Happy Halloween to all Our Readers

Click on the following link Happy Halloween to all Our Readers

Kylie Walker does well in China

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Lee-Anne Pace won a four-way sudden death play-off to capture the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open title in China today, just a week after she won the Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan.
Glasgow's Kylie Walker finished top Scot with rounds of 70, 70 and 73 for a total of 213. That gave her a share of eighth place and a cheque for 4,280 Euros.
Vikki Laing finished joint 12th on 214 with scores of 69, 71 and 74. The Musselburgh player earned 3,246 Euros.
Carly Booth from Comrie had scores of 72, 72 and 75 for 219 and a share of 41st place which was worth 1,286 Euros.

Wonder Woman ?? --- (Not with my knees !)

To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

TRIPLE WHAMMY BY THE GLASGOW HERALD'S DOUGLAS LOWE AT GOLF WRITERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Herald sports writer Douglas Lowe scored a triple whammy at the frost-abbreviated Scottish golf writers and guests' golf championship at Mar Hall Hotel golf course near Bishopton, Glasgow today (MONDAY).
Frost delayed the start of the scheduled 18-hole competition from 9.30 to 11am and play was only possible on holes 10 to 18 at that time. Because some of the competitors faced a long journey home to the North and North-east of Scotland and a prizegiving lunch had been arranged, it was decided to cut the tournament to nine holes.
Lowe, despite a knee injury, regained the Alex Fox Trophy as the leading golf writer with a Stableford score of 17pt off a handicap of 12.
"I have won the trophy before but it was so long ago that Nick Rodger must have still been in short trousers," said Douglas who had 2pt to spare from Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly), playing off 2, and twice past champion Mike Aitken (The Scotsman), playing off 15.
Lowe's prizes included a free tee for four at any of the Gleneagles Hotel golf course, midweek or weekend.
Lowe's total was higher than anyone achieved in the male and female women guests' categories which earned him the Belhaven Trophy for overall supremacy.
Just to cap the "wounded warrior's" day, Douglas figured in the winning team of Stewart McDougall (DBS Sports) and Ronnie Cully (Evening Times) whose 32pt (best two from three scores to count) saw them triumphy by a single point from Scottish international Claire Hargan (SLGA), Mike Aitken (The Scotsman) and Dave Edwards (Press and Journal).
Former Northern Open champion Peter Smith, Mike Woodcock (St Andrews Links Trust) and Sheila Hartley (SLGA) took third place on 29, beating Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly), Michael Gannon (Aberdeen Press and Journal) and golf course designer Graeme Webster from Inverurie on a tie-breaking countback.
Mike Woodcock, playing of 12, pipped eight-handicapper Stewart McDougall for the Bunkered Trophy as the leading male guest. They both finished with 15pt. Mike had the better last six holes' points total. He won a free tee time for four at The Duke's Course, St Andrews.
Graeme Webster, playing off 10, finished third in the male guest category with 14pt, the same total as SGU Press and Marketing Officer Ross Duncan (5). Webster had the better last three-hole points total.
SLGA Tournament Officer Claire Hargan, a one-handicap member at Mortonhall, won the Leading Lady Guests' section with 16pt, one ahead of West of Scotland women's golf webmaster Carol Fell (10) and two clear of Sheila Hartley (SLGA).

Thanks go to Colin Farqharson for the report  --- To see the report and a larger picture of Douglas Lowe go to Colin's Scottish View Website

Equalities Act 2010 --- Associations including private clubs

What is an association?
For the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 an organisation is an association if:
it has 25 or more members, and
it has rules (not necessarily formal or written) regulating who can be a member and there is a genuine selection process for members.
Private clubs - such as golf and other sports clubs, working men’s clubs and social clubs - political parties and some charities such as the Scouting Association are examples of associations.

Not sure about the Equalities Act --- then CLICK HERE

Thanks go to Ann O'Connell from Douglas Park for this info.

Videos and Photographs from Greenlees Lunch

No rest for the wicked !!! -- At last --the photos and Video taken at the Greenlees Lunch at West Kilbride are now available -- Scroll down or Click Here to see more

Ayrshire and Lanarkshire are 3rd and 4th in the Commonwealth Spoons

Photo Courtesy of the SLGA

This two ball Foursomes Commonwealth Spoons event which was postponed from September 23 when the course was flooded and the SLGA is very grateful to Cathkin Braes for allowing the competition to be rescheduled.
LEADING SCORES :-
1st - Mary Malcolm & Helen Thomson (Fife) 84-10 = 74
2nd - Lorna Fury & Marie Curran (Fife) 81-6 = 75
3rd - Catherine Malcolm & Roz Purdom (Ayrshire) 79-3 = 76 bih
4th - Pauline Warlow & Joanna Scott (Lanarkshire) 83-7 = 76
5th - Venetia Scott & Claire Howden (Borders) 87-10.5 = 76.5

