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WEST OF SCOTLAND'S PAMELA PRETSWELL LEADS THE HELEN HOLM

Pamela Pretwell -- Courtesy of Colin Farquharson

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Curtis Cup team selection Pamela Pretswell took up the running in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship as overnight leaders Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) - also in the GB and I team for Nairn from June 8-10 - and Rachael Goodall (Heswall) failed to follow up their splendid opening efforts of seven-under-par 68 apiece.
In fairness to Leona and Rachael, the conditions today were at least a shot or two more difficult than Friday's bright and not breezy conditions. The inward half, in particular, was not giving up many birdies.
Bothwell Castle's Pretswell, who lives at Hamilton, improved on her first-day 71 by one stroke and a nine-under-par 36-hole tally of nine-under par 141 was good enough to see her take over the clubhouse lead in the early afternoon, a shot ahead of a third Curtis Cup player, Amy Boulden from Wales (70-72), Rachael Goodall (68-74) and France's Perrine Delacour (70-72) who won the British girls open championship at West Lancs GC in 2009.
Leona Maguire fell back with a 75 for 143, the same mark as France's Celine Boutier (71-72), beaten in the final of the British girls open championship at Gullane last August and winner of the French Under-21 open girls title earlier this month.
Pretswell had seven birdies and two bogeys in her five-under 70. Five of her birdies came at the par-5 holes at which some of the top class players are playing short irons to get up in two ... such is the progress in ability and equipment compared with 10 years ago.
Pamela, who had been playing with the lady pros on the Ladies European Tour's developmental circuit (LETAS) to gain experience ahead of her plan to turn pro with a LET players' card in her pocket after the Q School at La Manga next January, looked in good fettle with birdies at the long second, fifth, long sixth, long ninth (out in four-under 34), long 12th, 13th and long 15th towards an inward half of one-under 36.
Well that she is playing, Pamela failed to master Troon Portland's closing holes over the two rounds. She had a double bogey 7 at the last in her first round and she bogeyed the short 14th and par-4 17th in Round 2.
The last Scot to win the "Helen Holm" was Heather Stirling in 2002. Whatever happened to Heather?
Last heard of caddieing in Florida - which is not a bad way to make a living!
Club pro's daughter Amy Boulden from the Conwy club birdied the long second, short eighth, long ninth and 17th in halves of 36. Her only bogey came at the third. Pars only for Amy between the 10th and the 16th, plus the very birdieable par-5 18th underline how difficult it was to improve on a score over the second nine.
Rachael Goodall was another who could not buy a birdie on the inward half until she succeeded at the 18th. The Heswall player had earlier birdied the long first, long sixth and long ninth, but bogeyed the short fourth and seventh, in reaching the turn in one-under 37. A bogey at the 10th put her level par but she had to settle for seven pars in a row before she got that birdie at the 18th for a par-matching 37 home.
Parisienne Perrine Delacour did well to return a three-under 72 considering she had a double bogey 5 at the short fourth and further shots dropped at the seventh and short eighth. She was able to get in out in level par 38, thanks to birdies at the fifth and long sixth, capped by an eagle 3 at the ninth.
Delacour did best of the earlier starters on the inward half which she covered in three-under-par 34 strokes with birdies at three par-5s: the 12th, 15th and 18th.
Last year's British women's open stroke play champion by half a dozen strokes at Royal Ashdown Forest and winner last weekend of the Irish Under-18 girls open stroke-play, again by a very comfortable margin, was grateful to get off the Troon Portland course today with a par-matching 75 because she was three-over for the day with three to play.
Then 17-year-old twin Leona birdied the short 16th, the par-4 18th and the par-5 18th.
Earlier things had not gone their usual smooth way for the +5 player who, at No 8 in the World's female amateur rankings, is the highest in the field (Charley Hull, who is No 4, pulled out before the tournament).
Leona's double bogey 5 at the short fourth was probably a shock to her system but she did get one back with a birdie 4 at the long sixth as she turned in one-over 39. That became two over when she dropped a shot at the short 10th ... and it was three over par when she ran up a 6 at the long 15th.
Then Maguire showed her class with that birdie-birdie-birdie finish. She won this title in 2009. Don't write off her this year, just yet ...
Celine Boutier, on the same 143 mark as Maguire after a three-under 72, was one of those who found the inward half under today's tougher conditions a wee bit frustrating.
Celine had birdie the long sixth and eagled the long ninth to be out in 35 (three under par|). She dropped one at the short 10th but got it back with a birdie at the long 11th, only for the course to hold her to pars over each of the last seven holess.
Curtis Cup reserve Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) is on 146 after a pair of 7

