January 2004 Archive

Friday 23 January 2004

The floodgates have opened!

LYNN, JO AND CARLY LEAD THE WAY IN SLGA LEAGUES
Former Scottish champion Lynn Kenny (Stirling University & Dunblane), Jo Carthew (Ladybank) and Carly Booth (Auchterarder) are the three table-toppers after the second Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Weekend League meeting at Longniddry.
Lynn, pictured right, beat Centenary Scottish title-winner Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) by one hole and also Kelly Brotherton, the BP Scottish Under-18 girls champion from Tulliallan, by 9 and 8 to have three wins out of three to her credit in Pool 1.
At the first winter meeting, before Christmas, Miss Kenny beat Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 3 and 2.
Jo Carthew, pictured left, increased her points haul in Pool 2 to 3 ½ out of a possible four by beating St Andrews teenager Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 5 and 4 and then halving with former Angus champion Dawn Dewar (Monifieth).
Carly Booth, pictured right, who will not be 12 years old until early June, beat Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) by 2 and 1 and then accounted for Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & County) by 5 and 4 to boost her Pool 3 record to three wins out of three.
At the first weekend league meeting, Carly beat Roseanne Niven (Crieff), the Scottish Under-16 open girls' champion, by 3 and 2.
Solheim Cup player Catriona Matthews, home at North Berwick for a winter break from the US LPGA Tour, attended the weekend gathering and talked about her experiences on the American circuit. Audrey Duncan, from the Dundee University sports exercise staff, also gave a presentation.
Former Scottish women's champion Fiona Anderson, based in Manchester for the past few years, attended the weekend as a start to the process of getting to know the players better. Fiona, who hails from Blairgowrie, has been appointed skipper of the Scotland team for the women's home internationals at Royal Porthcawl in September. Results

NEW UNIFIED HANDICAPPING SYSTEM AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT FOR CONGU
"The Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) was established in 1924 at the request of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The purpose was, and is, to advise on the formulation of a uniform system of handicapping, based on Standard Scratch Scores, for men's golf in Great Britain and Ireland. CONGU has consisted of representatives from The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the English Golf Union, the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Scottish Golf Union and the Welsh Golfing Union..
The new CONGU Constitution has been expanded to include an equal representation of ladies' golf from the four Home Unions/Associations and the Ladies Golf Union.
The background to this change goes back to 2001 when CONGU and the LGU agreed that it would make sense to explore the possibility of one handicapping system for men and ladies. As a result, a joint Technical Committee has been working to bring together the men's and ladies' handicapping system under the umbrella of a newly constituted CONGU.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Ladies' Golf Union, on Wednesday 21st January 2004, the proposed changes were overwhelmingly endorsed by the delegates representing ladies golf in England, Ireland Scotland and Wales. As a result the CONGU UNIFIED HANDICAPPING SYSTEM (UHS) will become effective on the 1st February 2004.
To make sure clubs operate the new handicap system in the same way, Independent Software Vendors will be licensed by CONGU to ensure that their software complies with the CONGU specification.
In order to cover the initial and ongoing costs of monitoring these licences the Independent Software Vendors will be charged a fee of £10 per annum for each club who use their software. CONGU has also now a registered trademark.
Commenting on these changes, the Secretary of CONGU, Kevin McIntyre said, "After three years of hard work by the Joint Technical Committee the men's and ladies' systems are now one and I see this as a major step forward for the game of golf in these islands. I look forward to an even closer working relationship between the men's and ladies' golfing bodies in the ongoing administration of the UHS in Great Britain and Ireland."

Aberdeenshire County - Leading trophy winners in 2003 season.
County champion Julie Henderson (Inverurie)is centre of middle row with championship runner-up, Lorraine Coleman (Peterhead), third from left middle row, next to Julie.

Aberdeenshire News
Mary Robinson (Murcar) has retired after 11 years' sterling service as Aberdeenshire county secretary. She received a presentation at the Shire annual meeting.. Karen Stalker (Fraserburgh) succeeds Mary as secretary.
Karen is no stranger to county or club administration. She is currently lady captain of Fraserburgh Golf Club, having been handicap secretary. Karen has been on Aberdeenshire Ladies' County GA committee since 1995 as Fraserburgh's representative and, during that time, had a couple of two-year spells on the management committee. She was also treasurer of the county from November 2001 until last November.
"It will be a hard act to follow in Mary Robinson's footsteps but I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Karen.
The treasurer's duties have been taken over by Laura McLardy (Murcar), a leading player for Northern Counties and then Aberdeenshire over the past decade.

Mary Robinson (Murcar) who received a presentation at the Aberdeenshire annual meeting to mark her retirement as county secretary after 11 years' service.

