 74 72, Nathalie David-Mila (Fra) 71 75, (x) Sarah Oh (Aus) 70 76, Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Aus) 75 71, Karen Lunn (Aus) 73 73, Carmen Railton (Aus) 73 73, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 74 72, Louise Friberg (Swe) 70 76, Anna Rawson (Aus) 74 72, Amy Yang (Kor) 71 75, (x) Kate Combes (Aus) 73 73
147 Joanna Whalley (Aus) 78 69, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 75 72, Joanne Mills (Aus) 74 73, Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den) 74 73, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 72 75
148 Joanne Bannerman (Aus) 72 76, Virginie Auffret (Fra) 72 76, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 76 72, Nienke Nijenhuis (Ned) 75 73, Federica Piovano (Ita) 75 73, Sharon O'Neill (Aus) 73 75
149 Bree Turnbull (Aus) 72 77, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 75 74, Georgina Simpson 74 75, Katherine MacDouall (Aus) 77 72, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 76 73, Susie Mathews (Aus) 76 73, Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 76 73
150 Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 78 72, Eleanor Pilgrim 75 75, Asa Gottmo (Swe) 79 71, Lisa Jean (Aus) 74 76, Kirsty S Taylor 73 77, Bettina Hauert (Ger) 74 76, Hye Jin Jung (Kor) 76 74
151 Vicky Thomas (Aus) 75 76, Denise Simon (Ger) 76 75, Heidi McCulkin (Aus) 74 77, Marousa Polias (Aus) 75 76, Helen Beatty (Aus) 75 76, Carlie Butler (Aus) 75 76, Angela Harris (Aus) 76 75
152 Melanie Holmes-Smith (Aus) 75 77
153 Katy Jarochowicz (Aus) 76 77
154 Sapna Patel (Aus) 79 75, Chieko Amanuma (Jpn) 78 76
155 Rebecca Coakley 76 79, Wendy Berger (Aus) 72 83, Louise Ferguson (Aus) 80 75
156 Vikki Tutt (Aus) 73 83, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 76 80
157 Corinne Furnell (Aus) 82 75, Suzie Fisher (Aus) 74 83

Thursday 8th February 2007

CLARE QUEEN'S GOOD START TO ANZ LADIES MASTERS IN QUEENSLAND
Collated first round scores from the Ladies European Tour ANZ Ladies Masters, Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
(Players from Australia unless stated, Par 72)
(x) denotes amateur
64 Sun Ju Ahn (Kor)
66 Becky Brewerton (Wal), Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe)
67 Loraine Lambert, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn), Michelle Ellis, Yun Jye Wei (Tpe), Sarah Nicholson (Nzl), Tamie Durdin
68 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Lotta Wahlin (Swe), Linda Wessberg (Swe), Eun Hee Ji (Kor)
69 Rachel Bailey, Lindsey Wright, Cristie Kerr (USA), Shani Waugh, Emma Bennett (x), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Natalie Gulbis (USA), Marta Prieto (Spa), Laura Davies (Eng), Haeji Kang (x) (Kor), Clare Queen (Sco), Ji Na Lim (Kor)
70 Louise Friberg (Swe), Su-Jung Yoon (Kor), Rebecca Stevenson, Hee Young Park (Kor), Tamara Hyett, Anja Monke (Ger), Lisa Hall (Eng), Katherine Hull, Rachel Hetherington, Ji Yai Shin (Kor), Minea Blomqvist (Fin), Sarah Oh (x), Sophie Sandolo (Ita)
71 Ran Hong (Kor), Nikki Garrett, Louise Stahle (Swe), Karrie Webb, Nadina Light, Amy Yang (Kor), Paula Marti (Spa), Na Yeon Choi (Kor), Tamara Beckett, Shan Shan Feng (x) (Chn), Minji Song (Kor), Rui Kitada (Jpn), Nathalie David-Mila (Fra), Ya-Ni Tseng (Tpe), Martina Eberl (Ger), Tullia Calzavara (Ita), Sara Beautell (Spa), Young Tan Jo (Kor), Beatriz Recari (Spa)
72 Karen Quinn, Mianne Bagger (Den), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Maria Hjorth (Swe), Brittany Lincicome (USA), Nikki Campbell, Leah Hart, Wendy Berger, Hae-Jung Kim (Kor), Joanne Bannerman, Nora Angehrn (Swi), Virginie Auffret (Fra), Carmen Alonso (Spa), Sarah Kemp, Riikka Hakkarainen (Fin), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Bree Turnbull, Tania Elosegui (Spa), Elisa Serramia (Spa), Elizabeth McKinnon (Nzl), Danielle Masters (Eng)
73 Belinda Kerr, Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Ana B Sanchez (Spa), So Hee Kim (Kor), Trish Johnson (Eng), Stephanie Arricau (Fra), Kate Combes (x), Sharon O'Neill, Vikki Tutt, Rachel Duncan, Crystal Fanning, Diana Luna (Ita), Cherie Byrnes, Kristie Newton, Karen Lunn, Carmen Railton, Frances Bondad (x), Dana Lacey, Ana Larraneta (Spa)
74 Heidi McCulkin, Lisa Jean, Anna Rawson, Bettina Hauert (Ger), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Kris Lindstrom (USA), Kathryn Imrie (Sco), Da-Ye Na (Kor), Ashleigh Simon (x) (Rsa), Joanne Mills, Helen Oh (x), Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Suzie Fisher
75 Marousa Polias, Melanie Holmes-Smith, Helen Beatty, Sophie Giquel (Fra), Carlie Butler, Federica Piovano (Ita), Anna Tybring (Swe), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Sarah-Jane Kenyon, Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Vicky Thomas, Nienke Nijenhuis (Ned)
76 Katy Jarochowicz, Rebecca Coakley (Irl), Hye Jin Jung (Kor), Angela Harris, Rui Yokomine (Jpn), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Eva Steinberger (Aut), Susie Mathews, Natascha Fink (Aut), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Denise Simon (Ger)
77 Katherine MacDouall
78 Chieko Amanuma (Jpn), Joanna Whalley, Elisabeth Esterl (Ger)
79 Sapna Patel, Asa Gottmo (Swe)
80 Louise Ferguson
82 Corinne Furnell

US College Golf
ST ANDREWS PLAYER JOINT 30th IN US COLLEGE TOURNAMENT
Daniel Sommerville from St Andrews, a freshman student at Clayton State University, Atlanta, finished joint 30th in his first tournament of the second half of the American college golf season.
Daniel had rounds of 80 and 75 for a 12-over-par total of 155 in the Outback Steakhouse Intercollegiate tournament oer a 6,479yd, par-72 course at Hombre Golf Club, Panama City in Florida.
Team-mate Neil McBride, a sophomore student from Glasgow, had scores of 83 and 78 for a share of 56th place on 161.
The tournament was won by Chris Wolfe (Armstrong Atlantic) by four strokes with a four-under-par total of 138 (70-68).
Clayton State (628) finished 11th of 16 teams behind winners St Edward’s University (590).

