Troon Rookie Hazel MacGarvie set for DIY approach on the Ladies European Tour

Click here to read in the Glasgow Herald by Nick Rodger 15th January 2022

Those of you who keep an eye on the amateur golf scene may recall the name Pia Babnik. She was the Slovenian 15-year-old who romped to victory in the 2019 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open at Royal Troon and left the rest of the field so far behind, they may as well have been playing in the 2018 edition of the championship.

Babnik subsequently turned pro and, at just 17, won on the Ladies European Tour last season as she enjoyed the kind of explosive rise you’d get from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral.

For Troon rookie Hazel MacGarvie, the exploits of Babnik, and all those other youthful talents who have made big impressions on the women’s circuit, have been particularly eye-opening.

MacGarvie is the latest Scot to join the Ladies European Tour, having earned her card at December’s qualifying school. Far from being intimidated by the daunting standards set by the likes of Babnik, however, the 22-year old is inspired.

“There are so many young girls coming through and winning and it shows what is possible,” said MacGarvie. “It’s not players who have been on tour for 10 years. It’s girls coming straight from the amateur game, going out there and really making a name for themselves. It’s great to see.”

MacGarvie, who burnished her own impressive amateur career by joining decorated names such as 

Catriona Matthew and Annika Sorenstam on the St Rule Trophy, decided to make the pro plunge a few weeks before the q-school process got underway.

Some may have viewed that as a bit of a gamble. She could, after all, have entered q-school as an amateur to see how she fared but MacGarvie was eager to start a new chapter.

“I’d played amateur golf for a long time and I wanted a fresh challenge, whether that was pro golf or some other job” said MacGarvie, who was given a taste of the professional life with a couple of outings on

Paul Lawrie’s Tartan Pro Tour.

“I’d played some of Paul’s events and thought, ‘you know what, I may as well do it and try to give myself a chance to earn some money’. Getting my card at q-school justifies the decision.”

Negotiating nine rounds of the qualifying school rigmarole is not for the faint-hearted but, amid an anguish-laden atmosphere that just about leaves the debris of nibbled fingernails scattered on the greens, MacGarvie stood firm. Well, apart from a late shoogle.

“I double-bogeyed my final hole and walked off thinking ‘I’ve just bottled this coming down the 18th’,” she said of a slip that, mercifully, didn’t prove costly in the final analysis. “I had no idea at the time I could make a double bogey and still be safe.”

With that prized card tucked safely in her pocket, MacGarvie is now facing up to the reality of being a tour player. “I don’t have a management company or any sponsors just now so it’s a bit of a do-it-myself approach at the moment,” she said. “It’s quite eye-opening. Going from the amateur game, where you are well supported, suddenly you are on your own. The early season events on the tour are in Asia and Africa and I think they may be difficult for me financially. I’m going to wait until the European swing and kick on from there.”

A graduate of Stirling University, MacGarvie’s golfing education began as an eager four-year-old. As a teenager, meanwhile, she got the opportunity to play alongside Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters over her home course of Royal Troon prior to that year’s Open. There was a slight hitch.

“It was on the same day as my school maths exam so it was perhaps not my best decision to play golf,” said the former Vagliano Trophy player with a reflective chuckle.

“But we played early in the morning. And I passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.”

Having made the grade in the stern q-school examination, MacGarvie is now relishing the prospect of a 2022 campaign full of new opportunities and experiences on the tour.

“It’s a combination of nerves and anticipation,” she said. “I don’t feel any different to when I was an amateur golfer at the moment but I’m sure it will kick in when I get to my first event and think, ‘wait a minute, this is my job now’.”

HAZEL MACGARVIE SECURES HER LET CARD FOR 2022

Many congratulations go to Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) who has secured her LET card at her first attempt at Q School at La Manga after  turning Professional only 2 months earlier.

The other Scot to gain her card was Laura Beveridge (nee Murray)

Hannah McCook, Clara Young,  Jane Turner, Heather MacRae, Rahael Taylor, and Tara Mactaggart were unsuccessful

 FULL RESULTS

Read the full report from Martin Dempster (The Scotsman)

Jane Turner leads six Scots into LET Q-School final at La Manga

By Martin Dempster  The Scotsman -- CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT

Jane Turner took pride of place by finishing in the top 10 in the pre-qualifier at La Manga yesterday as six Scots progressed to the LET Q-School final at the same venue.

 

It was mission accomplished for Turner in her first competitive outing since June due to a shoulder injury as she ended up among just nine players to finish in red figures after 72 holes at the Murcia venue.

