MAY HUGHES WINS LANARKSHIRE TITLE FOR FOURTH TIME

Lanarkshire County Championship Winners -- May in the red jersey -- Image by courtesy of Jean Macintyre.

Lanark's May Hughes the No 3 seed, won the Lanarkshire women's county golf championship for a fourth time at Bothwell Castle Golf Club today.

In wet conditions, May beat Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes), the No 8 seed and conqueror of defending champion Rachael Taylor (Germany) in the quarter-finals, by 2 and 1. in the final. Jenny was two up after three but May won the fifth and sixth to square the match and after nip-and-tuck over a sequence of holes, May went one up for good at the 14th. She birdied the 16th to be two up and the 17th was halved. Elaine Johnstone (Hamilton) beat clubmate Pauline Super at the 19th in the final of the Bronze Championship

Today's results:

Semi-finals - Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) beat Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 4 and 3; May Hughes (Lanark) beat Emma Caddow (Strathaven) 2 and 1.

Final - May Hughes beat Jenny Potter 2 and 1.

Bronze Championship Final - Elaine Johnstone (Hamilton) bt Pauline Super (Hamilton) at 19th.

LANARKSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

In the Quarter Finals of the Championship at Bothwell Castle Golf Club this afternoon all four ties were very exciting and were decided at the 18th.

Jenny Potter defeated Rachael Taylor 2 up.

Susan Wood defeated Fiona Scott by 1 hole.

May Hughes defeated Janice Paterson 1 up

 Emma Caddow defeated Lesley Lloyd by 1 hole.

In the semi-final matches in the Bronze Championships Pauline Super defeated Heather Wyper 4&3 while

Elaine Johnstone defeated Roxy Brown at the 19th to set up an all Hamilton final.

Results of Championship 1st Round

Rachael Taylor beat Hilary Stuart 5&4

Jenny Potter beat Pat Hutton 3&2

Fiona Scott beat Lauren D'Ambrosia 5&4

Susan Wood beat Angela Devine 3 &1

May Hughes beat Sheila Sergenson 7&6

Janice Paterson beat Joanna Scott 2 up

Lesley Lloyd beat Jo Everett 4&3

Emma Caddow beat Ruth Rankin 2up

Tomorrow's Championship Semi-Final Draw

9. 15am Jenny Potter v Susan Wood

9.22am May Hughes v Emma Caddow

Bronze Final Draw

9.30am  Pauline Super v Elaine Johnstone 

GERMANY-BASED RACHAEL AGAIN LANARK TOP SEED

Germany-based professional's daughter Rachael Taylor (AM Reichswald) flew over to defend her Lanarkshire women's county golf championship title at Bothwell Castle GC and again earned the No 1 seed spot. Junior international Rachael,shot a great score of 69, three under the standard scratch. Ruth Rankin (Lanark) returned a good 72 and the two of them finished the stroke-play part of the tournament well clear of May Hughes (Lanark), third seed with a 77 and Susan Wood (Drumpellier), the fourth best qualifier with a 78,  ahead of Fiona Scott (Bothwell Castle) who also had a 78.
QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY SSS 72 69
69 Rachel Taylor (AM Reichswald)  
 72 Ruth Rankin (Lanark)                
 77 May Hughes (Lanark)                 
 78 Susan Wood (Drumpellier), Fiona Scott  (Bothwell Castle)     
 79 Joanna Scott (Cathkin Braes)      
81 Joanna Everett (Bothwell Castle), Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes)     
82 Pat Hutton (Lanark), Lesley Lloyd (Hayston)               
 83 Janice Paterson (Drumpellier)    
85 Lauren D'Ambrosio (Carluke)      
86 Angela Devine (Hamilton), Sheila Sergenson (East Kilbride) 
87 Emma Caddow (Strathaven), Hilary Stuart (Bothwell Castle)    
MATCH-PLAY DRAW Taylor v Stuart, Hutton v Potter, Fiona Scott v D'Ambrosio, Devine v Wood. Hughes v Sergenson, Paterson v Joanna Scott, Everett v Lloyd, Caddow v Rankin.
 BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
98 Heather Wyper (Bothwell Castle)
99 Elaine Johnstone (Hamilton), Roxanna Brown (Hamilton)    
100 Pauline Super (Hamilton)          
 MATCH-PLAY DRAW  Wyper v Super. Brown v Johnstone

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CDH (CENTRALISED DATABASE OF HANDICAPS)

For the individual Golfer:

• Players able to access their Exact and Playing Handicap online (including date of last update and listing the number of any away scores pending processing at the Player's home golf club)
• Using unique identification numbers ensures all player's scores are recorded on their own individual Player Handicap Record, eliminating the possibility of scores being recorded against the wrong name
• Full annual playing record readily available to all players
• Assurance that the integrity of the CONGU® Unified Handicapping System is being maintained and the System is being consistently applied throughout Scotland/Wales creating as level a playing field as possible across all handicap categories
• Current handicap position available to all players on central server
• Players can access and print individual handicap verifications online (worldwide)using their unique ID number e.g. where required to gain access to play golf courses, holiday golf, late entry into Open competitions etc. (Handicap look-up reports will show the number of pending away scores awaiting processing at the Player's home golf club)
• Personalised 'Scottish Golf' member card, facilitating easy access/reference to CDH

For the Club Administrators:

• A standardised system of assured integrity
• All 'away' scores returned to the 'home' club of players automatically - these will contain correct CSS information along with applicable Stableford / Nett Double Bogey Adjustments
• No further need for golf clubs hosting competitions to manually return the results back to the 'home' clubs of participating players
• 'Away' score administration streamlined through batch data processing of all members 'away' scores
• Significantly reduces the possibility of double entry of 'away' scores
• Eliminates requirement for clubs to file returns for the annual National Handicap Audit
• CDH provides a Handicap history / archive, available when player changes club or leaves the game for a period and later, rejoins a golf club
• Tournament organisers able to authenticate handicaps online for competition entrants in real time
• If a club loses its handicap data for any reason then they can immediately access the full handicap records of their members and reinstate these to minimise disruption to their operations.
• Ability to verify members of affiliated golf clubs and hence provide benefits to such members that are not available to other golfers
• Provision of 'Scottish Golf' member card enabling clubs to automatically verify handicaps of all competitors. Also, at the clubs discretion, the potential to use this member card as a club card e.g. door entry systems

For the governing bodies:

• Ability to verify members of affiliated clubs and hence provide benefits to such members that are not available to other golfers
• Monitor trends in golf club membership
• Automated information available for annual National Handicap Audit purposes
• Unions, Associations, Areas and Counties have ability to access up-to-date handicap information for team and coaching squad selection purposes
• Gives the potential for tournament organisers to access up-to-date information for entry qualification and authenticate handicaps online for competition entrants
• Provides a wealth of statistical information readily accessible to monitor trends in handicapping, participation within the game and assure a fair and equitable handicapping system for all amateur golfers
• Greater assurance that the handicapping system is being applied consistently by all clubs and players throughout golf clubs affiliated to the participating Governing Bodies - thereby increasing integrity of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System
• Provision of 'Scottish Golf' member card to all members of golf clubs affiliated to the participating Governing Bodies

Alyson McKechin is the Renfrewshire County Champion

Alyson McKechin - the 2012 RLCGA Champion

In a fantastic final this afternoon Alyson McKechin became the new Renfrewshire Champion when she won 3/2 in this afternoon's final at Erskine. Megan Briggs was 2 up after 4 holes with Megan having a birdie at the 4th. Alyson then birdied the 5th and 8th to get it back to all square at the turn.
Both girls were out in 1under par - Alyson having 2 birdies and 1 bogey to Megan's 1 birdie.
The 10th was halved in par and the Alyson won the short 11th with a par and then Alyson birdied the 13th to go 2 up. Megan responded back with a birdie at the 14th. Alyson then birdied the 15th and 16th to clinch this brilliant match.
What a feast of great golf for all the spectators who came along to watch.

Semi Final:
Megan Briggs beat Linsey Stevenson 4/3
Alyson McKechin beat Donna Jackson 4/3

Final:
Alyson McKechin beat Megan Briggs 3/2

Rachel wins Ayrshire Girls' Spring Medal

The first medal of the season for the County girls was played over Prestwick St. Nicholas on Sunday on a bright but cold windy afternoon.   The overall winner was Rachel Irvine from Largs who had a nett 75 playing off 11 handicap.   Hazel McGarvie, Troon Ladies had the best inward half to take 2nd place on 78.   The bronze winner was Emma Paterson from Loudoun with a nett 76 and 2nd was Louise Duncan, West Kilbride on 80.   The SSS is 72 and CSS on the day 75.

