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August 2007
31/08/07
Advance reservations for 2008 will be open from 10.00am BST on Wednesday 5 September. It is possible to book the Old Course and The Castle Course as well as other St Andrews Links venues more
The reservations office will be closed to the public on 5 and 6 September.
TV presenter Phil Keoghan finished a marathon journey from Greenock to St Andrews with a birdie three at the last hole on the Old Course. Using only a seven iron, Phil hit a golf ball the entire 100 miles.
August Tournament champions 2007
Steve Brown
Marilyn Henderson
Eden Trophy goes south
The Eden Trophy returned to English hands this year when Steve Brown from Old Padeswood won the famous old cup following a two-hole victory over Walton Heath’s Ben Taylor.
First held for in 1919, the Eden Trophy has retained its stature as one of the most popular challenges in the amateur golfing calendar.
A total of 240 golfers from all over the UK and further afield contested the 2007 event, with the qualifying standard for this year's tournament a handicap of 4.9.
Brown qualified for the match play stages following a return of 153 over the New and Eden courses, a total which put him at only 25 in the seedings. He was ten shots behind last year’s champion Oliver Farr of Ludlow who claimed the Victory Cup by one stroke from the beaten finalist in the last two years, Steven Clark. Local lad Danny Sommerville was third.
In the matchplay stage, however, Brown’s competitive instincts flourished and he swept to the final with wins over Mark Thrope ( Richmond) 5 and 4, Jamie Dunster (The Worcestershire) 5 and 3, Graham Smith (West Linton) 2 and 1, Oliver Farr 2 and 1 and Jason Perry ( Heidelberg) 2 up.
The Eden Tankard handicap competition was won by Harry Sayers from Tewkesbury Park, who beat Melvin Head (Ashford) 5 and 4 in the final.
Marilyn: a can-do in the wind
Strathtyrum Trophy stalwart Marilyn Henderson arrived from Germany for her annual tilt at the title and succeeded in winning the competition for a record-equalling third time.
Champion in 1996 and in 2005, Marilyn joins Baberton’s Karen Marshall as a treble winner at the Home of Golf.
In opening rounds that were blighted by some appalling weather conditions, Henderson qualified second behind Ann Ramsay of Kirriemuir. Ramsay’s 151 set her an amazing 13 shots ahead of Henderson, and the final qualifier for the matchplay stage came home in 188.
Marilyn defeated Jane Graham ( Moor Park) 6 and 5 in the first round, Anna Norton of Ludlow 3 and 1 then Elaine Clark ( Manchester) 3 and 2 in the next two, before coming out on top in the battle of the giants in the semi final clash with Karen Marshall, winning 1 up. Ann Ramsay stood in wait in the final, with perhaps the superior experience of Henderson telling in her 2 and 1 triumph.
Georgina Keane of Ballybunion took the silver in the Strathtyrum Salver after an impressive 7 and 6 win over Goodwood’s Kathryn Bullock.
14/08/07
Green fees to December 2008 now include The Castle Course more
13/08/07
The August Tournaments start today
Almost 350 men and women will spend the next few days enjoying the Links and taking part in one of the oldest golfing events in Britain. The Eden Trophy dates back to 1919. Last year's champion, Oliver Farr, started with a fine 72 on a breezy Eden Course.
latest
10/08/07
Links News for August online now
The finals of the St Andrews Links Junior Opens 2007 took place on the Old Course this afternoon
Junior golfers find inspiration at St Andrews
The status of St Andrews Links as a proving ground for the best golfers in the game was again demonstrated this year during the junior opens, with Sean Stevens of Deeside and Holly Aitchison of Bedfordshire Golf Club taking the glory.
Just a few days after Lorena Ochoa triumphed on the Old Course it was the turn of the young players to show their skills at the world’s most famous venue.
For Sean Stevens, beaten in last year’s semi finals, 2007 will go down as a breakthrough year after he defeated John Burnett of Waterlooville in Hampshire 2 and 1.
His father’s oil industry work brought 18-year-old California born Stevens to Aberdeen four years ago and he is about to start a college course at Santiago in his home state.
Sean was tenth in qualifying over the Eden Course after a 74, with the Forrester Medal for top return going to Chris Robb of Inchmarlo with a par score of 71. Stevens began the matchplay stage in fine style, beating Blair Pelling (Prestonfield) 4 and 2 and then Gregor Wright of Grangemouth 3 and 2, both games played on the Eden. The Old Course quarter final with Andrew McLachlan (Eastwood) went to the nineteenth hole before Stevens came through to face American James Byrd of Isleworth CC in the semi. Stevens won that encounter 2 and 1 before going on to take the Merchants’ Cup by the same margin the following day. Burnett’s victims had included local lad Iain Finlay of St Andrews GC, last year’s beaten finalist.
There was better fortune for his junior colleague Ewan Scott, like Iain a star performer in the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association. Ewan took the Murray Mitchell Trophy 1 up after a close struggle with Tom Obergan of Gerrards Cross. Both boys play off four.
Holly Aitchison came out on top 1 up in a high class final against defending champion Whitney Hillier of Joondalup in Australia, winning the coveted Golf Monthly Salver.
Holly, who is 20, has ambitions to turn professional and her win over the highly rated Hillier will have encouraged her further. Beaten by Whitney in last year’s semi, Holly got her revenge on the Old Course this year. Three up at the thirteenth, Holly was given a tough time on the inward stretch but held on to win on the last green.
Holly was third top qualifier on the Strathtyrum Course, three behind Holly’s 71. Her first round opponent on the Eden Course was Catherine Paterson (Gullane Ladies) whom she beat 9 and 8. Local golfer Rebecca Watson (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) fell 3 and 1 on the Old Course in the last eight, before Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) was overcome 6 and 5 in the semi.
The Girls’ Open Quaich, also played on the Old Course, was won by seven handicapper Lauren McCallum (McDonald) who beat Kirsty Simpson of Murrayfield 3 and 1. Kirsty plays off 24.
tournament results in full
John Burnett (Waterlooville) and Sean Stevens (Deeside) contested the Merchants' Cup. Sean won the match by 2 and 1
Holly Aitchison (The Bedfordshire) and defending champion Whitney Hillier (Joondalup, Australia) played for the Golf Monthly Salver. Holly won 1 up.
Tom Obergan (Gerrards Cross) and Ewan Scott (St Andrews) reached the final of the Murray Mitchell Trophy. Ewan won 1 up.
Lauren MacCallum (Macdonald) and Kirsty Simpson (Murrayfield) played for the Girls' Quaich. Lauren won 3 and 1.
06/08/07
Annual report for 2006 online now
05/08/07
Lorena Ochoa wins the Ricoh Women's British Open
The world's best woman golfer today won the first profesional ladies' event on the Old Course, taking her first ever major championship and joining the ranks of the game's greats who have won at the Home of Golf. She finished the tournament on five under par, four clear of Jee Young Lee and Maria Hjorth
reports
Tournament Gallery
The Champion
04/08/07
Lorena last woman standing
Lorena Ochoa has a six shot lead to defend in the final round. She negotiated the Old Course in 73 today. Strong westerly crosswinds forced all but four ladies to sign for over par rounds. Lorena is the only player still in red figures for the championship more
Gallery
03/08/07
Ochoa stays one step ahead
Lorena Ochoa remains the leader of the Ricoh Women's British Open but her two stroke overnight lead has been halved. Only one shot back are Wendy Ward and home hope Catriona Matthew more
02/08/07
Lorena Ochoa sets the pace at the Ricoh Women's British Open
World number one Lorena Ochoa showed just why she has reached the top of the rankings today after going around the Old Course in 67, six under par.
The Mexican birdied 5, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 17 to set the pace for the rest of the field in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Using her driver only six times, Ochoa produced her best round of the year so far finding fairway after fairway and managing to avoid the infamous bunkers that litter the course:
‘I love my start… the first round at St Andrews, six under; that’s going to be special. I’m going to keep my golf ball and my scorecard and keep them in a safe place,’ she said. More
Gallery
01/08/07
Three day winter package on sale now
One of the best deals in golf, the three day winter golf package gurantees one round on the Old Course and two on the other Links courses. Prices from £120. Find out more
Pro-am day in the Ricoh Women's British Open saw the top stars appearing on the Old Course. The serious work starts tomorrow gallery
Annika Sorenstam studies the Old Course before tomorrow's first round
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