Elaine McBride at work as a golf teacher/coach at the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort

Free swing analysis offer for Festival amateurs

ELAINE McBRIDE, the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Teaching Professional, is looking forward to meeting all Festival entrants. If she can help to make you a better golfer, she will.
Five-star

practice

facilities

at HDA

By ELAINE McBRIDE
(pictured right)
First, let me tell you what the Hacienda Golf Resort Academy has to offer in the way of five-star practice facilities.
First, there is a 38-bay two-tier driving range. This is supported by two practice putting greens, a large chipping and bunker practice area.
In addition, we have a state of the art swing analysis software system and the Vector Launch Monitor, both of which are available for using within any lesson programme.
At Hacienda del Alamo our aim is to create an environment that will help and encourage people from all walks of life to enjoy golf. By providing structured golf lesson programmes that suit the needs of everyone, we will give you the confidence, knowledge and technique required to enjoy your game.
We are able to offer a number of tailored lesson packages to suit your needs, using the latest training methods to maximise the learning experience.
All programmes will be designed to help you develop your talents to their fullest in such a way that you completely understand. Every avenue will be explored to help you achieve your goal.
We hope that you will find the enthusiasm of our teaching staff infectious because their aim is for you to enjoy the great game.
Freddy Borras, another qualified PGA professional, and I will be there to help you improve your golf game. In order to show our full support to the Ladies Winter Festival, both of our golf professionals will be available to provide free swing analysis using the C-swing software for all amateurs participants on Wednesday, February 11 and Monday, February 16.
Both professionals will be available throughout the day to discuss or help fix any issues that you have with your golf swing.
Colin Farquharson investigates Elaine McBride's "other life" and makes an interesting discovery;

Ssshhhh! Keep it a secret but Elaine McBride
worked for Army Intelligence ....

Stranraer-born Elaine McBride is a golf teaching pro with a difference. A big difference, writes Colin Farquharson .
There is a part of her life she cannot tell you about. By Order of Her Majesty’s Government.
It would be gilding the lily just a little bit to say that Elaine was a professional spy … but she did serve with the Intelligence Corps in the Regular Army for five years.
She does admit that she served in Northern Ireland during the “troubles” and Bosnia when there was a lot of conflict going on. Germany was her only “overseas” posting where the natives were not restless.
“In fact, despite all that, I did manage to get lots of time off during my Army career and also got the support of my superior officers to pursue my golf further,” says Elaine who is a staff coach at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort in Murcia, south-east Spain.
“I used to played golf with a chopped down five-iron with my father when I was younger but I did not really get into competitive golf until I joined the Army.
“I represented the Army in many competitions and also played Tri-Service golf.”
Her background since leaving the Army had been within a Human Resources and training environment, both within the public and private sectors.
“During this time, I decided to do something I really wanted to do and change my career completely by going into golf professionally,” says Elaine who is now 33.
“I began a five-year training course with the PGA and I have loved every minute of it. I just love coaching players of all levels. It has to be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.”
The only downside for Elaine, who lives in a little village called El Jimenadoo outwith the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, is that she don’t get to play as much golf as she once did, even though she could hardly be closer to some of the best practice facilities in Spain.
“I have a recurring back injury – an old ‘war injury,’ well I did get it during my Army service – and it’s never going to get better, I’m afraid. I just have to live with it.”
For Elaine McBride, communication is the key to coaching, whether the pupil is a complete novice or a player with a single-figure handicap.
“I try to establish a rapporte with whoever I am giving a lesson rather than adopt a teacher-pupil relationship,” says Elaine.
“I believe that there is no one single method that fits everybody. Golf is an individual game and as a coach you have to be aware of that.”
In the pro golf world, Elaine admires Annika Sorenstam most for what she has done in taking the standing of the women’s game to a new level.
And, as far as the male pros are concerned, Elaine says she thinks that Adam Scott has the purest swing of all the world-class players.
Elaine is grateful to the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort management – fellow Scot Billy Sim from Macduff is the director of golf – for giving her first job after she gained PGA qualifications
“I’m in my third year now and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It took me a while to get to where I wanted to be in life but that doesn’t mean I am going to sit back and be content with my lot. I am looking forward to any future challenges, as I am sure there will be.”
You could speculate that Elaine is the spy who has come in from the cold. But her lips are sealed and you have no way of making her talk ...

Next Friday is Deadline Day for
entering LET Qualifying School

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
The deadline for entries to the Ladies European Tour’s Qualifying School for the 2009 season is fast approaching. Anyone who may need to attend Q School and who has not yet submitted their entry form is being urged to do so well before the deadline of Friday, December 5 at 5pm.
If you retain your card for 2009 season following the Dubai Ladies Masters, all entry fees will be refunded.
Both stages of Qualifying School for the 2009 season will take place at the popular La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain, over a two-week period from January 5-16, 2009. Many stars of the professional and amateur game have already signed up.
Those wishing to apply are urged to hurry as interest in becoming a member of the LET is now so strong that competition to win a place on the tour via the Qualifying School is intense. For example in 2007, there were 168 players competing for one of only 30 full playing cards available.
The Qualifying School will form a key part of the LET policy for determining the starting field for tournaments in 2009. Players finishing in the top 30 of Stage II, Final Qualifying, will be offered membership of the Tour in Category 8a. Players tied for the final qualifying place will be subject to a play-off over holes to be decided to determine Category 8a players for the 2009 season.
The aim of the School is to maximise the opportunity to play for the top 30 card holders. For further information on how to sign up please download the forms from the bottom right side of the Ladies European Tour website.
If you have any questions please contact the Ladies European Tour’s entries department by e-mail on: mail@ladieseuropeantour.com.
+Amateurs competing at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School do not jeopardise their amateur status as long as they do not accept any prizemoney.
+Any professionals competing at Stage 1 or 11 of the LET Qualifying School are invited by Director of Golf Billy Sim to visit Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort which is only a few miles along the road from the La Manga Resort. They will be offered a free round over the Dave Thomas-designed course and use of the five-star practice facilities. E-mail Billy Sim at billysim@hdagolf.com or call him at 0034 6902 95650.

