SCOTLAND GIRLS WIN AGAINST ENGLAND AND SCOTS WOMEN LOSE ON DAY 2 OF HOME INTERNATIONALS

Scottish Girls'  and Womens' Teams 

SCOTLAND v IRELAND FOR GIRLS' TITLE BUT 

SCOTS WOMEN ARE OUT OF IT AT CONWY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

England's eight-year reign as champions of the Girls' Home International matches is over.
After a draw on the first day with Ireland, they were toppled by Scotland who beat England 6-3 at Conwy Golf Club, North Wales today 

Ireland, who beat Wales 7-2, will play Scotland in the title decider tomorrow. (Friday)
If the Scots win or even draw with Ireland, they will be girls' champions for the first time since 2007.
Ireland, who have never won the Under-18s title, will end their lean years if they can beat the Scots, as they did last year by a 6-3 margin.
Twelve months ago England beat Scotland 5.5-3.5 at this level but this is a strong Scots side with Hazel MacGarvie and Jillian Farrell twin towers of strength in the foursomes and in the singles.
Scotland took a 2.5-0.5 lead from the foursomes and that became a 3pt lead when Shannon McWilliam found her best form late in a 3 and 2 win over England's Lily-May Humphreys in the top singles.
Humphreys was one up after 12 holes but then McWilliam produced the victory surge by winning the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th for victory.
England had the better of the middle-order singles ties with Emily Price beating Joanne Free 2 and 1, and Louisa Brunt winning by 2 and 1 over Jennifer Rankine, while Amelia Williamson had a square match with Louise Duncan.
It was left to the "Young Firm" of Farrell and MacGarvie to wrap things up for Scotland.
Farrell won by 5 and 3 against the highly rated Annabel Fuller, and MacGarvie, Scotland's U18s girls champion, polished off the challenge of Isobel Wardle by 4 and 3.
But Scotland will need to raise their game one more time against Ireland who were impressive 7-2 winners today against Wales. The Irish took the foursomes 3-0 and the singles 4-2.

Scotland's women flattered to deceive. They played very well to take a 2-1 foursomes lead over title-holders England but were not at the races in the singles with the English winning the first five ties.

Only Heather Munro was a Scotland winner in the afternoon, by 4 and 2. She has played well over the two days.

So a 2-1 lead became a 6-3 defeat for Scotland.

Ireland and Wales drew 4.5pt apiece and it well be a triple tie for the title if Ireland finish with a win over Scotland while Wales and England draw. If that is the case it will be a three-way countback and Ireland will be looking for a big win over Scotland to boost their games-won column for any possible tie-breaker.

HOME INTERNATIONALS

Conwy GC, North Wales

Day 2 results

WOMEN
ENGLAND 6, SCOTLAND 3
Foursomes: 1-2
L Prior and E Allen lost to J Meek and H Munro 1 hole.
M MacLaren and O Winning bt E Briggs and H McCook 1 hole.
G Clews and S Lamb lost to C Young and C Jaffrey 3 and 1
Singles: 5-1
Clews bt McCook 6 and 4.
MacLaren bt Briggs 6 and 5.
Lamb bt Meek 3 and 1.
S Giles bt C Goadby 2 and 1
Winning bt Young 2 and 1.
Prior lost to Munro 4 and 2.

IRELAND 4.5, WALES 4.5
Foursomes: 1-2
J Ross and P Grant lost to C Williams and M Lockett 3 and 2.
O Mehaffey and L Coffey bt B Harries and B Morris 1 hole.
M Dunne and J Carty lost to K O'Connor and L Hillier 2 holes.
Singles:
Coffey bt Williams 1 hole.
Mehaffey bt Lockett 3 and 1
Dunne lost to Morris 3 and 2.
Carty lost to Hillier 1 hole
Ross halved with O'Connor
S Sexton bt Harries 1 hole.

