Open Day at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

You can take advantage of the following at Ranfurly Castle's Open Day on Sunday 28th March 2010;
• £15 to play on day (normal round ticket £35).
• REDUCED entrance fee for full members - £250 for the first
10 new members and then £500 thereafter.
• NO joining fee for new members under the age of 30.
• FREE lesson voucher from our head PGA Professional,
Tom Eckford, when you join.
• OFFER AVAILABLE ONLY ON THE DAY BUT CAN BE BOOKED
IN ADVANCE FROM 18TH FEBRUARY 2010
To read more about it Click Here

West of Scotland's Kylie Walker is now on the Pro' Tour

Kylie Walker, has the length off the tee required to make an impact as a tour professional (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency;).

Be patient, Catriona tells rookie pro Kylie Walker

FROM THE SCOTTISH HERALD WEBSITE --- By Richard Wilson
Kylie Walker will not feel out ?of place.
Since turning professional last December, she has already been invited to Catriona Matthew’s home in North Berwick, where they shared a conversation about life on the Ladies European Tour. By the time she tees off in her first tournament, in Morocco on Thursday, Walker will have caught up with other fellow Scots competing at the forefront of the women’s game.
Matthew’s advice was that only patience would be rewarded. Walker’s career has been compressed, having only taken up the sport seriously at 14 and now having qualified for the Tour at 23.
There was an accumulation of distinction. Last year, she won the St Rule Trophy for the second consecutive year, repeating the achievements of Matthew in 1993 and 1994.
Walker also won the 2008 Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Order of Merit title, and she was the highest-placed British golfer at the Ladies European Tour's Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain in December.
There might have been a failed attempt at the January 2009 qualifying school, but even that is considered beneficial, as Walker believes she is now better equipped.
There is a bullishness to her, so when she considers what might be attainable in this first year, there is little reticence.
“I would love to do well right from the start and be contending,” she says. “I’m going into every tournament to win, but that might be unrealistic. But I played some Ladies Tour events before, as an amateur.”
With Carly Booth joining the Tour, and Krystle Caithness, another Scot, having enjoyed a successful rookie year in 2009, Walker is not short of support. Her older brother, Kris, will also caddie for her.
“Everybody in my family played,” Walker says. “My two sisters and brother are all older than me, so when my dad was making up the four-ball, I was always left behind. I guess that’s why it took until I was 14 before I started. Then I won the Scottish schoolgirls' title, which made me realise that I could still have moments of brilliance even with my handicap being high.”
Sponsorship and finance are pressures, so the first months of this year have been spent sorting out a website and seeking backers. Mostly, though, her time is spent looking forward. At the very least, Walker will play in the final qualifiers for the British Ladies Open in July. Having won the event last year, Matthew is an inspiration.
Walker spent last week in Dubai, where her brother and one of her sisters live. She worked on her short game and began focusing on what the coming months will bring. There are also long-term ambitions.
“If you’re going to be at the top, America’s the place to be, the best [golfers] in the world are there,” she says. “In the future, I’ll look to get out there to compete.”
+Kylie Walker was the first Scottish lady pro to say she would play on the new Xltec Pro Tour which tees off - with a Ladies section if enough enter - at Whitekirk Golf Club on March 25.

