Irvin to be new President

Lancashire’s Ann Irvin is to be the next President of the English Women’s Golf Association. She will take up office at the AGM next January.

“This is the most amazing honour. It is the greatest honour that England can give me and I am just so proud,” said Ann, who enjoyed a stellar career as one of the country’s foremost amateurs.

Most recently Ann has been a selector for both England and Great Britain & Ireland. She has also been president and captain of Lancashire and is an honorary member of her county; of her home club, Royal Lytham & St Annes;  and also of Lytham Green Drive Golf Club.

During her term in office Ann will actively support EWGA’s efforts to connect with its members and highlight the work the association does on behalf of England’s women club golfers.

“I feel very strongly that our members in clubs, counties and regions are most important and much valued by the association. Our elite players are also a very important part of what we do, they are our showcase,  but they tend to come and go very quickly. Our grass roots members are with us for a lifetime.”

Ann took up golf in her teens and went on to become English and British champion and to be a key member of national and international teams over a 15-year period.

She was in four Curtis Cup teams between 1962 and 1976 and was selected for a fifth, but injury prevented her from taking up her place. She played for GB&I in eight Vagliano Trophy matches against the Continent of Europe, and on five occasions was in the winning team. She twice helped Great Britain to win the Commonwealth Tournament.

Ann played for England in 11 Home Internationals – the team won 10 times – and six European team championships, winning a gold medal on three occasions.

Looking back, she says: “My proudest moment was the 1968 Curtis Cup in Ireland, when I was playing top in all the matches and halved one and won the rest. My best moment was winning my British championship at Carnoustie in 1973. That was the pinnacle for me.”

Ann’s playing career came to an end in 1977 because of back problems. She remained involved with golf for some years, as Lancashire county captain in 1979 and as GB&I captain in the World Amateur Team Championship of 1982. After a break from the game she returned as Lancashire president from 2002-04 and then accepted a role as a national and international selector.

She will succeed Elizabeth Earnshaw OBE as EWGA President at the association’s AGM on 13 January 2010

Tom Watson Leads the Open

For much of the third round at Turnberry today, Tom Watson showed the whippersnappers how to hit a golf ball off the pinched seaside turf. He shaped his shots with the precision of Rodin knocking a few chips out of a block of marble. Watson has been telling us all week that he can win this darned thing and we are finally starting to believe him.
We thought TW might win the Open this year, but we did not think TW would turn out to be Tom Watson. He said: “This old geezer might have a chance to win the tournament. It’s like Greg Norman last year. I know that my friend Jack [Nicklaus] is watching. It would be something special if I do what I intend to do.”
Watson revealed that as he walked up the 18th fairway he told his caddie: “Bruce is with us today.” Bruce is Watson’s former caddie Bruce Edwards, who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease a few years ago. It was a wonder that Watson could still two-putt through the tears.
Asked if he would be nervous going into the final round, Watson said: “I didn’t feel real nervous out there today. I guess serene is the right word for it. It ended on a real good note again. I feel like my nerves are too well fried to feel [any more]. Let’s just go with what I got.”

Fleetwood takes Scottish Title

England’s Tommy Fleetwood stormed to victory this afternoon at the Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play Championship hosted at Murcar Links, after posting his fourth consecutive sub par round in the tournament.

Fleetwood claimed his first national title extending his third round 3 shot lead to 8 shots over Perthshire’s Gavin Dear, the leading Scot and his nearest rival.

Fleetwood, who led the field from day one along with his English foursomes partner Matt Haines, continued to exert his dominance over the field which contained 13 other Walker Cup squad players including two World Champions, over the following two days.

With an opening 5 under par 66, which set a new course record over the longer layout at the Aberdeenshire links – which stood for 24 hours – followed by rounds of 69 and 67 plus a further 66 saw the Formby Hall player finish 16 under for the tournament.

Records continued to tumble as Fleetwood’s four round aggregate of 268 beat the previous tournament best total of 269 set back in 2004 at Lundin by Richie Ramsay – incidentally the previous course record holder at Murcar in it’s former layout.

The 18 year old current English Counties Champion and runner up in last year’s British Amateur, said, “For three holes on the bounce I didn’t hit one good shot at any of them but still manage to get birdies at all of them. The first time I looked at the leaderboard I was 17 under and then I dropped a shot but it was my only bogey of the day and nothing could go wrong for me today.

“It is probably the best four rounds I have strung together, certainly in a big event like this and I was feeling pretty tired towards the end. I have enjoyed a pretty solid season so far this year and this win might help put me on the plane to Merion for the Walker Cup later this year.”

With a number of R&A selectors including GB&I Walker Cup captain Colin Dalgleish in the galleries for the past few days, Fleetwood’s awesome performance will certainly have boosted his chances.

Heather plays in Mens Tourney

Heather MacRae has become the first woman in 76 years to qualify for a Scottish professional golf event – and thinks the publicity will do it good.

The assistant professional at Gullane in East Lothian will play in the SPGA Championship at Gleneagles in June.

MacRae, 25, becomes the first woman to participate in the competition since Lossiemouth’s Meg Farqhuar in 1933.

“A women taking part will certainly make it interesting,” said MacRae. “We’ll see what the reaction is like.”

The former British women’s amateur stroke-play champion came through 18 holes at Downfield in Dundee by recording a two-over-par 75 to qualify for the £55,000 tournament, which will be held at Gleneagles from 25-28 June.

Now that I have qualified in a good position, I have to aim to at least make the cut and take it from there Heather MacRae

“I have played a few competitions on the men’s circuit already, but this was my main goal,” said MacRae.

“Now that I have qualified in a good position, and I know it could have been better, I have to aim to at least make the cut and take it from there.”

Aberdour’s Antonia Ffinch, the other female competitor in the field, failed to qualify after posting an 89.

But MacRae’s older brother, Andrew, who is one of the professionals at Gleneagles, will also be taking part.

Movie test

done

Robinson looks for a Walker Cup spot

JAMES Robinson was today celebrating the biggest win of his burgeoning career after becoming the first Lancastrian to capture the Lytham Trophy, one of amateur golf’s four majors, for nearly a quarter of a century.

And the 20-year-old from Gathurst, who held off an international field to claim the title by a shot after a nerve-wracking finish, is hoping the watching Walker Cup selectors will have marked his card.

“It would be a dream to be picked for the squad,” said the Southport and Ainsdale member.

“It will be up to me to take the form to the British Amateur at Formby next month to give myself a chance. And that will be like playing in my back garden.”

Robinson was beaten in the English Amateur Championship two years ago but his performance earned him a place in the national set-up, although he has yet to earn his first cap.

That honour won’t be far away after finishing on seven-over-par for the four rounds at the tough Royal Lytham and St Annes links ahead of Welshman Benjamin Westgate whose countryman Ben Enoch was killed in a car accident on his way to the tournament last Thursday.

There’s not been a regional winner since Mike Walls, from Hillside, in 1985 but Robinson’s success was further proof of strength of Lancashire golf following David Corsby’s triumph in the West of Ireland Amateur Championship two weeks ago.

And he attributed part of his success to Monton-born Adrian Fryer, his coach at Warrington Drivetime.

Blazer

“I’d been struggling a bit and he put my swing on to a better plane,” he said.

“I played solid all day and did not make many mistakes,” he added after coolly pitching out of the rough to six feet to save his par on the last hole. But he had an anxious wait as Walker Cup cert Dale Whitnell kept on his tail until be bogeyed the relatively easy 16th hole to slip back into the pack.

