Welcome to September in St Andrews Golf
Magazine.
The spotlight will shine on Scotland brighter than
ever
this
year.
We
had
the
Commonwealth Games in August and the Independence
Referendum
on
18
September; and over a three-week period at the end of the month and the start of October, four golf events will transcend this incredible country to a watching audience of billions. After 13 years of planning the 40th Ryder Cup is just days away and the week begins
with the Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club in Perthshire. Following the 2014 Ryder Cup the best golfers on the European Tour will head an hour down the road to the home of golf, St Andrews, for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Then across the water from St Andrews the magnificent links of Panmure hosts the 10th World Hickory Open.
The four events will be played on four, very
of Scotland's commitment to the game
Later that week the best 12 golfers of
different courses. The Junior Ryder Cup
which formed part of the successful bid to
Europe will take on the best 12 golfers of
and 40th Ryder Cup will be played on
host the 2014 Ryder Cup.
America
beautiful inland courses and the Alfred Dunhill Links and World Hickory Open will be played on rugged, historic links.
The Junior Ryder Cup could be viewed as being more important for the future of
Scottish golf than the playing of the main
in
Gleneagles
the
fortieth
Ryder
has
undergone
Cup.
massive
change under a programme of major investment and now they are ready for their biggest moment since the G8 Summit of
The three weeks will show off the variety
match at Gleneagles. The opportunity for
there is in Scottish golf course architecture,
the youth of Scotland to attend a world-
and will welcome many of the best
class golf tournament for free is invaluable
St Andrews Golf Magazine has provided
exponents of the game, with modern and
to the game.
comprehensive build-up to the event since
ancient equipment.
The likes of Amateur Champion Bradley
Visit Scotland has embarked on a massive
Neil and Youth Olympic Gold Medallist
campaign over a number of years to
Renato Paratore will be action for the
cement Scotland’s place as the home of
European Junior Ryder Cup team on
golf. The hosting of a first Ryder Cup since
Monday and Tuesday of Ryder Cup week.
1973 has boosted interest in the game and forced the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Government to invest heavily in the game
at the grass roots.
St Andrews Golf Magazine will be at Blairgowrie for the entire event, providing the most comprehensive coverage of Junior
Golf’s
premier
biennial
team
2005.
May and now via our dedicated micro-site you can keep up to date with all the news
from Gleneagles. In September’s edition we bring you a full course guide to the PGA Centenary Course and we look back at the Miracle at Medinah. Once the action is over at Gleneagles many of the field and many of the best in the world
head over to the Kingdom of Fife and the County of Angus for the Alfred Dunhill Links
The ClubGolf programme was launched in
matches. In September’s edition we have
2003 to fulfil the Scottish Government's
an interview with the star of the European
promise to provide every child in Scotland
Team, Blairgowrie’s Amateur champion –
The
with an opportunity to experience golf, part
Bradley Neil.
Kingsbarns welcome stars of golf, stage
Championship. Old
Course,
Carnoustie
and
and screen for the 14th consecutive year
Stewart and Robert Forgan. We will also
Stay up to date with all the news in golf
and it is the 30th consecutive year of Dunhill
preview the 10th edition of the tournament
across the world and in St Andrews at
staging a tournament at the home of golf,
with the chairman of the event, Lionel
www.standrewsgolfmagazine.com
St Andrews.
Freedman.
our Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus
Last
year
David
Howell
dramatically
The R&A stage their autumn meeting this
defeated Peter Uihlein in extra holes to
month over the Old Course and they also
claim a first tournament victory since the
take on the members of the St Andrews
2006 BMW PGA Championship.
Golf Club and New Golf Club in the
St Andrews Golf Magazine will be at the
traditional Town Match.
2014 Alfred Dunhill Links and will provide
The St Andrews Senior Open and SSE
comprehensive
the
Scottish Senior Open took place last
tournament. In September’s edition we
month, and we have the results from those
have an interview with the 2012 Champion
events as well as all the competitions of the
Branden Grace and we take you back 19
New Golf Club.
coverage
of
years to Scotland’s historic victory in the Dunhill Cup.
Scotland is the home of golf and golf returns home this autumn and St Andrews
The next week sees connoisseurs of the
Golf Magazine is your one-stop guide to
game from across the world gather at
everything in the game.
Panmure and in Carnoustie Country for the
10th World Hickory Open Championship. St Andrews Golf Magazine is an official media partner to the event and this month we will bring you a feature on the pioneers of Hickory in golf club manufacturing, Tom
and
pages.
Enjoy the seventh edition of St Andrews Golf Magazine and subscribe for FREE at www.standrewsgolfmagazine.com
9
R&A welcomes women and hold Autumn Meeting
11
The Town Match and Bing Crosby Tournament
12
New Golf Club results
16
2014 World Hickory Open Championship preview
20
2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship preview including interview with Branden Grace
32
St Andrews Golf Magazine Reviews… Ziggy’s Restaurant
Editors: Matt Hooper Colin Donaldson
Image Credits: Page 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 © RECOUNTER Page 26 Mercedes Benz Golf
37
40
44
Junior Ryder Cup preview and team profiles Matt Hooper speaks to Bradley Neil Blairgowrie Golf Club’s Rosemount course guide with member Matt Hood
53
The 40th Ryder Cup
55
PGA Centenary Course guide
Page 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 Gleneagles Hotel
74
Hotel Martinique in New York City
Page 81 OMEGA
78
The teams
Page 82 Omar Rawlings
81
Golf’s Greatest Day
Page 84 Scottish Government
87
Sky Sports TV guide
It was a misty and murky Thursday evening but that didn’t deter the world’s media from being present at one of the most significant announcements in the history of golf. The 18th day of September 2014 will be forever known as the day on which the Royal and Ancient Golf Club became a mixed sex golf club. Peter Dawson, the secretary of the golf club and the governing body of the game, made the short walk from the clubhouse to the adjacent putting green to formally announce the result of the ballot of the members. “The membership of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club has voted overwhelmingly to admit women members with immediate effect.” 85% of the membership voted for the admittance of women members and several will be fast-tracked into the club. The announcement was welcomed around the world by both male and female golfers and its impact cannot be overstated. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is the most famous and prominent club in the world. The club plays a pivotal
part in the governance of the game, and although the R&A has separated the governing body from the club it does have a responsibility far beyond serving just its members. No announcement has been made as to who the first female members will be, but it is likely they will be of high social standing given the demographics of the current membership. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club is now actually the ONLY mixed-sex golf club in St Andrews, with the St Andrews Golf Club, New Golf Club, 19th Hole Golf Club, Thistle Golf Club (all male), St Regulus Golf Club, St Rule Club and Ladies Putting Club (all female) remaining single sex in golfing membership.
The Town Match Saturday 13th September saw the 101st playing of the annual Town Match. This match is between the Royal and Ancient Golf Club against the St. Andrews Golf Club and the New Golf Club of St. Andrews (The Town). On a misty yet mild day, the foursome matches took place over the Old Course, the New Course, the Jubilee Course and the Strathtyrum Course. This year saw the record number of entrants playing, with a total of 700 golfers participating. The result saw the Town triumph in a closely fought match by a score of 88.586.5 matches. The Town win the Bobby Jones Casket for 2014. Quite incredible when you think of it. 175 matches played in total and only two points separating the teams. The overall result sees the Town increase their lead in the series to 97-4. The Town Match is one of the highlights in the St. Andrews golfing calendar. With
seven-hundred golfers playing and many more missing out, the match is played in the true spirit of the game, where golf always wins and camaraderie is ever growing. This truly is a great spectacle and is the largest golf match in the World.
