R&A AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS RESUME WITH BOYS, GIRLS, LADIES AND SENIORS EVENTS

7 August 2017, St Andrews: The R&A’s amateur championships and international matches resume this week with The Boys Home Internationals, the Girls and Ladies Home Internationals and The Seniors Amateur Championship.

The Boys Home Internationals
England will set out to defend the Boys Home Internationals at St Annes Old Links in the North West of England from August 8–10. The round robin international series features the four home countries with each match comprising five morning foursomes followed by ten afternoon singles.
England were crowned 2016 champions after a strong final day performance saw them defeat the holders Scotland 9-6 in the deciding match at Ballyliffin in Donegal.
Alex Fitzpatrick, brother of European Ryder Cup star Matthew, and 2017 Lytham Trophy runner-up Charlie Strickland have both been selected to play for England as they bid to retain the trophy.

Girls and Ladies Home Internationals
From August 9–11, the Girls’ and Ladies’ teams will battle it out at Little Aston near Birmingham. The teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete against each other in individual matches. Each match consists of three foursomes in the morning and six singles in the afternoon.
Last year, Ireland were victorious in the Girls Home Internationals with the Ladies’ honours going to England. Vagliano Trophy teammates Lianna Bailey, India Clyburn and Sophie Lamb, fresh from winning the Smyth Salver as the leading qualifier at the Ricoh Women’s British Open on Sunday, feature in the home team aiming to defend the ladies' title. Their fellow GB&I colleague Maria Dunne heads up an Ireland team which also includes 2016 R&A Foundation Scholar Championship winner Chloe Ryan and leading qualifier at the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship Paula Grant.
In the girls’ event, Junior Vagliano team members Ffion Tynan (Wales), Carys Worby (Wales), Sara Byrne (Ireland) and recent English Women’s Amateur champion Lily-May Humphries (England) feature for their respective countries.

The Seniors Amateur Championship
At the same time in Berkshire, American Chip Lutz will aim to secure a fourth Seniors Amateur Championship at Sunningdale’s Old Course from August 9–11. A field of 144 competitors from 17 countries will play 36 holes over the first two days of the championship before the leading 60 players and ties go through to play the final 18 holes on Friday.
In 2016, Lutz completed a hat-trick of titles in dramatic fashion when he holed a 25-foot birdie putt at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off at Formby, beating fellow American Brady Exber and Scotland’s Graham Bell.
Lutz became the seventh American in a row to lift the trophy. He tees off on Wednesday at 2.13pm alongside France’s Francois Illouz and England’s Ian Crowther.

Scoring from each championship will be available at randa.org. Follow The R&A on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates on social media.

European Young Masters

The lead in the girls' event European Young Masters' tournament at Oslo Golf Club, Norway is being shared on 142 by Lauren Holmley (Netherlands) (71-71) and Elena Moosman (Switzerland) (70-72).

England's rising star, Lily-May Humphreys) is sharing third place with 69 and 74 for 143 - five ahead of compatriot Annabell Fuller (75-73).

Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) is T31 on 158 after rounds of 82 and 76.

Scottish girls champion Hannah Darling is T38 on 162 (82-80).

 

In the Boys event Cameron Gallagher (Longniddry) and Aidan O'Hagan (Old Ranfurly) are outwith the top 20 after 36 holes.

Gallagher has had rounds of 73 and 74 for a four-over-par tally of 148 while O'Hagan has scored 77 and 73 for 150.

Gallagher is T22 and O'Hagan T29.

Two Norwegian lads continue to hold down the first and second places. Mikkel Antonsen, who had a brilliant round of nine-under-par 63 on the first day, followed that up with a 73 for eight-under 136.

He leads by one from compatriot Bard Bjornevik (67-70 for 137).

 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

Scotland Sides Selected for Home Internationals

Calum Scott (13) gets first Scotland cap in boys' home internationals

 NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF

Calum Scott, the 13-year-old from Nairn, has been rewarded for his recent outstanding form with a call-up to the Scotland side for the boys’ home internationals.

The scratch player, who won the Global Golf Post Scottish U16 boys' championship  at Fairmont St Andrews earlier this month, will tee up in the Under-18 team event three months before his 14^th birthday - a notable achievement.

Scott is enjoying sibling rivalry with his older brother Sandy, a European amateur team winner at men’s level last year, and is looking forward to pulling on the Scotland shirt at St Annes Old Links, Lancashire from  August 8 to 10. 

The Highlander, joined by another 13-year-old in Aidan O’Hagan (Old Ranfurly) in the Scotland boys’ team, said:
“I’m delighted to have been selected at boys’ level, having played really well over the last couple of months and winning my first national event in St Andrews.
"Playing in the boys’ home internationals has maybe come a little earlier than expected, but I can’t wait to play at this level. I like to have some friendly rivalry with Sandy and I’m enjoying my golf, playing with a lot of good pals around my age with low handicaps at Nairn. We push each other on, practising together and playing a lot.”

Sandy Scott has been selected for the Scotland men’s team for their home internationals at Moortown Golf Club, Leeds from  August 16-18, with the side also featuring Carrick Neill Scottish stroke play champion Liam Johnston (Dumfries and County) and another Walker Cup contender in Craig Howie (Peebles).

Top-ranked Scots Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) and Connor Syme (Drumoig) are both unavailable, having earned qualification for the US Amateur Championship at Riviera GC from August 14-20. 

For the first time this season, the winners of the Scottish men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ amateur championships secure automatic spots in their respective Home Internationals sides, with Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe), Greg Dalziel (Airdrie) and Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) sealing their places.

