MERGER BETWEEN EWGA AND EGU COMES INTO EFFECT ON JAN 1

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The merger of the English Golf Union (EGU) and the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) was approved yesterday at simultaneous general meetings of both organisations.
The merger will come into effect on January 1 and will create England Golf, one national governing body to represent all amateur golfers in England.
The merger proposal was approved by 86 per cent of the voting members of the EGU, meeting at its headquarters in Woodhall Spa; and by 100 per cent of the voting members of the EWGA, meeting at the National Motor Cycle Museum at Solihull. Both organisations had to approve the proposal by a majority of at least 75 per cent for it to be successful.
The decision was immediately hailed as a triumph for golf and a vital step forward for the game.
Sylvia Perrins, EWGA Interim Chairman, and Nigel Evans, the EGU Chairman, said: “This merger is in the best interests of golf and we are delighted that it has been given overwhelming support by our members. We look forward to a new era and to realising our vision for the future.
“England Golf will speak with one voice and send out the powerful, modern message that golf is a game for all, for men and women, boys and girls.
“A unified organisation, which promotes both the men’s and women’s game, will be more attractive to new golfers, will help us to grow the game, will be more appealing to commercial partners and sponsors and will mean we can be more cost effective.”
The merger vote followed a long period of consultation and preparation, which began in 2009 when a steering group was formed of members of both organisations.
Following lengthy discussions, and the involvement of ten working groups, the proposal was produced and ratified by the Boards of both organisations before being put to the voting members.
Key points of the merger
• The headquarters of England Golf will initially be at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa. The EWGA offices in Edgbaston will continue in use until at least October 2012.
• The counties will continue to be the voting members. Counties will be encouraged to merge their Unions and Associations, but this will not be mandatory.
• The Board of England Golf will initially include 10 stakeholder non-executive directors, six nominated by the EGU and four women nominated by the EWGA. One of these 10 will be nominated as Chairman.
• The first sole President of England Golf will be a woman. The President will be supported by the immediate Past President and the President-Elect. One of these three will always be a woman.
• Club golf will go on, from day-to-day, as it does now, but members will benefit from the positive perceptions created by the merger and by the better support available for clubs.
• All the championships and tournaments currently run by the EWGA and the EGU will continue.
• The regional and group structures of the two organisations will continue to run competitions. The decision-making role of the EWGA regional committees will end.
• Affiliation fees for men and women will be harmonised and will be equal by January 1, 2014. Women will continue to pay an additional subscription to the Ladies Golf Union.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press and PR Officer
EWGA

Rules Officials are needed

The SLGA are seeking candidates to train as Rules Officials. They are looking for those who have already passed the SGU Rules Exam or people interested in sitting this exam. This involves a two day course with an exam at the end and which involves a cost. This would allow someone to officiate at club or county level and she may be asked to assist at Scottish events.
Those who have successfully passed the SGU exam, at the invitation of the SLGA, may be put forward to sit the more advanced R&A exam. The SLGA fund this exam.
If you are interested in having your name put forward please contact Carol Fell by 30th November.

Shiskine November 12 Hole Medal

November 12 hole Medal (SSS 44, CSS 46)

Pat Adamson (10) 46
Sheila Gray (10) 47
Sally Brookes (12) 48
Best Scratch Player: Pat Adamson Score: 56

November Winter Stableford results from Largs Golf Club

Winter Medal Wednesday Stableford - Ladies (SSS 73, CSS 73) --- 2nd November 2011

Jan Dow (24) 25
Doris Corkindale (28) 23
Margaret Brown (28) 21


Winter Medal Saturday Stableford - Ladies (SSS 73, CSS 73) --- 5th November 2011

Rachel Irvine (12) 38
Christine Whitelaw (10) 26
Lauren Gilbert (19) 24

The Ladies Golf Club Troon -- 9 Hole Stableford and November Medal

9 Hole Stableford -- Played 1st November 2011

Julie Mackie (8) 16
Gillian Macpherson (9) 15
Morag Holm (9) 13
Sue Fraser (13) 14
Norma Gorman (15) 20
E Jane Thomson (12) 17

November Medal (SSS 73) -- Played 4th November 2011

Player Net score
Silver: Anne Howie (18) 72 ; Elaine Munn (8) 73; Anne Mackellar (15) [acb] 75
Bronze: Anne Gilchirst (24) 76; Margaret Quin (22) [acb] 78; Shirley McGill (34) 78
Best Scratch Player; Elaine Munn 84

