THE LONGEST DAY CHALLENGE -- TO SUPPORT MACMILLAN CANCER

The Longest Day Golf Challenge
We need hard guys and strong women to take on the toughest battle in golf. 1 day. 4 rounds. 72 holes. Think you can do it? If so, then show your stamina this summer by taking in the Longest Day Golf Challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. What’s more, the top four teams will be invited to play for the challenge trophy in Europe this October. Up for it? What's next? Assemble a team of up to four heroes and fly over tomacmillan.org.uk/golf to register. We’ll then send your Team Captain a welcome pack, including guidelines, sponsor forms and your scorecard. Choose a date. The longest day of the year is 21 June, but if you can’t play then, there will be enough daylight between May and August. Book your tee times. Will you play all four rounds on one course, or will you spread them out between two or more? Make giving support easy with a sponsorship page atjustgiving.com/macmillanevents. And why not see if your employer(s) will match any donations you raise? Let everyone know about the challenge. Pop posters up in your club, post sponsorship details on social media sites and contact the local press. ‘The Macmillan Longest Day Golf Challenge has been a genuinely rewarding experience and we’d recommend it to anyone. Qualifying for the finals in Portugal was an unexpected surprise, but it proved an amazing end to an extraordinary journey.’ James Lewis Tempus Est Ludendi – Longest Day Golf Challenge Winners 2011 Shooting for the big prizeFour teams will be invited to play for the Longest Day Golf Challenge trophy Boavista Golf Resort in October 2012. Finalists will be decided by looking at both scores and sponsorship, so the more you raise the better chance you have of qualifying. We’ll let finalists know during the week beginning 10 September.What happened in 2011? Last year’s challenge was the most successful yet, with 335 teams across the UK raising an amazing £393,000. Because of this support, we were able to help even more people affected by cancer with services like our benefits advisers, nurses, information centres and more. If someone is facing the toughest fight of their life, the Macmillan team will be in their corner every step of the way. You can help us provide our wide range of services by signing up today for the Longest Day Golf Challenge. So, assemble your A-team and be a hero for those affected at macmillan.org.uk/golf.The Macmillan Golf Team Looking for other ways to support us? Why not get your whole club involved in the Big Golf Drive this August? Seemacmillan.org.uk/biggolfdrive for more information. Supported by:
Fundraising » Get Involved »

JOB VACANCY WITH THE LGU

The Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”) is the encompassing body for ladies’ amateur golf throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Through its subsidiary company, LGU Championships Limited, it is specifically responsible for the delivery of national and international championships including British Championships, Home International matches, International matches including the Curtis Cup, and the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Applications are currently being invited for the following positions (CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW) primarily based in St Andrews, but with some necessity for travel.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

World Golf Rankings -- Pamela is 62nd

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) is now 62nd in the Women's World Amateur Golf Rankings. The two girls from New Zealand, Lydia Ko and Cecilia Cho are first and second. The leading British player is Charley Hull, England, in 7th place.

Amateur Golf is now in the Global Golf Post -- Read about our Scottish Amateur Ladies

Dear Golfer, Your March 19, 2012 issue of Global Golf Post is now available.  Please click here to view this week's issue. In this week's issue: Gear: RocketBallz Generating Lots Of Buzz, 7 Gear: Ecco Biom Hybrid Blends Classic And Casual, 8 Lewine Mair: Manassero Not Driven To Drive, Just To Win, 10 Brian Hewitt: Looking Out For Number Ones, 14 Great Britain And Ireland Amateur Preview, 23 Know a friend who might like Global Golf Post? Email him/her this link: http://globalgolfpost.com/uki TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE SCOTTISH LADIES AMATEUR PAGE-CLICK HERE

The D&A County Winter Foursomes Final

Alisoun Fairbairn and Claire Harper

D&A Captain Alisoun Fairbairn and Claire Harper beat Anne Cumberland and Norma Choat in the Final, 3 & 2, played at Balmore yesterday (Saturday 17th March). It was an excellent match, Alisoun and Claire were 3 up after 8. Anne and Norma pulled back to 1 down after 13 but Alisoun and Claire picked up again and won on the 16th.
Thanks go to D&A Vice Captain Carol Sim for the report and photograph

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY .

Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds (West) and Vice Captain Noreen Fenton (East) are looking forward to playing in the Mary McKenna Trophy next month in Ireland. West Vet Mae Hughes (Lanark) and East Vet Lorna Bennett who are in the team are seen here all celebrating St Patrick's Day

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

To see them all celebrating again go to the West Vets Website

The Irish Select Team at Hilton Templepatrick GC Belfast, on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th April 2012.

Elaine Allison (Midland)
Heather Anderson (Midland)
Karen Ballantyne (East)
Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (East)
May Hughes (West)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Linda Urquhart (Northern)

Reserves
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Jill Harrison (Northern)
Alex Glennie (West)

EIlidh Briggs wins the 3rd Scottish University Order of Merit Award at Dundonald

The 3rd Scottish Universities Order of Merit golt tournament event ended at a cold, wet and very windy Dundonald Links yesterday (Friday) with a clean sweep for Stirling University students in all four competitions.
In the men's event, Jack McDonald struck a highly credible 78 in the conditions for a total of 223 (9 over par) to pip Scottish international Graeme Robertson by two shots.
Robertson, who took 71 shots (1 under par) in an incredible morning's golf, fell foul of the tournament referee (after a lengthy and conisdered discussion) for having taken a number of preferred lies in contravention of the tournament conditions; finally signing for a score of 79 and second place.
Dewi Merckx, also from Stirling, who had led after the first two rounds struggled in the conditions to a score of 80, just ahead of Fairmont winner Chris Harkins (Strathclyde) who, like Robertson, had to add penalties to his score before signing his card.
Stirling I captured the men's team prize - McDonald and Robertson being joined in a 10-shot triumph by former Order of Merit winners David Booth and Zander Culverwell.
In the women's event, Stirling's Eilidh Briggs continues to dominate the Scottish Order of Merit events with scores of 74, 78, 81 for a total of 233 to win by 14 shots.
At the Scottish Universities Championships at Moray Golf Club in ten days time, Eilidh will have the unrivalled opportunity to complete a season's "Grand Slam" of the four Scottish student women's Order of Merit events - the )first time this will have been achieved.
Along with Becka Wilson and Harriet Beasley, Eilidh also picked up the women's team prize.

MEN'S LEADERBOARD
1 Jack Mcdonald (Stirling) 73 72 78 223
2 Graeme Robertson (Stirling) 72 74 79 225
3 Dewi Merckx (Stirling) 71 74 80 225
4 Chris Harkins (Strathclyde) 75 74 77 226
5 Nick McAndrew (Aberdeen) 77 76 75 228
6 Don McAndrew (RGU) 80 74 77 231
7 Matthias Eggenberger (Stirling) 74 79 79 232
8 Lee Fuller (Northumbria) 83 72 79 234
9 David Booth (Stirling) 77 80 78 235
10 Jack Lampkin (Northumbria)  76 79 81 236


WOMEN'S SCOREBOARD

1 Eilidh Briggs (Stirling) 74 78 81 233
2 Becka Wilson (Stirling) 81 83 83 247
3 Jane Turner (RGU) 85 79 85 249
4 Gabrielle Macdonald (St Andrews) 82 85 83 250
5 Hannah McCook (Stirling) 86 84 82 252
6 Sam Munro (UHI) 84 81 87 252
7 Harriet Beasley (Stirling) 83 80 95 258
8 Jordanna Graham (Stirling) 85 84 95 264
9 Zhana Tarasko (St Andrews) 89 85 174
10 Alisa Theunis (St Andrews) 89 92 181
11 Mhairi McKay (Stirling) 94 90 184

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

DOUGLAS PARK EAGLE MIXED FOURSOMES CELEBRATES IT'S 40th ANNIVERSARY

The Douglas Park "Eagle" Open Mixed Foursomes celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012.
The unique and impressive bronze eagle trophy, designed by Mr F. Malcolm Robertson of Glasgow School of Art in reference to the Roman Eagle emblem of the Club,  was commissioned by and presented to the Club by Past Captain John and Past Ladies' Captain Jean Watson in 1972. One of the pioneering events of its kind, the tournament continues to attract competitors from far and wide. In order to retain this interest and in celebration of the tournament's special birthday, the prize fund has been substantially enhanced.
There is a £1000 prize fund READ MORE

Entry Forms can be obtained ----- BY CLICKING HERE
Jim Fergusson
Tournament Convener