The girls’ and women's home internationals both take place at Little Aston Golf Club, Sutton Coldfield in the English Midlands from August 9 to 11.  

The men’s side will be finalised after next week’s Scottish Amateur Championship at Prestwick with two places still available.

The Scottish Golf National Squads are sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and supported by sportscotland.

Scotland Girls’ Team: Home Internationals

Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore)

Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe)

Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

Jillian Farrell (Cardross)

Hazel MacGarvie (Ladies Golf Club Troon)

Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead)

Molly Richmond (Strathaven)

Scotland Women’s Team: Home Internationals

Gemma Batty (Moffat)

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Chloe Goadby (St Regulus Ladies Golf Club)

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)

Hannah McCook (Grantown-on-Spey)

Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne)

Clara Young (North Berwick)

Scotland Boys’ Team: Home Internationals

Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle)

Callum Bruce (Duff House Royal)

Greg Dalziel (Airdrie)

Campbell Gibson (Blairgowrie)

Darren Howie (Peebles)

Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill)

Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links)

Aidan O’Hagan (Old Ranfurly)

John Paterson (St Andrews New)

Calum Scott (Nairn)

Marc Watt (Inverallochy)

Scotland Men’s Team: Home Internationals

Rory Franssen (Inverness)

Craig Howie (Peebles)

Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co)

Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon)

Chris Maclean (Balmore)

Craig Ross (Kirkhill)

Sandy Scott (Nairn)

Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly)

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)

+Two further players to be selected after the Scottish men’s amateur championship next week.

ENTRY INFORMATION FOR THE STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION TROPHIES

STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION UNDER 12 TROPHY

GOGARBURN GC

25th, 26th and 27th July

Entry fee £15

Entry is OPEN to all boys and girls aged 11 or under on 1st January 2017.

ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY 17th JULY

It will be played over Gogarburn GC 12 hole golf course, approx 3,100yrds long and will consist of 3 rounds of stroke play. One round each day.

There will be two sections, the main event the Under 12 category and an Under 10 category. .

The main trophy will be for the lowest scratch score over the 3 rounds.

There will be scratch prizes along with daily prizes where applicable.

Prizes for each section will be dependent upon number of entrants received.

The top 3 scratch prize winners will be invited to our end of season "Race to Dunbar" with Stephen Gallacher

The top 10 scratch winners will also be invited to our end of season Flag/Stroke Play Finals Day at Kingsfield with Stephen Gallacher

The event is non-counting for handicap purposes.

To enter please visit www.sgfoundation.co.uk, tournament section or contact Scott Knowles at scott@sgfoundation.co.uk

STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION UNDER 15 TROPHY

RATHO PARK GC

31st July, 1st August and 2nd August

Entry fee £20

Entry is open to any boy or girl aged 14 or under on 1st January 2017 who currently holds a CONGU handicap

ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY 17th JULY

It will be played over Ratho Park GC  and will consist of 3 rounds of stroke play. One round each day.

There will be two sections, the main event the Under 15 category and an Under 13 category. .

The main trophy will be for the lowest scratch score over the 3 rounds with a trophy for the Under 13 scratch winner.

There will also be trophies in each section for the lowest total nett score

There will be daily prizes where applicable.

Number of Prizes in each section will be dependent upon number of entrants received.

The top 3 scratch prize winners and top 3 handicap prize winners in each category will be invited to our end of season "Race to Dunbar" with Stephen Gallacher

To enter please visit www.sgfoundation.co.uk, tournament section or contact Scott Knowles at scott@sgfoundation.co.uk

 

RAIN WIPES OUT FINAL DAY OF GERMAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The two winners:   Linn Grant and Falko Hanish

Rain hit the final day of the German junior championships at St Leon-Rot Golf Club today and eventually it was decided that the final results would be declared on the first 36 holes because not all the girls completed their final 18 holes today.

The boys, due to start after the girls, did not play any holes.

And so, Linn Grant (Sweden), whose grandfather is James Grant from Inverness, who won the Scottish boys championship in the late 1950s and later became a club pro in Sweden, was the winner with rounds of 66 and 68 for 134.

Emma Spitz (Austria) finished second with 66 and 69 for 135.

England's Annabel Fuller was placed third with scores of 69 and 67 for 136. She won a card countback against two other players who finished on 136.

The boys competition, also decided on the earlier two rounds, was won by Germany's Falko Hanish (135) by two strokes from Jiri Zuska of the Czech Republic

SCOTTISH JUNIOR TOUR LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Carmen Griffiths

Aboyne Golf Club junior member Carmen Griffiths won the Scottish Junior Tour's 36-hole girls' Under-14 years category with rounds of 80 and 73 for a total of 153 at Turnhouse Golf Club, near Edinburgh over the weekend.
Her second round was the lowest one-round score achieved by any girl, in the Under-14s or Under-16s sections. Highlight of her round was an eagle 3 at the 10th. She also had birdie 4s at the par-5 fourth and seventh holes.

The Under-16 girls' section was won by Evanna Hynd (Balbirnie Park) with scores of 84 and 76 for 160.


