2013 Scottish Open Golf Programme

THIS IS REAL GOLF CASTLE STUART

SCOTLAND 2013

11-14 July 2013 Official Programme: £5.00

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Welcome from the Scottish Government Hello, and welcome to the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

This is the third year this prestigious event has been held at the wonderful Castle Stuart Golf Links before it heads to a new venue at Royal Aberdeen in 2014.

I’m sure every single person who has attended over the past three years would join me in congratulating the team at Castle Stuart for being terrific hosts and providing a setting befitting of one of The European Tour’s flagship events and the national Open of the Home of Golf.

The Scottish Open is always one of the highlights in Scotland’s sporting calendar and attracts keen interest from all over the world, highlighted by the fact that with NBC’s coverage this year it becomes the first regular European Tour event to be screened live on a US television network. The event is hugely significant for both the local area and Scotland as a whole, through strong tourism revenue and global media coverage, which showcases our beautiful country to potential visitors from overseas. In 2011, the year the tournament was first staged at Castle Stuart, it was worth more than £5m to the Scottish economy, highlighting the added value of hosting major golf tournaments.

I am delighted to continue Scottish Government support and funding and welcome the significant input and investment from Aberdeen Asset Management as we strive to keep this tournament at the forefront of European and world golf and part of an envied portfolio of events in the Home of Golf.

We are all of course looking ahead to 2014, when Scotland will host The Ryder Cup at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles. Scotland’s commitment to hosting the historic match between Europe and the USA extends to our continued support for major events each year, which will contribute to a lasting legacy for the sport throughout the country. That legacy is already taking shape through our innovative ClubGolf programme, seen in action here at Castle Stuart this week, which is helping to drive participation in golf throughout our schools and clubs.

I hope you enjoy the action this week here at the stunning Castle Stuart course, which encapsulates everything that is so exciting about golf in Scotland.

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The Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP First Minister of Scotland.

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Welcome from Aberdeen Asset Management I would like to welcome you all to the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open here at the magnificent Castle Stuart Golf Links. We’re thrilled to be in our second year of supporting this great tournament which is growing and attracting some of the biggest names in golf.

This year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and we have recently refreshed our brand to represent a simpler, cleaner look; an explicit expression of ‘simply asset management’. What could be more straightforward than some of the best golfers in the world competing here on a links course in Scotland, the Home of Golf?

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is fast becoming a favourite of many players on both The European and US PGA Tours; we are looking forward to some excellent play on the challenging links over the course of the weekend.

Aberdeen Asset Management is a long term supporter of golf at all levels of the game and we are proud that the Scottish Open has become one of our biggest and most successful sponsorships. The international reach of the Scottish Open is hugely significant to us as a global asset manager and we are delighted to have secured live coverage of the tournament on NBC in the US this year.

We operate from over 30 offices around the world and we look forward to the tournament’s coverage reaching a global audience.

The very best of luck to all of the players and to the many spectators, we hope you enjoy watching these great golfers in action in such a fabulous setting.

Best wishes, Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management

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Martin Gilbert CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management

Castle Stuart Golf Links NOW OFFERING ON-SITE LODGINGS Summer Stay & Play packages from £240

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The newly renovated Farmhouse & Castle Cottage each offer comfortable accommodation for up to 8 golfers and both are conveniently located near the Clubhouse. Each property is available on a nightly basis for those playing at least one round of golf at Castle Stuart.

A Touch of Luxury…

All Bedrooms are en-suite and feature flexible

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Leave your golf apparel and clubs in your utility

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Welcome from Castle Stuart Golf Links On behalf of the staff and everyone affiliated with Castle Stuart Golf Links, we take great pleasure in welcoming you to the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

At Castle Stuart we know what a privilege it is to host this special event sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management. The Scottish Open is not only one of the premier events on The European Tour, but an important first stop in the two-week celebration of links golf in the British Isles. As a relative newcomer to the links scene in Scotland, Castle Stuart and all involved are thrilled about bringing the event both to our course and to the Highlands of Scotland. We understand the obligation we have undertaken to do our best for all concerned - the competitors, the spectators, the sponsors, and perhaps as importantly the Highlands community. We have become part of the fabric here and accept this opportunity with humility and a sense of responsibility.

Castle Stuart enjoys a unique links setting and topography that combine to make golf here visually memorable – for competitors, spectators, and the television audience. The golf holes themselves are 18 compositions that place the notable landmarks of the Moray Firth directly into the player’s perspective; and because of the site’s topography, those same landmarks make a panoramic backdrop for spectators and television audiences alike.

For the holes immediately abutting the sea, the Kessock Bridge, Chanonry Lighthouse, Fort George (home of the Black Watch) and Castle Stuart itself are often seen by players directly through their shot-making perspective while also providing a pleasing visual context for the audience enjoying the competition.

Atop the ‘old sea cliff’ these same Black Isle landmarks are often presented from towering heights that offer palpably different and perhaps even more spectacular visual perspectives. These quintessential Highland landmarks are constantly on display at Castle Stuart for all to enjoy.

Golf on our links course is defined by latitude of play off the tees and interesting yet challenging issues when less-than-perfect tee shots are struck. To say Castle Stuart is forgiving almost gives the impression that there is an ‘ease’ about playing the course. Perhaps. That inevitable less-than-perfect tee shot does leave players with a shot, but a more difficult shot – one that definitely provides the better player an opportunity to separate from his competitors who prove less skillful in the same circumstances. The opportunities for redemption and the variety of recovery skills required should prove interesting to competitors and their audience as well.

If successful as host venue, Castle Stuart will have helped identify the best player on the week by providing him ample opportunity with his every shot to demonstrate his full range of skills while finding separation from the field. We would also look to the course to elicit anticipation and hopefulness in all competitors with the ‘test of golf’ less a severe one calling for perfection than one focused on perceptual ability, judgment, decision-making, shot-making, poise, and recovery skill under pressure.

Our goal for the course has always been that it should not be difficult for the sake of being difficult, but rather that it be interesting and engaging; and in this particular event, that it offer an opportunity for each competitor to find his ‘links groove’ for the following week’s Open Championship at Muirfield. We expect to see birdies, eagles, fascinating turns of fortune, and an exciting finish to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. We will applaud a champion whose score goes low because the best players in the world are that good.

We wish Royal Aberdeen well in its hosting of the Scottish Open in 2014, and look forward to welcoming the European Tour and the Scottish Open back to Castle Stuart in the future.

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Mark Parsinen, Managing Partner

Stuart McColm, General Manager

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Welcome from The European Tour We bid you the warmest of welcomes to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, a tournament steeped in history and with a roll call of champions worthy of its status as one of The European Tour’s most coveted titles.

From Neil Coles in the inaugural event at Downfield in 1972 through to Jeev Milkha Singh’s triumph at Castle Stuart Golf Links last year, the list of winners reads like a “who’s who” of golfing greats from the past and present.

The perfect combination of visually arresting and welcoming, Castle Stuart has proved its immense value as a host venue, and so we must thank Managing Partner, Mark Parsinen, Partner Grant Sword, General Manager Stuart McColm, Sales and Marketing Director Fraser Cromarty and Course Manager Chris Haspell, and indeed all of their team for their outstanding effort and support over the past three years.

Sponsorship is integral to any sporting event, and so our sincere thanks go to Aberdeen Asset Management and in particular their Chief Executive Officer, Martin Gilbert, for his continued commitment.

We must also recognise and applaud the support we have received from the Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland, whose dedication to sustaining Scotland’s rich heritage as the world’s foremost golfing destination is a credit both to him and this beautiful country.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to thank Martin Johnson, Area Manager of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of the Highland Council, and their colleagues, whose efforts to promote and support the operation of the tournament have contributed hugely to its success.

We have been warmly welcomed by the Highland community, and so we thank everyone for their hospitality, generosity and spirit.

Here’s to another wonderful week in the ‘Home of Golf’.

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George O’Grady CBE Chief Executive, The European Tour

WIN

your perfect golf break in Scotland

As our winner, you could choose to experience a two night golf break for you and three companions in the Highlands of Scotland, staying at the 4-star Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness and playing a round of golf at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Nairn Golf Club and Castle Stuart Golf Links.

Or if you prefer, there are also options to allow you to enjoy the golfing delights on offer in East Lothian, the Kingdom of Fife or Perthshire - the choice would ultimately be yours.

Enter today at the Scotland Home of Golf stand.

Muirfield - Host Venue of the 2013 Open Championship Š David Cannon/Getty Images

SCOTLAND’s GOLF COAST GOLF EAST LOTHIAN

What’s more, all the entries received on the Scotland Home of Golf stand this week will also go into a draw to be in with a chance of winning: § A 3-night golf break for two to the city of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, staying at both Meldrum House Hotel & Golf Resort, Oldmeldrum and The Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen.

The prize also includes a round of golf at Meldrum House, Murcar Links and Cruden Bay. § A 2-night golf break for two at the 4-star Green Hotel & Leisure Resort, Kinross, Perthshire.

Meldrum House Country Hotel, Oldmeldrum

The Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen

The Green Hotel Golf & Leisure Resort, Kinross, Perthshire

Terms & Conditions: No purchase necessary. Scotland draw closes 26.08.13. The Aberdeenshire and Perthshire draws close 15.07.13. Participation open to all residents of UK, IoM, CI and ROI aged 18 or over. For full Terms and Conditions go to: www.visitscotland.com/win/golfprizeterms

Castle Stuart Golf Links

www.visitscotland.com/golf

Power Precision Ambition Drive Attributes for success

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WEATHER WARNING Inclement Weather Policy for Spectators: Observe the leaderboards throughout the golf course for signs that will appear prior to inclement weather moving into the area When this sign appears, marshalls will be instructed to start clearing grandstands and spectators are advised to take precautions PRIOR to play being suspended. If the siren sounds, seek shelter immediately. AVOID THE FOLLOWING: Open areas, Hilltops / High Places, Isolated Trees, Golf Carts, Wire Fences

CONTENTS P1

Welcome from The First Minister

P3

Welcome from Aberdeen Asset Management

P5

Welcome from Castle Stuart

P7

Welcome from The European Tour

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26

19

40

32

60

P12 Review of the 2012 tournament and Jeev Milkha Singh P19 Paul Lawrie P26 Scottish golf rises up the Rankings P32 Darren Clarke’s date with destiny P36 2014 Ryder Cup P40 Phil Mickelson P45 Charity fundraising support P48 Play and stay in the Highlands P57 Fairway fashion P60 Player Profiles P84 Course Map and Tented Village Map P86 Hole by Hole Guide P96 Acknowledgements and Officials

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Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Design Director: Alex Gallemore Editor: Richard Bevan Deputy Editor: Todd Staszko Design Manager: Mark Frain Production Manager: Robert Flinn Technical Manager: Mark Collinge

Publisher: Mike Gallemore PrePress: Forward Five 22 Milnpark Street Kinning Park Glasgow G41 1BB Tel: 0141 429 8983 e-mail: print@forwardfive.co.uk www.forwardfive.co.uk

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SINGH ON SONG AT CASTLE STUART Words: Todd Staszko

A

LL Jeev Milkha Singh needed to settle himself after posting the clubhouse target of 17 under par at last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open was a slice of chocolate cake.

Plenty of players were ahead of Singh’s target but still had the closing holes to navigate, and after the cunning links and brisk breeze had got the better of most players at the top of the leaderboard, it was Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari who was the only man to match Singh’s score.

India’s finest golfer simply dusted the crumbs off his lap and promptly despatched the Italian with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole.

“After play I went back to the player’s lounge,

had a cup of tea and a slice of chocolate cake – I love chocolate cake – and talked to my family, my friend who coaches me and my caddie, Janet. We were just hanging around and then suddenly we realised I was in a play-off,” said Singh.

“I thought my chance had gone. I thought my total was going to be one or two shots short, but the golfing gods were kind to me and got me into the play-off, and then I was fortunate enough to win.

“It’s one of the best wins of my career so far, especially because of the fact that it came in Scotland, the Home of Golf where the game started and on a links course as good as Castle Stuart, it was really special for me. The crowds4

A

A Jeev Milkha Singh gathers with the greenkeepers and helpers on the 18th green after winning the play-off with Francesco Molinari.

B Members of the Royal British Legion Inverness Pipes and Drums and the Cabarfeidh Mini Band pictured with Luke Donald, the 2011 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Champion, during last year’s Pro-Am.

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B

C 4

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George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Champion Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Roger Cornick, Chairman of Aberdeen Asset Management and Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, pictured with the trophy.

2012 REVIEW

JEEV MILKHA SINGH

(ABOVE) Low Amateur Jack McDonald, of Scotland, pictured with Roger Cornick, Chairman and Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management.

(TOP RIGHT) Marc Warren in action as he tops the leaderboard during the fourth round.

(Right) Phil Mickelson looks on as Martin Laird tees off at the opening hole of the final round.

were fantastic. They were knowledgeable about the etiquette of golf and how they handled themselves was fantastic. The way they were cheering brought the best out of me.

“It was four years since my last win but I’ve been injured for quite a while during that time. Now I feel fit and full of confidence. When you get the confidence you start trusting yourself under pressure and you start playing well, and that’s what happened at Castle Stuart.”

To say Singh snuck in under the radar at Castle Stuart would be something of an understatement. He started the day five strokes back and the galleries were hoping that the well-placed Scots Marc Warren and Martin Laird could catch the lead, which was held by Molinari on 17 under par.

However, Singh was quick out of the blocks, birdieing four of the opening six holes to reach the turn at 16 under par. He

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then birdied the tenth and parred the final eight holes in the quickening breeze to set the target.

Warren, too, had played exceptionally well, birdieing the first two holes and then the opening three on the inward nine. He was 20 under as he played the 15th but suffered a double bogey. He then made back-to-back bogeys to fall to 16 under, and suddenly had the pressure of needing to birdie the last to make a play-off.

Playing into the wind, Warren needed three blows to reach the green and then his 25 foot birdie putt stayed high. “It’s going to be a long drive home tonight,” said the crestfallen Scot.

Sweden’s Alexander Noren also suffered shortly before Warren’s finish, missing a three foot par putt to tie Singh while Laird posted a final round 74 to finish on 12 under par and in a share of 16th place.

The Glaswegian’s challenge never really got going, and he could not reproduce the

magic that had fired him into contention during a third round eight under par 64, as he began his final round charge with three bogeys in the first six holes to fall too far back to mount a challenge.

“As the day went on, I started hitting better shots,” said Laird, “but my short game was not very good. I don’t know if the greens were slower because of the wind but I just really struggled getting the ball to the hole.”

Molinari, who began the week with a stunning course record 62 and led after the second and third rounds, needed a closing birdie to join his elder brother Edoardo as a winner of this prestigious Championship. However, he struggled at the last and left himself with a testing nine foot par putt to force a play-off. He duly sank it and pumped his fist in celebration.