The two-time British Universities’ champion was joined in clearing the first hurdle in the annual LET card battle by Hazel MacGarvie, Hannah McCook, Clara Young, Tara Mactaggart and Rachael Taylor.

“Today was just very consistent,” said Turner of following her third-round 66 on Saturday on the North Course with a closing bogey-free two-under 71 on the South Course to finish eighth among 75 qualifiers on three-under.

McCook (71) and MacGarvie (74) finished alongside each other, just missing out on the top 20 on four-over, one ahead of Young (74).

Facing the most pressure among the Scots, Mactaggart signed off with a gutsy 72 to end up in a tie for 60th on 10-over in a group that also included Taylor (77).

FULL SCOREBOARD

Funeral Arrangements for Heather Anderson - Amendment to previous details

There has been a change of plan for Heather Anderson's Funeral due to Covid. The hearse will leave from Heather's home in Uplawmoor at 9.50am on Friday 26th November. 

 

It will travel down the village main street towards Cadwell GC -- (some of you may wish to pay your respects by standing at the roadside) The cortege will go slowly past the Golf Club going towards Irvine. 

There will be a service at 10.30am at Holmbridge Crematorium, Irvine ( KA11 4EF) to which all are invited. 

The service will also be streamed and the code will be listed on the Crematorium website. For clarification, there will not be a service at Caldwell Parish Church. 

 

After the service at the crematorium, Lesley has invited all to meet up at the Uplawmoor Hotel from 11.45am onwards. -- CLICK HERE FOR THE OBITUARY 

RENFREWSHIRE'S HEATHER ANDERSON FROM CALDWELL GOLF CLUB AND TROON LADIES HAS DIED

Heather at the Scottish Seniors Championship in 2004

It is with much sadness that I have to announce the death of Heather Anderson (Caldwell GC and Troon Ladies)  on the 8th November 2021 a month short of her 91st birthday. 

Heather was Scottish Champion in 1969 and in the Vagliano Team in that year. She was also the Renfrewshire County Champion 9 times, and a Scottish Ladies Internationalist in 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

Her life story featured in 2009 the RLCGA County Centenary Book  -- courtesy of Colin Farquharson (pages 36 - 38) - or CLICK HERE TO READ  and at the end  of this obituary -- at the RLCGA Centenary Dinner in 2009 -- a toast by Heather to the County. - YOU TUBE VIDEO

Her good friend -- Renfrewshire Counties' Liz Hale from Caldwell Golf Club wrote

Heather took up golf at the age of 17. Her passion, up until this point had been horse riding however, after a serious horse  riding accident at the Royal Highland Show, her parents managed to persuade her to sell her horses. She was then left with a choice on whether to take up badminton or golf. Golf won.

Heather joined Caldwell Golf Club, aged 17 and in the same year, competed and won the Paisley Grammar School Championship. By 1948, Heather had a handicap and started playing in the Medals at Caldwell GC which were played on Saturday afternoons after the gents. It was during this time that Heather met Ian, her future husband.

Heather partnered a number of accomplished golfers during her career including Findlay Black (who holds the record scorecard at Caldwell GC) - playing in the final of the Daily Mail Medal Foursomes at Gleneagles and Margaret Sharp at Troon Portland and at Caldwell GC with many successes. Heather also performed with style, most notably at the Highland Open Championship, Pitlochrie, where she donned trousers, shirt, cap and glove – all in the Anderson tartan. A competitor was overheard saying; ‘My God, it’s a bag of pipes she should be playing!’.

By 1958, Heather was a scratch golfer and was chosen to play for the Renfrewshire Team which she continued to do over a span of 32 years.

In 1964, Heather’s international career took off.

Heather played for Scotland in the Home Internationals in Sweden and France. She led the team in the European Championship and then two months later, Scotland won the Home International at Western Gailes. This was when Heather defeated the National Champion of England, of Ireland and of Wales, finishing the series with 100% success and earning the honour of being asked to play for Great Britain and Ireland.

Heather’s most memorable win, of course, was at West Kilbride when she won the

Scottish Ladies’ Championship in 1969. There was a gold Medal but no prize money at that time and her daughter Lesley was seen to be building sand castles in the bunker to celebrate her victory !!

However, history was made when Heather was presented with a replica owned by the late Jean McCulloch of West Kilbride. Jean had, in her earlier years, won the Scottish title on three occasions between 1913 and 1928 and it was this last replica that Heather regraded as one of her most treasured possessions. 

