FREYA RUSSELL IS THE 2021 AYRSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPION

Photo courtesy of Gaynor Russell

15 year old  Freya Russell ( Royal Troon ) is the 2021 Ayrshire County Champion  - She beat Jennifer Linklater (Largs)

 She is the youngest Champion that Ayrshire has had. 

Read the full report on the AYRSHIRE COUNTY WEBSITE

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY TRI AM STABLEFORD

Marilyn Muir, Rena Simpson and Margaret Adams
Courtesy of RLCGA

Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association held their Tri Am Stableford Competition yesterday over Gleddoch Golf Course in rather miserable conditions.

13 teams competed  with two scores counting at each hole and the winners with a best inward half of 71 points.

1st: Marilyn Muir (Old Ranfurly) Rena Simpson (Kilmacolm) Margaret Adams (Gleddoch) - 71 points bih

2nd: Chris Fowler (Cowglen), Sandra Macdougall Kilmcolm) and June Irons (Caldwell) 71 points

3rd:  Anabel Kane (Kilmacolm), Alison Macnab (Lochwinnoch) and Vicky Rennie (Ranfurly Castle) 69 points

For the full results CLICK HERE 

To read the full report Click Here

DOWN MEMORY LANE -- LEONA MAGUIRE - SOLHEIM CUP STAR

Leona and Lisa Macguire 2011
The McGuire twins win the team award for Ireland -- Troon Ladies Captain Gilly McRae presents the Trophy

Leona MacGuire 2010
At the Helen Holm 

Leona McGuire  - Helen Holm winner 2009 

In 2009 -- Teen sensation Leona Maguire made history when she became the youngest winner of the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Amateur Open strokeplay title at Royal Troon in 2009

The Cavan prodigy, 14, finished two shots clear of Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald for a wire-to-wire win on six-under par.

Twin sister Lisa finished tied for third on three under par thanks a third successive round of 74. She birdied four holes coming home but a bogey six at the 16th cost her a share of second place with runner up MacDonald --- CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

With Leona Macguire being the GB&I  star performer (4.5 points out of 5) in the 2021 Solheim Cup, it reminded your webmaster of being at the  2010 and 2011 Helen Holm Trophy at Royal Troon where she was playing and taking some photos with many of our Scottish players taking part and many supporters there 

HERE IS A REMINDER -- DOWN MEMORY LANE PHOTOS (plus the 2012 Curtis Cup that she was in)

2010 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS  

2011 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS

EUROPE WIN 2021 SOLHEIM CUP TO CREATE SOLHEIM CUP HISTORY

Catriona Matthew

Catriona Matthew created Solheim Cup history as the first European captain to win the biennial contest back-to-back, following a dramatic victory at Gleneagles in 2019 with another sweet success in an equally-thrilling 17th edition in Ohio. 

Leading by two points heading into the final-day singles at Inverness Club in Toledo, the Scot’s side were up in eight of the 12 matches at one point before holding off a late fightback to win 15-13 as they became just the second European team to triumph on US soil. 

After victories for rookie sensation Leona Maguire, Madalene Sagstrom and Celine Boutier, coupled with half points from Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Matilda Castren, the first Finn to play in the match, delivered the point that retained the trophy. 

The stand-out player and player of the tournament was Leona Maguire, so it was very fitting that she won the first point with a 5&4 victory over Jennifer Kupcho.  

Maguire, the first Irish player to compete in the match, went on to win 5&4, putting the first point of the day on the board and taking her personal tally for the event to an impressive four-and-a-half points, which constituted the best-ever debut in the event. 

READ MORE 

Solheim Cup - DAY 2 - Catriona Matthew hails "crucial" lead for Europeans

Just as well Catriona Matthew is a cool customer. A calm head, after all, will be needed in the European team room heading into the last-day singles after a roller-coaster ride for her players so far in the 17th Solheim Cup in Ohio. 

Leading by three points overnight, the Europeans were up in all four games at one point in the morning session on day two at Inverness Club in Toledo only for the momentum to swing over to Pat Hurst’s US side.

Matthew is now bidding to become the first European captain to record back-to-back wins and she’ll certainly have faith in her players after the way they dug deep in the penultimate session.

