SOLHEIM CUP & RYDER CUP BACK-TO-BACK IN 2023

For the first time in 2023, The Solheim Cup and The Ryder Cup, the two most important team events in professional golf, will be played back-to-back.

Usually scheduled in alternate years, global sports fans will now be treated to a two-week festival of match play golf between Europe and the United States as a result of the 2020 Ryder Cup postponement due to the  COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the LET announced that The 2023 Solheim Cup, which is to be held at Finca Cortesin in the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol, will take place from 22-24 September 2023.

The 2023 Ryder Cup will be played the following week, from 29 September to 1 October 2023, at Italy’s Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

Ladies European Tour CEO, Alexandra Armas, said:

"We are extremely pleased to announce the dates for the upcoming 2023 Solheim Cup and we are excited to have the opportunity to be part of a two-week festival of golf. The Solheim Cup is truly one of the most dramatic and interesting golf events on the global sporting calendar and it has the ability to transcend golf to new audiences and, if the 2023 edition is anything like 2019, fans will be left wanting more and they will be lucky enough go straight onto The Ryder Cup in Italy where the men’s version of Team Europe and Team USA will go head-to-head."

The 2021 Solheim Cup will be played at the Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, from 4-6 September. The Ryder Cup, originally scheduled for 2020, has been pushed back a year and will now be played at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, from 24-26 September 2021.

CALCULATING YOUR HANDICAP INDEX UNDER WHS

Under the new WHS the way in which a handicap is calculated will change slightly, and golfers will receive a Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is designed to represent your demonstrated ability. It is calculated by averaging the best 8 score differentials out of the most recent 20 within your scoring record. It can be made up of both competition and general play scores.

To find out more about the Handicap Index Calculations:
https://scottishgolf.org/calculating-your-handicap-index-under-whs/

WHY WE ARE MOVING TO A NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM

Ahead of the WHS coming into play on 2 November 2020, find out more about why we are moving to a new Handicap System.

The WHS has a number of key aims such as providing maximum enjoyment for all who play the game as well as enabling players from anywhere in the world, to play and compete with others on a fair basis.

To find out more about the Purpose of the WHS: 

https://scottishgolf.org/why-are-we-moving-to-a-new-handicap-system/

GET READY FOR THE NEW WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM

The new World Handicap System (WHS) will be launched in Scotland, and the rest of Great Britain & Ireland, on 2nd November 2020.

Today, Scottish Golf issued the following statement:

"Scottish Golf has launched its awareness campaign to help educate golfers of all levels about the new World Handicap System (WHS), set to be launched in the home of golf on 2nd November 2020."

"The new campaign will provide valuable and insightful information ahead of the changes to how handicaps will be calculated."

"As well as educating golfers across the country, Scottish Golf will also be providing all 575 of its affiliated clubs with resources to help spread awareness with their members. These resources include digital graphics for use online as well as a comprehensive social media toolkit."

"With a legacy that spans six centuries, golf continues to be one of the most inclusive sports to play. A game for life, golf invites players of all abilities to compete, have fun and enjoy the health benefits of getting active outdoors."

"WHS aims to offer one, unified system around the world for the first time, giving golfers the ability to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index and use this anytime, anywhere around the world. The system will take playing conditions, course, and slope ratings into account, with a player’s best eight scores in the past 20 games played counting towards their Handicap Index."

"Scottish Golf’s campaign is now live and club members and golfers are requested to share the information with peers."

"To find out more information on WHS in Scotland, click here."

GRACE CRAWFORD WINS THE EAST OF SCOTLAND

Grace Crawford won the East of Scotland Championship, held on the Jubilee Course at St. Andrews yesterday, Sunday 18th October.

East Lothian's Grace Crawford (North Berwick) shot an excellent scratch score of 73 to be crowned the 2020 East of Scotland Champion. She won by two shots from fellow County member Clara Young (North Berwick), who had a 75. Fife's Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) was 3rd with a 79.

JUNIOR WINTER SERIES GIRLS & BOYS ORDER OF MERIT

The Junior Winter Series Order of Merit tables for both girls and boys have been published following the first event at Cardrona (see below).

The next Junior Winter Series event is at Blairgowrie (Rosemount) this Sunday. The girls and boys draws have been emailed out to all participants.

Entries for the event at Fortrose & Rosemarkie on Sunday 15 November 2020 are still open. The closing date is Friday 30 October.

