CAN DONNA JACKSON WIN HER 11TH RENFREWSHIRE TITLE

Today's Renfrewshire County Final  is between Donna Jackson and Gillian McGinlay both from Cochrane Castle.
To read yesterday's report on all the matches go to the Renfrewshire County Website

ALYSON MCKECHIN IS LEADING AMATEUR AT RATHO WITH JESS MEEK

Alford's Laura Murray won the £750 first prize at Ratho Park Golf Club, Edinburgh today in the second event on the new Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour.
Four players tied for second place, a shot behind on 73, including amateurs Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), 37-36, and Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 35-38.
Alyson who the 2012 Renfrewshire County Champion who decided to try her hand in competing with the Pros has won a voucher to the value of £325.
To read the full report go to Kirkwood Golf

FIONA NORRIS WINS THE LANARKSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE 5TH TIME

All the Lanarkshire county championship winners at Lanark Golf Club today. Images by courtesy of Jean Macintyre

Hamilton's Fiona Norris came back from four down after only five holes to win the Lanarkshire women's county golf championship for a fifth time since 1988 at Lanark Golf Club today. The sixth qualifier, Fiona holed a birdie putt on the 19th green in the final to beat the No 1 seed, Susan Wood (Drumpellier). Susan Wood was three up after 13 holes but then Fiona won the 13th with a birdie and the 14th with a par. Norris squared the match for the first time by winning the 17th. The Bronze championship was won by Lesley Neill who beat Hamilton clubmate Roxy Brown 4 and 2 in the final. RESULTS LANARKSHIRE WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Lanark GC. First round - S Wood (Drumpellier) bt M Stirling (Dullatur) 7 and 6, J Paterson (Drumpellier) bt L D'Ambrosia (Carluke) 3 and 2, R Cassidy (Bothwell Castle) bt T McPherson (Langlands) 5 and 3, E Caddow (Strathaven) bt J McPherson (East Kilbride) 7 and 5, M Hughes (Lanark) bt E Morris (Hamilton) 6 and 4, F Norris (Hamilton) bt P Hutton (Lan ark) 5 and 4, R Rankin (Lanark) bt S Sergenson (East Kilbride) 3 and 1, L Loyd (Hayston) bt M Flynn (Hamilton) 8 and 7.Quarter-finals - Wood bt Paterson 7 and 6, Cassidy bt Caddow4 and 3, Norris bt Hughes 4 and 3, Rankin bt Lloyd at 20th.Semi-finals - Wood bt Cassidy 6 and 5, Norris bt Rankin 3 and 2.Final - Norris bt Wood at 19th. BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP Final - L Neill (Hamilton) bt R Brown (Hamilton) 4 and 2.

IONA STEPHEN FROM RANFURLY CASTLE IS THE LEADING QUALIFIER IN THE RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

The Qualifying Round finally got under way to-day with a very depleted number on entrants.
 Former Champions, Megan and Eilidh Briggs, along with defending Champion Alyson McKechin, were unable to play due to other commitments.
 However the 27 ladies who participated found it very hard going with at times gale force winds and intermittant heavy showers to contend with.

The top qualifier was IONA STEPHEN (Ranfurly Castle) with a gross 81. Winner of the Peggy Clark Trophy was TRACY MASTERTON (Windyhill) with a net 75 off 13. -

 2nd top qualifier was 10 times champion and 6 times runner-up Donna Jackson trying again to make it 11! The CSS was 75; SSS 72 and the competition was Reductions Only.
The top 8 qualifiers are:
1. Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) 81
2. Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 85
3.  Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle) 86 bih
4. Carol Whyte (Windyhill) 86 bih
5. Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 86
6. Tracy Masterton (Windyhill) 88
7. Liz Stewart (Greenburn) 90
8. Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle) 91
The Match Play draw is as follows:
9.30 Iona Stephen v Gillian McGillay
9.40 Tracy Masterton v Denise Cowan
9.50 Carol Whyte v Gillian Kyle
10.00 Liz Stewart v Donna Jackson
The semi-finals will be played at 2.00 and 2.10.

