Qualification fund benefits young Scots golfers

From the Scottish Golf Website

Young female golfers in Scotland with aspirations of playing in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in September can now benefit from a new joint fund established by The 2019 Solheim Cup Golf Development Programme and Scottish Golf.

With The Solheim Cup set to return to Scotland from 9-15 September, qualifying for the 2019 PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles is now underway, as last weekend’s Portuguese International Ladies’ Amateur Championship marked the first in a series of qualifying events for the biennial match.

The £9,000 pot has been established to provide financial assistance to those eligible to compete at various qualifying tournaments in the run up to this year’s event which will act as a curtain-raiser to The 2019 Solheim Cup as Catriona Matthew’s European team bid to regain the Cup from the USA.

Scotland’s Hannah Darling became the first beneficiary of the fund by competing in Portugal and impressed with a top-20 finish to start her bid to compete as part of Team Europe at Gleneagles.

A member at Broomieknowe Golf Club in Midlothian,.

15-year-old Darling is one of the nation’s rising stars, having climbed the amateur ranks in recent years. She enjoyed an excellent season in 2018, winning the inaugural R&A Girls’ U16 Open Championship and successfully defending her Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship title she won as a 14-year old in 2017. Now in the year of The Solheim Cup, Darling has her eyes firmly set on making the European Team for this year’s PING Junior Solheim Cup, saying: “I was fortunate enough to be part of the Project19 group who got to experience The 2017 Solheim Cup from inside the ropes and this opportunity confirmed my ambition of one day competing in the event myself. It has been an exciting couple of years since then and I am hugely grateful to Scottish Golf for their continued support. This new fund will help me compete across Europe as I look to qualify for Team Europe at the PING Junior Solheim Cup. To be part of such a big event on home soil would be an incredible experience and I am working hard to ensure that I can achieve this goal.”

Darling was one of six young female golfers to have self-started their own #Project19 initiative when they first learned of Scotland’s bid to host The 2019 Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup. Comprising a WhatsApp group, the girl’s ambition was to motivate each other to qualify to represent Team Europe at the event in their home country.

The group included Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas), Eilidh Henderson (Kirkcaldy), Evanna Hynd (Balbirnie Park), Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) and Anna McKay (Crail Golfing Society) who alongside Darling were supported to attend The 2017 Solheim Cup in Des Moines, Iowa where they mingled with both US and European teams and even participated in the official handover ceremony to Scotland following close of play.

Andrew McKinlay, CEO at Scottish Golf welcomed today’s announcement and said: “With Gleneagles hosting the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2019, we are keen to ensure that we have Scottish representation in the European team and today’s announcement marks our commitment to supporting the next cohort of female golfers that would benefit massively from an opportunity like this.”

We are delighted to be working closely with our partners at The 2019 Solheim Cup Golf Development Group ahead of this year’s event and thank them for their support with our fund aimed at supporting the country’s top female junior golfers in qualifying for the PING Junior Solheim Cup.”

Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “This collaboration between the Solheim Cup Golf Development Group and Scottish Golf is a wonderful demonstration of the opportunity the Solheim Cup is giving us to support Scottish junior players and create a lasting legacy from the event. I wish Hannah and all our juniors vying for a qualifying position, the very best of luck in the coming months.”

The European team in the PING Junior Solheim Cup is captained by former Solheim Cup captain Mickey Walker and will see 12 of the best young female players in Europe take on their American counterparts. To be eligible, players must be aged 12-18 years old, having reached their 18^thbirthday as of January 1^st, 2019. The team will be comprised of six qualifiers from the PING Junior Solheim Cup rankings as well as a further six captain’s picks.

The qualification journey will take place across 10 events in six more countries across Europe, before culminating at the Girls’ British Open Championship at Montrose Links, Scotland, from 13^th-17^thAugust.

For more information visit www.solheimcup2019.com

RENFREWSHIRE COACHING SESSION AT COWGLEN GOLF CLUB

Jennifer Lynagh (Caldwell), Hannah Carson  (East Renfrewshire), 
Sophie Kyle (East Renfrewshire) , Lauren Agnew (Eastwood), 
Orla Rooney (Cowglen), Rachel Laidlaw (Eastwood)

18 Renfrewshire girls braved the cold morning to practise their golf at Cowglen Golf Club yesterday. 
They were divided into 3 groups and rotated between pitching into an inflatable fish!! and long game drills in the covered bays. 

Claudia Walker (Old Ranfurly), Abbie Hannah, Zoe Sayers, Natalie Sayers (all Kilmacolm)
Louise Clarke (Cowglen). Chloe Ham (Old Ranfurly)

The Covered Bays at Cowglen GC

Then putting challenges indoors with a rules quiz to follow. 

