Billy Harris, a tennis player from the Isle of Man, expressed his growing confidence after advancing to the second round of the LTA's Rothesay Open. He defeated Coleman Wong from Hong Kong with a score of 6-3 6-4 [ca36801c]. Harris got the crucial break he needed in the first game after play resumed and went on to seal victory. He will now face Joao Fonseca from Brazil in the quarter-finals. Harris emphasized the importance of taking each game as it comes and focusing on the next day. He arrived in Nottingham after reaching the semi-finals of the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy and narrowly missing out on the main draw of the French Open. Harris is pleased with his current form and is looking to continue his good performance throughout the grass season [ca36801c].
Akshay Bhatia, a Wake County native, is excited to play in the US Open at Pinehurst. Bhatia has played at Pinehurst #2 multiple times and has already made a hole-in-one there. This will be his second US Open and fourth major championship. Bhatia is looking forward to playing in front of his friends and family, as it is a short drive for them. He started his golf career at a young age and has since become a rising star on the PGA Tour. Bhatia is focused on being patient and improving his game on the challenging golf course. The US Open is a special event for him and his family.
The Sandhills area of south-central North Carolina has deep Scottish roots dating back to the 1700s. Scottish emigrants settled in the region and found land for the taking and plentiful game for hunting. The game of golf, with its Scottish origins, eventually became the backbone of the Sandhills economy. Englishman Alistair Cooke observed that golf was what the Scottish character had been seeking for centuries. Donald Ross, a Scottish immigrant, played a significant role in the growth of golf in the United States. He moved to Pinehurst in 1900 and built seven golf courses in the area. Other Scotsmen, such as Ralph Miner, David Ferguson, Frank Clark, and Marshall Crichton, also contributed to the development of golf in the Carolinas. The members of Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland produced several successful golfers who moved to the United States. Pinehurst Resort and Country Club has had a long-standing relationship with St. Andrews in Scotland, including importing sand from the Old Course. The resort even constructed a replica of the starter's hut at St. Andrews. The Scottish influence on golf in the Sandhills is undeniable. [9c15acc3]