PGA Pro Lesley Mackay give Kilmacolm Ladies some golfing tips

PGA Professional Lesley Mackay from Playsport Golf at East Kilbride coach to both the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire County Teams was at Kilmacolm Golf Club last night giving the ladies some very good golfing tips to get them going for the 2010 season. A great evening was had by all including some Ranfurly Castle members who were invited along. The evening wsa followed by a delicious buffet supper before everyone left to go home in the SNOW!!


Click on the bottom right corner of the slideshow to see larger pictures

SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES CHAMPIONSHIPS CUT

TO 54 HOLES DUE TO SNOW AT LOSSIEMOUTH

NEWS RELEASE
The day the course bit back! Rain, sleet, snow, wind, hail, fire, brimstone - everything but sunshine. Moray Old got its teeth into the golfers and the competition was restricted to 54 holes as a result.
In the Ladies event, Welsh international Gemma Bradbury (St Andrews) who had led going into today by ten shots shot an excellent 76 (4 over par) in the conditions and extended her lead to 16 shots at the end.
Jane Turner (RGU) and Susan Jackson (Edinburgh) - both previous SUS Order of Merit event winners - were unable to close the gap in the tricky conditions but battled on valiantly to share second place. Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) was 4th.
LEADING WOMEN'S FINAL TOTALS
Gemma Bradbury (St Andrews) 76 + 69 + 76 = 221
Susan Jackson (Edinburgh) 81 + 75 + 81 = 237
Jane Turner (RGU) 78 + 77 + 82 = 237
Megan Briggs (Strathclyde) 89 + 72 + 79 = 240
Emma Fairnie (Edinburgh) 84 + 80 + 83 = 247

Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) --- UPDATE

The Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association and Golf Union of Wales (GUW) have committed to producing a Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) for golf clubs and their members in Scotland and Wales.

Aimed at providing a wide and vitally important range of benefits to golf club members, clubs and their administrators and the governing bodies, the CDH project will be delivered by the Unions as a service to affiliated clubs.
As presented at the SGU Club Seminars at the end of 2009, the development of the Scottish/Welsh CDH is now reaching its final phases.To read more --- Click on the following link
Scottish Golf Website

The Scottish Ladies Championship. --- Why not Enter?

Are you looking to make up for all the golf you’ve missed out on this winter? Then why not come and play in the 2010 Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Craigielaw Golf Club from 18 – 22 May. While this is predominantly a Scratch Championship it is open to all Scottish female amateurs, who fulfil the entry qualifications, with plenty of prizes for the qualifying rounds including;
- Individual scratch and nett prizes for individual rounds and aggregate totals,
- Nett and gross prizes for club teams of two players, and
- Prizes for County teams of three players.
(Club and County teams must be entered on separate entry forms which have been sent out to your Clubs and Counties respectively.)
The format of the Championship is two rounds stroke play qualifying over 18 and 19 May with the lowest 32 aggregate scratch scores qualifying for the main match play Championship and the next 16 qualifying for the 2nd flight, the Clark Rosebowl. In addition to the golf, the ‘Scottish’ is also renowned for being a great social week of golf and is always a chance to meet up with friends old and new. If you’re not lucky enough to make it to the latter stages it’s a great opportunity to watch the top Scottish Amateurs compete for the title and for those that don’t make it to the final of the main Championship, there is always the legendary Friday night party to look forward to.

The venue for the 2010 Championship is Craigielaw Golf Course in East Lothian. This is a Championship links course which also boasts outstanding practice and clubhouse facilities. The entry fee of £35 will guarantee you three rounds of golf (including one practice round).
No Handicap Limit. Maximum 132 entries. Closing Date Monday 19 April 2010.
To get an entry form for the event Click Here

If you are not able to play in this year's Championship please put the dates for future years in your diary:
2011: Machrihanish Golf Club 17 - 21 May 2011
2012: Tain Golf Club 22 - 26 May 2012

Professional Tip from Karyn Burns at Mearns Golf Academy

Professional Tip.

This week tip is provided by PGA professional Karyn Burns. The pupil is one of her regular juniors Alexandra Duffy.

