Irish 1-2-3-4 in men's event at Vilamoura

FERGUSON AND PATERSON TOP SCOTS
IN EUROPEAN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Two Drumpellier Golf Club members, Alan Ferguson and Janice Paterson, were the top Scots in the European senior men's and women's amateur golf championships which ended at Vilamoura on Portugal's Algarve on Saturday.
Alan Ferguson came joint ninth in the men's event, played over the Vilamoura Old Course and dominated by Irish players who filled the first four places.
European senior men's champion is Adrian Morrow with a splendid eight-under-par aggregate of 211, made up of rounds of 69, 73 and 69.
He won by three shots from compatriot Arthur Pierse who won the British senior men's amateur title at Nairn last year.
Maurice Kelly (219) was third and Liam McNamara (221) fourth.
Ferguson scored 74, 75 and 77 for 226.
Next best male Scot was Donald McCart in joint 37th place on 234.
The European senior women's amateur championship, played over the Pinhal course, was won by six shots by Virginie Burus from France with scores 75, 74 and 76 over the par-72 lay-out for a nine-over-par total of 225.
Spain's Vicky Petrietta was runner-up on 231.
Janice Paterson finished joint 22nd on 248 with scores of 83, 81 and 84.
St Andrews hotelier Fiona De Vries came next on 249 for joint 36th position.
Dundee's Heather Anderson, well placed after the first round finished joint 36th on 255.
SCOREBOARD
MEN
Vilamoua Old Course
Par 219 (3 x 73)
211 A Morrow (Ire) 69 73 69.
214 A Pierse (Ire) 71 71 72.
219 M Kelly (Ire) 74 70 75.
221 K McNamara (Ire) 76 75 70.
223 N Swenson (US) 74 77 72.
224 R Morris (US) 75 71 78, D Lane (Eng) 73 78 73.
Scots scores:
226 A Ferguson 74 75 77 (jt 9th).
234 D McCart 81 77 76 (jt 37th).
239 J Deas 82 79 78 (jt 55th).
240 S Ellis 82 79 79 (jt 60th).
MISSED THE CUT
165 J Broadfoot 83 82.
183 B Campbell 87 96.
WOMEN
Pinhal Course
Par 216 (3 x 72)
225 V Burrus (Fra) 75 74 76.
231 V Pertierra (Spa) 79 77 75.
233 C Mourgue D'Algue (Fra) 77 81 75.
Scots scores:
248 J Paterson 83 81 84 (jt 22nd).
249 F De Vries 85 83 81 (jt 26th).
255 H Anderson 80 88 87 (jt 36th).
258 P Williamson 89 80 89 (jt 44th).
265 J Mack 81 89 86.

Ladies Golf Union set to take

lead in penalising slow play

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Over the past few weeks we have seen extreme examples of slow and fast play in women's amateur golf.

The introduction of four-ball, better-ball ties in the 2008 Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews produced one tie which was on the course for 5 1/2 hours.

One of the reasons was all four players had a look at the putting lines on each green ... as well as all four caddies.

At one stage, there was so much consultation it looked as though they might call in a fifth opinon from the referee or someone in the crowd.

"It was terrible," said no less a person that Carol Semple Thompson, captain of the victorious United States team.

Fast forward to last Sunday's 18-hole final of the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick between two Swedish players, Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall.

Both pulled their own trolleys, wasted absolutely no time on the greens and fairly strode out along the fairways. Their 16-hole match was all over in UNDER THREE HOURS.

Somewhere between these two extremes is the desirable pace of play.

Ladies Golf Union Director of Championships Susan Simpson (picture above by courtesy of Tom Ward) says the governing body of women's amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland is concerned at the general pace of play in events under their auspices.

All players in the championship at North Berwick were warned in their entry forms that slow play would be punished and there were reminders from the starter.

The result was that, in the main, all rounds were played within the time limites laid down by the LGU.

But Susan Simpson says that the LGU is likely to go a step further and adopt the United States Golf Association time-keeping format.

Apparently, the USGA have time stations periodically on the course for their tournaments. If players in a group do not pass a particular time station on or within the time allowed, then they are given a warning of possible penalties.

If at the next time station, they are still over the time limit, then a two-stroke penalty is imposed.

The downside of this set-up is that it punishes ALL members of the group, whether or not they are to blame for the slow play.

I spoke to one veteran Welsh Curtis Cup player at St Andrews and she is of the opinion that the tournament referees - and there seems to be an abundance of them these days - have the remedy in THEIR hands.

"They should warn and then penalise every time they see players guilty of slow play. In a match-play contest, the referee should not hesitate to pick up the ball of a slow player and say you've lost that hole, make your way to the next tee," she said.

"If referees did more of that kind of thing, players would soon come to realise that they will be penalised, not may be penalised if they play slowly."

She has a point. Can you remember the last time a professional or amateur golfer was penalised for slow play in a tournament? And yet everybody agrees the modern game of golf is grinding to a halt.

