SCOTS WHA HAE - MADILL GOLF

By Maureen Madill

What a joy it is to welcome top-class women's golf back to these shores.  There are a couple of huge events coming up for the women's game starting this week with the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies' Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club near North Berwick.  After that, the (hopefully) securely bubbled tour will head westwards to Royal Troon .... READ MORE

Gemma Dryburgh opens with a good opening round in the Ladies Scottish Open

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh leads the home hopes of victory and currently sits in T7 after an opening round of 69 (-2) on day one of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at Renaissance Golf Club.

Read more on the  Ladies European Tour Website

LIVE SCORING 

SEVEN SCOTS IN FIELD FOR THE LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN

Seven Scottish players are in the field for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open taking place later next week, Aug 13 – 16 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, as professional women’s golf returns to Scotland for the first time since Europe’s remarkable triumph in the 2019 Solheim Cup last September.

The seven home-hopefuls for the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open are Carly Booth, Gemma Dryburgh, Kylie Henry, Kelsey MacDonald, Catriona Matthew, Alison Muirhead and Michele Thomson. They will take on a world-class international field which includes over thirty nationalities and three of the world’s top ten ranked players on the Rolex World Rankings.

Fans will be able to watch the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open on Sky Sports and the Golf Channel, with enhanced content on its digital channels,

To read more Click Here

Gemma Dryburgh records first career-best display on LPGA Tour

By Martin Dempster

Gemma Dryburgh finished joint-sixth in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio 

Scottish No 1 Gemma Dryburgh vindicated her pre-event confidence by recording a career-best performance on the LPGA Tour in the US circuit's restart after its coronavirus shutdown. 

The 27-year-old finished joint-sixth behind American Danielle Kang in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, to pick up a cheque for just over $25,000.

KYLIE HENRY TIES IN 2ND PLACE IN THE JUSTIN ROSE SERIES - GEORGIA HALL WINS AGAIN

Georgia Hall showed her class at the Shire to win her second straight Rose Ladies Series event.

Hall rolled in seven birdies and two bogeys for a 5-under 67 and a three-shot win over Liz Young and Kylie Henry(Scotland)

Her record in the series now reads 2nd-2nd-2nd-1st-1st.

	Pos.	Player	To Par Gross	Total Gross
	1	Georgia Hall	-5	67
	T2	Elizabeth Young	-2	70
	T2	Kylie Henry	-2	70
	T4	Becky Morgan	-1	71
	T4	Charley Hull	-1	71
	T4	Hannah Burke	-1	71

CLICK HERE FOR ALL SCORES

Gemma Dryburgh secures one of the final invitations to the Ladies Scottish Open

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman)  

Scottish No 1 Gemma Dryburgh has secured one of the final invitations for next month’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open along with the first Nigerian player to hold a card on the Ladies European Tour

 Dryburgh, a recent back-to-back winner on the Rose Ladies Series, is delighted to be playing in the event, which takes place at The Renaissance Club on 13-16 August. 

 At the same venue last year, the Aberdonian produced a brilliant second-round effort in appalling conditions only to miss the cut by a shot after the weather improved dramatically for the afternoon starters. 

 “Huge thanks to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland for giving me this opportunity,” said Dryburgh, who joins Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew in securing an invitation for the LPGA/LET co-sanctioned event. 
 “I would have hated not being able to play in what is one of my favourite events of the year, especially when I have been playing so well lately. “I know that Aberdeen Standard Investments, Visit Scotland and IMG have had to work really hard to put all the health and safety protocols in place to ensure the tournament can go ahead and we are all very grateful and excited to get back to The Renaissance Club.” 

 Dryburgh’s inclusion takes the home contingent to seven, joining Matthew, Carly Booth, Kelsey Macdonald, Kylie Henry, Michele Thomson and Alison Muirhead. 

READ MORE IN THE SCOTSMAN

Georgia Hall wins the 5th Event of the Justin Rose Series

After a couple of runner-up spots Georgia Hall is finally off the mark in the Rose Ladies Series.

It was a rollercoaster round at Bearwood Lakes for the former Women’s British Open champion, who holed four birdies and three bogeys in the opening 13, before parring her way home for a 1-under 71 that proved to be enough.

Meghan MacLaren, who won the second event at Moor Park, was in a six-strong group tied-2nd at level par.