Robinson also revealed that he took the advice from his dad Lindsay, his caddie, and mum Elizabeth to leave his blazer at home because he had never won anything in the past when he took it to an event.

“It’s just as well I did not have to get changed for the presentation,” he quipped.

In the best finish by regional players for years, Heysham’s Jack Senior tied third and county champion Tommy Fleetwood, from Formby Hall, was also in the top 10,

Welsh Golf Pays tribute to BEN ENOCH

Ben in action at the recent Duncan Putter championship

Welsh golf has reacted with shock to the tragic news of the death in a car accident of Wales international Ben Enoch.

Chief executive Richard Dixon summed up the feelings by saying, “Everyone is devastated by the news. Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time.

“Ben was one of the most promising golfers in Wales, a bright and vibrant personality in our teams.

“He had a chance of getting into the Walker Cup team this season, such was his talent, and would surely have represented Great Britain and Ireland at some stage before enjoying a career in professional golf.

“For this accident to happen just a few days after his 19^th birthday is heartbreaking. He had such a bright future ahead of him.”

Enoch was runner-up in the Welsh Amateur Championship last summer and had a strong start to this season challenging in all events.

He was due to go to the United States later in the year to take up a golf scholarship at East Tennessee university, where his older brother Rhys is already a student. Rhys is also a Wales international golfer.

Last summer Ben was part of the Great Britain and Ireland Boys team which won the Jacques Leglise Trophy against the continent of Europe. He also won the Clwyd Amateur last season.

Ben Enoch was based in Truro and attended Truro College, but represented the Wales Boys teams in 2006 and 2007, representing the Wales senior team in 2008 and 2009.

Zuel takes time to caddy

Henrietta Zuel, the 19 years old European Ladies Tour player, took time off from her schedule to caddy for her partner, Matt Floyd of Truro in the 2009 West of England Open Amateur Championship over the famous East course at Saunton in North Devon.

Now living in Bath, Henni, has  earnings of nearly 40,000 euros already in her short professional career. Her best result being 3rd in the 2008 Wales Ladies Championship.

Max Smith wins Mcevoy Trophy

Max Smith from Newbury Racecourse showed cool nerves to secure the Peter McEvoy Trophy in adverse conditions yesterday at Copt Heath. Max, who had played some wonderful golf throughout the tournament came to the penultimate hole level with Truro’s Billy Downing at four under par. However, a great drive and a world class approach left him a six foot birdie put, which he converted to seal victory from Downing after a solid par four at eighteenth. England Boys had a great tournament with nine England squad members finishing in the top twenty. Click here for full results

Triple tie for Title

For the first time in its 50 year history the Duncan Putter was shared by three players, Sam Mattson, Ben Westgate and Matthew Haines, all finishing on a record equalling total of  274 (6 under par).

In conditions that have never been seen before at the club, perfect Easter Holiday weather, a cloudless sky and more significantly no wind the chance of low scoring was clearly on the cards.

Sam Matton (Bowood) went into the final round with a 5 shot advantage over the field but his lead was gradually eroded as Matt Haines (Rochester and Cobham) and Welshman Ben Westgate (Trevose) came through strongly to level the scores.

Westgate a member of the 2009 Walker cup squad almost made the title his own when his approach to the 18th struck the pin and ended 20 feet from the hole – he was further frustrated when his birdie putt lipped out.

Haines, recent winner of the Berkhamsted Trophy and also a Walker cup squad member, had the best final round of 65 to go with his 67, 74 and 68.

Matton, who nearly pulled out of the championship due to a family beareavement showed great courage in putting together rounds of 70, 67, 66 and 71.

Defending champion, Nigel Edwards, looking for a hat-trick of titles made every effort to retain the title but his first round total of 72 made it an up hill task and eventually ended up in 5th place with a total of 277.

Ben Enoch (Truro) led after the first two rounds but struggled in the final days play to end in 8th place on 280. However took the special prize for being the best Welsh under 21 player.

Colin Edwards

Today I visited Bristol to photograph the newly appointed Captain of the England Golf team, Colin Edwards at his office, CAPGEMINI. Now 45, he was an England International from 1991 to 2003 during which time he played in 86 matches and won 47. In 1999 he was a Walker cup team reserve.

Luke Goddard in Argentina

1. 

BIRDIE BURST EARNS GODDARD ARGENTINE TITLE

Luke Goddard helped himself to an early Christmas present when he won the Argentine Amateur Open Championship in Buenos Aires.

The young England international came from 2-down after lunch to beat Leandro Marelli of Argentina 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Golf Club Nordelta.

The pair were all-square at halfway but Goddard lost the 21st and 22nd holes. However, the Hendon golfer is a fighter and he hit back with four birdies in five holes from the 25th to go 2-up while further wins at the 30th and 32nd sealed his victory.

Goddard, who made his full England debut in September’s Home Internationals at Muirfield, is believed to be the first English player to win the title which was contested by a strong international field.

Having qualified in joint 12th place, Goddard proved to be the scourge of the Argentineans. In the first round he beat Julian Clarke 2&1 then France Grillo 3&1.

Another home player, Tomas Cocha fell to the Englishman in round three although Goddard needed 20 holes to shake him off which earned him a quarter final spot against Scotland’s Philip McLean.

That battle went to the 21st before Goddard prevailed then the 20 year old saw off Australia’s Jason Scrivener 2&1 to reach the final. Again Goddard found himself 2-down after nine holes but again showed his battling qualities to unsettle Scrivener.

Goddard’s international colleague Matt Haines also reached the match play stage by qualifying equal 16th. He then beat Julio Merlini of Argentina 5&3 before completing a 3&2 success over Finland’s Kalle Samooja.

However, Scott Borrowman, the leading qualifier, proved too strong in the round of the last 16, beating the Kent man 2&1.

Dubai:  Ten years is long enough to change the course of one’s life, as Maria Verchenova found out after visiting a golf course in the Czech Republic.

Within a decade, the Russian’s chance encounter with the game – she was at the golf course having coffee with her father – developed from mere fascination into a profession. Today, Verchenova is widely considered the first lady of Russian golf. She is also the only active professional on the Ladies European Tour from a country which has served up several tennis greats.

Verchenova is upset that golf does not enjoy tennis-like popularity in her country, and hopes the winds of change blow golf’s way some time soon. “Golf in Russia? What about golf in Russia?” asked Verchenova, following her superb six-under second round at the ongoing Dubai Ladies Masters yesterday.

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“Golf is not at all popular in Russia. It’s not even as popular as football or ice hockey and we need to change this. We need to develop this. Hopefully, in a few years’ time, it will grow a bit more, but for that we need to get more young guys and girls playing golf. I think we are working very hard at it.”

The 22-year-old from Moscow, however, found the going easy at Emirates Golf Club, where she made six birdies to get into the group seeking to end Annika Sorenstam’s domination at the event. Birdies on her 2nd, 4th, 5th and 8th holes meant Verchenova made the turn on 32, and two more on last two holes of the back nine ensured she finished as one of the highest climbers on the second day.

Wins

Aged just 18, she won the Russian Amateur Championship in 2004. The following year brought her more success on the Amateur circuit with victories in Latvia and Slovenia. She won the Russian title again in 2006, while setting herself up for another shot at the LET Qualifying School, from which she failed to graduate in 2005.

But her super performance yesterday put her on course to improving on her best placing in 2008, a level-fifth finish at the Tenerife Ladies Open in June.