“It was certainly a roller-coaster this afternoon,” said Matthew. “The last 20 minutes for us was crucial, I think. After having such a big lead from yesterday, we wouldn’t have wanted to give it all up, so it is great that we are going into tomorrow with a two-point lead.“

READ MORE - BY MARTIN DEMPSTER - THE SCOTSMAN

It was a day of two halves and, no, I'm not just talking about there being a morning and an afternoon session! Team Europe lead Team USA by two points heading into the singles matches.

Two sessions and two similar outcomes made for a thrilling second day at Inverness Club. 

In the morning session, Team Europe started in the way they had finished on day one, but after a strong start the leaderboard shifted to red. The same happened in the afternoon session, except it was Team USA who started strong and Team Europe who then made a comeback. The day ended with USA gaining four points to Europe's three and setting up a final day that is just too close to call.

WOMEN AND GOLF REVIEW - CLICK HERE

Results Day 2

Day 2 Foursomes - USA 3 GB&I 1

Day 2 Fourball  - USA 1.5 GB&I 2.5

After Day 1 and 2 -- USA 7 GB&I 9

Monday Singles  

Nordqvist v Thompson 

Sagstrom v Ewing 

Maguire v Kupcho 

Hall v Korda 

Boutier v Harigae 

Madsen v Ernst 

Castren v Salas 

Ciganda v Altomare  

Popov v Khang  

Reid v Noh 

Hull v J Korda  

Pedersen v Kang

SOLHEIM CUP DAY 1 GOES TO EUROPE AMID A CONTROVERSARY

 DAY 1 -- READ REVIEW FROM WOMEN AND GOLF MAGAZINE 

Europe ended the opening day holding a 5.5-2.5 lead, but the Solheim Cup was once again shrouded in controversy in the 17th edition at the Inverness Club in Toledo.

Swede Madelene Sagstrom was left in tears in Ohio despite Catriona Matthew’s side emerging with a healthy advantage in their defence of the trophy.

In an event that has witnessed its fair share of unwelcome heated debates over the years, Sagstrom picked up opponent Nelly Korda’s ball close to the hole after the American had almost holed an eagle putt at the 13th and handed it to her.

According to the rules official with that match, Sagstrom had infringed the rules, having deemed that it was overhanging the hole and, therefore, she should have waited for 10 seconds before intervening.

Day 1 - Results

Foursomes:  USA 0.5 GB&I 3.5

Fourball:  USA 2 GB&I 2

To read the full report by Martin Dempster in the Scotsman --- CLICK HERE

WEST VETS AUTUMN MEETING AT WEST KILBRIDE

The West Vets Autumn Meeting was held at at West Kilbride yesterday and congratulations go to Rena Simpson of Kilmalcolm Golf Club who came in with a nett 70 to be the overall winner of the Autumn Meeting and the recipient of the Mary Craddock Trophy.

Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire GC came in with the best scratch score of 80, with May Hughes, Lanark GC runner up with 81 (last 6 holes)

To read more go to the West Vets Website

Greenlees Trophy 80th Anniversary Celebration at East Renfrewshire Golf Club

Winners -
Anne McGillveray, Susan Griffin, and Kay McColl

Runners - Up
Irene Boyd, Barbara Aird and Pauline Warlow

Click on the following links

VIDEO FROM THE PRIZEGIVING  - Courtesy of Carol Fell

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE DAY  - Courtesy of East Renfrewshire GC

WOMEN AND GOLF MAGAZINE - Article sent to the Magazine by Carol Fell

On Tuesday 31st of August, East Renfrewshire Golf Club was delighted to host the Tri-am event and lunch to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the West of Scotland Ladies Inter Club Leagues that compete for the Greenlees Trophy.

72 ladies from 25 different golf clubs in the West of Scotland were represented, teams ideally having a player from each of the three divisions. 

The weather was calm and mild, with the sun appearing intermittently, resulting in almost perfect playing conditions. The golf course was at its best, having recovered its lushness after the long dry month of July. 

After their round, ladies enjoyed a lovely lunch in the club lounge which had been decorated with balloons and bunting and were able to chat and catch up with old friends

. 

