St Andrews Golf Magazine Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017 by St Andrews Golf Magazine

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Editor Matt Hooper

Contributors Matt Hooper, John Boyne, Cristina Panama and Peter Wood

Photography Matt Hooper, Gabrielle Levey, Rolex, BMW, Getty, Richemont, Flickr, Peter Adamson, St Andrews Links and The Adamson

Design and production Matt Hooper

Publisher Matt Hooper

Directors Matt Hooper

Colin Donaldson-Nixon

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Matt Hooper info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com

Matt is the editor, co-founder and publisher of St Andrews Golf Magazine. He began writing about golf in September 2012 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience across the golf industry. He has worked as a caddie at Royal County Down and St Andrews Links, in retail at Gleneagles Hotel, in hospitality at the New Golf Club of St Andrews and obtaining a Golf Management Foundation Degree from the International Institution for Golf Education. He is the chief features writer and lead journalist of St Andrews Golf Magazine. He has also written for Pro Golf Now and All Square Golf, in addition to being a photographer for EPIC Golf Memories.

John is a St Andrews Links caddie, owner of Caddie Golf Tours and is a regular contributor to St Andrews Golf Magazine. His knowledge of the Old Course and the St Andrews golfing scene is a great insight for readers.

Peter is the owner of St Andrews Wine Company. Professionally, he spent four years working for a national chain, eight years at an independent merchant and eight years writing a successful wine blog called The Tasting Note. He has tasted over 12,000 wines and has regular customers who keep coming back to him, asking his advice and liking what he should suggest to them as they know he is very selective about what he puts on his shelves.

Cristina is a Journalism student studying in San Antonio, Texas and is the LPGA Correspondent and features writer for St Andrews Golf Magazine. Cristina is from Guadalajara in Mexico.

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Inside St Andrews LEGEND A Pictorial Tribute to the late, great Arnold Palmer

88 A family story for Christmas

First in a new series by Peter Wood of St Andrews Wine Company

103

A guide to the perfect Christmas gifts for the golfer in your life from the shops of St Andrews

Guide to Christmas activities in St Andrews

113

Editors Letter Christmas can be a strange time of year in St Andrews, the bulk of the golfing tourists have long departed for home and the students are away for up to six weeks. It can at times feel like the residents have their town back to a certain extent, but then you start to realise the incredible vibrancy the golfers and the students bring to this charming and historic seaside town on the East Coast of Scotland. Christmas is in fact a wonderful time of the year to visit St Andrews, with many things to do and see, many fabulous shops to Perouse and cheap, quiet golf to be had on some of the world’s most fantastic links. St Andrews is also becoming a hotbed for some of Scotland’s very best cuisine and highly skilled chefs, and in this edition we take you to Playfair’s Restaurant and Steakhouse for a delightful three course dinner, and speak to the new head chef at the New Golf Club, Alan Robertson, in the first of our series ‘Chefs of St Andrews’. This December The Byre Theatre plays host to the wonderful Aladdin, a highlight of a packed cultural program across St Andrews throughout the season. This kicked off with the recent Christmas Lights switch-on as part of St Andrews’ exciting week of celebrations for St Andrew’s Day. Christmas is a time to enjoy a drink or two, responsibly of course, and to kick off a new regular feature on Wine and Spirits in our Visit St Andrews section, Peter Wood of St Andrews Wine Company talks about the delights of that festive favourite, Port. For the golfer in your family there is no better place in the world than St Andrews to find the right gifts for the stocking and we bring you the ultimate Golfer’s Stocking. Christmas is also a time for reflecting and in our special year-end edition we look back at the year in golf in St Andrews and around the world with the 3rd annual St Andrews Golf Magazine Awards, and a full review of the worldwide professional game in On Tour. 2016 has been a momentous year for the game, with its return to the Olympics and a full slate of first-time male Major Champions, as well as the emergence of Ariya Jutanugarn in the women’s game. The United States won the Ryder Cup back after 8 barren years, and Tyrrell Hatton stormed to victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The excitement never stopped in 2016!

The R&A’s Waldon House on The Links, Image: Matt Hooper

So with Christmas around the corner why not sit back and enjoy the Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017 edition of St Andrews Golf Magazine, and plan your St Andrews Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our loyal readers wherever you are in the world.

Image Gabrielle Levey

Stableford 7, 13 October 2016

Monthly Medal 19, 15 October 2016

Monthly Medal 20, 19 October 2016

Strathtyrum Course, St Andrews Links

Jubilee Course, St Andrews Links

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Robert Grundy

18c

Andrew S Brown

12c

Jim McArthur

Neil Bell

14c

Michael De Vries

-2c

Alan Whitelock Jr

Anthony Drake

18c

Tang Sinclair

10c

Brett Murray

Alan Lee

13c

Robert Malcolm

10c

Gareth Li

11c

Adam Preedy

Douglas Jackson

11c

Campbell Gibson

James Cumming

20c

Alan Whitelock

10c

Graham Dalton

12c

George Cunningham

@70

15c

Brett Murray

Michael De Vries

-2c

Bill Paton

17c

Ian Kerr

Norman Macleod

Stephen Tither

26c

Alistair Robinson

12c

Graham Simpson

James Thorpe

11c

Ben Caton

Monthly Medal 21, 22 October 2016

Monthly Medal 22, 27 October 2016

Monthly Medal 23, 29 October 2016

Jubilee Course, St Andrews Links

New Course, St Andrews Links

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Stewart Kennedy

Alistair Robinson

12c

Ben Caton

Angus Graham

10c

Ben Caton

William McCartney

Peter Burnett

Ben Hutton

J Murray Kiernan

11c

Alistair McKinlay

Brett Murray

Keith Bowman

Ian Leslie

Gary Kennedy

Anthony Moores

Andrew S Brown

11c

David Amy

12c

Angus Graham

Graham Crichton

Stan Scott

Scott McDougall

Jim McArthur

Adam Preedy

Ewen Bowman

Brian Ewing

D John Heaphy

11c

Andrew S Brown

11c

John McLay

Michael De Vries

-2c

Alistair Robinson

11c

Stableford 8, 3 November 2016

Stableford 9, 5 November 2016

Eden Course, St Andrews Links

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Prize Presentation Night

Gross Hcp

Nett

Division 1

Michael De Vries

-2c

Finlay Sey

Graham Simpson

Tim Harrison

21c

David Amy

12c

Michael Laws

20c

Adam Preedy

Stan Thain

James Cumming

20c

Michael Valente

20c

Graham Clelland

Andrew Killean

Douglas Gray

13c

Ronnie M Dinnie

13c

Austin Dunn

13c

Colin Johnson

Tim Harrison

21c

John Cross

19c

Les McConachie

23c

Alan Whitelock Jr

St Andrews Golf Magazine is looking for contributors for 2017 to cover the major New Golf Club events including Club Championship week, Fellowship week, Rotary International Golf Tournament, Tait Medal week and the Monthly Medals Final. In addition we would welcome coverage of the junior competitions and mixed events. If you are interested in taking up this role email Matt Hooper at info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com to discuss further.

Over 70 members and guests gathered at the New Golf Club in November to honour the trophy winners from another successful season. Michael De Vries collected the Tait Medal and Tom Morris Memorial Trophy, Rhodri Price the Club Championship and Stewart Kennedy & Graham Dalton the Greensome Pairs. Images: Peter Adamson/New Golf Club Page 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mark Dickson won the R&A Local Clubsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gold Medal to qualify for the St Andrews Links Trophy Image: Matt Hooper

ST REGULUS LADIES GOLF CLUB

October Silver Medal

October Bronze Medal

Silver Medal

Eden Course, St Andrews Links

Strathtyrum Course, St Andrews Links

New Course

1. Barbara Malcolm (8) net 72

1st Lizanne Shepherd (27) 65 (after countback)

1st E. Moffat (+1) 77

2. Anna McKay (5) net 75

2nd Sylvia Dunne (23) 65

2nd S. Willoughby (8) 79

3. Julia Christiansen (17) net 76

3rd Sylvia Laesecke (22) 66

3rd M. Campbell (14) 80

October 9 hole medal

November Bronze Medal

Strathtyrum Course, St Andrews Links

1st L Shepherd 24pts

1st S. Laesecke (22) 58

2nd P Bourner 22pts

2nd S. Glidewell (29) 67

3rd K McKay 21pts

3rd S. Clark (36) 68

Gourlay Foursomes Saturday 22nd October 2016 Eden Course, St Andrews Links 1st Sylvia & Caelan Laesecke 41pts 2nd Jacqui Trangmar & Hazel Crane 40pts 3rd Elsie Hutcheon & Pauline Keith 39pts

St Andrews Golf Magazine is looking for contributors for 2017 to cover the major St Regulus Ladies Golf Club events including Club Championship week, junior competitions and mixed events. If you are interested in taking up this role email Matt Hooper at info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com to discuss further.

THE ST RULE CLUB

September SGL Medal

Fun Tri-Am

October Optional Competition

Eden Course, St Andrews Links

Strathtyrum Course, St Andrews Links

Silver Medal Winner - A. Lind (9) 70

1st J. Pirie, V. Donaldson & G. Duvoisin 123 (bih)

Winner J. Claydon (33) 63

2nd L. Tait (11) 71 3rd V. Donaldson (20) 72 Bronze Medal Winner - J. Dunn (23) 85,

2nd J. Simmers, K. Keir & H. Wisdom 123

2nd L. Donald (22) 68 3rd I. Murdoch (29) 69

3rd B. Sprot, A. Paterson & W. Simson 126.

2nd M. Richardson (23) 89 Breast Cancer Now Brooch Winner - A. Lind

31 October 2016 October SLGA Medal

24 October 2016 9 Hole Stableford Strathtyrum Course, St Andrews Links 1st V. Donaldson 18 pts (after countback) 2nd J. Claydon 18 pts 3rd A. Amy 16 pts

New Course, St Andrews Links Silver Medal Winner E. Moffat (+1) 75 bih 2nd L. Tait (10) 75 3rd J. Graham (9) 78 Bronze Medal Winner - L. Murray (23) 84 bih 2nd H. Wisdom (26) 84 3rd A. Kay (22) 85

St Andrews Golf Magazine is looking for contributors for 2017 to cover the major St Rule Club events including the St Rule Trophy. If you are interested in taking up this role email Matt Hooper at info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com to discuss further.

Englishman claims maiden title at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Story by Matt Hooper Photography by Matt Hooper and Gabrielle Levey

Tyrrell Hatton took the drama out of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by dominating the championship in a fashion we have never seen before, and may never see again. A Sunday round of 66 to add to his Saturday stunner of 62 was enough to give him a comfortable four stroke victory over a resurgent Richard Sterne and Ross Fisher, it may have not been the usual thrills and spills of a Sunday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, but it was the birth of a new star in British golf. Hatton said: “It feels amazing. I've wanted this moment since I was a six-year-old. It’s a dream come true and to do it here at the Home of Golf is fantastic. I’m just happy I got over the line. “It’s been a fantastic week, I had my girlfriend Emily with me and my management team. And to come away with a trophy, just makes it even more special. “I was pretty nervous going out there, but I'm really happy with how I dealt with that, and my caddie, Chris Rice, was a big influence. He just told me to try and stay patient. He’s done a fantastic job this week and this year.” It was Hatton’s first win on the European Tour and his score of 23-under-par tied the lowest total in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, achieved by David Howell and Peter Uihlein in 2013. His win secured him US$800,000 and moved the golfer from High Wycombe up to fourth in the Race to Dubai.

A cloudy morning gave way to a stunning autumn day on the Old Course at St Andrews as many of the high profile celebrities made the bow in this year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Irish singer-songwriter Brian McFadden and his professional partner Robert Rock made a solid start with an opening round of 64 to sit in a tie for 14th in the highly competitive pro-am competition. McFadden is a prodigious hitter of the ball and emphasised this by driving the 3rd green, however he missed the putt for eagle but recorded a birdie in a round in which he contributed to the team score on six occasions. Rock made a storming start to his round, making birdie at the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th to hold the lead through the first nine holes of the championship, but bogeys at 13 and 15 saw him fall 6 back of the lead, held by Sweden's Alex Noren. Noren played one of the best rounds of his life to open up a one-shot lead on the first day. Noren, already a two-time winner this year, putted brilliantly for a record-equalling eightunder-par 64 over the mighty links of Carnoustie, the most difficult of the three courses played in the Championship. He is followed by England’s Ross Fisher, who had a 65 at Kingsbarns, with another Swede, Joakim Lagergren, and England’s Matt Ford a further shot back. Noren, who has won the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the Omega European Masters this year,

said: “That was probably one of the best rounds I've played, so I'm very happy right now. I’ve never shot lower than 71 at Carnoustie. I didn't expect much, but it went better than I expected. It was tough conditions, but I putted great.” Ross Fisher said: “I’m obviously very pleased. Kingsbarns is normally the easiest of the three courses so you know you have to make a decent score here, but when the wind blows it’s anything but easy. My eagle on the 3rd hole was obviously the highlight and to finish with another birdie on the 9th was the icing on the cake.” Now he moves on to play the Old Course. “You never get tired of playing St Andrews, it’s the Home of Golf and it’s always a privilege to play there. It all depends on the weather. If the wind gets up then level par could be a decent score, but if it stays calm you can obviously take advantage. I enjoy the format, the experience and the atmosphere is great. It makes for a lovely change,” added Fisher. After a blustery first day, the Scottish challenge is led by Scott Jamieson, who shot a 67 at Kingsbarns and is currently tied on five-underpar with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Callum Shinkwin and France’s Raphael Jacquelin. Joakim Lagergren opened with a fine 66 at Carnoustie and was delighted with his efforts: "I played very well and was solid all day. I putted really well and made some great

saves coming in on the last five or six holes." In 2016 Lagergren was a last minute replacement in the field and took advantage to finish in the top five, but with a great start under his belt the talented youngster is looking to finish even higher in 2016. "To finish even higher than fourth would be really nice." The European Ryder Cup team members playing in the championship got off to a slow start, with Belgium's Thomas Pieters off to the best start with a solid 70 at Carnoustie. "I had an interesting start. I'm still very tired mentally, started off with a drive, I shanked my 4-iron on the tenth here and got up and down from a hundred yards." He soon shook off the tiredness to make birdies at the 11th, 12th and 14th to sit at 3under-par. Bogeys at the 15th and the 6th before a birdie at the 7th saw the Ryder Cup rookie home at 2-under-par. Rafa Cabrera-Bello matched Pieters score but Danny Willett shot a 1-over-par round of 73 to fall nine shots behind the lead. Lee Westwood endured a torrid time at Hazeltine and is clearly feeling the effects of it, after shooting a round of 75.

Australia's Nathan Holman shot a solid round of 69 including 5 birdies at the Old Course. "The front nine was solid golf, I had to take advantage of the holes that were down wind and I did that. I made a birdie or two on the back nine, three-under is a good score." Holman is teaming with Australian Cricket Icon Shane Warne this week, which will no doubt help his morale over the first three days of the championship. "It's good fun, really nice guy and has some good stories." His win at the Australian PGA Championship hasn't changed his outlook. "I like to stay quite humble and go into each week trying to do the same."

Brian McFadden is playing in his first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and was thrilled by the experience. McFadden has been playing the game for 4 or 5 years and tries to play 2 or 3 times per week, even if he doesn't go on to make the cut he can always cherish that amazing shot on the third hole of his first competitive round on the Old Course.

"It was amazing, making birdies when you don't have a shot is always good!"

Michael Ballack was the defending proam champion of the Alfred Dunhill Links, although this year he was drawn to play with Sweden's Niclas Fasth rather than his partner of 2015, Florian Fritsch. The former Germany international footballer and 2002 Ryder Cup player combined for an opening round of 69 to sit well off the pace in the pro-am competition after day one on the Old Course.

Ballack began playing the game as a youngster but his footballing commitments meant he couldn't develop his passion until now, and fully appreciates the challenge of the Old Course, particularly the 17th which he identified as his favourite hole.

"It was tricky when the wind came in, last year was incredible so it couldn't be the same."

Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen became a golf nut when he moved to Wentworth and he made a solid start to this year's Championship with professional partner Matthew Guyatt, recording a first round 66 to sit inside the top 45.

"I really enjoyed it today, the front nine wasn't amazing but we are six-under so it is a hell of a lot better than where we were last year. The conditions were not ideal, but look we are playing in the Dunhill, at St Andrews and I ain't gonna moan, it's amazing.â&#x20AC;?

England’s Ross Fisher shot a battling 68 in windy conditions at St Andrews to take a oneshot lead into the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Fisher started the day a shot behind first round leader Alex Noren, but he caught and overtook the Swede, who could only manage a 71 at Kingsbarns. Fisher is starting to enjoy a rich vein of form. Just two weeks ago he lost a play-off in the Porsche European Open to Alexander Levy and now has his sights firmly set on his first European Tour victory since March 2014. He said: “I’m delighted. This is always an event I really look forward to. I had a chance to win back in 2008 when I lost in a play-off with Robert Karlsson and Martin Kaymer. I just enjoy coming here. Hopefully I can keep it going. “Not dropping a shot at Kingsbarns was a real achievement, then coming to St. Andrews, where the greens are going to be a little bit slower, I felt like I played well. I bogeyed the 11th, but I bounced back. To shoot 4-under, I'm very, very pleased.” Fisher, who plays the more difficult Carnoustie on Saturday, is on 11-under-par, with another Swede, Joakim Lagergren, one shot behind and Noren a further shot back.

