HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY .

Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds (West) and Vice Captain Noreen Fenton (East) are looking forward to playing in the Mary McKenna Trophy next month in Ireland. West Vet Mae Hughes (Lanark) and East Vet Lorna Bennett who are in the team are seen here all celebrating St Patrick's Day

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

To see them all celebrating again go to the West Vets Website

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)

EIlidh Briggs wins the 3rd Scottish University Order of Merit Award at Dundonald

The 3rd Scottish Universities Order of Merit golt tournament event ended at a cold, wet and very windy Dundonald Links yesterday (Friday) with a clean sweep for Stirling University students in all four competitions.
In the men's event, Jack McDonald struck a highly credible 78 in the conditions for a total of 223 (9 over par) to pip Scottish international Graeme Robertson by two shots.
Robertson, who took 71 shots (1 under par) in an incredible morning's golf, fell foul of the tournament referee (after a lengthy and conisdered discussion) for having taken a number of preferred lies in contravention of the tournament conditions; finally signing for a score of 79 and second place.
Dewi Merckx, also from Stirling, who had led after the first two rounds struggled in the conditions to a score of 80, just ahead of Fairmont winner Chris Harkins (Strathclyde) who, like Robertson, had to add penalties to his score before signing his card.
Stirling I captured the men's team prize - McDonald and Robertson being joined in a 10-shot triumph by former Order of Merit winners David Booth and Zander Culverwell.
In the women's event, Stirling's Eilidh Briggs continues to dominate the Scottish Order of Merit events with scores of 74, 78, 81 for a total of 233 to win by 14 shots.
At the Scottish Universities Championships at Moray Golf Club in ten days time, Eilidh will have the unrivalled opportunity to complete a season's "Grand Slam" of the four Scottish student women's Order of Merit events - the )first time this will have been achieved.
Along with Becka Wilson and Harriet Beasley, Eilidh also picked up the women's team prize.

MEN'S LEADERBOARD
1 Jack Mcdonald (Stirling) 73 72 78 223
2 Graeme Robertson (Stirling) 72 74 79 225
3 Dewi Merckx (Stirling) 71 74 80 225
4 Chris Harkins (Strathclyde) 75 74 77 226
5 Nick McAndrew (Aberdeen) 77 76 75 228
6 Don McAndrew (RGU) 80 74 77 231
7 Matthias Eggenberger (Stirling) 74 79 79 232
8 Lee Fuller (Northumbria) 83 72 79 234
9 David Booth (Stirling) 77 80 78 235
10 Jack Lampkin (Northumbria)  76 79 81 236


WOMEN'S SCOREBOARD

1 Eilidh Briggs (Stirling) 74 78 81 233
2 Becka Wilson (Stirling) 81 83 83 247
3 Jane Turner (RGU) 85 79 85 249
4 Gabrielle Macdonald (St Andrews) 82 85 83 250
5 Hannah McCook (Stirling) 86 84 82 252
6 Sam Munro (UHI) 84 81 87 252
7 Harriet Beasley (Stirling) 83 80 95 258
8 Jordanna Graham (Stirling) 85 84 95 264
9 Zhana Tarasko (St Andrews) 89 85 174
10 Alisa Theunis (St Andrews) 89 92 181
11 Mhairi McKay (Stirling) 94 90 184

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

DOUGLAS PARK EAGLE MIXED FOURSOMES CELEBRATES IT'S 40th ANNIVERSARY

The Douglas Park "Eagle" Open Mixed Foursomes celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012.
The unique and impressive bronze eagle trophy, designed by Mr F. Malcolm Robertson of Glasgow School of Art in reference to the Roman Eagle emblem of the Club,  was commissioned by and presented to the Club by Past Captain John and Past Ladies' Captain Jean Watson in 1972. One of the pioneering events of its kind, the tournament continues to attract competitors from far and wide. In order to retain this interest and in celebration of the tournament's special birthday, the prize fund has been substantially enhanced.
There is a £1000 prize fund READ MORE

Entry Forms can be obtained ----- BY CLICKING HERE
Jim Fergusson
Tournament Convener

