DOWN MEMORY LANE -- LEONA MAGUIRE - SOLHEIM CUP STAR

Leona and Lisa Macguire 2011
The McGuire twins win the team award for Ireland -- Troon Ladies Captain Gilly McRae presents the Trophy

Leona MacGuire 2010
At the Helen Holm 

Leona McGuire  - Helen Holm winner 2009 

In 2009 -- Teen sensation Leona Maguire made history when she became the youngest winner of the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Amateur Open strokeplay title at Royal Troon in 2009

The Cavan prodigy, 14, finished two shots clear of Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald for a wire-to-wire win on six-under par.

Twin sister Lisa finished tied for third on three under par thanks a third successive round of 74. She birdied four holes coming home but a bogey six at the 16th cost her a share of second place with runner up MacDonald --- CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

With Leona Macguire being the GB&I  star performer (4.5 points out of 5) in the 2021 Solheim Cup, it reminded your webmaster of being at the  2010 and 2011 Helen Holm Trophy at Royal Troon where she was playing and taking some photos with many of our Scottish players taking part and many supporters there 

HERE IS A REMINDER -- DOWN MEMORY LANE PHOTOS (plus the 2012 Curtis Cup that she was in)

2010 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS  

2011 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS

AUSTRALIAN KIRSTEN RUDGELY WINS THE 2021 HELEN HOLM TROPHY - 8 Scots in top 20

Kirsten Rudgeley carded a closing six under par 66 to storm through the field and become the first Australian to claim the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open title.

Rudgeley, from Perth, Western Australia, started the final round at Royal Troon Portland Course four shots off the pace set by Scotland’s Hannah Darling but she quickly got in her stride with birdies on the third and fifth before vaulting into the lead with further birdies at the 11th, 15th and 16th.

A sixth birdie of the day on the 18th saw her complete a bogey-free round and in the end her 12 under par 204 aggregate was enough to claim a one shot victory over Darling and 2019 Women’s Amateur champion Emily Toy from England.

It also meant that Scotland’s long victory drought in this championship was extended by another year.

It is now some 19 years since Heather Stirling became the last Scot to lift the Helen Holm trophy all the way back in 2002.

Local Royal Troon member Hazel MacGarvie also posted a 70 to finish in fifth place on eight under par while Scottish Women’s Amateur champion Chloe Goadby carded a 74 to drop from second to sixth.

Also of note was Clara Young (North Berwick) , Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) and Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) who finished in 8th, 10th and 11th place respectively.

Scottish Scores  (West of Scotland players in Bold) --  

-12 Kirsten Rudgeley (Australia)  -Winning Score

2nd = Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) -11

5th:  Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) -8

6th : Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)

8th: Jasmine MacKintosh (Murcar), Clara Young (North Berwick)

10th Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

11th: Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)

13th:  Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne)

20th: Shannon McWilliams (Aboyne)

23rd : Tara Mactaggart (Minto GC), Megan Ashley (Blairgowrie)

28th: Carianne Taylor ( Nairn), Louisa Gibson Junior (Irvine Golf Club)

38th Jennifer RankIne (Haggs Castle Golf Club)

41st: Megan Robb (Banchory)

44th: Robyn Fowlie (Forfar)

46th: Katie Graham (Hamilton Golf Club)

50th: Grace Crawford (West Links Junior Golf Club)

53rd: Katie Wright ( Stranraer Golf Club)

58th Carys Irvine ( Craigielaw) 

Final Scoreboard -- Click Here

To read the file report from Scottish Golf -- CLICK HERE

HANNAH DARLING LEADS BY ONE AFTER DAY 2 OF THE HELEN HOLM TROPHY

 Scotland’s Hannah Darling holds a slender one shot lead over compatriot Chloe Goadby heading into the final round of the 2021 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open at Royal Troon Portland Course.

17-year-old Darling carded a second successive five under par 67 to finish the day on ten under par 134 but a couple of hours later was nearly caught by new Scottish Women’s Amateur champion Goadby who birdied the last for the second day in a row to post her own 67 and go into the final round on 135. 

Darling started the day with a dropped shot at the 458-yard par four first hole but then birdied the second, sixth and ninth to go out in 33 before carding four birdies and a bogey coming home to give herself a great chance of becoming the first Scot to lift the trophy since Heather Stirling all the way back in 2002.  

“It was good out there,” said the in-form Darling, a two-time Scottish Girls’ champion who won the Recent St Rule Trophy at St Andrews and then reached the semi-finals at both the Scottish Women’s Amateur and the Women’s Amateur Championship. 

Goadby will also be confident she can end Scotland’s long winless drought after beating Darling on the way to claiming her first Scottish Women’s title at the start of this month at Gullane.

The former Stirling University student stormed home with five birdies in her last seven holes to add a 67 to her opening 68 and believes she is in great shape to claim a rare Scottish double. 

