Thursday, 9 September 2010

Scotland beat England 5 - 4 on Day 2 of the Home Interationals

Scotland have not been champions since 1991 at Aberdovey. Ireland last won the Miller Trophy in 2004.at Royal Porthcawl.
The Scots and the Irish are the only teams with 100 per cent win records after two days’of match-play. Today Scotland beat England 5-4 while Ireland beat Wales 6-3.

Both West of Scotland Players Pamela Pretwell (Bothwell Castle) and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) were stars in helping Scotland to beat England in the Home Internationals at Cardiff by contributing to 4 of the 5 points they got today.
Scotland now play Ireland tomorrow in what will be a very difficult match --- GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL
SCOTLAND 5, ENGLAND 4
Foursomes (3-0)
Kelsey MacDonald and Louise Kenney beat Charlie Douglass and Nikki Foster 3 and 2.
Rachael Watton and Megan Briggs beat Charlotte Ellis and Tara Watters 1 hole.
Pamela Pretswell and Laura Murray beat Kelly Tidy and Hayley Davis 2 and 1.
Singles (2-4)
MacDonald lost to Tidy 3 and 2.
Pretswell beat Hayley Davis 5 and 4..
Watton lost to Douglass 8 and 7.
Murray lost to Foster 7 and 5.
Briggs beat Charley Hull.6 and 5.
Kenney lost to Hannah Barwood 5 and 4.

WALES 3, IRELAND 6
Foursomes (2-1)
Tara Davies and Becky Harries bt Danielle McVeigh and Charlene Reid 3 and 1.
Amy Boulden and Gemma Bradbury lost to Leona Maguire and Lisa Maguire 2 holes.
Katie Bradbury and Sam Birks bt Mary Dowling and Gillian O’Leary 4 and 3.

Singles (1-5)
Boulden lost to McVeigh 3 and 2.
Gemma Bradbury lost to Lisa Maguire 2 and 1.
Katie Bradbury lost to Charlene Reid 1 hole..
Kath O’Connor lost to Leona Maguire 8 and 7.
Davies bt Louise Coffey 1 hole.
Harries lost to Sinead O’Sullivan 3 and 2.

HOW THEY STAND
Ireland 2pt (14 game points).
Scotland 2pt (11 ½).
Wales 0pt (5 ½).
England 0pt (5).

FINAL MATCHES
Scotland v Ireland
England v Wales.

TO READ THE FULL REPORT GO TO THE LGU WEBSITE

Draw for the Scottish Mixed Foursomes at Haggs Castle

The draw for the Scottish Mixed Foursomes, which is being played at Haggs Castle on Sunday 12 September is as follows === CLICK HERE

Wednesday, 8 September 2010

GREENLEES MATCH IN THE POURING RAIN - AND THE DIVISIONAL MATCHES COME TO AN EXCITING FINISH

Douglas Park and Milngavie played each other at Douglas Park yesterday. They started in the lashing rain which had been non stop all morning. The match, however was able to be completed with the result being a halved match.
The 2010 Greenlees Trophy is now down to the final stages with Milngavie, Cathkin Braes and Kilmarnock Barassie all within a near shout of the Trophy. But who knows Troon who have 2 matches to play may come in WITH A LAST FLURRY !!.
It looks like Whitecraigs have won Division 2 and Largs Division 3

To see all the results CLICK HERE



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HOME INTERNATIONALS - SCOTLAND BEAT WALES ON DAY 1

SCOTLAND v WALES
MORNING FOURSOMES RESULTS (SCOTLAND NAMES FIRST):
Kelsey MacDonald & Louise Kenney v Tara Davies & Rebecca Harries (A/S)
Martine Pow & Jane Turner lost to Amy Boulden & Gemma Bradbury
Pamela Pretswell & Laura Murray beat Lucy Gould & Kath O’Connor 7 and 5
SCOTLAND 1.5 WALES 1.5
IRELAND 2 ENGLAND 1

Scottish Champion Kelsey MacDonald put her side ahead overall quite early in the afternoon with a surprisingly big win over Amy Boulden.
Kelsey won by 6 and 5, losing only the first hole. She won the second, third, fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth and 12th to go six up and a half at the 13th ended the contest.

