Carnoustie teenager Jessica Meek is the leading Scot after two rounds of the Welsh women's open amateur championship at Ashburnham GC on the South Wales coast.
Jessica shot rounds of 78 and 75 for a tally of five-over-par 153 over the par-74 course to be sharing ninth place with Amy Boulden (Conwy), the Welsh Curtis Cup player who won last weekend's Helen Holm Scottish stroke-play title at Troon.
Former Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) will start Sunday's final round in 14th place after scores of 77 and 78 for 155 - one shot ahead of Alford's Laura Murray (79-77).
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) scored 77-81 for a share of 19th place on 158.
Bringing up the rear for the Scots were Rachel Walker (Dumfries&County) (79-82) and Clara Young (North Berwick) (77-84) on 161.
Leading the field is Welsh Junior Vagliano Trophy player Chloe Williams (Wrexham) with scores of 74 and 73 for 147.
SECOND-ROUND LEADING TOTALS
Par 148 (2x74)
147 Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 74 73
148 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 73 75.
150 Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) 80 70, Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 76 74.
151 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 76 75.
152 Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 75 77, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 74 78.
153 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 78 75, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 75 78, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie) 78 75.
154 Lauren Hillier (Newport) 79 75, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 76.
OTHER SCOTS SCORES
155 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 77 78 (14th)
156 Laura Murray (Alford) 79 77 (T15)
158 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 77 81 (T19)
161 Rachel Walker (Dumfries&Co) 79 82, Clara Young (North Berwick) 77 84
Ladies Golf News in Scotland, the West of Scotland and Renfrewshire
Saturday 5 May 2012
CARLY BOOTH WINS THE LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN
FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
By BETHAN CUTLER, LET Media Manager
Perthshire teenager Carly Booth pulled away from a jammed leader board to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland on a glorious final day at Archerfield Links in East Lothian.
The 19-year-old from Comrie fired rounds of 70, 71 and 71 to end on a total of four under par 212, having played through near-freezing conditions earlier in the week. She ended a stroke clear of England’s Florentyna Parker and Australian Frances Bondad.
Parker had a chance to force a play-off with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole but missed it. Booth secured her par and with it, her maiden Ladies European Tour victory.
“I’m still 19 and I’ve just won my first Ladies European Tour event so I’m just happy,” said Booth. “It would especially make my day if Liverpool win!”
Booth came into the round tied for the lead with Parker and Stacy Lee Bregman and played the front nine in level par with two birdies against two bogeys.
She took the outright lead with a birdie at the 11th but Parker birdied the 12th to catch her, before an unexpected swing at the par-four 16th.
Booth rescued a fantastic par after driving the ball into the rough right of the fairway but followed with a skilful 30 yard pitch-and-run shot to within five feet of the flag and holed it.
Parker, meanwhile, who had split the fairway with her drive and played her second to the green, rushed her first putt past the hole and missed the return resulting in a dropped shot.
It was then Booth’s to lose and she made another great save at the 17th before making par from out of a bunker short of the green at the last.
“It was only about two feet and I only just got it in the hole. I must have just felt the nerves there. I was fine all the way up until that putt, put it that way. I just didn’t feel anything until I holed that putt because I realised, ‘This is it!’
“It stopped at least for a second and I thought it was going to come up short. It was like the longest two foot putt I’ve ever had to hole,” Booth said.
Barry Hume, who effectively retired from playing on the men’s European Tour recently, was on caddie duties for the second successive year at the event and predicted that the 19-year-old would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
“She’s barely scratched the surface of her potential. I think this will be the first of many wins,” Hume said.
After narrowly missing out on finishing in the top 30 places at Ladies European Tour Qualifying School for the 2012 season, Booth had received an invitation to play in the tournament from her sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management.
She will now receive a full winner’s exemption to play on the Ladies European Tour until the end of 2014 and has also stamped her place at the lucrative Evian Masters tournament in July, the Ricoh Women’s British Open taking place at Royal Liverpool in September and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open next year.
Destined for stardom from a young age (she had a handicap of 20 when she was only seven years old), the precocious teen was the youngest ever club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New and number one junior in Europe in 2007, the same year she lifted the Scottish Under-18 and Under-21 titles.
In 2008, she was the youngest ever player to represent Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup at St Andrews.
After one of her early defeats, her father, Wally, built a huge practice bunker on the 15-hole golf course in their Perthshire garden and she said that it had proved useful, as she had faced four of the most difficult bunker shots of her career during the week at Archerfield Links.
As a professional, she was one of the youngest players ever to join the Ladies European Tour when she joined aged 17 in January 2010 and having struggled in her early career, a breakout moment came a fortnight ago with her maiden professional win at the Dinard Ladies Open on the LET Access Series in France, which gave her the belief needed to push through her first win on the top-flight tour.
While Booth was all smiles, England’s Trish Johnson, who ended in three-way share of fourth place on two under with Australian Stacey Keating and Melissa Reid, was still smarting from what could have been her 22nd career victory.
Johnson had a chance to steal the limelight as she was seven under par for the day after 11 holes, but came unstuck on the back nine.
