SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

100th Playing of the Scottish Championship

Calling all Silver Division golfers! Your National Championship needs you. This year is the 100th playing of the Scottish Ladies (Close) Amateur Championship from 20th -24th May; it is being played at the site of the first Open Championship, Prestwick Golf Club. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a minimum of 3 rounds on one of the finest links courses in the world for only £45. The closing date for entries is 12noon Thursday 17th April 2014 you can enter online now on the SLGA website www.slga.co.uk

GET YOUR MACKIE ROSEBOWL ENTRY FORM

MACKIE BOWL OVER 36 HOLES AT GULLANE ON JULY 27
The Mackie Bowl will be held on Sunday 27 July 2014. This is a SLGA Order of Merit Event played over 36 holes on Gullane No.1 course.
Entry forms are available for downloading from the SLGA website as are many of the other entry forms.

AYRSHIRE GIRLS SPRING MEDAL

Pre-Handicap girls after the prize-giving.

Scoring was good in season's opener for Ayrshire Girls. Played over Seafield on a bright but very windy afternoon, the winner was Lauren Gilbert (Largs) with a net 67 and runner-up Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) on 69. SSS 69 as was the CSS on the day.

6 girls played 10 holes in the Pre-Handicap competition, results are as follows:-
10-11 years 12 years and over
1st Rachel Foster (Turnberry) 53 Samantha McKay (Loudoun) 58
2nd Kathryn Muir (Troon) 74 Olivia Dunscombe (North Gailes) 60
3rd Hannah Fulton (North Gailes) 78 Rebecca Hale (North Gailes) 64

MILNGAVIE PAST CAPTAIN ANNA TELFER INTERVIEWED ON THE RADIO

Past Milngavie Club Captain Anna Telfer gave an excellent interview on BBC Radio -- Wednesday 26th March -- you have 6 days to hear the interview -- starts about the 9 minute mark. Well done Anna -- you were brilliant.
CLICK HERE to listen

She then was on the radio with LGU Chief Executive -- Shona Malcolm on Saturday 29th March -- Go to about 19 minutes to hear them both -- CLICK HERE

GET YOUR WEST OF SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FORM

The 2014 West of Scotland Championship is over Windyhill Golf Club on Sunday 4th May



CLICK HERE to get your entry form

AYRSHIRE COUNTY WINTER FOURSOMES WINNERS

The final of the Ayrshire Winter Foursomes took place over Irvine Golf Club.
Jess Blackwood and Janette Stewart defeated Sandra Wright and Irene Papworth at the 20th hole. It was a very good game played in a friendly and competitive manner.

D&A COUNTY FOURSOMES

PLAYED OVER DOUGLAS PARK GOLF CLUB – MONDAY 24 MARCH

INTER COUNTY FOURSOMES
Scratch:
L. Campbell & L. McGeachy 81/75.5
A. Baker & I. Harvey 87/79.5

Handicap:
C. Dingwall & P. Ross 90/72
C. Sim & F. Cowan 93/75.5
O. Spicer & M. Cochrane 98/76.5
E. Grant & M. Myers 90/77

COMMONWEALTH SPOONS QUALIFIERS
C. Dingwall & P. Ross 90/72
L. Campbell & L. McGeachy 81/75.5
C. Sim & F. Cowan 93/75.5
O. Spicer & M. Cochrane 98/76.5

PAUL LAWRIE LADIES ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN

The entry lists for the PGA in Scotland's five 36-hole stroke-play tournaments that make up the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tartan Tour ARE NOW OPEN!
Each event will have a prizefund of £6,000.
Entry is open to any lady professional and to all female amateurs with single-figure handicaps.
PGA professionals will be able enter just as they would any other PGA event, i.e. by going onto
www.pga.info , then the Scottish Region section and logging into BlueGolf using their normal details.
Direct link to entry page: --- CLICK HERE
Non-PGA pros and amateurs will need to pay an annual Tour membership fee.
This will be £70 for a non-PGA professional, which will cover all five competitions, and £40 for an amateur Tour membership fee.
Non-PGA professionals and amateurs can enter events by phoning the PGA in Scotland office at
Gleneagles on 01764 661840. The tournament entry fee is the same for professionals and amateurs - £75 per event.
Amateurs will be limited under the Rules of Amateur Status to a maximum prize to the value of
£500.
The 2014 Paul Lawrie GC Ladies Tartan Tour schedule is:
APRIL
14-15 Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance Course)
MAY
8-9 Murcar Links, Aberdeen.
JUNE
18-19 Dundonald Links, Ayrshire.
JULY
25-26 Macdonald Cardrona, Peebles.
SEPTEMBER
10-11 Marriott Dalmahoy, Edinburgh (Tour Championship)

Queries to PGA in Scotland Office
Tel: 01764 661 840

Tournament Director Nicola Melville
nicola@ladiestartantour.co.uk

GREENOCK OPEN DAY -- GET YOUR ENTRY FORM

Ladies’ Open Greensome

Sunday 1st June, 2014

Starting Times available from 0930 – 13.30 hrs.