HOW THEY STAND
Wales 1 win, 1 draw
England 1 win, 1 draw
Ireland 2 draws
Scotland 2 defeats

FRIDAY'S MATCHES
Scotland v Ireland
Wales v England

GIRLS
ENGLAND 3, SCOTLAND 6
Foursomes: 0.5-2.5
L-M Humphreys and A Williamson lost to S McWilliam and J Free 2 and 1
E Price and I Wardle halved with J Rankine and J MacKintosh.
L Brunt and A Fuller lost to H MacGarvie and J Farrell 5 and 3.
Singles: 2.5-3.5
Humphreys lost to McWilliam 3 and 2.
Price bt Free 2 and 1.
Williamson halved with L Duncan.
Brunt bt Rankine 2 and 1.
Fuller lost to Farrell 4 and 3.
Wardle lost to MacGarvie 4 and 3.

IRELAND 7, WALES 2
Foursomes: 3-0
N McSherry and V Clancy bt F Evans and C Worby 3 and 2.
J McCarthy and R Thompson bt L Jones and C Evans-Brand 5 and 4.
A Wilson and M Martin bt N Wainwright and H Evans 4 and 3.
Singles: 4-2
McCarthy bt Jones 8 and 6.
Wilson bt Worby 1 hole.
Martin lost to Evans-Brand 1 hole.
McSherry bt F Vineall 4 and 2
Thompson lost to H Evans 3 and 2.
L Walsh bt Wainwright 4 and 3.

HOW THEY STAND
Scotland 2 wins
Ireland 1 win, 1 draw
England 1 draw, 1 defeat
Wales 2 defeats

FRIDAY MATCHES:
Scotland v Ireland
Wales v England

HOME INTERNATIONAL RESULTS -DAY 1 - WIN FOR THE GIRLS AND DEFEAT FOR THE WOMEN

HOME INTERNATONALS Day 1
Conwy Golf Club, North Wales

Women'  Home International Team - Photo courtesy of Colin Farquarson

Report from the LGU Website

WOMENS' HOME INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

The Wales-Scotland ladies' match was quite close at the lunchtime break with the Welsh leading 2-1 going into the singles.
But the Scots had shot their bolt and Wales won four of afternoon ties through Chloe Williams (2 a nd 1), Megan Lockett (3 and 2), Lauren Hillier (4 and 3) and Becky Harries (5 and 3).
Scotland's only afternoon winner was Heather Munro by 2 holes over Bethan Morris.
Kath O'Connor and Hannah McCook had a square match, the Welsh player winning the last two holes 

WALES 6.5, SCOTLAND 2.5
Foursomes: 2-1
C Williams and M Lockett bt H McCook and E Briggs 3 and 2.
B Harries and B Morris bt C Jaffrey and C Young 3 and 2.
K O'Connor and L Hillier lost to H Munro and J Meek 3 and 1.

Singles: 4.5-1.5
Williams bt Meek 2 and 1
Lockett bt Briggs 3 and 2.
O'Connor halved with McCook
Hillier bt C Goadby 4 and 3
Morris lost to Munro 2 holes
Harries bt Jaffrey 5 and 3.

IRELAND 4.5, ENGLAND 4.5

GIRLS

Scottish Girls Team - Photo courtesy of Colin Farquarson

GIRLS' HOME INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

Scotland lead the Girls Home Internationals table at the end of Day 1 at Conwy, having beaten Wales 7-2.
England, winners of the U18s' title for the past eight years in a row, drew 4.5-4.5 with a fighting Irish side.
The Scots edged ahead 2-1 in the morning girls' foursomes and then overpowered the host nation's girls 5-1 in the singles.
It was the second year in a row that Scotland had beaten Wales but this was a more comprehensive win despite the fact that Scotland's top-ranked girl, Shannon McWilliam lost the top singles match by 3 and 2 to Lucy Jones who surged into a four-hole lead after only six holes and was five up after eight.

There were good wins for the Scots by Joanne Free (5 and 3), Louise Duncan (2 holes), Jennifer Rankine (2 and 1), Jillian Farrell (3 and 1) and U18s champion Hazel MacGarvie (3 and 2).

WALES 2, SCOTLAND 7
Foursomes: 1-2
F Evans and C Worby lost to S McWilliam and J Free 1 hole.
L Jones and C Evans-Brand bt J Rankine and J MacKintosh 3 and 2.
N Wainwright and F Vineall lost to H MacGarvie and J Farrell 7 and 5

Singles: 1-5
Jones bt McWilliam 3 and 2.
Evans-Brand lost to Free 5 and 3.
F Evans lost to L Duncan 2 holes
Worby lost to Rankine 2 and 1
H Evans lost to Farrell 3 and 1
Wainwright lost to MacGarvie 3 and 2.

