Happy New Year to All our Readers

CHANGES to the DECISIONS on the RULES OF GOLF

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR THE FULL LIST OF AMENDMENTS

From January 1, no relief allowed from divot hole or repaired divot hole
By RON MENZIES

As usual, half way through the four-year life of an edition of The Rules of Golf, the R&A has published a new Decisions Book. This contains some 30 new decisions and amended versions of further 49 revised decisions which come into effect on January 1, 2010.
Many of these merit detailed consideration only by serious students of the rules, budding referees and quiz masters and require a thorough knowledge to understand their complexity. However, there is one change that will require immediate action by many club committees and the awareness of all golfers.
New decision 33-8/34 now removes the authority for a committee to make a local rule “providing relief without penalty from a divot hole or a repaired divot hole (i.e. filled with sand or seed mix).”
At least half the golf clubs in Scotland have such a local rule and these must be withdrawn immediately before any qualifying competitions for handicap purposes can be played.
Such a local rule contravenes Rule 13-1 which states that a ball must be played as it lies and has generally not been used in professional and major amateur competitions.
It is often mistakenly believed that this rule protects the golf course. If relief is given or indeed demanded from a seeded divot hole, a second divot hole is created and requires repair, leaving two seeded divots holes.
If the ball is played from the original hole it may require repair but only one hole remains.

Snow in the West of Scotland and no Golf !

Your Webmaster's Robin in Bearsden - Glasgow - Click to enlarge

Sing any song on Christmas

Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire County Officials have fun in the snow !!

Click on the following links to see some fun in the snow !!
Lanarkshire County Website
Renfrewshire County Website

Christmas Greeetings from D&A County

Season Greetings to all our Readers -- From all the West of Scotland Counties

It is the end of a wonderful Centenary Year for all the West of Scotland Counties and Renfrewshire Past Captain Christeen Finlayson and your Webmaster Carol Fell take on Lanarkshire's Past Captain May Hughes, D&A's Past Captain Kay McColl and Ayrshire's Past Captain Nora McCrossan in a final fling to finish off the Year --

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

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Death of Past SLGA Secretary Mary Greig

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary Greig, one time Secretary of the Scottish Ladies County Golf Association. Mary was the founder member of the Dumfriesshire County Ladies Golf Association, when they joined with Border Counties and Galloway to form the South Division of Scottish Ladies County Golf in 1972. She was Secretary of Dumfriesshire Ladies for 23 years and latterly took over the secretary-ship of Scottish Ladies County Golf before it was subsumed into the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association. Many Lanarkshire Team Members of the 1980's and 90's will remember Mary's great enthusiasm and sense of humour at County Finals. Failing eyesight caused her to retire for her administrative duties, but she still took a keen interest in Scottish Golf and would attend as many events as she could until her deteriorating health made travel impossible. Mary was a great character, always cheerful and well-loved by all who knew her.Mary's sister died some years ago and Mary is survived by her niece, Dorothy Hill.The funeral is at Maxwelltown West Church, Laurieknowe, Dumfries on Thursday 31st December at 11am. I understand that this church is on the same road out of Dumfries as the Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club, near the Buccleuch Bridge.

Catriona Matthew becomes a vice-president of the SLGA and Emma Wilson is named as the new SLGA President

Catriona Matthew has accepted an invitation to become a vice-president of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.
Emma Wilson has been named as the new SLGA president, taking over from Ethel Jack who is retiring after three years in the post.
Emma for those who don't know her can be seen collecting lots of money for Breast Cancer last year --- Go to the West Vets Website to read more. She is a Past Chairman of the SLGA and is currently Captain of Midlands Vets

Kylie and Carly both turn PRO

Playing as amateurs, 2010 Curtis Cup squad members Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), pictured left above, and 17-year-old Carly Booth (Comrie), both sailed through with flying colours in the top 30 who earn full playing rights for 2010.
Long-hitting Kylie, who first came to the fore as winner of the Scottish schoolgirls title in her teens, finished joint eighth on six-under-par 286, clinching her place with a splendid third-round, five-under-par 68 over the South Course.
Carly finished with her worst round of the four, a one-over-par 74, but had already paved the way for a 14th place finish on three-under 289.
Clare Queen (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) retained her LET playing status but only in Category 10a, which puts her down the pecking order for entry to tournaments in 2010.

TO READ THE FULL REPORT GO TO THE GILLIAN KIRKWOOD WEBSITE

The rain (and snow) in Spain stays mainly at La Manga!

NEWS RELEASE FROM LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR
MURCIA, SOUTH-EAST SPAIN – Saturday’s play at Final Qualifying School has been washed out due to heavy rain and snow. The bunkers on La Manga Club's South Course were full of water and fairways were wet, with temperatures extremely low.
Play has been rescheduled to start at 8.30am on Sunday, with the last tee time at 10.40am. After the completion of round two, the third round will begin at 14.00 (2pm) on Sunday and play will continue until darkness falls.

Kylie continues her good form at La Manga

Comrie's Carly Booth (70) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) (72), both members of the 2010 Curtis Cup match short leet and both competing as amateurs, continued their good form in the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School process at La Manga, Spain today.
Clare Queen (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) and Ayrshire's Pamela Feggans both had 73's
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Kylie Qualifies for the the Final European Tour's Final Qualifying Event

Kylie Walker (joint 10th))and Carly Booth (joint 21st) came through the Stage 1 eliminator with plenty in hand and are now set to play for their 2010 golfing futures in the Ladies European Tour's Final qualifying event over four rounds at La Manga, starting tomorrow.
Both Scots, still amateurs, had three steady rounds with Kylie scoring 72, 72 and 73 for two-over-par 217 while Carly had rounds of 74, 73 and 74 for six-over 221.

Kylie still on course at the Pro Qualifying School

Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and Carly Booth qualified with ease for the third and final round of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying Stage 1 tournament at La Manga, south-east Spain today.
But the third Scot in the field, Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll, a professional unless Kylie and Carly who are still amateurs, failed to figure among the leading 70 players after today's second round and has been eliminated.
The leading 50 and ties after the Stage 1 third round, being played on Thursday instead of today after the opening day was abandoned because of bad weather, will go forward to join the exempt players in the four-round Final Qualifying tournament at La Manga from Friday through to Monday.
Kylie, currently joint 10th, repeated her first-day 72 and is on level par 144 - four shots behind the joint leaders, Spain's Maria Hernandez, who followed up a 71 with a 69 for 140, and Australian Kristie Smith, daughter of a professional. Smith shot 69 and 71 to hit the four-under-par mark.

Merry Christmas from all at Douglas Park

The West of Scotland Centenary Captains get Introduced --- 2009 Review

At last I have managed to upload the video from the Renfrewshire Centenary Dinner in February 2009. This section of the video is of Christeen Finlayson the RLCGA Centenary Captain introducing the other County Captains Kay McColl -- (D&A), Nora McCrossan (Ayrshire) and May Hughes - (Lanarkshire).
To read more go to the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Website

Barclays Scottish Open gets into the Festive Spirit

Scottish golf fans looking for the ideal Christmas present have the chance to save over 25% on tickets to next summer's Barclays Scottish Open.

Advance tickets are now on sale for Scotland's National Open that will once again be staged at the magnificent Loch Lomond Golf Club from July 8-11. As one of the Europe's premier golfing events, The Barclays Scottish Open is expected to draw many of the game's superstar names to the bonnie banks.

Reductions of around 25% are available on all tickets purchased before December 18, 2009 at http://www.europeantourtickets.com/

Adult season tickets, which guarantee entry to Loch Lomond Golf Club for the full week of The 2010 Barclays Scottish Open, are on offer at a pre-Christmas price of £55, saving £20 on the gate price during the week of the Championship.

Any one day adult passes can be purchased at the pre-Christmas price of £23, a saving of £7 on the gate price. Significant savings are also on offer for senior citizen, disabled and unaccompanied junior tickets, full details of which can also be found at http://www.europeantourtickets.com/

When booking pre-Christmas tickets, customers will also be given the opportunity to reserve a grandstand seat overlooking 18th green for £10 per day. Corporate hospitality packages are also available from only £225 + vat.

Last year, Germany's Martin Kaymer cemented his status as one of golf's emerging superstars by taking The Barclays Scottish Open title, following in the footsteps of former champions such as Angel Carbrera, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood.

For further details of the Pre-Christmas Barclays Scottish Open ticket offer and other events on The European Tour, please visit The European Tour Website or telephone: +44 800 023 2557; fax +44 141 887 0223. Please send postal enquiries to European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA or email: tickets@europeantour.com

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Here's a nice little thing for Christmas from the Daily Telegraph.

Thanks go to Ann Wallace -- West Girls for that one - Give Time to load

The Four Nations Golf Challenge

Ever dreamed of playing for your country? Now it's possible!
Have you ever noticed the difference in the behaviour of the world’s top golfers when they play in the Ryder Cup?

The noticeable difference in the Ryder Cup is … PASSION!
Now YOU have the opportunity to experience this passion, by representing your country in the Four Nations Golf Challenge. This inaugural and unique Matchplay golf tournament will appeal to all members of affiliated golf clubs and will determine the champion amateur golf Nation in the UK’s Golfing Empire represented by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

All you need to enter is a golfing partner who will help you to qualify through a 4 ball better ball Match Play Regional group and one day Final Qualifying. Then, you will both meet your other 10 team members in the October 2010 International Grand Final.

The International Grand Final will be held from 17th to 20th October, 2010 at The Oxfordshire, a PGA Championship course which has previously hosted the Anderson Consulting World Matchplay, the Ladies English Open and the Benson and Hedges International Open; the latter boasting an enviable list of winners such as Colin Montgomery, Bernhard Langer and Darren Clarke.

All finalists will enjoy 3 nights’ accommodation at The Oxfordshire’s new luxury hotel & spa, including a Welcome Reception, all meals, practice facilities and the Presentation Dinner where they will collect their INTERNATIONAL CAP and lots of other goodies.

An entry fee of just £20 each will confirm your place in the Regional Match Play qualifiers which will commence in May 2010.

Simply click Here to access further details and to register you and your partner

Christmas Wishes from Tiger Woods --- Apologies !!

Apologies -- but thanks to a few readers who have sent in this "photo" --- Click on the picture to see more -- Christmas Wishes !!!

Plus here are a few Jokes !

Crouching Tiger, hidden hydrant"

What does Tiger Woods have in common with baby seals?
They both get clubbed by Norwegians.

That’s the first time Tiger Woods has failed to drive 300 yards

Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree ... he couldn't decide between a wood and an iron.

Perhaps Tiger should have used a driver

I find it's a nightmare driving at 2.05am: sometimes you can't see the Woods for the trees.

Tiger's wife went for him after he scored a birdie.

What was the second worst part of Tiger's car accident? The police found the driver in the trunk.

What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing.

What’s the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.

Get your Gift Vouchers from Playsport Golf in East Kilbride

If your still looking for the ideal gift for that special person then why not treat them to the Gift of Golf at Playsport Golf this Christmas...
Vouchers are available for specific lessons options with members of our PGA Coaching Centre Team with some great options including our...

To read more go to the Renfrewshire Ladies' County Website

Mearns Castle Christmas Special

Membership includes: Unlimited access to the challenging 9 hole golf course Unlimited access to the short game practice facility Play in club competitions and gain an official handicap £50 credit for the driving range with 20% OFF the price of the balls £5 guest fees for friends and family Direct debit payment option available

New online issue of Scottish Club Golfer is now available

Remember you can also read the latest golf news at http://www.scottishclubgolfer.com/

SGU NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

SGU NEWSLETTER --- CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ ALL ABOUT THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER ---

2009/2010 Winter Tee Time Offers
Scottish Golf Card
SGU 2009 National Handicap Audit
SGU Golf Central- 2010 Open Competitions
Employment Matters
SEMINARS
FOR ALL THE FULL INFORMATION GO TO THE SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

Lanarkshire County AGM

Back row: J Macintyre, C Smith, I Cooper, M Hughes, J Lees, J Glass, S Wood, J Scott, A Duffy, S Williamson, A Lloyd, R Rankin
Front row: Past captain May Hughes, captain Lesley Lloyd, champion Fiona Norris, vice-captain Fiona Scott.

Some of the prizewinners -- Courtesy of Jean MacIntyre - click to enlarge

Lanarkshire Ladies County Golf Association held their AGM and Prizegiving at Cambuslang GC last night when Lesley Lloyd was installed as the new captain, Fiona Scott as vice-captain and Anne Prentice as honorary president.

To read the full report go to the Lanarkshire County Website
To see who are now on the Lanarkshire County Committee Click Here

GET YOUR HAPPY GOLF FIXTURE BOOKLET

Dear Fellow Golfer
Happygolf-Ladies, a pocket size (A6) publication packed with details to enter over 2200 Ladies open golf competitions in Scotland, North of England, Midlands and Wales and the South of England.
Competitions include Scratch, Handicap, Greensomes, Texas Scrambles and Teams.
Booklets cost £4.00 including postage and packaging with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research. Go to www.happygolf.co.ukto read all about it.

2010 LGU championship entries are now open

There will be no play-offs to decide the precise number of qualifiers for the match-play stages of next year’s Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Ganton Golf Club and also the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship at Royal Belfast Golf Club.

Instead, a card countback will be used as the means of deciding all qualifying places. Play-offs have been known to last for hours, on occasion finishing in darkness and then restarting the following day. This did nothing to help the smooth running of the tournaments and players often incurred additional costs and travel delay while they waited to see if they would be involved.

The Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship will be held at the Yorkshire venue from June 22 to 26, beginning only nine days after the conclusion of the Curtis Cup match at Essex County Club, Massachusetts (June 11 to 13). Spain’s Azahara Munoz, winner of the title at Royal St David’s Golf Club, Harlech this year, has since turned professional and already won an event on the Ladies’ European Tour.

The handicap limit for the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship, to be played at the prestigious Northern Ireland venue from August 9 to 13, is being reduced from 9.4 to 8.4 in recognition of the fact that the general standard of play among the entrants for the Under-18 years’ championship is improving every year.

There will be a total ban on caddies at the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship. Previously, the ban covered only a golf professional, relative or guardian acting as a caddie in this tournament. Caddies will continue to be permitted at the Girls’ International Matches which will be hosted by Bangor Golf Club, Northern Ireland, from August 4 to 6 however the restriction on a golf professional, relative or guardian acting as a caddie will remain in place.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open Championship has another Lancashire venue, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, from July 29 to August 1.
The pre-qualifying will be held over The Berkshire Golf Club’s Blue Course on July 12 and the final qualifying at Hillside Golf Club, Southport a fortnight later on July 26.

Wales will have two main events on the LGU 2010 calendar.
The Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship will be played at Tenby Golf Club, Pembrokeshire from August 18 to 20, and Wales, champions at Wrexham in 2008 and Irvine in 2009, will be seeking an historic hat-trick of titles when the Home Internationals are played on home soil at Whitchurch Golf Club from September 8 to 10.

Scotland plays host to the Senior Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship at West Kilbride Golf Club, Ayrshire from September 14 to 16. Scotland’s defence of the Sue Johnson Trophy in the Senior International Matches will take place at Sheringham Golf Club, Norfolk from September 28 to 30.

Entries for all tournaments are now available online via ENTRY FORMS

2010 Events

June 22-26: Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at Ganton GC, England
August 4-6: Girls’ International Matches at Bangor GC, Northern Ireland.
August 9-13: Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship at Royal Belfast GC, Northern Ireland.
August 18-20: Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke-play Championship at Tenby GC, Wales.
September 8-10: Home International Matches at Whitchurch GC, Cardiff, Wales.
September 14-16: Senior Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship at West Kilbride GC, Ayrshire, Scotland.
September 28-30: Senior International Matches at Sheringham GC, Norfolk, England.

From the LGU Website

Kylie and Pamela are ranked 12 & 13 by European Golf Association

Photos courtesy of Cal Carson Agency - Click to enlarge

Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) pictured right and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) pictured left are Nos 12 and 13 in the final European Golf Association women's amateur rankings of 2009.
Lucie Andre of France is ranked No 1.
Danielle McVeigh from Northern Ireland, winner of the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen in August, is the leading British or Irish player. She is No 3.
TOP TWENTY
1 Lucie Andre (France).
2 Marieke Nivard (Netherlands).
3 Danielle McVeigh (Ireland).
4 Carlota Ciganda (Spain).
5 Caroline Masson (Germany).
6 Lara Katzy (Germany).
7 Hannah Barwood (England).
8 Rosanna Crepiatt (France).
9 Klara Spilkova (Czech Republic)
10 Marion Ricordeau (France).
11 *Caroline Hedwall (Spain).
12 Kylie Walker (Scotland).
13 Pamela Pretswell (Scotland).
14 Pia Halbig (Germany).
15 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wales).
16 Nicola Rossler (Germany).
17 Mireia Prat (Spain).
18 Marina Kotnik (Austria).
19 Charlie Douglass (England).
20 Rachel Jennings (England).
*Caroline Hedwall is now a professional.

The 2009 West Vets AGM is held at Cowglen Golf Club

The West Vets AGM was held at Cowglen Golf Club today.
To read all about it go to the West Vets Website and to see some photos Click Here

Megan and Carol are given Honorary Membership by Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association

Megan Briggs (2009 Scottish Champion) and Carol Fell ( Outstanding Services to County Golf) - Click to enlarge

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Carol Fell Ranfurly Castle were both awarded with Honorary Membership of Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association at their 100th AGM held at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Wednesday 4th November.

To read all about the AGM --- GO TO the Renfrewshire County Website

To see some videos and photos from the AGM ----- CLICK HERE

West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs wins SLGA Girls' Order of Merit

West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs, (Kilmacolm) whose older sister Megan won the Scottish women's amateur golf championship in May, has won the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association girls' order of merit. She totalled 2,285pt, winning by over 500pt from Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) with Lesley Atkins (Minto) third with 1300.
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) was fourth with 1120.

Leading final points totals

1 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 2,285pt
2 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 1,720
3 Lesley Atkins (Minto) 1,300.
4 Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 1,120.
5 Sammy Vass (Tain) 1,090.
6 Rachel Hanlon (St Regulus) 1,015.
7 Carly Booth (Comrie) 955.
8 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 890.
9 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 850.
10 Hannah McCook (Abernethy) 845.
11 Sophie Alexander (Deeside) 840.