2011 Scottish Golf Show -- Pre - Book Ticket Offer

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship

This 36 hole stroke play event will once again be held at Strathmore Golf Centre from 14 - 15 April with a practice round available on 13 April. This is always a popular event and no late entries will be accepted so make sure you get your entries in before the closing date at 12 noon on Monday 14 March.
More information can be found on the entry form or the U16 Championship page on the SLGA website

Scottish Match Play Foursomes

There is only one week left for clubs to enter the Scottish Ladies Match Play Foursomes. Each club may nominate one team of two or three players to compete in this knock out match play foursomes competition. The semi-finals and final will be played at Glenbervie Golf Club on 28 August.
For further information see the entry forms which were sent out to the clubs in early February. The closing date is Monday 7 March at 12 noon.

LGU AGM

Belle Robertson and Ann Irvin (EWGA President)- Click to enlarge

The LGU AGM was held in the Holiday Inn in West Nile Street in Glasgow on Saturday 26th February where many people met friends and golfers they had not seen for a while.
 An excellent AGM was run by the LGU  with Gillian Kirkwood (Chairman) , Jane Brown (Finance Director) and Shona Malcom (CEO) all giving their reports.
 Mrs Jill Edwards MBE  was appointed as the new President from the retiring President Maureen Lockett.
Janet Wake leaves the Council and Board and  Lorna Bennett takes over the vacancy.
At the close of the meeting Alison Nicholas, Captain of the 2011 GB&I Solheim Cup team gave a fantastic insight into the problems tears and joys of being a Captain. The audience all enjoyed her humour and there was much laughter.
To read more go to the LGU Website

** Belle and Ann played in Curtis Cup matches together in the 1970's

Clare- Marie Carlton and Callum Macaulay are now husband and wife

Callum and Clare- Marie - Click to enlarge

Many thanks to Mandy Macaulay who sent the picture.

Many congratulations go Clare- Marie Carlton who got married to Scottish Golf Professional Callum Macaulay on Friday.
Many thanks for the photos taken by Christeen Finlayson and Trish Brown for the photos

Many congratulations from all West of Scotland

Tegwen Mathews and Alison Nicholas attend the LGU Dinner

Lanarkshire, D&A and Renfrewshire with Alison Nicholas - Click too enlarge

The LGU dinner was held last night Friday 25th February at the Holiday Inn in West Nile Street Glasgow. Aileen Wilson, Beth Paterson, Fiona Roger, Carol Fell and Jennifer Mack were all there.
Guests at the dinner were Tegwen Matthews who has been appointed as the captain of Great Britain and Ireland's 2012 Curtis Cup team and Alison Nicholas who won the 1987 Weetabix Ladies British Open at St Mellion.
The highlight of Alison's career was when she was crowned 1997 US Open Champion when she held off golfing legend Nancy Lopez to win her first major. Following this success Alison was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to women's golf.

Representing Europe in the Solheim Cup six times was memorable for Alison especially being on three victorious teams in 1992, 2000 and as Vice Captain in 2003.

She was the Solheim Cup European Team Captain for 2009 and is the Team Captain for 2011 European Solheim Cup with Ladies European Tour members Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley who have been selected as her vice-captains. This years Solheim Cup is to be played in Ireland at Killeen Castle.

To see some photos from the evenings event click on the small photo of Tegwen and Alison below

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS

Douglas Park Ladies Day Open Greensomes Entry Form

The Douglas Park Ladies Open Greensomes is on Friday 24th June (Tee-Off Times 8.00am – 4.00pm)
Individual Handicap Limit – 30, ENTRY FEE £10.00 Per Couple
Scratch and Handicap Prizes
ENTRY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 112 COUPLES
Application Form with Entry Fee to:-
Mrs. Anne Fergusson
17 Milngavie Road
BEARSDEN
Glasgow G61 2DT

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ENTRY FORM --- then right click on your mouse and select print

Douglas Park Ladies Social Evening is a great success

Maureen Rennie and Pearl Slane - click to enlarge

Douglas Park Golf Club Ladies had their Social Evening on Friday 18th February. Ladies Captain Gill Hendry had made the theme of the evening be "THE 60's" . What hilarity and fun they all had with dancing, singing and music from the 60's , plus many colourful outfits dragged out of the wardropes.
Click on the small picture below and then click on slideshow to reveal more.
Thanks go to Lynda Smith, Olive Mackay and Lindsay McLean for the photographs.