With Singh having to wait over 90 minutes after the completion of his round, many thought it would be an advantage

“IT’S JUST FANTASTIC, WINNING IN THE HOME OF GOLF, IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT. I LOVE THE GOLF COURSE AT CASTLE STUART, OBVIOUSLY WHERE YOU WIN YOU ALWAYS LOVE IT AND GET POSITIVE VIBES WHEN YOU RETURN, AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO TEEING IT UP WHEN I DEFEND THE TITLE THIS WEEK. - JEEV MILKHA SINGH

to Molinari as the two teed off on the 18th in a head-to-head battle for the title. But Singh soon alleviated any fears of rustiness by crushing his drive straight down the fairway. Both laid up shy of the green and left themselves a wedge shot in. Molinari found the green and had a 25 footer for birdie but it pulled up well short, leaving the door open for Singh to step through, and he duly obliged, stroking home from 15 feet.

“It’s been a good week but obviously I’m disappointed not to finish it off,” said

Molinari. “I did well to make Pars at 17 and 18, which were playing tough into the wind. I made a good putt to make the play-off and tonight I’ll just think back and try to draw the positives from the week.”

While Molinari tried to focus on the positives and mask his disappointment, Singh could not disguise his joy as he received the trophy from European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Aberdeen Asset Management Chairman Roger Cornick. “It’s just fantastic, winning in the

Home of Golf, it doesn’t get any better than that,” said Singh. “I love the golf course at Castle Stuart, obviously where you win you always love it and get positive vibes when you return, and I’m looking forward to teeing it up when I defend the title this week. I love links golf because there’s a lot of imagination and a lot of feel required, and I believe that that’s how the game should be played.”

A regular winner in Asia throughout the mid to late 1990s, Singh became the first Indian to qualify for The European Tour 4

Jeev Milkha Singh, who started the final round five shots off the lead and then birdied four of the opening six holes, tees off on the fifth.

“It’s been a good week but, obviously, I’m disappointed not to finish it off,” said Molinari. “I did well to make par at 17 and 18, which were playing tough into the wind. I made a good putt to make the play-off and tonight I’ll just think back and try to draw the positives from the week.”

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Francesco Molinari

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2012 REVIEW

JEEV MILKHA SINGH

“By nature I’m very competitive – just like my father. I’m happy to take things as they come, but I always want to win every event I enter. My father has always been a keen golfer and he introduced me to the game when I was eight. I was proud and fortunate to become the second in our family to receive the Padma Shir. It’s one of the highest civilian awards in our country and a bit like receiving a knighthood in Britain.”

- JEEV MILKHA SINGH

BEHIND THE SCENES

FINAL LEADERBOARD: 1 2 T3 T3 T5 T5 T5

when he successfully navigated through the Qualifying School in 1997. He won his first title at the co-sanctioned Volvo China Open in 2006 and, buoyed by his success, he later won the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama to finish 16th in The Race to Dubai.

Two years later, he won his third title at the Bank Austria GolfOpen and finished a career-best 12th in The Race to Dubai with seven additional top tens. Since then, he has struggled with various injuries to his back and his ankle but he returned to form and fitness last year for a memorable win on the Moray Firth.

“Golf is the fastest-growing sport in India,” said Singh. “It’s second behind cricket in terms of popularity and I’m happy that I

Jeev Milkha Singh Francesco Molinari Alexander Noren Marc Warren Matthew Baldwin Thomas Levet Søren Kjeldsen

was able to get a lot of recognition in the game when I first joined The European Tour. I am happy to be a role model and to help the game to grow in my country, and winning in Scotland last season certainly made the headlines back home. I want to be able to offer a lot more in future years, and one day open my own golf academies in India so I can give something back.”

PADMA SHIR AWARD Singh was awarded the prestigious Padma Shir award from the Government in India in recognition of his achievements in the game, just as his father, Olympic sprinter Milkha Singh, had done around 40 years earlier. “By nature I’m very competitive, just like my father,” said Singh.

IND ITA SWE SCO ENG FRA DEN

-17 -17 -16 -15

“I’m happy to take things as they come but I always want to win every event I enter.

My father has always been a keen golfer and he introduced me to the game when I was eight. I was proud and fortunate to become the second in our family to receive the Padma Shir. It’s one of the highest civilian awards in our country and a bit like receiving a knighthood in Britain.”

Singh followed in the footsteps of the likes of Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, Tom Lehman, Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald in winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the trail-blazing Indian is aiming to do what no other player has done by successfully defending his title this week. n

“Golf is the fastest-growing sport in India. It’s second behind cricket in terms of popularity and I’m happy that I was able to get a lot of recognition in the game when I first joined The European Tour. I am happy to be a role model and to help the game to grow in my country, and winning in Scotland last year certainly made the headlines back home. “ – JEEV MILKHA SINGH 17

Special Olympian, Great Britain athlete David Mitchell presents the three-time Major Champion, Padraig Harrington with an honour from the Special Olympics in appreciation of his tireless commitment to the Special Olympics athletes and their families.

Spectators in the tented village received helpful tips from the PGA Professional coaches.

Crabbies tested everyone’s putting abilities with challenging layouts and a prize for those lucky enough to find the hole in one.

Paul Lawrie

HOME ONTHE LINKS

PAUL LAWRIE may not have rediscovered the form that made 2012 one of the most successful seasons since he won The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999, but he believes he is still on course to capture the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, the tournament all Scots want to win. The likeable Aberdonian talks to Mike Gallemore about his career and his ever-expanding Paul Lawrie Foundation.

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‘‘M

AYBE I haven’t enjoyed the sort of success I’ve had in the last couple of years this season but I’ve played the same tee to green, and if anything I’ve played a little better than last year.

But I’ve been struggling with the putter.

It’s always tough to compete and get top-ten finishes when you’re having 32 to 36 putts every round. That’s the only comparative difference between this year and last, yet I’m hopeful that will turn around soon. It’s not a long-term thing and I started putting much better at the US Open at Merion, which was a tough course with some difficult greens.

That’s how this game goes. I had a similar situation prior to winning my sixth European Tour event at the Andalucia Open in March 2011 – my first Tour title in six years. I’d been playing well during the previous two years, with six runner-up finishes and several more top tens, but I couldn’t get those putts to drop. Then, suddenly my luck changed in Spain and the putts started going in.

(Lawrie went on to finish second in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, beaten by an Alvaro Quiros eagle on the 72nd hole, before adding another victory in the 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters. A runner-up finish behind Luke Donald in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and a second victory of the season at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles were enough to secure his place on Europe’s Ryder Cup Team).

Right now I’m not holing my fair share of putts. But that’s not to say that won’t change in the near future and my luck won’t turn around as it did in 2011. I don’t know of any top golfer in the world who doesn’t complain about his putting from time to time. I’ve holed more than my fair share over the years so I’m not complaining.

It’s all part of golf and something you just have to accept.

I’m pleased with a lot of things right now, and particularly my Foundation, which is growing steadily every year. I couldn’t be more pleased with it. I launched the Foundation in 2001, shortly after winning The Open at Carnoustie, to help youngsters get into golf. We take the kids from primary school age up to the age of 18 and give them the opportunity to try golf and develop their sporting potential.

We have a variety of programmes for kids of all ages and levels. We give them a variety of options to experience the game in a fun and friendly environment and arrange

“UP HERE IN ABERDEEN, WHEN I GO TO MEETINGS ABOUT THE FOUNDATION, I’M ASTOUNDED BY THE SUPPORT WE GET FROM EVERYONE. THEY SEEM TO TAKE THE VIEW THAT, ‘YOU AND YOUR WIFE DO SO MUCH, HOW CAN WE NOT HELP?’ THEY LIKE WHAT WE’RE DOING AND THEY WANT TO COME ON BOARD. THE RELATIONSHIP WORKS WELL. THE COMPANIES WHO HELP US WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED AND IDENTIFIED WITH THE FOUNDATION AND THEY’RE PLEASED TO LEND A HAND. THEY GENUINELY WANT TO HELP OUT.” competitive events to give them a wide appreciation of golf and its etiquette.

Being based in the north east of Scotland we’ve decided to concentrate on the region in which we live and come from. We want to help as many kids as we can from our area. I wanted to try and branch out for a while and take the Foundation further afield but we just can’t do it. We’re aware of how much time, money and effort it takes to fund and organise what we do up here so we’re going to stick to that. The great thing is that the kids love it and the parents love it.

We’re fortunate to have a huge amount of help and support from businesses, businessmen and friends in the region who give up their time and support us financially.

My wife, Marian, does an unbelievable amount of work with the Foundation. It’s getting pretty big and more and more kids are benefitting from our efforts. Up here in Aberdeen, when I go to meetings about the Foundation, I’m astounded by the support we get from everyone. They seem to take the view that, ‘you and your wife do so much, how can we not help.?’

They like what we’re doing and they want

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to come on board. The relationship works well. The companies who help us want to be associated and identified with the Foundation and they’re pleased to lend a hand. They genuinely want to help out.

I’m proud and privileged to have so many sponsors and supporters for myself and also for the Foundation. I’m delighted and honoured to be the Official Touring Professional of The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle and sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, along with Pentagon Freight Services, AMEC, Saltire Energy, Farm Foods, First, Entier, Taqa, Intermoor, Hampton Associates, Wilson, Titleist and Glenmuir.

When The Ryder Cup comes to Gleneagles next year it’s going to bring even more focus to the north east of

Paul and wife Marian attend the Gala Dinner ahead of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.

Lawrie addresses the media at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after helping Europe secure a stunning ‘come from behind’ victory in last year’s Ryder Cup.

Scotland. It will be a fantastic. We just can’t wait. From a personal point of view, whether I’m in The Ryder Cup Team or not, it’s going to be a wonderful event for everyone to go along and watch. I remember when I first played in The Ryder Cup at Brookline in Boston in 1999 and then at Medinah, Chicago, last year, I could see how much the event has grown.

The size and scale of The Ryder Cup these days is just massive. It’s colossal. It’s now one of the biggest sporting occasions in the

world. To have The Ryder Cup played for the first time in its current format in Scotland is an amazing boost for the country. Golf fans from all over Scotland will be able to come and watch the tournament.

People have asked whether I was disappointed at not getting the Captaincy of the European Team. When I played at Medinah (where Lawrie won a vital point in beating Brandt Snedecker in the Singles) my full intention was not to put my name in the hat because I felt I could make the Team for

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2014. I’d been asked regularly if I would like to be considered and I kept saying, ‘No.’ But at the last minute I thought I might as well give it a go, there’s no harm in putting my name up. If I got the job I would commit 100 per cent to it but if I didn’t I’d still knuckle down again as I did last time to try and get into the Team.

There was obviously a little disappointment because the Captain’s job is the big job but I think they picked the right guy in Paul McGinley. I think he’s going to be fantastic. I’ve had a couple of chats with him already about his ideas and what he’d like to do. I don’t have an issue with that. I’d have liked to have been Captain but I think they made the right choice.

My goal is now to make the Team. I’d like to be doing a little better on the Tour but I’m not overly concerned about how I’m doing and how my putting is. It’s all about getting my game in tip top form by September when The Ryder Cup points start to come into play.

Aberdeen Asset Management are huge supporters of Scottish golf in general and the Scottish Open in particular and it’s going to be a great event when it moves from Castle Stuart to Royal Aberdeen next year. The Club is only 20 minutes’ drive from our house so I’ll be able to sleep in my own bed during the tournament.

Understandably, Aberdeen Asset Management were quite keen to bring the

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“I WOULD ALWAYS PREFER TO PLAY COMPETITIVE GOLF IN AN EVENT LIKE THE SCOTTISH OPEN THE WEEK BEFORE THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT IN THEIR PREPARATION FOR THE OPEN. SOME PLAYERS LIKE TO GO ON A BIT OF A HOLIDAY AND PLAY A WEEK OF LINKS GOLF WITH THEIR MATES. “ we can get for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

I’m pleased with the progress our two boys are making as golfers. I love playing with them and passing on some of the experience and knowledge I’ve gained over the years. Craig is 18 now and plays off plus 2 and Michael, who is aged 14, is down to four. They’re both playing well and enjoying their golf.

They’re playing against each other in the final of the Deeside Junior Match Play Championship. That’s going to be tough for me to watch.

They both love the game and practise hard. Craig has left school and he wants to make a career of it. They know what they have to do to make it and we’ll see what happens. It’s down to them as to whether they make the grade or not. But they’re both already better than I was at their respective ages.

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Paul’s son Craig caddies for Dad during the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

As far as my game goes, my targets are simple enough. I take one event at the time, one shot at a time and try to play as well as I can. When I start looking towards playing the Scottish Open while I’m playing the Irish Open or the French Open, for instance, that’s when I tend to struggle.

Every golfer wants to win their national Open. I’m incredibly fortunate to have won The Open in front of my home fans at Carnoustie, which is something you dream about. But the Scottish Open is one of the biggest championships on The European Tour so to win this week in front of my family, friends, sponsors and supporters would be something special.

All I need now is for those putts to start dropping so I can fulfil a lifetime’s ambition and carry off the trophy for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on Sunday afternoon. n

‘‘

Championship to Aberdeen, close to their headquarters.

The course at Royal Aberdeen is a little tighter than Castle Stuart but it’s a great venue, which has hosted the Senior Open Championship and the Walker Cup. It’s good that the Scottish Open is remaining on a links course. I would always prefer to play competitive golf in an event like the Scottish Open the week before The Open Championship.

But everyone is different in their preparation for The Open. Some players like to go on a bit of a holiday and play a week of links golf with their mates. Some guys don’t like to play at all the week before The Open. It’s a personal thing.

I’ve tried all the different permutations and I don’t think there is a recipe for success whatever your preparations are.

In my opinion I think they should play and ideally we want the best field

60 seconds with Aberdeen’s Aberdeen Asset Management ambassadors Paul Lawrie and Carly Booth are both looking forward to playing in their national Opens this summer; Lawrie in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open here at Castle Stuart, and Booth in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links , East Lothian, from Friday August 30 – Sunday September 1.

Booth returns to Archerfield as 2012 Champion, after her maiden Ladies European Tour victory there last year. For 1999 British Open winner Lawrie, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is the tournament he still really wants to win. We asked them both some quick-fire questions to get to know them better.

Who would make up your dream four-ball?

PL: Jack Nicklaus – the best golfer of all time, and my two boys.

CB: My brother Wallace, Tano Goya, and Tiger Woods.

What is your favourite tournament to play in?

PL: The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

CB: The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.

Where would you play your last round?

PL: Skibo Castle.

CB: Gleneagles.

If you could only win one other tournament, which would it be?

PL: The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, I’ve always wanted to win my national Open.

CB: The US Open, which I played in last month.

What is your stand out career moment?

PL: The 4 iron I hit in the play-off at Carnoustie in The Open in 1999.

CB: My three-way play-off victory in the Swiss Open last year.

How many holes in one have you had?

PL: 4.

CB: 1.

What is your favourite club in the bag and why?

PL: My lob-wedge. It’s the one I use the most often because I’m in trouble a lot and it’s the one I’m best with.

CB: Mine is my driver because I like hitting the ball hard off the tee.

What is your favourite hole you’ve ever played?

