Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded in 1780 as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815. Until 1888 members played on the Queen’s Links close to the city before moving across the River Don to the links at Balgownie. The Course was originally designed by the Simpson Brothers, Archie and Robert of Carnoustie and later re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid to ensure our classic links kept pace with the modern game.

The club’s ‘Royal’ patronage was awarded by King Edward VII in 1903.

We hope you enjoy your virtual visit to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and look forward to welcoming you when your visit to our wonderful links becomes a reality.

Visitors & Green Fees

BALGOWNIE GREEN FEES (2020)WINTER SEASON

25 October 2019 – 12th April 2020  £95 per person per round.

 

SHOULDER SEASON

13th April – 10th May £139 per person per round.

 

SUMMER SEASON

11th May – 18th October £195.00 per person per round or we offer a day ticket for £270.00 per person per day.

COURSE MAINTENANCE CLOSURE

Balgownie will be closed for maintenance work between 19th – 21st October inclusive.

WINTER SEASON 2020/2021
22nd October -11th April £95 per person per round.JUNIOR RATES

Juniors will receive a 50% discount on all of the above listed prices.

SILVERBURN COURSE

£70.00 per person per round

£100 per person per dayVISITOR TEE TIME AVAILABILITY
Monday & Wednesday 10.00 – 11.30 a.m. & 2.00 – 3.30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday 2.00 – 3.30pm
Friday 10.00  – 11.00 a.m. &  2.30  – 3.30 p.m
Weekends – after 3.30 p.m.

Additional visitor times may be available (1,2 & 3 balls only) on weekdays between 8.00 and 8.30 a.m.

BALGOWNIE GREEN FEES (2021)WINTER SEASON

21 October 2020 – 11th April 2021  £95 per person per round.

 

SHOULDER SEASON

12th April – 9th May £139 per person per round.

 

SUMMER SEASON

10th May – 17th October £195.00 per person per round or we offer a day ticket for £270.00 per person per day.

COURSE MAINTENANCE CLOSURE

Balgownie will be closed for maintenance work between 18th – 20th October inclusive.

WINTER SEASON 2021/2022
14th October -10th April £95 per person per round.JUNIOR RATES

Juniors will receive a 50% discount on all of the above listed prices.

SILVERBURN COURSE

£70.00 per person per round

£100 per person per dayVISITOR TEE TIME AVAILABILITY
Monday & Wednesday 10.00 – 11.30 a.m. & 2.00 – 3.30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday 2.00 – 3.30pm
Friday 10.00  – 11.00 a.m. &  2.30  – 3.30 p.m
Weekends – after 3.30 p.m.

Additional visitor times may be available (1,2 & 3 balls only) on weekdays between 8.00 and 8.30 a.m.

CLUB CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESSES

Contact Wendy at wendy@royalaberdeengolf.com

Contact Shona at admin@royalaberdeengolf.com

Contact Keith at gm@royalaberdeengolf.com

PAYMENT OF GREEN FEES 

We accept Visa and Mastercard for payment of green fees. A 25% non returnable deposit is required on confirmation of the booking and the balance paid in full one month before play.

REFUNDS

Please note, no refund of green fees if cancelled within 7 days of date of play.

DRESS CODE

Please note cargo style trousers, jeans, trainers and tee shirts are UNACCEPTABLE on the Course and in the Clubhouse. Hats should be removed before entering the Clubhouse. Mobile phones are not permitted in the Clubhouse (apart from the phone area), Professional’s shop and anywhere on the Club grounds.