New friends were made considering the level of chatter and everyone seemed to enjoy the session. 
Grateful thanks go to Cowglen Golf Club for giving us the courtesy of their fabulous facilities and our volunteer coaching team of Clair, Lynda and Liz. 

The next session will be held at Caldwell Golf Club on February 24th. Details will be sent out nearer the time. 
If any other girl in Renfrewshire would like to come along, please email Gillian Kyle.

Thanks go to Gillian Kyle for the report and photos

The 2019 Junior Flag and Stableford Challenge

About the Junior Flag and Stableford Challenge 

We exist to get Junior golfers out playing this wonderful game. Whether you are challenging to win the county open or are just starting out on your golfing journey this is the place to be! 

Dates and Venues - Click Here

We cater for all, with our 18 hole and 9 hole stableford events to our flag events for those a little earlier in their career on the course we will get you out playing with those of similar ages and abilities. 
Our flag events consist of each player being awarded 36 shots to get as far round a shortened golf course as possible. Points are awarded based on each players finishing position in the flag event and stableford score in both the 9 and 18 hole stableford.

For those returning from previous years it is nice to see you back, for those new to the tour then a very warm welcome!

“The home of Junior Golf in the West”

2019 marks a big change for the tour, we will be able running over 30 events this year to help encourage junior golfers get into the game and more importantly stay in the game! 

This year we will also be offering two options for joining the tour, every member of the tour will pay a £20 joining fee which will get them a welcome pack at their first event and then each golfer will have the option to pay as they go per event or join the whole tour.

We will be running three different events within the tour, an 18 hole stableford, 9 hole stableford and our flag events.

Each event will allow golfers to accumulate points over the course of the season and the tour will culminate in our tour championship finals at some of the very best courses Scotland has to offer! 

We PROMISE that  nobody will be disappointed in the venues we have lined up for our finals!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

£2 MILLION BOOST FOR JUNIOR GOLF

The R&A has committed to provide £2 million to the Golf Foundation over the next four years to support its drive to inspire more young people to play golf and to increase the retention of juniors within the sport to boost membership. 

The Golf Foundation will give over two million young people the chance to try golf for the first time using its Tri-Golf and Street Golf participation initiatives, which take adapted versions of the sport to young people at schools, sports centres, parks and multi-use games facilities in Great Britain and Ireland. 

Around 180,000 youngsters will also be introduced to coaching through the Golf Foundation’s HBSC Golf Roots Centres, a large network of junior friendly golf clubs that provide taster sessions in local schools and coaching delivered by PGA Professionals. 

Retaining young golfers

Activities including the GolfSixes League and Girls Golf Rocks will focus on retaining younger golfers in the sport by giving them access to fun, competitive golf more regularly and establish a pathway for over 15,000 juniors to become members of clubs. 

The Girls Golf Rocks programme, jointly run with England Golf, also forms part of the Golf Foundation’s commitment to supporting The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter and will deliver more coaching opportunities for girls as well as mentoring by existing volunteers who work in junior golf. 

Grassroots golf

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Events at The R&A, said, “We are very supportive of grassroots initiatives that aim to grow the sport by inspiring more youngsters into playing golf and encouraging them to go on to become members of golf clubs. 

“The Golf Foundation has a proven track record of delivering innovative participation programmes together with our affiliates in Great Britain and Ireland and we are excited by its ambitions to grow participation in junior golf over the next four years and beyond.”

Future of golf

Stephen Lewis, Chairman of the Golf Foundation, said, “Working alongside our partners, the Golf Foundation is reaching increasing numbers of young people and our strategic objective of helping more young people to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in golf is designed to help protect the future of the sport. 

“The R&A’s continued support is fantastic – from GolfSixes League through to The Open – it is an outstanding commitment. They are backing this charity to ensure golf is fresh and exciting for the next generation.” 

The R&A SwingZone

The R&A SwingZone, which offers thousands of young people the opportunity to come and try golf for free in the Spectator Village during The Open each year, will also continue to be supported by the Golf Foundation. 

Over 4,500 individuals enjoyed attending The R&A SwingZone during The 147th Open at Carnoustie earlier this year and were joined by 1999 Champion Golfer Paul Lawrie and HSBC Golf Roots ambassadors Tim Henman and Brian O’Driscoll.