Pamela 71, Vikki 78 in Duramed
Championship in Ohio

Scots Pamela Feggans and Vikki Laing had scores of level par 71 and seven-over 78 respectively in the first round of the Duramed Championship, this weekend's event on the Duramed Futures Tour.
Pamela goes into the second round in a share of 29th place after halves of 33 and 38.
Vikki is down in a share of 130th place after halves of 40 and 38.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast is sharing 138th place with an 80 (40-40).

Two share lead on seven-under 64

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY DURAMED FUTURES TOUR
Two-time tournament winner Mindy Kim of Diamond Bar, Calif., and second-year Tour pro Stephanie Otteson of Wilson, N.C., played their way into a share of the lead at seven-under-par 64 during Friday's opening round of the $110,000 Duramed Championship.
Kim and Otteson were one stroke shy of the course record 8-under-par 63, set in 1984, at The Golf Center in Kings Island, Ohio by LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan.
Under-par scores flooded the scoreboard as players took advantage of ideal weather and scoreable conditions of the par-71, 6,183-yard lay-out at the Grizzly Course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Forty-one players finished the round at under par or better.
The 18-year-old Kim won tournaments this year in Leawood, Kan., and Lake Geneva, Wis., in wire-to-wire fashion, holding the lead for six consecutive rounds. Sitting third on the season money list, Kim continued her torrid play, finishing with eight birdies and one bogey - a three-putt on her fourth hole.
Starting on the back nine, she ran off a string of six birdies on holes No. 14 through No. 1.
"I don't know where this is coming from," Kim said. "I didn't really feel like I had anything going last week. I'm just really lucky because God helped me again."
Kim made one change in her bag from last week's tournament in Decatur, Ill. She added a new TaylorMade Tour Burner driver. The second-year Tour pro hit all 12 fairways today and called her 23 putts a potential career-low total. Among her eight birdies, Kim holed out from a bunker and chipped in from the fringe.
"I definitely have less spin on the ball and the trajectory has been lower," said Kim of the new driver. "Overall, I think the ball is going a little bit farther. My approach shots weren't great today, but the putting was there and I didn't miss a fairway."
Otteson scattered eight birdies on her scorecard, crediting a tutorial from YES! Golf representative Glen Kirk for her first-round success. Kirk added weight to the grip of Otteson's "Tiffany" model putter and it translated into a personal-low round with 24 putts.
"This course really rewards good shots," Otteson said. "On average, I usually have about 32 putts per round. I kept leaving everything short and he (Glen) just moved my hands up a little bit and we worked on consistency."
Otteson's season surge continues after a 12th-place finish at the Tour's major championship in Decatur, Ill., last week. In 17 career events, her career-best finish was a tie for seventh at last year's CIGNA Golf Classic in Bloomfield, Conn. Today, the second-year pro's 20-foot eagle putt died just short of the cup on her 18th hole, leaving a tap-in for her final birdie.
"I came out very loose and relaxed because I've been struggling with worrying about results," Otteson said. "To be honest, I didn't feel as confident coming into this event as I did going into Decatur."
Among those in pursuit of Otteson and Kim is two-time Duramed FUTURES Tour winner and non-exempt LPGA Tour player Jenny Gleason of Clearwater, Fla., Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ontario, 2007 LPGA Tour member Sophia Sheridan of Guadalajara, Mexico, and current top-five money winner Song Yi Choi of Seoul, South Korea, at 4-under-par 67.
The tradition-rich Golf Center at Kings Island brought a professional tournament back to the former home of the PGA Champions Tour's Kroger Classic and the LPGA Championship, which was held here for 12 years.
The 2007 edition of The Duramed Championship was held in Batavia, Ohio, at The Golf Club at Stonelick Hills.
Tee-times for second-round play were pushed ahead 20 minutes to 7:30 a.m. off the first and 10th tees as a precautionary measure against inclement weather. The leaders will tee off at 2 p.m.
Live radio coverage of the second round will stream from 3-5 p.m. EDT courtesy of Teamline, found on the real-time scoring page at www.duramedfuturestour.com or by visiting www.duramedchampionship.com.
Weather: Sunny with a high of 83 degrees. Winds light and variable throughout the day.

.

