HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

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SEASON GREETINGS TO ALL IN THE OUR WEBSITE READERS

Merry Christmas from Ranfurly Castle

Merry Christmas from Douglas Park

Merry Christmas from Gleddoch

SEASON GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS

SLGA Office Disruption

The SLGA is now in the process of relocating from Perth to Edinburgh so there will be unavoidable disruption to telephone and email service for the next 5-6 days. They apologise for any inconvenience caused. Posted Friday 6th December.

SLGA DRAFT CALENDAR FOR 2014

JANUARY
18 Annual General Meeting 11am (Dewars Centre, Perth)

APRIL
5 - 6 Irish Under 18 Open Stroke Play Championship (Roganstown GC)
Date pending: SVLGA v Ireland
10 - 11 SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship (Strathmore)
25 - 27 Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship (Portland and Old Course, Troon)

MAY
3 - 4 Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship (Prestatyn TBC)
4 West of Scotland Championship (Windyhill)
12 SLGA Regional Medal Final (Kemnay)
20 - 24 100th Scottish Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship (Prestwick)
24 - 25 Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Douglas)
25 Munross Trophy 36-hole (Montrose).
31 - 1 June St Rule Trophy 54-hole(Two rounds New Course, Saturday; One round Old Course, Sunday: St Andrews)
31 - 1 June Girls' Inter-Division Matches (Glenisla TBC)

JUNE
6 - 8 38th Curtis Cup (St Louis, Missouri, USA)
8 Adult and Girl Foursomes (venue TBC)
12 SLGA Regional Medal Final (Kirkcaldy)
16 Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Schools' Championship (Murrayshall)
16 SLGA Regional Medal Final (Lochmaben)
16 - 18 West Division Inter-County Matches (Haggs Castle)
24 - 28 Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship (Royal St George's, Sandwich, Kent).
21 - 23 North Division Inter-County Matches (Pitlochry)
23 - 25 East Division Inter-County Matches (North Berwick)
24 - 25 Faldo Series Scottish Qualifier (Panmure)
28 - 30 South Division Inter-County Matches (Torwoodlee)

JULY
1 - 4 Scottish Senior Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship (Elgin)
3 - 6 English Women's Open Mid Amateur Championship (Bath)
7 - 9 North of Scotland Women's Championship (Montrose)
8 - 12 European Girls' Team Championship (Golf Resort Skalica)
8 - 12 European Ladies' Team Championship (Ljubljana)
10 - 13 Ricoh Womens' British Open Championship (Royal Birkdale, Lancashire)
15 - 19 Scottish Girls' (Close) Amateur Championship (Dumfries and County)
23 - 25 Scottish Ladies' Under-21 Open Stroke Play Championship (Alloa)
23 - 26 European Ladies' Individual Championship (Estonia)
24 - 26 European Young Masters (Hamburg, Germany)
27 Mackie Bowl (Gullane)

AUGUST
1 SLGA Regional Medal Final (Haggs Castle TBC)
4 - 7 St Andrews Junior Ladies Tournament
5 - 7 English Open Stroke Play Championship (Tandridge
6 - 8 Girls' Home International Matches (Donabate GC, Co Dublin)
10 - 11 Scottish Girls' and Boys' Under 14 Championships (Bothwell Castle)
TBC SLGA Regional Medal Final (Minto)
11 - 15 Strathtyrum Tournament (St Andrews)
11 - 15 Girls' British Open Amateur Championship (Massereene, Belfast)
TBC - SVLGA Jambore
TBC - North of Scotland Girls' Championships
18 - SLGA Regional Medal Final (Forres TBC)
20 - 22 Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Asburnham, South Wales)
21 County Golf Open Meeting
22 Barnardos Grand Final - Scotland (Arbroath TBC)
TBC - Total International Junior Championship (Brussels, Belgium)
30 Scottish Ladies' Foursomes (Auchterarder)

SEPTEMBER

TBC - South of Scotland Championship

2 - 6 European Senior Ladies' Team Championship
3 Commonwealth Spoons (Ladybank TBC)
3 - 6 Espirito Santo World Team Championship (Japan)
7 SLGA Grand Medal Final (King James VI, Perth)
TBC - SSGA Match v English Schools
9 - 11 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy (Royal Aberdeen)
14 Scottish Golf Open Amateur Mixed Foursomes (Dunfermline)
TBC - Scottish Veteran Ladies' Championship
16 - 18 Senior Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship (Royal Dornoch)
17 - 19 Ladies' Home International Matches (Aberdovey, West Wales)
19 - 21 Scottish County Finals (Hilton Park TBC)
30 - 2 October Seniors' Home International Matches (Huddersfield)

OCTOBER
5 East of Scotland Championship (Falkirk Tryst)
11 Junior Champion of Champions (The Duke's, St Andrews)
12 SLGA Champion of Champions (Glasgow Gales)

SLGA to move from Perth to Edinburgh

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association is relocating from Perth to Edinburgh. After nine years at The Den on Dundee Road, the governing body will be based at Caledonia House, Sportscotland’s Offices at South Gyle.

A number of sport’s governing bodies are already situated at the offices at 1 Redheughs Rigg and the SLGA will be joining them next month. The switch will take place over the weekend of December 6-9.

COUNTY AGM'S --- NEW CAPTAINS TAKE OVER

Back Row: Sylvia Muir, Eleanor Watson, Ann Grant, Margaret McGregor, Jenny McGee, Kath McKellar Front Row: Liz Keohone, Connie Jaffrey (County Champion), Sheila Adam 

Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association leading prizewinners during the 2013 season pictured at the annual general meeting and prizegiving held at West Kilbride Golf Club yesterday. 