70th Year Celebration Lunch and Presentation for the Greenlees Trophy

The Greenlees Lunch and Presentation of Trophies was held at West Kilbride Golf Club yesterday.
Fiona Roger (The West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary) organised the event.
All clubs from the 3 divisions within the Greenlees Trophy were represented and what a great celebration they all had ---- 70 YEARS SINCE THE GREENLEES TROPHY was first played. They were welcomed warmly by West Kilbride Golf Club with a glass of wine and a terrific lunch to follow.

The winners from all the divisions were presented with the trophies and there was much chat !!


GREENLEES LUNCH 2010 - Fiona's Speech

Another year of Greenlees Matches bites the dust and what an exciting end to the first Two Divisions. I find it hard to believe that I am standing here at West Kilbride when I feel Ihave only left the Troon lunch!

It is a pleasure to be here and I would like to thank West Kilbride on behalf of all those present today for very kindly agreeing to host the 2010 Greenlees Presentation Lunch. A very big thank you to all the staff behind the scenes and front of house for such a lovely lunch. To West Kilbride's Aileen Donaldson, for co-ordinating the day so calmly and efficiently - thank you for your time and effort. West Kilbride Club Captain Janette Mair and Ladies Captain Phyllis Howie for your input - Thank you to everyone for a job well done.

At this stage I would be asking the Ladies Captain to pass on our thanks to the Club Captain and Board. This year I have the pleasure of being able to thank the Club Captain in person and to thank her for her very kind words of welcome before lunch. Janette – I know your life currently isn’t your own – thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today. I hope you are enjoying being our guest in your own club!!
I am sure that your year to date has been very successful – not I am sure without ups and downs – and I hope when your year of office ends, you will remember it as an enjoyable and fun time.

Thank you Phyllis for also taking the time to be here today and I would be very pleased if you would do us the honour of presenting the trophies later.
Many of you will perhaps not realise, but this is the 70th year that the Greenlees Trophy has been played for.
In 1931 ten teams played in one division - Troon, Prestwick St. Nicholas, Douglas Park, Paisley, Drumpellier, Sandyhills, Kilmacolm, Ranfurly Castle, Cathkin Braes and Cardross. At the end of the season Troon and Prestwick St. Nicholas both had 62 points, they had a play off over Western Gailes and Prestwick St Nicholas won by one match. Mrs Greenlees, on behalf of her husband who donated the trophy, presented it to Prestwick.
Cathkin must have found it all too much because they withdrew after year one and were replaced by Balmore!! I found a report written after the 1934 matches, I presume by the then Secretary. It read ----- matches have not been so keanly contested this year and certain clubs are lacking in team spirit. ----------. this Secretary won’t dare write a report!!

After the 1938 season the clubs on the waiting list were invited to join – West Kilbride, Erskine, Whitecraigs and Milngavie. Haggs Castle were also on the list but were no longer interested. 1939 season was to be played in two divisions but unfortunately the war years intervened and the trophy was not played for again until 1949.

Some of you may already have read this on the Carol’s West Web site.

In 1940 – 70 years ago – Richmond Golf Club displayed temporary rules on their notice board. I won’t read them all, but here are just a few.
These may seem funny to us in 2010 but not so funny in 1940. CLICK HERE TO READ THE LOCAL RULES

I have a small book in my bookcase called Life’s Little Instruction Book.
I often lift it up and have a read. It has 511 suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life!!
Sing in the shower
Floss your teeth
Drink champagne for no reason at all
Put the cap back on the toothpaste
Whistle
Ride a bike
Treat yourself to a massage on your birthday
Spread crunchy peanut butter on ginger biscuits for the perfect late night
Snack.
When you know you need help, don’t delay in asking for it.
When I need help with computing problems I never delay asking Carol Fell for help!!

I would like to say a personal thank you to Carol for making sure everything ran smoothly on the web and dealing with the things she won’t let me touch! On behalf of us all thank you for the power of work you do not only for the Greenlees but for the Scottish Ladies Golf in general. It is immense and I sometimes think people don’t realise how immense it is.

Now for the business of the day – presentation of trophies. Phyllis may I ask you to join me for the presentations. ---

As it is the 70th year I would like to say that I am not sure if the Ladies from Troon realise they have been the most prolific winners of the Greenlees Trophy, first winning it in 1932. They did in fact win it 11 times in the first 15 and have their name engraved on the trophy 31 times to date the last being in 2008. In all the years since 1931 6 years is the longest period of time your name has not been on the trophy --- an amazing record - WELL DONE.

