Tuesday 28 September 2021

Death of Counties Stalwart Margaret Duncanson

 It is with much sadness that Lanarkshire County have announced the death of Margaret Duncanson who died peacefully in her sleep  on Thursday at the age of  97. 

Margaret Duncanson in 2009 at the SLGA Counties Centenary Lunch
PHOTO ALBUM 2009


Margaret who retired in 1997 as the last Secretary of the Scottish Ladies County Golf Association, cut the cake at the Scottish Counties Centenary celebration in Edinburgh in 2009
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING ——->>>>

WEST GIRLS WIN THE SCOTTISH JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Photo courtesy of Allison Bell

The West Girls’ 2nd Team won the Girls Section at the Scottish Junior Team Championship on Sunday  at Crail (Craigend) GC

The winning team :
Amelia Cochran (Kilmacolm)
Lindsay Main (Strathaven)
Neve Marshall  (Cathkin Braes)
Ella McGrath (Caldwell)
Sophie Murphy (Glasgow Golf Club)
Rebekah Sherry (Clober)

The1st team team representing the West Girls :
Caitlyn Bilham (Irvine Bogside)
Katie Dunne (Paisley)
Jennifer Lynagh(Caldwell)
Rosie Maguire (Pollok)
Louise Milligan (Irvine Bogside)
Katie Ronnie (Barassie)

Thanks go to Allison Bell for team names and photograph

Sunday 26 September 2021

West of Scotland’s Kylie Henry is Runner up in the Lacoste Ladies Open in France

Celine Boutier is the 2021 Lacoste Ladies Open de France champion after securing victory in the most dramatic of fashions at Golf Club du Medoc on the 18th September

The two-time Solheim Cup winner kept her nerve on a frantic final day in Bordeaux, before sinking a fantastic birdie putt on the last to take victory by a single shot ahead of Scotland’s Kylie Henry. 

 It wasn’t to be for Henry, who performed valiantly throughout the three days in Bordeaux – with just one bogey in her last 36 holes – but she was pleased with her performance in France nonetheless. “I’m really happy with how I played, I feel like I hit a lot of good shots on the back nine but I just didn’t manage to make any birdies,” Henry said. “Second place isn’t what you dream of but I’m still really happy because it is a good result and I’m happy to be back in contention. 

To read the full report go to the Ladies European Tour Website —->>>>
CLICK HERE

Thursday 23 September 2021

Gemma Dryburgh becomes Women & Golf Tour Ambassador

Gemma Dryburgh - Photo Courtesy of the LET

Today Women and Golf are excited to announce that Scotland’s highest-ranked female golfer, Gemma Dryburgh has become a Women & Golf Tour Ambassador.

Our mission at Women & Golf is to promote all levels of women’s golf and we are keen to have a stable of Ambassadors who reflect the diverse nature of our sport from grassroots to the elite end of the game. The aim is to follow their life in golf and hear first-hand from them what it is like to be part of a sport that we all love.

We will be following Gemma’s progress over the rest of the season and into 2022 as she heads back onto the LPGA Tour. This is her fourth season on the LPGA and she has had a strong return to the States, after events in Europe over the summer, finishing tied eighth at the Portland Classic. She is now heading to Arkansas and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK AND  ----->>> READ MORE  

Tuesday 21 September 2021

Elaine Moffat is the 2021 Scottish Vets Champion

Karen Marshall and Elaine Moffat 

Congratulations to Elaine Moffat (St Regulus)  on winning the Scottish Veterans' Ladies Golf Association Championship over the Lansdowne Course at Blairgowrie yesterday
She beat Karen Marshall (Baberton) after a low scoring final with the match finishing with Elaine one up on the 18th. 

