CLAIRE HARGAN TO JOIN THE R&A RULES STAFF AND SLGA SECRETARY SHEILA HARTLEY IS RETIRING

SLGA'S Sheila Hartley and Claire Hargan with your webmaster Carol Fell

Claire Hargan is hoping she will be playing in this year's Scottish women's amateur (closed) championship instead of organising it - as she has done for the past two years, alongwith all the other events on the SLGA calendar.
That's because she is leaving before then to join the R and A Rules Staff.
Claire, a former Scotland international and beaten by Anne Laing in the 2003 championship final over the Old Course, St Andrews, is looking forward to stepping on to the tee and driving away in the national championship at Tain Golf Club from May 15 to 19.
"I last played in the Scottish championship at Southerness in 2009, so I've only missed two tournaments," said Claire who has been a very efficient championship manager for the SLGA.
She will be hard to replace - but the search is on.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ADVERTISED CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER POST

Sheila Hartley the SLGA's Company Secretary for many years is also leaving the SLGA next month when she retires. She also hopes to be able to play more golf.

CURTIS CUP REGISTRATION

Please register with the Ladies Golf Union if you think you might be going to the Curtis Cup

The Ladies Golf Union would like to know if you are
going to Nairn to watch the 37th Curtis Cup match
June 8-10. You can watch the practice days earlier
in the week as well.

CLICK HERE

Erskine, Windyhill Skelmorlie and Hilton Park all win their Mail on Sunday 2nd Round Ties

Erskine played Gleddoch today in the Mail on Sunday and won 3 - 2. The match was played over Erskine.
Windyhill were also victorious today when the beat Milngavie today 4 - 1. The match was played at Windyhill
Skelmorlie G.C. won their second round Mail on Sunday tie against Palacerigg on 18th February. They won 3-2 – tie was played at Palacerigg.
Hilton Park 3 Buchanan Castle 2 The tie was played at Hilton Park on the 25th February

Douglas Park Ladies Social Evening Success

Douglas Park Ladies Section held a cocktail and dinner social evening last night in there Clubhouse. Ladies Captain Lynda Smith hosted the evening and Past Renfrewshire County Captain Christeen Finlayson was the guest speaker followed by a very entertaining quiz

To see some photos from the evening click on the following link and for the video below make sure your sound is turned up Douglas Park Social Evening Photographs

KYLIE, CLARE AND CARLY TO PLAY IN THE WORLD LADIES CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHINA

The field for the inaugural World Ladies Championships (WLC), which will take place from Friday to Sunday, March 2 to 4 at Mission Hills Hainan in China has been announced.
It includes a number of leading players from the Ladies European Tour (LET), such as England’s Melissa Reid and South African Lee-Anne Pace. Also scheduled to compete are the best Chinese players like Shanshan Feng from the LPGA Tour.
Three Scots are in the field - Kylie Walker, Carly Booth and Clare Queen.
To view the full list of players Click here

PAUL LAWRIE FOUNDATION TO SPONSOR SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Paul Lawrie has furthered his support for junior golf with the announcement that his Foundation will sponsor the Scottish Girls’ Championship to be held on the Craighead Links at Crail in July. 
The event which will become the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Girls (Close) Championship began in 1958 when the trophy was presented by the legendary Helen Holm. 
It has been won by many who now play their golf on the professional circuits including Catriona Matthew (as Catriona Lambert), Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay. 
Vikki Laing, who competes on the Ladies’ European Tour, won the event a record four times in a row from 1996 to 1999. The Paul Lawrie Foundation, which was established in 2001, has a programme for golfers under the age of 18 that gives them the opportunity to try golf and encourages them to develop their sporting potential in a relaxed and fun environment. 
Paul said “I am very pleased that the Foundation is able to support such a great event. National championships are major events on the junior calendar and I am sure the sponsorship will only enhance what is already a fantastic event.” 
Shona Malcolm, SLGA Chairman, said “The SLGA is delighted that the Paul Lawrie Foundation is to sponsor the Scottish Girls’ Championship. Paul’s commitment to the development of young Scottish golfers is second to none, and there is no doubt that his support will enhance the competitiveness and profile of the Championship. 
"The players will be so excited to have the former Open Champion taking an interest in girls’ golf, and they could not have a better role model to follow.”

