English Ladies Golf Union Press Release

ENGLAND NAME TEAM FOR GIRLS' INTERNATIONALS

England has named the eight-strong team which will bid to recapture the Stroyan Cup at the Girls’ International Matches which start at Southerndown, Wales, on Wednesday.

The team, captained by Julie Brown (Brocton Hall) is:
Hannah Barwood (Knowle).
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
Rachel Connor (Manchester).
Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall).
Raffi Dyer (Hayling).
Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange).
Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor).
Kelly Tidy (Manchester).
Reserves:
Katie Best (Sherwood Forest)
Alex Peters (Notts Ladies).

Hannah, Rachel, Charlie, Ellie and Kelly are all members of ELGA’s U18 squad. The other girls all play in ELGA’S Select regional squads. The matches finish on Friday and will be followed at Southerndown by the British girls’ amateur championship from August 13-17.
England’s Nations Cup team will be Hannah Barwood, Ellie Givens and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale).

English Ladies Golfing Association Press Release

ELLIE GIVENS WINS ENGLISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

County Durham’s Ellie Givens won the English girls’ championship when she beat Nottinghamshire’s Katie Best (below left) 2/1 in a hard-fought final at Old Fold Manor, Hertfordshire today.
“I am really relieved – and happy. I really wanted to win a national championship before I leave for university,” said Ellie, 18, who will be going to Denver, USA at the end of this month.
“This is by far the biggest thing I have won and it makes all the hours of practice and training worthwhile. It’s nice to see how it pays off,” added the England girl international.
Ellie, from Blackwell Grange, has been supported by ELGA’s lottery-funded training programme since she was 11 and has found it invaluable. “It’s been fantastic, it’s helped every aspect of my game, physically and mentally. Everything I could have asked for has been provided,” she said.
The final highlighted the battling qualities of both girls as they played in bright sunshine, but tricky, swirling winds.
Ellie won the first hole and was never to slip behind, but time and again Katie, 17, (Sherwood Forest) pulled her back to all square. “It was a really close match and Katie kept coming back at me right to the end,” said Ellie. “I struggled a bit at the beginning but had a couple of really good up-and-downs later on.”
At the turn Ellie was two up but Katie had squared matters after the 12th. The Durham player came straight back to win the 13th and held on to that slender advantage through the closing holes.
The 17th was the deciding hole. Both girls missed the fairway but while Ellie was able to put her second shot close to the green, Katie had to pitch out of the rough. She was left with an approach of over 100 yards, which finished near Ellie’s ball on the right of the green.
Both girls chipped up and when Katie missed her putt she conceded Ellie’s three-footer – and the championship was decided.
During the match both players demonstrated some superb short-game shots. Katie, a member of ELGA’s Select Midlands squad, almost holed a bunker shot and, when the pressure was truly on, fashioned the most delicate of pitches from a clump of deep rough beside the 16th green.
Ellie also left herself some challenging shots and played them immaculately, notably a tough downhill chip from behind the short 14th and another, from a slope behind the 15th, which finished within inches of the hole. “They were both so difficult,” she said. “I couldn’t have left myself anything harder!”
The Flight Two final was won by Old Fold Manor’s Steph McEvoy who beat Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) on the 20th. Steph, 16, is the daughter of club professional, Peter McEvoy. She won the 18th to take the match into extra time.
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org


Visit the ELGA web site at www.englishladiesgolf.org

OCHOA GOES SIX CLEAR AFTER NIGHTMARE
80s FOR MATTHEW AND WARD

Catriona Matthew had a nightmare third round of 80 in the Ricoh Women's British Open championship over the Old Course, St Andrews today.
After opening scores of 73 and 68, the North Berwick player was breathing down the neck of leader Lorena Ochoa but Catriona dropped three strokes very early on - and that seemed to shake her confidence. She required 40 for both halves and has dropped to a share of seventh place on 221 alongside American Wendy Ward who also had a bad Saturday with an 80.
Ochoa surged clear with a par 73 for six-under-par 213 and leads by six strokes from Sweden's Linda Wessberg with one round to go.
THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 219 (3 x 73)
213 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 67 73 73
219 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 74 73 72
220 Maria Hjorth (Swe) 75 73 72, Jee Young Lee (Kor) 72 73 75, Karine Icher (Fra) 72 71 77, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 72 71 77
221 Reilley Rankin (USA) 73 74 74, Se Ri Pak (Kor) 73 73 75, Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 73 71 77, Catriona Matthew 73 68 80, Wendy Ward (USA) 71 70 80
222 Stacy Prammanasudh (USA) 74 76 72, Paula Creamer (USA) 73 75 74, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 71 76 75, Na On Min (Kor) 72 75 75
223 Becky Brewerton 74 75 74, Martina Eberl (Ger) 73 75 75, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 72 73 78, Sherri Steinhauer (USA) 72 71 80
224 Karrie Webb (Aus) 77 73 74, Jimin Kang (Kor) 77 72 75, (x) Melissa Reid 73 75 76,
In-Bee Park (Kor) 69 79 76, Yuri Fudoh (Jpn) 74 69 81
225 Beth Bader (USA) 73 77 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 78 72 75, Gloria Park (Kor) 74 75 76, Natalie Gulbis (USA) 73 76 76, Karen Stupples 75 72 78, Candie Kung (Tai) 72 74 79, Louise Friberg (Swe) 69 76 80, Rebecca Hudson 70 73 82
226 Grace Park (Kor) 75 74 77, Alena Sharp (Can) 77 70 79, Meena Lee (Kor) 71 76 79, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 73 72 81
227 (x) Rachel Bell 77 74 76, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 70 80 77, Ji-Yai Shin (Kor) 76 74 77, Trish Johnson 75 75 77, Sarah Lee (Kor) 72 76 79, Cristie Kerr (USA) 77 71 79, Kim Hall (USA) 74 74 79, In-Kyung Kim (Kor) 72 76 79, Miki Saiki (Jpn) 76 70 81
228 Suzann Petersen (Nor) 74 76 78, Joanne Mills (Aus) 71 78 79, Christina Kim (USA) 75 74 79, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 73 76 79, Mhairi McKay 75 74 79
229 Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 74 77 78, Beth Daniel (USA) 74 75 80, Michele Redman (USA) 75 73 81, (x) Belen Mozo (Spa) 75 72 82 , Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 75 72 82, Juli Inkster (USA) 79 68 82
230 Lisa Hall 73 73 84
231 (x) Sally Watson 78 73 80, (x) Kerry Smith 77 74 80, Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 76 73 82,
Meg Mallon (USA) 74 74 83
232 Iben Tinning (Den) 77 74 81, Dina Ammaccapane (USA) 76 73 83, Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 72 74 86
233 (x) Hye Yong Choi (Kor) 74 76 83
234 Nicole Castrale (USA) 73 78 83
235 (x) Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 76 75 84, Diana D'Alessio (USA) 74 76 85
237 (x) Naomi Edwards 74 77 86

News from United States Futures Tour event in New England

VIKKI LETS IN SLIP IN TEMPERATURE OF 93 DEGREES

Musselburgh exile Vikki Laing, out in one-under-par 35, had a mediocre inward half of 39 for a first-round score of two-over-par 74 in the US Futures Tour's USI Championship over the Beaver Meadow course (6,260yd, par 72) at Concord, New Hampshire.
Vikki went into the second round of the 54-h9ole event sharing 52nd place, six shots behind three Americans and an Australian sharing the lead on four-under 68 on a sweltering hot and humid day where the temperature peaked at 93 degrees.
Welsh amateur Natasha Morgan, on holiday from Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, was the best British performer with a par-matching 72 (37-35) for a share of 23rd place.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast had an 80 and Londoner Polly Willett an 81.

LEADERBOARD
Par 72 (36-36).
68 Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Australia) 35-33, Jenny Gleason (Florida) 32-37, Allison Fouch (Michigan) 34-34-, Kim Welsh (California) 35-33.
Other scores:
72 Natasha Morgan (Wales) (am) (37-35).(jt 23rd).
74 Vikki Laing (Scotland) (35-39) (jt 52nd).
80 Brenda McLarnon (Northern Ireland) (40-40) (jt 123rd).
81 Polly Willett (London) (42-39) (jt 130th).

Ricoh Women's British Open halfway stage

SECOND ROUND SCORES, TOTALS FROM
OLD COURSE, ST ANDREWS

Par 146 (2 x 73)
(x denotes amateurs)
140 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 67 73.
141 Wendy Ward (USA) 71 70, Catriona Matthew 73 68
143 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 72 71, Sherri Steinhauer (USA) 72 71, Yuri Fudoh (Jpn) 74 69, Rebecca Hudson 70 73, Karine Icher (Fra) 72 71
144 Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 73 71
145 Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 73 72, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 72 73, Louise Friberg (Swe) 69 76, Jee Young Lee (Kor) 72 73
146 Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 72 74, Miki Saiki (Jpn), Candie Kung (Tai) 72 74, Se Ri Pak (Kor) 73 73, Lisa Hall 73 73
147 Juli Inkster (USA) 79 68, Meena Lee (Kor) 71 76, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 75 72, Alena Sharp (Can) 77 70, Linda Wesseberg (Swe) 74 73, Karen Stupples 75 72, Na On Min (Kor) 72 75, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 71 76, Reilley Rankin (USA) 73 74, (x) Belen Mozo (Spa) 75 72
148 In-Kyung Kim (Kor) 72 76, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 75 73, Meg Mallon (USA) 74 74, In-Bee Park (Kor) 69 79, Kim Hall (USA) 74 74, Paula Creamer (USA) 73 75, Cristie Kerr (USA) 77 71, (x) Melissa Reid 73 75, Sarah Lee (Kor) 72 76, Michele Redman (USA) 75 73, Martina Eberl (Ger) 73 75
149 Mhairi McKay 75 74, Jimin Kang (Kor) 77 72, Dina Ammaccapane (USA) 76 73, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 73 76, Natalie Gulbis (USA) 73 76, Grace Park (Kor) 75 74, Beth Daniel (USA) 74 75, Becky Brewerton 74 75, Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 76 73, Christina Kim (USA) 75 74, Gloria Park (Kor) 74 75
150 Karrie Webb (Aus) 77 73, Trish Johnson 75 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 78 72, Ji-Yai Shin (Kor) 76 74, (x) Hye Yong Choi (Kor) 74 76, Beth Bader (USA) 73 77, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 70 80, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 74 76, Stacy Prammanasudh (USA) 74 76
151 (x) Kerry Smith 77 74, (x) Sally Watson 78 73, Iben Tinning (Den) 77 74, (x) Rachel Bell 77 74, Nicole Castrale (USA) 73 78, (x) Naomi Edwards 74 77
MISSED CUT