WEST OF SCOTLAND'S MHAIRI McKAY INDUCTED INTO STANFORD UNI HALL OF FAME

From the Kirkwood Golf Website

Mhairi McKay was tonight (California time) being inducted into the Stanford University Athletic Hall of Fame.
The following article is from the Stanford University website:
STANFORD, California - A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Mhairi McKay was the first international golfer to be offered in scholarship at Stanford. A three-time first team All-America selection for the Cardinal in 1994, '96 and '97, McKay helped Stanford to three Top-5 finishes at the NCAA Championships before going on to enjoy a successful career on the LPGA Tour.
As a professional, McKay represented Europe on two Solheim Cup teams, claimed her first professional victory at the 2003 AAMI Australian Women's Open and enjoyed three Top-10 finishes at the U.S. Women's Open.
GoStanford.com recently caught up with Mhairi to get her thoughts on her selection to Stanford's Athletic Hall of Fame, her favourite memories from her years on The Farm, her Scottish roots, her LPGA career and more.
What are some of your thoughts about being selected to Stanford's Athletic Hall Fame?
When the phone call came from the athletic department informing me of my selection for the Hall of Fame I remember just being completely stunned and taken aback. Such an honour I had given no thought to. Obviously I was aware of the great Stanford golfers already inducted, Mickey Wright, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods to name but a few; their stratospheric achievements have been an inspiration to me throughout my career. Following in their footsteps is very surreal, flattering and humbling.
The timing of the call came at a particular poignant moment for my family. We had just been evacuated the previous day from our home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, because of the Los Conchas forest fire. At the time we worried as the fire came within 1.5 miles of our home so the call was blessed relief and cause for celebration.
You were the first international player to be offered a scholarship to play golf at Stanford. What were some of the factors that pointed you to The Farm?
I have so many people to thank for their part in my Stanford scholarship all the way from Glasgow, Scotland. Firstly, my parent's close friends, Charlie and Joyce Scott, from our golf club in Glasgow were responsible for making initial contact with Tim Baldwin the then-women's golf coach after a round of golf at the university course. After that chance meeting, Coach Baldwin made contact with me and before I knew it my father and I were headed to the States (our first ever visit to USA) on a recruitment trip to check out Stanford and another prestigious university.
Ironically, the weather was very un-Californian, actually quite Scottish! Not that that bothered me, I was simply in awe of this amazing campus, Palm Drive, the Quad, the people associated with the university, driving range and golf course you could just fall out of bed on to, not forgetting all the other amazing sports facilities. I went to class with one of the girls on the team - psych with Professor Zimbardo - who lectured on his infamous Stanford Prison experiment. This sure doesn't happen in Scotland and how could all this incredible activity happen in one small place? I was overcome, yet in heaven!
The coach from the second university tried hard when I arrived there a few days later, but I already had my heart set on Stanford. Really there was no decision!
But I can't thank Tim Baldwin enough for taking the chance on a wee girl from Scotland whom he'd never seen swing a club! Who does that? Hence, I feel this honour is as much to do with Coach Baldwin giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.

TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE, INCLUDING MHAIRI'S MEMORIES OF TIGER WOODS,

CLICK HERE

West Renfrewshire AGM and Presentation of Trophies

The West Renfrewshire League AGM and Presentation of Trophies was held at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club this evening Wednesday 9 November.
18 ladies attended with tea being provided at the beginning of the evening. The business was completed promptly which included an agreement to allow the use of Sky Caddies in matches. This allowed the representatives a chance to mix and also to put some provisional dates in the 2012 playing diary.
The Divisional Trophies were presented to the winning Clubs by Ranfurly Castle's Lady Captain Karin Mackenzie

Sue Lyon (Ranfurly Castle) Division 1 Winners

Division 2 Winners Silvanna Middleton (Renfrew)

Division 3 Winners Rena Simpson (Kilmacolm)

Final Results:
Division 1: Ranfurly Castle and Gleddoch were level on points and games won. Ranfurly Castle were confirmed as the winners after a count back of "holes up".
Division 2: Winners: Renfrew, Runners up: Caldwell.
Division 3: Kilmacolm and Gourock were joint leaders with Kilmacolm the winners as they had won the most games.

Thanks go to Ranfurly Castle's Agnes Williamson for the photographs

THE NATURAL LAWS OF GOLF ONLY A TRUE GOLFER WILL UNDERSTAND THESE

Thanks go to Ann Wallace (Prestwick St Nicholas) for this one.

1. Don't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.

2. Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.

3. When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.

4. If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still
putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.

5. The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.

6. No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.

7. The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other error.

8. Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.

9. A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.

10. It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt; for a 10.

11. Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.

12. Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.

13. It's not a gimme if you're still 5 feet away.

14. The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.

15. You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.

16. If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.

17. Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.

18. When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.

19. Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.

20. If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.

21. To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; I.e., back-swing 20 mph , handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.

22. There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.

23. Hazards attract; fairways repel. Keep this in mind.

24. A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.

25. If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.

26. It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the lawn.

27. A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.

28. Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.

29. A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are....that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.

30. If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.

31. Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.

32. It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.

33. If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).

34. It takes longer to learn to be a good golfer than it does to become a brain surgeon. On the other hand, you don't get to ride around on a cart, drink beer, eat hot dogs and fart, if you’re performing Brain Surgery!!!!