PAMELA HEADS FOR NAIRN FROM FRANCE WITH CONFIDENCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Despite slipping from third to joint seventh over the final round, Hamilton-based Pamela Pretswell will head to Nairn for next week's Curtis Cup selection trial full of confidence that she can impress the GB and I selectors enough to be named for the June 8-10 match against the United States.
Pretswell, who played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match in the States and was the only amateur in the field, had rounds of 71, 73 and 76 for a total of one-over-par 220 in the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, a Ladies European Tour developmental circuit event, at the Terre Blanche Golf Resort in Provence, southern France.
She had three birdies on the front nine but none after the turn to offset three further bogeys.
Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll finished joint 15th with scores of 74-75-74 for 223. She birdied three of the last five holes and is beginning to find her feet as a tour pro.
Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) had scores of 77-74-80 for 231 and 27th place. Winner was France's Marion Ricordeau with scores of 70-73-68 for an eight-under-par total of 211 over the par-73 course. She won by three shots from the overnight leader, Australian Rebecca Flood (72-69-73 for 214).

 FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3x73)
211 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 70 73 68.
214 Rebecca Flood (Australia) 72 69 73.
215 Caroline Afonso (Fra) 72 73 70.
217 Julie Maisongrosse (Fra) 75 71 71

 SELECTED TOTALS
220 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 71 73 76,(T7).
223 Katy McNicoll (Sco) 74 75 74 (T15).
231 Heather MacRae (Sco) 77 74 80 (27th).

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

Pamela does well in the 2nd Round in France

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Curtis Cup team place contender Pamela Pretswell goes into Friday's final round of the Terre Blanche Ladies Open - a Ladies European Tour Access Series event - in the south of France in third place, only three shots behind the Aussie leader, Rebecca Flood.
Pamela, in good nick for next week's GB and I selection trial at Nairn, added a par-73 today to her opening 71 with birdies at the first, seventh and 18th being cancelled out by bogeys at the second, third and 14th.
The Bothwell Castle GC amateur's total of two-under 144 is three behind Flood (72-69) and one in arrears of second-placed Marion Ricordeau (France) (70-73). Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) is lying joint 15th with 74-75 for 149 - two strokes ahead of Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) (77-74) in joint 21st place.
Gemma Webster from Glasgow shot 83-79 for 162 - 10 shots above the cut for the final round.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
 Par 146 (2x73)
141 Rebecca Flood (Aus) 72 69.
143 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 70 73.
144 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) (am) 71 73.

SELECTED SCORES
148 Hannah Ralph (Eng) 72 76 (T10)
149 Katy McNicoll (Sco) 74 75 (T15).
151 Heather MacRae (Sco) 77 74, Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 77 74 (T21).
152 Tara Delaney (Ire) 77 75 (T27)

MISSED THE CUT (152 or better qualified)
155 Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 81, Henrietta Zuel (Eng) 79 76.
161 Lindsay Brown (Eng) (am) 79 82.
162 Gemma Webster (Sco) 83 79.
171 Lauren Blease (Eng) 84 87.
172 Joanne Clingan (Eng) 85 87.
Labels: Amateur Ladies, Pro Ladies

CLARE- MARIE MACAULAY IS MADE AN HONORARY MEMBER OF FERENEZE

Many congratulations go to Clare-Marie Macaulay (nee Carlton) who has just been made an Honorary Member of Fereneze. She was absolutely delighted to accept the award
When Clare- Marie was 12 years old, Renfrewshire's Junior Secretary, Leslie Campbell, who was in charge of the Renfrewshire girls, started her playing in junior matches and also got her involved in the West of Scotland Girls. The West of Scotland Girls' Association encouraged her to play in as many competitions as possible. In 2003, she played in her first Renfrewshire Ladies' County competition - the County Championship at Caldwell Golf Club - and competed in one of the best matches ther ever was. She played Donna Jackson in the final and fortunately won at the 23rd hole in horrendous weather conditions. She said "It was a great honour to win the County Championship and also to play against one of the best players Renfrewshire has ever produced." Also in that year she achieved her first Scotland under 18 cap in the Home Internationals and then again in 2005. She also won numerous tournaments including the LGU Challenge Bowl and Wallace Williamson Bowl in 2009 at Stirling and the Mackie Bowl at Gullane also in 2009.
Clare - Marie is now currently working full time at Play Sport Golf.

