The Sad Death of Herald Sports Writer - Douglas Lowe

Douglas Lowe displays the Alex Fox Trophy as Scottish golf writers' champion for 2010 and the Belhaven Trophy as the scorer of most Stableford points over all at the event at Mar Hall Hotel golf course near Erskine Bridge, in the background of this picture was taken by your webmaster Carol Fell. 

Dougie Lowe, golf correspondent of The Herald, died at his Helensburgh home on Sunday, surrounded by his family. He was 59 and had undergone surgery for a brain tumour in January.
The last time I saw Dougie Lowe was when I was invited to the  Scottish golf writers' and guests' tournament at Mar Hall Hotel and Golf Course, near Glasgow on Monday, October 25, 2010.
He had a fantastic day and won all the main trophies -- . He won the Alex Fox Trophy as the golf writer with the most Stableford points and the Belhaven Trophy for having more points than any of the guests and also won the team event. A very happy Dougie Lowe is pictured above with his winning trophies and the Erskine Bridge in the background.
The funeral service  will be held on Monday, March 14 (2.15pm) at the West Kirk, Helensburgh (situated in the town centre close to the town square).
The church service is to be followed by a private family cremation. Thereafter, the family are hosting a reception at Helensburgh Golf Club to which all are invited.
The family requests that donations be sent to Macmillan Nurses or Marie Curie Cancer Care rather than flowers.

CHARITY EXHIBITION MATCH AT MORTONHALL GC

CLOSING DATES APPROACH FOR TWO SLGA TOURNAMENTS

FROM THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
Scottish Ladies Match-play Foursomes
Monday, March 7 (at 12 noon) is the closing date for clubs to enter the Scottish Ladies Match-play Foursomes. Each club may nominate one team of two or three players to compete in this knock-out match-play foursomes competition. The semi-finals and final will be played at Glenbervie Golf Club on August 28.
For further information see the entry forms which were sent out to the clubs in early February.

SLGA Under-16 Open Stroke Play Championship
This 36-hole stroke play event will once again be held at Strathmore Golf Centre on April 14-15 with a practice round available on April 13. This is always a popular event and no late entries will be accepted so make sure you get your entries in before the closing date at 12 noon on Monday, March 14.
More information can be found on the entry form or the U16 Championship page on the SLGA website

Audrey and Liz are the Ayrshire Winter Foursomes Winners

Audrey Thomson and Liz Keohone -- Click to enlarge

The final of the Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes was played yesterday, Saturday 5 March 2011 at Loudin Gowf Club.
The final was played between Audrey Thompson and Liz Keohone who beat Greta Smith and Sheila Adams.

To see more go the the Ayrshire County Website

Belle coaches the D&A Juniors on the Shortgame

Belle Robertson on bunker play - click to enlarge

Belle Robertson gave the D&A Juniors a few of her short game skills last week at Milngavie Golf Course
To see some photographs taken by Lorraine Campbell CLICK HERE. Alternatively check out the D&A website

SGU update - Annual Newsletter

SGUpdate is the SGU annual newsletter, keeping clubs and members informed of the Scottish Golf Union’s wide range of activities, projects and events over the past year has been sent out to members via clubs over the winter.

The latest SGUpdate contains various special features including: What We Are Doing for Golfers and Golf Clubs in Scotland plus the Centralised Database of Handicaps (CDH)
Click on the following link to see the latest feature online
SGU update Magazine --- Page 10 for the CDH report

Latest Issue of the Scottish Club Golfer

No Scots make the matchplay stages in the Spanish Women's Amateur Championship

There will be no Scottish player in the match-play stages of this year's Spanish International Women's Amateur Championship at Sherry Golf (Jerez).
Scottish champion Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling Univ and Nairn Dunbar), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) all failed to score 153 or better to figure among the 32 qualifiers.
Kelsey had rounds of 79 and 76 for 155; Rachael 81 and 75 for 156 and Alyson 81 and 79 for 160.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

2nd Round Results in the Mail on Sunday Classic-- The 2010 Champions have been beaten

Murrayfield the 2010 Mail on Sunday Classic Champions have been knocked out in this years 2nd round tie
Skelmorlie Golf Club who were one of the 2010 Spanish qualifiers from Scotland in the Mail on Sunday Classic alongside Murrayfield beat Greenock golf Club in Round 2 of this years matches.