PAMELA HEADS FOR NAIRN FROM FRANCE WITH CONFIDENCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Despite slipping from third to joint seventh over the final round, Hamilton-based Pamela Pretswell will head to Nairn for next week's Curtis Cup selection trial full of confidence that she can impress the GB and I selectors enough to be named for the June 8-10 match against the United States.
Pretswell, who played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match in the States and was the only amateur in the field, had rounds of 71, 73 and 76 for a total of one-over-par 220 in the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, a Ladies European Tour developmental circuit event, at the Terre Blanche Golf Resort in Provence, southern France.
She had three birdies on the front nine but none after the turn to offset three further bogeys.
Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll finished joint 15th with scores of 74-75-74 for 223. She birdied three of the last five holes and is beginning to find her feet as a tour pro.
Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) had scores of 77-74-80 for 231 and 27th place. Winner was France's Marion Ricordeau with scores of 70-73-68 for an eight-under-par total of 211 over the par-73 course. She won by three shots from the overnight leader, Australian Rebecca Flood (72-69-73 for 214).

 FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3x73)
211 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 70 73 68.
214 Rebecca Flood (Australia) 72 69 73.
215 Caroline Afonso (Fra) 72 73 70.
217 Julie Maisongrosse (Fra) 75 71 71

 SELECTED TOTALS
220 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 71 73 76,(T7).
223 Katy McNicoll (Sco) 74 75 74 (T15).
231 Heather MacRae (Sco) 77 74 80 (27th).

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

Pamela does well in the 2nd Round in France

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Curtis Cup team place contender Pamela Pretswell goes into Friday's final round of the Terre Blanche Ladies Open - a Ladies European Tour Access Series event - in the south of France in third place, only three shots behind the Aussie leader, Rebecca Flood.
Pamela, in good nick for next week's GB and I selection trial at Nairn, added a par-73 today to her opening 71 with birdies at the first, seventh and 18th being cancelled out by bogeys at the second, third and 14th.
The Bothwell Castle GC amateur's total of two-under 144 is three behind Flood (72-69) and one in arrears of second-placed Marion Ricordeau (France) (70-73). Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) is lying joint 15th with 74-75 for 149 - two strokes ahead of Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) (77-74) in joint 21st place.
Gemma Webster from Glasgow shot 83-79 for 162 - 10 shots above the cut for the final round.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
 Par 146 (2x73)
141 Rebecca Flood (Aus) 72 69.
143 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 70 73.
144 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) (am) 71 73.

SELECTED SCORES
148 Hannah Ralph (Eng) 72 76 (T10)
149 Katy McNicoll (Sco) 74 75 (T15).
151 Heather MacRae (Sco) 77 74, Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 77 74 (T21).
152 Tara Delaney (Ire) 77 75 (T27)

MISSED THE CUT (152 or better qualified)
155 Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 81, Henrietta Zuel (Eng) 79 76.
161 Lindsay Brown (Eng) (am) 79 82.
162 Gemma Webster (Sco) 83 79.
171 Lauren Blease (Eng) 84 87.
172 Joanne Clingan (Eng) 85 87.
Labels: Amateur Ladies, Pro Ladies

CLARE- MARIE MACAULAY IS MADE AN HONORARY MEMBER OF FERENEZE

Many congratulations go to Clare-Marie Macaulay (nee Carlton) who has just been made an Honorary Member of Fereneze. She was absolutely delighted to accept the award
When Clare- Marie was 12 years old, Renfrewshire's Junior Secretary, Leslie Campbell, who was in charge of the Renfrewshire girls, started her playing in junior matches and also got her involved in the West of Scotland Girls. The West of Scotland Girls' Association encouraged her to play in as many competitions as possible. In 2003, she played in her first Renfrewshire Ladies' County competition - the County Championship at Caldwell Golf Club - and competed in one of the best matches ther ever was. She played Donna Jackson in the final and fortunately won at the 23rd hole in horrendous weather conditions. She said "It was a great honour to win the County Championship and also to play against one of the best players Renfrewshire has ever produced." Also in that year she achieved her first Scotland under 18 cap in the Home Internationals and then again in 2005. She also won numerous tournaments including the LGU Challenge Bowl and Wallace Williamson Bowl in 2009 at Stirling and the Mackie Bowl at Gullane also in 2009.
Clare - Marie is now currently working full time at Play Sport Golf.

