Catriona Matthew returns as Solheim Cup Captain for 2021

Catriona Matthew (Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf)

Victorious 2019 skipper to lead Team Europe again in 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio

From the Scottish Golf Website

Catriona Matthew has been reappointed as the European Solheim Cup captain for 2021.

The Scot, who will lead Team Europe at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, was unveiled in a news conference at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the scene of Europe’s triumph over the United States, in September.

Matthew will attempt to become Europe’s first multiple Solheim Cup-winning captain. She led Team Europe to a 14 ½ – 13 ½ victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup, which was the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK and the most widely watched on television.

Matthew said that the thrilling event was the pinnacle of her career, even ‘blowing away’ her major victory in the 2009 Women’s British Open.

Reflecting on the dramatic victory and the task ahead, Matthew said: “Winning the Solheim Cup in Scotland was a dream come true, but backing that up with a win in America would be even better.

“It’s always harder to win on US soil, but I’m honoured to be tasked with the mission. I was lucky enough to be part of the first European team to win on US soil at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 and so know what’s possible.

“The American team played extremely well at Gleneagles, but what we accomplished this year and what it meant to people all around the world, will serve as further motivation. I’m excited to get down to business, build the next team and see what Europe is capable of at Inverness Club. It’s a very Scottish name, so I’m hoping that’s a good omen!

“Anyone who witnessed the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland can be left in no doubt that it was an outstanding international event which set a new benchmark for women’s golf, but this is the beginning of a new, two-year journey, so I’m going to gather all my experience, take it forward and do my best to bring the trophy home to Europe again in 2021.”

Matthew, who has 11 professional tournament victories, made her Solheim Cup debut in 1998 and played for Europe nine times in the competition. She has been instrumental in four Solheim Cup victories, three times as a competitor, in 2003, 2011 and 2013 and as the winning captain in 2019.

“I’m very pleased Catriona has agreed to captain the European Solheim Cup team in 2021 at Inverness Club,” said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The leadership she showed in Gleneagles played a significant role in her team’s thrilling victory. She created a very cohesive team that had tremendous belief and confidence in their ability to win matches when it mattered most. Bringing that winning experience to America under her guidance will serve the European team very well as they set out to successfully defend the Solheim Cup.”

The 2019 European Solheim Cup team lavished praise on Matthew.

Suzann Pettersen, who holed an eight-foot putt to win on the 18th green in the final match at Gleneagles, said: “I’m thrilled that Catriona is returning as captain. She’s a class act and obviously inspires all the players and team members around her. She’s not only a Solheim Cup legend, but she’s also a great leader, friend and mother. She had the faith in me to choose me as a wildcard pick, for which I will forever be grateful and she deserves all the credit.”

Dame Laura Davies, a vice-captain in 2019, said: “Everyone enjoyed the match at Gleneagles so much and I think that Catriona was such a great captain that she deserves the chance to go and get the trophy back again. I am looking forward to another terrific contest in Ohio.”

The 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, to be played on Tuesday, August 31 to Monday, September 6, 2021, will continue to build on the tradition and history of the biennial transatlantic contest.

The Donald Ross-designed Inverness Club boasts a major championship pedigree having hosted many of the premier championships in golf including four U.S. Opens (1920, 1931, 1957, 1979), two PGA Championships (1986, 1993), the 2003 & 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championships and, most recently, the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Tickets for the 2021 Solheim Cup are on sale now at solheimcupusa.com.

Cardross Golf Club Ladies Annual Dinner and Prizegiving

Cardross Ladies -- Prizewinners

The Ladies of Cardross Golf Club recently held their annual dinner and Prizegiving, at the golf club.  

The ladies also used the night for fundraising and, as in previous years, the charity was Children in Need.  The sum raise on the night was £274.  
It was also a night of light entertainment together with the presentation of the prizes for the competition which took place throughout the year.  

The Ladies Championship was won this year by Lorraine Campbell, with Ann Shanks the runner up.  
The Bronze Champion is Kath Brown and the runner up was Evelyn McPherson.

