November 2004 Archive

Tuesday 30th November 2004

We have all heard of Jessie Valentine, but some of you might have wondered who the other new SLGA VP was.... read Colin's article to find out.....
SLGA HONOUR JESSIE VALENTINE AND KATHERINE CLARK
Two of the grand old ladies of Scottish amateur golf – Jessie Valentine and Katherine Clark - have been appointed vice-presidents by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in recognition of their contribution to the game of golf in Scotland in the 20th Century.
Jessie is the oldest surviving winner of the British and Scottish women’s amateur golf championships. She will be 90 on March 18 next year (2005).
Katherine, born in 1915, is an honorary life member of The Ladies Golf Club, Troon and was a low-handicap Ayrshire county team player either side of World War II.
Perth-born Jessie, daughter of professional Joe Anderson, won the Scottish title six times between 1938 and 1956 and reached the final of the British championship five times, winning the title in 1937, 1955 and 1958. She played in seven Curtis Cup matches between 1936 and 1958.
Awarded the MBE in 1959, Mrs Valentine has been a resident of a retirement home at Bridge of Earn for a number of years.
Miss Katherine Clark was a great supporter of Scottish women’s amateur golf down through the years. It was Katherine who donated the Clark Rosebowl which is contested every year at the Scottish women’s championship by the players who just failed to make the championship match-play stages.
A member of The Ladies Golf Club, Troon since 1928, Miss Clark’s roots are in Ayrshire where the family name was well known through the the Clarks’ Threads business.
As a player, Katherine was unlucky, from the point of view of winning titles and international honours, to be a contemporary of so many fine Scottish lady golfers, particularly in the West of Scotland and notably her legendary clubmate Helen Holm.
Mrs Holm beat Miss Clark in the final of the 1934 West of Scotland championship – when Katherine was 19 years old – and again in the Ayrshire county championship of 1947.
Miss Clark’s handicap was 11 in 1932 when she was 17 years of age but by 1937 she had brought her rating down to two, which was very low for a female golfer in the pre-war era.
Katherine was ahead of her time in her interest in fostering girls’ golf. After her playing days were over, she would turn up as a spectator at many of the championships and tournaments run under the auspices of the SLGA. She moved from Ayrshire to run a farm near Montrose for a spell.
Katherine Clark now lives in retirement nursing home near Carlisle.

Put the 2005 Ladies Golf Calendar on your Electronic Diary
Do you use an Electronic diary?
I have done for years.... the diary I use (iCal) synchronises my computers (eMac and iBook) with my PDA (Palm Tungsten T3) and mobile phone. I need only enter an event on one of these devices and, on the click of a button, the others are automatically updated, so I have no excuse for missing an appointment (unless I never record it in the first place... sorry about last week Anne, Cathy and Joan!!!) .
One of the spin-offs from iCal is the ability to publish a part of your diary on the web.... and I've done this for all the Golf Fixtures for next season i.e LGU, most Scottish and the major Welsh, English and Irish events. There are also some 2006 events gleaned from the LGU diary. The URL is http://ical.mac.com/gilliankirkwood/Golf
One of the great things about this is that, if you too use an electronic diary, then you can subscribe to my Golf Calendar and get all these events in your diary without typing them in! There's a Subscribe button on the Calendar page.
Isn't Apple wonderful?

Monday 29th November 2004

Aberdeenshire girls at their winter coaching class with Andrew Locke,
the teaching pro at Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory.
The girls, left to right, in the standing group are:
Mairi Templeton (Westhill), Mhairi Johnstone (Northern), Samantha Leslie (Westhill),
Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon), Jennifer Jones (McDonald Ellon)
Photo Courtesy © Cal Carson Golf Agency

Saturday 27th November 2004

Prizewinners at the Angus Ladies A.G.M. and Prizegiving on Monday at Panmure Barry Golf Club.
Front centre is County Captain Kathleen Sutherland with a picture  of Southerness Golf Course which the Association presented to her as a momento of her win in the Scottish Seniors Championship this year.
On her right is the County Champion Lynn Fotheringham.
Photo Courtesy © Agnes Freeman

Clare Queen awarded Honorary Membership of Drumpellier
Clare Queen, pictured right, was presented with Honorary Membership of Drumpellier G.C. at a Dinner held in the Clubhouse last night.
Guest speakers included Pat Hutton, SLGA who gave full details of Clare's achievements.  The Award was presented by Captain Jim Wright - this is one of only five and the first time a lady has received this honour. -  Clare's reply included thanks to many people in particular her parents and grandparents for their support and encouragement.
Drumpellier G.C. members are very proud of Clare's achievements- over 100 attended the dinner giving their full support of the decision to grant the award.
(Thanks to Helen Heggie for this article.
Photo Courtesy © Cal Carson Golf Agency)

Broomieknowe Coffee Morning
Don't often advertise club events on this website... but I have a special reason...
If you are in the Edinburgh/Midlothian area and fancy a cup of coffee and a chat next Saturday morning (4th December from 10:00am until 12:00pm) then please come along to Broomieknowe Golf Club where you will receive a very warm welcome from the Ladies' Captain (me!) and Committee.
There will be a Tombola (food and drink donations only please), raffle and book stall. Proceeds go towards the running of the Ladies section. Hope to see you there!

Friday 26th November 2004

LOUISE KENNEY IS TOP BRIT IN US COLLEGE RANKINGS
Louise Kenney, pictured right, is the only player from Great Britain & Ireland in the latest top 100 rankings in American women's college golf.
The Golfstat Cup standings place the Dunfermline girl, a student at Iowa State University, as 46th with a stroke average of 74.86 through 14 competitive rounds in the first half of the college season.
Kate O'Sullivan (High Point) from Paisley is in 196th place with a stroke average of 75.22
The top two rankings are occupied by Swedes. Karin Sjodin (Oklahoma State) is placed just ahead of compatriot Louise Stahle (Arizona State), winner of the St Rule Trophy and then the British women's open amateur titles, both held in Scotland last June. Their stroke average is identical - 70.22
American Curtis Cup star Liz Janangelo (Duke University) is ranked third with a stroke average of 71.42.
Stroke averages have a bearing on the rankings but they are not decisive. For instance, Ireland's Tara Delaney (Kent State) is placed 131st with 75.67 but England's Sian Reddick (Baylor) is 143rd , even with a superior stroke average of 75.62, which, in turn, is inferior to Kate O'Sullivan's 75.22 in 196th place.
A GLANCE AT THE GOLFSTAT CUP STANDINGS
1 Karin Sjodin (Oklahoma State) 70.22
2 Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 70.22
3 Liz Janangelo (Duke) 71.42
Other rankings:
46 Louise Kenney (Iowa State) 74.86
131 Tara Delaney (Kent State) 75.67
143 Sian Reddick (Baylor) 75.62
196 Kate O'Sullivan (High Point) 75.22
208 Maria Dunne (Beth Cookman) 76.11

Thursday 25th November 2004

DOUBLE BOGEYS STOP LAMB FROM MAKING MARK AT EL PASO
Former Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion Mark Lamb, pictured right, from Haddington finished tied for 22nd place in a select field of 29 for the Western Refining College All-America golf classic at El Paso Country Club, Texas.
Lamb, the only Arizona University representative, shot rounds of 72, 73 and 76 for an eight-over-par total of 221.
Mark, who won his Scottish junior title at Peterhead in 2002, killed his title hopes with three double bogeys. Despite running up 5s at the short 10th and short 13th in his first round, he still managed to salvage a 72 thanks to a bag of five birdies.
A double bogey at the 16th in the final round (40-36) cost him several placings in the final standings.
Nicholas Thompson (Georgia Tech) beat Matthew Rosenfield (Texas) at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to win the prestigious title after they had tied on nine-under-par 204 after 54 holes over the par-71, 6,817yd course..
FINAL SCOREBOARD
204 Matthew Rosenfeld (Texas) 69 67 68, Nicholas Thompson (Georgia Tech) 67 75 72.
205 Alex Noren (Oklahoma State) 68 67 70.
206 Lee Williams (Auburn) 68 68 70.
Other score:
221 Mark Lamb (Arizona) 72 73 76.

Wednesday 24th November 2004

SLGA AGM, Glasgow
Two new Vice-Presidents were appointed to the SLGA in their Centenary Year, Miss Katherine Clark and Mrs Jessie Valentine.
Miss Clark has been a great supporter of women's golf, particularly the Scottish Ladies' Championship, and donated the Clark Rosebowl for players who did not qualify for the main Championship. Mrs Valentine has an outstanding record of achievement having won the Scottish Championship six times, the British Championship three times and played seven times in Curtis Cup matches.
Mrs Pat Hutton, the outgoing Executive Chairman gave a report of the SLGA activities including the move of offices from Drumoig to Perth, the changes in staff and the National, International and Centenary events. Dr Lynne Terry, the Honorary Treasurer gave a detailed explanation of the accounts, and Mrs Maureen McKerrow, Scottish Representative on the LGU Executive Council, told the meeting of the LGU events and activities over the last year.
Mrs Louise Clark retired after five years on the SLGA Executive and has been replaced by Mrs Pat Wilson. Mrs Pamela Mackenzie has replaced Pat Hutton as West Division representative.
Mrs Ethel Jack has stood down after many years of service to the Scratch Score Commttiee of the LGU and her place as deputy has been taken by Miss Joyce Flannigan. Mrs June McEwan continues to be the Scratch Score Representative on that committee.
Mrs Liz Munro has come on as a Selector in place of Mrs Anne Smart who retires after completing her term of office.
At the end of the meeting Dr Lynne Terry told the assembly of the proposed changes to the handicapping system for next year.
1. Congu is to produce guidelines for clubs doing annual reviews and general play reviews.
2. Currently the SLGA recommends that clubs should use the 19.8 (Stableford) adjustment for away scores. This wording is going to change and instead of "recommend" it will be "directed to apply".
3. The CSS for small field competitions is curently fixed at the SSS. This will change - the competition CSS will be calculated as for a large field, but the CSS will not be allowed to go down, it can only remain the same or go up. Lynne explained that this could disadvantage regular "small field" players as they could often play in reduction-only competitions and their handicaps would never go up. She suggested that the Club adjustment for general play could be applied in this instance.