Winter County Foursomes Finals

D&A and Renfrewshire County have both played their Winter County Foursomes Final this week. Gill Campbell and Lynn McColl (Bearsden) beat Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Christine Kelly (Windyhill) 2 and 1 in the D & A Final ---- To read more go to the D&A Website

In the Renfrewshire Winter Foursomes final the Whitecraigs pairing of Christeen Finlayson and Sheila Robson beat the other Whitecraigs pairing of Wendy Gilchrist and Jennifer Chuwen at the 19th. To read more go to the Renfrewshire County Website

D&A County Dinner

One hundred and twenty members attended the Annual D&A County Dinner on Thursday 18th March, 2010 at Douglas Park Golf Club. To read more go to the D&A Website

Ayrshire Girls v South of Scotland Girls

In this first friendly match of the season for both teams, three foursomes matches were played on what turned out to be a pleasant dry day at Brunston Castle Golf Course. Ayrshire just managed to edge ahead with a 2-1 win.

Results are as follows:-

Katie McCracken & Rachel Walker (South Scotland) beat Gillian Arnott & Mhairi McKay 5/4
Emma Greenlees and Mirren Fraser " lost to Connie Jaffrey & Katie McGarva 5/3
Rachel Lorimer and Lucy Bell " lost to Emma Hale & Grace Mackie 6/5
Thanks go to June Kerr for the report

West of Scotlands Alyson McKechın ıs the 2009 Scottısh Champıon of Champıons

Congratultions and well done to Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) on becoming the 2009 Scottish Girls' Champion of Champions today at St. Andrews.

The 18 hole tournament for boys and girls was washed out by rain last November but today it was played in sunny conditions over The Duke's Course.

Alyson, who shot a 75, says she was helped by her "Champion's Feet" socks!

We all wish you continued success.


GIRLS FINAL RESULTS :

75 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).
76 Rachel Watton (Mortonhall).
77 Rachel Hanlon (St Regulus).
78 Sammy Leslie (Westhill).
80 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Lesley Atkins (Minto).
84 Eilidh Watson (Muckhart).
85 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies).
87 Tara MacTaggart (Minto).
88 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Clara Young (North Berwick), Ailsa Bain (Peebles).
90 Alison Godwin (Glenbervie).
97 Rachel Irvine (Largs), Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst).
98 Kirstin Scott (Milngavie).
104 Nicole Benson (Cawder).

Off to Turkey -- Check out Gillian Kirkwood Website

Your webmaster is off to Turkey for a weeks golf. In case I am unable to keep up with any of the news then go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Open Day at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

You can take advantage of the following at Ranfurly Castle's Open Day on Sunday 28th March 2010;
• £15 to play on day (normal round ticket £35).
• REDUCED entrance fee for full members - £250 for the first
10 new members and then £500 thereafter.
• NO joining fee for new members under the age of 30.
• FREE lesson voucher from our head PGA Professional,
Tom Eckford, when you join.
• OFFER AVAILABLE ONLY ON THE DAY BUT CAN BE BOOKED
IN ADVANCE FROM 18TH FEBRUARY 2010
To read more about it Click Here

West of Scotland's Kylie Walker is now on the Pro' Tour

Kylie Walker, has the length off the tee required to make an impact as a tour professional (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency;).