Meals/Snacks available all day.

Entry fee £16 per couple and SAE (by 5th May, 2014 - no refund if cancelled after this date).

(Cheques made payable to Greenock Golf Club Ladies’ Section)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ENTRY FORM

ALEX GLENNIE AND MAY HUGHES ARE SELECTED FOR THE SCOTTISH VETS TEAM

The Scottish Vets team selected to play in the annual match against an Irish Senior Select in the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy is as follows:

Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (Midland)
Fiona de Vries (Midland)
Alex Glennie (West)
May Hughes (West)
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Sheena Wood (North)
Captain Noreen Fenton
Vice-Captain Kathleen Sutherland
Non-travelling Reserves Margaret Tough, Linda Dyball both Midland

The match will be held April 13/14 at Donnabate Golf Club in Dublin which is the home club of golfing legend Mary McKenna


The following is the Irish Seniors Team to play the Scottish Vets at Donabate Golf Club on 13th & 14th April

Susanne Corcoran (Portumna)
Pat Doran (Donabate)
Sheena McElroy (Grange)
Helen Jones (Royal Portrush)
Gertie McMullen (The Island)
Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown)
Mary MacLaren (Wellingborough)
Violet McBride (Belvoir Park)

Captain, Mary Madden (Ballinasloe GC)

The Irish Seniors Golf Society are celebrating their 20th year and the 15th year of the match against Scotland. We are marking this occasion with a Celebration Dinner on the Sunday evening of the match. Pat Doran and myself are looking forward to welcoming both Teams to "our" Club. We would especially love to welcome any Scottish supporters who would like to join us for the occasion.

Mary Mc
Mary A McKenna

LADIES CHARITY FASHION SHOW

View it in your browser -

DOUGLAS PARK GOLF CLUB SOCIAL EVENING SUCCESS

Douglas Park GC Staff

Sarah Perricone, Maggie Rutherford (Captain) and Moira Kerr

The Douglas Park Ladies’ Annual Dinner took place on Friday the 21^st February. Over 80 ladies enjoyed a glass of Kir Royale on arrival and were entertained and fascinated by a young Paul Donaldson, with his card tricks.
Moira Kerr played the guitar and amused the audience with her witty anecdotes and Sarah Perricone charmed them with her beautiful violin music. The finale was Moira, appearing as Madame Fifi La Monde, with her ‘Oooh Lala’ outfit of a French beret, fish-net stockings, tight skirt and cigarette holder – what a hoot! The staff (pictured above) , in their Bistro-style outfits, and Moses (or rather ‘Dooglass’), in his ‘Garcon’ outfit with his onions round his neck, completed the ‘look’.
Maggie Rutherford the Lady Captain ran this successful social evening.

 Click  on the following links to see more.
 Douglas Park Ladies Social Evening Video
 Some Photos from the Evenings Event -- Click on the RHS small down arrow and then slideshow

PAMELA PRETSWELL MAKES HER DEBUT IN THE WORLD LADIES CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pamela Pretswell and Carly Booth will be Scotland's pairing in the Mission Hills World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills Haikou, on the paradise island of Hainan, China, from March 6 to 9. It will be Carly's third consecutive appearance in the team tournament. West of Scotland's Pamela Pretswell will be making her debut.

WEST OF SCOTLAND'S CONNIE JAFFREY AND EILIDH BRIGGS ARE SCOTTISH GOLF AWARD WINNERS

The full list of winners from the 2014 Scottish Golf Awards Amateur Golfer of the Year : James Ross SGU Seniors Order of merit : Lindsay Blair Shot of the Year : Phil Mickelson SLGA Girls Order of Merit : Connie Jaffrey SGU Boy's Order of Merit : Ewen Ferguson SLGA Ladies Order of Merit : Eilidh Briggs SGU Men's Order of Merit : Jack McDonald Adam Hunter Award : Robert MacIntyre Team of the Year : University of Stirling Junior Club of the Year : Fortrose & Rosemarkie Volunteer of the Year : Liz Taylor Player of the Year : Catriona Matthew Lifetime Achievement Award : Bernard Gallacher

ALL THREE SCOTS LOSE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SPANISH MATCHPLAY

Scotland's three qualifiers for the match-play stages all fell at the first hurdle today at the Spanish women's amateur golf championship at El Saler Golf Club
Paula Grant, the sixth seed from Ireland, won by 2 and 1 against Lauren Whyte from St Andrews, the No 27 qualifier.
Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), the No 21 qualifier, went down by 3 and 2 to the 12th qualifier, Italy's V Carta.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), the 26th qualifier, lost by 5 and 4 to the seventh seed, A Olarra (Spain).

