May 2005 Archive

Tuesday 31st May 2005

St Rule Trophy
Colin's photographs... he's not very pleased with them but they look OK to me!

Ayrshire v Renfrewshire Girls Match (thanks to June Kerr)
Despite giving a team total of 80 strokes to their opponents Renfrewshire, Ayrshire Girls finished with a creditable halved match at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Sunday. Members of the Ayrshire team were Morag MacPherson (Turnberry), Vicki Smith, Lynsey Weadon and Kathryn Rae (Barassie), Gillian Arnott and Linzi Allan (Kilbirnie), Sarah Hutton and Hannah Gaunt (Troon Bentinck).
In the top match Morag MacPherson was 5 over par, but lost out to Catherine Conejo-Watt by 5 & 3.
In the last match on the course Lynsey Weadon was dormie 2 down but played the final two holes beautifully to secure the vital half for her team. The afternoon stayed dry and although breezy there was lots of sunshine to add to the enjoyment of the day.

Futures Tour
Update on Heather Stirling and Linzi Morton
Former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion Heather Stirling from Bridge of Earn earned $206 for a joint 58th finish in the Northwest Indiana Futures Classic over 54 holes at New Innsbruck Country Club.
Florida-based Heather, who works as a caddie during the winter and spring, had rounds of 73, 72 and 77 for six-over-par 222 over the 6,196yd, par-72 course.
Heather is currently 102nd on the Futures Tour money list for 2005 with earnings of $430 from three tournaments.
Another past Scottish champion, Linzi Morton from Alloa failed to beat the 36-hole cut at New Innsbruck CC. Linzi had rounds of 79 and 76 for 155 – seven shots too many to get through to the final round.
Jo Clingan from Gloucester another to be eliminated with rounds of 81 and 79 for 160.
Nicole Castrale (California) beat Hye Jung Choice, one of the many Koreans now playing the Futures Tour, in a play-off for the first prize of $9,800 after they had tied on seven-under-par 209. Nicole shot 71, 66 and 72; Hye Jung 71, 71 and 67.

LGU Press Release
TROPICANA ESSENTIALS LADIES’ BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS FOR LITTLESTONE
When competitors set their sights on winning the Tropicana Essentials Ladies’ British Amateur Championship, being played at Littlestone Golf Club from 7 – 11 June, little will they appreciate the history and tradition behind the venue.
It was in 1894 that Littlestone hosted the second Ladies’ Amateur and Lady Margaret Scott won her second title in a repeat of her defeat, 12 months earlier, of Issette Pearson, the Honorary Secretary of the newly constituted Ladies’ Golf Union.
Not many more than 40 competitors played then but next month, 15 countries will be represented as players compete for women’s amateur golf’s most coveted trophy.
Last year at Gullane, Louise Stahle of Sweden defeated Anna Highgate in a Championship that was often disrupted by rain. However the location of Littlestone, on land reclaimed from the Romney Marsh almost guarantees that the microclimate experienced by that part of Kent will provide favourable conditions for an uninterrupted week’s play.
One of the bonuses of winning the Ladies’ Amateur, is being awarded an exempt place in the Weetabix Women’s British Open Championship, this year to be played at Royal Birkdale in July. Ms Stahle made the most of that exemption in 2004 when, at Sunningdale, she finished the leading amateur.
Ms Stahle is one of a strong continental entry and should she again win, she would join a small exclusive list of winners who have successfully defended their title. Mickey Walker was the most recent in 1971 – 1972.
To achieve that aim, Stahle will have to defeat players who this season have already tasted success. Included in that number are Irish international Martina Gillen, the winner of the Scottish Stroke Play at Troon, Felicity Johnson, 18, the Harbourne based winner of the English Championship at Burnham & Berrow, Henni Brockway from Yeovil, who won the recent West of England Stroke Play Championship and Sarah Jones, the Welsh Champion.
Although not a winner this year, Clare Queen, the 2004 British Ladies’ Stroke Play title holder has come close on several occasions, losing in the play-off for the Helen Holm and taking second place in Spain’s Sherry Cup.
Commenting in the high quality field for Littlestone, Susan Simpson, the LGU’s Championship Secretary said: "We are delighted to be revisiting this part of Kent, particularly since we have a first-time sponsor in Tropicana Essentials."
"Littlestone will present its own unique challenges to every competitor in the field and with the added input of Tropicana Essentials, we are looking forward to another highly successful week."
Col Charles Moorhouse, the secretary, said on behalf of Littlestone Golf Club; " We are delighted to be hosting the Championship which we have waited for the past 111 years to return. We are convinced that the course is in first-class condition and will provide every competitor with a fast-running yet fair test of true links golf."
Competitors play one round on each of the Tuesday and Wednesday and the top 64 players qualify for the match play stage starting on Thursday 9th June.

WGM Press Release
The Women Golfers’ Museum is delighted to have the opportunity to mount a small display of 1894 memorabilia in the Littlestone clubhouse during the 2005 British Ladies Open Amateur Championship (June 7-11). 
A description of the 1894 Championship, events leading up to it, and its importance in the history of the womens' game can be found here.

R&A Press Release
R&A FUNDING BOOSTS GOLF IN FOUR CONTINENTS
Golf events and development initiatives in countries ranging from Bhutan to Ecuador to Zambia are set to benefit from the latest series of grants and loans announced by The R&A. These include international amateur events in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
In announcing the latest awards, Duncan Weir, The R&A’s Director of Golf Development said: "The R&A is committed to promoting and developing golf both nationally and internationally through funding derived entirely from the annual surplus generated by The Open Championship. This aim will continue as we seek to encourage the expansion of the game throughout our sphere of governance."

• Arab Golf Federation: £10,000 towards the 2005 Pan Arab Championships being played in Egypt in December
• Bhutan Youth Golf Association: £3,000 annually towards junior coaching for three years
• Carnoustie Golf Links: £2,500 annually towards junior programme for three years
• Chilean Golf Federation: £12,000 annually towards junior development for two years
• Chinese Taipei Golf Association: £5,000 towards men’s international amateur team event involving Taipei, Japan and Korea
• Colombian Golf Federation: $5,000 US towards the 2005 South American Pre Junior Championships
• Czech Golf Federation: £25,000 towards the 2006 St Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophy matches
• Ecuador Golf Federation: £25,000 towards the 2005 Copa los Andes being played in Ecuador in November. This is the annual South American men’s and women’s international amateur team championship
• English Blind Golf Association: £2,000 towards 2005 training programme
• European Disabled Golf Association: £5,000 annually towards championships for three years
• European Golf Association: £18,000 towards the 2005 European Young Masters being played in Austria in July
• Israel Golf Federation: £3,000 annually towards junior programme for three years
• Ladies’ Golf Union: £25,000 towards research project into women’s golf
• Men’s Home Unions: £11,000 each towards participation in the 2005 Boys’ Home Internationals
• National Association of Public Golf Courses: £13,000 towards 2005 adult and junior championships
• Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Programme: £5,000 annually towards junior work for three years
• Rwanda Golf Union: £5,000 towards men’s international amateur team event involving Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
• St Andrews Links Trust: £1,000,000 loan towards course number 7, due to open in 2007
• Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils: £1,000 towards national championship
• Uganda Golf Union: £10,000 towards biennial All African men’s international amateur team event
• Zambia Ladies’ Golf Union: £25,000 towards biennial All African ladies’ international amateur team event

2005 TROON JUNIOR GOLF OPEN FOR THE TOM LEHMAN TROPHIES
This event is run by Golf South Ayrshire and takes place on 2nd August on Troon Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton. Boys and girls over the age of 8 and under 18 on 1st Jan 2005 are eligible to enter and you can pick up an Entry Form and Conditions of the Competition (both Word files) here.

Monday 30th May 2005

Surely something happened today????

Another photo of the winning line-up at the St Rule Trophy yesterday.
L to R: Felicity Johnson, winner of the under 18 Lawson trophy, Lisa Ball, holding the team salver and Naomi Edwards with the St Rule Trophy.
(Photo courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency)

Sunday 29th May 2005

Alma Robertson, Captain of the St Rule Club, and Jim White, Chairman of the St Andrews Links Trust, flank the England team who were the major trophy winners at St Andrews.
L to R: Felicity Johnson, winner of the under 18 Lawson trophy, Lisa Ball, holding the team salver and Naomi Edwards with the St Rule Trophy.
(Photos courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency)

EDWARDS WINS ST RULE TROPHY PLAY-OFF AT SECOND EXTRA HOLE
By Colin Farquharson
Naomi Edwards, pictured right, from Ganton, Yorkshire, won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews in the evening sunshine yesterday (Sunday) with an eagle 3 at the second extra hole of a sudden-death play-off against English champion Felicity Johnson (Harborne) and Ireland's Heather Nolan (Shannon).
The trio had tied on two-under-par 225 at the end of the 54-hole tournament which started with 18 holes over the New Course on Saturday and concluded with two rounds over the Old Course.
Anne Laing from Vale of Leven led through the first and second rounds but slipped back to fourth place with a closing 78 for 227.
"I got stuck in a bunker at the second and took three shots to get out. That cost me a double-bogey 7 and then I dropped more shots at the third and seventh to be out in 41," said Anne who lost her Scottish title the previous weekend after a two-year reign.
"It was just one of those rounds. I got a few birdies coming home but it wasn't enough."
Edwards, 21, who finished fifth in the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play at Troon at the end of April, catapulted herself into the play-off by returning a six-under-par 70 in her final round over the Old Course.
That matched the brilliant 70 returned by Carnoustie's 17-year-old Katy McNicoll earlier in the afternoon as the lowest score of the tournament.
Naomi got an eagle 2 at the ninth and then, after bogeying the 10th, birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th - then squeezed in an eagle 3 at the infamous Road Hole 17th, before finishing with yet another birdie.
Felicity Johnson needed a par at the last to win by one shot but her approach shot with a sand wedge spun back into the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green and she took three putts from there for a bogey 5 and a 74.
But at least Felicity, 18, retained the Lawson Trophy for the best Under-18 performance. Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) tied for 2nd place in this category as they finished a highly creditable joint fifth overall with Ireland's Maura Morrin.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) tied for eighth place with Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
England won the team event from Scotland.
collated scoreboard
ST RULE TROPHY - St Andrews.
First round (New Course); Second & Third rounds (Old Course)
FINAL TOTALS (CSS 75 77 75)
225 H Nolan (Shannon) 77 75 73, N Edwards (Ganton) 75 80 70, F Johnson (Harborne) 75 76 74 (Edwards won sudden-death play-off at second extra hole.)
227 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 72 77 78.
229 K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76 76, M Morrin (The Curragh) 75 77 77, C Booth (Auchterarder) 79 73 77.
230 F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 78 76, S Bishop (Windyhill) 76 78 76.
231 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 79 74 78, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 77 77, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 79 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 76 76 79.
232 D Smith (Co Louth) 78 79 75, K Walker (Stirling Univ) 76 78 78, S Keane (The Curragh) 78 77 77, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 74 79 79.
233 J Wilson (Strathaven) 80 78 75, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 80 76.
234 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 86 70.
235 M Dunne (Skerries) 79 80 76, R Niven (Crieff) 82 77 76.
236 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 82 76, T Mangan (Ennis) 81 78 77, T Dellaney (Carlow) 81 81 74.
237 J Ewart (Catterick) 79 83 75, J Nicolson (Wrexham) 75 85 77, P Lindberg (Sweden) 82 80 75.
238 L Brand (Ilkley) 79 78 81, E Moffat (St Regulus) 76 83 79.
239 L Ball (Matfen Hall) 78 84 77, S Garbutt (Ganton) 80 81 78.
240 O Briggs (Stirling Univ) 78 85 77.
241 G Webster (Hilton Park) 86 77 78, L Barton (Coventry) 77 80 84, T Nilsson (Sweden) 86 79 76, J Hardy (Canada) 84 80 77.
242 J Carthew (Ladybank) 80 81 81, R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 85 78.
244 C Howells (Moor Hall) 80 86 78, L Harvey (Richmond) 79 83 82, J McGuigan (Royston) 79 80 85.
245 G O'Leary (Cork) 81 82 82, K Marshall (Baberton) 84 83 78, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 84 84 77.
246 E Lyons (West Surrey) 85 83 78, D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 82 86 78.
248 H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 84 82 82, L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 90 79 79, A Lowe (Royal Birkdale) 76 90 82.
251 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon) 83 85 83, E Cuthill (Lanark) 84 85 82.
252 S Brodie (Delamere Forest) 83 88 81.
253 R Adams (Addington Court) 84 91 78.
254 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 86 90 78.
256 C Starkie (Silsden) 84 86 86.
No Return: D Anisimova (Russia) 92 84 NR
Withdrew: K Milne (Dunfermline) 85 -, S O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 -.
TEAM EVENT
450 England (F Johnson, N Edwards, L Ball).
460 Scotland (H MacRae, M Pow, L Kenney).
461 Ireland (M Gillen, T Mangan, D Smith).
478 Sweden (P Lindberg, T Nilsson).

Austrian Open
Clare Queen plays with the Pros.
Scottish star, Clare Queen of Drumpellier, gave up her place in the St Rule field to take up an invitation to play in the European tour's Austrian Open which finished today at Golfclub Fohrenwald-Wiener.
Federica Piovano from Italy snatched victory in the event from France’s Gwladys Nocera with a dramatic eagle putt at the final hole. Federica finished on 272 (16 under par).
Clare scored 73, 73 for two over 146 and made the cut on Friday night with a shot to spare, then added a third round 70 on Saturday to bring her up the leader board to level par and joint 34th place.
Unfortunately Clare had a nightmare outward half of 41 in her final round, and added another bogey to her score before two birdies in the closing holes brought her back to a more respectable 76 and a share of 55th place.
Leading Scores
272 Federica Piovano (ITA) 70 62 72 68
273 Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 70 65 68 70
277 Laura Davies (ENG) 67 68 71 71, Marta Prieto (ESP) 68 68 70 71
Other scores
284 Julie Forbes (SCO) 73 71 71 69
292 Clare Queen (Am) (SCO) 73 73 70 76
did not make cut
149 Dale Reid (SCO) 72 77, Lynn Kenny (SCO) 76 73
155 Elizabeth McKinnon (NZ) 81 74

Second Round report
ANNE LAING KEEPS LEAD BUT CARLY SHOOTS UP WITH 73
Twelve-year-old Carly Booth came rocketing into the St Rule Trophy reckoning at St Andrews with the lowest score of the second round - an excellent three-under-par 73.
Added to her Saturday score of 79 over the New Course, the Auchterarder prodigy's 36-hole tally of 152 put her in joint third place - three behind the leader, Anne Laing, with one round still to go over the Old Course.
But for a two-stroke penalty imposed on Saturday for her caddie-dad Wally standing directly behind her as she was driving, Carly would have been only one shot off the pace after two rounds.
In her second round, Carly was out in one under par 37 with birdies at the long fifth and ninth and a bogey at the sixth. She had an eagle 3 at the par-5 13th, dropped a shot at the 16th but birdied the so-tricky Road Hole 17th which is a par-5 from the LGU tee. Miss Booth played an excellent approach shot, giving
herself a chance of another eagle but she failed to hole her eight-foot putt and had to settle for a tap-in birdie 4.
Her figures were:
OUT: 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 3 3 - 37 (one under par).
IN: 4 3 4 3 5 4 5 4 4 - 36 (two under par)
Anne Laing held on to her overnight lead but her one-over-par 77 for 149 opened the door of opportunity for her rivals, the nearest of which is the new 18-year-old English champion Felicity Johnson (Harborne) who won the Under-18 Trophy in this year last year.Felicity had a 76 for 151.
The Irish are having a good tournament. They have Heather Nolan (Shannon) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh) sharing third place with Carly Booth and Martine Pow (Selkirk) on the 152 mark.
Heather has had rounds of 77 and 75; Maura 75 and 77. Martine Pow has chalked up a pair of 76s.
Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play winner at Troon a few weeks back, former Irish champion Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) is lying joint seventh on 153 with 16-year-old Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), playing over her home course, and Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), who has been selected for the Scotland squad of six for the European women's amateur team championship in Sweden in early July.
Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) and Katrina Milne (Dunfermline) withdrew before the start of the second round.
SECOND ROUND SCORES
AND 36-HOLE TOTALS (CSS 75 77)
(1st round New Course Sat; 2nd round Old Course Sat)
149 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 72 77.
151 F Johnson (Harborne) 75 76.
152 H Nolan (Shannon) 77 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 76 76, M Morrin (The Curragh) 75 77, C Booth (Auchterarder) 79 73.
153 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 79 74, K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 74 79.
154 K Walker (Stirling Univ) 76 78, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 77, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 78, S Bishop (Windyhill) 76 78.
155 S Keane (The Curragh) 78 77, N Edwards (GBanton) 75 80.
156 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 79.
157 L Brand (Ilkley) 79 78, D Smith (Co Louth) 78 79, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 80, L Barton (Coventry) 77 80.
158 J Wilson (Strathaven) 80 78.
159 M Dunne (Skerries) 79 80, R Niven (Crieff) 82 77, E Moffat (St Regulus) 76 83, T Mangan (Ennis) 81 78, J McGuigan (Royston) 79 80.
160 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 82, J Nicolson (Wrexham) 75 85.
161 J Ewart (Catterick) 79 82, J Carthew (Ladybank) 80 81, S Garbutt (Ganton) 80 81.
162 L Harvey (Richmond) 79 83, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 78 84, T Delaney (Carlow) 81 81, P Lindberg (Sweden) 82 80.
163 G O'Leary (Cork) 81 82, G Webster (Hilton Park) 86 77, O Briggs (Stirling Unv) 78 85.
164 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 86, R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 85, J Hardy (Canada) 84 80.
165 T Nilsson (Sweden) 86 79
166 C Howells (Moor Hall) 80 86, H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 84 82, A Lowe (Royal Birkdale) 76 90.
167 K Marshall (Baberton) 84 83, E Cuthill (Lanark) 84 83.
168 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon) 83 85, E Lyons (West Surrey) 85 83, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 84 84, D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 82 86, S Brodie (Delamere Forest) 83 85.
169 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 90 79.
170 C Starkie (Silsden) 84 86.
175 R Adams (Addington Court) 84 91.
176 D Anisimova (Russia) 92 84, A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 86 90.
177 L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 88 89.
Withdrew: S O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 - , K Milne (Dunfermline) 85 -.

Saturday 28th May 2005

St Rule Trophy
ANNE LAING BOUNCES BACK TO LEAD IN ST RULE TROPHY AT ST ANDREWS
Seven days after her two-year reign as Scottish women's amateur golf champion was ended in the 2005 final at Cruden Bay, Curtis Cup player Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) rebounded back from that disappointment to open up a two-stroke lead at the end of the first round of the St Rule Trophy 54-hole women's tournament in almost wintry conditions at St Andrews.
Anne, 30-year-old lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar, gave the good-class field a lesson in how to play the New Course in three-under-par 72 in wet, cold and increasingly windy weather.
"That's more like it! I birdied five of the par-5s from the sixth but dropped a couple of shots late on - at the 14th and 17th or else I would have had a really good score," said Anne who played to her +3 handicap.
Miss Laing's birdies came at the sixth, 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th in halves of 36 (one under) and 36 (two under).
Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), another member of the Scotland squad for the European women's team championship in Sweden in early July, was clubhouse leader with a 74 until Anne Laing completed her round.
Heather, 21, just back from the end of her second year at San Diego State University in California, shot a one-under-par 74 over the New Course in wet, cool conditions.
"I played the front nine really solid to be out in level par 37," said Heather, "but I wasn't quite so straight down the middle after the turn, even though I came home in one-under 37."
Miss MacRae birdied the long sixth and the long 16th, both with pitch-and-putt 4s. She dropped her only stroke of the round by bunkering her tee shot at the front left of the green at the short fifth.
"I holed a couple of good putts to save par on the inward half - a 10-footer at the 13th and a 15-footer at the 17th."
Heather, who had already used up three of the maximum four years permitted for any player on the American college circuit, opted out of playing competitively during the 2004-2005 season so that she could use the last year of her eligibility to play the circuit on the 2005-2006 season.
Miss MacRae, a member of the LGU elite squad, has her sights set on winning a place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 2006 Curtis Cup match in the United States.
Welsh player Jo Nicolson, last year's British women's mid-amateur champion from Wrexham, had a 75.
Jo, bogeyed the second and third, but later birdied four of the par-5s in halves of 38 and 37.
Later Jo was joined on the 75 mark by the new English champion, 18-year-old Felicity Johnson (Harbone), who won the Under-18 Lawson Trophy in the St Rule Trophy last year, Naomi Edwards (Ganton) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh).
Naomi did very well to match the par, considering she ran up a triple bogey 8 at the eighth and dropped another at the next hole when she was still "shell shocked." Miss Edwards put her second into a bunker and took three shots to get out of the sand at the eighth. She felt a lot better when she holed a 40ft putt
up the slop for a 3 at the 15th, her fourth birdie of the round.
Felicity Johnson had a double-bogey 6 on her card, taking two shots to get out of a bunker at the second. She birdied the first, sixth, eighth and 18th but dropped shots at the 13th and 14th.
Maura Morrin was four over par after six holes, running up a double-bogey 6 at the second, where she was bunkered and then three-putted, and bogeys at the fifth and sixth. Highlight of her recovery, which saw her birdie the eigthth, 13th, 15th and 16th wasn and eagle 3 at the 427yd 10th, where she holed from
15ft after a drive and four-wood second.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) had a 76 (39-37).Carly Booth, at 12 years of age the youngest competitor in the field, had a 79 which included a two-stroke penalty for her caddie-father Wally standing directly behind her as she played a shot.
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), the Irish winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play title at Troon a few backs ago, lost a ball at the 18th and ran up a 7 for a 79.
Henni Brockway (Yeovil), teenage winner of the recent Welsh open stroke-play championship, was among the withdrawals since the publication of the draw.
ST RULE TROPHY - New Course, St Andrews
First round (Par 75 CSS 75)
72 A Laing (Vale of Leven).
74 H MacRae (Dunblane New).
75 J Nicolson (Wrexham), F Johnson (Harborne), N Edwards (Ganton), M Morrin (The Curragh).
76 A Lowe (Royal Birkdale), S Bishop (Windyhill), F Lockhart (St Regulus), K Walker (Buchanan Castle), M Pow (Selkirk), E Moffat (St Regulus).
77 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), L Barton (Coventry), K Caithness (St Regulus), H Nolan (Shannon), L Kenney (Pitreavie), C Hargan (Mortonhall).
78 L Ball (Matfen Hall), D Smith (Co Louth), S Keane (The Curragh), K McNicoll (Carnoustie), M Riordan (Tipperary), O Briggs (Stirling Univ).
79 L Harvey (Richmond), R Lomas (Hallowes), C Booth (Auchterarder), M Dunne (Skerries), J McGuigan (Royston), L Brand (Ilkley), Martina Gillen (Selkirk), J Ewart (Catterick).
80 J Carthew (Ladybank), S Garbutt (Ganton), C Howells (Moor Hall), J Wilson (Strathaven).
81 T Mangan (Ennis), G O'Leary (Cork), T Delaney (Carlow).
82 R Niven (Crieff), P Lindberg (Sweden), D Dewar (Stirling Univ).
83 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon), S Brodie (Delamere Forest).
84 E Cuthill (Lanark), R Adams (Addington Court), H Aitchison (Bedfordshire), K Marshall (Baberton), S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), C Starkie (Silsden), J Hardy (Canada).
85 E Lyons (West Surrey), K Milne (Dunfermline)
86 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), T Nilsson (Sweden), G Webster (Hilton Park).
87 S O'Sullivan (Galway).
88 L Fraser (Kingsknowe).
90 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
92 D Anismova (Russia).
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
150 Scotland (H MacRae, M Pow, L Kenney), England (F Johnson, N Edwards, L Ball).
157 Ireland (M Gillen, T Mangan, D Smith)
168 Sweden (P Lindberg, T Nilsson).

County Golf
The Lanarkshire County Team to play in the West Jamboree at Lanark from 27 to 29 June is as follows:
Elaine Cuthill (Lanark)
May Hughes (Lanark)
Lesley Lloyd (Hayston)
Clare Queen (Drumpellier)
Ruth Rankine (Lanark)
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven)
Susan Wood (Drumpellier)
Alexandra Young (Torrance House)

Scottish Hickory Championships
Gullane No3 - Friday 27th May 2005
Americans clean up
Americans took just about all the prizes in the Scottish Hickory Championships held over Gullane No 3 yesterday.
Mark Wehring, a young 5 handicap player from Houston, Texas, had a net 69 and won the Championship by two strokes from Roger Hill of Grand Rapids Michigan. Bill Farmer of Dallas, Texas was in third place on net 72.
The scratch award was won by Randy Jensen, a pro from Omaha, Nebraska, with a 72. Neil Hutchinson from Middlesbrough a past winner of the Scottish Hickories, took second place with a scratch 79 on the better inward half from Chuck McMullin from Williamsburg, Virginia.
Gillian Kirkwood from Gullane won the Ladies prize with a net 77.
Picture right shows Mark Wehring being presented with his prize by Jean Jackson, wife of the British Golf Collectors' Society Captain, Alan Jackson.
Results
Scottish Hickory Championship
1. Mark Wehring 74-5 net 69
2. Roger Hill 81-10 net 71
3. Bill Farmer 77-5 net 72
Scratch
1. Randy Jensen 72
2. Neil Hutchinson 79 bih
3. Chuck McMullin 79
Ladies
1. Gillian Kirkwood 89-12= net 77

PRESS RELEASE FROM NGA HOOTERS TOUR, UNITED STATES
NGA HOOTERS TOUR TO START LADIES SERIES
12 Events from September 2005-February 2006
The National Golf Association's Hooters Professional Golf Tour, presented by Hooters Restaurants and Naturally Fresh Foods, announces plans to start a professional Ladies mini-tour in Florida, beginning in September 2005 and running through February 2006.
"We've been exploring the idea of operating a Ladies Tour for some time now," said NGA/Hooters Tour President Robin L. Waters. "We’re just continuing our goal of being involved in every aspect of competitive golf.”
The NGA/Hooters Ladies Series will run twelve 54-hole events with a guaranteed 85% pay out of member's entry fees to the top 33% of the fields.
The Ladies Series will only accept the first 120 applications for membership.
Scott Walker, the Winter Series and West Coast Series Director, will oversee The NGA Hooters Ladies Series.
The NGA/Hooters Tour is the third largest men’s 72-hole professional golf tour in the United States behind the PGA and Nationwide Tours.
For more information about the The Hooters Ladies Series call the tour office at (001) 843-281-TOUR (8687).