152 Laura Davies 79 73, Mikaela Parmlid (Swe) 78 74, Anna Rawson (Aus) 80 72, Angela Park (Bra) 78 74, Sarah Kemp (Aus) 78 74, Wendy Doolan (Aus) 78 74, Rebecca Coakley 74 78, Lora Fairclough 75 77, Shiho Oyama (Jpn) 77 75, Carri Wood (USA) 75 77, Lorie Kane (Can) 76 76, Paula Marti (Spa) 76 76, Moira Dunn (USA) 74 78, Brittany Lang (USA) 75 77
153 Birdie Kim (Kor) 79 74, (x) Carlota Ciganda (Spa) 80 73, Katherine Hull (Aus) 79 74, Karin Sjodin (Swe) 79 74, Sun Young Yoo (Kor) 78 75, Ji Young Oh (USA) 77 76, Sophie Walker 79 74, Tullia Calzavara (Ita) 72 81, Michelle Wie (USA) 73 80, Jeong Jang (Kor) 76 77, Stephanie Louden (USA) 75 78, Giulia Sergas (Ita) 75 78
154 (x) Danielle McVeigh 76 78, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 77 77, Siliva Cavalleri (Ita) 81 73, Kyeong Bae (Kor) 80 74, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Fra) 78 76, Kate Golden (USA) 76 78, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn) 77 77, Rebecca Stevenson (Aus) 80 74, Seon Hwa Lee (Kor) 76 78, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 78 76, Becky Morgan 79 75
155 Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor) 79 76, Joo Mi Kim (Kor) 75 80, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 74 81, Nina Reis (Swe) 79 76, Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 78 77
156 Morgan Pressel (USA) 80 76, Liselotte Neumann (Swe) 80 76, Clare Queen 77 79, Heather Young (USA) 79 77
157 Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor) 79 78, Amy Hung (Tai) 81 76, Laura Diaz (USA) 81 76, Lisa Sorensen (Den) 78 79, Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 82 75, Young Jo (Kor) 78 79, Leta Lindley (USA) 80 75
158 Meaghan Francella (USA) 80 78, Kirsty Taylor 78 80, Louise Stahle (Swe) 79 79, Il Mi Chung (Kor) 80 78
159 Julieta Granada (Par) 78 81, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 80 79
160 Aree Song (Kor) 79 81, Dorothy Delasin (USA) 83 77, Teresa Lu (Tai) 79 81, Samanatha Head 79 81, Carin Koch (Swe) 79 81, Pat Hurst (USA) 77 83
161 Stefanie Croce (Ita) 84 77
162 Janice Moodie 83 79, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 81 81, Hye Jung Choi (Kor) 79 83
163 Sung ah Yim (Kor) 81 82
164 Margherita Rigon (Ita) 80 84
166 Tania Elosegui Mayor (Spa) 86 80

IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

LEINSTER WIN INTER-PROVINCIALS TITLE
FOR FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW

Portarlington Golf Club

Final Day – Friday 3rd August

Connacht 0 – 9 Leinster (Connacht names first)

Foursomes
Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller lost to Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney 5&4
Darragh McGowan & Ailbhe Farrell lost to Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon 3&2
Sinead O’Sullivan & Anne McCormack lost to Dawn Marie Conaty & Maura Morrin 4&3

Singles
Niamh Kitching lost to Karen Delaney 4&3
Emma Gilmore lost to Tara Delaney by 1 hole
Anne McCormack lost to Deirdre Smith by 2 holes
Ailbhe Farrell lost to Maura Morrin by 1 hole
Sinead O’Sullivan lost to Jenny Gannon 3&2
Fiona Moclair lost to Dawn Marie Conaty 8&6

Ulster 3½ - 5½ Munster (Ulster names first)

Foursomes
Charlene Reid & Lucy Simpson beat Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker 3&1
Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty beat Karen O’Neill & Naoimh McMahon 7&6
Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg lost to Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan 5&4

Singles
Gemma Hegarty lost to Gillian O’Leary 6&5
Lisa McMeekin lost to Marian Riordan 7&5
Charlene Reid halved with Catherine Tucker
Naoimh Quigg lost to Holli Snelling by 1 hole
Lucy Simpson lost to Karen O’Neill by 2 holes
Louise Coffey beat Eileen Rose Power 2&1

Irish Team to compete in the Ladies Home International which takes place in Dunbar in Scotland from the 12th - 14th September 2007

Team
1. Karen Delaney (Carlow)
2. Tara Delaney (Carlow)
3. Niamh Kitching (Claremorris)
4. Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies)
5. Maura Morrin (The Curragh)
6. Gillian O'Leary (Cork)
7. Marian Riordan (Tipperary)
8. Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)

Reserves (in order):
1. Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
2. Catherine Tucker (Limerick)
3. Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway)
Captain – Phil O’Gorman (Laytown & Bettystown)
Manager – Claire Robinson (Knock)

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

ELLIE AND KATIE MEET IN ENGLISH GIRLS' FINAL

County Durham’s Ellie Givens and Nottinghamshire’s Katie Best will meet tomorrow in the final of the English girls’ championship at Old Fold Manor in Hertfordshire.
Both players had poor preparation for their day’s golf after they were woken in the small hours by a fire alarm at their hotel. But both put on a sparkling display and won their semi-finals by comfortably margins.
Ellie played almost flawless golf to beat local player Lucy Williams (Mid-Herts) 4/3. Katie picked up four birdies in the early holes and defeated Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) 5/4.
Both are eagerly anticipating the final.
Ellie, 18, an England girl international from Blackwell Grange, said: “I really, really want this and I feel I’m ready for it. I got to the semi-finals a couple of years ago and ever since I’ve wanted to take it a stage further. I am really excited.”
Ellie, who is going to Denver University in the USA at the end of August, played immaculate golf against Lucy Williams, who fought her hard all the way.
They started in great style with five birdies between them in the first seven holes. By then, Ellie was two up and, after a string of halves, she moved to four up with pars on the 13th and 14th. Another par for a half on the 15th sealed her place in the final.
Katie, who plays at Sherwood Forest, got off to a very quick start, throwing four early birdies at the sporting Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park). Katie was six up after 12 and, despite losing the long 13th where she drove into a bunker, she closed out the match with a half on the 14th.
“I got off to a good start and then kept plodding along with pars and kept it going,” said Katie, 17. She is a member of ELGA’s Select Midland squad and has found the training has particularly helped her course management and psychology.
“I’m really excited about the final, I can’t wait,” said Katie, who is the Nottinghamshire girls champion and won the 2006 Midland girls’ championship.
One of her biggest fans is 15-year-old scoreboard carrier Matthew Ready, who plays off nine at Old Fold Manor. He’s been greatly impressed by the girls’ play: “They are much better golfers than I am,” he remarked. In Flight Two the finalists are Hertfordshire’s Steph McEvoy and Nottinghamshire’s Harriet Owers-Bradley.
Steph is a member at Old Fold Manor, where her father, Peter, is professional. The seven-handicapper beat Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) by one hole. Harriet, who has been suffering a mystery stomach pain this week, plays at Wollaton Park and will soon be off to the USA to study at Yale University, where she will be on the golf team. She beat Nikki Dunn (Harrogate) 3 and 2.

Results:
Quarter finals:
Lucy Williams (Mid-Herts) beat Raffi Dyer (Hayling) 1 hole.
Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) beat Harriet Key (South Herts) 3 and 2.
Kastie Best (Sherwood Forest) beat Charlotte Field 2 holes.
Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) beat Sian Evans (Faversham) at 19th.

Semi-finals: Ellie Givens beat Lucy Williams 4 and 3, Katie Best beat Charlotte Dalton 5 and 4.

Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

English Ladies Golfing Association Press Release

RACHEL MAKES BREAKTHROUGH
WITH ROYAL BIRKDALE VICTORY

Manchester teenager Rachel Connor scored her first major success in ladies golf when she won the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy with a one-under par total for 36 holes.
“It’s my first big ladies’ win and I am so chuffed,” said Rachel, 17-year-old daughter of a Scots-born professional.
“It was really windy and the course was playing long but I was really happy with the way I struck the ball.” Rachel played the first round in three-under 72, helped by a purple patch around Royal Birkdale’s “loop” of holes 10 to 14 where she had three birdies. She was 76 in the second round and finished one shot clear of club colleague Kelly Tidy, 15.
Both players are England girl internationals and members of ELGA’s U18 Squad.
The spectacular shots of the day were provided by Gina Brown of Mere who had an eagle 3 on the 440-yard sixth and an albatross 2 on the 422-yard 13th, where she holed a rescue club.
Leading scores
CSS 76, 76.
149 Rachel Connor (Manchester) 72 77.
150 Kelly Tidy (Manchester) 75 75.
151 Louisa Stirling (Formby Ladies) 74 77.
154 Catherine Roberts (Pleasington) 77 77.

