July 2006 Archive

Monday 31st July 2006

Jocelyn Carthew breaks course record at Ladybank
Jocelyn Carthew broke the course record at Ladybank today with a scratch score of 69 to a CSS of 74.
The score shaved two shots off her previous record of 71.

SCOTLAND VETS OPEN CAMPAIGN WITH MATCH AGAINST SOUTH
Scotland meet South on Tuesday in their opening match of the Veteran Ladies Golf Association inter-area team championship at Formby.
North open their defence of the Miller Stirling Trophy by playing Midlands.
Teams:
SCOTLAND
Captain Pat Hutton.
Liz Bennett, Liz Campbell, Fiona De Vries, Noreen Fenton, Kathleen Sutherland, Moira Thomson, Margaret Tough, Pamela Williamson.
NORTH
Christine Williamson, Elaine Elliott, Laraine Hague, Caroline Kirk, Jane Rogers, Hilary Smyth, Gill Travis, Alyson Wood.
MIDLANDS
Sue Westall, Pat West, Ann Bruce, Denise Parker, Deborah Backhouse, Paula Parker, Andrea Stockdale, Jill Snelson.
SOUTH
Jeannie O’Keefe, Sue Ellis, Irene Brien, Rosemary Waters, Viveka Morgan, Margaret Maisey, Marianne Copp, Carol Richie.

NO SCOTS SURVIVE WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN QUALIFYING
Scots Kathryn Imrie, Lynn Kenny, Clare Queen and Martine Pow – as well as Inverness-based New Zealander Liz McKinnon – failed to survive the Weetabix Women’s British Open Final Qualifying round at St Annes Old Links today.
Only eight places and four reserve spots were available for the main event at Royal Lytham & St Annes starting on Thursday.
Kathryn Imrie was joint 17th with a four-over-par 76. She started with a birdie but could not conjure up any more to cancel out the bogeys that followed.
Lynn Kenny had a double-bogey at the eighth in outward half of 40 on her way to a 77.
Liz McKinnon birdied two of the first five holes but had three 6s on her scorecard after that, incouding a double-bogey at the eighth.
Drumpellier’s Clare Queen had a disappointing 79 with halves of 43 and 36. She had double bogey 7s at the fifth and sixth and birdies at the 10th, 11th and 16th came too late to turn things around.
Martine Pow (Selkirk), the British women’s mid-amateur and Scottish women’s amateur champion, had a triple bogey 6 at the short 16th in her 82.
WEETABIX WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN - Final Qualifying – St Annes Old Links.
LEADING SCORES
(eight to qualify; next four reserves)
71 K Taylor (Eng).
72 J Mills (Aus), F Seeholzzer (Swi).
73 I Maconi (Ita), A Cvitan (Swe), U Wikstrom (Fin), T Hsiao-Chin Lu (Tai).
74 A Highgate (Wal), A Simon (SA), M-J Rouleau (Can), T Nilsson (Swe).]75 C Byrnes (Aus), A-M Knight (Aus), L Jean(Aus), D Luna (Ita), S Gal (Ger).
76 J Kuosa (Fin), S Moon (US), A Temple (US), K Imrie (Sco), D Masters (Eng0, L Fairclough (Eng0, F Johnson (Eng) (am), L Friberg (Swe), B Recari (Spa), L Tadiotto (Bel), B Hauert (Ger).
77 S Walker (Eng) (am), L Kenny (Sco), F More (Eng), M Holmes-Smith (Aus), S Dickens (Eng), C Alonso (Spa), P Lindberg (Swe), K Lunn (Aus), S Andersson (Swe).
Other scores included:
79 E McKinnon (NZ), C Queen (Sco).
82 M Pow (Selkirk) (am).

ILGU Press Release
LADIES INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Hosted by Headfort Golf Club, Kells, Co Meath
Wednesday to Friday this week.
Leinster defend the Irish women's inter-provincial title this week and are bidding to complete a three-timer in an event which is now in its 42nd year.
Although missing their Curtis Cup stars, Tara Delaney and Martina Gillen, Leinster look the strongest side on paper at Headfort.
Curtis Cuppers Claire Coughlan and Tricia Mangan will be absent from a Munster line-up also depleted by the unavailability of the girls' international players.
Munster champion Marian Riordan and an in-form Catherine Tucker will lead the southern attack while dark horses Connacht once again field a young side capable of beating any team on their day.
Ulster once again will look to the experienced Helen Jones in a side that welcomes back double-winning Irish champion Alison Coffey who returns to inter-provincial action after a break of five years.
Like Munster, the side is hard hit by players selected to the Girls International team but have 2005 Girls Champion Danielle McVeigh in their armoury.
It's a challenging new course at Headfort with a par-72 track over 6,329 yards.
Fixtures:
Wednesday: Munster v Ulster, Connacht v Leinster.
Thursday: Leinster v Ulster, Connacht v Munster.
Friday: Ulster v Connacht, Munster v Leinster.
T eams
CONNACHT - Pat Farrell (Capt), Helen Sweeney (Mgr) Fiona Carroll (Athenry), Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew), Niamh Kitching (Claremorris), Anne McCormack (Roscommon), Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey/Stranorlar), Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway), Deirdre Walsh (Roscommon/Milltown)
LEINSTER – Therese O’Reilly (Capt), Theresa Morgan (Mgr) Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne), Karen Delaney (Carlow), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Jennifer Gannon (Co. Louth), Sinead Keane (Curragh), Maura Morrin (Curragh), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)
MUNSTER - Liz Bennett (Capt), Maura McNicholas (Ennis) Pamela Murphy (Ennis), Gillian O’Leary (Cork/UCC), Karen O'Neill (Douglas), Marian Riordan (Tipperary), Holli Snelling (Killarney), Ailish Thompson (Douglas), Catherine Tucker (Limerick)
ULSTER – Carol Corrigan (Capt), Hilda Percival Price (Mgr) Alison Coffey (Warrenpoint), Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush), Helen Jones (Strabane), Jenna Kinnear (Belvoir Park), Bronagh Lunny (Belvoir Park), Danielle McVeigh (R.C.D.L.), Nicola Moore (Clandeboye), Naoimh Quigg (City of Derry)

CARLY'S TEAM-MATES IN EUROPEAN TEAM FOR JUNIOR RYDER CUP
We told you at the weekend that Carly Booth from Comrie was the only British or Irish player in the European team of six boys and six girls for the Junior Ryder Cup match against the United States at Celtic Manor on September 18 and 19.
Now we have the full European line-up for the two-day match which, incidentally, does not include any singles ties, only four-balls and foursomes.
Team is:
BOYS - Victor Dubuisson (France), Pedro Figueiredo (Portugal), Are Friestad (Norway), Sean Einhaus (Germany), Maximilian Kiefer (Germany), Anders Kristensen (Norway).
GIRLS - Carly Booth (Scotland), Carlota Ciganda (Spain), Saskia Hausladen (Germany), Giulia Molinaro (Italy), Marta Silva (Spain), Laura Gonzales-Escallon (Belgium).

BANCHORY WOMEN’S OPEN LACKS ENTRIES
The Banchory Women’s Open has long been one of the most popular tournaments on the North-east golfing calendar. The entry list used to be closed months in advance.
But not this year, for some reason. Only 10 entries have been received for the 36-hole Silver Division and just eight for the one-round Bronze Division event.
The tournament is to be played on Saturday, August 26 and the entry fee is £16 for the Silver Division and £12 for the Bronze.
Entries can be phoned to 01330 822365 or 01330 825889.

CURTIS CUP INDIVIDUAL POINTS TABLE
BREANNE LOUCKS WAS MOST SUCCESSFUL GB&I PLAYER WITH THREE WINS FROM THREE
Breanne Loucks from Wales, one of the surprise GB&I selections for the Curtis Cup match, turned out to be Ada O'Sullivan's most successful player over the two days.
Breanne played three ties and won them all ... 3 and 0, as they say in America, which is where the Wrexham girl is wanted by colleges and universities to play for them on the US college circuit.
Hard luck on Colette Murray, the Scottish-born head coach of the new University of Tennessee Chattanooga women's team which does not debut until the autumn of 2007.
Colette made approaches to Breanne to sign up for UTC long before she was selected for the Curtis Cup and long before she won all three ties.
Now the big US universities are favourites to beat Miss Murray for Breanne's signature.
Martina Gillen, one of four Irish players in the Curtis Cup team, was the second most successful GB&I player with two wins from four outings.
The tell-tale table reads:
Breanne Loucks Played 3. Won 3. Points 3.
Martina Gillen Played 4. Won 2. Lost 2. Points 2.
Naomi Edwards Played 3. Won 1. Lost 2. Points 1.
Kiran Matharu Played 2. Won 1. Lost 1. Points 1.
Melissa Reid Played 4. Won 1. Lost 3. Points 1.
Tara Delaney Played 3. Drew 1. Lost 2. Points 1/2.
Tricia Mangan Played 3. Drew 1. Lost 1. Points 1/2.
Claire Coughlan Played 2. Lost 2. Points 0.

CURTIS CUP POST MORTEM: NO WIND SO ADA'S PLANS WENT UP IN SMOKE
BY ALEX MICELI (from the USGA Curtis Cup website)
Bandon, Ore. – Miscalculation, mistake or bad luck? That is what Great Britain & Ireland captain Ada O’Sullivan will struggle with in the following days and weeks after her team was soundly defeated by a more talented United States team, 11½ to 6½, in the 34th Curtis Cup Match at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
Melissa Reid's reaction would seem to sum up GB&I's disappointment. (John Mummert/USGA)
Starting the week, the USA was riding a winning streak of 24-6-3, which included victories in the last four matches, dating back to 1998 at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. In each of those last four matches the USA had scored at least 10 points, including the 2004 Match at Formby Golf Club, when the USA team lost all three foursomes matches on the first day to go 3 down, but rallied to win 10 of the remaining 15 points to retain the Cup.
That win at Formby was historic in that six times a team started the matches with a 3-up lead - 1932, 1954, 1962, 1986, 2002 and 2004. Each time that team went on to win the Curtis Cup. That changed at Formby, and that was what haunted O’Sullivan and the GB&I team as they came to American shores.
“It did take me a long time to get over Formby,” O’Sullivan said before these matches. “Basically I think we felt that from the players that we had, that we should win at Formby. It wasn't ever felt we were going to win easily, but we felt we should have won. Particularly when we won five out of six foursomes. But to win three out of 12 singles was a disaster. That's the only way I could describe it.”
Now O’Sullivan has to ponder a different type of disaster, losing the first three foursomes matches on Saturday and following that up by dropping four out of six singles matches to end the first day down, 7-2.
Reasons abound why her team played so poorly on Saturday. The wind, which O’Sullivan had counted on when putting her team together, never materialized. The pairings she used on Saturday just didn’t jell, leading her to change two of the three pairings for Sunday’s foursomes, which eventually won 2½ points. But the biggest differences may have been her team’s inability to deal with the changing weather conditions of Bandon Dunes as well as the fact that the USA team was just stronger top to bottom than the GB&I squad.
“We were simply outclassed and outplayed this afternoon,” said O’Sullivan Saturday night. “This morning was a big disappointment. Everything, the stillness of the morning, the no wind definitely caught us with regards to the clubbing.”
It was clearly never the plan to lose many, if any, points in foursomes. Her team at Formby was 5-1 in foursomes, so O’Sullivan had confidence that she had found a good formula. But when it didn’t work, O’Sullivan was put behind the proverbial eight-ball, having to mix and match, trying not only to find three strong foursomes pairings, but to pull together six singles players who could capitalize on the 2½-½ foursomes success Sunday morning. In that effort she could only find Breanne Loucks, an 18-year-old Welsh girl who was likely one of the final additions to a team that was heavily weighted toward Ireland and England players and devoid of any Scots.
O’Sullivan’s confidence in Loucks was lukewarm at best in the early going, as she didn’t have her in the Saturday morning foursomes. Only by necessity did she put her in the singles, pulling out 26-year-old Claire Coughlan.
After going undefeated at the 2004 Curtis Cup Match, Coughlan was a disappointment at the Vagliano Trophy last year in France, winning only one-half point in four matches. Her play on Saturday morning sealed her fate as she and partner Melissa Reid lost the last two holes with bogeys to lose their foursomes match, 1 up, to a USA team that was behind most of the day.
“Some asked me the turning point,” O’Sullivan said Saturday night. “I think one of the big ones was our third foursomes match. If that had been a 2-1, I think that would have put it into perspective on everything. But at one stage it was looking we might even get one and a half.”
While the GB&I team put a stronger showing on in Sunday’s second day, winning 4½ points, it still worth noting that the team likely never had the firepower to tackle the American squad. And when the great equalizer, the wind, never really visited the Oregon shores, O’Sullivan’s plans went up in smoke.
“You have to take your hat off to them,” O’Sullivan said of the USA squad. “They outclassed us again this afternoon over the finishing holes. At the same time we knew going out if we could try and put some points on the board early, we were hoping for big wins early, we didn't come off with them. But they are to be complemented on a fantastic win. Martina (Gillen) played well as did Breanne. Three points out of three is great for your first Curtis Cup. But no, it just didn't happen for us this afternoon. As simple as that. At one stage it was looking good, but after that it just turned around."
O’Sullivan put together a squad that she believed could play links golf better than an American squad use to hitting the ball high as is the custom in the United States. In hindsight, could the GB&I team been stronger if not so focused on links type players and hedging its bets on calmer conditions?
“The player's ability to have a good short game, which is what's really needed to play links,” said O’Sullivan of what was part of her criteria in putting a team together. “Their ability to get up and down from difficult situations, good bunker play. And I say all these here have that, but that was part of the selection process. We weren't looking for people with big carries off the tee. Because when you come to links golf courses it's not necessarily big carries off the tee, it's somebody good around the greens.”
With no wind to speak of, the USA team was consistently longer off the tee than the GB&I players, putting them at a disadvantage early on almost every hole and giving the Americans a dominant position, from which they capitalized on seemingly at will, especially in singles.
Last year in France, the GB&I team won the Vagilano Trophy, 13 to 11, over Europe. Only Tricia Mangan, Gillen and Coughlan were part of that team with Tara Delaney, Naomi Edwards and Reid as alternates. Three of the big point-getters from that team, Sophia Walker with four and Kerry Smith and Felicity Johnson each with three, were not part of O’Sullivan’s plan for this team.

ADA O’SULLIVAN’S POST-MATCH INTERVIEW
Interviewer: Craig Smith (USGA Press Officer)
CRAIG SMITH: Martina Gillen, Ada O'Sullivan, and Breanne Loucks. Ada, you fought back, you made a real good game of it this morning, what's the mood? Disappointed, obviously.
ADA O'SULLIVAN: Obviously, the mood is disappointed, is of disappointment. This morning we knew going out that we had to win at least two points and anything more than that was going to be a bonus. Obviously we were going out to win three. Two and a half was fantastic.
We didn't think it was impossible to win five out of six points this afternoon. But it seemed to change momentum. I was up around back of nine, 10, and in and around those holes where it was kind of swinging. Up until then we were looking good. It went to swinging towards USA after that.
You have to take your hat off to them. They outclassed us again this afternoon over the finishing holes. At the same time we knew going out if we could try and put some points on the board early, we were hoping for big wins early, we didn't come off with them. But they are to be complemented on a fantastic win. Martina played well as did Breanne. Three points out of three is great for your first Curtis Cup. But no, it just didn't happen for us this afternoon. As simple as that. At one stage it was looking good, but after that it just turned around.
CRAIG SMITH: Breanne, for you, when I saw you at the end, very mixed emotions. Obviously happy for yourself, 3 0 and yet tears for the team.
BREANNE LOUCKS: Yeah, we had such a good morning. We came out, we were coming out to win and get those three points on the board. And two and a half was great, as Ada said. And we really enjoyed it this morning. We were really up for it this afternoon. Martina won her match, which was fantastic, and still, until quite near the end we still looked like we could bring it back and still win. And yeah, mixed emotions there.
Q. I get to ask the tough one, I guess. Your team came back, played fantastically. But it still doesn't obscure the fact that GB&I is now the Americans are 25 6 3 in the series. Which a lot of people have suggested that perhaps they should go to a European team as opposed to just GB&I. Would that better serve the Curtis Cup, do you think?
ADA O'SULLIVAN: It's not one I've actually thought about it, being very honest. I don't think so. That's being very honest. I think one good move which I've heard yesterday is now it's going to be a three day event. I think that's going to be absolutely superb. I have tried for that for my last, after Formby. I feel it's very unfair to the players to come and expect them to reach your top form over two days. It's very difficult, if you don't reach play well yesterday it's very difficult to put you in today.
Plus the fact that hopefully four ball will go into it and I think it was singles, all eight played on the last afternoon or day, I think that would be fantastic. But, no, I mean I do believe that the quality is there in you're talking about in GB&I golf and actually to take on the Americans. And I'm sure when it comes to Saint Andrews in two year's time, with a three day event, you'll see a very much, either a GB&I win or obviously a very much closer affair.
Q. Obviously you don't have to make this decision next year, but I was curious as to why Kiran sat out both matches today since she was one of two points yesterday.
ADA O'SULLIVAN: Kiran would have been she won her singles match yesterday afternoon, but Kiran obviously had to try and get foursomes going. And Tricia and Kiran didn't jell yesterday. Kiran is obviously very talented as a golfer and very much an individual. And in foursomes this morning I believed that we actually needed people to actually rally one another. So hence you're talking about Claire Coughlan was left out and we brought in Breanne to play with Mel. And you're talking about Tara who played so well yesterday, with Tricia. And that was the reason. It was a very close call this afternoon whether she would go out or not. I'm not saying in favor of our players, there was three we just felt, because the players were so upbeat this morning that we felt, yeah, keep them out there. They were used to the conditions, plus the greens had got a lot quicker out there as well. So that's the decision. We took nothing to reflect on her, she's a great player. Just with the feeling of the day and the way the play had gone this morning.
Q. Did you see a difference in attitude a difference in what kind of difference did you see in your team today compared to yesterday?
ADA O'SULLIVAN: The main difference was that they were hitting through the ball. They weren't afraid, they weren't trying to steer the ball. They were attacking more. Our par 3s at our team meeting last night we agreed were critical. We were very poor at them yesterday. We played very well on them today. We needed to get to have to a good start. So we tried to par as many holes as we could at the start. And we had a lot of pars with a few birdies as well. So our start was far, far better. The team themselves I think their back was against the wall today, so they couldn't allow it, even though yesterday they were playing defensively, today they couldn't, they had to go for it.
CRAIG SMITH: Martina, when you were out there, you ended your match quite early, obviously to give the rest of your team a boost. Where did you go and what did you do and what was going through your mind? Who did you go to rally when you were done with your match?
MARTINA GILLEN: Well, Breanne was right behind me and I didn't realize she was 3 up playing 16. But Breanne, I stayed on to watch her come in. And that was great to see her finish. And I really thought we had a chance there. I didn't realize a couple of the matches were down. But, yeah, I watched Breanne and then Tricia came behind her and I followed her as much all the way in to 18.
CRAIG SMITH: How about just going it through your experience and then go over, Breanne, your experience here at Curtis Cup.
MARTINA GILLEN: My experience? It's definitely the best experience I ever had in golf. Our preparation and everything was second to none. And we gave, everybody gave it 120 percent. And it's just been fantastic. Disappointing that we lost. I thought we could do it, even though we were between a rock and a hard place today, I really thought we could do it at lunch time. And we were like well up for it and it just didn't come off.
BREANNE LOUCKS: Yeah, definitely been my best experience in golf and something that I have always wanted to achieve. I've enjoyed myself so much. Can't believe that I have had such a great weekend. And the last couple of weeks have been great. We have had great team spirit. I met new friends from the U. S. Team and on the great Britain team there too. And it's certainly something that I will never forget, definitely.
CRAIG SMITH: Did you learn something about yourself as well? Being so scrappy and winning?
MARTINA GILLEN: A fighter.
BREANNE LOUCKS: Yeah. Definitely. I believe more in myself now.
Q. Ada, was it all won and lost here or is this, as captain, is there something that you think you could have done differently in the preparation? Or how would you tell your successor to prepare in a different way?
ADA O'SULLIVAN: No, I believe I did everything that I believe that we needed to actually to win here. And any of our preparation, I wouldn't have changed anything that I had done. That's one thing you got to think about that I can go away with and be happy with. But, no, in relation to Mary McKenna who is coming in after me, I'll have long talks about what to do. But I don't think we could have prepared any better for here. Obviously the damage was done on the first day. As I said in yesterday's press interview, the big plus and the big difference was yesterday morning, losing three foursomes I think was a big downer for us. It was very hard to come back from that. I think a lot of damage had been done there. And when the Americans came here and had no wind I thought that it was a disadvantage and it proved to be a major advantage for them. So that's what caught us off yesterday morning.
Q. The team make up that you had, you talked about at the beginning of the week that if the conditions had been different that you may have changed one or two players. Do you think that you put too much into the conditions in making the selection?
ADA O'SULLIVAN: No, not necessarily, we were looking for players that could play links and had a very, very good short game. Everybody here had a good short game. Obviously if it was a parkland course we might have looked at it somewhat differently. People that might carry the ball further, things like that. But I can honestly say that anybody that was on the team had warranted their selection just by the various events that they had played in. But I wouldn't have changed, no.

Sunday 30th July 2006

Jenna Wilson with the 2006 Mackie bowl trophy

JENNA MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW AT GULLANE’S MACKIE BOWL
Strathaven’s Jenna Wilson followed up her victory in the Munross Trophy at Montrose by winning another prestigious 36-hole event on the Scottish women’s amateur circuit, the Mackie Bowl, at Gullane yesterday (Sunday).
Jenna had two rounds of 71 for a total of 142, against a par of 74 and a CSS of 74 for both rounds.
“I was steady in both rounds. I set out to hit the greens in regulation and I succeeded,” said Jenna who had three shots to spare over runners-up Jo Carthew (Ladybank) and teenager Jane Turner (Mortonhall).
Jo and Jane were also joint second behind Jenna at Montrose.
Jo had scores of 74 and 71 against Jane’s 70 and 75 so Miss Carthew was officially placed second on the better second round.
Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar), Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) and Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) were joint fourth on 146.
MACKIE BOWL – Gullane.
LEADING TOTALS (Par 74, CSS 74 74)
142 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 71 71.
145 Jo Carthew (Ladybank) 74 71, Jane Turner (Mortonhall) 70 75.
146 Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 72 74, Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 71 75, Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 71 75.
148 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 78 79.
Best individual rounds outwith main prize list
First round – Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) 70; Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 71 (better last six holes than Cara Gruber).
Second round – Sara Bishop 70; Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 73.

ADDI SHAMASH WINS GALLOWAY TITLE AT COLVEND
Former Scottish junior international Addi Shamash (Kirkcudbright), whose brother Ben reached the final of the Scottish men’s amateur championship 12 months ago, won the Galloway women’s county golf championship at Colvend Golf Club today.
Addi had rounds of 75 and 77 for 152 to win by four shots from the defending champion Sheila McMurtrie (Dalbeattie) who scored 80 and 76.
Stranraer players Gillian Monteith and Tracey Milligan were third and fourth respectively on 158 and 166.
Janet Peckham (Colvend) won the Rennie Salver handicap award with a net 71 off 27.
The Galloway girls’ championship was won by Ashley MacDonald (Dunskey) with a net 77 off 12.LEADING SCORES
152 Addi Shamash (Kirkcudbright) 75 77.
156 Sheila McMurtrie (Dalbeattie) 80 76.
158 Gillian Monteith (Stranraer) 76 82.
166 Tracey Milligan (Stranraer) 80 86.RENNIE SALVER – Janet Peckham (Colvend) (27) 71.
GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP – Ashley MacDonald (Dunksey) (12) 77.

CURTIS CUP TO BE THREE-DAY MATCH AT ST ANDREWS IN 2008
The United States Golf Association, in conjunction with the Ladies’ Golf Union, has announced that the Curtis Cup Match will change to a three-day format, beginning with the 2008 match over the Old Course, St Andrews.
The change in format was approved at a joint meeting of the USGA Women’s Committee and the Ladies’ Golf Union.
“We felt that there was so much preparation leading up to the Curtis Cup, but then only two days of play,” said Marcia Luigs, chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee. “We went to the USGA Executive Committee earlier this year for approval, which we received.”
Since 1964, the Curtis Cup match has been played over two days, with three foursomes matches and six singles matches each day.
Starting at the 2008 Match, there will be three foursomes and three four-ball (better-ball) matches on the first two days.
On the final day, there will be eight singles matches, meaning all eight players from each side will play in singles.
“Another day of competition will only add to the excitement of the Match,” said Luigs. “And it will be wonderful to have all team members playing in the singles matches.”
Andy Salmon, the LGU chief executive at the time, told www.kirkwoodgolf reporter Colin Farquharson at the post-match dinner in 2004 at Formby that he felt a three-day Curtis Cup match was almost bound to come, sooner rather than later.
It is quite possible that the R&A will now come under pressure from the United States Golf Association to make the men's Walker Cup match a three-day contest.
REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD IT FIRST .... www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

CURTIS CUP FINAL RESULT
UNITED STATES 11 1/2, GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND 6 1/2.
First Day: US 7, GB&I 2.
Second Day: US 4 1/2, GB&I 4 1/2
Final Foursomes: US 1/2, GB&I 2 1/2.
Final Singles: US 4, GB&I 2
(US players first)
Grimes lost to Gillen 3 and 2 (Gillen 3 over par).
McCurdy lost to Loucks 3 and 2 (Loucks 1 under par).
Mackenzie bt Mangan 1 hole (Mackenzie 1 over par).
Leon bt Edwards 5 and 4 (Leon 1 under par).
Lee bt Reid 3 and 2 (Lee level par).
Park bt Delaney 3 and 2 (Park 2 under par).

Curtis Cup
The GB&I come-back was just not enough in the end, with the first two pairings in the singles the only winners in the afternoon. Martina Gillen led the team out and won by 3&2 and Breanne Loucks, who has has a great Curtis Cup with three wins out of three, won by the same margin 3&2.
The final result was GB&I 6.5, USA 11.5

CURTIS CUP FINAL SET OF SINGLES
(GB&I names first)
Martina Gillen vs. Virginia Derby Grimes.
Breanne Loucks vs. Amanda McCurdy.
Tricia Mangan vs. Paige Mackenzie.
Naomi Edwards vs. Taylor Leon.
Melissa Reid vs. Jennie Lee, Henderson.
Tara Delaney vs. Jane Park

Curtis Cup
Some quotes after the morning foursomes, which GB&I won 2.5 to 0.5 to close the difference to only three points. (GB&I 4.5 USA 7.5)
Tara Delaney
"We knew we really needed it" said Delaney of her 3-foot putt tto halve the match on the 18th green. I was just thinking 'pick you spot and go through the basics. don't think about what it means."
The USA three-putted the final two holes, halving the 17th and losing the18th to halve the match.
Melissa Reid
"A lot of people thought we were dead and buried, but we didn't come here for second place," said Reid after watching the final foursomes match conclude in GB&I's favour.
Breanne Loucks
We were 2 under par and we were able to use our match to get the others going out there" said Loucks.
Naomi Edwards
"We're all going to be much happier at lunch" said Edwards who teamed with Martina Gillen in overtaking the USA duo of Mackenzie and Blumenherst on the final three holes.
"We just needed to get our approach shot back there and make two putts from there" said Edwards who rolled her 40 foot birdie putt to a couple of feet sealing the 1-up win for GB&I. "I was just thinking strike it firm."

GB&I TURN FOURSOMES TABLES ON THE AMERICANS ... WELL, ALMOST!
Great Britain & Ireland, trounced 3-0 in the first-day foursomes, almost turned the tables completely on the Americans on Day 2 of the Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon.
Whatever skipper Ada O'Sullivan said to her team, it worked wonders!
GB&I took the foursomes 2 1/2-1/2, which means they go into the final set of singles with a scoreline which holds out a glimmer of hope:
UNITED STATES 7 1/2, GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND 4 1/2

TRICIA MANGAN AND TARA DELANEY GET SQUARE MATCH
The all-Irish pairing of Tricia Mangan and Tara Delaney halved with Jane Park and Taylor Leon.
The scoring was not particularly good - Tricia and Tara were five over par at the finish - but they showed bags of fighting spirit after falling two down after only four holes.
The GB&I pair won the fifth with a birdie, the 10th with a birdie and the 14th to take a one-hole lead.
The United States partnership won the 15th with a par but Tricia and Tara held their nerve and won the 18th with a par for a square match.

MELISSA AND BREANNE SOCK IT TO THE AMERICANS
Melissa Reid and Breanne Loucks had a big win - 7 and 5 - over Jennie Lee and Jenny Suh.
The GB&I youngsters were two under par for the holes played with birdies at the sixth, eighth, ninth and 12th.

MARTINA AND NAOMI WIN WITH FIGHTING FINISH
Martina Gillen and Naomi Edwards were never ahead after losing the first to Paige Mackenzie and Amanda Blumenherst but here again the GB&I pair kept their shoulders to the wheel and squared the match with a par at the 16th.
Then Martina and Naomi went one up for the first time in the contest with a par at the 17th.
The last hole was halved in par, leaving the GB&I pair the winners by one hole.

Saturday 29th July 2006

SGU Press Release
BOOTH BOOKS BERTH FOR JUNIOR RYDER CUP
Comrie star Carly Booth booked her berth to the Junior Ryder Cup, after finishing a well earned third place at the European Masters today (29 July).
The current Scottish Girls U16 Stroke Play champion will be the only token Scot and UK representative in the Junior Ryder Cup team, as no other players from the home nations have been selected to grace the greens at Celtic Manor in Wales, proud hosts of the prestigious event on the junior circuit later this year.
Booth had led the field over the last two days, but was to have her third round interrupted by torrential rain and thunder which delayed play for two hours. However, the inclement weather did not dampen her spirits as the ‘Tiny Tigress’ returned to the course with stealth and determination, catching a birdie on her first hole following the storm. Booth bagged another 4 birdies in her final round, carding a final score of 71 (1 under). Fellow Scot, Sally Watson tied for seventh place on 74.
However, it was Germany’s Saskia Hausladen who was to snatch the lead and title on the final day of competition, concluding her third round with a staggering and sensational score of 64 (-8), equalling the course record at Styrian Golf Club, near Murhof, Austria.
Germany took the hat-trick at the Masters, with Max Kiefer clinching the Boys competition, thus handing Germany the overall team event.Troon Wellbeck’s promise, Michael Stewart tied for 9th place with a score of 68 (-4), one of the best scores on the course today. Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo), enjoying his very first taste of European competition finished his debut appearance tied for 33rd place, with a very credible score of 78. The canny Scots were just shy of a top three team finish, bringing home a respectable 4th place.
Following today’s events, National Junior Coach, Spencer Henderson said, “I am extremely proud of our young golfers, taking a fourth place team finish whilst competing against the best of 22 other nations.
“The level and standard of competition has been extremely high this year, in fact the best I have seen over the last three years since I have been attending this event.
“Carly’s solid performance here in Austria has been incredible and I am very pleased for her and for Scotland that we have a representative in the Junior Ryder Cup team.”

CARLY'S JUNIOR RYDER CUP PLACE CONFIRMED
Scottish Golf Union coach Spencer Henderson, who accompanied the four Scots players to the European Young Masters, has confirmed that Carly Booth, the 14-year-old Comrie player, is the only UK representative in the European team of six boys and six girls for the Junior Ryder Cup match for Under-16s at Celtic Manor Golf Resort on September 18 and 19.
Spencer said:
"Carly's performance here in Austria has been incredible and I am very pleased for her and for Scotland that we have a player in the Junior Ryder Cup team.
"The level and standard of competition in this year's European Young Masters is the best I've seen in the three years I've been attending the event.
"Scotland finished fourth in the team event and I am extremely proud of them, considering they were competing against the best of 22 other nations."

CARLY FINISHES THIRD BEST GIRL IN EUROPEAN YOUNG MASTERS
Comrie’s 14-year-old Carly Booth finished third in the girls’ championship of the European Young Masters 54-hole tournament for Under-16s at Styrian Golf Club, Murhof in Austria today (SAT).
Carly had held the lead on her own at the end of the first round and was joined in the pole position by two other girls after 36 holes.
In the final round, Carly shot a creditable one-under-par 71 after earlier rounds of 70 and 73 for a two-under-par total of 214.
She was going extremely well on the outward half of her final round, reaching the turn in three under par 33 with birdies a the third, seventh, eighth and ninth and only one shot dropped, at the sixth.
Miss Booth bogeyed the 11th but cancelled that out with her fifth birdie of the round at the 12th but she then ran up a double-bogey 6 at the 15th which inflated her final score.
In all Carly shot 10 birdies over the three rounds. The European team for the Junior Ryder Cup match will be selected on performances in the European Young Masters and Miss Booth is certain to be one of the girls name in the line-up to play the United States.
Germany’s Saskia Hausladen conjured up the lowest score of the championship – by boy or girl – an eight-under-par 64, just when she needed it most.
Saskia had eight birdies and no bogeys in halves of 34 and 30. After earlier rounds of 72 and 71, she finished as the European Young Masters’ girls champion with a nine-under-par total of 207.
Spanish ace Carlota Ciganda finished second with 72, 71 and 68 for 211.
Sally Watson from Queensferry, Scotland’s other representative in the girls’ championship finished joint seventh with scores of 77, 72 and 74 for seven-over-par 223. Sally bogeyed the fifth, eighth and 11th and had only one birdie, at the 12th, in her final round. She had seven birdies – four in her second round, over the three rounds.
Michael Stewart from Troon Welbeck finished on a high with a four-under-par 68, 10 shots better than his first round, for a final total of one-over-par 217. His second-day score was a 71.
Michael birdied the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 10th and 17th with bogeys at the second and 18th. Over the three rounds Michael had 12 birdies.
Stewart finished ninth equal in the boys section.
The other Scottish boy in the field, 15-year-old Tommy Spencer, from Inchmarlo, Banchory had scores of 75, 80 and 78 for 17-over-par 233.
Victor Dubuisson (France) and Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) tied for the top boy honour on nine-under-par 207.
EUROPEAN YOUNG MASTERS
Styrian Golf Club, Murhof, Austria.
FINAL TOTALS
BOYS (Par 72)
207 V Dubuisson (Fra) 69 71 678, M Kieffer (Ger) 70 68 69.
208 A Kristiansen (Nor) 68 71 69.
209 P Figueiredo (Por) 66 70 73.
210 S Einhaus (Ger) 70 69 71.
214 C Terragni (Ita) 74 72 68.
Other scores:
217 M Stewart (Sco) 78 71 68.
218 L Lennox (Ire) 75 74 69.
219 T Fleetwood (Eng) 71 75 73, K Metcalfe (Ire) 69 73 77.
228 A Myers (Eng) 73 79 76.
233 T Spencer (Sco) 75 80 78.
237 T Lowery (Wal) 78 80 79.
238 B Enoch (Wal) 78 84 76.
GIRLS (Par 72)
207 S Hausladen (Ger) 72 71 64.
211 C Ciganda (Spa) 72 71 68.
214 C Booth (Sco) 70 73 71.
216 M Silva (Spa) 72 73 71.
217 G Molinaro (Ita) 72 73 72.
219 Laura Gonzales-Escallon (B) 79 71 69.
Other scores:
223 S Watson Sco) 77 72 74, K O’Connor (Wal) 78 72 73, S Meadow (Ire) 74 74 75.
227 R Connor (Eng) 78 74 75.
235 S Cunningham (Ire) 76 79 80.
240 H Barwood (Eng) 84 80 76.
2576 K Miller (Wal) 85 87 84.

REBECCA MISSES CUT IN FLORIDA
Rebecca Watson from South Queensferry missed the cut after three rounds in the Optimist International Junior Open golf championship over the PGA National courses at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on Saturday.
Rebecca had rounds of 75, 93 and 87 for 255. Playershad to score 249 or better to make it through to Sunday's final round.
Alejandra Llaneza (Mexico City) leads by five shots with a three-over-par tally of 219 (70-76-73).
Lying second is Innapha Tantanavivat from Bankog with 72, 79 and 73 for 224.

KARRIE WEBB WINS BY ONE SHOT FROM LAURA DAVIES AND MICHELLE WIE
Australian Karrie Webb won the Evian Masters with a 16-under-par total of 272. She won the first prize of 380,268 Euros by one shot from Laura Davies and Michelle Wie.
Annika Sorenstam finished in joint eighth place on 279.
Catriona Matthew, expecting her first child later in the year, was 74th with 306 and earned 5,270 Euros.
LEADING TOTALS
272 (-16) KARRIE WEBB (Australia) 67 68 69 68.
273 LAURA DAVIES (England) 68 71 67 67, MICHELLE WIE (United States) 69 66 70 68.
Other scores:
279 ANNIKA SORENSTAM (Sweden) 69 69 71 70 (tied 8th).
306 CATRIONA MATTHEW (Scotland) 75 75 82 74 (74th).

CURTIS CUP FIRST-DAY QUOTES
US SKIPPER CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON
“All I told them was fight for every point, every half point.”
“It was very benign today and I think that worked to our advantage,” said Semple Thompson
“This is a lot more fun when we're winning. I am just in awe of my team. I thought we would be ahead at the end of the day, but I did not think we would have a 7?]2 lead. So I think shocked is maybe a little strong, but surprised, yes, definitely.”
GB&I SKIPPER ADA O’SULLIVAN
“We might be in dream world thinking you can win nine matches on Sunday. Technically what we need to win is seven-and-a-half matches. And that is possible.”
“We were simply outclassed and outplayed this afternoon.”
US TEAM PLAYERS
JANE PARK
“I told them that even if we're down in the afternoon or after the morning matches, just don't give up,” said Park. “And a win is always out there; you just got to execute the shot well. And just believe in yourself.”
GB&I TEAM PLAYERS
BREANNE LOUCKS
“As I got 6 up, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m 6 up,” said Loucks, who had sat out the foursomes. “It’s amazing really. It’s hard to find the words. What do I say to say how happy I am.”
KIRAN MATHARU
“I was nervous on the first hole,” said Matharu, “but after I hit a few good shots I settled down.”

Curtis Cup
The two youngest players in the GB&I team, Kiran Matharu and Breanne Loucks, were the only winners on the first day of the 34th Curtis Cup match at Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. The 7-2 scoreline gives GB&I a lot to do tomorrow, when the format is the same, three foursomes in the morning and six singles in the afternoon.
Kiran Martharu led the team out in the singles, and was never down in her match against Jenny Suh, a 20-year-old college player from Fairfax, Virginia. All square at the turn, she covered the next seven holes in two under par to win by 2&1.
Breanne Loucks turned in a very solid performance to beat one of America's top players, Amanda Blumenherst, by 5 and 4 this afternoon. Amanda gave the impression that she did not know what had hit her, as Leanne won 5 holes in a row from the 6th to mount the 11th tee six up. A birdie two from Amanda at the 11th returned the score-line to 5, but she could not win another hole and Breanne came though the 5&4 winner.
A 2-7 score-line is nothing new. GB&I were 2-7 down after the first day at Fox Chapel four years ago and rallied in the following mornings singles before eventually losing 11-7.
Singles Results GB&I 2 USA 4 (GB&I names first)
Matharu beat Suh 2&1, Gillen lost to Lee 4&3, Loucks beat Blumenherst 5&4, Reid lost to Mackenzie 5&4, Delaney lost to Park 3&2 Coughlan lost to Lee 5&4
Overall score after first day
GB&I 2 USA 7

CURTIS CUP
FIRST SET OF SINGLES
Skipper Ada O'Sullivan has rested Irish champion Tricia Mangan and England's Naomi Edwards from the first set of singles.
Into the line-up for their Curtis Cup debuts come Breanne Loucks of Wales and Ireland's Tara Delaney who is no stranger to golf in American conditions - she plays successfully for Kent State University, Ohio on the American women's college circuit.
FIRST-DAY SINGLES
1:30 p.m. – Kiran Matharu (GB&I) vs. Jenny Suh (USA
1:40 p.m. – Martina Gillen (GB&I) vs. Jennie Lee (USA)
1:50 p.m. – Breanne Loucks (GB&I) vs. Amanda Blumenherst (USA)
2:00 p.m. – Melissa Reid (GB&I) vs. Paige Mackenzie (USA)
2:10 p.m. – Tara Delaney (GB&I) vs. Jane Park (USA)
2:20 p.m. – Claire Coughlin (GB&I) vs. Taylor Leon (USA)

Claire Coughlan and Melissa Reid stride down the fairway in their foursomes match
[Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Una Kindlon (via the LGU)]

Curtis Cup
BAD START BY GB&I: AMERICANS WIN ALL THREE OPENING FOURSOMES
By Colin Farquharson
Ada O'Sullivan's Great Britain & Ireland team got off to the worst possible start in the Curtis Cup match against the United States at Bandon Dunes, Oregon today.
The Americans won all three of the opening foursomes - and not with particularly brilliant golf.
Paige Mackenzie and Amanda Blumenhirst put the first point on the board for Carol Semple Thompson's American team by beating Irish champion Tricia Mangan and English champion Kiran Matharu by 5 and 4.
The United States pair were level par for the holes played but the GB&I pairing were seven over par. Tricia and teenager Kiran were never in the hunt after losing the second, third and fourth holes. They were five down at the turn.
United States went 2-0 ahead when Viriginia Grimes and Amanda McCurdy beat Ireland's Martina Gillen and England's Naomi Edwards by two holes.
This was a poor quality match in terms of par figures. The winners were FIVE over par and the GB&I pair a dismal seven over par.
The Americans took the edge in this tie when they won the eighth, ninth and 10th to be four up.
Gillen and Edwards came back to be only one down after 17 but they lost the last hole.
The United States completed the 3-0 clean sweep of the first set of foursomes when Jane Park and Taylor Leon beat Claire Coughlan from Cork and Melissa Reid of Derby by one hole.
The Americans were two over par at the finish while the GB&I pair were four over par.
This was a tight match throughout. Claire and Melissa were two holes up after six but lost the eighth and 10th. They fought back to lead again with a birdie at the 15th but were pulled back to square at the seventeenth but lost the last hole to a birdie, although the GB&I pair took a bogey.
RESULTS
FIRST SET OF FOURSOMES
UNITED STATES 3, GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND 0
American names first.
Paige Mackenzie & Amanda Blumenhirst bt Tricia Mangan & Kiran Matharu 5 and 4.
Virginia Grimes & Amanda McCurdy bt Martina Gillen & Naomi Edwards 2 holes.
Jane Park & Taylor Leon bt Claire Coughlan & Melissa Reid 1 hole.