The Pre-handicap girls played 10 holes on a shortened course and their results were:-

Under 12 years     1st  Alison Malcolm        2nd Sarah Ramsay

12 and above        1st  Emily McAlpine       2nd  Sophie Craig

BRITISH UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Stirling University dominated the BUCS Student Tour Finals at West Lancs Golf Club today with Jack McDonald winning the men's title and Hannah McCook the women's title after a count back.
West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) was 3rd in the Womens Finals.
In the women's championship Stirling's Hannah McCook won in an exciting finish. A Scotland girl international, the Nethy Bridge student's closing round of 70 was easily the best of the whole women's tournament and it gave her a final total of 305.
Eilidh Briggs (Stirling), the 2011 Scottish Under-18 girls champion, also finished on 306 with a 73, easily her best of the week, and the Scot was officially placed third after a card countback.
Defending champion and pre-tournament favourite Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling) injured an arm and retired after two rounds.
WOMEN'S FINAL TOTALS
305 Hannah McCook (Stirling) 84 76 75 70 (won on card countback), Gemma Bradbury (St Andrews) 82 76 74 73.
306 Eilidh Briggs (Stirling) 78 77 78 73 (placed third on countback), Charlotte Austwick (York) 74 77 71 84.
Other Scots:
313 Jane Turner (Robert Gordon) 80 74 81 78.
317 Gabriella MacDonald (St Andrews) 87 78 76 76.
322 Becca Wilson (Stirling) 88 78 79 77.
323 Harriet Beasley (Stirling) 85 79 79 80.
325 Franzisca Benze (St Andrews) 83 86 78 78.
Retired (injury): Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling) 85 78 - -

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP MARATHON MATCH

Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) had a marathon match this morning against Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) in the first round of this years County Championship at Erskine Golf Club.
Donna was 3 down after 11 holes. Iona was 2 up at 14th then she lost a ball at 15th and also lost the 16th to be all square at the 18th. Iona had a birdie putt on the 18th to win the match but the ball lipped out.
A variety of pars birdies & bogeys followed with Donna winning with a birdie at the 7th extra hole !
The match lasted for 4 and half hours. She then went out  and beat Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 2/1 in the afternoon in their delayed tie.

1st Round Results

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) beat Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle) 2/1
Gillian McGinlay(Cochrane Castle) beat Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle)3/2
Nicky Henderson (Haggs Castle) beat Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle) 5/4
Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry) beat Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) 2/1
Gillian Kyle(East Renfrewshire) beat Lindsay Mathie (Windyhill) 5/4
Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) beat Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) at the 25th Hole
Carol Whyte(Windyhill) beat Maureen Woodhead (Gourock)7/5
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) beat Beth Paterson (Eastwood)7/6

Quarter Finals:
Megan Briggs beat Gillian McGinlay 4/3
Nicky Henderson lost to Linsey Stevenson 8/6
Gillian Kyle lost to Donna Jackson 2/1
Carol Whyte lost to Alyson McKechin 5/3

NICHOLA FERGUSON RETAINS D&A WOMEN'S COUNTY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Carol Sim, Nichola Ferguson, Kirstin Scott, Josephine Monaghan, Audrey Gardiner and Alisoun Fairbairn

Milngavie's Nichola Ferguson, playing over her home course, retained the Dunbartonshire and Argyll women's county golf championship. She beat the No 1 seed, clubmate Kirstin Scott by 6 and 4 in the final.
In the semi-finals, Ferguson beat another Milngavie player, Anna Telfer, 3 and 1 in a repeat of last year's final.
In the Bronze Championship final, Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) beat Audrey Gardiner (Hilton Park) at the 19th after being five  This match went to the 19th hole - Josephine having been five up at one stage

SEMI-FINALS
Kirstin Scott (Milngavie) beat Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) 2 and 1.
Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) beat Anna Telfer (Milngavie) 3 and 1
FINAL
Nichola Ferguson beat Kirstin Scott 6 and 4.

BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) beat Audrey Gardiner (Hilton Park) at 19th.