Pamela Pretswell is playing in a French Pro Ladies Open and is in 4th Place after The First Round

The first round took place today of the season-opening Terre Blanche Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 73
70 Marion Ricordeau (Fra), Valentine Derrey (Fra), Vica Schlasberg (Swe)
71 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) (am), Ana Larraneta (Spain).
SELECTED SCORES
74 Katy McNicoll (Sco) (T13).
77 Danielle McVeigh (Ire), Tara Delaney (Ire), Heather MacRae (Sco) (T33).
79 Lindsay Brown (Eng) (am), Henrietta Zuel (Eng) (T46).
83 Gemma Webster (Sco) (T61).
84 Lauren Blease (Eng) (am) (T64)
85 Joanne Clingan (Eng) (T68)

TEE TIMES FOR SCOTTISH UNDER-16 GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP AT STRATHMORE

FROM THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION WEBSITE

There has been a large entry for the 2012 SLGA Under-16s Championship with 127 entries received for only 102 places. Players with exact handicaps of 14.1 and above have been balloted out.

To view the draw for the first round of the 36-hole stroke-play tournament at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth --- CLICK HERE

For the second-round draw ----CLICK HERE

SLGA NAME INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2012 SEASON

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SLGA
Fiona Norris (Hamilton) has been reappointed captain of the Scotland team for the Women's Home Internationals at Cork Golf Club, Ireland in September, and she is delighted to be leading the side over a course that ranks among her personal favourites.
“My husband, Patrick, is from Ireland and his family live about an hour from the course and I’m also friendly with Clare Coughlan, who is a member of Cork and is going to captain the Irish side this year,” explained Norris, a former international player and GB and Ireland team manager.
“Every time I visit my in-laws I try and have a game at Cork so I know it really well. It will be a really good test for the girls and a great place to try and repeat our win of two years ago.”
Norris was in charge at Hillside last year when Scotland lost all three matches, but she is confident the experience will have helped the youngsters coming through.
“Eilidh Briggs and Alyson McKechin were two teenagers who did well last year and we can also draw on experience of Louise Kenney, Kelsey MacDonald and Pamela Pretswell,” Norris added.
Elaine Cuthill, a member at Lanark but currently based in the Netherlands, has been named captain for the European girls’ team championships in Germany in July, and for the girls’ home internationals at Radyr in Wales the following month.
“I have captained the Under-16s for the past two years and I am extremely honoured and excited to be stepping up to the under-18s,” said Cuthill, who has a three-year Dutch placement as a member of Heineken’s marketing team. “I know I am going to be working with a talented and dedicated group of girls who will do Scotland proud in 2012.”
Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar) is the new captain of the Scotland Under-16 team, while Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) will again skipper the Senior team for the European senior team championships in Lugano, Switzerland in September and at the Senior Women's Home Internationals at Elie and Earlsferry in October.

Dramatic D&A County Lunch is a great Success

D&A ALL STARS -- CLICK TO ENLARGE

Approximately 100 ladies from D&A Ladies' County Golf Association attended a lunch at Douglas Park Golf Club yesterday. Captain Alisoun Fairbairn chaired the event. D&A's Curtis Cup Ambassador Helen Macgregor gave a very good presentation on the forthcoming event at Nairn in June and Vice Captain Carol Sim organised an excellent golfing quiz and raffle.
Post lunch entertainment was then given by some County Stars which added to the enjoyment of the day. Renfrewshire's Carol Fell was invited to the lunch as a guest -- She was delighted to attend and enjoyed everyone's friendly company and banter.
To see some of the D&A Dramatic Society at work -- click on the video below. See if you can guess who are the performers -- if not you will need to watch it until the end !!

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S INTER-CLUB MATCH-PLAY FOURSOMES DRAW

A record number of 84 clubs has entered this year's Scottish women's inter-club match-play foursomes. A total of 44 clubs have received byes into the second round.

