MEGAN BRIGGS IS THE LEADING QUALIFIER IN THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP AT ERSKINE

Megan Briggs is the leading qualifier at Erskine

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) four times winner of the Renfrewshire County  Championship had 3 birdies and 1 bogey in her 2 under par 71 over Erskine Golf Club today and was the leading qualifier in the RLCGA County Championship. Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had the next best round with a 75.
Eilidh Briggs, County Champion for the past two years, is not in the field this week. She is competing in a British universities' event at West Lancs GC
The best net score of the day was local player Gina McDougall with a net 69 playing of a handicap of 11 and wins the Peggy Clark Trophy.
SSS 73, CSS 76 ( 58 Entrants)

Leading Qualifiers:
71 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
75 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie)
80 Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) (bih), Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry) (bih), Nicky Henderson (Haggs Castle)
82 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) (bih), Maureen Woodhead (Gourock) (bih) Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle)
85 Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) Carol Whyte (Windyhill) , Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) (bih), Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle)
86 Lorraine Morrow (Erskine)
87 Lindsay Mathie (Windyhill) Beth Paterson (Eastwood)
88 Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle)

1st Round Matchplay Thursday 18th April

9:15 Megan Briggs (1) v Denise Cowan (16)
9:22 Jennifer Mack (9) Gillian McGinlay (8)
9:30 Nicky Henderson (5) v Carol Fell (12)
9:37 Lorraine Morrow (13) v Linsey Stevenson (4)
9:45 Gillian Kyle (3) v Lindsay Mathie (14)
9:52 Iona Stephen (11) v Donna Jackson (6)
10:00 Maureen Woodhead (7) v Carol Whyte (10)
10:07 Beth Paterson (15) v Alyson McKechin (2)

MILNGAVIE TRIO REACH D&A COUNTY SEMI-FINALS AT HOME COURSE

Three Milngavie Golf Club members - Kirstin Scott, Anna Telfer and Nichola Ferguson - have reached tomorrow morning's semi-finals of the Dunbartonshire and Argyll women's county championship over their home course.
The odd one in is Lorraine Campbell (Cardross).
Anna Telfer, Lorraine Campbell and Nichola Ferguson were also in last year's semi-finals after which Nichola beat Anna in the final.
This year Nichola and Anna meet in the second semi-final with top seed Kirstin Scott playing Lorraine Campbell.
Anna Telfer was inches away from a hole in one on the par-3 sixth hole in her morning 6 and 5 win over Jennifer Gough (Clydebank & Dist).
Today's match-play results:

FIRST ROUND
Kirstin Scott (Milngavie) beat Lana Macdonald (Hilton Park) 5 and 4.
Sheena McDonald (Milngavie) beat Margaret Kinvig (The Carrick) 4 and 3
Margaret Stirling (Cardross) beat Kay McColl (Hilton Park) 3 and 1
Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) beat Alisoun Fairbairn (Troon Ladies) 6 and 4
Anna Telfer (Milngavie) beat Jennifer Gough (Clydebank & District) 6 and 5
Gayle Marshall (Clober) beat Sheila Steele (Hilton Park) 5 and 4
Lynn McColl (Bearsden) beat Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) 1 hole
Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) beat Carol Sim (Balmore) 7 and 5.
QUARTER-FINALS
Scott beat McDonald 1 hole
Campbell beat Stirling 4 and 3.
Telfer beat Marshall 4 and 3.
Ferguson beat McColl 5 and 3.

BRONZE DIVISION
Semi-finals
Audrey Gardiner (Hilton Park) bt Barbara Robertson (Dumbarton) 4 and 3.
Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) bt Eleanor Starling (Balmore) 4 and 3.

HELEN HOLM TROPHY AT TROON ON APRIL 27th - 29th

 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and six of her Curtis Cup team-mates are included in a strong international line-up for the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship over 54 holes at Troon on April 27-29.

England’s Charley Hull, the exciting 16-year-old who finished in the top 40 at this month’s women’s major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Amy Boulden, Holly Clyburn, Bronte Law, Kelly Tidy and Leona Maguire are also using the trip to Ayrshire as a warm-up before they line up for Great Britain and Ireland and take on the USA at Nairn in June (8-10).

