August 2005 Archive

Wednesday 31st August 2005

PAMELA WINS SENIOR STROKE-PLAY CROWN - NOW FOR TITLE DOUBLE
From COLIN FARQUHARSON
Pamela Williamson from Baberton, Edinburgh won the Scottish senior women's closed amateur stroke-play championship for a third time at Grantown on Spey Golf Club today (WEDNESDAY).
Mrs Williamson, the overnight leader by one shot, added a 74 to her opening 73 for 147 - a lower total than her two previous title wins at East Renfrewshire (159) in 1999 and at Crail Balcomie (152) in 2002.
In fact, it is the second lowest winning aggregate in the nine-year history of the event, bettered only by Karen Ballantyne's 139 at Ballater in 2003.
Pamela had birdies at the second, fourth, ninth, 12th and 16th but she also had a double bogey at the 14th and bogeys at the third, seventh, eighth, 11th and 18th in two eventual halves of 37.
A former Irish senior women's open champion, Mrs Williamson won by only one shot in the end from Borders veterans' title-winner Liz Campbell (Torwoodlee). Liz had a second-round 73 - bettered only by a 72 by Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh - for a total of 148.
Moira Thomson (North Berwick) finished third with a 75 for 149.
For the first time, a Scottish senior women's match-play championship will make up the second half of the four-day programme. It will be contested by the 16 players with the lowest 36-hole totals.
Mrs Williamson will start her bid for a title double by playing Patricia Hutton (Lanark), winner of the seniors' stroke-play championship in 2000, on Thursday morning.
SCOTTISH SENIOR WOMEN'S CLOSED AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Grantown on Spey
Par 72 CSS 71 71
LEADING TOTALS
147 P Williamson (Baberton) 73 74.
148 E Campbell (Torwoodlee) 75 73.
149 M Thomson (North Berwick) 74 75.
151 F De Vries (St Rule) 74 77.
152 R Anderson (Huntly) 76 76.
153 L Bennett (Ladybank) 80 73, A Smart (Banchory) 78 75.
154 N Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 82 72.
155 F Neish (Murcar) 80 75, C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) 77 78, J Gardner (Drumpellier) 77 78.
156 R Brown (Lothianburn) 78 78.
158 J Mack (Haggs Castle) 80 78, A Brownie (Lothianburn) 79 79, A Telfer (Milngavie) 76 82.
159 L Terry (Cruden Bay) 79 80.
160 H Faulds (Douglas Park) 75 85.
162 P Hutton(Lanark) 78 84.
162 K Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 83 80.
164 P Wilson (Murcar) 85 79, J Slater (Aboyne) 82 82, E Miskimmin (Dunblane New) 80 84.
165 I McIntosh (Inverness) 84 81.
166 J Cumming (Inverness) 82 84
167 N Smith (Downfield) 82 85, E Simpson (Murrayfield) 80 87.
168 S Bain (Aberdeen ladies) 88 80.
169 E Fisken (Nairn) 85 84, F Roger (Ranfurly Castle) 84 85.
170 I Harvey (St Rule) 86 84, R Dee (Kingsknowe) 85 85, J French (Alyth) 85 85.
171 C Fell (Ranfurly Castle) 87 84, S Travers (Alloa) 86 85, P Morrison(Muir of Ord) 85 86, S Hodge (Aberdeen Ladies) 82 89.
172 A Henderson (Lenzie) 88 84, L Clark (Nairn) 88 84, S Vickerman (Grantown on Spey) 87 85.
173 R Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay) 92 81, D Dunn (Dunblane New) 89 94, M Donald (Aberdeen Ladies) 88 85, S Coster (Hilton Park) 84 89.
174 A Moffat (St Regulus) 80 84, P Gordon (Inverness) 88 86.
175 M Mowat (Troon Ladies) 92 83, H Kelly (Ladies Panmure Barry) 89 86, P Nicoll (Banchory) 87 88.
176 E Cruickishank (Cruden Bay) 89 87, M Joss (Alford) 88 88, N Duncan (Brechin) 86 90, L MacDonald (Hilton Park) 82 92, M Clark (Banchory) 83 93.
177 L Lloyd-Baker (Grantown on Spey) 97 80, E Thomson (Aberdeen Ladies) 91 86.
178 M MacNaughtan (Aberdeen Ladies) 91 87, H Edon (Banchory) 88 90.
178 A Greeman (Ladies Panmure Barry) 92 87, J Flannigan (St Regulus) 91 88, D Gray (Lanark) 91 88, E Munro (Moray) 89 90.
180 L Fraser (Inverness) 95 85, A Paton (Douglas Park) 92 88, M Ritchie (Muir of Ord) 91 89, M Clapperton (Banchory) 90 90.
181 P McGunnigle (Banchory) 94 87.
182 E Rose (Aboyne) 94 88, L Fertacz (Dunkeld & Birnam) 94 88.
183 A Stalker (Aberdeen Ladies) 95 88, B Duncan (Banchory) 95 88, M Orr (Tain) 94 89, M Duncan (Nairn) 92 91.
185 K Jarvie (Auchterarder) 99 86, E Hutton (Muir of Ord) 95 90.
186 J Grant (Kingussie) 96 90, P Twinn (Aberdeen Ladies) 95 91.
188 M McCallum (West Kilbride) 98 90, P Nile (Banchory) 94 94.
189 B Potter (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 100 89, E Webster (Aberdeen Ladies) 96 93.
190 M Miller (Aberdeen Ladies) 98 92.
191 H Littler (Grantown on Spey) 95 96, E Barrack (Aberdeen Ladies) 90 101.
192 C Robertson (Dunkeld & Birnam) 97 95.
195 S MacLennan (Nairn Dunbar) 96 99, E Walker (Troon Ladies) 95 100.
198 G Haines (St Regulus) 102 96.
201 A Miller (Nairn) 103 98.
205 A Hood (Dunblane New) 97 108.
207 H MacGregor (Hilton Park) 106 101.
208 P Moscati (Royal Dornoch) 104 104.
211 W Davidson (Deeside) 108 103.
MATCH-PLAY DRAW
8.0 Williamson (1) v Hutton (16).
8.08 Neish (9) v Fenton (8).
8.15 Anderson (5) v Brownie (12).
8.24 Telfer (13) v De Vries (4).
8.32 Thomson (3) v Terry (14).
8.40 Brown (11) v Bennett (6).
8.48 Smart (7) v Gardner (10).
8.55 Faulds (15) v Campbell (2).
Quarter-finals at 12.30, 12.38, 12.46, 12.54.
FRIDAY - Semi-finals at 8.45 and 8.55. Final at 1.15pm.

ELGA Press Release
Rozalyn Adams is top seed in English seniors’ championship
Surrey’s Rozalyn Adams is the top seed for the matchplay stages of the Seniors Ladies’ English Close Amateur Championship at Handsworth.
She led the 16 qualifiers by six shots after adding a second round 76 to her opening score of level par 72.
The Addington Court player’s second round began in up-and-down fashion, with three birdies, two double bogeys and a bogey on the front nine.
But then her play steadied and apart from two bogeys, on the 12th and 17th, she parred home.
“I just wanted to make my pars,” she said afterwards. “Now I plan to pace myself for the rest of the championship.
“This is a very enjoyable week, the hospitality is excellent and the course and greens are lovely,” Rozalyn added.
Her closest challenger is defending champion Chris Quinn (Winchester) who qualified second with rounds of 78, 76. The cut for the matchplay stages fell at 166
|Position|No|Name|Club|Round1|Round2|Total|+/-
1|1|Adams|Rozalyn|Addington Court|72.00|76.00|148.00|+4
2|30|Quinn|Christine|South Winchester|78.00|76.00|154.00|+10
3|35|Smyth|Hilary|Pannal|80.00|78.00|158.00|+14
4|13|Hedges|Susan|Royal Cinque Ports|84.00|75.00|159.00|+15
5|44|Wrightson|Pat|Huddersfield|77.00|82.00|159.00|+15
6|16|Lindley|Ruth|Hartlepool|80.00|80.00|160.00|+16
7|39|Watson|Christine|Beaconsfield|79.00|83.00|162.00|+18
8|14|Heuchel|Gabi|East Berkshire|79.00|83.00|162.00|+18
9|31|Saunders|Vivien|Cambridge Meridian|84.00|79.00|163.00|+19
10|41|West|Patricia|Spalding|82.00|81.00|163.00|+19
11|7|Caldwell|Carole|Sunningdale|82.00|81.00|163.00|+19
12|37|Stockdale|Andrea|Wollaton Park|81.00|82.00|163.00|+19
13|9|Copp|Marianne|Rye|81.00|82.00|163.00|+19
14|24|O.Keeffe|Jeannie|Guildford Ladies|85.00|81.00|166.00|+22
15|6|Bill|Wendy|Ladbrook Park|83.00|83.00|166.00|+22
16|34|Smith|Julia|Rotherham|81.00|85.00|166.00|+22

CLARE QUEEN RANKED THIRD BY EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The updated European Golf Association women's amateur rankings, following the European women's individual championship on Madeira, have Clare Queen from Drumpellier in third place.
Alexandra Vilatte (France) is ranked No 1 with 225pt, gained in EGA-designated tournaments, and Maria Hernandez (Spain) is in second place with 175pt.
Miss Queen has 160pt to her credit even though she failed to retain the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Nairn recently.
The only other Great Britain & Ireland players in the new top 10 are Ireland's Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen who are ranked Nos 9 and 10 respectively.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), the Vagliano Trophy team reserve who went close to winning the British title at Nairn, is in 11th place.
New British champion Heather Macrae from Dunblane, now back at San Diego State University, California, comes into the top 20 list for the first time in 18th.
Here is the EGA list.
1 Alexandra Vilatte (Fra) 225.
2 Maria Hernandez (Spa) 175.
3 Clare Queen (Sco)        160.
4 Katharina Schallenberg (Ger) 157.50.
5 Julie Berton (Fra)        153.
6 Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra) 152.13.
7 Emma Cabrera (Spa)        146.63
8 Nicole Gergely (Aut)        139.
9 Claire Coughlan (Ire)        137.75.
10 Martina Gillen (Ire)        135.50.
11 Jenna Wilson (Sco)        132.50.
12 Stenna Westerlund (Fin) 129.50.
13 Jade Schaeffer (Fra)        125.50.
14 Carlota Ciganda (Spa) 123.
15 Elena Giraud (Fra)        122.46.
16 Kerry Smith (Eng)        120.70.
17 Sophie Walker (Eng)        118.50.
18 Heather Macrae (Sco) 114.13.
19 Tricia Mangan (Ire)        110.50.
20 Stefanie Endstrasser (Aut) 110.
Other Scottish rankings:
36 Anne Laing        72.13
61 Fiona Lockhart       47.
75 Kylie Walker        30.13.
99 Louise Kenney        24.
109 Sara Bishop        19.50
143 Carly Booth        9.

SVLGA East Division Autumn Meeting
Here are results of meeting at Murrayfield on 30 August. (CSS 73)
Silver  Scratch    Denise Mitchell        81
            H'Cap        1. Irene Lindsay    86-14-72
                              2. Cath Tait         91-17-74(bih)
                              3. Ethel Jack        82- 8-74(better last 6holes)
                              4. Isobel Hastings 90-16 74
Bronze  H'Cap      1.Rosemary Denny     95-22-73
                              2.Maureen Stewart   100 -24-76

Tuesday 30th August 2005

PAMELA WAKES UP FROM NIGHTMARE TO LEAD FIELD AT GRANTOWN ON SPEY
Twice title-winner Pamela Williamson from Baberton has a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Scottish senior women's (closed) amateur stroke-play championship at Grantown-on-Spey.
Pamela, champion in 1999 and again in 2002, recovered from a nightmare ninth hole to return a one-over-par 73. She bogeyed the fifth but then ran up a triple bogey 7 at the par-4 ninth to turn in four-over 41.
Mrs Williamson, who plays off three, got down to business after the turn with birdies at the 12th, 15th and 18th in a bogey-free 32.
Sharing second place on 74 are Moira Thomson (North Berwick), Scottish girls' champion in 1968, and St Andrews hotelier Fiona de Vries (St Rule), both of whom have handicaps of three.
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank), on paper the best player in the field with a handicap of one, is lying joint 15th on 80.
For the first time, the over-50s championship is being held over four days with the first two days producing a senior stroke-play champion and the last two days a senior match-play champion.
At stake, apart from the titles, are places in the team to represent Scotland in the senior women's home internationals at Radyr Golf Club, near Cardiff from October 4 to 6.
collated scoreboard
SCOTTISH SENIOR WOMEN'S (CLOSED) AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Grantown on Spey Golf Club
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72. CSS 71
73 P Williamson (Baberton)
74 F de Vries (St Rule), M Thomson (North Berwick).
75 H Faulds (Douglas Park), E Campbell (Torwoodlee).
76 R Anderson (Huntly), A Telfer (Milngavie).
77 J Gardner (Drumpellier), C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar).
78 R Brown (Lothianburn), A Smart (Banchory), P Hutton (Lanark).
79 A Brownie (Lothianburn), L Terry (Cruden Bay).
80 J Mack (Haggs Castle), L Bennett (Ladybank), E Simpson (Murrayfield), E Miskimmin (Dunblane New), F Neish (Murcar).
82 N Smith (Downfield), S Hodge (Aberdeen Ladies), J Slater (Aboyne), J Cumming (Inverness), N Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh).
83 K Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park), M Clark (Banchory).
84 S Reid (Aberdeen Ladies), L MacDonald (Hilton Park), F Roger (Ranfurly Castle), S Coster (Hilton Park), I McIntosh (Inverness).
85 J French (Alyth), E Fisken (Nairn), R Dee (Kingsknowe), P Wilson (Murcar), P Morrison (Muir of Ord).
86 N Duncan (Brechin), J Robertson (Lundin Links), S Travers (Alloa), I Harvey (St Rule).
87 C Fell (Ranfurly Castle), P Nicoll (Banchory), S Vickerman (Grantown on Spey).
88 L Clark (Nairn), P Gordon (Inverness), S Bain (Aberdeen Ladies), M Donald (Aberdeen Ladies), M Joss (Alford), A Henderson (Lenzie), H Edon (Banchory).
89 E Cruickshank (Cruden Bay), E Munro (Moray), D Dunn (Dunblane New), H Kelly (Ladies Panmure Barry).
90 M Clapperton (Banchory), E Barrack (Aberdeen Ladies), A Moffat (St Regulus).
91 M MacNaughtan (Aberdeen Ladies), D Gray (Lanark), J Flannigan (St Regulus), M Ritchie (Muir of Ord), E Thomson (Aberdeen Ladies).
92 A Greeman (Ladies Panmure Barry), M Duncan (Nairn), A Paton (Douglas Park), M Mowat (Troon Ladies), R Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay).
93 M Chalmers (Downfield).
94 L Fertacz (Dunkeld & Birnam), M Sharp (Grantown on Spey), P Nile (Banchory), P McGunnigle (Banchory), E Rose (Aboyne), M Orr (Tain).
95 E Hutton (Muir of Ord), P Twinn (Abedeen Ladies), E Walker (Troon Ladies), B Duncan (Banchroy), A Stalker (Abedeen Ladies), H Littler (Grantown on Spey), L Fraser (Inverness).
96 J Grant (Kingussie), E Webster (Aberdeen Ladies), S MacLennan (Nairn Dunbar).
97 L Lloyd-Baker (Grantown on Spey), C Robertson (Dunkeld & Birnam), A Hood (Dunblane New).
98 M Miller (Aberdeen Ladies), M McCallum (West Kilbride).
99 K Jarvie (Auchterarder).

SVGLA Championship
LORNA, MOIRA ON COLLISION COURSE
A repeat of last year's Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship between Lorna Bennett, the Midlands champion, and East title-winner Moira Thomson, is a possibility following the draw for this year's quarter-finals over Blairgowrie's Lansdowne course on Sunday, September 26.
Lorna beat Moira 5 and 4 to win the Scottish Vets title last year and they have both retained their area titles to qualify again for the quarter-finals. They are in the opposite halves of the draw which is:
Jean Lambert (Galloway) v Liz Campbell (Borders), Pearl Beattie (Dumfries-shire) v Moira Thomson (East), Ann Smart (North) v Christine McAndrew (Highland), Helen Faulds (West) v Lorna Bennett (Midlands).
The semi-finals and final are played on the Monday.

Faldo Series
CARLY EARNS CELTIC MANOR PLACE ON TIE-BREAKER AT BARASSIE
Carly Booth came through a tie-breaker at Kilmarnock Barassie today (TUE) to be one of the six Scottish qualifiers for the Nick Faldo Junior Series Grand Final at Celtic Manor Golf Resort on Sunday, September 18.
There is only one girl qualifier and Carly tied with Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) for the coveted spot after the third and last Scottish qualifying competition at Barassie. On a windy day over a long and difficult course, Pamela won the girls' event on the day with a score of 79, one ahead of Carly.
That earned Pamela 15pt for the third round to Carly's 12 and, adding these points to those accumulated from their placings at Carnoustie (April 26) and Blairgowrie (June 23), the two girls tied for the top spot in their final standings with 37pt each - one point ahead of Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) who had headed the table going into the final qualifying round.
Under the rules of the competition, in the event of a tie, the player with the lower stroke average over the three rounds goes forward to the Grand Final. Carly's average was exactly 80 while Pamela, who had an 86 at Carnoustie, had an average of 81.3.
Jamie Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) had the best score of 74 in the Under-21 boys section at Barassie but the qualifier was Frazer Bone (Cardross) who finished second to Jamie yesterday with a 76.
Robbie King (Dumbarton) won the Under-18 boys' play with 36pt - 2pt ahead of Euan Malcolm (Dunbermline) who had the lowest score of 75 in this category yesterday.
Ross Kellett (Colville Park) clinched the Under-17 boys' spot at Celtic Manor with 29pt by winning his category at Barassie with a par-matching 72 - the best score on the day over a course with an SSS of 74.
James Byrne (Banchory) won the Under-16 boys' section with 37.5pt although he finished fourth on the day with an 81 behind Simon Barras (Helensburgh) who had a 76.
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was a clear winner of the Under-15 boys' qualifying place with 43.5pt, 10pt ahead of Greg Duncan (Craigielaw). Michael and Greg led the way on the 80 mark yesterday. COLLATED SCOREBOARD
NICK FALDO JUNIOR SERIES
Final Scottish qualifying round
Kilmarnock Barassie
BOYS
Under-21: 74 J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 74. 76 F Bone (Cardross). 77 J Donaldson (Brucefields). 81 J Walkden (Royal Montrose). Final points totals:  39 F Bone, 32.5 J Gardiner, 30 J Donaldson, 26 J Walkden, 19.5 F Skene (Tantallon). 13 S Larkin (Banchory). 12.5 J Forbes (Inverness). 9.5 R McKen (Newburgh). 8.5 A McKie (Glencruitten). 3 K Truscott (Newmachar). 1.5 R Lando (Colville Park).
Under-18: 75 E Malcolm (Dunfermline). 77 B Rushford (Grangemouth). 79 R King (Dumbarton), J Lockie (Tantallon), P Latimer (St Andrews New). 80 P McLean (Peterhead). 81 S Borrowman (Dollar). 83 S Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas). Final points: 36 R King. 34 E Malcolm. 27 P McLean. 26.5 S Borrowman, 21.5 J Lockie. 21 B Rushford. 19 S Robin. 18.5 M Watson (Elgin). 18 P Latimer. 5.5 S Neilson (Dunbar).
Under-17: 72 R Kellett (Colville Park). 73 Z Saltman (Craigielaw). 74 S Henderson (Barassie). 75 J Mackay (Barassie). 76 G Robertson (Glenbervie). 77 J Neilson (Dunbar). 78 R Bell (Downfield), D Torrance (Sunningdeale). 79 T Higson (Eyemouth), G Mitchell (Northern). 81 S McAllister (Craigielaw). 82 G Stevenson (Golf House Club). 86 T Bassett (Warley Park). Final points: 29 R Kellett. 25.5 J Neilson. 24.5 S McAllister. 22 R Bell. 21 T Higson. 20.5 Z Saltman, G Mitchell. 16 J Mackay. 15 T Bassett. 12.5 G Robertson. 12 G Stevenson. 11.5 S Henderson. 11 D Torrance. 5 J Findlay (Fraserburgh).
Under-16: 76 S Barras (Helensburgh). 12 C Gray (West Kilbride). 80 A Wallace (Glenbervie). 81 J Byrne (Banchory). 83 K Harper (Carnoustie), M Daily (Erskine), N Kearns (Omagh), N Henderson (The Glen). Final points: 37.5 J Byrne. 31.5 A Wallace. 30 C Gray. 29.5 S Barras. 27.5 K Harper. 22 M Daily. 15.5 N Kearns. 13 J Caldwell (Greenock). 12 N Henderson. 8.5 D Parlane (Helensburgh).
Under-15: 80 M Stewart (Troon Welbeck), G Duncan (Craigielaw). 81 J Hendrick (Pollock). 82 S Fraser (Northern). 84 S Binning (Old Ranfurly), A Abercrombie (Largs), F Lawrie (Largs). 86 K Smith (Barassie). Final points: 43.5 M Stewart. 33.5 G Duncan. 26.5 S Fraser. 25 K Smith. 22.5 S Binning. 21 J Hendrick. 16.5 A Abercrombie, F Lawrie. 16 T Mitchell (Longside). 9 N Avanzo (Milano).
GIRLS
79 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle). 80 C Booth (Auchterarder). 81 J Turner (Mortonhall). 87 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon). 89 G Monteith (Dunskey). 90 J Sneddon (Scotscraig). Final points: 37 C Booth (first on better stroke average), P Pretswell. 36 M Thomson. 23 G Monteith. 21 J Sneddon. 18 J Turner. 17 R Wilson (Monifieth).

ELGA Press Release
Rozalyn Adams leads English seniors’ championship
Surrey’s Rozalyn Adams holds a five shot lead after the first round of the Senior Ladies’ English Close Amateur Championship at Handsworth Golf Club.
The Addington Court player, who played in the last pairing of the day with Sue Westall (Copt Heath), shot a level par 72. She covered the last nine holes in one-under 35, helped by a birdie on the 17th.
Afterwards she described the course as excellent and was generally pleased with her performance on the greens, although a rare three-putt on the 16th cost her a bogey.
Her closest challenger at the halfway stage of the strokeplay qualifying is Huddersfield’s Pat Wrightson. Her 77 included the only eagle of the day, a three on the 416-yard par five ninth hole.
One shot further back is defending champion Chris Quinn of Winchester, who got off to a slow start with an outward nine of 41. However, birdies at the 12th and 17th helped her to a one-over 37 on the homeward nine.
After 36 holes of strokeplay the top 16 players will go forward to the matchplay stages of the championship. The final will be played on Friday afternoon.

Renfrewshire Girls Championship
Scottish Junior Internationalist Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) won the Renfrewshire Girls Championship title yesterday when she beat Lauren Mackin (Ranfurly Castle) by 3&2 in the final over East Renfrewshire G.C.
In the morning semifinals, Megan beat Catherine Conejo (Williamwood) by 5&4 and Lauren beat Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) by 4&3.

Futures Tour
STEADY HEATHER TIES FOR 39th IN FUTURES TOUR FINALE
Heather Stirling put together three steady rounds of 75, 72 and 73 for a four-over-par total of 220 and a joint 39th finish in the YWCA Classic, the last even of the 2005 season on the Futures Tour, at Regent’s Glen Country Club, York in Pennsylvania.
The former Curtis Cup player from Bridge of Allan was tied for 47th place at the start of the last day but birdied the fifth and 13th and bogeyed the third, ninth and 18th in halves of 37 and 36 to collect $357.
Heather finished 123rd in the Futures Tour money table for the year with a total of $1,784 from 14 events.
The season-ending event provided a first win for the 18-year-old Paraguyan, Julieta Granada (pictured right). She birdied the last four holes for a final round of 68 after earlier rounds of 68 and 70. Her 10-under-par total gave her the $10,500 first prize by one shot from Jessica Lewis (Bethseda) who scored 73, 67 and 67.
Julieta turned pro in June – nine weeks ago - and played in nine Futures Tour events from then. She had one win, two seconds and four top-10s and finish seventh on the money list with $29,153.
If she had finished in the top five of the final money table, Miss Granada would have gained an automatic player’s card for next season’s LPGA Tour.
Julieta will probably make it to the big-time circuit anyway. She has put her name down for the LPGA Qualifying School process and has so much talent it is almost unthinkable that she will fail to make.
She has spent the past five years at the Dave Leadbetter Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The leading money-winner on the 2005 Futures Tour was Seon-Hwa Lee from Korea. From 18 events – one of which she won – she amassed a total of $59,567.
Two other Koreans – third-placed Kyeong Bae ($49,810) and No 5 Sun Young Yoo ($42,007) – have leapfrogged over the Qualifying School schedule, straight into next year’s LPGA Tour. The other members of the top five qualifiers were second-placed Virada Nirapathpongporn ($54,919) and fourth-placed Nicole Castrale ($43,059).

CONGRATULATIONS TO CATRIONA MATTHEW
Catriona, from North Berwick, East Lothian, gained one of the Captain's picks on the twelve strong European Solheim Cup team to play the Americans at Crooked Stick, Indiana, the weekend after next.

Monday 29th August 2005

Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge Trophy winners Ellon Academy,
Adam Dunton, Kevin Duncan and Grant Carnie
with Paul Lawrie's business manager John Caven

ELLON ACADEMY WIN PAUL LAWRIE SCHOOLS TEAM CHALLENGE
A very good,  par-matching 71 in blustery conditions by Kevin Duncan spearheaded Ellon Academy's capture of the Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge Trophy for the first time at Peterculter golf course today (MONDAY).
Two-handicap Ken birdied the first hole and then the last three in halves of 38 and 33 for easily the best round of the day.
He was backed up by a 76 from Grant Carnie (40-36) and an 82 by Adam Dunton to give Ellon Academy a scratch team total fo 229.
Kemnay Academy (238) had the next best scratch total but their net total of 215 won them the A T Personnel Handicap Trophy and under the rules of the competition no team could win two trophies.
Second place in the scratch event then went to Robert Gordon's College. Their 239 was made up of  78s byTom Rennie and Robert Gallon and and 83 by Chris Brown.
Kemnay Academy's winning net scores were:  Jamie Riddler (8) 67, Ewen Noble (5) 71, Matthew Shotter (10) 77.
Ellon Academy had the second best net total of 220 but, having won the scratch trophy, they were ineligible for the handicap prizes. Third-placed Cults Academy were then declared the runners-up with a net 226: Lauren Whyte (13) 73, Calum Stewart (18) 76, Andrew Dingwall (6) 77.
A total of 20 North-east school teams took part. St Machar Academy withdrew.
LEADING TOTALS
Boys' CSS was 71; Girls CSS was also 71
SCRATCH
229 Ellon Academy (K Duncan 71, G Carnie 76, A Dunton 82).
238 Kemnay Academy (J Riddler 75, E Noble 76, M Shotter 87).
239 Gordon's College (T Rennie 78, R Gallon 78, C Brown 83).
243 Banchory Academy.
248 Grammar School.
250 Oldmachar Academy.
257 Mackie Academy.
258 Aboyne Academy, Westhill Academy..
262 Meldrum Academy, Peterhead Academy.
263 Cults Academy.
272 Hazlehead Academy.
273 Harlaw Academy.
281 The Gordon Schools.
285 Torry Academy
291 Monifieth High.
299 Dyce Academy.
307 Bridge of Don Academy.
NR Alford Academy.
Withdrew St Machar Academy.
HANDICAP
215 Kemnay Academy (J Riddle (8) 67, E Noble (5) 71, M Shotter (10) 77).
220 Ellon Academy (K Duncan (2) 69, G Carnie (3) 73, A Dunton (4) 78).
226 Cults Academy (L Whyte (Cults) (13) 73, AC Stewart (18) 76, A Dingwall (6) 77).
227 Meldrum Academy, Gordon's College.
229 Banchory Academy.
232 Aboyne Academy, Oldmachar Academy.
233 Peterhead Academy.
234 Mackie Academy, Westhill Academy.
238 Grammar School.
244 Harlaw Academy.
245 Hazlehead Academy.
248 Torry Academy.
253 Dyce Academy.
256 Monifieth High.
257 The Gordon Schools.
262 Bridge of Don Academy.
NR Alford Academy.
Withdrew St Machar Academy.
BEST INDIVIDUALS
71 K Duncan (Ellon Academy).
74 D Millar (Meldrum Academy).
75 J Riddler (Kemnay Academy).
76 G Carnie (Ellon Academy), T Spencer (Banchory Academy), E Noble (Kemnay Academy)..
78 T Rennie (Gordon's Colelge), R Gallon (Gordon's College).
79 R Milne (Aboyne Academy), D MacAndrew (Grammar School).

A T Personnel Schools Team Challenge (Handicap) Trophy winners Kemnay Academy
with trophy sponsors' representative Annette Masson

Sunday 28th August 2005

KELSEY (14) TOPS IN TEENAGERS' TAKEOVER OF NESS OPEN
Kelsey MacDonald, only 14 years of age, led a "Teenage Takeover" of the leading placings in the Ness Open 36-hole women's golf tournament at Inverness Golf Club yesterday (Sunday).
Returning to the course where she became the youngest winner of the Northern Counties' women's championship earlier this summer, the Nairn Dunbar youngster shot rounds of 76 and 73 for a total of 149 - one more than the combined CSS - to win the SLGA Order of Merit event for the first time.
Kelsey, who has also won the North of Scotland girls' championship and the Northern Counties' girls title in the last few weeks, had three strokes to spare at the finish from 15-year-old Jane Turner (Mortonhall). Jane had 77 and 75 for 152.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff), 16-year-old pupil at Loretto School, came third on 153 with a 75 and 78.
(Photo courtesy Isobel McIntosh)
SCOREBOARD
NESS OPEN WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
Inverness Golf Club
Par 72, CSS 73 75
Leading totals
149 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 76 73.
152 J Turner (Mortonhall) 77 75.
153 R Niven (Crieff) 75 78.
156 L Hendry (Largs Routenburn) 78 78, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 79 77.
157 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 76 81, J Carthew (Ladybank) 75 82.
158 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 76 82, L McLardy (Murcar) 74 84.
163 K Caithness (St Regulus) 82 81.
Handicap
Class 1 (scr-7) - 150 L Hendry (Largs Routenburn) (3) 75 75. 153 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) (2) 74 79. 154 L McLardy (Murcar) (2) 72 82.
Class 2 (8-20) - 153 G Dowling (Inverness) (8) 80 73. 156 K Starr (Lochcarron) (18) 71 85. 158 A Niven (Crieff) (11) 79 79.

North of England winners: Henrietta Brockway, Carly Booth, Janes Byrne and Billy Downing

BANCHORY BOY WINS NORTH OF ENGLAND TITLE
Banchory's James Byrne has won the North of England Under-16 boys' open stroke-play golf championship for the Pannal Trophy in record style.
Competing in the event at Pannal Golf Club, Yorkshire prior to his weekend appearance for Scotland against the North-east of England in an Under-16 boys' representative match, 15-year-old James shot rounds of 72, 70, 71 and 69 for a six-under-par total of 282 - the lowest in the tournament's history.
He won by seven shots from England's Matthew Nixon and Jack Hiluta.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) finished runner-up to Hennie Brockway (Yeovil) for the Under-16 girls' title but the 13-year-old from Comrie won the Under-14 award with rounds of 75, 77, 73 and 73 for a total of 298.
Miss Brockway, winner of the Welsh women's open stroke-play title earlier in the season, had rounds of 73, 74, 74 and 74 for 295.

Belgian Junior Interntional Open girls' championship
SALLY'S CONQUEROR GOES ON TO WIN BELGIAN JUNIOR GIRLS' TITLE
Ines Tusquets, the Spanish girl who beat Scottish girls' match-play champion Sally Watson (Elie &Earlsferry) from South Queensferry at the 19th hole in the quarter-finals, won the Belgian Junior Interntional Open girls' championship at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, Brussels on Saturday.
Ines, the No 1 qualifier for the match-play stages, beat the 22nd qualifier, Lien Willems (Belgium) at the 38th hole of the scheduled 36-hole final to win the Louise van den Berghe Cup..
Over the last three days of the tournament, Miss Tusquets played 76 holes - 19 to beat Sally Watson, 19 to win her semi-final and 38 in the final.
The Flory Van Donck Cup - the boys' championship - was won by the No 2 seed, Denmark's Peter Bansoe). He beat the 17th qualifier, Frederick Schultz (Germany) by 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final.
Ross Kellett (Colville Park) qualified in 10th place but lost in the first round.