US Duramed Futures Tour Scoreboard
DURAMED CHAMPIONSHIP
The Golf Centre, Kings Island, Mason, Ohio
FIRST ROUND
Par 71 (35-37), 6183yd.
1 Mindy Kim (Diamond Bar, Calif.) 33-31 - 64.
1 Stephanie Otteson (Wilson, N.C.) 31-33 - 64.
3 Jessica Shepley (Oakville, Ontario) 34-33 - 67.
3 Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, Mexic 32-35 - 67.
3 Song Yi Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 31-36 - 67.
3 Jenny Gleason (Clearwater, Fla.) 34-33 - 67.
7 Kristina Tucker (Stockholm, Sweden) 35-34 - 69.
7 Maru Martinez (Maracaibo, Venezuela 36-33 - 69.
7 Tanya Dergal (Durango, Mexico) 34-35 - 69.
7 Katie Allison (Little River, S.C.) 35-34 - 69.
7 Kim Welch (Sacramento, Calif.) 33-36 - 69.
7 Eunjung Yi (Murrieta, Calif.) 33-36 - 69.
13 Yeon Joo Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 32-38 - 70.
13 Gerina Mendoza (Roswell, N.M.) 34-36 - 70.
13 Cortney Reno (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 32-38 - 70.
13 Meghan Little (Sturgis, S.D.) 36-34 - 70.
13 Jin Young Pak (Kang Leung, South Korea) 35-35 - 70.
13 Haeji Kang (Seoul, South Korea) 33-37 - 70.
13 Whitney Wade (Glasgow, Kentucky) 34-36 - 70.
13 Lisa Ferrero (Lodi, Calif.) 33-37 - 70.
13 Carol Green-Robertson (Tazewell, Va.) 38-32 - 70.
13 Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Queensland, Australia) 33-37 - 70.
13 Leah Wigger (Louisville, Ky.) 33-37 - 70.
13 Carling Coffing (Middletown, Ohio) 34-36 - 70.
13 Jeehae Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 34-36 - 70.
13 Lisa Meldrum (Montreal, Quebec) 33-37 - 70.
13 Jessica Schneider (Elgin, Illinois) 34-36 - 70.
13 Hannah Yun (Bradenton, Fla.) (amateur) 36-34 - 70.
29 Sam White (Potomac, Md.) 36-35 - 71.
29 Lauren Todd (Phoenix, Ariz.) 34-37 - 71.
29 Jill Frantz (Iowa City, Iowa) 33-38 - 71.
29 Pamela Feggans (Patna, Ayrshire) 33-38 - 71.
29 Bridget Dwyer (Kailua, Hawaii) 35-36 - 71.
29 Morgan Olds (Stamford, Conn.) 34-37 - 71.
29 Hwanhee Lee (Las Vegas, Nev.) 33-38 - 71.
29 Stephanie George (Myerstown, Pa.) 34-37 - 71.
29 Kelly Lagedrost (Brooksville, Fla.) 32-39 - 71.
29 Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) 37-34 - 71.
29 Christi Cano (San Antonio, Texas) 35-36 - 71.
29 Courtney Mahon (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 32-39 - 71.
29 Janell Howland (Boise, Idaho) 35-36 - 71.
42 Katie Fraley (Brandenburg, Ky.) 36-36 - 72.
42 Rak Kyung Oh (Anaheim, Calif.) 37-35 - 72.
42 Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 33-39 - 72.
42 Dana Je (Orlando, Fla.) 35-37 - 72.
42 Sohi Moon (Seoul, South Korea) 33-39 - 72.
42 Melissa Eaton (Port Shepstone, South Africa) 32-40 - 72.
42 Ashley Gomes (Pleasanton, Calif.) 35-37 - 72.
42 Amber Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 34-38 - 72.
42 Brandi Jackson (Greenville, S.C.) 34-38 - 72.
42 Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 36-36 - 72.
42 Andrea VanderLende (Longwood, Fla) 36-36 - 72.
42 Kristen Samp (Moberly, Mo.) 34-38 - 72.
42 Mandi McConnell (Grand Blanc, Mich. 34-38 - 72.
42 Jana Peterkova (Czech Republic) 33-39 - 72.
42 Jean Reynolds (Newnan, Ga.) 36-36 - 72.
42 Maggie Simons (Raleigh, N.C.) 35-37 - 72.
42 Chella Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 36-36 - 72.
42 Taya Battistella (Portland, Ore.) 36-36 - 72.
42 Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, British Col) 36-36 - 72.
42 Bing Lim (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 34-38 - 72.
42 Gina Umeck (Redlands, Calif.) 34-38 - 72.
42 Christine Boucher (Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec) 35-37 - 72.
42 Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Va.) 34-38 - 72.
42 Mandy Goins (Frankfort, Ky.) 37-35 - 72.
42 Rachel Bailey (Faulconbridge, Australia) 37-35 - 72.
42 Jennifer Ackerson (Dallas, Texas) 34-38 - 72.
68 Manuela Tarazona (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 34-39 - 73.
68 Lili Alvarez (Durango, Mexico) 35-38 - 73.
68 Adriane Duke (Jonesboro, Ark.) 35-38 - 73.