“I like being the only one from Russia here [on the LET]; it feels good and I really want to show kids [back home] that we can play golf and we can play well. I don’t care whether I’m the youngest or whether I’m the oldest; it just doesn’t matter to me. My main aim is to play good golf.”

Sharapova, for now, may be at the top of the list when it comes to Russia’s sporting greats, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the up and coming Verchenova.

DUBAI – Sunday 14th December 2008) — England’s Melissa Reid, the top newcomer on the Ladies European Tour all season, has sealed the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Award, in association with the Bill Johnson Trophy.

Reid was presented with the award by her childhood idol Annika Sorenstam at the season-ending Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club.

With €136,606 in earnings from 15 tournaments, Reid finished the year €85,280 ahead of her nearest rival Caroline Afonso of France on the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Order of Merit.

“I’m delighted to win this award,” said 21-year-old Reid, who earned seven top 10 finishes in her first full season as a professional.

She was second three times, at the ABN AMRO Ladies Open in Holland, the Ladies English Open and at the Nykredit Masters in Denmark and said that she rated her experience in Denmark as the highlight.

“I think playing in Denmark, the last round with Annika was pretty special, as it was her last tournament in Europe. I’m just a bit disappointed not to have finished it off but it was a great experience playing with her,” Reid said, who finished four shots ahead of the Swede at the event.

“I think the last two years, I have improved tremendously. There’s still a lot of work to do. My wedge play is pretty poor. If I could improve that I could put myself into contention a lot more than I do.

“I just want that win. I enjoy working hard and you get rewarded for it. You certainly get what you put into golf. If you really want to do this you have to understand how much you do have to work hard at it and how much of your time it does take.”

As a recipient of the rookie title, Reid will follow in the footsteps of Laura Davies (1985), Helen Alfredsson (1989), Annika Sorenstam (1993) and Suzann Pettersen (2001).

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, said: “We are delighted that Melissa’s first year as a professional golfer has been so successful and we would like to congratulate her on winning this prestigious title. With three runner-up places this season, Melissa has already confirmed her great potential and we look forward to following her progress as she takes her game to the next level. This is just the start of her journey and we wish her all the very best for the future.”

Rob Holt, Chief Executive of Ryder Cup Wales, said: “Congratulations to Melissa who has been named 2008’s Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year. Melissa made a real impact in her rookie year including playing well in challenging conditions at the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, at Machynys. It was a great year for the rookies including Wales’ own Lydia Hall who finished in 6th place, behind Melissa, in the Rookie of the Year Order of Merit. We look forward to seeing Melissa and Lydia further develop in 2009 and welcoming all players to Royal St David’s, in Harlech, in August (6-9) for the 9th year of the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.”

Reid will continue to compete on the Ladies European Tour next season. As well as winning her first tournament, she also hopes to qualify for Alison Nicholas’ European Solheim Cup team that will travel to the United States for the matches at Rich Harvest Farms, Illinois, in August 2009.

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, has been awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour in recognition of his outstanding achievement in capturing his first Major title at Augusta National in April.
The 29 year old South African was presented with his membership card as the 32nd honorary member by Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for the European Tour, at the South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates as he continued his season-long quest to win The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule.
Immelman has been a strong supporter of the European Tour since his early professional days on the Challenge Tour, where he won the 2000 Tusker Kenya Open before collecting four titles on the European Tour including his tremendous Masters victory earlier this year.
Immelman is the fourth South African player to be awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour, following his fellow Major champions Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.
“I actually have goosebumps just thinking about this,” said Immelman. “It’s a cliché, but it’s a dream come true to become an honorary life member of the European Tour. I grew up here in South Africa watching professional golf, watching the European Tour, listening to Renton Laidlaw commentate about Seve and Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam and all those guys.
“So for me to join them and become an honorary life member of the European Tour is something that’s just extremely special for me and that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“I started my professional career on the European Tour ‑ it must be 10 years now, so it’s exciting for me. It’s also exciting to be part of The Race to Dubai. I think it’s been an incredible move by the European Tour. They have created a premiere package and made a big spectacle of what the Tour was, and to get this sort of a system going into the big events at the end of the year in Dubai, it’s fantastic.
“I travel all over the world, and you know, this move by the European Tour has garnered a lot of interest. A lot of people are talking about it and a lot of people are excited about it. It’s an exciting time for the European Tour and it’s great for me to be part of that.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “This award is accorded to very special players who have won Major championships or contributed significantly to the European Tour. Both of those criteria apply to Trevor, who has been a great ambassador for the European Tour since his early days on the Challenge Tour.
“We are delighted to honour a player who has not only played marvellous golf on the European Tour, but displayed considerable fortitude and skill in fending off the challenge from many of the world’s greatest players to capture the Masters tournament in April.”

Gavin Dear wins Dixie title by
two shots

Perth international golfer Gavin Dear has become the first Scottish winner of the Dixie men’s amateur championship in the 78 years of the prestigious Florida festive period tournament at Heron Bay Golf Club, Coral Springs.
Dear (pictured right by Tom Ward Photography), who won the Eisenhower Trophy men’s world amateur team title with Wallace Booth and Callum Macaulay in Australia in October, had two shots to spare in the end after carrying a five-stroke lead into the last of the four rounds.
The Murrayshall Golf Club member was able to hold on for victory despite shooting a two-over-par 74 for a 15-under-par total of 273.

“Hold on” does not, perhaps, give the true picture because Gavin had seen his lead shrink to two shots after 10 holes when his nearest rival and playing partner, Vaughn Snyder, birdied the ninth and 10th.

But Dear responded to the pressure in fine style and, with the help of some birdies, pulled away again from the field to be four strokes clear with two holes to play. He deliberately took no chances at the 17th and 18th, being content to bogey both, safe in the knowledge that he had enough shots in hand.
His earlier rounds were 70, 62 and 67.
Vaughn Snyder finished runner-up with a 71 for 275.
Tournament director Jeff Hunt said this year’s field was three times stronger than last year. Dear, scoring the biggest individual win of his career, might just about rise into the top 50 of the R&A World Amateur Rankings on the back of his victory over a field of mainly American college circuit players.
He is currently ranked No 59.

Later, Gavin Dear E-mailed the following comments to Scottishgolfview.com

“The scoring was much higher on the final day, as the whole course was playing in a strong cross wind. The greenkeepers double-rolled the greens, making them much quicker than the previous three days, and also very treacherous.

“I started off with two pars, bogeyed the third, but birdied four and five. I then four-putted the seventh for a double bogey. I also bogeyed the ninth to go out in 38. My playing partner Vaughn Snyder holed two very good putts on 9 and 10 to birdie both and get to within two shots of me.

“I managed to birdie 13 and 14 to extend my lead to four shots. I then bogeyed the 15th but birdied the 16th, restoring my four-shot lead. I then just avoided the water on both the 17th and 18th, playing very safe and finished with two bogeys for a 74 to win by two shots

“I was delighted to win obviously, but also to play well on the back nine, hitting the correct shots at the right time and making a few putts along the way.”
Previous winners of the Dixie men’s amateur championship include Frank Stranahan, Lanny Wadkins, Andy Bean, Hal Sutton and Jesper Parnevik.

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By ELSPETH BURNSIDE

It was quite a year for Carly Booth in 2008. As a 15-year-old at St Andrews in June, she became the youngest-ever Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup player. She then added to her impressive golfing CV in September by competing in the Junior Ryder Cup in America.
Now, aged 16, she has continued her pioneering ways by becoming the first girl to be awarded a golf scholarship at the prestigious Glenalmond College in Perthshire.

