Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland

On the 28th June, Ally Love will be raising money for this very worthy cause. Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland aims to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness through medical research, advice and information, and support in the community.

CHSS is one of Scotland's leading medical charities. Coronary heart disease is our biggest killer. Stroke is the main cause of disability in the community. Chest illnesses of various kinds are the biggest single reason for using the health service.

They fund research into all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and the social impact of chest, heart and stroke illness. Their current programme is worth more than £1 million.

CHSS provides care and support throughout Scotland for people affected by these conditions, including family and other carers. http://www.chss.org.uk/

No sore feet!!

FootJoy have very kindly offered to supply Gary, Graeme, Scott and Alastair with a pair of their new ReelFit Golf Shoes. The FootJoy ReelFit shoe is the latest breakthrough in golf shoe technology. The shoes feature the innovative Boa Lacing System from Boa Technologies Inc. Providing a precise fit and tremendous stability; ReelFit shoes will keep their feet secure throughout the 700+ golf swings, and while walking the 171 holes or 35+ miles! http://www.footjoy.com/reelfit/

Peter Alliss offers his best wishes

Peter Alliss has today offered his support for the St Andrews 10 Course Challenge. Between 1954 and 1969, Peter won 21 professional tournaments - including three British PGA championships - and was twice winner of the Vardon Trophy. In September 1958, he won the national championships of Italy, Spain, and Portugal in three consecutive weeks.

He spent just six weeks on the American tour, in 1954, and therefore is known primarily as a commentator in the USA. His first appearance in the Ryder Cup was in 1953, and with the single exception of 1955, he represented Great Britain and Ireland in the event until 1969 and is one of only two father-and-son duos to have represented their country at this level.

He retired from the professional golf circuit in 1969 and has since been a regular commentator on both BBC and ABC Television in the United States.

When asked to comment on the St Andrews 10 Course Challenge, Mr Alliss said

“Sorry I can’t join you! – wishing you all the best of luck for what appears to be an impossible challenge. Here’s £50 for the kitty. Do I get any change if you don’t finish!!!” - Peter Alliss (13th June 2007)

St Andrews - A Unique Destination

St Andrews is recognised internationally as the ‘home of golf’, the world’s leading golf destination and venue for some of the sport’s major tournaments. The range and quality of courses, not to mention the majestic beauty of the St Andrews coastline, marks the town out as the premier destination for golfers around the globe. Scott, Ally, Graeme and Gary will tackle 10 courses which have designed to suit all ranges of ability and experience. St Andrews is a major attraction for golfers wishing to sample the unique atmosphere of playing golf in a town steeped in six centuries of the sport’s history. The high concentration of courses means that very few other places in the world could play host to such and ambitious challenge! http://www.standrewsgolf.org/

Gym Gym and more Gym! (No TV!)

Fairmont St Andrews have offered use of their gym and spa in the lead up to the 28th June. 35+ miles or more than 61,000 yards is some distance to cover in one day so daily sessions are now the norm for the currently very unfit four!! The beautifully designed health club at Fairmont St Andrews is a state-of-the-art facility. It offers an extensive array of cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, exercise cycles, elliptical trainers and rowing machines. That is complemented by weight training equipment, Smith Machine, free weights, Swissfit balls, exercise mats and ab-cradles. Numerous large screen televisions are located throughout the facility should Graeme, Ally, Scott and Gary decide enough is enough and fancy catching the latest episode of Home and Away!!

Luxury Travel between Courses!!

Scott, Ally, Gary and Graeme might be beginning to feel the pain by the time they walk off the Eden Course at 10:35am on the 28th June, but thanks to Scotland for Golf they will be travelling the short trip to The Dukes and then onto The Torrance, Devlin and Kingsbarns in luxury. The 4 will be driven in a luxury coach fitted with leather seats and DVD players. The bus' fridge (which is usually stocked with Beer, Whisky and other goodies) will be filled to the brim with energy food and drink. Surely there are no excuses for failing now!!

Kingsbarns warm-up

Alastair Love, Scott Finlayson and Graeme Dawson warmed up for the 10 course challenge at the end of the month by taking part in the Kingsbarns Tour Operator day on Tuesday. After a blistering start, Scott and Ally clearly showed they don't have the stamina for 171 holes by giving up a three shot lead going down the last to lose on better inward half. Scott flew the 18th green by a full 40 yards, Ally pulled his second shot way left and that left the door open for Graeme's playing partner Stuart Brown from Fairmont to tap in a 20 foot burdie putt (4 points with a stroke) to steal the match from the Scotland for Golf boys!!!

The game took 4hours and 5 minutes so a little work is required if we're going to make it round in 2hrs 10mins on the 28th June!

TRAINING UPDATE!

Scott proving he still has some way to go before he can even make it round the Balgove never mind the other 9 courses!!