SLGA looking for Championship Manager

MAIL ON SUNDAY 2012 HAS STARTED

Douglas Park beat Cowglen to-day at Douglas Park. The match was tied two and a half each and was decided by the final game going to extra holes.  The result is as follows:-
Douglas Park players named first:
Carol Fell  (10)  halved with Jane Gravil  (9)
Joan Gemmell   (7)  lost to Irene Hay  (14)  2/1
Hilary MacNaughton  (15)  lost to  Pam Mather   (15) 3/2
Gill Hendry  (13)  beat  Denise Parr  (18) 4/3
Helen Faulds  (5)  beat  Fiona Cameron  (11)  1 up and then won the tie break at the 2nd extra hole

The other match played today was between Kilmarnock Barassie and Loudoun Gowf at Kilmarnock Barassie. The AWAY team from Loudoun Gowf won 3.5 - 1.5.

On Thursday 16th February  Ranfurly Castle beat Old Ranfurly 3 - 2 in the match played over the Old Course Ranfurly

Other Results known:

Kilmacolm Golf Club beat Greenock Golf Club 4.5-0.5

2012 OPEN DAY VENUES

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME LADIES OPEN DAYS --- Plus click on the mixed tab to get some Mixed Open Competitions

KYLIE AND CLARE PLAYING IN THE NEW ZEALAND OPEN BUT MISS THE CUT

ISPS Handa NZ Women’s Open Christchurch
17 - 19 February 2012
Scottish Scores
Vikki Laing 70, 75 - 145
Julie Walker 75, 74 - 149
Clare Queen 80, 71 - 151
Heather Maccrae 80,81 - 161

All the results are available by clicking on the following link
LIVE SCORING AND RESULTS

The two-round cut for the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open hosted by Christchurch of the top 50 and ties fell at three over par 147. Vikki Laing (75-145) was the only Scot to beat the cut.
Kylie Walker (74-149) and Clare Queen (71-151) missed out.

Final Round -=- Vikki Laing the sole Scottish qualifier for the final round finished in 45th place

New date for SLGA Inter Division Girls Competition

Ballumbie Castle inter-division girls competition now June 23-24
The SLGA's inter-division girls team match-play competition at Ballumbie Castle GC has been rearranged for Saturday-Sunday June 23-24.
The original dates were June 2 and 3.

SGU Club e-bulletin

Read the Latest Committee Update The February issue of Committee Update is now available to download and circulate to your committee members. The latest copy features advice on Membership Marketing, details of the SGU’s new ground-breaking new Employment Law and Health & Safety partnership with Xact and information on new Child Protection legislation.  >>Find out more

Important Update on Equality Act - Please Read The SGU and SLGA are encouraging clubs to read the following important update on age provisions within the Equality Act 2010.  The Equality and Human Rights Commission has confirmed that this will now NOT be coming into force in April 2012.  Full details of this update can be found in the Advice Note (6th Edition) linked below.   >>Find out more

SGUpdate – The Magazine for your Members A digital copy of SGUpdate – our A5 mini magazine designed for members of affiliated golf clubs – has now been published on the SGU website and available for you to distribute within your next members e-mailing, with sample text included. Printed copies will also be sent out shortly in quantities based on your club’s requirements.  >>Find out more

Take Part in our Bulk Purchasing for Clubs Survey We have commissioned consultancy firm Grant Thornton to conduct a feasibility study to analyse how the collective power bulk buying power of Scotland’s golf clubs may be able to save clubs money in key purchasing areas, including utilities and other commonly used services. Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey using the link below - the closing date is Friday 24 February and all information provided will be treated anonymously.  >>Find out more

Entries now open for the Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship Book your club’s place in this hugely popular event now! There are five Regional Finals to choose from, the first of which takes place at Crail GS on Tuesday 3 April. Entries are being accepted on a first come first served basis, with the leading eight Captains and Secretaries pairings in each region winning a place in September’s Final. >>Find out more

First 100 Clubs Uploaded to Live CDH The first 100 clubs in Scotland have been uploaded to the live Centralised Database of Handicaps (CDH) system. Providing major improvements for clubs in the administration of handicaps, we are working to register as many clubs on the CDH for the beginning of the new season. All clubs are reminded to upload handicap data once you receive the 2012 software. >>Click here to logon to CDH

Sign Up for our Management Training Course The SGU and SLGA are staging the second Scottish Golf Club Management Training course (Level One) from 12 to 16 March at the Stirling Management Centre with a limited number of places still available. This popular comprehensive course provides managers with the most up-to-date education in the industry with excellent feedback from those who attended last year.  >>Find out more