Milngavie have won it 9 times, Haggs Castle 8, Prestwick St. Nicholas 6, Cochrane Castle 4, Kilmacolm, West Kilbride and Cardross twice, Ranfurly Castle, Turnberry, Douglas Park and Sandyhills once.

I hope you have all enjoyed another competitive season. What an exciting finish in Division 1 – the last match Milngavie needing 7 points to pip Cathkin Braes by .5 and securing 7.5 points to win the league by 1 and in Division 2 Prestwick winning by just half a point from Whitecraigs and heading straight back to Division 1 for Season 2011. Whitecraigs deserve their promotion to Division 1 and Largs and Cowglen are promoted from Division 3.

To the teams going down a Division don’t despair – look forward to next season on different courses and for everyone the challenge will always be there.
The Greenlees Trophy 2010 is retained by Milngavie Golf Club with 48.5 points.
I had a lovely note from Anna Telfer (the Milngavie Team Captain) , who is unable to be here today
(which Fiona read out to everyone)

The Urn for Runner Up in Division 1 goes to Cathkin Braes for the second year in a row ----
Last year you were beaten into second place be half a point and this year by only a point. I know Joanna you and your team will be disappointed but what another great season you have had. May 2011 be ‘3rd time lucky’

Division 2 is won by Prestwick St Nicholas with 49 points.

Largs win Division 3 with a wonderful total of 46.5 points, remembering that Division 3 have only 7 matches as opposed to 8 in the other divisions.
As this is the 70th year of Greenlees League --- I have a small momento which I would like to give to each of the winners of the Divisions to keep in their Club Trophy Cabinets. May I ask Milngavie, Prestwick and Largs to come up and collect them.

I hope that next year’s Divisions are as closely contested and that we all remember to enjoy. Winter well and look forward to seeing everyone in season 2011
The Final Positions :-
DIVISION 1
Milngavie 48.5 -- Greenlees Trophy Winners
Cathkin Braes 47.5 -- Greenlees Trophy Runners Up
Kilmarnock Barassie 45
Ranfurly Castle 34.5
Douglas Park 34
Troon 34
Kilmacolm 30.5
West Kilbride 29 - relegated to Division 2
Cardross 21 - relegated to Division 2

DIVISION 2
Prestwick St. Nicholas 49 - Winners and promoted to Division 1
Whitecraigs 48.5 - Runners Up - Promoted to Division 1
Haggs Castle 44
Hilton Park 40.5
Erskine 34
Eastwood 33.5
Williamwood 28
Lanark 27 - Relegated to Division 3
Bothwell Castle 19.5 - Relegated to Division 3

DIVISION 3
Largs 46.5 - Winners -- Promoted to Division 2
Cowglen 34 - Runners Up - Promoted to Division 2
Old Ranfurly 33
Greenock 32.5
Lenzie 29
East Renfrewshire 27
Cawder 25.5
Cathcart Castle 24.5
Turnberry 0

(Louden Gowf Club will be joining Division 3 in 2011)

FINAL 2010 TOTALS AND RESULTS

To see some photos from the Presentation and Lunch click on the small thumbnail below

2010 Greenlees Lunch

Jumping with Joy !! --- Milngavie win the Greenlees Trophy --- Click to enlarge

World Championships Begin

The 2010 World Amateur Team Championships get underway in Argentina today with the first day of the 24th Espirito Santo Trophy, which is being held at Buenos Aires and Olivos golf clubs.CLICK HERE to keep uptodate
GOOD LUCK SCOTLAND

Eilidh Briggs is the 2010 SLGA Girls' Order of Merit Winner

Eilidh Briggs (Courtesy of Colin Farqharson) - Click to enlarge

Renfrewshire's County Junior and Senior Champion Eilidh Briggs (Kilmalcolm)  who also won the West of Scotland Girls’ Championship at Troon Portland earlier this month is  the 2010 Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Girls’ Order of Merit Winner.
Eilidh gathered 2,040 points to edge the Merit title ahead of Hannah McCook (Abernethy).
Hannah, from the nine hole club in Nethybridge, made sure of second place with victory in the North of Scotland Girls’ Championship at Brechin. She finished with 1,620 points.
Third place went to the Scottish Girls Champion, Lesley Atkins (Gullane), with 1,568 points and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) was fourth on 1,400.
Rachael was a member of the Scottish Ladies team that won the Home Internationals in Wales in September.

