It's the end of 2007 --- Happy New Year

Click here to Ring in the New Year

Heron Attack in Bearsden Glasgow

Nothing to do with golf ---- Your Webmaster Carol and husband Gordon had a visitor in their garden on Hogmanay. To all friends who like birds as well as golf I thought you would like to see this

Merry Christmas to all our West of Scotland Readers

Carol -- your Webmaster has a link to her Christmas Card to all readers of this website Carol's Christmas Card

Pat Walker (Captain of the West Vets) sends her Christmas wishes on the West Vets Website

Christmas Lunches at Douglas Park

Two Christmas Lunches were held at Douglas Park Golf club today Friday 14th and Sunday 10th -- . Thanks go to Clark Nelson who added to the musical entertainment on the Sunday and at short notice to Caroline Hanlon who played the piano on that day.
Click on the video below (not very good -- but if gives the jist !!) and the smileybox to see some photos and you may recognise a few faces -- Gladys Speedie, Helen Faulds and Olive MacKay to name a few of the Carol singers !!
Perhaps the singing was better in 2005 !!!
Click on this link; Video of DP Christmas Lunch Singing in 2005



To see some photos from both lunches (over 100 ladies) then click on the play button below

Make a slideshow!

The Christmas Cracker Competition - Ranfurly Castle

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32 ladies played in the Christmas Cracker yesterday morning in what can only be described as WET !
Alison Robertson and Pamela Mackenzie were the winners of the 9 hole Greensomes and Lois Brown won a prize for having the best hat.
A glass of mulled wine helped to warm everyone up at the end and there was plenty of chat and much hilarity!
To see enlargements of the photos go to Ranfurly Castle Christmas Cracker Winners

Clare Queen and Kyle Walker are the top Scots in India

Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) earned 2,070 Euos for a share of 28th place on 295. Clare had rounds of 75, 72, 73 and 75. In her final round, she took a long time to get going with bogeys at the second, fifth, ninth and 10th. Her first birdie came at the 11th but she bogeyed the 12th before birdieing the long 15th for halves of 39 and 36.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), with Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), playing on special invitations for amateurs, took the chance to turn in arguably her best performance of the season.
Kylie had scores of 77, 73, 72 and 75 for nine-over-par 297 and a share of 35th position, not bad at all among professional company. Kylie bogeyed the second, third and fourth but birdied the fifth and long seventh before a bogey at the eighth saw her turne in two-over-par 38. Another birdie at the long 10th helped to offset the damage of a double-bogey 6 at the long par-4 16th in halves of 38 and 37.
Had she been playing as a professional, Kylie would have won 1,590 Euros.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
281 G Nocera (France) 69 69 72 71 (30,000 Euros).
282 V Lagoutte-Clement (France) 72 75 66 68 (20,300 Euros).
284 Lisa Hall (England) 72 73 70 69 (14,000 Euros).
285 L Wahlin (Sweden) 69 75 72 69 (10,800 Euros).
286 T Plucksataporn (Thailand) 72 71 74 69 (8,480 Euros).
287 K-M Juul (Denmark) 73 73 70 71, T Johnson (England) 73 70 72 72, M Prieto (Spain) 73 70 72 72 (6,000 Euros each).
288 S Arricau (France) 72 73 76 67, L Davies (England) 77 74 67 70, M Eberl (Germany) 76 71 68 73 (4,053 Euros each).
289 M Beautell (Spain) 77 70 70 72 (3,440 Euros).
290 M Rigon (Italy) 73 72 72 73, Becky Brewerton (Wales) 76 70 71 73 (3,150 Euros each).
Other totals:
293 J Head (England) 77 71 73 72 (jt 20th) (2,520 Euros).
294 R Coakley (Ireland) 73 76 73 72, S Walker (England) 70 75 72 77 (jt 23rd) (2,310 Euros each).
295 K Matharu (England) 76 73 73 73, C Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) 75 72 73 75 (jt 28th) (2,070 Euros each).
296 D Masters (England) 77 76 70 73 (jt 32nd) (1,860 Euros).
297 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) (amateur) 77 73 72 75 (jt 35th).
300 Lydia Hall (Wales) 76 75 74 75 (jt 44th) (1,220 Euros).
301 F More (England) 78 74 72 77, H Kavanagh (Ireland) 78 74 72 77 (1,080 Euros each).
303 F Johnson (England) 78 75 76 74, N C Booth (England) 73 76 77 77 (jt 51st) (940 Euros each).
304 C Coughlan (Ireland) 79 77 74 74 (jt 54th) (840 Euros).
306 K S Taylor (England) 76 77 79 74 (jt 57th) (720 Euros).
307 K Taylor (England) 75 78 74 80 (jt 60th) (640 Euros).
311 S Heath (England) 74 79 79 79 (63rd) (600 Euros).
314 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (amateur) 82 69 75 78.
318 G Simpson (England) 82 77 80 79, J Clingan (England) 76 78 84 80 (jt 66th) (570 Euros each).

Clare Queen is leading Scot after 3 rounds in India

Clare Queen is the leading Scot in joint 19th place with scores of 75, 72 and 73 for 220. She had two birdies in her Friday round - at the fifth and 15th but took the edge off a potentially good score with a cluster of late bogeys, at the 14th, 16th and 17th for 38 home.
Buchanan Castle amateur Kylie Walker, has recovered some of her best form of the year in distant India. She is in joint 29th place in a field of 71 with scores of 77, 73 and 72 for 222 - the same mark as former Curtis Cup player Kiran Matharu and Irish-Australian Rebecca Coakley.
Kylie did very well indeed to shake off the mind-blowing effects of a double-bogey 5 at the short third followed by a bogey at the fourth.
She then was five under par for the next six holes - vintage Walker indeed! - with birdies at the fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth and 10th.
Late bogeys, at the 14th and 17th, saw her home in 37 after getting to the turn in 35

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Par 216 (3 x 72)

210 G Nocera (France) 69 69 72.
213 V Lagoutte-Clement (France) 72 75 66.
215 M Eberl (Germany) 76 71 68, Lisa Hall (England) 72 73 70, M Prieto (Spain) 73 70 72, T Johnson(England) 73 70 72.
216 K-M Juul (Denmark) 73 73 70, L Wahlin (Sweden) 69 75 72.
217 M Beautell (Spain) 77 70 70, B Brewerton (Wales) 76 70 71, S Walker (England) 70 75 72, M Rigon (Italy) 73 72 72, E Steinberger (Austria) 74 70 73, T Plucksataporn (Thailand) 72 71 74.
218 L Davies (England) 77 74 67, V Zorzi (Italy) 75 71 72, Bo Ri Lee (Korea) 71 72 75.
219 L Kreutz (France) 75 74 70.
220 A B Sanchez (Spain) 72 76 72, J Schaeffer (France) 74 74 72, C Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) 75 72 73 (jt 19th).
Other scores:
221 J Head (England) 77 71 73 (jt 22nd).
222 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) (amateur) 77 73 72, K Matharu (England) 76 73 73, R Coakley (Ireland) 73 76 73 (jt 29th of 77 players).

Milngavie Ladies have a very successful 2007 Season

Ladies teams at Milngavie Golf Club have had an extremely successful season in 2007. They have a Scratch team that plays in the Greenlees League - open to all clubs in the West of Scotland. This year, Milngavie won the 3rd Division with a record 57 points and are therefore promoted to the 2nd Division.