Earlier in the week 2007 Alfred Dunhill Links Champion Nick Dougherty confirmed that this championship would be his final tournament on the European Tour before moving into a fulltime career in broadcasting with Sky Sports. The 34-year-old Englishman was once the brightest prospect in British golf, heralded as the next Nick Faldo after coming through his Junior Series at three different age categories in 1997, 1999 and 2000. He turned professional in 2001 and in 2002 won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award on the European Tour after recording top tens in the Johnnie Walker Classic, Qatar Masters and Linde German Masters helped him to a 36th place finish on the European Tour Order of Merit. After close calls in Qatar (2002) and the Scandinavian Masters (2003, where he lost a duel with Adam Scott by 2 strokes) Dougherty finally made his career breakthrough in 2005 at the Caltex Singapore Masters, where he defeated Colin Montgomerie and Maarten Lafeber by a convincing five strokes. It seemed as though the floodgates would open, and he, along with Luke Donald and Paul Casey, would be the face of British golf for years to come. In 2007 he enjoyed the most successful year of his career, finishing seventh at the US Open at Oakmont and winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, leaving Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Paul Lawrie and Ernie Els trailing in his wake. Six additional top ten finishes saw

him rise to the top fifty in the world. But the sudden death of his mother in April 2008 was a hammer blow for the boy from Bootle. Nick spoke emotionally at the time of how she was an inspiration for him and his career and how we would miss her unbearably. Despite a solid year which included five top tens his form took a sharp decline, before suddenly and emotionally he won the BMW International Open in June of 2009.

headway as his putter let him down time and time again. He pitched to some 18 feet on the 10th but narrowly missed the putt for birdie and three putts at the par three 11th saw him move in the wrong direction. He had a good birdie chance at 12 but again couldn't take advantage of his neat and tidy play from teeto-green. Further opportunities for birdie came and went at 16, 17 and 18 but he had to settle, frustratingly for an opening nine of 37.

This was to be a false dawn for Dougherty and by 2011 his career was in tatters, missing all but one cut out of 32 events that year. He failed to progress from Qualifying School and then spent the next two seasons on the Challenge Tour. In 2013 he made just over â&#x201A;Ź2,500 from 16 events and his world ranking had plunged to 860th.

Certainly the pace of play could not have helped his case, with the group taking nearly three hours for the first nine holes, an issue which clearly will not go away in the world of golf.

Then in 2014 he began doing some work for Sky Sports on their PGA Tour and European Tour coverage, and with just a handful of appearances on the European Tour in the last 24 months the former Alfred Dunhill Links Champion has decided to call it a day at the tender age of 34.

More solid, if unspectacular play, followed but Nick just couldn't buy a birdie or two, which was until the par five fifth hole. It was to be the lone red score on the card, and after a nice approach gave him a great chance at his final hole, which was missed, he let out an expletive uncommon for the politely spoken Merseysider.

When you consider that Miguel Angel Jimenez has won 14 titles since turning 40 it is a brave decision for Nick to make.

Next for Nick is his third round at Carnoustie, where he will have to shoot a score in the midsixties if he is to return to St Andrews on Sunday for one last hurrah in the town which is so special to him.

After an opening round of 73 at Kingsbarns he came to the home of golf with work to do if he was to put himself into contention for a teetime on Sunday. On a cold and windy day on the Old Course Dougherty couldn't make

"Playing 17 and 18 was quite emotional, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a special place for my family and I because me and Di got married here and it's been kind to me" Nick said speaking exclusively to St Andrews Golf Magazine after his round. "The

win here is possibly the highlight of my career, all the wins are different but to win at the home of golf is extra special, and I beat some cracking players in 2007 so that made it even more special." After seeing his career fall away in front of his eyes Dougherty had some advice for young potential stars of the future: "Don't change too much of what got you there, that was probably my mistake, I played about too much and tried to get better." After the conclusion of the Alfred Dunhill Links Nick moves into the second half of his career, in front of the camera and behind the microphone for Sky Sports, something he is thrilled about. "I Love it, they have a great team and i'm excited about the way it makes me feel and the challenge of it." There's something very endearing about the charismatic former Alfred Dunhill Links champion, and judging by his performances so far, Sky Sports golf team has an excellent addition.

Throngs of spectators arrived on the Old Course this morning eager to see the celebrities and world class golfers in St Andrews' annual European Tour event, the ultra-popular Jamie Dornan took centre stage with several young ladies after his autograph. Another individual which the young ladies of St Andrews are always happy to see is Hugh Grant, and he was drawn to play in the final group of the day with Stuart Manley, a replacement for former champion David Howell. Many were assembled around the first tee expecting to see the renowned actor and star of Love Actually and Four Weddings and Funeral get his third round underway.

Paterson took his place in the group featuring his partner Manley, actor Greg Kinnear and former Masters Champion Trevor Immelman. Teeing off after Immelman, the talented youngster stood up and hit his 3-wood down the middle of the fairway, outdriving all of the other competitors in his group. A confident and aggressive wedge into the green and two putts

wedge to the back left flag and he duly dispatched it to around 15 feet. Then, with 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman watching on he confidently rapped the ball into the back of the hole, drawing a large applause from the watching gallery. It was a thrilling conclusion to a wonderful day for the latest emerging amateur talent in St Andrews.

"It was pretty good, apart from 17 where I got stuck on the road, and obviously 18 was amazing. I made 7 birdies and they were all pretty good. I can't explain how nervous I was on the first tee."

But unfortunately due to injury Grant, 56, withdrew earlier this morning, this meant that Manley needed a partner in the pro-am competition. Step forward John Paterson. The 16-year-old Junior Captain of the New Golf Club of St Andrews won the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge and was contacted by the championship management this morning. However he very nearly didn't appear on the first tee. "I got the call at 9 O'clock this morning and I missed it! So I called the guy back at 9.30, I was still in bed at 9 O'clock!" John said exclusively to St Andrews Golf Magazine.

gave him a settling opening par. "I won't forget that putt on the last." That was the start of a day which John will never forget as long as his golf career lasts for, 7 birdies helped him and Manley to a round of 63 to finish the team competition at 8-underpar, having begun the day at 1-over-par. In his moment in front of the Sky cameras and the hundreds of fans around the 18th hole of the Old Course, Paterson did not shy away. A drive over Granny Clark's Wynd left him with a

After a year in which he has won the Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge and appeared in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship you could excuse the teenager from having his expectations raised through the roof, but this potential star has a wise head on young shoulders. "I play for Scotland in the Boys European Championships, then I am taking a year out before I make the decision to either carry on as an amateur here or go to college in America." I dare say Saturday at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is not the last we will hear of him in this or any other great championship in the future.

Tyrrell Hatton equalled the Old Course record with a spectacular 62 at St Andrews to take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 24-year-old Englishman, whose 2016 has included a fifth place in the Open Championship and a tenth place finish in the USPGA, had ten birdies – including one at the dangerous Road Hole.

Many have predicted a brilliant future for Hatton and the quality of his golf suggests he will be a strong favourite to win his first European Tour title, at the Home of Golf.

Hatton said: “It's quite clearly the best round I've ever had. I've never actually got to double digits under-par before, so I’m very pleased with that.

“Obviously I'd love to get a win. I'll just play my game and see what happens. Hopefully I can putt well again and we'll have a good day. I can only try my best and what will be, will be.”

Hatton has been tipped for the top since turning professional in 2011 but despite much promise and a number of high finishes the man

from Buckinghamshire, who will celebrate his 25th birthday next week, is yet to win on the European Tour. He could emulate Oliver Wilson in making victory at St Andrews his first.

Martin Kaymer won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2010 after losing out to Robert Karlsson in a playoff in 2008, and after a third round of 65 he is very much the danger man for Tyrrell Hatton to watch this afternoon.

Chasing Hatton is Ross Fisher, who shot a creditable 69 at difficult Carnoustie, with Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren and South Africa’s Richard Sterne a further shot back.

"I played really solid, I had a tricky start but I made a couple of par saves on the 2nd and 3rd and really got it going from the 5th hole. I made a couple of long putts on the 8th and 13th, but overall I played solidly. I think i'm in a good position for tomorrow" Kaymer said to the assembled media.

Joakim Lagergren made a superb birdie on the 18th, his 9th, as part of a third round of 69 to move to 13-under-par, four shots off Hatton's lead. The Swede was a last-minute replacement in the 2015 championship and ended up finishing in a tie for fourth place. He will certainly be hoping for a higher finish today, as he goes in search of his maiden European Tour title.

The stepson of former European Tour player Ola Eliasson has been coached by one-time St Andrews Links PGA Professional, Stephen Sweeney and he has always been credited with having enormous talent but perhaps not the right attitude, today could be the day which that changes and sees him make his breakthrough on arguably the greatest stage of them all, the Old Course at St Andrews.

Hatton could claim an historic Dunhill Double, as he and partner Jamie Dornan sit in second position in the pro-am competition. Last year Dornan had a thrilling moment of his own, holing out for eagle at the 18th in front of a large crowd during the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, this year he could actually win the pro-am competition and be etched into the lore of this great championship forever. After his round Jamie spoke to St Andrews Golf Magazine:

Who inspired you to take up the game of golf, and how did you play today?

"I don't think anyone really inspired me to take up golf, in Ireland golf is a very accessible sport and I grew up next to a golf course, so in the summer when I was meant to be doing training for other sports I just spent my time golfing."

"I love the game but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m shite!"

"I nearly hit it out of bounds at the first and I hit two spectators, it's so alien to us playing in front of people and grandstands and stuff."

Are you working on any projects right now? Where's your favourite place to hang out in St Andrews? "I'm about to start a little movie called Untogether at the end of October and then start a new Italian Robin Hood in January

"Just the Jigger, I get too much bother if I go into the town so I stay away."

Leading the pro-am competition are Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who turned pro last week, and Johan Eliasch on 29-under-par. Dornan says it is “a terrifying prospect” to be playing alongside Hatton in the final group. “It’s just crazy. I said at the start of the week that I couldn’t expect too much of myself because I only play half-a-dozen times a year – with four of them here, including the practice round. Well, now it’s five!” He revealed he has cancelled a planned flight home to Northern Ireland tomorrow. “I’m not actually sure how I’m going to get back, but I can’t miss this! I really hope Tyrrell wins the individual tournament – he’s a great guy.”

Sunday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is always unlike most days in the golfing calendar, the atmosphere changes from fun tournament to a serious championship and with Old Course playing host to the entire field it usually provides unrivalled drama. From the final Monday putt from the Valley of Sin by Paul Lawrie in the fog, to the stunning Lee Westwood win in 2003 and playoff between Stephen Gallacher and Graeme McDowell in 2004. The championship has provided many memories since its inception in 2001, as its predecessor, the Alfred Dunhill Cup did from 1985 to 2000. Whilst Hatton has a comfortable lead, should any of the chasing pack get off to a hot start we could be in for a sensational Sunday shootout in St Andrews yet again. Hatton began with a lead of three shots, but any lead can be caught on a front nine which offers numerous birdie opportunities and a back nine which has many opportunities for disaster.

Richard Sterneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to form continued with a faultless final round of 66 to finish at 19under-par and tie for second place with Ross Fisher. The South African made birdies at the fourth, sixth, ninth, eleventh, fourteenth and seventeenth to record his fifth top ten of the season. In a career which has been hampered by injury the 35-year-old from Stellenbosch earned the largest cheque of his career at the home of golf.

Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ross Fisher was denied victory in the recent Porsche European Open when he was defeated by Alexandre Levy in Germany, and for large periods of the week he looked like adding to his five European Tour wins. Beginning the day some five shots adrift of Hatton the big-hitting former Ryder Cup star carded a faultless final round of 67 to move into a tie for second place with Richard Sterne. Birdies at the sixth, seventh, tenth, fifteenth and eighteenth saw him move into the top twenty of the Race to Dubai.

The 24-year-old showed no signs of letting anyone back in front of him, hitting accurate drives and laser-like irons, and demonstrating a killer touch on the greens. In a near faultless round in calm conditions, Hatton had seven birdies, the only bogey coming at the tricky 17th Road Hole. But by then he was home and dry and none of the chasing pack was able to eat into his lead. Sterne also managed a 66 and Fisher a 67, but there was an inevitability to Hattonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory. Two solid pars at the first and second proved to be a platform for a spectacular final round with a sole blemish at the Road Hole, 17. Birdies at the third, fourth and fifth took all of the energy out of the chasing pack and led to a flat atmosphere around the Old Course. He was simply running away with it. Further birdies at the twelfth, fourteenth and fifteenth, the latter set up by a stunning approach to a foot, sealed the deal, making the final three holes a coronation of the new champion.

After sinking the final putt on the eighteenth he was warmly hugged by his amateur playing partner, Jamie Dornan, and showered with champagne by his girlfriend Emily and his entourage. The win continued an excellent year for him in which he has tied for fifth place in the Open Championship and recorded a top ten finish at Oakmont in the U.S. Open. Hatton now seems likely to go on and become a significant force in British golf, but he refuses to get carried away. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time will tell. I'll keep trying to do my thing and play as good as I can. One of my goals was to get inside the top 50 in the world. I think I was 53rd coming into this week, and I am looking forward to Monday morning, when the world rankings come out and see what position I am.â&#x20AC;? Hatton has been tipped for the top since turning professional in 2011 but despite much promise and a number of high finishes the man from Buckinghamshire, who will celebrate his 25th birthday next week, he had not won on the European Tour. Now having done so it would seem the perfect launching pad for a bid to reach the upper echelons of the game.

Tyrrell HATTON

ENG

-23

67 70 62 66

265

Ross FISHER

ENG

-19

65 68 69 67

269

Richard STERNE 7

RSA

-19

69 69 65 66

269

Joakim LAGERGREN

SWE -17

66 68 69 68

271

Marc WARREN

SCO

-16

72 66 67 67

272

Martin KAYMER

GER

-15

71 68 65 69

273

Florian FRITSCH

GER

-13

68 71 65 71

275

SÃ¸ren KJELDSEN

DEN

-13

71 68 67 69

275

Renato PARATORE

ITA

-13

71 70 66 68

275

Bernd WIESBERGER

AUT

-13

73 66 69 67

275

Danny Willett and Jonathan Smart

-38

250

Adrian Meronk and Johan Eliasch

-37

251

Ulrich Van Den Berg and Allan Stanton

-35

253

David Horsey and Sir Ian Botham

-34

254

-12

15 -34

Laurie Canter and Rurik Gobel*

The 3rd Annual

AWARDS Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golfer of the Year

Ladies Golfer of the Year

Special Achievement by a St Andrews golfer

Young Golfer of the Year

St Andrews Golf Magazine Hall of Fame Award

De Vries his year’s competition to be the St Andrews Golf Magazine St Andrews Men’s Golfer of the Year was a very close call, with 2015 winner Mark Dickson certainly having a year to remember with a victory in the Local Club’s Gold Medal and appearing in the St Andrews Links Trophy. But the man who has been a model of consistency in 2016 and who demonstrated nerve and poise in addition to outstanding play to win the FG Tait Memorial Medal is our 2016 winner. 31-year-old Michael De Vries works at the family run Russell Hotel on the Scores, grew up playing golf with his parents and was taught the game by his mother who many know in St Andrews as one of the best lady golfers in town and represented her country in Scottish international events for 11 consecutive years, she is also a selector for the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis cup team. It is easy to see where he gets his inspiration from.

MEN’S GOLFER OF THE YEAR

He started playing golf when he was about 5 or 6 years old but at the age of 18 he stopped playing until the age of 26. “I was too busy being a chef and forgot about the game but now I'm back and loving every minute of it, should have never have stopped playing for so long!” A string of fine performances highlighted by his stunning Tait Medal success have made Michael one of the most outstanding golfers in the town, and his consistency have earned him the second St Andrews Golf Magazine Men’s Golfer of the Year Award.

2015 winner: Mark Dickson 2016: Michael De Vries

Michael has finished as Low Gross in no fewer than 10 New Golf Club Medal Competitions, and reached the semi-finals of the 2016 New Golf Club Championship, losing to eventual champion Rhodri Price. His performances across the season in New Golf Club competitions gave him more points than anyone else and he was awarded with the Old Tom Morris Memorial Trophy for Order of Merit winner. Then in July the self-styled “Big Friendly Giant” swept all comers aside with a brilliant display of golf to win the FG Tait Memorial Medal. The Unofficial Match Play Championship of St Andrews was played for the 104th time this summer with the final stages on the New Course.

the semis where I was up against Ray Perry, last year’s Tait Medal Winner, also from St Andrews Golf Club.

match 4&3 after having birdies on 7, 8 and 10, following with an eagle on 12 then birdie on 13. It was a great run! Paul was one of the best matches I have experienced as he is a great player and one of the best ball strikers I've played against.” Given Michael’s ability and results in 2016 it is fair to ask the question if he has given thought to turning professional. “Professional golf is something that all golfers would love to do but I am always chasing that dream, for now I am happy at this level and if things appear to get better for me on the course then we shall see! Michael says. I will do qualifying stages for the next Open in St Andrews and I am going to be playing all of the Scottish amateur order of merit events in 2017, hopefully gaining enough points in the SGU to represent the Fife men's team.

“The week of the Tait Medal was one of the best periods of golf I've enjoyed especially with all 3 matches in quarters, semis and final finishing at 5&4 and 4&3's”, beams Michael.

I started well as I birdied the first and second, then I went on to eagle the third so I was fourunder-par after three holes and a solid 3-up after 3 ! I felt comfortable in this match and I went on to win on the fifteenth hole 5&4.

There's plans and ideas but the level of golf is amazing now and I would have to pull out something special! My Biggest goal for next year would be defend my Tait title and win back to back, plus to win gold medal so I can qualify for the St Andrews Links Trophy.”

