HIGHEST AMATEUR ACCOLADE AS SHANNON SELECTED FOR CURTIS CUP 

Aboyne Golf Club is celebrating after one of its leading lady golfers achieved the highest amateur accolade by being selected for the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team to play against the USA in New York in June. 

Shannon McWilliam (pictured above)  an 18-year old former pupil at Aboyne Academy who lives in Torphins, is the only Scottish girl selected for the 8-strong GB&I team which is captained for the second time by Elaine Farquharson-Black of Deeside. 

The 40th Curtis Cup Match will be contested 8-10th June at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, in Scarsdale, New York. GB&I will defend the historic trophy after securing a win at Dun Laoghaire in Ireland two years ago. 

Shannon said “I am absolutely honoured and over the moon to have been selected for the 2018 Curtis Cup. This has been my dream since I started playing golf at the age of 4. I could not have got to where I am today without the support of my family and friends, my coach Andrew Locke, Scottish Golf, Paul Lawrie Foundation, and of course Aboyne Golf Club and its members who have shown me such fantastic support and encouragement. I am so excited”. 

Lady Captain at Aboyne Liz Taylor said “ The Ladies section, which incorporates our juniors through to our senior lady members, are thrilled with Shannon's selection. This is the culmination of many years of dedication to her sport traveling the length and breadth of the UK to establish her credentials and compete in top ranking competitions. We hope to use Shannon's fantastic success to further develop all our juniors especially the girls at Aboyne.” 

Liz added, “Shannon follows in the prestigious footsteps of honorary member Jeanette Wright who represented the club four times in the Curtis Cup and daughter Pamela Wright who turned professional and went on to be Vice-Captain in the Solheim Cup. 

Club President Justin Grant said “Aboyne has a long history of producing excellent young players who go on to represent the Club at the highest national and indeed international level. As a club we are incredibly proud of Shannon, she has worked so hard over the last few years, supported by her parents Steve and Julie and elder brother Lewis, and richly deserves this call up. She is a fantastic ambassador for the game and her success has no doubt encouraged many other youngsters in the area to try out the game of golf. 

Everyone associated with the club are absolutely thrilled for her. I am sure she will do us proud". 

Gillian Paton wins the East Fife County Championship

The Final of the East Fife Championship was contested by new member, -- the 2017 Angus County Champion - Gillian Paton (St. Regulus) and former champion, Elaine Moffat (St. Regulus). 

Some super golf was played in the final and Gillian emerging the Champion by the winning margin of 3&2 - the difference between the two being Gillian's birdies coming at the right time of the round at the 12th and 15th. 

 In the Handicap Final, Ann Shepherd (Lochgelly) defeated another new member, Jude Allardice (Ladybank) by 2&1 in a very close match. 

To read more go to the East Fife Website

Gabrielle MacDonald wins Midlothian County Title at Baberton 

Gabrielle is pictured with her father who caddied for her. 

Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), a past winner of the Scottish title, has won the Midlothian women's county championship at Baberton. 
She beat Kate Rorke (Kingsknowe) by 6 and 5 in the final. 
Gail Joughin (Comiston) beat Liz Calder (Turnhouse) 2 and 1 in the "B" Championship final.

RESULTS:

QUARTER-FINALS 
Kate Rorke (Kingsknowe) bt Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 4 and 3. 
Jennifer Bryans (Harburn) bt Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 4 and 3. 
Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) bt Debbie Hay-Smith (Murrayfield) 3 and 1.
Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) bt Caroline Steedman (Murrayfield) 5 and 4. 

SEMI-FINALS 
Rorke bt Bryans 4 and 2. 
Macdonald bt Scott 2 holes. 

FINAL 
Macdonald bt Rorke 6 and 5. 

 "B" CHAMPIONSHIP  SEMI-FINALS 

Gail Joughin (Comiston) bt Laura Reekie (Baberton) 4 and 3. 
Liz Calder (Turnhouse) bt Celia McIntyre (Craigmillar Park) 8 and 6. 

FINAL
 Joughin bt Calder 2 and 1.

Kimberley Beveridge wins Aberdeenshire County Open Meeting

Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) was the winning score at Aberdeenshire County Open at Ballater  on Friday 27th April with a 71 followed by Sheena Wood (Aberdeen) 77

CLICK HERE FOR THE RESULTS

The Royal Deeside Classic 

A 72-hole Stableford event for both Ladies and Gentlemen played over four majestic courses, Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory and Braemar with prizes for each round and for the full event. Surely this is an ideal golfing holiday. 

A free day has been included to allow you to visit the many places of interest and scenic beauty which abound on Royal Deeside or, alternatively, this year we have arranged an optional day at Peterculter Golf Club. 

 Eating and drinking in Royal Deeside is a gastronomic delight with something for every taste, inclination and budget. 

The very best of Scottish fare is presented along with Continental and Eastern cooking.

GET YOUR ENTRY FORM HERE

Renfrewshire Girls play D&A Girls at Caldwell Golf Club

Despite depleted numbers due to exam pressures, the Renfrewshire and D&A girls had a very enjoyable afternoon together at Caldwell GC.
The sun shone for most of the afternoon which was a pleasant change.

 Match 1: Orla Rooney (Cowglen) and Jennifer Lynagh (Caldwell) played 9 holes each against Sophie Murphy (Clydebank).

 Match 2: Lauren Agnew (Eastwood) and Zara Thomson (Williamwood) played 9 holes each against Eilidh (Clydebank). 

It was pleasing to see that the winter coaching had been worthwhile with some lovely golf being played. 