FIRST-ROUND RESULTS
N Madsen (Denmark) beat A Meyssonier (France) 4 and 3.
A Herbaut (France) beat N Escuriola (Spain) 3 and 2.
L Migneaux (France) beat S Banon (Spain) 3 and 2.
C Ryan (Ireland) beat B Amoros (Spain) 8 and 7.
D Weber (Netherlands) beat A Carnet (France) 1 hole
V Carta (Italy) beat A McKechin (Scotland) 3 and 2.
A Dimmock (England) beat M Martin (Spain) 2 and 1.
M Veysseyre (France) beat A Valenzuela (Switzerland) 1 hole
S Aubert (France) beat C Ofrecio (Spain) 5 and 4.
K Metraux (Switzerland) beat E Pedersen (Denmark) at 19th.
A Van Dam (Netherlands) bear C Sanjuan (Spain) 3 and 2.
P Grant (Ireland) beat L Whyte (Scotland) 2 and 1.
A Olarra (Spain) beat E Briggs (Scotland) 5 and 4.
A Peters (Englan) beat L Sobron (Spain) at 19th.
G Cowley (England) beat M Wolde (Norway) 3 and 2.
L Strom (Sweden) beat V Martinez (Spain) 3 and 1.

WEST OF SCOTLAND'S ALYSON MCKECHIN AND EILIDH BRIGGS QUALIFY FOR SPANISH MATCHPLAY STAGES

All three Scots in the field - national champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Kilmacolm's Eilidh Briggs, and Lauren Whyte (St Andrews) - figured among the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the Spanish women's amateur golf championship at El Saler Golf Club.
Alyson made it through in 21st place on 155 (78-77)
Eilidh (77-79) and Lauren Whyte (77-79) both finishing the stroke-play qualifying on the 156 mark. Eilidh was named the No 26 qualifier and Lauren the 27th.
It was a Scandinavian 1-2 at the top of the qualifying list with Nanna Koerstx Madsen (Denmark) earning the No 1 berth with a level par tally of 144 (69-75) ahead of the No 2 seed, Sweden's Linea Strom (74-71).
Ireland have two qualifiers in Paula Grant (78-72 for 150) and Chloe Ryan (77-74 for 151).
England have three in Curtis Cup selection contenders Gabriella Cowley (78-75 for 153) and Annabel Dimmock (77-77 for 154) as well as Alexandra Peters (79-77).

Ladies Tartan Tour 2014 - Official Announcement

The PGA in Scotland will be a trail-blazer in 2014 when it takes the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tartan Tour under its umbrella.
It will be the first of the PGA's seven regions to run both men's and women's professional circuits from its headquarters at Gleneagles.
It is a feather in the cap of Brian Mair, appointed PGA in Scotland secretary last year, to lead the way forward. He said:
"The PGA in Scotland is committed to providing all our Members with professional, competitive playing opportunities throughout the country and we very much look forward to supporting Ladies golf during 2014 and beyond.
"This represents an important step in our quest to promote the game to all sectors of the community and to reach as wide an audience as possible".
The PLGC Ladies Tartan Tour Director is PGA teaching professional and qualified Rules Referee Nicola Melville. She cut her teeth on the inaugural Paul Lawrie domestic circuit last year when she also worked as a referee on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Said Nicola:
"We are delighted to have the sponsorship from the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre again and look forward to working with the PGA in Scotland to support ladies golf in Scotland"
Said Paul Lawrie:
“We’re very happy to continue our support from 2013 of what was formerly the Scottish Ladies Open Tour. The new schedule and improved structure will mean some strong venues and the chance for the ladies to play for very healthy prizefunds.
"By supporting the Ladies Tartan Tour we are effectively mirroring the support we offer to their male counterparts. Hopefully it can provide an effective training ground where the girls can get used to the rigour of competition and help prepare them for the next step.”
The tour is open to all female professionals and amateurs with single-figure handicaps. It is not restricted to Scottish-based players.
There will be five 36-hole stroke-play tournaments, each over two days, at high profile Scottish venues - Fairmont St Andrews, Murcar Links, Dundonald Links, Macdonald Cardrona and Marriott Dalmahoy.
Each will have a prizefund of £6,000.
The first event will be held at Fairmont St Andrews in April and the last - the Tour Championship - at Marriott Dalmahoy in September when Heather MacRae, a Gleneagles Hotel staff pro, will be defending the handsome trophy, donated by Aberdeen hotel owner Stewart Spence.
Paul Lawrie has been instrumental in the Ladies Tartan Tour switching its emphasis from one-round to 36-hole events.
"We want to provide a platform for the lady pros and amateurs to prepare for the day when they tackle the Q School and beyond by getting them used to playing two-round tournaments," said Paul.
"Nothing wrong with 18-hole events but a different mindset is required by a player for competitions over two rounds or more. That is one of the reasons why I started the Paul Lawrie Invitational at Deeside on the men's Tartan Tour which is dominated by one-day pro-ams."
A total of 82 competitors, including some from the Continent and England, played on the only Scotland-based lady pro and leading amateur circuit in its first season. The hope is that more lady pros and low-handicap amateurs, keen to gain experience of competing at this level, from outwith Scotland will be attracted North of the Border by the 2014 schedule.

