February 2003 Archive

Friday 28th February 2003

Spanish Womens' Open Championship
Hertfordshire girl Kelly Hutcherson is the only British player through to the last eight of the Spanish women's open amateur international golf championship at El Saler Golf Club, Valencia. Report and results

You might be following the story of Vivien Saunders and her fight against the R&A? (See story on Sun 23rd Feb). Here is further information, straight from Vivien herself

Australian Womens' Open Day 2
Mhairi McKay, Janice Moodie and Catriona Matthew are all in the top 20 at the halfway stage of the Women's Australian Open golf championship at Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club, New South Wales. Report and scores

JOINT LEADER SARAH JONES LUMMETS OUT OF SPANISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Curtis Cup player Sarah Jones, pictured right, the joint first-round leader, failed in the end to gain one of the 32 match-play places in the Spanish women's open amateur international golf championship at El Saler Golf Club, Valencia yesterday
Sarah from Pennard completed the rain-hit first round with a very good score of 72 to share the lead with Joan Van der Kraats (Netherlands) then went out again and took 13 strokes more to get round.
An 85 for a 36-hole aggregate of 157 saw her fail to qualify by one stroke. A similar disappointing fate befell England international Fame More who had rounds of 80 and 77.
The only Great Britain competitors who figure in the first round match-play draw are England's Kelly Hutcherson (151) and the Welsh pair Kate Phillips (152) and Anna Highgate (153). Report and scores

JANICE MOODIE IS TOP SCOT ON OPENING DAY OF WOMEN'S AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Bang-in-form Laura Davies shot a brilliant round of six birdies, one eagle and a bogey to card a seven-under-par 65 in the first round of the Women's Australian Open golf championship at Terrey Hills Golf Club, New South Wales yesterday. Report and scores

Thursday 27th February 2003

Spanish Womens' Championship
Curtis Cup player Sarah Jones from Pennard, Wales shared the lead at the end of the rain-delayed first qualifying round in the Spanish women's open amateur international golf championship at El Saler Golf Club, near Valencia yesterday (Thursday).
Sarah's score of 72 was matched only by Joan Van der Kraats from the Netherlands.
Welsh international colleague Kate Phillips from Creigiau shared third place, one stroke behind on 73. Report

US students' GolfStat rankings
Vikki Laing has moved up five places to 28th spot in the GolfStat Cup American women's college individual rankings following her third-place tie in the recent Bay Area Cup tournament in California. Report

LOCH LOMOND GOLF CLUB ACQUIRES SOUTHERN GAILES
Loch Lomond Golf Club today announced that it has concluded a transaction to purchase the Southern Gailes golf development near Troon in Ayrshire from the Castle 2000 Property Development Company Ltd. Report

Wednesday 26th February 2003

US Student News
PAM FEGGANS JOINT THIRD IN FLORIDA
Scotland international player Pam Feggans, pictured right, from Ayrshire finished in joint third place in the University of Central Florida Invitationl women's college golf tournament at Stoneybrook. Pam repeated her first-round 74 (two over par) for a 36-hole total of 148. She was Florida Southern's leading player as overnight leader and team-mate Meghan Riley slumped from a first-day 73 to an 84 for 157 and joint 12th place. All in all it was a disappointing day for Florida Southern. They also lost the overnight team lead, finishing joint second with Miami on 615, one stroke behind winners Rollins.

LOUISE KENNEY MAKES TOP 20 IN FLORIDA
Former Scottish girls champion Louise Kenney from Pitreavie finished tied for 19th place in the Central District Invitational women's college event at Parrish, Florida. Louise, a student at Iowa State, had rounds of 76, 80 and 76 for a 16-over-par total of 232, 14 strokes behind the individual winner, Kristen White from Ohio State. Ireland women's cap Martina Gillen (Kent State) finished joint 37th on 237 (81, 80 and 76). Louise Kenney's Iowa State team-mate Laura Wells from Dumfries had rounds of 85, 84 and 77 for 246 and joint 63rd place. Ohio State (909) won the team event by six strokes from Baylor of Texas. Iowa State (964) finished 15th.

RAIN ALL OVER SPAIN HITS INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
If you were considering slipping away to Spain to escape the chill of Scotland's winter, have another think.
Heavy rain swept the whole of the Spanish mainland today (Wednesday), delaying by several hours play in the qualifying rounds of not only the Spanish women's open amateur international championship at El Saler but also the Spanish men's open amateur international championship down in the southwest of the country, at Costa Ballena, Cadiz. A total of 20 players still have to complete their first round at the end of the Wednesday-hit programme. LEADING SCORES 72 Joan van der Kraats (Netherland) 73 Elisa Serramia (Spain) 73 Kate Phillips (Wales) 75 Mikaela Backstedt (Sweden) 76 Naomi Edwards (England) 76 Carmen P»rez (Spain)
We will provide you with daily updates from the women's championship once the weather settles down!