MacGarvie will not be short of local support after carding a 68 while Duncan eagled the last on her way to posting a two under par 70.

The cut fell at eleven over par 155 with 60 players progressing to the final round tomorrow.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE FOR THE FULL REPORT

LIVE SCORING

Hannah Darling Takes an Early Lead on a Great Day for the Scots at Troon

Scotland’s Hannah Darling holds a one-shot lead over three of her compatriots after a dramatic first round of the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open at Royal Troon Portland Course.

The GB & I Curtis Cup squad member from Broomieknowe carded a five under par 67 to overhaul new British champion, Louise Duncan, Scottish Women’s Amateur Champion Chloe Goadby and Jasmine MacKintosh from Murcar Links at the top of the leaderboard near the end of an opening day during which the sun shone throughout and no less than 25 players beat or matched par.

It was also a good day for local Royal Troon member Hazel MacGarvie who carded a three under par 69 to share fifth place with Northern Ireland’s Jessica Ross and England’s Rosie Belsham.

On a fine day for the Scots Clara Young, Tara Mactaggart and Shannon McWilliam all go into the second round in a share of eleventh place on 71 

Louise Duncan has had little time to relax since winning the Women’s Amateur title at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and admitted to being a bit anxious about teeing up for the first time as the British champion.

She was two -over par after four holes but soon got into her stride and birdies at the eighth, 10th, 11th 12th, 16th and 18th saw her clinch the early clubhouse lead. 

To read the full report go to Scottish Golf Website or check out the story on the Scottish Golf News section on your SG App. 

LIVE SCORING

‘Women allowed in the clubhouse now, but it shouldn’t have taken until 2020’

Mel Reid on golfs slow pace of change by Martin Dempster 

A welcome wind of change has blown through Royal Troon. Just ask Mel Reid, who wasn’t even allowed in the clubhouse when she won twice as an amateur at the Ayrshire venue but is now among those making history in the AIG Women’s Open

After carding a third-round 68 to surge up the leaderboard in the first staging of the event at a club that had no women members until around four years ago, the English player recalled her back-to-back wins in the Helen Holm Trophy in 2006 and 2007. The final round of that tournament is played over Royal Troon and Reid, inset, one of the most vocal players in the game over inequality in golf, has enjoyed seeing how the club has dusted off its dinosaur image along with a number of others in Scotland in recent years on her return this week.

“Women weren’t allowed in the clubhouse when I played here,” she recalled “It’s a huge step forward that we are playing here this week and we’ve got Muirfield [announced as the 2022 venue earlier this week] on the rota as well now, which is another huge step forward. 

It’s what we deserve. It shouldn’t have taken until 2020 for people to realise that, but we want to play these great golf courses like the men and really test our skills and show the world how good we are.”

Reid, a six-time LET winner, has been encouraged to hear Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Tony Finau all show support for the women’s game recently but added: “We need more voices like that because it is important that people know the standard of women’s professional golf is really good. We need them to talk about us and it’s great to see that happening.”

Down Memory Lane -- Helen Holm 2010 and 2011

DOWN MEMORY LANE -- THE HELEN HOLM TROPHY SOME OLD PHOTOS

The Prize Winners in 2010 : Louise Kenney, Hannah Barwood, Nikki Foster,
Charlotte Ellis, Danielle McVeigh,Lauren Taylor, Leona Maguire & Rachel Jennings

The Helen Holm Trophy should have been on this weekend over Royal Troon and Troon Portland -- unfortunately has not happened -- thought I might start looking down memory lane -- 

Here are the 2010 and 2011 Helen Holm Trophies photos albums


CLICK HERE FOR THE 2010 ALBUM  
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2011 ALBUM

FOR SOME PAST REPORTS OVER THE LAST 13 YEARS -- CLICK HERE

- and the final day in 2011 when Eilidh Briggs and Pamela Pretswell were in contention -- Many players are now professionals

HELEN HOLM TROPHY ENTRY FORM

The best female golfers from around the world will take to Royal Troon GC and the Ladies Golf Club Troon next month in the 

 2020 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER -- Entries Close 16th March

Pia Babnik from Slovenia wins the Helen Holm in style and Shannon and Chloe win the team event

Pia Babnik wins  the 2019 Helen Holm Trophy - Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf

From Scottish Golf

Slovenia’s Pia Babnik led from start to finish at the 2019 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship as a bogey-free round of 66 helped the youngster claim a seven-shot victory over France’s Charlotte Bunel. 
 With a three-shot lead going into Sunday’s final round, Babnik continued to play outstanding golf on the links at Royal Troon Old Course, picking up four shots in as many holes on the front nine in Ayrshire.

Scotland’s Shannon McWilliam and Chloe Goadby were winners of the annual team event, taking home the Ladies’ Club Silver Salver by beating England by 15 shots 

Shannon also finished as the top Scot as this year’s event on six-under-par. 