Milngavie Golf Club Junior Prize giving -- Megan Adair wins her 1st Trophy

Megan Adair

There is a trophy for the best Junior girl on Juniors Day at Milngavie Golf Club. Megan Adair, who is  Jill Foggo's 14 year old niece, won the Carol Dougan trophy at today's Junior Prizegiving.
Megan is still a relative beginner so it was nice for her to win her first trophy and hopefully this will encourage her for the future.
WELL DONE MEGAN AND THANKS JILL FOR YOUR NEWS

West Vets AGM -- A successful year

West Vets Captain Fiona Roger and Vice Captain Anna Telfer
Scottish Vets Captain and Senior Home International Captain - Helen Faulds

On Thursday 3rd November the West Vets AGM was held at Cowglen Golf Club. West Vets Captain Fiona Roger (Ranfurly Castle) chaired the meeting and gave an excellent report on a very successful 2011 season. May Hughes (Lanark) and Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) also both gave reports on the Mary McKenna Trophy and the Annual Vets Jamboree respectively. Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds (pictured above) showed off the new colours for the Scottish Vets team
The prize giving took place at the end of the meeting
To read the full report go to the West Vets Website

County AGMS - RLCGA AND D&A

Some RLCGA Prizewinners

Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association held their Annual General Meeting and Prizegiving last Wednesday - 2nd November at Haggs Castle Golf Club.
Wendy Cameron was announced as their new Honorary Life President , Maureen Woodhead (Captain) and Gillian McGinlay (Vice Captain)

To read the full RLCGA AGM report, see photographs and the full prizewinners list --- GO TO THE RLCGA WEBSITE   --   then click on Home and the bottom of that post to get all there posts

Some D&A prizewinners - Click to enlarge

D&A held their AGM the previous Wednesday and Alisoun Fairbairn (Troon) was appointed as Captain with Carol Sim (Balmore) her new Vice captain

Ayrshire and Lanarkshire County AGM's are still to take place

AYRSHIRE GIRLS BEAT RENFREWSHIRE GIRLS IN A FRIENDLY MATCH

Ayrshire Girls - Junior Team

RLCGA JUNIOR TEAM

Largs Kelburn hosted the Ayrshire v Renfrewshire Girls Friendly Match this afternoon.    The girls played very well on a day with strong winds, squally showers and wet conditions underfoot making the course play a bit longer, but all credit to the greens staff for the course being playable at all given the amount of rain that we have encountered recently.

Ayrshire managed to win by two matches to one in a greensomes matchplay format but with two games going down to the last putt on the last green it was all very close.   Results are as follows:-

Ayrshire                                                                        Renfrewshire
Rachel Irvine and Sophie Love         beat                           Samantha Cowan and Laura Craig                6/4
Lauren Gilbert and Bekki Allan          beat                          Charlotte McCluskey and Lyndsay McCall        1 hole
Gillian Love and Louise Duncan         lost to                       Lauren Coventry and Emily Weir                    1 hole

Ayrshire and Renfrewshire Junior Teams

Many thanks go to June Kerr (Ayrshire Girls Convenor) for the report and photographs

Kylie Walker has a poor last round in the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China

Suzhou, China: World number one Yani Tseng won the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China on Sunday for her 11th worldwide victory of the year.
The 22-year-old five-time major champion closed with a six under par 66 on a beautiful final day at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club for a seven stroke victory over Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg. It was her 30th career title in four seasons as a professional and her third win in her last four events.
West of Scotland's Kylie Walker unfortunately did not manage to keep up her good play that she had in the 1st 2 rounds and finished well down the field.
Leading Scores:
Par 216 (3x72)
200 - Yani Tseng (TPE) 68 66 66
207 - Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 72 65 70
208 - Melissa Reid (ENG) 71 69 68 , Lee-Anne Pace (SA) 68 70 70
209 - Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) 68 73 68 , Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 72 67 70 , Beth Allen (USA) 70 68 71 , Becky Brewerton (WAL) 67 71 71
Scots:
216 Vikki Lang (SCO) 70 69 77
217 Kylie Walker (SCO) 68, 70. 79
222 - Clare Queen (SCO) 73 73 76