Liz Hale from Caldwell kindly organised a Greensomes over 9 holes for the younger girls who have yet to gain a handicap. 

Lucie Barclay (Kilmacolm) and Ella McGrath (Caldwell) played against Mia Thyne (Caldwell), and Lily (Clydebank). 

The girls played very well and enjoyed the different format. 

 All the girls enjoyed drinks and a snack after their game and we thank Liz very much indeed for arranging courtesy of Caldwell for them. 

Renfrewshire look forward to a return match with D&A in the autumn.

  Report and photos from RLCGA Junior Convenor Gillian Kyle

Scotland’s Hannah Darling holed a closing 40-foot birdie putt to seal a dramatic victory in the inaugural Girls Under 16 Open Championship at Fulford.

From the R&A Website

Ireland’s Beth Coulter had looked set for a wire-to-wire victory in York, leading by a stroke with the par-5 18th to play, only to go out of bounds after her second shot hit a tree leading to a triple bogey.

Darling had applied the pressure after a closing two-under-par round of 72, only one of two players to post under par on a breezy final day, had given her the clubhouse lead on a total of four-under-par. In challenging conditions, the 14-year-old fired four birdies in the last ten holes to make a surge up the leaderboard.

The Broomieknowe player looked on as Coulter’s hopes ended in disappointment after signing off for final round of 78 to finish two strokes back on two-under-par and land Darling another championship win to add to the three domestic titles she claimed in 2017.

Darling overjoyed

“I’m so happy,” said Darling. “All my Scottish squad is here, so to do it with them here, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve had good performances in the last few weeks but to come here and win is so good.

“I felt for Beth at the last when she went out of bounds. It’s not nice to see a competitor do that, especially one you are quite close to on the leaderboard.

“The competition has been amazing. The R&A have done an amazing job as have the Fulford Golf Club and the green staff to keep the course in such good condition. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and lowering my one handicap.”

Grace Crawford (Gullane) finished second in the Under-12s section with scores of 80, 77 and 79 for a total of 236 - one shot behind the category winner, Rosie Bee Kim (Buckinghamshire) who had scores of 81, 73 and 81 for 235.

R and A UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 222 (3x74) SSS 74 CSS 73 73 74
218 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 74 72 72
220 B Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) 69 73 78.
222 E Moosman (Switzerland) 76 69 77
223 F Tynan (Minchinhampton) 71 76 76, K Hiltunen (Finland) 74 70 79
224 R Gyliner (Swe) 76 75 73, E Gower (Chateau des Vigiers) 74 75 75, C Cattaneo (Ita) 75 72 77

Scots' scores:
228 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 78 76 74 (T14)
236 G Crawford (Gullane) 80 77 79 (T25)
237 R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) 77 85 75, E Henderson (Loretto) 80 75 82 (T29)
240 E Hynd (Elmwood) 76 86 78 (T37)
245 A McKay (Crail) 83 82 80 (T51)
247 P Wilson (Burntisland) 84 85 78 (T57)

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS
CLICK HERE

Jennifer Potter named female PGA Assistant of the year 

From the LET website

A PGA Assistant who completed her training at Scotland’s exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club has attributed the support from her two bosses as key to her winning a prestigious award.

 Jennifer Potter, who began her training to become a PGA Professional at Cawder Golf Club before moving to Loch Lomond, has been named Female PGA Assistant of the Year.
 In recognition of her achievement, Potter was presented with the Beverly Lewis Trophy and cheque for £1,750 from award sponsor the Ladies European Tour (LET) by PGA captain John Heggarty at the PGA Graduation Ceremony held at the University of Birmingham.
In addition to her cheque from the LET, Potter received £700 from Titleist, sponsors of the Year 3 Awards.

Commenting on her success, the 28-year-old Scot had no hesitation in thanking the head pro at Cawder where she spent three years, and the director of golf at Loch Lomond.

 She said: “My bosses, who are both PGA pros, have played a huge part in guiding me through the course. Initially it was Gordon Stewart at Cawder and for the last few months it was Guy Redford at Loch Lomond.” 

Potter fell in love with golf from the day she started playing when she was 10-years-old. However, her ambitions to follow a career in the game took a detour when she studied geography with a view to becoming a teacher. But the topography of golf courses and coaching the game proved irresistible and she embarked on The PGA’s three-year training programme.

 “I’ve always loved golf and wanted to have a future in it, especially coaching,” she said. “But once on the course I discovered there was so much more to it than either playing or coaching – business, custom-fitting, repairing clubs.
 “Then there’s the prospect of running your own business in golf, which is exciting. And running a large one would be pretty cool as well.

 “So it’s been a good decision and it’s privilege and honour to qualify as a PGA pro and win this award.”who began her training to become a PGA Professional at Cawder Golf Club before moving to Loch Lomond, has been named Female PGA Assistant of the Year. 

 Scotland's Connie Jaffrey Receives Individual Bid for NCAA Regional

From the K- State Website 

After senior Connie Jaffrey was announced as an individual qualifier to the NCAA Regional in Madison, Wisconsin, K-State women's golf head coach Kristi Knight wrapped up an interview with a simple summary of Wednesday. 
 "It's a good day for K-State golf," Knight said, as K-State's women will be represented in the postseason for the fourth-straight year, tying the program's longest such stretch. 

 Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) held no nerves as she sat down to watch Wednesday's NCAA Women's Selection Show on the Golf Channel. K-State women's lone senior, with two tournament titles in her final campaign alone, felt confident the "best golfing performance" of her career would leave her playing in an NCAA Regional somewhere. 

