Scotland Seniors win against Ireland to reach the final of the European Team Championships

Team Captain Pam Williamson is overjoyed at their win ---
Photo courtesy of www.golf.de/esltc

Scotland are through to the final of the European senior women's amateur team golf championship at Sporting Club Berlin.
The team of over-50s, captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton), beat Ireland 3-2 in the semi-finals today (Friday) to assure themselves of gaining at least the silver medals.
But the Scots are playing so well they will be fancying their chance of striking gold against the No 1 seeds and favourites England who beat Switzerland 3 1/2-1 1/2 in the other semi-final.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

New Online Issue of Scottish Golfer

Remember you can also read the latest golf news at www.scottishclubgolfer.com

Scottish Seniors beat the holders Germany in Berlin

The Scottish Senior Team who qualified sixth of eight, in the strokeplay stages, achieved a marvellous win over defending champions Germany, the No 3 seeds and playing on home turf, in the quarter-finals of the European senior women's amateur golf championship at Sporting Club Berlin today.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Renfrewshire County Greensomes Stableford over Elderslie

42 couples played yesterday at Elderslie Golf Club in the Centenary Greensomes Stableford Competition
Anne Judge from Ranfurly Castle had a HOLE IN ONE at the 175 yard 8th hole and with partner Sally Smyth also from Ranfurly Castle then went on to win with 39 points by virtue of the last 3 holes on count back from the Elderslie pairing of Julie Nicol and Mary Wylie

Leading Scores:
A Judge - S Smyth Ranfurly Castle (9) 39 last 3 holes
J Nicol - M Wylie Elderslie (9) 39
S Gilchrist - G Braid Whitecraigs (17) 38

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE RESULTS

Scotland Seniors Qualify in Sixth place

Scotland qualified in sixth place for the European senior women's amateur team golf championship at Berlin Sporting Club today.
They will play No 3 seeds Germany, the defending champions, in the quarter-finals of the match-play stages.
To read more go to the West Vets Website

Scottish Seniors do Well in Berlin on Day 1

The Scottish Seniors made a good start in the European Seniors Team Event in Berlin.
To read more on today's play go to the West Vets Website

Pamela Pretswell 3rd in the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy

Blackburn's Nikki Foster (Pleasington) returned to her early-season form to win the Royal Birkdale Golf Club's Ladies Scratch Trophy tournament over 36 holes.
Against a ladies' par of 75, Nikki, 18, had very good scores of 72 and 70 for 142.
British stroke-play champion Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and two English-based players, young Charley Hull (Kettering) and Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) were joint third on 144.
Pamela Pretswell played without a practice round but had eight birdies in her first-round, four-under-par 72. The Scot followed that up with four more birdies in a 73 for 144.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 150 (2x75). SSS 75 CSS 75 75
142 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 72 70.
143 Emma Goddard (Vale Royal Millenium) 69 74.
144 Charley Hull (Kettering) 71 73, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 73, Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 71 73.

Pamela has also said No to a trip to Argentina --- To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Baberton's Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter are the 2010 Scottish Strokeplay Champions

The 2010 Scottish Foursomes Strokeplay Champions - Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter (Baberton)

The 2010 Scottish Foursomes Matchplay Champions -Frances Millar and Claire Frances (Carnoustie) - Click to enlarge

2nd Scratch - Anne Laing and Laura McGeachy - (Windyhill)

1st Handicap - Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson (Douglas Park)

2nd Handicap --- Anabel Kane and Rena Simpson (Kilmacolm)

Baberton's Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter won the SLGA women's club foursomes stroke-play title with a five-over-par round of 77 in windy conditions at Douglas Park.
They had two shots to spare from Windyhill's Laura McGeachy and former Scottish champion Anne Laing, and Craigmillar Park's Karen Ballantyne and Kirsten Blackwood.McGeachy and Laing had a better inward half and were officially placed second.
Kilmacolm's defending champions Megan and Eilidh Briggs finished joint fourth on 80 alongside Douglas Park's Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson.
Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson won the top net prize with a score of 72 1/2 off 7 1/2.
Kilmacolm's Rena Simpson and Annabel Kane were runners-up, by virtue of a better inward half, with a net score of 73 1/2 off 10 1/2.
Blairgowrie's Norma Fleming and Mary Hope also totalled 73 1/2 off 9 1/2 but were placed third on the card countback.
Thirty-six couples took part
Gross
1st Scratch: Karen Marshall & Fiona Hunter Baberton 77
2nd Scratch: Laura McGeachy & Anne Laing Windyhill 79 BIH
Handicap:
1st Nett: Helen Faulds & Helen Robertson Douglas Park 80 7.5 72.5
2nd Nett: Rena Simpson & Annabel Kane Kilmacolm 84 10.5 73.5 BIH