KYLIE AND VIKKI IN TOP TEN BEHIND THREE-SHOT LEADER YANI TSENG

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE LADIES
EUROPEAN TOUR
By BETHAN CUTLER, LET Media Manager
Suzhou, China: World number one Yani Tseng, shot a six under par 66 today for a three shot lead going into the final round of the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China.
Tseng’s second round, played in misty, damp conditions at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club near Shanghai, contained seven birdies and one bogey for a 10 under par total of 134.
The 22-year-old from Chinese Taipei was three clear of Pernilla Lindberg from Sweden, who also played in the afternoon. Lindberg shot a bogey-free round of seven under 65 to tie the course record set in 2008 by Annika Sorenstam and Ye Li Ying.
Caroline Hedwall shot 69 to end one shot further back, along with Becky Brewerton (71 ), Giulia Sergas (70 ), Beth Allen (68 ), Lee-Anne Pace (70 ) and Kylie Walker (70 ) at six under overall.
Tseng trailed Brewerton by a shot overnight but went to the turn in 34 to grab a six-way share of the lead. She pulled a stroke clear at the 11th and, shadowed by a large and vociferous supporting gallery, moved further ahead with birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th holes.
“Today we got really lucky because it was raining all morning, so lucky me to play in the afternoon,” Tseng said after her round.
“I played really good today. I was disappointed on the last hole I didn’t make birdie. I had a four-iron for the second shot, but I missed a two-footer putt today, on number two, I had a three-putt, but I mean, everything was really good and I’m very happy now.”
Tseng has notched 10 victories including two major championships in her fourth year on tour and is highly favoured to win the title, but did not want to get ahead of herself.
“It’s going to be like today. I’m going to work out tomorrow morning, stretch a little bit and get ready for the tournament. I’m in a very good position and I think I’ve just got to enjoy it.
“It’s a big crowd today and tomorrow I will enjoy the crowd, be patient and play one shot at a time and see what happens,” she said.
Lindberg, in her second year on tour, will be playing for her first victory as a professional after carding seven birdies in her second round.
“It’s always hard to repeat a round like that. Of course I feel good about my game and a lot better about my putting. My confidence is high going into tomorrow so I’ll see what I can do,” Lindberg said.
She has been paired with Tseng and fellow Swede Hedwall for the final round, starting at 11.10am local time and added: “Every time you play with a great player, it’s a great experience and you learn to handle it better: I’m looking forward to it.”
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72).
134 - Yani Tseng (TPE) 68 66
137 - Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 72 65
138 - Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 69 69 , Becky Brewerton (WAL) 67 71 , Giulia Sergas (ITA) 68 70 , Beth Allen (USA) 70 68 , Lee-Anne Pace (SA) 68 70 , Kylie Walker (SCO) 68 70
139 - Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 72 67 , Vikki Laing (SCO) 70 69 , Ursula Wikstrom (FIN) 72 67
140 - Nikki Garrett (AUS) 70 70 , Klara Spilkova (CZE) 70 70 , Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 72 68 , Melissa Reid (ENG) 71 69 , Narisara Kerdrit (THA) 74 66 , Florentyna Parker (ENG) 74 66
141 - Christine Song (USA) 71 70 , Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) 68 73 , Laura Davies (ENG) 71 70 , Becky Morgan (WAL) 71 70 , Hei-Ji Kim (KOR) 71 70 , Russamee Gulyanamitta (THA) 71 70 , Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 70 71
142 - Tan Ling Ling (CHN) 69 73 , Jaclyn Sweeney (USA) 70 72 , Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 69 73 , Yan Jing (Am) (CHN) 72 70 , Karen Lunn (AUS) 70 72 , Felicity Johnson (ENG) 71 71 , Guo Cai Zhu (CHN) 71 71 , Kim Welch (USA) 72 70 , Minea Blomqvist (FIN) 72 70

Missed the Cut Lynn Kenny

Kylie Walker has a great first round in the Ladies Open in China

BECKY BREWERTON SETS PACE IN CHIN A WITH A FIVE-UNDER 67

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR
By BETHAN CUTLER, Media Manager LET
E-mail: bcutler@ladieseuropeantour.com

Suzhou, China: Becky Brewerton secured a one-shot lead after the first round of the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China.
The 28-year-old from Wales, opened with a five under par 67 at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club near Shanghai to edge one stroke ahead of six other players including the world number one Yani Tseng.

Tseng is looking for her 11th title of the season after winning in her homeland on Sunday.
She had four birdies in her opening round, but three putted for par on the 18th, after reaching the green in two strokes.

She is placed alongside the 2010 event champion Lee-Anne Pace from South Africa, Lisa Holm Sorensen and Line Vedel of Denmark, Scotland’s Kylie Walker and Italian Giulia Sergas.
Pace, who won her fifth LET title in a four-way play-off at the venue 12 months ago, was satisfied with five birdies and just one dropped shot at the 10th hole.

Kylie Walker, a second year professional on the LET, carded three birdies in a row from the fourth hole and grabbed another on the par-five 18th.
“I’m happy with four under. It was all really quite steady. I only missed two greens, gave myself a lot of chances and made a few of them. It was really nice, stress free. I was never in trouble,” Walker said.
“I’m driving it nicely, which is an advantage around here if you can be in the right positions, it sets you up for a good shot into the green.”