Draw for first-round ties, to be played by Sunday, April 15, is:

Newburgh-on-Ythan v Longside
Portlethen v Longside
Blairgowrie v Taymouth Castle
Crieff v Strathmore
Downfield v Camperdown
Ladies Panmure Barry v Letham Grange
Kinross v Dunblane New
Ladybank v Kinghorn
Linlithgow v Bridge of Allan
Muckhart v Alyth
Stirling v Tillicoultry
Cawder v East Kilbride
Haggs Castle v Gleddoch
Helensburgh v Windyhill
Irvine v West Kilbride
Kilmacolm v Caldwell
Ladies Golf Club Troon v Largs
Duddingston v Baberton
Turnhouse v Merchants of Edinburgh
Dumfries and Galloway v Crichton

+The semi-finals and final will be played at Muckhart GC on Sunday, September 2.

ANNA HUBBARD APPOINTED CURTIS CUP TEAM MANAGER

LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

Anna Hubbard, from Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales, has been named by the Ladies’ Golf Union as the manager of the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at The Nairn Golf Club, Scotland from June 8 to 10, 2012.
Anna fills the gap left by the recent death of Sue Turner, also from Wales, and maintains the all-Wales team leadership with Tegwen Matthews, the Team Captain.
"It's a great honour for me to accept this privileged position of team manager for the Curtis Cup. I shall strive to fulfill the highest standards set by my predecessor, Sue Turner, who will be dearly missed by all," said Anna.
Anna Hubbard played county standard golf for 25 years and was Mid-Wales county champion three times and runner-up on four other occasions.
She has been a member of Borth and Ynyslas Golf Club for 57 years.
"My most memorable golfing experience was acting as the Wales team manager when Sue Turner was captain and led them to the Women's Home Internationals title two years in a row - at Wrexham in 2008 and Irvine in 2009," said Anna.
An all-round sports enthusiast all her life, Anna represented her county at athletics, hockey, netball, badminton and golf and was an athletics under-18 Welsh international for two years.
When not golfing, Anna says she likes "Kayaking, boating, travelling, motor caravanning, walking, managing golf teams and spending fun time with our grand children."
Anna and her husband Kai once sailed around South America and she has backpacked around South America and New Zealand.
"I was one of the first women crew members for the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Service, which I enjoyed for over 15 years," said Anna.
Anna and Kai have three children - Bryn (47), Alun (42) and Sian (37).
Mary McKenna, who captained the GB and I team at the 2008 and 2010 Curtis Cup matches and played in nine Curtis Cup matches between 1970 and 1986, has accepted an invitation from the LGU to be a team advisor.

West of Scotland Championships -- Get your Entry Form

The West of Scotland 36 Hole Stroke play Championship is on Sunday 6th May 2012 at Renfrew Golf Club. The 2011 Championship was won by Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm).
To get your entry form CLICK HERE

WINDYHILL LADIES START THEIR SEASON WITH A FUN DAY

Pat Porter, Claire Smith, Anne Laing, Myra Baker

Ann MacDonald, Carol Whyte, Elaine Robb, Sandra Chudleigh

Moira Revie, Laura McGeachy, Katrina Milne, Tracy Masterton

Windyhill Ladies gathered yesterday, Saturday 3rd March, for their Start of Season Fun Day. To enter in to the spirit all the ladies turned up with a fun hat/wig to wear and teed off in truly comical style. Despite the rather damp conditions underfoot the sun made a welcome appearance and most ladies managed to get round dry! The main competition was won by Tracy Masterton and Katrina Milne with Florence Kay and Mairi Miller the 9 hole winners.
Following a hearty dinner the ladies then competed in the alternative 2012 Olympics consisting of rhythmic gymnastics, a scooter relay and a head to head hoolahoop challenge. Well done to all the competitors for completing their events in true Windyhill style - with laughter and gusto!
A great day was had by all - roll on the first competition and lots more fun days!