Annika holes pitch for an eagle in
Lexus Cup tie after two days

Playing her penultimate tournament before retiring from the active side of women's pro golf, Annika Sorenstam holed a 45ft pitch for eagle on the par-5 18th hole to give herself and Suzann Pettersen a one-hole victory over Inbee Park and Eun Hee Ji in the Lexus Cup today in Singapore.
"The timing was perfect," Sorenstam said. "Suzann played extraordinarily well. I was happy to have a chance to help on the last hole."
With the comeback victory in the opening better-ball match at Singapore Island Country Club, Sorenstam and Pettersen helped the LPGA International team match defending champions Asia at six points apiece entering the closing 12 singles matches.
The first day's foursomes ended 3-3 and there was a similar scoreline in today's six better-ball ties.
Sorenstam, set to end her career next week in the Ladies European Tour's Dubai Ladies Masters, is the International team's playing captain.
"It's amazing how close it really is," Sorenstam said. "A lot of matches went to the 18th hole. The golf has been spectacular. You have to make birdies to win out here. It's been a great day and hopefully we can continue the momentum tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised to see it come to the 18th hole."
On Sunday, Sorenstam will play Asian captain Se Ri Pak in the opening match, the first between the lontime stars.
"It's funny, you think all these years we've been out together, we've never been out head-to-head," Sorenstam said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Pettersen won the 12th and 13th holes to even the match. Ji took the 14th, and Pettersen countered on 15. Park restored Asia's 1-up lead on 16, but Pettersen tied it again with a birdie on 17. On 18, Sorenstam holed out from the rough with a 54-degree wedge after her 5-wood approach sailed right and deflected off a grandstand.
Pettersen, set to play LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng in the third match Sunday, had eight birdies, while Sorenstam had just one birdie and the eagle.
"I got it going out there," Pettersen said. "Having Annika on your side helps me to be a bit more aggressive and I had the putter hot out there today. You got to grind so hard, every putt. Great finish to a great match. Today was a lot of good energy between me and Annika. We played a lot together and have a lot of good memories and she just keeps pulling off these great shots when it really matters."
In the second match, Solheim Cup rivals Cristie Kerr and Helen Alfredsson teamed to beat Pak and Seon Hwa Lee by two holes.
"We were pretty fired up," Alfredsson said. "We knew it was do or die, so we got it pretty close and just tried to make some birdies. It's nice when you do it."
The loss was Lee's first in eight matches in three appearances in the event. On Sunday, she'll face Angela Stanford in the final match.
"I played not too good today," Lee said. "I still have jet-lag and my condition is not good. Se Ri played well, but I did not help out there today."
After Asia swept the third, fourth and fifth matches to take a 6-5 lead, the Australian duo of Katherine Hull and Nikki Campbell left the event tied for the second straight day, beating Tseng and Namika Omata by one hole.
"It's great to have the support and the Aussie calls were pretty appropriate," Campbell said. "I am looking forward to tomorrow, but disappointed I don't have Katherine to carry me along."
The Asian pairings of Jeong Jang-Na Yeon Choi, Candie Kung-Mayumi Shimomura and Sarah Lee-Song Hee Kim won their matches. Jang and Choi edged Paula Creamer and Nicole Castrale by one hole; Kung and Shimomura beat Stanford and Natalie Gulbis 4 and 3, and Sarah Lee and Song Hee Kim topped Karen Stupples and Christina Kim 4 and 2.
"We were both so nervous," Jang said. "We were watching every single score and that was making us more nervous."
Asia won 15-9 last year at The Vines in Perth, Australia, for its second straight victory.
SCOREBOARD
First Day
ASIA 3, LPGA INTERNATIONALS 3
Foursomes
S H Kim & I Park bt H Alfredsson & C Kim 3 and 2.
S Lee & N Y Choi lost to C Kerr & K Stupples 2 and 1.
Y Tseng & S H Lee bt S Pettersen & N Gulbis and 1.
S R Pak & E H Ji lost to P Creamer & N Castrale 1 hole.
J Jang & C Kung bt A Stanford & A Sorenstam 3 and 2.
N Omata & M Shimomura lost to K Hull & N Campbell 3 and 1.
Second Day
ASIA 3, LPGA INTERNATIONAL 3
Four-ball
E H Ji & I Park lost to S Pettersen & A Sorenstam 1 hole.
S R Pak & S H Lee lost to C Kerr & H Alfredsson 2 holes.
J Jang & N Y Choi bt P Creamer & N Castrale 1 hole.
S Lee & S H Kim bt K Stupples & C Kim 4 and 2.
C Kung & M Shimomura bt N Gulbis & A Stanford 4 and 3.
YT Tseng & N Omata lost to K Hull & N Campbell 1 hole.
Scoreline after two days:
ASIA 6, LPGA INTERNATIONALS 6

Amy Boulden, who helped Wales to win the Women's Home Internationals title at Wrexham (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency).

Rising Welsh star Amy Boulden

heading for Spanish Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Amy Boulden, the 15-year-old rising Welsh star, is the latest entry for the Hacienda del Alamo Winter Women's Festival at the five-star Murcia golf resort in south-east Spain.

Llandudno-based Amy, a member of Maesdu Golf Club, earned herself a place in the Great Britain & Ireland preliminary Vagliano Trophy squad for 2009 with a stellar 2008 season.

She won the Welsh girls' match-play championship at Pennard, played in the Welsh team and the girls' home internationals at Panmure before celebrating her first full cap for Wales by playing a significant role in the capture of the Women's Home Internationals title for only a second time in nearly 100 years at Wrexham in September.

Amy won't be 16 years old until next August so she is well ahead of schedule in her rise to the front rank of women's amateur golf.

Amy flies out too late to play in the Murcia Under-16 girls' 36-hole stroke-play championship on Thursday and Friday, February 12 and 13 but she will probably join the Murcia Ladies Open field (also February 12-13) on the Friday to get her free practice round over the Hacienda del Alamo championship course which was designed by a Welshman - Dave Thomas.

Amy's dad Simon says his daughter will probably play in some of the Festival's weekend action which is made up of a St Valentine's Day pro-am on the Saturday and the Costa Calida Pairs on the Sunday.

But she is a definite starter in the Hacienda del Alamo Under-16 girls' open stroke-play championship on the Monday and Tuesday. Her rivals in that field include India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), 12-year-old sister of the England girl international Holly Clyburn, 14-year-old Charlotte Humprhies (Burnham & Berrow), and 14-year-old Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), whose dad David is a European Tour director.

To encourage more Under-16 girls to compete, their entry fee has been reduced to 25 Euros and the Under-16 maximum age applies to the first day of each competition.

We would also like more senior ladies to come to the Festival. Their Under-50 maximum age also applies to the first day of each competition.

+++The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival is on the list of early-season events recommended by the Ladies Golf Union for participation by players who are either already in the Vagliano Trophy squad or would like to bring themselves to the attention of the selectors before the team to play the Continent of Europe in Hamburg is finalised.

You can E-mail Festival Controller Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com if you have any queries about the Festival.

FESTIVAL ENTRIES SO FAR

MURCIA LADIES OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13
Professional entries
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Lien Willems (Belgium)
Amateur entries

Mary McKenna (Donabate) Senior

Patricia Morris (Donabate) Senior
Pamela Morgan (La Cala) Senior

Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)

Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)

Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)

Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)

Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)

Louise Church (Hendon) (9)

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.

No entries todate.

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM

One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)

Saturday, February 14
Professional entries
Lien Willems (Belgium).
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Amateur teams:

Mary McKenna (4), Patricia Morris (11) & Fionnuala Forde (12) (all Donabate).