Scotland went 2 points ahead when Pamela Pretswell won on the 18th green against Gemma Bradbury who had the better of the outward half and was two up at one stage. But the Scot, who recently won the British Stroke-Play title, came on to her game on the inward half. The turning point really came when Pretswell won three holes in a row from the eighth to turn a one-hole deficit into a one-hole lead.

Bradbury did get back on terms with a 2 at the short 15th but Pretswell responded with a birdie to go back to one up at the 16th. Bradbury wasn’t finished yet. She birdied the 17th to square the match. It all boiled down to the par-5 18th which Pretswell won with a 5 to a 6 for a hard-earned one-hole victory.

Wales got their first singles point from the sixth tie with Becky Harries beating Louise Kenney 4 and 3. Harries laid the foundation of her victory by moving into a four-hole lead after only seven holes. Kenney came back at her by winning the eighth, 10th and 11th, narrowing the gap to only one hole.
But Harries birdied the 12th to double her lead again and further wins for her at the 13th and 15th sealed her victory.

With three ties to finish, Scotland led in all of them but, with memories of the dramatic downturn in their fortunes over the final hour’s play against Wales 12 months ago, none of their supporters was counting their chickens.

Teenage Scottish debutante Rachael Watton ensured that her side would gain at least a draw when she beat Sam Birks by 3 and 2. Birks had the edge over the first few holes but Watton settled to win holes five, six and seventh and, from one up at the turn, pulled away from her opponent on the inward half.

Laura Murray clinched victory for Scotland with a two-hole win over Welsh champion Tara Davies. Murray was two holes up after eight but Davies won the ninth and 10th.

Murray got her nose in front again with a birdie 3 at the 14th and went to up at the 16th. Davies kept her hopes alive by winning the 17th to be one down on the 18th tee but Murray clinched victory by winning the last with a par 5.

Megan Briggs put the icing on the cake for Scotland by beating Kath O’Connor 2 and 1 after being two down at the turn. The Scot won the 12th and the 13th with birdies and they halved the short 16th in birdie 2s before Briggs produced yet another birdie at the 17th for victory.

SINGLE MATCHES THIS AFTERNOON
Kelsey MacDonald beat Amy Boulden 6 and 5
Pamela Pretswell beat Gemma Bradbury 1Up
Laura Murray beat Tara Davies 2 Up
Megan Briggs beat Katherine O'Connor 2 and 1
Rachael Watton beat Samantha Birks 3 and 2
Louise Kenney lost to Becky Harries 4 and 3

SCOTLAND 6.5 WALES 2
IRELAND 8 ENGLAND 1

Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Home Internationals begin tomorrow --- Scotland v Wales

The 2010 Scottish Team - Click to enlarge Scotland squad with officials, team captain Lesley Nicholson, second left front row, team manager Hilary Wardell, first left back row, and SLGA national coach Kevin Craggs pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency on the eve of the 2010 Women's Home Internationals at Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff.


The Home Internationals begin tomorrow at Whitchurch (Cardiff) Golf Club (8th - 10th September 2010) Scotland play last year's winners - Wales on Day 1.
Scotland's pairs for the opening foursomes against Wales are: Kelsey MacDonald and Louise Kenney, Martine Pow and Jane Turner, Pamela Pretswell and Laura Murray

To see the draw for the Morning Foursomes CLICK HERE

Scottish Team:
Captain - Lesley Nicholson
Manager - Hilary Wardell

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie)
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)
Laura Murray (Alford)
Martine Pow (Selkirk)
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle)
Jane Turner (Craigielaw)
Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Monday, 6 September 2010

Renfrewshire Junior Stableford at Whitecraigs Golf Club


The Renfrewshire County Junior Stableford (Campbell Clock Trophy) was held at Whitecraigs Golf Club on Sunday 5th September
SSS 72, CSS 72
Winner Emma Kennedy (Paisley) 35 Points
Runner Up - Flora Walker (Whitecraigs) 33 points
To read all about the day's event and see some photographs go to the Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Website