“In the quarters I beat Sean singer from St Andrews Golf Club and we both played well, went to the 16th and I managed to squeeze into

So as the final closed in on me I realised I was up against Paul Tulleth who hits the ball a mile but I had one last push and finished the

Photography: Peter Adamson/New Golf Club

Goadby “I can’t wait for the 2016 season to start, it is going to be an exciting year”

LADIES GOLFER OF THE YEAR

Chloe Goadby speaking in the Christmas/New Year edition of St Andrews Golf Magazine, 2015, after winning the first Ladies Golfer of the Year Award

2015 winner: Chloe Goadby 2016: Chloe Goadby

She wasn’t wrong, 2016 was an even better year for Chloe Goadby, who is as we publish this edition at a winter camp in Orlando held by the Scottish Golf Union for elite amateur golfers. After her best year-to-date in 2015 going one better for Chloe was going to be difficult, but she managed it and the highlight was winning the BUCS Tour Finals by a single shot from Gemma Batty. Other highlights included a fourth place finish at the Scottish Student Sport Championships at Moray Golf Club, eleventh place at the Slovenian Amateur Championship, a top 20 at the World University Golf Championship and a tie for sixteenth place at the English Women's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship. This University season Goadby has started like a woman on a mission, finishing second at the Stirling International tournament at the Duke’s, and registering a third place finish at the Fife Tournament at the Fairmont St Andrews. Each time she lost out to her nemesis and arguably Britain’s in-form amateur lady, Gemma Batty. After another good season from Chloe her aims will surely be to perform more consistently in the major events in 2017.

CHLOE GOADBY’S RECORD IN 2016 BUCS TOUR FINALS CHAMPION BUCS Golf Tour – Exeter Invitational – 2nd

BUCS Golf Tour – Stirling International – 2nd BUCS Golf Tour – Dundonald Tournament – 3rd BUCS Golf Tour – Fife Tournament – 3rd Scottish Student Sport Championships – 4th R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament – 10th Slovenian Women’s Amateur Championship – T11

Played

Won

Runner-Up

Third

Fourth

Other top 10 1

Paterson YOUNG GOLFER OF THE YEAR

Just Champion. Captain Paterson teaches all rivals a lesson after year of stellar golf John Paterson the best Junior golfer in Fife after an unforgettable year highlighted by day to remember at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

2015 winner: Keith Bowman 2016: John Paterson

John Paterson is the undoubted winner of the 2016 St Andrews Golf Magazine Young Golfer of the Year after a year in which he won or contended for every title available to him, and was part of a historic team success for the New Golf Club juniors. Hi most prominent success came at the Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge in September. John was the senior age category and overall scratch champion of the tournament played at The Duke’s on September 25. His play throughout the season earned him a second Fife Golfing Association Boys’ Order of Merit title in the last three years, and in September he assisted in a team success. The New Golf Club Junior team won the Daily Telegraph Scottish Junior Championship and will now compete in the UK Finals in the spring of 2017. 2016 was also a year of near misses for the 16-year-old Madras College student and New Golf Club Junior Captain.

Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge Winner Fife Golfing Association Boys’ Order of Merit Winner Member of the New Golf Club Junior Team which won the 2016 Daily Telegraph Scottish Junior Championships 2016 St Andrews Boys’ Open Runnerup Scottish U-18 Boys’ Semi-Finals

Scottish Boys’ Amateur Championship Semi-Finals Member of the Scottish U-18 Boys’ Squad Scottish Golf Boys’ Order of Merit 8th Place (Best in St Andrews)

Played in 3rd round of Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (7 birdies)

In August he surged through the field in the St Andrews Boys’ Open, making it all the way to the final. He narrowly lost to Japan’s Gaku Tsukamoto on the 17th hole of the Old Course 2&1. Paterson also reached the semi-finals of both the Scottish Boys’ Amateur Championship and Scottish Under-18 Boy’s Championship and was part of the Scottish Under-18 Boys’ National Squad. Then in October, as reward for winning the Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge, he was unexpectedly phoned on the morning of the third day to stand in for the injured Hugh Grant alongside European Tour professional Stuart Manley. The team had little chance of qualifying for the final round, but Paterson grasped the opportunity and made 7 birdies in a magnificent round on the Old Course in a group including former Masters Champion, Trevor Immelman. A stunning end to a superb year for a rising star of St Andrews golf and a worthy recipient of the 2016 Young Golfer of the Year Award.

Juniors This autumn the New Golf Club Junior Team created history and won the Daily Telegraph Scottish Junior Championship. The New Club Junior team will now be invited to compete for the UK Junior Championship, against the winning clubs from England, Wales and Ireland, to be held in Europe, in spring 2017. The players which participated in at least one match were as follows: Christian Barbour (4), Pol Berge (3), Ben Caton (3), Ben Mckay (3), Finlay Sey (3), Owen Abu Baker (1), Eric Berge (1), Keith Bowman (1), Christie Connor (1), Matthew McGilly (1) and John Paterson (1).

JUNIORS SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT BY A ST ANDREWS GOLFER/GOLFERS

St Andrews Golf Magazine will follow their progress in 2017.

2015 winner: University of St Andrews 2016: New Golf Club Juniors

Grewar ST ANDREWS GOLF MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inductee is happily still with us but going through tough times as he battles ALS. Donald Grewar undoubtedly deserves the recognition of getting this award for his hard work in supporting junior golfers and young people across St Andrews. As a teacher at Madras College he was universally popular with pupils and staff alike, which is borne out by the sheer numbers of people who have attended fundraisers aimed at helping raise money to help Donald beat this debilitating disease. Donald is a former Junior Convenor at the New Golf Club and his influence saw a number of promising youngsters go on to have successful college golf careers in the United States and further afield. The joy of Donald is that even when suffering and fighting he has time for others, and he is a most worthy inductee into the St Andrews Golf Magazine Hall of Fame.

2015 Inductee: John Clark 2016: Donald Grewar

A Caddieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Year on the Links By John Boyne

October 31st, 2016 and my 15th consecutive year of caddying on the St Andrews Links has finished with their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;officialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; golf season ending today. Winter golf began on 1st November and will run through to 31st March, 2017. It is impossible to start this review of 2016 without some statistics so I will not disappoint. The St Andrews Links Caddie Department completed 30,000 caddie rounds over their 7 links courses between 1st April and 31st October 2016, record numbers. My contribution, close to 190, is a small amount compared to many of my colleagues who were doing 230+ and with 150 caddies registered at the height of the season, in July and August, and the majority dedicated to doing two rounds Monday Friday the numbers add up Here follow my stats for the season and I have highlighted a round or two from each of the months, obviously the Old Course anecdotes dominate. I may have got another 30+ rounds to add to my total but I rarely caddie on the weekends as I actually get to play on these days with the St Andrews Golf Club local competitions or with my ever forgiving, wife Lorna. I am a little pre-occupied with my weight and I started the season in April around 185 lbs and my finishing total is 178 lbs = 12 stone 7 pounds. How long I can maintain this through my excellent winter diet of pies, potatoes and homemade bread goodness only knows!

April

May

Old Course 14 rounds, Jubilee Course 1 round

Old Course 34 rounds, New Course 1 round, Strathtyrum Course 1 round

My 1st round of the season and we are on the Old Course at 2:50pm on Friday 1st April with a group of golfers from Royal Portrush GC in Northern Ireland, 12 in total they are guests of the R&A. Their fabulous links at Royal Portrush GC will be the host venue of The Open in 2019 and is the only club in Ireland to have hosted The Open, which was back in 1951 when Max Faulkner won. This was a drizzly wet day, that got progressively worse as the round went on, though the golfers remained in good humour. Thank goodness for the Irish! My golfer and his partner found themselves 4 down at the 10th hole but produced a great comeback and leveled the match on the infamous 17th Road hole, they then had the audacity to sink a 4 foot downhill putt on the 18th green to win the match. Tough conditions but a fun round, especially for the winners.

We have a new Caddie Master installed at St Andrews, Fraser Riddler, who has came down the coast from being the Caddie Master at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen. Around ten caddies have followed him from Trump International and they immediately become known as The Trumpeteers! A good bunch of hard looping guys. This first week of May is the annual R&A Spring Medal and I receive an email from Charles, a English member that I had actually caddied against a couple of years ago, who took my details then, and now asks me to caddie for him in the Medal. I have not seen Charles play for two years and he tells me that only a handful of rounds have been played this year.

A birdie, birdie start sets up a good solid front 9 going out in 37, with 17 putts. Now the question is whether we can sustain it through the more difficult back 9...we do OK. A couple of early bogeys are off-set by birdies on Par 5 14th and Par 4 16th. The not unexpected bogey 5 on the 17th, an extremely difficult hole as I am sure you know, and par on 18th bring us back in with a 38, with 16 putts. A very good 75 for Charles and his 6 handicap gives him a Nett 69. I find out a week later that he ties for first place but is relegated to second because the other golfer shot a better inward 9!

June

July

Old Course 34 rounds, New Course 2 rounds

Old Course 26 rounds, New Course 5 rounds, Jubilee 2 rounds, Eden Course 1 round

While we do ‘Shack Time’ in the Caddie Pavilion a few pass the waiting on the ‘poker table’ to begin and once the word gets out that the enthusiastic, but read useless poker players ‘Tay Seal’ and ‘Nage’ are involved the real card players arrive out of the woodwork...profit to be made! June 13th 1:50pm, second round, I am introduced to my golfer from Mexico who produces a ½ of a bottle of Glenfiddich malt whisky from his bag on the 2nd fairway and has a snifter! He then continues to drain it throughout the round and tops it up with three wee miniature bottles at the halfway house to back up the remains of the bottle on the second 9! It was a cold day with NE wind...incredibly after scoring 49 on the front he comes back in a marvellous 42!

I rarely work at the weekend, meaning missing potentially 20+ rounds of caddying during the full season, it does mean I get to actually play some golf...FORE! Amazingly I played my best front 9 of my golfing year in the St Andrews Golf Club Autumn Prizes competition, one of the big events in the Club’s golfing calendar. Old Course St Andrews I go out in level Par 36. Then after a solid two putt par on the 10th I was feeling good about golf and looking forward to remaining 8 holes...the Old Course kicked me hard over the next 7 holes, bunkers, coming back in a ridiculous 49! There was a good par 4 on the 18th. This is golf and shows how quickly it can unravel on the Old Course St Andrews...and I know where the bunkers are!

I had an unexpected meeting mid-July behind the Old Course 18th green with the legendary Wullie Wood, 89 years, the last remaining golfer of my father George’s original golfing gang. I had not seen Wullie for a couple of years and was delighted to meet him again, he and all my father’s mates always gave me encouragement, fun, daftness, integrity, craft, history and joy in this ridiculous game that has far too many moving parts!

August Old Course 34 rounds, New Course 4, Jubilee Course 3 This is the month when you get your head down and work, I still manage to take a couple of days out at the weekend though 41 rounds over the marvellous St Andrews Links is not too shabby for an old guy. The country by country breakdown of golfers for this month and is a good indication of the nationalities we meet: USA

Canada

Australia

Argentina

England

Scotland

My recorded comments are a little more concise through this month on the Old Course, here a selected few: The golfer managed to score consistent bogey golf, double bogey, triple bogey and more…then an incredibly isolated par 4 on 16th with a single putt!

Out in 38 all going smoothly until the 5 three putts on back 9 returned a 43. A little disappointing for the golfer

Joe, a returning golfer I caddied for 5 years ago, brings forth the highlight of the month by completing the illusive ‘quad’ scoring four 3s in a row around the turn on 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th

A few gorse bush issues arose early on the New Course (read from 1st tee) and did not go away…

September Old Course 13 rounds, New Course 1 The first two weeks of September will continue to supply the double rounds for the guys but thereafter it is the beginning of a slow-down of caddie rounds with the the annual R&A Autumn Meeting now dominating the Old Course mid-month, and daylight hours diminishing towards the end of the month. This is when the aforementioned Mrs Boyne puts down her delicate wee foot and requests a STOP! Time for a rest and this year we head to the island of Sicily, for 10 days, returning on the 16th of the month in time for the historic R&A v The Town golf match. I try to take part in this every year with my suffering golf partner, Andy. We are paired against a former Captain of the R&A and a new member of his Club on the wonderful Jubilee Course. The match is alternate shot and is halved on the 18th hole with a superb 10 foot putt from the former R&A Captain.

However it is the up & down on the Par 3 17th that is breathtaking with his partner managing to get out of a horrible lie in a deep greenside bunker, by playing away from the green and outside the fringe, at least 25 paces away from the flag, whereupon the ex-Captain holes out downhill with a left to right break securing a halve, Brilliant! During the R&A’s ceremonial ‘Drive-in’ for their new Captain I somehow manage to be standing in the correct position down the 1st and 18th fairway on the Old Course for the first time in 15 years. His golf ball flies in my direction and without any fuss or hassle from the other 25 or more caddies I retrieve the golf ball returning it to the new Captain, Mr Keith MacIntosh, who traditionally buys it back for a gold sovereign. All good fun.

October Old Course 5 rounds, New Course 4 rounds, Carnoustie 1 round, Kingsbarns 1 round The Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, Minnesota, played at the end of September and brilliant American demolition of Europe lingers on pushing back the annual European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played during the first week of October. The local caddies at each of the participating courses, Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns look for their returning or new golfers, professional or amateur, to contact them but this year I decide to take a back step, and place my name on the ‘local caddie’ list to work only the Old Course during the tournament. I have worked all three links courses for 12 years, being looked after and looking after wonderful golfers, especially my great amateur golfers Henry & Doug from west coast USA.

Unexpectedly I get a call from the St Andrews Old Course Hotel and suddenly I am hired and looking after a delightful amateur golfer over all three courses, it is a joy, good company. Unfortunately our professional struggles from the first day at Carnoustie, we enjoy ourselves though, knowing our limitations, and our highlight is shooting four Par 3s at Kingsbarns, a great achievement on this great modern links golf course. The month of October, after the European Tour, gave me a few more memorable caddie rounds over the Old Course that surprised, delighted and literally stuns my belief in the everyman golfer’s abilities, more to look forward to in 2017...FORE!

Chefs of

St Andrews Alan Robertson Head Chef, New Golf Club

In our first part of a new series in St Andrews Golf Magazine – Chefs of St Andrews – we talk to the recently appointed Head Chef at the New Golf Club of St Andrews. Alan Robertson shares his insight into catering for golfers with Matt Hooper.

Matt Hooper: How long have you been cooking professionally and where have you previously been a chef at? Alan Robertson: I grew up in a small village in the Highlands, Kinlochleven and my first job in a kitchen came at the local hotel The Tailrace Inn in 2002, I have worked in a few places since moving to Fife in 2005, The Links Clubhouse, Inn at Lathones, Castle Clubhouse, Pittormie Castle and now here at The New Golf Club.

Where did you train to cook? I went to college in Inverness, I did an intense course over 7 months, 5 days a week. But as a chef you’re learning new skills and techniques regularly.

You have worked within the golf industry for many years, what are the challenges and pleasures of cooking for golfers and club members? Like everywhere keeping the customers happy, especially in and around St Andrews, is a challenge as we deal with a wide range of nationalities, needs and ages. As much as it can be a challenge it's also great to interact with such a wide spectrum of people.

How would you describe your style of cooking? Varied, but don't think I have a certain style. I try to push the boundaries and test myself regularly, something that I can do at The New Golf Club as I get free reign on menus, to a certain degree. I love putting modern twists on classic dishes.

Is there a secret for a successful restaurant? Happy staff mean a happy working environment and this rubs off on the customers, staff have to get along at work, regular training and communication.

Do you have a “signature dish” or favourite dish you enjoy cooking? Like many chefs this is a question I get asked a lot and it isn't one I enjoy answering with ease. Pastry is what I enjoy doing the most, it's best for expressing yourself.

Do you have a favourite ingredient? Another very difficult question, eggs. May sound daft but they are so versatile. I can't think of another ingredient that can be used for so many things. And at any time of the day fin any course.

Which restaurant in the St Andrews area do you most enjoy eating at on your night off? I don't have a specific favourite, as a family man I enjoy going for a meal with my wife, Laura and our two sons William and Rhuridh, where it isn't too formal and has a food family atmosphere.

What is your most interesting or fun experience from your time in restaurants? Working on buffets in the Links clubhouse for the 2005 Open and various Dunhillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, you get to meet some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best golfers and famous faces from screen and football. One occasion the Scotland national team visited the Links and I got to meet four of the Celtic squad, which would be my personal favourite. We also got to work with some chefs from America and Dubai, this was very interesting as we learnt different filters cooking styles. As for funny, Ruud Gullit telling me that if he had too much chorizo and bean casserole the toilet would not be good tomorrow! Also Dougie Donnelly walking into the New Club kitchen and catching me whilst I was taking 5 mins to have a cup of tea.

What would be your “last request” dish? Well I hope that a decision I never have to make, so many to choose from. Anything except chicken liver parfait. Can't stand the stuff!

Is there another chef that you most admire? William Curley is phenomenal, his skills and what he can do with chocolate is unreal, Marcus Wearing is also someone I enjoy watching, he is an exceptional chef and so passionate. Closer to home you have to mention Jamie Scott at The Newport, such a talented driven chef and a really nice guy too, there is no doubt he will become one of Britain’s best chefs.

Any advice you would give to someone wanting to become a chef? Always try to work tidily, there is nothing worse than seeing a dirty chef. Learn from any mistakes you make, don't be afraid to make them as it’s all a learning process.

Respect the food, people spend hours, years working to grow, catch and deliver these products to us. And too many young chefs try and climb the ladder too fast, have no respect for others. They see Gordon Ramsey shouting at swearing at people and they think this is how to carry on. Geoffrey Smeddle, chef owner at The Peat Inn puts it simply "you can never be a good chef if you are mean"

Any final thoughts you’d like to add? Working at The New Club is one of the best jobs I have ever had, the work/life balance is second to none. This is very important with me having a young family. And as I mentioned earlier I can try anything in the restaurant, so I'm constantly learning, and I'd like to think this benefits the club. We also now have a kitchen that is equipped superbly, it gives us the opportunities to make as much stuff in house as we can. I look forward to spending many happy years in the kitchen there.