Karen Stalker (Fraserburgh), who succeeds Mary Robinson, having been treasurer of the county from November 2001 to November 2003.

North East Golf Draws getting ready for the new season
Kathleen Esslemont writes -
" Most clubs have by this time drawn up their Open fixture lists, and I am already receiving open dates from golf clubs throughout the region.
25 clubs used the North East Golf Draws service last year, and the feedback has been very positive.
The clubs felt that the publication of their open dates and draws on the website increased the number of entries, with many competitors downloading entry forms off the website. They were pleased that publication of the draw was so easy and practically immediate. The clubs also reported that a large proportion of their members relied on the website for open draws.
The feedback from competitors has also been very positive. They liked being able to download entry forms, liked seeing the draw in a clear format, and being able to see for themselves the availability of late entries with contact details.
With 12000 hits last year it has certainly proved popular for golfers in the North East.
For any golf club or competitor who has not yet logged on to the website, the address is www.northeastgolfdraws.co.uk.
Golf club secretaries wishing to promote their open competitions should click on the 'Instructions for Clubs' link.
Regards and thanks
Kathleen Esslemont
North East Golf Draws webmaster "

Northern Counties Fixture List
Northern Counties have announced their fixture list which can be found here

CARNOUSTIE TO HOST 2007 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Carnoustie has been chosen to host the Open Championship from 19th to 22nd July 2007.
The Open returned to Carnoustie in 1999 after a break of 24 years. The success of the infrastructure, access arrangements and accommodation put in place to handle the needs of a modern Championship has resulted in the R&A awarding the venue the Open for a seventh time according to David Hill, Championship Secretary of the R&A.
Carnoustie, playing to 7361 yards, has traditionally been regarded as the most difficult of Open venues, a fact that was underlined in 1999 when Paul Lawrie won in testing conditions with a 6 over par score of 290.
In announcing the 2007 venue, Peter Dawson, Secretary of the R&A said: "Carnoustie has always been acknowledged as an outstanding test of links golf with one of the most exacting finishes of any Championship course."
"We are therefore delighted to be returning only eight years after the previous Open when Carnoustie was rightly reinstated to the rota of Open venues."
Angus Council leader Rob Murray said he was delighted that the Open was returning to Carnoustie in 2007.
"The 1999 championship surpassed the expectations of all involved and secured Carnoustie's reputation as one of the best links courses in the world. We are delighted to see the championship's return to the county and I thank the R&A for their confidence in the venue."
"The creation of a new dual carriageway between Dundee and Arbroath will improve the journey and reduce traffic congestion - which is good news for visiting spectators and the home crowd alike."
"We look forward to working with the R&A in the lead up to 2007 and give them our fullest support for what is certain to be another successful and exciting championship."
The return of the Open to Carnoustie by the R&A will ensure positive worldwide television coverage for the area and Scotland at large. It will also give a multimillion-pound boost to the local and general economy. There is reference to golf being played at Carnoustie as early as 1527. The first known course at Carnoustie was laid out in the first half of the 19th century and consisted of only 10 holes. Old Tom Morris expanded the course to 18 holes in 1873 and in 1926 James Braid made far-reaching alterations which were the basis for today's championship layout.
Carnoustie first hosted the Open in 1931 and the list of Champions is:
1931 - Tommy Armour 73, 75, 77, 71 296
1937 - Henry Cotton 74, 73, 72, 71 290
1953 - Ben Hogan 73, 71, 70, 68 282
1968 - Gary Player 74, 71, 71, 73 289
1975 - Tom Watson 71, 67, 69, 72 279
1999 - Paul Lawrie 73, 74, 76, 67 290

THE YEAR OF THE FRANKLY FROG
User-friendly putter designed by Frank Thomas leaps into action
Chester, NJ; January 22nd 2004... For all golfers, 2004 will be The Year of the Frog. The Frankly Frog, that is.
"The Frankly Frog makes you a better putter," said Frank Thomas, designer of The Frankly Frog, inventor of the graphite shaft and former USGA Technical Director.
"The design promotes immediate forward roll after impact to keep your putts on-line, while providing maximum forgiveness, across and up and down the face," said Thomas.
The lightweight totally machined aluminum putter head is extra wide with two heavy tungsten weights positioned low and behind the face to give it perfect balance and maximum forgiveness. It starts the ball rolling forward immediately after impact and features bold white sight lines to allow for easy alignment of the "frog green" head.
Leaping into action, The Frankly Frog retails for $169 and can be ordered on-line at www.franklygolf.com or by calling direct 001-866 879 1007. [Yes... I know the price is in dollars and it's an American phone number - GGK]
Available with either a steel, or graphite shaft featuring the Frankly Alignment Guidance System. Each Frankly Frog purchased via franklygolf.com comes with The Frankly Golf Support System, which provides Instructions for Use, including how to focus and ongoing assistance to help golfers.
Additional information about The Frankly Frog or Frankly Golf can be obtained by contacting Valerie Melvin Valerie@franklygolf.com or by logging onto the company's web site at www.franklygolf.com.