IRELAND 4.5, ENGLAND 4.5


THURSDAY MATCHES
Scotland v England
Ireland v Wales

GB & I CURTIS CUP TEAM WILL WARM UP WITH MATCH AGAINST CASTLE GOLF CLUB TEAM

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LADIES’ GOLF UNION
Issued 12th April 2016

The Great Britain and Ireland team to challenge the United States of America, at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, near Dublin from June 10 to 12, will warm up for the international contest with a "friendly" match against a members' men's team from Castle Golf Club on the south side of Dublin.
The GB and I team of eight players will be finalised immediately after the Helen Holm Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Troon and will be announced on Thursday 28th April at 2pm.

Six of the home line-up will earn automatic selection - the leading four eligible players in the Women's World Amateur Rankings at the designated cut-off point and also the leading two players on the Ladies’ Golf Union Order of Merit not selected through the World Rankings.
The remaining places in the team will go to two players selected by the LGU Selection Panel.

Elaine Farquharson-Black (Deeside), the first Scot to captain the GB and I Curtis Cup team since Belle Robertson in 1976, played in two Curtis Cup and two Vagliano Trophy matches during her playing career. She was also a member of the winning line-up when the match was played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 1992.

Elaine said
"It is very kind of the Castle Golf Club to allow the GB & I team to use their marvellous facilities to prepare for the Curtis Cup match. I know they have a wonderful short game facility and course and I thank the members for allowing us to visit. “
Elaine and team manager Helen Hewlett, also a past Curtis Cup player and a former British champion, will arrive with the GB and I squad at Castle Golf Club on Wednesday, June 1 and get straight down to practice in the afternoon.
The four-ball match against the Castle GC team will tee off at 1pm on Friday 3rd June.
They will have a further practice session at Castle Golf Club on the morning of Saturday 4th June before being given an organised tour of Dublin in the afternoon.

Castle Golf Club general manager John McCormack said,
"Our captains Bernadette Murray and Paul Williams, and all our members, are honoured to welcome the GB & I Curtis Cup team to our club in advance of the match against the United States and we will do everything possible to assist”
Castle Golf Club is a magnificent 18-hole parkland course in South Dublin. Nestled between Churchtown and Rathfarnham, the club offers its members and guests exceptional playing conditions and facilities. The club celebrated its centenary in 2013 and the course is a fine example of golf course design, originally by Harry Colt.

This will be only the second Curtis Cup match to be played in Ireland. The first, in 1996, was at Killarney and was won by GB and I. Four years ago, at Nairn Golf Club, GB and I came from behind to win the trophy after an excellent match, watched by big galleries.
Further information about the LGU and the Curtis Cup match is available on www.lgu.org.

About the Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”)
Founded in 1893, the LGU is the encompassing body for ladies’ amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland. The LGU Board includes representatives of ladies’ golf’s national governing bodies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Operational activities are undertaken by a wholly owned subsidiary, LGU Championships Limited (“LGUCL”), which in particular owns and runs the Ricoh Women’s British Open, founded by the LGU in 1976 and one of the five Major Tournaments for Professional Women golfers. LGUCL also has responsibility for running British Amateur Championships and Home International events, and preparing the Great Britain & Ireland teams for representative matches, such as the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy.

For further information please contact;
Susan Simpson
Head of Golf Operations
Ladies’ Golf Union
championships@lgu.org

2016 PEUGEOT LGU CORONATION FOURSOMES

Last years finalists  at the Swilken Bridge at the Old Course St Andrews

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LADIES’ GOLF UNION

Issued 6 April 2016

2016 will be the 53rd year of the Coronation Foursomes. The Ladies Golf Union is extremely grateful to Peugeot which,for the 15th successive year, has sponsored this hugely popular event that has gone from strength to strength with more than 27,000 lady golfers from 1,250 clubs competing in last year’s competition.