FIRST ROUND LEADING SCOREBOARD
Par 72.
67 - Becky Brewerton (WAL)
68 - Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) , Yani Tseng (TPE) , Lee-Anne Pace (SA) , Kylie Walker (SCO) , Line Vedel (DEN) , Giulia Sergas (ITA)
69 - Tan Ling Ling (CHN) , Veronica Zorzi (ITA) , Stacy Lee Bregman (SA) , Caroline Hedwall (SWE)
70 - Jenni Kuosa (FIN) , Beth Allen (USA) , Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) , Jaclyn Sweeney (USA) , Nontaya Srisawang (THA) , Vikki Laing (SCO) , Karen Lunn (AUS) , Tiffany Tavee (USA) , Nikki Garrett (AUS) , Lu Yue Xia (CHN) , Klara Spilkova (CZE)
71 - Becky Morgan (WAL) , Hei-Ji Kim (KOR) , Laura Davies (ENG) , Melissa Reid (ENG) , Russamee Gulyanamitta (THA) , Zhang Yu Yang (CHN) , Walailak Satarak (USA) , Christine Song (USA) , Guo Cai Zhu (CHN) , Felicity Johnson (ENG) , Kaisa Ruuttila (FIN) , Zhong Xiao Long (CHN)
Other Scots:
73 - Lynn Kenny (SCO), Clare Queen (SCO)

Speeches from the Greenlees Trophy Divisional Winners

SKELMORLIE'S GILLIAN POLLOCK HAS SUCCESS IN THE 2011 ARRAN CHALLENGE

 Gillian receiving her trophy from Lady Captain Kath Mackellar.

The ladies of Skelmorlie Golf Club have been competing in The Arran Challenge for the past twelve or so years and have been among the prizewinners on several occasions.
This annual competition attracts golfers from all over Scotland keen to play over the 12 short but challenging holes at Shiskine Golf Club. This year 216 ladies took part.
Having missed out on the scratch prize last year by a single stroke, Gillian Pollock had set her sights on winning it this year and she did so in style with a total of 98 for two rounds narrowly beating Claire Howden from Torwoodlee G.C. near Galashiels.
She also won the 1st. Class Nett prize (with a total of 84) and The Shiskine Trophy which the Skelmorlie Ladies compete for within the main competition.
All in all a most successful three days golf.

The ladies of Skelmorlie G.C. who took part this year.

Greenlees Lunch and Presentation at Whitecraigs Golf Club

The Greenlees Trophy Winners - Click to enlarge

The 71st Greenlees Lunch and Presentation of Trophies was held at Whitecraigs Golf Club today.
Dorothy Cartlidge  (Whitecraigs Greenlees Secretary) organised the event.
All clubs from the 3 divisions within the Greenlees Trophy were represented and what a great celebration they all had They were welcomed warmly by Whitecraigs Golf Club and Lady Captain Chris Fulton with a glass of wine and a beautiful lunch to follow.

Fiona Roger the West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary then stood up after the meal and here was her speech:

May I firstly say how pleased I am that Chris, Lady Captain of Whitecraigs, a very busy lady I am sure, has been able to take the time today to join us for lunch and I thank her for her kind words of welcome. It is a great pleasure to be here today for our annual Lunch and Presentation of prizes . Chris, on behalf of all the teams in The League, please pass on our thanks to your Club Captain and committee for allowing us to hold our lunch here and also a big thank you for the very generous gesture of providing us with our pre lunch drinks.
May we all wish you a very successful and happy year of captaincy.

You may remember last year that I referred several times to a little book called ‘Life’s little instruction book’ which is full of suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life. I may just throw a few more at you in the next 10 minutes!!

Here’s the first one ---Don’t eat just before giving a speech. I would be more worried about drinking too much rather than eating too much. I have eaten before speaking, and may I say that I have enjoyed lunch very much, and hope that you also have enjoyed yours?
On behalf of us all, may I thank Dorothy for the time and effort she has put into the organisation for today. A job done pleasantly and efficiently. Thank you Dorothy. To the staff both behind the scenes and front of house, thank you for looking after us so well.
The lunch in the last few years seems to have become very popular and I am sorry that it hasn’t been possible for as many people to come from the clubs as would have liked to be here, but the final figure has to be in the hands of the host club.

As you all know this is my last year as Greenlees Secretary. Anne Dunn, Kilmacolm, who is with us today, takes over from me at the AGM and Fixture Meeting in November and I hope that you will afford her the same support and patience you have all shown to me.

Quote no 2 : Resist telling people how something should be done. Instead, tell them what needs to be done. They will often surprise you with creative solutions! Good luck Anne!

This is my 4th lunch since taking over from Willeen. How many lunches did Willeen attend in her capacity as Secretary - a considerable number more than me. Were I to continue for as many years as Willeen I would be doing it from above or maybe below!! As you all know, the host club each year is in alphabetical order of the teams in the three leagues. It has been very coincidental that in my four years, the four host clubs have been, in my first year, Ranfurly Castle, my home club since the early 70s, the following year Troon – a club I have now been a member of for several years. Last year, at West Kilbride, it was the 70th year of competition for the Greenlees Trophy – a year for reminiscing and noting facts and figures - and this year Whitecraigs. Not many of you, if any, will know that I had my name on the waiting list for Whitecraigs before I joined Ranfurly. I was having dinner in Kilmacolm with Colin and Trish Brown and bemoaning the fact that I was keen to start playing golf, had had my name on the waiting list at Whitecraigs for some time, and had heard nothing. Trish said ‘why not join Ranfurly Castle – they are looking for more lady members. I contacted Whitecraigs – they had no knowledge of me ever being on their waiting list. You have guessed it -- I accepted membership at Ranfurly 3 weeks later and the rest is history!! I did however play a lot of my early golf over Whitecraigs with local friends, had many competitive, fun filled days and still always enjoy any chance I have to play the course.

