Midlothian women's county championship
Prestonfield Golf Club
MATCH-PLAY DRAW
(April 30)
FIRST ROUND
9am W Nicholson (Broomieknowe) qualifying total 154 (No 1 seed) v Linda Bain (Lochend) 174 (No 16).
9.07 Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) 169 (No 9) v Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 164 (No 8).
9.15 Karen Marshall (Baberton) 163 (No 5) v Hilary Laughland (Troon Ladies) 171 (No 12).
9.22 Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 171 (No 13) v Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 158 (No 4).
9.30 Linda Caine (Dunbar) 158 (No 3) v Sal Shepherd (Craigmillar Park) 174 (No 14).
9.37 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 170 (No 11) v Kirsten Blackwood (Craigmillar Park) 164 (No 6).
9.45 Fiona Hunter (Baberton) 164 (No 7) v Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 169 (10).
9.52 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 174 (15) v Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) 158 (No 2 seed).

East Lothian women's county championship
DUNBAR GOLF CLUB
(May 3)
FIRST ROUND
10am M Thomson (No 1 seed) v F Playfair (16).
10.07 A Marshall (9) v E Blair (8).
10.15 L Grieve (5) v A Archbold (12).
10.22 D Huish (13) v K Ward (4).
10.30 C Young (3) v B McIntosh (14).
10.37 D Young (11) v M L Renton (6).
10.45 J Herd (7) v J McNicoll (10)
10.52 B Biggart (15) v E Fairnie (No 2 seed).

Aberdeenshire women's county championship draw

PORTLETHEN GOLF CLUB – Friday, April 30.
15.00 D Pocock (ML), F Seedhouse (AL)
15.08 L McLardy (DHR), L Urquhart (B)
15.16 F Hay (D), S Wood (AL)
15.24 J Harrison (CB), C Wilson (ML)
15.32 K Stalker (CB), K Vannet (P)
15.40 R Polson (P), M Duncan (A)
15.48 L Duncan (A), S Leslie (W)
16.00 L McGillivray (B), S Mathieson (RM)
16.08 H Thomson (N), F Fullerton (MH)
16.16 L Terry (CB), E Mauchline (N)
16.24 L Whyte (H), marker
16.40 E Brown (A), L Tough (N)
16.48 J Lees (W), M Johnstone (ML)
17.00 D Gordon (W), L Carnie (Nb)

Abbreviations – AL Aberdeen Ladies; A Aboyne; B Banchory; CB Cruden Bay; D Deeside; DHR Duff House Royal; H Hazlehead; ML Murcar Links; MH Meldrum House; Nb Newburgh-on-Ythan; N Newmachar; P Peterculter; RM Royal Musselburgh; W Westhill

Portlethen Golf Club have kindly offered all competitors a complimentary practice round beforehand and they can also take a guest with them at the special rate of £12. Please phone the club on 01224 782571 to book a time in advance.
There will be 16 qualifiers who progress to match play. The first round of the match play will be held on Saturday, May 1, starting at 10am. The quarter finals will take place on the same day at 2.30pm. The semi finals will start at 10am on Sunday, May 2 with the final scheduled to start at 2.30pm.
Should any competitor have to withdraw, please will she contact Karen Stalker on 01346 513308 as soon as possible.

P & K lose friendly to Stirling & Clackmannan at Gleneagles

NEWS FROM THE PERTH & KINROSS WEBSITE
Gleneagles was the host today (Sunday, April 18) for our second inter-county match of the season. Unfortunately the day did not go P&K's way with a 3-1 loss to Stirling & Clackmannan.
The only (home) winners on the day were Emily Ogilvy and Dawn Butchart who won their match 4 and 2.
The full results were (P&K names first):
Emily Ogilvy & Dawn Butchart bt Linda Allan & Karen Burns 4 and 2.,
Alex Bushby & Fiona Ramsay lost to Claire Capocci & Jill Harris 1 hole.
Gillian Wallace & Julie White lost to Vikki Stevenson & Trisha Chillas 4 and 3.
Gwen Lambie & Jane Yellowlees lost to Mahri Hall & Fiona McArthur 1 hole.
The weather was awful with lots of rain and also very very cold so well done to all the girls who took part.
Posted by Dawn at 10:10 PM

Left to right: Handicap champion Wilma Murray, Eilidh McTavish, scratch champion Cara Gruber and Alison Bartlett after today's presentation of trophies in the Moray clubhouse. Images courtesy of Dorothy Marshall.

Cara Gruber wins Northern

Counties title No 4 at Lossie

Royal Dornoch's Cara Gruber today won the Northern Counties women's championship for the third year in a row and the fourth time since her first victory in 2001.
She beat clubmate Alison Bartlett by 2 and 1 in a closely-contested final in which Gruber only really mastered her oponent over the last three holes.
The match was all square at the eighth before Gruber went two up with successes at the 10th and 11th.
Bartlett hit back to square the contest by winnin the 12th and 13th. After the 13th and 14th were halved, Cara made the decisive more by winnng the 15th and 16th and halving the 17th for a 2 and 1 victory.
A Royal Dornoch double was completed in the handicap final when Wilma Murray, who plays off 16, beat 15-year-old Elgin junior, Eilidh McTavish (Elgin) by one hole.
Eilidh, who had her handicap cut from 26 to 24 in heading the handicap match-play qualifiers, was two up at the eighth but then lost the ninth to a birdie from Wilma who also won the next holes to go one up.
They halved the 12th and 13th before young Eilidh won the 14th to bring it back to all square. A bad tee shot from Eilidh on the short 15th, where Wilma hit the green with hers - saw Murray go one up again.
It was still a ding-dong final with Murray winning the 16th and McTavish the 17th.
Murray, one up on the 18th tee, was able to halve the hole and win the handicap title by one hole.
Both handicap finalists were making their debuts in the Northern Counties championship and for Eilidh it was the first time she had ever played in a match-play competition.
Today's results:
SCRATCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) bt Jenny Milne (Elgin) 8 and 6.
Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) bt Mary Smith (Tain) 1 hole.
Final
Gruber bt Barlett 2 and 1.
HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Eilidh McTavish (Elgin) (24) bt Sally Rowan (Inverness) (22) 2 holes.
Wilma Murray (Royal Dornoch) (16) bt Alison Burnett (Royal Dornoch) (21) 4 and 3.
Final
Murray bt McTavish 1 hole.

In the pink .... Eilidh Briggs with the Renfrewshire championship trophy (image by courtesy of Carol Fell).