Scottish Results Round 2:
Aberdour Golf Club beat Kinghorn Golf Club 4-1
Aboyne Golf Club beat Dunecht House Golf Club 4-1
Alloa Golf Club beat Braehead Golf Club 3-2
Balbirnie Park Golf Club beat Cupar Golf Club won at 19th
Ballochmyle Golf Club beat Ayr Seafield (Ladies) Golf Club 3-2
Bathgate Golf Club beat Deer Park Golf & Country Club 3-2
Bonnybridge Golf Club beat Grangemouth Golf Club w/o
Brechin Golf Club beat Deeside Golf Club 4-1
Bridge Of Allan Golf Club beat Stirling Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Caldwell Golf Club beat Beith Golf Club w/o
Carnoustie Caledonia (Angus) Golf Club beat Panmure Ladies (monifieth) Golf Club won at 19th
Cathkin Braes Golf Club beat Bothwell Castle Golf Club won at 20th
Craigmillar Park Golf Club beat Prestonfield Golf Club 5-0
Douglas Park Golf Club beat Milngavie Golf Club 3-2
Drumoig Hotel & Golf Course beat Alyth Golf Club 3-2
Drumpellier Golf Club beat Mount Ellen Golf Club won at 19th
Duff House Royal Golf Club beat Garmouth & Kingston Golf Club w/o
Dullatur Golf Club beat Kirkintilloch Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Dumbarton Golf Club beat Erskine Golf Club 5-0
Dumfries & County Golf Club beat Castle Douglas Golf Club 4.5-0.5
Dunbar Golf Club beat Kilspindie Golf Club 3-2
Dunblane New Golf Club beat Muthill Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Eden Golf Club beat Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club w/o
Elderslie Golf Club beat Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club 3-2
Elie & Earlsferry Golf Club beat Anstruther Golf Club 4-1
Falkirk Tryst Golf Club beat Falkirk Golf Club 5-0
Golspie Golf Club beat Tain Golf Club 3-2
Harburn Golf Club beat Shotts Golf Club 4-1
Hayston Golf Club beat Crow Wood Golf Club 4.5-0.5
Helensburgh Golf Club beat Gleddoch Golf & CC 3-2
Hilton Park Golf Club beat Bearsden Golf Club 3-2
Inverness Golf Club beat Muir Of Ord Golf Club won at 19th
Kelso Golf Club beat Minto Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Kilmacolm Golf Club beat Ranfurly Castle Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Kingsknowe Golf Club beat Pumpherston Golf Club w/o
Kirkcudbright Golf Club beat St Medan Golf Club 5-0
Kirkhill Golf Club beat Cambuslang Golf Club w/o
Kirriemuir Golf Club beat Glenisla Golf Club 4-1
Liberton Golf Club beat Longniddry Golf Club 3-2
Loudoun Gowf Club beat The West Kilbride Golf Club 3-2
Milnathort Golf Club beat King James Vi Golf Club 3-2
Monifieth Golf Club beat Panmure Ladies (Barry) Golf Club 3-2
Muckhart Golf Club beat Dollar Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Murcar Links Golf Club beat Stonehaven Golf Club 5-0
Musselburgh Golf Club beat Burntisland Golf House Club w/o
Powfoot Golf Club beat Moffat Golf Club 3-2
Ravelston Golf Club beat Murrayfield Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Royal Montrose Golf Club beat Forfar Golf Club 3.5-1.5
Skelmorlie Golf Club beat Greenock Golf Club 4-1
Southerness Golf Club beat Crichton Golf Club 4-1
Vale Of Leven Golf Club beat Buchanan Castle Golf Club 3-2
West Lothian Golf Club beat Canmore Golf Club 3-2
Whitecraigs Golf Club beat Cowglen Golf Club 4.5-0.5
Williamwood Golf Club beat Cawder Golf Club 4-1

The Lady Golfers!