Sheila Adam has taken up office as County Captain and Liz Keohone is her Vice-Captain.

D&A   AGM and Prizegiving was held on Wednesday 30th October at Douglas Park Golf Club. There was a good turnout of members inspite of the weather conditions in the early evening. President, Lana Macdonald, presented the prizes to the successful winners this year. Carol Sim (Balmore) took over as County Captain from Alisoun Fairbairn. 

Karen Maxwell (Milngavie) was appointed as the new Vice Captain

The RLCGA AGM was held on Wednesday 6th November at Haggs Castle Golf Club.
Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle) is the new Captain of Renfrewshire taking over from Maureen Woodhead (Gourock). Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) is the new Vice Captain.

The 2013 Scottish Champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) was awarded Honorary Membership

GO TO THE RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS

 Lanarkshire is still to hold their AGM

GREENLEES TROPHY LUNCH AND PRESENTATION

Milngavie -- Greenlees Trophy Winners

Loudoun Gowf , Milngavie, Lenzie and Douglas Park
Divisional Trophy Winners

The Greenlees Trophy Lunch and Presentation of Trophies was held today at Bothwell Castle Golf Club. Most Clubs were represented and were treated to a beautiful lunch.
Greenlees Secretary Anne Dunn chaired the lunch and thanks go to Lynda Smith (Douglas Park) and Sheena McDonald (Milngavie) who in the absence of your webmaster and controller of the Greenlees Result Grid took some photographs. Click on the small thumbnail below to see more. (Then slideshow)

2013 Greenlees Lunch and Presentation

After the lunch Anne Dunn this is what she said ---

"It seem a shame to spoil such a lovely lunch by my having to speak but there are some things which must be said. I would like to thank Bothwell Castle, on your behalf, for a lovely lunch and a very welcome glass of wine on arrival. One of the nice things about the Greenlees Lunch is that you get to visit other clubs – even if it is only one every 27years!!
Before I get on to the main item on the Agenda may I remind everyone about the Fixture Meeting which will be held here on Tuesday 19th November at 10:00 for 10:30. At that meeting we will be welcoming a new team to our competition – namely Ayr Bellisle. It is exciting to have another club joining us. It is against the trend of many competitions which are struggling to get competitors that teams want to join the Greenlees. It says a lot for the reputation of the competition and the friendliness of the participating members.
Now to the main part of the afternoon – the Presentation of prizes. I would like to invite the Lady Captain of Bothwell to do the honours.
The winner of Division 1 is, for the fifth time in succession, Milngavie.
This year they won with 52 points – not however a record as Haggs Castle won with 52 ½ in 2008 albeit Division Three . Congratulations girls I think we will have to find a way of handicapping you to give the rest a chance.
The runners-up were Loudoun. Congratulations – your third year in the competition and after winning the 3rd Division then the 2nd Division you are now the runners-up on the 1st. Perhaps you will knock Milngavie off their perch next year.
Division 2 has a return winner in Douglas Park. Welcome back to Division 1 next year.
Prestwick St Nicholas were the runners-up in Division 2 – much to the relief of Kilmacolm!!

The Third Division winners were Lenzie. Congratulations to them. The runners-up being Hilton Park.
We have had a wonderful season this year and the competition has gone very smoothly. I wish you all well next year both those who will remain in the same Divisions and those who will have new opponents.
I hope you all have a safe journey home and look forward to seeing you at the meeting in November"

FINAL RESULTS

Division 1: Milngavie --- Greenlees Trophy Winners
Loudoun Gowf -- Runners Up

Relegated ; Whitecraigs and Haggs Castle






Division 2 Winners : Douglas Park
Runners Up : Prestwick St Nicholas

Relegated Bothwell Castle and Cardross







Division 3 Winners : Lenzie
Runners Up Hilton Park

CONNIE JAFFREY WINS 2013 SLGA GIRLS' ORDER OF MERIT

SLGA NEWS RELEASE

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) is the deserved winner of the 2013 Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Girls’ Order of Merit. In a season highlighted by her win in the Scottish Girls’ Championship at Ranfurly Castle in July, she also claimed the Scottish Schools’ and Ayrshire County titles.
In addition, the 17-year-old played for Scotland in the Girls’ European and Girls’ Home International Championships and then topped the lot by making her senior Scotland debut at the Home Internationals at Scotscraig in September.
Jaffrey accumulated 2,645 points and just held off the challenge from Clara Young (North Berwick), who marked her season by reaching the final of the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Longniddry in May.
Heather Munro (Monifieth), another who made her senior Scotland debut at Scotscraig, was third. Tara Mactaggart (Minto), the beaten finalist in the Scottish Girls’ Championship, finished in fourth place.
Jaffrey could reflect on a terrific 2013. “Winning the Scottish Girls’ Championship was my goal at the start of the season and it’s been a great overall year,” said the teenager who is now in her sixth and final year at Kilwinning Academy.
Next year, she aims to go to the US on a golf scholarship and it could be another step towards making golf her career.
Before then, she has another season in the junior ranks and will be able to defend the Scottish Girls’ Championship at Dumfries and County next July.