Mixed teams at the Curtis Cup
[Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Una Kindlon (via the LGU)]

Curtis Cup
The Curtis Cup started this morning at 7:30am in bright sunshine with three foursomes matches. Trish Mangan from Ireland hit the first shot of the tournament. Many GB&I supporters are here, and the Union Jack and Irish flag are just as prolific as the Stars and Stripes.
GB&I Captain Ada O'Sullivan has chosen to play three combinations of English and Irish players, with Trish Mangan and Kiran Matharu, Martina Gillen and Naomi Edwards and Claire Coughlan and Melissa Reid starting this morning.
2006 CURTIS CUP MATCH
July 29-30
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes Course), Bandon, Ore.
Pairings for the first round of Foursomes to be played Saturday morning at the par 71, 6,221-yard Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Times are PDT):
Foursomes
Match 1
7:30 a.m. -- Tricia Mangan, Limerick, Ireland, and Kiran Matharu, Leeds, England (GB&I) vs. Paige Mackenzie, Yakima, Wash., and Amanda Blumenherst, Scottsdale, Ariz. (USA)
Match 2
7:40 a.m. -- Martina Gillen, Dublin, Ireland, and Naomi Edwards, Yorkshire, England (GB&I) vs. Virginia Grimes, Meridian, Miss., and Amanda McCurdy, El Dorado, Ark. (USA)
Match 3
7:50 a.m. -- Claire Coughlan, Cork, Ireland, and Melissa Reid, Derbyshire, England (GB&I) vs. Jane Park, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Taylor Leon, Dallas, Texas (USA)

ROSEANNE AND KELSEY FOR BRUSSELS
New Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play champion Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and 15-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), winner of the Under-16 award in the Scottish Under-21 girls' championship which finished at Stirling on Friday, have been selected by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to take part in the Belgian International Junior event at the Royal Golf Club of Belgium, Brussells from August 23 to 26.
The reserves are Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle).

Optimist Junior International girls
REBECCA STRUGGLES AT PGA NATIONAL
Rebecca Watson from South Queensferry had a disappointing score of 93 in the second round of the Optimist Junior International girls (16 to 18 years) championship over the PGA National course at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on Friday.
Rebecca had been tied for fifth place after an opening score of three-over-par 75 but her 36-hole tally of 167 dropped her to a share of 39th place in the international field of 80 girls. Miss Watson, whose younger sister Sally is currently playing in the European Young Masters in Austria, is the only European in the field.
The leader is Alexjandra Llaneza (Mexico City) with scores of 70 and 76 for two-over 146.

Friday 28th July 2006

Krystle Caithness with the Scottish Junior Open Strokeplay Trophy

KRYSTLE SETS TWO MORE RECORDS IN WINNING THE SCOTTISH U-21 GIRLS
Sparkling Krystle Caithness completed a hat-trick of records today (FRIDAY) in winning the Scottish Under-21 girls' golf championship with a brilliant 54-hole performance at Stirling Golf Club.
After her 10-under-par course record opening round of 64, the 17-year-old from Cellardyke, Fife, added a pair of 69s for a staggering total of 20-under-par 202.
That shattered the previous tournament low record of 209 set by the 1996 winner, Laura Moffat.
Krystle, who started the final round 10 shots clear of Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) and Kesley MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), won in the end by 11 from Miss McNicoll. Almost certainly, that is the biggest winning margin achieved in the championship.
It was yet another peak achieved this season by Krystle who won the St Rule Trophy women's open over her home courses at St Andrews in early June. But the selectors of the Great Britain and Ireland team for this weekend's Curtis Cup match in Oregon felt she was not quite ready for the match against the United States and made her only second reserve.
"That has to be the best golf I've played over three consecutive rounds," said Krystle. "My swing was not quite right last week in the Scottish girls' match-play championship but I got my coach, Donald McKay and Steve McNally (the Scottish Institute of Sport's high-performance coach) to have a look at me before I came to Stirling.
"Everything clicked together in that 64 in the first round when I reach the turn in eight-under-par 30 with two eagles and four birdies. After that it was just a case of keeping my momentum going."
Katy McNicoll, a better player after a season on the American college circuit for Lynn University, Florida, had rounds of 71, 72 and 70 for nine-under-par 213, a total that would normally have won the Under-21s title.
Katy, sister of East of Scotland Open champion Keir McNicoll, reached the turn in five-under-par 33 in her last round but made up only one shot on playing partner Krystle Caithness!
Kelsey MacDonald, the 15-year-old repeating Northern Counties women's champion, shot 70, 73 and 72 to be a highly creditable third on 215.
The first seven players all finished with sub-par 54-hole totals, which is a great advertisement for the Scottish junior women's golf. Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 216, Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) 217, Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 219 and Roseanne Niven (Crieff), also 219, all can look back with pride on their efforts.
Defending champion Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) finished with her best round of the three, a 71, for 224 to finish eighth.
Krystle, who will not be 18 until next January, also retained the Under-18 Menzies Cup. Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) had the lowest 54-hole aggregate by an Under-16 year old.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) had the best gross aggregate by an Under-14 year old.
SCOTTISH UNDER-21 GIRLS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Stirling Golf Club.
FINAL TOTALS (Par 74, CSS 73 72 72)
202 K Caithness (St Regulus) 64 69 69.
213 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 71 72 70.
215 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 70 73 72
216 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 70 74 72.
217 G Webster (Hilton Park) 67 79 71
219 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 75 72 72, R Niven (Crieff) 69 75 75.
224 L Fleming (The Roxburghe) 77 76 71.
226 J Turner (Mortonhall) 74 77 75.
227 V Stevenson (Stirling) 76 78 73.
228 R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 82 74 72.
230 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 79 80 71, K Harper (Inverness) 77 81 72.
231 K Wells (Dumfries & Co) 78 79 74, H Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) 79 76 76, L Hendry (Routenburn) 75 76 80, E Fairnie (Dunbar) 76 75 80.
232 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 81 77 74, L Murray (Alford) 79 74 79.
233 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 79 78 76.
236 L MacGregor (Falkirk) 85 77 74.
238 S Herd (Dunblane New) 87 74 77.
239 H Harvey (St Rule) 84 82 73.
240 A Ingram (Fort Willliam) 77 85 78, L Whitehead (Droitwich) 78 79 83, R Wilson (Monifieth) 79 78 73, F Blair (Monifieth) 75 79 86.
241 D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 76 83 82.
242 L Mackin (Majorca) 83 83 76, S-D Wilson (Murcar Links) 81 82 79.
245 E MacKay (Nairn Dunbar) 84 83 78, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 82 79 84.
246 S Vass (Tain) 86 77 83.
248 R Watton (Mortonhall) 87 79 82.
249 A Niven (Crieff) 82 88 79, G Scanlan (Hamilton) 85 82 82, J Meldrum(Dullatur) 78 85 86.
250 L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) 84 80 86, V Smith (Barassie) 83 80 87.
251 J Vilakazi (Merchants of Edinburgh) 87 86 78.
253 C Easton (Dalmahoy) 85 86 82.
254 J Linklater (Largs) 91 85 78, J Sneddon (Alyth) 87 83 84, I Craigie (Torwoodlee) 78 89 87.
255 A McGarty (Harubrn) 84 82 89.
256 C McLoughlin (Gullane) 88 84 84, S Leslie (Westhill) 84 84 88.
259 Z Differ (Dullatur) 87 89 83, C Mulholland (HIlton Park) 87 82 90.
261 K Differ (Dullatur) 89 79 93.
262 G Simpson (Baberton) 82 92 88, R McIntyre (Eden) 82 87 93.
266 R McQueen (Troon Bentinck) 91 82 93.
268 S Horsburgh (Dunbar) 93 85 80.
269 R Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh) 92 84 93, G Arnott (Kilbirnie Place) 85 87 97.
272 L Meldrum (Dullatur) 89 94 89.
276 H Goodwin (Glenbervie) 89 92 95.
278 M Aird (Strathmore) 100 91 87, K Scott (Windyhill) 91 97 90, N Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) 90 91 97.
280 R Hanlon (St Regulus) 94 94 92, K Dunbar (Aberfeldy) 92 93 95.
298 J Vass (Tain) 99 101 98.

European Young Masters
CARLY HANGING ON TO SHARE OF LEAD AS SALLY WATSON MOVES UP TO SEVENTH
Comrie’s Carly Booth had to give up the outright lead but she is still hanging on in their in a triple tie for the pole position after two rounds of the girls’ championship in the European Young Masters at Styrian Golf Club, Murhof in Austria.
Carly has had rounds of 70 and 73 and has been joined on the 143 mark by the Spanish ace Carlota Ciganda (Spain) with 72 and 71 as well as Saskia Hausladen (Germany), 72 and 71.
Scotland’s other representative, Sally Watson from South Queensferry, took closer order with a 72 – five shots better than her first round – and is in seventh place on 149. There is a field of 40 girls.
Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow is a shot ahead of Sally with a pair of 74s.
Scotland are not doing so well in the boys’ championship which is being led by Portugal’s Pedro Figueiredo on 136 with scores of 66 and 70.
Michael Stewart from Troon Welbeck is back in a share of 16th place on 149 with scores of 78 and 71.
Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo) is sharing 30th place in a field of 50 boys after a 75 and 80 for 155.
SCOREBOARDS
BOYS
136 Pedro Figueiredo (Por) 766 70.
138 Maxmilian Kieffer (Ger) 70 68.
139 Sean Einhaus (Ger) 70 69, Anders Kristensen (Nor) 68 71.
Also:
142 Kevin Metcalfe (Ire) 69 73 (7th).
146 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 71 75 (jt 11th).
149 Michael Stewart (Sco) 78 71, Luke Lennox (Ire) 75 74 (jt 16th).
152 Adam Myers (Eng) 73 79 (jt 24th).
155 Tom Spencer (Sco) 75 80 (jt 30th).
158 Thomas Lowery (Wales) 78 80 (jt 37th).
GIRLS
143 Carlota Ciganda (Spa) 72 71, Saskia Hausladen (Ger) 72 71, Carly Booth (Sco) 70 73.
145 Marta Silva (Spa) 72 73, Giulia Molinaro (Ita) 72 73.
1448 Stephanie Meadow (Ire) 74 74.
149 Sally Watson (Sco) 77 72.
150 Katherine O’Connor (Wal) 78 72.
Also:
152 Rachel Connor (Eng) 78 74 (jt 10th).
155 Sarah Cunningham (Ire) 76 79 (jt 20th).
164 Hannah Barwood (Eng) 84 80 (35th).
172 Kelly Miller (Wal) 85 87 (40th).

SAM CAIRNS COMES HOME IN 31 TO GET A SHARE OF FIRST PLACE
North-east professionals Graeme McInnes (Murcar Links) and Dean Vannet (Peterculter) shared first place with Westerwood’s Sam Cairns at the end of a fog-affected Grampian Houston Junior Golf pro-am at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club today.
Cairns, one of the later starters, came storming home in four-under-par 31 for four-under-par 67 to match the long-time clubhouse leaders, McInnes and Vannet, who had been in the third and fourth groups off the first tee.
The three joint leaders each earned around £1,500 each from the total prize fund of £12,785.
Ken Hutton (Downfield) finished fourth on his own on 68
Several suspensions of play because of the reduced visibility added up to about two hours being added to the schedule. The last group finished at approximately 8.45pm.
Sam Cairns also steered the Ritson Smith trio of amateurs, Niall Farquharson (6), David McEwing (10) and Damian McGann (18) to victory in the team event with a net score of 14-under-par 57.
They won by one shot from Finlay Menzies (Milngavie) and the Mayen Holdings team of Jim McNeil (12), George McCulloch (6) and James Dick (7).
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
67 G McInnes (Murcar Links), D Vannet (Peterculter), S Cairns (Westerwood).
68 K Hutton (Downfield).
69 E Cameron (Hamilton), B Davidson (River Oaks CC), J Stevenson (Braehead), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), A Reid (unatt).
70 G Lornie (Aspire), M King (Kingsfield).
71 K McDonald (Braeburn CC), K Walker (Castle Park), C Ronald (Torrance House).
72 S Henderson (Kings Links), C Gillies (Kingsfield), G McFarlane (Clydebank & Dist), M Loftus (Cowglen), R Drummond (Prestwick GR).

R&A Press Release
TV BOOST FOR SUSTAINABLE GOLF
The campaign by The R&A to promote sustainable golf courses worldwide received a major boost from the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake – with television’s multi-million audiences a key factor.
For several years, the televising of major tournaments such as The Masters has led many club golfers to ask for “greener greens and fairways”, requiring the application of huge quantities of water and chemicals. At this year’s Open, however, spectators watched one of the most successful championships ever, played out on dry, brown fairways which had not been watered at all during the long weeks of drought and record temperatures running up to The Open.
The excellence of Hoylake’s sustainable course led to many tributes:
“I think it’s a fantastic test. With the golf course being this fast, it lent itself to just amazing creativity. This is the way – how it all started and how I think that it should be played.” Tiger Woods.
“I wish our fairways in the States were like this. It’s nice, it’s golf, instead of trying to grip it and rip it.” Chris DiMarco.
Agronomists and greenkeepers confirmed that Hoylake was a shining example of The R&A’s definition of the sustainable course: “Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management”.
Robert Webb, Chairman of The R&A Golf Course Committee, which spearheads the drive for sustainable courses, said: “We have had to work hard to get the message of best practice course management across to many amateur golfers and their club administrators, so The Open has helped our cause significantly. People watching television coverage around the world – or on the course itself – must have heeded the message that best practice course management, with conservation of water, minimum use of pesticides and enhancement of the natural environment makes for more pleasurable golf and, at the same time, demonstrates greater social responsibility.
“We’re thrilled with this boost to our work and like to think it will lead even more golfers to turn to our website, www.bestcourseforgolf.org which has already attracted registration from nearly 2,000 clubs worldwide”.

English women's (close) stroke-play golf championship
LIZ BENNETT WINS BY FOUR SHOTS
Liz Bennett from Brokenhurst Manor GC, Hampshire came from four shots adrift at the halfway stage to win the English women's (close) stroke-play golf championship over 72 holes.
Liz shot 75, 72, 70 and 73 for a two-under-par total of 290.
Runner-up, two shots behind and winner of the Under-23 title, was Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) with 71, 72, 78 and 71 for 292.
Kerry Smith finished third on 297 with 77, 71, 76 and 73.
Felicity Johnson (Harborne) won the Under-21 championship wih 76, 75, 71 and 76 for 298.
Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) won the Under-18 title with 73, 75, 75 and 77 for 300.
FINAL TOTALS
290 (-2) E Bennett 75 72 70 73.
292 S Walker 71 72 78 71.
297 K Smith 77 71 76 73.
298 F Johnson 76 75 71 76.
299 R Wood 73 78 72 76.
300 R Jennings 73 75 75 77.
301 F Parker 68 75 76 82.
302 S James 75 81 76 70.
303 R Bell 75 77 74 77, J Hodge 72 74 83 74, H Ralph 74 74 75 80.
304 E Lyons 78 74 71 81.
Other totals:
305 S-J Eaves.
306 C Lee.
307 H Moul.
310 A Scott, C Douglass.
311 L Stirling, D Gibb, T Watters.
312 S Garbutt, L Brand, E Duggleby (70-82-80-80), L Ball.
314 E Givens.
315 R Goodall, R Lomas.
316 F Grimshaw, L Eastwood.
318 E Sheffield, L Barton.
322 C Gay.
328 H Aitchison.

Optimist International junior girls championship
REBECCA FIVE OFF PACE IN FLORIDA
Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) had a first-round 75 (three over par) to five five shots behind leader Alejandra Llaneza (Mexico City) in the first round of the Optimist International junior girls championship at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

EGU Press Release
HUTSBY APPOINTED ENGLAND BOY CAPTAIN
Sam Hutsby, who is enjoying a highly successful year on the fairways at home and abroad, has been selected to captain England in next month’s Boys Home Internationals in Scotland.
The 17 year old from the Lee-on-Solent club in Hampshire started the year on a high by winning the Spanish Amateur Championship, beating Eduardo Molinari from Italy, the US Amateur champion, 7&6 over 36 holes.
Since then, Hutsby (pictured right - (Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)) has finished joint runner-up in the McEvoy Trophy, fourth in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, and represented England in the World Junior Team Championships in Japan and the recent European Boys Team Championships in Sweden.
“I’ve had a good year so far as this sums it up for me,” said Hutsby. “Also, it’s such a confidence booster for the Boys Home Internationals, which I’m really looking forward to.”
A former under 16 international, Hutsby also caught the eye in 2005, finishing tied second in the Under 18 Championship for the Carris Trophy, third in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, and fourth in the South East Boys Qualifying. He also made his debut at boys level in the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa where he helped England win the title.
That extended England’s run of successive victories in the event to eight so Hutsby will aim to take his side one-over-the-eight at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth on 8th - 10th August.

EGU Press Release
English Boys Under 18 Championship
RECORD-BREAKER WRIGHT STORMS TO VICTORY
Darren Wright shot an aggregate nine under par on the day to storm to a thrilling victory in the English Boys Under 18 Championship at Sherwood Forest.
The 17 year old from Rowlands Castle in Hampshire carded rounds of 64, a course record, and 67 for 276, four under par, to finish three shots ahead of Belgian Hugues Joannes, who began the day five strokes ahead. At the start of play Joannes seemed untouchable. But there is nothing certain in golf.
Wright’s record 64, which contained eight birdies and ten threes, saw him cut the Belgian’s lead to three at lunch, then he almost produced a carbon copy 67 to set a target no one could reach. Wright then had to kick and heels and bite his nails as, one by one, his pursuers all fell by the wayside.
Joannes was still the biggest danger and was still at four under well into his closing round. But a fierce downpour left Joannes wet through and starting to spill shots. A double bogey at the eight followed by another dropped shot put him behind and although he recovered it was still a tough task in which he came up short.
Wright (pictured left - photo courtesy of Tom Ward), who is studying golf at college in Hampshire, said: “I’ve amazed myself. But this win means the world to me. The biggest title I’ve ever won before is the men’s championship at my club, but today my putter was the key.”
He continued, “I holed everything I looked at and this means all the hard work I’ve put in has paid off.”
Conversely, Joannes found no luck on the greens. “My putter just dried up,” he said. “I have had a good week but I’m very disappointed. The rain didn’t help but I would have liked to have won.”
Dale Whitnell, the latest discovery from Essex, finished third on level par 280 after a closing 68, while Juan Sarasti from Spain was a stroke further back.
The rain of the afternoon took some of the sting from the course and produced a flood of low scores.
Apart from Wright and Whitnell, Nick McCarthy from Yorkshire went round in 65 to finish jo0int fifth on 282, while Tom Shadbolt from Hertfordshire carded a 66, which hoisted him to equal seventh on 283.
Several others broke 70 but everyone finished in Wright’s shadow in a week of blistering high temperatures and sparkling golf.
In the race for the subsidiary trophies, Pepperell won the Hazards Salver for the best under 16 performance, while Whitnell took the Malcolm Reid Trophy for the best aggregate from the McEvoy and Carris Trophies.

GB&I Captain Ada O'Sullivan and USA Captain Carol Semple Thomson lead their teams into the arena
at the Opening Ceremony of the Curtis Cup at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon.
[Photo courtesy of Eric Yaillen, Oregon Golf Association]

Some Irish supporters at the Opening Reception
[Photo courtesy of Eric Yaillen, Oregon Golf Association]

Not quite the formal shot you would expect... here are the GB&I team before the flag-raising ceremony when they were waiting to line-up and go...
L to R: Lesley Burn, new CEO of the LGU, Lawrence Farmer, coach, Ada O'Sullivan, GB&I Team Captain, Tara Delaney, Claire Coughlan, Naomi Edwards, Melissa Reid, Tricia Mangan, Kiran Martharu, Breane Loucks, Fiona Norris, Team Manager and Martina Gillen.
Good Luck Girls!

Here is a typical bunker on the Pacific Dunes course... this one at the 18th
Watch the USGA website for up-to-date results

Thursday 27th July 2006

KRYSTLE HAS A GEM OF A ROUND (10 UNDER PAR 64) AT STIRLING
Seventeen-year-old Fifer Krystle Caithness is only second reserve for this weekend's Curtis Cup match in Oregon. But when Great Britain & Ireland skipper Ada O'Sullivan hears that Krystle shot a course record of 10-under-par 64 at Stirling yesterday (THU) she might be regretting that there are no Scots in her squad.
Playing in the first round of the Scottish Under-21 girls' open stroke-play championship, Miss Caithness opened up a three-shot lead with 36 holes still to be played.
It was, of course, the best round, the best golf that Miss Caithness has ever played - and she has played a lot of very good ones to amass the amount of trophies and titles in her collection on her sideboard at the family home in Cellardyke.
The tournament started with the Stirling women's course record standing at 71, set by a former Curtis Cup star and past Scottish champion, Alison (Rose Davidson). By the end of the first round, some five players had got inside the old figure and Krystle had lowered it to a staggering 64 in hot and humid conditions.
She could play golf for another 50 years and not have another outward half like the one she had at Stirling - eight under par 30 - with eagles at the first and seventh, birdies at the second, third, fourth and eighth.
Coming home, Miss Caithness actually bogeyed the 12th before catching fire again with birdies at the 13th, 16th and 17th for two-under-par 34.
Other players to break 70 in a super advertisement for the standard of Scottish girls golf were Ohio State University team player Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) with a 67 and Roseanne Niven (Crieff), winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play title at Peebles last week, with a 69.
SCOTTISH UNDER-21 GIRLS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Stirling Golf Club
FIRST ROUND (Par 74)
64 K Caithness (St Regulus).
67 G Webster (Hilton Park).
69 R Niven (Crieff).
70 K Walker (Buchanan Castle), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).
71 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies).
74 J Turner (Mortonhall).
75 L Hendry (Routenburn), M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), F Blair (Monifieth).
76 V Stevenson (Stirling), E Fairnie (Peebles), D Dewar (Stirling Univ).
77 L Fleming (The Roxburghe), K Harper (Inverness), A Ingram (Fort William)
78 L Whitehead (Droitwich), I Craigie (Torwoodlee), J Meldrum (Dullatur), K Wells (Dumfries & Co).
79 L Murray (Alford), M Briggs (Kilmacolm), P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), R Wilson (Monifieth), H Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park).
81 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ), S-D Wilson (Murcar Links).
82 A Niven (Crieff), E Briggs (Kilmacolm), R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), R McIntyre (Eden), G Simpson (Baberton).
83 L Mackin (Majorca), V Smith (Barassie).
84 E Mackay (Nairn Dunbar), L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon), A McGarty (Harburn), H Harvey (St Rule), S Leslie (Westhill).
85 C Easton (Dalmahoy), L MacGregor (Falkirk).
86 S Vass (Tain).
87 J Vilakazi (Merchants of Edinburgh), Z Differ (Dullatur), J Sneddon (Alyth).
89 K Differ (Dullatur), L Allan (Kilbirnie Place).
91 R McQueen (Troon Bentinck Ladies).
92 R Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh), K Dunbar (Aberfeldy).
93 S Horsburgh (Dunbar).
98 A Smith (Kirriemuir).

CARLY (70) LEADS BY TWO STROKES IN AUSTRIA
Comrie's 14-year-old Carly Booth took a big step towards gaining an automatic place in this year's Junior Ryder Cup match when she opened up a two-stroke lead at the end of the first round of the girls' section in the European Young Masters for Under-16s at Styrian Golf Club, Murhof in Austria.
Carly shot a 70 to have Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Marta Silva, plus Saskia Hausladen (Germany) and Giulia Molinaro (Italy) sharing second place on 72.
Scotland's other representative in the girls' event, Sally Watson from South Queensferry was in joint 14th place after a 77.
LEADING GIRLS' SCORES
70 Carly Booth (Scotland).
72 Saskia Hausladen (Germany), Marta Silva (Spain), Carolot Ciganda (Spain), Giulia Molinaro (Italy).
73 Nicola Rossler (Germany).
Other scores:
74 Stephanie Meadow (Ireland (jt 7th).
77 Sally Watson (Scotland) (jt 14th).
78 Catherine O'Connor (Wales), Rachel Connor (England) (jt 16th).
84 Hannah Barwood (England) (jt 34th).

Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship
McALLISTER WINS SCOTTISH BOYS TITLE WHEN SALTMAN BOGEYS THE LAST
Shaun McAllister beat Craigielaw clubmate Zack Saltman in a two-player shoot-out over the last 18 holes of the Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship at hot and humid Alloa Golf Club today.
McAllister, a 17-year-old +1 player who had never won anything of note, had made the running through the first 54 holes, a third-round 68 for 11-under-par 199 extending his overnight lead to four shots over Saltman who had a 70 for 203.
From there it should have been plain sailing for Master McAllister. But it wasn't.
"My driving had started to go off in the third round and it continued to get worse in the fourth," said Sean who double-bogeyed the third and seventh (where he went out of bounds with his second).
Then he had a double bogey 6 from the left rough at the 10th and then a potentially catastrophic triple bogey 7 at the 12th after a bad drive left.
At that point McAllister had plummeted to only three over par for the tournament and was now four shots adrift of Saltman, who had his talented brothers Lloyd and Elliot, not to mention mum and dad in the big gallery.
"By the 13th tee, I'm just trying to hang on for second place. I'm thinking there's no way I can win this now,"said Saun.
But the wheel of fortune was just about to spin back McAllister's way. He covered the last six holes in one under par with a 25ft putt dropping for a birdie at the 16th. In contrast, Saltman bogeyed the 13th, 14th (with three putts) and 17th.
That put the pair dead level after 71 holes at four under par. McAllister played a "wee four-iron" pin high at the 191yd, par-3 last. Saltman underclubbed just short of the putting surface. He took three to get down from there for a fourth bogey in the last six holes,
McAllister putted dead for a 3 and a seven-over 77 which was good enough to win him the title with a total of four-under-par 276, one ahead of the hapless Saltman who signed off with a bitterly-disappointing 74..
"I've never felt so gutted in all my life," said Zack.
English teenanger Tom Hayes from West Byfleet, Surrey finished third, four shots behind silver medallist Saltman on 281.
Former British boys champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) finished fourth on 282, thanks to a third-round 65.
Sam McLaren (King James VI), joint seventh overall on 285, won the George MacDonald Trophy for the best performance by an Under-16 year old. A week or two ago Sam won the Scottish Under-16 boys' title at Deeside.
Collated end of play score
FINAL TOTALS (Par 70 x 4; CSS 72 71 71 71)
276 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 64 67 68 77.
277 Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 69 64 70 74.
281 T Hayes (West Byfleet) 68 70 74 69.
282 J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 74 71 65 72.
284 R Kellett (Colville Park) 74 72 70 68, L Kirton (Newmachar) 74 72 70 68.
285 S McLaren (King James VI) 70 75 67 73, G Doverspike (US) 71 72 69 73, J Byrne (Banchory) 71 71 68 75, W Sjaichudin (US) 73 70 73 69.
286 A Murdoch (Stranraer) 72 72 72 70, R Bell (Downfield) 74 68 72 72, J Meechan (Dullatur) 75 67 73 71, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 71 70 70 75, M Brittan (Saltford) 68 70 75 73.
287 A Wallace (Glenbervie) 75 72 70 70.
288 J Bradley (Paisley) 69 70 77 72.
289 C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 70 76 69 74, J Neilson (Dunbar) 74 71 73 71.
291 N Henderson (The Glen) 73 72 76 70.
293 F Fotheringham (Nairn) 71 74 75 73, D Elder (Carnosutie) 71 72 76 74.
294 K Smith (Barassie) 69 74 77 74.
296 R Carson (Dalmahoy) 74 73 78 71, J Duff (Newmachar) 78 69 76 73.
297 G Mitchell (Northern) 73 73 76 75, C Storrier (Downfield) 71 73 78 75, J Ferrier (Dumfries & Galloway) 71 73 81 72.
299 P Keeling (North Berwick) 72 74 76 77, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 75 69 79 76, P Shields (Kirkhill) 65 77 75 82, C Gray (West Kilbride) 75 68 76 80.
300 J Mackay (Barassie) 71 67 82 80.
301 S McGarvey (Glencorse) 74 73 80 74, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 71 71 79 80.
302 J Caldwell (Greenock) 76 71 75 80, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 73 71 76 82.
303 D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 73 74 70 86.
306 F Lawrie (West Kilbride) 76 71 81 78.
307 S Fraser (Northern) 77 70 79 81.

Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship
SHAUN FOUR AHEAD WITH ONE ROUND TO GO
Shaun McAllister seems determined to make every post a winning one in the Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship at Alloa Golf Club's Schawpark course.
Leader from the start after an outstanding six-under-par 64 in the first round, the Craigielaw teenager shot a third-round 68 to double his overnight lead of two from clubmate Zack Saltman.
At the start of the final day of 36 holes, it looked like a two-horse race between the Craigielaw lads. Now, with one round to go, it looks all over bar the shouting for the pacemaker they could not catch.
McAllister is on 11-under-par 199, with Saltman having a 70 for 203.
Next best are two North-east players, former British boys champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) with a 65 for 210, the same score as James Byrne (Banchory), the NE youths champion and also NE boys stroke-play title-holder. James had a 68 for 210.
LEADING TOTALS WITH ONE ROUND TO GO
199 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) 64 67 68.
203 Zack Saltman (Criagielaw) 69 64 70.
210 Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 74 71 65, James Byrne (Banchory) 71 71 68.
211 Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 71 70 70, Sam McLaren (King James VI) 70 75 67, Grant Doverspike (US) 71 72 69, Tom Hayes (West Byfleet) 68 70 74.
213 Max Brittain (Saltford) 68 70 75.
214 Ross Bell (Downfield) 74 69 72.
215 Chris Baron (Oldmeldrum) 70 76 69, Jack Meechan (Colville Park) 75 67 73.
216 Ross Kellett (Colville Park) 74 72 70, Lewis Kirton (Newmachar0 74 72 70, Alan Murdoch (Stranraer) 72 72 72, William Sjaichudin (US) 73 70 73, Jack Braley (paisley)_ 69 70 77.
217 David Morrison (Duff House Royal) 73 74 70, Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie) 75 72 70, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 65 77 75.

Wednesday 26th July 2006

The Scottish University Golf website www.scottishuniversitygolf.com has been resurrected. Check it out!

GB&I BEAT CANADIANS
The Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team have beaten Canada in a four-ball, better-ball warm-up match for this weekend's "real thing" against the United States at Bandon Dunes Resort, Oregon.
The scoreline in the unofficial match versus the Canadians was 2 1/2-1 1/2 to Ada O'Sullivan's squad of eight.
The match was played at Shanguassy Golf Club.
RESULTS (Canadian pairings first):
Kira Meixner & Jessicia Potter halved with Tricia Mangan & Kiran Matharu.
Christina Spence & Ashley Hogg lost to Naomi Edwards & Martina Gillen 4 and 3.
Caroline Kim & Julie Kim lost to Breanne Loucks & Melissa Reid 5 and 4.
Bari Erais & Meaghan Leblanc beat Tara Delaney & Claire Coughlan 3 and 2.
Oregon time is 8 hours behind us in the UK.
The Curtis Cup match will be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports 3 on July 29 and 30 at half-past midnight each night.

ELGA Press Release
English Ladies' Strokeplay Championship
Florentyna Parker and Sophie Walker share the halfway lead in the English Ladies' Strokeplay Championship at Little Aston Golf Club.
Both players are on three-under par 143 after 36 holes. They are three shots clear of their closest rival, Joanne Hodge (Knowle), who has scored 146 (72, 74).
There's a two-stroke gap to the next group on 148: Rachel Jennings of Izaak Walton (73, 75), Hannah Ralph of Cowdray Park (74, 74) and Charlie Douglass of Brocket Hall (75, 73).
Conditions were difficult in close, muggy weather and Florentyna, the first round leader, felt she struggled all day.
The 16-year-old from Royal Birkdale added a two-over 75 to her opening 68 and said: "It was a good bad round. I struggled from start to finish but overall I'm happy with the result."
Sophie - a former champion - had her second sub-par round, returning a one-under 72.
She reached the turn at one under and came home in level par, with two bogeys and two birdies "The course was not running so fast today but it was difficult," she said. "I just played steadily and now I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
The low round of the day was a two-under 71 from former English champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) while Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) and Lisa Barton (Coventry) also beat par in the second rounds with 72.
Now, the leading 36 players, with a cut of 157 go forward to tomorrow's final 36 holes.

GOLFING UNION OF IRELAND
BOYS INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES 2006
Sponsored by Golfsure
At Roscommon Golf Club
LEINSTER 5 ½ CONNACHT 3 ½
(Leinster names first):
Foursomes: N Kearney & J Monaghan bt S Brady & K McDonagh 3/2; B Keenan & E Marsden bt T McGowan & S Healy 2/1; C Drumm & C Barron bt S O’Connor & P Neville 2 holes.
Singles: N Kearney halved with S Healy; A Hogan bt M Durcan 1 hole; B Keenan bt S Brady 5/4; E Marsden lost to K McDonagh 6/4; J Monaghan lost to T McGowan 1 hole; C Drumm lost to S O’Connor 4/3.
ULSTER 6 ½ MUNSTER 2 ½
(Ulster names first):
Foursomes: L Reilly & P Cutler bt D Ruddy & D Ronayne 2/1; P O’Kane & J Patterson bt S Gallivan & P O’Connor 2 holes; P Reavey & R McGee lost to D King & E Long 2/1.
Singles: P O’Kane bt D Ruddy 2/1; L Reilly bt S Gallivan 3/2; P Cutler bt P O’Connor 3/1; J Patterson halved with D King; C Fairweather bt E Stack 7/5; P Reavey lost to D Ronayne 1 hole.

GOLFING UNION OF IRELAND
YOUTHS INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES 2006
Sponsored by Golfsure
At Roscommon Golf Club
LEINSTER 6 MUNSTER 3
(Leinster names first)
Foursomes: S Lowry & D Lernihan bt S Power & C McNamara 2/1; S Ward &
P O’Hanlon bt A O’Callaghan & G Smyth 1 hole; A Pitcher & N O Briain lost to
T O’Flynn & S Hackett 3/2.
Singles: C Curley lost to S Power 1 hole; S Lowry bt C McNamara 1 hole; D Lernihan bt A O’Callaghan 2/1; S Ward bt T O’Flynn 2/1; P O’Hanlon bt G Smyth 1 hole;
N O Briain lost to K Stack 1 hole.
CONNACHT 6 ULSTER 3
(Connacht names first)
Foursomes: C O’Connor & T Walsh lost to D Leathem & G Reid 2/1; M Mulryan &
A Glynn bt C Hughes & F Rafferty 5/4; S Ginty & J McNicholas bt P McMahon &
W McCully 3/2.
Singles: S Kelly lost to D Gallagher 1 hole; A Glynn bt D Leathem 4/3; M Mulryan bt
C Hughes 3/2; T Walsh bt G Reid 1 hole; J McNicholas lost to F Rafferty 3/1; C O’Connor bt W McCully 1 hole.

Scottish boys’ open stroke-play golf championship
CRAIGIELAW KIDS SHAUN AND ZACK ARE CLEAR OF FIELD AT ALLOA
It’s Craigielaw first and second in the shape of junior members Shaun McAllister on 131 and Zack Saltman on 133 as the Scottish boys’ open stroke-play golf championship swings into its third and final round over Alloa Golf Club’s Schawpark course on Thursday.
There was always the danger that McAllister would suffer an overnight reaction to leading the first-round field with his best ever score of six-under-par 64.
But if Shaun had any nerves he concealed them well as he shot a 67 to lead the qualifiers with a formidable 36-hole total of nine-under-par 131.
Craigielaw clubmate Zack Saltman, five shots behind Shaun overnight, closed the gap to two by equalling McAllister’s brilliant opening round of 64 for a 133 tally.
And the East Lothian pair have put daylight between themselves and the rest of the qualifiers. Second-placed Zack is five shots ahead of the trio on 138,
English competitors, Max Brittan from Saltford, Bristol and Tom Hayes from West Byfleet, Surrey, and Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie).
Both Brittan and Hayes have shot 68 and 70 for 138 while Mackay led for much of the day after a first-ever hole in one at the 162yd seventh helped him on his way to a second-round 67.
The cut fell at 147 with Scottish boys match-play champion James White from Lundin only one shot on the wrong side of the limit mark. Which was tough luck on James because he had improved by six shots with a 71 for 148.
SCOTTISH BOYS’ OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Alloa Golf Club
QUALIFIERS (Par 70 x 2)
131 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 64 67.
133 Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 69 64.
138 J Mackay (Barassie) 71 67, M Brittan (Saltford) 68 70, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 68 70.
139 J Bradley (Paisley) 69 70.
141 G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 71 70.
142 J Byrne (Banchory) 71 71, M Bookless (Sandyhlls) 71 71, J Meechan (Dullatur) 75 67, P Shields (Kirkhill) 65 77.
143 K Smith (Barassie) 69 74, C Gray (West Kilbride) 75 68, D Elder (Carnoustie) 71 72, W Sjaichudin (US), G Doverspike (US) 71 72,
144 J Ferrier (Dumfries & Galloway) 71 73, C Storrier (Downfield) 71 73, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 75 69, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 73 71, A Murdoch (Stranraer).
145 J Neilson (Dunbar) 74 71, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 74 71, S McLaren (King James VI) 70 75, N Henderson (The Glen) 73 72, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 71 74.
146 C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 70 76, R Kellett (Colville Park) 74 72, L Kirton (Newmachar) 74 72, G Mitchell (Northern) 73 73, P Keeling (North Berwick) 72 74.
147 A Wallace (Glenbervie), 75 72, J Duff (Newmachar) 78 69, S Fraser (Northern) 77 70, F Lawrie (West Kilbride) 76 71, D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 73 74, J Caldwell (Greeenock) 76 71, S McGarvey (Glencorse) 745 73, R Carson (Dalmahoy) 74 73.
NON-QUALIFIERS
148 C McCallum (Paisley) 72 76, J White (Lundin) 77 71, R Anderson (Duddingston) 75 73, S Barras (Helensburgh) 77 71, S Winter (Crieff) 75 73, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 72 76, C Lutton (Qatar) 76 72, G Richards (Kingsknowe) 74 74, M Daily (Erskine) 74 74, S Binning (Old Ranfurly) 73 75.
149 G Reid (Newbattle) 72 77, S Cramb (St Andrews) 76 73.
150 K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 77 73, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 80 70, J Reid (Royal Musselburgh) 75 75, T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 79 71, E McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway) 76 74, M Williams (Craigielaw) 77 73, M Cunningham (Longniddry) 73 77.
151 F McKenna (Balmore) 75 76, R Delaney (Hamilton) 78 73, S Crichton (Aberdour) 81 70, K McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 78 73, S Bell (Wishaw) 74 77, C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 76 75, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 77 74, W Payne (US) 71 80, G Hunter (Douglas) 74 77,
C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 77 74, O Lavelle (Elderslie) 79 72, A Aitken (Kirkcudbright) 79 72.
152 C Wyper (Campsie) 78 74, D Currie (Barassie) 75 77, L Adamson (Ganton) 78 74, A Moir (Thornton) 75 77, D Harrison (Crieff) 75 77,
M Fraser (Glencruitten) 74 78, M Pennycott (Whiting Bay) 71 81, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 71 81.
153 G Davidson (Winterfield ) 72 81, F Campbell (Clober) 75 78, B Modak (US 78 75, A Willemars (Blairgowrie) 77 76.
154 S Stables (Elgin) 82 72, D Mitchell (Leven Th) 78 76, E Brown (Barassie) 77 77, C Kneen (Mount Murray) 79 75, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 77 77, M Main (Thornton) 78 76.
155 P Neil (Craigielaw) 84 71, S Mann (Moray) 80 75, R Elder (Nairn Dunbar) 84 71, C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 79 76, A Royal (Blankney) 81 74, F Moore (Falkirk Tryst) 79 76, N Macandrew (Cullne) 79 76.
156 J Grant (Renfrew) 80 76, K Harper (Carnoustie) 78 78, S Tully (Duddingston) 80 76, G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan) 77 79, O Browne (US) 76 80.
157 S Maxwell (Windyhill) 80 77, M Thomson (Grange & Dundee) 76 81, J Denwood (Eden) 80 77, C Grant (Linlithgow) 81 76, D Torrance (Wentworth) 79 78, P Ferrier (Babeton) 79 78, T Garrett (Melthanm) 80 77.
158 S McComish (Baberton) 81 77, G Young (Baberton) 78 80, A Lauder (Paisley) 88 70, N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) 76 82, D Borthwick (Penrith) 81 77, R Penny (Portlethen) 76 82, N Maddison (Parklands) 80 78.
159 G Wilson (Ladybank) 81 78, J Shanks (Ardeer) 85 74, S Smith (Dullatur) 81 78, K Branum-Burns (Bearwood Lakes) 87 72, C Ruane (Cardross) 75 84.
160 R Docherty (Bearsden) 79 81, D Murray (Newbattle) 77 83, P Robinson (Millport) 83 77, K McLeod (US) 79 81.
161 S Henderson (Barassie) 80 81, D Law (Hazlehead) 86 75, J Thow (Crieff) 78 82, A Killen (St Andrews) 79 82, C McLaughlin (Largs) 85 76,
162 B Irving (Dumfries & Co) 80 82.
163 K Shanks (Hilton Park) 77 86, K Shanks (Hilton Park) 77 86.
164 K Donnellan (Dunbar) 81 83, C Young (Eastwood) 85 79.
165 S Carmichael (Baberton) 82 83.
166 K Jackson (Craigie Hill) 83 83.
167 M Brand (Tain) 77 90.
168 J Jeffrey (Nairn) 86 82, C Williamson (US) 84 84.
172 J Hendrick (Pollok) 84 88.