Eilidh keeps Briggs' name on Renfrewshire championship trophy

So the Briggs name will appear on the Renfrewshire county championship trophy for a fifth year in a row after all.
Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), bidding to win the title for a fourth year in a row, had been beaten by Carol Whyte (Windyhill) in the first round of the match-play stages at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club on Thursday morning.
But Megan's younger sister Eilidh, also a Kilmacolm member, preserved the family honour by beating the leading qualifier, Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) by 5 and 4 in today's final.
Briggs the younger was five under par for the 25 holes she had to play today. Great to be able to produce your best form on the big occasion!
It was Eilidh's second appearance in the final. As a 14-year-old, she lost to big sister Megan in the 2008 final.
Clare-Marie Carlton has now lost in the 2007, 2009 and 2010 finals since winning the title as a 16-year-old in 2003.
Eilidh Briggs, the No 6 seed, was two under par for the holes played in the final. She was level par to the turn, compared to her opponent's three-over-par figures. The 10th was halved in birdies and then Eilidh produced an eagle to win the 11th and virtually clinch the championship.
In the semi-finals, Carlton cut giant-killer Carol Whyte down to size with a 4 and 3 victory, producing three birdies on the outward half.
Briggs was three under par in winning her semi-final by 9 and 7 against young Lesley Cosh (Cowglen).
Today's results:
Semi-finals - Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) bt Carol Whyte (Windyhill) 4 and 3, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) bt Lesley Cosh (Cowglen) 9 and 7.
Final - Eilidh Briggs bt Clare-Marie Carlton 5 and 4.

Carol Whyte surprise packet of Renfrewshire champion

By CAROL FELL
Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), runner-up in last year's championship played some great golf to progress to tomorrow morning's semi-finals of the Renfrewshire county championship at Ranfurly CastleGolf Club today.
She beat first Sara McCorkell (Williamwood) and then Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) to reach the last four.
Carol Whyte (Windyhill) was the surprise player today when she beat the holder and Scottish champion, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), in the morning and Liz Stewart (Greenburn).
On a beautiful sunny day, all the golf was of a very high standard with the putting the deciding factor in many of the games.
Jennifer Mack beat young Alyson McKechin in the morning at the 19th, then lost to another youngster, Lesley Cosh, at the 18th.
Eilidh Briggs progressed to the semi-finals by beating Donna Jackson in the morning and new county member Nichola Henderson in a very tight match that finished on the 18th.
Today's results:

FIRST ROUND
Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) bt Sara McCorkell (Williamwood) 5 and 3.
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) bt Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry) 3 and 2.
Carol Whyte (Windyhill) bt Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 3 and 1.
Liz Stewart (Greenburn) bt Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle) 1 hole.
Nichola Henderson (Haggs Castle) bt Patricia Davidson (Erskine) 6 and 5.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) bt Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 3 and 2.
Lesley Cosh (Cowglen) bt Sally Foster (Kilmacolm) 4 and 3.
Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) bt Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) at 19th

QUARTER-FINALS
Carlton bt Kyle 5 and 4.
Whyte bt Stewart 2 and 1.
Eilidh Briggs bt Henderson 1 hole.
Cosh bt Mack 1 hole.
SEMI-FINALS
Carlton v Whyte
Eilidh Briggs v Cosh

Lesley Hendry wins

Ayrshire title No 5

Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) today won the Ayrshire women's county championship at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club for the fifth time in the past six years.
Lesley, who qualified fourth, beat Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies), the No 10 qualifier, by 6 and 5 in the final.

Hendry, pictured receiving the trophy from Prestwick St Nicholas club captain Gordon Gilchrist, took a grip on the outcome by surging three up after only four holes.

In the morning semi-finals Hendry, winner of the title in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, beat 13-year-old Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride), also by 6 and 5.

McQueen squeezed through at the 21st in her semi-final against the 2004 champion, Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Today's results:
Semi-finals
Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) bt Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) 6 and 5.
Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies) bt Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) at 21st.

Final

Hendry bt McQueen 6 and 5.

Clare-Marie Carlton leads
-

Renfrewshire qualifiers


Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), last year's beaten finalist, is the leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the Renfrewshire women's county championship at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club.
In a testing east wind, Clare-Marie, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, had a score of 73 (37-36) - two shots ahead of the No 2 seed, young Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).
Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) is bidding to equal the record of Wilma Aitken (later Mrs Leburn) in winning the county title five years in a row from 1978 to 1982.
Megan qualified comfortably in fifth place with a 78, one shot ahead of younger sister Eilidh.
MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
SSS 73. CSS 75.
73 Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze).
75 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).
76 Nichola Henderson (Haggs Castle), Liz Stewart (Greenburn).
78 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
79 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm).
81 Lesley Cosh (Cowglen), Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire), Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry).
82 Sally Foster (Kilmacolm).
83 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), Carol Whyte (Windyhill), Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle).
84 Patricia Davidson (Erskine).
85 Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle).
88 Sara McCorkell (Williamwood).

Dunbartonshire & Argyll county finalists Fiona McLean (left) and Helen Faulds (images by courtesy of Alisoun Fairbairn).

Helen Faulds fights back to

win D&A title for first time

Veteran Douglas Park member Helen Faulds won the Dunbartonshire & Argyll women's county golf championship for the first time at Hilton Park Golf Club today.
Helen, ladies' champion at three clubs last season - Bearsden, Douglas Park and Elie - finally got her hands on her county championship trophy by beating Fiona McLean (Hilton Park), the No 6 qualifier, by 2 and 1 in the final.
Faulds, pictured right, the No 5 seed, had ended the good run of Nichola Ferguson (Clober) by beating her 3 and 1 in the morning semi-finals in which McLean toppled the No 2 seed, Aileen Baker (Hilton Park) by 3 and 2.
McLean had the edge on the outward half but Faulds squared the contest at the 12th and used her greater experience to edge ahead over the closing holes.
The bronze championship was won by Lindsay McCubbin (Hilton Park) who beat Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) by 5 and 3 in the final.

TODAY'S RESULTS
Semi-finals
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) bt Nichola Ferguson (Clober) 3 and 1.
Fiona McLean (Hilton Park) bt Aileen Baker (Hilton Park) 3 and 2.
Final
Faulds bt McLean 2 and 1.
Bronze championship
Final
Lindsay McCubbin (Hilton Park) bt Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) 5 and 3.

Lesley Hendry closes in on

-

fifth Ayrshire title

Lesley Hendry, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, is on the trail of her fifth Ayrshire women's county golf championship in the past six years at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club tomorrow
The Routenburn player, who was the fourth qualifier, will play Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) in this morning's semi-finals for a place in the afternoon final.
Jaffrey beat the No 1 seed Catherine Malcolm, playing over her home course, at the 20th hole in the quarter-finals.
The other semi-final will feature Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie), the 2004 title-winner, and Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies).
Today's results:
FIRST ROUND
Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Nicholas) bt Pauline Patrick (Irvine) 5 and 4.
Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) bt Jennifer Linklater (Largs at 20th.
Sheila Adams (Loudoun Gowf) bt Audrey Thompson (Loudoun Gowf) 2 and 1.
Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) bt Morag Macpherson (Troon Ladies) 4 and 3.
Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) 2 and 1.
Liz Wilson (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Emma Hale (Troon Bentinck) at 19th.
Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies) bt Liz Keohone (Loudoun Gowf) 6 and 4.
Rosalind Purdom (Prestwick St Nicholas) bt Rachel Irvine (Largs) 6 and 5.

QUARTER-FINALS

Jaffrey bt Malcolm at 20th.

Hendry bt Adams 6 and 4.

Glennie bt Wilson 6 and 5.

McQueen bt Purdom 2 and 1.