By Colin Donaldson.
Bing Crosby Tournament for Senior Golfers The day before the Town Match was the Bing Crosby Tournament hosted by the St Andrews Golf Club. The tournament honours the late entertainer who had a love for the home of golf, St Andrews.
Collecting golf memorabilia can be great fun it can be as expensive as you wish it to be, from just a few pounds to many hundreds of pounds. Collecting golf balls is one category that can be exiting, very lucrative and also a possible future investment. Due to the recession, memorabilia prices have dropped over the last five or so years, if there was ever a good time to collect I suppose now is as good a time as any. Early golf references tells us that prior to 1850 golf was played with a small leather ball that was filled with goose feathers, commonly called a Feathery. The very early balls pre 1820 are extremely rare, only a few still exist, totally out of reach to most collectors. Post 1820 saw the names of the ball makers on their balls, most were hand written in ink alongside its weight. Marshall, Roberston, Morris, Gourlay, are just a few names of the ball makers of the early to mid 19th century. Good conditioned balls by these or other similar makers of this era can achieve several thousands of pounds each. These
would be classed as the top category of golf ball.
patterned ball mould which imprinted the pattern when moulded.
In the 1850s golf started to see the decline of feather filled balls, a rubber compound called gutta-percha was tried, it was malleable when hot, and it could have been rolled into a sphere and used to play golf with. Moulds were produced to manufacture balls they also gave a basic consistence size. This ball was known as a “smooth gutty”
Some balls had multi materials added so they could float if used on boggy or wet courses, and courses with ponds.
Genuine examples still exist and would cost in excess of £1000 to buy in today’s market. Players found that the more they used these balls, the more bumps and bruised the surface became the straighter and further the ball travelled. Golf ball makers had discovered aero dynamics! Chiselled patterns were made on the balls surface so they flew better; these are known as “hand hammered gutties” most had a similar style of patterns, some makers had a small panel where they stamped their name, a ball stamped Morris has a value of over £4000. The 1890s brought in significant changes with better quality ball materials and
Possibly the greatest change in the golf ball occurred at the turn of the century when a wound rubber core ball with a separate cover was invented and used. American Coburn Haskell invented the ball that changed golf forever, his ball was used by Scotsman Alex Herd to win the 1902 Open Championship, it was said he used the same ball to win this championship. A nice conditioned Haskell is worth £150+ Ironically twenty years later in the 1920s ball manufacturers were designing multi patterned balls to encourage players to use their products; most balls were totally useless to play golf with. Albert Penfold was the most successful, when he designed and inverted a square patterned ball, which was produced in their millions by Dunlop and others all through the 1920s. Ironically the early 20th century has produced the highest valued golf balls, ball
that had unusual pattern creations starting with Willie Park Jr. and his 1896 “Park Royal” This ball has a series of hexagon shaped patterns (like a small 50 pence coin) This wan never going to be a success, only a few still exist, if a good condition did come on the market it would command a price of £20,000.00
Globe’ also known as the “map of the world.” A series of lines and dimples outlined the world and its seas, sadly science physics did not take too kindly to this, if the ball got airborne it would either slice or hook dramatically.
Henley’s 1904 “Rifle Ball” A spiral pattern to the surface of the ball, opposite to what’s in a gun barrel. Needless to say it did not, the ball was produced for a short period and is rated a being rare. A good conditioned ball would be worth in excess of £1000.00.
A good thing for ball collectors is that you can have a display in a small area unlike golf clubs.
Production was stopped as soon as it begun. Finding one of these in granddads shed would realise you in the region on £30,000.00 and rising!
The most unusual and obviously the most valuable is Cochrane’s 1908 ‘Terrestrial
This period also brought in cult following for the golf spectator, the great Bobby Jones was the epitome of this. Young and good looking, an American with the silkiest of golf swings, he went on to conquer the world of golf from 1926 to 1930. Winning numerous major championships under the banner of being an amateur. A period 1930 signed ball by Jones will command a value of £10,000.00. Autographed balls have become collectable over the last decade. Woods, Mcllroy, Mickelson to name a few.
1920s brought in a new era for ball manufacturers, the square mesh pattern was in full swing, when purchased they came normally in attractive coloured paper packaging, A golf ball in the original wrappers are desirable and good to collect.
Written by Graham Rowley, Old Golf Auctions. Graham is amongst the most well-known, and most highly regarded, dealers in golfing memorabilia in the UK, having been actively involved in the business for over 20 years. Graham is a member of the St Andrews Golf Club.
Panmure Golf Club is from the same bygone age in which golfers used hickory shafted clubs because there wasn’t really an alternative. This October over 100 golfers from 12 countries around the world will gather in Carnoustie Country to celebrate how the game used to be played. Whilst the week is a celebration of golf from a different time it is also a very serious competition. There are a large contingent of very accomplished hickory golfers from America and mainland Europe. All of which will be aiming to claim the 10th World Hickory Open Championship.
The World Hickory Open Championship was first played in 2005 at Musselburgh Old Links and won by Mike Stewart. Musselburgh Old Links is a 9-hole course in East Lothian which hosted The Open Championship on 6 occasions, and was a perfect place for the championship celebrating hickory golf to begin. Craigielaw Golf Club hosted the 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions before the championship moved to Gullane for 2009 and 2010. The final year of the World Hickory Open in East Lothian was 2011, with the tournament returning to Craigielaw.
In 2012 the region known as Carnoustie Country took over hosting duties, beginning with the Buddon and Burnside courses at Carnoustie Golf Links. In 2013 Montrose Golf Club staged the 9th World Hickory Open. And now this October Panmure Golf Club, established in 1845, will host the 10th World Hickory Open Championship. Located to the west of Carnoustie, some 24 miles from St Andrews, Panmure played a historic role in Ben Hogan’s 1953 Open Championship success.
When Ben Hogan came to Carnoustie in the summer of 1953 he was already holder of The Masters and The U.S. Open Championship. For this, his only Open Championship appearance, arrangements were made for him to practice at Panmure Golf Club, just two miles to the west, but well away from the busy practice ground at Carnoustie. At Panmure, only his caddie Cecil Timms accompanied him. After two weeks of rigorous preparation for the Championship, he was familiar with the then smaller British ball and the unforgiving links grasses, which prevented him taking his customary long divot. Methodical as ever, Hogan taught himself to pick the 1.62 inch ball off the turf. The long hours of practice paid off. He won the Open by four strokes, setting a new Carnoustie course record of 68 for his final round. Hogan's favourite hole at Panmure was the sixth and he suggested the cleverly-placed hidden pot bunker to the front right of the green. Over fifty years on, the members still refer to it as "Hogan's Bunker". It is a fitting memorial to a champion.
Off the Championship tees the course plays a testing 6551 yards, and with hickory shafted clubs and gutta percha balls the 100+ competitors at the World Hickory Open will face a stiff challenge. But the art of hickory golf is having fun and the number of strokes you play are irrelevant. It is still the player with the least strokes played who wins. St Andrews Golf Magazine is a media partner of the 10th World Hickory Open and we will be at the Gala Dinner at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Monday 6th October. We will provide full coverage of the championship on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our Google plus hangout, Tuesday Tee Time, will provide a comprehensive discussion on Hickory Golf, and our website will bring you all the scores and interviews from Panmure. Check our October edition for a full review and more on the World Hickory Open Championship.