Their second team plays in the Allander League, which is a handicap league that is played in the evenings. Milngavie GC retained their title in this competition and have won this trophy 7 times in the last 9 years. (Ladies participating in these teams range in age from 15 to 70+)


Here are both teams together

Clare Queen is top Scot in 1st Round of Indian Ladies Master

Clare Queen 75 (The Carrick at Cameron House).... Kylie Walker 77 (Buchanan Castle)... Michele Thomson 82 (McDonald Ellon).
That's the "Scotland" scores from the first round of the Indian Ladies Masters at the Eagleton Resort, Bangalore
There is a three-way tie for the lead at three-under-par 69, featuring Lotta Wahlin (Sweden), Gwladys Nocera (France) and Anna Tybring (Sweden)

Stirling win the Mail on Sunday Classic

All the teams in the West of Scotland that played in the Mail on Sunday congratulate Stirling Golf Club on their tremendous victory last Saturday at El Rompido in Spain
Champagne corks popped as Stirling at last became Mail on Sunday Classic champions, a title they thought they might never win.
Third-placed team in 2001, losing finalists in 2005, they finally
became champions after a 4-1 win over Marriott Meon Valley at
the sun-bathed El Rompido course in Spain.
In the semi final, Stirling defeated Mere 3 ½-1 ½ after Fiona Campbell led the team out against their lowest golfer – a four-handicap county player. Fiona played excellent golf and lost narrowly at the 16th. Tricia Chillas and Elaine Allison managed to secure wins at the 15th and the Stirling team then required one point to reach the final.
Alison Davidson, playing the Mere captain, was two up at the 16th where she hit a magnificent tee shot to the short hole where she was conceded her birdie putt to put the Stirling team through.
In the final, two of the Stirling team got off to a fast start. Elaine built up an early lead against 12-handicapper Jenny Readman and Shelagh Quinn found herself five up at the 12th against their budding young professional player, two-handicapper Katie Thompson. Shelagh finished the match at the 13th with a 6 and 5 win.
In contrast Alison got off to a poor start and was four holes down to Tracey Boyes, who narrowly failed to win her Ladies European Tour card last month. In typical style, Alison fought back strongly to square her match at the turn.
Vicki Stevenson, playing Lauren Davis (9), was two up playing the 16th. She knew how important it was to seal the match as she had to concede strokes at both the 17th and 18th holes. Her shot to the green found the fringe of the green and she had a great chip and putt to secure her par and gain the second point.
Elaine was dormie at the 15th hole and her par 4 secured the elusive title and Stirling became the first Scottish team to win the event.
Alison and Tricia had slender leads at this point but still had to concede strokes at the final holes. With the match won, all of the remaining players on the course agreed to halved matches so that the
Celebrations could begin.
Meon Valley were magnanimous in defeat and acknowledged the quality of Stirling’s victory. Captain Kathy Estcourt said: ‘We were playing a team on a mission. Stirling were just unbeatable today.’
Former Curtis Cup star and past British and Scottish champion, Alison Davidson said: "I just cannot tell you what this means for the team, for the club and for me. I’ve played in some pretty big matches in my career, but when you can go out to play with your friends for your club, there just isn’t a feeling like it.
"I would like to thank the supporters who made the trip to cheer us on. We all had a great time. I would also like to thank Stirling Golf Club and the members for their support and best wishes. Finally, a big thankyou to Guardian Systems for generously sponsoring the uniform for players and supporters – it was greatly appreciated."
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

LGU pre match practice for Curtis Cup Squad

Eight members of the LGU Squad will assemble in St Andrews this weekend, 6-9 December, for pre match practice, ahead of selection for the 2008 Curtis Cup, which will be played for the first time over the Old Course, St Andrews, 30 May - 1 June. To read all about it click on this link LGU Newsletter

Clare Queen to take part in the Indian Ladies Masters

Clare Queen(The Carrick at Cameron House) with caddy Karyn Burns (Mearns Castle Golf Academy) left today for Bangalore. Clare is the only Scottish Professional taking part in the Indian Ladies Masters (the first Ladies European Tour event on the sub-continent) from 5th to 8th December.

Amateurs, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and Michel Thomson (McDonald Ellon) will be joining Clare.

Haciendo Del Alamo Women's Winter Festival now has a Silver (Division) Lining

Just to keep you up to speed with the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
I have had some feedback that the handicap limit of nine was stopping some ladies coming in groups with their friends because not all of them had as low a handicap as that.
With that in mind, I have raised the handicap limit to 20, i.e. Silver Division players only as well as Lady Professionals.
To Read all about it click on this link Alamo Winter Festival
Regards
Colin Farquharson
Tournament Controller

The Rules of Golf 2008 - 2011

The R & A and the United States Golf Association have worked closely for more than fifty years to produce a uniform code of rules so that wherever golf is played the same laws apply. Every four years these two governing bodies, after consultation with golf authorities worldwide, agree any changes that they consider will make the Rules of Golf fairer and easier to understand.

New rules come into force on 1st January 2008. Four million copies of the ‘Rules of Golf’, sponsored by Rolex, will be printed in English. The new rules will also be printed, under licence, in twenty-five other languages. Rule books will be distributed free of charge to golf clubs and may be ordered on the R&A Website
‘Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2006 – 2007’ becomes obsolete and is replaced by the new 2008 – 2009 edition. This book is invaluable not only for Rules Officials but also for all those involved in the administration of the game (e.g. club committees). It may be purchased from the above website or from high street or on-line booksellers.

Many members will have read in the press recently that there are to be changes to 28 of the 34 rules but there is no cause for alarm. ‘Rules of Golf 2008 –2011’ contains a new ‘Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf". This is excellent and should certainly make players feel more at ease with their rule books. Many rules have simply been re-worded in order to make them easier to understand. One example is the term ‘reasonable evidence’ that was used previously used in several rules. This was difficult to interpret and has been changed to ‘known or virtually certain’ which is much clearer.

One significant change relates to hazards. Until now the rules did not giver a player the opportunity to lift a ball from a hazard in order to identify it and therefore there was no penalty for playing a wrong ball either from a bunker or from a water hazard. The restriction on identifying a ball in a hazard has been removed (Rule 12 – 2) and the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball from a bunker or water hazard has also been removed (Rule 15 – 3). The result is that the penalty for playing a wrong ball anywhere on the course is now loss of hole in match play or a two stroke penalty in stroke play. In stroke play the mistake must of course be corrected in order to avoid disqualification.

Several other changes are to penalties rather than to actual rules and in every case the change favours the player. When a ball in motion is stopped or deflected by the player, her partner, or either of their caddies or equipment the penalty has been reduced from loss of hole in match play and a two stroke penalty in stroke play to one stroke in either form of play (Rule 19 – 2). This is a very welcome change. Many members will have been in the situation where the ball re-bounds off the face of a bunker and it is impossible to move quickly enough to avoid being struck by it!

Until now a flagstick that had been removed and placed on the ground was not allowed to be moved whilst a ball was in motion. This left players in a ‘catch 22’ situation. Moving the flagstick in case a ball in motion struck it incurred a penalty under one rule (Rule 1- 2). Leaving it on the ground to be struck by the ball incurred a penalty under another rule (Rule 17 – 3). This situation has been resolved. A flagstick, whether attended, removed or held up may now be moved when a ball is in motion (Rule 24 – 1).

On the putting green it is sometimes very difficult to avoid standing on another player’s line without standing astride the line of one’s own putt which is of course not allowed (Rule 16 –1e). An ‘exception’ to this rule has been added to allow inadvertent standing astride the line of putt or doing so in order to avoid another player’s line.

The penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club has been reduced from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole at which a breach occurred, with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round. In match play the state of the match is adjusted by one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred with a maximum penalty of two holes per round (Rule 4 – 1). This is now the same penalty as that for carrying more than fourteen clubs (Rule 4 – 4).

The penalty for using a non-conforming club remains disqualification. The R & A announced four years ago that from 1st January 2008 all drivers must have a conforming clubhead and ensured that this was well publicised. Sufficient warning was given to allow players plenty of time to check and, if necessary, change their drivers. This rule applies to all golfers of all abilities and in all forms of play. The required specifications are set out in Appendix II, 5c of the new rule book and detailed lists of conforming and non-conforming driver heads may be found on the R & A website. In club golf it is the responsibility of each player to check that her equipment conforms to the Rules of Golf. Players taking part in County or National events should also check as to whether the Conditions of Competition include the Driving Club Condition. If so any driver used must be on the R & A’s ‘List of Conforming Driver Heads’. For more detailed information refer to the R & A website and in particular their ‘Frequently asked questions’ on this topic.

Space does not permit me to mention, let alone explain, every single rule change but I have highlighted those most likely to crop up in the normal course of play. For more detailed information refer to the R & A website and to ‘Principle Changes introduced in the 2008 code’ which you will find on page 6 in your new rule book. Always remember that the Rules of Golf exist to make the game fair for all players. The more familiar you become with the rules the more you will enjoy your golf.

Jenny McGahan
R & A qualified Rules Official
November 2007

Thanks Jenny for all the information

GLENMUIR IS SUPPORTING HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

Do you know anyone who is a good enough player to enter? Tell them about the February 10-23, six-competition programme at the five-star Murcia golf resort with excellent practice facilities in sunny southern Spain.
Open to Lady professionals and amateurs with a handicap of nine or under.
E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at colin@scottishgolfview.com if you want to know more.

Advertising-- No Golf News

Still No Golf News --- So How about looking at one of the top best website adverts for 2007 Click Here
Nothing to do with Golf but it will make you laugh !!