68 Shayna Miyajima (Maui, Hawaii) 36-37 - 73.
68 Lori Atsedes (Ithaca, N.Y.) 36-37 - 73.
68 Charlotte Campbell (Heathrow, Fla.) 35-38 - 73.
68 Rachel Newren-Harmon (Salt Lake City, Utah) 36-37 - 73.
68 Ashley Grier (Hagerstown, Md.) 34-39 - 73.
68 Y. J. Jin (Seoul, South Korea) 37-36 - 73.
68 Ulrika Ljungman-Smith (Stockholm, Sweden) 36-37 - 73.
68 Cristina Baena (Pereira, Colombia) 35-38 - 73.
68 Clarissa Childs (Glendale, Calif.) 36-37 - 73.
68 Hana Kim (Los Angeles, Calif.) 35-38 - 73.
68 Sasha Medina (Ponce, Puerto Rico) 37-36 - 73.
68 Stella Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 34-39 - 73.
68 Kelly Froelich (Raizeux, France) 36-37 - 73.
68 Danah Ford (Indianapolis, Ind.) 39-34 - 73.
85 Benedikte Grotvedt (Nesbru, Norway) (am) 36-38 - 74.
85 Annie Young (Highland, Utah) 35-39 - 74.
85 Marcela Leon (Monterrey, Mexico 36-38 - 74.
85 Brittainy Klein (Henderson, Ky.) 36-38 - 74.
85 M. J. Hur (Seoul, South Korea) 34-40 - 74.
85 Chris Brady (Longboat Key, Fla.) 41-33 - 74.
85 Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) 39-35 - 74.
85 Kellee Booth (McKinney, Texas) 41-33 - 74.
85 Tiffany Tavee (Tempe, Ariz.) 36-38 - 74.
85 Michelle Jarman (Wilmington, N.C.) 34-40 - 74.
85 Eileen Vargas (Ibague, Colombia) 38-36 - 74.
85 Angela Buzminski (Oshawa, Ontario) 36-38 - 74.
85 Jaclyn Burch (Satellite Beach, Fla.) 37-37 - 74.
85 Kim Augusta (Rumford, R.I.) 39-35 - 74.
85 Sarah Lynn Sargent (St. Charles, Ill.) 36-38 - 74.
85 Yoora Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 38-36 - 74.
85 Sarah Olsen (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 38-36 - 74.
102 Lynn Valentine (East Lyme, Conn.) 35-40 - 75.
102 Kelly Schaub (Greeley, Colo.) 35-40 - 75.
102 Sae Hee Son (Seoul, South Korea) 37-38 - 75.
102 Courtney Erdman (Altadena, Calif. 38-37 - 75.
102 Caroline Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) 35-40 - 75.
102 Stephanie Kim (Orlando, Fla.) (am) 36-39 - 75.
102 Juli Erekson (Mapleton, Utah) 36-39 - 75.
102 Briana Vega (Andover, Mass.) 35-40 - 75.
102 Amanda McCurdy (Little Rock, Ark.) 35-40 - 75.
102 Alissa Kuczka (Phoenix, Ariz.) 34-41 - 75.
102 Lorraine Ballerano (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) 41-34 - 75.
102 Kimberly Goedecke (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) 36-39 - 75.
102 Cindy Lee-Pridgen (Sabah, Malaysia) 35-40 - 75.
115 Anastasia Kostina (Nakhabino, Russia) 37-39 - 76.
115 Haley Gildea (East Greenwich, R.I.) 38-38 - 76.
115 Julia Huh (Pasadena, Md.) 36-40 - 76.
115 LeAnna Wicks (Brighton, Mich.) 37-39 - 76.
115 Misun Cho (Cheongju, South Korea) 36-40 - 76.
115 Jenna Pearson (Wheaton, Ill.) 38-38 - 76.
115 Catherine Matranga (Fort Worth, Texas) 39-37 - 76.
115 Amanda Mathis (Opelousas, La.) 39-37 - 76.
123 Alejandra Shaw (Vina Del Mar, Chile) 34-43 - 77.
123 Elizabeth Stuart (Tampa, Fla.) 39-38 - 77.
123 Kylene Pulley (Kokomo, Ind.) 37-40 - 77.
123 Elin Andersson (Eskilstuna, Sweden) 37-40 - 77.
123 Stacey Tate (Auckland, New Zealand) 38-39 - 77.
123 Ashley Knoll (The Woodlands, Texas) 40-37 - 77.
123 Carmen Bandea (Atlanta, Ga.) 41-36 - 77.
130 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh, Scotland) 40-38 - 78.
130 Libby Smith (Essex Junction, Vt.) 35-43 - 78.
130 Rebecka Heinmert (San Jose, Calif.) 38-40 - 78.
130 Noon Huachai (Bangkok, Thailand) 39-39 - 78.
130 Maria Laura Elvira (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 38-40 - 78.
130 Devan Andersen (Guadalajara, Mexico) 39-39 - 78.
136 Hillery Wilson (Hudson, Ohio) (am) 39-40 - 79.
136 Christine Cho (Kent, Wash.) 36-43 - 79.
138 Amy Schmucker (Cold Spring, Minn.) 36-44 - 80.
138 Heather Angell (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 42-38 - 80.
138 Brenda McLarnon (Belfast, Ireland) 40-40 - 80.
141 Esther Moon (Nashville, Tenn.) 42-39 - 81.
141 Jutta Degerman (Helsinki, Finland) 40-41 - 81.
143 Sofie Andersson (Angelholm, Sweden) 40-44 - 84.
144 Jin Hyun Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 40-45 - 85.

