Ewen Ferguson joins Scots UAE camp

Ewen Ferguson, the British Boys champion, Scottish Boys winner Bradley Neil and Robert MacIntyre, twice a national champion in 2013, are among a new-look group of Scotland’s leading male amateurs who will depart for a warm weather training camp to the United Arab Emirates this week.

The intensive training trip – the majority of which is funded by long-standing SGU sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management, Johann Rupert’s Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and sportscotland – involves over three weeks of work on strength and conditioning, psychology and practice.

Building on three previous successful training trips to the UAE, the players depart today until December 12 for the on and off course work at The Els Club, Dubai and two venues in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Yas Links.

“Our warm weather training programme continues to evolve and provides an opportunity for the players to work on fitness and their golfing skills for an extended period,” said Paulding. “It’s almost an entirely different group of players we have this year, with a focus on the younger players.

It would be impossible to do the type of training planned in Scotland at this time of year

“The venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer magnificent courses, superb practice facilities and everything we need off the course. We are very grateful to the support of these venues and of our supporters who ultimately make this trip possible – Aberdeen Asset Management, the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and sportscotland.

“It would be impossible to do the type of training planned in Scotland at this time of year, but also more expensive due to the in-kind sponsorship and preferential rates for the UAE camp.”

Key members of the SGU coaching team – including National Coach Ian Rae and Scottish Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding – will support the players, with input from expert staff at the sportscotland Institute of Sport.

Having failed to come through European Tour Qualifying School and following discussions with Rae and former European Tour winners Dean Robertson (University of Stirling Head Performance Golf Coach) and Andrew Coltart (SGU Performance Committee), Robertson has opted to stay amateur for another year rather than turn professional. Resultantly, he has been added to the 2013-14 SGU Men’s National Squad.

“Our warm weather training programme continues to evolve and provides an opportunity for the players to work on fitness and their golfing skills for an extended period,” said Paulding. “It’s almost an entirely different group of players we have this year, with a focus on the younger players.

“The venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer magnificent courses, superb practice facilities and everything we need off the course. We are very grateful to the support of these venues and of our supporters who ultimately make this trip possible – Aberdeen Asset Management, the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and sportscotland.

“It would be impossible to do the type of training planned in Scotland at this time of year, but also more expensive due to the in-kind sponsorship and preferential rates for the UAE camp.”

Scotland Squad for UAE warm weather training camp

Scott Borrowman (Dollar, 26)

Adam Dunton (McDonald, 23)

Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden, 17)

Scott Gibson (Southerness, 20)

Ben Kinsley (St Andrews, 17)

Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten, 17)

Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie, 17)

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie, 25)

Jamie Savage (Cawder, 19)

Daniel Young (Craigie Hill, 22)

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered