Kylie loses in 1st round of the Matchplay Stages in Spain

England's Kerry Smith and Breanne Loucks from Wales are the only British players to survive the first day of match-play in the Spanish women's open amateur golf championship at La Reserva Golf Club, Cadiz today (Friday).
Michelle Thomson from Ellon, 15th of the 32 qualifiers and chasing a place in the GB&I Curtis Cup team to be named next week, won her opening tie by one hole against Spaniard Sonia Cologan but lost by 4 and 3 in the afternoon to the No 2 seed from Germany, Caroline Masson.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), who qualified in 20th position, was beaten 6 and 5 in the first round by 13th qualifier Kerry Smith (England)
Collated results

SPANISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
La Reserva G C, Cadiz.
First round
C Ciganda (Spa) bt L Stempfle (Ger) 6 and 5.
N Jimenez (Spa) b t J Hedwall (Swe) 2 and 1.
S James (Eng) bt L Gonzalez-Escallon (Spa) 1 hole.
A Zwanck (Spa) bt B Buendia (Spa) 2 hooles.
C Hedwall (Spa) bt S Popov (Ger) at 20th.
L Mar (Spa) bt L Andre (Fra) 5 and 3.
K Smith (Eng) bt K Walker (Sco) 6 and 5.
I Boineau (Fra) bt C Patussi (Ita) 3 and 2.
A Goumard (Fra) bt A Vilatte (Fra) 3 and 2.
R Connor (Eng) bt J Jansson (Swe) 2 and 1.
L Henriksson (Fin) bt H Aitchison (Eng) 1 hole.
E Alonso (Fra) bt A Bonetti (Fra) 1 hole.
A Urchegui (Spa) bt M Ricordeau (Fra) 2 and 1.
B Loucks (Wal) bt L Larsson (Swe) 3 and 1.
M Thomson (Sco) bt S Cologan (Spa) 1 hole.
C Masson (Ger) bt C Herbin (Fra) 3 and 2.

SECOND ROUND - Ciganda bt Jimenez 8 and 7, Zwanck bt James 3 and 2, C Hedwall bt Mar 5 and 3, Smith bt Boineau 3 and 2, Goumard bt Connor 2 holes, Henriksson bt Alonso 4 and 3, Loucks bt Urchegui 6 and 4, Masson bt Thomson 4 and 3.
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

Lochwinnoch Open Day -- The Glenhead Trophy

Lochwinnoch Ladies’ Open Day for The Glenhead Trophy is on Saturday 26th July 2008
Format: Stableford
Entry fee: £8
Prize list:
􀂃 The Glenhead Trophy
􀂃 Scratch and handicap prizes
􀂃 Longest drives
􀂃 Nearest the pins
􀂃 Team prize – Team prize – enter a team of 6 or more to qualify
􀂃 and other individual prizes
Catering:
Snacks and meals available all day
To enter:
Please send a completed entry form with entry fee to:
􀀍 Ladies’ Open Day, Lochwinnoch Golf Club,Burnfoot Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AN
􀀋 Contact Lorraine McLatchie on 01505 814131
􀀛 Email admin@lochwinnochgolf.co.uk
CLICK HERE FOR THE OPEN DAY POSTER

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

Kylie Walker qualifies for the matchplay stages in Spain

Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) were among the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages from a starting field of 99 in the Spanish women's open amateur golf championship for the Queen's Cup at La Reserva Golf Club, Cadiz today.
In windy conditions for the second qualifying round, Curtis Cup team candidate Michele actually improved by one shot on the first day with a 76 for 153 to be the 15th seed with a first-round tie against the 18th qualifier, Sonia Cologan (Spain).
Kylie went back from an opening 74 to an 80 but her total of 154 gave her 20th place in the match-play draw. She will play England's experienced international, Kerry Smith, the Waterlooville chef, in the first round.
Rachel Connor, daughter of the Scots-born Manchester Golf Club professional, qualified with a 76 for 153. She will play Josephine Jansson (Sweden).
Other Brits who qualified were Breanne Loucks (Wales), Holly Aitchison (England) and Kerry Smith (England), all on 152, and Sian James (England) on 155.
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) and Jane Turner (Mortonhall) missed the cut (two on 157 got through, five on the same mark did not). Rachael had a repeat 81 for 162 while Jane had an 81 for 167.
Bad news for the GB&I Curtis Cup team selectors who meet next week to choose the eight to face the United States over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May was that only three of their Elite Squad - Thomson, Loucks and Smith - made it through while some of the players regarded as near-certainties for selection failed to qualify in Spain - Liz Bennett (157 but eliminated on a second-round comparison), Naomi Edwards (158) and Florentyna Parker (159).

MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
140 C Ciganda (Spa) 69 71.
143 C Masson (Ger) 75 68.
145 A Goumard (Fra) 73 72.
156 I Boineau (Fra) 74 72.
149 C Hedwall (Swe) 78 71.
150 E Alonso (Fra) 77 73, A Urchegui (Spa) 74 76.
151 B Buendia (Spa) 77 74, L Gonzalez-Escallon (Bel) 73 78.
152 B Loucks (Wal) 77 75, H Aitchison (Eng) 76 76, L Mar (Spa) 75 77, K Smith (Eng) 75 77.
153 R Connor (Eng) 77 76, M Thomson (Sco) 77 76, N Jimenez (Spa) 75 78, J Hedwall (Swe) 74 79.
154 S Cologan (Spa) 77 77, J Jansson (Swe) 74 80, K Walker (Sco) 74 80, L Andre (Fra) 74 80.
155 L Henriksson (Fin) 78 77, L Larsson (Swe) 76 79, S James (Eng) 76 79, A Zwanck (Spa) 76 79.
156 M Ricordeau (Fra) 79 77, A Bonetti (Fra) 76 80, S Popov (Ger) 75 81, C Patussi (Ita) 75 81, A Vilatte (Fra) 73 83.
157 C Herbin (Fra) 81 76, L Stempfle (Ger) 80 77 (better second rounds).

MATCH-PLAY QUARTERS
Ciganda v Stempfle, Jimenez v J Hedwall, Gonzalez-Escallon v James, Buendia v Swanck.
C Hedwall v Popov, Mar v Andre, Smith v Walker, Boineau v Patussi.
Goumard v Vilatte, Connor v Jansson, Aitchison v Henriksson, Alonso v Bonetti.
Urchegui v Ricordeau, Loucks v Larsson, Thomson v Cologan, Masson v Herbin.

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

Spanish Amateur Open- Kylie Walker does well in the 1st Round

This week's Spanish women's open amateur golf championship at La Reserva, Cadiz is the last chance for the LGU's Elite Squad to impress the GB&I selectors before the Curtis Cup team of eight is chosen next week for the match against the Americans over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.
But all the Curtis Cup aspirants trailed behind 21-year-old former Scottish schoolgirls champion Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), - not a member of the Elite Squad - in today's first round. Kylie shot a two-over-par 74 to be sharing fifth place behind the Spanish wonder girl, Carlota Ciganda.
It would be wrong to class this as a flash in the pan performance by Miss Walker because she played very well in the Portuguese women's open amateur championship two or three weeks ago when she finished joint seventh.
Ciganda, one of the world's top-rated female amateurs with a handicap of +5.4, won the British women's open amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds last June and she was a runaway winner of the recent Portuguese women's open amateur title.
Today the slim 17-year-old, who will have her pick of the top American colleges for a golf scholarship in the autumn, set a cracking pace over a course only she seemed to find comparatively easy.
Carlota, from the bull-run Spanish city of Pamplona, had a four-under-par round of 69 to open up a four-stroke lead from one Spanish and two French competitors on 73.
England's Kerry Smith, who is one of the LGU Elite Squad, led the rest of the Brits in the field of 99, all of whom had to have at least a handicap of scratch before they could get into the championship. She had a 75.
Michele Thomson from McDonald Ellon, who gave Carlota Ciganda her toughest tie in last summer's "British" - she lost on the 18th green, had a 77. Michele finished third behind Ciganda and Florentyna Parker in the "Portuguese" and has had some intensive one-on-one coaching from Neil Marr since then.
Other Scots' scores were an 81 by Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) and an 86 by Jane Turner (Mortonhall).