The other main trophy winners are as follows:

Singles Competitions:

RG Wilson Trophy – Rae Strang; 

Margaret Johnston Rosebowl – Alison Ram; 

Delaney Trophy – Sheila Gardiner; 

Campbell Salver – Carol Fleming; 

Julie Nybo Quaich – Vicky Hendren; 

Spring Meeting – Kath Brown; 

Autumn Meeting – Mel Thomson; 

Medal Finals (Allan Cup) – Vicky Hendren; 

Vets Cup – Margaret Stirling; 

Dinner Plate (Main Day) – Vicky Hendren; 

Dinner Plate (Alternate Day) – Carol Fleming.

Pairs Competitions:

Mixed Foursomes Championship – Iain and Lorraine Campbell; Centenary Fourball – Lynne MacDonald/Rae Strang; 

Summer Foursomes – Evelyn McPherson/Alison Ram; 

Winter Foursomes – Anne Barrie/Susan Bell; 

McPherson Trophy – Patricia Craig/Liz Skinner; 

Coronation Foursomes – Patricia Craig/Mhairi Stevenson; 

Daily Mail Foursomes – Vicky Hendren/Moira Still.

JEAN MACINTYRE RECEIVES HONORARY MEMBERSHIP FROM LANARKSHIRE LADIES' COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION

Captain Fiona Norris, Jean Macintyre and Past Captain Alyson Hendry

At last nights Lanarkshire Ladies' County AGM Fiona Norris (Hamilton)  took over as Captain from Alyson Hendry (Hamilton) and introduced her Vice Captain Anne Mungall from Airdrie.

Jean Macintyre was delighted  to receive Honorary Membership of LLCGA for her contribution to County and Scottish Golf and as an International Referee.

To see more go to the Lanarkshire County Website

CAROL SAUNDERS WINS THE 2019 ARRAN CHALLENGE

Click to Enlarge

390 Ladies played in the Arran Challenge this year and Carol Saunders (Srathaven) was the overall winner with 56 points for the best 2 rounds. She beat Moira Holt (Caldwell) by the BIH.

For the Full list of all the results -- CLICK HERE

SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR THE WEST VETS

Chris Fowler, Honorary President Wendy Cameron, Gillian Kyle
and Vice Captain May Hughes

Captain Chris Fowler gave a warm welcome to the 56 ladies who attended the 51st AGM and Prizegiving of the West Vets which was held on Thursday 7th November 2019 at 2.00pm in Cowglen Golf Club.

It has been a very successful season for many of its members and some West of Scotland players achieving International awards during the season -- Donna Jackson (The Ladies Golf Club Troon), Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire), Lesley Lloyd (Hayston), Liz Stewart (Greenburn)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WEST VETS WEBSITE for the full 2019 report

SANDRA LITTLEJOHN IS NEW CAPTAIN OF RENFREWSHIRE LADIES' COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE RLCGA CAPTAINS
June Lockhart, Sandra Littlejohn and Donna Jackson

 60 ladies attended the 110th RLCGA AGM which was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club last night  -- the 6th November 2019.

Captain June Lockhart was delighted to welcome everyone and gave an excellent review of the year and also congratulated Ayrshire County on becoming the 2019 Scottish Team Champions.

All other convenors gave their reviews of the year:

Secretary Carol McNally read out all the Prizewinners from 2019
Junior Convenor Gillian Kyle  gave an excellent report on the successful Juniors this year.
Thanks go to Fiona Armour for all the photographs from the AGM and also organising and running a survey for all the members.
Course Rating was also reviewed by Maureen Mitchell of the Old Course Ranfurly 
June then handed over the captaincy to Sandra Littlejohn (Erskine) and thanked her for all her help over the last 2 years.

Sandra was delighted to be able to inform everyone that Donna Jackson the Renfrewshire County Champion for 11 times and County Team member for 36 years was her Vice Captain.

FOR THE FULL REPORT CLICK HERE  

EAST LOTHIANS GIRLS WIN THE SCOTTISH GOLF KINGSBARNS TEXAS SCRAMBLE

Photograph courtesy of Sottish Golf

Scottish Golf held the 2nd Kingsbarns Girls Classic Texas Scramble yesterday with 28 County girl players and the country's top professionals and internationals 
The format had each County with 2 players and a Professional or a top Scottish Amateur in their team.