Phew!!!

Thursday 22nd January 2004

MEMBER CLUBS VOTE FOR UNIFIED HANDICAPPING SYSTEM
The Ladies’ Golf Union has received overwhelming support for the proposal of a Unified Handicapping System with 94% of affiliated clubs in the four Home Countries and overseas voting to adopt the system. The motion proposing change was adopted today at the AGM in London.
On the 1st February, the LGU will cease to be the handicapping authority for its member clubs. Instead, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU), on which ladies’ organisations will have equal representation, will be the policy making body for handicapping, both ladies’ and men’s, and will work through the ladies’ and men’s Unions and Associations who will administer the system.
Speaking at the AGM of the LGU where the vote for change was taken, Andy Salmon, its Chief Executive Officer said: "We are delighted that clubs have fully endorsed the view that a unified handicapping system is the way forward. This will have many advantages. It will enable clubs to streamline their administration of handicaps by operating only one system and at last, we will have a system where all handicaps are directly comparable."
"We also feel that the change will be a welcome catalyst for a greater amount of mixed golf which, we have always stressed, is an important aspect for the future good of the game."
Kevin McIntyre, the Secretary of CONGU said: "We have worked hard to reach this point and are delighted that both men and women will now come under the handicapping umbrella of CONGU. It always made sense to proceed along these lines and the endorsement of the LGU motion indicates the support in clubs throughout the four countries for the proposal."

JAN BENNETT TAKES OVER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE LGU
Jan Bennett yesterday (Wednesday) assumed the office of Chairman of the Ladies’ Golf Union at its Annual General Meeting in London. She will serve in office for a period of 12 months.
Mrs Bennett brings to the position the experience of over 20 years of administration in golf that commenced at her home club of Berkhamsted where she was Ladies’ Captain in 1982. Following a spell on the Hertfordshire committee where she became Captain in 1988, she was elected to the ELGA Executive Committee in 1994 and served as their chairman in 1996.
Since being elected to the Executive Council of the LGU in 1999, in addition to serving in several committees, she has been chairman of the Scratch Score Committee and was instrumental in introducing the principle of USGA Course Rating to the four National Organisations.
She is a qualified referee and has twice subjected herself to the R&A’s Rules examination in order to keep abreast of current changes and decisions. This Rules knowledge has been put to good use in the Open Championship where she has been a referee for the past four years.
Mrs Bennett believes that the next twelve months will be a time for consolidation in the LGU and said: " We have made some tremendous progress over the last couple of years and we intend to continue to work closely with all governing bodies to build and strengthen our current relationships for the good of ladies’ golf. Handicapping is one particular area where I am convinced we have moved forward and I am greatly encouraged by the overwhelming support from the member clubs for our proposals for a unified handicapping system operated by CONGU."
"2004 will also be a special year as we host the Curtis Cup Match at Formby and we visit Sunningdale once again for the Weetabix Women’s British Open, now in its 4th year as a major championship"
Before becoming involved in golf administration Mrs Bennett was a teacher of modern languages, both Spanish and French. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband Chris, a retired chemical engineer and they have one daughter in New Zealand.
Unfortunately, she says, administration leaves little time for playing golf although she still retains a handicap of 8 at Berkhamsted and Moor Park.

THREE NEW FACES ON LINKS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
At their first meeting of the year, the Links Management Committee (LMC) of St Andrews Links Trust welcomed three new members: Val Johnston, Angus Mitchell and Roy Verner.
Captain of St Regulus Golf Club in 2002 and 2003, Mrs Johnston also served on the Club Committee as social convenor and handicap secretary.
Member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews Golf Club and the New Golf Club, Mr Mitchell is also golf secretary of Rotary International Golf Week. He has lived in St Andrews for over 20 years and used to own the Russell Hotel and the Merchantís House.
Handicap convenor of the St Andrews Golf Club and a caddie on the Links, Mr Verner ran the shop and post office in Strathkinness until 1995, and then a taxi business until 2000.
Cllr Bill Sangster, who joined the LMC in 2003, was re-nominated by Fife Council for a further four years.
Chairman, Jim White was re-elected at the first committee meeting of 2004. The LMC now comprises: Jim White (Chairman), Cllr Peter Douglas, Val Johnston, Dennis Matthews, Angus Mitchell, Drew Renwick, Cllr Bill Sangster and Roy Verner.