Following spells at school in Florida and Arizona, the girl who first hit the global golfing headlines when she became Comrie club champion at the age of 11 is delighted to be back home as a day girl at the school recently featured in the BBC2 documentary series, Pride and Privilege.

And while it might need an extra nudge to get out on to the practice range during a Scottish winter, Carly, picture © †om ward, demonstrated that her game remains in fine fettle.

In Abu Dhabi in November, she became only the third girl to successfully defend the Daily Telegraph Junior girls’ championship.

“It was my first trip to Abu Dhabi, and it was a really good week,” said Booth, who won by an emphatic half dozen shots from England’s Alex Peters. “Last year, the event was in Dubai so it was great to retain the trophy.”

While a professional golf career surely beckons in the future, life for this glamorous and thoroughly modern miss is, as yet, not totally ruled by golf. She enrolled at Glenalmond in September, and has a busy academic timetable.

“I’ve settled in very well, everything to do with school is really good and I’ll be here for two years,” she said. “I’m in the lower sixth and studying for four A levels – English, business, physical education and art.

“I also get plenty opportunities to play golf, either at the school’s course, Gleneagles or at our own course at my home in Comrie.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, a teenager who is comfortable travelling around the globe admits that a Scottish home life does have certain drawbacks.

“The weather certainly isn’t as nice as the States,” admitted the youngster who has just spent Christmas and New Year in Arizona and finished in the top 20 at the prestigious Silver Belle tournament.

The only serious girl golfer at Glenalmond, Booth can enlist a few boys as playing partners, and she is very happy that she can compete on equal terms.

“There are five really good players, although none of them have golf as their first sport.”

At home, there is plenty of sporting banter. Carly’s father, Wally, was a silver medal-winner for Scotland in weight-lifting at the 1966 Commonwealth Games, and older brother Wallace recently helped Scotland win the world amateur team championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia.

And while Carly was holding on to her trophy in Abu Dhabi, her other brother, Paul, a Downs Syndrome youngster, was retaining the British Under-23 power-lifting title for those with special needs.

Next summer, Carly might even have to take a momentary step back into Booth family sporting shadows as Wallace hopes to play in the Walker Cup match in the United States and Paul expects to be representing Tayside at the Special Olympics in Leicester.

As for Glenalmond, the school is delighted to have such a perky personality and talented individual as the school’s first beneficiary of the new and innovative golfing award. The scholarship is funded by the Old Glenalmond Golfing Society and was launched as part of their 75th anniversary celebrations.

Golf has been played at 160-year-old Glenalmond for over a century and the OGGS president, Gordon Thorburn, commented: “We are delighted that Carly is the first recipient of our scholarship. We believe scholarships like these are important to the future success of young people with particular talents.

“It can help them access an education and facilities that perhaps would not otherwise have been available to them. We have received encouraging support from OGGS members in our fund-raising for the scholarship and I hope many future generations will benefit from it.”

While a tournament-playing golf career has been Carly’s presumed destiny for many years, she is certainly in no rush to embark down such a pressurised route. At the moment, she just wants to be – well, at least for some of the time – the same as any other teenager.

“I’m really grateful to have been given the scholarship,” she concluded. “I’ll have two years here before I even think about turning professional. At the moment, I just want to enjoy my time at school and on the golf course.”

SKILFUL SIX AIM TO RECAPTURE COSTA BALLENA TITLE

Having been pipped at the post for the past two years, England is sending six members of its talented ‘A’ squad to Spain at the end of January in a bid to recapture the annual Costa Ballena Quadrangular Tournament title.

The skilful six are: Jonathan Gidney (Church Stretton), Miles Mackman (Broome Manor), Matt Nixon (Ashton-under-Lyne), James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale), Tom Shadbolt (Mid Herts) and Michael Swan (Stoke by Nayland) – and they will take on teams from Finland, Germany, and hosts Spain at Costa Ballena on 28th – 30th January.

Having won the title in 2005 and 2006, the England team have been denied on the final day for the past two years, both times by Spain, after having the title in their grasp.

This time they are determined to go one better and will give a first overseas opportunity to Jonathan Gidney, 21, from Shropshire & Herefordshire. Gidney has been the Midland Youth champion for the past three years and also holds the Welsh Youth Championship.

Miles Mackman, 22, from Wiltshire, is the only member of the squad to play in last year’s match. A former winner of the Lagonda Trophy, last year he won the West of England Match Play Championship and the South West Youths Championship.

Matt Nixon, 19, was the British Boys champion in 2006, the year he also finished runner-up in the Lancashire County and Boys Championships.  He finished second again in the Lancashire Championship last year, tied third in the North of England Youths and helped Lancashire win the County Championship.

James Robinson, 20, from Lancashire, was a semi-finalist in the 2007 English Amateur and last year enjoyed a string of high finishes, winning the Formby Hare and Pines Trophy, finishing second in the S&A Bowl and the Scottish Youths and was another member of Lancashire’s victorious County Championship team.

Tom Shadbolt, 20, is a former Hertfordshire County and Boys champion who finished second in the Lagonda Trophy and fourth in the Lee Westwood Trophy, both in 2007. Last year, he was a member of the under 21 squad and this will be his maiden foreign assignment with the EGU.

Michael Swan, 19, another talent to emerge from the Stoke by Nayland club, will also be enjoying his first EGU overseas trip. Fourth in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the Suffolk Championship in 2007, he was also in last year’s under 21 squad.

As in previous years, the Costa Ballena competition will be played on a round robin basis, each match comprising three foursomes and six singles.

ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS CHALLENGE FOR JONES CUP

Eight members of the England squad will get their first taste of international action for 2009 when they line up in the biennial Jones Invitational Cup in the United States at the start of February.

The group comprises Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Luke Goddard (Hendon), Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham), Sam Hutsby (Liphook), Chris Paisley (Stocksfield), Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills), Steve Uzzell (Hornsea) and Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes).

A field of 84 players, including the top amateurs from the US, Scotland and Wales, will compete over 54 holes of stroke play at Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia, on 6th – 8th February.

Fleetwood, 18, became a boy cap in 2007 and last year was boy captain while making his full England debut in the Home Internationals in Scotland. Also in 2008, he finished runner-up in the Amateur Championship but won the Lancashire Championship and the English County Champions Tournament, both in playoffs.

Goddard, 20, enjoyed a triumphant 2008, with victories in the South of England Stroke Play and the Argentine Amateur Championship, while he was runner-up in the Selborne and Hampshire Salvers and the Lagonda Trophy. He also made his full England debut in the Home Internationals, was selected for the Eisenhower Trophy team and was a member of the winning side in the Portugal Nations Cup.

Haines, 19, made his full England debut against France last May and played in the European Men’s Team Championships and the Home Internationals. He won the Lytham Trophy and represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy. On his last visit to the US, Haines finished equal fifth in the Thunderbird Junior Championship.

Hutsby, 20, was another member of last year’s Eisenhower Trophy team, having won the Bernard Darwin Salver and finished runner-up in the Welsh Open Stroke Play and fourth in the St Andrews Links Trophy. A former Spanish Amateur champion, he made his full England debut in the 2007 Home Internationals, played in all of last year’s international team events and the St Andrews Trophy.

Paisley, 22, is in the US at the University of Tennessee where he has claimed several successes. Although he won the Czech Amateur Championship on this side of the Atlantic last year, he finished runner-up in the Tillman Trophy, the South of England Stroke Play and the English Amateur Championship. He also represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy.