Visit A St Andrews

PLAYFAIRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RESTAURANT AND STEAKHOUSE

By Matt Hooper

Playfair, a name which instantly conjures up thoughts of St Andrews. Si Hugh Lyon Playfair was provost of St Andrews from 1842 to 1861, and studied at the University of St Andrews and was credited with building the St Andrews Public Library, extending the railway into St Andrews and funding improvements to the University. Playfair was also credited with reviving the St Andrews Golfing Society which became the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. In short, Hugh Lyon Playfair is a St Andrews Icon. But it was actually George Rae, a St Andrews Architect, who is responsible for much of the architecture in the centre of the town, who built Playfair Terrace. In two house at the end of the terrace you will find the Ardgowan Hotel and Playfair’s Restaurant and Steakhouse. You really are dining in an historic part of St Andrews when you visit this archetypal Scottish eatery. It is comfortable and cosy, and being set under the level of the road it affords the diner a certain level of privacy that cannot be found at other St Andrews restaurants.

Our Meal was accompanied by Eden Mill’s Blonde and a glass of Chilean Sauvignon, and to start we had Chargrilled Shetland Scallops and Shetland Mussels Mariniere. The Scallops were superbly presented and had an unbelievable texture. They were a perfect portion size for a starter. The Mussels were described by my companion for the evening as being like eating warm butter, she was very impressed and a hint, it takes a lot to impress her! For our mains I had the Playfair’s House Burger – A Premium Scottish Steak Burger topped with Welsh Rarebit in a Playfair’s Sesame Seed Bun, with spiced ‘Broon’ sauce and thick cut chips. In a town which has many places which serve a variety of burgers, this was one of the best I have eaten. My companion had the Poached Shetland Haddock served with Welsh Rarebit, creamed potatoes, finished with a Chive and Arran mustard sauce, which was fantastic, however her side order of Courgette Frites was less than satisfactory. For dessert I had the Apple Maple Syrup Crumble with Ice Cream, which was soft and warm, a perfect conclusion to my meal. The ice cream perfectly complimented the warm crumble. My companion had the Coffee semifreddo

with vanilla foam and chocolate velouté and she enjoyed this unusual dessert very much. If you are in St Andrews this Christmas we highly recommend visiting Playfair’s for a festive treat. Head Chef, Duncan McLachlan has put together a varied and exciting menu to thrill the taste buds. Served from December 1 to 17 the menu is reasonably priced at £22.95 for two courses and £29.95 for three. To start we would go with the Mixed game terrine with cranberries and pistachios served with orange marmalade and walnut & raisin loaf. Not much could be more associated with Christmas than Cranberry and it works in so many different dishes. The Main’s depart from the traditional, with Chicken ballontine wrapped in prosciutto, stuffed with sausage and chestnuts served with all the trimmings being our choice. To finish it wouldn’t be Christmas without Christmas Pudding, Playfair’s serve it with with brandy crème anglaise and Scottish tablet ice-cream. Whatever the season, this Classic St Andrews Restaurant is Better than Fair.

PlayfairsRestaurant.co.uk

IF YOU ARE VISITING ST ANDREWS THIS CHRISTMAS, THESE ARE THE PLACES YOU CAN DINE AT ON 25 DECEMBER

mitchellsdeli.co.uk

forgansstandrews.co.uk

rufflets.co.uk

edenmansion.com

greyfriarshotel-standrews.co.uk

dollshousestandrews.co.uk

STUDENT-RUN COMPANY OFFER A UNIQUE WAY OF SEEING ST ANDREWS When you are planning your spring or summer trip to St Andrews in 2017 you’ll no doubt be focused on golf courses, hotels and restaurants, but you should also be thinking about seeing the rest of this spectacular town, and there might not be a better way of doing that than with Chariots of Hire. The start-up, student-run company is relaunching for 2017 with better rickshaws and a new team to make your tour of the town a memorable one. The ‘Pay-as-you-wish’ rickshaw service has until now mainly focused on students for its custom, with rides from the University Library into town or the Union to home, but the four students who operate Chariots of Hire are looking to make the golfing tourists experience of St Andrews even more memorable. Charlie Slater (20, Management, from Leeds), Charlie Buchanan-Smith (21, Geology, from Edinburgh), Aidan Thomson (19, Modern History, from Edinburgh) and George St Quinton (20, Geography, from Hampshire) are excited about the future of Chariots of Hire. “Until now we have mainly focused on students, offering rides to and from major student events such as the regular balls, and to and from the town centre from University accommodation or the library. Our three rickshaws have had extensive maintenance recently and we were visible around the golf course area of town during Alfred Dunhill Links Championship week.” Each rickshaw can accommodate up to three passengers but it may be that you want a romantic ride around the town with your other half, something which has been immensely popular since the company launched on the roads of St Andrews in early 2016. For more details and to book, check out the Chariots of Hire Facebook Page.

THE ADAMSON’S 500 MAKES A SMASHING DEBUT

George Wilder tries out the first of The Adamson’s 500 Tuesday events with DJ Alasdair Todd. Feature courtesy The Saint, The independent voice of St Andrews students since 1997 – Photos: The Adamson

“Pres are the best part of the night.”

This quote needs no dedication, as it is a sentiment uttered by almost all who find themselves sobering up on the sticky floors of a university night club. Just hours ago you were sipping a £1 G&T, smiling while your best friend chugged a dirty pint to the tune of Busted’s cover of Thunderbirds Are Go. Now your friends are gone, you’re all out of energy, and the only sounds you hear are the playlist dregs of a DJ who stopped caring 12 songs ago. Where did it all go so wrong? Perhaps more importantly, where do we go from here? How do we keep the sanctity of pres without it becoming unoriginal? The answer is allegedly found at The Adamson, courtesy of DJ Alasdair Todd and Managing Director Julie Lewis. “The Adamson?” I hear you squirm, already experiencing flashbacks of smart-casual drinks or overly ambitious first dates. I know too well that trauma which leaves you with two elevenpound cocktails and a hatred of contactless payment. Bear with me, dear reader – there is more to this than you might think. This is no ordinary Adamson experience, as the new

event 500 Tuesdays features a whole host of concoctions, from Martinis to Russian Mules, all for the lesser price of £5. Things are looking up. But why would we spend £10 or £15 on a cocktail pres when we can chug a bottle of Lambrini for £3? Well, I think just saying that answers the question for itself. If it doesn’t, I ask you to contrast the image of sipping cocktails with friends to that of downing imitation wine and wondering if you could use the remains to bleach your shower the next morning. The fact of the matter is that pre-drinks, despite my devoted love of the ritual, is a bubble within the Bubble: it needs innovation. So, to test this new approach, I gathered a group of my most brutally honest friends and let them try the event for themselves. Would the fund-conscious fresher be willing to trade Frosty Jacks for Frozen Margaritas? 10 minutes in, we were sitting down or standing at the bar, happy to have traded the rinserepeat of the same old drinking games for a night out that was proving a rival for even the best instances of “spillage is lickage.”

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be able to do this every day. There are times when downing a Tennents to a rousing chorus of “we like to drink with” is the best and indeed only option for pre-club drinks. But, as one of my party noted, this event doesn’t need to replace predrinks. What it does is create a scenario where being in the Bubble no longer means you have to settle for the same thing every night. One day of the week, there is the opportunity to enjoy all the great aesthetics and cocktail mastery of The Adamson, while listening to some of DJ Alastair Todd’s engaging but not conversation stifling house tunes. One of the friends I had brought was delighted to find that the event wasn’t a one off, succinctly stating that this was “Tuesday’s pres sorted.” I must admit, I had my doubts about leaving my Tuesday Tesco Value to one side but as I enjoyed a chat over a drink that could grace the bars of London, I have to confess that this may well be Tuesdays sorted for me as well.

incorporated into the company that would later become Symington Family Estates. This family run company has been instrumental in keeping the port industry afloat as well as building the reputation of port internationally and ensuring the survival of numerous port producers.

Winter is a time when Port becomes the drink of choice to keep warm you up. There really is nothing better than curling up beside a fire with a glass of Port in your hand, or having it in your hipflask for a quick bolt to chase away a chill on a winter’s day. In Scotland, we know all about cold days so maybe this is why so many Port companies find their origins in Scotland.

Peter Wood St Andrews Wine Company www.standrewswinecompany.com

In 1882 Andrew James Symington moved to Portugal and would start a journey that would lead to his name being given to one of the largest port producers. After initially joining the Graham’s port house, Symington became a partner in one of the oldest port producers, Warre’s. The acquisition of Dow’s followed soon after, and over the next century, other houses were

Two of the companies that the Symingtons bought also have their roots in Scotland. Cockburn’s, which was bought from Pernod Ricard in 2010, was founded in 1815 by Scotsman Robert Cockburn, who moved back to Portugal after fighting there in the Napoleonic Wars. The other company they own with Scottish roots is the one in which Andrew Symington started out his port career, Graham’s. Graham’s was founded in 1820 by an established Glasgow based textile company who took 27 pipes of port as payment for a bad debt. William and John Graham, realising they were onto a good thing, built up the port business, and it became their main focus of their company. In 1970 the Graham family sold the company to the Symingtons, but that wasn’t the end of their story. Little over a decade later in 1981, Johnny Graham left his job to create his own port house. Calling his company Churchill Graham, the wines they produce are under the name ‘Churchill’ after his wife, Caroline

Churchill. This company, the first British company entering the market in over fifty years, focuses on quality over quantity and in a very traditional style, which is shown by their fabulous Crusted Port. With Scotland being central to the origins of Port production, I don’t think it would be unfair to say that, in the absence of ripening grapes growing north of Hadrians Wall, Port is truly Scotland’s wine. Here are a trio of ports to try, all from companies with Scottish roots.

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port This style of port is ready for immediate drinking, with dark berries, cocoa and herbal aromas, it moves on to blackcurrant and coffee flavours, showing a little spike in alcohol, before mellowing with a soft flavoursome finish. £10.00 Widely available in Supermarkets

Churchill’s Crusted Port (bottled 2005) A blend of wines from different years, before being bottled in 2005 to mature in the bottle, this wine has bright red berry aromas with some clove and cardamom coming out of the glass and a touch of mint emerging as well. The palate is delicate with some spice coming through, a dry note on the mid palate and then some juicy blackberry and pipe tobacco. Superbly balanced, subtle tannin and a long, fresh finish. £20.00 - £24.00 Specialist Independent Wine Merchants, Higher quality supermarkets

Cockburn’s 1977 Vintage Port Only 1340 bottles of this port were made, and were made covertly! Back in the late 1970s, Cockburns was owned by Allied Breweries who focused on bulk production of port, so the winemakers quietly bottled and registered a small amount of this wine. Released after the acquisition of Cockburn’s by Symington Family Estates, this wine has wonderful developed fruit and spice aromas, a herbal note on the palate leading to dried berries, candied peel and then blackberry compote on the finish. £80.00 Specialist Independent Wine Merchants

Paterson Golf Novelty Headcover - Westie Dog - With Old Course St. Andrews Collar

THE PRO SHOP ST ANDREWS

£30.00

St Andrews In The Footsteps of Old Tom Morris TOPPING & COMPANY BOOKSELLERS OF ST ANDREWS £60.00

Old Course St Andrews Pewter Hip Flask THE GOLF SHOP OF ST ANDREWS

£21.99

Bottle Holder for Wine or Whisky ST ANDREWS GOLF COMPANY

£40.83 + VAT

2 Dozen Callaway Chrome Soft

AUCHTERLONIES OF ST ANDREWS

£49.99

James Pringle Weatherproof Hat EDINBURGH WOOLEN MILL

Pack of 10 Christmas Cards NEW GOLF CLUB OF ST ANDREWS

£7.50

£10.00

Aladdin In a far flung fantasia, an adventure is beginning. Aladdin dreams of a better life, a chance for him and his dear old mum, Widow Twanky, to escape their grotty old laundry. Oh, and if he can get the beautiful Princess Jasmine to marry him that would be pretty perfect too! In the cave of wonders lies a lamp that promises to make all his wishes come true â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but with the evil Abanazar determined to get his hands on the lamp too can Aladdin save the day, win the girl and escape a life of dirty socks and pants?! After the success of Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Panto promises magic, excitement and a host of colourful characters as we join Aladdin and his pals on the adventure of a lifetime! 1-31 DECEMBER 2016 SEE byretheatre.com/events/Aladdin for more details BYRE THEATRE

Met Encore: L’Amour de Loin Libretto by Amin Maalouf

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s breakthrough opera was described by the New York Times as “transfixing…a lushly beautiful score.” Commissioned by the Salzburg Festival, where it was first seen in 2000, it will now finally have its Metropolitan Opera premiere in a dazzling new production by Robert Lepage, featuring glimmering ribbons of LED lights that extend across the length of the stage and over the orchestra pit. Eric Owens is the knight on a quest of love and Susanna Phillips is his lover on the other side of the sea. Conductor Susanna Mälkki makes her Met debut.

Met Encore: Nabucco The legendary Plácido Domingo brings another new baritone role to the Met under the baton of his longtime collaborator James Levine. Liudmyla Monastyrska is Abigaille, the warrior woman determined to rule empires, and Jamie Barton is the heroic Fenena. Dmitri Belosselskiy is the stentorian voice of the oppressed Hebrew people. Estimate Running Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes.

12 DEC 2016, 5:55PM

8 JAN 2017, 5:55PM

£18.50 / £17.50 (STUDENT) / £14 (CHILD)

BYRE THEATRE

Hedda Gabler Hedda dreams of freedom. Back from her honeymoon she is bored by married life, her husband and her new home, choosing to turn to past relationships and rivalries. Manipulative and passionate, Hedda pushes the boundaries of love with catastrophic consequences. The Mermaids Performing Arts Fund is run by University of St Andrews students and supports student theatre and performance. With an emphasis on working both with new writers and reimagining classic texts, the work Sonder Theatre presents is timely, challenging, and engaging. Their productions have received five-star reviews in the student press and have consistently soldout. TUESDAY 31 JANUARY & WEDNESDAY 1 FEBRUARY, 7:30PM £8 BYRE THEATRE

Byre Theatre Film Club - Miracle on 34th Street (U) When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. Director: George Seaton Country: USA Year: 1947 Duration: 1h 36min The screening starts at 10.30am. 15 DEC 2016, 10am £6 BYRE THEATRE

Take me

Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man's Land, broadcast live to cinemas from Wyndham’s Theatre, London. One summer's evening, two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, meet in a Hampstead pub and continue their drinking into the night at Hirst's stately house nearby. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories increasingly unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing power game, further complicated by the return home of two sinister younger men. Also starring Owen Teale and Damien Molony, don’t miss this glorious revival of Pinter’s comic classic. The broadcast will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with the cast and director Sean Mathias. This will also be screened at The Byre Theatre on 19 December. 15 DECEMBER

£15.00 per ticket at NPH Cinema St Andrews for 15 December screening at 7pm.

7PM

BAD SANTA 2 (RATING: 15)

1 DECEMBER

5.55PM & 8.25PM

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (PG)

1 DECEMBER

8.20PM

ROYAL BALLET: NUTCRACKER 2016 (12A)

11 DECEMBER

2PM

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (Rating TBC)

RELEASED 9 DECEMBER, NPH CINEMA TO CONFIRM SCREENING

PASSENGERS (Rating TBC)

RELEASED 21 DECEMBER, NPH CINEMA TO CONFIRM SCREENING

ASSASSINS CREED (Rating TBC)

RELEASED 21 DECEMBER, NPH CINEMA TO CONFIRM SCREENING

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (Rating TBC)

RELEASED 16 DECEMBER, NPH CINEMA TO CONFIRM SCREENING

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE CINEMA SEASON

Check NPH.NPHCINEMA.CO.UK for full listings and latest news

I’ll never forget my 10th Christmas, I had asked Santa for a Baby Rabbit. Sure enough when I entered the lounge on Christmas morning there was a box next to the Christmas tree. I approached it and slowly opened it. As soon as my eyes caught a glimpse of this blonde, fluffy animal I, like most children, lost all control and started jumping up and down on the spot. There it was, or he was, as we thought. He was to be called Oliver, until we shortly discovered it was indeed actually a female. Lucy it was. For the next few years I would lovingly take care of Lucy, mainly because she could be quite aggressive towards other females, or other animals, as the black cat once found out when he ventured into her pen and Lucy pinned him to the floor! Devastatingly Lucy had to be put to sleep five years later, just before Christmas. That Christmas we were having a family reunion of sorts in Scotland, and my uncle, who was fairly minted had booked for 12 of us to have Christmas dinner at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. Two years earlier I had taken up playing golf, the first to do so in my entire family. Soon my dad also had the bug and we would regularly spend Sunday mornings playing golf with each other, whilst mum dragged the trolley for me and my younger brother did for my dad. Then for this Christmas I now knew Santa did not exist and I had asked my dad for a new set of golf clubs. Titleist 981’s. We were staying at a Cottage at Blebo Craigs, just a few miles outside of St Andrews near Strathkinness. It really didn’t matter where we were staying, it was Christmas morning and our dog at the time, Floyd (a cocker spaniel), was desperate to venture outside for a wee. It was 7am and our Christmas presents were adorning the large Norwegian Spruce in the corner of the lounge. The log fire was up and running and it was time to open our presents. This time when I opened the box it wasn’t blonde and fluffy, it was steel and shiny, it still had that same impact. Then it dawned on me that I would have to wait to use these amazing clubs until we got home. Mum was busy in the kitchen making breakfast when dad came up with a suggestion. “Do you know that if you’re brave enough you can just show up and play the Old Course on Christmas Day?” He whispered to me. “No way” I shouted back! Mum came running from the kitchen. “Hey, what’s going on?!” She barked. Dad said “Me and Matt are going to play the Old Course this morning, and you and Steven are coming with us, bring Floyd too.”