Lady Captain, Carole Spy from East Renfrewshire Golf Club spoke before the Prize giving and welcomed everyone, expressing her hope that they had all enjoyed their day. She gave an insight into East Renfrewshire Golf Club’s history of involvement in the Greenlees Trophy leagues. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE -------> VIDEO OF PRESENTATION    or watch at end of post

Carole Spy said --

I hope you have all enjoyed playing East Ren in perfect golfing conditions and had fun with the bendy driver and left-handed putter on 18th. Watching on, there certainly seemed to be a lot of laughter, there were even several offers to buy the putter

 Val Crawford who organised today’s events has left information leaflets on the history of the Greenlees for you. What you probably won’t know is East Ren’s involvement. 

 We were invited to take part in the Greenlees Trophy in 1952. It took us four years to win the second division and were then promoted to division one, where we stayed until ’65. The ladies of the day were obviously not satisfied with the demotion and promptly won Division two in ‘66 followed by Division one in ‘67 where the team remained until 1976. 

There was more success in winning division 2 in 1978. It’s fair to say that since those ‘glory days’ East Ren has had experience of all 3 divisions taking advantage of playing at a variety of great courses over the years. 

 No matter which division a team is playing in or wither a player is number one or number 9 or even 7, when we represent our clubs in a Greenlees match, we do it with pride and great determination to get that point for our club.

 

 Thank you, ladies, for your competitive spirit and for taking part in the 80th year celebration of Greenlees golf.

Prizes were then awarded by Carole, with Val Crawford, the club’s Greenlees Secretary announcing the various winners. 

A final vote of thanks was given by Maureen Mitchell, West of Scotland Greenlees Convenor.

Prizes were awarded to

 

Winning Team: 

Anne McGillivray - Prestwick St Nicholas 

Susan Griffin - Douglas Park 

Kay McColl - Hilton Park 

Runners Up 

Pauline Warlow - Cathkin Braes 

Irene Boyd - Bothwell Castle 

Barbara Aird - Cathkin Braes 

Nearest pin 4th Catriona McHarg – Cathcart Castle 

Nearest pin 13th May Hughes – Lanark Golf Club 

Longest drive 18th Debbie Watt – Ayr Belleisle 

Longest putt 18th June Kerr – West Kilbride

Many thanks go to organiser Val Crawford for the report and all the helpers at East Renfrewshire Golf Club including all who took the Photographs at the event.

The end of the video has the history of Ysobel Greenlees the founder of  Greenlees Trophy -- Courtesy to the late Jean Smith and her husband at the 75th Anniversary Celebration

2021 Commonwealth Spoon Results

Sisters Teresa and Venessa Ho from Newton Stewart Golf Club  produced a fine back nine to win the 2021 Commonwealth Spoons Final over the Carrickstone course at Dullatur Golf Club near Cumbernauld.

Lanrakshire's Helen Wilson and Sarah Parker (Drumpellier) were the leading West of Scotland players finishing in 3rd place 

Ayrshire's Mara Wilson and Christine MacLeod  (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Renfrewshire's Roisin Black and Margaret Adam’s (Gleddoch) finished in 6th and 8th places respectively, with Lanarkshire's Anne Lloyd and Pat Casey (Hayston) finished in 10th position.

COMMONWEALTH SPOON SCOREBOARD

To read the full report go to the  SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

D&A SCOTTISH COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNERS UP

D&A - 2021 Scottish County Team Runners Up
Photo - Courtesy of Lorraine Campbell
Click to enlarge

Many thanks go to Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) who has just sent me a great photograph of the Dunbartonshire and Argyll (D&A) County Team who were runners up the the Scottish County Team Championships at Forres at the weekend

Missing from the team Photo was Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park) pictured left and Lori MacDonald  (Cardross)  pictured right -- Unfortunately they both had to leave early due to work commitments -- However, they have not been missed out in the team photo.

Many congratulations from all the Counties in the West of Scotland - Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire -- you were fantastic and we are all proud of your great performance. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORTS FROM FORRES

D&A JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER IS SOPHIE MURPHY

D&A President Fiona Cowan presents Sophie Murphy
with the 2021 Claret Jug

While the D&A County Team were enjoying Forres, the D&A junior championship was being played at Clydebank and District Golf Club. 

This was not played in 2020 due to Covid  and yesterday the delighted Sophie Murphy (Glasgow Golf Club)  was the winner of the 2021 Claret Jug.

