SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION TEAM SELECTIONS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
St Rule Trophy winner Ailsa Summers, a student at St Andrews University, and Carnoustie Ladies clubmate Jessica Meek and Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh are new full Scotland caps in the squad of six named by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to compete in the European women's team golf championship at Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire from July 9 to 13.
Dryburgh, who plays on the US women's college circuit as a student at Tulane University, New Orleans and whose father is an Aberdeen-based oil executive, is the No2 Scot in the world amateur rankings next to Sally Watson who is turning professional later this month.
Meek leads the professionals on the Paul Lawrie Ladies Tour Order of Merit after four events during which she has not finished out of the top five. She was the leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the recent Scottish women's amateur championship at Longniddry.
The team is completed by Stirling physical education student Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), new Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Rachel Watton (Mortonhall), a student at Denver University.

EUROPEAN WOMEN'S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire: July 9 to 13
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield)
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie)
Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies)
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies)
Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)


EUROPEAN GIRLS' TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Linkopings Golf Club, Sweden: July 9 to 13

Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies)
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)
Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany)
Heather Munro (Monifieth)
Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)
Clara Young (North Berwick)


EUROPEAN YOUNG MASTERS (Under-16s)
Hamburger Golf Club, Germany: July 25-27

Emma Hale (Troon Ladies)
Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany)


HENRY COOPER JUNIOR MASTERS (Under-18s)
Nizels Golf Club, Kent, June 20-23

Tegan Seivwright (Deeside)
Tara MacTaggart (Minto)

MEGAN BRIGGS IS THE TOP WEST OF SCOTLAND PLAYER

COMPLETED FINAL TOTALS
Par 227 (75 New Course; 76 x 2 Old Course)
211 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 67 72 72.
213 Celine Boutier (France) 73 69 71.
216 Manon De Roey (Belgium) 72 71 73.
217 Alexandra Bonetti (France) 74 71 72.
220 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 73 76 71, Laure Castelain (France) 72 74 74
222 Manon Gidali (France) 72 75 75.
225 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 75 74 76
226 Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham) 74 73 79, Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 75 72 79.
227 Lianna Bailey (Notts) 80 76 71, Emma Taylor (Saunton) 75 75 77, Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool) 75 73 79.
228 Samantha Fuller (Roehampton) 76 75 77, Clara Young (North Berwick) 75 78 75, Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall) 74 79 75, Ami Storey (Close House) 74 79 75.
229 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 76 75 78, Sinead Sexton (Lainch) 75 74 80, Marion Duvernay (France) 77 77 75, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 71 85 73
230 Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 77 77, Joelle Van Baarle (Belgium) 78 76 76, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 78 80 72
231 Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park) 76 74 81, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 76 82 73
232 Alison Knowles (Hickleton) 77 77 78, Ariane Provot (France) 77 77 78, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 78 78 76
233 Samantha Birks (Llandrindod Wells) 77 80 76, India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 73 80 80, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 78 79, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 84 75 74.
234 Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) 74 83 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 76 79 79, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 81 76 77
235 Amy Farrell (Moate 76 81 78, Katie Reid (Monifieth) 77 81 77, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 78 79 78, Bethany Lou Buchner (US) 79 76 80
236 Gemma Batty (St Annes Old Links) 78 81 77
237 Cara Thompson (Royal Dornoch) 81 79 77, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 83 76
239 Rachel Woodcock (Woodhall Spa) 82 75 82, Clara Teixeira (Brazil) 80 78 81
240 Paula Grant (Lisburn) 78 82 80
241 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 81 78 82, Heather Munro (Monifieth) 75 84 82
242 Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) 81 80 81, Susan Jackson (Ladybank) 83 75 84.
243 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 77 85 81
245 Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 78 81 86, Ivane Helias (France) 87 84 74.
252 Lisa Warrilow (Lilleshall Hall) 83 83 86, Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 81 84 87.
256 Nathalie Rodrigues da Silva (Brazil) 86 88 82.
258 Kathleen Griffith (Australia) 91 79 88.217
270 Ann Colligan (US) 96 88 86.
UNDER-18s TROPHY
216 Emma Harris (Peel, Isle of Man).
217 Lianna Bailey (Notts).
218 Clara Young (North Berwick), Samantha Fuller (Roehampton).
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
428 France.
447 Scotland, Belgium.
456 England.
464 Ireland, Wales.
495 Brazil.
504 United States.
- Carol -- Posted using her iPad

ELDERSLIE' S ALYSON MCKECHAN WINS THE 2013 SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Alyson McKechin 2013 Scottish Champion -- Photo courtesy of Maureen Woodhead

FROM THE SLGA WEBSITE
REPORT BY ELSPETH BURNSIDE

Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) fulfilled a childhood dream when she defeated Clara Young (North Berwick) 3 and 2 to win the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Longniddry.

 “Winning the Scottish Championship is something I have thought about ever since I started playing golf,” said the 19-year-old, who had her Dad, Ian, as her caddie. “I am proud to be the first winner from Elderslie and hope it inspires other girls at the club.” With torrential rain making conditions far from easy,
Alyson birdied two of the first three holes and moved three up at the short sixth where Clara found trouble from the tee. Aiming to become the youngest ever winner, the 16 year-old East Lothian girl struggled to find the fairway in the atrocious conditions and was five down at the turn. But she then made a great, late comeback, winning three holes in a row from the 13th and was just two down with three to play.

 However, Alyson held her nerve and a winning par three at the short 16th prompted the shake of hands.

 “I started out very well but the mistakes started to creep in as the weather deteriorated,” said the new champion. “That let her in and she took her chance and it was beginning to become very close. “It’s great to win and it was good to have Dad on the bag. He kept me calm and made sure I didn’t get too far ahead of myself.
 “I started playing golf when I was 12 and have come through all the Scottish squads from development upwards.
This just feels so special.” Clara admitted that Alyson had played the better golf. “She put me under a lot of pressure at the start,” she said. “But I can take a lot of positives from week. I would certainly have taken a place in the final at the start of the Championship.”

 Catriona Matthew, who lives in North Berwick and is a Vice-President of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, was one of the brave spectators that watched all 16 holes.
 “They are both great players and good to see two youngsters in the final,” said the three-time former champion and the only Scot to win a major title at the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open Champion. 

Alyson , joint runner-up at the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship last month, has now extended her lead on the SLGA’s Order of Merit.

 “It certainly has been a great start to the season,” said the girl who works part-time at the Glasgow Indoor Golf Centre. “And I’ll be back to defend at Prestwick next year.”

Photos -- courtesy of RLCGA Captain Maureen Woodhead

---- ALTERNATIVELY CLICK HERE TO SEE ALBUM AND THEN SLIDESHOW TO SEE LARGER PICTURES

ALYSON MCKECHIN IS LEADING AMATEUR AT RATHO WITH JESS MEEK

Alford's Laura Murray won the £750 first prize at Ratho Park Golf Club, Edinburgh today in the second event on the new Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour.
Four players tied for second place, a shot behind on 73, including amateurs Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), 37-36, and Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 35-38.
Alyson who the 2012 Renfrewshire County Champion who decided to try her hand in competing with the Pros has won a voucher to the value of £325.
To read the full report go to Kirkwood Golf

The Scottish ladies Golfing Asssociation have announced their training squads for 2012 - 2013

West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) are all included in the National Squad.
 Hazel McGarvie and Emma Hale from Troon are both included in the Foundation 2 squad.



The full squad lists are :-

National Squad  Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Connie Jaffrey (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Rachel Walker (Dumfries & County), Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Clara Young (North Berwick)  Foundation 2  Eilidh Crawford (Harburn), Jillian Farrell (Cardross), Mirren Fraser (Powfoot), Emma Hale (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Hazel MacGarvie (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies), Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies), Andrea Walker (Falkirk)  Foundation 1  Kirsten Brown (Strathaven), Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies), Lori MacDonald (Cardross), Katie Scott (Strathaven)

SLGA Training Squads 2012 - 2013

The SLGA have selected the following training squads for 2012 - 2013. National Squad  Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Connie Jaffrey  (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie),  Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies),  Rachel Walker (Dumfries & County), Lauren Whyte (St Regulus),  Clara Young (North Berwick)  Foundation 2  Eilidh Crawford (Harburn), Jillian Farrell (Cardross), Mirren Fraser (Powfoot),  Emma Hale (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Hazel MacGarvie (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon),  Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies),  Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies), Andrea Walker (Falkirk)  Foundation 1  Kirsten Brown (Strathaven), Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies),  Lori MacDonald (Cardross), Katie Scott (Strathaven)

SCOTLAND LOSE TO ENGLAND ON DAY 2 OF THE HOME INTERNATIONALS

SCOTS MISSED CHANCE TO BEAT ENGLAND -- By COLIN FARQUHARSON

England will meet Wales in the title decider at the Women's Home Internationals at Cork Golf Club, Ireland tomorrow.
They are the only two teams with 100 per cent records at the end of the first two days.
Scotland and Ireland, both without a win, will play for the wooden spoon.
And yet the Scots, beaten 6-3 by Wales on Day 1, were on the verge of victory against the star-studded England team before they lost 5-4 after a nail-biting final hour's play.
"We were so near to pulling off a great win," said Scotland skipper Fiona Norris.
"I couldn't play Alyson McKechin whose left foot and heel are badly blistered. We might have won had she been fit but all credit to the girls who did play against England.
"There were some excellent individual victories. Kelsey MacDonald beat Georgia Hall, No 4 in the world, by one hole and Rachael Watton beat Curtis Cup player Holly Clyburn by 6 and 5.
"I had to play both our youngsters, Rachel Walker and Lauren Whyte, in the singles and they did their best."
In fact, Scotland and England were tied at 3 1/2 pt apiece with only two games to finish - and in these games Lauren Whyte was all square against Amber Ratcliffe after 12 holes and Jane Turner was one up after 11 against Curtis Cup player Bronte Law.
Turner lost the 16th, 17th and 18th to go down by two holes to Law while Whyte had to settle for a square match after losing the last hole to a brilliant up and down from a bad lie off the green by Ratcliffe.
Wales beat Ireland 6-3 in the other match.

WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS
Cork Golf Club, Little Island

Day 2
ENGLAND 5, SCOTLAND 4
Foursomes - Georgia Hall and Emily Taylor halved with Kelsey MacDonald and Rachael Watton
Kelly Tidy and Alexandra Peters beat Laura Murray and Alyson McKechin 7 and 5
Holly Clyburn and Bronte Law lost to Eilidh Briggs and Jane Turner 3 and 2 (1 1/2-1 1/2)

Singles - Hall lost to MacDonald 1 hole,
Tidy beat Briggs 3 and 1
Clyburn lost to Watton 6 and 5
Taylor beat Rachel Walker 7 and 5
Amber Ratcliffe halved with Lauren Whyte
Law beat Turner 2 holes (3 1/2-2 1/2)

IRELAND 3, WALES 6
Foursomes - Mary Dowling and Jessica Carty lost to Amy Boulden and Becky Harries 2 and 1
Gillian O'Leary and Sarah Cunningham lost to Chloe Williams and Katie Bradbury 2 holes,
Deirdre Smith and Chloe Ryan beat Katherine O'Connor and Samantha Birks 2 and 1 (2-1)
Singles - Dowling halved with Boulden
O'Leary lost to Williams 6 and 4
Lucy Simpson lost to Katie Bradbury 5 amd 4
Maria Dunne beat Birks, 2 and 1
Carty halved with Jess Evans
Ryan lost to Harries 6 and 4 (2-4)

FINAL MATCHES ON THURSDAY
08.30 and 13.10 Scotland v Ireland
09.00 and 14.10 England v Wales

DAY ONE DISAPPOINTMENT FOR SCOTLAND AND IRELAND AT CORK

Fiona Norris -- Scotland Team Captain -- Courtesy of Colin Farquharson

Report by Colin Farquharson
Scotland and Ireland made disappointing starts to the Women's Home International matches at a bright and breezy Cork golf course in southern Ireland today
The Scots were beaten 6-3 by Wales. Last year, at Hillside, Scotland lost "only" 5-4 to the Welsh.
Ireland, thrashed 8-1 12 months ago by England, were on the receiving end of an even worse defeat at Cork ... whitewashed 9-0 by the defending champions.
The morning foursomes had ended with the promise of better things to come as Kelsey MacDonald and Rachael Watton birdied the last to salvage a square match and a share of the spoils with Wales at 1 1/2pt each.
Laura Murray (Alford) and Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had secured the one morning Scottish win by two holes over Curtis Cup player Amy Boulden and Becky Harries.
But the afternoon singles were a huge disappointment for the Scots' supporters.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) lost by 3 and 2 to Amy Boulden but, to be fair, Eilidh had a match-play tiger by the tail. Amy had five birdies on the outward half and was three up at the turn.
Chloe Williams trimmed Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) by 4 and 2. The Welsh youngster won four holes on the outward half and just when Kelsey was mounting a late surge, Williams conjured up an eagle 3 at the 15th to go back to three up.
Alyson McKechin had halved match with Katie Bradbury in a tight contest in which there was never more than a hole in it either way.
Scottish U18 girls champion Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), making her adult team debut for Scotland, lost by one hole to Gemma Bradbury after being three up on the eighth tee.
Young Lauren was still one up with two to play but her opponent staged a smash-and-grab victory by winning the 17th and 18th holes.
Scottish champion Laura Murray went down by 2 and 1 to Samantha Birks. Laura was three down at the turn but fought her way back to all square after 13 but Birks won the 14th and 15th and held on for victory.
Jane Turner (Craigielaw), playing the anchor role for the Scots, did her job with the only singles victory. She beat former Welsh champion Becky Harries by 4 and 3 after winning four of the first six holes.
Things can only get better for Scotland - or can they? They play the rampant England in their next match.

WALES 6, SCOTLAND 3
Foursomes - Amy Boulden and Becky Harries lost to Laura Murray and Alyson McKechin 2 holes, Chloe Williams and Katie Bradbury beat Eilidh Briggs and Jane Turner 3 and 1, Katherin O'Connor and Samantha Birks halved with Kelsey MacDonald and Rachael Watton (1 1/2-1 1/2)
SINGLES - Boulden beat Briggs 3 and 2, Williams bt MacDonald 4 and 2, Katie Bradbury halved with McKechin, Gemma Bradbury beat Lauren Whyte 1 hole, Birks beat Murray 2 and 1, Harries lost to Turner 4 and 3 (4 1/2-1 1/2)

IRELAND 0, ENGLAND 9
FOURSOMES - Gillian O'Leary and Sarah Cunningham lost to Kelly Tidy and Alexandra Peters 4 and 3, Mary Dowling and Jessica Carty lost to Georgia Hall and Emily Taylor 3 and 1, Deirdre Smith and Chloe Ryan lost to Holly Clyburn and Bronte Law 4 and 3 (0-3)
SINGLES - Maria Dunne lost to Tidy 8 and 7, Carty lost to Hall 3 and 1, Lucy Simpson lost to Amber Ratcliffe 3 and 1, O'Leary lost to Clyburn 3 and 2, Smith lost to Peters 2 and 1, Cunningham lost to Taylor 4 and 3 (0-6)
WEDNESDAY'S MATCHES
England v Scotland, Ireland v Wales.

BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Shandon Park GC, Belfast

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) SSS 76
294 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 69 73 77 75
296 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 74 74 78
297 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 77 78 71 71
298 Emily Taylor (Hillside) 76 74 76 72, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 74 74 78 72, Bronte Law (Bramhall) 71 76 77 74
299 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 74 70 81 74
301 Jing Yan (China) 76 76 75 74, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 76 75 77 73, Paula Grant (Lisburn) 76 73 75 77
302 Noora Tamminen (Finland) 77 77 74 74
303 Sophie Madden (West Essex) 74 76 80 73
306 Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 75 73 81 77
307 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 77 75 78 77
308 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 80 72 78 78
310 Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 79 76 78 77, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 78 76 77 79, Katie Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 78 76 81 75, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 75 78 80 77
311 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 75 80 78 78, Jean O'DriscoIl (Muskerry) 78 77 78 78
312 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 76 78 82 76
313 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 82 75 78, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 77 78 79 79, Clara Young (North Berwick) 79 75 79 80
315 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 77 79 75 84, Amy Farrell (Moate) 76 76 84 79
316 Laura Murray (Alford) 82 79 77 78, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 81 78 81 76, Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye) 79 78 82 77
317 Shelby Smart (Knowle) 76 82 78 81, Mary Dowling (New Ross) 76 81 74 86, Deirdre Smith (Co Louth) 78 75 81 83
318 Lena Weichselgartner (Germany) 83 76 77 82
319 Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 85 76 81 77
320 Alice Spani-Molella (Royal Mid-Surrey) 78 83 81 78
322 Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down) 82 76 82 82
325 Laura Grant (Lisburn) 72 83 82 88
332 Gillian Brooks (Woking) 82 76 89 85

NINE SCOTS MAKE THE CUT IN THE BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IN BELFAST

Nine of the 12 Scottish entries survived the halfway cut in the British women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast today.
West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) both played well today. Eilidh improved from an 80 to a 72 within 24 hours and is joint 11th with Alyson who had a 75 to finish on 152.
Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) who only took up golf last year had a creditable 84 today to add to her 82 yesterday and missed the cut. A double bogey and triple bogey in the inward half ruined her chances of making Friday's 36 holes. -- The cut for the top 40 players was on 161.

BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Shandon Park GC, Belfast
QUALIFIERS FOR FINAL TWO ROUNDS
Par 144 (2x72) SS 76 CSS 76 76
142 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 69 73
144 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 74 70, Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 74
147 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 71 76
148 Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 75 73, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 74 74
149 Paula Grant (Lisburn) 76 73
150 Sophie Madden (West Essex) 74 76, Emily Taylor (Hillside) 76 76
151 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 76 75
152 Amy Farrell (Moate) 76 76, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 80 72, Jing Yan (China) 76 76, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 77 75
153 Deirdre Smith (Co Louth) 78 75, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 75 78
154 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 76 78, Katy Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 78 76, Clara Young (North Berwick) 79 75, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 78 76, Noora Tamminen (Finland) 77 77
155 Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 79 76, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 77 78, Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry) 78 77,
Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 75 80, Laura Grant (Lisburn) 72 83, Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 75 73
156 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 77 79
157 Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye) 79 78, Mary Dowling (New Ross) 76 81
158 Gillian Brooks (Woking) 82 76, Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down) 82 76, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 76 82
159 Lena Weichselgartner (Germany) 83 76, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 81 78
160 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 82
161 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 83 78, Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 85 76, Laura Murray (Alford) 82 79,
Alice Spani-Molella (Royal Mid-Surrey) 78 83
DID NOT QUALIFY
162 Hannah McCook (Grantown-on-Spey) 85 77, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 82 80, Samantha Giles (St Mellion) 85 77
163 Charlotte Austwick (Fulford) 82 81, Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) 77 86
164 Noelle Beijer (Netherlands) 82 81
165 Bethan Popel (Long Ashton) 77 88, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 83 82, Charlie Field (Bishops Stortford) 82 83, Sara Rees-Evans (Penhros) 87 78
166 Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) 82 84, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 85 81
167 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 82 85
168 Anna Courtney (St Annes) 86 82
169 Zoe Allen (Lurgan) 85 84, Jenny Young (Shandon Park) 83 86, Elizabeth Richards (Hagley) 88 81
171 Bhavi Shah (Kenya) 87 84
172 Sarah Winter (Royal Belfast) 87 85
173 Anja Lundberg (Germany) 87 86, Sheila Quigley (Camberley Heath) 91 82

CRAIGIELAW PAIR LEAD SCOTS IN BELFAST

Gabrielle Macdonald and Jane Turner headed the 12 Scots at the end of the first round of the 72-hole British women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast today.
Gabrielle shot a three-over-par 75 and Jane a 76 to be six and seven shots respectively behind the surprise leader, 20-year-old Cornwall county champion Sarah-Jane Boyd whose three-under 69 featured by far the best inward half of the day - five-under-par 30.
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) was the third-best Scot on the day with a 77 .
West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Iona Stephen (Kilmacolm) finished on 80 and 82 respectively.
BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Shandon Park GC, Belfast
FIRST ROUND
Par 72. SS76
69 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro)
70 Amy Boulden (Conwy)
71 Bronte Law (Bramhall).
72 Laura Grant (Lisburn).
74 Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies), Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer), Sophie Madden (West Essex)
75 Charlotte Thompson (Channels), Becky Harries (Haverfordwest), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw)
76 Mary Dowling (New Ross), Emily Taylor (Hillside), Shelby Smart (Knowle), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Amy Farrell (Moate), Jing Yan (China), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Paula Grant (Lisburn)
77 Bethan Popel (Long Ashton), Noora Tamminem (Finland), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Gillian O'Leary (Cork), Sinead Sexton (Lahinch), Daisy Dyer (Chigwell)
78 Alice Spani-Molella (Royal Mid-Surrey), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Deirdre Smith (Co Louth), Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Katie Bradbury (Cottrell Park)
79 Nicole Whitmore (Woburn), Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye), Clara Young (North Berwick).
80 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm).
81 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville),
82 Noelle Beijer (Net), Charlie Field (Bishops Stotford), Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge), Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle), Gillian Brooks (Woking), Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down), Olivia Winning (Rotherham), Charlotte Austwick (Fulford), Laura Murray (Alford).
83 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Jenny Young (Shandon Park), Jessica Carty (Holywood), Lena Weichselgartner (Ger)
85 Samantha Giles (St Mellion), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Zoe Allen (Lurgan), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth), Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park).
86 Anna Courtney (St Anne's)
87 Bhavi Shah (Kenya), Anja Lundberg (Ger), Sara Rees-Evans (Penrhos), Sarah Winter (Royal Belfast).
88 Elizabeth Richards (Hagley)
91 Sheila Quigley (Camberley Heath).

NR Helen McCarthy (Shandon Park).
+The leading 40 and ties at the end of Thursday's second round will qualify for Friday's third and fourth rounds.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
after one round (best two scores count daily)
145 WALES (A Boulden 70, B Harries 75, G Bradbury 85)
147 ENGLAND (E Taylor 76, B Lawr 71 (C Hull, the third member of the England team withdrew from the tournament before it started).
156 SCOTLAND (J Turner 76, E Briggs 80, L Murray 82)

ALYSON McKECHIN WINS MACKIE BOWL AT GULLANE

Alyson McKechin - The 2012 Mackie Rosebowl Winner -- Courtesy of Gillian Kirkwood

Alyson McKechin (Elserslie), joint sixth in the Scottish Under 21 girls championship at Blairgowrie on Friday, returned to winning bowl over the Gullane No 1 course today.
She headed a field of 39 players for the Mackie Bowl 36-hole SLGA Order of Merit tournament by one stroke with rounds of 72 and 75 for 147.
Runners-up, a shot behind were Rachel Walker (Dumfries and County) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Rachel gained second prize with a second-round 71, the best of the day, to Jane's 73.
Fourth place went to Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) with 150 (75, 75), thanks to an eagle 2 at the par-4 17th hole, holing her second shot with a 52 degree wedge.
It was a typical East Lothian day of wind and sun and threatening clouds scudding by, but never shedding their contents over the course.
The rough was punishing.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 148 (2x74) SSS 75 CSS 76 76
147 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 72 75
148 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 71 (better 2nd round), Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 75 73.
150 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 75 75.
152 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 79 73, Louise Macgregor (Falkirk) 78 74.
155 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 79 76.
157 Nicola Rawlinson (Royal Birkdale) 77 80.
158 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 77 81, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 80, Tara Mactaggart (Minto) 78 80, Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) 80 78.
159 Rachael Taylor (Reichswald) 83 76, Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 79 80, Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 81 78, Nicola Callander (Mill Green) 80 79.
163 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 83 80, Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 81 82.
165 Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies) 82 83.
166 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 83 83.
167 Heather Munro (Monifieth) 84 83.
168 Ruth Rankin (Lanark) 85 83, Emma Greenlees (Dumfries and Galloway) 90 78.
169 Amelia Taylor (St Anne's Old Links) 80 89.
169 Emily Aird (Blairgowrie) 82 87.
170 Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) 85 85.
171 Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies) 86 85, Katie Reid (Monifieth) 83 88, Danielle Ker (Roxburghe) 86 85.
173 Julie Birdsall (Roxburghe) 87 86, Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 83 90.
175 Linsey Stevenson (Whitecraigs / Elie and Earlsferry) 87 88.
176 Jackie Brown (Monifieth) 91 85.
181 Fiona Ker (Kelso) 99 82, Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) 92 89.
186 Molly Stewart (Murcar Links) 95 91.
192 Gillian Davidson (Saline) 95 97.
194 Carina Bunyan (Roxburghe) 95 99
No Return: Rachel Polson (Deeside) 81 NR

OTHER PRIZEWINNERS
Scratch
1st Round: Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 77 bih, Nicola Rawlinson (Royal Birkdale) 77
2nd round: Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73, Louise Macgregor (Falkirk) 74
Handicap Aggregate
Winner: Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) (5) 148
Runner-up: Tara Mactaggart (Minto) (3) 150 (bih)

ELDERSLIE'S ALYSON MCKECHIN REACHES THE LAST 32 AT THE BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT CARNOUSTIE

 Renfrewshire's Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had a marvellous 5 and 3 win over 17-year-old Curtis Cup player Bronte Law (Bramhall) this morning after being two up at the turn with two-under-par figures.
She then played Laure Castelain from France this afternoon and lost on the 18th -- 2 down
What a great experience for Alyson and many congratulations from everyone in the County for qualifying for the matchplay stages and reaching the last 32 -- a fantastic achievement.

Three members of the winning GB and I Curtis Cup team at Nairn are through to the last 16 of the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Carnoustie

Unfortunately, two of them, Amy Boulden from Conwy, North Wales and Stephanie Meadow, the University of Alabama student from Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, will meet in the third round.
The other Curtis Cupper through to the last 16 is English champion Kelly Tidy who produced some of the best figures of the opening match-play day. She was three or four under par in beating Olivia Winning (Rotherham) by 7 and 5

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LGU WEBSITE FOR RESULTS OF TODAY'S PLAY

ALYSON MCKECHIN QUALIFIES FOR THE MATCHPLAY STAGES OF THE BRITISH WOMEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

A marvellous three under par 69 - the lowest of both qualifying rounds - earned Super Scot Sally Watson the honour of being top seed for the match-play stages of the British women's open amateur golf championship at Carnoustie.
Sally, originally from South Queensferry but whose family home is now Elie in Fife, tied with 18-year-old French girl Celine Boutier on three-under-par 141 for the No 1 spot.
Sally had rounds of 72-69, Celine 70-71, so the card comparison gave Sally, with the better second round, the No 1 seeding.
The only other Scots to figure among the 64 match-play qualifiers were:
Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) on 152 (77-75).
Young Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) on 153 (82-71). --- The 17-year-old who came off the waiting list at the last minute on Tuesday because she was local and ready, willing able to step into a vacancy that came up. Her 71 is a record by a Carnoustie Ladies GC member.
Renfrewshire County Champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) on 157 (82-75) also made the cut.

Alyson now plays Curtis Cup Team player Bronty Law in the 1st round tomorrow.
CLICK HERE to see the draw.

BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Carnoustie links.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2x72) SS 79 79 CSS 79 79.
141 Sally Watson (Elie and Earlsferry) 72 69, Celine Boutier (Fra) 72 69.
146 Amy Boulden (Wal) 73 73, Daniela Holmqvist (Swe) 72 74, Giulia Molinaro (Ita) 70 76.
147 Bronte Law (Eng) 73 74
148 Holly Clyburn (Eng) 75 73
149 Perrine Delacour (Fra) 72 77.
150 Johanna Tillstrom (Swe) 76 74, Brittany Marchand (Can) 78 72, Vicki Troeltsch (Ger) 79 71, Isabel Gabsa (Ger).
151 Charley Hull (Eng) 76 75, Alex Peters (Eng) 72 79, Emily Taylor (Eng) 76 75, Gabrielle Cowley (Eng) 78 73.
152 Ariane Provot (Fra), Josephine Janson (Swe) 78 74, Rachael Watton (Sco) 77 75, Meghan Maclaren (Eng) 79 73, Sophia Popov (Ger), Kyle Roig (Pue) 76 76, Brooke Henderson (Can) 76 76.
153 Marita Engzelius (Nor) 79 74, Jessica Meek (Sco) 81 72, Meghan Stasi (US) 74 79, Anne Van Dam (Net) 77 76, Manon Gidali (Fra) 76 77, Lauren Taylor (Eng) 81 72, Marina Stuetz (Aut) 75 78, Hayley Davis (Eng) 75 78.
154 Laure Castelain (Fra) 75 79, Augusta James (Can) 79 75, Georgia Hall (Eng) 78 76, Anna Young (Can) 77 77, Christine Wong (Can) 75 79, Ann-Kathrin Lindner (Ger) 79 75, Sara Monberg (Den) 78 76, Marta Sanz Barrios (Spa) 75 79, Patricia Sanz Barrios (Spa) 73 81.
155 Olivia Winning (Eng) 81 74, Amanda Strang (Swe) 80 75, Noemi Jimenez (Spa) 78 77, Nina Holleder (Ger) 80 75, Laetitia Beck (Isr) 76 79, Rachael Goodall (Eng) 77 78, Jisoo Keel (Can) 76 79, Justine Dreher (Fra) 80 75, Isabelle Boineau (Fra) 75 80, Nathalie Mansson (Swe) 78 77
156 Kelly Tidy (Eng) 77 79, Stephanie Meadow (NIr) 81 75 Claudia Chemin (Fra) 80 76, Camilla Hedberg (Spa) 79 77, Noora Taamminen (Fin) 78 78, Kerry Smith (Eng) 74 82, Emilie Alonso (Fra) 78 78.
157 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 82 75, Nina Muehl (Aut) 86 71, Leona Maguire (Ire) 73 84, Myrte Eikeenar (Net) 79 78, Fanny Vuigner (Swi) 81 76, Roco Lobato (Spa) 81 76.
158 (after card countback) Emily Taylor (Eng) 83 75.

SCOTS THAT MISSED THE CUT
158 Laura Murray (Sco) 79 79.
159 Susan Jackson (Sco) 84 75,
160 Megan Briggs (Sco) 81 79
161 Jane Turner (Sco) 79 82, Kelsey MacDonald (Sco) 82 79
163 Ann Ramsay (Sco) 82 81.
166 Ailsa Summers (Sco) 84 82
170 Gemma Dryburgh (Sco) 85 85.

Laura Murray wins the double- The Scottish Championship and the St Rule

Megan Briggs and Laura Murray

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Alford's Laura Murray has become only the fourth player to pull off the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship and St Rule Trophy winning double in the season.
The 23-year-old did it impressive style winning the prestigious 54-hole St Andrews tournament for the second time in three years this evening.
In 2010 she had to go to a play-off which she won against Curtis Cup selection Amy Boulden.
This weekend, Laura won it a bit more easily - by two shots in the end from Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool) with scores of 73 over the New Course on Saturday and 74-73 over the Old Course today (Sunday) for a seven-under-par total of 220.
Murray shared the lead after Saturday's round but forged two shots clear with her first circuit of the Old Course and when she used her long-hitting powers to birdie the par-5 second, fourth and fifth in her final round the title was hers to lose.
She did bogey the fifth but and eagle 3 at the 13th allowed her to bogey the treacherous 17th, the Road Hole, and still win with something in hand.
The last Scottish champion to win the St Rule Trophy three weeks after her national triumph was Heather Stirling 10 years ago. The only other Scots to pull off the big early-season double have been Catriona Matthew (twice) and Anne Laing.
"For once it wasn't my driving which was the key, as it was when I won the Scottish title at Tain a couple of weeks ago," said Laura.
"My driving has gone off a bit and my coach and boyfriend Keil (Beveridge) and I hav"e been working on that to get back to the straight and narrow. But I only hit six fairways on the New Course on Saturday.
"No, it was my putting that pulled me through. I holed an awful lot of good putts over the three rounds. From round about the 10ft range, I hardly missed anything.
"I'm playing well and that gives me confidence - I just wish I was playing in the Curtis Cup match this week! Seriously, I am really looking forward now to the British women's championship at Carnoustie at the end of this month. "
Emma Goddard posted the clubhouse target of five-under-par 222 with half the field still to finish - rounds were taking 4 1/2 hours - after posting a four-under-par 72. In the end only Laura Murray overhauled the Lancashire player.
Joint third place a shot behind Goddard went to three players, former Scottish champion Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham), whose final round of 70 was the best of the tournament, and Sweden's Jenny Haglund, all on 223.
The Lawson Trophy for the highest finishing Under-18 year old was won by Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) who won the Welsh women's open amateur stroke play championship last weekend.
Her final round of 71 for 225 for seventh place overall pipped long-time Under-18s leader Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) by two shots,
Laura Murray, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) won the international team trophy for Scotland with a total of 446 - two ahead of runners-up England.
Ireland international Aedin Murphy (Carlow) won a special prize for a hole in one with a six-iron at the 145yd eighth hole in the second round over the Old Course. It was her third ace. She came into the field late on from the waiting list.

Leadng Scores: 

220 Laura Murray (Alford) 73 74 73
222 Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool Ladies) 75 72 72
223 Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham) 74 79 70, Jenny Haglund (Sweden) 73 78 72, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 74 75 74 
224 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 77 71
225 Emily M Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 78 71, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 73 74
226 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 74 76
227 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 75 77 75
228 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 76 76 76, Clara Young (North Berwick) 79 76 73, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 77 78 73
231 Emilie Lundstrom (Sweden) 78 81 72
232 Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies)  74 75 83, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 80 76 76, Ami Storey (Ponteland) 79 77 76, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 78 79 75
233 Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 79 79 75, Gabriella Cowley (West Essex) 74 77 82, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 85 72
234 Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies) 78 80 76, Susan Jackson (Ladybank) 77 78 79
235 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 78 77, Lauren Blease (Burhill) 76 81 78, Samantha Birks (Wolstanton) 75 83 77, Joelle Van Baarle (Belgium) 82 78 75, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 81 78
236 Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park) 76 82 78, Frida Gustafsson-Spang (Sweden) 80 79 77, Emma Henriksson (Sweden) 76 80 80 
237 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 80 81 76, Catherine Herrera (Brae Burn, US) 78 82 77, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 79 76 82
238 Aedin Murphy (Carlow, Ireland) 80 80 78, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 83 77 78
239 Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 88 74 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 81 82 76
242 Linnea Johansson (Sweden) 76 82 84, Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall) 80 82 80, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 78 82 82
243 Karen Delaney (Carlow, Ireland) 80 80 83, Heather Munro (Monifieth) 80 83 80, Lianna Bailey (Notts Ladies) 82 84 77, Katie Rule (Merlin) 73 85 85, Martine Pow (Selkirk) 81 82 80
244 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 80 88 76
245 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 89 83 73, Stephanie Fransolet (Belgium) 82 82 81, Eva Schoenwald (Germany) 80 83 82
247 Lisa Warrilow (Lilleshall Hall) 81 82 84
248 Claire Hargan (Cardross) 84 81 83, Adriana Brent (Australia) 87 78 83
250 Dulcie Sverdloff (Garon Park) 83 84 83
252 Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 82 83 87
253 Laura Watkins (Bicester) 86 83 84
Retired Sophie Madden (West Essex) 76 ret.

LEADING UNDER-18s TROPHY
225 Emily M Taylor
227 Jessica Meek.
228 Clara Young.
232 Lesley Atkins, Ailsa Summers.
233 Chloe Williams, Gabriella Cowley

INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
(Two scores to count each round)
446 SCOTLAND (L Murray, E Briggs, J Turner)
448 ENGLAND (E M Taylor, B Townend, C Wild)
462 SWEDEN (E Henrikson, F Gustafsson-Spand, E Lundstrom)
468 WALES (C Williams, S Birks, L Watkins)
480 BELGIUM (J Van Baarle, S Franscolet)
481 IRELAND (K Delaney, A Murphy)

SCOTLAND'S HANNAH McCOOK IS THE BEST IN IRELAND AS THE WEST OF SCOTLAND PLAYERS STRUGGLE IN THE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS.

From the Irish LGU Website:
England's Emily Taylor, won the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay by three strokes from Ireland’s Mary Dowling (New Ross) and Gillian O’Leary (Cork) at at The Island Golf Club, Sunday 27 May.
Trailing overnight leader O'Leary by one stroke, Taylor captured her first Irish title in style with birdies on eight, ten, fifteen and held from twelve feet at the last to sign for a closing 76. Dowling matched the Champion’s final round score to edge O’Leary into third place on count back after the Cork international struggled to repeat Saturday’s form on the outward nine.
As the wind abated marginally from Saturday’s 35 mile per hour gusts, competitors once again struggled to match par as the north easterlies presented a stiff challenge to the field. Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare), Katherine O’Connor (WAL) and Gabrielle MacDonald (SCO) all comfortably broke 80 to extract sweet revenge on the previous days’ trials
Ireland B won the Nations Cup from by two strokes from Ireland A, with Scotland third and England fourth.

FINAL TOTALS (PAR 74 74 74 CSS 80 79 77)

233 Emily Taylor (ENG) 85 72 76
236 Mary Dowling (New Ross) 81 79 76 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 79 77 80
238 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 81 79 78
239 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 83 75 81
240 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 80 82 78
242 Hannah McCook (SCO) 79 84 79
243 Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 84 81 78 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 83 81
245 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 88 78 79 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 82 83 80
246 Katherine O'Connor (WAL) 86 83 77 Olivia Mehaffey (RCD Ladies) 86 80 80 Anna Courtney (St. Anne's) 83 85 78
247 Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 88 83 76 Kristina Rothengatter (GER) 86 80 81 Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) 85 83 79 Joelle van Baarle (BEL) 84 79 84 Jessica Ross (Donaghadee) 78 87 82
248 Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 89 80 79 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 87 81 80 Gabrielle MacDonald (SCO) 86 85 77 Sarah Helly (Enniscrone) 85 82 81
250 Jessica Meek (SCO) 87 84 79 Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park) 87 83 80 Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry) 83 83 84
251 Laura Grant (Lisburn) 88 82 81
252 Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye) 84 85 83
253 Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare) 92 84 77 Alyson McKechin (SCO) 83 86 84
254 Karen O'Neill (Douglas) 90 81 83 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 90 80 84 Alison Taylor (Malahide) 88 83 83 Eilidh Briggs (SCO) 82 84 88
255 Amy Farrell (Moate) 86 84 85
256 Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) 89 86 81
257 Sammy Vass (SCO) 83 93 81
259 Aoife Lowry (Tipperary) 87 83 89
263 Ashleigh Wilton (The Island) 88 86 89
RTD Megan Briggs (SCO) 87 82 RTD Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) 85 85 RTD

475 IRELAND B Mary Dowling 81 79 76, Paula Grant (89) (89) (), Deirdre Smith 83 75 81
477 IRELAND A Jessica Carty (88) 78 79, Leona Maguire 82 (83) (80), Lisa Maguire 81 79 78
503 SCOTLAND Eilidh Briggs 82 84 88, Megan Briggs (87) 82 RTD, Alyson McKechin 83 (86) 84
...... ENGLAND Lauren Blease 88 96 (), Emily Taylor 85 72 76

ALL SCOTS MAKE THE CUT AT THE IRISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP IN IRELAND

Scotland girl international and Stirling student Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) spearheaded Scotland's challenge after two rounds of the Irish women's open amateur stroke play golf championship at The Island GC, Donabate in Co Dublin.

Hannah, the new Northern Counties champion, has scores of 79-84 for 163, which left her in joint eighth place the Irish leader, Gillian O'Leary (Cork).
Teenager McCook is two shots ahead of Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), the defending champion and a member of the GB and I team for next month's Curtis Cup match at Nairn GC.
On a very windy day, particularly for the first round, all the Scots in the field made the cut.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 148 (2x74) CSS 80 79
156 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 79 77
157 Emily Taylor (Eng) 85 72
158 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 83 75
160 Mary Dowling (New Ross) 81 79, Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 81 79
162 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 80 82, Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 83
163 Joelle van Baarle (Bel) 84 79, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 79 84

SELECTED SCORES
165 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 82 83.
166 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 82 84.
169 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 82, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 83 86.
171 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 86 85.
176 Sammy Vass (Tain) 83 93

Players with aggregates of 176 or better qualified for Sunday's play.

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report.

Welsh Open - West of Scotland's Megan Briggs and Alyson McKechin are both playing

Carnoustie teenager Jessica Meek is the leading Scot after two rounds of the Welsh women's open amateur championship at Ashburnham GC on the South Wales coast.
Jessica shot rounds of 78 and 75 for a tally of five-over-par 153 over the par-74 course to be sharing ninth place with Amy Boulden (Conwy), the Welsh Curtis Cup player who won last weekend's Helen Holm Scottish stroke-play title at Troon.
Former Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) will start Sunday's final round in 14th place after scores of 77 and 78 for 155 - one shot ahead of Alford's Laura Murray (79-77).
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) scored 77-81 for a share of 19th place on 158.
Bringing up the rear for the Scots were Rachel Walker (Dumfries&County) (79-82) and Clara Young (North Berwick) (77-84) on 161.
Leading the field is Welsh Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham) with scores of 74 and 73 for 147.

SECOND-ROUND LEADING TOTALS
Par 148 (2x74)
147 Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 74 73
148 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 73 75.
150 Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) 80 70, Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 76 74.
151 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 76 75.
152 Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 75 77, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 74 78.
153 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 78 75, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 75 78, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie) 78 75.
154 Lauren Hillier (Newport) 79 75, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 76.
OTHER SCOTS SCORES
155 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 77 78 (14th)
156 Laura Murray (Alford) 79 77 (T15)
158 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 77 81 (T19)
161 Rachel Walker (Dumfries&Co) 79 82, Clara Young (North Berwick) 77 84

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY FOURSOMES OVER ELDERSLIE

Fiona Roger and Carol Fell - Best Net Score of the day

The Inter County Foursomes qualifier was played today over Elderslie Golf Course. The day started very cold day but as the day progressed turned out to be a beautiful day

Liz Stewart and Donna Jackson - Best Scratch Score

County Team players Liz Stewart and Donna Jackson had the best score of the day with a 76 (4 over the par 72 ).

Anne Judge and Sally Smyth - Runners Up 

Fiona Roger and Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle) -- were the next best with an 82 by virtue of the better inward half from Anne Judge and Sally Smyth (Ranfurly Castle) -- both pictured above courtesy of Freda Tuck


Fiona and Carol had the overall best net score of the day -- 70.5 to be the winners of today's event -- Unfortunately they are both disappointed that they are unavailable to progress to either the Inter County Finals at Hamilton due to Curtis Cup Commitments or the Commonwealth Spoon finals due to another engagement in September.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE GROSS SCORES
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE NET SCORES


RENFREWSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION - COUNTY FOURSOMES PLAYED OVER ELDERSLIE 2nd May 2012 -- ENTRANTS: 41 couples 

Scratch:
1st: Liz Stewart (2) and Donna Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76
2nd: Carol Fell (10) and Fiona Roger (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 acb
3rd: Anne Judge (8) and Sally Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82

Handicap :
1st: Carol Fell (10) and Fiona Roger (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 11.5 70.5
2nd: Anne Judge (8) and Sally Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 10.5 71.5
3rd: Morag Key (10) and Anita McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 13 73 acb

 The following qualify to play (that are available) in the Inter County Foursomes Finals on 11th June 2012 at Hamilton.