Laura wins for the 75th time and Kylie is the leading Scot in Austria

Laura Davies fired a closing 70 to win the UNIQA Ladies Golf Open presented by Raiffeisen in Austria yesterday.
It was her 75th career victory and third at the same event at Golf Club Foehrenwald in Wiener Neustadt after wins in 2007 and 2008. She was also second in 2009.
Congratulations go to West of Scotland's Kylie Walker who made the cut and was the leading Scot
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
205 Laura Davies (Eng) 70 65 70
206 Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 71 67 68
207 Alison Walshe (US) 71 69 67, Melissa Reid (Eng) 67 67 73
Scottish Players:
217 Kylie Walker (Sco) 74 71 72,
219 Carly Booth (Sco) 70 73 76, Pamela Feggans (Sco) 70 73 76,

To read the full report and all the scores go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Lanark's Pat Hutton wins the SLGA Regional Finals

Medal Grand Final Winners, Pat Hutton (Lanark) and Caroline Marshall (Newton Stewart)Photo Courtesy of the SLGA

Lanark's Pat Hutton won the SLGA Medal's Grand Final Silver Division at Crieff Golf Club today with a net 74 off six of a handicap.
She won by a shot from former Aberdeenshire champion Sara Mathieson (Royal Musselburgh), playing off five, with Janis Davison from Eyemouth in third place with a net 76 off 14.l
Caroline Marshall (Newtonstewart) won the Bronze Division on a better inward half from Lynn Gray (Lauder).

Both had net 75s, Caroline off 21, Lynn off 101.

Anne McGonagle (Fraserburgh) finished third with a net 76 off 21.
The par and CSS were 74 and 24 qualifiers from the regional finals took part.
To see some photographs taken by the SLGA --- CLICK HERE

Sunday, 5 September 2010

Draw for the Commonwealth Spoons at Cathkin Braes

The Commonwealth Spoons are being played at Cathkin Braes on Thursday 23rd September.
To see the draw sheets from the SLGA Website ---- CLICK HERE

Saturday, 4 September 2010

Scotland are the European Senior Team Champions

Scottish Seniors Team -- Click to enlarge
Scotland have pulled off a famous victory in the final of the European Senior Women's amateur team championship at Sporting Club, Berlin.
They beat the favourites and top seeds England 3-2 to win the gold medals for the first time.
Qualifying sixth of eight for the match-play stages, Pamela Williamson's squad had scored good wins on their way to the final but England were the overwhelming favourites.
When England took a 2-0 lead in the final, the writing looked to be on the wall for the Scots but they came back with a tremendous rally to tie it up at 2-2.
Then Tain's Anne Ryan, a debutante at his level of the game, won the title-gaining victory over Susan Dye in the last match to finish.
Anne, whose sister Mary Smith is also in the team, was two holes up at the turn against Susan Dye and not only maintained that advantage over the inward half, she added to it to win by 3 and 2.
Earlier Caroline Masson, four up at the turn, had beaten Fiona de Vries by 5 and 4.
And England had gone 2-0 up when Rozalyn Adams, also four up at the turn, had gone on to win by 5 and 4 against Heather Anderson from Alyth.
Then the Scotland glory run for gold started.
Mary Smith (Tain) and Moira Thomson (Gullane Ladies) won the foursomes tie by 2 and 1 against Janet Melville and Felicity Christine after being all square at the turn.
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) levelled it overall at 2-2 by beating Christine Quinn by one hole after leading by that margin at the turn.
Switzerland beat Ireland 3 1/2-1 1 1/2 in the play-off for third place and the bronze medals.