HANDICAP CERTIFICATE

All players should hold a current handicap certificate and a letter of introduction from an accredited golf club and must be brought along for inspection. Failure to do so may, regrettably, result in the facility of the course being refused. The Championship Course (Balgownie Links) is indeed a challenging course and so handicaps for both ladies and gentlemen should be no higher than 24.
We will endeavour to provide caddies if requested but unfortunately at certain times during the season our caddy pool is limited.CADDY INFORMATION

Caddies on request – £50.00
Club hire – £45.00
Pull Trolley hire – £7.00
Electric Trolley – £15.00

Ride on Buggies – £75.00 We have a limited number of buggies which must be driven by a caddy, this cost is included in the price listed. (Medical certificate required all year round)

Request a Tee Time

Local Accommodation

Contact Us

MEMBERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

Contact Shona – 01224 702571 (Option 1)

Email: shona@royalaberdeengolf.com

RESERVATIONS

Contact Wendy – 01224 702571 (Option 1)

Email: wendy@royalaberdeengolf.com

PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL

Contact David – 01224 702571 (Option 3)

Email: davidross.pga@btinternet.com

CLUBHOUSE & CATERING

 Contact Maria – 01224 702571 (Option 4)

Email: clubhouse@royalaberdeengolf.com

GENERAL MANAGER

Contact Keith – 01224 702571 (Option 5)

Email: gm@royalaberdeengolf.com

www.royalaberdeengolf.com

The post Royal Aberdeen Golf Club appeared first on Golf North.

England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf  – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Where do you want to go next?

• Scottish Golf statement
• Wales Golf statement
• Golfing Union of Ireland statement

More information

• NHS website
• Public Health Service

GOLF UNIONS

Bedfordshire County Golf Union

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Golf

Cambridgeshire Area Golf Union

Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs

Cornwall Golf Union

Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs

Dorset County Golf Union

Durham County Golf Union

Essex Golf Union

Gloucestershire Golf Union

Hampshire Golf

Hertfordshire Golf

Kent Golf Union

Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs

Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union

Lincolnshire Union of Golf Clubs

Norfolk County Golf Union

Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs

Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs

Shropshire & Herefordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Somerset Golf Union

Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Suffolk Golf Union

Surrey Golf

Sussex County Golf Union

Warwickshire Golf Union

Worcestershire Union of Golf Clubs

Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs

Derbyshire County Golf

Devon Golf

Isle of Man Golf

Middlesex Golf

Northamptonshire Golf

Wiltshire Golf

Bedfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Berkshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Bucks County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cambs and Hunts Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cheshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cornwall Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cumbria Ladies County Golf Association

Dorset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Durham County Ladies’ Golf Association

Essex Ladies’ County Association

Gloucestershire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Hampshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Kent County Ladies’ Golf Association

Lancashire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Leicestershire and Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association

Lincolnshire Women’s Golf Association

Norfolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Northumberland Ladies’ County Association

Nottinghamshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Oxfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Shropshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Somerset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Staffordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Suffolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Surrey Ladies’ Golf

Sussex County Ladies’ Golf Association

Warwickshire Ladies County Golf Association

Worcestershire & Herefordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

The post England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus appeared first on Golf North.

The USA’s Lauren Stephenson leads the Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville after an execllent 66 in the first round by the LPGA pro from South Carolina. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

AMERICAN Lauren Stephenson carded a six-under 66 to lead after the first round of the Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic, at Bonville Golf Resort – a shot better than Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh.

The latter was joined by Finland’s Noora Komulainen, Australian Breanna Gill and Korean trio Min A Woon, Ayean Cho and Hye Ji Lee – all a stroke off the lead after posting 67s in perfect scoring conditions, on Thursday.

Dryburgh, who is no stranger to golf in Australia, also started on the ninth hole and tallied six birdies and one bogey, crediting a hot putter as the key to her success.

“Everything was pretty good today,” said Dryburugh from Aberdeen“Everything was pretty good today,” said Dryburugh, from Aberdeen, who played in the 2014 Curtis Cup. “This is my third time back in Bonville and I’ve been in Australia for six weeks now.

“So I’m loving life out here and the heat is much better than the weather at home. There were six birdies and one bogey, so I was rolling it well with the putter,” added Dryburgh who won the 2017 Oatlands Ladies Pro Am on the Australian Ladies PGA.

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh during the first round. Picturey by TRISTAN JONES

Stephenson, from South Carolina, teed off from the ninth hole and began her round with a fast start, carding birdies on four of her first six holes.

The second-year LPGA player added three more birdies against one bogey to ease ahead of Dryburgh and the chasing pack.

