TRIPLE WHAMMY BY THE GLASGOW HERALD'S DOUGLAS LOWE AT GOLF WRITERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Herald sports writer Douglas Lowe scored a triple whammy at the frost-abbreviated Scottish golf writers and guests' golf championship at Mar Hall Hotel golf course near Bishopton, Glasgow today (MONDAY).
Frost delayed the start of the scheduled 18-hole competition from 9.30 to 11am and play was only possible on holes 10 to 18 at that time. Because some of the competitors faced a long journey home to the North and North-east of Scotland and a prizegiving lunch had been arranged, it was decided to cut the tournament to nine holes.
Lowe, despite a knee injury, regained the Alex Fox Trophy as the leading golf writer with a Stableford score of 17pt off a handicap of 12.
"I have won the trophy before but it was so long ago that Nick Rodger must have still been in short trousers," said Douglas who had 2pt to spare from Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly), playing off 2, and twice past champion Mike Aitken (The Scotsman), playing off 15.
Lowe's prizes included a free tee for four at any of the Gleneagles Hotel golf course, midweek or weekend.
Lowe's total was higher than anyone achieved in the male and female women guests' categories which earned him the Belhaven Trophy for overall supremacy.
Just to cap the "wounded warrior's" day, Douglas figured in the winning team of Stewart McDougall (DBS Sports) and Ronnie Cully (Evening Times) whose 32pt (best two from three scores to count) saw them triumphy by a single point from Scottish international Claire Hargan (SLGA), Mike Aitken (The Scotsman) and Dave Edwards (Press and Journal).
Former Northern Open champion Peter Smith, Mike Woodcock (St Andrews Links Trust) and Sheila Hartley (SLGA) took third place on 29, beating Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly), Michael Gannon (Aberdeen Press and Journal) and golf course designer Graeme Webster from Inverurie on a tie-breaking countback.
Mike Woodcock, playing of 12, pipped eight-handicapper Stewart McDougall for the Bunkered Trophy as the leading male guest. They both finished with 15pt. Mike had the better last six holes' points total. He won a free tee time for four at The Duke's Course, St Andrews.
Graeme Webster, playing off 10, finished third in the male guest category with 14pt, the same total as SGU Press and Marketing Officer Ross Duncan (5). Webster had the better last three-hole points total.
SLGA Tournament Officer Claire Hargan, a one-handicap member at Mortonhall, won the Leading Lady Guests' section with 16pt, one ahead of West of Scotland women's golf webmaster Carol Fell (10) and two clear of Sheila Hartley (SLGA).

Thanks go to Colin Farqharson for the report  --- To see the report and a larger picture of Douglas Lowe go to Colin's Scottish View Website

Equalities Act 2010 --- Associations including private clubs

What is an association?
For the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 an organisation is an association if:
it has 25 or more members, and
it has rules (not necessarily formal or written) regulating who can be a member and there is a genuine selection process for members.
Private clubs - such as golf and other sports clubs, working men’s clubs and social clubs - political parties and some charities such as the Scouting Association are examples of associations.

Not sure about the Equalities Act --- then CLICK HERE

Thanks go to Ann O'Connell from Douglas Park for this info.

Videos and Photographs from Greenlees Lunch

No rest for the wicked !!! -- At last --the photos and Video taken at the Greenlees Lunch at West Kilbride are now available -- Scroll down or Click Here to see more

Ayrshire and Lanarkshire are 3rd and 4th in the Commonwealth Spoons

Photo Courtesy of the SLGA

This two ball Foursomes Commonwealth Spoons event which was postponed from September 23 when the course was flooded and the SLGA is very grateful to Cathkin Braes for allowing the competition to be rescheduled.
LEADING SCORES :-
1st - Mary Malcolm & Helen Thomson (Fife) 84-10 = 74
2nd - Lorna Fury & Marie Curran (Fife) 81-6 = 75
3rd - Catherine Malcolm & Roz Purdom (Ayrshire) 79-3 = 76 bih
4th - Pauline Warlow & Joanna Scott (Lanarkshire) 83-7 = 76
5th - Venetia Scott & Claire Howden (Borders) 87-10.5 = 76.5

70th Year Celebration Lunch and Presentation for the Greenlees Trophy

The Greenlees Lunch and Presentation of Trophies was held at West Kilbride Golf Club yesterday.
Fiona Roger (The West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary) organised the event.
All clubs from the 3 divisions within the Greenlees Trophy were represented and what a great celebration they all had ---- 70 YEARS SINCE THE GREENLEES TROPHY was first played. They were welcomed warmly by West Kilbride Golf Club with a glass of wine and a terrific lunch to follow.

The winners from all the divisions were presented with the trophies and there was much chat !!


GREENLEES LUNCH 2010 - Fiona's Speech

Another year of Greenlees Matches bites the dust and what an exciting end to the first Two Divisions. I find it hard to believe that I am standing here at West Kilbride when I feel Ihave only left the Troon lunch!

It is a pleasure to be here and I would like to thank West Kilbride on behalf of all those present today for very kindly agreeing to host the 2010 Greenlees Presentation Lunch. A very big thank you to all the staff behind the scenes and front of house for such a lovely lunch. To West Kilbride's Aileen Donaldson, for co-ordinating the day so calmly and efficiently - thank you for your time and effort. West Kilbride Club Captain Janette Mair and Ladies Captain Phyllis Howie for your input - Thank you to everyone for a job well done.

At this stage I would be asking the Ladies Captain to pass on our thanks to the Club Captain and Board. This year I have the pleasure of being able to thank the Club Captain in person and to thank her for her very kind words of welcome before lunch. Janette – I know your life currently isn’t your own – thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today. I hope you are enjoying being our guest in your own club!!
I am sure that your year to date has been very successful – not I am sure without ups and downs – and I hope when your year of office ends, you will remember it as an enjoyable and fun time.

Thank you Phyllis for also taking the time to be here today and I would be very pleased if you would do us the honour of presenting the trophies later.
Many of you will perhaps not realise, but this is the 70th year that the Greenlees Trophy has been played for.
In 1931 ten teams played in one division - Troon, Prestwick St. Nicholas, Douglas Park, Paisley, Drumpellier, Sandyhills, Kilmacolm, Ranfurly Castle, Cathkin Braes and Cardross. At the end of the season Troon and Prestwick St. Nicholas both had 62 points, they had a play off over Western Gailes and Prestwick St Nicholas won by one match. Mrs Greenlees, on behalf of her husband who donated the trophy, presented it to Prestwick.
Cathkin must have found it all too much because they withdrew after year one and were replaced by Balmore!! I found a report written after the 1934 matches, I presume by the then Secretary. It read ----- matches have not been so keanly contested this year and certain clubs are lacking in team spirit. ----------. this Secretary won’t dare write a report!!

After the 1938 season the clubs on the waiting list were invited to join – West Kilbride, Erskine, Whitecraigs and Milngavie. Haggs Castle were also on the list but were no longer interested. 1939 season was to be played in two divisions but unfortunately the war years intervened and the trophy was not played for again until 1949.

Some of you may already have read this on the Carol’s West Web site.

In 1940 – 70 years ago – Richmond Golf Club displayed temporary rules on their notice board. I won’t read them all, but here are just a few.
These may seem funny to us in 2010 but not so funny in 1940. CLICK HERE TO READ THE LOCAL RULES

I have a small book in my bookcase called Life’s Little Instruction Book.
I often lift it up and have a read. It has 511 suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life!!
Sing in the shower
Floss your teeth
Drink champagne for no reason at all
Put the cap back on the toothpaste
Whistle
Ride a bike
Treat yourself to a massage on your birthday
Spread crunchy peanut butter on ginger biscuits for the perfect late night
Snack.
When you know you need help, don’t delay in asking for it.
When I need help with computing problems I never delay asking Carol Fell for help!!

I would like to say a personal thank you to Carol for making sure everything ran smoothly on the web and dealing with the things she won’t let me touch! On behalf of us all thank you for the power of work you do not only for the Greenlees but for the Scottish Ladies Golf in general. It is immense and I sometimes think people don’t realise how immense it is.