Speaking to Scottish Golf, Shannon said: “It was another really good result for me today, I have finished in the top five at the Helen Holm quite a few times now and to win the team event with Chloe was really nice as well. 

It’s been a great week and one I will remember after making my fourth hole-in-one of my career at Royal Troon Portland on Friday.” 

 For a full list of results from this year’s Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open   PLEASE CLICK HERE: 

Chloe, Susan Wood (Photo Courtesy of Susan - Scotland Team Captain) 
and Shannon with the winning Team Trophy

Portland (Par 72)  SSS, 77 CSS Round 1 76, Round 2 76
Royal Troon Round 3 (Par 72) SSS77, CSS 76

Leading Scores

1st : -15 Pia Babnik (Slovenia) 66, 69, 66 - 201
2nd: -8 Charlotte Bunel (France) 70, 69, 69 - 208
3rd: -7 Shama Dutrieux (Wrothram Heath) 69, 71, 69 - 209
4th : -6 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 70, 70, 70 - 210

Other Leading Scottish Scores:

T6 : -3 Alison Muirhead (Jumereih Golf Estates) 73, 70, 70 - 213
T6 : -3 Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) 70, 72, 71 - 213
T10: -1 Chloe Goadby (St Regulus) 69, 77, 69 - 215
T10: -1 Jasmine MacIntosh (Hazelhead) 72, 69,74 - 215
T10: -1 Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) 70, 71, 74 - 215
T17: +2 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 76, 70, 72 - 218
T22: +3 Connie Jaffrey (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 71, 76, 72 - 219
T24: +4 Megan Ashley (Strathmore) 70, 75, 75 - 220
T25: +5 Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) 73, 74, 74 - 221
T30: +7 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 72, 73, 78 - 223
T30: Jess Meek (Carnoustie) 69, 73, 81 - 221

Final Scores from the 2019 Helen Holm 

JESS MEEK AND CHLOE GOADBY ARE LEADING SCOTS AFTER ROUND 1 OF THE HELEN HOLM

With temperatures soaring on the West Coast, it was Slovenian youngster Pia Babnik who hit the ground running on day one at the 2019 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open. A sensational opening round of 66 at Royal Troon gave the youngster a two-shot lead over the rest of the field.

Babnik, who is the highest ranked player in this week’s field, carded nine birdies in total on her way to finishing six-under-par ahead of round two tomorrow. 2018 Scottish Champion Jess Meek (Carnoustie) and Chloe Goadby (St Regulus) both carded 3 under par round of 69 to be the leading Scots 

Scotland’s Shannon McWilliam also enjoyed the “ace” conditions in Ayrshire. The youngster from Aboyne recorded a hole-in-one at the 142-yard Par 3, eighth on her way to carding a two-under-par 70.

McWilliam, is one of six Scots currently in the top 10 with last week’s Scottish Girls’ Open Champion, Hannah Darling, also two-under-par after day one.

Speaking to Scottish Golf following her opening round, McWilliam said:

“The pin was at 142-yards, playing uphill and slightly into the wind, I was trying to hit a 150-yard shot and hit a perfect eight-iron that bounced once and went in. I didn’t actually see it go in, I only knew because of my mum’s reaction.” 

Analysing the rest of her round, McWilliam admitted that there is still room for improvement, adding:

“It was a very mixed bag out there for me today, two double bogeys, one bogey, five birdies and a hole-in-one. I felt like I could have been a lot lower but I am looking forward to round two tomorrow.”

The 120-strong field will play another round over Royal Troon Portland on Saturday, before the cut is made for the final 18 holes over Royal Troon Old Course, on Sunday.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES

Go to Scottish Golf for the full report

HELEN HOLM REMINDER - HAVE YOU GOT YOUR ENTRY IN

A reminder to all interested in playing in this year's Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open at Royal Troon GC, entries close on Monday (18th March) at 12 noon
💴 : £60 entry fee 

📍: @RoyalTroonGC 

📆: 19 - 21 April 2019 

📊: Handicap limit 6.4 

Essex girl Lily May Humphreys (16) wins "Helen Holm" at Troon 

Report and photo by Ed Hodge (Scottish Golf)

Essex girl Lily May Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland Golf Club) dashed home hopes at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, securing another notable title at Royal Troon.

With joint overnight leader Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), St Regulus’ Chloe Goadby and first round leader Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) all in the hunt going into the final 18 holes, there were genuine hopes of a first Scottish winner in the event since Heather Stirling 16 years ago. 

But the wait goes on as reigning English women’s amateur champion Humphreys, who only turned 16 years old last month, claimed another prestigious prize with a narrow one-stroke win over Goadby. 

Humphreys now looks a certainty to be named in the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team, announced on Wednesday, while the likes of McWilliam and Goadby will hope they have done enough to impress on-looking captain Elaine Farquharson-Black. 