Dad put the clubs carefully into the boot of the car and he and mum got into the front whilst Steven, Floyd and Myself crammed into the back of this Renault 5 Campus we had at the time. I am pretty sure the golf clubs were more expensive than the car. Off we went along the B939 into St Andrews, once we had navigated our way through the town the R&A Clubhouse came into sight. Then you could see the waves crashing onto the beach and eagerly looking to see the world famous old course, and just as excited to see it as I was a rabbit five years earlier. Incredibly there was a queue to tee off, all of them either father and son, or mother and daughter or in some cases all four! As it was Christmas Day there weren’t any starters or greenkeepers anywhere to be seen, and the clubhouse was closed, but here we were, standing next to the first tee of the world’s most famous golf course, ready to play it for the very first time. When you stand on the tee you suddenly realise that the first and eighteenth fairways are not as large as you are led to believe. The nerves took over and a fairway which should be hit with regularity suddenly becomes very daunting, both of us just managed to keep the ball in play. The history, the ghosts of the past and imposing R&A clubhouse envelopes you and your thoughts. The carry over the burn on the first is much further than anyone imagines, especially into the wind. The second hole demands a straight and well-positioned tee shot and the approach, depending upon the hole location, is one of the most difficult on the course. The greens can be undulating and beguiling. And don't believe the hype about this being a flat course. It may not have the imposing dunes of Royal County Down or Trump International, but the Old Course is subtle in its inclines and is only truly enjoyed by playing the game along the ground. As it was meant to be. The advice from most caddies is take the left line off the tee, but for the better player you have to take on the trouble down the right. This is a course of magnificent strategy, it demands every shot in the bag and you will likely use every club in the bag. You will use your putter more often than on any other course and not just on the enormous double greens. As we played 16 it began to snow, very lightly, by now the match was in the bag, as the older and less fit man had wilted under the pressure! As we teed off the 17th the snow got heavier and heavier, not what you wanted when playing the hardest hole on the course! The drive is famous, or infamous, but not really the hardest part of this hole. The approach has to be the hardest approach to any hole. You could take the shed away and this hole would not lose any of its difficulty. You still have to hit the fairway and no matter whether you are coming into the green with a wedge or long iron this green is extremely daunting to play to and even harder to hit. By now the snow and slowed it down to about 2 on the stimp!

Incredibly it was a White Christmas and we were playing golf on the Old Course. A Christmas dream come true! We hit off the 18th tee knowing we probably had more chance of finding the ball when out of bounds than on the fairway! The par four eighteenth is the final hole of the most impactful golf experience you will ever have. Back to that wide fairway, but this time you are facing the R&A clubhouse, with the road even closer to the right and the town in the background. Ewen Murray said that you don't walk up this fairway, it is "like a magic carpet ride." His words sum the feeling of playing this hole up perfectly. Once you have holed out on 18 you turn and look back down towards the Old Course Hotel and to West Sands on the right. Your round on the most famous course in the world has come to its conclusion. You will want to come back time and time again. And many do. There simply is nothing like golf in St Andrews and nothing like the Old Course. There was mum, Steven and Floyd waiting for us behind the green, having nipped into the hotel for a hot chocolate or three and watched while we silly buggers had tried to play golf in Blizzard conditions. I would say it was worth every penny, but incredibly it was free and an experience I would love to have again in the future. What a privilege, playing the Old Course on Christmas Day.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on in

St Andrews A calendar of events this festive season in the home of golf

17-23 December 10am-6.30pm The Byre Theatre

Santa and his helpers are on their way to the Byre this Christmas to spread some festive cheer!

With a magical grotto* and a sleigh full of toys, get into the festive spirit with a visit to Father Christmas himself.

£7 per child (includes gift) To book your place call 01334 475000 *Booking is essential

17 December

1pm-3pm A Christmas Carol sing along with St Salvator's Chapel Choir Festive Story telling with Blether Tae Gither with warm mince pies and apple mulled wine from the Cottage Kitchen. £9 adults, £5 child, Family of 4 £25 For tickets go to StAndrewsCarols.eventbrite.co.uk

17-23 December 11am-5pm

Tired feet from all that shopping? Why not jump on the Land Train, wrap up in warm blankets and take a merry spin around town?

Stops on Market St and South St Running daily from 11am - 5pm approx. every 15 mins £2.50 per person

Fancy a few enjoyable hours making chocolate which tastes delicious and is also highly nutritious? Come along and learn how simple and straightforward it is to make your own chocolate, which is dairy and sugar free. This workshop will be informal but informative. We’ll discuss the wholesome properties of raw chocolate, and you’ll also be tasting all the chocolate made at the workshop. Cambo Estate House, Kingsbarns, KY16 8QD

Saturday 3rd December, 2.30pm – 5pm, £15 per person

2 December 7.30-9.30pm

8 December 6.30-9pm

Early in Advent, the members of the University Madrigal Group bring the sound of the Christmas season to St Salvatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel. The programme will see familiar tunes interwoven with lesser-known pieces of Christmas and Advent music from many European cultures. This Christmas concert is a joyous occasion, with modern harmonies and arrangements juxtaposed with early sacred music of the kind the choir has been singing throughout its 70-year history.

FREE

A perfect way to start the festive season You are warmly invited to join the supporters and staff of Worldwide Cancer Research for our free Christmas Candlelight Concert at Holy Trinity Church. It will be a truly memorable occasion in an atmospheric setting.

FREE

Food from a wood-fired BBQ and favourite vendors such as Barnacles & Bones, have a drink and shop while the kids sit on Santa’s lap – from hand poured scented candles to Scottish woven scarves and locally made gin you’ll find something for everyone

Jig to Will McFarlane’s Ceilidh Band – with raffle and bar St Andrews Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens, KY16 9TA

Tickets £25 from Raining Cats & Dogs, 78 South Street, 01334-470873 Balgove Steak Barn, Strathtyrum, KY16 9SF

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com 2016 in Review: A look back at the Majors Golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Return A roundup of the action on the major tours St Andrews Golf Magazine Awards 2017 Preview

2016 was supposed to be the year of the Big Three, a year in which Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy dominated the game; 2016 was supposed to be the year in which Lydia Ko set herself apart from the best women golfers on the planet. We billed 2016 as being Historic at the end of last year, and my goodness it was, just in many different ways to how most observers anticipated it. Jordan Spieth was set to win his secondsuccessive Masters title, before spectacularly imploding on Amen Corner, allowing a charging Danny Willett to end 20 years of English hurt and become the fourth British winner at Augusta. His final round of 67 had echoes of Sir Nick Faldo in 1996, as he turned a 54-hole deficit of 3 shots into a 3 shot victory. Willett had also won the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic a few weeks earlier and was now set to take his place among the elite of the game, but a disappointing, injury-affected summer saw him miss out on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai title as he failed to build on his maiden major success. It was a year in which all four majors were won by first-timers. Nobody in golf has been more deserving of a major title in the last five years than Dustin Johnson, and despite a chaotic and tense final round (caused by the USGA!) the South Carolina man held off the challengers to land the 116th US Open at Oakmont. This major breakthrough saw him burn through the summer to collect the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW Championship and threaten world number one for a time.

That spot is still held by Jason Day, the Australian had a year of two halves. He started on fire with wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Dell Match Play and THE PLAYERS Championship. But as with Willett, injury has stalled his progress over the summer and into the winter. Day hasn’t completed a tournament since the start of September and last tee’d it up at The Tour Championship, before having to withdraw. Rory McIlroy could have taken the Aussie’s place at world number one with a victory at the DP World Tour Championship, he failed to do so but aside from a lack of a major title it was another year to remember for the Ulsterman. Three wins, all dramatic and spectacular saw McIlroy rise from 3rd to 2nd in the world rankings. Two three-wood shots from heaven saw him claim the Irish Open at the K Club, before a pair of victories in the PGA Tour playoffs saw him win the FedEx Cup title and $10million. McIlroy was frustrated at his lack of contention in the majors but his absence from the picture did not diminish the final two big championships of the year. Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson gave us an Open Championship to remember at Royal Troon. Mickelson began the week with a 63, which was millimetres from being an historic 62 and Stenson ended it with a 63. The final day was epic from start to finish and a birdie at the 72nd hole put the gloss on one of the greatest rounds ever played by the Swede.

Just two weeks later Jimmy Walker dominated a weather-affected PGA Championship at Baltusrol. His steady play was enough to see off the best, save for a late fright caused by Jason Day’s second shot and eagle putt at the 18th on Sunday. It was the first time since 2011 that all four majors were won by first-timers. That same week the women competed in their fourth major of the year, the RICOH Women’s British Open was won by the player of the year, Ariya Jutanugarn, becoming the first Thai to win a major golf championship. It was the highlight of a four-win season for her and her rise to prominence has stunned the world of golf, and put the spanner in the works of the established order of things in women’s golf. Lydia Ko started the year as many would have expected with victory in the ANA Inspiration, and she was denied a third major title in a row by Canadian star Brooke Henderson at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Brittany Lang won another drama-filled USGA event at the US Women’s Open at CordeValle. Another rules violation was handled shockingly by the governing body and Anna Nordqvist emotionally lost out to Lang in the playoff. Korea’s In Gee Chun broke the major championship scoring record at the Evian Championship by finishing four rounds at 21under-par, a shot lower than Jason Day’s 2015 PGA Championship score. Golf’s return to the Olympic Games was the highlight of the year with Justin Rose and

Inbee Park succeeding in dramatic and exciting fashion in Rio. And in September the United States finally reclaimed the Ryder Cup with a crushing victory over Europe at Hazeltine. In the first week of October Tyrrell Hatton dominated the field here in St Andrews to claim his first European Tour title, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. What a year! And over the next fifty pages Matt Hooper and Cristina Panama recall every major moment in the men’s and women’s game, and we announce the St Andrews Golf Magazine Awards Winners for 2016 including World Golfer of the Year (Male and Female), Shot of the Year and Event of the Year.

ANA Inspiration

LPGA Race to the CME Globe

LYDIA KO

ARIYA JUTANUGARN

The Masters

PGA Tour FedEx Cup

DANNY WILLETT

RORY MCILROY

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Ladies European Tour Order of Merit

BROOKE HENDERSON

BETH ALLEN*

US Open

European Tour Race to Dubai

DUSTIN JOHNSON

HENRIK STENSON

US Women’s Open

Rolex World Number One

BRITTANY LANG

LYDIA KO

The Open Championship

Official World Number One

HENRIK STENSON

JASON DAY

The PGA Championship

Olympic Men’s Champion

JIMMY WALKER

JUSTIN ROSE

RICOH Women’s British Open

Olympic Women’s Champion

ARIYA JUTANUGARN

INBEE PARK

Evian Championship

Ryder Cup

IN GEE CHUN

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Throughout her career, Lydia Ko has got golf fans around the world used to her super game and skills. She has also amazed many with the way she carries herself on the course and the incredible number of records she has broken. This season she managed to break another record and became the youngest two-time major winner on the LPGA after winning the ANA Inspiration. Lydia took the trophy home after draining a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to finish at 12-under par, one shot ahead of Charley Hull and In Gee Chun. Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ariya Jutanugarn had a close call to win for the first time on Tour as she had a two shot lead on the back-nine stretch but bogeyed her final three holes to finish fourth at 10under par. Lydia's back nine included crucial par putts on the 11th and 13th holes, as well as par putts on the 16th and 17th holes to keep her chances alive. It all came down to the 18th, a par 5 where she thought about reaching the green in two but chose to lay up and left herself with an easy look at birdie. The win was Ko's 12th career title and the second during the season, as she had won a week before at the Kia Classic. A victory at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course is never settled without the traditional leap into Poppie's Pond. Lydia made the jump next to her caddie, Jason Hamilton, and family members.

Danny Willett became the first British winner of The Masters in 20 years after a truly extraordinary Sunday at Augusta National. Jordan Spieth, the defending champion, birdied his final four holes of the front-nine to open up a five-shot advantage. After bogeys at the 10th and 11th, Spieth put two balls in the water on the par-3 12th and made quadruple bogey, dropping him to a tie for fourth. Willett, meanwhile, made birdie at 13 and 14 to take the lead. Lee Westwood chipped in for eagle at the 15th to get within one of Willett, but then made bogey on 16 while Willett made birdie. Willett made par on the last two holes to post a round of 67 and five-under for the tournament. After rebounding with birdies on 13 and 15, Spieth needed to birdie two of his last three holes to tie but missed an 8-foot birdie at 16 then bogeyed 17 to fall out of contention. Spieth's downfall in the final round capped one of the biggest collapses in Masters history, with many comparing it to the meltdown of Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters. Dustin Johnson also made birdie on 13 and 15 to get within two of Willett, but made double bogey on the 17th.

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The 19-year old Canadian, Brooke M. Henderson, can now call herself a major champion after she defeated world No.1, Lydia Ko, on the first playoff hole to take the 2016 KPMG Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA Championship in Sammamish, Washington. Brooke played her way into the playoff after a superb final round of six-under par, 65, matching Lydia for the low round of the week. The Canadian signed a clean bogey-free card on Sunday afternoon and then made her way back to the 18th tee to face Lydia.

Ko was in the hunt of her third consecutive major win, but Henderson thought otherwise. On the first playoff hole both players found the fairway, Lydia then left her approach 20 feet away, Henderson responded by putting her approach three feet from the hole with an easy putt for birdie and the win. The win at Sahalee Country Club was Brooke's first major title, as well as her first victory as an official LPGA member. With her triumph Henderson became not only the youngest winner of the KPMG Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA Championship but also the second youngest to win an LPGA major, just behind Ko.

Dustin Johnson finally won his first major title after many nearmisses with a drama-filled success at Oakmont in the 116th U.S. Open.

A round of 69 was good enough to give Johnson a three-stroke victory, but that was only part of the story on a day the USGA would rather forget. Standing on the fifth hole and very much in a battle with Shane Lowry for the title, Johnson stood by a putt for birdie and was nervous about whether his ball had moved or not. He called in a referee and his playing partner, Lee Westwood, was absolutely resolute in telling the official that Dustin had not caused the ball to move. Johnson then putted out for par and moved on. Then on the 12th tee he was informed that after studying the video the USGA would like to see Johnson after his round to determine whether or not the ball had been moved by his actions. This left the entire championship up in the air, with nobody exactly certain as to who was winning. Fortunately Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sensational golf meant that no penalty shot was going to deny him winning the championship. He sealed victory with a stunning wedge to a few feet and holed for birdie.

The U.S. Women's Open was probably the most dramatic and exciting major of the year in womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf. Lydia Ko collapsed on the final round, so Anna Nordqvist and Brittany Lang were able to take advantage of her unexpected poor performance. The Swede, who started the day six shots behind the lead, had the Sunday charge. Nordqvist made her way into the playoff after a bogey-free round that included an eagle on the 15th hole. Lang, on the other hand, had a steady round of 1-under par, which was good enough to make it into the tiebreaker holes. It was after the 17th hole when the controversy surrounding the USGA in major championships this year appeared once again. Television coverage showed Nordqvist grounding the heel of her club in the fairway bunker, rules officials worked as fast as they could to deliberate over a decision on the action but in the meantime both players teed-off on the last whole without knowing if the two-stroke penalty would be assessed to the Swede. Players were notified of the ruling while hitting their approaches to the 18th green at CordeValle. Nordqvist had already hit her third shot into the green and Lang was just about to hit her third when USGA officials stopped play to inform them, leading to harsh critics on the timing of the announcement. Brittany Lang parred the three-playoff holes and went on to take the title after the penalty given to Nordqvist. With her win Lang ended a long victory drought and became a first-time major champion.

Henrik Stenson claimed his first Major title at Royal Troon after a dramatic Sunday showdown with Phil Mickelson. The contest has been named as the ‘Duel of the ‘sons’ and many drew comparisons between the 2016 and 1977 Open at Turnberry where Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head-to-head. n what earned instant acclaim as one of the greatest final-round duels in major championship history, Stenson broke the major championship scoring record while establishing a new Open Championship record on his way to his first career major championship. After Stenson began the round with a one-shot advantage over Phil Mickelson, Mickelson quickly jumped into the lead with a birdie at the 1st while Stenson three-putted for bogey. Stenson, however, rebounded with five birdies on the front nine while Mickelson recorded a birdie and an eagle at the par-5 4th, giving Stenson back a one-shot lead. Both birdied the 10th hole, then Stenson made bogey at the 11th to draw level with Mickelson. Beginning at the 14th Stenson recorded three consecutive birdies, including a 51-foot putt from off the green on the 15th to open up a two-shot lead. Mickelson narrowly missed an eagle putt on the 16th while Stenson got up and down from the greenside rough for a birdie to maintain the advantage. With another birdie at the 18th, Stenson tied the major championship scoring record with a round of 63 (−8). In finishing second, Mickelson shot an aggregate score of 267, thus tying the Open Championship's previous record (Greg Norman, 1993).

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The season to date for Ariya Jutanugarn could already have been described as outstanding after her three consecutive wins but the Thai player still had bigger prizes in sight. The Woburn Golf Club in England witnessed the making of history after Ariya took the 2016 Ricoh Women's British Open title and became the first Thai player, male or female, to win one of golf’s major championships. Ariya teed off on Sunday morning with a two-shot lead, just ahead of Mirim Lee and Mo Martin. Jutanugarn had a great start with birdies at the 2nd and 6th and extended her lead to five-strokes. She then stumbled with a bogey at the ninth, followed by a double bogey at the 13th, which saw her lead cut to only one stroke. "May", as her friends on tour know her, birdied the 17th hole and played the final hole with a two-shot lead. Jutanugarn had a rough rookie season in 2015, where she missed ten consecutive cuts. She also had a couple of close calls for a title at the beginning of the 2016 but lost them during the final stretch of the Sunday rounds. Now the game conditions look different for Ariya, who thanks to the help of her coaches has managed to see golf in a different way. “May” delivered and Thailand now has a major champion.