Prizegiving and Cheese and Wine -- Douglas Park

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The Main 2007 Prizegiving was held at Douglas Park Golf Club this afternoon after a light Cheese and Wine reception. Here are a few smiling faces that you may recognise that received their trophies. The Ladies Annual Meeting is held in January when all the prizewinners will receive their awards
To see enlargements of the photos above CLICK HERE

CONGU Unified Handicap System 2008 -2011

The Council of National Golf Unions has published the CONGU® UHS (Unified Handicap System) 2008-2011 manual which is the result of substantial voluntary work of the Council Members during the last four years.

The Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) is the governing body for handicapping matters in Great Britain & Ireland and is comprised of members from the men’s and ladies’ Golf Unions/Associations in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with additional representatives from The R&A and the LGU.

The UHS 2004-2007 manual included, for the first time, a unified approach for handicapping men and ladies under the same system. The 2008 UHS has built on this success and has been expanded to include a number of new concepts. These include Supplementary Scores, Nine Hole Handicap Competitions, a separate CSS calculation for “Home” and “Away” players in Open Competitions and assistance for handicap committees in carrying out the time consuming Annual Handicap Review (AHR). The manual has been totally revised to make it more user friendly to clubs and their members by placing the clauses in a more logical order and adding explanations to relevant clauses (in a blue shaded area) to clarify the system.

The section on Supplementary Scores has been included to assist golfers who, for whatever reason, play in few or no competitions each year, by allowing them to return cards outside competitions for handicap purposes. At the discretion of affiliated clubs, a limited number of Nine-Hole qualifying competitions may be run and such scores shall be used to adjust handicaps. This option is designed to attract more players into the Unified Handicapping System.


Common sense has always suggested that in Open Competitions, the ‘Away’ player is often at a disadvantage compared to the ‘Home’ player and subsequent statistical analysis showed this to be on average between one and two shots. Since this unfairly affects adjustments of handicaps, there will now be a separate Competition Scratch Score for ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ players to take account of this factor and to provide a more equitable basis for handicap alterations.

The CONGU® website – www.congu.com – is being updated to explain the changes and also to answer many queries about the UHS. The “Myths and Misconceptions” and “Frequently Asked Questions” sections should be of particular interest to the club golfer. All the constituent Unions/Associations websites have links to the CONGU® website.

CONGU believes that the revised manual and the incorporation of the new concepts will assist in meeting the demands of the modern game and the changing needs of club members.

Douglas Park's Maureen Rennie meets Alex Salmond

Maureen Rennie, Past Captain of Douglas Park met First Minister Alex Salmond recently at Boat of Garton. Maureen wished him good luck in the Commonwealth Games Bid.
Yesterday, Glasgow won the bid and are to host the games in 2014.
However, to see what really was said by Alex to Maureen then Click on this link

Italian Evening at Douglas Park

An Italian evening was held at Douglas Park Golf Club last night and Captain Janet Dow decided to have a ladies table only. As you can see from the smiles and laughter a good evening was had by all --- especially Avril Berry who just thought the wining and dining was just great. Click on the photos to see an enlargement

November Stableford - Ranfurly Castle

Played over 15 holes 7/11/07 16 entries
Silver - P McKenzie (13) 26 pts, V Howe (17) 24 pts
Bronze - H Abram (25) 28 pts, M Reid (23) 27 pts

Jenna Wilson wins the 2007 SLGA Order of Merit Award

Scottish champion Jenna Wilson from Strathaven has bowed out of the amateur ranks as winner of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Order of Merit women's title for the second year in a row.
Jenna, who has turned professional since graduating from the recent Ladies European Tour Qualifying School, averaged a score of 1.80 UNDER the CSS in the 10 designated tournaments.
She won by the narrowest of margins - one-fifth of a stroke - from Michele Thomson, the Aberdeenshire champion and winner of the SLGA Order of Merit girls' title last year.
They were the only two players to have a minus CSS average.
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) was 4th with a score of 0.7 OVER the CSS, and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) was 6th with a score of 0.9 OVER the CSS.
To see all the final totals FINAL SLGA LADIES RANKINGS FOR 2007

Carly Booth (Comrie) finished No 1 in the SLGA girls’ rankings for 2007 with the outstanding average score of 4.17 under CSS in six designated tournaments.
No other girl had an average score under CSS.
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) finished third with +0.33.Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) was 6th with +3.83 and sister Eilidh was 7th with +4.00 OVER the CSS. To see all the final totals
FINAL SLGA GIRLS RANKINGS FOR 2007
(To increase the magnification of the page click on the + sign)

Luxury Villa Hacienda Del Alamo golf resort

I understand that Hacienda Del Alamo golf resort in Murcia is due to host the Women's Golf Festival in February 2008.
Should it be of any interest to you or the participants, I have a 4 bed 4 bath luxury villa on Hacienda overlooking the par 3 12th hole. Full details can be found on www.luxury-golf-villa.com
The price per week will be 1000 Euros (£670), and at the moment is still available. This price is discounted from the usual amount. The villa really is beautiful and one of the best on Hacienda.
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have should you wish to make contact.

Kind Regards
Angela Howells
Tel: 07967 147761 or 07787 511867

Guy Fawkes Day -- Your own PC Fireworks display

When finished viewing -- click on the small thumbnails below to see a few different displays.

County Finals 2008 --- Accomodation Recommendation

News for all County Captains : Colin Farquharson was wondering how the West Division go about booking accommodation for their representatives at the Scottish county finals but in 2008 at Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory, there are brand new villas/apartments available within the estate.
Colin and his wife were given a conducted tour of the accommodation last weekend. It is excellent and works out per head cheaper than a hotel. Self-catering facilities available but it is only about two drivers away from the main restaurant/clubhouse at the driving range/nine-hole course first tee, so eating "out" is no problem.
Colin says he is not on any commission !! Anyhow it sounds good --- Click on the advert to read more. Could be good for whoever is representing the West of Scotland whether it is Ayrshire, D&A, Lanarkshire or Renfrewshire

Coffee Morning raises £705 for Breast Cancer Care Scotland --- Douglas Park

80 ladies attended the annual Coffee Morning and enjoyed the committee’s home baking. Many thanks to everyone for their donations to the raffle
The Raffle which was in aid of Breast Cancer Care Scotland made £705.
Janet Dow the Ladies Captain would like to thank Colin Cruickshank from the Edrington Group for the Grouse Whisky – Glasses and Ginger Beer.
Thanks are due to The Grosvenor Hotel – The Green Welly Stop Tyndrum – Booly Mardys, Paperino’s and Ben Bansal & Bhopinder Purewal for their very generous donations.

She would also like to thank the committee for all their hard work

The Main Prizewinners were:
Mary Pollock: Afternoon Tea at Gleneagles
Ella Morton: Dinner for 2 at the Grovenor Hotel
Pat Kennedy: Voucher for £50 for the Green Wellie Shop Tyndrum
Gillian Beattie: Lunch for 4 at Booly Mardys
Irene McLelland: Voucher for Paperino's
Lorna Neilson:£40 Voucher for Pro Shop
Margaret Brown: £40 Voucher for Pro Shop


Click on the Raffle Ticket Photograph below to see some more photographs from the event. Give Time to load and make sure your sound is turned on (Broadband users only --- sorry)

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

To hear a few words from Captain Janet Dow click on the Play control (Altho' it says £700 raised at the end of the short film -- it really was £705 !!)