FACTS AND FIGURES

TITLE: Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies' Tartan Tour.
In association with the PGA in Scotland

FORMAT: Five x 36-hole stroke-play tournaments, each over two days.
Open to all female professionals and amateurs with a single-figure handicaps

Tournament entry fee: £75 per event.

PGA members will be able to enter directly through the PGA in Scotland website but not
for the time being until the procedure is set up
and in place, ready to function.
Other players will need to phone the PGA in Scotland office at Gleneagles on
01764 661840 (ENTRIES OPEN SOON).

Membership of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tartan Tour
PGA Professionals: No fee
Non-PGA Professionals: £70
Amateurs: £40

Schedule (all 36-hole events)

Prizefunds: £6,000 per tournament

APRIL
14-15: Fairmont St Andrews
MAY
8-9: Murcar Links
JUNE
18-19: Dundonald Links
JULY
25-26: Macdonald Cardrona
SEPTEMBER
10-11: Marriot Dalmahoy (Tour Championship)

WEST OF SCOTLAND'S EILIDH AND ALYSON FINISH WELL IN PORTUGAL

Stirling Universities and West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs faded from a joint third position at the start of play to finish tied seventh in the Portuguese women's open amateur golf championship over 72 holes at Montado Golf Resort, Costa Azul.
It was the toughest day of the four for scoring as Eilidh explained:
"There was about a two-club wind for most of the round and due to the way the course is positioned it was usually a tough cross wind.
The Kilmacolm GC member had rounds 73, 71, 71 and 77 for a four-over-par total of 292, the same aggregate as Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth) (78-70-70-74) who did so well on the recent Florida Orange Blossom Tour where she finished runner-up in "The Sally" and won the Jones-Doherty Challenge Cup match-play tournament.
Briggs, Dimmock and Ireland's Mary Doyle (78-73-72-69) finished seven shots behind the winner, Spain's Silvia Banon Ibanez.
Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) tied for 11th place on 293 with scores of 74, 74, 70 and 75.
On the same mark were England's Bethan Popel (72-74-71-76) and Ireland's Emma O'Driscoll (73-74-68-78).
Irish close champion Paula Grant finished 15th on 295 with rounds of 77, 71, 72 and 75.
St Andrews' Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), the third Scot in the international field, finished joint 33rd on 304 with rounds of 76, 81, 71 and 76.

PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Montado Golf Resort, Costa Azul.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
285 Silvia Banon Ibanez (Spa) 69 69 72 75
286 Gabriella Cowley (Eng) 71 74 74 70
287 Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spa) 74 70 71 72
288 Inci Mehmet (Eng) 70 71 74 73
289 Luna Sobron (Spa) 74 68 68 79, Virginia Elena Carta (Ita) 72 69 74 74

SELECTED TOTALS
292 Annabel Dimmock (Eng) 78 70 70 74, Eilidh Briggs (Sco) 73 71 71 77, Mary Doyle (Ire) 78 73 72 69 (T7)
293 Alyson McKechin (Sco) 74 74 70 75, Emma O'Driscoll (Ire) 73 74 68 78, Bethan Popel (Eng) 72 74 71 76 (T11)
295 Paula Grant (Ire) 77 71 72 75 (15th)
296 Chloe Williams (Wal) 78 78 68 72 (T16)
298 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Eng) 76 73 74 75 (T19)
300 Rochelle Morris (Eng) 77 75 70 78 (T23)
302 Lucy Goddard (Eng) 73 74 78 77, Olivia Mehaffey (Ire) 73 80 73 76 (T26)
304 Lauren Whyte (Sco) 76 81 71 76 (T33)
308 Becky Harries (Wal) 76 76 78 78 (T40)

EILIDH SHARES 3rd PLACE IN PORTUGAL AFTER ROUND 3

Stirling student Eilidh Briggs has moved into a share of third place with one round to go in the Portuguese women's open amateur championship at Montado Golf Resort, on the Costa Azul, south of Lisbon.
But Briggs and English youngster Inci Mehmet who is also on the one-under 215 mark look to have too big a leeway to make up on the joint leaders over Saturday's fourth and final round.
Two Spanish players, Luna Sobron, beaten in the final of the British women's open amateur championship last year, and Silvia Banon Ibanez have surged five shots clear of the field on six-under 210.
Kilmacolm's Briggs has had rounds of 73, 71 and 71 and, with five players on 215, she faces tough competition even to finish third, which would be a very good achievement.
Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had her best score yet, a two-under 70 after a pair of 74s and her 218 tally has her in joint 10th position.
St Andrews' Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) also hit good form for the first time in Portugal with a 71, a mark improvement on her earlier efforts of 76 and 81. She is on 228.

PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Montago Golf Resort, Costa Azul.
LEADING THIRD-ROUND SCORES
Par 216 (3x72)
210 Luna Sobron (Spa) 71 68 68, Silvia Banon Ibanez (Spa) 69 69 72
215 Eilidh Briggs (Sco) 73 74 71, Inci Mehmet (Eng) 70 71 74, Emma O'Driscoll (Ire) 73 74 68, Virginia Elena Carta (Ita) 72 69 74, Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spa) 74 70 71
OTHER SCOTTISH SCORES
218 Alyson McKechin (Sco) 74 74 70
228 Lauren Whyte (Sco) 76 81 71

EILIDH BRIGGS SHARING FIFTH PLACE AT HALFWAY IN PORTUGAL

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) moved up to a share of fifth place at the halfway stage of the Portuguese women's open amateur championship with a one-under-par 71 at Montado Golf Resort.
That put the Stirling PE student on level par 144 - six shots behind the leader by three, Spain's Silvia Banon Ibanez who has had a pair of 69s.
Kilmacolm member Eilidh birdied two long holes - the second and 17th - and two short holes - the eighth and 12tyh. She bogeyed the third, 13th and 15th.
Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) repeated her first-day 74 for 148 and a share of 13th place.
The Paisley player birdied the fifth and 17th but bogeyed the seventh, eighth, 16th and 18th.]
Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) slumped to an 81 for joint 47th place on 157.

PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Montado Golf Resort
LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72) Length 5,474 metres
138 Silvia Banon Ibanex (Spa) 69 69
141 Virginia Elena Carta (Ita) 72 69, Inci Mehmet (Eng) 70 71
142 Luna Sobron (Spa) 74 68
144 Eilidh Briggs (Sco) 73 71, Natalia Escuriola Martinez (Spa) 74 70
145 Gabriella Cowley (Eng) 71 74

SELECTED SCORES
146 Bethan Popel (Eng) 72 74 (T8)
147 Lucy Goddard (Eng) 73 74, Emma O'Driscoll (Ire) 73 74 (T10)
148 Annabel Dimmock (Eng) 78 70, Paula Grant (Ire) 77 71, Alyson McKechin(Sco) 74 74 (T13).
149 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Eng) 76 73, Olivia Cowan (Ger) 78 71 (T17)
151 Mary Doyle (Ire) 78 73, Chloe Rogers (Eng) 76 75 (T22)
152 Becky Harries (Wal) 76 76, Rochelle Morris (Eng) 77 75 (T27)
156 Chloe Williams (Wal) 78 78 (T45)
157 Emma Allen (Eng) 78 69, Lauren Whyte (Sco) 76 81, Charlotte Austwick (Eng) 78 79 (T47)

KYLE WALKER HAS A TOP TEN FINISH IN AUSTRALIA

Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten fired a dazzling course record nine-under-par 63 closing round to win the Bing Lee Fujitsu General Women's NSW Open by three strokes.
The 28-year-old, who finished at 16-under-par, made nine birdies in a flawless display around on the Oatlands golf course, Sydney to triumph from Canberra's Nikki Campbell (66) with England's Hannah Burke (68) and South Australian Stephanie Na (70) a shot further back in a tie for third.

West of Scotland's Kylie Walker, following up a maiden pro win in the previous ALPG event, achieved a top 10 finish with rounds of 70, 67 and 70 for nine-under 207 and a share of ninth place.
Sally Watson had her best round of the three, a four-under-68, for a total of 209 and joint 13th place.
Vikki Laing had scores of 74, 71 and 72 for joint 20th place on 212.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) Players from Australia unless stated
200 Joanna Klatten (France) 70 67 63
203 Nikki Campbell 68 69 66
204 Hannah Burke (England) 68 68 68, Stephanie Na 68 66 70
205 MinJee Lee (am) 68 71 66, Kristie Smith 65 70 70, Lindsey Wright 70 64 71
206 Yan Jing (China) (am) 69 69 68

SELECTED OTHER SCORES
207 Kylie Walker (Scotland) 70 67 70 (T9)
209 Sally Watson (Scotland) 70 71 68 (T13)
211 Laura Davies (England) 69 70 72 (19th)
212 Felicity Johnson (England) 68 74 70, Liz Young (England) 71 70 71 (T20)
217 Becky Brewerton (Wales) 72 73 72, Vikki Laing (Scotland) 74 71 72 (T43)
218 Trish Johnson (England) 72 73 73 (T53)

GET YOUR OPEN DAY COMPETITIONS FOR 2014

The happygolf.co.uk - wee yellow book is on sale.

84 pages packed with details to enter over 2,200 open golf competitions throughout Scotland.

Books cost £5.00 including postage and can be purchased by following this link.

SLGA ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINS

The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has appointed the following team captains for the 2014 season:
Under-16s championship: Susan Wood
Home internationals: Karen Marshall
Girls’ Home Internationals: Laura Walker
Senior Home Internationals Anna Telfer
European girls’ team championship: Susan Wood
European women's team championship: Elaine Cuthill
European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship: Anna Telfer
European Young Masters: Laura Walker.

KYLIE WALKER SCORES FIRST PRO WIN IN NEW SOUTH WALES FOR $3750 PRIZE

Kylie with her "Big Cheque"

From the Australian Lady Pro Website

West of Scotland’s Kylie Walker fired a flawless round of seven-under-par, 67 to win the Renault Ladies Pro-am at Castle Hill Country Club, New South Wales today.
It was the 27-year-old Glasgow-born player's first professional win, having left the amateur ranks at the end of December 2009 - and understandably she was delighted, not least with the Aussie $3,500 first prize.
“That was really good, I loved it. We had a really enjoyable day, I had great playing partners," said Kylie, who is attached to The Carrick on Loch Lomond Golf Club.
She is now looking forward to playing Oatlands this week in the Bing Lee Fujitsu General Women’s NSW Open and then in New Zealand and up at RACV Royal Pines.
It looked like Swede Dani Holmqvist was going to go back to back with victories after going out in the calmer morning conditions and posting a very credible five-under-par to hold the clubhouse lead.
The wind got up for the afternoon field. However, Kylie Walker handled the conditions perfectly and seemed to thrive in the wind, it was indeed an impressive round of golf.
The 27-year-old took advantage of her length and birdied four out of the five par 5’s. She started on the par 3, 17th hole and got off to a solid start with two birdies in her first three holes. She then posted back-to-back birdies on the 4th and 5th holes to be four-under-par thru her first seven holes.
The former Scottish schoolgirls champion then parred the next two holes before she recorded another birdie on the short par 4 8th. She holed another two more birdie putts on the 10th and 13th holes to complete her fantastic round.

NANCY IS HONOURED FOR PLAYING IN THE RANFURLY CASTLE GREENLEES TEAM FOR 6 DECADES !!

Fiona Roger, Nancy MacGadie and Carol Fell with some of the Ranfurly Castle Greenlees Team

The West of Scotland Scratch League Trophy Greenlees Trophy was introduced in 1931. Ten teams played in one division - Troon, Prestwick St. Nicholas, Douglas Park, Paisley, Drumpellier, Sandyhills, Kilmacolm, Ranfurly Castle, Cathkin Braes and Cardross. At the end of the season Troon and Prestwick St. Nicholas both had 62 points, they had a play off over Western Gailes and Prestwick St Nicholas won by one match. Mrs Greenlees, on behalf of her husband who donated the trophy, presented it to Prestwick. --- In 2014 there are now 3 divisions with 9 teams with 9 players in each team.
Ranfurly Castle has only ever won this prestigious Trophy once and that was in 2004 but have managed to stay in the 1st Division since the late 1970's which is put down to the strength and depth of the whole team. --

Nancy MacGadie was presented with a beautiful bracelet at their Ladies AGM on 16th January 2014 in recognition of her dedication and loyalty to Ranfurly Golf Club. She first played for Ranfurly Castle's Greenlees Team in 1964 and is still playing in the team and winning -- a fantastic achievement to have played in 6 decades. 

Fiona Roger and Carol Fell were also given a mention as to both having played in 5 decades with Carol being the only player out of all the Greenlees Teams to have always played in the 1st division since that time.

PAMELA PRETSWELL FINISHES IN SIXTH PLACE IN AUSTRALIA

Swede Dani Holmqvist, captured her first Australian LPG title yesterday, the Mount Broughton Classic presented by McGills Transport at the New South Wales venue.
The talented Swede fired impressive consecutive rounds of five-under-par 67 on the challenging layout to finish at 10-under-par 144 and two shots clear of the field. She won a cheque for 7,500
Scotland's Pamela Pretswell (69-70), shared sixth on 139 and earned 1,875 Australian dollars each
Kylie Walker had scores of 74-73 for joint 34th place on 147. She earned 277.50.
Vikki Laing, the third Scot in the field, finished out of the money - so too did Laura Davies (150) - with rounds of 78 and 77 for 155.
The next stop in the Club Car Series is the Renault Ladies Pro-am at Castle Hill Country Club in Sydney.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72) Players from Australia unless stated. Prize money in Australian dollars
134 Daniela Holmqvist (Sweden) 70 66 (7,500)
136 Sarah Kemp 70 66 (5,000)
137 Trish Johnson (England) 70 67, Joanna Klatten (France) 67 70 (3,250 each).
138 Stacey Keating 69 69 (2,500)
139 Pamela Pretswell (Scotland) 69 70, Rebecca Artis 69 70, Frances Bondad 72 69, Marta Silva (Spa) 69 70 (1,875 each).
140 Lauren Hibbert 71 69 (1,400)
141 Hannah Burke (England) 68 73, Nikki Campbell 70 71, Rebecca Codd 68 73, Stephanie Na 71 70 (1,150 each)

SELECTED TOTALS
144 Felicity Johnson (England) 71 73 (T24) (437.50)
147 Kylie Walker (Scotland) 74 73, Liz Young (England) 73 74 (T34) (277.50 each).
150 Laura Davies (England) 75 75 (T44)
155 Vikki Laing (Scotland) 78 77 (T55)

SLGA AGM -- HAGGS CASTLE'S AUDREY STURGESS IS THE NEW SLGA FINANCE DIRECTOR AND OLD RANFURLY'S MARILYN MUIR JOINS THE BOARD.

The three new vice-presidents elected at today's Scottish Ladies Golfing Association annual general meeting in Perth - (left to right): Joan Marshall, Margaret MacNaughtan and Emma Wilson.


REPORT BY GILLIAN KIRKWOOD
Beth Paterson, Chairman of the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, opened the 2014 SLGA Annual General Meeting by welcoming a packed house to the Gannochy Suite in the Dewars Centre, Perth on Saturday.
During her report of the 2013 activities, she announced that a proposal on the amalgamation of the two amateur governing bodies for golf in Scotland, viz. the SLGA and the Scottish Golf Union, would be announced soon. Minutes of meetings of the Amalgamation committee can be found on the ON THIS LINK AT THE SLGA WEBSITE
Once again Beth reported on the steady decline in player numbers within Scotland.
"Membership figures show that between 2004 and 2013 we have lost a total of 44,376 playing members (17.4%). This comprises 37,193 adult playing members nationally – a 16.5% decrease. Of these 9,547 are female (26.9% decline) and 27,646 male (14.6% decline) "
Both organisations having been working hard to address this issue, with their joint objective… the Scottish Golf Strategy….
More Golfers - More Members - Stronger Clubs - Winning Golfers - Outstanding Championships - Excellent Governance - Strong Partnerships.
The first three elements of the Strategy are overseen by the Scottish Golf Development committee. Recognising that stronger club facilities are key to attracting golfers as members, in 2013 the SLGA contributed to the salaries of the three Scottish Golf Development Officers, who are central to the delivery of support to Scottish golf clubs.
Finance Director Pamela Malton took the audience through the SLGA accounts, and reported a very small profit of £10,000.
The decline in membership, and therefore subscriptions, has been the major topic in SLGA finances over the last few years. Managing the business with a declining income stream is difficult in any circumstances, and the SLGA is grateful to the grants and sponsorship it gets from SportsScotland, the R and A, Aberdeen Asset Management and others to keep it's head above water.
Pamela said "Throughout all activities of the SLGA, the Board and staff continue to keep costs as low as possible while working to maintain, or if possible raise, the standard of services provided. Costs inevitably have risen, but are still contained within income, due to the huge amount of work done by volunteers. The Board is very appreciative of all the time and effort contributed by volunteers.
No increase in subscription was proposed. Subscriptions have remained static now for six years. If necessary the SLGA intends to dip into its reserves if a deficit occurs.
A proposal to remove the minimum subscription of £75 per club as it is felt that this is unduly penal to clubs with very small numbers of ladies was approved later in the meeting.
Lorna Bennett, SLGA representative on the Ladies Golf Union, gave a report on the LGU activities throughout 2013.
Scots had not fared particularly well in LGU events, with no Scots in the Vagliano Team and only one, Fiona Liddell, in the U16 Junior Vagliano team. Nine Scots played in the British Amateur Championship in Wales with Jess Meek and Rachel Watton the only two qualifiers for the match play stages.
Gemma Dryburgh had perhaps the best result of the Scot in a LGU tournament when she finished runner-up to China's Jing Yan at Prestwick in the British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
The 38th Curtis Cup - the biennial contest between teams from Great Britain and Ireland and the USA will be played at St. Louis Country Club, Missouri, USA, from June 6 to 8, 2014

Margaret MacNaughtan, the outgoing President, nominated Janet Brown,  from Melrose as her successor, a proposal widely welcomed by the audience.
Unfortunately, Janet could not be there as she is in Australia, visiting her family. Margaret read out Janet's apology and how much she recognised the great honour bestowed upon her.
Joan Marshall, Emma Wilson and Margaret MacNaughtan were nominated as Vice-Presidents.

Marilyn Muir

Audrey Sturgess

Other changes in personnel were:
Audrey Sturgess (Haggs Castle) takes over from Pamela Malton as Finance Director and
Marilyn Muir (Old Ranfurly) steps in to complete Audrey's term of office on the Board of Directors.

Mary Richardson comes in as East Division director. Dawn Butchart retired and June McEwan replaces her as the Directors' nominee.
Laura McLardy comes in as North Division Selector.
The meeting finished with a vote of thanks from Midlothian Captain, Sheila Stuart.

EILIDH BRIGGS IS TOP SCOT IN " THE SALLY"

Brooke Mackenzie Henderson, the 16-year-old World No 6 female amateur from Smith Falls, near Ottawa, Ontario, added another title to her impressive CV with a four-stroke victory in "The Sally" - South Atlantic Amateur Championship - on a day of high winds and cool temperatures at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach in Florida.
Seventeen-year-old England international Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth), with Scot Kelsey MacDonald, a former winner on this Orange Blossom Tour before she turned pro last year, acting as her caddie, finished a gallant runner-up, four shots behind Henderson who also won the girls' Junior Orange Bowl at Coral Gables, Florida over the Festive period.
Stirling P.E. student Eilidh Briggs ( Kilmacolm) finished 10th on 304 with scores of 73, 78, 77 and a closing 76 which had birdies at the second and 10th but a double bogey 6 at the 11th in an inward 39.
St Andrews' Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) made the top 10 - joint 17th - with an 80 for 313. Like Briggs, a past Scottish U18 champion, Lauren had a triple bogey 8 at the long seventh and a double bogey 7 at the long 12th but deserves credit for covering the last six holes in one-under-par with five straight pars and a birdie at the 18th.
Ranfurly Castle's Iona Stephen finished her 4th round with a 77 to finish in 23rd place and Peterculter's Rachel Polson, a student at Florida Tech, signed off with an 82 for 31st place on 319.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
285 Brooke Mackenzie Henderson (Canada) 67 76 70 72.
289 Annabel Dimmock (England) 70 75 71 73
297 Chloe Williams (Wales) 75 69 70 83, Clara Teixeira (Brazil) 77 74 72 74.
298 Ashley Holder (USA) 75 74 75 74, Katie Mitchell (USA) 75 75 73 74
300 Shannon Aubert (France) 74 76 74 76.
302 Dree Fausnaugh (USA) 76 78 71 77
303 Meghan Stasi (USA) 74 82 72 75
304 Eilidh Briggs (Scotland) 73 78 77 76

SELECTED TOTALS
313 Lauren Whyte (Scotland) 77 82 74 80 (T17)
316 Iona Stephen (Scotland) 80 80 79 77 (T23)
317 Chloe Rogers (England) 78 82 75 82 (T26)
319 Rachel Polson (Scotland) 75 85 77 82 (31st)
323 Hannah McCook (Scotland) 80 82 83 78 (T34)
324 Georgia Gilling (England) 76 81 81 86 (36th)
333 Hannah Robb (Scotland) 84 90 76 83 (44th)
337 Jordana Graham (Scotland) 85 82 79 91 (T47)
Withdrew: Sammy Fuller (England) 86 wd, Tara Mactaggart (Scotland) 81 83 wd

LAUREN WHYTE AND EILIDH BRIGGS ARE BEST SCOTS AT THE 59th HARDER HALL INVITATIONAL

Four-time USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Meghan Stasi of Oakland Park, Florida broke clear of the field with a final round of two-under-par 70 for a one-over-par 289 total in warm but windy conditions to win the 59th Harder Hall Invitational by the runaway margin of eight strokes at the Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring in Florida yesterday.
In sixth place was former Scottish girls U18 champion Lauren Whyte from the St Regulus Club, St Andrews followed by Stirling student Eilidh Briggs from Kilmacolm who shot an 80 in the last round to make the top 20 ... in 19th place.
Scot Iona Stephen, a Ranfurly Castle GC member, finished on 316 after a final round of 83
Stirling student Hannah McCook from Nethy Brige closed on 324 with an 83.
The final two Scottish Stirling students, Tara Mactaggart from Minto and Jordana Graham from Southerness finished on 334, and 344 respectively.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS - Par 288 (4x72)
Players from USA unless stated

289 Meghan Stasi 73 72 74 70
297 Hannah Pietila 76 67 76 78, Emmy Martin 76 67 76 78
299 Kristina Merkle 75 72 76 76
302 India Clyburn (England) 72 77 73 80
303 Lauren Whyte (Scotland) 73 76 76 78, Emma Pietila 81 75 75 72
304 Isabelle Lendl 79 78 69 78
305 Lauren Coughlin 80 75 70 80, Minami Levonowich 76 79 77 73
306 Chloe Williams (Wales) 75 74 79 78, Sammy Fuller (England) 73 79 77 77, Ali Cowan 76 77 77 76
307 Hally Leadbetter (England) 75 78 74 80, Annabel Dimmock (England) 80 73 77 77
308 August Kim 80 77 70 81, Briana Mao 78 79 74 77, Cecily Overbey 7t 78 79 76
309 Eilidh Briggs (Scotland) 74 78 77 80.
310 Cristine McQuiston 79 73 78 80, Chloe Rogers (England) 76 78 77 70.

SELECTED SCOTTISH FINAL TOTALS
316 Iona Stephen (Scotland) 77 79 77 83
324 Hannah McCook (Scotland) 81 79 81 83.
334 Tara Mactaggart 82 85 83 84
344 Jordana Graham (Scotland) 89 84 85 86

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