Douglas Park Social Evening

The Winning Scottish Team is introduced by Captain Lesley Nicholson and Monty says a few words

Videos Courtesy of your Webmaster

West of Scotland Championship Entry Form

The West of Scotland Ladies Close Championship is at Lanark Golf Club on Sunday 8th May 2011.
To print out your entry form CLICK HERE

Scottish Golf Awards Dinner --- The Ladies are Winners

The Scottish Team Award

Eilidh Briggs (SLGA Girls Order of Merit)

Lelsey MacDonald (SLGA Ladies Order of Merit Award)

The Scottish Golf Awards Dinner was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday Evening

Many Congraulations go to Renfrewshire's 2010 County Champion Eilidh Briggs (SLGA Girls Order of Merit Winner), Kelsey MacDonald (SLGA Ladies Order of Merit Winner) and to Lesley Nicholson's all conquering Scotland Home International Team that won the Team of the Year Award. -- The team included West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).

The Scottish European Senior Women's Championship Team captained by Pam Williamson was also in the running for the Team award, along with the Scotland Boy's Home International team who beat England for the first time in 13 yeras and the North East Men's Team that won their first Scottish Area Team Championship since 1992.

Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie were both awarded LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
My thanks go to the SLGA for inviting your webmaster to the dinner which was absolutely fantastic.

Click Here and then click on slideshow to see larger picture and download a favourite

The Electronic Version of the 2011 LGU Yearbook.

Here is an electronic version of the 2011 LGU Yearbook.

A paper version will be distributed to clubs with the next LGU mailing.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ELECTRONIC 2011 LGU YEARBOOK

SLGA NAME INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2011

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Fiona Norris has been named Captain for this season’s European Team Championship and the Home Internationals, and she is looking forward to the challenge of building on last year’s success.
The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association is also delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Marshall (European Girls’ Team Championship and Girls’ Home Internationals), Helen Faulds (Senior Home Internationals) and Elaine Cuthill (SLGA Under-16 Open Strokeplay Championship) as Team Captains for the 2011 season.
With Fiona Norris (Pictured right courtesy of the SLGA), at the helm, the Scottish team will defend the Home International title at Hillside in September and will be aiming to retain a medal at the European Championships at Murhof in Austria in July.
Fiona, the sister of LPGA Tour professional, Mhairi McKay-Smith, knows she has a hard act to follow in taking over the captaincy from Lesley Nicholson, But she brings a wealth of experience to the post.
A three-time member of Home International teams, Fiona previously worked alongside Ada O’Sullivan as Manager of Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup teams and Captained Scotland at the 2008 World Amateur Championships in Australia.
“I hope to build on last year,” said the Hamilton member. “Lesley and Kevin Craggs (Scotland’s National Coach) did a great job last year and we should have a really strong team. Pamela Pretswell is the British Open Stroke-play Champion and Kelsey MacDonald was runner-up in the British Amateur and there is great strength in depth.
“I’ve never been to Austria, but Pamela did well in a European event at the same course a few years ago so I will be picking her brains. Scotland did exceptionally well to win the European bronze medal at La Manga last year and it would be great if we could do even better.”
Baberton’s Karen Marshall retains the Captaincy for the two junior tournaments – the Europeans in Sardinia in July and the Girls’ Home Internationals over Gullane No.2 in August when Scotland will be aiming to go one better than last year’s second place behind England.

Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) also stays in charge of the SLGA Under-16 Championship at Strathmore in April.

(Pictured right  -- - click to enlarge)

Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)--- (pictured top right in the 2006 Scottish Home Internationals at Hamilton Golf Club as a player with past Curtis Cup Captain Mary McKenna centre back row middle) ---
takes over the role for the Senior Home Internationals at Tramore in September from Pamela Williamson (Baberton) who is next to Helen on her LHS.-- Click to enlarge the picture

Your Webmaster Carol and Husband Gordon celebrate St Valentines Day

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Group Coaching at Playsport Golf