You can find out more about the Junior Tour Winter Series &/or enter the third event at Fortrose & Rosemarkie at: @juniortourscotland

WHAT WILL THE NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM MEAN FOR YOU

The new World Handicap System (WHS) will launch in Great Britain & Ireland on 2 November 2020, so what will it mean for you?

Click on the image to view & download.

To find out more about how the new World Handicap System works, visit The R&A YouTube channel to view its full playlist of WHS videos: bit.ly/WorldHandicapSystemPlaylist

SCOTTISH GOLF WINTER TEE TIME OFFERS

Scottish Golf are offering club members the chance to get preferential green fees at some of Scotland's top championship venues this winter.

The latest Scottish Golf Newsletter states:

"Members of Scottish Golf affiliated clubs have the opportunity to play some of the country’s most famous Open and Scottish Open Championship venues at preferential green fee rates."

"With support from Muirfield, Prestwick, Royal Troon, Castle Stuart and The Renaissance Club, proceeds from tee-off time sales will go towards the development of junior golf in Scotland."

"To find out more and to enter this year's ballot, please click here."

SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATE ON COVID-19 GUIDANCE

Scottish Golf has issued a COVID-19 update. It confirms the key changes for licensed premises at golf clubs as a result of new national restrictions.

The full statement issued by Scottish Golf today reads as follows:

"Following our latest update on 8th October, Scottish Golf has been in ongoing dialogue with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government to seek further clarity on the licensing of premises and how this might impact our affiliated clubs."

"We have today received confirmation that individual premises will need to act in accordance with the current guidance in place based on their existing license. As the type of license can vary from club to club, we would encourage all clubs to make contact with their local authority and environmental health team who will be able to further advise on the type of license your clubhouse has."

"Scottish Golf would like to remind clubs that the current guidance is as follows and that all clubs should adhere to the restrictions in place in their local area:"

• "Pubs and restaurants in five Scottish health board areas - Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley - must shut to all but takeaway customers. In these areas, licensed cafes can remain open from 6am to 6pm but must not sell alcohol."

• "In other parts of Scotland not mentioned above, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes can operate 6am to 6pm but cannot serve alcohol indoors during that time. These premises can sell alcohol outdoors until 10pm."

• "Rules on gatherings remain the same with a maximum of six people from two households permitted."

"Thank you for your ongoing understanding during these challenging times. Clubs are reminded that our latest COVID-19 guidance can be accessed at our dedicated webpage here."

THE 2023 SOLHEIM CUP IS SET TO BE STAGED IN SPAIN

Spain is set to host The Solheim Cup for the first time in 2023 at the iconic championship course at Finca Cortesin on the Costa Del Sol.

The Ladies European Tour (LET) announced today that Spain will host The 2023 Solheim Cup at the world-renowned championship course at Finca Cortesin, Andalucía. The exact dates will be finalised soon.

Spain is no stranger to staging high-profile golf events. It hosted the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in 1997 and has staged 75 events on the LET and LETAS calendar including the season’s order of merit, "The Race to Costa Del Sol". Finca Cortesin has also previously staged three European Tour Volvo World Match Play Championships.

Ladies' European Tour CEO, Alexandra Armas, said:

"We are delighted to announce Spain as the host nation for the 2023 Solheim Cup when it returns to European soil for the 18th edition of this major international team golf event. Spain is a passionate golfing nation with knowledgeable fans and a history of developing generations of talented golfers while Andalucía’s strong cultural heritage will make for a unique experience for players, guests and supporters alike."

Seven Spanish golfers have played for Team Europe over the years. Only Sweden and England have contributing more. More recently, home favourite Carlota Ciganda has participated in the last four contests while Costa del Sol star Azahara Munoz has also made four appearances since her debut in 2011.

Next year's Solheim Cup will be staged at the Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, from 4th to 6th of September. Scotland's Catriona Matthew will be at the helm for Europe for the second match running after leading her side to a dramatic victory at Gleneagles last September.

SCOTTISH GOLF WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM WEBINAR

Scottish Golf has published a video of its latest Zoom Panel Call, which is all about the new World Handicap System (WHS).

To watch a video of the WHS Zoom Panel Call click on the link below:
Scottish Golf Zoom Panel Call - Episode 11

With just 24 days to go until the new World Handicap System (WHS) comes into play in Scotland, 500 golfers from across the country tuned into Scottish Golf’s latest Zoom Panel Call last Thursday evening.