CATHERINE MALCOLM IS TOP AYRSHIRE SEED

Routenburn's Lesley Hendry, bidding for her fifth Ayrshire women's county title in the past six years, had to settle for joint third place with a six-over-par 72 at the end of the qualifying round for the match-play stages at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club.
Top seed is Catherine Malcolm who won the title as Catherine Gibson in 1992 but, since getting married has been beaten finalist five times. She had a 74 today (Tuesday), against a CSS of 73, to finish three shots ahead of Rosalind Purdom, playing over her home course.
On the 78 mark were Lesley Hendry, Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Audrey Thompson (Loudoun).
Lesley Hendry, officially fourth seed, has a tough first-round opponent in Morag Macpherson (Troon Ladies) who had an 86 to qualify in 13th place but Morag was champion in 2008 and beaten finalist in 2007.

MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
Par 72. CSS 73.
74 Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Nicholas).
77 Rosalind Purdom (Prestwick St Nicholas).
78 Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie), Lesley Hendry (Routenburn), Audrey Thompson (Loudoun).
79 Emma Hale (Troon Bentinck).
80 Liz Keohone (Loudoun).
81 Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride), Jennifer Linklater (Largs).
82 Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies), Jennifer Neilsen (West Kilbride).
84 Liz Wilson (Kilmarnock Barassie).
85 Sheila Adams (Loudoun).
86 Morag Macpherson (Troon Ladies).
87 Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies).
88 Rachel Irvine (Largs).
88 Pauline Patrick (Irvine).
MATCH-PLAY DRAW
9am - Malcolm v Patrick, Linklater v Jaffrey, Thompson v Adams, Macpherson v Hendry, Glennie v Finnie, Wilson v Hale, Keohone v McQueen, Irvine v Purdom.

Eighth seed Nichola Ferguson topples leading qualifier

Anna Telfer in quarter-finals of D&A championship

Leading qualifier Anna Telfer (Milngavie) was beaten 6 and 4 by No 8 seed Nichola Ferguson (Clober) in today's quarter-finals of the Dunbartonshire & Argyll women's county golf championship at Hilton Park Golf Club.
Nichola now plays the No 5 seed, Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) for a place in the final. Helen won by 5 and 3 in the quarter-finals against Kirstin Scott (Milngavie), beaten in last year's final by Kylie Walker who has since turned professional.
In the other semi-final, Aileen Baker, playing over her home course, will meet the No 6 seed, Fiona McLean, also a Hilton Park member. Aileen was three up on the 16th tee in her quarter-final against the 10th seed Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) but lost the last three holes. Baker squeezed through to the last four by holing a 20ft birdie putt at the 19th.
Today's results:
Quarter-finals
Anna Telfer (Milngavie) bt Babs Robertson (Helensburgh) 4 and 2.
Nichola Ferguson (Clober) bt Sheila Steele (Hilton Park) 2 holes.
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park) bt Margaret Kinvig (The Carrick 2 and 1.
Kirstin Scott (Milngavie) bt Lynn McCall (Bearsden) 1 hole.
Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) bt Christina MacPherson (Hilton Park) 5 and 3.
Fiona McLean Hilton Park) bt Gayle Smith (Clober) 4 and 2.
Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) bt Jorden Ferrie (Kirkhill) 4 and 2.
Aileen Baker (Hilton Park) bt Kay McColl (Hilton Park) 8 and 7.
Semi-finals
Ferguson bt Telfer 6 and 4.
Faulds bt Scott 5 and 3.
McLean bt Campbell 4 and 3.
Baker bt McGeachy at 19th.
BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Lyndsay McCubbin (Hilton Park) bt Denise Harrow (Hilton Park) 3 and 1.
Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) bt Hellen Low (Hilton Park) 5 and 4.

Late entries accepted for Northern Counties championship at Lossie

Late entries are being accepted on 01309 671939 for the Northern Counties’ Ladies’ Golf Association Championship, which starts with a qualifying round on Saturday at Moray Golf Club's Lossiemouth links.
Competitors will tee off in pairs at 8min intervals and are from the host club unless stated.

Abbreviations: A, Abernethy; BB, Bonar Bridge; DHR, Duff House Royal; DS, Dornoch-Struie; E, Elgin; F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, G, Gairloch; GK, Garmouth & Kingston; I, Inverness; MO, Muir of Ord; RD, N, Nairn; ND, Nairn Dunbar; Royal Dornoch; T, Tain.
Revised draw:
9.0 – C. Gruber (RD), A. Ryan (T); J. Milne (E), G. Dowling (I); A. Bartlett (RD), M. Howieson (I); J. Vass (T), K. Vincent.
9.31 - E. MacKay (ND), A. Gowie (I); R. Topping (DHR), S. Macvicar (G); J. Cumming (I), E. Coghill (RD); J. Nicol (I), L. Fraser (FR).
10.04 - J. Robertson, C. Dingwall (MO); M. Barr (G), F. Bell (I); S.Mackenzie (E), S. Macdonell (I); P. Morrison (MO), M. Bagott (RD).
10.36 – T. Weekes (RD), D. McBride (RD); J. Maison (DHR), C. Marshall (N); D. Marshall (F), D. Phillips (GK).
11.0 – W. Murray (RD), E. Hutton (MO); I. Wilson (F), M. Rennie (RD); L. Nixon (FR), F. MacDonald (DS); I. Croal (G), C. Boyd (F).
11.32 – S. Duncan (RD), J. Corbett (DHR); K. MacKay (FR), F. Wood (DHR); A. Burnett (RD), S. Rowan (I); M. James (F), K. Sinclair (FR).
12.04 –J. Darroch (FR), D. MacNeil (I); M. Grant, E. McTavish (E); A. Harding (RD), L. Offin (BB).

Youngsters Alyson and Natasha are Renfrewshire toppers

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY NEWS FROM CAROL FELL
The first Renfrewshire County Medal of the 2010 season was played yesterday at Ralston Golf Club.
On a beautiful Spring day, 43 players took part in this competition.
The 2009 Junior Champion of Champions' girls winner, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had the best scratch score with a 73.
The SSS was 71, CSS was 73.
Another up and coming junior - Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) - had the best net of the day with a 69 and was the overall winner of the medal.

Division 1: (Handicap Scratch - 12)
1st : Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) 76 (7) 69
2nd: Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 73 (3) 70
3rd: Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle) 82 (10) 72
Division 2 : (Handicap 13 upwards)
1st : Jackie MacDonald (Ranfurly Castle) 94 (21) 73
2nd : Tracy Masterton (Windyhill) 90 (14) 76
3rd : Liz Wilson (Elderslie) 97 (20) 77
Scratch : Alyson McKechin 73

Renfrewshire LCGA Centenary Book - a tour de force by Carol Fell!

The Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Centenary Book - edited by Carol Fell -
is an absorbing read at 200 pages - the first 100 are historical and the second 100 relate the County Centenary Year events, both in Renfrewshire and around Scotland.
There are over 400 coloured pictures in the book which was designed by Carol and published by her, using an online program --- click on this link to see more ---- http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1227990
Well done, Carol, indeed. A tour de force!
She writes: "It has taken me over 15 months to put together and the launch was at Haggs Castle Golf Club last week which went well. The book comes in softback, hardback (dustwrap), and hardback (image wrap).
"It is expensive but has the advantage of only printing one book if you want, or in my case I have had over 130 books ordered so far."
It is also available to buy online if you click on that above link. However, orders can be made if emailed to Carol at webmaster@rlcga.com

Mary Greig Funeral arrangements

Please note that Mary Grieg's Funeral is at Roucan Loch Crematorium  on Thursday 31st December at 11am.
From the Crematorium website...
From the North or South  Roucan Loch is easily located from the M74 at Lockerbie, take the A709 signposted Dumfries for 8 miles, once you are through the village of Torthorwald, drop down the hill for half a mile and take the first road on your left which is signposted Roucan Loch after 100 yds turn first right into the grounds.
From the West, either travel through Dumfries following signs for Lockerbie, or take the bypass until the Lockerbie Road roundabout.
Head east on the A709 until the foot of the hill below Torthorwald, turn right towards Collin and after 100 yards turn right again. Follow the road for approximately 400 yards until you come to the car park.

Mary Greig

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary Greig, one time Secretary of the Scottish Ladies County Golf Association.

Mary was the founder member of the Dumfriesshire County Ladies Golf Association, when they joined with Border Counties and Galloway to form the South Division of Scottish Ladies County Golf in 1972.

She was Secretary of Dumfriesshire Ladies for 23 years and latterly took over the secretary-ship of Scottish Ladies County Golf before it was subsumed into the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.
Failing eyesight caused her to retire for her administrative duties, but she still took a keen interest in Scottish Golf and would attend as many events as she could until her deteriorating health made travel impossible.

Mary (88) was a great character, always cheerful and well-loved by all who knew her.

Mary's sister died some years ago and Mary is survived by her niece, Dorothy Hill.

The funeral is at Roucan Loch Crematorium  on Thursday 31st December at 11am.
 Please note the change of venue

From the Crematorium website...
From the North or South  Roucan Loch is easily located from the M74 at Lockerbie, take the A709 signposted Dumfries for 8 miles, once you are through the village of Torthorwald, drop down the hill for half a mile and take the first road on your left which is signposted Roucan Loch after 100 yds turn first right into the grounds.
From the West, either travel through Dumfries following signs for Lockerbie, or take the bypass until the Lockerbie Road roundabout.
Head east on the A709 until the foot of the hill below Torthorwald, turn right towards Collin and after 100 yards turn right again. Follow the road for approximately 400 yards until you come to the car park.

Angus county prizewinners during 2009 season

Angus Ladies County Golf Association prizewinners during the 2009 season, pictured by courtesy of Aileen Hunter.
Ailsa Summer (Carnoustie Ladies) dominated the Angus season, winning the junior championship, the women's champion and the county scratch match-play. Julie Taylor from

Kirriemuir won the champion of champions' event.

Prizewinners from left to right are
Back row: Fiona Reid, Julie Taylor, Kathleen Sutherland, Chris Healey (captain), Ailsa Summers, Clare Penman, Sue Baxby, Sharon Young
Front row : Ashley Smith, Nancy Duncan, Heather Munro

Nancy Duncan receives

honorary membership

Retiring president Nancy Duncan received a presentation and honorary membership of Angus County in recognition of 10 years unwavering support as president and her efforts in representing Angus in over 180 matches as a player.

Pictured left (courtesy of Aileen Hunter):
Nancy Duncan (retiring president) with Mary Summers (vice-captain) on left and Chris Healey (captain) on right.

Angus office-bearers for 2010:

President: Sheena Hay
Captain: Chris Healey
Vice Capt: Mary Summers
Hon Secretary: Marilyn Raitt
Hon Treasurer: Sue Baxby
Hon Junior Secretary: Aileen Hunter

Aberdeenshire's new vice-captain and captain

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association's new vice-captain Marta Moody (left) of Murcar Links Golf Club and new captain Ellie Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies), pictured at the county's agm at the weekend. Image by courtesy of Karen Stalker.



IF ANY OTHER COUNTY HAS NEWS OR IMAGES THEY FEEL WOULD BE OF GENERAL INTEREST, E-MAIL Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association officials and prizewinners at the annual meeting in the Star Ballroom, Aberdeen. Scroll down for the caption with all the names. Picture by courtesy of county secretary Karen Stalker. Click on it to enlarge.

Joan Rennie and Ethel Farquharson are

honoured by Aberdeenshire Ladies CGA

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association have awarded honorary membership to Mrs Joan Rennie and Mrs Ethel Farquharson.
Joan is a former Curtis Cup player (1966), past Scottish champion (1967, and beaten finalist 1968) and international, Aberdeenshire county champion (1980) and county team player. She was county president for the past two years..
Joan's roots are in Ayrshire. Her late father was Willie Hastings who was the club pro at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club for many years. Joan was a member at Kilmarnock Barassie before she moved to the North-east after her marriage to Aberdeen businessman John Rennie who died in 2008. Joan is a honorary member of Kilmarnock Barassie. She has been a member Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club for many years.
Ethel Farquharson, a past Scottish Ladies Golfing Association chairman, has run the Aberdeenshire girls' competitions for the past 20 years - and is not retiring!" The county are indebted to her for all her hard work with the county girls," said Karen Stalker, the Aberdeenshire LCGA secretary.
Ethel, a member of Balmoral Golf Club for many years, was inspired to put something back into the grass roots of golf by the golfing success of her own daughter, Elaine, who won the Scottish girls and women's amateur championships, reached the final of the British girls championship (twice) and the British women's open amateur championship, played in two Curtis Cup matches (1990 & 1992) and won the women's amateur better-ball championship in Brazil with England's Helen Dobson in the early 1990s.
Banchory's Morag Clapperton succeeds Joan Rennie as country president.
At the county agm, trophies were presented to the two girls considered to have made the most improvement in 2009. Rachel Polson (Peterculter) received the Fyfe Trophy, which goes to the older girl, and Olivia Borwick (McDonald Ellon) received the Bey Trophy, for younger girls.
New office-bearers for the 2010 season:
President: Morag Clapperton (Banchory).
Captain: Ellie Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies)
Vice-captain: Marta Moody (Murcar Links)
Treasurer: Laura McLardy (Duff House Royal)
Secretary: Karen Stalker (Cruden Bay)

Caption for the big group picture above of officials and prize winners, taken by Karen Stalker, at the annual meeting:
Back row: Lynne Terry, Mary Miller, Mandy Roger, Irene Strachan, Maureen Wilson, Georgette Hollingsworth, Mhairi Johnstone, Olivia Borwick, Laura McLardy
Front row: Ellie Whyte, Joan Rennie, Fiona Hay, Ros Dunsmuir, county champion Sara Mathieson (nee Thomson), girls' county champion, Sophie Alexander, Carol Wilson, Susan Murray and Rachel Polson

LANARKSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM

Lanarkshire Ladies County Golf Association held their AGM and Prizegiving at Cambuslang GC last night when Lesley Lloyd was installed as the new captain, Fiona Scott as vice-captain and Anne Prentice as honorary president.
Above image, by courtesy of Jean Macintyre, shows some of the prizewinners.
Back row: J Macintyre, C Smith, I Cooper, M Hughes, J Lees, J Glass, S Wood, J Scott, A Duffy, S Williamson, A Lloyd, R Rankin
Front row: Past captain May Hughes, captain Lesley Lloyd, champion Fiona Norris, vice-captain Fiona Scott.