Thanks go to Windyhill Ladies Captain Lindsay Mathie for the report and photographs

KYLIE MAKES THE CUT IN THE WORLD LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP IN CHINA

Kylie Walker had a second-round 70 for a 36-hole tally of 145 in the World Ladies Championship in China to qualify for the Final Round. She then had a had a final round of 76 to finish in 42nd place
Clare Queen and Carly Booth did not make the last round cut.. However Carly who was Kylie's Team partner representing Scotland had a great round of 67 in the final round to help Scotland move up to 10th place in the Team event

Go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website to read all the details of round 2

TO SEE ALL THE SCORES    CLICK HERE

Scotland finished in 10th place in the Team event (Kylie Walker and Carly Booth)
To read the full report go to the GIllian Kirkwood Website for the final report

PAMELA LOSES IN THE QUARTER FINALS IN SPAIN

By COLIN FARQHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Wrexham teenager Chloe Williams won through to the semi-finals in the Spanish women's amateur international championship but Pamela Pretswell from Hamilton was beaten in this morning's round of the last eight at El Valle Golf Club, Murcia in the south-east of the country.
Chloe,a Junior Vagliano Trophy player for GB and I at Royal Porthcawl last June after losing to Bronte Law in a play-off for the Scottish Under-16 girls championship at Strathmore, had a marvellous win this morning over the rising French star Celine Boutier.
Celine was beaten finalist in last year's British girls open amateur championship at Gullane (where Chloe lost in the last 32 to Georgia Hall) and is ranked No 53 in the Women's World Amateur Rankings, compared with Chloe who is No 766 in the WAGR.
But it was Williams who triumped in this morning's quarter-final by one hole.
Chloe was twice down on the outward half, hving lost the third and the eight but won the fourth and halved the short sixth in birdie 2s.
The Welsh player changed the course of the match with winning birdies at the 10th and 11th to go into a one-hole lead.
The 12th was halved in birdie 2s.
Boutier squared the match with a birdie at the 15th but Williams won the short 15th with a par to regain a one-hole lead and halves at the last three holes saw Chloe run out a one-hole winner.
She then played Karolin Lampert of Germany in the semi-finals and lost in a closely contested match by 2&1
Pamela Pretswell, ranked No 66 in the WAGR, lost by 2 and 1 to Spain's Silvia Banon. The Scot did not play to the best of her capabilities and was two down after seven holes, having lost the third with a bogey 6, the fifth with a bogey and the seventh with another bogey sixth before conceding the eighth to fall three behind.
Pretswell had the proverbial mountain to climb after losing the 10th to a birdie to go four down. She claimed her first birdie of the match to win the 11th and halved the short 12th in birdie 2s.
Pretswell lost the 14th with a double bogey 6 to go four down wityh four to play. She staged a fighting finish by winning the short 15th with a par and the long 16th with a birdie 4 to get back to two down with two to play but a half at the 17th saw Banon go through to a semi-final meeting with I Nieuwenhuis of the Netherlands.

QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
K Lampert (Germany) beat A Olarra (Spain) 1 hole.
C Williams (Wales) beat C Boutier (France) 1 hole.
S Banon (Spain) beat Pamela Pretswell (Scotland) 2 and 1.
I Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands) beat E Pentilla (Finland) 3 and 2.

SEMI-FINALS
K Lampert (Germany) beat C Williams (Wales) 2 and 1.
I Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands) beat S Banon (Spain) 6 and 5.

Final
K Lampert (Germany) beat I Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands) 4 and 3

PAMELA PRETSWELL ONLY BRIT IN SPANISH QUARTER-FINALS

PAMELA PRETSWELL .. Two wins while Curtis Cup team rivals lost. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Hamilton's Pamela Pretswell, No 66 in the latest Women's World Amaeur Rankings list, is the only British player through to the quarter-finals of the Spanish women's amateur international golf championship at El Valle Golf Club, Murcia.

In this morning's first round, Bothwell Castle GC member Pamela, 11th of the 32 match-play qualifiers, beat Emilee Taylor from Lincolnshire by 2 and 1. The Curtis Cup Scot, a former Swiss amateur championship winner, followed up her win over Emilee by beating Quirine Eijkenboom (Germany) by two holes.