GROUP COACHING - MARCH 2011 Skills Development Sessions for ages 9-11 years 4 x 60min sessions for ONLY £40 Saturday Sessions starting 5th March - 1-2pm Sunday Sessions starting 6th March - 1-2pm Tuesday Sessions starting 8th March - 5-6pm Wednesday Sessions starting 9th March - 5-6pm Introduction to Golf Sessions for ages 7-8 years 4 x 60min sessions for ONLY £25 Saturday Sessions starting 5th March - 10-11am Tuesday Sessions starting 8th March - 4.30-5.30pm Thursday Sessions starting 10th March - 4.30-5.30pm ADULT GROUP COACHING SESSIONS - 4x60min for ONLY £40 Tuesday sessions starting 8th March for four consecutive weeks... Beginners:              7-8pm Intermediate:          8-9pm Thursday sessions starting 10th March for four consecutive weeks... Beginners:              7-8pm Intermediate:          8-9pm CONTACT RECEPTION TO BOOK YOUR SPACE

WOMEN GET THE CLUB EQUALITY THEY DON'T WANT !

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By ADAM LUSHER
The Equality Act has given women more rights in golf clubs – but many lady golfers have been left out of pocket and out of sorts.
It was meant to put women on a par with men.
Women golfers have long faced restrictions at their local courses on what times they could play and which bars they could drink in. Often they were blocked from becoming club captain.
So when Harriet Harman introduced the Equality Act to give women more rights in work places and social settings, golf clubs were seen as ripe for reform.
But the drive by Labour’s leading feminist seems to have landed in the bunker. Many women golfers say that, following the changes, which have brought an end to men-only tee-off times at many clubs, they now have to pay more for membership.
Although the legislation was passed by Parliament just before last year’s election and came into force in October, many of its effects are only now being felt, with golf clubs forced to rewrite their own rule books.
As well as allowing ladies to play on whatever day they want, clubs are also having to admit women to “men only” bars and restaurants in clubhouses, and some are abolishing the traditional post of club captain. Others are even planning to scrap “husband and wife” contests, replacing them with “mixed competitions” in which civil partners can also compete.
Kirstie Thirde, from the English Golf Partnership which incorporates governing and professional bodies, said many women were unhappy that they must now have the same unrestricted membership terms as men, meaning that they lost their ladies’ discount.
Mrs Thirde backed the Act but admitted: “Many golf club ladies don’t want equality. All they feel the Equality Act does is increase their fees and allow them access to the course at weekends, which they really don’t need.
“I visit an awful lot of clubs talking about the equality issue, and they will say to you 'women don’t want this.’ ”
Many women golfers are over 50 and retired. She said: “They play during the week. They don’t need access to the course at the weekend, so why would somebody pay for something they don’t want?”
Chris Jones, editor of Golf World magazine, said he too had heard women golfers complaining about the Act. “A lot of them are on fixed incomes and can’t justify an extra £40 a month for golf club membership.
“Most women don’t want to play with us men. They don’t want to endure the bravado, the trying to play like Tiger Woods, and the swearing, stamping and snapping of golf clubs that ensues. Ladies’ day is their day when they can get away from us.”
At some clubs, the post of club captain – once the preserve of men only – has been scrapped in favour of separate ladies’ and men’s captains. A 70-year-old honorary secretary at one club, who asked not to be named, regretted the change.
“To be club captain is one of the highest honours. These people that come up with the legislation don’t understand the traditions of this place.”
Some clubs have introduced changes with reluctance. Lenzie Golf Club, near Glasgow, announced that “veteran ladies” would now be expected to pay the same as “veteran gents”.
However, Robert Chalmers, the club captain, added: “I hope members will appreciate the changes are to be made as the result of legislation which we must comply with and not of our own initiation.”
A newsletter from Northwood Golf Club in Middlesex worried that “the new law bans the candidacy of a captain only being available to men. There’ll be a few harrumphs about this at the club bar, I am sure.”
The move was voted through with a big majority, but the club is now grappling with the thornier issue of whether it can still allow husband and wife discounts, or whether the average couple will have to pay an extra £200 in fees.
In Northwood’s newsletter, Steve Derbyshire, the club’s general manager, writes that “husband and wife competitions are discriminatory and need to be 'mixed competitions’ in future, taking into account civil partnerships as well as gender reassignment and sexual orientation issues”.
Alison Root, 43, the editor of Women and Golf magazine and a regular player, admitted: “To be honest, a lot of women don’t want change. They play during the week. They don’t care what happens on Saturdays. If you’re happy with your lot, why change?”
Objections to the Act among female golfers surprised Barry Johnston, compiler of the book The Wit of Golf. “I am sure they don’t want to go back to the bad old days,” he said.
“That’s when you heard stories about the ladies sitting on the veranda who were appalled by swearing from so-called gentlemen on the 18th hole. When the ladies complained, the committee took action – by banning ladies from the veranda.”
Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Get Fit For Golf -- Visit Karyn Burns