2011 Scottish Golf Show -- Pre - Book Ticket Offer

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship

This 36 hole stroke play event will once again be held at Strathmore Golf Centre from 14 - 15 April with a practice round available on 13 April. This is always a popular event and no late entries will be accepted so make sure you get your entries in before the closing date at 12 noon on Monday 14 March.
More information can be found on the entry form or the U16 Championship page on the SLGA website

Scottish Match Play Foursomes

There is only one week left for clubs to enter the Scottish Ladies Match Play Foursomes. Each club may nominate one team of two or three players to compete in this knock out match play foursomes competition. The semi-finals and final will be played at Glenbervie Golf Club on 28 August.
For further information see the entry forms which were sent out to the clubs in early February. The closing date is Monday 7 March at 12 noon.

LGU AGM

Belle Robertson and Ann Irvin (EWGA President)- Click to enlarge

The LGU AGM was held in the Holiday Inn in West Nile Street in Glasgow on Saturday 26th February where many people met friends and golfers they had not seen for a while.
 An excellent AGM was run by the LGU  with Gillian Kirkwood (Chairman) , Jane Brown (Finance Director) and Shona Malcom (CEO) all giving their reports.
 Mrs Jill Edwards MBE  was appointed as the new President from the retiring President Maureen Lockett.
Janet Wake leaves the Council and Board and  Lorna Bennett takes over the vacancy.
At the close of the meeting Alison Nicholas, Captain of the 2011 GB&I Solheim Cup team gave a fantastic insight into the problems tears and joys of being a Captain. The audience all enjoyed her humour and there was much laughter.
To read more go to the LGU Website

** Belle and Ann played in Curtis Cup matches together in the 1970's

Clare- Marie Carlton and Callum Macaulay are now husband and wife

Callum and Clare- Marie - Click to enlarge

Many thanks to Mandy Macaulay who sent the picture.

Many congratulations go Clare- Marie Carlton who got married to Scottish Golf Professional Callum Macaulay on Friday.
Many thanks for the photos taken by Christeen Finlayson and Trish Brown for the photos

Many congratulations from all West of Scotland

Tegwen Mathews and Alison Nicholas attend the LGU Dinner

Lanarkshire, D&A and Renfrewshire with Alison Nicholas - Click too enlarge

The LGU dinner was held last night Friday 25th February at the Holiday Inn in West Nile Street Glasgow. Aileen Wilson, Beth Paterson, Fiona Roger, Carol Fell and Jennifer Mack were all there.
Guests at the dinner were Tegwen Matthews who has been appointed as the captain of Great Britain and Ireland's 2012 Curtis Cup team and Alison Nicholas who won the 1987 Weetabix Ladies British Open at St Mellion.
The highlight of Alison's career was when she was crowned 1997 US Open Champion when she held off golfing legend Nancy Lopez to win her first major. Following this success Alison was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to women's golf.

Representing Europe in the Solheim Cup six times was memorable for Alison especially being on three victorious teams in 1992, 2000 and as Vice Captain in 2003.

She was the Solheim Cup European Team Captain for 2009 and is the Team Captain for 2011 European Solheim Cup with Ladies European Tour members Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley who have been selected as her vice-captains. This years Solheim Cup is to be played in Ireland at Killeen Castle.