Hosted by Scottish Golf’s Club Business Manager, Iain Evans, golfers from across Scotland had the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to Scottish Golf’s Handicapping & Course Rating Team of David Kernohan and Adam Phillips.

Scottish Golf has produced a FAQ document. It can be accessed here.
The slides from the WHS Zoom Panel Call can also be accessed here.

Following the webinar David Kernohan said:

"As we near the implementation of WHS in Scotland, we were delighted with the overwhelming response to this week’s call."

"We understand that golfer education is crucial over the next 12 months and we will continue to provide additional opportunities for golfers to learn more."

"Following the huge demand for this week’s call, we are also looking at options to expand our Zoom Panel Call capacity to ensure more golfers can tune-in to these sessions live."

SCOTTISH JUNIOR PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP IS POSTPONED

The 2020 Scottish Junior Par 3 Championship, which was due to be played this weekend, has been postponed until 2021 due to flood damage.

The Paul Lawrie Foundation issued the following statement today:

"We are sorry to inform you that the Scottish Junior Par 3 Championship, scheduled for the 17 & 18 October, is postponed due to damage to The Devenick Course at Paul Lawrie Golf Centre following the severe flooding which affected both the Course & Golf Centre last weekend."

"A full course inspection had not been possible until this morning (Monday 12th October) when the flood water had drained away. Unfortunately, the damage to the course on holes 5 to 9 and remaining debris means that the golf course cannot be restored to an acceptable standard for the competition to take place this coming weekend."

"We will re-schedule the Scottish Junior Par 3 Championship into 2021 with dates to be advised in due course."

"Everyone at the Paul Lawrie Foundation and Paul Lawrie Golf Centre is disappointed not to be able to host the event as planned, particularly since 2020 has already been a tricky year. We had been looking forward to welcoming you all to PLGC for our first staging of the event. We hope to see you in 2021 for what will be a great event!"

STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION TROPHY & VASE

Congratulations to Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie) and Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) who won the SGF Trophy & Vase at Cardrona this weekend.

Stephen Gallacher Foundation Vase:
On a course measuring over 6,000 yards for the girls, Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) added an excellent score of 75 on Sunday to her opening round of 80 on Saturday, to win the SGF Vase by 1 shot from Grace Crawford (North Berwick).

Kirsten Miller (Strathmore) finished tied for 13th.

Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy:
In the boys' event, Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie) added a fantastic three under par 69 to his opening round of 73 to win the SGF Trophy by 2 shots from Cormac Sharpe (Blairgowrie).

Cormac Sharpe (Blairgowrie) won the U16 Bobby Johnston Trophy by 4 shots with excellent rounds of 70 and 74.

Junior Winter Series:
Entries for the next two events are still open. You can find out more about the Junior Winter Series &/or enter an event at: @juniortourscotland

SEI YOUNG KIM WINS WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

South Korea's Sei Young Kim claimed her first major with a commanding five-stroke victory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Sei Young Kim surged away from the field with birdies at four of her final six holes at Aronimink to card a round-of-the-week seven-under 63 to finish at -14 and clinch victory in the penultimate major of 2020.

It was a day of records for Kim as she set a championship scoring record over the four rounds with her total of 266 and also equalled the lowest score for a final round in the event.

Seven-time major winner Imbee Park (KOR), who started the day three shots behind Kim, shot a five-under 65 to ensure second place on -9.

Spain's Carlota Ciganda shot a 65 to finish in a share of third at -7 with Japan's Nasa Hataoka, who posted an eagle at the 1st in a bogey-free 64.

England's Charley Hull finished tied for seventh at -1.

FULL ACTION FROM DAY 4 AT KPMG PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Catch-up on Day 4 at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, the third major of 2020, courtesy of the Sky Sports YouTube channel.

Part 1 of the final day coverage is above and Part 2 below.

KPMG Women's PGA Championship

South Korea's Sei Young Kim takes a two-stroke advantage into the final round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

The 27-year-old world number seven, who is yet to win a major title, had six birdies in her three-under 67 on Saturday to finish on -7.

Two-time major winner Anna Nordqvist (SWE) is tied for second with Brooke Henderson (CAN) on -5.

Charley Hull (ENG) is the leading British player, tied for 11th on +1.