Sunday 23rd February 2003

Vivien Saunders speaks out on R&A Re-instatement Rules
Vivien Saunders, a former British Women's Open champion and an established golf instructor and coach, is contemplating legal action against the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Report

Mary McKenna fourth in Spain
EIGHT times Irish champion Mary McKenna finished fourth in the Spanish international senior women's open championship at Campo de Golf del Mediterraneo at Castellon on Friday. Report

Laura Davies wins rain-shortenedANZ Ladies Masters
England's Laura Davies won the rain-shortened ANZ Ladies Masters at The Pines Golf Club, Queensland in Australia with a 13-under-par total of 203.
She had one shot to spare at the end of 54 holes from Australians Karrie Webb and Rebecca Stevenson. Report and scores

Saturday 22nd February 2003

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR DIAGEO CHAMPIONSHIP AT GLENEAGLES
A wealth of golfing talent from the European Tour will visit The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles to compete in the £1 million Diageo Championship. The tournament, won last year by Australian Adam Scott, has moved from an autumn date in the schedule to a new prime date in June (19-22 June).
Volunteers assisting at the championship for two days or more will be provided with a tournament uniform and lunch each day. In addition, the volunteers will have the opportunity to win a selection of fantastic prizes via automatic entry into an exclusive prize draw.
Golf enthusiasts who are interested in offering their support over the championship period (18-22 June) should contact the Golf Office at Gleneagles on 01764 694360 for further information about the roles available and additional benefits on offer.

ANZ third round cancelled
Golf around the world seems to offer proof that everybody's weather is getting worse.
In Texas, the Canadian PGA Tour event had its first round washed out this week.
In Spain, the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association winter training squad in the North-east of the country have had pretty poor weather. Some days they have been unable to golf.
And in Australia - where it is summer time - the ANZ Ladies Masters in hot and steamy Queensland (usually) has been reduced to a 54-hole event because of continuing rainstorms. After those players who had not completed their second rounds on Friday had gone out early on the third day and done so, the organisers decided that the course was too wet to stand up to a full day's play.
Julie Forbes from Aboyne and Dale Reid did not survive the halfway cut at level par. Janice Moodie, Kathryn Marshall, Mhairi McKay and Catriona Lambert will all be chasing tournament leader Karrie Webb in her home state in Sunday's final round. Report and final second round scores

Friday 21st February 2003

JANICE SHARES CLUBHOUSE LEAD AFTER RAIN DELAYS ANZ LADIES DAY 2
Torrential overnight rain delayed the start of the second round of the ANZ Ladies Masters golf championship by 2hr 20min at the Royal Pines Golf Club, Queensland, which meant that there are quite a few players who will not complete their second rounds until Saturday morning.
The delay means, in effect, there are TWO scoreboards ... one featuring the players back in the clubhouse with 36-hole aggregates and a second which gives all the players' overall positions in relation to par.
Janice Moodie and little-known New Zealander Brenda Ormsby are the leaders in the clubhouse with completed half-way totals of seven-under-par 137. Report and scores

Thursday 20th February 2003

Vikki Laing ties for third in US college event
Vikki Laing, pictured right, finished joint third and helped her college, the University of California, to retain the team championship in the Luna Bay Area Classic women's college golf tournament at Hiddenbrooke Golf Course in Vallejo, California (on Wednesday, California time).
Vikki had second-round 77 in high winds for a total of 152, eight shots behind her California team-mate, Sarah Huarte who won the individual event with two level par rounds of 72 for 144.
Another California player, Sophia Sheridan, was second on 151 (74, 77).
Susie Laing from Troon, in joint third place with Vikki overnight, slipped back to a final position of eighth with rounds of 75 and 79 for 10-over 154.
Susie's University of San Francisco team-mate and fellow Scot, Lyndsey Devenish, the North of Scotland champion from Cruden Bay, finished tied for 26th with rounds of 80 and 86 for 166.
California (601) won the team event by 23 strokes from Washington (624) with San Francisco third on 642. Scores

JANICE MOODIE EAGLE HELPS HER TO JOINT FOURTH PLACE DOWN UNDER
Patricia Meunier Lebouc of France took full advantage of the soft playing conditions and some good fortune at Royal Pines GC, Queensland, carding eight birdies and two bogeys for a six under par 66. She leads after the opening round of the $800, 000 ANZ Ladies Masters. Report and scores

Wednesday 19th February 2003

IRISH PAIR EIGHTH IN SPAIN
Ireland's Mary McKenna and Valerie Hasset finished joint eighth in the Spanish senior women's open international foursomes at Campo de Golf del Mediterraneo in Castellon on Wednesday. Report