Scratch Finalists :
1. L Stewart (2) and D Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76
2. A Judge (8) and S Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82
3. N Henderson (5) and J Mack (6) Haggs Castle 83

Handicap Finalists:
1. M Key (10) and A McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 – 13 – 73 acb
2. L Snodgrass (19) and J Irvine (20) Ranfurly Castle 93 – 20 - 73
3. L Wilson (13) and M Robin (21) Elderslie 92 – 17 – 75 acb

 The following qualify to play (that are available) in the Commonwealth Spoons on 13th September 2012 at Powfoot .

1. A Judge (8) and S Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 – 10.5 – 71.5
2. M Key (10) and A McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 – 13 – 73 acb
3. L Snodgrass (19) and J Irvine (20) Ranfurly Castle 93 – 20 - 73 
4. L Stewart (2) and D Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76 – 2.5 – 73.5

AMY BOULDEN STAGES SMASH AND GRAB VICTORY TO WIN HELEN HOLM TITLE AT TROON

Report from Colin Farquharson
 Welsh teenager Amy Boulden gave herself a huge boost in the build-up to her debut Curtis Cup appearance by staging a smash and grab run over the last few holes to score the biggest win yet of her golfing career - the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon.
At seven under par with only four holes to play into a blustery and very chilly North-east wind over the Royal Troon championship links, 18-year-old Amy from Llandudo was trailing French teenager Perrine Delacour (nine under par) and toppled leader Pamela Pretswell (eight under par).
The club pro's daughter Amy birdied the long 15th, the long 16th and the short 17th to leapfrog into the lead at 10 under par. Even then the drama was not over. Boulden was on the green in two shots at the par-4 last but left her approach shot five feet short. So too did Delacour but the Parisienne holed her six-footer for a closing par 4 and a round of one-under-par 74. Final total 216 (nine under par). That put the pressure back on to Boulden. She needed to hole her five-footer for a 73 and a total fo 215 to win by a shot - and avoid a play-off. Up stepped Amy, who has the looks and the dress sense of a fashion model, to show that she has golfing guts as well. She rammed the putt in confidently. "The funny thing is that I didn't hit the ball all that well with the wind at my back on the outward nine and I missed a few short putts. But suddenly it call came together over the last four holes ... three birdies and a pressure putt holed for a par and victory," said Amy. "All that Curtis Cup practice up at the Nairn links paid off in the end."
Pamela Pretswell, leader by one shot overnight, shot four shots clear of the field with a brilliant birdie-eagle start but the Postage Stamp short eighth hole, only 118 yards long, added up to a lot of grief for Boulden's Curtis Cup team-mate from Hamilton. "I was in the worst possible place to be at this hole ... bunkered on the left on the green. I had nowhere to go. And it cost me a double bogey 5 in the end," said Pamela. By the 13th hole, Pretswell, bidding to become the first Scot to win the prestigious title since Heather Stirling in 2002, had lost her lead to Perrine Delacour, the French teenager who won the British girls open amateur title two years ago. Delacour birdied the 11th and eagled the 12th to surge first level then past Pretswell. But she could not shake off Boulden who came with that strong run on the rails down the home straight to beat the French favourite. France won the team title and runner-up Delacour won the Under-18s trophy. Alford's Laura Murray actually outscored winner Boulden over the last round but she had too much ground to make up and her three-under-par closing effort of 72 for 218 left her tied for third place with Pretswell. Laura never missed a fairway all day - some going into such a cold and blustery wind - and this was her best performance since she won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews two years ago ... beating a certain Amy Boulden in a play-off.

  FINAL TOTALS First two rounds Troon Portland, Third round Royal Troon Par 225 (3x75) CSS 77 77 78
215 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 72 73
216 Perrine Delacour (France) 70 72 74
218 Laura Murray (Alford) 74 72 72, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 70 77
220 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 68 75 77, Celine Boutier (France) 71 72 77, Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 68 74 78
222 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 73 73 76 224 Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden) 72 75 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 73 73 78, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 73 71 80
225 Natalie Lowe (Styal) 81 72 72, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 71 81 73, Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 75 74, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 76 76, Chloe Ryan (Castleroy) 76 73 76 226 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 77 77, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 76 77, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 72 76 78
227 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 72 78 77 228 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74 77
229 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 74 79 76, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 75 78 76, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 77 75 77, Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 80 72 77, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 76 73 80 230 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72 79 79, Johanna Bjork (Sweden) 75 71 84
232 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 76 80, Sara Garbutt (Ganton) 78 74 80, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 74 80, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 72 76 84
233 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 71 85 77, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 77 78 78
234 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 79 77, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 78 78, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 79 79, Rachael Drummond (Beaconsfield) 76 79 79
235 Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 73 81 81, Leslie Cloots (Belgium) 75 75 85
236 Clara Young (North Berwick) 81 78 77, Emma Broze (France) 74 79 83.
237 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 81 77 79, Ariane Provot (France) 80 77 80, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 78 81, Louise Mernagh (Woodbridge) 79 77 81, Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 79 75 83, Sophie Powell (Manchester) 78 74 80
238 Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies) 79 80 79, Anna Appert Lund (Sweden) 78 80 80, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 79 78 81, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 76 82, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 77 78 83
239 Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 76 85, Elodie Bridenne (France) 80 73 86, Marthe Wold (Norway) 73 79 87
240 Katerina Slukova (Czech Rep) 75 84 81, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 81 81, Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 73 83 84, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 79 75 86
241 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 80 82, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 75 83 83, Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 77 79 85, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 76 89
242 Ellie Robinson (Wilton) 79 80 83, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 83 75 84, Nastja Banovec (Slovenia) 72 77 93.
243 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 82 84, Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 76 80 87.
246 Alexandra Moisand (France) 74 82 90.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT

 436 FRANCE (Perrine Delacour 216, Celine Boutier 220).
439 WALES (Amy Boulden 215, Becky Harries 224)
440 SCOTLAND (Pamela Pretswell 218, Kelsey MacDonald 222).
449 IRELAND (Leona Maguire 220, Gillian O'Leary 229)
452 ENGLAND (Holly Clyburn 226, Bronte Law 226).

UNDER-18 TROPHY - Perrine Delacour (France)