At the 14th, she hit a flyer into a gorse bush over the back of the green and had to take a penalty drop. Despite escaping with a bogey, she then dropped shots at the 16th and 18th holes, ending her chances.
She was playing with the 2011 event champion Catriona Matthew, who ended in a share of 20th position and felt that she played well, but had too many loose shots over the first two days to launch a fight back.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
212 Carly Booth (SCO) 70 71 71
213 Florentyna Parker (ENG) 72 69 72, Frances Bondad (AUS) 71 75 67
214 Trish Johnson (ENG) 71 75 68, Stacey Keating (AUS) 73 72 69, Melissa Reid (ENG) 70 74 70
215 Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 73 72 70
216 Becky Morgan (WAL) 74 70 72, Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 72 75 69
217 Diana Luna (ITA) 70 73 74, Kylie Walker (SCO) 74 74 69, Cassandra Kirkland (FRA) 71 76 70, Virginie Lagoutte-clement (FRA) 74 74 69, Lee-Anne Pace (SAF) 70 74 73
218 Caroline Masson (GER) 74 73 71, Kiran Matharu (ENG) 73 75 70, Sarah Kemp (AUS) 69 76 73, Karen Lunn (AUS) 74 71 73, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 67 76 75
219 Margherita Rigon (ITA) 75 71 73, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 74 74 71, Catriona Matthew (SCO) 74 72 73, Stacy Lee Bregman (ZAF) 71 70 78
220 Carin Koch (SWE) 77 72 71, Tania Elosegui (ESP) 76 72 72, Georgina Simpson (ENG) 73 76 71, Giulia Sergas (ITA) 75 73 72, Felicity Johnson (ENG) 74 71 75, Tara Davies (WAL) 70 72 78, Vikki Laing (SCO) 76 72 72, Elizabeth Bennett (ENG) 73 71 76
221 Louise Larsson (SWE) 76 72 73, Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 71 75 75, Bree Arthur (AUS) 73 75 73, Sophie Walker (ENG) 76 72 73, Louise Stahle (SWE) 76 73 72, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 74 73 74
222 Hannah Jun (USA) 69 79 74
223 Lynn Kenny (SCO) 70 77 76, Lucie Andre (FRA) 75 75 73, Caroline Afonso (FRA) 72 76 75, Danielle Montgomery (ENG) 74 74 75, Helen Alfredsson (SWE) 70 75 78
224 Laura Davies (ENG) 74 70 80, Rebecca Codd (IRL) 70 75 79, Rebecca Hudson (ENG) 73 72 79, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 72 76 76, Becky Brewerton (WAL) 74 74 76
225 Rachel Jennings (ENG) 73 75 77
226 Heather MacRae (SCO) 72 75 79
228 Lindsey Wright (AUS) 75 75 78
By BETHAN CUTLER, LET Media Manager
Perthshire teenager Carly Booth pulled away from a jammed leader board to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland on a glorious final day at Archerfield Links in East Lothian.
The 19-year-old from Comrie fired rounds of 70, 71 and 71 to end on a total of four under par 212, having played through near-freezing conditions earlier in the week. She ended a stroke clear of England’s Florentyna Parker and Australian Frances Bondad.
Parker had a chance to force a play-off with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole but missed it. Booth secured her par and with it, her maiden Ladies European Tour victory.
“I’m still 19 and I’ve just won my first Ladies European Tour event so I’m just happy,” said Booth. “It would especially make my day if Liverpool win!”
Booth came into the round tied for the lead with Parker and Stacy Lee Bregman and played the front nine in level par with two birdies against two bogeys.
She took the outright lead with a birdie at the 11th but Parker birdied the 12th to catch her, before an unexpected swing at the par-four 16th.
Booth rescued a fantastic par after driving the ball into the rough right of the fairway but followed with a skilful 30 yard pitch-and-run shot to within five feet of the flag and holed it.
Parker, meanwhile, who had split the fairway with her drive and played her second to the green, rushed her first putt past the hole and missed the return resulting in a dropped shot.
It was then Booth’s to lose and she made another great save at the 17th before making par from out of a bunker short of the green at the last.
“It was only about two feet and I only just got it in the hole. I must have just felt the nerves there. I was fine all the way up until that putt, put it that way. I just didn’t feel anything until I holed that putt because I realised, ‘This is it!’
“It stopped at least for a second and I thought it was going to come up short. It was like the longest two foot putt I’ve ever had to hole,” Booth said.
Barry Hume, who effectively retired from playing on the men’s European Tour recently, was on caddie duties for the second successive year at the event and predicted that the 19-year-old would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
“She’s barely scratched the surface of her potential. I think this will be the first of many wins,” Hume said.
After narrowly missing out on finishing in the top 30 places at Ladies European Tour Qualifying School for the 2012 season, Booth had received an invitation to play in the tournament from her sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management.
She will now receive a full winner’s exemption to play on the Ladies European Tour until the end of 2014 and has also stamped her place at the lucrative Evian Masters tournament in July, the Ricoh Women’s British Open taking place at Royal Liverpool in September and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open next year.