Enjoy a Night to Remember at the Scottish Golf Awards One of Scotland’s most celebrated golfers Sam Torrance will be the special guest at this year’s Annodata Scottish Golf Awards, taking place on Friday 23 March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. Join host Andrew Cotter for a fantastic evening of entertainment with tables of 10 available for £700 or individual tickets at £75 per person.  >>Find out more

SGU & SLGA National Championship Entry Forms Now Available Entries for Scotland’s male and female national amateur championships in 2012 are now open with entry forms available to download on the SGU and SLGA websites. >>Click here to download SGU entry forms >>Click here to download SLGA entry forms

Encourage your Club’s Talented Youngsters to play the Scottish Hydro Junior Tour A new open entry system is now in place for the Scottish Hydro Junior Tour, with three fantastic events taking place at Gullane, The Roxburghe and Rowallan Castle, changing from the previous invite basis. Encourage your club’s best youngsters to take part with entry forms now available from the SGU website. >>Find out more >>Click here to download Junior Tour entry forms

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

Curtis Cup Team Manager Sue Turner has died.

It is with great sadness to announce the death yesterday of Sue Turner. She was the team manager to International Team Captain Tegwen Matthews for the 37th Curtis Cup Match against the USA which will be held at The Nairn Golf Club, Scotland from June 8 to 10, 2012.
To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

SPANISH SENIORS IN LA MANGA

West of Scotland Seniors Suzanne Cadden (Cardross) Helen Faulds (Douglas Park), and Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) are currently in La Manga Spain playing in the Spanish Seniors.
To read what is going on go to the West Vets Website

GREENOCK GOLF CLUB LADIES OPEN GREENSOMES

GREENOCK GOLF CLUB Ladies’ Open Greensome Sunday 10th June, 2012

Prizes - 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Place, Special Prizes

Handicap Calculated as .4 of highest & .6 of lowest. Certificates must be produced
Please state club, handicaps and preferred starting time

Entry fee £14 and SAE (by 13th May, 2012 - no refund if cancelled after this date)
(Cheques made payable to Greenock Golf Club Ladies’ Section)
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

Send to:

Miss Sandra Macdougall
41 Octavia Terrace
Greenock
PA16 7SR          
Tel. 01475 724118
 

Scottish Ladies Matchplay Foursomes

Please note that entry forms for the Scottish Ladies' Match Play Foursomes were sent out to the clubs on Friday 3 February.

Each SLGA affiliated club or section may enter one team of two or three players to play in this knock out Match Play Foursomes competition. The early rounds will be drawn on a regional basis where possible, with the first named team having home advantage. The semi-finals and finals will then be played at Muckhart Golf Club on 2 September.

Lanarkshire's May Hughes is selected for the Mary McKenna Trophy in Ireland

The Irish Select Team at Hilton Templepatrick GC Belfast, on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th April 2012.

Elaine Allison (Midland)
Heather Anderson (Midland)
Karen Ballantyne (East)
Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (East)
May Hughes (West)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Linda Urquhart (Northern)

Reserves
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Jill Harrison (Northern)
Alex Glennie (West)

Captain Helen Faulds
Vice captain Noreen Fenton

Kylie shoots a 69 in Australian Masters Final Round

Kylie Walker finished in 15th place in the Australian Ladies Masters with her second successive sub-70 score and her fourth score in a row under par - a 69 for 11-under-par 277. Clare Queen signed off with a 73 for two-over-par 290.
Check out all the final scores by clicking here
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Kirkwood Golf Website Problem

Apologies to all those trying to read kirkwoodgolf.co.uk this weekend.  You can get to it via ercn86.gilliankirkwood.co.uk 

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

SLGA Club Mailing

A mailing has been sent out to clubs yesterday (3 February). It includes 2 copies of the 2012-2015 CONGU(R) Manual, the entry form for the Match Play Foursomes (closing date 5 March) and the entry form for the Regional Medal Finals (closing date 30 April).