Leader Board (first day)
1 .- Carlota Ciganda (Spain) 69
2 .- Alexandra Vilatte (France) 73
+ .- Goumard Audrey (France) 73
+ .- Laura Gonzalez-Escallón (Belgium) 73
5 .- Ane Urchegui (Spain) 74
+ .- Isabelle Boineau (France) 74
+ .- Lucie Andre (France) 74
+ .- Jacqueline Hedwell (Sweden) 74
+ .- Josephine Jansson (Sweden) 74
+ .- Kylie Walker (Scotland)74
Click Here to See Today's Complete Results

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

SLGA Entry Forms

Looking for your entry forms for all the official SLGA events for 2008 --- Go to the SLGA Website

Milngavie Golf Club Duo are Champions of D&A County

Anna Telfer and Katy MacAulay(pictured left) of Milngavie GC captured the first trophy of the season when they won the Dunbartonshire and Argyll Ladies County Winter Foursomes on Sunday February 24th.
The competition runs from October through to March and Katy and Anna have played 4 rounds on different courses in all kinds of weather.
The final was played over the 'neutral' course of Cardross and their opponents were Kay McColl and Helen Burnet of Hilton Park (pictured above with Katy and Anna)
Anna said 'Our hearts sank when we realised that we were to be playing to 18 winter greens as we had to give 12 shots. However, we pitched and putted really well and that was the key factor in the very wet conditions.'
The final result was a 6 and 5 victory to the Milngavie pair.

SLGA Squad lose at Dunbar

A SLGA squad took on the Dunbar Men's League team over a very cold and windswept Dunbar links today. The format was four-ball, better-ball, with the girls playing from the white tees. They received two strokes (the difference in the SSSs)
With the wind at their backs on the outward half, it was up to the girls to build up a lead as after the turn it was quite a battle against the elements, and a struggle to get any length.

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Laura Murray (Alford) were the only members of SLGA squad to record a win when they beat Michael Creasey and John Archibald by 4&3.
The Northern Counties combination of Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and Sammy Vass (Tain) halved with Stephen Easingwood and Darren Kilfara.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Rebecca Wilson (Monifeith) lost by 4&2 to Tam Caldwell and Ali Thomson.
Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) and Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) lost by 4&3 to Scott Knowles and Stephen Simmants.
Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore) and Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) lost by 4&3 to Brian Reid and Gary Queen
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

County Medals run as Open Days with different CSS for Home and Away Players

This is just some information for the Counties (only) that are using Club 2000 software to run their Competitions. At the SLGA AGM I enquired if a County Medal would be the classified the same as an Open Day for the calculation of a different CSS for the home players and away players and the answer was YES. Since then we were informed at the handicap seminars that by ticking a visitors box this would allow your record to be changed. However on trying this it still did not work. I have since then emailed Glyn Roberts (Head of Club 2000) and this was his reply last week
With regard to your query above, we have discussed this with SLGA and SGU (amongst others) and we have agreed with the various unions that we will enable County sections to change the Visitor marker when amending records. Whilst we have coded this, we haven't yet released it. I think we probably will release the next build later this week though. All users who are connected will automatically get the update. The next build will be v10.2 build 7, so keep an eye on the version details in the lower left corner of the splash screen when launching the software. Once it changes to build 7 you should be able to amend a record and alter the Visitor check box quite easliy. This update was done this week
I have since checked it out and all works well ---- Hopefully we will never need to use this ruling since it is unlikely that a County Medal will have 20 or more "HOME" players playing --- although it is possible.

Volunteer for the Ladies Scottish Open at The Carrick

Mrs Lynn Mitchell 46 Queen Victoria Drive Glasgow. G14 9DJ. Tel. 0141 954 9427 07711 340897 (Mob)
Email lynn.mitchell1@ntlworld.com