Claire Penman and Frances Millar from Carnoustie Caledonia Golf Club won the 2010 Scottish Match Play Foursomes which was also played at Douglas Park Golf Club on the same day (Sunday 29 August). They beat the team from Murrayfield by 4&3 in the final, while the team from Saline Golf Club won a tight third fourth play off match against Ayr Dalmilling by one hole.
Final Match Play Foursomes Placings
1st: Carnoustie Caledonia - Claire Penman & Frances Millar
2nd: Murrayfield team - Pat Walkingshaw, Caroline Johnstone & Norma Richmond
3rd: Saline team - Lynne Nelson, Barbara Anne Boyter & Katrina Buist
4th: Ayr Dalmilling team - Anne Sym, Gillian Henderson & Jackie Ridge

To see some photographs from the days events --- Click on the small thumbnail below and then click on slideshow and you can also click on the photos above to enlarge -

Thanks go to SLGA's Fiona Cowan and Winnie McCallum for many of the photographs.

2010 SLGA Foursomes Finals - Douglas Park

Kylie finishes 8th in the Finnair Masters

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR: FINNAIR MASTERS
FINAL TOTALS
Helsinki GC, Tali, Finland
Par 213 (3x71)
199 Lee-Anne Pace (S Africa) 66 64 69
202 Vikki Laing (Scotland) 68 65 69
206 Christel Boeljon (Netherlands) 70 69 67, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Denmark) 67 70 69, Carin Koch (Sweden) 69 68 69, Mollie Fankhauser (United States) 70 65 71
207 Malene Jorgensen (Denmark) 67 72 68
208 Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) (am) 67 71 70, Kylie Walker (Scotland) 64 71 73
209 Rebecca Coakley (Ireland) 70 72 67, Linda Wessberg (Sweden) 70 68 71
Other Scots:
214 Pamela Feggans (Sco) 72 72 70,
218 Krystle Caithness (Sco) 72 74 72,

To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

LIVE SCORING FROM THE FINNAIR MASTERS

Kylie Walker is well up the leader board going into the final round of the Finnair Masters
Click this link ----- LIVE SCORING FROM THE FINNAIR MASTERS

Vikki and Kylie in top five after the 2nd Round at Helsinki Golf Club

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
The Ladies European Tour’s Henderson Money List leader Lee-Anne Pace from South Africa seized a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Finnair Masters.
The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay shot a seven-under 64 at Helsinki Golf Club today, to lead on a 12-under-par 36-hole total ahead of Vikki Laing from Musselburgh.
Pace is well placed to collect her third Ladies European Tour trophy of the season after her second round, containing seven birdies and no bogeys.
he first round leader, Scotland's Kylie Walker (71 for 135), is two strokes behind second-placed Vikki Laing, who had a sparkling 65 for 133. Kylie is sharing third place with Mollie Fankhauser of the United States and Frenchwoman Jade Schaeffer. Sweden’s Carin Koch and the 2005 champion Lisa Holm Sorensen of Denmark were two strokes further adrift.
Solhvi Härkönen is the top Finnish player in a share of 14th position, with Minea Blomqvist and Kaisa Ruuttila tied for 19th. After the arrival of her first child in March, the 2008 champion Blomqvist was delighted to have made her first cut of the year.
The two Finns will play together in the same group as Carmen Alonso at 9.50am on Sunday and are sure to attract a large gallery. The leading trio of Pace, Laing and Schaeffer will tee off at 11am.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
Helsinki GC, Tali, Finland
Par 142 (2x71)
130 Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa) 66 64
133 Vikki Laing (Sco) 68 65
135 Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 68 67, Kylie Walker (Sco) 64 71, Mollie Fankhauser (USA) 70 65
137 Carin Koch (Swe) 69 68, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 67 70
138 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 70 68, Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 67 71
Other Scots :
144 Pamela Feggans (Sco) 72 72
146 Krystle Caithness (Sco) 72 74

MISSED THE CUT
148 Carly Booth (Sco) 75 73,
151 Lynn Kenny (Sco) 75 76
152 Clare Queen (Sco) 76 76

FOLLOW KYLIE WALKER ----ROUND 2

From the Ladies European Tour Website

The second round of the Finnair Masters is underway in Autumnal conditions at Helsinki Golf Club.

West of Scotland's Kylie Walker, a rookie on the Ladies European Tour, led by two strokes after a seven-under 64 in Friday’s first round but was caught by Mollie Fankhauser of the United States with three holes to play today.