The Winning Team was  East Lothian represented by  Abercrombie Nisbet and  Lucy Hall  who played with Gabrielle Macdonald

The Winning Team  - East Lothian - Abercrombie, Gabrielle and Lucy
Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf

County Team players with Professional or Scottish Elite player (apologies if any names are wrong or missed -- its the best your webmaster has)

Angus: Jodie Taylor, Sarah Tough -  Gillian Paton
Fife: Hannah Robb, Caelen Laesecke -  Kirstin Scott
Lanarkshire: Leah Bryce, Abigail McCafferty - Shannon McWilliam
Renfrewshire: Hannah Carson, Rosie McGuire -  Heather McCrae
D&A: Sophie Murhy , Ava Graham (RLCGA) - Tara MacTaggart
Borders: Orla O'Leary, Olivia O'leary - Michelle Thompson
Galloway: Ailsa Brannock, TBC - Beth Allen
Perth and Kinross: Katy Alexander, Kirstin Miller - Jasmine Mackintosh
Stirling & Clackmannan: Georgia Foster, Lara Douglas - Hannah McCook
Midlothian: Lucy Morrison, Molly Nicholson - Jenny Potter
East Lothian: Abercrombie Nisbet, Lucy Hall - Gabrielle Macdonald
Ayrshire: Luisa Gibson, Katy Ronnie - Nikki Ferguson
Dumfrieshire: Ellie Harkness, Amy McKie - Kelsey MacDonald
Northern Counties: Katrina Kan, Iona Reid - ?

From Renfrewshire's Gillian Kyle
CLICK HERE FOR SOME PHOTOS -- COURTESY OF GILLIAN KYLE

Rosie McGuire, Heather Macrae and Hannah Carson

Ava Graham (RLCGA) Tara MacTaggart and Sophie Murphy (D&A)

3 of the RLCGA girls had a fabulous day at Kingsbarns GL today playing in the Scottish Golf  Girls Invitational Texas Scramble. 

Hannah Carson & Rosie Maguire played with Pro Heather Macrae and Ava Graham, alongside D&A's Sophie Murphy, played with elite amateur Tara MacTaggart.

Neither of the teams won a prize but all the girls learned so much and enjoyed playing with fantastic female golfers. 

Many thanks go to Scottish Golf & Kingsbarns for organising such a special day. - Gillian Kyle (RLCGA)

Register your club's interest in GolfSixes today !

Scottish Golf is excited to announce that expression of interest is now open for our 2020 GolfSixes Leagues. Run in partnership with the Golf Foundation, the leagues provides junior beginner golfers who have no handicap or 37 and above the opportunity to represent their club in team-based playing opportunity that is fast and fun.

This is an inter-club competition where local clubs work collaboratively to provide a positive playing experience through simple points scoring that will retain the children’s interest in the sport.

How does it work?

Teams take part in a standardised format which can be easily organised and administered by the PGA professional or club volunteer. The competition would consist of:

• Minimum 4 teams per league, up to a maximum of 6
• Up to 8 fixtures per league
• 6 short holes adapted depending on facility and number of teams
• Shotgun start where possible (peripheral activities if tee time start)
• Up to a squad of 12 where you may rotate players (ideally a minimum 4 girls per squad)
• Teams of 6 playing each match Pairs Texas Scramble using a point scoring system based on number of strokes taken e.g. 1 stroke = 10 points, 10 strokes = 1 point
• Clubs in the league share hosting the fixtures

READ MORE  -- Register your club's interest in GolfSixes today!

Midlothian County 100th AGM & Prize Giving 2019

Last Week Midlothian County had their 100th AGM (Centenary Year was 2009), where 62 full members attended. 

The Junior report was first on the Agenda followed by the Junior Prize Giving. The Prizes were presented by President Norma Richmond.

To read the full report 

GO TO THE MIDLOTHIAN WEBSITE

Scotland loses another 7500 registered golfers

By Martin Dempster - Scotsman Newspaper  

Golf club membership in Scotland is continuing to drop, according to an annual survery of the sport across Europe.