Tait's Tour ready to welcome lady professionals with open arms!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Alan Tait, founder of the new Xltec Pro Tour in Scotland, has agreed to my suggestion that he makes room for female professionals in his six 36-hole event schedule which tees off at Whitekirk Golf Club, near North Berwick on March 25 and 26.
" We thought that as there is very little opportunity for our few lady professional golfers to play competitively in Scotland, why not get them involved as well. The more the merrier!" said Alan, director of golf at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Golf Resort.
"At the end of the day, the Xltec Tour is all about giving pros more opportunity to compete and this should include everyone. As long as we get a minimum of five girls entering each event, they can play for a separate, smaller prize-fund and I am sure they will be a breath of fresh air to the tour".
Tait and his organising colleagues are hoping that star amateurs-turned-rookie-pros Carly Booth and Kylie Walker (pictured above) will cut their teeth on the homespun tour before they have a go at the Ladies European Tour.
Others who might play are LET regulars Vikki Laing, Lynn Kenny and Krystle Caithness, WPGA assistant professional Heather MacRae as well as Clare Queen, Pamela Feggans, Jenna Wilson, Katy McNicoll, Gemma Webster, Kathryn Imrie, Karyn Burns, Lesley Mackay, Karyn Dallas, Katie Thomson, Nicola Meldrum, Michele Thomson, Cathy Panton-Lewis and Gillian Stewart.
There is always the chance that British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew and fellow LPGA Tour members Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay would put in an appearance when they are back in Scotland, if only for a short break.
Then there are established lady professionals, who have long since retired from the competitive side of the game, such as Muriel Thomson (Portlethen GC head professional) and Jane Connachan, who might welcome the chance to mix it with the younger brigade.
The possibilities are endless and it will be shame if the idea never gets off the ground because of apathy and lack of numbers.
It is hoped to interest WPGA female professionals based in the North and North-east of England for whom the journey north would not be as much a deterrent as it would be for those based in the south of England.
The female pros will have to pay a one-off joining fee of £40 plus a £50 entry fee for each 36-hole event plus a £10 administration fee per competition.
They will play off the LGU red tees at every venue and will be competiing against themselves, NOT the men.
Although the girls will be competing, in a sense, for their own money, it is hoped that as the tour gains publicity and becomes better known, companies or individuals may be persuaded to sponsor individual events.
While male pros have no inhibitions about playing for their own money, hence the success of satellite circuits such as the EuroPro Tour, where the entry fees are big to create worthwhile prize funds, female professionals are much harder to please ... and I talk from the experience of being Tournament Controller at the first two Hacienda del Alamo Women's February Festivals.
It remains to be seen if the female pros will be lukewarm about a lack of prizemoney up front for them at "Tait's Tour." I hope they take the longer-term view that the circuit, which will certainly need the players' support through its first season, could grow into a ladies' version of the Tartan Tour.
The schedule of events is:
March 25-26: Whitekirk, near North Berwick.
April 28-29: Hilton Park, near Glasgow.
May 25-26: Marriott Dalmahoy, near Edinburgh.
July 28-29: Westerwood, near Glasgow.
September 28-29: Spey Valley, Aviemore.
October 6-7 Dundonald Links, near Troon, Ayrshire.
+Entry forms and more information available by E-mailing Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Glasgow gets set to introduce 3,300 children to golf

The drive to give more Glasgow primary school children the opportunity to play golf accelerates this month with the city’s Active Schools Team training classroom teachers to deliver the national junior golf programme, clubgolf’s introductory game.
In 2009, 42 of Glasgow’s 170 schools introduced their 1260 of their Primary 5s to clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, which employs modified equipment. Taught by school staff, supported by Active Schools Co-ordinators, it gives children an enjoyable introduction to the game.
That figure, 21 percent of the total P5 roll of 6000, is expected to rise by 2000 this year after clubgolf and Active Schools combined forces to buy 50 bags of firstclubgolf equipment for Glasgow schools.
“This is a big step up this year in terms of increasing the numbers of children who we will deliver clubgolf to,” said Active Schools Manager, Kay Cherrie.
“The difficulty in the past was that without firstclubgolf equipment in schools there was little point in the staff becoming trained to teach the game.
“This year we have been able to access the finance to buy 50 bags so two thirds of schools now have equipment. Half of the funding (£7500) has come from the Council and Education Services. clubgolf has matched this which has enabled us to buy 50 bags and make the big push.”
To ensure that staff in these schools are fully prepared to teach the game to children, Active Schools is running a series of training sessions this month. Eighty three teachers are being trained in three four-hour sessions. Active Schools Co-ordinators continue supporting staff once they begin delivering in their schools.
“The response from schools and teachers has been really good,” said Mrs Cherrie. “With support from Active Schools Co-ordinators, staff find clubgolf relatively easy to deliver.
“With the equipment and the lesson plans, it’s a readymade off the shelf activity that can be used in our schools, during curriculum time, circle time, after school and in holiday programmes.”
“Our Active Schools Co-ordinators will make sure the schools are fully supported and the children get a good experience from it.”
With higher numbers of children being introduced to the schools game more clubs and volunteer coaches will be needed to ensure they can progress.
Haggs Castle is the first private club in Glasgow to see the potential of signing up to clubgolf and will be organising training for its volunteer coaches this spring. The volunteers will link with their local schools to provide a pathway for the children to progress into junior and eventually senior golf.
Rob Eyton-Jones
clubgolf Media Manager
Official clubgolf website: http://www.clubgolfscotland.com/