On a personal note I would like to thank my long standing squash opponent from Whitecraigs Tennis and Squash Club, fellow member of Ranfurly Castle over many years and whizz kid unsurpassed on the computer. You have got it in one – Carol. Always ask a busy person to help you out.

Quote No 3: Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have the same number of hours per day as Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein

Maybe Carol won’t quite reach the heights of the aforesaid but as far as we are all concerned, in Scottish Golf, county golf, vets golf and club golf we are all so grateful for the amount of time and effort given on our behalf. Thank you Carol for all you do for us.
On behalf of us all I would like you to accept a small present.

After last year’s attention to 70 years of Greenlees Trophy, I would like this year, to read you an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86 year old lady. The Bank Manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the New York Times.

Dear Sir --------------    CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

Now to the real business of the day – Presentation of Trophies.

Chris, perhaps you would be good enough to present the winning teams in each division with their trophies.

Sheila Adams is presented with the 3rd Division Trophy

Division 3:
This last season we welcomed Loudoun Gowf into the Greenlees league for the first time. I hope Sheila that your team have enjoyed their first season in the leagues
As the rules dictate, any team joining the leagues start in the 3rd Division. What a start Loudoun Gowf made. Undefeated during the season and Winners of the 3rd Division with an amazing total of 57 points, and well done to Old Ranfurly, 2nd in the Division with 45 points We wish both teams luck as they head for Division 2 next season
Sheila – please come forward to collect the Division 3 Shield.

Aileen Donaldson West Kilbride receives the Division 2 Trophy

Division 2:
Well done West Kilbride who come top of Division 2 with 50 and a half points with Largs 2nd in the Division with 47 and a half points. They both head for Division 1 and we wish them a successful 2012 season. Largs were promoted from Division 3 last year and we congratulate them in gaining promotion again this year to Division 1.
Aileen – please come forward and collect the Division 2 Trophy.

Sara- Anne Bottomley (Troon Ladies) receives the Runner up Trophy

Division 1:
Another nail biting finish to the 1st Division.
How close were Troon to knocking Milngavie of their perch? It went all the way to the very last match and 1 point separated them. Milngavie on 46.5 and Troon on 45.5
Sara-Anne – Well done Troon. Please come forward to collect the Urn, trophy for Runners up.

Anna Telfer - With the Greenlees Trophy

What can I say about Milngavie. Winners of the Greenlees Trophy for the third year in succession.

Another quote from my wee book! Remember the ABC’s of success : Ability, Breaks, Courage.

You have certainly remembered the ABC’s of success over the past 5 years. Anna, congratulations and well done to all those who contributed to your success.

Chris – thank you for presenting the Trophies to all the winners.

The Greenlees Leagues are very special and I hope that all those participating in them enjoy them. They are competitive and I for one, hope they always will be, but the spirit in which they are played is equally important. For the teams being promoted, a new challenge and for the teams who find they are struggling and face relegation this coming season remember you too have a challenge but most of all remember to have fun and enjoy.

 Fiona then finished off her speech with an excellent quote made by Arnold Palmer.

To see some photographs from the lunch click on the small thumbnail below and press play on the video below to hear the speeches --- Alternatively CLICK HERE to go to your Webmaster Video Channel.

Greenlees Trophy Presentation 2011

Final placings in Division 1 were :-

46.5 - Milngavie
45.5 - Troon
44.0 - Cathkin Braes
38.5 - Ranfurly Castle
37.5 - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
36.0 - Whitecraigs
30.0 - Kilmacolm
26.0 - Douglas Park - relegated
20.0 - Prestwick St Nicholas - relegated

West Kilbride (Division 2 Champions) and Largs (Division 2 Runners Up) have gained promotion to Division 1.
Williamwood and Cowglen are relegated to Division 3

Final placings in Division 2 were :-

50.5 - West Kilbride
47.5 - Largs
43.5 - Hilton Park
42.5 - Haggs Castle
36.0 - Erskine
32.5 - Cardross
32.0 - Eastwood
21.5 - Williamwood - relegated
18.0 - Cowglen - relegated

In Division 3, Loudoun Gowf Club, stormed through in their first season in the competition to take the division 3 title with ease and gain promotion along with Old Ranfurly to Division 2 for 2012.

Final placings in Division 3 were :-

57.0 - Loudoun
45.0 - Old Ranfurly
39.5 - Lanark
35.0 - Bothwell Castle
34.5 - Lenzie
30.0 - Greenock
29.0 - East Renfrewshire
27.0 - Cawder
27.0 - Cathcart Castle

The New Golf Rules are now out

Here are the New Golf Rules for 2012 - 2015

The R&A - New Rules 2012-15

www.randa.org

A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and BallsGuidelines to interpret the Rules relating to the design and manufacture of golf clubs and balls.