Destined for stardom from a young age (she had a handicap of 20 when she was only seven years old), the precocious teen was the youngest ever club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New and number one junior in Europe in 2007, the same year she lifted the Scottish Under-18 and Under-21 titles.
In 2008, she was the youngest ever player to represent Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup at St Andrews.
After one of her early defeats, her father, Wally, built a huge practice bunker on the 15-hole golf course in their Perthshire garden and she said that it had proved useful, as she had faced four of the most difficult bunker shots of her career during the week at Archerfield Links.
As a professional, she was one of the youngest players ever to join the Ladies European Tour when she joined aged 17 in January 2010 and having struggled in her early career, a breakout moment came a fortnight ago with her maiden professional win at the Dinard Ladies Open on the LET Access Series in France, which gave her the belief needed to push through her first win on the top-flight tour.
While Booth was all smiles, England’s Trish Johnson, who ended in three-way share of fourth place on two under with Australian Stacey Keating and Melissa Reid, was still smarting from what could have been her 22nd career victory.
Johnson had a chance to steal the limelight as she was seven under par for the day after 11 holes, but came unstuck on the back nine.
At the 14th, she hit a flyer into a gorse bush over the back of the green and had to take a penalty drop. Despite escaping with a bogey, she then dropped shots at the 16th and 18th holes, ending her chances.
She was playing with the 2011 event champion Catriona Matthew, who ended in a share of 20th position and felt that she played well, but had too many loose shots over the first two days to launch a fight back.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
212 Carly Booth (SCO) 70 71 71
213 Florentyna Parker (ENG) 72 69 72, Frances Bondad (AUS) 71 75 67
214 Trish Johnson (ENG) 71 75 68, Stacey Keating (AUS) 73 72 69, Melissa Reid (ENG) 70 74 70
215 Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 73 72 70
216 Becky Morgan (WAL) 74 70 72, Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 72 75 69
217 Diana Luna (ITA) 70 73 74, Kylie Walker (SCO) 74 74 69, Cassandra Kirkland (FRA) 71 76 70, Virginie Lagoutte-clement (FRA) 74 74 69, Lee-Anne Pace (SAF) 70 74 73
218 Caroline Masson (GER) 74 73 71, Kiran Matharu (ENG) 73 75 70, Sarah Kemp (AUS) 69 76 73, Karen Lunn (AUS) 74 71 73, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 67 76 75
219 Margherita Rigon (ITA) 75 71 73, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 74 74 71, Catriona Matthew (SCO) 74 72 73, Stacy Lee Bregman (ZAF) 71 70 78
220 Carin Koch (SWE) 77 72 71, Tania Elosegui (ESP) 76 72 72, Georgina Simpson (ENG) 73 76 71, Giulia Sergas (ITA) 75 73 72, Felicity Johnson (ENG) 74 71 75, Tara Davies (WAL) 70 72 78, Vikki Laing (SCO) 76 72 72, Elizabeth Bennett (ENG) 73 71 76
221 Louise Larsson (SWE) 76 72 73, Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 71 75 75, Bree Arthur (AUS) 73 75 73, Sophie Walker (ENG) 76 72 73, Louise Stahle (SWE) 76 73 72, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 74 73 74
222 Hannah Jun (USA) 69 79 74
223 Lynn Kenny (SCO) 70 77 76, Lucie Andre (FRA) 75 75 73, Caroline Afonso (FRA) 72 76 75, Danielle Montgomery (ENG) 74 74 75, Helen Alfredsson (SWE) 70 75 78
224 Laura Davies (ENG) 74 70 80, Rebecca Codd (IRL) 70 75 79, Rebecca Hudson (ENG) 73 72 79, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 72 76 76, Becky Brewerton (WAL) 74 74 76
225 Rachel Jennings (ENG) 73 75 77
226 Heather MacRae (SCO) 72 75 79
228 Lindsey Wright (AUS) 75 75 78
Friday 4 May 2012
WEST OF SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP - STARTING TIMES
The West of Scotland Championships are being held at Renfrew Golf Club on Sunday 6th May . Here is a list of the all the starting times
TIME
|
NAME
|
CLUB
|
8.37/1.37
|
Eilidh Briggs
|
Kilmacolm
|
Patricia Davidson
|
n Erskine
| |
8.45/1.45
|
Liz Stewart
|
Greenburn
|
Nichola Fergusson
|
Clober
| |
8.52/1.52
|
Linsey Stevenson
|
Elie & Earlsferry
|
Ruth Rankin
|
Lanark
| |
Jenny Linklater
|
Largs
| |
9.00/2.00
|
Donna Jackson
|
Cochrane Castle
|
Gillian Kyle
|
East Renfrewshire
| |
Emma Hale
|
Troon Ladies
| |
9.07/2.07
|
Carol Whyte
|
Windyhill
|
Mhairi McKay
|
West Kilbride
| |
Lesley Lloyd
|
Hayston
| |
9.15/2.15
|
Laura McGeachy
|
Windyhill
|
Denise Cowan
|
Ranfurly Castle
| |
Lorraine Campbell
|
Cardross
| |
9.22/2.22
|
Angela Devine
|
Hamilton
|
Susan McGrenaghan
|
Mount Ellen
| |
Gillian Arnott
|
Largs
| |
9.30/2.30
|
Lorraine Morrow
|
Eastwood
|
Hazel McGarvie
|
Troon Ladies
| |
May Hughes
|
Lanark
| |
9.37/2.37
|
Eva O’Connor
|
Bothwell Castle
|
Iona Stephen
|
Ranfurly Castle
| |
Lindsey Mathie
|
Windyhill
| |
9.45/2.45
|
Alexandra Qayum
|
Ranfurly Castle
|
Ellie Bryce
|
Strathaven
| |
Paula McArthur
|
Cathkin Braes
| |
| CLICK HERE TO GET THE STARTING SHEET | ||
Gillian Hendry has a Hole in one at Douglas Park
At the Coronation Foursomes at Douglas Park Golf Club this morning Past Captain Gillian Hendry had a hole in one at the 17th Hole.She hit an excellent 8 iron into the green and as you see was delighted to retrieve her ball out of the hole.