SUSAN WOOD WINS THROUGH TO THE LANARKSHIRE COUNTY SEMI FINAL WITH EASE

FROM THE LANARKSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE AT LANARK GOLF CLUB Championship 1st Round Results:

 In very strong winds in the Championship at Lanark Golf Club this morning Susan Wood beat Marcia Stirling 7&6
Janice Paterson beat Lauren D'Ambrosia 3&2
Rachael Cassidy beat Tracy McPherson 5&3
Emma Caddow beat Jillian McPherson 7&5
May Hughes beat Elaine Morris 6&4
Fiona Norris beat Pat Hutton 5&4
Ruth Rankin beat Sheila Sergenson 3&1
Lesley Lloyd beat Margaret Flynn 8&7
Championship Quarter Final Results
Susan Wood beat Janice Paterson 7&6
Rachael Cassidy beat Emma Caddow 4&3
Fiona Norris beat May Hughes 4&3
Ruth Rankin beat Lesley Lloyd at the 20th Ruth was 2 up after 13.
Lesley won the 14th and 16th to square the match.
Ruth won the 17th and Lesley the 18th to go to extra holes.
 Tomorrow Susan plays Rachael at 9.00am and Fiona plays Ruth at 9.10am

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DELAYED

The Renfrewshire women's county golf championship qualifying round, due to have been played at Kilmacolm GC today has postponed until Thursday due to adverse weather conditions. The eight players with the best scratch scores will go forward to the match-play quarter-finals and semi-finals on Friday with the final teeing off at 8am on Saturday.

SUSAN WOOD TOP LANARKSHIRE SEED ON A DAY OF WIND AT RAIN

Susan Wood (Drumpellier) coped best with the wind and the rain in the Lanarkshire women's county golf championship qualifying round at Lanark Golf Club today
Susan, shot a 77, matching the CSS, and earned the top seed berth by seven shots from Lesley Loyd (Hayston) and defending champion May Hughes (Lanark).
Susan Wood also won the Centenary Salver with the best net score.
Jean Maddock, with a score of 105, was leading qualifier in the Bronze Division championship.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
SSS 74. CSS 77 (reduction only)
77 Susan Wood (Drumpellier).
84 Lesley Lloyd (Hayston), May Hughes (Lanark).
86 Emma Caddow (Strathaven).
87 Rachael Cassidy (Bothwell Castle), Fiona Norris (Hamilton), Ruth Rankin (Lanark).
88 Lauren D'Ambrosia (Carluke).
90 Janice Paterson (Drumpellier).
94 Sheila Sergenson (East Kilbride), Pat Hutton (Lanark).
97 Tracy McPherson (Langlands).
99 Jillian McPherson (East Kilbride)
100 Elaine Morris (Hamilton)
101 Margaret Flynn (Hamilton)

102 Marcia Stirling (Dullatur)
+Angela Devine and Pat Casey would have qualified but were unavailable for the match-play stages.
MATCH-PLAY DRAW
9.00 Wood v Stirling, Paterson v D'Ambrosia, Cassidy v McPherson, McPherson v Caddow.
9.30 Hughes v Morris, Hutton v Norris, Rankin v Sergenson, Flynn v Lloyd.

IRISH SENIORS WIN AGAINST THE SCOTTISH VETS

The Irish Seniors retained the Mary McKenna Trophy at West Kilbride on the 14th - 15th April.
To read the full report go to the West Vets Website

Lanarkshire play Midlothian County in a friendly Match

On Sunday 7th April Lanarkshire County played Midlothian in a friendly match.
To see some photographs from Jean McIntyre and report go to the Lanarkshire Website

Paul Lawrie Scottish Open Tour Draw

Order of play in the opening 18-hole event of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Open Tour at Marriott Dalmahoy, Edinburgh next Thursday (April 18) is:

Time
13:57 Heather MacRae, Heather Stirling
14:06 Laura Murray, Ailsa Bain, Hannah Scott (amateur).
14:15 Gemma Webster, Laura Harvey, Alyson McKechin (amateur)
14:24 Kimberley Crooks, Tatiana Kernen, Jessica Meek (amateur)
14:33 Pamela Feggans, Chrisje De Vries, Jane Turner (amateur)
14:42 Daisy Dyer, Martine Pow, Rachel Walker (amateur)
14:51 Michele Thomson, Krystal Falkner, Nichola Ferguson (amateur).
15:00 Lisa Shervill, Eleanor Givens Tara MacTaggart (amateur)
15:09 Fabienne in-albon, Vikki Laing, Jess Wilcox (amateur)

SPECTATORS WILL BE MADE MOST WELCOME

AND THE PLGC SLOT DRAW FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY AT RATHO PARK

14:00 Julie Otto Jane Turner (a) Karyn Burns
14:10 Fabienne in-albon Laura Murray Hannah Scott (a)
14:20 Heather Stirling Gemma Webster Alyson McKechin (a)
14:30 Tatiana Kernen Kimberly Crooks Jessica Meek (a)
14:40 Chrisje De Vries Pamela Feggans Nichola Ferguson (a)
14:50 Martine Pow Daisy Dyer Rachel Walker (a)
15:00 Krystal Falkner Michele Thomson Kate McIntosh (a)
15:10 Eleanor Givens Lisa Shervill Jess Wilcox (a)
15:20 Vikki Laing Heather MacRae Tara MacTaggart (a)

CONNIE JAFFREY BEATS AUDREY THOMPSON IN AYRSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Connie Jaffrey - Ayrshire County Champion (Photo Courtesy of Alasdair Malcolm)

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) is the new Ayrshire women's county golf champion.
She won the title on her first appearance in the final today (Wed), beating Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) - another first-time finalist - by 3 and 1 in the final at Irvine Bogside Golf Club.

Connie, the No 2 seed, got off to a flying start and soon established a four-hole lead.
Audrey, who had beaten top seed Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) by 2 and 1 in the morning semi-finals, fought back to halve her deficit by the turn but Jaffrey held her at bay to win by 3 and 1.

To read the full report go to the Ayrshire Golf Website

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Irvine Bogside GC
Semi-finals - Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) bt Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) 2 and 1; Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) bt Hazel McGarvie (Troon Ladies) 5 and 4.
Final - Jaffrey bt Thompson 3 and 1.

ANNE LAING REGAINS D AND A TITLE

Former Scottish women's champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) won the Dunbartonshire and Argyll county title at Douglas Park Golf Club today. She beat Laura McGeachy (Windhill) by 3 and 1 in the final to claim the county title for a fourth time, but the first since 2001.

DUNBARTONSHIRE WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Douglas Park GC
Semi-finals - Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) bt Nicholas Ferguson (Milngavie) 1 hole; Laura McGeachy (Windyhill)b bt Anna Telfer (Milngavie) at 19th.
Final - Laing bt McGeachy 3 and 1.
BRONZE TROPHY
Final - Mandy Allan (Milngavie) bt Anne Nicoll (Bearsden) 1 hole.

D&A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013
Played at Douglas Park Golf Club, 8 – 10 April 2013

County Championship Quarterfinal matches, 9 April:-

Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) beat Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 2/1
Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) beat Fiona McLean (Hilton Park) w/o
Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) beat Lynn McCathie (Helensburgh 4/3
Anna Telfer (Milngavie) beat Sheila Steele (Hilton Park) 5/4

Bronze Semi Final Matches:-

Mandy Allan (Milngavie) beat Eleanor Fenner (Hilton Park) 20th
Anne Nicoll (Bearsden) beat Janice Robertson (Clydebank)