Fankhauser birdied holes 10, 14, 15 and 17 before reaching a six-under-par total with a fifth birdie at the par-three fourth hole.

Walker bogeyed her second hole of the day, the 11th, but reached eight-under with birdies at the 17th and second, only to drop two shots in succession at the fifth and the sixth. Both players birdied the seventh to reach seven-under.

Jade Schaeffer of France was only a shot behind the leaders with three holes to play at two-under for the day and Henderson Money List leader Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa, who carded a five-under 66 on Friday, starts her second round at 1.40pm.


Go to the European Ladies Tour Website for the full report at the end of today's play.

The SLGA Matchplay and Strokeplay Foursomes Finals are at Douglas Park Golf Club tomorrow

The 2010 Scottish Match Play Foursomes Semi-Finals and Final will take place at Douglas Park Golf Club tomorrow Sunday 29 August. In only its second year, 71 teams started out in the competition in March with West of Scotland's Ayr Dalmilling, Carnoustie Caledonia, Murrayfield and Saline the four golf clubs still in the hunt for the title.
The draw for the semi-final is:
Carnoustie Caledonia v Saline
Murrayfield v Ayr Dalmilling
See the attached for the full match play draw to see how these clubs have progressed to the semi-finals:

The Briggs sisters Megan and Eilidh from Kilmacolm (pictured above) will be trying to retain the Scottish Strokeplay Foursomes title they won last year.
Click the following link to see the draw --- SLGA FOURSOMES DRAW
Megan and Eilidh both played each other in the Kilmacolm Championship Final last Sunday (22nd August) --- CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE RESULT

Kylie leads the Finnair Masters with a seven under par 64

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Scotland’s Kylie Walker fired a superb seven-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead over South African Lee-Anne Pace on day one of the Finnair Masters.
The 23-year-old Ladies European Tour rookie from Glasgow, courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency, carded seven birdies on a cool afternoon at Helsinki Golf Club, overcoming any nerves that may have hampered her career earlier this season.
She birdied the fourth, fifth and ninth on her way to an outward total of 31, returning in 33 with further birdies on holes 10, 12, 14 and 17.
After breezing through LET Qualifying School at La Manga in December where she finished ninth, Walker thought that life on tour would be ‘a doddle,’ but after making just two cuts from her first eight starts, she has finally started to find her feet over the last month, tying for 53rd, 24th and 25th at the last three tournaments in Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively.
She explained the learning curve: “I thought turning pro, having had a good result in Q-School, I thought this is a doddle and I was ready for it. As a matter of fact, my first few events, I really struggled, not because of my game. I could have got it round in decent numbers but I was just so nervous and excited at the same time and different things were distracting me.
“Simple things like walking on the range and people you’ve idolised for years like Carin Koch and Laura Davies are standing next to you or walking past. I can’t help but look to see what they’re doing and things like that but I’m getting used to that now.”
Her closest challenger Pace moved to the top of the Henderson Money List with a tie for second in Scotland last week. The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay had a blazing front nine, containing four birdies and an eagle and dropped only one shot, at the eighth, on her back nine.
“I hit everything close from the start,” Pace said. “I had a very nice eagle on 17 and then kept hitting it close on my back nine but didn’t make a putt unfortunately.
“I pretty much hit everything within 20 feet on my back nine and two putted for par. I three-putted eight to lose a shot otherwise it was a perfect round. At least I’m getting up there and giving myself a good chance.”
Pace, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner this year in Switzerland and Wales, holed a one metre birdie putt at the 10th which she played as her first hole. She made a long birdie putt at the 13th and setting up her third birdie at the 15th, hitting an eight-iron to tap in distance from 120 metres.
At the par-three 16th, she missed the green left but explained, “I thought, ‘this is a good chip in chance’ and chipped in.”
She cut a three-iron around the trees to 20 feet from 170 metres at the par-five 17th and holed the eagle putt on her way to an outward total of six-under-par 31, coming back in one-over 35.
Pace has twice tied for 16th in Finland and is looking to put some distance between herself and No. 2 Melissa Reid of England in the money title race. She is €13,660 clear of Reid, who is skipping this week.
With season’s earnings of €218,530, she has pocketed almost €100,000 more from 16 LET events played this year than from her last three seasons combined. Her meteoric rise to fame inspired fellow South African Robbertze, who shot a career best round of four-under 67.
The 30-year-old from Johannesburg said: “We had dinner last night and had a good chat about the golf. I think she is in a very positive frame of mind and that’s quite an inspiration.
“I went out a bit more positive than I have been the last few tournaments so it all seemed very well. I think the key today was appreciation. I just appreciated every shot and made sure that I enjoyed every shot instead of thinking ahead.”
She explained how she practised hitting shots in bare feet in the rain on the eve of the tournament to help her balance. “My coach told me to stand and hit golf balls without my shoes on and that seemed to work.”
The 2005 champion Lisa Holm Sorensen and fellow Dane Malene Jorgensen also tied for third on 67 with Swedish amateur Caroline Hedwall.
Scotland’s Vikki Laing, Finland’s Kaisa Ruuttila, England’s Kiran Matharu and Jade Schaeffer from France tied for seventh on three-under-par.
The second round of the 54-hole tournament starts at 8.30am on Saturday, following which there will be a cut to the leading 50 professional players and ties.
FINNAIR MASTERS
Helsinki Golf Club, Finland
LEADING SCORES -- Par 71
64 Kylie Walker (Sco)
66 Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa)
67 Morgana Robbertze (Rsa), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Caroline Hedwall (Swe) (am), Malene Jorgensen (Den)
68 Vikki Laing (Sco), Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin), Kiran Matharu (Eng), Jade Schaeffer (Fra)
69 Carin Koch (Swe), Anja Monke (Ger), Dewi-Claire Schreefel (Ned), Corisande Lee (Eng), Camille Fallay (Fra)
Other Scots:
72 Pamela Feggans, Krystle Caithness,
75 Lynn Kenny, Carly Booth,
76 Clare Queen