MEGAN BRIGGS IS THE LEADING QUALIFIER IN THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP AT ERSKINE

Megan Briggs is the leading qualifier at Erskine

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) four times winner of the Renfrewshire County  Championship had 3 birdies and 1 bogey in her 2 under par 71 over Erskine Golf Club today and was the leading qualifier in the RLCGA County Championship. Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had the next best round with a 75.
Eilidh Briggs, County Champion for the past two years, is not in the field this week. She is competing in a British universities' event at West Lancs GC
The best net score of the day was local player Gina McDougall with a net 69 playing of a handicap of 11 and wins the Peggy Clark Trophy.
SSS 73, CSS 76 ( 58 Entrants)

Leading Qualifiers:
71 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
75 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie)
80 Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) (bih), Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry) (bih), Nicky Henderson (Haggs Castle)
82 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) (bih), Maureen Woodhead (Gourock) (bih) Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle)
85 Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) Carol Whyte (Windyhill) , Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) (bih), Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle)
86 Lorraine Morrow (Erskine)
87 Lindsay Mathie (Windyhill) Beth Paterson (Eastwood)
88 Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle)

1st Round Matchplay Thursday 18th April

9:15 Megan Briggs (1) v Denise Cowan (16)
9:22 Jennifer Mack (9) Gillian McGinlay (8)
9:30 Nicky Henderson (5) v Carol Fell (12)
9:37 Lorraine Morrow (13) v Linsey Stevenson (4)
9:45 Gillian Kyle (3) v Lindsay Mathie (14)
9:52 Iona Stephen (11) v Donna Jackson (6)
10:00 Maureen Woodhead (7) v Carol Whyte (10)
10:07 Beth Paterson (15) v Alyson McKechin (2)

MILNGAVIE TRIO REACH D&A COUNTY SEMI-FINALS AT HOME COURSE

Three Milngavie Golf Club members - Kirstin Scott, Anna Telfer and Nichola Ferguson - have reached tomorrow morning's semi-finals of the Dunbartonshire and Argyll women's county championship over their home course.
The odd one in is Lorraine Campbell (Cardross).
Anna Telfer, Lorraine Campbell and Nichola Ferguson were also in last year's semi-finals after which Nichola beat Anna in the final.
This year Nichola and Anna meet in the second semi-final with top seed Kirstin Scott playing Lorraine Campbell.
Anna Telfer was inches away from a hole in one on the par-3 sixth hole in her morning 6 and 5 win over Jennifer Gough (Clydebank & Dist).
Today's match-play results:

FIRST ROUND
Kirstin Scott (Milngavie) beat Lana Macdonald (Hilton Park) 5 and 4.
Sheena McDonald (Milngavie) beat Margaret Kinvig (The Carrick) 4 and 3
Margaret Stirling (Cardross) beat Kay McColl (Hilton Park) 3 and 1
Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) beat Alisoun Fairbairn (Troon Ladies) 6 and 4
Anna Telfer (Milngavie) beat Jennifer Gough (Clydebank & District) 6 and 5
Gayle Marshall (Clober) beat Sheila Steele (Hilton Park) 5 and 4
Lynn McColl (Bearsden) beat Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) 1 hole
Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) beat Carol Sim (Balmore) 7 and 5.
QUARTER-FINALS
Scott beat McDonald 1 hole
Campbell beat Stirling 4 and 3.
Telfer beat Marshall 4 and 3.
Ferguson beat McColl 5 and 3.

BRONZE DIVISION
Semi-finals
Audrey Gardiner (Hilton Park) bt Barbara Robertson (Dumbarton) 4 and 3.
Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) bt Eleanor Starling (Balmore) 4 and 3.

HELEN HOLM TROPHY AT TROON ON APRIL 27th - 29th

 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and six of her Curtis Cup team-mates are included in a strong international line-up for the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship over 54 holes at Troon on April 27-29.

England’s Charley Hull, the exciting 16-year-old who finished in the top 40 at this month’s women’s major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Amy Boulden, Holly Clyburn, Bronte Law, Kelly Tidy and Leona Maguire are also using the trip to Ayrshire as a warm-up before they line up for Great Britain and Ireland and take on the USA at Nairn in June (8-10).

Maguire became the youngest Helen Holm winner as a 14-year-old in 2009 and she was runner-up last year. This time the Irish youngster is the back marker, boasting a plus five handicap.

Pretswell heads a strong home challenge. Scottish champion Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) was the leading Scot in fourth place last year and Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and the Kilmacolm Briggs sisters, Megan and Eilidh, will also have an eye on the coveted title.

Eilidh, in her first year of a physical education degree at Stirling University, was fifth last season and it sparked a great run for the teenager. She went on to reach the final of the Scottish women's championship at Machrihanish, won the Scottish girls’ championship at Glenisla and retained the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Girls’ Order of Merit.

In addition to the home countries, the "Helen Holm" has attracted players from Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Belgium. There is also a strong French contingent, including plus four handicappers, Celine Boutier and Perrine Delacour.

Boutier recently beat Bronte Law in the final of the French Under-21 girls open amateur stroke-play and was runner-up in the British girls' championship at Gullane last August. Delacour is a past winner of the British girls' title.