In 1980, Heather turned professional, only the second lady professional in Scotland, at that time and then reinstated in 1985 to the amateur ranks. 

In the same year, Heather received an Honourable Membership at Caldwell GC. 

Heather was Ladies Caldwell GC Champion (19 times) as well as winning many other trophies. She was  our current Ladies President. --  She was truly an inspiration to us all! 

Since her 80th birthday in 2010 Heather still managed to play golf up until about 2016 and featured throughout the last decade with various achievements -- 

In 2013 She entered a competition through 'How Did I do' . It was to tell a story about a memory of the 'Open'.

Heather's memory told about the time when her young daughter, Lesley, had approached Gary Player and asked for his autograph for her Mum. He was delighted to give this. At which point Lesley asked 'Would you like me to get my Mum's autograph now to give to you ?

This story made Heather one of the prize winners --  and to top it all she was informed she could bring a friend - and her friend invited was Liz Hale 

A round of golf at Muirfield (with Caddy) on Thursday 20th June, just before the closing of the course to perpare for the Open.

2 nights stay at the McDonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick . (Taxi to the Course included)

Golf Clinic With Darren Clark followed by Buffet Lunch.

Dinner on Thursday Evening with 'Q and A session' with Darren Clark.

They both had a marvellous day  --  the Marine was comfortable, friendly and good food. The clinic with Darren Clark was really informative and interesting - driving and short game- always something relevant you remember to take away with you.

This was followed by a wonderful buffet lunch in the Clubhouse before going out for our round of golf.

We were put into ten teams of four. As Heather and Liz were the only two ladies it was funny to see the expressions on the faces of the two Irish gentlemen who had been landed with us. They were great to play with.

The weather was good, sunshine and they each had a caddy. Heather played well which made the game enjoyable for her and Darren Clark played 2 holes with their team.

It was a great experience to play the course and made watching The Open itself more interesting.

After the game they returned to the Hotel where there was a prizegiving dinner with Darren Clark hosting a question and answer session. The men were given ties with the Claret Jug embroidered on it while Heather and Liz were each given a lovely silver brooch of the Claret Jug --  Nice keepsake.

A really enjoyable experience - a well deserved experience for Heather to add to all her very many golfing achievements. She was quite sad to come away from Muirfield.

In 2014 she was  first Commonwealth  Games baton bearer in her home town of Uplawmoor in East Renfrewshire. The BBC reported that -- Heather has long been an active member of the community and has been involved with the local council, the church board and the church choir. She is also an accomplished golfer, and won the Scottish Ladies Championship in 1969

It was an early start for Heather as she had to be there  for 6.15am!! The carrying of the torch was at 7.30am and the rain held off. All TV cameras and eyes on Heather in her blue and white uniform as she carried the torch about 400 yards before handing it on. Quite an honour and a day to remember for Heather. Half the village turned out  to see her and we were all given a lovely breakfast in the local hall afterwards. Heather had her hair done the day before and the first thing she asked her daughter on the  the morning of the event was -'Is my hair alright?'  She did well!!

Heather played in the West Vets Summer Meeting in 2016 over her Home course Caldwell with your webmaster Carol Fell who was so impressed with her still wonderful swing -- SO EASY!!

 

Heather, Wendy and Aileen

 
Later that year she was then awarded Honorary Membership of the West Vets at the 2016 AGM alongside Aileen Wilson to join Wendy Cameron as the 3 Honorary Members. -- 

See West Vets Website for a few old photos

Liz Hale said today  "Heather fought bravely for the last year but died peacefully at home which is what she would have wanted. Her daughter Lesley looked after her very well ".

"Before her illness, Heather was always ready for a coffee and chat and enjoyed going down to Troon to catch up with her long term golf 'pals' there.

A long and successful career with a swing that was 'easy and consistent'.  Not many golfers go off golfing in Portugal in their mid eighties!

She was the oracle at Caldwell and a respected and much liked lady President of the Club - She will be missed at  Caldwell  and missed in her very much loved village of Uplawmoor."

Heather’s funeral  will be on Friday 26th November. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMENDED FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS 

There will be a video / streaming of the service . I think these are usually on the website for a few days. A code is required which I shall send to you as soon as I have it.