PL: 12th hole at Hopeman Golf Club CB: 18th at St Andrew’s (Old Course).

What was your lowest round?

PL A 63 in Spain, I forget where though, CB: A 63 as an amateur in the Scottish Girls. My lowest as a professional is five under.

Would you rather win Olympic gold or major title?

PL: Major title.

CB: Major title.

Have either of you ever played in Rio before?

PL: No. CB: I have once, in a Faldo tournament many years ago. It was nice.

What are your thoughts on Castle Stuart Golf Links?

PL: I think it’s very good, it’s a traditional links; the fairways are nice and wide, but you still need to hit the right part of the fairway to get an easier second shot in.

The course plays very well and it’s all about the weather which is what links golf is. I really like it.

CB: I’ve never played it but I walked it last year and it was very nice with great views and the course looked very good. Hopefully I’ll play it one day.

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Lawrie & Booth

What is your favourite drink in the 19th?

PL: A pint of Belhaven.

CB: A diet coke.

Who is your sporting hero?

PL: Sir Alex Ferguson.

CB: Sandy Lyle.

What is your favourite food?

PL: Penne bolognaise.

CB: Thai.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?

PL: Martin Gilbert.

CB: Gerard Butler.

Where is your favourite place to holiday?

PL: Dubai.

CB: I like Dubai as well, but the place I’d really like to go to is Mauritius.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

PL: A West Highland Terrier.

CB: A lion… my hair’s like that in the morning anyway!

Which football team do you support?

PL: Aberdeen.

CB: Liverpool.

If you had to hazard a guess, how many different hotels have you stayed in during your career so far?

PL: Probably over 500.

CB: Probably around 150 so far.

Cheer on Paul Lawrie at Castle Stuart this weekend and support Carly Booth in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, August 30 – September 1, Archerfield Links, East Lothian

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open ‘Design a Board’ competition Aberdeen Asset Management is delighted to announce Jamie Walker, aged 13 from Kilchuimen Academy, Fort Augustus, as the winner of its competition to ‘Design a Board’ at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. His artwork was selected from hundreds of entries by Scottish golfer and Aberdeen Asset Management ambassador, Paul Lawrie and will be on display on the course at Castle Stuart throughout the tournament. A sum of £1,000 of junior golf equipment will also be donated to Kilchuimen Academy.

Children aged under 16 at schools and golf clubs in the Highlands and Islands area were invited to submit a piece of artwork depicting ‘Golf in the Highlands’, to be turned into a 2.4m x 1m on-course board, which will be on display throughout the four days of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open tournament.

Lawrie said: “I was very impressed by the high standard of entries and I enjoyed seeing how children from the Highlands area depicted ‘Golf in the Highlands’. Some of the entries were exceptionally creative and detailed, and some were very quirky and made me laugh. I look forward to seeing Jamie’s colourful artwork in amongst the traditional advertising boards on the course when I am playing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.”

We hope you enjoy this year’s Scottish Open and do look out for the board while you’re out walking the course.

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SCOTTISH GOLF RISES UP THE RANKINGS

Richie Ramsay

Stephen Gallacher

2012 Omega European Masters winner

2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner

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Scott Jamieson

2013 Nelson Mandela Championship presented

by ISPS Handa winner

Martin Laird

2013 Valero Texas Open winner

Paul Lawrie

2012 Ryder Cup winner

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“Scottish golf in general definitely has real strength at the moment. On the other side of the ‘pond’ we’ve seen Martin Laird win in Texas while Scott Jamieson and I have both also won this season on The European Tour.”

– STEPHEN GALLACHER Stephen Gallacher is pictured after winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

SCOTTISH GOLF RISES UP THE RANKINGS THERE can be no denying it – Scottish golf is on the rise.

Spearheaded by a resurgence from former Open Champion Paul Lawrie, five Scottish golfers currently occupy places inside the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking, and three of them have already won this season. All are eager to win this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open – the Championship they all call their ‘fifth Major’.

TO put the current situation into some sort of perspective, a quick glance at the World Ranking in 2009 reveals that there were no Scots in the top 100.

It has been a considerable turnaround in fortunes, and looks set to continue.

Lawrie is currently the highest-ranked Scot in 46th place, with Martin Laird just outside the top 50 in 54th.

Stephen Gallacher is ranked 86th, with Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson 93rd and 100th respectively. Marc Warren, who came agonisingly close to winning at Castle Stuart last year, is ranked 117th.

Jamieson and Gallacher got the ball rolling this season with victories at the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, respectively, while USbased Scot Laird picked up his third victory on the US PGA Tour at the Valero Texas Open in April.

Warren almost joined them in the winner’s circle at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth but was edged out in a play-off by young Italian Matteo Manassero. While it’s been 14 years since Colin

Martin Laird

Martin Laird slips on the champion’s boots after winning the Valero Texas Open on the US PGA Tour.

Montgomerie became the last Scot to win this week’s prestigious tournament, Gallacher is delighted with the present state of Scottish golf and believes the next home victor is just around the corner.

“This is probably the ‘fifth Major’ for Scottish players,” he said. “Along with the BMW PGA Championship, this is the one we all want to win in front of our own fans in our home country.

“Scottish golf in general definitely has real strength at the moment,” continued Gallacher, who won his first European Tour title in 2004 at St Andrews at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. “On the other side of the ‘pond’ we’ve seen Martin Laird win in Texas while Scott Jamieson and I have both also won this season on The European Tour.

“Castle Stuart is a definite modern links. I was lucky enough to have played here just before it opened

and the difference is unbelievable in the shape and definition. I can’t wait to tee it up this week, it makes me feel an inch taller playing in front of my home fans.”

For Warren, it would mean everything to put last year’s disappointment behind him and lift the trophy this week. The 32 year old dropped four strokes in three holes to see his chances disappear, but his recent form has been encouraging heading into the Championship.

“Despite the unfortunate end to last year’s tournament I took a load of positives from the week – you don’t get too many chances to win your own national Open,” said Warren, who has two top tens to his name this season. “Hopefully, I can take that position again and I’ll definitely finish it better this time.”

Another Scot who is hopeful of a better finish this year is Laird. Just three strokes off the lead heading into the final round last July, Laird posted a 74 to drop down the leaderboard, finishing five strokes off the winning score. Despite making America his home since 2000, the Glaswegian is desperate to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, having teed it up in every edition since 2009 in his quest for glory.

“I’ve never hidden the fact that I have treated the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as one of the biggest events of the year for me,” said Laird, who eclipsed World Number Two Rory McIlroy to win in Texas. “I really feel like Castle Stuart is a golf course I can play well on. It sets up well for me. This is such a great tournament and playing on a good golf course will definitely help me get ready for next week, but I’m not here to do that. I’m here to try and win the Scottish Open.

“Any time you win it’s a good year. I feel like I’ve been playing better than my results show so far this season so, hopefully, this week I can turn it into another victory.”

Laird suffered missed cuts either side of his victory,

“I’ve never hidden the fact that I have treated the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as one of the biggest events of the year for me. I really feel like Castle Stuart is a golf course I can play well on. It sets up well for me. This is such a great tournament and playing on a good golf course will definitely help me get ready for next week, but I’m not here to do that. I’m here to try and win the Scottish Open.”

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“There’s a lot more strength in depth within Scottish golf than, say, maybe four or five years ago. You can see the confidence that success brings and I think that when Paul (Lawrie) made The Ryder Cup last year and then played so well in winning his Singles match and playing his part, it has a knock-on effect that rolls through all the players and the golf clubs up here.” – RICHIE RAMSAY and admits he is still gradually adapting to some swing changes that he has been going through since late last year. “I made a coaching change last September,” he said. “My new coach, Randy Smith is based in Dallas, Texas. My old coach was Mark McCann. I’d been with Mark for a few years and we had a great run. He’s still a friend and he helped my career a lot. I just wanted to have a different perspective on things.

“I had been struggling with the same shot – kind of a high, spinning, miss to the right – for a few months.

I couldn’t really get rid of it. I went to Randy and right away we got rid of that shot – and a few other shots came into my arsenal. But it’s been a frustrating period since I made that change.

“I’d go to the range and practice and strip it down, and then I’d go to the course and hit it everywhere.

That’s kind of what happens with swing changes. It’s finally starting to feel good and it’s great to be back to Scotland for two weeks of superb golf here in the Highlands in Inverness and then down to The Open at Muirfield.

“A few guys in America have asked me about coming to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and I always tell them they’ll have a great time.

It’s an excellently run tournament. I think if we can get a few good years on links courses for the Scottish Open then it would really help and maybe we’ll see more of the top guys coming over to compete.”

One man who will have the bit between his teeth on the first tee is Jamieson. The 29 year old Glaswegian broke through on The European Tour earlier this year in South Africa and he puts the current healthy state of Scottish golf down to a renewed sense of self-belief within the players.

“I think there’s a real feel-good factor right now,” said Jamieson, who has posted three top tens in addition to his win this season. “We all play our practice rounds together and when we see someone else have some success you think, ‘if he can do it, I know I can’. We all work really hard and are all striving to get better and better.”

Aberdonian Richie Ramsay, who turned 30 last month, collected the biggest title of his career at last year’s Omega European Masters and three additional

top tens, including runner-up twice, saw him finish a career-high 26th in The Race to Dubai. So far this year he’ has enjoyed a solid campaign, missing only one cut and posting top-ten finishes at the Volvo Golf Champions and the BMW PGA Championship.

“When I was a little kid I went to Gleneagles for the Scottish Open in 1993 and I think it was Jesper Parnevik who was the winner,” said Ramsay, who won the US Amateur Championship in 2007 before turning professional. “To think now I’m playing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is just fantastic.

“There’s a lot more strength in depth within Scottish golf than, say, maybe four or five years ago. You can see the confidence that success brings and I think that when Paul (Lawrie) made The Ryder Cup last year and then played so well in winning his Singles match and playing his part, it has a knock-on effect that rolls through all the players and the golf clubs up here.”

Scottish golf is clearly in excellent health and with Gleneagles hosting The Ryder Cup for the first time next year, every Scot on Tour will be desperate to make the Team. A good performance on home soil here at Castle Stuart will go a long way towards impressing Captain Paul McGinley before the qualification period officially starts next month. n

Marc Warren came so close to winning the BMW PGA Championship, The European Tour’s flagship event, at Wentworth in May, but missed out in a play-off with Matteo Manessero (see main image above). Can the Glaswegian win his first title since 2007 in front of his home fans at Castle Stuart this week?

“Scottish golf is clearly in good health and with Gleneagles hosting The Ryder Cup for the first time next year every Scot on Tour will be desperate to make the Team. A good performance on home soil here at Castle Stuart will go a long way in impressing Captain Paul McGinley (pictured right) before the qualification period officially starts next month.”

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Paul McGinley

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DARREN’S DATE WITH DESTINY W

HEN Darren Clarke won The Open Championship in 2011, it was the realisation of a life-long dream. The links-mad Ulsterman outlasted the field during a damp and blustery week at Royal St George’s, just one week after a promising, if ultimately unsuccessful outing at Castle Stuart Golf Links.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” admits Clarke. “Winning The Open Championship is something I’d dreamed of since I was kid, and to be able to achieve my dream just feels incredible.

“I’d been playing lovely golf for a while, but I got really, really frustrated on the Sunday up in Inverness because I played really well for the first two days, Saturday was a washout, and then I played poorly on the Sunday. But I was hitting the ball well, and with The Open coming up the following week on the links of Royal St. George’s, I was really excited and looking forward to it.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Clarke has a long relationship with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Since his debut in 1992 he has posted seven top tens in the event, including finishing runner-up three times, the most recent of which was three years ago when the event was played at Loch Lomond for the final time.

While there is no doubt Clarke has some unfinished business with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, he is not going to get caught in the mindset of trying too hard to make something happen. His utter determination to go on to bigger and better things after his Open triumph ultimately hindered his progress over the last two years.

“I certainly fell into a little bit of a trap of trying to play better and trying too hard, as opposed to just going out there and playing,” he admits. “I’d get into a mentality that I had to go out and play like The Open Champion, instead of just playing the way that I played to win the Claret Jug in the first place.

“I got a little caught up in it all and just tried too hard. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of our game. You get success at the highest level, and it then creates the need for more success. Of course, I want to win again and I want to win more tournaments. I just pushed myself too hard to do that and as a result, my performances suffered a bit.”

Clarke’s 2013 campaign has been blighted by a hamstring injury sustained playing tennis on holiday in the Bahamas in late March, two weeks before the Masters Tournament. “One of the kids played a little drop shot and I thought I was 24, not 44, and tried to reach the ball, only to feel my hamstring pop,” said Clarke. “I wasn’t ready in time to play at Augusta and I’m grown up enough to realise that if I had gone to the

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DARREN CLARKE

Clarke pictured with his son Tyrone, wife Alison and his youngest son Conor after receiving his MBE at Buckingham Palace last year.

ISM stablemates and friends Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke enjoy the celebrations at the K Club after Europe defeated the USA 181/2 to 91/2.

Clarke pictured with the 2012 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

Clarke pictured with his Manager and close friend Chubby Chandler at the K Club in 2006.

“Bad times in golf are more frequent than the good times and I’ve always been pretty hard on myself when I fail because I don’t find it very easy to accept. There are times when I’ve been completely and utterly fed up with the game. But friends and family and my manager, Chubby Chandler, encouraged me to get out there and practice and keep going, keep going, keep going, and that’s how and why I became Open Champion.” – Darren Clarke Masters and tried to play with an injury it would have put me back even more.” Clarke made his return at the BMW PGA Championship in May and, despite his rustiness, he posted a final round 69 to finish three under par for the tournament and in a share of 32nd place.

“Because I missed a lot of golf at the start of the season, I’m not competitively sharp,” he said, “but I’m working hard and I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.

I’d say I played ‘not badly’ at Wentworth and I’m happy with the way I’m swinging the club. I’ve just got to get back into scoring mode again.”

Clarke missed the cut at the brutally tough Merion layout in the US Open Championship last month but the Northern Irishman is hoping to put the spring back in his step ahead of this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“My scoring has been driving me a bit mad recently but I’ve just got to keep going and, hopefully, a good week is just around the corner.

“Back in 2010 I’d led at Loch Lomond after the opening two rounds and was one back going into the final round. But I got off to a really poor start and

never recovered.” Italy’s Edoardo Molinari ultimately prevailed with Clarke having to settle for second place again as he did in 2003 and 2005.

“That was a huge disappointment,” he said. “I desperately wanted to win because I had come so close in the past. Bad times in golf are more frequent than the good times and I’ve always been pretty hard on myself when I fail, because I don’t find it very easy to accept. There are times when I’ve been completely and utterly fed up with the game. But friends and family and my manager, Chubby Chandler, encouraged me to get out there and practice and keep going, keep going, keep going, and that’s how and why I became Open Champion.”