This is Gillian's 2nd Hole in One.
Thanks go to Maggie Rutherford for the photo.
Thursday 3 May 2012
CURTIS CUP CENTENARIAN PHYL WYLIE HAS HAD A FALL
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Hopes that Troon-based centenarian Phyllis Wylie, the oldest surviving Curtis Cup player on either side of the Atlantic, would be well enough to be taken on even a day trip to Nairn during the week of the June 8-10 match against the United States have receded.
Essex-born Phyl (Wade) Wylie, whose husband, a Scot, Surgeon-Capt J L Wylie, died many years ago, lives in a big house opposite the 17th hole at Royal Troon Golf Club. She had a fall recently and is now in hospital.
Ladies Golf Union chief executive and herself a Troon resident, Shona Malcolm said:
"While we would love to have Phyl with us in Nairn, it seems unlikely that she'll be able to make the trip. She is currently in the Biggart Hospital in Prestwick, convalescing after a recent fall in her home.
"She is, however, extremely interested in what's going on and I know some of the ladies from her golf club in Troon were taking her Curtis Cup badges and golf results from last weekend's Helen Holm tournament. Everyone involved in the Curtis Cup wishes Phyl a speedy recovery."
As Phyl Wade she was English champion in 1934 and played in the six-a-side Curtis Cup match of 1938 at Essex County Club, near Boston, Massachusetts - the home club of the Curtis sisters who donated the trophy.
Phyl's GB&I team-mates were Jessie Anderson (Valentine), Helen Holm, Nan Baird, Elsie Corlett and Claire Tiernan.
GB&I led 2 1/2-1/2 at the end of the first day but lost five of the six singles on the secodn day and the Americans, whose team included names such as Patty Berg and Glenna Collett Vare, won 5 1/2-3 1/2.
Phyl was married in 1939 and she and her husband set up home at Stewarton, Ayrshire.
Phyl became a member of Troon Ladies and the Ayrshire women's county team for many post-war years. She won the county title in 1954, beating Helen Holm in the final. Mrs Wylie has been captain and present of the country over the years and is an honorary member of Troon Ladies and her original club, Parkstone, near Bournemouth.
Phyl was a guest of honour at St Andrews during the 2008 match played over the Old Course and met up with other past Curtis Cup players - of a different vintage - to have lunch in the R&A clubhouse. Her biggest thrill was holding the Curtis Cup trophy after all these years (that's the picture above).
She will celebrate her 101st birthday in August. Last year the Troon Ladies club put on a special 100th birthday party for her in the clubhouse.
+Make it your good deed for the day: Why not sent Phyl a "Get Well" card at Biggart Hospital? I'm sure she would be pleased that people still remember her.
The postal address is: Biggart Hospital, 1 Biggart Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 2HQ
The postal address is: Biggart Hospital, 1 Biggart Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 2HQ
Wednesday 2 May 2012
RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY FOURSOMES OVER ELDERSLIE
 |
| Fiona Roger and Carol Fell - Best Net Score of the day |
 |
| Liz Stewart and Donna Jackson - Best Scratch Score |
County Team players Liz Stewart and Donna Jackson had the best score of the day with a 76 (4 over the par 72 ).
 |
| Anne Judge and Sally Smyth - Runners Up |
Fiona and Carol had the overall best net score of the day -- 70.5 to be the winners of today's event -- Unfortunately they are both disappointed that they are unavailable to progress to either the Inter County Finals at Hamilton due to Curtis Cup Commitments or the Commonwealth Spoon finals due to another engagement in September.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE GROSS SCORES
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE NET SCORES
RENFREWSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION - COUNTY FOURSOMES PLAYED OVER ELDERSLIE 2nd May 2012 -- ENTRANTS: 41 couples
Scratch:
1st: Liz Stewart (2) and Donna Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76
2nd: Carol Fell (10) and Fiona Roger (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 acb
3rd: Anne Judge (8) and Sally Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82
Handicap :
1st: Carol Fell (10) and Fiona Roger (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 11.5 70.5
2nd: Anne Judge (8) and Sally Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 10.5 71.5
3rd: Morag Key (10) and Anita McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 13 73 acb
The following qualify to play (that are available) in the Inter County Foursomes Finals on 11th June 2012 at Hamilton.