Message from Colin Farquharson

Carol,
I hear on the grapevine that we may be getting a group of Welsh seniors at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival (Feb 10 to 23).
Are there enough single-figure handicappers in the West Vets' ranks to mount some opposition? Click on the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival link to read all about the fantastic golfing holiday you can go on

West Vets AGM

The West Vets AGM was held today at Cowglen Golf Club. Helen Faulds (Douglas Park), Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle), Anna Telfer (Milngavie), Maureen Rennie (Douglas Park), Mary Irving (Ranfurly Castle) Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) and Cathy Morton (Eastwood)were the main prizewinners for the year. To read all about it and see some Photographs go to WEST VETS WEBSITE

The R&A Publishes revisions to the Rules of Golf Book

The R&A, golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship, today publishes revisions to the world’s most widely read rule book, The Rules of Golf, and extends its sponsorship arrangement with Rolex to 2012.
Golf has 34 playing rules and in 2008, 28 have been amended to a greater or lesser extent. All changes are agreed, jointly, by The R&A and the United States Golf Association, and can be characterised as improving clarity or reducing penalties to ensure that they are proportionate. They are effective from 1 January 2008.
Of the more significant changes, the most likely to be encountered by golfers in regular play are: revised Rule 12-2 allowing a player to lift a ball in a bunker or water hazard for identification purposes. There is a consequential change to Rule 15-3, which introduces a penalty for playing the wrong ball in these circumstances.
Revised Rule 4-1 reduces the penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round.
In match play, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred, with a maximum penalty of two holes per round.
Revised Rule 19-2 reduces the penalty for the accidental deflection of the ball by the player, his partner, their caddies or equipment to one penalty stroke in both match and stroke play.
Commenting on the revisions to The Rules of Golf, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman said:
“We always aim to make the Rules readily accessible to golfers worldwide and the simpler, clearer language of the 2008 edition is designed to make them easier for players to use.”
“The introduction of a Quick Guide to The Rules at the front of the Rule book will, we hope, encourage players to carry a Rule book with them on the course and to refer to it, when necessary."
Rolex sponsored the 30th revision of the Rules of Golf in 2004 and have renewed their commitment to supporting the publication through to 2012.
The R&A is planning to produce 4 million copies of the rule book in English while Golf Unions affiliated to The R&A, reproduce the Rules of Golf under license in more than twenty five other languages, ranging from Arabic to Thai.
Companion publications to The R&A Rules of Golf, Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008 - 2009 and Golf Rules Illustrated 2008 are published next month (November 2007) by Hamlyn and are available from The R&A, high street and online bookstores.

Copies of the new R&A Rules of Golf will be distributed free of charge to golf clubs around the world and can be requested or downloaded from The R&A website: R&A Website

LATEST NEWS:- Haciendo Del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

Six competitions at one venue over two weeks
HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL, Murcia, Spain February 10-23
LATEST NEWS:
Message from Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House), leading home-based Scot in the 2007 Ladies European Tour money table (41st with 49,169 Euros)
Hi Colin,
Not sure if I will be able to manage this time. I plan to go to Australia and at the moment wouldn't return until the 13th of February. However, I may be able to play the second week. Will let you know if I can. Good luck with the Festival.
Clare Queen
If you want details of how to enter and where to stay at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival (rememember two separate prize lists: cash for the Lady Professionals; vouchers for the Lady Amateurs, maximum handicap (9), E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at colin@scottishgolfview.com
Remember Budget airline prices can go up every week. Don't delay. Enter now. Book your accommodation and your flights.
For all other details go to Haciendo Del Almino --- More Info and to read about the initial advert about the Golf Winter Festival go to Winter Golf Festival at Haciendo Del Almino

Happy Halloween to all our readers

Your Webmaster Carol Fell would like to wish you all a Happy Halloween and thank all of you who sent me a copy of their Glasgow Herald golf club results and any news reports through out the season.
This new West of Scotland Site has been fairly popular over its first summer months with nearly 17,000 visitors since March 2007 when it was introduced.
Although the season has come to the end, any snippets of news would be gratefully received eg Coffee Mornings, Winter Results, Prizegivings, AGM'S, Christmas Parties, Births, Marriages, Holidays --- In fact any news at all from your Golf Club or from yourself would help to keep this website going over the winter.
To keep Carol (pictured above) in the HOT NEWS SPOT then click on the email link on the RHS of this webpage and send her your news.
In the meantime click on the picture above and you will see your Halloween Card (make sure your sound is turned on)

Haciendo Del Almino Womens Winter Festival -- More Infornation

Colin Farquharson (Tournament Controller) is starting to get feedback from those interested in participating in the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Golf Festival at the five-star Murcia golf resort from February 10 to 23, 2008.
Some of the questions he has been fielding, include:
1 Can a lady professional enter with a group of lady amateurs. Answer: Certainly, as long as the lady amateurs have single-figure handicaps. Getting together as a group to travel and enter cuts down the cost per head of renting a villa at Hacienda del Alamo.
2 Does a competitor have to stay at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort to be able to play in the events. Answer: Not necessarily but those not staying a Hacenda del Alamo would have to rent a car or spend money on daily taxi trips.
3 Is there a minimum or maximum age limit. Answer: Definitely not. We have had an inquiry on behalf of a 12-year-old girl (handicap 2) who would travel with her father. No problem there. The only requirement is a single-figure handicap. Lady senior golfers most welcome.
4 Does a competitor have to play in every event? Answer: No. If anyone wants to practise most of the time - or bask in the Murcia sunshine - and perhaps only play in one event a week, that's OK with us.
5 Can competitors come for only one week? Answer: Yes. First or second week only attendance is OK. But the charge for free use of the practice facilities is 55 Euros whether you stay for one week or two.
6 Can a competitor make the trip with her husband/partner/boyfriend? Answer: Yes. The male could caddie if he wanted to. If he wanted to use the golf facilities, he would have to pay the going rate.
7 Which airlines have flights to Murcia Airport (15min away as opposed to Alicante Airprt, 60min)? Answer: Flybe, Easyjet, Monarch, Jet2.com and Ryanair. Airports of departure include: SCOTLAND: Edinburgh, Prestwick. NORTHERN IRELAND: Belfast. ENGLAND: Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton. IRELAND: Dublin, Shannon.
8 What’s the approximate all-in cost for one person’s flights, accommodation, practice facilities, tournament entry fees, food and taxis to and from Murcia Airport? Answer:
Very, very difficult to answer that one but an amateur golfer flying from Prestwick could do the fortnight for approximately £482 + food. For a professional from Prestwick, I estimate that £544 + food would cover the fortnight. You could do it for less because these bottom-line figures are based on staying at a Hacienda del Alamo villa for 16 nights.
There is no outward Ryanair flight from Prestwick on Saturday, February 9 which means the player would have to fly on Friday, February 8 if she wanted to utilise Sunday, February 10 as a practice day for the 36-hole event on the Monday-Tuesday.
That would mean booking villa accommodation for 16 nights. Alternatively, the player would fly out on Sunday, February 10 and skip the practice day. This would reduce the villa accommodation to 14 nights if coming home on Sunday, February 24. That would also reduce the overall costs.
Here are the relevant Ryanair flights from Prestwick:

PRESTWICK-MURCIA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Dep Prestwick 16.55, Arr Murcia 20.55. Cost: £49.99

SUNDAY, FEBRURY 9
No Prestwick-Murcia flights.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Dep Prestwick 16.55, Arr Murcia 20.55. Cost £19.99

MURCIA-PRESTWICK

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Dep Murcia 21.20, Arr Prestwick 23.20. Cost £19.99.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Dept Murcia 21.20. Arr Prestwick 23.20. Cost £19.99

ACCOMMODATION AT HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT
(See http://www.clubmurcia.com/)
1 Bed, 1 Bath Villa: from 35 Euros per day (two adults sharing: 18 Euros each per day).
2 Bed, 2 Bath Villa: from 50 Euros per day (four adults sharing: 13 Euros each per day).
3 Bed, 3 Bath Villa: from 65 Euros per day (six adults sharing: 11 Euros each per day).
4 Bed, 4 Bath Villa: from 100 Euros per day (eight adults sharing: 13 Euros each per day).

If flying to Murcia on Friday, February 8 and returning Sunday, February 24: 16 nights at 50 Euros per night for 2 Bed, 2 Bath villa. Cost 800 Euros (four adults sharing: 200
Euros each),

SUMMARY OF PRECEDING INFO

FLIGHTS: £69.98 or 95 Euros.
ACCOMMODATION: 200 Euros.
RANGE, PRACTICE FEE: 55 Euros.
AMATEUR ENTRY FEES: 305 (for six events)
PROFESSIONAL ENTRY FEES: 390 Euros (for six events)
FOOD: ???

POSSIBLE ALL-IN COST FOR 16 NIGHT STAY (excluding food)

AMATEUR PLAYER: 655 Euros (£482 approx).
PROFESSIONAL: 740 Euros (£544 approx).

If you have any queries you feel would be best answered by the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort staff, there is a toll free telephone number from UK and Ireland: 08000 820000

A brief recap on the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Festival programme (open to lady professionals and lady amateurs with single-figure handicaps)

SUNDAY, FEB 10. Free practice round over Hacienda del Alamo championship course.
MONDAY, FEB 11. First round of 36-hole stroke-play tournament. Entry fee: professionals – 70 Euros; amateurs – 55 Euros.
TUESDAY, FEB 12. Second round of 36-hole tournament.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 13. Free day. Possibility of 18-hole competition at another course.
THURSDAY, FEB 14. One-round competition. Entry fee: professionals 55 Euros; amateurs: 42 Euros.
FRIDAY, FEB 15. Free day.
SATURDAY, FEB 16. One-round team event (field to include some invited guests).
Entry fee: professionals 70 Euros; amateurs – 55 Euros.
SUNDAY, FEB 17. Free practice round over Hacienda del Alamo championship course.
FEB 18 to 23: Same as first week’s programme.

