It was a Scottish success story, as Daniel Young romped to victory at Schloss Roxburghe. The 33 year old secured his maiden title on the HotelPlanner Tour in front of friends and family. We also catch up with George Bloor, fresh off his debut at the Open Championship, while the Teviot Viaduct provides the perfect spot for a closest to the pin challenge.
Heat. Heat. After a week’s break, we’re back in the swing of things on the Hotel Planet Tour. There’s a busy stretch ahead with eight events on the bounce from now until early October. First up is the Farm Food Scottish Challenge supported by the R&D. We’re at a new venue this week with Sloth Rox Hotel and Golf Course taking on hosting duties. Located less than an hour from Edinburgh, the Dave Thomas Design Championship Course has previously hosted the Scottish Senior Open and the DP World Tour qualifying school first stage, but never a hotel planner event. A first then for this magnificent venue. And speaking of firsts, our player in the spotlight this week, George BL is fresh off a maiden major appearance at the Open Championship at Royalport Rush. The the Open was the first event uh I went to like as a spectator and you just at that when you’re a little kid, you’re just in awe of them all. And obviously leading on to the Open, that was just a dream week. Um I mean I say dream week I didn’t win it but but taking the result away like just how how the week was with everybody there and how I how I took it in how I went about it like it was just amazing week. Glor came through the open qualifying series securing a spot courtesy of consecutive rounds of 69 at West Lanasher. Once at Port Rush, Blur was able to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best and he managed to get a practice round with Brooks Kepka. Ironically, a player who won this very event 12 years ago. I played a practice round with Brooks Kepker. That was like really cool. Brooks has been someone that I certainly looked up to and like a bit of an idol when he was dominating like in 2018 and so on. I felt like he was a real like a real strong player in the game obviously at the time and one of the best. So playing alongside him was really good for myself actually just to just to feel like I was no different like I can do not everything he could do but I like my game would stand up very good with him. So it was good to just put myself next to him and and feel the way I felt. I wasn’t like taken back or overwhelmed by being next to someone who’s like achieved so much like I felt really comfortable. So that was like a good good internal feeling for myself to feel like I was comfortable being around these these guys that eventually I want to be going on to playing with, you know, a lot or against a lot more. It was all valuable experience for Bl. But it’s the memories he made from that week with family and friends that he’ll cherish most. like having my team there in the lounge with me as well and getting letting them experience it alongside me. That was really special cuz I’ve I’ve had so much support. So, it was nice. That was one of the biggest joys of me that week was to actually uh be able to experience it with like my closest people as well and let them feel completely part of it, which the the opening the RNA did such a good job of making everybody that was playing and and involved in the team like they just had an unbelievable experience as well. Blore wasn’t far off the mark either. Rounds of 73 and 72 weren’t quite enough to see him through to the weekend, but it has lit a fire inside the Englishman. You want to play in as many opens and majors as possible now going forward. like I’ll be working my hardest to to qualify next year. But then also just like get to that level and as close to the level as you can for as long as possible because playing in front of the crowds getting the treatment that you get like that is really what I set out to do when I was younger and wanted to be a tour professional like that is completely living uh living the dream. So the more that you can do that and for as long as possible that is exactly what I’ll be setting out to do. It’s been a slow but steady rise for BLER. Patience has been key and that consistency in application is starting to pay dividends. My general all round game is in really good shape. I’ve been playing solid pretty much all year. Um just not applied a great finish to to a an event out here. Like I’ve been in the final group a few times, second last group, like put myself in and around the lead and just not like had a great Sunday. But I feel like just how the last month’s gone and and where my game’s kind of like picked up again. I feel like I’ve got that that mental belief a bit more and that mental just maybe the sharpness that I feel like I need just to put to when I’m close to being in a leading position or around the lead that I feel like what I’ve been working on and developed like I’ll be much more equipped now. And yeah, my game’s in good shape. So I’m I’m really looking forward to this week. Time to put that confidence to the test. Thursday afternoon and the opening round of the Farm Food Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A. BL would be paired alongside Alvaro Kiro and Dan Housing as he looked to improve on his solo top 10 finish so far this season. on the tea from England, George BL. And with his father Kevin on the bag for the first time, it didn’t take George too long to notch his first birdie of the day at the second. go. He followed that up with two pars before back-to- back gains at the par five fifth and here at the sixth. Three under through six holes and the confidence from his week at the open championship still flowing. There was a blip. A bogey at the eighth saw the 29year-old out in 33 at two under par. On the back nine, a drop shot on 10 was canceled out with birdie at 11. Three pars then followed before he arrived at the final par three on the card, the 15th, where he stood over a lengthy putt for an unlikely birdie. Oh, nice. Great lap coming. A bonus two which saw him return to the three under mark. Meanwhile, it was another Englishman who was setting the early pace. 27year-old Will Enifer who’s found some recent form with back-to- back top 10s last month. Enifa produced a faultless opening round including six birdies and two eagles all adding up to a new course record of 61. For BL two more pars on 16 and 17 saw him arrive at the closing hole at three under and he arguably saved the best for last. He finished in style with a brilliant birdie. his sixth of the day which would see him end on four under and tied for 14th place. A satisfying opening day for Blore and his new bag man. Yeah, my dad uh semi caddy semi just pushed the bag but uh first time out for him so I suppos nice nice experience. We’ve never done this before. Um no no arguments, no hiccups, nothing like that. He he behaved. So it was it was a good a good good day one for him. I think he can only manage two days. I think I think he’s got to get back for the weekend. So, he’s one out of two has been good so far. So, hopefully we’ll have a a good day tomorrow as well. We’ve got a really nice B&B actually. We’ve got a big snooker table and nice large TV. So, we’ll have a few frames, watch some golf or whatever whatever’s on. Might even sneak last night’s Love Island episode on. Um but yeah, it’ll be pretty chill tonight. We’re off early tomorrow, so yeah, get some rest. Indeed, it was an early start for George on day two as he looked to build on his promising start. And it didn’t take him long to pick up from his strong finish the day before. Straight out of the blocks with a birdie at his opening hole, the 10th, but he couldn’t take advantage of that fast start. Further chances came and went. Six consecutive pars followed before a drop shot at the 17th, his eighth hole of the day. The putts that were converted in round one were failing to find the bottom of the cup on Friday. Into his back nine and the story was much the same as five straight pars saw him reach the fifth level par for the day. Another green found, but this time George capitalized. Yeah, well done. Birdie number two for the day left him five under for the tournament. Overall, it proved a slightly frustrating day for George. All 18 greens found in regulation, but two birdies and one drop shot added up to a one under par round of 70. The cut safely made, but work to be done at the weekend. Out in front in Scotland at the end of day two was Spain’s Keem Vidal. The 25-year-old who was sat 12th in the road to Morca rankings followed up his opening 64 with a 65 which included five birdies and an eagle and saw him take a two-shot lead into Saturday’s third round. As for the BLS, it was time to wind down after the opening two days play in Scotland. And what better way than with a spot of fishing. Well, there’s a first time for everything. Well, I mean, I’m pretty open-minded. I’ll give everything a go. This will be my first time ever. Probably even ever touching a fishing rod, actually. Um, so yeah, it’s looks all bit alien. I’m looking at all these things thinking, what are they? But yeah, with minimal guidance, I’ll give it a uh give it a go and try and see what catch some sharks or something. I played I played better than the scorivist. I I hit 18 greens in regulation out there. So I had a lot of ports. I think I think I had 35 puts. So felt like it was probably the worst it could have been really. But my game was pretty solid. Um and yeah, like get myself in there or thereabouts with a chance going into the weekend. It carried about four yards. How’s that gone? Coming up, we take on the signature hole at Schlloth Rox, but from a slightly different angle. It’s humming down wind now like and we’ll find out who reigns supreme in Scotland. We’ll see you after the break. Welcome back to the Hotel Planet Tour. We’re in Scotland this time, the birthplace of the game. At the halfway mark of the farm food Scottish challenge supported by the RNA, it was Spain’s Queen Vidal with a twoshot advantage over a duo of Scots Daniel Young and Euan Walker. With David Lur and Mark Warren also in the mix, it was looking good for a home challenge over the weekend. Following all the ups and downs on moving day is Josh Antman. Rocker Rapetto Taylor was having a fine day in Kelso. This on 14, one of seven birdies on the day for the Spaniard. Went on to card joint low round of the day. A 64 from the winner in Kadis back in June. Par five, fifth hole. Almost playing like a long par4 really for the players. Average 4.35 on the day. Julian Ken the Frenchman. He’d match Rapetto Taylor with a 64 on Saturday and through 54 holes. Not a single bogey for the 44 year old. Playing in the group alongside the two Scots was Quimbered out. Decent approach here at 12 the par four which led to a birdie. Disappointing day though for the overnight leader in the end. Two overpass 73 saw him drop down the leaderboard. Danyang had caught up and passed Quinn Vidal halfway through his third round. He’d already produced six birdies on the day and he made it seven with this great birdie putt on 12. Doing well on home sill Daniel. No real form to speak of for James Maya Debecco, but he was showing some here. This birdie saw him match the low round of the day and he’ll be out in the final group on Sunday. Great stuff from the Belgian. Three pars followed that birdie at 12 for Young, but he showed his class once again coming home on Saturday. Stunning approach to that back right pin at 16. Be a tapping birdie to get to 17 under par for Young. Another birdie came at the penultimate hole. Another long hold by Young. his ninth birdie of the day to stretch his lead over the chasing pack. Huge crowds following the players. It would be just a part to finish for Young. Nine birdies, two bogeies, joint low round of the day and a fourshot lead heading into the final round. So confirmation that Young was head and shoulders above the rest at this stage. But with the likes of experienced Julian Ken along with proven winners David Law and Yonathan Goat Rasmuson Young would be taking nothing for granted. I’ve seen the forecast