2013 SLGA Girls’ Order of Merit
Top ten
1 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 2645
2 Clara Young (North Berwick) 2155
3 Heather Munro (Monifieth) 2040
3 Tara Mactaggart (Minto) 1845
5 Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New) 1610
6 Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 1520
7 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 1445
8 Danielle Ker (The Roxburghe) 1200
9 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 1115
10 Emily Dalgetty (Glencorse) 1110

WEST OF SCOTLAND'S CHAMPION MEGAN BRIGGS WINS THE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

FROM THE SLGA WEBSITE

Left to right: Sammy Leslie, Megan Briggs and Ailsa Summers - Courtesy of the SLGA

West of Scotland Champion Megan Briggs continued the recent dominance of the Briggs family at the Champion of Champions by winning (Sunday 20th October) over Glasgow Gailes after her younger sister Eilidh had won the event for the previous two seasons.
On a day that saw some heavy showers mixed with bursts of sunshine a field of 11 players were competing in the season ending event and Megan with a score of 72, five shots under the CSS of 77, proved too strong for the quality field which included the current Scottish Champion Alyson McKechin and Girls Champion Connie Jaffrey.

WINNER:  Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 72
SECOND:  Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 75
THIRD:  Sammy Leslie (Westhill) 78
CSS 77

EILIDH BRIGGS WINS SLGA ORDER OF MERIT AWARD

NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) won the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Girls’ Order of Merit three years in a row from 2009. After an impressive list of results, she has been crowned this season’s Senior Order of Merit winner.
Eilidh collected 2075 points to finish ahead of Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) with Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) in third place. Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) – Eildih’s older sister – was fourth.
“I was delighted with the year,” said Eildih, a Stirling University physical education student. “I was consistent all season and really performed in the big events.
“I had top 15 finishes in the Scottish, Welsh and Irish Opens and not many players do that. I had the chance to win a couple of times and I learned a lot from the year. It was good that my form didn’t go up and down. It was steady throughout.”
In her third year at Stirling, the 20-year-old is grateful for the help she receives from the University. “It is tough trying to do everything, but I love the fact that I am adding to my education while my golf is still improving,” she said. “Everyone at Stirling helps me to combine both.”
A member of the Home International team at Scotscraig – as was Megan – Eilidh was disappointed that Scotland finished with the wooden spoon, but she could be proud of a personal haul of two foursomes wins and two singles points.
“We had a very new, young team and a lot of the matches were very close (Scotland drew with Ireland) so there were encouraging signs, she pointed out. “Also, a lot of our players are in the US so were unavailable.”
With another two years of study at University, Eilidh is not looking too far ahead. But golf definitely features in her future plans. “My goal is to get a GB and Ireland cap and finish my degree before making any serious decisions about my golf,” she added. “This year has been very good and I just want to keep getting better.”

2013 Order of Merit top ten

1 Eilidh Briggs Kilmacolm 2075 points
2 Alyson McKechin Elderslie 1613
3 Ailsa Summers Carnoustie Ladies 1520
4 Megan Briggs Kilmacolm 1410
5 Clara Young North Berwick 1335
6 Jessica Meek Carnoustie Ladies 1100
7 Jane Turner Craigielaw 1065
8 Lauren Whyte St Regulus 970
9 Rachel Polson Peterculter 880
10 Hannah Scott Broomieknowe 770

SGU DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS

CONNIE IS 3RD IN THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS

Connie Jaffrey, Lauren Whyte and Nicola Robertson - Photo Courtesy of the SLGA

Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) came out on top of a quality field yesterday (Sunday 13th October 2013), at the Girls' Junior Champion of Champions held at The Dukes course.  
Conditions were less than favourable with a strong cold wind and heavy showers making it very difficult, however the field made up of National Champions, County Champions and Internationalists battled the course and Lauren pipped team mate Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New) by 1 shot to win the title with an impressive 73.  
National Girls' Champion Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) was 3 shots back with a 76.

CONNIE JAFFREY WINS THE WEST GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

L to R -- Bronze Semi Finalists  Jennifer, Bethany, Niamh and Heather,
Championship Semi Finalists -- Kirsten, Alex, Kate and Connie
Photo courtesy of Allison Bell

The WOS Girls Championship Semi finals and Final were played yesterday over Troon Ladies Portland.
In the Semi Final Scottish Under 18 Champion Connie Jaffrey beat Alex Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) and Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) beat Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies).
In the Bonze Champion Ship Semi Finals Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) beat Bethany Crawford (Erskine)  and Niamh Kinney (Erskine) beat Laura Mushet (Elderslie)

WEST OF SCOTLAND GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 2013
Champion: Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) Runner-up: Kirsten Brown (Strathaven)
Bronze Champion : Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) Runner-up: Niamh Kinney (Erskine)

GREENLEES LUNCH AND PRESENTATION

Greenlees Lunch and Presentation of Trophies -- Note sent to all Greenlees Club Captains

Congratulations to everybody who took part this year particularly the :

Winners of Division 1 - Milngavie

Runners-up                   Loudoun

Winners of Division 2 - Douglas Park

Runners-up                   Prestwick St Nicholas

Winners of Division 3 - Lenzie

Runners-up                   Hilton Park

The lunch will be held this year at Bothwell Castle Golf Club on Tuesday, 22 October at 1230 for 1300.   The cost of the lunch will be £15 payable on the day either by cash or cheque made out to Bothwell Castle Golf Club.  
Bothwell Castle have kindly donated a glass of wine prior to the lunch.

Could you please reply to me as to whether your club will be represented, at the moment only two members from each club, and whether you have any special dietary requirements
.

 Subscriptions for next season are due, £15 with cheques made payable to Greenlees Trophy.