Spanish amateur ace

Carlota leads pros in

Tenerife Ladies Open

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Spanish amateur Carlota Ciganda fired a second round of six-under-par 66 to lead by a shot at the halfway stage of the Tenerife Ladies Open at Golf Costa Adeje today.
The 18-year-old from Pamplona, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved, who did not defend the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick last week because of examinations, finished the day on nine-under-par, one ahead of Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom, who had a four-under 68 and Russian Maria Verchenova, who had a three-under 69.

Ciganda is hoping to become the fifth amateur tournament winner in the 30-year history of the Ladies European Tour this week. The last amateur to win on the tour was another talented teenager: South Korean Amy Yang, who claimed the 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia at the age of 16.

“I hit it very long and today I hit very straight so it was very helpful for me,” said Ciganda, who is a two time member of both the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Junior Ryder Cup teams and plays off a handicap of +5.2.

“If you play a good drive you have an approach from 80 to 100 metres so it’s easier to make birdies.” Ciganda had one bogey, at the par-four ninth-hole on her front nine, and posted an outward total of 37.

However she ripped up the back nine with seven birdies – and five in a row from the 11th hole – for an inward total of 29. That number tied the LET’s record for the lowest nine holes in a tournament, previously set by 19 other players.

“Once I started I couldn’t stop. I played really well, very good shots,” said Ciganda. “My putts were incredible. I made seven birdies and two pars on the back nine: I’m very happy.” It was her lowest ever nine holes in tournament play. Ciganda has won her national championship 19 times in various categories but says that her most treasured victory was the 2004 Individual European Ladies’ Amateur Championship at her home course, Ulzama Golf Club.

She is one of Europe’s greatest talents and in January will head to Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona to play golf and study. She explained: “I chose it because of the weather. Where I live in Spain is really cold in the winter and I prefer to practise in the sun.”

Sweden’s Louise Stahle, who shares fourth with England’s Rebecca Hudson on six-under-par, is a former student at Arizona State University and she is searching for her first tour win after coming close on several occasions already this year.“I feel like I’m starting to play better and posting scores,” said Stahle. “I found that coming from the amateur scene took a while. I think I had expectations to play better sooner but it’s taken two years at least.

“A win would be nice but I’m trying not to push it too much. Everybody is always asking but you have to be patient.”

Last week’s Portugal Ladies Open champion Anne-Lise Caudal posted a 69 to share sixth place with Denmark’s Lisa Holm Sorensen, who had a 66. Felicity and Trish Johnson, both from England but not related, finished the day tied for eighth position on four-under-par with Gwladys Nocera, the European number one who has won twice on tour this year.

Ladies European Tour Scoreboard
TENERIFE LADIES OPEN
Golf Costa Adeje, Tenerife
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
135 Carlota Ciganda (Spa) (amateur) 69 66
137 Krista Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 69 68, Maria Verchenova (Rus) 68 69
138 Louise Stahle (Swe) 69 69, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 70 68
139 Lisa Sorensen (Den) 73 66, Anna-Lise Caudal (Fra) 70 69
140 Felicity Johnson (Eng) 70 70, Trish Johnson (Eng) 68 72, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 69 71
141 Julie Greciet (Fra) 67 74, Melissa Reid (Eng) 70 71, Carmen Alonso 69 72, Federica Piovano (Ita) 71 70
142 Joanne Mills (Aus) 72 70, Zuzana Kamasova (Sk) 70 72, Marta Silva 71 71
143 Lotta Maria Wahlin (Swe) 73 70, Laura Terebey (US) 69 74, Anja Monke (Ger) 69 74, Paula Marti 72 71, Nicole Gergely (Aut) 72 71, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 72 71, Julie Tvede (Den) 71 72, Diana Luna (Ita) 70 73, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 71 72
144 Karen Lunn (Aus) 72 72, Dana Lacey (Aus) 69 75, Leah Hart (Aus) 72 72, Denise Becker (Ger) 69 75, Clare Queen (Sco) 71 73
145 Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 70 75, Marta Prieto 75 70, Beatriz Recari 73 72, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 72, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 71 74, Martina Eberl (Ger) 72 73
146 Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 74 72, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 74 72, Tania Elosegui 72 74, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 72 74, Emma Cabrera Bello 75 71, Isabella Maconi (Ita) 78 68, Georgina Simpson 77 69, Lydia Hall 72 74, Samantha Head (Eng) 73 73, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 71 75, Melodie Bourdy (Fra) 73 73, Joanne Clingan (Eng) 74 72, Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 76 70
147 Mianne Bagger (Den) 74 73, Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 73 74, Lisa Hall (Eng) 74 73, Becky Brewerton (Wal) 73 74, Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den) 74 73, Martina Gillen (Ire) 73 74, Marina Arruti 75 72, Ana-Belen Sanchez 77 70, Kathryn Imrie (Sco) 73 74
148 Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 75 73, Azahara Munoz (Spa) (am) 76 72, Rebecca Coakley 72 76, Kate Combes (Aus) 75 73, Sofia Renell (Swe) 79 69, Laura Cabanillas Gomez 76 72, Emma Lyons (Eng) 73 75, Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned) 74 74
MISSED THE CUT
149 Jenni Kuosa (Fin) 77 72, Mette Buus (Den) 79 70, Lee-Anne Pace (USA) 76 73, Christine Hallstrom (Swe) 76 73, Janice Olivencia (Pr) 75 74, Lena Kirstina Viola Tornevall (Swe) 77 72, Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa) 77 72, Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 75 74, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 74 75
150 Joanne Morley (Eng) 78 72, Ana Larraneta 74 76, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 76 74, Sophie Sandolo (Ita) 74 76, Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 75 75, Sophie Walker (Eng) 76 74, Camille Fallay (Fra) 72 78, Jenna Wilson (Sco) 79 71, Natascha Fink (Aut) 74 76, Anne Hansen (Den) 76 74, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 75 75, Claire Coughlan 76 74
151 Frederique Seeholzer (Swi) 76 75, Stefania Croce (Ita) 75 76, Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 76 75, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 73 78
152 Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 74 78, Lora Fairclough (Eng) 75 77, Anna Rossi (Ita) 76 76, Suzanne Dickens 76 76, Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 76 76, Sara Beautell Largo 78 74, Ellen Smets (Bel) 74 78, Maria Beautell 77 75, Kirsty S Taylor 77 75, Nuria Clau 76 76, Katharina Schallenberg (Ger) 76 76, Lynn Kenny (Sco) 77 75, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 79 73, Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 79 73
153 Danielle Masters (Eng) 75 78, Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus) 76 77, Florence Luscher (Swi) 80 73
154 Rachel Bell (Eng) 76 78
155 Liza Aileen Shervill 79 76, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 77 78, Lara Tadiotto (Bel) 79 76
156 Nora Angehrn (Swi) 75 81, Xonia Wunsch-Ruiz 79 77, Nathalie David (Fra) 75 81, Elizabeth McKinnon (Swe) 78 78
157 Maria Ohlsson (Swe) 80 77, Lara Hernandez 78 79
158 Sonia Cologan 79 79, Natalie Claire Booth 80 78
160 Jehanne Jail (Fra) 82 78, Itziar Elguezabal 79 81
163 Patricia Beliard (Fra) 82 81, Meghna Bal (Ind) 81 82
Retired: Maria Angeles Jimenez (Spa) 87