Jimmy Walker became the fourth first-time menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major champion of 2016 with a wire-to-wire victory at Baltusrol, holding off the challenge of Open Champion Henrik Stenson and defending PGA Champion and World Number One Jason Day. Rounds of 65, 66, 66 and 68 gave Walker a four-round score of 14-under-par, winning by a single shot from Day.

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The Evian Championship now has a new tournament scoring record and a new champion. In Gee Chun, the young South Korean who surprised us all at the 2015 U.S. Women's Open, can now call herself a two-time major champion. Chun posted a final-round two-under 69 after displaying flawless golf once more, and set the record for lowest score in relation to par not only in a women's major but also in a menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major, with a four-round total of 21-under-par. The scenic Evian Resort and its French gallery witnessed Chun's dominance over the rest of the field after completing a wire-to-wire win. Her countrywomen Sung Hyun Park and So Yeon Ryu finished runner-ups four shots behind at 17-under par. At the beginning of the season In Gee had to battle with a lower-back injury, which caused her to miss three tournaments. The Korean media extensively covered the incident of her injury due to the involvement of Ha Na Jangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father. Despite the injury Chun regained ground in the rankings and was able to finish in the top in ten different events. With her title in France In Gee also clinched the Rolex Rookie of the Year award.

The United States finally ended their barren run in the Ryder Cup, denying the Europeans a historic fourth straight title at Hazeltine National.

In a raucous atmosphere in a week bathed in sunshine the Americans played spectacular golf to hand Europe its heaviest defeat since 1981.

The continued absence of Tiger Woods has not overwhelmingly diminished the status of the PGA Tour, with a plethora of stars shining in 2016. The year began with hype around the ‘Big Three’ of Day, Spieth and McIlroy, but it was unquestionably a year in which the chasing pack stood up and said “hey what about me!” Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy did combine to win 7 times across the season, and McIlroy stunningly won the FedEx Cup in a dramatic Tour Championship at East Lake, but it was the challengers that shone brightest.

Adam Scott won the Honda Classic and WGCCadillac Championship in successive weeks over February and March; Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won the WM Phoenix Open and WGC-HSBC Champions; Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Sergio Garcia all recorded victories on the PGA Tour after a long gap, it was Grace’s first title; Dustin Johnson won his first Major at the US Open and quickly followed it with wins at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW Championship and Henrik Stenson won his first Major at The Open, with Danny Willett (Masters) and Jimmy Walker (PGA) also breaking their major duck. Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson also won in a season full of star-name winners.

The European Tour has enjoyed a golden season, with the Race to Dubai still in the balance until the final week of the season. Established stars such as Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett had their major breakthroughs at The Open and The Masters respectively, and Rory McIlroy hosted and won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The highlights of the year though were unquestionably the emergence of young talent from across Europe. Alex Noren turned potential into consistency and victories, winning four times on the schedule. Matt Fitzpatrick won twice to make it three titles in little over a year since turning professional. Tyrrell Hatton won in St Andrews and oh so nearly won in the seasonending DP WORLD Tour Championship, only to be denied by Fitzpatrick in a dramatic finish. Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Li Hatong and Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wang Jeung-hun came to the fore with 3 wins between them in a four week stretch dominated by Asians. Wang was named the first Asian winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. With the announcement of the Rolex Series, to begin in 2017, the European Tour is moving onward and upwards.

The PGA Tour of Australasia is emerging from the shadows once more with two co-sanctioned events with the European Tour at either end of the year. The ISPS Handa Perth International (to be replaced by the World Super 6 Perth in 2017) was won by former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen. Then last month former world number one and twotime Major winner Jordan Spieth collected a second, dramatic Emirates Australian Open title at Royal Sydney. His record in the fourth oldest national open in the world reads WIN-RUNNER UP-WIN. The year will conclude with the co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship. Other events with smaller prizes on offer have provided a platform to showcase emerging talent such as Curtis Luck, the 2016 US Amateur Champion. By securing ISPS Handa as the title sponsor of the Tour, the circuits future is safe for now, and the Order of Merit will come down to a battle between as many as six players at the season-ending Australian PGA Championship in Queensland.

The Sunshine Tour continues to flourish by cosanctioning tournaments with the European Tour. It continues to produce local talent and export it to Europe and the United States, and whilst it should not be considered a feeder tour, it is playing that role right now. It has several significant events in its own right and some of the most dramatic action of 2016 has happened on the Sunshine Tour.

There were five first-time winners in 2016, most notably Haydn Porteous, winner of the Joburg Open and the 2015-16 season-ending Investec Cup. Porteous sits second on the 2016 Order of Merit with just the Alfred Dunhill Championship to play. He trails Brandon Stone by just under 600,000 RAND with a first prize of 3,000,000 RAND on offer at Leopard Creek.

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scott Hend is set to be crowned Asian Tour Number One at the season-ending UBS Hong Kong Open this December. Wins at the European Tour co-sanctioned True Thailand Classic and the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup have given him a large lead in the order of merit. The tour has visited China, Japan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Philippines, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Myanmar, Mauritius, Switzerland and Australia in its 23 events this year. Worryingly for the Asian Tour only seven of those events are sole-sanctioned, co-sanctioning tournaments with the European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Korean Tour, PGA Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.

The Japan Golf Tour may not be the global force it used to be but it has provided a platform for an established star to build his legend in 2016. Hideki Matsuyama has usurped the injury-plagued Ryo Ishikawa as Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number one golfer. The twotime former Asian Amateur Champion has had a year to remember on the worldwide stage, winning the WM Phoenix Open in February and the WGC-HSBC Champions in October. His exploits in his homeland have also been extraordinary. He won the Japan Open Golf Championship by three shots and the VISA Taiheiyo Masters by SEVEN. These wins catapulted him up to world number six, the highest ranking achieved by a Japanese golfer. Other stars on the Japan Golf Tour include Yuta Ikeda, who has won three times on the tour in 2016. Hideto Tanhara has also collected a hat-trick of titles this season as has Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kim-Kyung Tae. Ikeda and Tanihara will go head to head for the season long title at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

Japan Open Golf Champion and VISA Taiheiyo Masters winner

After 34 successful events around the globe the 2016 season of the LPGA came to an end in Naples, Florida. The youngsters mainly dominated the season this year, the average winners age was 22. To maintain the trend of young winners, the season ended with England's Charley Hull earning her first LPGA title thanks to a spectacular weekend, in which she posted two rounds of 66 to finish with a total of 19-under par. So Yeon Ryu finished runner-up at 17under par to earn her 11th top-10 finish of 2016. It was Lydia Ko who mostly led the Race to the CME Globe during the year but towards the end of the season Ariya Jutanugarn leapfrogged her. During the last Asian Swing of the season Jutanugarn was able to collect good results and took the first spot on the Race a couple of weeks before the season ending event. Lydia entered the week in Naples known she had to win the event or finished in a better position than Ariya if she wanted collect a CME Globe three-peat. The Race to the CME Globe was not the only title on the line in the final week of the season, but also the Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy and money title would be determined in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final round. Ariya took home the $1 million dollar prize after finishing tied for fourth, as well as Rolex Player of the Year honors and the money title. In Gee Chun clinched the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award after her win at the Evian Championship and added the Vare Trophy to her accomplishments of the season. The 2017 season promises even better things, as new events will be added to the calendar and the United States will attempt to retain the Solheim Cup in Des Moines, Iowa.

CME Group Tour Championship winner

Reports of the demise of the Ladies European Tour should not be believed after a year in which the tour broke new ground in so many places, and saw new stars emerge. At the time of publication there are two events on the calendar to be played, and the order of merit is still up for grabs for two-time defending OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters champion Shanshan Feng. A win in Dubai could see her leapfrog the leading candidate for player of the year, America’s Beth Allen. Allen has won twice on the European Tour this year and another good finish in Dubai should seal the season-long title too. There have been five first-time winners this year, representing Netherlands, Thailand, France, Spain and India. Aditi Ashok has won the two most recent events, the Hero Women’s Indian Open and the Qatar Ladies Open. The latter and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi are the two new events for 2016, with the tour including 20 tournaments and the Olympic Games. With the Scottish Open co-sanctioned by the LPGA in 2017 the Ladies European Tour is set to continue its upward trend.

Hero Women’s Indian Open champion and Qatar Ladies Open champion

Great Britain's Justin Rose won the first Gold Medal in Olympic Golf in 112 years after a duel for the ages with The Open champion Henrik Stenson. On a day bathed in sunshine and perfect for scoring on the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro the two European Ryder Cup colleagues traded birdies as the Brit and the Swede went full tilt in their bids to claim the historic Gold Medal. Stenson, from Sweden, missed out on Gold by two shots but added the Silver Medal to the Claret Jug in a truly spectacular summer for the 40-year-old. American Matt Kuchar stormed through the field with a fine round of 65 to claim the Bronze Medal as Australia's Marcus Fraser faded at the end of a dramatic first Olympic Golf Tournament for over a century. Rose, winner of the 2013 U.S. Open, began the final round 1 stroke clear of Stenson, and 3 ahead of Fraser, and it was billed as a showdown between the two Europeans, and they duly delivered. Both birdied the par-five first hole, with Stenson hitting the green with his second shot and Rose pitching close from the front of the green after his second shot came up some 20 yards short. Then Stenson struck a huge blow on the second hole with a long putt for birdie on the par four second hole to tie Rose at the top on 13-under-par. Then on the short par four third Rose bit back with a birdie of his own to regain the lead at 14under-par before they shared pars at the par three fourth and both birdied the par five fifth hole to completely separate themselves from the field.

A bogey on the par four seventh from Rose, due to his Iron shot flying the green, saw the pair tied once again before Rose hit straight back with a spectacular birdie on the par three eighth hole and took the one stroke lead into the back nine. His lead was short-lived as Stenson birdied the par-five tenth to tie it up again at 15-under-par. By this stage the American Matt Kuchar had made a significant surge through the field with four birdies on the front nine and an eagle on the tenth hole to move to 11-under-par, Suddenly the US Ryder Cup star had taken control of the chase for the Bronze Medal, and was looking upwards in his chase for medals. On the thirteenth hole Rose pushed his second shot slightly, with the ball ending up in the sand he couldn't get up and down and made his second bogey of the round to fall 1 behind Stenson. Playing a considerable number of holes ahead of the leading two Kuchar birdied 15 and the par three 17th to move to 13-underpar, so the fourteenth hole became a critical point in the chase for Olympic Gold. Stenson pulled his tee shot left of the green, but with an open target Rose pushed his tee shot well to the right into the bunker. Rose splashed out to some 15 feet and was staring a second successive bogey in the face, but Stenson hit a poor chip and failed to make par, dropping back to 14-under-par. So Rose stood over his putt for par with just one stroke separating himself, Stenson and Kuchar. It was vital he made it. And in a moment reminiscent of the Ryder Cup in 2012 he drained the putt and

punched the air. The Briton remained tied with Stenson, one ahead of Kuchar. Kuchar headed to 18 knowing that in all likelihood he would have to make birdie at worse to force a playoff, he made par but he wasn't despondent as it had all but sealed a Bronze Medal which had looked unlikely at the start of the day. The leading protagonists then headed to 15 and Rose, buoyed by the par on the last hole, hit a sensational shot into 5 feet, and the Englishman sunk the putt to retake the lead at 15-under-par. The dramatic final three holes were set to decide the tournament, just as Gil Hanse and Amy Alcott had intended, and on 16 Stenson struck back with a birdie of his own to tie it up once again. Following a pair of pars at 17 the entire tournament hung on the 72nd hole, a dream scenario for the International Golf Federation and the sport of golf as a whole. Both players hit their drives well to the right, just missing the sandy waste area, and laid up from over 300 yards to set up a pitch and putt contest for the title. Stenson, playing first, mishit his approach, leaving himself some 20 feet for birdie. Then the eyes of the golfing world turned to Rose, a member of the victorious 2012 European Ryder Cup team which had won in even more dramatic circumstances, standing the former Major and World Golf Champion in good stead. The 36-year-old hit the pitch of his life to a foot, putting the pressure squarely on Stenson's shoulders. The Swede three-putted for bogey and the stage was Rose's to seal the Gold Medal with the shortest of putts. Rose, a

usually modest and mild mannered person, exploded into joy pumping his fist and roaring at the enormous crowd which had gathered in the grandstand and around the 18th green.

got exactly what they wanted, a classic showdown featuring some of the greatest golfers in the world, a cosmopolitan leaderboard with athletes from all corners of the world and a golf course and format which would show off golf in its best light.

Brazil's Adilson Da Silva closed with a final round of 69 to finish the tournament at 1over-par and was greeted with rapturous applause at the final hole. Da Silva was never likely to compete for a medal this week and isn't likely to go on to become a Brazilian superstar, but he can say he blazed a trail for future Brazilians to compete in Olympic Golf and that he was part of a week which may inspire youngsters from across the country to take up the game. Who knows? In 2028 we may be talking about a Brazilian being on the medal podium.

The World was Watching. Golf Delivered.

The final day was filled with birdies from the start to the finish and the golf, weather and atmosphere was spectacular. The tickets for both Saturday and Sunday sold out and the crowd was filled with colour and flags from all corners of the world, and despite numerous issues with spectators using mobile phones and cameras this was a spectacular introduction to world class golf for the Brazilian public. They now have an iconic golf course, open to the public, on which golfers will try to emulate the many stunning shots hit this week. The organisers, IOC and golfing community

Justin Rose is the Olympic Men's Individual Stroke Play Champion at Rio 2016 - there isn't much that sounds better than that. After the reservations that many had regarding the Olympic Games and how they would unravel due to the controversy that surrounded Brazil as a host, it can be said that everything ran smoothly. It was also uncertain how the return of women's golf to an Olympic stage would be received after 116 years but the week was fascinating and memorable. It was the Brazilian, Miriam Nagl, who got the tournament underway, hitting the first tee shot of the week. Nagl teed off alongside Ireland's Amateur star, Leona Maguire and Kelly Tan from Malaysia. South Korean fans flooded the Olympic Course Saturday morning to follow their golf biggest medalist prospect and they were not disappointed afterwards. Inbee Park, can now add an Olympic gold medal to her long list of accomplishments. Park had been away from competition for almost a month on the LPGA Tour due to her left thumb injury, which only made her win in Rio de Janeiro even more remarkable.

A final round of 5-under par, 66, was good enough to take the gold at 16-under par five shots clear of New Zealand's Lydia Ko. Lydia took the silver medal after draining her birdie putt at the 72nd hole. The bronze medal position was taken by Shanshan Feng from China, who finished at 10-under par for the week. The bronze gave Feng momentum; as she went on to win in back-to-back weeks during the final stretch of the LPGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Asia swing. After the four rounds of competition in Rio the goal of women's golf was fulfilled. The women had extended coverage during the Olympic Games and avid golf fans were able to follow players they probably had never heard of. On Saturday afternoon Russia's Maria Verchenova was one of the hottest players on the course, as she made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole and posted a final round of 62 that included nine birdies to tie the course-record 62. Junior golfers can now look up to these 60 Olympic players and dream about competing in the Olympics. Golf has done all it can to remain part of the Olympic programme with a spectacular two weeks in Rio, its future as an Olympic sport will be decided by the IOC in 2017.

The 3rd Annual

AWARDS World Golfer of the Year (Male)

World Golfer of the Year (Female)

Shot of the Year

Event of the Year

Johnson WORLD GOLFER OF THE YEAR (MALE)

Perseverance Pays for newly minted Major Champion persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. synonyms: persistence, tenacity, determination, resolve, resolution, resoluteness, staying power, purposefulness, firmness of purpose

2014 winner: Rory McIlroy 2015: Jordan Spieth 2016: Dustin Johnson

Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and Royal St George’s would have been enough to haunt lesser golfers forever, and problems off the course could have sunk Dustin Johnson less than a couple of years ago. Today, however, we are sat here looking at Dustin Johnson, Major and World Golf Champion. Leading into the final round at the 2010 US Open the new, young hope of American golf in the wake of Tiger Woods’ self-imposed demise, Johnson had a major title in his grasp. Disastrous play over the first nine holes saw him plummet out of contention and Graeme McDowell came through for the victory. Then two months later he headed to the final hole at Whistling Straits with one hand on the Wanamaker Trophy, only to fall victim to a cruel rules violation, missing out on the playoff. It was a devastating loss. Then in the summer of 2011 he was chasing down Darren Clarke for the Claret Jug, only to see his hopes crumble on the par-five fourteenth hole at Royal St George’s. A wild four-iron flying out of bounds. On July 31, 2014, Johnson announced he was taking the rest of the season off to seek professional help for "personal challenges”. On August 1, conflicting reports surfaced regarding the circumstances of Johnson's announcement from the previous day. Golf Magazine reported that Johnson had been suspended from the PGA Tour for six months after testing positive for cocaine. The magazine indicated that this was his third positive drug test, after a 2009 positive for marijuana and 2012 positive for cocaine.