Lesley has asked for no flowers  but possible to make a donation to Hessilhead  - Wild Life Rescue at Beith    Liz Hale

TO READ A THANK YOU FROM HEATHERS DAUGHTER LESLEY -- CLICK HERE

Finally a happy memory from 2009 -- a toast to the County ! -- Much laughter and hilarity -- Rest in peace Heather 

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

Ten West of Scotland players selected for Home Internationals

Gillian Kyle and Ronnie Clark - Senior Teams 

Following the publication of a revised schedule for amateur championships and international matches for 2021, a consolidated series of home international matches for boys and girls, women, senior men and women will take place at one venue for the first time.  

Woodhall Spa will play host to the best amateur golfers that England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have to offer for the matches from 4-6 August in 2021. 

Scottish Womens' Team

Hannah Darling (Brommieknowe)

Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)

Hazel MacGarvie  (Royal Troon)

Tara McTaggart (Minto)

Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)

Scotttish Women
Gillian, Elaine, Fiona, Karen and Karen M

Scotttish Womens' Seniors Team - 

(Fiona de Vries - non playing Captain)

Karen Ferguson-Sneddon (Mortonhall)

Karen Marshall ( Barberton)

Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)

Elaine Moffat ( St Regulus)

Scottish Mens' Seniors Team 

Ronnie Clark (Erskine), - Playing Captain

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon), 

Derek Paton (Dunnikier Park) and 

Stewart Henderson (Hamilton)

Scottish Girls' Team

Grace Crawford (Noth Berwick)

Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs)

Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Robyn Fowlie (Forfar)

Katie Graham (Hamilton)

Carmen Griffith (Aboyne) 

Scottish Boys' Team

Archie Finnie (Royal Burgess) 

Cameron Adam, Royal Burgess) 

Brothers Connor & Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie)

Daniel Bullen (Auchterarder), 

Ross Laird (Glenbervie), 

Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

Calum Scott (Nairn).

Read More on the  SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

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

Lesley Lloyd is the 2021 West Vets Championship and wins her 4th Title

  

Joanne Sharp and Champion Lesley Lloyd
Photo courtesy of Chris Fowler

The semi finals and finals of the West Vets Championship took place at Renfrew Golf Club yesterday.

Ayrshire County Captain -  Joanne Sharp (Kimarnock Brassie) made her way into the final with some great play -- She beat Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) at the 18th in Tuesday's quarter final and in an exciting semi final won at the 20th hole against Donna Jackson (Troon Ladies) to meet previous 3 times holder of the title Lesley Lloyd (Troon Ladies) in the final.

Lesley had a close encounter with Liz Stewart in the other Semi final and kept up her good form to beat Joanne 4&3 in the final.

New member Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton)was the winter of the Stewart Handicap trophy 

Results

Championship Semifinal: 

Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Donna Jackson (Troon) 2nd extra hole

Lesley Lloyd (Hayston) bt Liz Stewart (Greenburn) 3 & 2

 

Championship Final:

Lesley Lloyd bt Joanne Sharp 4 & 3

 

Stewart Trophy (Handicap) Semifinal:

Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) bt Ann Shanks (Dumbarton) 2 & 1

Anita McMillan (Erskine) by Lyn Black (East Renfrewshire) 3 & 2

 

Stewart Trophy Final:

Josephine Monaghan bt Anita McMillan 7 & 6

To read the full report go to the West Vets Website 

West Vets Championship -- Day 1

The West Vets 1st and 2nd rounds of the Championship were played yesterday over Renfrew Golf Course with some new faces in the mix.

The Semi Finals and Final will take place tomorrow Thursday 20th May

Semi Final 

Joanne Sharpe (Kilmarnock Barassie) v Donna Jackson (Troon Ladies)

Lesley Lloyd (Troon Ladies) v Liz Stewart (Greenburn) 

All results can be viewed on the West Vets Website 

Gillian Kyle is the leading Qualifier for the West Vets Championship

Gillian Kyle and Lesley Lloyd

Gillian Kyle  from East Renfrewshire GC was the winner of the West Vets Summer Meeting at Cathkin Braes yesterday with a scratch score of 78 to be the leading qualifier for the West Vets Championship at Renfrew Golf Club next week. 

She was closely followed by her Scottish Vets team mate Lesley Lloyd (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) with a 79.

