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Friday 31st October 2003

If you have any dates for the 2004 Fixture list, please let me know.

Thursday 30th October 2003

R&A PUBLISHES THE MOST REVISED RULES FOR TWENTY YEARS
The R&A, golf’s world governing body and organiser of the Open championship, today published the most revised edition of the playing rules for 20 years. Each one of the 34 rules that govern play has been amended, with the emphasis on making the rules easier to understand for all golfers. Full report
also
R&A REVISES AMATEUR STATUS RULES
PRIZE LIMIT FOR AMATEURS GOES UP AND WAITING TIME COMES DOWN FOR PROFESSIONALS RETURNING TO THE AMATEUR GAME Full report

WENDY LEADS BY EIGHT AFTER FIRST ROUND AT SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA
Wendy Shaw from the Hamptworth club, near Salisbury, Wiltshire held a commanding halfway lead of eight strokes at the end of the first day of the AEG British Ladies amateur tournament's Grand Final over the Gary Player-designed Lost City Course at Sun City, South Africa.
Wendy took up golf only 10 months ago is an extremely accomplished all-round sportswoman with an obvious eye and talent for ball games. She returned a net 64 despite the diffculty of the course which has long par-5s and difficult carries on the par-3s, most notably a crocodile pit at the 13th. On a weather note, the temperatures are well into the 30s every day.
Maureen Hombal (Radyr Golf Club) had the first hole in one of her life with a seven-wood at another short hole. She went on to return a net 76 and was lying third going into the second and final round.
Catherine Duncan from Stonehaven and Helen Kerr (Dumfries & Galloway) have done best so far of the five Scots who qualified for the golfing trip of a lifetime. They both had net 83s.
Teenager Alison Tait from Moffat had a net 85.
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD 64 Wendy Shaw (Hamptworth). 72 Alison Grandison (Chippenham). 76 Maureen Hombal (Radyr). 77 Anne Johnstone (Wychwood Park), Sheila Thorpe (Scarborough South). 79 Linda Wray (Hendon). 80 Marilyn Taylor (Bramley), Joyce Byrne (Gay Hill), Jop Naysmith (Royal Porthcawl). 83 Catherine Duncan (Stonehaven), Helen Kerr (Dumfries & Galloway). 85 Alison Tait (Moffat) 86 Carol Venn (Saunton). 87 Marlene Vinegrad (Leeds). 88 Rowena Liles (Garnant Park). 89 Cathy Yau (South Winchester). 91 Sandra Robb (Royal Montrose). 93 Susan Harries (Aston Wood), Marlene Isherwood (Kirriemuir).

SECRETARY TERESA IS LEAVING IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
THE Irish Ladies Golf Union is looking for a new secretary. Mrs Teresa Thompson is leaving the post she has filled with distinction for some time. It is believed that Teresa, who is working three months' notice, wants to move on to find a fresh challenge. Being secretary of one of the four women's home golf unions seems to take its toll. The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and the English Ladies Golf Association have both had to find new secretaries within the past year or so.

US Student News
DAVID INGLIS IN SELECT US COLLEGE EVENT FIELD
Walker Cup hero David Inglis (Tulsa University) from Glencorse has been named in a select field of 29 top US college circuit golfers to take part in the Western Refining College All-America Classic to be played at El Paso Country Club, Texas from November 23 to 25.
The unusual feature of this stroke-play tournament that there is no team play in the format. Each individual is competing for himself. Normally, on the US college circuit team results are rated ahead of individual players' performances.
The field for El Paso is limited to players who are still at college and were chosen for All-American conference teams last season.
Ireland's Gareth Maybin (South Alabama) is also in the field.
COLLETTE HELPS COLLEGE WIN EVENT IN GEORGIA
Collette Murray, pictured right, from Dumfries, a golf scholarship student at Jacksonville State University, finished joint 15th and helped her college win the team event in the Lady Panther Intercollegiate women's golf tournament at Eagles Landing Country Club, Stockbridge in Georgia.
Collette had rounds of 80 and 77 for an aggregate of 157 - 11 shots behind individual winner Sofia Gorelik (Campbell University) with scores of 72 and 74 for 146.

SCOTS GIRLS OUT IN COLD AT PORTUGAL Q SCHOOL
Scots Claire Hunter from Aberdeen and Golspie-born Pam Mackay failed to survive the 36-hole cut in the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 eliminator over the Aroeira 2 course near Lisbon yesterday (Wed).
The top 56 players in the field of 85 with two-round totals of 12-over-par 156 or better qualified for the Stage 1 72-hole tournament which starts tomorrow (Friday) over the same course.
Claire, who did not get past the halfway cut in any of the LET events she managed to get into in her rookie pro season last year, missed out by a single shot with a second-round 80 for a total of 157.
Miss Hunter had double bogey 6s at the sixth and 10th and not a single birdie in halves of 40
Pam Mackay, who has retained her amateur status, had a nightmare round of 14-over-par 88 for a 24-over-par total of 168.
Pam, with her Scotland amateur international sister Lesley as her caddie, had a horrific start over the treelined course - double bogey 6, triple bogey 8, triple bogey 7. She had two further double bogeys in halves of 47 (nine over par) and 41 (five over).
Miss Mackay, a former Scotland junior international and winner of the American junior colleges' title during her two years in the States, was clearly unable to play anywhere near her true capabilities.
Fame More from Chesterfield, a member of the Great Britain & Ireland winning team in this year's Vagliano Trophy match, also saw her pro career aspirations blighted by failure to qualify. She had rounds of 81 and 80 for 161. Miss More has retained her amateur status and the way is clear for her now to bid for a place in the GB&I Curtis Cup team to play the United States at Formby in June.
Vagliano Trophy team-mate Becky Brewerton from Abergele, Wales, pictured right, did however qualify for Stage 1 with scores of 76 and 73 for 149.
Wednesday collated scoreboard
LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL - Stage 1 - Aroeira 2 course, Portugal.
Leading qualifiers for Stage 2
(56 players with totals of 156 or better qualified)
141 L Wessberg (Swe) 71 70.
143 S Croce (Ita) 71 72, M Blomqvist (Fin) 73 70.
144 J Kuosa (Fin) 70 74, E Steinberger (Aut) (am) 71 73.
146 V Beauchet (Fra) (am) 71 75.
147 K Fisher (Eng) 73 74, P Sota (Spa) 73 74, A Monke (Ger) (am) 75 72, S Giquel (Fra) (am) 75 72, F Piovano (Ita) 74 73, T Calzavara (Ita) (am) 71 76.
148 C Louw (Sa) 74 74, U Tuutti (Fin) (am) 74 74.
149 C Butler (Aus) 77 72, B Brewerton (Wal) (am) 76 73, G Brown (Aus) 78 71, M Rigon (Ita) (am) 71 78, N Clau (Spa) (am) 73 76, A Keighley (Eng) 77 71, N Reis (Swe) 75 74.
150 J Marchan (ARg) 75 75, L Berg (Nor) 75 75, P Fraysse (Fra) (am) 76 75.
151 K Tebbet (Eng) 75 76, B Minchiotti (Spa) 73 78, N David (Fra) (am) 76 75.
152 E Olsson (Swe) (am) 72 80, M Ringdahl (Swe) (am) 76 76, V Roques (Fra) 74 78, U Rotmistrova (Ruis) (am) 77 75.
153 Z Kamasova (Slo) (am) 77 76, L H Sorensen (Den) (am) 784 79, A Millie (Ita) 77 76, C De Vos (Bel) 77 76, S Morgan (Eng) 73 80, H Alterby (Swe) 77 76, S Hunter (Eng) 78 75, J Magnusson (Swe) 80 73, F Schaeffer (Fra) (am) 78 75.
154 C Goasguen (Fra) 80 74, M Quartana (Ita) 76 78, H Beatty (Aus) 80 74, C Lipscombe (Eng) 75 79, V Bell (Eng) 74 80, K Gothman (Swe) 76 78.
155 B Hauert (Ger) (am) 78 77, J Whalley (Aus) 76 79, B Paruscio (Ita) 77 78.
156 E Larsson (Swe) 80 76, K Hutcherson (Eng) (am) 78 78, M Sapin (Fra) (am) 78 78, K Bakken (US) 79 77, J Skold (Swe) 79 77, P Beliard (Fra) 81 75, L Wright (Eng) 78 78.
DID NOT QUALIFY
157 C Hunter (Sco) 77 80, L Walters (Eng) 77 80, E Svenningsson (Swe) 80 77, B Maliwan (Thai) 76 81, R Sigurdardottir (Ice) 77 80, N Lowien (Aus) 76 81.
158 K Borjeskog (Swe) 80 78, N James (Aus) 79 79.
159 M Gundersrud (Nor) 79 80, G Andren (Swe) 80 79, M Martin (Spa) 76 83, D Rushworth (Eng) 80 79.
160 A Johns (Eng) 77 83, E Weeks (Eng) 79 81, Z Frost (SA) 80 80.
161 F More (Eng) (am) 81 80, M Holmblad (Swe) 83 78, K Evans (Wal) 85 76.
162 M Allen (Eng) (am) 84 78.
163 F Doi (Jap) 80 83.
165 C Svensson (Swe) 81 84.
166 V Smith (SA) 83 83, S Imboden (Swi) 85 81, M L Elvira (Arg) (am) 85 81.
168 S Johansson (Swe) 86 82, N Soro (Ivory C) 85 83, P Mackay (Sco) (am) 80 88.
178 M Estermann (Aut) 80 88.
Retired: A Haxhe (Bel) 83 - .

Wednesday 29th October 2003

CARLY WINS P & K SPORTS AWARD
Carly Booth, the 11-year-old golfing prodigy from Comrie, has been named Perth & Kinross young sportsperson of the month, an award sponsored by Highland Spring. Carly is the women's club champion at Auchterarder, Comrie and Dunblane golf clubs and recently finished runner-up in the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters girls' championship at Gleneagles. A five-handicap player, she is taking part in the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association's Winter League matches for players earmarked for international selection next season. The award was presented by Kelly Scrivens, marketing assistant of Perth & Kinross Leisure, representing Perth & Kinross Sports Council of behalf of the sponsors, Highland Spring.

SCOTS STRUGGLE IN PORTUGUESE Q SCHOOL
Scots Claire Hunter, pictured left, and Pam Mackay, left, went back to school today and the report at the end of the first test was "Must do better."
Aberdonian Claire and Golspie-born Pam are in a field of 85 contesting Stage 1 of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School over the Aroreira 2 course in Portugal, across the River Tagus from Lisbon.
Only 56 and ties at the end of 36 holes will go forward to Stage 2 over 72 holes on the same course and beginning on Friday.
Claire Hunter, who failed to make a halfway cut in her rookie season as a pro, shot a five-over-par 77 with a solitary birdie, at the 11th, to brighten up a card soiled by bogeys at the first, fourth, fifth, 10th, 13th and 17th in halves of 39 and 38.
Claire is tied for 38th place and if she can maintain that position over the second round she will have cleared the first hurdle but rounds of 77 are unlikely to get her through Stage 2.
Pam, competing as an amateur ready to turn pro should she make it through all the way to next season's European Ladies Tour, had a disastrous eight-over 80 with a tortuous inward half of six-over 42 which had bogeys at the 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th.
On the way out, Miss Mackay, who had Scotland amateur international sister Lesley as caddie and who works as a full-time professional caddie at Royal Dornoch, had a pair of birdie 2s on the way out, at the fifth and eighth, but bogeyed the second, fourth, sixth and ninth.
Some GB&I international-class amateurs were taking the first step along the road to pro careers, although Welsh ace Becky Brewerton and England's Fame More are still officially amateurs. Becky shot a 76 to be tieing for 28th place but Fame could yet be resuming her bid to play in next year's Curtis Cup match after shooting a first-round 81, nine over the card, a score that leaves her in joint 73rd position with 18 holes to go.
Pam is lying joint 62nd at the halfway stage of Stage 1. She has to make it up somehow to the top 56 and ties over the second rou
Jenni Kuosa from Finland showed the kind of scoring that was possible with some straight hitting on a tree-line course. She leads with a two-under-par 70. Scores

Tuesday 28th October 2003

CARTHEW TOP PLAYER AT SLGA WINTER LEAGUE SESSION
Ladybank's Jo Carthew was the most successful performer at the first of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association's winter league weekend programmes at Lanark Golf Club.
The scheme, devised by national coach Karyn Dallas, the Kirriemuir club professional, features the various levels of squads in regular match-play throughout the winter months.
Jo Carthew won twice in Pool 2, beating Claire Hargan (Prestonfield), beaten finalist in the Centenary Scottish women's amateur championship, by 5 and 4 and also registering a one-hole win over girl international Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).
Miss Hargan also lost by one hole to young Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) lost both her Pool 1 matches to Great Britain & Ireland internationals Lynn Kenny (Stirling), who beat her by 3 and 2, and Clare Queen (Drumpellier) who won by 4 and 2.
In Pool 3, 11-year-old Carly Booth from Auchterarder marked her first appearance in an SLGA squad session by beating Roseanne Niven (Crieff), the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play champion, by 3 and 2. Roseanne also lost by 2 and 1 to Kerri Harper (Inverness) who, in turn, lost by 5 and 4 to Lesley Hendry (Routenburn).
Weekend results:
POOL 1 - Lynn Kenny (Stirling Univ) beat Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 3 and 2, Clare Queen (Drumpellier) beat Gruber 4 and 2. Did not play: Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan), Lesley Mackay (Stirling Univ).
POOL 2 _ Dawn Dewar (Stirling Univ) halved with Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Jo Carthew (Ladybank) beat Webster 1 hole, Carthew beat Claire Hargan (Prestonfield) 5 and 4, Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) beat Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 4 and 2, Ramsay halved with Dewar, Caithness beat Hargan 1 hole. Did not play: Laura Aitken (Falkirk Tryst), Addi Shamash (Kirkcudbright).
POOL 3 _ Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) beat Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) 3 and 2, Hendry beat Kerri Harper (Inverness) 5 and 4, Harper beat Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 2 and 1, Carly Booth (Auchterarder) beat Niven 3 and 2. Did not play: Claire-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & Co), Fiona Hindshaw (Gullane Ladies).

US Student News
MARIA DUNNE WINS COLLEGE EVENT IN FLORIDA
IRISH international Maria Dunne (Skerries), a golf scholarship student at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, won the Coca Cola Intercollegiate Division 1 women's tournament at Indigo Lakes Country Club also at Daytona Beach. Maria, beaten by Martina Gillen in the final of the Irish women's championship in June and a member of the Ireland team who won the women's home international title at Cruden Bay in September, had rounds of 73 and 77 for a six-over-par total of 150. She won by two shots from three players - Ashley Grieg (Jacksonville) (76, 76), Samantha Maust (Stetson) (76, 76) and Ulrika Norden (Jacksonville) (79, 73).
LOUISE DOWN THE FIELD IN US
Louise Fleming, a member of Roxburghe Golf Club and a golf scholarship student at Minnesota University, finished tied for 52nd place in a field of 90 for the Lady Paladin women's college tournament at Furman University's golf course at Greenville, South Carolina. Louise had rounds of 78, 85 an d77 for a 24-over-par total of 240. Natalia Nicholls (Georgia) won the title with a total of one-under-par 215 (72, 73, 70).
FIONA WATSON BLAZED THE CYCLONES TRAIL FOR LAURA AND LOUISE
Scots girl Fiona Watson is the assistant coach at Iowa State. Read about her here

Monday 27th October 2003

FIONA NORRIS APPOINTED MANAGER FOR THE CURTIS CUP TEAM
The Ladies’ Golf Union has named Fiona Norris team manager for the Curtis Cup match to be played at Formby Golf Club on 12th and 13th June 2004. She will again work alongside Ada O’Sullivan, the captain, with whom she formed a successful partnership in guiding the GB&I team to a victory over their Continental opponents in the Vagliano Trophy at County Louth in July. Full story

MARTIN LAIRD TIED 15TH IN CALIFORNIA
Martin Laird from Hilton Park shot a three-under-par 54-hole total of 210 but still finished only joint 15th in the Nelson Invitational college tournament at Stanford University golf course, California (on Sunday, USA time).
Scotland cap Laird, a golf scholarship student at Colorado State University, had rounds of 70, 72 and 68 over the 6,786yd, par-71 course that was home to Tiger Woods during his college days.
Martin's Colorado State team-mate and compatriot, Kevin McAlpine, from Alyth finished in a tie for 60th place on eight-over 221 with scores of 76, 73 and 72.
Ryan Blaum (Duke) and Brad Heaven (Toledo) tied for the individual title at 12-under-par 201. Colorado State (843) were fifth in the team event behind winners Duke (834).