West of Scotland Girls Medal
The second medal in the West of Scotland Girls calendar was played at Paisley Bushes on Sunday 22nd May. 
SS  74       CSS   73
1st Silver:  Eilidh Briggs (18) 71
2nd Silver:  Kerrie Differ (14)  71
1st Bronze:  Kirsten Scott (22) 71
2nd Bronze:  Rachael McQueen (28) 76
Scratch:  Kerrie Differ (85)
 

Friday 27th May 2005

IRISH NEWS
ENNIS AND CO. LOUTH THROUGH TO SUZUKI SENIOR CUP FINALS
Ennis, winners of the Southern District regional competition, and Co. Louth (Eastern District winners) have qualfified for the Suzuki Senior Cup championship at at Woodstock Golf Club, Co Clare in September.
They will be joined by the winners of the Northern District (next week) and Midland and Western (both to be held in early July.
Ennis toppled multi-winners Killarney 4-1 in the semi-finals before beating Shannon 4 ½ - ½ to win the Southern District title at Lahinch.
The Ennis team comprised Tricia Mangan, Maura McNicholas, Pamela Murphy, Valerie Hassett and Sarah Cunningham.
Details:
SUZUKI SENIOR CUP – SOUTHERN DISTRICT
FIRST ROUND
Shannon 4, Clonmel 1.
Tipperary 3½, Bandon 1½.
Mallow 3½, Cork 1½.
Nenagh 4½, Castletroy ½.
Ennis 4, Dungarvan 1.
Douglas 4, Limerick 1.
QUARTER-FINALS
Shannon 3½, Muskerry 1 ½.
Tipperary 4, Mallow 1.
Ennis 4, Nenagh 1.
Killarney 3, Douglas 2.
SEMI-FINALS
Shannon 3½, Tipperary 1½.
Ennis 4, Killarney 1.
FINAL
Ennis 4 ½, Shannon ½.

Student Golf
SCOTT JAMIESON CHOSEN FOR PALMER CUP MATCH v USA
Scotland international team player Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes & Augusta State University) has been chosen for the first time to play for Europe against the United States in the annual Palmer Cup match between players from American colleges.
Jamieson, a former Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion, has returned to his best form on the American college circuit during the 2004-2005 season.
The ninth match in the Palmer Cup series will be held over the Pete Dye-designed 7,201yd, par-72 Irish Course at Whistling Straits Golf Club at Kohler, Wisconson on the exposed shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Other Brits in the Europe team are Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies and Englishmen David Skinns and Steve Tiley.
Welshman David Llewellyn is the assistant coach under Magnus Grankvist from Sweden.
Europe trail 3-4 with one match drawn but have won the last two Palmer Cup contests, their most recent winning being at Ballybunion in Ireland.
Teams:
EUROPE
Alejandro Canizares (Arizona State & Spain).
Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State& Wales).
Kalle Edberg (Augusta State & Sweden).
Scott Jamieson (Augusta State & Scotland).
Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State & Spain).
Alex Noren (Oklahoma State & Sweden)
David Skinns (Tennesee & England).
Steve Tilley (Georgia State & England).
UNITED STATES
Ryan Blaum (Duke).
Roberto Castro (Georgia Tech).
Matt Every (Florida).
John Holmes (Kentucky).
Spencer Levin (New Mexico).
Jeff Overton (Indiana).
Michael Putnam (Pepperdine).
Matthew Rosenfeld (Texas).

SCOTLAND’S BRIGHT YOUNG STARS IN ACTION IN SCHOOLGIRLS’ EVENT
Most of the bright young prospects in the country will be in actionin The Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish schoolgirls championship, to be blayed over the Torrance and Devlin courses at St Andrews Bay on Monday, June 13.
There will be a new champion because all of the previous title-winners are too old to compete.
Among the favourites will be Krystle Caithness, Scottish Under-16 girls’ open champion for the past two years, Sally Watson, who was second leading qualifier and reached the final of the Scottish women’s amateur championship at Cruden Bay on her debut, and women’s champions of their respective counties, Carly Booth (Perth & Kinross), Kelsey MacDonald (Northern Counties) and Emma Fairnie (Borders).
Order of play in the 36-hole tournament:
++ Torrance course times first; Devlin course times second.
7.20 & 12.20 Megan Barbour (E Lothian), Gillian Monteith (D&G), Susan Jackson(Fife).
7.30 & 12.30 Isla Craigie (Borders),Vicki Smith (S Ayrshire), Arlene McGarty(W Lothian).
7.40 & 12.40 Robyn McCulloch (D&G), Annabel Niven (P&K), Sammy Vass (Highland).
7.50 & 12.50 Camilla Tait (Fife), Laura Falconer (Angus), Lauren MacCallum (N Aberdeenshire).
8.0 & 1.0 Sarah Watters (Fife), Ashley Smith (Dundee), Kirsty Moss (Angus).
8.10 & 1.10 Fiona Blair (Angus), Mhairi Johnstone (Aberdeen City), Louise McGregor (Falkirk).
9.50 & 2.50 Kerrie Differ (N Lanarkshire), Beth Mackay (E Lothian), Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen City).
10.0 & 3.0 Andrea Bowie (Angus), Jill Meldrum (E Dunbarton), Samantha Leslie (S Aberdeenshire).
10.10 & 3.10 Cara Easton(Edinburgh), Lisa Byrne (Argyll & Bute), Nicola McAuley (S Aberdeenshire).
10.20 & 3.20 Eilidh Briggs(Renfrewshire), Karis McGhee (S Ayrshire), Jennifer Jones (N Aberdeenshire).
10.30 & 3.30 Jillian Pryde (Angus), Marsha Hull (S Lanarkshire), Laura Forgie (Glasgow).
10.40 & 3.40 Fiona Stewart (Angus), Ruth Cordiner (Glasgow), Zoe Differ (N Lanarkshire).
10.50 & 3.50 Karen Brodie (E Dunbarton), Hayley Thomson (N Aberdeenshire).
12.20 & 7.20 Krystle Caithness(Fife), Sally Watson (Edinburgh), Kelsey MacDonald (Highland).
12.30 & 7.30 Carly Booth (Perth & Kinross), Amanda Edwards (Edinburgh), Michele Thomson (N Aberdeenshire).
12.40 & 7.40 Roseanne Niven (Edinburgh), Laura Murray (S Aberdeenshire), Pamela Pretswell (S Lanarkshire).
12.50 & 7.50 Jane Turner (Edinburgh), Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire), Rachael Livingstone (E Lothian).
1.0 & 8.0 Rebecca Wilson(Angus), Emma Fairnie (Edinburgh), Ashton Ingram (Highland).
1.10 & 8.10 Rebecca Watson (Edinburgh), Hannah Harvey (Fife), Debbie Neilson (Glasgow).

ST RULE TROPHY'S QUALITY FIELD AT ST ANDREWS THIS WEEKEND
From COLIN FARQUHARSON
Sweden's Louise Stahle is not back in St Andrews this weekend to defend St Rule Trophy she won the week before she lifted the British women's amateur championship at Gullane last year.
Perhaps it is an omen for Louise's future prospects  - she is turning pro in July after the European Team Championships - that compatriot Annika Sorenstam did not return either after winning the "St Rule" in 1990!
But it is still a quality field of 60 players for what has become, over the past 21 years, one of the leading women's amateur stroke-play tournaments in Great Britain & Ireland.
Last year, the tournament was cut to 36 holes because the St Rule Trophy organisers did not feel it was fair to ask the field to play three competitive rounds immediately before the "British."
So it's back to one round over the New Course today (Saturday) and two rounds over the Old Course tomorrow (Sunday).
The field includes the winners of four of the top women's amateur events played over the past month - Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), the new Scottish champion, Felicity Johnson (Harborne), the new  English champion, Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play championship, and Henni Brockway (Yeovil), winner of the Welsh open stroke-play title.
Miss Johnson won the Lawson Trophy for the best performance by an Under-21 in St Rule Trophy tournament last year when she finished joint seventh (with Martina Gillen).
Fiona Lockhart, playing over home courses, came 13th 12 months ago.
Add in the names of British stroke-play title-holder Clare Queen (Drumpellier), Irish open stroke-play champion Tara Delaney (Carlow), Irish champion Deirdre Smith (Co Louth), Curtis Cup Scot Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play champion for the past two years, and you begin to get the feel of the strength of depth of talent in this tournament.
There will be much interest also in the performances of 12-year-old Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and 13-year-old Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), both two-handicappers and both tremendous prospects.
Carly missed the recent Scottish championship at Cruden Bay where Sally, on her debut, played very well to be the second leading qualifier and then go all the way through to become the youngest-ever semi-finalist before losing to defending champion Anne Laing.
Ireland have sent over one of their biggest representations  - 11 players - since the tournament began in 1984 and was won by US Curtis Cup player Penny Hamill.
Six of the eight who retained the women's home international title for Ireland at Royal Porthcawl last September will be in action at St Andrews.
One obvious omission from the Emerald Isle "army" is Curtis Cup player Clare Coughlan (Cork) who was unavailable to travel to Scotland.
The only Irish player to win the "St Rule" was Alison Coffey in 2001; Heather Stirling (2002) was the most recent Scot to win while England has not provided the winner since Kim Rostron in 1997.

Scottish County Golf
The Renfrewshire team for the forthcoming West Jamboree at Lanark GC Monday 27th - Wednesday 29th June is:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Clare - Marie Carlton (Fereneze)
Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle)
Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston)
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)
Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle)
Kate O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle)
Julie Wilson (Williamwood)

JORDAN FINDLAY TO JOIN GB&I "COLONY" AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE
British boys champion Jordan Findlay, pictured right, from Fraserburgh has become East Tennessee State University's latest golf recruit from Great Britain & Ireland.
Findlay, who is 17, will start his four-year course at the university in Johnson City, Tennessee in August.
Although Welshman Cennydd Mills is in his senior term and will not be there when Jordan arrives, he will be joining another former British boys champion, Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies from Bridgend, Wales, Ireland's Noel Kavanagh and Cian McNamara and Ulstereman Gareth Shaw.
Davies is not coming home for the British men's amateur championship at Royal Birkdale next week. Instead he is accepting the chance to play as an individual in the NCAA Division 1 men's championship.
Davies has been an outstanding success on the American college circuit, winning several tournaments and enjoying a high ranking.
Findlay will undoubtedly have been influenced by Davies' experience and the fact that he will be joining others "from back home" when he gets to Tennessee.
"Three years ago, East Tennessee State University spent $10 million on a new golf development. The course starts at the end of August and I'm really looking forward to it. I will be there for four years and it will really help bring on my game. The facilities are brilliant," said Findlay.

Hickory Golf
The Fourth Hickory Grail
In an exciting finish, worthy of any Ryder Cup, Europe and the USA tied at 9 points apiece in the 4th Hickory Grail match at Kilspindie yesterday and consequently Europe retained the trophy that they narrowly won in St Andrews, Hastings on Hudson, New York, USA two years ago.
Europe went into lunch 4 games to 2 down, and the first few singles matches were evenly shared, with three exciting last green victories by William Tanner, Scott Patrick and Nigel Notley. The latter holed from off the green in secure his victory. Claes Kvist from Sweden and Chris Homer had comfortable wins, followed by another John Sherwood point for the Europe on the 17th.
Needing only one point to ensure that the Grail cup remained in Europe, the next two games were lost, but Bob Strachan, the professional at Duff House Royal, came through with a 2/ 1 victory over Bill Farmer.
Trey Holland, Brian Siplo, Wayne Aaron and Mark Wehring were unbeaten on the USA side.
Nigel Notley and Scott Patrick were the only two-time winners for Europe.
Foursomes (European Names First) Europe 2 USA 4
Alan Jackson and Nigel Notley beat Winfield Padgett and Rob Ahlschwede 2/1
Peter Heath and Bob Strachan lost to Brian Siplo and Wayne Aaron 2/1
John Sherwood and John Still lost to Bill Farmer and Mark Wehring 2/1
Philip Truett and Scott Patrick beat Roger Hill and Chuck McMullin 4/3
Hamish Ewan and Tony Norcott lost to Ralph Livingston and Randy Jensen 6/4
John Mullock and John Hanna lost to John Miller and Trey Holland 1 up
Singles (European Names First) Europe 7 USA 5
Bill Tanner beat Ralph Livingstone 2 up
John Pearson lost to Mark Wehring 7/6
Scott Patrick beat John C. Miller 1 up
David Kirkwood (European Captain) lost to Brian Siplo 4/2
Nigel Notley beat Randy Jensen 1 up
Neil Hutchinson lost to Winfield Padgett 3/2
Claes Kvist (Sweden) beat Rob Ahlschwede 4/3
Chris Homer beat Chuck McMullin (USA Captain) 5/3
John Sherwood beat Roger Hill 2/1
Clive Mitchell lost to Wayne Aaron I up
John Hanna lost to Trey Holland 3/2
Bob Strachan beat Bill Farmer 2/1
Overall result Europe 9 USA 9

A HOLE IN ONE AT SKENE HOUSE HOTELSUITES
Aberdeen-based Skene House HotelSuites has launched a golf package, which will give guests a chance to be on a par with some of their all time favourite players.
The luxury four star accommodation provider will rename a selection of its suites during this year’s Senior British Open (21-24 July 2005), in honour of the golfing legends who will be out on the greens.
Guests who check in at Skene House HotelSuites during the prestigious tournament could end up sleeping in the Sam Torrance Suite, Greg Norman Suite or Tom Watson Suite. As part of the ‘Hole in One’ package each suite will be kitted out with the need to know information on that player so guests can swat up on the competitors.   
A 144-strong field featuring the cream of senior talent from across the world will fly into the Granite City for the prestigious event. The historic Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is playing host to the championship, which boasts an overall prize fund of £1 million and a winner’s cheque of £157,800.
The Skene House HotelSuite’s ‘Hole in One’ package costs from £105 per person, based on 6 people sharing a three-bedroom executive suite at Skene House Rosemount, and includes:
Two nights in a suite named after a golfing legend, with an info pack on their careers for bedtime reading
A selection of up to date golf magazines
Transport to the Senior British Open
Pack of Skene House HotelSuites branded golf balls
A round of golf on a Northeast course
Set in the heart of the city, Skene House HotelSuites provide an ideal venue for individuals or groups of golfers who are watching the tournament. Based on the American concept of an ‘all suite hotel’, Skene House HotelSuites is hugely popular with golfers across the UK, as well as Scandinavia and America.
After a long day watching the tournament or testing their own skills, guests can eat in or venture out to a range of restaurants, bars and cafes on the doorstep. A hearty Scottish breakfast is on offer before heading out for another 18 holes. 
Each suite has up to three bedrooms (sleeping 6 people), a lounge, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. With twice as much space as a conventional hotel room, storing clubs, shoes and other golf equipment in your suite is not a problem. 
Ten nationally-known interior designers created the suites - from the traditional to the contemporary - blending furniture, fabrics, prints and colours to provide a tasteful and comfortable home from home feel. And because the suites are priced per suite, per night, the larger suites become incredible value for money if shared by a group of golfers.
Many famous 18-hole courses - around 30 in total - are within 30 minutes driving distance of Skene House HotelSuites – enough to keep any enthusiastic golfer happy.
For more information on the ‘Hole in One Package’ or other golfing breaks at Skene House HotelSuites in Aberdeen, log onto www.skene-house.co.uk for further information. When booking the package quote ‘Hole in One’

Thursday 26th May 2005

ABERDEENSHIRE LEAVE OUT SJAVON, BRING IN MICHELE AND LAURA
Last year's Aberdeenshire women's champion Sjavon Wilson (Murcar) has been given only the second reserve spot in the county team to compete against Angus, Perth & Kinross and title-holders Northern Counties in the Northern Division women's inter-county championship at Elgin from June 25 to 27.
Sjavon, a 20-year-old golf scholarship student at Tyler Junior College, Texas, was unable to return to the North-east in time to defend her Shire title in this year's county championship at Murcar. She also missed the Scottish women's championship at Cruden Bay last week because she was competing in the NCJAA women's championship at Daytona Beach where she finished third.
The Aberdeenshire selectors have brought in teenagers Laura Murray (Alford), 16, and Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), 17, for the first time.
The county that tops the Northern Division tournament table will go forward to the Scottish women's county finals at Ranfurly Castle from September 16 to 18.
The Aberdeenshire squad is:
Julie Henderson (Inverurie), Laura McLardy (Murcar), Laura Murray(Alford), Donna Pocock (Murcar), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Linda Urquhart (Banchory), Carol Wilson (Murcar), Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies).
Reserves: Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay), Sjavon Wilson (Murcar), Fiona Hay (Deeside).

Wednesday 25th May 2005

CLARE CONTINUES TO HAVE BIG LEAD IN P&W RANKINGS
Clare Queen, who was the leading qualifier in last week's Scottish women's amateur golf championship at Cruden Bay, continues to hold a commanding lead in the Paull & Williamsons' Rankings.
The Drumpellier player has averaged 3.4 strokes under the CSS in five rounds of two designated tournaments - the "Scottish" and the Helen Holm Scottish women's stroke-play.
Her nearest rival is Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) who has averaged +0.8 over CSS in the same five rounds.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) is lying in third place at +0.83 with 16-year-old Krystle Caithness fourth.
LEADING
(Number of rounds played in brackets)
1 Clare Queen (Drumpellier) (5) -3.4.
2 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) (5) +0.8.
3 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) (6) +0.83
4 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) (4) +1.
5 Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan) (4)+1.25.
7 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) (3) +1.33.
8 Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) (2) &Louise Kenney (Pitreavie)+1.5.
9 Carly Booth (Auchterarder)4 +1.75.
10 Katrina Milne (Dunfermline) (6) +1.83
11Sally Watson (Elie & Earslferry) (7) +1.86.
12 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) (6) &Clare-Marie Carlton(Stirling Univ) (2)+2.
14 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) (7) +2.29.
15Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) (5), Martine Pow (Selkirk) (5) +2.6
17 Claire MacDonald (Gullane) (4) +2.75.
18 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) (5) & Lesley Hendry(Routenburn) (3) +3
20 Gemma Webster (HiltonPark) (6) +3.17.

AYRSHIRE PAIR ARE SINGING IN THE RAIN AT OLD RANFURLY
Ayrshire's Audrey Thomson and Liz Keohone won the West Division inter-county women's golf foursomes finals, played in relentless  rain at Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club today.
Audrey and Liz returned an 82, one shot ahead of the Renfrewshire paiing of Donna Jckson and Pearl Orr.
Another Renfrewshire combination, Maureen Skinner and Gillian McGinlay, finished third with an 86.
Fiona Brawley and Frances Craig (Ayrshire), playing off 13, won the first handicap prize by four shots with a net 76.
WEST INTER-COUNTY FOURSOMES
Old Course Ranfurly GC
Scratch - A Thomson & L Keohone (Ayrshire) 82; D Jackson & P Orr (Renfrewshire) 83; M Skinner & G McGinlay (Renfrewshire) 86. Handicap- F Brawley & F Craig (Ayrshire) (13) 76; M Dunlop & M Hogg (Renfrewshire) (14) 80; H Heggie & L Duff (Lanarkshire) (12 ½) 84 ½.

CARA SHAVES TWO SHOTS OFF ROYAL DORNOCH RECORD
Royal Dornoch scratch player Cara Gruber, pictured right, produced the best round of golf ever played by a woman over the world-rated links yesterday (Wed) when she shot a 69 - seven under par from the Ladies Golf Union tees - in the SLGA brooch ladies' club medal competition.
Cara, who comes from Strathpeffer, shaved two shots off the previous record held by Lindsey Anderson (Tain).
Her figures were:
OUT - 3 4 3  3 5 3  5 4 4: 34
   IN -  2 4 5  3 5 3  4 5 4 : 35
Miss Gruber, 24, had an eagle at the long fourth and birdies at the first, third, ninth, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th and 18th in halves of 34 (three under par) and 35 (four under par).
Like most great rounds, it could have been better because Cara bogeyed the second, fifth and 17th.
Ironically, Cara did not win the SLGA Brooch which was decided on net scores. Joan Dean beat her with the better inward half!

D&A County Team
The D&A County to play in the West Jamboree at Lanark - June 27th-29th is :-
Sara Bishop (Windyhill)
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)
Jill Foggo (Milngavie)
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven)
Claire McNeil (Cawder)
Louisa Ruane (Cardross)
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle)
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park)

Tuesday 24th May 2005

Sarah Jones and Vicki Thomas win Welsh titles
Former Curtis Cup player Sarah Jones (Pennard), pictured right, retained the Welsh women’s (close) amateur champion and another Curtis Cup player, Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) won the Welsh senior women’s (close) match-play title at Conwy Golf Club today.
Sarah, who was the No. 2 qualifier behind Melanie Peake, beat Jo Nicolson (Wrexham) by 2 and 1 in the semi-final and then accounted for the left-handed Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen)by 5 and 4 in the 18-hole final.
Vicki Thomas, Welsh close champion six times (1982-83-85-86-91-94) and beaten finalist three times, made a winning debut in the Welsh over-50s championship.
The No 1 seed, Vicki beat Pam Chugg (Whitchurch, Cardiff) by 4 and 2 in the final.
Results:
WELSH WOMEN’S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) bt Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 2 and 1, Sarah Jones (Pennard) bt Jo Nicolson (Wrexham) 2 and 1.
Final
Jones bt Evans 5 and 4.
WELSH SENIOR WOMEN’S CLOSE MATCH-PLAY
Semi-finals
Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) bt Jean O’Connor (Newport) 6 and 5; Pam Chugg (Whitchurch) bt Helen Joyce (Long Ashton) 6 and 5.
Final
Thomas bt Chugg 4 and 2.

EUROPEAN TOUR WIVES ASSOCIATION LAUNCH 'GOLFAID' FOR CHARITY
The European Tour Wives Association (ETWA), an organisation comprised of the wives and partners of members of the European Tour, today announced the launch of a new initiative to support charitable causes throughout Europe.
Under the slogan of 'GOLFERS GIVING BACK',' the project aims to raise money through the sale of coloured wristbands, which will go on sale to the public, beginning with this week's BMW Championship - the flagship event on the European Tour - at Wentworth Club in Surrey.
Many of the world's leading golfers, such as Ernie Els, and European Ryder Cup players, Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley, are staunch supporters of the ETWA initiative, which mirrors a similar scheme launched last month by the US PGA Tour wives.
The wristbands, which depict the colours of the European flag, bear the word 'GOLFAID' and will cost either £1 or two Euro each, or a donation as appropriate and will be available through the Website Shop on www.europeantour.com <http://www.europeantour.com/> 
The bands will be on sale this week in the tented village at the BMW Championship and at future tournaments on the European Tour. Proceeds will go to charities local to the areas where tournaments are played.
Pernilla Björn, wife of Danish Ryder Cup player Thomas, said: "We were inspired by the US Tour wives, who have already launched their own wristbands and have raised money for local charities in America.  All the ladies in the ETWA thought this was a great idea and wanted to emulate something that we are sure will be very successful.
"Although golfers throughout the world already donate to many charities, the wristbands are a popular fashion accessory and this is a fun way to make money through everyone who plays golf."
McGinley, whose wife, Ally, is part of the organising group, commented: "The ladies have excelled themselves by grasping this initiative to raise money for charities local to the event we play in. It is a highly commending project which I support wholeheartedly."
Els is also supporting his wife, Liezl, and the other members of the ETWA, in their fund-raising project. Ernie said: "This is an excellent way to give something back through the game of golf. If everyone who ever played golf bought just one band each, so many charities would be much better off."
George O'Grady, Executive Director of the European Tour, added: "Our members are always very generous with their time for charity initiatives around the world. We do everything we can to support player-led initiatives and we commend the ETWA for launching this worthy project at the BMW Championship - the players' own event."

BRITISH GOLF MUSEUM PRESS RELEASE
Stunning New Interactives Unveiled
Six stunning new interactive displays have been unveiled at the British Golf Museum!  Each interactive paints a unique picture of a different aspect of the game and takes the visitor on a fascinating journey of discovery with the players, places and past events of golf.
Visitors to the museum are now greeted with continuous highlights from past Open Championships in the first gallery of the museum.
Rarely seen and newly restored black and white footage of The Great Triumvirate, James Braid, JH Taylor and Harry Vardon, who won The Open Championship an amazing 16 times between them, has gone on display to the public.  The footage, dating from about 1909, shows how the past champions played the game and gives life to their legend.
What is The R&A? This absorbing new interactive will answer all your questions on The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.  Discover what The R&A means to golf today through its organisation of The Open Championship, governing the game and its significant contribution to golf development.  The disk also gives fascinating insight into the history of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
Relive your favourite Open memory from over 80 years of coverage with our fully interactive Highlights of The Open Championship 1926-2003.  Be gripped watching Bobby Jones in action in 1926 or Tiger Woods lifting the coveted Claret Jug in 2000.
Test your knowledge on our The Rules of Golf quiz and see the Rules working in action.  Watch footage of the rules in action with the great professionals, like Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.  You will be captivated until you can discover all the quiz answers!
Finally have a virtual flick through the Pages of History from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club from the 1754-1851. This will give real delight and amusement to any golf enthusiast.
Peter N. Lewis, museum Director, commented, 'These new interactive displays help bring the history of golf to life and are a fantastic addition to the galleries'.    