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report and to read more --- Go to the East Vets Website

To see some photos from the Championship Website --- Click Here and also to see some of the Final Days Play -- go to the German Championship Website

Friday, 3 September 2010

Scotland Seniors win against Ireland to reach the final of the European Team Championships

Scottish Team Celebrate -- Click to enlarge Team Captain Pam Williamson is overjoyed at their win ---
Photo courtesy of www.golf.de/esltc

Scotland are through to the final of the European senior women's amateur team golf championship at Sporting Club Berlin.
The team of over-50s, captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton), beat Ireland 3-2 in the semi-finals today (Friday) to assure themselves of gaining at least the silver medals.
But the Scots are playing so well they will be fancying their chance of striking gold against the No 1 seeds and favourites England who beat Switzerland 3 1/2-1 1/2 in the other semi-final.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

New Online Issue of Scottish Golfer

Latest Issue of Scottish Club Golfer is now available

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

Thursday, 2 September 2010

Scottish Seniors beat the holders Germany in Berlin

The Scottish Senior Team who qualified sixth of eight, in the strokeplay stages, achieved a marvellous win over defending champions Germany, the No 3 seeds and playing on home turf, in the quarter-finals of the European senior women's amateur golf championship at Sporting Club Berlin today.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Renfrewshire County Greensomes Stableford over Elderslie


42 couples played yesterday at Elderslie Golf Club in the Centenary Greensomes Stableford Competition
Anne Judge from Ranfurly Castle had a HOLE IN ONE at the 175 yard 8th hole and with partner Sally Smyth also from Ranfurly Castle then went on to win with 39 points by virtue of the last 3 holes on count back from the Elderslie pairing of Julie Nicol and Mary Wylie

Leading Scores:
A Judge - S Smyth Ranfurly Castle (9) 39 last 3 holes
J Nicol - M Wylie Elderslie (9) 39
S Gilchrist - G Braid Whitecraigs (17) 38

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE RESULTS

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Scotland Seniors Qualify in Sixth place

Scotland qualified in sixth place for the European senior women's amateur team golf championship at Berlin Sporting Club today.
They will play No 3 seeds Germany, the defending champions, in the quarter-finals of the match-play stages.
To read more go to the West Vets Website

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Scottish Seniors do Well in Berlin on Day 1

The Scottish Seniors made a good start in the European Seniors Team Event in Berlin.
To read more on today's play go to the West Vets Website

Pamela Pretswell 3rd in the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy

Blackburn's Nikki Foster (Pleasington) returned to her early-season form to win the Royal Birkdale Golf Club's Ladies Scratch Trophy tournament over 36 holes.
Against a ladies' par of 75, Nikki, 18, had very good scores of 72 and 70 for 142.
British stroke-play champion Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and two English-based players, young Charley Hull (Kettering) and Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) were joint third on 144.
Pamela Pretswell played without a practice round but had eight birdies in her first-round, four-under-par 72. The Scot followed that up with four more birdies in a 73 for 144.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 150 (2x75). SSS 75 CSS 75 75
142 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 72 70.
143 Emma Goddard (Vale Royal Millenium) 69 74.
144 Charley Hull (Kettering) 71 73, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 73, Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 71 73.

Pamela has also said No to a trip to Argentina --- To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Sunday, 29 August 2010

Baberton's Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter are the 2010 Scottish Strokeplay Champions

Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter - Baberton - Click to enlarge The 2010 Scottish Foursomes Strokeplay Champions - Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter (Baberton)

Frances Millar and Claire Penman - Carnoustie - Click to enlargeThe 2010 Scottish Foursomes Matchplay Champions -Frances Millar and Claire Frances (Carnoustie) - Click to enlarge

Anne Laing and Laura McGeachy - Windyhill - Click to enlarge 2nd Scratch - Anne Laing and Laura McGeachy - (Windyhill)

Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson - Douglas Park - Click to enlarge 1st Handicap - Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson (Douglas Park)

Anabel Kane and Rena Simpson - Kilmacom - Click to enlarge 2nd Handicap --- Anabel Kane and Rena Simpson (Kilmacolm)


