Latest news with #EwenFerguson
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Open goal for Connor Syme as he prepares to join home charge for glory at The Renaissance Club
Connor Syme believes his confidence and self-belief are at an all-time high as he prepares to tee it up on some soil at this week's Genesis Scottish Open. Syme finally got the monkey off his back and won his maiden DP World Tour title at the KLM Open in Holland last month. The 29-year-old Fifer arrives at The Renaissance looking to build on that victory and will be buoyed by the fact he has a decent record around the East Lothian venue. Syme finished in a tie for 15th place last year and has made the cut on all six previous appearances. He believes he can go from strength to strength after finally clinching his first victory on tour - and has the added incentive of trying to secure a place in next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. 'There's always something you want to achieve and I really, really want to play in The Open,' admitted Syme. 'There's no denying that and, the same as everyone teeing up this week, if you're not in already then that's definitely a goal. 'Hopefully I can play well. When I look back at my win in Holland, I was definitely brilliant at bringing myself back into the present. 'That's hopefully something I can carry on with this week and I'm hoping my good golf can flourish from there. 'It's all positives. It's been such an amazing feeling to get that first win and to come back here as a winner on tour is really special.' Having joined the likes of Bob MacIntyre, Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest and Calum Hill as Scots to have won on tour in recent years, Syme believes Scottish golf is in a decent place overall. MacIntyre is currently placed just outside the world's top 10, with Ferguson the only other Scot inside the world top 150 at present. Asked whether or not he feels Scottish golf punches above its weight or holds its own, Syme added: 'Good question. I guess we are probably kind of getting it back. 'Certainly when I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we had in Scotland for whatever reason didn't end up making it on tour at that point. 'I think a few of those guys probably still could do it, but it's obviously nice that from my age group growing up, quite a lot of us have managed to get on tour and have won on tour, which is awesome. 'But, yeah, obviously with the home of golf, it definitely carries its pressures and trying to live up to that. Bob is obviously doing absolutely brilliantly and we are all trying to get, hopefully, to where he gets to.'
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bryant's lightning in a bottle uncorks hole-in-one
Davis Bryant has carded the lowest score of the tournament to open up a two-shot lead at the BMW International Open. The American entertained the fans at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried when he recorded the 12th hole-in-one of the DP World Tour season with an ace at the 166-yard par-three 12th, his third hole, en route to his brilliant 63. He added nine birdies and two bogeys to set the halfway target of 12 under par, moving two clear of Norway's Kristoffer Reitan. "I don't really know what happened today. I think the ace kind of jumpstarted things," Bryant said. "I don't feel like I've played my best golf since Q school to be honest. I had some time off over the holidays, played some HotelPlanner Tour events to start the year and feel like my game is starting to get back to where I want it to be. "Just super pleased with last week's finish, the first two rounds here and then today, catching lightning in a bottle and just rolling with it. "Not really thinking too far ahead. Everyone in the field can win this event. We've still got two rounds to go." Reitan rolled in seven birdies in his flawless 65, while English pair Jordan Smith and Daniel Brown sit at nine under alongside Japan's Yuto Katsuragawa. Scotland's Scott Jamieson is one shot further back in a tie for sixth, but defending champion Ewen Ferguson missed the cut by one shot despite a four-under 68 on Friday. Australia's Elvis Smylie is on 139 after going round in an eye-catching 66. Compatriot Daniel Gale is on 142. David Micheluzzi, two shots further back, missed the cut.
