The County Captains get into training on St Patricks Day !

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Apologies to all the County Captains --- Kay, May,Nora and Christeen from your webmaster Carol--- she's the one in the middle !!

Best Ever Scottish Golf Show Set for SECC

The 2009 Scottish Golf Show, one of the most anticipated Scottish consumer shows of the year, is now less than two weeks away and organisers are already expecting to break attendance records.

The event is being held at the SECC in Glasgow from March 20-22 and tourism chiefs VisitScotland expect the golfing extravaganza to be worth more than £1.25 million to the local economy.

The three-day showcase will feature some of the biggest names in the golf industry showcasing their latest equipment to Scottish golfers for the first time. Major brands in attendance will be Callaway Golf, TaylorMade, Nike Golf, Mizuno, Yonex, Wilson Staff and more.

Inside Glasgow’s SECC will be a 30 bay indoor driving range, 1000sq/m of practice areas including putting, short game and a special ‘kids only’ junior area. There will also be over 1000 free golf lessons by 14 of the country’s leading PGA professionals plus world famous trick shot artist Dave Edwards will perform his routine over the course of the three days.

Various competitions will be in place for long drive and nearest the pin and visitors will be able to interact with more than 100 exhibitors from the golf industry as the show sold out weeks in advance. Special equipment discounts will also be available from retail giants american golf, the Official Retail Partner of the Scottish Golf Show.

Visitors to the three-day show will have the chance to get up close and personal with one of the most famous trophies in world golf, the Eisenhower Trophy, which will be on location at the SECC following Scotland’s dramatic victory late last year in the World Amateur Team Championship.

Event Organiser Tom Lovering said: “We are very much looking forward to what looks set to be the biggest Scottish Golf Show to date – and it is fitting that we host it at the SECC, Scotland’s largest exhibition facility. This year’s show has grown in size with more retail space, more exhibitors, more driving bays and much more interaction for all levels of golfer.

“The Scottish Golf Show has firmly established itself as the perfect tee-off to the golf season and this year we fully expect to smash attendance records.”

Click here for more information on the 2009 Show or call 0141 353 2222

Junior golf flying high in Scotland

Scottish golf is flying high through clubgolf. In the past year clubgolf has introduced more than two thirds of Scotland’s Primary 5 children to golf. Meanwhile, junior activity in Scotland’s golf clubs is booming with over 8,500 children developing their skills through clubgolf coaching.

Clubgolf is the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA), the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), the Golf Foundation and Sportscotland.

Launched in 2003 following Scotland’s successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup, clubgolf represents the Scottish Government’s commitment to create the opportunity for every nine year old in Scotland to play golf and enjoy the game for life.

In 2008, a year of remarkable growth, clubgolf achieved the following:

33,600 Primary 5 children in 1320 of Scotland’s primary schools played golf through clubgolf’s introductory game, ‘firstclubgolf’
8,563 children took part in clubgolf coaching programmes at 233 golf clubs and facilities
1137 qualified volunteer coaches delivered clubgolf coaching in these clubs and facilities

In 2009 the number of children taking part in clubgolf programmes at clubs and facilities is expected to rise to 10,000.

Hamish Grey, SGU Chief Executive Officer said, “clubgolf is an integral part of the SGU and SLGA’s structured coaching programmes and we are delighted to see it making such significant progress, enabling more youngsters than ever before to play the game.

“These latest figures show that Scottish Golf is achieving one of our key goals, that of ‘growing the game’. With the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles drawing ever closer now is the perfect time to increase participation and help our youngsters develop their talent. With the success of the programme and the wealth of opportunities now available for young golfers, clubgolf is already helping to create a legacy beyond 2014.”

Meanwhile this year the bar will rise higher for clubgolf’s introductory game in schools. With firstclubgolf set to be included in curriculum at more than three quarters of Scotland’s primary schools this year, clubgolf is targeting a further 38,000 new recruits to golf.