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 150 (2x75) CSS for Round 1: 77
+Leading 66 and ties at end of Round 2 will play the final round at Royal Troon on Sunday.
141 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 70
142 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 72, Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 68 74, Perrine Delacour (France) 70 72
143 Celine Boutier (France) 71 72, Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 68 75.
144 Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 73 71
146 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 73 73, Johanna Bjork (Sweden) 75 71, Laura Murray (Alford) 74 72, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 73 73
147 Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden) 72 75
148 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 72 76, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 72 76
149 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 77, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 76, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 76, Nastja Banovec (Slovenia) 72 77, Chloe Ryan (Castletroy) 76 73, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 76 73
150 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 72 78, Leslie Cloots (Belgium) 75 75
151 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 75, Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72 79, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74
152 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 80 72, Sophie Powell (Manchester) 77 75, Marthe Wold (Norway) 73 79, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 77 75, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 76, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 74, Sara Garbutt (Ganton) 78 74, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 76, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 71 81
153 Emma Broze (France) 74 79, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 74 79, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 75 78, Natalie Lowe (Styal) 81 72, Elodie Bridenne (France) 80 73
154 Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 73 81, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 76, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 79 75, Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 79 75
155 Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 76 79, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 79, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 77 78, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 77 78
156 Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 77 79, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 75 81, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 78, Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 79 77, Alexandra Moisand (France) 74 82, Lucy Simpson Massereene) 73 83, Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 76 80, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 78, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 76
157 Ariane Provot (France) 80 77, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 79, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 79 78
158 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 81 77, Anna Appert Lund (Sweden) 78 80, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 83 75, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie) 75 83
159 Ellie Robinson (Wilton) 79 80, Katerina Slukova (Czech Rep) 75 84, Clara Young (North Berwick) 81 78, Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 82, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 81, Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 80, Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies) 79 80

MISSED THE CUT

160 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 81 79, Olivia Hullert (Norway) 80 80, Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 83 77.
161 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 80 81
162 Ann F Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 85 77, Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 77 85, Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 78 84, Faustine Lopez (France) 82 80, Maria Tonnessen (Norway) 81 81
163 Lucy Gould (Bargoed) 79 84, Katie Rule (St Enodoc) 80 83, Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 80 83.
164 Jade Downes (Oak's) 83 81.
165 Jordana Graham (Southerness) 87 78, Rebecca Wilson (Grange) 81 84
166 Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry) 80 86, Therese Larsson (Sweden) 77 89
167 Anja Kim (Slovenia) 81 86.
168 Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) 82 86, Tara MacTaggart (Minto) 82 86, Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 86 82.
170 Daisy Wakelin (Deer Park) 88 82
172 Katie Reid (Monifieth) 82 90, Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 92 80.

SPRING MEETING - DOUGLAS PARK GC

Spring Meeting 2012 - 1st Championship Qualifier (Played 27/04/2012 CSS: 74 SSS 76)
SILVER
1st Mrs. Norma Campbell 88-17c=71
2nd Mrs. Susan Griffin 85-12c=73
3rd Mrs Rhona Murison 95-20c=75

BRONZE
1st Janice Palmer 91-21c=70
2nd Mrs. Laura MacDougall 101-26c=75
3rd Helen MacDowall 99-24c=75

WEST GIRLS MEDAL OVER TROON PORTLAND

TROON MEDAL - 22 April 2012 CSS 74
 Scratch - Linsey Stevenson 72
1st Silver Handicap - Linsey Stevenson 69
2nd Silver Handicap - Emma Hale 72bih
1st Bronze Handicap - Molly Richmond 66
2nd Bronze Handicap - Lori McDonald 74bih
 Stableford - Fiona Richmond 29 points