D & A Girls win at West Kilbride

D&A Team (from L to R) Jorden Ferrie; Aileen Campbell; Jillian Farrell; Megan Duff; Kirstin Scott; Heather McKinney and Rachel McLellan.

The Ayrshire Girls Team

Ayrshire and D & A Girls played their friendly match yesterday at West Kilbride. Despite a very strong cold wind blowing all the girls played very well, with all but one match being decided on either the 17th or 18th greens.
Congratulations to the visiting team who won by 4 matches to 3.

Results are as follows:- (Ayrshire names first)

Connie Jaffrey beat Jorden Ferrie 2 holes
Mhairi McKay lost to Kirstin Scott 2/1
Katie McGarva lost to Aileen Campbell 1 hole
Emma Hale lost to Rachel McLellan 3/1
Grace Mackie lost to Megan Duff 2/1
Rachel Irvine beat Heather McKinnie 1 hole
Hazel McGarvie beat Gillian Farrell 3/2

To see some photographs taken on the day courtesy of  Lorraine Campbell CLICK HERE

Thanks go to Ayrshire's June Kerr for the Report and Ayrshire Team Photograph
Thanks go to D&A's Lorraine Campbell for the D& A Team Photograph

SGU and SLGA Begin Countdown Towards Amalgamation

The move to bring the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA)together as a single governing body has gathered momentum with a formal proposal being delivered to each organisation’s members this month.
It is proposed that the new joint organisation be called Scottish Golf Limited, and will be operational from 1 October 2011. Consequently the SGU and SLGA have developed a twelve month timetable to consult with members and refine and finalise the details of the proposed amalgamation.
The SGU’s existing shareholders are its 16 Area Associations, while the SLGA comprises affiliated ladies clubs and sections along with 15 County organisations, each with a vote on how the governing bodies are run at present. The proposed changes have now been sent to each of the member groups for consideration, with the two bodies conducting a series of meetings during October, November and December to gather the views of those groups.
Donald Turner, Chair of the amalgamation working group, welcomed the move to meet with the
existing members:
“It is vitally important that we harness the views of our existing members while explaining in detail the rationale behind the change which I believe is right for Scottish Golf. The SGU and SLGA have now been working very closely for a number of years and amalgamation is a natural step in the right direction which can have great benefits for the development of the game in Scotland.”
“At a time when we are encouraging clubs to work towards equality, it is important that every golfer – regardless of gender – is given the same level of opportunity to participate and succeed in the game and that can only happen through amalgamation. At the heart of the game lies our clubs and during these particularly challenging times, clubs need the support of a strong governing body.”
“There is much history and heritage within the SLGA and SGU as well as their respective Counties, Areas and clubs. However, we must look to the future together if we are to succeed with the ambitions shared by both governing bodies,” he added.
Funding from sportscotland accounts for more than one third of the combined income of the SGU
and SLGA at £1.3m and are key partners in the development of the game. sportscotland’s Chief
Executive, Stewart Harris commented:''sportscotland has been investing in and working with the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association on the amalgamation of the two bodies for a number of years. We look forward to working with SGU & SLGA to finalise the amalgamation process to allow golf to enjoy the benefits of having one united body responsible for governing and developing the amateur game in Scotland.
Our support and investment to golf will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We anticipate that one
strong amateur golf body would be a more efficient way for sportscotland to invest in the future, and propel Scottish Golf to even greater heights"
The joint proposals include the creation of a single Board of Directors with a new Chair to be
appointed as both Shona Malcolm (SLGA Chair) and Douglas Connon (SGU Chair) have indicated
they will step down at the end of their current terms. It is intended that the Company will be limited by guarantee, with the voting members comprising the Areas, Counties and golf clubs throughout Scotland.
Under the proposal, existing Counties and Areas will retain their identity and boundaries, with
Counties being offered the opportunity to explore a different method (consistent with the Areas) of promoting membership and collecting club subscriptions. The new body will unify the level of per capita subscription it collects from clubs, which is currently different for men and ladies, and this will remain for playing adults only, with an agreement to continue a policy of not charging for juniors.
Following the consultation period, the amalgamation working group will conduct a debrief and review before updating the proposal, which will be further discussed at the SGU and SLGA AGMs in
January 2011. Further seminars will then take place among Areas, Counties and clubs in the spring, with a final proposal anticipated to be put to respective EGMs in May 2011. On approval of the proposal by the respective voting members, an appointment process for the inaugural Board will be undertaken in time for a smooth handover of responsibilities from the SGU and SLGA to Scottish Golf Limited from 1 October 2011.
Shona Malcolm, Chair of the SLGA, said: “We have made excellent progress throughout 2010 and trust that the various stakeholders will be in agreement with our proposals. We welcome the feedback of our clubs and Counties over the coming months and their input will be invaluable to enable the new body to act in the best interests of Scottish Golf.
”Her counterpart at the SGU, Douglas Connon, added:“We welcome the proposals put forward by Donald Turner and the working group. We believe the timetable we have put in place can now be achieved. Having worked so closely with the SLGA for a number of years across many key projects, it makes perfect sense to be working together under one single entity for the betterment of Scottish Golf and giving our clubs and golfers the best opportunity to develop. Scottish Golf demands and deserves this step change.”
CLICK HERE --- TO PRINT OUT THE ABOVE STATEMENT