BOYS U-16
par 138 (2x69) SSS 70 CSS 70
144 C O'Toole (Craigmillar Park) 72 72
145 L Cheetham jun (Dumfries and Co) 73 672
147 L Currid (Blairgowrie) 73 74.
148 C Gallagher (Longniddry) 73 65
149 L Walker (Royal Aberdeen 78 71, D Walsh (Lochgelly) 73 76, A Hall (Kilspindie) 77 72, S Sandin (Dunblane New) 74 75.
150 C Barbour (St Andrews New) 74 76
151 R Mair (Buckpool) 78 73.
152 A Murray (Troon Welbeck) 80 72, C Leeson (Pitreavie) 73 79
153 J Cookson (Gullane) 81 72.
154 H Clark (Auchterarder) 80 74, J Lockhart (Pitreavie) 74 80, A Thornton (Muckhart) 79 75.
155 F Merriweather (Carluke) 79 76, J Noon (Musselburgh) 74 81.
156 J Bruce (Deeside) 82 74.
157 C Black (Royal Aberdeen) 80 77.
159 J Gallacher (Bathgate) 79 80, B C Hunter (St Andrews) 77 82, R Barclay (Carnoustie) 81 78.
161 J Hunt (Duddingston) 84 77, J McDonald (Torwoodlee) 86 75
162 E Orr (Kemnay) 78 84
164 M Hayward (Swanston New) 78 86
165 D Walker (Murcar Links) 80 85, L Reynolds (Hilton Park) 82 83, A Borthwick (Hirsel) 80 85, F Gardiner (Falkirk) 91 74.
167 T Erskine (Kilmacolm) 86 81
168 D Hendry (Craigmillar Park) 86 82
169 S Mitchell (Portpatrick Dunskey) 94 75.
171 J Fulton (Muckhart) 88 83

BOYS U-14
144 A O'Hagan (Old Ranfurly) 73 71.
145 C Adam (Royal Burgess) 72 73, T P F Smith (St Andrews) 72 73
148 G Cannon (Falkirk) 76 72
151 C Johnstone (Troon Welbeck) 79 72, A Saleem (St Andrews New) 77 74.
153 C Scott (Nairn) 76 77
154 A Hendry (Turnhouse) 79 75, L Taylor (Bearsden) 79 75.
155 C Currie (Turnhouse) 80 75.
158 J Vogelphol (Forrester Park) 79 79
159 T Rankine (Haggs Castle) 81 78, E Cuthbert (Inverness) 80 79, O Abu-Baker (Uphall) 80 79.
160 P Brown (Monifieth) 80 80, R Lindsay (Ayr Belleisle) 80 80.
162 C Sharpe (Blairgowrie) 82 80, G Graham (Blairgowrie) 85 77.
163 J Jack (Millport) 84 79, C Campbell (Murrayfield) 79 84
165 F Russell (Royal Troon) 86 79, A Hawthorn (Murrayfield) 79 86.
167 A Wyatt (Loretto School) 83 84, C Waugh (Kirkhill) 86 81
168 L Murdoch (Kings Acre( 89 79.
169 C Graham (Blairgowrie) 81 88, R Laird (Falkirk) 81 88.
170 J Gibb (Aboyne) 88 82, S Newman (Kilmacolm) 84 86.
171 M Shepherd (North Berwick) 90 81, E McGeoch (Paisley) 87 84, B Cunningham (Bothwell Castle) 86 85.
173 L Gellatley (Sandyhills) 88 85, D Bullen (Auchterarder) 88 85.
174 R Sim (Aboyne) 85 89, A Ewen (King James VI) 84 90, M Holmes (Kilmacolm) 83 91.

GIRLS UNDER-16
Par 146 (2x73) SSS 73. CSS 73
160 E Hynd (Balbirnie Park) 84 76.
162 P Wilson (Burntisland) 82 80.
167 A Mitchell (Strathmore) 86 81.
172 C McLaughlin (West Kilbride) 84 88
180 E Caton (St Regulus) 87 93.
183 T White (Cathkin Braes) 93 90, Orla O'Leary (Hirsel) 92 91.
186 O Fitzpatrick (Bridge of Allan) 97 89
210 A McCafferty (Airdrie) 107 103
212 Olivia O'Leary (Hirsel) 107 105.

GIRLS UNDER-14
153 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 80 73
157 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 78 79
161 A McKay (Crail GS) 77 84.
162 R Foster (Turnberry) 81 81.
173 G Crawford (Gullane) 86 87.
182 L Morrison (Craigmillar Park) 95 87
183 M Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 96 87
184 R Erskine (Kilmacolm) 90 94
186 F Russell (Troon Welbeck) 99 87
187 R Fowlie (Edzell) 93 94
189 S Elliott (Nairn) 93 96
191 K Graham (Hamilton) 99 92
192 A Steedman (Murrayfield) 98 94.
196 K Maslanka jun (Kirkhill) 91 105.
197 N Fowler (Bathgate) 91 106
200 G Ledihgham (Craigmillar Park) 105 95.
202 S Murphy (Clydebank and Dist) 100 102.
225 J Graham (Hamilton) 119 100.

Hollie is back with a Fairhaven win

Issued 8th May, 2017
Hollie is back with a Fairhaven win


Lancashire's Hollie Muse completed a two-stroke win at the U18 Fairhaven Trophies, breathed a sigh of relief and declared: "I'm back!"

Muse, who became an England women's international at the age of 14, had given up golf six months ago.

"I'd stopped playing, I was upset with my game and I wasn't in a good place," she explained. "I didn't win anything last year and I thought I was never coming back."

But she missed the game, came back this season with a new approach and it has all paid off. She tied second in the Scottish girls' championship, then shared third place in the Scottish women's stroke play – and has now won the girls' title at Fairhaven.