To read more go to the clubgolf website

Fiona Cowan and Enid Young are the D&A Winter Foursomes Winners

Fiona Cowan(Windyhill) and Enid Young (Balmore)beat Louise Ballantyne (Cardross) and Sara Tryon (Gleddoch)yesterday in the final of the D&A Winter Foursomes played over Hilton Park yesterday

Beatrice Orr and Morag Turner - Kilmacolm are the Renfrewshire County Winter Foursomes Winners

The RLCGA Winter Foursomes Final was played over Cathcart Castle today. Beatrice Orr and Morag Turner (Kilmacolm) won at the 19th against Mary Hardie and Sheila Gray (Ranfurly Castle)



To read the full report go to the Renfrewshire Website and to see larger pictures click on the small picture below

The 2009 RLCGA Winter Foursomes Final

MULTI-YEAR CLUB CHAMPIONS

On the Gillian Kirkwood Website there was an article on Multi - Year Champions
West of Scotland player -- Maureen Woodhead (Skinner) was reading their article about multi-year champions.

Until 2008, when she was defeated in the semi-final, she was Lady Champion at Gourock Golf Club for 15 years consecutively.
"This could be a starting figure for our investigations!!" --- Any advance on 15 years, then?

MAUREEN WOODHEAD (formerly Skinner) -- pictured left ----
Further to this post here is an update ------
Pat Shepherd from Turriff

SLGA Counties Centenary Lunch

The SLGA held the centenary lunch today in the Salutation Hotel, Perth. Nine Counties are celebrating their centenaries this year... Angus, Ayrshire, Dumbartonshire and Argyll, Fife, Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire and Stirlingshire & Clackmannan. Aberdeenshire (founded 1911), East Lothian (1924), Northern Counties (1967), Borders (1973), Dumfrieshire (1973) and Galloway (1973) have celebrations still to come. 

Mrs Margaret Duncanson, who retired in 1997 as the last Secretary of the Scottish Ladies County Golf Association, cut the cake, and Mrs Ethel Jack, President of SLGA Ltd gave a very appropriate golfing grace. After an enjoyable meal Gillian Kirkwood (pictured above) proposed a toast to County Golf and gave an informative account of its origins. D&A's Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) proposed the Vote of thanks (See short video at the end of this post) 

CLICK HERE  see some photos from the day

 

 Helen Faulds -- IN THE VIDEO ABOVE (Dunbartonshire & Argyll) responded with a vote of thanks which included this ode: 

C is for your county, of which you're rightly proud, 

E is for an event like this with a very friendly crowd. 

N is for the nattering --- we're really good at that, 

T is for the time flying by and the laughter and the chat. 

E is for the efforts of the ladies of the past, 

N is for their need to nail their colours to the mast. 

A is for the appreciation of every single person here, 

R is for the role you played in counties far and near 

Y is for years - a hundred of them gone but it's also for the future years - a new county golfing dawn.

SLGA extend inter-club foursomes deadline

The SLGA has extended the closing date for entries to the new Scottish Ladies inter-club match-play foursomes to Monday, March 23rd at 12 noon.

SLGA Matchplay Survey

In 2008 clubs were asked to send the results of their match play knockout competitions to the SLGA to ascertain the effect of the full difference in handicap. The analysis is now complete and the main finding is that with full difference in handicap the lower handicapped player still retains an advantage and can expect to win 60% of the time. The full analysis may be downloaded HERE

SLGA Subscription Reminder

The annual mailing to clubs containing the SLGA Handbook, poster and entry forms (including the one for the LGU Medal Finals) will be sent out next week to those clubs which have paid the annual subscription. A quarter of affiliated clubs have still to pay the subscription which was due for payment by 31 January.

Improve your Putting --- Mearns Castle Golf Academy

Take Strokes off your game this season - come along to our putting seminar at the MEARNS CASTLE GOLF ACADEMY at 7.30 pm on Thursday March 12th 2009 and learn how to Putt with Confidence -- Develop a better focus on the green --- Become more consistent
Visiting from the United States Frank Thomas, inventor of the graphite shaft and
Valerie Melvin, Sports Psychologist will deliver this seminar along with PGA Professional Karyn Burns.
Admission is £5 (50% donated to West of Scotland Girls) - SIGN UP by calling 07720442492.
or e -mailing karynburns@yahoo.com
Learn more about us by visiting http://www.franklygolf.com/
Why not come along to Mearns Castle Golf Academy on Thursday 12th March. To read all about it Click Here

The Toast to Renfrewshire LCGA -- 100 Years

Renfrewshire County Centenary Dinner

Renfrewshire County held their Centenary Dinner at The Glynhill Hotel on Thursday 26th February. 114 members attended the Centenary Celebration evening including 11 Past Champions.
Christeen Finlayson (County Captain of Renfrewshire)welcomed everyone to the evening with a champagne reception and was in sparkling form as the host. Dr Nan Blair (nee Menzies)- Ranfurly Castle cut the cake. Heather Anderson(Caldwell) proposed the toast to the County. Vice Captain Trish Brown (Kilmacolm) said grace before the dinner and Ruth Henderson(Williamwood)narrated a very humourous historical ditty.
The guest speaker was Linda Ormiston OBE .
Also at the top table were the County Captains Nora McCrossan (Ayrshire), May Hughes(Lanarkshire) and Kay McCall (D&A)

Want to see an enlarged picture slideshow then Click here

A terrific evening was had by all

A bit late but ---- A few words from Captain Gladys !

I have taken bits of video of Gladys' Social evening. However I have not had time to edit it. Here is Gladys at the end of her evening however.


Missed the photos then go to Gladys Social Evening

Fixture Dates 2009 --- D&A

Monday 23rd March: (Milngavie Town Hall)- Centenary Dinner
Thursday 9th April: (Cardross) Inter County Foursomes Qual.
Tues-Thurs. 14-16 April: (Hayston) April Medal and Championship
Sunday 3rd May: (Prestwick) West of Scotland Close Championship
Thursday 7th May: (The Carrick) Centenary Comp / May Medal
Wednesday 13th May (Pollok) Inter County Foursomes Finals
Wednesday 20th May: (HP Allander) Spring Meeting
Tuesday 9th June: (Cowal) Colonel Brock
Wednesday 17th June: (Clober) Kennedy Salver
Mon-Wed 22-24 June: (Strathaven) Inter County Matches (Jamboree)
Friday 3rd July: (Dullatur) July Medal
Thursday 16th July: (Helensburgh) Jubilee Cups
Thursday 6th August: (Douglas Park) August Medal
Tuesday 18th August: (Dullatur) County Golf Open Meeting
Tuesday 25th August (Kirkintilloch) Autumn Meeting/Moira Alexander Trophy.
Wednesday 9th September: (Milngavie) September Medal/Miss Henry’s Quaich
Fri-Sun 18-20 September: (Baberton) County Finals
Thursday 24th September: (Longniddry) Commonwealth Spoons Finals
Tuesday 29th September: (Bearsden) Finals Day, Coronation Medals

Ranfurly Castle 15 hole February Stableford

Played 25 February 2009 26 Entries
Silver Winner Lilias Snodgrass (19) 24 pts
Runner Up Carol Fell (10) 23 pts (bih)
Bronze Winner Mary Irving (22) 29 pts
Runner Up Vicky Rennie (32) 25 pts

Ayrshire County Fixtures for 2009

Tuesday 14th April - Thursday 16th  April - County Championship  & Quaich finals (Glasgow Gailes) (Final at 1400 hrs on Thursday 16th April)
Sunday 3rd May  - West Of Scotland Championship (Prestwick)
Tuesday 5th May - Inter County Foursomes & Commonwealth Spoons (Largs)
Tuesday 9th June  - Quaich & qualifier for McCall salver (Irvine Ravenspark)
Wednesday 17th June - Junior Inter County Matches – Kenndey Salver (Clober)
Monday 22nd  to Wednesday 24th June  – West Inter County Matches (Strathaven)
Tuesday 14th July - Summer Meeting – Centenary Quaich (Loudoun)
Tuesday 11th August- Coronation Medals (Skelmorlie)
Sunday 16th August - Ladies St. Nicholas Trophy (Juniors) (Annanhill)
Tuesday 8th September - Thistle Brooches (Kilbirnie Place)
Tuesday 13th October  – Quaich (Ayr Seafield)
Tuesday 17th November - Annual General Meeting -1430 hrs (West Kilbride)

Enter The St Rule Trophy On Line

If you are thinking of entering this year's St Rule Trophy tournament at the end of May, then the following letter to past competitors will interest you:

Current holder: Kylie Walker ~ Buchanan Castle

St Rule Trophy 2009
This year's event will take place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May over the New and Old Courses, St Andrews. Entries will be limited to 60 and the handicap limit is 4.4.
For the first time this year you will be able to enter online via the St Andrews Links website, alternatively you may download and post or email your entry.
Entry forms and tournament conditions will be available online from Monday 23 February, 2009 and please note we will not request any entry fee until after the closing date when you will be notified as to whether or not you have been successful in gaining a place in the tournament.
Please enter using one of the following options

(a) Click on the St Andrews Links Website and complete the online entry form.

(b) Click on the St Andrews Links website above, download the entry form and post / fax /email it to: The St Rule Club 12 The Links St Andrews KY16 9JB Fax : 01334 472988
Email: struleclub@fsmail.net

(c) Telephone or email The St Rule Club to ask for an entry form by post:
01334 472988 / struleclub@fsmail.net
The Closing Date for Entries is Saturday 9 May

We look forward to another successful tournament.
Yours sincerely
Alison White
St Rule Trophy Organising Committee

The St Rule Club
12 The Links
St Andrews

Lanarkshire County - 2009 Fixture Diary

27-29th April Championship Drumpellier
3rd May West of Scotland Prestwick
4th May Intercounty Fours Cawder Keir
10th May Spoon Airdrie
13th May Intercounty Fours Final Pollok
24th May LLCGA v MLCGA Strathaven
8th June Spoon Wishaw
22-24th June Intercounty Matches Strathaven
7th July Morison/Black Jack Colville Park
20th July Spoon Lenzie
7th Aug Tri-am Cambuslang
10th Aug Centenary Texas Scramble Bothwell Castle
26th Aug Autumn Outing Carnwath
13th Sept Spoon Lanark

SLGA's New Matchplay Foursomes Event

Kirkwood Golf New club match-play foursomes event
added to SLGA calendar

The Scottish foursomes tournament has not been well supported over the last few years, and was cancelled last summer due to lack of entries.
Dr Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay), the SLGA treasurer, came up with a suggestion for an inter-club match-play foursomes handicap tournament which could be run over the summer with semi-finals and final on the same day as the Scottish stroke-play foursomes tournament (August 30 at Forfar Golf Club) with scratch and handicap prizes.
Each club can enter a team of two or three players to represent it during the season. The total combined handicaps of the team must not exceed 60. Any two of the team can represent the club in each round.
Each match will be played on the basis of full difference of half the combined handicaps (on the day) of the two players representing the club.
The SLGA will make the draw for each round. The rounds will be based on geographical locations of the clubs to minimise travel as far as possible.
The 18-hole stroke-play tournament on the finals day will prioritise the 16 lowest combined handicaps, along with additional entries from the clubs involved in the semi-finals and the clubs that entered the match play.
If the event is not fully subscribed then clubs who did not enter the match play can enter, and if it is over-subscribed then higher handicap teams will be eliminated first.
Entry forms went out to the clubs with last week's mailing from the SLGA.

The annual mailing to Ladies' Handicap Secretaries was sent to clubs on 18 February. Included are:

Entry form for the NEW Foursomes Match Play Competition - please note the closing date for entries is 9th March so enter your club now to avoid disappointment
Annual Handicap Pack - the list of qualifying competitions for 2009 may also be downloaded here
Information on the Central Database of Handicaps
Match & Handicap Convenor booklet
Order forms for the CONGU Manual and Pocket Concertina Guides on Rules, Etiquette and Handicaps

Clare Queen has a top 10 finish in the Australian Open

England’s Laura Davies won her second Australian Open after a dramatic final day at Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne.
Davies, who last won the title in 2004 at Concorde Golf Club, finished with a five-under-par 68, which was the best round of the day. She closed on a four-round total of seven-under-par, one stroke ahead of Spain’s Tania Elosegui.
Congratulations to Clare Queen (The Carrick Loch Lomond) who finished in 8th position on 2 under par.

Janice Paterson and Barbara Biggart are 15th in Spain

Past Captain of Lanarkshire Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) has been playing in the Spanish Seniors this week. To read the results for both the "Doubles" the Singles go to the West Vets Website

The Spanish Seniors kicks off the rain and har in Spain

Past Captain of Lanarkshire --- Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) is playing in the 2009 Spanish Seniors at the Arcos Gardens Golf Club which is located on the outskirts of Arcos de la Frontera in the province of Cadiz Spain.

To read the report for Day 1 then go to the West Vets Website

Fun and Glamour is the key word at Douglas Park

Gladys Speedie -- is the new Ladies Captain of Douglas Park Golf Club.
She opened her year of Captaincy last night with a marvellous social evening of Horse Racing at Ascot and entertainment based on the theme of My Fair Lady. Click on the photo below to see some pictures from the evening --- please give time to load.
Also make sure your sound is turned on and if you play the slideshow on the Full Screen Press the Esc button at the top LHS to come out of it

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Clare Queen misses cut in Australia

Clare Queen, missed the cut by two shots at the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort, Queensland in Australia with an aggregate of 148, made up of rounds of 75 and 73. To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

News from HowDidIDo

Dear HowDidiDo member, Like most of you, the staff of HowDidiDo are starting to think about the golf season ahead. Lots of very exciting things are happening in the coming year. Even more enhancements to the website, more Free services, some excusive discounts and more golfers joining our online community. 2009 will see more online club competition booking and new ways to organise your social and competitive golf. Now over 100,000 men and women golfers have signed up and we are welcoming more every day. Of course if you still just want the basics, they will still be there and of course standard membership is still FREE. Many of you will have entered the The HowDidiDo Matchplay Competition in 2008, the finals are being contested now at the Vilamoura Resort on the Algarve. We are happy to announce our continued support of this great amateur competition this year. To find out more about the competition and see the 2008 scores and results Click here. We are also very pleased to announce our Sponsorship of the 2009 Golf Managers' Association's Manager of the Year contest. This award is to recognise outstanding managers of golf clubs in Britain and Ireland, to read the rules and maybe nominate your Secretary/Manager please click here. Remember to tell your friends, family and fellow club members about HowDidiDo, it's FREE and connects you to the largest network of golfers in Europe and probably the World. Happy Golfing Regards HowDidiDo Team

Fife County Celebrate their Centenary Celebrations with a lunch in Kirkcaldy

Fife County Ladies line-up
[Click on the image to see it larger in its own window]

Fife County Ladies Golf Association started its Centenary celebrations with a lunch at the Dean Park Hotel, Kirkcaldy on Sunday 1st Feb 2009. The event was attended by 134 past & present members of FCLGA, the Provost of Fife and representatives from SLGA, Midlothian, East Lothian and Stirling & Clackmannanshire.
To read all about the event go to The Fife County Ladies Golf Association Website