Pamela Pretswell is playing in a French Pro Ladies Open and is in 4th Place after The First Round

The first round took place today of the season-opening Terre Blanche Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 73
70 Marion Ricordeau (Fra), Valentine Derrey (Fra), Vica Schlasberg (Swe)
71 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) (am), Ana Larraneta (Spain).
SELECTED SCORES
74 Katy McNicoll (Sco) (T13).
77 Danielle McVeigh (Ire), Tara Delaney (Ire), Heather MacRae (Sco) (T33).
79 Lindsay Brown (Eng) (am), Henrietta Zuel (Eng) (T46).
83 Gemma Webster (Sco) (T61).
84 Lauren Blease (Eng) (am) (T64)
85 Joanne Clingan (Eng) (T68)

TEE TIMES FOR SCOTTISH UNDER-16 GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP AT STRATHMORE

FROM THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION WEBSITE

There has been a large entry for the 2012 SLGA Under-16s Championship with 127 entries received for only 102 places. Players with exact handicaps of 14.1 and above have been balloted out.

To view the draw for the first round of the 36-hole stroke-play tournament at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth --- CLICK HERE

For the second-round draw ----CLICK HERE

SLGA NAME INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2012 SEASON

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SLGA
Fiona Norris (Hamilton) has been reappointed captain of the Scotland team for the Women's Home Internationals at Cork Golf Club, Ireland in September, and she is delighted to be leading the side over a course that ranks among her personal favourites.
“My husband, Patrick, is from Ireland and his family live about an hour from the course and I’m also friendly with Clare Coughlan, who is a member of Cork and is going to captain the Irish side this year,” explained Norris, a former international player and GB and Ireland team manager.
“Every time I visit my in-laws I try and have a game at Cork so I know it really well. It will be a really good test for the girls and a great place to try and repeat our win of two years ago.”
Norris was in charge at Hillside last year when Scotland lost all three matches, but she is confident the experience will have helped the youngsters coming through.
“Eilidh Briggs and Alyson McKechin were two teenagers who did well last year and we can also draw on experience of Louise Kenney, Kelsey MacDonald and Pamela Pretswell,” Norris added.
Elaine Cuthill, a member at Lanark but currently based in the Netherlands, has been named captain for the European girls’ team championships in Germany in July, and for the girls’ home internationals at Radyr in Wales the following month.
“I have captained the Under-16s for the past two years and I am extremely honoured and excited to be stepping up to the under-18s,” said Cuthill, who has a three-year Dutch placement as a member of Heineken’s marketing team. “I know I am going to be working with a talented and dedicated group of girls who will do Scotland proud in 2012.”
Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar) is the new captain of the Scotland Under-16 team, while Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) will again skipper the Senior team for the European senior team championships in Lugano, Switzerland in September and at the Senior Women's Home Internationals at Elie and Earlsferry in October.

Dramatic D&A County Lunch is a great Success

D&A ALL STARS -- CLICK TO ENLARGE

Approximately 100 ladies from D&A Ladies' County Golf Association attended a lunch at Douglas Park Golf Club yesterday. Captain Alisoun Fairbairn chaired the event. D&A's Curtis Cup Ambassador Helen Macgregor gave a very good presentation on the forthcoming event at Nairn in June and Vice Captain Carol Sim organised an excellent golfing quiz and raffle.
Post lunch entertainment was then given by some County Stars which added to the enjoyment of the day. Renfrewshire's Carol Fell was invited to the lunch as a guest -- She was delighted to attend and enjoyed everyone's friendly company and banter.
To see some of the D&A Dramatic Society at work -- click on the video below. See if you can guess who are the performers -- if not you will need to watch it until the end !!

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S INTER-CLUB MATCH-PLAY FOURSOMES DRAW

A record number of 84 clubs has entered this year's Scottish women's inter-club match-play foursomes. A total of 44 clubs have received byes into the second round.