Sherreard, 21, is also in America at Georgia State University. A former McEvoy Trophy winner, he reached the semi-finals of the England Amateur in 2008, won the South East Qualifying and made his full England debut in the Home Internationals. He also starred in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, finishing 19th.

Uzzell, 25, made his full England debut against France last May but played only one match because of injury. However, he recovered to win the Brabazon Trophy at Trevose while he also won the Russian Amateur, represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy and England in the Home Internationals.

Whitnell, 20, twice North of England Youth champion, has been a full England international for the past two years and was the third member of the Eisenhower Trophy team. He won the Lagonda and Tillman Trophies in 2008, was runner-up to Haines in the Lytham Trophy and was a semi-finalist in the Australian Amateur Championship. He was also a member of the GB&I St Andrews Trophy team.

The Jones Cup was inaugurated in 2001 as a prelude to the Walker Cup at Sea Island and so far the title has eluded English players. The most successful has been Gary Wolstenholme who finished tied fifth in 2001 while Jamie Elson was equal sixth two years later.

Results can be accessed via the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org <http://www.englishgolfunion.org>  or by visiting the Jones Cup Invitational website, www.jonescupinvitational.com <http://www.jonescupinvitational.com> .

A total of 55 players, including 15 amateurs, have earned the chance to play on the Ladies European Tour this year after surviving the 54-hole cut at Final Qualifying School in Spain.

All 55 players who made the cut mark of 226, seven-under-par, have secured playing rights for the 2009 season and will progress to the last day.

At the end of Thursday’s final round the top 30 players will achieve a much higher ranking, which will guarantee their entry into most of the tournaments on the schedule.

At the end of the third round, Anna Nordqvist was poised to earn her full tour card for the 2009 season. The 21-year-old from the town of Eskilstuna in Southern Sweden led the field with a three-round total of eight-under-par 211. She followed opening rounds of 75 and 69 with a six-under 67 on the South Course at La Manga. She mixed one bogey with seven birdies for her 67, which was the lowest round of the tournament.

Beginning the day in sunny but windy conditions, Nordqvist went out in one-under 36 and fired five birdies over the back nine for an inward total of five-under, 31.

“It’s all about getting into the top 30 and this is obviously where you want to be,” said the 6-foot tall Nordqvist, who holds non-exempt status as a rookie on the US LPGA Tour. “It’s early in the season and I’m happy just to play some good golf because I didn’t get that much practise over Christmas at home in Sweden.”

Nordqvist already boasts a record of which many LET professionals would be proud. She was the 2008 British Amateur Champion and the leading amateur at both the RICOH Women’s British Open and 2008 Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika, where she tied for 42nd and 6th respectively.

Having turned professional on 1st January with a handicap of +4.8 she is now looking forward to life on tour. “I want to continue to get better and see how well I can play,” she said. “There are many parts of my game that can be improved. Hopefully I can play some good golf in Europe and also improve my status on the LPGA.”

Scotland’s Lynn Kenny finished the day one shot behind Nordqvist in second position after an excellent round of five-under 68. Meanwhile the second round leader Beth Allen was third on six-under-par. Finland’s Jenni Kuosa looks set to regain her full card, finishing the day in fourth position.

County Durham’s Ellie Givens is a success on the golf course and at her studies – and her dual skills have won her an award from the English Women’s Golf Association.

Ellie, 19, who plays at Blackwell Grange, is the winner of the Silver Tee award for the way she combines her golf and her education.

The award was announced at the annual meeting of the association but Ellie was unable to accept in person – because she was away studying at the University of Denver in the USA.

But the former English girls’ champion sent an email message to the meeting.
She told members: “I have put a great deal of effort and time into both my academic studies and my golf. It’s been very hard work but also extremely enjoyable and rewarding. It means a great deal to me that this has been recognised and I intend to go on trying to raise my standards in the future.”

Ellie is in her second year at university and is studying finance. She won the English girls’ championship in 2007 and also represented England at the girls’ European team championship and girls’ home internationals. In the same year she won the Durham strokeplay and girls’ championships.

Last year, she achieved good results in US college tournaments, including two top-ten finishes. During her summer break at home she was third in the English strokeplay championship and reached the matchplay stages of the British championship.

Is Monty about to be the 2010 Ryder Cup Captain?

All I have ever said is that I would like to help the European cause in any way shape or form in 2010,” he said.

Well actually that’s not what he has always said. This represents a subtle and significant shift that opens the way for the Scot to be Nick Faldo’s successor.

He also confirmed that the issue of the captain’s age had been discussed at length when the Tournament Committee met here on Tuesday.

The feeling was that Faldo at 50 was perhaps too far removed from the younger members of the team. Monty would be 51 in 2014 which is when he has always said he would like to be captain.

Could the discussion of this issue have led to the odds tumbling? Monty thought that might be the case.

He also confirmed the next meeting of the Tournament Committee will be on Wednesday January 28 and was categorical that an announcement would follow. This has since been confirmed by the European Tour.

“We have to get the best man for the job,” Montgomerie reiterated.

Until now he has always championed the cause of fellow Scot Sandy Lyle. Again there was a subtle shift.

“I have always said it would be a great shame for Sandy not to get selected and it would be, but that’s not my end decision. I’m just one voice on the committee,” he said.

Appointing Montgomerie for Celtic Manor makes a lot of sense. It would free up Jose Maria Olazabal for the away match in 2012 and removes the age issue that would otherwise haunt Monty at Gleneagles in 2014.

It would be a big blow to Ian Woosnam supporters but it has been hard to detect any enthusiasm among the committee to re-appoint a former skipper.

After Montgomerie’s second round 67 there were smiles and quips all round, autograph hunters were obliged and he was in his element, centre stage once again.

He didn’t say anything that could be construed as letting the cat out of the bag in the 10 minutes he spent with us, but his body language and demeanour spoke volumes.

Paul Casey wins again

Paul Casey survived a late scare to secure the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by a single shot from Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer.

The 31 year old Englishman led by six shots at the turn but his form with the putter deserted him on the back nine and the South African’s brilliant 64 left Casey needing to par the last two holes.

Defending champion Kaymer eagled the last for a round of 67 – which would have seen him into a play-off had recently married Casey not held his nerve to two putt from 12 feet on the 18th green, eventually posting a two under par 70 for a tournament total 21 under 26

Zack Saltman, centre,  today joined his two older brothers, Elliot and Lloyd, in the professional golf ranks and was immediately given a flying start to his new career. (image © tom ward)
Aegon, the Edinburgh-based life assurance and pensions company, is sponsoring the 20-year-old – he has his birthday on December 23 – in his rookie season, having already signed up Elliot and Lloyd when they turned professional.

“I am delighted that ‘Team Saltman’ will all be playing under the Aegon banner in 2009,” said Jack Saltman, father of the golfing siblings and also their manager, at a Press Conference today.

“They have all played golf together for a long time now and it is great that Aegon are able to sponsor the three of them in the midst of a credit crunch.”

Sandy Begbie, Director of HR and Corporate Responsibility at Aegon, added: “It is a very exciting time for Zack as he follows in his brothers’ footsteps in his bid to succeed in professional golf.

“It’s so unusual to see such a high level of sporting talent in three brothers. Ageon is committed to developing talent and we are delighted to support all three Saltman brothers at this important stage in their careers.”

Zack, who won the World Hickory Open (pictured above) when he was 17, represented Scotland as an amateur at both under-16 and under-18 level and was runner-up behind his Craigielaw clubmate, Shaun McAllister, in the Scottish boys’ stroke-play Championship in 2006.

