Ladies Golf News in Scotland, the West of Scotland and Renfrewshire
The West Vets Autumn Meeting was held at at West Kilbride yesterday and congratulations go to Rena Simpson of Kilmalcolm Golf Club who came in with a nett 70 to be the overall winner of the Autumn Meeting and the recipient of the Mary Craddock Trophy.
Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire GC came in with the best scratch score of 80, with May Hughes, Lanark GC runner up with 81 (last 6 holes)
To read more go to the West Vets Website
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| Winners - Anne McGillveray, Susan Griffin, and Kay McColl |
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| Runners - Up Irene Boyd, Barbara Aird and Pauline Warlow |
On Tuesday 31st of August, East Renfrewshire Golf Club was delighted to host the Tri-am event and lunch to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the West of Scotland Ladies Inter Club Leagues that compete for the Greenlees Trophy.
72 ladies from 25 different golf clubs in the West of Scotland were represented, teams ideally having a player from each of the three divisions.
The weather was calm and mild, with the sun appearing intermittently, resulting in almost perfect playing conditions. The golf course was at its best, having recovered its lushness after the long dry month of July.
After their round, ladies enjoyed a lovely lunch in the club lounge which had been decorated with balloons and bunting and were able to chat and catch up with old friends
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Lady Captain, Carole Spy from East Renfrewshire Golf Club spoke before the Prize giving and welcomed everyone, expressing her hope that they had all enjoyed their day. She gave an insight into East Renfrewshire Golf Club’s history of involvement in the Greenlees Trophy leagues. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE -------> VIDEO OF PRESENTATION or watch at end of post
Carole Spy said --
I hope you have all enjoyed playing East Ren in perfect golfing conditions and had fun with the bendy driver and left-handed putter on 18th. Watching on, there certainly seemed to be a lot of laughter, there were even several offers to buy the putter
Prizes were then awarded by Carole, with Val Crawford, the club’s Greenlees Secretary announcing the various winners.
A final vote of thanks was given by Maureen Mitchell, West of Scotland Greenlees Convenor.
Team USA dominated the final-day singles to retain the Curtis Cup with a crushing five-point victory over Great Britain and Ireland at Conwy.
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| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
FINAL LEADERBOARD AT CARNOUSTIE
WATCH INTERVIEW VIDEOS OF LOUISE AND ANNA - (The Daily Show) CLICK HERE -- plus interview video at end of post
Louise Duncan was delighted with the way she handled the increasing pressure and attention during the course of an unforgettable week at Carnoustie.
The 21-year-old Scot shot a level-par 72 on the final day to share in a tie for 10th and received a rapturous reception from her home crowd as she made her way over the Barry Burn to the 18th green.
The Women’s Amateur Champion now has more silverware for her collection having lifted the Smyth Salver – awarded to the leading amateur at the AIG Women’s Open.
It was a trophy lifted by newly-crowned Champion Anna Nordqvist in 2008 and Duncan’s performance has given her confidence she can take the increased expectations in her stride.
“I thought I handled it very well,” she said. “I thought I would crumble a wee bit but I seemed to hold my nerve out there and played well on the last day, which was ultimately my goal.
“It will maybe take a couple weeks to sink in. I feel over the moon with how I played and how I handled it.
“I had a great time, and yeah, really happy with how I played the past four days.
“It gives me a big confidence boost. I'll take this into my next few events and into next year as well.”
Duncan signalled her intent with a four-under 68 on the opening day at Carnoustie and, having comfortably made the cut, surged into Championship contention by repeating the trick on Saturday.
Resuming two shots adrift of the overnight leaders, a birdie at the first got her final round off to the perfect start before back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11, each greeted by hearty roars from the Scottish faithful, kept the fairytale dream alive.
The University of Stirling student could not make further inroads and bogeyed two of the testing final three holes but that did not stop her savouring the experience.
The Curtis Cup is next up from Thursday and, beyond that, Duncan admits she will now have to consider her options as she weighs up turning professional.
“I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen over the next year, year and a half or whatever,” she said.
“I’ve still got a couple years left at Uni and the amount of time I've been at Uni, I think I need a degree out of it.
“I don't really know what the plan is and I’ll have to sit down and have a wee think about it.
“[This week has been] outstanding, pretty surreal and yeah, just dead exciting.
“The 18th there, just the crowd cheering, I really appreciated the support. To have the fans behind me, it's been great.”