"To win this is emotional for me," said the 17-year-old from West Lancashire. "I am very happy."

She finished the 72-hole international event at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire, on three-under par, two ahead of Norfolk's Amelia Williamson (Royal Cromer), who was girls' runner-up for the second year in a row.

"Amelia played very good golf, she battled with me all the way round today and she gave nothing away," said Muse. She confessed to feeling the nerves over the closing holes but she kept herself focussed by remembering advice from her first England coach, Pat Smillie.

"She told us 'If you can play badly but still shoot a good score then you know you are a winner.' I kept saying that to myself over the last six holes." Muse certainly wasn't playing badly, but the mantra helped her par the last four holes to keep her lead over Williamson, an England girl international.

During the championship she got as low as seven-under, helped by ball striking which saw her knock some drives over 300 yards, and by her solid putting.

The boys' title was won in runaway style by Ludvig Aberg of Sweden who was two under par and 10 shots clear of the runner-up, George Raitt of Whetstone Leicestershire. Conor Gough (Stoke Park, BB&O), the English U14 boys' champion tied third one nine-over.

Click here for full scores

HOWIE AND BROUN FINISH IN TOP TEN AT FAIRHAVEN

Howie and Broun make top 10 at Fairhaven as Swede wins by TEN

Darren Howie (Peebles) and Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) were the highest placed Scots at the end of the prestigious Fairhaven Trophies boys and girls' tournament over 72 holes at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes in Lancashire.

Howie shot 77, 77, 73 and 75 for 302 and eighth place.

Broun had scores of 76, 73, 78 and 77 for 304 and a share of 10th place. They were the only Scots to make the cut to the leading 40 after 36 holes.

The runaway winner of the event was Sweden's Ludvig whose two-under-par total of 286 (72-72-69-73) was 10 shots ahead of runner-up George Raitt (Whetstone).

Top finishing girl was Hollie Muse (West Lancs), who lives not far from the course. She was placed joint third on 297 with scores of 73, 70, 76 and 78. She was three under par over the girls' course.

FAIRHAVEN TROPHIES JUNIOR OPEN TOURNAMENT
Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Boys par 288 (4x72); girls' par 300 (4x75).

286 Ludvig Aberg (Swe) 72 72 69 73.
296 George Raitt (Whetstone) 76 75 72 73
297 Hollie Muse (W Lancs) 73 70 76 78, Cedric Otten (Ger) 75 71 75 76, Conor Gough (Stoke Park) 74 74 74 75.
299 John Brady (Rosslare, Ire) 78 71 72 78, Amelia Williamson (Royal Cromer) 74 72 76 77.


SELECTED TOTALS
302 Darren Howie (Peebles) 77 77 73 75 (8th)
304 Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) 76 73 78 77 (T10)
305 Sara Byrne (Douglas) 78 77 74 76 (T12)
306 Ana Dawson (Peel) 73 79 77 77 (T15)
307 Amy Taylor (Bowburgh) 74 78 79 76 (T18)
327 Sophie Johnson (Telford) 77 78 78 94 (39th)

MISSED THE CUT TO LEADING 40
159 Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 81 78, Ross Callan (Bathgate) 81 78 (T62)
161 David Rudd (Longniddry) 88 73, Ben Caton (St Andrews New) 83 78 (T80).
167 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 88 79 (T131)

JACK BROUN LEADING SCOT AT FAIRHAVEN

Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle), sharing seventh place, is the leading Scot in the big mixed field for the Fairhaven Trophies junior golf tournament at the Lancashire club.

He has had rounds of 76 and 73 for 149, six shots behind the leader, a girl, Hollie Muse from neighbouring West Lancs Golf Club. She has scored 73 and 70 for 143 to lead Oliver Ravenscroft (Hillside), another local, and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg by one shot.

Darren Howie (Peebles) is T22 on 154 with a pair of 77s.

Hazlehead's Jasmine Mackintosh and Ross Callan (Bathgate), both with rounds of 81 and 78, are T63 on 159.

FAIRHAVEN TROPHIES TOURNAMENT
Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES

143 Hollie Muse (West Lancs) 73 70.
144 Oliver Ravenscroft (Hillside) 73 71, Ludvig Aberg (Swe) 72 72
1467 Cedric Otten (Ger) 75 71, Amelia Williamson (Royal Cromer) 74 72.

SCOTS' SCORES
149 Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) 76 73 (T7)
154 Darren Howie (Peebles) 77 77 (T22)
159 Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 81 78, Ross Callan (Bathgate) 81 78 (T62)
161 David Rudd (Longniddry) 88 73, Ben Caton (St Andrews New) 83 78 (T80).
167 Louis Duncan (West Kilbride) 88 79 (T131)

International Fields Gather for Popular Girls & Boys Strokeplays

SCOTTISH GOLF NEWS RELEASE
TUESDAY 11 APRIL

International Fields Gather for Popular Girls and Boys Strokeplays

In-form duo Darren Howie and Jillian Farrell will look to maintain their winning ways at this week's Boys' and Girls' Open Championships, with both events proving popular on Scottish Golf's new-look calendar.

Howie and Farrell, both 17, took the respective honours at the season's opening Junior Tour event at Forrester Park last weekend and are keen to now defeat the international fields heading for Angus.

After the governing body announced a number of changes to national championships following a comprehensive review, this week's strokeplay events are being played on the same Easter holiday dates, 12 -14 April, with Monifieth welcoming the boys and Montrose staging the girls.