Scratch Finalists :
1. L Stewart (2) and D Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76
2. A Judge (8) and S Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82
3. N Henderson (5) and J Mack (6) Haggs Castle 83
Handicap Finalists:
1. M Key (10) and A McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 – 13 – 73 acb
2. L Snodgrass (19) and J Irvine (20) Ranfurly Castle 93 – 20 - 73
3. L Wilson (13) and M Robin (21) Elderslie 92 – 17 – 75 acb
The following qualify to play (that are available) in the Commonwealth Spoons on 13th September 2012 at Powfoot .
1. A Judge (8) and S Smyth (13) Ranfurly Castle 82 – 10.5 – 71.5
2. M Key (10) and A McMillan (16) Ralston / Erskine 86 – 13 – 73 acb
3. L Snodgrass (19) and J Irvine (20) Ranfurly Castle 93 – 20 - 73
4. L Stewart (2) and D Jackson (3) Greenburn/Cochrane Castle 76 – 2.5 – 73.5
Sunday 29 April 2012
Renfrewshire County Medal over Ranfurly Castle
 |
| Carol Whyte (Windyhill) |
In exceedingly testing conditions with a strong cold east wind, difficult pin positions and fast greens all the field found it to be a bit of a struggle !
 |
| Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) |
Carol, was the only player to break 80 and her score of 79 was the best gross score and her 74 playing off a handicap of 5 was the best net score of the day. She had the best gross score by 4 shots from Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood Golf Club) who had an 83.
Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) and Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) had the next best net scores with 76's
 |
| Agnes Williamson (Ranfurly Castle) |
Agnes Williamson was the winner of the handicap 13 and upwards group with a net 77 playing off a handicap of 19
Scratch : Carol Whyte (Windyhill) 79
Scratch - 12 handicap
Carol Whyte (Windyhill ) 79 (5) 74
Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle ) 86 (10) 76 bih
Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) 86 (7) 76
13 - 24 handicap
Agnes Williamson (Ranfurly Castle) 96 (19) 77
Elaine Robb (Windyhill ) 91 (13) 78
Brenda Conway (Renfrew) 101(21) 80
SSS 73, PAR 74,CSS 76 Reduction Only
AMY BOULDEN STAGES SMASH AND GRAB VICTORY TO WIN HELEN HOLM TITLE AT TROON
Report from Colin Farquharson
Welsh teenager Amy Boulden gave herself a huge boost in the build-up to her debut Curtis Cup appearance by staging a smash and grab run over the last few holes to score the biggest win yet of her golfing career - the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon.
At seven under par with only four holes to play into a blustery and very chilly North-east wind over the Royal Troon championship links, 18-year-old Amy from Llandudo was trailing French teenager Perrine Delacour (nine under par) and toppled leader Pamela Pretswell (eight under par).
The club pro's daughter Amy birdied the long 15th, the long 16th and the short 17th to leapfrog into the lead at 10 under par. Even then the drama was not over. Boulden was on the green in two shots at the par-4 last but left her approach shot five feet short. So too did Delacour but the Parisienne holed her six-footer for a closing par 4 and a round of one-under-par 74. Final total 216 (nine under par). That put the pressure back on to Boulden. She needed to hole her five-footer for a 73 and a total fo 215 to win by a shot - and avoid a play-off. Up stepped Amy, who has the looks and the dress sense of a fashion model, to show that she has golfing guts as well. She rammed the putt in confidently. "The funny thing is that I didn't hit the ball all that well with the wind at my back on the outward nine and I missed a few short putts. But suddenly it call came together over the last four holes ... three birdies and a pressure putt holed for a par and victory," said Amy. "All that Curtis Cup practice up at the Nairn links paid off in the end."
Pamela Pretswell, leader by one shot overnight, shot four shots clear of the field with a brilliant birdie-eagle start but the Postage Stamp short eighth hole, only 118 yards long, added up to a lot of grief for Boulden's Curtis Cup team-mate from Hamilton. "I was in the worst possible place to be at this hole ... bunkered on the left on the green. I had nowhere to go. And it cost me a double bogey 5 in the end," said Pamela. By the 13th hole, Pretswell, bidding to become the first Scot to win the prestigious title since Heather Stirling in 2002, had lost her lead to Perrine Delacour, the French teenager who won the British girls open amateur title two years ago. Delacour birdied the 11th and eagled the 12th to surge first level then past Pretswell. But she could not shake off Boulden who came with that strong run on the rails down the home straight to beat the French favourite. France won the team title and runner-up Delacour won the Under-18s trophy. Alford's Laura Murray actually outscored winner Boulden over the last round but she had too much ground to make up and her three-under-par closing effort of 72 for 218 left her tied for third place with Pretswell. Laura never missed a fairway all day - some going into such a cold and blustery wind - and this was her best performance since she won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews two years ago ... beating a certain Amy Boulden in a play-off.