Douglas Park - Autumn Meeting

Played 27/08/2010 SSS 72, CSS 72
Silver:
1st 86-20=66 Gina Rennie
2nd 75-6=69 Helen Faulds
3rd 84-12=72 Lynda Smith
Bronze:
1st 95-23=72 Hazel Hamilton
2nd 94-22=72 Ann Scott
3rd 104-28=76 Pauline Vannet

Scratch: Helen Faulds 75

August SGU Newsletter

Welcome to the latest SGU e-bulletin. In this issue, we give you the chance to give us your views on www.scottishgolf.org in our website survey as well as some great golfing offers from the west coast of Scotland. The BBC's coverage of the SGU's flagship event is featured, while we also bring you up-to-date with the latest news and events from across Scotland.

SGU Website Survey

The SGU website continues to attract golfers from Scotland and further afield with a record 26,000 visitors last month. Our aim is to continually improve our on-line offering and ensure we offer what our users want to see. We would appreciate if you can spare five minutes of our time to complete our short survey with all participants entered into a draw to win £100 worth of SGU vouchers.

SGU Website Survey >>

Countdown to Scotland's World Championship Defence

Scotland will defend their World Amateur Team Championship title in Argentina in just over two months time and we reveal the three young men tasked with bringing the Eisenhower Trophy back to the Home of Golf, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Wallace Booth, Gavin Dear and Callum Macaulay who won in Australia two years ago.

Find out more >>

East Lothian Hosts the World Hickory Championship

Ever dreamt of becoming a World Champion...? This is your chance. The World Hickory Championship is taking place in East Lothian on 20 - 24 September and is open to all golfers who hold an official handicap. The Championship, now in its sixth year, attracts golfers from around the globe. This unique event is being held at five superb courses - Musselburgh Links, Craigielaw, Archerfield and Gullane No 2 & 3.

Find out more >>

Watch the BBC's Coverage of our National Championship

You can now watch highlights of the SGU's flagship event, the 2010 Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Championship featuring an exciting final between Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) on the BBC Scotland website. The broadcast also includes interviews with rising stars James Byrne and David Law, with fantastic footage from the week's events at the spectacular setting of Gullane.

Find out more >>

SGU Website Competition Winner Takes on Richie Ramsay

Glasgow's Andy Armour was the lucky man to be drawn from thousands of entries for our 'Win a Round with Richie Ramsay' competition, sponsored by our partners at TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Read all about Andy's memorable experience of challenging the European Tour star and former US Amateur Champion on the Kittocks Course, Fairmont St Andrews.

Find out more >>

Read All About It with Global Golf Post

Scottish golfers are being encouraged to tune in to Global Golf Post, a digital-only weekly golf publication providing comprehensive, fast and free coverage of golf from around the world including all the major professional tours as well as Scottish amateur golf.

Sign up now for your free subscription >>

Great Member Offers for Golf on the Ayrshire Coast

Members of SGU affiliated golf clubs can take advantage of two fantastic offers at two great links golf courses on the famous Ayrshire coast during August and September, with £160 for a tee-time at Gailes Links and £50 per day ticket at Dundonald Links.