 "The coaches were pretty confident, which made me pretty confident to see my name up there," Jaffrey said. After about an hour of waiting for the individual qualifiers to pop up, Jaffrey finally saw what she expected. She was chosen as the top individual qualifier for the Madison Regional, where she will play the University Ridge Golf Course on May 7-9.

 “It's always a good feeling when you go to Regionals," she said. "It's what you worked for." Jaffrey extends K-State's streak of being represented in the postseason to four years, tying the program's longest run of NCAA appearances from 2001-04. 

 "It's not easy to get in as an individual and it's not easy to get in as a team," Knight said. "I'm just really proud of Connie. She's just had a really solid year. She's just played extremely well. Over the course of a long season, spread out over two semesters, she did a great job. I'm really happy for her and really proud of her." 

 A native of Scotland, Jaffrey said she takes pride in keeping K-State's name involved in NCAA's postseason. She hopes it can lead to more in the future. "I'm always proud and honored to represent K-State. I do feel as though I'm part of the family. That is K-State's motto. We are a family, so I definitely think that's important, bringing them and representing my college in regionals," she said. 

"It means that our program's strong, it definitely gets our name out there and hopefully more players will be encouraged to come to K-State." 

 While at K-State, Jaffrey said she's taken her putting to another level. This season, she's focused more on her ball striking to gain consistency all over the course. Both are evident in her 72.48 stroke average, which is nearly two strokes lower than her career-best average and is on pace to break the single-season school record set by her former teammate, Madison Talley. 

 More than anything, however, Jaffrey said the biggest difference this season has been how she's mentally approached it. "It's been a happy environment for me," she said. 

"For my senior year I just wanted to go out with a bang, so I was less worried, less stressed, and just kind of had a bit more fun playing tournaments and putting no pressure on myself. I definitely think having more fun and enjoying it has made me perform better."

R and A U16 Girls Open at Fulford Leading Scot Hannah Darling in fourth place with a round to go

 By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Broomieknowe's Hannah Darling, the leading Scot at the inaugural R and A Under-16s Girls Open at Fulford Golf Club, has four strokes to make up on leader Beth Coulter from Northern Ireland over Sunday's final 18 holes at the Yorkshire venue. 

Darling is in fourth place after rounds of 74 and 72 for a tally of two-under 146 over a par-74 lay-out. Her second round was a mixed bag of an eagle 3 at the par-5 fourth, birdies at the ninth, long 11th and 16th, offset by a double bogey 7 at the sixth and a bogey at the eighth in halves of 37 and 35. 

Coulter could not match her opening 69 on her second circuit but a 73 for 142 was good enough to see her lead by two from Finland's Kertuu Hiltunen (74-70). 

 SECOND - ROUND LEADING SCORES Par 148 (2x74) SSS 74 CSS 73 73 

142 B Coulter (Kirkistown Castle, N Ireland) 69 73. 
144 K Hiltunen (Finland) 74 70 145 E Moosman (Switz) 76 69 
146 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 74 72  

 OTHER SCOTS' SCORES 

154 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 78,76
155  E Henderson (Loretto) 80 75
157 G Crawford (Gullane) 80 77
162 R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) 77 86, E Hynd (Elmwood) 76 86 (T47) 
165 A McKay (Crail) 83 82 (60th) 169 P Wilson (Burntisland) 84 85 (T74) Field of 90 players. 

 TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

ALSO CLICK HERE FOR THE UNDER 12's  -- Grace Crawford from Gullane is in 2nd place

Angus County -- Commonwealth Spoons Ballumbie Castle GC 

Played on 24th April 2018

1. Angela Crabb (Panmure) and Deirdre Moffat (Arbroath) 77.5 (BIH) 
2. Frances Millar (Carnoustie Caledonia) and Louise Graham 77.5 
3. Sheila Bradley (Kirriemuir)  and Frances Martin 78 ( Kirriemuir) 

First and second couples qualify for the Final at Stirling Golf Club on the 3rd of September 2018. Sheila Bradley and Frances Martin were the only pairing to have a Magic 2

Greenlees Trophy Matches have started

The 2018 West of Scotland Greenlees Trophy Matches are now underway with the 2015 holders of the title Kilmarnock Barassie winning their first match against Troon Ladies.

Cathkin Braes the defending 2017 Champions will have their first match on the 21st May.

 To read some of the history of the Greenlees Trophy CLICK HERE

You will find all the match results for all 3 divisions by clicking on this link or at the top of the Carol Fell Golf Website

The West of Scotland Championship

The West of Scotland Championship will be played at Balmore Golf Club on Sunday 13th May from 8.30 am. The handicap limit is 15.
To view and if you wish, to download a copy of the entry form please click on the following link: CLICK HERE 
To enter online please click on the following link: CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE ENTRY
Methods of forwarding the £10 entry fee will be forwarded to you by e mail.

Shannon McWilliam is selected for the 2018 Curtis Cup team

The R&A today announced the Great Britain and Ireland team to face the United States in the 40th Curtis Cup match which will be played at Quaker Ridge, New York from 8-10 June.

 GB&I will defend the historic trophy after securing an 11½-8½ win over the United States at Dun Laoghaire in Ireland two years ago.
 Great Britain and Ireland team
 An eight-player team and one non-travelling reserve have been selected for the 2018 match with five players from England featuring alongside two Irishwomen and one Scot.

 The GB&I team includes 16-year-old Lily May Humphreys who won the 2018 Helen Holm Championship at Royal Troon last week to add to the Girls British Open Amateur Championship and English Women’s Amateur Championship titles she won last year.