BANCHORY WOMEN'S OPEN
Banchory Golf Club is a popular course for ladies in the North-east - and farther afield - which makes it hard to understand why the club, in its Centenary year, is short of entries for the annual women's open, to be played on Saturday, September 10.
It's a 36-hole competition for Silver Division players (entry fee £16) and a one-round competition for Bronze Division players (entry fee £12).
If you fancy entering, you can give Banchory Golf Club a call on 01330 822365.

Golfview Trophy
MURCAR COMPLETE NE LEAGUE TITLE HAT-TRICK
Murcar have won the North-east Women's Scratch League for the Golfview Trophy for the third year in a row.
They won the three-way title play-offs by beating Cruden Bay 3-1 at Cruden Bay and Westhill 3-1 at Murcar. In the last of the three matches, played on Saturday at Westhill, Westhill beat Cruden Bay 2 1/2-1 1/2 to finish runners-up.
Results (home teams first):
PLAY-OFFS
CRUDEN BAY  1, MURCAR  3
Jill Harrison lost to Laura McLardy 3&2.
Lynne Terry lost to Carol Wilson 4&3.
Hazel Gray lost to Frances Neish 3&1.
Mary Miller bt Victoria Donald 3&2.
MURCAR 3, WESTHILL 1
Laura McLardy beat Julie Lees 5&4.
Michele Thomson bt Lynne Wilson 5&4.
Frances Neish lost to Alison Milne 3&2.
Pat Wilson bt Susan McInnes 3&2.
WESTHILL 2 1/2, CRUDEN BAY 1 1/2
Julie Lees halved with Jill Harrison.
Lynne Wilson bt Lynne Terry 1 hole.
Alison Milne lost to Kathleen Esslemont 4&3.
Susan McInnes bt Hazel Gray 4&3.
SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
Section A
*Westhill              2 wins, 1 defeat 4pt
Banchory        2 wins, 1 defeat  4pt
Aberdeen Ladies        1 win, 2 defeats 2pt
Peterculter               1 win, 2 defeats 2pt
*Westhill beat Banchory 8-7 on countback.
Section B
Cruden Bay               2 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats 5pt
Newmachar               2 wins, 1 defeat 4pt
Deeside        1 win, 1 draw, 1 defeat 3pt
Aboyne               0 wins, 3 defeats 0pt
Section C
Murcar               2 wins        4pt
Hazlehead               1 win, 1 defeat        2pt
Ballater               0 wins, 2 defeats 0pt
PREVIOUS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
2001 Banchory
2002 Deeside
2003 Murcar
2004 Murcar

D&A Winners at Dullater yesterday

Jill Meldrum wins D&A Junior Championship
The D&A Junior County Championship was held at Dullatur GC on Saturday, August 27th.
Winner - Jill Meldrum (Dullatur GC) 86
Runner-up - Kerrie Differ (Dullatur GC) 89
1st H'cap - Lucy McNulty (Dalmally) 91-17-74
2nd - Zoe Differ (Dullatur) 89-10-79
3rd Katie Morse (Douglas Park) 111-32-79
[Report and photos courtesy: Anna Telfer]

D&A Juniors at Dullater yesterday

Saturday 27th August 2005

European Individual Championship
KYLIE (68) FINISHES ON SONG TO BE TOP SCOT ON MADEIRA
Stirling University student Kylie Walker saved her best until last in the European women's amateur individual golf championship over the Serra do Santo course on the island of Madeira today (SATURDAY).
Kylie, a member of Buchanan Castle Golf Club, shot a fourth-round, four-under-par 68 for a final total of 298 after earlier scores of 79, 78 and 73 to finish joint 17th in the quality field.
Miss Walker gave no hint of what was to come when she bogeyed the first two holes. Then she moved up a gear and finished the outward half with birdies at the seventh, eighth and ninth to be out in one-under 35.
Kylie kept up the bogey-free run with birdies at the 11th, 12th and 17th for a three-under 33 inward half and one of the best scores of the final day over the tough Robert Trent Jones designed course.
Clare Queen (Drumpellier) was the next best Scot in a share of 20th place on 299. Clare's final round was typical of the roller-coaster form she displayed in the championship. She was out in five-over-par 41 but then came striding home in four-under 32 for a 73.
Clare had a mind-blowing triple-bogey 7 at the ninth after earlier bogeys at the first, third, fourfth and sixth, interspersed with birdies at the fifth and eighth.
But after the turn it was the regal Queen with no bogeys only birdies at the 11th, 12th, 16th and 17th.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) showed little of the form that almost won her the British women's stroke-play title at Nairn the previous week. She scored 81, 82, 75 and 76 for 314 and a share of 51st place.
The championship was won by France's Jade Schaeffer with a total of  two-under-par 286, scoring 76, 74, 68 and 68. Joint runners-up, three shots adrift, were compatriot Elena Giraud, Araceli Felqueroso (Spain) and British girls' open champion Anna Nordqvist (Sweden).
Defending champion Carlota Ciganda (Spain) tied for 12th place with Breanne Loucks (Wales). She found her form a little too late - a 67 in the final rounds after failing to break 75 in any of her earlier rounds.
The leading British players were England's Melissa Reid and Rachel Bell in joint ninth place on 295.
Collated scoreboard
EUROPEAN WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Madeira.
Par 72
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
286 J Schaeffer (Fra) 76 74 68 68.
289 E Giraud (Fra) 75 72 71 71, A Felgueroso (Spa) 73 77 69 70, Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 77 71 70 71.
290 S Andersson (Swe) 75 72 73 78. 
292 A Vilatte (Fra) 81 72 67 72.
294 E Cabrera (Spa) 76 73 77 68, L Gustafsson (Swe) 81 71 75 67.
295 M Reid (Eng) 82 73 67 73, R Bell (Eng) 79 74 71 71, T Elosequi (Spa) 82 70 72 71.
Other scores:
296 B Loucks (Wal) 73 75 73 75, C Ciganda (Spa) 78 75 76 67.
298 K Walker (Sco) 79 78 73 68.
299 C Queen (Sco) 80 72 74 73.
302 S Walker (Eng) 79 78 70 75.
307 K Smith (Eng) 79 76 76 76.
314 J Wilson (Sco) 81 82 75 76.
319 S Hassan (Wal) 84 77 77 81.

NORTHERN COUNTIES NAME TEAM WITHOUT TWO LEADING PLAYERS
Northern Counties will be without the services of two of their leading players - Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) and Meg Sievewright (Keith) - as they bid to win the Scottish women's county championship for the third year in a row at Ranfurly Castle from Friday to Sunday, September 16 to 18.
Cara and Meg won 4 1/2pt apiece out of a possible six as Northern Counties won the North Division county team championship at Elgin at the end of June to qualify for the county finals once again. Miss Gruber won all three of her singles, playing from the No 1 or No 2 slot.
Mrs Sievewright is the Northern Counties vice-captain.
Their places go to 14-year-old Ashton Ingram (Fort William) and the experienced Eileen Manson (Thurso).
Northern Counties team is:
KERRI HARPER (Inverness).
ASHTON INGRAM (Fort William).
KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar).
EILEEN MANSON (Thurso).
JENNY MILNE (Elgin).
LINDA SMITH (Buckpool).
MARY SMITH (Tain).
LAURA WALKER (Nairn Dunbar).

Friday 26th August 2005

European Individual Championship
Stirling University student Kylie Walker had a brilliant inward half of 32 - including a double bogey - in the third round of the European women's individual amateur golf championship over the Santo da Serra course on the island of Madeira today (Friday).
Kylie's third round of two-over-par 73 was made up of contrasting halves of 41 and 32. She ran up a double bogey 7 at the long sixth.
After the turn, Miss Walker had an eagle 2 at the 10th, a double bogey 7 at the long 11th, then birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th.
Kylie is now sharing 34th place on 230.
Top Scot is still Clare Queen from Drumpellier. Clare's 74 had a double bogey 7 at the par-5 third but she birdied the second and the 11th in halves of 39 and 35 and covered the last seven holes in strict par. Clarke is tied for 17th place on 226.
The third Scot in the field, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) is back in joint 52nd place on 238 after a 75, the first time she had broken 80 in the three rounds. Jenna birdied the seventh and 11th in halves of 38 and 37
Two French girls, Jade Schaeffer and Elena Giraud are sharing the lead with the British girls' champion, Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) on two-over-par 218 with one round to go.
The leading United Kingdom player is Wales' Breanne Loucks on 221.

EUROPEAN WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Madeira.
Leading third round totals
Par 72
218 J Schaeffer (Fra) 76 74 68, E Giraud (Fra) 75 72 71, A Nordqvist (Swe) 77 71 70.
219 A Felgueroso (Spa) 73 77 69.
220 S Andersson (Swe) 75 72 73, A Vilatte (Fra) 81 72 67.
Other scores:
221 B Loucks (Wal) 73 75 73.
222 M Reid (Eng) 82 73 67.
224 R Bell (Eng) 79 74 71.
226 C Queen (Sco) 80 72 74.
227 S Walker (Eng) 79 78 80.
230 K Walker (Sco) 79 78 73.
231 K Smith (Eng) 79 76 76.
238 J Wilson (Sco) 81 82 75, S Hassan (Wal) 84 77 77.
240 S Evans (Wal) 87 75 78
242 F Johnson (Eng) 86 78 78, K Boulden (Wal) 87 79 76.
265 A Theunis (Ire) 92 92 81

Belgian junior international open girls' championship
SCOTS CHAMPION BEATEN AT 19TH
Scottish girls' match-play champion Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) was beaten at the 19th by the No 1 seed, Ines Tusquets (Spain) in the quarter-finals of the Belgian junior international open girls' championship at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, near Brussels yesterday (Friday).
Miss Tusquets went on to reach the final by beating Alessandro Gallo (Italy) at the 19th in the semi-final. It was the Spanish girl's third successive win at the first extra hole in the tournament.
In today's (Sat) 36-hole final Ines will play Lien Willems (Belgium).

R&A Press Release
R&A REVISES 2006 AMATEUR STATUS RULES
AMATEURS CAN TEACH GOLF FOR PAYMENT. REDUCED PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF RULES.
The R&A, golf’s world governing body and organiser of The Open Championship, today announced revisions to the Rules of Amateur Status that provide amateur golfers with the opportunity to receive payment for giving golf instruction and reduce the waiting time of those who have breached the Rules, but who wish to return to amateur status. The changes to the Rules and their interpretations come into effect from 1 January 2006.
A new Instruction Rule provides that an amateur golfer may be paid for coaching golf for the first time as part of an "approved programme". Under the new Rules on reinstatement, the time amateur golfers in breach of the Rules have to wait before they regain their amateur status is reduced. The new guideline of 1-2 years brings these waiting periods in line with those for professional golfers returning to the amateur game.
These are the principal changes to The R&A’s Rules of Amateur Status which, together with the Amateur Status Decisions book, have been significantly redrafted after a comprehensive, two-year review. The R&A’s affiliated unions from around the world have played a full part in the review and The R&A has liaised closely with the United States Golf Association throughout. The USGA’s decision to make equivalent changes to its Amateur Code and to allow amateur golfers in the United States to receive expenses in individual competitions (which has been allowed under The R&A’s Rules for many years) means that the respective Amateur Codes of The R&A and USGA are more closely aligned than ever before.
The two Codes diverge on only one matter – hole-in-one prizes. In the new R&A Code, acceptance of an excessive prize remains a breach of the Rules but carries a much reduced period awaiting reinstatement. The new USGA Code will allow amateur golfers to accept hole-in-one prizes of any value.
Commenting on the new Rules, David Rickman, The R&A’s Director of Rules and Equipment Standards said: "I believe that the new Instruction Rule will greatly assist the worldwide development of the game by bringing coaching to remote areas where professional tuition is often not available. The R&A and USGA have made excellent progress towards a single Code for amateur golfers throughout the world."

ILGU Press Release
SUZUKI ALL-IRELAND LADIES GOLF SENIOR CUP FINALS
Suzuki, now in their third year of sponsorship, hosts the National Finals of the SUZUKI All-Ireland Ladies Golf Senior Cup at Woodstock Golf Club, Ennis, Co. Clare on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd September 2005.
Royal Portrush will be looking to secure the title for the third consecutive year, their 22nd title in all. Ulster Champion Gemma Hegarty, Past International Helen Jones and Maura Diamond, just home from the SAAB Belgian Junior Championships, are joined by 14 year old Stephanie Meadow in a team well capable of doing the treble.
Ennis, first to qualify for the finals, have Lancôme Irish Close Champion Tricia Mangan and veteran campaigner Valerie Hassett in their ranks. The Ennis team's close proximity to Woodstock Golf Club favours them as the side most likely to upset the Royal Portrush campaign.
Leinster representatives Co. Louth qualified by beating a strongly fancied Island Golf Club who boasted Internationals Martina Gillen and Dawn Marie Conaty in their ranks. The 2002 champions are ably led by 2004 Lancôme Irish Close Champion Deirdre Smith and recently capped Leinster Champion Maria
Dunne.
The Curragh have Internationals Maura Morrin and Sinead Keane in action for the Midland side. Relatively inexperienced at this level, they are joined by Claremorris who are appearing in the finals for the first time. Two handicapper Niamh Kitching is joined by the Gallagher sisters Sarah, Emily and Kate and will do well to make Saturday's semi-finals as they meet holders Royal Portrush in Friday's play-off match at 2pm.
Panels:
Claremorris: Emily Gallagher, Kate Gallagher, Sarah Gallagher, Claire Geraghty, Niamh Kitching, Mary Walsh
County Louth: Maria Dunne, Jennifer Gannon, Susan Mulaney, Patricia Nannery, Oonagh Purfield, Jackie Quinn, Deirdre Smith
Ennis: Sarah Cunningham, Valerie Hassett, Tricia Mangan, Maura McNicholas, Ann-Marie Russell
Royal Portrush: Maura Diamond, Roma English, Gemma Heggarty, Helen Jones, Stephanie Meadow, Naoimh Quigg
The Curragh: Marian Byrne, Ann Marie Dalton, Sinead Keane, Mary McNally, Maura Morrin, Nicola Roughan
Friday 2nd September - play-off 14.00 Royal Portrush -v- Claremorris
Saturday 3rd September - semi-finals
08.00 Ennis -v- The Curragh
08.40 Co. Louth -v- play-off winners
14:00 Final

EAST OF SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
MURRAYFIELD GOLF CLUB, 43 MURRAYFIELD ROAD, EDINBURGH
SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2005
The closing date for entries of this prestigious tournament has been extended to the 4th September. It is open to all County Members in the East Division.
The winner qualifies for SLGA Champion of Champions at Glasgow Gailes on Sunday 14th October 2005.
Entries with cheques £8 made payable to M.C.L.G.A. and an envelope addressed to your Handicap Secretary to be sent to Mrs Margaret McPherson, 50 Torphin Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PF.
Entries by telephone or email also accepted. Pick up an entry form here (Word format)
Telephone: 0131 441 2918. Email: margaret@mmcpherson.demon.co.uk

Liz wins Borders Vets title
Liz Campbell, former Scottish Vets champion and Scottish Senior Internationalist, retained the Border Vets County Championship playing against Venetia Scott yesterday at the Hirsel. Liz will now go forward to Blairgowrie and the Scottish Finals.

Midlothian announce their team for the County Finals at Ranfurly Castle
The only change from the team which won the East Division matches at Alloa Golf Club in July is that Rhona Maclennan (Baberton) comes in to replace Amanda Edwards (Liberton), who goes to first reserve. Sally Watson (Elie and Earlsferry) would probably have been in the Midlothian team if the event had not clashed with the Home Internationals.
Midlothian County Team for the Scottish County Finals at Ranfurly Castle, Bridge of Weir from Friday 16th September to Sunday 18th September 2005 is
Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse)
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall)
Claire MacDonald (Gullane)
Rhona MacLennan (Baberton)
Karen Marshall (Baberton)
Belinda Murphy (Mortonhall)
Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe)
Jane Turner (Mortonhall)
1st Reserve: Amanda Edwards (Liberton)
Tee times: Morning Foursomes: from 9.30am to 10.07am
Afternoon Singles: from 2.00pm to 3.22pm
Day 1: Sept 16 Lanarkshire v Northern Counties, Midlothian v Borders
Day 2: Sept 17 Borders v Lanarkshire, Northern Counties v Midlothian
Day 3: Sept 18 Northern Counties v Borders, Midlothian v Lanarkshire

Borders have also announced their team on their website.....
Team for County Finals:-
Judith Anderson
Julie Birdsall White
Emma Fairnie
Karen Hughes
Mags Morrison
Sharon Paterson
Martine Pow
Wendy Wells

Lanarkshire are missing Clare Queen and Jenna Wilson, both involved in the Home Internationals, from their team announced on their website
ELAINE CUTHILL (LANARK)
ALYSON HENDRY (HAMILTON)
MAY HUGHES (LANARK)
LESLEY LLOYD (HAYSTON)
PAMELA PRETSWELL (BOTHWELL CASTLE)
RUTH RANKIN (LANARK)
SUSAN WOOD (DRUMPELLIER)
ALEXANDRA YOUNG (TORRANCE HOUSE)

R&A Press Release
£250,000 FOR UNIVERSITY GOLF
The R&A Training Panel wishes to announce that it has completed a review of its support of university golf. As a result, over £250,000 will be spent in the 2005/2006 academic year.
Many universities in Great Britain and Ireland offer high quality golf programmes and 11 of these will receive R&A Foundation funding. They are:
Birmingham, Dublin, Exeter, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, Loughborough, Northumbria, St Andrews, Stirling, Strathclyde and Ulster.
In addition, individual bursaries remain available to students in full time tertiary education. Applicants need to have achieved national recognition or hold handicaps of +1 or better for men or 3 or better for women.
Richie Ramsay, a member of the 2005 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team, is currently in receipt of R&A Foundation funding at Stirling University and earlier this month was in the side that was narrowly defeated by the U.S. in Chicago.

Thursday 25th August 2005

European women's individual amateur golf championship
CLAIRE QUEEN OF SCOTS ON MADEIRA
Clare Queen showed her class by matching the par of 72 -one of the best scores of the second day in the European women's individual amateur golf championship - over the tough Robert Trent Jones-designed Santo da Serra course on Madeira yesterday (Thu).
The Drumpellier player, who aims to tackle the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in November, put the two 7s of her first-day 80 behind her as she covered the first 14 holes in one-under-par figures with 13 pars and a birdie at the 12th.
Clare had a late roller-coaster run of bogey-birdie-bogey from the 15th to the 17th but steadied up with a par at the last for two halves of 36.
The Scot is now in joint 12th place on 152 - only five shots behind joint leaders Elena Giraud (France) 75-72, Valentine Derrey (France) 76-71 and Sofie Andersson (Sweden) 75-72.
Welsh youngster Breanne Loucks is the leading British player in joint fourth place on 148 (73-75).
Stirling University student Kylie Walker from Buchanan Castle included an eagle at the third, a triple bogey 8 at the long 16th and a double-bogey 7 at the long sixth in a round of 78 for 157 and joint 35th place. Kylie also had a birdie at the 11th in halves of 38 and 40.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) is tied for 58th place after another disappointing score in the 80s - 82 to be precise for a 36-hole tally of 163. Jenna had had a triple bogey at the 11th and a double bogey at the 13th before her only birdie at the 16th in an inward 42.
EUROPEAN WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Serra do Santo, Madeira.
Leading second round totals
Par 72
147 E Giraud (Fra) 75 72, V Derrey (Fra) 76 71, S Anderesson (Swe) 75 72.
148 B Loucks (Wal) 73 75, A Nordqvist (Swe) 77 71.
149 Emma Cabrera (Spa) 76 73, A-L Caudal (Fra) 77 72.
Other scores:
152 C Queen (Sco) 80 72.
153 R Bell (Eng) 79 74.
155 M Reid (Eng) 82 73, K Smtih (Eng) 79 76.
157 K Walker (Sco) 79 78, S Walker (Eng) 79 78.
161 S Hassan (Wal) 84 77.
162 S Evans (Wal) 87 75.
164 F Sanderson (Eng) 80 84.
166 K Boulden (Wa) 87 79.
163 J Wilson (Sco) 81 82.
164 F Johnson (Eng) 86 78.

Belgian Junior International Open
SALLY KNOCKS THEM OVER ON WAY TO BELGIAN LAST EIGHT
Scottish girls' match-play champion Sally Watson from South Queensferry gave an impressive display to reach the quarter-finals of the Belgian Junior International Open girls' championship at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, near Brussels yesterday (Thu).
Sally, a member of Elie & Earlsferry Ladies and the No 8 qualifier, beat Marianna Causin (Italy), the 25th qualifier, at the 21st in the first round.
Then the Scot claimed a place in the last eight with a 7 and 5 beating of Laurence Herman, the ninth seed from Belgium who had ousted her star compatratiot, Junior Solheim Cup selection Benedicte Toumpsin, by 2 and 1 in the first round.
Miss Watson now plays the top seed, Spain's Ines Tusquet who had to go to the 19th before beating Giulia Molinaro in the second round.
Scotland's only other qualifier for the match-play stages was Ross Kelley from Colville Park, Motherwell. He lost by 4 and 2 to Jeffrey Meijer (Netherlands) in the first round of the boys' championship.

THREE HISTORY-MAKERS REUNITED AT CRUDEN BAY
Three players who took part in the first and only Scotland v England women's professional match over the Hazlehead municipal course in Aberdeen in 1994 will be in action at Cruden Bay tomorrow in the BP Scotland charity pro-am, one of the biggest fund-raisers of its kind.
Dale Reid and Elaine Farquharson-Black were members of the winning Scotland team and Alison Nicholas was in the losing England line-up in the Union Cup match, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the building of Aberdeen's Union Street.
Alison and Dale, of course, are still professionals and will be partnering amateur teams of three at 9am and 2pm respectively. Both start at the first tee in the double shotgun format.
Aberdeen solicitor Elaine is in one of the amateur teams teeing off at 8.55am or 9am. She was instrumental in bringing about the Scotland v England match but was later reinstated as an amateur golfer after a short stay in the professional ranks when the Ladies European Tour was at its lowest ebb with only a handful of tournaments.

BELLEISLE HOSTS CLOSEST FINISH IN PAIRS HISTORY
A little piece of International Pairs history has been created at beautiful Belleisle.
The impressive Scottish semi-final venue hosted the closest finish in Pairs history on Tuesday, with five teams tied in first place on 42 points - with only four places available in October's 2005 UK final at St Andrews Bay.
A further two teams finished one point back at the picturesque parkland track near Ayr.
Scarborough South Cliff pair Lee Rhodes and Shaun Smith, who play off handicaps of nine and one respectively, qualified as semi-final winners on a tense three-hole countback ahead of teams from Barlaston, Matlock and Dunscar.
Rhodes said: "We scored 49 points on the practice day so we were confident that we could make it through to the final at St Andrews Bay. But we had a long wait before the other competitors finished their rounds, which was a bit nervy as the weather had brightened up and we thought the scores might rise.
"We are really pleased to get through. It's just luck of the draw as far as the weather is concerned," added Rhodes, having played with his partner in the worst of the wet and windy weather.
Barlaston pair Mark Hawkins and David Borasinski finished as runners-up on countback to book their place on the Fife coast in October.
"When we finished our round with 42 points we thought it was going to be close," said Borasinski, who plays off 14 and had to endure an agonising three-hour wait with 11-handicapper Hawkins before the Staffordshire boys qualified.
"When you have such a long wait and sit and watch the points going up on the board you start fearing the worst. So we went through the disappointment stage when the weather started to break in case we didn't make it through, but no-one passed 42 points and we made it."
An eagle, par, birdie, par finish helped Matlock duo Sam Humpston, who plays off scratch, and eight-handicapper Julian Salt into the final in third place.
And qualification was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Humspton played with a trapped nerve in his shoulder following a car accident six weeks ago.
The Derbyshire pair, who were crowned English champions at Mount Wolseley in Ireland four years ago, made a strong start with three birdies in the opening four holes before Humpston, who broke the course record with a stunning 63 on his home course in June, ensured the pair had an equally impressive finish with an eagle at the long 15th.
Humpston said: "The secret of our success is that we dovetail really well. We also really enjoy each other's company. In fact, people say that Julian is like my surrogate father."
The fourth pair to make it through to the UK final at St Andrews in October were four-handicapper Jim Callaghan and Mark Gregory, who plays off two, from Dunscar in Lancashire.
Twenty-year-old Gregory said: "We left a few points out there on the course but we're really glad to be through. It's been a great few days and a great experience. Now we're looking forward to St Andrews Bay and, hopefully, we'll do well."
But spare a thought for Keith Burgon and Mark Collin - the Scottish Borders pair from Eyemouth Golf Club finished fifth on countback to miss the 2005 UK final on October 6-7 by the narrowest of margins.

Ayrshire girls
Alex wins for the 2nd Time!
There was a record entry of 24 girls for the St. Nicholas Trophy (the 'Major' of the season for Ayrshire Girls) played at West Kilbride on Sunday.
Alex Sargent (Skelmorlie); successfully defended her title in atrocious conditions - heavy rain with a cold wind which cut the competition back to 12 holes. Alex's winning score for the 12 holes was a nett 46 which was in fact 2 under her handicap! Alex is pictured here with the Trophy. Since competing in the Scottish Girls' Stroke-Play this year, Alex's golf has really moved forward and she has enjoyed successes in the Millport and Kilbirnie Junior Opens.
Hanah Brawley (Barassie) was runner-up, while in the 2nd Division Rachel Howie (West Kilbride) was first on nett 51 with Lauren Cahill second on 59.
17 Pre-handicap girls took part in a Putting competition when the weather was dry, but understandably a number of them didn't complete their shortened course 9 hole competition which became 6 holes. Of those who did the winner was Connie Jaffrey (Troon Bentinck) with a score of 37, 2nd Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) on 38 and 3rd Rhona Taylor (West Kilbride with 39. The winner of the Putting (older girls) was Fiona Wallace, 2nd Fiona Potts (both Barassie) and the younger girls' winner was Connie Jaffrey, 2nd Lynsey McKay (both Troon Bentinck).
(story and photo courtesy: June Kerr)

Wednesday 24th August 2005

European Ladies Individual Championship
KYLIE SHOWS TRUE GRIT TO LEAD SCOTS ON MADEIRA
Stirling University student Kylie Walker - whose 19th birthday it will be on Sunday - kept alive her hopes of a double weekend celebration with an opening round of 79 in the European women's individual amateur golf championship over the Santo da Serra course on the island of Madeira yesterday (Wed).
The actual score - seven over par - was nothing to write home about but the way the Buchanan Castle teenager applied herself to cover the last six holes in two under par with birdies at the 13th and 17th was definitely a sign of true grit.
Many would have thrown in the towel long before if, like Kylie, they  had double bogeys at the third, sixth, ninth and twelfth and another shot shed at the fifth in a nightmare seven-over-par 43 to the turn.
The Robert Trent Jones course, measuring over 6,000yd from the ladies' tees is a tough one and many established players struggled.
Kylie is lying joint 20th - six shots behind joint leaders Breanne Loucks from Wales and Spain's Araceli Felqueroso who both shot 73s, one over par.
Clare Queen is back in joint 26th place on 80 after a round of two halves - 35 (one under par) to the turn, and 45 (nine over) coming home.
On the outward half, the Drumpellier player lurched from the sublime to the ridiculous with a double bogey 7 at the third but birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and ninth.
After bogeying the 10th, Clare had a triple bogey 7 at the 12th and then bogeys five holes on the trot from the 13th.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), who went close to winning the British women's stroke-play title at Nairn last week, is back in joint 34th place after an 81 (41-40). Jenna, like Clare Queen, had a triple bogey 7 at the 12th, having had a double bogey 6 at the seventh.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
EUROPEAN WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Santo da Serra, Madeira
Leading first round scores
Par 72
73 Araceli Felqueroso (Spa), Breanne Loucks (Wal).
74 Amalie Valle (Nor).
75 Elena Giraud (Fra), Sofie Anderesson (Swe), Zuzana Masinova (Cze).
76 Valentine Derrey (Fra), Edita Nechanicka (Cze), Emma Cabrera (Spa), Jade Schaeffer (Fra).
77 Anna Nordqvist (Swe), Chrisie de Vries (Net), Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra).
78 Belen Mozo (Spa), Melodie Bourdy (Fra), Stephanie Kirchmayr (Ger), Katharina Werdinig (Aut), Carlota Cigand (Spa), Diana Terol (Spa).
79 Sophie Walker (Eng), Kerry Smith (Eng), Alexandra Thaler (Swi), Rachel Bell (Eng), Katharina Schallenberg (Ger), Kylie Walker (Sco).
Other scores:
80 Faye Sanderson (Eng), Clare Queen (Sco), Beatriz Recari (Spa).
81 Jenna Wilson (Sco), Nicole Gergely (Aut).
82 Melissa Reid (Eng).
84 Sahra Hassan (Eng).
86 Felicity Johnson (Eng).
87 Stephanie Evans (Wal), Kimberley Boulden (Wal).

Belgium Junior Open website
TWO SCOTS QUALIFY FOR MATCH-PLAY STAGES OF BELGIAN JUNIOR OPEN
Ross Kellet from Motherwell and Scottish girls' Under-18 champion Sally Watson from South Queensferry qualified for the top-flight match-play stages of the Saab Junior International Open at Royal GC of Belgium, near Brussels today (WED).
Kellet, a member of Colville Park GC, had steady rounds of 73 and 74 for a aggregate of three-over-par 147. His total was joint seventh best in the boys' section in England's Gary Boyd (Northamptonshire Co) shared the lead on 143 (68-75).
James White (Lundin) was three shots outside the cut-off point for the leading 32 with scores of 78 and 77 for 155. England's John Parry, one of the paper favourites, was a surprise non-qualifier, also on 155.
Sally Watson, a member of Elie & Earlsferry Ladies, had rounds of 81 and 80 for a share of 23rd place on 161 to qualify for the match-play with a couple of shots to spare.
The No 1 seed is Spain's Ines Tusquets with 72 and 76 for four-over-par 148.
Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe), winner of the Scottish Under-21 girls' stroke-play title at West Kilbride this summer, was three shots over the top-32 mark with a pair of 83s 166.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
BELGIAN JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Royal GC of Belgium.
Leading qualifiers
Boys - 143 A Bernadet (Fra) 74 69, P Bansoe (Den) 73 70, G Boyd (Eng) 68 75. Other qualifier: 147 R Kellet (Sco) 73 74. Non-qualifiers: 155 J White (Sco) 78 77, J Parry (Eng) 75 80.
Girls - 148 I Tusquets (Spa) 72 76. 151 L Lausberg (Saf) 77 74, V Van Hecke (Bel) 76 75. Other qualifiers: 155 J Hodge (Eng) 81 74. 156 L Eastwood (Eng) 76 80. 159 T Davies (Wal) 82 77. 161 S Watson (Sco) 81 80. Non-qualifier: 166 L Fleming (Sco) 83 83.

Looking for golf at the start of October? Then enter the Gibson Cup!
The Gibson Challenge Cup is a wonderful opportunity to play foursomes golf and compete in one of the oldest golf tournaments for ladies in the Edinburgh area. This year’s competition is being held over the weekend of 1st and 2nd October so if your diary is free that weekend, find yourself a partner and enter.
Played over Braids No.1 Golf Course, the format includes a medal foursomes qualifying round (off handicap, max 30) with the opportunity to play at least once more over the Braids –all for the entry fee of only £16 per couple.
The four best net scores from the Saturday morning qualifying round go through to the matchplay knock-out stages and a Consolation Plate is played for using the Stableford points scoring system following the Sunday morning semi-finals. Competitors need to be available on the morning of Saturday 1st October and, if they wish to and qualify to take part in the matchplay stages, should be available both Sunday morning and afternoon.
Entry Forms can be obtained from Edinburgh Leisure (0131 652 2178), from Anne Brownie by e-mail @ apbrownie@blueyonder.co.uk or from most Golf Clubs in the Edinburgh area. The closing date for entries to be received by Edinburgh Leisure is 9th September 2005.