For more information about the Golf Foundation please visit www.golf-foundation.org

CLARE MARIE MACAULEY COACHING PRACTICE FOR JUNIOR RENFREWSHIRE GIRLS AT PAISLEY GOLF CLUB

Hannah Carson, Lauren Agnew, Emily Crusher, Sophie Kyle, Orla Rooney, Katie Dunne,  and Clare - Marie Carlton  

Mia Thyne, Ella McGrath, Zara Thomson, Jazlyn Sandhu, Jennifer Lynagh and Aaliyah Sandhu (Order may not be correct - will sort)

Junior RLCGA Secretary Gillian Kyle took 12 Renfrewshire Junior girls to have coaching with Clare-Marie Macaulay at Paisley Golf Club yesterday. Preparing for the season ahead!

They all had a good time & Clare Marie had put in a lot of preparation

Clare-Marie  said "I had fantastic afternoon coaching the Renfrewshire County Girls. Great to see so much talent coming through & the amount of fun they have practising together."

Thanks go to Gillian and Clare- Marie for the photos and report

LOUISE DUNCAN RETAINS THE NANCY CHISHOLM TROPHY

Christina McCracken and Louise Duncan

Local girl Louise Duncan successfully defended the Nancy Chisholm Trophy for the best scratch player with an excellent round of 76 on a bright sunny afternoon, but with a very strong northerly wind making scoring conditions very difficult.  

Christine, Louise and Ava Graham

The Kandy Bar Cup for the best nett score was won by Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies), and the winner of the June Kerr Trophy for pre-handicap girls was won by 10 year old Ava Graham (Paisley).  

The Girls at the end of the day

Very well played to all the girls today 😊

1st Silver             Leah Bryce (Sandyhills)   91 (11) 80

2nd Silver           Abigail McCafferty (Airdrie) 101 (20) 81

1st Bronze         Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies)  104 (28) 76 bih

2nd Bronze        Louise Milligan (Irvine Golf Club)    114 (38) 76

Thanks go to June Kerr for the report and photos 

ABOYNE'S KIMBERLEY BEVERIDGE WINS THE ST ANDREWS JUNIOR LADIES OPEN

Kimberley Beveridge

The final of the St Andrew Junior Ladies Open Championship  took place today with Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) beating Fern Clark (South Staffs)  by 3&2 in the final 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE RESULTS  (AND THE CLICK ON SHOW COMPLETED RESULTS

FIVE SCOTS WIN THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE ST ANDREWS LADIES JUNIOR OPEN

5 Scots have made it through to The Quarter finals of the St Andrews Ladies Junior Open today

SCOTTISH RESULTS: 

Jodie Taylor (6) Downfield beat Antonia Zacharovska (-1) Slovakia 2 holes 
Claire McLaughlin (5) West Kilbride beat Emma Kennedy (4) Paisley 1 Hole 
Megan Ashley (3) Strathmore beat Fiona Rattray (4) Douglas Park at the 19th 
Kirsten Brown (1) Strathaven beat Mawgan Vater (4) East Herts 5&4 
Kimberley Beveridge (-0) Aboyne beat Zara Naughton (5) Matfen Hall 4&2
For all the results CLICK HERE (Then click on completed scores)

In the Handicap event Shannon Took (Auchterarder) , Katrina Tan (Nairn) and Hannah Robb (St Regulus)  have all progressed to the Semi Finals   - 
 For handicap Results - CLICK HERE - (Then click on completed scores)

ST ANDREWS JUNIOR LADIES OPEN - KIMBERLY BEVERIDGE LEADS THE SCOTS

St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open Monday 6 to Thursday 9 August 2018: 
Strathtyrum Course, Eden Course and Old Course 18 hole qualifying scratch and handicap match play tournament – for ladies under 23 years of age on 1 January 2018 with a handicap not exceeding 28.

LEADING SCORES: CSS 72
69 Antonia Zacharovska (Slovakia)
71 Lucy Jamieson (Heswall Golf Club)
74 Kimberly Beveridge (Aboyne)
75 Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park)
For all qualifying  Scores - CLICK HERE

 St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open 2018 Match play rounds 
Please click on the link below to view the draw and results for the match play rounds: 
 Golf Monthly Trophy (scratch- matchplay) Qualifying score - 78 (c/b)  
Round 1 - Eden Course - Tues 7 August (16 players) 
Round 2 - Eden Course - Wed 8 August (8 players - quarter finals) 
Semi final and final - Old Course - Thurs 9 August 

 Girls' Open Quaich (handicap - Matchplay) Qualifying score - 72 nett (c/b) 
 Round 1 - Strathtyrum Course - Tues 7 August (8 players - quarter finals) 
 Semi final - Strathtyrum Course - Wed 8 August 
 Final - Old Course - Thurs 9 August

RACHAEL FOSTER WINS THE 2018 ST ANDREWS UNI'S SCHOOLGIRLS TITLE

Prestwick St Nicholas  player Rachael Foster has won the 2018  St Andrews University schoolgirls' golf championship on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August 

She won the St Andrews event over the Strathtyrum, Eden and Jubilee courses with a total of  214 by ten shots from Evanna Hynd (Elmwood).