Mary MacLaren (4), Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4) (all Wellingborough).

Margo Habets (7), Caroline Harper (15) & Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20)) + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).
Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20) + two other amateurs.
Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10) (both La Cala) + one other amateur

Amateur individuals:
Louise Church (Hendon) (9).
Charlotte Humphries (Burnham & Berrow) (17)
Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdhu) (1.5) (to be confirmed).

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS

One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.

Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.

Sunday, February 15

Professional entries
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur pairings:

Mary MacLaren (4) & David MacLaren.

Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4).

Holly Clyburn (+1) & India Clyburn (13).
Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10).
Charlotte Humphries (17) & Rob Humphries (6).

Amateur individuals (need partner)
Louise Church (Hendon) (9)

Amy Boulden (1.5) (to be confirmed)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.
Professional entries
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Lien Willems (Belgium).

Amateur entries:

Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).

Mary MacLaren (4)

Rebecca Gee (4).

Louise Church (9)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN
Two rounds stroke play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17
Charlotte Humphries Age 14.
India Clyburn Age 12.
Meghan MacLaren. Age 14.
Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu). Age 15

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT VILLA RENTAL

John Green of Hacienda Golf Properties is the Festival's "preferred partner" for the rental of villas/accommodation at the five-star resort.

That means if you are going to the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival, you should do one of two things, or maybe both.

1 E-mail John Green at info@hdagolfproperties.com to find out what he can offer you and at what price.

2 Log on to John Green's website - http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/ - and see for yourself what he has to offer.

Breanne Loucks, Sahra

Hassan turning pro

Curtis Cup player Breanne Loucks, pictured far right, and Sahra Hassan (near right), who played in last year's Vagliano Trophy match, have been left out of the Welsh women's squad for 2009 and winter training as they plan to turn professional.

Both are expected to be listed among the entries for the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain in January when they are released by the LET next month.

The Welsh squad is:

Samantha Birks (Wolstanton)

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu)

Tara Davies (Holyhead)

Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen)

Lucy Gould (Bargoed)

Becky Harries (Haverfordwest)

Hannah Jenkins (Cradoc)

Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton)

Kirsty O'Connor (Nelson).

Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan)

'What would they have done? Suspend her retirement?'

Annika Sorenstam drug-tested after
her farewell round on LPGA Tour

FROM THE TIMESONLINE WEBSITE
By PETER DIXON
Annika Sorenstam joined the LPGA Tour in the United States in 1994 and went on to win 72 times, picking up 10 major championships along the way and 17 other victories worldwide. Put simply, she is one of the best players, male or female, to have graced the game.
How sad, then, that her final event on American soil before retirement should end on a sour note. Playing at the ADT Championship, in Florida, last week, Sorenstam not only missed the cut, but was then asked to provide a sample for a drugs test. This was not, you might say, the fond farewell envisaged by the former world No.1 and her band of admirers.
Needless to say, righteous indignation became the order of the day. With barely concealed contempt, Sorenstam complained that she had been tested two weeks earlier and had been stunned to be told as she walked off the 18th green that she was about to be tested again. At the time, she was surrounded by friends and family and was trying to soak up the moment.
"I would have been fine if they had done it yesterday, not tell me when I was walking off the 18th green of my last tournament (in the States) and trying to enjoy the moment with my family," Sorenstam said.
With heavy irony, it was put to her that perhaps the authorities hadn't heard that she was retiring. "I have no idea, but they're not going to let me go," she said. "I guess you get tested every other week now."
In a piece criticising the decision, one reporter wrote: "Even for an organization known for making head-shaking decisions over the years, this ranks at the bottom of the latrine in terms of asinine, idiotic developments. After 15 memorable seasons in which she often carried the (LPGA) tour on her capable back, Sorenstam isn't playing next year, making the whole testing issue decidedly moot."
Another stated simply: "What were they going to do if she failed? Suspend her retirement?"
But that, surely, is missing the point. Random testing is exactly that. Once you allow exceptions, where do you draw the line? And no, they can't suspend her retirement, but a failed test would add an unwelcome footnote to a quite exceptional career. Better to pass the test, forget the slight, and move on.
The official responsible for the testing said that once a player's name had been drawn out of the hat, there was no alternative but to test them. "We follow the protocol because we want to keep everything fair for every player," she said. "The procedures don't vary because of any particular set of circumstances."
This is a game that for too long resisted the call for drug testing, simply refusing to get in line with the rest of the sporting world by insisting that there was no such thing as a performance-enhancing drug for golfers. Not only that, but golfers were naturally sporting and fair and thus unlikely to look for unfair advantages. What nonsense.
To the LPGA's great credit, they showed the way for drug-testing in their sport. While the men's professional tours (led primarily by the PGA Tour and the European Tour) dragged their heels - using twisted logic by insisting that the game had nothing to hide and, therefore, did not need to have drugs tests to prove it - the LPGA announced at the end of 2006 that testing would come in at the start of 2008.
The men have since got into line, although they would probably still be holding out if it were not for the fact that the game is pushing for inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2016. Without drugs-testing procedures, there is no hope of any sport being considered for the Olympics.

Golf World Announces Mid–Season
United States College Awards

Golf World has announced its mid–season awards for the first half of the 2008–09 United States collegiate golf season. The complete mid–season review can be viewed online at www.golfworld.com
In the “Players of the Mid–Year” category, senior Jorge Campillo of Indiana and junior Anna Nordqvist of Arizona State earned the honours for their accomplishments during the first half of the season.
Campillo, a native of Spain, posted a 70.27 stroke average this fall and won two of the five stroke–play events he played. His performance also helped the Hoosiers notch top–three finishes in their final two tournaments of the fall and claim the No. 8 spot in the final Golf World/Nike Golf coaches’ poll of the season.
Nordqvist, a native of Sweden, posted a 70.44 stroke average and broke par in seven of her nine rounds. After a runner–up showing at the NCAA Fall Preview and a T–7 finish at the Mason Rudolph, the junior closed out the fall with a victory at the Derby Invitational. Arizona State finished No. 2 in the final Golf World/NGCA coaches’ poll of the fall season.
Golf World has also selected its men’s and women’s Mid–Season All–American Teams.
The women's team includes Curtis Cup player Jodi Ewart (New Mexico & Catterick).
The men’s team is comprised of
Campillo, Zahkai Brown (Colorado St), Bronson Burgoon (Texas A&M), Kevin Foley (Penn St), Dustin Garza (Wichita St), Matt Hill (N.C. St), Scott Langley (Illinois), Eddie Olson (UNLV), Kyle Stanley (Clemson), Derek Tolan (Colorado), Cameron Tringale (Georgia Tech) and Mike Van Sickle (Marquette).
On the women’s side, the team consists of
Nordqvist, Jane Chin (UC Irvine), Kirby Dreher (Kent St), Jodi Ewart (New Mexico), Caroline Hedwall (Oklahoma St), Therese Koelbaek (UNLV), Cindy LaCrosse (Louisville), Lisa McCloskey (Pepperdine), Azahara Munoz (Arizona St), Sydnee Michaels (UCLA), Lizette Salas (Southern Calif) and Candace Schepperle (Auburn).