Kylie shoots a 66 in Australian Masters

Kylie Walker had a terrific 3rd Round in the Australian Ladies Masters. Her 66 (6 under par) has moved her up into 16th place. Clare Queen had a 74 (2 over).
Check out all the scores by clicking here

Kylie and Clare Make the Cut in Australian Ladies Masters

South Korean So Yeon Ryu soared to the top of the leaderboard after firing an incredible 11-under par 61, which included 12 birdies and one lone bogey at the Gold Coast RACV Australian Ladies Masters in the second round today.
West of Scotland's Kylie Walker and Clare Queen both made the cut while the other Scot Vikki Laing just missed out by one shot
To read the Full Report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Pawl Lawrie on Sky Sports

Kylie Walker is the leading Scot after Round 1 in the Australian Masters

South Korea’s Bo-Mee Lee shot a flawless seven-under-par 65 to grab the first-round lead at the Gold Coast RACV Australian Ladies Masters at RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland today.

Leading Scores
Par 72
65: Bo-Mee Lee (SKOR).
66: So Yeon Ryu (SKOR), Hee Kyung Seo (SKOR), Christel Boeljon (NED).
67: Nikki Campbell (AUS), Felicity Johnson (ENG), Lexi Thompson (USA), Stephanie Na (AUS). 68: Frances Bondad (AUS), Courtney Massey (AUS), Sarah Kemp (AUS).

Scots:
71:  Kylie Walker (SCO),
72:  Vikki Laing (SCO), Clare Queen (SCO).

THE 2012 ENTRY FORMS FOR SLGA EVENTS

2012 Entry Forms for Championships, other SLGA events and Order of Merit competitions are now available to download from here by clicking on this link -- SLGA Entry Forms menu option on the left hand side of the SLGA WEBSITE.

Tain, Kemnay and Crail's Craighead Links are set to add to their reputations when they stage Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association Championships this season.

Tain will host the Scottish Ladies' Amateur Championship in May, Craighead is the venue for the Scottish Girls' Championship in July and Kemnay will stage its first SLGA tournament with the Senior Ladies' Championship, also in July.

In addition, Strathmore, a very pro-active girls' club, stages the Under-16 Championship for a third year in a row in April, Troon will again welcome a world-class field to the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship in April and Blairgowrie's Lansdowne course, a regular venue for national events, will provide a great test for the Scottish Junior Open Strokeplay Championship in July.

Tain, one of Scotland's oldest courses, has held a Scottish Girls' Championship, but this is the first time that it has been honored with the Scottish Ladies' Championship.

SLGA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

West Division Counties  L to R-- Maureen Woodhead (Captain RLCGA), Sandi Street (ALCGA Captain)
Fiona Scott (Captain LLCGA), Alisoun Fairbairn (D&A Captain), Gillian McGinlay (Vice Captain RLCGA),
Lesley Lloyd (Past Captain LLCGA)

The SLGA AGM took place yesterday Saturday 28th 2012, at the Dewars Centre in Perth.

The meeting started on a sombre note as out-going President, Emma Wilson, asked for a moment's silence to remember three stalwarts of the Scottish women's game who died within the last year. They were past British Champion and Curtis Cup player Moira Milton, past Vet's Captain and President Liz Miskimmin and Scottish Senior Internationalist Moira Thomson.

SLGA's Chairman Shona Malcolm then gave an informative annual report which was followed by the Finance Director Lynne Terry's detailed accounts annual review. The annual report of the Scottish representatives on the Executive Council of the LGU was then given by Lorna Bennett.

Margaret MacNaughton was elected as the new President and Renfrewshire's Wendy Cameron and Rosemary Dykes, Lanarkshire's Jean Cameron, D&A's Belle Robertson  and Ayrshire's Nancy Chisholm were all re elected as one of the 12 Vice Presidents.

Fiona Cowan and Beth Paterson

RLCGA's Past Captain Beth Paterson retired after serving 4 years on the board as Performance Director and is replaced by Isabel Crawford who was elected to the board. D&A's Past Captain Fiona Cowan remains on the board.
Lynne Terry steps down as Finance Director after 10 years service - As will the company Secretary Sheila Hartley who retires in February.
Kevin Craggs was reappointed as the Scottish Representative on the Training Panel of the LGU and Dr Lynne Terry and June McEwan were reappointed as the Scottish Representatives on CONGU.