The KPMG’s Golf Participation Report for Europe reveals a loss of 7,521 registered golfers in the sport’s cradle between 2017-18,

The four per cent drop means there are now 180,281 golfers registered to Scottish golf clubs compared to 187,802 in 2017 and 209,812 in 2014.

In the equivalent report in 2016, Scotland topped the list of registered golfers lost with a fall of 6,711 while it was claimed that 19 courses had also shut in the home of golf.

With a drop of 4,731, the report for the following year put Scotland fourth on the same list behind England (38,784), Netherlands (12,913) and Ireland (7,422).

The latest report lists a total of 560 courses in Scotland, with an average of 322 registered golfers per course compared to 342 in England, 463 in Ireland and 297 in Wales.

The loss of members has led to a number of clubs being forced to shut in Scotland over the past few years, with others battling to survive.

The shutters were brought down at Mount Ellen in Gartcosh in August due to dwindling membership and a battle to keep Letham Grange in Angus afloat has also been lost in the past few weeks.

Earlier this year, Eastwood on the outskirts of Glasgow also went out of business while other Scottish clubs to close down over the past few years have included Carrick Knowe in Edinburgh and Brunston Castle in Ayrshire.

A damning look at the current state of golf club membership in Scotland was delivered at the country’s first national conference in Edinburgh just under two years ago.

“You have to confront the brutal facts if you want to change your performance,” said Stewart Darling, one of Scottish Golf’s non-executive director. “If you don’t and try to pretend it is something else, ultimately you will fail because you are tackling the wrong thing.

“The golf landscape is challenging. For the last ten years, membership has been declining. We have been losing roughly 5,000 full members every year.

“I’ve listened to people talking about the strategy that was in place for the last ten years but, if that worked so well, how did we end up here with 50,000 members less in that period?

“I kid you not, those membership statistics will not level out and there are some very good reasons for that. We need to choose to do things very differently.”

It’s a similar story on the membership front in England, Wales and Ireland.

England, the country with the most registered golfers in Europe, had a 1.63 per cent drop to 645,151, Wales suffered a 4.06 per cent loss to 42,743 and Ireland had a 0.58 per cent decline in dropping to 182,398.

The report reveals that overall the European golf market is still stable in 2018 in terms of numbers of registered golfers and golf courses in operation, with no substantial changes in the supply and demand figures.

The overall participation rate for Europe has remained stable since 2015. In fact, 54.5 per cent of local golf associations indicated that the level of participation in their country in 2018 had either stabilised or increased.

Based on the survey, the gender distribution of registered golfers in Europe is constant - 68 per cent of them are male, 25 per cent female and seven per cent are junior.

The KPMG report does not include “nomads” who golf on a pay-per-play basis.

Ayrshire past and Present teams Celebration dinner and Joanne Sharp is the new Ayrshire County Captain

Past and Present come together to celebrate the Success
of the Ayrshire Ladies Golf this season

From the Ayrshire Post - 30th October 2019

From the Ayrshire Post
CLICK TO ENLARGE

A celebration dinner for Ayrshire County with retiring Captain Liz Wilson welcoming everyone to Royal Troon and Isabel Crawford who was in the winning 1970 team gives a speech

From the Ayrshire County Website

The Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association held their AGM this week with their prize giving. 

The new Captain is Joanne Sharp from Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club who takes over from Liz Wilson and her Vice Captain Ann Wallace from St Nicholas Golf Club.

Carmen Griffiths wins the Aberdeenshire County Girls Championship

Carmen Griffiths and Rachal Mathieson

The Aberdeenshire County Girls  Championship was played in wet and windy conditions at Portlethen Golf Club on Sunday 20th October. 

The 2019 champion, winning narrowly (by a better inward half) with an 80 was Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne).

Runner up, and winner of the handicap championship was Rachel Mathieson (Hazlehead) with 80-5, net 75. 

Close behind was Robyn Fowlie (Edzell) with an 83-4, net 79.

Catriona Matthew set to captain Europe again at 2021 Solheim Cup

Catriona Matthew

By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman Newspaper

Europe's captain for the 2021 Solheim Cup will be announced next month at Gleneagles, where Catriona Matthew led the home team to a sensational last-putt victory in September.