FINAL TOTALS First two rounds Troon Portland, Third round Royal Troon Par 225 (3x75) CSS 77 77 78
215 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 72 73
216 Perrine Delacour (France) 70 72 74
218 Laura Murray (Alford) 74 72 72, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 70 77
220 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 68 75 77, Celine Boutier (France) 71 72 77, Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 68 74 78
222 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 73 73 76 224 Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden) 72 75 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 73 73 78, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 73 71 80
225 Natalie Lowe (Styal) 81 72 72, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 71 81 73, Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 75 74, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 76 76, Chloe Ryan (Castleroy) 76 73 76 226 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 77 77, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 76 77, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 72 76 78
227 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 72 78 77 228 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74 77
229 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 74 79 76, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 75 78 76, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 77 75 77, Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 80 72 77, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 76 73 80 230 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72 79 79, Johanna Bjork (Sweden) 75 71 84
232 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 76 80, Sara Garbutt (Ganton) 78 74 80, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 74 80, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 72 76 84
233 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 71 85 77, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 77 78 78
234 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 79 77, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 78 78, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 79 79, Rachael Drummond (Beaconsfield) 76 79 79
235 Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 73 81 81, Leslie Cloots (Belgium) 75 75 85
236 Clara Young (North Berwick) 81 78 77, Emma Broze (France) 74 79 83.
237 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 81 77 79, Ariane Provot (France) 80 77 80, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 78 81, Louise Mernagh (Woodbridge) 79 77 81, Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 79 75 83, Sophie Powell (Manchester) 78 74 80
238 Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies) 79 80 79, Anna Appert Lund (Sweden) 78 80 80, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 79 78 81, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 76 82, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 77 78 83
239 Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 76 85, Elodie Bridenne (France) 80 73 86, Marthe Wold (Norway) 73 79 87
240 Katerina Slukova (Czech Rep) 75 84 81, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 81 81, Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 73 83 84, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 79 75 86
241 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 80 82, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 75 83 83, Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 77 79 85, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 76 89
242 Ellie Robinson (Wilton) 79 80 83, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 83 75 84, Nastja Banovec (Slovenia) 72 77 93.
243 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 82 84, Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 76 80 87.
246 Alexandra Moisand (France) 74 82 90.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
436 FRANCE (Perrine Delacour 216, Celine Boutier 220).
439 WALES (Amy Boulden 215, Becky Harries 224)
440 SCOTLAND (Pamela Pretswell 218, Kelsey MacDonald 222).
449 IRELAND (Leona Maguire 220, Gillian O'Leary 229)
452 ENGLAND (Holly Clyburn 226, Bronte Law 226).
UNDER-18 TROPHY - Perrine Delacour (France)
Welsh teenager Amy Boulden gave herself a huge boost in the build-up to her debut Curtis Cup appearance by staging a smash and grab run over the last few holes to score the biggest win yet of her golfing career - the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon.
At seven under par with only four holes to play into a blustery and very chilly North-east wind over the Royal Troon championship links, 18-year-old Amy from Llandudo was trailing French teenager Perrine Delacour (nine under par) and toppled leader Pamela Pretswell (eight under par).
The club pro's daughter Amy birdied the long 15th, the long 16th and the short 17th to leapfrog into the lead at 10 under par. Even then the drama was not over. Boulden was on the green in two shots at the par-4 last but left her approach shot five feet short. So too did Delacour but the Parisienne holed her six-footer for a closing par 4 and a round of one-under-par 74. Final total 216 (nine under par). That put the pressure back on to Boulden. She needed to hole her five-footer for a 73 and a total fo 215 to win by a shot - and avoid a play-off. Up stepped Amy, who has the looks and the dress sense of a fashion model, to show that she has golfing guts as well. She rammed the putt in confidently. "The funny thing is that I didn't hit the ball all that well with the wind at my back on the outward nine and I missed a few short putts. But suddenly it call came together over the last four holes ... three birdies and a pressure putt holed for a par and victory," said Amy. "All that Curtis Cup practice up at the Nairn links paid off in the end."
Pamela Pretswell, leader by one shot overnight, shot four shots clear of the field with a brilliant birdie-eagle start but the Postage Stamp short eighth hole, only 118 yards long, added up to a lot of grief for Boulden's Curtis Cup team-mate from Hamilton. "I was in the worst possible place to be at this hole ... bunkered on the left on the green. I had nowhere to go. And it cost me a double bogey 5 in the end," said Pamela. By the 13th hole, Pretswell, bidding to become the first Scot to win the prestigious title since Heather Stirling in 2002, had lost her lead to Perrine Delacour, the French teenager who won the British girls open amateur title two years ago. Delacour birdied the 11th and eagled the 12th to surge first level then past Pretswell. But she could not shake off Boulden who came with that strong run on the rails down the home straight to beat the French favourite. France won the team title and runner-up Delacour won the Under-18s trophy. Alford's Laura Murray actually outscored winner Boulden over the last round but she had too much ground to make up and her three-under-par closing effort of 72 for 218 left her tied for third place with Pretswell. Laura never missed a fairway all day - some going into such a cold and blustery wind - and this was her best performance since she won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews two years ago ... beating a certain Amy Boulden in a play-off.