Find out more >>

SGU Golf Central

Don't forget, there are still some great club open competitions to enter this summer and autumn via SGU Golf Central. Our popular website directory gives you all the information you need to play in Gents, Ladies, Seniors, Juniors and Mixed club events. From the Ladies Tri/Am Open at Vale of Leven on 29th August to the Gents Open on 11th September at Braemar, there's something for everyone.

SGU Golf Central >>

Keep visiting scottishgolf.org for all the latest news, results, offers and information from the Scottish Golf Union.

The SGU Team

Lanarkshire County Autumn Meeting Reduced to 9 Holes

At Carnwath Golf Club on Monday 23rd August the condition of the course was very good but unfortunately the conditions overhead were poor resulting in the Lanarkshire County competition being reduced to 9 holes.
To read more go to the Lanarkshire County Website

PAMELA IS A WINNER AT WHATEVER SHE DOES !!

Image Courtesy of the LGU

New British Women’s Open Amateur Stroke-play Golf Champion Pamela Pretswell makes a habit in succeeding at what she does. To read all about it go to the GILLIAN KIRKWOOD WEBSITE

Ladies' Home International Matches

The team to represent Scotland at the Home International Matches to be held at Whitchurch (Cardiff) Golf Club, 8-10 September is:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)
Captain - Lesley Nicholson (Haddington)
Reserves: 1 Clare Marie Carlton (Fereneze), 2 Gillian Monteith (Stranraer)

Pat Hutton Qualifies for the SLGA Grand Final

Congratulations to Pat Hutton (Lanark) who qualified today at SLGA Regional Medal South West Division Final at Thornhill for the Grand Final at Crieff on Sunday, September 5th.

1st Rachel Walker Crichton 76 - 6 70 Q
2nd Patricia Hutton Lanark 78 - 6 72 Q

Bronze
1st Yvonne Schneider Crichton 95 - 17 78 Q
2nd Caroline Marshall Newton Stewart 100 - 21 79 Q

Skelmorlie reach the Quarter finals of the Mail on Sunday

The Pride of Skelmorlie Golf Club. Back row: Janet Harkness and Alex Sargent. Front row: Gillian Pollock, Kath Mackellar, Aileen Donaldson and Jenny McGee.

Round 7 :
Beau Desert Golf Club beat Edgbaston Golf Club 3-2
Chelmsford Golf Club beat Buckingham Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Chipstead Golf Club beat Lamberhurst Golf Club 4-1
Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club beat St Annes Old Links Golf Club 4-1
Deer Park Golf & Country Club beat New Galloway Golf Club 3-2
Fingle Glen Golf Club beat Cape Cornwall Golf & CC . 4.5-0.5
Forest Pines Golf Club beat Lightcliffe Golf Club Limited 5-0
Haverfordwest Golf Club beat Alice Springs Golf Club 3-2
Knighton Heath Golf Club beat Long Ashton Golf Club 3-2
Murrayfield Golf Club beat Downfield Golf Club 3-2
Pontefract District Golf Club beat Ryton Golf Club 3-2
Skelmorlie Golf Club beat Hayston Golf Club 4-1
Stocksbridge & District Golf Club beat Dunham Forest Golf & CC 3-2
Toft Hotel Golf Club beat Norfolk Golf & Country Club 4.5-0.5
West Essex Golf Club beat Ealing Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Wildwood Golf Club beat Worthing Golf Club 3.5-1.5

ROUND 8:
Beau Desert Golf Club beat Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club 3-2
Haverfordwest Golf Club beat Fingle Glen Golf Club 4-1
Murrayfield Golf Club beat Pontefract District Golf Club 3-2
Skelmorlie Golf Club beat Deer Park Golf & Country Club won at 19th
West Essex Golf Club beat Chipstead Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Wildwood Golf Club beat Knighton Heath Golf Club 3.5-1.5

To read all about it go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell is the 2010 British Strokeplay Champion

From the LGU Website (Photo Courtesy of the LGU -- Click to enlarge)
Curtis Cup team player Pamela Pretswell(Bothwell) won the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship in an exciting finish at Tenby Golf Club, South Wales today.

It is her first domestic national title although she won the Switzerland Women’s Open Amateur Championship three years ago.

She is the fourth Scot in the past seven years to win the British stroke play title, following in the footsteps of compatriots Clare Queen (2004), Heather MacRae (2005) and Roseanne Niven (2008).

The tournament was reduced to three rounds after a 2hr 30min suspension of play from 9am to 11.30am while a violent thunder and lightning storm raged over the course.

The joint overnight leaders, Pamela Pretswell and Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands), did not set out for the third round until 12.30 which meant there would not have been enough daylight left for the field to play 36 holes on the final day.

Curtis Cup reserve and the 2008 Welsh girls champion, Amy Boulden (Maesdu), whose 17th birthday was earlier this month, moved up from third place, one off the pace, at the start of the round to take the lead with an outward 37 to Pamela Pretswell’s 39 and 45 by Chrisje De Vries.

Amy Boulden had birdied the first, bogeyed the fourth, birdied the short sixth and dropped another shot at the ninth.

Pamela had bogeyed the first, fourth, seventh and ninth but got two of the strokes back with birdies at the third and fifth.

Amy Boulden was still in the lead with two holes to play after bogeying the 11th, but birdieing the 13th and long 14th before she bogeyed the 16th.

Pamela was hanging on with a birdie at the 10th but bogeys at the 11th, 14th, 15th and 16th.

Then came a two-stroke swing in the Scot’s favour. While leader Boulden bogeyed the short 17th, Pamela was able to get a birdie 2. That put her in front by a shot and she doubled her winning margin to two shots by parring the last after Boulden had bogeyed it.

So Pamela, pipped for the Austrian women’s open amateur title three weeks ago, finished with a two-over-par total of 218, made up of rounds of 72, 74 and 72.

FINAL LEADERBOARD Par 216 (3x72)
218 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 72 74 72.
221 Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 68 79 74.
225 Line Vedel Hansen (Den) 76 72 77.
228 Lara Katzy (Ger) 71 81 76, Alexandrea Bonetti (Fra) 74 77 77.
229 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 78 76 75, Pia Halbig (Ger) 73 78 78, Bronte Law (Bramhall) 76 72 81.
230 Chrisje De Vries (Net) 68 78 84.
231 Ann Lindner (Ger) 75 78 78..
234 Julie Yang (Kings Acre) 75 81 78.
235 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 75 82 78, Lauren Taylor (Woburn) 75 79 81, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 76 77 92.
236 Noemi Jimenez (Spa) 77 80 79, Gillian O’Leary (Cork) 70 86 80, Vicki Troeltsch (Ger) 78 76 82, Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 78 75 83.
237 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies) 81 77 79.
238 Charley Hull (Woburn) 73 85 80, Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield) 78 77 83.
239 Karlijn Zaanen (Netherlands) 76 83 80, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 82 75 82, Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 80 77 82, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 76 78 85, Hayley Davis (Ferndown) 82 73 84
240 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 78 85.
241 Tara Davies (Holyhead) 73 84 84, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 72 83 86.
243 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 81 84, Samantha Birks (Wolstanton) 76 83 84.

To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Vikki Lang is the Leading Scot in the 2010 Scottish Open

Virginie Lagoutte-Clement from France shot a final round of 71 in difficult conditions to earn her third Ladies European Tour title at the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open.
Final Result.
217 +1 Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (FRA) Lacoste,Mizuno,Golf LaValdaine 72 74 71
218 +2 Lee-Anne Pace (SA) South Africa 76 72 70
Sophie Walker (ENG) England 75 70 73
Trish Johnson (ENG) England 69 74 75
219 Vikki Laing (SCO) MAVRIK / Kings Acre Academy 74 74 71
Stefania Croce (ITA) Virginia GC/Caffe Dei Miracoli 71 74 74
Jeehae Lee (KOR) SPG Corporation 72 70 77

Other Scots:
223 Krystle Caithness (SCO) Scotland 73 76 74
225 Lynn Kenny (SCO) Archerfield Links 73 79 73
226 Carly Booth (SCO) Nike 77 73 76
227 Kylie Walker (SCO) The Carrick on Loch Lomond 73 77 77
228 Pamela Feggans (SCO) Scotland 74 80 74
230 Mhairi McKay (SCO) Aberdeen Asset Management, M&M 73 76 81
235 Kathryn Imrie (SCO) Scotland 75 81 79 »»
240 Clare Queen (SCO) The Carrick on Loch Lomond 81 75 84
241 Heather MacRae (SCO) Scotland 77 79 85

Live Scoring from the British Amateur Strokeplay and the Ladies Scottish Open

West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell and Megan Briggs are both playing in the final day at
BRITISH STROKEPLAY AT TENBY --- click on the link to keep up to date with today's play.

Kylie Walker and Clare Queen are both playing in in the Ladies Scottish Open. Click on the following link
SCOTTISH OPEN AT ARCHERFIELD

Kylie Walker and Mhairi McKay are the best from the West at the Scottish Open

News from the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open

Leading Scores at End of Round 2
1 142 -2 Jeehae Lee (KOR) 72 70
2 143 -1 Trish Johnson (ENG) 69 74
3= 145 +1 Nikki Garrett (AUS) Oakley, 71 74
Rebecca Coakley (IRE) Team Ireland Golf 75 70
Sophie Walker (ENG) England 75 70
Stefania Croce (ITA) Virginia GC/Caffe Dei Miracoli 71 74
Christel Boeljon (NL) Golf Team Holland 70 75
Other Scots:
15= 148 Vikki Laing (SCO) MAVRIK / Kings Acre Academy 74 74
18= 149 Mhairi McKay (SCO) Aberdeen Asset Management, M&M 73 76, Krystle Caithness (SCO) Scotland 73 76
23= 150 Carly Booth (SCO) Nike 77 73 , Kylie Walker (SCO) The Carrick on Loch Lomond 73 77
Other Scots:
34= 152 Lynn Kenny (SCO) Archerfield Links 73 79
39= 154 Pamela Feggans (SCO) Scotland 74 80
48= 156 Kathryn Imrie (SCO) Scotland 75 81
Heather MacRae (SCO) Scotland 77 79
Clare Queen (SCO) The Carrick on Loch Lomond 81 75

READ FULL REPORT ON THE GILLIAN KIRKWOOD WEBSITE

Pamela Pretswell is leading on Day 2 of the British Strokeplay

At the end of a day of unrelenting rain it was Curtis Cup Scot Pamela Pretswell and Chrisje De Vries from the Netherlands who led the 42 qualifiers with totals of 15-over-par 159 or better into Friday’s final two rounds.
Pretswell and De Vries are both on two-over-par 146, Pamela after a second-round, two-over-par 74, one of the best scores in the awful weather, and Chrisje after a 78.
Three other Scots survived the cut – Lothians pair Rachael Watton (Mortonhall), improving by seven shots despite the deluge with a splendid 75, and Jane Turner (Craigielaw), with a battling 77, both on 157 and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) with an 81 for the limit mark of 159.
Bothwell Castle's Pamela Pretswell, pipped for the Austrian women’s open title two or three weeks ago, did well to salvage a 74 in such conditions to share the lead on 146 – but it looked like being an even better score with just a few holes to go to the warmth and comfort of the clubhouse.
Other Scots:
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had an 84 for 162.
Majorca-based (Lauren Mackin) had an 87 for 166.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff), winner of the British title only two years ago, had an 82 for 167 and Laura Murray finished 30 over par with a pair of 87s for 174.
Another Scotland international Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), who had a first-round 75, badly twisted an ankle in falling down some steps and was unable to play. With the weather as bad as it was, she was not complaining about having to rest in the clubhouse with her ankle strapped up.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2x74).
146 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 72 74, Chrisje De Vries (Ned) 68 78.
147 Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 68 79.
148 Line Vedel Hansen (Den) 76 72, Bronte Law (Bramhall) 76 72.
151 Pia Halbit (Ger) 73 78, Alexandra Bonetti (Fra) 74 77.
152 Lara Katzy (Ger) 71 81.
153 Ann Lindner (Ger) 75 78, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 76 77, Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 78 75.
Other Scots:
156 Julie Yang (Kings Acre) 75 81 (jt 20th).
157 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 82 75, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 80 77 (jt 23rd).
159 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 81 (jt 37th).

MISSED THE CUT
161 Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 83.
162 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 78 84.
166 Lauren Mackin (Majorca) 79 87.
167 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 85 82.
174 Laura Murray (Alford) 87 87.
Retired (injured): Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 75 -.

To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

FOUR QUALIFY FROM 100 FOR SLGA GRAND FINAL AT CRIEFF

Royal Musselburgh’s Sara Mathieson, Suzanne Cadden (Cardross),(pictured left) Louise Fleming (Strathaven) and Ranfurly Castle’s Helen Abram were the four qualifiers from a field of 100 at today’s (Wed) SLGA Regional Medal West Division Final at East Kilbride for the Grand Final at Crieff on Sunday, September 5th.
Sara Mathieson, Aberdeenshire women’s county champion last year and playing off six, had the lowest net return of 69 in the Silver Division, finishing two shots ahead of West of Scotland's Suzanne Cadden (Cardross) whose better inward half off five of a handicap gained her the second qualifying spot from this division ahead of two other players who had net 71s: Joyce Chalmers (East Kilbride) (9) and Ruth Pryce (Vale of Leven) (14).
In the Bronze Division, Louise Fleming, playing off 22, had a five-stroke victory with a net 69. The other qualifier in this section, Helen Abram (Ranfurly Castle) , playing off 22, had a net 74.
The women’s par was 73 and the CSS 74.
LEADING NET RETURNS