BUSA LEADING SCORES FROM PRINCES
Leading scores from the British Universities Sports Association Golf South-eastern regional stroke-play qualifier at Princes Golf Club, Kent.
MEN (Par 72)
143 Ian Winstanley (Leeds) 71 72.
148 Alex Rule (Loughborough) 73 75, Sam Foster (Exeter) 75 73.
149 Georg Schultes (Imperial) 73 76, Roberto Laino (Durham) 73 76, Kevin Garwood (Bournemouth) 75 74.
150 Alexander MacGregor (Exeter) 74 76.
152 Myles Pearson (Loughborough) 73 79, Andy Shakespeare (Bath) 74 78, Mark Davies (Exeter) 76 76.
153 Mike Gilding (Bath) 77 76.
154 Dermot O'Neill (Middlesex) 77 77, David Corben (Exeter) 81 73, Dylan Thew (Bucks Chiltern) 74 80, Simon Richardson (Bucks Chiltern) 79 75.
154 Dan Kirkwood (Loughborough) 78 77, Richard Raye (Bournemouth) 79 76, Matt Floyd (Bath) 79 76, Matt Campbell (Loughborough) 76 789.
156 Charlie Everest (Lincoln) 76 80, Rory Young (Royal Holloway) 76 80, Daniel Smith (Bournemouth) 79 77, Felix Bottomley (Kings) 82 74.
157 Alex Stanley (Durham) 78 79, Tim Baker (Bath) 78 79, Mark Skinner (Lncoln) 78 79, Christopher O'Hagan ( Bournemouth) 76 81, Patrick Jones (Hertsfordshire) 79 78, Matt Bushell (Hertfordshire) 80 77.
158 Chris Hampton (Bath) 83 75, Alex Morton (Birmingham) 74 84.
159 Paul Schonberger (Royal Holloway) 80 79, Michael Evans (Bournemouth) 84 79, Andy Cooper (Loughborough) 79 80, Phillip Davey (Loughborough) 81 78, Charlie Swann (Bournemouth) 83 76.
160 Andrew Berryman (Royal Holloway) 85 75.
161 Barry Crosswood (Exeter) 77 84.
162 Daniel Rolley (Leeds Met ) 81 81, Balraj Dmanjal (Bath) 86 76.
163 Steve Essex (Warwick) 77 86, Michael Ward (Hertfordshire) 82 81, Steve Thomas (Leeds Met) 81 82, Stewart Mitchell (Hertfordshire) 75 88.
164 David Aldam (Leeds Met) 81 83, David Jackson (Bucks Chiltern) 84 80, Michael Verity (Leeds Met) 82 82, Sam Wright (Birmingham) 86 78.
165 Ben Skeet (Leeds Met 84 81, Andy Gray (Bournemouth) 85 80.
166 Daryl Coughlan (Surrey) 82 84.
168 Stefan Lucas (Royal Holloway) 83 85.
169 Joe DiStefano (Bucks Chiltern) 83 86.
170 Lee Laughlin (LIncoln) 85 85, Marcus Latchford (Bath) 89 81, Rowan Baker (Mperial) 83 87.
171 Jake Collins (Brighton) 85 86, Elliott Meachem (Hertfordshire) 88 83.
172 Chris Turner (Leeds Met) 89 83.
173 Sam Birley (Hertfordshire) 86 87.
177 Gareth Halford (Kent) 88 89.
WOMEN (Par 75)
154 Chloe Rogers (Bucks Chilterns) 78 76.
170 Alice McCutchin (Royal Vets) 85 85.

US College Golf
LONDONER WINS FLORIDA COLLEGE EVENT
Matthew Bookatz from London, a senior student at Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida, won the Titan Winter Invitational men's college tournament at Suntree Country Club, Melbourne in Florida this week.
Matthew had rounds of 71, 67 and 75 for a three-under-par total of 213.
He won by three shots from Oliver Turnbull (Darton Community College) who scored 71, 70 and 75.
Darton (883) won the team event from Lynn (888) with Central Alabama (894) third of the 13 competing teams.

Wednesday 7th February 2007

KIRAN WINS JUNIOR SPORTING AWARD FOR BRITISH ASIANS
Teenager Kiran Matharu, pictured right, has won - for the second year in a row - the Female Junior Award at Sony’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year Awards for British Asians.
Kiran was presented with the award by Tessa Jowell, British Culture Secretary, at the awards ceremony which was broadcast live throughout Asia.
Kiran received a winning number of votes after playing superb golf in 2006, at the age of 17. She won the English Ladies Amateur Championship, represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup, finished 15th in her first professional tournament on the Ladies European Tour and third at Final Qualifying School.

International Spanish Ladies Amateur Championship
Four Scots have entered the International Spanish Ladies Amateur Championship at Sherry Golf Jerez from 28th February to 4th March.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), Heather Macrae (Dunblane New) and Kylie Walker (Hilton Park) are all in the international line-up, headed by Carlota Ciganda from Spain, the backmarker at +4.6.

International Spanish Mens Amateur Championship
Nine Scots have entered the Spanish men's amateur international championship at Desert Springs Golf Resort from February 28 to March 4.
Glenn Campbell, Robert McKnight, John Gallagher and Ross Kellett are being sent by the Scottish Golf Union.
The other Scots are: Elliot and Zack Saltman, Zander Culverwell, Scott Mann and George Finlay.

REBECCA 23rd, LIZ 32nd in NSW WOMEN'S OPEN
Ireland's Rebecca Coakley finished joint 23rd in the New South Wales Women's Open at Oatlands Golf Club.
Rebecca had rounds of 79, 67 and 71 for an aggregate of 217.
Inverness-based New Zealander Liz McKinnon tied for 32nd place with scores of 74, 73 and 72 for 219.
Joanne Mills beat fellow-Australian Sarah Kemp for the title in a play-off after they had tied on 10-under-par 209.
Joanne had scores of 70, 69 and 70, while Sarah had 72, 69 and 68.
Another Australian, Nikki Garrett, finished third on 210 with 68, 70 and 72.

Tuesday 6th February 2007

US College Golf
CHARLENE DOES BEST OF UK TRIO AT KIAWAH ISLAND
Charlene Reid from Antrim, a freshman student at Pfeiffer University, finished joint 30th in a field of 88 for the Tusculum/Kiawah Island women’s inter-collegiate tournament at Cougar Point Golf Club, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Charlene had rounds of 78 and 87 for 165.
Ashton Ingram from Fort William, a first-year student at Belmont Abbey College, Charlotte in North Carolina, finished joint 57th with rounds of 94 and 84 for 178.
Nikki Taggart, a sophomore student at Pfeiffer Univrsity, tied for 65th place with 92 and 91 for 183.
The winner was Marie-Pierre Bernier (Rollins College) with 75 and 67 for two-under-par 142, a tournament record.
Rollins College beat Florida Southern in a card play-off for the team title after both teams had totalled 596.
Pfeiffer (656) finished eighth, two places ahead of Belmont Abbey.