isn’t great. So yeah, I’ll just be head down and and try and um do what I’ve been doing. Sort of the old cliche like one one shot one hole at a time and and see where it gets me at the end of the day. There’s still still a lot of golf left as you can see. The score is pretty low today. Obviously conditions good. So, I think it’s that type of course. Somebody could come from nowhere and shoot maybe 7, 8, 9 under. So, I’ll still have to go out tomorrow and play a good round of golf. The Rox Championship course had certainly lived up to its tough reputation during the week, issuing a stern challenge to the class of 2025. The signature 14th hole had been central to the drama over the first few days, but daring to be different, we offered up an alternative plan of attack for the players. Our intrepid group stepped up to take on a nearest to the pin challenge from the top of the iconic vioaduct that overlooks the par 5’s green. Hey everyone, this is the close to the pin challenge on the vioaduct overlooking the 14th hole. We have 271 yards and uh yeah, I think we’re feeling pretty confident. What do you guys think? You might be. I’ll be happy just getting it over the wall here. Yeah, there you go. Yes. I hope we don’t hit the cameraman there. I’ve got a little bit too much club here, but we’ll take some off. Okay, first shot. Good luck, guys. Oh, wow. Hit it. Win. No, don’t hit it on the green. It’s front right. That’s on the green. It’s front right. The green just rolled off. Rolled off. Just rolled off there by the bunker. That’s sick. Oh wow. That’s looking good. Trying perfect club that pitch pin high. Oh yeah. It’s a good one. That could be me for the day. Oh, you landed on the back side of the green there. Oh, I just need to cut a little bit. Yeah, the wind’s not got that one. Good club, eh? Yeah, I think that’s perfect. It’s a perfect club. This is awesome. I think I found the club. I’m going to change my club to a sevenwood. Um, seems like the wind’s helping a bit more from behind. So yeah, this is incredible. Really enjoying it. Oh, little right. That looks like a good club, bro. I’m with the green. Oh, do I need to change clubs? I would say I would say someone’s going to get within 10 yards. Oh, he’s a little windy now. Oh, that’s golden. Oh, that looks really good. Come on. Go in the hole. Sit. Go in the hole. Sit. Oh, go. Oh, wow. We need a It’s humming down wind now. Like Yeah. Fantastic experience and the Scottish weather. Scottish sun was shining on us as well. Oh, that could be really good. Come on, baby. I tell you what. Oh, good swings though. Consistent. Thank you. Oh, there he goes. That’s looking good. Find the hole. Go, go, focus. Tiger mode. Oh, that’s the one. Oh, that’s nice. Right on line. We don’t know who won yet. Yeah. Oh, is yours also pretty close, Kyle? 4.6 m. Hey. Oh, hey. Well done, mate. Congratulations. That’s awesome. Well done, guys. So, that was a bridge too far for Dan Young, but could he take the high ground when it came to the main business of the week at the Farm Food Scottish Challenge? supported by the RNA. Here’s Josh again. Things looked easy for Dan Young over the first three days, but the trouble struck immediately in the final round. That was for Bogey. A miss and his four shot lead all of a sudden was just two. There’s a lot of work to do for the chasers at the start of the day and Maya Debecco made inroads with this birdie to move into a share of second alongside Ken man enjoying his time on home turf. Much like Dan Young was Yuan Walker. This at six just a flick in to the par four. Somehow that didn’t go in with that birdie. he’d make his way into the top five. After that early wobble for Young, he steadied the ship with a birdie at five and immediately backed up with another here at six. Great touch to that back pin for Young. Back to level for the day and he was now three clear out in level par 35 for Walker. But he made some ground after this nice bunker shot at the par five 11th hole moving his way up to fourth place. It was a quiet day for Julian Ken until the back nine. This stunning approach at 16 led his third birdie in the space of five holes and he was now just one back of Young. Kent lipped out for birdie on 17 which could have tied things with Young. Young did miss the green left at the 72nd hole. plenty of friends and family watching on. But this was an excellent chip under pressure from Young. It would set up a certain park and it would mean Ken would need a birdie to tie Young and force a playoff. Just wasn’t a beat for Ken Terrell Young in a great effort though from the Frenchman and good signs for the 44 year old. So with all the home support watching on Dan Young taps in for par and after two close calls in France back in June, the Scott is finally a winner on the Hotel Planetour. Yes, it was a little too close for comfort, but Dan Young eventually saw it home by a whisker despite Julian Kane’s fine challenge. So, a somewhat relieved Scotsman took home the silverware. I don’t think it gets any better. Um, honestly, you don’t pick where you win. I would have taken winning anywhere, but yeah, this is extra special, that’s for sure. Nothing’s nothing’s over till it’s over. There’s still I don’t know how many eight nine events left. So, lots of golf to go and I’m obviously playing well. So, yeah, looking forward to to the next few events and and just try and grab another trophy along the way and see what happens. A look at the Road to Morca rankings shows there’s no movement at the top with Josh Bry and JC Richie still out in front. David Law moves up to fourth whilst our newly crowned champion climbs to sixth spot. Further down, just two players trending in the right direction. Scott Euan Walker and Yonathan Go Rasmuson both showing themselves in the top 20 and Tobias Johnson slips down to 20th position. And with that, our time in Scotland has come to an end. Up next, the 2025 contenders make the short trip across the Irish Sea to take on the challenge of Keen Castle. So, join us then as the pursuit of promotion to the DP World Tour continues.