Humphreys finished on nine under par 207 after a superb closing four-under 68 in the breezy conditions, helped by a hat-trick birdies from the seventh, with two further birdies at 12 and 13 ultimately proving decisive. 

Humphreys said: “It means a lot as I had lost form and recovered it for this event. I didn’t know about Chloe’s score until the 11th, but saw her holing putts everywhere, so was pleased to hold on. “It’s great to have my game under control again. I think this is my biggest win, beating an international field. I felt if I could win this, then I had a chance for the Curtis Cup. My chances are up, but I don’t know whether I will get in.” 

Chloe Goadby receives the runners up badge from Royal Troon Captain Alasdair Cameron -- Photo courtesy of Elaine Farquharson Black 

Goadby, in the group in front, just couldn’t reel Humphreys in, with her bogey at the par-3 17th seeing her slip two shots behind. A birdie at the last for her own 68 put pressure on Humphreys but she held on for glory. “I’m happy with that,” said the University of Stirling’s Goadby. “I had my strategy set out and plotted my way round to try and get in the mix. Dropping a shot at 17 was probably the only putt that didn’t drop all day, but I made up for it with the birdie on 18. 
“Royal Troon has beaten me up before, so I just tried to take my birdie chances when they came. If you told me at the start of the week I would finish on eight under and in second place I would have been happy.” 

Defending champion Linn Grant, whose grandfather, James Grant won the Scottish boys champion in 1958, from Sweden finished third on seven under par – with the Swedes taking the team title by a shot over Scotland – with McWilliam finishing on five under. 
McWilliam had raced out of the blocks with three birdies in the first five holes to hit the front, but a double bogey at the sixth and then a shank out of bounds onto the railway tracks at the 11th proved her undoing. The Aboyne 18-year-old player who has now secured three top-five finishes in the last four years in the Helen Holm, said: “I played well enough bar two holes. I didn’t feel the pressures of the (Curtis Cup) selectors watching and I just have to wait and see now.” 

Six Scots finished inside the top 10, with McCook tied sixth, Gemma Batty (West Linton) ninth and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) sharing 10th. 


FINAL TOTAL par 216 (3x72) 

Leading Scores

207 L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) 71 68 68. 
208 C Goadby (St Regulus) 72 68 68 
209 L Grant (Sweden) 69 69 71 
211 S McWilliam (Aboyne) 69 69 73. 
212 I Wardle (Prestbury) 71 69 72. 
215 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 67 75 73, L Malchirand (Fra) 71 70 74. 
216 A Linner (Swe) 71 71 74 
218 E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 74 73 71, J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 77 67 74 

Other Scots:

222  K Brodie (Strathmore) 73 71 78, 
226 M Richmond (Strathaven) 75 77 74 
227 M Doyle (Portarlington) 77 72 78 
229 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 76 76 77, L McClymont (Milngavie) 76 76 77, 
230 T Mactaggart (Minto) 77 74 79,  
232 K Beveridge (Aboyne) 77 77 78,  G Macdonald (Craigielaw) 76 73 83 
233 J Saxton (Muckhart) 80 75 78, 
234 M Fraser (Powfoot) 73 80 81,  K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 77 75 83 
240  L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 79 76 85
Retired: H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 76 ret. 

TEAM EVENT 
425 Sweden 
426 Scotland (S McWilliam, H McCook) 
436 England 
455 Ireland

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF SCORES 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL PREVIOUS WINNERS

7 Scots in top 20 going into the final round over Royal Troon

Shannon McWilliam with caddie

By Colin Farquharson

First-round leader Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) fell back to joint sixth place with a 75 for two-under 142 in the second round of the 54-hole Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, the first two rounds of which are over Troon Portland and Sunday's final round over Royal Troon's Open championship links.

Title-holder Linn Grant (Sweden), whose grandfather James Grant won the Scottish boys championship in 1958 before turning pro and taking a club post in Sweden, and Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) lead the field on six-under 138. 

Grant has had a pair of 69s while McWilliam, who was runner-up to the Swede 12 months ago, also had the same scores. Torphins 18-year-old McWilliam is chasing a place in the GB and I Curtis Cup team which will be announced next week. Team captain Elaine Farquharson-Black has been in the gallery at Troon Portland over the first two days. 