The Scottish Boys matchplay has instead moved into the school summer holidays, to be played for the first time alongside the Scottish Girls, running concurrently at Scotscraig and Drumoig from 30 June – 5 July.

In total, 216 entries were received for this week's Boys' strokeplay championship – the highest number in 12 years – with the handicap ballot for the 144-player field falling at 4.3. The girls' event also received a strong entry of 134, with the ballot for the 102-player field coming at 7.2.

Jamie Stewart, the 2016 Scottish Boys Order of Merit champion, and last year's Scottish Boys winner, Eric McIntosh, will join Howie in the chase for the title, but the trio face competition from players from the likes of England, France, Germany, Belgium and Bulgaria.


"I didn't actually play that well at Forrester Park, but got it round," admitted Howie, brother of Scotland Men's international, Craig. "I've been working on a few things, like my driving, but my wedge play is as good as it has been and that should work well for Monifieth."

The Peebles player, seeking to join a winners' list that includes Stephen Gallacher, Scott Jamieson and Scott Henry, added: "Jamie has had a good start to the year and Eric is as consistent as ever. My aim is to compete and try to beat them this year. I feel I can do that if I play well."

Meantime, Farrell is hoping to continue her form before the Cardross player heads for the University of North Carolina-Chattanooga in the autumn on a golf scholarship.

"It's been a busy start to the season, but I'm pleased with it so far," said Farrell, who also tied for third in last week's Irish Girls Under-18s Stroke Play. It's good to see the work I put in over the winter paying off. I'd like to continue to play as well as I can, with preparation important. I've never played Montrose competitively, but look forward to the challenge."

Fraser Munro, Head of Events, added: "We look forward to a great week at Monifieth and Montrose and thank both host venues for once again welcoming Scottish Golf.

"The number of entries for both events was really encouraging, as they were for the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Championship later this month. We received a record 158 entries for the event in its current form, with the ballot one of the lowest ever at 0.5.

"While this has been a good start, we would like to see more entries for the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen in early June to keep the positive momentum going."

View draw for Scottish Boys' Open Championship

https://www.scottishgolf.org/events/listings/scottish-boys-open-stroke-play-championship/

View draw for Scottish Girls' Open Championship

https://www.scottishgolf.org/events/listings/scottish-girls-open-championship/

TEACHERS SPONSOR SCOTTISH SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Scottish Schools Golf Association announce new sponsors - the TEACHERS' Union!.

The Scottish Schools Golf Association has announced a new sponsorship from an unexpected course - the teachers union, NASUWT! This new sponsorship means that the association will be able to run the Scottish schoolboys and schoolgirls championships on Monday, June 12 at Murrayshall House Hotel and Golf courses, near Perth and the annual fixture with English Schools at Kilmarnock Barassie on Monday, September 11.

The NASUWT already sponsor the English and Welsh schools associations and this new partnership was an obvious extension of their sponsorships.

Scottish schools golf organisers acknowledge the tremendous help they have received from the Paul Lawrie Foundation over the last nine years. They are also grateful to the new management at Murrayshall for continuing the support of the championships at their courses.

The championships this year return to the one-day format where all competitors will play one round over the Murrayshall course and one round of the Lynedoch course.

The Scotland Schools team of 12 boys and six girls for the international against England will be selected in the middle of August.

Karl Vilips (Australia) and South Korea's Somi Lee are Orange Bowl Champions

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL INTERNATIONAL GOLF – Day 4 – FINAL
Biltmore Golf Course, Coral Gables, Florida USA – December 30^TH:  

Australia’s Karl Vilips and South Korea’s Somi Lee

Australia’s Karl Vilips and Somi Lee from South Korea are the 53^rd Junior Orange Bowl International champions.
Vilips posted a final-day 2-under par 69 for a four day 12-under par total of 272. Lee carded an even-par 71, her first round of the week over 70, which was good for a one-stroke victory over France’s Agathe Laisne. In an exciting down to the wire finish, both players birdied their last two holes.
A chilly morning with swirling winds gusting to 20+mph put some extra bite in the famed Donald Ross golf course at the Biltmore hotel, players often stuck between clubs for approach shots where, particularly on long water-guarded par-fours, estimating the wind force becomes critical.
The Boys tournament came to an exhilarating climax. With the final three players, Vilips, France’s Edgar Catherine and defending champion Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan all tied at 10-under par, Vilips sealed his wire-to-wire victory with a 25-yard pitch from just short of the putting surface on the closing par five that skipped once, twice, then disappeared directly into the cup for an eagle three.
“It feels fantastic,” the winner said, expressing an emotive mixture of euphoria and relief. “I did not have a lot good stuff today. My driving was off and my putting was a struggle and I was never able to get anything going. But well, that one shot really changes everything and I’m absolutely delighted.”  He didn’t say so, but his crucial curling five-footer par-save on the 71^st hole made it all possible and proved why this 15-year old Australian has a huge future in the game.
Catherine proved he has plenty of heart, fighting back from a double-bogey at the 9^th, where his tee ball caught a tree branch near the tee. Defending champion Reitan bunkered his long-iron approach to the final hole and had to settle for par and third place. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, the 2014 champion, carded a strong 68 to claim 4^th spot in this strongly international field.
The Girls tournament turned into an equally thrill-filled final which went to the wire, South Korea’s Somi Lee getting up and down at the final hole for a birdie-four that cemented a one-stroke victory over France’s Agathe Laisne with Canada’s Monet Chun in third place. Laisne also placed second last year.
“This is my first tournament outside my home country,” Lee said through an interpreter, “and I’ve been very nervous. So obviously I’m delighted to have played well when it mattered.” No shot more crucial, in retrospect, than her approach to the water-guarded 17^th, where she followed Laisne’s flag-tight approach with one that was even closer.
“I did everything I could today,” the repeat runner-up said. “I can’t be disappointed by that. I gave away a few shots in earlier rounds, and that was the difference.”