New UK format for Nick Faldo

Series in 2009

Nick Faldo has announced a new format for the Faldo Series in 2009, which will make the six-time Major winner’s initiative more accessible to an even greater number of young golfers across the UK, Europe and South America.
Now moving into its 13th season, the Faldo Series is changing its format in the UK to include nine Faldo Series UK Championships across the region. These Championships will offer up to 80 players, boys and girls aged 11 to 21, the chance to compete over 36 holes at some of the best tournament venues in the country.

The entry fee has been reduced and at the end of each tournament five winners (one from each of the five age-categories) will qualify directly for the Faldo Series Grand Final in Brazil. Furthermore, the leading players from the annual Grand Final in Brazil will be personally invited by Nick to play in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China.
The intention is to align the UK more closely with the Faldo Series format in other golfing nations throughout the world.

With support from The R&A, the European Tour and the PGA, there are now Faldo Series Championships in Iceland, Ireland, Turkey, Russia, Poland and South America – as well as a full season of events on the Faldo Series Asia.

The initiative has grown into a genuinely international endeavour, offering its combination of competition and education to more than 4,000 players across the world.
Faldo commented: “Since launching the Faldo Series in the UK in 1996 we have expanded from helping 400 players a year in the UK to over 4,000 annual players world-wide in over 20 countries across Europe, South America and Asia. It’s my goal to more than double those numbers in the next few years and the new format in the UK is part of that continued growth. It allows more players from the UK to take part, at a lower cost, all of whom will be just one win away from qualifying for the Grand Final and the chance to join me in Brazil.”
Faldo continued: “I have cut back on my playing career in order to spend time on my other interests, including the Faldo Series which is a genuine passion for me. Spending one-on-one time with players allows me to forge stronger relationships and pass on even more experience, so I look forward to offering even more of my time to the Series, including two annual Grand Finals and additional time with the leading players at other times during the year.”

For information on the Faldo Series and its new format for 2009, visit http://www.nickfaldo.com/

2009 FALDO SERIES SCHEDULE: Dates & Venues

Turkey Championship
Cornelia Golf Resort
February 2009

UK Championship
Walton Heath Golf Club
7 - 8 April 2009

UK Championship
Ganton Golf Club
21 April 2009

UK Championship
West Lancs Golf Club
27 - 28 May 2009

Russia Championship
Le Meridien Moscow Country
22 - 25 June 2009

UK Championship
Brocket Hall Golf Club
27 - 28 July 2009

Iceland Championship
Reykjavik Golf Club
July 2009

UK Championship
Notts Golf Club
24 - 25 August 2009

UK Championship
The Vale of Glamorgan
27 - 28 August 2009

Ireland Championship
Lough Erne Golf Resort
August 2009

South America Championship
Brazil
August 2009

Poland Championship
Toya Golf and Country Club
18 - 19 August 2009

UK Championship
Trentham Golf Club
2 - 3 September 2009

UK Championship
Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club
8 - 9 September 2009

UK Championship
The Renaissance Club
24 - 25 September 2009

Faldo Series Grand Final
Brazil
TBC

Essex girl Nicola Race to join

Missouri University in 2009

Nicola Race from Witham, Essex, winner of America's National Junior College Athletics Association girls' championship last June, has signed a Letter of Intent to join the University of Missouri next autumn (2009).

Nicola, 19, pictured right, is currently a second-year student at a junior college, Redlands Community College, based in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Nicola won the NJCAA title with rounds of 72, 76 and 77 at LPGA Legends, Course, Daytona Beach in Florida. The tournament was reduced to 54 holes because of bush fires.

She is a member of Chelmsford Golf Club and her ambition it to become a professional golfer, either a teach pro or a tournament-playing pro.

Nicola was a First Team All-American selection at the end of the 2007-2008 college golf season and was ranked No 1 in the NJCAA with a stroke average of 76. She shot two rounds of 70 to lead Redlands CC to the national championship of 2008. She also won the Southern Nazarene Invitational.

Missouri University head women's golf coach Stephanie Priesmeyer said this week:

"Nicola obviously will bring to our team some great college experience. She is a proven winner on the course and has had that national tournament experience that will help our team immensely next fall.

"It is very difficult to be a champion in our sport and she has one National title already under her belt. We can't wait for her to join our team and help us reach our goals of competing at the National tournament."

Only 50 days to go to deadline

for THE Winter Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Only FIFTY days to go to the January 15 deadline for entries to the 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival at the five-star Spanish golf resort in the Murcia region of south-east Spain.

Remember, Murcia Airport is the one you should fly into. It is only 20min from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Alicante Airport is an option but it is more than one hour away from the Resort.

John Green of Hacienda Golf Properties has become the Festival's "preferred partner" for the rental of villas/accommodation at the five-star resort.

That means if you are going to the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival, you should do one of two things, or maybe both.

1 E-mail John Green at info@hdagolfproperaties.com to find out what he can offer you and at what price.

2 Log on to John Green's website - http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/ - and see for yourself what he has to offer.

Festival programme
MURCIA LADIES OPEN (36 holes)
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13
Open to lady professionals and lady/Under-18 girl amateurs (maximum handicap 20)

Girls should be Under-18 on the first day of the competition.

Prizelist for seniors (over 50 on first day of the competition)

Entry fee: Lady professional 70 Euros; amateurs 55 Euros.

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN (36 holes)
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.
Entry fee: 25 Euros.

Girls should be under 16 on the first day of the competition

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM (18 holes)
Saturday, February 14

Lady professionals with teams of three amateurs (male or female).
Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros. Amateurs 55 Euros.

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS (18 holes)
Sunday, February 15
First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros, amateurs 55 Euros.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (36 holes)
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.
Open to lady professionals and lady/Under-18 girl amateurs.

Girls should be Under-18 on first day of competition.

Maximum handicap 20.

Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros; amateurs 55 Euros.

Prizelist for seniors (over-50 on first day of competition).

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS' OPEN (36 holes)

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Entry fee 25 Euros.

Girls should be under 16 on the first day of the competition.

Every competitor is entitled to a free practice round over the splendid Dave Thomas-designed championship course .

Any queries? E-mail them to Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Home Page of this website or obtained direct from Colin Farquharson on request.