Scot Heather MacRae finished tied in 34th place

LEADERBOARD

To read more -- CLICK HERE

2020 SCOTTISH OPEN AT THE RENAISSANCE CLUB NORTH BERWICK

The 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is on track to take place next month, Aug 13 – 16 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, marking a return of professional women’s golf to Scotland for the first time since Europe’s remarkable triumph in the 2019 Solheim Cup last September. 

 The tournament is set to go ahead without spectators as a made for TV event following close consultation and collaboration with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland, the LPGA and the LET, fully adhering to internationally recognised COVID-19 protocol and subject to necessary formal approvals of athlete quarantine exemptions. 

The decision to move forward with the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open has been taken only once organisers and stakeholders could ensure delivery of an event with all relevant safeguarding and protocols in place. 

The tournament has a robust operational plan, which has been established with medical and health and safety specialists to make sure that all appropriate measures are in place that meet the high standards required by the Scottish Government as well as adhering to all WHO guidelines. 

 Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, an Aberdeen Standard Investments ambassador, said: “We are all happy to hear that women’s golf will be getting back underway in Scotland and especially grateful to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland for working so hard to make this happen and putting all the necessary COVID-19 related practices in place and for being so supportive of the women’s tours.” 
 The victorious 2019 Solheim Cup Captain continued, “With men’s professional golf back playing, it is important that we are able to follow suit, so this is really excellent news for the women’s game and I am delighted to be preparing for my national open in just over a month’s time.” 

Jill Maxwell of Aberdeen Standard Investments added, “The decision to proceed with the tournament as lockdown measures begin to ease has not been taken lightly. The safety and wellbeing of everyone onsite is the top priority and as title sponsor, Aberdeen Standard Investments will remain part of ongoing discussions with the event organisers to monitor the situation and react accordingly should the situation change. We felt it important to honour our commitment to this event to help provide a vital boost to Scotland’s events sector. We want to show our support through tournament initiatives that will help local communities and charities and lastly our continued involvement in the LSO for a 12th year underpins our commitment to equality by supporting women’s sport. We hope this news brings some joy back to sports fans who will be able to tune in on TV and various social channels.”

HEATHER MACRAE IS LATEST SCOT TO SHINE IN ROSE LADIES SERIES AS GEMMA DRYBURGH TAKES OFF ON THE LPGA TOUR

Heather MacRae said she was delighted to become the latest Scot to shine in the company of major winners and Solheim Cup starts on the new Rose Ladies Series in England.

On her debut, the Dunblane woman finished in a tie for second behind England's Gabriella Cowley last weeks event at JCB Golf and Country Club in Staffordshire.

MacRae, who won a battle with cancer last year, shot a one-under-par 71 as she produced a brave bid to complete a Scottish hat-trick after Gemma Dryburgh's back-to-back wins over the previous fortnight.

"It was really nice to have a good result in such a strong field," admitted MacRae. "It’s difficult to know what to expect after such a long break.

"But my coach, Craig Lee, kept telling me I was swinging really well and playing well, so that gave me some confidence, too."

The reigning Women's PGA champion was level-par through 10 holes before reeling off three birdies in a row but had to settle for one-under after dropping shots at the 16th and 18th.

Scots Kylie Henry and Michele Thomson tied in 18th place

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCOREBOARD 

Gemma Dryburgh was an absentee on this occasion, has headed off to the US earlier in the week to prepare for the LPGA Tour restarting at the end of the month.

It was a difficult decision. After back-to back wins, including an historic success in the first professional women’s event to be staged at Royal St George’s, Gemma Dryburgh was sorely tempted to stay in the UK to try to remain at the top of the Rose Ladies Series order of merit over the next few weeks.

The 27-year-old could have been based at home playing in four events leading up to a grand final at Wentworth and, in the process, not really be worrying too much about the world’s ongoing fight with the coronavirus. Instead, she jumped on a plane to the US earlier in the week and is now under a two-week quarantine in a country where the pandemic is really spiking.

Dryburgh has crossed the Atlantic for the LPGA Tour’s restart with two events in Ohio, the Drive On Championship taking place in Toledo from 31 July-2 August then the Marathon Classic in Sylvania on 6-9 August. 
They are being followed by a ‘Scottish Swing’ involving the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s British Open at The Renaissance Club and Royal Troon respectively.