Amalgamation Update --- Links to various details (from the SLGA Website)
SGU and SLGA Begin Countdown Towards Amalgamation
The move to bring the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA) together as a single governing body has gathered momentum with a formal proposal being delivered to each organisation’s members this week.
The proposal with details of the roles of Board members and committees and a covering letter from the Amalgamation Group Chair, Donald Turner may be accessed by clicking on the links.

Pamela Pretswell is the Champion of Champions

Pamela Pretswell -- The 2010 Champion of Champions (Photo courtesy of Claire Hargan - SLGA) - Click to enlarge

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) rounded off an excellent season by winning the Scottish Ladies' Champion of Champions at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club today (Sunday 10 October).  The reigning British Stroke Play Champion shot a level par round of 75 which was six strokes better than the Scottish Girls' Champion, Lesley Atkins (Gullane).  Alison Davidson (Stirling) was third with a score of 82.  There was a strong cross wind across the Gailes links on a day that saw the CSS increasing to 80 (reduction only).

1st:  Pamela Pretswell (British Stroke Play Champion), 75
2nd: Lesley Atkins (Scottish Girls' Champion), 81
3rd: Alison Davidson (East of Scotland Champion), 82

Thanks go to the SLGA for the report

Pamela's handicap is now +4 --- Many Congratulations from all in the West of Scotland

Some Old Temporary Golf Rules !!

Click on these Temporary Rules from 1940 to see more --- Thanks go to Anne Paton (Douglas Park) for that one

The Final 2010 Greenlees Match is played

The last Greenlees Match of the 2010 season was the rearranged Division 1 game between Kilmarnock (Barassie) & Troon Ladies This was played on Thursday 7th October and Kilmarnock Barssie won 7 - 2

The Final Positions :-
DIVISION 1
Milngavie 48.5
Cathkin Braes 47.5
Kilmarnock Barassie 45
Ranfurly Castle 34.5
Douglas Park 34
Troon 34
Kilmacolm 30.5
West Kilbride 29
Cardross 21

DIVISION 2
Prestwick St. Nicholas 49
Whitecraigs 48.5
Haggs Castle 44
Hilton Park 40.5
Erskine 34
Eastwood 33.5
Williamwood 28
Lanark 27
Bothwell Castle 19.5

DIVISION 3
Largs 46.5
Cowglen 34
Old Ranfurly 33
Greenock 32.5
Lenzie 29
East Renfrewshire 27
Cawder 25.5
Cathcart Castle 24.5
Turnberry 0

Medal 12 - Douglas Park

Played 09/10/2010 SSS:72, CSS:75 Reduction only
Silver:
1st 96-16=80 Beverley Mitchell
2nd 106-20=86 Irene Orr

Bronze:
1st 106-24=82 Anne Terry
2nd 109-25=84 Joan Brechin
3rd 114-29=85 Margaret Brodie

Eilidh Briggs Wins the West Girls Championship for the 3rd time

The finals of the West of Scotland Girls Championships were held on Saturday 2nd October at Troon Portland GC.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) played faultless golf in the final to beat Linsey Stevenson (Whitecraigs) by 6 & 5.
Eilidh retains the Championship for the third consecutive year equaling Lesley Hendry's record in this competition.
Megan Duff narrowly defeated Kirsten Brown by 2 &1 to win the bronze final.

Semi Finals Championship:
Eilidh Briggs beat Emma Hale
Linsey Stevenson beat Emma Caddow
Final: Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) beat Linsey Stevenson (Whitecraigs)

Bronze Semi Finals:
Kirsten Brown beat Emma Kennedy
Megan Duff beat Heather Neilson
Final: Megan Duff (Hilton Park) beat Kisrten Brown (Torrance House)

Thanks go to Fiona Scott for the Photographs

Ryder Cup News and Final Singles Draw

CLICK HERE to keep up todate

Westwood has been in superb form so far in the contest, inspiring Europe to a 9½-6½ lead after a stunning third session in which the hosts won five and a half points from six

To see the Singles Draw for tomorrow CLICK HERE