Windyhill Ladies Celebrate Allander League Win at Annual Prize Giving

Windyhill Allander Team

Windyhill Ladies celebrated winning the Allander League for the first time since 2003 at their annual prize giving on Saturday night. The team played 9 matches against other clubs in the Dumbartonshire area, winning seven and drawing two which was a great result for the team.

The club also saw success with Carol Whyte and Tracy Masterton reaching the final stages of the Daily Mail Foursomes competition in at Dalmahoy last week. Unfortunately due to the bad weather the format of the competition had to be changed and the pair did not make it to the final, but it was a great achievement to win through seven rounds to reach the final in the first place.

Carol Whyte &Tracy Masterton – Daily Mail Finalists

Windyhill Ladies Prize Winners


Thanks go to to Lindsay Mathie for all the news

LOUISE KENNEY SWEEPS TO SLGA ORDER OF MERIT TITLE FOR SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SLGA

Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), who won her first Scottish Ladies’ Championship at Machrihanish in May, has regained the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Order of Merit title. 
The primary school teacher had a terrific season. In addition to the National title, she also won the East of Scotland and Fife County Championships and finished third at the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke-play Championship at Troon.
She also made her Great Britain and Ireland debut in the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe in Wales in June – and now has her sights set on next year’s Curtis Cup at Nairn.
Kenney, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, won the SLGA Order of Merit title for a first time in 2009 and, this year, she amassed 2,375 points to finish comfortably ahead of second placed Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
Pretswell, who missed several events because of university commitments, still gained 1,800 points in what could be her final amateur season. She has entered the Ladies’ European Tour qualifying school early next year.
Eildih Briggs (Kilmacolm), who retained the SLGA’s Girls’ Order of Merit title, finished third on the senior list with 1,647 points. The teenager finished runner-up to Kenney in the Scottish Women’s Championship and made her senior team debut at September’s Home Internationals. 
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), who highlighted her season with a record fourth straight win in the Scottish Junior Open Strokeplay Championship, was defending the Order of Merit title but slipped to eighth with 1,053 points.

2011 SLGA ORDER OF MERIT FINAL POINTS TOTALS
1 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 2375
2 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 1800
3 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 1646.5
4 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 1476
5 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 1459
6 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 1290
7 Sally Watson (Elie and Earlsferry) 1073
8 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 1053
9 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 1050
10 Rachael Taylor (Hartl Golf Resort) 895
11 Rebecca Wilson (Grange, Monifieth) 725
12 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 690
13 Susan Wood Drumpellier 690
14 Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies) 632
15 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 624
16 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 620
17 Alison Davidson (Stirling) 605
18 Susan Jackson (Ladybank) 602
19 Tara MacTaggart Minto 555
20 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 551
21 Clara Young (North Berwick) 549
22 Louise MacGregor (Falkirk) 440
23 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 435
24 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 410
25 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornnoch) 399
26 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 390
27 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 380
28 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 354
29 Jordana Graham (Southerness) 350
30 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 343
31 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 330
32 Karen Marshall (Baberton) 330
33 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 310
34 Lesley Atkins (Gullane) 290
35 Nichola Ferguson (Clober) 275
36 Laura Murray (Alford) 258
37 Mary Smith (Tain) 250
38 Sammy Vass (Tain) 250
39 Ashley Smith (Monifieth) 240
40 Heather Munro (Monifieth) 233
41 Danielle Ker (The Roxburghe) 225
42 Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 224
43 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 211
44 Lesley Lloyd (Hayston) 200
T45 Andrea Bowie (Monifieth) 175
Claire McGinley (Thornhill) 175
Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 175
48 Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) 160
T49 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 150
Margaret McGregor (Dumfries and Co) 150
51 Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New) 148
52 Stephanie Crolla (Muckhart) 138
53 Jennifer Linklater (Largs) 135
54 Emma Greenlees (Dumfries and Galloway) 125
55 Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 124
56 Eleanor Tunn (Reay) 123
T57 Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 113
Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie) 113
59 Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) 110
T60 Ailsa Bain (Peebles) 100
Jenny Milne (Elgin) 100
Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) 100
Katie Reid (Monifieth) 100
T64 Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) 75
Claire Penman (Carnoustie Ladies) 75
Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 75
Keren Ward (The Glen) 75
70 Rachel Polson (Peterculter) 70
T71 Elaine Allison (Stirling) 50
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) 50
Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 50
Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse) 50
Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) 50
Angela Devine (Hamilton) 50
Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 50
Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) 50
Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst) 50
Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 50
Helen Kerr (Dumfries and Galloway) 50
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 50
Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill) 50
Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 50
Mary-Lou Renton (Gifford) 50
Anne Ryan (Tain) 50
Anna Telfer (Milngavie) 50
Leanne Wilson (Kelso) 50
89 Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) 48