SCOTTISH JUNIOR MASTERS QUALIFIERS AT INVERNESS
Fort William’s Gary Dunlope and Karen Murray (Durness) headed the 13 boys’ and girls’ qualifiers at Inverness Golf Club on Wednesday for the Scottish Junior Masters Grand Final over the Gleneagles Hotel’s Queen’s Course on Sunday, October 8.
Gary, playing off eight, scored 40pt under the Stableford format – three points clear of Nathan Skene (Garmouth & Kingston) (12), David Laing (Inverness) (9) and Sean Burgess (Nairn Dunbar) (17), who all scored 37pt.
A better inward half earned Nathan the second prize.
Top of the five girl qualifiers, Karen Murray scored 39pt off 32 of a handicap. She finished one ahead of Fiona Fullerton (Huntly) (19) with Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) who scored 37pt off +1 of a handicap.
Kelsey, Northern Counties women’s champion for the past two years, was round in a gross 70.
There had been no holes in one recorded in the four previous regional finals over the past few weeks but Andrew Patterson, a 19-handicapper at Duff House Royal, achieved the breakthrough ace in this the last of the series. Andrew, who finished with 30pt and did not qualify, had his hole in one at the 141yd second hole.
Collated details:
SCOTTISH JUNIOR MASTERS – Regional Qualifier No 5 – Inverness Golf Club.
Qualifiers
BOYS
40pt Gary Dunlope (Fort William) (18).
37 Nathan Skene (Garmouth & Kingston) (12) (better inward half), David Laing (Inverness) (9), Sean Burgess (Nairn Dunbar) (17).
36 Liam MacDonald (Brora) (8) (bih), Greg Matheson (Muir of Ord) (20), Callum MacLean (Inverness) (15).
35 Scott Duff (Strathpeffer Spa) (12) (Alexander Wiseman (Fraserburgh) (13) also scored 35 pt but was eliminated on a comparison of the inward halves).
GIRLS
39pt Karen Mackay (Durness) (32).
38 Fiona Fullerton (Huntly) (19).
37 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (+1) (bih), Tracey Stark (Inveraray) (22).
35 Sammy Vass (Tain) (6).

LOUISE DEFENDS U-21s TITLE AT STIRLING
Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) defends the Scottish Under-21 girls’ open stroke-play championship over 54 holes, starting on Thursday at Stirling Golf Club.
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) and Carly Booth (Comrie), two potential challengers, will not be in the field. They are in Austria, competing in the European Young Masters, which also tees off on Thursday.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff), winner of the Scottish Under-18 match-play title at Peebles last week, will be bidding for a double – or even a treble because there is a trophy for the best Under-18 performance at Stirling.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) is the holder of the Under-18 award and, if she returns to the form which won her the St Rule Trophy and made her a Curtis Cup team place contender in the British women’s open amateur championship at Royal County Down, then she could go very close to leading the Stirling field at the end of three rounds.
Others who should do well are Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Kerri Harper (Inverness) and Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies).
Two rounds will be played on Thursday and a final 18 holes on Friday. There is no cut.

WPGA ONE-DAY SERIES
Ormskirk's Alison Gray ran out a comfortable winner, setting a course record in the process, at the sixth and final Ryder Cup Wales 2010 WPGA One Day Series event at Dunham Forest Golf Club.
Gray posted a three-under-par 69, two shots clear of Lysa Jones (Oaks), Mette Hageman (Drentse Golfclub de Gelpenberg), Suzanne Dickens (Thorpe Wood) and Joanne Oliver (Quindell Golf & CC).
Inconsistent bounces on the sun baked fairways and difficult pin placements caused a certain amount of difficulty for many of the players.
"That didn't really bother me too much," said a relaxed Gray. "The greens were superb and true -- although I did three-putt the third from about 10ft!" #
She cancelled this blemish by chipping in for a birdie on the 18th after posting one more bogey and four birdies for the rest of her round.
This was the first event of the series Gray has entered this year. Two small daughters, Georgia (2 1/2) and Lucy (1), have not made travelling far afield an attractive proposition.
"This venue, Dunham Forest, is just down the road so I thought I would have a go. Before playing I said I didn't want to be considered for qualification for the Wales Open but at the last minute I changed my mind because my 81-year-old Dad, who caddies for me, would love the trip if I did qualify. And now I have, so we are all very pleased!"
Alison Gray joins Emma Weeks (Bramshaw), Alexandra Keighley (Huddersfield), Caroline Grady (De Vere Dunston Hall) and Marie Allen (Brookman's Park) as qualifiers for the £350,000 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe which is being held at the Nicklaus-designed Machynys Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Llanelli from August 17 to 20. This was the last qualifying event.
RYDER CUP WALES 2010 WPGA ONE DAY SERIES
Dunham Forest Golf Club
LEADING SCORES
(Par 72)
69 Alison Gray (Ormskirk).
71 Lysa Jones (Oaks), Mette Hageman (Drentse GC), Suzanne Dickens (Thorpe Wood), Joanne Oliver.
72 Gillian Stewart (Gillian Stewart Golf), Nicola Moult (Walmley), Katie Tebbet (Rothley Park), Sarah Bennett (Hylands).
The leading four professionals in each of the six one day series events receive points towards the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 WPGA Order of Merit which has prize money of £1,000. The Order of Merit table is as follows:
1 Caroline Grady 10.50
2 Marie Allen, Alexandra Keighley, Emma Weeks, Alison Gray 10.00
6 Joanne Oliver 9.00
7 Laura Wright, Sara Clinton, Claire Duffy 6.00
10 Lysa Jones 5.50
11 Mette Hegeman 3.83
12 Sarah Bennett, Catherine Panton-Lewis 3.00
14 Suzanne Dickens 2.50
15 Susan Moon, Sophie Hunter 1.33
17 Rachel Bailey, Tracy Loveys 1.00

ELGA Press Release
Top girls to tee off in English championships
England's leading young golfers will be in action next week when three national girls' championships get underway on Tuesday.
The English Girls' Championship takes place at Kings Norton Golf Club near Birmingham, while the English Girls' U15 and U13 Championships will run side by side at Kidderminster Golf Club.
All three championships have attracted high-quality fields and the increasing number of competitors reflects the strength of English girls' golf.
The English Girls' Championship has been won for the past two years by Melissa Reid (Chevin) who has just left junior ranks and is now a Curtis Cup player.
Among those seeking to take her title will be Jodi Ewart (Catterick) and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) who were both members of the England side which won the bronze medal at the recent European Lady Juniors' Team Championship.
Joining them will be the four girl internationals who have just represented England in the European Girls' Team Championship: Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Rachel Connor (Manchester), Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) and Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton).
There are two competitors from the host club, Kirsty Law, who plays off three, and Anna Perrott, a five handicapper.
The field of 127 players ranges in handicap from plus-one to 14. They will play a slightly extended course of 6051 yards with a par of 73.
All competitors will play an 18-hole strokeplay qualifying round on each of the first two days of the championship. The leading 32 players will qualify for the championship matchplay flight while the next 32 will go into flight two. The championship final will be played on Saturday, August 5.
Both the English U15 and U13 championships have increased fields this year because of growing demand for places among the younger girls. The U15 championship has attracted 75 players while the U13 event is fully subscribed with 41 competitors and 13 more on the reserve list.
The lowest handicapper in the U15 event is 2005 English schools' champion Katie Thompson (Corhampton) who plays off three. Kelly Tidy (Manchester), a four handicapper, has moved up to this age group after winning the U13 title for the past two years.
Two five-handicappers lead the way in the U13 championships: Heidi Baek from Ufford Park in Suffolk and Jamie-Leigh Voss from Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire. In both events the handicap range goes up to 20.
The U15s will play a course measuring 5929 yards while the U13 layout is 5831 yards. Both have a par of 73.
All competitors in both championships will play an 18-hole strokeplay round on each of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In the U15 championship the top 36 players and ties will go forward to the final round on Friday, while the leading 18 players and ties in the U13 championship will qualify for the last round.

Stefan Hunter receiving the North of Scotland Junior Open championship trophy
from Lt-Cmdr Gary Farmer

North of Scotland Junior Open championship
STEFAN’S LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PAYS OFF
The North of Scotland Junior Open championship trophy – decided on a handicap basis – has been won by Stefan Hunter (Inverness) over the Loch Ness golf course.
He received the trophy from Lieut-Commander Gary Farmer of the Royal Navy.
Stefan spreadeagled the field with a net 60 off a handicap of 19 (par is 69).
He was previously a member of Castle Heather Golf Club and his local knowledge of the Loch Ness course undoubtedly contributed to his six-shot victory.
Stuart Connell (Inverness) and James MacDonald (Isle of Skye) had the best scratch scores of 74 and 75 respectively.The event attracted a field of 45 boys and five girls who came from as far afield as Durness, Reay, Skye and Aberdeen to compete for the many prizes on offer.Leading scores (CSS 69)
Overall winner: Stefan Hunter (Inverness) (19) 60.
BOYS
Scratch - Stuart Connell (Inverness) 74, JamesMacDonald (Isle of Skye) 75, C Bennett (Inverness) 77, N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) 78, M. Brand (Tain).
Handicap - Class I – J Treasurer (8) 67, A Begg (Muirof Ord) (7) 69, C Reid (8) 69, J Nicholas (Nairn Dunbar) (10) 70, D Laing (Inverness) (9) 70.
Class 2 - C MacDonald (Elgin) (16) 66, D MacDonald(24) 67, S. Chalmers (16) 67, M. Smith (19) 69.
Class 3 - M Traill (29) 62, M MacKenzie (Aigas) (32) 64, K MacKay (36) 67, S Murray (36) 68.Under 14 years - A MacKay (Nairn Dunbar) (19) 72, D Cairns (Nairn Dunbar) (10) 75, C MacLean (Inverness) (14) 76, C Macleod (Nairn Dunbar) (10) 80, A Sutherland (Reay) (17) 85. GIRLS
(CSS Reduction Only)
Handicap - N Green (Nairn) (10) 74, C MacLeod (Nairn Dunbar) (12) 77, J Vass (Tain) (19) 77, D MacKinnon (Durness) (14) 80, A Brown (Nairn Dunbar) (36) 91.

NEWS FROM THE CURTIS CUP
by your intrepid reporter
There are three courses at Bandon Dunes... the first, built seven/eight years ago is called Bandon Dunes, the second designed by Tom Doak, is called Pacific Dunes.....this is the one the girls are playing on.... and the third is called Bandon Trails.
Pacific Dunes is a magnificent course, right beside the Pacific Ocean, with the wind causing just as much difficulty as the terrain. They say it is a typical links course... well yes it is... but it's as if Tom Doak has taken every good thing from all the links he knows about and put them in one course; it's really special.
The GB&I girls are in excellent spirits, just waiting to go....

Tuesday 25th July 2006

Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association’s East Division championship
NOREEN BEATS KAREN IN EAST FINAL
Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) beat Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) by 6 and 5 at Haddington Golf Club in the final of the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association’s East Division championship.
Noreen now goes forward to Blairgowrie on September 24 and 24 for the SVLGA championship, contested by the eight divisional title-winners.

Scottish boys’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship
SHAUN IS OVERNIGHT LEADER WITH 64 AT ALLOA’S SCHAWPARK
Craigielaw 17-year-old Shaun McAllister posted a six-under-par 64 - only one shot outside the course record - to be the early clubhouse leader in the Scottish boys’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship over Alloa Golf Club’s Schawpark course.
Several hours later, at the end of play, Master McAllister’s name was till there at the top of the scoreboard. With scoring conditions getting more difficult as the day progressed - the heat making the fairways and greens even harder - there was little likelihood that one of the later finishers would overtake Shaun.
“That’s the lowest score I’ve ever had in golf,” said an excited Shaun who had seven birdies and one bogey on his scorecard.
His birdies came at regular intervals – the first, second, fifth, eighth, 10th, 13th and 15th. His bogey was sandwiched between two birdies at the ninth.
Paul Shields from Kirkhill, like the leader one of the earlier starters, was the only player to get close to McAllister. Shields had a 65, three shots ahead of a pair of English challengers, Max Brittan from Saltford, Bristol and Tom Hayes of West Byfleet, Surrey.
Shaun’s better-known Craigielaw clubmate, Zack Saltman, had to settle for an opening 69, one ahead of Sam McLaren (King James VI), winner of the Scottish Under-16s boys’ title at Deeside recently.
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), joint second last year and one of the pre-tournament favourites, was 10 shots off the pace with a disappointing 74. Even farther behind was Sam Torrance’s son Daniel who carded a 79.
The North-east’s leading player going into the second round is Chris Baron from Oldmeldrum.
Andrew Weir (Montrose Mercantile) and Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) are on the 71 mark alongside James Byrne (Banchory), holder of the North-east District boys’ stroke-play and youths titles.
The leading 40 and ties at the end of Wednesday’s second round will contest the final 36 holes on Thursday.
FIRST ROUND (Par 70)
64 S McAllister (Craigielaw).
65 P Shields (Kirkhill).
68 M Brittan (Saltford), T Hayes (West Byfleet).
69 Z Saltman (Craigielaw), K Smith (Barassie), j Bradley (Paisley).
70 S McLaren (King James VI), C Baron (Oldmeldrum).
71 C Storrier (Downfield), G Doverspike (US), A Weir (Montrose Mercantile), M Pennycott (Whiting Bay), W Payne (US). F Fotheringham (Nairn). J Ferrier (Dumfries & Galloway), J Byrne (Banchory), G Stevenson (Whitecraigs), D Elder (Carnoustie), M Bookless (Sandyhills), J Mackay (Barassie).
72 A Murdoch (Stranraer), P Keeling (North Berwick), G Davidson(Winterfield), C McCallum (Paisley), G Reid (Newbattle).
73 A Campbell Dumbarton), W Sjaichudin (US), G Mitchell (Northern), D Morrison (Duff House Royal), M Cunningham (Longniddry), S Binning (Old Ranfurly).
74 S Bell (Wishaw), G Richards (Kingsknowe), M Fraser (Glencruitten), R Kellett (Colville Park), L Kirton (Newmachar), R Bell (Downfield), R Carson (Dalmahoy), M Daily (Erskine), S McGarvey (Glencorse), G Hunter (Douglas), J Neilson (Dunbar), J Findlay (Fraserburgh).
75 A Moir (Thornton), C Ruane (Cardross), D Harrison (Crieff), D Currie (Barassie), A Wallace (Glenbervie), F McKenna (Balmore), J Reid (Royal Musselburgh), C Gray (West Kilbride), R Anderson (Duddingston), F Campbell (Clober), J Meechan (Dullatur), S Winter Crieff), g Robertson (Glenbervie).
76 F Lawrie (West Kilbride), C Baird (Bothwell Castle), E McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway), J Caldwell (Greenock), R Penny (Portlethen), O Browne (US), M Thomson (Grange & Dundee), S Cramb (St Andrews), N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar), C Lutton (Qatar).
77 A Willemars (Blairgowrie), C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch), E Brown (Barassie), G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan), M Williams (Craigielaw), S Keane (Cathkin Braes), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon), J White (Lundin), S Fraser (Northern), D Murray (Newbattle), S Barras (Helensburgh), M Brand (Tain), S Keane (Cathkin Braes, D Parlane (Helensburgh), K Shanks (Hilton Park)..
78 K Harper (Carnoustie), M Main (Thornton), B Modak (US), C Wyper (Campsie), R Delaney (Hamilton), J Duff (Newmachar), K McClung (Wigtownshire Co), D Mitchell (Leven Th), G Young (Barton), L Adamson (Ganton).
79 F Moore (Falkirk Tryst), A Aitken (Kirkcudbright), K McLeod (US), C Kneen (Mount Murray), M Stratton (US), D Torrance (Wentworth), A Killen (St Andrews), P Ferrie (Baberton), O Lavelle (Elderslie), N Macandrew (Cullen), R Docherty (Bearsden), C Thomson (East Renfrewshire), T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy), J Thow (Crieff.
80 J Johnston (Greenburn), B Irving (Dumfries & Co), N Maddison (Parklands), T Garrett (Meltham), S Tully (Duddingston), S Henderson (Barassie), S Maxwell (Windyhill), A Sweeney (Carnoustie), J Grant (Renfrew), S Mann (Moray), J Denwood (Eden).
81 A Royal (Blankney), C Grant (Linlithgow), G Wilson (Ladybank), K Donnellan (Dunbar), S Smith (Dullatur), S Crichton (Aberdour), S McComish (Baberton), D Borthwick (Penrith).
82 S Stables (Elgin), S Carmichael (Baberton).
83 K Jackson (Craigie Hill), P Robinson (Millport).
84 J Hendrick (Pollok), C Williamson (US), P Neil (Craigielaw), R Elder (Nairn Dunbar).
85 C McLaughlin (Largs), J Shanks (Ardeer), C Young (Eastwood).
86 J Jeffrey (Nairn), D Law (Hazlehead).
87 K Branum-Burns (Bearwood Lakes).
88 A Lauder (Paisley).
Disq – S Gordon (The Glen).

English women's (close) stroke-play championship
FLORENTYNA SETS BLISTERING PACE
Teenager Florentyna Parker set a blistering pace in the first round of the English women's (close) stroke-play championship at Little Aston Golf Club with a five-under par 68.
Her round - compiled in temperatures which soared to 33 deg C - was her best-ever in competition and put her two strokes clear of the field.
Florentyna, 17, (Royal Birkdale) is playing in this championship for the first time.
"It's the sort of start I dreamed of and it's a big thrill," said the German-based player who helped England win the bronze medal in the recent European Lady Juniors' Team Championship.
Florentyna's older brother Ben is one of the best male amateurs in England and their father is professional at a club near Hamburg.
Her game plan was to keep the ball in play on the dry, running faiways and it paid off as she arrowed a series of irons into the greens and close to the pins.
Florentyna got off to a quick start with three consecutive birdies on the second and third - both par-5s - and the 315-yard fourth. She had a 2 at the short ninth to reach the turn at four under and went on to birdie the par-4 11th and 14th to get to six under par.
"I only dropped one shot, on the 17th, and that was a good bogey!" said Florentyna, who salvaged a 5 after tangling with trees and a bunker.
Her score puts her two clear of Yorkshire's Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton) who shot 70 despite three-putting twice. Lincolnshire's Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) is a stroke further back on 71. Both Emma and Sophie are past winners of this title. Girl international Jo Hodge (Knowle) also broke par with a one-under 72.
The high temperatures prompted ELGA officials to hand out bottled water on the first tee - provided by Highland Spring - and the organisers checked that all players had sun cream, drinks and a hat. Water fountains on the course were also well used.
LEADING SCORES
FIRST ROUND
68 F Parker (Royal Birkdale).
70 E Duggleby (Malton & Norton).
71 S Walker (Kenwick Park).
72 J Hodge (Knowle).
73 R Jennings (Izaak Walton), L Ball (Matfen Hall), R Wood (Glossop).
74 A Scott (Consett), H Ralph (Cowdray Park).
75 R Bell (Ganton), T Watters (Muswell Hill), S James (Bristol & Clifton), C Douglas (Brocket Hall), E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), H Burke (Mid-Herts).
76 S Garbutt (Ganton), F Johnson (Harborne), C Lee (West Lancs).

Scottish Junior Masters’ Regional Final
HOT STUFF AT KIRRIEMUIR
The scoring was as hot as the weather at Kirriemuir today when 16 boys and 10 girls won their way through from Regional Final No 4 to join the field for the Scottish Junior Masters’ Grand Final, to be played over the Gleneagles Hotel’s Queen’s Course on Sunday, October 8.
Scott Blacklie made a worthwhile long journey up from Jedburgh to the Angus venue to head the boys’ qualifiers with 45 Stableford points – roughly the equivalent of a nine under par net score – off a handicap of 13.
Scott had halves of 21 and 24pt and, a late finisher, he knocked the clubhouse leader off his perch.
That had been Callum Graham (Milnathort), playing off 10, who had scored 44pt (22-22) and had a better inward half than Gavin Law (Newburgh-on-Ythan) (20) who also had 44pt but halves of 23 and 21.
Ten of the leading boys scored 40pt or over, which represents very good scoring.
In the girls section, the No 1 qualifier was Louise Smith from the home club, Kirriemuir Players. Playing off 17, Louise scored 39pt with 24 out and 15 home. Louise had a net eagle at the fourth.
She won by one point from Loretto Golf Academy pupil Lauren MacCallum (Newburgh-on-Ythan) whose 38pt total off a handicap of eight was made up of halves of 22 and 16.
Rebecca Wilson, a five-handicapper from Monifieth, finished third with halves of 16 and 20 for a total of 36.
QUALIFIERS
BOYS
45pt Scott Blacklie (Jedburgh) (13).
44 Callum Graham (Milnathort) (10), Gavin Law (Newburgh on Ythan) (20).
43 Callum Cromar (Lumphanan (12), Stewart Gray (Grange) (11), Sam Grant (Hilton Park) (11).
42 Euan McIntosh (East Aberdeenshire) (11), James Cruickshanks (Glenrothes) (14).
41 Graeme Matheson (Deeside) (20).
40 Scott Keith (Newmachar) (18).
39 Steven Hepburn (East Aberdeenshire) (13), Alex Anderson (Kirriemuir Players) (13), George Murray (Aboyne) (18), Harry Burness (Westhill) (9).
38 Kevin Moore (Jedburgh) (6), Andrew Cowan (Blairgowrie) (10) (Matthew Wiseman (Peterhead) (9) and Reece Mitchell (Downfield) (6) also scored 38pt but were eliminated on their inward halves).
GIRLS
39pt Louise Smith (Kirriemuir Players) (17).
38 Lauren MacCallum (Newburgh on Ythan) (8).
36 Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth) (5).
35 Gail Richens (Newmachar) (9).
33 Ashley Alston (Royal Montrose) (20), Caitlin Geddes (Northern) (27).
32 Claire Penrose (Monifieth) (28).
29 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) (14), Sophie Alexander (Deeside) (29).
28 Louise McGillivray (Oldmeldrum) (16).

WATSON GIRLS BOTH BOUND FOR UNITED STATES
South Queensferry teenager Sally Watson, at 14 the youngest ever winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls championship last year, is moving to Bradenton, Florida next month (August) to enrol as a scholarship student in the IMG/David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
Leadbetter, arguably the best known golf coach over the past couple of decades, now has more than 20 golf academies worldwide.
Sally has played more competitive golf in the United States than in her native Scotland this year. She recently reached the last 16 of the US Girls’ Junior Championship after visiting America in June to win one of the qualifying events. Miss Watson also played in the Callaway World Junior Championship in San Diego, California earlier this month and finished a creditable 21st with a one-over-par total for the 72-hole stroke-play event.
Sally’s United States Golf Association handicap is now +3 which makes her one of the highest-rated Scottish female amateurs of any age.
She did not play in the Scottish women’s amateur championship at Dunbar this year because of school examinations and she did not defend her Scottish Under-18 girls title at Peebles last week because it clashed with the US Girls’ Championship.
Later this week 15-year-old Sally and another exciting Scottish girl prospect, 14-year-old Carly Booth from Comrie, will be representing Scotland in the girls’ section of the European Young Masters for Under-16s at Styrian Golf Club, Murhof in Austria. Selection for the European team for this year’s Junior Ryder Cup match against the Americans will be based on performances in the Young Masters.
Sally’s older sister Rebecca, who caddied for her in the US girls’ open championship but is a Scottish girl international in her own right, has verbally committed to join the University of Tennessee on a full scholarship in the autumn of 2007. Tennessee has been ranked in the top 10 of all US women's college golf programmes for the past two years and Rebecca will be their sole scholarship recruit in 2007.
Commenting on these moves, Sally's father, Edinburgh businessman, Graham Watson said: “We are excited at the golf and academic opportunities which lie ahead for both Sally and Rebecca in the States. The standard of female junior and college golf in the USA is very high at present and we support the girls in their desire to practise and play, usually in the sunshine, with the world's best young golfers on a daily basis.
“We spent three years as a family living in San Francisco until 2003 and have continued to travel across the Atlantic regularly to visit with the girls' principal coach at the Leadbetter Academy, Kevin Collins, so the girls are both very familiar with the US lifestyle.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the best golfers of the next 10 years will be those who are used to travelling internationally to play in the wide variety of conditions which exist around the world.
“With the LPGA enjoying huge success at present, where it is now more popular than the men's Champions (Seniors) Tour, and with the increasing globalisation of the women's game, now is the right time to be setting the foundations for more Scottish involvement in the game at this level.”
NB Carly Booth is also going to Florida to attend the same school, the IMG/David Leadbetter Golf Academy, as Sally Watson.

Scottish boys’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship
SUPER-MAC SHAUN POSTS 64 TO LEAD AT SCHAWPARK
Craigielaw 17-year-old Shaun McAllister posted a six-under-par 64 to be the early clubhouse leader in the Scottish boys’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship over Alloa Golf Club’s Schawpark course.
Several hours later, Master McAllister’s name was till there at the top of the scoreboard.
“That’s the lowest score I’ve ever had in golf,” said an excited Shaun who had seven birdies and one bogey on his scorecard.
His birdies came at regular intervals – the first, second, fifth, eighth, 10th, 13th and 15th. His bogey was sandwiched between two birdies at the ninth.
With some of the huge field of 144 still to finish, only Paul Shields had got close to McAllister. Shields had a 65.
Shaun’s better-known Craigielaw clubmate, Zack Saltman, had to settle for an opening 69, one ahead of Sam McLaren (King James VI), winner of the Scottish Under-16s boys’ title at Deeside recently.
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), joint second last year and one of the pre-tournament favourites, was 10 shots off the pace with a disappointing 74. Even farther behind was Sam Torrance’s son Daniel who carded a 79.
The leading 40 and ties at the end of Wednesday’s second round will contest the final 36 holes on Thursday.

European Young Masters
SCOTS HOPE FOR SUCCESS ‘SERGIO STYLE’
Two Young Scots are eager to follow in the footsteps of Spanish star Sergio Garcia, and win the European Young Masters in Austria this week (27 – 19 July).
Sixteen year old Michael Stewart, who represented Scotland in the European Boys Team Championships earlier this month and also competed in the Junior Open last week, will travel to Austria in a bid to emulate the success of the Ryder cup ace Garcia, who won the European Young Masters in 1995.
The exciting young prospect from Troon Wellbeck has impressed this year, winning two Junior Tour events and finishing in the top ten of the Scottish Youths Stroke Play at Mortonhall. Stewart will be joined in Austria by 15 year old Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo).
Scotland will this year send a team that includes girls. This shows our commitment to working more closely with the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA), looking after the best interests of the amateur game in Scotland.
Former Scottish Girls Match Play Champion Sally Watson and young golfing sensation Carly Booth (Comrie) will also be among the group travelling to Austria. Fourteen year old Booth, once dubbed the ‘tiny tigress’ won the Scottish Girls Under 16 Stroke Play Championship earlier this year.
Former Scottish Amateur Champion Barry Hume won the European Young Masters in Italy in 1998, with fellow internationalist Jack Doherty picking up the bronze medal the same year.
The European Young Masters is an under 16 event, and will be played at Styrian Golf Club, near Murhof, Austria. The field will play three rounds of stroke play.

Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship
MENZIES LEADS QUALFIERS FROM CRIEFF
Finlay Menzies (Milngavie) picked up a £100 prize for shooting a four-under-par 67 to head the 31 qualifiers who went forward to the Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship from today's eliminator at Crieff Golf Club.
There was a play-off on 73 featuring 12 players for the last seven places. It took the best part of 90min to settle the issue.
Tomorrow's second qualifying competition will produce another 30 competitors to join the 69 exempt players plus one sponsor’s invite in the Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship field over the PGA Centenary course from August 24 to 27.
GLENEAGLES SCOTTISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP – Qualifying Round 1 – Crieff GC (Par 71)
Qualifiers
67 F Menzies (Milngavie).
68 S Thompson (Castle Golf DR), J Porteous (Craigielaw), G Paxton (Ralston), R Harrower (Macdonald Cardrona).
69 T Burgoyne (Jonkoping), J Sharp (Pro Golf Experience), A Mackrell (Gary Mitchell Golf), R Gray (Torrance House).
70 S Craig (Edinburgh Leisure), A Purdie (Kingsbarns), P McKechnie (Bothwell Castle), S Morrison (Glenbervie).
71 P Jamieson (Dunblane New), K Monaghan (Bothwell Castle), N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), S Troup (King’s Links).
72 S Clydesdale (Brucefields FGC), D McIntosh (Carrick on Loch Lomond), D Williamson (Kirkhill), S Taylor (Bothwell Castle), P Wytrazek (Burntisland), G Rankin (Drumpellier), D Park (Wishaw).
73 (after play-off) A Hutton (World of Golf), M Goldie (Lochgelly), G Kasparis (Barassie), P McKay (East Kilbride), K Baxter (Buchanan Castle), S Savage (Dalmuir), K Phillips (Winterfield).

INTERNATIONAL BOYS, GIRLS' EVENTS OVER THREE COURSES IN FIFE
The 14-a-side, three-team Euro Junior Golf Cup competition tees off at Aberdour Golf Club at 10am on Tuesday morning. The second round will start at 1pm over The Duke’s Course, St Andrews on Wednesday morning and the third and final 18 round will be played at 10.30am at Thornton Golf Club on Thursday.
The contesting teams are Team USA (represented by the International Junior Golf Tour), Team Canada (from the Canadian Junior Golf Association) and Team Scotland, made up of players from the Fife Golf Union.
Each team consists of four boys aged 17 to 19; four boys aged 14 to 16, four boys aged 13 and under, and two girls, aged from 11 to 19.
The winning team will be presented with the John Clark Trophy.
Each group of three off the tee will consist of a member from each team. The format will be three-ball match-play with each player competing in two matches at the same time. One point is awarded to the winner of each match.
The team with the most points at the end of the three days will be the 2006 Euro Junior Golf Cup winners.
The awards presentation will take place at the New Golf Club, St Andrews at approximately 6pm on Thursday.

Dumfrieshire County Championship
FIONA MACGREGOR'S THIRD SUCCESS
Fiona Macgregor (Thornhill), the leading qualifier, won the Dumfries-shire women's county championship for a third time at Lochmaben Golf Club today.
Fiona beat 14-year-old Southerness GC junior member Jordana Graham by 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final.
Fiona was four up after the first round but Jordana cut the lead to only one hole in the afternoon before Fiona pulled away again.
In the all-Lochmaben handicap championship final, Linda Walker beat Fiona Irvine by 2 and 1.

Curragh Ladies Scratch Cup
BREAKTHROUGH WIN BY NIAMH KITCHING
Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) scored her first "adult" tournament when she beat a good-class field to win the Irish Pride-sponsored Curragh Ladies Scratch Cup.
Niamh did it in style - by five shots from Danielle McVeigh (Royal County Down) with Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh) a further five shots back on 143 in third place.
Miss Kitching, who plays off two, had gross rounds of 68 and 65 for a seven-under-par total of 133. The CSS for both rounds was 69, one less than the par.
FINAL SCOREBOARD
SCRATCH
133 Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) 68 65.
138 Danielle McVeigh (Royal County Down) 70 68.
143 Sinead O'Sullivan (Glaway) 72 71, Maura Morrin (The Curragh) 69 743.
144 Gillian O'Leary (Cork/UCC) 72 72, Darragh McGowan (B'boyey&St) 71 73, Fiona Carroll (Athenry) 71 73.
HANDICAP
134 Carla Regnolds (Seapoint) (11) 65 69.
BEST FIRST ROUND SCRATCH
72 Marian Riordan (Tipperary).
BEST SECOND ROUND SCRATCH
71 Sinead Keane (The Curragh).
BEST FIRST ROUND NET
65 Louise Harris (Slade Valley) (8).
BEST SECOND ROUND NET
65 Ciara Sharkey (Enniscorthy) (6)

SGU NAME THE EIGHT MEN THEY EXPECT TO MAKE UP THE QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP
The Scottish Golf Union has named the following eight seeds for the 2006 Allied Surveyors Scottish men's amateur championship at Nairn from Monday, July 31 to the 36-hole final on Saturday, August 5.
They are:
FIRST QUARTER
Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes).
Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie).
SECOND QUARTER
Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen).
Scott Henry (Cardross).
THIRD QUARTER
Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie).
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw).
FOURTH QUARTER
John Gallagher (Swanston).
George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle).

Scottish Boys Open Strokeplay
LEWIS KIRTON IN FORM BUT FIELD IS PACKED WITH TITLE CONTENDERS
Winner of the North-east District boys’ match-play title for the third year in a row last week, Newmachar’s Lewis Kirton would like nothing better than to set off for four years at the University of Louisville, Kentucky next month as a national champion.
The opportunity is there this week at Alloa Golf Club’s Schawpark course in the shape of the Scottish boys’ open stroke-play championship over four rounds.
Lewis was joint runner-up on 285 with defending champion Scott Henry (Cardross) 12 months ago at Monifieth Links where Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) was the winner after two sub-70 rounds on the final day for a total of 283.
Both Henry and McEwan are too old for this year’s Under-18 contest but, of course, that does not mean that it should be a cake-walk for Kirton who shot 14 birdies in 32 holes at Hazlehead last week. Anything but.
The field of 144 is packed with genuine title contenders, including James White (Lundin), winner of the Scottish boys’ match-play title in April, Sam McLaren (King James VI), winner of the Douglas Gillespie Scottish Under-16 boys’ title at Deeside a week or two ago, James Byrne (Banchory), who currently holds the North-east District youths’ and boys’ stroke-play championships, Graeme Mitchell (Northern), who lowered the Aberdeen Hazlehead No 1 course record to 68 last week, Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), Ross Bell (Downfield), Daniel Torrance (Wentworth), Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Ross Kellett (Colville Park), Cameron Gray (West Kilbride).
And there is no guarantee that list contains the name of the young man who will step up to receive the trophy early on Thursday evening at Alloa.
The leading 40 players and ties after the first two rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday will play the final 36 holes on Thursday.

Skills Challenge extended for County Unions and Associations
The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) today launched an exciting new initiative called the County Skills Challenge specifically to meet the demands of County Unions and Associations.
Based on the National Skills Challenge, which is used by affiliated golf clubs and their junior players, the County Skills Challenge has been designed to be used as part of a county’s coaching programme or simply just as a fun practice activity.
The initiative came about as a direct result of the success of the National Skills Challenge pilot, which took place in Autumn 2005, when several counties showed an interest in using an adapted version for use on county coaching days. Since receiving this feedback and launching the National Skills Challenge earlier this year, the EGU and ELGA then developed and extended the scheme and its website to accommodate the county’s requirements.
Like the national initiative the challenge has been designed for junior players under 18 years of age and aims to help improve vital elements of the game, such as putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play and full swing. Scores from each challenge can then be added to online Leaderboards allowing players to access their achievements at any time.
Richard Flint, EGU Development Manager commented, “It was really encouraging to get such a positive reaction from county unions and associations after the successful pilot of the National Skills Challenge. The County Skills initiative allows us to reach even more youngsters and the online element makes their golf experience even more accessible as they can access the information and results when they are away from the golf course.”
Counties can register to take part and run County Skills Challenges at any time during the year. Counties can register on line at www.getintogolf.org/countyskills. The website also contains information and resources for both counties and players including videos and coaching tips.
The Get into Golf County Skills Challenge is an initiative jointly provided by the EGU and ELGA via the England Golf Partnership’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.

Sunday 23rd July 2006

Futures Tour
VIKKI SUFFERS DOUBLE-BOGEY SLUMP AFTER RAIN HOLDS UP PLAY
Vikki Laing from Musselburgh beat the 36-hole cut with nothing to spare on a rain-affected second day of the Alliance Bank Future Classic at The Links at Erie Village, Syracuse in New York State on Saturday.
The Scot had been playing well with a first-round 69 and a one-under-par outward half in the second with birdies at the third and fifth and one bogey sandwiched between them.
Then came a lengthy suspension of play due to very heavy rain. Vikki was one of the worst affected by the hiatus. When she returned to the course from the clubhouse, she double-bogeyed three holes in a row – a 6 at the 10th, a 6 at the 11th and a 6 at the 12th.
Another shot dropped, at the 16th, got her home in a sad seven-over-par 42 for a six-over 77.
Her two-round total of 146 put her in a share of 57th place and was the limit mark for qualifying for the final round.
Three players share the lead on six-under 136 – Smriti Mehra from India, Ha-Na Chase (South Korea) and Kristina Tucker (Sweden).
Polly Willett from London and Samantha Head from Bedford both made the cut in a share of 49th place on 145. Polly scored 73 and 72, Samantha 72 and 73.
Belfast's Brenda McLarnon, a former American college circuit player, was one of the players with totals of 147 or over who was eliminated. Brenda scored 76 and 77 for 153.
Janet Dwyer from Aberystwyth, Wales has also packed her bags early. She had 74 and 84 for 158.
One of the surprise non-qualifiers was American Danielle Downey who shared the first-r0und lead with a 66. Astonishingly, she returned a second-round 82 - 16 shots worse - for a total of 148 to miss the cut by two shots.

Saturday 22nd July 2006

US Girls
THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD JENNY WINS TITLE
Jenny Shin, only 13 years of age, from that California hot bed of young golfers - Torrance - became one of the youngest winners of the United States girls' open amateur championship at Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina.
Jenny won at the 37th hole - this was the first scheduled 36-hole final in the history of the championship - when her 16-year-old opponent, Vicky Hurst from Melbourne, Florida conceded after sending her approach shot into a water hazard and then her next into a greenside bunker.
Vicky had been three up after winning three holes in a row on the outward half of the second round in the final. Jenny admitted later that she felt at that point she was going to lose.
Miss Hurst had beaten the leading qualifier, 16-year-old Mini Harigae from Monterey, California, by 2 and 1 in the semi-finals.
Sally Watson from South Queensferry reached the last 16 before going down by one hole.

English Mid-Amateur
SCOTS WHO COUNT AT COTSWOLD HILLS
The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has nominated Sara Bishop (Windyhill), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) and Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) to have their scores counting for Scotland in the international team event staged on conjunction with the qualifying rounds of the English women's mid-amateur open golf championship at Cotswold Hills Golf Club from August 15 to 18.

Futures Tour
VIKKI'S BEST START FOR SOME TIME
Musselburgh exile Vikki Laing has made her best tournament start for many a long day in the Alliance Bank Futures Classic tournament at The Links at Erie Village, Syracuse in New York State.
Vikki was in joint 16th place after a first-round, two-under-par 69, three shots behind four players: Americans Leigh Anne Hardin and Danielle Downey, Sweden's Kristina Tucker and Ha-Na Chae, one of a large number of Koreans who are making a good living on the United States' No 2 female pro tour.
Samantha Head from Bedford had a one-over-par 72 to have a share of 47th place but Brenda McLarnon fronm Belfast did not have the best of days. The former US college circuit player had a 76 to be in joint 100th place.

Friday 21st July 2006

SCOTLAND NAME GIRLS' HOME INTERNATIONALS TEAM
The Scottish Ladies Golfing has named the following team for the girls' home international matches at Portstewart Golf Club, Northern Ireland from August 9 to 11:
Carly Booth (Comrie), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Reserves: Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), Laura Murray (Alford), Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton), Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey).
The three girls whose scores will count for Scotland in the international team event staged in conjunction with the qualifying rounds of the Girls' British Open championship at Portstewart GC from August 14 to 18 are:
Carly Booth (Comrie), Krystle Caithness (St Regulous), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), capt.
Reserves: Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon).

Roseanne Wins Scottish Girls Final
Roseanne Niven, a 17-year-old scratch player from Crieff, won the Scottish girls (close) amateur golf championship at Peebles today. Roseanne, seventh of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages, beat 18-year-old Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) , the eighth qualifier, by 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final.
Neither had reached the national final previously and it is fair to say that both played their best golf in winning their way through to the last stage, rather than in the final itself.
That is not uncommon in a match-play tournament where the number of rounds played sometimes catches up with the players on the last day.
Roseanne was four over par and Rachael seven over the card in a match that lasted only 2hr 40min - but it was never a dull contest.
None of the first six holes was halved. On the seventh tee Roseanne was two up, having won the first, with a bogey, the third, fourth and the six with pars.
Rachael won the second with a par and the fifth with a birdie 3 - the only birdie by either player in the final.
In contrast, the next six holes were halved. Had Rachael been able to get her short game going over that period, she might have been able to take one or two of the opportunities that presented themselves
But it was Roseanne who broke the sequences of halves with a par 4 at the 13th to go three up.
Three more halves finished the final on the 16th green.
The new champion confessed she felt a "wee bit tired" after last week's gruelling European girls' team championships in Denmark.
"I didn't play as well as I wanted to in the final but I'm just happy to have won the title," said Roseanne.
Rachael too conceded that the good play that had marked her progress through the week at Peebles deserted her when she needed it most.
Next year's championship will be played for the first time over the Peterhead Golf Club links, north of Cruden Bay but not quite as far as Fraserburgh
SCOTTISH GIRLS (CLOSE) AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Peebles Golf Club
FINAL (18 holes)
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) bt Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 3 and 2.

SALLY WATSON LOSES ON LAST GREEN AFTER REACHING LAST 16 IN U S A
Sally Watson from South Queensferry lost narrowly in the third round of the United States girls' open golf championship in hot and humid conditions at Carmel Country Club near Charlotte in North Carolina.
Sally, only recently turned 15, played in this tournament instead of defending the Scottish girls' championship at Peebles this week.
She had won her storm-interrupted second round tie after an early-morning resumption on Thursday.
Miss Watson beat Kimberly Donovan from Hopkinton, Mass, a member of the winning United States team in the last Junior Solheim Cup, by one hole.That put Sally into the last 16 in which she played another 15-year-old, Michelle Shin from Cape Coral, Florida.
It was another very close match which went all the way but this time Miss Watson went down by one hole.
Sally and Carly Booth (Comrie) are Scotland's girl representatives in the European Young Masters for under-16s in Austria at the end of next week. The selection of the European team to play the United States in the Junior Ryder Cup in the autumn will be based on performances in that tournament.

IRELAND NAME GIRLS' HOME INTERNATIONALS LINE-UP
Following the Lancome Irish girls' (close) amateur championship, the ILGU has announced the Ireland team to play in the Girls' Home International Matches at Portstewart Golf Club, Northern Ireland from August 9 to 11:
Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
Louise Coffey (Warrenpoint)
Sarah Cunningham (Ennis)
Sarah Faller (Galway)
Naoimh McMahon (Shannon)
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush)
Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge)
Linda Toomey (Limerick)
Reserves: 1 Holli Snelling (Killarney), 2 Lucy Simpson (Massereene), 3 Alice Davis (Royal Tara).

STEPHANIE MAKES SURE OF IRISH GIRLS' TITLE
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), beaten finalist two years ago and beaten in the quarter-finals 12 months ago, has won the Lancome Irish girls' (close) amateur championship at last!
She beat Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) by 5 and 4 in the final at Malone Golf Club today.
In the semi-finals, Stephanie beat Louise Coffey (Warrenpoint) 5 and 4 while Victoria was a 2 and 1 winner of Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge).
Miss Meadow is bound for Florida in the autumn to become a student at one of the golf academies which also offers a higher education to its students.
Results in the quarter-finals were:
Louise Coffey (Warrenpoint) beat Charlene Reid (Gracehill) 7 and 6.
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) beat Sarah Faller (Galway) 3 and 2.
Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) beat Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 3 and 2.
Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) beat Kate Gallagher (Claremorris) at 19th.
There were one or two form upsets in the early stages of the match-play. The biggest was the first-round defeat of leading qualifier Alice Davis by the last of the qualifiers, Louise Coffey from Warrenpoint - Coffey being a famous surname from Irish women's amateur golf of the last decade or so.
The defeat cost Miss Davis her place in the Irish girls' team for the home internationals.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
153 Alice Davis (Royal Tara) 74 79
154 Naoimh McMahon (Shannon) 79 75
156 Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 79 77.
156 Stephanie Meadow (Ryl Portrush)76 80
157 Sarah Faller (Galway) 79 78
159 Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) 82 77
159 Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 81 78

LARBERT LAD'S BLAIRGOWRIE EFFORT NOT ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR FALDO FINAL
We published the results from the third and final Scottish qualifying tournament in the Faldo Series at Blairgowrie earlier this week.
What we did not do was give you some explanatory words to go with the charts. Here, courtesy of Martin Forsyth of the Faldo Press Office, is the story from Blairgowrie:
Graeme Robertson, 18, from Larbert, claimed first place in the third and final tournament in the Scotland region of the Faldo Series 2006.
The tournament was played over the rolling heath-land of Blairgowrie's famous Lansdowne course under clear Scottish skies.
A two-under-par score of 70 was enough to see off the valiant efforts of some very strong contenders. Robertson found himself back at he clubhouse with a victory by a single stroke.
Unfortunately, the Larbert lad's late surge was not been enough to guarantee him a coveted place in this year's Faldo Series Final, as he did not finish top of his age category's Order of Merit.
The following players will be appearing at the event at The Celtic Manor Resort from October 4 to 6:
GRAHAM TURNER, 20, from Penicuik (Under 21 category).
GRAEME MITCHELL, 17, from the Northern Golf Club, Aberdeen.
MICHAEL DAILY, 17, from Bishopton.
MARK BOOKLESS, 16, from Glasgow.
REEVE WHITSON, 14, from Newcastle.
CARLY BOOTH, 14, from Comrie.

Sports Marketing Pioneer Mark McCormack Named To World Golf Hall of Fame through Lifetime Achievement Category
The Open Championship Hoylake, England (July 19, 2006) – Mark McCormack, known as the father of the sports marketing and management industry, has been chosen by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame through its Lifetime Achievement category. McCormack will be inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 in St. Augustine, Fla., along with 2006 classmates Larry Nelson, Vijay Singh, Marilynn Smith and the late Henry Picard.
Arnold Palmer, McCormack’s first client, will speak on his behalf at the 2006 Induction Ceremony. The legendary handshake deal between the two in 1960 was the foundation for the sports marketing industry and evolved for McCormack into what would become IMG, the world’s premier sports, entertainment and media company.
“Very few things could have pleased me more than to get word that Mark had been chosen for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Palmer. “Not only did Mark play integral parts in the success I and many other professional golfers as well as celebrities in other sports and fields have enjoyed, but just as important to me, he was a very close and loyal friend. It is great that his many contributions to the game during his lifetime are being recognized in this way. It’s just too bad that Mark isn’t here to enjoy the moment.”
After signing Palmer, McCormack went on to round out golf’s “big three” clients when he signed Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. While his client roster grew to include professional athletes representing many sports around the globe, he remained involved in golf throughout his life, including negotiating Tiger Woods’ first contract in 1996.
“McCormack’s business intuition, dedication and hard work had a profound impact on the business of sports as we know it today,” said Timothy W. Finchem, World Golf Foundation Chairman and PGA TOUR Commissioner. “The game of golf and the many organizations and people involved in it have greatly benefited because of his efforts.”
In 1966, McCormack formed IMG’s media division, TWI, which became the world’s largest non-network producer of televised sports, to film a selection of golf events. The production company grew under his watch to produce 6,000 hours of original sports television programming and 2,500 hours of radio programming. He built TWI to become the largest source of golf programming in the world. Today, IMG Media produces and distributes over 10,000 hours of sports and documentary programming annually across 200 countries.
During McCormack’s tenure, IMG began an events division in 1964 when it staged the first World Match Play Championship at Wentworth. McCormack continued to create, stage and build upon the success of many golf events throughout the world and expanded into tennis and fashion events, as well.
McCormack also is credited with developing the Official World Golf Rankings, a system that ranks the performance level of male professional golfers. He became the first chairman of the International Advisory Committee in 1986, which oversees the Official World Golf Ranking system, and remained in that post until his death on May 16, 2003.
Born in Chicago on November 6, 1930, McCormack was a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Yale Law School and served briefly in the U.S. Army. He authored several best-selling books, including “What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School” and “Hit the Ground Running.” His accolades include being named by ESPN Sport Century one of the century’s ten “most influential people in the business of sport” (1999) and Sports Illustrated called him “the most powerful man in sports” (1990).
“McCormack’s story is one of global interest as he pioneered an industry and as a result, had an enormous impact on how golf as a business is shaped today,” said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. “The Hall of Fame will enjoy the responsibility of sharing his story—another grand story from the game—with our visitors.”
His golf career was not only in businesses but also as a player, having qualified for the 1958 U.S. Open and several U.S. and British Amateur Championships.
Other Hall of Fame members who have entered through the Lifetime Achievement category, which was instituted in 2000, are: Judy Bell, Deane Beman, Sir Michael Bonallack, Neil Coles, Bernard Darwin, Hisako “Chako” Higuchi, John Jacobs, Alister MacKenzie, Harvey Penick, Charlie Sifford and Karsten Solheim. Marilynn Smith, part of the 2006 Class of Inductees, also was selected in the Lifetime Achievement category.
For information on McCormack or the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, call 011-904-940-4009 (U.S.) or visit www.wgv.com.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 TICKETS NOW ON SALE
The R&A has frozen ticket prices for The Open Championship 2007 at Carnoustie. Tickets will go on sale online at www.opengolf.com
“We are putting tickets on sale a little earlier than usual so that spectators have longer to take advantage of the substantial season ticket discounts of around 40%,” said David Hill, Director of Championships for The R&A.
“Until the end of January, a season ticket will cost £150 and we feel this represents excellent value when compared to the cost of daily tickets for the eight days of practice and Championship play.”
A daily ticket on the four Championship days costs £50 per day and juniors continue to be well catered for with free admission for all under-16’s. Concessions are available.
At present, all ticket enquiries should be directed through www.opengolf.com. Telephone ticket sales will commence in due course.

Friday 21st July 2006

SALLY WATSON LOSES ON LAST GREEN AFTER REACHING LAST 16
Sally Watson from South Queensferry lost narrowly in the third round of the United States girls' open golf championship in hot and humid conditions at Carmel Country Club near Charlotte in North Carolina.
Sally, 15, who played in this tournament instead of defending the Scottish girls' championship at Peebles this week, had won her storm-interrupted second round tie after an early-morning resumption on Thursday.
Miss Watson beat Kimberly Donovan from Hopkinton, Mass, a member of the winning United States team in the last Junior Solheim Cup, by one hole.
That put Sally into the last 16 in which she played another 15-year-old, Michelle Shin from Cape Coral, Florida. It was another very close match which went all the way but this time Miss Watson went down by one hole.
Sally and Carly Booth (Comrie) are Scotland's girl representatives in the European Young Masters for under-16s in Austria at the end of next week. The selection of the European team to play the United States in the Junior Ryder Cup in the autumn will be based on performances in that tournament.

Thursday 20th July 2006

RACHAEL v ROSEANNE FOR SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP AT PEEBLES
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh), pictured left, will play Roseanne Niven (Crieff), pictured right, in the 18-hole final of the Scottish girls' (close) amateur championship at Peebles on Friday, teeing off at 9am.
Both are first time finalists and their form, particularly in today's quarter and semi-finals, suggests that it will be a very good match indeed.
Having toppled the No 1 qualifier, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) by 3 and 1 in the morning, 18-year-old Rachael then beat the dark horse of the event, Brisbane-born debutante Edwina Lowrey-Gold, entered from the Eaton club, Norwich, by 5 and 3 with one-over-par figures in the first semi-final.
Edwina, whose father comes from Edinburgh, had played level par golf to knock out Curtis Cup reserve Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) by 4 and 3 in the quarter-finals.
Roseanne, 17, beat repeating Aberdeenshire women's champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) by one hole in the quarter-finals before mastering Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), who played on the American college circuit from Lynn University, Florida through their autumn-winter-spring season, by 4 and 3 with level-par play.
Miss Niven played well for Scotland in a tiring, five-day schedule as they finished fifth in last week's European girls' team championship in Denmark.
"I feel shattered at the moment but I'm sure I'll be OK for the final. I came to Peebles playing well and I've managed to keep it going," said Roseanne who was seventh of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages.
Rachael Livingstone, the eighth qualifier, also felt she could do at least match her performance of two years ago when she reached the semi-finals - and she has been proved right.
"I've been playing well lately so that gave me confidence coming into the championship and I've come through a tough half of the draw to reach the final. I don't suffer from nerves so I'm really looking forward to a good match," said Miss Livingstone
Isla Craigie (Torwoodlee), pictured right, bt Ailsa Mitchell (Hawick) by 3 and 2 in an all-Borders final to the Ansley Reid Salver for the next-best 16 players who did not quite make it into the championship match-play.
SCOTTISH GIRLS (CLOSE) CHAMPIONSHIP
PEEBLES GOLF CLUB
Quarter-finals
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) bt Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 3 and 1.
Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) bt Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 4 and 3.
Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) bt Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) at 19th.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) bt Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 1 hole.
Semi-finals
Livingstone beat Lowrey-Gold 5 and 3, Niven bt McNicoll 4 and 3.
ANSLEY REID SALVER
Semi-finals - Ailsa Mitchell (Hawick) bt Heather Peebles (Monifieth) 4 and 3;
Isla Craigie (Torwoodlee) bt Morag MacPherson (Turnberry) 2 holes.
Final - Craigie bt Mitchell 3 and 2.

CRAIL'S TWO DAVIDS GIVE A GOLIATH PERFORMANCEN AT GLENBERVIE
Crail Golfing Society's captain David Maiden, a four-handicapper, and secretary David Roy, who plays off 10, showed a clean pair of heels to a huge field at Glenbervie yesterday (Thursday) for Regional Final 3 of the Belhaven Best Scottish club captains' and secretaries' championship.
The two Davis gave a performance of Goliath proportions with a net better-ball score of nine-under-par 62.
They won by three shots from West Lothian Golf Club's Derek Pickens (4) and David Mason (3) with Inverness's Castle Heather pairing of Tom Smith (12) and Neil Hampton (+1) claiming third place on a better last six countback after returning a net 66.
Largs, Grange and Lanark also hit the 66 mark but lost out on the paper play-off.
The other qualifying teams on the day - 10 in all - for the Grand Final over The Duke's Course, St Andrews on Tuesday, September 12 were:
Sheddens Lethamhill, St Johnstone, Stirling and finally Kinross who squeezed through on 68 with a better inward half of 34 to pip Glenbervie, Aberfoyle and Vale of Leven for the last spot.
BELHAVEN BEST SCOTTISH CLUB CAPTAINS' AND SECRETARIES' CHAMPIONSHIP - Regional Final 3 - Glenbervie.
Qualifiers
62 Crail Golfing Society: David Maiden (4) and David Roy (10).
65 West Lothian: Derek Pickens (4) and David Mason (3).
66 Castle Heather: Tom Smith (12) and Neil Hampton (+1), Largs, Grange, Lanark.
67 Sheddens Lethamhill, St Johnstone, Stirling.
68 Kinross (after card play-off).
Non-qualifiers
68 Glenbervie, Aberfoyle, Vale of Leven.
69 Balfron, Binny, Bishopbriggs, Uphall, Clover, Colville Park, Lochwinnoch, Kirkintilloch.
70 Auchterarder, Downfield, Grangemouth, Falkirk.
71 Newbattle, Cathkin Braes, Swanston.
72 Bathgate, Bridge of Allan, Thornton, Muckhart, Gourock, Monifieth, Culcrieff, Milnathort.
73 Forrester Park.
74 Edinburgh Wester, Blair Atholl, Glen.
75 Clydebank & Dist.
76 Dollar.
Disq - Charleton.

MITCHELL SETS COURSE RECORD BUT BYRNE WINS NE DISTRICT BOYS' TITLE
FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON
North of Scotland boys' golf champion Graeme Mitchell (Northern) slashed two shots off the Hazlehead No 1 course record on Thursday) - but still did not win the North-east District boys' stroke-play championship!
Mitchell shot a brilliant round of eight-under-par 62 to lead by five shots but his second-round 70 for a total of 132 allowed him to be caught by the new North-east youths champion, James Byrne (Banchory).
James has scores of 67 and 64 for nine-under-par 131 to lift the first part of the North-east District boys' double-header at Hazlehead.
Mitchell faced a 15ft putt on the final green. If he holed it, he would have tied with Byrne and they would have gone into a play-off. But Graeme missed it.
His figures for his round of 62, which was two shots inside the old mark held by Kevin Duthie, Mark Halliday and Shaun Webster, included birdies at the first, third, fifth, sixth, seven and eighth in an outward 28 followed by birdies at the 11th, 15th and 16th in 34 home.
Astonishing in such a low round, that Graeme had one bogey - a 5 at the 13th.
Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) with scores of 67 and 68 for 135 finished third overall but won the NE District Under-16 championship.
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), bound for the University of Kentucky on a four-year golf scholarship next month, was fourth on 137 (67-70) and he completes the quartet which will contest the North-east District boys' match-play title over the Hazlehead No 1 course on Friday.
James Byrne will play Scotland boys international team-mate Lewis Kirton in the first semi-final, tee-ing off at 9.30am.
Graeme Mitchell, junior will play Adam Dunton at 9.40.
The winners will meet in the final which will tee off at 2pm.
LEADING TOTALS
131 J Byrne (Banchory) 67 64.
132 G Mitchell jun (Northern) 62 70.
135 A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 67 68.
137 L Kirton (Newmachar) 67 70.
138 K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 69 69.
142 C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 72 70.
145 D Macandrew (Hazlehead) 70 75, J Duff (Newmachar) 69 76.
147 C Irvine (Stonehaven) 77 70, S Fraser (Northern) 70 77.
148 K Shearer (Murcar Links) 75 73.
149 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 80 69, D Miller (Newmachar) 73 69.
150 N Macandrew (Cullen) 72 78.

Scottish Girls Consolation Medal
CARA EASTON WINS WITH NET 65
Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) won the Scottish girls' championship Consolation Medal at Peebles Golf Club.
She had a net 65 off nine of a handicap. The Par was 70, the SSS 71 and the CSS 71.
SCOREBOARD
NET
65 Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) (9).
68 Sammy Vass (Tain) (8).
71 Rebecca McIntyre (Eden) (10), Julie Vass (Tain) (19).
72 Laura Murray (Alford) (3), Jennifer Linklater (Largs) (13).
73 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) (3), Gillian Simpson (Baberton) (12).
74 Ashley Smith (Kirriemuir) (9), Megan Aird (Strathmore) (21).
75 Rachel Watton (Mortonhall) (12), Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) (21).
76 Ailsa Bain (Peebles) (14) 76.
77 Lauren Mackin (Son Mutaner) (9), Rachael Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh) (10).
79 Lauren Meldrum (Dullatur) (10), Vicki Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) (8).
NRs Linzi Allan (Kilbirnie Place) (13), Eilidh Mackay (Nairn Dunbar) (17).

Latest positions at Peebles in Scottish girls championship semi-finals.
RACHAEL LIVINGSTONE v EDWINA LOWREY-GOLD
Rachael won first three holes, lost the fourth, but won the fifth and seventh to be four holes up on the eighth tee.
Rachael then won the eighth to be five up.
KATY McNICOLL v ROSEANNE NIVEN
First two holes halved.
Katy won third and fourth to be two holes up.
Fifth and sixth holes halved.
ANSLEY REID SALVER FINAL
First three holes halved.
Isla Craigie won the fourth to go one up

Semi-finalists at Peebles today

Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old)	Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton)
Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie)	Roseanne Niven (Crieff)

Ansley Reid Salver finalists Ailsa Mitchell and Isla Craigie flank Scottish Girls Chairman Dorothy Gordon

KRYSTLE AND KELSEY KO'D ON MORNING OF SHOCKS IN SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Curtis Cup reserve Krystle Caithness and leading qualifier Kelsey MacDonald are out of the Scottish girls' golf championship at Peebles before the semi-final stages.
Krystle from the St Regulus club lost by 4 and 3 to Aussie-born championship debutante Edwina Lowrey-Gold by 4 and 3.
Nairn Dunbar member Kelsey lost by 3 and 1 to Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old).
Miss Lowrey-Gold, 17-year-old daughter of an Edinburgh man, moved with her family from Australia to England two years ago and is a member at Eaton Golf Club, Norwich. Winning four holes in a row from the sixth, Edwina was four up
at the turn and well on her way to a shock victory over Krystle who won this Under-18s title two years ago.
Edwina lost the 10th but regained her four-hole lead by winning the 11th and, after losing the 13th, ended the tie with a birdie 3 at the 15th. She was roughly level par at the finish.
Rachael Livingstone is through to the last four for the second time in three years. She slipped to three down after five holes against Kelsey but began her revival by wining the sixth ... then the ninth ... and the 10th to be all square.
Miss Livingstone took the lead for the first time in the match by winning the 14th and she quickly finished off the tie by winning the 16th and 17th. Rachael was an approximate two over par.
The other semi-final will feature Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), who plays for Lynn University, Florida on the American women's college circuit, and Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
Katy beat Gillian Monteith from Portpatrick Dunskey at the 19th after being two up at one stage of the inward half.
Roseanne led throughout against Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), winner of the North of Scotland women's championship for the past two years, but was pulled back to square on the 18th tee. Michele drove into the rough at the long 18th and lost the hole and the match.
Thursday a.m. results:
SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP - Peebles Golf Club.
Quarter-finals
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) bt Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 3 and 1.
Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) bt Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 4 and 3.
Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) bt Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) at 19th.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) bt Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 1 hole.
ANSLEY REID SALVER - Semi-finals
Ailsa Mitchell (Hawick) bt Heather Peebles (Monifieth) 4 and 3;
Isla Craigie (Torwoodlee) beat Morag Macpherson (Turnberry) 2 holes

THUNDERSTORM HOLDS UP SALLY WATSON BID IN US GIRLS GOLF
South Queensferry teenager Sally Watson won her opening tie in the United States girls' open golf championship and was then on the Carmel Country Club course when a huge thunderstorm hit the Charlotte area of North Carolina, forcing a suspension of further play for the day.
Sally, 15, was in excellent form in her opening tie. She was four under par for the 14 holes it took her to beat Kimberly Johnson from San Diego by 5 and 4.
Miss Watson will probably need to repeat that quality of performance in her second-round tie against Kimberly Donovan from Hopkinton, Mass. Miss Donovan was a member of the last winning United States Junior Solheim Cup team. She
beat Spain's Belen Mozo 3 and 2. Miss Mozo won the British women's open amateur championship at Royal County Down, Northern Ireland earlier this summer.
Sally had played only four holes of her second-round match when the thunderstorm hit the area. She and the other contestants in the round of the last 32 were scheduled to resume their ties very early on Thursday morning (US time).
Sally's older sister Rebecca has been on the course as well - as Sally's caddie.Rebecca will be returning to the United States in the autumn of 2007 to enrol as a student at the University of Tennessee, ranked in the top 10 of the US women's college golf teams for the second year in a row.

Wednesday 19th July 2006

British Ladies Mid Amateur Championsip at Nairn
For those of you that were at Nairn for the British Mid Amateur (not a lot I know!) I've put together a photoalbum of images taken by Hamish Ewan, who was at the scoreboard at the 12th. Enjoy!
PS you might need some patience if you want to see the slide show!
PPS If you can name any of the players let me know.
PPPS If you would like a copy of a photograph please email Hamish

SCOTTISH GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Alyth's Jacqueline Sneddon, 30th of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages, produced the surprise result of the first round of the Scottish girls' golf championship at Peebles today (WED).
She beat Jane Turner, the East of Scotland girls' champion from Mortonhall - the No 3 qualifier - by 3 and 2.
But Miss Sneddon herself went out in the second round, beaten 4 and 2 by Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey).
Last year's Scottish schoolgirls champion Laura Murray (Alford), a member of the Scotland team in last week's European junior women's team championship, lost by 3 and 1 in the second round to Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old).
Rachel now plays top seed Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) who had two comfortable wins in progressing to the quarter-finals.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) will play the "dark horse" of the tournament, Edwina Lowrey-Gold from the Eaton club at Norwich.
In the quarter-finals in the bottom half of the draw, Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll will play Gillian Monteith while, in a tie between members of the Perth & Kinross and Aberdeenshire women's county teams, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) tackles Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), who recently retained the North of Scotland women's title at Montrose.
RESULTS:
SCOREBOARD
SCOTTISH GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
Peebles Golf Club
Match-play
FIRST ROUND - K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) bt V Smith (Barassie) 9 and 7; M Johnstone (Northern) bt H Harvey (St Rule) at 19th; L Murray (Alford) bt A Smith (Kirriemuir) 3 and 2; R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) bt G Simpson (Baberton) 8 and 7; E Lowrey-Gold (Easton) bt R McIntyre (Eden) 3 and 2; S Vass (Tain) bt E Fairnie (Dunbar) 4 and 3; RWilson (Monifieth) bt L Mackin (Son Montaner) at 20th; K Caithness (St Regulus) bt J Linklater (Largs) 7 and 6; J Sneddon (Alyth) bt J Turner (Mortonhall) 3 and 2; G Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 3 and 2; K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) bt E Muirhead (Pitlochry) 5 and 4; M Briggs (Kilmacolm) bt S Leslie (Westhill) 5 and 4; R Niven (Crieff) bt C Easton (Dalmahoy) 5 and 4; P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) bt F Blair (Monifieth) 4 and 2; A Ingram (Fort William) bt E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 8 and 6; M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt A Niven (Crieff) 4 and 3.
Second round - MacDonald bt Johnstone 5 and 3; Livingstone bt Murray 3 and 1; Lowrey-Gold bt Vass 2 and 1; Caithness bt Wilson 4 and 3; Monteith bt Sneddon 4 and 2; McNicoll bt M Briggs 3 and 2; R Niven bt Pretswell 5 and 4; Thomson bt Ingram 3 and 1.
ANSLEY REID SALVER- First round - H Peebles (Monifieth) bt L Meldrum (Dullatur) 2 and 1; J Meldrum (Dullatur) w.o. G Scanlan (Hamilton) scr; A Bain (Peebles) bt L Duncan (Aboyne) 4 and 3; A Mitchell (Hawick) w.o. Z Differ (Dullatur) scr; M MacPherson (Turnberry) 6 and 5; K Moss (Monifieth) bt E MacKay (Nairn Dunbar) 2 and 1; R Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh) bt L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) 3 and 2; I Craigie (Torwoodlee) w.o.K Differ (Dullatur) scr.

PATRICK IS YANKEE DOODLE DANDY IN R&A JUNIOR OPEN AT HESWALL
Patrick Reed, pictured right, a 16-year-old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana followed in the footsteps of compatriot Jordan Cox, the 2004 winner at Barassie, when the R&A Junior Open golf championship ended on another day of unrelenting heat at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirral, near Hoylake today.
Reed, whose mother and father both claim Irish ancestors, has a handicap of +4 and he lived up to that indicator that he was the best player in the field of Under-16s from around the world. Some 60 countries accepted the Royal & Ancient Golf Club's invitation to nominate one boy and one girl to play in this biennial tournament.
Patrick had rounds of 73, 70 and 74 for a one-over-par aggregate of 217.
He won by three shots from Maximilian Kraemer (Germany) and 13-year-old Korean, Miss Jungeun Han, who both finished on 220.
In temperatures well up in the 30s, Reed unbelievably wore waterproof trousers for the secnd day in row - "It's a lot hotter and more humid than this in Louisiana" - because, somehow or other he "felt cool" in them and, anyway, he had played well with them on for the second round and didn't want to break the spell.
The American, who is bound for the University of Georgia and a possible place in the US Walker Cup team of 2007 or 2009, was level with Welsh lad Ben Enoch from Truro at the start of the last round.
"I actually fell behind Ben over the first few holes because I bogeyed the first, birdied the second and double-bogied the third with a poor drive and three putts from six feet," said Patrick.
By the turn Reed, with the help of a birdie at the fifth, had forged three shots clear of the faltering Enoch who had a double-bogey 7 at the ninth to be out in three over par 40.
Reed then had a double bogey 5 at the 11th but that cost him only a stroke of his lead because Enoch took a 4.
A birdie at the 13th restored the American's three-shot lead and he coasted in from there with bogeys at the 14th and 15th but finishing with a flourish in holing a 20ft putt for a birdie 3 at the last.
In contrast, Enoch three-putted for a closing bogey 5 for a 78 which pushed him down to 221 and a share of fourth place.
"I never played in conditions quite like I found here at Heswall. I'm used to soft greens and fairways. I felt a little bit frustrated at the start of the round but then I began to get used to playing what seemed to be links golf. In the end, it was quite fun. I really enjoyed it," said Patrick
Carly Booth from Comrie finished joint 12th with a 76 for 224.
"I played horrendous stuff," said the 14-year-old. In fact she had a clutch of birdies and a couple of double bogeys.
Darren Renwick from Worthing finish on 225 after a 75.
Michael Stewart from Troon, playing in a three-ball, got round in 4hr 20min, an improvement of 90min on the second-round pace which had seen drop out of a share of the lead. Michael signed off with a 76, after earlier efforts of 70 and 84, for 230.
Ireland's Garth Boyd from Donaghdee had a hole in one at the 148yd 11th hole in his final round. In Sunday's practice, Haider Attiq (Pakistan) had an ace at the same hole.
Boyd's hole in one enabled him to be the leader in the clubhouse for a spell with scores of 77, 76 and 76 for 229.
Miss Jungeun Han, who finished joint second on 220, won the Young Lady Golfer Trophy, awarded to the female with the lowest gross total for the first two rounds.
SCOREBOARD
R&A JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Heswall Golf Club, The Wirral, Cheshire
FINAL TOTALS (Boys & Girls Par 72)
GOLD CATEGORY CHAMPIONSHIP QUAICH
Boys & girls' 54-hole gross totals
217 Patrick Reed (United States) 73 70 74.
220 Maxmilian Kraemer (Germany) 72 77 71, Miss Jungeun Han(Koea) 72 72 76.
221 Miss Jennifer Johnson (United States) 72 78 71, Cristiano Terragni (Italy) 70 78 73, Miss Bertine Strauss (South Afric) 71 76 74, Asako Fujimoto (Japan) 72 73 76, Ben Enoch (Wales) 74 69 78.
222 Siphiwe Siphayi (South Africa) 75 75 72, Miss Michelle Koh (Malaysia) 75 72 75.
223 Miss Kiara Hayashida (Peru) 76 73 74.
224 Shunta Maeawakura (Japan) 75 74 75, Miss Carly Booth (Scotland) 72 76 76.
225 Petr Strycek (Czech Republic) 75 76 74, Darren Renwick (England) 76 74 75.
227 Andrew Stewart (New Zealand) 75 77 75.
229 Garth Boyd (Ireland) 77 76 76.
230 Edouard Amacher (Switzerland) 80 75 75, Michael Stewart (Scotland) 70 84 76, Iylia Jamil (Malaysia) 75 77 78, Koray Varli (Turkey) 76 75 79.
231 Patrick Winther (Denmark) 76 80 75, Miss Friederike Reuter (Germany) 78 77 76, Roy Steinberg (Israel) 74 79 78.
232 Miss Margarita Ramos (Mexico) 80 76 76, Julie Richelle (Belgium) 75 72 75.
233 Miss Nicole Vandermade (Canada) 76 76 81.
234 Miss Lauren Van Gerven (Belgium) 79 78 77, Jaka Vidmar (Slovenia) 77 78 79, Juan Pablo Hernandez (Mexico) 77 76 81.
236 Lucas Leibel (Canada) 79 79 78, Mateusz Jedrzejczyk (Poland) 80 77 79.
237 Miss Laetitia Beck (Israel) 78 84 75, Miss Ludovica Carulli (Italy) 81 78 78.
239 Santiago Quintero (Venezuela) 79 81 79.
240 Robert Paul Calvesbert (Puerto Rico ) 81 79 80.
241 Mark Suursalu (Estonia) 81 82 78.
243 Mohammad Rauf Mandhu (Zimbabwe) 74 83 86.
244 Miss Yoleccu Jimenez (Venezuela) 84 82 78, Karlis Broders (Latvia) 81 80 83.
245 Miss Katie Thompson (England) 77 81 87.
246 Miss Alisa Theunis (Luxembourg) 81 80 85, Miss Krista Puisite (Latvia) 78 79 89.
248 Miss Mariana Barrios (Colombia) 80 83 85.
249 Jose Pablo Rolz (Guatemala) 87 84 78.
255 Ho Youn Lee (Guam) 88 81 86.
260 Tahir A Said (Kenya) 84 88 88.
Other category winners (first 36 holes, gross totals):
YOUNG LADY GOLFER TROPHY
Miss Jungeun Han (Korea).
SILVER CATEGORY TROPHY
Amajyot Singh (India).
BRONZE CATEGORY TROPHY
Saber Sahli (Tunisia).
UNDER-14 TROPHY
Miss Bertine Strauss (SAfr)
REGIONAL TROPHIES
(first 36 holes, net totals)
AFRICAN TROPHY
Miss Nobuhle Dlamini (Swaziland).
ASIA-PACIFIC TROPHY
Miss Michelle Koh (Malaysia).
CENTRAL EUROPEAN TROPHY
Ben Enoch (Wales)
EASTERN EUROPEAN TROPHY
Petr Strycek (Czech Republic).
SOUTHERN EUROPEAN TROPHY
Koray Varli (Turkey).
MIDDLE EAST TROPHY
Subhy Hakim (Lebanon)
NORDIC TROPHY
Patrick Winther (Denmark)
NORTH AMERICAN TROPHY
Miss Nicole Vandermade (Canada).
SOUTH AMERICAN TROPHY
Miss Carina Cuculiza (Nicarauga).
SPECIAL INVITATION TROPHY
Ignacio Rodriguez (Spain).

Last chance to enter the South Ayrshire Pre-Handicap Open
This is open to all boys and girls aged 8 and over who have yet to reach a handicap standard. Play will be on a shortened Troon Fullarton Golf Course on Monday 31st July.
There are still a couple of days left to enter, and entries can be made at www.golfsouthayrshire.com. Emphasis is on participation, as such there is no prize list but all competitors will receive a small goody bag.

SALLY QUALIFIES IN JOINT EIGHTH PLACE FOR MATCH-PLAY STAGES
Sally Watson from South Queensferry had rounds of 72 and 73 for a one-over-par aggregate of 145 to figure joint eighth among the 64 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the United States girls' golf championship at Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina (on Tuesday).
Mini Harigate from Monterey California was the leading qualifier with scores of 70 and eight-under-par 64 for 138, two shots ahead of the field.
Miss Watson now plays Kimberley Johnson from San Diego, California, who totalled 151 in the qualifying rounds, in the first round of the match-play.

Free Entry to British Golf Museum for The Open Championship Weekend
Come along to the British Golf Museum this weekend, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July, for free and experience our new Open Championships since 1946 Gallery.
This year The Open Championship is being held at Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake from 20th- 23rd July. The Championship was first held at Hoylake in 1897, when Harold Hilton won with a score of 314.
If you can't make it to The Open, then come to the next best thing and visit our Open Championships since 1946 Gallery. Tour the venues for The Open around the United Kingdom and see the exhibition come alive with items from this year's destination. Find out why Peter Thomson's 1956 win makes him unique in the championships. See one of the clubs used by Argentinian player Roberto de Vicenzo when he won The Open the last time it was played in Hoylake in 1967.
Our spectacular film footage of The Open from 1923 up until last year's memorable Open includes highlights of the 1924, '30, '36, '47, '56 and '67 Open in Hoylake.
This will make the perfect break from playing golf.

Nick Faldo Series
Leading scores from the third and final Scottish qualifying competition, at Blairgowrie, in the Nick Faldo Series.
The Category winners go forward to the Grand Final at Celtic Manor in the autumn.

Order of Merit winners, who qualify for the 2006 final:

Tuesday 18th July 2006

KELSEY LEADING QUALIFIER AT PEEBLES
Nairn Dunbar's 15-year-old Kelsey MacDonald added another notch to her list of achievements this season when she led the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the Scottish Under-18 girls championship at Peebles Golf Club.
Kelsey, who retained her Northern Counties women's championship earlier this year, has broken three course records this season with eight-under-par scores. Now playing off +1, Kelsey had rounds of 69 and 74 for an aggregate of 143 - one ahead of repeating North of Scotland women's champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Jane Turner (Mortonhall), the East of Scotland girls champion. Michele had scores of 71 and 73 while Jane had the lowest round of the day, a 67 in the morning, followed by a 77.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), second reserve for the Curtis Cup and winner of this title two years ago, qualified in fourth position with 74 and 71 for 145.
There were praiseworthy rounds of 68 from two other qualifiers, Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) and Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies).
QUALIFIERS
143 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 69 74.
144 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 71 73, J Turner (Mortonhall) 67 77.
145 K Caithness (St Regulus) 74 71.
146 E Lowrey-Golld (Eaton) 75 71, M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 73 73, R Niven (Crieff) 73 73.
147 R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 79 68, L Murray (Alford) 74 73.
148 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 76 72.
150 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 82 68.
151 E Fairnie (Dunbar) 74 77.
152 L Mackin (Son Muntaner) 78 74.
153 G Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 78 75.
155 E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 77 78.
158 H Harvey (St Rule Club) 81 77.
160 M Johnstone (Northern) 77 83.
162 A Ingram (Fort William) 84 78, J Graham (Southerness) 82 80, R Wilson (Monifieth) 81 81, S Vass (Tain) 81 81, E Muirhead *(Pitlochry) 79 83.
163 F Blair (Monifieth) 83 80, A Smith (Kirriemuir) 81 82, G Simpson (Baberton) 79 84.
164 C Easton (Dalmahoy) 77 87.
165 S Leslie (Westhill) 89 76, R McIntyre (Eden) 83 82, J Linklater 9Largs) 81 84, J Sneddon (Alyth) 80 85.
166 V Smith (Barassie) 81 85.
+Also on 166 but eliminated on a card countback:P L Meldreum (Dullatur) 80 86.
Match-play draw:
Top half: MacDonald v V Smith, Johnstone v Harvey, Murray v A Smith, Simpson v Livingstone, Lowrey-Gold v McIntyre, S Vass v Fairnie, Mackin v Wilson, Linklater v Caithness.
Lower half: Turner v Sneddon, Graham v Monteith, McNicoll v Muirhead, Leslie v M Briggs, R Niven v Easton, Blair v Prestwell, E Briggs v Ingram, A Niven v Thomson.

R&A Junior Open
Troon's Michael Stewart endured 5 3/4hr of slow-play torture under a searing sun to drop out of a share of the boys' leadership after 36 holes of the R&A Junior Open for Under-16s at Heswall Golf Club today (TUESDAY).
"I had to wait 25min on the fourth tee, and about the same at the 17th. In between, it was waiting on every shot," said Michael who followed up a two-under-par 70 with a 12-over-par 84 for a tally of 154.
"It was just so hard to concentrate on the shots. I took a double bogey 6 at the 10th and a triple bogey 7 at the 13th and that was nobody's fault but my own," he said.
But conditions were the same for everyone and 16-year-old Welsh boy Ben Enoch, who lives in Truro, produced the first sub-par round of the championship when the sun was just as hot and the pace only slightly improved.
Two-handicapper Ben had three-under-par 69 after an opening 74 to jump into the lead on one-under-par 143.
Ben birdied the second, fifth, eighth, 10th, 12th and 17th in halves of 35 (one under par) and 34 (two under par).
Astonishingly in such a very good round, Master Enoch had a double-boy 7 at the ninth and also shed a shot at the 13th.
Strong-finishing Patrick Reed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at +4 the highest rated player in the boys' field, came in late to grab a share of the lead with a 70 for 143.
Patrick birdied the seventh, 12th, 16th and 17th and bogeyed the fifth and 10th in halves of 36 (level) and 34 (two under par).
Enoch and Reed lead by three3 shots from a Belgian, Julien Richelle who has scored 76 and 71.
England's Darren Renwick from Worthing shaved five shots off his first effort with a 71 for 150 - three ahead of Ireland's Garth Boyd who has scored 77 and 76 for 153.
Jungeun Han, a 13-year-old, one-handicap player from Korea, leads the girls' field by one shot with two rounds of par 72 for 144.
She highlighted her card of 35 and 37 with an eagle 3 at the ninth, backed up with birdies at the third and 11th. Miss Han shed shots at the second, fourth, 10th and 14th.
Japan's Asako Fujimoto is breathing down the young leader's neck with 72 and 73 for 145.
Carly Booth, pictured right, from Comrie, in the last group to finish - her round took 5hr 25min - was disappointed with a 76 for 148, which included a double bogey 6 at the 10th in halves of 37 and 39. She dropped shots at the 15th and 16th and admitted that she was "very, very tired over the last few holes."
"There were four groups waiting on the ninth tee when we got there and three groups at the last tee. It's all so very frustrating. Waiting every shot in weather as hot as this is so difficult to keep concentrating."
If she does not shoot a low enough final-round score to top any total from the boys' field, then Jungeun Han will win the girls' trophy which is based on the best 36-hole aggregate by a female.
If Miss Han were to have the lowest gross by anyone - boy or girl - over 54 holes, then she would win the R&A Junior Open championship trophy and the Girls' 36-hole trophy would go to Asako Fujimoto.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)
TUESDAY TOTALS
R&A JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Heswall Golf Club.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
BOYS (Par 72)
143 B Enoch (Wal) 74 69, P Reed (US) 73 70.
147 J Richelle (Bel) 76 71.
148 C Terragni (Ita) 70 78.
149 S Maeawakura (Jap) 75 74.
150 S Siphayi (SAfr) 75 75, D Renwick (Eng) 76 74.
151 P Strycek (Cze) 75 76, K Varli (Tur) 76 75.
152 L Jamil (Malaysia) 75 77, A Singh (India) 77 75, A Stewart (NZ) 75 77.
153 J P Hernandez (Mex) 77 76, G Boyd (Ire) 77 76, R Steinberg (Isr) 74 79.
154 M Stewart (Sco) 70 84.
155 J Vidmar (Slo) 77 78, E Amacher (Swi) 80 75.
156 P Winther (Den) 76 80.
157 M Jedrzejczyk (Pol) 80 77.
158 L Leibel (Can) 79 79.
160 S Wu (China) 79 81, S Quintero (Ven) 79 81, R P Calvesbert (PRico) 81 79.
161 K Broders (Lat) 81 80.
162 A Nareshkumar (Sri L) 78 84.
163 S Sahli (Tun) 85 78, M Suursalu (Est) 81 82, S Langer (Ger) 86 77.
166 T Biwer (Lux) 80 86.
167 J Macias (Ecu) 86 81, C Bergedahl (Malta) 79 88.
168 K Khatumal (SLeo) 88 80, H Attiq (Pak) 87 81.
169 H Y Lee (Gua) 88 81, A Al Mosharrekh (UAR) 85 84, A Cabrera jun (Arg) 91 78, S Hakim (Leb) 82 87.
170 O Valsson (Ice) 87 83.
171 J Newnham (Jam) 85 86, J P Roiz (Guatemala) 87 84.
172 T A Said (Ken) 84 88.
175 A D Horne (Swa) 87 88, S Patel (Malawi) 90 85.
176 R Gibson jun (Bah) 87 89.
178 N Catto (Gha) 93 85.
183 S Hafiz (Cay I) 93 90.
184 J Delgadillo (Nic) 92 92.
185 I Rodriguez jun (Spa) 99 86.
189 P Panagopoulos (Gre) 91 98.
190 J Rollins (Virgin Islands) 93 97.
191 S N Al Khanji (Qat) 91 100.
195 M Sourial (Egy) 100 95.
222 M A Jimenez jun (Spa) 115 107.
250 J Villalta (Hon) 118 132.
Retired M Chiluba (Zam) 94 -.
GIRLS (Par 72)
144 J Han (Korea) 72 72.
145 Asako Fujimoto (Jap) 72 73, A Fujimoto (Jap) 72 73.
147 M Koh (Malaysia) 75 72, B Strauss (SAf) 71 76.
148 C Booth (Sco) 72 76.
149 K Hayashida (Per) 76 73, M Kraemer (Ger) 72 77.
150 J Johnson (US) 72 78, J Johnson (US) 72 78.
152 N Vandermade (Can) 76 76.
155 F Reuter (Ger) 78 77.
156 M Ramos (Mex) 80 76.
157 N Dlamini (Swa) 78 79, L Van Gerven (Bel) 79 78, M R Mandhu (Zim) 74 83.
158 K Thompson (Eng) 77 81.
159 L Carulli (Ita) 81 78.
161 A Theunis (Lux) 81 80.
162 L Beck (Isr) 78 84.
163 M Barrios (Col) 80 83, M Nawa (Zam) 84 79.
166 T Prelog (Slo) 82 84, Y Jimenez (Ven) 84 82, S K Palmund (Den) 89 77.
167 K Spilkova (Cze) 83 84,
169 V Intriago (Ecu) 81 88.K Puisite (Lat) 78 79.
170 B Bredenhann (Nam) 89 91.
171 E Ulu (Tur) 91 80.
173 N Gobey (Wal) 85 88.
174 R Masamvo (Zim) 91 83.
176 H O'Brien (Ire) 88 88.
179 E M Oskarsdottir (Ice) 90 89.
181 D Senadhira (Sri L) 90 91.
183 V Marley (Jam) 92 91.
184 C Li (China) 97 87.
188 A Adderley (Bah) 92 96.
191 C Cuculiza (Nic) 100 91, R Chebukatis (Ken) 100 91.
194 C Poole (Gre) 98 96.
220 D Abou El Ela (Egy) 113 107.