A Couple of photos from a fan - Courtesy of Susan Wood (Drumpellier) Scottish Girls -- Team Captain
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| Susan and Winner Anna |
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| Susan and leading Amateur Louise |
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| Videos when you click on highlights after clicking on Louise Duncan's name on the leaderboard |
An ecstatic Louise Duncan revelled in the backing of the home crowd after her dream week at Carnoustie continued with another outstanding performance in round three.
The reigning Women’s Amateur Champion enhanced her chances of completing a remarkable double triumph by shooting a four-under 68 on Saturday.
At seven-under for the Championship, the 21-year-old trails leaders Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen by just two shots and will play in the third-last group in the final round.
“It’s not really sunk in, to be honest. I don’t really know what I’ve just done. I just really enjoyed it out there,” said Duncan after matching the opening-day score that thrust her into the limelight.
After surging into contention with the aid of five birdies, Duncan fired a stunning approach into the final hole and was afforded a rapturous reception as she crossed the Barry Burn.
“It was special. It doesn’t get much better than that, really,” she added.
“To come over that bridge, it was all very surreal and I loved every moment of it. It felt great, to have everyone supporting me and cheering me on like that is just phenomenal, and I couldn’t thank everyone enough
“My phone’s been going absolutely mental, along with my socials as well. It’s great to have all the support and have all of Scotland behind me.”
Another standout moment for Duncan came on the 15th, where she holed a lengthy birdie putt to the delight of the spectators gathered around the green.
“I’d missed a couple of relatively short ones the past two holes for birdies, so I felt like I was kind of due a long one,” she explained.
Duncan is firmly on course to claim the Smyth Salver after opening up a commanding lead over the two other amateurs to make the cut, Lauren Walsh and Annabell Fuller.
Yet an even bigger prize could yet come Duncan’s way on Sunday as she seeks to become the first amateur to win the AIG Women’s Open since Marta Figueras-Dotti at Royal Birkdale in 1982.
The youngster knows she will be nervous as she chases victory, but the events of the last three days provide her with increased belief.
“It gives me a bit of confidence, to know that I actually can go out there and play well on a big stage in front of quite a few folk,” she added.
“I wouldn’t say (I feel) pressure, but I’d definitely say nerves. I’ve spoken about it all week.
“They’re definitely there and they still are there. I don’t think they’ll go away tomorrow either. Just being able to handle it, taking a few deep breaths before every shot has really helped.”
"I think she's a lot like me,” she said. “Quite quiet, just lets her golf do the talking.
“She's a very natural golfer. She just goes up and hits it which I think is a lot like me, too. She's an amazing talent and it was really nice to play with her.”
Other Scots playing are Kylie Walker, Kelsey MacDonald, Gemma Dryburgh and Catriona Matthew
CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING LINK-- LEADERBOARD
From the AIG Website -- AND LISTEN TO HER POST ROUND INTERVIEW
Louise Duncan was understandably elated after overcoming her nerves to shoot a fantastic 68 on day one of the AIG Women’s Open.
The Women’s Amateur Champion had acknowledged in the build-up to her major debut that she was feeling the pressure of competing on the biggest stage.
Yet Duncan looked totally at home on the famous Carnoustie links as she went round in four under to trail leaders Nelly Korda, Madelene Sagstrom and Sei Young Kim by just a single stroke.
“I played great,” said a smiling Duncan after her magnificent performance.
“I was happy to get it off the first and find the fairway … but I played steady all the way round, putted well and hit the ball really nice.
"It’s a bit surreal really, to be playing with the best players in the world and some really big names. It’s all a bit mad.
“I don’t really know how I managed to keep (my nerves) under control. I just tried to find the clubface really.”
The highlight of Duncan’s day came at the par-5 14th, where she followed back-to-back birdies by holing a 30-foot eagle putt to spark roars of delight from spectators.
“That was a great feeling. I wouldn’t have ever pictured that, to be fair, but it was brilliant, and to hear all the crowd, it’s a different experience to anything I’ve ever had,” added the 21-year-old Scot.
Her opening-day score matched the performance of illustrious playing partner and 2018 AIG Women’s Open Champion Georgia Hall, who provided a helping hand on Duncan’s big day.
“Playing with Georgia, she really settled me in there,” added Duncan. “She was lovely and chatted to me quite a bit. It definitely helped with the nerves.