ADDITIONAL CHARGE
A payment of 55 Euros per head will entitle each competitor to two free practice rounds over the championship course, free balls on the driving range and use of the short-game practice facilities for the 14 days. This one-off charge will be payable at the Tournament Desk when checking in on Sunday, February 10 or Sunday, February 17.

PRIZES.
There will be two prize lists – one for the professionals (cash) and one for the amateurs (vouchers). If enough senior players enter, there will be senior prizes.

ACCOMMODATION
It will be a lot cheaper for an individual if she gets together with fellow-players to make a booking for four, five or six sharing a villa at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Log on to Club Marcia and scroll down the home page. In the left-hand column you will see HOTELS & RENTALS. Click on “Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort” and you will see the rental accommodation choices.
Alternatively, Rentals and Accomodation Contacts are primary Hacienda del Alamo accommodation contacts
Hacienda del Alamo website. is the general Hacienda del Alamo website
Hacienda del Alamo golf site is the Golf Club.
Hacienda del Alamo’s Golf Desk for E-mails is golfers@hdagolf.com.
The REFERENCE to be quoted when making bookings at competitors’ rates is: MWLT.hda.

NOTIFY ENTRIES BY E-MAIL TO COLIN FARQUHARSON
Notification of entry to tournaments, certainly the 36-hole competitions, should be E-mailed in advance to Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com, giving names of competitors, whether amateur or professional, handicaps where appropriate and contact telephone number.

Jenna Wilson gains a top 30 card for Next Seasons Euro Tour

Congratulations to Scottish amateur champion Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) - who has probably joined the professional ranks forthwith after winning joint 23rd ranking at the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School at Le Fonti Golf Club, near Bologna in Italy today.
That means the 23-year-old from Strathaven will be able to play in any LET event she wants to play in on the 2008 Tour.
Jenna showed she's made of the right stuff with a magnificent final round of four-under-par 68 for a 72-hole total of two-under-par 286.
At the start of the day, having survived the third-round cut with nothing to spare, she faced an uphill task to improve her position into the top 30 in the final standings.
But she responded with her best golf of the week which augurs well for her future professional career.
Over the first three rounds, Jenna had one eagle and five birdies. Over the first 15 holes of her final round, she had seventh birdies and was actually seven under par for the day with three to play, having birdied the second, third, fourth, seventh (out in 32), 13th, 14th and 15th.
She bogeyed the last three holes but, by that time, she had done enough to secure her place on next year's Ladies European Tour.
Worth noting that Jenna was one of 10 amateurs to gain the top 30 cards.
EVERYONE IN THE WEST OF SCOTLAND SENDS OUR VERY BEST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU JENNA ON A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

Jenna Wilson qualifies for the Ladies European Tour

Scottish amateur champion Jenna Wilson (Stathaven) made it by the skin of her teeth into the fourth and final round of the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School. A third round of 74 gave her a 54-hole tally of two-over-par 218, which was the limit mark for qualifying for the final day.
But the most important thing is that the Strathaven player has guaranteed herself a place on the Ladies European Tour next season. She will gain entry to more tournaments in 2008 if she can come up with a very good final round to jump from joint 46th into the top 30.
As predicted, Thursday was "moving day" with many players producing their best round of the three so far to climb up the standings. So that's why Jenna, also she improved by a shot on her second-round 75, actually lost ground because a lot of players surged past her.
She started with a birdie 2 but then shed shots at each of the third, fourth, fifth and eighth to be out in three-over-par 39 - her worst of the week against the par of 36.
A birdie at the 11th gave her the encouragement she needed. Although Jenna bogeyed the 12th, a birdie at the 15th was vital. She needed at least to par the last three holes to stay on the right side of the cut and, to her credit, the Scot stood up to the test of nerve, more than golf, to come home in one-under-par 35.
Perhaps the most surprising non-qualifier was Melissa Reid, the Chevin, Derby girl who won the Helen Holm Scottish women's stroke-play in April at Troon, the St Rule Trophy in June and was the leading amateur in the Ricoh Women's British Open over the Old Course in mid-summer.
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

2008 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

OPEN TO LADY PROFESSIONALS & LADY AMATEURS WITH SINGLE-FIGURE HANDICAPS.



February 10 to 23 at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia, Spain
Hope you can come to Hacienda del Alamo for the above event which offers you a minimum of six competitions plus unlimited use of the five-star golf resort's driving range and short-game facilities for 14 days.
They say that Murcia is the warmest place in Spain during the month of February. I am taking their word for it.
To read all final details with regard to the above event which is planned as a "stepping stone" to the inaugural 2009 Murcia Ladies Open Developmental Tour, open to lady professionals & single-figure lady amateurs, from early January to late February/early March in 2009. CLICK HERE
Details of how to book accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort for February 10 to 23, 2008 are now included in the attachment which also indicates that the Hacienda del Alamo management are providing free practice rounds, free use of the of short-game practice facilities and free balls on the driving range for a one-off payment of 55 Euros, to be paid when checking in at the Tournament Desk on either the first or second Sunday of the Festival programme.
The payment covers the whole of the programme and is a bargain when one considers what the normal charges are for green fees, range balls and using the practice facilities.
Remember no tournament entry fees have to be paid until you check in at the Tournament Desk but it would be appreciated if competitors could E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at Colin@scotttishgolfview.com the date of their arrival at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
If you have any queries at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please spread the word among your friends, professional and amateur. Accommodation costs a lot less individually if up to six share a villa. See attachment.
ENTER EARLY TO AVOID BEING DISAPPOINTED
COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller
Hacienda del Alamo Women's Golf Festival
February 10-23, 2008

Anne Laing and Fraser Hutchison are the 2007 Scottish Mixed Foursomes Champions

Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) won the Scottish mixed foursomes title in partnership with a fellow Elmwood College, Cupar lecturer, Fraser Hutchison, a member at Burntisland Golf Club at Deer Park Golf Club yesterday
They had a gross score of 73 to win by one shot from two pairs. They were 18-year-old Scotland international Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and clubmate Matthew Clark, as well as the Baberton husband-and-wife combination of Douglas and Fiona Hunter.Matthew and Megan took the second scratch prize with the better inward half while the Hunters had the consolation of winning the best net score award with a score of 70 ½ off 3 ½.
Runners-up were Lorraine Campbell and Iain Campbell, both from the Cardross club. They had a net 74 off a handicap of three.
Twenty-five couples played in the championship which was washed out on its original scheduled date of Sunday, September 16.
Leading scratch
73 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) & Fraser Hutchison (Burntisland).
74 Megan Briggs & Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) (better inward half), Fiona Hunter & Douglas Hunter (Baberton).
Leading handicap
Fiona Hunter & Douglas Hunter (Baberton) (3 ½) 70 ½.
Lorraine Campbell & Iain Campbell (Cardross) (3) 74.

Thanks go to SLGA's Fiona Farquharson for the photograph

Jenna Wilson qualifies for Ladies European Tour Final qualifying School

Scottish amateur champion Jenna Wilson was the only Scot at this week's LET Q School Pre-Qualifier to make it through to the Final Q School at Le Fonti Golf Club, Italy next week.
Jenna, from Strathaven, sagged a little bit in the third round with a 75 but her first two rounds of 69 stood her in good stead and she qualified in joint 19th place on three-under-par 213 of the 28 players who qualified with totals of one-under-par 215 or better.