The 54-hole "Helen Holm" event is made up of two rounds (27^th and 28^th April) over Troon Portland. The top 66 and ties then qualify for the final over Royal Troon on April 29.

A team event is played in conjunction with the Championship and Pamela Pretswell and Kelsey MacDonald will be representing Scotland.

 The last Scot to win the individual title was Heather Stirling in 2002. 

Scottish Vets lose the Mary McKenna Trophy for the third year in a row

Winning Irish Vets Captain Terry Saxton with Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds

Ireland won the Mary McKenna Trophy for the third year in a row with a dominating performance in the singles for a 9 1/2-2 1/2 victory margin over Scotland in the senior women's golf match at Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club, near Belfast today
After the foursomes were shared 2-2, the Scots' hopes were high they could gain the edge in the eight singles. It was not to be. The Irish won seven and halved the other tie.
IRELAND 9 1/2, SCOTLAND 2 1/2
FOURSOMES (2-2)
Irish names first
Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham lost to Lorna Bennett and Mary Smith 4 and 3.
Helen Jones and Pat Doran bt Heather Anderson and May Hughes 2 and 1.
Mairead MacNamara and Suzanne Corcoran lost to Elaine Allison and Linda Urquhart 2 and 1.
Pauline Walsh and Gertie McMullen beat Karen Ballantyne and Alison Bartlett 2 and 1.

SINGLES (7 1/2-1/2)
McElroy bt Hughes 3 and 2.
Doran bt Bartlett 3 and 2.
McMullen btt Urquhart 2 and 1.
Walsh bt Anderson 2 holes.
Wickham halved with Smith
MacNamara bt Allison 2 and 1.
Corcoran bt Bennett 2 holes.
Jones bt Ballantyne 4 and 3.

KIRSTIN SCOTT TOP SEED AT D AND A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Kirstin Scott, playing over her home course at Milngavie, is the top seed for the match-play stages of the Dunbartonshire and Argyll women's county golf championship.
She shot a five-over-par 76 (two over the CSS) to head the 16 qualifiers today (Monday).
Defending champion Nichola Ferguson (Clober) was the second best qualifier with a 76 and Anna Telfer (Milngavie), beaten finalist 12 months ago, is the No 3 seed.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 71. CSS 74
76 Kirstin Scott
77 Nichola Ferguson
79 Anna Telfer
80 Lorraine Campbell
82 Margaret Stirling
83 Gayle Marshall
86 Laura McGeachy
87 Sheena McDonald, Margaret Kinvig
90 Lynn McColl, Sheila Steele
95 Kay McColl
96 Alison Fairbairn
99 Jennifer Gough
100 Carol Sim
101 Lana Macdonald

MATCH-PLAY DRAW
Scott v Lana Macdonald
Kinvig v Sheena McDonald
Stirling v McColl
Fairbairn v Campbell
Telfer v Gough
Steele v Marshall
McGeachy v McColl
Sim v Ferguson

Bronze Qualifiers96 Barbara Robertson
97 Josephine Monaghan
100 Eleanor Starling
102 Audrey Gardiner MATCH-PLAY DRAW
Robertson v Gardiner
Starling v Monaghan

Captain Helen Faulds Scottish Vets team draw in Ireland on Day 1 of the Mary McKenna Trophy

The Scottish Vets Team in their new purple outfit
Back -L to R :Linda Urquhart, Elaine Allison, May Hughes, Mary Smith, Heather Anderson, Alison Bartlett
Front - L to R :Lorna Bennett, Helen Faulds (Captain), Noreen Fenton (Vice Captain) and Karen Ballantyne

The First day of the annual match against an Irish Senior Select Team for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy took place today (Sunday 15th April)at Hilton Templepatrick course outside Belfast on a bright, sunny but cold day.
Overall result of fourballs 2-2

Results: Scottish Vets Named first
Lorna Bennett and Mary Smith beat Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham 4/3
Heather Anderson and May Hughes lost to Helen Jones and Pat Doran 2/1
Elaine Allison and Linda Urquhart beat Mairead MacNamara and Suzanne Corcoran 2/1
Karen Ballantyne and Alison Bartlett lost to Pauline Walsh and Gertie McMullen 2/1