 Development Medal 

Age Groups 
Age 13's  --- 1st Eilssa Hendry 39
Age 12's    1st Gillian Sinclair 46,  2nd Chloe Bell 49
Age 11's : 1st Alison Malcolm 40
Age 10's   1st Anna MacKenzie 38

CURTIS CUP TEAM MEMBER PAMELA PRETSWELL HAS A GOOD FIRST ROUND IN THE HELEN HOLM

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Six members of the GB and I Curtis Cup team in the leading 14 at the end of the first day in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Troon was good news for the LGU Selection Panel. Only Charley Hull (who withdrew earlier in the week) and Stephanie Meadow (a student at Alabama University) of the eight chosen to play against the Americans at Nairn Golf Club from June 8-10 are missing from a star-studded field.

Ireland's Leona Maguire, who seems to win any stroke-play event she plays in by a barrowload of strokes as befits a +5 handicap player ranked No 8 in the world, was the best of them but she had to share the pole position for the moment with Rachael Goodall (Heswall).

 On a dry, windless day, the par-5s at Troon Portland were all reachable in two shots and Maguire and Goodall plundered them in returning seven-under-par 68s. The 17-year-old (her twin Lisa, the European individual champion, has a wrist injury) from the Slieve Russell club birdied six of the seven long holes in halves of 36-32. Goodall started with an eagle 3 and eached the turn in six-under 32, before coming home in 36.

They are two shots clear of Curtis Cup choice Amy Boulden (ranked No 15 in the world) from Wales and France's former British girls champion Perrine Delacour (ranked No 42 in the world).. Third in the list of Curtis Cup players is Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), joint fourth on 71. She was set to fill the third place overnight on 69 until she ran up a 7 at the par-5 18th.

 The leading 66 players and ties at the end of Saturday's second round over Troon Portland will go forward to Sunday's final 18 holes over Royal Troon.

After one round, there are exactly 66 players on 79 or better.

 FIRST ROUND LEADING SCOREBOARD Troon Portland Par 75

68 Leona Maguire (Ireland), Rachael Goodall (Heswall).

70 Amy Boulden (Conwy), Perrine Delacour (France).

71 Charlotte Thompson (Channel Isles), Celine Boutier (France), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).

72 Jessica Carty (Ireland), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Bronte Law (Bramhall), Rachael Taylor (Germany), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden), Nastja Banovec (Slovenia)

 73 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest), Jess Wilcox (Blankney), Lucy Simpson (Ireland), Becky Harries (Haverfordwest), Carla Reynolds (Ireland), Marthe Wold (Norway).

74 Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Emma Broze (France), Alexandra Moisand (France), Laura Murray (Alford).

 75 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie), Katerina Slukova (Czech Republic), Leslie Cloots (Belgium), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Johanna Bjork (Sweden), Olivia Winning (Rotherham).

76 Daisy Dyer (Chigwell), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Hannah Grant (Enmore Park), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham), Chloe Ryan (Ireland), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Rachael Drummond (Beaconsfield), Brogan Townend (Pleasington).

77 Nikki Foster (Pleasington), Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co), Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies), Therese Larsson (Sweden), Shelby Smart (Knowle), Nicole Whitmore (Woburn), Sophie Powell (Manchester), Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies).

78 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie), Sara Garbutt (Ganton), Charlotte Wild (Mere), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey), Anna Appertlund (Swe), Bronwyn Davies (Trentham), Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), Aedin Murphy (Ireland).

79 Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies), Charlene Reid (Ireland), Emma O'Driscoll (Ireland), Lucy Gould (Bargoed), Louise Mernagh (Ire), Ellie Robinson (Middlesbrough), Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park), Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) (T66).

SPRING FAYRE AT WINDYHILL GOLF CLUB

This is a reminder that Windyhill Ladies are holding a Spring Fayre tomorrow at the golf club from 11-2pm. Why not come along and see if you can pick up a bargain at the bric-a-brac and book stalls or purchase some quality home baking!
We also have a short game challenge (devised by Anne Laing) so if you fancy yourself as the next Phil Mickelson then come along and have a go - £1 for 3 balls with cash prizes!
Windyhill Ladies look forward to welcoming you along tomorrow, 28th April, 11-2pm.

- Carol -- Posted using her iPad

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 !