Be patient, Catriona tells rookie pro Kylie Walker

FROM THE SCOTTISH HERALD WEBSITE --- By Richard Wilson
Kylie Walker will not feel out ?of place.
Since turning professional last December, she has already been invited to Catriona Matthew’s home in North Berwick, where they shared a conversation about life on the Ladies European Tour. By the time she tees off in her first tournament, in Morocco on Thursday, Walker will have caught up with other fellow Scots competing at the forefront of the women’s game.
Matthew’s advice was that only patience would be rewarded. Walker’s career has been compressed, having only taken up the sport seriously at 14 and now having qualified for the Tour at 23.
There was an accumulation of distinction. Last year, she won the St Rule Trophy for the second consecutive year, repeating the achievements of Matthew in 1993 and 1994.
Walker also won the 2008 Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Order of Merit title, and she was the highest-placed British golfer at the Ladies European Tour's Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain in December.
There might have been a failed attempt at the January 2009 qualifying school, but even that is considered beneficial, as Walker believes she is now better equipped.
There is a bullishness to her, so when she considers what might be attainable in this first year, there is little reticence.
“I would love to do well right from the start and be contending,” she says. “I’m going into every tournament to win, but that might be unrealistic. But I played some Ladies Tour events before, as an amateur.”
With Carly Booth joining the Tour, and Krystle Caithness, another Scot, having enjoyed a successful rookie year in 2009, Walker is not short of support. Her older brother, Kris, will also caddie for her.
“Everybody in my family played,” Walker says. “My two sisters and brother are all older than me, so when my dad was making up the four-ball, I was always left behind. I guess that’s why it took until I was 14 before I started. Then I won the Scottish schoolgirls' title, which made me realise that I could still have moments of brilliance even with my handicap being high.”
Sponsorship and finance are pressures, so the first months of this year have been spent sorting out a website and seeking backers. Mostly, though, her time is spent looking forward. At the very least, Walker will play in the final qualifiers for the British Ladies Open in July. Having won the event last year, Matthew is an inspiration.
Walker spent last week in Dubai, where her brother and one of her sisters live. She worked on her short game and began focusing on what the coming months will bring. There are also long-term ambitions.
“If you’re going to be at the top, America’s the place to be, the best [golfers] in the world are there,” she says. “In the future, I’ll look to get out there to compete.”
+Kylie Walker was the first Scottish lady pro to say she would play on the new Xltec Pro Tour which tees off - with a Ladies section if enough enter - at Whitekirk Golf Club on March 25.

Tait's Tour ready to welcome lady professionals with open arms!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Alan Tait, founder of the new Xltec Pro Tour in Scotland, has agreed to my suggestion that he makes room for female professionals in his six 36-hole event schedule which tees off at Whitekirk Golf Club, near North Berwick on March 25 and 26.
" We thought that as there is very little opportunity for our few lady professional golfers to play competitively in Scotland, why not get them involved as well. The more the merrier!" said Alan, director of golf at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Golf Resort.
"At the end of the day, the Xltec Tour is all about giving pros more opportunity to compete and this should include everyone. As long as we get a minimum of five girls entering each event, they can play for a separate, smaller prize-fund and I am sure they will be a breath of fresh air to the tour".
Tait and his organising colleagues are hoping that star amateurs-turned-rookie-pros Carly Booth and Kylie Walker (pictured above) will cut their teeth on the homespun tour before they have a go at the Ladies European Tour.
Others who might play are LET regulars Vikki Laing, Lynn Kenny and Krystle Caithness, WPGA assistant professional Heather MacRae as well as Clare Queen, Pamela Feggans, Jenna Wilson, Katy McNicoll, Gemma Webster, Kathryn Imrie, Karyn Burns, Lesley Mackay, Karyn Dallas, Katie Thomson, Nicola Meldrum, Michele Thomson, Cathy Panton-Lewis and Gillian Stewart.
There is always the chance that British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew and fellow LPGA Tour members Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay would put in an appearance when they are back in Scotland, if only for a short break.
Then there are established lady professionals, who have long since retired from the competitive side of the game, such as Muriel Thomson (Portlethen GC head professional) and Jane Connachan, who might welcome the chance to mix it with the younger brigade.
The possibilities are endless and it will be shame if the idea never gets off the ground because of apathy and lack of numbers.
It is hoped to interest WPGA female professionals based in the North and North-east of England for whom the journey north would not be as much a deterrent as it would be for those based in the south of England.
The female pros will have to pay a one-off joining fee of £40 plus a £50 entry fee for each 36-hole event plus a £10 administration fee per competition.
They will play off the LGU red tees at every venue and will be competiing against themselves, NOT the men.
Although the girls will be competing, in a sense, for their own money, it is hoped that as the tour gains publicity and becomes better known, companies or individuals may be persuaded to sponsor individual events.
While male pros have no inhibitions about playing for their own money, hence the success of satellite circuits such as the EuroPro Tour, where the entry fees are big to create worthwhile prize funds, female professionals are much harder to please ... and I talk from the experience of being Tournament Controller at the first two Hacienda del Alamo Women's February Festivals.
It remains to be seen if the female pros will be lukewarm about a lack of prizemoney up front for them at "Tait's Tour." I hope they take the longer-term view that the circuit, which will certainly need the players' support through its first season, could grow into a ladies' version of the Tartan Tour.
The schedule of events is:
March 25-26: Whitekirk, near North Berwick.
April 28-29: Hilton Park, near Glasgow.
May 25-26: Marriott Dalmahoy, near Edinburgh.
July 28-29: Westerwood, near Glasgow.
September 28-29: Spey Valley, Aviemore.
October 6-7 Dundonald Links, near Troon, Ayrshire.
+Entry forms and more information available by E-mailing Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Glasgow gets set to introduce 3,300 children to golf