NEW TRUSTEE AT ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST
At their first meeting of the year the Trustees of St Andrews Links Trust welcomed a new Trustee, Peter Forster. Mr Forster was nominated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and replaces Angus Ogilvie, who was a Trustee for six years.
Mr Forster, a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Scotscraig Golf Club, is a past chairman of the R&A Club Committee. He is a farmer and lives near Wormit.
Cllr Frances Melville, who has been a Trustee since 1996, was re-nominated by Fife Council for a further three year term.
Chairman, Dr Duncan Lawrie, was re-elected for his fourth year at the first meeting of 2004. The Trustees now comprise Dr D Lawrie (Chairman), Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Alistair Dempster, Fiona de Vries, Peter Forster, Cllr Frances Melville, Cllr John Simpson and Robin Waddell.

Tuesday 20th January 2004

Elie Boy and Girls tournaments
This is a correction to my announcement yesterday about the Elie tournaments.
The boys and girls Open at ELIE commences on 13th April.
Entry forms can be obtained, and should be returned by Friday 2nd April, to J.A.L.James, Elie Sports Club,Elie, Fife.
NB. This date does not clash with the St Leonards/SLGA U16 tournament. Hooray!
Apologies to Elie for the mix-up.

Irish Press Release
Ann Heskin takes over as President
The appointment of Miss Ann Heskin of Douglas Golf Club as President Elect of the The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union was confirmed at the Annual General Meeting of the I.L.G.U. held on Saturday 17th January 2004. In her address to the meeting the President, Mrs. Ita Butler, said
“Ann has had a very distinguished record both as an international player and as an administrator. As a player Ann represented Ireland on 5 occasions between 1969 and 1977. She was Captain of the Irish Home International team in 1982 & 1983 and during that time she also captained Ireland to victory in the European Team Championship in Belgium.
"Ann is a current Executive Council Member of the Ladies Golf Union based in St. Andrews, from which position she is retiring 2 years early to take up the office of President Elect. Ann has contributed to every aspect of the game and she is extremely well qualified to hold the position.
"I feel that the Union are very fortunate that a person of Ann’s ability and integrity has accepted this responsibility.”

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON TICKETS
The R&A are encouraging spectators to take advantage of one of the best offers in world sport by purchasing an Open Championship season ticket before the end of January.
Spectators can watch all of the world's top players over eight days, almost 100 hours of spectating, for £125, the price of a season ticket if purchased by 31st January 2004.
"With prices frozen for the second time in three years, a season ticket giving entry to the historic links at Royal Troon for the eight days of practice and Championship play, 11th - 18th July, represents excellent value and a saving of almost 50% on the daily admission charges," said David Hill, Championship Secretary.
"It was at Royal Troon in 1997 that we first introduced free admission for juveniles and the continuation of that policy and our aim of making spectating affordable for young and old alike will guarantee a great reception for the 2004 Open Champion."
Ticket applications should be directed in writing to: Ticket Office, R&A Championships Limited, Beach House, Golf Place, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JA; by telephone on: 01334 460010 or through on-line purchasing at www.opengolf.com.