Greenlees Trophy presentation
The annual prizegiving lunch was held on Thursday at Largs Golf Club for the West of Scotland Greenlees Trophy which was started in 1931 by Isabel Greenlees of Prestwick St Nicholas.
Cochrane Castle were the winners of Division 1 with Troon runners-up and Ranfurly Castle were third.
(Picture right shows Largs Captain Sandra Nordbe presenting the Division 1 trophy to Denise Cowan of Cochrane Castle)
Division 2 Winners were Prestwick St Nicholas with Cathkin Braes runners-up.
Division 3 was won by Cawder from Cowglen.
Picture left shows Elspeth Dewar (Ladies Golf Club, Troon, Runners-up Div 1), Denise Cowan (Cochrane Castle, Winners Div 1), Winifred Patrick (Cawder winners Div 3) and Nancy Chisholm (Prestwick St Nicholas Div 2)

It was the first win for Cochrane Castle and their main team members are Donna Jackson, Carol Whyte, Maureen Skinner, Gillian McGinlay (all RLCGA County Team) plus Pearl Orr, RLCGA Captain and Sara Bishop (D&A county player)
Twenty-eight clubs in the West of Scotland play in the three Greenlees Leagues.
Division 1 and 2 have 9 clubs in them and Div 3 have 10.
The teams consist of 9 players who play in strict handicap order off scratch. Probably over 400 ladies play in the Greenlees Leagues during the season.

Cochrane Castle - winners of the Greenlees Trophy 2003
(Report and photos from Carol Fell, RLCGA webmaster)

Sunday 26th October 2003

MURCAR WIN GOLFVIEW TROPHY
MURCAR are the 2003 winners of the Golfview Trophy as champions of the Aberdeenshire Women’s Scratch League. The three teams who qualified to contest the play-offs were Murcar, Aberdeen Ladies and Cruden Bay.
Aberdeen Ladies and Murcar drew 2-2 at Balgownie. Then Cruden Bay drew 2-2 at home with Aberdeen Ladies. That made the Murcar v Cruden Bay tie the crunch match of the series.
Murcar won it by 3.5 to .5 to take the title. And second place went to undefeated Aberdeen Ladies with 2pt from their two draws.
The individual results in the Murcar v Cruden Bay match (Murcar names first) were:
Laura McLardy beat Lynne Terry 2 and 1.
Dawn Pocock beat Christine Middleton 5 and 4.
Carol Wilson halved with Ros Dunsmuir.
Frances Neish beat Susan Imlah 3 and 1.
Aberdeenshire county captain Pat Wilson, mother of Carol, also played for Murcar in the competition.

Steve Maurice, director of GolfView,
presents the GolfView Trophy to Laura McLardy of Murcar.

US Student News
LAIRD LYING 29TH IN CALIFORNIA
Martin Laird from Hilton Park is tied for 29th place with one round to go in the Nelson Invitational college golf tournament over the Stanford University course at Palo Alto, California.
Scotland cap Laird, a student at Colorado State, has had rounds of 70 and 72 for a 36-hole tally of level par 142 over the 6,786yd course which was "home" to Tiger Woods during his college days.
Laird's team-mate and compatriot, Kevin McAlpine from Alyth, is back in joint 62nd place after rounds of 76 and 73 for 149.
Brad Heaven (Washington) leads the field by three strokes at 10 under par 132 after scores of 64 and 68.

Saturday 25th October 2003

PARTIAL SUCCESS FOR VIKKI AT LPGA SCHOOL
ROOKIE pro Vikki Laing from Musselburgh did not gain one of the 28 full players' cards available for next season but she did not come away empty-handed from the LPGA Final Qualifying School over the Legends Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida (on Friday USA time).
The former Curtis Cup player, who became one of the leading players on the American women's college circuit during her four years at the University of California Berkeley, shot a final round of two-over-par 74 for the 6,443yd course. After earlier rounds of 75, 72 and 70, that gave her a three-over-par final total of 291 and 25th place in what is termed "non-exempt conditional" status.
That means Vikki is lower down the pecking order than she would like to be but at least she will gain admission to some of the less lucrative events on the 2004 LPGA schedule.
It's a foot in the door and now it is up to the 22-year-old Scot to win enough money with her few opportunities to qualify automatically for a place on the 2005 LPGA Tour. That's the route compatriot Kathryn Marshall from Monifieth took in her day after gaining non-exempt conditional status at an LPGA Q School.
To gain one of the 28 exempt places on next year's circuit, a player had to shoot three-under-par 285 or better. Even then there was a eight-way play-off for those on 285 and Sweden's Mikaela Parmlid, like Vikki a graduate of US college golf, missed out after a final shoot-out against compatriot Marlene Hedblom for the 28th and last place.
Three players earned $5,250 for tieing for the No 1 spot in the tournament - Isabelle Beisiegel from Canada, Denmark's Iben Tinning and American Catherine Cartwright, all on eight-under-par 280.
England's Lisa Hall from Stoke, who as Lisa Hackey was a one-time LPGA Rookie of the Year, made it back on to the tour with a five-under-par total of 283.
Kent-born Australian Lindsey Wright finished on the same 291 mark as Vikki Laing.
LEADING SCORES
(players from US unless stated)
280 Isabelle Beisiegel (Canada) 68 74 71 67, Catherine Cartwright 69 70 74 67, Iben Tinning (Denmark) 68 71 72 68.
281 Laurie Rinker 70 72 67 75.
282 Meredith Duncan 73 75 69 65, Clarissa Childs 73 70 72 67, Chiharu Yamaguchi (Japan) 70 72 69 71, Maggie Will 69 72 70 71, Jenna Daniels 67 72 71 72, Diana D'Alessio 66 70 74 72, Aree Song (S Korea)71 69 69 73.
283 Seol-An Jeon (Korea) 72 72 71 68, Lisa Hall (Eng) 70 74 71 68, Luciana Bemvenuti (Brazil) 73 71 70 69, Lisa DePaulo 72 72 69 70, Ashley Winn 69 73 70 71.
Other scores:
285 Marlene Hedblom (Sweden) 72 68 73 72 (after play-off).
Non-exempt conditional status included:
286 Mikaela Parmlid (Sweden) 67 74 71 73 (lost play-off).
287 Silvio Cavalleri (Italy) 72 70 75 70.
291 Lindsey Wright (Australia) 72 73 73 73, Vikki Laing (Scotland) 75 72 70 74, 291 Karen Davies (Wales) 72 72 74 73.
MISSED 54-HOLE CUT
221 Stefania Croce (Italy) 73 76 72.
222 Nuria Clau (Spain) 73 71 78.
223 Charlotta Sorenstam (Sweden) 75 78 70.
224 Georgina Simpson (England) 74 76 74.
229 Kirsty Taylor (England) 77 79 73.
230 Danielle Masters (England) 75 77 78, Pam Wright (Scotland) 77 74 79.
230 Danielle Masters (Eng) 75 77 78, Pam Wright (Sco) 77 74 79.

Friday 24th October 2003

EARLY BIRD VIKKI MEETS THE CHALLENGE AND QUALIFIES FOR FINAL ROUND
Vikki Laing, one of 31 players unable to complete their third rounds on Thursday because of darkness, responded to the early-morning challenge on Friday and swept into the decisive fourth and final round with three shots to spare in the LPGA Final Qualifying School at the LPGA International Golf Club's Legends Course a Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Curtis Cup player from Musselburgh knew what she had to do to survive the cut which brought the field down to 70 and ties for the final 18 holes at the end of which the top 28 will gain players' cards for next season on the world's most lucrative female pro circuit.
Vikki, after opening rounds of 75 and 72, shot a two-under-par 70 over the 6,443yd course for a 54-hole tally of one-over -par 217 and a tie for 40th place. The cut fell at 220.
Aboyne exile Pam Wright failed for another year to regain a full LPGA card she once held. Pam bowed out on 230 with scores of 77, 74 and 79. On the same mark was Vikki Laing's Great Britain & Ireland amateur team-mate, Danielle Masters from Kent. Danielle, who has retained her amateur status and will now chase a Curtis Cup team place next June, had scores of 75, 77 and 78.
Kirsty Taylor from England also missed out on 229.
American Laurie Rinker is the clubhouse leader on nine-under-par 207 with scores of 70, 72 and 65.
COMPLETED THIRD ROUND TOTALS
207 Laurie Rinker 70 72 65.
209 Aree Song 71 69 69.
210 Brandi Jackson 73 71 66, Karen Pearce 70 70 70, Cherie Byrnes 69 71 70, Diana D'Alessio 66 70 74.
Other scores:
215 Lisa Hall 70 74 71.
217 Vikki Laing (Sco) 75 72 70.
218 Lindsey Wright 72 73 73.
218 Karen DAvies (Wal) 72 72 74.
Failed to Qualify
224 Georgina Simpson (Eng) 74 76 74.
229 Kirsty Taylor (Eng) 77 79 73.
230 Danielle Masters (Eng) 75 77 78, Pam Wright (Sco) 77 74 79.

US Student News
JENNA OUT TO FOLLOW IN VIKKI LAING'S FOOTSTEPS IN USA
The graduation of Vikki Laing from the University of California to the professional ranks has left Scotland without a leading player in the top 100 of the American women's college golf rankings. That could all change over the next few months as Jenna Wilson from Strathaven begins to make her mark for San Diego University.
Jenna, the Scottish Under-21 girls' open champion this year, has finished second and then first in her last two tournaments and it is perhaps surprising that she is ranked only No 102 in the latest list.
Louise Kenney (Iowa State) from Pitreavie is ranked No 191 and her Scotland international team-mate, Heather MacRae from Dunblane, a college mate of Jenna Wilson at San Diego State, is well down the list at No 312 but is certain to climb the ratings once she finds her form in the States.
Elizabeth Janangelo (Duke University) and Erica Blasberg (Arizona) are ranked Nos 1 and 2 on the women's circuit.
LAIRD FINISHES FOURTH AND IS TOP SCOT IN US COLLEGE RANKINGS
Scotland cap Martin Laird (Hilton Park), a student at Colorado State University, finished fourth in a low-scoring college golf tournament in California and is the top Scot in new US college rankings. Laird had rounds of 68, 69 and 69 for a 10-under-par total of 206 over a 7,088yd course at Barona Creek Golf Club, Lakeside but still finished seven shots behind Chris Baryla (Texas El Paso), winner of the Barona Collegiate Cup tournament. Baryla shot 69, 63 and 67 for 17-under-par 199 to win by three strokes.
Consolation for Laird was that his effort helped Colorado State University win the team event by six shots from Texas El Paso - and team performances are more important to college coaches than individual scores.
Laird is ranked at No 23 in the American coast-to-coast standings.
An American, Brock MacKenzie (Washington) is No 1, just ahead of Bill Haas (Wake Forest). The leading British student is James Heath (Augusta State) from Surrey at No 9.
Walker Cup hero David Inglis (Tulsa) has not got up a full head of steam yet in the 2003-2004 college yet and is ranked No 79.
Former Scottish boys champion John Hempstock (Minnesota) from Dumfries is registered at No 117 while Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), beaten finalist in the Scottish men's amateur championship a couple of years ago, has dropped down to No 252 after being in the top 20 for a brief spell 12 months ago.
Kevin McAlpine (Colorado State) from Alyth, son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper, is well down the list at No 397. Wallace Booth (Crieff) has not figured in the Augusta State team since enrolling in August but it is likely that because he is so young the college coach does not wish the talented Great Britain & Ireland boy international to start his four-year eligibility for the US college circuit until 2004-2005.

Thursday 23rd October 2003

SCOTS STRUGGLE IN LPGA Q SCHOOL
Former Curtis Cup player Vikki Laing from Musselburgh is tied for 61st place at the halfway stage of the LPGA Final Qualifying School over the Legends Course at LPGA International, Daytona Beach in Florida. Vikki had a second-round 72 for a three-over-par tally of 147. There is a cut at the end of the third round and Miss Laing has a fighting chance of being among the leading 70 and ties who will survive that. After 72 holes, only the leading 28 will gain full cards for next season.
Former LPGA Rookie of the Year Pam Wright from Aboyne is back in joint 101st place after a 74 for 151.
Danielle Masters from Kent, who played in the same GB&I Vagliano-Trophy winning team during the summer, is languishing in joint 113th place at eight-over 152 after a second-round 77.
Diana D'Alessio leads at eight-under-par 136.
SCOREBOARD 136 Diana D'Alessio 66 70. 139 Kelly Lagedrost 71 68, Catherine Cartwright 69 70, Iben Tinning 68 71, Jenna Daniels 67 72.
Other scores: 147 Vikki Laing 75 72. 151 Pam Wright 77 74. 152 Danielle Masters 75 77.

US Student News
SJAVON AND STEPHANIE ARE DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Thanks to their golfing trips, Sjavon Wilson from Portlethen and Stephanie Crolla from Gullane Ladies', in their first few months at McLennan Community College, Waco, are being able to see a bit more of the State of Texas which is almost four times as big an area as the British Isles. Sjavon and Stephanie travelled to the city of Temple to play in the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor Fall Invitational golf tournament over the Wildflower Country Club course. It measured 5,822yd and had a par of 72.
"I shot 78 on Monday and then disappointed myself with an 86 in the second round," says Sjavon. "I was sitting fourth at the end of the first day but dropped down to 13th on 164 after the second round."
Stephanie had an 80 and 91 for 171 and finished 20th.
McLennan (657) finished a creditable fifth of 22 in the team event. St Mary's University won the team honours with 622, ahead of Tarleton State (640). Two St Mary's students, Nicole Wyne and Marla Troester finished first and second in the individual tournament. Nicole scored two 75s for 150; Marlo 78 and 73 for 151.

Welsh News
SARAH PIPS BECKY FOR WELSH ORDER OF MERIT TITLE
Sarah Jones pipped Becky Brewrton by 5pt to win the 2003 Welsh Ladies Golf Union Order of Merit.
The final placings were:
1 Sarah Jones 1200pt
2 Becky Brewerton 1195pt
3 Anna Highgate 1105pt
4 Kate Phillips 640pt
5 Jo Nicolson 600pt
6 Stephanie Evans 540pt
7 Jo Pritchard 400pt.

SENIOR WOMEN'S INTERNATIONALS GO TO NORTHERN IRELAND
Kilkeel Golf Club in County Down, Northern Ireland will host the 2nd senior women's home international matches from October 5 to 7 next year.
England won the inaugural title for the over-50s women (five years younger than the senior men's amateur internationals) at Whittington Heath earlier this month.
The British senior women's open amateur championship will also be played in Northern Ireland next year - at Portstewart Golf Club, County Derry from September 21 to 23. This year the senior women's home internationals followed on the week after the seniors' championship and the events were played in the same vicinity in the expectation that players involved in both would stay on in the area instead of going home.
"It didn't quite work out that way," said LGU tournament director Susan Simpson. "Most of the players went home after the stroke-play championship. So we didn't feel any great need to stage the events back to back next year. That's why there is, in fact, a clear week between the tournaments next autumn."

Give me your dates
The draft fixture list is firming up. If you have any dates for the 2004 diary please let me know. I'm particularly interested in County, Vets and Junior Open dates.

Wednesday 22nd October 2003

US Student News
JENNA LEADS SAN DIEGO STATE TO VICTORY
Jenna Wilson from Strathaven spearheaded San Diego State to their first team victory in American women's college golf since October 2000 and at the same time chalked up her first win on the other side of the Atlantic.
Jenna, the Scottish Under-21 girls champion, only enrolled at the university at the end of August alongwith Heather MacRae from Dunblane. She finished second in San Diego State's last tournament, becoming the first player on the college team to break 70 in a round for three years.
Miss Wilson, 19, shot rounds of 70, 74 and 67 for a five-under-par total of 211 over 6,021yd, par-72 Auld Course at Chula Vista, California to win the Lady Aztec Invitational by six shots (on Tuesday, California time).
Heather MacRae scored 76, 77 and 74 for tied 17th place on 227.
San Diego State's total of 878 was 13 lower than runners-up Nevada and was a college record for a 54-hole event.
MARTINA TIES FOR 12TH IN TENNESSEE
Irish champion Martina Gillen matched the par of 72 for the 6,201 Fox Den Country Club course in Knoxville, Tennessee to pull herself up into a final placing of joint 12th in the Mercedes Benz women's college championship. She had only two variations from par in the so-steady round - a birdie at the eighth and a bogey at the 15th.
Martina's scores were 73, 77 and 72 for six-over-over 222 - five shots behind tournament winner Allison Hanna (Ohio State) (73, 69, 75) who beat Courtney Mahon (Arkansas (72, 74, 71) with a birdie at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off after they had tied on 217.
Irish girls champion Karen Delaney, a team-mate of Miss Gillen, finished joint 68th with rounds of 82, 76 and 80 for 238.
Ohio State (884) won the team title by one shot from Oklahoma State. Kent State came 12th equal with 921.
LOUISE AND PAMELA DOWN THE FIELD IN US
Scotland international team-mates Louise Kenney (Iowa State) from Pitreavie and Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) from Doon Valley, Ayrshire finished down the field in their respective American college golf tournaments which ended on Wednesday (US time).
Louise had scores of 75, 77 and 75 for a 54-hole total of 227 in the Adidas Fall Classic over the Lansbrook course at Palm Harbour, Florida. That put Miss Kenney in a tie for 18th place behind the Swedish winner, Josefin Svenningson who set a Baylor College, Texas record with scores of 69, 71 and 70 for six-under-par 210.
Dubliner Suzie Hayes (Notre Dame) came joint 33rd on 234 (76, 83, 75).
Pamela Feggans had a disastrous last round of 86 after opening with 79 and 77. Her total of 242 put her down to a final placing of tied 21st in the Hatter Fall Classic at Howley in the Hills, Florida. The Scot finished 16 shots behind winner Natalia Navarro (Florida Atlantic) who had scores of 76, 72 and 78 for a three-shot win.