Joke Time - No Golfing News at the moment so here is some banking news

The knock on effect from the US sub-prime fiasco is being severely felt in the Japanese market and shows no sign of letting up. In the last seven days Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up and Bonsai Bank has announced plans to cutback some of its branches. Yesterday it was annoounced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and more than likely will go for a song.
Today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived and 500 back office staff at Karate Bank also got the chop. Analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank and the staff fear they may get a raw deal

Thanks go to Enid Young (Balmore) for that one

D&A Juniors win against Ayrshire

Ayrshire girls played a friendly match against Dunbartonshire and Argyll girls on Sunday 14th October at Routenburn Golf Course, Largs. D&A won by 4 matches to 2
Click on photo to see an enlargement

Patrick Trophy Presentation and Dinner

It was the turn of Douglas Park Golf Club to host the annual Elizabeth Ogilvie League / Patrick Trophy Dinner on Thursday 11th October. 58 ladies from Bishopbriggs, Cawder, Hayston, Hilton Park , Kirkintilloch and Lenzie enjoyed good food, wine and good company. After the meal there was a quiz which proved a real test for the memory! This was followed by the presentation of the trophy. There were joint winners this year, Hayston and Lenzie. The Patrick Trophy was presented by the Hon President of the Elizabeth Ogilvie League, Joan Lawrie, to Margaret Scanlon, Lady Captain from Lenzie and Sarah Barr, lady captain from Hayston
To see some Photographs taken by Douglas Park's Lindsay McLean CLICK HERE

Claire Hargan is the SLGA Champion of Champions

Claire Hargan (Mortonhall),the Midlothian county champion, won the SLGA Champion of Champions' tournament with a two-under-par round of 75 at Glasgow Gailes today.
Alison Davidson (Stirling), the Stirling & Clackmannan county title-holder was runner-up with a 78 and Jane Turner (Mortonhall), the East of Scotland champion, was third with a 79.
FINAL SCOREBOARD
Par 77. CSS 77
75 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall).
78 Alison Davidson (Stirling).
79 Jane Turner (Mortonhall).
80 Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose).
83 Lorna Bennett (Ladybank).
84 Fiona Lockhart (Fife), Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore).
86 Lindsey Kirkwood (Dumfries-shire), Jill Meldrum (Dullatur).
88 Heather Anderson (Downfield).
90 Lesley Hendry (Routenburn).
97 Gillian Monteith (Galloway).
Withdrew: Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar), Phillipa Costello (Borders), Jenny Milne (Northern Counties).
Also missing Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire) and Pamela Pretswell (Lanarkshire) who were playing in the GB&I Select Team v Junior GB&I Team Training Match.

GB&I Girls Team lose to LGU Select Team

Mary McKenna's LGU Select Team won the third series of fourballs by three games to one in the LGU Training match against the GB&I Girls team this morning at North Berwick.
Once again British Girls champion Henrietta Brockway was involved in the only point for the Girls side, when, in partnership with Carly Booth, they finished two up on Sahra Hassan and Laura Murray.
The Select team won the event, which included fourballs and foursomes yesterday, by ten matches to two.

Morning fourball results (Select names first - matches played to 18th) 3 - 1
Sahra Hassan and Laura Murray lost to Henrietta Brockway and Carly Booth 2 holes
Naomi Edwards and Florentyna Parker beat Lisa Maguire and Kelly Tidy 4 holes
Liz Bennett and Rachel Jennings beat Pamela Pretswell and Rachel Connor 2 holes
Kerry Smith and Michelle Thomson beat Megan Briggs and victoria Bradshaw 5 holes
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

Overall result GB&I Select 10 GB&I Girls 2

Final Swing - Ranfurly Castle

10/10/07 Final Swing [non qualifying score] SSS 73
Scratch A.Judge 79
Silver N.MacGadie 71[10] bih S.Smyth 71 [12]
Bronze E.Walker 69 [36] P.Wilson71 [36]

October Medal/Stableford - Paisley Golf Club

October Medal: 03/10 & 06/10/2007; Entries 13;
CSS 77/73;
1st Class P Buttar (19) 73
2nd Class B Adam (29) 81

October Stableford: 10/10 & 13/10/2007;
Entries 20; CSS 74;
1st Class P Buttar (18) 34pts
2nd Class L Wood (25) 37pts

GB&I Select Team v Junior GB&I Team Training Match

Back Row L to R: Kerry Smith, Liz Bennett, Florentya Parker, Naomi Edwards, Mary McKenna (Captain)Laura Murray, Rachel Jennings, Michelle Thomson, Sahra Hassan.
Front Row L to R: Pamela Pretswell, Megan Briggs, Henrietta Brockway, Carly Booth, Tegwen Matthews (Captain),Lisa Maguire, Rachel Connor, Victoria Bradshaw, Kelly Tidy
(Click photo to see an enlargement)

Select Team winning 7-1 after fourballs and foursomes

British Girls Champion Henrietta Brockway from Yeovil, and 12-year old Lisa Maguire from Slieve Russell in Ireland brought in the only point for the LGU Junior Team on the first day of the GB&I Select Team v Junior GB&I Team Training Match at North Berwick Golf Club today.
The morning fourballs were all closely contested, and the four pairings in the LGU Select team just drew away in the closing stages as the weather turned from early morning sunshine to chilly east coast winds. Pairings were changed for the afternoon foursomes, and this time the Select team won three out of the four matches to record an overnight lead of 7 matches to 1. The series concludes on Sunday morning (8:00am) with another set of fourballs.

Results (7-1)

Morning Fourballs, (played to 18th - result in holes up) Select Team names first (4-0)
Liz Bennett and Laura Murray beat Carly booth and Megan Briggs 3 holes
Kerry Smith and Rachel Jennings beat Henrietta Brockway and Pamela Pretswell 2 holes
Naomi Edwards and Michelle Thomson beat Victoria Bradshaw and Lisa Maguire 3 holes
Sahra Hassan and Florentyna Parker beat Rachel Connor and Kelly Tidy 3 holes

Afternoon Foursomes (3-1)
Kerry Smith and Naomi Edwards beat Megan Briggs and Kelly Tidy 4 holes
Sahra Hassan and Rachel Jennings lost to Henrietta Brockway and Lisa Maguire 3 holes
Liz Bennett and Florentyna Parker beat Pamela Pretswell and Victoria Bradshaw 4 holes
Michelle Thomson and Laura Murray beat Rachel Connor and Carly Booth 4 holes
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

Sara Harman gets married --- Williamwood and RLCGA County

Hi Everyone :
We were married in my home village of Northam in North Devon on the 15th September and had a perfect day.
We were then lucky enough to spend a three week honeymoon in Australia.
My married name is Sara McCorkell.

Medal 12 - Douglas Park

Played 13/10/2007 SSS 72, CSS 74, Entries 21
Silver 1st N.Campbell (17) 73, 2nd H. Faulds (4) 74, 3rd H. MacNaughton (19) 75,
Bronze 1st M. Rennie (21) 75, 2nd A. Reid (29) 76, 3rd C.McCorkindale (21) 81
Scratch: H. Faulds 78 

GB&I Select Team v Junior GB&I Team Training Match

Megan Briggs and Pamela Pretwell are playing in the Junior GB&I Team Training Match at North Berwick Golf Club tomorrow
THE TEAMS:

GB&I Select Team
Mary McKenna - Captain / 2008 Curtis Cup Captain
Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor)
Naomi Edwards (Ganton)
Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan)
Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton)
Laura Murray (Alford)
Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale)
Kerry Smith (Waterlooville)
Michele Thomson (McDonald)

Junior GB&I Team
Tegwen Matthews - Captain / 2008 Curtis Cup Manager
Carly Booth (Comrie)
Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil)
Rachel Connor (Manchester)
Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell)
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle)
Kelly Tidy (Manchester)

Saturday 13 October
Morning Fourballs tee off 08.00-08.30
Afternoon Fourballs tee off 13.00-13.30
Sunday 14 October
Morning Fourballs tee off 08.00-08.30

October Stableford - Erskine Golf Club

Played 10 Oct 2007 22 entries SSS 73; CSS 73
Silver: P Davidson (8) 38; J Gillen (17) 31bih; A McMillan (17) bih.
Bronze: M McKechnie (25) 38; M Williamson (27) 37;I MacSporran (29) 34.