Olivia Mehaffey and Alice Hewson will make their second appearances for GB&I in the Curtis Cup after featuring in the winning side at Dun Laoghaire in 2016.

 One Scot has been selected - 18 year old Shannon McWilliam from Aboyne (pictured above)

The full team to face the United States: 

India Clyburn (21, Woodhall Spa, England) 
Lily May Humphreys (16, Stoke-by-Nayland, England) 
Annabell Fuller (15, Roehampton, England) 
Sophie Lamb (20, Clitheroe, England) 
Paula Grant (24, Lisburn, Ireland) 
Shannon McWilliam (18, Aboyne, Scotland) 
Alice Hewson (20, Berkhamsted, England) 
Olivia Mehaffey (20, Royal County Down Ladies, Ireland)

 To read more go to the  Scottish Golf View Website

Kirsten Brown wins the 2018 Lanarkshire County Championship 

Susan Wood and Kirsten Brown -- Photo Courtesy of Jean MacIntyre

In dry but very windy conditions at Lanark Golf Club this afternoon Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) beat Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 4 & 3 to win the Lanarkshire County Championship for a second year in a row and retained the Maitland Trophy. 

1st Round 
Susan Wood beat Jennifer Wiles 
Lesley Lloyd beat Angela Devine 
A Hendry w/o from L Niall
Ruth Hunter beat Joan Allan 
Fiona Norris beat Anne Cameron 
Justine Fulton beat Susan McGrenaghan 
May Hughes beat Elaine Morris 
Kirsten Brown beat Marie Scott 

Quarter Final 
Susan Wood (Drumpellier) beat Lesley Lloyd (Hayston) 2&1 
Alyson Hendry ( Hamilton ) beat Ruth Hunter (Lanark) 4&3 
Justine Fulton (Hayston) beat Fiona Norris ( Hamilton) 1 up 
Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) beat May Hughes (Lanark) 6&5

Semi Final  
Susan Wood beat Alyson Hendry 3&2 
Kirsten Brown beat Justine Fulton 1up

Final
Kirsten Brown beat Susan Wood  4&3

D&A County News -- Championship and Winter Foursomes Finals 

D&A Championship took place at Cardross Golf Club on 9-11 April and was won by Lorna McClymont (Milngavie). She beat Lori Macdonald (Cardross) by 5/4. The Bronze Championship won by Rae Strang (Cardross) who beat Barbara Cunningham (Hilton Park) on the 18th. 

 The Winter Foursomes was (eventually) concluded after quite a number of rescheduled matches over the course of the latter rounds which were all weather and snow related.

The final was contested by Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) and Laura McGeachy (Haggs) against Lynne Macdonald (Cardross) and Rae Strang (Cardross) and Lorraine and Laura won 4&3

The match was played over the Clober Golf Course on Saturday 14th April. 
Captain Anne Colthart refereed both finals

Thanks go to Lorraine Campbell for the report and photographs by Jenny Gough 

Scottish Women's Amateur Championship --   Enter Now

The Scottish Women's Amateur Championship returns to Elie for the first time since 1975 with the opportunity to enjoy five days of golf on Fife's glorious East Neuk from 5 - 9 June. 

This historic national event, first played in 1903, is the pinnacle of the women's amateur game in Scotland, with fun, friendship and competition on one of the country's most enjoyable links courses. Elie is less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee and is located just 12 miles from St Andrews. 

At £50 entry fee, you are guaranteed three rounds including your practice round, with the top-32 qualifying for the top flight match play stages, and the next 16 players earning a place in the Clark Rosebowl. 

Or, you can simply enjoy two rounds of stroke play if you opt not to compete in the match play stages later in the week. 

Entries close on Monday 7 May with a handicap limit of 20.

 CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Connie Jaffrey's World Ranking could gain her Curtis Cup team selection 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON 

The GB and I team of eight to defend the Curtis Cup against the Americans at Quaker Ridge, New York State from June 8 to 10 will be revealed on the R and A website at noon tomorrow (Thursday).

Only Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) is an automatic selection through her position at No 17 in the Women's World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Leona Maguire would also have been an automatic selection through her WAGR but she has said she is not available for the biennial match as she is turning professional.
If the selection panel sticks with the WAGR, then the GB and I team will be (WAGR positions before players' names):
 7 Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland).
36 Alice Hewson (England)
59 Lily May Humphreys (England)
62 Paula Grant (Ireland)
69 Isobel Wardle (England)
92 Connie Jaffrey (Scotland)
96 Sophie Lamb (England) 1
00 India Clyburn (England).

 The next three eligible players in the World Rankings are:
117 Annabell Fuller (England)
147 Lianna Bailey (England)
174 Emma Allen (England)

There was not a Scot in the GB and I team who won the Curtis Cup match at Dun Laoghaire GC, near Dublin two years ago.
The last two Scots to gain Curtis Cup team selection were Eilidh Briggs and Gemma Dryburgh in 2014.
Jaffrey, in her final year as a student at Kansas State University, won the Scotytish women's amateur title at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club last year. She is a member of Troon Ladies Golf Club and hails from Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

Coronation Foursomes celebrates historic year 

Women and girls from golf clubs across Great Britain and Ireland are being encouraged to join over 25,000 golfers in entering the 2018 Coronation Foursomes to celebrate the 65th anniversary of this iconic event. 

The R&A is continuing its drive to encourage more women and girls into playing golf, with the Coronation Foursomes growing to become one of the largest domestic golf participation events. 