VIKKI TOILS IN FIRST LPGA Q ROUND
Suddenly a place on next year's United States LPGA Tour must seem a long way off for Vikki Laing. The rookie pro from Mussselburgh via four years on the American women's college golf circuit shot a disappointing three-over-par 75 (37-38) in the first round of the Final Qualifying School 72-hole eliminator over the Legends Course at LPGA International, Daytona Beach, California. That puts Vikki in joint 87th place, the same mark as Great Britain & Ireland amateur international team-mate Danielle Masters from Maidstone, Kent. Still an amateur, Danielle had halves of 38 and 37 for her 75. Former LPGA Rookie of the Year Pam Wright, an Aboyne exile in the States for many years, is even further down the field of 132 chasing 28 players' cards for next season. Pam is is tied for 115th place after a 77 (38-39).
At the top of the heap meantime is American Diana D'Alessio with a six-under 66 (32-34). She is one shot ahead of Sweden's Mikaela Parmlid, like Vikki a gradudate from the American college golf circuit, and Jenna Daniels.

Tuesday 21st October 2003

US Student News
JENNA SHARES LEAD IN CALIFORNIA
Scottish Under-21 girls' open champion Jenna Wilson, pictured right, from Strathaven, a first-year golf scholarship student at San Diego State University, shares the lead at level par 144 with one round to go in the Lady Aztec Invitational women's college golf tournament at The Auld Course, Chula Vista in California (MONDAY, USA TIME).
Jenna had rounds of 70 and 74 to tie for the pole position with Lauren Gray (Northern Arizona) who scored 69 and 75 for 144. Jenna's San Diego State University team-mate Heather MacRae from Dunblane is joint 21st on 153 with scores of 76 and 77.
San Diego State lead the team event by 11 strokes from Colorado State.
MARTINA TRAILS AT KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
IRISH champion Martina Gillen is back in joint 23rd place with one round to go in the Mercedes Benz women's college golf championship at Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee. Martina, a student at Kent State University and a member at Beaverstown Golf Club, had scores of 73 and 77 for a 36-hole total of six-over par 150 over the 6,201yd course. Compatriot and team-mate Karen Delaney, the Irish girls' champion from Carlow, had scores of 82 and 76 for a share of 68th place on 158. Alison Hanna (Ohio State) is setting the pace on two-under-par 142 after scores of 73 and 69. She leads by one from Onnarin Sattayabanphot (Purdue) who scored 73 and 70.

ANOTHER £6,000 BOOST FOR CLAIRE HUNTER
Every young pro golfer should have a dad like Gary Hunter. For the second year in a row, Claire Hunter's father has raised something like £6,000 to meet the tournament expenses of the Aberdonian who is still struggling to make her mark as a tournament professional. She will be competing in the European Ladies Tour Qualifying School at Aroeira, near Lisbon in Portugal next week boosted by the knowledge that she does not have to worry about when the next payday is coming around.
Gary staged a pro-am in his native Aberdeen - over the municipal Nigg Bay course - last year, featuring companies from the North Sea oil sector, in which he himself is employed. He made no secret of the fact that the primary objective of the event was to raise money to help daughter Claire, now 25 and a former Scotland girl international, pursue her ambition to be a successful tournament pro.
Last year's pro-am raised £6,000 for Claire. This year's event was an even bigger success.
"All the family would like to thank all the companies for taking part in the sponsorship day. It really went well," said Gary.
"Hopefully you all enjoyed the golf but unfortunately there's only one company who can win the trophy and Mike Pope's team from Noble Drilling squeezed in to win.
"A sum of around £8,000 was raised and 20 % cent of that (£1,600) will go to the Archie Foundation (a charity to raise money for the building of a new Aberdeen Sick Children's Hospital). "

More US College updates
PAMELA LYING SEVENTH IN HATTER FALL CLASSIC
Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern & Doon Valley, Ayrshire) was lying seventh on 156 with one round to go in the Hatter Fall Classic women's college tournament at Howley in the Hills, Florida.
Scotland international Pamela had rounds of 79 and 77 to be eight shots behind leader Natalia Navarro (Florida Atlantic) who scored 76 and 72 for 148. She led by three shots from Freddie Seeholzer (Rollins) with 75 and 76.
Rollins (625) lead the team event from South Florida (635) with Miami and Florida Southern tieing for third place on 637.
LOUISE BACK IN 19th PLACE AT ADIDAS FALL CLASSIC
Louise Kenney (Iowa State & Pitreavie, Fife) is in joint 19th with 18 holes to play in the Adidas Fall Classic over the 5,844yd, par-72 Lansbrook golf course, Palm Harbour in Florida. Louise has had rounds of 75 and 77 for 152 - 12 shots behind leader Josefin Svenningson, a Swedish-born student at Baylor College, Texas. Josefin scored 68 and 71 to lead by three from Emily Hoeper (Denver) who scored 71 and 72
Dubliner Suzie Hayes (Notre Dame) scored a 76 in the first round. Baylor (590) lead the team event from Kansas State (596) and Missouri (597). Notre Dame (607) are in sixth place. Iowa State are outside the top 10.
DAVID DISAPPOINTS IN JOINT 20TH FINISH
Walker Cup hero David Inglis (Tulsa & Glencorse) finished a disappointing joint 20th in the Duke Classic at Durham, North Carolina. David had rounds of 73, 73 and 76 for a 54-hole total of 222 over the 7,045yd, par-72 lay-out. Dustin Bray (North Carolina) was in fine form with scores of 71, 65 and 71 for nine-under-par 207 to win the individual honours by five shots from Justin Bertsch (Toledo) (69, 69, 74).
Bray also spearheared North Carolina (868) to a one-stroke team win from Illinois with Duke (871) third and Tulsa (880) fourth.

PING American College Golf Guide
Dean W. Frischknecht, author / publisher of the PING American College Golf Guide has emailed to say
"The new 2003-04 Edition of the PING American College Golf Guide is now available. It contains many updates and changes including new rules for academic eligibility for new student-athletes in major college sports effective August 2003. There is increased importance for high-school classroom grades and a decreased importance on the requirements for the SAT and ACT tests. The required test-score minimums for participating in atletics at most American colleges and universities was reduced significantly. Read about the importance of these changes and learn what else is new about college golf in the USA. Click on www.collegegolf.com for more information or to order the new 2003-04 PING American College Golf Guide."
Readers, if you are thinking of attending college in the States, this is THE essential reference guide.

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TICKET PRICES
Tickets for next year’s Open Championship, to be played at Royal Troon Golf Club from 11th to 18th July, go on sale from Tuesday 21st October. R&A Press Release

Monday 20th October 2003

Michael Innes Black
Here's a photo to cheer you all up.....
Introducing Michael Innes Black, pictured right,
at 5 days old, who weighed in at 9lb 1 1/4 oz.
Michael's mother, Scotland Team Captain,
Elaine Farquharson-Black is doing well.
The rest of the Farquharson and Black families
are recovering!

LYNN KENNY LEADS TABLE AT SLGA ORDER OF MERIT WINTER BREAK
Lynn Kenny has a 210pt lead at the top of the 2003-2004 SLGA Order of Merit, sponsored by the Dunfermline Building Socity.
The Stirling University student gained the bulk of her 1,180pt by finishing runner-up to Shelley McKevitt in the British open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Portrush. That good performance earned her 700pt.
She also received 150pt as a member of the Great Britain & Ireland team who beat the Continent of Europe in the Vagliano Trophy match at Co Louth.
GB&I team-mate Clare Queen (Drumpellier), a student at Strathclyde University, is lying second to Lynn on the 970pt mark at the winter break.
The Order of Merit restarts with the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play over Troon Portland and Royal Troon at the end of next April and the Welsh open stroke-play will be the final counting event in the scheme which straddles two seasons. 2003-2004 Order of Merit table

DIAGEO CHAMPIONSHIP AT GLENEAGLES MOVES TO NEW DATE
Scottish golf enthusiasts have less time to wait for the next Diageo Championship at Gleneagles, following confirmation today that it is to be played June 10-13, 2004 - a week earlier than in 2003. The advancement of this prestigious Championship, played over the PGA Centenary Course, Gleneagles, avoids a clash of dates with the US Open Championship, which has moved its place in the 2004 golfing calendar.
Graeme Marchbank, Diageo championship director said; "I am thrilled that we have had this opportunity to move the date of the tournament in 2004. In our view this is an extremely positive move and maintains the momentum of the journey the Championship is taking as it continues to grow in both popularity and stature on The European Tour."
Ken Schofield, executive director of The European Tour added; "The tournament's new date in The 2004 European Tour International Schedule is yet another integral part in the continuing growth of the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles.
"The European Tour acknowledges and embraces the continued support of Diageo in staging this high-profile tournament and their long-term commitment to professional golf. Our Members enjoy the annual visit to Perthshire and the outstanding Gleneagles Hotel venue."

Results from the ILGU Media golf day held on the O’Meara Course at Carton House Golf Club
Team Winners - 79 pts Brian Keogh, Linda McAuley, Joan Osborne
Runners-up - 74 pts Moira Cassidy, Niall O’ Gorman, Clodagh Tayler
Best Individual - 38 pts Brian Keogh
Longest drive ladies – Moira Cassidy
Longest drive men – Jim O’ Kelly
Nearest pin – Sinead Keane

FALDO ACCEPTS FELLOWSHIP FROM PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE 20th October 2003:
With the completion of this year’s Faldo Junior Series, yet another generation of young golfers have benefited from the experience of participating. The competition gives them access to some of the country’s finest golf courses and a chance to develop their appreciation and understanding for the game. The evident pleasure that the sixty-three eventual finalists displayed is testament to the fact that Nick Faldo is succeeding in his vision of supporting and nurturing Junior Golf in this country.
That fact has also been recognised by Pembrokeshire College Golf Academy who have awarded Nick an Honorary Fellowship for services to Junior Golf.
Now in its second year, the college’s golf academy was the first in Wales and aims to maximise students golfing and academic potential. Pembrokeshire combines professional golfing tuition with an academic course of the student’s choice. This can vary from craft courses to A levels or vocational further education. The college has also devised a specialist unit for potential professional golfers involving course design and customer care, which the PGA has agreed is equivalent to an A Level.
As patron of the golf academy Nick provides students with the opportunity to help organize the final of his Faldo Junior Series and to enjoy winter training at the Faldo Golf Institute in Florida.
“I’m thrilled to be receiving this fellowship from Pembrokeshire, a college which clearly shares my commitment to identifying the young sportsmen and women of the future,” said Nick, speaking at the recent presentation.
Glyn Jones, Principal of Pembrokeshire College, commented: “We are delighted that Nick has accepted an honorary fellowship of Pembrokeshire College. Nick is an excellent role model to junior golfers and we wish him well in his ambition to become a member of the next Ryder Cup Team.”

Sunday 19th October 2003

The Spirit International
SCOTLAND A DISAPPOINTING 15th AS UNITED STATES WIN BY 16 STROKES
SCOTLAND finished a disappointing 15th of 24 behind the United States, winners by a commanding 16-stroke margin of The Spirit International mixed amateur better-ball golf team championship over the Whispering Pines golf course, north of Houston in Texas.
The Americans had their female pairing of Jane Park and Paula Creamer to thank for the clear-cut victory as they topped the women's standings by 12 strokes from Australia (Dana Lacey and Katy Jarochowicz) with a splendid 28-under-par total of 260 for the four rounds.
The American men, Brandt Snedeker and Matthew Rosenfeld headed the men's totals with a 25-under-par score of 263 but only by two strokes from New Zealand.
The final overall team placings were: 1 United States (523), 2 Australia (539) and joint 3rd Finland and New Zealand.
Australia's male partnership was Nick Flanagan and Michael Sim.
The Scots' combined men's and women's total of 143 for the fourth and final round was only one under par, the same as their opening round. The countries who finished above Scotland were all getting under-par scores from their men's and women's teams.
Scotland (561) even slipped two shots behind England (559) in the final tallies. Scotland were represented by Walker Cup player Stuart Wilson (Forfar) and past Scottish champion Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) as well as the women's pairing of Centenary Scottish title-winner Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) and fellow Vagliano Trophy team player, Clare Queen from Drumpellier.
Wilson and McArthur shot a final round of two-under-par 70 which included two counting bogeys at the 13th and 16th. They had birdies at the second (McArthur), third (Wilson), 12th (both), and 17th (McArthur). Scotland finished tied 13th in the men's standings on 15-under--par 273, the same total as England's Gary Wolsteholme and Ross Fisher.
The Scotland women finished 15th in the female table with a level-par total of 288, losing a few places over the final round by not being able to put together a better-ball score under the par of 72. They returned a 73 which included a double-bogey 6 at the 11th and bogeys at the fifth and 10th. Their birdies came at the sixth (Queen), 14th (Queen) and 18th (Queen).
England finished tied 11th with 286 in the women's standings. Their pairing was British women's open amateur stroke-play champion Shelley McKevitt and Vagliano Trophy team player Fame More.
FINAL TEAM TOTALS (PAR 576)
523 UNITED STATES 128 129 126 140
539 AUSTRALIA 133 133 134 139
550 FINLAND 140 138 131 141, NEW ZEALAND 135 138 135 142.
551 KOREA 131 147 136 137, NETHERLANDS 134 140 139 138.
553 THAILAND, COLOMBIA
554 GERMANY.
556 AUSTRIA.
559 CANADA, ITALY, ENGLAND 140 140 139 140.
560 MEXICO.
561 SCOTLAND 143 137 138 143.
562 PHILIPPINES, SWEDEN
565 DENMARK, ARGENTINA.
566 SOUTH AFRICA.
569 NORWAY.
585 TAIPEI.
608 MALAYSIA
696 CROATIA
FINAL MEN'S TEAM TOTALS (PAR 288)
263 UNITED STATES 64 66 62 71
265 NEW ZEALAND 68 65 64 68.
266 THAILAND 64 70 65 67.
267 MEXICO 70 69 65 63, AUSTRALIA 66 63 68 70.
268 FINLAND 68 64 64 72.
269 PHILIPPINES.
270 SWEDEN, AUSTRIA, COLOMBIA.
272 SOUTH AFRICA, NETHERLANDS.
273 CANADA, SCOTLAND 69 66 68 70, ENGLAND 66 72 67 68.
274 GERMANY.
275 NORWAY, ITALY, ARGENTINA.
276 KOREA
283 DENMARK.
291 TAIPEI.
296 MALAYSIA
332 CROATIA
FINAL WOMEN'S TEAM TOTALS (PAR 288)
260 UNITED STATES 64 63 64 69.
272 AUSTRALIA 67 70 66 69.
275 KOREA 64 72 69 70.
279 NETHERLANDS.
280 GERMANY.
282 FINLAND, DENMARK.
283 COLOMBIA.
284 ITALY.
285 NEW ZEALAND.
286 CANADA, AUSTRIA, ENGLAND 74 68 72 72.
287 THAILAND.
288 SCOTLAND 74 71 70 73.
291 ARGENTINA.
292 SWEDEN.
293 PHILIPPINES, MEXICO.
294 SOUTH AFRICA, NORWAY, TAIPEI.
312 MALAYSIA.
364 CROATIA