Douglas Park - Medal 1

Medal 1 2012 played 13/04/2012 (SSS 72 : CSS:74)
Silver
1st 89-16c=73 Mrs Aileen MacIntyre
2nd 94-20c=74 Mrs. Sheana Donald
3rd 88-13c=75 Mrs. Gillian Hendry
Bronze
1st 103-32c=71 Mrs Denise Macnaughton
2nd 109-35c=74 Mrs. Monica Ainslie
3rd 109-35c=74 Mrs Norma Vallance
Scratch
Gillian Hendry 88

Pamela misses the cut in France

Bothwell Castle's Pamela Pretswell failed to qualify for the third round of the LET Access Tour Dinard Ladies Open Tournament by 1 stroke after a 6 over par 75 today giving her a total of 144, eleven strokes behind the leader. 
In an interview with Pamela on the LET Access website for which there is a link on one of yesterday's post Pamela says that she has never had a hole in one. Well she had one on Thursday at the par 3 17th at Dinard. Congratulations Pamela.

Jean Macintyre has passed the SGU Rules Exam

Lanarkshire's Vice Captain, Jean Macintyre, has passed the SGU Rules exam.
Well done Jean from all in the West of Scotland

Lesley Hendry wins Ayrshire County championship for the sixth time

Mhairi McKay (left) and champion once more Lesley Hendry. Picture by courtesy of Fiona Collier, ALCGA secretary

Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) won the Ayrshire women's county golf champion at Troon Portland yesterday for a sixth time in the past nine years.
She beat Mhairi McKay, the West Kilbride youngster with a famous golfing name, by 4 and 3 in the final to add to her previous wins in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Hendry was always in control of the match after winning the first two holes. She ended the match by holing a long putt on the 15th green.
In the morning semi-finals, McKay beat the experienced Jane Finnie by two holes while Hendry was a 4 and 3 winner over Alex Glennie, the 2004 county champion.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS APRIL 10th - 12th 2012

Tuesday  SSS 75  CSS  75
Best Gross:-  Catherine Malcolm with a 77
Best nett:-      Julie Mackie with a 72

Wednesday  First Round Knock Out
Catherine Malcolm bt Jill West 4/3;   Mhairi McKay bt Catherine Garrett 5/4;  Jane Finnie bt Rachel Irvine 5/3;  Ros Purdom bt Gillian Henderson 7/6;  Lesley Hendry bt Barbara Beckett 5/3;  Pauline Patrick bt Sheila Adams 3/2;  Audrey Thompson bt Sara-Ann Bottomly 4/3;  Alex Glennie bt Nora McCrossan 6/5.   
Quarter Finals
Mhairi McKay bt Catherine Malcolm at 19th;  Jane Finnie bt Ros Purdom 7/6;  Lesley Hendry bt Pauline Patrick 3/2;  Alex Glennie bt Audrey Thompson 1up.

Thursday  Semi-Finals 
Mhairi McKay bt Jane Finnie 2up;  Lesley Hendry bt Alex Glennie 4/3
FINAL
Lesley Hendry  bt Mhairi McKay 4/3
                                      

WINDYHILL ARE HOLDING A SPRING FAYRE

Windyhill Ladies will be holding a Spring Fayre at Windyhill Golf Club on Saturday 28th April from 11-2pm.
There will be bric-a-brac, home baking, raffle and a short game/putting challenge.
All welcome, look forward to seeing you there.

FIONA NORRIS IS AWARDED THE SPORTS COUNCIL AWARD FOR SERVICES TO SPORT

At the South Lanarkshire Sports Award evening on Monday 26th March in the Banqueting Hall of the Council Offices in Hamilton Fiona Norris received the Sport Scotland and Association of Local Sports Councils award for services to sport.

SCOTTISH GOLF E BULLETIN

This months Scottish Golf e Bulletin is now available. CLICK HERE to read more

PAMELA PRETSWELL IS SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE CURTIS CUP TEAM

West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle )has been selected to play in the Curtis Cup Team versus USA at Nairn Golf Club from 8 to 10 June. Congratulations Pamela.
Charlie Hull has been selected in spite of missing the trial at Nairn last week.

TEAM
AMY BOULDEN (Conwy GC). Age 18
HOLLY CLYBURN (Woodhall Spa GC ). Age 20
CHARLEY HULL (Woburn GC). Age 16
BRONTE LAW (Bramhall GC ). Age 17
LEONA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17
PAMELA PRETSWELL (Bothwell Castle GC). Age 22
KELLY TIDY (Royal Birkdale GC). Age 20
STEPHANIE MEADOW (Royal Portrush GC). Age 20

TEAM CAPTAIN
TEGWEN MATTHEWS (Wales).