The LET's venue choice for the announcement on 14 November suggests that Matthew, a popular captain for the event in Perthshire, is set to be re-appointed for the 17th edition of the match at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen had also been tipped as a contender for the 2021 captaincy after she announced her retiral from playing immediately after holing the winning putt against Juli Inkster's American side in a dramatic finish on the PGA Centenary Course.

But, after admitting that she "wouldn't say no" to a second stint at the helm, it seems as though Matthew, who made five appearances in the fixture on the other side of the Atlantic and secured Europe’s first win on US soil in Colorado in 2013, has been given the nod again by the LET board.

The 50-year-old North Berwick woman had been tipped for the next match by former world No 1 Laura Davies, one of her vice-captains in the 14.5-13.5 at Gleneagles, where Matthew came up with some profitable pairings, notably Georgia Hall teaming up with rookie Celine Boutier to deliver three points out of three.

“My vote would go to Beany (Matthew) again next time, because everyone has enjoyed it so much," said Davies at the time. “I always think that, if you win, you deserve the chance to go and get the trophy back again."

Scotland Ladies MGRanking Week 2019 - week 43

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Scotland Ladies MGRanking Week 2019/43. -- Megan Ross (Banchory) regains her Number One position and Clober Ladies is still at  number one with Blairgowrie  Ladies at No. 2 on Scotland Ladies MGRanking

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL READERS

Please note that Week 19/44 will be the last weekly posting of MGRanking for the present 52 week cycle although the MGRankings for Weeks 19/48 and 19/52 will be posted.

Press releases for 2019/2020 will recommence on Week 20/05.

DAILY MGR RE-RANKINGS ARE AVAILABLE AND MAY BE VIEWED ON www.mygolfranking.net 

PLEASE NOTE that current MGR registered clubs are not required to re-register.

CLUBS that wish to join our merry MGR throng for MGRanking 2019/20 should either copy, complete and return the pro forma below to me at davidmoir@mail.com or phone/text 07789 373216 for more information.

On behalf of ...........................................GOLF CLUB

1)  We hereby permit the above golf club to be registered in the MyGolfRanking.net system.

2)  We hereby permit MyGolfRanking.net to extract such event data, as is required to drive the MGR system, from the HDiD/HM/IG/above golf club/Men's & Ladies' Results webpages.

Signed by ………………………………………

Regards

David

David Moir

Past President

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Hon Life President

FIFE GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Director

in LEAGUE with GOLF Ltd

davidmoir@mail.com

Juniors playing in adult events is no brainer

Hannah Darling, who developed her game in competitions at Broomieknowe,
in action at the junior Solheim Cup. Picture: Jamie Squire/IMG

By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman Newspaper

So, the “Pillocks of the Year” prize goes to the lady members who wanted to stop juniors from taking part in their club competitions before someone with a grasp on modern-day life intervened.

Well done to John Clark, the managing director of Ping, for quickly stepping in and avoiding any further embarassment for Thonock Park, which is owned by the equipment manufacturer, but what on earth possessed those lady members at the Lincolnshire club to pass such a vote?

Was it because they are precious wee souls and don’t like losing out to youngsters in competitions? If so, they should hang their heads in shame because such an attitude is just not acceptable in the sport.

No wonder there were lots of people expressing disbelief over the decision before Clark issued a statement from Ping’s European headquarters nearby to say that it had been revoked due to the fact it was “completely against the values, principles and philosophies” of the company.

“This shouldn’t even be a debate/question!” declared Bradley Neil, the 2014 Amateur champion, on Twitter and, in fairness, he should know, having played in men’s competitions at Blairgowrie as he came through the junior ranks.

“Most of the best golfers – if not all – this game has seen will have played adult competitions as a junior. How can we expect to grow the game if we deny them the chance to improve?”

Exactly and how ironic that this story came to light on the same day that 15-year-old Englishman Josh Hill earned a place in the record books by becoming the youngest winner of an Official World Golf Ranking event with his victory in the Al Ain Open on the MENA Tour, one of the game’s third-tier circuits. Like many players of his age, Hill has seen his game flourish through competing against adults from an early age.

There’s more to it than just that, though. Youngsters can learn life skills from spending time in adult company and, speaking from experience, 
a golf course can be one of 
the best places to appreciate that.