ROUND 2 LEADERS Par 144 (2x72) 

138 Linn Grant (Swe) 69 69, Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 69 69. 
139 L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) 71 68 
140 C Goadby (St Regulus)72 68, B Wardle (Prestbury) 71 69 
141 L Malchirand (Fra) 71 70 
142 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 67 75, P Grant (Lisburn) 74 68, A Linner (Swe) 71 71 
143 G Domez (Fra) 74 69 
144 J MacKintosh (Hazelhead) 77 67, K Brodie (Strathmore) 73 71 
145 G Batty (West Linton) 75 70 
146 I Holpfer (Austria)
147 I Walsh (Castlewarden) 78 69, C Walsh (Castlewarden) 76 71, J Baker (Gosforth Park) 74 73, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 74 73, E Slater (Gog Magog) 73 74, I Holpfer (Austria) 73 73 
148 A Cernousek (Fra) 78 70, M Garland (Selby) 76 72, L Vrain (Fra) 76 72, C Martin (Fra) 72 76 

OTHER SCOTTISH SCORES 
149 G MacDonald (Craigielaw) 149
151 T Mactaggart (Minto) 77 74 
152 K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 77 75, L McClymont (Milngavie) 76 76, H Darling (Broomieknowe) 76 76,  Molly M Richmond (Strathaven) 75 77, 
153 M Fraser (Powfoot) 73 80
154 K Beveridge (Aboyne) 77 77 
155 J Saxton 80 75 (Muckhart), L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 79 76 

SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT (155 and better qualified for final round) 
157 R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) 83 74 
159 S Wood (Drumpellier) 79 80 
161 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 80 81 
164 K Wright (Stranraer) 80 84 
165 E Logie (Buckpool) 81 84 
168 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 85 83

 Retired: H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 76 ret. 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES AND LIVE SCORING FROM DAY 3

Hannah McCook's seven-birdie 67 gives her a two-shot lead at end of 'Helen Holm' first round at Troon Portland 

 
Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) - pictured -- came in late on the day with an excellent, seven-birdie round of five-under-par 67 to knock Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) and title-holder Linn Grant (Sweden) off their perch as joint leaders in the clubhouse at the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, writes Colin Farquharson. 

 The first two rounds are played over Troon Portland with the leading 66 and ties from a field of 113 after Saturday's second 18 holes going on to contest the final round over the testing Royal Troon Open championship links on Sunday. 

HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP 
First two rounds at Troon Portland; final round at Royal Troon 
Leading Scores: 

FIRST-ROUND LEADING SCORES Par 72 

67 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 
69 S McWilliam (Aboyne), L Grant (Swe). 
71 L Malchirand (Fra), A Linner (Swe), M Griffaut (Fra), L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland), I Wardle (Prestbury). 
72 C Goadby (St Regulus), C Martin (Fra) 73 C Leathem (Wilmslow), M Fraser (Powfoot), K Brodie (Strathmore). A Dawson (Peel), B Garton (Royal Lytham), E Slater (Gog Magog), I Holpfer (Austria) 

Other Scottish Scores:

74 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)
75 G Batty (West Linton),  M M Richmond (Strathaven), 
76 G MacDonald (Craigielaw), H Darling (Broomieknowe),  H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies),  L McClymont (Milngavie). 
77 T Mactaggart (Minto), M Wood (Woodsome Hall), J Mackintosh (Hazlehead),  K Beveridge (Aboyne),  K McIntosh (Broomieknowe). 
79  L Fraser (Kingsknowe), S Wood (Drumpellier), 
80 J Saxton (Muckhart), K Wright (Stranraer),  C Griffiths (Aboyne). 
83 M Ashley (Strathmore), R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas),  
84 E Hale (Troon Ladies) 
85 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 

EILIDH BRIGGS LEADING WEST OF SCOT PLAYER IN THE HELEN HOLM

Left to right: Shannon McWilliam, winner Linn Grant, third-placed Hollie Muse (picture by Elaine Farquharson-Black).

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Aboyne teenager Shannon McWilliam finished second in the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Amateur Stroke Play championship at Troon today. The Swede player Linn Grant was the winner with an excellent final round of 72 over Royal Troon.

Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) made it two Scots in the top 10 by sharing ninth place on two-over 218 with rounds of 72, 71 and 75.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) was the leading West of Scotland player

HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
LEADING TOTALS
par 216 (3x72). Rounds 1 and 2 at Troon Portland CSS 76 76). Round 3 at Royal Troon (CSS 76)
209 L Grant (Swe) 71 66 72.
214 S McWilliam (Aboyne) 69 70 75.
216 H Muse (West Lancs) 75 70 71, C Ryan (Ire) 72 72 72, A Forsterling (Ger) 68 73 75, A Linner (Swe) 72 69 75, A Wilson (Ire) 73 68 75.
217 M Stark (Swe) 72 69 76
218 E Henseleit (Ger) 72 71 75, H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 72 71 75.
Other Scots: 
223  E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 75 76 72,
224  H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 73 74 77.
225  T Mactaggart (Minto) 74 75 76,
226 K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 77 77 72, K Wright (Stranraer) 78 74 74,
228 E Hale (Troon Ladies) 75 77 76, J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 75 78 75,
229 G Paton (Royal Montrose) 76 74 79,

FOLLOW THE SCOTS

HELEN HOLM AT TROON
Leaderboard

Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open
EUROPEAN TOUR LEADERBOARD 

ABOYNE TEENAGER LYING SECOND IN HELEN HOLM DESPITE DOUBLE BOGEY SIX

GOLF COPY AND SCORES
CREDIT CAL CARSON GOLF

Aboyne's Shannon McWilliam, third in the event at the age of 15 in 2015, is lying second, one shot off the pace, with a three-under-par 69 opening round at Troon Portland in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke play championship at the Ayrshire venue.