Karyn Burns, one of Mearns Castle's resident PGA Professionals has recently started her Personal Training Business 'kbfit'. Karyn is a Level 3 recognised Certified Personal Trainer with the Register of Exercise Professionals and is currently making training easy by training people in the comfort of their own home, easing time constraints on exercising or making it to the gym.

Whether you want to get fit for your health, to lose weight or just simply feel great, Karyn can make a PERSONAL programme for YOU and help you achieve your goals and even exceed your expectations.
Click Here to read more

Erskine Golf Club Tri Am Open Day - Get your Entry Form

The Erskine Golf Club Ladies’ Open Tri-am Competition is on Wednesday 27th April 2011
Entries should be in teams of three.
Maximum playing handicap is 30 although players with higher handicaps may enter.
Entry fee £30 per Team.
Closing date for entries 6th April 2011
Full catering available.
Starting times from 9am.
Prize Giving scheduled for 7.00 p.m

Click Here to get your Entry Form

SUBMIT YOUR OPEN DAY RESULTS

Why not post your Open Day Results or your Club Medal results by emailing your webmaster Carol

Death of Liz Miskimmin

From the SLGA WEBSITE
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Liz Miskimmin on Saturday 5 February. Liz’s contribution to Scottish golf was considerable at club, county and national level. Club Champion at four different golf clubs, she was Champion of Stirling & Clackmannan on three occasions, East of Scotland Champion and Scottish Veterans Champion. She captained Stirling & Clackmannan and from 1986 was a member of Perth & Kinross where she was county team member, Captain and President.The international selector for Scotland on the LGU’s selection committee 2001 – 2003 Liz joined the SLGA Board in 2008 where she was Chairman of Selectors and a director of clubgolf Scotland Ltd until she retired at the AGM in 2010. Her deep love of the game, great common sense and mischievous sense of humour will be missed by all who knew her.
Liz’s funeral will be held at Perth crematorium on Friday 18 February at 2.00 pm.

SLGA Match Play Foursomes

The closing date for the 2011 Match Play Foursomes is 7 March and the entry forms were posted to all Golf Clubs on 2 February 2011.

Mearns Castle -- Its that time of Year !!

Promo. It is that time of the year again when we all start to dust down the clubs, and get in some much needed practice before the golf season starts. It is fair to say that we have had a rather cruel winter so far, so as a reward, Mearns Castle Golf Academy would like to reward those dedicated to practising in the month of February with some added incentive. For the month of February the PGA professionals are offering a massive 20% OFF all golf lessons! This is the perfect time of year to come in to see one of our team of professionals who can help you with your game.  If it is just a quick fix you are after, an individual 30 minute lesson is now only £22.40, or if you are really looking to gain a competitive edge this season, why not take out a block of 6 x 60 minute golf lessons for only £200 and allow our team of professionals to set you up with a winter coaching programme tailored to meet your needs. To book simply call reception on 0141 644 8200. Please click here for a full comprehensive list of lesson prices this month. Simply print off this advert to claim your complimentary basket of balls, valid until the 28th of February. Medal/Competition Results. A big show of appreciation to the hardy 18 members who played in January's 5 club competition. In adverse weather conditions, it was a true testament of the love of golf that all players completed their round. Congratulations to Dave Cowie who won the competition with a score of 18 stableford points over 9 holes.  Dave would like thank his professional Iain Kennedy for the lessons he has received over the winter, which have really helped his game. Love is in the air, so in conjunction with our business partner, Mr Singh's India, why not treat your loved one to a special night out.  Go on, treat that special someone in your life this February!

Nothing to do with Golf -- Action on the beach !!