Saturday 18th October 2003

SCOTLAND AHEAD OF ENGLAND AFTER THREE ROUNDS OF "THE SPIRIT"
UNITED States carry an overwhelming 17 shots into the final round of the 72-hole The Spirit International mixed amateur golf tournament at Whispering Pines Golf Club, near Houston, Texas.
The Americans, represented by Brandt Snedeker, Matthew Rosenfeld, Jane Park and Paula Creamer (who played in last year's R&J Junior Open at Royal Musselburgh, are an astonishing 49 under par for the first three rounds of better-ball play.
Snedeker and Rosenfeld, who combined for a 10-under-par round of 62 in the third round, are now 24 under par and lead the men's standings by four shots from Finland.
Park and Creamer shot a third-round 64 (eight under par) and are 25 under par after 54 holes. They lead the women's standings by 12 shots from Australia.
Meanwhile, a wee bit further down the scoreboard, Scots golf fans can derive a crumb of comfort from the fact that Scotland, represented by Anne Laing, Clare Queen, Stuart Wilson and Andrew McArthur, have moved ahead of England. Scotland are 13th (down a rung from the halfway placing) and England 14th, which is not much to write home about for either country in a global event of 24 teams.
Wilson and McArthur, who had scored 69 and 66 in the first two rounds, shot a better-ball 68 (four under par) in the third round to occupy joint 10th place in the men's standings.
Laing and Queen combined for a two-under-par 70, their best yet after earlier rounds of 74 and 71. That still left them in 13th place in the women's standings - one behind England
However, the combined Scotland team total is 418 - one shot ahead of England's Shelley McKevitt, Fame More, Gary Wolstenholme and Ross Fisher.
Laing and Queen had five birdies and three bogeys in their 70. They started at the 10th and Anne birdied the 10th and fifth. Clare birdied the short 16th, the first and the short eighth.
Wilson and McArthur had five birdies in their 68, including four in a row from the 12th. Stuart and Andrew started at the 10th. Both birdied the 12th and both birdied the short eighth. Stuart birdied the 13th while Andrew birtdied the 14th and 15th. They must have been disappointed not to pick up a single better-ball birdie in their last 12 holes.
Wolstenholme and Fisher had a better-ball third round of 67 after scores of 66 and 72 while McKevitt and More have scored 74 68 and 72 so far.
OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS AT END OF THIRD ROUND
383 UNITED STATES 128 129 126.
400 AUSTRALIA 133 133 134.
408 NEW ZEALAND 135 138 135.
409 FINLAND 140 138 131.
411 THAILAND 137 140 134.
413 COLOMBIA 137 137 139, NETHERLANDS 134 140 139.
414 KOREA 131 147 136, GERMANY 140 136 138.
416 AUSTRIA 141 138 137
417 PHILIPPINES 138 144 135, ITALY 138 141 138.
418 SCOTLAND 143 137 138.
419 ENGLAND 140 140 139.
421 SWEDEN 140 145 136.
426 SOUTH AFRICA 142 140 144, DENMARK 145 141 140, NORWAY 145 141 140, MEXICO 144 143 139.
427 CANADA 145 142 140.
430 ARGENTINA 140 148 142.
438 TAIPEI 147 149 142.
460 MALAYSIA 152 149 159.
521 CROATIA 170 179172
MEN'S STANDINGS
192 UNITED STATES 64 66 62.
196 FINLAND 68 68 64.
197 AUSTRALIA 66 63 68, NEW ZEALAND 68 65 64.
199 AUSTRIA 68 65 69, THAILAND 64 70 65.
201 PHILIPPINES 65 69 67, SWEDEN 67 69 65.
202 COLOMBIA 68 65 69.
203 SCOTLAND 69 66 68, SOUTH AFRICA 68 66 69.
204 ITALY 68 70 66, MEXICO 70 69 65.
205 ENGLAND 66 72 67, NETHERLANDS 64 73 68.
207 NORWAY 71 70 66, GERMANY 69 69 69
208 CANADA 69 70 69.
209 KOREA 67 75 67.
211 ARGENTINA 71 74 66.
214 DENMARK 73 64 67.
217 TAIPEI 75 72 70.
222 MALAYSIA 74 75 73.
246 CROATIA 78 82 86.
WOMEN'S STANDINGS
191 UNITED STATES 64 63 64.
203 AUSTRALIA 67 70 66.
205 KOREA 64 72 69.
207 GERMANY 71 67 69.
208 NETHERLANDS 70 67 71
211 COLOMBIA 69 72 70, NEW ZEALAND 67 73 71.
212 THAILAND 73 70 69, DENMARK 72 67 73.
213 FINLAND 72 74 67, ITALY 70 71 72.
214 ENGLAND 74 68 72.
215 SCOTLAND 74 71 70.
216 PHILIPPINES 73 75 68.
217 AUSTRIA 73 75 71.
219 NORWAY 74 71 74, CANADA 76 72 71, ARGENTINA 69 74 70.
220 SWEDEN 73 76 71.
221 TAIPEI 72 77 72.
223 SOUTH AFRICA 74 74 75, MEXICO 74 74 75.
238 MALAYSIA 78 74 86.
275 CROATIA 92 97 86.

US Student News
ILONA HELPS TO TURN AROUND HER AMERICAN COLLEGE'S FORTUNES
A SCOTTISH girl, who did not take up golf until three years ago, is being hailed as the player who has turned around the fortunes of an American college's female golfing programme.
Ilona Stubley, a member at Prestwick St Nicholas, is a golf scholarship student at the University of Central Arkansas which has won three of the four women's college tournaments it has played in since the new 2003-2004 season started after the summer break.
Ilona finished fifth in the recent Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational on the Bay Tree Silver course at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She was in second place after an opening 76 but slipped back to a 79 in torrential rain throughout the second round. Ilona's 155 total was only four strokes behind individual winner Annabel Fernandez (Lincolm Memorial) and Miss Stubley's effort resulted in Central Arkansas winning the tournament by a single stroke from Wingate University.
Her dad, David, takes up the story:
"Most people are unaware of Ilona's golf as she took up the game only three years ago and has never been included in any of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association national coaching programmes.
"Without any help, she obtained a golf scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas and has been an ever-present member of its team this year.
"The team has had unprecedented success, winning three of the four tournaments they have competed in and are now ranked in the top 10 nationally of Division 2 colleges.
"There is no doubt that Ilona has been a major factor in the rapid rise up the rankings to a position her college has never previously attained.
"During the summer break, she was coached by Bill Lockie at North Gailes and she intends to continue this as she is certainly showing the benefits."

Friday 17th October 2003

Spirit International Tournament
SCOTLAND IMPROVE TO JOINT 12TH PLACE AT WHISPERING PINES, TEXAS
Scotland finished the second day of the 72-hole The Spirit International amateur tournament in joint 12th place at the Whispering Pines golf course near Houston, Texas.
A little bit of scoreboard confusion at their last hole (the ninth), where Scottish women's champion Anne Laing, pictured right, did not hole out after Clare Queen, left, had a birdie 3, left Scotland off the scoreboards but there seemed little doubt that under the better-ball format Anne and Clare had scored a one-under-par 71, three shots of an improvement on the first day.
The Scots' male pairing of Stuart Wilson and Andrew McArthur improved by three shots to score a six-under-par 66.
That gave Scotland a combined second-round total of 137, a six-shot improvement, and a 36-hole total of 280 - the same as Gary Wolstenholme, Ross Fisher, Emma Duggleby and Fame More have totted up for England.
United States are galloping away with the overall team honours (a nine-shot lead from Australia) and the women's team event as well (a nine-stroke lead from Korea).
TEAM TOTALS AT HALFWAY
257 United States 128 129
266 Australia 133 133
273 New Zealand 135 138
274 Netherlands 134 140, Colombia 137 137.
276 Germany 140 136.
277 Thailand 137 140.
278 Finland 140 138, Korea 131 147, Austria 141 137.
279 Italy 138 141.
280 Scotland 143 137, England 140 140.
282 South Africa 142 140, Philippines 138 144.
285 Sweden 140 145.
286 Denmark 145 141, Norway 145 141.
287 Mexico 144 143.
288 Argentina 140 148.
296 Taipei 147 149.
301 Malaysia 152 149.
349 Croatia 170 179.
MEN'S STANDINGS
129 Australia 66 63.
130 United States 64 66.
132 Finland 68 64.
133 Austria 68 65, New Zealand 68 65, Colombia 68 65.
134 South Africa 68 66, Philippines 65 69, Thailand 64 70.
135 Scotland (Stuart Wilson & Andrew McArthur) 69 66.
136 Sweden 67 69.
137 Netherlands 64 73.
138 Germany 69 69, England 66 72 (Gary Wolstenholme & Ross Fisher), Italy 68 70.
139 Canada 69 70, Mexico 70 69.
141 Norway 71 70.
142 Korea 67 75.
145 Argentina 71 74.
147 Denmark 73 74, Taipei 75 72.
149 Malaysia 74 75.
160 Croatia 78 82.
WOMEN'S STANDINGS
127 United States 64 63.
136 Korea 64 72.
137 Netherlands 70 67, Australia 67 70.
138 Germany 71 67.
139 Denmark 72 67.
140 |New Zealand 67 73.
141 Colombia 69 72, Italy 780 71.
142 England 74 68 (Emma Duggleby & Fame More).
143 Argentina 69 74, Thailand 73 70.
145 Austria 73 72, Scotland 74 71 (Anne Laing & Clare Queen), Norway 74 71.
146 Finland 72 74.
148 South Africa 74 74, Philippines 73 75.
149 Taipei 72 77, Sweden 73 76.
152 Malaysia 78 74.
189 Croatia 92 97.

IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE
President Elect of Irish Ladies’ Golf Union announced
Ann Heskin has been nominated President Elect of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union. She will take over the Presidency from Ita Butler in 2005.
Ann is steeped in the game of golf. She has served in every capacity both as a player and administrator and assumes the highest office at a time of change and progress in the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union.
Born in Cork where she still lives, she played for Munster in the inaugural Interprovincial Championship in 1964 and continued through to 1984. That term included Munster’s first win in the championship in 1980. She followed her sister, Oonagh (Fitzpatrick), onto the Irish International team in 1969 although they never played on the same team together. Her final match for Ireland was in 1977. Although she is a member of Douglas, Cork, Lahinch and Killarney golf clubs her home club is Douglas where she won eight All-Ireland Senior Cup Medals. She is also a five-time winner of the Munster Ladies’ Championship. In 1983 during her second term as Irish non-playing captain Ireland won the European Team Championship at Royal Waterloo Golf Club in Belgium. On the same afternoon the Irish men’s team won the European Championship at Chantilly in France to complete a unique double. As vice captain to Elaine Bradshaw in 1980 Ireland also won the Home International Championship. She was an Irish selector between 1987 and 1996.
Ann is a current Council Member of the Ladies’ Golf Union at St Andrews from which she retires at the end of this term. She also served as an LGU selector from 1991 to 1994 and was a member of the Training Committee from 1995 to 1998. In 2002 and 2003 she was Chairman of the LGU Selection Committee. Having served on the Southern District Council from 1991 to 1993 (chairman) she was elected to the ILGU Council in1994.
“Obviously I’m delighted to be honoured as President Elect. The progress we are making will continue for everyone from the top players all the way down the line.”

US Student News
JAMIESON OUT OF THE HUNT IN LOW-SCORING US COLLEGE EVENT
Scott Jamieson from Cathkin Braes, a student at Augusta State, shot a five-over-par total over three rounds but so high was the standard of scoring that he finished in a tie for 38th place in the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate golf tournament at Old Overton Golf Club, Birmingham in Alabama.
Former Scottish amateur championship beaten finalist Jamieson had scores of 72, 70 and 76 for 218 - 23 shots behind winner Bill Haas (Wake Forest) who had a brilliant total of 18-under-par 195 with scores of 63, 66 and 66. He won by five shots from Lars Brovold (Alabama).
Scott's Augusta State team-mate, England international James Heath from Surrey, finished joint 20th on 210 with 71, 65 and 74.
Wallace Booth from Crieff, who is also on the Augusta State golf roster, has still to make his first appearance on the American college circuit.

Thursday 16th October 2003

Spirit International Tournament
SCOTLAND WELL BACK AT END OF FIRST ROUND IN "THE SPIRIT"
SCOTLAND were languishing in joint 17th place at the end of the first round of the 72-hole The Spirit International mixed amateur team golf championship at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Houston in Texas.
Each country represented by two men and two women. The men return a better-ball score for each of four rounds and so do the women. The totals are added up at the end of each round.
The men in the Scotland team are Walker Cup hero Stuart Wilson from Forfar and past Scottish champion Andrew McArthur (Windyhill). The women are Centenary champion Anne Laing from Vale of Leven and Clare Queen (Drumpellier).
Wilson and McArthur had a better-ball 69, three under par for the 7,258yd men's course. Anne and Clare had a better ball of two-over-par 74 for the 6,259yd women's course. That gave the Scots a combined score of one-under-par 143.
The United States, whose men's and women's pairings both had scores of 64, led by three strokes from Korea at the end of the first day.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
128 United States (men 64, women 64).
131 Korea (men 67, women 64).
133 Australia (men 66, women 67).
134 Netherlands (men 64, women 70).
135 New Zealand (men 68, women 67).
137 Thailand (men 64, women 73), Colombia (men 68, women 69).
138 Italy (men 68, women 70), Philippines (men 65, women 73).
140 Finland (men 68, women 72), England (men 66, women 74), Germany (men 69, women 71), Sweden (men 67, women 73), Argentina (men 71, women 69).
141 Austria (men 68, women 73).
142 South Africa (men 68, women 74).
143 Scotland (Stuart Wilson & Andrew McArthur 69, Anne Laing & Clare Queen 74).
144 Mexico.
145 Norway (men 71, women 74), Denmark (men 73, women 72), Canada (men 69, women 76).
147 China Taipei.
152 Malaysia.
170 Croatia.
There is Live scoring on Golfstat

US Student News
KATE'S UP AND DOWN DISPLAY IN "LADY PIRATE"
Scotland girl international golfer, Kate O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle), now a student at High Point University, North Carolina had one good round and two not-so-good scores as she finished tied for 62nd place in the Lady Pirate Fall Intercollegiate women's tournament at Bradford Creek Golf Club, Greenville in North Carolina. Kate scored 80, 73 and 86 for a 23-over-par total of 239 over the 6,093yd, par-72 course. The winner by three strokes was Brandy Anderson (West Carolina) with scores of 72, 74 and 69 for one-under-par 215.

THREE SCOTS IN FIELD FOR LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR Q SCHOOL
THREE Scots - Aberdeen's Claire Hunter, former Solheim Cup player and vice-captain Pam Wright and North amateur Pam Mackay - have entered for the Ladies' European Tour Qualifying School in Portugal at the end of the month.
Claire, who turn pro two years ago, and Pam Mackay from Golspie have to go through a Stage 1 pre-qualifier over 36 holes on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 and 29 at the Aroeira 2 course, near Lisbon.
There is a field of 85 for that event, including amateur aces Becky Brewerton from Wales and Fame More (Chesterfield). The leading 56 and ties at the end of two rounds will go forward to Stage 2, the final qualifying tournament over 72 holes at the same course, starting on Friday, October 31.
Arizona-based Pam Wright's previous experience on the LPGA Tour in America - she was Rookie of the Year in 1989 - means she goes straight in at Stage 2 as one of 34 players exempt from Stage 1. They also include former British women's open amateur champion Rebecca Hudson from Doncaster. Her pro career never got off the launching pad in her rookie year.
There will be a cut to 50 and ties after three rounds of the Stage 2 event. All those who survive that cut will play the fourth and final round and will receive a ranking number based on their final placing. The higher the finish, the more events the player can look forward to playing in on the Ladies European Tour in 2004.
A member of the Scottish title-winning Northern Counties team at Scotscraig in September, Pam Mackay, 24, gave up golf for a year or two on her return to Scotland after winning the NJCAA women's college individual title in 2000 while a student at Midland College, Texas. She rekindled her appetite for competitive play when she took up full-time caddieing at Royal Dornoch this season.
No sooner had she picked up the clubs again in the summer she went out and lowered her own course record for her native Golspie and soon afterwards lowered her handicap to one, the required level for entry into the tour qualifying school.
When she returned home from Texas, Pam worked for a spell in a sports retail outlet in Inverness and during that period she lost her enthusiasm for the game. It returned this year over the Royal Dornoch links as did her desire to try and become a professional tour golfer. Miss Mackay will only have to confirm her professional status if she gains her card.
"I've always wanted to have a go at being a tour pro. If I don't try now, I will never know if I would have been good enough to make it. I'll need a bit of luck to keep my form going through six rounds in Portugal but, on my game, I feel I am as good a player as most of the girls I will be competing against," said Pam.
Helping Pam in her bid to become a tour pro will be her older sister, Scotland international player Lesley Mackay who will accompany her to Portugal and carry her clubs.
To offset some of her expenditure - the entry fee for the Tour School is £500 - and help her on the tour, if she wins her card, four American members of the Carnegie Club at Skibo, whom Pam met when caddieing at Dornoch, are prepared to sponsor her.
Also wishing her luck in Portugal is the Royal Dornoch club professional Andrew Skinner who has presented her with a new driver to try out. (Photo, right, of Pam Mackay and Andrew Skinner credited to Robin Wilson, Riverside, Brora)

MILNGAVIE LAD WINS PETER DE SAVERY TROPHY AT DORNOCH
Jonathan Elliot from Milngavie won the Peter de Savery Trophy with 44 Stableford points off a handicap of 15 on the second day of the Donald Ross international junior open tournament at Royal Dornoch Golf Club on Wednesday.
He won by two points from the Swiss girl champion Stephanie Noser, who plays off three. Stephanie won the prize for the lowest gross score, a fine effort of 73, by any competitor, boy or girl, over the Royal Dornoch course.
The Dornoch Firth Trophy, played over the Struie Course on Wednesday, was won by Emma Fairnie (Minto) with 39pt off eight of a handicap.
LEADING POINTS TOTALS
44pt Jonathan Elliot (Milngavie) (15).
42pt Stephanie Noser (Switzerland) (3).
39pt Andrew Dingwall (Peterculter) (15).
37pt Jonathan Fraser (Royal Dornoch) (7), Stuart Campbell (Royal Dornoch) (7), Paul Henry (Eyemouth) (4).
36pt Luke Pirie (Royal Dornoch) (18), Blair Mackay (West Linton) (5), Craig Russell-Smith (Tain) (7).
35pt Hayley Thomson (Newmachar) (26), Brendan McKenna (Cowglen) (3).
34pt Carly Booth (Auchterarder) (5), Joe Sawyer (Royal Dornoch) (11), Paul Murphy (Glasgow Victoria) (8), Ben Stewart (Murcar) (16), Andrew Carmichael (Murcar) (21).
33pt Carys McGhee (Ayrshire County Girls) (18), Colin McNab (West Linton) (17), Neil Munro (Royal Dornoch) (7), Billy Weatherall (Muir of Ord) (5).
32pt Jamie Dick (Lothianburn) (24), Steven Kinnaird (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (7), Kevin Morrison (Tain) (8).
31pt Alistair Mackay (Royal Dornoch) (9), Andrew Watson (Carnoustie Caledonian) (13), Peter Etheridge (Brora) (15), John Urquhart (Hopeman) (12), Morag MacPherson (Barassie) (11), Ross MacNab (West Linton) (23), Luke Barbour (Peterhead) (6), Touko Frajarvi (Finland) (3), Andrew Blaikie (Royal Burgess) (21), Gregor Morrison (Elgin) (9).
30pt Paul Lochrie (Irvine Ravenspark) (9), Kevin Moore (Jedburgh) (12), Craig Storrier (Downfield) (10).
29pt Scott Campbell (Royal Dornoch) (17), Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (12), Malin Becker (Pitea Golfklubb) (10), Neil Henderson (Glen) (8).
28pt James McTavish (Nairn Dunbar) (11), Christopher Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (9), Michael Henderson (Bathgate) (7), Marc Dobias (Switzerland) (scr).
27pt Stephen MacKinnon (Glen) (10).
26pt Lewis Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (16), David Taylor (Inverness) (5), Colin Dick (Lothianburn) (20), Ryan Elder (Nairn Dunbar) (7), Craig Macdonald (Nairn Dunbar) (15), Craig Mackay (Golspie) (24).
24pt Michael Taylor (Garmouth & Kingston) (9), Kevin Jackson (Creaigie Hill) (7), Per Johansson (Lulea Golfklubb) (4).
22pt Kyle Stewart (Moray) (18), Neil Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) (3).
18pt David Miller (Oldmeldrum) (6).
LEADING GROSS
73 Stephanie Noser (Switzerland).
76 Jonathan Fraser (Royal Dornoch), Stuart Campbell (Royal Dornoch).
78 Jonathan Elliot (Milngavie).
LEADING STRUIE COURSE
39pt Emma Fairnie (Minto) (8).
37pt Andrew Vincent (Cowglen) (18), Karen Murray (Alford) (18).
36pt Jennifer Stewart (Golspie) (25).
PRIZE LIST
Best overall stableford score: Jonathan Elliot (Milngavie).
Best gross score: Stephanie Noser (Switzerland).
Best boy's stableford score: Andrew Dingwall (Peterculter).
Best girl's stableford score: Hayley Thomson (Newmachar).
2nd boy's stableford score: Jonathan Fraser (Royal Dornoch).
2nd girl's stableford score: Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
3rd boy's stableford score: Stuart Campbell (Royal Dornoch).
3rd girl's stableford score: Carys McGhee (Ayrshire County Girls).
Tuesday Qualifying Competition (best stableford score): Lee MacKinnon (Spean Bridge).
Dornoch Firth Trophy winner (Struie: Wednesday): Emma Fairnie (Minto).
Dornoch Firth Trophy runner-up: Andrew Vincent (Cowglen).
Dornoch Firth Trophy third: Karen Murray (Alford.
Dornoch Firth Trophy fourth: Jennifer Stewart (Golspie).