She birdied the par-5 first and the fifth, then suffered a double bogey 6 at the seventh before a 2 at the short eighth enabled her to turn in one-under-par 35. Shannon, pictured, had a bogey-free inward half of 34 with another 2 at the short 10th and a 4 at the par-5 11th.
McWilliam was the clubhouse leader when she finished but later
Germany's Alexandra Forsterling took the lead with a 68 after bogeying the 13th, 14th and 18th in halves of 32-36.
Alexandra started with an eagle 3 at the par-5 first and then birdied the fifth, seventh, 11th and 12th, at which point she was six under par with six to play. She did get one more birdie, at the long 15th, but the three late bogeys kept her within striking distance of McWilliam.
Twice winner of the "Helen Holm," Olivia Winning (Rotherham) is well in the mix with a 71 (37-34).
There were disappointing scores by Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 75, Scottish champion Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 76, former Scottish title-holder Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 78, Gemma Batty (Moffat) 79 and Isobel Wardle (Prestbury) 83.

HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
First two rounds Troon Portland, final round Royal Troon.
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
par 72
68 A Forsterling (Ger)
69 S McWilliam (Aboyne).
70 K Lund (Nor)
71 M Hoogeboom (Ned), O Winning (Rotherham), L Grant (Swe), M Lewis (St George's Hill).
72 S Lamb (Clitheroe), H McCook (Grantown on Spey), E Henseleit (Ger), A Krauter (Ger), M Stark (Swe), G Price (Bude and N Cornwall), L Bailey (Kirby Muxloe), C Ryan (Ire), A Linner (Swe).
73 A Fuller (Roehampton), B Moresco (Ita), L-M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland), A Wilson (Ire), M Martin (Ire), P Grant (Ire), C Casey (Ire), H McGarvie (Troon Ladies).
74 A Laker (Frilford Heath), A Nobilio (Ita), T Mactaggart (Minto), B Garton (Royal Lytham), E Price (Cleobury Mortimer), C Louis (Bel), A J Williamson (Royal Cromer), C Goadby (St Regulus), E Codet (Fra), P Roussin-Bouchard (Fra), J Sepers (Ned), H Screen (Berkhamsted).
75 E Briggs (Kilmacolm), J Ross (Ire), K O'Connor (West Byfleet), C Don (Ita), C Liautier (Fra), J Mackintosh (Hazlehead), H Muse (West Lancs), I Holpfer (Aut), E Hale (Troon Ladies), J Engstrom (Swe), B Wallin (Swe).
76 A Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), A L Otten (Ger), G Paton (Royal Montrose), R Morris (Woodsome Hall).
77 E Slater (Gog Magog), K McIntosh (Broomieknowe), L Brunt (Royal Birkdale), M Garland (Selby), S Sexton (Ire), M Lawrence (Rochester and Cobham), A Fanali (Ita), K Gillum (Lilleshall), M Claisse (Fra), L Bagnoli (Ita).

SELECTED SCORES
78 A Bailey (Kirby Muxloe), E Goodall (Selby), S Fuller (Roehampton), G Macdonald (Craigielaw), K Wright (Stranraer).
79 G Batty (Moffat)
80 S Wood (Drumpellier).
81 L Duncan (West Kilbride).
82 C Taylor (Nairn).
83 I Wardle (Prestbury)

HELEN HOLM TROPHY VIDEO

TROON LADIES - HAZEL MACGARVIE IS LEADING WEST OF SCOTLAND PLAYER AT THE HELEN HOLM TROPHY

Hazel MacGarvie

Shannon McWilliam, 16-year-old from Aboyne, was the leading Scot at the Helen Holm Trophy finishing tied 18th on 227 with rounds of 72, 75 and 80 (41-39) for 227. She had no birdies over the windy Royal Troon links and had a double bogey 5 at the short eighth plus six bogeys.

Last year, Shannon finished third after leading the field with six holes to play.

Second-best Scots were Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) and West of Scotland 's Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies), - pictured left both on 229. Ailsa's rounds were 76-79-74, Hazel 78-75-76.

HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Rounds 1 and 2: Troon Portland. Round 3: Royal Troon
LEADING TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) SSS 77 77 77 CSS 79, 80 (r/o), 80 (r/o)
217 O Winning (Rotherham) 73 72 72
218 O Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) 67 74 77
219 M Dunne (Skerries) 71 73 75
220 L Lundqvist (Swe) 69 72 79
221 B Popel (Long Ashton) 74 71 76, A Bailey (Kirby Muxloe) 72 72 77
223 M MacLaren (Wellingborough) 72 79 72, L Horsford (Wimbledon Park) 75 75 73, N Banovec (Slovenia) 73 74 76, B Garton (Royal Lytham) 74 72 77.
224 E Esborn (Swe) 70 79 75, M Lockett (Huddersfield) 76 72 76, J Ross (Queens Univ) 70 73 81.
225 C Ryan (Castletroy) 73 77 75, C Frankish (Chart Hills) 71 79 75, H Muse (W Lancs) 75 73 77, P Grant (Lisburn) 70 76 79
227 P Finlay (Vicars Cross) 76 77 74, S McWilliam (Aboyne) 72 75 80
228 F Moork (Swe) 75 79 74
229 A Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 76 79 74, G Clews (Delamere Forest) 79 73 77, H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 78 75 76

OTHER SCOTTISH SCORES (West of Scotland players in bold)
231 K Brodie (Strathmore) 77 76 78,
232 E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 80 79
233 K Wright (Stranraer) 79 76 78
234 J Free (Gullane) 77 78 79, T Mactaggart (Minto) 78 76 80,
235  G Batty (Moffat) 77 80 78,
237 K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 76 80 81, J Farrell (Cardross) 72 78 87
239 G Macdonald (Craigielaw) 80 77 82
241 E Hale (Troon Ladies) 79 81 81, C Goadby (St Regulus) 76 79 86,
244 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 82 79 83, J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 81 76 87
247 J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 76 85 86
248 J Saxton (Muckhart) 79 81 88

To read the full report go to Kirkwood Golf Website

And for all the total scores -- CLICK HERE

WEST OF SCOTLAND PLAYERS JILLIAN, EILIDH, HAZEL, JENNIFER AND EMMA ALL MAKE THE CUT AT THE HELEN HOLM

Jillian Farrell - Leading West of Scotland Player
Photo - Courtesy of Lorraine Campbell

By COLIN FARQUHARSON 

with player quotes from Iona Scott of Scottish Golf 
Much colder and windier conditions on Day 2 of the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke play championship made scoring a bit more difficult (CSS 80 compared with a CSS of 79 yesterday) than Day 1 with overnight leader Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) slipping back from a five-under 67 on Friday to a two-over 74 at Troon Portland.

That gave the 18-year-old defending champion from Northern Ireland, ranked No. 9 female amateur in the world, a 36-hole tally of three-under 141, a mark which was equalled late in the day by Sweden's Linda Lundqvist with rounds of 69 and 72.

Linda's world ranking is No. 872 and her handicap is +1.5, compared with Mehaffey's +4.5 

In fact, Lundqvist should have gone into Sunday's final round over the Royal Troon championship links with a one-shot lead but she bogeyed the 18th.
 The 19-year-old from Sweden said: “I am very pleased as it is my second time in Scotland and I’m not used to this wind. I did not expect to be leading going into the final round, so I am very happy.”
 Mehaffey, who will enrol at Arizona State University in August, said:

“I got off to a bad start with two bogeys and I was a wee bit shaken up coming away with a bogey on one of the easier holes but then I made some really good pars out there and a couple of birdies. So I felt in control even though I had a couple of bad shots and still managed to get  pars out of it, and that’s what it was about today.

“To put yourself into contention after two rounds is all you have to do and so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. If it blows, it will just make it more exciting.”

The joint leaders are two shots clear of  Belfast Queens University student Jessica Ross (70-73 for 143) who had six birdies over the first 13 holes but bogeyed the 17th and double-bogeyed the 18th.

Anna Bailey (Kirby Muxloe), one of the very early starters, is lying tied fourth on 144 with a pair of 72s, alongside Ireland's Maria Dunne whose second-round 73 saw her run up  double bogey 7 at the long 15th and also a bogey 5 at the 18th. 

Leading Scot is 16 year old Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) who led with only six holes to play in this tournament last year before finishing third. This time round she is tied 10th on 147 (72-75) alongside Abertay Dundee University student Nastja Banovec from Slovenia (73-74).

McWilliam was going well after birdies at the 10th and 11th but, into the stiff breeze over the closing holes, she bogeyed the 14th, 15th and 18th.

Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), winner of a USA college conference title - her eighth win in America over the past four years - earlier in the week, slumped to a 79 for 151. 

Meghan had a triple bogey 7 at the sixth  and six bogeys. Her only two birdies came at the fourth and 17th.

The wind was into the players' faces for most of the inward half so they had to make their score on the front nine. 

