Ladies Golf News in Scotland, the West of Scotland and Renfrewshire
The West Vets Autumn Meeting was held at at West Kilbride yesterday and congratulations go to Rena Simpson of Kilmalcolm Golf Club who came in with a nett 70 to be the overall winner of the Autumn Meeting and the recipient of the Mary Craddock Trophy.
Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire GC came in with the best scratch score of 80, with May Hughes, Lanark GC runner up with 81 (last 6 holes)
To read more go to the West Vets Website
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| Winners - Anne McGillveray, Susan Griffin, and Kay McColl |
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| Runners - Up Irene Boyd, Barbara Aird and Pauline Warlow |
On Tuesday 31st of August, East Renfrewshire Golf Club was delighted to host the Tri-am event and lunch to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the West of Scotland Ladies Inter Club Leagues that compete for the Greenlees Trophy.
72 ladies from 25 different golf clubs in the West of Scotland were represented, teams ideally having a player from each of the three divisions.
The weather was calm and mild, with the sun appearing intermittently, resulting in almost perfect playing conditions. The golf course was at its best, having recovered its lushness after the long dry month of July.
After their round, ladies enjoyed a lovely lunch in the club lounge which had been decorated with balloons and bunting and were able to chat and catch up with old friends
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Lady Captain, Carole Spy from East Renfrewshire Golf Club spoke before the Prize giving and welcomed everyone, expressing her hope that they had all enjoyed their day. She gave an insight into East Renfrewshire Golf Club’s history of involvement in the Greenlees Trophy leagues. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE -------> VIDEO OF PRESENTATION or watch at end of post
Carole Spy said --
I hope you have all enjoyed playing East Ren in perfect golfing conditions and had fun with the bendy driver and left-handed putter on 18th. Watching on, there certainly seemed to be a lot of laughter, there were even several offers to buy the putter
Prizes were then awarded by Carole, with Val Crawford, the club’s Greenlees Secretary announcing the various winners.
A final vote of thanks was given by Maureen Mitchell, West of Scotland Greenlees Convenor.
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| Ysobel Greenlees - 1935 |
The draw has been done by East Renfrewshire's Val Crawford with times from 9.30am until 12.34pm.
Each team will have ladies from 3 different clubs and divisions.
The format will be stroke play with the two best nett scores from three at each hole.
Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams and 4 individual spot prizes.
Further notification has been sent to all 26 Club Greenlees Captains
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The 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION was played over Cathcart Castle Golf Club.
CURRENT GREENLEES FIXTURES AND RESULTS - (subject to updates)
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| Top - Joan Walker and Helen Climson Botton - Linda McDougall and Isabell Donnelly Photos courtesy of Fiona Armour |
32 ladies braved the elements and considering the conditions, which saw trolley’s being blown over and balls getting chased off the green, there were some remarkable points accrued despite the weather. The overall winner was new county member Joan Walker (Balfron) as was the 2nd Divisional winner Heather Climson (East Renfrewshire)
Overall Stableford Points Winner
Winner: Joan Walker (Balfron) 32 points
Division 1 (H'Cap index 0 to 15.9)
1st Joan Walker (Balfron) (15) 32 points
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| Gillian Kyle and Ronnie Clark - Senior Teams |
Hannah Darling (Brommieknowe)
Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)
Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)
Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon)
Tara McTaggart (Minto)
Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)
Scotttish Women
Gillian, Elaine, Fiona, Karen and Karen M
Scotttish Womens' Seniors Team -
(Fiona de Vries - non playing Captain)
Karen Ferguson-Sneddon (Mortonhall)
Karen Marshall ( Barberton)
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)
Elaine Moffat ( St Regulus)
Scottish Mens' Seniors Team
Ronnie Clark (Erskine), - Playing Captain
Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon),
Derek Paton (Dunnikier Park) and
Stewart Henderson (Hamilton)
Scottish Girls' Team
Grace Crawford (Noth Berwick)
Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs)
Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas)
Robyn Fowlie (Forfar)
Katie Graham (Hamilton)
Carmen Griffith (Aboyne)
Scottish Boys' Team
Archie Finnie (Royal Burgess)
Cameron Adam, Royal Burgess)
Brothers Connor & Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie)
Daniel Bullen (Auchterarder),
Ross Laird (Glenbervie),
Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)
Calum Scott (Nairn).
Read More on the SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE
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| Karen Ferguson- Snedden Photo Courtesy of Scottish Golf |
Karen Ferguson-Snedden won the Scottish Senior Women’s Match Play Championship for the first time when she beat Iona McKean 2 & 1 in a tense final at a windswept Aberdour.
The Mortonhall player needed to go all the way to the 20th hole before beating East Renfrewshire’s Gillian Kyle in the semi-final and in the final she had to work almost as hard against an opponent who was frequently outgunned off the tee but never more than a hole behind before losing the 17th green.
McKean won the opening hole but lost the fourth to go back to all square. The Ladybank player regained the initiative with a win on the fifth and still held that slender advantage before Ferguson-Snedden won both the 12th and 13th. She went further ahead with another win on the 16th before closing out the match with a halve on the 17th.
“It was tough but I’m delighted,” admitted the new champion who had started the Match Play Championship as second seed after finishing runner-up to Elaine Moffat in the 36-hole Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship.
“I’m also a bit surprised about how well I’ve done. “I was hoping to get into the match play and have a run but I didn’t really think I’d be able to get to the final and win.
“Iona is pretty incredible,” she added. “I had a big length advantage off the tee but she doesn’t do a lot wrong, chips it close and sinks putts. Great credit to her. She was very tough to beat.”
Earlier in the day, McKean showed just how doughty a competitor she is by ending Moffat’s lengthy three-year reign as Senior Women’s Match Play champion when she came from two down after 11 holes to claim a 2 & 1 win. That reign had begun when Moffat took the title at Prestwick St Nicholas in 2018 and was extended the following year with a successful defence at Edzell. The 2020 championship was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
Photograph courtesy of Scottish Golf
The concurrent net competition was won by Gullane’s Sarah Ledingham who beat Elaine MacGregor 4 & 2 in the final.
Earlier in the day, Ledingham reached the final with a two-hole victory over Comiston’s Jaci Moriarty while MacGregor beat Turnhouse’s Morag Wardrop on the 18th hole.
“I was very surprised to get to the final,” Ledingham admitted after her victory over MacGregor. “I’ve had a fantastic week here at Aberdour. It’s my first time playing in the Scottish Seniors so I’m delighted to come here and become the net winner.
“I’ve met a lot of new people, I’ve met people I’ve known a long, long time, it’s been super and Aberdour’s been great.
Today was tough, it was very windy, very blustery. When we teed off at eight this morning it was very calm. It was like that for the first four or five holes but then the wind picked up and it became very tricky. The tees are all off the whites this week, and I’m not a particularly long hitter, so coming back into the wind from the 12th was quite hard work for me.
“I just kept my head down and got on with it.”
From the Scottish Golf Website
RLCGA'S Gillian Kyle - East Renfrewshire
Photo Courtesy of Scottish Golf
Elaine Moffat remains on course to claim the Scottish Senior Women’s Match Play title for a third time in a row but only after surviving two tough matches on the opening day of this year’s Championship at Aberdour.
The senior international from the St Regulus club in St Andrews beat Lochend’s Mandy McBain 3&2 in the first round and then in the afternoon defeated fellow Fife senior county player Lorna McKinlay 2 & 1 although on both occasions she had to come from behind to make it into the next round.
The afternoon round against McKinlay proved particularly challenging. The two players were all square at the turn before Moffat won both 10th and the 13th. With the rain starting to fall McKinlay got one back at the 16th before the defending champion sealed victory on the 17th hole.
I found it difficult and I don’t mind admitting that,” said Moffat. “Both Mandy and Lorna played good, solid golf and made me work really hard. I was a wee bit erratic first thing this morning but managed to get it together and stick in after that.
“This afternoon I played my friend Lorna which is always really difficult. She’s my foursomes buddy from Fife. We know each other’s games so well and it was an absolutely cracking match. I’m just happy to get through.”
Moffat’s next opponent in her bid to regain the title she won at Prestwick St Nicholas in 2018 and again at Edzell in 2019 is another Fifer in the shape of Iona McKean from Ladybank. McKean had to go to the 18th hole to beat Anne Hanson from Turnhouse by one hole in the opening round before reaching the last four with a more comfortable 4 & 3 victory over Dunblane New’s Claire Capocci.
In the other half of the draw, Mortonhall’s Karen Ferguson-Snedden showed just why she finished second behind Moffat in the Stroke Play Championship earlier in the week by beating Liz Keohone from Loudoun Gowf by 6&5 but then needed all her resolve to beat Barberton’s Karen Marshall in a tight quarter-final match in which only three holes changed hands before the number two seed won the 17th hole to seal a 2 & 1 victory.
Arguably the most impressive performance of the day came from East Renfrewshire’s Gillian Kyle who needed just 26 holes to beat Harburn’s Jennifer Bryans 5 & 4 and Baberton’s Wendy Nicholson 8 & 6 to move on to a semi-final clash against Ferguson-Snedden. That means the number two and three seeds will face each other for a place in the final.
“I’m sharing a house with Elaine so we’re hoping to face each other in the final. That’s the dream anyway but there’s a lot to do to get there,” said Kyle.
“I live in Glasgow so we’ve had restrictions. I’ve had to self-isolate because a friend had tested positive for Covid. I missed all my County matches and was feeling a bit sorry for myself so I’m very pleased to get this far.
“It’s great to get back to competing after such a long break,” she added. “You just feel so grateful to be able to get back playing at your club but this is another level and you really have to concentrate.”
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| Scottish Seniors Matchplay Results Click to enlarge |
The semi-finals of the concurrent net competition will also be played at Aberdour in the morning. Jaci Moriarty from Comiston Ladies will face Gullane’s Sarah Ledingham in the first match on the course with the winner of that contest playing either Wakefield’s Elaine MacGregor or Turnhouse’s Morag Wardrop in the final.
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| Net Competition Matchplay Results Click to enlarge |
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| Gillian Kyle and Lesley Lloyd |
She was closely followed by her Scottish Vets team mate Lesley Lloyd (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) with a 79.
Leading Scratch
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 78
Lesley Lloyd (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 79
Pauline Cameron (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 81
Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 81
Liz Stewart (Greenburn) 81
Handicap leading scores:
Pauleen Cameron (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 81- 9= 72
Marion Mason ( Milngavie) 86-14 =72
Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 81-8 = 73
Ann Shanks (Dumbarton) 91-17=74
The WestVets Championship and Stewart Trophy (handicap), which will take place next week on Tuesday 18th May and Thursday 20th May at Renfrew Golf Club
To read the full report and results go to the West Vets Website
Entries are being taken on the East Renfrewshire Golf Club Website -- CLICK HERE
It is with great sadness that I have to announce the sudden death of Lady Marjory MacSween (nee Brown) who was well known to many in the West of Scotland golfing circles and beyond.
Marjory was brought up in Strathaven, attended Hamilton Academy and was School Captain. Although she was very sporty and was Captain of the hockey team, she was also very clever and went on to study medicine at Glasgow University.
It was there that she met Roddy MacSween a fellow medical student and married him in 1961.
Marjory became a dermatologist and like her husband was a fine golfer, and supported him in all his professional activities.
She also had a great love of Kintyre with the MacSween cottage in Southend which they restored from an old ruined cottage.
She had a special friendship with Scotland’s Belle Robertson (Dunaverty, Troon Ladies and Dunbartonshire and Argyll Ladies' County Golf Association), Jennifer Mack (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) and also with Isabel Crawford (SLGA and Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) who all had known her for many years and enjoyed holidays down in Southend, Kintyre.
She had a very interesting life and had many friends world-wide. She was devoted to her husband and son Gordon and daughter Ruth - all golfers of course! - and to her five grandchildren 2 in Canada and 3 in England.
She was a member of Dunaverty, The Ladies Golf Club Troon, Past member of East Renfrewshire Golf Club where she was Ladies’ Captain in 1985 and Strathaven Golf Club where she was Ladies' Captain in 1976
She was also an active past member of Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association.
She played in the West of Scotland Greenlees Team, a past Greenlees Team Captain
and a Past Ladies’ Captain of Dunaverty.
She won many trophies and her biggest highlight of her golfing career was reaching the final of the Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Championship in 1999 played over Whitecraigs Golf Club. She played Donna Jackson on that day and although she lost was amazed and so very proud to have made such an achievement.
From the RLCGA General Meeting Minutes (3rd November 1999).
The Captain’s AGM Report stated:
The Championship was played at Whitecraigs amidst snow storms. Dr Marjory MacSween stormed her way to the final beating shell-shocked county team members on the way. In the final against Donna Jackson, Donna played like a true champion but credit goes to Marjory who did not go down without a fight.
Some Tributes
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies, Dunaverty)
Marjory and I first met in the late 50's when we were both holidaying in Southend, Kintyre. Marjory's father Dr Brown had a caravan just over the wall from Jock McVicar's house. Jock has been a close friend of the family for many years.
Isabel Crawford was also a regular at that time as she had relations living in Southend. I then found myself working for Marjory in the mid 60's when she was in the Dermatology Department of the Western Infirmary. I admired her enormously as she seemed to cope with so many things and was super-efficient in all aspects of her life. Over the years we played countless games of golf over Dunaverty, a course very dear to both of us. Marjory was a very down to earth person and a wonderful source of information about so many things. She was great at telling a story and it was always interspersed with humour.
She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren who so loved spending time with their 'Granny Mac'!
In the words of her daughter in law, she was so bright, bubbly, caring and never complained in spite of her many health issues.
She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.’.
Sallie Harkness (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies)
Marjory joined the Saturday (old) Girls playing at Troon and we also would play on Wednesdays. If the weather was poor we usually went for lunch at Parklands or Loks or the Orchard Park. Marjory was great company whether on the golf course or at the lunch table. She loved Troon but was before a member at East Renfrewshire Golf Club
In recent years Marjory was attending the Victoria for regular blood transfusions but she did not let her illness get her down and continued with golf when she could. She was still driving her car, busy in the kitchen and garden and keeping in touch via the internet using FaceTime, Zoom and e-mails.
It’s hard to believe that she is no longer with us for her departure was very sudden. We all miss her for we shall not see her like again.
Isabel Crawford (Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)
I had known Marjory for over 60 years!
We holidayed at Southend in July, Marjory in August … her caravan was always parked at the end of Dunaverty beach to be near Angus and Jean MacVicar (their son Jock, became the long-time renowned Scottish Daily Express golf journalist)
They were great friends and Marjory and her sister Anne were often to be found in Achnamara for a wee bit of home baking while their father fished in the local rivers and lochs.
It was really that association that encouraged both Marjory and Roddy to play golf.
It was Angus MacVicar who encouraged Marjory to play and they had many keenly fought rounds over Dunaverty.
Marjory loved Southend and thoroughly enjoyed being there with her family … she was a very welcoming hostess, extremely kind to many local events and to villagers and took pleasure in keeping up with all village news and gossip !
Her zest for life, her lovely sense of fun and humour, and her keen interest in folk in Kintyre made her a popular semi local !
Her influence will be felt in this part of the world for many years
Carol Fell (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)
I met Marjory through East Renfrewshire Golf Club and playing County Golf.
Roddy’s end of life care in 2015 was in Mearnskirk Hospital in Newton Mearns as was my mothers. Marjory and I used to chat on numerous occasions and even at these sad times she did make me laugh. I remember one day looking out of Mum’s bedroom window and seeing Marjory’s daughter Ruth and her new husband on their wedding day, the sun shining and all the family sitting with Roddy out in the hospital gardens — It was such a special day for them all.
She was a very special person and will be missed by so many including all those from RLCGA that knew her so well
Anne Jamieson (Strathaven Golf Club Ladies Section) - Marjory joined as member in 1956 and was Ladies' Captain on 1976. She played in our annual Past Captains’ Competition until a few years ago and regular visited the club with her sister Anne until lockdown. She will be fondly remembered by those who all knew her.
Donna Jackson (RLCGA and Troon Ladies)
Marjory was a lovely lady, and so sorry to hear the sad news — and I do remember that County Championship final at Whitecraigs played in the snow — which brought it all back !! Always enjoyed a wee chat when down at Troon playing on a Saturday with the Saturday Girls.
From the Glasgow Herald Isabel Dawson said -- We remember her with real affection, it is only a few weeks since she addressed the haggis for us at our Lunch and Social Club for people living with dementia, using the Burns book presented to her mother at Glasgow High School 100 years ago. Marjory had been a committed volunteer at the club for many years. As we remembered her it was with thankfulness for the fun and laughter she brought into our lives
GLASGOW HERALD --- MACSWEEN - Lady Marjory With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Lady Marjory MacSween. Wife of the late Professor Sir Roddy MacSween, irreplaceable mother of Ruth and Gordon, mother-in-law to Graeme and Jo, beloved Granny Mac to grandchildren Ben, Tess, Jamie, Sammy and Alex, she will be missed by all. She was a true force of nature in her time, and those who knew her will miss her joie de vivre, her soup, her baking, and her general enthusiasm for all things, especially family, friends, golf, and garden. Determined, strong, competitive, witty, and sharp as a tac to the end, her legendary putt-sinking, card-sharpening and crossword-solving skills and her utterly indomitable spirit will live on for some time, we suspect. A fitting Celebration of Life will be held at a later date - Ruth and Gordon will confirm when lock down allows
CLICK HERE TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD THIS TRIBUTE
From Gordon MacSween (Son)
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| Gillian Kyle with SVLGA Squad at East Renfrewshire Golf Club Click to enlarge |
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| Photos courtesy go Gillian Kyle Click to enlarge |
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| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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| East Renfrewshire Ladies |
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| East Renfrewshire Captain -- Carole Spy presents Eileen Ferguson (left photo) and Vi Fraser (right photo) with their prizes |