Visit the ELGA web site at www.englishladiesgolf.org

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

HEIDI HIGH AFTER ENGLISH UNDER-15s
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE PLAY-OFF

Suffolk’s Heidi Baek (right) defeated titleholder Kelly Tidy (below left) in a four hole sudden death play-off to win the English U15 championship at Brickendon Grange in Hertfordshire.
They repeatedly played the uphill par three 18th until Heidi triumphed with her fourth consecutive par. Kelly had three pars before bogeying the hole when her fourth tee shot found a greenside bunker. “I feel really happy now – I’ve won a major,” said 13-year-old Heidi, who plays at Felixstowe Ferry and is a member of ELGA’s Midland Select squad.
Heidi was trailing Manchester’s Kelly by one shot after three rounds but quickly caught and passed her with a blistering start to the final round.
Heidi was four-under par for the front nine while Kelly was one-over at the same stage. On the back nine, however, the Lancashire player fought back and came home in two-over 38, despite a double bogey on the difficult par four 17th.
Heidi also had her problems on the back nine and came home in 42, with a double bogey on the 145-yard 18th. At the end of regulation play both girls were tied on 16-over par for the 72-hole event. Kelly had shot 77, 76, 76, 75 while Heidi posted 76, 78, 76, 74.
In the play-off Heidi made no mistakes. She teed off with a four-iron and made par on each of the four occasions she played the hole. Meanwhile, her mother, Sunny, sat on a nearby bank with her face buried in her hands, unable to watch.
Kelly, an England girl international, used a six iron for her tee shot and parred the hole on the first three occasions. On the fourth, though, she found the lefthand greenside bunker and her shot out left a tricky uphill putt of at least 20ft across a slope. When it missed, Heidi was left with two putts for the title.
It was Heidi’s first play-off and she remarked: “It was a bit nervy with all the people watching – but it was also very exciting!”
Her win ends Kelly’s long reign at the top in junior golf. She won the U15 championship in 2006 and was the English U13 champion in 2004 and 2005.
Full scores: www.englishladiesgolf.org

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

WILTSHIRE'S HANNAH TURLAND WINS ENGLISH
UNDER-13 GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Wiltshire’s Hannah Turland came from two shots behind to win the English girls’ Under-13s championship by three strokes at Brickendon Grange, Hertfordshire.
The 13-year-old from Tidworth Garrison birdied five of the last 10 holes as she whittled away the lead of Elizabeth Mallett and then overtook her.
“It’s great,” said Hannah, who plays in ELGA’s Select South-West squad. “This was what I was hoping to do before I came here.”
Hannah added a final round of three-over 75 to her earlier scores of 84, 73 for a 16-over par total for the 54-hole competition.
Elizabeth, the English schools’ U16 champion from Sutton Coldfield Ladies’, led for the first two rounds with scores of 78, 77, but closed with an 80 to finish as runner-up on 19-over par.
Bronte Law (Bramhall), who shared the first round lead with Elizabeth Mallett, was third on 26-over, one ahead of Charley Hull (Kettering).
Hannah made her winning move on the back nine where her accurate play was rewarded with consecutive birdies on the 13th, 14th and 15th. They helped to put her five shots clear of her playing partner – and she was glad of the cushion on the difficult 400-yard par four 17th.
Hannah’s drive finished close to a hedge in the right rough and she had to chip out. Then, she hit her third shot fat and into the pond which guards the approach to the elevated green. Eventually, she walked off with a seven while Elizabeth holed a long putt from just off the green for a par.
Hannah was not dismayed. “I knew I was still two ahead and I thought it would be Ok,” she said. It was - for she birdied the short 18th to extend her lead once more.
Her game plan was “to play the course and not play Elizabeth” and it worked, setting up a victory which was watched by her grandfather, her parents and her twin brother, James.
Leading final scores:
CSS 74 74 74.
232 Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 84 73 75.
235 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies) 78, 77, 80.
242 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 78 82 82.
243 Charley Hull (Kettering) 82 79 82.
244 Lauren Taylor (Rugby) 83 83 78.
249 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 83 86 80, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 84 84 81. 252 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 84 86 82.

Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

ENGLISH LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE

TOP SEEDS TUMBLE IN ENGLISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

By LYNDSEY HEWISON
ELGA Press Officer

The top two seeds tumbled out in the second match-play round of the English girls’ championship at Old Fold Manor in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire’s Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), who had qualified top, was defeated by Hampshire’s Raffi Dyer (Hayling) who birdied the long 18th for a one-up win.
Second seed Hannah Barwood, from Knowle in Gloucestershire, lost 2 and 1 to Warwickshire county player Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park).
Raffi, 16, made a quick start in her match with two birdies in the first three holes and was three up after 12. However, Charlie pulled her back to all square at the 15th and the players halved both 16 and 17 to reach the 18th tee on level terms.
“It was quite nerve wracking walking down the 18th ,” said Raffi, who used a five-iron to hit the green in two and then two-putted for a winning birdie.
“I have been playing quite well coming into this,” said Raffi, who is a member of ELGA’s Select South-East squad. “I thought I had a good chance but I respect Charlie as a player and I knew it was going to be a tough match.”
Raffi will meet local player Lucy Williams (Mid-Herts) in the quarter finals. Lucy beat Elizabeth Over (Forest Pines) by one hole in their second round match.
Charlotte Dalton, 18, was overjoyed with her win over England girl international Hannah Barwood. “I didn’t expect to win. I just wanted to give Hannah a good game. After winning in the morning I thought ‘that’s it, I’ll just go out and have some fun and do my best’. I am really, really pleased.”
Charlotte won the first hole and was always ahead, getting to two-up at the turn. She lost the 12th, where she uncharacteristically missed a putt, but went back to two-up with a birdie on the 15th. She booked her place in the quarter final when the players halved the 17th.
Now, Charlotte plays Sian Evans (Faversham) who had a one-up win over Nicola Race (Chelmsford).
England girl international Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) beat Ellie Robinson (Middlesborough) 4 and 3 in their second round match. She now plays local golfer Harriet Key (South Herts) who defeated Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor) by one hole.
Katie Best (Sherwood Forest) beat Emilee Taylor (Gainsborough) 3 and 1 and will play another Hertfordshire player, Charlotte Field (Bishops Stortford). Charlotte beat Sarah Tyson (Redlibbets) 2 and 1.
Full match-play results: www.englishladiesgolf.org

Irish Ladies Golf Union Press Release

INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES
PORTARLINGTON GOLF CLUB
1ST – 3RD AUGUST 2007

Points Table
1st Leinster 2pt
2nd Munster 1pt
3rd Connacht 1pt
4th Ulster 0

Thursday 2nd August
Munster 6 - 3 Connacht (Munster names first)
Foursomes
Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan lost to Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller 1up
Sarah Cunningham & Holli Snelling lost to Sinead O’Sullivan & Anne McCormack 3&2
Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker beat Darragh McGowan & Emma Gilmore 6&5
Singles
Gillian O’Leary beat Niamh Kitching 1up
Marian Riordan beat Emma Gilmore 4&3
Catherine Tucker beat Sarah Faller 2&1
Sarah Cunningham beat Fiona Moclair 1up
Naoimh McMahon lost to Anne McCormack 2&1
Eileen Rose Power beat Sinead O’Sullivan 4&3
Leinster 6 - Ulster (Leinster names first)
Foursomes
Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney halved with Charlene Reid & Lucy Simpson
Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon beat Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg 5&4
Maura Morrin & Mary Dowling lost to Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty 2&1
Singles
Karen Delaney beat Gemma Hegarty 6&5
Tara Delaney beat Naoimh Quigg 5&4
Maria Dunne halved with Charlene Reid
Deirdre Smith beat Louise Coffey 1up
Jenny Gannon beat Nikki Moore 4&3
Maura Morrin lost to Helen Jones 1up

Draw for Friday 3rd August
Connacht –v- Leinster (Connacht names first)
Foursomes
08:30 Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller –v- Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney
08:40 Darragh McGowan & Ailbhe Farrell –v- Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon
08:50 Sinead O’Sullivan & Anne McCormack –v- Dawn Marie Conaty & Maura Morrin

Ulster –v- Munster (Ulster names first)
Foursomes
09:00 Charlene Reid & Lucy Simpson –v- Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker
09:10 Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty –v- Karen O’Neill & Naoimh McMahon
09:20 Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg –v- Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan

see http://www.ilgu.ie/ for further details

Ricoh Women's British Open championship at St Andrews

LORENA OCHOA (67) LEADS ON FIRST DAY
OVER THE OLD COURSE

World No 1 Lorena Ochoa from Mexico showed her class to lead by two shots at the end of the first round of the Ricoh Women's British Open over the Old Course, St Andrews.
The Mexican shot a six-under-par 67.
Rebecca Hudson from Doncaster, who had played the course many times as an amateur, was the leading British player with a 70.
Catriona Matthew was the top Scot with a 73. Mhairi McKay had a 75 and Janice Moodie a disappointing 83.
Sally Watson endured a 6 1/2 hr round and finished with a creditable 78, which included a bogey 5 at the last.
Annika Sorenstam had a 72.
There was a surprisingly high score (79) by Laura Davies and surprisingly low scores from the cluster of amateurs in the field - notably Melissa Reid from Chevin, Derby. Winner of the St Rule Trophy over the course earlier this year and the "Helen Holm" at Troon, Melissa had a par-matching 73.
The first round will not be completed until Friday morning due to darkness.
SCOREBOARD
Old Course, St Andrews.
Par 73 (x denotes amateur)
67 Lorena Ochoa (Mex)
69 Louise Friberg (Swe), In-Bee Park (Kor)
70 Ai Miyazato (Jpn), Rebecca Hudson
71 Brittany Lincicome (USA), Joanne Mills (Aus), Meena Lee (Kor), Wendy Ward (USA)
72 Tullia Calzavara (Ita), Karine Icher (Fra), Na On Min (Kor), Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), Sarah Lee (Kor), Jee Young Lee (Kor), Catrin Nilsmark (Swe), In-kyung Kim (Kor), Annika Sorenstam (Swe), Sherri Steinhauer (USA), Candie Kung (Tai)
73 Beth Bader (USA), Paula Creamer (USA), Momoko Ueda (Jpn), Se Ri Pak (Kor), Natalie Gulbis (USA), Michelle Wie (USA), Catriona Matthew, (x) Melissa Reid, Nicole Castrale (USA), Reilley Rankin (USA), Martina Eberl (Ger), Lisa Hall, Young Kim (Kor), Sophie Gustafsson (Swe), Eun Hee Ji (Kor)
74 Nikki Garrett (Aus), (x) Hye Yong Choi (Kor), Beth Daniel (USA), Suzann Petersen (Nor), Becky Brewerton, Stacy Prammanasudh (USA), (x) Naomi Edwards, Moira Dunn, Gloria Park (Kor), Diana D'Alessio (USA), Lotta Wahlin (Swe), Yuri Fudoh (Jpn), Meg Mallon (USA), Linda Wessberg (Swe), Kim Hall (USA), Rebecca Coakley
75 Karen Stupples, Grace Park (Kor), Carri Wood (USA), Michele Redman (USA), Stephanie Louden (USA), Giulia Sergas (Ita), Christina Kim (USA), (x) Belen Mozo (Spa), Brittany Laing (USA), Charlotte Mayorkas (USA), Anja Monke (Ger), Trish Johnson, Mhairi McKay, Maria Hjorth (Swe), Rachel Hetherington (Aus), Lora Fairclough, Joo Mi Kim (Kor)
76 Dina Ammaccapane (USA), Jeong Jang (Kor), Lorie Kane (Can), Jin Joo Hong (Kor), Paula Marti (Spa), Seon Hwa Lee (Kor), Beatriz Recari (Spa), (x) Anna Nordqvist (Swe), Lindsey Wright (Aus), (x) Danielle McVeigh, Miki Saiki (Jpn), Kate Golden (USA), Ji-Yai Shin (Kor)
77 (x) Rachel Bell, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn), Christie Kerr (USA), Shiho Oyama (Jpn), Pat Hurst (USA), Bettina Hauert (Ger), Ashleigh Simon (Rsa), Karrie Webb (Aus), Clare Queen, Alena Sharp (Can), Jimin Kang (Kor), (x) Kerry Smith
78 Julieta Granada (Par), Helen Alfredsson (Swe), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Angela Stanford (USA), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Kirsty Taylor, Mikaela Parmlid (Swe), Angela Park (Bra), Aree Song (Kor), Sarah Kemp (Aus), Wendy Doolan (Aus), Lisa Sorensen (Den), Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Fra), Sun Young Yoo (Kor), (x) Sally Watson.
79 Nina Reis (Swe), Louise Stahle (Swe), Teresa Lu (Tai), Samantha Head, Becky Morgan, Carin Koch (Swe), Birdie Kim (Kor), Laura Davies, Juli Inkster (USA), Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor), Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor), Heather Young (USA), Karin Sjodin (Swe), Katherine Hull (Aus), Aree Song (Kor), Hye Jung Choi (Kor)
80 Il Mi Chung (Kor), Sophie Giquel (Fra), Meaghan Francella (USA), Morgan Pressel (USA), Liselotte Neumann (Swe), (x) Carlota Ciganda (Spa), Anna Rawson (Aus), Kyeong Bae (Kor), Margherita Rigon (Ita)
81 Marcy Hart (USA), Amy Hung (Tai), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Laura Diaz (USA), Silvia Cavalleri (Ita)
82 Johanna Westerberg (Swe)
83 Janice Moodie, Dorothy Delasin (USA).
84 Stefanie Croce (Ita).
86 Tania Elosegui (Spa).
Retired Eleanor Pilgrim

