SPANISH SENIORS BEGINS TOMORROW

The SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LADIES SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP begins tomorrow at the Isla Canela Golf 9-11 March 2017.


There are a few Scots playing in the Championship including the 2016 Scottish Seniors Order of Merit Award Winner Sheena Wood ( pictured above)

West of Scotland's May Hughes (Lanark Golf Club) is also playing.

CLICK HER FOR START TIMES.

CONNIE JAFFREY NAMED BIG 12 WOMENS GOLFER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY

MANHATTAN, Kan. – After leading the Wildcats to a team championship in the Westbrook Spring Invitational, Kansas State junior Connie Jaffrey was named Big 12 Women’s Golfer of the Month for February, the conference office announced Wednesday.

It is the second time Jaffrey has earned the award, the first coming after her first month of collegiate golf in September 2014.

Jaffrey paced the Wildcats with a season low 54-hole score of 6-under par 210 at the Westbrook Invitational. In the final round, Jaffrey tied her career low 18-hole score of 5-under par 67, propelling her to a second-place finish in the tournament.

The second-place showing gave Jaffrey her second top-five finish of the season and sixth of her career. The Killwinning, Scotland, native carded 12 birdies in the tournament as she helped the Wildcats pick up their second tournament victory of 2016-17.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

WEST GIRLS OPEN DAY

West of Scotland Girls Golfing Association are holding an Open Day on Sunday 19th March.

Karyn Burns Coach at the Glasgow Indoor Golf

Article from the PGA magazine  

For a coach who abides by reality of numbers there's nothing Karyn Burns at the Glasgow Golf Centre at Kinning Park loves more than a little bit of Seve magic

CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE AND READ ALL ABOUT IT.

THE R&A AND THE USGA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO MODERNISE RULES OF GOLF

1 March 2017, St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf, as part of a joint initiative to modernise the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.

The online release of this preview begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalised in 2018 and take effect on 1 January 2019.

The announcement follows a comprehensive review process that began in 2012 with a working group of key R&A and USGA Rules administrators, professional tour officials and other Rules experts. While the Rules are revised every four years, this is the first fundamental review since 1984, and was established to ensure the Rules fit the needs of today's game and the way it is played around the world. 

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, "Our aim is to make the Rules easier to understand and to apply for all golfers. We have looked at every Rule to try to find ways to make them more intuitive and straightforward and we believe we have identified many significant improvements. It is important that the Rules continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played but we have been careful not to change the game's longstanding principles."

"We are excited and encouraged by the potential this work brings, both through the proposed new Rules and the opportunities to use technology to deliver them," said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status for the USGA. "We look forward to an ongoing conversation with golfers during the feedback period in the months ahead."

The proposed 24 new Rules, reduced from the current 34, have been written in a user-friendly style with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, bulleted lists and explanatory headings. The initiative also focuses on assessing the overall consistency, simplicity and fairness of the Rules for play.

The Rules are currently delivered in more than 30 languages, and the proposed wording will support easier translation worldwide. When adopted, the Rules will be supported by technology that allows the use of images, videos and graphics.

Highlights of the proposed Rule changes include:

• Elimination or reduction of "ball moved" penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is "virtually certain" that he or she did so.

• Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.

• Relaxed rules for "penalty areas" (currently called "water hazards"): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.

• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.

• Relying on player integrity: A player's "reasonable judgment" when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.

• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of "ready golf" in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.

• Simplified way of taking relief: A new procedure for taking relief by dropping a ball in and playing it from a specific relief area; relaxed procedures for dropping a ball, allowing the ball to be dropped from just above the ground or any growing thing or other object on the ground.

A series of materials have also been prepared to explain the proposed Rule changes and provide background on the initiative. Found on randa.org and usga.org/rules, they include:

•  Overview of the Rules Modernisation Initiative: goals, proposed changes and process for implementation in 2019

• Draft New Rules of Golf for 2019: the full text of proposed Rules 1-24 and Definitions

• Draft Player's Edition of the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Written from the perspective of "you" the golfer, this shorter version covers the most commonly used Rules and is meant to be the rule book golfers will use when finalised and adopted in 2019

• Explanation for Each Major Proposed Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Short summaries of each major proposed change

• Summary chart of major changes

• Videos and Infographics: Visual explanations of the proposed Rules.

Golfers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org or usga.org/rules from now until 31 August 2017.

The feedback will be reviewed by The R&A and the USGA in establishing the approved final version of golf's new Rules. These are due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a 1 January 2019 implementation. Social media users can also follow the discussion using #GolfRules2019.

Players are reminded that the current 2016 Edition of the Rules of Golf remain in force when playing, posting scores or competing, until the new Rules are officially adopted by The R&A and the USGA in 2019. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.   

Women Golfers Energised with New Revive Active Sponsorship

SCOTTISH GOLF NEWS RELEASE

Scottish Golf’s most popular women’s competition is to be energised with a new title sponsor for the next three years thanks to an exciting partnership with leading health foods brand Revive Active.

The Irish-based company, who recently announced a sponsorship deal with three-time London Marathon winner and world women’s marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, will become headline sponsors of the Scottish Women’s Regional Medal finals, a nationwide event open to all female club members in Scotland.

Revive Active become the first brand to dedicate sponsorship to women’s golf in Scotland since the governing body became amalgamated in October 2015, with the announcement coming quickly after Scottish Golf secured PING as a partner for the revamped national Mixed Championship, which will take place for the first time this season.

As part of the agreement, Revive Active will also become the Official Super Food and Nutrition Partner for Scottish Golf, supporting the governing body’s campaign to encourage playing golf as part of a healthy lifestyle which can increase life expectancy by up to five years.

Revive Active were also one of the partners involved at Friday night's Scottish Golf Awards in Edinburgh, sponsoring the Senior Men's and Women's Orders of Merit Awards.

The Revive Active Scottish Women’s Regional Medal is the biggest event for women golfers in Scotland, with more than 300 clubs taking part each year. It offers the winners of the Silver and Bronze Medals at club level the opportunity to compete in one of four Regional Finals in May and June, with the leading 24 players being rewarded with a place in the Grand Final, hosted at the idyllic Perthshire venue of Crieff Golf Club on Sunday 16 July.

Daithi O’Connor, managing director of Revive Active, said: “Golf is great for your health and requires a keen eye for accuracy and quality. We’re therefore delighted to be partnering with Scottish Golf as the benefits of Revive Active’s Super Supplement range continue to grow in popularity throughout Scotland.

“We are proud to support women’s golf at club level and look forward to welcoming more than 600 competitors to the four regional finals who will hopefully enjoy sampling our products.”

Scottish Golf’s marketing and commercial director Ross Duncan added: “We are delighted to add Revive Active as the first sponsor of the Scottish Women’s Regional Medal which will undoubtedly enhance what is already an extremely popular event among our clubs.

“The brand is a great fit for us as we continue to promote the message that golf is a sport offering many healthy lifestyle benefits. The sponsorship market remains very challenging so we welcome the additional investment from a young, dynamic company and we look forward to working with the Revive Active team to deliver a successful long-term partnership.”

Revive Active’s products are available in pharmacies and health food outlets across the UK and Ireland, as well as online at www.reviveactive.com

This year’s Revive Active Scottish Women’s Regional Medal finals take place at Inverness (2 May), Kirkcaldy (16 May), Largs (26 May) and Torwoodlee (16 June).

Further details on qualifying criteria can be found on the Championships section of the Scottish Golf website.

For more information, please contact:

Ed Hodge
PR & Media Manager

M: +44 (0)7850 772166
E: e.hodge@scottishgolf.org
W: scottishgolf.org
A: Scottish Golf | Caledonia House | 1 Redheughs Rigg | Edinburgh | EH12 9DQ

Connie Jaffrey from Ayrshire leads her US University Team to victory

Connie Jaffrey

PEORIA, Ariz. – Behind the second-lowest team round in school history at 5-under par 283 on Monday, the Kansas State women’s golf team picked up its second team championship of the 2016-17 season at the Westbrook Spring Invitational held at the par-72, 6,269-yard Westbrook Village Golf Club.

Paced by Troon Ladies' Connie Jaffrey, who carded a third-round score of 5-under par 67, K-State tied its second lowest 54-hole team score in school history at 3-under par 861. The win marked the second time in the last three years K-State recorded multiple team victories in a season.

Jaffrey’s three-round score of 6-under par 210 and her third-round score of 67 both tied for the third lowest in school history. The Kilwinning, Scotland, native finished in second place and had the best individual round of the day and tied for the best individual round of the tournament.

Jaffrey finished one shot behind Nebraska’s Aubrey Judd, who took home the individual title at 7-under par 209.

To read the full report - CLICK HERE

Belle Robertson honoured at the Scottish Golf Awards

Two of the nation’s golfing stalwarts, Belle Robertson and Jock MacVicar, joined former Open champion Paul Lawrie in being honoured at the 2017 Scottish Golf Awards last night.

The Dunaverty duo of Robertson and MacVicar saw their long-serving efforts on and off the course proudly recognised as they were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards on a glittering night in front of over 550 guests at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.

Belle Robertson, one of Scotland’s greatest ever amateur players, and renowned Scottish Daily Express golf journalist MacVicar, become the first non-Tour professionals to join the nation’s illustrious golfing ‘Hall of Fame’, alongside past recipients Lawrie, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, Bernard Gallacher and Catriona Matthew.
Belle 80, a winner of a string of amateur events at home and abroad and a nine-time Curtis Cup player, said: “You always feel on receiving exciting news, such as a Lifetime Achievement Award, that it’s one of the greatest pleasures anyone could be given. Therefore, I‘ve been dancing with delight ever since Scottish Golf delivered this wonderful news. I feel very honoured and humble this should come my way.”

Douglas Park Hawaiian Evening

CLICK ON PICTURE TO REVEAL MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING 

Douglas Park Ladies certainly know how to enjoy themselves! On Friday, 24 February, on a dreich, cold night, 92 ladies turned out in force for their Annual Dinner, Hawaiian Style. While sipping Blue Lagoons, the Ladies were entertained by three young guitarists from the High School. This was followed by an outstanding meal with an Hawaiian theme. The Douglas Park Ladies’ Choir, dressed to kill and suitably fortified, entertained us to songs from South Pacific. Our speaker for the evening, Marilyn Orcharton, well known entrepreneur and raconteur gave us a most amusing speech on her exploits and travels and totally coincidentally, on her many trips to Hawaii. The Ladies continued to enjoy themselves until late. A memorable night was had by one and all!

Golphin Junior Flag Challenge

The Golphin Junior Flag Challenge was set up 2 years ago, as a way to try and get more children into golf. The tour gives children the opportunity to play at various golf courses in the West of Scotland to help improve their game and meet other fellow young golfers.

Now in year 3 there are 2 competitions available.
Firstly is the Flag Competition open to children 5-12 years who do not have a Congu handicap. Children play a shortened course where holes are no longer than 150 yards. Each child has 36 shots to get as far around the course as they can. The fun factor in our competition means fresh air shots don’t count, a maximum of 10 is recorded against each hole, a maximum of 4 putts on the green and 2 attempts at getting out of the bunker and it can be placed on the other side! Points are awarded as to where each child finishes at each of the 6 golf courses. Prizes are awarded at each course but also the overall order of merit prize will go to the person with the highest 4 out of 6 scores.
Last year we added in the 2nd competition: a 9 Hole Stableford open to children up to 16 years, who have a Congu handicap. This was introduced because some of the children who played in year 1 had got their handicaps and really wanted to still play the tour! The children will play the same Order of Merit format as the flag challenge where their stableford points will be recorded and again the best 4 out of 6 scores count.
The top 3 children in each age category will go on to play in a fun event at Trump Turnberry.

We have also introduced 2 free, fun events which will run over the summer holidays, one is the adult child event at Playsport Golf and the other is a Junior Texas Scramble at Whitecraigs Golf Club.

The total cost to play in all of the following events is £50.

Event Dates:
Broadlees Golf – 23rd April
East Kilbride Golf Club – 30th April
Mearns Castle Golf Academy – 14th May
Fereneze Golf Club – 28th May
Cathcart Castle – 4th June
Playsport Golf – 9 July (Adult/Child)
Whitecraigs Golf Club – 6th August (Texas Scramble)
Paisley Golf Club – 3rd September

To enter please go to www.juniorflagchallenge.co.uk and if you enter before Friday 17th March you will be entered into a prize draw for the Golphin GFK+ clubs, that are yet to actually be released!

KYLIE'S TOP 10 FINISH IN S AFRICA

By Colin Farqharson

Kylie (Walker) Henry finished joint eighth in a field of 56 players at the Sunshine Ladies Tour Classic at Glendower Golf Club, South Africa today (Thursday).
Glendower Golf Club is situated in suburbs of Johannesburg.

She had rounds of 71, 74 and 71 for a level par total of 216 - five shots behind Carrie Park (South Korea) and Nobuhle Diamini (Swaziland) who tied on 211.
Park beat Diamini in a sudden death play-off to earn £1,742. Diamini earned £1,431.
Henry earned £350.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
211 Carrie Park (SKor) 72 69, 70, Nobuhle Diamini (Swaz) 71 73 67 (Park won sudden-death play-off).
212 Nicole Garcia (SAf) 72 70 70, Kiran Matharu (Eng) 71 70 70.

SELECTED SCORES
216 Kylie (Walker) Henry (Sco) 71 74 74 (T8)
221 Lauren Taylor (Eng) 73 74 74 (T16)
228 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 75 81 (T34)
244 Kirsty Fisher (Sco) 82 81 81.

KYLIE EQUALS COURSE RECORD IN 3RD ROUND OF OATES VIC OPEN

Kylie with Caddie

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

By Brad Green
At lunchtime on Friday, Kylie Henry thought she'd be on an early flight back to Scotland.
Henry was even par at the half-way mark of the Oates Vic Open and didn't believe that was good enough to make the cut.
Fortunately Henry made it through to the weekend and capitalised on that reprieve in the third round around the Beach course.
The 30-year-old rocketed up the leaderboard after equalling the course record of 65 and begins today's final round tied for 13th.
A late bogey on the par-four eighth – her 17th hole of the day – after she drove into a bush and was forced to chip sideways cost Henry any chance of lowering the mark of eight-under held by Su Oh.
"I played really solid and putted really nice as well and never really looked like making a bogey," Henry said.
"I got to nine-under and then hit a poor tee shot on my second last hole so a little bit disappointed because the best score I've ever shot is eight under.
"So I really had that in mind to beat. I didn't know about the course record but I'm really happy with eight-under and feel like my game is coming together.
"It's nice to be moving up the leader board going into the final round, looking forward to it."
It's her third visit to Barwon Heads and she always enjoys coming to Australia. It's been a productive fortnight for Henry on this trip Down Under, having finished sixth in last week's RACV Gold Coast Challenge.
"I really enjoyed my trip, it's been good fun," Henry said.
"It's great have this event now on our schedule. It's new to the Ladies European Tour and I think it's brilliant that it's now part of it.
"I've loved being out here the past two years so it's nice that it now counts on our schedule."
Henry married fellow professional Scott Henry, who plays on the European Tour, in late December.
But such is the life of a touring pro there's been little time together over the past six weeks because of their schedules.
She's been Down Under on her own for the past fortnight while Scott travels out to Perth next week to play in the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 event.

In the final round which was extremely windy Kylie finished down the field in 18th place. To read the full result and scoreboard totals go to the KIRKWOOD GOLF WEBSITE 

Kylie finishes 6th in Australia

In the RACV Gold Coast Challenge in Australia - Scotland's Kylie Walker, in her first tournament since her marriage to Scott Henry, did well to finish T6 on 219 with rounds of 78, 71 and 70.
Melrose-born, Queensland-based Karis Davidson, an 18-year-old amateur tied with former Curtis Cup player Charlotte Thomas for ninth place on 221. Karis's second-round 80 cost her a much higher finish.
Another former GB and I international, Michele Thomson (Meldrum House) from Ellon finished T27 on 226.
Aberdonian Gemma Dryburgh finished T32 on 227.
The ALPG Tour now heads to 13th Beach in Victoria for the Oates Vic Open from 9-12th February.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3x73)
213 Prima Thammaraks (Thai) 71 69 73
214 Sarah Jane Smith (Aus) 73 73 68
216 Rebecca Kay (Aus) (am) 71 73 72

SELECTED TOTALS
219 Kylie (Walker) Henry (Sco) 78 71 70 (T6)
221 Charlotte Thomas (Eng) 75 73 73, Karis Davidson (Sco) (am) 70 80 71 (T9)
222 Felicity Johnson (Eng) 74 76 72, Hannah Burke (Eng) 76 75 71, Florentyna Parker (Eng) 78 71 73, Annabel Dimmock (Eng) 72 77 73 (T11)
224 Laura Davies (Eng) 74 73 77, Holly Clyburn (Eng) 74 79 71 (T18)
225 Lydia Hall (Wales) 79 73 73 (T22).
226 Michele Thomson (Sco) 79 78 78 (T27)
227 Gemma Dryburgh (Sco) 80 73 74 (T32)

The Eastwood Golf Club – Two Part-Time Vacancies

The Eastwood Golf Club is seeking a part time Secretary/Manager and a part time Accounts/Assistant Secretary. Eastwood is a private member’s club founded in 1893. The moorland golf course is located in East Renfrewshire, close to the M77 on the southern outskirts of Glasgow. The club is 10 minutes from Glasgow, East Kilbride & Kilmarnock, and approximately 25 minutes from the Ayrshire coast. Please visit the relevant job advert/job description link for further details and how to apply.
Go to the Scottish Golf Website

Duff House Royal Open Tournament

Duff House Royal is hosting its annual five-day women's open tournament this year from Monday to Friday, July 3 to 7. Duff House Royal is a popular parkland course in Banff on the Banffshire coast.

The competition, sponsored by Downies of Whitehills, has been running since 1984. Multiple past champions include Susan McGrenaghan (Drumpellier), Linda Dyball (Pitreavie), Jenny Milne (Elgin) and Laura McLardy (Duff House Royal). The defending scratch champion this year is Susan Wood of Drumpellier.

All players compete in the two qualifying rounds on Monday and Tuesday, with the top scratch, low handicap and high handicap players progressing into match play. For those not lucky enough to qualify, there are consolation rounds on Wednesday and Thursday followed by a two-ball competition on Friday.

For relaxed golf with spectacular scenery why not think about entering this competition at Duff House Royal?

Entry fee is £90, and places are still available, so to enter please call the club on 01261 812062.

Be part of the Journey | Join our Board - Scottish Golf

Scottish Golf is seeking enthusiastic candidates who share our passion for leading change and growing the game in Scotland. There's just a week left to apply for the current vacancies on our Board of Directors or nominate someone for the role of Junior Vice-President.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

COURSE RATING - CAN YOU HELP ??

Scottish Golf is looking to recruit new course rating volunteers, and already have had a lot of folk signing up. Some volunteers are still required in a few areas where uptake has been slower (namely Angus, Ayrshire, The Borders and Lanarkshire). The aim is to ensure that lady course raters are being recruited as well as gents so that the best interests of women's golf are served in the course rating process.

If anyone is interested in volunteering for this interesting work, the first step would be to contact Adam Phillips, Golf Administrator at Scottish Golf (contact details - Tel: 0131 339 3987, e mail: a.phillips@scottishgolf.org)

The next step would be to attend an Introductory seminar during March or April - these will be held at various locations throughout Scotland as below.

Murrayshall Golf Club – Tuesday 21st March, 2017
Haggs Castle Golf Club – Thursday 23rd March, 2017
Peebles Golf Club – Tuesday 28th March, 2017
Ratho Park Golf Club – Thursday 30th March, 2017
Elgin Golf Club – Tuesday 4th April, 2017

Carol wishes all her readers -- a Happy New Year

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE --

 KIRKWOOD GOLF

WEST VETS WEBSITE

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES' COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION

D&A's KYLIE WALKER MARRIES SCOTT HENRY

CLICK TO ENLARGE 

Many congrats go to Kyle Walker and  Scott Henry who got married yesterday

Seasons Greetings to all West of Scotland Website Readers

Renfrewshire, D&A, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Counties wish all our readers a Merry Christmas

NEW PING SCOTTISH MIXED FOURSOMES

An exciting mixed team competition for Scottish club golfers is to tee off next season, with Solheim Cup venue, The Gleneagles Hotel, to act as host for the showpiece finale.

The PING Scottish Mixed Championship is to be a unique new addition to the domestic handicap amateur calendar in 2017, as Scottish Golf brings male and female golfers together in a fun-filled format for all ages and abilities to add further value to club membership.

The innovative new event sees PING become sponsors of Scottish Golf for the first time, with the leading golf brand’s investment providing a welcome boost to the governing body’s partnership portfolio.

American Beth Allen, the Scots-based new Ladies European Tour No 1, and Scottish Golf Men’s Order of Merit winner Euan McIntosh were on hand at Gleneagles today to help launch the event, along with Scottish Golf chief executive Blane Dodds.

The free-to-enter competition will be open to all golf club members in Scotland holding an official handicap, from juniors to seniors. Golfers can compete in a mixed event at local club level (stableford format), with the top 40 club pairings nationwide going forward to the Grand Final over the superb Queen’s Course at Gleneagles.

The event sees a fitting partnership between Scottish Golf, Gleneagles and PING, given the manufacturer was founded by Karsten Solheim, who helped create the biggest team event in ladies’ golf.

Beatson Cancer Charity is the official charity partner for the competition, with Beatson also charity partner for the forthcoming Scottish Golf Awards at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 24 February.

The PING Scottish Mixed Championship will see qualifying take place at club level (either using an existing mixed event in the club’s calendar or introducing a new event) from April through to the end of July.

Scottish Golf’s online leaderboard will show the top 40 mixed stableford scores nationwide, with 80 golfers then coming together to contest the Grand Final over the idyllic James Braid-designed Queen’s on Monday 18 September 2017.

Blane Dodds said: “We’re pleased to launch this new mixed event for club golfers in 2017, one which adds further value to club membership and offers the chance to compete at a world-class venue for the final.

“We are delighted to be working with PING for the first time and it’s great to have such a strong global golf brand supporting grass roots golf in Scotland. The environment remains challenging for attracting investment from sponsorship, but these partnerships illustrate our continued determination to grow the game and enhance the golfing experience for club members.”

John Clark, PING Europe Managing Director, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting this new mixed event which will bring together both female and male golfers from around Scotland in a competitive, yet fun format at one of the UK’s most iconic venues.”

Beth Allen said: “It’s great that Scottish Golf, PING and Gleneagles are doing this event for club golfers in the build up to the Solheim Cup. It would obviously be great for me to represent the United States of America here in 2019 and I’m sure the players who qualify for the final of the PING Scottish Mixed Championship will have an amazing experience at Gleneagles.”

With the Perthshire property staging the Solheim Cup – only five years after hosting The Ryder Cup – and the inaugural European Golf Team Championships in 2018, the new PING Scottish Mixed Championship adds to Gleneagles’ illustrious event history across the amateur and professional game.

Event information will be issued by Scottish Golf to all affiliated clubs early next year, who are encouraged to add the event to their club calendar.

DOUGLAS PARK CHOIR SING AT THE LADIES CHRISTMAS LUNCH !!

Douglas Park Choir at the Christmas Lunch from Carol Fell on Vimeo.

80 ladies attended the 2016 Ladies Christmas Lunch yesterday at Douglas Park Golf Club . After a lovely lunch the DPark Ladies Choir sang a couple of songs followed by everyone else joining in -- Thanks go to Eileen Hunter and Margaret Morris for all their help time and trouble !

Save the Date! -- Scottish Golf Annual Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Scottish Golf will take place on Saturday 11 March 2017 at The Fairmont St Andrews. Representatives of Clubs, Areas & Counties are invited to attend to meet, share experiences and debate.

The day will include the opportunity for 9 holes of golf in the morning, before a buffet lunch and the Annual General Meeting from 1 – 4pm. The afternoon agenda will focus on consulting on the issues, opportunities and strategies for Scottish Golf with the objective of growing our game. We would encourage you to add the date to your diaries and more information on how to book your place will be provided in due course.

NEW LOCAL RULE ELIMINATES PENALTY FOR A PLAYER WHO ACCIDENTALLY CAUSES A BALL TO MOVE ON THE PUTTING GREEN

8 December 2016, St Andrews, Scotland:

The R&A and the USGA today announced the introduction of a new Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.

The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a competition to use starting 1 January 2017. It will be adopted by The R&A and the USGA in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches.

David Rickman, Executive Director - Governance at The R&A, said, “For the past several years, as part of The R&A and USGA’s Rules Modernisation initiative, we have considered the penalty for a ball that is accidentally moved on the putting green. Both Rules Committees agreed that it needed to be changed and decided that in this particular case it was important to act now, through a Local Rule, rather than wait for the next overall set of revisions to the Rules of Golf.”

Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status at the USGA, said, “Eliminating this penalty responds to the concerns we have heard from both golfers and committees about the difficulties in applying the current Rules when a player accidentally causes a ball to move on the putting green. This change is a good example of the type of Rules Modernisation changes we hope to implement after completing our fundamental review of all of the Rules. We are looking for ways to improve the Rules by making them easier to understand and apply.”

The Local Rule has been welcomed by all of the major Tours worldwide, and the PGA TOUR, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America and the Masters Tournament are among the golf organisations that will implement the Local Rule for all future events, beginning 1 January 2017.
If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended:
“Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.
The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”
For more information about the new Local Rule, including explanatory diagrams, videos and a detailed question-and-answer document, please visit www.RandA.org.

Ranfurly Castle Christmas Cheer

Winning Team and
Helen Crichton (bottom left) best dressed award

Some more Smiling faces!

50 ladies enjoyed their Christmas Cheer today at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club in Bridge of Weir. 

Despite exceedingly windy conditions and some rain the 9 hole Stableford was played in teams of 3 with the "Christmas Ball" passing on from each player at each hole -- If you lost it £2 was donated to the funds -- If you did well with the ball you got your stableford points doubled !!

 The winning score for 9 holes (one score to count) was 41 points !!

 All this was followed by lunch, prize giving and best dressed Christmas outfit --- Octogenarian Helen Crichton won the prize -- A great day --(despite the dreich conditions) was had by all.

Thanks go to Jean Irvine for the photos

From your editor Carol Fell -- If you had a good story from your club -- Please send your news by Clicking Here

Scots trio fail to make it to LPGA Final Q School last round

Scots Gemma Dryburgh, Sally Watson and Kylie Walker failed to make it through to the fifth and final round of the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida.
But Edinburgh-based American Beth Allen is sixth among the leading 71 players with 72-hole totals of 290 and better who will play on Sunday with 25 LPGA players' cards for the 2017 season on the line.
Aberdeen-born Dryburgh shot a 71 for four-over 292, failing by two shots to beat the cut in T80th place.
Watson had her best score of the week - a two-under-par 70 - but it was too little too late for the Edinburgh-born player to advance to the final day. She had a total of 295 and was tied 105th.
Walker was never really in with a shout after starting with an 81 but she shoot 72-73-71 over her last three rounds for 297 and a T117 finish.
American Jaye Marie Green leads the qualifiers into the final round over the Hills Course.She had a third-round 70 (her worst so far!) for 15-under-par 273 and leads by two shots from Iceland's Olivia Kristinsdottir (68 for 275).
Beth Allen has had back-to-back 68s for 279 and is obviously pushing hard for LPGA Tour playing rights. She said in a pre-round interview that she has no wish to leave the Ladies European Tour, only to play in the States when there was no tournament in America.
Mel Reid is the leading English player in joint seventh place after a 72 for 280.
England's Hannah Burke and Bronte Law (still an amateur but she will have to turn pro for LPGA Tour status) are bracketed in T30 place on 286. Hannah had a fourth-round 69, Bronte a 70.
Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow made it through with a 73 for 289 and T50 position.
Felicity Johnson was the fourth and last English-born player to make the final day. But she almost blew it with a fourth-round, fie-over-par 77 for 290 - the limit mark for the 71 qualifiers.

FOURTH-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 288 (4x72)
Leading qualifiers for final round
273 Jaye Marie Green (USA) 68 68 67 70
275 Olivia Kristinsdottir (Iceland) 74 66 67 68
276 Sadena Parks (USA) 69 72 67 68
277 Nasa Hataoka (Japan) 68 65 69 75
278 Angel Yin (USA) 74 67 69 68
279 Beth Allen (USA) 71 72 68 68

Other final-round qualifiers included:
280 Mel Reid (England) 69 64 75 72 (T7)
285 Aditi Ashok (India) 73 70 71 71 (T23)
286 Hannah Burke (England) 73 75 69 69, Bronte Law (England) (am) 75 68 73 70 (T30)
289 Stephanie Meadow (N Ireland) 73 70 73 73 (T50)
290 Felicity Johnson (England) 76 66 71 77 (T61)

MISSED THE CUT
(71 players with totals of 290 and better qualified)
291 Charlotte Thomas (England) 73 71 73 74 (T71)
292 Gemma Dryburgh (Scotland) 77 69 75 71 (T80)
294 Eleanor Givens (England) 78 72 70 74 (T96)
295 Sally Watson (Scotland) 77 76 72 70 (T105)
297 Kylie Walker (Scotland) 81 72 73 71 (T117)

Withdrew: Holly Clyburn (England) 77 69 75 wd

SCOTTISH GOLF -- VOTE NOW

Has your golf club achieved success in 2016?

Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to the sport at local, regional or national level?

Nominations are now open for the Scottish Golf Club and Volunteer of the Year awards which celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to make a difference over the past year.

Four finalists, plus their guests, in each category will be invited to attend the 2017 Scottish Golf Awards where the winners will be presented with their accolade on stage. The Club of the Year will also receive a grant of £1,500 to support a future club project or local initiatives.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Douglas Park raises £700 at coffee morning for Cancer Support

Captain Mary Mclean hands over cheque 

 £700 cheque was handed over to Karen Harrower for Cancer Support Scotland today by the Douglas Park Ladies Captain Mary McLean and Ladies Treasurer Denise MacNaughton
The money was raised at the coffee morning on Saturday 5th November,

Scottish Golf Handicap Seminars

To help your club gain a better understanding of the Unified Handicapping System (UHS), Scottish Golf are running a number of Handicapping Seminars across Scotland.

The two-hour regional seminars are free of charge and are open to Match and Handicap Convenors from any affiliated golf club (Places subject to demand).

 The two hour seminars will be dedicated to providing a generic overview on the CONGU Unified Handicapping System and will also look at a number of changes introduced in 2016 and how they affect your club.

Workshop topics include: Club Handicaps; 9-Hole Qualifying Competitions and Supplementary Scores; Alteration of Handicaps; Multi-Tee Competitions; and Initial Handicap Allocation.

Go to the Scottish Golf Website to book your place

Lanarkshire's Lesley Lloyd is awarded Honorary Membership

Lesley Lloyd

Lesley Lloyd was awarded Honorary Membership of Lanarkshire Ladies' County Golf Association last night at their AGM.

 This is well deserved for the outstanding contribution she has made to county golf over many years serving as Junior Secretary, Treasurer, Captain, Champion, caddy and then team member continuosly for the past 24 years.

 She has also brought honour to the county through representing Scotland in Senior European Team Championships and Home Internationals.