Emotional Rollercoster Clarke’s journey to becoming Open Champion was an emotional rollercoaster, as much off the golf course as on it. He now lives with his second wife, Alison, and his two sons by his first marriage to Heather, in his hometown of Portrush in County Antrim. Heather Clarke passed away in 2006 at the age of 39 after suffering from breast cancer, and just six weeks later

35

Darren teed it up in The Ryder Cup at the K Club in County Kildare. Clarke was given a Captain’s pick by Ian Woosnam and went on to secure three points out of three in an epic display of both mental and physical strength in adversity.

“It was one of the things I drew on at The Open, for sure, not on the Sunday [when he teed off with a one stroke lead over America’s Dustin Johnson] but the evening before,” he said. “I thought, ‘if I can do what I did at the first hole at the K Club, which was the most nerve-racking moment I will ever have on a golf course, then this won’t be too difficult’.”

Clarke was aged 42 and playing in his 57th Major. “I felt at St George’s as though I’d really served my time,” he said. “The game was giving me something back, and it gave me the biggest and the best. I was so calm all week. If I’d been younger, I could never have kept my mental side in check, because that had always been my difficulty. But you learn about yourself in adversity. I’d had tough times and I had two young boys. Trying to make sure they were all right was more important than any round of golf. All that helped. So, yeah, it happened at the right time.” n

2014 RYDER CUP

GLENEAGLES

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TEE IS FOR TOURISM THE Ryder Cup has become one of the greatest sporting events in the world. It attracts the third largest global television audience behind the Olympics and the football World Cup. Next year, when Scotland hosts The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles for the first time since 1973 at Muirfield, the Scottish economy is expected to benefit from an estimated £100 million in Total Direct Economic Impact during the week of the event alone.

This figure includes money spent on local travel, onsite and off-site spending, extensions to a visitor’s stay and a wide variety of associated additional spending.

As Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, explains: “The Ryder Cup will have an important impact on Scotland in 2014. It’s an incredible world-renowned sporting event which will bring global focus to our beautiful shores. It is imperative that we are ready to take the opportunities such a prolific tournament will bring.

“We are working with locals, businesses and individuals to ensure we maximise the potential of The Ryder Cup in generating the economic success felt by Wales in 2010. Alongside the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Year of Homecoming, The Ryder Cup will make 2014 a year

B

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to remember in Scotland.” The longer-lasting legacy benefits are colossal. The club golf junior initiative was a commitment made by Scotland as part of the bid in 2001. To date more than 260,000 children under the age of nine have been introduced to golf through the scheme. Funding for clubgolf has already been confirmed until at least 2018.

Scotland is investing in golf tournaments, with £10 million committed by EventScotland to securing major events such as the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts and the Ladies Scottish Open. This is in addition to The Open Championship and the Ricoh Women’s British Open, which are regular fixtures in the Scottish golfing calendar. This funding has been in place since 2003 and will continue until 2018.

As a result of hosting The Ryder Cup, more than 30 professional tournaments have already been 4 supported since 2003 specifically as part of that 4

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commitment, generating more than £20 million in economic benefits to Scotland, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of world-class tournaments beyond 2014.

Scotland is benefitting from an increased profile on the international stage due to The Ryder Cup, and VisitScotland has heightened its marketing activity around Scotland as the Home of Golf to take full advantage and attract future visitors to Scotland.

The 2014 Ryder Cup and other major golfing events, both in Scotland and internationally, allow the country to be promoted to potential inward investors and businesses, highlighting Scotland as “a place to do business”.

Robbie Clyde, 2014 Ryder Cup Project Director with EventScotland, said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet and as well as the kudos and excitement that goes with hosting such a major sporting spectacle, the economic and legacy benefits to Scotland are significant.

“The Ryder Cup allows Scotland to present itself on the world stage like never before and VisitScotland are already capitalising on that with increased marketing activity to promote the Home of Golf and maximise long-term tourism benefit from the event.”

As Mike Cantlay says: “I’m often asked why we should get excited by a three-day golf event that’s coming to Scotland, particularly by those who do not play or follow the game and who feel it is not their business to get involved. My answer is that tourism is everyone’s business and there is no greater catalyst for tourism than hosting one of the world’s greatest sporting events.

“Even though more than half a billion people worldwide will be glued to their TV screens determined not to miss a minute of the action from Gleneagles. The real benefit to Scotland lies in what we can do before, during and after the tournament to maximise the impact of the event in terms of economic gain, worldwide media exposure, investment in infrastructure and facilities and the general feel-good factor that comes with a global event on our own doorstep.

“Both ourselves at VisitScotland and the Scottish Government have been forthright in stating the aim of achieving £100 million in direct economic impact during the week of The Ryder Cup alone. We believe this is achievable, not because it’s a figure plucked from thin air, but because we have experience of hosting some of the world’s greatest events and we know how to gain as much out of them as possible.

“We also have the experience of attending The 2006 and 2010 Ryder Cup Matches in Ireland and Wales and feel we can improve on the excellent job both nations did of hosting

First Minister of Scotland, the Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP, receives a ceremonial putter to mark the passing of the Ryder Cup venue to Gleneagles 2014 during the closing ceremony after the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

the event. The latter generated £82.4m for the Welsh economy but this figure doesn’t take into account the impact in the neighbouring English regions, given Newport’s proximity to the English border. That’s just one area where we feel we can improve upon the impact generated by Celtic Manor in Wales.

“We’ve been working on this since 2001, when Scotland was chosen as host nation for the 2014 event. We were lucky in that regard as it gave us more time than any other nation has had to prepare and fully leverage the benefits from hosting the event. When it comes to numbers, The Ryder Cup is extremely impressive indeed. Since it is shown in 183 countries around the globe and with a reach of more than 500 million homes, there can be no disputing its stature among the world’s premier sporting events. It is an entirely different animal from when it was last staged in Scotland.

“We need to make sure the tourism industry is in a position to capitalise on this unprecedented exposure for Scotland, particularly in a year where we welcome the Commonwealth Games and the Year of Homecoming to Scotland. With that in mind, we have given tourism and golf businesses the opportunity to upload deals and offers onto visitscotland.com/golf, where ticket holders to The 2014 Ryder Cup will be directed once they have received notification of successful ticket

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applications. “It is not just about tourism and golf businesses. Although tourism is everyone’s business, consider a tradesman employed to upgrade a suite of hotel rooms ahead of the event or a Scottish food business responding to growing interest in Scottish cuisine. Tourism causes a ripple effect that touches every industry, business and community in the country - the visitor economy represents a huge opportunity for growth in Scotland.

“Ryder Cup Europe have already begun the process of appointing suppliers to help deliver the 2014 event and opportunities are being advertised on the Public Contracts Scotland website to ensure Scottish businesses have the maximum chance of successfully bidding for contracts. That is why events such as The 2014 Ryder Cup are so vital to the future of Scotland’s economy, not simply because of the impact during the event but the legacy that is left, long after the tournament has come and gone.

“It has already had a massive impact on Scottish tourism, with more than 30 professional golf tournaments being supported in Scotland as part of the Government’s Ryder Cup commitments, generating more than £20 million in direct economic impact.

“The Ryder Cup really does allow Scotland to present itself on the world stage like never before. It is up to all of us to make the most of being in the world spotlight and capitalise on the opportunities that it will present.” n

Ryder Cup 2014 in numbers

Economy & Finance £100 million – Amount Scotland expects as an estimated boost to its economy; £82 million – Total Direct Economic Impact for Wales of the 2010 Ryder Cup; £1 million – Amount Gleneagles spent last winter making alterations to the course; 2,000 – Jobs sustained in Scotland by Gleneagles; 183 – Countries worldwide receiving broadcasts; 43 – Broadcasters reaching more than half a billion homes each day; 250,000 – Spectators expected to travel to Gleneagles; 7,000 – Staff, marshals, volunteers, media, service personnel expected each day; 8,000 – Expected number of passengers travelling to Gleneagles by train each day; 73% – Scotland’s primary schoolchildren who received an introduction to golf in school in 2011; 260,000+ – Children have taken part in the ClubGolf initiative through its schools programme; 1,500+ – Volunteer coaches involved in ClubGolf; 303 – Scotland’s golf clubs with facilities for ClubGolf coaching programmes;

PHIL MICKELSON

“To be successful in Scotland at the Home of Golf is something every player wants to have on his resumé.”

PHIL MICKELSON is one of the most fervent fans of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and has been a regular competitor in the Championship for the last 10 years.

Despite being one of the game’s most prolific winners with four Majors, 41 US PGA Tour wins, nine successive Ryder Cup appearances, nine in the Presidents Cups and one in the World Cup, he has still got his sights firmly set on carrying off the Scottish Open trophy come Sunday.

Words: Mike Gallemore

“I

’d love to add the Scottish Open to my list of career victories,” said Mickelson, who came so close to winning the US Open Championship at Merion Golf Club last month, finishing runner-up to Justin Rose. “To be successful in Scotland at the Home of Golf is something every player wants to have on his resumé and I’m no different to the rest.”

Mickelson came within a shot of winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2007 when he lost at the first hole of a play-off to Grégory Havret, having led the field at the start of the final round. A long birdie putt on the 17th put the Californian one shot clear with one to play but a makeable putt on the final hole in regulation failed to drop and the Frenchman seized his opportunity in extra time. “I should have won at Loch Lomond but all credit to Greg, who played

some fantastic golf,” said Mickelson. “I played some very erratic golf, making bogeys and birdies, while Greg kept it steady and consistent with solid pars.

“The Scottish Open is a wonderful Championship and I’ve always loved coming over here for the tournament,” said Mickelson, who has played nine of the last ten Scottish Opens. “To win this event would be really special for me and you can bet I’ll be doing everything I can to go one better than I did in 2007. I’ve certainly not played as well as I’d hoped over the years so I’d love to put that right this time.”

The only year Mickelson has missed the Scottish Open since 2004 was in 2009, when the family were hit with a double bombshell as his wife, Amy, and his mother, Mary, were both diagnosed with breast cancer.

Golf was the last thing on his mind as Mickelson

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PHIL MICKELSON

Clockwise from top: Mickelson celebrates with Amy and children (l-r) Amanda, Evan and Sophie after winning the 2010 Masters Tournament.

Mickelson slips into the Green Jacket for the third time in 2010.

Teeing off on the 17th during the second round of last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open .

concentrated his efforts in supporting Amy, his mother and his young family throughout their ordeal. As Amy’s condition improved she made a point of making it to Augusta National for the 2010 Masters Tournament along with children Amanda, Sophia and Evan and Phil’s mother and father, Phil Sr. Mickelson wore a pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon on his cap during the Masters Tournament.

The family had something to celebrate as Mickelson put on a masterclass to win by three shots from Lee Westwood with a birdie at the last for a final round 67. It was his fourth Major which completed his hat-trick of Masters titles. “It was a very special day at the end of a very special week,” said Mickelson after the entire family embraced on the 18th green.

“Having Amy and the kids and the family to share the win with, it was just

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incredible considering what we’d been through. To share the joy meant a lot to us and took a lot of the heartache away.

I was so proud of Amy for the fight and struggle she’d been through. To come out on top and win a third Masters was terrific.

“I don’t like to be away from the family when I’m playing tournaments and because of Amy’s efforts we’ve been able to have a lot of fun on the road and make Tour life a pleasure. Amy is the one who’s helped the kids with their homework and taken them to educationally interesting places. She’s made our travelling an advantage and a lifetime experience, rather than a hindrance.”

The supremely gifted lefty is a favourite of the galleries wherever in the world he plays. He has always got a kind word to say and his sportsmanship is as immaculate as his golf game. He is quick

to applaud his opponents whatever the consequences. When players are asked for their autographs after the day’s play, Mickelson will still be there until the last autograph hunter has left.

One of the few Americans who is prepared to travel to compete in Scotland the week before The Open Championship, Mickelson believes it is the ideal preparation for the third Major of the season. “Spending some time in Scotland before The Open gives me a chance to acclimatise and get used to the time changes from the US,” he says.

“Loch Lomond was a great venue but Castle Stuart has elevated the tournament to a higher status by giving the players the chance to play challenging links golf in a competitive Championship in the crucial week prior to The Open. The Castle Stuart course is a great place to host the event, set in

spectacular surroundings. The players like coming here and I’ve always been really well looked after at Castle Stuart.”

Having won his first US PGA Tour event as an amateur in 1991 Mickelson turned professional in 1992 and has won at least one title each season since then, with the exception of three blank years. The 44 year old is one of the most enduring talents in golf. With more than $70 million in career prize money he is second only to Tiger Woods in on-course earnings.

Yet despite his success, Mickelson has never attained the Number One spot in the World Ranking. “Although it’s what most players strive for it’s not at the forefront of their minds,” said the World Number Six, who won the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the US PGA Tour earlier this season.

“The most important thing is to just go out there and win golf tournaments and to compete in Championships like the Scottish Open against the best

“Loch Lomond was a great venue but Castle Stuart has elevated the tournament to a higher status by giving the players the chance to play challenging links golf in a competitive Championship in the crucial week prior to The Open. – MICKELSON 43

players in the world. There’s a lot more satisfaction in beating the best on a challenging course than there is to saying how high you are on the World Ranking.

“Winning big tournaments and Majors is what it’s all about. If you can play your best golf in exciting events like the Scottish Open, that’s really cool.

“I’ve always regarded golf as a marathon and not a sprint. We’ve got a long time out here competing and your fortunes can change in a week.

I’m always having fun when I’m playing my best golf – and I’m just trying to get better and better.”

As he has proved so far this season, Mickelson is playing well and having fun. If he can celebrate his ten-year love affair with the Scottish Open with a victory on Sunday, he’ll be smiling all the way to Muirfield. n

Mickelson displays his wonderful skill with a wedge in his hand by playing off a cart path at the 17th hole of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

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OFFICIAL CHARITIES OF THE ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN:

CONNECTING CARERS & MAGGIE’S HIGHLANDS A wide variety of initiatives, run jointly by title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and the Tour Players’ Foundation (TPF), will this week help raise funds for the tournament’s two Official Charities, Maggie’s Highlands and Connecting Carers.

Aberdeen Asset Management and the TPF, the charitable arm of The European Tour, will donate £5 for every birdie, £10 for every eagle and £50 for every albatross recorded during the four tournament days at Castle Stuart Golf Links.

With over 1,800 birdies and 20 eagles recorded at last year’s tournament, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Birdie Pledge is expected to generate around £20,000 for the charities this year.

In addition, spectators will be encouraged to make a voluntary donation of £1 per official drawsheet, with representatives from both charities on hand to collect the donations in the tented village and the welcome pavilion.

All funds raised will be divided evenly between the two charities.

Lynda Affleck, Head of Charitable Giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “The important work carried out by the Official Charities makes a real difference to many people who live locally, so we are delighted to support them during the tournament.”

Peter Adams, Championship Director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, said: “Both Maggie’s Highlands and Connecting Carers do some fantastic work in the local area, so we had no hesitation in selecting them as the Official Charities for this year’s tournament.

“We are very hopeful of raising a significant sum for both charities this week, and would kindly request the spectators to show their generosity by donating funds to two thoroughly worthy causes.”