EMMA WILSON IS NEW SLGA CHAIRMAN
Kirkcaldy-based Mrs Emma Wilson is the new chairman of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association. She took over the reins of the 100-year-old ruling body of Scottish women’s amateur golf from Mrs Pat Hutton (Lanark) at Wednesday’s annual meeting in Glasgow.
Emma is a member of two Fife golf clubs – Kirkcaldy and Elie & Earlsferry Ladies. She was captain of the Fife County Ladies Golf Association in 1983-84 and Fife county president in 1999-2001.
She made her debut as a player in the Fife county team in 1976 at Dalmahoy and was still a good enough player 19 years later to be a member of the Fife team who won the Scottish county championship at Prestonfield in 1995.
In 2002 Emma won the Midlands veterans title and reached the semi-finals of the Scottish veteran women’s championship at Blairgowrie before losing to the eventual title-winner, Rose Anderson (Huntly).
The new SLGA chairman was a member of the first all-ladies team to reach the final of the R&A Rules Quiz and has been a member of the SLGA executive for two years. Emma was chairman of selectors in 2004.
“I am originally from Lanark and was playing in West of Scotland girls events from the age of 10. I enjoyed playing at Troon under the eye of Jean McCulloch, May Menzies and Helen Holm,” said Mrs Wilson.
“I was inspired by these very good golfers and by the friendships made then with other girls. I enjoyed played in Scottish girls championship, then at county levek and now the national veterans’ events. I was a member of the Scotland veterans’ team who won the Miller Stirling Trophy at Seaton Carew a couple of years ago.
“I am enthusiastic about giving back to golf all the fun and friendship of competitive golf I have enjoyed over many years. I am particularly keen to encourage girls to come in the game of golf.”
The new Vice-Chairman of the Association is Mrs Margaret Rodgers (Turnhouse/Midlothian), pictured left.
Mrs Pat Wilson is to be Chairman of Selectors, Margaret McNaughton is to continue as Chairman of Training, Dorothy Gordon takes over as Girls Chairman and Jennifer Mack will be Counties' Chairman. A new Handicap Committee made up of representatives from the four divisions will be chaired by Dorothy Gordon.

Tuesday 23rd November 2004

Hope to see you at the SLGA AGM tomorrow at the Central Hotel, Glasgow. 11:00am
Don't be late!

Monday 22nd November 2004

clubgolf Press Release
Highland Junior Golf Strategy makes golf a game for all
An ambitious and innovative plan to make golf attractive and accessible to every youngster in Highland was unveiled in Inverness today (Monday 22 November, 2004).
Bruce Robertson, The Highland Council's Director of Education, Culture and Sport Service and Alistair Low, Chairman of the Scottish Golf Union representing clubgolf Executive, launched The Highland Junior Golf Strategy this morning at Loch Ness Golf Course, Castle Heather.
The plan, to make golf available for all whilst developing the area's talent to the highest level, is endorsed by Highland's leading golfers, Liz McKinnon, who this week accepted an application to join the Ladies European Tour and Murray Urquhart, the international competitor from Inverness.
The Highland Junior Golf Strategy is part of Scotland's National Junior Golf strategy clubgolf. Backed by Scotland's most famous golfer, Colin Montgomerie, the partnership of the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association and sportscotland was borne out of the Scottish Executive's commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game by 2009.
clubgolf's research of the 580 clubs in Scotland revealed that of the 250,000 members, the average age of existing golf club members is over 55 and just 27,500 are juniors - of which 90 percent are boys.  Eighty new golf clubs have been built over the past decade, but in the same period, club memberships have increased by less than five percent.  The anticipated population drop will mean 15 percent less 15 year olds playing golf in the next 10 years.
The Highland Junior Golf Strategy, clubgolf's first strategy to be launched, is tackling every challenge facing golf in the region. By 2009 it aims to:
· introduce 2,500 nine year olds in primary education in Highland to the introductory game, firstclubgolf programme at school every year;
· maintain 800 nine to 14 year olds in Highland's clubgolf programme in any one year - each transferring from the schools programme into skills programmes (clubgolf Levels 1-3) operated by clubs;
· establish pathways from the school programmes to junior sections of golf clubs and develop clear school club links;
· raise the numbers of girls participating in golf to at least 30 percent of all junior players.
To reach these targets, The Highland Junior Golf Strategy is focussing on improving facilities and training an army of volunteer coaches to teach the different levels of the plan. 
In Highland, clubgolf will establish at least 15 clubgolf centres, clubs that can deliver the core skills programme, and create the minimum of four new junior specific golf facilities.
Two hundred teachers, parents and Active School Coordinators will be involved in training to deliver the introductory game, firstclubgolf in schools. One hundred members of the region's golf clubs will be needed to work as PGA Level 1 qualified volunteer coaches to pass on the skills of the Level 1 game at their own clubs. Over 20 will be trained to teach the more advanced skills of Levels 2 and 3.
"The targets set are ambitious but, with co-operation between golf clubs, schools and links with The Highland Council's commitment to appoint Active School Coordinators and Sports Development Coordinators, they are achievable," said Bruce Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport Service, The Highland Council.
"At the heart of the initiative is the recruitment of volunteers and a welcoming atmosphere in golf clubs to admit new junior members.  Young people are the life blood of our sport and with the Highland Junior Golf Strategy in place every child will have the opportunity to learn the basics of golf by 2009 and Highland is particularly well placed to achieve this." 
There is encouraging evidence that the Highland Junior Golf Strategy is already making an impact and Highland Council's commitment to the project has led them to appoint a clubgolf funded regional development officer, the first assignment of its kind in Scotland.
Twenty one of the 45 clubs in Highland have a clubgolf Level 1 coaching programme. Over 80 volunteer coaches have been trained to deliver clubgolf's Level 1 programme at clubs. Approximately 950 children in 52 Highland primary schools (from a total of 183) have experienced firstclubgolf.
This year with support from clubgolf, Tain Golf Club redeveloped its junior facilities, opened two new practice holes and built nine clubgolf tees on its full course. Since opening, the improved facilities have received a steady stream of over 100 enthusiastic local youngsters each week. Alness and Lybster Golf Clubs recently received Awards for All grants to develop their facilities in partnership with clubgolf.
"With clubgolf pulling all partners together to put the Highland Junior Golf Strategy in place, children and golf in the Highlands will benefit enormously," said Murray Urquhart.
"Juniors across the Highlands will now have a far better chance to further their development in the game and I am sure we will see an increase in the number of children wanting to play golf. Getting them involved early and maintaining their interest through their teens will be more easily attained with the work of the strategy."
Said Alan McMillan, clubgolf Junior Golf Manager, "We are determined to give every child in Scotland the opportunity to have fun trying their hand at golf and give our most talented young players the best chance to achieve their potential.
"The Highland Junior Golf Strategy is a comprehensive plan which is already proving successful in the golf clubs and schools where it is being piloted. With the partnership of the clubs, the local authorities and clubgolf in Highland I have no doubt we will secure the future of golf in the area."

Sunday 21st November 2004

HEATHER STILL HOPING TO BLOOM AS A TOURNAMENT PROFESSIONAL
Former Scottish women's amateur champion and a Curtis Cup player in 2002, Heather Stirling has not given up hope of making a good living as a tournament player on either side of the Atlantic.
Heather, who will be 28 on February 4, is currently based in Florida, where she works six months of the year as a caddie at a local course to finance her outings on the United States Futures Tour.
"I am rusty as far as my golf swing is concerned at the start of a season due to lack of opportunities to practise while working as a caddie," said Heather.
This year Miss Stirling's income from carrying golf bags was considerably more than she earned with her golf clubs, which added up to only $2,646 from 15 event.  That earned her 98th place on the Futures Tour money table.
No one is ever going to get rich quick on the Futures Tour but Jimin Kang from Seoul, South Korea, the most successful player on America's No 2 women's pro circuit in 2004, earned $51,268 from 18 tournaments, two of which she won.
Heather did not enter the recent Futures Tour Qualifying School because the membership category she currently has will allow her in to the majority of events next season.
"I'm going to give it another year on the Futures Tour to see how well I can do," she said. "If I do well, then I will have a go at the LPGA Qualifying School. If I don't, then I might return to Europe to play in the LET Q School."
Heather believes the Futures Tour is "stronger" than the Ladies European Tour, which is a difficult point of view to agree with, certainly from this side of the Atlantic

CLAIRE HUNTER COMES HOME FOR A REST FROM NEW ZEALAND WORK
Former Aberdeenshire and North of Scotland women's champion Claire Hunter was back in Aberdeen recently on holiday from her new home in New Zealand.
Here's what Claire had to say:
"I have been working as one of the teaching professionals - among other things -  at a new nine-hole par-3 golf course about 15 miles from Auckland. My New Zealand friend Pam, her dad and another guy own the course so I have been working there for over and year and I am loving it.
"I teach, work in the coffee shop, in the kitchen making food, in the pro shop selling clubs and other things.
"I'm also part-time greenkeeper. I mow the greens in the morning before I start and I am part of the ground crew on the course maintenance. Five of us cored the greens by hand recently.
"I had been working a seven-day week in New Zealand, so I came home to Aberdeen for a rest and a bit of I relaxation. I didn't take the golf clubs home this time, as I had decided not to go back to the LET Q School this year.
"There were a few factors influencing that decision, mainly because I don't have any sponsors, and as far as my golf game is concenred, I didn't feel 100% ready and confident about it.
"I have decided to work in New Zealand  again in 2005 and got a new work permit, so things are very good."
++Claire Hunter, playing out of Deeside Golf Club, won the Aberdeenshire women's county championship as a 16-year-old in 1994 and the North of Scotland women's title in 1997. She turned professional after attending the University of Oregon.