However, PGA Tour officials indicated that Johnson was taking a voluntary leave and was not under suspension. His career was on the verge of falling apart. Upon his return in early 2015 he began playing well and won his second World Golf Championship at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral. Then two more Major chances came and went. At the US Open at Chambers Bay he needed two putts for a playoff with Jordan Spieth on the 72nd hole, only to take three and lose out by a shot. Then in July 2015 he led The Open at St Andrews through two rounds, only to post two rounds of 75 and fall out of contention again. Were we about to see yet another prodigiously talented golfer have the same fate as Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood and never win a Major Championship. Finally, and not without drama and chaos, Dustin Johnson made his breakthrough this summer at Oakmont in the 116th US Open. A round of 69 was good enough to give Johnson a three-stroke victory, but that was only part of the story on a day the USGA would rather forget. Standing on the fifth hole and very much in a battle with Shane Lowry for the title, Johnson stood by a putt for birdie and was nervous about whether his ball had moved or not. He called in a referee and his playing partner, Lee Westwood, was absolutely resolute in telling the official that Dustin had

not caused the ball to move. Johnson then putted out for par and moved on. Then on the 12th tee he was informed that after studying the video the USGA would like to see Johnson after his round to determine whether or not the ball had been moved by his actions. This left the entire championship up in the air, with nobody exactly certain as to who was winning. Fortunately Johnson’s sensational golf meant that no penalty shot was going to deny him winning the championship. He sealed victory with a stunning wedge to a few feet and holed for birdie. Wins at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and BMW Championship took Johnson to within another top finish of the world number one ranking, a far cry from the turmoil he experienced two years ago. Then in September he played a critical part in the United States’ first Ryder Cup victory since 2008, defeating Chris Wood in the final day singles to edge the home team closer to the trophy they craved so much. For perseverance in the face of adversity Dustin Johnson is the St Andrews Golf Magazine World Golfer of the Year 2016.

Jutanugarn Ups and downs are a part of being a professional golfer. One week you miss the cut and another week you are leading the tournament with a significant chance to win.

WORLD GOLFER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

After a year of inconsistent play in 2015 the Thai woman shot to stardom in 2016 with a sensational season, featuring her first Major title. Cristina Panama tells the story of how Ariya Jutanugarn became the St Andrews Golf Magazine World Golfer of the Year.

2014 winner: Stacy Lewis 2015: Lydia Ko 2016: Ariya Jutanugarn

Ups and downs are a part of being a professional golfer. One week you miss the cut and another week you are leading the tournament with a significant chance to win. This was Ariya Jutanugarn’s story, who during 2015 season missed the cut in ten consecutive tournaments. Jutanugarn then had an upsetting loss at the 2016 ANA Inspiration where she had a two shot lead but ended bogeying her final three holes. After the disappointing defeat Ariya turned to her coaches Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, who helped her on taking a different approach to the mental side of her game. The minor change consisted in seeing the game as a joy and not as a routine chore.

Following her first career win the Thai player went on to win in her next two starts at the Kingsmill Championship Presented by JTBC and the inaugural LPGA Volvik Championship in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This would only be the be the beginning of her super 2016 season, with the Ricoh British Women’s Open victory in in July being the highlight of her year.

“I really like want to have fun and enjoy the course and just like to make sure I focus on what’s under my control,” Jutanugarn said. “Not worry about the result.”

This quickly brought results and after just four starts Jutanugarn managed to win for the first time at the 2016 Yokohama Tire Classic.

The win in Prattville, Alabama, marked a pivotal turn in Ariya's season and gave her the confidence she needed.

Jutanugarn won for a fifth time in Canada and was then able to close the gap between her and Lydia Ko in the Race to the CME Globe during the last Asian Swing of the tour. Ariya topped off the season by winning the Race to the CME Globe, as well as the Rolex Player of the Year trophy.

A smile before every shot is now part of Ariya’s pre-shot routine. She has learned to enjoy the game even more and to have fun on the course irrespective of her position on the leaderboard.

Rose Justin Rose could well have won with two different shots at the Rio Olympics, and there were several contenders including Jason Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning second to the 72nd at the PGA Championship. The winner is, however, a shot from about forty yards with immense pressure and so much history on the line. Following a poor pitch by Stenson on the 72nd hole the eyes of the golfing world turned to Rose, a member of the victorious 2012 European Ryder Cup team which had won in even more dramatic circumstances, standing the former Major and World Golf Champion in good stead. The 36-year-old hit the pitch of his life to a foot, putting the pressure squarely on Stenson's shoulders.

SHOT OF THE YEAR

The Brit holed the putt and claimed the first Olympic Gold in golf for 112 years.

2014 winner: Paula Creamer 2015: No award 2016: Justin Rose

Olympics Golf’s return to the Olympic Games was met with scepticism in many corners, but after two weeks of sensational golf, superb crowds and record-breaking TV ratings there can be no doubt that it was a success. Both tournaments were full of drama and excitement to the end, particularly in the men’s event, which saw Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson go head-to-head in an epic battle for the title.

EVENT OF THE YEAR

Rose’s ‘Shot of the Year’ secured him the gold medal and denied Stenson the Claret JugOlympic Gold double. Inbee Park ran away with the ladies gold, but an epic battle ensued for the Silver and Bronze. Olympic Golf was unquestionably the highlight of 2016.

2014 winner: Ryder Cup 2015: No award 2016: Rio 2016 Olympics

The world of professional golf is an ever changing landscape and looks radically different to when the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were teeing it up in their prime. The PGA Tour in the United States was the only significant and organised circuit of tournaments in the world, and it was a very introverted organisation. Foreignborn stars had to fight for their places in the American majors and were given precious few starts in the PGA Tour calendar.

conception of Stadium golf, firstly with the TPC Sawgrass and then TPC Scottsdale.

events to provide European golfers with a competitive platform closer to home.

His successor, Tim Finchem, took what was an essentially a US-based tour and turned it into the global juggernaut we see today. Under Finchem prize funds continued to grow at an incredible rate, with players on the PGA Tour now competing for a share of around

He was succeeded by Ken Schofield in 1975 and during his tenure the schedule grew from 17 events to 45, and perhaps crucially the tour moved beyond its borders, well before the PGA Tour. Co-sanctioned tournaments with tours in Africa, Asia and Australasia held far before the creation of the World Golf Championships. Schofield’s legacy was carried on by his apprentice George O’Grady, who moved the end of the season to Dubai and continued building partnerships around the world.

The Men

The PGA Tour broke away from the PGA of America in 1968, allowing the tour to be responsible for its own growth, marketing and promotion, raising money from sponsors to make its stars wealthy beyond their dreams. Joseph C Day was the first commissioner of the PGA Tour from early 1969 until February 1974, he was succeeded by Deane Beman in March of that year and this was a seminal appointment for the organisation and its members. During Beman’s tenure prize funds on the PGA Tour rose from a modest $730,000 to over $200million at the time of his departure. It wasn’t just prize funds which changed under Beman. Golf on television grew massively, with every PGA Tour event broadcast on a national network and a cable partner, and the nature of the fan experience radically changed with the

$300million, including the $35million bonus pool for the FedEx Cup.

Finchem changed the structure of the tour, with season-end playoffs in August and September and a wrap-around schedule which includes events in China, Malaysia and Mexico. Perhaps his biggest legacy, and one of his earliest achievements is the World Golf Championships, a series of elite events which sit below the Major Championships. Four years after the PGA Tour became an independent entity the European Tour was launched. The man responsible for this was largely John Jacobs, who oversaw the coming together of many of Europe’s great national championships and several new

O’Grady positioned the European Tour as the ‘World Tour’, with the schedule including visits to over 25 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia in the first season of the Race to Dubai in 2009. Despite his best efforts there has still been a steady talent train heading towards the PGA Tour, with Europe’s major stars returning to the European Tour for its Middle East events at the start of the year, a few big events in the summer and its lucrative Final Series in the autumn. The PGA Tour has expanded its borders in recent years, and now we arrive at a point in time where both the European Tour and its

US-based counterpart are competing for hosts in Asia and sponsorship money across the world, out with of their traditional markets. In August of 2015 O’Grady stood down as the European Tour’s Chief Executive, and after an exhaustive recruitment process the Tour found what it believes to be the man to elevate the organisation to the next level. Keith Pelley, 52, is a Canadian with passion and vision, and despite some of his seemingly unusual ideas he certainly has the experience of transforming organisations and achieving the unthinkable. He rose to prominence as the President of TSN (The Sports Network, a Canadian sports speciality service), and has since been an influential figure within sports broadcasting in Canada. From 2007 to 2010, he was the president of Canada’s Olympic broadcast media consortium for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at the CTV Television Network. In 2010, he became the president of Rogers Media, a subsidiary of Rogers Communications, succeeding Tony Viner who retired. In 2014, with Rogers, he negotiated a $5.232 billion contract with the National Hockey League for Rogers to have the national rights to broadcast games in Canada for the following twelve years. Upon taking up the role with the European Tour Pelley said “I am very honoured to be joining The European Tour as its new CEO

at an exciting stage in its development. The Tour already has a highly regarded reputation and I look forward to building on this using my previous experience in both media and sports to ensure it remains at forefront of the game across the globe. “Throughout my career in North America, it has been a privilege to work with the best sports organisations, athletes, and media assets. I am excited to build on these experiences on the international stage.” Then this year, after over 20 years in the role, Tim Finchem relinquished the position of commissioner of the PGA Tour to another Canadian. Jay Monahan has had an even more impressive career in sports administration, working his way up from director of global sponsorships and branding programs at EMC Corporation. Previously, he worked at Arnold Advertising and Bob Woolf Associates to commissioner of the PGA Tour over the last 20 years. Monahan spent three years as executive director at IMG Worldwide, where he played an integral role in the development of what is now the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., and served as the tournament’s first director. Then he moved to Fenway Sports Group where he was executive vice president, leading the sales and business development team for the property ownership and representation divisions. Additionally, he directed FSG’s sponsorship sales operations for the Boston Red Sox, Major League

Baseball Advanced Media, NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing and Boston College Athletics. He joined the PGA Tour in 2008 as Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Championship before becoming Senior Vice President for Business Development and in March of 2013, was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing business development, corporate marketing and partnerships, title sponsor relations, retail licensing and media sales .Now, after a period as deputy commissioner, Monahan has taken the reins as number one within the management of the PGA Tour. Let the battle between two passionate visionaries from Canada for golfing supremacy between the tours begin. Both have inherited tours that have never been richer, and never had more events or more stars from across the world to utilise. Both have an incredible legacy to build upon and yet it is arguable that both have the biggest jobs in golf, to maintain the standard set and make the game quicker, more transparent and more global than it has ever been. Both men are keen to harness the potential of their star players, whilst expanding their borders and strengthening their events weekin-week-out. The challenge is one which both men are prepared to meet head on and it certainly will be compelling viewing to see if either or both can achieve their goals and make the game of golf even greater.

The issue of a World Tour has been on the table for over 50 years since the days of Palmer, Player and Nicklaus. In 1994 there was a serious proposition put forward by former world number one Greg Norman for an 8-event World Tour around the Major Championships.

The European Tour’s 2017 season begins on December 1, just two weeks after the end of the 2016 season. The schedule will also

but I say that we're also in the content business and we're in the entertainment business," Pelley said in an interview with CNN. "Golf happens to be our platform. So if we're in the entertainment business then our players are our stars, and supporting our players and making them bigger stars is the most critical part of our game going forward.

The Issues

The proposal was defeated by the PGA Tour, who shortly after introduced the World Golf Championships and the International Federation of PGA Tours. However, with both the PGA Tour and European Tour expanding beyond their traditional borders in recent years there has been more talk of creating a singular world tour for golf, and this is a subject which both Monahan and Pelley will have to deal with. One of Monahan’s last announcements as deputy commissioner was to unveil the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, a $9million event in Korea which will launch in the autumn of 2017. This gives the PGA Tour three tournaments in Asia at the start of their seemingly endless wrap-around schedule. The 2016-17 PGA Tour schedule began less than three weeks after the 2015-16 season ended and the season will include 47 tournaments, concluding with The Tour Championship over 11 months after the season began.

include 47 tournaments and end just under a year after it began.

The more is less and less is more conundrum is something which both Pelley and Monahan will have to solve during their tenure in charge of golf’s two most prominent circuits. Golf on Television has always relied on star names to attract viewers, aside from tournaments such as The Masters and The Ryder Cup, and perhaps Monahan and Pelley’s biggest challenge is to change the way golf is viewed and attract more viewers to the sport through television.

"We have to grow this tour with them, and that's the critical point -- growing it with them." It is clear that Pelley has a strategy to change the way the European Tour is broadcast, creating more commercial opportunity, making it more compelling for the viewer and help boost revenues for the organisation. Currently Sky Sports is the UK broadcaster for all European Tour events, and there have been signs that both Pelley and the Tour wish to continue this successful partnership.

Clearly Keith Pelley has a distinct advantage in this field and can use his expertise and knowledge of what works to enable the European Tour to get one step ahead of the PGA Tour.

However, the lack of exposure on free-to-air television cannot be healthy for either the European Tour or the sport, perhaps Pelley will address this or go in a slightly different direction and make content available for free on YouTube in the future.

"A lot of people say that we're in the golf business. Yes, we are in the golf business,

For Monahan there is a new broadcast cycle approaching in 2021, and the negotiations for

the PGA Tour broadcast contracts will be one of his biggest challenges. FOX entered the scene with their stunning acquisition of the US Open and USGA events in 2015, and they will surely be a serious threat to the traditional broadcast networks CBS and NBC next time. ABC and ESPN left the sport over the last decade, and with NBC now broadcasting The Open the Disney-owned networks do not broadcast any live PGA Tour golf.

Tour spoke to BBC Sport in the summer and was pretty blunt about the situation: "I've been tested once this year but it was only a urine test," said the Northern Irish world number two.

Of course the money the deals are worth will be vital for the future growth of the tour, but also the way the PGA Tour is presented is critical. With this in mind it is a possibility that Monahan and his board may choose a left-field option such as FOX to expand its audience and present the product in a more aggressive way.

"On average, we get tested four or five times a year. It's very little compared to other Olympic sports."

With Golf returning to the Olympic Games this past summer Drug Testing has never been more in the forefront of golfer’s minds as it is now. Since being readmitted to the programme the tours have worked on their own policies, which are not as severe as the WADA Programme or the one used at the Olympic Games. Since golf introduced drug testing in 2008 there have only been 8 minor incidents of failing drug tests, but it is what and how golf tests that is the major issue for both Keith Pelley and Jay Monahan going forward. Rory McIlroy, arguably the highest profile member of both the PGA Tour and European

"You can't really pick up HGH (human growth hormone) in a urine test, so I could use HGH and get away with it." The 27-year-old added: "If golf is in the Olympics it needs to improve the drug testing.

Transparency was a huge issue for the PGA Tour under Tim Finchem, his successor will have to address this and how clear golf is going to be going forward on matters of a disciplinary nature. Slow Play is one of the major factors in the decline in participation across the world, with golf courses getting longer and more golf on television than ever before it is a responsibility of people such as Pelley and Monahan to tackle it over the next few years. Five and a half hour rounds have become the norm on the major tours, this isn’t a good example to be setting the next generation, and neither is it good commercially for either the European Tour or PGA Tour. Broadcasters are mostly unable to show the entire rounds of key groups on a regular basis outside the Majors because of the length of

time each round takes. Especially networks such as NBC and CBS who have other programming considerations outside of sports. Prize Money has increased vastly over the last twenty years, which is both good and bad for the sport. It is good because it enables golf to attract people to the game, aiming to play on the tour and become very rich. It is also bad for two reasons, it breeds mediocrity when players can be millionaires without winning and it means prestigious and historic events get left behind if they cannot raise sponsorship to provide such a large prize fund. Nobody can deny that the South African Open and Australian Open are two of the most historic and prestigious tournaments in the game, way more so than events in Dubai or Florida. However their prize funds are barely more than $1million, which is dwarfed by the $8million DP WORLD Tour Championship and the $6.4million Honda Classic. Both Pelley and Monahan will have to address this, particularly Pelley as he aims to raise the prize funds across the board on the European Tour. One such suggestion could be to give more weight to a victory, with an $8millon purse providing $2.5million to the champion. All of these issues provide challenges and opportunities and the man who can tackle the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities may well be leading the world’s greatest major tour in the future. Let battle commence!

When

Keith Pelley took over from

George O’Grady in August 2015 he was bullish about his ambitions for the European Tour. “I am very honoured to be joining The European Tour as its new CEO at an exciting stage in its development. The Tour already has a highly regarded reputation and I look forward to building on this using my previous experience in both media and sports to ensure it remains at forefront of the game across the globe.

INTRODUCING WORLD SUPER 6 In February 2017 the European Tour will cosanction the new WORLD SUPER 6 – PERTH in Perth, Western Australia with the PGA Tour of Australasia. The event will be played in two segments, with 54 holes of strokeplay followed

If there are ties for the top-8 positions they will be decided by a score count back based on the last 18, 9, 6, 3 and 1 holes. In the Knockout round, any matches not decided after the six hole match play will be decided by playing the new ‘Knockout hole’.

What they have achieved so far

“Throughout my career in North America, it has been a privilege to work with the best sports organisations, athletes, and media assets. I am excited to build on these experiences on the international stage.” He went on to outline his plans in the coming months with ideas about the format of the game and growing the European Tour even further: “From our perspective, as the gatekeepers of the professional game, we are looking to create a format that would be six holes. That could be an hour, an hourand-a-half content programme ... which would be very entertaining,” Pelley said in an interview with BBC Radio.

by a fast and furious final day. A standard cut to the leading 65 professionals and ties will be implemented after the second round (36 holes). The field will be further reduced with a second cut being made after the third round (54 holes) to the leading 24 players who will battle it out over six-hole matches until one man is left standing. If after the third round there are any ties for the 24th position, the players to advance will be determined by a sudden death playoff after the conclusion of the third round. The playoff hole is yet to be determined. The top-8 players after the third round (54 holes) will be rewarded with automatic seeding into the second match play round.

A purpose built 90-metre hole will be constructed at Lake Karrinyup with a new tee placed adjacent to the 18th fairway and utilising the 18th green.

The Knockout hole will be played out once and if players remain tied, they will return to the new tee and one shot, nearest to the pin will decide the winner. This person, will then progress to the next round of the Knockout or, in the case of the final match, win the tournament. Pelley said: “This initiative was something that we spoke about at great length to our Tournament Committee, led by Chairman Thomas Bjørn. We are thrilled to participate in this because, at the European Tour, we believe that golf needs to look at new and innovative formats.” Slow play has been a hot topic in recent years across the globe at all levels, which has a notable impact on television ratings and spectator attendances, and most crucially of all, participation in the game.