All affiliated clubs are eligible to enter and once they have played their qualifying round, the winners progress to any one of 16 Area Finals.
This year’s Scottish Area Finals will be held at the following venues:

SCOTLAND
North
Strathmore, Perthshire
Tues 9 Aug

East
Murrayfield, Midlothian
Tues 16 Aug

West
West Kilbride, Ayrshire
Thurs 28 July

The winners from each of the 16 Area Finals will take part in the Grand Final which will be held in St Andrews on Monday, September 19, 2016.
Winners will stay at the prestigious 5 star Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa for two nights and enjoy a drinks reception and Grand Final Dinner.
The overall winners will receive an invitation to take part in the 2017 Ricoh Women’s British Open Pro-am to be held at Kingsbarns Golf Links.

For further information and a full list of conditions and FAQs please visit the website www.lgu.org

For further information please contact:
Ladies’ Golf Union, info@lgu.org

LYNN HAS HOLE IN ONE AT THE LGU PEUGEOT CORONATION FOURSOMES AREA FINALS

Lynn Forsyth has a Hole in One

The Peugeot Area Coronation Foursomes Finals took place at East Kilbride Golf Club on Monday 21st July.
Highlight of the day was for Lynn Forsyth partnered by Elspeth Smith (Paisley GC) when Lynn had a HOLE IN ONE. She is now eligible to join the LGU Hole in One Club.

Leading Results:

1st:  Helen Grierson & Marion MacAuley (Hamilton) 41 pts

2nd: Gill Taylor & Amanda Lynde (Dunfermline) 38 pts

3rd:  Gillian Coles & Linda Smith (Ralston) 38 pts

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE RESULTS

CONNIE AND ALYSON ARE DEFEATED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE BRITISH MATCHPLAY STAGE

Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield), the only one of five Scots to survive the first round of the match-play, went on to beat the top seed, Laetitia Beck from Israel to reach the last 16 of the British women's open amateur championship over the tough links at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich in Kent.
It has not been a good championship for home players. Only five British players are through to the third round - Dryburgh, Alice Hewson (Berkhamsted), Londoner Rosie Davies (Indiana University), Hayley Davis (Ferndown) and Gabriela Cowley (Hanbury Manor).
Dryburgh and Cowley are the only survivors from the GB and Ireland team who played in the Curtis Cup match at St Louis, Missouri earlier in the month.
Dryburgh had established a two-hole lead over Beck, like herself a student at an American university, by the 14th tee.
In a tense finish Beck got one hole back but the Scot kept her nerve and held her opponent at bay to win on the 18th green.
It doesn't get any easier for Gemma in the round of the last 16. She plays the holder of the European women's amateur title, Emily Pedersen (Denmark), ranked No 26 in the world to the Scot's No 61 rating.
Pedersen, from Copenhagen, qualiied in 17th position to Gemma's 13th but Dryburgh is coming on to her game and it should be a good match for a place in the quarter-finals.
Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) lost by two holes in the first round to Londoner Rosie Davies who has entered from Indiana University. Davies went on to reach the third round.
Last year's Scottish champion Alyson McKechin(Elderslie) lost by 2 and 1 in the first round to US college student Hayley Davis (Ferndown) who also won again to make the last 16.
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), beaten finalist in the "Scottish" at Prestwick last month, lost by 3 and 2 to Spain's Luna Sobron who reached the final of this championship 12 months ago.
Sobron was beaten in the next round by Curtis Cupper Gabriella Cowley.
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) was another Scot to fall at the first hudle. She lost by one hole to Ann Van Dam (Netherlands) who beat Junior Vagliano Trophy player Sophie Lamb (Clitheroie) 4 and 3 in the next round to reach the last 16.
English Curtis Cup player Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth) was a surprise first round loser at the hands of Italy's Bianca Maria Fabrizio. The Italian won by one hole.nsula 12 months ago.
Wentworth prospect Inci Mehmet, who qualified in sixth place, lost by 5 and 3 to the No 59 qualifier Marlies Krenn from Austria).

RESULTS
FIRST ROUND SCOTS RESULTS
G Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) bt A Ashok (Ind) 1 hole.
R Davies (Indiana Univ) bt L Whyte (St Regulus) 2 holes.
H Davis (Ferndown) bt A McKechin (Elderslie) 2 and 1.
L Sobron (Spa) bt C Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 3 and 2..
A Van Dam (Ned) bt A Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 1 hole.

1st and 2nd Round Results from the Kirkwood Golf Website

Finally Scot Gemma Dryburgh lost in the next round  and  Emily Perderson from Copenhagen went on the win the British Title by beating Belgium's Leslie Coots by 3 and 1 in the final.