BANCHORY PLAYERS TO THE FORE AT ALFORD
Helen Edon (Banchory) won the top scratch prize in the North Veteran Ladies Golf Association meeting at Alford with an 82 (CSS 70).
Jill Macaulay (Banchory), playing off 18, won the Silver Division handicap section with a net 68 - two shots ahead of Helen Edon who had a 70 off her handicap of 12.
In the Bronze Division, yet another Banchory player, Helen Omand, won the top handicap prize with a 67 off 27. Valerie Kelly (Deeside) was runner-up with a 69 off 23.
Yvonne Elrick (Aberdeen Ladies) won the Tony Moffat Bowl with a net 76 off 18.

SOLID START BY SALLY IN US GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
South Queensferry 15-year-old Sally Watson had a par 72 in the first qualifying round of the United States girls' open golf championship Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina yesterday (Monday).
She was lying joint 11th in a field of 156 behind American Joanne Lee, 17, who shot a 69.
Miss Watson coped well with the 95 degrees heat and humidty over the 100 mark.
The leading 64 after a second qualifying round will go forward to the match-play stages over a 6,396yd course with the tough rough which always prevails at USGA championships of whatever level.
Sally decided to play in the event instead of defending the Scottish Under-18 girls' title at Peebles this week.

Monday 17th July 2006

SCOTS KEEP COOL AND IN THE PICTURE AT R&A JUNIOR OPEN IN HESWALL HEAT
Scots Michael Stewart and Carly Booth kept cool in the oppressive heat to be up with the leaders at the end of the first day of the R&A Junior Open golf championship at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirral, Cheshire today.
Both youngsters have come straight from an exhausting week of the European boys' and girls' team championships in Scandinavia. But you would never have known.
Troon Welbeck member Michael, 16, shot a two-under-par 70 to share a two-stroke lead in the boys' championship with Italy's Cristiano Terragni.
Comrie's Carly, only recently turned 14, is in joint second place in the girls' event with a level par 72 despite a triple bogey 8 at the long fifth before she had got the first of her bag of five birdies.
"I drove on to a footpath at the fifth, got a bad lie, topped my recovery into a ditch and then duffed a chip. No so long ago, a triple bogey so early in the round would have put me right off, but not now. I've learned to cope with stupid mistakes like that, shutting them right out of my mind as quickly as I can," said Carly.
"But for that hole I played well and I must be happy to get away with a par round with an 8 in it. And the longest putt I holed all day was just a few feet.
The long-hitting Miss Booth was able to birdie three par-5s, the ninth, 12th and 17th, and she also birdied the par-4 sixth and 16th with accurate approach shots.
Carly would have been one of the favourites for the Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play championship at Peebles, beginning today (Tuesday), had she not been nominated as Scotland's girl representative for the R&A Junior Open. She was beaten finalist at the age of 13 last year at Tain.
Heswall, nominally a parkland course, is playing like an out-and-out links with fast-running fairways and hard fast greens.
Michael Stewart, like Carly, had a potential disaster on his card - a double-bogey 5 at the short 11th but, he too, took the setback in his stride.
"I took an eight-iron instead of a nine on the tee and it was too big. The ball went over the green on to horrible lie on a downslope. I left the chip 10ft short and three-putted," said Michael. "But I thought a 70 was a solid start. The greens were much the same as I've been putting on in Denmark last week and at Worthing the week before in the English Under-16 open championship.
Stewart was three under par through the turn in 33 with birdies at the third, fourth and sixth.
The double-bogey at 11th was followed by a pitch-and-putt birdie 4 at the long 12th.
"I parred my way in from there. Had birdie chances at the 15th and 17th but I wasn't too unhappy to finish with a 70."
R&A JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
BOYS (Par 72)
70 Michael Stewart (Scotland), Cristiano Terragni (Italy).
72 Maxmilian Kraemer (Germany).
73 Patrick Reed (United States).
74 Roy Steinberg (Israel), Mohammad Rauf Mandhu (Zimbabwe), Ben Enoch (Wales).
75 Siphiwe Siphayi (South Africa), Andrew Stewart (New Zealand), Iylia Jamil (Malaysia), Shunta Maeawakura (Japan), Petr Strycek (Czech Republic).
76 Darren Renwick (England), Julien Richelle (Belgium), Patrick Winther (Denmark), Koray Varli (Turkey).
77 Amanjyot Singh (India), Jaka Vidmar (Slovenia), Juan Pablo Hernandez (Mexico), Garth Boyd (Ireland).
78 Avinesh Nareshkumar (Sri Lanka).
79 Santiago Quintero (Venezuela), Lucas Leibel (Canada), Shuai Wu (China), Chreis Bergedahl (Malta).
80 Mateusz Jedrzejczyk (Poland), Edouard Amacher (Switzerland), Thierry Biwer (Luxembourg).
81 Mark Suursalu (Estonia), Karlis Broders (Latvia), Robert Paul Calvesbert (Puerto Rico).
82 Subhy Hakim (Lebanon).
84 Tahir A Said (Kenya).
85 Ahmed Al Mosharrekh (United Arab Emirates), Saber Sahli (Tunisia), Jonathan Newnham (Jamaica).
86 Stefan Langer (Germany), Jaime Macias (Ecuador).
87 Jose Pablo Rolz (Guatemala), Haider Attiq (Pakistan), Richard Gibson jun (Bahamas), Arthur D Horne (Swaziland), Oddur Valsson (Iceland).
88 Ho Youn Lee (Guam), Kamal Khatumal (Sierra Leone).
90 Sneh Patel (Malawi).
91 Angel Cabrera jun (Argentina), Panagiotis Panagopoulos (Greece), Salman Nasser Al Khanji (Qatar).
92 Javier Delgadillo (Nicaragua).
93 Jelani Rollins (Virgin Islands), Nicolo Catto (Ghana), Shehzad Hafiz (Cayman Islands).
94 Michael Chiluba (Zambia).
99 Ignacio Rodriguez jun (Spain).
100 Mina Sourial (Egypt).
115 Ignacio Rodriquez (Spain).
118 Julio Villalta (Honduras).
GIRLS (Par 72)
71 Bertine Strauss (South Africa).
72 Asako Fujimoto (Japan), Carly Booth (Scotland), Jungeun Han (Republic of Korea).
74 Jennifer Johnson (United States).
75 Michelle Koh (Malaysia).
76 Nicole Vandermade (Canada), Kiara Hayashida (Peru).
77 Katie Thompson (England).
78 Laetitia Beck (Israel), Krista Puisite (Latvia), Nobuhle Dlamini (Swaziland), Friederike Reuter (Germany).
79 Lauren Van Gerven (Belgium).
80 Margarita Ramos (Mexico), Mariana Barrios (Colombia).
81 Ludovica Carulli (Italy), Alisa Theunis (Luxembourg), Valentina Intriago (Ecuador).
82 Tjasa Prelog (Slovenia).
83 Kiara Spilkova (Czech Republic).
84 Melissa Nawa (Zambia), Yolecci Jimenez (Venezuela).
85 Natasha Gobey (Wales).
88 Hannah O'Brien (Ireland).
89 Bonita Bredenhann (Nambia), Sofie K Palmund (Denmark).
90 Eyglo Myrra Oskarsdottir (Iceland), Dhanushi Senadhira (Sri Lanka).
91 Elgin Ulu (Turkey), Rumbidzai Masamvo (Zimbabwe).
92 Anamae Adderley (Bahamas), Vittoria Marley (Jamaica).
97 Chuxin Li (China).
98 Cassandra Poole (Greece).
100 Rachel Chebukatis (Kenya), Carina Cuculiza (Nicaragua).
113 Dina Abou El Ela (Egypt).
+Players with handicaps of three or better play three rounds; higher handicaps play only two rounds.

LAURA BREAKS THORNTON COURSE RECORD
Former Scottish girls champion Laura Walker, champion of both Nairn and Nairn Dunbar golf clubs this summer, broke the Thornton Golf Club, Fife women's course record on Sunday.
Laura, who plays off one, had a scratch 64, six under par and three under the previous record set by local club champion Lorna Fury three years ago.
Miss Walker dropped a shot at the fourth but then birdied the sixth, eighth, ninth, 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th in halves of 32 (two under par) and 32 (four under par).
She was competing in the Thornton Women's Open.

EGU Press Release
Sharpe seeks title double in Carris Trophy
Oscar Sharpe, the newly crowned English under 16 champion, will bid to make it a double with the under 18 title in the Carris Trophy at Sherwood Forest Golf Club in Nottinghamshire on 25th - 27th July.
The 13 year old (pictured -(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward) ) was impressive in winning the McGregor Trophy at Worthing earlier this month but he will find the opposition tougher and more experienced this time. The leading ten from the under 16 championship gain automatic entry to the Carris which means Sharpe will be joined by runner-up Eddie Pepperell and third-placed Stiggy Hodgson.
However, almost all of the England under 18 training squad plus the England boys team currently contesting the European Boys Team Championships in Sweden, are in the 132-strong field so the quality will be high.
A year ago Thomas Haylock won the title at Moor Park but he is now too old to defend. However, some of those who chased him home are again competing including Sam Hutsby from Hampshire, Dorset’s Luke Joy and Tom Oliver from Nottingham.
Also in the field is Luke Goddard, who has already won three junior titles this year. The 18 year old from Middlesex won the Darwin Salver at Rye, the McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath, and the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters at Nizels.
Once again the tournament has attracted a class field including players from Belgium, Finland, Italy, Holland, Norway, Qatar and Spain.
The entire field, which will be reduced to the leading 45 and ties after 36 holes, possess a handicap of one or better.
Previous winners of the Carris Trophy include Sandy Lyle, Peter Baker, Ken Brown and Justin Rose.
The drawsheet plus latest scores and news during the event can be found on the Championships section of the EGU website.

VIKKI MAKES CUT BUT FINISHES DOWN THE FIELD IN USA
Vikki Laing from Musselburgh had rounds of 79, 74 and 77 for a 14-over-par total of 230 in the Cigna Futures Classic tournament at Gillette Ridge Golf Club, near Hartford, Connecticutt (on Sunday).
Vikki tied for 46th place and earned $297.
The winner, on her 18th birthday, was Song-Hee Kim from Seoul, South Korea with rounds of 78, 70 and 73. She collected $9,800 for a level par aggregate of 216, winning by one stroke from In-Bee Park (75-71-71) from Las Vegas.

Pam Mackay with Golspie Trophy

PAM MACKAY RETURNS TO GOLF AND WINS GOLSPIE WOMEN'S OPEN
BY ROBIN WILSON
Royal Dornoch's Pam Mackay, who after an unsuccessful attempt in 2003 to gain a professional card at the Ladies European Tour School and then drifted away from the game, has regained her appetite for golf.
On only her third competitive card of the season she won her native Golspie Golf Club's open on Saturday with a score of 76.
Pam, now 26, admitted the score was 10 shots more than her Golspie course record but she was delighted with her first capture of the Golspie Salver for scratch returns.
"I am now back at university doing a course in graphic design and staying with my elder sister Lesley in Glasgow. She finishes her apprenticeship as a professional in October and she has been encouraging me to get back playing again. During the summer months I am caddie-ing at Royal Dornoch and looking forward to playing some more."
This will be good news for Northern Counties as the former Scottish junior international would be an asset in any team. Past Northern Counties Captain Anne Ryan (Tain) was runner- up to Pam MacKay with 77and Anne's niece ,Sammy Vass (age 14), was third with 78.
Golspie Women's Open Results
CSS 72
Silver Division - Scratch: P MacKay (Royal Dornoch) 76; A Ryan (Tain) 77; S Vass (Tain) 78. Handicap: J. Bannerman (Tain) (17) 68; J. Macrae (Golspie) (11) 70; J. Neill (Tain) (19) 72.
Bronze Division- Scratch: A Mathews (Invergordon) 92; M McCulloch (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 98. Handicap; M MacLeod (Golspie) (34) 71; L Cranna (Golspie) (33) 72.

CLARE JOINT 20TH IN HUNGARY
Clare Queen from Drumpellier finished a highly creditable joint 20th in the Ladies Central European Open golf championship in Hungary on Saturday.
Clare had rounds of 71, 70 and 69 for three-under-par 210. Her final scorecard had seven birdies in all on it, including four in a row from the 13th to the 16th.
Miss Queen has boosted her earnings to #6,622 from eight events.

Sunday 17th July 2006

YOUNG SCOTS TIRED AND WEARY BUT STILL RARING TO GO IN THE R&A JUNIOR OPEN
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Ten rounds of competitive golf since last Tuesday and a flight back from Scandinavia on practice day is hardly the best preparation for the R&A Junior Open golf championship which tees off at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirral tomorrow (Monday).
But Scotland's representatives, 14-year-old Carly Booth from Comrie and 16-year-old Michael Stewart from Troon, just have to grin and bear it - and they really don't mind.
Michael was a member of the Scotland team which lost to world champions Norway in the final of the European boys' team championship in Sweden on Saturday.
Carly has been playing for Scotland in Denmark in the European girls' team championship which also finished on Saturday.
"I'm tired but looking forward to thc championship," said Carly, who holds the Scottish Under-16 girls' open title, before setting out, in hot sunshine, for a practice round over a rolling parkland course she has never seen before.
Scottish Golf Union coaching staff member Spencer Henderson, who has been with the Scotland boys' team in Sweden, thought that Michael Stewart would gain just as much knowledge from a walk round the course as he would from a potentially taxing practice round.
More than 60 countries were invited by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club to send one boy and one girl - both under the age of 16 on January 1 - to compete in what is a three-round stroke-play event for those with handicaps of three and under or a 36-hole competition for those with higher handicaps.
Carly (+1) and Michael (+2) certainly have a victory chance although the United States, as ever, are the ones to beat in what is a biennial event always staged in the vicinity of the Open championship.
Patrick Reed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a +2 player when he was nominated .... and +3.5 when he flew in yesterday to Manchester. Less than an hour later he had set out on a practice round.
Jennifer Johnson from La Costa, California, also looks a formiable player with +2 of a handicap.
Paula Creamer has been a successful member of the winning US Solheim Cup team since she played in the R&A Junior Open at Musselburgh in 2002. Jordan Cox from the United States was the winner at Barassie two years ago when the runner-up was Oliver Fisher, the English lad who made his Walker Cup debut at the age of 16 last summer.
But this week is not just about the Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstams of the next decade.
There are competitors only 13 or 14 years old with double-figure handicaps, nominated by African and other countries where golf is by no means the national sport.
The R&A has arranged a full programme for the boys and girls apart from the competitive side of things. There is a coaching clinic, a visit to Manchester United Football Club's Old Trafford set-up, a trip to the Open championship along the road at Hoylake on Friday and a competitors' farewall party that evening at Trafford Hall.
R&A staff member Alison White, pictured right, daughter of the late Gregor McIntosh, Nairn Golf Club professional for 30 years, has suceeded Julie Otto as tournament director.

Saturday 16th July 2006

European Girls Team Championship
Germany win Girls Team Championship
Germany won the European Girls Championship 2006 played at Esbjerg GK in Denmark from July 11th. to July 15th. They beat Spain by 3 matches to 2 in the final.
Scotland lost to Sweden in the battle for fifth and sixth place by 3.5 matches to 1.5.
Scotland 1.5 Sweden 3.5 Results (Scottish names first)
Booth/Caithness lost to Lennarth/Hedwall 3&2
MacDonald/Niven lost to Gustafsson/Dahlberg-Söderström 3&2
Kelsey MacDonald lost to Camilla Lennarth 3&1
Krystle Caithness haved with Caroline Hedwall
Carly Booth beat Linn Gustafsson 4&3
Overall rankings
1 Germany Valerie Sternebeck, Caroline Masson, Pia Halbig, Nicola Rössler
2 Spain Araceli Felguerosa, Ane Urchegui, Marta Silva, Carmen Perez-Narbón
3 Denmark Line Vedel Hansen, Mai Schødt, Charlotte Kring Lorentzen, Sara Monberg
4 France Marine Decrette, Audrey Goumard, Marion Bernard, Charlotte Guilleux
5 Sweden Linn Gustafsson, Caroline Hedwall, Camilla Lennarth, Anna Dahlberg-Söderström
6 Scotland Carly Booth, Krystle Caithness, Kelsey MacDonald, Roseanne Niven
7 Belgium Stephanie Dony, Valentine Gevers, Laura Gonzalez-Escallon, Laurence Herman
8 Netherlands Caroline Karsten, Celine Kortekaas, Marieke Nivard, Karlÿn Zannen
9 Italy Alessandra De Luigi, Alessia Knight, Mariana Causin, Camilla Patussi
10 Norway Amalie Valle, Marita Engzelius, Karoline Skarpnord, Catharina Aasheim
11 England Hannah Barwood, Rachel Connor, Eleanor Givens, Rachel Jennings
12 Switzerland Aline Rey, Melanie Mätzler, Fanny Vuignier, Serafina Gutierrez
13 Chech Rep. Emily Curry-Bartonova, Sandra Jantova, Katerina Ruzickova, Tereza Vavruskova
14 Wales Kelly Miller, Katharine O'Connor, Amy Rees, Laura Jane Roberts
15 Finland Annika Nykänen, Linda Henriksson, Sofia Höglund, Kaisa Hämäläinen
16 Ireland Victoria Bradshaw, Sarah Faller, Holli Snelling, Linda Toomey
17 Iceland Elisabet Oddsdottir, Hanna Lilja Sigurdardottir, Ragna Bjork Olafsdottir, Valdis Thora Jonsdottir
18 Latvia Anete Indulena, Laura Jansone, Mara Puisite, Elina Streluka

ELGA Press Release
England end European Girls' Championship with a win
England ended the European Girls' Team Championship at Esbjerg Golf Club, Denmark, with a 3½-1½ win over Switzerland.
Team captain Lisa Ball said: "We put in a really solid performance today and we are very pleased, very upbeat. It's been a good end to a good week and there are a lot of positives to come out of this week."
England set up their victory by winning the morning foursomes, with both pairs round in level par. Then Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) secured the necessary singles point in the afternoon when she won her match 4/3.
England finished the championship in 11th place. The new champions are Germany who beat Spain 3-2 in the final.
Match result. England 3½ Switzerland 1½
Foursomes: Rachel Connor (Manchester) and Hannah Barwood (Knowle) beat Aline Rey and Melanie Matzler 3/1. Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) and Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) beat Fanny Vuignier and Serafina Gutierrez 5/3.
Singles: Connor halved with Rey. Jennings lost to Vuignier 1 down. Givens beat Matzler 4/3.

ELGA Press Release
England win bronze at European Lady Juniors' Team Championship
England beat France 4-3 to win the bronze medal in the European Lady Juniors' Team Championship at Pan Golf Club in the Netherlands.
"It's fantastic, absolutely wonderful," said team captain Jenny Clink. "It's been a terrific team effort and I am really proud of them all."
The team laid the foundations of their victory by winning both morning foursomes. English champion Kiran Matharu and Melissa Reid eased through their match 5/4 but Jodi Ewart and Anna Scott had to battle to the 20th to claim their point.
"That was crucial, absolutely critical, we couldn't have done it without that," said Jenny.
In the afternoon, Melissa won her match on the 15th and it was left to Jodi to score the winning point - and complete her 100 per cent singles record for the week.
She came to the closing holes 3up after 15 and, although she lost the 16th to a long putt, she sealed England's win on the 17th. "She's been a star this week," said Jenny.
The championship was won by Sweden who beat Spain 4-3 in the final.
Match results. England 4 France 3
Foursomes: Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) and Melissa Reid (Chevin) beat Jade Schaeffer and Melodie Bourdy 5/4. Jodi Ewart (Catterick) and Anna Scott (Consett & District) beat Elena Giraud & Isabelle Boineau at 20th.
Singles: Matharu lost to Bourdy 4/3. Reid beat Caroline Afonso 4/3. Felicity Johnson (Harborne) lost to Joanna Klatten 2/1. Jodi Ewart beat Jade Schaeffer 3/1. Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) lost to Giraud 3/2.

European Junior Ladies Team Championship
Scotland finished last (14th) in the rankings in the European Junior Ladies Team Championship at Pan Golf Club in the Netherlands on Saturday. The championship was won by Sweden who beat Spain 4-3 in the final.Team rankings

European Youths Team Championship
Scotland lost to England by six matches to one in the battle for 3rd and 4th place in the European youths Team Championship at San Roque GC, Spain on Saturday. The Championship was won by Spain who beat Italy by 4 matches to three in the final.

European Boys Team Championship
Norway beat Scotland by 5 matches to two in the final of the European Boys Team Championship at Bokskogens GC, Sweden on Saturday. Sweden beat Spain in the battle for third place.

Friday 15th July 2006

European youths team championship
SCOTS LOSE IN SEMI-FINALS TO SPAIN
Scotland, the defending champions, lost 4 1/2-2 1/2 to host nation and favourites Spain in the semi-finals of the European youths team championship at San Roque 2 on the Costa del Sol today.
Lloyd Saltman and Jordan Findlay lost the first foursome 4 and 3. Steven McEwan and Paul O'Hara lost the second foursome 3 and 2.
Then Saltman lost the top singles 2 and 1 for Scotland to fall 0-3 behind.
O'Hara won his tie by one hole but Spain got the clinching point when Scott Henry lost at the 19th to make the scoreline Spain 4, Scotland 1 at that point.
McEwan won 2 and 1 and then Findlay halved the final singles
The final will be between Spain and Italy who were surprise 4-3 winners over England in the second semi-final.

European boys' team championship
GREAT FIGHT BACK IN SWEDEN
Scotland will play Norway in Saturday's final of the European boys' team championship at Bokskogens Golf Club in Sweden.
The Scots staged a thrilling fightback to beat host nation Sweden 4-3 in the semi-finals after losing the foursomes 2-0.
Lewis Kirton and James Byrne lost their tie at the 10th while James White and Ross Kellett lost by one hole.
Kirton won by two holes and Byrne by 3 and 1 in the first two singles to level the scoreline overall at 2-2.
Then Cameron Gray lost by 3 and 2 .... 3-2 to Sweden.
White won his tie 3 and 2 to tie it up again at 3-3.
Ross Kellett was the Scotland hero, winning the seventh and deciding tie at the 20th hole.
Norway beat Spain 4-3 in the other semi-final.

European junior women's team championship
SCOTS FAILED AGAIN IN NETHERLANDS
The Scotland team continued to disappoint on the fourth day of the European junior women's team championship at Pan Golf Club in the Netherlands.
The Scots lost 4-1 to Finland in a Second Flight match which means they are heading for a low final ranking, outside the top10.
Laura Murray (Alford) and Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) lost the foursomes tie at the 20th hole.
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) lost in the singles by 5 and 3. Michele Thomson from Ellon was Scotland's sole winner, at the 19th. Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) and Kyle Walker (Buchanan Castle) both lost by one hole.
The championship final will be beateen Spain (5-2 winners over France) and Sweden(who beat leading qualifiers England 4-3).

European girls' golf championship
SCOTS' BIG WIN OVER DUTCH
Scotland beat Netherlands 5-0 in the European girls' golf championship at Esbjerg Golf Club, Denmark today.
Carly Booth (Comrie) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) won their foursome 2 and 1 while Kelsey Macdonald (Nairn Dunbar) and Roseanne Niven from Crieff were 3 and 1 winners of their morning tie.
In making a clean sweep of the three singles, Kelsey won by two holes, Krystle by one hole and Roseanne by 4 and 2.
Scotland will now play Sweden (5-0) winners over Sweden for fifth place in the final standings.
The final will be between six times champions Spain (3-2 winners over Denmark) and Germany (4-1 winners against France).

Winners at the Scottish boys’ under-14 open championship
Left to right: defending champion and 3rd this time, Billy Downing (all the way from Truro, Cornwall), title-winner Paul McPhee (King James VI, Perth), runner-up Alan Tulleth (St Andrews).

Winners at the Scottish Girls Under-14 Open Championship
L to R: Rachel Howie (West Kilbride) who won the best Under-12s award,
Cara Easton (Dalmahoy), defending champion who was runner-up to Jill Meldrum with the second-best net score of 70 and received gold medal,
Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) who won the scratch salver and had the best scratch score,
Sophie Alexander (Deeside), silver medal winner in the net scores,
and Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) was bronze medal winner.

Under 14 Championship
PAUL AND JILL ARE SCOTTISH UNDER-14 CHAMPIONS AT DEESIDE
BY COLIN FARQUHARSON
Perth youngster Paul McPhee completed a notable double for his golf club, King James VI, at Deeside GC when he won the Scottish boys’ under-14 open title by two shots – 24 hours after clubmate Sam McLaren won the Under-16s’ championship.
Paul, 14-year-old son of Ian McPhee, the former Airdrie and Dundee United footballer and latterly manager of Forfar Athletic, shot a one-under-par 69 before lunchtime at the Bieldside course.
And at the end of play, some six hours later, his name was still at the top of the leaderboard in the chase for the Douglas Forsyth Trophy.
Master McPhee has been playing golf for only four years. He missed the cut in the Under-16s championship earlier in the week at the same venue by only one shot but obviously benefited from two competitive rounds over what is a deceptively difficult parkland course.
“We have a great junior section at King James VI,” said Paul. “It’s all down to the enthusiasm of junior convener Bob Blackburn.”
McPhee, who played off five of a handicap prior to his round, laid the foundations for his 69 by reaching the turn in two-under-par 34, thanks to seven pars and birdies at the long third and the par-4 ninth.
“My short game was good on the outward half because I pitched and putted four times, twice for the birdies and twice to save par at the fourth and sixth,” said Paul.
He dropped his first shot of the day when he was bunkered off the tee at the fourth but cancelled that out with a six-iron and a 3ft putt for a 2 at the short 12th.
McPhee dropped only one more shot when he missed the green at the 15th with his approach and could not get up and down.
The closest anyone got to McPhee’s long-time clubhouse target was Alan Tulleth (St Andrews) with a 71. Alan deviated from par only three times – a birdie 3 at the second and bogeys at the 14th and 18th in halves of 35 and 36.
Defending champion Billy Downing (Truro) finished third with a 72.
Billy’s title began to slip away from him when he reached the turn in two-over 38, despite starting with a birdie 2, one of the few in the four days of the two national junior championships at Deeside.
Downing bogeyed the second, fourth, seventh and eighth and needed a birdie 4 at the long sixth to reduce the damage. To get back into contention for the top spot, the English lad needed to under the par of 34 for the inward half, and there were not many who did that all week.
Billy did birdie the 13th but that only cancelled out a bogey at the 11th.
Robert Gauld, an 11-year-old Cruden Bay member, won the Gibson Trophy for the best scratch score by an Under-12 boy. Doctor’s son Robert shot a gross 76, a brilliant effort by an 18-handicapper.
Jill Meldrum from Dullatur won the salver for the Scottish girls’ Under-14 open championship with a net 69 off eight of a handicap. Her gross 77 (38-39), only three over the girls’ CSS, also won her the scratch cup.
This meant the SLGA officials had to juggle about the handicap prizes.
Although champion Jill received the salver, Cara Easton (Dalmahoy), the title-winner last year, received the gold medal in the net returns ahead of Sophie Alexander (Deeside) after a card countback. Both girls had net 70s, Cara off 10 and Sophie, the only home-course player in the field, off 29.
Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) received the bronze medal for a net 71 off 13.
Rachel Howie (West Kilbride) won the Under-12s award for the lowest net score with a 76 off 32.
The Under-14 championships were staged by the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in association with Loretto Golf Academy, Musselburgh.
The late Jessie Valentine’s grandson, Rick Valentine, Loretto’s Golf Director, walked the course as a spectator for most of the day and then played a part in the presentation of prizes.

CALUM PROVIDES ROYAL ABERDEEN JUNIOR OPEN HIGHLIGHT
Royal Aberdeen youngster Calum Innes had an eagle 2 at the 10th, followed by an eagle 1 at the short 11th in winning the top handicap prize in his club’s junior open at Balgownie today.
Calum had a scratch round of 72 and a net 62 off his handicap of 10. He used a wedge for his second shot at the 345yd 10th hole and a five-iron for his ace at the 166yd 11th.
John Duff, who plays off scratch at Newmachar, had the best scratch score of one under par 71 and two under the CSS.
The tournament attracted a field of 60, including one girl – Eilidh Mackay from Nairn Dunbar. A seven-handicapper, she played off the LGU tees but was allowed four extra strokes and returned a creditable net 75.
LEADING SCORES (Par 71, CSS 72)
SCRATCH
70 John Duff (Newmachar).
72 Calum Innes (Royal Aberdeen).
73 Scott Fraser (Northern).
74 Robert Gallon (Royal Aberdeen).
75 Josh Clark (Montrose Mercantile), Grant Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan).
76 Fraser Clark (Westhill), Tommy Mitchell (Woodlands, Texas), Graeme Mitchell (Northern).
HANDICAP
62 C Innes (Royal Aberdeen) (10). 66 Calum Trahan (McDonald Ellon) (11). 69 R Gallon (Royal Aberdeen) (15). 70 J Duff (Newmachar) (scr), Zac Clark (Royal Aberdeen) (7), F Clark (Westhill) (5), Jamie Nicholas (Nairn Dunbar) (11).

KATIE THOMSON SIGNS PGA CONTRACT
Katie Thomson (Kintore), winner of the Aberdeenshire women's county golf championship at Ballater this summer, has played her last amateur competition. She is now officially a professional golfer, having signed a contract to be PGA trained at Aspire Golf Centre where she has been working for some time.

Wednesday 13th July 2006

European boys’ team championship
KIRTON AND KELLETT STAR FOR SCOTS BOYS AS THEY QUALIFY FOURTH
Lewis Kirton and Ross Kellett were the top performers as Scotland qualified in fourth place for the top match-play flight of the European boys’ team championship at Bokskogens Golf Club, Sweden today.
Kirton had a 70, Kellett a 72 and Cameron Gray a 75. Scottish boys’ match-play champion James White had a 77, Michael Stewart a 78 while James Byrne was off his game on the day with an 81.
Scotland qualified with a team score of 26 over par for the 36-hole qualifying test.
Host nation Sweden used their local knowledge to earn the top seed rating with a combined total of 13 over par. Norway (+19) were second and Spain (+25) third.
Scotland will play fifth qualifiers Belgium (+28) in the first round.
England (+40) failed to qualify for the championship flight which meant that two of the four England teams in action in this week’s European championships failed to figure among the leading eight qualifiers. Their girls’ team suffered a similar fate in the Netherlands.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
+13 Sweden.
+19 Norway.
+25 Spain.
+26 Scotland (L Kirton 70, R Kellett 72, C Gray 75, J White 77, M Stewart 78, J Byrne 81).
+28 Belgium.
+33 Wales.
+36 France.
+37 Netherlands.
OTHER SCORES
+38 Ireland.
+39 Germany.
+40 England.
+41 Portugal.
+42 Italy.
+44 Denmark.

European youths team golf championship
SCOTS (7th) QUALIFY TO MEET DUTCHMEN IN EUROPEAN YOUTHS MATCH-PLAY
Defending champions Scotland qualified seventh behind England in the preliminary 36-hole stroke-play qualifying test to the European youths team golf championship at San Roque 2 on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Welshman Rhys Davies, a student at East Tennessee State University, had rounds of 70 and 67 to tie with Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli on 137 for the honour of heading the individual scoring table.
Lloyd Saltman, in fifth place with scores of 68 and 74 for 142, was the top Scot.
Paul O’Hara was 14th equal on 145 with 75 and 70.
Jordan Findlay and Steven McEwan were joint 25th on 146, Jordan scoring a pair of 73s to Steven’s 75 and 71.
Scott Henry surprisingly could not do better than a share of 55th place on 151 with a 74 and a 77.
Russell Knox from Inverness was further down the table in joint 75th place with 79 and 77.
TOP-FLIGHT QUALIFIERS
718 England.
719 Netherlands, Spain.
726 Italy.
728 Wales.
730 Scotland.
732 France.
The draw for the championship flight first round ties is:
England v France, Italy v Ireland, Spain v Wales, Netherlands v Scotland.

CANADIAN LEADS FROM IRISHMAN IN BOYD QUAICH AT ST ANDREWS
Canadian Justin Fluit has a one-shot lead from Irishman Niall O’Connor with one round to play – over the Old Course – in the Boyd Quaich international students’ golf championship at St Andrews.
Fluit, a student at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, has had a 73 over the Old Course and a 71 at the new for a total of 144 – a creditable score in quite windy conditions.
Niall, from the University of Dublin, made up some ground with an afternoon 70 over the New course for 145, having started with a 75 over the Old.
BOYD QUAICH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Old & New Courses, St Andrews.
LEADING TWO-ROUND TOTALS
First score Old Course; Second score New Course.
144 J Fluit (Waterloo) 73 71.
145 N O’Connor (Dublin) 75 70.
146 K Suggett (Newcastle) 75 71.
147 G Yates (Stirling) 75 72, M Watts (Loughborough) 74 73.
148 L Moolman (Pretoria) 81 67, A Love (Heriot Watt) 75 73, M Wilkie (Edinburgh) 73 75.
149 M Dickson (St Andrews) 77 72, A Habibi (Cambridge) 77 72, I Leadbetter (Liverpool) 74 75.
150 J Whiteside (Waterloo) 78 72, A Crux (Imperial College, London) 78 72.
151 G Davidson (St Andrews) 80 71, M Locke (Oxford) 77 74, A MacGregor (Exeter) 76 75, H Schmedt (Luneberg) 73 78, P Gerber (Stellenbosch) 72 79.
152 D Hayes (oxford) 79 73.
153 B Long (Cork) 75 78.
154 L Boezaart (Pretoria) 80 74, P Rosenberg (Plymouth) 80 74, G Dunlea (Cork) 79 75, F Helganger (Griffith) 77 77.
155 C Colraine (Strathclyde) 77 78.
156 S Yamagishi (Keio) 81 75, S Turnbull (Stirling) 80 76, A Robertson (Edinburgh) 79 77, M Bania (Toronto) 79 77, C Swann (Bournemouth) 78 78, A Shakespear (Bath) 77 79.
157 K Misaki (Doshisha) 82 75, R Metayer (Highlads & islands) 79 78, D Lawlor (Trinity Coll, Dublin).
158 P Connolly (Dublin City) 83 75, J Counihan (Trinity Coll, Dublin)
82 786, R Macleod (Strathclyde) 82 76, A Christie (Loughborough) 82 76, S Groenewald (Stellenbosch) 81 77, J Kelly (Dublin) 78 80.
159 T Light (Nottingham) 84 75, N Saito (Keio) 81 78.
160 J Spaven (Glasgow) 84 76.
161 P Edmondson (Leeds) 85 76.

European girls’ team golf championship
KELSEY STORMS BACK FROM NIGHTMARE AS SCOTS GIRLS QUALIFY FOR TOP FLIGHT
Nairn Dunbar junior member Kelsey MacDonald bounced back from a nightmare 85 in the first qualifying round to improve by 11 shots today in the European girls’ team golf championship at Esbjerg Golf Club, Denmark.
Kelsey birdied the first, third, fifth and ninth in a superlative 33 to the turn. Which was just as well because the 15-year-old Northern Counties women’s champion still has to come to terms with the second nine which cost her 41 shots in the second round.
But a 74 was still a fine effort and, within the context of the Scottish team effort, was beaten only by a 72 from Comrie’s Carly Booth.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) was as steady as ever with a 75 and she and Carly had the lowest Scottish aggregate (147) for the 36-hole stroke-play test.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) weighed in with a 76, so it was a very good “grouping” by the Scots – all four scores ranging from 72 to 76.
Scotland (445) qualified in fifth place behind Spain (427) and will play Denmark, fourth with 444, in the first round of the championship flight match-play.
It should be a very tight match. The winners will meet either Spain of eighth qualifiers Netherlands in the semi-finals.
England, Wales and Ireland all failed to make the top eight qualifiers.
LEADERBOARD
TOP FLIGHT QUALIFIERS
427 Spain.
432 Sweden.
440 Germany.
444 Denmark.
445 Scotland.
449 Belgium, France.
452 Netherlands.
Draw: Spain v Netherlands, Scotland v Denmark, Germany v Belgium, France v Sweden.
SCOTLAND SCORES
147 Krystle Caithness 72 75, Carly Booth 75 72.
153 Roseanne Niven 77 76.
159 Kelsey MacDonald 85 74.
OTHER TEAM SCORES:
455 Norway.
457 England.
458 Italy.
459 Sweden.
470 Wales.
476 Finland.
477 Czech Republic.
479 Ireland.
485 Iceland.
487 Latvia

European junior women’s team golf championship
SCOTS DISAPPOINT WITH TWELFTH PLACE FINISH IN NETHERLANDS
Scotland, with a strong team on paper, failed to play to their potential and missed out on qualifying for one of the top eight places in the championship match-play flight of the European junior women’s team golf championship at Pan Golf Club, Netherlands today.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) returned to form with a 73 – eight shots better than her first-day effort – but the only other Scot to break 80 in the second round was Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) whose 79 was 10 shots worse than her first round.
Scottish Under-21 champion Louis had an 80, Michele Thomson from Ellon an 83, Laura Murray from Alford an 86 and Stirling University student Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) had a sad 91.
In the end Spain led the top-flight qualifiers by 26 shots with a total of 716. England and Sweden both totalled 742.
Wales claimed the last of the eight places on 756.
Scotland were 12th with 784.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
716 Spain.
742 England, Sweden.
744 France, Netherlands.
748 Germany.
754 Belgium.
756 Wales.
OTHER TOTALS
761 Austria.
772 Ireland.
780 Denmark.
784 Scotland.
792 Italy.
802 Finland.
SCOTLAND SCORES
148 G Webster 69 79.
154 K Walker 81 73.
158 M Thomson 75 83.
159 L Fleming 79 80.
165 L Murray 79 86.
179 C-M Carlton 88 91.

Prizegiving line-up at the East of Scotland Girls Championship at Ratho Park today.
L to R: Losing semi-finalist Hannah Harvey (St Rule), runner-up Emma Fairnie (Dunbar), winner Jane Turner (Mortonhall), losing semi-finalist Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old).
(Thanks to Mandy Easton for the photograph... my camera needs charged up!)

East of Scotland Girls Championship
Jane Turner wins again.
Some spectacular golf was on view at Ratho Park today during the semi-finals and final of the East of Scotland Girls Championship.
The morning semi-finals produced two really close matches, with Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) and Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) prolonging their tie to the 22nd hole before Rachael finally succombed.
In the second semi-final the holder, Jane Turner (Mortonhall) was one under par when she beat Hannah Harvey (St Rule) by 2 & 1.
Many holes changed hands to birdies in an exciting final between Emma Fairnie and Jane Turner. As soon as one was up the other clawed it back, and it was not until the 16th that Jane became two up for the first time, with two to play. A scrappy seventeenth from Jane reduced the deficit to one, but Emma could only match Jane's cast-iron four on the last green, and the title was Jane's once again.
East of Scotland Girls are extremely grateful to Ratho Park Golf Club for the courtesy of the course, which was in excellent condition. The clubhouse catering was superb.