“It was a great day. I had seven birdies and one bogey, where I missed a short putt,” said Stephenson. “I made a lot of good putts on the other holes so I couldn’t be too upset about it.

“The first nine holes are really scoreable so it’s important to get off to a great start. I made a birdie on my second hole and then just continued that and had three birdies in a row.

“The back nine was really important and it was great to go into the harder holes knowing that I had already had a couple of birdies.”

Stephenson spent last season as a rookie on the LPGA Tour. In 20 starts, the University of Alabama graduate made 11 cuts.

She produced one top-10, which was a tie for eighth in her first tournament, the ISPS Handa Vic Open in Australia. She ended the season ranked 85^th on the Race to CME Globe.

This is her fourth week of competition in 2020, as she played in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, tying for 35th before missing the cut in the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

Stephenson tied for 48^th in last week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

Lauren added: “I love Australia. I’m super happy to be here for a month. I think I would move here if I didn’t live in the United States.

“The people are so nice and the golf is so fun. This course is extremely different to what we played the last two weeks in the Vic and Australian Opens, but this course is amazing.

“It’s nice to play something that’s more familiar to me, because my courses at home have a lot of grain and are similar to this style. I feel at home.”

Stephenson, playing out of a bunker, made seven birdies. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

ALPG rookie sits second at Bonville

MIN A Yoon who was making the third start of her professional career, had a solid, bogey-free round.

The ALPG Tour rookie said: “This is my third year of coming to play in Australia. I came here for two years as an amateur and now I have a different mindset as a pro.”

Komulainen started from the first hole and went out in 33, two-under-par, before coming back in three-under 34.

The Finn said: “That was my first round of the season, so I’m happy to start like this. I hit the ball really well and had a lot of birdie chances.

“I like the course. It’s beautiful and it’s always nice to be here.”

Both Lee and Cho – the top ranked player in the field at 35th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings – finished well with four birdies on the back nine to get within one of the lead.

Meanwhile Western Australian Gill, who has won three titles on the ALPG Tour, revealed she played aggressively from the word ‘go’.

Sweden’s Lina Boqvist and Ireland’s Leona Maguire are tied for eighth place on four-under, with a further seven players tied for tenth.

The defending champion Marianne Skarpnord opened with a level par round of 72 to sit in a share of 38^th place.

Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke, who was playing in her first event for eight months after a serious achilles injury, shot a two-over par 74 to lie in 73rd place.

•To see the first round leaderboard and follow Gemma Dryburgh in live scoring in round two click here.

Finland’s Noora Komulainen is tied for second place after a 67. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

The post Gemma Dryburgh within one of leader Lauren Stephenson in Australian Ladies Classic appeared first on Golf North.

Antoine Schwartz shot a bogey-free 66 to lead the MENA Tour’s Ghala Open in Omen, less than a week after his best friend Sebastien Gros claimed victory in the NewGisa Open

LESS than a week after his best friend won a title on the MENA Tour, Frenchman Antoine Schwartz was enjoying the rub-on effect as he took sole possession of lead after the opening round of the Ghala Open on Monday.

The 30-year-old from Suresnes, near Paris, posted a bogey-free six-under par 66 and was leading a bunch of exciting young talent by a shot after a five-under par 67.

That cosmopolitan group included two Open Championship Silver medalists – Kent’s Alfie Plant and Scotland’s Sam Locke – Russian amateur Ivan Striganov, American Kevin Rhoderick, Ireland’s Paul McBride and Wentworth’s Jake Ayres.

Schwartz’s best friend Sebastien Gros, winner of last week’s NewGiza Open, in Cairo, and a former European Tour star, shot a 68 and was tied eighth along with six other players.

At the Ghala Golf Club, Schwartz started the day on the 10th tee and picked up shots on the 15th, 18th and second holes, before making an eagle on the par-five fourth, where he stiffed a three-iron from 258 yards to four feet.

Schwartz then made another gain on the seventh hole to post the leading total on the first day in Oman.

“It was a very good round,” said Schwartz, who had shot a 10-under 62 on the MENA Tour last year in Dubai Hills.