GORDON MACDONALD RETAINS SPANISH SENIORS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Gordon MacDonald (Callander) has retained the Spanish senior men’s international amateur championship at La Manga Golf Resort. He had rounds of 78, 74 and 74 for a 54-hole total of 226.
Gordon, the 2005 Scottish senior men’s champion, won by one shot from Irishman Maurice Kelly with Englishman David Lane third on 228.
Another Scot, Donald McCart, shared the first round lead on 75 but dropped out of the title hunt with a second-round 83.
MacDonald took closer order with rounds of 78 and 74 to be lying second on 152, one shot behind Francesco Guirardi (Italy) with one round to play.
The Italian subsided to a final round of 82 while Gordon closed with a 74 to hold for a memorable victory.
Royal Aberdeen’s John Johnston, another member of the Scotland team who won the senior men’s home internationals title at Dunbar last autumn, finished in joint 13th position on 235.
SPANISH SENIOR MEN’S INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
La Manga Golf Resort.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
226 G K MacDonald (Sco) 78 74 74.
227 M Kelly (Ire) 78 75 74.
228 D Lane (Eng) 78 76 74.
229 M Preysler (Spa) 78 78 73, H Smyth (Ire) 77 82 70, B Griffiths (Wal) 75 78 76.
239 G Vigna (Ita) 77 76 77.
232 P Hildebrand (Swe) 79 78 75.
233 N De Brito (Spa) 79 80 74, F Guirardi (Ita) 75 76 82.
Other totals:
234 D Longmuir (Eng) 81 77 76 (jt 11th).
235 J W Johnston (Sco) 81 78 76 (jt 13th).
237 G Steel (Sco) 77 81 79 (jt 17th).
238 D McCart (Sco) 75 83 80 (jt 20th).
239 L Wallace (Sco) 80 80 79 (jt 26th).
240 B Brown (Sco) 79 83 78 (jt 29th).
241 A Ferguson (Sco) 83 84 74 (jt 34th).
243 R Gill (Sco) 79 83 81 (jt 39th).
244 J Kinloch (Sco) 85 78 81 (jt 42nd).
245 D Millar (Sco) 83 82 80 (jt 46th).
246 A K Pirie (Sco) 78 84 83 (jt 51st).
253 B Edgar (Sco) 83 84 88 (jt 61st).

RAMSAY LOSES WORLD NO 1 RANKING TO McILROY
US amateur championship title-holder Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) has finally been knocked off his pedestal after 24 weeks at No 1 in the R&A world amateur rankings.
The 23-year-old Stirling University student from Aberdeen has paid a high price for retiring with a painful hip after 14 holes of the second round of the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island, Georgia.
The new world No 1 is Rory McIlroy, from the Holywood club near Belfast. The youngster finished a very creditable three-under-par for the 72 holes, gaining a share of 52nd place in the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.
Former British boys' champion Pablo Martin from Spain, a student at Oklahoma State University - he did not play in the Jones Cup Invitational - movges up from fourth to second in the world rankings.
Ramsay is No 3 and England's Jamie Moul drops from No 4 to No 2.
Other Scots in the top 100 are:
40 Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) (down 3).
53 (equal) Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) down 8).
64 Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan & Mississippi Univ) (same).
66 John Gallagher (Swanston) (down 3).
77 Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey & Jacksonville Univ) (down 2).
81 Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) (up 22).
97 Jonathan King (Glasgow) (down 5).
The new top 20 are:
1 R McIlroy (Ire), 2 P Martin (Spa), 3 R Ramsay (Sco), 4 J Moul (Eng), 5 Kyung Tae Kim (Kor), 6 C Kirk (US), 7 R Davies (Wal), 8 B Horschel (US), 9 W Simpson (US), 10 N Edwards (Wal).
11 G Wolsteholme (Eng), 12 B LaCassie (Aus), 13 J Moore (US), 14 S Benson(Eng), 15 J Guerrier (Fra), 16 G Coetzee (SAf), 17 G Woodland (US), 18 J Carlsson (Swe), 19 N Lemke (Swe), 20 D Johnson(US).

ELGA Press Release
England golfers head for Spain
Twelve of England’s brightest golfing prospects are off to the sun to prepare for the 2007 season with warm weather training in Spain.
The English Ladies’ Golf Association is sending eight players from its Team England Futures U18 Squad and four from the regional Select squads to the La Cala resort, near Marbella.
Claire Lilley, ELGA’s national training manager, said: “This will be really good preparation for the start of the season. The girls will work mainly on short game technique, taking advantage of the warmer weather and the very good facilities.”
The U18 players will spend a week at La Cala, from February 10, working with ELGA’s national junior coach Pat Smillie and physotherapist Julie Sparrow.
The Select players have each been chosen for the training in recognition of their progress. Claire remarked: “It’s a real feather in their cap to be picked. We looked at their development, their commitment and application and how far they had come on.”
They will spend five days, from February 12, working with coach Andy Dunbar and physiotherapist Joanna Staerck, before taking on the U18s in a competitive match.
The U18 players are: Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Rachel Connor (Manchester), Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange), Sian James (Bristol & Clifton), Hannah Lovelock (Hindhead), Kelly Tidy (Manchester), Sarah Tyson (Redlibbets).
The Select players are: Rebecca Gibbs (Burnham & Berrow) from Select South West; Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) from Select Midlands; Rachael Goodall (Wirral Ladies’) from Select North; and Raffi Dyer (Hayling) from Select South East.

Monday 5th February 2007

LGU's Fraser Munro raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Championship Manager Fraser Munro of the Ladies Golf Union is to run in the Kinross Half-Marathon on Saturday 19th May 2007 in aid of the new LGU charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The track is a gruelling 13.1 mile run round Loch Leven and usual Scottish weather conditions will no doubt prevail. Fraser predicts it will be a scorcher that day. He continues....
"Although it's unfortunately not made it into Lett's list of important sporting occasions this run will be special event for me for a number of reasons. Firstly as its my first ever half marathon and secondly because I've decided to run for our new LGU Charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.......and ATTEMPT the £1,000 challenge.
"So please please please dig deep and help me help this great charity. Every penny is gratefully received...
" You can donate directly online with any credit or debit card at my special fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/frasermunro"
Well done to Fraser for taking on the challenge and thanks in advance to all those who contribute to this good cause.

THAI BOY WINS FROM BEN EVANS IN FALDO SERIES ASIA FINAL
Thailander Nakarin Ratanakul, 18, forged clear of the field with a final round of five-under-par 67 to win the Nick Faldo Series Asia Grand Final by six strokes with a 10-under-par total of 206 over the 54 holes at Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China today.
Ben Evans from Rye, Sussex was runner-up won the Under-21 boys’ award with a closing 70 for 212.
Also on 212 was 14-year-old Taiwanese girl Hsieh Yu Ling who led the combined field after two rounds. She finished with a 75 for 212 and won the girls’ Under-18 title.
“The boys hit the ball too far for me to compete with them,” she said with a smile.
They certainly have some outstanding young golf prospects on Taiwan. The third boy, Chien Yao Hung, who totalled 216 is only 14 years of age.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 Nakarin Ratanakul (Thai) 67 72 67.
212 Ben Evans (Eng) 70 72 70, Hseih Yu Ling (Tai) 68 69 75 (girl).
216 Chien Yao Hung (Tai) 66 67 72.
217 Ainil Lahiri (Mal) 71 75 71 (girl), T G Huang (Tai) 73 75 69.
Other scores:
220 Eddie Pepperell (Eng) 72 75 73.
221 Darren Renwick (Eng) 75 74 72.
224 Jack Hiluta (Eng) 77 72 756.
239 Simon Doherty (Ire) 78 80 81.