Draw for first-round ties, to be played by Sunday, April 15, is:

Newburgh-on-Ythan v Longside
Portlethen v Longside
Blairgowrie v Taymouth Castle
Crieff v Strathmore
Downfield v Camperdown
Ladies Panmure Barry v Letham Grange
Kinross v Dunblane New
Ladybank v Kinghorn
Linlithgow v Bridge of Allan
Muckhart v Alyth
Stirling v Tillicoultry
Cawder v East Kilbride
Haggs Castle v Gleddoch
Helensburgh v Windyhill
Irvine v West Kilbride
Kilmacolm v Caldwell
Ladies Golf Club Troon v Largs
Duddingston v Baberton
Turnhouse v Merchants of Edinburgh
Dumfries and Galloway v Crichton

+The semi-finals and final will be played at Muckhart GC on Sunday, September 2.

ANNA HUBBARD APPOINTED CURTIS CUP TEAM MANAGER

LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

Anna Hubbard, from Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales, has been named by the Ladies’ Golf Union as the manager of the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at The Nairn Golf Club, Scotland from June 8 to 10, 2012.
Anna fills the gap left by the recent death of Sue Turner, also from Wales, and maintains the all-Wales team leadership with Tegwen Matthews, the Team Captain.
"It's a great honour for me to accept this privileged position of team manager for the Curtis Cup. I shall strive to fulfill the highest standards set by my predecessor, Sue Turner, who will be dearly missed by all," said Anna.
Anna Hubbard played county standard golf for 25 years and was Mid-Wales county champion three times and runner-up on four other occasions.
She has been a member of Borth and Ynyslas Golf Club for 57 years.
"My most memorable golfing experience was acting as the Wales team manager when Sue Turner was captain and led them to the Women's Home Internationals title two years in a row - at Wrexham in 2008 and Irvine in 2009," said Anna.
An all-round sports enthusiast all her life, Anna represented her county at athletics, hockey, netball, badminton and golf and was an athletics under-18 Welsh international for two years.
When not golfing, Anna says she likes "Kayaking, boating, travelling, motor caravanning, walking, managing golf teams and spending fun time with our grand children."
Anna and her husband Kai once sailed around South America and she has backpacked around South America and New Zealand.
"I was one of the first women crew members for the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Service, which I enjoyed for over 15 years," said Anna.
Anna and Kai have three children - Bryn (47), Alun (42) and Sian (37).
Mary McKenna, who captained the GB and I team at the 2008 and 2010 Curtis Cup matches and played in nine Curtis Cup matches between 1970 and 1986, has accepted an invitation from the LGU to be a team advisor.

West of Scotland Championships -- Get your Entry Form

The West of Scotland 36 Hole Stroke play Championship is on Sunday 6th May 2012 at Renfrew Golf Club. The 2011 Championship was won by Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm).
To get your entry form CLICK HERE

WINDYHILL LADIES START THEIR SEASON WITH A FUN DAY

Pat Porter, Claire Smith, Anne Laing, Myra Baker

Ann MacDonald, Carol Whyte, Elaine Robb, Sandra Chudleigh

Moira Revie, Laura McGeachy, Katrina Milne, Tracy Masterton

Windyhill Ladies gathered yesterday, Saturday 3rd March, for their Start of Season Fun Day. To enter in to the spirit all the ladies turned up with a fun hat/wig to wear and teed off in truly comical style. Despite the rather damp conditions underfoot the sun made a welcome appearance and most ladies managed to get round dry! The main competition was won by Tracy Masterton and Katrina Milne with Florence Kay and Mairi Miller the 9 hole winners.
Following a hearty dinner the ladies then competed in the alternative 2012 Olympics consisting of rhythmic gymnastics, a scooter relay and a head to head hoolahoop challenge. Well done to all the competitors for completing their events in true Windyhill style - with laughter and gusto!
A great day was had by all - roll on the first competition and lots more fun days!

Thanks go to Windyhill Ladies Captain Lindsay Mathie for the report and photographs

KYLIE MAKES THE CUT IN THE WORLD LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP IN CHINA

Kylie Walker had a second-round 70 for a 36-hole tally of 145 in the World Ladies Championship in China to qualify for the Final Round. She then had a had a final round of 76 to finish in 42nd place
Clare Queen and Carly Booth did not make the last round cut.. However Carly who was Kylie's Team partner representing Scotland had a great round of 67 in the final round to help Scotland move up to 10th place in the Team event

Go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website to read all the details of round 2

TO SEE ALL THE SCORES    CLICK HERE

Scotland finished in 10th place in the Team event (Kylie Walker and Carly Booth)
To read the full report go to the GIllian Kirkwood Website for the final report