Now for the business of the day – presentation of trophies. Phyllis may I ask you to join me for the presentations. ---

As it is the 70th year I would like to say that I am not sure if the Ladies from Troon realise they have been the most prolific winners of the Greenlees Trophy, first winning it in 1932. They did in fact win it 11 times in the first 15 and have their name engraved on the trophy 31 times to date the last being in 2008. In all the years since 1931 6 years is the longest period of time your name has not been on the trophy --- an amazing record - WELL DONE.

Milngavie have won it 9 times, Haggs Castle 8, Prestwick St. Nicholas 6, Cochrane Castle 4, Kilmacolm, West Kilbride and Cardross twice, Ranfurly Castle, Turnberry, Douglas Park and Sandyhills once.

I hope you have all enjoyed another competitive season. What an exciting finish in Division 1 – the last match Milngavie needing 7 points to pip Cathkin Braes by .5 and securing 7.5 points to win the league by 1 and in Division 2 Prestwick winning by just half a point from Whitecraigs and heading straight back to Division 1 for Season 2011. Whitecraigs deserve their promotion to Division 1 and Largs and Cowglen are promoted from Division 3.

To the teams going down a Division don’t despair – look forward to next season on different courses and for everyone the challenge will always be there.
The Greenlees Trophy 2010 is retained by Milngavie Golf Club with 48.5 points.
I had a lovely note from Anna Telfer (the Milngavie Team Captain) , who is unable to be here today
(which Fiona read out to everyone)

The Urn for Runner Up in Division 1 goes to Cathkin Braes for the second year in a row ----
Last year you were beaten into second place be half a point and this year by only a point. I know Joanna you and your team will be disappointed but what another great season you have had. May 2011 be ‘3rd time lucky’

Division 2 is won by Prestwick St Nicholas with 49 points.

Largs win Division 3 with a wonderful total of 46.5 points, remembering that Division 3 have only 7 matches as opposed to 8 in the other divisions.
As this is the 70th year of Greenlees League --- I have a small momento which I would like to give to each of the winners of the Divisions to keep in their Club Trophy Cabinets. May I ask Milngavie, Prestwick and Largs to come up and collect them.

I hope that next year’s Divisions are as closely contested and that we all remember to enjoy. Winter well and look forward to seeing everyone in season 2011
The Final Positions :-
DIVISION 1
Milngavie 48.5 -- Greenlees Trophy Winners
Cathkin Braes 47.5 -- Greenlees Trophy Runners Up
Kilmarnock Barassie 45
Ranfurly Castle 34.5
Douglas Park 34
Troon 34
Kilmacolm 30.5
West Kilbride 29 - relegated to Division 2
Cardross 21 - relegated to Division 2

DIVISION 2
Prestwick St. Nicholas 49 - Winners and promoted to Division 1
Whitecraigs 48.5 - Runners Up - Promoted to Division 1
Haggs Castle 44
Hilton Park 40.5
Erskine 34
Eastwood 33.5
Williamwood 28
Lanark 27 - Relegated to Division 3
Bothwell Castle 19.5 - Relegated to Division 3

DIVISION 3
Largs 46.5 - Winners -- Promoted to Division 2
Cowglen 34 - Runners Up - Promoted to Division 2
Old Ranfurly 33
Greenock 32.5
Lenzie 29
East Renfrewshire 27
Cawder 25.5
Cathcart Castle 24.5
Turnberry 0

(Louden Gowf Club will be joining Division 3 in 2011)

FINAL 2010 TOTALS AND RESULTS

To see some photos from the Presentation and Lunch click on the small thumbnail below

2010 Greenlees Lunch

Jumping with Joy !! --- Milngavie win the Greenlees Trophy --- Click to enlarge

World Championships Begin

The 2010 World Amateur Team Championships get underway in Argentina today with the first day of the 24th Espirito Santo Trophy, which is being held at Buenos Aires and Olivos golf clubs.CLICK HERE to keep uptodate
GOOD LUCK SCOTLAND

Eilidh Briggs is the 2010 SLGA Girls' Order of Merit Winner

Eilidh Briggs (Courtesy of Colin Farqharson) - Click to enlarge

Renfrewshire's County Junior and Senior Champion Eilidh Briggs (Kilmalcolm)  who also won the West of Scotland Girls’ Championship at Troon Portland earlier this month is  the 2010 Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Girls’ Order of Merit Winner.
Eilidh gathered 2,040 points to edge the Merit title ahead of Hannah McCook (Abernethy).
Hannah, from the nine hole club in Nethybridge, made sure of second place with victory in the North of Scotland Girls’ Championship at Brechin. She finished with 1,620 points.
Third place went to the Scottish Girls Champion, Lesley Atkins (Gullane), with 1,568 points and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) was fourth on 1,400.
Rachael was a member of the Scottish Ladies team that won the Home Internationals in Wales in September.

D & A Girls win at West Kilbride

D&A Team (from L to R) Jorden Ferrie; Aileen Campbell; Jillian Farrell; Megan Duff; Kirstin Scott; Heather McKinney and Rachel McLellan.

The Ayrshire Girls Team

Ayrshire and D & A Girls played their friendly match yesterday at West Kilbride. Despite a very strong cold wind blowing all the girls played very well, with all but one match being decided on either the 17th or 18th greens.
Congratulations to the visiting team who won by 4 matches to 3.

Results are as follows:- (Ayrshire names first)

Connie Jaffrey beat Jorden Ferrie 2 holes
Mhairi McKay lost to Kirstin Scott 2/1
Katie McGarva lost to Aileen Campbell 1 hole
Emma Hale lost to Rachel McLellan 3/1
Grace Mackie lost to Megan Duff 2/1
Rachel Irvine beat Heather McKinnie 1 hole
Hazel McGarvie beat Gillian Farrell 3/2

To see some photographs taken on the day courtesy of  Lorraine Campbell CLICK HERE

Thanks go to Ayrshire's June Kerr for the Report and Ayrshire Team Photograph
Thanks go to D&A's Lorraine Campbell for the D& A Team Photograph

SGU and SLGA Begin Countdown Towards Amalgamation

The move to bring the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA)together as a single governing body has gathered momentum with a formal proposal being delivered to each organisation’s members this month.
It is proposed that the new joint organisation be called Scottish Golf Limited, and will be operational from 1 October 2011. Consequently the SGU and SLGA have developed a twelve month timetable to consult with members and refine and finalise the details of the proposed amalgamation.
The SGU’s existing shareholders are its 16 Area Associations, while the SLGA comprises affiliated ladies clubs and sections along with 15 County organisations, each with a vote on how the governing bodies are run at present. The proposed changes have now been sent to each of the member groups for consideration, with the two bodies conducting a series of meetings during October, November and December to gather the views of those groups.
Donald Turner, Chair of the amalgamation working group, welcomed the move to meet with the
existing members:
“It is vitally important that we harness the views of our existing members while explaining in detail the rationale behind the change which I believe is right for Scottish Golf. The SGU and SLGA have now been working very closely for a number of years and amalgamation is a natural step in the right direction which can have great benefits for the development of the game in Scotland.”
“At a time when we are encouraging clubs to work towards equality, it is important that every golfer – regardless of gender – is given the same level of opportunity to participate and succeed in the game and that can only happen through amalgamation. At the heart of the game lies our clubs and during these particularly challenging times, clubs need the support of a strong governing body.”
“There is much history and heritage within the SLGA and SGU as well as their respective Counties, Areas and clubs. However, we must look to the future together if we are to succeed with the ambitions shared by both governing bodies,” he added.
Funding from sportscotland accounts for more than one third of the combined income of the SGU
and SLGA at £1.3m and are key partners in the development of the game. sportscotland’s Chief
Executive, Stewart Harris commented:''sportscotland has been investing in and working with the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association on the amalgamation of the two bodies for a number of years. We look forward to working with SGU & SLGA to finalise the amalgamation process to allow golf to enjoy the benefits of having one united body responsible for governing and developing the amateur game in Scotland.
Our support and investment to golf will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We anticipate that one
strong amateur golf body would be a more efficient way for sportscotland to invest in the future, and propel Scottish Golf to even greater heights"
The joint proposals include the creation of a single Board of Directors with a new Chair to be
appointed as both Shona Malcolm (SLGA Chair) and Douglas Connon (SGU Chair) have indicated
they will step down at the end of their current terms. It is intended that the Company will be limited by guarantee, with the voting members comprising the Areas, Counties and golf clubs throughout Scotland.
Under the proposal, existing Counties and Areas will retain their identity and boundaries, with
Counties being offered the opportunity to explore a different method (consistent with the Areas) of promoting membership and collecting club subscriptions. The new body will unify the level of per capita subscription it collects from clubs, which is currently different for men and ladies, and this will remain for playing adults only, with an agreement to continue a policy of not charging for juniors.
Following the consultation period, the amalgamation working group will conduct a debrief and review before updating the proposal, which will be further discussed at the SGU and SLGA AGMs in
January 2011. Further seminars will then take place among Areas, Counties and clubs in the spring, with a final proposal anticipated to be put to respective EGMs in May 2011. On approval of the proposal by the respective voting members, an appointment process for the inaugural Board will be undertaken in time for a smooth handover of responsibilities from the SGU and SLGA to Scottish Golf Limited from 1 October 2011.
Shona Malcolm, Chair of the SLGA, said: “We have made excellent progress throughout 2010 and trust that the various stakeholders will be in agreement with our proposals. We welcome the feedback of our clubs and Counties over the coming months and their input will be invaluable to enable the new body to act in the best interests of Scottish Golf.
”Her counterpart at the SGU, Douglas Connon, added:“We welcome the proposals put forward by Donald Turner and the working group. We believe the timetable we have put in place can now be achieved. Having worked so closely with the SLGA for a number of years across many key projects, it makes perfect sense to be working together under one single entity for the betterment of Scottish Golf and giving our clubs and golfers the best opportunity to develop. Scottish Golf demands and deserves this step change.”
CLICK HERE --- TO PRINT OUT THE ABOVE STATEMENT

Amalgamation Update --- Links to various details (from the SLGA Website)
SGU and SLGA Begin Countdown Towards Amalgamation
The move to bring the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA) together as a single governing body has gathered momentum with a formal proposal being delivered to each organisation’s members this week.
The proposal with details of the roles of Board members and committees and a covering letter from the Amalgamation Group Chair, Donald Turner may be accessed by clicking on the links.

Pamela Pretswell is the Champion of Champions

Pamela Pretswell -- The 2010 Champion of Champions (Photo courtesy of Claire Hargan - SLGA) - Click to enlarge

Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) rounded off an excellent season by winning the Scottish Ladies' Champion of Champions at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club today (Sunday 10 October).  The reigning British Stroke Play Champion shot a level par round of 75 which was six strokes better than the Scottish Girls' Champion, Lesley Atkins (Gullane).  Alison Davidson (Stirling) was third with a score of 82.  There was a strong cross wind across the Gailes links on a day that saw the CSS increasing to 80 (reduction only).

1st:  Pamela Pretswell (British Stroke Play Champion), 75
2nd: Lesley Atkins (Scottish Girls' Champion), 81
3rd: Alison Davidson (East of Scotland Champion), 82

Thanks go to the SLGA for the report

Pamela's handicap is now +4 --- Many Congratulations from all in the West of Scotland

Some Old Temporary Golf Rules !!

Click on these Temporary Rules from 1940 to see more --- Thanks go to Anne Paton (Douglas Park) for that one

The Final 2010 Greenlees Match is played

The last Greenlees Match of the 2010 season was the rearranged Division 1 game between Kilmarnock (Barassie) & Troon Ladies This was played on Thursday 7th October and Kilmarnock Barssie won 7 - 2

The Final Positions :-
DIVISION 1
Milngavie 48.5
Cathkin Braes 47.5
Kilmarnock Barassie 45
Ranfurly Castle 34.5
Douglas Park 34
Troon 34
Kilmacolm 30.5
West Kilbride 29
Cardross 21

DIVISION 2
Prestwick St. Nicholas 49
Whitecraigs 48.5
Haggs Castle 44
Hilton Park 40.5
Erskine 34
Eastwood 33.5
Williamwood 28
Lanark 27
Bothwell Castle 19.5

DIVISION 3
Largs 46.5
Cowglen 34
Old Ranfurly 33
Greenock 32.5
Lenzie 29
East Renfrewshire 27
Cawder 25.5
Cathcart Castle 24.5
Turnberry 0

Medal 12 - Douglas Park

Played 09/10/2010 SSS:72, CSS:75 Reduction only
Silver:
1st 96-16=80 Beverley Mitchell
2nd 106-20=86 Irene Orr

Bronze:
1st 106-24=82 Anne Terry
2nd 109-25=84 Joan Brechin
3rd 114-29=85 Margaret Brodie

Eilidh Briggs Wins the West Girls Championship for the 3rd time

The finals of the West of Scotland Girls Championships were held on Saturday 2nd October at Troon Portland GC.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) played faultless golf in the final to beat Linsey Stevenson (Whitecraigs) by 6 & 5.
Eilidh retains the Championship for the third consecutive year equaling Lesley Hendry's record in this competition.
Megan Duff narrowly defeated Kirsten Brown by 2 &1 to win the bronze final.

Semi Finals Championship:
Eilidh Briggs beat Emma Hale
Linsey Stevenson beat Emma Caddow
Final: Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) beat Linsey Stevenson (Whitecraigs)

Bronze Semi Finals:
Kirsten Brown beat Emma Kennedy
Megan Duff beat Heather Neilson
Final: Megan Duff (Hilton Park) beat Kisrten Brown (Torrance House)

Thanks go to Fiona Scott for the Photographs

Ryder Cup News and Final Singles Draw

CLICK HERE to keep up todate

Westwood has been in superb form so far in the contest, inspiring Europe to a 9½-6½ lead after a stunning third session in which the hosts won five and a half points from six

To see the Singles Draw for tomorrow CLICK HERE

Mail on Sunday update from the victorious Skelmorlie Golf Club

Skelmorlie Golf Club Ladies Team -- Click to enlarge Photo courtesy of Gillian Pollock

Skelmorlie Golf Club Ladies Team have just returned from an extremely enjoyable but stressful weekend competing in the Quarter finals of the prestigious Mail on Sunday Team Classic event.  These Quarter Finals were played at the Marriott Worsley Park Golf and Country Club in Manchester.

The seven other ladies teams who competed, fielded strong teams with plenty of reserves to choose from after their practice round on Sunday. Unfortunately Skelmorlie team captain Kath MacKellar was not afforded this luxury of choice.

Although a strong team, Skelmorlie only had five players to choose from  - Kath MacKellar, Gillian Pollock, Aileen Donaldson, Janet Harkness and Alex Sargent as the other team member, Jenny McGee, was unable to attend the event as she had been called away to America following her daughter Heather’s serious riding accident.  Thankfully Heather is now well on the way to recovery and Jenny will be home shortly because against all the odds, this team of five, from the small club of Skelmorlie in Ayrshire faced the might of Chelmsford in Essex and emerged victorious with a 3.5/1.5 win.

They now find themselves in the wonderful position of being off to the Grand finals to be held at El Rompido Golf resort in Southern Spain, at the end of November.

Skelmorlie Ladies would also like to take this opportunity to wish Murrayfield  Ladies every success and we look forward to meeting them for an all Scottish final.