ABOUT CONNECTING CARERS

ABOUT MAGGIE’S HIGHLANDS

Connecting Carers reaches out to deliver services to unpaid adult and young carers living in the Highlands region.

A carer is a person of any age who provides physical care or emotional support to another person, due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction, disorder or disability and is not paid for providing that care or support. Carers could be your colleagues, employees, family, friends or YOU! Our services include providing information to unpaid carers and directing them to appropriate services. We have carer workers throughout the Highlands who will visit carers to talk to them about their caring role and help them plan for the future.

In addition, we can provide training and support to help them look after those that they care for. Carers can join our network, which offers members the opportunity to attend free training events and receive our quarterly carers’ bulletin.

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Maggie’s Highlands offers free emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends. At Maggie’s, people affected by cancer can get the calmness they need from the therapeutic environment and sense of refuge inside our centres. The centres also provide a peaceful space to absorb the information that they are inevitably bombarded with, and help to relieve some of the distress of having cancer.

The clarity we can give comes from the professional experts who work at Maggie’s. They will listen to questions and concerns, and provide both the practical information and the emotional support to help people find a way through cancer.

Since Maggie’s Highlands opened eight years ago, 35,000 visitors have come through the door and benefitted from our programme of support. Anyone interested in finding out more about Maggie’s Highlands is invited to our Welcome Experience on the last Wednesday of every month from 4 – 5pm, or pop in to see us anytime.

We use a special tool to make silverware this fine.

It’s called a hand. at the end of the hand is one of our craftsmen, skilled in the silversmith’s arts of raising, chasing, polishing and engraving. we’ve had our own silver workshop since 1866. from candlesticks to quaichs, decanters to vases, wine coasters to hammered bowls, handmade is our hallmark. while many of our techniques and tools have barely changed in over 140 years, our designs are contemporary, innovative and award winning. come and see us, we’ll be happy to show you round. as you’ll discover, when it comes to creating exciting new silverware we’re old hands.

87 george street, edinburgh eh2 3ey telephone 0131 225 4898 52 beauchamp place, london sw3 1ny telephone 020 7589 3215 www.hamiltonandinches.com

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HERE is a feeling entering the Hamilton & Inches workshops high above George Street in Edinburgh that this is the only possible place in the UK that a trophy for the calibre of The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open could be designed and produced.

Silversmiths with heads bent over benches, busily hammering and sawing away at different items are the picture of old world industry. There, perched on a bench behind them is the trophy, semi-swathed in muslin and glinting in the sun, a shimmering object in Sterling silver and Scottish elm wood.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open trophy by Hamilton & Inches is the product of many months of design and production, using the talents of artists, silversmiths, chasers, engravers and polishers to create a finished product that will become one of the most coveted prizes in the world of golf. One corner of the material is lifted to reveal a gleaming two-handled bowl with a pierced lid. It is a traditional Scottish quaich; lidded and set with the emblem of the Scottish Open and a symbol of welcome and hospitality. The lid is a creative arrangement of thistles. Between the thistles where the silver has been cut away, you can peer into the gilt interior. The hammered exterior has been pushed into the interior, giving the inner surface a rippling, sparking effect. This, combined with the deep golden yellow of the gilt, gives the inside space a depth it would not possess on its own.

Workshop manager, Jon Hunt’s pride in the accomplishment of his team is clear – and this certainly was a team effort. The new style of handles to accommodate ribbons and the intricacies of the base meant that it required the talents of a silversmith with more than 30 years’ experience in the trade so Jon was able to take the reins and guide the majority of the project.

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he main body of the quaich is spun from a single sheet of Sterling silver, lifted and shaped to create a gentle sloping bowl. Next it is carefully hand-beaten using hammers and punches, some of which are over a hundred years old. The lid of the quaich is quite literally a work of art. Panos Kircos used his skills as a chaser to “lift” the thistle pattern out by pushing the silver from underneath, using punches and hammers, entirely by hand. Next, the lid is handed over to Ruaridh Malcolmson, Hamilton & Inches’ hand engraver to finish the detail around the thistle leaves and flower heads which creates a sparkling three-dimensional effect across the top of the lid.

One of the last steps of this complex process is the hallmarking, still done in Edinburgh. All pieces sent to an Assay Office continue to be individually tested and hand marked. Three marks are required under adopted European legislation: the Sponsor or Maker’s mark; the European convention mark for fineness; and the Assay Office punch. In addition, throughout the UK they still use the traditional date letters so you always know when a piece was created.

Given the level of craftsmanship and standard of care put into the design, making and completion of this project you would hardly think it necessary, although it is the mark of approval that every silversmith strives for. The final step in the making of this spectacular piece is handing the trophy over to polisher Colin Golder. Working his magic of spinning a series of mops and special powders, he turned the dull, beaten surface of the metal into a shining mirror finish. Without this integral final step, the piece, although expertly crafted, would be lifeless.

The trophy is a creative mix of old traditional design practices and a contemporary use of silver, gilt and Scottish elm. These combined create a thoroughly modern but timeless piece that could happily grace the podium of any world class tournament.

T R AV E L EXPERIENCE THE DELIGHTS OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

GOLF AND MORE IN THE BEAUTIFUL HIGHLANDS

Pictured: Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club which is this year celebrating its 125th anniversary.

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GOLFERS visiting the Scottish Highlands are spoilt for choice with a host of world-class affordable courses on offer, providing a range of different challenges – from classic windswept links, such as Castle Stuart where the players will contest this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, to lush parkland layouts. There is something for everyone in an area steeped in rich golfing history. With designs by such esteemed names as James Braid, Old Tom Morris and Willie Park at every turn you know that you’re right in the heart of golf’s homeland here in the Highlands.

THE region boasts some of the most captivating scenery in the world and there are few more beautiful landscapes in which to play the game. Away from the golf course plentiful natural trails and abundant wildlife provide endless days of exploration for the whole family on foot or bike, while golden beaches frame the glistening coastline where water lovers can indulge their passion for sailing, scuba diving, sea kayaking or even dolphin spotting.

The Highlands is one of the most culturally distinct regions in the world and fascinating historic sites are in abundance – from the famous Loch Ness and the Culloden Battlefield to Urquhart Castle and the Dornoch Cathedral. There’s also the majestic Cairngorm mountains and the vibrant city of Inverness as well as a host of picturesque market towns and fishing villages where you’ll be sure to receive a traditional Highland Welcome in one of the many excellent hotels, inns, cottages, lodges and restaurants.

As a holiday destination the Highlands really does provide something for everyone and the unique flavour of the place means that most who experience its unique magic soon become frequent visitors.

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Boat of Garten Golf & Tennis Club

Torvean Golf Club

IDEALLY situated for visitors to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, just off the A9, 30 miles south of Inverness, Boat of Garten was designed by James Braid, one of golf’s famed Great Triumvirate with Harry Vardon and J.H.Taylor.

He was also a grand-master of golf course architecture. ‘The Boat’ is set amidst magnificent, spectacular scenery and features 18 individual holes, winding their way through birch trees, heather and whins. Braid maximised the natural landscape and produced a beautiful and challenging course – not the longest by modern

The Highlands Friendliest Golf Club “Torvean Golf Club wishes the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open every success.”

Torvean Golf Club

An 18-month membership costs just £550 from July 1st 2013 until December 2014.

www.torveangolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01463 225651 Email: admin@torveangolfclub.co.uk

SITUATED just a mile from the bustling centre of the City of Inverness, Torvean Golf Club is an 18 hole course situated right on the banks of the historic Caledonian Canal.

The course measures 5,784 yards from the back tees, has three ponds and one of the longest par five holes in the north of Scotland at 565 yards. Its final trio holes is rated among the best closing stretch in the region. Set in beautiful parkland, it has been designed to appeal to both scratch golfer and beginner alike.

The Club is open to members and visitors, although a tee booking is required and can be simply made by telephone or email (see below). Societies, Clubs and Groups are also well looked after. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome and a full range of equipment can be hired.

For those unfamiliar to the course, Torvean Golf Club is easily located, particularly for those attending the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. The Club has some fantastic special offers on during the summer months, including discounted ‘Holiday Golf Tickets’ for tourists while an 18-month membership costs just £550 from July 1st 2013 until December 2014. www.torveangolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01463 225651 Email: admin@torveangolfclub.co.uk

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standards but it surprises and excites the golfer at every turn. Always wonderfully presented ‘the Boat’ is renowned as a good test of sporting skill and sets a formidable challenge which only the most accurate golfer will match. ‘The Boat’ regularly features in listings of the best courses in Scotland and was recently rated as 4th in the UK for courses with a green fee under £50. Dubbed ‘the Gleneagles of the North’, the course has become firmly established as a ‘must play’ for golfers. www.boatgolf.com

Tel: 01479 831 282

Email: office@boatgolf.com

James Braid’s masterpiece in the magnificent setting of the Cairngorms National Park

‘Rated 4th in Britain’s Top 100 courses under £50’ – NCG

VISITORS WELCOME Within easy reach of Castle Stuart, just off the A9, only 30 miles south of Inverness – not to be missed while you’re in the Highlands.

Tel 01479 831 282 www.boatgolf.com office@boatgolf.com 51

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

THE VIEW IS FREE... ... AND SO IS THE JOINING FEE FOR A LIMITED PERIOD ONLY:

We are waiving the joining fee, so you can become a full member of Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club for just £275 for the rest of the 2013 season (Juniors £30, Country/ Overseas membership £175).

LOCATED on the Chanonry Peninsula on the ‘Black Isle’, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club is a truly exceptional Scottish links course offering breathtaking views over the Moray Firth. The Club is close to the city of Inverness directly across the water from Castle Stuart in addition to being only a 45-minute drive away from the world famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

Established in 1888 and re-designed in 1932 by five times Open Champion, James Braid, Fortrose & Rosemarkie is this year celebrating its 125th anniversary. In celebration of the historic milestone the Club will be hosting three national tournaments including the Loretto Scottish Boys & Girls Under-14 Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship from August 11-12, 2013.

There’s actually evidence of golf being played at the site of the course as far back as 1702 but it wasn’t until September 29th 1888 that the first golf club was introduced with a membership of 50 playing over six holes. The course was extended to 18 holes by 1924 but it was Braid who shaped the links into its current design and really brought it to life.

What the par 71, 5,890 yards layout may lack in length is more than offset by its small, fast, deceptive greens, strategically-placed bunkers and the proximity of the sea on eight of the holes as well as the dense island of gorse that awaits the wayward shot at numerous others. Adult membership is £275 while anyone who lives over 50 miles from the club can join for just £175 per year and 18-22 year olds can join for as little as £100 and juniors for £30.

The Club has reciprocal agreements with Royal Dornoch, Brora, Moray, Nairn, Golspie, Tain, Inverness and Forres, giving their members a 50% discount at any of these courses.

NOW YOU CAN ENJOY MUCH MORE THAN JUST A GREAT VIEW. Membership includes reciprocals with the following clubs – Royal Dornoch, Brora, Moray, Tain, Inverness, Golspie, Nairn, Dunbar and Forres.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, call the Secretary on 01381 620529 / 620733 or email secretary@fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Highland Golf Escapes FORTROSE & ROSEMARKIE GOLF CLUB, NESS ROAD EAST, FORTROSE, ROSS-SHIRE, IV10 8SE

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS ON THE LINKS

A FANTASTIC option for golfers wishing to visit the Highlands on a short break to play some superb golf courses, and sample some of the region’s famous hospitality, is to book one of the great value packages on offer from Highland Golf Escapes (HGE).

HGE is an innovative partnership between five wonderful local courses and three hotels, allowing you to ‘mix and match’ to create a package that suits you for an excellent price. From May to September visitors can get three rounds of golf, two nights’ B&B and one dinner for just £240 while in April and October the cost is a mere £195. The participating golf clubs are Brora, Boat of Garten, Golspie, Nairn Dunbar and Tain, while Mansfield Castle Hotel, The Morangie House Hotel and the Royal Marine Hotel, Leisure and Spa (website addresses at the foot of the page) offer marvellous accommodation options, ensuring that your stay in the Highlands is a comfortable and memorable one.

Brora: The most northerly golf course memorial to James Braid, where players can enjoy the mixture of bent grass and beach sand, burn water and gorse in glorious summer bloom.

Boat of Garten: As noted above, ‘the Boat’ is a true test of skill set amidst a stunning natural landscape.

Not the longest course in the region but certainly one of the most interesting, that lures the unwary.

Golspie: Stunning views over the Dornoch Firth and a unique blend of seaside links, heath and parkland to suit players of all tastes and abilities. Another James Braid creation in exceptional condition.

Nairn Dunbar: A classic links course carved into the Moray Firth that has witnessed over 100 years of golfing history. An extremely enjoyable and testing layout that will see you use every club in your bag.

Tain: A traditional Highland links designed by Golf’s Founding Father, Old Tom Morris. Offering spectacular views over mountains and sea the challenging Tain track has some terrific holes, including the third which is rated as one of the best links holes in Scotland.

Hotels: www.mansfieldcastle.co.uk | www.morangiehotel.com |www.royalmarinebrora.com

www.highlandgolfescapes.co.uk

Highland Golf Escapes Five great golf courses and three superb hotels come together to offer you the best Highland Golf Escape ever. www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01381 620529/620733 Email: secretary@fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Choose from one of two packages: April & October: £195 for 3 rounds of golf, 2 nights B&B and 1 dinner.

May to September: £240 for 3 rounds of golf, 2 nights B&B and 1 dinner.

Courses: Brora I Boat of Garten I Golspie Nairn I Dunbar I Tain

The Carnegie Club – Skibo Castle SITUATED in the heart of the Highlands, only five minutes drive from Royal Dornoch, the Carnegie Club is a strictly private members-only club which offers you the chance to relax, play golf and enjoy sporting activities in the most tranquil and beautiful surroundings.

Formerly the summer home of US philanthropist and steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie, Skibo Castle offers accommodation of the highest standard both within the castle itself and in 12 family lodges, which are dotted around the 7,500-acre estate.

For golfers, the 18-hole Carnegie links course is the jewel in the club’s crown. It is a fantastic test of the skills of links golf, exclusive to club members and guests who are resident on the estate. The course is able to boast only 3,000 rounds per year, making it so quiet that tee times are not required and the holes can be played in any order.

Along with all this privacy, the course is situated in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe and has recently been transformed by a £2 million reconstruction. As well as world-class golf, Skibo also offers members and guests a wealth of sporting pursuits, such as horse riding, falconry, quad biking, fishing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, tennis, cycling, a gymnasium plus beach and hill walks. For those who simply like to take it easy, the club has a stunning ozone-treated swimming pool, steam room, and the sumptuous spa offers treatments from Comfort Zone and Ytsara.

A visit to The Carnegie Club is the golden opportunity to sample luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering dining, world-class golf and a wonderful variety of activities, all within the most relaxing and magical location imaginable.

For more information on membership of The Carnegie Club, please contact: www.carnegieclub.co.uk | Tel: 01862 894 600 | Email: katy.renwick@carnegieclub.co.uk

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Hotels: Mansfield Castle Hotel The Morangie House Hotel Royal Marine Hotel, Leisure & Spa www.highlandgolfescapes.co.uk

Once in a lifetime

The Carnegie Links now offers exclusive access to non members, with two 4 balls offered Monday through Friday during the summer months.

For more information and to book a tee time, please email teetimes@carnegieclub.co.uk or call the Proshop on +44 1862 894 660.

The Carnegie Club, Skibo Castle, Dornoch, IV25 3RQ

www.carnegieclub.co.uk

OFF-COURSE HIGHLAND HIGHLIGHTS

CAWDOR TAV E R N

Country Pub & restaurant Loch Ness

THERE is plenty to keep you busy away from the golf course in this wonderful part of the country and no trip to the Scottish Highlands would be complete without a visit the breathtakingly beautiful Loch Ness. Whether you find ‘Nessie’, the fabled Loch Ness Monster, or not, you can’t fail to fall in love with this magical place. Visitors to Fort Augustus at the foot of the Loch can watch the world go by on the Caledonian Canal at the series of locks through the picturesque town. There’s also the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, a Rare Breeds Park and a ‘living museum’ called the Clansman Centre. Further up the Loch in Drumnadrochit is the Great Glen fortress of Urquhart Castle, while visitors to the town can learn all about the sightings of ‘Nessie’ over the years at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre and the Original Loch Ness Monster Visitors Centre. www.visitlochness.com

Aldourie Castle

ALDOURIE CASTLE is the only habitable castle on the shores of Loch Ness, offering grandeur and comfort, beauty and tranquillity in an authentic spectacular setting, which epitomises the timeless magic and heritage of Scotland.

You can visit for a short break or a longer stay and enjoy the freedom of an entire castle and estate in one of the world’s most iconic locations. For a truly memorable experience, the Castle and Estate are available to take as your home, for private house parties, celebrations, product launches and all manner of other occasions on an exclusive basis.

The team at Aldourie Castle and Estate can concierge your stay, offering everything from the very best of catering, to assisting with entertainment, activities and itineraries – you may wish to take a private cruise on Loch Ness from the Aldourie jetty or enjoy a Ceilidh evening followed by your very own personalised firework display. The Estate also has a number of cottages, which can be taken independently or in conjunction with the Castle, providing the flexibility for larger groups.

Aldourie is the perfect destination for an exclusive private occasion, and is easily accessible, being only six miles from Inverness with good links to road, rail and thirty minutes from Inverness airport. www.aldouriecastle.co.uk Tel: 0870 625 0265 Email: info@aldouriecastle.co.uk

A great place to come with family and friends to enjoy lunches, dinners or coffee and cake. Enjoy fine prime local meats, game, seafood, and vegetarian selection, suitably complimented by our interesting wine list, real ales and over 100 malts.

reservations highly recommended 10 minutes from Castle Stuart

Cawdor Tavern

CAWDOR TAVERN is a traditional country pub and restaurant situated in the beautiful conservation village of Cawdor, alongside the famous Cawdor Castle. Only a few minutes from the picturesque Castle Stuart Golf Links, host of the prestigious Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, it offers a wide and varied menu featuring freshly prepared Scottish produce. The Tavern is open all day with al fresco dining available on the colourful garden patio. There is a large selection of fine malt whiskies on offer plus real ales from Orkney Brewery and a wine selection to satisfy any connoisseur. Enjoy modern Scottish cooking from light bites to hearty meals brought to you in elegant surroundings with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. www.cawdortavern.co.uk Tel: 01667 404 777 Email: enquiries@cawdortavern.co.uk

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Cawdor, Nairn IV12 5XP

01667 404 777

enquiries@cawdortavern.co.uk www.cawdortavern.co.uk

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FASHION ON COURSE

BOSS Green Jersey: Paddy - RRP£119 Trousers: Hakan - RRP£119 Hat: Claq - RRP£59 Belt: Taurino - RRP£75 Shoes: Martyn - RRP£240

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FASHION ON COURSE

HUGO BOSS GOLF COLLECTION BOSS Green Golf Bag: GoltigoRRP£380

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The main line of Boss Black includes fashion ranges for both business and social events.

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Since the addition of the Hugo Boss Golf Range (Boss Green) the large Tour-style logo has been seen on the world’s professional Tours on players such as Severiano Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Steve Webster and more recently Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson.

Boss Green presents golf and sportswear for men that pairs classic cuts with refreshing designs in brand new constellations.

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BOSS Green Jacket: Jamboree Pro- RRP£400 Trousers: Haddys - RRP£139 Shoes: Martyn - RRP£240

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ABACUS SPORTSWEAR SHOWS OFF ITS NEW SPRING/ SUMMER 2013 COLLECTION THE Abacus® Spring/Summer 2013 collection encourages golfers to “get more out of their wardrobes” with carefully crafted reversible designs and super-lightweight waterproofs, ideal for any summer shower.

Abacus Sportswear, the Swedish golf clothing brand and Official Apparel Supplier to The European Tour, has created several reversible garments, which allow golfers to create more looks with fewer items of clothing, while still remaining stylish.

“For the Spring/Summer 2013 collection we have tried to make sure customers can get more out of their wardrobes,” explains Chris Mattsson, designer at Abacus Sportswear.

“With a number of carefully chosen colour combinations and reversible garments, such as the men’s Baxton reversible shorts and sleeveless Trace wind vests, golfers can create many different outfits with fewer items in their suitcases!”

Abacus Sportswear’s signature lightweight stretch waterproof fabrics also feature in the Spring/Summer 2013 collection with the brand’s latest StretchLite™ technology representing a major step forward for golf weatherwear.

The Barton StretchLite™ jacket is believed to be the most stretchable lightweight waterproof jacket in golf – expanding to more than two-and-a-half times its normal length. This underlines the technology’s remarkable elasticity and freedom of movement benefits.

“When you demonstrate to golfers just how much the Barton StretchLite™ jacket can stretch, they can’t believe it – the level of elasticity is extraordinary. Once on, it’s like wearing a thin waterproof skin that simply moves and stretches without resistance to the twists and turns of the golf swing,” commented Chris Mattsson.

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“At just 99 grams per square metre, it is also incredibly light, highly breathable and packs conveniently into its own pocket.”

The abacus® Spring/Summer 2013 Collection is now available to view online as a video or via a downloadable brochure at: www.abacussportswear.com

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Darren Clarke STATISTICS Country: Northern Ireland Date of Birth: 14.8.68 Major Victories: 1 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 14 Other Tournament Victories: 7

Driving Distance: 284.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 68.9% Greens in Regulation: 69.1% Putts per round: 30.3 Sand Saves: 51.6%

D

ARREN Clarke realised his golfing dream in 2011 with a gutsy victory at The 140th Open Championship at a wet and windy Royal St George’s.

Clarke produced some of the finest golf of his career, carding rounds of 68-68-69-70 to hold off Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson and win by three strokes for his first Major title.

The win came two months after he picked up his 13th European Tour title at the Iberdrola Open on the Spanish island of Mallorca which ended a threeyear drought on Tour.

Clarke turned professional in 1990 and won his first title in 1993 at the Alfred Dunhill Open. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997 in Europe’s one point victory at Valderrama, and went on to play in the following four Ryder Cups. Clarke won his first World Golf Championships title at the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship in 2000, defeating Tiger Woods 4 & 3 in the final. Three years later he won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, by four strokes from American Jonathan Kaye.

Clarke had to wait five years for his next victory but it was worth the wait as he sank a raking 40-foot birdie putt to win the 2008 BMW Asian Open before later that season winning the KLM Open in Holland, four shots clear of close friend Paul McGinley. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Nicolas Colsaerts STATISTICS Country: Belgium Date of Birth: 14.11.82 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 2 Other Tournament Victories: 5

Driving Distance: 302.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.6% Greens in Regulation: 73.4% Putts per round: 30.7 Sand Saves: 44.4%

N

ICOLAS Colsaerts enjoyed a superb season on The European Tour last year which included his second European Tour title, courtesy of a 1up victory over Graeme McDowell in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship. The victory helped him secure a Captain’s pick for The Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, where he starred in the Friday Fourballs alongside Lee Westwood as Europe narrowly retained the Cup. The big-hitting Belgian posted nine top tens in addition to his victory ,including a share of seventh place at The Open Championship, for his best career finish in a Major. He went on to end the season in 11th place in The Race to Dubai.

Colsaerts won his first European Tour title in 2011 with a superb four-stroke over Pablo Martin, Danny Lee, Søren Kjeldsen and Peter Lawrie at the Volvo China Open in Chengdu. He posted four additional top tens, including a share of third place at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and ended the campaign in 20th place in The Race to Dubai.

So far this season Colsaerts has posted some solid results, including tied fifth in his defence of the Volvo World Match Play Championship and a share of tenth place at the US Open Championship. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Jamie Donaldson STATISTICS Country: Wales Date of Birth: 19.10.75 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 2 Other Tournament Victories: 4

Driving Distance: 288 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.7% Greens in Regulation: 64.5% Putts per round: 28.4 Sand Saves: 52.1%

J

AMIE Donaldson wrapped up his second European Tour title in superb fashion with a one-stroke win over Thorbjørn Olesen at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship earlier this season.

The win came just 13 events after he finally broke through on The European Tour at The Irish Open last summer. Donaldson carded a final round 66 to win by four strokes at Royal Portrush in what was his 255th event on Tour.

Donaldson had an excellent season last year with four top tens in addition to his victory in Ireland, including a share of ninth place at the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island – his best finish in a Major Championship. He ended the year 19th in The Race to Dubai.

Prior to turning professional in 2000, the Welshman had a stellar amateur career, winning the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1997 and the Welsh Amateur Open Stroke Play in 2000. He then helped Great Britain to a second place finish at the Eisenhower Trophy and finished runner-up at the Brabazon and St Andrews Links Trophies.

He underlined his potential in his first year as a professional as he won twice on the Challenge Tour, at the BMW Russian Open and the Telia Grand Prix, to finish third in the Rankings and earn his European Tour card for the 2002 season. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Padraig Harrington STATISTICS Country: Ireland Date of Birth: 31.8.71 Major Victories: 3 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 14 Other Tournament Victories: 13

Driving Distance: 292.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 54.6% Greens in Regulation: 64.1% Putts per round: 28.1 Sand Saves: 54.8%

P

ADRAIG Harrington won three out of six Majors in a two-year spell of superb golf which has cemented his place as a modern day European great.

The Irishman won his first Major at The 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a four-hole play-off. A year later he defended his crown with a four-stroke victory over Ian Poulter at Royal Birkdale, and then made it back-to-back Majors with a sensational two-stroke victory at the US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. He went on to be voted the US PGA Tour Player of the Year by his peers to become only the third European to earn the honour.

Harrington has been a regular European Ryder Cup team member since 1999 and made his sixth Ryder Cup appearance at Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 as a Captain’s pick, earning two points from four matches as Europe regained the Cup. Harrington won his first title since the 2008 US PGA Championship in October 2010 with victory in the Iskandar Johor Open on the Asian Tour.

The 41 year old is having a steady season this year with three top tens on the US PGA Tour and top ten finishes at The European Tour’s Volvo Golf Champions and Maybank Malaysian Open. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Thongchai Jaidee STATISTICS Country: Thailand Date of Birth: 8.11.69 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 5 Other Tournament Victories: 11

Driving Distance: 285.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.6% Greens in Regulation: 74% Putts per round: 29.6 Sand Saves: 56.9%

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HONGCHAI Jaidee won his fifth European Tour title and his first on European soil with a one-shot victory over Thomas Björn, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Joost Luiten and Richard Sterne at the ISPS Handa Wales Open last summer.

Jaidee was a regular winner on the Asian Tour before winning his debut European Tour title at the co-sanctioned Carlsberg Malaysian Open in 2004 – becoming the first Thai golfer to win on the Tour.

He successfully defended his title a year later and added the Volvo Masters of Asia to his collection on the Asian Tour in 2006.

Jaidee won two times on the Asian Tour, in 2008, before winning twice on The European Tour in 2009 with impressive victories at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea. He went on to end the 2009 campaign a career-best 19th in The Race to Dubai.

The 43 year old has been in excellent form on The European Tour so far this season with five topten finishes to his name, including runner-up to Graeme McDowell at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria.

Prior to turning professional in 1999 with a +2 handicap, Jaidee spent ten years in the Royal Thai Army as a paratrooper. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Martin Laird STATISTICS Country: Scotland Date of Birth: 29.12.82 Other Tournament Victories: 3

Driving Distance: 292.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 61.71% Greens in Regulation: 66.32% Putts per round: 29.73 Sand Saves: 50%

M

ARTIN Laird won his third title on the US PGA Tour earlier this season with a stunning two-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy at the Valero Texas Open. The Scot began the day seven strokes behind overnight leader Billy Horschel, but carded a course recordequalling nine under par 63 to post a 14 under par total and win ahead of former World Number One, McIlroy who shot a 66.

Last year, Laird enhanced his growing reputation on the US PGA Tour with a thrilling victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, at Bay Hill in Orlando. Laird took advantage of a slip-up by American Steve Marino and two-putted superbly from 80 feet on the final green to seal the victory.

One month later the Scotsman qualified for his first appearance in the Masters Tournament, where he finished in a share of 20th place for his best performance in a Major to date.

Laird won his first US PGA Tour title in 2009 at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open after he defeated George McNeill with a birdie on the third hole of a play-off.

The Glaswegian has played in the last four editions of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and his best result is tenth place on his debut in 2009. At Castle Stuart last year Laird finished in a share of 16th place. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Paul Lawrie STATISTICS Country: Scotland Date of Birth: 1.1.69 Major Victories: 1 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 8 Other Tournament Victories: 5

Driving Distance: 288.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.3% Greens in Regulation: 71.5% Putts per round: 30.4 Sand Saves: 52.6%

L

AST year Paul Lawrie enjoyed his best season since winning The Open Championship in 1999, with two victories on The European Tour and a second Ryder Cup appearance.

Lawrie triumphed at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in February and finished third and second respectively at the Volvo World Match Play Championship and the BMW PGA Championship, before he won on home soil in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles to gain an automatic place in José María Olazábal’s Ryder Cup Team. Lawrie won a vital point at Medinah in his Singles match against Brandt Snedeker, beating the American 5&3 as Europe retained the Cup in dramatic fashion, coming from 10-6 behind to win 141/2-131/2 Lawrie’s previous Ryder Cup outing came in 1999, when he scored 3.5 points but finished on the losing side as the USA won 141/2-131/2 at Brookline.

In 2011 Lawrie won his first title in nine years at the Open de Andalucia, and ended the season with a runner-up finish at the DP World Tour Championship to take 10th place in The Race to Dubai.

The Aberdonian won his first European tour title in 1996 at the Open Catalonia, and also won the 1999 Commercialbank Qatar Masters before his Open triumph at Carnoustie. In 2001 he won the Dunhill Links Championship, and the following season was victorious at the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Sandy Lyle STATISTICS Country: Scotland Date of Birth: 9.2.58 Major Victories: 2 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 16 Other Tournament Victories: 11

Driving Distance: 277.5 yards Driving Accuracy: 53.14% Greens in Regulation: 62% Putts per round: 30.16 Sand Saves: 43.75%

S

ANDY Lyle was famously one of European golf’s , ‘Big Five’, during the 1980s along with the late Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam.

The Scotsman won The Open Championship in 1985 at Royal St George’s, becoming the first Briton to claim the Claret Jug since Tony Jacklin in 1969.

He went on to create history in 1988 as the first British player to win the Masters Tournament.

Lyle also won the World Match Play Championship in 1988 after being a losing finalist on several occasions previously. He was a member of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team throughout the 1980s and was victorious in his last two appearances in 1985 at The Belfry and 1987 at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

Lyle topped the Money List in 1979, 1980 and 1985 and between 1979 and 1992 he finished in the top ten nine times.

In addition to his 18 European Tour titles, Lyle has also won four US PGA Tour titles, including the 1987 Players Championship.

Since turning 50 in 2008 Lyle has played on both the European Senior Tour and the US Champions Tour, and in 2011 he won his first title in 19 years with a win at the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship in China. Last year he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

David Lynn STATISTICS Country: England Date of Birth: 20.10.73 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 1 Other Tournament Victories: 1

Driving Distance: 277.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.60% Greens in Regulation: 62.65% Putts per round: 28.51 Sand Saves: 55%

D

AVID Lynn finished runner-up to runaway winner Rory McIlroy at last year’s US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in what was only his second start in a Major Championship. Lynn carded rounds of 73, 74, 68, 68 for a five under par total and collected a cheque for €712, 914.

That performance earned him enough money to qualify for the US PGA Tour for 2013, and the Englishman is having a superb maiden season in America with two top tens so far – a share of fourth place at The Honda Classic and runner-up at the Wells Fargo Championship, where he lost a play-off to Derek Ernst.

Lynn turned professional in 1995 and graduated to The European Tour after a superb season on the Challenge Tour in 1997. However, he lost his card in 1998 after missing the cut by just one stroke on eight occasions. He regained his card at Qualifying School in 1999 and has retained his playing privileges ever since.

He picked up his one and only victory on The European Tour in 2004 with a three-stroke victory over Australian Richard Green and Irishman Paul McGinley at the KLM Open in the Netherlands.

That victory helped him to finish 26th in The Race to Dubai which was his highest finish on the end of season ranking until last year, when he finished 18th. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Matteo Manassero STATISTICS Country: Italy Date of Birth: 19.4.93 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 4

Driving Distance: 272.7yards Driving Accuracy: 68.1% Greens in Regulation: 70.9% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 70.7%

M

ATTEO Manassero enhanced his rapidly growing reputation on The European Tour with a superb victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in April. The youngster defeated former champion Simon Khan and Scotland’s Marc Warren in a play-off to clinch the biggest title of his career to date.

Manassero became the youngest winner in European Tour history at the 2010 CASTELLO MASTERS Costa Azahar at the age of 17 years and 188 days, and was subsequently named Rookie of the Year.

In 2011 he won his second title at the Maybank Malaysian Open by one stroke from Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, and last year he triumphed at the Barclays Singapore Open courtesy of a superb eagle on the third hole of a sudden-death play-off against former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen. That win saw him become the first teenager to win three times on The European Tour and his victory at Wentworth earlier this year – which came just 37 days after his 20th birthday – saw him become the youngest winner of The European Tour’s flagship title.

In 2009 Manassero won the Silver Medal for being the leading amateur in The Open Championship at Turnberry, finishing in a share of 13th.

In 2010 he became the youngest player to make the cut at the Masters Tournament and he relinquished his amateur status shortly after making his professional debut on home soil at the BMW Italian Open. n

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Historic Aldourie Castle is available for exclusive use private rentals all year and is close to some of Scotland’s finest golf courses.

Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 6EL Tel: 0870 625 0265 www.aldouriecastle.co.uk

PHOTO: SIMON JAUNCEY

Your very own Scottish Highland Castle on the shores of Loch Ness

PL AYER PR OFILES

Paul McGinley STATISTICS Country: Ireland Date of Birth: 16.12.66 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 4 Other Tournament Victories: 5

Driving Distance: 273.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 65.67% Greens in Regulation: 63.2% Putts per round: 30.3 Sand Saves: 43.3%

P

AUL McGinley will fulfil a life-long dream when he captains the European Ryder Cup Team at Gleneagles next year.

McGinley is a star of three Ryder Cups as a player and he famously holed the winning putt in 2002 at The Belfry, halving his singles match with Jim Furyk. He then made two further appearances in Europe’s back-to-back 18½–9½ victories at Oakland Hills in 2004 and The K Club on home soil in Ireland in 2006. He was Vice Captain to Colin Montgomerie in 2010 and again last year under José María Olazábal, and has never been on the losing side in any capacity at The Ryder Cup. McGinley turned professional in 1991 after a successful amateur career, and earned his European Tour card at Qualifying School for the 1992 season.

The Irishman has won four times on The European Tour, with his first victory coming in the 1996 Hohe Brücke Open and his second coming a year later as he claimed the Oki Pro-Am at La Moraleja in Madrid.

McGinley enjoyed a superb season in 2001, finishing eighth on the Money List after securing victory at the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open, and his last win on The European Tour came at the 2005 Volvo Masters which helped him finish a career-best third in The Race to Dubai. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Phil Mickelson STATISTICS Country: USA Date of Birth: 16.6.70 Major Victories: 4 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 7 Other Tournament Victories: 40

Driving Distance: 290.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 55.01% Greens in Regulation: 67.71% Putts per round: 28.48 Sand Saves: 56.25%

F

OUR-time Major Champion Phil Mickelson came agonisingly close to winning a fifth Major at the US Open Championship last month, but had to settle for second place in the event for the sixth time in his career.

Mickelson, who won his 41st US PGA Tour title at the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this season, won his fourth Major and his third Green Jacket with a stunning victory over Lee Westwood at the 2010 Masters Tournament. His first taste of Major success came at the Masters Tournament in 2004. A year later he took the US PGA Championship, and in 2006 he won his second Masters title.

The Californian won his first title back in 1991 at the Northern Trust Open as an amateur and later that year was a member of America’s victorious Walker Cup team at Portmarnock Golf Club in Ireland. He turned professional the following year, and won his first title as a professional at the 1993 Buick Invitational of California. His 41 career wins on the US circuit see him occupy ninth place on the all-time winners list.

Mickelson has been on every United States Ryder Cup team since 1995, but has only tasted success twice – in 1999 at Brookline and 2008 at Valhalla.

Mickelson has played in ten editions of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and came within a whisker of clinching the title in 2007, but was defeated in a play-off by Frenchman Grégory Havret. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Francesco Molinari STATISTICS Country: Italy Date of Birth: 8.11.82 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 3

Driving Distance: 280.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 71.9% Greens in Regulation: 68.8% Putts per round: 29.6 Sand Saves: 51.5%

F

RANCESCO Molinari narrowly missed out at Castle Start in last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, when Jeev Milkha Singh sank a birdie putt to win on the first hole of a play-off.

It was the Italian’s second runner-up finish in succession after he finished behind Marcel Siem at the Alstom Open de France, but earlier in the year he did collect his third title on The European Tour with a stunning victory at the Reale Seguros Open de España. Molinari carded a final round seven under par 65 – the best score of the week – to come from behind and win with an eight under par total ahead of home favourites Alejandro Cañizares and Pablo Larrazábal, and Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen.

Molinari picked up the biggest title of his career in 2010 with a superb one-stroke victory over Lee Westwood at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai to end a four-year title drought.

Molinari turned professional in 2004 and joined The European Tour the following year. He made his breakthrough in 2006 with a four-stroke victory over Anders Hansen and Jarmo Sandelin in the Italian Open.

Molinari has played in the last two editions of The Ryder Cup and sealed the half point needed to win the Cup outright at last year’s Miracle of Medinah, in the last match against Tiger Woods. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

José María Olazábal STATISTICS Country: Spain Date of Birth: 5.2.66 Major Victories: 2 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 23 Other Tournaments Victories: 7

Driving Distance: 270.3yards Driving Accuracy: 56.8% Greens in Regulation: 58.3% Putts per round: 28.4 Sand Saves: 50.8%

J

OSÉ María Olazábal fulfilled a life-long dream last year as he captained The European Ryder Cup Team to a remarkable and historic comeback victory at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

The Spaniard played in seven editions of The Ryder Cup and forged the most successful partnership in the event’s history with his compatriot, the late Seve Ballesteros, as they won 11, halved two and lost only two of their matches together.

Olazábal picked up his first European Tour title in 1986 at the age of 20 at the Omega European Masters and later picked up the Sanyo Open to finish second on the Money List.

He made his Ryder Cup debut a year later and became a mainstay in the European Team, making his last appearance in Europe’s victory at The K Club in 2006, beating Phil Mickelson in the Singles.

In 2008 he was Vice Captain to Sir Nick Faldo at Valhalla and was drafted in to be a fifth Assistant to Colin Montgomerie at the 2010 edition, held at The Celtic Manor Resort.

Olazábal won two Major titles – the 1994 and 1999 Masters Tournaments at Augusta – and has triumphed 23 times in total on The European Tour.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Thorbjørn Olesen STATISTICS Country: Denmark Date of Birth: 21.12.89 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 1 Other Tournament Victories: 2

Driving Distance: 287.7 yards Driving Accuracy: 53.3% Greens in Regulation: 68.4% Putts per round: 29.3 Sand Saves: 44.4%

T

HORBJØRN Olesen won his maiden European Tour title at last year’s Sicilian Open and posted a further six top tens to finish 15th in The Race to Dubai in just his second full season on Tour.

Olesen won by one shot from Englishman Chris Wood in Sicily, and other fine performances included a share of ninth place at The Open Championship and runner-up to Branden Grace at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

In the Dane’s debut season of 2011 he finished runner-up no fewer than three times, and capped his campaign by representing his country alongside Anders Hansen at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. He finished runner-up to Pablo Martin at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa and second behind Robert Rock at the BMW Italian Open, before taking second place again at the Alstom Open de France behind home favourite Thomas Levet.

So far this season Olesen has posted three top-ten finishes, including a share of sixth place in his debut at the Masters Tournament. He began the season strongly, taking runner-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and then posted a share of third place at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Formally known as Jacob, he changed his name to his middle name – Thorbjørn – because it is far less common. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Marcel Siem STATISTICS Country: Germany Date of Birth: 15.7.80 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 3

Driving Distance: 294 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.7% Greens in Regulation: 67.5% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 45.3%

M

ARCEL Siem won his third European Tour title earlier this year with a confident threestroke victory over David Horsey at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.

Last summer Siem wrapped up the biggest title of his career with a solid one-stroke victory over Francesco Molinari at the Alstom Open de France.

Despite shooting a third round 73, Siem bounced back to card a final round 67 to pip the Italian to the title, with home favourite Raphaël Jacquelin finishing third. His first prize cheque of €525,000 was more than he had earned in an entire European Tour season since 2004, when he earned just over €560,000.

The German had an excellent season with four additional top tens, including a share of second place at the Avantha Masters and fourth at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and he ended the campaign a career-best 14th in The Race to Dubai.

Siem turned professional in 2000 and earned his European Tour card for the 2003 campaign after making steady progress through the EPD Tour and the Challenge Tour. He won his first European Tour title in 2004 at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa and ended the season in 39th place on the Money List.

Two years later he teamed up with his illustrious compatriot Bernhard Langer to win the World Cup of Golf for Germany in Barbados. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Jeev Milkha Singh STATISTICS Country: India Date of Birth: 15.12.71 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 4 Other Tournament Victories: 15

Driving Distance: 292.8yards Driving Accuracy: 56.1% Greens in Regulation: 62.5% Putts per round: 27.8 Sand Saves: 71.1%

D

EFENDING champion Jeev Milkha Singh wrapped up his fourth European Tour title in impressive fashion with a play-off victory over Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open last July.

Singh became the first Indian golfer to qualify for The European Tour after earning his card at the 1997 Qualifying School. He was a regular tournament winner on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s and finally made his breakthrough on The European Tour in 2006 when he claimed victories at the Volvo China Open and the Volvo Masters.

In 2008 he won his third title at the Bank Austria GolfOpen and finished the season a career-high 12th on the Money List. In 2009 Singh posted three top tens, including a fourth place finish in the prestigious World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

He again showed his liking for the big occasion in 2010 with a ninth place finish at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship while in 2011 he finished in the top ten twice – at the Volvo China Open (tenth) and the Nordea Masters (sixth). In addition to his win on the Moray Firth last year he posted one additional top-ten finish and ended the year in 32nd place in The Race to Dubai. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Henrik Stenson STATISTICS Country: Sweden Date of Birth: 5.4.76 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 7 Other Tournament Victories: 5

Driving Distance: 298.5 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.6% Greens in Regulation: 73.6% Putts per round: 30.2 Sand Saves: 42.3%

H

ENRIK Stenson picked up his first European Tour title since the 2007 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship with a composed three-shot victory over George Coetzee at the South African Open Championship in November last year. The win signalled a welcome return to form as the Swede had not recorded a victory anywhere in the world since 2009.

Stenson turned professional in 1998 and won his first European Tour title in 2001 at the Benson and Hedges International Open. He won The Heritage at Woburn in 2004 before winning twice in 2006 at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the BMW International Open on his way to finishing sixth on the Money List.

In 2007 Stenson won the Dubai Desert Classic and then shot to worldwide acclaim one month later with a superb victory over Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. He ended the season a career-high fourth on the Money List.

The following year he ended his campaign in style by teaming up with Robert Karlsson to win the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, and in 2009 he won the biggest title of his career with a commanding four-stroke win at The Players Championship at TPCSawgrass.

Stenson has posted two top tens on the US PGA Tour so far this year, including runner-up at the Shell Houston Open. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Richard Sterne STATISTICS Country: South Africa Date of Birth: 27.8.81 European Tour International Schedule Victories: 6 Other Tournament Victories: 3

Driving Distance: 292.yards Driving Accuracy: 63.7% Greens in Regulation: 70.8% Putts per round: 28.5 Sand Saves: 53.9%

R

ICHARD Sterne collected his sixth European Tour title earlier this year with a magnificent seven-stroke victory over compatriot Charl Schwartzel at the Joburg Open in South Africa. Sterne carded rounds of 63, 65, 68, 64 for a remarkable 27 under par total to win one week after he finished second behind Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Sterne enjoyed a solid campaign on The European Tour last season with five top tens, including runner-up at the ISPS Handa Wales Open and sixth place at the BMW Championship at Wentworth.

Sterne won his first European Tour title in 2004 at the Open de España, and three years later triumphed at the Celtic Manor Wales Open by one stroke from home favourite Bradley Dredge and three others.

He has posted four victories since then, which have all come on home soil. In 2008 he won the Joburg Open for the first time and later that year – although the events were deemed part of The 2009 European Tour International Schedule – he clinched the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open Championship.

Sterne comes from a hugely sporting family. His sister, Farrah, is one of South Africa’s top squash players, his father was involved in motor racing and his mother was an ice-skater. n

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PL AYER PR OFILES

Michael Thompson STATISTICS Country: USA Date of Birth: 16.04.85 Other Tournament Victories: 1

Driving Distance: 282.3 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.21 % Greens in Regulation: 61.99% Putts per round: 28.91 Sand Saves: 58.24%

M

ICHAEL Thompson won his maiden US PGA Tour title at this year’s Honda Classic in Florida thanks to a two-stroke victory over Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy.

Before turning professional in July 2008, Thompson was number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and in 2010, after an outstanding season on the satellite Hooters Tour, he earned his card for the 2011 US PGA Tour at the Qualifying School.

In his rookie season on the US PGA Tour he carded two top-ten finishes – fourth place at the Travelers Championship and third place at The McGladrey Classic.

In 2012 he came close to winning the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco – the same course where he narrowly lost out in the final of the US Amateur in 2007 to Colt Knost.

Thompson opened with a four under par 66 to lead after day one but after rounds of 75 and 74 he dropped down the leaderboard. However, he shot a three under par 67 in the final round to post the clubhouse target of two over par, which was eventually surpassed by one stroke by American Webb Simpson.

In addition to his victory this season he has two top tens to his name – a share of eighth place at both the WGC-Cadillac Championship and the Memorial Tournament. n

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Legend: 1

Castle Stuart Pavilion

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Crabbies Long Putt Challenge

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Leaderboard

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Castle Stuart Golf Shop*

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Ballantine’s Bar

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Clubhouse

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Official Merchandise

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Players Lounge

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Scottish Golf Union Exhibition

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Media Centre

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Golf Simulator

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European Tour Rules Office

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Visit Scotland Exhibition

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Hole Number

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ClubGolf Café

Toilets

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Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Pavilion Sponsors Pavilion

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ClubGolf Interactive Area

Disabled Toilet

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Skean Dhu Hospitality

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Hugo Boss Merchandise

Food & Beverage

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Championship Office

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Police and Volunteers

Phone Zone

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Public Village

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TV Compound

First Aid

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Food Court

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Welcome Tent

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Laurent Perrier Brasserie*

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Taxi Drop Off / Pick Up

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Public Bar

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Shuttle Bus Drop Off / Pick Up

* Open to Public

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CONTINGENCY CAR PARK

2013 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

HOLE GUIDE

CASTLESTUART A MASTERPIECE OF DESIGN

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By Mike Gallemore CASTLE STUART GOLF LINKS has succeeded in combining every element that makes

a truly great golf course. Visually, the course that seems to cling to the banks of the Moray Firth is breathtakingly beautiful. As a test of golf it will prove a fascinating challenge for the world’s greatest golfers in action this week, while still providing an enjoyable encounter for all ability levels. Although many holes present a daunting prospect from the tee, they are not as fearsome as they seem. Fairways are wide and accommodating and greens are smallish yet subtle, while bunkers are best avoided. Californian Mark Parsinen, the Managing Partner of Castle Stuart, has put his considerable knowledge, experience and expertise into creating this masterpiece of design. Parsinen joined forces with American golf architect, Gil Hanse, to co-design the course to bring the best out of this awe-inspiring stretch of coastline. Stuart McColm, the Club Manager, was tempted further north from the world-renowned Kingsbarns Golf Club in St. Andrews, which was the brainchild of Parsinen, to oversee the construction of Castle Stuart. The most remarkable aspect of the course is that it looks as though it has always been there – a gift of nature. It is a split-level layout, with six holes that appear to hang over the Moray Firth, and 12 holes above on a natural plateau overlooking the sea. It is incredible to think the course is only four years old. With its stunning panorama that takes in the Chanonry Lighthouse, the Kessock Bridge and Fort George, Castle Stuart has to be one of the most inspiring and inviting venues in world golf.

HOLE 1

HOLE 2

Par 4 439 yards

THE tee shot on the first is perhaps one of the most unsettling at Castle Stuart – a solid bank of gorse to the left and the full expanse of the Moray Firth to the right. Contrary to your first impression, the play area is fully 60 yards wide and accommodating with supporting upslopes on either side. A modest drive in play leaves a straightforward approach to a green more forgiving to recoveries from the left than the right. This hole can be simplicity itself or it can be a vexing encounter.

87

Par 5 554 yards

IF going for it in two, aim for the upper left fairway plateau, which opens up the best angle to make the green. If playing safe and settling for three shots to the green the lower right fairway hollow provides the easiest route for a second shot lay-up into backboard-like contours down the left. Short and right can leave an awkward bunker recovery.

A putt, a chip or a flip-wedge are the choices. The green is quite irregular and finicky in shape and contours. Enjoy the green’s seemingly precarious position hanging on the edge of the sea.

2013 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

HOLE GUIDE

HOLE 3

HOLE 5

Par 4 306 yards

THIS green is best approached from the right, due to a hidden valley of fairways and a steep contour guarding the front/left side of the putting surface. Approach from the left and you might find the hidden bunker just beyond the right half of the green. A solid drive straight down the middle, fading to the right would be perfection, although the two new fairway bunkers should be avoided. Right is preferable but slightly unsettling as the right side of the fairway is hidden behind a large hillock of gorse. Wind conditions may bring a downslope in the fairway into consideration.

IF you’ve made a good start on the first two holes, you should be ready for a different kind of fun. A solid tee shot under most conditions can make the green, which is long and narrow and slopes right towards the sea. Recovery shots from left of the green can be testy although a putt, chip or wedge from the tightly mown fairway are an option. Whatever your decision on the tee try and take the bunkers out of play and be aware that anything left of the green can create problems in the lie, stance and angle.

HOLE 4

Par 4 452 yards

Par 3 201 yards

UNUSUALLY there are three ways to get to this green: first, aim for the high left fairway plateau and watch the ball release down and to the right to the front left of the green; second, summon enough height and spin to land on the green; or third, find the 30 yard long fairway plateau that will take you to the front of the green. The wind conditions and the pin position will govern your thought process. There is more room round the green than meets the eye so don’t be afraid to make a confident strike.

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HOLE 6

Par 5 568 yards

FOR even the longest hitters finding the green in two is a daunting task. The green is long and narrow with bunkers left and right and one trap strategically placed 80 yards in front.

This bunker plays a crucial role in deciding where you want to be in executing your third shot to the green. For most, it will be a case of playing safe and finding the right position in respect to landing in the right spot on the green. Although the green appears to be perched on the sea, it’s really an optical illusion.

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2012 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

HOLE GUIDE

HOLE 8

Par 3 218 yards

THIS punchbowl-shaped green can provide an easy or perplexing first putt, depending on the pin position. From the ‘wrong’ side of the putting surface finding the hole can seem virtually impossible. But with a little imagination and by making your way to the correct half of the green the job can be done. With the exception of headwind conditions getting the ball safely on the ground well before the green is a very reasonably achievable. Beware of the central mound fronting the green.

Landing on the wrong side can deflect your ball disastrously.

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HOLE 7

Par 4 464 yards

PLAYING into the green from the left angle is much more advisable than coming in from the right, which can result in either a blind shot or one that is visually unnerving. Never fear, your tee shot gives you ample room but you need to figure out where you want to be with your second shot. Take the left side hollow into account but it does have a forgiving small lower plateau. The well-hidden greenside bunkers can save wayward and leftsailing approach shots flying seawards. Take the time to enjoy the magnificent view over the Moray Firth to the Chanonry Lighthouse.

HOLE 9

Par 4 403 yards

Recently lengthened by more than 30 yards, Long-hitters with the wind behind them can make it close to the green in one but they need to take a line down the fairway right of the putting surface, where the contours and a little right-to-left ball flight can bring your ball onto the back portion of the green. A less than solid strike will leave the ball in the fairway hollow short and right of the green, resulting in an awkward blind shot to a less-than-receptive green. A drive aimed straight at the flag can bring the largely-hidden intruding finger of the leftside ‘open sandy area’ into play.

HOLE 10

Par 4 363 yards

THE front-to-back slope on this green makes approach shots from the higher right side of the fairway a difficult proposition so the best play off the tee is to go for the left side of the fairway. The safest route is to target the fairway bunker slightly right of middle. Long-hitters, particularly with the wind at their backs, can go for broke but they must take account of that dangerous bunker. Once on the green a missed putt won’t send you into the sea alongside the green but it might be close.

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2013 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

HOLE GUIDE

HOLE 11

Par 3 168 yards

LONG and left is not good and neither is long and right on this short par three. When you’re going for a midto-back pin position don’t go over the top or push your shot. Short and right is safe and manageable. Putting up and through the greenside contours will yield many a par. Despite the short distance of this hole that exudes intimacy with the sea, those going for birdie from the tee will find it a bit harder than it looks. Take some time to soak up the view of the Moray Firth and the Chanonry Lighthouse – it’s breathtaking.

HOLE 13

Par 4 444 yards

WHILE you’re getting your breath back from walking up from the 12th green, consider your strategy for this hole – a genuine risk-return dogleg right. The more you challenge the hollow on the right the closer you’ll be to the green. Playing into the green from the far left side of the fairway is far more preferable to coming in from the right. Almost any ball from the left can make its way through the fronting contours to the right half of the green. Virtually all running shots from the rightside get deflected to the left. The views are spectacular.

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5 HOLE 12 Par 599 yards THE addition of a new tee box has extended the hole by close to 60 yards as well as making the hole a sharp dogleg to the right. If you have the nerve and a long, high cut, bravehearts can go for the green in two. Others may decide that laying up isn’t such a bad option. Long-hitters take note: first, the posts marking the water hazard to the left of the green are only just off the green itself; second, the fairway plateau alongside the right of the green requires shaping a right-to-left shot; third, the steep contour separating the rightside plateau from the green can yield a bad bounce; and fourth, there’s ample fronting to the green above the bunker. Have fun.

HOLE 14

Par 4 386yards

UNDER normal conditions this is a drive and a short iron. The landing area from off the tee is wider than it appears but the addition of a new fairway bunker positioned at 280 yards will catch players out when the wind gets up. There are also two other points to take into consideration: first, the rightside of the landing area is fraught with uneven lies due to the small hillocks and hollows that we call ‘rumple’; and second, from the rightside angle the green is shallow and there is no fronting ground on which to play a forward release anywhere close to reliability. The leftside of the fairway allows playing down the lengthy axis of the green and the fronting ground is flattish and reliable – and helpful.

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2013 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

HOLE GUIDE

HOLE 16

Par 4 337 yards

NOW for the finishing three ‘tweener’ holes: a drivable par four where birdies will abound; a long-ish par three; and a par five finale where palpable seduction will produce anything from eagles to bogeys and sometimes, worse. The Championship can be settled on these three holes. Going for it on the 16th isn’t a bad idea but using less than a driver off the tee can be the smart play.

Take note of the green’s ‘infinity’ edge with nothing beyond but the sea and Fort George – home of the elite Scottish Black Watch Highland Regiment.

4 HOLE 15 Par 458 yards WIND conditions will determine whether you can carry the bunker on the left and the ‘open sandy area’ through the heart of the fairway but having been extended 40 yards it will make the players think twice about taking it on. The left half of the fairway leaves an unobstructed view of the green. The leftward ‘wispy hollow’ does allow recoveries to the green so don’t be overly worried about trying for the leftside of the green. The rightside might be more agreeable for tee shots but everything works against the approach angle the more right you are.

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HOLE 17

Par 3 226 yards

OBVIOUS danger lies down the right side on this longest of Castle Stuart’s par threes. Contours to the left and short of the green turn a releasing shot downwards and onto the putting surface.

Flying the ball long and left, as failing to get it down on the ground soon enough can put you into deep ‘wisp,’ which means a tough recovery shot. A low-running shot out to the left with a little leftto-right action is perfection. A high shot into the heart of the green works well, providing the wind doesn’t grab it and carry it right.

HOLE 18

Par 5 607 yards

LOOK back over the course and marvel at where you’ve been, before taking on the challenges of the final hole. This partially blind and potentially intimidating tee shot requires total concentration.

Take a line from the prominent blue Scottish saltire left of the clubhouse. The long-hitters can take it on in two. There is a hidden fairway in the hollow beyond the ‘open sandy area’ in front of the green, and a shot hit slightly left and short of the green can take a downslope and release rightwards with enough pace to reach the centre of the green.

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ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN TOURNAMENT ORGANISATION

FIELD STAFF

Peter Adams Robert Gordon Rory Colville Samantha Purssell Mike Uyede Cecilia Chan Carole Letters Katrina Johnston Suzanne Collins Douglas Campbell Martin Cassidy Alastair Gillies Kirstie McGlashan Jenna Ewing Nico Inglis Sam Adams Bruce Duncan John Donaldson Claire Harper Pamela Jack David Park

Mike Stewart Andy McFee Gary Butler Eddie Adams Linda Pettersson Valeria Luna Gomez Mark Litton Guy Hunt Neil McConachie Ian Taylor Jorge Goeben Ivor Robson

Championships Director Commercial Director Assistant Championship Director Tournament Services Manager Operations Director (Asia) Assistant Championship Manager (Asia) Championship Office Manager Player Liaison Player Liaison Welcome Tent Co-ordinator Information Co-ordinator Volunteer Co-ordinator Ticketing Assistant Ticketing Assistant Operations Assistant Operations Assistant Chief Marshall Volunteer Scorers Manager Walking Scorers Manager Deputy Walking Scorers Manager Player Relations

Tournament Director Chief Referee Referee Agronomy Secretary Recorder Referee Referee Referee (R&A) Referee (PGA) Referee (Federaçäo Portuguesa de Golf ) Starter

SCOREBOARD TEAM Jon Pullen Paul Dempster Richard Warnes Matt Gregson Stephen Sharples Jeanette Hocking

Scoring Manager Scoring Manager Scoring Co-ordinator Scoring Co-ordinator Scoring Co-ordinator Scoring Co-ordinator

TV LIVE SCORING Martin Brown Ian Hope Mike Sharples Physio Team Nigel Tilley Daryl Coyne Artur Frank Marvin Sevilla Roy Knightsbridge Patrick Smith

Sports Physiotherapist Senior Sports Chiropractor Sports Physiotherapist Sports Therapist Sports Osteopath Sports Therapist

MEDIA TEAM Scott Crockett Paul Symes Kate Wright Gordon Simpson Frances Jennings Roddy Williams

Media Communications Director Press Officer Media Relations Co-ordinator Head of Tournament Media Promotion Media Communications Manager Managing Editor, europeantour.com

EVENT DOCTOR Dr Jane Dunbar

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR EXECUTIVE George O’Grady CBE Keith Waters

Chief Executive, European Tour Chief Operating Officer, European Tour

TOURNAMENT ORGANISATION – CASTLE STUART GOLF LINKS Mark Parsinen Grant Sword Stuart McColm Chris Haspell Fraser Cromarty

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