The drive to give more Glasgow primary school children the opportunity to play golf accelerates this month with the city’s Active Schools Team training classroom teachers to deliver the national junior golf programme, clubgolf’s introductory game.
In 2009, 42 of Glasgow’s 170 schools introduced their 1260 of their Primary 5s to clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, which employs modified equipment. Taught by school staff, supported by Active Schools Co-ordinators, it gives children an enjoyable introduction to the game.
That figure, 21 percent of the total P5 roll of 6000, is expected to rise by 2000 this year after clubgolf and Active Schools combined forces to buy 50 bags of firstclubgolf equipment for Glasgow schools.
“This is a big step up this year in terms of increasing the numbers of children who we will deliver clubgolf to,” said Active Schools Manager, Kay Cherrie.
“The difficulty in the past was that without firstclubgolf equipment in schools there was little point in the staff becoming trained to teach the game.
“This year we have been able to access the finance to buy 50 bags so two thirds of schools now have equipment. Half of the funding (£7500) has come from the Council and Education Services. clubgolf has matched this which has enabled us to buy 50 bags and make the big push.”
To ensure that staff in these schools are fully prepared to teach the game to children, Active Schools is running a series of training sessions this month. Eighty three teachers are being trained in three four-hour sessions. Active Schools Co-ordinators continue supporting staff once they begin delivering in their schools.
“The response from schools and teachers has been really good,” said Mrs Cherrie. “With support from Active Schools Co-ordinators, staff find clubgolf relatively easy to deliver.
“With the equipment and the lesson plans, it’s a readymade off the shelf activity that can be used in our schools, during curriculum time, circle time, after school and in holiday programmes.”
“Our Active Schools Co-ordinators will make sure the schools are fully supported and the children get a good experience from it.”
With higher numbers of children being introduced to the schools game more clubs and volunteer coaches will be needed to ensure they can progress.
Haggs Castle is the first private club in Glasgow to see the potential of signing up to clubgolf and will be organising training for its volunteer coaches this spring. The volunteers will link with their local schools to provide a pathway for the children to progress into junior and eventually senior golf.
Rob Eyton-Jones
clubgolf Media Manager
Official clubgolf website: http://www.clubgolfscotland.com/

Alex Salmond's major announcement about £2million boost for Scottish amateur golf

First Minister Alex Salmond with a group including SLGA chairman Shona Malcolm, British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew and Douglas Connon, chairman of the Scottish Golf Union Board, at North Berwick today when a major announcement about additional funding for Scottish amateur golf, particularly those who are turning professional., was made.

READ THE FULL STORY BY LOGGING ON TO Scottish Golf View

Quality field building up for the 'Helen Holm'