Plan to double the number of girl golfers in Scotland

Claire Queen and Kathryn Imrie after a coaching clinic with children from Lawhead Primary, St Andrews, during the launch of clubgolf’s Girls in Golf programme at the Ricoh British Women’s Open in St Andrews

Coaching clinics are being held every day of the Womens Open at 11:30am and 1:30pm

An initiative designed to double the number of girls in Scotland playing golf gets underway this summer.
Scotland’s national junior golf strategy, clubgolf, is working to redress the imbalance of girls playing golf. Its research in 2005 showed there were fewer than 50,000 female golf club members (as opposed to 198,500 male club golfers). In the under 18 level, there were 25,000 boys but just 2,700 girls.
Meanwhile, in Sweden more than 22,000 girls under the age of 18 play golf.
Using research generated in Sweden, which attributed its high numbers to all-girl coaching sessions combined with a strong social element, clubgolf selected Grampian’s Alford, Fraserburgh and Oldmeldrum Golf Clubs to pilot Girls in Golf girls-only coaching sessions.
So successful were the pilots that the programme - which is endorsed by leading Scotland lady golfers, Catriona Matthew and Kathryn Imrie – is being rolled out across Scotland this summer.
“Until recently nobody had ever asked girls what they would like from the game,” said Audra Booth, clubgolf’s Grampian Regional Manager. “The feedback from the girls at the three Aberdeenshire clubs indicates that they are far more likely to start the game, stay involved and make progress if they begin by learning in a group with other girls. It is apparent also that the social side is very important for girls.
“In 2005 the three Grampian clubs had only a handful of girls in their memberships. A year later the coaching had become so popular that over 80 girls were involved in their Girls in Golf coaching sessions.”

This week at the Ricoh British Women’s Open in St Andrews, clubgolf volunteer coaches and PGA Pros will be running putting clinics for girls. Catriona Matthew, Kathryn Imrie and other professional players will visit the clinics to add their own expertise.

“Even when I played as a girl there were very few girl members and it’s happening in the UK in general, not just in Scotland,” said Catriona Matthew.

“It’s something that we need to try and change and it’s very encouraging to see that clubgolf is getting girls interested and giving them the chance to play. Coaching girls in a separate group is obviously working so it will be great if clubs in the rest of the country can try girls only coaching.

“Most clubs would be very keen to have more girls. The more people we can get playing the more chance there is you can find people with the talent and produce more top notch players.”

Kathryn Imrie, the Angus player who has made her living from the game since she first joined the LPGA Tour in 1994, highlighted the other benefits for girls getting involved in the game.
“There are hundreds of reasons why golf is a good game for girls,” she said. “You can make a great living as a professional player now, it’s useful if you are going into the corporate world and you can enjoy it as a social game or a family sport. That’s the best thing about golf; socially it’s a great game at any level, any age or any standard.”

clubgolf has been developed under a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, Professional Golfers’ Association, sportscotland and the Golf Foundation. It is funded by the Scottish Executive through sportscotland.

So far this year over 25,000 children have experienced clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, at school or in after school clubs. Approximately half of the 25,000 are girls.

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

Hertfordshire’s Charlie Douglass is top
seed in English girls’ championship

Hertfordshire’s Charlie Douglass is top seed for the match-play stages of the English girls’ championship which is being played at Old Fold Manor, in her home county.
Charlie, who plays at Brocket Hall, led the qualifiers with two rounds of level par 72.
She will be joined in the championship knock-out by four other Hertfordshire girls who all finished in the top 32 after the two rounds of stroke-play qualifying.
They are Lucy Williams (Mid Herts) (74-77), Harriet Key (South Herts) (77-77), Charlotte Field (Bishops Stortford) (76-81) and Lucy Glyn (Porters Park) (80-78).
Charlie’s steady second round included three birdies and she finished two shots clear of England girl international Hannah Barwood (Knowle) who scored 71-75.
“I’m really looking forward to the match-play, I’m really excited, ” said Charlie, who was runner-up in last year’s championship. “The stroke-play is irrelevant now, but it’s put me in a good position. Now I’ve got to see how the rest of the week goes.” She meets Emma Louise Breen (Marlborough) in the first round.
Hannah Barwood was disappointed to drop back into second place and blamed two bad holes – the 14th and 15th - in an otherwise very tidy card. She parred every hole on the front nine, bogeyed the 11th and birdied the 12th before taking a double bogey 5 on the 14th and bogey 5 on the 15th.
“I would have liked to win the qualifying – but you can’t win the overall tournament on the first two days. I’m looking forward to the match-play now,” she said. Her first round opponent is Jerry Lawrence (Rochester & Cobham Park).
The leading 32 players have qualified for the championship match-play. The next 32 have qualified for the second flight.
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

YORKSHIRE'S HELEN SEARLE TAKES UP
RUNNING IN ENGLISH UNDER-15s
CHAMPIONSHIP

Yorkshire’s Helen Searle shot the low round so far of the English Under-15 girls' championship to take the halfway lead at Brickendon Manor, Hertfordshire today.
She birdied each of the first three holes to set up a one-over par score of 73. Helen added it to her opening 79 for an eight-over par total and she moved from seventh to the top of the leaderboard.
Helen, 14, who lives in Halifax and plays at West End, is a member of ELGA’s Select North squad.
Helen is one shot ahead of defending champion Kelly Tidy of Manchester. Kelly has scored 77- 76. Kelly’s second round included three birdies but she also dropped three shots in her last three holes.
First-round leader Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry), 13, added a 78 to her opening 76 and is lying third, two shots ahead of Alex Peters (Notts Ladies), 13, a fellow member of ELGA’s Select Midlands squad.
Alex, the 2006 English Under-13 champion and the current Midland women's champion, scored 77-79, and is sharing fourth place with Charlotte Thomas (West Surrey) 80-76.
The shot of the day came from Harriet Wilson (Caldy) who almost holed her second shot on the 488yd par-5 first hole. Her ball finished inches from the hole for the easiest of eagles. Harriet had rounds of 87-80 to qualify comfortably for the last two rounds of the championship.
The leading 36 players and ties go forward to play the final 36 holes of the championship tomorrow. The cut fell at 176, 32-over par for two rounds.
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

Irish Ladies Golf Union Press Release

LADIES' INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES
PORTARLINGTON GOLF CLUB

Points Table after Day One
1st Leinster, 1pt.
2nd Connacht, 1pt
3rd Ulster, 0pt.
4th Munster, 0pt.

DAY ONE RESULTS

ULSTER 3 1/2, CONNACHT 5 1/2
(Ulster names first)
Foursomes
Charlene Reid & Louise Coffey lost to Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller 3 and 2.
Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty beat Sinead O’Sullivan & Anne McCormack 1 hole.
Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg lost to Darragh McGowan & Emma Gilmore 1 hole.
Singles
Hegarty halved with Kitching.
Quigg halved with Gilmore.
Reid beat McGowan 2 and 1.
Coffey halved with Ailbhe Farrell.
Moore lost to McCormack 4 and 3.
Jones lost to O’Sullivan 3 and 2.

LEINSTER 6, MUNSTER 3
(Leinster names first)
Foursomes
Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney beat Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan 4 and 2.
Maura Morrin & Maria Dunne lost to Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker 5 and 3.
Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon beat Sarah Cunningham & Holli Snelling 2 and 1.
Singles
Karen Delaney beat O’Leary 5 and 4.
Tara Delaney beat Riordan 2 and 1.
Gannon lost to Tucker 3 and 1.
Smith beat Cunningham 1 hole.
Morrin beat Snelling 3 and 2.
Dunne lost to Power 5 and 4.