County Championship Semi Finals – 10 April

9.00 Anne Laing v Nichola Ferguson
9.08 Laura McGeachy v Anna Telfer

Bronze Final:-

9.16 Mandy Allan v Anne Nicoll

Ayrshire County Championship Qualifiers

65 ladies played today in the Ayrshire County Championships over Irvine Bogside Golf Course. The conditions were difficult with a strong easterly wind making it quite cold. The sun shone though and the rain stayed away. Emma Hale and Connie Jaffrey had the best scores of the day with gross 79. Emma narrowly beat Connie with a count down over the last 6 holes.
 Matchplay stages start tomorrow: -- Draw
 8.45  (1)  Emma Hale  v           (16) Linda Parry
8.53  (9) Sheila Adams  v                (8) Pauline Patrick
9.00  (5) Audrey Thompson v        (12) Catherine Malcolm
9.08 (13) Roz Purdom v                 (4) Katie McGarva
9.16  (3) Hazel McGarvie v            (14) Rachel Irvine
9.24 (11) Liz Kehone v                  (6) Jane Finnie
9.32  (7) Jenny Linklater v             (10) Catherin Garrett
9.40 (15) Jill West v                        (2) Connie Jaffrey

D&A County Championship Qualifier -- Anne Laing is the leading Qulaifier

The D&A County Championship Qualifier took place today at Douglas Park Golf Club.

Past Curtis Cup player Anne Laing had the best score of the day -- 77  Played at Douglas Park Golf Club on Monday 8 April 2013

SSS 72  CSS 74, 81 played

Scratch: Anne Laing (Vale of Leven)   77

Silver:

1st Silver: Fiona Alexander (Hilton Park) 72 (11)

2nd Silver: Jan Macgill ( Kyles of Bute)  72 (10) acb

3rd Silver: Fiona McLean (Hilton Park)  74 (7)

Bronze:

1st Bronze: Mandy Allan (Milngavie) 74 (21)

2nd Bronze: Janice Robertson (Clydebank) 75 (21)

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY 2013 To be played at Douglas Park Golf Club, 8 – 10 April 2013 

 The following ties will be played on 9 April:-

9.00 Anne Laing v Caroline King
9.08 Helen Faulds v Davina Lavery
9.16 Fiona McLean v Aileen Baker
9.24 Louise Walker v Nichola Ferguson
9.32 Laura McGeachy v Cathy Skinner
9.40 Lynn McCathie v Sheena McDonald
9.48 Jan McGill v Sheila Steele
9.56 Lynn McColl v Anna Telfer
 Bronze
10.04 Mandy Allan v Eleanor Fenner
10.12 Anne Nicoll v Janice Robertson

WEST OF SCOTLAND GIRLS DO WELL AT THE SCOTTISH UNDER 16'S

Jennifer Rankine Under 13's Winner

Congratulations to the West Girls who received prizes at the U16's SLGA Strokeplay Championships at Strathmore this week.

 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) pictured left was 2nd nett overall and also 1st in the U13 category

Katie Scott (Strathaven) 4th nett overall

Abbi Kidd (Lenzie) Best nett in the U16's category

KILMACOLM'S EILIDH BRIGGS DOES WELL IN FRANCE

Eilidh Briggs

Eilidh Briggs, a member of Kilmacolm Golf Club, had a great run through to the semi-finals of the French Under-21 girls' match-play tournament for the Esmond Trophy at the weekend at St Cloud GC, Paris.
Eilidh lost by 2 and 1 in the penultimate round to the No 2 seed, Germany's Laura Funfstuck, today.
Eilidh who was one down after 10 holes, was the 14th of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play top flight.
To get to the last four, she beat England's Olivia Winning by two holes, the No 3 seed Nuria Iturrios (Spain) by two holes, and Anyssa Harbaut (France) by 2 and 1 in the quarter-finals.
Funfstuck will play the leading qualifier, Natalia Escuriola (Spain) in Monday's 36-hole final.
Escuriola beat Gabriella Cowley (West Essex), winner of the Scottish Under-16 girls' open title last year, by 4 and 3 in the quarter-finals.
Curtis Cup teenager Bronte Law (Bramhall) will play Jessica Vasilic (Sweden) in the final of the second match-play flight for the Cartier Trophy, also over 36 holes.
Bronte, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, beat the top seed, Spain's Harang Lee, by 2 holes in the morning quarter-finals.
RESULTS
ESMOND TROPHY (top flight)
Semi-finals - N Escuriola (Spa) beat L Migneaux (Fra) at 19th; L Funfstuck (Ger) beat E Briggs (Sco) 2 and 1.