“I hit the ball solid and even though I missed a few other birdie chances, you cannot be disappointed with a 66. There are always going to be a few putts that you are going to miss,”

“Sebastien is my best friend and it is always good to see your best friend do well. We both have the same status on the Challenge Tour and we will not get many starts before May.

“So we got talking and I told him that instead of staying in France, he needed to try the MENA Tour because it is an amazing Tour with very good weather, very good golf courses and very good competition.

“So, he came and won in his second event. I am waiting for my share of the prize money!”

Plant, the Silver Medal winner as the low amateur at the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale, and Locke – the low amateur 12 months later at Carnoustie – were paired together and took different routes to their 67s.

Kent’s Alfie Plant shot 30 on the back nine having started with a triple-bogey seven to card a 67 and end up in. a six-way share of second place at Oman’s Ghala Golf Club

Plant’s round included a triple-bogey seven on the par-four eighth hole before he had a sizzling back nine coming home in just 30.

Locke was bogey-free after saving a courageous par on the final hole where he drove it into some wispy bushes, then chipped out backwards and made his up-and-down with a putt from 12 feet.

“I played very steady today and was bogey-free,” said Locke. “Managed to save a good par in the end, which is always nice. Just need to get my wedges closer tomorrow and it can be even better.”

Plant, who had a successful season on the EuroPro Tour in 2019 earning a card on the Challenge Tour said: “My day was all right.

“Had a triple in there, which is always nice to see. But I bounced back well from that and had a chance to shoot 29 on the back nine, but missed a short putt on the last.”

Striganov, a 16-year-old from Moscow, was delighted with his round that included two bogeys and was his second-best round in a competition.

“I shot a seven-under par in Portugal recently. But this was very nice because I made seven birdies and did not make too many mistakes and played really well,” said Striganov.

Dubai-based 15-year-old Josh Hill, the reigning Amateur Journey to Jordan champion, shot an even-par 72 after hitting his first tee shot out of bounds.

Professional Journey to Jordan champion, MG Keyser, from South Africa, started with a two-under par 70.

•For second round scores in Oman click here.

Scotland’s Sam Locke one of six players in second place in the MENA Tour’s Ghala Open

The post Schwartz inspired by Gros’ win in NewGiza Open to take lead in Oman’s Ghala Open appeared first on Golf North.

David Law the defending champion in the men’s event at the ground-breaking ISPS Handa Vic Open, which returns to Australia’s 13th Beach Golf Links. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SCOTLAND’S David Law is relishing the opportunity to defend a European Tour title for the first time in his career as he returns to Australia for the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

The 29-year-old produced a sensational finish last year at 13th Beach Golf Links, with an eagle on the par five 18th hole putting him one stroke ahead of runners-up Brad Kennedy and Wade Ormsby.

Returning to Barwon Heads, Law is hoping to recapture the form which saw him win a European Tour title in his rookie year after graduating from the European Challenge Tour.

Law said: “It’s good to be back and it’s a special tournament for me, it brings back great memories. It’s good to know that I can do that.

“It’s obviously a special way to win a tournament – I just need to give myself the opportunity more.

“That’s the main thing I speak about with my coach Alan McCloskey. He says I need to get my game to the stage where I’m given the opportunity to do that more often.

“I was a rookie on tour and winning so soon after getting my card was quite a big change to my lifestyle and my mindset.

“I came out here really just wanting to compete and then all of a sudden I had won, it was quite a big change.

“It was good experience going to new courses and tournaments that I had never been to before,” said Law reflecting on his first year on Tour.

“I don’t think people understand how tough that is.

“Some people take to it straight away, but I played on the Challenge Tour for five, six years, I think.

“So I was used to going back to the same places. I find that aspect of it quite tough – it’s been up and down, but it’s good.

Law was reasonably confident of his chances of making a good defence Down Under this week saying his game was “pretty good” in the early weeks of 2020, even if his results have not been what he has been hoping for.

“I’m kind of showing bits of form,” said the pro who claimed the Scottish Amateur Championship twice in 2009 and 2011, having also claimed the double by winning the Scottish Boys in the first of those successful seasons.