Golf Foundation Weetabix Age Group Championships 2005
Weetabix young golfers raise standards in national final
When Under 14s are scoring in the sixties on the testing Aylesford Course at Marriott Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club, you know the standard is high. This year’s Grand Final of the Golf Foundation Weetabix Age Group Championships, held August 16 and 17 at the Forest of Arden near Coventry, produced performances of which Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Mhairi McKay would have been proud – the illustrious trio all having won this prestigious Weetabix event in the past.
For 2005, a total of 105 youngsters took part from all over Britain, competing in age group finals for Boys
Under 13 up to Under 16, and Girls Under 14 to Under 16. To qualify, they had to beat 1,700 golfers in 15 regional finals, from an initial national entry of 5,500. The two-round scratch medal finals contained many single figure handicappers but those with higher handicaps had also qualified, demonstrating the unique accessibility of the event.
This year, the Golf Foundation’s Duke of York Trophies – presented to the boy and the girl with the best gross scores of all finalists – went to two highly talented young golfers, Suffolk’s Owen Pearl and Lincolnshire’s Emilee Taylor.
Emilee Taylor, from Gainsborough and a four handicapper at Gainsborough Golf Club, won the
Under 16 category and the Duke of York Trophy with exemplary rounds of 74 and 74 for a total of 148, giving her a winning margin of three shots over second place Megan Lord, from Dartmouth Golf Club. This was Emilee’s first national win and she said: “I was delighted to win and really pleased with the way I played, as I started badly both days but came back well. I’d like to thank the head pro at Gainsborough Golf Club, Stephen Cooper, who has really helped me with my game and also my family, who have been so supportive to me in my golf.”
Owen Pearl, from Sudbury in Suffolk, a three handicapper from Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club, completed a great summer (he has also captained the Suffolk Under 16s squad) by shooting rounds of 68 and
67 for a total of 135, winning the Under 16 category by a shot, ahead of scratch player Ashley Chesters of Hawkstone Park. This score also earned Owen the Duke of York Trophy. He said later: “I am so thrilled to win my first national event. My dad has always told me to go out and play like Phil Mickleson, and this time I almost did! Several times during the two days when I had difficult shots to play I thought about what my coach, Kevin Lovelock, has told me to do – play the percentage.”
The standard from the rest of the field was high. The greens on the Aylesford Course were excellent and the conditions good under blue skies. There were 13 rounds in the sixties from the boys, including two from  Thomas Lewis, from Mid Herts Golf Club, who managed a 136 total (67,69) in the Under 14 category, off a handicap of one, to win his section. Grant Edwards (handicap five), from Llanymynech Golf Club in Powys, won the Under 15s with 136 (70,66), while Adam Carson (handicap seven), from Long Ashton Golf Club near Bristol, won the Under 13s with 149 (74,75).
Scoring from the girls was similarly impressive. In the
Under 15s, Georgina Lewis (handicap six), from Oswestry Golf Club, scored 154 (75,79) to win by a
shot, while in the Under 14s, Natasha Gobey (handicap eight) from Rhondda Golf Club, put together an
excellent second round 72, including holing out with a wedge from the fifth fairway for an eagle two. Her total of 148 (76,72) was good enough to win by six shots. 

Tuesday 23rd August 2005

Belgium Junior Open website
EARLY TRIPLE BOGEY UNSETTLES SALLY IN BELGIAN JUNIOR OPEN.
The SAAB Belgian Junior International Open got underway today with the first of two qualifying rounds in the boys' and girls' categories for the match-play stages. The top 32 in each will go forward at the end of Wednesday's second card-and-pencil round.
Today BP Scottish girls' match-play champion Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) shot a nine-over-par 81, including an unsettling triple bogey 7 at the second followed by bogeys at the third, sixth and seventh for 42 to the turn.
Sally did birdie two holes on the way home - the 10th and the 18th - but she double bogeyed the 13th and had bogeys at the 12th, 15th and 17th.
Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe), winner of the Scottish Under-21 girls' title at West Kilbride last month, is tied for 32nd place on 83. She had a double bogey at the ninth and bogeys at the second, fifth, seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th in halves of 42 and 41.
Ines Tusquets (Spain) led the field with a par-matching 72.
Motherwell's Ross Kellet did best of the four Scots competing at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, near Brussels.
The Colville Park player had a one-over-par round of 73 in the boys' championship first qualifying round. Kellet varied from par only three times, birdieing the long fifth and bogeying two short holes, the sixth and 12th in halves of 36 and 37.
James White (Lundin) was in joint 23rd place on 78 after a disappointing outward half of five-over-par 41 in which he double bogeyed the ninth after dropping shots at the second, third and seventh.
The Fife perked up after the turn with a birdie at the 13th and only two shots shed to par, at the 12th and 16th, in an inward half of one-over 37.
The top 36 after 36 holes will qualify for the match-play stages.
Gary Boyd from England is the boys' leader with a four-under-par 68 in which he birdied the fist, fifth, eighth, 13th and 18th. He had one bogey, at the 10th, in halves of 33 and 35.
SAAB BELGIAN JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Royal GC of Belgium
Girls - First qualifying round
Leading scores (Par 72)
72 I Tusquets (Spa).
74 A Gallo (Ita).
75 C O Madsen (Den), L G Escallon (Bel).
Other scores:
76 L Eastwood (Eng).
80 D Jones (Wal).
81 J Hodge (Eng), S Watson (Sco).
82 T Davies (Wal).
83 L Fleming (Sco), M Diamond (Ire).
Boys - First qualifying round
Leading scores (par 72)
68 G Boyd (Eng).
72 C Hughes (Ire), A Dultzin (Fra).
73 R Kellet (Sco), N Kanola (Fin), R Bechu (Fra).
Other scores:
75 J Parry (Eng), P O'Hannon (Ire).
78 J White (Sco).

Trophy wiiners at today's SLGA County Meeting
L to R: Jennifer Mack (SLGA), Lauren Mackin, Claire Hargan, Caroline Fairnie, Emma Fairnie and Fiona Farquharson (SLGA)
(Photo courtesy Carol Fell, RLCGA)

CLAIRE RETURNS TO CARDROSS TO WIN SLGA COUNTY MEETING
Former Cardross player Claire Hargan, now a member at Mortonhall, Edinburgh, returned to her old stamping ground to win the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association county open meeting by five shots in the rain today (TUESDAY).
Claire had a mixed bag of  five birdies, a double bogey and four bogeys in halves of 37 and 39 for a 76 - one over the ladies' par and matching the CSS.
Miss Hargan birdied the first, sixth, eighth, 10th and 18th, double-bogeyed the seventh and also dropped shots at the fifth, 11th, 14th and 17th.
Teenager Emma Fairnie (Peebles), Border Counties' women's champion for the past two years, was runner-up in the Silver Division scratch with an 81.
Lauren Mackin (Ranfurly Castle) had the best net in this category with a net 70 off 15.
Mrs Caroline Fairnie (Peebles), Emma's mother, scored a double whammy in the bronze division, winning both the scratch and handicap awards with a score of 113. Her handicap of 27 gave her a leading net return of 86.
There was a field of 25 competitors.

Perth and Kinross Ladies County Golf Association
Perth and Kinross Ladies County Golf Assosiation held their Captain's Day at Taymouth Castle yesterday the 22nd August. The results were as follows.
CSS 74
Scratch - 1st Gillian Wallace ( Glenisla ) 77
2nd Dawn Butchart ( Strathmore ) 79
Handicap - 1st Janet Griffiths (Comrie) H'cap 7 Net 70
2nd Maya Robertson (Taymouth) H'cap 16 Net 71
3rd Kathleen McKay ( Crieff ) H'cap 21 Net72

LOUISE FLEMING'S COUSIN HEADS FOR JACKSONVILLE STATE
The "Scottish Connection" has landed Jacksonville State University one of the leading North-east teenage boy golfers in time for the new college golf season in the United States.
Michael Watson, an Elgin Golf Club member, will be heading out to Alabama soon.
Michael just happens to be a cousin of Louise Fleming, recent winner of the Scottish Under-21 girls' stroke-play title at West Kilbride ... and a leading player for the Jacksonville State University women's golf team!
And, of course, the JSU assistant coach is Colette Murray from Dumfries. It was Colette who persuaded Louise to move down to Jacksonville State from the University of Minnesota, where she was not enjoying her golf, about 12 months ago. JSU went on to reach the NCAA women's finals for the first time after winning their conference title, also for the first time.

Paul Lawrie and Adam Lindsay in the Banchory clubhouse after their exhibition match.
(Photo Courtesy Banchory Golf Club)

CONQUEROR OF PAUL LAWRIE, ADAM LINDSAY IS OFF TO AMERICA TOO
Adam Lindsay, 19-year-old Banchory Golf Club champion, is another North-east golf prospect heading for the States.
He is off to Iowa State Wesleyan College at Mount Pleasant, Burlington on a four-year scholarship covering a degree course studying sports and sports coaching. He could be a key member in the Iowa State Wesleyan College golf team who compete in the NAIA Midwest Conference.
Adam beat Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion at Carnoustie by 3 and 2 with four-under-par figures in a recent exhibition match which was part of the Banchory Golf Club Centenary Year celebrations. Paul Lawrie, of course, did his PGA training as an assistant under the late Banchory GC professional Douglas Smart.
Young Lindsay set a Banchory course record of 63 earlier this summer while retaining the club championship with a total of  three-under-par 273.
Adam's father Eric won the Banchory club championship in 1993 and 1994. Now they are on a par with two titles apiece. Another coincidence is that Eric was the Blairgowrie club champion it is centenary year in 1989.

Monday 22nd August 2005

Heather Macrae - winner of the British Ladies Open Stroke Play Championship at Nairn on Friday
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)
Check out Tom Ward's collection of photos of the event

Sunday 21st August 2005

STIRLING PAIR WIN SCOTTISH WOMEN'S FOURSOMES
Former British Champion Alison Davidson and her Stirling Golf Club partner Elaine Allison regained the Scottish women's foursomes championship at Dumfries & County Golf Club today (Sunday).
They had rounds of 72 and 74 for a total of 146 and a six-shot victory from runners-up Belinda Murphy and Tracy Laughland of Mortonhall. They had a pair of 76s.
Third-placed Pamela Williamson and Fiona De Vries (St Rule) finished third on 153 with scores of 75 and 78.
Pamela and Fiona also won the handicap prize, with a net total of 147 off a handicap of three.
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S COUNTY FOURSOMES
Dumfries & County GC
Leading totals
146 Alison Davidson & Elaine Allison (Stirling) 72 74.
152 Belinda Murphy & Tracy Laughland (Mortonhall) 76 76.
153 Pamela Williamson & Fiona De Vries (St Rule) 72 75.
Best net: P Williamson & F De Vries (St Rule) (3) 147.

Winning North-East Girls team at Newmachar
Back row (left to right): Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies), Samantha Leslie (Westhill), Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon), Mhairi Johnstone (Northern).
Front: Andrea Bowie (Monifieth)., Laura Murray (Alford), Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Kirsty Moss (Monifieth)

NORTH-EAST GIRLS BEAT NORTHERN COUNTIES AT NEWMACHAR
North-east beat Northern Counties, the holders, 5-3 in an annual inter-area girls' golf match for the Farquharson Trophy over the Newmachar Swailend course today (Sunday). After wins for North-east by Laura Murray (Alford), Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Mhairi Johnstone (Northern), countered by victories for Northern Counties by Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Sammy Vass (Tain) and Nadia Green (Nairn), the match was finely balanced at 3-3.
Then Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) and Samantha Leslie (Westhill) won the last two ties for North-east.
Details (NE names first)
Laura Murray bt Niketa Cruickshank 8 and 7; Michelle Thomson bt Aimee Taylor 8 and 6; Mhairi Johnstone bt Jennifer Stewart 9 and 7; Lauren MacCallum lost to Kelsey MacDonald 8 and 6; Andrew Bowie lost to Sammy Vass 3 and 2; Kirsty Moss lost to Nadia Green 3 and 2; Lauren Whyte bt Donna McKinnon 3 and 1, Samantha Leslie bt Chloe McLeod 4 and 3.

Northern Counties Girls
Back Row L-R; Donna Mackinnon (durness), Nadia Green (Nairn) Jennifer Stewart (Golspie), Chloe Macleod (Nairn Dunbar), Cara Gruber (Team Captain)
Front Row L-R: Sammy Vass (Tain), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Niketa Cruickshank (Strathlene), Aimee Taylor (Forres).
 

Saturday 20th August 2005

Picured at Edinburgh Airport today on their way to the 27th SAAB International Juniors Championship.
L to R: Spencer Henderson(SGU), James White, Ross Kellett,
Judith Anderson(SLGA), Louise Fleming, Sally Watson
(Photo courtesy Margaret Rodgers)

Northern Counties Junior Championship
The Northern Counties Junior Championship was held today at Fortrose & Rosemarkie
results (Par 71 SSS 70 CSS 69)
1st Scratch - Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 72
2nd scratch -  Eilidh Mackay (Nairn Dunbar)  79
1st Handicap - Donna Mackinnon (Durness) 65
2nd Handicap - Julie Vass (Tain) 68
Photo of Kelsey, right. holding the Northern Counties Junior Championship trophy, courtesy Cara Gruber.

British Ladies' Open Stroke Play Championship, Nairn 2005
Photos of this weeks Championship, courtesy and copyright Cal Carson Golf Agency, can be viewed here

Friday 19th August 2005

BLOOMING HEATHER KEEPS BRITISH GOLF TITLE IN SCOTLAND
Heather Macrae from Dunblane kept the British women's open amateur stroke play championship in Scottish hands at sunny Nairn today.
In a repeat of last year's climax, when Claire Queen won a play-off for the trophy, it was Heather who triumphed at the first extra hole of a shoot-out against Nicole Gergely.
The Austrian three-putted the first green for a bogey 5, missing her second putt from some 4ft beyond the hole, while Heather, also on in two, rolled her approach putt to within a couple of feet for a cast-iron par 4.
Miss MacRae, 21, and 20-year-old Miss Gergely had tied on level par 288 after the regulation 72 holes, one shot ahead of another Scot, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) and Sandra Gal, the only German player in the field.
Heather, halfway overnight leader, lost that advantage with a third round 73 for 216 which put her one shot off the pace. Jenna Wilson and Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) took up the running with 18 holes to go but they failed to last the pace. And it was playing partners Heather and Nicole who fought it out head to head down the last few holes.
"I had a silly three-putt bogey 6 at the 10th after nine straight pars in the final round," said Heather. "In a way that was a wake-up call. I knew I couldn't afford to give away any more shots."
And neither she did. A 12ft birdie putt dropped for a 3 at the 13th and she had a couple of great up and downs from off the green at the 14th and 17th, which left Miss Macrae one shot ahead of Miss Gergely with one to p;lay.
The Austrian girl, under real pressure, played an equisite third approach shot from 80yds' range at the 72nd hole. Her ball pitched eight feet past the stick and spun back as if on a piece of yo-yo string to within a couple of feet of the hole. She duly tapped her her birdie 4 putt for a 71 while Heather finished with a 5 for 72.
Then, watched by a very big gallery, they went off down the first extra hole.
When it was all over, there was a big hug from Heather for her dad Andy who must have died a thousand deaths performing his duties as the Ladies Golf Union scoreboard operator.
"This caps a wonderful summer for me, " said Heather who flies back on Tuesday to California and a final year of a golf scholarship at San Diego University.
"To be picked for the Vaglinao Trophy match - and helping to retain the trophy - was great but winning this British title is something else. My game came right at just the right time. I drove well, I putted well and the bits in between were satisfactory as well."
Miss Macrae, who won the BP Scottish Under-18 girls match-play championship in 2001, revealed that she had earlier been invited to play for Scotland in next month's women's home internationals.
"I had to decline because I am coming home from California for my sister's wedding in November and to miss more of my San Diego State women's golf team commitments in September would have been unfair on the university."
Nicole Gergely gained a measure of consolation by winning not only the Holden Trophy which goes to the championship runner-up but also the Duncan Salver for the best performance by an Under-23 player.
"I have never played a Scottish links course like Nairn. It was very good. I am not unhappy. I did my best and to be beaten in a play-off for the title is not a bad result. I finished third in the Sherry Cup earlier this year and won the Austrian women's international championship and I am going to go to the Ladies European Tour School later this year."
Jenna Wilson, who had a 74 for 289, tied for third place with Sandra Gall although the German's closing round of 71 officially earned her third prize.
"I felt I didn't play all that badly in the final round but I just couldn't hole the putts. I had only one birdie in that 74. To be only one shot short of getting into the play-off is very disappointing," said Jenna who beat Heather in a play-off for the Scottish Under-21 girls title in 2003.
Corisande Lee (West Lancashire) was the highest placed English player. She signed off with a 69 for fifth place on 290 - one shot ahead of Sophie Walker who ended with a 76 and teenager Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) with a 70.
In all there were five Scots in the top 15 - Louise Kenney - eighth on 292, Anne Laing - joint ninth on 294, 13-year-old Carly Booth (who matched the par of 72 in the third and fourth rounds) - tied 13th on 297, and title-defending Clare Queen - 15th on 298..
Photos of the Championship, courtesy and copyright Cal Carson Golf Agency, can be viewed here
BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Nairn Golf Club
FINAL TOTALS (Par 72)
CSS 76 76 76 76
288 H Macrae (Dunblane New) 72 71 73 72, N Gergely (Aut) 71 73 73 71 (Macrae won play-off at first extra hole).
289 S Gal (Ger) 73 76 69 71, J Wilson (Strathaven) 77 68 70 74.
290 C Lee (West Lancashire) 75 72 74 69.
291 S Walker (Kenwick Park) 71 77 67 76, K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 74 75 72 70.
292 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 73 74 71 74.
294 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 74 76 72 72, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 72 70 75, K Werdinig (Aut) 75 71 71 77.
295 R Bell (Ganton) 76 74 74 71.
297 A Rossi (Ita) 75 78 71 73, C Booth (Auchterarder) 78 75 72 72.
298 C Queen (Drumpellier) 75 73 75 75.
299 N Edwards (Ganton) 75 79 72 73, E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 77 75 77 70, L Collin (John O'Gaunt) 77 73 71 78.
300 C Coughlan (Cork) 81 71 74 74, F Seeholzer (Swi) 76 76 72 76, F In-Albon (Swi) 74 75 72 79.
301 F Sanderson (Heworth) 80 75 72 74, K Harper (Inverness) 78 74 73 76.
302 S Michl (Aut) 79 75 74 74, K Smith (Waterlooville) 80 74 72 76.
303 S Bregman (SAf) 78 76 74 75.
305 L Eastwood (Yelverton) 76 78 75 76.
306 M Pow (Selkirk) 78 75 78 75, M Verchenova (Rus) 78 72 78 78.
307 L Lausberg (SAf) 76 79 75 77, K Caithness (St Regulus) 79 75 79 74, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 75 77 80 75, K Walker (Stirling Univ) 77 77 78 75
308 N Aazam (Swi) 78 75 79 76, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 77 78 77.
309 L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 80 75 74 80, L H Diggle (Celtic Manor) 74 77 74 84.
310 B Toumpsin (Bel) 74 80 77 79.
313 V Stefansen (Den) 76 79 78 80, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 76 77 81 79, E Ogilvy (Muckhart) 73 78 80 82.
319 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 76 78 87 88.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
290 Austria (N Gergely, S Michl, K Wedinig).
294 England (K Smith, S Walker, K Matharu).
298 Scotland (A Laing, F Lockhart, C Queen).
299 Ireland
300 Switzerland
305 Italy
308 Wales
312 Belgium

Heather Macrae flanked by the Nairn Captains, Ian Brodie and Louise Clark

JEAN WINS BARNARDOS GRAND FINAL
Balbirnie Park six-handicapper Jean Duncan won the Barnardos Scotland Grand Final women's competition at Arbroath Golf Club yesterday (Friday) by a single point.
Jean totalled 37 Stableford points to pip Lynda Birse (Arbroath Artisans), playing over her home course.
Lynda, playing off 28 of a handicap, scored 36pt.
Third place went to Johanne Wright from Vale of Leven. Playing off 18, she took third place with 35pt (better inward half).
A total of 38 players qualified for the Grand Final in which 32 took part. The CSS was 71.

Thursday 18th August 2005

Veteran Ladies Golfing Association
SCOTS VETS COLLECT WOODEN SPOON
Scotland finished up with the wooden spoon in the Veteran Ladies Golfing Association area team championship at Hayling Island, Hampshire today.
Bidding to win the title and the Miller Stirling Trophy for the third year in a row, the Scots lost all three matches - 5-4 to North of England, 6-3 to Midlands and, finally, 7-2 to South of England.
North beat Midlands 6-3 in the title decider.

JENNA (68) IS ON THE TAIL OF LEADERS AS SCOTS HOG THE NAIRN LIMELIGHT
IT'S Scotland first and third as the British women's open amateur golf championship moves towards an exciting climax with the final two rounds at Nairn on Friday.
Heather Macrae from Dunblane took up the running at the end of a very wet night and morning with a 71 for one-under-par 143 to be the halfway leader by one shot from joint overnight leader, Nicole Gergely from Austria.
Then, as the course dried out in the warm, late afternoon sunshine, Jenna Wilson let the leaders know she was on their tail and had picked up the scent of victory.
The Strathaven 21-year-old became the first in the field to break 70. Jenna finished with a bag of six birdies for a sparkling, four-under-par 68 and a halfway total of 145.
First reserve to the winning GB&I Vagliano Trophy team last month and winner of the two most recent 36-hole women's in Scotland - the Mary McCallay Trophy at Dumfries (which she won by 11 shots!) and then the Riccarton Rosebowl at Hamilton on Sunday, Jenna feels that she is now reaping the rewards for a lot of hard winter work with national coach Karen Dallas, the Kirriemuir club professional.
"I think it's all come together over the past three weeks and I certainly had the best of the weather for the second round here at Nairn," said Jenna who spent a college year in 2003-2004 at San Diego University, the California college to which leader Heather Macrae will be returning on Tuesday.
It was only after she had bogeyed the third and the fifth, that jaunty Jenna clicked and cover the last 13 holes in an impressive six under par with birdies at the sixth, seventh, 11th, 13th, 17th and 18th in halves of 36 (level par) and 32 (four under).
Heather, in third place overnight, had moved into the mid-afternoon clubhouse lead with a second-round 71 for one-under-par 143, one shot ahead of Nicole Gergely, a 20-year-old from Pals, Austria, who had a 73 for 144.
Heather, 21-year-old Vagliano Trophy team player from Dunblane, improved by four shots on the seventh hole alone, compared with her first-round 72. Heather ran up an 8 at the seventh first time round. Yesterday she got a birdie 4 with a drive, three-wood second and a pitch and a putt in an outward half of 35.
Her other birdies were a 2 at the short sixth with a four-iron and a 12ft putt, the 10th (drive, five-wood, pitch and putt) and the 15th (drive, wedge, 10ft putt). Miss Macrae's only bogey on the outward half was a three-putt 5 at a time when it was very wet, both underfoot and overhead!
But for a weak finish the Scot would have put daylight between herself and the rest of the field.
Heather bogeyed the 16th (missed green) and the 18th (three putts) in an inward 36.
"It was a bit unpleasant on the outward journey with the rain still coming down quite heavily and the course quite wet. But it did slow the greens down a bit and I found them easier to judge, even though I did three-putt twice," said Heather.
Two other Scots squeezed into the top eight late in the day. Louise Kenney from Pitreavie birdied the fourth, fifth and 18th but had two shots in a bunker for a double bogey at the 11th on her way to a 74 for joint fifth place on 147.
And defending champion Clare Queen (Drumpellier) is tied for seventh place on 148 after a 73.
"I played my best golf of the year from tee to green but couldn't hole the putts," said Clare.
A total of 42 players with totals of 145 or better qualified for the final two rounds.
The other Scots who made it were:
Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) 78 for 151; Kerri Harper (Inverness) 78 for 152; Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 for 152; Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 77 for 153; Carly Booth (Auchterarder) 75 for 153; Martine Pow (Selkirk) 75 for 153; Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 75 for 153; Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ) 77 for 154; Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 78 for 154.
Carly is only 13 years old and home-town girl Kelsey just 14.
QUALIFIERS
(Par 72, CSS 76 76)
143 H Macrae (Sco) 72 71.
144 N Gergely (Aut) 71 73.
145 J Wilson (Sco) 77 68.
146 K Werdinig (Aut) 75 71.
147 C Lee (Eng) 75 72, L Kenney (Sco) 73 74.
148 S Walker (Eng) 71 77, C Queen (Sco) 75 73.
149 K Matharu (Eng) 74 75, F In-Albon (Swi) 74 75, L Bennett (Eng) 77 72, S Gal (Ger) 73 76.
150 L Collin (Eng) 77 73, M Verchenova (Rus) 78 72, R Bell (Eng) 76 74, A Laing (Sco) 74 76.
151 E Ogilvy (Sco) 73 78, L H Diggle (Eng) 74 77.
152 K Harper (Sco) 78 74, L Hall (Wal) 80 72, F Seeholzer (Swi) 76 76, C Gruber (Sco) 75 77, E Duggleby (Eng) 77 75, C Coughlan (Ire) 81 71.
153 F Lockhart (Sco) 76 77, S Hassan (Wal) 76 77, C Booth (Sco) 78 75, M Pow (Sco) 78 75, N Azaam (Swi) 78 75, A Rossi (Ita) 75 78.
154 L Eastwood (Eng) 7 6 78, K Caithness (Sco) 79 75, N Edwards (Eng) 75 79, K Walker (Sco) 77 77, S Bregman (SAf) 78 76, K Smith (Eng) 80 74, K MacDonald (Sco) 76 78, B Toumpsin (Bel) 74 80, S Michl (Aut) 79 75.
155 V Stefansen (Den) 76 79, L Lausberg (SAf) 76 79, F Sanderson (Eng) 80 75.
NON-QUALIFIERS
156 L Holmes (Eng) , 74 82, E Brown (Eng) 75 81, R Lomas (Eng) 78 78, R Niven (Sco) 77 79, E Lyons (Eng) 79 77, T Delaney (Ire) 75 81, A Roscio (Ita) 81 75.
157 S Birks (Wal) 77 80, M Jorgensen (Den) 78 79, M Gillen (Ire) 78 79.
158 C Tucker (Ire) 75 83, D Von Armin (Col) 77 81, L Barton (Eng) 79 79, G Webster (Sco) 83 75, L Walker (Sco) 80 78, G Paolillo (Ita) 80 78, L Willems (Bel) 79 79.
159 S Attwood (Eng) 79 80, E Sheffield (Eng) 83 76, C Ellis (Eng) 81 78, T Boyes (Eng) 80 79, J Gregg (Eng) 78 81.
160 Alexis Edwards (US) 77 83, M Thomson (Sco) 80 80, R Newren (US) 88 72, S Kruegeer (US) 81 79.
161 J Carthew (Ladybank) 77 84, S James (Eng) 80 81, L Ball (Eng) 79 82, S-J Eves (Eng) 83 78, V Valvassori (Ita) 77 84.
162 P Pretswell (Sco) 80 82, C Hargan (Sco) 82 80, E Wanet (Bel) 81 81.
163 L Tarn (Eng) 80 83, J Gibson (Eng) 80 83, L Taylor (Eng) 81 82, H Aitchison (Eng) 83 80, E McBride (Eng) 85 78, C-M Carlton (Sco) 85 78.
164 T Luccioli (Bel) 78 86, E Fairnie (Sco) 82 82.
166 S Dony (Bel) 78 88.
167 F Smith (Eng) 86 81, J Turner (Sco) 81 86, D Dewar (Sco) 84 83, Ashley Edwards (US) 89 78.
168 J McGuffog (Eng) 86 82, G Chalmers (Sco) 89 79.
169 S Brodie (Eng) 81 88, A Ingram (Sco) 85 84, G Garbaccio (Ita) 89 80.
171 H Harvey (Sco) 88 83.
172 S Meadow (Ire) 82 90, A Childers (US) 89 83.
173 L Johnstone (Eng) 90 83.
174 N Lowe (Eng) 83 91.
176 C McAndrew (Sco) 88 88.
184 M Vanmol (Bel) 89 95.
185 I Harvey (Sco) 89 96, C Oliver (Sco) 95 90.
Retired: A Marshall (Eng) 88 -.

Wednesday 17th August 2005

AMERICAN COLLEGE TRIO LEAD SCOTS CHALLENGE AT NAIRN
American college students Heather Macrae, Louise Kenney and Emily Ogilvy were the top Scots in challenging positions at the end of the first round of the British women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship over the testing Nairn links today.
Heather, 21, from Dunblane, shrugged off a potentially nerve-shattering 8 at the par-5 seventh to match the par of 72 with halves of 38 and 34 to be one shot behind joint leaders Nicole Gergely from Austria and Vagliano Trophy team player Sophie Walker from Derbyshire.
Louise, 22, from Pitreavie, is joint third on 73 (38-35) but would have shared the lead had she avoided a double-bogey 6 at the 16th.
Emily Ogilvy, 19, from Muckhart, Perthshire, is also on 73 with Miss Kenney and Sandra Gal, the only German player in the field. Emily, at 19-year-old student at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, clawed her way back into contention from four shots in a bunker at the first hole,
Heather, like Sophie Walker a member of the winning GB&I team in the Vagliano Trophy match at Chantilly last month, flies back to San Diego State University on Tuesday. Her goal is to play in next year's Curtis Cup match in the States.
"I've played well since the Vagliano Trophy match but the putts wouldn't drop until today. I holed a few at last," said Heather who birdied the second, third, ninth, 10th and 11th but had bogeys at the fifth and sixth before landing first in a bush, then in the heather and finally in a bunker on her way to an 8 at the seventh.
Having got that out of her system, Miss Macrae looked a class player as she covered the last 11 holes in three under par
Louise, who has been Iowa State University's record-setting top female player for the past four years, flies back to the States on Saturday to complete her degree course. She has used up all her eligibility to play on the college circuit.
"I had a little bit of everything in that round of 73, " smiled Louise.
She had birdies at the second, 10th and 15th and a grandstand birdie-birdie finish after that double-bogey 6.
"I skied my tee shot at the 16th. Then I put a five-iron shot into the burn for a penalty drop," said Louise who had bogeys at the third, sixth, eight and 12th ... two of them three-putt greens.
"These are the fastest greens I've putted on all season. I love them but you have to be careful or you're second putt is from 15ft on the other side of the hole!"
Perthshire county player Emily Ogilvy birdied the third, 10th, 11th and 16th , holing putts of 20ft, 15ft, 10ft and 15ft again, in halves of 39 and 34.
"I three-putted the eighth and the 15th for bogeys but these greens are really good," said Emil
who reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish women's championship at Cruden Bay in May.
All in all, it was a good day for the Scots with three times native champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) on 74 (39-35), Clare Queen (Drumpellier) starting her title defence with a 75 (38-37), the same mark as Royal Dornoch's Cara Gruber (39-36).
On 76 are 14-year-old Nairn Dunbar youngster Kelsey MacDonald and Scottish women's champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
Carly Booth, only 13 years old and making her debut in a British women's championship, finished on 78 - which was quite a creditable score, considering she three-putted almost every green in the opening six or seven holes and reached the turn in 40. She came home in 36, which matched the par.
Stephanie Evans, the left-handed Welsh international from Vale of Llangollen, had to retire after only two holes with a back problem. In last year's championship Stephanie lost a three-way title play-off with Clare Queen and Shelley McKevitt.
First round scores (Par 72)
71 N Gergely (Aut), S Walker (Eng).
72 H Macrae (Sco).
73 S Gal (Ger), L Kenney (Sco), E Ogilvy (Sco).
74 F In-Albon (Swi), L H Diggle (Eng), B Toumpsin (Bel), M Gillen (Ire), A Laing (Sco), L Holmes (Eng), K Matharu (Eng).
75 C Gruber (Sco), T Delaney (Ire), C Lee (Eng), C Queen (Sco), A Rossi (Ita), C Tucker (Ire), N Edwards (Eng), K Werdinig (Aut), E Brown (Eng).
76 R Bell (Eng), F Seeholzer (Swi), K MacDonald (Sco), S Hassan (Wal), L Eastwood (Eng), F Lockhart (Sco), V Stefansen (Den), L Lausberg (SAf).
77 L Bennett (Eng), R Niven (Sco), J Wilson (Sco), E Duggleby (Eng), V Valvassori (Ita), L Collin (Eng), S Birks (Wal), A Edwards (US), J Carthew (Sco).
78 S Bregman (SAf), C Booth (Sco), J Gregg (Eng), M Pow (Sco), N Aazam (Swi), K Harper (Sco), S Dony (Bel), M Verchenova (Rus), M Jorgensen (Den). T Luccioli (Bel), R Lomas (Eng).
79 E Lyons (Eng), S Michl (Aut), L Willems (Bel), S Attwood (Eng), K Caithness (Sco), K Walker (Sco), L Barton (Eng).
80 T Boyes (Eng), L Hall (Wal), L Walker (Sco), K Smith (Eng), G Paolillo (Ita), L Tarn (Eng), J Gibson (Eng), P Pretswell (Sco), F Sanderson (Eng), S James (Eng), M Thomson (Sco).
81 C Coughlan (Ire), A Roscio (Ita), E Wanet (Bel), S Kreuger (US), S Brodie (Eng), L Taylor (Eng), J Turner (Sco), C Ellis (Eng).
82 E Fairnie (Sco), S Meadow (Ire), C Hargan (Sco).
83 G Webster (Sco), S-J Eaves (Eng), N Lowe (Eng), H Aitchison (Eng), E Sheffield (Eng).
84 D Dewar (Sco).
85 C-M Carlton (Sco), E McBride (Eng), A Ingram (Sco).
86 F Smith (Eng), J McGuffog (Eng).
88 H Harvey (Sco), C McAndrew (Sco), R Newren (US), A Marshall (Eng).
89 A Childers (US), A Edwards (US), G Chalmers (Sco), G Garbaccio (Ita), M Vanmoi (Bel), I Harvey (Sco).
90 L Johnstone (Eng)
95 C Oliver (Sco).
Retired: S Evans (Wal), P Brown (US).