Thanks go to Gillian Pollock for the news

D&A CORONATION MEDALS & MEDAL FINALS

Played AT CLYDEBANK & DISTRICT ON TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2010
SSS 71 CSS 74 REDUCTION ONLY, 69 entrants

CORONATION MEDALS

Scratch : Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 79
1st Silver : Jill Stewart (Taynuilt) 91-20-71
2nd Silver : Helen Faulds (D.P.) 79-5-74 (BIH)
3rd Silver : Liz Thomson (Cowal) 91-17-74 (BIH)

1st Bronze : Jean Ramsay (Helensburgh) 97-24-73
2nd Bronze : Sheila Welsh (Hilton Park) 101-24-77 (BIH)

WINNER SILVER CORONATION MEDAL : JILL STEWART
WINNER BRONZE CORONATION MEDAL : JEAN RAMSAY

MEDAL FINALS
WINNER SILVER MEDAL FINAL : HELEN FAULDS
WINNER BRONZE MEDAL FINAL : SHEILA WELSH

Commonwealth Spoons -- New rearranged Date

The new date for the Commonwealth Spoons Final is Thursday 21st October.  It will be held at Cathkin Braes.

Skelmorlie and Murrayfield win in Manchester and are off to Spain

The Pride of Skelmorlie Golf Club. Back row: Janet Harkness and Alex Sargent. Front row: Gillian Pollock, Kath Mackellar, Aileen Donaldson and Jenny McGee.

HOT OFF THE PRESS
Skelmorlie beat Chelmsford 3 1/2 - 1 1/2 today at Manchester in the quarter finals of The Mail On Sunday Golf Classic. They are off the Spain in November.

In fact both Scottish teams in the quarter-finals of the Mail on Sunday Women's Classic won their matches at Worsley Park, Manchester today.
Murrayfield beat West Essex 3-2.

So it's Viva Espana for the Scots teams - off to Spain for the Grand Finals on November 21.

We'll have more details from Worsley Park as the day progresses.

WOW  --- WELL DONE AND MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL FROM EVERYONE IN  THE WEST OF SCOTLAND


The Daily Mail told us that this competition is the largest club competition in the world with over 5,000 teams (men and women) at the start of the competition, so you can imagine that Skelmorlie and Murrayfield are delighted that two Scottish clubs are in the semi-finals.
We travel to Spain to El Rompido Golf and Beach Resort on the Costa de la Luz on Sunday 21 November, have a practice round on the 22nd, play the semis on 23rd, finals on the 24th, returning home on the 25th.


To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

2010 Greenlees News Round Up

The conclusion of Division 1 in the 2010 West Of Scotland Ladies Inter Club League for the Greenlees Trophy proved equally as exciting as the division 2 finish as Milngavie grabbed the title with a comprehensive win over Troon ladies in their final match of the season.

Needing to win by 7 - 2 on Tuesday 21st September, in order to overtake the leaders Cathkin Braes, the Milngavie side dashed Troon Ladies remaining slim hopes of the title by winning six of the nine ties outright. The other three ties were a more nailbiting affair, with all three going to the final green and finishing square in each case. This gave Milngavie 7.5 points and the premier title by one point over Cathkin Braes.

With only the rearranged match between Kilmarnock (Barassie) & Troon Ladies still to be played, the leading places and the relegation positions cannot be altered. Kilmarnock (Barassie) can consolidate their third place in their remaining match whilst Troon Ladies can hoist themselves into fourth or even third place depending on the scoreline in the match.

A defeat by 6 - 3 at home to Cathkin Braes in their final match of the season left West Kilbride in one of the two relegation places along with Cardross, 1.5 points adrift of third bottom team, Kilmacolm.

The standings at present are :-

DIVISION 1

Milngavie 48.5
Cathkin Braes 47.5
Kilmarnock Barassie 38
Ranfurly Castle 34.5
Douglas Park 34
Troon 32
Kilmacolm 30.5
West Kilbride 29
Cardross 21

Prestwick St Nicholas go up to division one next season as Division 2 champions after their heroic 7.5 - 1.5 win over Lanark in their final match, and will be joined by Whitecraigs, whilst Bothwell Castle and Lanark will go down to Division 3.

Final standings in the division are :-

DIVISION 2

Prestwick St. Nicholas 49
Whitecraigs 48.5
Haggs Castle 44
Hilton Park 40.5
Erskine 34
Eastwood 33.5
Williamwood 28
Lanark 27
Bothwell Castle 19.5

Largs will play in division 2 next year after winning the Division 3 title by a comprehensive margin, and will be joined by Cowglen who edged out Old ranfurly by one point for the other promotion spot.

With Turnberry dropping out of the league early on in the campaign, it will be hoped that the club will not remain out of the leagues for too long.

Final placings in the division are :-

DIVISION 3

Largs 46.5
Cowglen 34
Old Ranfurly 33
Greenock 32.5
Lenzie 29
East Renfrewshire 27
Cawder 25.5
Cathcart Castle 24.5
Turnberry 0

Thanks go to Alisdair Malcolm for this report from the Ayrshire Golf News Website

Eilidh Briggs wins the Renfrewshire Junior County Championship for the 5th time in a row

Captain Trish Brown presents Eilidh with the Junior Championship Trophy - Click to enlarge

Eilidh Briggs from Kilmacolm won the Renfrewshire Junior Championship for the 5th time at Haggs Castle Golf Club yesterday. She beat Linsey Stevenson from Whitecraigs. To read the full report go to the Renfrewshire County Website

Try out this trial link on your mobile phone for all golf news in the West of Scotland

Type the following address and put it into your mobile phone and save it as an icon on your mobiles desktop
 http://m.wbx.me/mobile-golfing-by-carol-fell
There is a feedback back form on the application.
Please note this is only of use if you use internet access on your phone and will not work on a PC if using Windows Explorer
* A preview works on Safari and Google Chrome and also a bit on Firefox
* These browsers closely match the browsing experience of the iPhone and Android smartphones. Try it on an actual mobile device to get the full experience (i.e. scrolling, tapping, etc.).

Milngavie Greenlees Captain Anna has another reason to Celebrate --- It's a Girl !!!!!!

 Isla Anna Telfer - click to enlarge

Scott and Calum  - 2 little super heroes

Yes it is official - Isla Anna Telfer arrived today, September 24th at 10am - to delighted parents David and Karen.
We are all absolutely thrilled - and somewhat in shock because after 10 male Telfers on the trot, we were beginning to think we'd never see a little girl.
Isla weighed in at 7lbs 11 oz and has the same colouring as Scott (and features too)
I make no apologies for being a besotted Granny and have attached a photo taken 5 hours after birth and also one of my 2 little super-heroes (Scott and Calum)

Anna Telfer
Here is a wee card for you Anna --- Click on the View Closing icon and then on the small picture on Isla (Make sure you sound is on too)

Renfrewshire's Captain Trish Brown is Emotionally drained after winning the Scottish Team County Championships

LGU Press Release - 2011 Great Britain & Ireland Squad Announced

The Ladies' Golf Union is pleased to announce the 2011 Great Britain & Ireland squad.

The 16 strong squad will form the basis of the 2011 GB & I teams which will compete for the Astor and Vagliano Trophies next summer.

Tegwen Matthews (Wales) who will be captaining the Great Britain & Ireland side for both events said, "I am delighted to be working with such a talented young squad. Announcing the squad now also gives any unnamed girls a chance to work hard over the winter and make their claim for selection early next year. These are exciting times for ladies' golf in Great Britain & Ireland."

The 2011 Astor Trophy will take place at Fairhaven Golf Club from 15^th – 19^th June and the 2011 Vagliano Trophy will be played at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on the 24^th – 25^th June.