Charley Hull (Woburn), the No 2 seed who has gone up one place to No 8 in the World Amateur Rankings this week, lost by 3 and 1 in the second round to Emily Pentilla (Finland). The surprise defeat of the Spanish No 1 seed in the morning by the last of the 32 qualifiers, made Charley, on paper at least, the title favourite but she was mastered by her Finnish opponent.

Curtis Cup team contenders Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) (WAGR No 32) and Amy Boulden (Conwy) (WAGR No 40) - they are going to Nairn later this month for the three-day selection trial (as is Pamela Pretswell), lost their first-round ties.

English Under-15 girls champion Gabriella Cowley (West Essex) and Chloe Williams (Wrexham) went out in the second round.

SECOND-ROUND RESULTS

Top half of draw

A Olarra (Spain) beat A Provot (France) at 19th.

K Lampert (Germany) beat A Sanjuan (Spain) 1 hole.

C Boutier (France) beat G Cowley (England) 2 and 1.

O Hullert (Norway) beat C Williams (Wales) 1 hole.

Bottom half of draw

S Banon (Spain) beat T Caballer (Spain) 4 and 3.

P Pretswell (Scotland) beat Q Eijenboom (Germany) 2 holes.

I Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands) beat H Lee (Spain) 1 hole.

E Pentilla (Finland) beat  C Hull (England) 3 and 1.

 

TO VIEW ALL THE MATCH-PLAY RESULTS

CLICK HERE

D&A's Jean Campbell from Hayston --- Some Family News

Jean Campbell

D&A's Jean Campbell (Hayston) known for her great sense of humour and golfing talents has just sent me a note about an article seen in today's Glasgow Herald about her very talented table tennis husband --To read more click on the link below ---

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE FROM THE GLASGOW HERALD NEWSPAPER

--- Is it not just like the thing that they don't mention ME!!!!!!!!! I am the one who has trailed all over the world watching and of course giving advice when required.

p.s. come to think about it - he has never asked me for advice!!!!

Jean

Pamela wins through to the last 16 in Spain

No 2 seed Charley Hull (Woburn) marched into the last 16 of the Spanish women's amateur international championship at El Valle GC, Murcia this morning - but Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) and Amy Boulden (Conway), two players strongly tipped to be in the GB and I Curtis Cup line-up at Nairn in June were beaten.

Scotland's Pamela Pretswell made progress as did Wales' Chloe Williams England's Under-15s champion from last year, Gabriella Cowley

Shock first-round result was the exit of the leading qualifier, Spain's Natalia Escuriola Martinez. She was beaten by the last of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages, Ana Olarra, also of Spain.

SELECTED FIRST ROUND RESULTS
(Seeding number in brackets)
A Olara (Spain) (32) beat Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spain) (1).
Karolin Lampert (Germany) (24) beat Amy Boulden (Conwy, Wales) (9) 4 and 3.
Ana Sanjuan (Spain) (25) beat Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa, England) (8) 3 and 2.
Gabriella Cowley (West Essex, England) (21) beat Clara Baena (Spain) (12) 2 holes.
Chloe Williams (Wrexham, Wales) (13) beat Laura Gomez (Spain) (20) 3 and 2.
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle, Scotland) (11) beat Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall, Lincolnshire, England) (22) 3 and 1.
Charley Hull (Woburn, England) (2) bt Jessica Vasilic (Spain) (31) 5 and 3.

Pamela Pretswell qualifies in 11th place in the Spanish Women's Amateur International Golf Championship

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com 

Controversial Charley Hull, only 15 but ranked No 9 female amateur in the world, showed her undoubted class by claiming the No 2 seed spot with a five-under-par tally of 137 in the qualifying rounds of the Spanish women's amateur international golf championship at El Valle Golf Club, Murcia today.

Kettering-based Woburn wonder girl Charley, holder of the English and Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play titles, shot 68 and a five-birdie 69 to finish one shot behind leading match-play qualifier Natalia Escuriola Martinez (66-70).