CARTIER TROPHY (second flight)Semi-finals - B Law (Eng) bt L Harm (Ger) 3 and 2; J Vasilic (Swe) bt E Ambroise (Fra) 4 and 3.

TO VIEW ALL THE RESULTS IN THE MATCH-PLAY TREES

CLICK HERE

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OUR READERS

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR EASTER CARD
TRY THE PUZZLE AT THE END

FIXTURES AND DATES FOR THE 2013 GREENLEES TROPHY

The West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary Anne Dunn has now got all the arranged fixtures for the 2013 Greenlees Matches.
You will find all the fixtures and results -- when available by clicking on the links on the RHS of this webpage.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS  and TOTALS GRIDS WHEN AVAILABLE

Enjoy the season and may the best teams win ---- Good Luck to all .

NEW SGU CLUB CARD

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES' COUNTY DINNER

RLCGA Captain Maureen Woodhead presents Sandra Littlejohn (Erskine) with a four ball over Pollok GC

Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association held their bi annual dinner at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Wednesday 20th March.
To read all about it go to the RLCGA WEBSITE

D&A COUNTY WINTER FOURSOMES FINAL

Bunny Grant and May Myers -- D&A County Winter Foursomes Winners

The D&A Winter Foursomes Final was played today at Windyhill Golf Course

 Douglas Park's Elinor [Bunny] Grant and Clober's May Myers beat Kay McColl and Helen Burnet (Hilton Park) by the margin of 4&3.

 With extremely difficult conditions and Baltic weather all four ladies showed great guts and stamina. The Damson Gin revived them all on the edge of the 15^th green!   Bunny must be their oldest winner of this competition – she first won in 1985 !! The salver was presented in 1972 by Miss Norah Wallace.   Together with May, they have now won on six occasions, and they have each won with other partners once.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE D&A WEBSITE FOR THE FULL REPORT AND MORE PHOTOS.

Thanks go to D&A's Captain Alisoun Fairbairn for the photograph and report

SCOTLAND TEAM CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2013 SEASON

Following two seasons in charge of the Home International team, Fiona Norris (Hamilton) has been named Captain of the Scottish side for the European Ladies’ Team Championships at Fulford in York in July.

“It is good to be involved with Scotland again this year,” said the former international player. “I am hoping to visit Fulford very soon. I know it is a wonderful championship course and has held many big tournaments in the past.

“Our team will be certainly ready for the challenge and I am sure it will be an advantage that the Championships are taking place in the British Isles. Scotland has many talented players and we will be aiming to put in a strong performance against the very best in Europe.”

Karen Marshall (Baberton) takes over as Captain for the Home Internationals. The Scottish team will have home advantage at Scotscraig from September 11-13. Scotland last hosted the event at Irvine in 2009 when the side finished runners-up to Wales. Scotland went on to win the title at Whitchurch the following season.

Elaine Cuthill ( Lanark) retains Captaincy of the European Girls’ team, while Laura Walker (Muckhart) is the new skipper of the Girls’ Home International team.

Susan Wood (Drumpellier) takes over as Captain of the Scottish Under-16 teams, while Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) extends her period at the helm for the Senior International matches and she will also Captain Scotland at the European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship.

