Padraig Harrington cut an understandably delighted figure after shooting a final round of 69 to defend his Open crown. The Dubliner finished four shots clear of Ian Poulter after a stirring finish that saw him play his final six holes in four-under-par.Harrington admitted he had tried not to think about the magnitude of claiming the Claret Jug for a second straight year – especially after beginning the week as a major doubt with a wrist injury.However, having done so, he acknowledged he had moved to a new level having joined the exclusive club of multiple major winners.”I’d like to put the Claret Jug right back where it was last year,” Harrington said afterwards.”I really tried not to think about the consequences of winning today but I did think it would be nice to have the trophy back on the breakfast table again.”I had a great year as Open champion, so much so I didn’t want to give it back.”It’s important that you go on and win a second major. Very few people have won two majors or back-to-back majors.”I was always trying to play that down but winning a second sets you apart. It’s a new level and there’s less people in that club.”He went on to admit that his injury scare had probably aided his preparations as he did not overplay in the run-up to Thursday’s tee-off time.”In hindsight the fact that I didn’t play three practice rounds meant I was fresh for the battle ahead,” he continued. “It took a bit of stress and pressure off me. It was a good distraction. Sometimes you need that.”I knew my game was there but maybe this week I made the right decision at the right time and got the right break at the right time.”The £750,000 winner’s cheque also guarantees Harrington’s place in Europe’s Ryder Cup for the match against the States in September and lifts him from 14th to a career-high third in the world rankings.”It clears up a lot for September, that had been on my mind too,” he added.

DOLLAR Golf Club is starting to reap the benefits of the revolutionary new SPORTSassist funding initiative – just three months after the club signed up to the pioneering concept. The latter gives amateur sports clubs the opportunity to end funding difficulties by creating a continuous source of income annually. A division of The Caesar and Howie Group, SPORTSassist has created a select team of professional business providers who are passionate about sport and keen to support amateur sports clubs financially. The simple concept means providers pay clubs that market their services, via a SPORTSassist marketing payment, so the more successful the marketing is, the more money the club will make.  Nestled at the foot of Dollar Glen, the Clackmannanshire club was established in 1890 and is now the oldest club in the area. Secretary John McMillan was delighted to receive Dollar’s first cheque for £334 from SPORTSassist partner Michelle Dixon on Tuesday (6^th November). John explained: “This is a great start for us and we hope it is the first of many cheques. We have committed to this scheme, which we feel will be a godsend for the club financially. David Borrowman, SPORTSassist’s Principal Partner commented: “It is great to see Dollar Golf Club enjoying the benefits of signing up to SPORTSassist, which is a fantastic opportunity for local sports clubs of any size to regain control over their finances.He said: “This is a perfect example of how – by motivated officials and members – clubs can create continuing revenue streams.  This is self-help – not pleading with others for awards of money. If clubs and officials have the same passion for sport as we have, funding problems for clubs can be resolved permanently.” He stressed that it is imperative the initiative was designed to add to the flow of funds coming into a club, not replace existing monies.  David added: “It is not intended to conflict with any traditional sponsorship a club may have and if clubs have any other type of sponsor we urge them to keep these arrangements in place. If the initiative proves a success for their club, it may even make it easier for them to obtain traditional sponsorship.”

Pic: John McMillan receives his cheque from SPORTSassist’s Michelle Dixon.  

The USA edged out a gallant GB & I side by 12½ points to 11½ to retain the Walker Cup in a thrilling afternoon finale at Royal County Down.

Jonathan Moore’s spectacular eagle three on the final hole clinched the winning point for the Americans as he edged out Welshman Nigel Edwards, who for the third Walker Cup in a row was involved in a sensational decisive match. . .

http://www.scottishgolfunion.org/index.cfm?action=newsDetail&newsid=776&startrow=1&pageNo=1

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA) have issued a joint response to the recent EU directive on equality, further to the consultation paper published in June this year, reflecting the views of affiliated clubs and members who gave feedback.