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How nerves of steel secured the future for shipbuilding on the Clyde
The location though, was not Scotland (where operator Caledonian MacBrayne has grappled with an 'exceptional' series of challenges with its fleet) but the Burtonport to Arranmore – Árainn Mhór in Irish – route in Donegal. Importantly, the ferry, Arranmore Blu, was not only built in Scotland by Bute Boatbuilders opposite Port Bannatyne on the island but designed by Marine Design International Ltd (MDI) in Glasgow. Bute Boatbuilders is run by Ewen Ferguson who has more than 35 years of working in boatyards, including 20 years of constructing newbuilds and Arranmore Blu replaces Morvern, which was originally built in 1972 as part of the CalMac fleet. Bute Boatbuilders came out of a family-owned business on the island which was largely involved in refurbishment and overhauls, including for CalMac and Ferguson, and it now constructs a range of vessels that include steel and aluminium workboats, landing craft, multicats and now passenger boats. Unsurprisingly, much of his Ferguson's business in recent years has resulted from the growth of the salmon farming industry and he has built 22 boats over 20 years. Having worked on previous vessel refits and conversions for him he knew Seumas Boyle, the managing director and skipper at Arranmore Ferries and – operating his company on a small island – the two had much in common. The Arranmore Ferry, owned by Boyle's Realt Na Maidne Teoranta (Star of the Morning) Ferry Company has operated for 14 years to the little island. The Arranmore Blu, which can carry 10 cars and 97 passengers, was planned in 2020 in recognition of the increasing demands of modern transport and larger vehicles – and the need for a vessel that would offer greater capacity, comfort and safety in line with the 2020 Irish Domestic Passenger Ship Standards. 'Seamus was on the verge of signing a contract with a Turkish company when he came to meet me about this. We both decided that as we were on an island and they were on an island, we ticked a lot of the boxes for him,' says Ferguson. (Image: Ewen Ferguson and Seumas Boyle) While Boyle recalls: 'It seemed like a natural fit. We didn't even get around to signing a contract – we just shook hands on it and Ewen got started on the new boat.' During the work he and others in his team from Burtonport were given access to a Portakabin to observe the work in progress over the course of eight months. 'I can't think of another company that would let you do that,' he laughs. Simon Cormack, director of MDI had previously worked with Ferguson within the leisure, workboat and fishing industry since the inception of MDI in 2005, assuming a range of roles on a variety of projects. MDI, explains Cormack, was incorporated in 2005 to bring together three Scottish Naval Architecture firms and specialises in small vessel design, alteration and consultancy with a problem-solving attitude. 'In recent years we've developed into supporting the small vessel operations in nearshore windfarm installations and marine civil contracts across Europe including designs for this specific market and geographically we work worldwide,' he says. This is the first ship that MDI has developed to the Irish 2020 domestic passenger ship rules and the first passenger ferry Bute Boatbuilders has constructed. 'The level of design detail, traceability and certification is significantly higher in this design and build as opposed to other commercial vessels,' adds Cormack. The partnership, which involved sourcing correctly certified materials and equipment was a lot more demanding than a typical commercial project. 'The owner required simplicity in design and maintenance so developing a compliant design without excessive complexity or high maintenance equipment took thought and design and verification with the authorities,' he says.' (Image: The launch of Arranmore Blu) When the Arranmore Blu left Rothesay Harbour having completed its sea trials Seamus Boyle skippered her on the 15-hour trip to Burtonport. 'Unlike at Fergusons or other big shipyards we like to get the boat launched, start up the engines and sail it away,' says Ferguson. The final specification of the boats Bute Boatbuilders constructs can vary considerably depending on the customer and with the Arranmore Blu Ferguson says he completed some 80% of the boat, with minor fit-out and design details added by Boyle to suit his exact demands. The company employs 12 people on Bute, including three apprentices and Ferguson says that one of the aims of the company is to provide more long term-employment on Bute and while it's relatively easy to attract young people, the problem is staff retention as they are often wooed by the high wages at major companies such as BAE Systems in Glasgow. 'There are several people from the island who have gone there and while it's impossible to compete with the wages offered by companies of that size, some of them have come back because they miss the active involvement in working here.' Sheet steel for the vessels is sourced from a major European stockest and engines from major manufacturers such as Scania and Hyundai. The Arranmore Blu has been designed for hybrid electric propulsion, feasible in reducing emissions further when funds allow and while MDI has previously built fully electric vessels and the technology is proven, it doesn't yet offer a financial break even. The launch of the new ferry on the Arranmore Blu has been acknowledged as a success by all three parties involved. 'Everything was so efficient, we had no issues and people love it – down to the little details including now being able to offer tea and coffee,' says Boyle. 'The Arranmore Blu has exceeded expectations on its trials and early service,' adds Cormack. 'When creating a new design with critical criteria it's important to build in some margin to allow for unavoidable design or equipment variation driven by material or equipment availability or requests from regulators. 'In this case the project has been delivered by an owner, designer and builder that are all small businesses, which stretched everyone's resources compared to projects involving the delivery of larger vessels with larger shipyards.' At Bute Boatbuilders, Ferguson says there are normally two boats under construction at any time, with the notional price of a 19- to 22-metre landing craft being some £1.5 million to £2m, though that is subject to the specification of engines, cranes and other factors. For him, though, the greatest satisfaction is completing the sea trials of a new vessel. 'It's the satisfaction of having taken a pile of steel and turned it into something that works – delivering a boat that is sailing and doing everything you said it would do.'
