Like all good Scots, Coltart, born and raised in Dumfries, should be used to playing in the wind and has a track record that suggests as such. The limestone rocks around which the fairways and greens have been laid, carpet-like, were here long before the construction of the course began five years ago, as was the wind. At this time of year, it comes straight from the Iranian mountain tops and sweeps in over the Arabian Gulf. Its cooling properties are welcome and it is also providing for a severe new challenge for the players of the European Tour in the inaugural Qatar Masters here. With greens many found difficult to read, the scoring was so bunched that six shots covered 114 of the 132 players and for most of the day it looked as if nobody would get past 69, three under par. GIVEN the huge intervention from man and machine required to establish the Doha Golf Club, the first green championship course in Qatar, two of the layout's natural features remain its strongest defence. "But I've told the players that if we win all our Super League games we will win the Grand Final and that is our expectation."Some people think we are old news, but we will be grabbing your attention again."Simon Middleton, who has been playing rugby union for Leeds, has asked Castleford for a release from his contract so that he can play for Leeds in the summer.Super League's sponsor and Wigan's financial backer, Dave Whelan, has criticised plans to take a Test against New Zealand to Watford later this year.Whelan, whose proposal for taking full control of the club goes before its shareholders tomorrow, hopes to establish the new ground that will be shared by Wigan's football and rugby teams as a Test venue.Geoff Berry, who has been doing the job on a temporary basis since the end of last season, has been confirmed as the League's controller of referees.. "I want to take on more responsibility for calling the shots."Bradford's main winter signing has had time to reflect on his part in his new side's downfall at Wheldon Road, when Cas scored two tries while he was in the sin-bin."I blamed myself at the time, but I've watched the incident on video and I now think the only reason I was sin-binned was that I was Shaun Edwards.

It's up to me to realise that and be more disciplined in the future."The Bulls launched their season with characteristic panache yesterday, with their coach, Matthew Elliott, promising that they would make up for their Cup letdown."We won't be going to the Twin Towers and that certainly stings," he said. SHAUN EDWARDS wants to take on more responsibility for organising the Bradford Bulls on the field following the disappointment of their Challenge Cup defeat at Castleford. Bradford now have more than a month without a match before the start of Super League. Edwards, the most honoured player in the history of the game, intends to use that time to move into a more central role with the Bulls. "We were all over the place at Castleford," he said. Which is a shame, because this year's Tyrrell looks a useful car.. Under the guidance of the ubiquitous David Richards, they seem to have found a fresh vitality, epitomised by their young drivers, Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz. Their inexperience may betray them at critical moments, but they could well be competing for victories.Prost, Jordan and Sauber can anticipate some robust midfield jousting, while Arrows, whom Hill abandoned for Jordan, Tyrrell and Stewart will be anxious to ensure Minardi hang on to the wooden spoon.Stewart, who have the benefit of Ford factory support, will be expected to take a significant step forward in their second season of grand prix competition.Ken Tyrrell, had planned a sentimental last journey on the world championship tour before relinquishing all links with his team to the British American Racing organisation, but a difference of opinion has forced a premature split.

If Mercedes achieve reliability to complement the power of their engine and the tyres work as well as has been forecast, then Dennis has a formidable package.Benetton are no slouches either. His unrivalled powers of improvisation almost denied Villeneuve the championship last season.The quality of Schumacher's new car is still something of a mystery, because Ferrari have avoided testing alongside their rivals That may mean they have too much to show, or too little Now they can hide no longer. If the car is just about as good as any other, then Schumacher ought to make the difference.Everyone in Formula One recognises Schumacher's ability to outwit the rest in abnormal circumstances, but McLaren, like Williams, are banking on their ability to out-engineer and out-organise Ferrari.Ron Dennis has led McLaren through six seasons of indifferent performance but much as he publicly resists the notion his team are favourites for the championship, contending "it's a waste of time to make predictions", the body language shouts out his confidence and expectation.He takes the view that if the car is good enough a 15-year-old should be able to drive it across the finish line ahead of Schumacher, and in Mika Hakkinen and Coulthard, he has two rather more experienced, if scarcely geriatric, drivers.Evidence of McLaren's revival was apparent last year and Adrian Newey's new car has been the talk of pre-season testing. I think he can be as good as Michael, and remember he has had only two years in Formula One against Michael's seven."Jacques has got the hardest head I've ever come across He's brilliantly skilful and a very tough competitor I think his homeland has a lot to do with it. The German will have understood Frank Williams' message behind the jokes and will doubtless respond accordingly.Fitness has never been a dirty word for Frentzen's compatriot, Schumacher, who remains the strongest single element in the Ferrari equation. They breed tough guys in Canada."You can give him advice but in the end he will do what he wants to do. He does, though, learn with every race."Frentzen will be aware that he must heed the lessons of last year if he is to retain his place in Formula One's most successful team.

"We believe he will do a better job," Williams said.The subject of Frentzen's fitness - or comparative lack of it - became a source of irritation and mirth within the Williams camp last year. They profess themselves equally confident that the combined prowess of their drivers will have been significantly enhanced.Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen are in tandem for a second season and each should be better for the additional experience in the front line of grand prix racing.It is conceivable, though not likely, Villeneuve will be less motivated now he has a championship in his account, but he is conscious that he still has to persuade the world he is the best.Frank Williams confirms: "It gets up his nose to keep hearing Michael Schumacher is the best He believes he is or will be better than Schumacher. In fact, an apparent lack of emotion tends to characterise Williams in the public perception as vividly as their consistent success.However, the stoically British reaction to victory or defeat should lure no one into the misapprehension that Williams' appetite for winning has been satisfied. Renault's withdrawal from Formula One would appear to indicate a possible weakness in Williams' armoury, but they are satisfied the engine will be no less powerful or reliable. Or could it be Ferrari will emerge from their lair and claim their first drivers' title since 1979? Or perhaps Benetton, who like McLaren have changed from Goodyear tyres to Bridgestone, will prove they can beat all comers without Michael Schumacher's leadership.Schumacher, embarking on a third season with Ferrari, believes tyres will be crucial to the outcome of the championship, naming McLaren and Benetton, rather than Williams, as the most serious threats to his ambitions of winning a third title.Williams themselves acknowledge the authenticity of McLaren's challenge, anticipate the continuing hounding by Schumacher's Ferrari, and recognise the potential of Benetton's rejuvenation And yet, if they are worried, it does not show.