Pictured right: Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) with the Brabazon Trophy.
Lloyd won the Brabazon (equivalent to the English Open Amateur Strokeplay) and the Links Trophy at St Andrews in back-to-back weekends.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

Monday 23rd May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
Even more photos.. this time from Mags Morrison

TEN-YEAR-OLD JUST MISSES OUT AT US WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFIER!
By David Shefter, USGA
Far Hills, N.J. – Alexis Thompson, a 10 year old from Coral Springs, Florida., who is believed to be the youngest player to file an entry for the US Women's Open, has just missed advancing to the sectional qualifying round.
Thompson, playing at an 18-hole local qualifier at Imperial Golf Club in Naples, Florida., carded an impressive 77, but missed getting into a play-off for the final four spots by one stroke. Full report

Welsh Ladies Championship and Welsh Seniors Championship
LEADING WELSH QUALIFIER MELANIE BEATEN IN FIRST ROUND
Welsh women’s amateur championship leading qualifier Melanie Peake was beaten in the first round of the match-play stages at Conwy Golf Club. Her conqueror, Becky Harries, the last of the 16 qualifiers, has gone on to reach Tuesday morning’s semi-finals.
Defending champion Sarah Jones is through to the last four.
Verona MacKenzie, title-holder in the Welsh senior women’s championship, being played at the same venue, went out at the 19th in the second round.
Former Curtis Cup player Vicki Thomas, the leading qualifier on her debut in the over-50s championship, is through to the last four.
WELSH WOMEN'S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP
CONWY GOLF CLUB
QUALIFYING SCORES AFTER 36 HOLES
1 157 Melanie Peake (Rhuddlan GC) 79 78
2 159 Sarah Jones (Pennard GC) 79 80
3 161 Breanne Loucks (Wrexham GC) 81 80
4 161 Tara Davies (Holyhead GC) 79 82
5 161 Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen GC) 77 84
6 163 Amy Rees (Southerndown GC) 79 84
7 164 Rosie Vaughan Jones (Cardigan GC) 84 80
8 164 Kimberley Boulden (Llandudno (Maesdu) GC) 81 83
9 165 Donna Jones (Caernarfon GC) 84 81
10 167 Laura Weatherill (Gower GC) 85 82
11 167 Jo Nicolson (Wrexham GC) 80 87
12 168 Sarah Morgan (Mountain Ash GC) 84 84
13 168 Lucy Gould (Bargoed GC) 84 84
14 168 Natalee Evans (Pleasington GC) 80 88
15 169 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan GC) 82 87
16 171 Rebecca Harries (Haverfordwest GC) 88 83
DID NOT QUALIFY
17 171 Holly Watkins (Tenby GC) 87 84
18 172 Bethan Jones (Rhuddlan GC) 89 83
19 174 Hannah Jenkins (Cradoc GC) 86 88
20 175 Natalie Harrison (Rhuddlan GC) 88 87
21 175 Rachael Lewis (Pontypool GC) 85 90
22 179 Laura Jane Roberts (Holyhead GC) 84 95
23 180 Samantha Colecliffe (Rhuddlan GC) 85 95
24 181 Anna Carling (Glamorganshire GC) 86 95
25 183 Lucy Ambrozejczyk (Llanwern GC) 86 97
26 186 Julie McAloon (Aberdovey GC) 89 97
27 193 Natasha Gobey (Rhondda GC) 94 99
28 198 Laura King (Ruthin-Pwllglas GC) 104 94
MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Becky Harries bt Melanie Peak 1 hole.
Donna Jones bt Kim Boulden 3 and 2.
Steph Evans bt Sarah Morgan 5 and 4.
Tara Davies bt Lucy Gould 1 hole.
Natalee Evans bt Breanne Loucks 3 and 1.
Jo Nicolson bt Amy Rees 3 and 2.
Laura Weatherill bt Rosie V-Jones 3 and 1.
Sarah Jones bt Rian Wyn Thomas 2 and 1.
SECOND ROUND
Harries bt Donna Jones 1 hole.
Evans bt Davies 5 and 4.
Nicolson bt Evans 1 hole.
Sarah Jones bt Weatherill 3 and 1.
WELSH SENIOR LADIES' MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
36 HOLE QUALIFYING SCORES
1 162 Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen GC) 82 80
2 165 Helen Joyce (Long Ashton GC) 82 83
3 168 Pam Chugg (Whitchurch (Cardiff) GC) 87 81
4 168 Verona MacKenzie (Whitchurch GC) 81 87
5 169 Jean O'Connor (Newport GC) 86 83
6 169 Leila Jones (Pennard GC) 84 85
7 170 Lynda Jones (Royal Porthcawl GC) 90 80
8 173 Delyth Tuffnell (Wallasey GC) 86 87
9 175 Pamela Valentine (Wrexham GC) 86 89
10 177 Trudy Carradice (Pyle & Kenfig GC) 85 92
11 181 Sue Payne (Royal St David's GC) 93 88
12 184 Hazel Parry (Wrexham GC) 96 88
13 188 Paulene Williams (Conwy GC) 94 94
14 193 Ann Owen (Haverfordwest GC) 90 103
15 196 Janet Brown (Nefyn & District GC) 94 102
MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Bye: Vicki Thomas.
Pamela Valentine bt Delyth Tuffnel 4 and 2.
Jean O’Connor bt Hazel Parry 8 and 7.
Verona MacKenzie bt Paulene Williams 2 and 1.
Pam Chugg bt Ann Owen 6 and 5.
Leila Jones by Sue Payne at 21st.
Lynda Jones bt Trudy Carradice 4 and 3.
Helen Joyce bt Janet Brown 8 and 6.
SECOND ROUND
Thomas bt Valentine 1 hole.
O’Connor bt MacKenzie at 19th.
Chugg bt Leila Jones 3 and 2.
Joyce bt Lynda Jones 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies' Championship, Cruden Bay
More photos, this time from Emma Wilson's camera.

US College Golf
SCOTS IN EIGHTH PLACE LYNN TEAM AT SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Keir McNicoll from Carnoustie was a member of the Lynn University team of Boca Raton, Florida, who finished eighth in the NCAA Division 2 men’s college championship at Savannah Harbour, Georgia.
McNicoll had rounds of 71, 73, 74 and 71 over a testing 7,026yd, par-71 course for a five-over-par total of 289. Five birdies on the last day pushed him up to a to-10 finish.
Keir would have finished closer to individual winner Dane Burkhart’s total of 279 but for a double bogey at the ninth. Earlier in the tournament, the Scot had double bogeys in the first and second roundsand a triple bogey at the 18th in the third round.
Team-mate Gavin Dear from Murrayshall finished in a tie for 40th place with scores of 75, 75, 72 and 75 for 287.
Lynn University totalled 1176 compared to 1158 by team title winners South Carolina-Aiken.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
279 Dane Burkhart (South Carolina-Aiken) 71 68 68 72.
280 Nick Mason (Hawaii-Hilo) 74 69 67 70.
Other totals:
279 Keir McNicoll (Lynn) 71 74 73 71 (tied 10th).
287 Gavin Dear (Lynn) 75 75 72 75 (tied 40th).
LEADING TEAMS
1158 South Carolina-Aiken.
1163 Armstrong Atlantic.
1169 St Edward’s
Other total:
1176 Lynn (8th).

US College Golf
BRITISH TITLE-HOLDER DISAPPOINTS IN USA WOMEN’S COLLEGE FINALE
Sweden’s Louise Stahle (Arizona State), who defends her British women’s open amateur title at Littlestone, Kent next month, had a disappointing joint 16th finish in the NCAA Division 1 women’s championship at Sunriver Resort, Oregon.
Louise, who has announced she is turning pro after playing for Sweden in the European women’s amateur team championship at Karlstad, Sweden, from July 5 to 9, shot scores of 75, 77 74 and 70 for a 12-over-par total of 296 over the 6,312yd, par-71 course.
Duke University retained the team title and also provided the individual champion in Anna Grzbien whose total of two-over-par 286 included a brilliant third round of 65.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
286 Anna Grzbien (Duke) 73 75 65 73.
287 Lea Wigger (Virginia) 73 72 73 69.
288 Amie Cdochran (UCLA) 71 79 70 68, Brittany Lang (Duke) 74 75 68 71.
Other total:
296 Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 75 77 74 70 (tied 16th).
LEADING TEAMS
1170 Duke.
1175 UCLA.
1176 Auburn.

ELGA Press release
Champion success for ELGA’s lottery programme
New English champion Felicity Johnson, pictured right at St Andrews last year, has written a success story for ELGA’s lottery-funded training programme with her title triumph.
The 18-year-old from Harborne in Warwickshire is England’s first major winner to come right through the World Class programme.
Felicity, who became one of the youngest-ever champions at Burnham & Berrow on Saturday, leads a new wave of talented English players who look set to dominate the European golf scene.
Sophie Walker, 20, (Kenwick Park), Melissa Reid, 17, (Chevin), Kiran Matharu, 16, (Cookridge Hall) and Henni Brockway, 15, (Yeovil) have all been nurtured by ELGA’s programme and made their mark in events in Hong Kong, USA, France, Scotland and Wales, as well as in England.
Linda Bayman, ELGA’s performance director, commented: “Felicity’s achievement cannot be regarded as a one-off. The slow process of building and developing a top-class training programme is bearing fruit.
“ELGA aims to match and surpass the precocious achievements of the Spanish junior team and has great confidence that this new wave of talented players will deliver our targets over the next few years.”
Felicity added: “There’s a whole raft of us coming through now and we are all starting to make our mark. Hopefully this is the start of things to come for England.”
Felicity has been part of the World Class programme from its outset, after lottery funding first became available to ELGA in 1999-2000. She was spotted at the first talent assessment session and has had coaching, sports science and financial support since the age of 13.
She was fast tracked into the Potential programme at 15 and although still eligible for girls’ golf, she has been in the Elite Under 21 squad for two years.
Felicity said: “Without the World Class programme a lot of what I do wouldn’t have been possible. It covers a lot of my costs, which is ideal”.
“It also brings a lot of opportunities, like being able to go away with ELGA in the winter for a week of warm weather training.”

Sunday 22nd May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
Photo Album of event. Photos Courtesy and Copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency

Scottish Ladies Golf
NEW CHAMPION FIONA WILL MAKE DEBUT FOR SCOTLAND IN SWEDEN
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart will make her international debut for Scotland at the age of 28 in the squad of six to compete in the European women’s team championship at Karlstad, Sweden from July 5 to 9.
It has long been the Fife girl’s ambition to play for her country but it has taken her surprise success in the 91st Scottish women’s amateur championship at Cruden Bay last week to persuade the SLGA selection committee that she really is a good enough player to wear Scotland’s colours.
“That has capped a great week for me,” said Fiona who works on the administration staff of the Scottish Golf Union at their Drumoig headquarters.
“I’m very pleased to have been chosen to play for Scotland and to make my debut in the European team championship is great.”
The full team, to be captained by former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion Elaine Farquharson-Black (Deeside), is:
Pamela Feggans (Doon Valley).
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
Heather MacRae (Dunblane New).
Clare Queen (Drumpellier).
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
Reserves
1 Kylie Walker (Stirling University).
2 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
3 Martine Pow (Selkirk).
Pamela Feggans will not have completed her commitments at Florida Southern College until early July and she will fly straight from the United States to link up with the Scotland team at Copenhagen Airport on their way to Sweden.
The outstanding performance of 13-year-old South Queensferry schoolgirl Sally Watson, a member of Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), in being the second best qualifier in the “Scottish” and then to reach the semi-finals at Cruden Bay clinched her place in the Scotland team of four for the European girls’ team championship at Lucerne, Switzerland from July 5 to 9.
The squad, to be captained by former international Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies), is:
Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Reserves
1 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
2 Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
Players chosen to have their scores count for Scotland in international team events at individual tournaments:
Women’s British Open amateur championship (Littlestone, Kent, June 7-11).
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
Clare Queen (Drumpellier) capt.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
Reserves
1 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New).
2 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
3 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
Women’s Irish Open amateur championship (The Hermitage, July 23-24)
Kylie Walker (Stirling University)
Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart).
Karen Marshall (Baberton) capt
Travelling reserves
Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University).
Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank).
Non-travelling reserve
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).

US College Golf
GREAT SCOTT HELPS HIS COLLEGE WIN FIRST REGION GOLF TITLE
Scotland amateur international player Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), pictured right, in his last term of American college golf, played a big part in helping Augusta State University win the NCAA Division I Central Region championship for the first time on Saturday.
Starting the final round three shots off the pace, Augusta State finished nine shots ahead of the favourites, Oklahoma State in the 72-hole event over Notre Dame University's tough Warren course (7,012yd, par 70) in Indiana.
Scott Jamieson, a former Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion and a member of the Scotland men's home international team since 2002, and the Augusta State team are now bound for the NCAA Division 1 national championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, Maryland from June 1 to 4.
Jamieson, who shot nine birdies in the tournament and a double-bogey at the short fourth on the second day, had rounds of 72, 69 and 69 for a 54-hole total of level par 210 and joint seventh place.
Swedish team-mate Kalle Edberg won the individual title with 70, 68 and 67 for five-under 205 - holing a bunker shot at the second last hole in finishing one shot ahead of Spain's former British boys' champion Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State).
Augusta State needed Jamieson to back up Edberg with a top-10 finish as their other two team members, Major Manning and Emmett Turner, finished tied 30th and tied 43rd with 217 and 219 respectively.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
INDIVIDUALS
205 Kalle Edberg (Augusta State) 70 68 67.
206 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 65 70 71.
207 Ben Scott (Missouri) 71 67 69.
208 Korey Mahoney (Eastern Michigan) 71 68 69, Judd Easterling (Wichita State) 74 66 69.
209 Robert Gates (Texas A&M) 73 69 67.
210 Scott Jamieson (Augusta State) 72 69 69, Anthony Kim (Oklahoma) 75 70 65.
TEAMS
849 Augusta State.
858 Oklahoma State.
863 Texas A&M.
866 Tulsa, Kentucky.
870 Arkansas, Missouri.

clubgolf Press Release
Turnhouse Golf Club opens to the community’s children 
Turnhouse Golf Club, justifiably described on its web page as a “gem in Central Scotland's Golfing Crown,” became the first golf club in Edinburgh* to open its greens and fairways to the community’s children as part of the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf this week.
Designed and built in the late nineteenth century, Turnhouse maintains strong links to the best traditions of the game without being firmly rooted in the past. Its members are proud of its heritage, which introduced female players as early as 1906. The club has junior development high on its priority list and it is taking clubgolf, born out of the Scottish Executive's commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game by 2009, very seriously.
“Turnhouse Golf Club is fully aware of the importance of introducing youngsters to the game and we are delighted to be given this opportunity through the clubgolf initiative,” said Iain Holt, Turnhouse GC’s Junior Convenor.
“We have 12 fully trained Level 1 coaches taking 36 children (26 from Gylemuir, five from East Craigs and five from our waiting list) through a structured 15 week clubgolf programme.
“This initiative allows us to be part of the local community and now that the programme has started it is all about making sure the children enjoy themselves and learn the game in a safe environment.”
This week 36 Primary 5 aged children from Gylemuir and East Craigs Primary schools were the first ever clubgolf’s recruits to set foot on the course’s immaculate greens. Lesson one covered putting and a variety of games and activities designed to help develop their coordination. During the course they will be taught every aspect of the game.
Many of these children had their first ever taste of the game from former Open winner, Paul Lawrie at the introductory game, firstclubgolf’s launch at Gylemuir Primary in February. Since then they have completed the firstclubgolfcourse which uses multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets and is taught by teachers and Active Schools Coordinators within school time. Forty percent of the children who experienced firstclubgolf at Gylemuir chose to sign up for Stage 1 of the programme at Turnhouse.
“clubgolf is a fantastic opportunity for our P5 children to be involved in,” said Elizabeth Gordon, Head Teacher at Gylemuir.
“They are having a great deal of fun playing the game, meeting a whole new set of people, learning about etiquette and developing skills which will be part of a life long learning experience.
“In opening up their club to our children, Turnhouse Golf Club should be congratulated for their interest and tremendous support.”
* The Hermitage Golf Course and Education Centre delivered clubgolf Stage 1 last summer
 

Saturday 21st May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
FIONA LOCKHART IS NEW SCOTTISH CHAMPION
First-time finalist Fiona Lockhart, from the St Regulus club, St Andrews, beat the hot favourite and defending champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) by 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final of the 91st Scottish women's amateur golf championship at bright but breezy Cruden Bay today (Saturday).
So 30-year-old Anne's bid to become only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the tournament to win the title three years in a row was thwarted by a one-handicap player who recently won the Fife county championship but has never been selected to play for Scotland.
Miss Laing, a lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar, was expected to win easily in what was her sixth appearance in the final. A +3 rated player, she had been champion in 1996, 2003 and 2004.
But it was not to be. Fiona, the 28-year-old underdog who has made a career in golfing administration - first with the Ladies Golf Union, then the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and now with the Scottish Golf Union - made the kind of start that filled her with the confidence she needed to tackle such a redoubtable opponent.
Miss Lockhart birdied the first from 10ft, holed a 20ft putt after driving into a bunker to halve the second and then, after Anne Laing had squared the match by driving the green for a two-putt birdie at the third, the Fifer hit back right away by holding a 10ft putt for a birdie 2 at the fourth.
Fiona went two up with a par at the sixth, where the defending champion three-putted, and three ahead at the seventh as Anne Laing struggled to get her game into synch.
Miss Lockhart, indeed, should have gone four up when Anne pulled her drive into the rough at the eighth but Fiona missed from 3ft to let her opponent off with a half in bogey 5s.
Miss Laing at last got a revival going by birdieing the 10th, 11th and 12th to square the match.
But Miss Lockhart was not shaken. In fact she was stirred into taking the lead again with a par at the 13th. That became two up when Fiona birdied the 15th by getting down in two putts from 40ft.
Anne Laing finally capitulated at the short 16th where Miss Lockhart's two-putt three was enough to win the hole, the match by 3 and 2 and the coveted title.
Fiona was level par for the 16 holes while Anne was one over.
"I just played my own game. I had nothing to lose. All the pressure was on Anne. Even when she came back from three down to square the tie, I didn't feel as though the final was slipping away from me," said Fiona whose caddy was St Regulus clubmate, Elaine Moffat, who was Scottish champion in 1998.
Anne Laing said she was at a loss for words after her surprise defeat.
"I just can't explain it. My driving was OK except for that one bad one at the seventh but the rest of my game, particularly the putting, just wasn't there when I needed it. I played well all week to get to the final but never really got going at all against Fiona," said Anne.
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Cruden Bay Golf Club
FINAL (18 holes)
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) bt Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 3 and 2.

English Ladies championship
Felicity Johnson wins English Championship
Warwickshire teenager Felicity Johnson is the new English champion, winning the title at the 20th hole at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club after an epic battle against Lincolnshire’s Sophie Walker.
The 18-year-old from Harborne Golf Club is one of the youngest-ever winners of the English Ladies Close Amateur Championship and is playing only her second season of full-time amateur golf.
“It’s a fantastic feeling – and it’s just starting to sink in. I’m just taking it all in and enjoying the moment,” she said, after being presented with the trophy.
The final, which was played in strong breezes, intermittent rain and the threat of thunder, attracted a good crowd of spectators who were treated to much drama, including super-accurate shots, a wasp sting and a brave fightback.
On the first, Sophie hit the pin with her approach to set up a winning birdie but Felicity came straight back, levelling the score on the second and was never again behind in the match.
She went one up on the 4th, where her birdie putt was conceded, and was three up after seven, but lost the 8th to Sophie’s birdie.
The two players halved the next five holes, including the 11th, where both had birdies and where Sophie was stung by a wasp on the knuckle of her right hand.
Felicity almost holed her four-iron tee shot on the 168-yard 14th, where the ball finished about 12 inches from the cup, and her birdie again gave her a three-hole advantage.
But then Sophie struck back, winning the next three holes to take the score back to all square. Despite the setback Felicity was still confident: “I was still feeling all right. I knew I was hitting it well and that I just had to keep going. I was still feeling pretty confident."
Both players parred the 18th and the match went into extra time. They halved the 19th, before Felicity broke the deadlock on the 20th.
There, Sophie’s drive caught the rough and her second finished in a bunker about 40 yards short of the green. Her third found the green and she putted up to about 5ft. Meanwhile, Felicity played the hole in textbook fashion: a great drive, a sand wedge to 12ft, two putts for a par – and the championship.
Felicity’s mother, Jay, was waiting in the clubhouse to share her daughter’s triumph. But her step-father and coach, Paul Johnson, was absent – accompanying her seven-year-old brother at a Wee Wonders tournament!
Paul, the professional at Harborne, has taught Felicity since she started golf as a five-year-old. She also works with England coach Pat Smillie. “They’ve both been great,” said the new champion, who is reaping the rewards of hard practice through the winter.
Her next major date, in a schedule which includes women’s and junior events, is the British championship at Littlestone. “I’ve just got to try and keep the form going,” she said.

Friday 20th May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
ANNE LAING v FIONA LOCKHART FINAL
Anne Laing is one match away from becoming only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the Scottish women's amateur golf championship to win the title three years in a row.
The Curtis Cup player and Vale of Leven Golf Club member beat the 13-year-old "overnight sensation" of this week's tournament over the Cruden Bay Links by 3 and 2 in the semi-finals this afternoon.
Miss Laing, who beat Michelle Wie twice in last year's Curtis Cup match at Formby, now plays 28-year-old Fiona Lockhart, an uncapped player from the St Regulus Club, St Andrews.
Fiona lived dangerously in both her Friday ties. She came back from two down with two to play to beat giant-killer Karen Marshall (Baberton), earlier conqueror of top seed Clare Queen, at the 19th.
n in the semi-finals, Miss Lockhart was one down on the 17th tee against 19-year-old Stirling University student Kylie Walker who made her debut for Scotland in last year's women's home internationals. Fiona squared the match at the 17th, halved the 18th and then came through smiling at the 19th once again with a winning par 4.
It will be Anne Laing's sixth final in the past 10 years. She won the title for the first time at Royal Dornoch in 1996 and again at St Andrews in 2003 and Prestwick last year. She was beaten finalist in 1999 at Nairn Dunbar and in 2002 at Stranraer.
"I'm delighted to be in the final again. I said before the start of the championship that I was just as hungry to win the title again as I had ever been and I think I've proved that," said Anne after finally ending the glory run of 13-year-old South Queensferry girl Sally Watson by 3 and 2 in the semi-final.
Elie and Earlsferry Ladies member Sally won the fifth and eighth to go one up but then lost the ninth, 12th and 13th, three-putting each green. After a half in birdies at the 15th, Anne Laing finished the match in champion style by holing a 40ft putt for a birdie 2 at the short 16th.
SEMI-FINALS
Lockhart beat Walker at 19th.
Laing beat Watson 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies Championship
DONNA POCOCK WINS CLARK ROSEBOWL
Murcar's Donna Pocock, pictured right, won the No 2 match-play event at Cruden Bay, beating Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & County) by one hole in the final.
Donna was never behind after winning the first and fourth and was still two up at the turn. She came under pressure on the inward half as Kristy won the 11th, the 14th with a birdie 3 and the 16th but Miss Pocock was able to win the 13th and 15th on her own account and hold her opponent at bay over the last two holes.
Semi-finals
D Pocock (Murcar) bt H Laughland (Mortonhall) 6 and 5.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co bt D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 3 and 2.
Final
Pocock bt Wells 1 hole.

English Ladies Championship
SOPHIE v FELICITY IN FINAL
Lincolnshire’s Sophie Walker and Warwickshire teenager Felicity Johnson will meet in Saturday’s final of the English women’s amateur championship at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.
Sophie (Kenwick Park) ended the reign of defending champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) with a 3 and 2 win in the semi-finals.
"I’m really chuffed to get through, it’s brilliant," said 20-year-old Sophie, who won the English stroke- play championship in 2003 and the English girls’ championship in 2000.
"I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it should be a good game." She got off to a quick start in against Kerry, winning the first hole, and she held the advantage throughout the match, which was played in strong winds and some rain.
"I played steadily and I was two up early on, three up at the turn and then just held on," said Sophie, whose score was around level par.
"It was good golf in the conditions."
In the morning quarter-finals, Sophie scored a one-hole win after a tight battle with English girls’ champion Melissa Reid (Chevin). Kerry beat Joanne Hodge (Knowle) 5 and 4.
The championship is providing Sophie with a break from her studies. She’s a sports science student at Loughborough University and will be taking her final exams in June.
"This is a bit of a break, it’s a week away," she remarked.
Meanwhile, Felicity Johnson (Harborne) ended the run of England international Julie Ross (Whitley Bay), who survived a play-off to reach the match-play stages of the championship.
Felicity, 18, quickly took charge of their semi-final, was up throughout the match and was a couple of shots under par when she won 5 and 4.
She was two up at the turn and then won the 10th, 11th and 13th to set up her victory. "It’s pretty exciting and I’m looking forward to the final," said Felicity, who won ELGA’s 2004 girls’ order of merit.
"It’s just nice to do well in this tournament, it’s the main one."
This will be her first final and she has reached it on only her second appearance in the championship.
FRIDAY RESULTS
QUARTER-FINALS
Felicity Johnson beat Leah Occleshaw 2 and 1.
Julie Ross bt Naomi Edwards 6 and 5.
Kerry Smith bt Joanne Hodge 5 and 4.
Sophie Waker bt Melissa Reid 1 hole
SEMI-FINALS
Johnson bt Ross 5 and 4.
Walker bt Smith 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies Championship
Friday morning report and results
It will be defending champion Anne Laing against 13-year-old "overnight sensation" Sally Watson from South Queensferry in the second semi-final of the 91st Scottish women's amateur championship at Cruden Bay this afternoon.
The other semi-final will feature Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) against 19-year-old Kylie Walker (Stirling University & Buchanan Castle).
Anne, seeking to become the first player since the 1960s to win the national title three years in a row, was level par in beating teenager Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University & Fereneze) by 5 and 4.
Anne was two up at the turn and clinched victory with wins at the 10th, 11th (a birdie) and the 12th.
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) was again under par in winning by 4 and 3 against 19-year-old Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart & University of Arkansas-Little Rock). Sally won the first, where her opponent was bunkered, and never looked back. She never lost a hole and though Emily matched her birdies at the fifth and sixth, Sally's third birdie of the outward half, a 3 at the eighth, put the younger player three up.
Another birdie, at the 12th, put Sally four up.
Giant-killer Karen Marshall (Baberton) looked like following up her victory over top seed Clare Queen when she was two up with two to play against Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus). Fiona had trailed from the fifth and sixth, which Karen won to go two up.
Miss Lockhart produced a grandstand finish, winning the 17th and 18th to level the match and then she won the 19th with a par 4 to Miss Marshall's bogey 5.
Kylie Walker was one under par in beating former finalist Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) by 4 and 3.
Kylie won the first the first two holes and the fourth to take a three-hole stranglehold on the match and was still three up at the turn.
Quarter-finals
F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt K Marshall (Baberton) at 19th
K Walker (Stirling Univ) bt C Hargan (Mortonhall) 4 and 3.
A Laing (Vale of Leven) bt C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 5 and 4.
S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) bt E Ogilvy (Muckhart) 4 and 3.
CLARK ROSEBOWL
Semi-finals
D Pocock (Murcar) bt H Laughland (Mortonhall) 6 and 5.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co bt D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 3 and 2.

US College Golf
SJAVON WILSON THIRD IN FLORIDA
Portlethen girl Sjavon Wilson had a final round of 73 - her best of the 72-hole tournament - to finish third in the NJCAA national women's college golf championship over the LPGA International course at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Murcar member Sjavon, last year's Aberdeenshire women's champion and a student at Tyler Junior College, Texas had an aggregate of 305 after earlier rounds of 77, 75 and 80.
Camila Sola (Redlands College) won the event with a final score of 72 for an aggregate of 287 - 16 shots ahead of second-placed Kristy McLaughlan (Daytona Beach).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
287 Camila Sola (Redlands) 69 75 71 72.
303 Kristy McLaughlan (Daytona Beach) 70 78 77 78.
305 Sjavon Wilson (Murcar) 77 75 80 73.
309 Christina VanWark (Daytona Beach) 81 80 71 77.
LEADING TEAMS
1249 Daytona Beach.
1282 McLennan.
1289 Redlands.
1310 Rend Lake.
1320 Tyler.