Baberton's Karen Marshall and Fiona Hunter won the SLGA women's club foursomes stroke-play title with a five-over-par round of 77 in windy conditions at Douglas Park.
They had two shots to spare from Windyhill's Laura McGeachy and former Scottish champion Anne Laing, and Craigmillar Park's Karen Ballantyne and Kirsten Blackwood.McGeachy and Laing had a better inward half and were officially placed second.
Kilmacolm's defending champions Megan and Eilidh Briggs finished joint fourth on 80 alongside Douglas Park's Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson.
Helen Faulds and Helen Robertson won the top net prize with a score of 72 1/2 off 7 1/2.
Kilmacolm's Rena Simpson and Annabel Kane were runners-up, by virtue of a better inward half, with a net score of 73 1/2 off 10 1/2.
Blairgowrie's Norma Fleming and Mary Hope also totalled 73 1/2 off 9 1/2 but were placed third on the card countback.
Thirty-six couples took part
Gross
1st Scratch: Karen Marshall & Fiona Hunter Baberton 77
2nd Scratch: Laura McGeachy & Anne Laing Windyhill 79 BIH
Handicap:
1st Nett: Helen Faulds & Helen Robertson Douglas Park 80 7.5 72.5
2nd Nett: Rena Simpson & Annabel Kane Kilmacolm 84 10.5 73.5 BIH

Claire Penman and Frances Millar from Carnoustie Caledonia Golf Club won the 2010 Scottish Match Play Foursomes which was also played at Douglas Park Golf Club on the same day (Sunday 29 August). They beat the team from Murrayfield by 4&3 in the final, while the team from Saline Golf Club won a tight third fourth play off match against Ayr Dalmilling by one hole.
Final Match Play Foursomes Placings
1st: Carnoustie Caledonia - Claire Penman & Frances Millar
2nd: Murrayfield team - Pat Walkingshaw, Caroline Johnstone & Norma Richmond
3rd: Saline team - Lynne Nelson, Barbara Anne Boyter & Katrina Buist
4th: Ayr Dalmilling team - Anne Sym, Gillian Henderson & Jackie Ridge

To see some photographs from the days events --- Click on the small thumbnail below and then click on slideshow and you can also click on the photos above to enlarge -
Thanks go to SLGA's Fiona Cowan and Winnie McCallum for many of the photographs.

Kylie finishes 8th in the Finnair Masters

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR: FINNAIR MASTERS
FINAL TOTALS
Helsinki GC, Tali, Finland
Par 213 (3x71)
199 Lee-Anne Pace (S Africa) 66 64 69
202 Vikki Laing (Scotland) 68 65 69
206 Christel Boeljon (Netherlands) 70 69 67, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Denmark) 67 70 69, Carin Koch (Sweden) 69 68 69, Mollie Fankhauser (United States) 70 65 71
207 Malene Jorgensen (Denmark) 67 72 68
208 Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) (am) 67 71 70, Kylie Walker (Scotland) 64 71 73
209 Rebecca Coakley (Ireland) 70 72 67, Linda Wessberg (Sweden) 70 68 71
Other Scots:
214 Pamela Feggans (Sco) 72 72 70,
218 Krystle Caithness (Sco) 72 74 72,

To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

LIVE SCORING FROM THE FINNAIR MASTERS

Kylie Walker is well up the leader board going into the final round of the Finnair Masters
Click this link ----- LIVE SCORING FROM THE FINNAIR MASTERS

Saturday, 28 August 2010

Vikki and Kylie in top five after the 2nd Round at Helsinki Golf Club

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
The Ladies European Tour’s Henderson Money List leader Lee-Anne Pace from South Africa seized a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Finnair Masters.
The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay shot a seven-under 64 at Helsinki Golf Club today, to lead on a 12-under-par 36-hole total ahead of Vikki Laing from Musselburgh.
Pace is well placed to collect her third Ladies European Tour trophy of the season after her second round, containing seven birdies and no bogeys.
he first round leader, Scotland's Kylie Walker (71 for 135), is two strokes behind second-placed Vikki Laing, who had a sparkling 65 for 133. Kylie is sharing third place with Mollie Fankhauser of the United States and Frenchwoman Jade Schaeffer. Sweden’s Carin Koch and the 2005 champion Lisa Holm Sorensen of Denmark were two strokes further adrift.
Solhvi Härkönen is the top Finnish player in a share of 14th position, with Minea Blomqvist and Kaisa Ruuttila tied for 19th. After the arrival of her first child in March, the 2008 champion Blomqvist was delighted to have made her first cut of the year.
The two Finns will play together in the same group as Carmen Alonso at 9.50am on Sunday and are sure to attract a large gallery. The leading trio of Pace, Laing and Schaeffer will tee off at 11am.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
Helsinki GC, Tali, Finland
Par 142 (2x71)
130 Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa) 66 64
133 Vikki Laing (Sco) 68 65
135 Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 68 67, Kylie Walker (Sco) 64 71, Mollie Fankhauser (USA) 70 65
137 Carin Koch (Swe) 69 68, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 67 70
138 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 70 68, Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 67 71
Other Scots :
144 Pamela Feggans (Sco) 72 72
146 Krystle Caithness (Sco) 72 74