Scottish Boy Champion, Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) finished tied for 42nd place with a last round of 74 for a 302 total.

Boys Leaderboard

Girls Leaderboard

IMPROVING MCINTOSH IS STILL T46 IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL

Scottish boys' match-play champion Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) is improving with every round - 79 75 74 - but a 15-over-par 54-hole tally of 218 for the par-71 Donald Ross-designed Biltmore  Course at Coral Gables, Florida  has him stuck in a share of 46th place in the boys' field of 56 at the Junior Orange Bowl golf tournament.
Starting his third round at the 10th, the Lothians lad bogeyed the17th and 18th for a two over par first nine of 38 but he then had his lowest score over holes one to nine - one over par 36 with birdies at the par-5 first and par-4 fourth.
Bogeys at the the second, seventh and ninth outnumbered his birdies, however
The Scot is 25 strokes behind the long time leader, 15 year old Australian Karl Vilips (65-67-71) who has a one-shot advantage with 18 holes to play over the defending champion, Norway's Kristofer Reitan who set a new championship record low of eight-under 63 in the third round.
Somi Lee (South Korea) retained the girls' ead on seven-under 206. She is four strokes clear of France's Agathe Laisne and Monet Chun (Canada).
Sweden's Linn Grant, daughter of a Scottish-born club pro, had a hole in one in compiling a third-round 69 which took her up to fifth place on 214, eight off the pace.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Coral Gables, Biltmore Hotel Course, Florida
 
BOYS 
par 213 (3x71), yardage 6,742

203 Karl Vilips (Australia) 65 67 71
204 Kristofer Reitan (Norway) 70 71 63
205 Edgar Catherine (France) 68 70 67
206 Mateo Fernandez de Oliveir (Argentina) 69 68 69
207 Joaquin Niemann (Chile) 67 70 70
208 Pedro Silva (Portugal) 70 70 68, Jerry Ji (Netherlands) 72 69 67
210 Will Dickson (USA) 71 69 70

SELECTED SCORE
228 Eric McIntosh (Scotland) 79 75 74 (T46)

Field of 56
TO VIEW ALL  THE BOYS'  SCORES CLICK  HERE

LEADING GIRLS
par 213 (3x71), yardage 6,089

206 Somi Lee (S Korea) 68 69 69
210 Agathe Laisne (France) 67 72 71, Monet Chun (Canada) 68 73 69
213 Ana Laura Collado (Mexico) 69 72 69
214 Linn Grant (Sweden) 74 71 69
216 Hikari  Kuranaga (Japan) 71 75 70, Focus Jonglikit (Thailand) 79 70 67
218 Lucie Malchirand (France) 73 75 70
219 Alexa Plano (USA) 73 71 75
Field of 33

TO VIEW ALL THE GIRLS' SCORES CLICK HERE

HOW DEESIDE ARE TACKLING THE JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP PROBLEM

Deeside GC managing to buck the trend with vibrant junior membership of boys AND girls

John Allan, Nigg Bay Golf Club's new match secretary, emailed Scottishgolfview.com a few days ago, asking for help and suggestions from any individual or body with regard to the drastic falling off of junior membership at the Balnagask club, Aberdeen.
It has only two junior members.

Elaine Farquharson-Black

We asked GB and I Curtis Cup-winning team captain Elaine Farquharson-Black, an Aberdeen solicitor who is Deeside Golf Club's junior convener, how the Bieldside club is managing to buck the North-east downward trend with a vibrant junior membership of boys AND girls:

"We try to make it fun for all the boys and girls as Deeside recognises juniors' importance." says Elaine

Club golf is meant to encourage players who are not members of a club. Hazlehead runs Clubgolf, but I am not sure about other clubs.

Murcar Links  is providing free junior membership as is Peterculter. A municipal club can't do that as the Town Council charge for playing the course, so the Council would need to reduce prices for juniors, but I can't see that happening as there would be other sports arguing for free use of facilities.

Peterhead have withdrawn from the Junior |Pennant Leaguethis year as they can't field a team, so it is a wider problem.

Karyn Dallas, club professional at Kirriemuir GC,  runs two-hole events for juniors to try it out. That might be an idea worth exploring.

In terms of Deeside, the club is very welcoming of juniors, both at member level and by the staff. As junior convener, I sit on Council representing the junior members so they are considered in all decision-making, recognising that the juniors will sustain the club going forward.

We run junior competitions on Saturday afternoons. Those with handicaps of 18 or below play on the Haughton course off the same tees as the men/women for that day's competition and their scores are included in the CSS for the day, again reinforcing that they are part of the wider membership.

On the Deeside GC Blairs course, the juniors can play nine or 18 holes, depending on their ability and stamina!

I am generally there on a Saturday to see the juniors off and when they come in for something to eat at the end of their round.

In the holidays, there are also junior competitions on Mondays and Thursdays and over the winter we run an eclectic and have a team playing in the men's winter foursomes competition.

We run coaching sessions for the juniors once a month, different classes for different abilities.  Deeside GC Director of Golf, Frank Coutts, and his assistant, Graeme Nethercott,  are very supportive of the juniors.