Sally Watson misses Florida cut
in post-operation comeback

Curtis Cup teenager Sally Watson from Edinburgh missed the 36-hole cut in her comeback appearance after a knee operation in early June.
Sally, a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Bradenton, Florida, scored 75 and 76 for a seven-over-par total of 151 in the American Junior Golf Association's Polo Junior Classic at the Ginn Reunion Resort, Florida.
She missed the cut by three strokes after running up a double bogey at the eighth and bogeys at the fourth, 13th and 18th. Her only birdie came at the short 16th.
Two California youngsters, Jane Rah (Torrance) and Jennifer Johnson (La Quinta) share the lead on five-under-par 139.
Sally Watson, 17, will start a four-year golf scholarship at Tiger Wood's old college, Stanford University, California, next autumn.
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
139 Jane Rah (Torrance, California) 70 69, Jennifer Johnson (La Quinta, California) 69 70.
140 Stephanie Kim (Orlando, Florida) 69 71, Tiffany Lua (Rowland Heights, California) 71 69.
Other scores:
142 Alexis Thompson (Coral Springs, Florida) 72 70.
147 Laetitia Beck (Caesarea, Israel) 78 69.
MISSED THE CUT
151 Sally Watson (Bradenton, Florida) 75 76.

Senior ladies could play in "Spanish" AND
the Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
The Spanish senior women's amateur championship ends at Arcos Gardens in the Cadiz region of southern Spain on Friday, February 13 - the second day of the six-day Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival up in the Murcia region in south-east Spain.
We are very keen to attract senior ladies to the Festival and I have been asking my good friend, Miguel Angel Caderot, Press Officer of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, if it would be possible for players to get from Arcos Gardens Golf Club to Hacienda Golf Resort by train on the Saturday, enabling them to play in the Costa Calida Pairs on the Sunday AND the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open over 36 holes on the Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17.
Here is his answer:

"Dear Colin:
It’s very far to go from Jerez (Cádiz) to Murcia, more or less 500 kilometres. The best way is to catch a plane from Jerez Airport to Murcia Airport. That is possible.
"By train, I am not so sure. I do not think there is a train that goes directly from Jerez to Murcia.
I think the route by rail would be Jerez to Seville to Madrid and from there to Murcia. But I will confirm this over the next day or so."
Miguel Angel Caderot

Chance to "sell" Scotland to States:

Three American universitities'

squads visited in June, September

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

California-Berkeley University, Vikki Laing's Alma Mater and Roseanne Niven is a current student, set the trend by sending over a women's team to Scotland in June.

They played Kingsbarns, Lundin Links, Elie, Creiff, Western Gailes and St Andrews before some of their players competed in the "British" at North Berwick that month.

Now it can be revealed that another two leading American universities sent their women's golf squads over to play some of Scotland's best links courses in September.
California's Stanford University, alma mater of Tiger Woods and Mhairi McKay to name but two, arrived in Scotland on September 15 and played seven courses in 10 days - Turnberry Ailsa, St Andrews New & Castle, Kingsbarns, Elie, Prestwick and Gullane 1.
Ohio State University, with Glasgow-born team joint captain Gemma Webster the "tour guide," arrived in Edinburgh on September 13 and played Elie, Kingsbarns, Scotscraig, St Andrews New, Turnberry, Gleneagles and Royal Troon before going home on September 20.
Universities making trips like these - Stanford take their women's golf squad overseas once a year - get little change out of US$50,000 and have to fund raise to make the trip. Past students contribute a great deal to ventures like these.
One golfing acquaintance, who shares the same interest in American women's college golf, makes the point:
"This represents a fantastic opportunity for the SGU, the SLGA, the Scottish Tourist Board etc to sell Scotland and encourage many more American universities to visit Scotland. If you read the reports on the Ohio State University website, every member of team who came over to Scotland in September, now wants to return to Scotland with their families, etc.
"Sometimes, we in this country fail to grasp the scale and depth of college golf in the States.
For instance, in the NCAA women's Division 1 there are 240 teams; in Division 2 the figure is 130 teams and there are also 130 teams in Division 3. And then there is the NAIA with around about 140 teams.
As we reported on Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk at the time, Gemma Webster, pictured above, finished a very creditable 59th in the recent US Duramed Futures Tour Qualifying School. What we didn't know was what kind of status that would give her on America's No 2 women's pro circuit.
I am now told that this performance will give her Futures Tour playing status in 2009, should she decide to turn pro after she graduates in biology in June 2009. This is still undetermined as she may continue with her ambitions to become a dentist and play amateur golf
Interestingly enough Gemma, who has represented Scotland at hockey, athletics and golf, seems to be following the same path in America as Martin Laird who won over threequarters of a million dollars on the US PGA Tour this past season and just managed to keep his playing rights for 2009.
Martin and Gemma Webster were/are members of Hilton Park Golf Club in Milngavie and Martin spent four years at Colorado State, playing the US college circuit, and then graduated to the US PGA Tour through the No 2 men's pro circuit, the Nationwide Tour.

EGU and EWGA to launch handicapping
initiative to regain Active rating

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
The English Golf Union (EGU) in conjunction with the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) are to launch a system of handicapping that will identify the competitive nature of all those golfers in England with a CONGU handicap.
The system, which has the full support of CONGU, will come into effect on the January 1, 2010 and will require all members with CONGU handicaps to return at least three (3) qualifying scores (including Supplementary Scores and 9 Hole Qualifying Competitions) per year in order to retain an Active handicap.
Those failing to return the stipulated number of scores will have Inactive handicaps that may prevent them competing in club competitions.
The initiative will be particularly attractive to clubs running Open Days who wish to monitor the playing ability of those taking part.
Golfers in possession of Inactive handicaps will be encouraged to return the required number of scores both to activate their handicap and to give Handicapping Committees more information on their playing ability.
Inactive handicaps may still be used for social golf and events in which an Active handicap is not an entry requirement. The EGU and EWGA are keen to launch the system now in order to give all club members the opportunity of returning the stipulated number of qualifying scores during 2009 in order to have an Active handicap in 2010.
The system is currently being launched at the EGU and more information can be found on the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.

Sally making competitive

comeback in AJGA Polo

Golf Junior Classic

Curtis Cup player Sally Watson is making her competitive comeback after a knee operation the week after the match against the United States over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.

Sally, a 17-year-old student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida, was lying joint 32nd at the end of the first round of the American Junior Golf Association's Polo Golf Junior Classic at the Ginn Reunion Resort, Florida.

Sally, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, returned a three-over-par 75 (38-37) to be six shots behind the joint leaders Jennifer Johnson (La Quinta, California) (33-36) and Stephanie Kim (Orlando) (34-35).

Sally bogeyed the third, fourth, 10th and 11th but birdied the short 12th.

The highly-rated American youngster, Alexis Thompson, from Coral Springs, Florida, had a 72 (37-35).