EILIDH BRIGGS FAILS TO MAKE BRITISH MATCHPLAY STAGES

Only five Scots have made it through to the match-play stages of the British women's open amateur championship at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent.
Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) 153, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 155, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 155, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 155 and Connie Jaffrey 156 succeeded where Curtis Cup player Eilidh Briggs 158, Clara Young 161, Scottish champion Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 160, Clara Young (North Berwick) 161 and Airdrie-born Rachael Taylor (Germany) 163 failed.
The most notable failure of all was title-holder and Curtis Cup player Georgia Hall (Parkstone) who missed the magic figure of 156 by six shots with rounds of 78 and 84 for 162.
Briggs' halves in her 84 were 46 and 38. She had only two par figures in her first 14 holes, the lowlight being a quadruple bogey 8 at the eight. Eilidh did birdie the second, 14th and 17th but it was too little too late.
Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), a former Scottish U18 girls champion, had a 77 for 155 which at one time looked to be one shot too many but as the scores started to climb so Lauren's total "improved" as the day wore on and she qualified comfortably for the match-play.
Other Scots qualifiers on the 155 mark were Carnoustie Ladies' Ailsa Summers (78-77) and last year's Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) (76-79)
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), beaten finalist in last month's Scottish women's amateur championship, squeezed through on the critical mark of 156

Connie had two double bogeys in a second-round 80 (41-39).
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw), who beat Jaffrey to claim the national title at Prestwick, missed the cut with a second-round 84 for 160. The St Andrews student had only one par figure in an outward half of 43.Germany-based Scot Rachael Taylor, a student at North Carolina State University, is another who will miss the match-play. She had an 85 for 163.
Carnoustie's Jess Meek, last year's Scottish Under-21 girls champion and a student at the University of Missouri, withdrew after a first-round 81. She phoned the LGU organisers early this morning to say that she was sick and would not be able to play in the second round.

SCOT GEMMA DRYBURGH IS RUNNER UP AT PRESTWICK

Jing Yan and Gemma Dryburgh

Scot Gemma Dryburgh failed gallantly to prevent 17-year-old Singapore-based Chinese wonder girl Jing Yan from winning the British Women's Open Amateur Stroke-Play golf championship and completing a notable quick-time title double at Prestwick today (Friday)

LEADING SCORES: Par 296 (4x74) SSS 77 CSS 77 77 77 (last round CSS still to be confirmed)
 282 Jing Yan (China) 68 72 73 69
284 Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) 72 72 69 71
287 Roberta Liti (Italy) 72 70 77 68 293
Amy Boulden (Conwy) 72 77 72 72
294 Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 72 72 74 76
296 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 76 70 74 76
298 Cecilie Bofill (Denmark) 76 70 77 75, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 75 71 72 80, Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 76 69 78 75, Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 78 68 72 80
Other Scots:
299 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 76 75 70 78,
307 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 78 77 82 75,
317 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 75 77 84 81

To read the full report go to Kirkwood Golf

DAY 1 of the British Stroke Play Scots chase Jing Yan from China

Two Scots - Gemma Dryburgh and Heather Munro - in the top 10 and another two - Gabrielle Macdonald and Lauren Whyte in the leading dozen - added up to a good first day for the host country in the Brititish women's open amateur stroke play golf championship at Prestwick Golf Club.
After a brilliant six-under-par 68 by 17-year-old Chinese player Jing Yan, who won the British U18 girls championship at Fairhaven last Friday, it may well be a case of "Who's gonna be second?" but it still has the makings of fascinating final 54 holes over this ancient Ayrshire links, the birthplace of the Open championship.
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) were the best of the West Of Scotland players - both on 79
Overnight the leading 40 scored 78 or better on the first day when the CSS was 77, the same as the standard scratch.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 74 SS 77 CSS 77
68 Jing Yan (China).
71 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell).
72 A Boulden (Conwy), G Dryburgh (Beaconsfield), C Leathem (Styal), R Liti (Italy), R Goodall (Heswall).
73 E Goddard (Royal Liverpool).
74 I Mehmet (Wentworth), L Bailey (Notts Ladies), H Munro (Monifieth).
75 M MacLaren (Wellingborough), J Soo (Australia), G Macdonald (Craigielaw), C Ryan (Castletroy), S Fuller (Roehampton), S Powell (Stockport), L Whyte (St Regulus), C Austwick (Fulford), E Taylor (Saunton).
Other Scots
76 A Summers (Carnoustie Ladies).
78 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey)
79 A McKechin (Elderslie), C Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)
80 C Young (North Berwick), Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe)
82 E Briggs (Kilmacolm),
86 I Stephen (Ranfurly Castle), V D'Ambrosio (Carluke).
88 A Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie)
92 L Macgregor (Falkirk).
Leading 40 and ties after Round 2 qualifying for final two rounds on Friday