Veteran Ladies Golfing Association
SCOTS LOSE GRIP ON MILLER STIRLING TROPHY
Scotland meet South of England tomorrow at Hayling Island in a match which will decide who gets the "Wooden Spoon" in the Veteran Ladies Golfing Association area team championship at Hayling Island, Hampshire.
Captained by Joan Marshall (Baberton), the Scots went south seeking to win the Miller Stirling Trophy for a third year in a row.
Unfortunately, the lost 5-4 to North of England on the first day and 6-3 to Midlands yesterday.
Meanwhile Midlands beat South 5-4 and North beat South 6-3, which means that the North v Midlands match today will be for the title and Miller Stirling Trophy.

Tuesday 16th August 2005

SCOTS VETERANS LOSE FIRST MATCH AT HAYLING ISLAND
Scotland, bidding to complete a hat-trick of title wins in the Veteran Ladies Golf Assocation area team golf championship, were beaten 5-4 by North of England in their opening match at Hayling Island, Hampshire today.
The Scots won the foursomes 2-1 but only Pamela Williamson and Noreen Fenton added points to that total in the afternoon singles which North won 4-2 for a 5-4 match victory.
Details:
NORTH ENGLAND 5, SCOTLAND 4
Foursomes: L Hague & R Lindley lost to P Williamson & M Tough 6 and 5; J Smith & C Kirk bt H Faulds & S McDonald 6 and 5; H Smyth & M Miller lost to L Bennett & N Fenton 1 hole (1-2).
Singles: Hague bt Bennett 2 and 1, J Smith bt M Thomson 4 and 3, Kirk lost to Williamson 5 and 4, Lindley bt Tough 3 and 2, A Wood bt L Campbell 1 hole, E Elliott lost to Fenton 4 and 3 (4-2).
ends

CLARE’S NARROW LEAD OVER JENNA IN PAULL AND WILLIAMSONS' RANKINGS
Clare Queen has a narrow lead over Jenna Wilson with only one counting tournament to go – the Ness Open at Inverness on August 28 – in the Paull and Williamsons’ Rankings for Scottish women’s amateur golf.
Strathaven member Jenna has won the last two designated 36-hole events, the Mary McCally Trophy and the Riccarton Rosebowl, over the past two Sundays, to close the gap at the top of the table to only 0.30 of a stroke.
Drumpellier’s Clare has an average of minus 2.20 shots in relation to CSS over 10 rounds.
Miss Wilson stands at minus 1.90 over 10 rounds.
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) is in third place with minus 0.50 of a stroke average.
The leading rankings are:
1 Clare Queen (Drumpellier), 2 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), 3 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), 4 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), 5 Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), 6 (equal) Martine Pow (Selkirk) & Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), 8 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), 9 Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ). 10 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
11 Carly Booth (Auchterarder), 12 (equal) Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) & Sara Bishop (Windyhill), 14 Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan), 15 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), 16 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), 17 Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank), 18 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), 19 Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart), 20 Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).

IRISH SCHOOLS MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Kilkeel Golf Club
Semi-finals
Douglas Community School 4, Summerhill College, Sligo 1
(Douglas names first)
Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas) bt Tommy McGowan (Strandhill) 4 and 3; Ian Bermingham (Mahon) bt Mark Rooney (Strandhill) 1 hole; Eoghan Long (Monkstown) bt Tony McDaid (Co Sligo) 5 and 4; David Barry (Mahon) halved with Gerard Finnegan (Co Sligo); Brian Collins (Douglas) halved with Colin Walsh (Strandhill).
St Paul’s College, Raheny 3, Royal Belfast Acad. Institute 2
(St Paul’s names first)
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) lost to Karl Gilbert (Malone) at 19th; Barry Fennelly (Royal Dublin) bt James Patterson (Royal Portrush) 1 hole; Gary McGrane (Royal Dublin) lost to Garth McGee (Malone) 2 holes; Richard Behan (St Annes) bt Tim Greeves (Shandon Park) 2 holes; Donal O’Brien (Forrest Little) bt Patrick Deeny (Fortwilliam) at 19th.
Final
St Paul’s College, Raheny 3, Douglas Community School 2
(St Paul’s names first)
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) bt Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas) 1 hole; Barry Fennelly (Royal Dublin) bt Ian Bermingham (Mahon) at 19th; Gary McGrane (Royal Dublin) lost to Eoghan Long (Monkstown) 1 hole; Richard Behan (St Annes) lost to David Barry (Mahon) 5 and 4; Donal O’Brien (Forrest Little) bt Brian Collins (Douglas) 3 and 2.

JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP TEAM COMPLETED
The rest of the "wild card" selections for Europe's 12-strong team for the Ping Junior Solheim Cup match against the United States are now known.
They are:
Belen Mozo (Spain), who was eighth on the points table (the leading seven at August 15 gained automatic selection).
Caroline Masson (Germany), who was joint 12th on the table.
Alessandra de Luigi (Italy), beaten semi-finalist in the British girls' open championship at West Hill Golf Club.
We already knew that two English girls, Under-18 champion Melissa Reid (Chevin) and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale), the other beaten semi-finalist in the British girls' open championship, had made it into the team for Bridgewater Club, Carmel, Indiana for the September 6-7 match.
So the full European team is:
Carolota Ciganda (Spain).
Lene Krog (Norway).
Alessandra De Luigi (Italy).
Caroline Masson (Germany).
Belen Mozo (Spain).
Azahara Munoz (Spain).
Anna Nordqvist (Sweden).
Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale).
Beatriz Recari (Spain).
Melissa Reid (Chevin).
Marta Silva (Spain).
Benedicte Toumpsin (Belgium

Monday 15th August 2005

NESS OPEN WILL GO AHEAD
The Ness Open 36-hole women’s tournament at Inverness Golf Club on Sunday, August 28 will definitely go ahead even if the number of entries does not improve significantly before then.
Last year’s tournament was cancelled when only about a dozen entries were received.
"We’ve got 26 entries so far. I would like to see a lot more before the actual date of the tournament but that’s a big enough figure to make the decision that the Ness Open will definitely be played this year," said organiser Pam Gordon.
Mrs Gordon will accept entries by telephone at 01667 453392.

SCOTLAND BLOOD SALLY (14) IN WOMEN’S HOME INTERNATIONALS
The Scotland team for the women’s home amateur internationals at Dundalk, Ireland from September 14 to 16 includes two new caps – 14-year-old South Queensferry prospect Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), winner of the BP Scottish girls’ championship at Tain, and Dundee University dental student Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), 19-year-old winner of the British universities’ women’s title at Murrayshall.
Sally Watson is the youngest player to be selected for the Scotland women’s side since Jane Connachan in the 1970s.
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), winner of the Scottish women’s championship at Cruden Bay in May, gained her first Scotland cap in the European team championships in Sweden last month. This will be her first appearance in the women’s home internationals.
The Scotland side, captained by former Scottish champion Fiona Anderson from Blairgowrie, is (ages in brackets):
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 16, Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 30, Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 28, Clare Queen (Drumpellier) 22, Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ) 18, Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 14, Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) 19, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 21.

ELGA Press Release
ENGLAND TEAM FOR HOME INTERNATIONALS
England have named a strong team for the Home International matches at Dundalk, Ireland, from September 14-16.
The team, captained by Beverley New, is:
Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton)
Laura Eastwood (Yelverton)
Naomi Edwards (Ganton)
Jodi Ewart (Catterick)
Felicity Johnson (Harborne)
Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall)
Kerry Smith (Waterlooville)
Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park)
1st Reserve: Rachel Bell (Ganton)
2nd Reserve: Faye Sanderson (Heworth)

SGU Press Release
Scots Are Belgium Bound
Ten of Scotland’s leading amateur golfers are heading for Belgium in their quest for European honours.
Andrew McArthur (Windyhill), George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle), Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), Jonathan King (Glasgow), Jamie McLeary (Leven GS) and Eric Ramsay (Carnoustie) will take part in the European Individual Amateur Championship at Antwerp International Golf and Country Club Rinkven from 17-20 August.
Then it will be the turn of the younger players, as Ross Kellett (Colville Park), James White (Lundin), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) and Louise Fleming (The Roxburghe) tee off in the 27th SAAB International Juniors Championship at the Royal Golf Club of Belgium, Tervuren, Brussels from 23-27 August.
All have earned their selection after success throughout the season. Kellett and White have already represented Scotland at the Boys’ Home Internationals earlier this month at Woodhall Spa. 14 year old Sally Watson won the BP Scottish Girls Championship in July and reached the semi-final of Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship at Cruden Bay. Louise Fleming (19) won the BP Scottish Junior Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play title at West Kilbride.
Previous winners of the boys’ championship include Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (1985) and three Scots, Colin Dalgleish (1980), Allan MacDonald (1993) and Lee Rhind (1996).
The girls’ championship has been won by Helen Alfredsson from Sweden (1982), and two Scots, Mhairi McKay (1992) and Laura Moffat (1996).

DUNBAR LADIES' OPEN PRIZEWINNERS
Nearest Pin Bronze (3rd Hole): Liz Duncan – Lothianburn
Nearest Pin Silver (16th Hole): Helen Burgon – Eyemouth
Longest Drive Bronze: Jenny Arnott – Dunbar
Longest Drive Silver: Jane Flucker – Dunbar
5th Handicap Bronze: C Bowers – Longniddry 103-30=73
4th Handicap Bronze: E Johnston – Greenburn 94-21=73 (bih)
3rd Handicap Bronze: G Liesching – Musselburgh 98-25=73 (bih)
2nd Handicap Bronze: Liz Johnston - Dunbar 97-24=73 (bih)
1st Handicap Bronze: Tracy Drysdale – Dunbar 103-32=71
Best Scratch Bronze: Jenny Arnott - Dunbar 94 (bih)
Best Scratch Silver: Claire Hargan – Mortonhall 74
5th Handicap Silver; Hazel Millican - Dunbar 91-18=73
4th Handicap Silver: Dawn Stuart – Dunbar 82-11=71
3rd Handicap Silver: Emma Fairnie - Dunbar 76-5=71 (bih)
2nd Handicap Silver: Sarah Horsburgh – Dunbar 79-9=70
1st Handicap Silver: Cara Easton – Dunbar 82-16=66
Winner of Maxton Rose Bowl: Cara Easton – Dunbar

Sunday 14th August 2005

IN-FORM JENNA WINS RICCARTON ROSEBOWL
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), an 11-shot winner of the previous weekend's tournament, carried on her good form at Hamilton Golf Club yesterday (Sun) to win the Riccarton Rosebowl by two shots.
Jenna added the silverware to the Mary McCallay Trophy she won down in Dumfries seven days earlier with rounds of 69 and 70 for an aggregate of 139, compared with a CSS of 71 and 72.
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), last year's Riccarton Rosebowl winner, finished on the same 141 mark as Clare Queen (Drumpellier) who will defending her British women's open amateur stroke-play title at Nairn later this week.
Miss Hargan had a 73 and a 68, Miss Queen a 69 and 72.
[Photo right: Jenna Wilson and Kylie Walker after their morning round at Hamilton.
Courtesy Jean Campbell DACLGA]
RICCARTON ROSEBOWL
Hamilton Golf Club
LEADING TOTALS (CSS 71 72)
139 J Wilson (Strathaven) 69 70.
141 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 73 69, C Queen (Drumpellier) 69 72.
142 G Webster (Hilton Park) 69 73, E Ogilvie (Muckhart) 69 73.
146 K Walker (Stirling Univ) 69 77.
147 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 76 71, J Carthew (Ladybank) 73 74, F Norris (Hamilton) 72 75
148 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 71, H MacRae (Dunblane New)

North East District Open
MARATHON PLAY-OFF FINISH TO NE DISTRICT OPEN
Craigmillar Park's Mark Kerr won the North-east District Open after a lengthy three-way play-off with Stewart Elder (Kirkcaldy) and Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) at Deeside Golf Club today (Sunday).
They had tied on one-under-par 279 at the end of the regulation 72 holes.Stewart was eliminated at the first extra hole but it was the fourth extra hole before Kerr got the better of Elder.
The organising officials decided that Elder and Stewart should officially be placed joint second.
On a low-scoring Saturday, first Kriz Nicol (Fraserburgh) and Wallace Booth (Crieff) equalled the course record of four-under-par 66 in their first rounds.
Then Carnoustie's Scott Mann lowered the record to 65, birdieing four holes in a row from the fourth in an outward 32 (four under par) and then gaining further birdies at the 12th and 13th before dropping his only shot of the round at the 14th in 33 (one under par) home
Coincidentally, Nicol, Booth and Mann all dropped down the leaderboard over the third and fourth rounds.
NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Deeside GC.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
(Par 70, CSS 72 72 72 72)
279 S Elder (Thornton) 68 71 70 70, M Kerr (Craimillar Park) 72 69 70 68, D
Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 72 72 72 70 (Elder won sudden-death play-off at
fourth extra hole).
280 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 73 69 72 66.
281 A Reith (Murcar) 72 69 72 68.
282 B Edmond (Bon Accord) 73 70 69 70, C Stephen (Meldrum House) 69 70 73 70.
283 S Borrowman (Dollar) 70 70 75 68, G Brown (Royal Montrose) 71 72 70 70, J
Gallagher (Swanston) 68 70 74 71, K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 66 70 72 75.
285 C Colraine (Milngavie) 68 72 72 73.
288 C Davis (Costessey Park) 69 68 80 71.
289 W Booth (Crieff) 66 70 77 76.
290 S Michie (Thornton) 74 70 68 78.
291 P McLean (Peterhead) 71 71 77 72, R Hyland (Newmachar) 73 75 70 73, D
Chapman (Costessey Park) 71 71 75 75.
292 E Forbes (Meldrum House) 78 69 74 71, F Henderson (unatt) 73 74 74 71, S
Mann (Carnoustie) 73 65 79 75.

British Mid-Amateur Championship
PERRETT RETAINS BRITISH MID-AMATEUR TITLE AT MUIRFIELD
Daniel Perrett from Clevedon, Somerset became the third man in the short history of the British mid-amateur championship to retain the title when he beat Steve Sansome (Birstall) by one hole in the 18-hole final at Muirfield today.
Perrett, a 26-year-old accountant, followed in the footsteps of  Gary Wolstenholme (1995-96) and John Kemp (2002-2003), came from behind with a grandstand finish to snatch the title out of the grasp of 39-year-old Sansome, the English mid-amateur title-holder.
One down with three to play, Perrett squared the match at the short 16th where his opponent was bunkered over the green. Then he went one up by downing a 15ft putt for a birdie 4 at the long 17th.
It was the first time Daniel had led since the fifth hole.
"It was a scrappy final. Neither of us played as well as we probably did to get to the last stage and I seemed to be behind for most of the match," said Daniel.
"But my girl friend and caddie Karen kept encouraging me, telling me not to give up, to keep trying my hardest. And that's what I did. I just hung on as best I could. Steve three-putted the 14th when I could have gone two down and he got a bad break when he was bunkered at the short 16th.
"I was surprised to win this championship last year. I am doubly surprised to have done it again but it's been a privelege to play over a links of the quality of Muirfield. I feel honoured to have won a championship here"
Sansome, who will defend the Logan Trophy for the English mid-amateur stroke-play championship at Delamere Forest later this coming week, was philosophical about his defeat.
"It was the first time I had played in the British mid-amateur championship so it's been a great experience, especially over a course like Muirfield," he said.
"I probably played my best golf on Saturday when I was something like eight under par in winning twice. I certainly wasn't under par in the final although, to be honest, I felt I was playing better golf than Daniel for a good part of the match. But I didn't putt as well as I had in the morning semi-final."
Sansome won the first hole with a par 4 but bogeyed the next to be pulled back to level.
Perrett's par 5 at the long fifth was good enough to see him go one up but he bogeyed the next for Sansome to draw level again.
At the ninth, Sansome raised his game to get an eagle 3 at this 508yd hole. While Perrett was well short in two after a moderate drive, Sansome hit an iron second pin high on the green. Perrett couldn't hole his 15ft putt from beyond the hole for a birdie. Sansome, with two putts for it, holed his eagle putt of 10ft to go one up.
The nip-and-tuck nature of the final continued with Perrett squaring the match at the 10th. After two halves, Sansome got a birdie 2 at the short 13th to go one up for a third time.
Sansome three-putted the 14th to let Perrett escape with a half in bogey 5s.
Perrett squared the match with a par 3 at the 16th where Perrett's tee shot bounced over the green into a bunker. The title-holder went one up for the first time since the fifth by holing a 15ft putt for a birdie 3 at the long 17th.
At the 18th, Sansome, who had never played the hole in the match-play stages, drove into a bunker. He splashed out and hit a splendid iron 20ft over the flagstick. Perrett just off the green left in two shots, played a great little chip to within 4ft. Sansome hit the hole with his putt but the ball stayed out. Perrett missed his putt for a par but a half in bogey 5s was enough for him to keep the title.
Perrett was approximately three over par for the round.
BRITISH MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Muirfield
Semi-finals - S Sansome (Birstall) bt J-J Wolff (France) 3 and 1; D Perrett (Clevedon) bt B Innes (Murcar) 1 hole.
Final (18 holes) - Perrett bt Sansome 1 hole.

HEATHER MISSES CUT
Former Scottish amateur champion Heather Stirling missed the 36-hole cut by seven shots with scores of 76 and 77 for a total of nine-over-par 153 in the Betty Puskar Classic, the latest event on the US Futures Tour, at Morgantown, West Virginia.
American Janell Howland and Korean Sun Young Yoo shared the lead with one round to go on eight-under-par 136, Howland with 69-67, Sun Young Yoo with 67-69

Saturday 13th August 2005

North-east District Open
Carnoustie's Scott Mann lowered the Deeside course record to 65 after the old mark of 66 had twice been equalled during the first day of the North-east District Open 72-hole golf tournament at Bieldside, near Aberdeen today (Sat)
Mann birdied four holes in a row from the fourth in an outward 32 (four under par) and then gained further birdies at the 12th and 13th before dropping his only shot of the round at the 14th in 33 (one under par) home
Mann had well down the field with a first-round 73 but his second effort lifted him up to joint fourth place at the halfway stage
Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) and Wallace Booth (Comrie), who had shared the lead with their opening 66s, still lead with two rounds to go. They also duplicated their second-round 70s for 136.
They are a shot ahead of Chase Davis (Costessey Park) who is one in front of Scott Mann and John Gallagher, the cack-handed Swanston player who reached the final of the British amateur championship earlier this summer
Players with 36-hole aggregates of 150 or better qualified for the final two rounds.
LEADING SCORES (Par 70)
136 K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 66 70, W Booth (Comrie) 66 70
137 C Davis (Costessey Park) 69 68.
138 S Mann (Carnoustie) 73 65, J Gallagher (Swanston) 68 70.
139 C Stephen (Meldrum House) 69 70, S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 68 71.
140 S Borrowman (Dollar) 70 70, C Colraine (Milngavie) 68 72.
141 A Reith (Deeside) 72 69, M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 72 69.
142 J Byrne (Banchory) 73 69, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 73 69, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 72 70, P McLean (Peterhead) 71 71, D Chapman (Costessey Park) 71 71, I Galbraith (Murcar) 74 68.

British Mid-Amateur Championship
SANSOME IS MAN IN FORM IN BRITISH MID-AMATEUR SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP
Two Englishmen - Steve Sansome (Birstall) and title-holder Daniel Perrett (Clevedon) - one Scot (Bryan Innes), and one Frenchman, Jean-Jacques Wolff, are the last four still standing going into the last day of the 11th British men's mid-amateur golf championship over the classic Muirfield links of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
Sansome, who will defend the English mid-amateur championship for the Logan Trophy at the end of next week, is the man whose Saturday standard of scoring make him the favourite for this title.
Steve, a 39-year-old plus-two player, was a combined eight under par in beating American Mark Thompson by 4 and 3 and then the No 1 seed, Anglo-Scot Sandy Twynholm from Morpeth, by 3 and 1.
Sansome saved up an eagle (at the ninth) and four birdies (at the second, sixth, seventh and eighth) for the encounter with Twynholm and he needed them as 40-year-old Sandy came back at him by winning the 13th and 15th.
Sansome will now meet 32-year-old French international Jean-Jacques Wolff from Paris. Jean-Jacques, who is ranked No 4 in his home country - and that's not just among their mid-amateurs, won by 3 and 1 over Simon Stilwell (Sunningdale).
"Neither of us played very well ... we halved one hole in double bogeys," said the honest Frenchman who has a handicap of plus three. "Winning is the most important thing and I am pleased I am through to the semi-finals."
Defending champion Daniel Perrett from Somerset was the Hammer of the Scots. He beat Craig Elliot (Carrivale) by 4 and 3 in the morning and then eliminated Steven Armstrong by the same margin. In both ties, Daniel swept into a big early lead.
"That was my game plan and it worked both times," said the 26-year-old accountant who plays off plus 1.
"I was four up after only five holes against Steven, and that gave me a big cushion for things going wrong later on."
Armstrong did rally to cut the deficit to two after 10 holes but Perrett raised his personal birdie count for the tie to six in winning the 13th and 15th to KO the Scot.
Now Perrett will be going for a hat-trick of Scottish scalps against 32-year-ld Aberdonian plus two player, Bryan Innes.
Innes, a former Scotland cap making his debut in the tournament for over-25s, wore down a tough, experienced Frenchman Francois Illouz in a nip-and-tuck quarter-final.
"It was desperately close," said Bryan. "I birdied the 13th with a 15ft putt to go ahead for the first time and even though he birdied the 15th to get it back to all square, I still fancied my chance if I could keep my nerve."
And keep his nerve Innes certainly did through two gritty halves at the 16th and 17th. Then, with the wind rising, he knocked a two-iron second shot on to the heart of the green at the par-4 18th (449yd).
Illoux three-putted, missing from 4ft above the hole, for a bogey 5 and Bryan wasted no time in despatching a 2 1/2ft putt into the hole for a match-winning 4.
"If you hang about with these short putts in situations like that, you tend to miss them. I knew it was a straight putt if I hit it hard enough and I just rammed it in," said Innes. "My wife's been ill for a while and I've not been able to play as much golf as I used to. This will be good for both of us."
BRITISH MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Muirfield
THIRD ROUND
S Twynholm (Morpeth) bt R Bardsley (Denton) 3 and 2.
S Sansome (Birstall) bt M Thompson (US) 4 and 3.
S Stilwell (Sunningdale) bt A Minnikin (Gosforth) 2 and 1.
J-J Wolff (France) bt T Owen (US) 1 hole.
D Perrett (Clevedon) bt C Elliot (Carrickvale) 4 and 3.
S Armstrong (Turnhouse) bt M Sughrue (US) at 20th.
F Illouz (France) bt  L Yearn (Ely City) 2 and 1.
B Innes (Murcar) bt M Wharton (John O'Gaunt) 1 hole.
QUARTER-FINALS
Sansome bt Twynholm 3 and 1.
Wolff bt Stilwell 3 and 1
Perrett bt Armstrong 4 and 3.
Innes bt Illouz 1 hole.

British Boys Championship
JORDAN FINDLAY FAILS IN GALLANT BID TO RETAIN BRITISH TITLE
Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay, the defending champion, was beaten 3 and 2 by Bernhard Neumann (Germany) in today's 36-hole final of the British boys' open amateur championship at Hunstanton Golf Club.
Neumann won the 16th and 18th to go in for lunch with a one-hole lead.
Findlay birdied the first hole of the afternoon but his opponent countered with a birdie of his own to go one up again at the 20th.
Neumann birdied the 24th to go two up but Findlay cut the lead to one again with a par at the 25th.
The German then went three up after 27 holes.
Findlay birdied the 28th to get it back to two down but then lost two holes in a row, which undermined his bid to remain British boys champion for another year.
He lost the 29th to a par and then three-putted the 30th to go four down.
But Jordan had one last defiant gesture to make. He birdied the 31st to be three down ... lost the 32nd to a birdie to go back to one down ... and then won the 33rd to be three down with three to play.
A half at the 34th ended a great contest in Neumann's favour. But Jordan Findlay can be proud of his achievement in going so close to retaining the British boys' championship.

Friday 12th August 2005

MARILYN WINS STRATHTYRUM TOURNAMENT
Germany-based, Irish-born Marilyn Henderson won the Strathtyrum Trophy women's open golf tournament on Friday for a second time.
She beat another former champion in Greenock lawyer Lynda Brabender at the 20th hole of an exciting final over the Eden course.
It might be fair to say that Marilyn, 13th of the 32 qualifiers, and Lynda, the No 2 seed, beat more fancied opponents in the semi-finals. Marilyn overcame the leading qualifier and Scottish universities champion Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) by 2 and 1.
Lynda knocked out the in-form Scotland senior and veteran team international player Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) at the 24th after an epic match. Helen had beaten Pamela Williamson (Baberton) earlier in the tournament.
The Strathtyrum Salver handicap competition was won by Heather Kitson from Cranleigh. In a final bythe eighth and 15th of the 16th qualifiers, Heather beat clubmate Kate Sturrock by two holes in the final. Three of the four semi-finalists are members of the Cranleigh club.
Results:
STRATHTYRUM TROPHY
Semi-finals
Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) bt Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 2 and 1.
Lynda Brabender (Greenock) bt Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) at 24th.
Final
Henderson bt Brabender at 20th.
STRATHTYRUM SALVER
Semi-finals
Heather Kitson (Cranleigh) (19) bt Jane Reeves (Seascale) (14) 2 holes.
Kate Sturrock (Cranleigh) (11) bt Kisty Cochrane (Cranleigh) (18) 2 and 1.
Final
Kitson bt Sturrock 2 holes.

British Girls Championship
SWEDE WINS BRITISH GIRLS' TITLE
Sweden's Anna Nordqvist won the British girls' open amateur golf championship at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey yesterday (Friday). She beat the defending champion Azahara Munoz (Spain) by 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final.
In the semi-finals, Munoz had beaten Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) by 4 and 3 while Nordqvist won by 4 and 2 over Alessandra De Luigi (Italy).
Collated results
BRITISH GIRLS' OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - West Hill GC, Surrey
Semi-finals - A Nordqvist (Swe) bt A De Luigi (Ita) 4 and 2, A Munoz (Spa) bt F
Parker (Royal Birkdale) 4 and 3. Final (18 holes) - Nordqvist bt Munoz 2 and 1.

ELGA Press Release
Naomi Edwards wins English Mid-Amateur Championship
Yorkshire’s Naomi Edwards won a marathon 22-hole final to become the English Ladies’ Mid-Amateur Champion at Huddersfield.
The 22-year-old from Ganton sank a twisting 12-footer for a birdie on the fourth extra hole to defeat the challenge of Julie Ross (Whitley Bay).
“This means such a lot,” said Naomi, whose victory was watched by a host of spectators from her home county.
This is her first national title and she won it with a mixture of patience, determination and strong nerves
The match was closely contested throughout. Naomi took a slender one-hole advantage at the long 5th and the two players halved the next nine holes before Julie managed to square matters on the short 13th.
Over the next few holes the lead swung to and fro: Julie was one-up after the long 14th, where she hit the green in two shots; Naomi won the 15th and 16th to go one ahead; Julie won the 17th and the match was all square once again.
They halved the 18th, in a torrential downpour and then moved into extra time, with both players parring the first three holes. Naomi tested her nerves on the 21st, where she rolled her first putt 5ft past the hole, but she sank the return.
She finally broke the deadlock on the 21st where her 12-footer put her on familiar territory. “I had that putt first time round,” she said afterwards. “It was a twisty onje with a double break.” Julie had a five-footer to keep the match alive but the ball slid past the hole.
Already this year Naomi has won the St Rule Trophy in Scotland and was runner-up in the St Andrews Links Trust U21 Championship.

ELGA Press Release
Kelly Tidy wins English Girls U13 Championship and Hannah Barwood wins U15 Championship.
Manchester’s Kelly Tidy successfully defended her title as the English Girls’ U13 Champion with a runaway win at Henbury.
The 13-year-old finished 18 shots clear of the field and is now looking forward to contesting the U15 championship next year.
All four of Kelly’s rounds were in the 70s – 76, 77, 73, 79 – and she said: “It’s been a good week, good weather, a lovely course and we’ve had some great golf from the girls.”
The runner-up was Helen Searle (West End) who had scores of 78, 84, 80, 81.
Among the highlights of the last day’s play was a final hole eagle three from 13-year-old Jessica Bradley (Portmore). It was only her second eagle of her golfing career.
Gloucestershire’s Hannah Barwood shot a finale round 74 to win the English girls’ U15 championship by 6 shots.
The girl international from Knowle was 4 over par for the 72-hole event, scoring 74, 72, 72, 74.
Local supporters turned out in force to watch Hannah’s final round and she rewarded them with steady play. She was out in two-over 38, having dropped shots on the second and fourth, but played the back 9 in level par.
Runner up was Hannah Lovelock (Hindhead ) who scored 72, 70, 78, 78.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Junior Girls Open Day (from organiser Maggie McGee)
Carys McGee age 16 of the home club wins the Claret Jug at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Junior Girls Open Day on Thursday 11th August, 2005 with a nett 72.
Played over the Barassie Links c.s.s. went down one to 75 which shows the good scoring on the day.
27 girls with handicaps of 36 or better took part and 33 pre handicap girls
Scratch was won by Kerri Differ of Dullator with an 82.
Silver
1st Hannah Gaunt Troon Bentinck 75 bih
2nd Lauren Mackin Ranfurly Castle 75
Best Barassie Silver Girl Lynsey Weadon 76
Bronze Home
1st KAthryn Rae 79bih
2nd Emma Duncan 79
Bronze Away
1st Alex Sargent Skelmorlie 81
2nd Jill Gray west Kilbride 86
3rd Kirsty McConnell 88
Pre Handicap
age 8 Connie Jaffray 9 holes Barassie Hillhouse Course 45 !!
It was great fun and good to see so many girls really enjoying their golf
Hope to see you all again next year

British Mens Mid Amateur
Four Scots have made it through to the last 16 of the British mid-amateur golf championship at Muirfield.
They are Sandy Twynholm, the 40-year-old leading qualifier from Morpeth, Craig Elliot (Carrickvale), Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) and Bryan Innes (Murcar).
Keith Nicholson from Haddington, winner of the Lothians champion of champions' tournament last week, might well have joined them with a bit of luck. He led several times in a ding-dong battle with the title-holder, Daniel Perrett from
Clevedon, Somerset.
Keith had a birdie chance on the 18th green to win the match but missed and eventually lost to a birdie 3 by Perrett onthe 21st green in early evening.
Twynholm looked to have matters well in hand when he was three up after 10 holes, but he lost to the 11th to a 20ft birdie by Moultrie, the 12th when he three-putted and the short 16th where he missed the green.
Sandy had to hole a 12-footer for a half at the 17th and then, in his own words, hit two of his best shots of the day on to the heart of the last green.
Although Twynholm did not hole the birdie putt, he did not have to ... Moultrie three-putted from the front edge to go bow out with a bogey.
Craig Elliot, Scottish mid-amateur champion in 2002, overpowed Duncan Martin from Alyth by 6 and 5 after moving from one up after five to five up after 10 holes. Elliot now plays defending champion Perret for a place in the
quarter-finals.
Armstrong beat Steve Wheeler (Bon Accord) by 2 and 1 with the Aberdonian letting his man get away from him on the outward half. Armstrong was three up at the turn.
Bryan Innes beat Chris Brauner (US) by 2 and 1 after losing a narrow lead on the outward half but winning the 11th and 12th to get back in the driving seat with a two-hole lead. The American hung on grimly, won back and hole and made Innes go to the 17th before admitting defeat.
In all the last 16 are made up of seven Englishmen, four Scots, three Americans and two Frenchmen.
Tournament specialist John Kemp, for once, failed to make it to the weekend action in this championship.
Kemp, four times a finalist and three times the title-winner since 1999, John was beaten 3 and 2 by John O'Gaunt clubmate Mark Wharton in the second round.
Wharton went on to reach the last 16.
Another man with a formidable mid-amateur tournament record, at home and abroad, Roger Roper from Leeds, had a tiger by the tail when he met the English mid-amateur title-holder Steve Sansome from Leicester. Sansome, making his debut in this championship, won by 8 and 7 with an eagle at the ninth and birdies at the first, second and fifth.
Earlier in the day Laurie Phillips (Cruden Bay) was only one over par when losing to Sansome at the 20th.

ILGU Press Release
Results for final day, Friday 12th August
Leinster retain title on a countback of matches over Munster
Leinster –v- Munster
Foursomes (Leinster names first)
Martina Gillen & Tara Delaney beat Tricia Mangan & Catherine Tucker 4/3
Maura Morrin & Deirdre Smith halved with Heather Nolan & Gillian O’Leary
Sinead Keane & Maria Dunne lost to Claire Coughlan & Pamela Murphy by 1 hole
Singles
Martina Gillen lost to Tricia Mangan 2/1
Tara Delaney halved with Claire Coughlan
Maria Dunne lost to Heather Nolan 2up
Maura Morrin beat Marian Riordan 3/2
Deirdre Smith beat Pamela Murphy 5/4
Sinead Keane beat Mary Sheehy 2/1
Mary Dowling lost to Gillian O’Leary 2/1
Karen Delaney halved with Catherine Tucker
Ulster –v- Connacht
Foursomes (Ulster names first)
Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg beat Sinead O’Sullivan & Darragh McGowan 3/2
Nikki Taggart & Shauna McVeigh beat Anne McCormack & Laura Holmes 4/3
Gemma Hegarty & Nikki Moore lost to Niamh Kitching & Deirdre Walsh 4/3
Singles
Gemma Hegary beat Sinead O’Sullivan 5/3
Nikki Moore halved with Darragh McGowan
Helen Jones beat Sarah Gallagher 5/4
Naoimh Quigg beat Ann Geoghegan 2/1
Nikki Taggart lost to Deirdre Walsh 2/1
Shauna McVeigh beat Laura Holmes 2/1
Victoria Bradshaw halved with Anne McCormack
Maura Diamond beat Niamh Kitching 3/1
Ladies Home International Team announced to play Matches in Dundalk Golf Club, 14th – 16 September 2005
Claire Coughlan (Cork)
Tara Delaney (Carlow)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown)
Tricia Mangan (Ennis)
Maura Morrin (The Curragh)
Heather Nolan (Shannon)
Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)
Captain – Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange)
Manager – Lillian Starrett (Cairndhu)
Reserves:
Catherine Tucker (Limerick)
Marian Riordan (Tipperary)
Sinead O’Sullivan (Galway)
Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies)
 

HELEN FAULDS REACHES LAST FOUR OF STRATHTYRUM TROPHY
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) scored a good win over former title-holder Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and went on to reach this morning's semi-finals of the Strathtyrum Trophy women's open tournament over the Eden Course, St Andrews.
Also through to the last four are leading qualifier, Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir), the current Scottish universities champion and a past Angus women's county title-winner, Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) and former "Strathtyrum" winner, Lynda Brabender (Greenock).
Results:
STRATHTYRUM TROPHY
Second round
Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) bt Elixabeth Burns (Penwortham) 4 and 3.
Claire Provan (Baberton) bt Valerie Fielder (Cranleigh) at 20th.
Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) bt Becky Copland (Scotscraig) 6 and 4.
Joyce Hamlin (Kingwood) bt Valerie Kirkwood (Furness) 5 and 4.
Lynda Brabender (Greenock) bt Jane Bainbridge (Arcot Hall) 4 and 2.
Lynette Hebden (Pryors Hayes) bt Bernadette Lawlor (Woodbrook) at 20th.
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) bt Pamela Williamson (Baberton) 2 holes.
Alyson Wood (Furness) bt Amanda Shorrock (Pryors Hayes) 4 and 2.
Quarter-finals
Ramsay bt Provan 7 and 6
Henderson bt Hamlin 5 and 4.
Brabender bt Hebden 8 and 7.
Faulds bt Wood 3 and 2.
STRATHTYRUM SALVER
First round
Kema Genda (Royal Winchesteer) (18) bt Terrill Parkin (Furness) (15) 4 and 3.
Heather Hitson (Cranleigh) (19) bt Sandra Moore (Furness) (17) 3 and 2.
Jane Reeves (Seascale) (14) bt Carole Gratkowski (Kingwood) (24) 3 and 2.
Janis Slater (Worksop) (17) bt Sue Goodair (Bramley) (21) 2 and 1.
Katie Sturrock (Cranleigh) (11) bt Gaynor Leeds (Peel) (19) 2 holes.
Louise Kershaw (Antrobus) (20) bt Denise Cutler (Hessle) (16) 3 and 2.
Kirsty Cochrane (Cranleigh) (18) bt Elizaberth Surtess (Appleby) (18) 6 and 4.
Jennifer Saunders (Kenilworth) 19) bt Pat Henderson (Carlisle) (17) 2 and 1.
Quarter-finals
Kitson bt Genda 2 and 1.
Reeves bt Slater 4 and 3.
Sturrock bt Kershaw 5 and 4.
Cochreane bt Saunders 3 and 2.

JENNA CLOSES GAP ON CLARE AT TOP OF PAULL AND WILLIAMSONS RANKINGS
Jenna Wilson's two sub-70 rounds in winning last weekend's Mary McCallay Trophy tournament by 11 shots has boosted her hopes of catching long-time leader Clare Queen (Drumpellier) in the Paull and Williamsons women's golf rankings.
Clare had an average of 1.6 strokes less than the CSS through 10 rounds in tournaments designated by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.
Miss Queen, who defends her British women's open amateur stroke-play crown at Nairn next week, was clear at the top of the rankings until Jenna, a member of Strathaven Golf Club,  improved her stroke average to 1.3 strokes less than CSS, thanks to her two brilliant rounds at Dumfries & Galloway last Sunday.
Third best in the table is Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) who has averaged the CSS mark in 10 events.
In the Paull and Williamsons' girls' rankings, 13-year-old Carly Booth (Auchterarder)leads with a stroke average of 1.6 over the CSS in five events. She leads from Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) who has an average of two strokes over CSS in eight events.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) is meantime in third place with an average of 2.5 strokes over CSS through eight competitions.
PAULL & WILLIAMSONS RANKINGS
WOMEN
1 C Queen (Drumpellier), 2 J Wilson (Strathaven), 3 A Laing (Vale of Leven), 4 M Pow (Selkirk), 5 K Caithness (St Regulus), 6 L Kenney (Pitreavie), 7 C Hargan (Mortonhall), 8 F Lockhart), 9 G Webster (Hilton Park), 10 C Booth (Auchterarder), 11 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), 12 K Brotherton (Tulliallan), 13 K Walker (Stirling Univ), 14 H MacRae (Dunblane New), 15 L Murray (Alford), 16 S Bishop (Windyhill), 13 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), 18 D Jackson (Cochrane Castle), 19 R Niven (Crieff), 20 J Carthew (Ladybank).
GIRLS
1 C Booth (Auchterarder), 2 K Caithness (St Regulus), 3 R Niven (Crieff), 4 R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), 5 L Murray (Alford), 6 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), 7 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), 8 M Briggs (Kilmacolm), 9 S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), 10 R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), 11 A Edwards (Liberton), 12 J Turner (Mortonhall), 13 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 14 A Ingram (Fort William), 15 R Wilson (Monifieth), 16 K McNicholl (Carnoustie), 17 A Wilton (Ladybank), 18 E Fairnie (Peebles), 19 F Blair (Monifieth), 20 N Green (Nairn).

Draw for Scottish Ladies Foursomes
Dumfries and County Golf Club, Sunday 21 August 2005
9.20 13.50 Margaret McGregor & Marion Mather (Dumfries & County), Anne Fergusson & Jennifer McGahan (Douglas Park)
9.30 14.00 Mandy Bell & Jill McLean (Liberton), Jean Brydson & Margaret Shamash (Southerness)
9.40 14.10 Fiona Hunter & Karen Marshall (Baberton), Ruth Rankin & Elaine Cuthill (Lanark)
9.50 14.20 Laura McLardy & Donna Pocock (Murcar), Sara Bishop & Carol Whyte (Windyhill)
10.00 14.30 Claire Hargan & Belinda Murphy Mortonhall, Alison Davidson & Elaine Allison Stirling
10.10 14.50 Heather MacRae & Sally Kettlewell (Dunblane New), Elaine Moffat & Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus)
10.20 15.00 Sally Watson & Rebecca Watson (Murrayfield), Fiona De Vries & Pamela Williamson (St Rule)
10.30 15.10 Jennifer Mack & Jennifer Graham (Haggs Castle), Pamela Kirk & Wendy Murray (Powfoot)
10.40 15.20 Kate Rorke & Rita Dee (Kingsknowe), Jane Finnie & Roslyn Kennedy (Ladies Golf Club Troon)
That's it!
We have more entries in our club foursomes!

Draw for first strokeplay round of the Sccottish Senior Ladies' Championship (over 50)
Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club 30 August - 2 September 2005
8.00 Pat Wilson Murcar 7,Sheila Travers Alloa 7, Anne Brownie Lothianburn 6
8.08 Elizabeth Miskimmin Dunblane New 8,Isobel McIntosh Inverness 7, Shelagh Quinn Stirling 6
8.16 Eleanor Fisken Nairn 8, Maureen Neilson Greenock 7, Nancy Duncan Brechin 8
8.24 Pam Gordon Inverness 8, Isobel Harvey St Rule 6, Elizabeth Simpson Murrayfield 7
8.32 Judy Slater Aboyne 8, Ann Moffat St Regulus 7, Evelyn Cruickshank Cruden Bay 7
8.40 Margaret MacNaughtan Aberdeen Ladies 7, Rita Dee Kingsknowe 8, Joyce Flannigan St Regulus 7
8.48 Norma Smith Downfield 8, Karen Ballantyne Craigmillar Park 6, Rosaleen Dunsmuir Cruden Bay 6
9.04 Winifred Ross Elgin 5, Frances Neish Murcar 5, Emma Wilson Elie & Earlsferry Ladies 5
9.12 Fiona de Vries St Rule 3, Lynne Terry Cruden Bay 5, Anna Telfer Milngavie 5
9.20 Louise Clark Nairn 5, Lorna Bennett Ladybank 2, Ruth Brown Lothianburn 5
9.28 Christine McAndrew Nairn Dunbar 3, Elizabeth Campbell Torwoodlee 4, Moira Thomson North Berwick 3
9.36 Patricia Hutton Lanark 5, Kathleen Sutherland Royal Montrose 2, Rose Anderson Huntly 5
9.44 Helen Faulds Douglas Park 5, Ann Smart Banchory 5, Janice Gardner Drumpellier 5
9.52 Noreen Fenton Merchants of Edinburgh 3, Jennifer Mack Haggs Castle 5, Pamela Williamson Baberton 3
10.08 Morag Clapperton Banchory 10, Doris Dunn Dunblane New 11, Carol Fell Ranfurly Castle 10
10.16 Janice Cumming Inverness 9, Sally Coster Hilton Park 9, Agnes Freeman Ladies Panmure Barry 9
10.24 Audrey Henderson Lenzie 9, Marjory Clark Banchory 11, Stella Hodge Aberdeen Ladies 9
10.32 Diane Gray Lanark 11, Lorna Lloyd-Baker Grantown-on-Spey 9, Lana MacDonald Hilton Park 11
10.40 Jennie French Alyth 9, Patricia McGunnigle Banchory 9, Sheila Reid Aberdeen Ladies 9
10.48 Elizabeth Rose Aboyne 11, Helen Edon Banchory 11, Margaret Joss Alford 9
10.56 Beth Duncan Banchory 12, Seonaid Vickerman Grantown-on-Spey 14, Eliz Munro Moray 12
11.12 Pam Nicoll Banchory 13, Midge Miller Aberdeen Ladies 13, Anne Paton Douglas Park 14
11.20 Pamela Twinn Aberdeen Ladies 13, Minty Duncan Nairn 12 Pat Morrison Muir of Ord 12
11.28 Betsy Potter Elie & Earlsferry Ladies 14, Eveline Hutton Muir of Ord 14 Margaret Chalmers Downfield 14
11.36 Liz Fertacz Dunkeld & Birnam 14, Margaret Mowat Ladies Golf Club Troon 13, Hazel Kelly Ladies Panmure Barry 14
11.44 Fiona Roger Ranfurly Castle 13,Morag McCallum West Kilbride` 14, Marion Donald Aberdeen Ladies 13
11.52 Gwynneth Haines St Regulus 16, Wendy Davidson Deeside 20, Pamela Moscati Royal Dornoch 16
12.00 Elizabeth Webster Aberdeen Ladies 15, Sheena MacLennan Nairn Dunbar 15, Hazel Littler Grantown-on-Spey 16
12.16 Ella Walker Ladies Golf Club Troon 18, Kay Jarvie Auchterarder 16, Alison Miller Nairn 15
12.24 Marlyn Sharp Grantown-on-Spey 15, Elizabeth Thomson Aberdeen Ladies 15, Helen MacGregor Hilton Park 15
12.32 Joy Robertson Lundin Links 15, Anne Hood Dunblane New 18, Dorothy Benzies Auchterarder 16
12.40 Catherine Robertson Dunkeld & Birnam 18, Pat Nile Banchory 19, Elspeth Barrack Aberdeen Ladies 17
12.48 Anne Stalker Aberdeen Ladies 15, Linda Fraser Inverness 17, Mairi Orr Tain 15
12.56 Janice Grant Kingussie 15, Maureen Ritchie Muir of Ord 16, Stella Bain Aberdeen Ladies 15

Thursday 11th August 2005

British Girls Championship
KRYSTLE'S BRITISH RUN ENDS IN QUARTER-FINALS
Krystle Caithness's great run in the British girls' open amateur golf championship ended in the quarter-finals at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey yesterday (THU).
The 16-year-old from Cellardyke, Fife, who qualified in 37th place for the match-play stages, was beaten 5 and 4 by the No 4 seed, Anna Nordqvist (Sweden).
Krystle went three down in the early stages by losing the third, fourth and fifth. She did win back the sixth but that was the Scot's last success of the tie. Anna went three up again at the ninth, four up at the 10th and after three gritty halves by Miss Caithness, the Swede wrapped up her place in the last four by winning the 14th for the match.
Earlier in the day, Krystle followed up her second-round win over English women's champion Felicity Johnson (Harborne) by beating Spain's Beatriz Recari who lost in the final of the British girls championship two years ago.
In the semi-finals, Nordqvist will play Alessandra De Luigi (Italy), conqueror of Jodi Ewart (Catterick) by 3 and 2, while professional's daughter Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) will meet Azahara Munoz (Spain), who won the title at Lanark 12 months ago.
Thursday results
BRITISH GIRLS' OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
West Hill GC, Surrey
Third round - A De Luigi (Ita) bt I Boineau (Fra) 3 and 2, J Ewart (Catterick) bt L Willems (Bel) 3 and 2, K Caithness (St Regulus) bt B Recari (Spa) 4 and 3, A Nordqvist (Swe) bt C Goldner (Ger) 2 holes, A Munoz (Spa) bt E Westrup (Swe) 4 and 3, C Masson (Ger) bt D Becker (Ger) 3 and 2, V Derrey (Fra) bt M Silva (Spa) 5 and 4, F Parker (Royal Birkdale) bt S Cologan (Spa) 2 holes.
Quarter-finals - De Luigi bt Ewart 3 and 2, Nordqvist bt Caithness 5 and 4, Munoz bt Masson 3 and 1, Parker bt Derrey 1 hole.

ANGLO SCOT SANDY TAMES THE MUIRFIELD MONSTER
Anglo-Scot Sandy Twynholm from Morpeth seized the opportunity of benign conditions to tame the so-called "Muirfield Monster" and shoot to the top of the qualifying leaderboard in the British mid-amateur golf championship today (THU).
Twynholm, with the help of a red-hot putter, got it to five-under-par with three to play in his second round but the links bit back and he bogeyed the 17th before finishing in 67 - the lowest round of the tournament - to be the No 1 seed in the match-play draw on three-under-par 139.
Sandy, 40 years old, reached the semi-finals of the Scottish amateur championship at Southerness the week before last and he has continued in the same vein of form this week, starting with a respectable 72 on Wednesday.
"I holed an awful lot of good putts out there," said the bespectacled Sandy who works for Newcastle City Council and was beaten by Gary Wolstenholme in the final of this championship at Ganton in 1998.
"There was no wind at all, so if Muirfield could ever be defenceless, this was the day but you still have to stay out of the long grass, you still have to avoid the bunkers and the greens are getting very fast and tricky, although they were just right for me today."
Twynholm birdied the third and fifth from 25 and six feet. Then he eagled the 508yd ninth with two three-woods and a 20ft putt to be out in three-under 36, having bogeyed the fourth with three putts from 12ft.
The Morpeth man holed from 25ft for a birdie at the 12th and from 35ft for another 3 at the 14th. He managed to save par by holing from 12ft after being bunkered at the short 16th ... but he could not escape again when he landed in the fairway bunkers at the 17th and the hole cost him a bogey 6.
It was a Scotland 1-2-3 at the head of the 64 qualifiers with totals of 152 or better.
After Twynholm, came Murcar's Bryan Innes with a 71 for 140, followed by the
other overnight joint leader Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) who had a 73 for 142.
Only the leading 64 players at the end of the second round qualified for the match-play stages. Prior to Sandy's tea-time finish, a left-handed American, Trey Owen from Austin, Texas, and a South African from Johannesburg, Graeme Watson, who is certain his ancestors came from Scotland, shared the clubhouse lead for a long time of 143.
"Muirfield inspires me," said 33-year-old Owen after he had matched the par of 71, with halves of 36 and 35, for 143.
"I've been coming to this championship since 2001, and have made it through to the match-play twice but never got past the first round. I feel it's going to be different this year. This is a great, great Scottish links that you love even when you're not playing well.
"The very first hole I played in the first round cost me a double-bogey 6 but instead of making me feel down, it just made me all the more determined to hang on in there."
Watson, 38, shot a 69 (35-34) on the windless day, and said he owed it all to his putter.
"I have to say I putted exceptionally well. I've never been to Scotland before but I made up my mind to come over here after I won the South African mid-amateur title last year. It's four rounds of stroke-play but I quite fancy the prospect of competing in match-play in this championship," said Graeme who birdied the second, fifth, 12th and 16th but dropped shots in bunkers at the third and 11th.
Scots who were certain to qualify include Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), quarter-finalist in both the British amateur and Scottish amateur championships this year, and Allyn Dick (Shotts), winner of the Scottish mid-amateur title at Dunfermline earlier this summer.
Both shot second-round 75s for 147.

BRITISH MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Muirfield
QUALIFIERS (Par 71)
139 S Twynholm (Morpeth) 72 67.
140 B Innes (Murcar) 69 71.
142 S Armstrong (Turnhouse) 69 73.
143 T Owen (US) 72 71, G Watson (SAf) 74 69.
144 J Davis (US) 74 70, R Caldwell (Sunningdale) 72 72.
146 S Sansome (Birstall) 71 71.
147 M Hunt (Pleasington) 74 73, B Fotheringham (Forres) 72 75, A Dick (Shotts) 72 75, U Schulte (Ger) 76 71, D Reiland (US) 70 77, D Cook (Parkstone) 74 73, K Reilly (Silverknowes) 74 73.
148 J Poletiek (US) 73 75, J Kemp (John O'Gaunt) 75 73, B Norton (US) 70 78, C Elliot (Carrickvale) 72 76, M Thompson (US) 73 75, R Roper (Wike Ridge) 72 76, S Priest (Hallowes) 75 73, R Elliott (US) 74 74, W Waddell (US) 73 75, N Bell (Carlisle) 76 72, K Marsh (US) 72 76, S Coumbe (Pontefract) 73 75, E Moir (Hamilton) 76 72.
149 L Poncelet Fra) 73 76, M Gaynor (US) 73 76, S Wheeler (Bon Accord) 76 73, P Moultrie (Troon Portland) 76 73, T Burley (Henbury) 76 73, A Minnikin (Gosforth) 76 73, C Brauner (US) 75 74, B Edmond (Bon Accord) 75 74, K Smyth (Windyhill) 74 75.
150 K Nicholson (Haddington) 76 74, W Nicolson (Coventry) 76 74, T Mathieson (Murcar) 77 73, G Sharp (Southerness) 78 72, M Wharton (John O'Gaunt) 75 75, R Bardsley (Denton) 74 76, M Cryer (Coventry) 75 75, M Sughrue (US) 75 75, H Hamilton (Seaton Carew) 74 76, R Aisbitt (Brancepeth Castle) 76 74, G Havro (US) 79 71.
151 S Stilwell (Sunningdale) 75 76, D Perrett (Clevedon) 74 77, J-J Wolfe (Fra) 74 77, P Valmary (Fra) 73 78, R Hayhoe (Ponteland) 77 74, F Illouz (Fra) 74 77, C Fort (Nelson) 78 73.
152 B Scott (Dumfries & Galloway) 73 79, G Sharp (St Andrews) 73 79, G MacDonald (Callander) 76 76, L Phillips (Cruden Bay) 81 71, L Yearn (Ely City) 78 74, D Martin (Alyth) 77 75, J Blumenfeld (US) 74 78, M Robson (Kingsknowe) 71 81, B Harris (US) 72 77.
NON-QUALIFIERS
153 R Sheats (US) 77 76, E Fiskum (US) 82 71, K Freeman (Stoke Park) 76 77, D Fennie (US) 77 76, K Miller (US) 75 78, M Gauley (US) 79 74, D Peel (Stockport) 73 80.
154 J Greenall (Elton Furze) 77 77, J Greenbaum (US) 73 81, D Green (US) 78 76, M Hand (Carlisle) 79 75, J Slonis (US) 77 77, J Allara (US) 78 76, B Young (Harrison) 74 80, M Rowley (US) 79 75, J Duncan (US) 76 78, M Cox (Royal Birkdale) 76 78, G Dixon (Largs) 77 77, S Roberts (Gullane) 74 80, J Payne (US) 79 75, R Eddins (US) 77 77.
155 R Hooper (St Andrews) 78 77, G Ott (US) 79 76, B Moore (Largs) 82 73, J Bearrie (US) 79 76, S Machin (Cowglen) 75 80, A Reith (Deeside) 84 71, S East (Moortown) 78 77.
156 D Wallace (Glenbervie) 80 76, R Smithies (Manchester) 76 80, I Crowther (Manchester) 76 80, J Longlake (Silloth on Solway) 78 78, D Miller (Duddingston) 78 78, F Syme (Musselburgh) 76 80, J Lawrence (Moor Allerton) 81 75, A Farmer (Kilmacolm) 73 83, S Crawshaw (US) 77 79, R Hodgkinson (Lindrick) 76 80, J Griffith (US) 80 76, G Robertson (Silverknowes) 75 81, M Haddock (Wheatley) 79 77.
157 R Caton (US) 77 80, G Lowson (Auchterarder) 76 81, W F Bryson (Drumpellier) 83 74, R Funk (US) 78 79, S O'Brien (Torrance House) 79 78, J Yuille (Royal Burgess) 79 78, M Lambert (Fra) 76 81.
158 N Gold (Bonnyton) 82 76, S Tarplett (Hillsborough) 80 78, G Peterson (US) 85 73, T Skinner (Can) 81 77, K Hudson (Hart Common) 80 78, R Pesati (Ita) 80 78.
159 M Briggs (Donnington Valley) 80 79, M Ridley (Consett) 80 79, J Jones (Cleveland) 77 82.
160 R Yoder (US) 77 83, T McInally (Loudoun Gowf) 78 82, T Gamso (US) 83 77, T J Brudzinski (US) 81 79, S Carruthers (Pitlochry) 78 82, S Smith (Pontefract) 81 79.
161 G Crawford (Williamwood) 83 78, A Deichler (US) 79 82.
162 S Brennan (Wheatley) 82 80, N Povall (Newport) 81 81.
163 J-C Gouvernaire (Fra) 77 86, S Buchan (Royal Aberdeen) 81 82, R Cowan (Can) 83 80, L Seligmann (US) 83 80.
164 P Carr (Sunningdale) 83 81.
165 M Ferguson (Royal Wellington) 84 81.
166 C Cupit (US) 81 85, C Paul (Whitecraigs) 85 81.
168 G Cowan (Bellingham) 90 78.
169 G Spector (US) 78 91.
170 P Williams (Hillside) 84 86.
171 M Rae (Alyth) 89 82.
174 C Dalrymple (US) 88 86.

Draw for British Mens' Mid Amateur Championship
7am Sandy Twynholom v Michael Robson.
7.09 Paul Moultrie v Barrie Edmond.
7.18 Euan Moir v Hugh Hamilton.
7.27 Nicky Bell v Robert Bardsley.
7.36 Steve Sansome v Laurie Phillips.
7.45 Roger Roger v Graham Sharp.
7.54 Ulrich Schulte v Patrick Valmary.
8.03 Mark Thompson v Terry Mathieson.

8.17 Graeme Watson v Jay Blumenfeld.
8.26 Andrew Minnikin v Laurent Poncelet.
8.35 Bryan Fotheringham v Simon Stilwell.
8.44 Randy Elliott v Stefan Priest.
8.53 Trey Owen v Stefan Priest.
9.02 Bryan Norton v Mark Gaynor.
9.11 Keith Reilly v Jean-Jacques Wolff.
9.20 Simon Coumbe v William Nicolson.

9.34 Wright Waddell v Keith Nicholson.
9.43 Michael Hunt v Daniel Perrett.
9.52 Craig Elliot v Brian Harris.
10.01 Joseph Davis v Duncan Martin.
10.10 Matthew Sughrue v Matthew Cryer.#
10.19 Allyn Dick v Russell hayhoe.
10.28 Stephen Wheeler v Kevin Smyth.
10.37 Steven Armstrong v Barry Scott.

10.51 Jay Poletiek v Richard Aisbitt.
11.0 David Cook v Francois Illouz.
11.09 Kevin Marsh v Gary Havro.
11.18 Richard Caldwell v Lee Yearn.
11.27 John Kemp v Mark Wharton.
11.36 Dennis Reiland v Craig Fort.
11.45 Thomas Burley v Chris Brauner.
11.54 Bryan Innes v Gary Sharp.

ILGU Press Release
Leinster and Munster play for the title on the final day…
 POINTS TABLE
Leinster             2
Munster            2
Ulster                0
Connacht          0
Draw for Day 3, Friday 12th August
Leinster –v- Munster
Foursomes (Leinster names first)
Martina Gillen & Tara Delaney -v- Tricia Mangan & Catherine Tucker
Maura Morrin & Deirdre Smith -v- Heather Nolan & Gillian O’Leary
Sinead Keane & Maria Dunne -v- Claire Coughlan & Pamela Murphy
Ulster –v- Connacht
Foursomes (Ulster names first)
Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg –v- Sinead O’Sullivan & Darragh McGowan
Nikki Taggart & Shauna McVeigh –v- Anne McCormack & Laura Holmes
Gemma Hegarty & Nikki Moore –v- Niamh Kitching & Deirdre Walsh
Results for Day 2, Thursday 11th August
Leinster 7 – 4 Connacht
Foursomes (Leinster names first)
Maria Dunne & Sinead Keane beat Sinead O’Sullivan & Darragh McGowan 2up
Deirdre Smith & Maura Morrin beat Niamh Kitching & Deirdre Walsh 2/1
Tara Delaney & Martina Gillen beat Ann Geoghegan & Sarah Gallagher 6/5
Singles
Martine Gillen halved with Sinead O’Sullivan
Maura Morrin halved with Darragh McGowan
Tara Delaney beat Sarah Gallagher 5/3
Maria Dunne lost to Ann Geoghegan by 1 hole
Karen Delaney beat Deirdre Walsh 2/1
Mary Dowling lost to Laura Holmes 5/4
Sinead Keane beat Anne McCormack 2up
Deirdre Smith lost to Niamh Kitching 3/2
Munster 8 - 3 Ulster
Foursomes (Munster names first)
Tricia Mangan & Catherine Tucker beat Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg 4/3
Heather Nolan & Gillian O’Leary beat Shauna McVeigh & Nikki Taggart 4/2
Claire Coughlan & Marian Riordan lost to Gemma Hegarty & Nikki Moore 5/4
Singles
Tricia Mangan beat Gemma Hegarty 3/2
Claire Coughlan beat Nikki Moore 3/2
Heather Nolan beat Maura Diamond 4/3
Pamela Murphy lost to Victoria Bradshaw by 1 hole
Mary Sheehy lost to Naoimh Quigg by 1 hole
Marian Riordan beat Helen Jones 6/5
Gillian O’Leary beat Shauna McVeigh 5/3
Catherine Tucker beat Nikki Taggart 5/4

ELGA Press Release
Hannah Barwood and Kelly Tidy lead qualifiers
Gloucestershire’s Hannah Barwood and Lancashire’s Kelly Tidy are the top qualifiers in the English Girls’ U15 and U13 Championships at Henbury Golf Club.
Hannah (Knowle) moved into the lead in the U15 event with a level par 72 in the third round of the competition. It gives her an aggregate score of 218, two over par, and a two stroke lead over Hannah Lovelock (Hindhead).
“It’s been a steady week and I am looking forward to the final round,” said Hannah, who made an impressive debut in last week’s Girls International Matches, helping England retain the Stroyan Cup.
Hannah Lovelock, who was the 36-hole leader, slipped back with a 78, which included a triple bogey seven on the 10th hole. “It’s all to play for tomorrow,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kelly Tidy (Manchester) continued her superb defence of the U13 title with a third round score of 73, one over par. The 13-year-old is now 16 shots clear of her closest challenger.
“I’ve been getting used to the course and generally getting more confident,” said Kelly, who had three birdies in the last four holes of her round, including one of the 18th.
The leading 30 players and ties in the U15 event and the leading 12 players and ties in the U13 play the fourth and final round of the championships.

ELGA Press Release
Naomi Edwards and Julie Ross in Mid-Amateur final
Yorkshire’s Naomi Edwards and Northumberland’s Julie Ross will meet in the final of the English Ladies’ Mid-Amateur Championship at Huddersfield.
Naomi (Ganton) won her place after an intensely close tussle with top seed Laura Eastwood (Yelverton) which ended only on the 19th.
The golf was excellent throughout, with both players producing a host of magical shots. Naomi, for example, hit a superb five-iron into the 160-yard 11th and an equally impressive four iron into the long 12th, to set up consecutive birdies and take a one-up lead.
Laura, the English Strokeplay Champion, pulled her back with a fabulous five wood which travelled almost 250 yards into the heart of the long 14th . Her short game was just as good. A delicate pitch from behind the 15th green salvaged a half and another sweet shot on the short 17th helped put her one-up with one to play.
But on the 18th Laura hit what she later described as her only bad shot of the week. She pulled her drive into deep rough and although she managed a good shot out, her third found sand. Naomi, meanwhile, was on the edge of the green in two after a fine five wood from fluffy rough – and the match went into extra time.
Naomi hit the green in two on the par five 1st, but Laura again found sand with her approach. Her bunker shot hit the pin but she could not match her opponent’s birdie.
“I didn’t think I’d lost after the 17th – you must never think that, you’ve got to be positive - but I did think I’d made it harder for myself!” said Naomi, who won the St Rule Trophy earlier this year.
Meanwhile Julie Ross (Whitley Bay) got past the semi-final stage for the first time in four attempts when she beat Karen Heywood (Crompton & Royton) 3/2. She was in the semis of this event in last season and reached the same stage in the Close championship last year and this.
“I am over the moon to get to the final, it’s such a relief,” she said afterwards. “Now I want to keep on as I have been playing, hitting the fairways and holing a few putts. The person who wins will be the one who gets it in the hole!”
Karen took an early lead in the match and was two up after four. Julie squared matters after six and soon took a one-hole advantage which she held most of the way before making sure of the win with a birdie on the 15th and a par on the 16th.
“The difference was the putting. I holed a couple of putts at crucial times to win holes,” said Julie. “Karen also holed some good putts but they were usually for the half.”

British Girls Championship
Krystle Thorugh to Quarter Finals
Scottish Under 16 Champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) triumphed against the 2003 runner up Beatriz Recari (Spain) beating her 5&4 at West Hill Golf Club this morning.
She now plays Sweden's Anna Nordqvist in the quarter finals.
Jodi Ewart and Florentyna Parker are also flying the flag for GB&I.
See LGU website for on-line scoring

Strathtyrum Tournament, St Andrews
Title-holder Daria Anismova from Moscow, the No 5 qualifier for the match-play stages, was surprisingly beaten in the first round of the Strathtyrum Trophy women's open tournament over the Eden Course, St Andrews yesterday.
Daria, 21, was beaten 3 and 1 by Valerie Kirkwood (Furness).
Karen Marshall (Baberton) also went out early, beaten 3 and 2 by Scotland senior and veterans' international team player, Helen Faulds (Douglas Park).
But other former champions who progressed included Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and Lynda Brabender (Greenock).
Top seed Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir), the Scottish universities champion, had a 6 and 4 win over Stephanie Liddell (Carlisle)
First round results:
Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) bt Stephanie Liddell (Carlisle) 6 and 4.
Elizabeth Burns (Penwortham) bt Sandra Atkinson (Woodbrook) 1 hole.
Claire Provan (Baberton) bt Dee Lewis (King Edwarde Bay) at 19th.
Valerie Fielder (Cranleigh) bt Michle Frain (Tewkesbury Park) 5 and 4.
Becky Copland (Scotscraig) bt Jan Sheargold (Shifnal) 8 and 6.
Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) bt Christina Skelly (Peel) 5 and 4.
Valerie Kirkwood (Furness) bt Daria Anisimova (Moscow City) 3 and 1.
Joyce Hamlin (Kingwood) bt Penny Spokes (Cranleigh) 2 holes.
Lynda Brabender (Greenock) bt Dawn Pearson (West Rhine) 7 and 6.
Jane Bainbridge (Arcot Hall) bt Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie) 4 and 2.
Bernadette Lawlor (Woodbrook) bt Julie Anstee (Ferndown) 2 and 1.
Lytnette Hebden (Pryors Hayes) bt Diana Payne (Oakmere Park) at 19th.
Pamela Williamson (Baberton) bt Patricia Vickers (St Annnes Old Links) 5 and 4.
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) bt Karen Marshall (Baberton) 3 and 2.
Amanda Shorrock (Pryors Hayes) bt Rosemary Carter-Walstock (Royal Mid Surrey) 5 and 4.
Alson Wood (Furness) bt Jane Graham (Moor Park) 6 and 4.

Grey Goose Gateway Tour
INGLIS HAUNTED BY THE BOGEYMAN ON FLORIDA MINI-TOUR
The bogey man is still haunting the professional golf career of former Walker Cup player David Inglis from Glencorse.
This week the Florida-based Scot missed his eighth straight cut on the Grey Goose Gateway Tour in Florida. He has yet to get past the halfway stage of an event on this satellite circuit.
Inglis had a second round, 10-over-par 82 for a 36-hole tally of 13-over 156.Only the leading 60 players with scores of level par 143 or better qualified for the last two rounds in the chase for the $35,000 first prize.
In his amateur career, both in the United Kingdom and during his successful years at the University of Tulsa, Inglis was a consistently good scorer.
Somewhere along the transition to the pro ranks, David has lost the secret.
His second-round 82 at Willoughby Golf Club was typical of his form as a rookie pro. He had a double bogey 7 at the long second and a quadruple bogey 7 at the short 12th in halves of 39 and 43. David also had a quadruple bogey 7 at a short hole in his first round over the Mayacoo Meanwhile the other Edinburgh exile playing on the Grey Goose Gateway Tour, David Kirkpatrick, continues to make money. He's one of the top 10 on the circuit's cash table this season.Kirkpatrick survived the cut in this week's event, Tournament 9 in the Beach Summer Series, with scores of 71 and 68 for 139 to be four under par and sharing 19th place - six shots behind joint leaders Steven Wheatcroft and Tommy Gainey - going into the last two rounds.

Wednesday 10th August 2005

Muirfield - 8pm tonight
One of the last few threesomes playing the first qualifying round of the British Mens' Mid-Amateur Championship
Photo Courtesy Cal Carson Golf Agency

British Girls Championship
AN EXCELLENT WIN BY KRYSTLE OVER ENGLISH WOMEN'S CHAMP!
Only Scot left in the Championship
Krystle Caithness, pictured right, from Cellardyke, Fife scored one of the best wins of her young golfing career yesterday to reach the last 16 of the British girls' open amateur championship at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey.
To beat the English women's champion, teenager Felicity Johnson from Birmingham, was a five-star feat in itself.
But to hang on in there after suffering a bad nose bleed, which handicapped her throughout the third and fourth holes, and have the fighting spirit to focus on the task of beating a very talented player by one hole was a terrific performance.
Felicity was the No 5 seed in the draw. Miss Caithness was the 37th qualifier of 64 for the match-play stages.
Krystle, still only 16 years of age and a member of the St Regulus Club, St Andrews, proved the Hammer of the English on the day. In the morning, she beat the 28th qualifier, Emma Sheffield (Newark) by one hole.
Miss Caithness lost her Scottish Under-18 title at Tain in July but has won the Scottish Under-16 championship for the past two years. She finished third overall and won the Menzies Trophy for the best performance by an Under-18 player in the recent Scottish Under-21 junior women's stroke-play championship
at West Kilbride.
Krystle faces another tough nut to crack in the last 16. She now faces one of the leading Spanish players, Beatriz Recari, the No 12 seed.
Three other Scots lost in the first round of the match-play.Auctherarder's Carly Booth, the No 33 qualifier, lost by 2 and 1 to France's Isabelle Boineau, the No 32 qualifier.
BP Scottish girls' champion Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) was beaten by one hole by Sahra Hassan, the No 16 qualifier from Vale of Glamorgan.
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), the No 27 qualifier, went down by two holes to Carmen Perez Narbon (Spain), the No 38 qualifier.
Lydia Hall (Royal Porthcawl), the No 1 seed, lost to the 64th qualifier, Barbara Perera (Spain) by 5 and 4 in a first-round tie.
England's Kiran Matharu, the No 2 seed, was beaten late in the day by Susan Cologan of Spain whose Carlota Ciganda, one of the favourites for the title, lost at the 21st to Valentine Derrey, the French girl who was beaten in the championship final at Lanark last year.
Wednesday collated
BRITISH GIRLS' OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
West Hill GC, Surrey
Match-play - First round
B Perera (Spa) bt L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 5 and 2, I Boineau (Fra) bt C Booth (Auchterarder) 2 and 1, A De Luigi (Ita) bt J Maisongrosse (Fra) 5 and 4, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) bt S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) 1 hole, J Barbier (Bel) bt H Ralph (Goodwood) 3 and 1, L Willems (Bel) bt B Loucks (Wrexham) 3 and 2, C Andrade (Spa) bt P Sanz (S[pa) 5 and 4, J Ewart (Catterick) bt H Burke (Mid Herts) 3 and 1.
F Johnson (Harborne) bt G Easton (Bargoed) 8 and 6, K Caithness (St Regulus) bt E Sheffield (Newark) 1 hole, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) bt E Lowrey-Gold (Aus) 5 and 3, B Recari (Spa) bt D Karlsson (Swe) 3 and 2, M Legrand (Fra) bt P Arana (Spa) 1 hole, C Goldner (Ger) bt E Givens (Blackwell Grange) 4 and 2, V
Sternebeck (Ger) bt D Terol (Spa) 4 and 2, A Nordqvist (Swe) bt W Mueller-Seubert (Ger) 2 and 1.
E Westrup (Swe) bt I Pajares Sanz (Spa) 6 and 5, M Causin (Ita) bt L Gustafsson (Swe) 1 hole, C Frick (Swe) bt C Lorentzen (Den) 2 holes, A Munoz (Spa) bt L Krog (Nor) at 19th, C Masson (Ger) bt A Valle (Nor) 5 and 4, M Bernard (Fra) bt A Felgueroso (Spa) 3 and 1, C Perez Harbon (Spa) bt P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 2 holes, D Becker (Ger) bt O Venezia (Ita) 3 and 2;
C Ciganda (Spa) bt F Naremza (Spa) 3 and 2, V Derrey (Fra) bt P Halbig (Ger) 3and 2, M Silva (Spa) bt M Prat (Spa) 4 and 3, M Silva (Spa) bt M Prat (Spa) 4 and 3, B Buendia (Spa) bt M Reid (Chevin) 2 and 1, F Parker (Royal Birkdale) bt I Tusquets (Spa) 3 and 2, J Hodge (Knowle) bt T Mortensen (Den) 5 and 4, S Cologan (Spa) bt S James (Bristol & Clifton) 3 and 1, K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) bt H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 3 and 1.
Second round - Boineau bt Perera 4 and 3, De Luigi bt Hassan 2 and 1, Willems bt Barbier at 19th, Ewart bt Andrade 3 and 2, Caithness bt Johnson 1 hole, Recari bt McVeigh 1 hole, Goldner bt Legrand 5 and 4, Nordqv ist bt Sternebeck 5 and 4.
Westrup bt Causin 2 holes, Munoz bt Frick 5 and 4, Masson bt Bernard 3 and 2, Becker bt Perez Narbon 3 and 2, Derrey bt Ciganda at 21st, Parker bt Hodge 4 and 3, Cologan bt Matharu 2 and 1.

BRITISH MID-AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Title-holder Daniel Perrett (Cleveland) and tournament specialist John Kemp (John O'Gaunt) made satisfactory starts to the British men's mid-amateur golf championship over the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers' Muirfield links today.
In the first of two qualifying rounds, Perrett had a three-over-par 74 over the course which, at 7,034yd, is as long as it was for Ernie Els' Open championship victory in 2002. One of the later starters in a field of 144, Daniel did not have to contend with a north-westerly breeze which blew until about mid-afternoon but he was one of the players unfortunate to be drenched periodically with rain of cloudburst intensity in the early evening.
Kemp, winner of the title in 1999, 2002 and 2003 - and beaten finalist in 2000 - had a 75 which put him in joint 52nd place at the end of the day. With only the leading 64 to advance to the match-play stages after tomorrow's second card-and-pencil test, John looks in the safety zone at the moment.
Scotland has produced the winner only once in the previous 10 years of the championship - Andrew Farmer at Royal Troon in 200 - but the home country's representatives, in a way, dominated the first day's play at Muirfield with two Scots sharing the lead and seven in all in the leading 13.
Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) and Murcar's Bryan Innes were the men who had matching two-under-pars 69s.
A guide to the cut-off point for the 64 match-play qualifiers at the end of  tomorrow's second round is that there are meantime 53 players at 75 or better and a further 20 alone on 76.
You might think that for Steven Armstrong, Lothians champion last year and South-east District title-winner two years ago, it was a case of local knowledge paying off.
In fact, 32-year-old Armstrong, prior to Monday's practice round, had not played Muirfield for 15 years ... which underlines how exclusive the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers' course is.
As for Innes, capped for Scotland two years ago, he had played Muirfield only once before, the week after Els won the 2002 Open.
"I had 69 in practice so I knew I could score if I kept the ball in play but it was dead calm on Tuesday and there was a bit of a breeze today," said Armstrong who made his round with a four birdies in five holes surge around the turn.
He two-putted for a 4 at the long ninth to be out in level par 36, having three-putted the fourth from 35ft. Then Armstrong hit a six-iron approach to 6ft and holed the putt for a 3 at the 10th; wedged to 15ft to set up another birdie putt at the 11th and, at the 191yd 13th, he sank an eight-footer for a 2 after a six-iron tee shot.
Roger Roper from Leeds, who led the field with a 72 in the morning, rates the Muirfield greens as the most difficult to read he has ever encountered .. "and I've played all round the world," said the 43-year-old who collects mid-amateur golf titles as a hobby (Scottish in 2004, French in 2004 and Austrian 2002-2003-2004).
But joint leader Innes did not quite agree with the Englishman's assement. Bryan had only 25 putts in birdieing the fifth, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th in halves of 36 and 33.
"I chipped in from 30ft at the 13th so that was a bonus," said 35-year-old Bryan who has downgraded golf in his priorities over the last year or so since his wife Hazel fell ill.
Two Americans, Dennis Reiland and Brian Norton, are tucked in with 70s behind the two leading Scots overnight.
Reiland, from Irvine, Southern California where he is an acquaintance of former Turnberry director of golf Brian Gunson, surprised even himself with his score.
"I been playing so horribly lately I tried something completely different today. I shortened my backswing to see if that would help me control the ball better. You know what? It did," said the 47-year-old who was two up with two to play in the quarter-finals of this championship three years ago ... and lost to eventual champion John Kemp.
Norton, 46, is a reinstated amateur who played on the European Tour for five years in the late 1980s-early 1990s. He now works in insurance in the States and has no regrets
"When you get married and the family comes along, life as a tour pro is no good unless you are one of the very top players," said Brian. "I don't miss the life but I still like playing tournament golf as an amateur and I love coming over to Britain for events like this."
Norton was the leading qualifier in the 2003 British mid-amateur championship over the Jubilee Course at St Andrews but was knocked out in the second round.

ILGU Press Release
Ladies Interprovincial Matches
After day 1 reigning champions Leinster have the lead in the Ladies Interprovincial Matches at Royal Belfast Golf Club with a convincing win over Ulster.  With 2½ points from the morning foursomes Leinster won their first four out of eight singles matches to take victory over Ulster in great fashion.  Martina Gillen, Maura Morrin, Tara Delaney and Karen Delaney had all won their matches by the 15th hole.  This was followed by wins for Deirdre Smith who beat Shauna McVeigh 3/2 and Maria Dunne winning over Nikki Taggart 5/3.  Sinead Keane had a closely contested match with Maura Diamond before earning her point on the 18th hole.  Naoimh Quigg secured a half point for Ulster against Mary Dowling.
Munster down 2 matches to 1 after the morning foursomes came out with a charge after lunch, Irish Champion Tricia Mangan lead the way with a crushing victory over Sinead O’Sullivan followed by Heather Nolan who also had a convincing win over Deirdre Walsh.  In form Darragh McGowan earnestly tried to steady the ship for Connacht before loosing to much fancied Claire Coughlan at the 18th.  Niamh Kitching and Anne McCormack notched up points for Connacht but it came too late as the match was secured for Munster with wins by Marian Riordan, Gillian O’Leary and Catherine Tucker which secured the overall point.
Results for Day 1, Wednesday 10th August
Leinster 10 – Ulster 1
Foursomes (Leinster names first)
Martina Gillen & Tara Delaney beat Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg 1up
Maria Dunne & Sinead Keane halved with Nikki Taggart & Shauna McVeigh
Deirdre Smith & Maura Morrin beat Gemma Hegarty & Nikki Moore
Singles
Martina Gillen beat Gemma Hegarty 4/3
Maura Morrin beat Helen Jones 5/4
Tara Delaney beat Nikki Moore 6/5
Karen Delaney beat Victoria Bradshaw 4/3
Mary Dowling halved with Naoimh Quigg
Deirdre Smith beat Shauna McVeigh 3/2
Sinead Keane beat Maura Diamond 1up
Munster 7 – Connacht 4
Foursomes (Munster names first)
Tricia Mangan & Catherine Tucker beat Sinead O’Sullivan & Darragh McGowan 3/2
Heather Nolan & Gillian O’Leary lost to Niamh Kitching & Deirdre Walsh 2/1
Claire Coughlan & Mary Sheehy lost to Ann Geoghegan & Sarah Gallagher 4/3
Singles
Tricia Mangan beat Sinead O’Sullivan 7/6
Claire Coughlan beat Darragh McGowan 1up
Heather Nolan beat Deirdre Walsh 7/5
Marian Riordan beat Sarah Gallagher 3/2
Gillian O’Leary beat Laura Holmes 1up
Mary Sheehy lost to Anne McCormack 2/1
Catherine Tucker beat Ann Geoghegan 6/5
POINTS TABLE
Leinster             1
Munster            1
Ulster                0
Connacht          0
Draw for Thursday 11th August
Connacht –v- Leinster (Connacht names first)
Morning Foursomes
08:00    Sinead O’Sullivan & Darragh McGowan –v- Maria Dunne & Sinead Keane
08:10    Niamh Kitching & Deirdre Walsh –v- Deirdre Smith & Maura Morrin
08:20    Ann Geoghegan & Sarah Gallagher –v- Tara Delaney & Martina Gillen
Munster –v- Ulster (Munster names first)
Morning Foursomes
08:40    Tricia Mangan & Catherine Tucker –v- Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg
08:50    Heather Nolan & Gillian O’Leary –v- Shauna McVeigh & Nikki Taggart
09:00    Claire Coughlan & Marian Riordan –v- Gemma Hegarty & Nikki Moore

ELGA Press Release
English Ladies’ Open Mid-Amateur Championship
Laura Eastwood races into quarter finals
Top seed Laura Eastwood raced through the first two matchplay rounds in the English Ladies’ Open Mid-Amateur Championship at Huddersfield Golf Club.
The 21-year-old English Strokeplay Champion from Yelverton is on impressive form - as both her opponents learned to their cost. She defeated Jessica Pearcey (Ferndown) 6/5 and followed up with a 6/4 win over Sarah-Jane Eaves (Cosby).
“I’m happy with that,” said Laura. “I’ve done what I set out to do. It’s so far, so good.”
She was three or four under par in her first match. In her second, she barely allowed her opponent a look in, winning eight of the first nine holes.
Now, she plays former English champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) in the quarter finals. Kerry also had two convincing wins, first beating Jenny Pease (Braintree) 5/4 and then overcoming Olivia Briggs (Delamere Forest) 5/3.
Not all the competitors managed such comprehensive margins. Seven of the day’s matches went to the 19th, including the all-Yorkshire second-round clash between Naomi Edwards (Ganton) and Katie Dobson (The Oaks).
The honours eventually went to Naomi, who had earlier beaten fellow England international, Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park), in a nip-and-tuck match which was one of the highlights of the day. On the back nine the lead was continually changing hands and birdies were frequently required to win holes.
Naomi now plays Corisande Lee (West Lancashire). In the other quarter finals Julie Ross (Whitley Bay) plays Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley Hotel) while Lisa Barton (Coventry) meets Karen Heywood (Crompton & Royton).

ELGA Press Release
Hannah and Kelly tighten grip on U15 and U13 championships
Surrey’s Hannah Lovelock and Manchester’s Kelly Tidy have tightened their grip on the English Girls’ U15 and U13 Championships at Henbury, Gloucestershire.
Hannah leads the U15 tournament by four shots at the halfway stage and Kelly is nine ahead of her closest challenger in the U13 event.
Hannah (Hindhead) shot a two-under par 70 in the second round, with grandstand finish of an eagle three on the 18th. She has a 36-hole aggregate of 142.
“I holed some crucial putts,” said Hannah. “The greens are great and the course is very good, but you do need to keep the ball on the fairway.”
Her nearest rivals are England girl international Hannah Barwood (Knowle) on 146 and English schools’ champion Katie Thompson (Corhampton) and Nicola Dunn (Harrogate), who have both shot 153.
In the U13 championship, Kelly Tidy added a second round 77 to her opening 76 and also staged a clubhouse finish, chipping to 1ft to set up a closing birdie.
The 13-year-old is defending the U13 championship and has twin aims this week: to keep her title and to cut her handicap to four.
Helen Searle (West End) is currently in second place on 162 while Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) is lying third on 163.

Strathyrum Tournament, St Andrews
Scottish universities champion Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) headed the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stges of the Strathtyrum Trophy at St Andrews yesterday.
Ann had a two-round total of 158 after returning an 81 over the new Course following a 77 at the Eden on Monday.
Former tournament winner Lynda Brabender (Greenock) also totalled 158 but the tie-breaker was the first-round score and in that count-back Anne won the No 1 seed position with a 77 to Lynda's 79.
Defending champion Daria Anismova from Moscow slipped back to be the fifth qualifier after an 85 for 162.
Former Scottish seniors champion Pamela Williamson (Baberton), who has also won the Strathtyrum Trophy in the past, and young Becky Copland (Scotscraig) shared the third best total of 160, Pamela after a second-round 83 and Becky with a 76 yesterday.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
158 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 77 81, Lynda Brabender (Greenock) 79 79.
160 Pamela Williamson (Baberton) 77 83, Becky Copland (Scotscraig) 84 76.
162 Daria Anisimova (Moscow City) 77 85.
168 Amanda Shorrock (Pryors Hayes) 79 89, Bernadette Lawlor (Woodbrook) 81 87.
169 Claire Provan (Baberton) 81 88, Michael Frain (Twekesbury Park) 83 86.
171 Diana Payne (Oakmere Park) 82 89, Alyson Wood (Furness) 82 89, Joyce Hamlin
(Kingwood) 84 87.
172 Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) 87 85, Karen Marshall (Baberton) 90 82.
173 Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie) 87 86, Sandrea Atkinson (Woodbrook) 91 82

Ness Open accepting late entries
The organisers of the Ness Open, a 36 hole SLGA Order of Merit event held over Inverness Golf Club on Sunday 28th August, are accepting late entries. Pick up an entry form on the SLGA website.

ELGA Press Release
England win team prize at British Girls
England won the team prize at the British Girls’ Championship at West Hill, beating Sweden by two shots.
Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) and Melissa Reid (Chevin) returned a team total of 280 for the two strokeplay qualifying rounds.
On the individual front Kiran led the way for England with the best first round score of 68, two under par, and a second round 72. She qualified for the matchplay stages in second place, one behind Lydia Hall of Wales.
Felicity, the English champion, qualified in fifth place on 142 while Melissa, the English girls’ champion scored 144.
Jodi Ewart also shot 144, helped by a hole in one on the 4th on the first day and a one-under 69 on the second, when she was one of four players to break par.
Among the other English players safely through are Jo Hodge (Knowle) and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale).
All six players were part of the England team which won the Girls’ International Matches last week for the sixth consecutive time.

Tuesday 9th August 2005

British Girls Championship
FOUR SCOTS MAKE IT THROUGH TO BRITISH GIRLS MATCH-PLAY
Only four Scottish players figured among the 64 competitors who qualified today for the start of the match-play stages in the British girls' open amateur golf championship at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey.
Fourteen-over-par 154 was the "magic" figure. Nine players on that total had to play off for the last eight places.
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) (pictured right) on 148, Carly Booth (Auchterarder) 149, Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 150 and Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) on 152 were the Scots whose hopes of falling in the footsteps of Clare Queen (Drumpellier), winner of the title in 2001.
Pamela had a 72 and a 76, Carly a 74 and 75, Krystle a 76 and 74 while Sally was under the most pressure. Out late in the field, the 14-year-old new BP Scottish girls' match-play champion from South Queensferry knew she had to get close to her first-round 76 to have a good chance of qualifying. And she responded to the challenge by repeating the score to qualifying with a couple of shots to spare.
Sally's elder sister, Rebecca Watson and Roseanne Niven (Crieff), both on the 15-over 155 mark, took one shot too many to get in the play-off on the cut-off point.
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), another late finisher, had a pair of 80s for 160.
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) on 158, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) on 160, Laura Murray (Alford) on 161, Jane Turner (Mortonhall) on 163 and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) on 164 all failed to make it through to the match-play stages.
BRITISH GIRLS OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
West Hill Golf Club, Surrey
Leading Qualifiers (Par 71)
139 L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 70 69.
140 K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 72 69.
141 E Westrup (Swe) 72 69, A Nordqvist (Swe) 69 72.
142 F Johnson (Harborne) 72 70.
Scottish qualifiers:
148 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 72 76.
149 C Booth (Auchterarder) 74 75.
150 K Caithness (St Regulus) 76 74.
152 S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) 76 76.
Scottish non-qualifiers:
155 R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) 79 76, R Niven (Crieff) 78 77.
158 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 81 77.
160 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 81 79, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 80 80.
161 L Murray (Alford) 84 77.
163 J Turner (Mortonhall) 84 79.
164 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 81 83.

ELGA Press Release
Laura Eastwood leads qualifiers in English Mid-Amateur
Devon’s Laura Eastwood kept up her run of top form to lead the qualifiers in the English Ladies’ Open Mid-Amateur Championship at Huddersfield Golf Club.
Laura, who won the English Strokeplay Championship last month, pipped Yorkshire player Cheryl Smith (The Oaks) to the top seed’s place.
Both golfers had level par aggregate scores for the 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying, but Laura (Yelverton) took top spot thanks to her second round of three-under 70, which was the low score of the day.
It was one of only three rounds which broke par on a day when many players found the course testing and the greens particularly tricky.
Cheshire’s Caroline Marron was the first round leader with a one-under 72 – and found the perfect way to deal with the putting surfaces. She had a hole-in-one on the 160-yard 11th, where she used a four iron. It was her first in competition and compensation for being away from her club, Bromborough, where the ladies’ section are celebrating their centenary this week.
The only other player to beat par was Laura Eastwood’s playing partner Karen Heywood (Crompton & Royton), who shot an afternoon 71 and hauled herself up the leaderboard after an opening 85.
Both players felt that gaining experience on the greens made the difference. “I didn’t three putt at all this afternoon and I holed some good six-footers,” said Laura., who had three birdies on her back nine.
Karen finished off with an eagle three on the 18th, holing a 10ft putt and said: “I was really chuffed his afternoon.”
Meanwhile, Cheryl Smith was a model of consistency, with two level par rounds. She, too, found the greens testing but was delighted overall with a performance which reflects her good play this season – and has seen her handicap tumble from three to plus-one. “I couldn’t be any happier,” she said.
This event is something of a family affair for the Smiths. Cheryl’s father, Tony, was her caddy – “it was great to have dad on the bag” – and her identical twin sister, Michelle is also in the field and among the matchplay qualifiers.
Another player in the field with lots to celebrate was England international Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) – it was her 21st birthday and she was presented with champagne, cards and a cake.

ELGA Press Release
Hannah and Rachel share lead in English U15 championship
Surrey’s Hannah Lovelock and Lancashire’s Rachel Connor shot level par scores of 72 to share the first round lead in the English Girls’ U15 championship at Henbury Golf Club, Gloucestershire.
Meanwhile defending champion Kelly Tidy (Manchester) is the overnight leader in the English Girls’ U13 Championship which is also being held at Henbury. She is two shots clear of Helen Searle (West End) and Siobhan Parmenter (Chelmsford).
In the U15 event, Rachel Connor (Manchester) reached the turn in one-under par but then dropped shots on three consecutive holes. Two birdies, including one on the 18th, helped repair the damage. Now, her immediate goal is to be one of the leading qualifiers for the final round of this 72-hole tournament.
Hannah Lovelock, who is ladies champion at her club, Hindhead, had two equal halves of 36. Her round included five birdies and she impressed spectators on the short 13th where she holed a 25-ft putt, immediately after her partner had rammed home a 30-footer
Two other girls made even shorter work of the par three 13th. Both Rebecca Pike (Sene Valley) and Jessica Schiele (The Manor Laceby) aced the 145-yard hole. Rebecca went on to score and eagle three on the long 15th and finished with a 76.

Highland Vets team
L/R:  Sylvia McDonald (Royal Dornoch), Winnie Ross (Elgin), Jessie Main (Nairn Dunbar), Sheena McLennan (Nairn Dunbar), Aline Drummond (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), Jean Russell, Captain (Tain), Sheena Dunn (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), Wendy Spencer (Muir of Ord), Helen Stuart (Muir of Ord), Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar)

HIGHLAND VETERAN LADIES WIN AT CRAIBSTONE
Highland beat their hosts, Northern, in an inter-divisional Scottish Veteran Ladies Golfing Association match at Craibstone Golf Centre, Aberdeen.
The Highland Vets retained the Lyon Trophy with a 6 1/2-2 1/2 scoreline.
Details (Northern names first):
Frances Neish (Murcar) bt Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) 1 hole; Ros Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay) lost to Winnie Ross (Elgin) 2 and 1; Judy Slater (Aboyne) lost to Helen Stuart (Muir of Ord) 1 hole; Liz Webster (Aberdeen Ladies) lost to Sheena McLennan (Nairn Dunbar) 1 hole; Wendy Davidson (Deeside) lost to Wendy Spencer (Muir of Ord) 7 and 6; Valerie Kelly (Deeside) bt Sylvia McDonald (Royal Dornoch) 1 hole; Isobel Clark (Aberdeen Ladies) halved with Aline Drummond (Fortrose & Rosemarkie); Anne Meldrum (Murcar) lost to Sheena Dunn (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 2 and 1; Sadie Craig (Cruden Bay) lost to Jessie Main (Nairn Dunbar) 6 and 5.

Northern Vets Team:
L/R:  Frances Neish (Murcar), Sadie Craig (Cruden Bay), Judy Slater (Aboyne), Wendy Davidson (Deeside), Ros Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay), Edna Simpson, Captain (Aberdeen Ladies), Anne Meldrum (Murcar), Liz Webster (Aberdeen Ladies), Tony Moffat, President (Aberdeen Ladies), Isobel Clark (Aberdeen Ladies), Valerie Kelly (Deeside), Christine Brown, Vice-Captain (Edzell)

Strathtyrum Tournament, St Andrews
Two Scots – Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) – and a Russian – Daria Anisimova shared the lead on 77 – four over the CSS – at the end of the first qualifying round, over the Eden Course, in the St Andrews Links Trust’s annual women’s open Strathtyrum Tournament.
The best score over the New Course was a 92 by Jane Reeves (Seascale). The CSS there was 78, non-counting.
There has been the usual huge entry for this tournament – the envy of most organisers of women’s events. We have listed those who broke 100 over the Eden Course and those with 103 and better over the New.
SCOREBOARD
EDEN COURSE (CSS 73)
77 D Anisimova (Moscow Wity), P Williamson (Baberton), A Ramsay (Kirriemuir).
79 L Brabender (Greenock), A Shorrock (Pryors Hayes).
81 C Provan (Baberton), B Lawlor (Woodbrook).
82 A Wood (Furness), D Payne (Oakmere Park).
83 P Spokes (Cranleigh), M Frain (Tewkesbury Park).
84 B Copland (Scotscraig), J Hamlin (Kingwood), E Burns (Penwortham), J Bainbridge (Arcot Hall), L Hebden (Pryors Hayes).
85 H Faulds (Douglas Park), C Skelly (Peel), V Kirkwood (Furness), V Fielder (Cranleigh).
86 D Lewis (King Edward Bay), K Sturrock (Cranleigh).
87 E Goodwin (Glenbervie), J Graham (Moor Park), M Henderson (West Rhine), J Marshall (Baberton).
88 S Liddell (Carlisle), D Pearson (West Rhine), J Anstee (Ferndown), Janstee (Ferndown),
89 R Carter-Waistock (Royal Mid Surrey).
90 K Marshall (Baberton), S Wilson (Murcar).
91 L Wooding (Kenilworth), S Atkinson (Woodbrooke).
92 A Cousin(Appleby).
93 M Wilson(Brampton), A Grant (Carlisle).
94 J Strangeways (Prudhoe), M Keir (Carlistle).
96 M Robinson (Patshull Park).
99 M Simpson (Ulverston), G Dieter (Kingwood).
NEW COURSE (CSS 78, Non-counting)
92 J Reeves (Seascale).
94 P Vickers (St Annes Old Links.
95 K Genda (Royal Winchester).
97 G Lees (Peel), J Sheargold (Shifnal).
98 E Surtees (Appleby), S Moore (Furness).
99 J Saunders (Kenilworth), D Cutler (Hessle).
100 M Crampton (King Edward Bay), J Slater (Worksop), G Punton (Furness), P Henderson (Carlisle).
101 K Cochrane (Cranleigh), T Parkin (Furness), J Royle (Wallasey).
102 C Foran(Cranleigh).
103 P Eden (Kenilworth), J Robinson (King Edward Bay), J Walls (Kenilworth), J E French (Furness), S Goodsir (Bramley).

ILGU Press Release
Ladies Interprovincial Matches, Royal Belfast Golf Club
Wednesday 10th - Friday 12th August, 2005
Leinster look to defend their Ladies Interprovincial title when the three-day tournament starts at Royal Belfast on Wednesday, August 12th.
Recently crowned Irish Open Strokeplay Champion Tara Delaney leads a strong Leinster line up that includes a host of present and past Internationals. Leinster has dominated the championship since 1964 with a total of 26 outright victories. Munster has five titles and Ulster four. Their historic eight-in-a-row was brought to an end by Munster in 2002 but Leinster captain Denise O'Sullivan is confident that Leinster can build on last year's success. "With the Delaney sisters in top form and Martina (Gillen) playing as well as ever we'll be tough opponents again this year" she said.
Munster would appear to be the strongest challengers with Irish Champion Tricia Mangan and Internationals Claire Coughlan and Heather Nolan bolstering the ranks. Experienced Captain Liz Bennet said: "We're in good shape this year with a team capable of matching any side at this year's event".
Ulster, once again, will look to International Helen Jones to lead from the front in a side that has been depleted by a clash of events with the Girls British Amateur at West Hill. Ulster will be down Irish Girls' Champion Danielle McVeigh who played so impressively at the recent Girls' Home Internationals in Worplesdon.
Connacht has yet to win the title but captain and Seniors International Mary Madden says her side will travel to Belfast with a positive, upbeat attitude. They have the nucleus of the team that made history for the province by winning the Girls' Interprovincial Championship in 2004, but are also suffering from players tied to the Girls' British Amateur.
Fixtures:-
Wednesday, 10th August 08.00&13.00 Ulster -v- Leinster , 08.40&14.20 Munster -v- Connacht
Thursday, 11th August 08.00&13.00 Connacht -v- Leinster , 08.40&14.20 Munster -v- Ulster
Friday 12th August 08.00&13.00 Leinster -v- Munster , 08.40&14.20 Ulster -v- Connacht
Teams:-
CONNACHT (Capt - Mary Madden)
Sarah Gallagher (Claremorris)
Laura Holmes (Enniscrone)
Ann Geoghegan (Athlone)
Niamh Kitching (Claremorris)
Ann McCormack(Roscommon)
Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey/Stranorlar & Donegal)
Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway)
Deirdre Walsh (Roscommon)
LEINSTER (Capt - Denise O'Sullivan)
Karen Delaney (Carlow)
Tara Delaney (Carlow)
Mary Dowling (New Ross)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown)
Sinead Keane (Curragh)
Maura Morrin (Curragh)
Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)
MUNSTER (Capt - Liz Bennett)
Claire Coughlan (Cork)
Tricia Mangan (Ennis)
Pamela Murphy (Ennis)
Heather Nolan (Shannon)
Gillian O'Leary (Cork/UCC)
Marian Riordan (Tipperary)
Mary Sheehy (Tralee)
Catherine Tucker (Limerick)
ULSTER (Capt - Carol Corrigan)
Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush)
Gemma Hegarty (Greencastle)
Helen Jones (Strabane)
Brenda McLarnon (Fortwilliam)
Shauna McVeigh (RCDL)
Nikki Moore (Clandeboye)
Nikki Taggart (Greenisland)  

ILGU Press Release
Menolly Homes ILGU Inter-Club Fourball Regional Finals
Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Castle, Mullingar and Nenagh are through to the Menolly Homes Ltd. ILGU Ladies Inter-Club Fourball semi-finals. Both ties will take place at Carlow Golf Club on Monday, 29th August 2005.
Decisive victories in three of the Regional Finals of the Menolly with the Castle registering a 3½-½ point win over Greystones at Roganstown, Mullingar registering a 3-1 win over Loughrea at Claremorris, Nenagh registering a 3-1 victory over Dooks at Charleville - a closer encounter in Killymoon with Ballybofey/Stranorlar seeing Greenore out on holes up count back.
217 started out in the competition last April and now the 4 semi-finalists will eagerly attempt to reach the All-Ireland final at The K Club on Sunday, 18th September.
Regional Finals results:-
(Venue) Result
(Charleville Golf Club) Nenagh GC 3 - 1 Dooks GC
(Roganstown Golf Club) Castle GC 3½ - ½ Greystones GC
(Killymoon Golf Club) Ballybofey/Stranorlar GC 7 holes up Greenore GC
(Claremorris) Mullingar GC 3 - 1 Loughrea GC

PRESS RELEASE
Weetabix junior golfers can follow in the footsteps of Westwood, Rose and McKay
---------------------------------------
How many of the 100 youngsters teeing it up next week in this year’s Weetabix Age Group Championships might emulate Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Mhairi McKay?
That’s the challenge facing 100 of the most talented young golfers who have qualified through regional finals and will now compete in the Grand Final of the 2005 Golf Foundation Weetabix Age Group Championships, at the Marriott Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club, Warwickshire, on 16 and 17 of August.
The Golf Foundation Weetabix Age Group Championships is one of junior amateur golf’s most prestigious events – with David Howell, Ian Garbutt, Karen Stupples and Curtis Cup player Rebecca Hudson among the big names who have competed in the Championships, which started back in 1987.
Westwood and Rose both found that winning the event – open to boys and girls aged under 16 – was an important early stepping stone to future success at the highest level. Lee Westwood won the Under 15 boys’ event in 1987 (Ian Garbutt winning the Under 16’s in the same year) and Westwood secured the Under 16 title a year later. Justin Rose was Under 14 boys’ champion in 1993 while Mhairi McKay, twice a winner on the Ladies European Tour, was the Under 13 girls’ champion in 1987 and Under 14 champion a year later.
So who this year, might be taking that first step to greatness?
Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “The Weetabix Age Group Championship has a wonderful pedigree in British golf and for the last two decades has given junior golfers a great start in
regional and national competitive golf. It will be a great experience for every player taking part and there is also every chance that some of the very best European players of the future will be teeing it up at the Forest of Arden.”
Justin Rose is in no doubt of the value of the event. He said: “Winning the Golf Foundation’s Age Group Championships gave me the encouragement required to take the game to the next level. I enjoyed playing in this tournament and remember how much winning it meant to me.
“The Golf Foundation and Age Group Championships are very important for developing junior golfers. It is at this early age that we really need to nurture young golfers’ talent and enthusiasm for the game in order to maintain their interest in golf and prevent losing talented players to other sports.”
A total of 105 juniors have now made it to the Grand Final of the 2005 Championships, out of around 1,800 who entered regional events from all over the British Isles. Regional finals were recently completed and now the picturesque and demanding Forest of Arden Golf and Country Club awaits for the Grand Final.
The Golf Foundation, whose aim is to develop junior golf throughout the British Isles and make the sport more accessible, has been successfully running the Championships now for 18 years. The Championships provide an opportunity for British boys and girls to play against golfers of their own age. Sponsored by Weetabix since 1992, the competition is open to boys and girls under 16 with handicap limits of 24 for boys and 33 for girls.
The winners in each category will become the 2005 Age Group Champion of Great Britain.

Monday 8th August 2005

British Girls Championship
MIXED LUCK FOR SCOTS GIRLS IN BRITISH QUALIFYING ROUND
It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Scots in the first qualifying round for the British girls’ open amateur golf championship at West Hill Golf Club near London odday (MONDAY).
The 64 players with the lowest aggregates after today’s second round will go forward to the match-play stages.
That means that Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), 72, Carly Booth (Auchterarder), 74, Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 76, and Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), also 76, are sitting pretty at the halfway stage of the card-and-pencil test.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) is on the potential borderline 78 mark. At the end of the first day, there were 71 players with scores of 78 or better and a big cluster on 78.
Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) is on 79 and must improve but not as much as Michelle Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 80, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 81, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 81, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie), 81, Jane Turner (Mortonhall) 84, Laura Murray (Alford) also 84. They are too close to the danger zone for comfort.
Pretswell, who was only second reserve for the Scotland girls’ team in last week’s home internationals, reached the turn in two-under-par 33 with birdies at the third and ninth. But she lost her shine on the way home with bogeys at the 10th, 13th, 14th and 16th for 39 back and a 72.
Carly Booth birdied the third to cancel out a bogey at the second and turned in par 35. Then she had a most uncharacteristic run of double-bogey 6 at the 10th and further shots dropped at the 12th, 15th and 18th. A birdie at the 16th helped her to hit the 74 mark.
Former Scottish Girls champion Krystle Caithness was level par after 10 holes and then ran up a quadruple bogey at the 11th and a triple bogey at the 12th. A birdie at the short 15th helped her salvage a creditable 76.
New Scottish girls match-play champion Sally Watson did not have a single birdie on her card. She double-bogeyed the 14th.
Northern Counties women’s and girls’ champion Kelsey MacDonald, only 14, had a horrible start and was four over par after three holes. She did birdie the short fourth but still reached the turn in 41. Double bogeys at the 14th and 18th did not help her cause.
Scottish schoolgirls champion Laura Murray had a nightmare round of 84 with a triple bogey at the 16th the final blow. She had earlier had double bogeys at the fifth and 11th.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD (TO BE UPDATED)
BRITISH GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
West Hill GC, Surrey
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Leading scores (Par 70)
68 K Matharu (Cookridge Hall).
69 A Nordqvist (Swe).
70 L Hall (Royal Porthcawl), S James (Bristol & Clifton).
71 A Munoz (Spa).
72 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), A Felgueroso (Spa), D McVeigh (Royal Co Down), J Hodge (Knowle), E Westrup (Swe), A De Luigi (Ita), D Becker (Ger), F Johnson (Eng).
Other Scots scores:
74 C Booth (Auchterarder).
76 K Caithness (St Regulus), S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
78 R Niven (Crieff).
79 R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
80 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon).
81 M Briggs (Kilmacolm), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), K McNicoll (Carnosutier).
84 J Turner (Mortonhall), L Murray (Alford).

LGU Press Release
Ladies’ British Amateur Stroke Play Championship
CLARE QUEEN DEFENDS LADIES’ STROKE PLAY TITLE
Clare Queen, pictured right, of Drumpellier will have the luxury of defending her title on home soil when she travels to Nairn for the Ladies’ British Amateur Stroke Play Championship, being played there from 17-19 August.
Last year in winning the championship, Clare journeyed to Alwoodley, Leeds where she won a play-off with Stephanie Evans and Shelley McKevitt after all had tied on a score of 294.
It is now almost 20 years since Claire Hourihane Dowling transported the stroke play trophy back to Ireland but this year Irish hopes for the title will surely rest with Curtis Cup player Claire Coughlan based on her stirring performance in the Tropicana Essentials Ladies’ British Amateur Championship at Littlestone. Unfortunately, in the final, she came up against an in-form Louise Stahle, rated the number one college player in the U.S., who successfully defended her title with a 3/2 win.
Over the past five years, the Ladies’ Stroke Play title has remained within the British Isles and with a convincing win in the Vagliano Trophy behind them, home based players will be hoping to continue that trend.
Eight of the nine players in the Vagliano Trophy, Tricia Mangan, Kerry Smith, Claire Coughlan, Anne Laing, Clare Queen, Heather McRae, Martina Gillen and Sophie Walker will be competing at Nairn and for Sophie Walker it will be an opportunity to underline her outstanding performance at Chantilly where she was the top GB&I player with four points out of four.
Others who played well in France, with three points out of four were 2003 English champion Kerry Smith and Tricia Mangan, the 2005 Irish Match Play title holder.
Players from 10 foreign countries are competing and of these, Vittoria Valvassori of Italy, the backmarker in the field, fellow Italian Anna Rossi, Swiss player Niloufar Aazam, and Sandra Gal of Germany look most likely to take the trophy overseas.
Nairn Golf Club, on the shores of the Moray Firth has a long and proud history and in the years since its inception, in 1887, has been a loyal supporter of golf at every level.
As early as 1895, the club showed admirable enterprise to run an invitational competition for the eight leading professionals of the day with the princely sum of £20 as the first prize. Willie Auchterlonie of St Andrews, the winner of The Open in 1883 went south with the trophy and his £20 and since then Nairn has continued its backing of both professional and amateur golf.
Nairn Golf Club hosted the Ladies’ British Amateur Championship in 1979, the Vagliano Trophy in 1991 and has staged the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship on numerous occasions, the most recent being 1987.
The highlight of a collection of top level men’s tournaments was surely the 1999 Walker Cup match in which the amateurs of GB&I defeated their American counterparts, thus setting in motion a run of three successive victories.
Whatever the outcome of the Women’s Stroke Play, competitors can be assured of a warm welcome from a club that is justifiably called ‘one of Scotland’s friendliest’.
Competitors play 18 holes on each of Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 August and the 40 lowest scores and ties qualify for a further 36 holes on Friday 19 August.
The full list of competitors and tee times can be viewed at www.lgu.org.

LGU Press Release
TELEVISION AUDIENCE INCREASES BY 50% FOR WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
Women’s golf has reached new heights with the publication of viewing figures for the Weetabix Women’s British Open. These show an increase of 50% on the previous year.
The number of viewers watching the BBC broadcast as Jeong Jang of South Korea birdied the 18th to win her first title at Royal Birkdale, peaked at 1.9 million with a further 1.6 million watching in the U.S.
Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of the Ladies’ Golf Union said: "We are greatly encouraged by the surge in interest in this year’s championship. To see growth of almost 50% in the BBC ratings is tremendous and demonstrates the appeal of the ladies’ game. Allied to the growth seen in U.S. ratings is the boom in our internet traffic and this is great news for the Women’s British Open and for ladies’ golf."
These figures compare favourably with BBC ratings for the men’s European Tour and further demonstrate the appeal of women’s golf.
In addition to the large television audience, over half a million visits were made to www.lgu.org, the official LGU website, where over the four days users could follow hole-by-hole scoring and access a comprehensive range of statistical information.
The 2006 Women’s British Open will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes and in 2007 will be played over the Old Course, St Andrews.

EGU Press Release
ENGLAND BOYS MAKE IT EIGHT WINS IN A ROW AT HOME INTERNATIONALS
England Boys won the Home Internationals for an unprecedented eighth successive time at Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course on 4th August.
Wales came close to winning the R&A Trophy but the home side held on to the single point lead they had established in the morning foursomes for a final 8-7 victory.
The Welsh team looked as though they might have had the upper hand as the singles matches set off in the afternoon with Zac Gould, Mark Trow and Adam Runcie winning three of the opening four matches, but England's playing captain Tom Sherreard stemmed the tide with a resounding 6 and 5 win. Support then came from Ben Parker and new caps Tom Haylock and Sam Hutsby before James Watts secured England’s record of consecutive victories on the last hole.
On the first two days of the tournament England had to overcome the handicap of losses in the foursomes each morning but easily swept to victory on both occasions beating Ireland by nine matches to six on the first day and then capturing eight of the ten singles encounters for a comprehensive 10-5 result against Scotland on day two.
Scotland clinched third place with their only win of the series against Ireland. Ireland finished without a victory, losing by 8-7 to Wales and by 9-6 to England.
The victory in the Boys Home Internationals will bring confidence to both the England mens and seniors teams who will also be defending their Home Internationals titles on 7th –9th September at Royal St George’s and 27th – 29th September at Lahinch.
The victorious England team:
Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) captain, Jamie Abbott (Fynn Valley), Jake Amos (Kilworth Springs), Stephen Capper (Caldy), Matthew Evans (Rotherham), Tom Haylock (The Hertfordshire), Sam Hutsby (Lee on Solent), Tom Oliver (Notts), Ben Parker (Gut Waldhof), James Watts (East Herts), Daniel Willett (Rotherham). Reserve: Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill)

ELGA Press Release
Felicity Johnson leads ELGA order of merit tables
English champion Felicity Johnson is on course to score a unique double in the ELGA order of merit, which is sponsored by mail order clothing company One Up Golf.
The 18-year-old from Harborne is currently leading both the ladies’ and the girls’ tables.
She is being chased for the ladies title by her Vagliano Trophy colleagues, Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) and Kerry Smith (Waterlooville). All three players were also members of the England side which won the silver medal in the European ladies’ team championship.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) is Felicity’s closest rival in the girls’ table, followed by English girls’ champion Melissa Reid, 17, (Chevin). Kiran is also lying fourth in the ladies’ order of merit.
Both Kiran and Melissa helped England win the gold medal in the European girls’ team championship and, with Felicity, were in the side which successfully defended the Stroyan Cup at the girls’ home international matches.
All five players are members of ELGA Elite squads, which are part of the association’s Sport England, lottery-funded World Class training programme.

ELGA Press Release
Francesca Robertson wins Abraham Trophy
Berkshire 13-year-old Francesca Robertson played four shots under her handicap to win the final of the Abraham Trophy competition for England’s most improved girl golfers.
The 11-handicapper had a gross 79, net 68, and finished three shots clear of the field at Henbury in Gloucestershire, where she now goes on to play in the English Girls’ U13 championship.
All 21 girls in the Abraham Trophy final qualified on the basis of handicap reduction and Francesca, who took up golf only two years ago, was playing off 25 as recently as February.
She already plays for Berkshire girls and is ladies’ champion at her club, Donnington Grove.
“This is a really good start to the week and now my aim is to make the cut in the U13 championship,” said Francesca. “It’s a wonderful course and the greens really suited my putting.”
The runners-up were Emily Mathieson (Redlibbets) 88-17-71 and Celeste Currie (Kibworth) 86-15-71
The English Girls’ U13 and U15 championships are both being played at Henbury this week, finishing on Friday.

2005 Scottish Golf Open Amateur Mixed Foursomes
The SLGA have extended the closing date for the Mixed Foursomes at Braehead on Sunday 11 September to Monday 15 August.
Pick up an Entry form on the SLGA website

Sunday 7th August 2005

JENNA WILSON WINS MARY McCALLAY TROPHY BY ELEVEN SHOTS!
Scotland international player Jenna Wilson from Strathaven hit her best form of the season to win the Mary McCallay Trophy 36-hole women's open tournament at Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club yesterday (SUN) by the staggering margin of 11 strokes.
Jenna spreadeagled the good-class field with brilliant rounds of 67 and 66 for an aggregate of 133 against the women's par of 72 and the CSS of 71 for both rounds.
Scotland team-mate Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and Martine Pow (Selkirk) tied for a distant runner-up place on 144. Heather had a pair of 72s and she won the second prize with her better second round. Martine had rounds of 70 and 74.
MARY McCALLAY TROPHY WOMEN'S OPEN
Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club.
Leading totals (Par 72, CSS 71 71)
133 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 67 66.
144 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) 72 72, Martine Pow (Selkirk) 70 74.
146 Addi Shamash (Kirkcudbright) 76 70, Clare Queen (Drumpellier) 74 72, Gemma
Webster (Hilton Park) 73 73.
147 Diane Macdonald (Dumfries & County) 75 72.
148 Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ) 73 75.
149 Colette Murray (Dumfries & County) 79 70, Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 75 74,
Hannah Harvey (St Leonards) 71 78.

MORGAN PRESSEL CRUSHES VENEZUELAN IN US WOMEN’S OPEN AMATEUR FINAL
Morgan Pressel, 17-year-old from Boca Raton, Florida, beat 21-year-old Maru Martinez from Caracas, Venezuela by 9 and 8 in the scheduled 36-hole final of the United States women’s open amateur championship at Ansley Golf Club, Settindown Creek at Roswell, Georgia today.
Miss Pressel, joint second in the recent US Open women’s championship, was seven under par for the 28 holes played in the final.
For the week – which entailed nine rounds – Morgan was an amazing accumulative 40 under par.
Miss Martinez is a student at Auburn University. Morgan is toying with the idea of trying her luck at the LPGA Qualifying School later this year.
She has given Duke University a commitment that if she does decide to go to university in 2006, then they will be the chosen one.

British Girls Preview
SCOTS BID TO BUCK THE CONTINENTAL TREND IN BRITISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Once upon a time Scottish teenagers were a leading force in the British girls' open golf championship.
From 1975 to 1993, Suzanne Cadden, Gillian Stewart, Wilma Aitken, Jane Connachan, Mary Mackie, Elaine Farquharson, Myra McKinlay, Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay either won the title or were beaten finalists.
But, for one reason or another, over the last 12 years the championship victory by Clare Queen (Drumpellier) at Brough in 2001 is the only time a Scot has appeared in the final.
Attempting to buck the trend at this coming week's British open girls' championship - maximum age 18 on January 1 - at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey, are Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Carly Booth (Auchterarder), Laura Murray (Alford), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Sally and Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), MicheleThomson (McDonald Ellon), Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) and Jane Turner (Mortonhall).
One of the differences in the format since the the Tartan Army's successes is that there are now two stroke-play qualifying rounds played - on Monday and Tuesday - instead of the tournament going straight into match-play.
Is that the explanation for the falling off in Scots girls' success rate?
Probably not. More likely is the increasing strength in depth of the challenge from the Continent. There were some very good foreign female golfing youngsters around in the 1970s and 1980s - but there are now many more of them.
Apart from 2002, when the closing stages were washed out, and 2001, when Clare Queen was champion, a Continental player has won the British open girls' title every year since 1994.

CLARE, JENNA ONLY SCOTS IN EGA’S TOP 20 RANKINGS
Clare Queen and Jenna Wilson are the only two Scots to figure among the top 20 in the latest European Golf Association women’s amateur rankings.
Clare is ranked fourth behind joint leaders Maria Hernandez (Spain) and Alexandrea Vilatte (France) and No 3 Katharina Schallenberg (Germany).
Jenna Wilson is joint 16th.
Top 20 Rankings
1 Hernandez, Maria Spain 175.00
1 Vilatte, Alexandra France 175.00
3 Schallenberg, Katharina Germany 157.50
4 Queen, Clare Scotland 149.00
5 Coughlan, Claire Ireland 136.75
6 Gillen, Martina Ireland 135.50
7 Caudal, Anne-Lise France 129.13
8 Smith, Kerry England 120.70
9 Mangan, Tricia Ireland 110.50
10 Berton, Julie France 103.00
11 Ciganda, Carlota Spain 100,00
11 Stahle, Louise Sweden 100.00
13 Doering, Stephanie Germany 97.63
14 Linberg, Pernilla Sweden 97.50
15 Westerlund, Stenna Finland 97,00
16 Walker, Sophie England 90.00
16 Wilson, Jenna Scotland 90.00
18 Le Nalio, Anne-Sophie France 88.00
19 Matharu, Kiran England 81.13
20 Munoz, Azahara Spain 80.00

US Womens' Amateur
IT’S PRESSEL v MARTINEZ FOR US WOMEN’S AMATEUR CROWN
Morgan Pressel, 17, from Boca Raton, Florida will play Maru Martinez, 21, from Caracas, Venezuela but a student at Auburn University, will meet in the final of the United States women’s open amateur championship after producing brilliant, sub-par golf to win their semi-finals at Ansley Golf Club, Settindown Creek in Roswell, Georgia today.
Morgan, joint second in the recent US Women’s Open, was five under par in beating 16-year-old Brazilian-born Angela Park, from Torrance, California by 3 and 1 in her semi-final.
In the other, Maru was four under par in winning by 4 and 3 against 19-year-old Australian Alison Whitaker, who played in the British women’s open amateur championship in June.
Pressel, who is contemplating missing out on a place waiting for her at Duke University to have a go at the LPGA Qualifying School process this autumn, responded to an eagle 3 by Park at the fourth with back-to-back birdies, squaring the match with a 2 at the short fifth and going one up at the sixth with a 3.
Park squared for the last time with a par at the eight before Pressel went into over-drive. Morgan went one up with an eagle 3 at the 10th … two up with a birdie 4 at the 16th and finished the match with a birdie 2 at the short 17th.
The first two holes in the Martinez v Whitaker semi-final were exchanged with pars before Whitaker birdied the third to go one up again. Martinez counted with three birdies to win the fourth, sixth and ninth at which point she had gone two holes up.
To win holes, a player had to produce a birdie and Whitaker did so to cut her deficit to one hole at the 10th.
Martinez then finished off her Aussie opponent with a birdie at the 12th (two up), an eagle at the 13th (three up) and a winning par at the 15th

Saturday 6th August 2005

Czech international amateur golf championship
SCOTS FINISH 1-2 IN CZECH CHAMPIONSHIP
Walker Cup first reserve Andrew McArthur, picured right, from Windyhill, Glasgow won the Czech international amateur golf championship today - by three shots from compatriot Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) at Marianske Lazne, one of only eight courses in the republic.
McArthur led from start to finish with four sub-par rounds of 67, 68, 70 and 69, adding up to an impressive 14-under-par total of 274.
Andrew, Scottish champion in 2002 and considered unlucky not to have been a third Scot selected for this coming week's defence of the Walker Cup at Chicago Golf Club, highlighted his week's performance by birdieing six of the last seven holes in his second round, including five straight from the 14th to the 18th.
McArthur started the last day three shots ahead of Jamieson and that's the way it finished with McArthur shooting scores of 70, 69, 69 and 69 for 11-under 277.
Scott, who has completed his four-year golfing eligilibilty with Augusta State University but will return after the summer to complete a degree course and graduate in December, finished in style with a birdie at the 16th and an eagle at the 17th.
The only Scot of the trio sent by the Scottish Golf Union to the Czech Republic who did not shoot the lights out was Australian open amateur champion Eric Ramsay from Carnoustie.
Eric did not get in a sub-par round until his closing 71 (after scores of 72, 74 and 72) for a one-over-par total of 289. Ramsay finished joint eighth.
If anyone thinks the Scots were playing over a pitch-and-putt course, refer them to the host nation favourite, Roman Svoboda. He was lying joint third with one round to go after a superb third-round 65. Roman required 19 shots more than that for a final round of 84 and he plummeted out of the top 10.
COLLATED
CZECH INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Marianske Lazne GC
LEADING FINAL TOTALS (Par 72)
274 A McArthur (Sco) 67 68 70 69.
277 S Jamieson (Sco) 70 69 69 69.
283 M Cryer (Eng) 73 72 67 71.
286 D Coughlan (Eng) 71 75 69 71, A Christ (Aut) 69 70 74 73.
288 N Walker (Eng) 69 73 73 74, H Nilsson (Swe) 71 73 69 75.
289 E Ramsay (Sco) 72 74 72 71, P Nic (Cze) 72 74 74 71.

East Lothian Junior Championship
Rachael Livingstone from Musselburgh, recent runner-up in the East of Scotland Girls' Championship, won the East Lothian Junior Girls' Championship run by East Lothian Council for the second year in succession yesterday. Rachael's total of 77 put her four shots ahead of Beth Mackay (Gullane). Stephanie Kubis of the Glen Golf Club, North Berwick, was third on 89.
Rachael had her first ever hole in one on the 8th 107yard par 3. Well done Rachael!
Leading Scores (CSS 73)
77 Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old Course)
81 Beth Mackay (Gullane)
89 Stephanie Kubis (Glen)

UNITED STATES WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The semi-finals line-up at Settindown Creek, Ansley Golf Club in Roswell, Georgia is:
Angela Park (Torrance, California) v Morgan Pressel (Boca Raton, Florida).
Aliston Whitaker (Victoria, Australia) v Maru Martinez (Venezuela).
In the quarter-finals:
Park, the No 6 qualifier (144), bt In-Kyung Kim (Korea), the top seed (139), 3 and 2.
Pressel, the No 5 qualifier (142) bt Jennie Lee, joint second qualifier (141) 6 and 5.
Whitaker, the tied 42nd qualifier (151) bt 15-year-old Maria Uribe (Colombia) by one hole.
Martinez, the tied 32nd qualifier (149) bt the 13th seed Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Virginia), at 19th.
Other details:
Angela Park is Brazil-born but lives in California with her father. She is 16 years old.
Alison Whitaker played in the British women's open amateur championship earlier this summer.
Maru Martinez is 21 years old. This is the second time in the past three years she has made the last four of the US women's amateur championship.
Teenager Morgan Pressel had eight birdies in the the 13 holes of her match against Jennie Lee.

Friday 5th August 2005

Girls Home Internationals
SCOTS DRAW - ENGLAND WIN GIRLS' GOLF TITLE AT WORPLESDON
Scotland came back well in the singles to draw with Wales 4½-4½ but it was England, who thrashed Ireland 9-0 on the final day, that won the girls' home international matches for the Stroyan Cup for the sixth year in a row.
The Scots trailed 2-1 to Wales after the foursomes in which Scotland's point was secured by the partnership of  Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
Sally Watson lost the top singles by one hole to Sahra Hassan but the Scots then won the next three games.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) ruined Breanne Loucks' 100% record through five sessions of play with a 5 and 3 success. Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), given a game in the singles for the first time, beat Kim Boulden 4 and 3.
And Roseanne Niven (Crieff) was a 4 and 2 winner over Tara Davies.
That put the Scots in a 4-3 lead overall but Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) lost by 4 and 3 to Becky Harries and Krystle Caithness was held to a square match by Lydia Hall in the final singles.
Scotland's most successful player over the three days was Roseanne Niven with 4 1/2pt out of six. Next came Sally Watson and Carly Booth with 3pt each, Krystle Caithness with 2 1/2pt and Michele Thomson and Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) with 2pt apiece. Michele and Megan played four times.
Kelsey MacDonald and Rebecca Watson gained 1pt each, Kelsey from three outings, Rebecca from two.
The joint "players of the tournament" were both from the Welsh squad - Sahra Hassan and Breanne Loucks who each secured 5pt.
England, who had made a surprisingly slow start on the first day and lost 8-1 to Wales, finished like a train and the Wales-Scotland draw was a perfect result for them. England's 9-0 whitewash of Ireland saw them top the table with 2pt. Wales and Scotland both finished with 1 1/2pt but Wales gained second place with 16 ½ game points to the Scots' 15. Both sides must be disappointed as if the result had not been a halved match, i.e. if either had won, then the winners would have taken the Stroyan Cup home. Ireland finished last with 1pt.
WALES 4.5 SCOTLAND 4.5
Foursomes (Scottish names first)
Sahra Hassan & Breanne Loucks beat Carly Booth & Michele Thomson 1 up
Kim Boulden & Tara Davies lost to Sally Watson & Krystle Caithness 4 & 3
Lydia Hall & Becky Harries beat Megan Briggs & Roseanne Niven 4 & 3
Singles
Sahra Hassan beat Sally Watson 1up
Breanne Loucks lost to Carly Booth 5 & 3
Kim Boulden lost to Michele Thomson 4 & 3
Tara Davies lost to Roseanne Niven 4 & 2
Becky Harries beat Kelsey MacDonald 4 & 3
Lydia Hall halved with Krystle Caithness All Square 1
ENGLAND 9 IRELAND 0
Foursomes (English names ffirst)
Felicity Johnson & Joanne Hodge beat Fiona Carroll & Danielle McVeigh 6 & 5
Jodi Ewart & Hannah Barwood beat Victoria Bradshaw & Stephanie Meadow 4 & 3
Melissa Reid & Kiran Matharu beat Emma Gilmore & Anne McCormack 3 & 2
Singles
Melissa Reid beat Danielle McVeigh 2 & 1
Felicity Johnson beat Fiona Carroll 4 & 3
Jodi Ewart beat Anne McCormack 1 up
Joanne Hodge beat Emma Gilmore 6 & 5
Hannah Barwood beat Sarah Faller 1 up
Kiran Matharu beat Laura Holmes 5 & 3
Overall result
England 2 pts, 15 games won,
Wales 1.5 pts, 16.5 games won
Scotland 1.5 pts, 15 games won
Ireland 0 pts, 7.5 games won

CLARE IS QUEEN OF SCOTS IN LATEST P AND W  RANKINGS
Clare Queen, who will be defending the British women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Nairn the week after next (August 17-20), continues to lead the Paull and Williamsons women's rankings after the latest counting event, the Mackie Bowl at Gullane.
Clare has a stroke average of minus 1.89 in relation to the CSS (Competitive Standard Scratch) of the nine designated tournament rounds in which she has played - which represents a brilliant standard of scoring by the 22-year-old Drumpellier player.
Miss Queen is being hotly pursued by Scottish champion Anne Laing and another international team player, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) who are currently in joint second place. They have matched the CSS on average in each of their 10 counting rounds.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), only 16 years of age, is in fourth place, and 13-year-old Carly Booth, who tops the Paull and Williamsons girls' rankings, is in eighth place in the women's table.
The last three Scottish Ladies Golfing Association-designated events are the Mary McCally Trophy at Dumfries & Galloway on Sunday, the Riccarton Rosebowl at Hamilton on August 14 and the Ness Open at Inverness on August 21.
Latest rankings:
1 Clare Queen (Drumpellier).
2 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) & Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
4 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
5 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
6 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall).
7 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
8 Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
9 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch).
10 Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan).
11 Martine Pow (Selkirk) & Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).
13 Laura Murray (Alford).
14 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New).
15 Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
16 Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ).
17 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
18 Emily Ogilvie (Muckhart).
19 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle).
20 Roseanne Niven (Crieff).