MISSED THE CUT
148 Carly Booth (Sco) 75 73,
151 Lynn Kenny (Sco) 75 76
152 Clare Queen (Sco) 76 76

FOLLOW KYLIE WALKER ----ROUND 2

From the Ladies European Tour Website

The second round of the Finnair Masters is underway in Autumnal conditions at Helsinki Golf Club.

West of Scotland's Kylie Walker, a rookie on the Ladies European Tour, led by two strokes after a seven-under 64 in Friday’s first round but was caught by Mollie Fankhauser of the United States with three holes to play today.

Fankhauser birdied holes 10, 14, 15 and 17 before reaching a six-under-par total with a fifth birdie at the par-three fourth hole.

Walker bogeyed her second hole of the day, the 11th, but reached eight-under with birdies at the 17th and second, only to drop two shots in succession at the fifth and the sixth. Both players birdied the seventh to reach seven-under.

Jade Schaeffer of France was only a shot behind the leaders with three holes to play at two-under for the day and Henderson Money List leader Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa, who carded a five-under 66 on Friday, starts her second round at 1.40pm.


Go to the European Ladies Tour Website for the full report at the end of today's play.

The SLGA Matchplay and Strokeplay Foursomes Finals are at Douglas Park Golf Club tomorrow

Eilidh and Megan Briggs - The 2009 Scottish Foursomes ChampionsThe 2010 Scottish Match Play Foursomes Semi-Finals and Final will take place at Douglas Park Golf Club tomorrow Sunday 29 August. In only its second year, 71 teams started out in the competition in March with West of Scotland's Ayr Dalmilling, Carnoustie Caledonia, Murrayfield and Saline the four golf clubs still in the hunt for the title.
The draw for the semi-final is:
Carnoustie Caledonia v Saline
Murrayfield v Ayr Dalmilling
See the attached for the full match play draw to see how these clubs have progressed to the semi-finals:

The Briggs sisters Megan and Eilidh from Kilmacolm (pictured above) will be trying to retain the Scottish Strokeplay Foursomes title they won last year.
Click the following link to see the draw --- SLGA FOURSOMES DRAW
Megan and Eilidh both played each other in the Kilmacolm Championship Final last Sunday (22nd August) --- CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE RESULT

