News Digest – 26/10/2007

Thompson returns to Hong Kong

Three-time Hong Kong Open champion Peter Thomson is to be the guest of honour at this year's tournament, title sponsor UBS has announced.

The Australian legend will attend a gala dinner saluting his contribution to the championship shortly before the tournament is staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on November 15-18.

Thomson, 78, said he was looking forward to returning to the scene of his triumphs in 1960, 1965 and 1967.

Defending Champion Jose Manuel Lara will return in an attempt to retain the UBS Hong Kong Open title. Lara will face stiff competition from PGA Tour winners Stuart Appleby and Arron Obeholser ? who will both be making their debuts in the prestigious event.

Lara also faces the likes of Retief Goosen and Mike Weir as he attempts to become only the second player after four time champion Hsieh Yung-Yo to defend his crown.

Ryder Cup Course Named

In anticipation of the 2010 Ryder Cup to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales, the new course designed and built specifically for the Ryder Cup has been named The Twenty Ten Course.

The purpose built course varies from holes with a links-like feel to them to holes surrounded by lakes. The tricky eighteenth lies right under the Twenty Ten Club balcony ? where members will be able to cheer on the blues or reds to victory in 2010. With a limited membership restricted to 450, demand will be huge for the chance not only to play on the Ryder Cup course but also to ensure tickets for what is now the third biggest sporting event on the planet.

Gareth Edwards, Welsh Rugby stalwart was quick to accept the invitation to become the first honorary captain of The Twenty Club and will be looking forward to watching the Ryder Cup in three years time at the new £16 million course.

Sunningdale Golf Day

The tenth Sunningdale Golf Day took place last week to raise money for childrens cancer charity CLIC Sargent. Patrons of the charity Gary Lineker, Eddie Jordan and Barry McGuigan took part alongside fellow sports stars Alec Stewart, Keith Wood and Damon Hill amongst others.

Each star played with one of twenty four teams playing at the Berkshire course- while it was hoped the charity auction would raise over £80,000 with prizes including a chauffeur driven trip to the FA Cup Final and a holiday for two in the South African Cape.

Kinross online

Golfers keen to play at either of Kinross? sublime courses ? The Bruce or The Montgomery ? can now book tee times days in advance over the internet.

Players will also be the first on Scottish courses to have access to one of the world?s top GPS systems ? Prolink ? in their golf buggies. The ?professional caddy? service provides helpful course information such as distance to the pin from wherever the ball lies, and has already been installed in buggies at the Irish Ryder Cup venue K Club and Barbados? Sandy Lane. www.golfkinross.com

Green developments

Revolutionary synthetic greens have been installed at Preston Beach Golf Club in Western Australia. Developed by OzGolf Technologies and Sports Technology International, the synthetic surface has resulted in drastic reduction of fresh water usage, as well as tackling slow play on the course.

Greens, tees and fringes no longer require such an intense upkeep in the hot sandy climate owing to the new synthetic surface. Players also need not worry about walking across the lines of others or replacing pitch and spike marks. Rendering marking your ball unnecessary, it is hoped the greens could speed up a round by as much as thirty minutes.