Heather drops out of Vilamoura top 10

Heather Anderson from Downfield, Dundee had a second-round 88 (44-44) to drop out of the top 10 in the European senior women's amateur championship over the Vilamoura Pinhal course.
Janice Paterson took over the top Scot role with an 81 (43-38) for 164 and 17th place behind the leader on 149, France's Virginie Burrus.
READ THE FULL REPORT AND SCORES BY SWITCHING OVER TO www.scottishgolfview.com

AYRSHIRE SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND KENNEDY SALVER

Ayrshire Girls Team (standing left to right) are
Connie Jaffrey, Hannah Gaunt, Mhairi McKay, Katie McGarva,
and kneeling left to right are Gillian Arnott, Linzi Allan, Kelly McNee.

SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE OF KENNEDY SALVER

The Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association Junior Team held off a strong challenge from the other three West Division counties - Dumbartonshire & Argyll, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, at Ayr Dalmilling Golf Course on Thursday, 19th June, to retain the prestigious Kennedy Salver.

In blustery, testing conditions, they won all 3 morning foursomes and followed this up in the afternoon with 3.5 points from the singles matches for a winning total of 6.5 - two clear of runners-up Lanarkshire.

The team, whose ages range from 11 to 17 consisted of Linzi Allan (captain) (Kilbirnie), Hannah Gaunt (Barassie), Gillian Arnott (Kilbirnie), Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride), Kelly McNee (Loudoun), Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) and Katie McGarva (Barassie).

Thanks to June Kerr for this report

East beat West at Troon Portland

East Vets were victorious by 6 matches to 3 in their annual encounter with West Vets at Troon Portland on Wednesday.
Results were as follows...... (West Vets names first)

May Hughes lost to Noreen Fenton at the 18th
Alex Glennie halved with Moira Thomson
Sheena Macdonald halved with Ruth Brown
Maureen Woodhead lost to Anne Brownie 4 and 3
Pat Hutton lost to Lesley Johnston
Jeanette McCartney lost to Fiona Hunter 6 and 4
Elspeth Hanlon beat Sheila Lyon 2 and 1
May Myers beat Susan Penman 4 and 3
Cathy Morton lost to Aileen Kennedy

O'Brien Kenney beats McKenna
in Irish seniors final

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange) holed from twenty feet for birdie on the final green to beat Irish legend Mary McKenna (Donabate) in the final of the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club today.
O’Brien Kenney started brightly to win the first but turned one down after McKenna won the fourth and seventh. She levelled the match on ten but went one down again when McKenna holed from twelve feet for birdie.
A par on fifteen was good enough to level the tie and a par-saving chip and putt on seventeen saw them visit the 18th tee all square. Both found the green but after McKenna’s putt came up short, O’Brien Kenney found the bottom of the cup from twenty feet to claim her first Irish Senior Women’s Close title.
O’Brien Kenney will now lead the Irish team of six, to be announced shortly, at the Senior European Team Championships in The Netherlands, 2-5 September.
Earlier in the day, O’Brien Kenney ended Valerie Hassett’s (Ennis) hopes of repeating her 2004 victory while McKenna saw off newcomer Violet McBride (Belvoir Park).