The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open The Carrick at Cameron House 1st – 3rd May 2008
A very Happy New Year for 2008 to everyone! I am delighted to tell you that it has been officially announced that there will be a repeat of the Ladies Scottish Open at the Carrick both under new sponsorship and earlier in the season.
Once again I have been asked to put together a team of volunteers to undertake a wide range of duties. In its inaugural year at the Carrick, I was extremely grateful for all your support and assistance throughout the bad weather and long shifts. However this year I hope to adopt a three-shift system. In order to organise this I do need as many volunteers as possible. So if you know of any others who might be interested, please let me know and I can send them details. The duties are as follows:
a) Static Greenside Scorers at every third hole exit, to take the scores from the players and relay them to Score Control. There will be no walking scorers, except possibly for the last 4-6 matches on the Saturday.
b) Ladies to operate the 6 Leader Boards around the golf course.
c) Ladies to operate the Main Score Board in the tented village.
d) Score Board Carriers. There is the possibility of having some carry boards with the games this year (a gasp of horror!). However it has been suggested that the boards be strapped onto a pull or battery trolley, which means we “wheel” rather than carry them! Those walking with games will have the opportunity to see the golf played by our top European and American players.

If you are interested in helping this year, I attach a form (See link at the end of this article) for you to indicate - Which duties/slots you would like to cover (I promise to work on shorter shifts) and Information I need concerning uniform sizes (please tell me both your lady’s and comparable gent’s size e.g. size 14 / gents M)
Please return the form to me at the above address as soon as possible but no later than 10th February. If unable to help, a nil response would be appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With kind regards,
Lynn Mitchell, Chief Scorer.

I thought you might like to get the update on the Ladies Scottish Open. Lots of positive improvements on site since last years' tournament:

1. New practice putting green being constructed on the site of last year's tented village.
2. New practice area around the ground by the 2nd hole green and 3rd hole Tee under construction.
3. The tented village (possibly the site of our score control, Ray's Tent) will be situated where the practise nets were last year.
4. And a BIG BONUS! There will be parking on site in the field on the right hand side of the driveway into the Carrick. I.e. between the security manned gate and road. NO PARK AND RIDE! This area should take about 400 cars.

Volunteer Form

Spanish Seniors - Final Result

CLASIFICACIÓN FINAL
1.- Viveca Hoff (SWE) 153 (74+79)
2.- Marina Buscaini (ITA) 155 (78+77)
3.- Christina Birke (SWE) 158 (84+74)
4- CATALINA CASTILLEJO (ESP) 159 (77+82)
5.- VICKY PERTIERRA (ESP) 161 (79+82)

Scottish Scores:
Pam Williamson 80 85 165 11th
Janice Paterson 83 87 170 22nd
Noreen Fenton 82 89 171 30th
Helen Faulds 86 86 172 33rd
Heather Anderson 86 87 173 35th
Maureen Richmond 87 88 175 42nd
Barbara Biggart 89 91 180 50th
Janette McCartney 103 92 195 71st
Jennifer Mack 89, NR 79th

Report from Helen Faulds;
As you can imagine the course was pretty difficult with flags tucked in behind huge bunkers and over water. It made me play very negative which doesn’t get good scores.
Weather was disappointing but still managed to enjoy it. Jen not well at all and had a few early nights. Hopefully she will get sorted now she is home.

Past Captain's Coffee Morning at Douglas Park

Because of an unavoidable change of date at fairly short notice, the numbers at the Lady Past Captains coffee morning were down this year.
Nevertheless everyone attending enjoyed themselves ,and hopefully next year the date will remain unchanged and bring the numbers back to normal.
Thanks go to Past Captain Pearl Slane for the report and the photograph (click to enlarge)

Difficult Day in Round 1 of the Spanish Seniors (Individual Event)

In a day where the poor weather played its part, the Swedish player Viveca Hoff, the lowest handicapper of all the entrants (1.1) was round in 74 today (3 over par) in the Singles Event of the Spanish Seniors played over Golf Park Mallorca today.
Pamela Williamson (Baberton) was the best Scot with a round of 80
The 2nd and final round will be played tomorrow.