LGU AGM 2013

LADIES GOLF UNION
PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication – Issued Tuesday 26 February 2013

A time of change following the LGU’s AGM

As the LGU celebrates its 120th anniversary as the voice of women’s golf, the AGM in Dublin saw the announcement of a number of changes, both in key officials and in the arrangements for selecting international teams.

Trish Wilson succeeded Gillian Kirkwood as Chairman and will serve three years as the strategic head of the LGU. An experienced administrator, and senior rules official at many top professional and amateur events, Trish brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to her new role.

She says “The LGU is renowned for the high standard of the championships and international matches it hosts, and the focus has to be on continuing to develop and improve our events, both on and off the golf course. The GB&I victory in the Curtis Cup at Nairn gave ladies’ golf a huge boost and I would hope the LGU can capitalise on this to promote the game to new participants and supporters.”

In another change of senior personnel, Brigid McCaw has been appointed the 25th President of the LGU since the position was instigated in 1908, and commences her two years in office in succession to Mrs. Jill Edwards MBE.

Chairman of the LGU in 2009, Brigid has served in many roles at national level in Ireland and has been one of the LGU’s top rules officials for a number of years. She is “pleased and honoured to be President of the LGU in this, its 120th anniversary year.”

At the AGM itself, retiring Chairman Gillian Kirkwood took the opportunity to announce a radical shake-up in the LGU’s arrangements for selecting international teams. She said “the face of ladies’ amateur golf has changed with the advent of international playing opportunities, and with elite players getting younger and younger. In addition, with the introduction of the World Amateur Golf Ranking for ladies, detailed information on individual performances is becoming more readily available.

A review of selection options was commissioned, and involved wide consultation with many interested parties. At the recent Board meeting, the Directors unanimously agreed that future Great Britain & Ireland teams will be selected from a mix of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (“WAGR”), the newly implemented LGU Order of Merit and a small number of Captain’s picks.

The biennial Junior Vagliano team will continue to be selected by a panel of representatives from each of the four home countries.”

These new arrangements will be introduced with immediate effect, with the Vagliano team for the match against the Continent of Europe in Chantilly in June 2013 comprising:-

The top 4 players from the WAGR (subject to being in the top 20) as at 17 June 2013
The top 3 players from the LGU Order of Merit (or 7 or any number up to 7, if none within the top 20 of WAGR) as at 17 June 2013
Captain’s picks – 2 players
Reserves – the leading 2 players from the WAGR not already selected above

The new selection arrangements are intended to recognise modern playing schedules, be fit for purpose in choosing the best team available, and provide clarity and fairness for players, parents, National Organisations, coaches and the media.


The Junior Vagliano team, which will be selected by the more traditional method, will be announced on 3 June 2013.

Further information:

Shona Malcolm
CEO
Ladies’ Golf Union
Tel: 0044 (0) 789 469 8222

SLGA AGM - BETH PATERSON IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN

Beth Paterson

The SLGA AGM took place yesterday Saturday 19th 2013, at the Dewars Centre in Perth. Captain Maureen Woodhead and and many Renfrewshire County members attended the meeting.

 The meeting started on a sombre note when President, Margaret McNaughton, asked for a moment's silence to remember three stalwarts of the Scottish women's game who died within the last year. They were Ethel Jack, Phyllis Wylie and Elizabeth Pook (Chadwick)


SLGA's Chairman Shona Malcolm then gave an informative annual report which was followed by the Finance Director Pamela Walton detailed accounts annual review.
The annual report of the Scottish representatives on the Executive Council of the LGU was then given by Lorna Bennett.