Alex Salmond's major announcement about £2million boost for Scottish amateur golf

First Minister Alex Salmond with a group including SLGA chairman Shona Malcolm, British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew and Douglas Connon, chairman of the Scottish Golf Union Board, at North Berwick today when a major announcement about additional funding for Scottish amateur golf, particularly those who are turning professional., was made.

READ THE FULL STORY BY LOGGING ON TO Scottish Golf View

Quality field building up for the 'Helen Holm'

This year's Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship is shaping to be one of the best - if the quality of the entries so far is any guide.
They include so far the 2009 champions of Scotland (Megan Briggs), England (Charlie Douglass) and Wales (Tara Davies).
The fact that the LGU selectors will be at the tournament and will be meeting on the evening of Sunday, April 25 to choose the Great Britain & Ireland team of eight for the Curtis Cup match at Essex County Club, Massachusetts in June could have something to do with it.
But the tournament is also pulling them in from places as far away as Russia.
Two rounds will be played over Troon Portland on Friday and Saturday, April 23 & 24 after which there will be a cut and the qualifiers (leading 66 players and ties) will play the final 18 holes over Royal Troon on the Sunday.
Entries close at noon on Monday, March 22. Handicap limit is 5.4.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association website: www.slga.co.uk.
THE FIELD SO FAR
(from the SLGA website)
1 Lucie Andre Mionnay France +2.7
2 Lesley Atkins Minto Scotland 2.8
3 Amy Boulden Maesdu Wales 0.4
4 Eilidh Briggs Kilmacolm Scotland 1.0
5 Megan Briggs Kilmacolm Scotland 0.3
6 Emma Brown Malton & Norton England +3.1
7 Ciara Butler Newlands Ireland 1.8
8 Holly Clyburn Woodhall Spa England +2
9 Charlotte Dalton Ladbrook Park England 0.9
10 Tara Davies Holyhead Wales 0.5
11 Charlie Douglass Brocket Hall England 0.8
12 Charlotte Ellis Minchinhampton England +1.6
13 Stephanie Evans Vale of Llangollen Wales 0.1
14 Bethany Garton Royal Lytham & St Annes England 2.1
15 Hannah Grant Enmore Park England 0.3
16 Becky Harries Haverfordwest Wales +0.2
17 Rachel Jennings Izaak Walton England +2.6
18 Louise Kenney Pitreavie Scotland +1.6
19 Samantha Leslie Westhill Scotland 2.5
20 Emelie Lundstrom Mosjo Sweden +1
21 Kelsey MacDonald Nairn Dunbar Scotland +1.9
22 Stephanie McEvoy Old Fold Manor England 3.2
23 Alyson McKechin Elderslie Scotland 2.8
24 Gillian Monteith Portpatrick Dunskey Scotland 0.0
25 Laura Murray Alford Scotland +1.2
26 Elizaveta Nikulina Moscow City Russia 3.4
27 Pamela Pretswell Bothwell Castle Scotland +2.7
28 Ann B Ramsay Kirriemuir Scotland 0.4
29 Emma Sheffield Newark England 0.6
30 Ailsa Summers Carnoustie Ladies Scotland 3.0
31 Lauren Taylor Woburn England +2.1
32 Rachael Taylor Hartl Golf Resort Germany 2.4
33 Jess Wilcox Blankney England 0.4
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