LAST-HOLE BUNKER COSTS VIKKI LAING VICTORY IN CHINA

FROM BETHAN CUTLER
Ladies European Tour Media Manager
Sanya, China: Australian Frances Bondad came from two strokes behind overnight leader Pan Yan Hong to lift her maiden trophy as a professional at the Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan, China.The 23-year-old from Greystanes in New South Wales birdied the final hole at Yalong Bay Golf Club to edge one stroke clear of Scotland’s Vikki Laing,who closed with a bogey after getting caught in the bunker. West of Scotland's Kylie Walker finished on 218
Leading Scores Par 216 (3x72)
205 Frances Bondad (AUS) 68 70 67 (30,000 Euros).
206 Vikki Laing (SCO) 69 69 68 (20,300 Euros).
208 Ashleigh Simon (SA) 69 70 69, Pan Yan Hong (CHN) 67 69 72 (12,400 Euros each).
Other Scots:
214 Carly Booth
218 Lynn Kenny, Kylie Walker.
Missed the cut -- Clare Queen
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Connie Jaffrey is the Junior Champion of Champions

Connie Jaffrey - Photo courtesy of the SGU

Connie Jaffrey of Troon Ladies finished her season seasons in style with a victory in the Junior Champion of Champions over The Duke’s Course, St Andrews, today.
Ayrshire County Team player Connie and North Berwick's Clara Young were nip and tuck throughout the day. The turning point came at the 14th where Clara lost a ball after a poor tee shot to drop two shots.
The 15-year-old’s, both members of the SLGA training squads for 2011-12 and playing off two handicaps, rounded off fine seasons with their efforts.
Connie, winner of two Junior Opens this year, said: “It was a good game between myself and Clara, it was always going to be quite close. It was tough to score so I’m delighted to win.
“My handicap was five at the start of the year, I got down to one and then back up to two, so it’s been a good year.”
Clara can also look back on 2011 with fondness after representing Scotland in the girls' Home Internationals and girls' European Team Championship, and playing for Great Britain and Ireland in the Junior Vagliano Trophy.
Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry and Whitecraigs) was the next best West of Scotland player with a gross 75.
Final Scores
Par 71 SSS 71. CSS 71
72 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies).
73 Clara Young (North Berwick).
74 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Eilidh Watson (Muckhart).
75 Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry).
76 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co).
78 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus).
79 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe).
80 Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New).
82 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Emma Caddow (Strathaven).
83 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne).
86 Karen Ward (The Glen), Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie).
101 Leanne Wilson (Kelso).
DQ Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).
WD Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Annabelle (Nairn Dunbar).

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club win the West Renfrewshire League

The West Renfrewshire League AGM will be held at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club on Wednesday 9 November at 7.30pm.
Final Results:
Division 1: Ranfurly Castle and Gleddoch were level on points and games won. Ranfurly Castle were confirmed as the winners after a count back of "holes up".
Division 2: Winners: Renfrew, Runners up: Caldwell.
Division 3: Kilmacolm and Gourock were joint leaders with Kilmacolm the winners as they had won the most games.

Thanks go to Agnes Williamson for the report

Kylie Walker does well in Round 1 at the Sanya Ladies Open

China’s Pan Yan Hong grabbed a one stroke lead at the Sanya Ladies Open after a five under par 67 opening round at Yalong Bay Golf Club in southern China today.

Australian Frances Bondad was a stroke back alongside Thailand’s Patcharajutar Kongkraphan and Yang Hong Mei of China, with South Africans Lee-Anne Pace and Ashleigh Simon, China’s Zhang Yu Yang and Scotland’s Vikki Laing a shot further behind
Sanya Ladies Open
Yalong Bay Golf Club, Sanya, Hainan China 21-23 October 2011

Scores at the end of round 1:
67 - Pan Yan Hong (CHN)
68 - Frances Bondad (AUS), Patcharajutar Kongkraphan (THA), Yang Hong Mei (CHN)
69 - Lee-Anne Pace (SA), Zhang Yu Yang (CHN), Ashleigh Simon (SA), Vikki Laing (SCO)
70 - Laura Davies (ENG), Stefanie Michl (AUT), Christine Song (USA), Nontaya Srisawang (THA), Mika Ikemura (JAP), Jenni Kuosa (FIN), Stacey Keating (AUS), Tania Elosegui (ESP), Kylie Walker (SCO), Minea Blomqvist (FIN)
Other Scots;
74 - Clare Queen (SCO)
77 - Lynn Kenny (SCO)

SLGA Training Squads 2011-2012

National Training Squad
Lesley Atkins, Eilidh Briggs, Connie Jaffrey, Alyson McKechin, Jessica Meek, Ailsa Summers, Rachel Walker, Lauren Whyte, Clara Young

Independent Performance Squad
Louise Kenney, Kelsey MacDonald, Pamela Pretswell

Tournament Pool
Megan Briggs, Gemma Dryburgh (USA), Jane Turner, Rachael Watton (USA)

SLGA Academy Squad
Sophie Bain, Kimberley Beveridge, Kirsty Brodie, Eilidh Crawford, Jillian Farrell, Mirren Fraser, Emma Hale, Hazel MacGarvie, Sophie Maguire, Shannon McWilliam, Claire Robertson