THURSDAY DRAW

MUNSTER v CONNACHT
(Munster names first)
Foursomes
8:30 Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan v Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller
8:40 Sarah Cunningham & Holli Snelling v Sinead O’Sullivan & Anne McCormack
8:50 Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker v Darragh McGowan & Emma Gilmore

LEINSTER v ULSTER
(Leinster names first)
Foursomes
9:00 Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney v Charlene Reid & Lucy Simpson
9:10 Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon v Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg
9:20 Maura Morrin & Mary Dowling v Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty

See www.ilgu.ie for further details…

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

ELIZABETH MALLETT LEADS BY TWO IN
ENGLISH UNDER-13 GIRLS' EVENT

By LYNDSEY HEWISON
Warwickshire’s Elizabeth Mallett has opened up a two-shot lead after the first two rounds of the English girls’ Under-13 championship at Brickendon Grange, Hertfordshire.
The English schools Under-16 champion added a five-over par 77 to her opening 78 to lead the qualifiers for the final round of the tournament.
Elizabeth, 13, from Sutton Coldfield Ladies’, had three birdies in her round but found the finish tough, dropping four shots over the last three holes of her round.
Her closest rival is Wiltshire’s Hannah Turland who shot an impressive one-over par 73 to move from sixth to second on the leaderboard.
She improved on her first round score by 11 shots. Hannah, 13, from Tidworth Garrison, had four birdies and an eagle 3 on the 393-yard fourth, where she chipped in. She was one under par for her front nine.
Bronte Law (Bramhall), who shared the lead after the first round, is now lying third after rounds of 78 and 82.
Exactly 18 players have qualified for the final 18 holes of the championship which will be played tomorrow. They include local player, Emily Chan of South-Herts, who shares 11th place. Qualifying scores:
155 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies) 78 77.
157 Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 84 73. 160 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 78 82. 161 Charley Hull (Kettering) 82 79.
166 Lauren Taylor (Rugby) 83 83.
168 Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 84 84.
169 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 83 86.
170 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St. Annes) 84 86.
172 Georgia Hall (Ferndown) 89 83; Kenzie McLaren (Wentworth) 87 85.
174 Emily Chan (South Herts) 87 87; Jessica Kaimakami (Blakes) 87 87.
175 Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe) 86 89.
176 Alice Plumb (Yeovil) 86 90; Fiona Freeth (Sheringham) 92 84.
177 Emma-Jane Harris (Peel Ladies) 87 90.
178 Elizabeth Stebbings (Wilpshire) 91 87.
179 Lucy Evans (Lilleshall Hall).
Full scores: www.englishladiesgolf.org
Lyndsey HewisonPress & PR Officer

STUNNING NEW EXHIBITION OF WOMEN'S
GOLF UNVEILED AT BRITISH GOLF
MUSEUM IN ST ANDREWS

Winning in Style: The Ladies' Game Since 1976 is a stunning new exhibition on the world of women's golf, unveiled this week at the British Golf Museum, St Andrews.
The Rolex-sponsored exhibition focuses on the growth of ladies' golf since 1976, the first year of the Women's British Open, looking at both the professional and amateur game.
Against a colourful backdrop of emotive images, we feature items associated with the careers of top amateur and professional players. Among those represented are Carol Semple Thompson, winner of more matches than any other player in the history of the Curtis Cup; also Sherri Steinhauer, who recorded back-to-back victories in the Women's British Open in 1998 and 1999. More unusual features include a presidential letter from Jimmy Carter welcoming the 1978 Curtis Cup teams.
STYLISH TROPHY DISPLAY
In our stylish new trophy display, learn about the origins of the great amateur and professional tournaments, such as the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship, the Curtis Cup, the Vagliano Trophy and the Ricoh Women's British Open.
Take the opportunity to view the impressive trophies themselves. Specially commissioned for 2007 is the new Ricoh Women's British Open trophy, which will grace the display after the event.
Jean-Noël Bioul, Head of Sponsorship for Rolex said, ''Rolex has made a significant commitment to ladies' golf including, most recently, the sponsorship of The Rolex Rankings, the first ever world ranking system in ladies' golf. Rolex is proud to sponsor the British Golf Museum and specifically the new special exhibition on ladies' golf. The British Golf Museum shares with Rolex the values of tradition, quality and precision.''
REFLECTION OF PAST 30 YEARS
Peter Lewis, Director of the British Golf Museum, said, "We are very excited by Winning in Style. It reflects the women's game over the past 30 years and we are most grateful to all the players, past and present, who have contributed to what we hope is an evocative visitor experience. We are also very grateful for all the help we have received from the Ladies' Golf Union and to Rolex for their generous support in bringing this exhibition to life.''
The exhibition is unveiled in advance of the Ricoh Women's British Open, being played in St Andrews from August 2 to 5 and will run until 2009.

Angus Adult-Junior competition

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English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

HANNAH SETS PACE WITH A 71 IN ENGLISH
GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING

Gloucestershire’s Hannah Barwood scored a one-under-par 71 and holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the English girls’ championship at Old Fold Manor in Hertfordshire.
Her closest challenger is Hertfordshire player, Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) who was runner-up in last year’s championship.
Hannah, an England girl international from Knowle, Bristol, said: “I am really chuffed to bits, really pleased. This is a great start and hopefully I can go out and repeat it all tomorrow.”
She added: “The course is in such good condition and the greens are just perfect so it’s hard not to do a good score. The weather is beautiful as well - you couldn’t ask for much more!”
The 17-year-old, who reached the last 16 in the English women's championship, played steadily throughout her round. She had pars on the first eight holes and a birdie on the long ninth to reach the turn at one-under. She bogeyed the 11th and 14th but came back quickly with birdies on the 15th and 16th, both par-4s
Charlie Douglass, 18, struggled at the start of her round with two bogeys in the first three holes but she soon repaired the damage. “I steadied myself and got some good pars and three birdies,” she said. “I just want two steady rounds – and then see what happens,” she added.
Nottinghamshire’s Katie Best (Sherwood Forest) and Hampshire’s Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor), share third place on one over par 73.
Katie Best, 17, had six birdies in her round including a chip-in on the eighth and a 4 on the 18th, where she holed a long putt from off the green. “I had a good putting day,” said Katie, who is the Nottinghamshire girls’ champion and the winner of the Lincolnshire open.
Katie Mundy, 16, has come straight from the English women's stroke-play championship at Silloth-on-Solway where she qualified in second place. She’s reaping the benefit of steady practice and hard work in the gym and has recently won the south region of the Faldo Series, with a three-under course record at Brocket Hall.
Lucy Williams, from Mid-Herts, shares fourth place on two-over 74.
Other scores by Hertfordshire players included a 76 from Charlotte Field (Bishops Stortford) while Harriet Key (South Herts) is one shot further back. Hollie Gardner and Steph McEvoy, who both play at the host club, had identical scores of 82.
After Wednesday's second qualifying round the top 32 players will go into the championship match-play flight and the next 32 into the second flight.
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

English Ladies Golf Association Press Release

HEIDI HIGH ON THE LIST IN ENGLISH GIRLS'
UNDER-15 CHAMPIONSHIP

Suffolk’s Heidi Baek set the first-round pace in the English girls’ U15 championship at Brickendon Manor in Hertfordshire today.
The 13-year-old from Felixstowe Ferry scored a four-over par 76. She finished one shot ahead of a group which includes defending champion Kelly Tidy (Manchester) and the 2006 English Under-13 champion Alex Peters (Notts Ladies).
Afterwards Heidi remarked: “I was pleased overall. I played the front nine well but made too many bogeys on the back nine. But that’s golf isn’t it!”
She added: “It’s lovely conditions, really sunny and calm and it’s a very nice course.”
Heidi, who plays off four, is a Suffolk first team player and won the South-east of England schools’ championship earlier this season.
After Wednesday's second round the field will be cut to the leading 36 players and ties who will play the final 36 holes of the championship on Thursday.
Leading scores:
76 Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry).
77 Miranda Brain (Gog Magog), Hayley Davis (Ferndown), Alex Peters (Notts Ladies), Kelly Tidy (Manchester).
78 Jessica Bradley (Tiverton).
79 Sophie Godley (Renishaw Park), Helen Searle (West End).
80 Bronwyn Davies (Wolstanton), Charlotte Thomas (West Surrey).
Full scores: www.englishladiesgolf.org

ELIZABETH AND BRONTE SHARE ENGLISH
UNDER-13 GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Warwickshire’s Elizabeth Mallett and Cheshire’s Bronte Law share the lead after the first round of the English girls’ Under-13 championship at Brickendon Grange in Hertfordshire today.
Both girls returned scores of six-over par 78 and are four shots clear of Kettering’s Charley Hull.
Elizabeth, 13, who plays at Sutton Coldfield and was runner-up in this tournament last year, has just won the English Under-16s schoolgirls championship. She was one of the few girls to par the difficult 400-yard par-4 17th.
Bronte, 12, plays at Bramhall and, like Elizabeth, is a member of an ELGA birdie squad. She got her round off to a great start with a birdie on the first hole and never had worse than a bogey on a hole.
Lianna Bailey, who at 10 is one of the youngest competitors in the field, had an eagle 2 in her round. The Rushcliffe player made short work of the 317-yard 10th when she holed a shot with a rescue wood. She finished with an 86 and a share of ninth place.
Emily Chan of South Herts leads the local challenge with an 87 which puts her in a share of 11th place. After Wednesday's second round the field will be cut to the leading 18 players and ties who will play the final 18 holes of the championship.
Leading scores:
78 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies), Bronte Law (Bramhall).
82 Charley Hull (Kettering).
83 Lauren Taylor (Rugby), Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough). 84 Brogan Townend (Pleasington), Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes).
86 Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe), Alice Plumb (Yeovil).
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

Ricoh Women's British Open tee times at Old Course

WHEN TO SEE THE STARS AT
ST ANDREWS ON THURSDAY

6:30
Nikki Garrett (AUS)
Dina Ammaccapane (USA)
Hye Yong Choi (KOR) (amateur)

