KELLEY HESTER WILL BE NEW GEORGIA COACH WAITING TO WELCOME
KRYSTLE CAITHNESS

The University of Georgia head women's golf coach who will welcome new recruit Krystle Caithness when she starts a four-year golf scholarship in the autumn will not be the one who signed her up.
Instead of Todd McCorkle, who resigned three days before the NCAA regional tournaments in May, amid accusations of sexual and verbal harassment of the team players, it will be Kelley Hester, pictured right, a star player for Georgia in the 1990s and now returning to take charge. She led Arkansas to the NCAA regionals this past spring.
Hester was a three-time All-SEC selection for the Bulldogs (1994-95-96) as the former Kelley Richardson. In five seasons at Arkansas, Hester led the Lady Razorbacks to their best team and individual finishes in school history.
Arkansas posted its first top-10 finish at the NCAA Championship in 2006, and Stacy Lewis captured individual medalist honors at the 2007 NCAA championship.
“It’s hard for me to put into words how much this opportunity means to me,” said Hester, who served as president of the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) in 2006-07.
“The University of Georgia has given me so much, and I’m excited about the opportunity to come home and give back. Not many people have the chance to return to their alma mater and lead such a storied program.
"In my mind, there’s nothing better than being a Bulldog.”
A native of Macon, Georgia, Hester was a member of Georgia teams which captured 1993 and 1994 SEC Championships and finished fourth at the 1993 NCAA Championships.
She posted 21 top-20 individual finishes in 40 events played from 1993-96. Hester also was a stand-out off the golf course. She was named to the NGCA’s All-Scholar team in 1995 and ’96. As a senior at UGA, Hester served as the female student-athlete representative to the University of Georgia’s Athletic Board and also was president of UGA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
“We’re extremely happy to have Kelley returning to Athens,” said University of Georgia athletic director Damon Evans.

“She has an impressive record as a coach and is widely respected as a leader in collegiate women’s golf. Equally important, Kelley has a unique grasp of what makes the University of Georgia so special with her experiences both as a student-athlete and coach.”
Hester played professionally on the Futures Tour for two years (1996-97) and worked as an assistant pro at Idle Hour Club in Macon before entering the collegiate coaching ranks. She was the head coach at Mercer for one season in 1998 and then returned to Athens as assistant coach for the Bulldogs in February 1999.
In January 2001, Hester was named the first head coach for the UNLV women’s golf program. While with the Rebels, she brought in two highly-touted recruiting classes and led them to the NCAAs in their second season of competition.
Hester was named Arkansas’ head coach in the summer of 2002. Under Hester, Arkansas recorded five tournament wins, 13 individual crowns and earned NCAA bids in each of her five campaigns at the helm.
Hester graduated cum laude from UGA with a degree in journalism in 1995 and received her master’s in sport management from Arkansas in 2005. She is an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional member as well.
Hester and her husband, Trey, welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth “Bebe,” in March.
Krystle Caithness will be in good hands in the States.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF WITH FIRST

FULL SCOTLAND CAP FOR

MICHELE THOMSON

Ellon teenager Michele Thomson has been talking about how she feels at being awarded her first full cap for Scotland in next month's European women's team championship in Italy:
“ I am really delighted that the Scottish European Team selectors have recognised my achievements and progress this year and look forward to repaying their faith in me with a solid performance in Italy.
"Since my return from the USA (Jacksonville State University) in early January I have worked hard on swing changes with my coach Neil Marr of Meldrum House and with Ross Cameron, PGA professional, and the help and guidance these guys have given me has been absolutely invaluable.
"I believe the changes that they have made to my technique have possibly lost me a little length but in return my accuracy and consistency has improved tenfold and once the putts start to roll in the confidence really starts to build.
"While the golf coaching has been terrific, the Grampian Institute of Sport have also been very supportive since my return from America and special thanks must go to Neil Brown at the RGU fitness centre and physiotherapist Karen Young of Banks of Dee Sports Centre.
"When I look back now it makes me realise that there is so much help here in Scotland and much of it right on our doorstep. All I need now is someone to help with the weather!!
"Since early January I have hit golf balls and trained six days a week, sometimes in the most interesting and challenging weather conditions but it just goes to show, if you put in the effort, the rewards are definitely out there.
"I aim to keep working as hard as ever over the next few months and hopefully more silverware and success will come my way.”

IRISH CHAMPION KAREN GETS

INTO FIELD FOR 'BRITISH' TOO

LATE FOR IRELAND TEAM

New Irish champion Karen Delaney (pictured right) from Carlow has finally stepped up from the waiting list to a place in next week's field for the Ladies' British open amateur championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.
Her handicap had not been low enough - all entrants with handicaps of 0.8 or less were automatically accepted.
Slightly embarrassing for the Irish Ladies Golf Union is that their team to take part in the international team event which runs in conjunction with the stroke-play qualifying rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday does not include their national champion.
But the ILGU had to meet the LGU deadline for team nominations and at that point Karen Delaney was still on the waiting list.

Those who came off the waiting list and into the championship today were:

Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Highland Gate).
Tandi Von Ruben (Wanders).
Gillian O'Leary (Cork).
Karen Delaney (Carlow).
Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley).