“I think it was about the eighth hole when I started to calm down a wee bit, but it was great to play with Georgia. She was really lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
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| Louise Duncan West Kilbride |
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| Gillian Kyle and Ronnie Clark - Senior Teams |
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
🏌🏼♀️WEST KILBRIDE GIRLS’ OPEN 🏌🏼♀️
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| Louise Duncan (2021 British Women's Open Champion) Photo courtesy of the R&A |
West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan wrote her name in the record books as she won the R&A Women’s Championship final by the biggest margin in the event’s 128-year history.
The commentary team will be led by Dougie Donnelly, Mickey Walker and Kit Alexander. They will be joined on course by Trish Johnson and George Harper Jnr.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE STREAMING ON YOU TUBE
LIVE SCORING OF THE FINAL OF THE BRITISH WOMENS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP -- 36 HOLES
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| Quarter Final Matches - Click to enlarge |
Louise Duncan
Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) and Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) have all qualified for the quarterfinals tomorrow at Kilmarnock Barassie in the Women’s British Amateur Championship
Hannah Darling won in the morning against Rachael Foster ( Prestwick St Nicholas) by 1 hole and then had to go to the 22nd Hole this afternoon with a wonderful finish. One down after 17 she birdie the 18th to go to sudden death - Both had birdies at the 19th and par’d the 20th and 21st. Hannah then birdied the 21st Hole to progress to the quarterfinals
West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan had an easier day defeating Sara Byrne 6&4 this afternoon after finishing her morning match against Lottie Woad on the 16th hole in a 3&2 win.
Tomorrow she has set up a match with Jessica Baker who earned her place in the Quarter Final by winning the final three holes of her tie against Emma Allen for a 2 hole victory.
To read the full report go to the R&A Website
9 Scots have made it through to the 2nd round go the Women's British Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock Barassie --
Shannon McWillian (Aboyne), Grace Crawford (West Links Junior) Lorna McClymont (Milngavie), Hazel Macgarvie (Royal Troon), Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) , Hannah Darling, ( Broomieknowe), Rachael Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) and Jasmine Mackintosh (Murcar Links) have all made it through to the 2nd round.
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| Louise Duncan (Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf) |
Louise reached the semi-finals the last time the championship was played in 2019 and now she has the chance to go even further following an exceptional performance capped by a stunning eagle on her final hole.
The Scottish internationalist carded a one under par first round of 73 on Gullane’s No. 1 course before firing two eagles and four birdies in a bogey-free round on the host club’s No. 2 course to set a pace none of the other competitors could match.
Duncan’s nine under par 138 aggregate saw her top the list of 16 qualifiers a single shot ahead of fellow international Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), Penelope Brown (Auchterarder) and first round leader Luisa Gibson (Irvine) while Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Tara Mactaggart (Minto), another of the semi-finalists in 2019, also comfortably made it into the draw for the match play stage on seven under par 140.
Ellen Caton (St Regulus Ladies) and Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) also made the weekend with a minimum of fuss in a share of seventh place on 141, as did Jennifer Saxton (Dunfermline) who was alone in ninth place on 142, but it was a different story for Broomieknowe and Gullane member, Hannah Darling, who came into the championship as favourite following her win on Sunday at the St Rule Trophy but needed all her resolve to make it through after carding a morning round of 74 on No. 1.
In the end the teenaged GB & I Curtis Cup squad member showed why she is regarded as one of Scotland’s brightest prospects by carding six birdies in a battling four under par 69 which saw her climb up into a share of tenth place alongside Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) and Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) on four under par 143.
Chloe Goadby (St Regulus Ladies) reached the final two years ago at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and now has the chance to go one better after posting rounds of 72 and 73 to share 13th place with club-mate Gillian Paton and Katie Wright (Stranraer) on two under par 145.
It is the same for 2015 champion Clara Young (North Berwick) who posted rounds of 75 and 71 but then faced an anxious wait before claiming the sixteenth and last spot following a card countback on 146.
Carinne Taylor (Nairn) and Megan Ashley (Blairgowrie) were the unfortunate players to miss out on countback but they had the consolation of qualfying for the second flite competition involving those players finishing in 17th to 36th place in the stroke play.
The match play starts today (Saturday) and ends with the two finals on Sunday afternoon.
All scores from the 2021 Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship will be registered by players on the course using the Scottish Golf App. This means that live scores from Gullane will be available for everyone to follow on the Scottish Golf Website.