SLGA name teams for Stroke-Play tournaments

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION
The SLGA is pleased to announce the following teams to represent Scotland:

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship, Strathmore Golf Centre, April 8-9:
Team 1: Lesley Atkins (Minto), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Clara Young (North Berwick).
Team 2: Connie Jaffray (West Kilbride), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies).
Reserves: 1 Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies and Whitecraigs), 2 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)

Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, Troon, April 23-25:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
Reserves: 1 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 2 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship, Southerndown Golf Club, May 1-2:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Laura Murray (Alford), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Travelling reserve: Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Newlands Golf Club, June 5-6:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Travelling reserve: Laura Murray (Alford).
Reserve: Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)

West Vets -- Helen Faulds and Alex Glennie are selected for Scotltish Vets to play the Irish Vets

West Vets Captain Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) and Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) have both been selected to play for the Scottish Vets Team against an Irish select next month over Portmarnock Links.
To read the full team selection go to the West Vets Website

Renfrewshire County Centenary Book is launched

Carol Fell with the RLCGA Centenary Book - click to enlarge

A coffee morning was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club to launch the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Centenary Book.
The first 100 pages of the book covers the 1st 100 years of County Golf in Renfrewshire and the second 100 pages covers all the events in last year's County Centenary Year both in Renfrewshire and around Scotland. There are over 400 photographs in the book which was Self Published by your webmaster Carol Fell
To read all about the morning's event go to the RLCGA Website

Make Golf History at Machrihanish Dunes.

Under 16 and Matchplay Foursomes Closing Dates

There is only one week left to get your entries in for the first major event on the Scottish Ladies’ 2010 calendar. The closing date for the Scottish Open Under 16’s is 12 noon on Monday 8th March.

Monday 8th March is also the closing date for the Scottish Matchplay Foursomes. Entry forms for this were sent out to the Handicap secretaries in the February Handicap mailing.

You can now find more information about the Under 16's Championship, including; venue details, entries received, and the card of the course on 'Championships' menu by on the SLCGA Website by CLICKING HERE
Draws and results will also appear here when available and information on the other Championships will be added in the coming weeks.

Ladies Dinner and Social Evening at Douglas Park

The new Douglas Park Ladies Captain Ann O'Connell had a very successful dinner and Social Evening on Friday 19th February. Nevin McGhee was the speaker and singer. Eileen Hunter was the wonderful accompanist. The evening was geared around the title "This Genteel Abode"

Click on the pictures above to see an enlarged slideshow

New OnLine Issue of Scottish Club Golfer is available

Please visit this link to see the latest issue of Scottish Club Golfer online. Remember you can also read the latest golf news at http://www.scottishclubgolfer.com/

2010 LGU YEARBOOK

The start of season LGU mailing will be leaving St Andrews next week and will include your club's complimentary copy of the 2010 LGU Yearbook.

The yearbook contains results, future championship information and regulations. New for 2010, the book will contain a list of all clubs, and their names and addresses. Should you require your own personal copy, you may order one using the LGU SHOP.

You may wish to view an electronic preview online using the link below but note the list of golf clubs is not visible online.
2010 LGU ELECTRONIC ONLINE BOOK

Training Sessions at Mearns Castle Golf Academy

If you haven't already heard . . . . . . FREE golf lessons and training are available for anyone of any age, with a serious health problem or disability, at the Mearns Castle Golf Academy on Saturday 10th April from 10:00am.