To see some photos from the evenings event click on the small photo of Tegwen and Alison below

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS

Douglas Park Ladies Day Open Greensomes Entry Form

The Douglas Park Ladies Open Greensomes is on Friday 24th June (Tee-Off Times 8.00am – 4.00pm)
Individual Handicap Limit – 30, ENTRY FEE £10.00 Per Couple
Scratch and Handicap Prizes
ENTRY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 112 COUPLES
Application Form with Entry Fee to:-
Mrs. Anne Fergusson
17 Milngavie Road
BEARSDEN
Glasgow G61 2DT

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ENTRY FORM --- then right click on your mouse and select print

Douglas Park Ladies Social Evening is a great success

Maureen Rennie and Pearl Slane - click to enlarge

Douglas Park Golf Club Ladies had their Social Evening on Friday 18th February. Ladies Captain Gill Hendry had made the theme of the evening be "THE 60's" . What hilarity and fun they all had with dancing, singing and music from the 60's , plus many colourful outfits dragged out of the wardropes.
Click on the small picture below and then click on slideshow to reveal more.
Thanks go to Lynda Smith, Olive Mackay and Lindsay McLean for the photographs.

Douglas Park Social Evening

The Winning Scottish Team is introduced by Captain Lesley Nicholson and Monty says a few words

Videos Courtesy of your Webmaster

West of Scotland Championship Entry Form

The West of Scotland Ladies Close Championship is at Lanark Golf Club on Sunday 8th May 2011.
To print out your entry form CLICK HERE

Scottish Golf Awards Dinner --- The Ladies are Winners

The Scottish Team Award

Eilidh Briggs (SLGA Girls Order of Merit)

Lelsey MacDonald (SLGA Ladies Order of Merit Award)

The Scottish Golf Awards Dinner was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday Evening

Many Congraulations go to Renfrewshire's 2010 County Champion Eilidh Briggs (SLGA Girls Order of Merit Winner), Kelsey MacDonald (SLGA Ladies Order of Merit Winner) and to Lesley Nicholson's all conquering Scotland Home International Team that won the Team of the Year Award. -- The team included West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).

The Scottish European Senior Women's Championship Team captained by Pam Williamson was also in the running for the Team award, along with the Scotland Boy's Home International team who beat England for the first time in 13 yeras and the North East Men's Team that won their first Scottish Area Team Championship since 1992.

Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie were both awarded LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
My thanks go to the SLGA for inviting your webmaster to the dinner which was absolutely fantastic.

Click Here and then click on slideshow to see larger picture and download a favourite

The Electronic Version of the 2011 LGU Yearbook.

Here is an electronic version of the 2011 LGU Yearbook.

A paper version will be distributed to clubs with the next LGU mailing.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ELECTRONIC 2011 LGU YEARBOOK

SLGA NAME INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2011

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Fiona Norris has been named Captain for this season’s European Team Championship and the Home Internationals, and she is looking forward to the challenge of building on last year’s success.
The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association is also delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Marshall (European Girls’ Team Championship and Girls’ Home Internationals), Helen Faulds (Senior Home Internationals) and Elaine Cuthill (SLGA Under-16 Open Strokeplay Championship) as Team Captains for the 2011 season.
With Fiona Norris (Pictured right courtesy of the SLGA), at the helm, the Scottish team will defend the Home International title at Hillside in September and will be aiming to retain a medal at the European Championships at Murhof in Austria in July.
Fiona, the sister of LPGA Tour professional, Mhairi McKay-Smith, knows she has a hard act to follow in taking over the captaincy from Lesley Nicholson, But she brings a wealth of experience to the post.
A three-time member of Home International teams, Fiona previously worked alongside Ada O’Sullivan as Manager of Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup teams and Captained Scotland at the 2008 World Amateur Championships in Australia.
“I hope to build on last year,” said the Hamilton member. “Lesley and Kevin Craggs (Scotland’s National Coach) did a great job last year and we should have a really strong team. Pamela Pretswell is the British Open Stroke-play Champion and Kelsey MacDonald was runner-up in the British Amateur and there is great strength in depth.
“I’ve never been to Austria, but Pamela did well in a European event at the same course a few years ago so I will be picking her brains. Scotland did exceptionally well to win the European bronze medal at La Manga last year and it would be great if we could do even better.”
Baberton’s Karen Marshall retains the Captaincy for the two junior tournaments – the Europeans in Sardinia in July and the Girls’ Home Internationals over Gullane No.2 in August when Scotland will be aiming to go one better than last year’s second place behind England.

Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) also stays in charge of the SLGA Under-16 Championship at Strathmore in April.

(Pictured right  -- - click to enlarge)

Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)--- (pictured top right in the 2006 Scottish Home Internationals at Hamilton Golf Club as a player with past Curtis Cup Captain Mary McKenna centre back row middle) ---
takes over the role for the Senior Home Internationals at Tramore in September from Pamela Williamson (Baberton) who is next to Helen on her LHS.-- Click to enlarge the picture

Your Webmaster Carol and Husband Gordon celebrate St Valentines Day

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Group Coaching at Playsport Golf

GROUP COACHING - MARCH 2011 Skills Development Sessions for ages 9-11 years 4 x 60min sessions for ONLY £40 Saturday Sessions starting 5th March - 1-2pm Sunday Sessions starting 6th March - 1-2pm Tuesday Sessions starting 8th March - 5-6pm Wednesday Sessions starting 9th March - 5-6pm Introduction to Golf Sessions for ages 7-8 years 4 x 60min sessions for ONLY £25 Saturday Sessions starting 5th March - 10-11am Tuesday Sessions starting 8th March - 4.30-5.30pm Thursday Sessions starting 10th March - 4.30-5.30pm ADULT GROUP COACHING SESSIONS - 4x60min for ONLY £40 Tuesday sessions starting 8th March for four consecutive weeks... Beginners:              7-8pm Intermediate:          8-9pm Thursday sessions starting 10th March for four consecutive weeks... Beginners:              7-8pm Intermediate:          8-9pm CONTACT RECEPTION TO BOOK YOUR SPACE

WOMEN GET THE CLUB EQUALITY THEY DON'T WANT !