This autumn is a celebration of golf coming home to Scotland and St Andrews more than plays its part with the staging of the 14th Alfred Dunhill Links Championship over the Old Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links and the championship course at Carnoustie.
the Old Course from 1985 to 2000. The tournament featured team medal match play between 16 nations invited to enter teams of 3 players. The tournament featured some classic head-to-head battles between legends such as Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman. It also saw many superstars of the game humbled by unknown players including Tiger Woods, who was defeated by Spain’s Santiago Luna in 1997. This year’s ‘Dunhill’ has attracted a stellar field in the week following the Ryder Cup. World Number One Rory McIlroy will attempt to finally claim a title over the Old Course. Despite his stunning record around the world’s most famous course The Open and PGA Champion has yet to taste success at the home of golf.
The week following the return of the Ryder Cup to Scotland at Gleneagles, the stars of the European Tour, stage and screen will take to the magnificent links on the east coast for the annual pro-am tournament.
It was in the 2007 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship that McIlroy announced himself as a professional on the European Tour with a third place finish which helped secure his European Tour card.
This year’s edition of the championship is the 30th year of Alfred Dunhill sponsorship of a tournament in St Andrews. The hugely popular Alfred Dunhill Cup was played on
US Open Champion Martin Kaymer will return to the scene of his 2010 victory which followed his first major win in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Bjorn and Stephen Gallacher join McIlroy and Kaymer as European Ryder Cup players to enter the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Stephen Gallacher’s first European Tour win came 10 years ago here in St Andrews, when he defeated Graeme McDowell in a playoff. 2-time Open Champion and 2-time Dunhill Cup winner Ernie Els returns to the Alfred Dunhill Links in search of an individual title at the home of golf. Fellow South Africans and past Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen will join Els in the championship. It is four years since Oosthuizen destroyed the field at the 2010 Open Championship over the Old Course. Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington complete the line-up of Major champions; Harrington is a two-time champion at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Colin Montgomerie, Matteo Manassero, Paul Casey and Marc Warren are among the other significant names to be teeing it up in the championship this October. The two main protagonists from 2013 also return to the east coast of Scotland. Champion David Howell and Runner-up Peter Uihlein will hope to play well again in what looks set to be a memorable week.
Each Dunhill provides magical memories at the home of golf, from Paul Lawrie’s winning putt from the valley of sin in 2001 to Colin Montgomerie winning in 2005.
But it will be very hard for the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to top what happened on a dreamy, sunny Sunday last September.
David Howell ended his 7 year winless streak by claiming his first win in a playoff of his career and first title on Scottish soil, as the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship came to a thrilling climax as the former Ryder Cup star and American prodigy Peter Uihlein contended for the title over two extra holes on the Old Course. Uihlein opened the day with a two stroke lead over Ernie Els, Joost Luiten and Howell, but quickly his advantage was not just cut, it was swallowed by a bogey from Uihlein at the first hole and an extraordinary start from France’s Thomas Levet. The 2004 Ryder Cup star birdied the first five holes to reach 21 under par and pull 2 clear of the American. Levet would shoot 31 on the front nine and back that up with birdies at the tenth and eleventh, reaching 22 under par, but a bogey at 12 and double at 14 ended his impressive surge up the leaderboard. Another challenge came in the form of Portugal Masters champion Shane Lowry, starting in a tie for second on 18 under the Irishman birdied 3 holes on the front nine before chipping in for a two on the par four tenth. He followed that stunning moment up with an equally sensational birdie on the par
three eleventh hole, but bogeys at 13 and 15 left him just a little short at the end. The challenge of Els and Luiten never materialized and the likes of Clarke, Fleetwood and Schwartzel just had too much work to do. So it came down to David Howell, a winner of 5 tournaments and Peter Uihlein, a winner of one – in Madeira. Experience versus youth. Howell’s approach to 15 ended up a couple of feet away and he holed for a stunning birdie to tie Uihlein on 23 under. He gave himself a good birdie chance at 16 but narrowly missed and had to settle for par before going on to hole a 10 foot putt for par on the 17th after missing the green short and right in the rough. Howell then drove with a metal wood off the 18th tee and split the fairway, but the ball struggled to cross Granny Clark’s Wynd and rolled back onto the road, meaning he had to play his second shot off the surface. He didn’t hit the ball far enough and ended up in the Valley of Sin and faced a pressure two putt to lead in the clubhouse. The man once renowned as the best putter on tour managed to make par with ease and this left Uihlein with a chance to win
with a birdie. He played a wedge from 109 yards over the flag leaving himself around 10 feet downhill to claim the biggest win of his career. The ball narrowly missed right and he tied Howell on 23 under par and the championship would be settled in extra holes. The playoff would be played over 1 and 18 until a winner was determined. Howell drew the honour and ripped a long iron down the fairway and Uihlein followed suit. With 121 yards remaining Uihlein played his wedge to pin high to give himself a chance of winning at the first time of asking; Howell had 105 yards and played to around 20 feet beyond the pin and would have the first attempt for birdie. He agonizingly missed on the left edge and Uihlein would have his chance for victory. The American’s putt lacked pace and missed on the low side, sending the playoff back up the 18th hole. Howell retained the honour and focusing on making sure Granny Clark’s Wynd was out of play he smashed a driver up the left side, leaving himself 91 yards to the pin. Uihlein used a metal wood and had 105 yards remaining for his approach to the green.
The Madeira Island Open champion flew the pin by 20-25 feet, Howell’s approach ended up 68 feet behind the pin. The Oklahoma State graduate narrowly missed his birdie attempt and the watching gallery around 1 and 18 focused their eyes on David Howell. Nervelessly he rolled the ball into the hole and turned and celebrated in a fashion not too dissimilar to Seve from 1984. Any win is special but as Howell said himself “It has been 7 years so please don’t worry if my speech takes a long time”, to win for the first time in seven years and to do it at the Home of Golf on such a gloriously sunny evening is the thing of dreams. Howell’s dramatic win in the Dunhill was preceded by an exhibition of golf, and the most dominant performance the championship has ever seen. The 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Champion, Branden Grace, spoke to Matt Hooper over the summer about his win and love for the Old Course.
2012 was the year of Oscar Pistorious at the London Olympic Games, starring in both the Olympic Games and the Paralympics. It was also the year of Ernie Els winning his second Open Championship, dramatically defeating Adam Scott at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s.
The playoff took place on the fantastic 549yard par five 18th and Grace hit the longest drive, putting him in position to reach the green in two. Els and Goosen missed the fairway and the green, and Grace made a fabulous two-putt birdie to secure his second successive European Tour win.
But in 2012 arguably the most successful South African sportsman was a newcomer to the global scene. Branden Grace was among a crop of promising young talents plying his trade on the Sunshine Tour but having played on the Challenge Tour in 2007 he had little success at the higher level.
3 months later Grace was back in the winners’ circle for a third time, claiming the Volvo China Open. The win saw him become just the third South African, after Els and Goosen, to win three European Tour events in the same season. The win gave him over €1million for the season and moved him into the world’s top 70.