 The winner of the Cowan Cup (handicap) is Rebekah Sherry (Clober)

To see more photos go to the D&A website CLICK HERE

PERTH AND KINROSS ARE THE 2021 SCOTTISH COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONS

Perth and Kinross - County Team Champions 2021
Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf

From the Scottish Golf Website 

Perth and Kinross won the Scottish Women’s County Finals for the first time in almost 70 years with a commanding display across three days in the 2021 championship at Forres.

They started the event with a 5 ½ – 3 ½ victory over Dunbartonshire and Argyll and then thrashed a North Invitational side 8-1 before clinching the trophy for the first time since 1953 with a resounding 7 ½ – 1 ½ win over Midlothian.

The victors ended the event with a total of 21 points from their three matches which was six and a half more than Dunbartonshire and considerably more than double the points third-placed Midlothian could muster. They won 20 of the 27 foursomes and singles matches they contested and halved two of the other seven.

FINAL SCORES OVER THE 3 DAYS 

The top points earner for the winning Perth & Kinross team was Katy Alexander from Blairgowrie who emerged with four and a half points out of five but it was the team’s superior strength in depth which was the secret to their success. 

 All eight of their players contributed to the victory with Aberfeldy’s Isla Moncrieff claiming a one hundred percent record with four points from her four starts. Dunfermline’s Jennifer Saxton accumulated four points in the five matches she played in while Eilidh Watson from the St Regulus club amassed the same total from her six starts. Blairgowrie’s Megan Ashley and Muckhart’s Laura Walker both claimed three and a half points out of five while there was also an effective cameo performance from captain Jillian Milne who won both the matches she played in on the second day. Whitemuir’s Laura Campbell contributed one and a half points out of four to the team’s cause. 

 “It has been absolutely brilliant,” said winning captain Milne, from Blairgowrie. “The team spirit has been fantastic and I couldn’t be happier for them all. They deserved everything they got. Today the birdie putts were dropping like confetti. 

 “It’s has been a real team effort with everyone contributing points. We’ve always had good players but in the past lacked a bit of strength in depth. That’s certainly not the case now so hopefully it won’t be another 68 years before we win again. I’m sure it won’t be. 

 “It has been a fantastic few days for all the teams,” she added. “All the games were played in great spirit. I think that after what we’ve been through the last year and a half we’re all grateful to be back playing some competitive golf again. We’ve all been determined to have some fun.” 

 

D&A Captain Jean Leitch with the Runners Up Trophy
Photo Courtesy of Karen Maxwell

In the other match played on the final day Dunbartonshire and Argyll sealed second place with a narrow 5-4 victory over the North Invitational team. 

Milngavie’s Lorna McClymont’s halve in the top singles against Carrine Taylor meant she emerged from the three-day competition with five and a half points out of six. 

Team-mate Fiona Rattray from Douglas Park amassed four and a half points points out of five matches played

CLICK HERE FOR ALL DAILY REPORTS 

FOR YOR INFORMATION -- ALL COUNTY TEAM WINNERS FROM 1909 -- FROM THE RLCGA ARCHIVES WITH NAMES OF TEAMS

PERTH AND KINROSS WON IN 1951, 1952 AND 1953  -- CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OVER THE YEARS 

DAY 3 - COUNTY TEAM FINALS AT FORRES

 

D&A County Team at Forres
Photo Courtesy of Lorraine Campbell

The Scottish Women’s County Finals got underway on Friday (27 August) with Perth & Kinross representing the North Division, Midlothian the East and Dunbartonshire & Argyll the West in the three-day competition.

There is no South Division representative this year because they were unable to play their qualifier due to Covid-19 but the Northern Counties are supplying an unofficial team in order to keep the traditional round robin format going.

The team representing Dunbartonshire & Argyll comprises Lorraine Campbell (Cardross), Lorna McClymont (Milngavie), Laura McGeachy (Haggs Castle), Lori MacDonald (Cardross), Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park), Vicky Hendren (Cardross), Aileen Baker (Crail) and Maggie Kinvig (Carrick)

The Perth & Kinross team includes Katy Alexander, Megan Ashley and Jillian Milne who are all members of Blairgowrie plus Laura Campbell (Whitemuir), Isla Moncrieff (Aberfeldy), Jen Saxton (Dunfermline), Laura Walker (Muckhart) and Eilidh Watson (St Regulus).