Maguire became the youngest Helen Holm winner as a 14-year-old in 2009 and she was runner-up last year. This time the Irish youngster is the back marker, boasting a plus five handicap.

Pretswell heads a strong home challenge. Scottish champion Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) was the leading Scot in fourth place last year and Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and the Kilmacolm Briggs sisters, Megan and Eilidh, will also have an eye on the coveted title.

Eilidh, in her first year of a physical education degree at Stirling University, was fifth last season and it sparked a great run for the teenager. She went on to reach the final of the Scottish women's championship at Machrihanish, won the Scottish girls’ championship at Glenisla and retained the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Girls’ Order of Merit.

In addition to the home countries, the "Helen Holm" has attracted players from Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Belgium. There is also a strong French contingent, including plus four handicappers, Celine Boutier and Perrine Delacour.

Boutier recently beat Bronte Law in the final of the French Under-21 girls open amateur stroke-play and was runner-up in the British girls' championship at Gullane last August. Delacour is a past winner of the British girls' title.

The 54-hole "Helen Holm" event is made up of two rounds (27^th and 28^th April) over Troon Portland. The top 66 and ties then qualify for the final over Royal Troon on April 29.

A team event is played in conjunction with the Championship and Pamela Pretswell and Kelsey MacDonald will be representing Scotland.

 The last Scot to win the individual title was Heather Stirling in 2002. 

Scottish Vets lose the Mary McKenna Trophy for the third year in a row

Winning Irish Vets Captain Terry Saxton with Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds

Ireland won the Mary McKenna Trophy for the third year in a row with a dominating performance in the singles for a 9 1/2-2 1/2 victory margin over Scotland in the senior women's golf match at Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club, near Belfast today
After the foursomes were shared 2-2, the Scots' hopes were high they could gain the edge in the eight singles. It was not to be. The Irish won seven and halved the other tie.
IRELAND 9 1/2, SCOTLAND 2 1/2
FOURSOMES (2-2)
Irish names first
Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham lost to Lorna Bennett and Mary Smith 4 and 3.
Helen Jones and Pat Doran bt Heather Anderson and May Hughes 2 and 1.
Mairead MacNamara and Suzanne Corcoran lost to Elaine Allison and Linda Urquhart 2 and 1.
Pauline Walsh and Gertie McMullen beat Karen Ballantyne and Alison Bartlett 2 and 1.

SINGLES (7 1/2-1/2)
McElroy bt Hughes 3 and 2.
Doran bt Bartlett 3 and 2.
McMullen btt Urquhart 2 and 1.
Walsh bt Anderson 2 holes.
Wickham halved with Smith
MacNamara bt Allison 2 and 1.
Corcoran bt Bennett 2 holes.
Jones bt Ballantyne 4 and 3.

KIRSTIN SCOTT TOP SEED AT D AND A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Kirstin Scott, playing over her home course at Milngavie, is the top seed for the match-play stages of the Dunbartonshire and Argyll women's county golf championship.
She shot a five-over-par 76 (two over the CSS) to head the 16 qualifiers today (Monday).
Defending champion Nichola Ferguson (Clober) was the second best qualifier with a 76 and Anna Telfer (Milngavie), beaten finalist 12 months ago, is the No 3 seed.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 71. CSS 74
76 Kirstin Scott
77 Nichola Ferguson
79 Anna Telfer
80 Lorraine Campbell
82 Margaret Stirling
83 Gayle Marshall
86 Laura McGeachy
87 Sheena McDonald, Margaret Kinvig
90 Lynn McColl, Sheila Steele
95 Kay McColl
96 Alison Fairbairn
99 Jennifer Gough
100 Carol Sim
101 Lana Macdonald

MATCH-PLAY DRAW
Scott v Lana Macdonald
Kinvig v Sheena McDonald
Stirling v McColl
Fairbairn v Campbell
Telfer v Gough
Steele v Marshall
McGeachy v McColl
Sim v Ferguson

Bronze Qualifiers96 Barbara Robertson
97 Josephine Monaghan
100 Eleanor Starling
102 Audrey Gardiner MATCH-PLAY DRAW
Robertson v Gardiner
Starling v Monaghan