Anyone interested, whether they have played before or not, should return the attached form as soon as possible. Click on the following --- Scottish Disability Golf

February Medal -- Troon Portland

February Medal (SSS 73, CSS 74)Played 5th February
Silver:
Julie Will (19)75
Morven English (15) [acb] 76
Fiona Roger (14) 76
Bronze:
Julia Tulloch (24)74
Fiona Abbott (21)78

2010 Team Captains --- News Release Issued from the SLGA

Lesley Nicholson is hoping to make it third time lucky when she captains Scotland at the Women’s Home Internationals at Whitchurch, Cardiff in September.
Scotland finished third when Nicholson was a rookie captain at the Home Internationals in 2008 and, last year, the side narrowly lost out to Wales in a final day showdown for the title at Irvine Golf Club.
This year, Nicholson, a former Ladies’ European Tour professional, has also been appointed captain for the European Women's Team Championship at La Manga, in Spain in July.
The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association has named the full list of Captains for the 2010 season and the Baberton pair of Karen Marshall and Pamela Williamson have also been handed double roles.
Marshall has been named captain of the Scottish team for both the girls’ home internationals (Bangor, Northern Ireland in August) and the Girls’ European Championship (Aalborg, Denmark, in July), while Pamela is in charge for September’s European Senior Team Championship (Berlin) and the senior home internationals (Sheringham).
Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) has been appointed captain of the Scottish side for the SLGA Under-16 championship, a tournament that marks the start of the domestic season at Strathmore in April.
Nicholson is looking forward to the challenges ahead. “We came very, very close to lifting the trophy at the Home Internationals last year and I think we have a great chance to do well in all competitions this year,” she said.
“We have lost Kylie Walker and Carly Booth to the professional ranks, but there are so many new players coming through. There is a lot of golf to be played before the teams are picked and the SLGA coach, Kevin Craggs, makes sure everyone is extremely focused.
The amateur side of the game has come on by leaps and bounds in Scotland in recent years and this is going to be a very exciting year.”

Scottish Golf Show receives backing boost

With just under six weeks until this year's Scottish Golf Show gets underway, the three-day golf bonanza has received a major boost after securing the backing of both of Scottish golf's main governing bodies.

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Region of the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) have both confirmed their support of the annual golf season curtain-raiser.

The backing of both organisations is a major boost for the 2010 Scottish Golf Show as it prepares to take place from March 26-28 at the SECC in Glasgow.

Show organiser Tom Lovering welcomed the support and said: "The Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Region of the Professional Golfers' Association do a fantastic job representing the amateur and professional realms of the game in Scotland. Therefore, we are hugely grateful to be offered their support, which I believe further underlines the high regard in which the Scottish Golf Show, now in its fifth year, is held.

"Their backing reinforces the strong belief held by all of us involved with the Scottish Golf Show that this year's event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet and I would reiterate my call to all of those interested in attending to book their tickets now via our website, www.scottishgolfshow.com, in order to book their place at the show and take advantage of a superb ticket offer."


More Golf Show Latest News

Your chance to become a trick-shot king!

Fancy learning how to pull off some amazing trick shots? Then be sure to come along to this year's Scottish Golf Show, where trick-shot maestro Dave Edwards will be demonstrating the secrets behind some of the most popular shots in his repertoire.

Dave, whose incredible shows have left audiences dazzled at each of the previous four Scottish Golf Shows, will again be performing his incredible routine on all three days this year. However, as well as doing that, he'll be teaching some his tricks to show customers. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn some jaw-dropping new golf skills!

Children welcome at Scottish Golf Show

Don't forget, children are welcome at the Scottish Golf Show, too. All under-5s go free and there are reduced tickets available both for five to 15-year-olds and families when you book in advance. But that's not all: there will also be opportunities for kids to try out golf equipment, too! Jaxx Golf will have four bays reserved solely for the use of young golfers, who can test the company's latest clubs. On top of that, there will be 'junior only' areas at both the Explanar stand and the PGA teaching nets, too!
More details available at http://www.scottishgolfshow.com/
Golf Show Key Dates SECC Glasgow Friday, March 26th
9.30 am - 6.00pm Saturday, March 27th
9.30am - 5.30 pm Sunday, March 28th
9.30 am - 5.00 pm Special Advanced
Golf Show Ticket Offer Receive these FREE gifts for EVERY golf show ticket purchased in advanced. One FREE weekly passes to the Johnnie Walker Championship and Scottish Seniors Open.
Also a FREE bunkered Saltire driver headcover Click to find out more