Thursday 4th August 2005

Girls Home Internationals
SCOTS GIRLS BEATEN BUT THEY STILL HAVE A TITLE CHANCE
Scotland lost 5-4 to England on the second day of the girls' home international golf matches - but still have a chance of winning the title at Worplesdon, Surrey today (FRIDAY).
Ireland, beaten by the Scots on Thursday, surprisingly won 5-4 against Wales who had trounced England, the favourites and defending champions, 8-1.
That means that all four teams have identical records - one win, one defeat - going into the final day's play in which Scotland will play Wales and England meet Ireland.
If the Scots can finish with a win, they a draw between England and Ireland would make them champions for the first time since 1998.
England took a 2-1 lead over Scotland in the foursomes - Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Roseanne Niven (Crieff) were the Scots' only pre-lunch winners.
The singles were shared 3-3 with Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), Roseanne Niven and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) winning their ties for Scotland. Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) and Megan Briggs) were beaten.
GIRLS' HOME INTERNATIONALS
Worplesdon GC, Surrey
Second Day results
SCOTLAND 4, ENGLAND 5
Foursomes: S Watson & K Caithness lost to F Johnston & J Hodge 2 and 1; C Booth & M Thomson lost to J Ewart & H Barwood 4 and 3; M Briggs & R Niven bt F Parker  & H Brockway 3 and 1 (1-2).
Singles: S Watson bt M Reid 1 hole, R Watson lost to Ewart 7 and 6, K MacDonald lost to F Johnson 5 and 4, Niven bt Barwood 1 hole, Briggs lost to K Matharu 5 and 4, Caithness bt Hodge 3 and 1 (3-3).
IRELAND 5, WALES 4
Foursomes: F Carroll & D McVeigh lost to S Hassan & B Loucks 2 holes; V Bradshaw & S Meadow bt L Hall & B Harries 2 and 1; E Gilmore & A McCormack halved with K Boulden & T Davies (1½-1½).
Singles: McVeigh bt Hassan 2 and 1, Bradshaw lost to Loucks 4 and 3, McCormack bt Davies 2 and 1, l Holmes halved with D Jones, S Faller lost to Boulden 2 and 1, Carroll bt Hall 3 and 2 (3½-2½).

St Andrews Links Trust junior open golf tournaments
SCOTS WIN TWO FINALS AT ST ANDREWS
Midlothian Junior, Gillian Simpson, wins the Girls Open Quaich
Two of the four finals on the closing day of the St Andrews Links Trust junior open golf tournaments were won by Scots.
Sean Thompson, a member of St Andrews Golf Club, beat Ryan Young from Parklands Golf Club, Newcastle, by one hole in the boys' handicap open for the Murray Mitchell Trophy.
Gillian Simpson, pictured right, from the Baberton club, Edinburgh, beat Bronte Law of Bramhall, Stockport by 6 and 4 in the final of the girls' open quaich.
The boys' scratch open for the Merchants Cup was won by Bristol visitor Chris Wood (Long Ashton). He beat Harry Proos (Royal Lytham) by 3 and 1 in the final.
Anna Scott from Consett, Durham, who plays on the American college circuit for Georgia State University, beat England international Naomi Edwards from Ganton, Yorkshire, winner of the prestigious St Rule Trophy 54-hole tournament on her last visit to St Andrews in late May, by two holes in the final of the junior women's open for the Golf Monthly Trophy.
[Photo courtesy Mandy Easton]
ST ANDREWS BOYS' OPEN - Old Course - Semi-finals - H Proos (Royal Lytham) bt L Sinnott (Matlock) 5 and 3, C Wood (Long Ashton) bt G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 5 and 3. Final - Wood bt Proos 3 and 1.
ST ANDREWS BOYS' HANDICAP OPEN - Old Course - Semi-finals - S Thompson (St Andrews) bt N Maddison (Parklands) at 20th, R Young Parklands) bt D Ibbotson (Murcar) 3 and 2. Final - Thompson bt Young 1 hole.
ST ANDREWS JUNIOR WOMEN'S OPEN - Old Course - Semi-finals - N Edwards (Ganton) bt F Sanderson (Heworth) 3 and 2, A Scott (Consett) bt S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 5 and 4. Final - Scott bt Edwards 2 holes.
ST ANDREWS GIRLS' OPEN QUAICH - Old Course - Semi-finals - B Law (Bramhall) bt L Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) 1 hole, G Simpson (Baberton) bt L Taylor (Rugby) 9 and 8. Final - Simpson bt Law 6 and 4.

Tom Lehman Trophy - 2nd August (Thanks to June Kerr for this report)
The Tom Lehman Trophy Competition organised by South Ayrshire Council was played over Troon's Municipal Courses on Tuesday. Vicki Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) won the Trophy with a scratch 82 over Lochgreen. Hannah Brawley and Katie Macpherson of the same club came in joint second. The first handicap prize went to Jenny Linklater (Largs Kelburn) who had a net 68. Cagegory 5 competitors play over Fullerton where Nicola McClurkie (Wishaw) was 1st with a net 56. Emma Duncan (Kilmarnock Barassie) was 2nd, also with a net 56 but lost out to Nicola on the best last 3 holes.

Riccarton Rosebowl
CLAIRE HARGAN DEFENDS RICCARTON ROSEBOWL ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) will be defending the title in the Riccarton Rosebowl women's 36-hole open competition at Hamilton Golf Club on Sunday, August 14.
Claire, who had rounds of 75 and 70 for an aggregate of 145, won by a single shot last year from joint runners-up Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) and Lynn Kenny (Dunblane New). Louise will be there again, bidding to go one better but Lynn has since turned professional.
There are 44 entries. Graham Chapman, the Hamilton G C secretary, can be contacted at 01698 282872 if you want to add your name to the list.
First-round tee times:
8.0 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) & Fiona Norris (Hamilton).
8.08 Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) & Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
8.17 Julie Wilson (Williamwood) & Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
8.25 Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar) & Susan Wood (Drumpellier).
8.34 Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & Co) & Carol Whyte (Windyhill).
8.42 Angela Divine (Hamilton) & Irene Morrow (St Michaels).
8.51 Elizabeth Goodwin (Glenbervie) & Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
8.59 Ruth Rankin (Lanark)( & Suzanne McMahon (Cardross).
9.o7 Lorraine Morrow (Erksine) & Louisa Ruane (Cardross).
9.16 Lelsey Robertson(Ranfurly Castle) & Ashton Ingram (Fort William).
9.25 STARTER'S TIME.
9.33 Katy Mathieson (Glenbervie) & Fiona Hindshaw (Gullane).
9.41 Hannah Harvey (St Leonard's) & Claire McLoughlin (Kilspindie)
9.50 Isobel Harvey (St Rule) & Rhona McLennan (Baberton).
9.58 Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) & Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling Univ).
10.07 May Hughes (Lanark) & Lesley Hendry (Routenburn.
10.15 Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) & Emily Ogilvie (Muckhart).
10.24 Addi Shamash (Kirkcudbright) & Katrina Milne (Dunfermline).
10.32 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) & Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank).
10.41 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) & Martine Pow (Selkirk).
10.49 STARTER'S TIME
10.57 Kylie Walker (Stirling Univ) & Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
11.06 Heather MacRae (Dunblane) & Clare Hargan (Mortonhall).
11.14 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) & Clare Queen (Drumpellier).

Wednesday 3rd August 2005

SCOTS BEAT IRISH AS WELSH UPSET TITLE-HOLDERS ENGLAND
Scotland made a great start to the girls' home international golf matches at Worplesdon Golf Club, Surrey today (WED) - but Wales made an even better one!
The Welsh trounced defending champions England, bidding for a seventh straight title victory to the tune of 8-1.
But Scotland can be happy with a 6 ½-2 ½ win over Ireland.
Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) won the second foursomes tie on the 18th green to cancel out a defeat by Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) and Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Then Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Roseanne Niven (Crieff), winners by 4 and 3,  sent the Scots into lunch with a 2-1 lead.
The Scots showed no mercy in the afternoon singles, chalking up wins in the first four ties through Sally Watson (4 and 3), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (5 and 3), Carly Booth (7 and 5) and Sally's older sister, Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) (6 and 4).
Roseanne Niven was held to a square game and Krystle Caithness was Scotland's only afternoon loser, going down by two holes.
Results
GIRLS' HOME INTERNATIONALS - Worplesdon GC
SCOTLAND 6 ½, IRELAND 2 ½
Foursomes: K Caithness & S Watson lost to F Carroll & D McVeigh 2 holes; C Booth & M Thomson bt E Gilmore & A McCormack 1 hole; M Briggs & R Niven bt V Bradshaw & S Faller 4 and 3 (2-1).
Singles: S Watson bt McVeigh 4 and 3, K MacDonald bt Bradshaw 5 and 3, Booth bt S Meadow 7 and 5, R Watson bt McCormack 6 and 4, Niven halved with L Holmes, Caithness lost to Carroll 2 holes (4½-1½).
ENGLAND 1, WALES 8
Foursomes: M Reid & K Matharu lost to S Hassan & B Loucks 3 and 1; J Ewart  & H Brockway lost to L Hall & B Harries 4 and 2; F Johnson & J Hodge lost to K Boulden & T Davies 3 and 2 (0-3).
Singles - Johnson lost to Hassan 2 holes, Hodge lost to Loucks 1 hole, Matharu lost to Davies 2 holes, F Parker lost to  Harries 1 hole, Reid bt Boulden 1 hole, Ewart lost to Hall 4 and 3 (1-5).
Thursday matches: Scotland v England, Ireland v Wales.

St Andrews Junior Tournaments
No Scots made it through to the last four of the St Andrews junior women's open tournament. England international and top seed Faye Sanderson (Heworth) beat Ashleigh Wilton (Ladybank) by one hole in the quarter-finals over the Old Course while Welsh left-handed international Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) beat Sarah Herd (Dunblane New) by one hole.
Faye Sanderson will play St Rule Trophy winner Naomi Edwards (Ganton) in Thursday's first semi-final. The second will feature Stephanie Evans against Anna Scott (Consett).
Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) won her opening tie in the St Andrews girls' open quaich by 3 and 1 over Samantha Hill (Channels) and will play Bronte Law (Bramhall) in the semi-finals.
Gillian Simpson (Baberton) beat Jane Mithers (Mill Green) by 2 and 1 and plays Lauren Tayhlor (Rugby) in the second semi-final.
Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) won his way through to the semi-finals of the St Andrews' boys' open tournament for the Merchants with a resounding 6 and 4 win over Hamindar Matharu (Cookridge Hall).
Stevenson will play Chris Wood from Bristol in the second semi-final.
The other tie will be between Harry Proos (Royal Lytham), conqueror by 6 and 5 of No 1 seed Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas), and Liam Sinnott (Matlock).
In the Murray Mitchell Trophy, played under handicap, Sean Thompson (St Andrews) is through to a semi-final meeting with Nicky Maddison (Parklands). The other semi-final will pitch Murcar's Douglas Ibbotson against Ryan Young (Parklands).
ST ANDREWS JUNIOR WOMEN'S OPEN - Old Course - Quarter-finals - F Sanderson (Heworth) bt A Wilton (Ladybank) 1 hole, N Edwards (Ganton) bt R Drummond (Beaconsfield) 6 and 4, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) bt S Herd (Dunblane) 1 hole, A Scott (Consett) bt S Birks (Wolstanton) 2 and 1.
ST ANDREWS GIRLS' OPEN QUAICH - Old Course - First round - L Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) bt S Hill (Channels) 3 and 1, B Law (Bramhall) bt C Easton (Dalmahoy) 1 hole, G Simpson (Baberton) bt J Withers (Mill Green) 2 and 1, L Taylor (Rugby) bt M McCulloch (SALJGA) 2 holes.
ST ANDREWS BOYS' OPEN - Old Course - Quarter-finals - H Proos (Royal Lytham) bt S Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) 6 and 5,  L Sinnott (Matlock) bt R Gurney (Kings Norton) 1 hole, C Wood (Long Ashton) bt S Lane (Worcestershire)  5 and 3, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) bt H Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 6 and 4.
ST ANDREWS BOYS' HANDICAP OPEN - Old Course - Quarter-finals - N Maddison (Parklands)  bt A Wright (Barassie) 5 and 3, S Thompson (St Andrews) bt J Tait (St Andrews) 2 holes, D Ibbotson (Murcar) bt R Wood (Dudley) 4 and 3, R Young (Parklands) bt R Hercik (Gaudet Luce) 3 and 1.

CARLY BOOTH NO. 1 WHEN IT COMES TO STROKE-PLAY
Auchterarder's Carly Booth lost in the final of the BP Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play golf championship but her excellent stroke-play scores have put her in the No 1 position in the Paull and Williamsons girls' rankings.
Carly, who has a scratch handicap although she only recently had her 13th birthday,has an average score of 1.60 over CSS in the five Scottish Ladies Golfing Association-designated tournaments in which she has played.
Carly leads from deposed BP Scottish girls champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), who is averaging two shots over CSS.
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), at 14 years the youngest ever winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls title at Tain, is ninth in the stroke-play table.
Updated rankings are:
1 Carly Booth (Auchterarder), 2 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), 3 Roseanne Niven (Crieff), 4 Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), 5 Laura Murray (Alford), 6 Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), 7 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), 8 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), 9 Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), 10 Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old).
11 Amanda Edwards (Liberton), 12 Jane Turner (Mortonhall), 13 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 14 Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth), 15 Ashton Ingram (Fort William), 17 Emma Fairnie (Peebles), 18 Ashleigh Wilton (Ladybank), 19 Fiona Blair (Monifeith), 20 Nadia Green (Nairn).
21 Vicki Smith (Barassie), 22 Morag MacPherson (Turnberry), 23 Megan Barbour (North Berwick), 24 Hannah Harvey (St Leonards), 25 Mhairi Johnstone (Northern).

Tuesday 2nd August 2005

St Andrews junior open tournaments
SARAH AND ASHLEIGH ONLY TWO SCOTS IN ST ANDREWS JUNIOR WOMEN QUARTERS
Sarah Herd (Dunblane New) and Ashleigh Wilton (Ladybank) are the only Scots left in a star-studded quarter-final line-up of the St Andrews junior women’s open tournament for the Golf Monthly Trophy.
Sarah plays Welsh international left-hander Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) over the Old Course tomorrow.
Ashleigh, whose parents are South African but she has been brought up in Scotland and is coached by Sandy Smith at Ladybank, beat Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Easton) by one hole in yesterday’s ties over the Eden Course.
Ashleigh now plays England international Faye Sanderson (Heworth).
Also through to the last eight are Yorkshire’s Naomi Edwards (Ganton), who won the St Rule Trophy on her last visit to St Andrews in early June, Anna Scott (Consett), the 6ft 1in 19-year-old who plays on the American college circuit for Georgia State and recently won the Bridget Jackson Bowl tournament, and Welsh junior cap Samantha Birks.
Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & Co) lost by 6 and 5 to Naomi Edwards in the first round. Dundee University student Kerri Harper (Inverness) lost by 3 and 2 to Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) did well to take Anna Scott to the last green before going under.
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas), the top seed, and 19th qualifier Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) are the only two Scots through to the quarter-finals of the St Andrews boys’ open scratch tournament for the Merchants Cup.
Robin was taken to the 20th in his first tie over the Eden Course by Joshua Clarke (Montrose Mercantile) today but beat Kevin Taylor (The Cambridgeshire) by 3 and 2 in the afternoon.
The Prestwick teenager now plays Harry Proos (Royal Lytham) over the Old Course on Wednesday.
Stevenson beat Luke Searle (Richmond) by 3 and 1 and then reached the last eight with a 3 and 2 win over James Housby (Penrith). Gordon plays Hamindar Matharu (Cookridge Hall) for a place in the semi-finals.
In the boys’ open handicap competition for the Murray Mitchell Trophy, the top two seeds, Andrew Wright, who plays off five at Barassie, and Douglas Ibbotson, a seven-handicapper at Murcar, progressed to the second round which will be played over the Old Course.
Results:
ST ANDREWS JUNIOR WOMEN’S OPEN – Eden Course – First round – F Sanderson (Heworth) bt D O’Connell (Burnham & Berrow) 2 and 1, A Wilson (Ladybank) bt D Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) 1 hole, N Edwards (Ganton) bt K Wells (Dumfries & Co) 6 and 5, R Drummond (Beaconsfield) bt K Harper (Inverness) 3 and 2, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) bt G Shaw (Aston Wood) 9 and 7, S Herd (Dunblane New) bt S Colecliffe (Rhuddlan) 2 and 1, S Birks (Wolstanton) bt V Harris (Beaconsfield) 2 and 1, A Scott (Consett) bt P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 1 hole.
ST ANDREWS BOYS’ OPEN (Scratch) – Eden Course – First round – S Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) bt J Clarke (Montrose Mercantile) at 20th, K Taylor (Cambridgeshire) bt C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 6 and 5. K Ewers (Gainsborough) bt P McCabe (Wishaw) 1 hole, H Proos (Royal Lytham) bt G Carrie (Newburgh on Ythan) 6 and 4, L Sinnott (Matlock) bt R Burnand (Kidderminster) 3 and 2, M Main (Thornton) bt J Taylor (Fulford) Heath) 5 and 4, R Gurney (Kings Norton) bt T Stamper (Penrith) 3 and 1, M Pugh (Worcestershire) bt T Yates (Royal Cinque Ports) at 19th.
T Singleton (Sleaford) bt G Molloy (Wishaw) 2 and 1, C Wood (Long Ashton) bt R Carson (Dalmahoy) 6 and 5, K Shanks (Hilton Park) bt S Jones (Woburgn) 4 and 3, S Lane (Worcestershire) bt O Huish (Glen) 2 and 1, J Housby (Penrith) bt D Wood (Duns) 5 and 4, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) bt L Searle (Richmond) 3 and 1, H Matharu (Cookridge Hall) bt R Leeds (Muckhart) 4 and 3, A Culverwell (Dunbar) bt S Smallman (Barlaston) at 19th.
Second round – Robin bt Taylor 3 and 2, Proos bt Ewers 2 and 1, Sinnott bt Main 3 and 2, Gurney bt Pugh 3 and 1, Wood bt Singleton 4 and 3, Lane bt Shanks 1 hole, Stevenson bt Housby 3 and 2, Matharu bt Culverwell 1 hole.
ST ANDREWS BOYS’ OPEN (Handicap)– Eden Course – First round – A Wright (Barassie) (5) bt A Cheetham (Ellesmere (5) 6 and 5, N Maddison (Parklands (5) bt J Thow (Crieff) (5) 3 and 1, S Thompson (St Andrews) (8) bt L Robinson (Parklands) (5), J Tait (St Andrews) (5) bt R Forgie (Muckhart) (5) 1 hole, D Ibbotson (Murcar) (7) bt F Ogston (St Andrews) (4) 4 and 3, R Wood (Dudley) (5) w o J Honey (Fairwood Park) (5) scr, R Young (Parklands (6) bt E Ash (Harrogate) (6) 2 holes, R Hercik (Gaudet Luce) (5) bt A Vuorihovi (Windlesham) (6) 3 and 1.

Aboyne (pink) and Aberdeen Ladies' (green) afer the prizegiving at the Lyon Fours this afternoon.

ABERDEEN LADIES WIN LYON FOURS
Aberdeen Ladies 1 won the Aberdeenshire Ladies' Lyon Foursomes inter-club two-day tournament at Peterhead today.
Sheena Wood, Ellie Whyte, Carol Whicher and Lesley Hardie beat title-holders Murcar 1 by six holes in the semi-finals at which stage Aboyne's Laura Murray, Judy Slater, Liz Brown and Mary Burgess beat Cruden Bay by eight holes.
In the final, Aberdeen Ladies won both ties. Sheena and Ellie finished two up on Aboyne's Laura and Judy while Carol and Leslie were three holes to the good at the end of their tie against Liz and Mary.
Results:
SEMI-FINALS
Aberdeen Ladies 1 bt Murcar 1 by six holes (S Wood, E Whyte 2, L McLardy, C Wilson 0; C Whicher, L Hardie 4, D Pocock, S Wilson
0).
Aboyne bt Cruden Bay by eight holes (L Murray, J Slater 6, bt J Harrison, R Dunsmuir 0; E Brown, M Burgess 2, C Middleton, H Gray 0).
FINAL
Aberdeen Ladies 1 bt Aboyne by five holes (Wood, Whyte 2, Murray, Slater 0; Whicher, Hardie 3, Brown, Burgess 0).

Prizewinners at the Paul Lawrie Junior Classic:
Back row (left to right), Euan Noble, Paul Lawrie, Samantha Leslie, Lauren MacCallum.
Front row: Craig Cowie, Philip McLean, Andrew Dingwall.

PAUL LAWRIE JUNIOR CLASS PRIZEWINNERS
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie presented the prizes at his own Paul Lawrie Junior Classic at Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club today (Wed) and then gave all the youngsters a special coaching clinic on the practice range.
On a windy day, Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon), who is also a member at Newburgh, pitched and putted well to register a gross score of 80, eight over the CSS, which might bring her handicap down.
Lauren, who won the best net aggregate award in the Scottish schoolgirls tournament at St Andrews Bay in June, won at Newburgh by seven strokes from Samantha Leslie (Westhill).
Euan Noble (Kintore) won the Under-16 boys' section by five strokes with a gross round of 74 - two over the boys' par and three over CSs.
Craig Cowie (Strathlene) won the Under-18s by one stroke, also with a 74.
LEADING SCORES
Girls (Par 73, CSS 72)
80 L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon).
87 S Leslie (Westhill).
90 N MacAulay (Stonehaven) (better inward half), H Thomson (Newmachar).
104 J Jones (McDonald Ellon).
105 N Thomson (Murcar).
Boys' Under-18 (Par 72, CSS 71)
74 C Cowie (Strathlene).
75 P McLean (Fraserburgh) (better inward half), J Duff (Newmachar).
81 M Lawrence (Kintrore).
84 L Sang (Aboyne), M Spence (Newmachar).
87 K Spence (Newmachar).
94 S Cruickshank (Deeside).
Boys' Under-16 (Par 72, CSS 71)
74 E Noble (Kintore).
79 A Dingwall (Peterculter) (better inward half), D Millar (Newmachar).
79 D Law (Hazlehead).
85 R Penny (Portlethen).
86 D MacAndrew (Hazlehead), G Law (Oldmeldrum).
89 S Leggat (Peterhead), M Wareham (Hazlehead).
92 J Robertson (Turriff).
93 C Ross (Northern).

GLENEAGLES PLAYS HOST TO ASPIRING GOLF CHAMPIONS
Gleneagles and clubgolf Scotland have once again joined forces for this year’s Johnnie Walker Championship to promote junior golf in Scotland.
Clubgolf Scotland – a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers’ Association and Sportscotland - was launched by Johnnie Walker Championship chairman Colin Montgomerie and Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell two years ago.  It is a scheme that aims to give every young Scot the opportunity to play golf and help more of the country’s best young players develop their talents.  It was established as a legacy of Scotland’s bid to host the Ryder Cup, which will be held at Gleneagles in 2014.
Gleneagles will play host to more than 200 school children during this week’s championship.  Each child attending will have the opportunity to play pitch and putt with some coaching and watch the professionals compete.  It is also hoped that they will have a chance to meet some of their sporting heroes and talk to them about the game.
Patrick Elsmie, Operations Director, said, ‘Gleneagles has always been committed to golf and we are thrilled to be a part of the clubgolf initiative.  We hope to be able to help them in achieving their goal of allowing all children to have experienced the game by the age of nine.
‘ As the venue to the Ryder Cup in 2014 it is important that Gleneagles continues to work closely with organizations like clubgolf to ensure that the game of golf in Scotland and our young people reap the benefits of playing host to such a prestigious tournament’.
As well as youngsters, golf volunteers at the forefront of pilot projects for the national golf strategy will also have a unique opportunity to experience the Championship as a reward for their commitment to the plan. Many of the children heading for a day at Gleneagles will have been introduced to the sport via clubgolf’s Introductory Game within their schools.  The majority of them will have already used real golf equipment and experienced clubgolf’s level 1 course taught by PGA professionals and trained volunteers within their local clubs.
Alan McMillan, Clubgolf’s Junior Golf Manager said, ‘We will be inviting juniors from schools and volunteers from clubs throughout Scotland in recognition for their commitment to Clubgolf projects.
‘The aim of the day at Gleneagles is to give clubs and their juniors an experience that will inspire them to the many opportunities that golf opens up.  The Johnnie Walker Championship is one of Scotland’s most high profile events with top competitors from all over the world taking part and we are very grateful to Gleneagles for welcoming us and for giving us the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere.  We hope the youngsters will enjoy the day and take away some lasting memories from it’.

Monday 1st August 2005

St Andrews Junior Ladies Open
Apologies.. We've only been given the draw for the matchplay.. and do not have the scores from the qualifying round.
ST ANDREWS JUNIOR LADIES OPEN
TUESDAY - Eden Course
First round
10.12 Faye Sanderson (Heworth) v Donna O'Connell (Burnham& Berrow).
10.20 Edwina Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) v Ashleigh Wilton(Ladybank).
10.28 Naomi Edwards (Ganton) v Kirstry Wells (Dumfries & Co).
10.36 Kerri Harper (Invernes) v Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield).
10.44 Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) v Gemma Shaw (Aston Wood).
10.52 Samantha Colecliffe (Rhuddlan) v Sarah Herd (Dunblane New).
11.0 Samantha Birks(Wolstanton) v Victoria Harris (Beaconsfield).
11.08 Anna Scott (Consett) v Pamela Prestwell (Bothwell Castle).
ST ANDREWS GIRLS' OPEN QUAICH
WEDNESDAY - Old Course
First round
12.40 Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) v Samantha Hill (Channels).
12.50 Bronte Law (Bramhall) v Cara Easton (Dalmahoy).
1.0 Jane Withers (Mill Green) v Gillian Simpson (Baberton).
1.10 Morven McCulloch (SALJGA) v Lauren Taylor (Rugby).

Lyon Foursomes
Title-holders Murcar swept into the last four of Aberdeenshire Ladies' Lyon Foursomes at Peterhead today.
Having received a bye into the quarter-finals, Murcar's Laura McLardy, Carol Wilson, Donna Pocock and Sjavon Wilson beat Peterhead by 16 holes in the double-foursomes format.
In tomorrow's semi-finals they will play Aberdeen Ladies 1 while Cruden Bay meet Aboyne in the other tie.
Results:
FIRST ROUND
Byes: Murcar 1, Aboyne.
Peterhead bt Banchory at 19th (I Coleman, B Buchan 0, A Smart, M Clapperton 2; I Young, P Gourlay 2, G Christie, G Chalmers 0).
Murcar 2 bt Ballater at 20th (F Neish, S Thomson 0, S Gordon, R Roy 3; M Robinson, P Wilson 3, M Cruickshank, E Christie 0).
Aberdeen Ladies 1 bt Deeside 1 by one hole (S Wood, E Whyte 0, M Millership, F Hay 2; C Whicher, L Hardie 3, S Shepherd, V Harper 0).
Cruden Bay bt Ellon by 13 holes (J Harrison, R Dunsmuir 2, A Bowman, D MacKinnon 0; C Middleton, H Gray 11, J Forbes, E Shaw 0).
Newmachar bt Deeside 2 by two holes (K Jarvie, S Tait 6, F Reiss, A Downie 0; M Horn, S McNaught 0, M Parkinson, A Harper 4).
Kemnay bt Aberdeen Ladies 2 (J Whitehead, S Taylor 3, A Stalker, C Kyle 0; Y Moir, C Gordon 2, M Miller, M Donald 0).
QUARTER-FINALS
Murcar 1 bt Peterhead by 16 holes (L McLardy, C Wilson 6, Coleman, Buchan 0; D Pocock, S Wilson 10, Young, Gourlay 0).
Aberdeen Ladies 1 bt Murcar 2 by two holes (Wood, Whyte 0, Neish, Thomson 3; Whicher, Hardie 5, Robinson, P Wilson 0).
Cruden Bay bt Newmachar by seven holes (Harrison, Dunsmuir 0, Jarvie, Tait 2; Middleton, Gray 9, Horn, McNaught 0).
Aboyne bt Kemnay by 11 holes (L Murray, J Slater 5, Whitehead, Taylor 0; E Brown, M Bugess 6, Moir, Gordon 0).

LGU Press Release
THE WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN TO REMAIN ON THE BBC UNTIL 2011
The Ladies’ Golf Union has concluded an agreement with the BBC who have secured the UK television rights to broadcast the Women’s British Open until 2011.
This follows the success of recent Championships and in particular this year’s at Royal Birkdale where Jeong Jang of South Korea held off the challenge of Sophie Gustafson, to win her first major championship by four shots.
Andy Salmon, the Chief Executive of the LGU said, "We are delighted that the BBC will be televising the Women’s British Open for the next six years and thank them for their continued commitment to women’s golf."
"With the championship now committed to terrestrial television, we have achieved our aim of permitting the widest possible audience watch the world’s best players in action."

ELGA Press Release
ELGA Trust patrons celebrate
Supporters of English girls’ golf are celebrating a £12,000 milestone.
That’s the sum raised in just seven months by the new patrons of the ELGA Trust, the charity for girls’ golf.
Patrons include 2004 British Women’s Open champion Karen Stupples and television commentator Peter Alliss, while England’s golfing superstar, Laura Davies, is an ambassador for the scheme.
Patrons make a donation to the ELGA Trust, which encourages girls to play golf with grants for coaching and towards the cost of equipment and tournament expenses. Typically, it awards around £50,000 a year.
A host of patrons got together at the English Girls’ Championship at Liphook when their contribution was recognised by ELGA chairman Jenny Clink.
“This has been a wonderful gathering of friends who have been able to watch some of the girls they have helped to get started in golf,” she said.
“The support for the patrons scheme has been excellent and we are concentrating on growing it steadily.”
Among the patrons at the championship were Ann Archer of Hanckley Common in Surrey, who captained the winning England team at European Ladies’ Team Championship in 1967 and again at the Home Internationals of 1968; and Chris Stirling of Meon Valley, Hampshire, the 2004 English senior ladies’ matchplay champion.