US College Golf
Colette Murray from Dumfries, who went over to College in the States has emailed to say....
"Dear Gill,
This is Colette Murray of Jacksonville State University here. I was just writing to see if you know of any good Scottish golfers that are interested in attending an American University. I am now the assistant golf coach here and I am hoping to get some home grown talent over here. If you could get in touch with me and let me know then I would really appreciate it. We are really looking for someone to come in the spring of 2005. I realise that this is short notice but what can you do. Either way, please let me know.
Kind Regards
Colette"
If you want to get in touch with Colette her email address is colettemurray@yahoo.com

Saturday 20th November 2004

Happy birthday to daughter No3 - Ali - 25 today!

BRITISH GIRLS' OPEN CHAMPION SIGNS UP TO JOIN ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Azahara Munoz, the Spanish player who won the British girls' open championship at Lanark in August, has signed a letter of intent to go to Arizona State University from autumn next year.
It is Arizona State's second big "capture" of a leading European female amateur this year. Louise Stahle from Sweden, winner of the British women's open amateur championship at Gullane in June, enrolled at ASU at the beginning of the current term and has already made a big impact on the American women's college golf circuit.
Azahara had her 17th birthday on November 19. She won the Spanish WOMEN'S closed championship when she was only 14 years of age and has the potential to go far in the women's game.
Born in Malaga, Miss Munoz was a member of Europe's Junior Solheim Cup team in 2002 and 2003.
"Azahara is a friend of Louise Stahle so she was able to tell her all that Arizona State University has to offer," said the university women's golf team coach Melissa Luellen.

Prizewinners at the Aberdeenshire AGM with County President Anna Rae

Aberdeenshire AGM and Prizegiving
Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association annual meeting was held at Star Ballroom at the Aberdeen Beach today (Saturday).

Pictured left are Newmachar's Diane Massie, Mary Horn, Lynn Joss and Susan Tait with Watt Duffus Trophy handicap team award

Photos courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency

Thursday 18th November 2004

ELSIE FROM CUPAR FINISHES THIRD IN SUN CITY GRAND FINAL
Cupar golfer Elsie Hutcheon finished third in The Daily Telegraph-sponsored AEG British Ladies amateur tournament, the Grand Final of which was played over the Lost City and Gary Player courses at Sun City, South Africa.
Elsie was one of five Scots to figure among the 20 qualifiers from an orginal entry of thousands for the club and nationwide regional eliminators.
The other Scots to make it through to Sun City were:
Claire Penman (Carnoustie Caledonia), Sally Ward (Troon Ladies), Anne Oxenford (Dunecht House) and Marcia Stirling (Airdrie).
Anne Haylock (Dulwich & Sydenham) won the 36-hole Grand Final with net scores of 71 (Lost City) and 74 (Gary Player) for a total of 145 - one shot ahead of runner-up Christina Warr (College Pines) who had net rounds of 74 and 72.
Elsie scored 80 over Lost City but made headway up the leaderboard with a second-round 74 for 154. That was the same total as Shelley Edkins (Chelsford) whose second-round score of 86 placed her fourth.
Claire Penman finished eighth on 167 (82, 85) while Sally Ward came ninth on 169 (80, 89).
Anne Oxenford came 12th on 181 (88, 93).
Marcia Stirling finished 18th on 193 (94, 99).
FULL SCOREBOARD
(Lost City score first; Gary Player course score second)
145 Anne Haylock (Dulwich & Sydenham) 71 74.
145 Christina Warr (College Pines) 74 72.
154 Elsie Hutcheon (Cupar) 80 74, Shelley Edkins (Chelmsford) 68 86.
160 Fiona Roberts (Trent Lock) 66 94.
161 Susan Caton (Pleasington) 79 92.
166 Theresa Healy (Broome Manor) 85 81.]
167 Claire Penman (Carnoustie Caledonia) 82 85.
169 Sally Ward (Troon Ladies) 80 89.
170 Sandra Reed (Knaresborough) 80 80.176 Hazel Daniel (Vale of Glamorgan) 85 912.
181 Anne Oxenford (Dunecht House) 88 93, Doreen Cooper (Broadstone) 85 96.
186 Amanda Naunton (Peterborough Milton) 81 105, Elizabeth Gatenby (Langley Park) 84 102.
187 Lucy Pottage (Chorley) 89 98.
192 Anne Raynor (St Melyd) 91 101.
193 Marcia Stirling (Airdrie) 94 99.
197 Sandra Hodnet (Knighton) 95 102.
202 Margaret Lidstone (Cotswold Edge) 103 99

EGU Press Release
MUNICIPAL COURSES HOLD KEY TO MORE GOLFING BEGINNERS
One of the English Golf Union’s (EGU) responsibilities is to look for ways to attract more people into the game and clearly one of the avenues to achieve this is through municipal courses and their associated clubs. This was the general conclusion from a two-day Municipal Golf Seminar held at EGU headquarters in Woodhall Spa and attended by over 70 delegates from local authorities and golfing bodies.
It was felt that council-owned courses throughout the country offered an excellent opportunity by which youngsters and adults could be introduced into golf. Municipal courses offer accessibility to beginners at a modest cost, can be less restrictive than private and corporate clubs, and generally have vacancies for membership.
The gathering at Woodhall Spa heard a series of addresses from council representatives, heads of businesses within golf as well as officials from the newly formed England Golf Partnership, comprising the EGU, the English Ladies Golf Association, the Professional Golfers Association, and the Golf Foundation.
All were enthusiastic about attracting more people into golf, particularly youngsters and women who are currently underrepresented. It was stated that only eight per cent of golf club members in England are aged under 18 years of age while around 15 per cent are women, based on EGU and ELGA figures.
It was proposed that local authorities should use their clubs and courses as a service to the community rather than a means to subsidise other facilities; to adopt a child and family focus; and to bring a wider interest in golf within their population. This view was supported by the results of a recent EGU survey that showed that non-golfers cited barriers such as time, cost, difficulties presented by club memberships, and having no playing partner as reasons for not taking up the game.
Peter Howard, from the Birmingham City Council, told delegates that his authority had a history of promoting golf. He said a round on one of the city’s municipal courses costs between £6 and £12, is free to under 11s accompanied by an adult, while a yearly fee for under 18s is £75. He also stated that 10,000 rounds more than the national average were played over the city’s courses per year.
Richard Flint, the EGU’s Golf Development Manager, said that golf clubs must address the barriers that exist and should be made more accessible. He told the audience that 89 per cent of clubs completing the EGU’s recent survey had vacancies for membership, which represented around 47,000 places.
The survey showed that municipal facilities appeared to be addressing the low participation by juniors and women more so that private or proprietary golf clubs. The percentage of municipal clubs with an increase in boys and girls membership is 51 per cent and 15 per cent compared to the national average across all clubs of 44 and 34 per cent.
Municipal clubs are also less restrictive in requiring juniors to meet a certain playing standard. These are 15 per cent (boys) and 11 per cent (girls) against national figures of 49 and 47 per cent.
While the percentages for municipal clubs with playing restrictions for juniors is 20 and 16 per cent against national figures of 53 and 52 per cent.
Roger Moreland from Sport England explained the concept of the ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for Golf, which encompasses the development of the game from grass roots to elite level. If England is to reach the vision set for 2020 “To become the leading Golf Nation in the world” it appears that Municipal provision will certainly have a role to play in years to come.

Wentworth’s page 3 outcast snapped up by golf show
Former page 3 girl Liz Hoad may not be wanted by Wentworth GC, but she’s been welcomed with open arms by the London Golf Show.
The exclusive Surrey golf club revoked her probationary membership amid a storm of controversy when officials discovered she had been a topless model.
But since then, Hoad, 39, has been a focus of media attention.
National newspapers can’t get enough of her and she has been invited on several tv and radio shows, notably Channel 4’s popular Richard and Judy Show.
And the former model, who now works as a sales and marketing manager, was happy to accept an invite from RB Exhibitions managing director Ross Broadstock to use her experience in helping to put together the London Golf Show’s fashion area and catwalk shows.
Broadstock said: “Far from being a drawback, we regard Liz’s professional experiences as a model as an advantage. As a low-handicap golfer she comes with a background in both modelling and golf – and can see the mix perfectly.
“She is also very experienced in sales and marketing and we were therefore delighted she accepted our offer to join the team. In addition she’s a very pleasant person and fits in really well.
“We believe golf should be inclusive – and our show reflects this. Young, old, male, female, novice or expert – golf is for them all. And there’s something for everybody at the London Golf Show.”
Hoad currently plays off eight, though her handicap had been as low as two. In addition to her modelling career, her prowess as a golfer has also seen her present radio coverage of golf tournaments.
She will be working with the team at RB Exhibitions on the planning and logistics of the show’s distinctive ‘Grassy hole-in-one’ catwalk shows, which will showcase the best in golfwear for both men and women.
Hoad said: “Something like the London Golf Show is long overdue in the UK. Golf has changed a lot in the last few years, there are a lot of new clubs and it must have quadrupled in popularity - everyone’s going golf mad.
“Elitism in golf is now an anachronism; it’s dying out and has to stop. The politics has to go - golf should be taken as a game. And that’s what’s good about the London Golf Show: it’s all-encompassing and caters for everyone
“It’s a really good thing and can help get children involved in the game, which I think is really important.”
The London Golf Show is more than just a show – it is a total golfing experience.
It is a four-day retail exhibition aimed at all standards of golfer and showcases the best of more than 400 exhibitors, with products ranging from golf tees to golf resorts; from drivers to buggies.
Visitors will be able to try the latest in golf equipment, meet with the pros, get advice, find great deals on clubs and clothes and see a whole world of golfing destinations and holidays – all in the centre of London.
Among the visitor features are a floating green in the Victoria Docks for a hole-in-one competition, an indoor driving range and a nine-hole putting competition.
The London Golf Show takes place at the ExCel Centre, London, on April 21-24, 2005. Check out the website at: www.londongolfshow.com.
Tickets to the event cost £10 in advance, or £15 on the door; under-16s £5 in advance or £7.50 on the door and are available from Ticketmaster, online at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling freephone 08701 451205.

