February Stableford -- Ranfurly Castle

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

Megan Briggs and Pamela Pretswell receive Foundation Bursary Funding

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

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

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for this Press Release Report

Handicap Seminars at Haggs Castle and East Kilbride Golf Club

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

Shona Malcolm becomes Interim Chief Executive Officer on the LGU

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

Douglas Park Ladies Section AGM

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


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

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

Never Lie about your handicap

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

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

Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burns Night in your home or at the Golf Club

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

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

Handicap Seminar at Haggs Castle or East Kilbride

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

The Board of the SLGA 2008

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

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the Photograph

Beth Paterson and Jenny McGahan elected at SLGA AGM

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary Hardie is the new Ranfurly Castle Captain

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

Book a Group Day at Mearns Golf Academy

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

SLGA Annual General Meeting

The SLGA AGM will be held on Saturday 19 January 2008 at 11.00 a.m. in the ballroom of the Quality Station Hotel in Perth. All the papers for the meeting were posted to clubs and counties on Wednesday 19 December.

News from Jean Campbell -- D&A Webmaster

Good Morning - or afternoon and a very happy new year to you all. We arrived here on the 5th November and it feels like a few days ago - we certainly cannot complain about the weather as this is the second time we have seen some real rain (we have had the very odd sprinkle) and Florida badly needs it.
We were told last night on the news that it is the driest it has been for more than ten years (at this time of year) and all sorts of warning were given about the use of fireworks and there was certainly plenty of them last night. We dined outside as usual and watched these fireworks coming from all over the place - then things were quiet until midnight and then the sky was lit up again and it was very nice to see. John as usual went off to bed - I like to watch the tv programme from Times Square and managed to stay awake until midnight.

Where we play golf, there are a few lakes on the course and they are so low and they have recently introduced a ban on watering of gardens - I think it is only one day a week - so this rain is so badly needed and honestly since I ain't going anywhere, I hope it rains all day long. John has been busy playing table tennis and won a couple of medals in the state championship - he has recently started playing on a Thursday night at a club in Fort Myers and the standard there is higher than the club we go to in Sarasota. The sports centre where it is held is quite a place - only two years old and just super - since I go with him as the driver!! - we both joined this place at a cost of $5 each and don't have to pay anything when we go - wish they had this sort of facility in Scotland as surely it would encourage youngsters to take part - when it is almost free!!! There is one huge area which can be used for all kinds of sports with seating and also a dividing wall and then so many other smaller rooms for a variety of activities including a computer class!!! The school which is right next to this place was built at the same time and a couple of weeks ago when we arrived we saw crowds going into the school and I found out that there was a musical concert and in I went and again was impressed with the facilities - the programme started with the youngest musicians playing fairly easy but good tunes and then on to the next group - there was a group of older singers and they joined with the school choir to sing a few numbers. We also had a girl dancing - I was just so impressed with the talent on show and all those instruments - great to see. The concert was held in a huge hall and again it had all sorts of facilities for various sports and a stage - I was sorry I was unable to wait until the end of the concert.

We have been playing golf (of course) although probably not as much as we have in the past - my golf has been a bit mixed until the last couple of times that I have played, I don't know what I am doing BUT I wish I could parcel it up and bring it home - yesterday John played his best golf since arriving and this made it more enjoyable for MEEEEE!!! We shall see what I do next time I am out.

There is a law here that dogs must be kept on a lead - we arrived home a few weeks ago - drove into the garage and then heard this awful noise across the road where there is vacant lots and then onto a canal - the dog from two houses along was attacking a heron!!! The owner was screaming at her dog and we saw the heron get up and it was making such a noise and flapping its wings - it eventually limped into the bushes but it was not nice to see. We have since received a letter from this woman saying that her dog did not touch the heron!!! She wants us to speak to her about this - but we will not have anything to do with her - we both know what we saw. These people also own two maccaws and the noise from these birds is not acceptable - if I lived next door I would pop in and slit their throats!!!!!!
Well it is still raining and it is now time to give my fingers a well earned rest!!!

Loved you dancing in your Santa outfit Carol - my sister did one for me as an elf!!! I am thinking of working on the routine for the county dinner!!!##

Best Wishes for a good and healthy 2008

Heron Defences improved in Bearsden Glasgow

Having had a few fish taken on Hogmanay (we think) --- Still not got a proper head count, we have improved our defences - so this morning when we had another visit from "Henry" the heron he was not so lucky !!
Any chance of some "Golfing" News now or will I have to set up a Bird Website !!! Please Email me your news by clicking on the link on the RHS of this webpage

Hazel wishes you all a Happy New Year

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

New Year Celebrations at Douglas Park Golf Club

Here is a short video of the bringing in of the New Year. It is also Past Captain Helen Robertson's birthday today -- so a cake was produced as well. Sorry the video is so dark but the lighting was poor.

It's the end of 2007 --- Happy New Year

Click here to Ring in the New Year

Heron Attack in Bearsden Glasgow

Nothing to do with golf ---- Your Webmaster Carol and husband Gordon had a visitor in their garden on Hogmanay. To all friends who like birds as well as golf I thought you would like to see this

Merry Christmas to all our West of Scotland Readers

Carol -- your Webmaster has a link to her Christmas Card to all readers of this website Carol's Christmas Card

Pat Walker (Captain of the West Vets) sends her Christmas wishes on the West Vets Website

Christmas Lunches at Douglas Park

Two Christmas Lunches were held at Douglas Park Golf club today Friday 14th and Sunday 10th -- . Thanks go to Clark Nelson who added to the musical entertainment on the Sunday and at short notice to Caroline Hanlon who played the piano on that day.
Click on the video below (not very good -- but if gives the jist !!) and the smileybox to see some photos and you may recognise a few faces -- Gladys Speedie, Helen Faulds and Olive MacKay to name a few of the Carol singers !!
Perhaps the singing was better in 2005 !!!
Click on this link; Video of DP Christmas Lunch Singing in 2005



To see some photos from both lunches (over 100 ladies) then click on the play button below

Make a slideshow!

The Christmas Cracker Competition - Ranfurly Castle

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32 ladies played in the Christmas Cracker yesterday morning in what can only be described as WET !
Alison Robertson and Pamela Mackenzie were the winners of the 9 hole Greensomes and Lois Brown won a prize for having the best hat.
A glass of mulled wine helped to warm everyone up at the end and there was plenty of chat and much hilarity!
To see enlargements of the photos go to Ranfurly Castle Christmas Cracker Winners

Clare Queen and Kyle Walker are the top Scots in India

Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) earned 2,070 Euos for a share of 28th place on 295. Clare had rounds of 75, 72, 73 and 75. In her final round, she took a long time to get going with bogeys at the second, fifth, ninth and 10th. Her first birdie came at the 11th but she bogeyed the 12th before birdieing the long 15th for halves of 39 and 36.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), with Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), playing on special invitations for amateurs, took the chance to turn in arguably her best performance of the season.
Kylie had scores of 77, 73, 72 and 75 for nine-over-par 297 and a share of 35th position, not bad at all among professional company. Kylie bogeyed the second, third and fourth but birdied the fifth and long seventh before a bogey at the eighth saw her turne in two-over-par 38. Another birdie at the long 10th helped to offset the damage of a double-bogey 6 at the long par-4 16th in halves of 38 and 37.
Had she been playing as a professional, Kylie would have won 1,590 Euros.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
281 G Nocera (France) 69 69 72 71 (30,000 Euros).
282 V Lagoutte-Clement (France) 72 75 66 68 (20,300 Euros).
284 Lisa Hall (England) 72 73 70 69 (14,000 Euros).
285 L Wahlin (Sweden) 69 75 72 69 (10,800 Euros).
286 T Plucksataporn (Thailand) 72 71 74 69 (8,480 Euros).
287 K-M Juul (Denmark) 73 73 70 71, T Johnson (England) 73 70 72 72, M Prieto (Spain) 73 70 72 72 (6,000 Euros each).
288 S Arricau (France) 72 73 76 67, L Davies (England) 77 74 67 70, M Eberl (Germany) 76 71 68 73 (4,053 Euros each).
289 M Beautell (Spain) 77 70 70 72 (3,440 Euros).
290 M Rigon (Italy) 73 72 72 73, Becky Brewerton (Wales) 76 70 71 73 (3,150 Euros each).
Other totals:
293 J Head (England) 77 71 73 72 (jt 20th) (2,520 Euros).
294 R Coakley (Ireland) 73 76 73 72, S Walker (England) 70 75 72 77 (jt 23rd) (2,310 Euros each).
295 K Matharu (England) 76 73 73 73, C Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) 75 72 73 75 (jt 28th) (2,070 Euros each).
296 D Masters (England) 77 76 70 73 (jt 32nd) (1,860 Euros).
297 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) (amateur) 77 73 72 75 (jt 35th).
300 Lydia Hall (Wales) 76 75 74 75 (jt 44th) (1,220 Euros).
301 F More (England) 78 74 72 77, H Kavanagh (Ireland) 78 74 72 77 (1,080 Euros each).
303 F Johnson (England) 78 75 76 74, N C Booth (England) 73 76 77 77 (jt 51st) (940 Euros each).
304 C Coughlan (Ireland) 79 77 74 74 (jt 54th) (840 Euros).
306 K S Taylor (England) 76 77 79 74 (jt 57th) (720 Euros).
307 K Taylor (England) 75 78 74 80 (jt 60th) (640 Euros).
311 S Heath (England) 74 79 79 79 (63rd) (600 Euros).
314 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (amateur) 82 69 75 78.
318 G Simpson (England) 82 77 80 79, J Clingan (England) 76 78 84 80 (jt 66th) (570 Euros each).