Then at the Joburg Open he broke through to win for the first time, winning by a stroke from Jamie Elson. The win opened many doors for the 23-year-old from Pretoria, including qualification for the Volvo Golf Champions. This event, played at the magnificent Fancourt Links, was to be the Launchpad for an incredible season.
He began 2012 ranked outside the world’s top 250.
After an incredible final day the tournament came down the Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Branden Grace. A play-off including two legendary figures of South African golf and the new upstart.
If anyone had forgotten about the talent Grace possessed he soon reminded them with a sensational opening round of 60 at Kingsbarns. It set him on course for a superb victory which would crown his epic year of five wins. In the second round at St Andrews he shot 67 to reach 15-under-par for two rounds and then shot 69 at Carnoustie to give himself a four stroke lead going into the final round at St Andrews. On the Sunday, which began under glorious blue skies, he played like a seasoned veteran, and a 2-under-par round of 70 was capped with a birdie at the 72nd hole to give him a 2 stroke win and a four round score of 22-under-par.
He returned to his native Sunshine Tour to clean up for another victory at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final in September and then that October he came to St Andrews as one of the form players in the world, but the attention was on the victorious European Ryder Cup players in the field.
His fourth European Tour win of the season helped him to finish 6th on the Race to Dubai, earning over €2.5million.
Martin Kaymer, Peter Hanson and Paul Lawrie were joined by American star Dustin Johnson at the home of golf.
I asked Branden if he could explain his recent quiet spell after such a great 2012.
In 2013 and 2014 Grace has failed to add to his four-tournament haul, finishing in the top ten 7 times in 41 starts.
“I think it just happens I suppose, you get into a position where you think everything is going to go your way every week. That is what it felt like in 2012 and when things don’t go your way you start getting hard on yourself and you start working harder and thinking about stuff more.” “I think that has been the situation, I had a great start to the season and it is just a matter of getting that one low round and boosting yourself.” How special was the win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to you? “That was one of my best ones. With the history of all three courses it was awesome to win it. Being able to lead it from the getgo to the end was something special.” “It is something you can take forward with you.” There can be little doubt that Grace will win again and I would venture to say he will win big. Following in the footsteps of Els, Goosen, Immelman, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel as a major champion would not surprise anyone.
Alfred Dunhill celebrates 30 years of Golf in St Andrews with two unique exhibitions
Two world-class exhibitions are to open later this month, celebrating 30 years of Alfred Dunhill’s support of golf in St Andrews. The first is a collection of sketches of St Andrews landmarks by noted artist Harold Riley and the second is a series of photographs from various archives including the Lawrence Levy Photographic Collection courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library, Getty Images, The Golf Picture Library and Alfred Dunhill’s own archive. Both exhibitions open on Tuesday, September 23, ahead of the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which is being staged on the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns from October 2-5. The exhibitions capture great moments and scenes from 30 years of uninterrupted golf staged at the ‘Home of Golf’, beginning with the Alfred Dunhill Cup in 1985, then continuing with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship from 2001. The drawings and photographs also reflect the unique flavour and atmosphere of the people and places in St Andrews and Fife.
In conjunction with the St Andrews Partnership, ‘St Andrews – An Artist’s View’ by Harold Riley for Alfred Dunhill is a collection of 15 illustrations of local buildings and scenes which will be staged as an outdoor exhibition in different locations around the town. The two meter high panels will form a trail leading people from the Old Course, passing iconic buildings such as St Andrews Cathedral, the Castle and the University’s magnificent St Mary’s Quad, as well as Tom Morris’ grave. From Salford in Greater Manchester, the same town as L S Lowry with whom he enjoyed a long friendship, Harold Riley studied at the Slade in Florence and in Spain before returning to Salford where he has lived ever since. Harold said: “I first visited St Andrews as a young boy in 1946 and fell in love with the town. My relationship with St Andrews and Alfred Dunhill has been one of the joys of my life. I always tell my friends that I do not know anyone who visited St Andrews that did not fall in love with the place. I certainly have been in love with St Andrews since the first time I went there. I hope this exhibition captures that and will be enjoyed
by everyone who sees it. I hope that the people of St Andrews will agree with us that the selection we have chosen represents what is so special about this town.” ‘Through the Lens - 30 Years of Golf in St Andrews’ will be held in the Byre Theatre, St Andrews, and features a series of stunning photographs covering both the Alfred Dunhill Cup and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The striking images produce an historic cavalcade of unforgettable moments and capture the excitement and colour of the great names of golf who have played over the last 30 years, including Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Bob Charles and Gary Player to name a few. ‘Through the Lens’ is presented by Alfred Dunhill together with the University of St Andrews. Robert Fleming, Director of Development at the University, said: “Golf is so much a part of the town that it is wonderful to see two exhibitions which connect the history and the vistas of the town itself with the game which has become synonymous with the name St Andrews. On behalf of the University and the town, I would like to thank Alfred Dunhill for these inspiring events.
This month St Andrews Golf Magazine begins its series of reviews of the restaurants of St Andrews. Each review will help you, the visiting golfer to the home of golf, decide where to eat out in this amazing town. We begin with Ziggy’s.
St Andrews itself is unique. It is a town obsessed by golf with 11 golf courses within a six mile stretch of coastline; it is a town with one of the oldest universities in the world which has moved with the times and welcomes students from over 80 different countries each year; it is a town in which the rich and the famous rub shoulders with the poor and the ordinary. And in a little corner of this unique town, situated amongst the many guest houses of Murray Park and Murray Place, is a unique restaurant. A restaurant with a flair all of its own. Ziggy’s Restaurant opened its doors in 1983, the same year yours truly was
brought into the world, and it has a long and interesting history.
huge part of the reason people come to Ziggy’s.
Initially located on South Street where the Vine Leaf Restaurant now resides, Coowner Phil began with a baked potato shop but upon visiting the New York Steam Packet in Edinburgh he was inspired.
Upon arrival and throughout the evening their welcome was polite, their service was efficient and attentive but not overbearing. I have to say it is a huge bugbear of mine when eating and being disturbed constantly by waiting staff asking “how is your meal” or “is everything ok for you”.
He had the inspiration to create a themed steak house in St Andrews. Phil and his wife Anne have owned Ziggy’s since the beginning and it is now the longest running restaurant ownership in the town. Phil’s passion for music became in the words of co-owner Anne “an obsession” and soon his musical memorabilia was being displayed on the walls of the restaurant. All of the memorabilia is original and they own the copyright of many of the images including owning the only, original picture of the original BEATLES in the world. Ziggy’s thrives on the memorabilia, with Americans returning just to take photos of the musical décor. Whilst the music and the memorabilia are part of the fabric of the place, the food is a
I had been previously given the impression that Ziggy’s was an American themed restaurant; whilst it is in the style of an American diner and they do serve steak, my first impression was that it didn’t have such an overwhelming American feel. I was highly impressed by the welcome and attention we received from the co-owner Anne, and her explanation of the items my companion for the evening, Paul Laesecke, was able to eat to meet his dietary requirements. The lighting in the restaurant was cool and bright enough to see each other, the menu and the food. But not so bright reflections were coming off the glass frames of the memorabilia.