Wednesday 17th November 2004

R&A RULES OF GOLF QUIZ FINALISTS
Golf club teams who have qualified to contest the finals of the R&A Rules of Golf Quiz at St Andrews on November 28 are:
Scotland - Glen (North Berwick).
Ireland - Lahinch.
England:
Midlands - Gog Magog.
North Region - Warrington.
South-east Region - Mid-Herts.
South-west Region - Weston-super-Mare.
Mid-Herts and Weston-super-Mare teams have reached the finals for the first time.
Glen beat Cochrane Castle 43-38pt in the Scottish Region final, held at Craigmillar Park Golf Club. In the semi-finals at the same venue, Glen beat Forres 43-36 and Cochrane Castle beat Dunblane New 43-37.

US Student News
BRITISH CHAMP LOUISE CAN'T STOP DOMINATION BY DUKE
Top seeds Duke University retained the Hooters Women's Collegiate match-play championship at Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills in Florida.
They beat the third seeds, Arizona State, 4-1 in the final.
British open amateur champion Louise Stahle from Sweden, playing No 1 for Arizona State, lost the 17th and 18th  to Duke's Brittany Lang to go down by two holes.
Liz Janangelo, Duke's US Curtis Cup team player, beat Tiffany Tavee 4 and 3.
Jennifer Pandolfi won all four ties during the tournament for Duke.
In the semi-finals, Arizona State toppled the No 2 seeds, Oklahoma State. In that match, Louise Stahle beat her Swedish compatriot Karin Sjodin.
Results (tournament seeding in brackets):
FIRST ROUND
Duke (1) 4, UNLV (16) 1.
Furman (8) 4, Texas (9) 1.
Washington (4) 3 ½, Purdue (13) 1 ½.
Arizona (12) 4, UCLA (5) 1.
Arizona State (3) 3, Texas A&M (14) 2.
Wake Forest (11) 3, Tennessee (6) 2.
Florida (10) 3, New Mexico (7) 2.
Oklahoma State (2) 3 ½, North Carolina (15) 1 ½.
QUARTER-FINALS
Duke (1) 3, Furman (8) 2.
Arizona (12) 3 ½, Washington (4) 1 ½.
Arizona State (3) 3, Wake Forest (11) 2.
Oklahoma State (2) 3 ½. Florida (10) 1 ½.
SEMI-FINALS
Duke (1) 3, Arizona (12) 2.
Arizona State (3) 3, Oklahoma State (2) 2.
FINAL
DUKE (1) 4, ARIZONA STATE (3) 1
(Duke players named first)
Brittany Lang beat Louise Stahle 2 holes.
Anna Grzebien beat Erin Tone 4 and 3.
Liz Janangelo beat Tiffany Tavee 4 and 3.
Niloufar Azam scratched to Charmaine Erasmus.
Jennifer Pandolfi beat Alixxa Kuczka 3 and 2.

Tuesday 16th November 2004

CHANGES TO LGU TRAINING SQUAD
Tricia Mangan, Heather Macrae (pictured right) and Faye Sanderson have been added to the LGU Training Squad to replace Anna Highgate, Lynn Kenny and Shelley McKevitt, all of whom have turned professional.
Mangan, Macrae and Sanderson are current internationals for their respective countries of Ireland, Scotland and England and their inclusion brings the Training Squad up to its complement of 12 players for training throughout the winter.
The first of these sessions is being held this weekend at Wentworth where captain Ada O’Sullivan will start preparing for a successful defence of the Vagliano Trophy at Chantilly in July.
The 2004/2005 LGU Training
Claire Coughlan, Cork
Tara Delaney, Carlow
Emma Duggleby,Malton & Norton
Stephanie Evans, Vale of Llangollen
Sarah Jones, Pennard
Anne Laing, Vale of Leven
Heather Macrae, Dunblane
Tricia Mangan, Ennis
Clare Queen, Drumpellier
Faye Sanderson, Heworth (Durham)
Kerry Smith, Waterlooville
Sophie Walker, Kenwick Park
Reserves
1. Louise Kenney, Pitreavie
2. Breanne Loucks, Wrexham
3. Naomi Edwards, Ganton
4. Felicity Johnson, Harborne

Faldo Series 2005 Schedule Announced
Now going into its ninth season, the Faldo Series announces its busiest schedule ever, with the introduction of the new South England region. Now with seven regions nationwide and an additional eighth in Ireland, even more young golfers will be able to benefit from the Faldo Series’ unique combination of competition and education.
In 2004, the Faldo Series was awarded charitable status and, as such, 2005 will see a number of new initiatives as the Series endeavours to work closely with official golf bodies to further promote the game in the UK. The New Year will also bring the inaugural Faldo Series International Trophy, to be played at Hong Kong Golf Club on 17 – 21 January 2005. Bringing together young invitees from Asia, Continental Europe, Great Britain and Ireland, the creation of this new event will offer one of the most diverse fields in an amateur youth competition to date.
This year’s schedule sees the Faldo Series visiting four new venues: Carnoustie in Scotland, home of the Open Championship in 2007; Celtic Manor in Wales, the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010; East Sussex National in England, a European Tour venue; and Kilmarnock Barassie in Scotland, home to the Junior Open Championship in 2004. Highlights of the schedule also include Royal St George’s in Kent, host of the 2003 Open Championship and Royal Liverpool, home to the Open Championship in 2006. The leading players from each region will go on to compete in the 2005 Faldo Series final. Nick hosts the final and invites a selection of the brightest prospects to join his minimum one-year development programme, Team Faldo.
The Faldo Series will also continue to offer young golfers the opportunity to experience top-level competition with the added advantage of expert tuition and seminars covering every aspect of the game. With the assistance of his handpicked team of experts, Nick hopes that players will go on to compete at the very highest level and follow in the footsteps of previous winners like Nick Dougherty, now a recognised face on the European Tour circuit.
With well over 2,000 applications last year, there will be a total field of over 500 participants selected to play three 18-hole stroke-play events in their chosen region. Entrants must be born in 1984 or later and have a minimum handicap according to their age group: Boys/Girls Under 21 (handicap limit 4); Boys U18 (5); Boys U17 (6); Boys U16 (7); Boys U15 (8) and Girls U18 (12).
For further information and access to application forms, visit the website at www.nickfaldo.com/series

Monday 15th November 2004

New team in place to help introduce clubgolf to Central and East Scotland schools
A twenty seven strong School Sports Team from Central and East Scotland is backing Scotland's national junior golf strategy, clubgolf, which aims to meet the Scottish Executive's ambitious target of introducing every nine year old in Scotland to the game by 2009.
clubgolf is a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association and sportscotland. The Scottish Executive provides £500,000 per year, until 2009, through sportscotland, to fund the strategy.
The team, comprising 20 Active Schools coordinators (primary), six sports development officers from East and West Lothian, Falkirk and Stirling Council's School Sport Team, plus a disability development officer from Forth Valley, is the first in the country be trained to become clubgolf Regional Tutors.
It aims to help recruit and coach the army of teachers and volunteers to teach the introductory firstclubgolf game, played with multi-coloured modified clubs and rubberised balls to give children an exciting and safe introduction to the game, within local primary schools. Children who enjoy the six-week course have opportunity of moving on to the second Level 1 stage of the programme hosted by their local golf clubs.
"clubgolf is a great initiative and it opens up what has been an inaccessible sport to a potentially wide range of people," said Lynne Niven, Active Schools Coordinator, Edinburgh.
"The equipment makes it fun and easy to teach the game of golf which is otherwise seen as a technical complex game, that very few people would feel comfortable delivering.
"It is weighted just like proper golf equipment - you've got a driver, a putter, a tee, all the real life elements to it that make it a very real experience."
clubgolf pilot projects throughout Scotland have so far introduced over 2,500 primary school children across Scotland to the game and it is making an impact in Central and East Scotland.
This summer, 87 children from Aberfoyle, Callander, Crianlarich, Killin, Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Strathyre primary schools in Stirling's McLaren cluster experienced firstclubgolf on their curriculum. Next year clubgolf will be introduced to schools in four out the eight local clusters in Falkirk and to two of Stirling's six clusters. Around 300 children from 22 local schools will join the plan in January.
In West Lothian, Bridgend Primary School children complete clubgolf's Level 1 course at the next-door Bridgend Golf Club last month. Pumpherston and Linlithgow Golf Clubs ran clubgolf Level 1 course this summer for over 40 local children.
Five out of the eight primary schools in the Linlithgow cluster have a firstclubgolf programme. By the end of this school year all eight schools will be on board and each one will have a member of staff or a parent trained up to deliver it with the aim of giving over 300 local primary school children their first taste of golf by the end of the year.
clubgolf will be rolled out to all 32 East Lothian Primary schools over the next three years. By April 2005 almost 400 children in the county will have had their first clubgolf experience in schools. Many will move on to local golf clubs to begin Level 1.
In Edinburgh this summer, almost 150 children from Buckstone, Hunters Tryst, South Morningside and Sciennes Primary School enjoyed firstclubgolf.  The Hermitage Children's Golf Centre is the first club in the city to host the Level 1 game. In 2005 forty-four Edinburgh primary schools and Turnhouse Golf Club and all Edinburgh Leisure Courses will all be onboard.
Said Wendy Taylor, Active Schools Manager at Falkirk Council: "This is a fantastic opportunity to break down the barriers previously associated with children's participation in golf.
"clubgolf is an exciting, new initiative for children within Falkirk Council and will allow us to work closely with our partners, Sports Development and local golf clubs, to develop golf at a local level."