McKenna v Kenney for Irish seniors' title

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Irish legend Mary McKenna (Donabate) birdied the 14th to close out her semi-final match and now plays Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange) in this afternoon’s final of the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club.
McKenna (Donabate) saw off a brave challenge from Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) while O’Brien Kenney had to work much harder closing with three regulation pars to end the hopes of seasoned campaigner Valerie Hassett (Ennis) on the home green.
Results:
SEMI-FINALS
Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) bt Valerie Hassett (Ennis) 1 hole.
Mary McKenna (Donabate) bt Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) 5 and 4.

Nick MacAndrew, Sophie Alexander and (right) Mark Wareham, the boys' low handicap winner.

Nick and Sophie win Paul Lawrie
Aberdeen Schools' titles

By DEREK JOHNSTONE
It was a one-two for the MacAndrew family representing Aberdeen Grammar School in the Paul Lawrie Aberdeen Schools’ (Scratch-12) Championships at Craibstone on Thursday. Two-handicapper Nick won the scratch trophy with a three over-par 72, one shot better than his older brother Donald.
Nick had three birdies - at the first, fifth and 16th - but on the debit side he had a triple bogey 7 at the aptly named Gruesome Glen 11th and single shots dropped at the seventh, eighth and 10th.
Donald’s round consisted of birdies at the 10th and 16th but a double bogey at the 11th and dropped shots at the third, eighth, 15th and 18th meant he had to be satisfied with the runners-up slot.
There was further success for the Grammar School when nine-handicapper Mark Wareham lifted the Paul Lawrie Handicap Trophy with a net 64. His only dropped shots were all on the front nine, at the first, seventh, eighth and ninth.
The Paul Lawrie Girls’ Championship was won by Sophie Alexander of Robert Gordon’s College. The 10-handicapper’s impressive net 63 was helped by a one over par back nine which included birdies at the 14th and 17th. However, Sophie also fell victim to the difficult Gruesome Glen where she walked off with a double bogey.
Earlier in the week, the Paul Lawrie Schools’ (13-24 handicap) Championships were also held at Craibstone. The scratch trophy was won by Scott Keith of Dyce Academy with a nine over par 78 while Scott Simpson of Robert Gordon’s College won the handicap trophy with a net 60 off his 19 handicap. His score was even more impressive, given his tee shot at the first ended out of bounds and he started with a double bogey 6.

LEADING SCORES

BOYS’ SCRATCH (White tees) CSS 68
72 N MacAndrew (AGS)
73 M Wareham (AGS); D MacAndrew (AGS); C Chalmers (Oldmachar)
75 R Dick (Hazlehead)
76 N Barnes (RGC); C Lamb (Bridge of Don); A Carrell (Cults); S Smith (RGC)
77 D Elrick (Hazlehead)
79 F McDonald (Hazlehead); S Fraser (RGC); L Kinnear (AGS)
80 E Robertson (Cults); R Lawrence (Oldmachar)
82 G Joss (Hazlehead)
83 M Beattie (St Machar); G Jamieson (Oldmachar); A Shand (Dyce)
84 S Stewart (Hazlehead)
85 C Black (RGC); G Singer (Oldmachar)
89 L Sandison (Bridge of Don)
NR G Munro (Oldmachar); M Angus (Hazlehead); A Burr (AGS)

BOYS’ HANDICAP
64 M Wareham (AGS)
66 C Lamb (Bridge of Don)
67 F McDonald (Hazlehead)

GIRLS’ HANDICAP (CSS 70)
63 S Alexander (RGC)
73 V Powell (Cults)
78 C Prouse (St Machar); C Geddes (Kincorth)

LEADING SCORES - TUESDAY

BOYS’ SCRATCH (Yellow tees) CSS 68
78 S Keith (Dyce)
79 S Simpson (RGC)
80 S Main (Hazlehead)
83 M Kinnaird (Bridge of Don); R Yule (Cults);
84 C Johnstone (AGS); R Stewart (Oldmachar)

BOYS’ HANDICAP
60 S Simpson (RGC)
65 L McKenzie (Oldmachar); S Keith (Dyce)
66 M Kinnaird (Bridge of Don); J Milton (Oldmachar)
67 Z Wood (Torry); R Michie (RGC)
68 S Main (Hazlehead); J Polson (Cults)

Alan, Heather lead senior Scots'

challenge at Vilamoura

Drumpellier's Alan Ferguson and Heather Anderson from Downfield, Dundee were leading the Scottish challenge in the European senior men's and women's amateur golf championships which began at Vilamoura on Portugal's Algarve today.

Ferguson returned a one-over 74 on the Old Course to be lying joint sixth, five shots behind the Irish leader, Adrian Morrow, at the end of the first round.