A boost for LPGA Tour: Stanford
to sponsor Tour Championship

It's not all bad news on the LPGA Tour sponsorship front.
Stanford Financial Group, already a prominent sponsor in professional golf, will further expand their presence in the sport. The Houston-based company will become the new title sponsor of the LPGA's Tour Championship.
The 2009 Stanford Financial Tour Championship, to be held November 19-22 in Houston, Texas, will feature a $2,000,000 purse.
“Stanford Financial is a big believer in the LPGA and women's golf, and we are extremely proud to support this prestigious event on the LPGA Tour calendar,” said Sir Allen Stanford, Chairman and CEO, Stanford Financial Group. “While we are a global company, Stanford has deep Texas roots and our North America headquarters is proudly based in Houston. I look forward to bringing the very best in women's golf to Texas.”
Stanford's support of the LPGA Tour Championship complements their existing golf sponsorship portfolio which includes the Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, and endorsements of US PGA Tour stars Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas, as well as LPGA Tour star Morgan Pressel. Stanford Financial also spearheaded the hugely successful golf-based fund-raising program “Eagles for St Jude”, which raises funds for St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
“Stanford is a leader in their industry, and they have certainly demonstrated leadership as a sponsor in golf as well,” said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. “Their commitment to quality is evident in everything that they do. The LPGA Tour and its players are very proud to call Stanford our partner. We look forward to concluding the 2009 Tour season with the Stanford Financial Tour Championship that will showcase our best players from around the world.”
Stanford's golf portfolio enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with PGA TOUR player ambassadors Vijay Singh winning the 2008 FedEx Cup and Camilo Villegas winning the last two playoff events to finish second in the FedEx Cup standings. Stanford, with a significant re-branding effort, has also played a lead role in helping to elevate the Stanford St. Jude Championship's prominence on the PGA TOUR.
“As an ambassador for the Stanford brand, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Stanford and have seen just how committed they are in everything they do, especially as it relates to their work in the community,” said Pressel. “The Tour Championship obviously is a signature event for the LPGA, and I know all of the players appreciate the support of sponsors like Stanford.”

.... and more good news for the LPGA Tour

The LPGA and Anheuser-Busch have announced an extension of their marketing partnership, which includes keeping Michelob ULTRA as the tour’s official beer.
Anheuser-Busch has been a sponsor of the tour since 1994.
Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the LPGA is focused on its Michelob ULTRA brand, which is targeted at adult beer drinkers who lead active lifestyles.
Michelob ULTRA’s sponsorship execution includes promotions on LPGA.com, Michelob ULTRA 19th Hole hospitality programs at select LPGA events and at retail with LPGA-themed point of sale materials and advertising.
Michelob ULTRA also is the title sponsor of the tour’s Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, played in May at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia

Maguire twins win Texaco

Young Sportstar Award

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH SPORTS WEBSITE
Ulster golfers Lisa and Leona Maguire are the inaugural Texaco Young Sportstar Award winners.
Despite their young years, the identical twin sisters have taken the golf world by storm so much so that, at the ripe old age of 13, their names are already familiar to sports fans throughout Europe and America,
At age 11, Lisa won the World Under-12 Championship by five shots at Pinehurst with rounds of 68, 68 and 65.
Leona was a very creditable third. Sandwiched between them was the American, Julie Yang, the favourite with 55 championships to her credit.
Last year saw the Ballyconnell sisters win a host of girls' championships and also play in their first professional tournament, the Northern Ireland Ladies Open at Hilton Templepatrick.
This year they raised the bar considerably. At Westport they came face-to-face in the final of the Irish Ladies Close Championship when Leona became the youngest player ever to win the title. Lisa took home the Leitrim Cup as leading qualifier (The twins are pictured above with the Irish championship trophy: don't ask which one is which!)
Lisa also took the Irish Girls Championship and won the European Junior Masters' with Leona filling second place. These successes automatically earned them places in Europe's Junior Ryder Cup side, and although the team was overwhelmed in Kentucky in September, Lisa went down by just one hole in an outstanding game to Alexis Thompson, the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Women's Open.
As a result of these and many other outstanding performances during 2008, both girls have been selected in the squad for next year's Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe in Germany.
Introduced this year as part of the annual Texaco Sportstars Awards programme, the Young Sportstar Award is aimed at a younger generation of sports stars of 18-years and under, its purpose being to recognise and applaud success on the part of young people and to encourage them in their efforts to become sport stars of the future.
Alongside the eight senior sports stars chosen to receive Texaco Sportstars Awards this year, Lisa and Leona Maguire will be presented with their specially-commissioned Texaco Young Sportstar trophy at a ceremony which takes place in Dublin on Thursday at which Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be guest of honour.

Some leading ladies in the field
for Gary Player Invitational

FROM THE SUNSHINE TOUR WEBSITE
Some of the leading ladies of golf will add a touch of style to the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at The Links at Fancourt from November 27 to 30.
Rising Russian professional Maria Verchenova and Spanish super model and actress Ines Sastre will join legendary professionals Sally Little and Carin Koch in the field for the pro-celebrity charity tournament, which is the final event on this year’s Gary Player Invitational series.
The series has already travelled to the United Kingdom, United States and China this year in the quest to raise funds for underprivileged children, raising over R100-million through The Player Foundation.
This year, the Grand Slam champion has targeted education, HIV-stricken communities, and childhood obesity as the beneficiaries from the series.
Little will tee it up at The Links as South Africa’s most successful women golfer in history, winning 15 titles on the LPGA Tour, including two Majors.
After first taking up the game at the age of 14, Little made her way onto the LPGA Tour and was named the Rookie of the Year in her first full season there in 1972. Her first victory was a dramatic one. She holed a 75-foot bunker shot on the final hole to win the 1976 Ladies Masters.
But it was from 1979 to 1982 that she enjoyed her most prolific run on the tour, winning 12 titles including her first Major in the 1980 LPGA Championship. Her 1982 season still stands out as one of the best, featuring four victories, two runners-up finishes and three third-place finishes for a total of 17 top-tens that season. That carried her to a career-best third place on the money list that year.
Koch established her credential as one of Sweden’s top amateurs before turning professional and joining the Ladies European Tour in 1992. She won three events in her rookie season and soon graduated to the LPGA Tour. Her first victory in America came in the 2001 Corning Classic.
Koch’s most impressive season to date came in 2002 when she claimed 13 top-ten finishes, including three second places.
The talented Swede is a veteran of the European Solheim Cup team, and in 2003 she celebrated the birth of her second child with a European victory in the Solheim Cup in her native Sweden.
Koch is also well aware of the challenges posed by The Links, having represented Sweden in the first Women’s World Cup of Golf here in 2005.
As the younger campaigner, Verchenova has yet to claim a victory in her professional career on the Ladies European Tour, where she is the only Russian golfer.
The 22-year-old from Moscow is only the second Russian to ever tee it up on the Ladies European Tour, following in the footsteps of Ouliana Rotmistrova who played on the tour in 2004.
Verchenova became interested in golf purely by chance when she and her father were on holiday in the Czech Republic. With looks that have drawn comparisons with Anna Kournikova, Verchenova is determined to let her game do the talking.
“I’m just trying to put more attention on the golf to improve myself. I don’t really care about doing lots of modelling and photos. I think you can look good in a photo but what matters is the scores on the golf course,” she said.
“Children are my number one priority and it is an honour for me to be part of this special event and do my bit to raise money for the children of South Africa.”
Sastre is no stranger to golf in South Africa, and the UNICEF ambassador brings to Fancourt a touch of glamour from a career of featuring on magazine covers to acting.
The Spanish star featured in her first commercial at the age of 12 and soon became one of the most sought after faces for magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, GQ and others, as well as the face for Chanel, Michel Klein, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fendi and Lancôme.
But behind her beauty lies the intelligence of a woman who speaks four languages and has a degree in French literature.
They will all share the fairway with Grand Slam champion Player, double US Open champion Retief Goosen and other professionals such as Rodger Davis, Costantino Rocca and Peter Mitchell, and celebrities such as Olympic swimming sensation Roland Schoeman, top cricketer Barry Richards and football legends Lucas Radebe and Kenny Dalglish.
The Sunshine Tour will be represented by Adilson da Silva, the leading available player off the 2007 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, Omar Sandys, who was the highest ranked black player last season and the winner of the 2008 Coca-Cola Championship hosted by Gary Player, which concludes at Fancourt on Thursday.