Wednesday 15th October 2003

LEE LEAPS AHEAD IN DONALD ROSS JUNIOR OPEN AT DORNOCH
Lee MacKinnon, the only junior member with a senior handicap at Spean Bridge Golf Club, near Fort William, is the surprise leader at the halfway stage of the Donald Ross junior international open golf tournament at Royal Dornoch. Lee, who is 15 years old and plays off 16, scored 42 Stableford points in the first round over the Struie course to lead by three points from Scott Campbell with Jonathan Fraser (38pt) lying third. Stuart Campbell and Luke Pirie (Duff House Royal) are sharing fourth place on the 37pt mark. The two Campbells and Fraser are all members of the host club while Pirie is the young lad who won the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters' boys title over the Queen's Course, Gleneagles, a week past Sunday.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder), pictured right, who plays off five, is the leading girl in the field of 99. She scored 36pt - three ahead of the Swiss girls champion Stephanie Noser who plays off three.
The leading 50 players play the final round over the Royal Dornoch No 1 course today (Wed).
LEADING POINTS TOTALS 42 L MacKinnon (Spean Bridge) (16). 39 Scott Campbell (Royal Dornoch) (17). 38 J Fraser (Royal Dornoch) (8). 37 Stuart Campbell (Royal Dornoch) (7), L Pirie (Duff House Royal). 36 Carly Booth (Auchterarder) (5), K Moore (Royal Dornoch) (7), S Kinnaird (Fortrose &Rosemarkie) (7), A Watson (Carnoustie Caledonian) (13), J Elliot (Milngavie) (16). 34 A Mackay (Royal Dornoch) (9), P Lochrie (Irvine Ravenspark) (9), J Dick (Lothianburn) (24), C McNab (West Linton) (11). 33 Stephanie Noser (Switzerland) (3), C Russell (Tain) (7), P Johanson (Sweden) (4), C MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (15), J Sawyer (Royal Dorch) (11), A Dingwall (Peterculter) (14), G Morrison (Elgin) (9), N Howat (Nairn Dunbar) (3). 32 M Dobias (Switzerland) (5), T Erajvi (Finland) (3), C Mackay (Golspie) (24), B Mackay (West Linton) (5), K Jackson (Craigie Hill) (7), C Storrier (Downfield)( (10), A Carmichael (Royal Burgess) (15).

US Student News
COLETTE TIES FOR 12TH IN ALABAMA
Ireland international player Maria Dunne (Bethune-Cookman College) and Colette Murry (Jacksonville State) from Dumfries finished tied fifth and 12th respectively in the Gamecock Classic tournament in the United States women's college circuit event at Silver Lakes Golf Club, Calhoun County in the state of Alabama. Marie had rounds of 76 and 74 for six-over-par 150. Colette scored 82 and 75 for 157. The individual honours were shared by Lee-Anne Pace (Murray State) and Shanelle Howell (Jacksonvilel State), both of whom hit the one-over 145 mark, Lee-Anne with 73 and 73, Shanelle with 73 and 72.
DANIELLE 22nd IN NEW MEXICO
English girl Danielle Roseberry (New Mexico State) came 22nd equal on 227 with scores of 76, 75 and 76 in the quaintly-named Price's Give Em Five Intercollegiate event at the New Mexico State University course at Las Cruces, New Mexico. The event was won by six strokes by Christine Boucher (Kansas State) with scorews of 75, 75 and 67 for a total of 213.

Tuesday 14th October 2003

COCHRANE CASTLE WIN GREENLEES TROPHY
Cochrane Castle Golf Club have won the Greenlees Trophy women's league championship for the first time.
They finished the season with 48 1/2pt, 3pt ahead of runners-up Troon with Ranfurly Castle (37 1/2pt) third.
Prestwick St Nicholas were winners of Division 2 with 44pt and are promoted alongwith Cathkin Braes (40 1/2pt) to Division 1. Haggs Castle and Old Ranfurly have been relegated to Division 2.
Cawder won Division 3 with 45pt, only half-a-point ahead of runners-up Cowglen. Both are promoted to Division 2 from where Hilton Park and Cardross are relegated.
The presentation of trophies will be held at Largs Golf Club on Thursday, October 23.
FINAL TABLES
Division 1 _ Cochrane Castle 48 1/2, Troon 45 1/2, Ranfurly Castle 37 1/2, Lanark 34, Douglas Park 32 1/2, Erskine 32, Barassie 31, Haggs Castle 29 1/2, Old Ranfurly 27 1/2.
Division 2 _ Prestwick St Nicholas 44, Cathkin Braes 40 1/2, Kilmacolm 40, East Renfrewshire 37 1/2, Eastwood 36 1/2, Milngavie 32 1/2, Bothwell Castle 32, Hilton Park 32, Cardross 29.
Division 3 _ Cawder 45, Cowglen 44 1/2, West Kilbride 43, Whitecraigs 42 1/2, Largs 37 1/2, Cathcart Castle 36 1/2, Williamwood 27 1/2, Lenzie 25, Greenock 24 1/2 (Turnberry withdrew).

LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE
HEALTH PERCEPTION LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND
The Ladies’ Golf Union has announced details of the Health Perception Ladies’ Championship of Great Britain and Ireland, well on target to becoming an essential element of the ladies’ fixture lists for 2004.
The Health Perception Championship, only launched in February of this year, has in its first year exceeded expectations, with over 1000 clubs entering and 20,000 lady golfers from GB&I taking part.
This coming year many more clubs from the four home nations are expected to enter, giving their members the opportunity of going all the way to the Grand Final in September.
Every golf club in GB&I will be invited to enter and to hold an 18-hole qualifying round during April and May. The winner from each club will go forward to play in an Area Final to be contested in June, July and August with the winner from each of these days going forward to a memorable day next September at the Grand Final.
Heather Neale has just had that experience. The 38-year-old Quantity Surveyor from Cowes walked off with the 2003 Health Perception Trophy after scoring 39 points over Wentworth’s famous East Course. And for the delighted winner, there is the added bonus of a place in the Pro-Am at next years Weetabix Women’s British Open Championship at Sunningdale. There, she will be playing alongside the world’s top professionals, including the winner of this year’s tournament and world No. 1, Annika Sorenstam.
And did this year’s finalists enjoy the experience? Andy Salmon, CEO & Secretary of the Ladies’ Golf Union said, "Playing at Wentworth was like a dream come true for all 13 players and they found it hard to believe they were competing at one of the countries top golfing venues. Add this to seeing yourself compete on TV and meeting Lawrence Dallaglio and you have a truly unique experience."
"However that was only the culmination of a hugely successful tournament with first class support from Health Perception at every stage. We are therefore delighted that Health Perception are taking the sponsorship forward into the foreseeable future and are sure that most clubs will want to include it in their calendar for next year."
David Wilkie said, "The success of this years event has been a real achievement, with so many people taking part in the inaugural year and this has brought something new to Ladies’ golf. However with the Championship now established in players’ minds we are looking forward to the next stage as the Health Perception Championship now becomes a key date in the golfing calendars"
Health Perception was founded in 1989 by Olympic Gold medalist swimmer David Wilkie MBE. The preservation and maintenance of good health and general well-being are the core principals behind the development of Health Perception’s ever growing range. Health Perception’s products can be found in stores across Great Britain & Ireland and they include one of the best quality Glucosamine ranges on the market as well as Allimax, Cognito Energy, Osteopro and Seredrin brands, all of which can be used to help maintain an active and healthy mind and body. Visit www.health-perception.co.uk.

Monday 13th October 2003

East of Scotland Girls
Jane Turner wins Order of Merit
14-year-old Jane Turner (Glencorse), pictured right, with a total of 49 points, has won the East of Scotland Girls' Order of Merit from Stephanie Crolla (Gullane Ladies') (47 points)
Jane, who was runner-up to Stephanie in the East of Scotland Championship at Newbattle in July, came with a late rush up the table to take the lead when she won the Midlothian Junior Championship in September.
Stephanie, who is now a student at McLennan Junior Community College, Waco, Texas, was leading the Order of Merit but had to miss the EoSG Autumn Meeting due to her studies.
Amanda Edwards (Liberton) was third on 39 points and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) took fourth spot on 35 points. The holder, Laura Aitken (Falkirk Tryst) was in fifth position on 31 points. EoSGirls OoM table

GILLIAN ONLY GIRL IN BP SKILLS TEST FINAL
Gillian Scanlon from Langlands Golf Club, East Kilbride is the only girl among the 20 qualifiers for the BP Skills Test Final at the St Andrews Links Trust practice facilities on Saturday.
Golf clubs from all over Scotland were invited to send their juniors to the National Golf Academy to attend a series of junior coaching packages throughout the year. From these coaching sessions, the participating olf clubs were invited to send two junors back to the NGA last month. Now the leading 20 players are being gathered together for the BP Skills Test Final.
The competition, which was set up to encourage more children to take up golf, will see each youngster undertake a series of practical tests on everything from bunker play to chipping and putting. Each of the tasks will then be graded and the youngster with the highest score of points at the end of the day will be named BP Skills Test champion.
The full list of finalists is: Lee Bradley (Bellshill) Scott Coulter (Cathcart Castle) Colin Dick (Lothianburn) John Fair (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) Calum Grant (Linlithgow) Alasdair Gunn (Glencruitten) James Hitchen (Aboyne) James Houston (Cawder) Allan Johnston (Cathcart Castle) Graeme Jones (Dunfermline) Steven Kinnaird (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) Callum Smith (Glencruitten) Calum Malcolm (Dunfermline) Gary Milligan (Linlithgow) Stuart McMehen (Linlithgow) William Rennie (Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Group) Gillian Scanlon (Langlands) Peter Scanlon (Langlands) James Warren (Carrickvale) Garrie Watson (Downfield) Garrie Watson (Downfield)

Sunday 12th October 2003

Aberdeenshire Girls pictured after their Championship Prize-giving
Back L to R: Karen Murray (Alford), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) Vikki Riddell (Turiff), Lauren McCallum (McDonald Ellon)
Front: Ethel Farquharson (organiser), Pat Wilson (Aberdeenshire Captain)

ABERDEENSHIRE GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
VIKKI WINS SHIRE GIRLS TITLE
Robert Gordon's University student Vikki Riddell from Turriff won the Aberdeenshire girls' golf championship for the first time at Banchory. She beat Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) by 3 and 2 in a quick-tempo final that lasted only 2hr 10min. Michele, only 15 years of age, had won the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters' girls' title at Gleneagles the previous Sunday. Long-hitting Miss Thomson had squeezed through at the 19th in the morning semi-final after being two down on the 17th tee against Laura Murray (Alford) but she never recovered from a bad start in the final. Vikki was three up after five holes and a birdie 2 at the seventh saw her four up at the turn. Michele recovered her touch on the inward half but ran out of holes.
Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) won the handicap championship, beating Karen Murray (Alford) by one hole in the final.
The eight players in action in the morning featured two sets of sisters, twins Karen and Laura Murray from Alford as well as Sara and Natalie Thomson of Murcar.
Scratch - Semi-finals _ Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) beat Laura Murray (Alford) at 19th, Vikki Riddell (Turriff) beat Sara Thomson (Murcar) 5 and 3. Final - Riddell beat Thomson 3 and 2.
Handicap _ Semi-finals _ Karen Murray (Alford) beat Natalie Thomson (Murcar) at 19th, Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) beat Sam Leslie (Westhill) 6 and 5. Final _ MacCallum beat Murray 1 hole.

US Student News
DAVID INGLIS LOSES PLAY-OFF IN CALIFORNIA
Walker Cup hero David Inglis from Glencorse and the University of Tulsa, lost a strange card play-off for the individual title in the Club Glove Intercollegiate tournament at Saticoy Country Club, Somis in California.
David, with rounds of 70, 74 and 71, tied at one-under-par 215 with Michael Putnam (Pepperdine) who had scores of 67, 73 and 75. There was no provision for a play-off. In such a situation in Britain, Inglis would been declared the winner with the better last round.
But, for some reason, the organisers of this American college event awarded the individual title to Putnam because he birdied and Inglis parred the 54th hole.
Pepperdine, the host university, won the team event with a total of 871 with Arizona State (882) second and Tulsa (886) third.

US Student News
KENT STATE WINS LEGENDS TOURNAMENT
Becky Wood from Derbyshire and a member of Glossopdate Golf Club led Kent State College to victory in the team event in The Shootout at The Legends tournament.
Becky had rounds of 67, 77 and 75 for a three-over-par aggregate of 219 to finish tid for 8th place.
Irish women's champion Martina Gillan from Beaverstown and Ireland's girls title-holder Karen Delaney (Carlow) also contributed to Kent State retaining the title.
Martina finished tied 20th on 223 while Karen came joint 36th on 228 (75 75 78).
Kent State (877) won the team title by two shots from Indiana in a field of 18 colleges.

Student News
TWO SCOTS IN TOP 10 IN CALIFORNIA
Martin Laird from Hilton Park and Alyth's Kevin McAlipine - both golf scholarship students at Colorado State University - finished in the top 10 of the Fresno State Classic college golf tournament at Fresno, California (ON SAT USA TIME).
Laird, whose second-round, eight-under-par 64 was the lowest of the 54-hole event, finished third with a 10-under-par total of 206 over the 6,503yd Belmont Country Club course. His first and third-round scores were 70 and 72.
Kevin McAlpine, son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper, tied for 10th place on five-under 211 with rounds of 74, 68 and 69.
The individual winner was a Colorado State team-mate Nolan Martin who had three scores of 68 for 204.
Colorado State to win the team title with a 33-under-par total of 831, three shots ahead of San Diego State.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL
204 Nolan Martin (Colorado State) 68 68 68.
205 Andrew Scott (San Diego State) 69 68 68.
206 Mark Warman (San Diego State) 69 66 70, Martin Laird (Colorado Stqate) 70 64 72.
Other score:
211 Kevin McAlpine (Colorado State) 74 68 69.
LEADING TEAM
831 Colorado State.
834 San Diego State

Saturday 11th October 2003

Student News
Martin Laird (Colorado State) has shot 70 and 64 for a 10 under par 36-hole tally but is still lying only second in the Fresno State Lexus Classic. James Allenby (Univ of Texas El Paso) leads at 11 under par 133 with scores of 67 and 66. The tournament concludes tomorrow.