Under 16s Championship: Miss Susan Wood
Home international Matches: Miss Karen Marshall
Girls’ International Matches: Miss Laura Walker
Senior International Matches: Mrs Helen Faulds
European Girls’ Team Championship: Miss Elaine Cuthill
European Ladies’ Team Championship: Mrs Fiona Norris
European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship: Mrs Helen Faulds

LARGS LADIES WINTER STROKEPLAY

Winter Medal Strokeplay Saturday (SSS 73, CSS 73)

Player		Net score
Christine Whitelaw (10)		78
Lauren Gilbert (14)		81
Rachel Irvine (10)		83

Best Scratch Player

Christine Whitelaw:  Score: 88

TROON LADIES MARCH MEDAL

March Medal (SSS 73, CSS 75)

Silver Winner : Elizabeth Hume (20) 72,    Rona Lockie (20) 75,  Moira Cameron (19) [acb] 76
Bronze Winner : Chairmian Tulloch (22) 80,  Margot Webster (23) 81,  Ella Walker (21) 82
Scratch : Gillian Kyle Score: 84

KYLIE WALKER, PAMELA PRETSWELL NAMED FOR CASH AID FROM SCOTTISH GOLF SUPPORT LTD IN 2013

NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Scottish Golf Support Limited (SGSL), the partnership backed by the Scottish Government to help the country’s young professionals progress in their respective careers, has announced its support to six players following the success of the programme last year.

European Tour rookie Scott Henry, Challenge Tour trio Duncan Stewart, Wallace Booth and Ross Kellett, along with Ladies European Tour graduate West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell and fellow LET card holder Kylie Walker are all recipients of funding and support for 2013.

To read the full report go to the Kirkwood Golf Website

KYLIE WALKER IS THE BEST SCOT AT THE LADIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN CHINA

Kylie Walker

West of Scotland's Kyle Walker posted a 1 under par round 71 in the 2013 Ladies World Championship at Mission Hills in China followed by a 2 under par round on day 2. In round 3 she had a 3 over par 75 and a 4 over par 76 and finished in 37th place on 292.
Carly Booth and the 2 Amateurs Kelsey MacDonald and Eilidh Briggs did not make the cut

Carly Booth however, who was representing Scotland finished on the same score of 292 as Kylie and SCOTLAND finished in 12th position out of 19

To see the final results ---    CLICK HERE

LOW HANDICAP AMATEURS NEEDED TO PLAY IN THE NEW PAUL LAWRIE GOLF CENTRE LADIES OPEN TOUR

The new Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Ladies Open Tour will be launched at Marriott Dalmahoy's East Course on Thursday, April 18. The 14-event tour, modelled on 18-hole, one-day Alliance lines, will be open to women professionals and female amateurs with a single-figure handicap.
The fledgling tour is also being supported by the RandA.
This is a great chance for some of our low West of Scotland handicappers to see how they fair against the Pro's -- Why not show them how good you are !The opening Edinburgh double-header - Marriott Dalmahoy on April 18 and Ratho Park on April 19 - in the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Open Tour.
Check it all out at  www.scottishladiestour.co.uk

WEST OF SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FORM

The 2013 West of Scotland Championship is being held at West Kilbride Golf Club on Sunday 5th May. This year the competition will be over 18 holes and handicap limit is 15.
Eilidh Briggs from Kilmacolm is the holder.
To get your Entry form  then  CLICK HERE

2013 SCOTTISH GOLF AWARDS

Sandy Lyle

Sandy Lyle received the Scottish Lifetime Achievement Award last night at the Scottish Golf Awards.
Jack McDonald from Kilmarnock Barassie won the Scottish Amateur Golfer of the year award and Laura Murray the SLGA order of Merit award(see video below)and Jessica Meek the SLGA Girls merit Award

To see some PHOTOGRAPHS from the evening CLICK HERE. Then press SLIDESHOW

LAURA MURRAY RECEIVES HER SLGA ORDER OF MERIT AWARD

SCOTLAND FOOTBALL MANAGER GORDON STRACHAN
PRESENTS SANDY WITH HIS AWARD

DOUGIE DONNELLY INTERVIEWS SANDY LYLE

In the 25th anniversary year of his US Masters triumph at Augusta National, Sandy Lyle MBE spoke of his immense pride after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the glittering 2013 Scottish Golf Awards.

 Before a sell-out crowd of almost 600 guests at the annual showpiece jointly-organised by the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, the two-time Major champion received a richly-deserved standing ovation as he collected the final award of the night. Lyle, who won The Open Championship at Royal St George’s in 1985 before making history by becoming the first Briton to claim the Green Jacket three years later, became one of the world’s leading golfers in the 1980s and is forever regarded as a member of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ during that era.

After amassing 30 professional wins and playing on five Ryder Cup sides, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012 and has now entered Scottish Golf’s equivalent, joining previous inductees Sam Torrance, Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie. “It was a wonderful night at the 2013 Scottish Golf Awards at the Hilton Glasgow,” said Lyle, 55. “What an honour it was to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in front of Scotland’s golf fans in Glasgow, so close to my family heritage in Milngavie.

It was also wonderful to have my wife, Jolande, and four children present at the awards dinner. “It really doesn’t seem like 25 years ago that I won at Augusta National, but it’s obviously a memory that will live with me forever. “I’ve been lucky to have enjoyed a great career and it was nice to reflect on it in Glasgow.

Well done to all the award winners and thank you to the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association for organising a fantastic occasion.” During a night to celebrate Scottish golf at all levels after a fantastic 12 months at amateur and professional level, Lyle was reacquainted with the Claret Jug and the Ryder Cup – among six trophies on show for dinner guests during a wonderful evening which raised thousands of pounds for junior golf in Scotland. Lyle also presented Alford’s Laura Murray with the SLGA Ladies Order of Merit award, before accepting his own Lifetime Achievement accolade from another icon of the 1980s, the Scotland football manager Gordon Strachan.

Other famous personalities from across Scottish sport who gathered included Stephen Gallacher, the recent winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, who presented the Amateur Golfer of the Year award to Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock (Barassie). Gallacher walked away with the Shot of the Year award after his heroics in Dubai, while Ryder Cup hero Paul Lawrie won the prestigious Player of the Year award. Craig Brown, manager of Lawrie’s beloved Aberdeen, received the award on his behalf, with other sports celebrities in attendance including golfer Alastair Forsyth, Scotland’s curling queen Eve Muirhead and Grand Slam winning rugby hero Tony Stanger.

 Among other awards presented on the night, Scotland’s victorious Men’s Home Internationals team won the fierce fight for Team of the Year, while Bradley Neil accepted the Boys’ Order of Merit title on behalf of his Team GB gold medal-winning team-mate Ewan Scott from St Andrews. The awards also recognised the efforts of those involved at the grass roots level of the game, with the RBS Volunteer of the Year award going to Shirley Murray from Torvean, while Central region club Strathendrick triumphed in the RBS Junior Club of the Year.

 Another St Andrews player, Lauren Whyte, the 2012 Scottish Girls champion, was also the second recipient of The Adam Hunter Award, created following the death in 2011 of the ex-European Tour player and coach. Stephen McAllister, a former close tour colleague of Hunter’s, was appropriately on hand to accept Whyte’s £500 grant towards her coaching and development.

 Meanwhile, proceeds from the Jewson Long Putt Challenge went to Lyle’s nominated charity – The Brain Tumour Charity. On the day of Bandanas for Brain Tumours, Sandy and dinner guests donned bandanas for the second biggest Brain Research Charity in the world focussing on research.

 The full list of winners from the 2013 Scottish Golf Awards reads below:

 2013 Scottish Golf Awards – List of winners 

 Amateur Golfer of the Year - Jack McDonald
 SLGA Girls Order of Merit - Jessica Meek
 Team of the Year - Scotland Men’s Team
 SGU Seniors Order of Merit - David Gardner
 SGU Boy's Order of Merit - Ewan Scott
 SLGA Ladies Order of Merit - Laura Murray
 SGU Men's Order of Merit - Scott Borrowman
 Junior Club of the Year - Strathendrick
 Volunteer of the Year - Shirley Murray
 Adam Hunter Award - Lauren Whyte
 Shot of the Year - Stephen Gallacher
 Player of the Year - Paul Lawrie Lifetime Achievement Award - Sandy Lyle