“Results-wise hasn’t been great,” added Law. “I think I’ve made four of the six cuts, but I haven’t done particularly well result-wise.

“I’m not really scoring all that great, but I think the form is actually pretty good. I’m not far away from playing well.”

Law will play the first two rounds in the company of one of last year’s runners-up in Ormsby, who recently won the reschedule Hong Kong Open.

DAVID LAW CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN AT VIC OPEN

They will be joined by Kiwi Ryan Fox, who won the 2019 ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.

The ISPS Handa Vic Open sees men’s and women’s tournaments played concurrently on the same golf courses at 13th Beach Golf Links for equal prize money.

The first two rounds are played on the Beach and Creek courses before play returns to the Beach course for the weekend.

A 36-hole cut will see both fields reduced to the top 60 and ties, and a further cut after the third round reduces each field to 35 and ties.

All rounds are played in alternating men’s and women’s groups.

The men’s event is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, while the women’s event is co-sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG).

•To follow David Law in the first round click here for live scoring click here.

2019 ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner Ryan Fox, from New Zealand

The post David Law reflects on Vic Open triumph confident he’s heading in right direction appeared first on Golf North.

World’s best hickory players come together to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930

First event played ‘in memory of’ the great James Braid

The world’s best hickory players are coming together next month to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930. In a series of ten tournaments, starting with the James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open, the world’s top 20 professionals and top 40 amateurs will qualify to participate in the Final over Leven’s Links in October.

To celebrate the launch of the tour, the World’s Top Hickory Golfers will congregate on a special day in golfing history, the 6^th February 2020, at Braid Hills Golf Course for the ‘IceBreaker’ James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open event. It is being played on this day in celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the birth of the famous golfer James Braid, five time Open Champion and Designer of over 400 Golf Courses in Scotland including: Brora, Bruntsfield, Dalmahoy, Gleneagles, Goodwood Downs,  Lundin Links, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey, The Glen, Royal Musselburgh, Monktonhall, Walton Heath and many others.

The first match is being played over 9 holes at Braid Hills in memory of James Braid yet despite its name, this course was not designed by James Braid, rather, it is laid out over Braid Hill. The players then move on to the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club in the afternoon for another 9 holes. The course was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, and will be a good test for players, including past World Hickory Open Winners Fraser Mann (Scotland) and Andrew Marshall (England).

To celebrate the commencement of the Tour, a first edition whisky, limited to 150 numbered bottles are being bottled by Hickory Forever and will be available to buy on February the 6th, 2020. To reserve one of the first 150 bottles, please get in touch via the Hickory Forever website.

Following on from the James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open, next on the Tour calendar will be the Jack’s Open Pro Am played over Musselburgh Golf Club and Royal Musselburgh on the 8^th and 9^th April.

To find out more about where each event will take place click on The Scottish Hickory Tour 2020

6th February 2020 – James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open

8 & 9th April 2020 – Jack’s Open Pro Am

24 & 25 June 2020 – First Icelandic Hickory Open 2020

7 July 2020  – John Still Memorial Trophy

18 & 19 August 2020  – Highland Hickory Open

6 – 8 October 2020 – The Scottish Hickory Final

Instagram: ScottishHickoryTour

The post Hickory Dickory Dock As First Event Played ‘In Memory Of’ The Great James Braid appeared first on Golf North.

Phllip Price claimed the John Jacobs Trophy for the first time having been runner-up on the Staysure Tour Order of Merit in 2018, he finished at the top of the 2019 rankings after the final event in Mauritius. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

PHILLIP Price won the John Jacobs Trophy for the first time after topping the 2019 Staysure Tour Order of Merit.

Price held off his four challengers for the No. 1 spot in the final event of 2019 – the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius.

South African James Kingston was the main danger and was looking set for the win he needed to overhaul Price, at the start of the third and final round, on Sunday.

Price moved up to a share of third place during Sunday’s final round, having slipped briefly at one point on the back nine to just outside the top 10 finish, which would guarantee him the crown.

A burst of three birdies in three holes from the 12th looked to have put the result beyond doubt for Price, as Sandelin surged past the field to go one clear of Kingston.