NAMES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

1 Hannah Barwood (ENG) (Knowle)
2 Amy Boulden (WAL) (Maesdu)
3 Gemma Bradbury (WAL) (Cottrell Park)
4 Hannah Burke (ENG) (Mid Herts)
5 Holly Clyburn (ENG) (Woodhall Spa)
6 Tara Davies (WAL) (Holyhead)
7 Nikki Foster (ENG) (Pleasington)
8 Louise Kenney (SCO) (Pitreavie)
9 Kelsey MacDonald (SCO) (Nairn Dunbar)
10 Leona Maguire (IRE) (Slieve Russell)
11 Lisa Maguire (IRE) (Slieve Russell)
12 Danielle McVeigh (IRE) (Royal County Down Ladies')
13 Stephanie Meadow (IRE) (Royal Portrush)
14 Pamela Pretswell (SCO) (Bothwell Castle)
15 Kelly Tidy (ENG) (Royal Birkdale)
16 Sally Watson (SCO) (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies')

About the Ladies' Golf Union ("LGU")

Founded in 1893, the LGU is the encompassing body for ladies' amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland. The LGU Executive Council includes representatives of ladies' golf's national governing bodies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Operational activities are undertaken by a wholly owned subsidiary, LGU Championships Limited ("LGUCL"), which in particular owns and runs the Ricoh Women's British Open, founded by the LGU in 1976 and one of the four Major Tournaments for Professional Women golfers. LGUCL also has responsibility for running British Amateur Championships and Home International events, and preparing the Great Britain & Ireland teams for representative matches, such as the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy.

Further information about the LGU is available on http://www.lgu.org/.

Photos and Videos from the County Finals

Videos of the Prizegiving

Day 3 Photographs --- Match against Dumfries-shire

Day 2 Morning Foursomes ----- Match against Angus

Day 1 Photographs ---- Match against Midlothian

Photos taken by SLGA's Claire Hargan

Commonwealth Spoons Cancelled

Due to flooding on the course at Cathkin Braes the Commonwealth Spoons, scheduled for today - 23 September, has been cancelled.

West Vets Jamboree at Blairgowrie

May Hughes (Lanark) the West Vets Champion reached the final of the Scottish Vets Championship played at Blairgowrie on Monday 20th September. However she lost to East Vets Champion Karen Ballantyne in the final.
To read the full report and see some photographs go to the West Vets Website

Milngavie come up Trumps to win the Greenlees Trophy by Half a Point from Cathkin Braes

Jumping with Joy !! --- Milngavie win the Greenlees Trophy --- Click to enlarge

Milngavie Greenlees Captain --- Anna Telfer is absolutely amazed of their win on Monday.
Needing 7 points from 9 to pip Cathkin Braes for the Greenlees Division 1 Trophy, the Milngavie girls were just awesome.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am, how delighted I am and also how relieved cos there was alot of pressure on us all.
Troon made us fight all the way to the finishing line - 3 matches went to the 18th and all were halved and the other 6 ties were all wins for Milngavie.
As you can see from the photo, we are jumping for joy, altho some of us look a little tired after all the effort and pressure!
Can I commiserate with Jo Scott and her Cathkin team - they pushed us all the way with a fierce but friendly rivalry and they must be gutted - I know I would have been.
Also special mention to the Troon team who gave no quarter but were generous and sporting in defeat."

The Milngavie Greenlees Team - Click to enlarge

Look forward to the lunch at West Kilbride - and also next season of course!

Thanks go to Anna Telfer for the Photographs and the report

To see all the results CLICK HERE

Grace Mackie wins at Turnberry --- Ayrshire Girls' Centenary Trophy

Ayrshire Girls -- Click to enlarge

The Ayrshire Girls' Centenary Trophy (Stableford) competition was played over the Kintyre Course at Turnberry on Sunday. On a breezy but dry afternoon ten girls played the Kintyre while 14 pre-handicap girls played a stroke competition over the 9 hole Arran Course.

Emma Hale, the holder, put up a great defence of her trophy finishing on 36 points, but it was Troon's Grace Mackie off 14 who was the runaway winner with a splendid 40 points.
Silver Division
1st Grace Mackie (Troon Ladies) 40 points
2nd Emma Hale (Troon Bentinck) 36 points
3rd Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 34 points
Bronze Division
1st Ali Roy (Maybole) 33 points
2nd Alexandra Brown (Turnberry) 24 points
3rd Lindsay Scott (Troon Bentinck) 15 points
Pre-Handicap Girls
Age 9-10
1st Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 50
2nd Jodie Cooper (Maybole) 63
3rd Emma Turner (West Kilbride) 68
Age 11
1st Hannah McSorley (Maybole) 49
2nd Sophie Craig (Troon Bentinck) 59
3rd Leona Murray (Loudoun) 64
Age 12-13
1st Emma Paterson (Loudoun) 44
2nd Hayleigh Campbell (Loudoun) 50
3rd Marian Boyd (Brunston Castle) 74


Thanks go to June Kerr for the Report

D&A Autumn Meeting at Windyhill

PLAYED ON TUESDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2010
SSS  71   CSS  74   25 played
Scratch : Anna Telfer (Milngavie)    78
1st Silver : Anna Telfer (Milngavie)   78-5-73
2nd Silver : May Myers (Clober)  83-9-74

1st Bronze : Joyce McGregor (Windyhill)  95-22-73
2nd Bronze : Marie Miller (Windyhill)  100-23-77
Winner of the Moira Alexander Trophy : Anna Telfer (on countback)

Renfrewshire win the Scottish County Finals

Renfrewshire are Scottish women's county champions for the first time this Century! The last time they won the title was 1987, before some of the present team members were born.
On the third and final day at Bothwell Castle, Renfrewshire beat Dumfries-shire 5 1/2-3 1/2 while Midlothian beat Angus 7-2.
That meant a tie between Renfrewshire and Midlothian - who had drawn their opening-day match 4 1/2-4 1/2 - with 2 1/2pt each. The tie-breaker was a countback of individual game won (not counting halved games).
Renfrewshire shaded that 16 to 15.
Renfrewshire's Alyson McKechin was the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament with five wins out of six. Her only defeat was in the opening day foursomes.
The champions also got 4pt out of 6 from Megan Briggs and 3 1/2pt out of four from Clare-Marie Carlton who did not play on the first day.
Midlothian's top points winner was Jane Turner with 4 1/2 out of six. Closely followed by young Gabrielle MacDonald with 4pt from five games, and Karen Marshall with 4pt from six.
The mainstay of the Angus team was teenager Jessica Meek with 4 1/2pt out of six while top scorer for Dumfries-shire was Diane Ma\cDonald with 3 1/2pt, having lost only one of her six outings.

FROM THE SLGA WEBSITE:
The outcome was far from certain until the second last match on the course was finished. Midway through the afternoon Renfrewshire looked like they could struggle to win the three points needed from the singles matches to seal the win against Dumfriesshire with only Gillian Kyle up in her match.
Clare-Marie Carlton started the come-back by halving her match with Diane MacDonald with a pitch-and-putt birdie 4 on the 18th.
Megan Briggs and Alyson McKechin both then won their respective matches by two holes, having each been down for much of the afternoon.
Giliian Kyle duly won her match, giving Renfrewshire a 5.5 - 3.5 win in the match and 16 individual match wins from the three days.
With Midlothian sitting on 10 individual match wins going into the afternoon singles that meant that they had to win all six of their matches to tie Renfrewshire on the number of match wins and take it to a further count back. With all but one of the Midlothian team all square or down going into the back nine it looked like their chance was all but over.
However, like Renfrewshire, the Midlothian team fought back with wins from Rachael Watton and Gabrielle Macdonald by one hole and by Kate McIntosh on the 17th.
Louise Fraser who had been the one match up all afternoon, won her match, leaving Karen Marshall and Jane Turner needing to win their matches. Karen Marshall sank a gutsy putt to win the 18th hole against Jessica Meek, however it was to halve the match, which meant that Renfrewshire's win was confirmed.
Congratulations to all the players and captains on an excellent three days of golf, played in great spirit and many congratulations to Renfrewshire on their first County Finals win since 1987.
TODAY'S RESULTS

DUMFRIES-SHIRE 3 1/2, RENFREWSHIRE 5 1/2FOURSOMES (1-2)
Diane MacDonald and Lindsay Kirkwood bt Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs 1 hole.
Jordana Graham and Katie McCracken lost to Clare-Marie Carlton and Alyson McKechin 6 and 4.
Rachel Walker and Wilma Graham lost to Liz Stewart and Carol Whyte 1 hole.