Margaret McNaughton was re - elected as President and West of Scotland's  Jean Cameron, Wendy Cameron, Nancy Chisholm, Rosemary Dykes and Belle Robertson were all re elected as  Vice Presidents. -- (There are 12)

Audrey Sturgess and Fiona Cowan

Audrey Sturgess from Haggs Castle was elected as the West Division representative to replace Fiona Cowan whose term of office has expired.

 Kevin Craggs was reappointed as the Scottish Representative on the Training Panel of the LGU and Dr Lynne Terry and June McEwan were reappointed as the Scottish Representatives on CONGU.

Isabel Crawford (Troon Ladies) was re elected as Performance Director

Alex Glennie

One new Scottish Selectors was appointed - Alex Glennie (West) from Kilmarnock Barassie to replace Anne Laing whose term of office has expired.
 Noreen Fenton (East Division), Addi Shamash (South) remain as Selectors for their second year and Cara Gruber (North Division) for her third year.
Fiona de Vries was reappointed as the Scottish Repesentative on the International Selection Committee of the LGU Past Renfrewshire County

Beth Paterson -- Past Renfrewshire County Captain, SLGA board Member as Performance Director for 4 years and Eastwood Golf Club Member   was then elected to be Chairman to replace Shona Malcolm whose term of office has expired.

 The meeting finished within an hour with a very able Vote of Thanks from Mary Summers, Captain of Angus County

LGU MONTHLY

LGU Monthly on Sky Sports today and tomorrow
The LGU magazine programme, LGU Monthly, will be showcasing the Home Internationals, Ricoh Women's British Open, British Seniors, Peugeot 208 Coronation Foursomes Grand Final and Senior Home Internationals at the following times....
Tuesday 16 Oct
19:00 Sky Sports 4
21:30 Sky Sports 3
23:30 Sky Sports 3
Wednesday 17Oct
11:00 Sky Sports 2
13:30 Sky Sports 3

TRISH WILSON TO SUCCEED GILLIAN KIRKWOOD AS LGU CHAIRMAN

NEWS RELEASE FROM LGU

The Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”) is pleased to announce that Mrs Trish Wilson (England) will succeed Mrs Gillian Kirkwood as Chairman at the Annual General Meeting to be held on February 23, 2013 in Dublin.

An experienced administrator, Trish (pictured) previously served as Chairman of the LGU in 2008, and was instrumental in initiating the modernisation of the organisation. 

Part of that project saw the role of Chairman being redefined, and the term of office being extended from one to three years. Mrs Kirkwood steps down on completion of her three year term of office, after ably guiding the LGU through the implementation of its new business model.

Trish Wilson brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to the role of Chairman. 

A past LGU Councillor, English Selector, and Captain of both Club and County, she is also a highly experienced Rules Official having refereed at top professional and amateur events, including The Open Championship, the Ricoh Women’s British Open, the US Women’s Open and this year’s Curtis Cup match at Nairn in Scotland. 

Trish is currently the LGU’s representative on the RandA’s Rules of Golf Committee.

Trish says: “The role of Chairman has changed significantly from my previous time in post, and is much more business focussed and strategic than it used to be. I look forward to the challenge of leading the Executive Council of the LGU and the Board of its operational subsidiary, LGU Championships Limited.”

Acutely aware of the challenges facing ladies’ golf, Trish brings a quiet determination to protecting the legacy of the LGU, promoting the game and further developing the organisation as a strong voice for ladies’ golf. 

She says: “The LGU is world renowned for the high standard of the championships and international matches it hosts, and the focus has to be on continuing to develop and improve our events, both on and off the golf course. 

"The GB and I victory in this year’s Curtis Cup at Nairn gave ladies’ golf a huge boost and I would hope the LGU can capitalise on this to promote the game to new participants and supporters.

"The LGU has a major role to play in encouraging golf at all levels and working in collaboration with other organisations, both in golf and outwith the sport, in the best interests of the game.   

"The world of golf is constantly changing, and the aim will be to keep on top of these changes and make the best of the opportunities arising from them as the LGU works towards its stated goal of becoming financially self-sufficient.

"I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the executive team over the coming years.”