Douglas Gillespie Scottish Under-16 boys' open stroke-play golf championship
STAGE SET FOR GREAT FINISH AT DEESIDE
It's been a few years since Neil Duncan (Bon Accord) (1985) and Christopher Campbell (Grantown on Spey) (1995) won the Douglas Gillespie Scottish Under-16 boys' open stroke-play golf championship.
But Ryan Elder (Nairn Dunbar), Texas-based Buchan loon Tommy Mitchell and Scott Fraser (Northern) are all in with a chance as the stage is set at Deeside Golf Club on Thursday for one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the tournament.
Only three shots cover the leading eight players with one round to go over the deceptively difficult par-70 Bieldside course.
Overnight leader Daniel Fitzpatrick, the 6ft 4in Greenock Golf Club junior champion, has been joined in the pole position on five-over-par 145 by Sam McLaren from the River Tay island golf club, King James VI, in Perth.
Only one shot behind is 14-year-old Mikhail Ishaq from Sheffield and the biggest threat to take the trophy over the Border for the second year in a row.
Within striking range are Ryan Elder (Nairn Dunbar), Euan McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway) and Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) on 147, while Tommy Mitchell, a former Longside Golf Club member who moved to Houston with his parents, and Scott Fraser, one of the top Aberdeen prospects, are sharing seventh place on 148.
“I was just a wee bit nervous being the overnight leader and I bogeyed four holes in a row from the fourth and then dropped more shots at the 10th and 11th,” said 16-year-old, four-handicap Fitzpatrick.
“But I managed to birdie the 13th and 14th and I’m looking forward to the final round.”
Daniel has made up his 145 tally with rounds of 70 and 75.
Sam McLaren, who started with a 71, was heading for a clear lead after 36 holes when he got an eagle 3 at the long 13th but ran up a double-bogey 6 at the last hole for a 74 to keep the door open for the chasing pack.
Ryan Elder double-bogeyed the short fifth - as so many competitors have done - but dropped only two others, at the ninth and 12th, and covered the last six holes in one under par, thanks to a birdie at the 13th in an inward 34 for a 73, one better than on Tuesday.
Scott Fraser was a tiny bit disgruntled to finish with a 75. He double-bogeyed two short holes - the fifth and 12th and could not quite cancel them out with birdies at the sixth and 13th in halves of 38 and 37.
Three players broke 70, compared with none in the first round, and Tommy Mitchell had the best of the bunch, a three-under-par 67, which was a 14-shot improvement on his first round. Tommy birdied the third, fourth, 105th, 13th, 14th and 17th in halves of 36 and 31, covering the last six holes in three-under-par. If he gets the wind in his sails again during the final round, anything can happen.
A total of 42 players with 36-hole tallies of 152 or better qualified for today's final round. Spectators will be welcomed by the organising Scottish Golf Union. You never know, you might spot the next Colin Montgomerie or Paul Lawrie.
DOUGLAS GILLESPIE SCOTTISH UNDER-16 BOYS' OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Deeside Golf Club.
Par 70
SECOND-R0UND TOTALS
QUALIFIERS
42 players with totals of 152 or better qualified for the third and final round
145 S McLaren (King James VI) 71 74, D Fitzpatrick (King James VI) 70 75.
146 M Ishaq (Bondhay) 77 69.
147 C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 72 75, R Elder (Nairn Dunbar) 74 73, E McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway) 74 73..
148 T Mitchell (US) 81 67, S Fraser (Northern) 73 75.
149 R Murray (Crieff) 73 76, A Graham (Crow Wood) 75 74, S Thompson (St Andrews) 76 73, O Young (Hollins Hall) 76 73, G Stirling (Caldwell) 72 77.
150 S Bell (Shotts) 74 74, A Abercrombie (Largs) 77 73, A Forsythe (Caldwell) 76 74, J Ross (Royal Burgess) 77 73.
151 P Shields (Kirkhill) 82 69, P Scanlan (Hamilton) 72 79, T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 76 75, S Ballingall (Dunston) 80 71, J Fair (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 75 76, D Graham (Machrihanish) 77 74, F Ogston (St Andrews) 74 77, D Law (Hazlehead) 74 77, C Slowther (Royal Norwich) 79 72, A Tester (Crieff) 78 73, D Grant (Renfrew) 77 74, N Macandrew (Cullen) 73 78, S Clarkson (Skipton) 71 80, T Dagwell (East Sussex National) 75 76, S Young (Turnhouse) 76 75, I Redford (King James VI) 76 75, C Gaitens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 75 76, A McLachlan (Eastwood) 75 76, R Penny (Portlethen) 75 76.
152 K Smith (Barassie) 77 75, S Binning (Old Ranfurly) 77 75, K McLean (Cowglen) 78 74, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 78 74, J Shepherd (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 75, J Hendrick (Pollok) 80 72.
MISSED CUT
153 J Thow (Crieff) 76 77, D Young (Craigie Hill) 76 77, M Scoular (Turnhouse) 75 78, M Reid (Downfield) 78 75, M Reid (Downfield) 78 75, P McPhee (King James VI) 78 75, A Foley (Ayr Belleisle) 74 79.
154 M Fraser (Glencruitten) 74 80, K Godsman (Hopeman) 74 80, J White (Chipstead) 74 80, R Forgie (Muckhart) 79 75, B Jamieson (St Andrews New) 77 77, C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 78 76, J Henry (Clydebank & Dist) 79 75.
155 I Allan (Hopeman) 73 82, F McKenna (Balmore) 79 76, B Taylor (Walton Heath) 81 74, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 79 76, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 79 76, J Bradley (Paisley) 79 76, D Macandrew (Hazlehead) 75 80, B Stow (West Wilts) 82 73.
156 C Thomson (Peterhead) 79 77, R Bain (Strathlene) 78 78, F Moore (Falkirk Tryst) 77 79, T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 80 76, J Coyne (Cowglen) 78 78, E Knox (Kilspindie) 79 80, N Colbeck (Cleckheaton) 83 73.
157 W Chambers (Mid Herts) 83 74, C O'Neil (Pollok) 83 74, K McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 80 77, S Brown (Girvan) 81 76, C Stewart (Brora) 80 77, G Nelson (Thornhill) 78 79, J Dimmock (Falkirk) 78 79, G Carnegie (Dunblane New) 79 78, S Boyle (Harburn) 80 77.
158 G Reid (Newbattle) 77 81, D Millar (Newmachar) 76 82, L Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 80 78, G King (Tyrrells Wood) 79 79, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 86 72.
159 C McManus (Douglas Park) 76 83, G McDougall (Bishopbriggs) 77 82, J Binning (Old Ranfurly) 80 79.
160 A Lauder (Paisley) 81 79, O Huish (The Glen) 79 81, A Steven (Easter Moffat) 78 82, W Russell (St Andrews) 76 84.
161 F Clarke (Westhill) 78 83, C Wyper (Campsie) 81 80, F Ingram (United Arab Emirates) 78 83, C Mathewson (Lundin) 84 77, M Roos (West Kilbride) 82 79, B Downing (Truro) 78 83, C Lidyard (Leatherhead) 83 78.
162 K Moore (Jedburgh) 84 78, L Jackson (West Hove) 85 77.
163 C Robinson (Millport) 84 79, C Crocker (East Sussex National ) 80 83..
164 R Milne (Aboyne) 83 81.
165 E McLeod (Craigie Hill) 80 85, F Lawrie (Largs) 84 81, S Gentle (Cowglen) 81 84.
166 M O'Donnell (Hamilton) 82 84, M McNally (Monifieth) 85 81, S Jackson (Dumfries & Co) 83 83.
167 S Boyle (Harburn) 80 77.
168 J Halliday (Kirkcudbright) 93 75, G Torrie (Carnoustie) 88 80, D Leck (Ralston) 87 81.
169 S Brown (Murcar) 82 87.
172 D Armstrong (Kirkcudbright) 89 83, A Lyon (Hunley Hall) 91 81.
174 A Bruce (Barassie) 84 90.
Retired - M Williams (Cuddington) 79 - .
Disq - D Muir (Cochrane Castle) 81 -.
No Return - D Head (Whiting Bay) 89 -.

Midland Vets line up for their semi-final ties
Left to right: Emma Wilson, Fiona De Vries, Lorna Bennett and Margaret Tough
(Photo courtesy Sheila Travers)

Midland Vets
FIONA BEATS EMMA IN FINAL
St Andrews hotelier Fiona De Vries (St Rule) is the new Midland Veteran Ladies Golf Association champion. She beat Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) by 2 and 1 in the final at Ladybank.
In the semi-finals – Fiona beat Emma Wilson (Elie & Earlsferry) by 2 and 1 while Lorna beat Margaret Tough (Falkirk) 3 and 2.

Tuesday 12th July 2006

East of Scotland Girls Summer Meeting
Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) just pipped Jane Turner (Mortonhall) for the scratch prize in the East of Scotland Girls' Summer Meeting at Ratho Park this morning. Both girls had four over par 76's, and identical back nines, but Emma covered the last six holes in 25 strokes against Jane who did them in 26.
Arlene McGarty from Bathgate won first handicap with a 79 less 12 net 67, and Emma Bisset (Elie and Earlsferry) won the handicap prize for Under 14's with an 88 less 17 net 71.
The CSS was 72.
The top eight scratch scores qualified for the East of Scotland Girls Championship. They were:-
1. Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) 76,
2. Jane Turner (Mortonhall) 76
3. Hannah Harvey (St Rule) 78
4. Arlene McGarty (Bathgate) 79
5. Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 79
6. Jessica Vilakazi (Marchants of Edinburgh) 85
7. Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) 85
8. Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 85
The draw for the matchplay was :-
Fairnie v Watton, Livingstone v McGarty, Harvey v Vilakazi, Easton v Turner.

East of Scotland Girls Championship
Top qualifier Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) and Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) both had comfortable wins in the first round of the East of Scotland Girls Championship played at Ratho Park this afternoon, and are scheduled to meet each other in the first Championship semi-final at 9:30am tomorrow morning. Emma beat 14-year-old Rachel Watton (Mortonhall) by 6 & 4, and Rachael beat fourth seed Arlene McGarty (Bathgate) by 6 & 5.
In the bottom half of the draw, Hannah Harvey (St Rule) and Jessica Vilakazi (Merchants of Edinburgh) had a ding-ding battle which went to the 18th with Hannah the victor by one hole.
13-year-old Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) gave the holder of the title, Jane Turner (Mortonhall) quite a fright before losing three holes in a row and the match by 4 & 2. The best ball in this match was well under par, with five birdies between the pair in the first seven holes.
Hannah now plays Jane in the second semi-final scheduled for 9:37am
The final is at 2pm.

European Girls' Team Championship
KRYSTLE SHINES FOR THIRD-PLACED SCOTS GIRLS IN DENMARK
Krystle Caithness pulled Scotland through into a satisfactory third place behind Sweden and Spain at the end of the first qualifying round in the European girls’ team championship over a tough Marbaek course at Esbjerg in Denmark today.
The Scots need to finish in the top eight at the end of the second qualifying round to gain a place in the championship match-play flight.
St Regulus club member Krystle recaptured the form that won her the St Rule Trophy with a one-over-par round of 72 on a day when only one player, Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth, scored under par.
Krystle had halves of 38 and 34.
Carly Booth from Comrie returned a 75 with halves of 40 and 35.
Roseanne Niven from Crief also took 40 for the testing outward half and an inward 37 gave her a 77, which was the last counting score – three from four – for Scotland, giving them a team tally of 224, compared with Sweden’s 216 and Spain’s 219.
It was not a good day for 15-year-old Kelsey MacDonald from Nairn. She was going all right when she reached the turn in 39 – second-best in the Scots squad. Then She ran up a quadruple bogey 8 at the ninth, followed quickly by double-bogey 6s at both the 11th and 12th. Another double bogey 5 at the short 17th capped her nightmare second nine which cost her 46 shots for a round of 85.
TEAM SCORES
FIRST ROUND
216 Sweden.
219 Spain.
224 Scotland.
226 Germany.
228 Norway, England.
230 Denmark.
231 Netherlands Belgium.
234 Switzerland.
235 France.
237 Italy.
238 Ireland, Wales.
239 Latvia.
243 Finland, Iceland.
246 Czech Republic.
SCOTLAND SCORES
72 K Caithness 38-34.
75 C Booth 40-35.
77 R Niven 40-37.
85 K MacDonald 39-46.

European junior women’s team golf championship
GREAT ROUND BY GEMMA FAILS TO INSPIRE SCOTS IN NETHERLANDS
A sparkling 69 by Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) failed to inspire Scotland in the first qualifying round of the European junior women’s team golf championship at Pan Golf Club in the Netherlands today.
The Scots must finished the 36-hole stroke-play test among the leading eight team to qualify for the championship match-play flight.
They start the second round in a share of 10th place on 383 – 26 shots behind leaders Spain, but within striking distance of Wales (376), Belgium (378) and Austria (378), the teams the Scots must overtake.
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) had a 75 while Laura Murray (Alford) and Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) both scores 79s.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) had a disappointing 81 while Stirling University student Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) had a non-counting 88
LEADERBOARD
357 Spain.
367 Sweden.
369 England.
370 Netherlands.
371 France.
375 Germany.
376 Wales.
378 Belgium, Austria.
383 Scotland (G Webster 69, M Thomson 75, L Murray 79, L Fleming 79, K Walker 81, C-M Carlton 88), Denmark.
388 Ireland.
402 Italy, Finland.

European youths team championship
LLOYD SALTMAN HAS A 68 AS SCOTS OPEN DEFENCE IN SPAIN
Scotland made a reasonable start to their defence of the European youths team championship at San Roque 2 on Spain’s Costa del Sol today.
In the first qualifying round, Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman had the second-lowest score of the day, a 68.
Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh was next best with a 73.
Other Scottish scores:
74 Scott Henry.
75 Steven McEwan, Paul O’Hara.
79 Russell Knox.

European boys’ team championship
SCOTLAND LYING SECOND BEHIND SWEDEN
Scotland were lying second behind host nation Sweden at the end of the first qualifying round in the European boys’ team championship over a difficult course at Bokskogens Golf Club.
The Scots totalled 14 over par – six behind the Swedes – but enough to hold down the No 2 spot ahead of Belgium (+15), Norway and Portugal (both +16).
Surprisingly, Spain could do no better than +17 while England would have been very disappointed to be well off the pace in 10th place on +23.
Only the leading eight teams after the second qualifying round will contest the championship match-play stages.
Ross Kellett top-scored for the Scots with a 73 while James Byrne and James White were only a shot behind and Lewis Kirton came in with a 75.
TEAM SCOREBOARD
+8 Sweden.
+14 Scotland.
+15 Belgium.
+16 Norway, Portugal.
+17 Spain.
+18 Wales.
+19 Germany.
+20 Netherlands.
+23 England.
+26 Denmark.
+27 Italy, Switzerland.
+29 France.
+33 Finland.
+36 Austria.
+39 Iceland.
+42 Czech Republic.
+69 Poland.
SCOTLAND SCORES
Ross Kellett 73 (37-36).
James Byrne 74 (37-37).
James White 74 (36-38).
Lewis Kirton 75 (38-37).
Cameron Gray 78 (38-40).
Michael Stewart 79 (39-40)

Douglas Gillespie Scottish boys’ Under-16 open championship
PAR-MATCHER FITZPATRICK LEADS SCOTTISH UNDER-16 FIELD AT WINDY DEESIDE
Just when it looked as if the combination of an unfamiliar course and a swirling wind was going to put the par of 70 out of reach for everyone, in came big Daniel Fitzpatrick at the tail end of the field of 120 to match it and take the lead in the Douglas Gillespie Scottish boys’ Under-16 open championship at Deeside Golf Club, Aberdeen today
A junior at Greenock Golf club he may be, but there won’t be many members as tall as 16-year-old Daniel, 6ft 4in in his stocking soles.
After only one practice round over the Bieldside parkland course, Daniel eliminated the mistakes that inflated so many scores – one hapless lad had a 12 at the par-4 ninth.
Master Fitzpatrick varied from par only four times.
He had two birdies – a pitch-and-putt 4 at the long sixth and a 3 at the 17th where he got down in two from 70yd after using a three-iron off the tee.
And he had two bogies – a 5 at the ninth where he drove right into trouble and a 6 at the long 13th where again he pay the price of failing to keep his drive on the fairway.
“I guess that’s one of the best rounds of my life, considering I had only one practice round. The only two off-line drives I had cost me bogeys. Other than that I drove it well,” said Daniel.
He leads by one shot from Scott Clarkson, from Skipton, Yorkshire, in the first group out at 7.30am and Sam McLaren from the King James VI club in Perth.
“I made a couple of silly mistakes to drop shots at the 12th and 15th otherwise I would have got round in par or better,” said Scott who birdied the long 13th in halves of 36 and 35,
Sam McLaren, 16-year-old junior champion at his club and winner of the Elie boys’ open earlier in the season, had a pair of 2s on his card. He was one of the very few to start with a birdie at the short first. He actually took too much club off the tee – a four-iron – but pitched into the hole from 30yd.
His other 2 came at the 16th where he holed from 5ft after a seven-iron tee shot.
Sam’s other birdie came at the eighth where he had a pitch and putt 3. His worst holes were the fourth and fifth – missing the green left, then right with his approaches – the 10th, where he underclubbed, and the 11th where he three-putted from just short of the green.
North-east hopes of providing the winner of this 54-hole event, for which the leading 40 and ties at the end of Wednesday’s second round go forward to the final 18 holes, are still high.
Only three shots off the pace on 73 are Ian Allan (Hopeman), Scott Fraser (Northern) and Nick Macandrew (Cullen) while one shot behind them come another Hopeman boy, Kyle Godsman, and David Law (Hazlehead).
Considering he started with a double-bogey 5 and had another at the short 12th, Allan did very well indeed to keep his nerve and was rewarded with birdies at the 15th – after a big drive – and the short 16th where he holed from 15ft.
Scott Fraser was cruising only nicely on the outward half with birdies at the third, fifth and seventh. Things started to go awry when he bogeyed the ninth to be out in two-under-par 34. Then he had a double-bogey 6 at the 10th and dropped another shot at the 11th. A birdie at the 13th put him back on an even keel, or so it seemed, until he bogeyed the 15th, 17th and 18th for 39 home.
DOUGLAS GILLESPIE SCOTTISH BOYS’ UNDER-16 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – Deeside Golf Club
Par 70
FIRST ROUND
70 D Fitzpatrick (Greenock).
71 S Clarkson (Skipton), S McLaren (King James VI).
72 C Baird (Bothwell Castle), P Scanlan (Hamilton), G Stirling (Caldwell).
72 I Allan (Hopeman), S Fraser (Northern), N Macandrew (Cullen) R Murray (Crieff).
74 R Elder (Nairn Dunbar), A Foley (Ayr Belleisle), M Fraser (Glencruitten), K Godsman (Hopeman), D Law (Hazlehead), E McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway), F Ogston (St Andrews), J White (Chipstead).
75 T Dagwell (East Sussex National), J Fair (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), C Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), A Graham (Crow Wood), D Macandrew (Hazlehead), A McLachlan (Eastwood), R Penny (Portlethen), M Scoular (Turnhouse).
76 S Bell (Shotts), T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy), A Forsythe (Caldwell), C McManus (Douglas Park), D Millar (Newmachar), I Redford (King James VI), W Russell (St Andrews), S Thompson (St Andrews), J Thow (Crieff), D Young (Criagie Hill), S Young (Turnhouse), O Young (Hollins Hall).
77 A Abercrombie (Largs), S Binning (Old Ranfurly), D Graham (Machrihanish), D Grant (Renfrew), N Ushaq (Bondhay), B Jamieson (St Andrews New), G McDougall (Bishopbriggs), F Moore (Falkirk Tryst), G Reid (Newbattle), J Ross (Royal Burgess), J Shepherd (Brokenhurst Manor), K Smith (Barassie).
78 R Bain (Strathlene), F Clarke (Westhill), J Coyne (Cowglen), J Dimmock (Falkirk), B Downing (Truro), A Dunton (McDonald Ellon), F Ingram (United Arab Emirates), K McLean (Cowglen), P McPhee (King James VI), G Nelson (Thornhill), M Reid (Downfield), A Steven (Easter Moffat), A Tester (Crieff), C Thomson (East Renfrewshire).
79 M Bookless (Sandyhills), J Bradley (Paisley), G Carnegie (Dunblane New), R Forgie (Muckhart), J Hendry (Clydebank & Dist), O Huish (The Glen), G King (Tyrrells Wood), E Know (Kilspindie), F McKenna (Balmore), C Slowther (Royal Norwich), C Thomson (Peterhead), M Williams (Cuddington).
80 S Ballingall (Dunston), J Binning (Old Ranfurly), S Boyle (Harburn), C Crocker (East Sussex National), J Hendrick (Pollok), K McClung (Wigtownshire Co), E McLeod (Craigie Hill), l Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), T Spencer (Inchmarlo), C Stewart (Brora).
81 S Brown (Girvan), S Gentle (Cowglen), A Lauder (Paisley), T Mitchell (US), D Muir (Cochrane Castle), B Taylor (Walton Heath), C Wyper (Campsie).
82 S Brown (Murcar), M O’Donnell (Hamilton), M Roos (West Kilbride), P Shields (Kirkhill), B Stow (West Wilts).
83 W Chambers (Mid Herts), N Colbeck (Cleckheaton), S Jackson (Dumries & Co), C Lidyard (Leatherhead), R Milne (Aboyne), C O’Neil (Pollok).
84 A Bruce (Barassie), F Lawrie (Largs), C Mathewson (Lundin), K Moore (Jedburgh), C Robinson (Millport).
85 L Jackson (West Hove), M McNally (Monifieth).
86 C Robb (Inchmarlo), J Westwell (Inchmarlo).
87 D Leck (Ralston).
88 G Torrie (Carnosutie).
89 D Armstrong (Kirkcudbright), D Head (Whiting Bay).
91 A Lyon (Huntly Hall).
93 J Halliday (Kirkcudbright).
NR M Donald (Monifieth).
+Leading 40 and ties at end of second round qualify for final round.

ELGA Press Release
England names team for Girls' Home International Matches
England has named four new caps in the team to defend the Stroyan Cup at the Girls' Home International Matches at Portstewart Golf Club, Northern Ireland, from August 9-11.
They are: Hannah Burke (Mid-Herts), Rachel Connor (Manchester), Eleanor Givens (Blackwell Grange) and Gemma Hardie (Forest Pines).
They join full international Jodi Ewart (Catterick); the 2005 English U15 champion Hannah Barwood (Knowle); Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) who returns to the side after an absence of a year; and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) who recently reached the quarter-finals of the British amateur championship.
The team, which will be captained by Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) will be bidding for a seventh consecutive win in the matches.
The non-travelling reserves will be chosen at the completion of the English Girls' Championships at Kings Norton and Kidderminster 1-4 August. Most team members will remain in Northern Ireland to compete in the British Girls' Championship.

Monday 11th July 2006

Scottish Champion Martine Pow with the British Mid-Amateur Championship trophy
which she won at Nairn on Sunday (Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

Scottish Junior Ladies Team leave for the Netherlands today
(picture taken by Margaret Rodgers)

Still time to enter the South Ayrshire Pre-Handicap Open
This is open to all boys and girls aged 8 and over who have yet to reach a handicap standard. Play will be on a shortened Troon Fullarton Golf Course.
Entries close on 17th July and can be made at www.golfsouthayrshire.com. Emphasis is on participation, as such there is no prize list but all competitors will receive a small goody bag.

SGU Press Release
Scottish Youths
Scotland will begin the defence of their title at the European Youths Team Championships tomorrow (Tuesday 11 July). The venue has been changed from La Canada in Spain, to San Roque Course No.2 because of infestation of some of the greens at La Canada. You can follow the team's progress by visiting http://www.lacanadagolf.com/europeo.php
Scotland Youths Team:
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh)
Scott Henry (Cardross)
Russell Knox (Inverness)
Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock (Barassie))
Paul O'Hara (Colville Park)
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw)

SGU Press Release
Scottish Boys
The European Boys Team Championships will also begin tomorrow in Sweden. Follow their progress at http://ww.emboys.golf.se/extra/pod/?module_instance=1
Scotland Boys Team:
James Byrne (Banchory)
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride)
Ross Kellet (Colville Park)
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
James White (Lundin)

SVLGA (MIDLAND DIVISION)
Summer Meeting – Ladybank (CSS75) 74 players.
Donaldson Quaich (best nett) – Emma Wilson (Elie) 77-6=71.
1st Scratch: M. Tough (Falkirk) 77
2nd Scratch: L. Bennett (Ladybank) 78
Div. 0-12: 1st H’cap: K. Keir (Elie) 81-7=74 bih
2nd H’cap: E. Cunningham (Elie) 84-10=74
3rd H’cap: M. McPherson (Blairgowrie) 87-12=75bih
Div. 13-20: 1st H’cap: C. Irving (Blairgowrie) 86-13=73
2nd H’cap: M. Ritchie (Elie) 88-14=74
3rd H’cap: M. MacNaughton (Blairgowrie) 91-16=75bih
4th H’cap: C. Black (Elie) 89-14=75
Div.21-28: 1st H’cap: M. Macleod (Dunblane New) 97-21=76
2nd H’cap: A. Crossland (Dunblane New) 101-21=80
Championship Qualifiers: E. Wilson, M. Tough, L. Bennett, F. de Vries.

Sunday 9th July 2006

GLENN CAMPBELL RETAINS TROPHY IN HAGGS CASTLE 72-HOLE OPEN
Scottish amateur champion Glenn Campbell from Blairgowrie won the Cameron Corbett Vase 72-hole open tournament at Haggs Castle Golf Club, Glasgow on Sunday for the second year in row.
The Murrayshall greenkeeper, who had missed the cut in his last two tournaments before this one, could now be coming back into form just in time to defend the national title at Nairn at the end of the month.
Campbell (68-69) shared the 36-hole lead with Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), who has played on the American college circuit for Colorado State University for the past four years.
McAlpine had had a moderate start with a 73 but then pulled out a brilliant second-round, eight-under-par 64 to match Glenn’s 137 halfway tally.
Kevin edged ahead with a third-round 68 to Campbell’s 69 but Glenn was the stronger finisher with a 68 for eight-under-par 274. McAlpine signed off with a 70 for 275.
Mark Kerr (Dalmahoy) and Wallace Booth (Comrie) finished joint third on 276. Booth usually has one exceptional round per tournament. In this, it was his fourth-round 65, a score which was matched by Kerr.
CAMERON CORBETT VASE TOURNAMENT
Haggs Castle Golf Club, Glasgow
Par 72 (CSS 72 72 71 71)
FINAL TOTALS
274 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 68 69 69 68.
275 K McAlpine (Alyth) 73 64 68 70.
276 M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 67 72 72 65, W Booth (Comrie) 70 70 71 65.
277 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 71 67 71 68.`
278 G Yates (Hilton Park) 65 72 71 70.
282 C MacAulay (Tulliallan) 71 70 69 72, S Borrowman (Dollar) 72 72 67 71.
283 J Gallagher (Swanston) 69 69 73 72, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 76 71 69 67.
284 D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 71 69 71 73, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 71 71 72 70.
285 G Dear (Murrayshall) 71 75 71 68.
286 S Michie (Thornton) 68 76 70 72.
290 R Jamieson (US) 77 70 70 73.
292 P McLean (Peterhead) 75 70 71 76, F Drum (Cowglen) 71 76 73 72.
293 J McGhee (Gullane) 70 77 72 74, W B Anderson (Cambuslang) 75 75 73 70.
295 P Betty (Hayston) 75 75 71 74, S Rennie (Airdrie) 72 78 71 74.
296 C Swanston (Uphall) 72 73 73 78, M Gentles (Edzell) 71 74 74 73, A Main Thornton) 74 72 74 76, C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 75 74 74 73.
297 J Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway) 75 74 75 73.
298 G Watson (Dunaverty) 80 70 75 73, R Graham (Hayston) 77 73 75 73.
299 P McLachlan (Eastwood) 70 79 71 79, D McInroy (Ayr Belleisle) 75 75 70 79.
300 G Davidson (Southerness) 79 72 68 81, D Broadfoot (Kirkcudbright) 77 75 75 73.
301 G Smith (Stirling) 77 69 78 77, D Anderson (Gullane) 76 72 77 76.
303 C Colraine (Windyhill) 73 76 76 78.
305 A McKie (Glencruitten) 75 71 77 82.
307 E Polson (Inverness) 76 76 75 80.
310 P McDougall (NZ) 74 76 76 84.

North area youths team golf championship
NORTH-EAST TAKE TEAM TITLE BUT ELGIN'S WATSON IS TOP INDIVIDUAL
North-east won the area youths team golf championship for the fourth time in the past five years at Grantown on Spey on Sunday.
They totalled 746 in a scheduled two-round tournament of which the afternoon play was cut to nine holes because of heavy rain.
North were runners-up on 760 with Angus third on 782.
Michael Watson (Elgin) won the individual prize with scores of 67 and 34 for 101. Runner-up was John Duff (Newmachar) with 68 and 34 for 102.
TEAM TOTALS
746 NORTH-EAST 501 245. G Mitchell (Northern) 74 73 107; K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 73 38 111; D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 74 72 116; J Duff (Newmachar) 68 34 102; L Vitesse (Nigg Bay) 72 36 108; A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 69 38 107; Kenn (Newburgh on Ythan) 71 32; K Beveridge (Aboyne) 74 34 108).
760 NORTH 503 257. J Forbes (Inverness) 72 39 111; D Hexley (Inverness) 71 36 107; M Murray (Brora) 70 40 110; D O’Brien (Brora) 75 36 111; N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) 75 41 116; B Elder (Nairn Dunbar) 77 39 116; M Watson (Elgin) 67 34 101; S Mann (Moray) 73 33 106).
782 ANGUS 520 262. W Bremner (Edzell) 73 35 108; G Clarke (Montrose Mercantile) 78 37 115; D Elder (Carnoustie) 68 37 105; J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 75 38 113; K Harper (Carnoustie) 75 38 113; Stewart Neillie (Downfield) 82 37 119; B Smith (Downfield) 75 42 117; A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 76 40 116).

SAM WALKER WINS BY SIX AS AMATEUR RICHIE RECLAIMS RECORD WITH A 62
Sam Walker from Birmingham chalked up the biggest win and picked up his biggest cheque (£22,115) of his eight-year professional career at Murcar Links on Sunday.
The 28-year-old, starting the final round with a four-shot lead after a superb, wind-taming 64 on Saturday, signed off with a six-under-par 65 for an 18-under-par total of 276 and a six-stroke victory margin in the inaugural Scottish Challenge, the first Challenge Tour event to be played in Scotland for 12 years.
But the low-scoring honours of the day were claimed once again by 23-year-old Aberdonian Richie Ramsay. He set the course record of 63 in Friday's second round and, astonishingly, the Walker Cup man brought the mark down a peg to nine-under-par 62 in the final round.
Ramsay, with a total of nine-under-par 275, finished in fourth place overall behind Walker, runner-up West-Linton based Gareth Wright and Chris Doak from the Tartan Tour.
Had he not been an amateur, Richie, who plays his club golf on the neighbouring Royal Aberdeen links at Balgownie, would have earned £8,293.
"My mental prepartion was good. I had a talked with SGU coach Ian Rae before I went out and that helped to set me in the mood after I had a 73 in the third round," said Richie. "I'm playing at Loch Lomond this week and this has given me a lot of confidence.
"My short game came together in this tournament. I've been hitting the ball solidly for some time but not scoring. When the short game clicked, I've got the low scores. I holed a lot of putts out there."
Ramsay, who received a silver quaich to mark his leading amateur performance, is not letting success in amateur golf go to his head.
"I am going to complete my degree in sports marketing at Stirling University by the end of the year. Getting that degree is as important to me as anything in golf, " he said, seeming to indicate that he would spend another year in the amateur ranks before tackling the European Tour Qualifying School.
"I would love to play in next year's Walker Cup. I've got my plans but I don't want to talk about them."
When Ramsay finished at 2.10pm he was the leader in the clubhouse by nine shots.
Gareth Wright, the London-born Welshman who still lives at West Linton where he was brought up, picked up the biggest cheque (£15,204) of his rookie pro career. He signed off with a 67 for 12-under-par 272 and second place.
"I stayed patient and enjoyed myself over the four days. That was my secret. I've been too hard on myself since I turned pro. I've been trying too hard. This was a different approach and it paid off," said Gareth.
Chris Doak, who had shared the old course record of 63 with Ramsay for 48 hours, came back to form in time to score a 67 in the final round to finish third on 11 under par 273 He won £9,675.
"I played very well. My putting was good again. When I putted well, I scored well at Murcar Links."
FINAL TOTALS
266 S Walker (Eng) 68 69 64 65.
272 G Wright (Wal) 68 66 71 67.
273 C Doak (Sco) 70 63 73 67.
275 R Ramsay (am) (Sco) 77 63 73 62.
276 G Paddison (NZ) 67 71 67 71.
277 S Henderson (Sco) 68 66 72 71, A Noren (Swe) 72 64 70 71.
278 M Pilkington (Wal) 71 66 74 67, C Gillies (Sco) 71 64 75 68, A S Hansen (Den) 67 67 74 70, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 67 71 70.
280 E Ramsay (Sco) 69 68 73 70, M Ilonen (Fin) 68 70 72 70.
281 L Claverie (Spa) 70 66 74 71, B Hafthorsson (Ice) 71 69 70 71, F Hed Andersson (Swe) 68 72 69 72, J McLeary (Sco) 68 65 74 74.
282 A McArthur (Sco) 71 71 70 70, S Bebb (Wal) 68 69 78 67, C De Corral (Spa) 74 67 71 70, M Urquhart (Sco) 67 68 75 72, S Manley (Wal) 67 70 77 68.
283 M Persson (Swe) 75 67 70 71, O Bergmann (Swe) 70 66 75 72, B Mason (Eng) 70 70 70 73, A Velasco (Spa) 68 67 74 74.
284 G Acosta (Arg) 73 66 73 72, P Linhart (Spa) 74 66 76 68, D Orr (Sco) 73 67 74 70, D De Vooght (Bel) 71 70 71 72.
285 M Quiros (Spa) 72 70 73 70.
286 M Higley (Eng) 70 67 80 69, C Kelly (Sco) 70 70 77 69, I Van Weerelt (Net) 71 69 77 69, G Rojas (Arg) 71 71 75 69, D Borrego (Spa) 69 70 75 72, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 71 74 73, K Eriksson (Swe) 65 72 75 74, K Staunton (Eng) 70 67 73 76, D P Jones (Ire) 72 67 78 69.
287 N Cheetham (Eng) 69 70 78 70, G Murray (am) (Sco) 74 68 74 71, R Echenique (Arg) 71 71 74 71, G Fox (Sco) 73 66 76 72, C Reimbold (Ger) 75 67 73 72, L Bond (Wal) 70 66 78 73, G Hutcheon (Sco) 69 73 72 73, K L Jorgensen (Den) 70 72 72 73, M Crespi (Ita) 70 67 76 74.
288 J-P Gonnet (Fra) 75 67 77 69, A Quiros (Spa) 68 69 81 70, H Rey (Arg) 71 71 76 70, R Cabrera Bello (Spa) 67 69 79 73, B Coathalem (Fra) 77 65 71 75.
289 S Hurd (Eng) 69 72 77 71, D Lucas (Eng) 73 65 79 72, E Thomson (Sco) 74 67 76 72, G Davies (Eng) 71 71 73 74.
290 R Gonzalez (Arg) 72 69 77 72, M King (Eng) 69 73 76 72, M Soffietti (Ia) 71 69 75 75, M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 72 69 73 76, J Benedetti (Col) 71 70 73 76, D Robertson (Sco) 72 67 72 79, O David (Fra) 71 70 73 76.
291 N Vanhootegem (Bel) 71 70 77 73, L Brovold (Nor) 68 69 78 76.
292 D Mooney (NIr) 74 68 78 72, C Ronald (Sco) 69 73 76 74, Z Scotland (Eng) 72 69 76 75, J H Williams (Wal) 73 68 75 76.
294 D Inglis (Sco) 71 67 72 84.
295 M Loftus (Sco) 73 64 80 78.
Disq - N Walker (Eng) 70 69 81 -
Withdrew – G Lockerbie (Eng) 74 65 84.

MARTINE WINS BY EIGHT AT NAIRN
Scottish champion Martine Pow outclassed the field with a four-over-par total of 220 to win the British women’s open mid-amateur golf championship by eight strokes over the Nairn links on Sunday.
The 40-year-old scaffolder from Selkirk put together three steady rounds of 72, 75 and 73 over the three days to win the over-25s title with ease.
Runner-up on 228 was Jo Nicolson (Wrexham), winner of the title a couple of years ago.
Last year’s Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) finished third on 231 with Cara Gruber from Royal Dornoch sharing fourth place on 234 with Australian Bronwyn Lane.
Miss Pow has said she is always more nervous defending a lead rather than when she is behind and trying to make up the leeway. But there was no sign of edginess at all as she started the final round with a six-shot lead.
Martine birdied the second and parred every other hole in reaching the turn in one-under-par 35. Coming home, she bogeyed the 12th and 17th for two-over 38.
Runner-up Jo Nicolson had double bogeys at the fifth and the 12th which rather nullified birdies at the second and 16th in halves of 38 and 37.
BRITISH WOMEN’S OPEN MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Nairn Golf Club.
Par 72 X 3 = 216
LEADING TOTALS
220 M Pow (Selkirk) 72 75 73.
228 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 74 79 75.
231 F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 79 76.
234 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 79 79 76, Bronwyn Lane (Aus) 75 82 77.
236 J Carthew (Ladyban) 82 82 72, C Marron (Bromborough) 84 78 74.
238 R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 88 71.
239 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 88 74, S Krueger (US) 81 82 76.
240 L Barton (Coventry) 75 85 80.
241 J O’Keeffe (Guildford) 81 79 81.
242 T Selvaratnam (Sri Lanka) 80 88 74, C Spada (US) 83 80 79, C Charnock (SAft) 79 83 80.
243 M Kaarnalahti (Fin) 77 88 78, B Murphy (Mortonhall) 78 85 80.
224 M Weder (US) 81 83 80.
248 J Brook (Cromham Hurst) 84 84 80.
249 L Mortensen (Gullane) 84 88 77, C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) 83 80 86.
250 T Olenius (Fin) 84 86 80, K Charles (Burnham & Berrow) 85 79 86.
251 M Mann (Broadstone) 79 83 89.
253 D Backhouse (Aldeburgh) 83 88 82.
254 J Rhodes (Nairn) 89 85 80.
256 S Murray (Brechin) 85 91 80, C MacDonald (Gullane) 84 92 80.
Other totals:
260 M Summers (Panmure Barry) 87 89 84.
264 G Dowling (Inverness) 85 92 87.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

THREE SHARE HALFWAY LEAD IN CAMERON CORBETT VASE
Scottish champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) and Hilton Park’s Gordon Yates shared the lead on seven-under-par 137 at the halfway stage of the Cameron Corbett Vase open tournament at Haggs Castle on Saturday.
Campbell, who dashed down to Glasgow after failing to make the 36-hole cut in the Scottish Challenge at Murcar Links on Friday evening, must be thinking it was well worth the effort to defend the title he won 12 months ago.
Glenn had steady scores of 68 and 69.
Kevin McAlpine, son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper Hamish, has been playing for Colorado State University on the American college circuit for the past four years. He had a “so-so” first-round 73 and then really caught fire with an eight-under-par 64 in the second circuit.
Gordon Yates went the other way. He blazed the first-round trail with a 65 giving him a two-shot lead. Then he “subsided” to a par 72.
Former British amateur champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) and John Gallagher (Swanston) are only one shot off the pace on 138. Gallagher has already won in Glasgow recently. He came from behind to win the Tennant Cup at Killermont.
Players with 36-hole tallies of 152 or better qualified for Sunday’s final two rounds at Haggs Castle.
QUALIFIERS
137 K McAlpine (Alyth) 73 64, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 68 69, G Yates (Hilton Park) 65 72.
138 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 71 67, J Gallagher (Swanston) 69 69.
139 M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 67 72.
1490 D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 71 69, W Booth (Comrie) 70 70.
141 C MacAulay (Tulliallan) 71 70.
142 S Herald (Whitecraigs) 71 71.
144 S Borrowman (Dollar) 72 72, S Michie (Thornton) 68 76.
145 P McLean (Peterhead) 75 70, C Swanston (Uphall) 72 73, M Gentles (Edzell).
146 G Smith 77 69, A McKie 75 71, A Main (Thornton) 74 72, G Dear (Murrayshall) 71 75.
147 R Jamieson 77 70, M Clark 76 71, F Drum (Cowglen) 71 76, J McGhee (Gullane) 70 77.
148 D Anderson 76 72.
149 C Baron 75 74, J Hempstock (Dumfries) 75 74, C Colraine (Windyhill) 73 76, P McLachlan (Eastwood).
150 G Watson 80 70, R Graham 77 73, E McIntosh (Newmachar) 76 74, W B Anderson 75 75, D McInroy 75 75, P Betty (Hayston) 75 75, P McDougall (NZ) 74 76, S Rennie 72 78.
151 G Dzavidson 79 72.
152 D Broadfoot 77 75, S Machin 77 75, E Polson (Inverness) 76 76.

MARTINE GOES SIX CLEAR WITH ONE ROUND TO GO AT NAIRN
Scottish champion Martine Pow is set to win another title over the Nairn links on Sunday. The 40-year-old scaffolder from Selkirk leads by six strokes with one round to play in the British women's mid-amateur golf championship.
With a strong wind making life very difficult for the over-25s, Martine Pow put together a solid second-round 75 for a 36-hole tally of three-over-par147.
Her nearest challenger is a former winner of the tournament, Welsh international Jo Nicolson from Wrexham, with a 79 for 153.
Last year's Scottish champion, Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) is sharing third place on 155 after a 79 and Cara Gruber from Royal Dornoch is another Scot up with the leaders.
Cara is sharing sixth place on 158 after repeating her opening-round 79.
A total of 43 players with 36-hole aggregates of 182 or better qualified for the final round.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
147 M Pow (Selkirk) 72 75.
153 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 74 79.
155 M Kaarnalahti (Fin) 77 78, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 79.
157 B Lane (Aus) 75 82.
158 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 79 79.
160 J O'Keeffe (Guildford) 81 79, L Barton (Coventry) 75 85.
162 M Mann (Broadstone) 79 83, C Charnock (SAf) 79 83, C Marron (Bromborough) 84 72.
163 B Murphy (Mortonhall) 78 85, C Spada (US) 83 80, C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) 83 80, S Kreuger (US) 81 82.
164 J Carthew (Ladybank) 82 82, K Charles (Burnham & Berrow) 85 79, M Weder (US) 81 83.
165 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 88.
167 R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 88.
168 J Brook (Croham Hurst) 84 84, T Selvaratnam (Sri Lanka) 80 88.
170 T Olenius (Fin) 84 86.
171 D Backhouse (Aldeburgh) 83 88.
172 S End (Ger) 88 84, L Mortensen (Gullane) 84 88.
173 K Lobb (Northants Co) 84 89.
174 J Rhodes (Nairn) 89 85.
175 F Wood (Ilkley) 87 88.
176 C MacDonald (Gullane) 84 92, S Lundy (Cookridge Hall) 83 93, S Murray (Brechin) 85 91, M Summers (Panmure Barry) 87 89.
177 G Dowling (Inverness) 85 92.
178 K Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) 89 89.
179 E Blackmon (US) 87 92.
180 C Kirk (Ganton) 90 90.
181 A Van Agnew (The Duke) 90 91, P Bennett (Reading) 89 92.
182 D Parker (Woodhall Spa) 88 94, A Budenberg (Sandiway) 88 94, M Skowronski (US) 84 98, A Stewart (US) 89 93.
MISSED CUT
184 S Joy-Sobota (US) 91 93, E Easton (Brechin) 95 89, J McCartney (Erskine) 90 94.
185 S Ellis (Ferndown) 94 91, L Morrow (Erskine) 90 95, L Graham (Carnoustie) 93 92.
186 D Harridge (Camberley Heath) 92 94, C Montgomery (US) 90 96.
188 J Ballard (Littlestone) 95 93.
194 F Walkinshaw (Denham) 97 97.
195 P King (East Berkshire) 93 102.
200 M Lampreia (Por) 100 100.
Withdrew: S Bishop 85 -.