6:41
Beth Bader (USA)
Tullia Calzavara (ITA)
Rachel Bell (ENG) (amateur)
6:52
Paula Creamer (USA)
Momoko Ueda (JPN)
Se Ri Pak (KOR)
7:03
Lorena Ochoa (MEX), world No 1 (pictured above)
Sakura Yokomine (JPN)
Karen Stupples (ENG)
7:14
Cristie Kerr (USA)
Ai Miyazato (JPN)
Natalie Gulbis (USA)
7:25
Michelle Wie (USA)
Grace Park (KOR)
Beth Daniel (USA)
7:36
Suzann Pettersen (NOR)
Catriona Matthew (SCO)
Shiho Oyama (JPN)
7:47
Jeong Jang (KOR)
Nina Reis (SWE)
Melissa Reid (ENG) (amateur)
7:58
Julieta Granada (PAR)
Rebecca Hudson (ENG)
Becky Brewerton (WAL)
8:09
Stacy Prammanasudh (USA)
Louise Stahle (SWE)
Nicole Castrale (USA)
8:25
Carri Wood (USA)
Karine Icher (FRA)
Na On Min (KOR)
8:36
Jin Joo Hong (KOR)
Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (FRA)
Lorie Kane (CAN)
8:47
Sarah Lee (KOR)
Paula Marti (SPA)
Brittany Lincicome (USA)
8:58
Michele Redman (USA)
Naomi Edwards (ENG) (amateur).
Louise Friberg (SWE)
9:09
Stephanie Louden (USA)
Reilley Rankin (USA)
Giulia Sergas (ITA)
9:20
Moira Dunn (USA)
Martina Eberl (GER)
Seon Hwa Lee (KOR)
9:31
Helen Alfredsson (SWE).
Teresa Lu (TAI)
Samantha Head (ENG)
9:42
Christina Kim (USA)
Il Mi Chung (KOR)
Becky Morgan (WAL)
9:53
Carin Koch (SWE)
Sophie Giquel (FRA)
Lisa Hall (ENG)
10:04
Pat Hurst (USA)
Gloria Park (KOR)
Belen Mozo (SPA) (amateur).
10:20
Ludivine Kreutz (FRA)
Jee Young Lee (KOR)
Brittany Lang (USA)
10:31
Diana D'Alessio (USA)
Marcy Hart (USA)
Joanne Mills (AUS)
10:42
Charlotte Mayorkas (USA)
Anna Nordqvist (SWE) (amateur).
Young Kim (KOR)
10:53
Bettina Hauert (GER)
Anja Monke (GER)
Beatriz Recari (SPA)
11:04
Angela Stanford (USA)
Lindsey Wright (AUS)
Lotta Wahlin (SWE)
11:15
Danielle McVeigh (IRE) (amateur).
Catrin Nilsmark (SWE)
In-Kyung Kim (KOR)
11:26
Miki Saiki (JPN)
Birdie Kim (KOR)
Meaghan Francella (USA)
11:37
Morgan Pressel (USA)
Annika Sorenstam (SWE)
Ashleigh Simon (RSA)
11:48
Laura Davies (ENG)
Karrie Webb (AUS)
Juli Inkster (USA)
11:59
Trish Johnson (ENG)
Gwladys Nocera (FRA)
Liselotte Neumann (SWE)
12:15
Mhairi McKay (SCO)
Sherri Steinhauer (USA)
Carlota Ciganda (SPA) (amateur)
12:26
Mikaela Parmlid (SWE)
Clare Queen (SCO)
Janice Moodie (SCO)
12:37
Yuri Fudoh (JPN)
Shi Hyun Ahn (KOR)
Maria Hjorth (SWE)
12:48
Kirsty Taylor (ENG)
Mi-Hyun Kim (KOR)
Stefania Croce (ITA)
12:59
Eleanor Pilgrim (WAL)
Veronica Zorzi (ITA)
Meena Lee (KOR)
13:10
Sophie Gustafson (SWE)
Eun Hee Ji (KOR)
Rachel Hetherington (AUS)
13:21
Amy Hung (TAI)
Heather Young (USA)
Alena Sharp (CAN)
13:32
Katherine Hull (AUS)
Meg Mallon (USA)
Candie Kung (TAI)
13:43
Karin Sjodin (SWE)
Laura Diaz (USA)
Anna Rawson (AUS)
13:54
Angela Park (BRA)
Linda Wessberg (SWE)
Jimin Kang (KOR)
14:10
Aree Song (KOR)
Silvia Cavalleri (ITA)
Sarah Kemp (AUS)
14.21
In-Bee Park (KOR)
Wendy Doolan (AUS)
Kyeong Bae (KOR)
14:32
Wendy Ward (USA)
Lisa Sorensen (DAN)
Kim Hall (USA)
14:43
Rebecca Coakley (IRE)
Kerry Smith (ENG) (amateur).
Hye Jung Choi (KOR)
14:54
Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (FRA)
Lora Fairclough (ENG)
Sun Young Yoo (KOR)
15:05
Kate Golden (USA)
Joo Mi Kim (KOR)
Margherita Rigon (ITA) .
15:16
Johanna Westerberg (SWE)
Sally Watson (SCO) (amateur)
Ji-Yai Shin (KOR)
15:27
Dorothy Delasin (USA)
Young Jo (KOR)
Tania Elosegui Mayor (SPA)
15:38
Iben Tinning (DEN)
Ji Young Oh (USA)
Rebecca Stevenson (AUS)
15:49
Sophie Walker (ENG)
Sung ah Yim (KOR)
Leta Lindley (USA)

Irish Ladies Golf Union Press Release

GIRLS' UNDER-15 INTER-PROVINCIALS
PORTARLINGTON GOLF CLUB, JULY 31, 2007

Winners: Ulster
Runners-up: Leinster
Third: Connacht
Fourth: Munster

FINAL

ULSTER 3 1/2, LEINSTER 1 1/2
(Ulster names first)
Erin Connolly bt Patrice Delaney 5 and 4.
Jessica Carty bt Sarah Murray 3 and 2.
Megan Thompson lost to Anna Courtney 4 and 2.
Amy Chambers bt Chloe Fitzpatrick 5 and 4.
Paula Grant halved with Emma Murphy.

THIRD-FOURTH PLACE PLAY-OFF

CONNACHT 3, MUNSTER 2
(Connacht names first)
Daryl Conroy lost to Michelle McCarthy 7 and 6.
Niamh Carty bt Edel Coyne 2 and 1.
Aishling Hill lost to Julie Coyne 4 and 2.
Holly Robinson bt Jenny Hennessy 5 and 4.
Shauna Brady bt Eimear McManus 3 and 2.

SEMI-FINALS

ULSTER 4 1/2, CONNACHT 1/2
(Ulster names first)
Erin Connolly halved with Daryl Conroy.
Jessica Carty bt Niamh Carty 2 and 1.
Megan Thompson bt Aishling Hill 2 and 1.
Amy Chambers bt Megan O’Hara 6 and 5.
Kelsey Coey bt Holly Robinson 1 hole.

LEINSTER 4, MUNSTER 1
(Leinster names first)
Patrice Delaney bt Michelle McCarthy at 19th.
Sarah Murray bt Edel Coyne 1 hole.
Anna Courtney bt Julie Coyne 4 and 3.
Chloe Fitzpatrick halved with Jenny Hennessy.
Emma Murphy halved with Eimear McManus.

LADIES' INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES
PORTARLINGTON GOLF CLUB, AUGUST 1-3, 2007

Draw for Wednesday:

Morning Foursomes

ULSTER v CONNACHT
Charlene Reid & Louise Coffey v Niamh Kitching & Sarah Faller.
Nikki Moore & Gemma Hegarty v Sinead O’Sullivan & Ann McCormack.
Helen Jones & Naoimh Quigg v Darragh McGowan & Emma Gilmore.

LEINSTER v MUNSTER
Karen Delaney & Tara Delaney v Eileen Rose Power & Marian Riordan.
Maura Morrin & Maria Dunne v Gillian O’Leary & Catherine Tucker.
Deirdre Smith & Jenny Gannon v Sarah Cunningham & Holli Snelling.

2007 Ricoh Women’s British Open
Old Course, St. Andrews

-- Frequently asked questions --

The 2007 RICOH Women’s British Open is a historic moment for the game of golf. For the first time, the Old Course at St. Andrews will play host to a women’s major championship. In advance of the event, the following frequently asked questions should help provide you with the background and history of St. Andrews and the Old Course, and why this is a wonderful moment in history for women’s professional golf.

Event factoids
The RICOH Women’s British Open is governed by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) and co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour.
The event started in 1976, joined the LPGA Tour schedule in 1994, and was designated an LPGA major championship in 2001.
The event rotates among some of the finest courses in the United Kingdom, including Sunningdale Golf Club; Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club; Turnberry Golf Club, Ailsa Course; Royal Birkdale Golf Club; and beginning in 2007, the Old Course, St. Andrews.

Q. Who governs St. Andrews and determines access?
A. The St Andrews Links Trust owns and operates the six courses in St. Andrews, including the Old Course. The six golf courses, which include the Old Course, are open to all, as are the golf practice center and the two clubhouses.

Q. What is the St. Andrews Links Trust?
A. The St. Andrews Links Trust is a charitable organization created by an Act of Parliament in 1974 to preserve and maintain the Links as golf courses, open to anyone. It is now the largest golf complex in Europe with 99 holes of golf, two public clubhouses and an extensive golf practice center.

Q. Are women granted full access to the Old Course at St. Andrews (to play, use the clubhouse, etc.) or is this something special for the championship?
A. Women, men, boys and girls are permitted year round access to the Links Trust Clubhouse (next to the 1st green) and the grounds of St. Andrews, including the Old Course.

Q. Why do so many people in and out of the golf industry think women are not granted access to the clubhouse and/or St. Andrews?
A. Many people perceive the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews behind the 18th green as the clubhouse for the Old Course. It is NOT. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is a men’s-only club, but their facility, which is adjacent to the Old Course, is NOT the clubhouse for the golf course. Of the eight private member golf clubs in St. Andrews, two are women-only clubs (The St. Rule Club and The St. Regulus Club).

Q. What is the building directly behind first tee and 18th green? This is often perceived to be “the clubhouse.”
A. It is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, which, aside from special events, is only open to their members. It is NOT the Old Course clubhouse.

Q. What is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club?
A. Formed in 1754, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is the oldest of several men’s and women’s golf clubs in St. Andrews. It is a private men’s-only golf club.

Q. What is the R&A?
A. The R&A is the governing body of golf throughout the world except in the USA and Mexico. The R&A takes its name from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which has continuous records dating back to its foundation in 1754, and although the Club continues its long history with 2,400 members throughout the world, The R&A has become a separate entity to focus on its governance role. The R&A took over the running of the Amateur and Open Championships in 1920 and has since acquired responsibility for a further nine championships and international matches from the boys to the seniors, the Junior Open to the Walker Cup. Authority for administration of the Rules was accepted by The R&A in 1897 and, since 1952, it has jointly issued the Rules with the USGA.