Midlothian AGM

Prize winners after the Midlothian AGM

Midlothian County Ladies Golf Association held their 90th AGM at Liberton tonight.
Captain Tracy Laughland gave a report of the year which started with a bang with the Centenary lunch at the Roxburghe Hotel and continued with a very successful and enjoyable Centenary Tri-am at Duddingston.
The County team won the East Division Inter-County matches and went to the County Finals at Baberton with high hopes of bringing home the County Challenge Shield,  but were just pipped at the end by Northern Counties on count back of games won.
The audience heard that several members of the County had done well at outside events, including Rachel Watton and Jane Turner who had gained Scottish representative honours at Junior and Ladies level.  Fiona De Vries, Fiona Hunter and Noreen Fenton were members of the winning Senior Home International team at Newport.  Fiona de Vries, Pam Williamson and Claire Hargan had captained the Scottish European Ladies team, Scottish Senior team and Scottish Under 16 teams respectively.  Janet Wake, Karen Marshall and Claire Hargan had also acted as Scottish team managers during the summer.
At the end of the season Claire MacDonald won the East of Scotland Championship at Mortonhall.
The prizegiving followed the AGM,  and although Claire Hargan won the Championship for the sixth time, and should really be featured with a photograph, the person who hardly ever sat down was Louise Fraser from Kingsknowe (pictured right) who won the Scratch award at the three major meetings (Spring Summer and Autumn) as well as the Champion of Champions and net and scratch aggregate trophies.  [Well done Louise!... sorry Claire!]

Renfrewshire honour Megan and Carol

Megan Briggs (2009 Scottish Champion) and Carol Fell ( Outstanding Services to County Golf) - Click to enlarge

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Carol Fell Ranfurly Castle were both awarded with Honorary Membership of Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association at their 100th AGM held at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Wednesday 4th November.
To read all about the AGM --- GO TO the Renfrewshire County Website

To see some videos and photos from the AGM ----- CLICK HERE

Perth and Kinross AGM and Prizegiving

Prizewinners at the P&K AGM

Back row right to left, Laura Walker, Alison Stockley, Hazel Wylie, Rhianna Thom, Jane Yellowlees,

front row, Michelle McKay, Sandra Service, County Champion Carol Muir and Gwen Lambie.

Perth and Kinross County Golf Association held their AGM last week. As her last official duty, retiring Captain, Dawn Butchart, proposed honorary membership on the retiring County President, Liz Miskimmin. The new Captain is Lenore Kyle, and new President is Dorothy Farquhar.

Retiring Captain, Dawn Butchart and retiring President and new Honorary member, Liz Miskimmin

The new P&K committee,

Back row left to right, Carol Lambie, Jillian Milne, Laura Walker, Pam Drysdale and Gwen Lambie.
Front row, Treasurer Catherine Monks, new Captain Lenore Kyle, New president Dorothy Farquhar and new vice Captain Pat Colquhoun.

Ailsa and Katie win adult-junior greensomes at Edzell

FROM AILEEN HUNTER
Once again the Angus county's adult-junior competition, for county squad members and juniors, was was well supported. The winners of the modified greensomes at Edzell were Ailsa Summers, playing as an adult, and Katie Reid from Angus with 40 points, on the better inward half from Gwen Lambie and Rheanna Thom from P&K.

Fife County Prizegiving

The Fife County AGM Prizegiving Dinner was held last night at

Kirkcaldy Golf Club. About 60 members were present.

Back row: Anne Buchan, Joan Tulloch, Margaret Steele, Joan Blyth, Jean Kennedy

Front row: Lorna Fury, Jane McDonald, Louise Kenney, Cath McCallum, Joan Peden

Northern Counties Officebearers

Florence Allan from Nairn Golf Club has taken over from Jan Corbett as Captain of Northern Counties after their AGM last week.  Dorothy Marshall from Forres Golf Club is the new Secretary/Treasurer.

Perth & Kinross girls prizewinners

Pictured are the trophy winners for Perth & Kinross Ladies County Golf Association Junior Girls. The trophies were presented after the final meeting of the 2009 season at Alyth Golf Club.
The winners are: Eilidh Watson, Emily Aird, Rheanna Thom, Laura Aitken, Jennifer Saxton.
Image by courtesy of Lenore Kyle, soon to succeed Dawn Butchart as captain of P and K.

Gwen Lambie wins P&K champion of champions' title

Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnham) won the Perth & Kinross women's county champion of champions' tournament over the Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel.
Details:

CSS 75. Reduction only.
82 Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnam).
83 Caroline Dunbar (Aberfeldy).
84 Julie White (Auchterarder).
85 Carol Muir (Craigie Hill) (better inward half), Hazel Wylie (Comrie).

+Pictured, by courtesy of county captain Dawn Butchart, are P&K president Liz Miskimmin, tournament winner Gwen Lambie, and Dawn Butchart.

Tara Mactaggart with the two trophies she won over the Kelso course at the weekend.

Tara Mactaggart (13) wins Borders' Silver Jubilee

Quaich - and the Borders' girls championship

Thirteen-year-old Tara Mactaggart (Minto) scored a great double at the weekend. She not only took the Silver Jubilee Quaich in the Border Ladies County Golf Association competition at Kelso, but also won the scratch in the Border girls' championship over the same course.
Leading scores

Silver Jubilee Quaich
1 Tara Mactaggart (Minto) 34pts better last 6 holes.
2 Isobel Massie (Innerleithen) 34pts
3 Danielle Ker (Kelso) 32pts better inward half.

Borders girls' championship
1st Scratch: Tara Mactaggart 82 (Minto)
1st Handicap: Laura Mathewson (Kelso) (28) 71.

2nd Handicap: Vicky Shirra-Gibb (St Boswells) (32) 74.

Stirling and Clackmannan Girls' championship

Alexis Hutton and Alison Goodwin with their trophies

Alexis Hutton takes S&C Girls title

The Stirling and Clackmannan County Girls’ Championships were held this weekend at Falkirk Golf Club.

The Strokeplay Championship was held on Saturday and 9 girls took part. Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie) returned the lowest gross score with an 82. Second was Tiffiny Wood (Glenbervie) 89 and third was Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst) 91. Kirsty McGuckin (Bonnybridge) had the lowest nett score with a 74 (104 less 30) narrowly beating Catherine Goodwin (Glenbervie) by one shot. The CSS was 76 (reduction only)

The matchplay rounds were held today and Alison Goodwin beat her sister Catherine by 8&6 in the first semi final. In the other semi final Alexis Hutton beat Tiffiny Wood by 7&5. The final was very close and Alexis emerged the winner beating Alison by two holes.

Thanks go to Falkirk Golf Club for giving the courtesy of the course over the weekend.

[Thanks to Elizabeth Goodwin, Junior Secretary,Stirling & Clackmannan County Ladies Golf Association for this report]

Midlothian, pipped on the countback for the Scottish county title, by Northern Counties.
L to R: Margaret Rodgers (president), Louise Fraser, Rachael Watton, Jane Turner, Linda Caine (county selector), 

Karen Marshall, Tracy Laughland (captain), Claire Hargan, Mary Richardson (vice-captain), 

Wendy Nicholson, Kirsten Blackwood, Claire MacDonald.