Rachael added this win to her Scottish Junior Tour Event title last month at KingsAcre

LEADING SCORES

214  Rachael Foster 67, 68, 78

224 Evanna Hynd (Elmwood) 71, 72, 81

228  Porscha Wilson  83 71 79, Ashley Megan (Strathmore) 64, 77, 87 
229 Ellen Caton (St Regulus) 70, 76, 83
229 Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) 68, 81, 82

+Played over the Strathtyrum, Eden and Jubilee Courses at St Andrews.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL SCORES

GOLF TOTS AT PAISLEY GOLF CLUB

You are never too young to start the great game. Let’s give the young children the chance to try it. -- Paisley Golf Club is having a 45 minute taster session on Saturday 18th August at 2:30pm for 3 - 5 year olds 

 Email Claire Marie Macaulay at Paisley Golf Club for more information and book your child in.

RACHAEL FOSTER WINS THE JUNIOR TOUR EVENT OVER KINGSACRE

The Scottish Golf Junior Tour Event supported by Area and County was held  over the 21st and 22nd July over KingsAcre —— 

 Rachel Foster (Prestwick St. Nicholas) had two sub par rounds to win by 5 shots from Lorna McClymont (Milngavie).   

Kings Acre SSS: 72,
CSS: Round 1 = 72, Round 2 = 72

LEADERBOARD:
139 Rachael Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) 71, 68
144 Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) 72, 72
147 Evanna Hynd (Elmwood Golf Society) 74, 73
148 Romy Erskine (Kilmacolm) 75. 73
150 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) 71, 79

To see all the scores Click Here

LOUDOUN GOWF JUNIOR OPEN DAY

⛳️⛳️LOUDOUN JUNIOR OPEN⛳️⛳️

📆 Monday 16th July 📆

💥Ayrshire order of merit points💥

💷£5 entry💷

⏰Tee Times till 12 noon⏰

Course is in amazing condition, get your names in boys and girls

Entry form below or contact the club 01563 821993

Get your entry form 

RENFREWSHIRE JUNIOR CAMPBELL CLOCK AND CHAMPIONSHIP AND SOME JUNIOR EVENTS

The  Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Junior Campbell Clock  is to be played on August 26th at Whitecraigs GC. 
There are competitions for all abilities so please spread the word around your clubs in Renfrewshire to encourage girls to enter. 

CLICK HERE TO PRINT A THE POSTER FOR YOUR CLUB

Alongside this, Gillian Kyle the junior convenor plans to run their Championship. This will be a stroke play event this year rather than a matchplay event. The other counties seem to do it this way so she thought we could try it this year. 

The lowest gross score will be the champion. The scores can then be converted into stableford points for the Campbell Clock competition. 

CLICK HERE to go to the RLCGA Junior website page for more information about the Junior Events.

In Renfrewshire there is the Eastwood Junior week which is from July 9th-13th  (Contact Eastwood GC for more information) and the East Renfrewshire GC Golf Week from Monday 30th July - Friday 3rd August   CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS 

EAST RENFREWSHIRE GOLF CLUB JUNIOR WEEK

East Renfrewshire Golf Club is holding a Junior Week from Monday 30th July to Friday August 3rd . Members and Non Members Welcome. 

CLICK THE FOLLOWING FOR JUNIOR POSTER,  MEMBERS ENTRY FORM AND THE NON MEMBERS ENTRY FORM

LANARKSHIRE WIN THE KENNEDY SALVER

Lanarkshire Winning Junior Team

The West of Scotland Junior Inter County Matches for the Kennedy Salver took place today at Hamilton Golf Club.