BOGEY MAN COMES BACK TO HAUNT CARLY IN FLORIDA JUNIOR CLASSIC
A double bogey 6 as early as the third hole ultimately cost Carly Booth, the 14-year-old top golf prospect from Perthshire, victory over an international field in the Mission Inn Junior Classic over the Las Colinas course at Howey-in-the-Hills near Orlando, Florida (at the weekend).
Carly, a golf scholarship student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, had rounds of 72 and 72 for a four-over-par total of 144.
She finished runner-up, pipped by one stroke, by Doris Chen from Taiwan. Doris scored 71 and 72 for 143.
Carly's early double-bogey 6 came back to haunt her even though she thought she had more than cancelled it out with a birdie 2 at the short 12th followed by an eagle 3 at the 425yd 13th for an inward half of 33 in her first round.
But Miss Booth, a Junior Ryder Cup player from Comrie, could manage only one birdie in her second round and bogeyed the second, 14th and 15th for halves of 35-37 and a 72.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 140 (2 x 70)
143 Doris Chien (Taiwan) 71 72.
144 Carly Booth (Scotland) 72 72.
145 Annie Park (New York) 73 72, Laetitia Beck (Israel) 72 73.
147 Giulia Molinaro (Italy) 74 73.
148 Chelsea Czinski (California) 77 71, Christina Miller (Florida) 74 74.

KIRSTEN IS SOUTHERNDOWN’S FIRST FEMALE PRO IN 110 YEARS
Female golf club professionals and assistant professionals are still few and far between in Britain.
So all credit to Southerndown Golf Club in South Wales for appointing 25-year-old Kirsten Nicholls as the club’s first female professional in its 110-year history.
Actually, it was head professional Dennis McMonagle who made the appointment. So, well done, Dennis!
Kirsten started playing golf as a right-hander at the age of 11 but soon changed to playing left-handed which is an unusual switch.
She took up golf initially at Perranporth in Cornwall and then moved to the Forest of Dean. She played for Gloucestershire girls and was on the fringe of the county team.
But her greatest moment was qualifying for the Daily Telegraph junior championship at Sea Island,
Georgia, in 1997 and 1998 when she played off a scratch handicap.
She turned professional two years ago at the Raglan Parc club near Monmouth. She was attached to Cardiff club Radyr for training purposes and recently passed her first year’s PGA exams.
But she decided it would be best to complete her training at one club and that explains her move to the
Southerndown links. She still plans to play in WPGA events and pro ams.

R&A Press Release
R&A BURSARS’ TOURNAMENT WIDENS APPEAL
Students from several European countries will be eligible to compete in The R&A Bursars’ Tournament, to be played at St Andrews, over 36 holes on the Old and Eden Courses on 4 & 5 April 2007. The tournament is open to individual bursars and also to students at universities running golf programmes supported financially by The R&A Training Panel. Total annual expenditure on student golf currently exceeds £300,000.
This year, for the first time, the winning man will be offered a place in the European side to compete in the Palmer Cup against the US at Caves Valley, Maryland on 7 & 8 June. The Palmer Cup is an annual match played alternately on either side of the Atlantic and now supported financially by The R&A. At Prestwick last year, Europe recorded a convincing win, 19½ - 4½, in a successful defence.
For the winning woman in the Bursars’ Tournament, there will be a place in the pro-am immediately preceding the Women’s British Open, to be played for the first time over the Old Course, St Andrews in August.
“We have been delighted with the development of university golf and our annual Foundation Bursars' Tournament. These additional opportunities demonstrate the standards now being achieved which will help to raise golf's profile within university sport,” said Alison White, Golf Development Officer of The R&A.
“The R&A is particularly indebted to the Ladies’ Golf Union for generously donating a place in their Open Pro-Am; a gesture that underlines the strong working relationship that exists between our two governing bodies.”

SALTMAN FINISHES TOP SCOT AS MACAULAY RUNS UP A 7 AT LAST HOLE IN JONES CUP
West of Scotland open amateur champion Callum Macaulay from Tulliallan – a student at the University of Mississippi – was set to have the honour of finishing the leading Scot in the Jones Cup Invitational until he nosedived over the last few holes.
Macaulay, after two steady rounds of par-matching 72 over the Frederica Golf Club course at Sea Island, Georgia, Callum was on target to break 70 for the first time.
He had birdied the second, 12th and 14th and then grabbed a great eagle 3 at the long 15th. His only bogeys to that point had been early slips at the third and fifth.
But Macaulay let a very good score slip out of his grasp with a bogey at the 16th and then a catastrophic double bogey 7 at the long 18th.
Callum finished with a third successive 72 for a level par aggregate of 216.
That late blip by his main Scottish rival, allowed Walker Cup man Lloyd Saltman to be the top Scot, albeit in joint 14th place in the quality field.
DISAPPOINTING FINISH FOR LLOYD
Saltman, who had scored 71 and 70, finished with a disappointing 74 for one-under-par 215.
Saltman had an uninspired outward half of one-over-par 37 with a bogey at the third. He got his only birdie at the 10th but then slipped over par at the 11th and 18th for halves of 37.
East of Scotland Open champion Keir McNicoll from Carnoustie, well used to American playing conditions from his years at Lynn University, Florida, finished with a par 72 for a par aggregate of 216. He had birdies at the sixth, ninth, 12th and 15th and bogeys at the second, fourth, 14th and 17th in halves of 36. His earlier rounds were 74 and 70.
McNicoll and Macaulay finished joint 19th, a creditable performance by both.
England’s Ben Parker was the leading European in joint 11th place on two-under-par 214.
Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies, a student at East Tennessee State University, finished on the same 215 mark as Lloyd Saltman.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross) had a 75 for 225. He had one birdie, at the sixth but bogeys at the fourth, ninth, 15th and 16th in halves of 37 and 38.
Paul O’Hara from Colville Park, Motherwell also hit the 225 mark with a closing round of 74, marginally the best of his three. Starting at the 10th, Paul birdied the 12th, third and fourth but he had bogeys at the 17th, 18th, second, fifth and ninth in halves of 37.
THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR KEVIN
Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine from Alyth finally mastered the course at the third attempt. After rounds of 80 and 75, Kevin signed off with a one-under-par 71 for a 10-over-par total of 226.
Kevin started at the 10th and birdied the 12th but cancelled that out with bogey 6s at the 15th and 18th. But he went below par with birdies at t the first, fourth and seventh. What a pity he finished – at the ninth – with a bogey 5.
After a pair of undistinguished 79s, Russell Knox from Inverness, who was invited to play on the strength of his record for Jacksonville State University, saved his best for last – a 74 for a total of 17-over-par 233.
Start at the 10th, Knox required 41 shots for his first nine holes, bogeying the 11th, 16th, 17th and running up a double-bogey 7 at the 18th.
It was a game of two halves, however, because Russell played holes one to nine in two-under-par 34 with birdies at the sixth and ninth.
Long-time leader Gary Woodland, a Kansas University student, got an eagle 3 at the last to force a play-off with the man who had taken up the running, Luke List.
List birdied the 18th for a 66 and 10-under-par 206, the same total as Woodland who finished with a 68.
LIST WINS PLAY-OFF
List, the 2004 US amateur championship beaten finalist, won the play-off at the first extra hole. He is a graduate of Baylor University, Texas.
Woodland lost the lead when he had a double-bogey 6 at the 13th after getting to 10 under par for the tournament with his fifth birdie of the round at the 12th.
Woodland then forced a play-off with an eagle 3 at the last hole to List's birdie.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
Players from US unless stated
206 L List 69 71 66, G Woodlan 65 73 68.
211 R Grube 70 71 70, M Thompson 70 69 72.
212 C Knost 74 73 65, J McLean 75 69 68.
213 G Todd 72 74 67, B Harman 71 74 68, R Hybl 71 72 70, A Mitchell 68 74 71.
214 D Johnson 72 71 71, R Fowler 72 72 70, B Parker (Eng 71 73 70….
215 R Davies (Wal) 73 72 70, K Davis 73 72 70, P Nagle 72 73 70, L Saltman (Sco) 71 70 74, K Stanley 73 70 72.
216 B Todd 69 76 71, T Jackson 70 76 70, K McNicoll (Sco) 74 70 72, C Macaulay (Sco) 72 72 72.
217 G Boyd (Eng) 75 74 68. D Van der Walt (SAf) 77 71 69, W Simpson 70 75 72, T Ragland 73 69 75.
218 J Parry (Eng) 73 74 71, M Green 73 74 71, T Can 71 77 70, D May 72 74 72, P Uihlein 74 72 72, N Smith 75 72 71, C Kirk 76 75 67.
219 C Forrester 76 73 70, P Waring (Eng) 76 71 72.
220 A Eaton 70 75 75, B Witcher 71 74 74, B Schnell 75 75 70.
221 M Harrell 77 72 72, E Richardson (Eng) 77 72 72, M Morrison 75 75 71, T Kuehne 73 77 71.
222 M Swan 75 74 73, B Martin 75 74 73, M McCoy 76 73 73, E Tanner 72 74 76, D Melnyk 72 75 75, M Hoffman 72 76 74.
223 R Gerwin 72 79 72.
224 H Swafford 73 76 75, J Grodzinsky 77 75 72, K Quinn 76 77 71., P Patterson 76 77 71, M Swan 76 72 76, G Shaw (Ire) 73 77 74
225 S Henry (Sco) 76 74 75, D Delcher 76 74 75, R Jamieson 75 77 73, A Vongvanij 77 75 73, P O’Hara (Sco) 75 76 74, P Mollica 75 76 74.
226 K McAlpine (Sco) 80 75 71, A Bratton 79 76 71, J Byrd 71 75 80, J Miller 74 79 73, J Blixt (Swe) 82 72 72, J Campillo (Spa) 70 81 75, K Guest 78 76 72.
227 N Edwards (Wal) 79 79 69, K Tway 78 72 77, B Marek 78 77 72, J Knox 80 74 73, S Brandon 76 76 75, K Marsh 78 75 74.
228 J Moul (Eng) 79 76 73, T Brown 73 82 73, G Strother 78 74 76, J Hack 79 75 74.
229 C Lutz 74 77 78, J Kelly 79 77 73, G Marucci 77 79 73, T Brennan 76 82 71, D Womack 77 76 76.
230 M Love 77 76 77.
231 G Schneider 77 78 76, G Elliott 81 75 75, P Tallent 76 78 77, T Satterfield 74 81 76.
232 S Hardy 76 78 78.
233 R Knox (Sco)79 79 75, T Adams 80 80 73.
235 M McDermott (Ire) 77 82 76, K Miller 79 78 78..
236 K Mikkelsen 78 81 77.
237 R Reisen 78 78 81
243 S Saunders 78 81 84.
Retired: R Ramsay (Sco) 73 -.