Thursday 19th May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
TOP SEED QUEEN TRUMPED AT CRUDEN BAY
Top seed Clare Queen was toppled by a three-handicap Edinburgh player, Karen Marshall, in the second round of the Scottish women's amateur golf championship at Cruden Bay today.
British stroke-play champion Miss Queen, who sailed through the qualifying stages with a three-under-par total and won her first match-play tie by 5 and 4 over Pamela Williamson (Baberton), was knocked out by 35-year-old Karen, another Baberton player, who took 14 more shots than Clare did on Tuesday and Wednesday and qualified in 17th place.
But, as the defending champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), said later, when she had made it through to the quarter-finals after a birdie battle with Sara Bishop (Windyhill): "Cruden Bay is a great match-play course and you cannot take anything for granted."
"I just kept plodding along, playing my own game and trying not to be too concerned with what my opponent was doing," said modest Miss Marshall whose 2 and 1 victory took her through to the quarter-finals, matching her best ever performance in the championship.
"Nothing happened for Clare at all against me. I was out in level par and all square and one under par coming home. I was never behind but there was only one hole in it for most of the way. I think the crucial holes for me were the 14th and 15th. I birdied them both to go two up and Clare could only halve the 16th and 17th.
On a bad day for the selectors of the Scotland squad of six for the European team championships in Sweden at the beginning of July, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), a full international, lost out by 2 and 1 to Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) in a battle between two American college players.
Louise has been an outstanding player for Iowa State University for the past two seasons. Emily, only 19, is beginning to find her feet at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Miss Ogilvie birdied the first two holes against Miss Kenney and, though pulled back to all square at the 10th holes, forged clear again with winning birdies at the 14th and 15th.
Other teenagers in the last eight are Stirling University students Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and, of course, the 13-year-old overnight sensation of the tournament, Sally Watson from South Queensferry.
The Elie & Earlsferry player could yet give the SLGA selectors, who meet on Friday night to pick the six for Sweden, a major headache. Sally was four under par in beating the new Ayrshire champion, Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) by 4 and 2 in the second round.
Clare Queen's defeat opened up the top half of the draw and shortened the odds against Anne Laing becoming only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the championship to win the title three years in a row.
"Our better ball was 10 under par and I had six birdies and an eagle at the eighth," said Anne after she had kept calm and focused to win by 2 and 1 against her Dunbartonshire & Argyll county team foursomes partner, Sara Bishop.
Three times Midlothian county champion Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) had to go to the 23rd in the morning to beat San Diego State University student Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and then ousted former champion Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) on the last green. Elaine had come back from three down after six holes with birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th to be one up with three to play.
Kylie Walker beat Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), another Scotland team place contender, at the 19th which Jenna bogeyed. Kylie, two down twice on the outward half, birdied the 12th, 15th and 17th to be one up playing the 18th ... only to three-putt and let Jenna square the game with par 4.
Fife county champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), suffering from a heavy cold, held on well to win by one hole against Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).
Clare-Marie Carlton, making her debut in the champion, won by 2 and 1 over Claire MacDonald (Gullane). Clare birdied the 14th and 16th to edge ahead.
Thursday results:
C Queen (Drumpellier) bt P Williamson (Baberton) 5 and 4.
K Marshall (Baberton) bt K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 4 and 2
F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt A Young (Torrance House) 2 and 1.
G Webster (Hilton Park) bt J Carthew (Ladybank) at 19th.
J Wilson (Strathaven) bt D Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 6 and 4.
K Walker (Stirling Univ) bt A Davidson (Stirling) 2 holes.
C Hargan (Mortonhall) bt H MacRae (Dunblane New) at 23rd.
E Moffat (St Regulus) bt M Pow (Selkirk) at 19th.
A Laing (Vale of Leven) bt R MacLennan (Baberton) 6 and 5.
S Bishop (Windyhill) bt K Milne (Dunfermline) 1 hole.
C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) bt C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 4 and 3.
C MacDonald (Gullane) bt W Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 1 hole.
E Ogilvy (Muckhart) bt C Wilson (Murcar) 8 and 7.
L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt E Cuthill (Lanark) 6 and 5.
L Hendry (Routenburn) bt J Henderson (Inverurie) 5 and 4.
S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) bt K Blackwood (Glencorse) 4 and 3.
SECOND ROUND
Marshall bt Queen 2 and 1.
Lockhart bt Webster 1 hole.
Walker bt J Wilson at 19th.
Hargan bt Moffat 1 hole.
Laing bt Bishop 2 and 1.
Carlton bt C MacDonald 2 and 1.
Ogilvy bt Kenney 2 and 1.
Watson bt Hendry 4 and 2.
CLARK ROSEBOWL
Quarter-finals
Hilary Laughland bt Gillian Roy 2 and 1.
Donna Pocock bt Fiona Hay 7 and 6.
Dawn Dewar bt Laura Walker 3 and 2.
Kirsty Wells bt Judith Anderson at 19th.
First round
H Laughland (Mortonhall) bt P Hutton (Lanark) 4 and 2.
G Roy (Abertay) bt B Murphy (Prestonfield) 3 and 2
D Pocock (Murcar) bt F Neish (Murcar) at 19th.
F Hay (Deeside) bt F De Vries (St Rule) 5 and 4.
L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) bt L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 1 hole.
D Dewar (Stirling Univ) bt N Melville (Bridge of Allan) 1 hole.
J Anderson (Hawick) bt K Thomson (Kintore) 3 and 2.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co) bt M Easton (Dalmahoy) 3 and 2.

English Ladies Championship
TOP SEED LAURA TOPPLED BY LEAH
First-time qualifier Leah Occleshaw staged a major upset when she defeated top seed Laura Eastwood in the second round of the English women’s amateur championship at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Somerset.
"It was amazing, absolutely amazing. It's a real dream," said 37-year-old Leah after her 2 and 1 victory which put her through to Friday’s quarter-finals and a match against 18-year-old Felicity Johnson (Harborne)..
The four-handicapper from Lansdown has been playing in the championship since 1997 but this is the first time she's reached the match-play stages.
Leah credits this and other recent successes to the work she's done on golf psychology. "I've always known I could do this, I've wanted it and worked for it for so long and now I'm actually letting it happen," she said.
She took early control of the match and was five up after 11 holes. But Laura fought back and was just one down after the 16 th . "I just started to get a bit ahead of myself, a bit fidgety, and Laura played some great shots," said Leah.
But, after watching Laura miss the green on the par-3 17th , the former Gloucestershire champion was determined to make no mistakes and secured her win with an accurate seven-iron shot.
"I thought I'm absolutely going to commit to this shot and I hit it out of the middle and into the centre of the green."
Another of the championship's early high-fliers was also beaten on Thursday. Kiran Matharu, the Yorkshire 16-year-old, led the first round of stroke-play qualifying with a three-under par 69, but her challenge ended in the first round of match-play.
She was beaten 4 and 2 by England international Julie Ross ( Whitley Bay ), who had played alongside Kiran as she compiled her 69. "She was impressive," said Julie. "But you need to be confident in your own game. I hit the fairways and made the most of it." She won again in the afternoon and now plays Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
Another prominent teenager, 15-year-old Henni Brockway (Yeovil) also bowed out. The Welsh open stroke-play champion was beaten 2 and 1 in the second round by England international Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park), who goes on to meet English girls' champion Melissa Reid, 17, (Chevin).
Defending champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) is safely through to the quarter-finals after defeating Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 3 and 2 and Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) 5 and 4. Now, Kerry plays 18-year-old Joanne Hodge (Knowle) who had to go to the 19 th to beat Claire Aitken (Mid-Kent).
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
L Eastwood bt C Smith 3 and 2.
L Occleshaw bt L Ahmed 1 hole.
H Ralph bt C Marron 3 and 2.
F Johnson bt C Starkie 4 and 3.
N Edwards bt F Parker 3 and 2.
S-J Eaves bt C Howells 3 and 1.
C Ellis bt K Heywood 4 and 2.
J Ross bt K Matharu 4 and 2.
K Smith bt S Attwood 3 and 2.
L Ball bt R Jennings 3 and 2.
J Hodge bt L Collin 3 and 1.
C Aitkin w o C Lee scr.
M Reid bt M Smith 8 and 7.
E Sheffield bt R Bell 2 and 1.
H Brockway bt H Grant 3 and 2.
S Walker bt K Holford 2 holes.
SECOND ROUND
Occleshaw bt Eastwood 2 and 1.
Johnson bt Ralph 4 and 2.
Edwards bt Eaves 2 holes.
Ross bt Ellis 3 and 2.
K Smith bt Ball 5 and 4.
Hodge bt Atkin at 19th.
Reid bt Sheffield 3 and 2.
Walker bt Brockway 2 and 1.

Irish Ladies Midland Womend Championship
Results from the Midland Womens Championship at Mt. Wolseley Golf Club, 18-20 May 2005.
The top qualifiers play two days matchplay to determine this year's champions at both Senior and Junior levels.
Senior Matchplay:
Final - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Semi-finals - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Quarter-finals - Thursday, 19th May:
Marian Riordan (Tipperary) beat Tara Delaney (Carlow) 4&3
Mary Dowling (New Ross) beat Michelle Carroll (Grange) 2&1
Maura Morrin (Curragh) beat Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 5&4
Karen Delaney (Carlow) beat Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) 3&2
Round 1 - Thursday, 19th May:
Marian Riordan (Tipperary) beat Anne McCormack (Roscommon) 3&2
Tara Delaney (Carlow) beat Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) 19th
Michelle Carroll (Grange) beat Shauna McVeigh (R.C.D.L.) 3&2
Mary Dowling (New Ross) beat Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne) 2&1
Maura Morrin (Curragh) beat Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) 4&2
Gillian O'Leary (Cork) beat Brenda McLarnon (Fortwilliam) 1up
Karen Delaney (Carlow) beat Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush) 1up
Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) beat Ann Marie Dalton (Coollattin) 4&2 
Senior Qualifying:
Total   1st18   2nd18   Player  Club
148     71      77      Marian Riordan  Tipperary
149     74      75      Sinead O'Sullivan       Galway
149     73      76      Maura Morrin    Curragh
153     74      79      Mary Dowling    New Ross
154     77      77      Michelle Carroll        Grange
154     75      79      Brenda McLarnon Fortwilliam
155     79      76      Maura Diamond   Royal Portrush
160     76      84      Tara Delaney    Carlow
160     76      84      Emma Gilmore    Mountbellew
162     79      83      Karen Delaney   Carlow
162     78      84      Gillian O'Leary Cork
163     82      81      Shauna McVeigh  R.C.D.L.
164     83      81      Dawn Marie Conaty       Ashbourne
165     84      81      Suzanne Corcoran        Portumna
167     85      82      Evelyn Crotty   Kilkenny
168     79      89       Ann Marie Dalton       Coollattin
169     85      84      Anne McCormack  Roscommon
169     81      88      Caitriona Hogan Enniscorthy
Junior Matchplay:
Final - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Semi-finals - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Quarter-finals - Thursday, 19th May:
Aideen Murphy (Carlow) -v- Sighle Hennigan (Ballybunion) 
Maeve McCarthy (Blainroe) -v- Sinead Kearney (Gowran Park)
Tess Ryan (New Ross) -v- Michelle Butler (Mt. Wolseley)
Angela O'Shea (Carlow) -v- Pat Joyce (Ballybunion)
Round 1 - Thursday, 19th May:
Aideen Murphy (Carlow) beat Bernie Whelan (Enniscorthy) 7&6
Sighle Hennigan (Ballybunion) beat Celia Hill (Faithlegg) 2&1
Maeve McCarthy (Blainroe) beat Laura Dempsey (Enniscorthy) 4&2
Sinead Kearney (Gowran Park) beat Kathy Mitchell (Borris) 2&1
Tess Ryan (New Ross) beat Lelia Dunne (Tullamore) 3&2
Michelle Butler (Mt. Wolseley) beat Brid Whelan (Borris) 6&5
Angela O'Shea (Carlow) beat Josette O'Donnell (Ballybunion) 4&3
Pat Joyce (Ballybunion) beat Eileen Kearns (Ballybunion) conc.

More Irish News... sounds like a good idea!
The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union has appointed five District Public Relations Officers (P.R.O.s) to co-ordinate media activity at local level in women’s golf. The P.R.O.s will act as the main point of contact for the District and supply relevant media with regular and accurate information relating to I.L.G.U. fixtures, club events and items of interest throughout the current season from May through November.
Over 56,000 women and girls play golf in 381 clubs affiliated to the I.L.G.U. With newcomers taking up the game at a phenomenal rate, the I.L.G.U. value the importance of creating awareness of women’s golf at local level and plan to raise the profile of local competitions and successful club and elite players across the country.
The five P.R.O..s are:
District           P.R.O.                            Telephone               e-mail
Northern        Ray Gregg                      +44 2838 323302    pronorth@eircom.net
Eastern          Deirdre Nolan                 +353 1 8434113      proeast@eircom.net
Western         Bridie Hughes                +353 98 25870         prowest@eircom.net
Southern        Ruth O’Mahony             +353 21 4292166    prosouth@eircom.net
Midland         Bernadette McTague      +353 9064 54961    promidland@eircom.net

Wednesday 18th May 2005

Prizewinners flanked by SLGA officials after the Stroke Play rounds of the Scottish Championship at Cruden Bay
Standing L to R: Margaret Rodgers (Vice-Chairman SLGA), Karen Marshall (Baberton), Clare Queen (Drumpellier), Sally Watson (Elie and Earlsferry), Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle), Emma Wilson (Chairman SLGA)
Seated L to R: Pamela Williamson (Baberton), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven|)

Scottish Ladies Championship
QUEEN IS ACE IN THE PACK AT CRUDEN BAY
British stroke-play champion Clare Queen, pictured right, from Drumpellier showed her class in claiming the top seed position in the match-play stages of the Scottish women's amateur golf championship in much improved conditions at Cruden Bay on Wednesday.
Last year, Clare squeezed through into the match-play by winning a play-off at Prestwick. What a difference a year makes! This time Clare finished three shots ahead of the field of over 100 after a brilliant second round of four-under-par 70 for a 36-hole qualifying total of three-under 145.
"I struck the ball really well and I only had one bogey all day - at the 14th where I pulled my approach," said 22-year-old full-time amateur Clare who intends having a crack at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School near the end of the year.
"I had a great start ... I hit the flagstick with my four-iron approach at the first hole and had only a tap-in putt for a birdie 3. I could hardly have asked for better that," said Clare who also birdied the sixth and eighth in a flawless outward half of 35.
Coming home, she birdied the 12th and 17th either side of that solitary slip at the 14th.
Last year, Clare lost by two holes in the final of the championship to Anne Laing. There might well be a repeat of that 2004 showdown because Miss Laing, bidding to become only the fourth player in 103 years to pull off a hat-trick of tiles, is in the other half of the draw after a 74 for 152 and third spot in the draw.
But a 13-year-old youngster from South Queensferry may have something to say about a Queen-Laing final repeat being possible. Yes, overnight joint leader Sally Watson did even better second time round - a one-under-par 73 which was bettered only by Clare Queen.
The youngster's aggregate of 148 gave her the No 2 qualifying spot - four shots ahead of Anne Laing and another Scotland international, Martine Pow (Selkirk).
Hard to believe that Sally, an Elie & Earlsferry Ladies junior member, who goes to Florida twice a year for lessons at the David Leadbetter Academy, started bogey-bogey and still finished with such a good score.
"She was nervous playing in the last trio with Clare Queen and Martine Pow," said her dad Graham who caddied for her. Ironically, if this were a girls-only championship, he would be debarred from performing the role for his daughter.
"But she settled down well after that and birdied the seventh and ninth before holding it all together well after the turn with eight pars and a pitch and putt birdie at the long 17th.
"I'm proud of Sally. Her short game is twice as good as it was last year - and I think it's due to the SLGA coach Karyn Dallas's winter coaching sessions with her."
Kelsey MacDonald, the Northern Counties' women's champion from Dunbar, qualified for the match-play stages for the second year in a row - and she is only 14 years of age.
Kelsey shaved seven shots of her opening effort with a 76 for 159. And Miss MacDonald had an even worse start than Sally Watson. Kelsey bogeyed the first and then had a triple bogey 7 at the second. Out in 40, Kelsey double-bogeyed the 10th and dropped another shot at the 11th.
Then the North teenager came with a glory run with the wind behind her over the closing holes.
She birded the 14th, 15th and 17th for par 36 home. An outstanding effort.
Among the group with the joint fifth best total of 155 were Claire MacDonald (Gullane), who hails from Forfar), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) and Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart), both home from American college, Jo Carthew (Ladybank) and the new Fife county champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH-PLAY DRAW
8.30 Queen v Williamson.
8.38 Marshall v K MacDonald.
8.46 F Lockhart v Young.
8.54 Webster v Carthew.
9.02 Jackson v J Wilson.
9.10 Davidson v K Walker.
9.18 Hargan v MacRae
9.25 Moffat v Pow.
9.34 Laing v MacLennan.
9.42 Bishop v K Milne.
9.50 Carlton v Gruber.
9.58 Nicholson v C MacDonald.
10.06 Ogilvy v C Wilson.
10.14 Cuthill v Kenney.
10.22 Hendry v Henderson
10.30 Blackwood v Watson.
CLARK ROSEBOWL
qualifiers and draw
10.46 H Laughland v P Hutton.
10.54 B Murphy v G Roy.
11.02 D Pocock v F Neish.
11.10 F Hay v F De Vries.
11.18 L Fraser v L Walker.
11.26 N Melville v D Dewar.
11.34 J Anderson v K Thomson.
11.42 M Easton v K Wells.
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Cruden Bay Golf Club
(Par 74) (CSS 77, 75)
QUALIFIERS
145 C Queen (Drumpellier) 75 70
148 S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 75 73.
152 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 78 74, M Pow (Selkirk) 76 76.
154 D Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 77 77.
155 C MacDonald (Gullane) 81 74, E Ogilvy (Muckhart) 80 75, J Carthew (Ladybank) 79 76, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 78 77, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 78 77.
156 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 80 76.
157 K Walker (Stirling Univ) 81 76, K Milne (Dunfermline) 81 76, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 81 76.
158 L Hendry (Routenburn) 83 75.
159 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 83 76, K Marshall (Baberton) 82 77, S Bishop (Windyhill) 81 78, J Henderson (Inverurie) 81 78, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 80 79, A Davidson (Stirling) 80 79, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 82.
160 E Cuthill (Lanark) 83 77, A Young (Torrance House) 82 78, G Webster (Hilton Park) 81 79.
161 C Wilson (Murcar) 83 78, W Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 82 79, J Wilson (Strathaven) 79 82.
162 E Moffat (St Regulus) 86 76.
163 R MacLennan (Baberton) 83 80, K Blackwood (Glencorse) 79 84, P Williamson (Baberton) 77 86.
NON-QUALIFIERS
165 Ann F Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 88 77.
166 H Laughland (Mortonhall) 88 78, K Wells (Dumfries & Co) 87 79, L Fraseer (Kingsknowe) 86 80.
167 F De Vries (St Rule) 90 77, D Pocock (Murcar) 85 82, D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 84 83, J Anderson (Hawick) 83 84.
168 G Roy (Abertay) 87 81, B Murphy (Prestonfield) 86 82, K Thomson (Kintore) 82 86.
169 N Melville (Bridge of Allan) 88 81, F Neish (Murcar) 86 83.
170 L McLardy (Murcar) 87 83, F Hay (Deeside) 86 84, L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 82 88, M Easton (Dalmahoy) 81 89.
171 C Middleton (Cruden Bay) 90 81, T Laughland (Mortonhall) 90 81, P Hutton (Lanark) 90 81, J Jenkins (Ralston) 89 82, R Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay) 88 83.
172 J Harrison (Cruden Bay) 86 86, G McGinlay (Cochrane Castle) 84 88.
173 G Lockhart (Barassie) 86 87, J Milne (Elgin) 86 87, L Williamson (Barassie) 88 85.
174 K O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle) 89 85, W Wells (Peebles) 88 86.
175 A Brownie (Lothianburn) 89 86, M Neilson (Greenock) 88 87.
176 P Mackay (Royal Dornoch) 91 85, A Hunter (Monifieth) 90 86, S Lambie (Troon Ladies) 89 87, C Whyte (Windyhill) 88 88.
177 S Keddie (Dalmahoy) 94 83.
178 L McPherson (Deeside) 91 87.
179 E Munn (East Renfrewshire) 92 87, T Milligan (Stranraer) 92 87, P Wilson (Murcar) 90 89, A Bowman (McDonald Ellon) 90 89, L Terry (Cruden Bay) 89 90, C Taylor (Troon Ladies) 88 91.
180 I Harvey (St Regulus) 93 87.
181 M Morrison (Hawick) 92 89, M Miller (Cruden Bay) 90 91.
182 C Meldrum (Stranraer) 87 95.
183 Sally Shepherd (Craigmillar Park) 96 87, L McDougall (Greeenock) 94 89.
184 B Waugh (Moorhall) 92 92.
185 C Stewart (Lothianburn) 97 88, Sue Shepherd (Deeside) 96 89, R Brown (Lothianburn) 94 91, F McFadzean (Craigmillar Park) 92 93.
188 R Dee (Kingsknowe) 101 87, E Taylor (Troon Ladies) 93 95.
189 K Burden (Cambuslang) 94 95.
190 D MacKinnon (McDonald Ellon) 100 90, R McIntyre (Windyhill) 94 96.
192 Ann B Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 97 95, N Smith (Downfield) 95 97, S Ireland (Prestonfield) 94 98.
193 L Douglas (Hawick) 105 88.
194 J Mack (Haggs Castle) 98 96, W Miller (Abertay) 93 101.
195 P Hardman (Dalmahoy) 101 94.
196 J Wake (Merchants of Edinburgh) 101 95, L Lindsay (Dalmahoy) 100 96, M Nicol (Dalmahoy) 100 96.
197 L Casey (Dalmahoy) 98 99.
198 A MacDonald (Windyhill) 104 94.
199 P Stephenson (Glencorse) 102 97.
203 C Mason (Dalmahoy) 105 98.
204 E Whyte (Windyhill) 105 99.
210 M McCallum (West Kilbride) 108 102.
NR K Horne (Dalmahoy) 87 NR.

ELGA News release
Laura Eastwood leads qualifiers in English Championship
Devon’s Laura Eastwood is the leading qualifier for the matchplay stages of the English Ladies’ Close Amateur Championship at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.
“It feels good, I’m very pleased with that,” said the 21-year-old from Yelverton, who returned a level par 72 in the second qualifying round.
Her two-round total of 145 put her a shot ahead of Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park), who was the only other player to match par on a day of strong winds.
Laura prepared for today’s challenge by practising her chipping for hours last night and this morning. “Yesterday I missed three greens with chips, which was just ridiculous, and I holed putts to save myself.
“I was very happy with my score yesterday but I knew it could have been better. I knew what I was doing wrong and the practice definitely paid off, although I also hit more greens and, again, I holed the putts.”
Laura describes Burnham and Berrow as the hardest links course she’s ever played but it was kind to her today. “I had all the bounces going with me over the first few holes,” she remarked.
She birdied three of the four par fives, with the 13th helping to illustrate the strength of the wind, which was against on the inward holes. Here she had to punch a four-iron 143 yards to reach the green in three. Her shot finished within 3ft of the hole and she rolled it in for a four.
Other players who comfortably reached the matchplay stages of the championship included defending champion Kerry Smith and overnight leader Kiran Matharu, who both had two-round totals of 147.
Henni Brockway, the 15-year-old Welsh Open Strokeplay Champion, had a tough day, scoring 86 – but her 160 total took made it through with room to spare.
However, six players who all tied on 163 had to battle it out in a sudden death play-off for the last five places in the matchplay draw.
The outcome was disappointment for Burnham and Berrow’s ladies club champion Kate Charles, who bowed out with a triple bogey seven on the first hole.
The five successful players were Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale), Julie Ross (Whitley Bay), Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog), Katrina Holford (Ingestre Park) and Cheryl Smith (The Oaks) – whose identical twin, Michelle, had already qualified.
Meanwhile, former champion Emma Duggleby, who shot scores of 77, 78 to qualify easily, has retired because of a wrist injury.
|Position|No|Name|Club|Round1|Round2|Total|+/-
1|24|Eastwood|Laura|Yelverton|73.00|72.00|145.00|+1
2|78|Walker|Sophie|Kenwick Park|74.00|72.00|146.00|+2
3|69|Smith|Kerry|Waterlooville|70.00|77.00|147.00|+3
4|46|Matharu|Kiran|Cookridge Hall|69.00|78.00|147.00|+3
5|26|Edwards|Naomi|Ganton|74.00|76.00|150.00|+6
6|41|Lee|Corisande|West Lancashire|73.00|77.00|150.00|+6
7|56|Reid|Melissa|Chevin|76.00|75.00|151.00|+7
8|39|Johnson|Felicity|Harborne|75.00|76.00|151.00|+7
9|55|Ralph|Hannah|Goodwood|78.00|76.00|154.00|+10
10|8|Bell|Rachel|Ganton|77.00|79.00|156.00|+12
11|20|Collin|Laura|John OGaunt|83.00|74.00|157.00|+13
12|25|Eaves|Sarah-Jane|Cosby|75.00|82.00|157.00|+13
13|27|Ellis|Charlotte|Minchinhampton|77.00|81.00|158.00|+14
14|6|Ball|Lisa|Matfen Hall|76.00|82.00|158.00|+14
15|31|Grant|Hannah|Enmore Park|75.00|83.00|158.00|+14
16|2|Ahmed|Layla|Waterlooville|74.00|85.00|159.00|+15
17|52|Occleshaw|Leah|Lansdown|78.00|82.00|160.00|+16
18|12|Brockway|Henrietta|Yeovil|74.00|86.00|160.00|+16
19|38|Jennings|Rachel|Izaak Walton|80.00|81.00|161.00|+17
20|33|Heywood|Karen|Crompton & Royton|80.00|81.00|161.00|+17
21|36|Howells|Claire|Moor Hall|79.00|82.00|161.00|+17
22|34|Hodge|Joanne|Knowle|82.00|80.00|162.00|+18
23|65|Sheffield|Emma|Newark|82.00|80.00|162.00|+18
24|44|Marron|Caroline|Bromborough|82.00|80.00|162.00|+18
25|71|Starkie|Claire|Silsden|81.00|81.00|162.00|+18
26|70|Smith|Michelle|The Oaks|80.00|82.00|162.00|+18
27|4|Aitken|Claire|Mid-Kent|75.00|87.00|162.00|+18
28|53|Parker|Florentyna|Royal Birkdale|86.00|77.00|163.00|+19
29|61|Ross|Julie|Whitley Bay|83.00|80.00|163.00|+19
30|5|Attwood|Sarah|Gog Magog|83.00|80.00|163.00|+19
31|35|Holford|Katrina|Ingestre Park|82.00|81.00|163.00|+19
32|18|Charles|Kate|Burnham & Berrow|81.00|82.00|163.00|+19
33|67|Smith|Cheryl|The Oaks|77.00|86.00|163.00|+19
34|43|Lyons|Emma|West Surrey|81.00|83.00|164.00|+20
35|10|Brand|Lizzie|Ilkley|86.00|79.00|165.00|+21
36|51|OConnell|Donna|Burnham & Berrow|83.00|82.00|165.00|+21
37|32|Hamilton-Diggle|Lauren|Celtic Manor|80.00|85.00|165.00|+21
38|54|Pearcey|Jessica|Ferndown|79.00|86.00|165.00|+21
39|50|Norman|Julia|Exeter|77.00|88.00|165.00|+21
40|75|Thompson|Katie|Corhampton|86.00|80.00|166.00|+22
41|1|Adams|Rozalyn|Addington Court|83.00|83.00|166.00|+22
42|68|Smith|Fiona|Chelmsford|82.00|85.00|167.00|+23
43|74|Thompson|Fiona|Ellesborough|82.00|85.00|167.00|+23
44|15|Brown|Emma|West Wilts|79.00|88.00|167.00|+23
45|21|Conner|Rachel|Manchester|88.00|80.00|168.00|+24
46|64|Severn|Sue|Burnham & Berrow|83.00|85.00|168.00|+24
47|81|Whitmore|Kate|Sandiway|82.00|86.00|168.00|+24
48|49|Moul|Hannah|Chelmsford|82.00|87.00|169.00|+25
49|7|Barton|Lisa|Coventry|81.00|89.00|170.00|+26
50|45|Marshall|Alexandra|Burghley Park (Stamfor|87.00|84.00|171.00|+27
51|72|Stubbs|Sophie|Shifnal|86.00|85.00|171.00|+27
52|80|Wheble|Anne|Dartford|86.00|85.00|171.00|+27
53|23|Dunn|Nicola|Harrogate|84.00|87.00|171.00|+27
54|47|McBride|Emma|Delamere Forest|82.00|89.00|171.00|+27
55|3|Aitchison|Holly|Bedfordshire|81.00|90.00|171.00|+27
56|29|Garbutt|Sara|Ganton|78.00|93.00|171.00|+27
57|58|Rodgers|Pat|Enmore Park|89.00|83.00|172.00|+28
58|37|Jarvis|Gilly|Yelverton|85.00|87.00|172.00|+28
59|62|Round|Samantha|Tadmarton Heath|89.00|84.00|173.00|+29
60|73|Taylor|Lizzie|West Essex|84.00|90.00|174.00|+30
61|9|Boyes|Tracey|Meon Valley Hotel|82.00|92.00|174.00|+30
62|66|Silk|Annabel|Corhampton|94.00|81.00|175.00|+31
63|63|Saunders|Vivien|Cambridge Meridian|88.00|88.00|176.00|+32
64|28|Gallier|Kelly-Marie|Burnham & Berrow|86.00|90.00|176.00|+32
65|57|Rodger|Stacey|West Hove|86.00|90.00|176.00|+32
66|60|Roseberry|Danielle|Durham City|84.00|94.00|178.00|+34
67|16|Calvert|Holly|Lancaster|88.00|92.00|180.00|+36
68|76|Thornell|Gemma|Oswestry|84.00|96.00|180.00|+36
69|48|Moore|Samantha|Letchworth|86.00|96.00|182.00|+38
70|83|Yeates|Amy|Ham Manor|89.00|99.00|188.00|+44
71|19|Clarke|Lucy|Chelmsford|96.00|94.00|190.00|+46
72|14|Brook|Julia|Croham Hurst|99.00|94.00|193.00|+49
22|Duggleby|Emma|Malton & Norton|0|
42|Lumb|Nicky|Filton|0|
00|77|Travers|Kelly Anne|Alresford|0|

US College golf
SJAVON WILSON FOURTH AFTER 36 HOLES
Murcar Golf Club member Sjavon Wilson from Portlethen, a golf scholarship student at Tyler Junior College, Texas, maintained fourth place in the NJCAA women's national championship with a second-round 75 over the LPGA National course at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Added to her opening 77, Sjavon was on 152 after 36 holes.
Ahead of her were the leader, Camila Sola (Redlands) with 69 and 74 for 144; Kristy McLaughlin (Daytona Beach) on 148 with 70 and 78, and Surtia Risseeuw on 151 with 77 and 74.
Daytona Beach (621) lead the team event from Redlands (646) with McLennan (648) third and Tyler sharing third place with Rend Lake on 651.