At the end of the day a total of 68 players with tallies of 162 and better qualified for the final round on Sunday over the testing Royal Troon links. 
The most notable non-qualifier was young Sophie Lamb (Clitheroe). Sophie and Rochelle Morris (Woodsome Hall), are well placed in the LGU Order of Merit table to gain the two automatic selection places for the Curtis Cup match in June - provided the table positions remain the same AFTER the "Helen Holm," the last counting event before the GB and I team for Dun Laoghaire in June is named at 2pm next Thursday. 
Sophie, who tied for eighth place in last year's "Helen Holm," missed the cut at Troon out by one stroke with 80-83 for 163. 
Rochelle made cut the OK.
Ireland won the international team event run in conjunction with the first two rounds of the "Helen Holm."
FINAL TEAM TOTALS
291 IRELAND (O Mehaffey and C Ryan)
300 ENGLAND ( M MacLaren and I Mehmet)
302 SCOTLAND (C Goadby and S McWilliam)
321 WALES (C Williams and N Greville). 

.

SECOND ROUND SCORES 

par 144 (2x72): SSS 77, CSS 79 (Rd 1), 80 reduction only (Rd 2)

141 O Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) 67 74, L Lundqvist (Swe) 69 72.

143 J Ross (Queens Univ) 70 73 
144 A Bailey (Kirby Muxloe) 72 72, M Dunne (Skerries) 71 73

145 B Popel (Long Ashton) 74 71, O Winning (Rotherham) 73 72 

146 P Grant (Lisburn) 70 76, B Garton (Royal Lytham) 74 72

147 N Banovec (Slovenia) 73 74, S McWilliam (Aboyne) 72 75.

148 M Lockett (Huddersfield) 76 72, H Muse (W Lancs) 75 73 

149 I Mehmet (Royal Mid Surrey) 70 79, E Esborn (Swe) 70 79. 

150 J Farrell (Cardross) 72 78, C Ryan (Castletroy) 73 77, C Frankish (Chart Hills) 71 79, L Horsford (Wimbledon Park) 75 75, L Brunt (Royal Birkdale) 73 77. 

151 M MacLaren (Wellingborough) 72 79 

152 G Clews (Delamere Forest) 79 73 

153 G Coughlin (St Annes Old Links) 77 76, K Brodie (Strathmore) 77 76, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 80, H Macgarvie (Troon Ladies) 78 75, P Finlay (Vicars Cross) 76 77.

154 T Mactaggart (Minto) 78 76,  F Moork (Swe) 75 79, S Giles (St Mellion) 76 78, E Healey (W Lncs) 77 77, C Williams (Wrexham) 75 79.

155 K Wright (Stranraer) 79 76, K Gillum (Lilleshall) 76 79, J Free (Gullane) 77 78, S Nilsson (Swe) 79 76, A Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 76 79, L Bailey (Kirby Muxloe) 75 80, C Goadby (St Regulus) 76 79.

156 K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 76 80.

157 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 81 76, G Batty (Moffat) 77 80, S Fuller (Roehampton) 74 83, G Macdonald (Craigielaw) 80 77 

158 R Taylor (Laytown and Bettystown) 82 76, F McCann (Royal Cinque Ports) 80 78, A Murphy (Carlow) 75 83; R Morris (Woodsome Hall) 82 76, H Morgan (Hallamshire) 80 78.

159 A Barnes (West Sussex) 85 74

160 J Saxton (Muckhart) 79 81, E Hale (Troon Ladies) 79 81, S Burke (Ballinrobe) 79 81, I Wardle (Prestbury) 79 81, E Slater (Ely City) 79 81 

161 B-J Smith (Woodhall Spa) 83 78, G Lewis (Llanishen) 80 81, J Cope (Weston-super-Mare) 79 82, R Barton (Carden Park) 77 84, J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 76 85, R Thompson (Cork) 83 78, H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 82 79 

162 J Guest (Gog Magog) 82 80, M Doyle (The Heath) 82 80, M Lawrence (Rochester and Cobham) 81 81, O Bugnard (Fra) 79 83.

MISSED THE CUT

163 K Griffin (USA) 84 79, S Lamb (Clitheroe) 83 80. 

164 K-J Stanley (Manchester) 83 81, J Bowers (Prestbury) 79 85, T Husavora (Slovakia) 81 83, A B Magnusdottir (Ice) 77 87, I Posledni (Cze) 87 77 

165 B Bjornsdottir (Ice) 86 79, G Paton (Royal Montrose) 83 82 L Klimentova (Slovakia) 81 84, N Slater (Furness) 82 83.

166 N Callander (Welwyn GC) 84 82

167 N Greville (Ashburnham) 82 85

168 G Macpherson (Loudoun Gowf) 84 84, V Craig (Royal Belfast) 81 87 

169 L Morrison (Garforth) 79 90

170 S Leslie (Kemnay) 83 87, C Taylor (Nairn) 86 84.

171 K Ferguson-Sneddon (Liberton) 82 89 

173 G Allman (Stanmore) 85 88, C Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies) 79 74.

175 J Graham (Southerness) 84 91

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