Sunday 14th November 2004

ROOKIE PRO LIZ WILL KEEP INVERNESS AS BASE
New Zealand-born Liz McKinnon, pictured right, who lives with her husband Roy near Inverness, has confirmed that she has turned professional. She entered the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School as an amateur but gained one of the 30 players' cards to be won.
Liz told "Kirkwoodgolf" reporter Colin Farquharson:
"Yes, I will be accepting the full LET tour card. I have handed in my letter of resignation to work and will work my 1 months notice.
"Roy and I will fly to California to see my sponsor for one week and will then head home (New Zealand) for Christmas - yes, a warm Christmas!!!
"From there we are not exactly sure, but it maybe I will play in a few events in Asia, then the events in Australia February-March and then maybe on to South Africa.
"We will then return to Inverness where we will base ourselves during the Ladies European Tour season.
"So, we have got a lot to do! But it is exciting times!"
Mrs McKinnon departure from the amateur scene will weaken the Northern Counties team which has won the Scottish county championship for the past two years. In this year's finals at Nairn Dunbar, she beat Scottish champion Anne Laing (Dunbartonshire & Argyll).
Liz had won the Northern Counties individual championship in two of the past three years and in the spring of this year she was beaten finalist in the Portuguese women's open amateur championship, played on the Algarve.

Saturday 13th November 2004

Ayrshire Ladies' County Golf Association News
Alison Gemmill (Kilmarnock (Barassie)), pictured right, was awarded Honorary Membership of the County Association at their recent AGM (also held at Kilmarnock (Barassie)) in recognition of her achievements  in and services to golf at County and National level.
Alison has been a County team member and winner of the County Championship many times as well as twice winning the Scottish Ladies' Amateur Championship , been runner-up in the same event, and a Scottish Internationalist on several occasions and been an International Team Captain.

Friday 12th November 2004

A new British website for old golf books
Old, out-of-print and rare golf books are normally hard to find. But OldGolfBooks.com, a British website newly set up by Michael Cole, a former bookseller based in York, has now made it far easier.
"It was clear from the beginning", explained Michael Cole, "that a single website dedicated to bringing together and displaying out-of-print golf books for sale from scores of small independent booksellers across the UK would give buyers a far larger choice than could be found in any secondhand bookshop."
"However", he continued "I really didn't anticipate the sheer range of interesting old titles for sale that would result."
This special golfing website lists a changing selection of some 4,000 golf books published between about 1860 and 2000 and ranging in price from from £4 to over £1,000.
An easy-to-use keyword-search facility lets you to home in quickly on books on any aspect of golf that interests you. For example, searching for "Golf+Scotland" produces 140 items within a few seconds.As Michael Cole points out, an additional nice aspect of the website is that buyers are linked direct to the individual booksellers offering the books for sale.
"OldGolfBooks.com doesn't get involved in any way in the buying/selling process", he says, "Instead it puts you in direct contact with the bookseller who has got what you want. This allows the opportunity for a personal relationship to develop between individual buyers and sellers -  a normal part of any high-street bookshop transaction but so often lacking when buying on the internet."
So check out what old books in your own favorite area are available at www.oldgolfbooks.com
[If you share my interest in Golf History and Collecting then you might find this site useful. Gill]

Ayrshire Golf
Alasdair Malcolm of Prestwick St Cuthbert is to be commended for his excellent site www.ayrshiregolf.blogspot.com which he hopes will eventually cover all of Ayrshire amateur golf.
At present Men's and Junior results are to the fore, but web space is dynamic and the site can expand to report on Club and Ladies' golf if Alasdair is sent the results. If you are in Ayrshire and you want anything golf-related published send it to aj-malcolm@fsmail.net.

Thursday 11th November 2004

US Student Golf
SCOTS TO FORE IN FLORIDA COLLEGE GOLF
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club member Russell Knox from Inverness has finished runner-up in an American college golf tournament in Florida this week.
Russell, a sophomore golf scholarship student at Jacksonville University, Florida, scored 70, 75 and 73 for a two-over-par aggregate of 218 – four shots behind winner Torstein Naevestad (Florida Atlantic University) who shot 71, 74 and 69.
The pair were locked together on 145 with one round to go in the Golf Daytona Invitational tournament at Victoria Hills Golf Club, DeLand. Norwegian student Naevestad from Oslo played brilliantly over the tough, 6,989yd par-72 course in the final round to finish four strokes ahead of the Scot.
It was Knox’s third top-five finish on the American college circuit.
There was a Scottish flavour about the top 10 finishers.
Russell’s Jacksonville team-mates, Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh and Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) finished third and tied seventh respectively.
Kennedy scored 76, 72 and 72 for 220 while Stewart shot 74, 73 and 75 for 222.
Jacksonville (898) finished runners-up to Florida Atlantic (891) in the team event, which was Jacksonville’s highest finish of the first half of the 2004-2005 college golf season.

NIKE GOLF INTRODUCES A WINTER WARMER
Cold Weather Glove Keeps golfers hands warm and dry throughout the winter.
Nike Golf has tapped into years of expertise across a variety of sports to create the new generation of winter gloves. Taking inspiration from the water ski industry and winter sports gloves, Nike introduces Cold Weather gloves to keep your hands warm even in the coldest of conditions.
A new wrist-cuff opening is utilised instead of the usual tab design. This means that body heat cannot escape from the top of the glove and it allows the jacket to be placed over the cuff for added warmth.
Nike has also used its proprietary Therma-FIT engineered fabric in the back of the hand and wrist, which is a densely woven, quick-drying microfibre fleece, providing extra heat insulation.
"The goal was to make the warmest pair of golf gloves possible to cope with winter conditions across Europe," said Sander Van Rijn, product line manager for Nike Golf Europe.
"By combining our Therma-FIT technology we have a glove that means you can carry on playing even when the coldest spells hit the golf course.”
Features and Benefits
Great Fit: Strategically placed lycra spandex in the back of the fingers provides a customised fitting system for all hand shapes and sizes 3D pre-curved finger design provides optimum fits.
Great Fit in Wet Conditions: Microfibre synthetic leather combined with a traction pattern allows moisture to pass through quickly, helping to prevent water build up between the club grip and your gloves.
Cold Weather gloves are available in XS through to XL.
The Nike Cold Weather gloves will be available across Europe from January 2005 with a suggested retail price of £13.20 per pair.
Nike Golf, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game in every product category.
For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolfeurope.com.

US Student Golf
PERTHSHIRE GIRL TIES FOR FIFTH PLACE AT AUGUSTA
Perthshire girl Emily Ogilvie from Dunning tied for fifth place this week in the Lady Jaguar Invitational women’s college golf tournament at Forest Hills Golf Club, Augusta in Georgia.
Emily, a golf scholarship student at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, had rounds of 77 and 78 for an aggregate of 155 over the 5,954yd, par-72 course.
The winner was Katie Stepanek (Maryland) with a pair of 76s for 152.
Former Scottish girls’ match-play champion Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar), also a student at Arkansas Little Rock, tied for 18th place on 162 with two rounds of 81.
A third Scot on the Arkansas Little Rock women’s golf roster, Fiona Gilbert from Carnoustie, finished 65th with 86 and 88 for 174.
Arkansas Little Rock (649) finished sixth equal in the team event behind winners Maryland (633).

Wednesday 10th November 2004

ELGA Press Release
Masterclass for English golfers
Three English golfers are just back from Texas – and a masterclass with some of the world’s top coaches.
Teenagers Felicity Johnson and Sian James, together with professional Sarah Claridge, spent a week with Dick, Craig and Bill Harmon, brothers of World No 1 Coach, Butch Harmon.
The girls were among six UK youngsters at the golf clinic, while Sarah observed the Harmon brothers’ coaching methods.
The verdict on the Red Bull Mastersclass at the Dick Harmon School of Golf in Houston? “It was the absolute trip of a lifetime, I loved every minute of it,” said Felicity, 17, from Halesowen. “It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” said Sarah, head teaching professional at The Kendleshire in Gloucestershire.
Felicity, who plays at Harborne, is England’s top girl golfer having just won ELGA’s junior order of merit. Sian, 16, plays at Bristol & Clifton, is a member of ELGA’s Select South West Squad and a Gloucestershire first-team player. Sarah is ELGA’s south-west development coach - and also Sian’s coach.
All three were handpicked for the trip by Butch Harmon and his brothers at a Red Bull event at The Belfry earlier this year.