US Student Golf
From the University of California website :-
Feb. 18, 2003 Vallejo - CAL JUMPS OUT TO EARLY 16 STROKE LEAD:
The Golden Bears are in command at Hiddenbrooke G.C. in Vallejo after firing a Team eight-over par 296 on Tuesday. Junior Sarah Huarte is also the individual leader at even par(72). The rest of the Cal lineup is playing stong too, notably Freshman Sophia Sheridan (+2/74) who is currently right behind Huarte in 2nd. Senior Vikki Laing (pictured right), and Junior Anna Temple are also tied for 3rd (+3/75). In addition Senior Ria Quiazon is 16th (+7/79).

From the University of San Franscisco Website :-
Lady Dons Challenging In Third Place
San Francisco's Susie Laing (pictured left) shares a three-way tie for third with a first round score of 75. Lindsey Devenish is tied 19th with a first round score of 80.

TEAM SCORES
1 California, +8 296
2 Washington, +24 312
3 San Francisco, +29 317
4 UC - Irvine +30 318
(12 teams competing)

Want to know when your favorite Scottish student in the US is competing?
I've collated a schedule from their websites.

Tuesday 18th February 2003

LGU announce Future Plans after conducting a staff structural review
Press Release

Monday 17th February 2003

Health Perception to Sponsor New Ladies' Championship
Lady golfers in Great Britain & Ireland are being given a fantastic opportunity to compete in a new nationwide competition which culminates in a final over WentworthÌs famous East course in September.
The Health Perception LadiesÌ Championship of Great Britain & Ireland is aimed at club golfers throughout Great Britain and Ireland and in its first year the LGU expect it to attract at least 30,000 players from the 2740 clubs and 226,000 affiliated members.
Rebecca Hudson is pictured right with David Wilkie at the launch today at Wentworth.
Press Release

US Student News
Musselburgh's Vikki Laing is ranked No1 in the Golfstat NCAA Statistics for Par5 scoring with a 4.75 average. Her CALBears team is about to compete (Tues/Wed) in the LUNA Bay Area Classic, an event California are co-hosting with the University of San Franscisco. Susie Laing and Lyndsey Devenish should be in the USF team. Watch this site for details.

You might find Lawrence Donegan's article in Friday's Scotsman interesting... He describes the recent confrontations between Martha Burk and Hootie Johnson over membership of Augusta National, but more importantly he goes on to tell of some of the minor battles that are being fought, (and won) for the women's cause.

Sunday 16th February 2003

LOTTERY FUNDING FOR 20 SCOTTISH GOLFERS
The sportscotland Lottery Fund has awarded over £76,000 to 20 Scottish golfers from the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP), which provides individual financial support to Scotland's top performers and athletes.
The list of golfing women who are being helped financially is Heather Stirling, Anne Laing, Clare Queen, Lynn Kenny, Vikki Laing and Lesley Mackay. Report

Aussie golf
ROOKIE WINS CONTRABART ALPG PLAYERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
Victorian Tamara Hyett holed a birdie put on the first play-off hole to take the Contrabart ALPG Players’ Championship from England’s big-hitting Laura Davies in front of a large crowd played at Horizons Golf Resort, Salamander Bay in New South Wales today. Julie Forbes had a 74 to finish in joint 11th place. Report and scores

Gullane Golf Print
David and I were lucky enough to purchase a Frank Watson Wood painting of Gullane last summer in an auction. We've made prints of the painting, and David is selling them through Alex Kirkwood & Son. Those of you who are familiar with Gullane Golf Club, will know that Frank Wood painted a series of watercolours of the course and surrounding area in 1933. Several of his original paintings are in the Gullane Clubhouse. The cost of this print is £90 unframed and £140 framed. Full details can be found on the Alex. Kirkwood & Son website

Saturday 15th February 2003

Aussie Golf
Julie drops back in third round Down Under.
Julie Forbes' two-over-par round of 75 dropped her back to a tied for fifth place at one-under-par 215 at the end of the third day in thed $100,000 Contrabart Australian LPG Players' championship at Horizons Golf Resort, Salamander Bay at Nelson, New South Wales. Report and scores

Vets team for match against the Irish
The Scottish Veteran Ladies' Team line-up for the annual match against the Irish Vets team on 14th-15th April at Prestwick is

Rose Anderson Helen Faulds Noreen Fenton Pat Hutton Christine McAndrew Jennifer Mack Moira Thomson Pam Williamson Reserve: Emma Wilson Good Luck to you girls! What a great team!