Thanks go to Maggie Rutherford from Douglas Park Golf Club for this link to a lovely Movie

Connie Jaffrey finishes 3rd in the Scottish Golf Academy Under 16's at St Andrews

Ailsa Summers, who plays for the Angus women's county team and is a girl international, shot a two-under-par 71 from the girls' tees in the girls' sections of today's (Sunday) Scottish Golf Academy Under-16 Winter Series event over the Eden course, St Andrews,. She had an eagle at the 16th and birdies at the third, eighth, 13th and 18th in halves of 38 (one over) and 33 (three under).
Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), winner of last year's Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play championship, finished second with a 75.
Three girls - Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Kimberley Beveri8dge (Aboyne) and Connie Jaffery (Troon Ladies) - finished joint third on 77 in a field of 20.
GIRLS
Par 73
71 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies).
75 Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies).
77 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne), Connie Jaffery (Troon Ladies).]
78 Emma Greenlees (Dumfreis & Galloway), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies).
79 Heather Munro (Monifieth).
80 Rachel Polson (Peterculter), Tara McTaggart (Minto), Clara Young (North Berwick).
81 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Samantha Munro (Aberdour).
82 Eilidh Watson (Muckhart), Chloe Goadby (St Regulus).
83 Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies).
84 Eleanor Tunn (Reay), Rachel Walker (Dumfries & Co).
87 Eva O'Connor Bothwell Castle).
90 Emma Hale (Troon Ladies).

Happygolf Scotland Booklet -- Selling Out -- Limited stocks left

Dear Fellow Golfer

Due to the recall of `The Wee Yellow Book` last week I have had a rush on sales and now have limited stock available.

The Happygolf Scotland booklet has hundreds more opens than `The Wee Yellow Book`. When you purchase a booklet a password is forwarded to you to gain immediate access not only the Scottish opens on the web site but all opens, golf weeks and passport schemes, plus it is the same price.

To purchase a booklet at  £ 4.00 or web access only at  £ 3.00 (click here).

Thank you for your support.

Elizabeth S Miller
01383 620200
info@happygolf.co.uk
www.happygolf.co.uk

The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership

Disabled golfers from across the world will soon be selected to participate in the 3-day Scottish Golf Championship and 4-day World Team Cup, to be played at the Westerwood Resort in Scotland this July.

Teams will be selected at the end of this month, so we would urge any disabled golfer to submit their name for team selection as soon as possible.

The teams participating in this first ever 4-team Ryder Cup style event are from Scotland, England, the Celtic Nations and a World Team. There is a fantastic entry fee package, covering golf, hotel,food and golf carts available for all selected players of only £250 for the week.

More information and forms can be found at www.sdgp.co.uk or by email at info@sdgp.co.uk

Lone Scot -- Clare finishes in 67th place

Scotland's Clare Queen totalled 148 for the first two rounds and 157 for the third and fourth with scores of 71, 77, 76 and 81 for a total of 305 and 67th place which earned her Australian $650 (1,136 Euros).

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Clare Queen -- The Lone Scot in Australia

Clare Queen, the only Scot to survive the 36-hole cut at the Handa Women's Australian Open had a third-round 76.
She bogeyed the first, sixth and seventh and birdied the short ninth. The Carrick on Loch Lomond player bogeyed the 14th and 16th before birdieing the 17th.
Her earlier rounds were 71 and 77 and her 54-hole total is 224 which puts her in joint 61st place with a round to go.

Clare Queen slips down on Day 2 of the Australian Open

Clare Queen slipped from her prominent first-day position with a four-over-par 77 for 148 and a share of 48th place.
The Scot bogeyed the second, third and fourth, birdied the 13th but bogeyed the 14th and 16th.
Kylie Walker improved by nine shots on Round 1 with a 73 for 157. Playing out of The Carrick on Loch Lomond - as does Clare - Kylie birdied three par-5s: the second, the sixth and the 15th. She also finished strongly with birdies at the 16th and 18th.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Clare Queen shoots a 2 under par in the 1st round of the Australian Open

Clare Queen (The Carrick at Loch Lomond), who had to pre-qualify on Monday to get into the event, has made a very good start to the Handa Australian Women's Open at the Commonwealth Golf Club on Melbourne's Sand Belt.
She shot a two-under-par 71 to be four shots off the lead, shared by Jiyai Shin and Jennifer Song and in joint 16th place overall

SCOTS' SCORES
Par 73
71 Clare Queen (T16).
77 Carly Booth (T98).
83 Vikki Laing (143rd).
84 Krystle Caithness, Kylie Walker (T144).

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES