Author: PerryGolf Staff

Colin Montgomerie’s European team triumphs again

PerryGolf Staff

Colin Montgomerie guided Europe to another victory, this time in the Royal Trophy, which is an event played against some of the best players from Asia.  In a similar format to the Ryder Cup, the Asian team led 6-2 going into the final day’s singles with 8.5 points required for victory.  Monty’s team, having been outplayed over the first two days, rallied to win the singles 7-1 and take the overall victory 9-7.

Monty sympathised with the heartbroken Asian captain, Joe Ozaki, comparing it to the similar comeback his team were on the wrong end of at Brookline in 1999, saying “That ranks as easily my worst Ryder Cup experience, because quite apart from the bad feeling and the crowd problems there, it was a horrible feeling to see such a big lead slip away, so I know how the Asian players will be feeling at the moment, but the important thing is how they react to this defeat. We lost the first six matches, all by big margins, so that was very tough to take.”

Despite many of Europe’s best players not taking part, big names such as Henrik Stenson, Matteo Manassero and Peter Hanson opted out, and with the drama that unfolded capturing an enthralled audience, the event is sure to grow and grow, especially with the quality of golfers coming from Asia improving year after year.

By Keith Baird.  Keith has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

SHARE

Harrington DQ’d from Season Opener

PerryGolf Staff
Padraig Harrington will be disappointed

I was very disappointed to learn today that Padraig Harrington was disqualified from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship after the first round.  After opening with a fantastic 7 under par 65, Harrington signed his card and presumed everything was in order. Unfortunately he was notified by e-mail from the European Tour around 6pm that there had been a rule infringement during his round and that there was TV evidence of the incident.  Click here for details on what actually happened.

After a lengthy winter break, and countless tweaks and swing changes, this is potentially the worst possible start to the 2011 season for Harrington.  At least he knows he’s playing well after his 65…

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

SHARE

Scottish Open Confirmed at Castle Stuart

PerryGolf Staff

After much consideration, the European Tour announced today that the Barclays Scottish Open will relocate from Loch Lomond Golf Club to Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness.  It is believed that the tournament will remain in the Highlands for 3 years and I’m sure the locals will welcome this news with open arms.  Loch Lomond has hosted the event for the last 15 years and every year was a resounding success with large crowds ever present.  I’m certain this tradition will remain now that Castle Stuart is taking over.

After its official opening in 2009, Castle Stuart has been on the receiving end of very high praise – and for what it’s worth, I was one of those who praised it.  Being awarded with the Scottish Open is acclaim of the highest order.  This is one of the European Tour’s biggest events and it attracts a top quality field on a yearly basis.  I’d like to think that it’ll attract an even higher class field now that it will be played on a links course.  This was always a major consideration for some players as the Scottish Open is played the week before The Open Championship.  Loch Lomond is an outstanding course, but the parkland layout and soft fairways haven’t suited some players’ practice regimes the week before The Open. 

Click here for more information.

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

SHARE

Which is the Oldest Course?

PerryGolf Staff

Much of Scotland’s history has been as wild and changeable as its weather…but on a more light-hearted note, the oldest golf course in Scotland; ‘The Home of Golf’, is often fiercely disputed.

Musselburgh (near Edinburgh) can prove existence in 1674 and it is even suggested that Mary, Queen of Scots played there in the late 1500’s.  The Old Course at St. Andrews has records of golf played there in 1574 and is the most widely known ‘Home of Golf’.  Stirling, with it’s much fought over castle, insists that King James IV played a round of golf there in 1506 with the Earl of Bothwell, so it is assumed there was some sort of course there at that time.  Now Perth golfers have come up with some interesting facts to claim the title as theirs.

It is well-known that golf was banned in 15th Century Scotland and all men were encouraged to practice archery in readiness for any invasion by their neighbours in England.  James IV was crowned at Scone Palace, near Perth in 1488, and by 1502 (in a more peaceful period) he had decided that an invasion was unlikely and golf could again be played.  The King was a keen sportsman and took up the game himself.  He commissioned a set of clubs from a local bow-maker and is reputed to have used them on the town’s North Inch course the same year.

By Yvonne Shaw.  Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

SHARE

Olly Confirmed as European Ryder Cup Captain

PerryGolf Staff

I was delighted to learn today that Jose Maria Olazabal has been confirmed as Colin Montgomerie’s successor to be the European Ryder Cup Captain.  He was always the favorite to take over from Monty – but it was never guaranteed – and there was even speculation that he would prefer to concentrate on his own golf and try to qualify for the matches in 2012.  

Having competed in 7 matches over a 19 year career, Jose Maria is a Ryder Cup legend.  He lies 5th in the European standings for most matches won and most points won respectively.  Click here for more details.

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

SHARE