There have been no developments since the Ladies Golf Union offered to help her make arrangements to leave the Nairn Curtis Cup selection trial early on Sunday, March 25 so that she could fly to California for the Nabisco Kraft LPGA major event.

Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), Amy Boulden (Conwy) and Pamela Pretswell, who have all committed to playing in the Nairn three-day trial, all did well in the Spanish qualifying.

Clyburn, who played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match in the States, and Boulden finished joint seventh in the stroke-play section of this championship on one-under-par 141, Holly 71-70, Amy 70-71.

Bothwell Castle's Pamela Pretswell, who also played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match in America, qualified in joint 11th place with 72 and 70 for level par 142. Pamela finished off with 12 straight pars after birdied the second and third and bogeying the short sixth.

No other Scots got inside the qualifying mark of 148 (only one of the five on that mark made it) which reduced the field of 95 to 32 for the match-play. Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) (79-76) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) (80-75) finished on 155. Hannah McCook (Grantown-on-Spey) totalled 158 with scores of 83 and 75 while Rebecca Wilson (Grange, Monifieth) finished on 173 with rounds of 85-88. 

LEADING MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS

 Par 142 (2x71)

136 Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spa) 66 70.

137 Charley Hull (Eng) 68 69.

139 Isabel Gabsa (Spa) 72 67, Celine Boutier (Fra) 67 72, Chloe Leurquin (Fra) 67 72.

SELECTED SCORES

141 Holly Clyburn (Eng) 71 70, Amy Boulden (Wal) 70 71 (T7).

142 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 72 70 (T11).

143 Chloe Williams (Wal) 75 68 (T13).

146 Gabriella Cowley (Eng) 74 72, Emilee Taylor (Eng) 73 73 (T19).

FAILED TO QUALIFY 

151 Nicole Whitmore (Eng) 78 73 (T49).

152 Jess Wilcox (Eng) 74 78 (T54).

154 Rachel Drummond (Eng) 80 74, Meghan MacLaren (Eng) 79 75 (T63).

155 Ailsa Summers (Sco) 79 76, Jane Turner (Sco) 80 75, Katherine O'Connor (Wal) 73 82, Becky Harries (Wal) 76 79 (T71).

158 Hannah McCook (Sco) 83 75 (T79).

173 Rebecca Wilson (Sco) 85 88 (93rd).

TO FIND OUT WHO PLAYS WHOM IN THE MATCH-PLAY DRAW ON THE SPANISH FEDERATION WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

Pamela Pretswell in top 20 after the 1st Round of the Spanish Womens Amateur Championship

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
England's Charley Hull, at the centre of a storm over her decision not to play in the Curtis Cup selection trial match at Nairn next month, did best of all the British players in the first qualifying round of the Spanish women's amateur international championship at El Valle GC, Murcia in the southeast of Spain today.
The 15-year-old Woburn GC member and World No 9 female amateur, holder of the English and Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play titles, shot a three-under-par 68 to be joint fourth overnight, two shots behind the Spanish pacemaker, Natalia Escuriola Martinez.
Amy Boulden (Conwy), who will be taking part in the Nairn three-day work-out, is next best, joint eighth, on 70
Woodhall Spa's Holly Clyburn, who played in the 2010 Curtis Cup match in America and is also bound for Nairn next month, had a par-matching 71 to be in joint 13th place.
Bothwell Castle's Pamela Pretswell, another with Curtis Cup experience and going to the Nairn trial match, shot a 72 to be joint 15th, well within the cut-off mark of the top 64 players at the end of the second stroke-play round, who will go forward to the match-play stages.
The other Scots in the field will need to dig deep to make the cut. Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) is in joint 72nd place after a 79. Jane Turner (Craigielaw) had an 80 (jt 77th). Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) in jt 87th after an 83 while Rebecca Wilson (Grange, Monifieth) is sharing 90th place in a field of 95 after an 85.

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND LEADERS
Par 71
66 Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spain).]
67 Celine Boutier (France), Chloe Leurquin (Belgium).
68 Charley Hull (England).
69 Ann Kathrin Lindner (Germany), Jessica Vasilic (Sweden), Nina Holleder (Germany).
70 Perrine Delacour (France), Karolin Lampert (Germany), Amy Boulden (Wales).