Last year, he finished fifth in a strong field for the Scottish Stroke-play Championship, having also secured a top-ten placing in the Welsh equivalent the previous week.

“Having caddied for both Elliot and Lloyd in professional events in recent years, I know the standard of everyone out there and this sponsorship from Aegon is giving me the opportunity to go out and see what I can do,” said Zack, whose initial target will be to try and qualify for the EuroPro Tour.

Elliot will be spending some of his time on that circuit this season but also has eight guaranteed starts on the Challenge Tour, where Lloyd has a full calendar of events to look forward to.

“I know it is going to be a challenge but I won’t have to worry about the financial side of things in my first year,” said Zack. “My aim will be to try and get on to the Challenge Tour for 2010.”

While he may be the youngest of the trio, Zack says he’s quite often been taking money off his two brothers in their bounce games at Craigielaw, the excellent facility that has become their home base over the last few years.

“When we go out for a game, we’ll probably play for a fiver and I’ve been winning that money a bit already,” he added with a smile. “Now the ultimate aim for me will be to try and overtake them on the climb up the golfing ladder.”

While the brothers share the same sponsor, they now all have different coaches, with only Lloyd, the 2005 Open Championship Silver Medal winner, currently working with Colin Brooks.

Elliot has teamed up with Padraig Harrington’s coach, Bob Torrance, while Zack is with Derek Scott, the professional at Craigielaw.

“One of the main things I have been working on with Derek is how to score better when you are maybe not swinging as well as you should be,” said Zack. “And, while I have yet to put that to the test in a competitive environment, I certainly feel good about it.”

On Elliot’s switch to Largs-based Torrance, Zack revealed: “It was Elliot who asked if I’d approach Bob to see if he’d work with him and, having a good relationship with Sam Torrance and his son, Daniel, I didn’t see any harm in doing so.

“Elliot was delighted when Bob said ‘yes’ and, having stripped down his swing, he’s been building it back up again over the winter. He’s been going down to Largs two or three times a week and that’s what he’s been needing.”

Colin Montgomerie has been named as captain of the Europe team for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Wales’ Celtic Manor.

The 45-year-old, an eight-time Ryder Cup veteran, was one of two leading contenders for the role along with 2008 vice-captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

“This is obviously one of my proudest moments,” said the Scot.

“It is a huge responsibility having lost the last Ryder Cup. It is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in 2010.”

Montgomerie suggested that he would like Olazabal to be part of his support staff.

“I have an understanding and respect for Olazabal, and I’m sure he will be part of my team at Celtic Manor,” he added.

The eight-time winner of the European Order of Merit will go up against Corey Pavin who was named as the United States captain for the 2010 event, last December.

Montgomerie with the Ryder cup

Rory win first tour event

Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy claimed his maiden professional tournament win with a nervy victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 19-year-old had led by six strokes, but Justin Rose moved to within one shot coming onto the final hole.

The Englishman narrowly missed a birdie putt to force a play-off on the 18th, with McIlroy saving par for the win.

He closed with a two-under par 70 for a total of 19-under, while Rose carded 67 to secure second place.

The win elevates McIlroy to 13th in the world rankings, while it also makes him the seventh youngest winner in European Tour history.

Since turning pro in 2007, McIlroy came close to victory in the European Masters and this season’s Hong Kong Open but lost both in a play-off.

Lloyd goes to Texas

Chris Lloyd, one of the most talented youngsters in England, will represent the English Golf Union (EGU) in the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods in Texas on 14th – 16th February.

The 17 year old from Bristol will compete in an international field of 78 players over 54 holes of stroke play over the Fazio-designed Championship Course.

Lloyd (photo ©   Tom Ward) has enjoyed a steady rise on the national scene since winning the Gloucestershire under 15 title in 2004. He finished tied third in the weather-curtailed Reid Trophy at Gosforth in 2006 and has been an Under 16 International for the past two years.

In 2007, The Kendleshire golfer won the South West Boys Under 16 Championship, tied first in the North of England Under 16 Championship and won the Hazards Salver for the best score by an Under 16 when finished runner-up in the Carris Trophy at Saunton.

Last year, he completed his maiden overseas success when winning the Ernie Els World Junior title in South Africa. He also won the North of England Under 16 title outright and finished runner-up in the Gloucestershire Championship.

He was also a member of the winning England team in the Honda Junior Championship in Japan and finished fifth in the European Young Masters in France.

A member of the England Under 18 Squad for 2009, Lloyd will join leading juniors from Argentina, Australia, Japan, Mexico and South Africa as well as the top American juniors in the sunshine of Texas.

English Champion in 2009 Walker Cup Squad

Scotland’s World Amateur Team Championship winners, Wallace Booth and Gavin Dear, have been included in the Great Britain & Ireland squad ahead of September’s Walker Cup. The final team of ten players to face the USA will be selected in August.

The two young Scots who, together with Callum Macaulay, lifted the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia last October, form part of a 28-man group that will meet at Formby Golf Club on 28 & 29 April. Also in the 2009 squad is Welshman, Nigel Edwards, who will be attempting to reach his fifth consecutive Walker Cup and England’s Thomas Sherreard, second-placed amateur and 19th overall at The 2008 Open Championship.

Other selected individuals include Sherreard’s compatriot, Tommy Fleetwood, runner-up at last year’s Amateur Championship; Shane Lowry, Paul Cutler and Niall Kearney, all members of Ireland’s winning team at the 2008 European Amateur Team Championships; and Welsh brothers Ben and Rhys Enoch.  The current English Amateur champion, Todd Adcock is one of ten Englishmen to be selected. (image © Tom Ward)

“As a squad, we go into the 2009 season with a lot of confidence,” commented Walker Cup Captain, Colin Dalgleish. “Great Britain & Ireland currently have both the reigning European and World Amateur Team Championship winners and we have over half of the players that won those events in the talented group we have assembled.”

“Only Nigel Edwards has had previous Walker Cup experience but all of the selected individuals have plenty of team match play under their belts,” added Chairman of Selectors, Tony Disley. “A large proportion have also spent extended periods playing college golf in the States and we hope this will pay dividends at Merion.”

The 2009 Walker Cup will take place at Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania, on 12 & 13 September. Merion is famous for having hosted more USGA championship tournaments than any other and for being the place where Bobby Jones completed his 1930 Grand Slam.

Norman Forrest is the new EGU President

Norman Forrest, a long-serving member of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, has been installed as President of the English Golf Union at its annual general meeting at Woodhall Spa.
As he succeeds Roy Case at the helm of the EGU, Forrest hopes his year in office will see more golf clubs taking advantage of the many facilities the Union has to offer.
Norman says: “I would encourage all clubs to take advantage of the support available and also to attend the many seminars, road shows and workshops held throughout the country on a range of subjects of interest to golf club administrators.
“Remember, YOU are the English Golf Union and we are here to support you.”
Norman is keen to underline the fact that he is first and foremost ‘a club man’ and to that end he knows the many areas in which clubs can help themselves through the diverse areas of golf that the EGU provides.
He is also keen to see clubs reverse the trend of diminishing memberships in difficult economic times.
“It is ironic that whilst interest in golf is increasing, membership of our clubs is on the decline,” he adds. “We must all work together to remedy this trend. I know it is uppermost in the minds of our Chief Executive and the EGU Board. Let us hope we are successful in our efforts but we must also ensure that it is not at the expense of the standards and traditions that we hold so dear.”
Norman, 73, is a retired director of a Bolton-based family business specialising in all types of structural timberwork. He is a past Captain, Honorary Life Member and Trustee of Walmersley Golf Club and a member of Royal Lytham & St Anne’s Golf Club.
A Past President of the Bury and District Golf Association, he was President of Lancashire in 1992 and is still active as a member of its Administration Committee. He was the Lancashire representative on the EGU Council in 1995 and 1996 and on the EGU’s Executive from 2003-2005, serving on Finance and Presidents Advisory Committees.
Currently he is a Director and Chairman of the EGU’s Property Company Ltd and has been since 2005. He admits to being a golfer of limited ability, currently playing off an 18 handicap and rising but a strong supporter of etiquette and standards within the game.
Norman is married to Eva and they have three children and six grandchildre