Clare Queen is leading Scot after 3 rounds in India

Clare Queen is the leading Scot in joint 19th place with scores of 75, 72 and 73 for 220. She had two birdies in her Friday round - at the fifth and 15th but took the edge off a potentially good score with a cluster of late bogeys, at the 14th, 16th and 17th for 38 home.
Buchanan Castle amateur Kylie Walker, has recovered some of her best form of the year in distant India. She is in joint 29th place in a field of 71 with scores of 77, 73 and 72 for 222 - the same mark as former Curtis Cup player Kiran Matharu and Irish-Australian Rebecca Coakley.
Kylie did very well indeed to shake off the mind-blowing effects of a double-bogey 5 at the short third followed by a bogey at the fourth.
She then was five under par for the next six holes - vintage Walker indeed! - with birdies at the fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth and 10th.
Late bogeys, at the 14th and 17th, saw her home in 37 after getting to the turn in 35

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Par 216 (3 x 72)

210 G Nocera (France) 69 69 72.
213 V Lagoutte-Clement (France) 72 75 66.
215 M Eberl (Germany) 76 71 68, Lisa Hall (England) 72 73 70, M Prieto (Spain) 73 70 72, T Johnson(England) 73 70 72.
216 K-M Juul (Denmark) 73 73 70, L Wahlin (Sweden) 69 75 72.
217 M Beautell (Spain) 77 70 70, B Brewerton (Wales) 76 70 71, S Walker (England) 70 75 72, M Rigon (Italy) 73 72 72, E Steinberger (Austria) 74 70 73, T Plucksataporn (Thailand) 72 71 74.
218 L Davies (England) 77 74 67, V Zorzi (Italy) 75 71 72, Bo Ri Lee (Korea) 71 72 75.
219 L Kreutz (France) 75 74 70.
220 A B Sanchez (Spain) 72 76 72, J Schaeffer (France) 74 74 72, C Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) 75 72 73 (jt 19th).
Other scores:
221 J Head (England) 77 71 73 (jt 22nd).
222 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) (amateur) 77 73 72, K Matharu (England) 76 73 73, R Coakley (Ireland) 73 76 73 (jt 29th of 77 players).

Milngavie Ladies have a very successful 2007 Season

Ladies teams at Milngavie Golf Club have had an extremely successful season in 2007. They have a Scratch team that plays in the Greenlees League - open to all clubs in the West of Scotland. This year, Milngavie won the 3rd Division with a record 57 points and are therefore promoted to the 2nd Division.