EDINBURGH TO HOST SCOTLAND’S FIRST INDOOR GOLF CENTRE
Scotland’s first indoor golf centre, The Clubhouse, will open in May and will be located at Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge. The web address is www.edinburghclubhouse.co.uk
Golfers of all abilities from beginners to scratch will have the opportunity to play over 50 of the world’s best courses on six, state of the art, Full Swing Golf simulators. The contemporary setting also includes a bar, restaurant and a putting green.
The Clubhouse is the brainchild of Scots businessmen Andy Murray, Stephen McKenzie and Charlie Simpson. With assistance from Lloyds TSB Scotland, the group has invested round £1million in the venture, which has taken around 18 months to come to fruition.
WORLD LEADER IN GOLF SIMULATION
Andy Murray, said: ‘The company which developed the simulators, Full Swing Golf, is the world leader in golf simulation. The simulators are so good that they are used by the USPGA for training and clubfitting. They are completely accurate and above all, great fun to play!
"Combine that with the latest TaylorMade clubs and balls and our guests at The Clubhouse will have a high quality experience playing Pebble Beach, The Old Course, Valderrama and many more – they get to choose. Of course, the added advantage of being indoors means that golfers can play or practice at any time and in any weather conditions – an obvious bonus in Scotland!!"
BALL TRACKING SYSTEM
Every shot is played in the simulator, from driving off the tee to hitting irons, to putting out once on the green. The ball tracking system allows golfers to play their shots from anywhere in the simulator enabling the use of simulated rough and sand areas to make the game even more realistic. Without the usual dress code restrictions and handicap requirements, the team is expecting to attract golfers of all abilities.
After much consideration, Edinburgh Quay became the preferred location due to its design, location and proximity to Edinburgh’s thriving business district.
Stephen MacKenzie said: ‘We are very excited about opening our first venue in Scotland and already have considerable interest including a number of advanced group bookings. Our design team, 442 design, has come up with a great contemporary setting in which to play golf. In addition we have located potential sites beyond Edinburgh for our second and third venues.
BAR & RESTAURANT OPEN EVERY DAY
Simulators can be booked by the hour and a range of venue hire options will be available. The bar & restaurant will be open seven days a week for golfers and non-golfers. There will also be small, exclusive, retail area offering quality golf equipment.
The Clubhouse will be open for players from May and fees will start around £30 for an hours’ play for up to 4 players.
For further information please visit www.edinburghclubhouse.co.uk.
DETAILS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW:
1. The Clubhouse opening hours will be: 10am to 11pm, 7 days a week
2. The bar will be supplied by Scottish & Newcastle and Alliance Wines
3. Lunch will be served in the restaurant between 12pm and 3pm, and an all day menu will available from 12pm until 9pm.
4. The menu will feature a range of plates to share and classic favourites such as steak sandwich and home made chips
5. About the partners – all of whom are golf lovers:
· Andy Murray has a background in corporate HR.
· Stephen Mackenzie has a hospitality background
· Charlie Simpson previously worked on European Tour for Wilson.
6. Full Swing Simulators – The Full Swing Golf simulators are the best and most used around the world. Using a proprietary ball tracking system the ball flight is totally accurate and reflects the shot played – hooks, slices and all.
7. The Clubhouse – facts :
Play over 50 of the world’s top courses
Play day or night, whatever the weather
Several play formats – strokeplay, matchplay, etc.
Putting green for practice and PGA tuition
PGA tuition on simulator – using video swing analysis
Club fitting service
Play using the latest Taylor Made R7 clubs and balls
Shot analysis with each shot
Exclusive Peak Performance golf apparel available for purchase
TaylorMade clubs for sale and demo days
Drinks and food served to players at their simulator as they play
Bar and restaurant open to non-golfers for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Range of venue hire options available
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Sunday 4th February 2007