Tuesday 17th May 2005

English Ladies Championship
Kiran leads the way in English Championship
Yorkshire teenager Kiran Matharu set today’s first round pace in the English Ladies’ Close Amateur Championship with a three-under par 69 at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.
The 16-year-old from Cookridge Hall is one shot ahead of defending champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) at the half-way stage of the two strokeplay qualifying rounds.
They were the only two players to break par on a sunny, breezy day when many competitors found the course difficult and the greens tricky.
“I didn’t expect to shoot that good a score,” said Kiran. “I knew it was possible but it’s a very tough course and if you’re not hitting it straight you are in trouble.”
However, Kiran’s shots were definitely on target and her putting was also hot as she fashioned five birdies in a round which included just two bogeys.
She settled her nerves by making birdie threes on the first two holes and then added another pair, on the par-five 11th, which she reached in two shots, and the 12th, where she holed from about 15ft.
She dropped a shot at the short 14th and on the 15th, where her tee shot found thick rough, but she bounced straight back with another birdie on the 326-yard 16th.
“That was really good. The pin was at the back of the two-tier green and I had to play a running 90-yard shot in – and it was just perfect,” said Kiran, whose ball finished 6ft from the hole.
Meanwhile, Kerry Smith began her title defence with a two-under par 70. She was out in level par 36 after a bogey on the first hole and a birdie on the short 9th.
On the way home she had mixed fortunes on the par fives, with an eagle on the 419-yard 11th and a dropped shot on the 506-yard 13th. However, another birdie on the par four 16th gave her an inward score of 34.
Other leading contenders on the first day included 19-year-old Cori Lee (West Lancashire), who has been a golf club member for less than four years. The Lancashire county champion returned a one-over par 73 and said: “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow after making such a great start.”
Joining her on 73 was former English girls’ champion Laura Eastwood, 21, (Yelverton), who was disappointed by some bad bounces and went off to practice her chipping after play.
Fifteen-year-old Henni Brockway, who won the Welsh Open Strokeplay Championship earlier this month, was one shot further back on 74. The Yeovil player dropped four shots on her way to the turn, but came home in two-under 34 with birdies on the 11th, 14th and 17th. She got into difficulties on the last but salvaged a bogey when she chipped in from behind a bunker.
After two rounds of strokeplay qualifying the top 32 players will go forward to the matchplay knockout stages of the championship.

Scottish Ladies Championship
Leading tee times for the second qualifying round at Cruden Bay on Wednesday:
11.54 J Milne, Pocock, McGinlay.
12.03 Dewar, Hendry, Anderson.
12.12 Cuthill, MacLennan, C Wilson.
12.21 Starter's Time.
12.30 K MacDonald, Nicholson, Thomson.
12.39 L Walker, Marshall, Young.
12.48 Webster, Easton, Bishop.
12.57 C MacDonald, Henderson, K Walker.
1.06 K Milne, C Hargan, H MacRae.
1.15 Davidson, Carlton, Ogilvy.
1.25 Blackwood, J Wilson, Carthew.
1.33 Kenney, Laing, Lockhart.
142 Jackson, Gruber, Williamson.
1.51 Pow, Watson, Queen.

Scottish Ladies Championship
SALLY (13) SHARES LEAD WITH CLARE IN WINTER CHILL AT CRUDEN BAY
CSS 77 FOR FIRST Q ROUND
South Queensferry youngster Sally Watson is the shock joint leader on one-over-par 75 with Clare Queen from Drumpellier at the end of the first qualifying round in the Scottish women's amateur championship on another bitterly cold, windy day at the Cruden Bay links.
"The temperature out there was nothing short of Baltic," said defending champion Anne Laing's caddie and father David after his daughter had been happy enough to finish with an adventurous 78.
But when you are only 13 going on 14, as Miss Watson is, you don't feel the cold and, without being too cocky about the whole thing, she wasn't really surprised to have such a good score on her debut in the 91st staging of the native championship.
"I hadn't seen the course until I practised over it but I could see there's quite a few birdie chances out there. I knew if I didn't make any serious mistakes, I could get round in reasonable figures," said Sally whose dad Graham Watson caddied for her.
"Yes, dad was a big help. It's good to be able to turn to someone for a second opinion about what club I should take to hit the green or which way a putt will break," said the self-assured - and quite mature for her age - Miss Watson who made her debut for Scotland's Under-18 girls team last August and has a handicap of three.
Remember the name. Scotland has two or three outstanding female golf prospects just entering their teens. Sally is definitely one of them.
The Watson family have a second home at Elie across the Forth in Fife and Sally is a member at Elie and Earlsferry Ladies Golf Club.
"I was a little bit excited at the start and was two over par after six holes but then I hit a good drive at the seventh and punched a gap wedge close enough to hole the putt for a birdie 3 at the seventh. That settled me," said Sally who got back to level par with a pitch-and-putt birdie at the next.
"I dropped a shot at the 10th where I took at nine-iron for the 110yd for my approach to the green and it was way short in the cross wind," said the girl who, despite her tender years, gave the impression she knew exactly what she was doing out on the links.
Then Sally birdied the 14th with a 7ft putt and also the 213yd, par-4 15th where she drove the green, not visible from the tee, and two-putted for a 3.
"I was one under par with three holes to play and then spoiled it with a double bogey 5 at the short 16th," she said. "The wind was in my face on the tee and I got a tough lie in the rough on the slope to the right of the green. I had to go down the shaft to play my recovery and took three shots to get on.
"The nerves came back after that down the last two holes but I was able to par them both for a 75."
British amateur stroke-play champion Clare Queen, beaten by Anne Laing in last year's final at Prestwick, felt she had played "pretty solidly" for her 75 with halves of 39 and 36 after bogeying the first and second.
"Last year, I had to come through a play-off to get into the match-play stages so I feel as though I am definitely ahead of the game at the moment," said the 22-year-old full-time, +2 amateur who intends going to the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at the end of the year.
Anne Laing, out in 40 and home in 38, had a triple bogey 8 at the sixth, where she put her third shot in the burn and then compounded the sin by three-putting, and a double-bogey at the short 16th - "and I had to single putt to get a 5," she exclaimed later!
Martine Pow (Selkirk), semi-finalist last year - which led to her first cap in the home internationals, packed four birdies into her round of 76 (37-39) which tucked her in behind the joint leaders.
The best four cards were:
PAR
OUT 4 4 4 3 5 5 4 4 5 38
IN 4 3 4 5 4 4 3 5 4 36
SALLY WATSON
OUT 4 5 4 3 5 6 3 3 5 38
IN 5 3 4 5 3 3 5 5 4 37
CLARE QUEEN
OUT 5 5 4 3 5 5 4 3 5 39
IN 5 2 4 5 4 3 4 5 4 36
MARTINE POW
OUT 5 4 3 3 5 6 3 3 5 37
IN 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 39
The 32 players with the lowest 36-hole aggregates after Wednesday's second round will go forward to the match-play stages.
One player has retired - Rosemary Donaldson (Troon Ladies) whose trolley fell in the burn at the tenth andshe had to wade in after it, after hurting her back at an earlier hole. If her bad luck was running in threes, perhaps she did the best thing!

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
First qualifying round (Par 74)
75 S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), C Queen (Drumpellier).
76 M Pow (Selkirk).
77 P Williamson (Baberton), D Jackson (Cochrane Castle), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch).
78 F Lockhart (St Regulus), A Laing (Vale of Leven), L Kenney (Pitreavie).
79 K Blackwood (Glencorse), J Carthew (Ladybank), J Wilson (Strathaven).
80 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ), E Ogilvy (Muckhart), A Davidson (Stirling), H MacRae (Dunblane New).
81 M Easton (Dalmahoy), J Henderson (Inverurie), C MacDonald (Gullane), G Webster (Hilton Park), S Bishop (Windyhill), K Milne (Dunfermline), C Hargan (Mortonhall), K Walker (Buchanan Castle).
82 K Marshall (Baberton), A Young (Torrance House), W Nicholson (Broomieknowe), K Thomson (Kintore), L Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
83 C Wilson (Murcar), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), E Cuthill (Lanark), R MacLennan (Baberton), L Hendry (Routenburn), J Anderson (Hawick).
84 G McGinlay (Cochrane Castle), D Dewar (Stirling Univ).
85 D Pocock (Murcar).
86 F Hay (Deeside), E Moffat (St Regulus), J Milne (Elgin), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), J Harrison (Cruden Bay), G Lockhart (Barassie), F Neish (Murcar), B Murphy (Prestonfield).
87 C Meldrum (Stranraer), L McLardy (Murcar), K Horne (Dalmahoy), G Roy (Abertay), K Wells (Dumfries & Co).
88 R Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay), W Wells (Peebles), C Taylor (Troon Ladies), H Laughland (Mortonhall), A F Ramsay (Kirriemuir), C Whyte (Windyhill), N Melville (Bridge of Allan), L Williamson (Barassie), M Neilson (Greenock).
89 L Terry (Cruden Bay), S Lambie (Troon Ladies), J Jenkins (Ralston), K O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle), A Brownie (Lothianburn).
90 P Hutton (Lanark), A Hunter (Monifieth), C Middleton (Cruden Bay), F De Vries (St Rule), A Bowman (McDonald Ellon), P Wilson (Murcar), T Laughland (Mortonhall), M Miller (Cruden Bay).
91 L McPherson (Deeside), P MacKay (Royal Dornoch).
92 M Morrison (Hawick), T Milligan (Stranraer), F McFadzean (Craigmillar Park), B Waugh (Moorhall), E Munn (East Renfrewshire).
93 I Harvey (St Rule), W Miller (Abertay), E Taylor (Troon Ladies).
94 R Brown (Lothianburn), L McDougall (Greenock), S Keddie (Dalmahoy), S Ireland (Prestonfield), K Burden (Cambuslang), R McIntyre (Windyhill).
95 N Smith (Downfield).
96 Sue Shepherd (Deeside), Sally Shepherd (Craigmillar Park).
97 C Stewart (Lothianburn), A B Ramsay (Kirriemuir).
98 J Mack (Haggs Castle), L Casey (Dalmahoy).
100 D MacKinnon (McDonald Ellon), L Lindsay (Dalmahoy), M Nicol (Dalmahoy).
101 Rita Dee (Kingsknowe), J Wake (Merchants of Edinburgh).
102 P Stephenson (Glencorse).
104 A MacDonald (Windyhill).
105 L Douglas (Hawick), C Mason (Dalmahoy), E Whyte (Windyhill).
108 M McCallum (West Kilbride).
109 P Hardman (Dalmahoy).
NR: A Terrey (Greenock).
Retired: R Donaldson (Troon Ladies).

Scottish Ladies Championship
WINTER CHEER FOR CRUDEN BAY GOLF CLUB PROFESSIONAL
It's a ill wind that blows nobody no good .. and Cruden Bay Golf Club professional Robbie Smith could not agree more!
The Scottish women's amateur championship is being played this week over the Cruden Bay links, 25 miles up the North-east coast from Aberdeen.
A bitterly cold north-west wind, laced with sleet and rain, has been blowing over the course since the players arrived for Monday's practice day.
By lunch-time today - when the first of two qualifying rounds was being played by the field of just over 100, the Cruden Bay pro's shop was sold out of handwarmers and winter woolly hats and just about anything else that would help the players keep warm out on the exposed links.
"I had to take out my winter stock again - and I've just about sold it all. I knew I would be busy for the ladies' championship this week, but not this busy," said Robbie.
"I thought I was ready to cope with any demands but my supply of handwarmers has been snapped up ... we've got very woolly hats left and anything the players think will help them keep out the cold is going like hot cakes, you might say."

US College Golf
SWEDE'S SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT ON EVE OF USA COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Louise Stahle, the Swedish girl who went to Arizona State University on a four-year golf scholarship after winning the St Rule Trophy and then the British women's open amateur championship at Gullane the following week last June, is to turn professional in July.
The 20-year-old, top ranked on the US women's college circuit, has won twice and finished second four times in the nine college events she has played in during the 2004-2005 US college golf season.
After the upcoming NCAA championship at Sunriver, Oregon, Louise is returning to Europe to defend the British title at Littlestone, Kent, then play for Sweden in the European team championships, which are being held at Karlstad, Sweden during the first week of July.
Then she plans to turn pro later that month and seek sponsors' invitations for events on the US LPGA Tour and/or the Ladies European Tour.
As an amateur she tied for 42nd in the Weetabix British Women's Open last year and tied for ninth in the HP Open, an LET event in Sweden last summer. In March this year, Miss Stahle tied for 37th place in the LPGA's Safeway International tournament near Phoenix.

US College Golf
SJAVON TIED FOURTH AT DAYTONA BEACH
Last year's Aberdeenshire county champion Sjavon Wilson, a student at Tyler Junior College, Texas, was lying tied fourth at the end of the first round of the NJCAA women's national championship over the LPGA International course at Daytona Beach Country Club, Florida.
Sjavon shot an opening round of five-over-par 77.

Northern Counties News
MEG SIEVEWRIGHT, LINDA SMITH RECALLED
Scottish champions Northern Counties have recalled Meg Sievewright (Keith) and Linda Smith (Buckpool), who have not appeared in their line-up for a number of years, for the defence of the Northern Division women’s golf team championship at Elgin from June 25 to 27.
The squad for the matches against Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth & Kinross – the Northern Division champions go forward to the Scottish finals at Ranfurly Castle (September 16 to 18) – is:
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch), Kerri Harper (Inverness), Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Jenny Milne (Elgin), Meg Sievewright (Keith), Linda Smith (Buckpool), Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
Reserves: Marion Howieson (Inverness), Mary Smith (Tain).

Monday 16th May 2005

Scottish Championship Preview
ANNE LAING "HUNGRY" FOR HAT-TRICK AND TITLE NO. 4
Any suggestion that title-holder Anne Laing is going into the Scottish women’s amateur championship, which starts at Cruden Bay on Tuesday, with a "seen it all, done it all" attitude is way off the mark.
Anyone who beats Michelle Wie not once but twice in a Curtis Cup match – as Anne did last June at Formby, where she finished up with more points (three out of four) than the Hawiaiian child superstar - is entitled to consider themselves favourite to win their native title.
But not the 30-year-old Vale of Leven member and Elmwood College, Cupar lecturer.
She is certainly not taking anything for granted as the field of over 100 tees up in the first of two qualifying rounds to decide the 32 players who will contest the match-play stages.
"There are a lot of good players here this week and anything can happen when any two of them meet on a Scottish links course with the wind blowing as it was for the practice," said Anne.
"I’ve won this title three times already but I’m always hungry to win it again. I’m up for it again. I failed to get through the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at the end of last season and I might well try again this year but, for this week, all these kind of thoughts are put to the back of my mind.
"I am focused on playing the very best I can. If my form is good enough to make me still Scottish champion at the end of the week, then I will be delighted."
If Anne does make a successful defence successful defence, she will be only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the tournament to complete a hat-trick of national titles.
Charlotte Watson did it in 1920-21-23; Janette Wright in 1959-60-61 and Joan Lawrence in 1962-63-64.
Not even the legendary Jessie Valentine (six title wins between 1938 and 1956) and Belle Robertson, who holds the record number of seven Scottish title wins between 1965 and 1986, ever managed to string three of them together.
Anne beat Clare Queen (Drumpellier) by two holes in last year’s final at Prestwick and Claire Hargan (Prestonfield) in the 2003 final over the Old Course, St Andrews.
Anne has actually three wins already to her credit because she beat Alison (Rose) Davidson in the 1996 final at Royal Dornoch.
Appropriately, as defending champion once again, the 30-year-old Miss Laing has the lowest handicap (+3) in the Cruden Bay field.
Realistically, is there anyone in the field capable of thwarting her hat-trick bid?
Probably only two or three – if they are on their game.
The most obvious danger is West of Scotland champion Clare Queen, rated a +2 player. She took Anne to the last green in the final 12 months ago and has been chalking up a lot of good performances this year, including getting within a play-off defeat by Ireland’s Martina Gillen of winning the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon last month.
Full-time amateur Clare, just turned 22, feels she is a much improved player since last year’s Scottish championship because, in her own words, she has done nothing but play golf. She sees her future as a tournament professional. A native title on her CV would perhaps help gain sponsorship should she get through the LET Q School at the end of the year.
The American college girls who have flown back in time to play at Cruden Bay were all feeling the cold in the bitter "Buchan breeze" that blew over the links on Monday. But it would be no surprise if at least two of them reached the quarter or semi-finals. They include: Heather MacRae (Dunblane New & San Diego State University), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie & Iowa State), Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar & Arkansas-Little Rock), Kate O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle & High Point), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe & Jacksonville State) and Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart & Arkansas-Little Rock).
Former Scotland cap and past Aberdeenshire champion Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) failed a personal fitness test and was one of three withdrawals from the championship. She broke her left arm five weeks ago while taking her dog a walk. She was able to putt on the practice green but not able to swing a club.
The other call-offs were Fiona Gilbert (Carnoustie) and Maureen Skinner (Gourock).
This is the first Scottish women’s championship in which the R&A ban on certain types of driver heads is being enforced.
"We’ve had to disqualify only one such club," said tournament secretary Fiona Farquharson. "The player wasn’t sure if it was legal or illegal but it was there on the banned list. I think quite a few of the competitors are playing with borrowed drivers this week."

Angus County News
COUNTY DEBUT FOR YOUNG KATIE McNICOLL
Angus are the first of the four North Division teams to name their side for the divisional team championship at Elgin Golf Club from June 25 to 27.
Youngster Katie McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) makes her county debut in the matches against title-holders Northern Counties, Aberdeenshire and Perth & Kinross.
The Angus team is:
Jackie BROWN (Monifieth).
Dawn DEWAR (Monifieth).
Lynne FOTHERINGHAM (Abertay).
Katie McNICOLL (Carnoustie Ladies).
Shona RAITT (Forfar).
Ann RAMSAY (Kirriemuir).
Mary SUMMERS (Panmure Barry).
Jane TOUGH ( Brechin).
Reserve:
Rebecca WILSON (Monifieth).

Sunday 15th May 2005

Angus County Championship
MARY SUMMERS REGAINS ANGUS TITLE
Mary Summers (Panmure Barry), a former British girls championship beaten finalist, regained the Angus women's county golf title after a 10-year gap by beating the defending champion, Lynne Fotheringham (Abertay) by 4 and 3 in the final at Forfar today (Sunday).
It was Mrs Summers' sixth county title success. As Mary Mackie she won it for the first time in 1985 and was Mary Summers when she won the title again in 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1994. She was beaten finalist in 1986, 1993, 1997 and 1998.
Mary came through an epic morning semi-final at the 22nd against Jane Tough (Brechin) while Lynne won on the last green against the 2000-2002 double champion Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir).
Ashley Smith (Kirriemuir), only 15 years of age, won the handicap championship. She beat Sarah Chapman (Forfar) at the 19th in the final.
ANGUS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Forfar Golf Club
Semi-finals
Mary Summers (Panmure Barry) bt Jane Tough (Brechin) at 22nd.
Lynne Fotheringham (Abertay) bt Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 1 hole.
Final
Summers bt Fotheringham 4 and 3.
Handicap championship
Semi-finals
Sarah Chapman (Forfar) bt Sharon Young (Arbroath) 4 and 2.
Ashley Smith (Kirriemuir) bt Christine Healey (Carnoustie Caledonia) 4 and 3.
Final
Smith bt Chapman at 19th.

CARLY YOUNGEST PERTH & KINROSS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPION
Carly Booth became the youngest winner on record of the Perth & Kinross women's county golf championship when she beat Emma Napper (Craigiehill) by 5 and 4 in the final at Glenisla Golf Club today (Sunday)
Auchterarder G C member Carly, who won't be 13 years old until June 20 and has a handicap of two, beat the defending champion, 16-year-old Roseanne Niven (Crieff), by 3 and 2 in the morning semi-finals. In a quality tie between last year's finalists, Carly avenged her defeat of 2004 with a brilliant two-under-par performance. Roseanne was only one over par for the 16 holes played.
Carly did not produce so many birdies in the afternoon final but she still won handsomely.
County secretary Dawn Butchart, who caddied for Carly, said: "She was in simply outstanding form against Roseanne who didn't play badly at all herself. We're proud of them both."
Miss Booth lives on her parents' farm in the Perthshire hills above Comrie and has her own private golf course, built for her and older brother Wallace, who is golf scholarship student at Augusta State University, Georgia by her Aberdonian dad Wally.
Roseanne Niven's younger sister, Annabel, who plays off 14, won the handicap championship, beating Alison Ker (Craigiehill) (16) by one hole in the final.
PERTH & KINROSS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenisla Golf Club
Semi-finals
Emma Napper (Craigiehill) bt Avril Ker (Craigiehill) 2 holes.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) bt Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 3 and 2.
Final
Booth bt Napper 5 and 4.
Handicap championship
Final
Annabel Niven (Crieff) (14) bt Alison Ker (Craigiehill) (16) 1 hole.

Normal Service
For those of you who know I am off to the Scottish at Cruden Bay this coming week, and are worried that you won't get your daily fix of Golf News.... do not despair.... Colin Farquharson has agreed to blog anything important to the HotNews page and I will try and do some tidying up in the evenings when I get a chance. I'm not saying it is going to be perfect.. but it's better than nothing isn't it?

Saturday 14th May 2005

US College Golf
PAMELA PIPPED ON THE POST FOR AMERICAN COLLEGE TITLE
Pamela Feggans, pictured right, was pipped at the final hole for the NCAA Division 2 college women's golf championship at Albuquerque, New Mexico today (USA time).
The Ayrshire girl, a student at Florida Southern University, and Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State) were tied for the lead with one hole to go in the four-round championship over the University of New Mexico's par-73 course.
Pamela finished with a par 5 for a round of one-over 74 and a total of one-over 293.
Playing partner Melissa won the title with a birdie 4 for a 73 and a total of 292.
In a dramatic see-saw final round, Pamela had birdied the seventh, 13th and 14th but bogeyed the sixth, ninth, 11th and 17th in halves of 38 and 36.
Melissa birdied the third fourth, eighth and 18th and had bogeys at the sixth, ninth, 14th and 17th in halves of 36 and 37.
Melissa started the day level with the Scot and they were left in the lead when the overnight pacemaker Mariana de Biase, also in the final threesome off the tee, ran up double bogeys at the short seventh and the long 10th.
Pamela Feggans had more birdies than any other player in the field over the 72 holes - 15 to be precise. But she also had two double bogeys - one in the first round and one in the second. In the final analysis, the double bogeys cost her what would have been a major win in her American college golfing career.
Due to college commitments, she will not be home from Florida to play in next week's Scottish women's amateur championship at Cruden Bay but there are rising hopes that she will be available - if selected, of course - for the six-strong Scotland squad to play in the European women's team championship in Sweden in early July.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
292 Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State) 74 72 73 73.
293 Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) 74 73 72 74.
296 Mariana de Biase (Rollins College) 76 71 71 78.
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
1185 Rollins College.
1220 Grand Valley State.
1243 Florida Southern.