Q. What is the difference between the The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the R&A governing body?
A. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews holds a unique position in golf. Established in 1754, it evolved through two and a half centuries as a leading authority in the world game. As the Club celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2004, it devolved responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf, the running of The Open Championship and other key events, and the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations, to a newly formed group of companies collectively known as The R&A.
As a separate entity, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews remains as a private golf club with a world-wide membership of 2,400.

Q. What clubhouse will the players use as the “players locker room?”
A. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has provided the RICOH Women’s British Open championship with full access to their facility and the players will be using the locker room in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Q. What role does The R&A have with the RICOH Women’s British Open?
A. As in previous years, the R&A has assisted the championship and the LGU by providing rules officials. This year they have also offered their clubhouse facility.

Q. What is the LGU?
A. The Ladies Golf Union (LGU) was founded in 1893 and is the governing body for ladies' amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland, and manages the RICOH Women’s British Open.

Q. Why is playing at St. Andrews, the Old Course, so historical/special for the Ricoh Women’s British Open?
A. The 2007 RICOH Women’s British Open will be played at the famed Old Course of St. Andrews, the home of golf, for the first time in the event’s history. This marks the first time for a major women’s championship to be held at the home of golf. All players have set their sights on this event for many years and they look forward to competing for the title and the $2 million prize fund.

Some people have all the luck!

Well known East Lothian golfer Hazel Saunders
with Seniors Open Champion Tom Watson
at Greywalls after his victory on Sunday.

Craigmillar Park

Late entries are being accepted for the Craigmillar Park Mixed Foursomes on Saturday 4 August. For further details please contact the Club Manager on 0131 667 0047.

Ricoh Women's British Open Final Qualifying at St Andrews

LAURA ENDS THE MARATHON PLAY-OFF
WITH BIRDIE 3 TO BE 1st ALTERNATE

The 14-strong play-off at the end of the Final Qualifying Round of the Ricoh Women's British Open was concluded early this morning at the New Course.
Gillian Kirkwood reports:
"At 8am this morning Laura Cabanillas (Spain) had a birdie 3 at the fifth play-off hole (the first on the New Course) to take first alternate spot from Karen Lunn (Australia).
"Laura drove into the right rough, Karen down the left on the fairway. Laura's ball came up short on the apron of the green, maybe 30-40ft from the pin. Karen put hers pin-high on the right, about the same distance.
"Laura putted first over the tricky contours and her ball just had enough pace to fall in the hole for a 3. Karen's putt now looked 60 ft and as soon as she hit it she knew it wasn't in."

ENGLISH LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE

NIKKI DOLEY IS ENGLAND'S MOST IMPROVED
GIRL GOLFER - AND THAT'S A FACT!

Hampshire’s Nikki Doley played four shots below her handicap to win the Abraham Trophy at Brickendon Grange, Hertfordshire – and claim the title of England’s most improved girl golfer. Nikki, 16, from Meon Valley returned a net 69 to beat 18 other finalists, who had all qualified on the basis of handicap reduction. She was one shot clear of her closest challengers, Georgia Gilling, a ten-handicapper from Essex, and Lancashire’s Elizabeth Stebbings who plays off 16.
“I am so chuffed,” said Nikki, who lives between Portsmouth and Southampton. “I really wanted to win this and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”
Nikki got off to a great start in the competition with two birdies in the first four holes, before a bumpy patch where she notched up four double bogeys and a triple. “But I got it back together and finished well with two pars,” she said.
Nikki took up golf only 18 months ago because: “My dad and brother play and I got fed up of sitting around golf clubs. I decided to take it up and take them on.”
She got her first handicap within months and during the qualifying period for the Abraham Trophy final she reduced from 35 to 18. She was down to 14 for the final and expects her latest score to cut her handicap yet further.
Along the way she has already won the titles of Hampshire and Meon Valley’s most improved girl golfer.
Leading scores:
69 Nicola Doley (Meon Valley) (14).
70 Georgia Gilling (Rochford Hundred) (10), Elizabeth Stebbings (Wilpshire) (16).
73 Victoria Collis (Beaconsfield) (7), Charley Hull (Kettering) (6), Georgia Hall (Ferndown) (10), Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) (16).

SALLY SURVIVES 14-PLAYER
PLAY-OFF TO GAIN PLACE IN
RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

Well done, Sally Watson! The 16-year-old from South Queensferry - the youngest of the seven Scots competing in today's Ricoh Women's British Open Final Qualifier over the New Course, St Andrews, survived a 2hr play-off featuring 14 players to claim her place alongside Annika Sorenstam and the rest of the stars of women's professional golf in the main event, starting over the Old Course on Thursday
Sally, 16, from South Queensferry but a resident student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, since last autumn, shot a two-over-par 74.
When she returned her score, she looked certain to be one of the 21 qualifiers from a field of 123.
But there were some good late scores and eventually it meant that there would be a play-off involving Sally and the 13 other players who had 74s. A play-off involving 14 players could take "forever" and this one lasted the best part of two hours to eliminate six players.
Sally played the first, the second and the 17th in coming through the play-off. But the play-off went on in fading light with the six who had been eliminated now fighting it out for four alternate places, i.e. reserves in case there are scratchings from Thursday's line-up.
Sally has had a hectic schedule this month. She missed the Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play championship - which she won two years ago - at Peterhead so that she could play in the first qualifier for the Women's British Open at The Berkshire Golf Club on July 16. Having won a place in the Final Qualifier.
She then flew back to the United States to play in the US girls' championship at Lakewood in Washington State last week. The fifth best qualifier, Sally went out in the round of the last 32. Last year she reached the last 16 of that event.
Sally's 74 over the New Course, reckoned by many to be more difficult a test than the Old Course, included birdies at the sixth, 10th and 14th. She had bogeys at the fourth, eighth, 1156h, 13th and 17th in halves of 37.
Lynn Kenny got closest of the other Scots to qualifying. She had a 76 (38-38), after bogeying the 11th, 13th and 16th. Earlier she had birdied the seventh and 10th in halves of 38.
Kathryn Imrie also let her chance slip with late bogeys at the 15th, 17th and 18th in finishing on 78 (41-37. A double bogey at the second was followed by further shots shed at the fourth, fifth and ninth. The Monifieth player did perk up with birdies at the long 10th and 12th but, looking for a nother sub-par figure to clinch a place, she instead slumped down the run-in.
Vagliano Trophy player Krystle Caithness, playing over one of her home courses, also had a 78 (40-38).
The blot on her scorecard was a double-bogey 5 at the short ninth She had not birdies.
Heather MacRae had highs and lows in an 80. The Dunblane amateur had birdies at the second, 12th and 16th but she also had a double bogey at the sixth and a quadruple bogey 8 at the 360yd 11th hole in halves of 40.
Louise Kenney from Pitreavie had a double bogey at the first and a triple bogey at the 11th which cancelled out her birdies at the 10th and 14th in halves of 42 and 41 for an 83.
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), beaten semi-finalist in the Scottish women's amateur championship, had a nightmare round of 87. Her halves of 45 and 42 included a triple bogey 7 at the first, a double bogey 7 at the fourth, a double bogey 7 at the eighth, a double bogey 6 at the 11th and a double bogey 6 at the 14th. She did squeeze in a birdie at the short 17th.
MELISSA FINDS TRUE SCOTTISH FORM
Vagliano Trophy player Melissa Reid (Chevin, Derby) recaptured her usual brilliant Scottish form that deserted her until the fourth and final session of the match against the Continent of Europe at Fairmont St Andrews.
Winner of only one match out of four for Great Britain & Ireland, Melissa today returned to being the player who won the Helen Holm Scottish stroke-play in record-breaking style and also the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews by a comfortable margin.
She led the qualifiers with a two-under-par 70.
Two more GB&I team members figured prominently. Rachel Bell from Yorkshire and Kerry Smith from Hampshire made it through with ease on 72.
Naomi Edwards (Ganton), who had some disappointing results in the Vagliano Trophy, was another who returned to the form she usually shows when she is in Scotland. A former winner of the St Rule Trophy, Naomi, the English women's champion, had a 73.
Several of the successful Continent of Europe took advantage of the exemption from the first Ricoh's Women's British Open qualifier - but only Anna Nordqvist, the Swedish player who was the MVP in the Vagliano Trophy match with four wins out of four, made it through to tee off on Thursday in the "real thing."

QUALIFIERS
Par 72

70 M Reid (Eng) (am).
71 L Kreutz (Fra).
72 R Bell (Eng) (am), S Head (Eng), He Yong Choi (Kor), K Smith (Eng) (am), I Tinning (Den), Sung Ah Yim (Kor).
73 D Ammaccapane (US), N Edwards (Eng) (am), T Calzavara (Ita), S Walker (Eng), R Stevenson (Aus).
74 (after play-off) D McVeigh (Ire) (am), M Eberl (Ger), M Rigon (Ita), A Nordqvist (Swe) (am), S Watson (Sco) (am), C Nilsmark (Swe), A Monke (Ger), B Recari (Spa).
NON-QUALIFIERS
74 (after play-off) L Cabanillas (Spa), K Lunn (Aus), A Hanna-Williams (US), L Hart (Aus), J Sweeney (US), J Schaeffer (Fra).
75 F Piovano (Ita), M Arruti (Spa), N David-Mila (Fra), M Bagger (Den), L Brooky (NZ), Z Kamasova (Slo), K Matharu (Eng), C Alonso (Spa), S Gal (Ger) (am).
76 P Lindberg (Swe) (am), K Takanashi (Jap), L Kenny (Sco), N Harvey (Can), U Wikstrom (Fin), F Johnson (Eng), S Heath (Eng), A Yang (Kor), Hee Young Park (Kor), H Brockway (Eng) (am).
77 L Hall (Wal) (am), C Coughlan (Ire), A Temple (US), K-M Juul (Den), R Yokomine (Jap), J Morley (Eng), L Sibille (Fra), E Steinberger (Aut), K Tamulis (US), M Prieto (Spa), D Luna (Ita), E Bennett (Eng) (am), S Sandolo (Ita).
78 E Cabrera (Spa) (am), K Futcher (US), S Hassan (Wal) (am), N Nijenhuis (Hol), G Simpson (Eng), J McGill (US), K Imrie (Sco), L Maritz (RSA), B Mullins-Lane (Aus) (am), E Ohlsson (Swe), K Caithness (Sco) (am).
79 C Aitken (Eng), F Luscher (Swi), D Masters (Eng), V Derrey (Fra) (am), N Booth (Eng), B Loucks (Wal) (am), L Tadotto (Bel), C Westrup (Swe) (am).
80 Ya-Ni Tseng (Tai), H MacRae (Sco), D Montgomery (Eng) (am), K S Taylor (Eng), I Maconi (Ita).
81 A Larraneta (Spa), M Blomqvist (Fin), H Fujishima (Jap), L Jean (Aus), H Aitchsion (Eng), S Michl (Aut).
82 L Terebey (US), J Park (US), E McKinnon (NZ), C Lundgreen (Nor).
83 L Kenney (Sco) (am).
84 E Esterl (Ger), T Plucksataporn (Thai).
85 F Seeholzer (Swi)
87 E Ogilvy (Sco), J Oliver (Eng).