TAIWANESE GIRL LEADS FALDO SERIES ASIA GRAND FINAL
4 February 2007, Shenzhen, China: 14-year-old Hsieh Yu Ling from Chinese Taipei produced a brilliant three under par 69 at Mission Hills today to lead the Faldo Series Asia grand final going into the final round.
Following a 68 yesterday and starting from the 10th, Hsieh continued her good form to card three birdies and only one bogey on her front nine of the Faldo course. She recovered from a bogey on the 12th to make two further birdies on 14 and 16 and finish on a total of 137, seven under par.
The title of Faldo Series Asia champion will be awarded to the player with the lowest gross score after 54 holes, boy or girl. Hsieh is two ahead of the field in her quest to claim that title, but she will face stiff competition in tomorrow’s final round from the boys behind her.
Leading the challenge on 139 is overnight leader Nakarin Ratanakul from Thailand, 18, who followed his 67 with a level par 72. Also in the hunt are 20-year-old Ben Evans from England on 142; Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien Yao (14) on 144, thanks to the lowest round of the day, a 67; and 19-year-old Anirban Lahiri on 146.
Supported by Mission Hills, The R&A and UBS, the 54-hole Faldo Series Asia grand final has brought together 60 leading young golfers from across Asia, boys and girls aged 12 to 21, plus six invitees from the Faldo Series grand final in Europe. Results will count towards The R&A’s World Amateur Ranking; the leading Asian finalists, boys and girls, will be invited to compete in the Faldo Series grand final in Europe; the leading boy will play in the Asian Tour’s Volvo Masters of Asia and the leading girl will compete in the Ladies Asian Golf Tour’s Indian Open.
Six-time Major winner Faldo arrived today and, after watching the action, spent time with the finalists offering advice on the short-game. He will follow the final round tomorrow [Monday 5 February], spend more time with the finalists and then play with the winners on Tuesday.
Local school-children will be attending the final round of the Faldo Series Asia grand final tomorrow; they will watch the finalists in action and then attend a clinic with Faldo in a bid by the golfing legend to simultaneously create access to the game for a younger audience.
[Stephanie Meadow did not make the trip from South Carolina where she is a pupil at the International Golf Academy.]
BOYS
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
139 N Ratanakul (Thai) 67 72.
142 B Evans (Eng) 70 72.
144 C Y Hung (Tai) 77 67.
146 A Lahiri (Ind) 71 75.
147 E Pepperell (Eng) 72 75.
148 T Huang (Tai) 73 75, A T Nazari (Mal) 75 73, T H Choo (Sin) 75 73.
149 D Renwick (Eng) 75 74, M Turner (UAE) 69 70.
150 J Hiluta (Eng) 74 76, A Singh (Ind) 74 76.
151 A Tiong (Mal) 80 71, A Fauzi (Mal) 80 71.
152 R Bakshi (Ind) 73 79.
154 J Ko (HK) 75 79.
155 R Sharma (Ind) 82 73.
156 C M Puyat (Phi) 77 79, D Koh (Sin) 76 80, C Krobteeranon (Thai() 75 81.
158 S Doherty (Ire) 78 80.
160 M Liu (HK) 79 81.
161 J Shou (Sin) 79 82.. I Andrew (Indo) 83 78
162 Z Yang (Chi) 84 78.
164 Y L Shao (Chi) 84 80.
166 S Lam (HK) 82 85.
GIRLS
137 Yu Ling Hsieh (Tai) 68 69.
148 A J Bakar (Mal) 74 74.
152 P Y Tsai (Tai) 76 76.
153 T C Lin (Tai) 78 75.
155 X Wangt (Chi) 79 76.
156 M Koh (Mal) 78 78, K H Hsu (Tai) 80 76.
158 G Mak (HK) 82 76.
160 D Mak (HK) 75 85.

KARRIE WEBB WINS THIRD AUSSIE OPEN TITLE BY IMPRESSIVE SIX STROKES
Australian Karrie Webb outclassed the international field to win the MFS Women's Australian Open by six strokes at Royal Sydney Golf Club. It was her third victory in the event and easily her most impressive.
Last year the Queensland player won five times, including a seventh major. Now the World No.3 has begun her 2007 campaign in perfect fashion, closing the tournament with an even-par 72 to finish on 10 under par and add to her 2000 and 2002 triumphs in the tournament at Yarra Yarra in Melbourne.
"It feels great, obviously a good start to the year, and it feels great to win on such a tough golf course," said Karrie, pictured above.
"You can never get sick of that (walking down the 18th knowing the win is secure), it was a great crowd out there today and playing in front of my home fans was great."
Webb began with a four-stroke cushion and her playing partner and only challenger Yun-Jye Wei of Chinese Taipei didn't get any closer than three shots at any stage, and on both the occasions that was the case it was for no more than two holes.
Players made the most of ideal conditions on the final day, with the sun shining and the breeze lighter than it had been on the previous two days, and Australian Katherine Hull cashed in most with the round of the tournament, a 65.
With Webb leading the way atop the leaderboard on 10-under and Wei two clear in second place on four-under after signing for a 74, third place was shared on minus two by Spaniard Paula Marti and Finn Minea Blomqvist, who both shot 69.
American Brittany Lincicome and Korean Ji Yai Shin both also carded 69s to tie for fifth on one-under, 2006 HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship winner Lincicome grabbing seven birdies and only undoing her fine work with two double bogeys.
German Bettina Hauert (70) and Korean Sun Ju Ahn (72) finished all square with the card in equal seventh place, while Hull's seven-under round saw her vault to plus one and outright ninth place.
Defending champion Laura Davies birdied the first two holes but a bogey at 12, a quadruple bogey at 13 and a double bogey at 15 left her with her second 77 of the week and a 13-over-par final total.
Monifieth's Kathryn Imrie had a sad final round of 82 for a total of 312 and a joint 75th finish of the 77 players who beat the halfway cut.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
278 K Webb (Aus) 67 71 68 72.
284 Yun-Jye Wei (Tai) 68 71 71 74.
286 P Marti (Spa) 74 69 74 69, M Blomqvist (Fin) 71 72 74 69.
287 B Lincicome (US) 70 73 75 69, Ji Yai Shin (SKor) 72 73 73 69.
288 B Hauert (Ger) 70 75 73 70, Sun Ju Ahn (Tai) 70 72 74 72.
Other scores:
292 B Brewerton (Wal) 71 77 72 72 (jt 17th).
301 L Davies (Eng) 73 77 74 77 (jt 44th).
302 E Pilgrim (Wal) 71 77 74 780, ~G Simpson (Eng0 75 77 76 74 (jt 48th).
304 L Fairclough (Eng) 73 79 76 76 (jt 55th).
306 D Masters (Eng) 70 82 79 75, R Coakley (Ir) 73 77 80 76 (jt 62nd).
312 K Imrie (Sco) 76 76 78 82 (jt 75th).