Full List of Advanced
Ticket Prices Under 5's free Juniors (5-15 yrs) £8 Concession £8 Adult £10 Family Tickets £25 Family tickets: 2 adults, 2 children; Concession: students, OAPs & disabled Order Tickets Now Show sponsors and media

Fixtures 2010

The 2010 Calendar Of Events is now available at the SLGA Website

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR lIST

SLGA SQUAD TRAINING IN SPAIN

From the SLGA Website

National Squad players West of Scotland players Megan Briggs, Eilidh Briggs and Alyson McKechin plus Gillian Monteith, Laura Murray, Gabrielle Macdonald, Kelsey Macdonald, Jane Turner, Rachael Watton and Rebecca Wilson have just returned from Desert Springs, Spain after attending a Warm weather training camp. The squad were fortunate to be accompanied by the Ricoh Women’s British Open winner, Catriona Matthew, who played and trained as part of the squad. This provided an excellent opportunity for our young players to gain from her experience. Catriona gave the girls great encouragement. The girls were extremely excited about Catriona travelling with them, something they will never forget.

Also, travelling with the squad were SLGA National Coach, Kevin Craggs, sportscotland Institute of Sport physiotherapist, Karen Young and SLGA Performance Director,Beth Paterson.
Desert Springs gave the players a chance to train in good conditions in preparation for the forthcoming season. The Golf Union of Wales was in Desert Springs at the same time and this gave the squad a chance to play a competitive match, which the Welsh won. The Welsh team had Walker Cup Captain and four times Walker Cup player, Nigel Edwards playing for them.

We are very grateful to our funding partners; the R & A and sportscotland who helped to fund this trip.

Clubgolf Vacancy in the West of Scotland

A vacancy has arisen for a clubgolf Regional Manager in the West of Scotland. To see the advertisement click here.

Brand New Scottish Golf Show Website 2010

Brand New 2010 Scottish Golf Show website is now live Find out more about this year's show and take up our amazing ticket offer when you book your tickets in advance. http://newsletter.bunkered.co.uk/

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY LGU

Ladies Golf Union launch new logo
Following the Annual General Meeting in Cardiff at the end of last month which resulted in the modernisation of the LGU’s operations and structure, a new corporate branding has been launched, with a simple logo aimed at projecting a fresh, modern identity while celebrating the organisation’s 117 years of tradition and history.
The new logo, reminiscent of the famous railway posters so familiar to golf fans, will be introduced at the LGU’s championships and matches throughout the season.
Shona Malcolm, CEO of the Ladies Golf Union, explained:
"The old logo has served the LGU well for the last ten years, but modern marketing and promotional activities demand a clean, visual logo with impact, which must be easy to read and readily identifiable. The new logo was developed with these objectives in mind.
"Early feedback on the change has been good, and in the promotional material which is being drafted, it is clear that the new LGU logo will stand out both on and off the golf course."

SLGA Handicap Mailing to all Clubs

The 2010 Handicap Mailing addressed to Ladies Handicap Secretaries at clubs was posted on Thursday 4 February. It contains: - The 2010 Handicap Pack which includes the list of qualifying competitions for 2010 - A CONGU Manual - An order form for additional CONGU Manuals - An application form for a 9 hole course SSS - The entry form for the Scottish Match Play Foursomes

HOT OFF THE PRESS -- LOOK WHO HAS JUST GOT ENGAGED

HOT OFF THE PRESS ---- CLICK HERE TO REVEAL ALL

SLGA Tournament Entry Forms

Entry forms for the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association's tournaments in 2010 are now available on the SLGA website.