SINGLES
MacDonald halved with Carlton
Kirkwood lost to Megan Briggs 2 holes.
Walker bt Eilidh Briggs 3 and 1.
McCracken lost to McKechin 2 holes.
Graham bt Donna Jackson 2 and 1.
Trish Lilly lost to Gillian Kyle 4 and 3.

ANGUS 2, MIDLOTHIAN 7

FOURSOMES (1 1/2-1 1/2)
Ailsa Summers and Rebecca Wilson lost to Jane Turner and Rachael Watton 1 hole.
Clare Penman and Ashley Smith halved with Gabrielle Macdonald and Kate McIntosh.
Ann Ramsay and Jessica Meek bt Karen Marshall and Wendy Nicholson 1 hole.

SINGLES
Wilson lost to Watton 1 hole.
Penman lost to Macdonald 1 hole.
Meek halved with Marshall.
Smith lost to McIntosh 2 and 1.
Fiona Gilbert lost to Louise Fraser 7 and 5.
Ramsay lost to Turner 3 and 2.

HOW THEY FINISHED
1 Renfrewshire 2 1/2pt (Individual games won +16).
2 Midlothian 2 1/2pt (Individual games won +15).
3 Angus 1pt.
4 Dumfries-shire 0pt.

Day 2 Results at the County Finals at Bothwell Castle

Day 2 results:
RENFREWSHIRE 7, ANGUS 2
Foursomes (2-1)
Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs beat Ailsa Summers and Rebecca Wilson 2 holes
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart lost to Claire Penman and Ashley Smith 5 and 3.
Clare-Marie Carlton and Alyson McKechin beat Fiona Gilbert and Jessica Meek 2 holes.
Singles (5-1)
Megan Briggs beat Wilson 2 and 1
Carlton beat Penman 1 hole.
Eilidh Briggs beat Jackie Brown 6 and 4
McKechin beat Ann Ramsay 1 hole.
Carol Whyte lost to Meek 2 holes
Gillian Kyle beat Summers 5 and 4.

MIDLOTHIAN 6 1/2, DUMFRIES-SHIRE 2 1/2
Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2).
Louise Fraser and Jane Turner beat Diane MacDonald and Lindsey Kirkwood 4 and 3.
Kirsten Blackwood and Gabrielle Macdonald halved with Jordana Graham and Katie McCracken.
Karen Marshall and Wendy Nicholson beat Rachel Walker and Margaret McGregor 8 and 6.
Singles (4-2)
Turner halved with Diane MacDonald.
Gabrielle Macdonald beat Graham 2 and 1.
Kate McIntosh beat Kirkwood 4 and 2.
Blackwood lost to Walker 3 and 1.
Nicholson beat McCracken 2 and 1.
Marshall halved with Trish Lilly.

To read more go to the Renfrewshire County Website

Photos and a video from the British Seniors at West Kilbride

Looking for photos and a short video from the British Seniors at West Kilbride this week then CLICK HERE

Thanks go to Haggs Castle's Jennifer Mack for the photos taken on the final day

Medal 10 - Douglas Park

Played 17/09/2010 SSS: 72, CSS:74
Silver:
1st 92-20=72 Irene Orr
2nd 88-14=74 Jinty Halley
3rd 91-15=76 Hilary Macnaughton
Bronze:
1st 100-23=77 Hazel Hamilton
2nd 107-28=79 Pauline Vannet
3rd 108-28=80 Marion Stevenson
Scratch: Joan Gemmell 86

County Finals Day 1 at Bothwell Castle

Congratulations all round after Renfrewshire draw with Midlothians at Bothwell Castle - click to enlarge

DAY 1 RESULTS
RENFREWSHIRE 4 ½, MIDLOTHIAN 4 1/2
(Renfrewshire names first)
FOURSOMES (0-3)
Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs lost to Jane Turner and Rachael Watton 1 hole.
Donna Jackson and Alyson McKechin lost to Kirsten Blackwood and Gabrielle Macdonald 3 and 1.
Gillian Kyle and Carol Whyte lost to Karen Marshall and Wendy Nicholson 1 hole.


SINGLES (4 ½-1 ½)
Megan Briggs beat Turner 2 holes.
Eilidh Briggs beat Watton 6 and 5.
Jackson beat Kate McIntosh 3 and 1.
McKechin beat Louise Fraser 4 and 2.
Liz Stewart halved with Nicholson.
Whyte lost to Marshall 3 and 2.


DUMFRIES-SHIRE 2 ½, ANGUS 6 1/2
(Dumfries-shire names first)
FOURSOMES (1-2)
Diane MacDonald and Lindsey Kirkwood bt Ann Ramsay and Ailsa Summers 6 and 4.
Jordana Graham and Trish Lilly lost to Claire Penman and Ashley Smith 5 and 4.
Rachel Walker and Katie McCracken lost to Fiona Gilbert and Jessica Meek 3 and 2.
SINGLES (1 ½-4 ½)
MacDonald halved with Rebecca Wilson
Kirkwood lost to Penman 4 and 3.
Graham bt Ramsay 2 holes.
Walker lost to Jackie Brown 1 hole.
McCracken lost to Meek 3 and 1.
Lilly lost to Summers 3 and 2.

WEEKEND MATCHES
Spectators will be made welcome at Bothwell Castle Golf Club --- PLEASE DO COME AND SUPPORT RENFREWSHIRE
Foursomes start 9.30am; singles at 1.30pm.
SATURDAY
Midlothian v Dumfries-shire.
Renfrewshire v Angus.
SUNDAY
Dumfries-shire v Renfrewshire.
Angus v Midlothian.

To read the full report go to the Renfrewshire County Website

Greenlees Title in the Balance

Cathkin Braes Greenlees Team - click to enlarge

The Ranfurly Castle Greenlees Team faced an additional challenge getting to their final match of the season at Cathkin Braes yesterday due to a certain VIP visiting the City of Glasgow.
Despite roads being closed and one of their team staying just a 5 iron distance from Bellahouston Park the Team set off in good time to ensure punctuality!

The journey to and from the match was easy, it was the golf that proved more of a challenge.

Despite Ranfurly's best efforts in fine sunny weather with a stiff breeze the result was an 8 - 1 loss (two halved matches) against a very strong Cathkin team aiming to top the division -- 8 of their players having a single figured handicap.
Cathkin now await the completion of the last matches to see if they have won the Greenlees Trophy.
They have finished with 47.5 points and Milngavie who play Troon on the 20th September now know what they must do if they wish to retain the Trophy

To keep up todate with all the results CLICK HERE

County Finals 2010

The 2010 Scottish County Finals begin today at Bothwell Castle Golf Club.
The draw is as follows:

Friday 17 September
Renfrewshire v Midlothian 9:30am (Foursomes) & 1:30pm (Singles)
Dumfriesshire v Angus 9:52am & 2:15pm

Saturday 18 September
Midlothian v Dumfriesshire 9:30am & 1:30pm
Renfrewshire v Angus 9:52am & 2:15pm

Sunday 19 September
Dumfriesshire v Renfrewshire 9:30am & 1:30pm
Angus v Midlothian 9:52am & 2:15pm

Cathkin Braes Pair through to the Final Stages of the Daily Mail Foursomes

Nan and Jenny --- Click to enlarge

Jenny Potter and Nan Brunton have just won through to the final stages of the Daily Mail Foursomes Competition beating two ladies from Harburn Golf Club 7&5 at Cathkin this week. They are now off to Wales.