Yes, of course, there are some people out there who aren’t necessarily the ideal role models but, in the main, the majority of people that play the game can be instrumental in that respect and, what’s more, are happy to do so.

It really is a no brainer that juniors should be allowed to play in adult competitions and even more so these days when older members should feel a sense of duty when it comes to doing everything possible to proctect the future of their golf club.

If Ping hadn’t stepped in, those lady members at Thonock Park would have been scoring a shocking own goal as far as the club was concerned and also for the game itself in the bigger picture.

At a time when attracting new blood into the game is vital, the sport needs more players like Hannah Darling, for example, who has been encouraged by her home club, Broomieknowe, and has seen her talent blossom as a consequence.

Would she be on the verge of breaking into the world’s top 100 if she’d been stopped from playing against older and more experienced players over the last few years? Probably not.

D&A County AGM - Jean Leitch is the new Captain

Some of the prizewinners
Front row - Lorna McClymont, Ann Colthart and Sophie Murphy

The D&A County  A.G.M and Prizegiving took place at Douglas Park Golf Club on Wednesday 23rd October. 

Captain Ann Colthart welcomed the members. 

President Fiona Cowan presented the prizes to those winners who were in attendance. 

County Champion this year is Lorna McClymont who had another very successful year and Junior Champion is Sophie Murphy. 

Jean Leitch -- New D&A Captain

At the end of the meeting Ann passed the Captain’s badge to incoming Captain Jean Leitch

From the D&A Website  (also see more photos) 

Kelsey MacDonald's 2019 Season is nearing an end

Kelsey at Hero Women's Indian Open tournament

From Peak Scientific  - Sponsors

Kelsey MacDonald’s 2019 season is nearing its end as the year comes to a close. Three of Kelsey’s higher profiled events and prize funds allowed her to jump into 32nd spot on the ladies’ order of merit.

Being back to top 10’s has really given Kelsey the confidence to go into the last events and finish the season off strong. With positive results and two more tournaments to go, Kelsey gives us an update:

In September, I played at Golf du Medoc in the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and finished with a bogey free 67 on the final round to finish in 16th place. I finished my week with -5 67 on the final day which was one of the lowest scores of the Kelsey at Lacoste Ladies Open de France 

I was then off to Barcelona, Spain, for the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Open, where I scored a T10. Shortly after that I travelled to India for Hero Women's Indian Open. On my second round in the tournament, I made a hole in one on the 16th hole. I holed a 7-iron which was my second hole in one in tournament in my professional career. Unfortunately, I didn’t win a prize but it was great to have so many people congratulate me

I now have two more tournaments to go, with the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana in Spain at the end of November, and the Magical Kenya Open in December – but I’ll be heading out to Spain a week before my event to try and find the sunshine and practise in warmer climes since it’s already cold in Scotland!

Congratulations on your recent scores Kelsey! Peak Scientific is proud to sponsor such a dedicated and talented female golfer – wishing you the best of luck in your last two 2019 tournaments!

Nikki Ferguson comments on a ban on Junior Girls playing in ladies Competitions

Nikki Ferguson -- Assistant Pro at Cathcart Castle

Ping have stepped in to overturn a widely criticised ban at Thonock Park Golf Club in Gainsborough. 

The golf club, which is owned by Ping, voted last week to prohibit junior girls playing in ladies competitions.

Ping seemed less than happy with the decision from the club and immediately stepped in to rectify the situation.

“Upon hearing news on the result of this vote, Ping (the proprietors of Thonock Park) immediately revoked the proposal and have it very clear that it goes completely against the values, principles and philosophies of Ping and would never permit this to go ahead,” read a statement from Ping Europe’s managing director, John Clark

“Ping will continue working very closely with the committees of Thonock Park to ensure the club provides every member with the highest quality experience.

The ban received heavy backlash, with many taking to social media to criticise the decision.

Nikki -- D&A county Champion, Milngavie and Clober Champion 2014

As Past D&A County Champion Nikki Ferguson said on social media 

"If I didn’t have the help from Clober and Milngavie GC growing up, I wouldn’t be where I am today! I won the Club Championship when I was a Junior. "

"Dunbartonshire & Argyll Ladies County helped me massively as well. I made so many friends growing up, many I’m still friends with today! "

"This should not be getting asked in this modern world!"

Aboyne Award Honorary Membership to Kimberley Beveridge

Kimberley Beveridge with the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship trophy and Club President Justin Grant 

 Press Release 28th October 2019 

At the season end prizegiving ceremony held at Aboyne Golf Club on Saturday night, the club awarded Kimberley Beveridge ‘Honorary Membership’ in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the Amateur Game. 

Making the award, Club President Justin Grant said “Kimberley has had a fantastic last few seasons culminating in her being crowned Scottish Women’s Amateur Champion at Barassie this year. She is also the current Aberdeenshire Ladies County Champion, having won this at Murcar a few weeks earlier. 

Justin went on, “A talented junior, Kimberley was a 3 times Aberdeenshire Girls Champion and represented Scotland Girls and Schools teams. Amongst other highlights Kimberley has regularly represented Aberdeenshire Ladies and helped them win the Team County Championship for the first time in 32 years in 2018. She also won the prestigious St Andrews Junior Ladies Open Championship in 2018. 

Kimberley won her first full international cap for Scotland in 2014 and her recent form led to ‘Scottish Golf’ selecting her to win her second cap representing her country in the R&A Women’s Home Internationals at Downfield, Dundee in August of this year.” 

Kimberley, aged 24, is a former pupil at Aboyne Academy who still lives in the village and works part time in the professional’s shop at the course. 

In her acceptance speech Kimberley said "It has been a tremendous season and I am overwhelmed that Aboyne Golf Club have seen fit to present me with such a prestigious accolade. The club and members have given me so much support and encouragement in recent years and I am very proud to have been awarded Honorary Membership of this fantastic club." 

The Glasgow Golf Club finally agrees to let women become members

From the Scotsman Newspaper by Amy Watson

An  upmarket private golf club on the outskirts of Glasgow has finally agreed to let women become members.

The prestigious Glasgow Golf Club in leafy Bearsden had been one of the last bastions of male only memberships in world golf.

Formed in 1787, it’s the ninth oldest golf club on the globe, and only men could join and play the parkland Killermont course in the exclusive suburb and its sister course in Irvine, Gailes Links.

For decades members resisted the call to drag the club into modern life and it was only recently that youngsters under 18 were able to join.

However, last night at an emergency general meeting of the club, members voted unanimously in favour of adopting an open membership – meaning ladies can now join.

They have finally followed the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers – based at Muirfield.

The club it the headlines many times for its controversial approach to female membership.

In 2016, the golf's ruling body, the R&A, removed Muirfield as a host venue for the Open Championship as a result. That has since been reinstated.

They then voted for open membership in 2017 but it took until only a couple of months ago for the club to finally announce that 12 women would be joining.

Glasgow Golf Club’s Killermont House clubhouse was struck by a devastating fire a year ago that gutted the listing building that dates back to the 19th century.

A temporary clubhouse has only just been opened while a £6million renovation takes place.

Joining Glasgow Golf Club involves a strict process. A prospective, member needs to be proposed, seconded and six members need to sign an application book – and then the applicant is interviewed.

DAWN BUTCHART IS THE NEW PERTH AND KINROSS COUNTY PRESIDENT

From the P&K Ladies County Golf blog - 

The Perth & Kinross Ladies' County Golf Association AGM was held at Blairgowrie Golf Club last Sunday - 20th October 2019 -

They were delighted to announce that Dawn Butchart (Strathmore) - pictured above is their new Honorary President. 
Pam Drysdale proposed her appointment at the AGM. It was unanimously agreed. A former Team member, Secretary and Captain for our County, Dawn brings a wealth of experience to the post.

Her husband said --
"Dawn has done so much for for Golf at Club, County and Scottish level." 
"She has been Club Champion at Strathmore many times, P&K County Champion and was instrumental in Junior Development during her term on the board of the SLGA."

"This honour is so richly deserved. And if I had a 6ft downhiller to win I know who I would ask to knock it in"

To read more go to the Perth and Kinross Website