LEADER BOARD (first day)

1 .- Viveca Hoff (SWE) 74
2 .- CATALINA CASTILLEJO (ESP) 77
3 .- Navy Buscaini (ITA) 78
4 .- VICKY PERTIERRA (ESP) 79
+ .- Diane Williams (CAN) 79

Scottish Scores:
6th =. Pamela Williamson (Baberton) 80
11th=. Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 82
15th =. Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 83
34th =. Heather Anderson (Downfield), Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 86
41st =. Maureen Richmond (Liverpool and Kilmacolm) 87
45th =. Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle), Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm) 89
80th=. Janette McCartney (Erskine) 103

To see all the scores from today CLICK HERE

Happy Valentines Day to all our Readers

Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Noreen Fenton are 7th in Spain

Congraulations go to Pam Williamson (Baberton) and her Canadian partner Diane Williams who were 5th = in the Spanish "Doubles" after the foursomes round played today. West of Scotland Vets Champion Helen Faulds ( Douglas Park) partnered by Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) were a very creditable 7th out of a field of many well known Senior golfers
The Spanish partnership of Marta Estany and Vicky Pertierra won the Spanish International Women's Doubles Senior Championship at Golf Park in Mallorca, by beating the Swedish partnership of Viveca Hoff and Brigitta Ljung
The Spaniards who won the event last year at Bonalba Golf & Spa (Alicante), had a second round of 78 strokes (6 over par), three less than their opponents. Subsequently, the play-off was awarded by virtue of the best 2nd round.

Final Positions
1 .- VICKY PERTIERRA / MARTA ESTANY (ESP) 150 (72 +78) (win play-off)
2.-Viveca Hoff / Brigitta Ljung (SWE) 150 (69 +81)
3 .- François Colmant / Giovanna Foglia (ITA) 151 (72 +79)
+ .- Christina Birke / Anki Hermanson (SWE) 151 (70 +81)

Scottish Scores:
5= Pam Williamson (Baberton) and Diane Williams (Canada) 153 (73+80)
7. - Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 154 (73+81)
19 - Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm) and Maureen Richmond (Liverpool) 164 (77+87)
23 - Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) and Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 168 (78+90)
25 - Heather Anderson (Downfield) and Janette McCartney (Erskine) 169 (77 +92)

TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF RESULTS CLICK HERE

TO SEE THE FINAL HANDICAP POSITIONS CLICK HERE

Helen Faulds and Noreen Fenton the best Scots after the Fourball Round in the Spanish Seniors

Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)and Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) were the best placed Scots alongside Pam Williamson (Baberton),Diane Williams (Canada) after todays Spanish Seniors fourball round at Golf Park Mallorca.

Leader Board (first day)
1-Viveca Hoff / Brigitta Ljung (SWE) 69
2- Christina Birke / Anki Hermanson (SWE) 70
3- VICKY PERTIERRA / MARTA ESTANY (ESP) 72

Scottish Scores:
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)and Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 73
Pam Williamson (Baberton),Diane Williams (Canada) 73
Janette McCartney (Erskine), Heather Anderson (Downfield), 77
Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm), Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool --- Kilmacolm), 77
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle), Janice Paterson (Drumpellier), 78
The conditions were rather cold to say the least and apparently the weather forcast is for rain tomorrow.
Unfortunately Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle)who has not been well with a virus and is playing with Janice Paterson (Drumpellier)managed to just struggle round. --- Hope you feel better tomorrow Jen

More from the Spanish Seniors

The Spanish Seniors at the Majorcan Golf Park Golf Club is the venue, from 12th to 15th February,
The competition begins with the -"Doubles" from the 12th and 13th February - where the Spaniards Marta Estany and Vicky Pertierra will defend their title.
Both were pushed last year at Bonalba Golf & Spa (Alicante) in tight battle with the Madrid Cristina Marsans and Beatriz Ramirez de Haro and the Scottish partnership of Barbara Biggart and Maureen Richmond.
These three partnerships are the favourites
The last two days of play -14th and 15th February - will be the singles event.

Click on the following link for the list of entrants for the "Doubles"
Click on the following link for the list of entrants for the Singles

2008 Spanish Seniors

Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool), who was runner up in the 2007 Spanish Seniors and with partner Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm) was 3rd in the "doubles", fly out to Majorca this Sunday to play in the 2008 event. This years event will be held at Golf Park de Mallorca Golf Course from February 12th - 15th.
Entrants and partnerships for the "doubles" competition for this years 2008 Spanish Seniors are:
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park), Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh),
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle), Janice Paterson (Drumpellier),
Barbara Biggart (Kilmacolm), Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool --- Kilmacolm),
Janette McCartney (Erskine), Heather Anderson (Downfield),
Pam Williamson (Baberton),Diane Williams (Canada)

