Now glasnost enters the realms of golf as Russians come to fore

obvious highlights, but for the Russian contingent it will probably go

down in history.

Even though a veil may decently be drawn over his second round and the

scores of his compatriots Dmitri Gagua and Konstantin Lifanov, that

seven-over-par showing over an exacting layout was a sure sign that

Russian golf is beginning to hit the mark.

Strunkin, aged 17, already is considered to be the best Russian

golfer. He plays off a handicap of eight, his 79 justifying that rating,

and is among six young players who will join Moscow's Academy of Sports

for which a new Chair of Golf has been established and will begin

operation next month.

Lifanov, aged 19, is an engineering student and holds an 11-handicap,

while Gagua is just 16, is still at school, and plays off 13.

The European Golf Association would have been well aware that their

standard was short of players from the other 21 countries taking part,

but the special invitation to Scotland was far-sighted, and an example

of its policy of encouraging the development of golf throughout Europe.

In the same spirit, they took this year's European Teams championship

to Marianske Lasne in the Czech Republic rather than a more accessible

or established venue.

Accompanying the Russian trio was Alexander Kisselov, the 55-year-old

national coach for the last two years. Kisselev, born in Moscow of a

Chinese father and Russian mother, plays to a 13-handicap, and so his

proteges already are overtaking him.

Although golf got under way in Russia only in 1990, he had a head

start, learning the game 12 years ago improbably in Iraq, where he

worked as an interpreter for a company of Russian oil specialists.

Kisselev explained that there are only two courses in Russia, both

nine-holers, although the most recent one is in the process of being

extended to 18.

The first, called Golf Club Tumba Moscow and within the Moscow

boundary, was established on the initiative of Swedish ice-hockey player

Tumba Johansson, and was a joint Swedish/Russian venture. As soon as its

driving range was in use, 60 schoolchildren were selected for training.

The ones at Dalmahoy were among them and they are now playing in only

their fourth season.

Kisselev added that there were another three at home who play to the

same standard. As the invitation was for three, difficult selection

decisions had to be made.

There have been previous visits by invitation to America, Sweden,

Hungary, and Scotland, but he reckoned this was the most exciting

because his young players were able to measure themselves at first hand

against the best in Europe in formal competition. Having done so, their

ambitions will be heightened.

I watched Strunkin playing the par-5 ninth at Dalmahoy. A huge drive

left him with no more than a No.4 iron to the green which he missed on

the left. An over-strong chip and three putts later he had a 6, while

one of his players partners, a jolly Portuguese called Jose Sousa de

Melo, conjured a 4 from an indifferent tee shot to which he cried ''Oh,

mama'' as it flew way left.

Two conclusions may be drawn. First, Strunkin will probably step up

practice on his short game with a view to turning four shots into two,

and secondly he may go home thinking that ''Oh, mama'' is the Portuguese

terminology for a high, looping hook.

But back to Russia, and their second course is more elaborate, having

been designed by American Robert Trent Jones Jr. Called Country Club of

Moscow, it is 10km outside the city, and is an example of decadence that

would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.

The course winds its way through pine and fir trees, is linked to a

hotel, and 100 summer houses are being constructed around its perimeter.

An international amateur tournament is planned to be staged there on

September 19.

Apart from the young players, who were taught for the first season by

Swedish professional Lars Johansson, Kisselev estimates there are only

10 Russian club golfers, all men, although there are some 70 foreigners

using the facilities.

Kisselev, however, does not foresee Russia becoming a force in

international golf in the near future.

The lack of facilities and the long winters, during which the young

players use nets indoors, are obvious drawbacks. A shortage of equipment

is another.

Playing with new balls like they were at Dalmahoy, was a rare

privilege by the intrepid trio who were using anything but matched sets

of clubs, albeit ones with which they were familiar.

Glasnost may not have taken golf by storm. There is a long way to go,

but you get the impression that when the Russians return, whether next

year or in 10 year's time, there just might be a scratch player or two

among them.

* ISLAY Golf Club have been in touch to ask if they can claim the

distinction of the oldest living past captain.

Their man in question is Dr Alex Campbell, aged 93, who travelled from

Yorkshire to attend the dinner to conclude their Kildalton Cross Week

over Machrie.

The Kildalton Cross is also 93 years old, and members are hoping that

Dr Campbell, formerly GP at Port Ellen, will be around to celebrate a

double centenary.

Tom Dunn, the club secretary, said: ''Perhaps some other golf club

lays claim to the distinction. If so, I would like to hear from the

secretary.'' And don't forget to tell us, too.