Stephanie Meadow with her latest tournament trophy at Athens, Georgia (image by courtesy of Robert Meadow).
Stephanie wins again in the United States
- this time by 14 strokes in Georgia

United States-based Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, Northern Ireland has won again - by 14 strokes over 36 holes - in an International Junior Golf Tour event at the weekend.
The tournament was held over the testing University of Georgia course at Athens, Georgia but Stephanie had scores of 71 (one under par) and 70 (two under) for a three-under-par total of 141.
It was her third IJGT win over the past two months.
Joint runners-up on 145 were Trish Witherby from Richmond, Indiana and Spanish girl Marta Sanz from Madrid. Marta is a schoolmate of Stephanie's at the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Stephanie's dad, Robert, who also lives in America these days, told Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk "Our next tournament is an LPGA qualifier the week before Christmas at The Ginn Resort in Orlando. Then we head for Arizona and the Arizona Silver Belle the week after Christmas."
Stephanie, who will be 17 on January 20, won the Irish girls' championship in 2006, having been beaten finalist in 2004.

Classy Carly and Super Stiggy

retain titles in Abu Dhabi

Curtis Cupper Carly Booth and Sunningdale wonder kid Stiggy Hodgson retained their titles today in the Daily Telegraph Junior Championships' Finals in the oppressive heat of Abu Dhabi.
Carly, 16 years old, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, will return to the snows of Perthshire and Glenalmond School after a week of temperatures over 30 degrees. But she showed her class once again by making all the running to win the girls' title by an impressive six shots with an eight-under-par total of 208.
Carly, the Scottish Under-18 girls' champion, beat the par of 72 in each round, leading by two shots after 18 holes and by six after two rounds. She scored 70, 68 and 70.
Alex Peters (Notts Ladies), now 15, was runner-up to Carly in Dubai 12 months ago and filled the same position in Abu Dhabi with scores of 72, 72 and 70 for two-under-par 214.
Kelsey MacDonald, the Scottish Under-21 girls' stroke-play champion from Nairn Dunbar and now a student at Stirling University, tied for third place on 218 with Hannah Barwood (Knowle), winner of the English women's championship this year.
Kelsey scored 75, 71 and 72; Hannah 73, 71 and 70.

“It feels good. I’m really pleased and it’s been a hard week but I played well,” said Carly Booth.
“I had a big lead and knew it was there for the taking but you never know until the last pin. I creamed a three-wood approach into the 18th and I knew for sure then. I took a deep breath and knew it was done – I did what I came to do.
“The National Course is very open and wide here in Abu Dhabi. It is also quite short and I have a good long game so it’s been perfect for me – I’m really happy,” added Booth.
Hodgson, 18-year-old winner of The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament at Dundonald Links a few weeks back and the Carris Trophy before that, did not have things all his own way in the boys' championship at Abu Dhabi.
British amateur finalist and England boys' captain Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), leader through the first and second rounds, made most of the running and still held a two-shot lead after 11 holes in the final round.
Then came a big turnaround as Hodgson birdied and Fleetwood racked up a triple bogey on the 13th. Suddenly, Hodgson, the reigning champion, was two strokes ahead with only five holes to play. The players then traded birdies through the next four holes before they approached the 18th tee still separated by two shots in favour of Stiggy..
At the close of remarkable week, the Junior Golf Championship was far from over. Hodgson found a greenside bunker and could only bogey the hole. Fleetwood hit a wedge approach to two and half feet, then promptly holed out to make up the two-shot leeway, level the scores and force a play-off.
Fleetwood had seven birdies in his final round of five-under-par 67 for 12-under-par 204 which Hodgson matched with a closing

Nothing separated the pair down the first play-off hole, and they walked on to the 18th green - the second play-off hole – each facing long, turning putts. Fleetwood missed his 25-footer, before Hodgson held his own 15-footer to clinch the win.
“Retaining the trophy gives me great satisfaction. I’m the first boy in over a decade to do so and it’s nice to make a little bit of history,” said Hodgson.
“I knew it wasn’t over after 13, Tommy doesn’t give up and he’s a class player. In fact, he’s the best junior I’ve ever played against.
“He makes no mistakes and is a big, big hitter – much longer than me. I’ve hit great shots all week, my lines have been spot on and I’ve struck the ball well.
“I’ve had to play better golf to retain the trophy than I did to win it originally – so it’s great that I am improving,” he added.

They had tied on 12-under-par 204, Hodgson with a closing five-under-par 67, Fleetwood with a 69: brilliant scoring, given the length of the course - over 7,000 yards - and the strength-sapping heat - 12 strokes ahead of the third placed Sam Benton (Canons Brook).
North Berwick's Oliver Huish - son of David Huish who is to retire in April - finished joint eighth on 226, although he could claim the honour of having the lowest round by anyone in the championship - a six-under-par 66 in the second round. Oliver, sadly, slumped to an 82 on the final day.
FINAL TOTALS
BOYS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
204 Stiggy Hodgson (Sunningdale) 69 68 67, Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) 67 68 69 (Hodgson won play-off at second extra hole).
216 Steven Jones (Canons Brook) 73 70 73.
220 Sam Benton (South Staffs) 71 76 73.
221 Tom Boys (Royal Liverpool) 77 72 72, Robert Bardsley (Moor Hall) 72 73 76.
222 Michael Saunders (Dartford) 75 75 72.
226 David Hind (Mickleover) 81 72 73, Oliver Huish (North Berwick) 78 66 82.
227 Mark Geddes (Prenton) 77 76 74.
229 Bradley Hannah (Workington) 76 78 75.
232 Steve O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 77 78 77.
GIRLS

Par 216 (3 x 72)
208 Carly Booth (Comrie) 70 68 70.
214 Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) 72 72 70.
218 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 75 71 72, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 73 71 70.
222 Gina Brown (Mere) 76 73 73, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 73 72 77, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 71 74 77.
227 Nikki Dunn (Harrogate) 75 75 77.
243 Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies) 83 79 81.