October Quaich -- Ayrshire County

Played 9th October over Lochgreen, PAR - 75 SSS - 74 CSS - 77 R/O Entrants 45
SCRATCH
Lesley Williamson (Kilmarnock Barassie) 84 BIH
SILVER
1st Chloe Buchanan (Bentinck Ladies) 84 (9) 75
2nd Jess Blackwood (Kimarnock Barassie) 90 (13) 77
3rd Sandie Streets (Largs) 90 (12) 78 BIH
4th Lesley Williamson (Kilmarnock Barassie) 84 (6) 78
BRONZE
1st Eleanor Watson ( Prestwick St Nicholas) 100 (26) 74
2nd Jennifer Mutter (Troon Ladies') 101 (21) 80
3rd Kate McClelland (Loudoun) 102 (21) 81

Four West Girls do well in the Junior Masters Competition

Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride), Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry and Whitecraigs), Kirsty Scott (Windyhill)and Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) all did well at Gleneagles on Sunday 7th October in the Young Junior Masters competition on the Queens Course.
Par 74. CSS 73.
41 C Tait (St Regulus Ladies) (10), F Milne (Glen) (20).
39 K Ward (Glen) (13).
37 N Taylor (Thornton) (14).
36 C Jaffrey (West Kilbride) (23).
35 G Simpson (Murrayfield) (5).
34 L Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry) (14). K Scott (Windyhill) (12), F Fullerton (Huntly) (12), N Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) (9).
33 N Robertson (Dunblane) (26), K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) (15), A Bain (Peebles) (8), M McKay (West Kilbride) (16).
32 A Hutton (Falkirk Tryst) (23).
31 S Alexander (Deeside) (9), K MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (21), S Vass (Tain) (3).
29 H McCook (Abernethy) (12), M Clyne (Deeside) (12)..
28 K Simpson (Elie & Earlsferry) (24), G MacDonald (Prestonfield) (11), L Duncan (Aboyne) (11).
27 C Stewart (West Lothian) (21), J Vass (Tain) (13).
25 K McNee (Loudon Gowf) (17), K Hennen (Kirkintilloch) (24).
24 C Geddes (Northern) (18).
22 G Brown (Thornton) (9).

Greenlees Lunch and Presentation

75 ladies attended the Greenlees Lunch and presentation of trophies at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club today.
After a delicious lunch Past SLGA President Nancy Chisholm of Prestwick St Nicholas who was at the top table told us all about Mrs Greenlees who was a member of Prestwick St Nicholas when the club had over 400 lady members and left to join Troon just before the trophy donated by her husband was given in 1931.
Secondly, Prestwick St Nicholas were the 1st winners of the Greenlees Trophy after a play off with Troon Ladies with a slender victory of 5 - 4. This play off was at Western Gailes !
She then mentioned many famous players that have played thro' the years in the Greenlees matches eg to name but a few --- Jean McCulloch, Helen Holm, Nan Baird
The main objective of the competition is to "develop and encourage team spirit and help in particular, young players gain match play experience." Suppose and inclined to forget at the time Mrs Greenlees, Helen Holm in the early 20's and Jean McCulloch in the early 30's.
She talked about the Past, present and future about names that cut their competition teeth on Greenlees ground with a few names that spring to mind --- Betty Singleton, Dorothea Hastings, Belle Robertson, Alison Gemmell,Donna Jackson, Megan Briggs, Karen Fitzgerald, Aileen Wilson and Fiona and Mhairi McKay but to name a few !!
Another few formidable and dedicated characters --- Jean Watson, Jean Brown, Allison Brown, Ann Prentice, Megan Howie, Jessie Donaldson, Gladys Manson and of course our own Willeen McCallum.
Some were side-tracked into Senior Admin Office --- Bunny Grant, Wendy Cameron, Sheila Goudie and Pat Hutton amongst others. BUT THE COMMON DENOMINATOR for all these ladies from THE WEST OF SCOTLAND would have delighted Mrs Greenlees --- They were all active Greenlees Team members.
However there have been many changes that have taken part in dress --- trousers taboo in 1931. Great changes also in fitness and equipment. The advice given to Lady Golfers in the 1930's Nancy quoted "To avoid chills take a hot footbath immediately after each game " --- BUT THE CHIEF DANGER for the woman golfer who wants to preserve her looks is the harm she unconsciously does to her expression. This, of course is caused simply and solely by the tremendous concentration which is required during play and a general anxiety to do her best "It is extremely difficult to regulate one's features and keep them make like but it is quite easy, with a little practice to keep them serene in the face of bunkers and the like! Frowns are devastating to beauty". For some of us this advice may have come a bit late but to the younger ones amongst us - A WORD OF WARNING - Beware when next you are confronted with those of us who hae the odd frown or two you may be up against a "GREENLEES PLAYER with tremendous concentation to do her best". Rather than worrying about her facial features instead she has been practising her putting !!

Willeen McCallum, the Greenlees Secretary then gave a most informative speech detailing how all the divisional matches finished.
Cochrane Castle were the winners of the Greenlees Trophy with 48 Points with Prestwick St Nicholas second on 43.5 points. Relegated are Cardross and Lanark.
Division 2 was won by Troon with 52 points and Douglas Park were runners Up with 45.5 points. Relegated are Haggs Castle and East Renfrewshire
Milngavie were division 3 winners with 57 points with Cowglen runners up on 49 points

Willeen is hoping to retire after 18 years as West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary (Anyone who would like to take over please let us know) and she hoped that the friendships made and the enjoyment of the Greenlees Trophy Competition continues for many years to come.
Notice was given for the annual meeting on the 2nd Tuesday in December --- A notice will be sent out in November
Pearl Orr (Cochrane Castle) --- winners of the Greenlees Trophy for the 4th year out of the last 5 accepted the Greenlees Trophy from Evelyn Girvan (Captain of Prestwick St Nicholas) thanked Willeen for organizing the Greenlees event yet again.

Willeen thanked Evelyn for presenting the Trophies and Rosa Maxwell (Secretary Prestwick St Nicholas) for organizing the beautiful lunch and the Gents Committee for the wine. She also thanked Carol Fell for keeping all the results up to date on this website and the Renfrewshire Website

She then presented Evelyn, Nancy, Rosa and Carol each with wine and flowers in appreciation of their help ---- Many thanks indeed from all of us

In the meantime here are a few PHOTOGRAPHS AND SHORT VIDEO OF THE PRESENTATION SPEECHES from todays lunch and presentation.




FINAL POSITIONS
Division 1
Cochrane Castle 48 ---- Winners
Prestwick St Nicholas 43.5 ---- Runners Up
Cathkin Braes 42
Kilmarnock Barassie 38
Ranfurly Castle 35.5
Kilmacolm 33.5
Hilton Park 29
Cardross 28
Lanark 26.5

Cardross and Lanark go down to Division 2

Division 2
Troon 52 ---- Winners
Douglas Park 45.5 ---- Runners Up
Erskine 37.5
Bothwell Castle 37.5
West Kilbride 34
Whitecraigs 33
Old Ranfurly 30.5
East Renfrewshire 28
Haggs Castle 26

Troon and Douglas Park are promoted to Division 1
East Renfrewshire and Haggs Castle go down to Division 3

Division 3
Milngavie 57 ---- Winners
Cowglen 49 ---- Runners - Up
Williamwood 48
Largs 44
Greenock 40.5
Eastwood 39
Cathcart Castle 37
Cawder 35
Lenzie 30
Turnberry 21.5

Greenock had -2 deducted against Williamwood Eastwood had -2 deducted against Lenzie
Milngavie and Cowglen are promoted to Division 2

Kate Hamilton wins the Campbell Clock at Whitecraigs Golf Club

Campbell Clock 2007

In glorious weather the The Junior Stableford (Campbell Clock) was played over Whitecraigs Golf Course yesterday. Kate Hamilton and Nicky Wilson the home players were 1st and 2nd in the main event of the day. Pamela Brodie (Kirkintilloch) was the winner of the 10 hole competition and Kayleigh Bissett (Haggs Castle) won the Par 3 Competition.
Many thanks go to all the helpers on the day and to Whitecraigs Golf Club for the courtesy of the course.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF THE DAY AND A SHORT VIDEO AT THE END WHEN PHYLLIS NOBLE THE WHITECRAIGS CAPTAIN SAYS A FEW WORDS !!

Douglas Park All Stars

A great evening was had by all at the Jazz Evening last night at Douglas Park Golf Club with John Gourlay show casing the band. Press the play button and give it time to start (Sorry Broadband Users only)

West Girls` Championships - Pamela Pretswell is the Champion

Played Saturday 6th October Troon Portland
The semi finals and finals and finals of the silver and bronze sections of the West Girls` were played today in perfect conditions. The weather stayed dry all day, there was barely a breath of wind and it was really quite warm for the time of year.
Bronze Championship
Semi Finals:
Mhairi MacKay beat Connie Jaffrey 3/2
Emma Hale beat Saorcha Warren 2/1
Finals: Mhairi MacKay beat Emma Hale 5/4

Championship 2007
Semi Finals
Megan Briggs w/o v Lauren Meldrum
Pamela Pretswell beat Jill Meldrum 2/1
Final: Pamela Pretswell beat Megan Briggs 1 up

Most Improved Player 2007: Emma Hale

SLGA Roadshows -- Future Structure and Governance

The SLGA has been holding a series of road shows on its future structure and governance.
The venues in the West of Scotland: have been: Hamilton GC, Douglas Park GC and Prestwick St Nicholas GC,

The last of the SLGA Road Shows to be held in the West of Scotland on its future structure and governance was held Haggs Castle Golf Club on Thursday 4th October. Pamela MacKenzie who is Chairman of County Golf introduced the meeting and Shona Malcolm who is chairman of the SLGA Business Development Group held the presentation.