But the 2002 Ryder Cup hero then dropped shots at the 15th and 16th before a birdie four at the dramatic final hole at Costance Belle Mare Plage lifted him inside the top five and a total of 2,888 points on the Staysure Order of Merit

Price was the most consistent player during the year. Last year the Welshman finished second on the season-long rankings behind two-time John Jacobs Trophy winner Paul Broadhurst.

But the 53-year-old went one better in 2019 to win the trophy – finishing 361.6 points ahead of Kingston in second place.

“To be No. 1 after 19 tournaments is really important to me,” said Price. “I’ve never won an Order of Merit of any type. I wanted to be number one, not number two or three, so I’m delighted.

“I finished second last year to Paul Broadhurst, which was nice – but it didn’t feel great. But to be No. 1 and have the trophy is extra special.

“Coming into the final three weeks I was leading the Staysure Tour Order of Merit, but I knew there were a lot of points to play for at the events.

“Barry Lane won (Madagascar), then Peter Fowler won (Seychelles), and James Kingston was leading after 36 holes this week and he could’ve passed me if I hadn’t finished inside the top 10.

“It’s a massive relief and I’m delighted to be Staysure Tour No. 1,” added Price.

“I needed to play quite well. I managed to make quite a few birdies early on and kept a buffer between myself and the players outside the top 10 and in the end Jarmo won.

“It was nice to birdie the last and celebrate. It always nice to make a nice putt and punch the air, realising I’m No. 1.”

Price needs top 10 to win John Jacobs Trophy

Price, who famously beat Phil Mickelson in the Sunday singles at The Belfry 17 years ago to help Europea defeat the USA, won the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, at Ken’s London Club, in August – one of 12 top 10s during the year.

Lancashire’s David Shacklady, who won twice in September at The Sinclair Invitational and Paris Legends Championship, finished third on the Staysure Order of Merit.

Frenchman Jean-Francios Remesy and Australian Peter Fowler, winners of the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship and the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles, respectively, claimed fourth and fifth place on the season-long rankings.

Berkshire’s Barry Lane, who needed a second win in three weeks on the Indian Ocean swing, finished sixth overall, with Peter Baker, from the West Midlands in eighth.

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie finished 11th in his rookie year.

•To see the final Staysure Order of Merit click here.

The post Phillip Price claims first Staysure Order of Merit to land John Jacobs Trophy appeared first on Golf North.

Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin won his first Staysure Tour title at the MCB Tour Championship at Mauritius’ Constance Belle Mare Plage. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JARMO Sandelin recorded a final round of 65 to win his first Staysure Tour title at the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius… the final event of the 2019 season.

The Swede came from four strokes behind at the beginning of play to clinch his maiden over 50s title, at Constance Belle Mare Plage, where Kent’s Roger Chapman, Colin Montgomerie and Tom Lehman – all Senior Majors winners – have been crowned winners in the past.

It was Sandelin’s first victory since the 2001 BMW Asian Open, thanks to a brilliant seven-under par final round to overhaul overnight leader James Kingston and claim a three-shot victory.

And it meant Sandelin had become the 12th player to win on the European Tour, the European Challenge Tour and the Staysure Tour.

Sandelin started his final 18 holes of the season with four birdies in his opening six holes, including back-to-back gains at the third and fourth.

He reached the turn at two-under after a double bogey at the par-four ninth but responded in stunning style on the back nine.

The 1999 Ryder Cup player made five consecutive birdies from the 11th to the 15th, racing up the leaderboard and passing 36-hole leader Kingston.

Even when Jarmo dropped a shot at the par-three 17th, he responded with a birdie at the 54th hole to set the clubhouse target at 12-under.

With the South African unable to reach the score, Sandelin was crowned the winner of the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius.

“It’s been a long time since I last won,” said Sandelin. “There has been a lot of practise balls, a lot of tears, and a lot of hard work in the gym.

“It’s nice to final come through and win, especially in Mauritius as it’s the final tournament of the year.