Captain Helen Faulds Scottish Vets team draw in Ireland on Day 1 of the Mary McKenna Trophy

The Scottish Vets Team in their new purple outfit
Back -L to R :Linda Urquhart, Elaine Allison, May Hughes, Mary Smith, Heather Anderson, Alison Bartlett
Front - L to R :Lorna Bennett, Helen Faulds (Captain), Noreen Fenton (Vice Captain) and Karen Ballantyne

The First day of the annual match against an Irish Senior Select Team for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy took place today (Sunday 15th April)at Hilton Templepatrick course outside Belfast on a bright, sunny but cold day.
Overall result of fourballs 2-2

Results: Scottish Vets Named first
Lorna Bennett and Mary Smith beat Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham 4/3
Heather Anderson and May Hughes lost to Helen Jones and Pat Doran 2/1
Elaine Allison and Linda Urquhart beat Mairead MacNamara and Suzanne Corcoran 2/1
Karen Ballantyne and Alison Bartlett lost to Pauline Walsh and Gertie McMullen 2/1

Douglas Park - Medal 1

Medal 1 2012 played 13/04/2012 (SSS 72 : CSS:74)
Silver
1st 89-16c=73 Mrs Aileen MacIntyre
2nd 94-20c=74 Mrs. Sheana Donald
3rd 88-13c=75 Mrs. Gillian Hendry
Bronze
1st 103-32c=71 Mrs Denise Macnaughton
2nd 109-35c=74 Mrs. Monica Ainslie
3rd 109-35c=74 Mrs Norma Vallance
Scratch
Gillian Hendry 88

Pamela misses the cut in France

Bothwell Castle's Pamela Pretswell failed to qualify for the third round of the LET Access Tour Dinard Ladies Open Tournament by 1 stroke after a 6 over par 75 today giving her a total of 144, eleven strokes behind the leader. 
In an interview with Pamela on the LET Access website for which there is a link on one of yesterday's post Pamela says that she has never had a hole in one. Well she had one on Thursday at the par 3 17th at Dinard. Congratulations Pamela.

Jean Macintyre has passed the SGU Rules Exam

Lanarkshire's Vice Captain, Jean Macintyre, has passed the SGU Rules exam.
Well done Jean from all in the West of Scotland

Lesley Hendry wins Ayrshire County championship for the sixth time

Mhairi McKay (left) and champion once more Lesley Hendry. Picture by courtesy of Fiona Collier, ALCGA secretary

Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) won the Ayrshire women's county golf champion at Troon Portland yesterday for a sixth time in the past nine years.
She beat Mhairi McKay, the West Kilbride youngster with a famous golfing name, by 4 and 3 in the final to add to her previous wins in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Hendry was always in control of the match after winning the first two holes. She ended the match by holing a long putt on the 15th green.
In the morning semi-finals, McKay beat the experienced Jane Finnie by two holes while Hendry was a 4 and 3 winner over Alex Glennie, the 2004 county champion.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS APRIL 10th - 12th 2012

Tuesday  SSS 75  CSS  75
Best Gross:-  Catherine Malcolm with a 77
Best nett:-      Julie Mackie with a 72

Wednesday  First Round Knock Out
Catherine Malcolm bt Jill West 4/3;   Mhairi McKay bt Catherine Garrett 5/4;  Jane Finnie bt Rachel Irvine 5/3;  Ros Purdom bt Gillian Henderson 7/6;  Lesley Hendry bt Barbara Beckett 5/3;  Pauline Patrick bt Sheila Adams 3/2;  Audrey Thompson bt Sara-Ann Bottomly 4/3;  Alex Glennie bt Nora McCrossan 6/5.   
Quarter Finals
Mhairi McKay bt Catherine Malcolm at 19th;  Jane Finnie bt Ros Purdom 7/6;  Lesley Hendry bt Pauline Patrick 3/2;  Alex Glennie bt Audrey Thompson 1up.