Pamela Pretswell feels a "Little Rusty" due to poor weather and examinations

The 80th Portuguese women's open amateur championship, ended at Amendoeira Golf Resort on the Algarve today and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) , who was playing in her first competition since last September's Home Internationals, was bang in contention with a sub-par opening round of 71 and then gradually slipped down the field. She had been unable to produce consistent good golf because she was simply too rusty. Subsequent rounds of 74, 77 and 74 gave her a total of eight-over-par 296.
She admitted before she left for Portugal that a combination of studies for exams at Glasgow University and the severity of the Scottish winter which closed most courses for a long spell, had raised her enthusiasm for a game of golf but left her desperately short of match-practice.
Anna Arrese from Spain was the winner on a total of 283

SLGA Championships - Changes in 2010

FROM THE SLGA WEBSITE
The SLGA has announced the following changes to its 2010 Championships:

Girls’ (Close) Championship
The 36-hole qualifying stroke play for the Scottish Girls’ (Close) Championship at Eyemouth Golf Club will now be held over two days (July 13 & 14) with the final of the match play stages on the morning of Saturday, July 17.

Junior Open Stroke Play Championship
This 54-hole championship at Dunfermline Golf Club will now be played over three days from July 21-23.

Scottish Match Play Foursomes
The conditions for this competition have been revised with the handicap limit for the team dropped. Each club may enter a team of 2 or 3 players with individual handicaps of 35 or less.

SLGA Medal Regional Finals
The winners of the SLGA Silver and Bronze Medals at each club will be eligible to play in a Regional Final of their choice. Entries will be limited to 60 silver and 60 bronze players at each venue and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Entry forms will be sent to clubs with the annual mailing and the closing date for all the Regional Finals is Monday, April 26. In the event of a venue being oversubscribed players will be allocated their second choice.
Two silver and two bronze players from each of the six venues will qualify for the Grand Final at Crieff on Sunday, September 5.

Commenting on these changes, Fiona Cowan, Championship Director of the SLGA, said:
“These changes have been made in response to feedback from players. We believe that they will enhance the quality of our events and result in increased participation”

Full conditions for all SLGA Championships and other competitions are contained in the SLGA handbook. Entry forms will be available on the SLGA website from the beginning of February.

Pamela does well in the 1st Round of the Portuguese Open Amateur Championship

West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) almost made it to the top of the class in today's first round of the Portuguese Womens' Open Amateur Golf Championship over the Oceanico O'Connor Jun course at the Amendoeira course on the Algarve.
Pamela had birdies at the par-4 second and two short holes on the home stretch, the 13th and 17th in halves of 36 and 35. Her round of 71 was in 2nd place behind Holly Clyburn (England)

SLGA and SGU aim to amalgamate by end of 2011

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Following Sunday’s (January 24) Scottish Golf Union annual general meeting, the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association and the Scottish Golf Union confirmed that they were formally considering an amalgamation, having been working increasingly closely together over recent years.
The men’s and ladies’ amateur golf governing bodies in Scotland already have a shared strategy, joint committees and shared staff in the form of Performance and Development Managers, as well as being partners on the national junior programme, clubgolf.
There is also a reciprocal arrangement whereby the respective Chairmen of the SLGA and SGU attend the Board meetings of each organisation. Given the increased level of co-operation, both Boards have agreed that amalgamation is the next logical step and jointly they have appointed Donald Turner as independent chair to lead a new working group.
Turner will oversee the consideration of all measures necessary to achieve amalgamation and will make recommendations to the respective organisations.Turner has a strong business and golf background, having been on the UK National Executive with accountants Ernst & Young and is the current captain of Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club on the Isle of Arran.
SGU Chairman, Douglas Connon, speaking at the AGM, said:“We are delighted that someone of Donald Turner’s skills and experience will assist us in this important process and are committed to ensuring we manage what is a significant proposed change as smoothly as possible.”
Connon’s counterpart at the SLGA, Shona Malcolm added:
“There has been invaluable progress in Scottish golf as a result of the two governing bodies working more closely together and it is now sensible to formalise this by amalgamating. This will undoubtedly bring even more benefits to Scottish golf and our member clubs.”
The new working group will be established over the next few weeks and consultation meetings will take place throughout the year with the aim of agreeing the necessary changes to achieve amalgamation by the end of 2011.