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By ADAM LUSHER
The Equality Act has given women more rights in golf clubs – but many lady golfers have been left out of pocket and out of sorts.
It was meant to put women on a par with men.
Women golfers have long faced restrictions at their local courses on what times they could play and which bars they could drink in. Often they were blocked from becoming club captain.
So when Harriet Harman introduced the Equality Act to give women more rights in work places and social settings, golf clubs were seen as ripe for reform.
But the drive by Labour’s leading feminist seems to have landed in the bunker. Many women golfers say that, following the changes, which have brought an end to men-only tee-off times at many clubs, they now have to pay more for membership.
Although the legislation was passed by Parliament just before last year’s election and came into force in October, many of its effects are only now being felt, with golf clubs forced to rewrite their own rule books.
As well as allowing ladies to play on whatever day they want, clubs are also having to admit women to “men only” bars and restaurants in clubhouses, and some are abolishing the traditional post of club captain. Others are even planning to scrap “husband and wife” contests, replacing them with “mixed competitions” in which civil partners can also compete.
Kirstie Thirde, from the English Golf Partnership which incorporates governing and professional bodies, said many women were unhappy that they must now have the same unrestricted membership terms as men, meaning that they lost their ladies’ discount.
Mrs Thirde backed the Act but admitted: “Many golf club ladies don’t want equality. All they feel the Equality Act does is increase their fees and allow them access to the course at weekends, which they really don’t need.
“I visit an awful lot of clubs talking about the equality issue, and they will say to you 'women don’t want this.’ ”
Many women golfers are over 50 and retired. She said: “They play during the week. They don’t need access to the course at the weekend, so why would somebody pay for something they don’t want?”
Chris Jones, editor of Golf World magazine, said he too had heard women golfers complaining about the Act. “A lot of them are on fixed incomes and can’t justify an extra £40 a month for golf club membership.
“Most women don’t want to play with us men. They don’t want to endure the bravado, the trying to play like Tiger Woods, and the swearing, stamping and snapping of golf clubs that ensues. Ladies’ day is their day when they can get away from us.”
At some clubs, the post of club captain – once the preserve of men only – has been scrapped in favour of separate ladies’ and men’s captains. A 70-year-old honorary secretary at one club, who asked not to be named, regretted the change.
“To be club captain is one of the highest honours. These people that come up with the legislation don’t understand the traditions of this place.”
Some clubs have introduced changes with reluctance. Lenzie Golf Club, near Glasgow, announced that “veteran ladies” would now be expected to pay the same as “veteran gents”.
However, Robert Chalmers, the club captain, added: “I hope members will appreciate the changes are to be made as the result of legislation which we must comply with and not of our own initiation.”
A newsletter from Northwood Golf Club in Middlesex worried that “the new law bans the candidacy of a captain only being available to men. There’ll be a few harrumphs about this at the club bar, I am sure.”
The move was voted through with a big majority, but the club is now grappling with the thornier issue of whether it can still allow husband and wife discounts, or whether the average couple will have to pay an extra £200 in fees.
In Northwood’s newsletter, Steve Derbyshire, the club’s general manager, writes that “husband and wife competitions are discriminatory and need to be 'mixed competitions’ in future, taking into account civil partnerships as well as gender reassignment and sexual orientation issues”.
Alison Root, 43, the editor of Women and Golf magazine and a regular player, admitted: “To be honest, a lot of women don’t want change. They play during the week. They don’t care what happens on Saturdays. If you’re happy with your lot, why change?”
Objections to the Act among female golfers surprised Barry Johnston, compiler of the book The Wit of Golf. “I am sure they don’t want to go back to the bad old days,” he said.
“That’s when you heard stories about the ladies sitting on the veranda who were appalled by swearing from so-called gentlemen on the 18th hole. When the ladies complained, the committee took action – by banning ladies from the veranda.”
Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Get Fit For Golf -- Visit Karyn Burns

Karyn Burns, one of Mearns Castle's resident PGA Professionals has recently started her Personal Training Business 'kbfit'. Karyn is a Level 3 recognised Certified Personal Trainer with the Register of Exercise Professionals and is currently making training easy by training people in the comfort of their own home, easing time constraints on exercising or making it to the gym.

Whether you want to get fit for your health, to lose weight or just simply feel great, Karyn can make a PERSONAL programme for YOU and help you achieve your goals and even exceed your expectations.
Click Here to read more

Erskine Golf Club Tri Am Open Day - Get your Entry Form

The Erskine Golf Club Ladies’ Open Tri-am Competition is on Wednesday 27th April 2011
Entries should be in teams of three.
Maximum playing handicap is 30 although players with higher handicaps may enter.
Entry fee £30 per Team.
Closing date for entries 6th April 2011
Full catering available.
Starting times from 9am.
Prize Giving scheduled for 7.00 p.m

Click Here to get your Entry Form

SUBMIT YOUR OPEN DAY RESULTS

Why not post your Open Day Results or your Club Medal results by emailing your webmaster Carol

Death of Liz Miskimmin

From the SLGA WEBSITE
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Liz Miskimmin on Saturday 5 February. Liz’s contribution to Scottish golf was considerable at club, county and national level. Club Champion at four different golf clubs, she was Champion of Stirling & Clackmannan on three occasions, East of Scotland Champion and Scottish Veterans Champion. She captained Stirling & Clackmannan and from 1986 was a member of Perth & Kinross where she was county team member, Captain and President.The international selector for Scotland on the LGU’s selection committee 2001 – 2003 Liz joined the SLGA Board in 2008 where she was Chairman of Selectors and a director of clubgolf Scotland Ltd until she retired at the AGM in 2010. Her deep love of the game, great common sense and mischievous sense of humour will be missed by all who knew her.
Liz’s funeral will be held at Perth crematorium on Friday 18 February at 2.00 pm.