Their second team plays in the Allander League, which is a handicap league that is played in the evenings. Milngavie GC retained their title in this competition and have won this trophy 7 times in the last 9 years. (Ladies participating in these teams range in age from 15 to 70+)


Here are both teams together

Clare Queen is top Scot in 1st Round of Indian Ladies Master

Clare Queen 75 (The Carrick at Cameron House).... Kylie Walker 77 (Buchanan Castle)... Michele Thomson 82 (McDonald Ellon).
That's the "Scotland" scores from the first round of the Indian Ladies Masters at the Eagleton Resort, Bangalore
There is a three-way tie for the lead at three-under-par 69, featuring Lotta Wahlin (Sweden), Gwladys Nocera (France) and Anna Tybring (Sweden)

Stirling win the Mail on Sunday Classic

All the teams in the West of Scotland that played in the Mail on Sunday congratulate Stirling Golf Club on their tremendous victory last Saturday at El Rompido in Spain
Champagne corks popped as Stirling at last became Mail on Sunday Classic champions, a title they thought they might never win.
Third-placed team in 2001, losing finalists in 2005, they finally
became champions after a 4-1 win over Marriott Meon Valley at
the sun-bathed El Rompido course in Spain.
In the semi final, Stirling defeated Mere 3 ½-1 ½ after Fiona Campbell led the team out against their lowest golfer – a four-handicap county player. Fiona played excellent golf and lost narrowly at the 16th. Tricia Chillas and Elaine Allison managed to secure wins at the 15th and the Stirling team then required one point to reach the final.
Alison Davidson, playing the Mere captain, was two up at the 16th where she hit a magnificent tee shot to the short hole where she was conceded her birdie putt to put the Stirling team through.
In the final, two of the Stirling team got off to a fast start. Elaine built up an early lead against 12-handicapper Jenny Readman and Shelagh Quinn found herself five up at the 12th against their budding young professional player, two-handicapper Katie Thompson. Shelagh finished the match at the 13th with a 6 and 5 win.
In contrast Alison got off to a poor start and was four holes down to Tracey Boyes, who narrowly failed to win her Ladies European Tour card last month. In typical style, Alison fought back strongly to square her match at the turn.
Vicki Stevenson, playing Lauren Davis (9), was two up playing the 16th. She knew how important it was to seal the match as she had to concede strokes at both the 17th and 18th holes. Her shot to the green found the fringe of the green and she had a great chip and putt to secure her par and gain the second point.
Elaine was dormie at the 15th hole and her par 4 secured the elusive title and Stirling became the first Scottish team to win the event.
Alison and Tricia had slender leads at this point but still had to concede strokes at the final holes. With the match won, all of the remaining players on the course agreed to halved matches so that the
Celebrations could begin.
Meon Valley were magnanimous in defeat and acknowledged the quality of Stirling’s victory. Captain Kathy Estcourt said: ‘We were playing a team on a mission. Stirling were just unbeatable today.’
Former Curtis Cup star and past British and Scottish champion, Alison Davidson said: "I just cannot tell you what this means for the team, for the club and for me. I’ve played in some pretty big matches in my career, but when you can go out to play with your friends for your club, there just isn’t a feeling like it.
"I would like to thank the supporters who made the trip to cheer us on. We all had a great time. I would also like to thank Stirling Golf Club and the members for their support and best wishes. Finally, a big thankyou to Guardian Systems for generously sponsoring the uniform for players and supporters – it was greatly appreciated."
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report

LGU pre match practice for Curtis Cup Squad

Eight members of the LGU Squad will assemble in St Andrews this weekend, 6-9 December, for pre match practice, ahead of selection for the 2008 Curtis Cup, which will be played for the first time over the Old Course, St Andrews, 30 May - 1 June. To read all about it click on this link LGU Newsletter

Clare Queen to take part in the Indian Ladies Masters

Clare Queen(The Carrick at Cameron House) with caddy Karyn Burns (Mearns Castle Golf Academy) left today for Bangalore. Clare is the only Scottish Professional taking part in the Indian Ladies Masters (the first Ladies European Tour event on the sub-continent) from 5th to 8th December.

Amateurs, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and Michel Thomson (McDonald Ellon) will be joining Clare.