Thursday  Semi-Finals 
Mhairi McKay bt Jane Finnie 2up;  Lesley Hendry bt Alex Glennie 4/3
FINAL
Lesley Hendry  bt Mhairi McKay 4/3
                                      

WINDYHILL ARE HOLDING A SPRING FAYRE

Windyhill Ladies will be holding a Spring Fayre at Windyhill Golf Club on Saturday 28th April from 11-2pm.
There will be bric-a-brac, home baking, raffle and a short game/putting challenge.
All welcome, look forward to seeing you there.

FIONA NORRIS IS AWARDED THE SPORTS COUNCIL AWARD FOR SERVICES TO SPORT

At the South Lanarkshire Sports Award evening on Monday 26th March in the Banqueting Hall of the Council Offices in Hamilton Fiona Norris received the Sport Scotland and Association of Local Sports Councils award for services to sport.

SCOTTISH GOLF E BULLETIN

This months Scottish Golf e Bulletin is now available. CLICK HERE to read more

PAMELA PRETSWELL IS SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE CURTIS CUP TEAM

West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle )has been selected to play in the Curtis Cup Team versus USA at Nairn Golf Club from 8 to 10 June. Congratulations Pamela.
Charlie Hull has been selected in spite of missing the trial at Nairn last week.

TEAM
AMY BOULDEN (Conwy GC). Age 18
HOLLY CLYBURN (Woodhall Spa GC ). Age 20
CHARLEY HULL (Woburn GC). Age 16
BRONTE LAW (Bramhall GC ). Age 17
LEONA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17
PAMELA PRETSWELL (Bothwell Castle GC). Age 22
KELLY TIDY (Royal Birkdale GC). Age 20
STEPHANIE MEADOW (Royal Portrush GC). Age 20

TEAM CAPTAIN
TEGWEN MATTHEWS (Wales).

TEAM MANAGER
ANNA HUBBARD (Wales)

RESERVES
1 LISA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17
2 GEORGIA HALL (Remedy Oak GC). Age 15
3 BECKY HARRIES (Haverfordwest GC). Age 23
4 KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar GC).

YOUR WEBMASTER IS AWAY ON HOLIDAY

KELSEY AND PAMELA - COURTESY OF
COLIN FARQHARSON

Your Webmaster is going on holiday tomorrow (Monday) to the USA (Myrtle Beach) and will be at the Masters in Augusta after that.
The Curtis Cup team GB and I team of eight to be chosen tomorrow (Monday) and announced Tuesday noon for June 8-10 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at Nairn GC. However I will be on a plane at the time of the announcement -- Keep up to date with all the news on the Curtis Cup Facebook Page and the LGU Website and the Gillian Kirkwood Website
I may not be able to keep you up to date with news over the next 3 weeks. However with the links above I am sure you will all keep track of what is going on.
On the 5th of April -- CLICK HERE to go to the West Vets Website to see Helen Faulds who is in the same trip Celebrating her Ruby Wedding Anniversary !

Douglas Park, Erskine, Hilton Park ,Ranfurly Castle and Skemorlie progress to Round 4 of the Mail on Sunday

Erskine Golf Club was the first West of Scotland Club to progrees to the 4th round of the Mail on Sunday. They beat Dumbarton Golf Club at home 3-2
This was followed by Ranfurly Castle who beat Caldwell 4.5 - 0.5 at Ranfurly Castle.
Skemorlie the 2010 winners are also through to the 4th round. They beat West Kilbride 4-1.
Hilton Park played yesterday (Saturday 24th) Result Hilton Park 3 Windyhill 2
Douglas Park played Clober today and won 4-1 to also progress to the 4th round
TO READ ALL THE RESULTS SO FAR -- CLICK HERE

Louise Kenney, Eilidh Briggs, Sam Torrance and Megan Briggs with the Ryder Cup

Congratulations go to  West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) who was awarded the SLGA Order of Merit award at Friday nights memorable 2012 Annodata Scottish Golf Awards.
Louise Kenney, the 2011 Scottish Ladies Champion was the SLGA Order of Merit Winner.

