19/06/12
The new Scottish Golf Union Events team has been formalised after the appointment of Daniel Sommerville as Events Officer.
Following the recent vacancy at the SGU – after Euan Dorward departed to take up a role as City Operations Coordinator for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – Sommerville has started in his new role with immediate effect.
Daniel is working under new Events Manager Gordon Dewar, after he replaced Euan Mordaunt following his appointment as the R&A’s new Director of Amateur events.
Sommerville has just completed his Masters degree in economics and marketing at Dundee University, having previously completed his undergraduate degree in the US whilst on a golf scholarship.
Daniel has been a regular player in SGU Order of Merit events with his highlight being winning the 2009 South East District title. He has also worked at the Dunhill Links over the past two years helping with the event staging.
Round-up
* Three of Scotland’s top young rookie professionals, James Byrne, David Law and Michael Stewart, reached new heights in their burgeoning professional careers today when they launched the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts by hitting the highest golf shots in the UK from 1097m above sea level.
One of the flagship tournaments on the European Challenge Tour schedule, the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts takes place this week at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club in Aviemore.
The Ptarmigan restaurant at the peak of the CairnGorm Mountain was the perfect setting to launch the tournament as the three Scotsmen were joined by Eddie Pepperell of England and France’s Michael Lorenzo-Vera to sample the stunning views and wow the crowds with their pinpoint accuracy.
Striking from an elevated tee and with the wind howling, they were given the difficult task of trying to land the ball on a small, specially-constructed green about 130 yards down the mountain.
While the players found it a tough task at first, they soon found their range and 23-year-old Byrne even came close to a hole-in-one as one of his final attempts bounced out of the cup before resting on the green.
“It was really good fun to come out here before the tournament and relax and have a laugh with the lads,” said Law, who is mentored by fellow Aberdonian Paul Lawrie. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever done before, that’s for sure.
“I thought we had no chance when I saw it at first but a couple of the guys hit some good shots and it was great to see.”
Byrne said of his near hole-in-one: “It was brilliant. Maybe that was close to being the highest hole-in-one in the world!”
The Scots are well represented this week with the five members of Team Scottish Hydro – Chris Doak, Jack Doherty, Callum Macaulay, Andrew McArthur and Jamie McLeary – all playing, as well as brothers Elliot and Lloyd Saltman, Scott Drummond and Wallace Booth.
* St Andrews Links Golf Academy has extended its range of instruction services to include strength and conditioning and is now working with a functional movement systems (FMS) specialist.
A former Royal Marine, Rob Wilson has more than 14 years of experience in conditioning and physiotherapy in professional sport. He has worked with the Great Britain Swim Team and the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team and is a specialist in sports therapy and rehabilitation.
Steve North, Director of Instruction at St Andrews Links Golf Academy and coach to Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths winner Ewan Scott, said: “There is more focus than ever before on strength and conditioning in golf. You only have to look at the world’s leading players to see how seriously most of them take their conditioning.”