A ‘New Tradition’ encapsulates a theme which will run throughout this year’s historic event and will celebrate the camaraderie, companionship and friendly competition that women and girls have enjoyed over the last 64 years. 

To read more go to the R&A Website

Susan Wood leads the Qualifiers in the Lanarkshire County Championship 

Susan Wood, Drumpellier, was the leading qualifier with a 77 over Lanark GC today in the Lanarkshire County Championship Qualifier.

The leading qualifier in the Bronze Championship was Christine Paterson, Strathaven with 96 
SSS 74 CSS 76 

Leading Qualifiers Championship:

1 Susan Wood 77 
2 Kirsten Brown 78 
3 Fiona Norris 80 
4 Ruth Hunter 85 
5 Alyson Hendry 86 
6 Justin Fulton 87 
7 May Hughes 87 
8 Lesley Lloyd 88 

Draw 
9.00 S Wood v J Wiles 
9.07 A Devine v L Lloyd 
9.15 A Hendry v L Neill 
9.22 J Allan v R Hunter 
9.30 F Norris v A Cameron 
9.37 S McGrenaghan v J Fulton 
9.45 M Hughes v E Morris 
9.52 M Scott v K Brown

 Some photos from the Qualifying Round -- Courtesy of Jean Macintyre

Shannon McWilliam, Connie Jaffrey and Chloe Goadby chase Curtis Cup Selection

 Shannon McWilliam is in the mix for Curtis Cup selection. Picture: Ian Walton/Getty

By Martin Dempster (Scotsman) 

It was thought that Scotland’s leading female amateurs could be the main beneficiaries of Scottish Golf becoming a unified body and that certainly seems to be true.
 Two years after having no complaints whatsoever about failing to have a representative in the Great Britain & Ireland team for a Curtis Cup match in Ireland, Scots are definitely in the mix for the side that will defend that trophy at Quaker Ridge in June.

Aboyne’s Shannon McWilliam and Connie Jaffrey of Troon Ladies would appear to be the best bets to earn spots on a team that will once again be captained by Aberdonian Elaine Farquharson-Black, with a third player, Chloe Goadby of St Regulus, also having given the selectors food for thought with some strong performances recently.

With only eight spots up for grabs in a team due to be announced on Thursday, it would be a tremendous result if two Scots get the nod, giving the game a huge boost in its birthplace in the countdown to the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles next year.

The absence of Leona Maguire, the world No 1, due to the fact she is about to embark on her professional career, is a blow to Farquharson-Black, but the GB&I captain will have have been encouraged by players such as McWilliam, Jaffrey and Goadby all 
showing a hunger to be involved in this contest.

Essex girl Lily May Humphreys (16) wins "Helen Holm" at Troon 

Report and photo by Ed Hodge (Scottish Golf)

Essex girl Lily May Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland Golf Club) dashed home hopes at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, securing another notable title at Royal Troon.

With joint overnight leader Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), St Regulus’ Chloe Goadby and first round leader Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) all in the hunt going into the final 18 holes, there were genuine hopes of a first Scottish winner in the event since Heather Stirling 16 years ago. 

But the wait goes on as reigning English women’s amateur champion Humphreys, who only turned 16 years old last month, claimed another prestigious prize with a narrow one-stroke win over Goadby. 

Humphreys now looks a certainty to be named in the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team, announced on Wednesday, while the likes of McWilliam and Goadby will hope they have done enough to impress on-looking captain Elaine Farquharson-Black. 

Humphreys finished on nine under par 207 after a superb closing four-under 68 in the breezy conditions, helped by a hat-trick birdies from the seventh, with two further birdies at 12 and 13 ultimately proving decisive. 

Humphreys said: “It means a lot as I had lost form and recovered it for this event. I didn’t know about Chloe’s score until the 11th, but saw her holing putts everywhere, so was pleased to hold on. “It’s great to have my game under control again. I think this is my biggest win, beating an international field. I felt if I could win this, then I had a chance for the Curtis Cup. My chances are up, but I don’t know whether I will get in.” 

Chloe Goadby receives the runners up badge from Royal Troon Captain Alasdair Cameron -- Photo courtesy of Elaine Farquharson Black 

Goadby, in the group in front, just couldn’t reel Humphreys in, with her bogey at the par-3 17th seeing her slip two shots behind. A birdie at the last for her own 68 put pressure on Humphreys but she held on for glory. “I’m happy with that,” said the University of Stirling’s Goadby. “I had my strategy set out and plotted my way round to try and get in the mix. Dropping a shot at 17 was probably the only putt that didn’t drop all day, but I made up for it with the birdie on 18. 
“Royal Troon has beaten me up before, so I just tried to take my birdie chances when they came. If you told me at the start of the week I would finish on eight under and in second place I would have been happy.” 

Defending champion Linn Grant, whose grandfather, James Grant won the Scottish boys champion in 1958, from Sweden finished third on seven under par – with the Swedes taking the team title by a shot over Scotland – with McWilliam finishing on five under. 
McWilliam had raced out of the blocks with three birdies in the first five holes to hit the front, but a double bogey at the sixth and then a shank out of bounds onto the railway tracks at the 11th proved her undoing. The Aboyne 18-year-old player who has now secured three top-five finishes in the last four years in the Helen Holm, said: “I played well enough bar two holes. I didn’t feel the pressures of the (Curtis Cup) selectors watching and I just have to wait and see now.” 

Six Scots finished inside the top 10, with McCook tied sixth, Gemma Batty (West Linton) ninth and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) sharing 10th. 