Gemma Dryburgh keeps her cool to claim back to back victories

By Danny Law (Press and Journal)

Aberdeen’s Gemma Dryburgh made it back-to-back wins on the Rose Ladies Series by claiming victory in the first ever women’s professional golf tournament held at Royal St George’s. 

The 27-year-old had described last week’s success at the Buckinghamshire as the best of her professional career.

And Dryburgh’s fine form continued as she edged out playing partners Georgia Hall and Charley Hull in windy conditions in Kent.

She held her nerve over the closing stretch to card a one-under-par 69 and win the top prize of £5,000.

Dryburgh, Hall and Hull were all one under through 15 before Hall bogeyed the 16th while Hull birdied to move clear at the summit.

Hull then finished bogey-bogey, which included a missed four-foot putt at the last that would have taken the tournament to a play-off.

Pars on 17 and 18 were enough for Dryburgh to claim the title and another major confidence boost ahead of returning to LPGA and LET Tour action.

Dryburgh said: “I bogeyed the first unfortunately, but after that I was really consistent.

“The last two holes were playing very long and I was hitting 3-wood into the last two, so it was playing very tough and I was glad to get the win in the end.”

GEMMA DRYBURGH WINS THE LATEST JUSTIN ROSE LADIES SERIES

Gemma Dryburgh

By Martin Dempster

Gemma Dryburgh set up a double family celebration as she won the latest Rose Ladies Series event, beating a star-studded field at The Buckinghamshire.

The 27-year-old Scot stormed home in four under par as she recovered from a poor start to card a three-under 69, winning by a shot from English pair Georgia Hall and Cara Gainer.

Dryburgh’s success came on the same day her parents celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary and her dad John was on caddying duties.

“I’m very happy and there will be lots of drinks tonight,” admitted Dryburgh, who was born in Aberdeen but now lives at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire."

As well as Hall, the field included Charley Hull and Bronte Law, all members of last year’s Solheim Cup side at Gleneagles. “It is definitely the best win of my pro career,” added Dryburgh.

Read full story in The Scotsman Newspaper

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES

GEMMA DRYBURGH FINISHES TIED 4TH IN THE 2ND JUSTIN ROSE SERIES EVENT

Meg MacLaren made five birdies and an eagle to win the second Justin Rose Ladies Series event at Moor Park Golf Club.
Many congratulations go to Gemma Dryburgh tied in 4th Place to add to her 7th place finish in the 1st event.
CLICK HERE FOR LEADERBOARD

MIDLOTHIANS GABRIELLE MACDONALD - EDINBURGH-GOLF PODCAST

This week, Edinburgh Golf talked to Past Midlothian County Team player and 2014 Scottish Ladies Amateur Champion - Gabrielle Macdonald, who recently returned from the Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa. 

Gabrielle has shown her passion in golf from a young age, playing at Craigielaw, she is known as "Steely" and developed through their strong Junior section. 

Gabrielle talks us through her experience in the Lothians and becoming a Pro! ---   LISTEN HERE 
(You may have to sign up for free if you do not use spotify) 

Michele Thomson signs with Five Star Sports Agency

Michele and Paul Lawrie

5 Star Sports Agency is delighted that Ladies European Tour Professional, Michele Thomson  has signed to be represented by the Sports Management & Events company owned by Paul Lawrie.

“I’m really pleased to have come on board with 5Star. I’ve known Paul for a number of years, having previously been supported through his Foundation. I’ve also been attached to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre for the last six months or so and it’s where I practise and play when not travelling and competing. It’ll be great to have the benefit of Paul’s experience both on and off the course. He’s seen all sides of the Pro game and knows exactly where we’re coming from as players. I also know most of my fellow 5Star clients and get along well with them so that’s great too.”

Michele joins the 5Star stable which, in addition to Paul, looks after European, Challenge Tour as well as Professionals on the LET Access and EuroPro Tours.

Michele is now looking forward to getting her season on the Ladies European Tour underway as soon as events can safely return and will have the full support and backing of Paul and the team at 5 Star Sports Agency when she does.

DRYBURGH Praises role model Rose for sponsoring new BRITISH Women’s Series

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman) 

Gemma Dryburgh has heaped prizes on Justin Rose for standing up to women’s golf by sponsoring a new seven tournament series for women professionals. The opening event of the Justin Rose Ladies series will begin with a one day tournament on 18 June at Brockenhurst Manor in Hampshire, Rose’s home county.