Whilst it was obvious music was playing it was not too loud and overpowering, making conversation easy between the guests. The menu is wide and varied, and value for money. To start I had the Cajun Shroomies, and Paul had the Loaded Potato skins. The Cajun Shroomies were full of taste and the taste of the mushrooms were not smothered by their casing. Along with our meals we each had a glass of wine from the extensive drinks list. Paul had a 175ml glass of South African Shiraz (£3.95) and I had a 250ml glass of South African Sauvignon (£5.35). As a main I had ½ a rack of ribs and a chicken fillet coated with a maple syrup, along with a baked potato (£14.95). Paul had a 6oz Rib eye steak (rare) with creamy mash and a Peppercorn sauce (£14.95). The food was served without delay and it tasted just fantastic. Anne Marie spent a considerable amount of time with us speaking about the history of the restaurant and convinced us (we didn’t take much convincing!) to have her homemade Cheesecake for dessert. It was epic!
I have lived in St Andrews for over 2 years and have been coming to the town since I was thirteen, and to my shame I had never been to Ziggy’s in that time. Anne Marie gave me a good telling off! I will certainly be coming back to this restaurant in the future and I certainly advise any visiting golfer to spend an evening, or lunchtime here too.
This review was arranged through Crimson Edge PR and was conducted by Matt Hooper and Paul Laesecke.
The week of the 40th Ryder Cup begins with the 9th playing of the Junior Ryder Cup, hosted by the Blairgowrie Golf Club and played on its magnificent Rosemount Course.
took place at Alcadeisa Links in Spain where the Americans won 9-7; and at the Country Club of New Seabury in Massachusetts in 1999, where Europe won at a canter, 10 ½ to 1 ½.
St Andrews Golf Magazine’s coverage of the event begins in this month’s edition with an interview with Blairgowrie prodigy and Amateur Champion Bradley Neil. He talks about the upcoming matches and his Amateur Championship triumph.
Then in 2002 the K Club hosted the first official Junior Ryder Cup. It was to be the first of three successive European wins (they won at Westfield Group Country Club in 2004 and Celtic Manor in 2006).
We have an extensive course guide from Blairgowrie Golf Club member Matt Hood, who gives us his unique insight. Matt is a caddie at St Andrews Links and a friend of Bradley’s. We also profile the European and United States Junior Ryder Cup teams in our 2014 Junior Ryder Cup preview section. Then on our dedicated Ryder Cup microsite we bring you extensive coverage of the Junior Ryder Cup from Sunday 21st September. The Junior Ryder Cup was first played as an unofficial match in 1995 at the Cavalry Club in New York, with the results unpublished. Two more unofficial matches
The United States have won the last three Junior Ryder Cups, firstly in 2008 at the Club at Olde Stone by a resounding 22 points to 2; then in 2010 at Gleneagles by 13 ½ to 10 ½ and in 2012 at Olympia Fields by 14 ½ to 9 ½. So coming in to the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup the series is tied at 3 wins apiece, and this could be the most highly anticipated match in the 12 year history of the tournament. Unlike the main Ryder Cup this match is composed of two teams featuring 6 male and 6 female competitors. It shows the potential of golf as an Olympic sport and the great social benefits of taking part in the greatest game ever played.
Both teams have stars in the making who have achieved great things in their junior careers. The United States have 18-year-old Sam Burns, who has had a stellar year, winning the Junior PGA Championship and AJGA Tournament of Champions among other titles. He also reached the last 32 of the US Amateur. Austin Connolly, also 18, won the 2014 FootJoy Invitational and finished third at the Junior PGA Championship. Brad Dalke is 17 and he won the 2013 PING Invitational and has tied Tiger Woods’ record for four Wyndham Cup appearances. 17-year-old Cameron Young reached the quarter-finals of the US Amateur this August at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Davis Riley reached the final of the 2013 and 2014 US Junior Amateur Championships, and won the 2014 Terra Cotta Invitational. Gordon Neale lost to Sam Burns in the final of the 2014 Junior PGA Championship and finished 3rd at the 2014 Junior World Golf Championship.
16-year-old Andrea Lee reached the semifinals of the 2014 US Women’s Amateur Championship and won the AJGA Tournament of Champions and Yani Tseng Invitational. Kristen Gillman won the 2014 US Women’s Amateur Championship at the tender age of 17. She also won the Junior PGA Championship and is the star of the United States Junior Ryder Cup team. Gillman defeated Bethany Wu in the final of the Junior PGA Championship. Wu won the ANNIKA Invitational in 2013 and 2014. Amy Lee is the 2013 Junior PGA Champion and reached the last 32 of the US Women’s Amateur Championship. 16-year-old Sierra Brooks won the 2013 AJGA Girls Championship and the final member of the United States Junior Ryder Cup team, Hannah Sullivan reached the semi-finals of the 2014 US Women’s Amateur. The European team is also stacked with talented youngsters. Italian Renato Paratore became the first ever Youth Olympic Golf Champion last month in China. The runner-up was Marcus Kinhult
from Sweden, who is ranked 4th on the world amateur golf ranking and has won the 2014 Nordea Masters. Ivan Cantero Gutierrez of Spain is ranked in the top 100 and has had several high finishes in significant tournaments this year. Maximillian Schmitt of Denmark won the final qualifying event for the Junior Ryder Cup. The European Young Masters was played in Germany and the Dane won convincingly with two rounds of 65 and one of 71. John Axelsen, also of Denmark, has won three times in 2014 including the prestigious Macgregor Trophy. Mathilda Coppeliez of France won the French women’s amateur this year and is ranked 74th in the world. Alexandra Forsterling won the European Young Masters to secure qualification for the team and the German finished in the top 10 of the German International Amateur Championship. World Number 30 Virginia Carta of Italy won the German Girls Open and is performing consistently in significant European amateur competitions.
Annabel Dimmock from England is the world number 22 and she has enjoyed a terrific 2014, winning the Jones Doherty Cup in the United States. Emily Pedersen is one of the outstanding achievers of the European Junior Ryder Cup team at Blairgowrie. The Dane won the 2013 International European Women’s Amateur Championship. Sweden’s Linnea Strom won the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational last year and has been tipped as a future LPGA star. But despite the wealth of talent on show at Blairgowrie on both teams there is no doubt about the star of the show. A young man who has seemed destined for greatness since he was a boy, a boy who became a man this year and has achieved the Holy Grail in Amateur golf. He and his family are members of Blairgowrie Golf Club and he has been a part of a new generation of Scots which have tasted European glory in 2014. His name is Bradley Neil and he is The Amateur Champion. Matt Hooper spoke to the 18-year-old star of Scottish amateur golf at this summer’s Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship at Downfield.