This year's Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship is shaping to be one of the best - if the quality of the entries so far is any guide.
They include so far the 2009 champions of Scotland (Megan Briggs), England (Charlie Douglass) and Wales (Tara Davies).
The fact that the LGU selectors will be at the tournament and will be meeting on the evening of Sunday, April 25 to choose the Great Britain & Ireland team of eight for the Curtis Cup match at Essex County Club, Massachusetts in June could have something to do with it.
But the tournament is also pulling them in from places as far away as Russia.
Two rounds will be played over Troon Portland on Friday and Saturday, April 23 & 24 after which there will be a cut and the qualifiers (leading 66 players and ties) will play the final 18 holes over Royal Troon on the Sunday.
Entries close at noon on Monday, March 22. Handicap limit is 5.4.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association website: www.slga.co.uk.
THE FIELD SO FAR
(from the SLGA website)
1 Lucie Andre Mionnay France +2.7
2 Lesley Atkins Minto Scotland 2.8
3 Amy Boulden Maesdu Wales 0.4
4 Eilidh Briggs Kilmacolm Scotland 1.0
5 Megan Briggs Kilmacolm Scotland 0.3
6 Emma Brown Malton & Norton England +3.1
7 Ciara Butler Newlands Ireland 1.8
8 Holly Clyburn Woodhall Spa England +2
9 Charlotte Dalton Ladbrook Park England 0.9
10 Tara Davies Holyhead Wales 0.5
11 Charlie Douglass Brocket Hall England 0.8
12 Charlotte Ellis Minchinhampton England +1.6
13 Stephanie Evans Vale of Llangollen Wales 0.1
14 Bethany Garton Royal Lytham & St Annes England 2.1
15 Hannah Grant Enmore Park England 0.3
16 Becky Harries Haverfordwest Wales +0.2
17 Rachel Jennings Izaak Walton England +2.6
18 Louise Kenney Pitreavie Scotland +1.6
19 Samantha Leslie Westhill Scotland 2.5
20 Emelie Lundstrom Mosjo Sweden +1
21 Kelsey MacDonald Nairn Dunbar Scotland +1.9
22 Stephanie McEvoy Old Fold Manor England 3.2
23 Alyson McKechin Elderslie Scotland 2.8
24 Gillian Monteith Portpatrick Dunskey Scotland 0.0
25 Laura Murray Alford Scotland +1.2
26 Elizaveta Nikulina Moscow City Russia 3.4
27 Pamela Pretswell Bothwell Castle Scotland +2.7
28 Ann B Ramsay Kirriemuir Scotland 0.4
29 Emma Sheffield Newark England 0.6
30 Ailsa Summers Carnoustie Ladies Scotland 3.0
31 Lauren Taylor Woburn England +2.1
32 Rachael Taylor Hartl Golf Resort Germany 2.4
33 Jess Wilcox Blankney England 0.4
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

SLGA name teams for Stroke-Play tournaments

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION
The SLGA is pleased to announce the following teams to represent Scotland:

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship, Strathmore Golf Centre, April 8-9:
Team 1: Lesley Atkins (Minto), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Clara Young (North Berwick).
Team 2: Connie Jaffray (West Kilbride), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies).
Reserves: 1 Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies and Whitecraigs), 2 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)

Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, Troon, April 23-25:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
Reserves: 1 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 2 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship, Southerndown Golf Club, May 1-2:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Laura Murray (Alford), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Travelling reserve: Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Newlands Golf Club, June 5-6:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Travelling reserve: Laura Murray (Alford).
Reserve: Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)

West Vets -- Helen Faulds and Alex Glennie are selected for Scotltish Vets to play the Irish Vets

West Vets Captain Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) have both been selected to play for the Scottish Vets Team against an Irish select next month over Portmarnock Links.
To read the full team selection go to the West Vets Website

Renfrewshire County Centenary Book is launched

Carol Fell with the RLCGA Centenary Book - click to enlarge

A coffee morning was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club to launch the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Centenary Book.
The first 100 pages of the book covers the 1st 100 years of County Golf in Renfrewshire and the second 100 pages covers all the events in last year's County Centenary Year both in Renfrewshire and around Scotland. There are over 400 photographs in the book which was Self Published by your webmaster Carol Fell
To read all about the morning's event go to the RLCGA Website

Make Golf History at Machrihanish Dunes.

Under 16 and Matchplay Foursomes Closing Dates

There is only one week left to get your entries in for the first major event on the Scottish Ladies’ 2010 calendar. The closing date for the Scottish Open Under 16’s is 12 noon on Monday 8th March.

Monday 8th March is also the closing date for the Scottish Matchplay Foursomes. Entry forms for this were sent out to the Handicap secretaries in the February Handicap mailing.

You can now find more information about the Under 16's Championship, including; venue details, entries received, and the card of the course on 'Championships' menu by on the SLCGA Website by CLICKING HERE
Draws and results will also appear here when available and information on the other Championships will be added in the coming weeks.