Women's British Open champion wins
$1million prize at Trump International

Women's British Open champion Ji-Yai Shin of South Korea became the one-million-dollar-woman today.
With a final round of 70, she held off Karrie Webb and Paula Creamer to win the ADT Championship at Trump International Golf Club, Palm Beach, Florida and with it the $1million first prize.
Shin began 2008 believing that she would end the year playing in the LPGA Tour Qualifying School. Instead she won a major and now the biggest cash prize on the LPGA Tour with a four-birdie, two-bogey final day.
"It's been a really special year for me," said Shin, who is not a full member of the LPGA Tour - but won three times this year, has 21 wins worldwide since 2007 and will likely be an instant LPGA front-runner in 2009.
Webb took second and Creamer, who spent Saturday night in the hospital because of an inflamed abdominal wall, finished tied for third with Seon Hwa Lee after both shot 74s.
Creamer needed to win the $1million prize to top the year-long LPGA Tour money table, something no American player has done since Betsy King in 1993. Instead, Lorena Ochoa -- who didn't qualify for the weekend play at ADT -- finished with the money title at $2,762,660.
"I gave it all I had," said Creamer, who fell ill Wednesday night and could barely eat since then
Creamer made two birdies in a three-hole span on the back side, but took a three-putt bogey at the par-5 15th, ending her chances at her fifth win of the year and taking the money crown.
Eun-Hee Ji was alone in fifth with a 75, Angela Stanford was sixth after a 78, while Suzann Pettersen -- who shot Saturday's round of the day but struggled badly 24 hours later -- and Jeong Jang both finished with 79s.

A table top of snow in Aberdeenshire

This is what you are coming home to, Carly! A second heavy overnight snowfall in Aberdeenshire and probably other parts of Scotland. The outside table shows an accumulated fall of between six to eight inches. Click on the image if you want a closer look at the snow!

Paula Creamer given medical go-ahead to
play in last round of ADT Championship

Paula Creamer has been given the green light by doctors to play the final round of the LPGA Tour's season-ending ADT Championship later today.
She was admitted to Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida on Saturday evening after suffering from abdominal pain for three days, a possible case of appendicitis.
She was kept overnight for testing and evaluation, but arrived at Trump International today about an hour and 15 minutes before her 9:40 a.m. tee time.
"I'll play," Creamer said quietly as she tied her shoes in the parking lot, wearing her customary Sunday pink outfit. "Feeling a little better."
Creamer began feeling ill Wednesday night, originally thinking it was a flu-like virus, and was barely able to eat anything for three days. Creamer got through Saturday's third round by nibbling on two pieces of dry toast and a plain bagel, and often doubled over in pain after hitting shots.
"The best position for me is hunched over," Creamer said Saturday before going to the hospital. "I'm not a big complainer, but one more day -- that's what I keep telling myself."
The ADT first prize of $1million - if Paula could win it - would see her overtake Lorena Ochoa in the race for the leading money-winner's title and become the first American to finish at the top of the cash table since Betsy King in 1993.
"Money title or not, I want to win this event," Creamer said Saturday before going to the hospital.

More news from Daily Telegraph Junior Finals' last day

Graham Thomson's news from Abu Dhabi on the last round of the Daily Telegraph Junior Champions' Grand Final.

GIRLS
To be confirmed leading final totals for 54 holes
-8 Carly Booth.
-2 Alex Peters
+2 Hannah Barwood.
+2 Kelsey MacDonald

BOYS
Two-shot swing in favour of Tommy Fleetwood at final hole means play-off against Stiggy Hodgson. Hodgson had been leading at -13, two ahead of Fleetwood.
But Fleetwood birdied the 18th and Hodgson bogeyed it.

Carly Booth cruising towards retaining
Daily Telegraph title at Abu Dhabi

Graham Thomson reports "live" from the final round of the Daily Telegraph Junior Golf Championships' Final at Abu Dhabi:

Plain sailing for the first nine as Carly Booth moves to -9 for tournament.
Slight hiccup on 10 and 11 when bunkered at both holes but a good save at 10 meant loss of only one shot.
On 12, her tee shot went to seven feet but she missed putt for her 2.
Nearest challenger is still six or seven shots back.
Kelsey MacDonald is currently +1 for the day and although playing well is struggling with the slow pace of play and the searing heat.

Suzann only European through to last
eight of ADT Championship

FROM THE LPGA TOUR WEBSITE
And then there were eight. Three rounds are in the books at the LPGA’s season-ending ADT Championship, but not before Wegmans LPGA champion Eun-Hee Ji and LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Famer Karrie Webb outlasted Sun Young Yoo to advance to Sunday’s final round and their chance at the $1 million winner’s check at the Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Florida.
The trio fired even par, which was the cutline for the final eight players, who will begin the final round at 9:30 a.m. (EST) in twosomes with all scores starting over.
Sixteen players began the third round with fresh scorecards after a clean cut at 3-over-par 145 after Friday’s round.
Leading the third-round charge toward the $1 million winner’s check was Suzann Pettersen with a 4-under-par 68. Pettersen overcame a triple bogey on the fourth hole to rally with eight birdies on holes three, six, seven, 10 and 13 through 16 before a bogey on 17 to close out the round.
Pettersen’s debut in the ADT Championship via LPGA Playoffs 2008 was last year when she accumulated her five LPGA Tour victories, but was eliminated after Saturday’s third round. This year, she has not won, but has tallied nine top-10 finishes and advanced to Sunday’s final round.
Additional information from Colin Farquharson.
Difficult to understand the concept of the ADT championship. There's no other golf tournament in the world like this one but it's like the cycling races in which the last racers in the field at certain points are eliminated. 'De'il-tak-the-hindmost' was how it used to be phrased in the Scottish language!
England's Karen Stupples, who has had some good finishes over the past month or two, was one of those eliminated in the third round in which she had a 79.
Long-time leader Katherine Hull's earlier scores counted for nothing when she had a 79 in the third round. That put her out.
THIRD ROUND SCORES
Par 72. 6523yd.
68 Suzann Pettersen.
69 Angela Stanford.
70 Paula Creamer, Seon Hwa Lee.
71 Jeong Jang, Ji-Yai Shin.
72 Eun-Hee Ji, Karrie Webb.
ELIMINATED
72 Sin Young Yoo.
74 Helen Alfredsson, Angela Park.
77 Jee Young Lee, Karen Stupples.
79 Katherine Hull, Christina Kim.
80 In-Kyung Kim.