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ewen Ferguson ready to 'give it a go' in bid to create BMW International Open history in Munich
Scot aiming to become first player to successfully defend DP World Tour title won by some big names Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ewen Ferguson is ready to 'give it a go' as he bids to create history in Munich this week by becoming the first player to successfully defend the BMW International Open title. American Paul Azinger claimed the crown in 1990 and 1992 while Thomas Bjorn matched the feat in 2000 and 2002, but no-one has managed to win it back-to-back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ferguson became the first Scot since Colin Montgomerie in 1999 to triumph in the event when he landed a two-shot victory 12 months ago and now he's excited to be back at Golfclub München Eichenried as the defending champion in its 36th edition. Defending BMW International Open champion Ewen Ferguson pictured with his caddie Stephen Neilson during the pro-am on Wednesday | BMW Group 'To win any BMW event is great and especially the International Open here in Munich as it's a very special event,' said the 28-year-old. 'It's got so much history to it. There have been some cracking winners and Scottish winners (Sandy Lyle also triumphed in 1991) in there as well. 'And last year it was Bernhard Langer's last event, too, so there was a lot of emotion around the crowds. To be the person that won that tournament, that was very special.' Ferguson's title triumph last year helped him secure a spot in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon through a mini-Order of Merit on the DP World Tour. He's sitting 32nd in the same standings heading into this event, so needs another big week to get in the mix in the battle to be among the top five not otherwise exempt in the top 20 on Sunday night. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Confidence is good,' insisted the three-time tour winner. 'I feel good about everything. I'm working on my game. I've had a chance to win this year, I've had a top five, and I've been quite consistent, which has been quite satisfying. 'Even when I've played badly, I've still kind of managed to put up a decent result. So I know that when it's going well and I get a hot putter, I'm one to give it a go. So we'll see what happens.' Connor Syme is making his first start as the KLM Open champion, with Calum Hill, who finished third in the Italian Open last weekend, also flying the Saltire along with Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson. 'It's actually been a bit of a dry spell in Europe over the last couple of months, so it's playing firm, fast, running and you're hitting a lot less club,' observed Ferguson of a different test to last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But, at the same time, that comes with trouble, too. Now you can run into that water hazard or bounce over the back of the green rather than the ball coming up soft. It's like every week out on the DP World Tour. We're always trying to adapt and change, just work out the course and dissect it as best as possible.' Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald played with former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale in the pro-am at Golfclub München Eichenried | BMW Group Luke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain, is also in a field that contains LIV Golf trio Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Patrick Reed, who is in Ferguson's group for the opening two rounds. Donald was asked in his press conference about the possibility of Keegan Bradley being a playing captain for the US at Bethpage Black in September.
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scots chase 153rd Open spots in Italy as Stephen Gallacher bids to hit dizzy heights in Colorado
Two spots at Royal Portrush up for grabs at new venue for Italian Open on its 100th anniversary Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A new challenge awaits five Scots in this week's 100th anniversary of the Italian Open as Stephen Gallacher is hoping he has a head and game for heights in the US Senior Open. Though recent KLM Open winner Connor Syme has pulled out due to a family bereavement, Ewen Ferguson, Calum Hill, Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson are all flying the Saltire in the Italian Open. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This year's milestone edition is being held at Argentario Golf Club for the first time, marking a return to Tuscany for the tournament - a mainstay of the DP World Tour since its inception in 1972 - for the first time in 42 years. Ewen Ferguson pictured in the build up to the Italian Open at Argentario Golf & Wellness in Porto Ercole |For the second season in a row, the Italian Open features as part of the Qualifying Series for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush this summer. The top two players not already exempt who make the cut will secure spots in the season's final major as the last few opportunities come around for DP World Tour card holders. Three spots will also be up for grabs in the Genesis Scottish Open in a fortnight's time, with another route still on offer through the Race to Dubai Rankings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first five DP World Tour members not otherwise exempt in the top 20 in the standings after next week's BMW International Open in Munich will secure a berth in the Claret Jug event on the County Antrim coast. On the back of his breakthrough win earlier this month, Syme sits 21st, with Ferguson, who is the defending champion in Germany, in 28th spot and Calum Hill, winner of the Joburg Open earlier this season, lying 31st. Meanwhile, Gallacher and Greig Hutcheon are flying the flag in the US Senior Open in Colorado after Colin Montgomerie, the 2014 winner, withdrew from the USGA event over the weekend. It's Gallacher's debut in the tournament, having finished joint-25th behind Angel Cabrera in his first over-50s' major in the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional last month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stephen Gallacher is playing in just his second senior major this week as he joins Greig Hutcheon in flying the Saltire in the US Senior Open in Colorado | Getty Images 'I'm really looking forward to,' said the former Ryder Cup player and current Junior Ryder Cup captain of teeing up at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. 'It's a fantastic venue, with the difficulty this week being the altitude as we are playing at 6,200 feet above sea level. 'So distance control is paramount and, with quite slopey and quick greens, you are going to need to be below the hole most of the time.' Gallacher has been paired for the opening two rounds with English duo Peter Baker and Van Phillips while Hutcheon has former Scottish Open champion Thomas Levet and American Jeff Sluman in his group.