“It was the start I wanted to have. I dropped two shots on the ninth after hitting it into the water, but I bounced back with five straight birdies from 11 to 15, so that was the key.

“I felt after my fifth birdie in a row that I might have a good chance to win,” said the 52-year-old, from Stockholm, who was born in Finland, but grew up in Sweden.

“I then knew that if I made a final birdie at the last then I had a good chance of winning the title.

“All the players on the Staysure Tour are so good and I had a fantastic feeling this week and now I know that my game is good enough to win tournaments.

“I also had my son, Lukas, on the bag, which makes it an even better feeling,” said Sandelin.

Kingston carded a level par round to finish second, but the result was enough to see him crowned King of the Swing as the top-performer in the Indian Ocean – following a share of seventh place in Madagascar and a runner-up finish in the Seychelles.

A stroke behind Kingston in a tie for third was a group of three players, including Frenchman, Jean-François Remesy, who led after the first round, defending champion Clark Dennis and Wales’ Phillip Price.

The latter was crowned Staysure Tour No. 1 and awarded the 2019 John Jacobs Trophy at the conclusion of play after heading the Staysure Tour Order of Merit.

Spaniard Carl Suneson finished in sixth place while fellow countryman Miguel Angel Martin, Lancashire’s David Shacklady, Denmark’s Steen Tinning and Scot Paul Lawrie, were a shot back in a share of seventh.

Former Open Champion Lawrie, who made four birdies in his closing five holes, finished 11th on the Order of Merit, and in doing so, won the 2019 Rookie of the Year award.

•For the final results in the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius click here.

Jarmo Sandelin after his win at the British Par 3 Championship at Nailcote Hall

Sandelin’s Champions Tour Q-School success

SANDELIN also arrived on the Indian Ocean island in good form, having won the PGA Champions Tour Qualifying School First Stage Qualifier, at Tampa Bay Golf Club, in Florida, in November.

At the final stage just over a week ago, he finished in a share of 15th – only the top five, including Sweden’s former European No. 1 Robert Karlsson – earned a card for the 2020 Champions Tour.

But Sandelin can enter open qualifying events automatically on the USA’s over 50s tour by finishing inside the top 30 at TPC Scottsdale, where Surrey’s Andrew Raitt, finished tied 27th alongside former US Open winner Michael Campbell, who failed to earn a card in his rookie season.

Sandelin also won the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship at Warwickshire’s Nailcote Hall, in August – which is played over 36 holes against a field of European Challenge Tour and Staysure players – plus some with recent European Tour experience.

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JEAN-François Remesy carded a bogey-free six-under par first round of 66 to lead the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius by two strokes.

The Frenchman, who won the inaugural the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship at Trevose, in June, put himself in pole position to claim another Staysure Tour title after a blemish-free round.

The two-time French Open winner’s opening round included six birdies, to lead the season-finale at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Remesy ended last week’s MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles with a round of 66.

And he began the ninth edition of the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius, the last event of the three-event final series MCB Tour Championship, with another 66.

The three-time European Tour winner showed no sign of struggling in the Mauritius heat as he birdied three of his opening six holes.

That included back-to-back gains at the third and fourth. His putter, like the weather, remained hot as he began the back nine with another birdie to move to four-under.

With four holes left to play, he extended his advantage with a gain at the par five 15th before a final birdie of the day at the last to sign for a bogey-free round and take the lead at the European Tour Destinations venue.

“I’m happy to be in Mauritius and happy to play on a golf course that I’ve known for many years,” said Remesy.

“I’ve been playing decent for a couple of weeks and I’ve continued my goal of hitting the fairways and greens, and finally I made a few birdies today which made for a good score.

“I’m playing really well, which is great. I can now focus on the next two days. Hopefully I have a bit more luck on the greens.

“I’ve been changing all my grips on my clubs because it’s hot, trying to find a solution to playing in the heat, and it was good today. Those changes make a big difference to recorded a round of 66, 69 or even a 70.

“We know the par fives are reachable, but they are tricky, really tricky, so you need to hit the fairway.