FINAL TOTAL par 216 (3x72) 

Leading Scores

207 L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) 71 68 68. 
208 C Goadby (St Regulus) 72 68 68 
209 L Grant (Sweden) 69 69 71 
211 S McWilliam (Aboyne) 69 69 73. 
212 I Wardle (Prestbury) 71 69 72. 
215 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 67 75 73, L Malchirand (Fra) 71 70 74. 
216 A Linner (Swe) 71 71 74 
218 E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 74 73 71, J Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 77 67 74 

Other Scots:

222  K Brodie (Strathmore) 73 71 78, 
226 M Richmond (Strathaven) 75 77 74 
227 M Doyle (Portarlington) 77 72 78 
229 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 76 76 77, L McClymont (Milngavie) 76 76 77, 
230 T Mactaggart (Minto) 77 74 79,  
232 K Beveridge (Aboyne) 77 77 78,  G Macdonald (Craigielaw) 76 73 83 
233 J Saxton (Muckhart) 80 75 78, 
234 M Fraser (Powfoot) 73 80 81,  K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 77 75 83 
240  L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 79 76 85
Retired: H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 76 ret. 

TEAM EVENT 
425 Sweden 
426 Scotland (S McWilliam, H McCook) 
436 England 
455 Ireland

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF SCORES 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL PREVIOUS WINNERS

SUPPORT BELLE ROBERTSON IN THE RE ARRANGED DATE FOR SW/S PIONEERS IN SPORT LUNCH

The re-arranged date for the Scottish Womens in Sport Pioneers in Sport lunch, is now confirmed as Sunday 6th May 2018, at Glasgow Hotel, Paisley Road, West, Glasgow.

Karen Maxwell, Belle Robertson and Anne Wilson

This is the inaugural event for the SW/S Hall of Fame and will see eight amazing women inducted into our virtual Hall of Fame -- Belle Robertson will be representing Women's Golf

Our eight also include 4 amazing past pioneers who richly deserve recognition, Edna Neillis, Helen Graham, Marjorie Langmuir and Isabel Newstead along with 4 current leaders in sport, who will be named on the day, who continue to break down barriers to enable women and girls to participate in all the many different roles in sport.

Join us for pre-lunch drinks at 2.30, which will be followed by a luxury afternoon tea, prior to the presentations.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN IN THE AFTERNOON

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to break down barriers to girls and women taking part in sport, whether at school, club or NGB level then this conference is for you. Join us on Friday 8th June, 9.30am for registration. We look forward once again to welcoming you to RBS Gogarburn, Edinburgh to unlock key barriers such as lack of opportunity and access to pathways for development, unsupportive cultural perception, underdeveloped environment and facilities, unpopular image and low visibility.

CLICK HERE to register

COWGLEN OPEN DAY TRI AM

COWGLEN GOLF CLUB LADIES SECTION OPEN TRI-AM COMPETITION
FRIDAY 6th JULY 2018 10.00 a.m. to 3.00p.m.
ENTRY FORM ENTRY FEE: £24 per team

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

 Prestwick St Nicholas Open Day

Prestwick St Cuthbert Open Day Friday 18th May --- 18 and 9 hole competitions

 CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

£10 to enter or £25 for roll and drink on arrival and 2 course meal after golf.

They cannot guarantee a warm day but they can guarantee a warm welcome at St Cuthbert.

LADIES SENIOR TRI AM OPEN DAY

🏆 Ladies Senior Tri-am

📆 Tuesday 19th June 2018

⏰ Tee times from 8am- 2pm

📍Loudoun Gowf Club, red tees

💷 £24/team

Entry forms can be downloaded from our website lLoudoungowfclub.co.uk.

Perfect for your annual ladies outing. 

7 Scots in top 20 going into the final round over Royal Troon

Shannon McWilliam with caddie

By Colin Farquharson

First-round leader Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) fell back to joint sixth place with a 75 for two-under 142 in the second round of the 54-hole Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, the first two rounds of which are over Troon Portland and Sunday's final round over Royal Troon's Open championship links.

Title-holder Linn Grant (Sweden), whose grandfather James Grant won the Scottish boys championship in 1958 before turning pro and taking a club post in Sweden, and Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) lead the field on six-under 138. 

Grant has had a pair of 69s while McWilliam, who was runner-up to the Swede 12 months ago, also had the same scores. Torphins 18-year-old McWilliam is chasing a place in the GB and I Curtis Cup team which will be announced next week. Team captain Elaine Farquharson-Black has been in the gallery at Troon Portland over the first two days. 

ROUND 2 LEADERS Par 144 (2x72) 

138 Linn Grant (Swe) 69 69, Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 69 69. 
139 L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) 71 68 
140 C Goadby (St Regulus)72 68, B Wardle (Prestbury) 71 69 
141 L Malchirand (Fra) 71 70 
142 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 67 75, P Grant (Lisburn) 74 68, A Linner (Swe) 71 71 
143 G Domez (Fra) 74 69 
144 J MacKintosh (Hazelhead) 77 67, K Brodie (Strathmore) 73 71 
145 G Batty (West Linton) 75 70 
146 I Holpfer (Austria)
147 I Walsh (Castlewarden) 78 69, C Walsh (Castlewarden) 76 71, J Baker (Gosforth Park) 74 73, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 74 73, E Slater (Gog Magog) 73 74, I Holpfer (Austria) 73 73 
148 A Cernousek (Fra) 78 70, M Garland (Selby) 76 72, L Vrain (Fra) 76 72, C Martin (Fra) 72 76 