SALTMAN AND RAMSAY MAKE BAD START TO JONES CUP SECOND DAY
Walker Cup foursomes partners Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), pictured right, and Richie Ramsay, the current US amateur champion from Royal Aberdeen, made bad starts to their second rounds in the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational golf tournament on the Federica course, Sea Island, Georgia today.
Saltman, the leading Scot with a one-under-par 71 on Friday, dropped shots at the first, third and fourth in his second round. A birdie at the sixth recouped one of the shots frittered away.
Stirling student Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), who had a first-round 73, started the second day with a double bogey 6 and dropped to four over par for the day when he bogeyed the fifth and sixth.
Out in four-over-par 40, the Aberdonian dropped another shot at the 10th before getting his first birdie of the day at the short 11th.
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park) had a double-bogey 6 at the second hole on his way to a four-over-par outward half of 40. He birdied the short 11th but ran up another double bogey 6 at the 12th.
Keir McNicol (Carnoustie) birdied the fourth and sixth and was one of the few to reach the turn in one-under-par 35. He undid the good work with bogeys at the 10th and 11th but then roared back with birdies at the short 13th and long 14th to be one under par for the day with three to play.
Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), a student at the University of Mississippi, birdied the first but bogeyed the second, third and ninth in an outward two-over 38.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross), who had a 76 in the first round, reached the turn in 38 after bogeying the first three holes. He steadied up to birdie the sixth and was out in two-over 38.
Another birdie followed at the 11th but he bogeyd the 13th and 14th before grabbing a superb eagle 3 at the long 15th.
Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine from Alyth improved by five strokes in 24 hours..
McAlpine, all at sea on the large, undulating greens in a first-round, eight-over-par 80, looked a little bit happier with himself as he returned a 75 for a 36-hole tally of 155 in this 54-hole event for prospective GB&I and United States Walker Cup team selections for the match at Royal County Down, Northern Ireland later in the year.
McAlpine had only one birdie, at the sixth but bogeys at the first, third, eighth and 11th in halves of 38 and 37.
Russell Knox from Inverness, who gained a place in the field through his Jacksonville University playing record, again did himself less than justice with a repeat 79 for 158.
Knox began his round 5-5-6 (bogey, bogey, double-bogey) and another double bogey at the eighth saw him reach the turn in five-over-par 41.
Russell did birdie the 15th and 18th but that did not cancel out all his homeward bogeys.
SECOND-R0UND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
147 P Waring (Eng) 76 71.
148 M Swan 76 72, D Van de Valt (SAf) 77 71.
149 C Forrester 76 73, M Harrell 77 72, E Richardson (Eng) 77 72.
150 D Delcher 76 74, K Tway 78 72.
152 S Brandon 76 76, J Grodzinsky 77 75, K King 76 76, A Vonganij 77 75.
153 M Love 77 76, K Marsh 78 75, K Quinn 76 77, D Womack 77 76.
154 Jonas Blixt (Swe) 82 72, K Guest 78 76, J Knox 80 74, P Tallent 76 78.
155 Alan Bratton 79 76, Jhared Hack 79 75, Kevin McAlpine (Sco) 80 75, J Moul (Eng) 79 76, B Marek 78 77, G Sneider 77 78, G Strother 78 74.
156 Gene Elliott 81 75, J Kelly 79 77, G Marucci 77 79, R Reisen 78 78.
157 Kelly Miller 79 78.
158 Nigel Edwards (Wal) 79 79, Russell Knox (Sco) 79 79.
159 M McDermott (Ire) 77 82, K Mikkelsen 78 81, S Saunders 78 81.
160 Taylor Adams 80 80.

McALPINE IMPROVES BY FIVE STROKES IN SECOND ROUND
Scottish amateur champion Kevin McAlpine, pictured right, from Alyth improved by five strokes on his second circuit of the Federica course on Sea Island, Georgia in the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational tournament today.
McAlpine, all at sea on the large, undulating greens in a first-round, eight-over-par 80, looked a little bit happier with himself as he returned a 75 for a 36-hole tally of 155 in this 54-hole event for prospective GB&I and United States Walker Cup team selections for the match at Royal County Down, Northern Ireland later in the year.
McAlpine had only one birdie, at the sixth but bogeys at the first, third, eighth and 11th in halves of 38 and 37.
Russell Knox from Inverness, who gained a place in the field through his Jacksonville University playing record, again did himself less than justice with a repeat 79 for 158.
Knox began his round 5-5-6 (bogey, bogey, double-bogey) and another double bogey at the eighth saw him reach the turn in five-over-par 41.
Russell did birdie the 15th and 18th but that did not cancel out all his homeward bogeys.
US amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), who had a first-round 73, started the second day with a double bogey 6 and dropped to four over par for the day when he bogeyed the fifth and sixth.
O'HARA DOUBLE BOGEY AT 2ND
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park) had a double-bogey 6 at the second.
Keir McNicol (Carnoustie) birdied the fourth and sixth but dropped shots at the second and fourth.
Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), a student at the University of Mississippi, birdied the first but bogeyed the second and third.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross), who had a 76 in the first round, reached the turn in 38 after bogeying the first three holes. He steadied up to birdie the sixth.
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), the leading Scot on the first day with a one-under-par 71, was among the later starters.
SECOND-R0UND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
Players from US unless stated
154 Jonas Blixt 82 72
155 Alan Bratton 79 76, Jhared Hack 79 75, Kevin McAlpine (Sco) 80 75, Jamie Moul (Eng) 79 76.
156 Gene Elliott 81 75.
157 Kelly Miller 79 78.
158 Nigel Edwards (Wal) 79 79, Russell Knox (Sco) 79 79.
160 Taylor Adams 80 80.

Saturday 3rd February 2007

CHINA BECKONS FOR FALDO FINALISTS
Faldo Invites European Golfers to Faldo Series Asia Grand Final
2nd February 2007: Nick Faldo announced today the names of six young European golfers to whom he has extended an exclusive invitation to this year’s Faldo Series Asia grand final.
The inaugural event will be hosted by Nick Faldo at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, from 1 – 6 February 2007 and six golfers from the UK and Ireland have been selected to compete (see list below). They will join a field of over 60 competitors from 11 different Asian countries, including India, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan, and the results will count towards The R&A’s World Amateur Ranking.
With 216 holes, Mission Hills is the world’s largest golf resort and home of the Faldo Series Asia. The 54-hole grand final will take place on the Faldo course, designed by the six-time Major winner himself to high acclaim.
With such a diverse field, the event represents a unique opportunity for the six European invitees to meet and compete with their international contemporaries. Faldo will spend time with all of the finalists at Mission Hills in order to pass on his advice and experience from 30 years of playing at the highest level, while other experts will also be educating the finalists during the week through a series of player-seminars.
In addition, as part of a new partnership with the Asian Tour, the winner of this year’s event will receive the opportunity to tee it up with the professionals by way of an official invite to the Volvo Masters of Asia, the season-ending event on the Asian Tour which is exclusive to the top-60 players from the UBS Order of Merit, along with an exemption for the 2007 Asian Tour Qualifying School, Stage One. There will also be a start at the Ladies Asian Golf Tour’s 2007 DLF Women’s Indian Open on offer to the grand final’s winning girl.
Faldo commented: “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming finalists from both Europe and Asia to Mission Hills for the Faldo Series Asia grand final. This tournament is a great opportunity for these young golfers – not only does it give them a chance to tsaste a little of what life is like on the professional tour circuit, it is also the perfect chance for them to share their experiences with a selection of players from very different backgrounds. I am excited about the tournament and also about inviting the leading Asian players from this event to the European Faldo Series grand final later this year.”
This year’s grand final caps the first full season for the Faldo Series Asia, which was launched in January 2006 and is supported by Mission Hills, The R&A and UBS. Local school-children will be attending to watch the finalists in action and receive free coaching from Faldo himself in a bid to create access to the game for a younger audience.
The invitees are:
Category-Name-Residence-Country-Age-Hcp
Boys U16-Darren RENWICK-Worthing-England-17-+1
Boys U16-Eddie PEPPERELL-Oxfordshire-England-16-+2
Boys U18-Simon DOHERTY-Belfast-Ireland-18-+1
Boys U18-Jack HILUTA-Essex-England-17-+2
Boys U21-Ben EVANS-Sussex-England-20-+4
Girls U16-Stephanie MEADOW-USA-Ireland-15-3