Irish News
24th LANCÔME LADIES NATIONAL OPEN SCOTCH FOURSOMES FINAL AT KILLARNEY GOLF CLUB
BALLYLIFFIN PAIR WIN IRISH FOURSOMES
The world-renowned beauty company, Lancôme attracted the cream of lady club golfers to compete in the final of the 24th Lancôme Irish Ladies Scotch Foursomes on Mahony's Point course at Killarney. on Sunday
A total of 56 women took part in the final - pairings from 24 venues and the top 4 gross pairs from different clubs around the country (5000 players took part in total).
The money raised in the regional clubs goes to charities chosen by the Lady Captain of the Club.
The Ballyliffin club pairing of Cathy McGeoghegan (handicap 22) and Ellen Nelson (handicap 11) won the title with 46 stableford points.
They won by one point from the international players’ combination of Eileen Rose Power from Kilkenny, playing off one, and Sinead Keane (The Curragh), a two-handicapper.
Helen Lacey (Wexford), a five-handicapper, had a hole in one with a three-iron at the seventh hole (136 metres).
The best points total off scratch was 34 by Alison Taylor (Malahide) and Claire Heeley (The Island).
Leading scores
46pts Cathy McGeoghegan (22) Ballyliffin & Ellen Nelson (11) Ballyliffin.
45pts Eileen Rose Power (1) Kilkenny & Sinead Keane (2) The Curragh.
43pts Kathleen Harty (Tralee) (26) & Jenna Leen (Tralee) (29).
41pts Anne Stewart (Belvoir Park) (17) & Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) (8); Alison Taylor (Malahide) (3) & Claire Heeley (The Island (14); Phyl Doyle (Kilkenny) (12) & Sarah Rice (Kilkenny) (24); Lillian Harrington (East Cork) (8) & Deirdre O’Mahony (East Cork) (13).

Friday 10th October 2003

Meet budding professional golfers Susie Laing and Vikki Laing

This picture was taken three weeks ago in San Francisco. Vikki, who has still to finish her studies in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, had just qualified to get into the LPGA Qualifying school (to be held later this month at Daytona Beach, Florida see below) and Susie who has a degree in Media Studies from the University of San Francisco, has plans to go on the Futures Tour. Good Luck girls!
The photo fits in nicely with this story from Colin.....

VIKKI AND PAM IN LPGA FIELD OF 135 CHASING 28 EXEMPT CARDS
Two Scots at opposite ends of their professional golf careers – Vikki Laing and Pam Wright – are in a field of 135 competitors chasing 28 exempt cards for the 2004 season in the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida from October 21 to 24.
Vikki, from Musselburgh, came through the second LPGA qualifying regional event, held in California, to claim a place in this field.
Pam, pictured right, who is 39, was the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1989 when she turned pro after an outstanding four years on the American women’s college circuit, playing out of Arizona State University.
Eventually shoulder problems curtailed Miss Wright’s ability to play well and to play regularly. A former Solheim Cup team placer and latterly vice-captain, the Aboyne exile hoped to make a comeback on the European Ladies Tour this year without going through its Qualifying School but that scheme did not work out.
Now, using her previous record on the LPGA Tour, Pam has taken up the place she is entitled to at its Final Qualifying School.
Danielle Masters from Kent, who played in the same Great Britain & Ireland Vagliano Trophy-winning team as Vikki Laing at Co Louth, Ireland at the end of July, also came through the California qualifier to play at Daytona Beach.
Danielle is keeping her options open. Unlike Vikki, she has not turned professional. Should she fail to gain one of the 28 exempt cards up for grabs, she will resume her amateur career in the hope of gaining Curtis Cup honours in the Formby match against the United States next June.

Junior Golf
The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy
SCOTTISH boys' open stroke play champion Lloyd Saltman from Kilspindie finished a creditable fifth in an international field for The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament over the Castletown Links, Isle of Man yesterday (Friday).
Saltman had a final round of 77 on yet another windy day for a final total of 231 - 12 shots behind the winner, Sweden's Ricard Karlberg who signed off with a 70 for 219.
Runner-up, six shots off the pace, was Spain's former British boys' open champion, Pablo Martin who had a pair of 72s after being blow off course to an 81 in the first round.
The invited field was made up of boy and girl champions from European countries.
Scottish boys' match-play champion Paul Doherty, based in South Wales and a member of Vale of Glamorgan, had three disappointing rounds of 84, 83 and 83 to finish 19th.
For some reason there was no Scottish girl in the field.
THE DUKE OF YORK YOUNG CHAMPIONS TROPHY
Castletown Links, Isle of Man
Final Totals
219 Rikard Karlberg 75 74 70.
225 Pablo Martin 81 72 72.
226 Magnus Larusson 78 76 72.
228 Luke Collins 76 73 79.
231 Lloyd Saltman 83 73 77.
232 Carlos del Moral 78 79 75, Tommy Hunter 79 75 78.
233 Peter-Max Hamm 78 80 75, Janne Kaske 79 77 77.
234 Justine Barbier 79 81 74.
235 Manuel Violas 79 79 77.
236 Sandro Tan Plaget 76 83 77.
238 Serge Stockinger 82 79 77.
240 Maria Hernandez 83 80 77, Grant Slater 81 80 79.
244 Karin Dedering 81 82 81.
249 Lucy Gould 87 86 76, Tara Delaney 86 79 84.
250 Paul Doherty 84 83 83, Bernardo Marques 86 78 86.
251 Brendan McCarroll 77 86 88.
252 Maria Vertchenova 89 81 82.
254 Thibault Werbrouck 94 82 78.
255 Kristian Mejnert 87 81 87.
257 Valentina Piol 86 86 85.
258 Caterina Maedel 89 87 82.
259 Tinna Johannsdottir 92 87 80.
263 Kerry Anne Haskell 89 87 87.
265 Annika Korkelia 98 78 89.
270 Katrine Lorentzen 95 91 84.

English Ladies' Golf Association press release:
GIRLS' SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT COULD BE ELGA MODEL FOR DEVELOPMENT
The first Worcestershire girls‚ schools golf tournament is to take place next Tuesday (October 14) at Hagley Golf Club, who have kindly agreed to host the event. Three Midlands schools - Windsor High School, The Earls High School and Leasowes High School - have come together with the ladies‚ of Hagley Golf Club, Worcestershire Ladies‚ County Golf Association and the English Ladies‚ Golf Association to organise the event.
Golf as a sport has been introduced to Year 7 and 8 students from Windsor High School over several terms. Not only has a weekly lesson been offered but an after-school golf club has been run to enable the students to have regular practice. It is hoped that this model can be repeated at other schools during the next year.
To conclude this golf training the inaugural girls‚ schools tournament has been organised to take the students for the first time on to the golf course. The day will consist of "SNAG" golf sessions, a putting competition and a Texas scramble. The Texas scramble rules will be modified and the teams will consist of three girls and a member of the Worcestershire Ladies‚ Golf Association. The lady volunteer will act as a marker and mentor for the girls‚ first golf game.
This is the first step of a wider development programme and ELGA see this project as a benchmark for future successful partnerships. It is hoped that the school concept will be rolled out across other counties where, long term, both counties and country will see increased player numbers along with improved quality of play.
Lesley Fox, vice-captain of Worcestershire Ladies‚ Golf Association, said "The county members are delighted to encourage girls into golf, many of whom are from non-golfing backgrounds. The day will bring the key elements of the game together for the girls and will be great fun for all involved."

Thursday 9th October 2003

US Student News
Louise Kenney's first win on US college circuit
Louise Kenney from Pitreavie, Dunfermline has scored her first win on the United States women's college circuit.
Louise, who was flown back to Scotland by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, to make her women's home internationals debut at Cruden Bay in September, won the Battle at the Lake Invitation tournament after a three-way play-off at Shangri La Resort on Monkey Island, Oklahoma.
Louise, in her second year as a golf scholarship student at Iowa State University, tied with team-mate Leanne Owens and Danna Moening (Northern Iowa University) at two-over-par 218 at the end of the 54-hole tournament. Then the Scot won the play-off to take the title. Miss Kenney had rounds of 76, 70 and 72. The second round was Louise's lowest in an America event and her three-round total, alongwith that of Miss Owens, was the lowest ever recorded by Iowa State University female golfers.
Despite the efforts of Louise and Leanne, Iowa State (918) could finish only fifth in the team event won by Southern Methodist (894) from Oral Roberts (912).
LEADING INDIVIDUAL 218 Louise Kenney (Iowa State) 76 70 72, Leanne Owens (Iowa State) 71 73 74, Dana Moening (Northern Iowa) 73 73 72.
LEADING TEAM 894 Southern Methodist. 912 Oral Roberts. 916 Northern Iowa. 917 Texas Pan-American. 918 Iowa State.
Full report on Iowa State site

US Student News
SJAVON TAKES WEATHER IN HER STRIDE FOR FIRST WIN IN UNITED STATES
Scottish girl international player Sjavon Wilson (Murcar) has won her first tournament in the United States since going with Stephanie Crolla (Gullane Ladies') to McLennan College at Waco, Texas in August.
Sjavon shot rounds of 77 and 71 for 148 and tied for victory in the event at Abilene with team-mate Christa Gunn who score two rounds of 74. Stephanie finished tied 10th with 76 and 81 for 157.
"The first round took 10 hours to complete because of such bad weather. We came off the course twice due to thunder and lightning. The first time we were sent back to the apartment where we were staying for three hour rather than hang about the clubhouse," said Sjavon. "The weather was not much better for the second round. We were called off the course again and it was two hours before we were able to continue."

Wednesday 8th October 2003

US Student News
JENNA TIES FOR SECOND IN COLORADO
It has not taken Scottish Under-21 girls' open champion Jenna Wilson from Strathaven long to make her mark on the United States women's college golf circuit. Jenna enrolled at San Diego State University along with Heather MacRae (Dunblane), the player she beat in a play-off for the Scottish junior title at Kilmacolm in late July, a few weeks ago and this week she tied for second place in the Heather Farr Memorial Invitational tournament over the University of Colorado course at the Omni Interlocken Resort.
Jenna surged up through the field from joint 25th at the halfway stage with a brilliant second-round 68, four under par and a nine-shot improvement from the first day. Miss Wilson birdied the third, sixth, eighth, ninth, 13th and 16th and had bogeys at the seventh and 11th in halves of 33 and 35 for a 36-hole total of one-over-par 145. Her first-round 77 included a a double-bogey 5 at the short fifth but she put herself in the mood for the second day by finishing her round with an eagle 3.
Heather MacRae tied for sixth place on 148 with scores of 72 and 76. Her second round included a double bogey at the 15th in halves of 39 and 37. The tournament was won by four shots by Cassie Castleman (Idaho University) with scores of 76 and 65 for three-under 141.
Jenna and Heather's efforts helped San Diego State (597) finish runners-up to team event winners Portland State University (593) with Denver (601) third.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS 141 Cassie Castleman (Idaho) 76 65. 145 Jenna Wilson (San Diego State) 77 68, Rebecca Randolph (Portland State) 74 71, Trish Quick (Colorado State) 73 73.
Other score: 148 Heather MacRae (San Diego State) 72 76.
LEADING TEAMS 593 Portland State. 597 San Diego State. 601 Denver. 610 Idaho, UC Irvine.

Tuesday 7th October 2003

Coronation Foursomes
THE Forest Pines, Lincolnshire pairing of Jean Walker and Cei Chaplin coped best with wild winds and cool temperatures to win the Ladies Golf Union's Peugeot Coronation Foursomes Grand Final over the New Course, St Andrews yesterday. They shot a score of 82, to win by one shot from Kelly Hanwell and Jo Williams from Northampton. Five shots back in third place were Angie Pilgrim and Ann Hounslow (Camberley Heath).
The three Scots partnerships to qualify finished ninth, 10th and 11 in the select field of 11 but they had nothing to be ashamed of. After all, Irene Allan and Anne Ashcroft (Rothes), Sheena Heseltine and Jane Bamford (Gullane), and Sheila Begbie and Mary Mackle (Vale of Leven) had come through from an original cast of thousands to play in the Grand Final - and that will give them life-time golfing memories.
And as LGU Chief Executive Andy Salmon said: "As you will see from the scores, the weather - particularly the very high winds - made scoring nearly impossible."
The winners, Jean Walker and Cei Chaplin, qualify to take part in the 2004 Weetabix Women's British Open pro-am at Sunningdale on Wednesday, July 28.
WINNERS Jean Walker & Cei Chaplin Forest Pines 82
2nd Kelly Hanwell & Jo Williams Northampton 83
3rd Angie Pilgrim & Ann Hounslow Camberley Heath 88
4th Sheila Haffey & Audrey Craven Harrogate 92
5th Jane Wilby & Joan Blanchard Surbiton 95
6th = Janice Turner & Barbara Bebbington Rhuddlan 100, Patricia Ramsdale & Carol Dunki Jacobs Chorlton-Cum-Hardy 100, Helen Jones & Susan Clement The Gower 100
9th Irene Allan & Anne Ashcroft Rothes 101
10th Sheena Heseltine & Jane Bamford Gullane 102
11th Sheila Begbie & Mary Mackle Vale of Leven 103

JOHN'S AMERICAN DEBUT WELL WORTH WAITING FOR
The US college golfing career of former Scottish boys' match-play champion John Hempstock from Colvend and Dumfries Academy is up and running at last in his second year at the University of Minnesota.
"When John went there last year, the golf coach told him that as he was on the young side and would not likely break through into the golf team for tournaments, it would be to his advantage to delay the start of his four-year eligibility to play on the college circuit until the 2003-2004 college golf season," explained his mother.
Master Hempstock obviously put his spare time to good use on the practice range because he finished fifth in his first ever American college tournament of the season and helped Minnesota to win the team event in the Adams Cup event at Newport, Rhode Island. The "Gophers" placed four players in the top five with John having rounds of 76, 68 and 76 for a creditable three-round final total of four-over-par 220 - nine shots behind team-mate Justin Smith who won the individual event by five shots with rounds of 71, 69 and 71.
There are two other Scots on the University of Minnesota golf programme - Gary Davidson from Rockliffe and a transfer from St Andrews University, and Louise Fleming from Kelso.

Monday 6th October 2003

Lynne Terry (beaten finalist), Ethel Jack (President SVLGA), Cecilia Kenny (winner) and Heather Anderson (Captain SVLGA)
after the Scottish veteran women's championship final on Blairgowrie Lansdowne course today

CECILIA KENNY WINS SCOTTISH VETERANS' TITLE
A LUNCHTIME tip by telephone from daughter Lynn, a student at Stirling University and a member of the Great Britain & Ireland women's golf team, helped Cecilia Kenny, pictured right, win the Scottish veteran women's championship at the first time attempt at Blairgowrie today (Monday).
"I won my semi-final in the morning on the 18th green but I wasn't hitting my irons well," said Mrs Kenny who earned her place in the eight-strong field over the Lansdowne course by winning the Midland veterans' title earlier in the season.
"When I spoke to Lyn on my mobile before the final, I told her about my problem. She said it was probably because I was excited and was rushing things. She told me to take the club away from the ball slowly for each shot and basically just take my time over everything. The tip worked a treat."
Mrs Kenny, "five or six times" ladies champion of Dunblane New Golf Club, beat the North veterans' champion, Lynne Terry from Cruden Bay, by one hole in a final played in a high wind. They finished just before a rainstorm hit the course. It was a nip-and-tuck match with never more than a hole in it either way until the closing stages. Dr Terry went one up at the first but lost the sixth. Cecilia won the seventh with a birdie but lost the 10th. Then Mrs Kenny won the 12th but lost the 13th before regaining the lead at the 14th. Cecilia went two up for the first time by ramming home a 10ft putt to win the 16th. A wayward drive under a tree cost her the 17th and when she was almost in a bush off to the right of the fairway from the 18th, Mrs Kenny looked about to be pulled back to square. She hacked out and then played a splendid third shot on to the green, about 10ft from the flag. Lynne, needing to win the hole to go down the 19th, was bunkered at the right side of the green in two and came out to about 12ft. She could not hole the putt for a 4 and a half in 5 settled the match in Cecilia's favour.
SCOTTISH VETERAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP Lansdowne course, Blairgowrie
Semi-finals Cecilia Kenny (Dunblane) beat Stella Booth (Galloway) 1 hole. Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) beat Liz Campbell (Torwoodlee) 1 hole.
Final Kenny beat Terry 1 hole.

GB&I Squad
FOUR Scots have been named by the Ladies Golf Union selection committee in the Great Britain & Ireland Elite training squad of 16 for 2003-2004. The team of eight for next June's Curtis Cup match against the United States at Formby will almost certainly be chosen from this short leet.
The Scots are Centenary champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), former champion Lynn Kenny (Stirling University), past British girls title-holder Clare Queen (Drumpellier) and Heather MacRae (Dunblane).
Laing, Kenny and Queen were members of the GB&I team which defeated the Continent of Europe to win back the Vagliano Trophy at Co Louth, Ireland at the end of July.
Heather MacRae, pictured right, a past Scottish girls' match-play champion and beaten in a play-off for the Scottish girls Under-21 title at Kilmacolm in July, is now at San Diego State University, and will obviously not be able to take part in the winter and spring programme of squad get-togethers for practice and training. But it is still a feather in the cap of 20-year-old Heather who won four ties on her debut for Scotland in the women's home internationals at Cruden Bay last month.
The Elite Squad is: Becky Brewerton (Abergele) Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton) Anna Highgate (Cottrell Park) Sarah Jones (Pennard) Lynn Kenny (Stirling Univ) Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) Tricia Mangan (Ennis) Danielle Masters (Bearsted) Shelley McKevitt (Reading) Fame More (Chesterfield) Kate Phillips (Creigiau) Clare Queen (Drumpellier) Nicola Timmins (Sene Valley) Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) Heather MacRae (Dunblane New)
Reserves 1 Claire Coughlan (Cork) 2 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 3 Tara Delaney (Carlow)

Student News
COLD CONDITIONS FAIL TO INSPIRE PAMELA IN US
Scotland international player Pamela Feggans, pictured left, from Ayrshire should have felt at home in cold and windy conditions for her first tournament of the new American college golf season - the Kentucky Wildcat Fall Invitational at Lexington over the weekend. But she didn't!
"I didn't play well at all even though I finished off with a 75 that included five birdies," said Pamela from the Doon Valley club. Miss Feggans came joint 13th on 20-over-par 236 with scores of 83, 78 and 75. She finished nine shots off the pair who tied with the lowest aggregate on 227.
Meghan Little (Louisville) beat Chris Brady (Vanderbilt) in a play-off for the individual title. Vanderbilt (926) won the team event by 15 shots from Mississippi State (941).
Pamela's team, Florida Southern (997) came 15th).
LEADING SCORES 227 Meghan Little (Louisville) 76 73 78, Chris Brady (Vanderbilt) 76 78 76 (Little won play-off).
Other score: 236 Pamela Feggans (Florida Southern) 83 78 75.