FINAL TOTALS First two rounds Troon Portland, Third round Royal Troon Par 225 (3x75) CSS 77 77 78
215 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 72 73
216 Perrine Delacour (France) 70 72 74
218 Laura Murray (Alford) 74 72 72, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 70 77
220 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 68 75 77, Celine Boutier (France) 71 72 77, Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 68 74 78
222 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 73 73 76 224 Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden) 72 75 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 73 73 78, Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 73 71 80
225 Natalie Lowe (Styal) 81 72 72, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 71 81 73, Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 75 74, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 76 76, Chloe Ryan (Castleroy) 76 73 76 226 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 77 77, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 76 77, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 72 76 78
227 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 72 78 77 228 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74 77
229 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 74 79 76, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 75 78 76, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 77 75 77, Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 80 72 77, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 76 73 80 230 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72 79 79, Johanna Bjork (Sweden) 75 71 84
232 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 76 80, Sara Garbutt (Ganton) 78 74 80, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 74 80, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 72 76 84
233 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 71 85 77, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 77 78 78
234 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 79 77, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 78 78, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 79 79, Rachael Drummond (Beaconsfield) 76 79 79
235 Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 73 81 81, Leslie Cloots (Belgium) 75 75 85
236 Clara Young (North Berwick) 81 78 77, Emma Broze (France) 74 79 83.
237 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 81 77 79, Ariane Provot (France) 80 77 80, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 78 81, Louise Mernagh (Woodbridge) 79 77 81, Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 79 75 83, Sophie Powell (Manchester) 78 74 80
238 Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies) 79 80 79, Anna Appert Lund (Sweden) 78 80 80, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 79 78 81, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 76 82, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 77 78 83
239 Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 76 85, Elodie Bridenne (France) 80 73 86, Marthe Wold (Norway) 73 79 87
240 Katerina Slukova (Czech Rep) 75 84 81, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 81 81, Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 73 83 84, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 79 75 86
241 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 80 82, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 75 83 83, Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 77 79 85, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 76 89
242 Ellie Robinson (Wilton) 79 80 83, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 83 75 84, Nastja Banovec (Slovenia) 72 77 93.
243 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 82 84, Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 76 80 87.
246 Alexandra Moisand (France) 74 82 90.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
436 FRANCE (Perrine Delacour 216, Celine Boutier 220).
439 WALES (Amy Boulden 215, Becky Harries 224)
440 SCOTLAND (Pamela Pretswell 218, Kelsey MacDonald 222).
449 IRELAND (Leona Maguire 220, Gillian O'Leary 229)
452 ENGLAND (Holly Clyburn 226, Bronte Law 226).
UNDER-18 TROPHY - Perrine Delacour (France)
Saturday 28 April 2012
WEST OF SCOTLAND'S PAMELA PRETSWELL LEADS THE HELEN HOLM
 |
| Pamela Pretwell -- Courtesy of Colin Farquharson |
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Curtis Cup team selection Pamela Pretswell took up the running in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play championship as overnight leaders Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) - also in the GB and I team for Nairn from June 8-10 - and Rachael Goodall (Heswall) failed to follow up their splendid opening efforts of seven-under-par 68 apiece.
In fairness to Leona and Rachael, the conditions today were at least a shot or two more difficult than Friday's bright and not breezy conditions. The inward half, in particular, was not giving up many birdies.
Bothwell Castle's Pretswell, who lives at Hamilton, improved on her first-day 71 by one stroke and a nine-under-par 36-hole tally of nine-under par 141 was good enough to see her take over the clubhouse lead in the early afternoon, a shot ahead of a third Curtis Cup player, Amy Boulden from Wales (70-72), Rachael Goodall (68-74) and France's Perrine Delacour (70-72) who won the British girls open championship at West Lancs GC in 2009.
Leona Maguire fell back with a 75 for 143, the same mark as France's Celine Boutier (71-72), beaten in the final of the British girls open championship at Gullane last August and winner of the French Under-21 open girls title earlier this month.
Pretswell had seven birdies and two bogeys in her five-under 70. Five of her birdies came at the par-5 holes at which some of the top class players are playing short irons to get up in two ... such is the progress in ability and equipment compared with 10 years ago.
Pamela, who had been playing with the lady pros on the Ladies European Tour's developmental circuit (LETAS) to gain experience ahead of her plan to turn pro with a LET players' card in her pocket after the Q School at La Manga next January, looked in good fettle with birdies at the long second, fifth, long sixth, long ninth (out in four-under 34), long 12th, 13th and long 15th towards an inward half of one-under 36.
Well that she is playing, Pamela failed to master Troon Portland's closing holes over the two rounds. She had a double bogey 7 at the last in her first round and she bogeyed the short 14th and par-4 17th in Round 2.
The last Scot to win the "Helen Holm" was Heather Stirling in 2002. Whatever happened to Heather?
Last heard of caddieing in Florida - which is not a bad way to make a living!
Club pro's daughter Amy Boulden from the Conwy club birdied the long second, short eighth, long ninth and 17th in halves of 36. Her only bogey came at the third. Pars only for Amy between the 10th and the 16th, plus the very birdieable par-5 18th underline how difficult it was to improve on a score over the second nine.