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)

12 Scottish Players taking part in the British Amateur Championship

The British Amateur Championship begins tomorrow (Wednesday) at SHANDON PARK GC, BELFAST
Scottish entry of 12 players
The "Tartan Army" teeing off in Belfast tomorrow are: Ailsa Summers and Jessica Meek (both Carnoustie Ladies), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth), Gabrielle MacDonald and Jane Turner (both Craigielaw), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Clara Young (North Berwick) and Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle).
There will be a cut after Thursday's second round to the leading 40 and ties who will play the final two rounds on Friday.

NO SCOTS LEFT IN BRITISH GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Scotland started the match-play stages of the British girls golf championship at Tenby in South Wales with five players among the 64 qualifiers. The first round saw four of them make an early exit, leaving Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) the lone survivor in the last 32.
But, having played very well in dreadful conditions of wind and rain to record a 6 and 4 win over the No 12 qualifier, Nanna Madsen (Denmark), Connie did not reach the same standards when the rain ceased but the wind got even stronger in the late afternoon.
She was beaten 5 and 4 by Ashleigh Greenham (West Essex) after being three down at the turn.
To read more go to the Kirkwood Golf Website

Troon's Connie Jaffrey makes the cut at the British Girls

FIVE SCOTS GIRLS SURVIVE IN THE BRITISH
Thanks go to COLIN FARQUHARSON for the report

 Five Scots out of 10 starters have made it through among the 64 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the British girls open amateur golf championship at the links of Tenby Golf Club in South Wales.
Germany-based Rebecca McGeehan was the surprise top Scot, thanks to a splendid secoSnd-round of 71, one under par, for an aggregate of 147, which saw her claim No 4 seed status behind the No 1 qualifier, Perrine Delacour from Paris (72-71 for 143).
Seventeen-year-old Rebecca birdied the long first, the long with and the 11th and then, after bogeying the 12th, held her round together on a beautiful sunny and warm afternoon with six solid pars to finish.
Jess Meek, 18, from Carnoustie had an eagle 3 at the 14th on her way to a 73 for 152 and a creditable 10th place among the qualifiers.
Clara Young (North Berwick), still only 15, made it through with ease on 154 despite a second-round 79 in which she was seven over par after only six holes.
Scotland's other qualifiers were national Under-18s champion Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) on 158 (81-77) and Connie Jaffrey (Troon) on 159 (85-74).
The cut to 64 qualifiers fell at 160 so Connie made it with a stroke to spare. 
 
BRITISH GIRLS OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Tenby GC, South Wales
QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY
Par 144 (2x72)
143 Perrine Delacour (Fra) 72 71
145 Lelsie Cloots (Bel) 73 72
146 Jing Yan (China) 72 74
147 Rebecca McGeehan (Ger) 76 71
OTHER SCOTS QUALIFIERS
152 Jess Meek (Carnoustie) 79 73
154 Clara Young (North Berwick) 75 79
158 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 81 77
159 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 85 74.
MISSED THE CUT (160 and better qualified)
165 Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies) 76 89
169 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 83 86, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 85 84
173 Fiona Liddell (Ger) 85 88.
 

British Girls Championship -- 1st Round

BRITISH GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
Tenby GC, South Wales.
First qualifying round
Par 72 Yardage 6267yd
70 Josephine Farrando (Fra).
72 Perrine Delacour (Fra), Jing Yan (China)
73 Sophia P Zeeb (Ger), Leslie Cloots (Belgium), Natalia Escuriola (Spa).
74 Nuria Iturrios (Spa), Marta P Samartin (Spa).
75 Clara Young (North Berwick), Anyssia Herbaut (France), Leonie Harm (Germany), Claudia Chemin (France), Quirine Eijkenboom (Germany), Jess Evans (Newport).
76 Chloe Williams (Wrexham), Chiara Mertens (Germany) Nanna Madsen (Denmark), Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), Rebecca McGeehan (Germany), Kyra Horlock (Broadstone), Ana Sanjuan (Spain), Camille Richelle (Belgium), Marta Martin (Spain).
SELECTED SCORES
77 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer)
78 Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak).
79 Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies)
80 Shelby Smart (Knowle)
81 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus).
83 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co).
84 Brogan Townend (Pleasington)
85 Fiona Liddell (Ger), Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe).
87 Gabriella Cowley (West Essex)
Disqualified - Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Melissa Nicol (Moor Hall).

Read the full report at the Kirkwood Website