“You have to hit very good shots around this course. If you are missing shots then you’re going to be in trouble,” added Remesy, who was a regular visitor to the Mauritius Open, before the venue began hosting European Seniors Tour events.

“It’s better to be leading than to be 10 shots behind, so I’ll take that,” said Remesy. I know the story about how to win tournaments but a lot of the guys behind me know that story as well.

“I’m expecting the guys behind to make a charge and it should make for a fun weekend.”

Two strokes behind Remesy is a chasing pack of four players, including Miguel Angel Martin and James Kingston, who are both searching for their maiden Staysure Tour title.

Defending champion Clark Dennis and the 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie. mtached Martin and Kingston’s 68s, to sit on four-under, with South African, Kingston chipping in for eagle at the 18th hole as he looks to secure a first John Jacobs Trophy, having lost the overnight lead last weekend in the Seychelles.

Lawrie still has a chance to land the John Jacobs Trophy and being crowned Staysure Tour No. 1 by winning the Order of Merit with a victory in Mauritius – but if Phillip Price can finish inside the top 10 the Welsh Ryder Cup winner will take the title for the first time.

Price currently lies in 19th place having carded a first round 71 with three birdies and two bogeys.

The second round at Constance Belle Mare Plage gets under way at 8.30am local time with Remesy teeing it up at 11.15am local time. Mauritius is four hours ahead of GMT.

•For second round scores click here.

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Welshman Phillip Price leads the Staysure Tour Order of Merit in the race for the John Jacobs Trophy at the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius, the final event of 2019. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

PHILLIP Price will go in search of a career-first John Jacobs Trophy when he tees it up at the 2019 Staysure Tour season-finale, the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius.

The 2002 Ryder Cup hero leads the Staysure Order of Merit by 556.2 points and knows that a 12th top 10 – ninth place or better – of the season would see him crowned Staysure Tour No. 1 for the first time.

Price, who lifted the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship trophy in August, has recorded 10 other top 10 in a very consistent 2019 campaign, which included a share of third place at last week’s MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles.

There are five players hoping to knock 53-year-old Price off the top spot in the year’s final event, held at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

James Kingston, who failed to convert his overnight lead in the Seychelles, Madagascar winner Barry Lane, Lancashire’s David Shacklady, last week’s winner Peter Fowler and Argentinian rookie José Coceres, are pushing Price for the honour of holding the John Jacobs Trophy come Sunday.

But to become the Staysure Tour Order of Merit winner they must triumph in Mauritius and hope Price finishes down the leaderboard.

The Welshman has finished tied fourth on two occasions at the European Tour Destinations venue. But Price is aware of the challenge that lies ahead of him should he wish to end a memorable season with more silverware.

“I think another top 10 would do the trick to win the Order of Merit but I’m trying to think better than that,” Price said. “I like this course and I like this week at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

“If I have a good week, then everything else will take care of itself.

“There is pressure on me because I’m out in front on the Order of Merit and there are a lot of guys who could pass me because there are a lot of points to play for.

“I have to focus on what I need to do and not be worried about everybody else,” added Price, who recorded three victories on the European Tour, having joined via the Qualifying School, in 1991.

“It would be nice to get off to a good start tomorrow because it would settle me down,” said Price.

“I want to have a good week and I want to have a high finish and I want to get involved in the tournament.

“I’d like to win the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius after coming close a couple of times. I want my mind to be thinking about the top of the leaderboard and not what everybody else is doing.”

After 18 events, the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius will bring the 2019 Staysure Tour season, and the three event final series MCB Tour Championship, to a close.

Australian Fowler currently leads the race to become King of the Swing, awarded to the top-performing player in the Indian Ocean events – following his share of 20th in Madagascar and his victory in the Seychelles last week.

The Rookie of the Year, meanwhile, will be fought for by three players – 1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie, who currently leads the battle for the award, Sussex’s Gary Evans and American Dan Olsen, who has produced some eye-catching rounds without quite converting his fine form into a win.

The final action of the season at the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius gets under way at 8.30am local time with Price teeing off at 11.15am – Mauritius is four hours ahead of GMT.

•For live scoring click here.

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