KYLIE AND HER PARENTS WIN AT BUCHANAN CASTLE
Scotland international player Kylie Walker, her dad Raymond and mum Elizabeth teamed up with leading Tartan Tour player Colin Gillies (Forrester Park) to win the team event with a super net score of 16-under-par 54 in today's Buchanan Castle Golf Club pro-am.
The Walkers are all members of Buchanan Castle GC. Kylie plays off one, her dad 13 and her mum 21. Their team was sponsored by Endrick Finance.
The win will have boosted Kylie's confidence for next week's Scottish women's amateur championship which begins at Cruden Bay Golf Club on Tuesday.
Gillies and the Walkers were not the only team to record a net 54.
So did David McCormack, the Inchmarlo (Banchory) tour pro and the Glengoyne Whisky team of Iain Weir (8), Donald Glass (17) and Stuart Hendry (18).
A better inward half won the day for Colin Gillies and the Walker family.
There was a considerable measure of consolation for David McCormack. He won the individual prize of £1,132 for the best score by a professional - a five-under-par 65 which gave him a two-stroke win from his nearest rivals, Brian Dunbar (Deer Park) and Craig Lee (Stirling).
As a matter of interest, Colin Gillies finished joint eighth on 69 so he must have received considerable help from his partners in the team event!

P&K County Championship
Perthshire's talented golfing teenagers, 16-year-old Roseanne Niven from Crieff and 12-year-old Carly Booth of Auchterarder, will meet in semi-final of the Perth & Kinross women's county championship at Glenisla Golf Club, Alyth on Sunday morning.
Last year they clashed in the final and Roseanne was the winner.
In today's match-play ties, Carly had two big wins while Roseanne knocked out the county secretary, Dawn Butchart, 2 and 1 in the quarter-finals.
Leading qualifier Avril Ker (Craigiehill) will play clubmate Emma Napper in the first semi-final off the tee at 7.30am.
Mrs Ker's daughter, Alison, is through to the final of the handicap championship and will play Annabel Niven (Crieff), younger sister of Roseanne.
PERTH & KINROSS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenisla Golf Club, Alyth
First round
Avril Ker (Craigiehill) bt Alison Stockley (Craigiehill) 2 holes.
Meg Marshall (Blairgowrie) bt Sal Shepherd (Blairgowrie) 3 and 2.
Shona Leighton (Alyth) bt Mary Hope (Blairgowrie) 2 and 1.
Emma Napper (Craigehill) bt Gillian Wallace (Glenisla) 1 hole.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) bt Jennie French (Alyth) 4 and 3.
Dawn Butchart (Strathmore) bt Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall) 3 and 2.
Nicky Harding (Craigiehill) bt Jillian Milne (Craigiehill) 2 and 1.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) bt Joan Ritchie (Auchterarder) 7 and 5.
Quarter-finals
Ker bt Marshall 5 and 4.
Napper bt Leighton 3 and 2.
Niven bt Butchart 2 and 1.
Booth bt Harding 6 and 5.
Handicap championship
Quarter-finals
Susan Ogg (Dunkeld) (24) bt Christine Tripney (Alyth) (17) 1 hole.
Annabel Niven (Crieff) (14) bt Maggie Bryce (Alyth) (15) 4 and 3.
Sandra Johnston (Alyth) (17) bt Kathleen McKay (Crieff) (24) 1 hole.
Alison Ker (Craigiehill) (16) bt Carol Lambie (Dunkeld) (13) 2 and 1.
Semi-finals
Niven bt Ogg 7 and 5
Ker bt Johnston 6 and 5.

Baberton, winners of the Ladies Interclub tournament at Kingsknowe
L to R Pamela Williamson, Karen Marshall, Fiona de Vries, Fiona Hunter

Midlothian Interclub
Baberton beat Liberton by 2 & 1 over the double foursome to win the 2005 Ladies Interclub tournament this afternoon at Kingsknowe in an exciting final which went all the way to the 18th.
Baberton first couple, Karen Marshall and Fiona de Vries were 4 down to the Liberton partnership of Amanda Edwards and Fiona Hume, but Baberton's tail wagged strongly and their second pairing of Fiona Hunter and Pamela Williamson finished 6 up after 17 on Liberton's Stephanie Sutherland and Rona Hunter.
Baberton reached the final after beating Murrayfield by 4&3 this morning, and Liberton beat the host club, Kingsknowe, in another close game by 3&1.
This morning there were two more playing than the usual four teams of four... both Liberton's Stephanie Sutherland, pictured right, and Murrayfield's Sarah Hannay are expecting babies!
Semifinals
Liberton beat Kingsknowe 3 & 1
Baberton beat Murrayfield 4 & 3
Final
Baberton beat Liberton 2 & 1

Friday 13th May 2005

Midlothian Interclub
The holders, Baberton (Karen Marshall, Fiona de Vries, Fiona Hunter and Pamela Williamson), and the host team, Kingsknowe (Rita Dee, Louise Fraser, Sheila Lyon, Kate Rorke), continued their winning streak tonight in the Ladies' Interclub, a double foursomes knockout tournament between clubs in the Edinburgh and Midlothian area.
Last year's runners-up, Murrayfield (Sarah Heeney, Sally Watson, Valerie Aitchison, Marjory Townsend), are also into the semi-finals and the fourth team through is Liberton (Amanda Edwards, Fiona Hume, Stephanie Sutherland, Rona Hunter) , who play Kingsknowe in the first tie tomorrow morning (10:00am)
Baberton take on Murrayfield at 10:20am, and the final will start at 2:00pm.
Quarter-final results
Kingsknowe beat Merchants 3 & 2
Liberton beat Prestonfield 8 & 7
Baberton beat Broomieknowe 8 & 6
Murrayfield beat Craigmillar Park 3 & 2

STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN CHAMPION, NOW ALISON BIDS FOR SCOTTISH TITLE
Former Curtis Cup star Alison Davidson could be a live contender to win next week's Scottish women's amateur championship at Cruden Bay if she maintains the form that swept her to victory in the Stirling & Clackmannan women's county golf championship at Braehead Golf Club tonight (Friday).
Mrs Davidson, who previously won the county title as Alison Rose in 1990-91-92 but lost in the 2002 and 2003 finals under her married name, beat teenager Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) by 7 and 5 in the final.
Alison, always a very quick player,  won the third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth holes to be five up at the turn, which the players reached after only 75 minutes' play! The only hole that Nicola won was the 10th but Alison bounced back to take the 11th, 12th and 13th for victory with approximately par figures.
Mrs Davidson played only 53 holes in winning her four ties after qualifying in fourth place. Nicola Melville was the No 3 seed.
Alison won all four ties for Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup victory over the United States at Killarney in 1996 and was British champion at Cruden Bay in 1997 and Scottish title-winner at West Kilbride, also in 1997.
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Braehead Golf Club
Final (18 holes) - Alison Davidson (Stirling) beat Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) 7 and 5.

US College Golf
PAMELA ONE OFF NEW MEXICO PACE WITH ONE ROUND TO GO
Ayrshire golfer Pamela Feggans is in with a solid chance of winning the NCAA Division 2 women's college golf championship at Albuquerque, New Mexico tomorrow (Saturday).
The Scotland international player, a student at Florida Southern University, will go into the final round only one shot behind the leader after improving her scores over each of the three days so far.
Miss Feggans has picked up 12 birdies in returning rounds of 74, 72 and 73 against the par of 73 for the University of New Mexico course of just over 6,000yd.
In Friday's third round, Pamela birdied the first, 15th and 18th with bogeys at the second and ninth in halves of 38 (one over par) and 34 (two under par).
But for two double bogeys (one in the first round and one in the second round) the blonde Scot, a member of Doon Valley Golf Club, Ayrshire, would be leading the field. [Go Pamela!!]
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
218 Mariana de Biase (Rollins College) 76 71 71.
219 Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) 74 73 72, Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State) 74 72 73.
221 Ulrika Ljungman (Rollins College) 76 72 73.
LEADING TEAMS
881 Rollins College.
902 Grand Valley state.
928 Florida Southern.
933 Ferris State.

Midlands (left to right): Katherine Keir, Lorna Bennett, Joyce Flanagan, Emma Wilson, Cecily Black (capt), Shelagh Quinn, Liz Miskimmin, Margaret Tough.

Northern (left to right): Frances Neish, Susan McGregor, Agnes Freeman, Ros Dunsmuir, Edna Simpson (capt), Pat Wilson, Lynne Terry, Ann Smart.

Vets Match
Midlands beat Northern 4-3 in a closely-contested inter-divisional veterans’ match in glorious sunshine at Glenisla Golf Club, Alyth.
Lorna Bennett, Margaret Tough, Shelagh Quinn and Liz Miksimmin were winners for Midlands.
Susan McGregor, Frances Neish and Lynne Terry were Northern’s winners.
Details:
MIDLANDS 4, NORTHERN 3
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) bt Agnes Freeman (Panmure Barry) 3 and 2.
Margaret Tough (Falkirk) bt Pat Wilson (Murcar) 4 and 3.
Emma Wilson (Elie & Earlsferry) lost to Susan McGregor (Edzell) 2 holes
Shelagh Quinn (Stirling) bt Ros Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay) 7 and 6.
Katharine Keir (Elie & Earlsferry) lost to Frances Neish (Murcar) 5 and 3.
Joyce Flanagan (St Regulus) lost to Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 6 and 4.
Liz Miskimmin (Dunblane New) bt Ann Smart (Banchory) 3 and 2.

Attention North of Scotland Girls!
The North of Scotland girls’ championship at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club has been put back from Sunday, July 17 to Wednesday, July 20 because of a clash with an SLGA junior training weekend.
It will be the first time the one-round tournament has been played during the week.
“It’s during the school holidays fortunately,” said organiser Cara Gruber. Pick up an entry form (Word doc) here
The Northern Counties Girls' Championships are on 20th August at Fortrose & Rosemarkie.

Thursday 12th May 2005

Midlothian Interclub
The holders, Baberton and the host team, Kingsknowe, are both through to the quarterfinals of the Midlothian Interclub tournament to be played tomorrow (Friday) night.
This annual event is played in a double foursome format, which makes for exciting finishes when one couple are up and the other are down. The overall result can turn very quickly in the latter stages of a match.
Baberton had quite a tussle with Lothianburn. The Baberton top couple of Karen Marshall and Fiona de Vries were four up after 17 against Ruth Brown and Christine Clements, but their second couple, Fiona Hunter and Pamela Williamson, were one down after 16 against Anne Brownie and Catherine Stewart. A half at 17 ensured that Baberton got through to the next round.
Kingsknowe had the biggest win of the evening... 13 & 12 against Torphin Hill
Results
Kingsknowe beat Torphin Hill 13 & 12
Merchants beat Royal Musselburgh 3 & 2
Liberton beat Turnhouse 9 & 7
Prestonfield beat Musselburgh 5 & 4
Baberton beat Lothianburn 3 & 2
Broomieknowe beat Ratho Park 8 & 7
Craigmillar Park beat Glencorse 4 & 3
Murrayfield beat Newbattle 9 & 7

US College Golf
DOUBLE BOGEY COSTS PAMELA SHARE OF NEW MEXICO LEAD
A double bogey at the 16th cost Pamela Feggans from Ayrshire a share of the lead after two rounds of the NCAA Division 2 women's college golf championship at Albuquerque, New Mexico today (Thursday, USA time).
The Scotland international birdied the second, third, 13th, 15th and 17th - boosting her tally of birdies to nine over the first two days of the tournament - but bogeyed the fifth, 10th and 11th before dropping two shots at the 16th in halves of 36 and 37.
It was her second double-bogey in two days.
Pamela's scores so far of 74 and 73 for a one-over-par tally of 147 over the par-73, 6,069 University of New Mexico course put her in a share of third place but only two shots behind leader Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College) who has returned 72 and 73 for 145.
Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State) is in second place on 146 with scores of 74 and 72.
Pamela's old rival from previous tournaments, Mariana de Biase (Rollins College) joined the Scot in third place on 147 with a fine second-round 71.
Rollins College (588) look to be in command of the team event. They are well clear of Grand Valley State (604) and Florida Southern (621).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
145 Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College) 72 73.
146 Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State) 74 72.
147 Mariana de Biase (Rollins College) 76 71, Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) 74 73.
LEADING TEAMS
588 Rollins College.
604 Grand Valley State.
621 Florida Southern.
629 Ferris State.
641 Minnesota State.

S&C County Championship
ALISON v NICOLA FOR STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN TITLE
Alison Davidson, past British and Scottish champion, is through to her sixth final of the Stirling & Clackmannan women's county golf championship at Braehead Golf Club.
Maintaining her run of good form, Mrs Davidson, who plays out of Stirling Golf Club, beat the No 1 qualifier, Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) by 5 and 3.
Stella put up stiff resistance and was still in with a chance until she lost three holes in a row from the 13th.
No 4 qualifier Alison, winner of the county title as Alison Rose in 1990-91-92 and beaten finalist as Alison Davidson in 2002 and 2003, will meet teenager Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) in Thursday night's final (5.30pm).
Nicola, the No 3 qualifier, won by two holes against the No 2 seed, Elaine Allison (Stirling).
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP - Braehead Golf Club
Semi-finals
Alison Davidson (Stirling) bt Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) 5 and 3.
Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) bt Elaine Allison (Stirling) 2 holes.

BOYS AND GIRLS NAMED FOR RED BULL MASTERS CLASS ON MAY 30-31
TOP American golf coach Butch Harmon, pictured right, is coming to Scotland later this month for an exclusive coaching clinic designed to prepare the UK’s best young golfers to be the stars of the future.
Butch and his three brothers, Dick, Bill and Craig, are hosting the Red Bull Masters Class at St Andrews Bay and Kingsbarns, Fife on May 30-31 – a two-day summit concentrating on providing the best coaching to the UK’s most dedicated young players.
At the end of the two-day programme, Butch will choose four youngsters, who have demonstrated a keen talent and commitment to improving their game, for a week’s free tuition at the Harmon School of Golf in Houston, Texas.
The boys and girls who have been selected to attend the Red Bull Masters Class 2005 are:
Alexandra Banham, 15, Peterborough.
Hannah Barwood, 14, Bristol.
Kate Best, 15, Mansfield.
Megan Briggs, 15, Bridge of Weir.
Krystle Caithness, 16, Cellardyke.
Anna Carling, 15, Penarth.
Kimberley Crooks, 14, Easington.
Nicholas Davis, 14, Enfield.
Greg Duncan, 14, Longniddry.
Samuel Galbraith, Sussex.
Luke Goddard, 17, London.
Hannah Grant, 17, Taunton.
Edward Harding, 15, Surrey.
Shaun Johnson, 14, East Stoke.
Thomas Lowery, 14, Shropshire.
Nicholas McCarthy, 17, Alwoodley.
Kiran Matharu, 16, Leeds.
David Murray, 16, Newtongrange.
Tom Oliver, 16, Banbury.
Chloe Oughton, 14, Grimsby.
Edward Pepperell, 14, Abingdon.
Jack Senior, 16, Morecambe.
Callum Spriddle, 17, Limekilns.
Euan Stewart, 17, Crossford.
Stewart Tully, 15, Edinburgh.
Sally Watson, 13, South Queensferry.
Tracey Willmont, 17, Bordon.
Greg Wilson, 17, Walton on Thames.
Rebecca Wilson, 14, Monifieth.
Adam Woods, 17, Great Yarmouth.
The Harmons launched the Red Bull Masters Class in 2003 and, impressed by the performance of the junior golfers, pledged to run the Masters Class as an annual event.
The Masters Class was a real hit in 2004 with the UK’s top professional coaches nominating the young golfers to attend. This year the nominations process was thrown open to the general public, inviting anyone who knew a talented young player to put them forward for a slot at the Masters Class via the website www.redbullfinal5.co.uk
Butch said: “Every time I return to the UK to run the Red Bull Masters Class I’m struck by the raw talent and dedication on display from the young golfers I work with. The planned focus and diverse programme of the Masters Class provides the perfect platform for developing the best in UK junior golf and helping them realise their potential.”
He added: “We had such a huge response after our request for anyone to nominate a junior player to take part in the Masters Class at St Andrews Bay, it was very difficult to select the top 30. However it was a pleasing difficulty in that it demonstrates how good junior golf is in the UK. I just know it’s going to be a real eye-opener for me and my brothers. We are very excited to have the refreshing opportunity to work with raw talent. Who knows, the UK’s Tiger Woods could be waiting for someone to give them the chance they deserve.”
It is the first time that Butch and his brothers have coached in Scotland and they are really looking forward to the experience. “I’ve been to Scotland many times for the Open championship but this is the first time we’ve run the Red Bull Masters Class here. It’s always a thrill to come to the homeland of golf, the feeling of the history of the game here, through the land and the people, is always an inspiration.”

Wednesday 11th May 2005

SVLGA (West Division) Championship Helen Faulds wins West Vets Championship Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) beat Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) by 4 & 3 in the final of the SVLGA (West Division) Championship today at Renfrew G.C. In the Bronze Championship Morag Dunan (Milngavie) beat Morna Orr (Whitecraigs) by 3 & 2 SVLGA (West Division) Championship Round 1 Elspeth Hanlon (Gourock) beat Merope Dunlop (Old Ranfurly) 4 and 2 Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) w/o Heather Anderson (Caldwell) scr. Jennifer Mack (Haggs) beat Patricia Brown (Kilmacolm) 4 and 3 Anna Telfer (Milngavie) beat Moira Cameron (Whitecraigs) 6 and 5 Semis Faulds beat Hanlon 4 and 2 Mack beat Telfer 1 hole Final Faulds beat Mack 4 and 3 SVLGA (West Division) Bronze Championship Semis Morag Dunan (Milngavie) beat Margaret Camrass (Caldwell) 1 hole Morna Orr (Whitecraigs) beat Moira McCartney (Milngavie) 3 and 2 Final Dunan beat Orr 3 and 2 SVLGA (Midland Division) SPRING MEETING - Scotscraig - 11th May. CSS 76:    SSS 73:  Number of players 49. Scratch:        M. Tough    76 Cat 1/2         A. Wilson  (ll) 74                    E.J. Wilson (5) 77 bih Cat 3           S. Campsie    (17)  73                    K. Jarvie        (16)  76 Cat 4           R. Farrell       (21)  79                   E. Craik         (26)  88

SVLGA (West) Championship Finalists Helen Faulds and Jennifer Mack SVLGA (West) Bronze Championship Finalists Morna Orr & Morag Dunan

US College Golf
PAMELA FIGHTS BACK AFTER TURN IN NEW MEXICO
Pamela Feggans staged a great inward half recovery to finish the opening day of the NCAA Division 2 women's college championship in third place at the University of New Mexico course, Albuquerque today (WED).
The Ayrshire student at Florida Southern reached the turn in three-over-par 40 with bogeys at the second, sixth and eighth and a double bogey at the long ninth. Her only birdie before the turn was a 2 at the short seventh.
But Pamela responded to the pressure, coming home in two-under-par 34 with birdies at the 11th and the short 17th. The rest of the inward holes she parred.
Only Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College) on 72 and Becky Hoffman (Ferris State), with a 73, are ahead of the Scot who is shared third place with Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State).
Rollins College lead the team event with 300, five shots ahead of Grand Valley State with Florida Soputhern (308) in third place.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
72 Charlotte Campbell (Rollins).
73 Becky Hoffman (Ferris State).
74 Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern), Melissa Sneller (Grand Valley State.
LEADING TEAMS
300 Rollins.
305 Grand Valley State.
308 Florida Southern.
315 Minnesota State.
316 Ferris State.

LGU West Medal Final
SUZANNE IS CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Suzanne McMahon (Cardross), daughter of Suzanne Cadden, the Curtis Cup player and Scotland golf star of the mid-1970s, chalked up a golfing achievement on her behalf at Fereneze Golf Club today (WED) when she figured among the eight qualifiers for the LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff Golf Club on June 5.
Competing in the West area qualifier in quite windy conditions, Suzanne, playing off 13, had a net 72 and was runner-up in the Silver Division to home course player Alison Carse with a net 67 off 77.
June Lockhart (Gleddoch) and Fiona Wight (Biggar) were the other Silver Division qualifiers.
In the Bronze Division, Carol Bates (Fereneze) had the lowest net score of 74 off 24. Other qualifiers in this category were Mary Murphy (Old Course Ranfurly), Leanne Johnston (Windyhill) and Jane McDonald (Kilmacolm).
Prizewinners were:
Silver Division - Scratch - Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 78; handicap - Alison Carse (Fereneze) (10) 67; Suzanne McMahon (Cardross) (13) 72; June Lockhart (Gleddoch (14) 74; Fiona Wight (Biggar) (20) 75 (better inward half).
Bronze Division - Scratch - Nichola Ferguson (Clober) 99; handicap - Carol Bates (Fereneze (24) 74; Mary Murphy (Old Course Ranfurly (28) 75; Leanne Johnston (Windyhill) (24) 77; Jane McDonald (Kilmacolm) (28) 78.

Attention Boys!
If there are any of you reading this, then can I draw your attention to the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters Golf Championship on 24-26th June. This letter will explain

Tuesday 10th May 2005

S&C County Championship
ALISON DAVIDSON SWEEPS INTO STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN LAST FOUR
FORMER British and Scottish champion Alison Davidson (Stirling) was in sparkling form in the quarter-finals of the Stirling & Clackmannan women's county golf championship at Braehead Golf Club tonight (TUESDAY).
Mrs Davidson was three under par in winning by 8 and 7 against Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie).
In Thursday's semi-finals Alison will play the No 1 seed, Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) who once again came from behind to win. She was three down at one stage to Tricia Chillas (Stirling) but won three holes in a row and went on to advance into the last four with a 3 and 2 victory.
The other semi-final will feature the second and third leading qualifiers, Elaine Allison (Stirling) and Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan).

LANARKSHIRE LADIES INTER-COUNTY FOURSOMES
East Kilbride Golf Club
Inter-county foursomes qualifying round
Scratch qualifiers:
84 Shirley Munro & Janice Gardner (Drumpellier).
87 Nessie Kenny & Lisa Blythe (East Kilbride) (better last 6), Irene Morton & Lynne Williamson (Kirkhill) (better last 3).
Handicap Qualifiers:
75 Liz Lees (Hamilton) & Sheena Boyd (Lenzie) (12).
76 ½ Caroline Smith & Irene Nisbet (Strathaven) (181/2), Helen Heggie & Lynn Duff(Sandyhills) (12 ½ ).
Commonwealth Spoons Qualifiers
74 ½ Irene Morton & Lynne Williamson (Kirkhill) (121/2).
75 Shirley Munro & Janice Gardner(Drumpellier) (9), Liz Lees(Hamilton) & Sheena Boyd (Lenzie) (12).

UK University Golf
ST ANDREWS GIRLS TOP UNIVERSITY GOLFERS
St Andrews have won the Scottish Universities' Women's Golf League for the second year in a row. They totalled 40pt, well ahead of runners-up Strathclyde and Robert Gordon University.
St Andrews team included Helena Arnadottir from Iceland, Charlotte Ashbridge, Melissa Nicholson and Anna Porat.
Strathclyde's team included: Fiona Williamson, Amy Alexander, Jessica Glover, Harriet Kinkead and Kiera Wilson.
The RGU line-up included: Lesley Williamson and Gillian Davidson.
Final totals:
1 St Andrews 40, 2 Strathclyde 18, 3 Robert Gordon University 16, Edinburgh 10, Heriot Watt 7, Stirling 5, Aberdeen, Glasgow 4 each.

US College Golf
HIGHLANDER STEWART IS VOTED ATLANTIC SUN GOLFER OF YEAR
Duncan Stewart from Grantown-on-Spey, a sophomore golf scholarship student at Jacksonville University, Florida, has been voted Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golfer of the Year and awarded place in the All-Conference first team of players.
That team never plays any matches but it is recognition of the players considered to be the best in the conference over the 2004-2005 college golf season.
Team-mate Russell Knox from Inverness earned second-team All-Conference honours.
Stewart, a consistent performer throughout the 2004-2005 American college golf season, clinched his victory in the poll of the conference's university golf coaches by winning the Atlantic Sun Conference championship last month.
Stewart, a former Scotland boy international, is the first Jacksonville University student to win a player-of-the-year accolade in the Atlantic Sun Conference and he is also the first to earn first-team all-conference honors since Australian Ben Lockwood three years ago.
Duncan finished in the top 10 in the final eight tournaments of the season, including tieing for first at the Bethune-Cookman Invitational and finishing second at the Wofford Spring Invitational.
He was the lowest scorer on the the Jacksonville University Dolphins team in six events and is currently ranked fifth in the South-east Region by Golfstat with a 72.3 stroke average.
Knox led the Dolphins in four tournaments, also tying for first at the Bethune-Cookman Invitational. He finished in the top 10 on seven occasions, including a second-place finish at the Stetson Invitational. Knox is currently ranked 24th by Golfstat in the South-east Region with a 72.9 stroke average.
Stewart hopes to receive an invitation as an individual to compete in the NCAA East Regional championship from May 19-21 at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
ends

Monday 9th May 2005

P & K County Championship
AVRIL KER IS P AND K TOP SEED AT GLENISLA
Title-holder Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and last year's beaten finalist, Carly Booth (Auchterarder), were upstaged by Avril Ker (Craigiehill) in tonight's (MONDAY) qualifying round of the Perth & Kinross women's county golf championship at Glenisla Golf Club, Alyth.
Avril matched the CSS with a good score of 73 - one ahead of Carly, who is the No 2 seed,  and three better than third qualifier Roseanne.
There will be no repeat of last year's Booth-Niven final because the talented teenagers are in the same half of the draw.
COLLATED RETURN
PERTH & KINROSS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenisla Golf Club
Qualifiers (CSS 73)
73 Avril Ker (Craighill).
74 Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
76 Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
79 Emma Napper (Craigiehill).
80 Shona Leighton (Alyth), Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall).
81 Nicky Harding (Craigiehill), Sal Shepherd (Blairgowrie), Meg Marshall (Blairgowrie).
82 Jillian Milne (Craigiehill), Dawn Butchart (Strathmore), Mary Hope (Blairgowrie).
85 Gillian Wallace (Glenisla), Jennie French (Alyth).
86 Joan Ritchie (Auchterarder).
87 Alison Stockley (Craigiehill).
Draw (Saturday 9.0)
Ker v Stockley, Marshall v Shepherd, Leighton v Hope, Wallace v Napper, Niven v French, Butchart v Yellowlees, Harding v Milne, Ritchie v Booth.
Quarter-finals at 1.30.
Handicap qualifiers
Susan Ogg (Dunkeld) (24) 69; Alison Ker (Craigiehill) (16), Kathleen McKay (Crieff) (24), Annabel Niven (Crieff) (14), Maggie Bruce (Alyth) (150 74; Sandra Johnston (Alyth) (17) 75; Carol Lambie (Dunkeld (13), Christine Tripney (Alyth) (17) 76.
Draw
Ogg v Tripney, Bruce v A Niven, McKay v Johnston, Lambie v Ker.
Sunday's semi-finals and finals will start at 7.30am and 11.52.