WELL DONE CATHKIN BRAES GOLF CLUB - AND GOOD LUCK NAN AND JENNY

Bev New wins the British Seniors at West Kilbride

Bev New --- The 2010 Senior Ladies' British Open Champion - Photo Courtesy of Colin Farquharson

Bev New from Lansdown, Somerset, is the new Senior British ladies’ open amateur champion.
Making her debut in the tournament after reaching the eligibility age of 50, the former Ladies European Tour player who won the English title and Curtis Cup honours as an amateur, shot the low round of the championship today to come through to snatch victory from joint fifth overnight, four shots off the pace.
Bev had rounds of 78, 84 and 73 for 19 over par 235 – scores that reflect how bad the conditions were for much of the three days of the championship.
The over-20mph wind of the first day returned, increasing in intensity from noon.
New, who had been joint first-round leader on 78 with Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool, packed four birdies into her brilliant, wind-cheating final round.
Bev said she had come to Scotland with no great expectations and was genuinely surprised at how well she had done.
She thought the weather over the three days was the worst she had ever played in but despite that she had enjoyed the week tremendously ... "Fantastic" was how she summed up her victory.
"Everything in my game just fell into place in the final day, the driving, the approach shots, the putting. It all came together to help me put together a 73."
"I don't know if this victory will make me go out and play more golf ... I just don't have the time. Maybe it will. I'll certainly defend the title in Northern Ireland next year.
SENIOR BRITISH WOMEN’S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
West Kilbride GC, North Ayrshire.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) CSS 77 77 75
235 Bev New (Lansdown) 78 84 73.
236 Pat Doran (Donabate) 81 81 74.
238 Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) 81 80 77, Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool) 78 80 81.
240 Helen Jones (Strabane) 80 79 81.
241 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 83 80 78, Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) 84 79 78.
242 Felicity Chrstine (Banstead Downs) 83 85 74, Caroline Marron (Bromborough) 82 77 83.
243 Sandy Woodruff (US) 84 81 78, Susan Dye (Delamere Forest) 85 80 78, Sheena McElroy (Grange) 81 82 80.
244 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 81 86 77, Heather Anderson (Blairgowrie) 83 81 80, Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 85 78 81, Helene Maxe (Swe) 88 75 81, Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest) 81 81 82.
247 Mary Smith (Tain) 84 84 79, Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) 84 83 80.
248 Alison Murdoch (Can) 86 84 78, Fiona de Vries (St Rule) 84 83 81.
249 Chris Utermarck (Ger) 89 81 79, Loree McKay (US) 86 83 80, Jean O’Connor (Newport Gwent) 84 79 86.
250 Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 91 82 77, Valerie Hassett (Ennis) 85 85 80, Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) 83 86 81.
251 Jane Rees (Hendon) 89 81 81, Else Kalstad (Den) 87 81 83.
252 Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) 85 86 81, Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) 84
83 85.
253 Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock) 80 92 81.
254 Annie Gowing (Frilford Heath) 90 81 83, Diane Williams (Can) 86 80 88.
255 Sigrid Johannesen (Den) 88 85 82.
256 Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) 86 87 83, Margaret Tough (Falkirk) 88 85 83, Minna Kaarnalahti (Fin) 83 85 88..
257 May Hughes (Lanark) 83 90 84, Catherine Garrett (West Kilbride) 87 82 88.
258 Marion Kaufmann (Ger) 87 84 87.
259 Gill Snelson (Branston) 88 81 90.
Retired: Janet Doleman (Rushcliffe) 84 86 ret.
AGE GROUP PRIZEWINNERS
50 to 54 years – Helen Jones.
55 to 59 years – Rozalyn Adams (better last six holes over Lorna Bennett).
60 to 64 years – Sandy Woodruff.
Over 65 years – Valerie Hassett.
Best 18 holes (73) – Bev New.

British Seniors Final Day - Live Scoring

CLICK HERE TO GET LIVE SCORING AT WEST KILBRIDE

Missed viewing the photographs and short video taken on Day 1 in the storm the CLICK HERE

Kilmacolm Excile Maureen Richmond still leads the British Strokeplay Championship at West Kilbride

Maureen Richmond - Photo Courtesy of Cal Carson Agency --- Click to enlarge

Kilmacolm exile Maureen Richmond, a Curtis Cup player, British and Scottish girls champion in her youth and now a GP at Wallasey, is one good round away from adding to a glittering golfing CV that has been virtually dormant since she became a GP several decades ago.
At the end of a long, long day – the start of play was delayed 2hr 15min until 45mph early-morning winds abated – Dr Richmond and her playing partners finished their second rounds almost in darkness at 7.45pm.
Maureen added an 80 to her opening round of 78 and her 36-hole tally of 158 gives her a one-stroke lead from England’s Caroline Marron (Bromborough), recent winner of the English seniors’ stroke-play title, and Ireland’s Helen Jones (Strabane), winner last week by six strokes of the Irish senior women’s open amateur championship.
Caroline had a 77 and Helen a 79, both for 159.
Defending champion Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) is by no means out of the hunt. She had an 80 for 161 and is only three shots off the pace.
The field was cut to 40 and ties for tomorrow’s final round. Players had to have two-round aggregates of 173 or better to survive.
“I had a very poor putting round,” said Maureen Richmond. “I missed too many putts of around three to four feet.”
She had a double bogey 7 at the long seventh and bogeys at the first, second, fifth, 10th, 12th and 18th in halves of 41 (five over par) and 39 (three over).
Although the conditions were easier than was the case for the first round, players were still buffeted around by a wind of around 20mph.
Caroline Marron’s 77 included birdies at the sixth and 13th in halves of 38 and 39.
Helen Jones had halves of 40 and 39.
Other Scots in the picture after 36 holes are Ladybank’s European seniors team hero Lorna Bennett with a 79 for 163 and Blairgowrie’s Heather Anderson with an 81 for 164.
“I just played solidly,” said Lorna. “Nothing spectacular. Just kept going.”
Heather was drifting out of the top 20 when she reached the turn in 43 but she came back in 38, good going in the conditions, to salvage an 81.

SECOND ROUND (end of play
Par 144 (2x72). CSS 77 tbc

158 Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool) 78 80.
159 Caroline Marron (Bromborough) 82 77, Helen Jones (Strabane) 80 79.
161 Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) 81 80.
162 Pat Doran (Donabate) 81 81, Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest) 81 81. Bev New (Lansdown) 78 84.
Other Scots:
163 Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) 84 79, .
164 Heather Anderson (Blairgowrie) 83 1.
167 Fiona De Vries (St Rule) 84 83, Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) 84 83,
168 Mary Smith (Tain) 84 84,
169 Catherine Garrett (West Kilbride) 87 82, Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) 83 86.
170 Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) 86 87,
171 Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) 85 86.
173 Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 91 82, Margaret Tough (Falkirk) 88 85, May Hughes (Lanark) 83 90.
MISSED THE CUT
174 Janice Paterson (Drumpellier) 89 85, Anne Ryan (Tain) 82 92.
175 Anna Telfer (Milngavie) 90 85,
176 Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 92 84..
177 Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 94 83,
178 Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) 90 88.
183 Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) 93 90, Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 86 97..
NR Ruth Brown (Lothianburn) 98 NR.

Last gasp Greenlees joy for Prestwick St Nicholas ladies

The Prestwick St Nicholas Greenlees team began their match against Lanark in Division 2 knowing that a 7.5 - 1.5 win or better would see them snatch the title from leaders Whitecraigs To read the full match report go to the AYRSHIRE WEBSITE

Thanks go to Alisdair Malcolm (Catherine's Husband) who runs this Website for the up todate report

Play will resume at 10:15 at West Kilbride

The winds were even stronger at West Kilbride this morning than they were yesterday. But they dropped sufficiently for play in the second round to start at 10.15am - a delay of 2hr 15min from the scheduled time.
That means the last players will not tee off until 3.45pm.
There will be a cut to the leading 40 players and ties at the end of the second round.
"We had a test of the conditions early this morning and the balls were being blown off the greens, but now the wind has dropped enough for us to start play for the day at 10.15am," said Tournament Director Susan Simpson after a second course/wind inspection after 9.30am.