SAM WALKER GOES FOUR CLEAR WITH ONE ROUND TO GO
Birmingham-born Sam Walker strode past the faltering Scots leaders to shoot a brilliant seven-under-par 64 in a freshening south-westerly and take a commanding four-stroke lead on 12-under-par 201 into Sunday's final round of the Scottish Challenge at the Murcar Links.
"That has to be just about the best round of my life," said the 28-year-old Walker who lost to Steven Young in the 1995 British boys' championship final at Dunbar and has been a pro since 1998.
"I come into my own when conditions like this call for manufacturing shots into, across and down wind on a links course," said Sam. "Unfortunately, I don't get it like this too often. More's the pity. I hit the ball solid and putted really well, which is not so easy when the wind's blowing as strong as this."
Walker had an eagle 2 at the fourth and birdies at the first, third, fifth, eighth, 11th and 12th. He had one bogey when he misjudged the strength of the wind early in the round and saw his tee shot drift off line into a gorse bush on the left of the second fairway.
"From about the third to the 12th, when I improved from six under par to 12 under, I was absolutely brilliant, and I don't mind saying so," said Walker.
It was not a good day for the Scots who had started the third day seemingly in control of the leaderboard and finished up with Scott Henderson and Chris Doak best placed in joint fourth place, five shots behind the leader.
As Murray Urquhart from Inverness commented ruefully after his 75 - he had shot 67 and 68 in the first two days - "It was a totally different course today with that wind blowing. It's now playing like a true links course. That round by Sam Walker is almost unbelievable. He deserves to be four shots clear after a wonderful score. I know just how difficult it was out there."
Joint leaders after 36 holes, Doak and Jamie McLeary eventually struggled to stay in contention on the inward half. Doak had a double bogey 6 from a pulled drive at the sixth to fall out of the lead at that point and continued to shed shots to par. But he defiantly birdied the short 16th and finished. with a 73 for seven-under-par 206.
"That was the strongest wind we've had all week. It's hard to stay out of the rough when it's blowing like that," said Doak.
McLeary had two 6s on his inward card - a double bogey at the 10th and a bogey at the 14th. He returned a 74 for 207.
Scott Henderson, like McLeary, had a double-bogey 6 at the 10th. A birdie at the 11th was his last of the round. The Aberdonian signed for a 72 and 206.
At the end of the day, Walker leads by four shots from New Zealander Gareth Paddison and West Linton-based Welshman Gareth Wright. Wright had three bogeys and a birdie over the last four holes for a 71 and eight-under-par 205.
THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 71 X 3 = 213
201 S Walker (Eng) 68 69 64.
205 G Paddison (NZ) 67 71 67, G Wright (Wal) 68 66 71.
206 A Noren (Swe) 72 64 70, S Henderson (Sco) 68 66 72, C Doak (Sco) 70 63 73.
207 J McLeary (Sco) 68 65 74.
208 D Drysdale (Sco) 70 67 71, A S Hansen (Den) 67 67 74.
209 A Velasco (Spa) 68 67 74.
210 B Mason (Sand Moor) 70 70 70, B Hafthorsson (Ice) 71 69 70, D Robertson (Sco) 72 67 72, M Ilonen (Fin) 68 70 72, D Inglis (Sco) 71 67 72, E Ramsay (Sco) 69 68 73, K Staunton (Eng) 70 67 73, L Claverie (Spa) 70 66 74, M Urquhart (Sco) 67 68 75, C Gillies (Sco) 71 64 75.
211 M Pilkington (Wal) 71 66 74, O Bergman (Swe) 70 66 75.
212 M Persson (Swe) 75 67 70, A McArthur (Sco) 71 71 70, D De Vooght (Bel) 71 70 71, C De Corral (Spa) 74 67 71, G Acosta (Arg) 73 66 73, K Eriksson (Swe) 65 72 75.
213 B Coathalem (Fra) 77 65 71, R Ramsay (a) (Sco) 77 63 73, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 71 74, M Crespi (Ita) 70 67 76.
214 K L Jorgensen (Den) 70 72 72, G Hutcheon (Sco) 69 73 72, J Benedetti (Col) 71 70 73, O David (Fra) 71 70 73, M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 72 69 73, D Orr (Sco) 73 67 74, D Borrego (Spa) 69 70 75, S Manley (Wal) 67 70 77, L Bond (Wal) 70 66 78.
215 M Quiros (Spa) 72 70 73, G Davies (Eng) 71 71 73, C Reimbold (Ger) 75 67 73, M Soffietti (Ita) 71 69 75, G Fox (Sco) 73 66 76, S Bebb (Wal) 68 69 78, L Brovold (Nor) 68 69 78, R Cabrera Bello (Spa) 67 69 79.
216 R Echenique (Arg) 71 71 74, G Murray (am) (Sco) 74 68 74, J H Williams (Wal) 73 68 75, P Linhart (Spa) 74 66 76.
217 G Rojas (Arg) 71 71 75, E Thomson (Sco) 74 67 76, Z Scotland (Eng) 72 69 76, I Van Weerelt (Net) 71 69 77, C Kelly (Sco) 70 70 77, N Cheetham (Eng) 69 70 78, D P Jones (Ire) 72 67 78, D Lucas (Worksop) 73 65 79, M Higley (Eng) 70 67 80.
218 M King (Eng) 69 73 76, H Rey (Arg) 71 71 76, C Ronald (Sco) 69 73 76, R Gonzalez (Arg) 72 69 77, S Hurd (Eng) 69 72 77, N Vanhootegem (Bel) 71 70 77, A Quiros (Spa) 68 69 81.
219 J-B Gonnet (Fra) 75 67 77, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 68 72 69.
220 D Mooney (NIre) 74 68 78, N Walker (Eng) 70 69 81, M Loftus (Sco) 73 64 80.
223 G Lockerbie (Eng) 74 65 84.

YATES EARLY LEADER AT HAGGS CASTLE
Gordon Yates (Hilton Park) opened up a two-shot lead with a very good round of seven-under-par 65 in the first round of the Cameron Corbett Vase 72-hole open tournament at Haggs Castle Golf Club today.
Mark Kerr (Dalmahoy) was next best on 67 with Scott Michie (Thornton) and Scottish champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), who is also the holder of this title, sharing third place on 68.
Campbell made the dash down from Aberdeen after failing to beat the halfway cut in the Scottish Challenge tournament at Murcar Links on Friday evening.
Leading first-round scores:
65 G Yates (Hilton Park).
67 M Kerr (Dalmahoy).
68 S Michie (Thornton), G Campbell (Blairgowrie).
69 J Gallagher (Swanston).
70 J McGhee (Gullane), W Booth (Comrie), P McLachlan (Eastwood).
71 S Herald (Whitecraigs), G Dear (Murrayshall), M Gentles (Edzell), C Watson (East Renfrewshire), F Drum (Cowglen), D Stewart (Grantown on Spey), C MacAulay (Tulliallan), S Hume (Murrayshall), C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle).

SARA BISHOP RETIRES FROM SECOND ROUND
Sara Bishop (Windyhill), who went close to winning the British women's mid-amateur championship last year, retired from this weekend's championship before the second round at Nairn Golf Club today.

GRASS DISEASE HITS LA CANADA, TOURNAMENT
NOW TO BE PLAYED AT SAN ROQUE NO 2
NEXT week's European youths team championship has been switched from La Canada Golf Club to a neighbouring course on Spain's Costa del Sol. It will now be played on the San Roque No 2 course.
The reason given by the Spanish Federation is a "sudden disease" which has affected mainly the greens at holes one, two, four, six, seven and eight.
The tournament starts on Tuesday and finishes on Saturday.
Scotland will be defending the team title.

Friday, July 07, 2006

SAM TOP SCOT IN SHARE OF EIGHTH PLACE AT WORTHING
Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly) had the highest finish of the four Scottish qualifiers for the final day of the McGregor Trophy English Under-16 boys' open stroke-play golf championship at Worthing Golf Club, Sussex today.
Sam, with rounds of 75, 72, 75 and 73 for a total of 295, claimed joint eighth place behind 13-year-old winner Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton) who scored 287.
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) finished on 302, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 308 and Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) 310.
SCOREBOARD
287 Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton) 70 72 72 73.
288 Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath) 74 72 71 71.
289 Stiggy Hodgson (Sunningdale) 74 71 70 74.
Scots totals:
295 Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly) 75 72 75 73.
302 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 73 81 73 75.
308 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 74 74 79 81.
310 Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) 78 75 82 75.

TARTAN TAKEOVER AT MURCAR LINKS
A rampant performance from Scotland’s golfers, that included two course records, ensured that the Scottish Challenge leaderboard had a particularly homely feel at the halfway stage, with five out of the top eight players representing the home of golf with distinction at Murcar Links Golf Club.
Chris Doak and Jamie McLeary lead the way on nine under par after respective rounds of 63 and 65. Doak’s 63 matched the course record set earlier by the Scottish amateur player, Ritchie Ramsay, who banished the memory of his opening 77 with a fantastic performance to make the level par cut with ease.
Scott Henderson, another player playing under the blue and white Saltire of Scotland, posted a five under 66 to join Denmark’s Anders Schmidt Hansen and the Welshman Gareth Wright on eight under par, with another Scots pair – Colin Gilies and Murray Urquhart – just one more stroke further back after rounds of 64 and 68 took them to seven under.
It was a fantastic day for the Scots at Murcar Links, who took full advantage of playing on their home turf to dominate the inaugural Scottish Challenge, which, with a prize fund of €200,000 is the second biggest Challenge Tour event on the 2006 Schedule thanks to the support of EventScotland, along with co-sponsors Aberdeen City Council, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, the Stewart Milne Group, Grampian Panalpina, Petrofac and media partners the Aberdeen Press and Journal.
For Doak, McLeary, Henderson, Gilies and Urquhart, a victory this weekend would alter the path of their careers.
Of the five, only Urquhart has a full Challenge Tour category, and a victory, with a first prize of €32,000, would ensure full Challenge Tour status as well as an excellent opportunity to compete for a place among the top 20 players on the end of season Rankings, which is rewarded with the ultimate prize of a place on The 2007 European Tour.
“That’s my full time aim,” said Doak after his brilliant 63 that contained ten birdies and just a single bogey. “I think the Challenge Tour is the best way to go. The level of play out here is very high, and that brings your golf on so much.
“I played very well today and holed a lot of putts. Most of them were from ten to 12 feet so the irons were good today. I’m delighted with my position, considering I only actually got into this event last Sunday.
“I should have been in automatically after winning the Tartan Tour last year, but there was a bit of an ‘administrative error’ which meant I was going to miss out until Iain Stoddart from Bounce Sports Management did a great job of getting me in the tournament. I have to thank Iain, and my sponsors at the Orion Group, for their support.”
Like Doak, McLeary justified his invitation to the Scottish Challenge with a great second round that included two eagles in his opening four holes. The first came at the par four second hole, where the 25 year old’s perfect pitch from 70 yards found the bottom of the cup before he holed a 20 footer for an eagle three on the fourth.
“Two eagles in four holes was a good start!” smiled McLeary. “I went out in 30 but it could have been better. I missed a couple of short ones on the eighth and ninth, so it could have been 28 out. Then on the back nine I didn’t hit it close enough apart from on the 16th and 18th, but I am happy with a 65.
“When I started playing on the Challenge Tour I knew that nine or ten thousand euros will get you into the second stage of The Tour Qualifying School so that’s the first aim. You need to be in the top 100 of the Challenge Tour by the 21 of August to make it so that’s the first goal. I’m 88th just now and if I keep playing the way that I have been then I should be okay, and if I can win here then it would change everything for me. ”
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR - SCOTTISH CHALLENGE
Murcar Links Golf Club.
Par 71 x 2 = 142
A total of 75 players, including two amateurs, qualified for the third and fourth rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
133 J McLeary (Sco) 68 65, C Doak (Sco) 70 63.
134 G Wright (Wal) 66, A S Hansen (Den) 67 67, S Henderson (Sco) 68 66.
135 C Gillies (Sco) 71 64, M Urquhart (Sco) 67 68, A Velasco (Spa) 68 67.
136 A Noren (Swe) 72 64, L Bond (Wal) 70 66, O Bergman (Swe) 70 66, R Cabrera Bello (Spa) 67 69, L Claverie (Spa) 70 66.
137 M Loftus (Sco) 73 64, M Higley (Eng) 70 67, M Pilkington (Wal) 71 66, S Walker (Eng) 68 69, L Brovold (Nor) 68 69, M Crespi (Ita) 70 67, S E Bebb (Wal) 68 69, A Quiros (Spa) 68 69, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 67, K Eriksson (Swe) 65 72, K Staunton (Eng) 70 67, E Ramsay (Sco) 69 68, S Manley (Wal) 67 70.
138 D Lucas (Eng) 73 65, D Inglis (Sco) 71 67, G Paddison (NZ) 67 71, M Ilonen (Fin) 68 70.
139 N Walker (Eng) 70 69, G Lockerbie (Eng) 74 65, D Robertson (Sco) 72 67, D P Jones (Ire) 72 67, G Acosta (Arg) 73 66, D Borrego (Spa) 69 70, G Fox (Sco) 73 66, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 71, N Cheetham (Eng) 69 70.
140 B Hafthorsson (Ice) 71 69, R Ramsay (am) (Sco) 77 63, P Linhart (Spa) 74 66, C Kelly (Sco) 70 70, B Mason (Eng) 70 70, M Soffietti (Ita) 71 69, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 68 72, I Van Weerelt (Net) 71 69, D Orr (Sco) 73 67.
141 Z Scotland (Eng) 72 69, C De Corral (Spa) 74 67, D De Vooght (Bel) 71 70, N Vanhootegem (Bel) 71 70, S Hurd (Eng) 69 72, E Thomson (Sco) 74 67, J H Williams (Wal) 73 68, R Gonzalez (Arg) 72 69, M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 72 69, O David (Fra) 71 70, J Benedetti (Col) 71 70.
142 C Reimbold (Ger) 75 67, J-P Gonnet (Fra) 75 67, G Murray (am) (Sco) 74 68, B Coathalem (Fra) 77 65, D Mooney (NIr) 74 68, G Rojas (Arg) 71 71, C Ronald (Sco) 69 73, H Rey (Arg) 71 71, M King (Eng) 69 73, G Davies (Eng) 71 71, G Hutcheon (Sco) 69 73, K L Jorgensen (Den) 70 72, A McArthur (Sco) 71 71, R Echenique (Arg) 71 71, M Quiros (Spa) 72 70, M Persson (Swe) 75 67.
MISSED CUT
143 G Gordon (Sco) 75 68, C Gane (Eng) 74 69, M Maritz (SAf) 71 72, A Mork (Fra) 74 69, J McCreadie (Sco) 74 69, J Heath (Eng) 74 69, F Cea (Spa) 72 71, K Storgaard (Den) 72 71, A Garcia-Heredia (Spa) 71 72.
144 K McNicoll (am) (Sco) 75 69, M Mouland (Wal) 72 72, E Little (Sco) 75 69, S Scahill (NZ) 76 68, E Saltman (am) (Sco) 75 69, K Sullivan (Wal) 73 71, R Russell (Sco) 73 71, P Kaensche (Nor) 73 71, M Dieu (Fra) 71 73, R Kakko (Fin) 69 75, B Hume (Sco) 73 71.
145 J Little (Eng) 73 72, S Struver (Ger) 76 69, A Maldonado (Mex) 71 74, J Wade (Aus) 74 71, D Wardrop (Eng) 75 70, A Bruschi (Ita) 71 74, C Moriarty (Ire) 71 74, J-A Larsen (Nor) 74 71, J Doherty (Sco) 70 75, R Arnott (Sco) 73 72, R De Sousa (Swi) 74 71, B McElhinney (Ire) 70 75.
146 C Williams (Wal) 77 69, E Rush (Eng) 74 72, I Goroneskoul (Fra) 74 72, D Patrick (Sco) 77 69, G R Brown (Sco) 72 74, V Phillips (Eng) 77 69, C Smith (Wal) 73 73, G Law (Sco) 78 68, S Fernandez (Arg) 72 74, M Rodriguez (Arg) 73 73, B Willman (Eng) 72 74, S Delagrange (Fra) 72 74, J Elson (Eng) 71 75, J Kehoe (Ire) 74 72, I Steel (Malaya) 74 72, S Jamieson (am) (Sco) 71 75.
147 A Salto (Spa) 74 73, T Rice (Ire) 72 75, K Brink (Swe) 72 75, J Hugo (SAf) 76 71, J Clement (Swi) 78 69, A Bossert (Swi) 71 76.
148 N Zitny (Aut) 79 69, P McKechnie (Sco) 72 76, A Lockhart (Sco) 74 74, I Giner (Spa) 76 72.
149 S Davis (Eng) 78 71, J Axgren (Swe) 73 76, P Kyllianen (Fin) 79 70, G Lornie (Sco) 74 75, D Kupper (Ger) 75 74, T Milford (Eng) 76 73.
150 A Crerar (Sco) 77 73, G Campbell (am) (Sco) 76 74, P G Nyman (Swe) 78 72, A Smith (Wal) 78 72, C Lee (Sco) 74 76.
151 J Van Hauwe (Fra) 76 75, G McInnes (Sco) 76 75. A Maestroni (Ita) 71 80.
152 M Smith (Eng) 76 76, S Robinson (Eng) 79 73.
153 M Bernardini (Ita) 74 79.
156 N Meitinger (Ger) 80 76.
Withdrawn: A Snobeck (Fra) 77 -, J Hepworth (Eng) 80 -, A Frayne (Eng) 81 -, L S James (Eng) 81 -, I Pyman (Eng) 71 -.

DAVID TOMS PULLS OUT
David Toms today withdrew from The Open as a result of problems with his back.
His place is taken by Jeff Sluman (U.S.), the next non-exempt player on the World Ranking reserve list.

WEST LINTON LAD MAKES LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PAY OFF
Fraser Thain made the most of his local knowledge to have the highest stableford points score of 41 over his home course at West Linton in the Scottish Junior Masters Regional Qualifier 3 today.
Fraser headed the 11 boys who will go on to the Grand Final over the Queen’s Course, Gleneagles on Sunday, October 9 – but it was a close-run thing.
He won by a single point from runner-up Liam Rafferty (Prestonfield).
The five girls’ qualifiers were led by Fiona Milne from the Glen club with 32pt, one ahead of Nicole Muir (Wishaw).
QUALIFIERS
BOYS
41pt Fraser Thain (West Linton).
40 Liam Rafferty (Prestonfield).
38 Jordan Williams (Castle Douglas), Blair Ward (Glen), Iain Methven (Eyemouth), Sean Liddell (Duns).
37 Calum Cockburn (Turnhouse).
36 Adam Elliot (Prestonfield), Stephen Ronald (Lanark).
35 Murray Winton (Mortonhall), Craig Jackson (St Boswells).
GIRLS
32pt Fiona Milne (Glen).
31 Nicole Muir (Wishaw).
30 Gabrielle McDonald (Prestonfield).
25 Keren Ward (Glen).
22 Claire Bain (St Michaels).

SCOTTISH CHAMPION MARTINE POW LEADS THE FIELD AT NAIRN
Scottish champion Martine Pow from Selkirk showed her class and strength in leading the field at the end of the first round in the British women’s open mid-amateur golf championship at Nairn today.
The 40-year-old Selkirk player matched the demanding par of 72 to lead by two shots from Jo Nicolson (Wrexham), winner of the over-25s event two years ago.
Two of Martine’s four birdies came at par-5 hole s- the second and the 10th – and she also birdied the eighth and 17th, dropping shots at the first, sixth, 11th and 13th in halves of 36.
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), champion of Scotland last year at Cruden Bay, is in fifth place after a 76 which included a potentially disastrous outward half of 42 (six over par). Fiona had a double bogey 6 at the fifth and also dropped shots at the third, sixth, seventh and eighth.
But Miss Lockhart was a different player in covering the inward half in two-under-par 34. She banished the blues with back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th before bogeying the 12th and 14th and then finishing on a high with birdies at the 15th and 18th.
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) shares sixth place after a 76 which, like Fiona, included an outward half of 42. Claire had double bogeys at the first, fifth and seventh before getting into her stride with birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th.
But she too turned over a new leaf after the turn with birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th.
The 54-hole tournament ends on Sunday.
SCOREBOARD
72 M Pow (Selkirk).
74 J Nicolson (Wrexham).
75 B Lane (Aus), L Barton (Coventry).
76 F Lockhart (St Regulus).
77 C Hargan (Mortonhall), M Kaamalahti (Fin).
78 B Murphy (Mortonhall).
79 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), R Lomas (Hallowes), C Charnock (SAfr), M Mann (Broadstone)
80 T Selvaratnam (Sri Lanka).
81 M Weder (US), S Krueger (US), J O’Keeffe (Eng).
82 J Carthew (Ladybank).
83 C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar), C Spada (US), S Lundy (Cookridge Hall), D Backhouse (Aldeburgh).
84 C Marron (Bromborough), L Mortensen (Gullane Ladies), T Olenius (Fin), C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), M Skowronski (US), K Lobb (Northants Co), J Brook (Croham Hurst).
85 G Dowling (Inverness), S Bishop (Windyhill), S Murray (Brechin), K Charles (Burnham & Berrow).
87 M Summers (Panmure Barry), K Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest), E Blackmon (US).
Other Scots scores:
89 P Bennett (Reading).
93 L Graham (Carnoustie Ladies).
95 E Easton (Brechin).

Thursday, July 06, 2006

GARETH GETS IT WRIGHT AFTER STICKY START TO CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT
Murray Urquhart from Inverness was the best placed Scot on four-under-par 67 at the end of the first day of the 72-hole Scottish Challenge tournament at Murcar Links,
On a bright, sunny day, the earlier starters in the huge field of 156 had a big advantage.the field. A stiff south-easterly breeze, which got up around mid-day, added considerably to the degree of difficulty for the inward half.
Sweden's Klas Erikson, a former European Tour player, benefited the most by posting a 65 and then sitting back and watching all his challengers get within reach of him on the outward half, only to fall back as they turned into the wind.
Backing up Murray Urquhart on 68 were Scott Henderson, Peter Whiteford and Jamie McLeary. On the same mark was Welshman Gareth Wright from West Linton.
Gareth started badly with a bogey at the first and a double bogey at the third but he settled with a birdie at the fifth and then had an eagle 2 at the sixth. He covered the last 13 holes in five under par.
On 69 are Craig Ronald, Greig Hutcheon and Eric Ramsay who was one of many to drop a shot in the new bunkers in the landing zone from drives off the newly-positioned 18th tee.
The leading 60 and ties after Friday's second round will contest the third and fourth rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

GIFFORD PAIR WIN AT PEEBLES
Gifford Golf Club's George Milne and Maurice McEwan shot a better-ball net 63 to head the regional qualifiers at Peebles Golf Club for the Belhaven Best club captains' and secretaries' championship grand final over The Duke's Course, St Andrews on September 12.
George, who plays off 11, is the Gifford captain and six-handicap Maurice is the club secretary. Their inward half of 29 included eight net 3s.
They won by two shots from Braids United (Ron Hastings and Wilf Mitchell) and Ratho Park (Duncan Murdoch and Craig Innes). Ron (13) and Wilf (14), who had two net 2s after the turn, received the second prize by virtue of a better inward half (31) than Duncan (17) and Craig (9).
QUALIFIERS
63 Gifford.
65 Braids United, Ratho Park.
66 Peebles, Jedburgh.
67 Moffat, Turnhouse, Dundas Parks, Drumoig.
68 Thornhill (better inward half)
NON-QUALFIERS
68 North Berwick.
69 Torwoodlee, Bruntsfield Links, Baberton, Kinghorn Th.
70 Larkhall, Canmore.
71 Selkirk, Haddington.
72 Langholm, Kelso, Dunblane New, Tulliallan.
73 West Linton, Galashiels, Dumfries & Co, Kirkcaldy.
74 Dunfermline, Leadhills.
75 Carnwath, Dirleton Castle.
76 Earlsferry Th, Kinghorn, Wigtown & Bladnoch.
77 19th Hole, Tam O’Shanter.
81 Biggar,
82 St Boswells.

ONLY FOUR SCOTS BEAT THE CUT
ONLY four Scots survived the halfway cut in the McGregor Trophy English Under-16 boys' open stroke-play championship at Worthing Golf Club, Sussex today.
Players had to score 155 or better with their 36-hole aggregates to qualify for the final two rounds on Friday.
Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) made it through with ease on 147 and 148 respectively. Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) on 153 and Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) with 154 qualified with less to spare.
Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton) is the halfway leader with 70 and 72 for 142.
LEADERBOARD
142 Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton) 70 72.
144 Michael Hamilton (Rochester & Cobham) 73 71, Liam Brace (Stoke by Nayland) 68 76.
Scots qualifiers:
147 Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly) 75 72.
148 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 74 74.
153 Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) 78 75.
154 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 73 81.
Scots non-qualifiers:
158 Kyle Smith (Barassie) 77 81.
161 Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo) 85 76, Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) 87 74.
163 Frazer Ogston (St Andrews) 81 82, Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 82 81.
166 Sam McLaren (King James VI) 87 79.
170 Scott Fraser (Northern) 88 82.

MURCAR LINKS GOLF CLUB
FIRST ROUND (Par 71)
65 K Eriksson (Swe).
67 A S Hansen (Den), G Paddison (NZ), M Urquhart (Sco), R Cabrera (Spa), S Manley (Wal).
68 L Brovold (Nor), S Bebb (Wal), F Andersson Hed (Swe), A Quiros (Spa), S Henderson (Sco), P Whiteford (Sco), M Ilonen (Fin), A Velasco (Spa), J McLeary (Sco), S Walker (Eng), G Wright (Wal).
69 C Ronald (Sco), M King (Eng), D Borrego (Spa), G Hutcheon (Sco), E Ramsay (Sco), R Kakko (Fin), N Cheetham (Eng), S Hurd (Eng).
70 M Crespi (Ita), J Doherty (Sco), D Drysdale (Sco), O Bergman (Swe), K Staunton (Eng), K L Jorgensen (Den), L Claverie (Spa), B McElhinney (Ire), N Walker (Eng), M Higley (Eng), C Doak (Sco), C Kelly (Sco), L Bond (Wal), B Mason (Eng).
71 M Soffietti (Ita), D Inglis (Sco), H Rey ( Arg), I Van Weerelt (Net), G Davies (Eng), I Pyman (Eng), J Elson (Eng), M Dieu (Fra), A McArthur (Sco), R Echenique (Arg), O David (Fra), J Benedetti (Col), A Garcia-Heredia (Spa), A Bossert (Swi), S Jamieson (am) (Sco), A Maestroni (Ita), C Gillies (Sco), B Hafthorsson (Ice), A Maldonaldo (Mex), M Maritz (SA), M Pilkington (Wal), D De Vooght (Bel), N Vanhootegem (Bel), A Bruschi (Ita), C Moriarty (Ire), G Rojas (Arg).
72 B Willman (Eng), S Delagrange (Fra), T Rice (Ire), K Brink (Swe), F Cea (Spa), L Storgaard (Den), R Gonzalez (Arg), M Vibe-Hastrup (Den), M Quiros (Spa), M Mouland (Wal), Z Scotland (Eng), D Robertson (Sco), G Brown (Sco), P McKechnie (Sco), D P Jones (Ire), S Fernandez (Arg).
73 M Rodriguez (Arg), R Arnott (Sco), J H Williams (Wal), R Russell (Sco), P Kaensche (Nor), G Fox (Sco), B Hume (Sco), D Orr (East Renfrewshire), M Loftus (Sco), J Little (Eng), A Noren (Swe), J Axgren (Swe), C Smith (Wal), D Lucas (Eng), G Acosta (Arg).
74 E Thomson (Sco), K Sullivan (Wal), A Lockhart (Sco), M Bernardini (Ita), C Lee (Sco), R De Sousa (Swi), I Steel (Malaya), E Rush (Eng), C Gane (Eng), G Lockerbie (Eng), A Mork (Fra), I Goroneskoul (Fra), A Salto (Spa), J Wade (Aus), C De Corral (Spa), P Linhart (Spa), P Kylliainen (Fin), G Murray (am) (Sco), G Lornie (Sco), D Mooney (NIr), J McCreadie (Sco), J Heath (Eng), J-A Larsen (Nor), J Kehoe (Ire).
75 M Persson (Swe), G Gordon (Sco), K McNicoll (am) (Sco), C Reimbold (Ger), E Little (Sco), J-P Gonnet (Fra), D Wardrop (Eng), E Saltman (am) (Sco), D Kupper (Ger).
76 G McInnes (Sco), J Hugo (SA), T Milford (Eng), I Giner (Spa), J Van Hauwe (Fra), S Struver (Ger), S Scahill (NZ), G Campbell (am) (Blairgowrie).
77 C Williams (Wal), M Smith (Eng), D Patrick (Sco), A Snobeck (Fra). R Ramsay (am) (Sco), V Phillips (Eng), B Coathalem (Fra), A Crerar (Sco).
78 P Nyman (Swe), S Robinson (Eng), A Smith (Wal), J Clement (Swi), S Davis (Eng), G Law (Sco).
79 N Zitny (Aut).
80 N Meitinger (Ger), J Hepworth (Eng).
81 A Frayne (Eng).
83 L S James (Eng).
(am) denotes amateur.
++ Leading 60 and ties at end of second round will qualify for final 36 holes on Saturday and Sunday.

MURCAR LINKS v NIGG BAY AT NEWMACHAR
Murcar Links and Nigg Bay will meet in the final of the Aberdeen Pennant League golf competition at Newmachar Golf club on Tuesday (5.15pm).
Murcar Links beat Northern 4 ½-1 ½ and Nigg Bay beat Newmachar 4-2 in the semi-finals.

WILSONS SEND LEWIS KIRTON NEW SET IN TIME TO PLAY FOR SCOTLAND
Newmachar’s Lewis Kirton will fly out with new golf clubs this weekend as a member of the Scotland squad for the European boys’ team championship in Sweden.
Kirton had his old golf clubs stolen at the recent Scottish youths championship at Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh.
“I have a deal with Wilson golf club s and their support has been first class. They sent a new set of clubs overnight after hearing what had happened,” said Lewis.

CHAMPION MARTINE LEADS TARTAN ARMY INTO BATTLE AT NAIRN
Scotland’s 40-year-old women’s amateur champion Martine Pow from Selkirk will be leading a “Tartan Army” of some 20 competitors into battle for the British women’s mid-amateur golf championship at Nairn Golf club over the next three days.
Mid-amateur golf has never caught on in a big way in the United Kingdom, on either the male or female fronts. The Americans introduced this form of age category championship but many feel that when they set the minimum age at 25, they erred by about 10 years!
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) won the inaugural British “over-25s” championship in 2002 – and has never played in the tournament again.
Sara Bishop from Windyhill finished runner-up to Lisa McGowan (Worplesdon) 12 months ago, letting her title chance slip through her fingers over the last few holes.
Strangely enough, Lisa has followed Anne Laing’s example and is not defending the title.
Other Scots taking part in the 54-hole event for which the leading 40 and ties after two rounds will contest the final 18 holes on Sunday are:
Jo Carthew (Ladybank), Gillian Dowling (Inverness), Elaine Easton (Brechin), Louise Graham (Carnoustie Ladies), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Pamela King (East Berkshire), Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), Claire Macdonald (Gullane Ladies), Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar), Janette McCartney (Erskine), Susan McGregor (Edzell), Lorraine Morrow (Erskine), Line Mortensen (Gullane Ladies), Belinda Murphy (Mortonhall), Susan Murray (Brechin), Mary Summers (Panmure Barry) and Fiona Walkinshaw (Denham).

Wednesday 5th July 2006

STUART AND GILLIAN BEST AT FALKIRK TRYST
Stuart Bell (Linlithgow) and Gillian Simpson (Midlothian Ladies) headed the 12 qualifiers from the regional eliminator at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club today for the Scottish Junior Masters Grand Final over the Queen’s Course, Gleneagles Hotel on Sunday, October 8.
Stuart had the best of the boys’ Stableford returns with 43pt – one ahead of Callum Morrison (Kilspindie) and Myles Gillespie (Falkirk Tryst), who both had 42pt. Callum had the better inward half and so gained second prize.
Gillian Simpson topped the girls’ list with 39pt, one ahead of Emma Bisset (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies).
QUALIFIERS
Boys
43pt Stuart Bell (Linlithgow).
42pt Callum Morrison (Kilspindie) (bih), Myles Gillespie (Falkirk Tryst).
40pt Craig Hastie (Linlithgow) (bih), John Gibson (Carnwath).
39pt Christopher Bell (Falkirk Tryst) (bih), Ryan Boyle (Bathgate).
37pt Neil McGregor (Bridge of Allan) (bih) (Adam McNeil, Hilton Park, who also had 37pt failed to qualify on a card countback).
Girls
39pt Gillian Simpson (Midlothian Ladies).
38pt Emma Bisset (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies).
36pt Cara Easton (Midlothian Ladies).
35pt Jennifer Sinclair (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies).

MICHAEL STEWART (73) LEADING SCOT
Troon teenager Michael Stewart was the best placed Scot at the end of the first round of the McGregor Trophy English Under-16 boys’ open stroke-play championship at Worthing Golf Club, Sussex today.
Troon Welbeck member Michael had a round of 73 – five shots behind the leader, Liam Brace (Stoke-by-Nayland) on a day when the CSS was 74.
Paul Shields (Kirkhill) was next best of the Scots on 74.
The leading 45 players and ties at the end of the second round will play the final 36 holes of the 72-hole championship on Friday.
SCOREBOARD
68 Liam Brace (Stoke by Nayland).
70 Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton), Matt Johnson (Chipping Norton), Jonathan Davies (Neath).
71 Billy Downing (Truro).
Scots scores:
73 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck).
74 Paul Shields (Kirkhill).
75 Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly).
77 Kyle Smith (Barassie).
78 Mark Bookless (Sandyhills).
81 Frazer Ogston (St Andrews).
82 Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire).
85 Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo).
87 Sam McLaren (King James VI), Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle).
88 Scott Fraser (Northern).

QUALIFYING STROKE-PLAY ROUNDS INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT INTO MATCH-PLAY
The English Golf Union is to change the format of its English Amateur Championship from 2007. The move, which will introduce 36 holes of qualifying, will bring it in line with most other national championships including the British amateur championship.
It will be interesting to see if the Scottish Golf Union follows the lead of our neighbours across the Border.
There will be no change to this year’s English championship at Burnham and Berrow, which is straight match play from round one on Monday July 31. But from the 2007 event at Royal St George‘s in Kent, players will be required to play two rounds of qualifying with the leading 64 players and ties proceeding to the match play knockout stages.
The EGU is acutely aware of the circumstances of those players who have a job of work and who may take a whole week off for what could be just one competitive round of golf.
Explaining the reasons for the changes, Ray Saunders, Chairman of the EGU’s Championship Committee, says: “We have had the players at the forefront of our minds when deciding on these changes. In recent years there have been an increased number of withdrawals. When asked, those players have quoted the expense of taking time off work, the cost of accommodation, the uncertainty of how far they might progress in the competition and the travelling involved when the outcome could be an immediate exit after the first morning.”
Saunders added’ “The change to a qualifying stage will give them and the EGU an added advantage. The players would get two practice rounds and 36 holes qualifying and would therefore feel involved in the championship even if they fail to reach the match play stage, while we would be able to accommodate more players.”
Introducing a qualifying competition would enable the EGU to increase the field from the current 256 to 288 and may enable those players nearer the handicap limit of two to gain entry. Those players above scratch have failed to get into this year‘s event.
The two round qualifying requires the use of a second course and supporting Royal St George’s in 2007 will be Royal Cinque Ports at Deal which has graciously agreed to participate for the qualifying rounds.

MICHELE RETAINS TITLE AND SAMMY (14) WINS THE HANDICAP TITLE
Scotland junior girls team member Michele Thomson from Ellon will set off to the Netherlands on Saturday in confident mood for next week’s European Under-21 team championship.
Michele, 18, joined the select band of players who have won the North of Scotland women’s championship two years in a row at the mist-shrouded Montrose Links on Wednesday.
Miss Thomson had an excellent 4 and 2 win in the morning semi-finals against the leading qualifier, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), and followed that by beating Kerri Harper (Inverness) 4 and 3 in the final to retain the Gifford Trophy.
“I struck the ball well all week but what’s pleased me most is that I am putting probably better than I have ever done,” said Michele who has benefited from some putting tips from former professional footballer Colin Grant, a past captain of McDonald Ellon Golf Club.
Michele broke the back of her opponent’s resistance in the final by winning the sixth, seventh, eighth and 10th , holing from 15ft for birdies at the eighth and 10th.
Kerri birdied the 12th to cut the deficit to two holes but Michele virtually clinched her title victory with an eagle 3 (drive, five-iron, 8ft putt) at the 379yd, par-5 14th.
Discounting a double bogey at the ninth, Miss Thomson was four under par for the other holes.
Sammy Vass from Tain, who won’t be 15 years old until October and plays off eight, won the handicap championship with a 5 and 4 win over Janet Henderson (Royal Montrose) (handicap 11) in the final.
After the early holes were exchanged, Sammy won the fourth and never looked back. She went two up at the sixth and again two up at the eighth after Janet won the seventh.
Sammy took a grip on the destination of the Angus Salver when she won the 10th, 11th and 15th.
Details:
NORTH OF SCOTLAND WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Montrose Links
Scratch – Semi-finals – M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 4 and 2, K Harper (Inverness) bt A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 4 and 3. Final – Thomson bt Harper 4 and 3.
Handicap – Semi-finals – J Henderson (Royal Montrose) (11) bt M Johnstone (Northern) (8) at 21st, S Vass (Tain) (8) bt S Murray (Brechin) (4) 1 hole. Final – Vass bt Henderson 5 and 4.

GEORGE MURRAY TAKES OVER LEAD
George Murray’s joint fifth place finish in the Swallow Hotels East of Scotland Open at Lundin on Sunday has lifted him to the top of the Forrester Park Fife Order of Merit for the Mackay Bowl.
The former Scottish champion from Earlsferry Thistle has 425pt after 12 counting events – a lead of 55pt from Alex Main (Thornton).
The next counting events are the Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Cstle this week and the Fife stroke-play championship over The Duke’s Course, St Andrews on Sunday.
Latest points totals:
1 George Murray (Earlsferry Th) 425, 2 Alex Main (Thornton) 370, 3 David Imrie (Thornton) 355, 4 Euan Malcolm (Dunfermline) 310, 5 Stuart Meiklejohn (Aberdour) 285, 6 Stewart Elder (Kirkcaldy) 200, 7 Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) 180, 8 (equal) Alex Moir (Thornton), Greg Page (Balbirnie Park) 160, 10 Kevin Blyth (Kirkcaldy) 150.

GIRLS' RESULTS

Monday 3rd July 2006

TAYLOR v PHILLIPS FOR JAFFREY CUP
Reinstated amateur Glenn Taylor, a member at Meldrum House Golf Club, returned to the Newmachar club, where he was professional several years ago, to reach Tuesday night's final of the North-east District match-play championship for the Jaffrey Cup. It will tee off at 6pm.
Over the Hawkshill course, Taylor beat the cup-holder, Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), by 3 and 2 with two-under-par figures.
Taylor won the first with a par and the second with a birdie but promptly lost the third and fourth and had to birdie the fifth to regain the lead which he doubled with a winning par at the sixth. Another Taylor birdie put him three up at the eighth but Halliday birdied the ninth to be two down at the turn.
Taylor parred the 12th to go three up again but lost the 15th to a birdie before clinching a 3 and 2 victory with a win at the 16th.
Glenn’s opponent in the final will be Laurie Phillips (Cruden Bay) who beat Steve Wheeler (Bon Accord) by two holes in the other semi-final.
Wheeler had the edge for most of the way but could not build up a big enough lead to hold off his opponent’s stronger finish.
Phillips wiped out a one-hole deficit at the 16th and then won both the 17th and 18th, finishing in the grand style with a birdie at the last.
Lawrie was approximately two or three under par for the round.
Results:
Semi-finals – G Taylor (Meldrum House) bt M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 3 and 2, L Phillips (Cruden Bay) bt S Wheeler (Bon Accord) 2 holes.