RESULTS FROM BLAIRGOWRIE

Monday 20th September:


Tuesday 21st September 


For the full list of prize winners click on the following link ——>> SVLGA WEBSITE

Saturday 18 September 2021

FREYA RUSSELL IS THE 2021 AYRSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPION

Photo courtesy of Gaynor Russell

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

Read the full report on the AYRSHIRE COUNTY WEBSITE

Wednesday 15 September 2021

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY TRI AM STABLEFORD

Marilyn Muir, Rena Simpson and Margaret Adams
Courtesy of RLCGA

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

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

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

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

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

For the full results CLICK HERE 

To read the full report Click Here



Tuesday 7 September 2021

DOWN MEMORY LANE -- LEONA MAGUIRE - SOLHEIM CUP STAR

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


Leona MacGuire 2010
At the Helen Holm 

Leona McGuire  - Helen Holm winner 2009 


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

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

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

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

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

2010 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS  

2011 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS

Monday 6 September 2021

EUROPE WIN 2021 SOLHEIM CUP TO CREATE SOLHEIM CUP HISTORY

Catriona Matthew

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

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

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

The stand-out player and player of the tournament was Leona Maguire, so it was very fitting that she won the first point with a 5&4 victory over Jennifer Kupcho.  
Maguire, the first Irish player to compete in the match, went on to win 5&4, putting the first point of the day on the board and taking her personal tally for the event to an impressive four-and-a-half points, which constituted the best-ever debut in the event. 


Sunday 5 September 2021

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

Just as well Catriona Matthew is a cool customer. A calm head, after all, will be needed in the European team room heading into the last-day singles after a roller-coaster ride for her players so far in the 17th Solheim Cup in Ohio
Leading by three points overnight, the Europeans were up in all four games at one point in the morning session on day two at Inverness Club in Toledo only for the momentum to swing over to Pat Hurst’s US side.

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

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


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

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

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


Results Day 2
Day 2 Foursomes - USA 3 GB&I 1
Day 2 Fourball  - USA 1.5 GB&I 2.5
After Day 1 and 2 -- USA 7 GB&I 9

Monday Singles  
Nordqvist v Thompson 
Sagstrom v Ewing 
Maguire v Kupcho 
Hall v Korda 
Boutier v Harigae 
Madsen v Ernst 
Castren v Salas 
Ciganda v Altomare  
Popov v Khang  
Reid v Noh 
Hull v J Korda  
Pedersen v Kang

Saturday 4 September 2021

SOLHEIM CUP DAY 1 GOES TO EUROPE AMID A CONTROVERSARY

 DAY 1 -- READ REVIEW FROM WOMEN AND GOLF MAGAZINE 

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


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

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

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

Day 1 - Results
Foursomes:  USA 0.5 GB&I 3.5
Fourball:  USA 2 GB&I 2

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

Friday 3 September 2021

WEST VETS AUTUMN MEETING AT WEST KILBRIDE

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


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


To read more go to the West Vets Website

Thursday 2 September 2021

Greenlees Trophy 80th Anniversary Celebration at East Renfrewshire Golf Club

Winners -
Anne McGillveray, Susan Griffin, and Kay McColl
Runners - Up
Irene Boyd, Barbara Aird and Pauline Warlow

Click on the following links


VIDEO FROM THE PRIZEGIVING  - Courtesy of Carol Fell
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE DAY  - Courtesy of East Renfrewshire GC
WOMEN AND GOLF MAGAZINE - Article sent to the Magazine by Carol Fell


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


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


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


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

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

Carole Spy said --

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


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

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

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

 No matter which division a team is playing in or wither a player is number one or number 9 or even 7, when we represent our clubs in a Greenlees match, we do it with pride and great determination to get that point for our club.
 
 Thank you, ladies, for your competitive spirit and for taking part in the 80th year celebration of Greenlees golf.