Friday, 27 August 2010

Kylie leads the Finnair Masters with a seven under par 64


FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Scotland’s Kylie Walker fired a superb seven-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead over South African Lee-Anne Pace on day one of the Finnair Masters.
The 23-year-old Ladies European Tour rookie from Glasgow, courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency, carded seven birdies on a cool afternoon at Helsinki Golf Club, overcoming any nerves that may have hampered her career earlier this season.
She birdied the fourth, fifth and ninth on her way to an outward total of 31, returning in 33 with further birdies on holes 10, 12, 14 and 17.
After breezing through LET Qualifying School at La Manga in December where she finished ninth, Walker thought that life on tour would be ‘a doddle,’ but after making just two cuts from her first eight starts, she has finally started to find her feet over the last month, tying for 53rd, 24th and 25th at the last three tournaments in Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively.
She explained the learning curve: “I thought turning pro, having had a good result in Q-School, I thought this is a doddle and I was ready for it. As a matter of fact, my first few events, I really struggled, not because of my game. I could have got it round in decent numbers but I was just so nervous and excited at the same time and different things were distracting me.
“Simple things like walking on the range and people you’ve idolised for years like Carin Koch and Laura Davies are standing next to you or walking past. I can’t help but look to see what they’re doing and things like that but I’m getting used to that now.”
Her closest challenger Pace moved to the top of the Henderson Money List with a tie for second in Scotland last week. The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay had a blazing front nine, containing four birdies and an eagle and dropped only one shot, at the eighth, on her back nine.
“I hit everything close from the start,” Pace said. “I had a very nice eagle on 17 and then kept hitting it close on my back nine but didn’t make a putt unfortunately.
“I pretty much hit everything within 20 feet on my back nine and two putted for par. I three-putted eight to lose a shot otherwise it was a perfect round. At least I’m getting up there and giving myself a good chance.”
Pace, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner this year in Switzerland and Wales, holed a one metre birdie putt at the 10th which she played as her first hole. She made a long birdie putt at the 13th and setting up her third birdie at the 15th, hitting an eight-iron to tap in distance from 120 metres.
At the par-three 16th, she missed the green left but explained, “I thought, ‘this is a good chip in chance’ and chipped in.”
She cut a three-iron around the trees to 20 feet from 170 metres at the par-five 17th and holed the eagle putt on her way to an outward total of six-under-par 31, coming back in one-over 35.
Pace has twice tied for 16th in Finland and is looking to put some distance between herself and No. 2 Melissa Reid of England in the money title race. She is €13,660 clear of Reid, who is skipping this week.
With season’s earnings of €218,530, she has pocketed almost €100,000 more from 16 LET events played this year than from her last three seasons combined. Her meteoric rise to fame inspired fellow South African Robbertze, who shot a career best round of four-under 67.
The 30-year-old from Johannesburg said: “We had dinner last night and had a good chat about the golf. I think she is in a very positive frame of mind and that’s quite an inspiration.
“I went out a bit more positive than I have been the last few tournaments so it all seemed very well. I think the key today was appreciation. I just appreciated every shot and made sure that I enjoyed every shot instead of thinking ahead.”
She explained how she practised hitting shots in bare feet in the rain on the eve of the tournament to help her balance. “My coach told me to stand and hit golf balls without my shoes on and that seemed to work.”
The 2005 champion Lisa Holm Sorensen and fellow Dane Malene Jorgensen also tied for third on 67 with Swedish amateur Caroline Hedwall.
Scotland’s Vikki Laing, Finland’s Kaisa Ruuttila, England’s Kiran Matharu and Jade Schaeffer from France tied for seventh on three-under-par.
The second round of the 54-hole tournament starts at 8.30am on Saturday, following which there will be a cut to the leading 50 professional players and ties.
FINNAIR MASTERS
Helsinki Golf Club, Finland
LEADING SCORES -- Par 71
64 Kylie Walker (Sco)
66 Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa)
67 Morgana Robbertze (Rsa), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Caroline Hedwall (Swe) (am), Malene Jorgensen (Den)
68 Vikki Laing (Sco), Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin), Kiran Matharu (Eng), Jade Schaeffer (Fra)
69 Carin Koch (Swe), Anja Monke (Ger), Dewi-Claire Schreefel (Ned), Corisande Lee (Eng), Camille Fallay (Fra)
Other Scots:
72 Pamela Feggans, Krystle Caithness,
75 Lynn Kenny, Carly Booth,
76 Clare Queen

Douglas Park - Autumn Meeting

Played 27/08/2010 SSS 72, CSS 72
Silver:
1st 86-20=66 Gina Rennie
2nd 75-6=69 Helen Faulds
3rd 84-12=72 Lynda Smith
Bronze:
1st 95-23=72 Hazel Hamilton
2nd 94-22=72 Ann Scott
3rd 104-28=76 Pauline Vannet

Scratch: Helen Faulds 75

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

August SGU Newsletter

Welcome to the latest SGU e-bulletin. In this issue, we give you the chance to give us your views on www.scottishgolf.org in our website survey as well as some great golfing offers from the west coast of Scotland. The BBC's coverage of the SGU's flagship event is featured, while we also bring you up-to-date with the latest news and events from across Scotland.

SGU Website Survey

The SGU website continues to attract golfers from Scotland and further afield with a record 26,000 visitors last month. Our aim is to continually improve our on-line offering and ensure we offer what our users want to see. We would appreciate if you can spare five minutes of our time to complete our short survey with all participants entered into a draw to win £100 worth of SGU vouchers.