TEAM MANAGER
ANNA HUBBARD (Wales)

RESERVES
1 LISA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17
2 GEORGIA HALL (Remedy Oak GC). Age 15
3 BECKY HARRIES (Haverfordwest GC). Age 23
4 KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar GC).

YOUR WEBMASTER IS AWAY ON HOLIDAY

KELSEY AND PAMELA - COURTESY OF
COLIN FARQHARSON

Your Webmaster is going on holiday tomorrow (Monday) to the USA (Myrtle Beach) and will be at the Masters in Augusta after that.
The Curtis Cup team GB and I team of eight to be chosen tomorrow (Monday) and announced Tuesday noon for June 8-10 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at Nairn GC. However I will be on a plane at the time of the announcement -- Keep up to date with all the news on the Curtis Cup Facebook Page and the LGU Website and the Gillian Kirkwood Website
I may not be able to keep you up to date with news over the next 3 weeks. However with the links above I am sure you will all keep track of what is going on.
On the 5th of April -- CLICK HERE to go to the West Vets Website to see Helen Faulds who is in the same trip Celebrating her Ruby Wedding Anniversary !

Douglas Park, Erskine, Hilton Park ,Ranfurly Castle and Skemorlie progress to Round 4 of the Mail on Sunday

Erskine Golf Club was the first West of Scotland Club to progrees to the 4th round of the Mail on Sunday. They beat Dumbarton Golf Club at home 3-2
This was followed by Ranfurly Castle who beat Caldwell 4.5 - 0.5 at Ranfurly Castle.
Skemorlie the 2010 winners are also through to the 4th round. They beat West Kilbride 4-1.
Hilton Park played yesterday (Saturday 24th) Result Hilton Park 3 Windyhill 2
Douglas Park played Clober today and won 4-1 to also progress to the 4th round
TO READ ALL THE RESULTS SO FAR -- CLICK HERE

Louise Kenney, Eilidh Briggs, Sam Torrance and Megan Briggs with the Ryder Cup

Congratulations go to  West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) who was awarded the SLGA Order of Merit award at Friday nights memorable 2012 Annodata Scottish Golf Awards.
Louise Kenney, the 2011 Scottish Ladies Champion was the SLGA Order of Merit Winner.

The full list of award winners reads as follows:

•    Team of the Year – Fife
•    Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year – Michael Stewart
•    SLGA Girls Order of Merit – Eilidh Briggs
•    SGU Boys Order of Merit – Greig Marchbank
•    RBS Junior Club of the Year – Dundas Parks Golf Club (Lothians)
•    SGU Seniors Order of Merit – Bob Stewart
•    SLGA Order of Merit – Louise Kenney
•    The Adam Hunter Award – Euan Walker
•    SGU Men’s Order of Merit – James White
•    RBS Junior Golf Volunteer of the Year – Iain Holt (Turnhouse Golf Club, Lothians)
•    Scottish Golf Player of the Year – David Law
•    Lifetime Achievement Award – Sam Torrance

CURTIS CUP SELECTION TRIAL SINGLES AT NAIRN SUNDAY MORNING

Ryder Cup , Walker Cup, Solheim Cup, Curtis Cup 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
G B and I team captain Tegwen Matthews has paired off the 12 players at this weekend's Curtis Cup selection trial at Nairn Golf Club as follows for Sunday morning:

8.30 Kelsey MacDonald v Leona Maguire.
8.40 Holly Clyburn v Kelly Tidy
8.50 Pamela Pretswell v Stephanie Meadow
9.00 Georgia Hall v Amy Boulden.
9.10 Lisa Maguire v Chloe Williams
9.20 Bronte Law v Becky Harries.

Spectators will be admitted free of charge.

The matches that were played earlier today (results not being released)
MORNING FOURSOMES
Bronte Law and Leona Maguire v Georgia Maguire and Becky Harries.
Kelly Tidy and Stephanie Meadow v Pamela Pretswell and Chloe Williams.
Kelsey MacDonald and Holly Clyburn v Amy Boulden and Lisa Maguire.

AFTERNOON FOUR-BALLS
Boulden and Tidy v Pretswell and Harries.
Law and Clyburn v Leona Maguire and MacDonald
Meadow and Hall v Lisa Maguire and Williams.