The year is 1996 and a 20-year-old Tiger Woods is about to embark on his recordbreaking final year as an amateur. On the 16th January of that year Bradley Neil was brought into the world by his loving parents Rodney and Amanda. That year Tiger won the NCAA Individual title, NCAA West Regional, PAC10 Championship and a record third consecutive US Amateur Championship. It had been many years since golf had seen his like, with Woods smashing the records of the iconic Jack Nicklaus. The interest in the game for Bradley started at the age of 3 when he first picked up a golf club. Father Rodney first took Bradley’s older brother Connor to the Carsie practice range at Blairgowrie, at about the age of 3 and Bradley soon followed when he was 3. He would take both the boys down most days/weekends. At the age of 8 Bradley become a junior member of Rosemount where he and his brother played most of their golf. Once they had official handicaps, he would take them both to junior open competitions
throughout the summer months in order for then then to progress and play other golf courses. The young Bradley quickly showed his talent for the game in club, local, regional and national competitions. In 2009, at the age of 13 Bradley became the Scottish Boys’ under-14’s champion and won the Boys’ club championship at Blairgowrie. In the following year he retained his under14’s Scottish title and was runner-up in the under-16 tournament. South of the border he won the English Boys’ under-14’s title and then became the Men’s Club Champion at Blairgowrie – the youngest in the history of the club. More success ahead of his age came in the 2011 Scottish Boys’ under-18’s champion of champions tournament at the Duke’s here in St Andrews. In 2012 he first received full International honours, representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Jacques Leglise Trophy. He followed this in 2013 by being a member of the Team GB Youth Olympic Gold Medal winning team at Twin Creeks in Australia.
That year he also won the Scottish Boys U18's Matchplay Championship at Monifieth. Then he stepped up to Men's Squad and represented Scotland in the Home Internationals and European Men's, where he help Scotland reach the final with three Matchplay wins. However Scotland were beaten by England in the final. He was also a member of the GB&I Jaques Leglise Winning Team. He played in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. He finished 2nd in team event with Peter Uihlein, who was runner-up to David Howell in the main event. So coming into 2014 Neil had shown immense promise and was achieving great things against players generally older than himself. The year began well with a threeweek stint in South Africa and a third place finish in Gauteng, followed by a 2nd place in the South African Stroke play championship. Then in March Neil was selected to be part of the Scottish team in the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande in Spain. It was the week that elevated the youngster into the world’s top 100 amateurs.
He finished second in the individual event and helped his team to an historic victory in a play-off against Italy. Neil began his golden summer with a third place finish at the Lytham Trophy and then in June he came to the home of golf. The 2014 St Andrews Links Trophy is arguably one of the best in the history of the major international tournament hosted by St Andrews Links. 1 stroke separated the leading 6 players and the tournament was decided in a playoff between Neil and the highest ranked Scot, Grant Forrest. Forrest prevailed but it had been a big week for Bradley. Last autumn he competed as an amateur in the team competition of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside Peter Uihlein. 3 weeks later he headed for Royal Portrush and the Amateur Championship. It would be a week where promise and potential was fulfilled. In a hard fought 36-hole final over the magnificent Irish links Bradley prevailed 2 and 1 over South Africa’s Zander Lombard. The boy from Blairgowrie had become a man and emulated the likes of Matteo
Manassero and Sergio Garcia in winning the title as a teenager. His first start after his Amateur success was at the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship, where he reached the quarter-finals. I caught up with the 18-yearold at Downfield to discuss this, match play golf and the Junior Ryder Cup.
Your home club (Blairgowrie) is an inland course and very different to Links. How much of an adjustment is it to play well on Links and how much early experience did you have of playing Links golf?
I started by asking him how his experience in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and St Andrews Links Trophy helped him at The Amateur Championship.
“Between the ages of 10 and 12 my dad took myself and my brother to a lot of Junior Opens within an hour and a half of home. I learned so many different things from playing at many different courses. Learning to play different shots and gaining an experience of playing links golf, particularly in the Scottish Boys’ championship.”
“Playing in front of TV cameras and thousands of people (at the Dunhill) and playing on links courses, which can only help.”
“I played in my first Scottish Boys’ when I was 10, because you live in Scotland you pick up how to play Links golf really quickly.”
“The Amateur Championship attracts big crowds, especially during the match play and that just prepares you. You are still going to get over-awed by people watching. But because it is not the first time, you know how to deal with it a lot better.” “Especially the Links Trophy (the playoff) under that sort of pressure helped.”
Major amateur championships like The Amateur require two different mindsets, one to play well in stroke play and one for match play. Is that hard? “I have always been a pretty good match player because I am pretty determined but my strokeplay has improved. My scoring is more solid, I generally pick up a lot of birdies anyway.”
“With match play I feel I can play a lot more aggressively off the tee, I am a really good driver of the ball and quite long and straight. I like the fact that in match play I can use that to my advantage a lot more.” “At Portrush it was a case of knowing that if I got through the stroke play I knew I would be one to watch in the match play.” Had you played Portrush before The Amateur Championship? “Yes, I went over in March following our Nations Cup win. I played Portstewart twice and Portrush once and that helped me because I didn’t turn up in May looking at the course for the first time.” “It probably made a massive difference to the week.” “I met a local caddie, Phil, who was recommended to me and that helped as well because we were able to develop a quick bond.” Despite his young age it is difficult to appreciate when you meet Bradley that he is indeed still a junior golfer. His junior career comes to a proud conclusion this month at his home club, Blairgowrie, as he represents Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup.
It must be such an amazing thrill for you to play the Junior Ryder Cup at your home club?
believes that the course will provide much entertainment for the expected large crowds.
“Yes, 2 years ago I just missed out and when I heard that it was going to be at Blairgowrie, in my last year as a junior, it gave me a huge boost.”
Does the Rosemount course lend itself well to match play golf?
“The event being at my home course was driving me on even more to try and make that team.” “It was a big weight off my shoulders making that team because there was a lot of expectation from myself, family and people in the club to make that team.” “I am so proud to make the team because it will be my last junior event and last junior team I will play in.” “Last year I had the pressure of playing in the Scottish Amateur (at Blairgowrie) and I didn’t do so well. But this year I am a year older and a better player and I am hoping to be able to take it all on board and use it for the week.” Bradley is clearly aware of the significance of this Junior Ryder Cup, not just to himself but to junior golf in general. The Rosemount course will stage the matches and Bradley
“There’s so many good birdie chances but also a lot of tough holes, like the 1st and 16th, so it gives it a good mix. There will be holes won with birdies a lot more than there will be won with pars and bogeys.” “I think the scoring could be very low in the matches, which makes it even better for spectators.” I finished our discussion by asking him what his goals were for the next 12 months. His answers were telling by their simplicity. “To keep getting better at everything” said the 18-year-old. There is no doubt Bradley Neil is destined for success as a professional, but only once he has accepted his invitation to Augusta and played at Chambers Bay in the US Open. But arguably the proudest moment will be hitting that first tee shot on Monday morning in the 9th Junior Ryder Cup, on his patch, in his manor. Blairgowrie awaits a shining star.
The Blairgowrie Golf Club steps back into the golfing limelight this September by hosting the 10th Junior Ryder Cup. The club has a prestigious history and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The current Rosemount Course is comprised of holes from the original Lansdowne Course, which was designed by Alister Mackenzie. The Rosemount Course was designed by James Braid in 1930 and features some holes from that original Mackenzie design. The course having holes designed by legendary figures such as Braid and Mackenzie makes Blairgowrie one of Scotland’s premier inland courses. Gary Player was made an honorary member of the club in 1989. In 1977 the club staged the Martini International, a tournament on the recently established PGA European Tour. The tournament was to become famous for being the first European win for Australian golfing icon Greg Norman. Norman surged to victory with a final round of 66, winning by three strokes from Simon Hobday. The tournament featured the likes
of a young Howard Clark, Bernard Gallacher, Sam Torrance, Mark James and Ewen Murray. The club has staged numerous other national events but this September’s Junior Ryder Cup is set to put the Rosemount course back in the minds of golfers.