Annika Sorenstam wins US Open
FROM THE USGA WEBSITE:
It took 90 holes of gritty golf, but Annika Sorenstam prevailed with her third US Women’s Open victory Monday at Newport Country Club, Rhode Island.
What the 37-year-old Pat Hurst could not do in the 18-hole playoff, Sorenstam did. That’s why Sorenstam won, shooting 1-under 70 to Hurst’s 3-over 74.
It was the 10th playoff in Women’s Open history, the last occurring at Pumpkin Ridge in 2003 when Hilary Lunke defeated Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford. Hurst fell to 0-4 in career playoffs, ironically losing to Sorenstam in three of them. Monday marked the most lopsided defeat in a Women’s Open playoff dating to 1956 when Kathy Cornelius beat amateur Barbara McIntire by seven strokes.
You can more details and see images on the USGA website: http://www.uswomensopen.com/

North of Scotland Women's Golf Championship
Title-holder Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), Aileen Hunter (Monifieth) and Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) all hit the Montrose Links' women's par mark of 73 to lead the qualifiers for the match-play stages of the North of Scotland women's golf championship today.
After a card countback, the top seed spot went to Katy, who plays on the American college circuit for Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida. Her brother Keir won the Swallow Hotels East of Scotland Open at Lundin links at the weekend.
Miss McNicoll had the best inward half of three-under-par 34 compared to Aileen's 36, Ann's 37 and Michele's 39.
Katy had a triple bogey 7 at the fourth but she cancelled that out with five birdies in all - at the fifth, sixth, 12th, 15th and 17th.
Aileen Hunter had even more birdies than Katy but she needed them to make up for a triple bogey 6 at the short 16th and a double bobey at the fifth.
Aileen's seven birdies came at the fourth, sixth, eighth, 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th.
Ann Ramsay reeled off nine straight pars on the outward half and then had birdies at the 11th, 13th and 14th to equalise her bogeys at the 10th, 12th and 16th.
Michele, who plays for Scotland alongwith another qualifier, Laura Murray (Alford), in next week's European Under-21 girls' team championship in the Netherlands, had the best outward half of two-under-par 34. She birdied the seventh, eighth, ninth and 13th and dropped shots at the second, 14th, 15th and 16th.
SCRATCH QUALIFIERS
73 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), A Hunter (Monifieth), A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), M Thomson (McDonald Ellon).
74 M Smith (Tain).
77 L Smith (Inchmarlo).
78 L Murray (Alford), C Wilson (Murcar Links), L Walker (Nairn Dunbar), P Wilson (Murcar Links).
79 F Neish (Murcar Links), M Summers (Panmure Barry), J Yellowlees (Murrayshall).
80 K Harper (Inverness), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth), D Butchart (Strathmore).
Draw: 8.30 McNicoll v Butchart, Murray v C Wilson, M Smith v Yellowlees, Summers v Thomson, Ramsay v Sneddon, Neish v L Smith, P Wilson v Walker, Harper v Hunter.
Handicap draw: 9.30 F Sinclair (Carnoustie Caledonia) (10) 72 v J Walker (Royal Montrose) (12) 79, J Griffiths (Comrie) (6) 76 v M Johnstone (Northern) (8) 76, A Alston (Royal Montrose) (10) 75 v D Pocock (Murcar Links) (4) 76, D McKinnon (McDonald Ellon) (9) 77 v J Henderson (Royal Montrose) (11) 74, S Vass (Tain) ((12) 74 v D Dewar (Monifieth) (4) 77, E Thomson (Aberdeen Ladies) (16) 76 v S McDonell (Inverness) (16) 75, Jillian Sneddon (Alyth) (7) 75 v A Bowman (McDonald Ellon) (7) 76, S Murray (Brechin) (4) 77 v S Tait (Newmachar) (15) 73.

The lady captain of Portpatrick Dunskey, Sadie Lightbody, presents the south Division trophy to
Galloway Captain Anne Wilson. (Photo courtesy: Jenny Pearson)

GALLOWAY WINS PLACE IN COUNTY FINALS
Galloway ended Borders' 12-year reign as South Division women's inter-county team golf champions at Portpatrick Golf Club today (Monday). Galloway won the title play-off 6 1/2- 2 1/2 to join Perth & Kinross, Renfrewshire and Fife in the four-cornered contest for the Scottish women's county championship finals at the Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream in September.
Galloway last won their way through to the national finals fourteen years ago.
They were well on their way to victory when they made a 3-0 clean sweep of the foursomes against Borders who included Scottish champion Martine Pow and Scottish Under-21 title-holder Louise Fleming in their line-up.
Galloway then clinched overall victory by taking the singles 3 1/2-2 1/2.
Details:
GALLOWAY 6 1/2, BORDERS 2 1/2
Foursomes: S McMurtrie & A Shamash bt M Pow & L Fleming 1 hole; T Milligan & G Monteith bt W Wells & J Birdsall 4 and 3; C Meldrum & G Robson bt K Inkpen & I Craigie 8 and 6 (3-0).
Singles: Shamash lost to Pow 6 and 5, McMurtrie bt L Douglas 6 and 5, Monteith lost to Fleming 5 and 3, Meldrum bt Wells 4 and 2, Milligan halved with Birdsall, Robson bt G Oliver 4 and 2 (3 1/2-2 1/2).

SCOTS HEAD TO ENGLISH BOYS U16 STROKE PLAY
Exciting young prospect Michael Stewart is among a group of Scottish golfers selected to travel to the McGregor Trophy this week (5 – 7 July).
The 16 year old from Troon Welbeck has impressed this year, winning two Junior Tour events to secure a place in the top three of the Scottish Junior Golf Ranking table.
Stewart will be joined at the McGregor Trophy by 2004 Scottish Boys U14 Champion Frazer Ogston (St Andrews). The 16 year old finished in the top five of the U16 Scottish Stroke Play last year, and will be looking for a repeat performance in the English equivalent this week.
England’s Adam Myers won the Championship last year at Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club with Scottish Boys Under 14 Champion Billy Downing (Truro) finishing as leading Scot in a tie for fourth, six shots behind the champion.
No Scottish player has won the championship in its 21-year history. Past winners of the event include European Tour stars Justin Rose (1995) and Graeme Storm (1994).
The tournament, which will be played this year at Worthing Golf Club, is a stroke play event. A field of 132 will play 72 holes over three days, with 18 holes being playing on each of the first two days. The leading 45 competitors and those tying for 45th place, will play a further two rounds to determine the Champion.
Full list of selected players is as follows:
Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)
Scott Fraser (Northern)
Sam McLaren (King James VI)
Frazer Ogston (St Andrews)
Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock (Barassie))
Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)

MACKIE BOWL CLOSING DATE 10 JULY 2006
This year's Mackie Bowl is being held on Sunday 30th July over GullaneNo.1. This 36 hole Open Meeting is a Paull & Williamson's ranking event on the SLGA calendar. Category 1 and 2 golfers may apply, places are still available. The closing date for entries is Monday 10th July. Entry forms (including more details on the Mackie Bowl) can be found and downloaded from the SLGA website.

St Andrews Links Golf academy opens
A new facility offering world class golf coaching and using cutting edge technology has opened in St Andrews.
St Andrews Links Golf Academy is a major addition to the facilities at the Home of Golf featuring four instruction studios equipped with some of the most advanced ball-tracking, digital analysis and ultrasound putting scan technology available.
The academy is part of an extension of the existing St Andrews Links Golf Practice Centre, which has seen the creation of an additional 14 covered bays, taking the total number of bays to 51, improved outdoor bays and upgraded lighting. The Golf Practice Centre originally opened in 1993.
A team of PGA Golf Management professionals led by director of instruction Steve North is already delivering coaching as part of a unique instruction programme covering all aspects of the game but with a particular focus on helping golfers to develop the skills needed to play successfully at St Andrews Links.
A state of the art custom fit centre is also based in the academy. Operated by Applied Golf Technology, the centre will provide an expert custom fitting, clubmaking and club repair service.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust said, “The academy is an excellent facility which I’m sure will benefit golfers from near and far. We believe it is one of the best facilities of its kind offering a range of state of the art technologies and coaching expertise. The academy is open to golfers of all abilities from beginners to professionals and adds a new dimension to the golfing experience in St Andrews.”
Steve North added, “We have brought together a team of PGA professionals who provide the highest quality of instruction. Our approach is very much based on building a relationship with our clients to enable us to give them advice and tips to suit their game. The technology enables us to deliver services such as eCoaching to clients around the world but it is the one-to-one advice we can offer which is most valuable.”
The golf academy comprises four large coaching bays equipped with plasma screens and computer displays. The bays are set up to use the Dartfish video analysis system which enables the instructor to film a golfer’s swing, analyse it on computer and then email swing tips to the golfer wherever he or she is in the world. The Trackman system which tracks the flight of a ball completely, measuring parameters such as height, speed, direction, spin rate and smash rate, is also available.
An ultrasound scanning system developed by Science & Motion can be used to scan up to 25 different parameters of golfers’ putting strokes to help them improve their performance on the greens. A specialised custom fit service provided by Applied Golf Technology uses equipment such as Trackman and the Nakashima Htec driver and shaft-fitting system which enables golfers to quickly test different driver shafts using a detachable clubhead.
A new website outlining the full range of services available at the academy has been launched. It can be found at www.standrewslinksgolfacademy.com.
For more information about the golf academy or to arrange a lesson or a club fit session contact 01334 474489.

EXEMPT PLACES INTO THE OPEN FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The three players who have gained exempt status into The Open Championship after completion of The Open de France are: -
F(7) - First 2 European Tour members and ties in a cumulative money list from the British Masters up to and including The Open de France and including the US Open.
John Bickerton (England)
Robert Karlsson (Sweden)
F(8) - The leading player in the first 10 and ties of The Open de France.
Marcus Fraser (Australia)

SCOTLAND CAP KIRTON HAS HIS GOLF CLUBS STOLEN
Teenager Lewis Kirton, a member of the Scotland squad for next week’s European boys’ team championship, is frantically trying to get a new set of clubs before the squad fly out to Sweden at the weekend.
His own clubs were stolen at the recent Scottish youths championship at Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh.
“I borrowed various clubs from a few people so that I could play in the East of Scotland Open at Lundin at the weekend – and I did manage to qualify for the last day,” said Kirton who holds the course records at his home club, Newmachar, and also Banchory.
“But it’s not the same. You like your own clubs. You know what you can do with them. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time for me. Obviously I want to do well for Scotland in Sweden next week.”
Lewis starts a four-year golf scholarship at the University of Louisville, Kentucky next month.

ELGA Press Release
Pauline Perla has resigned as Chief Executive of the English Ladies' Golf Association.
She first joined the ELGA staff in 1998 and has worked to transform the association to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
ELGA chairman Ros Weston said: "We are extremely saddened and disappointed that Pauline has decided to leave.
"She has overseen the biggest period of change and her contribution, both in driving forward the association and bringing English women's amateur golf to the fore, is immeasurable."
Pauline Perla said: "When I joined the ELGA staff in 1998 it was very much a one-man band and bore no resemblance to the ELGA of today.
"It has been hugely satisfying to have contributed to its growth and success. I congratulate all the people I have worked with who shared my passion to make the association a modern, forward-thinking organisation.
"After eight years I feel the time is right for a change. I leave knowing that I have built a strong platform on which ELGA can continue to flourish, a strong team of dedicated staff and an executive committee who are committed to its continued success."
Pauline will leave the association when a replacement has been appointed.

UP AND DOWN SCORING BY VIKKI EARNS HER $363
Vikki Laing earned $363 for a joint 35th place finish in the Horseshoe Casino Futures Tour Classic over the Lost Marsh golf course at Hammond, Indiana yesterday (Sunday).
The 25-year-old from Musselburgh had her usual pattern of scoring these days – one fair-to-middling, one poor and one quite good – 75, 79 and 73 for an 11-over-par total of 227 over the par-72, 6,245yd course.
It was her first appearance on the Futures Tour for several weeks.
Home-state American Ashley Prange won the $10,500 top prize with scores of 71, 71 and 72 for a two-under-par total of 214. She won by two shots from Lori Atsedes of New York State with 68, 76 and 71 for 215.
Two English players made the top 10. Samantha Head from Bedford earned $3,566 for finishing joint fourth on 218 with 69, 78 and 71.
Lisa Hall from Stoke on Trent tied for seventh place on 219 with 69, 78 and 72 to earn $2,166.

KATHLEEN AND FIONA NEW CAPS IN SCOTLAND VETS TEAM FOR FORMBY
Royal Montrose’s Kathleen Sutherland, winner of the recent North veteran women’s golf championship, and St Andrews hotelier Fiona De Vries (St Rule) are new caps in the Scotland team to compete in the Veteran Ladies Golfing Association inter-area championship at Formby Golf Club from August 1 to 3.
The full squad, under the captaincy of Pat Hutton, is:
Lorna Bennett (Midlands), Liz Campbell (Borders), Fiona De Vries (Midlands), Noreen Fenton (East), Kathleen Sutherland (Northern), Moira Thomson (East), Margaret Tough (Midlands), Pamela Williamson (East).
Reserve: Helen Faulds (West).
”It was not an easy task to select a team as there are lots of talented veteran lady golfers in Scotland. I think this is a blend of the very experienced, the experienced and some new faces,” said Pat.

FRASER FOTHERINGHAM WINS AT BOAT OF GARTEN
Nairn' Golf Club's Fraser Fotheringham won the North District boys' championship for the RPB Bain Trophy for the first time at Boat of Garten on Sunday.
After equalling the par of 70 in the first round to take a three-shot lead over Ian Allan (Hopeman), the Nairn junior added a second-round 72 for a five-shot win from Chris Gaitens (Fortrose& Rosemarkie). Gaittens scored 74 and 73.
In the under-16 age group section the winner was Stuart Goodman (Castle Heather) with rounds of 79 and 74. Stuart won on a countback over the final nine holes from John Fair (Fortrose & Rosemarkie)who had the same scores.
Results (CSS 69 69)
Scratch
142 F Fotheringham (Nairn) 70 72.
147 C Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 74 73.
151 M. Ross (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 79 72.
152 M Brand (Tain) 77 75, D. Ramsay (Elgin) 75 77.
153 L Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 76 77.
Handicap
P. Ramsay (Elgin) ( 10) 134; K. Smith (Tain) (10) 135; F. Brown (Nairn Dunbar) (15) 138.
Under -16
Scratch - 153 S. Goodman (Castle Heather) 79 74, J. Fair (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 79 74.
154 K. Godsman (Hopeman) 80 74.

Sunday 2nd July 2006

McNICOLL WINS EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN AFTER LIGHTNING SUSPENSION
Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll, third in the St Andrews Links Trophy, finally achieved his first-ever 72-hole victory and his biggest prize yet when he won the Swallow Hotels East of Scotland Open at Lundin Golf Club today.
Play was suspended for just over an hour in mid-afternoon when thunder, lightning and torrential rain raged over and down on the Fife links course.
It was touch and go during the hiatus whether the fourth and final round would be abandoned, which would have left long-time leader John Gallagher (Swanston) as the winner, seven days after his come-from-behind win in the Tennant Trophy.
But the threat of lightning disappeared - although the rain did not until late in the day - and out the players went to resume the fourth round.
McNicoll, 21-year-old son of a former Dunfermline footballer, seemed to benefit most from the bad weather hold-up. Keir had already birdied the third and fourth before being called in. When he resumed he birdied the ninth, 10th, 13th and 16th for a brilliant closing round of six-under-par 65 and a final total of of 16 under par 268.
He won in the end by a single shot from Walker Cup man Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) and Gallagher.
Saltman birdied the 13th, 16th and 17th in his final round but could get the last-hole birdie that would have put him into a play-off. He finished with a 67 for 269.
Gallagher, whose game "went flat" after the rain delay, birdied the 13th and 15th to leave him needing one more birdie to make it a play-off. But he couldn't get one ... not even from six or seven feet at the last.
SWALLOW HOTELS EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Lundin Golf Club, Fife.
FINAL TOTAL (Par 71) (CSS 71, 70, 70, 71)
268 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 72 64 67 65.
269 L Saltman (Craigielaw) 69 66 67 67, J Gallagher (Swanston) 66 64 69 70.
270 S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 66 68 69 67.
271 G Murray (Earlsferry Th) 70 71 64 66, I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle) 70 67 67 67, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 68 65 71 67.
273 M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 70 65 70 68.
274 S Mann (Carnoustie) 68 65 69 72.
275 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 70 68 70 67, S Borrowman (Dollar) 65 70 73 67.
276 S McEwan (Barassie) 70 71 66 69.
277 M Lamb (Haddington) 73 69 67 68, S Henry (Cardross) 71 70 66 70.
278 J McGhee (Gullane) 70 70 70 68, P O'Hara (Colville Park) 69 68 69 72, B Fotheringham (Forres) 65 69 69 75.
279 G Paterson (St Andrews New) 72 70 68 69, W Booth (Comrie) 72 70 70 67, L Kirton (Newmachar) 66 70 70 73.
280 R Kellett (Colville Park) 71 70 67 72, R Knox (Inverness) 69 69 72 70, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 68 69 70 73, C MacAulay (Tulliallan) 69 67 68 76.
281 J King (Glasgow) 72 68 72 69.
282 E Saltman (Craigielaw) 71 71 71 69, J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 72 67 71 72, T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 66 71 74 71.
284 R McKnight (Barassie) 69 71 69 75, S McAllister Craigelaw) 70 69 73 72, R Taylor (Downfield) 69 67 74 74.
285 P McLean (Peterhead) 69 73 69 74, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 72 70 71 72.
287 C Colraine (Windryhill) 67 75 70 75, James White (Lundin) 72 68 73 74.
289 R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 74 68 72 75.
290 J Byrne (Banchory) 69 71 80 70.
291 A Main (Thornton) 68 73 73 77, A Anderson (Bruntsfield Links) 73 67 72 79.
292 C Gray (West Kilbride) 71 70 79 72.
294 S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 73 69 72 80.
Retired - B Innes (Murcar Links) 68 70 71 - .

THE BELLS WERE RINGING AT PANMURE BARRY
The Bells were certainly ringing at Panmure Barry Golf Club today when Graeme Bell (Downfield) won the weather-curtailed Angus men's stroke-play golf championship with a round of five-under-par 66.
Graeme's son Ross, also a Downfield member, finished third on 69, the same score as runner-up Campbell Donaldson (Downfield) who has a better inward half.
Ross Bell did have the consolation of winning the Angus youths championship staged in conjunction with the main event.
George Findlay (Panmure Barry) was runner-up with a 73 and Craig Storrier (Downfield) third with a 76.
Thunder and lightning over the course forced the Angus officials to abandon the second round.

CRAIGIEHILL PIP PITLOCHRY
Craigiehill Golf Club pipped the host club for the Perth & Kinross men's team golf championship at Pitlochry Golf Club today .
Craigiehill totalled 132 with a four-under-par 65 from Malcolm Davidson and a 67 from Nicky Barr. Jonathan Anton had the non-counting 68 in the team of three.
Craigiehill scored 133 with a 65 from Steve Carruthers and a 68 from Duncan Cameron. Mike Wilson had the non-counting 71.

JENNA AND LOUISE TIE for 11th
Jenna Wilson from Strathaven and Pitreavie’s Louise Kenney tied in 11th place at the conclusion of the Danish international women’s amateur golf tournament at Silkeborg Golf Club today.
221 Sara Monberg (Denmark) 73 76 72
226 Mai Schødt (Denmark) 75 73 78 226
227 Trine Mortensen (Denmark) 71 79 77
229 Devan Andersen (Mexico) 74 80 75
232 Nina Bjork Geirsdottir (Iceland) 78 78 76, Anne Norman Hansen (Denmark) 76 80 76, Katharina Schulz (Germany) 78 75 79
233 Charlotte Lorentzen (Denmark) 77 80 76
236 Malene Jørgensen (Denmark) 78 77 81
238 Line Vedel Hansen (Denmark) 80 77 81
240 Louise Kenney (Scotland) 78 79 83, Jenna Wilson (Scotland) 74 81 85

BORDERS v GALLOWAY FOR SOUTH TITLE
Title-holders Borders beat Dumfries-shire 7-2 today (Sunday) to set up a Monday decider clash with Galloway who had beaten the same opponents 6-3 on Saturday in the South Division women's inter-county team golf championship at Portpatrick.
Scottish champion Martine Pow won the top singles for Borders, beating Diane MacDonald by 5 and 3.
Weekend details:
SUNDAY
BORDERS 7, DUMFRIES-SHIRE 2
Foursomes: M Pow & L Fleming bt D MacDonald & K Wells 3 and 2; J Birdsall & W Wells bt T Lilly & M Macgregor 6 and 4; G Oliver & I Craigie lost to F McGregor & L Kirkwood 2 and 1 (2-1).
Singles: Pow bt MacDonald 5 and 3, Fleming bt K Wells 3 and 2, L Douglas lost to Lilly 1 hole, Craigie bt M Macgregor 5 and 4, Birdsall bt Kirkwood 4 and 3, W Wells bt C Holden 4 and 2 (5-1).

MARTINA GILLEN WINS IRISH OPEN STROKE-PLAY
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) was the leading Scot in the Irish women’s open amateur golf championship won by Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) at County Sligo Golf Club today.
Anne finished joint fifth with rounds of 80, 77 and 75 for 232 – eight shots behind Miss Gillen.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) and Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) did well to finish joint seventh on 235 in a strong field.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), showing her best form of of the season, was a shot behind them and Sara Bishop (Windyhill) finished on 237.
Crieff teenager Roseanne Niven came 17th on 240
Ireland's Tara Delaney (Carlow), bidding to win the title an historic third time in a row, finished a creditable third on 228, one shot behind runner-up Deirdrie Smith (Co Louth).
224 Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) 75 80 69
227 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 75 76 76
228 Tara Delaney (Carlow) 77 74 77
230 Maura Morrin (The Curragh) 78 76 76
232 Anne Laing (SCO) 80 77 75
232 Sunny Park (AUS) 80 77 75
235 Danielle McVeigh (RCDL) 79 79 77
235 Krystle Caithness (SCO) 79 78 78
235 Emily Ogilvy (SCO) 80 80 75
235 Kate Combes (AUS) 76 78 81
236 Kylie Walker (SCO) 79 79 78
236 Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) 77 79 80
237 Sara Bishop (SCO) 82 79 76
238 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 82 81 75
238 Rebecca Wood (ENG) 81 79 78
238 Sinead Keane (The Curragh) 80 82 76
240 Roseanne Niven (SCO) 81 81 78
241 Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne) 82 85 74
242 Sarah Faller (Galway) 82 87 73
242 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 81 85 76
242 Jennifer Gannon (Co. Louth) 80 81 81
243 Claire Coughlan (Cork) 81 80 82
243 Marian Riordan (Tipperary) 81 82 80
244 Lisa Maguire (Castle Hume) 82 80 82
245 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 84 80 81
245 Catherine Tucker (Limerick) 86 83 76
245 Jacqueline Dittrich (GER) 84 83 78
246 Jody Fleming (AUS) 80 87 79
247 Lesley Hendry (SCO) 86 82 79
248 Darragh McGowan (B’Bofey&S’Orlar) 80 83 85
249 Elaine Cuthill (SCO) 88 84 77
249 Tara Watters (ENG) 83 85 81
250 Emma Fairnie (SCO) 85 86 79
251 Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 84 80
256 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 89 86 81
257 Kate O'Sullivan (SCO) 88 88 81
259 Ann Marie Dalton (Coollattin) 83 93 83
260 Noreen Granard (Heritage) 96 81 83
260 Fiona Carroll (Athenry) 86 85 89
260 Leona Maguire (Castle Hume) 87 82 91
262 Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) 97 86 79
262 Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) 90 82 90
265 Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) 89 89 87
266 Jenna Kinnear (Belvoir Park) 96 89 81
266 Sally-Anne Lenehan (Castle) 92 87 87
266 Shauna McVeigh (RCDL) 89 90 87
269 Orla Dunphy (Kilkenny) 91 86 92
269 Aisling Parker (Greenore) 87 97 85
271 Irene O'Donovan (Co.Sligo) 90 90 91
272 Krisztina Fodor (HUN) 92 86 94
274 Orla Barry (Galway) 95 86 93
285 Mary McNally (The Curragh) 90 93 102
288 Marie Sudway (Carton House) 96 98 94

CARA BEATS INVERGORDON COURSE RECORD BY EIGHT STROKES
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) is coming back into form ahead of the British Ladies Mid-Amateur Championship at Nairn this week after slashing eight shots from the Invergordon women's course record on Saturday.
Playing in the women's open event, the Strathpeffer based player won the scratch trophy by nine shots when her round of 67, five under par, rewrote the Invergordon record book. The CSS was 72. The previous best score over the Cromarty Firth couse was a 75.
Gruber's score card figures were;
out - 4 3 3 4 5 5 4 3 3 =34
in - 2 3 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 =33
Invergordon Results
Silver Division - Scratch; C. Gruber (Royal Dornoch 67. Handicap - V. Rhind (Invergordon) (16) 67; M. Johnston (Invergordon) (20) , A. MacDonald (Tarbat) (15) 68. J. Sharp (Invergordon) (14) 70; G. Anderson (Strathpeffer (11) 71.
Bronze Division Scratch - D. Mackay (Grantown On Spey) 95. Handicap R. Bethune (Royal Dornoch) (28) 70; W. Henry (Muir of Ord) (23) , I. MacDonald (Ullapool) (25) , C. Dick (Invergordon) (29) 73. A. Ross (Tain) (23) 76. Best Local scores. SIlver - W. Berry (19) 75. Bronze - K. Milliken (29) 79.

SWALLOW HOTELS EAST OF SCOTLAND MEN'S OPEN
Lundin Golf Club, Fife
COMPLETE THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 71 X 3 = 213
199 J Gallagher (Swanston) 69.
202 L Saltman (Craigielaw) 67, S Mann (Carnoustie) 69.
203 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 67, B Fotheringham (Forres) 69, S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 69.
204 I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle) 67, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 68, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 71.
205 G Murray (Earlsferry Th) 64, M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 70.
206 P O'Hara (Colville Park) 69, L Kirton (Newmachar) 70.
207 S Henry (Cardross) 66, S McEwan (Barassie) 66, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 70..
208 R Kellett (Colville Park) 67, C Watson (East Renfrewshre) 70, S Borrowman (Dollar) 73.
209 M Lamb (Haddington) 67, R McKnight (Barassie) 69, B Innes (Murcar Links) 71.
210 G Paterson (St Andrews) 68, J McGhee (Gullane) 70, S McAllister (Craigielaw) 71, J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 71, R Knox (Inverness) 72, R Taylor (Downfield) 74.
211 P McLean (Peterhead) 69, J Byrne (Banchory) 71, T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 74.
212 C Colraine (Windyhill) 70, W Booth (Comrie) 70, A Anderson (Bruntsfield Links) 72, J King (Glasgow) 72.
213 E Saltman (Craigielaw) 71, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 71, James White (Lundin) 73.
214 R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 72, S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 72, A Main (Thornton) 73.
220 C Gray (West Kilbride) 79.

VIKKI TRAILS BY 12 SHOTS AFTER 79
Vikki Laing’s comeback appearance on the United States Futures Tour has done little to boost her confidence. She has had rounds of 75 and 79 for a 10-over-par tally of 154 over a par-72, 6,245yd course in the Futures Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Club, Hammond in Indiana.
She was one of 83 players with totals of 157 and better who made the cut into Sunday’s final round. It is her first competitive outing on the No 2 women’s pro circuit in America for several weeks.
In her second round, the 25-year-old former Curtis Cup player from Musselburgh, whose professional career has never got off the ground, had bogeys at the first, second, fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth in 42 to the turn. She steadied up on the inward half with a birdie 2 at the short 14th and bogeys at the 11th and 18th for one-over 37 for the second nine.
American Ashley Prange leads the field by two shots on two-under 142 with a pair of 71s.
Samantha Head from Bedford ran up double bogeys at the fifth and short 11th in slumping to a second-round 78, nine shots worse than her first-day score. She is now joint seventh on 147. Also on that mark is Lisa Hall from Stoke on Trent. Lisa had the same scores of 69 and 78.
Non-qualifiers included Londoner Polly Willett on 160 (81-79) and Belfast’s Brenda McLarnon on 163 (81-82).

Jackie Sillars and Jill Foggo

Anna Telfer of D&A writes: Is this a first?
Sisters, Jill Foggo and Jackie Sillars (both formerly Adair) competed for the Milngavie Golf Club Championship. Their golf on the day was also outstanding. Jackie only missed 2 greens in regulation and was 1 over par when she lost. Jill started double bogey, bogey but then had 7 birdies in 9 holes - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 13th and was 3 under par!!So Jill retained her crown - and her 7th title in all. Jill is a current member of the D & A County team, and on this form, Jackie will be too very soon.

Saturday 1st July 2006

ANNE AND KRYSTLE IN TOP TEN BEHIND HAT-TRICK CHASING TARA DELANEY IN IRISH STROKE-PLAY
Tara Delaney, bidding to achieve an historic third win in a row in the Irish women's open amateur stroke-play championship, is tied for the lead with former Irish match-play champion Deirdrie Smith (Co Louth) after 36 holes of the tournament at County Sligo Golf Club.
Carlow Golf Club member Tara, one of the four Irish players in the GB&I team for the Curtis Cup match at the end of the month, had rounds of 77 and 74 for 151 - a total matched by Deirdrie with 75 and 76.
Miss Delaney's second-round 74 in a rising wind was a particularly fine effort when one looks at how everybody else's scores soared in the afternoon.
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) and 17-year-old Curtis Cup reserve Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) are the top Scots in joint seventh place on 157. Anne had an 80 and a 77, Krystle a 79 and a 78.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) provided further evidence that she is beginning to return to form with a pair of 79s for 158 and joint 10th position.
The tournament ends with a third round on Sunday.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Total Player Rnd 1 Rnd 2
151 Tara Delaney (Carlow) 77 74
151 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 75 76
154 Maura Morrin (The Curragh) 78 76
154 Kate Combes (AUS) 76 78
155 Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) 75 80
156 Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) 77 79
157 Sunny Park (AUS) 80 77
157 Anne Laing (SCO) 80 77
157 Krystle Caithness (SCO) 79 78
158 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies) 79 79
158 Kylie Walker (SCO) 79 79
160 Rebecca Wood (ENG) 81 79
160 Emily Ogilvy (SCO) 80 80
161 Sara Bishop (SCO) 82 79
161 Claire Coughlan (Cork) 81 80
161 Jennifer Gannon (Co. Louth) 80 81
162 Lisa Maguire (Castle Hume) 82 80
162 Roseanne Niven (SCO) 81 81
162 Sinead Keane (The Curragh) 80 82
163 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 82 81
163 Marian Riordan (Tipperary) 81 82
163 Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) 80 83
164 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 84 80
164 Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush) 81 83
165 Ann Geoghegan (Athlone) 85 80
166 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 81 85
167 Jacqueline Dittrich (GER) 84 83
167 Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne) 82 85
167 Jody Fleming (AUS) 80 87
168 Lesley Hendry (SCO) 86 82
168 Tara Watters (ENG) 83 85
169 Leona Maguire (Castle Hume) 87 82
169 Catherine Tucker (Limerick) 86 83
169 Sarah Faller (Galway) 82 87
171 Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 84
171 Fiona Carroll (Athenry) 86 85
171 Emma Fairnie (SCO) 85 86
172 Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) 90 82
172 Elaine Cuthill (SCO) 88 84
175 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 89 86
176 Kate O'Sullivan (SCO) 88 88
176 Ann Marie Dalton (Coollattin) 83 93
177 Noreen Granard (Heritage) 96 81
177 Orla Dunphy (Kilkenny) 91 86
178 Krisztina Fodor (HUN) 92 86
178 Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) 89 89
179 Sally-Anne Lenehan (Castle) 92 87
179 Shauna McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies) 89 90
179 Christine Armanasco (Enniscrone) 84 95
180 Irene O'Donovan (Co.Sligo) 90 90
181 Orla Barry (Galway) 95 86
183 Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) 97 86
183 Mary McNally (The Curragh) 90 93
184 Aisling Parker (Greenore) 87 97
185 Jenna Kinnear (Belvoir Park) 96 89
194 Marie Sudway (Carton House) 96 98
Sarah Carty (The Island) 94 Rtd
Sandra Atkinson (Woodbrook) 95 Rtd
Maura Rafferty (Co.Sligo) 111 Rtd
Gemma Webster (SCO) Rtd

Aberdeenshire Girls at Westhill

WESTHILL LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PAYS OFF FOR SAMANTHA LESLIE
Samantha Leslie, playing over her home course, had the best scratch score of 88 in the Aberdeenshire girls’ medal competition at Westhill Golf Club on Saturday.
Sarah Beattie (Hazlehead), playing off 19, had the best net score of 71 – two under the CSS of 73.
LEADING SCORES
Silver Division – Scratch – Samantha Leslie (Westhill) 88; Sarah Beattie (Hazlehead) 90; handicap – Sarah Beattie (Hazlehead) (19) 71; Samantha Leslie (Westhill) (11) 77; Nikki McAuley (Stonehaven) (12), Karen Murray (Alford) (17) 80; Claire Prouse (Hazlehead) (14) 84.
Bronze Division – Handicap – Kirsten Seam (Banchory) (26) 76; Louise McGillivray (Oldmeldrum) (24) 77; Caitlin Geddes (Northern) (27) 79; Kirsten MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (36) 86; Nicole Donald (Banchory) (36) 99.

John Gallagher leads East of Scotland Open
John Gallagher, winner of the Tennant Cup last weekend with a come-from-behind surge on the Sunday at Killermont, has a different victory plan for the Swallow Hotels East of Scotland Open amateur stroke-play championship at Lundin Golf Club this weekend.
Unorthox golfer John – he grips the club with his left hand below his right for all his shots - is three shots clear of a high-class field going into today’s (SUNDAY) final 36 holes over the Fife links.
On a day of low scoring, Gallagher, a member at the Swanston club near Edinburgh, hit the high spot with a 12-under-par tally of 66 and 64.
His nearest challengers on 133 are Scott Mann (Carnoustie), winner of the Craw’s Nest Tassie over his home links last year, and Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey).
Stewart has recently come home for the summer after a great 2005-2006 season for Jacksonville University, Florida on the American college circuit.
Both Mann and Stewart shot 68-65 in the opening rounds.
Defending champion Wallace Booth (Comrie) missed out on the festival of birdies and eagles. He scored 72 and 70 for level par 142 to be tied for 33rd place.
SWALLOW HOTELS EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN
Lundin Golf Club, Fife
Par 71
A total of 42 players with 36-hole totals of level par 142 or better qualified for Sunday’s final two rounds.
QUALIFIERS
130 J Gallagher (Swanston) 66 64.
133 S Mann (Carnoustie) 68 65, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 68 65.
134 B Fotheringham (Forres) 65 69, S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 66 68.
135 L Saltman (Craigielaw) 69 66, M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 70 65, S Borrowman (Dollar) 65 70.
136 L Kirton (Newmachar) 66 70, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 72 64, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 69 67, R Taylor (Downfield) 69 67.
137 P O’Hara (Colville Park) 69 68, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 68 69, I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle) 70 67, T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 66 71.
138 J Byrne (Banchory) 69 69, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 70 68, R Knox (Inverness) 69 69, B Innes (Murcar Links) 68 70.
139 S Mcallister (Craigielaw) 70 69, J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 72 67.
140 A Anderson (Bruntsfield Links) 73 67, J McGhee (Gullane) 70 70, R McKnight (Barassie) 69 71, J King (Glasgow) 72 68, James White (Lundin) 72 68.
141 C Gray (West Kilbride) 71 70, G Murray (Earlsferry Th) 70 71, S McEwan (Barassie) 70 71, S Henry (Cardross) 71 70, R Kellett (Colville Park) 71 70, A Main (Thornton) 68 73.
142 M Lamb (Haddington) 73 69, S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 73 69, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 72 70, C Colraine (Windyhill) 67 75, R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 74 68, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 72 70, W Booth (Comrie) 72 70, E Saltman (Craigielaw) 71 71, P McLean (Peterhead) 69 73.
MISSED CUT
143 G Dear (Murrayshall) 75 68, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 69 74, P Cormack (Inchmarlo) 71 72, G Yates (Hilton Park) 73 70, B Paterson (Tillicoultry) 76 67.
144 B Anderson (Cambuslang) 72 72, G Davidson (Southerness) 76 68, J Donaldson (Falkirk Tryst) 71 73, R Dixon (Barassie) 68 76, Jim White (Leven Th) 73 71, P Ritchardson (Eden) 75 69, N Cameron (King James VI) 76 68.
145 E McIntosh (Newmachar) 72 73, M Anderson (Leven Th) 73 72, C Kelly (Bellshill) 72 73.
146 C Heslip (Monifieth) 71 75, F White (Crieff) 77 69, B Soutar (Leven GS) 74 72.
147 J Mackay (Barassie) 74 73, S Michie (Thornton) 74 73, B St John (Hilton Park) 71 76.
148 A Laurence (Baberton) 76 72, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 77 71, K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 74 74, J Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway) 72 76, R Jamieson (US) 78 70.
149 E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 74 75, R Thornton (US) 72 77, G Turner (West Linton) 76 73.
150 G Crawford (Williamwood) 76 74, S Graham (Blairgowrie) 77 73.
154 C Haugh (Cathkin Braes) 79 75.
155 A Love (Dumbarton) 80 75.
156 R Leeds (Muckhart) 78 78.

PAT WILSON PIPS DAUGHTER CAROL FOR FIRST PLACE
Murcar’s Pat Wilson beat her daughter Carol into second place in the Newmachar Women’s Open tournament today. Pat, a member of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association executive, returned a score of 79 – six over par but only two over the CSS on a windy day.
Carol Wilson, also a Murcar member, was runner-up with an 82.
The field of 69 was the biggest in recent years for the annual event.
PRIZEWINNERS (Par 73, CSS 77).
SILVER DIVISION
Scratch – Pat Wilson (Murcar) 79; Carol Wilson (Murcar) 82; Kim Moggach (Hazlehead) 83 (better last 6 holes); Julie Henderson (Inverurie) 83.
Handicap – Mary Horn (Newmachar) (13) 74; Hayley Thomson (Newmachar) (14) 76; Mary Miller (Cruden Bay) (15) 77; R Malcolm (Bathgate) (16) 79.
BRONZE DIVISION
Handicap – Carol Harrison (Newmacahr) (24) 75; L Hall (Tarland) (22) 76; Jean Pritchard (Newmachar) 25) 81; K Joiner (Craibstone) (36) 83; Margaret Anderson (Newmachar) 29) 84.

JENNA AND LOUISE IN TOP TEN OVER TOUGH COURSE
Jenna Wilson from Strathaven and Pitreavie’s Louise Kenney were lying joint fifth and tied 10th respectively after 36 holes of the Danish international women’s amateur golf tournament at Silkeborg Golf Club today.
Over a very tough par-71 course, Jenna had rounds of 74 and 81 for a 13-over-par tally of 155 while Louise scored 78 and 79 for 157.
Mai Schodt (Denmark) leads on six-over 148 with one round to go.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 71
148 Mai Schodt (Den) 75 73.
149 Sara Monberg (Den) 73 76.
150 Trine Mortensen (Den) 71 79.
153 Katharina Schulz Ger) 78 75.
154 Devan Andersen (Mex) 74 80.
155 Jenna Wilson (Sco) 74 81, Malene Jorgensen (Den) 78 77.
Other score:
157 Louise Kenney (Sco) 78 79.

GALLOWAY WINNING START TO SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Galloway made a winning start to the three-day South Division women’s inter-county team championship with a 6-3 win over Dumfries-shire at Portpatrick Golf Club today (Saturday).
Galloway edged the foursomes 2-1 but forged clear by taking the singles 4-2 even though Diane MacDonald (Dumfries-shire) beat Addi Shamash 4 and 2 in the top singles tie.
GALLOWAY 6, DUMFRIES-SHIRE 3
Foursomes: S McMurtrie & G Robson lost to D MacDonald & K Wells 1 hole; T Milligan, G Monteith bt F McGregor & T Lilly 8 and 6; A Shamash & J Brydson bt M Macgregor & L Kirkwood 4 and 2 (2-1).
Singles: Shamash lost to MacDonald 4 and 2, McMurtrie halved with Wells, Monteigh bt Lilly 6 and 5, C Meldrum bt M Macgregor 6 and 4, Milligan bt Kirkwood 5 and 4, P Magill halved with C Holden (4-2).
Defending champions opening their campaign in the three-cornered contest by playing Dumfries-shire on Sunday.

ELGA Press Release
England's Danielle is runner-up in Russian championship
England's Danielle Montgomery, pictured right, birdied the last hole to share second place in the Russian Open Amateur Championship at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
The 21-year-old from Lambourne was six-over par for the 72-hole event, scoring 73, 74, 72, 75. She tied with Vittoria Valvassory and was five shots behind the winner, Maria Verchenova.
Danielle, who was a semi-finalist in the English championship, was born in Southampton but emigrated with her family to Australia when she was 11.
She took up golf at the age of 14 and has been ranked seventh in Australia where she is a member of the Western Australia State team. She is spending her second summer based in England, gaining experience of European amateur golf.
Rachel Bell, England's other representative in the tournament, finished seventh after returning a level par score in the final round. She shot 77, 78, 78, 72.
Rachel, 24, has recently graduated from the University of Southern California. The Ganton player won the Yorkshire championship last year and again this season and was first reserve for England's 2005 home international team.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

EGU Press Release
Seve Benson wins Russian Amateur for England
England players took the top two places at the Russian Open Amateur Championship which took place at the Le Meridian Moscow Country Club this week.
Seve Benson, who is based at the Wentworth club, won the event with a 7 under par score after four rounds. After sitting in fourth position at the end of round 1, he took the lead the following day and played consistently with scores of 70, 70 and 71 to finish one shot ahead of his team mate, Matthew Cryer.
Cryer, who was also acting as team manager, returned below par scores, 70, 68 and 71 on the final three days, to finish with a total of 282 for the four day tournament.
Luke Collins, from the Mendip Spring club in Somerset, finished in joint fourth place after leading the event through days 1 and 2. A wayward round of 77 on day 3 proved to be a set back and in spite of a 4 under par 68 on the final day he remained 4 shots behind the leader Benson.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

CATRIONA MATTHEW HAS A FIRST-ROUND 74
Catriona Matthew had a three-over-par 74 over a very tough course to be occupying joint 39th place at the end of the delayed first round in the US Women’s Open at Newport, Rhode Island.
Annika Sorenstam is joint leader with Pat Hurst, Se Ri Park and Jane Park on two-under 69.
Becky Morgan from Wales is sharing fifth place on 70 with a number of players included amateur Amanda Blumenhirst, a member of the US Curtis Cup team for the match against GB&I on July 29-30. Michele Wie also had a 70.
England’s Karen Stupples had a 78, one better than Laura Davies.
Mhairi McKay was back in a share of 136th place with an 80.

VIKKI JOINT 53RD AT END OF OPENING DAY IN FUTURES CLASSIC
Vikki Laing’s first-round 75 saw her finish the opening day in joint 53rd place in the Horseshoe Casino Futures Classic over the Lost Marsh golf course at Hammond, Indiana on Friday.
It was the Musselburgh player’s first competitive round for several weeks.
Lisa (Hackney) Hall from Stoke and Samantha Head from Bedford both finish on the three-under-par 69 mark to be sharing fourth place, one shot behind joint leaders Lori Atsedes (US), Katie Allison (US) and Korea’s Seul Ki Kim.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast and Londoner Polly Willett were well down the list in a share of 118th place on 81.