There will be no matches on Sunday afternoon which will be devoted to skill tests.
British champion Lauren Taylor is still recovering from a neck injury and but is in attendance although not playing. Her place was taken by Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham).
Jeff Collington, who works out yardages for the Ladies European Tour, has been at Nairn this weekend and he is giving the players the benefit of his knowledge in that direction. Jeff was also a former caddie on the LET.
Former LET players Gillian Stewart and Christine Langford are on hand to give the GB and I squad members short game tips and also the psychological side of the game,
"We have a very strong support team," said captain Matthews.
Stephanie Meadows is leaving early on Sunday afternoon to catch a plane back to the University of Alabama who gave her special permission to attend the selection trial. Not all American universities are so co-operative.
The players - and the public - will not know the team until it is announced on the Ladies Golf Union website - www.lgu.org - at 12 noon on Tuesday.

Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes Final - Kath and Jenny are winners

Kath McKellar & Jenny McGee (Skelmorlie) and Ann McGillivray & Mara Lindsay (Prestwick, St. Nicholas)

The Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes final was played on Wednesday at West Kilbride Golf Club in dry but cold and blustery conditions. At times some excellent golf was executed by both pairings but Kath McKellar and  Jenny McGee from Skelmorlie  began to edge ahead on the back nine and finally beat Mara Lindsay & Ann McGillvray from Prestwick St Nicholas on the 15th winning 4&3.

CURTIS CUP FINAL SELECTION IS THIS WEEKEND

GB and I team captain Tegwen Matthews with the 13 players on hand for the Curtis Cup selection trial at Nairn Golf Club this week. Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham) has been called in as a substitute for Lauren Taylor (Woburn), the 17-year-old British champion. Lauren injured herself last month and is not yet fit enough to play full shots but the LGU thought it was important that she went to Nairn to play her part in the team bonding and to listen to what captain Matthews has to say.
This weekend's schedule at Nairn Golf Club - to which spectators are welcome to attend free of charge:
SATURDAY - 8am - Three foursomes.
SATURDAY - 1.30pm - Three four-balls.
SUNDAY - 8.30am - Six singles.
SUNDAY - 2pm - Short game tests.
The GB and I team of eight for the June 8-10 match against the United States will be selected on Monday and released via the LGU website (http://www.lgu.org/) at 12 noon precisely on Tuesday.

THE LONGEST DAY CHALLENGE -- TO SUPPORT MACMILLAN CANCER

The Longest Day Golf Challenge
We need hard guys and strong women to take on the toughest battle in golf. 1 day. 4 rounds. 72 holes. Think you can do it? If so, then show your stamina this summer by taking in the Longest Day Golf Challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. What’s more, the top four teams will be invited to play for the challenge trophy in Europe this October. Up for it? What's next? Assemble a team of up to four heroes and fly over tomacmillan.org.uk/golf to register. We’ll then send your Team Captain a welcome pack, including guidelines, sponsor forms and your scorecard. Choose a date. The longest day of the year is 21 June, but if you can’t play then, there will be enough daylight between May and August. Book your tee times. Will you play all four rounds on one course, or will you spread them out between two or more? Make giving support easy with a sponsorship page atjustgiving.com/macmillanevents. And why not see if your employer(s) will match any donations you raise? Let everyone know about the challenge. Pop posters up in your club, post sponsorship details on social media sites and contact the local press. ‘The Macmillan Longest Day Golf Challenge has been a genuinely rewarding experience and we’d recommend it to anyone. Qualifying for the finals in Portugal was an unexpected surprise, but it proved an amazing end to an extraordinary journey.’ James Lewis Tempus Est Ludendi – Longest Day Golf Challenge Winners 2011 Shooting for the big prizeFour teams will be invited to play for the Longest Day Golf Challenge trophy Boavista Golf Resort in October 2012. Finalists will be decided by looking at both scores and sponsorship, so the more you raise the better chance you have of qualifying. We’ll let finalists know during the week beginning 10 September.What happened in 2011? Last year’s challenge was the most successful yet, with 335 teams across the UK raising an amazing £393,000. Because of this support, we were able to help even more people affected by cancer with services like our benefits advisers, nurses, information centres and more. If someone is facing the toughest fight of their life, the Macmillan team will be in their corner every step of the way. You can help us provide our wide range of services by signing up today for the Longest Day Golf Challenge. So, assemble your A-team and be a hero for those affected at macmillan.org.uk/golf.The Macmillan Golf Team Looking for other ways to support us? Why not get your whole club involved in the Big Golf Drive this August? Seemacmillan.org.uk/biggolfdrive for more information. Supported by:
Fundraising » Get Involved »