Student News
SCOTT JAMIESON STRUGGLES IN GEORGIA
Scott Jamieson from Cathkin Braes is still striving to regain the consistency that made him one of the top players on the male American college circuit for a spell last year. In his latest event, the Carpet Capital Collegiate at The Farm Golf Club, Rocky Face in Georgia, the former Scottish men's amateur championship beaten finalist finished in 75th place with a 16-over-par total of 232, made up with scores of 80, 77 and 75.
The tournament was won with a 13-under-par total of 203 by Jason Hartwick (Texas) with scores of 71, 65 and 67. He won by five shots from Erik Johansen (South Carolina) with England international James Heath, a team-mate of Jamieson's at Augusta State, tieing for third place on 209 with rounds of 74, 65 and 70. Wallace Booth from Crieff, who enrolled at Augusta State in August has still to appear in the Augusta State team.
Florida (853) won the team event by five shots from joint runners-up Texas and Clemson (858) with Georgia fourth on 863, a shot ahead of Georgia Tech. Augusta State came sixth on 871.
LEADING SCORES 203 Jason Hartwick (Texas) 71 65 67. 208 Erik Johansen (South Carolina) 76 67 65. 209 James Heath (Augusta State) 74 65 70, Matt Hendrix (Clemson) 69 71 69.
Other score: 232 Scott Jamieson (Augusta State) 80 77 75.

Left: Alison Tait (Moffat), 16-year-old Scottish player who has qualified for all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa later this month for AEG British ladies' championship (played under handicap). Right: Sue Johnson, in her last of three years as Ladies Golf Union president, with the cup she has donated for annual competition at the senior women's home internationals which were inaugurated at Whittington Heath GC last week (and won by England).

Sunday 5th October 2003

Vet Ladies Golf
PAST CHAMPION LIZ THROUGH TO BLAIRGOWRIE SEMI-FINALS AGAIN
BORDERS champion Liz Campbell from Torwoodlee is the only previous winner of the Scottish veteran women's golf title in tomorrow morning's (Monday's) semi-finals over the Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie.
Liz, who won her quarter-final by 5 and 4 against East champion Ruth Brown (Lothianburn), will play Lynne Terry, the North title-holder from Cruden Bay. Lynne beat 72-year-old former Scottish women's champion Heather Anderson, the West veterans' title-winner from Caldwell, by 2 and 1.
The other semi-final will be between Cecilia Kenny (Dunblane), the Midlands veterans' champion and mother-cum-caddie of Great Britain & Ireland international Lynn Kenny, and Stella Booth, the Galloway veterans' champion.
Cecilia beat Esme Hill (Dumfries) by 3 and 2 while Stella knocked out the Highlands veteran champion, Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) by 2 and 1.
The semi-finals will tee off at 9 and 9.10am with the final at 1.30pm.
collated scoreboard of Sunday results
SCOTTISH VETERAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP _ Lansdowne course, Blairgowrie _ Quarter-finals _ Stella Booth (Galloway) beat Christine McAndrew (Highlands) 2 and 1; Cecilia Kenny (Midlands) beat Esme Hill (Dumfries) 3 and 2; Lynne Terry (North) beat Heather Anderson (West) 2 and 1; Liz Campbell (Borders) beat Ruth Brown (Lothianburn) 5 and 4.

Ethel Farquharson (SLGA Chairman) with the winners of the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters,
Luke Pirie (McDonald Ellon) and Michelle Thomson (Duff House Royal)
and Torquil MacLeod (Bank of Scotland sponsorship manager)

JUNIOR MASTERS TITLES BOTH GO TO NORTH-EAST
Luke Pirie from Duff House Royal, Banff and Michele Thomson of McDonald, Ellon scored a double victory for the North-east over the Queen's Course, Gleneagles Hotel today (Sunday).
From a starting field of 2,500 the length and breadth of Scotland, Luke, who plays off a handicap of 18, and 12-handicapper Michele, both 15 years old, won the boys' and girls' individual titles from a field of 80 qualifiers for the Grand Final of the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters.
On a bitterly cold day, Luke, who took up the game only 18 months ago and is coached by Neil Marr of Meldrum House Golf Club, had a gross round of 80 for a total of 42 stableford points - six clear of four boys on the 36pt mark.
The tie-breaking countback placed Jonathan Elliot (Milngavie) second with the best six holes' points score, ahead of Andrew Dingwall (Peterculter) third, and Eastwood members, Christopher Barr and Stuart King in fourth and fifth place.
It was a "photo-finish" at the top of the girls' leaderboard with Michelle Thomson, Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Nicole Blackie (Eyemouth) all finishing with 37pt.
Michelle's 22pt for the inward half gave her the edge over Carly (19) and Nicole (17).
Nadia Green (Nairn) was fourth with 36pt and Megan Briggs (Ranfurly Castle) fifth of those who had 34pt.
The first five in both the boys' and girls' sections will each receive a bonus prize of specialised coaching.
The tournament is run jointly by the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies
(SUNDAY SCOREBOARD)
BANK OF SCOTLAND JUNIOR MASTERS GRAND FINAL
Gleneagles Hotel Queen's Course.
POINTS TOTALS
BOYS (CSS 69)
42 Luke Pirie (Duff House Royal) (18).
36 Jonathan Elliot (Milngavie) (16), Andrew Dingwall (Peterculter) (14), Christopher Barr (Eastwood) (10), Stuart King (Eastwood) (13).
35 Jonathan Reiss (Alyth) (13), Marc Cumming (Musselburgh Old) (16).
34 Kevin Moore (Jedburgh) (12).
33 Colin Dick (Lothianburn) (20).
32 Paul Henry (Eyemouth) (4), Michael Brand (Minto) (23).
31 Andrew Vincent (Cowglen) (18), Ben Stewart (Murcar) (15), Ross MacNab (West Linton) (31), Alexander Culverwell (Bruntsfield) (5).
30 Simon Thomson (Linlithgow) (16), Neil Henderson (Glen) (8), Brendan McKenna (Cowglen) (5), Blair MacKay (West Linton) (5), Luke Barbour (Peterhead) (7).
29 Paul McAlister (Glenrothes) (19), David Campbell (Callander) (18), Paul Lochrie (Irvine Ravenspark) (9), Neil Munro (Royal Dornoch) (7).
28 Craig Storrier (Downfield) (10), Michael Henderson (Bridgecastle) (7), Mark Guyan (Hazlehead) (7), Chris McKenzie (Irvine Ravenspark) (9).
27 Kris Fairbairn) (Ladybank) (12), Duncan Searle (Kilspindie) (15), Richard Swan (Moffat) (22).
26 Grant Paterson (Drumoig) (8), Andrew Watson (Carnoustie Caledonia) (13), Stephen MacKinnon (Glen) (10), David Millar (Oldmeldrum) (6).
25 Kevin Jackson (Craigie Hill) (7), Stuart Bald (Aberdour) (13), Kyle Stewart (Moray) (18), Andrew Blaikie (Royal Burgess) (21).
24 Jimmy Young (Montrose Mercantile) (18), Murray Winton (Mortonhall) (25), Craig MacKay (Golspie) (23), John Urquhart (Hopeman) (12).
23 Andrew Carmichael (Murcar) (21).
22 Richard McManus (Ayr Belleisle) (7).
21 Steven Kilkerr (St Medan) (22).
20 Mark Crozier (Murrayshall) (12).
19 Nicholas Sorrie (Inverurie) (15).
14 Kyle Henderson (Deeside) (9).
GIRLS (CSS 73)
37 Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (12), Carly Booth (Auchterarder) (5), Nicole Blackie (Eyemouth) (27).
36 Nadia Green (Nairn) (15).
34 Becky Copland (Scotscraig) (8), Annabel Niven (Crieff) (18), Jane Turner (Glencorse) (7), Fiona Allan (Auchterarder) (26), Megan Briggs (Ranfurly Castle) (10).
33 Katie McNicoll (Carnoustie Caledonia) (9), Carys McGhee (Ayrshire Girls) (18).
31 Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) (7), Karen Menzies (North Berwick) (15), Hayley Thomson (Newmachar) (26), Emma Fairnie (Minto) (8).
29 Fiona Glennie (Braemar) (26), Megan Barbour (North Berwick) (11), Morag MacPherson (Barassie) (11).
28 Sally Kettlewell (Dunblane New) (10), Joanne Thomson (Eyemouth) (13), Alison Tait (Moffat) (12).
27 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) (5).
26 Stephanie Kubis (Glen) (23), Laura Murray (Alford) (8), Sarah Hutton (Ayrshire Girls) (22).
22 Amy Edgar (Peterculter) (23).
20 Arlene McGarty (Bathgate) (14), Karen Murray (Alford) (18).
18 Eilidh Hamilton (Eastwood) (35).

Men's Golf
LOTHIANS MADE TO FIGHT FOR 10TH TITLE
HOT favourites Lothians won the Scottish men's area team golf championship for a record 10th time at Alloa Golf Club today (Sunday). But they were made to fight all the way in the final by underdogs Clackmannanshire who finally went down 5-4.
Clackmannanshire, playing over a home course and hoping to mark their Centenary Year with a first national triumph, had come back from a 2-1 lunchtime deficit to beat Angus in Saturday's semi-finals.
They also lost the final foursomes 2-1 to Lothians but this time they could not turn the tables over the six singles, although to share them 3-3 with such strong oppositon was an achievement in itself.
In fact after former Scottish champion Simon Mackenzie had beaten Alex Pickles 3 and 2 in the top singles to extend the Lothians lead to 3-1, Clackmannanshire came storming back into the picture to take a shock lead at 4-3 with wins by Iain Ross (4 and 3 over Steven Armstrong), Iain Macaulay (at 20th against John Gallagher) and Alistair Ferguson (3 and 2 against Lloyd Saltman).
But Lothians tailed wagged furiously to save the day. Craig Gordon tied it at 4-4 with a 3 and 2 win over Neil Scaife and tail-gunner Keith Nicholson won the title for Lothians, with the help of a chip in from off the green at the 17th en route to a 2 and 1 win over Mark Crichton.
Alistair Ferguson and Mark Crichton kept alive their team's hopes of a repeat performance against nine times title winners Lothians by beat Craig Gordon and Tom Caldwell 4 and 3 in the third foursome.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
(Sat & Sun results)
SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
SEMI-FINALS
LOTHIANS 8, SOUTH 1
Foursomes _ Steven Armstrong & Keith Nicholson beat Barry Scott & Iain Thomson 4 and 2; Simon Mackenzie & John Gallagher beat Ian Reid & David Sutton 5 and 4; Craig Gordon & Tom Caldwell lost to Ian Brotherston & Graham Sharp 3 and 1 (2-1).
Singles _ Mackenzie beat Scott 3 and 2, Armstrong beat Sutton 4 and 2, Gallagher beat Brotherston 5 and 3, Lloyd Saltman beat Sharp 4 and 3, Gordon beat David Willacy 5 and 4 Nicholson beat Thomson 3 and 2 (6-0).
CLACKMANNANSHIRE 5, ANGUS 4
Foursomes _ Iain Ross & Alex Pickles lost to Eric Ramsay & Graham Bell 3 and 2; Iain Macaulay & Neil Scaife beat Gary Tough & Ross Coull 2 and 1; Alistair Ferguson & Mark Crichton lost to Jim Watt & Ewan Wilson 1 hole (1-2).
Singles _ Pickles lost to Ramsay 3 and 2, Ross beat Maurice Lindsay 3 and 1, Macaulay beat Watt 2 and 1, Ferguson lost to Wilson at 19th, Scaife beat Tough 4 and 3, Crichton beat Bell 1 hole (4-2).
FINAL
LOTHIANS 5, CLACKMANNANSHIRE 4
Foursomes
Steven Armstrong & Keith Nicholson beat Alex Pickles & Iain Ross 4 and 3.
Simon Mackenzie & John Gallagher beat Iain Macaulay & Neil Scaife 3 and 1.
Craig Gordon & Tom Caldwell lost to Alistair Ferguson & Mark Crichton 4 and 3 (2-1).
Singles
Mackenzie beat Pickles 3 and 2, Armstrong lost to Ross 3 and 2, Gallagher lost to Macaulay at 20th, Lloyd Saltman lost to Ferguson 3 and 2, Gordon beat Scaife 3 and 2, Keith Nicholson beat Crichton 2 and 2 (3-3).

Boys Golf
England hammered Scotland 11 1/2-3 1/2 in the annual Under-16 boys' golf match at Drumoig Golf Club today. It was almost a repeat performance of last year's scoreline when the English won 12 1/2-2 1/2.
Coming events cast a shadow over the foursomes when Scotland lost the foursomes 3 1/2-1 1/2 but the singles provided an 8-2 landslide in favour of the English.
Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh was the only 100 per cent home performer. He teamed up with fellow Northerner, Euan Polson from Brora to win by one hole in the morning foursomes. Then Findlay beat Tom Oliver (Notts) by 5 and 4 in the singles play.
Robert McKnight from Barassie, in partnership with Finlay White (Crieff), halved the foursomes tie against Jake Amos (Birstall) and Tom Oliver). McKnight was Scotland's only other singles winner, beating Amos by one hole.
Details
SCOTLAND UNDER-16s 3 1/2, ENGLAND UNDER-16s 11 1/2
Foursomes
David Addison (Barassie) & Scott Henry (Cardross) lost to Oliver Fisher (West Essex) & Ben Parker (Gut Waldhof) 4 and 3; Euan Polson (Brora) & Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) beat Tom Sherrard (Chart Hills) & Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere) 1 hole; Finlay White (Crieff) & Robert McKnight (Barassie) halved with Jake Amoss (Birstall) & Tom Oliver (Notts); Scott Borrowman (Dollar) & Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) lost to Ian Winstanley (Warrington) & Matthew Evans (Rotherham) 3 and 2; Kevin Wilson (Moffat) & Dean Yeats (Bon Accord) lost to Tony Mitchell (Redborne) & Jordan Smith (Woodcote Park) 4 and 3 (1 1/2-3 1/2).
Singles
Henry lost to Fisher 7 and 6, Addison lost to Parker 5 and 4, McKnight beat Amos 1 hole, Polson lost to Sherrard 2 holes, Yeats lost to Birdseye 2 and 1, Findlay beat Oliver 5 and 4, Wilson lost to Mitchell 2 and 1, Rushford lost to Smith 4 and 2, White lost to Evans 5 and 4, Borrowman lost to Winstanley 5 and 4 (2-8).

Saturday 4th October 2003

Well, Scotland must be licking their wounds after picking up the wooden spoon at Whittington Heath yesterday. Just to cheer you up, here is news of some success.... Europe beat the USA in the Hickory Grail earlier this month at St Andrews Golf Club, Hastings on the Hudson, New York State.. Read all about it here...
We hold the Ryder, Walker, Solheim and now the Grail cups... just the Curtis Cup to come!