February Stableford -- Ranfurly Castle

Silver: R Ogilvie (17) 27 pts, V Howe (17) 26 pts
Bronze: P Wilson (36) 25 pts, J Dickie (36) 20 pts
(Played Wednesday 6th February 2008 over 15 holes)

Megan Briggs and Pamela Pretswell receive Foundation Bursary Funding

The R&A has announced that a record number of 91 students will, this year, receive Foundation Bursary funding. Individual bursaries range in size from £500 to £3,000.
Students from Belgium, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand and Zambia are amongst those awarded bursaries, which are intended to enable golfers to combine their studies with competitive play.
The R&A’s total annual spend on university golf currently exceeds £320,000 and includes grants to support golf programmes at 12 universities in Great Britain and Ireland.
The Old and Eden Courses in St Andrews will provide the venues for The R&A bursars’ tournament in April. For the first time, World Amateur Golf Ranking points are at stake in this event and the winning male student will gain an automatic place in Europe’s 2008 Palmer Cup team to play against the United States of America at Glasgow Gailes at the end of June. In the women’s event, the winner will be offered a place in the field at one of the LET’s tournaments this season.
LIST OF WEST OF SCOTLAND BURSARS
Name-Place of Study-Home Golf Club

Megan Briggs-Strathclyde-Kilmacolm.
Pamela Pretswell-Glasgow-Bothwell Castle

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for this Press Release Report

Handicap Seminars at Haggs Castle and East Kilbride Golf Club

Over 250 representatives (both Men and Women) from Golf Clubs in the West of Scotland have attended seminars in the rules and regulations regarding maintaining and administering the new 2008 Unified Handicapping System for 2008.
The seminars were held at East Kilbride Golf Club in January and Haggs Castle Golf Club today and both venues had the comprehensive presentation of the new changes incorporated in the new manual.
Thanks go to Lynne Terry (SLCGA) and Kevin Weir (SGU) for their excellent presentation

Shona Malcolm becomes Interim Chief Executive Officer on the LGU

Shona Malcolm will take the reins at the Ladies’ Golf Union in St Andrews as Interim Chief Executive Officer until 30 September 2008.
Ms Malcolm, pictured left, a Chartered Accountant, has been a Scottish Councillor on the LGU for the last year, and will take charge on a part time consultancy basis, taking responsibility at a crucial time in the implementation of the LGU Business Plan.
Her immediate priority will be to develop a project plan for, and drive the delivery of, the Business Plan, with specific early emphasis on governance and staffing structures.
Shona, an R&A qualified referee, has been involved in golf administration for many years, having served as Honorary Treasurer of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (“SLGA”) for the five years to 2001 and more recently as Chair of the SLGA’s Business Development Group and the Scottish “One Plan for Golf” steering group. She is also involved in Scotland’s junior golf strategy as a Clubgolf board member.
Shona said, “I am delighted to take on this challenging role at what is a particularly exciting time for the LGU. I look forward to working with all the staff at St. Andrews to move the LGU forward in line with the approved Business Plan and to maintain and indeed strengthen the collective voice for women and girls golf.”
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the Press Release Report

Douglas Park Ladies Section AGM

The Ladies Section of Douglas Park Golf Club held their AGM and annual Prize Giving at the Club on Saturday 26th January 2008. Past Captain, Mrs Janet Dow, presented the incoming Lady Captain, Dr. Gillian Beattie, with her Captains Brooch. Ms. Gladys Speedie is the new Vice Captain of the Ladies Section.


The 2007 Club Champion, Mrs Carol Fell (pictured above) was presented with the Championship Cup.