Silver
1st Sara Mathieson Royal Musselburgh 75 - 6 69 Q
2nd Suzanne Cadden Cardross 76 - 5 71 BIH Q
3rd Joyce Chalmers East Kilbride 80 - 9 71 BIH
4th Ruth Price Vale of Leven 85 - 14 71

Bronze
1st Louise Fleming Strathaven 91 - 22 69 Q
2nd Helen Abram Ranfurly Castle 96 - 22 74
3rd Carol Bell Helensburgh 102 - 27 75 BIH Q
4th Lesley Donaldson Shotts 100 - 25 75


Q = qualifiers for Grand Medal Final at Crieff on 5 September (Helen Abram would have qualifed but is not available)

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

Mearns Castle launch a new Website

New Website. Mearns Castle Golf Academy today announces the launch of their new website. This is the first stage of what will be a more informative and interactive site than ever before. Over the next few months they will be adding a shopping cart so that lessons and gift vouchers can be purchased online, as well discussion forums for members to interact with each other. Please click here to log on and have a look. http://www.mcgolfacademy.co.uk/

Pamela Pretswell is the leading Scot after Round 1 of the British Women's Open Strokeplay

Pamela Pretswell (photo courtesy of Colin Farquharson) - click to enlarge

Curtis Cup Scot Pamela Pretswell kept up her recent good form to finish the opening day of the British Women’s Open Amateur Stroke-Play golf Championship at Tenby, South Wales in a share of fifth place.
The Bothwell Castle GC player from Hamilton, pipped for the Austrian women's title a couple of weeks ago, shot a level par of 72 in windy conditions for the early starters and would have been that bit closer to Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) and Amy Boulden (Maesdu) – joint leaders on 68 – had she not bogeyed the 15th and 18th.
Pamela also ran up a double bogey 6 at the 11th but, on the bright side, she had a bag of five birdies: at the long first, the third, the 10th, the 13th, and the long 14th in halves of 36.
Former Scottish champion Renfrewshire's Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) all hit the 78 mark.
Alyson McKechin’s effort was a good effort indeed, considering she had a triple bogey 7 at the third and a double bogey 6 at the 18th in halves of 41 and 37.
Majorca-based Scot Lauren Mackin (Past Ranfurly Castle Member) had a 79, one shot ahead of recent Riccarton Rosebowl winner Jane Turner (Craigielaw)who had a horrendous outward half of 43, including a triple bogey 7 at the ninth.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
68 Chrisje De Vries (Ned), Amy Boulden (Maesdu).
70 Gillian O’Leary (Cork).
71 Lara Katzy (Ger).
72 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Laura Chemarin (Fra), Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park).
73 Marion Ricordeau (Fra), Charley Hull (Kettering), Tara Davies (Holyhead), Pia Halbig (Ger).
74 Camilla Hedberg (Spa), Nina Holleder (Ger), Alexandra Bonetti (Fra).
75 Lauren Taylor (Woburn), Julie Yang (Kings Acre), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Liebelei Lawrence (Gre), Ann Lindner (Ger), Klara Spilkova (Cze), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale).
Selected scores:
77 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
79 Lauren Mackin (Maj).
80 Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
81 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies).
82 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).
85 Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
87 Laura Murray (Alford).

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

Kylie Walker shares 9th place after Round 1 of the Ladies Scottish Open

Kylie Walker -- Photo Courtesy of Colin Farquharson -- click to enlarge

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
England’s Trish Johnson fired a three-under par 69 at Archerfield Links in East Lothian to take a one stroke lead over Christel Boeljon and Stacy Lee Bregman at the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open, presented by EventScotland.

The leading Scots challenge came from Kylie Walker, Mhairi McKay, Lynn Kenny and Krystle Caithness, who all shot 73 to share ninth place with Frenchwoman Caroline Afonso.

Kylie was out in 36 and back in 37. The Ladies European Tour rookie has had a nervy start to the season but feels that she just needs one solid week to keep her Tour card.

FIRST ROUND LEADING SCOREBOARD (par 72)
69 Trish Johnson (England)
70 Christel Boeljon (Golf Team Holland), Stacy Lee Bregman (South Africa).
71 Stefania Croce (Italy), Anna Rossi (Italy), Nikki Garrett (Australia).
72 Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (France), Jeehae Lee (South Korea).
73 Kylie Walker (The Carrick on Loch Lomond), Caroline Afonso (France), Mhairi McKay (Aberdeen Asset Management), Lynn Kenny (Archerfield Links),
Krystle Caithness (Scotland).
Other Scots:
74 Vikki Laing (SCO), Pamela Feggans (SCO) 75 Kathryn Imrie (SCO)
77 Carly Booth (SCO), Heather MacRae (SCO)
81 Clare Queen (SCO)