The new Scottish Selectors were appointed - Noreen Fenton (East) and past Renfrewshire County player Addi Shamash (South).
Anne Laing (West Division) and Cara Gruber (North Division) remain as Selectors for their second year.
Isabel Crawford was reappointed as the Scottish Repesentative on the International Selection Committee of the LGU and her deputy Fiona de Vries who also was appointed onto the International Selection Committee of the LGU.
The Annual Membership Subscription for the SLGA remained at £14.
There was no further discussion on amalgamation with the SGU as further talks are in progress. The only AOCB point was the mention of Distance Measuring Devices  which the SLGA have still followed the R&A advice. However, Shona Malcolm stated that with so many Clubs and Organisations allowing them now then she was sure that perhaps this may change -- So watch this space !!
The meeting finished within an hour with a very able Vote of Thanks from Mary Richardson, Captain of Midlothian County Ladies.
Click on the small thumbnail below to see more photographs and then on slideshow ---

SLGA AGM 2012

CONGU MANUAL 2012 - 2015

To access an online copy of the 2012-2015 CONGU(R) Unified Handicapping System Manual CLICK HERE.

If you require a copy of the CONGU® Unified Handicapping System (effective 1st January 2012) manual, please contact the SLGA : The cost of the manual is £4.00 incl of postage.

Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association
The Den
2 Dundee Road
Perth PH2 7DW
Email: secretary@slga.co.uk
Web: www.slga.co.uk
t/n 01738 442357
fax 01738 442380

Curtis Cup Team is announced - Pamela and Kelsey are selected for the squad.

Pamela Pretwell (Click to enlarge)

PRESS RELEASE: 26th January 2012 @ 12 noon
For immediate publication
The Ladies’ Golf Union International Selection Panel has today named a Great Britain & Ireland preliminary squad of 12 players for the 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at The Nairn Golf Club, Scotland from June 8 to 10, 2012.
They are:
AMY BOULDEN (Maesdu GC). Age 18.
HOLLY CLYBURN (Woodhall Spa GC). Age 20. CHARLEY HULL (Woburn GC). Age 15.
BRONTE LAW (Bramhall GC). Age 16.
LEONA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17. LISA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17. BECKY HARRIES (Haverfordwest GC). Age 23. KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar GC). Age 21. PAMELA PRETSWELL (Bothwell Castle). Age 22. KELLY TIDY (Royal Birkdale GC). Age 19. STEPHANIE MEADOW (Royal Portrush GC). Age 20. LAUREN TAYLOR (Woburn GC). Age 17.
First Reserve
GEORGIA HALL (Remedy Oak GC). Age 15.
The players, watched by team captain Tegwen Matthews and the LGU International Selection Panel, will take part in a three-day team trial over The Nairn Golf Club’s championship links from Friday to Sunday, March 23 to 25.
The names of the players and reserves chosen for the team will be released for publication on Tuesday, March 27.
NOTES ON PLAYERS SELECTED
Amy Boulden, Holly Clyburn, Kelsey MacDonald, Pamela Pretswell and Kelly Tidy were the Great Britain & Ireland team of five, captained by Tegwen Matthews, who beat Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa to win the Astor Trophy (an international team match-play tournament played every four years) at Fairhaven GC, Lancashire in June 2011.
Amy Boulden, Holly Clyburn, Kelsey MacDonald, Pamela Pretswell, Stephanie Meadow, Leona Maguire and Kelly Tidy played for GB&I in the 2010 Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Royal Porthcawl last June.
Holly Clyburn, Leona and Lisa Maguire, Pamela Pretswell played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match at Essex County Club, Massachusetts. Kelsey MacDonald was first reserve, Stephanie Meadow second reserve and Amy Boulden fourth reserve for that match.
Becky Harries is the 2011 Welsh Ladies’ (Close) Amateur Champion, beating Amy Boulden in the final. Becky won all six matches (three foursomes, three singles) for Wales in the 2011 Women’s Home Internationals at Hillside GC, Lancashire last September. Becky finished in a very creditable sixth place in the recent Spanish

Curtis Cup Poster Arrives in Golf Clubs

The countdown has started with a vengeance towards the June 8-10 staging of the 37th Curtis Cup encounter at The Nairn Golf Club, – a biennial, eight-a-side three-day match between the best female amateur golfers in Great Britain & Ireland and their counterparts from the United States. GB & I  last won the trophy at Killarney, Ireland in 1996 but last summer’s Astor Trophy success at Fairhaven GC, Lancashire, where skipper Tegwen Matthews’ team of five beat New Zealand, Canada, Australia and South Africa to win the once-every-four-years tournament, has raised hopes that the tide may turn in this year’s Curtis Cup match at Nairn


To read more go to the LGU Website

FINAL RESULT OF THE JONES DOHERTY MATCH PLAY IN FLORIDA

Go to the Gillian Kirkwood website to read about the final of the Jones Doherty Matchplay in the Orange Blossom Trail CLICK HERE