“Juniors are thought highly of and they have a large junior prize giving event each year and the opportunity to play in adult medals when good enough.”
The course measures 6,630 yards from the championship tees and demands the golfer moves the ball both left to right and right to left off the tee. The greens have subtle breaks and the trees come into play on many of the holes. There are opportunities to score well on this course but only if you play good golf. This month I sat down with Blairgowrie Golf Club member and St Andrews Links Caddie Matt Hood to discuss the Rosemount Course and he gave me his views on all 18 holes. Matt also speaks about being a junior at the Perthshire club. “Blairgowrie has a good junior section which has been successful in many local and national competitions. The clubhouse has a junior room with sky, and juniors have access to the bar and restaurant through a hatch in their room.”
“The first hole is a 447-yard, par four which doglegs from right to left and is tree lined down the left. The bunker up the right side is located 220-240 yards off tee. There is a ridge in the middle of fairway and the best drive is up right centre.” “There are 2 large bunkers on left green and a sharp fall off on right. The second shot is played over heather on right side to a slightly elevated green which has a upslope at front. The green is fairly deep but narrow in comparison to rest of course.”
“The second hole is a short par 4. The ideal line for the drive is up left side of a tree lined fairway. The approach shot is from less than 100 yards, usually from a downslope to a slightly elevated and undulating green protected by five bunkers.”
“The par three third hole plays longer than its yardage and has bunkers on either side of the green. There is a narrow entrance to the putting surface, when pin is located on the right side you have to aim for middle of green.”
“The par four fourth hole requires a draw off the tee, with the longer hitters leaving themselves a second shot from a slight upslope. The green is protected by silver birches on the right side and bunkers at the front right and left.” “The green is fairly flat but does have a slight slope in the middle of the green, which makes getting an approach close difficult.”
“The fifth hole is a long and straight par five. There are bunkers in play for the longer hitters up the right side which have been recently added.” “The lay-up is difficult with a large bunker and lone tree making the target extremely hard to find.”
“The 190-yard par three hole has a deep green with a bunker short left and right. The green slopes from right to left and it is a hole where clubbing accuracy is extremely important.”
“The seventh hole measures just 376 yards but accuracy off the tee is vital, avoiding 3 fairway bunkers with two on the left and one on the right. The best line off the tee is up the left side to open up the green for the second shot.”
“The 371-yard par four eighth hole requires a drive up the right side of the fairway, leaving a short wedge approach to a green protected by bunkers 20 yards short and surrounding a green which angles from right to left.”
“The ninth hole is also quite short by modern standards at just 328 yards long. The hole doglegs right to left and any tee shot drifting right or which goes through the dogleg will find a lone bunker. If the tee is moved up slightly the green may be in reach for big hitters.”
“The 508-yard par five tenth hole features a severe dogleg right to left, with a bunker on the left the ideal line for the tee shot is up the right centre. For the longer hitter to reach in two they have to go tight up the left. The hole features a long green, guarded by bunkers on both sides with a slope at the back of green which can punish misjudged approach.”
“The second of two back-to-back par fives, this hole also features a severe dogleg but in the opposite left to right direction. There is a bunker through the fairway on the left which must be avoided, anything left will go towards heather and trees.” “This green features a large ridge in the middle.”
“This is the shortest par four on the course. From the tee most players will use a mid to long iron up right side. When the tee is up many will go for the green which is protected by bunkers short right and short left.”
“The 403 yard par four 13th hole has a left to right sloping fairway so tee shots should be kept to the left. Deep bunkers left and right, and a slope beyond the green mean the approach has to be precise.”
“The 517 yard par five fourteenth hole is fairly straight but to provide the best angle for a second shot the drive needs to be up the left side. Fairway bunkers need to be avoided when laying up.”
“The shortest hole on the course is the 130 yard par three 15th. Guarded by bunkers on both sides and a precise shot is needed. The green divided into three parts.”
“The 16th is one of the hardest holes on the course, measuring 473 yards off the back tee. The entire left side of the hole is bordered by out of bounds. The drive is over water and to reach into two is good hitting.”
“The final hole on the Rosemount course is a 402 yard par four which is a slight dogleg left to right.”
“The signature hole on the Rosemount course at Blairgowrie is the 163 yard par three 17th. There is a ridge which splits the green into two parts and the green is wide and shallow. There is a large, deep bunker protecting the front of the green.”
41 years is a long time.
Scotland has held two referendums on Independence in the last 41 years.
The country has changed significantly in 41 years.
This September the Ryder Cup returns home to Scotland for the first time since September 1973. Back then it was the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers which played host the matches between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland.
This year it is The Gleneagles Hotel and the PGA Centenary Course in the heart of Perthshire.
But it still loves golf.
Golf is a burning passion, a pastime which brings communities together.
Golf is an industry which drives the nation’s economy and brings thousands of tourists to the country each year.
Scotland is the home of golf.
Since May St Andrews Golf Magazine has brought you a countdown to the 2014 Ryder Cup and now we have nearly arrived at that special event. Gleneagles is ready and the world is ready for another enchanting episode of the Ryder Cup story.
Over the next 18 pages we guide you through the PGA Centenary Course and then we tell the story of that extraordinary Sunday at Medinah.
The 40th Ryder Cup is set to be one of sport’s greatest contests.
The two teams are very evenly matched and the two captains are diligent and passionate about their roles.
The spectators will be passionate and knowledgeable, and the viewers around the world will be transfixed by the awesome golf in beautiful surroundings.
Keep up to date with Ryder Cup week on our dedicated Ryder Cup microsite. Just go to www.standrewsgolfmagazine.com and follow the link.
Enjoy the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
In August’s edition of St Andrews Golf Magazine we took a look at the Pioneers from St Andrews who became club professionals in the United States and eventually helped form the PGA of America. This month St Andrews Golf Magazine visited the Hotel Martinique in New York City, and the Taplow Club, where the PGA of America was founded in 1916. Unfortunately we were not able to source the details of the origins of those present in the initial meeting. We know there were some 15 Scots but not their precise origin and if they were from St Andrews. The PGA of America continued to use the Hotel Martinique as the place it announced its Ryder Cup team for many years until recently.
Captain: Paul McGinley
Rory McIlroy Graeme McDowell Victor Dubuisson Thomas Bjorn Sergio Garcia Jamie Donaldson Henrik Stenson Martin Kaymer Justin Rose Wildcard: Lee Westwood Wildcard: Stephen Gallacher Wildcard: Ian Poulter
Captain: Tom Watson
Wildcard: Hunter Mahan Wildcard: Keegan Bradley Wildcard: Webb Simpson Phil Mickelson Jimmy Walker Jordan Spieth Patrick Reed Matt Kuchar Jim Furyk Zach Johnson Rickie Fowler Bubba Watson
The Ryder Cup was the event that inspired me to take up the game at the age of 10 in 1993, with the hole in one by Nick Faldo at the Belfry on the Sunday providing the spark that began my 19-year addiction to this marvellous game. And I have absolutely no doubt that the incredible happenings at the 2012 Ryder Cup will provide a similar spark to thousands of 10-year-old boys and girls across Europe. Europe drew on the inspiration of Seve Ballesteros to generate momentum for an historic and amazing comeback from 10-4 down late on Saturday evening, winning 10 and a half of the final 14 points available at Medinah. Over the first two days we saw a wave of American birdies, with shot after stunning shot from a team being lauded as the best for 30 years, since the "dream team" which dismantled Europe at Walton Heath in 1981. Seemingly bottom of clinging on the match Singles.