Tuesday 9th November 2004

KATE A WINNER AGAIN IN USA
Paisley girl Kate O'Sullivan, in her second year of a a golf scholarship student at High Point University, North Carolina, has scored her second win within two months on the American women's college circuit.
Kate, 19, who became the first High Point player ever to win a tournament in the Sea Trail Invitation in mid-September, this week won the TPC Virginia Beach Invitational.She shot rounds of 74 and 77 for an aggregate of 151 over the 5,852yd, par-72 course at Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Kate won by one shot from Laura Mengelkamp (Wyoming University) who had a pair of 76s for 152.
Fiona Brunton (Bethune-Cookman College) from Cornwall finished joint seventh on 158 with scores of 80 and 78.
Ireland international Maria Dunne, also a Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach student from County Dublin, finished 11th with 79 and 81 for 160.
Jenna Kinnear (High Point) from Belfast came 19th with 84 and 82 for 166.
Ohio (634) won the team event from Florida Athletic (635) and Wyoming (645) with High Point (655) and Bethune-Cookman (659) fourth and fifth.
The High Point University women's golf programme has only been up and running for two years. This was their best ever team placing.

Monday 8th November 2004

Ladies tee off for the NSPCC
The NSPCC is inviting women golfers to take part in Europe’s largest charity golf tournament to help raise £20,000 for the Society.
This will take the grand total that the competition has raised over the past 15 years to £170,000. The tournament begins with clubs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland hosting qualifying rounds.
Ten regional finals will be held at some of the UK’s most prestigious golf clubs, with the winning pair going through to the Grand Final held at the Forest of Arden, home of the British Masters. Those making it through to the Grand Final will enjoy two nights accommodation, two rounds of golf, a welcome dinner and a gala dinner.
With over 12,000 players taking part annually, the event has become one of Europe’s leading ladies-only charity golf competitions.
Laura Davies, Patron of the NSPCC Ladies Golf Classic, said: “The great format of the event gives ladies the chance to measure their golf against other pairs and the opportunity to go through to finals played at prestigious golf courses whilst helping end cruelty to children.”
Every player who takes part in the event will be entered into a draw to win a luxury weekend break in the Algarve.
Janet Broadmore, NSPCC project manager, said: “The NSPCC runs 180 projects across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, all working towards our aim of ending cruelty to children. None of this work would be possible without the money that such fun activities help to raise.”
For more information about the Ladies Golf Classic 2005, please contact Team Frith on 01507 354 767 or email enquiries@teamfrifth.com
[This is really not a Scottish competition as we have our own charity, the SSPCC, but the organisers say that they would not want to prevent Scottish clubs from participating.  They say "If we had a Scottish club interested in entering, then we would speak to the Children’s charity in Scotland to see if they would allow it.  We would then split the money raised between each charity.
"The only thing to note would be that the regional finals would be held in England and so they may have quite some distance to travel. Having said that, we are looking at Newcastle as the Northern regional final, so for those clubs in the borders it would not be too far."]

Sunday 7th November 2004

KATHRYN MARSHALL BACK TO SQUARE ONE IN LPGA CAREER
Kathryn Marshall, the first Scot to win an LPGA event - the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in 1995, is back to square one after 11 years as a tour pro.
The 37-year-old from Monifieth finished 112th on the money list with earnings of $53,158 from 22 starts and so loses the player's card she first gained for the 1993 season.
Kathryn must go back to the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Dayton Beach, Florida, to be held over six rounds this year, from December 1 to 5.
Rookie pro Vikki Laing from Musselburgh will be the only other Scot in the field. She gained conditional playing rights at last year's Qualifying School but was able to get into only three fields and earned $3,595.
Now the 23-year-old former Curtis Cup player must raise her sights and gain a full player's card.
Fame More, the Chesterfield player who played alongside Vikki Laing in the 2002 Curtis Cup as well as featuring in this year's GB&I side at Fomrby, has come through the regional qualifying to figure in the final showdown.
Fame failed to win a player's card for the Ladies' European Tour at last week's Qualifying School in Italy.

LINZI MISSES FUTURES Q SCHOOL CUT - AND NO SIGN OF HEATHER
Former Scottish champion Linzi Morton from Alloa failed to survive the third-round cut in the United States Futures Tour qualifying tournament for the 2005 season at Lakeland, Florida.
Miss Morton, who has been based in America for the past two or three years while playing on the Futures Tour, had three rounds of 77 for a 15-over-par total of 231 - four shots more than the maximum qualifying total.
Emma Lyons, entered as an amateur from Surrey, missed the cut on 234 with scores of 76, 77 and 81.
Heather Stirling, the former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion, was not one of the huge field of 300 who competed over the three courses at Lakeland --Cleveland Heights, Huntington Hills and Schalamar Creek.
Like Linzi Morton, Heather has competed on the Futures Tour for the past two or three seasons.
The 109 players who did make the final day and will thus have a ranking for the 2005 season, dependent on the results of the LPGA Final Qualifying School from December 1 to 5, included:
Jo Clingan from Gloucester in joint 79th place on 302 (74-71-74-83) and
Lisa Meredith-Seary from Reading (but Phoenix based) in joint 103rd place on 306 (73-80-73-80).
Two youngsters topped the Futures Q Tournament - 19-year-old rookie pro Brittany Lincicombe from Seminole, Florida and 18-year-old US Curtis Cup team player Paula Creamer from Pleasanton, California.
Brittany won the $500 top prize with scores of 68, 72, 67 and 72 for nine-under-par 279.
Paula, playing as an amateur, shot 70, 73, 64 and 72 f

US Student Golf
DELANEY GIRLS HAVE MIXED FORTUNES IN NEVADA COLLEGE TOURNAMENT
Irish women's open amateur stroke-play champion Tara Delaney from Carlow finished joint 10th and her sister Karen tied for 46th place in the Las Vegas Founders' women's college tournament over the 6,194yd, par-72 Anthem Country Club course at Henderson, Nevada.
The Delaney sisters are golf scholarship students at Kent State University, Ohio.
Tara, who is also the Irish girls' title-holder, had scores of 78, 71 and 72 for a five-over-par total of 221.
Karen, a former Irish girls' champion, scored 82, 76 and 73 for 231.
Kent State team-mate Becky Wood from Glossop shot 78, 83 and 72 for joint 53rd place on 233.
Danielle Roseberrry (New Mexico State) from the North-east of England scored 81, 80 and 88 for 249 and joint 85th place.
The individual title was won by Hwanhee Lee (University of Nevada Las Vegas) with scores of 74, 71 and 70 for two-under 215.
Kent State (899) finished seventh in the team event won by UNLV (875) from Washington (880) and Stanford (890).
New Mexico State (927) were 15th.

US Student Golf
SIAN'S TOP-10 FINISH AT SOUTHERN PINES
Sian Reddick, the 19-year-old English women's amateur stroke-play champion from Sene Valley, Kent, in her first year as a golf scholarship student at Baylor University, Texas, finished eighth equal in the Donald Ross Resorts Invitational women's college tournament at Southern Pines Golf Club, North Carolina.
Sian scored 80, 78 and 77 for a 54-hole total of 235 over a shortish, but tough 6,042yd, par-72 course.
Carol Green (James Madison) won the title with a 13-over-par total of 229 (74-81-74).

US Student Golf
GAVIN, KEIR HAVE CONTRASTING FINISHES IN US COLLEGE EVENT
Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) and Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), both golf scholarship students at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, finished tied 11th and 24th respectively in the Rollins College Inter-Collegiate golf tournament at Forest Lakes Golf Club, Ocoee in Florida.
Gavin from Perth finished on a high note with a five-under-par round of 67 after earlier efforts of 73 and 75 for a 54-hole total of one-under 215 over the 7,010yd, par-72 course.
McNicoll's fortunes went the other way. He was sharing the lead on six-under-par 138 with opening rounds of 70 and 68 but then plummeted out of the top 10 with an 82 for 220.
Stephen Conrad (Nova South-eastern) won the individual title in a low-scoring tournament with scores of 68, 71 and 68 for nine-under-par 216.
Lynn University (872) finished fourth in the team event behind winners Rollins College (857).
Lynn University are ranked No 1 in Division 2 (men) on the American college golf circuit.

US Student Golf
NORTH STUDENTS IN TOP 15 IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Duncan Stewart from Grantown-on-Spey and Russell Knox (Nairn Dunbar) - both golf scholarship students at Jacksonville University - finished tied ninth and 13th respectively in the Charleston Southern Fall Invitational college golf tournament at Coosaw Creek Country Club, Charleston, South Carolina.
Stewart scored 71, 73 and 72 for a three-over-par 216 total while Knox shot 75, 67 and 78 for 220 over the 6,467yd par-71 course.
Robert Dinwiddie (Tennessee State), a member of Barnard Castle Golf Club, County Durham, added to his list of American college tournament successes by scoring a one-stroke victory with 67, 71 and 70 for 208.