SGU Website Survey >>

Countdown to Scotland's World Championship Defence

Scotland will defend their World Amateur Team Championship title in Argentina in just over two months time and we reveal the three young men tasked with bringing the Eisenhower Trophy back to the Home of Golf, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Wallace Booth, Gavin Dear and Callum Macaulay who won in Australia two years ago.

Find out more >>

East Lothian Hosts the World Hickory Championship

Ever dreamt of becoming a World Champion...? This is your chance. The World Hickory Championship is taking place in East Lothian on 20 - 24 September and is open to all golfers who hold an official handicap. The Championship, now in its sixth year, attracts golfers from around the globe. This unique event is being held at five superb courses - Musselburgh Links, Craigielaw, Archerfield and Gullane No 2 & 3.

Find out more >>

Watch the BBC's Coverage of our National Championship

You can now watch highlights of the SGU's flagship event, the 2010 Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Championship featuring an exciting final between Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) on the BBC Scotland website. The broadcast also includes interviews with rising stars James Byrne and David Law, with fantastic footage from the week's events at the spectacular setting of Gullane.

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SGU Website Competition Winner Takes on Richie Ramsay

Glasgow's Andy Armour was the lucky man to be drawn from thousands of entries for our 'Win a Round with Richie Ramsay' competition, sponsored by our partners at TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Read all about Andy's memorable experience of challenging the European Tour star and former US Amateur Champion on the Kittocks Course, Fairmont St Andrews.

Find out more >>

Read All About It with Global Golf Post

Scottish golfers are being encouraged to tune in to Global Golf Post, a digital-only weekly golf publication providing comprehensive, fast and free coverage of golf from around the world including all the major professional tours as well as Scottish amateur golf.

Sign up now for your free subscription >>

Great Member Offers for Golf on the Ayrshire Coast

Members of SGU affiliated golf clubs can take advantage of two fantastic offers at two great links golf courses on the famous Ayrshire coast during August and September, with £160 for a tee-time at Gailes Links and £50 per day ticket at Dundonald Links.

Find out more >>

SGU Golf Central

Don't forget, there are still some great club open competitions to enter this summer and autumn via SGU Golf Central. Our popular website directory gives you all the information you need to play in Gents, Ladies, Seniors, Juniors and Mixed club events. From the Ladies Tri/Am Open at Vale of Leven on 29th August to the Gents Open on 11th September at Braemar, there's something for everyone.

SGU Golf Central >>

Keep visiting scottishgolf.org for all the latest news, results, offers and information from the Scottish Golf Union.

The SGU Team

Lanarkshire County Autumn Meeting Reduced to 9 Holes

At Carnwath Golf Club on Monday 23rd August the condition of the course was very good but unfortunately the conditions overhead were poor resulting in the Lanarkshire County competition being reduced to 9 holes.
To read more go to the Lanarkshire County Website

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

PAMELA IS A WINNER AT WHATEVER SHE DOES !!

Pamela Pretswell -- Click to enlargeImage Courtesy of the LGU

New British Women’s Open Amateur Stroke-play Golf Champion Pamela Pretswell makes a habit in succeeding at what she does. To read all about it go to the GILLIAN KIRKWOOD WEBSITE

Ladies' Home International Matches

The team to represent Scotland at the Home International Matches to be held at Whitchurch (Cardiff) Golf Club, 8-10 September is:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)
Captain - Lesley Nicholson (Haddington)
Reserves: 1 Clare Marie Carlton (Fereneze), 2 Gillian Monteith (Stranraer)

Sunday, 22 August 2010

Pat Hutton Qualifies for the SLGA Grand Final

Congratulations to Pat Hutton (Lanark) who qualified today at SLGA Regional Medal South West Division Final at Thornhill for the Grand Final at Crieff on Sunday, September 5th.

1st Rachel Walker Crichton 76 - 6 70 Q
2nd Patricia Hutton Lanark 78 - 6 72 Q

Bronze

1st Yvonne Schneider Crichton 95 - 17 78 Q
2nd Caroline Marshall Newton Stewart 100 - 21 79 Q