Windy conditions at Gullane for Order of Merit event

JENNA WILSON WINS MACKIE BOWL FOR SECOND YEAR
IN ROW AT GULLANE

Scottish champion Jenna Wilson from Strathaven won the Mackie Bowl SLGA 36-hole Order of Merit tournament for the second year in a row over the Gullane No 1 course today.
Jenna had scores of 70 and 78 for a level par aggregate of 148 in a freshening wind.
She had bogey-free inward half of four-under-par 34 in the morning.
Miss Wilson won by two strokes from Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray whose scores also soared in the wind. Laura had a 71, which included an outward half of two-under-34, in the first round and a 79 in the afternoon.
Claire-Marie Carlton (Stirling University), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) and former Scottish title-holder Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) all finished with an aggregate of 151.
Claire-Marie was officially placed third with the best first round of the trio (a 74). Claire Hargan's better last nine earned her third place ahead of Fiona Lockhart.
+Picture shows Margaret Milligan, the Gullane Ladies club captain, presenting the Mackie Bowl to Jenna Wilson.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 148 (2 x 74). CSS 74 75.
148 J Wilson (Strathaven) 70 78.
150 L Murray (Alford) 71 79.
151 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 77 74 (better second round), C Hargan (Mortonhall) 72 79 (better last nine), F Lockhart (St Regulus) 72 79.
152 V Melvin (Reunion, Florida) 73 79, R Niven (Crieff) 73 79.
153 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 77 76, C MacDonald (Gullane) 77 76.
154 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 79 75.
156 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 78 78.

Additional scratch prizes (to players outwith main list):
First round
F Lockhart (St Regulus) 72.
V Melvin (Reunion, Florida) 73.
Second round
K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 74.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 75.

CALENDAR-GIRL NATALIE WINS

EVIAN MASTERS AFTER PLAY-OFF

FROM LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

America’ Natalie Gulbis silenced her critics by earning her maiden professional title and a first prize of $450,000 at the Evian Masters at Evian-les-Bains in France today.
The glamorous 24-year-old Californian defeated South Korea’s Jeong Jang with a birdie at the first extra hole of a sudden death play-off after a dramatic final day at the Evian Royal Resort.
A final round of two-under-par saw Natalie take the clubhouse lead with a 72-hole total of four-under-par, but she was forced to head to the driving range to await the arrival of the last three groups.
Jang, the 2005 Women’s British Open champion who was playing in the final match with overnight leader Juli Inkster of the United States, birdied three of her last four holes for a final round 72 which was enough to force the play-off with Gulbis.
But Inkster, who began the day with a two-stroke lead on six-under-par, had a chance to match Gulbis’ total. She faced a birdie putt at the last only to three-putt for a final round of 75 and a share of third position on three-under with Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa (68) and South Korea’s Ji-Yai Shin (72).
The Mexican had made an early push for the lead, with five birdies taking her to four-under for the tournament; but a bogey on the par-five 18th ended her chances.
Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson was also among the day’s contenders, and took a share of the lead before bogeys on the final two holes sent her to two-under for the day, into tied sixth place with five other players including two-time Evian champion Annika Sorenstam.
It was second-time lucky for Gulbis after she was previously defeated at the third hole of a sudden-death play-off by Mi Hyun Kim at the 2006 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.
Gulbis, who had previously been referred to as the Anna Kournikova of women’s golf due to her calendar girl good looks and lack of victories, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“What does it mean (to win?) How long do you have?” she said.“This is my sixth year on tour, and obviously the U.S. has been quite a bit of hype on if I would ever win a tournament.”
It only needed one extra hole for the 2007 Evian Masters championship to be decided, with Gulbis two-putting from 25 feet at the par-five 18th for birdie and the victory.
Jang, who hit her second shot long, took a par and could only watch as the American tapped in from a foot to seal the title.
“I was really close last year where I lost a play-off, and coincidently it was right after the match play.“It was like déjà vu,” Gulbis said.
“There was a match play event in the United States. Lost in the first round. Worked really hard on my game. Came over here, was hitting the ball well, and these two events (next week's Ricoh Women's British Open) I really wanted to play well in.
“I had been injured for a lot of the season and was way back on the money list, like 44th, maybe 50th. Probably the lowest I'd ever gotten to. Just tried to stay positive, so that means a lot, that the hard work has paid off.
“I got hurt two months ago. Had a lower back injury and had to take about a month off. I had to change my golf swing because of my injury. I had to work on my posture and I had to do all the things that I had been working on with my father for about four or five years.
“We had been working on these same things and they just weren't happening, and it took an injury to make it work. I was kind of thinking this might be a blessing in disguise with the injury, and I kept working on it and working on my posture and I kept hitting it further and all the things I wanted to happen on my golf swing started happening.”
Gulbis was in tears as she celebrated her win with her mother, while members of the French parachute team landed on the 18th green to drape her in the Stars and Stripes of the United States flag.
Michelle Wie, who had an 84 in the third round, finished tied for 69th place on 16-over 304, after a final round 76.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)

Players from US unless stated.

284 Natalie Gulbis 72 69 73 70, Jeong Jang (SKor) 69 71 72 72 (Gulbis won play-off at first hole).

285 Ji-Yai Shin (Kor) 73 70 70 72, Juli Inkster 73 68 69 75, Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 72 70 75 68
286 Sun Ju Ahn (Kor) 69 73 74 70, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 71 69 74 72, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 74 67 74 71, Angela Stanford 73 74 69 70, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 69 72 72 73, Christina Kim 67 75 74 70
287 Karrie Webb (Aus) 70 72 73 72, Morgan Pressel 73 72 73 69, Laura Diaz 71 71 74 71, Laura Davies (Eng) 71 70 74 72
288 Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 66 76 75 71, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 71 71 74 72, Shi Ahn Hyun (Kor) 73 69 75 71
289 Paula Creamer 75 72 73 69, Nicole Castrale 75 70 74 70
290 Seon Hwa Lee (Kor) 72 74 71 73
291 Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 73 73 73 72, Angela Park 70 74 75 72
292 Virginine Lagoutte (Fra) 76 68 75 73, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 70 72 76 74, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 74 70 74 74, Diana D'Alessio 69 68 76 79, Ji-Hee Lee (Jpn) 73 73 75 71, Brittany Lang 73 74 75 70
293 Joo Mi Kim (Kor) 71 72 75 75, Il Mi Chung (Kor) 73 71 70 79, Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 67 70 80 76, Michele Redman 75 69 74 75, Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 73 71 74 75, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 71 73 75 74, Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor) 69 72 74 78, Meaghan Francella 71 79 73 70
294 Stacy Prammanasudh 73 77 72 72, Young Kim (Kor) 72 75 72 75, Meena Lee (Kor) 71 73 75 75, Pat Hurst 66 76 76 76, Hee Young Park (Kor) 72 75 76 71
295 Jee Young Lee (Kor) 77 73 71 74, In Kyung Kim (Kor) 71 75 76 73, Cristie Kerr 72 73 73 77, Sherri Steinhauer 72 73 75 75, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 74 72 81 68, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 77 70 73 75
296 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 69 72 75 80, Na On Min (Jpn) 75 72 76 73, Brittany Lincicome 66 74 82 74, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 76 73 75
297 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 76 72 77 72, Kyeong Eun Bae (Kor) 67 74 82 74, Lisa Hall (Eng) 77 70 76 74, Sarah Lee 71 72 77 77
298 Wendy Doolan (Aus) 73 76 71 78, Lynnette Brooky (Nzl) 75 72 75 76, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 78 70 77 73, Karin Sjodin (Swe) 72 72 77 77, Becky Brewerton (Wal) 72 71 82 73, Candie Kung (Tai) 78 68 79 73
299 Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 77 73 73 76, Amy Yang 73 73 76 77
300 Gloria Park (Kor) 73 77 76 74, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 80 70 73 77
302 Sung Ah Yim (Kor) 76 74 82 70, Silvia Cavalleri (Ita) 74 76 75 77
304 Michelle Wie 73 71 84 76, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 75 71 83 75
307 Hiroko Fujishima (Jpn) 74 76 77 80
315 Karen-Margreth Juul (Den) 77 73 82 83

KRISTEN (14) WINS US GIRLS
CHAMPIONSHIP: HER FIRST
EVER MATCH-PLAY EVENT!

Kristen Park had never played in a match-play event in her young golfing life until she arrived at Tacoma Country & Golf Club, Lakewood in Washington State for the United States girls' amateur championship.
On Saturday, Kriston finished the week by beating Ayaka Kaneko 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final to become the fourth-youngest winner in the history of the championship.
The 14-year-old Park, from Buena Park, California, was playing in her first USGA championship.
The score was tied after the first 18 holes on the 6,391-yard Tacoma Country & Golf Club course, but the 17-year-old Kaneko missed a number of putts and hit her ball under a tree on two occasions.
After the 19th hole, Park went in front for good and her lead continued to grow until both golfers conceded bogeys on the 33rd hole.
"I was really nervous in front of all those people out there,'' Park said after her victory. "I was too stiff on the first 18 holes.''

ABERDEENSHIRE TEAM FOR COUNTY FINALS

Aberdeenshire will field the same line-up that won the North Division title at Cruden Bay for the Scottish women's county golf finals at Tulliallan Golf Club from August 31 to September 2.
It is:
Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay), Laura McLardy (Murcar Links), Laura Murray (Alford), Donna Pocock (Murcar Links), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Sara Thomson (Murcar Links), Carol Wilson (Murcar Links), Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies).

+The other counties who have qualified for the finals are invited to submit their team selections for publication on Kirkwoodgolf.com in due course.