Mrs Anne Fergusson, Champion Runner Up, and the other 2007 trophy winners joined Carol on the steps of the Club for the group photo.
Click on the photos to see enlargements

Never Lie about your handicap

A businessman was attending a conference in Africa. He had a free day and wanted to play a round of golf. He was directed to a lovely golf course nearby which bordered on the jungle. After a short trip, he arrived at the course and asked the pro if he could get on.
"Sure," said the Pro, "What's your handicap?" Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a bit. "Well, it's 16," Jason said, "But what's the relevance since I'll be playing alone?"
"It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a caddy. "Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "his handicap is 16."
Jason was very surprised at this constant reference to his handicap. The caddy picked up Jason's bag and a large rifle; again the businessman was surprised but decided to ask no questions.
They arrived on the 1st hole, a par 4. "Please avoid those trees on the left," said the caddy. Needless to say, Jason duck-hooked his ball into the trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his head. The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand.
"That's the mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa. You're lucky I was here with you."
After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par 5.
"Avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, Jason's ball went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the loud crack of the caddy's rifle once more and a huge lion fell dead at his feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy.
The 3rd hole was a par 3 with a lake in front of the green. Jason's ball came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water. To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water, and bit off most of his right leg.
As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with the rifle propped at his side, looking on unconcernedly. "Why didn't you kill it?" asked the man incredulously.
"I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy, "this hole is stroke 17 ...you don't get a shot here."
That's why you should never lie about your handicap

Thanks go to Carol Whyte (Windyhill) for that one
Want some more Jokes Click Here

Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

Please note that the dates for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival in Murcia, Spain have already been set: February 11 to 24th

PRESS RELEASE FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON, CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY
LEAGUE OF NATIONS ENTRY FOR FIRST HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER FESTIVAL

The inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival - February 10 to 23, 2008 - has attracted an entry of 50 golfers from a wide area.
Thirteen of them are professionals from Argentina, Belgium, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Wales.
The professionals include Danielle Masters from Kent, who partnered Trish Johnson as England's team of two in the Women's World Cup of Golf in South Africa earlier this month
When she was an amateur Danielle played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup matches against the United States, as did Ireland's Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen, other pro contestants at the Festival.
Scotland's Jenna Wilson, now a professional but still the reigning Scottish women's amateur champion, is among the entrants from the "Home of Golf."
Thirty-two entrants are amateurs from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales plus one "local," Vicki Smith from the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
There was no minimum or maximum age limit on the entries and the ages range from 12-year-old Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) and 13-year-old Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) to some senior (over-50) ladies.
There were also some entrants with very low handicaps, such as the two Scots, Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Michele Thomson (Ellon) who both play off +1 and are members of the Scotland women's amateur international team.
Michele, in fact, has a chance of being selected for the GB&I team for this year's Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.
Six events make up the Festival programme from February 11 to 23 – two 36-hole competitions, two 18-hole stableford events and two Saturday pro-ams which will Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort residents.

"I think this could be the start of something big," said director of golf Billy Sim whose long-time friendship with fellow Scot and golf writer Colin Farquharson, the tournament organiser, led to their often discussed idea of a Women's Golf Festival coming off the drawing board and into reality in February 2008.

ENTRIES
PROFESSIONALS
Claire COUGHLAN (Ireland)
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Martina GILLEN (Ireland)
Nicky LUMB (England)
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Jacqueline PECOITZ (Argentina).
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Katie THOMSON (Scotland).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).
Jenna WILSON (Scotland).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.
Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18
Azimina DESMOND (Hollywood Lakes, Ireland) handicap 11. Senior.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Tara GRIBBEN (Warrenpoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Eveleen HIGGINS (Laytown/Bettystown) handicap 13. Senior.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9. Senior.
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O'DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Amber RATCLIFFE (Royal Cromer) handicap 18. Age 12.
Carla REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Paula REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 19.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.
Vicki SMITH (Hacienda del Alamo) handicap 5.
Ami STOREY (Ponteland) handicap scratch.
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. .
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