CARLY PREVENTS SPANISH WHITEWASH IN 2004 MEDIA MASTERS ON COSTA DEL SOL
But for Dorset women's county team player Carly Cummins from Bournemouth, Spain would have provided the winner of all four categories in the 3rd staging (January 17-18) of the Media Masters amateur golf tournament, sponsored by Selected Hotels (Atalaya Park & Don Miguel) and supported by the PGA of Europe, the Costa del Sol Tourist Board, Niza Cars and the Spanish rail authority.
Carly, who works for Emap Publications and is based at Peterborough, repeated her success of 2003 at Atalaya Golf & Country Club on the Spain's Costa del Sol. Miss Cummins led at the end of the first day after scoring 39pt over the New Course. That was equivalent to a three-under-par round and gave her 6pt more on the day than her nearest challenger, Rosario Pino, a Spanish 29-handicapper, achieved in her opening round, over the Old Course. Carly then went out on Day 2 and matched the women's par on the Old Course by gaining 36pt for a final total of 75.
Rosario Pino cut the final deficit to four point with a creditable effort of 38pt over the New Course in her second round.
Miss Cummins was the 2002 European female writers' champion at Quinta da Marinha.
Spain also provided the third-best female finisher in Matila Fernandez Jarrin, who played off 32 in scoring 33pt over the Old Course and 28 over the "easier" New Course for a total of 61pt.
Ann Mooney from Ireland, winner of the European female writers' championship at La Manga in November, was unable to take part in the second round because of pressing business at home in Cork. She had scored 23pt over the New Course on her first day.
Incidentally, Carly Cummins' haul of 75pt was not bettered by any of the male category winners.
In fact, Jose Barbero Gonzalez, the Spanish 11-handicapper, who topped Class 1 (handicaps 0 to 15), had to settle for 73pt (36 over the Old and 37 from the New). Jose took the prime position in this category but three English golfers finished second, third and fourth. Paul Trow, playing off 12, was runner-up with 71pt (34 Old, 37 New) with Neil Webber, also a 12-handicapper, pipping Alan Hedley for third place after a countback to break the tie on 68pt. Neil scored 33 over the Old and 35 at the New. Alan had 34pt from both venues.
Five Spanish players topped the Class 2 (handicaps 16 to 24) returns with the top spot going to Jon Gorospe. Playing off 16, he scored 73pt (36 Old, 37 New), to win the section by 3pt from compatriot Diez Moro, playing off 18.
Ray Scott from Waterford, winner of the Moroccan Invitational Writers' male title at Agadir in December, was the best Great Britain & Ireland finisher in sixth place on 63pt in Class 2.
Class 3 (handicaps 25 and over) was also dominated by Spanish writers, six of whom filled the leading places. No 1 was Jose Antonio Barez, playing off 35. He was the only male to match Carly Cummins' grand total of 75pt with 33 over the Old and a staggering 42 (equivalent to a six-under-par net score) over the New. He won his class by six points from Antonio Fidalgo, who played off 28.
More than 100 players from 16 different countries took part. Results

Monday 19th January 2004

Any more budding poets?

Sunday 18th January 2004

Does anyone recognise this group of ladies? or indeed the clubhouse behind them? email me

Scottish Vets v Irish Seniors
The date is 20-21 April but the venue has still to be announced.

Friday 16th January 2004

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release
Florentyna Flourishes in Florida
England Under 15 Champion Florentyna Parker has become the first British girl to win at the world's biggest junior tournament.
The 14-year-old claimed her victory at the Doral-Publix Junior Classic in Miami, which attracts hundreds of youngsters from all over the world.
Florentyna won the age group for 14-15-year-old girls, helped by a tournament record 66 in her second round and a last-hole birdie in the final round, which clinched her one-stroke triumph.
"I was delighted to win," said Florentyna, who is a member at Royal Birkdale, Merseyside, but lives in Germany where her father is a golf professional. "It was a really good tournament and the standard was excellent."
After the first round of the 54-hole event Florentyna was about six shots off the pace, but she was only two adrift after her stunning four-under par 66, which included five birdies. The action moved from the red course to the tougher white course for the final round and as Florentyna stood on the last tee she was tied with Agostina Parmigiani of Argentina. The English girl made short work of the par five hole, following a good drive with a fine five iron into the heart of the green. As her rival made five, Florentyna two-putted for her birdie 4 and the win.
She went on to score another good result in the 40th Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship at Biltmore Golf Club, Coral Gables, Florida. This is a prestigious invitational event and previous competitors include Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam.
Florentyna finished 16th in the girls' event, improving on her performance of the previous year by 11 places. She was joined at both US events by Yorkshire's Kiran Matharu, who won ELGA's 2003 junior order of merit.
Florentyna and Kiran were part of the mixed England team which won the silver medal at the 2003 European Young Masters in Germany. The boys were Florentyna's brother, Ben, and Oliver Fisher of West Essex. Florentyna is also a past winner of the England Under 13 Championship and will be a name to watch out for in the future.

Golf wisdom
This has been doing the rounds... thanks to John Hargan for sending it in. You can probably tell it comes from the US. What's wrong with bagpipe music????

• When I die, bury me on the golf course so my husband will visit. ~Author Unknown.
• I don't say my golf game is bad, but if I grew tomatoes they'd come up sliced. ~Author Unknown
• I've spent most of my life golfing. the rest I've just wasted. ~Author Unknown
• They call it golf because all the other four-letter words were taken. ~Raymond Floyd
• The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flag stick on top. ~Pete Dye (His golf courses reflect this belief!!!)
• Golf is played by twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out having fun. ~Jim Bishop
• It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course. ~Hank Aaron
• Golf is a game in which you yell "fore," shoot six, and write down five ~Paul Harvey
• Give me golf clubs, fresh air & a beautiful partner, and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air. ~Jack Benny
• Have you ever noticed what golf spells backwards? ~Al Boliska
• The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course. ~Billy Graham
• Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing. ~Ben Hogan
• Go play golf. Go to the golf course. Hit the ball. Find the ball. Repeat until the ball is in the hole. Have fun. The end. ~Chuck Hogan
• If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball. ~Jack Lemmon
• It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling. ~Mark Twain
• Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty. ~Harry Vardon
• Golf is a game in which one endeavors to control a ball with implements ill adapted for the purpose. ~Woodrow Wilson
• A golfer's diet: live on greens as much as possible. ~Author Unknown
• Gone golfin' ... be back about dark thirty. ~Author Unknown
• Born to golf. Forced to work. (sometimes with "to pay for habit" included.) ~Author Unknown
• My body is here, but my mind has already teed off. ~Author Unknown
• May thy ball lie in green pastures, and not in still waters. ~Author Unknown
• If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit it straight, it's a miracle. ~Author Unknown
• The difference in golf and government is that in golf you can't improve your lie. ~George Deukmejian
• Golf is a game invented by the same people who think music comes out of a bagpipe. ~Author Unknown

Thursday 15th January 2004

Just like the No 23 bus, nothing comes for days, and then three come at once.

Solheim Cup 2003
I was privileged to see a preview copy of the Solheim Cup 2003 DVD last night at North Berwick Golf Club.
Catriona Matthew, pictured right, gave a superb talk on her experiences at last year's match in Malmo, Sweden, to a packed audience of appreciative North Berwick golfers, and answered all our questions with her customary unassuming good humour.
I had not seen any of the Solheim Cup because I was in the States last September, and although I knew the result (in case you don't know - Europe won), and had read about the shambles at the end, it was a delight to hear all about the build-up, from being picked for the team, through the preparation and play to the after-match celebrations.
(One snippet - Catriona thinks that future matches will be played to a conclusion)
The Solheim Video and DVD will be hitting the shops next week. Well worth the investment!
And good luck to Catriona for the 2004 season!

West of Scotland Girls fixtures
West of Scotland Girls' Secretary, Moira Begbie, has sent me a list of the West Girls fixtures for 2004 and a list of officials. West Girls' have a link on the index to the left of this page, so you can always find their news quickly.
East Girls
If any East of Scotland Girls are reading this and wondering what is happening with them - we should have a Fixture list finalised very shortly. Click of the East of Scotland Girls' link to pick up a membership form...

SLGA Centenary Lunch
The SLGA celebrate their centenary this year (it was the centenary of the Scottish Championship last year)... another cause for celebrations (Yippee!!) They are going to hold a Centenary Lunch at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, on Saturday 9th October.
Good food! Good wine! Good speakers! Good company! Great Venue! More news when I get it.

Tuesday 13th January 2004

It's been suggested that you're all busy reading up on the new Handicap regulations. If you get tired of that, then the new 2004 Rules of Golf is a rivetting read!

Monday 12th January 2004

Three days without a News item.... I'm beginning to get a twitch.... don't know about you.... have I stunned you all into silence with my new-look webpage?
How about sending me some dates of Girls' Junior Opens for the Fixture List?

Friday 9th January 2004

NEW SLGA CHAIRMAN PAT HAS COMBINED PLAYING WITH ADMIN RESPONSIBILITIES
PAT Hutton, the new chairman of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, has combined a successful playing career with increasing administrative responsibilities in the world of golf.
"I came to golf straight from the tennis court! As a student, I was coaching tennis at Elie when I decided to give golf a try. The racquet was quite literally dropped and the golf clubs picked up," says Pat who joined Lanark Golf Club in 1966. She was ladies' club champion 19 times between 1975 and 1997, including 14 in a row from 1978. Pat was appointed ladies' club captain in 1979 and was also secretary from the early to the late 1980s. She was made an honorary member of the club in 2000.
Mrs Hutton - husband Bill is a retired dentist with a keen interest in women's golf (they have a daughter and son) - was Lanarkshire women's county champion in 1985 and a county team player from 1977 to the mid-1990s. She became county captain in 1988 and 1989 when Lanarkshire won the Scottish county finals at Carnoustie and Prestwick. She was made an honorary member of Lanarkshire LCGA in 2002.
She passed the R&A Referee School examination in 1994.
Pat has been West of Scotland veterans' champion at least four times - 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
She was Scottish veterans' champion at Blairgowrie in 1999 and Scottish senior women's title-winner at Inverness in 2000. She has been a member of the successful Scotland veteran women's team since 1996 and is vice-captain of the SVLGA for 2004-2005.
Mrs Hutton has served on the SLGA executive committee from 1999, being chairman of training until stepping up to become SLGA chairman for a year at the annual meeting last November.
She was the SLGA representative on the LGU training committee.
"Possibly my biggest golfing thrills have been team ones - as a member of the winning county and veterans' team and then as the captain of two winning county teams," said Pat.
"Having been involved in the training, to see a Scottish team win would be another great thrill."
So what does the new SLGA chairman hope to achieve during her year in office?
"To give back something to the game from which I have had so much fun. When I became involved in administration, I never imagined I would end up in the 'hot' seat!
"And to continue to develop ladies' golf in Scotland at all levels - the icing on the cake would be a Scottish win at international level!"

LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE
SIMON FLETCHER APPOINTED COACH TO CURTIS CUP TEAM
Simon Fletcher, the coach to the GB&I team that regained the Vagliano Trophy, has been appointed coach to the Curtis Cup squad for the match against the United States at Formby Golf Club on June 12 and 13.
Fletcher, 35, the professional at Morecambe Golf Club, is looking forward to his second spell coaching the top female amateurs from the four home countries.
"I was genuinely impressed with the ability and professionalism of the players who defeated the Continent of Europe at County Louth. While a few of these players might have left the amateur ranks before June, I have no doubt that the remainder of the Elite Squad will provide a team equal to anything the Americans select for Formby," he said.
"We have a talented pool of players and I am certain that there will be fierce competition for each of the eight places in the team."
Andy Salmon, chief executive of the LGU, said: "In the Vagliano Trophy we were delighted with the way in which Simon dovetailed with Ada O'Sullivan, the captain, and Fiona Norris, the manager, and had no hesitation in offering him the position of coach to the Curtis Cup team. We now have a support team that will enable the players to deliver to the very best of their ability."
The team will be selected after the Weetabix Challenge, the annual match between the LGU Elite Squad and a team of lady professionals, at Formby on April 17 and 18.

Thursday 8th January 2004

FIONA ANDERSON THRILLED BY "OUT OF THE BLUE" SCOTLAND TEAM CAPTAINCY
Perth-born former Scottish women's amateur champion Fiona Anderson is the surprise choice among the four international team captains named by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association for the 2004 season.
Fiona, a member at Craigie Hill, Blairgowrie and Gullane golf clubs, moved to Merseyside in connection with her banking career several years ago and lives at Formby where she is a member of the Formby Ladies Club. Miss Anderson, champion in 1987, when she beat Christine Middleton (Cruden Bay) in the final at Nairn, and beaten finalist four times - 1980-83-88-91, has accepted an invitation from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to captain the Scotland squad in the women's home internationals at Royal Porthcawl, South Wales from September 8 to 10.
"I'm thrilled and delighted. The invitation came right out of the blue and I'm really looking forward to the challenge, " said Fiona who was a member of several successful Scotland teams from the 1970s through to her last international appearance in the European team championship of 1991. She was a member of the Great Britain & Ireland team in the Vagliano Trophy match of 1987. Miss Anderson is captain of the Formby Ladies scratch team and she was captain of the Edinburgh University women's team during her student days.

Pam Gordon (Inverness), pictured left, captain of Scotland teams at girls, junior and women's level, adds another chapter to her skipper CV. She is to captain, for the first time, the Scotland team in the senior women's home internationals at Kilkeel, County Down from October 5 to 7.

Fiona Hunter (Baberton), pictured right, is to lead the Scotland team in the Scottish under-21 junior women's team championships at Royal Cinque Ports, Kent from July 6 to 10. As Fiona Rennie, she skippered the Scots team in the same championships in 1996 and 1998. She was also captain of the Scotland girls team in 1994 and 1995.

Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston), left, winner of the Scottish girls' title in 1988 and a junior international player in 1987 and 1988, is to captain Scotland in the girls' home internationals at Strathaven from August 11 to 13. She has been a consistent and successful county player for Renfrewshire for many years.

Good Luck to all Scottish Teams in 2004!

Wednesday 7th January 2004

R&A PRESS RELEASE
CLARE QUEEN TOPS NEW LIST OF R&A STUDENT BURSARY AWARDS
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club has increased its number of Individual Bursars to reflect the increasing number of golfers choosing to study in Europe while continuing to play amateur golf at the highest level.
For the first time in these awards are four Italian players one of whom, Francesco Molinari, reached the semi-finals of the British men's amateur championship at Royal Troon last year.
The highest award for the current 2003-2004 academic year has gone to Scottish and British international player Clare Queen (Drumpellier), pictured right, who is studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Clare, a past winner of the British girls'stroke and match-play titles, receives £4,000. A member of the LGU Elite Squad, Clare hopes to gain a place in the Great Britain and Ireland team to play the United States in June in the Curtis Cup match at Formby, Lancashire.
Other Scots on the list are: Jamie McLeary (Leven Golfing Society) (£3,500), Ewan Forbes (Turriff) (£3,000), Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) (£2,500), Dawn Dewar (Monifieth) (£2,000) and Robert Taylor (Cardross) (£2,000).
The current Irish amateur close champion, Mark O'Sullivan, receives £3,500. He is studying at University College, Dublin.
In announcing these awards, Duncan Weir, the R&A's Golf Development Secretary said;
"The R&A is now supporting university and student golf with an annual investment of over £350,000 to a total of 220 recipients. This year's group of Individual Bursars includes several students who have already achieved full international status and others who have shown the potential to reach this level.
"All bursaries are given for each year of a student's course to help offset educational expenses and are not restricted to meeting costs associated with competitive golf.
Individual awards (Scottish players in bold print) are as follows;