Anne Dunn (Greenlees Secretary)

BETH ALLEN WINS THE LADIES TOUR EVENT DRUMPELLIER

Becky Brewerton, Vikki Laing, Carol Fell (Winner of the best Net)  and Beth Allen (The Tournament Winner)

Solheim Cup player Becky Brewerton from Wales made her debut on the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour at Drumpellier Golf Club today.
But it was another Ladies European Tour player, American Beth Allen who won the top prize of £750 with a one-under-par round of 71.
Beth won by a single shot from another who has LET experience, Kiran Matharu from Leeds. Kiran's 72 earned her £600 and she is fast regaining the confidence that made her a Curtis Cup player in her amateur days.
Another past Curtis Cup amateur, Michele Thomson from Ellon, finished third on 74 and earned £500.
Brewerton finished outwith the money list with an 80.
Ranfurly Castle amateur Carol Fell almost had a hole in one at the fifth.
Playing off a handicap of nine, Carol did well to get round in a gross 81 and she won the golf balls prize with a net 72.
Gemma Webster, who has come on to her game in the past week or two, had the longest drive of the day at the designated hole.
The inaugural Paul Lawrie Ladies Open Tour ends next week with an 18-hole competition at Craigielaw next Wednesday, followed by the 36-hole Tour Championship over the Marriott Dalmahoy East and West Courses on Thursday and Friday next week.

DRUMPELLIER SCORES
Par 72 (Yellow Tees)
71 Beth Allen (£750)
72 Kiran Matharu (£600)
74 Michele Thomson (£500)
75 Heather Stirling, Gemma Webster (£325 each)
76 Lisa Shervill (£190).
77 Daisy Dyer (£105), Charlotte Austwick (am) (£105 voucher)
78 Laura Murray, Vikki Laing.
79 Martine Pow
80 Becky Brewerton, Emma Fairnie.
81 Jane Turner, Carol Fell (am)
82 Karyn Burns
84 Nichola Ferguson (am)
89 Eileen Cooper (am)

Carol Fell, who is also a member of Douglas Park Golf Club, looks back on the Drumpellier day from an amateur's point of view.
"I was about 6 inches away from a hole in one at the fifth. Played all the short holes well. Got another 2 at the seventh -- about a 18 inches away. At the next short hole the 12th -- should have had another 2 - missed a 2ft putt and had a 3 and then at the 14th missed the green - chipped on and sank the putt for a 3 -- So the short holes were good!
"Beth Allen played really well and I enjoyed watching her game. Delighted to win a dozen golf balls for the best net -- should keep me going!"

NOTE FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON: Carol Fell only played in the Paul Lawrie Tour event as a personal favour because we were short of entries. So nice to see that she did not go away empty-handed from Drumpellier.

Report by Colin Farquharson

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTOS

CHARLOTTE BEATS THE LADY PROS IN PAUL LAWRIE EVENT AT HAGGS CASTLE

Yorkshire amateur Charlotte Austwick (Fulford) showed a field of female professionals a clean pair of heels in todays (Monday) Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Ladies Open Tour 18-hole event at Haggs Castle Golf Club, Glasgow.
Charlotte, who has her sights set on reaching the Ladies European Tour after a year of gaining tournament experience as a full-time amateur, shot a two-over-par 74 to win the maximum prize permitted under the Rules of Amateur Status, a voucher to the value of £500.
Charlotte birdied the fourth and 16th and had bogeys at the sixth, seventh, eighth and 10th in halves of 38 and 36.
Runners-up on 75 were two former Curtis Cup players, Michele Thomson from Ellon and Kiran Matharu from Leeds, and another GB and I international as an amateur, Lisa Shervill, who is English but lives in West Kilbride.
Surprisingly, Heather Stirling and Katy McNicoll, leading players in most of the Paul Lawrie Tour events todate, had a joint off day and finished out of the money.
Heather had a 78 and Katy and 80.
Katy led the Tour Order of Merit going into this event and it will be interesting to see if the top of the order has changed.
The Paul Lawrie Ladies Tour moves on to Drumpellier Golf Club on Tuesday when Solheim Cup player Becky Brewerton makes her debut.
Late entries will be accepted by contacting Tour Director Nicola Melville.
Spectators will be made most welcome.
LEADING SCRATCH SCORES
Par 72
74 Charlotte Austwick (Fulford) (am) (£500 amateur voucher)
75 Lisa Shervill, Michele Thomson, Kiran Matharu (£450 each)
76 Emma Fairnie, Gemma Webster, Martine Pow (£300 each).
77 Daisy Dyer £100.
78 Jane Turner, Heather Stirling
79 Laura Murray
80 Katy McNicoll, Karyn Burns
84 Nichola Ferguson (am)
91 Jennifer Rankine (am)
98 Alexandra Duffy (am)

OFFICIAL PRIZE LIST
Charlotte Austwick (a) 74 £500 voucher
Lisa Shervill 75 £450
Michele Thomson 75 £450
Kiran Matharu 75 £450
Emma Fairnie 76 £300
Gemma Webster 76 £300
Martine Pow 76 £300
Daisy Dyer 77 £100
Jane Turner 78
Heather Stirling 78
Laura Murray 79
Katy McNicoll 80
Karyn Burns 80
Nichola Ferguson (a) 84
Jennifer Rankine (a) 91
Alexandra Duffy (a) 98

Winner of putter (Charlotte cannot accept because she won the maximum amateur voucher prize): Michele Thomson 75 on countback with Lisa Shervill and Kiran Matharu

Best net amateur goes to Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) (2) 82 on countback with Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) (9) 82
Long drive goes to Lisa Shervill

 Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

MURRAYFIELD PAIR WIN SLGA ADULT AND GIRL FOURSOMES

Caroline and Rachel Steedman (Murrayfield) had the best overall Stableford points score of 40, playing off a combined handicap of 18, in yesterday's (Sunday) SLGA adult and girl foursomes at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

 Category leaders: Class 1 (handicaps 0-11) - Jim and Heather Laing (Glencorse) (8) 37; Alasdair and Anna Mackenzie (Crail GS) (11) 34.
Class 2 (handicaps 12-18) - Alan and Abbi Kidd (Lenzie ) (12) 36; Neville (Glasgow) and Kate Prentice (Lenzie) (15) 35.
Class 3 (19-36) - Barry (Pollok) and Zoe Cuthbertson (Mearns Castle) (19_ 31; Colin and Caitlin (Turner) (Baberton) (19) 30.
Class 4 (no handicap - Karen and Ella Marshall (Baberton) (19) 36; Catherine and Alison Malcolm (Prestwick St Nicholas) (20) 35.

WEST GIRLS ALEX AND MOLLIE HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY WITH THE RYDER CUP CAPTAINS

Sixteen golfing youngsters from around Scotland were given a dream call-up to play alongside 2014 Ryder Cup captains Tom Watson and Paul McGinley in a unique challenge at Gleneagles.

 The keen young golfers, all of whom are part of the Scottish Golf Development Centre programme, were selected to represent their regions over the PGA Centenary Course on 23 September to mark one year to go until the 40th Ryder Cup Match.

Douglas Park's Junior Alex Mennie  was one of those young players selected  as was Strathaven's Mollie Richmond

Tom Watson and Alex Mennie

Tom lines up the putt for Alex

High Fives !!

 There was an early high-five for Douglas Park's Alex Mennie, who takes part in the  Development Centre coaching under Club Golf Scotland at World of Golf in Clydebank.
 She teed off in front of a huge crowd on the first hole but held herself together with a few nerve-calming tips from her captain Tom Watson, even going on to hole a very tricky putt, indeed.

 "It was amazing. It was definitely one of the best experience of my life. I will never experience anything like this again.

 "It was actually okay being off the first tee. Tom Watson was very calming and taught me how to deal with nerves by taking deep breaths, so he was really good. I’m usually quite a nervous person but he showed me how to deal with them, which was great, so I wasn’t nervous at all. I just thought, everyone is here to watch you, so just enjoy the moment.

 "The putt that I sunk was one of the best that I have holed to date. They weren’t going in on the practice green, so to hole it in front of everyone was great."

All 8 boys and 8 girls with Paul McGinlay and Tom Watson

Molly Richmond of Strathaven Golf Club also played in the match on the Centenary Course at Gleneagles playing with Ryder Cup Captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson. 
Eight girls and eight boys from all over Scotland played two holes each and Molly was in Captain Watson’s team  
Molly was also interviewed by Dougie Donnelly and listed Lanarkshire’s win of the Kennedy Salver as the highlight of her golfing year so far. At the par three tenth hole the girls played in Paul McGinley's team and the boys with Tom Watson in a competition to see who could hit the ball closer to the pin than their respective captains. Molly was one of four girls to beat Paul McGinley winning herself four tickets for the Thursday Practice Day and Opening Ceremony.

Molly with Tom Watson

ALEX GLENNIE IS RUNNER UP IN THE SCOTTISH VETS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Alex and Alison
photo courtesy of Heather Anderson

Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) is the new Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association match-play champion.
Alison winner of the Highland Vets' title earlier in the season, beat Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie), the West champion, by 5 and 4 in the final over Blairgowrie Golf Club's Lansdowne course this yesterday.
Alex won the first hole to be one up on the second tee but that was as good as it got for the Ayrshire senior.
Alison, playing par golf, reached the turn in an approximate 36 shots and had established a five-hole lead.
Alex came back into the game after the turn but ran out of holes in the end.
Alison was winning the Scottish Veterans' Title for the first time. The championship is contested by the eight divisional title winners and this is the first year that Alison had been Highland vets' championship.
In the morning's semi-finals, Bartlett had a birdie at the last to win by one hole against Linda Dyball (Midland) and Alex Glennie won by 3 and 2 against Susan Arbuckle
Results:
SEMI-FINALS -
A Bartlett (Highland) beat L Dyball (Midland) by 1 hole.
Alex Glennie (West)  beat S Arbuckle (Northern) 3 and 2

FINAL - Alison Bartlett beat Alex Glennie 5 and 4.

RENFREWSHIRE WIN AGAINST ABERDEENSHIRE BUT MIDLOTHIAN WIN COUNTY FINALS ON COUNTBACK

Midlothian Team

Thanks go to Colin Faquharson for the report.

Midlothian have regained the Scottish women's county team championship they lost to Angus last year.
Midlothian, Aberdeenshire and Renfrewshire all finished the three-day programme at Stirling Golf Club with two wins and one defeat. Borders, the fourth team, lost all three of their matches.
The first stage of the tie-breaking countback still had Midlothian and Aberdeenshire, who lost their 100 per cent record in a 5-4 defeat by Renfrewshire today, level at 17-10 in a games won-lost comparison. Renfrewshire had a 16-ll record.
From there the countback went to holes-up totals in games won, not halved.
That again failed to separate Midlothian and Aberdeenshire who last won the title at Powfoot in 1986.
The final tie-breaker was a count of the total number of holes played by the respective teams, with victory going to Midlothian who played 252 holes, one fewer than Aberdeenshire.
Personal opinion (of an Aberdonian): If it was that close, could we not have had joint champions?

SCOTTISH COUNTY FINALS AT STIRLING - FINAL DAY SCOREBOARD
MIDLOTHIAN 8, BORDERS 1

FOURSOMES (2-1)
Emily Dalgetty and Kate McIntosh lost to Tara Mactaggart and Danni Ker 4 and 3.
Wendy Nicholson and Rachael Livingstone beat Sharon Patterson and Gillian Oliver 7 and 6.
Gabrielle Macdonald and Louise Fraser beat Isla Craigie and Julie Birdsall 2 and 1.
SINGLES (6-0)
Macdonald beat Mactaggart 2 holes.
Livingstone beat Ker 2 and 1.
Dalgetty beat Oliver 7 and 6.
McIntosh beat Birdsall 5 and 4.
Nicholson beat Leanne Wilson 6 and 4.
Karen Marshall beat Craigie 1 hol.

Renfrewshire Team --Alyson, Katrina, Captain Maureen, Megan, Gillian, Liz, Vice Captain Gill, Carol and Donna

RENFREWSHIRE 5, ABERDEENSHIRE 4
FOURSOMES (2-1)
Megan Briggs and Carol Whyte lost to Sammy Leslie and Shannon McWilliam 2 and 1.
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart beat Carol Wilson and Sara Mathieson 3 and 2.
Alyson McKechin and Katrina Milne beat Sheena Wood and Donna Pocock 2 and 1.
SINGLES (3-3)
Briggs beat Leslie 6 and 4.
McKechin halved with Wilson.
Milne beat Kimberley Beveridge 2 holes.
Jackson lost to Wood 1 hole.
Whyte halved with McWilliam
Gillian Kyle lost to Mathieson 3 and 2 .

HOW THEY FINISHED
1 Midlothian 4pt 17-10 in games won-lost
Midlothian won title on holes up aggregate from games won
2 Aberdeenshire 4pt 17-10 in games won-lost
3 Renfrewshire 4pt 16-11 in games won-lost.
4 Borders 0pt.

Click on the small thumbnail to see some photos from the day  -- then on the small down arrow on the RHS to find slideshow

2013 County Finals -- Last Day

RENFREWSHIRE LOSE TO MIDLOTHIAN ON DAY 2

ABERDEENSHIRE LEAD COUNTY FINALS WITH TWO VICTORIES
Aberdeenshire are within sign of their first Scottish women's county championship finals victory since they won the title at Powfoot in 1986.
They followed up their Friday 5-4 win over Midlothian by beating Borders 8-1 at Stirling Golf Club today.
In the other match, Midlothian won 5-4 against Renfrewshire who had beaten Borders 7-2 in their opening fixture.
Aberdeenshire made a 3-0 clean sweep of the morning foursomes against Borders and then took the singles 5-l.
The singles were decisive in Midlothian's favour against Renfrewshire after the foursomes had been shared at 1 1/2pt each.
Emily Dalgetty, Kate McIntosh (who beat Scottish champion Alyson McKechin 2 and 1) and Wendy Nicholson scored Midlothian's key wins in the singles.
Aberdeenshire need only to draw their final match against Renfrewshire on Sunday to be Scottish champions for the first time since 1986 when their team included such players as Elaine Farquharson (Deeside) and Julie Forbes (Aboyne).
If Renfrewshire and Midlothian both win their last games, then the title will be decided on a countback with three teams finishing with 2pt apiece.

DAY 2 DETAILS

ABERDEENSHIRE 8, BORDERS 1

FOURSOMES (3-0)
Sammy Leslie and Kimberley Beveridge bt Tara Mactaggart and Danni Ker 3 and 1.
Carol Wilson and Sara Mathieson bt Julie Birdsall and Isla Craigie 3 and 2.
Sheena Wood and Donna Pocock bt Sharon Patterson and Leanna Wilson 5 and 3.
SINGLES (5-1)
Leslie bt Mactaggart 5 and 4.
Beveridge lost to Ker 5 5 and 3.
Wood bt Patterson 5 and 4.
Claire Prouse bt Gillian Oliver 5 and 4.
Shannon McWilliam bt Birdsall 5 and 4.
Pocock bt Criagie 1 hole.

MIDLOTHIAN 5, RENFREWSHIRE 4

FOURSOMES (1 1/2-1 1/2)
Gabrielle Macdonald and Louise Fraser lost to Alyson McKechin and Katrina Milne 2 and 1.
Emily Dalgetty and Kate McIntosh beat Megan Briggs and Carol Whyte 1 hole
Wendy Nicholson and Rachael Livingstone halved with Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart.
SINGLES (3 1/2-2 1/2)
Macdonald lost to Briggs 2 holes
Dalgetty beat Milne 3 and 1.
McIntosh beat McKechin 2 and 1.
Fraser lost to Gillian Kyle 5 and 4.
Nicholson beat Whyte 4 and 3.
Karen Marshall halved with Jackson.

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report

RENFREWSHIRE WIN AGAINST BORDERS ON DAY 1 OF COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS AT STIRLING

Aberdeenshire and Renfrewshire both won their opening matches in the Scottish women's county golf championship finals at Stirling Golf Club today.

Despite Renfrewshire lacking the services of Eilidh Briggs who is playing in the European Universities Championships in France, Scottish champion Alyson McKechin, Megan Briggs, Carol Whyte and Katrina Milne  were winners in both foursomes and the singles
Renfrewshire had a 7-2 win against Borders, the weakest of the four qualifiers.

Aberdeenshire, lacking the services of Sheena Wood, still travelling back to Scotland from the Senior British Open championship which ended at Royal Portrush on Thursday evening, did well to make up a 2-1 deficit from the foursomes and beat recent past champions Midlothian 5-4.

SCOTTISH COUNTY FINALS SCOREBOARD AT STIRLING - DAY ONE
ABERDEENSHIRE 5, MIDLOTHIAN 4
Sammy Lesley and Shannon McWilliam lost to Gabrielle Macdonald and Louise Fraser 3 and 2.
Donna Pocock and Kimberley Beveridge lost to Emily Dalgetty and Kate McIntosh
Carol Wilson and Sara Mathieson beat Wendy Nicholson and Karen Marshall 3 and 2.
SINGLES (4-2)
Leslie beat Macdonald 2 and 1.
Beveridge beat Fraser 5 and 4.
Claire Prouse lost to Dalgetty 5 and 4
Mathieson beat Hannah Scott 3 and 2.
McWilliams beat Rachael Livingstone 2 and 1.
Wilson lost to McIntosh 3 and 2.
 RENFREWSHIRE 7, BORDERS 2
FOURSOMES (2 1/2-1/2)
Megan Briggs and Carol Whyte beat Tara Mactaggart and Danni Ker 7 and 6.
Alyson McKechin and Katrina Milne beat Julie Birdsall and Isla Craigie 6 and 5.
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart halved with Sharon Patterson and Leanne Wilson.
SINGLES (4 1/2-1 1/2)
McKechin beat Mactaggart 5 and 4.
Briggs beat Ker 6 and 4.
Whyte beat Patterson 2 and 1.
Milne beat Fiona Ker 7 and 6.
Gillian Kyle lost to Birdsall 4 and 2.
Gillian McGinlay halved with Craigie.

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S COUNTY FINALS OVER THREE DAYS, STARTING FRIDAY

Aberdeenshire, who knocked out last year's national champions Angus in winning the North Division title at Tain in June, have high hopes that they will win the Scottish title for the first time in many years when the three-day Scottish county finals tee off at Stirling Golf Club tomorrow.
Their opening match, against Midlothian, will be the acid test for North-east aspirations. If Shire beat the recent past champions then they will know they are good enough to go all the way.
Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), winner of the Scottish Under-14s girls title earlier this year, is drafted into the line-up as a replacement for Rachael Polson (Peterculter), who played at Tain but is now back in Florida at college.
If the Aberdeenshire challenge is found wanting, then Saturday's Midlothian v Renfrewshire clash will be the virtual title decider.
The South Division champions, Borders, are the underdogs of the four qualifying counties.
ABERDEENSHIRE
KIMBERLEY BEVERIDGE (Aboyne)
SAMMY LESLIE (Aberdeen Ladies)
SARA MATHIESON ( Murcar Links)
SHANNON McWILLIAM (Aboyne)
DONNA POCOCK (Murcar Links)
CLAIRE PROUSE (Murcar Links)
CAROL WILSON (Murcar Links)
SHEENA WOOD (Aberdeen Links)
BORDERS
JULIE BIRDSALL (The Roxburghe).
ISLA CRAIGIE (Torwoodlee)
DANNI KER (The Roxburghe)
FIONA KER (The Roxburghe)
TARA Mactaggart (Minto)
GILLIAN OLIVER (St Boswells)
SHARON PATTERSON (Kelso)
LEANNE WILSON (Kelso)
MIDLOTHIAN
EMILY DALGETTY (Glencorse)
LOUISE FRASER (Kingsknowe)
RACHAEL LIVINGSTONE (Craigmillar Park).
GABRIELLE Macdonald (Craigielaw)
KAREN MARSHALL (Baberton)
KATE McINTOSH (Broomieknowe)
WENDY NICHOLSON (Broomieknowe)
HANNAH SCOTT (Broomieknowe)
RENFREWSHIRE
MEGAN BRIGGS (Kilmacolm)
DONNA JACKSON (Cochrane Castle)
GILLIAN KYLE (East Renfrewshire)
GILLIAN McGINLAY (Cochrane Castle)
ALYSON McKECHIN (Elderslie)
KATRINA MILNE (Erskine)
LIZ STEWART (Greenburn)
CAROL WHYTE (Windyhill)

PROGRAMME
Day 1 – Friday
Aberdeenshire v Midlothian
Foursomes 9.30am Singles 1.30pm
Renfrewshire v Borders
Foursomes 9.52am Singles 2.15pm
Day 2 – Saturday
Midlothian v Renfrewshire
Foursomes 9.30am Singles 1.30pm
Aberdeenshire v Borders
Foursomes 9.52am Singles 2.15pm
Day 3 – Sunday
Borders v Midlothian
Foursomes 9.30am Singles 1.30pm
Renfrewshire v Aberdeenshire
Foursomes 9.52am Singles 2.15pm

SCOTTISH MIXED FOURSOMES -- REARRANGED DATE

The Scottish Golf Open Amateur Mixed Foursomes, due to have been played last Sunday, have been rearranged for Sunday, October 6 at Strathaven Golf Club.
 The original draw will stand.
Please contact Toni via email a.melvin-ffinch@slga.co.uk . If you had withdrawn from the event please contact her as a place will be made available for you.
Toni Melvin-Ffinch
Championship Manager
Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Limited
The Den
2 Dundee Road

GREENLEES TROPHY 2013 - DIVISIONAL FINAL TOTALS

Division 1: Milngavie --- Greenlees Trophy Winners
Loudoun Gowf -- Runners Up

Relegated ; Whitecraigs and Haggs Castle






Division 2 Winners : Douglas Park
Runners Up : Prestwick St Nicholas

Relegated Bothwell Castle and Cardross







Division 3 Winners : Lenzie
Runners Up Hilton Park

COME ON ALL YOU SINGLE FIGURE HANDICAP PLAYERS --- HANDICAP PRIZES NOW

Nicola Melville and Colin Farquharson have decided that, to encourage players like your webmaster who have a higher handicap within the nine maximum range, to award two dozen golf balls for the best net totals and a dozen for 2nd best net at both Haggs Castle and Drumpellier venues with maybe more for 2nd place ties, etc ----  PUT YOUR ENTRIES THROUGH --- www.scottishladiestour.co.uk

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Calling all girl and lady and senior lady amateur golfers within playing distance of Haggs Castle and Drumpellier golf clubs.
We really need you to enter the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open tour events at the two venues named above - Haggs Castle on Monday, September 23, and Drumpellier on Tuesday, September 24.
Not to put too fine a point on it, so many of the tour professionals have dropped out of these events because of a clash with LETAS tournaments that the handful of players left are playing for a lot of sponsorship money/prize vouchers.
You can see the entry lists for yourself by logging on to www.scottishladiestour.co.uk
If you cannot manage to play in both, but might be able to enter one of the events, please do so.
It is important for the future of the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour that the fields at events are of a respectable size. We lose our credibility and our ability to attract future sponsors if the fields barely make it to double figures.
So, please, if you can get the afternoon off - both 18-hole events have post lunchtime starting times - enter one or both of the events through the website.
You can enter online at www.scottishladiestour.co.uk
We have never had any senior ladies play on the PLGC SLOT but there is no reason why they should not compete for prizes up to the value of a £500 voucher. As long as they have a single-figure handicap.
We need your help. Please come to our aid.

SLGA MIXED FOURSOMES CANCELLED

SLGA Championships

Scottish Mixed Foursomes at Strathaven Golf Club today has been cancelled due to flooding.

GLEDDOCH MIIXED OPEN GREENSOMES POSTPONED

In view of the weather forecast tomorrow (Sunday 15th September) , we had no option but to postpone our Mixed Open Greensomes. However we are going to try for Sunday 6th October - same arrangements.

  Message from June Lockhart

AIMPOINT GREEN READING CLINIC

Tel: 0141 429 8622 Website:Click Here   Scotland's Premier Indoor Golf Facility     On 21st September AimPoint Certified Instructor Peter Ledwidge will be at Glasgow Golf Centre to deliver Aimpoint Fundamentals Green Reading Clinics. Imagine Being Able to Read Every Putt Correctly! AimPoint Website Whether you're a professional golfer, caddie, junior, or amateur golfer, AimPoint Green Reading will transform your game by teaching you the one aspect of putting which is never taught--exactly where to aim. Mark Sweeney has pioneered a green-reading method based on the highly accurate, Emmy Award winning AimPoint Technology seen on the Golf Channel. After going through the AimPoint Green Reading education, you will never again have to guess at how much a putts breaks. Any putt. Learn that putting is predictable and discover the most effective and reliable ways to determine the direction and precise amount of break for any putt, all based on gravity (only works on earth). What You Will Learn at the Clinic:   How to measure green speed How to accurately identify slope amount How slope and gradient affect break How to identify your position on the slope How to use the AimChart Exactly where to aim from 20ft and in Capture Speed Dynamics How to read greens consistently and accurately & make more putts               Book Your Place Now! Places are very limited and filling up fast. We have only a few spaces left for the 4pm clinic on Saturday 21st September 2013. Cost: £90.00 (1 person) or          £160.00 (2 persons) Call Karyn Burns on 0141 429 8622 to reserve your space Learn - Practice - Enjoy

WALES WIN HOME INTERNATIONALS AND SCOTLAND WIN THE WOODEN SPOON

WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS
Scotscraig GC, Fife
DAY 3
WALES 7, SCOTLAND 2
Foursomes (3-0)
Sam Birks and Kath O'Connor beat Alyson McKechin and Eilidh Briggs 3 and 2.
Chloe Williams and Katie Bradbury beat Megan Briggs and Gabrielle Macdonald 2 and 1.
Amy Boulden and Becky Harries beat Hannah McCook and Connie Jaffrey 6 and 5.
Singles (4-2)
Boulden beat Eilidh Briggs 1 hole.
Williams beat Lauren Whyte 4 and 3.
Bradbury halved with McKechin.
Birks lost to Heather Munro 3 and 2.
O'Connor beat Jaffrey 1 hole.
Harries halved with McCook.
ENGLAND 4, IRELAND 5
Foursomes (1 1/2-1 1/2)
Georgia Hall and Lauren Taylor beat Olivia Mehaffey and Paula Grant 3 and 1.
Sarah-Jane Boyd and Rachael Goodall halved with Lisa Maguire and Leona Maguire.
Annabel Dimmock and Alexandra Peters lost to Maria Dunne and Emma O'Driscoll 4 and 3.
Singles (2 1/2-3 1/2)
Taylor lost to Leona Maguire 3 and 2.
Hall beat Mehaffey 7 and 6.
Gabriella Cowley bt Mary Doyle 1 hole.
Peters lost to Amy Farrell 1 hole.
Goodall lost to Grant 2 and 1.
Boyd halved with Lisa Maguire.
HOW THEY FINISHED
1 Wales 3pt
2 Ireland 1 1/2pt
3 England 1pt
4 Scotland 1/2pt