Golf: Kingsknowe golfers aim to putt Sandy's expert tips into practice

Sandy Stephen, an outstanding player in his day and now a top teaching professional, has been part of the team coaching the Kingsknowe squad in preparation for the new campaign.

Stephen won the Scottish Boys', Scottish Amateur and Scottish Professional Championships - Eric Brown and Ronnie Shade are the only others to achieve that feat - and also played on the European Tour for a spell.

He's based at the Braid Hills Golf Range these days, where the Kingsknowe team members have gone through an extensive coaching programme along with the club's own pros, Chris Morris, Paul Malone and Stephen.

"We are really excited about the new season after using Chris, Paul and Sandy to work on all aspects of the game with our players," said team manager Bill Buchan.

"Early results are good, with all the competitions so far at Kingsknowe being won by players who have been part of the coaching programme.

"Not only that, experienced campaigner Stuart Johnston has rejoined the club, with younger talent like Graeme Duncan, now in his first senior season, sure to also play a big part in the forthcoming season."

Kingsknowe are in Group 4, along with Glencorse, Merchants, Mortonhall, Musselburgh and Prestonfield, in this year's event, which has a new sponsor in Pollock (Scotrans) Ltd.

Buchan added: "I believe that our squad is as strong as it has ever been, with a great mix of experience, with Stuart and Scott Knowles, the international expertise of Allyn Dick, being backed up by a resurgent Graeme Fraser and with guys like Marc Cairnie really pushing for a starting slot."

Royal Burgess completed last season's group phase with a 100 per cent record before going on to lift the title for the third year in a row, beating Glencorse in the final at Baberton.

"We have the same squad as last year," said Royal Burgess team manager Richard Hughes.

"James Ross is back from the States on May 9 which will strengthen us.

"We start at home against Turnhouse on Tuesday and want to put up a strong defence of our title as we want to be the first team to win the Summer League four years in a row.

"We have set all sorts of records over the last three years and going through last year's competition with 100 per cent record will probably never be equalled.

"This year, our total focus is getting our name on the trophy for a fourth time. There are a lot of teams capable of stopping us, but we will be giving it our best shot."

In addition to Turnhouse, Baberton, Liberton and Torphin Hill are the teams in Group A with the defending champions.

Turnhouse have lost the services of both David Marshall and Kevin Messer, who have rejoined Dalmahoy, but on the plus side, Graham Robertson, last year's Lothians Order of Merit winner, is playing for Neil Anderson's side this season.

"Graham would normally play for Silverknowes but is the current Turnhouse club champion so he kindly agreed to accept our invitation to play for us," said Anderson.

Dalmahoy are in Group 2 along with Broomieknowe, Craigmillar Park, Murrayfield, Swanston New and Ratho Park.

"The addition of Kevin and Davie compensates for the loss of 2009 club champion Stuart George and Tom Blennerhassett, who has turned professional," said Dalmahoy's Iain Campbell, below.

"We also have a couple of juniors now coming up through the ranks that may be brought in as required, the likes of Murray Naysmith, Josh Rooney and Guy Dalziel."

At Broomieknowe, Scott Porter has "an excellent mix of youth and experience". He added: "The young lads on the team this year have developed very well and club champion Sean Marc and Jamie McIntosh are now both scratch golfers.

"Experience comes in the form of past Lothians champion Kevin Hastings and team regular Kenny Smith. The other lads are solid team players and are excited about the coming season."

As for Craigmillar Park's aspirations, Stewart Downing commented: "We are hoping to get off to a good start as the way the fixtures have worked out we start with three home games in the first month."

Group 3 looks to be the toughest one to call, comprising Bruntsfield Links, Duddingston, Lothianburn, Newbattle, Silverknowes and West Linton.

Bruntsfield Links have lost Charlie Simpson, who is working in Dubai, but team manager John Cropper is hoping recent Battle Trophy winner Zander Culverwell will be able to make the odd appearance.

"Given that it's the club's 250th year, our first Summer League title would be a fitting finale to the celebrations," said Cropper.

According to Peter Hardwick, Newbattle need to find some form on the road.

"In past years we struggled to win away and it is going to be difficult this year as well," he said.

At Lothianburn, Alex McKenzie has taken over the reins from Chris Hughes and is delighted that Simon Mills, from Longniddry, has also rejoined the club.