We run a Facebook and Twitter account for the juniors, posting pictures of what they have been up to, at Deeside and at other events.

We try to make it fun; encouraging juniors of all abilities to enjoy the facilities. Not sure that we have all the answers!

ELAINE FARQUHARSON-BLACK

ERIC MCINTOSH FINDS JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL IS A GAME OF TWO HALVES

ERIC McINTOSH CANT GET TO GRIPS WITH OUTWARD HALF AT JUNIOR ORANGE  BOWL

Scottish boys champion Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) is tied for 46th place after Day 2 of the Junior Orange Bowl golf tournament with rounds of 79 and 76 for a 12-over-par tally of 154 at the Biltmore Course, Coral Gables in Florida.

Eric  is finding the outward half hard to master.  For the second day in a row it cost him 40 strokes (five over par). In contrast he covered the second nine in one-under-par 35 with birdies at the 11th, short 14th and par-5 18th. 

Australian 15 year old Karl Vilips leads the boys' section by five strokes after scores of 65

and 67 for 10-under-par 132 over the par 71 course.

South Korea's Somi Lee has taken over the girls' lead with 68 and 69 for five-under 137 - two shots ahead of first-round pacemaker Agathe Laisne of France.


SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD

BOYS
par 142 (2x71), yardage 6,742

132 Karl Vilips (Australia) 65 67

137 Joaquin Niemann (Chile) 67 70, Mateo Fernandez de Oliveir (Argentina) 69 68

138 Edgar Catherine (France) 68 70
140 Bryan Teoh (USA) 73 67, Will Dickson (USA) 71 69, Pedro Silva (Portugal) 70 70, David Rauch (Germany) 70 70

SELECTED SCORE
154 Eric McIntosh (Scotland) 79 75 (T46)

GIRLS
par 142  (2x71) yardage 6,089

137 Somi Lee (South Korea) 68 69

139 Agathe Laisne (France) 67 72

141 Monet Chun (Canada) 68 73, Ana Laura Collado (Mexico) 69 72

144 Tanya Eathakotti (USA) 71 73, Alexa Pano (USA) 73 71

SCOTS CHAMPION STRUGGLES IN JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL DEBUT

From Colin Farquharson

McINTOSH'S LATE BIRDIES RAISE HOPES OF SECOND-ROUND SURGE AT JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL

Eric McIntosh

Scottish boys' golf champion Eric McIntosh will not have fond memories of his debut in the Junior Orange Bowl tournament over the Biltmore Course at Coral Gables, Florida (on Tuesday).
The Bruntsfield Links Golf Club member shot an eight-over-par 79 to be 14 strokes off the lead after the first round.
McIntosh is joint 45th in the 56-strong boys' field after running up a triple bogey 7 at the sixth and a double bogey 6 at the 10th, uncharacteristic lapses by the player who won the Scottish U18 boys' match-play title at Murcar Links last April.
He also bogeyed the fourth, eighth, 11th, 13th and 15th in halves of 40 (five over par) and 39 (three over).
But McIntosh should start the second round encouraged by the fact that he birdied two of his last five holes as he settled to the Florida conditions and pace of the greens. He got a 2 at the short 14th and a 4 at the par-5 18th.
Australia's Karl Vilips leads the rising star-studded field by two shots after a six-under-par 65.
The leading European is Edgar Catherine (France), in third place with a 68.
The girls' championship is led by a European - France's Agathe Laisne with a four-under-par 67.
There is no Scottish girl in the field while England stopped sending their boy and girl champions to the Junior Orange Bowl a number of years ago.

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL
Coral Gables, Florida
Biltmore Course
FIRST-ROUND LEADERS
BOYS
par 71, yardage 6,742
65 K Vilips (Australia)
67 J Nieman (Chile)
68 E Catherine (France)
69 A J Ewart (Canada), D Chatsfield (USA), D Rauch (Germany), M F de Oliveir (Argentna).

SELECTED SCORE
79 E McIntosh (Sco) (T49)
Field of 56 players

GIRLS
par 71, yardage 6,089
67 A Laisne (France)
68 S Lee (S Korea), M Chun (Canada)
69 A L Collado (Mexico)

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL INTERNATIONAL GOLF - December 27 - 30, 2016

Press Release
December 26, 2016

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL INTERNATIONAL GOLF - December 27 - 30, 2016

Seasonal greetings to colleagues and media friends around the world.
Welcome to the 53rd Junior Orange Bowl International Golf tournament, once again returning to the famed Donald Ross course at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida.
Since 1964 this 72-hole stroke play event for age 18-and-under golfers from around the world has been recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments in junior golf.
JOBI alumni include major champions Tiger Woods, Nick Price, José María Olazábal, Andy North, Craig Stadler, Mark Calcavecchia, Bob Tway, and many others who went on to notable PGA Tour careers, Hal Sutton, Gary Koch, Willie Wood, Dudley Hart, Billy Mayfair, Ryuji Imada, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Na, Camilo Villegas to name a few.
Scores of JOBI Girls competitors also have become successful LPGA members, such as past-champions Michelle McGann, Christie Kerr, Grace Park, Christina Kim, Julieta Granada, Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer and Brooke Henderson.
As customary, our field pits young stars from around the world against the some of the best American juniors, top national talent nominated by their respective golf associations from countries as divergent as Zimbabwe, Iceland, Scotland, Switzerland, South Korea, the Netherlands and Australia.
Kristoffer Reitan from Norway returns to defend the title, alongside 2014 winner Joaquin Niemann from Chile, each seeking to become the first Boys repeat champion. Plenty of stern competition awaits, probable challengers including the Scottish Boys champion Eric McIntosh, Kaito Onishi from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fl., France’s Adrien Pendaries, a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup team and Australia’s Karl Vilips.      
Top girl contenders include Canada’s Chloe Curry, (+2.9), Italy’s double-power of Emilie Paltrinieri (+3.2) the British Girls champion and Alessia Nobilio (+3.5) and the extraordinarily talented 12-year old Alexa Pano, who already plays to a +2.1 handicap.
The 53nd JOBI starts tomorrow. Join us daily at www.jrorangebowl.com/golf for live scoring and results.
David Mackintosh - JOBI Press