Friday 5th November 2004

US Student Golf
Fiona Hindshaw wins in Florida
East Lothian County player Fiona Hindshaw, pictured right, now a student at Pfeiffer University, won her first College tournament on Tuesday in the Flagler Fall Slam at the World Golf Village, St Augie, Florida. A six foot putt on the final green gave her a four-over par total of 148 (74,74) which was good enough to take the title by one shot from Irish girl Marie Dunne of Bethune-Cookman College. Nikki Taggart (Pfeiffer) tied for seventh place with a +11 total of 156 (79, 76).
Jackson State won the two round Tournament by two shots from Pfeiffer.
Team results
1 Jackson State Univ. 319 307 626 +50
2 Pfeiffer University 316 312 628 +52
3 Bethune-Cookman Col. 315 315 630 +54
Individual results
1 Fiona Hindshaw Pfeiffer 74 74 148 +4
2 Maria Dunne BCC n 75 74 149 +5
3 Kellie Kawahara Jackson St 75 75 150 +6

ELGA Order of Merit winners
Kerry Smith is England’s number one
English champion Kerry Smith has crowned a superb season by winning the ELGA Order of Merit for the first time.
“This caps a fantastic year,” said the 32-year-old from Waterlooville, Hampshire, who produced a series of top-notch performances to become England’s number one golfer.
Kerry claimed the biggest win of her career so far when she became English champion – at her ninth attempt. “It was like a dream come true,” she remembered
During the year she was also runner-up in the English mid-amateur, third in the English strokeplay, third in the Sherry Cup in Spain and she became the first player to win the south-east championship four times.
“This has definitely been my best-ever year and I think my all-round game has improved,” added Kerry, an England international and former Curtis Cup player. “Winning the Order of Merit reflects on everything I have done throughout the year.”
Kerry, a committed amateur who plays off plus-two, is a member of ELGA’s elite performance squad and of the LGU’s Great Britain and Ireland training squad. She plans a busy winter preparing for next season when her sights are set on another big title.
Runner-up in the Order of Merit was last year’s winner, Emma Duggleby of Malton & Norton, Yorkshire. Shelley McKevitt (Reading, Berks) was third. Both Emma and Shelley played in the 2004 Curtis Cup team.
Felicity Johnson is England’s top girl golfer
Halesowen teenager Felicity Johnson is England’s top girl golfer and adds the tile to a host of 2004 successes.
The 17-year-old, from Harborne Golf Club in Warwickshire, has won ELGA’s Order of Merit for girls at the end of her first season of full-time golf. She also finished eighth on the ladies’ table.
“It’s great to win this,” said Flic. “I’ve had a good season and this finishes it off nicely.”
The highlight of her year was her breakthrough into top-level ladies golf, winning two prestigious scratch events, the Astor Salver and the Bridget Jackson Bowl.
Her other achievements included seventh place in the British strokeplay championship. She also helped England win the Nations Cup at the British girls’ championship for the first time in 15 years.
Flic was part of England’s winning team at the girls’ home internationals and of the fourth-placed side in the European lady juniors’ team championship.
Now, Flic is aiming for a place in England’s 2005 home international team and to play in next year’s junior Solheim Cup. Looking further ahead, she wants to make the 2006 Curtis Cup team.
Runner-up in the girls’ Order of Merit was last year’s winner, Kiran Matharu of Sand Moor, Yorkshire. Emma Sheffield of Newark, Notts, was third.
Full details are on the ELGA website: www.englishladiesgolf.org

Natalie Booth to play on Ladies European Tour
Hampshire’s Natalie Booth is leaving amateur ranks to follow her dream of playing on the Ladies European Tour.
The 21-year-old from New Milton is grabbing the chance she won at the Tour’s qualifying school at Riva dei Tessali in Southern Italy.
Natalie finished 42nd to earn a conditional card for the 2005 season and she said: “I’ve definitely decided to take it.”
She expects to get starts in at least 10 tournaments and she added: “I’ve always wanted to be a professional and get my Tour card – that’s every golfer’s dream.”
However, Natalie waited until late summer before deciding to go to Tour school. She had been at university in the USA and returned home in January, planning to spend a couple of years on the amateur circuit.
After a good season, which took her to 19th on the ELGA order of merit, she was encouraged to try for her card by her brother, Lee, a golf professional, and a friend on the Challenge Tour.
“I worked really hard preparing for it – and it was fun, it was just fantastic and I really enjoyed it,” said Natalie, a member of Highcliffe Castle Golf Club.
She added: “I didn’t know what to expect. I went into it with an open mind and went for the experience more than anything, and to see what level I was at. I didn’t put any pressure on myself but I knew I had been playing well all year, that I had worked hard and that I had a good enough game to shoot good scores on any course.”
Before going to America Natalie was a member of ELGA’s Elite Under 21 squad and represented England in the French U21 championship. She won the Hampshire championship when she was 18 and was the 2003 south-east champion.

US Student News
Newsletter from Scot Anne Walker, assistant coach at University of California. Berkeley

Thursday 4th November 2004

Out-going RLCGA President Rosemary Dykes and in-coming President Wendy Cameron

Renfrewshire County AGM
Rosemary Dykes who has been the  Honorary President of Renfrewshire for the last 5 years stepped down from the post at today's AGM and welcomed Wendy Cameron (Past RLCGA County Captain, SLGA President and SLGA Chairman) as her successor. (see photo above, Courtesy and Copyright © Carol Fell)
More news and photos on the Renfrewshire website

Fife team and supporters with the East Division Inter-county Shield

Fife County Prizegiving
Fife recently celebrated the end of the golf season with a Prizegiving Supper at Balbirnie Park.
Jean Bald, a past Scottish Champion and International player, and a stalwart of Fife County Golf was awarded Honorary Membership at the event. She is pictured on the left receiving a certificate from Ann Smith, the County President.

Photos Courtesy and Copyright © Alma Robertson

Fife Prizewinners

Wednesday 3rd November 2004

Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School
Lynn Kenny and Liz McKinnon get their cards
The decision by Lynn Kenny, pictured right, Scottish Champion in 2000 and a Curtis Cup reserve this year, to turn professional before competing in the European Tour school has certainly paid off. She has qualified in 21st place, and will be able to play in all European Tour events next year.
New Zealander Liz McKinnon, pictured left, based at Nairn and playing as an amateur in the event, also finished on the same score (298) and now has to make the decision to turn professional and play in Europe.
The field had been whittled down to 52 players (37 professionals and 15 amateurs) this morning at Riva dei Tessali Golf Club, near Bari in southern Italy. The top 30 players and those tied for 30th place qualify for full playing rights in the European Tour next year. Those who finished further down the order will receive conditional playing privileges. The final cut came at 299 with 36 players on that mark or better.
Lynn has a decidedly shaky start after a slight stomach upset overnight. A par at the first was followed by four straight bogeys which could have spelt disaster for the Dunblane girl, but she pulled herself together with some steady golf and a three-over par 75 gave her an 10-over total of 298 and her tour card.
Liz McKinnon, a stalwart of the Northern Counties team in recent years, had a fighting 74 to also finish on 298.
The tournament was won by Mirian Nagl of Germany with a very steady score-line of 72,71,71,71 for 285.
Scoreboard
1 285 -3 Miriam Nagl (GER) Berliner Luft, Germany 72 71 71 71
2 286 -2 Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) Simon's Golf Club, Denmark 74 71 69 72
3 288 Par Nora Angehrn (Am) (SWI) Switzerland 77 75 69 67
4 290 +2 Carlie Butler (AUS) Australia 75 70 72 73
5 291 +3 Eleanor Pilgrim (WAL) Powerade 74 73 74 70
6 291 +3 Pia Koivuranta (FIN) JGS, Finland 71 76 73 71
7 291 +3 Mikaela Parmlid (SWE) Sweden 71 72 74 74
8 291 +3 Anna Highgate (Am) (WAL) Wales 70 74 70 77
9 292 +4 Karin Borjeskog (SWE) Nykoping Golf Club, Sweden 75 71 73 73
10 292 +4 Mianne Bagger (DEN) Hillerod GK, Denmark 70 73 72 77
11 293 +5 Elisa Serramia (Am) (ESP) Spain 76 74 68 75
12 294 +6 Marianne Skarpnord (Am) (NOR) Norway 77 73 69 75
13 294 +6 Josefine Skold (SWE) Bro-Balsta Golf Club Sweden 75 70 73 76
14 295 +7 Rikke Rasmussen (DEN) Denmark 74 75 72 74
15 296 +8 Nicola Moult (ENG) Apollo Adhesives 75 76 69 76
16 296 +8 Hazel Kavanagh (IRE) Ireland 73 72 74 77
17 296 +8 Denise Simon (Am) (GER) Germany 72 76 74 74
18 296 +8 Eva Steinberger (Am) (AUT) Austria 72 72 76 76
19 297 +9 Kerry Knowles (ENG) Wentworth Golf Club-England 78 78 69 72
20 297 +9 Sandra Carlborg (SWE) Sweden 74 76 73 74
21 298 +10 Katie Bakken (USA) Minneapolis, USA 80 74 72 72
22 298 +10 Elizabeth McKinnon (Am) (NZ) New Zealand 79 73 72 74
23 298 +10 Lynn Kenny (SCO) Scotland 77 73 73 75
24 298 +10 Lisa Jean (Am) (AUS) Australia 77 73 73 75
25 298 +10 Maria Blomqvist (SWE) Marks GK Sweden 76 74 71 77
26 298 +10 Emelie Svenningsson (SWE) Vaxjo Golf Club, Sweden 76 70 73 79
27 298 +10 Elin Olsson (SWE) Sweden 75 78 71 74
28 298 +10 Rebecca Coakley (IRE) Team Ireland Golf 73 73 74 78
29 298 +10 Sara Jelander (SWE) Sweden 72 74 73 79
30 299 +11 Jehanne Jail (FRA) Etiolles Colonial Country Club 78 77 69 75
31 299 +11 Kris Lindstrom (USA) USA 78 74 74 73
32 299 +11 Ellen Smets (BEL) Securitas, Belgium 76 77 73 73
33 299 +11 Kate Phillips (Am) (WAL) Wales 75 78 73 73
34 299 +11 Sarah Heath (ENG) Oakley 74 79 71 75
35 299 +11 Carmen Alonso Fuentes (Am) (ESP) Spain 73 76 71 79
36 299 +11 Olof Maria Jonsdottir (ICE) Keilir, Iceland 73 74 77 75
37 300 +12 Sophie Hunter (ENG) England 76 77 71 76
38 300 +12 Caterina Quintarelli (Am) (ITA) Italy 76 76 74 74
39 300 +12 Jill Magnusson (SWE) Sweden 73 73 81 73
40 300 +12 Hanna-Sofia Svenningsson (SWE) Sweden 72 76 75 77
41 300 +12 Zuzana Kamasova (Am) (SVK) Slovakia 72 74 78 76
42 301 +13 Natalie Claire Booth (Am) (ENG) England 78 72 74 77
43 301 +13 Helen Beatty (AUS) Australia 77 70 75 79
44 301 +13 Lill Kristin Saether (NOR) Norway 75 75 77 74
45 302 +14 Sarah Bennett (ENG) Fitness First 77 76 74 75
46 302 +14 Peggy Fraysse (FRA) France 75 73 78 76
47 302 +14 Tina Schneeberger (AUT) Austria 72 79 75 76
48 303 +15 Anne Lise Caudal (Am) (FRA) France 79 74 74 76
49 303 +15 Martina Gillen (Am) (IRE) Ireland 79 71 75 78
50 303 +15 Joanne Oliver (ENG) The Golfers Edge 78 76 70 79
51 303 +15 Liza Walters (ENG) England 75 77 75 76
52 303 +15 Claudia Beauchesne (CAN) Gatineau, Quebec, Canada 73 75 74 81