Greenlees Results
Carol Fell, the Renfrewshire webmaster is going to collate and publish the results of the Greenlees matches in all three divisions on her website at http://www.rlcga.com/greenlees_2005.htm
Clubs from all four counties (Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and D&A) play in West of Scotland Greenlees leagues. Ranfurly Castle are the current holders.
[When I get time, I'll put a link on the left so you can find it more easily. G]

LGU Challenge Bowls
The SLGA don't have a full entry for the LGU Challenge Bowls, to be held at Forrester Park Golf Club on Tuesday 7th June. The entries were to close today, but they have given you another week to get your names down!
Don't miss out on this great competition, all you need to be is a member of a LGU affiliated club and hold a CONGU handicap.
Pick up an entry form on the SLGA website and return it before Monday 16th May.

LGU Medal Final - North
PRIZEWINNERS AT MONIFIETH
Leading prizewinners in the LGU Medal North Area Final at Monifieth today (Monday) were:
Silver Division - Scratch - Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 79; handicap - Jackie Green (Meldrum House) (19) 74; Donna Carcary (Montrose Mercantile) (6) (better last 3), Muriel Mitchell (Brechin) (12) (better last 6); Eve Muirhead (Pitlochry) (10) 75.
Bronze Division - Scratch - Sammy Vass (Tain) 86; handicap - Janet Campbell (Garmouth & Kingston) (25) 69; Sammy Vass (Tain) (16) 70; Susan Berry (Craigiehill) (19) (better inward half), Sheena Cooper (Aboyne) (24) 74; Shona Anderson (Murcar) (23) 75.
Qualifiers for LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff on June 5:
J Green, D Carcary, M Mitchell, J Campbell, S Vass, S Berry.

Northern Counties Junior Girls
Northern Counties Junior Girls played for the McDermott Trophy at a rather wet & windy Garmouth & Kingston yesterday (Sunday). par & css 71.
Results
1st Scratch - Kelsey MacDonald - Nairn Dunbar - 80
2nd Scratch - Ashton Ingram - Fort William - 82
1st Handicap - Sammy Vass - Tain - 67
2nd Handicap - Chloe MacLeod - 78

Glenbervie Ladies Open
There are still some times available for the Glenbervie Ladies' Open on Sunday 5 June. Entry fee is £8 and the handicap limit is 35. Starting times are available between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm and there are prizes for Scratch, Silver Handicap, Bronze Handicap and Senior Ladies (!) sections.
Raffle proceeds etc are in aid of CHAS. Pick up an entry form here
 

Sunday 8th May 2005

West of Scotland Championship
CLARE STILL QUEEN OF THE WEST
Drumpellier's Clare Queen won the West of Scotland women's amateur golf championship for the second year in a row at Largs Golf Club today (Sunday).
The 22-year-old full-time amateur had rounds of 78 and 71 against the par of 73 for a 36-hole total of 149 which was one fewer than the combined CSS of 150 (76 + 74).
Clare trailed Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 75, Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 76 and Liz Keohone (Loudoun) 77 after the opening round but her superb 71 shot her to the top of the leaderboard to win the title by a single shot from Jenna.
Miss Queen had birdies at the first, fifth, 12th and 15th in her second round.
Jenna Wilson had a pair of 75s for 150.
Young Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), a student at Stirling University, finished third on 156 with an 80 and 76.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), joint runner-up with Donna Jackson three shots behind Clare Queen last year, had scores of 82 and 79 for 161. Kylie did manage to chalk up birdies at the second, ninth, 11th and 15th in her second round.
Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston), who finished on 160 with scores if 82 and 78, had three "Magic 2s" in her second round - at the first, fourth and eighth holes.
Collated scoreboard
WEST OF SCOTLAND WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Largs Kelburn
Leading final totals (Par 73, CSS 76 74).
149 Clare Queen (Drumpellier) 78 71.
150 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 75 75.
156 Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) 80 76.
158 Louisa Ruane (Cardross) 83 75.
159 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 80 79, Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 76 83.
160 Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston) 82 78, Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) 82 78, Liz Keohone (Loudoun) 77 83.
161 Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) 87 74, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 82 79
164 Ruth Rankin (Lanark) 87 77.
164 Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 82 82.
166 Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle) 86 80, Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) 86 80, Lesley Robertson (Ranfurly Castle) 79 87.
167 Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) 82 85.

LGU Medal South Area Final
KELSO QUALIFIERS FOR CRIEFF
Prizewinners in the LGU Medal South Area Final at Kelso Golf Club today (Sunday) were:
Silver Division - Scratch - Mary Scott (Woll) 72; Handicap - Jane Johnstone (Dalbeattie) (15) 72 (bih); Janice Whiteford (Lauder) (14) 73.
Bronze Division - Scratch - Ashley McDonald (Portpatrick Dunskey) 97. Handicap - Samantha McLeod (Lochmaben) (18) 68; Gill Yates (New Galloway) (31) 75.
Mary Scott, Jane Johnstone, Samantha McLeod and Gill Yates qualify for the LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff Golf Club on Sunday, June 5.

West of Scotland Girls
West of Scotland Girls played East Renfrewshire Boys in a four ball, better ball match today and won by four matches to nil.

Angus County Championship
KATY KOs ANGUS TOP SEED AND THEN LOSES IN NEXT ROUND
Top seed Dawn Dewar (Monfieth) was beaten in the first round by teenager Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), last of the 16 qualifiers, when the match-play stages of the Angus women's county golf championship began at Forfar Golf Club today (Sunday).
Katy won a marathon tie at the 23rd hole - and then went out in the quarter-finals to Mary Summers (Carnoustie) by 4 and 3.
Mary will meet Jane Tough (Brechin) in the first semi-final on Sunday. The other tie will feature the defending champion, Lynne Fotheringham (Abertay), against the Scottish universities champion, Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir).
Collated return
ANGUS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Forfar Golf Club
First round
K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) bt D Dewar (Monifieth) at 23rd.
M Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) bt S Arbuckle (Panmure Barry) 3 and 1.
L Graham (Carnoustie Ladies) bt A Hay (Letham Grange) 2 holes.
J Tough (Brechin) bt F Blair (Carnoustie Caledonia) 4 and 3.
J Brown (Monifieth) bt S Raitt (Forfar) 3 and 2.
A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) bt S Simpson (Carnoustie Ladies) 4 and 2.
L Fotheringham (Abertay) bt S Murray (Brechin) 5 and 4.
A Hunter (Monifieth) bt R Wilson (Monifieth) 2 and 1.
Quarter-finals
Summers bt McNicoll 4 and 3.
Tough bt Graham 4 and 3.
Ramsay bt Brown 4 and 3.
Fotheringham bt Hunter 1 hole.
Handicap championship
First round
L Adamson (Kirriemuir) w o A Hutcheson (Panmure Barry) scr.
S Young (Arbroath) bt J Atherton (Arbroath) 5 and 4.
M Duthie (Panmure Barry) bt I Doig (Monifieth) 4 and 2.
S Chapman (Forfar) bt F Sinclair (Carnoustie Caledonia) 4 and 2.
C Brown (Edszell) bt J Cargill (Arbroath) 3 and 2.
C Healey (Carnoustie Caledonia) bt M Brown (Carnoustie Caledonia) 1 hole.
A Keddie (Panmure Barry) bt J Ganson (Arbroath) 5 and 4.
A Smith (Kirriemuir) bt N McBride (Arbroath) 7 and 6.
Quarter-finals
Young bt Adamson 2 and 1.
Chapman bt Duthie 7 and 6.
Healey bt Brown 2 and 1.
Smith bt Keddie 3 and 2.
Semi-finals on Sunday, May 15:
10.09 Summers v Tough.
10.15 Ramsay v Fotheringham.
10.24 Young v Chapman.
10.30 Healey v Smith.
Handicap final at 3.03; scratch final at 3.10.

S&C County Championship
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN TOP SEED HAS NARROW SQUEAK IN FIRST ROUND
Leading qualifier Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) had to produce a fighting finish to survive in the first round of the match-play stages of the Stirling & Clackmannan women's county golf championship at Braehead Golf Club today (Sunday).
In very windy conditions, Stella was two down to the No 16 qualifier, Margaret McFarlane (Bathgate) after 15 holes.
Then Stella found her game in the nick of time to win the last three holes for a last-green victory.
She will now play Tricia Chillas (Stirling), wife of John Chillas, the European Seniors Tour player, on Tuesday evening. Tricia won at the 19th against Linda Robertson (Falkirk Tryst) who was beaten in last year's final by Lynn Kenny, now a professional.
Collated scoreboard
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Braehead Golf Club
First round
Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) bt Margaret McFarlane (Bathgate) 1 hole.
Tricia Chillas (Stirling) bt Linda Robertson (Falkirk Tryst) at 19th.
Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie) bt Vicky Stevenson (Stirling) 1 hole.
Alison Davidson (Stirling) bt Lesley Gibb (West Lothian) 5 and 4.
Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) bt Aileen Lee (Stirling) 3 and 2.
Shelagh Quinn (Stirling) bt Lynn Fleming (Glenbervie) 1 hole.
Katy Mathieson (Glenbervie) bt Helen Hunter (Linlithgow) 2 and 1.
Elaine Allison (Stirling) bt Alison Houston (Dollar) 2 and 1.

Border Counties women's championship
Left to right: Emma Fairnie (Peebles), scratch champion, Jenny Pearson, county captain, Wendy Underhill (Hawick), handicap champion

Border Ladies County Championship
TEENAGER EMMA RETAINS BORDERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Teenager Emma Fairnie (Peebles), the youngest ever winner of the Border Counties women's golf championship last year when she was 16, retained the title at The Roxburghe golf course, Kelso today (Sunday).
In a replay of the 2004 final, Emma, a golf scholarship pupil at Loretto School, Musselburgh, beat former title-holder Judith Anderson (Hawick) by two holes.
Last year, Emma's winning margin was 3 and 2.
Collated scoreboard
BORDER COUNTIES WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
The Roxburghe Golf Club.
Semi-finals
J Anderson (Hawick) bt M Morrison (Hawick) 3 and 2.
E Fairnie (Peebles) bt J Birdsall-White (The Roxburghe) 1 hole.
Final
Fairnie bt Anderson 2 holes.
Bronze championship
Semi-finals
W Underhill bt J Michie 1 hole.
L Redden bt I Fletcher 3 and 2.
Final
Underhill bt Redden 2 and 1.

US College Golf
LOUISE KENNEY’S FIGHTING FINISH
A final round of one-over-par 73 in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Central Regional championship over The Rawls course at Lubbock, Texas on Saturday just failed to earn Louise Kenney from Dunfermline a place in the NCAA championships at Sunriver, Oregon later this month.
Invited to compete as an individual because her university, Iowa State, did not qualify as a team, Louise had rounds of 77, 75 and 73 for a joint 13th place with a total of 225 – the same as Ireland’s Tara Delaney (Kent State) who scored 74, 76 and 75.
Louise improved from joint 30th with her fine last round which included birdies at the second, 10th and 17th but a double bogey at the seventh, eighth and 12th in halves of 38 and 35.
That double bogey cost the Pitreavie player the chance to be one of the two individual players to go forward with the leading eight teams to the NCAA national championships at Sunset River, Oregon later this month.
There was a play-off between two players who finished on 224 – only one shot better than Louise Kenney – for the last of the two individual places.
The NCAA championships are being held the same week as the Scottish women’s championship at Cruden Bay from May 17 to 21, which would have meant Louise would have had to withdraw from the “Scottish.”
Auburn scooped the team and individual awards with a stunning victory by Diana Ramage who shot 68, 77 and 67 for a four-under-par total of 212 to win by the astonishing margin at this level of college golf.
Runner-up was Sweden’s British open amateur champion Louise Stahle (Arizona State) who scored 72, 77 and 70.
Overnight leader Lisa Ferrego fell away with a closing 79 for joint fourth place on 222 but had the consolation of gaining the top individual place – for those players whose teams did not qualify for the NCAA championship.
England’s Sian Reddick (Baylor) had rounds of 73, 77 and 77 to be tied for 25th place on 227.
Tara Delaney’s older sister, Karen, also a student at Kent State University, Ohio, scored 81, 79 and 78 for an 80th place tie on 238.
SCOREBOARD
Leading individuals
212 Diana Ramage (Auburn) 68 77 67.
219 Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 72 77 70.
221 Lee Anne Pace (Tulsa) 73 77 71.
Other totals:
225 Louise Kenney (Iowa State) 77 75 73, Tara Delaney (Kent State) 74 76 75 (tied 13th).
227 Sian Reddick (Baylor) 73 77 77 (tied 25th).
238 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 81 79 78 (tied 80th).
LEADING TEAMS
896 Auburn.
903 Texas A&M.
905 Missouri.
906 Arizona State.
Also:
921 Kent State (tied 11th).

US College Golf
LOUISE DOWN THE FIELD IN FLORIDA
Borderer Louise Fleming finished best of the Jacksonville State team but was still well back in the final placings with scores of 81, 76 and 77 for a total of 234, which put her in a share of 75th place in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s East Regional championship at the University of Florida’s par-70 course at Gainesville.
The damage was done for Louise in the opening round when she had three triple bogeys – at the eighth, ninth and 14th.
In her final round, she had a double bogey at the short eighth and a triple bogey at the ninth in an outward half of six-over 41 but she came home in fine style with eighth straight pars and a bogey at the last for 36 back.
Jacksonville State disappointed after their very good performance in qualified for the “regionals.” They finished 20th of the 21 competing teams with a total of 960.
Surprisingly, Ohio State (856) edged the hot favourites, Duke (862), out of first place in the team event even through Anna Grzebien (Duke) won the individual competition with scores of 73, 69 and 67 for one-under-par 209.
She finished one shot ahead of Jenny Suh (Furman) and Lea Wigger (Virginia).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
209 Anna Grzebein (Duke) 73 69 67.
210 Jenny Suh (Furman) 69 69 72, Lea Wigger (Virgina) 70 67 73.
Other total:
234 Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State) 81 76 77.
LEADING TEAMS
856 Ohio State.
862 Duke.
871 Furman.
874 Pepperdine.
Other total:
960 Jacksonville State (20th of 21).

Saturday 7th May 2005

Prizewinners in today's Aberdeenshire girls' medal at Kemnay:
(left to right) Mhairi Johnstone, Michele Thomson, Natalie Thomson, Mairi Templeton, Samantha Leslie.

Aberdeenshire Girls' Medal
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) had the best scratch score of 79 at the Aberdeenshire girls’ monthly medal competition on a day of sunshine, wind, rain and sleet.
Beaten in the semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire women’s championship at Murcar the previous weekend, Michele recovered from a bad start in the worst of the weather
ABERDEENSHIRE GIRLS’ MEDAL
Kemnay Golf Club (CSS 73, no change)
N Thomson (Murcar) (23) 67.
M Templeton (Westhill) (32) 73.
S Leslie (Westhill) (17) 73.
L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (15) 74.
M Johnstone (Northern) (11) 75.
M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (4) 75.
F Fullerton (Huntly) (36) 76.
L Murray (Alford) (4) 77.
K Thomson (Kintore) (6) 78.
J Jones (McDonald Ellon) (19) 78.
G Stewart (Newmachar) (18) 80.
L Duncan (Aboyne) (36) 83.
K Burnet (Aberdeen Ladies) (34) 86.
H Thomson (Newmachar) (21) 87.
K Murray (Alford) (18) 90.
Withdrew:
L Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies).
K Beveridge (Aboyne).
PRIZEWINNERS
Silver Division
Scratch - M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 79.
Handicap – S Leslie (Westhill) (17) 73.
Bronze Division
Scratch – N Thomson (Murcar) 90.
Handicap – M Templeton (Westhill) (32) 73.
Hidden hole (Nos 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18)
+For players outwith main prize list
M Johnstone (Northern) (5½) 37½

BORDER COUNTIES WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Teenager Emma Fairnie (Peebles) and Judith Anderson (Hawick) are on course for a replay of last year’s final in the Border Counties women’s golf championship at The Roxburghe, Kelso.
Emma, a golf scholarship pupil at Loretto School, Musselburgh, winner of the title at the age of 16 some 12 months ago, is through to Sunday’s morning’s semi-finals in which she will play Julie Birdsall-White, playing over her home course.
In the other tie, Judith, last year’s beaten finalist, meets Mags Morrison (Hawick)
Collated scoreboard
BORDER COUNTIES WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
The Roxburghe
First round
J Anderson bt C Howden 5 and 4.
S Paterson bt A Rutherford at 21st.
G Oliver bt S Cuthbertson 2 and 1.
M Morrison bt A Melvin 4 and 2.
E Fairnie bt S Leifer 6 and 5.
W Wells bt A Dods 4 and 2.
K Hughes bt M Scott 5 and 3.
J Birdsall-White bt L Douglas 6 and 4.
Quarter-finals
Anderson bt Paterson 3 and 1.
Morerison bt Oliver 3 and 2.
Fairnie bt Wells 3 and 2.
Birdsall-White bt Hughes at 19th.

US College Golf
LOUISE KENNEY TIED 30TH WITH ONE ROUND TO GO IN CENTRAL REGIONAL
Louise Kenney birdied the second and 17th but the Pitreavie girl – a student at Iowa University – ran up a string of bogeys at the third, ninth, 11th, 14th and 16th on her way to returning second-round 75 – two shots better than her first round – and a 36-hole tally of 152 to be sharing 30th place in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Central Regional championship at The Rawls course, which has a par of 72 and measurers 6,328yd.
Sweden’s British women’s open amateur champion Louise Stahle (Arizona State) is tied for sixth place on 148 (72-77), five shots behind the leader, Lisa Ferrero (Texas).
England’s Sian Reddick (Baylor) is sharing 14th place on 150 after a 73 and 77. Also on the 150 mark is Ireland’s Tara Delaney after scores of 74 and 76.
Tara’s sister Karen, also a student at Kent State University, Ohio, is back in 82nd place with rounds of 81 and 79 for 160.
LEADING SCORES
143 Lisa Ferrero (Texas) 70 73.
145 Diana Ramage (Auburn) 68 77.
Also
148 Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 72 77 (tied 6th).
150 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 74 76, Sian Reddick (Baylor) 73 77 (tied 14th).
152 Louise Kenney (Iowa State) 77 75 (tied 30th).
160 Karen Delaney (Kent State) 81 79 (tied 82nd).

US Colege Golf
LOUISE FLEMING TIED FOR 77TH IN EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State) is tied for 77th place after two rounds of the rain-delayed NCAA Division 1 Women’s East Regional Championship at Gainesville, Florida.
Louise has had rounds of 81 and 76 for 157. She had one birdie, at the 16th, after bogeys at the third, sixth, seventh, ninth, 10th, 13th and 15th in here second-round 76.
Leah Wigger (Virgina) leads by one shot from Jenny Suh (Furman) at three-under-par 137 after scores of 70 and 67 over the University of Florida’s Par-70, 6,023yd course.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS|
137 Lea Wigger (Virgina) 70 67.
138 Jenny Suh (Furman) 69 69.
Other score:
157 Louise Fleming (Jacksonville State) 81 76 (tied 77th).

Friday 6th May 2005

SVLGA (Northern) Results
Greensome:  Brechin GC:  Monday 6th May '05
Scratch (Hodge Trophies):   S. McGregor, W. Somerville (Edzell)    79
1st Handicap (Montrose Trophy):  S. McGregor,  W. Somerville (Edzell)  (11.2)    67.8
2nd Handicap:  M. Miller,  Y. Elrick (Aberdeen Ladies)  (14.6)    73.4
3rd Handicap:   H. Edon,  M. Clark  (Banchory)  (11)    74    

STELLA TOP SEED AT STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) was the leading qualifier for next week's match-play stages of the Stirling & Clackmannan women's county championship at Braehead Golf Club.
Stella had a 78 to win the Captain's Prize, two ahead of the No 2 seed, Elaine Allison, and Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) with former British and Scottish champion Alison Davidson next on 81.
The CSS was 76, three above the LGU SSS.
There were 53 entries, 43 in the Silver Division and 10 in the Bronze.
H Hunter (Linlithgow), playing off 11, won the Captain's Prize in the Silver Division Handicap with a net 72. Runner-up was Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) with a net 75 (better inward half) off five.
D Reid (Tillicoultry) won the Bronze Handicap.
Sunday's champion match-play ties (2pm start) are:
Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst) v Margaret McFarlane (Bathgate).
Linda Robertson (Falkirk Tryst) v Tricia Chillas (Stirling).
Vicky Stevenson (Stirling) v Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie).
Lesley Gibb (West Lothian) v Alison Davidson (Stirling),
Nicola Melville (Bridge of Allan) v Aileen Lee (Stirling).
Lynn Fleming (Glenbervie) v. Shelagh Quinn (Stirling).
Helen Hunter (Linlithgow) v. Katy Mathieson (Glenbervie).
Alison Houston (Dollar) v. Elaine Allison (Stirling).
The quarter-finals will tee off at 5pm on Tuesday; the semi-finals at 5.30pm on Thursday and the final on Friday at 5.30pm

ELGA Press Release
Kerry Smith to defend English championship
Hampshire’s Kerry Smith will defend her title when the English Ladies’ Close Amateur Championship is played at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset from May 17-21.
Kerry, 33, from Waterlooville GC, won the championship at her ninth attempt and went on to top ELGA’s 2004 Order of Merit.
To keep her title Kerry will have to beat a field, which includes fellow internationals and proven winners – and she will have to see off a strong youth challenge.
Just over a quarter of the 83 competitors are Under-18s and there are a host of other players in their late teens and early 20s.
The youngest is 14-year-old Nicola Dunn, a three-handicapper from Harrogate GC, who recently made news as overall winner at a Faldo Series regional event, beating male and female players up to seven years her senior.
Other teenagers who make winning headlines include 15-year-old Henni Brockway, 15, (Yeovil) who has just won the Welsh Open Strokeplay Championship; Melissa Reid, 17 (Chevin) the English girls’ champion; Kiran Matharu, 16, (Cookridge Hall) the Faldo Series girls’ champion; and Felicity Johnson, 18, (Harborne), winner of ELGA’s 2004 girls’ order of merit.
Altogether, over 40 years span the competitors and Vivien Saunders is the senior player in the field. The plus-one handicapper from Cambridge Meridien GC had illustrious amateur and professional careers before returning to amateur ranks in 2003.
Burnham & Berrow is fielding four players: two teenagers, Donna O’Connell, 17, and Kelly Gallier, 18; the ladies’ club champion Kate Charles and the ladies’ vice captain Sue Severn. Another local youngster is 16-year-old Hannah Grant from Enmore Park, near Bridgewater, who was the losing finalist in the Somerset county championship.
The English championship is returning to Burnham and Berrow for the first time since 1989. The links course – with sea views to the Welsh coastline - is a long-established venue for championship golf and scores are usually shaped by the wind.
Ladies’ captain Sue Wall commented: “The wind is the main challenge here. It is very rare to play Burnham without some breeze – it all depends on which way it’s blowing!”
The course has been lengthened by 415 yards for the championship, using a mixture of ladies’ and men’s tees. It will measure 6159 yards, with a par of 74 and a USGA course rating scratch score of 76. The usual scratch score is 74.
All competitors play an 18-hole strokeplay qualifying round on each of the first two days of the championship. The lowest 32 scores qualify for the matchplay knockout stages of the tournament.

US College Golf
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie and Iowa State University) recorded a 77 and is tied for 65th place in the NCAA Div I Central Regional Championship at The Rawls Course, Lubbock, Texas. Louise, who was nominated by the NCAA coaches to play as an individual in this tournament, is seven shots behind Diana Ramage of Auburn University, leading on four under par 68. British Ladies Champion Louise Stahle of Sweden, a freshman at Arizona State, is on even par 72, English Strokeplay Champion Sian Reddick (Baylor) is one stroke behind on 73 and Irish Internationalist Tara Delaney (Kent State) is another stroke back on 74.
Texas leads the Team tournament.
The tournament concludes on Saturday.

US College Golf
Bad weather delay for Scots in Florida
No play was possible on the scheduled opening day of  the NCAA Division 1 women's East Regional college golf championship at the University of Florida's course at Gainesville due to bad weather.
Thirty-six holes will be played today (Friday).
The field includes Jacksonville State University whose team includes Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) and whose coaching-admin staff includes Colette Murray from Dumfries.

ST RULE TROPHY DRAWS
The entry for the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29 is of the usual high standard with all the leading players from Great Britain and Ireland and some from farther afield down to play the first round over the New Course on the Saturday followed by two rounds over the Old Course on the Sunday.
Order of play:
SATURDAY, MAY 28 FIRST ROUND (NEW COURSE)
10.0 Ann Lowe (Royal Birkdale), Sara Bishop (Windyhill), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch).
10.10 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), Pam MacKay (Royal Dornoch), Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir).
10.20 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), Therese Nilsson (Sweden), Clare Queen (Drumpellier).
10.30 Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall), Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank), Kylie Walker (Buchahan Castle).
10.40 Sara Garbutt (Ganton), Jo Nicolson (Wrexham), Rachel Lomas (Hallowes).
10.50 Carly Booth (Auchterarder), Elaine Cuthill (Lanark), Maria Dunne (Skerries).
11.0 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Jenna Wilson (Strathjaven), Deirdre Smith (Co Louth).
11.10 Sinead O’ Sullivan (Galway), Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
11.20 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
11.30 Heather Nolan (Shannon), Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar), Emma Saggers (Crowborough Beacon).
11.40 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court), Holly Aitchison (Bedfordshire), Daria Anisimova (Russia).
11.50 Tricia Mangan (Ennis), Courtnay Montgomery (USA), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
12.0 Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Emma Lyons (West Surrey), Claire Howells (Moor Hall).
12.10 Maura Morrin (The Curragh), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Tara Delaney (Carlow).
12.20 Lizzie Brand (Ilkley), Karen Marshall (Baberton), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies).
12.30 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Sinead Keane (The Curragh), Claire Starkie (Silsden).
12.40 Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), Pernilla Lindberg (Sweden), Jill Hardy (Canada).
12.50 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus), Stephanie Brodie (Delamere Forest), Henni Brockway (Yeovil).
1.0 Katrina Milne (Dunfermline), Marian Riordan (Tipperary), Olivia Briggs (Stirling Univ).
1.10 Breanne Loucks (Wrexham), Jodi Ewart (Catterick), Dawn Dewar (Stirling Univ).
SUNDAY, MAY 29 SECOND AND THIRD ROUNDS (OLD COURSE)
7.00 & 12.00 O'Sullivan, Howells, Saggers.
7.10 & 12.10 Niven, Anisimova, Brand.
7.20 & 12.20 Nolan, Marshall, Lyons.
7.30 & 12.30 Aitchison, Webster, Watson.
7.40 & 12.40 Adams, O'Leary, Walker.
7.50 & 12.50 Moffat, Dunne, Dewar.
8.00 & 1.00 Cuthill, Bordie, Ewart.
8.10 & 1.10 Booth, Loucks, Brockway.
8.20 & 1.20 Starkie, Carthew, Ramsay.
8.30 & 1.30 MacKay, Walker, Keane.
8.40 & 1.40 Hargan, Lockhart, Ball.
8.50 & 1.50 Caithness, Gruber, Briggs.
9.00 & 2.00 Riordan , Wilson, Bishop.
9.10 & 2.10 Smith, Milne, Lowe.
9.20 & 2.20 Garbutt, Mangan, Pow.
9.30 & 2.30 Nicolson, Delaney, Montgomery.
9.40 & 2.40 Lomas, Kenney, Morrin.
9.50 & 2.50 MacRae, Edwards, Gillen.
10.00 & 3.00 Lindeberg, Johnson, Queen.
10.10 & 3.10 Nilsson, Hardy, Laing.