Victorious European Hickory Grail team

Friday 3rd October 2003

Senior Womens' Home Internationals
WOODEN SPOON FOR SCOTLAND SENIOR WOMEN AT WHITTINGTON HEATH
Scotland finished up with the wooden spoon in the inaugural Senior women's home amateur international golf matches after losing for the third day in a row, this time to Wales by 4-3 margin at Whittington Heath Golf Club near Lichfield today (Friday).
England won the the title-deciding clash between the two 100 per cent teams, beating Ireland 6-1 to become the first over-50s champions. The Scots travelled south with high hopes of victory, based on their record as winners of the Veteran Ladies Golf Assocation's area championship for the past two years and a victory over Ireland in a friendly at Prestwick in the spring. In the event, England were that cut above the other countries although it has to be said that skipper Jennifer Mack's team of six under-achieved on all three days' play. When Pam Williamson (Baberton) and Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) beat Wales' lead-off pair, Verona MacKenzie and Angela Pritchard, it was the Scots first win in three sessions of foursomes.
A 1-1 lunchtime scoreline was Scotland's best of the week but they began to fall behind
Aubrey Briggs beat Karen Ballantyne 2 and 1 in the top singles. Aubrey took an early lead and was two up after seven and three up at the turn. The Scottish champion cut the deficit to two by the 13th tee but could make no further inroads.
Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh), pictured left, levelled it at 2-2 when she beat Verona MacKenzie by one hole after being three up after seven holes. Verona gradually chipped away at the lead and had got it back to one after 16 hole.
Jean Connor restored Wales' lead at 3-2 with a two-hole victory over Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay). Jean was two up after seven but there was only one hole in it for most of the way until the Welsh player won the 16th to go two up. Lynn holed a good putt to win the 17th but could not repeat the process at the last.
Lynda Jones clinched victory for Wales by beating Pam Williamson 2 and 1. The match was all square at the turn by Lynda had moved two holes up after 12 and she maintained that advantage.
Moira Thomson (North Berwick), pictured right, came back from two down after 12 holes to beat Anne Johnson with a birdie 4 at the last.
The most successful Scots were Moira Thomson and Pam Williamson, each with 3pt from a possible six.
England v Wales
After winning the foursomes 2-0, England needed only 2pt for victory. They got the first one from Chris Stirling who beat Anna Moloney 6 and 4. Two up after seven, Chris steadily increased her lead to three up at the turn and four up after 12.
Christine Watson gained the title-clinching point with a 5 and 4 win over Mary Madden. Christine was two up after seven and nine before going four up after 12. It was Christine's fifth win in five outings.
Ireland got their first point of the day when Valerie Hassett beat Vivien Saunders by two holes in the top singles tie. Valerie had an early lead but it was all square through nine and 12. The Irish player regained the initiative over the closing holes to be two up with three to play. Vivien won the 16th but could only halve the 17th and Valerie closed her out by winning the last.
Carole Caldwell scored her fifth success of the tournament when she beat Mary McKenna by holing a 6ft birdie putt on the last green to win by one hole. Mary had held the slight edge for the first 12 holes being either one up or square for most of the time. Carole led by one hole after 15 but Mary won the 16th to get back to level.
Rosalind Page completed England's victory by winning 3 and 1 against Roma English. Roma started well and was two up after three holes but Rosalind had turned that round by the turn where she led by one hole. After 12 holes, Mrs Page had extended her lead to three holes
ENGLAND 6, IRELAND 1
Foursomes _ Carole Caldwell (Sunningdale) & Vivien Saunders (Cambridge Meridian) beat Valerie Hassett (Ennis) & Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) 5 and 3; Rosalind Page (Came Down) & Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) 3 and 2 (2-0).
Singles _ Saunders lost to Hassett 2 holes, Caldwell beat McKenna 1 hole, Page beat Roma English (Larne) 3 and 1, Chris Stirling (Meon Valley) beat Moloney 6 and 4, Watson beat Madden 5 and 4 (4-1).
WALES 4, SCOTLAND 3 Foursomes _ Verona MacKenzie (Whitchurch) & Angela Pritchard (Royal Porthcawl) lost to Pam Williamson (Baberton) & Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 1 hole; Audrey Briggs (Royal Liverpool) & Jean O'Connor (Newport) beat Moira Thomson (North Berwick) & Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 6 and 4 (1-1).
Singles _ Briggs beat Ballantyne 2 and 1, Mackenzie lost to Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 1 hole, O'Connor beat Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 2 holes, Anne Johnson (Ludlow) lost to Thomson 1 hole, Lynda Jones (Royal Porthcawl) beat Williamson 2 and 1 (3-2).
FINAL PLACINGS
1 England 3pt,
2 Ireland 2pt,
3 Wales 1pt,
4 Scotland 0pt.
MOST SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS
Christine Watson (England) 5 wins out of 5.
Carole Caldwell (England) 5 wins out of 6.
Jean O'Connor (Wales) 5 wins out of 6.

SCOTS WIN THEIR FIRST FOURSOMES -- ON THIRD DAY OF SENIORS
Scotland finally won a foursomes match in the inaugural Senior women's home internationals at Whittington Heath Golf Club - but it took them until the third day to achieve the success.
Pamela Williamson, pictured left, the Irish senior women's open champion from Baberton, and Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park), pictured below right, recent winner of the Scottish senior women's title at Ballater, won on the last green against Verona MacKenzie and Angela Pritchard from Wales. In a tight match, it was all square after nine, Wales one up after 12 and all square again after 15. The Scots benefited from the Welsh pair going in the trees behind the 17th green to be one up on the 18th tee and played the par-5 last hole solidly to secure a breakthrough win.
Earlier, Wales had taken a 1-0 lead when Audrey Briggs and Jean O'Connor had beaten Moira Thomson (North Berwick) and Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) by 6 and 4. The Scots were two down after nine and four down after 12. Scotland and Wales were the only pointless teams going into the third day's play.
England took a significant step towards becoming the first Senior women's champions when they won both the morning foursomes against Ireland. England and Ireland were the two teams with 100 per cent records after two days' play.
Ireland's Valerie Hassett was on the losing side for the first time in five matches when she and partner Mary Madden were beaten 5 and 3 by England's Carole Caldwell and Vivien Saunders. For Carole it was a fourth straight win after losing with Vivien in the opening-day foursomes against Wales. The England pairing were three up after 12 holes.
England made it 2-0 when Rosalind Page and Christine Watson beat Mary McKenna and Anna Moloney by 3 and 2. It was a first defeat for both Mary and Anna in the tournament. It was all square at the turn but the English pair edged ahead after 12 holes and then won the 13th and 14th to lead by three holes.

JENNIFER HOPES IT'S THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR KAREN AND PAM AS A PAIRING
Scotland seniors' captain Jennifer Mack is keeping Pam Williamson and Karen Ballantyne as a foursomes pairing although they have not won in partnership over the first two mornings of the Senior women's home amateur international championship at Whittington Heath. In fact, no Scotland foursomes pairing has won so far this week ... and that has been the main reason for Scotland losing first to Ireland and then England. Pam and Karen will lead off against Wales' Verona MacKenzie (who is reported to be a Scot!) and Angela Pritchard. Skipper Mack tries out a new foursomes pairing in Moira Thomson and Helen Faulds. They will play Audrey Briggs and Joan O'Connor.

Thursday 2nd October 2003

Home Internationals
If reading about the Senior Womens' Home Internationals is getting you all depressed... why not browse the latest photoalbum, direct from Colin's camera. This time it's the British Home Internationals held earlier this month at Cruden Bay. (Ireland won)

Senior Womens' Home Internationals
SCOTLAND v WALES FOR WOODEN SPOON AT WHITTINGTON HEATH
SCOTLAND will be playing off against Wales for the wooden spoon while England meet Ireland for the inaugural Senior women's home internationals' title at Whittington Heath Golf Club today (Friday).
The Scots, desperately needing to beat England to get back into the championship race after losing 4-3 to Ireland on the first day, lost by 4 1/2-2 1/2 after trailing 2-0 from the mornng foursomes.
"There was no doubt that England were the better team on the day," said Scotland skipper Jennifer Mack who was genuinely confident on the eve of the tournament about adding this title to the Veteran Ladies Golf Association team championship which has come north of the Border for the past two years.
"We did our best and once again we shared the singles after losing the foursomes."
Ireland, attempting to follow the example of their men's and women's teams who have both won home international titles within the past month, beat Wales 5-2 and they will be up for the England match. A draw would be enough to achieve a memorable treble as the Irish have a half-point advantage over the English in the games-won tie-breaking system.
Wales had to do without the services of Ann Johnson who had an upset stomach overnight.
Carole Caldwell and Christine Watson both won twice against the Scots. Carole got the clinching 4th point when she beat Helen Faulds, pictured left, 5 and 3 after being four up on the seventh tee. Chris Watson, three up at the turn, beat Noreen Fenton, pictured below, 6 and 5.
Scotland's singles winners were Moira Thomson, who beat the new English seniors champion Adele Mitchell by 7 and 6 after being four up at the turn.
Pam Williamson, all square at the turn, got on top in the closing stages to beat Chris Stirling 2 and 1.
Scottish seniors champion Karen Ballantyne lost the first three holes against Ros Page, last year's British seniors open champion, but had squared the match by the turn and was, in fact, two up after 12. Mrs Ballantyne holed a bunker shot to go two up again with two to play but lost the last two holes, the 18th to a birdie 4 to be pulled back to square.
Ireland's Valerie Hassett and Mary McKenna clinched victory over Wales by taking first two singles. Valerie won by 5 and 4 over Audrey Briggs after being only one up at the turn. Mary was two up at the turn on Verona Mackenzie but was pulled back to one before going on to win by 3 and 2. Valerie and Mary ended the second day with three wins and a draw apiece, the most successful players of the tournament so far.
Jean O'Connor put the first Welsh point of the day on the board by beating Roma English 4 and 3, having improved from one up at the turn to three up after 12.
Anna Moloney, the Irish left-hander, made it three wins from three outings, by beating Angela Pritchard 4 and 3. It was a nip-and-tuck game until the closing holes when Anna won a cluster of holes to go from one up after 12 to victory on the 15th green.
Ireland were denied the last match when Lynda Jones came back from two down with six to play to win on the last green against Mary Madden.
ENGLAND 4 1/2, SCOTLAND 2 1/2
Foursomes _ Carole Caldwell (Sunningdale) & Vivien Saunders (Cambridge Meridian) beat Pam Williamson (Baberton) & Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 1 hole; Rosalind Page (Came Down) & Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) beat Moira Thomson (North Berwick) & Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 3 and 2 (2-0).
Singles _ Adele Mitchell (Keighley) lost to Thomson 7 and 6, Page halved with Ballantyne, Chris Stirling (Meon Valley) lost to Williamson 2 and 1, Caldwell beat Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) 5 and 3, Watson beat Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 6 and 5 (2 1/2-2 1/2).
IRELAND 5, WALES 2
Foursomes _ Valerie Hassett (Ennis) & Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) beat Angela Pritchard (Royal Porthcawl) & Verona MacKenzie (Whitchurch) 2 and 1; Mary McKenna (Donabate) & Anna Moloney (Clonmel) beat Audrey Briggs (Royal Liverpool) & Jean O'Connor (Newport) 6 and 5 (2-0).
Singles _ Hassett beat Briggs 5 and 4, McKenna beat MacKenzie 3 and 2, Roma English (Larne) lost to O'Connor 4 and 3, Moloney beat Pritchard 4 and 3, Madden lost to Lynda Jones (Royal Porthcawl) 1 hole (3-2).
How they stand England 2pt, Ireland 2pt, Wales 0pt, Scotland 0pt.
Final matches 8.30 & 1pm England v Ireland. 8.50 & 1.40 Wales v Scotland.

SCOTLAND LOSE BOTH FOURSOMES TO ENGLAND IN SENIORS INTERNATIONALS
England and Ireland both took 2-0 leads into the afternoon singles on the second day of the Senior women's home international matches at Whittington Heath Golf Club.
England lost both their opening foursomes to Wales on the first day but combined much better against Scotland. Rosalind Page and Christine Watson, not used as a foursomes pairing on Wednesday, won by 3 and 2 over Scotland's Moira Thomson and Lynne Terry after being two up at the turn and four up after 13 holes.
The lead-off foursomes was a much closer contest with Carole Caldwell and Vivien Saunders winning on the 18th green against Scotland's Pam Williamson and Karen Ballantyne after being one hole up for most of the inward journey. The Scots did get back on level terms and three-putted the 16th to let their English opponents off the hook with a half at that hole. Carole and Vivien then edged ahead again with a par 4 at the 17th where Carole holed from 7ft. At the par-5 last hole, Pam Williamson lipped out with the 5ft foot for a birdie which would have won the hole and squared the match. A half in 5s left England the winners by one hole.
Wales had to make a change to their lead-off pairing when Ann Johnson had to withdraw with an upset stomach. Her place as Verona Mackenzie's partner went to Angela Pritchard.
Verona and Angela lost by 2 and 1 to Ireland's Valerie Hassett and Mary Madden who came back from being one down after nine to be one up after 15 and two up after 16.
Mary McKenna and Anna Maloney had by that time won by 6 and 5 over Audrey Briggs and Jean O'Connor. The Irish pair seized the initiative in the early stages, surging two up after three and four up at the turn.

Wednesday 1st October 2003

SCOTLAND LOSE TO IRELAND IN SENIOR WOMEN'S OPENER
Scotland lost 4-3 to Ireland and England came back from a 2-0 foursomes deficit to beat Wales by a similar close margin on the opening day of the senior women's home amateur golf international championship at Whittington Heath Golf Club, near Lichfield yesterday (Wed).
"It's not over yet," said Scots skipper Jennifer Mack. "We played some good golf out there to share the singles with Ireland. We lost it in the foursomes when we could get only half a point from the two ties. We missed too many putting chances but there are still two days to go and if we can beat England we are back in with a chance."
Ireland took a vital one-point lead over Scotland thanks to the legendary Mary McKenna and left-hander Anna Maloney winning by one hole over Pam Williamson (Baberton), ironically the current Irish senior women's open champion, and Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park), recent winner of the Scottish senior women's title at Ballater.
Earlier Moira Thomson (North Berwick) pictured left, and Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) had been held to a square game by the experienced Valerie Hassett and Mary Madden.
The singles were shared 2 1/2-2 1/2 with Valerie Hassett and Roma English winning for Ireland and Moira Thomson and Pam Williamson , pictured right, chalking up big-margin wins for Scotland.. Mary McKenna halved with Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) in the last tie to finish, Noreen gallantly getting up and down from a greenside bunker to win the 18th and square the tie.
England rallied from a 0-2 setback in the morning foursomes to beat Wales 4-3.
Adele Mitchell, Rosalind Page, Christine Watson and Carole Caldwell all won their singles as England took the afternoon session's honours 4-1 to wipe out the deficit from the morning when the partnerships of Ann Johnston & Verona Mackenzie and Audrey Briggs & Jean O'Connor had won for Wales.
The only Welsh winner in the afternoon was Jean O'Connor who beat Vivien Saunders by 5 and 4. Miss Saunders, reinstated recently as an amateur after 30-odd years as a professional, did not have a successful day. She also lost in the foursomes.

Senior Womens' home Internationals
Scotland trailed Ireland by a point after the morning foursomes on the opening day of the inaugural Senior women's home amateur international matches at Whittinghom Heath Golf Club, Lichfield today. Meanwhile, England, the favourites, unexpectedly lost both foursomes to give Wales a 2-0 lead to carry into the five aftgernoon singles.
Moira Thomson (North Berwick) and Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay), pictured left, were held to a square match by Ireland's Valerie Hassett and Mary Madden after being one up with one to play. There was never more than a hole in it either way but the
Scots looked favourites to gain a point when Moira and Lynne birdied the 17th.
The Scots, however, bogeyed the long last hole which the Irish pair won with a par 5 to level matters.
Ireland's one-point lead was produced by Mary McKenna and left-hander Anna Maloney who finished one up on Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park), pictured right, the new Scottish seniors champion, and Pam Williamson (Baberton), the Irish senior women's open title-holder.
It was all square coming down the 18th with the Irish on the putting surface in three while the Scots were in a greenside bunker in two. Karen shanked her recovery from the sand diagonally across the green and into a hollow.
Pam Williamson elected to putt from there but could get no nearer than 8ft from where Karen could not get down to save par. Mary McKenna rolled the Irish approach putt from 30ft only a couple of feet past the hole and Anna Maloney duled holed out for a hole and match-winning par 5.
Anne Johnson and Veronica MacKenzie set the ball rolling for Wales with a one-hole win over the former Curtis Cup players who were leading off for England, Carole Caldwell and Vivien Saunders. The Welsh pair always had the
edge, being one up after nine and two up after 13 holes.
Audrey Briggs and Jean OConnor made it 2-0 for Wales with a two-hole win over Adele Mitchell and Chris Stirling. The English pair, two down after six, were all square at the turn and still level after 15 but the Welsh finished strongly, doubling their lead at the last.
FOURSOMES DETAILS
WALES lead ENGLAND 2-0
Ann Johnson (Ludlow) & Verona Mackenzie (Whitchurch) beat Carole Caldwell (Sunningdale) & Vivien Saunders (Cambridge Meridian) 1 hole.
Audrey Briggs (Royal Liverpool) & Jean O'Connor (Newport) beat Adele Mitchell (Keighley) & Chris Stirling (Meon Valley) 2 holes.
IRELAND lead SCOTLAND 1 1/2- 1/2.
Valerie Hassett (Ennis) & Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) halved with Moira Thomson (North Berwick) & Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay).
Mary McKenna (Donabate) & Anna Maloney (Clonmel) beat Pam Williamson (Baberton) & Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 1 hole.

Scottish Senior Team with Officials, pictured at Whittington Heath yesterday
Back Row L to R: Pamela Williamson (Baberton), Karen Ballentyne (Craigmillar Park), Helen Faulds (Hilton Park), Patricia Hutton (SLGA Vice Chairman), Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh), Moira Thonson (North Berwick) Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay)
Front Row L to R: Ethel Farquharson (SLGA Chairman), Joyce Cooper (SLGA President), Jennifer Mack (Team Captain)

US Student News
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie / Iowa State University), pictured right, tied for fourth place in the Ron Moore Intercollegiate at Denver, Colorado yesterday. Her rounds of 77 and 75 for 152 put her just two shots off the lead, held by Emily Hoeper of Denver (77, 73). Iowa State tied with Denver for second place behind Nebraska.
Full information can be found on the Iowa State Website

Scottish Seniors Championship, held at Ballater, 8-9 September.
Here is a photoalbum of shots from the Championship, courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency

September 2003 Archive

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