Northern Counties team and officials after the prizegiving at Baberton Golf Club.  

Back row (left to right): Kelsey MacDonald, Julie Vass, Alison Bartlett, Jan Corbett (captain), 

Jenny Milne, Cara Gruber and May Alexander (secretary/treasurer).

Front row (left to right): Pam Mackay, Hannah McCook.

Image by courtesy of Fiona Farquharson of SLGA. 

You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

Northern Counties are Scottish champions on a countback after rally to draw with Midlothian Northern Counties won the Scottish women's county team golf championship in a nail-biting finish to the three-day programme at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh today. Northern Counties and Midlothian, the only two teams with 100 per cent records after two days, met in the title decider – and it ended in a 4 ½-4 ½ draw. The countback of games won previously gave Northern Counties the title (14 ½-14). It was Northern Counties' first title win in five years but their fourth win of the decade, having previously been national champions in 2000, 2003 and 2004. And yet, Northern Counties looked to have suffered a body blow to their title prospects when Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling University and Nairn Dunbar), Scottish Under-21 champion for the past two years, hurt her wrist hacking out of the rough during the morning foursomes and had to be taken to hospital where ligament damage was diagnosed. With Midlothian taking a 2-1 foursomes lead into the six afternoon singles – and Kelsey hors de combat, it looked odds on that the East Division champions would regain the title they won in 2005 and again in 2007. Midlothian increased their lunchtime advantage to 4-1 when Jane Turner beat Pam Mackay 4 and 3, and Claire Hargan won by 3 and 2 against Alison Bartlett. But then Northern Counties tail wagged with a vengeance. Elgin's Jenny Milne stopped the slide by halving her match with Scotland girl international Rachael Watton. Then Counties won the last three singles to salvage a halved match and win the title on a countback. Youngsters Julie Vass (15) and Hannah McCook (16) played like veterans to knock 2pt off the deficit. Tain's Julie beat Karen Marshall 5 and 4 while Hannah, the North of Scotland girls champion from Nethy Bridge, beat the experienced Louise Fraser by one hole. Then the Northern Counties' ploy of saving their champion, Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) for the anchor role in the singles paid a huge dividend. In a tight match that went all the way to the 18th green, Cara beat Claire MacDonald by two holes. Gruber was Counties' outstanding player of the tournament with 4 1/2pt out of six, just ahead of Hannah McCook and Mary Smith (Tain), each with 4pt. Mary, a senior Scotland international, did not play against Midlothian, either in the foursomes or the singles, after winning 4pt out of four through Friday and Saturday. Instead, she left to play at Blairgowrie on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship as Highland vets' champion - and she lost by 7 and 6! Midlothian had the two most successful players over the three days – Jane Turner and Claire Hargan, both with 5pt. Jane won five games out of six, Hargan won all five ties in which she played. Renfrewshire beat Galloway 7 1/2-1 1/2 to finish third in the table with 1pt. Megan Briggs won 4 1/2pt out of six for Renfrewshire wile sister Eilidh won 4pt. Today's results: RENFREWSHIRE 7 ½, GALLOWAY 1 ½ Foursomes: Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs bt Gillian Monteith and Tracy Milligan 4 and 3; Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart bt Christina Meldrum and Addi Shamash 2 and 1; lare-Marie Carlton and Gillian Kyle bt Sheila McMurtrie and Gwen Robson 1 hole (3-0). Singles: Megan Briggs bt Monteith 1 hole, Carlton bt Shamash 5 and 4, Eilidh Briggs lost to McMurtrie 1 hole, Alyson McKechin bt Meldrum 5 and 3, Carol Whyte halved with Robson, Kyle bt Milligan 1 hole (4 ½-1 ½). NORTHERN COUNTIES 4 ½, MIDLOTHIAN 4 ½ Foursomes: Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook lost to Jane Turner and Rachael Watton 6 and 5; Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay lost to Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson 1 hole; Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne bt Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald 1 hole (1-2). Singles: Mackay lost to Turner 4 and 3, Bartlett lost to Hargan 3 and 2, Milne halved with Watton, Julie Vass bt Karen Marshall 5 and 4, McCook bt Louise Fraser 1 hole, Gruber bt Claire MacDonald 2 holes (3 ½-2 ½). HOW THEY FINISHED Northern Counties, Midlothian 2 1/2pt each (Northern Counties won 14 ½-14 on countback), Renfrewshire 1pt, Galloway 0pt.

SCOTTISH COUNTY FINALS LAST DAY

Kelsey MacDonald injury blow to

Northern Counties' title hopes

Northern Counties' hopes of beating Midlothian in the title decider at the Scottish women's county team championship finals at Baberton Golf Club today received a body blow with an injury to Kelsey MacDonald, Scotland's Under-21 champion for the past two years.
The Stirling University student and Nairn Dunbar player, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency playing in the women's home internationals at Irvine, injured a wrist in playing out of rough during this morning's foursomes tie in which she was partnering Hannah McCook against Midlothian's Jane Turner and Rachael Watton.
The wrist quickly swelled up and the application of ice to it did not have an immediate effect. It was decided there was no way she could play in the afternoon singles and Northern Counties officials took her to a local hospital for an X-ray in case a bone had been broken.
Midlothian led 2-1 after the foursomes.
In the other match Renfrewshire took the foursomes 3-0 against Galloway.
FOURSOMES RESULTS
MIDLOTHIAN 2, NORTHERN COUNTIES 1
Jane Turner and Rachael Watton bt Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook 6 and 5.
Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson bt Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay 1 hole.
Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald lost to Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne 1 hole.
RENFREWSHIRE 3, GALLOWAY 0
Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs bt Gillian Monteith and Tracy Milligan 4 and 3.
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart bt Christina Meldrum and Addi Shamash 2 and 1.
Clare-Marie Carlton and Gillian Kyle bt Sheila McMurtrie and Gwen Robson 1 hole.

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S COUNTY FINALISTS

NORTHERN COUNTIES. Back row (left to right): Pam Mackay, Cara Gruber, May Alexander (Secretary/Treasurer), Jan Corbett (capt), Jenny Milne, Mary Smith, Alison Bartlett. Front: Julie Vass, Kelsey MacDonald, Hannah McCook.

GALLOWAY. Back row (left to right): Helen Nesbitt (president), Sheila McMurtrie, S Huntly (capt), Christina Meldrum, Pat Magill, Caroline Merrick, Addi Shamash. Front row: Gillian Monteith, Gwen Robson, Tracy Milligan.

RENFREWSHIRE. Left to right: Megan Briggs, Clare-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson, Eilidh Briggs, Gillian Kyle, Liz Stewart, Carol Whyte, Alyson McKechin, Christine Finlayson (capt).

All three team images by courtesy of Fiona Farquharson of the SLGA.
All the Midlothian players were not available at the same time for Fiona to take their team picture but she will do so on Sunday.