Thursday 5th May 2005

LGU Medal Finals
BALBIRNIE PARK QUALIFIERS FOR CRIEFF
Six players with the lowest net returns go forward to the LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff on Sunday, June 5 from today's (THURSDAY) East qualifying competition (CSS 72) at Balbirnie Park.
They are:
Silver Division - Jane Turner (Glencorse) (4), Claire McGonagle (Whitekirk) (15) 70; Norma Kerr (Braehead) (14) 72. Linda Smith (Glencorse) (17) 70 was unable to play at Crieff.
Bronze Division - Catherine Sedstren (Aberdour) (35) 66; Maureen Mackay (Swanston) (22) 72; Hazel Sweet (Broomieknowe) (20) 73; Irene Gray (Musselburgh) (22) 74. Elizabeth MacCallum (Falkirk Tryst) (23) 72 was unable to play at Crieff.
Alyson Scrimgeour (Dundas Parks) 81 and Hazel Sweet 93 won the scratch prizes in the Silver and Bronze divisions respectively.

R&A Press Release
NOMINATION OF THE CAPTAIN FOR THE YEAR 2005-2006
The Past Captains, having conferred together, are pleased to announce that they have nominated the Rt Hon Justice Thomas Munro Gault DCNZM as Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for the year 2005-2006. He is the first Captain to come from New Zealand and only the second from the Antipodes, following Viscount Bruce of Melbourne in 1954.
Tom Gault was educated at Wellington College and then at Victoria University College where he graduated LL.B prior to being awarded an LL.M degree at Victoria University of Wellington. He was a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University in 1993.
In 1961 he commenced his career as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, working for the legal firm of A J Park & Son and by 1984 had been appointed a Queen’s Counsel. Three years later he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of New Zealand and in 1991 was named one of the Judges of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. This was followed by his appointment in 2002 as President of the Court of Appeal and finally, in 2004, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.
Among the many honours he has received as a result of his expertise in law are those of being appointed a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council, being created DCNZM and being appointed Member of Honour – Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriete Industrielle.
Tom Gault joined The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1994 after having, from 1978 to 1996, served as an Advisory Member of the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status Committees. He was an Open Championship referee from 1993 to 1998.
While at university, he won the New Zealand Universities’ Championship and was awarded Blues by both Victoria University and New Zealand University. During his career in law, he became involved in golf administration that culminated in him leading the New Zealand Golf Association as their President from 1987 to 1996. He continues to enjoy playing golf as time permits to a handicap of 13 and as well a being a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is also a member of Paraparaumu Beach and Auckland golf clubs.
He lives in Auckland, is married to Barbara and has one son Ian.

Wednesday 4th May 2005

Angus County Championship
DAWN BACK IN FORM TO LEAD ANGUS COUNTY QUALIFIERS
Former title-winner Dawn Dewar (Monifieth), pictured right, recaptured some of her best old form to lead the Angus women's county golf championship match-play qualifiers with a very good round of 72 at Forfar Golf Club today (WED).
Dawn's score -a three under the CSS - gave the 20-year-old Stirling University student the No 1 seed berth by four shots from 14-year-old Rebecca Wilson.
Monifieth members claimed the 1-2-3 positions with Jackie Brown finishing third with a 77.
Defending champion Lynne Fotheringham (Abertay) was 10th of the 16 qualifiers with an 82.
The match-play stages will start on at the same venue.
ANGUS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Forfar Golf Club.
Qualifiers (CSS75)
72 D Dewar (Monifieth).
76 R Wilson (Monifieth).
77 J Brown (Monifieth).
79 J Tough (Brechin), L Graham (Carnoustie Ladies).
80 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), S Murray (Brechin).
81 M Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), S Arbuckle (Panmure Barry).
82 L Fotheringham (Abertay), S Simpson (Carnoustie Ladies), A Hay (Letham Grange).
83 F Blair (Carnoustie Caledonia), S Raitt (Forfar), A Hunter (Monifieth).
84 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies).

Tuesday 3rd May 2005

US College Golf
PAMELA FEGGANS FINISHES SECOND BUT BOOKS PLACE IN NATIONAL COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Ayrshire exile Pamela Feggans, a student at Florida Southern College, finished runner-up in NCAA Division 2's South Regional women's college golf championship at Lone Palm Golf Club, Lakeland in Florida (on Tuesday, USA time).
Scotland international Pamela started the final round of the 54-hole event two shots behind leader Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College). A double bogey at the short sixth, followed by shots shed at the seventh and eighth  virtually killed off the Scot's title hopes.
She did birdie the 11th, 14th and 15th in an inward two-under-par 34 for a one-over closing round of 73 and a total of two-over 218. Her earlier rounds were 76 and 69, the latter score being a record low by a Florida Southern College player in the history of the South Regional championship.
Charlotte Campbell finished with a par-matching 72 after rounds of 70 and 73 for a final total of one-under-par 215.
Rollins College (877) won the team event from Florida Southern (925) with Lynn College (928) third.
All the members of Rollins and Florida Southern  thus qualified to play in the NCAA championships at Sunriver Resort in Oregon from May 17-20. Charlotte and Pamela, by finishing first and second, would have automatically gone to Oregon as individuals had their college teams not finished first or second.
FINAL TOTALS
215 Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College) 70 73 72.
218 Pamela Feggans (Florida Souther) 76 69 73.
220 Marie-Pierre Bernier (Rollins College) 71 75 74.

East Lothian County Championship
KELLY CRUISES TO FIRST EAST LOTHIAN TITLE
Kelly Brotherton, 19-year-old past Scottish girls' match-play and stroke-play champion, added another title to her collection at North Berwick Golf Club today (TUESDAY) when she beat Mary Lou Renton (Gifford) by 4 and 3 in the final of the East Lothian women's county golf championship.
It was easily the hardest tie of the championship for top seed Kelly. In all she played only 52 holes in winning her four matches, an average of 13 holes per round!
Both players were contesting the county final for the first time.
Miss Brotherton, a Tulliallan Golf Club member and golf scholarship pupil at Loretto School, leaves in the autumn to enrol at Colorado State University on a four-year scholarship.
The handicap championship was won by Nancy Davidson (Glen) who beat clubmate Gladys Stevenson by 2 and 1 in the final.
Tuesday's results:
EAST LOTHIAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
North Berwick Golf Club
Semi-finals
K Brotherton (Tulliallan) bt S McEwan (Gullane) 7 and 6.
M-L Renton (Gifford) bt F Prior (Gullane) at 20th.
Final
Brotherton bt Renton 4 and 3.
HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
G Stevenson (Glen) bt J Whitelaw (North Berwick) at 19th.
N Davidson (Glen) bt J Buchanan (Musselburgh) 3 and 2.
Final
Davidson bt Stevenson 2 and 1.

US College Golf
PAMELA LYING SECOND IN FLORIDA
Pamela Feggans from Ayrshire, a student at Florida Southern College, is lying second, two shots behind the leader, with one round to go in the NCAA Division 2's South Regional women's college golf championship at Lone Palm Golf Club, Lakeland in Florida.
Miss Feggans has had rounds of 76 and 69 for a one-over-par tally of 145 over a 6,079yd par-72 course.
Pamela did not have a single birdie in her opening round but made up for it at the second attempt. After a bogey at the third to be out in one-over-par 37, the Scot came storming home in four-under 32 with birdies at the 11th, 12th, 13th and 17th.
Charlotte Campbell (Rollins College) leads with 70 and 73 for 143

Opportunity knocks in Wales
The PGA's top women professionals have been handed the chance to compete against golfing greats such as Laura Davies and Trish Johnson at the £350,000 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.
Ten places are up for grabs following an agreement between the PGA and Ryder Cup Wales 2010.
The deal represents an exciting prospect for the WPGA members and offers a potentially bumper pay day with the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe carrying one of the largest prize funds on the Ladies European Tour.
The newly opened Nicklaus-designed Machynys Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Llanelli, which has signed a three year contract to stage the tournament, will host the Championship from August 11-14.
The announcement adds extra spice to the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 WPGA One Day Series with the top two finishers from its first five events qualifying for the Championship.
Dorset's Broadstone Golf Club will be the scene for the opening qualification event with Cheshire's Dunham Forest staging the final one on July 18.
"The PGA is delighted to announce that agreement has been reached with Ryder Cup Wales 2010 to continue to support the women's PGA by extending invitations to the Association for the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe," said PGA chief executive Sandy Jones.
"It's a fantastic opportunity and a tremendous incentive for the WPGA members." Rob Holt, manager of Ryder Cup Wales 2010, said: "The support for the WPGA events underlines Wales' commitment to women's golf. It complements our investment in the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe and our sponsorship of the Tour's 'Rookie of the Year' award.
"It also complements Golf Development Wales initiatives, including free lessons, to increase the numbers of women playing golf and it is in line with our support for PGA events across Wales."
Dates for the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 WPGA qualifiers are: Broadstone - May 16; Longcliffe - May 23; Colchester - June 20; Forest Pines - July 5; Dunham Forest - July 18.

Is Kelsey the youngest Northern Counties Champion?
Former Scottish amateur champion and Curtis Cup player before her tour pro career, Gillian Stewart, pictured left, from Inverness has added weight to the suggestion that 14-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) is the youngest ever winner of the Northern Counties women's title.
There were those at Inverness Golf Club on Sunday, after Kelsey's two-hole win over Marian Howieson (Inverness) in the final, who thought that if anyone had won the Northern Counties title at at earlier age, it could only have been Gillian Stewart.
"Kirkwoodgolf" contacted Gillian and here is her reply:
"According to my records I won the Northern Counties title in 1976-78-82. In 1976 I would have been 17. So Kelsey has beaten me by three years. I didn't start playing until I was 14. Whether she is the youngest winner I wouldn't know, but I don't know of anyone younger."
Incidentally, Gillian Stewart tells us that she is going to be working for BBC Radio Scotland at the Open over the Old Course, St Andrews this year as part of their commentary team.
Gillian is making a name for herself as a coach. She has her own website, www.gillianstewart.com.

Monday 2nd May 2005

EAST LOTHIAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Former Scottish girls' match-play champion Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan) had to play only 25 holes on Monday to win two ties and sweep through to the last four of the East Lothian women's county golf championship at North Berwick Golf Club.
The 19-year-old Loretto School golf scholarship student who is bound for Colorado State University in the autumn had wins by 7 and 5 and 7 and 6 over home course players Vera Ross and Carol Ross and now plays Shonagh McEwan (Gullane), conqueror of former Scottish champion Jayne Smith (Gullane) for a place in the final.
No 2 seed Moira Thomson (North Berwick) was beaten 3 and 2 by Mary-Lou Renton (Gifford) in the quarter-finals. Mary-Lou plays Fiona Prior (Gullane) in the second semi-final.
Results:
EAST LOTHIAN WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
North Berwick Golf Club.
First round
Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan &  Loretto School) bt Vera Ross (North Berwick) 7 and 5.
Carol Ross (North Berwick) bt Jane Herd (Mussleburgh) 2 and 1.
Jayne Smith (Gullane) bt Pam Hall (Royal Musselburgh) 6 and 5.
Shonagh McEwan (Gullane) bt Maureen Woodward (Gullane) 4 and 3.
Fiona Prior (Gullane) bt Susan Penman (Gullane) 2 and 1.
Anne Chainey (North Berwick bt Irene Stewart (Gifford) 6 and 4.
Mary-Lou Renton (Gifford) bt Elinor Blair (Linlithgow) 2 and 1.
Moira Thomson (North Berwick) bt Val McKenzie (Longniddry) 6 and 5.
Quarter-finals
Brotherton bt C Ross 7 and 6.
McEwan bt Smith 4 and 2.
Prior bt Chainey 8 and 7.
Renton bt Thomson 3 and 2.
HANDICAP QUAICH
Quarter-finals
Jane Whitelaw (North Berwick) bt Hayley Kirkpatrick (Gullane) 4 and 3.
Gladys Stevenson (Glen) bt Ann Butterworth (North Berwick) 7 and 6.
Janette Buchanan (Musselburgh) bt Ros Thoresen (North Berwick) 1 hole.
Nancy Davidson (Glen) bt Gratian Andrew (Gullane) 6 and 4.
Tuesday's scratch semi-finals will tee off at 10.0 and 10.07 with the handicap ties at 10.15 and 10.22. The handicap final will start at 2.30 with the scratch final at 2.45.

ST LEONARDS NATIONAL JUNIOR SCHOOLS' TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Leading prizewinners in the St Leonards School, St Andrews national junior school championships over the Strathtyrum and Balgove courses were:
BOYS
Under-9 years: 1 P Sagoo (Ealing) 65, 2 B Kinsley (Canongate) 70, 3 F Davren (Netherlee) 74, 4 M Brodie (Airlie) 95, 5 F Soutar (Loch Side) 97.
Under-11 years: 1 J Jamieson (St Leonards) 81, 2 A Whyte (Lawhead) 84, 3 E Scott (Lawhead) 85,l 4 C Ives (Ashcam House) 86, 5 E Rutherford (Edinburgh Acad) 89.
Under-13 years: 1 A Starkey-Smith (Leeds Grammar) 76, 2 J Wainman (Leeds Grammar) 80 (better inward half), 3 H Govett (Leeds Grammar) 80.
Team event: Leeds Grammar.
GIRLS
Under-9 years: L Whyte (Lawhead) 78.
Under-11 years: 1 M McCulloch (New Park) 84, 2 A Miarnau (Malsis School) 111.
Under-13 girls: 1 E Briggs (Bridge of Weir) 81, 2 J Graham (Dumfries Acad) 89, 3 A Taylor (Northmuir) 99.

Bishopbriggs Golf Club heading drive to introduce kids to golf
The Bishopbriggs Golf Club is heading the drive to introduce more children to golf in East Dunbartonshire after re-developing two of its holes into a purpose built course for junior and member practice.
Long considered as one of the wettest courses in Scotland because of its proximity to the Forth and Clyde canal, the recent innovations at the club have now helped transform its greens and fairways into some of the driest in the west. Importantly for the local community, the club will soon be opening its doors to local school children as part of Scotland’s Junior Golf Strategy, clubgolf.
“We were always known as a wet course because a number of the holes run alongside the canal,” said the club’s secretary, Drew Smith.
“When the owners, British Waterways announced they were to open the canal for the Millennium link in 2000 we knew it would add to the existing drainage problems. Even before the canal was re-opened it was wet but it would have caused a major problem if they had raised the level of the canal.”
Together with sportscotland, the Lottery programme, The R&A and its own members, the club solved the problem by investing in a high tech drainage system. A dam was built, channels were dug and underground pumps were installed to lower the water table by a metre. The water was diverted into the nearby Bishopbriggs burn.
Drying the course has meant the club could realise its long standing ambition of transforming a rough, boggy area into two new holes which freed up two existing holes for use as a junior practice facility, now known as the Golf Academy
“The extra land we won by the drainage system has been brought back into good use,” said Mr Smith. “After careful consideration of the ecological and biodiversity impact, we built two new holes on what was rough derelict marsh land, which released part of the golf course for the new facility. It allowed us to develop a driving range, six new mini holes and three par 3 practice holes.”
Although the new Golf Academy will officially open in July, it was given its first test on Monday night when 40 of the club’s junior and prospective junior members were given a clubgolf Level 1 lesson by the club’s volunteer coaches.
“We are encouraging all our youngsters and parents to join the clubgolf sessions to learn the basics of the game,” said Mr Smith. “Safety, awareness and care of the course and etiquette are all major elements of the course.
“On the first night this week we had a good turnout. The youngsters thoroughly enjoyed the session and the parents were delighted with how it went.”
Bishopbriggs’ clubgolf course, which will run throughout the summer, is organised by nine club members who have been on the PGA clubgolf Level 1 Training for Volunteers Course. Later this summer, the club will extend its welcome to local primary school children who have been involved with clubgolf’s six-week introductory game, firstclubgolf during school.
“It’s a long haul process and the aim is to get more youngsters playing and turn all into good club golfers and hopefully future champions,” said Mr Smith.
 “The long term project is to develop our own youngsters whilst building relationships with the local community to provide clubgolf facilities for the local schools. In addition this new facility provides an opportunity to both experienced and new golfers, young and old, to develop their skills in the sport.
“We’re working in conjunction with the local Active Schools Coordinators to make the facility open and available. There has been a very positive level of interest.”

Sunday 1st May 2005

US College golf
McALPINE'S TOP 20 FINISH IN OREGON
Colorado State University student Kevin McAlpine from Alyth finished joint 18th in the Mountain West Conference men's college golf championship at Sunriver Resort in Oregon.
Kevin, son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper, had rounds of 74, 75 and 72 for a five-over-par total on a long par 72 course of some 7,568yd.
Kevin finished 13 shots behind winner Nick Becker (Brigham Young University).
Colorado State (886) came fifth in the team event behind winners New Mexico (856).

Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play championship
CLARE QUEEN (9th) TOP SCOT IN WELSH OPEN STROKE-PLAY
Clare Queen (Drumpellier), joint third overnight, failed to mount a last-round challenge and finished ninth in the Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club today (Sunday).
Clare had a final round of two-over-par 77 for a 54-hole total of one-over-par 226 - eight shots behind English youngster Henni Brockway (Yeovil) and Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) who tied on 218 and finished five shots ahead of the international-class field
Brockway won a sudden-death play-off at the third extra hole.
[Photo of Henrietta Brockway at Pyle & Kenfig courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward]
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) tied for 11th place on 227 after a 77.
Kylie Walker (Stirling University) closed with a 76 for 228 and a share of 13th place.
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) faded to joint 30th  place with an 81 for 235.
Martina Pow (Selkirk) came 37th with an 81 for 238.
Ireland's Martina Gillen, winner of the Helen Holm Scottish women's open stroke-play title at Troon the previous weekend, surprisingly finish 37th with a total of 239.]
Scotland (Clare Queen, Jenna Wilson and Martina Pow) came third in the international team event with a total of 453. England B (Kiran Matharu, Melissa Reid and Felicity Johnson) won with 439 from England A (Lisa Ball, Kerry Smith and Sophie Walker) with 446.
Ireland A (Claire Coughlan, Tricia Mangan, Martina Gillen) were fourth on 459.
Scotland B (Dawn Dewar, Cara Gruber and Kylie Walker) finished fifth on 463
ALL THE FINAL TOTALS (CSS  75 75 75)
218 H Brockway (Yeovil) 73 72 73, K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 71 73 74 (Brockway won play-off at third extra hole).
223 M Reid (Chevin) 72 81 70, S Walker (Kenwick Park) 77 74 72, K Smith (Waterlooville) 75 74 74.
225 RE Jenning (Izaak Walton) 78 74 73, L Diggle (Celtic Manor) 75 75 75, L Eastwood (Yelverton) 73 76 76.
226 C Queen (Drumpellier) 76 73 77, J Ewart (Catterick) 73 79 74, Holly Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 80, 74, 72
227 J Wilson (Strathaven) 74 76 77, S O'Sullivan (Galway) 73 77 77.
228 F Johnson (Harborne) 75 79 74, K Walker (Stirling Univ) 74 78 76.
229 C Coughlan (Cork) 73 78 78.
230 T Mangan (Ennis) 75 77 78.
231 C Lee (Wes Lancs) 82 75 74, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 77 78 76, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 77 76 78, E Brown (West Wilts) 76 77 78, J Hodge (Knowle) 73 81 77, N Evans (Pleasington) 72 81 78.
232 M Smith (The Oaks) 75 75 82, L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 73 81 78.
233 K Whitemore (Sandiway) 80 73 80, K Heywood (Crompton & Royton) 77 77 79, J Nicolson (Wrexham) 73 81 79.
234 S Birks (Wolstanton) 77 76 81, H Barwood (Knowle) 75 82 77.
235 L Ball (Matfen Hall) 81 76 78,B Loucks (Wrexham) 77 79 79,C Gruberr (Royal Dornoch) 73 81 81, F Griamshaw (Weymouth) 73 78 84.
236 L Barton (Coventry) 79 75 82, H Grant (Enmore Park) 77 80 79.
238 M Pow (Selkirk) 77 80 81.
239 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 79 80 80, F Smith (Chelmsford) 78 81 80.
240 L Gould (Bargoed) 77 83 80, K Boulden (Maesdu) 77 79 84.
241 E Taylor (Saunton) 84 78 79, C Ellis (Minchinhampton) 80 79 82, C Smith (The Oaks) 79 79 83.
242 C Starkie (Silsden) 87 77 78. R Adams (Addington Court) 81 78 83.
243 L Brand (Ilkley) 87 76 80, G O'Leary (Cork) 85 78 80.
244 T Davies (Holyhead) 90 77 77, L Holmes (Hessle) 85 84 75.
2476 D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 81 81 84.
247 N Whitmore (Woburn) 82 85 80.
248 T Boyes (Meon Valley) 77 81 90.
249 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 82 79 88.
253 D O'Connell (Burnham & Berrow) 83 88 82.
255 A Rees (Southerndown) 83 91 81.
258 K O'Connor (Nelson) 84 85 89.
Retired: S Brodie (Delamere Forest) 84 86 W/D; S Jones (Pennar) 84 W/D./
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
439 England B (F Johnson, K Matharu, M Reid)
446 England A ( L Ball, K Smith, S Walker).
453 Scotland A (M Pow, C Queen, J Wilson).
459 Ireland (C Coughlan, T Mangan, M Gillen).
463 Scotland B (D Dewar, C Gruber, K Walker).
465 Wales B (L Hall, S Jones,  J Nicolson).
466 Wales A (K Boulden, S Evans, B Loucks).

Northern Counties Championship
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD KELSEY WINS TITLE IN RAIN AT INVERNESS
[Photo right courtesy Robin Wilson]
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) became one of the youngest winners on record of the Northern Counties women's championship at Inverness Golf Club today.
Only 14 years of age - but a member of the Scottish title-winning Northern Counties last year - Kelsey beat Marian Howieson (Inverness) by two holes in the final, played in a steady downpour.
Kelsey, one up on the 18th tee, birdied the last to clinch the title.
In the morning semi-finals, Miss MacDonald had a good win over the host club player, Kerri Harper.

Runner-up Jane Turner, Midlothian Champion Claire Hargan and Leading Qualifier Sally Watson after the prizegiving today
[15+13=28... Claire will know what I mean!!]

Midlothian County Championship
MIDLOTHIAN TITLE HAT-TRICK FOR CLAIRE HARGAN
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) won the Midlothian women’s county golf championship for the third year in a row at Ratho Park Golf Club today. She beat clubmate Jane Turner 5 and 4 in the final.
Both made unforced errors during the final. Jane fluffed her chip at the first and allowed Claire to win with a par 4, Claire birdied the second to go 2 up but was brought back to one at the next, a short par 4, where Jane chipped and putted for a birdie. Jane had a chance to go square at the 4th but missed a 6ft putt for a birdie. She missed another short putt at the next to lose the hole. They halved the 6th in par 4s and Jane three-putted the seventh after the green had to be cleared of casual water to lose another and go three down. They halved the short 8th in regulation 3s and both bogeyed the 9th. Claire reached the turn in one over par 37 and was 3 up.
They halved the 10th in par 4s, Jane made a bit of a mess of the par 5 11th after being close in two mighty blows, and allowed Claire to win it, and then three putted the short 12th to go 5 down. A half in 3s at the short par 3 13th, and then another half at the 14th gave Claire the Championship.
Jane, who knocked out the top qualifier, Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), earlier in the tournament, was let down by her putting in the final.
Sarah Devenish (Kingsknowe), a second year University student, pictured left in the photo, won the B championship, beating Helen Warnock (Harburn), a new member of the County Association, by 4 and 3 in the final.
MIDLOTHIAN WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Ratho Park Golf Club
Semi-finals
Jane Turner (Mortonhall) bt Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 2 and 1.
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) bt Claire MacDonald (Gullane) 1 hole.
Final
Hargan bt Turner 5 and 4.
B CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Sarah Devenish (Kingsknowe) bt Trish Davis (Dalmahoy) 6 and 5.
Helen Warnock (Harburn) bt Sandra Ashurst (Murrayfield) 2 and 1.
Final
Devenish bt Warnock 4 and 3.

Aberdeenshire Champion Julie Henderson is presented with the County Championship trophy
while other prize-winners look on.

Aberdeenshire County Championship
JULIE WINS ABERDEENSHIRE TITLE IN RAIN
Julie Henderson from Inverurie won the Aberdeenshire women’s county title for the second time in three years when she beat teenager Laura Murray (Alford) by 7 and 6 in the final at rain-lashed Murcar today.
Laura, only 16 years of age, did well to beat the county’s other top prospect Michele Thomson (Ellon) in the morning semi-finals, but her lack of experience in bad-weather conditions made it a one-sided final.
Miss Murray did win the first but then lost the second and third to be one down after three.
Miss Henderson, 29, playing in her third county final in four years, won six holes in a row from the sixth to be seven up and a half at the short 12th ended the contest.
Collated scoreboard
ABERDEENSHIRE WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Murcar Golf Club
First round
M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt S Shepherd (Deeside) 5 and 3.
J Harrison (Cruden Bay) bt J Whitehead (Kemnay) 4 and 3.
C Middleton (Cruden Bay) bt L McPherson (Deeside) 2 holes.
L Murray (Alford) bt L Coleman (Peterhead) 3 and 1.
D Pocock (Murcar) bt F Hay (Deeside) 2 a\nd 1.
L McLardy (Murcar) bt L Terry (Cruden Bay) 3 and 1.
C Wilson (Murcar) bt E Brown (Aboyne) 6 and 5.
J Henderson (Inverurie) bt K Thomson (Kintore) 3 and 2.
Quarter-finals
M Thomson bt Harrison 4 and 3.
Murray bt Middleton 2 holes.
McLardy bt Pocock 6 and 5.
Henderson bt K Thomson 3 and 2.
Semi-finals
Murray bt M Thomson 3 and 2.
Henderson bt McLardy 4 and 2.
Final
Henderson bt Murray 7 and 6

Northern Counties Championship
KELSEY v MARIAN IN FINAL AT INVERNESS
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), only 14 years of age, is through to the Northern Counties women's championship for the first time. She will play Marian Howieson (Inverness) in the 18-hole final this afternoon at Inverness Golf Club.
In this morning's semi-finals, Kelsey avenged a defeat in the championship last year by Kerri Harper (Inverness). Kelsey beat Kerri, a former Inverness women's club champion and an R&A Golf Bursar, by 2 and 1.
Beaten finalist last year, Jenny Milne was knocked out in the semi-finals this year by host club player Marian Howieson by 4 and 2.
Results:
Semi-finals
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) bt Kerri Harper (Inverness) 2 and 1.
Marian Howieson (Inverness) bt Jenny Milne (Elgin) 4 and 2.