every putt they hit found the the hole, and Europe were to anything they could to keep alive going into the Sunday
Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald held on to edge out Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, giving Europe just their fifth point out of the first 15. Then the attention switched to the 16th match between Ian Poulter & Rory McIlroy and Jason Dufner & Zach Johnson. The Americans took a 2-up lead into the last six holes, and seemed set to extend the overall score to 11-5, before an inspired finish which gave Europe the platform for their greatest ever comeback. The World Number One (McIlroy) holed a downhill putt at the 13th to win the hole with a birdie, and then the European talisman Ian Poulter took over. He holed putt after astonishing putt on each of the last five holes to complete a remarkable six birdie finish for Europe to close the score to 10-6 and give them hope of a "Brookline 99" style comeback. And Europe achieved the Impossible by winning the first five matches on Sunday, quietening the raucous Chicago crowds and sending a ripple of nervousness around the Medinah Country Club. Suddenly the seemingly rampant Americans were missing and the pressure was too much for them to bare. The
matches and destiny of the Ryder Cup came down to the final three matches. Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood extended his points tally in the competition to 21, moving to within 4 points of matching the all-time record held by Sir Nick Faldo, a record he can potentially break at Gleneagles in 2014. So it came down to the final two matches, with the score at 13-13, Europe needing 1 point to retain and the United States needing 1 and a half points to win. Martin Kaymer, out of form for much of the season and dropped for the entire second day's play, made a par 3 to take the lead on the 17th in his match against Jim Furyk, meaning a half at the final hole would incredibly give Europe the Ryder Cup. And the German delivered. Coolly rolling in the putt which had realized the dream Europe had dared to dream on Saturday night. Sky Sports’ Ewen Murray found the right commentary for the moment: “The history books re-written by 12 heroes in Chicago, unbelievably, it’s Europe’s Ryder Cup!”
Francesco Molinari and Tiger Woods halved their match, remarkably giving Europe an outright win, from a seemingly impossible deficit. It was pure ecstasy for Europe and the fans. Sky Sports' Butch Harmon, coach to Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, said that it "was the greatest golf event he had ever been to" and television ratings show the immense popularity of what is now without question the greatest golf event in the world. NBC's overnight ratings were the highest they have been for the Ryder Cup ever, eclipsing those of the 1999 matches when the United States team came back from the same deficit at The Country Club. Sky Sports’ golf presenter David Livingstone recalls the experience: “It was the best (atmosphere at the Ryder Cup) ever; we had a big, full studio with a big curved window and it is the biggest and best studio at the whole Ryder Cup and even the host broadcaster is looking at it and they can’t believe what is going on.”
“Of course we had Jack Nicklaus in there on the final day. It is like a goldfish bowl so people are walking by and they see Nicklaus, Monty and Butch. For some reason Jack really enjoys coming into our studio, maybe because we do things differently from the Americans.” “We’re not quite as intense or serious. I remember he couldn’t believe it; it was the final word before going into live golf for the day and Monty made this big case as to why he thought Europe was going to win. He was very passionate about it. The last word from Butch was “Monty you’re full of it” and Jack Nicklaus laughed so loud, he couldn’t believe anyone would say so irreverent on TV.” “It was a great atmosphere, because I don’t think any of us thought Europe were going to win but it was like a shot to nothing at snooker. You have a go at it but you don’t expect to do it. The atmosphere inside and outside was great.” “It evolved into a special day, not just for golf but for viewing golf. At one point in the evening Sky Sports 1 was the most viewed channel in Great Britain of ALL channels including terrestrial.
“For the first time, people who had never watched sport, never mind golf got interested in it.� And for me the Ryder Cup does transcend golf to an audience which otherwise would not watch the game, this was proved in my own house. My parents have never really sat down with me to watch golf, but they did for this Ryder Cup; on Thursday night for the Opening Ceremony, on Friday for the Opening shots, on Saturday evening for the incredible finish to the Fourballs, and on Sunday for the finale. And what further proved this was that my Dad actually said that he was looking forward to watching it. We were all sat there cheering every holed putt and we all celebrated when Martin Kaymer holed the clinching putt. The sense of exultation when Europe won was absolutely fantastic, it was without question the best golf tournament I have ever watched. Golf has always had a rather unfair reputation as a sport for old men and a stuffy, slow game. The week of the 2012 Ryder Cup completely shattered that reputation, with the crowd interaction on the
first tee and throughout the course, and at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. And the makeup of the two teams, the bright and brash Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Nicolas Colsaerts, Ian Poulter, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley. Golf came out of the 2012 Ryder Cup with its reputation and popularity enhanced, and its stars shining brighter than ever before. Sunday 30 September 2012 was Golf's Greatest Day.
Friday 19 September 3am, 7.30am
Miracle at Medinah
Tuesday 23 September 1pm
Thursday 18 September 8.30am
Saturday 20 September 11pm
2010 Official Film
2008 Official Film
Sunday 21 September 3am, 7.30am
Friday 19 September 1.30pm
Thursday 18 September 1.30pm
Monday 22 September 7pm
Saturday 20 September 10.30am
Saturday 20 September 2am, 9am
How the 1995 Ryder Cup was won Thursday 18 September 6am, 6pm
Monday 22 September 9am How the 1997 Ryder Cup was won Thursday 18 September 9.30pm
How the 2004 Ryder Cup was won
2012 Official Film
Sunday 21 September 9.30am
Friday 19 September 6pm
Saturday 20 September 12pm, 7.30pm
Monday 22 September 11pm
Tuesday 23 September 7pm
Monday 22 September 12.30pm
How the 2006 Ryder Cup was won
Tom Watson – Lessons of a Lifetime
How the 1999 Ryder Cup was won
Friday 19 September 9.30pm
Saturday 20 September 7pm
Friday 19 September 12.30am
Saturday 20 September 6am
Sunday 21 September 1am, 5am, 7pm, 9.30pm
Tuesday 23 September 6.30am
Tuesday 23 September 3am, 10.30am Monday 22 September 1.30am, 4.30am, 8am, 8.30am, 2pm, 2.30pm How the 2002 Ryder Cup was won
Ryder Cup Countdown LIVE
McGinley: The making of a captain
Sunday 21 September 5 days to go
Tuesday 23 September 6pm
7.30pm (shown again at 11.30pm, Monday 22 September 2.30am, 6am, 10.30am, 3pm)
Opening Ceremony History of the Ryder Cup
Thursday 25 September 2.30pm
Tuesday 23 September 10pm Monday 22 September 4 days to go 5pm (shown again at 9pm, Tuesday 23 September 2am)
Day One Celebrity Challenge Thursday 25 September 11am
Friday 26 September 7am
Tuesday 23 September 3 days to go
Day Two
5pm (shown again at 9pm)
Saturday 27 September 7am
Wednesday 24 September 2 days to go
Day Three
5pm
Sunday 28 September 10.30am
Ian Poulter: Europe’s Postman Coverage sponsored by Monday 22 September 6pm, 10pm ROLEX and Standard Life Investments Tuesday 23 September 9.30am, 4pm