SELECTED BRITISH SCORES
71 Holly Clyburn (England) (T13).
72 Pamela Pretswell (Scotland) (T15).
73 Emilee Taylor (England), Katherine O'Connor (Wales) (T22).
74 Jess Wilcox (England), Gabriella Cowley (England) (T29).
75 Chloe Williams (Wales) (T34).
76 Becky Harries (Wales) (T42).
78 Nicole Whitmore (England) (T58).
79 Meghan MacLaren (England), Ailsa Summers (Scotland) (T72)
80 Jane Turner (Scotland), Rachel Drummond (England) (T77).
83 Hannah McCook (Scotland) (T87).
85 Rebecca Wilson (Scotland) (T90).

MILNGAVIE OPEN DAY IS A TRI AM

After a lapse of more than 10years MILNGAVIE GOLF CLUB is holding an Open Day on WEDNESDAY JULY 11th.
This will take the form of a Tri Am with stableford scoring.
You can enter directly through the MGC website - www.milngaviegolfclub.co.uk  - or by contacting the secretary on 0141 956 1619

Come and play this beautiful course with the added bonus of great prizes at the sponsored holes.

LGU clarifies position on Curtis Cup selection

LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

In response to some of the media coverage over the last 24 hours, the LGU is taking the opportunity to clarify the position regarding Charley Hull’s decision to withdraw from the Curtis Cup team trial at Nairn from 23-25 March. The LGU is disappointed at Charley’s withdrawal from the squad.
Despite media interpretation, the timing of the team trial does not conflict with the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco event to which the player has been invited, and in fact Charley could, had she wanted, have played in both.
Charley’s representative yesterday advised the LGU that “She appreciates that her absence from the training may jeopardise her chances of being selected for the Curtis Cup team and may preclude her from future LGU teams”.
Charley further told the LGU “…. thats my final decision, I would of kicked myself if I would of refused it and then didn't get picked! Would of been different if it was the same time as the C Cup but as it's a practice\trial my decision is to play in the 1st major of the LPGA”
The LGU has again invited Charley to rethink her decision to withdraw and has indeed tried to reach a further accommodation with her, offering that she flies out to the USA on the Sunday of the team trial, which would give her sufficient time to travel to the Kraft Nabisco which starts the following Thursday.
To date there has been no reply to this suggestion from either the player or her representatives.
All the squad players were made aware of the importance of the team trial, and signed a “player agreement” committing to attend. The team trial is the final element of the selection process and is aimed, inter alia, at: ·

Familiarising the players with the course
Giving the selectors the opportunity to see how the players handle the course
Teambuilding
Assessing how the players respond to pressure in a team golf environment.

The players willingly committed to attend the team trial on the understanding that attendance is compulsory, and such is the importance being placed on this session that the LGU is bringing a player back from the USA to participate.
The door remains open for Charley to attend the trial at Nairn and then travel to the USA for the Kraft Nabisco.
While disappointed at Charley’s decision, the LGU considers the remaining squad members world class players in their own right and is confident that a strong team will be selected for the match in June.

Susan Simpson
Head of Golf Operations
LGU Championships Ltd
Ladies' Golf Union
St Andrews, KY16 9AT
Tel 01334 475811
Fax 01334 472818
www.lgu.org

CURTIS CUP COUNTY AMBASSADORS GET TO WORK !

Support your Curtis Cup Team Poster .

ELDERSLIE OPEN DAY -- TRI AM IN JULY

ELDERSLIE GOLF CLUB - LADIES SECTION ---LADIES OPEN TRI-AM ----WEDNESDAY 18th JULY 2012

OPEN TO ALL LADIES WITH A CURRENT CONGU® HANDICAP (MAXIMUM HANDICAP ALLOWANCE GIVEN WILL BE 30)

ENTRY FEE £24 PER TEAM --PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ENTRY FEE IS NON RETURNABLE
CLICK HERE TO GET THE ENTRY FORM

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