KARRIE WEBB SPREADEAGLES FIELD IN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S OPEN
World No. 3 Karrie Webb seems to be playing a different course from the rest of the field in the MFS Women's Australian Open championship at Royal Sydney.
The Queenslander opened up a four-shot lead and spreadeagled the field - third-placed Sarah Kemp is nine shots off the pace - with a 68 for 10-under-par 206.
Webb played superbly, opening with a pair of birdies to keep playing partner Yun-Jye Wei at arm's length and then added four more birdies, two of which immediately atoned for her only two bogeys of the day in the tougher conditions.
Wei hails from Chinese Taipei and is a three-time winner on the Japanese Tour. She finishede with a second-successive 71 for 210.
First-round leader Sarah Kemp is the only other player currently in red figures, the 21-year-old showing plenty of determination in fighting back to one-under overall with a 71 that included an eagle, a birdie and two bogeys.
Spaniard Marta Prieto and Frenchwoman Virginie Lagoutte-Clement both carded 72s and Korean Sun Ju Ahn a 73 as the trio finished tied for fourth on even-par, while Korean Hee-Young Park (71), Finn Minea Blomqvist (74) and Spaniard Paula Marti (74) share seventh on plus one.
Rebecca Brewerton (72) from Wales, Swede Louise Stahle (75), Italian Sophie Sandolo (75) and Dane Karen-Margrethe Juul (77) are equal 19th.
Defending champion Laura Davies, who went to the cricket with Webb on Friday night to watch England beat Australia, is 18 strokes adrift of the leader on eight-over par after a 74.
Kathryn Imrie from Monifieth is back in a share of 62nd place after a 78 for 230. She had a double bogey at the foufrth in an outward 40 and only one birdie on her card, at the 16th.
Also on 230 is Ireland's Rebecca Coakley who had a third-round 80 (39-41) with a triple bogey 7 at the 12th.
SCOREBOARDPar 216 (3 x 72)
Players from Australia unless stated
206 K Webb 67 71 68.
210 Yun-Jye Wei 68 71 71.
215 S Kemp 66 78 71.
216 M Prieto (Spa) 75 69 72, V Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 74 70 72, Sun Ju Ahn 70 72 74.
217 Hee-Young Park 69 77 71, M Blomqvist (Fin) 71 72 74, P marti (Spa) 74 69 74.
Other scores:
218 (am) A Simon (SAfr) 69 74 75, B Lincicome (US) 70 73 75.
220 B Brewerton (Wal) 71 77 72, L Stahle (Swe) 70 785 75, K-M Juul (Den) 70 67 77.
222 E Pilgrim (Wal) 71 77 74, N Campbell (Aus) 67 73 82.
224 L Davies (Eng) 73 77 74.
228 L Fairclough (Eng) 73 79 76, G Simpson (Eng) 75 77 76.
230 K Imrie (Sco) 76 76 78, R Coakley (Ire) 73 77 80, D Masters (Eng) 70 82 79.

SALTMAN (71) LEADING SCOT IN JONES CUP
US amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) birdied the last hole to salvage a one-over-par 73 in the first round of the 54-hole Jones Cup Invitational at Federica Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia.
Ramsay, who finished 11th in the event last year, birdied the first, 10th and 18th but dropped shots at the fifth, sixth and eighth on his way to a two-over-par outward half of 38.
He had only one bogey after the turn, at the 13th.
Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) did best of the Scots in the quality field of prospective GB&I and United States Walker Cup selections for this year’s match at Royal County Down.
He had a one-under-par 71 with halves of 37 (one over) and 34 (two under par).
University of Mississippi student Callum Macaulay, the West of Scotland open champion from Tulliallan, matched the par of 72 with two halves of 36.
Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), the East of Scotland Open champion, had a 74 (38-36).
Scottish amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross) was three over par after only three holes with a bogey-par-double bogey start but he steadied up to return a 76 (38-38).
BAD DAY FOR McALPINE
Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) had a 6 at the 16th and a 6 at the 18th in halves of 40 for a most disappointing round of 80.
Russell Knox from Inverness, a student at Jacksonville University, Florida, returned a 79 after taking 42 shots to the turn.
American Gary Woodland, a student at the University of Kansas, set the first-day pace with a seven-under-par 65 (32-33).
Scots scores:
71 L Saltman (37-34).
72 C Macaulay (36-36).
73 R Ramsay (38-35).
74 K McNicoll (38-36).
76 S Henry (38-38).
79 R Knox (42-37).
80 K McAlpine (40-40).

Thursday 1st February 2007

KATHRYN IMRIE HAS A 76 IN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S OPEN
Kathryn Imrie from Monifieth took nine holes to warm up in the first round of the MFS Australian Women’s Open at Royal Sydney and finished the day with a four-over-par 76 – six shots behind Australian leader Sarah Kemp.
Kathryn took 41 –five over par – to reach the turn but then reeled off eight pars and a birdie at the 12th in coming home in one-under 35.
Inverness-based New Zealander Liz McKinnon finished at the tail-end of the field with an 85 after running up a double bogey 6 at the 15th and a triple bogey 8 at the 16th in an inward half of 46.
Australians dominated the opening day with three of them filling the first three places.
Nikki Campbell, who plays on the Japanese LPGA Tour, and Karrie Webb share second place on 67 going into the second round.
Miss Campbell had the best outward half of the day – a brilliant 29.
The leading Europeans were on 70 – twice British women’s open amateur champion Louise Stahle (Sweden), Germany’s Bettina Hauert and former Curtis Cup player from Kent, Danielle Masters.
Defending champion Laura Davies had a 73.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 72
Players from Australia unless stated
66 Sarah Kemp.
67 Nikki Campbell, Karrie Webb.
68 Yun-Jye Wei (Taipei).
69 Hee-Young Park (Korea), Ashleigh Simon (South Africa) (amateur), Amy Yang (Korea).
70 Lindsey Wright, Louise Stahle (Sweden), Bettina Hauert (Germany), Brittany Lincicome (United States), Sun Ju Ahn (Korea), Danielle Masters (England).
Other scores:
71 Eleanor Pilgrim (Wales).
73 Kirsty Taylor (England), Laura Davies (England), Rebecca Coakley (Ireland), Lora Fairclough (England).
75 Trish Johnson (England), Georgina Simpson (England).
76 Kathryn Imrie (Scotland).
79 Danielle Montgomery (England) (amateur).
85 Liz McKinnon (New Zealand).

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