Tuesday 2nd November 2004

Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School
Lynn Kenny and Liz McKinnon through to final round.
Three players, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Denmark), amateur Anna Highgate (Wales) and Miriam Nagl (Germany) are tied for the lead after three rounds of the LET Final Qualifying School at Riva dei Tessali Golf Club, near Bari in southern Italy.
52 players made the cut at 227. Scotland's Lynn Kenny on 223 and New Zealander Liz McKinnon (Nairn) on 224 are still in with a chance of qualifying to play on the LET tour next year. Lynn has already committed herself to play in the professional ranks, but Liz has entered this tournament as an amateur, and is keeping her options open until the last minute.
Scottish Champion Anne Laing, also playing as an amateur, and Tracey Craik representing the La Manga Club, finished on 230 and have been eliminated.
The final round takes place tomorrow. Check the LET website for on-line scoring.
Collated Scoreboard
214 Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) 74 71 69 , Anna Highgate (Am) (WAL) 70 74 70 ,Miriam Nagl (GER) 72 71 71
215 Mianne Bagger (DEN) 70 73 72 1
217 Carlie Butler (AUS) 75 70 72, Mikaela Parmlid (SWE) 71 72 74
218 Elisa Serramia (Am) (ESP) 76 74 68, Josefine Skold (SWE) 75 70 73
219 Karin Borjeskog (SWE) 75 71 73, Sara Jelander (SWE) 72 74 73, Emelie Svenningsson (SWE) 76 70 73, Hazel Kavanagh (IRE) 73 72 74, Marianne Skarpnord (Am) (NOR) 77 73 69
220 Pia Koivuranta (FIN) 71 76 73, Nicola Moult (ENG) 75 76 69, Rebecca Coakley (IRE) 73 73 74, Eva Steinberger (Am) (AUT) 72 72 76, Carmen Alonso Fuentes (Am) (ESP) 73 76 71
221 Eleanor Pilgrim (WAL) 74 73 74, Nora Angehrn (Am) (SWI) 77 75 69, Maria Blomqvist (SWE) 76 74 71, Rikke Rasmussen (DEN) 74 75 72
222 Claudia Beauchesne (CAN) 73 75 74, Denise Simon (Am) (GER) 72 76 74, Helen Beatty (AUS) Australia 77 70 75
223 Lisa Jean (Am) (AUS) 77 73 73, Lynn Kenny (SCO) 77 73 73, Sandra Carlborg (SWE) 74 76 73, Hanna-Sofia Svenningsson (SWE) 72 76 75
224 Joanne Oliver (ENG) 78 76 70 , Sarah Heath (ENG) 74 79 71, Elin Olsson (SWE) 75 78 71, Sophie Hunter (ENG) 76 77 71, Elizabeth McKinnon (Am) (NZ) 79 73 72 , Jehanne Jail (FRA) 78 77 69, Olof Maria Jonsdottir (ICE) 73 74 77 , Zuzana Kamasova (Am) (SVK) Slovakia 72 74 78, Natalie Claire Booth (Am) (ENG) 78 72 74
225 Kerry Knowles (ENG) 78 78 69, Martina Gillen (Am) (IRE) 79 71 75
226 Katie Bakken (USA) 80 74 72, Ellen Smets (BEL) 76 77 73, Kate Phillips (Am) (WAL) 75 78 73, Caterina Quintarelli (Am) (ITA) 76 76 74, Kris Lindstrom (USA) USA 78 74 74, Tina Schneeberger (AUT) 72 79 75, Peggy Fraysse (FRA) 75 73 78
227 Anne Lise Caudal (Am) (FRA) 79 74 74, Sarah Bennett (ENG) 77 76 74, Liza Walters (ENG) 75 77 75, Jill Magnusson (SWE) 73 73 81, Lill Kristin Saether (NOR) 75 75 77 1
227 or better made the cut. Other selected scores.
229 Laura Wright (ENG) 81 76 72, Fame More (ENG) England 77 76 76, Alexandra Keighley (ENG) 71 85 73, Caroline Grady (ENG) 75 80 74, Shelley McKevitt (ENG) 78 77 74 1
230 Anne Laing (Am) (SCO) 79 77 74, Tracey Craik (SCO) 77 75 78, Rebecca Prout (ENG) 76 76 78
231 Kathryn Evans (WAL) W 77 79 75, Yvonne Cassidy (IRE) 80 79 74, Kirsty J Fisher (ENG) 78 78 77
234 Clare Lipscombe (ENG) 75 84 75
236 Emma Weeks (ENG) 79 79 78

Monday 1st November 2004

ANNE LAING'S PRO CARD HOPES FADING FAST AT Q SCHOOL
Lynn Kenny, Tracey Craik and Liz McKinnon are still on course to beat the third-round cut tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School at Riva dei Tessali Golf Club, near Bari in southern Italy.
But three times Scottish amateur champion and Curtis Cup team player this year, Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) looks as though she made a shrewd decision to retain her amateur status rather than burn her boats by turning pro as Scotland team-mate Lynn Kenny did last week.
Anne, a lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar, had another uncharacteristic, error-strewn round of 77 yesterday (Monday) for a 36-hole total of 12-over-par 156.
Miss Laing starts the decisive third round in joint 74th place and only the leading 50 and ties will advance to final round, at the end of which only the leading 30 will gain playing rights for next year's Ladies European Tour.
Anne seemed to have shaken off the disappointment of her opening round of 77, when she birdied the second and third and eagled the eighth to compensate for bogeys at the fourth and sixth. Out in two-under-par 34, the Scottish champion looked set to make a considerable advance up the scoreboard.
It was an illusion. Ann required 43 shots (seven over par) for the inward half, which included double bogeys at the 14th and 16th and bogeys at the 10th, 13th and 15th.
Former Scottish champion Lynn Kenny from Dunblane, by contrast, did improve by four shots, shooting a one-over 73 to be tieing for 27th place on 150.
Lynn turned in two-over-par 38 with birdies at the fourth and eighth but bogeys at the fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth, to which she added another bogey at the 11th. Then Miss Kenny got her act together to cover the last seven holes in two under par with birdies at the 12th, 16th and 18th. Pity about that bogey at the 14th  in an inward, one-under 35.
Former Scottish girls champion Tracey Craik, playing out of La Manga Club and a pro for several years, and New Zealand amateur Liz McKinnon, a Nairn Golf Club member who lives near Inverness with her Scottish husband, are tied for 39th place on 152.
Tracey had a second-round 75 (37-38) while Liz shaved six shots off her opening effort with a 73 (37-36), bogeying the first, fifth and 11th but birdieing the eighth and 15th.
At the top of the field of 90, Mianne Bagger (Denmark), Mikaela Parmlid (Sweden) and Miriam Nagl (Germany) share the lead on one-under-par 143.
LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR FINAL QUALIFYING SCHOOL
Ria dei Tessali Golf Club, near Bari, Italy.
Leading second-round totals (Par 72)
143 M Bagger (Den) 70 73, M Parmlid (Swe) 71 72, M Nagl (Ger) 72 71.
144 A Highgate (Wal) 70 74, E Steinberger (Aut) 72 72.
145 C Butler (Aus) 75 70, J Skold (Swe) 75 70, H Kavanagh (Ire) 73 72, L H Sorensen (Den) 74 71.
146 J Magnusson (Swse) 73 73, E Svenningsson (Swe) 76 70, S Jelander (Swe) 72 74, R Coakley (Ire) 73 73, Z Kamsasova (Slo) 72 74, K Borjeskog (Swe) 75 71.
Other scores:
147 E Pilgrim (Wal) 74 73.
150 L Kenny (Sco) 77 73, N C Booth (Eng) 78 72, M Gillen (Ire) 79 71.
152 T Craik (Sco) 77 75, L McKinnon (NZ) 79 73, L Walters (Eng) 75 77.
153 S Bennett (Eng) 77 76, S Hunter (Eng) 76 77, F More (Eng) 77 76, S Heath (Eng) 74 79.
154 J Oliver (Eng) 78 76.
155 S McKevitt (Eng) 78 77, C Grady (Eng) 75 80.
156 A Laing (Sco) 79 77, K J Fisher (Eng) 78 78, K Knowles (Eng) 78 78, K Evans (Wal) 77 79, A Keighley (Eng) 71 85.
157 L Wright (Eng) 81 76.
158 E Weeks (Eng) 79 79.
159 Y Cassidy (Ire) 80 79, C Lipscombe (Eng) 75 84.