Rachael Goodall was another who could not buy a birdie on the inward half until she succeeded at the 18th. The Heswall player had earlier birdied the long first, long sixth and long ninth, but bogeyed the short fourth and seventh, in reaching the turn in one-under 37. A bogey at the 10th put her level par but she had to settle for seven pars in a row before she got that birdie at the 18th for a par-matching 37 home.
Parisienne Perrine Delacour did well to return a three-under 72 considering she had a double bogey 5 at the short fourth and further shots dropped at the seventh and short eighth. She was able to get in out in level par 38, thanks to birdies at the fifth and long sixth, capped by an eagle 3 at the ninth.
Delacour did best of the earlier starters on the inward half which she covered in three-under-par 34 strokes with birdies at three par-5s: the 12th, 15th and 18th.
Last year's British women's open stroke play champion by half a dozen strokes at Royal Ashdown Forest and winner last weekend of the Irish Under-18 girls open stroke-play, again by a very comfortable margin, was grateful to get off the Troon Portland course today with a par-matching 75 because she was three-over for the day with three to play.
Then 17-year-old twin Leona birdied the short 16th, the par-4 18th and the par-5 18th.
Earlier things had not gone their usual smooth way for the +5 player who, at No 8 in the World's female amateur rankings, is the highest in the field (Charley Hull, who is No 4, pulled out before the tournament).
Leona's double bogey 5 at the short fourth was probably a shock to her system but she did get one back with a birdie 4 at the long sixth as she turned in one-over 39. That became two over when she dropped a shot at the short 10th ... and it was three over par when she ran up a 6 at the long 15th.
Then Maguire showed her class with that birdie-birdie-birdie finish. She won this title in 2009. Don't write off her this year, just yet ...
Celine Boutier, on the same 143 mark as Maguire after a three-under 72, was one of those who found the inward half under today's tougher conditions a wee bit frustrating.
Celine had birdie the long sixth and eagled the long ninth to be out in 35 (three under par|). She dropped one at the short 10th but got it back with a birdie at the long 11th, only for the course to hold her to pars over each of the last seven holess.
Curtis Cup reserve Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) is on 146 after a pair of 7
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 150 (2x75) CSS for Round 1: 77
+Leading 66 and ties at end of Round 2 will play the final round at Royal Troon on Sunday.
141 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 70
142 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 72, Rachael Goodall (Heswall) 68 74, Perrine Delacour (France) 70 72
143 Celine Boutier (France) 71 72, Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 68 75.
144 Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 73 71
146 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 73 73, Johanna Bjork (Sweden) 75 71, Laura Murray (Alford) 74 72, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 73 73
147 Emelie Lundstrom (Sweden) 72 75
148 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 72 76, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 72 76
149 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 77, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 76, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 76, Nastja Banovec (Slovenia) 72 77, Chloe Ryan (Castletroy) 76 73, Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 76 73
150 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 72 78, Leslie Cloots (Belgium) 75 75
151 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 75, Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72 79, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 74
152 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 80 72, Sophie Powell (Manchester) 77 75, Marthe Wold (Norway) 73 79, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 77 75, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 76, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 74, Sara Garbutt (Ganton) 78 74, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 76, Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 71 81
153 Emma Broze (France) 74 79, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 74 79, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 75 78, Natalie Lowe (Styal) 81 72, Elodie Bridenne (France) 80 73
154 Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 73 81, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 76, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 79 75, Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 79 75
155 Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 76 79, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 79, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 77 78, Shelby Smart (Knowle) 77 78
156 Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 77 79, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 75 81, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 78, Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 79 77, Alexandra Moisand (France) 74 82, Lucy Simpson Massereene) 73 83, Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) 76 80, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 78, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 76
157 Ariane Provot (France) 80 77, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 78 79, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 79 78
158 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 81 77, Anna Appert Lund (Sweden) 78 80, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 83 75, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie) 75 83
159 Ellie Robinson (Wilton) 79 80, Katerina Slukova (Czech Rep) 75 84, Clara Young (North Berwick) 81 78, Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 77 82, Bronwyn Davies (Trentham) 78 81, Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 80, Gill Nutter (Formby Ladies) 79 80
MISSED THE CUT
160 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 81 79, Olivia Hullert (Norway) 80 80, Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 83 77.
161 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 80 81
162 Ann F Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 85 77, Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 77 85, Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 78 84, Faustine Lopez (France) 82 80, Maria Tonnessen (Norway) 81 81
163 Lucy Gould (Bargoed) 79 84, Katie Rule (St Enodoc) 80 83, Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 80 83.
164 Jade Downes (Oak's) 83 81.
165 Jordana Graham (Southerness) 87 78, Rebecca Wilson (Grange) 81 84
166 Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry) 80 86, Therese Larsson (Sweden) 77 89
167 Anja Kim (Slovenia) 81 86.
168 Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) 82 86, Tara MacTaggart (Minto) 82 86, Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 86 82.
170 Daisy Wakelin (Deer Park) 88 82
172 Katie Reid (Monifieth) 82 90, Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 92 80.
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