STIRLING STUDENT YATES HELPS

EUROPEANS TAKE SURPRISE 3-1

LEAD IN PALMER CUP

Europe took a surprise 3-1 lead over favourites United States in their own backyard on the opening morning of the two-day transatlantic students’ golf match for the Palmer Cup.
With this year’s venue the Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Maryland, the American line-up, containing most of the top US college circuit players and including Jamie Lovemark, the new No 1 in the R&A World amateur rankings, was expected to gain revenge for the record trouncing (19 ½-4 ½) they received in last year’s match over the Prestwick links.
Instead, the Europeans got off to a flying start with Edinburgh-born Welsh Walker Cup player Rhys Davies and Ulsterman Gareth Shaw, team-mates at East Tennessee State University, thrashing Jamie Lovemark and Luke List by 9 and 7 in the first tie off the tee.
The United States levelled it at 1-1 when Brian Harman and Billy Horschel won by 3 and 2 against the all-Spanish pairing of Jorge Campillo and Perdo Oriol.
But Europe edged ahead again when the all-Swedish partnership of Jonas Blixt and Oscar Floren won by 2 and 1 over Dustin Johnson and Chris Kirk.
Stirling student Gordon Yates (pictured above) and Mark Hastrup from Denmark then stretched the European lead to 2pt at lunchtime by beating Jonathan Moore and Webb Simpson by one hole after being two up with four to play.

Results:
FOUR-BALLS
US names first5
L List & J Lovemark lost to R Davies & G Shaw 9 and 7.
B Harman & B Horschel bt J Campillo & P Oriol 3 and 2.
J Moore & W Simpson lost to G Yates & M Haastrup 1 hole.
D Johnson & C Kirk lost to J Blixt & O Floren 2 and 1.

**WE EXPECT TO HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE AFTERNOON SINGLES NEARER MIDNIGHT

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

LAURA MURRAY IS QUEEN OF THE CASTLE

AT BALLUMBIE IN LGU CHALLENGE BOWLS

Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray, pictured right, won the Wallace Williamson Bowl with an excellent scratch score of three-under-par 70 in the Scottish LGU Challenge Bowls meeting at Ballumbie Castle Golf Club, Dundee today.
The score will almost certainly be ratified as a new women’s course record. It was three under the Competitive Standard Scratch score for the day.
The LGU Challenge Bowl in the Silver Division was won by Jen Petrie (Panmure Barry) with a net 69 off nine of a handicap. She had a better inward half than Lorraine McNicoll (Ballumbie Castle), playing off 13, who also had a net 69.
Isobel Millar (Vale of Leven) scored a double whammy in the Bronze Division, winning the Bronze Scratch Cup with a round of 79 and the LGU Challenge Bowl in this division with a net 77 off 22.
Isobel received both trophies but Ann Callaghan (Ballumbie Castle), playing off 28, was awarded the best net prize with a 78
A total of 33 players took part.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

SGU TO ACCEPT SELF-NOMINATIONS FROM YOUNGSTERS FOR SCOTTISH GOLF ACADEMY

‘Game Academy’ has been launched in the Home of Golf in a drive to find the next Richie Ramsay (pictured right on his way to winning last year's US amateur championship), or for those wishing to emulate the sizzling form of 2005 Open silver medallist Lloyd Saltman, recently crowned Irish amateur champion.
The SGU is embarking on its very own X Factor talent search for up and coming golfers who want to be the next sensation on the amateur golf scene. For determined young Scots out there who are ‘game on’ to improve their golf and harbour the ambition to become a national squad member, entry into the Scottish Golf Academy could put you on the fairway to your first national cap.
The SGU established the Scottish Golf Academy two years ago, with the aim of increasing opportunities for aspirational young players, who wish to develop their potential and game to whatever level their talent and ambition may take them.
As the Golf Academy moves into its third year of operation, the SGU is seeking fresh X Factor talent for a year one intake this September.
SGU Performance Manager, Stuart Turner, the man who masterminded the Academy programme from inception, said, “The current system for entry into the Academy relies on clubs nominating players to the SGU’s sixteen Areas, who in turn ensure the SGU is made aware of these players.

"The Academy coaches then track the golfers throughout the season for potential selection in to the Academy. However, we are not getting the numbers of players referred to us that we would like, so we have come up with the idea of self nomination.”
The SGU’s aim is to ensure talent does not go unnoticed and self nomination by players will complement the current referral system by the SGU areas.
Turner added, “We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to ensure we do not miss any talented young golfers out there. Academy players benefit from structured coaching and competition delivered by some of the best coaches in the country. If you know someone who should be involved, urge them to self nominate now.”
Those game for improvement must meet the X Factor criteria, to be an Academy wannabe you must have been born in 1993 or after and have a handicap of 10 or less.
Interested players should contact the Scottish Golf Union as soon as possible, but no later than July 31, 2007 for more information and a form.

BACKGROUND NOTES

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) is the governing body for men’s amateur golf in Scotland. The SGU exists to further the cause of golf; to attract newcomers to the game; to develop golfing skills at all levels and to provide support and advice to clubs.
The Scottish Golf Academy was set up in September 2005 and provides players with a structured coaching and competition programme, managed day to day by SGU National Junior Coach Spencer Henderson.

The aim of the Academy system is to fill a previously missing link from regional to national level, and provides one of the key steps in the player pathway structure – giving players a consistent framework to progress from clubgolf stages, to whatever level they aspire to.

There are now eight academy venues across the country. 96 talented young golfers are benefiting from up to 100 hours of structured coaching sessions per annum.

Considerable progress has been made throughout the two years of operation, including significant handicap reductions and improved competition results.

In 2006 in conjunction with the SLGA, 12 girls were introduced into the Academy programme for the first time.