HAZEL AND JAMIE SURGE INTO DUKE OF YORK TOP TEN

From Colin Farquharson

Hazel McGarvie

Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) and Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly) returned two of the best scores of the day - two-under-par 70s - to surge out of the pack into a share of eighth place in The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lancashire.

Both improved by eight strokes on their first-round scores in this 54-hole event at an Open championship venue and are only six shots behind the leader, Markus Braadlie (Norway) who has scored 69-73 for two-under 142 and a one shot lead from Sami Valimaki (Finland) (72-71)
MacGarvie, pictured right, had halves of 35 studded with an eagle 3 at the 433yd 13th and birdies at the long sixth, short 14th and 15th. But for a double bogey 7 at the par-5 17th, the Ayrshire girl would have been within striking distance of the lead.
Stewart, pictured below, started with a double bogey 6 but bounced back with birdies at the fourth, fifth and seventh to turn in 34. He dropped one more shot, at the 10th, before finishing strongly with birdies at two-par 5 holes, the 13th and 17th.

The two other Scots in the field of 49 players did not enjoy such a revival in their fortunes.
Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) is tied 32nd after scores of 81 and 78 for 159. Shannon's inward half of 42 included a quadruple bogey 7 at the short 14th.
Scottish U18 boys' champion Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) ran up a triple bogey 8 at the long 17th on his way to an 81, two worse than his first round. Eric is on 160, sharing 34th place.

Jamie Stewart

THE DUKE OF YORK YOUNG CHAMPIONS TROPHY TOURNAMENT
Royal Birkdale GC, Lancashire
SECOND-ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
142 Markus Braadlie (Nor) 69 73
143 Sami Valimaki (Fin) 72 71
145 Rasmus Hojgaard (Den) 71 74
146 Chloe Currie (Can) 74 72, Chiara Tamburlini (Swi) 74 75.

SELECTED SCORES
148 Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 78 70, Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly) 78 70, Julie McCarthy (Ire) 71 77 (T8)
150 Oliver Brown (Wales) 76 74 (T13)
152 Angus Flanagan (Eng) 74 78 (T18)
159 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 81 78 (T32)
160 Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) 79 81 (T34)

Field of 49 players

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

FOUR SCOTS IN DUKE OF YORK TROPHY FIELD

Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies), Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly) and Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) are in a field of 51 competitors from 28 countries for The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament over 54 holes at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lancashire, starting tomorrow.

Kemnay junior Cameron Carnegie wins 

men's club championship
 

History was made last weekend at Kemnay with a junior member, Cameron Carnegie, coming from six shots back to win the men’s club championship scratch title, with a four-round total of 292.  Aged just 16, he achieved a course recorde-qualling 68 off the Black Tees in the final round.

Cameron said “ I set myself a target to win the men's club championship before I was 18 years old.  I am delighted with the win and am looking forward to playing in the Champion of Champions next year.

" I started well on Saturday - birdie, birdie and I thought if I could par in from there he would be in with a chance. I went out in 32 and had to stop play for 20-30 mins for thunder and lightning at the 11th. 

"I knew exactly how everyone was scoring and remained calm and played steady golf to the 18th where I had a good up and down after missing the green right.  I got a great reception from fellow members after the 18th and it was a day I will remember for a long time”

Junior Pennant Champions 2016

After being runners-up to Royal Aberdeen last season, the Kemnay Junior Pennant team has gone one better this year and were crowned as Junior Pennant Champions 2016 at Inverallochy on Sunday. A fantastic achievement as this is the first time Kemnay has won this prestigious title!

They did this by winning their section with wins over Deeside at home, and away matches at both Portlethen and Murcar Links.   

They then beat last year's winners, Royal Aberdeen, in the semi-final at Portlethen and won 4-1 over Aboyne in Sunday's final.  Winning the Pennant title means that they qualify for the  Junior Home Nations Team Championships and ultimately qualify for the Grand Final overseas!

Pennant Team Manager, Craig Carnegie (Cameron’s father) said “The players are from Kemnay, Kintore, Alford and Turriff and are all keen to play in the matches. The basic skills of golf, rules and etiquette were coached through ClubGolf to these players when they were younger. Now they have been developed and coached into a successful and motivated Team. 

"I knew after last year's 5-0 defeat in the Final to Royal Aberdeen at Inverurie Golf Club that they would learn from the experience and give them more determination to be successful. They are a great group of players to manage as they are all competitive and want to do well for each other. 

"It has been a very difficult task for me to select the players for all the matches but it has brought success. The 15 team members selected over the five matches have made me very proud as Team Manager and are a credit to Kemnay Golf Club for achieving the first ever Pennant League Victory”

Underpinning both Cameron’s win in the Men’s Club Championship win and the Pennant Team success is ClubGolf and the Club’s commitment to running the national structured programme for youngsters starting in the game