Leading Scratch

Gillian Kyle  (East Renfrewshire) 78

Lesley Lloyd  (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 79

Pauline Cameron  (The Ladies Golf Club Troon) 81

Janice Paterson  (Drumpellier) 81

Liz Stewart (Greenburn) 81

 

Handicap leading scores:

Pauleen Cameron (The Ladies Golf Club Troon)  81- 9= 72

Marion Mason ( Milngavie) 86-14 =72

Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 81-8 = 73

Ann Shanks (Dumbarton) 91-17=74

 

The WestVets Championship and Stewart Trophy (handicap), which will take place next week on Tuesday 18^th May and Thursday 20^th May at Renfrew Golf Club

Championship Draw 

Handicap Draw 

To read the full report and results go to the West Vets Website

The Death of Lady Marjory MacSween - A golfing Tribute

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the sudden death of Lady Marjory MacSween (nee Brown) who was well known to many in the West of Scotland golfing circles and beyond. 

Marjory was brought up in Strathaven, attended Hamilton Academy and was School Captain.  Although she was very sporty and was Captain of the hockey team, she was also very clever and went on to study medicine at Glasgow University.

It was there that she met Roddy MacSween a fellow medical student and married him in 1961.

Marjory became a dermatologist and like her husband was a fine golfer, and supported him in all his professional activities.

She also had a great love of Kintyre with the MacSween cottage in Southend which they restored from an old ruined cottage.

She had a special friendship with Scotland’s Belle Robertson (Dunaverty, Troon Ladies and Dunbartonshire and Argyll Ladies' County Golf Association), Jennifer Mack (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)  and also with Isabel Crawford (SLGA and Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) who all had known her for many years and enjoyed holidays down in Southend, Kintyre.

She had a very interesting life and had many friends world-wide. She was devoted to her husband and son Gordon and daughter Ruth - all golfers of course! - and to her five grandchildren 2 in Canada and 3 in England. 

She was a  member of Dunaverty, The Ladies Golf Club Troon, Past member of East Renfrewshire Golf Club where she was Ladies’ Captain in 1985 and Strathaven Golf Club where she was Ladies' Captain in 1976

She was also an active past member of Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association. 

She played in the West of Scotland Greenlees Team,  a past Greenlees Team Captain 

and a Past Ladies’ Captain of Dunaverty. 

She won many trophies and her biggest highlight of her golfing career was reaching the final of the Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Championship in 1999 played over Whitecraigs Golf Club. She played Donna Jackson on that day and although she lost was amazed and so very proud to have made such an achievement.

From the RLCGA General Meeting Minutes (3rd November 1999).

The Captain’s AGM Report stated:

The Championship was played at Whitecraigs amidst snow storms.  Dr Marjory MacSween stormed her way to the final beating shell-shocked county team members on the way.  In the final against Donna Jackson, Donna played like a true champion but credit goes to Marjory who did not go down without a fight.

Some Tributes 

Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies, Dunaverty)

Marjory and I first met in the late 50's when we were both holidaying in Southend, Kintyre.  Marjory's father Dr Brown had a caravan just over the wall from Jock McVicar's house. Jock has been a close friend of the family for many years.   

Isabel Crawford was also a regular at that time as she had relations living in Southend.    I then found myself working for Marjory in the mid 60's when she was in the Dermatology Department of the Western Infirmary.   I admired her enormously as she seemed to cope with so many things and was super-efficient in all aspects of her life.     Over the years we played countless games of golf over Dunaverty, a course very dear to both of us.  Marjory was a very down to earth person and a wonderful source of information about so many things.    She was great at telling a story and it was always interspersed with humour.    

She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren who so loved spending time with their 'Granny Mac'!    

In the words of her daughter in law, she was so bright, bubbly, caring and never complained in spite of her many health issues.       

She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.’.

Sallie Harkness (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies) 

Marjory joined the Saturday (old) Girls playing at Troon and we also would play on Wednesdays. If the weather was poor we usually went for lunch at Parklands or Loks or the Orchard Park. Marjory was great company whether on the golf course or at the lunch table. She loved Troon but was before a member at East Renfrewshire Golf Club 

In recent years Marjory was attending the Victoria for regular blood transfusions but she did not let her illness get her down and continued with golf when she could. She was still driving her car, busy in the kitchen and garden and keeping in touch via the internet using  FaceTime, Zoom and e-mails.

It’s hard to believe that she is no longer with us for her departure was very sudden. We all miss her for we shall not see her like again.

Isabel Crawford (Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) 

I had known Marjory for over 60 years!

We holidayed at Southend in July, Marjory in August … her caravan was always parked at the end of Dunaverty beach to be near Angus and Jean MacVicar (their son Jock, became the long-time renowned Scottish Daily Express golf journalist)

They were great friends and Marjory and her sister Anne were often to be found in Achnamara for a wee bit of home baking while their father fished in the local rivers and lochs.