The schedule also includes a trip to Royal St George’s, which had been due to host The Open in July before it was cancelled by the R&A due to the coronavirus crisis.

“I was so amazed when I heard the news Justin and [wife] Kate would be contributing to a series of events for us female professionals,” said Dryburgh, who holds cards for both the LPGA and LET but is waiting for those circuits to start up again.

“Liz Young, one of my fellow players, also deserves a big shout out as she came up with the initial idea of having an event at her home course and it sounds like things transpired from there once Kate and Justin heard about the event at Brockenhurst Manor.

It is such a good feeling to have such a high-profile player like Justin supporting us. It takes people like him to stand up for the women’s game to help move us forward and help people realise we have a great product and deserve more coverage and opportunities to show our skills.”

Dryburgh is hoping to play in the first four events in the series, which is set to be screened on Sky Sports Golf, and will be joined in the first one by Laura Davies. “Justin has always been a role model of mine,” added Dryburgh of the 2013 US Open champion and current Olympic champion.

“I was lucky enough to get a picture with him when I was at university as we used to volunteer at the PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic, in New Orleans. Looking back on that moment now, it’s cool to think he’s now supporting these events that I’m going to be able to play in.”

Rose, who is believed to be contributing in the region of £35,000 as prize money, said he felt compelled to “step up and help” after reading about Liz Young and resident clubfitter Jason Macniven trying to run a ladies’ event at Brockenhurst Manor.

“I am sad that the Ladies European Tour has been suffering so badly and doesn’t really have a start date yet from what I know,” he said. “To me this seems somewhat unfair, my wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.”

Justin Rose to sponsor British women's golf series

The Rose Ladies Series will include a tournament at Royal St George’s Golf Club, which would have hosted men at Open Championship in July

By Kate Rowan 7 June 2020 • (The Telegraph) 

Justin Rose and his wife Kate are to sponsor a series of women’s golf tournaments for British professionals starting on June 18.

There will be seven events on the Rose Ladies Series including a tournament at Royal St George’s Golf Club, which would have hosted the men at the Open Championship next month before it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood that Rose, the 2013 US Open Champion and gold medallist at the Rio Olympics, is contributing £35,000 into the series as prize money, while all seven golf courses are giving up their facilities free of charge. All the tournaments will be played behind closed doors but Sky Sports will be broadcasting.

Last week the Sunday Telegraph revealed that golf would be the first women’s sport to return in Britain with the hosting of the Women’s Open at Brokenhurst Manor, a one-day event to be held on June 18. 

The tournament was the brainchild of Ladies European Tour player Liz Young and Jason MacNiven, who runs a custom club-fitting company at the Hampshire course. However, the event was without a sponsor and a broadcast partner. 

The Roses read about these efforts and were inspired to help as Justin felt it unfair that he will return to action on the PGA tour with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Texas on Thursday, two months before his female counterparts can do so. 

The Evian Championship, which is a major, is due to be held between August 6 and 10 at the Evian Resort in the French Alps but not all LET players would be eligible to play. The LET and LPGA are expected to return in August.

“I am keenly aware that I now have the opportunity to go back to work and compete on the PGA Tour but this is not the same for the ladies and some junior tours as well,” said Rose, who also sponsors the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship. 

“I am sad that the Ladies’ European Tour has been suffering so badly. To me this seems somewhat unfair my wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.

“The prize money is modest because it is me throwing in some money and then the ladies are paying an entry fee and being able to play for a pot. We wanted to give them the opportunity to play and to be ready for when the opportunities arise later in the summer.”

Other courses that have been signed up to host the JR Series are Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in Berkshire, JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter, Moor Park Golf Club and Buckinghamshire Golf Club

The Roses’ intervention has come at a time when women’s sport has been lagging behind the men in terms of re-opening in the UK with women’s football, rugby and netball leagues all cancelled with no imminent return date.

The cause is particularly close to Kate’s heart as she was a European champion gymnast. “I read about what Liz was trying to do and thought that Justin and I had to help”, said Kate.

“It is so important for the visibility of ladies’ golf that they can play at good courses and on TV because they need to be out there to both attract sponsors and keep their current sponsors happy as well as allowing more people to get to know who they are."  

PAUL LAWRIE INTERVIEWED BY WHITECRAIGS PRO DAVID ORR and more than £12,000 RAISED

David Orr and Paul Lawrie

Whitecraigs GC Professional David Orr held his last Zoom Meeting tonight to Non Members and his guest speaker was the 1999 British Open Champion Paul Lawrie. An excellent session was enjoyed by many.