INTRODUCING PACE OF PLAY POLICY In January of this year, prior to the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Pelley unveiled his first key initiative as CEO of the European Tour. The Pace of Play Policy is outlined as follows: “Monitoring” by referees will take place as soon as a group has been seen to be out of position. All Players will be notified that they are to be “Monitored” but the “Monitoring” will not be part of a player’s record. • However, any player exceeding the time permitted for a stroke (40 seconds with additional 10 seconds if first to play) while being “Monitored” will be assessed a “Monitoring Penalty”. • Any player having a “Monitoring Penalty” will be “Timed” from the next tee unless the group has regained its position. • If a “Monitored” group loses further time, the group or those players within the group who are deemed to be the cause of the delay will be timed. • If a “Monitored” group fails to gain time, the official will decide whether to continue “Monitoring” or alternatively, commence timing. All players will be so informed.

A “Monitoring Penalty” will have the same status as a “Bad Time” except it will not count towards any golfing penalty. A player having either two “Monitoring Penalties” or “Bad Times” or a combination, will be fined €2,600 (or the sterling equivalent of £2,000) rising by €2,600 (or the sterling equivalent of £2,000) for each successive “Monitoring Penalty” or “Bad Time”. Additionally, any player who is seen to have taken twice the Time Permitted for a stroke (80 seconds or 100 seconds if first to play), will be assessed a “Monitoring Penalty” whether the player’s group was in position or not. A group who is found to be substantially out of position might not be “Monitored” but may be timed as an alternative. All other parts of the Condition of Competition on the ET Hard Card relating to Pace of Play apply as before except that Players will be advised when either “Monitoring” or “Timing” will commence. The policy has had an immediate impact with average round times at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship reduced by five minutes for rounds one and two compared to the same tournament in 2015. A similar effect was observed in Qatar, where 2016 figures for average times for rounds one and two were ten and four minutes quicker respectively when compared with the event in 2012, the last time the opening two rounds were played in comparably windy conditions.

Perhaps more notably, the last group times for rounds one and two were 19 minutes and 14 minutes quicker respectively compared to four years ago, meaning an earlier finish time for the tournament, and a significant step towards Chief Executive Keith Pelley’s pledge to try and reduce round times by 15 minutes. Finally, in Dubai, there was a reduction of two minutes on average round two times compared to 2015, but more significantly the last match timings were considerably quicker than last year, with an average reduction of 13 minutes across the opening two rounds. Such savings could conceivably mean larger field sizes in the long term, meeting another of The European Tour’s key priorities of increasing playing opportunities. There is no question that the European Tour have been far more pro-active in dealing with slow play than the PGA Tour, and whilst some players may disagree with it, the future of the game is at stake if golf continues to be a slow sport. Pelley has a great legacy to build upon as CEO of the European Tour, including the great expansion into Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia. He has done this by securing two tournaments in Australia (World Super 6 and Australian PGA Championship), and maintaining a strong presence in Asia in addition to elevating the Nedbank Golf Challenge and securing major sponsorship for the South African Open.

He began by announcing the European Tour and Asian Tour were to undergo a merging of business activities, essentially becoming a singular tour, but as that broke down Pelley used his negotiating skills to broker an alliance between the two tours.

EUROPEAN TOUR/ASIAN TOUR ALLIANCE The formalisation of the partnership will see the two Tours now work together to develop professional golf in Asia – from a new joint office in Singapore – combining commercial and marketing resources to explore and maximise opportunities for both Tours not only across the continent of Asia, but globally. For members of both Tours this important development will also see a significant exchange of playing opportunities. The Tours will, however, retain their own separate identity in terms of brand and logo, and will still be managed by their own individual Boards. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Following successful discussions over the past year to develop our joint vision, we are delighted to announce this ‘Strategic Alliance’ which we believe will be of immense benefit to both organisations. “We have enjoyed a very strong and prosperous relationship with the Asian Tour over the past 17 years, and this formalises that

partnership, representing an exciting new era in our association.” It is highly possible that more events will be continue to be co-sanctioned by the two tours in the future at various levels. The PGA Tour’s continued aggressive pursuit of events in Asia does make it harder for the European Tour to recruit sponsors and hosts for events in the region, but by opening the joint office with the Asian Tour in Singapore, and its own office in Korea the future is surely bright in Asia for Pelley and his organisation.

The minimum requirement would become 5 tournaments, not inclusive of the Majors and WGC’s. The world’s greatest 8 events would still count for the tour, but the requirement to play a total of 11 events had been eliminated. The minimum of 5 also enhances any European Tour event outside of the Majors and WGC’s by enabling each event to recruit more star players than they may have done in the past.

INCREASING PRIZE FUNDS AND CREATION OF THE ROLEX SERIES

Pelley was very adamant that his policy would be to put the players first, making the stars of the show the critical element of any future changes to their tour. REDUCING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP TO 5 EVENTS For the stars of the European Tour it is a difficult balancing act of playing on your home tour and the more lucrative PGA Tour. For many years this wasn’t helped by a very demanding requirement of playing in a minimum of 11 events. Many debated whether Pelley would do away completely with the minimum requirement, but in true Keith Pelley fashion he came up with a unique and very intelligent solution to the age-old problem for the European Tour.

At last month’s DP World Tour Championship European Tour CEO Keith Pelley unveiled what he called “One of the most significant advancement’s in the Tour’s 44 years”. This claim was derided by several in the golfing media, labelling the new Rolex Series as “confusing”. The Rolex Series will be a series of seven to ten prestigious European Tour events which will carry a minimum prize fund of $7million, counting towards the Race to Dubai. These events will, in essence, be the European Tour’s equivalent of the ATP World Tour’s Masters 1000 series. They will be the strongest fields on the European Tour outside the World Golf Championships and Majors, and they will encourage the best players to compete more often on the European Tour. Crucially four of these Rolex Series tournaments will be played in Europe. The

BMW PGA Championship, Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the Italian Open will all offer the minimum of $7million, and they are in strategically placed dates on the calendar. The BMW PGA Championship already attracts a strong field, but with this increase of some $2.5million in prize fund it seems certain to lure some of the bigger names to Wentworth. Rory McIlroy has already indicated that he may return to Virginia Water to fight for the title he won in 2014. The Irish Open has seen a steady elevation since Rory became involved with his national Open in 2015, and Dubai Duty Free and the European Tour will put up a $7million prize fund in an attempt to create a strong series of links-based events in July. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be played at Portstewart Golf Club in Antrim, Northern Ireland and will be followed by the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald. As part of Italy’s Ryder Cup bid they committed to providing a $7million purse for the Italian Open and the championship has been moved from September to October, in an attempt to secure an even stronger field. This tournament seems set to benefit the most from the Rolex Series and will sure raise the profile of the game in Italy, potentially enabling the European Tour to attract new sponsors from the country. The season-ending Final

Series will no longer exist, but the tournaments which it consisted of will, with the Turkish Airlines Open, Nedbank Golf Challenge and DP World Tour Championship offering $7million, $7.5million and $8million respectively. Further announcements on the European Tour schedule are expected shortly, with the French Open expected to be elevated to the Rolex Series. Opposite is a matrix of where the Rolex Series will fit into the European Tour. Each of these events will not just offer an enhanced prize fund, it is Pelley’s wish that they offer a greatly enhanced fan experience on site and a vastly improved and expanded television broadcast. Potentially we could see European Tour broadcast partner Sky Sports offering multi-screen coverage of each event, offering viewers the chance to watch hole-byhole coverage of selected groups. The European Tour has done tremendous work with its social media output, but its website lags behind other major platforms, and it is certainly an opportunity for the Tour to overhaul it and make it much more userfriendly. The European Tour also does not have a dedicated IOS or Android app in the same way as the PGA Tour or Formula 1. Rolex Series events could be streamed live via a dedicated European Tour app, creating more commercial opportunities for the Tour to grow. In the UK the European Tour does not get any free-to-air exposure and the launch of the

Rolex Series could be an opportunity to develop a broadcast partnership with a commercial broadcaster such as Channel 4, who have assumed free-to-air rights of F1 in the UK. Channel 4 have also given other sports a huge platform in the past with NFL gaining a large following in the 1980’s and early 1990’s on the channel. With Pelley at the helm there is every chance that something like this could happen.

Jay Monahan has been in office for a very short time, but in the few weeks since he took over from Tim Finchem he has announced a new event in Korea. The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges will take place for the first time in October 2017, with a staggering $9.4million prize fund. 78 players, including 60 from the PGA Tour and just 18 locals will compete for 500 FedEx Cup points and an exemption to The Masters among other events. It is clear that Monahan is going to continue the plan of Finchem to make the PGA Tour more global in scope. Just last week in Melbourne at the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf, Finchem, in his role of head of the World Cup of Golf, announced that the PGA Tour would be setting up an office in Melbourne. Which indicates that the PGA Tour could be set to take over the PGA Tour of Australasia in much the same way they did with the Canadian Tour and Tour de Las Americas.

MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

$10m

$8.45m

$10.5m WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

$9.75m

$9.5m ROLEX SERIES

$7m

$7.5m

$8m EUROPEAN TOUR

$2m-5m

ROLEX SERIES BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Perhaps the overall Keith Pelley vision for the European Tour is to see the Rolex Series include 8-10 events of $7million or more and then series of events underneath the Rolex Series offering prize funds of $5million. A report in Spanish newspaper MARCA in February of this year said that there would be a new event at Valderrama in 2017, offering a prize fund of $5million as part of a new European Series. If so then this could be an insight into the vision for the long-term growth of the European Tour. Of course it is a huge risk to the future of the Tour if they do not get this right and succeed in attracting new partners and take advantage of the vast commercial opportunities available to them. The Tour is underwriting the prize fund increases at the BMW PGA, Irish Open and Scottish Open, such a commitment in a nonRyder Cup year could have catastrophic results if they don’t recoup the money in the future. But with a new Chief Financial Officer in place and a CEO with a proven track record of succeeding in sports and business, surely the Rolex Series is just the beginning of a journey which will see the European Tour become the world’s foremost tour.

$7m

OPEN DE FRANCE

DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN TURKISH AIRLINES OPEN

ITALIAN OPEN

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE HOSTED BY GARY PLAYER DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

EUROPEAN SERIES $5m SPANISH OPEN

BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN KLM OPEN

OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS

PORSCHE EUROPEAN OPEN

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORTED BY SKY SPORTS ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

PORTUGAL MASTERS

MENA SERIES $5m ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS

OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

TROPHEE HASSAN II

ASIA-PACIFIC SERIES $5m MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP MALAYSIA VOLVO CHINA OPEN

HERO INDIAN OPEN

UBS HONG KONG OPEN

AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

TIMING MANAGED to perfection European Tour Rolex Series and LPGA Race to the CME Globe set to elevate Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Opens in 2017 Dundonald ready to welcome the world

Last month Scotland’s national championships received a historic boost with two major announcements by the European Tour and Ladies European Tour. The 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series, featuring a prize fund of $7million, and the 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will be co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET. The second announcement will see the Ladies event feature a prize fund of $1.5million, some three times the purse the women played for in 2016. Both championships will be staged at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, the club owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club, former host club to the Scottish Open. The men’s championship will precede The Open Championship and the women’s championship will be played the week prior to the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Through our strong partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and the European Tour we have enjoyed seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open go from strength to strength and the announcement of its inclusion in the Rolex Series for 2017 is an indication of its importance to the European Tour schedule. “This announcement will further enhance the appeal of the Aberdeen Asset

Management Scottish Open to the world’s best players and see the outstanding images of world-class golf courses in Scotland, the Home of Golf, shared with even more potential visitors around the world.” Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “It has always been our ambition, together with The European Tour and VisitScotland, to continue to grow this great tournament into one of the biggest in the world. To be part of the newly formed Rolex Series, coupled with the fact the tournament became the first regular European Tour event to be shown live on NBC, further positions the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as one of the jewels in the crown of the world’s golfing calendar. Credit to Keith Pelley and his team for having the vision and determination in making it happen.” Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has always been one of the leading events on our schedule, based on the world class golf courses in Scotland and its proximity to the Open Championship, and its inclusion in the Rolex Series will only serve to enhance that position.” The men’s championship has consistently attracted a strong, global field since moving to Loch Lomond in 1996, and even more so since rotating among some of Scotland’s finest links

courses beginning in 2011. Now with this vastly increased prize fund the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is almost certain to attract an even stronger field and bring more attention to the game in Scotland. For the women’s event it’s an even bigger stepping stone to showcasing ladies golf in Scotland to the world. Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is known around the world as the home of golf and host of the world’s greatest golf events so it is entirely fitting that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open stands proudly alongside these world-class tournaments on both the LET and the LPGA. The huge success of the men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open provided the inspiration for us to achieve similar success with the Ladies Scottish Open ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and these outstanding two weeks will now rival anything the world of golf has to offer. This historic agreement underlines Scotland’s commitments to women’s golf as we look forward to The 2019 Solheim Cup and I would like to pay tribute to both the LET and the LPGA, alongside our partners at Aberdeen Asset Management, for the vision to make this a reality.” Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “This is huge stepping stone for the Aberdeen Asset

Management Ladies Scottish Open to rank alongside the biggest tournaments across both tours. It has been our vision to grow the event to a point where it becomes a staple on the world’s best players’ calendars whilst continuing to expose the Aberdeen brand in key markets. This deal, with live TV on both the Golf Channel and Sky Sports will continue to do that and we would like to thank all of those that have come together to make it happen.” Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ladies European Tour, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is one of our most highly anticipated events and we are pleased to partner with VisitScotland, our fantastic tournament sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and the LPGA to enable our Members to compete for a significantly increased prize fund. With world class women’s golf from across the continents, the event will generate huge interest, beyond the borders of the golf community, which will help to set the perfect stage for The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.” When you add in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to the mix (prize fund of $5million) you now have three championships in Scotland worth a combined $13.5million staged every year on up to five of Scotland’s

greatest courses. This isn’t including The Open, which will be staged in Scotland in 2018 at Carnoustie and likely to return to St Andrews in 2020 or 2021. With Scottish professional Russell Knox winning on the PGA Tour and several amateurs doing well worldwide, these announcements are sure to do even more good for the game in Scotland. 2017 is set to be one of the most exciting seen in the game on these shores.

2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open

2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open

Dundonald Links, Ayrshire

13-16 July

27-30 July

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com Tournament of Champions

5-8 January

Farmers Insurance Open

Key Dates OnTour in 2017 BMW SA Open 26-29 January

12-15 January

January Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 25-28 January

Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic 26-29 January

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

19-22 January

February/March edition Out 11 February

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic Maybank Championship Malaysia

2-5 February 9-12 February

ISPS Handa Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australian Open

WM Phoenix Open Genesis Open 16-19 February

2-5 February 16-19 February

February AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am World Super 6 Perth

The Honda Classic

23-26 February

9-12 February 16-19 February

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com WGC-Mexico Championship HSBC Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Champions

2-5 March 2-5 March

Valspar Championship

Hero Indian Open

Arnold Palmer Invitational

16-19 March

9-12 March

March Tshwane Open

2-5 March

WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

Bank of Hope Founders Cup

16-19 March

22-26 March

April/May edition Out 31 March

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com Shell Houston Open Trophee Hassan II

30-2 April 13-16 April

The Masters

RBC Heritage

13-16 April

Shenzhen International 6-9 April

20-23 April

April Zurich Classic Volvo China Open

ANA Inspiration

30-2 April

27-30 April 27-30 April

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com Wells Fargo Championship AT&T Byron Nelson

4-7 May 18-21 May

THE PLAYERS

WM Phoenix Open DEAN & DELUCA Invitational

11-14 May

2-5 February 25-28 May

May LPGA Volvik Championship Lorena Ochoa Match Play

BMW PGA Championship

25-28 May

25-28 May 4-7 May

June/July edition Out 2 June

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com The Memorial Tournament

1-4 June

Maybank Championship Malaysia

The U.S. Open

9-12 February 15-18 June

FedEx St Jude Classic Manulife LPGA Classic

8-11 June 8-11 June

June Travelers Championship World Super 6 Perth

KPMG Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA Championship

29-2 July

22-25 June 16-19 February

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com Quicken Loans National

29-2 July

The Greenbrier Classic

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open

The Open

13-16 July

20-23 July

6-9 July

US WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OPEN

July Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

13-16 July

RBC Canadian Open

Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open

27-30 July

6-9 July 27-30 July

August/September edition Out 7 August

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Made in Denmark

3-6 August 24-27 August

PGA Championship

Wyndham Championship SOLHEIM CUP

10-13 August

18-20 August

17-20 August

August THE NORTHERN TRUST

CP Canadian Women’s Open

RICOH Women’s British Open

24-27 August

24-27 August 3-6 August

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com DELL TECHNOLOGIES CHAMPIONSHIP Cambia Portland Classic

1-4 September

31-3 September

The Tour Championship

BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

Indy Women in Tech-Presented by Guggenheim

21-24 September

Evian Championship

September 14-17 September 7-10 September 14-17 September

October/November edition Out 29 September

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com THE PRESIDENTS CUP WGC-HSBC Champions

26-29 October

28-1 October

Italian Open 12-15 October

MICKAYSON NZ Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open

October CJ Cup at Nine Bridges

19-22 October

28-1 October British Masters Supported by Sky Sports

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

5-8 October

28-1 October

Key Dates OnTour in 2017

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com CIMB Classic

2-5 November

Turkish Airlines Open

DP WORLD Tour Championship

Emirates Australian Open 23-26 November

2-5 November 16-19 November

November

Nedbank Golf Challenge

9-12 November

CME Group Tour Championship

16-19 November

Christmas/New Year edition Out 1 December

StAndrewsGolfMagazine.com

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