It was really that association that encouraged both Marjory and Roddy to play golf.

It was Angus MacVicar who encouraged Marjory to play and they had many keenly fought rounds over Dunaverty.

Marjory loved Southend and thoroughly enjoyed being there with her family … she was a very welcoming hostess, extremely kind to many local events and to villagers and took pleasure in keeping up with all village news and gossip !

Her zest for life, her lovely sense of fun and humour, and her keen interest in folk in Kintyre made her a popular semi local !

Her influence will be felt in this part of the world for many years

Carol Fell (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)

I met Marjory through East Renfrewshire Golf Club and playing County Golf. 

Roddy’s end of life care in 2015 was in Mearnskirk Hospital in Newton Mearns as was my mothers. Marjory and I used to chat on numerous occasions and even at these sad times she did make me laugh. I remember one day looking out of Mum’s bedroom window and seeing  Marjory’s daughter Ruth and her new husband on their wedding day, the sun shining and all the family sitting with Roddy out in the hospital gardens — It was such a special day for them all. 

She was a very special person and will be missed by so many including all those from RLCGA that knew her so well

Anne Jamieson (Strathaven Golf Club Ladies Section) - Marjory joined as member in 1956 and was Ladies' Captain on 1976. She played in our annual Past Captains’ Competition until a few years ago and regular visited the club with her sister Anne until lockdown. She will be fondly remembered by those who all knew her.

Donna Jackson (RLCGA and Troon Ladies)

Marjory was a lovely lady, and so sorry to hear the sad news — and I do remember that County Championship final at Whitecraigs played in the snow — which brought it all back !! Always enjoyed a wee chat when down at Troon playing on a Saturday with the Saturday Girls.

From the Glasgow Herald  Isabel Dawson said -- We remember her with real affection, it is only a few weeks since she addressed the haggis for us at our Lunch and Social Club for people living with dementia, using the Burns book presented to her mother at Glasgow High School 100 years ago. Marjory had been a committed volunteer at the club for many years. As we remembered her it was with thankfulness for the fun and laughter she brought into our lives

GLASGOW HERALD --- MACSWEEN - Lady Marjory With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Lady Marjory MacSween. Wife of the late Professor Sir Roddy MacSween, irreplaceable mother of Ruth and Gordon, mother-in-law to Graeme and Jo, beloved Granny Mac to grandchildren Ben, Tess, Jamie, Sammy and Alex, she will be missed by all. She was a true force of nature in her time, and those who knew her will miss her joie de vivre, her soup, her baking, and her general enthusiasm for all things, especially family, friends, golf, and garden. Determined, strong, competitive, witty, and sharp as a tac to the end, her legendary putt-sinking, card-sharpening and crossword-solving skills and her utterly indomitable spirit will live on for some time, we suspect. A fitting Celebration of Life will be held at a later date - Ruth and Gordon will confirm when lock down allows   

CLICK HERE TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD THIS TRIBUTE 

From Gordon MacSween (Son)

Just to say thanks to you all for contributing to this fantastic tribute to Mum - both in writing it and creating the stories themselves! 

 I remember Mum calling in after each round of the Renfewshire Ladies' County Championships with another scalp for team MacSween - one of the many things she did that continue to inspire me and her grandchildren. 

 These stories are so heartwarming to hear, and we're looking forward to more when we can all meet to celebrate Mum's life - hopefully in September.

Scottish Golf cancels first three national events in 2021 due to COVID restrictions

Scottish Golf has cancelled its first three 2021 national championships, all scheduled for April, because of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

The decision to call off the Scottish Boys’ Open, Scottish Girls’ Open and Scottish Women’s Open (Helen Holm) follows talks between the governing body, sportscotland and the Scottish Government.

Unlike elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, courses in Scotland are currently open. But, with restrictions still set to be in place in April, the events at Lundin, Longniddry and Royal Troon have all been scrapped.

“Following the latest update from the First Minister, and further discussions with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government, it is with regret that Scottish Golf has taken the decision to cancel the hosting of our first three national championships,” said a statement. “To avoid creating additional pressure on tee-sheets at our host venues, and to give club members as much access to their course as possible, we will not be rescheduling these events.

“We will be in touch with everyone who has entered to issue a full refund in due course.”

The entire 2020 Scottish Golf schedule was scrapped because of the pandemic but the plan is to look at events individually going forward this year.

For national open events, a decision will be made at the closing date. For national closed events, it will be two weeks before the practice day and, for national club events, a call will be made one week before the start date.