Englishman wins Portugese Amateur

England provided four of the top seven finishers in the championship, including both participants in the sudden-death play-off which was required after Dale Whitnell from Five Lakes, Essex tied with compatriot Jamie Abbot (Fynn Valley, Suffolk) on six-under-par 210.
Twenty-year-old Whitnell won the play-off with a birdie at the second extra hole.
He had rounds of 71, 68 and 71, starting off his final round in glorious style with an eagle 3. Birdies at the fifth and seventh, either side of a bogey at the sixth, were cancelled out by a double bogey 6 at the eighth, which put him out in 35 but he fell back to level par again with a bogey at the 11th.
Eventually, it was a birdie at the 16th that got Whitnell into the play-off.
Abbot scored 73, 69 and 68 with birdies in his final round at the third, seventh, ninth, 11th, 13th and 14th. He had bogeys at the fourth, eighth and, crucially, another at the 15th. A par there would have won him the title with a total of 209. But 33 home for 68 put him on 210 and into a play-off situation.
Dutchman Reinier Saxton, winner of the British Amateur title at Turnberry last year, finished third with a closing 70 for 212, two strokes out of the play-off.
Luke Goddard, winner of the Argentine title in December was a creditable joint fourth on 213 with a second Dutchman, Jurrian Van Der Vaart who played the American college circuit for four years with first the University of Minnesota before a transfer to Virginia Tech.
Jurrian led the field after 36 holes but nosedived to a 76 with the pressure on over the final 18 holes.
Sam Hutsby was the fourth Englishman in the picture. He finished joint sixth with defending champion Pedro Figueiredo of Portugal on 214.

WOODS FEE UPSETS THE AUSSIES

Tiger Woods will play his first tournament in Australia for more than a decade later this year but it has sparked a row over his appearance fee.

Woods is reportedly being paid $3m (£2.1m) to compete in November’s Australian Masters but there is concern it will impact on other events.

Australia’s former Open winner Peter Thomson said: “In my view it’s going to damage our national Open.

“He won’t be playing in that but it sucks up potential sponsorship.”

The Australian Open takes place two weeks after the Masters in Melbourne. But Stuart Appleby, one of Australia’s leading players, said Woods would have a positive influence on the local circuit.

“It will be great for the game and bring out a lot of people who haven’t seen him before, in person, not on a video game,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people hurting in Australia, and they might look negatively that one guy is paid $3m just to turn up.

“The common man won’t understand the business model because the government is paying for it. They might not see the money he brings in.”

The Victoria state tax payers will reportedly cover half the cost of Woods’ visit via the government support for the event.

But state premier John Brumby predicted Woods’ appearance would earn $19m (£9m) in economic benefits.

It will be Woods’ fourth tournament appearance down under and first since the 1998 Presidents Cup, when the US lost to the International team at Royal Melbourne.

England take a 7-5 lead into final day against Spain

Halfway through the friendly international match between England and Spain at La Reserva Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain, England has taken the lead 7-5 going into Sunday’s final 36 holes. It was a day when a cool breeze kept the windcheaters on and one could say that the state of some of the matches varied with the wind. Having made the 9 hole turn in the morning foursomes up in all four matches England allowed the Spanish team to come back and take one of the points as the team of Hutsby/Whitnell lost their match. Both Hutsby and Whitnell came back strong in the afternoon singles though with comfortable wins early to try and lead their fellow teammates. With Haines and Ford following in their footsteps and the other four matches turning to Spain the afternoon was tied in a half. Charlie Ford and Matt Haines both captured two points by winning their respective two matches. For full results of day one click here.

Tomorrow’s final day will begin with foursomes at 09.00 local Spanish time. Sunday foursomes:

Sam Hutsby/Dale Whitnell – Juan Fco. Sarasti/Carlos Pigem

Charlie Ford/Todd Adcock – Pedro Erice/Borja Virto

Tommy Fleetwood/Matt Haines – Pedro Oriol/Antonio Hortal

Luke Goddard/Eddie Pepperell – Moises Cobo/Sebastian garcia R.

England win in Spain

FOURSOMES THE KEY TO ENGLAND’S SUCCESS IN SPAIN

England completed their 12th victory in 13 internationals with Spain going back to 1985 when they came out on top in the biennial match at La Reserva in Sotogrande.

After going into the second and final day 7-5 ahead, England completed a 13½ – 10½ victory to give new captain Colin Edwards a winning start in charge.

“I am extremely proud to get a win in Spain and captaining my country for the first time was an awesome experience,” he said.

The two morning sessions of foursomes provided the foundation for England’s success. On each occasion they came out on top 3-1, while the first day singles were drawn and Spain edged the final series 4½ – 3½.

England’s top scorer was Matt Haines with a 100% record from his four matches, while Charlie Ford maintained his good form with 3½ point from four while Tommy Fleetwood scored three from four.

The only occasion Spain has won this fixture was four years ago at Puerta de Hierro when they won 15-8. In 2007, England got back to winning ways with a 16-8 win at Royal Ashdown Forest.

Results
Day One
Foursomes (England names first): S Hutsby & D Whitnell lost to J F Sarasti & C Pigem 1 hole; T Fleetwood & M Haines bt P Erice & M Cobo 6&5; C Ford & T Adcock bt S Garcia & F Pintor 2&1; L Goddard & E Pepperell bt A Hortal & P Oriol 1 hole

Singles: Hutsby bt Sarasti 5&4; Whitnell bt Pigem 4&2; Fleetwood lost to B Virto 3&1; Ford bt Cobo 5&3; J Abbott lost to Erice 3&2; Haines bt Garcia 2&1; Adcock lost to Oriol 1 hole; Goddard lost to Hortal 1 hole

England 7 Spain 5

Day Two
Foursomes: Hutsby & Whitnell lost to Sarasti & Pigem 2 holes; Ford & Adcock bt Erice & Virto 4&3; Fleetwood & Haines bt Oriol & Hortal 5&3; Goddard & Pepperell bt Cobo & Garcia 5&4

Singles: Hutsby lost to Pigem 2&1; Whitnell lost to Sarasti 2&1; Pepperell lost to Hortal 2&1; Ford halved with Pintor; Haines bt Virto 1 hole; Abbott bt Garcia 4&3; Fleetwood bt Erice 3&2; Goddard lost to Oriol 1 hole