REVISED TIMES FOR DAY 2

Winds are even worse today - Delay on Play at West Kilbride

GOLF ADVISORY
DAVID BEGG SPORTS
COLIN FARQUHARSON
07943 758031
 
Wild winds continue at West Kilbride, start of second round delayed - another inspection of condtions at 10am

The winds are even stronger at West Kilbride this morning (Wednesday) than they were yesterday!
The start of the second round in the Senior British women's open amateur championship has been delayed from 8am as scheduled to 10am.
"We will have another look at the situation then," said Tournament Director Susan Simpson.
"We had a test of the conditions early this morning and the balls were being blown off the greens."
If the decision is made to call of play today, the championship will be reduced to 36 holes with everybody playing in the second and last round on Thursday.

Senior Ladies Weather the Storm at West Kilbride

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Eight Scots in the leading 20 of the Senior British women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship at the end of a storm-lashed day at West Kilbride was a good effort on the part of the home brigade.
Winds of up to 50mph … lashing rain … a hailstorm … it was all there in North Ayrshire. But the over-50 female golfers are made of stern stuff.
Portaloos out on the course were blown over (fortunately no one in them at the time).
A scoreboard came crashing down when the support legs simply sheered off due to the force of the wind.
Umbrellas were either blown to bits or last seen heading for Northern Ireland.
The clubhouse was awash with horror stories from happenings out on the course. The Canadian who finished second in the Irish seniors open last week required 97 shots to get round, including an 11 at the third and an 8 at the 10th.
Yet there was never any suggestion that the Ladies Golf Union would show some mercy and call the players in. The course was never flooded and remained open. The balls were never oscillating despite the gale. Let the show go on.
And from a field of 90 players there nil No Returns and only one retirement.
Well done, girls!
At the end of day that was more like January than mid-September, Kilmacolm exile Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool), pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and another former Curtis Cup player, Bev New from Somerset were the only two players to break 80.
They go into the second of three rounds sharing the pole position on six-over-par 78, one over the CSS (Reduction only).
Dr Richmond, a GP at Wallasey, is better remembered as Mo Walker, the teenager who won Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy honours, the British Girls Championship and three Scottish girls titles – and then, at the age of 19 entered medicine, virtually ringing down the curtain on what could have been a fabulous golf career.
“I only play in one big event a year – this one,” said 55-year-old Maureen. “I just can’t take time off from being a GP.
“How did I get it round in 78? In weather as bad as this you just have to get your head down and make the best of it. No point in feeling sorry for yourself. Just get on with it. And it helped that I am still pretty long off the tee.”
The other Scots who did well were Tain’s Anne Ryan, joint 10th with an 82, Heather Anderson (Blairgowrie), Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) and May Hughes (Lanark), joint 12th on 83, and Lorna Bennett (Ladybank), Mary Smith (Tain), Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) and Fiona De Vries (St Rule), sharing 19th position.

SENIOR BRITISH WOMEN’S OPEN LEADING SCORES
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
West Kilbride Golf Club, North Ayrshire

FIRST ROUND (end of play scores)
Par 72. Yardage: 5,849
78 Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool), Bev New (Lansdown).
80 Helen Jones (Strabane), Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock).
81 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool), Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen), Sheena McElroy (Grange), Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest), Pat Doran (Donabate).
82 Anne Ryan (Tain), Caroline Marron (Bromborough).

Other Scots:
83 Heather Anderson (Blairgowrie), Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies), May Hughes (Lanark
84 Lorna Bennett (Ladybank), Mary Smith (Tain), Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies), Fiona De Vries (St Rule),Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch).
86 Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh), Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay),
87 Catherine Garrett (West Kilbride),
88 Margaret Tough (Falkirk)
89 Janice Paterson (Drumpellier).
90 Anna Telfer (Milngavie), Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle).
91 Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie).
92 Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park)
93 Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar), Lorraine Campbell (Cardross),
94 Helen Faulds (Douglas Park).
96 Ruth Brown (Lothianburn)
Retired: Pamela Willamson (Baberton).
+Field cut to leading 40 and ties after Round 2.

To read more go to the LGU Website

Click on the small thumbnail to see some photos from today's play

The 2010 Ladies British Senior Open Championship

Here was the weather in West Kilbride today

SCOTLAND-ENGLAND SCHOOLS MATCH ABANDONED

The Scotland Schools Golf Association team for today's match against the England schools at Fairhaven. Image by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography. Click on it to enlarge.

The one-day Scotland v England Annual Schools Golf International at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire today was abandoned after the morning foursomes because of the high winds and rain.
England had led 3-0 at the end of the girls' foursomes

ENGLAND GIRLS 3, SCOTLAND GIRLS 0
Bronwyn Davies and Amber Radcliffe beat Rachael Watton and Eilidh Briggs 3 and 2.
Alice Hewson and Rebecca Heeles beat Lesley Atkins and Alyson McKechin 6 and 4.
Ellie Goodall and Meghan MacLaren beat Hannah McCook and Gabrielle Macdonald 5 and

D & A JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 -- Winner Jorden Ferrie has a Hole in One

The D&A Junior Championship took place on a sunny but windy day at Kirkintilloch Golf Course on Sunday 12th September 2010.

The biggest excitement of the day was a HOLE-IN-ONE by Jorden Ferrie with a six iron at the 150yd par 3 8th hole!!

SSS 72 CSS 73
D. & A. JUNIOR CHAMPION & WINNER of THE ARGYLL & BUTE CLARET CUP (Best Scratch) --- JORDEN FERRIE (Kirkintilloch) 79
Runner up : Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) 89

COWAN CUP (Handicap)
WINNER : ROBYN MICHIE (Milngavie) 102-23-79
Runner up : Megan Duff (Hilton Park) 100-20-80

Draw for the 1st Round of the British Seniors

Click Here for the draw for the British Seniors Strokeplay which begins tomorrow at West Kilbride Golf Club

Lanarkshire September Spoon

The Lanarkshire September Spoon was played on a dry day today over Mount Ellen. The course was in good condition and the food was very good.
The winner of the silver division and of the Centenary Rosebowl was Adelia McEwan , Hayston, with a net 67 . Adelia won the Centenary Trophy earlier in the year in her first County Competition. Today was her second County Competition.
Lesley Lloyd had the lowest scratch score.
Jean Macintyre won the bronze division and Jean Allan won the breast cancer nearest the pin at the 11th.

Results:
SSS: 69 CSS: 71
Silver
Adelia McEwan 80 (12) 67
Anne Lloyd 82 (12) 70 acb
Marie McConnell 88(18) 70
Lesley Lloyd 73 (1) 72
Bronze
Jean Macintyre 102 (25) 77

Louise Kenney and partner Paul Shields win the 2010 Scottish Mixed Foursomes

Paul Shields and Louise Kenney --- The 2010 Scottish Mixed Foursomes Champions - Click to enlarge

All the Prizewinners - Click to enlarge


WOS Prizewinners From L to R: Gregg Sommerville, Clare- Marie Carlton, Gavin Mack, Jennifer Mack, David Boyd, Eva Thomson, Gillian Kyle and Craig Watson

The Scottish Mixed Foursomes was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club today. Just back from the Home Internationals in Cardiff after the fantastic win by the Scots, Internationalist Louise Kenney was able to maintain form and with partner Paul Shields won the Championship with a Gross 71 by 2 shots.

Haggs Castle Lady Captain Jennifer Mack and son Gavin playing off a combined handicap of 4.5 won the 2nd Scratch Prize by virtue of the better inward half with a gross 73 from past Scottish Mixed Champions Karen and Stephen Marshall of Baberton. Jennifer and Gavin's net score of 68.5 was the best of the day.

Eva Carmichael and David Boyd from East Renfrewshire won 1st Handicap Prize with a net 70.5

Prizewinners:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 71
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) and Gavin Mack (Prestwick) 73 bih
Karen Marshall and Stephen Marshall (Baberton) 73
Louise Fraser and David Marshall (Kingsknowe) 74 bih

Handicap :
Eva Carmichael and David Boyd (East Renfrewshire) 76 (5.5) 70.5
Gillian Kyle and Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) 74 (2) 72
Tricia Chillas and Sandy Quinn (Stirling) 78 (6) 72
Clare -Marie Carlton (Fereneze) and Gregg Sommerville (Playsport) 79 (6.5) 72.5