Claire Hunter, currently in New Zealand, sends New Year Greetings

WELSH OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP CONFIRMED FOR MAY 1 & 2
The Welsh Ladies Golf Union has confirmed that this year's Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Ashburnham will be played on May 1 and 2.
Normally it is played in June and for the past three years the title was won by Curtis Cup Scot Vikki Laing during her summer break from college in California.
Ironically, no players attending American colleges - including Heather MacRae, Jenna Wilson and Louise Kenney - will be able to play in the tournament this year because, on May 1 and 2, they will still be several weeks away from the end of term.
A WLGU official explained why the tournament is being played so early in the season this year.
"We thought we had a good entry last year but then we had several call-offs by players who had county team commitments. By bringing forward the Welsh open championship to the start of May, the weekend after the Helen Holm Scottish women's open stroke-play championship at Troon, we are hoping to avoid any clash with county team activities.
"We realise that the players who are at college in America won't be able to play on these dates but it's a swings and roundabouts situation. We feel we will gain more players than we will lose by opting for May 1 and 2."

Tuesday 6th January 2004

Monifeith Girls at their prize-giving last night.
As you can see by the turn-out - there's absolutely nothing wrong with the state of junior girls' golf in Monifieth! Congratulations to the winners (and organisers).
(Thanks to Steven Wilson for the photo.)

American dream beckons for Vikki Laing
Yesterday's Scotsman carried a back-page article by Mike Aitken about Vikki Laing (pictured right). If you missed it.. here is the link

Heather's plans for 2004
Another who is home for the holidays is Heather Macrae (pictured left) .... she wrote this for Kirkwoodgolf as she prepared to return to San Diego State on the West Coast of the United States.

Do any other students (or ex-students) have news?

Monday 5th January 2004

Fancy a holiday in Portugal with some competitive golf?
THE LISBON WORLD AMATEUR GOLF FESTIVAL
The Lisbon World Amateur Golf Festival 2004 was officially launched on 16th December by former Ryder Cup captain, Bernard Gallacher at his Golf Academy at the London Selfridges.
Now in its second year, the Lisbon World Amateur Golf Festival gives golfers of all standards the chance to enjoy some of the finest courses in Europe.
There are two great competitions in which to take part.
The ten day festival of golf starts with the Costa Azul Classic. Played on three courses south of the Tagus River, this is a series of daily stableford competitions held from 29th April to 2nd May at Aroeira I & II and Quinta do Peru.
Following this, the festival moves north of the River to become the Estoril & Sintra Classic, playing Belas, Quinta da Marinha, Penha Longa and Oitavos. This is the unique format of a 72 hole strokeplay competition held from 2nd to 8th May.
Alongside this main competition, there are daily stableford competitions, for those who prefer the less demanding format.
There are various options golfers can choose from.
For those looking for a shorter break, golfers can take part in the 3 day Costa Azul Classic.
For those looking to challenge themselves a little more there is the 7 day Estoril & Sintra Classic.
Finally, for those looking for the ultimate test in golf, there is the option to play in both tournaments over the full 10 days of the Lisbon World Amateur Golf Festival.
Golf however is not the only attraction that this festival holds and non-golfers are warmly welcomed to join their golfing partners and take part in the exciting social programme.
Aside from the golf, there is the opportunity to explore the vibrant, historic and friendly city of Lisbon as well as the glamorous resort of Estoril and the quaint fishing villages of Cascais and Sesimbra.
This exciting event will is supported by a number of high profile companies including the Lisbon Sports and Golf Bureau, TAP Air Portugal, CNBC Europe, Kronenburg 1664, Quinta de S. Francisco, Bullet, Euro RSCG, Budget Rent-a-Car, Global Refund, ICEP, Estoril & Sintra Golf and Costa Azul Golf.
PACKAGES Tournament Entry can be booked directly with Team Frith. However, if you would like to book a package deal with travel arrangements, then contact one of the official tour operators details of which can be obtained from Team Frith. All tour operators are fully ATOL bonded.