Rose Anderson, Scottish Veteran Ladies' Champion 2002

Friday 14th February 2003

Posts in Golf Administration
Not only is the SLGA seeking a new Secretary and a Financial/Administrative assistant (to replace Judy Galbraith) but the LGU are also looking to fill three posts in their line-up viz. Director of Adminstration and Finance, Championship Assistant and Administrative Assistant. Check out the LGU website for more details.

US student golf
VIKKI 27TH IN RAIN-HIT US COLLEGE EVENT
Vikki Laing, representing the University of California, finished in a tie for 27th place in the rain-hit Regional Challenge women's college golf tournament at Palos Verde Golf Club, California. Report and scores

Aussie Golf
JULIE JOINT SECOND DOWN UNDER
Julie Forbes's swing, remodelled during the winter by Irish coach Don Patterson, stood up well to its second competitive test with the 36-year-old Aboyne player, pictured right, moving into joint second place at the halfway stage of the $100,000 Contrabart Australian LPG Players' champion at Horizons Resort, Nelson Bay in New South Wales. Report and scores

SCOTLAND TO SEND MIXED TEAM TO HOUSTON
The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and the Scottish Golf Union have jointly accepted an invitation to send a mixed team of four - two men and two women - to take part in the Spirit International, a new event which will be played every odd year when the Espirito Santo Trophy and Eisenhower Trophy world team events are not being played. Report

Thursday 13th February 2003

Aussie Golf
Julie Forbes in joint 4th place after first round 69
Scotland's Julie Forbes, pictured left, got off to a great start at Salamander Bay in the Contrabert Australian Ladies Tour Players' championship with a four under par 69, which puts her in joint fourth place, one stroke behind Australians Rachel Teske, Melissa Bransdon and Tamara Hyett. Kathryn Marshall had a 74 to tie for 38th, and Dale Ried is one stroke behind and tied for 53rd. Scores

FIONA DE VRIES
APPOINTED TRUSTEE
OF ST ANDREWS
LINKS TRUST
FIONA De Vries, pictured right,
St Andrews hotelier
and well-known Scottish
golfer and official,
has been appointed a trustee
of St Andrews Links Trust
for an initial period of
three years. Report

A little birdie tells me that Fiona and Gordon will be celebrating their 25th Wedding anniversary soon... Congratulations!

Aussie Golf
Three Scots are in the field for the Contrabert Australian Ladies Tour Players' championship, which begins at Salamander Bay today (Thursday). They are past Solheim Cup skipper Dale Reid from Ladybank, LPGA Tour player Kathryn Marshall from Monifieth and Aboyne's Julie Forbes.
Spain's Paula Marti is defending the title against a strong field of 125.

PETER SMITH LEAVING SLGA POST
Peter Smith, left, the first man to be appointed secretary of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in its 99-year history, is to leave the post at the end of this month (February). Peter was appointed to the SLGA post in January 2002, succeeding Mrs Susan Simpson who had resigned the previous November to become Deputy Secretary (Tournaments) at the Ladies Golf Union. Report
Fancy his job? Here's the advertisement which is going in the Scotsman, Herald, Courier and P&J tomorrow.

Wednesday 12th February 2003

Junior Girls Open
Kilspindie have announced a Junior Girls Open on Monday 4th August 2003, entry fee £3.00.
Entry forms can be obtained from the general manager, who can be contacted on 01875 870 358 or e-mail kilspindie@btconnect.com

Tuesday 11th February 2003

SLGA Winter training camp
A TOTAL of 23 players have accepted invitations to attend the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association winter training camp in North-east Spain later this month. Report

Monday 10th February 2003

Here's some Thoughts on Golf to fill those idle moments!

I'm getting some encouraging response to Colin Farquharson's suggestion for a Champion of Champions tournament. Email me if you have a comment

Sunday 9th February 2003

Far East Golf News
Sarah Heath peaks in final Asian Ladies Tour event
Sarah Heath, pictured right, 21-year-old rookie professional from Shifnal, finished the Asian Ladies Tour on a high note with joint ninth place in the Thailand Ladies Open at Chiangmai Lamphun Golf Club (finished Friday, Feb 7). Report and scores

Saturday 8th February 2003

Far East Golf News
CLAIRE MISSES CUT IN THAILAND
Aberdonian Claire Hunter failed to survive the 36-hole cut in the Thailand Ladies Open golf championship at Chiangmai Lamphun Golf Club in the north of the country. Report and scores

Wednesday 5th February 2003

Far East Golf News
Aberdeen's Claire Hunter was lying joint 103rd in a field of 149 at the end of the first round of the last event on the 2003 Asian Ladies Tour, the $110,000 Thailand Ladies Open, at Chiangmai Lamphun Golf Club in the so-called northern part of the country, today. Report and scores

Sunday 2nd February 2003

Claire Hunter missed the Indonesian Open and has been spending some time in Thailand. Read her latest newsletter