England 6½ Spain 5½

Overall: England 13½ Spain 10½

The Formby Leveret

On the last Saturday in March, once again the weather stayed fair for the Leveret 36 hole scratch trophy at Formby Ladies Golf Club. An icy wind blew quite menacingly from the Northwest all day and with temperatures failing to make double figures the course proved too stern a test for the majority of the field.
Cori Lee,  from the West Lancashire Golf Club scored an extremely impressive 71 +70 = 141 and was a very worthy winner in the highest quality field the Leveret has seen.
Of the 54 competitors, 20 were off scratch or better and the highest handicap was 3. This confirms how highly the players rate the opening event of the season and how determined they are to master the challenging course that tests so many of their golfing skills.n the morning the CSS rose from 72 to 74 then to 73 in the afternoon as the sun tried hard to shine & the wind dropped slightly. Cori Lee was chased all day by her playing partner, Holly Clyburn, Woodhall Spa who will rue the 3 times she hit the flagstick in the afternoon round without the ball ever disappearing. Holly was only 2 shots adrift after 14 holes in the afternoon but Cori then showed her class by covering the last 4 holes in par to steady the ship and regain the trophy she won in 2006.
The experienced Emma Brown, Malton & Norton had a consistent 74 + 74 = 148 for third place. In fourth place young Emily Taylor, Royal Lytham did much to impress the Lancashire & England selectors with rounds of 75 + 76 = 151 proving how well she copes with difficult conditions.
The Leveret is well supported by many teenagers and 13 year old Charley Hull from Kettering showed how talented a player she already is. Playing off 3 handicap her 76 + 77 = 153 placed her 6th equal in the scratch event and winner outwith the main prize winners of the aggregate handicap prize. Formby Ladies hopes Charley and all this year’s field will return next year.

FULL RESULTS
141 CORI LEE (71,70)
145 HOLLY CLYBURN (73,72)
148 EMMA BROWN (74,74)
151 EMILY TAYLOR (75,76)
152 CHARLOTTE WILD (76,76)
153 LAURA COLLIN (80,73), NAOMI EDWARDS (78,75), CHARLEY HULL (76,77), NIKKI DUNN (74,79), KATE WHITMORE (74,79)
154 RACHEL CONNOR (81,73), NATASHA GOBEY (79,75), EMMA CLEGG (77,77), TARA DAVIES (77,77), CHARLOTTE ELLIS (76,78)
155 AMY BOULDEN (80,75), CAROLINE MARRON (78,77), ELIZABETH MALLETT (76,79), ELLIE ROBINSON (75,80)
156 TILLY HOLDER (81,75), ALEXANDRA PETERS (80,76), SARA GARBUTT (79,77)
157 KIM CROOKS (81,76), NATALIE LOWE (80,77), ABBEY GITTENS (79,78), NIKKI FOSTER (78,79), Sarah Attwood (77,80)
158 KATIE BEST (83,75), CHARLOTTE DALTON (82,76), EMMA GODDARD (81,77)
159 JANE BINNING (85,74), KYM LARRATT (82,77)
160 RACHEL GOODALL (84,76), SAMANTHA BIRKS (83,77), SARAH WALTON (81,79)
161 JENNA BIRCH (84,77), CHARLIE DOUGLASS (84,77), HELEN SEARLE (82,79), MARIE ALLEN (82,79), Kelly Tidy (80,81), BRONTE LAW (79,82)
162 Laura Harvey (80,82)
163 JESSICA RIGBY (84,79)
164 AMY SKOULDING (85,79), RACHEL DRUMMOND (81,83)
165 LISA BARTON (85,80)
166 BRONWYN DAVIES (81,85), BROGAN TOWNEND (81,85)
167 ANNA CARLING (83,84), CLAIRE MACDONALD (83,84), KAREN HEYWOOD (79,88)
170 REBECCA MCGINLEY (84,86)
184 CHARLOTTE AUSTWIC (95,89)

Hannah triumphs again

England international Hannah Barwood was the runaway winner of the U21 girls’ title at the Faldo Series Asia Final at Mission Hills in China.

Hannah – the reigning English champion – adds this to the Faldo Series girls’ title which she won in Brazil at the end of last year.

“It was wonderful to win,” said Hannah, who plays at Knowle in Gloucestershire. “I knew I had a chance, but I also know how good the Asian players are. It was really special to go out there and do it.”

The Gloucestershire golfer was 15 shots clear of her closest rival and was helped to victory by a hole-in-one. Hannah, 18, used a pitching wedge for her shot to the island green on the 113-yard 16th on the Faldo course.

It was the first ace to be scored in a Faldo Series Asia final and Nick Faldo signed both a certificate and Hannah’s golf ball.

This was Hannah’s seventh hole-in-one and her fourth in competition. She achieved her sixth during practice at The Kendleshire just before she flew to China. “My last shot before I went to China was a hole-in-one, I looked up and said to my dad that it was a shame it had come a week early!”

Hannah was the only European girl in the competition, which was contested by players from nine Asian countries. “It was a really good experience. Normally when I go to a tournament the majority of the players are British and there’s just a few groups of foreigners. To experience it the other way round was really good.”

She also had the experience of bettering Nick Faldo. The six-times Major winner spent two days with the competitors and during a short-game clinic he challenged Hannah and one of the boys to take him on – playing bunker flop shots with a thre e-iron.

“I beat Nick and then on that same day I had my hole-in-one. It turned out to be a good day!”

The 54-hole final was preceded each day by storms and there were also some downpours during play. The course was long and demanding but Hannah was pleased with her play for scores of 76, 75, 75. “I played really well all week, I just had a few bad holes which pushed me over par.”

Overall she described the trip as: “Absolutely brilliant, it was amazing, a fantastic place.

2009 Berkhamsted Trophy

Late birdies earn Haines 50th Berkhamsted Trophy

Matt Haines is in a rich vein of form. Having won all four of his matches in England’s win over Spain two weeks earlier, the Kent man came from behind to win the 50th Berkhamsted Trophy.

A run of three birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th spearheaded his winning surge in a closing 68 for 138, four under par, and a one-shot winning margin over England team-mate Jamie Abbott with Yorkshire’s Sam Haywood third on 140.

In perfect Spring sunshine and watched by 77-year-old Hew Squirrell, the first Berkhamsted winner back in 1960, it seemed the trophy was a straight fight between Abbott and Haywood. But Haines’ birdie burst took everyone by surprise.

“I knew Jamie was three under through 27 holes and I felt that five under was likely to win,” said Haines. “I had chances at the final holes and the one at the last from 15 feet missed by an inch.

“But this is a good start to my season after the four wins in Spain and hopefully a little closer to a Walker Cup place.”

Surrey’s Alex Christie led at lunch after a splendid 67, one better than Abbott, Haywood and Jonathan Bell. But he soon shed that advantage in the afternoon and closed with 75 for 142.

England boy cap Tom Lewis looked at one stage he might give Hertfordshire its first winner since Luke Donald in 1996. But after playing the back nine in 33 with an eagle and three birdies, spoilt by a double-bogey at 16, he came home in 39 for 145.

Abbott, who also started his second round from the tenth, was going well but two three-putts pulled him back although he finished well with a birdie-three at the ninth for a level-par 71. That set the target at three under.

“I played well all day but I didn’t hole anything,” he said. “I had chances but the ball wouldn’t drop.”

Shortly after Abbott finished news filtered through of Haines’ birdie hat-trick. The first two were with putts of reasonable distance but the one at 16 was from around 35 feet.

It was a perfect way to win a title and as the Rochester & Cobham teenager said: “Hopefully there will be a few more good finished to come.”

Leading final scores:
138 M Haines (Rochester & Cobham) 70 68
139 J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 68 71
140 S Haywood (Rotherham) 68 72
141 J Barnes (Chart Hills) 74 67, D Wright (Rowlands Castle) 72 69, J Bell (Royal Blackheath) 68 73
142 M Williams (Cuddington) 72 70, A Christie (Tyrrells Wood) 67 75
143 R Caldwell (Sunningdale) 74 69, E Pepperell (Drayton Park) 70 73