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

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


Prizes were awarded to
 
Winning Team: 
Anne McGillivray - Prestwick St Nicholas 
Susan Griffin - Douglas Park 
Kay McColl - Hilton Park 

Runners Up 
Pauline Warlow - Cathkin Braes 
Irene Boyd - Bothwell Castle 
Barbara Aird - Cathkin Braes 

Nearest pin 4th Catriona McHarg – Cathcart Castle 
Nearest pin 13th May Hughes – Lanark Golf Club 
Longest drive 18th Debbie Watt – Ayr Belleisle 
Longest putt 18th June Kerr – West Kilbride

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

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

Tuesday 31 August 2021

2021 Commonwealth Spoon Results

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

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

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


To read the full report go to the  SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

D&A SCOTTISH COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNERS UP


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

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

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

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

CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORTS FROM FORRES

Monday 30 August 2021

D&A JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER IS SOPHIE MURPHY

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

While the D&A County Team were enjoying Forres, the D&A junior championship was being played at Clydebank and District Golf Club. 
This was not played in 2020 due to Covid  and yesterday the delighted Sophie Murphy (Glasgow Golf Club)  was the winner of the 2021 Claret Jug.
 The winner of the Cowan Cup (handicap) is Rebekah Sherry (Clober)
To see more photos go to the D&A website CLICK HERE

PERTH AND KINROSS ARE THE 2021 SCOTTISH COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONS

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

From the Scottish Golf Website 

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

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

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

FINAL SCORES OVER THE 3 DAYS 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milngavie’s Lorna McClymont’s halve in the top singles against Carrine Taylor meant she emerged from the three-day competition with five and a half points out of six. 
Team-mate Fiona Rattray from Douglas Park amassed four and a half points points out of five matches played


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

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


Sunday 29 August 2021

DAY 3 - COUNTY TEAM FINALS AT FORRES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3 -- FINAL MATCH RESULTS 

Midlothian 1.5 Perth and Kinross 7.5

D&A 5 North Invitational 4


CLICK HERE FOR ALL RESULTS

Saturday 28 August 2021

DAY 2 - Results at the County Finals in Forres

MIDLOTHIAN 3  D&A 6

NORTHERN COUNTIES 1  PERTH AND KINROSS 8

Day 2
  Midlothian vs Dunbartonshire and Argyll  
MidlothianPtsScoreHolesScorePtsDunbartonshire and Argyll
FOURSOMES
Louise Fraser [3]
Anne Hanson
  182 UP1Lorna McClymont [+6]
Aileen Baker
»»
Rachael Livingstone [0]
Freya Constable
  181 UP1Lorraine Campbell [4]
Laura Mcgeachy
»»
Kate Rorke [4]
Caroline Steedman
  154&31Lori MacDonald [6]
Fiona Rattray
»»
Midlothian0 3Dunbartonshire and Argyll
SINGLES
Emma Morrison  145&41Lorna McClymont»»
Kate Rorke  145&41Fiona Rattray»»
Anne Hanson  163&21Aileen Baker»»
Hilary Laughland15&414  Lorraine Campbell»»
Louise Fraser11 UP18  Laura Mcgeachy»»
Rachael Livingstone17&513  Lori MacDonald»»
Midlothian3 3Dunbartonshire and Argyll
 
Midlothian3 6Dunbartonshire and Argyll

  North Invitational vs Perth and Kinross  
North InvitationalPtsScoreHolesScorePtsPerth and Kinross
FOURSOMES
Carinne Taylor [+2]
Rebecca Grant
13&216  Laura Walker [3]
Laura Campbell
»»
Fiona Campbell [3]
Donna Sinclair
  154&31Jillian Milne [4]
Isla Moncrieff
»»
Gillian Dowling [6]
Jenny Milne
  163&21Jennifer Saxton [+2]
Eilidh Watson
»»
North Invitational1 2Perth and Kinross
SINGLES
Carinne Taylor  172&11Katy Alexander»»
Fiona Campbell  182 UP1Laura Walker»»
Gillian Dowling  172&11Isla Moncrieff»»
Lynne Fraser  145&41Megan Ashley»»
Debbie Bird  173&11Eilidh Watson»»
Jenny Milne  173&11Jillian Milne»»
North Invitational0 6Perth and Kinross
 
North Invitational1 8Perth and Kinross

Overall Standings
TeamPtsWonHalvedLost
  Perth and Kinross13½1314
  Dunbartonshire and Argyll918
  Midlothian7110
  North Invitational5112

 CLICK HERE FOR THE 2 DAYS RESULTS