Kylie finishes 13th in the Portugal Open Amateur

Six bogeys in the last round killed Kylie Walker's hopes of at least matching last year's seventh place finish in the Portuguese women's open amateur golf championship. The Buchanan Castle player signed off the rain-abbreviated tournament at Quinta do Peru Golf Club, near Lisbon - the second day's play was washed out - with a 76 after earlier rounds of 76 and 77.
Her 13-over-par total for the 54-hole tournament put her in 13th place behind French winner Rosanna Crepiat who had scores of 74, 72 and 71 for one-over-par 217.
Kylie did birdie the fourth and short 17th on the last day but bogeyed the first, third, sixth, eighth, 13th and 14th.
In a prestigious overseas championship, once won by the late Marjory (Fowler) Ferguson, Kylie was the only Scot in the field of 70, a disappointing representation given that the GB&I selectors said that any players making a show in the early-season tournaments would have a chance of breaking into the Vagliano Trophy squad which has been depleted by players such as Scottish champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) and their 2008 Curtis Cup team-mates, Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale), Elizabeth Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), Breanne Loucks (Wrexham) as well as 2006 Curtis Cup player Tara Delaney (Carlow), turning professinal.
Wales and Ireland entered five players apiece and the Welsh did provide the leading non-Continental player, Rhian Wyn Thomas from Vale of Glamorgan, joint 10th overall on 228. Also on the 228 mark was Mandy Goyos, whose mother is Lancashire-born and her father Spanish.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
217 Rosanna Crepiat (Fra) 74 72 71 (35-36).
218 Lucie Andre (Fra) 72 72 74 (38-36).
222 Lara Katzy (Ger) 71 76 75.
224 Ines Diaz-Negrete (Spa) 74 75 75.
225 Marion Duvernay (Fra) 78 71 76, Anna Arrese (Spa) 76 74 75.
226 Adriana Zwanck (Spa) 78 76 72, Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 76 77 73.
227 Laura Stempfl (Ger) 77 77 73.
228 Rocio Sanchez (Spa) 78 74 76, Mandy Goyos (Spa) 77 77 74, Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 77 75 76 (jt 10th).
229 Kylie Walker (Sco) 76 77 76 (39-37) (13th).
230 Laura Chemarin (Fra) 79 76 75.
232 Antonia Scherer (Ger) 72 82 73.
233 Jana Niedballa (Ger) 78 76 79.
234 Cristina Turegano Mate (Spa) 76 77 81.
235 Vicki Troeltach (Ger) 82 77 77, Katherine O'Connor (Wal) 80 76 79 (jt 19th).
236 Hannah Jenkins (Wal) 83 76 77 (23rd).
237 Karolin Lampert (Ger) 82 78 77, Sara Vanzonhoven (Bel) 78 82 77, Nina Holleder (Ger) 78 81 78, Nicola Roessler (Ger) 75 84 78.
238 Sophia Popov (Ger) 85 76 77, Natilia Escuriola Martinez (Spa) 80 80 78, Mireia Prat (Spa) 80 78 79, Ariane Provot (Fra) 76 82 80, Ana Santos Melo (Por) 76 80 82, Tara Davies (Wal) 80 80 78 (42-36) (jt 28th).

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report and the photograph -- click onthe photo above for an enlargement

Kylie ninth as Portuguese championship is cut to 3 rounds

The 79th Portuguese women's open amateur championship has been reduced from four rounds to 54 holes following the loss of Friday's play because of flooding at the Quinta do Peru course near Lisbon.
Leading British or Irish player after Saturday's second round is Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) whose last competitive event was the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), the only Scot in the field dropped down to a share of ninth place with scores of 76 and 77.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
144 Lucie Andre (Fra) 72 72 (36-36).
146 Rosanne Crepiat (Fra) 74 72 (38-34).
147 Lara Katzy (Ger) 71 76 (41-34).
149 Marion Duvernay (Fra) 78 71 (38-33), Irene Diaz-Negete (Spa) 74 75 (38-37).
150 Anna Arese (Spa) 76 74 (36-39).
152 Rocio Sanchez (Spa) 78 74 (38-36), Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 77 75 (36-39) (jt 7th).
153 Kylie Walker (Sco) 76 77 (40-37), Mariona Ricordeau (Fra) 76 77, Cristina Turegano Mate (Spa) 76 77.
154 Adriana Zwanck (Spa) 78 76, Jane Niebralla (Ger) 78 76, Laura Stempfl (Ger) 77 77, Mandy Goyos (Spa) 77 77.

PLAY WASHED OUT IN PORTUGAL

Torrential rain washed out the second day's play in the Portuguese women's open amateur golf championship at Quinta do Peru Golf Club, near Lisbon. Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), the only Scottish player in the field of 70, was lying seventh with a score of 76 at the end of the first round.