OTHER SCOTTISH SCORES 
149 G MacDonald (Craigielaw) 149
151 T Mactaggart (Minto) 77 74 
152 K McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 77 75, L McClymont (Milngavie) 76 76, H Darling (Broomieknowe) 76 76,  Molly M Richmond (Strathaven) 75 77, 
153 M Fraser (Powfoot) 73 80
154 K Beveridge (Aboyne) 77 77 
155 J Saxton 80 75 (Muckhart), L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 79 76 

SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT (155 and better qualified for final round) 
157 R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) 83 74 
159 S Wood (Drumpellier) 79 80 
161 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 80 81 
164 K Wright (Stranraer) 80 84 
165 E Logie (Buckpool) 81 84 
168 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 85 83

 Retired: H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) 76 ret. 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES AND LIVE SCORING FROM DAY 3

Hannah McCook's seven-birdie 67 gives her a two-shot lead at end of 'Helen Holm' first round at Troon Portland 

 
Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) - pictured -- came in late on the day with an excellent, seven-birdie round of five-under-par 67 to knock Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) and title-holder Linn Grant (Sweden) off their perch as joint leaders in the clubhouse at the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, writes Colin Farquharson. 

 The first two rounds are played over Troon Portland with the leading 66 and ties from a field of 113 after Saturday's second 18 holes going on to contest the final round over the testing Royal Troon Open championship links on Sunday. 

HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP 
First two rounds at Troon Portland; final round at Royal Troon 
Leading Scores: 

FIRST-ROUND LEADING SCORES Par 72 

67 H McCook (Grantown on Spey) 
69 S McWilliam (Aboyne), L Grant (Swe). 
71 L Malchirand (Fra), A Linner (Swe), M Griffaut (Fra), L M Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland), I Wardle (Prestbury). 
72 C Goadby (St Regulus), C Martin (Fra) 73 C Leathem (Wilmslow), M Fraser (Powfoot), K Brodie (Strathmore). A Dawson (Peel), B Garton (Royal Lytham), E Slater (Gog Magog), I Holpfer (Austria) 

Other Scottish Scores:

74 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)
75 G Batty (West Linton),  M M Richmond (Strathaven), 
76 G MacDonald (Craigielaw), H Darling (Broomieknowe),  H MacGarvie (Troon Ladies),  L McClymont (Milngavie). 
77 T Mactaggart (Minto), M Wood (Woodsome Hall), J Mackintosh (Hazlehead),  K Beveridge (Aboyne),  K McIntosh (Broomieknowe). 
79  L Fraser (Kingsknowe), S Wood (Drumpellier), 
80 J Saxton (Muckhart), K Wright (Stranraer),  C Griffiths (Aboyne). 
83 M Ashley (Strathmore), R Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas),  
84 E Hale (Troon Ladies) 
85 J Rankine (Haggs Castle) 

SAVE THE CHILDREN MIXED FOURSOMES  2018

Save the Children have spaces available for their Annual  Mixed Foursomes Golf Competition which will be held at Glenbervie Golf Club on the 4th September 2018. 

Entry fee is £35.00 per team. 

Maximum Handicap awarded on day of competition (36)

Please contact Louise  Fiermonte  on 07786981176 or l.fiermonte@savethechildren.org.uk for more information." 

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

LANARK OPEN DAY STABLEFORD COMPETITION

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ONLINE

Lorna Ronnie is the 2018 Ayrshire County Champion

Lorna Ronnie -- 2018 Ayrshire Ladies County Champion

1st Round

Lesley Barker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Louise Duncan (Troon Ladies (W/O)
Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) beat Liz Keohone (Loudoun Gowf) 5/4
Pauline Patrick beat Roz Purdom 4/3
Lorna Ronnie beat Audrey Thomson (Loudoun Gowf) 3/2
Sharon Lambie beat Jenny Linklater (Largs) 4/3
Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Emma Thomson 5/4
Joanne Sharp beat Jocelyn Faris 5/4
Catherine Garret (West Kilbride) beat Helen Craig (West Kilbride) 1 up

Quarter Finals

Jane Finnie beat Lesley Barker 5/4
Lorna Ronnie beat Pauline Patrick 4/3
Alex Glennie beat Sharon Lambie 3/2
Catherine Garrett beat Joanne Sharp 2/1

Semi Final  - Wednesday 18th April

Jane Finnie lost to Lorna Ronnie
Alex Glennie beat Catherine Garrett

Final - Wednesday 18th April

Lorna Ronnie (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 1 up

Ping Scottish Mixed Championship at East Kilbride

 Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, PING are once again supporting the Scottish Mixed Championship with the final taking place over the Queen’s Course at Gleneagles on 17 September.

Connie Jaffrey Earns Academic All Big 12 Honour

Kansas State senior women's golfer Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) picked up 2017-18 Academic All-Big 12 honors, the conference office announced this week. 

To read more CLICK HERE

Louise Duncan Leads The Ayrshire Championship Qualifiers at Western Gailes 

The Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association County Championship was played at Western Gailes today.
SSS 73,  CSS 76  (reduction only.)

The top qualifier for this years Championship is Louise Duncan, West Kilbride, who scored an excellent 78. Second qualifier is Jenny Linklater, Largs, who scored 81. 

Handicap winners were -
 Silver
1st Joanne Sharp, Barassie, 84 - 9 = 75
2nd Emma Thomson, Loudoun, 90 - 12 = 78
 Bronze
1st Margaret Gillies, West Kilbride, 109 - 22 = 87

CLICK HERE for all the results

The final is due to tee off on Wednesday at 2pm, spectators welcome.

West of Scotland Girls Medal over Troon Portland

West Girls with West Chairwoman Jenny Gough

Troon Portland Medal:

Results (15/4/18) CSS 75
Scratch: Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 86

Silver Nett :
1st: Jodie Graham (Hamilton) (18) 72
2nd: Orla Rooney (Cowglen) (20) 76 (bih)

Bronze Nett:
1st: Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) (30)73
2nd: Lindsay Main (Strathaven) (31) 78
Well done girls

Report by Allison Bell.

Adult / Junior Open Day at Paisley Golf Club

  

Paisley Golf Club are  delighted to host their first Adult / Junior Open on Sunday 6th May

To enter, please click the link and we’ll be back in touch with your tee-time. I look forward to another great day at the club. Don’t miss out!!! 

To enter -- email Andy Carlton or telephone 0141 884 4114

Swedish 1-2 in Irish U18 Girls Open Stroke Play: Louise Duncan top Scot in eighth place finish 

By Colin Farquharson 

In tough, wet conditions, Scotland's highest place finisher was Louise Duncan (West Kilbride), pictured, in eighth place on 225 with rounds of 76, 72 and 77 - eight strokes behind the winner who scored 69, 74 and 74 for a four-over-par total of 213.

Strathmore's Kirsty Brodie was the next best Scot in share of 13th place with scores of 72, 75 and 80 for 227. Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe), youngest ever Scottish girls champion at the age of 13 last year, finished on 232 with scores, like Brodie, getting worse as the rainfall increased. Hannah had rounds of 73, 78 and 81.

Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) was 2 shots behind on 234 with rounds of 74,80,80. 
Jennifer also had a HOLE IN ONE at the 10th in the first round. 

IRISH U18 GIRLS OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Roganstown Golf and Country Club FINAL TOTALS par 213 (3x71)

217 K Arwefjall (Sweden) 69 74 74
218 L Rydqvist (Sweden) 70 70 78
220 M Bechtold (Germany) 72 70 78
222 E Lewis (England) 72 70 80, S Witt (Germany) 70 74 78
223 A Otten (Germany) 72 74 77
224 E Fagersten (Sweden) 76 71 77
225 L Duncan (Scotland) 76 72 77
226 A Bergsdottir (Iceland) 74 77 75, D Modder (Netherlands) 72 72 82, C Eisenbeiss (Germany) 71 83 72, N Joyce-Moreno (Ireland) 71 77 78 227 F Tynan (Wales) 73 78 76, R Belsham (England) 72 80 75, K Brodie (Scotland) 72 75 80, C Whitehead (England) 72 73 82, C Horder (Germany) 71 78 78
228 L Walsh (Castlewarden) 73 77 78, E Svensson (Sweden) 71 77 80
229 D Harry (Wales) 76 76 77, C Worby (Wales) 74 73 82

OTHER TOTALS
232 H Darling (Scotland) 73 78 81.
234 H Lockley (Wales) 75 80 79, J Rankine (Scotland) 74 80 80
235 K Lanigan (Hermitage) 77 75 83, A Foster (Elm Park) 76 76 83, B Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) 74 75 86
236 K Dwyer (Rossmore) 78 76 82, L Bramwell (Wales) 75 79 82, E Willis (Wales) 73 79 84
237 S Byrne (Douglas) 78 77 82
238 E Thorne (Elm Park) 77 78 83, T Bjerkelo (Norway) 73 80 85
251 A McVicker (Belvoir Park) 76 79 96

 For all the Scores -- Click Here

EILIDH WINS RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP  FOR THE SIXTH TIME

Eilidh Briggs - 2018 RLCGA Champion

Renfrewshire Finals day at the 2018 County Championship proved very challenging to all competitors for the Championship Semi-Finals and the Irvine Trophy (Handicap) Final in yesterday morning with heavy rain and extremely wet/tough conditions underfoot. 

 -- CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RLCGA WEBSITE FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEO 

 Championship Semi-Finals 

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) played Liz Stewart (Greenburn). Eilidh played some phenomenal golf considering the conditions and was 5 under over 10 holes making life extremely difficult for her opponent Liz. -- Eilidh won 9 and 8.

Alyson McGinnigle (Cowglen) played Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) in the second semi-final. This was a closely contested match with both players demonstrating excellent golf under difficult conditions. Gillian eventually won the match on the 18th.

 Irvine Trophy (Handicap) Final

 This final saw Jan Macnab (Ranfurly Castle) play Morag Little (Whitecraigs). As the rain continued to fall, conditions became very tough for both players but their standard of golf remained very high. It was a tightly contested match with Jan eventually winning on the 18th hole. 

Championship Final 

Although it was dry overhead for the afternoon thriller between Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) the conditions underfoot remained challenging. The front 9 was closely contested with a number of birdies from both players.
Eilidh, however, triumphed over Gillian in the back 9 winning the match on the 15th hole.
Eilidh was 4 under par and Gillian 1 over par when she finally won the title for the 6th time.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY RESULTS 
Played over Haggs Castle Golf Course - Friday 13th April

Handicap Semi Final
Doreen Mainds lost to Jan Macnab 2/1 
Morag Little beat Carol McNally 1up

Championship Semi Finals
 Eilidh Briggs beat Liz Stewart 9&8
Alyson McGinngle lost to Gillian Kyle 1dn

Handicap Final
Jan MacNab beat Morag Little 1up

Championship Final
Eilidh Briggs beat Gillian Kyle 4/3