Shona is also on the One Plan for Golf Steering Group, an SLGA Board Member and sits on the clubgolf Board to represent the interests of the SLGA - She is also an LGU Councillor.
A very interesting and informative meeting took place with plenty of discussion at the end
To read and see all the topics discussed click on this link SLGA Presentation

If you have any queries on the content of the roadshow, or indeed if any of our readers have queries, please Email
Shona Malcolm and she will try to address them

D & A County Captains Golf and Annual Lunch

13 Past D & A County Captains attended their annual lunch at Douglas Park on Thursday, Oct.4th 2007
This year there was the option of golf and 5 of us played 11 holes - Fiona Cowan, Lesley McKiggan and Lana McDonald (front) Bunny Grant and Anna Telfer (behind)
Modesty prevents me - oh what the heck!!!!!!!!!
1st Anna Telfer 20 pts bih
2nd Bunny Grant 20pts

Delicious lunch followed with plenty of lovely chat.

Back row - and not very clear
Lana McDonald, Belle Robertson,Fiona Cowan, Margaret McKenzie, Jenny McGahan, Allison Brown, Anna Telfer, Lesley McKiggan
In front - and a little clearer
Bunny Grant, May Warden,Jean Watson, Margaret Erskine, Helen McGregor

Thanks go to Anna Telfer for the report and Photos

Golf at the Carrick -- Loch Lomond

The Fells (Gordon and Carol) and The Robertsons (Colin and Helen) had a terrific day at the Carrick (Cameron House) -- Loch Lomond on Monday of this week. The weather was absolutely fantastic and it was terrific to play the course that the Scottish Ladies Open had been about 10 days before. To see some fantastic views around the course and a few swings at the ball CLICK HERE

Greensomes Competition: Douglas Park

Played 30.09.07 & 5.10.07 Entries 25 couples
1st R Reith & P Kennedy net 70.4
2nd O Mackay & H Hamilton net 71

October Medal Erskine Golf Club

Played 3 Oct 2007 11 entries SSS 73; CSS 76 (Alt day 72):

Silver: S Littlejohn (16) 74; J Gillen (17) 75
Bronze: J Ebner (22) 77: R Chalmers (24) 80 bih;
J Roberts (22) 80
Scratch: S Littlejohn 90

LGU Medals: Silver: P Davidson; Bronze: M McKechnie

Scotland Seniors draw against Wales and England are the Champions

England continued their monopoly of the senior women’s home internationals title at Royal Tara Golf Club, County Meath in Ireland.
They duly won the championship for a fifth year in a row by beating Ireland 5-2 in their final match today. No other country has won the title since the over-50s tournament was introduced in 2003.
Scotland drew 3 ½-3 ½ with Wales but pipped them by half-a-point for second place on a comparison of the individual games won records.
After sharing the foursomes 1-1, Pamela Williamson was Scotland’s only winner in the singles, giving the Baberton player three wins out of three, all achieved in singles’ play.
But the Scots who did not win gave gritty performances
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank), Scotland’s top player with 4 1/2pt out of 6, had a titantic struggle with the Welsh ace, Vicky Thomas, which ended all square.
Lorna, pictured above, was two up after nine but then lost the 11th, 12th and 14th. She stopped the slide by squaring the match at the 16th and then halving the last two holes.
Fiona De Vries (St Rule) halved her match against Janet Doleman who won the 14th and 15th and then halved the last three.
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) came from behind to get a square match with Jean O’Connor. Helen won the 15th to level matters and then the last three holes were halved.
Fiona Hunter (Baberton) went down by one hole to Denise Richards who gained the edge in a tight tie by winning the 17th and 18th.
Joint MVPs of the tournament were England’s Christine Quinn (5pt out of 6) and Christine Watson (5pt out of 5).

Day 3 details:

WALES 3 1/2, SCOTLAND 3 1/2
Foursomes: V Thomas & D Richards lost to L Bennett & F Hunter 2 and 1; A Lewis & J Doleman bt H Faulds & M Tough 2 and 1 (1-1).
Singles: Thomas halved with Bennett, Lewis lost to P Williamson 4 and 3, Doleman halved with F De Vries, J O’Connor halved with Faulds, Richards bt Hunter 1 hole (2 ½-2 ½ ).

ENGLAND 5, IRELAND 2
Foursomes: C Quinn & C Watson bt M Madden & C Cahill 2 and 1; C Caldwell & H Smyth bt M Henderson & S O’Brien-Kenney 5 and 4 (2-0).
Singles: Quinn lost to M McKenna 1 hole, Watson bt Madden 4 and 3, S Dye lost to O’Brien-Kenney 3 and 1, Smyth bt V Hassett 2 and 1, P Wrightson bt E MacMullen 3 and 2 (3-2).

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

Scotland pipped by England in the Senior Home Internationals

Scotland lost 4-3 to title-holders England on Day 2 of the senior women’s home golf internationals at Royal Tara Golf Club, Co. Meath in Ireland.
Having lost the foursomes 2-0, the Scots made a brave fight of it by winning three of the five singles.
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) beat Susan Ellis by 3 and 2 after being four up on the 13th tee, having birdied the fifth and ninth. Pamela Williamson (Baberton) came back from two down after 10 holes with the help of a birdie at the 11th to beat former Curtis Cup player Carol Caldwell by 3 and 2.
With Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose), four down at the turn, having lost 5 and 3 to Christine Quinn, it was down to Fiona De Vries (St Rule) and Margaret Tough (Falkirk) to peg back England’s 3-2 lead.
They almost did. Tough was always ahead of Susan Dye on the inward half and won by 2 holes, chipping in at the last to double her margin of victory after a good fightback by the English player.
De Vries won the 15th and 16th to square her game against Christine Watson. The 17th was halved in 5s and then the English player won the par-5 18th with a birdie 4 for a one-hole victory to earn England the fourth point they needed to maintain their 100 % record through the first two days.

Day 2 results:
SCOTLAND 3, ENGLAND 4
Foursomes; L Bennett & F Hunter lost to C Quinn & C Watson 2 and 1; K Sutherland & F De Vries lost to S Dye & P Wrightson 4 and 3 (0-2).
Singles: Bennett bt Susan Ellis 3 and 2, P Williamson bt C Caldwell 3 and 2, De Vries lost to Watson 1 hole, M Tough bt Dye 2 holes, Sutherland lost to Quinn 5 and 3 (3-2).
IRELAND 1 1/2, WALES 5 1/2
Foursomes; M Henderson & S O’Brien-Kenney lost to V Thomas & D Richards 4 and 3; M Madden & C Cahill lost to A Lewis & J Doleman 2 and 1 (0-2).
Singles: E MacMullen lost to Thomas 9 and 7, M McKenna halved with Doleman, V Hassett lost to Lewis 2 and 1, O’Brien-Kenney lost to J O’Connor 3 and 2, Madden bt T Carradine 3 and 2 (1 ½-3 ½).
How they stand
England 2pt (10-4), Scotland 1pt (7-7), Wales 1pt (6 ½-7 ½), Ireland 0pt (4 ½-11 ½).
Final matches:
Scotland v Wales, England v Ireland.
Thanks go to Gillian Kerkwood for the report and the LGU for the photograph

Lanarkshire Juniors beat Renfrewshire Juniors

Lanarkshire Junior Team beat Renfrewshire Junior Team 4-1 at East Renfrewshire on Sunday 30th September 2007

Results-Renfrewshire names first-
Alyson McKechin beat Gillian Scanlan 4 and 3
Lesley Cosh lost to Emma Caddow 2 and 1
Saorcha Warren lost to Abigail Glikstein 3 and 1
Heather Howie lost to Jennifer Black 2 and 1
Samantha Cowan lost to Nicole Benson 2 and 1

Final score Renfrewshire 1 - Lanarkshire 4

Thanks go to Margaret Noblett (Lanarkshire Junior Secretary) for the Photos ---- click on each photo for an enlargement