The full list of award winners reads as follows:

•    Team of the Year – Fife
•    Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year – Michael Stewart
•    SLGA Girls Order of Merit – Eilidh Briggs
•    SGU Boys Order of Merit – Greig Marchbank
•    RBS Junior Club of the Year – Dundas Parks Golf Club (Lothians)
•    SGU Seniors Order of Merit – Bob Stewart
•    SLGA Order of Merit – Louise Kenney
•    The Adam Hunter Award – Euan Walker
•    SGU Men’s Order of Merit – James White
•    RBS Junior Golf Volunteer of the Year – Iain Holt (Turnhouse Golf Club, Lothians)
•    Scottish Golf Player of the Year – David Law
•    Lifetime Achievement Award – Sam Torrance

CURTIS CUP SELECTION TRIAL SINGLES AT NAIRN SUNDAY MORNING

Ryder Cup , Walker Cup, Solheim Cup, Curtis Cup 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
G B and I team captain Tegwen Matthews has paired off the 12 players at this weekend's Curtis Cup selection trial at Nairn Golf Club as follows for Sunday morning:

8.30 Kelsey MacDonald v Leona Maguire.
8.40 Holly Clyburn v Kelly Tidy
8.50 Pamela Pretswell v Stephanie Meadow
9.00 Georgia Hall v Amy Boulden.
9.10 Lisa Maguire v Chloe Williams
9.20 Bronte Law v Becky Harries.

Spectators will be admitted free of charge.

The matches that were played earlier today (results not being released)
MORNING FOURSOMES
Bronte Law and Leona Maguire v Georgia Maguire and Becky Harries.
Kelly Tidy and Stephanie Meadow v Pamela Pretswell and Chloe Williams.
Kelsey MacDonald and Holly Clyburn v Amy Boulden and Lisa Maguire.

AFTERNOON FOUR-BALLS
Boulden and Tidy v Pretswell and Harries.
Law and Clyburn v Leona Maguire and MacDonald
Meadow and Hall v Lisa Maguire and Williams.

There will be no matches on Sunday afternoon which will be devoted to skill tests.
British champion Lauren Taylor is still recovering from a neck injury and but is in attendance although not playing. Her place was taken by Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham).
Jeff Collington, who works out yardages for the Ladies European Tour, has been at Nairn this weekend and he is giving the players the benefit of his knowledge in that direction. Jeff was also a former caddie on the LET.
Former LET players Gillian Stewart and Christine Langford are on hand to give the GB and I squad members short game tips and also the psychological side of the game,
"We have a very strong support team," said captain Matthews.
Stephanie Meadows is leaving early on Sunday afternoon to catch a plane back to the University of Alabama who gave her special permission to attend the selection trial. Not all American universities are so co-operative.
The players - and the public - will not know the team until it is announced on the Ladies Golf Union website - www.lgu.org - at 12 noon on Tuesday.

Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes Final - Kath and Jenny are winners

Kath McKellar & Jenny McGee (Skelmorlie) and Ann McGillivray & Mara Lindsay (Prestwick, St. Nicholas)

The Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes final was played on Wednesday at West Kilbride Golf Club in dry but cold and blustery conditions. At times some excellent golf was executed by both pairings but Kath McKellar and  Jenny McGee from Skelmorlie  began to edge ahead on the back nine and finally beat Mara Lindsay & Ann McGillvray from Prestwick St Nicholas on the 15th winning 4&3.

CURTIS CUP FINAL SELECTION IS THIS WEEKEND

GB and I team captain Tegwen Matthews with the 13 players on hand for the Curtis Cup selection trial at Nairn Golf Club this week. Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham) has been called in as a substitute for Lauren Taylor (Woburn), the 17-year-old British champion. Lauren injured herself last month and is not yet fit enough to play full shots but the LGU thought it was important that she went to Nairn to play her part in the team bonding and to listen to what captain Matthews has to say.
This weekend's schedule at Nairn Golf Club - to which spectators are welcome to attend free of charge:
SATURDAY - 8am - Three foursomes.
SATURDAY - 1.30pm - Three four-balls.
SUNDAY - 8.30am - Six singles.
SUNDAY - 2pm - Short game tests.
The GB and I team of eight for the June 8-10 match against the United States will be selected on Monday and released via the LGU website (http://www.lgu.org/) at 12 noon precisely on Tuesday.