WOMEN'S COUNTY FINALS

NORTHERN COUNTIES v MIDLOTHIAN TITLE DECIDER ON SUNDAY AT BABERTON Midlothian and Northern Counties, the East and North champions respectively, will meet in the title decider tomorrow on the third and last day of the Scottish women's county golf team championship at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh. Both teams have played twice and won twice. Today Midlothian followed up their 8 ½- ½ win over South title-holders Galloway by beating West champions Renfrewshire 5 ½ -3 ½ while Northern Counties, who had beaten Renfrewshire 7 ½- 1 ½ on Friday whipped Galloway 7-2. After taking a 2-1 lead over Renfrewshire in the morning foursomes, the key singles match featured Scotland team-mates Jane Turner (Midlothian) and Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire). Turner won by 2 and 1 and further Midlothian wins by Claire Hargan and Claire MacDonald gave them a 2pt win overall. Northern Counties made a 3-0 clean sweep of the foursomes against Galloway but it was not quite so easy for them in the singles. Galloway's Gillian Monteith did well to halve the top match against North star Cara Gruber but wins by teenagers Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook as well as senior international Mary Smith consolidated Northern's victory. Saturday results MIDLOTHIAN 5 ½, RENFREWSHIRE 3 ½ Foursomes: Jane Turner, Rachael Watton lost to Megan Briggs, Eilidh Briggs 2 and 1; Claire Hargan, Wendy Nicholson bt Alyson McKechin, Lix Stewart 5 and 4; Kirsten Blackwood, Claire MacDonald bt Claire-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson 2 and 1 (2-1). Singles: Turner bt Megan Briggs 2 and 1, Nicholson lost to Carlton 3 and 2, Hargan bt McKechin 3 and 2, Louise Fraser halved with Carol Whyte; Karen Marshall lost to Eilidh Briggs 7 and 6, MacDonald bt Jackson 2 holes (3 ½-2 ½). GALLOWAY 2, NORTHERN COUNTIES 7 Foursomes: Gillian Monteith, Tracy Milligan lost to Kelsey MacDonald, Hannah McCook 1 hole; Christina Meldrum, Sheila McMurtrie lost to Cara Gruber, Pam Mackay 4 and 2; Addi Shamash, Gwen Robson lost to Mary Smith, Alison Bartlett 7 and 5 (0-3). Singles: Monteith halved with Gruber, Milligan lost to MacDonald 4 and 2, Shamash bt Julie Vass 2 holes, Robson lost to Smith 4 and 3, Meldrum lost to McCook 4 and 3, McMurtrie halved with Jenny Milne (2-4). HOW THEY STAND Midlothian 2 wins, Northern Counties 2 wins, Renfrewshire 2 losses, Galloway 2 losses. FINAL MATCHES Galloway v Renfrewshire, Northern Counties v Midlothian.

Megan Briggs, Kelsey MacDonald halve great match

Northern Counties, Midlothian

big winners on opening day of

County Finals at Baberton

Northern Counties and Midlothian look to be on a collision course with the title at stake after the opening day of the Scottish women's county golf championship finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh. Midlothian, East Division champions and the favourites with "home field advantage," whipped South title-holders Galloway 8 ½-½ while Northern Counties, the North Division champions, beat Renfrewshire, the West title-holders, by the surprisingly convincing margin of 7 ½-1 1/2 . Saturday's programme sees Galloway play Northern Counties, while Midlothian take on Renfrewshire. Sunday's final should feature a title-decider between Midlothian and Northern Counties – if both win their Saturday matches. Midlothian's strength in depth permitted them the luxury of not bringing in their county champion and former international Claire Hargan as well as the very experienced Wendy Nicholson until the afternoon singles, which gave all eight players in their squad an outing on the first day. Midlothian won the foursomes 2 ½- ½ and the singles 6-0 against Galloway. Teenagers and foursomes partners Jane Turner and Rachael Watton and Kirsten Blackwood were double winners for Midlothian. Northern Counties took the foursomes 2-1 against Renfrewshire before a cracking top singles tie between international team-mates, Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and national under-21 champion for the past two years, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) ended in a square match. Between them they had five birdies over the last six holes. Megan was one up one the 18th tee before Kelsey won the last hole to share the honours. Northern Counties then won the remaining five singles with wins by Cara Gruber, senior cap Mary Smith, Jenny Milne, and Northern Counties girls champion Hannah McCook, who birdied the 17th and 18th , and another youngster, Julie Vass. Day 1 results at Baberton: GALLOWAY ½, MIDLOTHIAN 8 ½ Foursomes: Gillian Monteith & Tracy Milligan lost to Jane Turner & Rachael Watton 4 and 3; Christina Meldrum & Sheila McMurtrie halved with Louise Fraser & Karen Marshall; Addi Shamash & Gwen Robson lost to Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood 7 and 5 (1/2-2 ½). Singles: Monteith lost to Turner 4 and 3, Milligan lost to Claire Hargan 4 and 3, Meldrum lost to Wendy Nicholson 6 and 4, McMurtrie lost to Fraser 1 hole, Shamash lost to Kirsten Blackwood 3 and 2, Robson lost to Watton 3 and 2 (0-6). RENFREWSHIRE 1 ½, NORTHERN COUNTIES 7 ½ Foursomes: Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs bt Kelsey MacDonald & Hannah McCook 2 and 1; Liz Stewart & Donna Jackson lost to Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay 4 and 2; Alyson McKechin & Gillian Kyle lost to Mary Smith & Alison Bartlett 4 and 2 (1-2). Singles: Megan Briggs halved with MacDonald, Eilidh Briggs lost to Gruber 2 and 1, Jackson lost to Smith 2 and 1, McKechin lost to Jenny Milne 3 and 2, Kyle lost to McCook 3 and 2, Carol Whyte lost to Julie Vass 3 and 2 (1/2-5 1/2). TO PLAY: Saturday - Galloway v Northern Counties, Midlothian v Renfrewshire. Sunday - Midlothian v Northern Counties, Galloway v Renfrewshire.

Jane Turner, won twice for Midlothian on opening day at Baberton (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on it to enlarge).

Midlothian beat Galloway to make

winning start to County Finals

Title favourites Midlothian, champions of the East Division, made a winning start to their bid to regain the Scottish women's county team championship with home-field advantage at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

They beat South Division champions Galloway 8 1/2-1/2, making a 6-0 clean sweep of the singles after winning the morning foursomes 2 1/2-1/2

Double winners for Midlothian were Jane Turner, Rachael Watton and Kirsten Blackwood.

So, an impressive start by Midlothian who were able to give all eight players in their squad a game on the opening day. It's a tribute to their strength in depth that they could afford to play former international and county champion Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson only in the singles.

Northern Counties led West Division title-holders Renfrewshire 2-1 after their foursomes.
Results:

MIDLOTHIAN 8 1/2, GALLOWAY 1/2

Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2)
Jane Turner & Rachael Watton bt Gillian Monteith & Tracy Milligan 4 and 3.
Louise Fraser & Karen Marshall halved with Christina Meldrum & Sheila McMurtrie.
Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood bt Addi Shamash & Gwen Robson 7 and 5.
Singles (6-0)

Turner bt Monteith 4 and 3.

Claire Hargan bt Milligan 4 and 3.

Wendy Nicholson bt Meldrum 6 and 4.