Midlothian are represented by Freya Constable (Prestonfield), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), Anne Hanson (Turnhouse), Hilary Laughland (Mortonhall), Rachael Livingstone (Baberton) Emma Morrison (Gullane), Kate Rorke (Kingsknowe) and Caroline Steedman (Murrayfield).

Today is the final day with Perth and Kinross leading the matches so far -- West of Scotland representatives Dunbartonshire and Argyll (D&A) are in 2nd place 

Day 3 -- FINAL MATCH RESULTS 

Midlothian 1.5 Perth and Kinross 7.5

D&A 5 North Invitational 4

CLICK HERE FOR ALL RESULTS

DAY 2 - Results at the County Finals in Forres

MIDLOTHIAN 3  D&A 6

NORTHERN COUNTIES 1  PERTH AND KINROSS 8

Day 2    Midlothian vs Dunbartonshire and Argyll    Midlothian Pts Score Holes Score Pts Dunbartonshire and Argyll FOURSOMES Louise Fraser [3] Anne Hanson     18 2 UP 1 Lorna McClymont [+6] Aileen Baker »» Rachael Livingstone [0] Freya Constable     18 1 UP 1 Lorraine Campbell [4] Laura Mcgeachy »» Kate Rorke [4] Caroline Steedman     15 4&3 1 Lori MacDonald [6] Fiona Rattray »» Midlothian 0   3 Dunbartonshire and Argyll SINGLES Emma Morrison     14 5&4 1 Lorna McClymont »» Kate Rorke     14 5&4 1 Fiona Rattray »» Anne Hanson     16 3&2 1 Aileen Baker »» Hilary Laughland 1 5&4 14     Lorraine Campbell »» Louise Fraser 1 1 UP 18     Laura Mcgeachy »» Rachael Livingstone 1 7&5 13     Lori MacDonald »» Midlothian 3   3 Dunbartonshire and Argyll   Midlothian 3   6 Dunbartonshire and Argyll    North Invitational vs Perth and Kinross    North Invitational Pts Score Holes Score Pts Perth and Kinross FOURSOMES Carinne Taylor [+2] Rebecca Grant 1 3&2 16     Laura Walker [3] Laura Campbell »» Fiona Campbell [3] Donna Sinclair     15 4&3 1 Jillian Milne [4] Isla Moncrieff »» Gillian Dowling [6] Jenny Milne     16 3&2 1 Jennifer Saxton [+2] Eilidh Watson »» North Invitational 1   2 Perth and Kinross SINGLES Carinne Taylor     17 2&1 1 Katy Alexander »» Fiona Campbell     18 2 UP 1 Laura Walker »» Gillian Dowling     17 2&1 1 Isla Moncrieff »» Lynne Fraser     14 5&4 1 Megan Ashley »» Debbie Bird     17 3&1 1 Eilidh Watson »» Jenny Milne     17 3&1 1 Jillian Milne »» North Invitational 0   6 Perth and Kinross   North Invitational 1   8 Perth and Kinross

Overall Standings Team Pts Won Halved Lost    Perth and Kinross 13½ 13 1 4    Dunbartonshire and Argyll 9½ 9 1 8    Midlothian 7½ 7 1 10    North Invitational 5½ 5 1 12

 CLICK HERE FOR THE 2 DAYS RESULTS 

Day 3 Curtis Cup - USA win the Curtis cup

Team USA dominated the final-day singles to retain the Curtis Cup with a crushing five-point victory over Great Britain and Ireland at Conwy.

Caley McGinty was the only player on the home side to register a singles win in a one-sided contest, with the visitors winning six of the eight matches to post a 12.5-7.5 triumph, their first away victory since 2008.

Scotland’s Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) was denied a win in the top match despite being three up on Jensen Castle with four to play, only for Darling to bogey the 15th and 16th before Castle birdied the last to snatch an unlikely half.

AIG Women's Open star Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) took her match against Rachel Kuehn to the final hole, where the Scot lost to  Kuehn which also confirmed Team USA as the overall winners

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE MATCH SCORES

VIDEO OF : - HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 3