Burns Night in your home or at the Golf Club

Can I do this at home?It's not often I give advice to folk about what to do behind closed doors – but you certainly can have fun in organising your own Burns supper. Here are ten steps to a great night for anything from four to forty folk:
Welcome your guests with a glass of Speyside malt whisky;
Say Grace before enjoying a starter of Scottish smoked salmon with a crisp white wine;
Address the Haggis (feel free to read to it – don't be shy!) and try it with mashed potatoes and turnips (and a wee bit more of that malt if there's any left!);
Serve a simple main course of Scottish steak with chips and peas, washed down by a nice ordinary Claret;
Round it off with a rich Scotch Trifle or some fine Scottish Cheeses;
Get a friend to speak for a few light hearted minutes and then lead everyone in toasting 'The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns';
Choose a poem (try 'To a Mouse') and pass the book round the guests with everyone reading one verse;
Enjoy the fellowship of your friends around the table;
Sing 'Auld Lang Syne' with a stiff glass of Islay malt as a nightcap!
Do it again next year!
Come and join in! Don't forget that Burns loved a party, so we owe it to him to make it a good one.
Alternatively all you golfers may be going to a Burns Supper or have been at one at your own Golf Club. Here are a few at Douglas Park Golf Club last weekend at their "early" Burns Supper singing a couple of songs

Here is a good article in the Glasgow Herald Today if you happen to be giving a "The Reply for the Lassies" Toast to the Lassies by Ruth Wishart in today's Glasgow Herald

Handicap Seminar at Haggs Castle or East Kilbride

The SLGA and SGU are running a series of regional handicapping seminars for all those involved at golf clubs in maintaining and administering handicaps. The seminars will include an overview of the CONGU UHS and a comprehensive presentation of the new changes incorporated in the new manual. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. For a booking form click here

The Board of the SLGA 2008

The Board of SLGA Ltd 2008
Back Row: Shona Malcolm, Sheila Pickles, Gillian Kirkwood
Middle Row: Winifred MacCallum, Pamela MacKenzie, Beth Paterson,
Liz Miskimmin, Helen Cuthbertson, Lynne Terry
Front Row: Pat Wilson (Chairman), Ethel Jack (President), Janet Wake (Vice Chairman)

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the Photograph

Beth Paterson and Jenny McGahan elected at SLGA AGM

The SLGA AGM took place yesterday at the Quality Station Hotel Perth.
SLGA's Chairman Margaret McNaughton's informative annual report was followed by the Finance Director Lynne Terry's detailed accounts annual review. The annual report of the Scottish representatives on the Executive Council of the LGU was then given by Gillian Kirkwood

Ethel Jack was elected as President for the second year and
RLCGA's Past Captain Beth Paterson (Eastwood ) pictured above was elected on to the board by the SLGA to replace Margaret MacNaughton who retires by expiry of her term of office.

Jenny McGahan (Douglas Park) was appointed as Deputy to Gillian Kirkwood and Shona Malcolm as Scottish Representatives on the Executive Council of the Ladies' Golf Union
Three changes to the Regulations regarding County Golf were approved by large margins, and, after a clear and concise explanation of the SLGA Business Plan by Shona Malcolm , the new Rules and Regulations for SLGA Ltd were also approved.
Subscriptions for playing members of clubs will increase in 2009 will increase by 50p to £13.

Mrs Pat Wilson was then elected to be the new Chairman of the SLGA.
Isabel Crawford is re appointed as a West Division Selector

Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle and Douglas Park) asked the board in the "any competent business" section, if County Medals were the same as Open Days for the new Congu regulation. The answer was given as yes and she said that this was impossible to administer unless you used the Home Clubs handicap computer where the competition was being played at and not use the county laptop. The SLGA said they would look into the matter and Carol has sent a report to the SLGA as requested by the new Chairman Pat Wilson. This report includes an explanation of the problem and a couple of suggestions on how to solve this issue.

The meeting closed with an entertaining vote of thanks from Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)

Mary Hardie is the new Ranfurly Castle Captain

A very successful AGM and prizegiving was held in the clubhouse on Thursday 17th January.
Mary Hardie was duly elected as our new Lady Captain. She welcomed Helen Abram as Vice Captain and Sheila Gray, Sheila Biggart and Eileen Walker as new committee members.
The AGM was followed by our usual prizegiving.
Carol Fell, Ranfurly Castle's Ladies Champion, thanked the committee for all their work throughout the year.

Book a Group Day at Mearns Golf Academy

Do you want to get a group of friends together for a day out? Or are you looking for a family-friendly post-Christmas activity? Perhaps you want to schmooze some clients? Then come to Mearns Castle Golf Academy for a weather-proof event suitable for beginners through to advanced golfers.
To read more then click on the following link Mearns Castle Golf Academy