DAVID AND WIFE RONA ORR HAVE NOW GOT TO THEIR  £12,000 TARGET 
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE JUSTGIVING PAGE FOR DETAILS

Kelsey MacDonald remains positive in shutdown

Relieved Scot puts frustration aside as she looks forward to getting back on course

• The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
• 9 Apr 2020
• STEVE SCOTT Twitter: @C_SScott

Kelsey MacDonald seemed poised for her breakthrough in professional golf just as the sporting world ground to a halt with the coronavirus pandemic, but the young Scot is definitely taking the positive side.

The 29-year-old from Nairn finished tied for fourth in the Investec South Africa Open, her best ever finish on the Ladies European Tour, but that was the last event before the shutters came down.

But, rather than be frustrated at having to down tools when her form was hot, Kelsey takes a broader view of what might have happened if the LET was still struggling on its own.

“The timing couldn’t have worked better for us, actually,” she said. “I’d hate to think of the position the Tour would have been in right now had the merger with the LPGA at the end of last year not happened.

“Mike Whan (LPGA commissioner) has done such an incredible job. There is probably going to be a little trough because of what’s happened, but hopefully in the next few years it’s going to be a tour that goes from strength to strength.

“If the merger hadn’t happened I think we would have been on our last legs. I’m grateful the timing has worked in our favour.”

That said, she finds now she’s restricted in her flat in Renfrew trying to work on her fitness and strength with a remote physical trainer, but unable to swing full out and properly.

“South Africa was brilliant, obviously getting tied fourth was my best performance to date. I was really happy with that,” she said.

“It’s just a bit gutting things have panned out this way, and it’s just a bit of a waiting game at the moment.

“I’ve got my putting mat, and I’m working on that, I have a routine and split my day into sections, but, although I can swing a club in the flat and I am doing a lot of mirror work, it’s never going to be the same.”

The next scheduled date for the LET is June 18-20 in France, but the big worry is the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon on August 20-23, which was Kelsey’s main target for the year.

“We have not heard anything yet, from speaking with our players’ council representative or anyone. I think it would be quite difficult for them to have the women’s championship and not have the men’s. I don’t know how that would go down.

“My goal for the year was playing in the British Open, among other things.

“I haven’t played in a British Open yet but I’m sitting 10th in the order of merit at the moment and that gives me a good chance to play this year.”

A prolonged break won’t be a problem for Kelsey after she missed a long spell with illness a couple of years ago, but, like everyone else, she’s gunning to get going again.

“I feel I am probably mentally a lot stronger in comparison possibly with some other girls because I was in that position of having to graft and get back,” she said.

“To me, this is not a worry at the moment, I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and control what I can.

“I think when we come back everyone will have the complete golf bug and there will be a lot of positives from it.

“Fitness-wise, I can do a lot without having to think that it could have an impact on my golf the next day.

“I can have fitness goals that will put me in good stead at the end of the season or if we have to restart next year.”

KELSEY MACDONALD FINISHES TIED 4TH IN THE SA WOMEN'S OPEN

Alice Hewson’s professional career couldn’t have started any better.

The 22-year-old from Hemel Hempstead in England won the Investec South African Women’s Open on her first start as a rookie member of the Ladies European Tour at Westlake Golf Club on Saturday, coming from three strokes behind the overnight leader, Olivia Cowan, to win by a shot on 5 under par 

 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Kelsey Macdonald had a closing round of 73 to be the leading Scot and to finish T4

SCOTS SCORES:

-3 Kelsey Macdonald 70,70,73 T4

+2 Hannah McCook, Jane Turner T22

+8 Michele Thomson T46

+9 Alison Muirhead T57

FINAL SCOREBOARD

Jane Turner finishes 4th in the SA Jabra Ladies Classic

Jane Turner - Click to Enlarge

Jane Turner finished in  4th place yesterday (Friday 6th March) in the Sunshine Ladies Tour Jabra Ladies Classic over Glendower Golf  Club in South Africa. 

She did not get the best start to her final round but was 4 under par for her closing 7 holes to finish on 5 under par. 

This also keeps her in 4th place in the investec Order of Merit, edging her closer to the others

This also gives her a place in the Ladies European Tour Jabra Ladies Open in France in May.

FULL SCOREBOARD