George Murray to link up with Steven O'Hara in Abu Dhabi

GEORGE Murray, who has earned a step up to the European Tour after finishing eighth on the Challenge Tour this year, is heading for the United Arab Emirates later this week to prepare for the start of the 2011 season.

The Fifer is joining Steven O'Hara, a fellow former Scottish Amateur champion, on a trip to Abu Dhabi that will see them link up with the group of ten Scottish amateurs there at the moment as part of the SGU's winter training programme.

Both Murray and O'Hara, who retained his European Tour card by finishing 114th in this year's Order of Merit, tee off the new season on Thursday week in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, at Leopard Creek in South Africa.

With heavy snow having hit Scotland, the trip to the Middle East couldn't have come at a better time and, during their time at Al Badia Golf Club, the duo will get the chance to work with Phil Kenyon, the putting specialist who coaches Edoardo Romero.

"As part of the agreement with our partners in the United Arab Emirates, we have offered Scotland's Tour professionals the opportunity to come and use the facilities in return for their input into our ongoing player mentoring programme. We see this as a vital element in the professional transition roll out and aim to build on this in the future," said Scottish Golf performance director Steve Paulding.

"The support will help George and Steven hit the ground running for the start of the new season while our squad players will benefit from practising alongside them and learning from their experiences on both the Challenge Tour and European Tour. There is no extra cost to the SGU. The players will pay their own way for the flights but Yas Links Golf Club will allow them use of their facilities which we are extremely grateful for."

Both Murray, the 2004 Scottish champion, and O'Hara, who lifted that title four years earlier, are managed by Brian Marchbank at Stirling-based 110 Sport. "George and Steven are both looking forward to joining up with the squad for a few days and the experience will benefit all parties to help Scottish golf in the year ahead," said Marchbank.

The ten amateurs, including Great Britain & Ireland squad members Michael Stewart, Ross Kellett and Kris Nicol, are halfway through a month-long trip to the United Arab Emirates, where they met up with Richie Ramsay at last week's Dubai World Championship.

"The facilities in Dubai are fantastic and the players are really making the most of the opportunities we have been given," said national coach Ian Rae.

"We're looking forward to working with Phil Kenyon for a few days and the Emirates Golf Federation is looking after us very well. We're very excited about developing a long-term partnership with them."