Lanarkshire retained the trophy 

Morning Foursomes: 
Sophie Murphy &Zoe Kemp (D&A) beat Taylor White and Heather Bryce (Lanarkshire) 5/4
Aaliya Sandi & Orla Rooney (Renfrewshire) lost to Luisa Gibson & Freya Russell (Ayrshire) 3/1
Eilidh Dunbar & Jennifer Reilly (D&A) lost to Claire McLaughlan & Sarah Mason (Ayrshire) 1 hole
Romy Erskine & Hannah Carson (Renfrewshire) lost to Katie Graham & Jodie Graham (Lanarkshire) 2/1
Emily Crusher & Jennifer Lynagh (Renfrewshire) W/O (D&A)
Samantha McKay & Cristina McCracken (Ayrshire) lost to  Megan Doherty & Madeleine MacGregor ( Lanarkshire) 7/6

Foursomes Points:
Lanarkshire 2
Ayrshire 2
Renfrewshire 1 
D&A 1

Afternoon Singles:

Sophie Murphy (D&A)  beat  Sophie Kyle (Renfrewshire) 5/4
Claire McLaughlan (Ayrshire) beat Taylor White (Lanarkshire) 2up
Zoe Kemp (D&A) lost to  Louisa Gibson (Ayrshire) 1 dn
Romy Erskine (Renfrewshire) lost to  Megan Docherty (Lanarkshire) 2/1
Eilidh Dunbar ( D&A)  lost to Katie Graham (Lanarkshire)
Emily Crusher (Renfrewshire) lost to Freya Russell (Ayrshire) 1dn
Madeleine MacGregor (Lanarkshire) lost to Aaliyh Sandi (Renfrewshire) 1dn
Samantha McKay (Ayrshire) lost to  Leah Bryce (Lanarkshire ) 1 dn
D&A number 5 n/a v Christina McCracken (Ayrshire) w/o
Orla Rooney (Renfrewshire) halved Jennifer  Reilly (Lanarkshire)
D&A number 5 n/a v Jodie Graham (Lanarkshire) w/o
Jennifer Lynagh (Renfrewshire) beat  Zara Mason (Ayrshire) 2/1

Final Points 
Lanarkshire - Singles 4.5 Foursomes 2 - 6.5 points
Ayrshire - Singles 4 Foursomes 2 - 6 points
Renfrewshire - Singles 2.5  Foursomes 1  - 3.5 points
D&A - Singles 1 Foursomes 1  - 2 points

All the Team players

Thanks go to  Allison Bell for the photographs

JUNIOR KENNEDY SALVER - COME ALONG AND SUPPORT YOUR TEAM

A reminder that the 2018 Kennedy Salver will take place at Hamilton Golf Club all day on Monday June 25th. 

Please come along and support your County Team whether it be Ayrshire, D&A , Lanarkshire or Renfrewshire.

Lanarkshire were the 2017 winners

Lanarkshire Team : 

Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs )

Taylor White (Cathkin Braes)

Katie Graham (Hamilton)

Jodie Graham (Hamilton), 

Leah Bryce (Sandyhills)

Jennifer Riley (Hamilton)

Madeleine McGregor (Hamilton)

Ayrshire Team:
Luisa Gibson (Ardeer) 
Zara Mason (Kirkcudbright) 
Christina McCracken (Troon Ladies) 
Samantha McKay (Loudoun Gowf) 
Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) 
Freya Russell (Troon Ladies)

Renfrewshire Team: 
Hannah Carson-East Renfrewshire
Emily Crusher-Eastwood
Romy Erskine-Kilmacolm
Sophie Kyle-East Renfrewshire
Jennifer Lynagh-Caldwell
Orla Rooney-Cowglen
Aaliyah Sandhu-Haggs Castle

D&A will announce tomorrow.

Thanks go to Allison Bell for the photo of last years winner

Jennifer Lynagh from Caldwell shoots a 15 under par round in the West Girls Medal

A fantastic nett 58 by Jennifer Lynagh from Caldwell was  top of many great nett scores in yesterdays West Girls Medal played over Paisley Golf Club 

1st Silver : Orla Rooney (Cowglen) (18) 71

2nd Silver: Sophie Murphy(Clydebank) (19)73

1st Bronze:  Jennifer Lynagh (Caldwell) (35) 58

2nd Bronze: Cristina McCracken (Troon) (29) 69

Scratch: Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 85

SSS 74  CSS 73

Thank you to Paisley GC for their hospitality to girls and parents and courtesy of their beautiful course 

Thanks go to Allison Bell for the report. 

2018 JUNIOR FLAG CHALLENGE ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN

Entries are now open for the 2018 Junior Flag Challenge!

 This year we are introducing a Glasgow North and Ayrshire Tour to go alongside our Glasgow South Tour that we have run for the last couple of years.

 Check out the dates and information at http://juniorflagchallenge.co.uk 

TROON JUNIOR OPEN PLAYING FOR THE TOM LEHMAN TROPHY

See Junior Boys and Girls, Under 18, from around the country competing for the famous Tom Lehman trophy. 
Played over 18 holes of Lochgreen, you too could follow in the footsteops of Henrik Stenson and become a champion golfer in Troon.

DOWNLOAD YOUR ENTRY FORM HERE