Fraser by McMurtrie 1 hole.

Blackwood bt Shamash 3 and 2.

Watton bt Robson 3 and 2.

NORTHERN COUNTIES 2, RENFREWSHIRE 1

Foursomes
Kelsey MacDonald & Hannah McCook lost to Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs 2 and 1.
Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay bt Liz Stewart & Donna Jackson 4 and 2.
Mary Smith & Alison Bartlett bt Alyson McKechin & Gillian Kyle 4 and 2.

County finals at Baberton give WHI trio

chance to make up for Irvine heartbreak

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Three of the players left heartbroken by Scotland's failure to win the Women's Home Internationals at Irvine last week will be on opposing teams as they all attempt to bounce back at Baberton over the next three days.
The Juniper Green course is staging the Scottish Women's County Finals, with Midlothian, Galloway, Northern Counties and Renfrewshire the four teams set to battle it out for the title.
Jane Turner, who picked up two points from her three matches in Ayrshire, is in the Midlothian line up while her Scottish team-mates, Kelsey MacDonald and Megan Briggs, are representing Northern Counties and Renfrewshire respectively.
Claire Hargan, the Scottish team manager at Irvine, is also playing for Midlothian and she admits the experience suffered by the hosts in the Women's Home Internationals was very painful indeed.
"Lesley Nicholson (the team captain] and I were talking afterwards and, for all that we've both played in Home Internationals and European Championships ourselves, that was definitely one of the most disappointing experiences we've encountered on a golf course," said Hargan.
"We had such a strong team and everything was going according to plan until the singles against Wales. It was such a shame that we were unable to sink the putts we needed to in that session."
Hargan is something of a veteran when it comes to the County Finals, having represented Dunbartonshire & Argyll on a number of occasions before switching her colours to Midlothian after moving through to Edinburgh.
"It is definitely one of my favourite events," said the current Midlothian champion from Mortonhall. "There's great camaraderie yet it's still competitive at the same time. While I don't know a lot about Galloway, both Northern Counties and Renfrewshire will definitely be heading to Baberton with strong sides, so it promises to be very close over the three days.
"However, we've prepared well for the event – we were able to learn the best lines from tees during a recent match against a Baberton men's team – and we have a great mix of youth and experience.
"Rachael Watton, for instance, is one of the exciting youngsters in the side, while Louise Fraser, who is back after focussing on rugby for a couple of years, and Kirsten Blackwood both have bags of experience."
Midlothian face Galloway in the opening match tomorrow, the foursomes teeing off at 9.30am with the afternoon singles beginning at 1.30pm.
THE TEAMS
Galloway: Pat Magill, Sheila McMurtrie, Christina Meldrum, Caroline Merrick, Tracy Milligan, Gillian Monteith, Gwen Robson and Addi Shamash.
Midlothian: Kirsten Blackwood, Louise Fraser, Claire Hargan, Claire MacDonald, Karen Marshall, Wendy Nicholson, Jane Turner and Rachael Watton.
Northern Counties: Alison Bartlett, Cara Gruber, Kelsey MacDonald, Pam Mackay, Hannah McCook, Jenny Milne, Mary Smith and Julie Vass.
Renfrewshire: Eilidh Briggs, Megan Briggs, Clare-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson, Gillian Kyle, Alyson McKechin, Liz Stewart and Carol Whyte.

Renfrewshire name team

for Scottish county finals

At Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh, Sepember 18 to 10.

RENFREWSHIRE TEAM:

Eilidh Briggs, Kilmacolm
Megan Briggs, Kilmacolm
Clare-Marie Carlton, Fereneze
Donna Jackson, Cochrane Castle
Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire
Alyson McKechin, Elderslie
Liz Stewart, Greenburn
Carol Whyte, Windyhill


+Picture is of Alyson McKechin in action at the British girls open amateur championship at West Lancashire Golf Club last month (Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency, click on it to enlarge).

Hannah McCook takes Sammy Vass's place

in Northern Counties team for Baberton

By ROBIN WILSON

Teenager Hannah McCook, who cut her handicap to three in winning the Northern Counties LGA fixture at Torvean today with a 75 (net 71) against a CSS of 73, will play for Counties in the forthcoming Scottish women's county finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

Hannah, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, the North of Scotland girls champion, takes the place of Tain's Sammy Vass who is now at the University of Central Florida at the start of a four-year golf scholarship.

Hannah was a reserve for the Northern Counties squad who won the Northern Division title at Royal Dornoch but she did make a debut appearance.

The full Northern Counties line-up for the four-cornered contest against the champions of the three other areas of Scotland - Renfrewshire, Midlothian and Galloway - is:

ALISON BARTLET (Royal Dornoch)

CARA GRUBER (Royal Dornoch)

HANNAH McCOOK (Abernethy).

KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar).

PAM MACKAY (Royal Dornoch)

JENNY MILNE (Elgin).

MARY SMITH (Tain).

JULIE VASS (Tain).

Programme at Baberton from September 18 to 20:

Friday - Northern Counties v Renfrewshire, Galloway v Midlothian.

Saturday - Northern Counties v Galloway, Renfrewshire v Midlothian.

Sunday - Northern Counties v Midlothian, Renfrewshire v Galloway.

Midlothian field same team for Scottish county finals

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Midlothian have kept faith with a tried and tested side for the Scottish Women's County golf finals at Baberton later this month.
The selectors have picked the same players who won the East title earlier in the year.
A mix of youth and experience worked a treat on that occasion and there appeared to be no real need to make any changes for an event that will see them fight it out with Galloway, Northern Counties and Renfrewshire for the right to be crowned Scottish champions.
Midlothian open their campaign against Galloway on Friday, 18 September, before facing Renfrewshire then Northern Counties over the following two days.
As part of their preparations for the event, Midlothian recently took on a Baberton men's team at the Juniper Green course, giving a good account of themselves even though they lost narrowly.
Meanwhile, Baberton's Fiona McLaren and Louise Fraser from the host club were the main winners in the Midlothian Women's Autumn Meeting at Kingsknowe. McLaren lifted the McIntyre Trophy with a nett 69 off 14, while Fraser claimed the Lady Ford Cup with a scratch 74.
Midlothian team for the county finals:
K Blackwood (Craigmillar Park)
L Fraser (Kingsknowe)
C Hargan (Mortonhall)
C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies)
K Marshall (Baberton)
W Nicholson (Broomieknowe)
J Turner (Craigielaw)
R Watton (Mortonhall)
Reserve:
G MacDonald (Craigielaw).

+Kirkwoodgolf invites the other three qualifying counties - Galloway, Renfrewshire and Northern Counties - to send the names of their selected players for the Scottish county finals to Colin@scottishgolfview.com so that we can display them as we have done with Midlothian.

Fife County Centenary putting competition winner Elaine Moffat with Marigold Speir,
who presented the prizes and Margaret Steele (President)

The Fife County Centenary Puttting Competition was played yesterday over the Himalayas putting course at The Ladies Putting Club, St Andrews.

Elaine Moffat St Regulus won with 39, Dorothy Peterson (Burntisland) was runner-up with 40 and a better inward half from Isabel Ireland (St Rule).