Ireland dominated the leaderboard with Arthur Pierse, winner of the British senior title at Nairn last year, in second place on 71.

Heather, pictured above, had an eight over par 80 and was sharing seventh place, five shots behind the pacemaker, Virginie Burrus (France), in the women's championship which began over the Pinhal course.

Scottish scores:

MEN

74 Alan Ferguson.

82 James Deas.

83 John Broadfoot.

87 Brian Campbell.

WOMEN

80 Heather Anderson.

83 Janice Paterson.

89 Pamela Williamson.

91 Jennifer Mack.

French rookie leads with five-under 67
in Tenerife Ladies Open

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
French rookie Julie Greciet shot a five-under-par 67 to take the first-round lead at the Tenerife Ladies Open today.
The 21-year-old carded five birdies at Golf Costa Adeje for a one-stroke lead over England’s Trish Johnson and Russian Maria Verchenova. It was Greciet’s lowest round in six tournaments on the Ladies European Tour this year.
Her previous best finish was a tie for 54th last week in Portugal and she began the tournament ranked 131st on the New Star Money List.
“My driving was the key,” said Greciet, who hails from the town of Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse near Biarritz in south western France.
“My putts were very short today. It felt easier and I had a little bit more confidence. I’ve not made too many cuts this year and it’s been difficult but I’m enjoying the experience.”
Greciet played the back nine in two under par, after sinking putts from six and 20 feet at the 11th and 15th holes respectively. She then carded three birdies on the front nine, her run of solid putting continuing when she holed from 15 feet at the first and from 18 feet at the par-three seventh.
A chip to three feet at the eighth ensured her final birdie of the day and a one-shot lead over Johnson and Verchenova. Johnson had a roller-coaster day with five birdies, an eagle and three bogeys.
She said: “It was nothing spectacular but a solid round. I made a couple of mistakes: I went into the rough and it’s very difficult to get out. But then I made an eagle on the 13th with a three wood and a ten foot putt.”
Johnson was joint second in last year’s event at Golf del Sur and tied for sixth when the event was last played at Golf Costa Adeje in 2005.
Meanwhile Greciet and Verchenova are both visiting Tenerife for the first time.
Verchenova, 22, from Moscow, is playing in her second year on tour and posted six birdies and two bogeys. She said: “I’m quite happy with the way I played on this golf course because it’s really tough. You need to be really good with your irons as well and put them in the right place.” Nine players tied for fourth place on three-under-par, including the current European number one Gwladys Nocera from France and the highly decorated Spanish teenager amateur Carlota Ciganda.
Joining them on three-under were Laura Terebey from the USA, who had two eagles in her opening round, Germany’s Anja Monke and Denise-Charlotte Becker, Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom, Spain’s Carmen Alonso, Australia’s Dana Lacey and Sweden’s Louise Stahle.
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 72
67 J Greciet (Fra).
68 T Johnson (Eng), M Verchenova (Rus).
69 A Monke (Ger), L Terebey (US), U Wikstrom (Fin), G Nocera (Fra), D Lacey (Aus), C Ciganda (Spa) (amateur), L Stahle (Swe), D-C Becker (Ger).
70 M Reid (Eng), Z Kamasova (Slov), A-L Caudal (Fra), E Ohlsson (Swse), F Johnson (Eng), D Luna (Ita), R Hudson (Eng).
Other scores:
71 C Queen (jt 20th).
72 R Coakley (Ire), L Hall (Wal) (jt 27th).
73 K Imrie (Sco), E Lyons (Eng), B Brewerton (Wal), M Gillen (Ire) (jt 39th).
74 L Hall (Eng), J Clingan (Eng) (jt 51st).
75 L Fairclough (Eng), D Masters (Eng) (jt 64th).
76 R Bell (Eng), S Dickens (Eng) (jt 78th).
77 L Kenny (Sco), K S Taylor (Eng) (jt 96th).
78 L McKinnon (NZ), J Morley (Eng) (jt 105th).
79 J Wilson (Sco), L Shervill (Eng), K J Fisher (Eng) (jt 110th).
80 N C Booth (Eng) (jt 120th).

Hassett and McKenna reach Irish
senior semi-finals at Hollystown

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Leading qualifier Valerie Hassett (Ennis) survived an 18th hole scare to reach the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club today.
In another day of high winds, Hassett maintained her strong form, dispatching Rhona Brennan (Bandon) in the morning round on the 16th green and then was grateful for a regulation par on the 18th to close out the impressive Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) in the afternoon.
Defending champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) found the going too tough against past international Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange). With the match all square through 15, regulation pars saw the tie go to 18 where Madden lipped out with her par effort.
Mary McKenna (Donabate) continued her recent form in dashing the hopes of Catherine Bird (Nenagh) in the morning and then Pauline Walsh (Headfort) in the afternoon. She marched into the semi-finals to face newcomer Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) who edged out the talented Helen Jones (Strabane) on the penultimate green.
While McKenna looks favourite to advance to tomorrow afternoon’s final, Hassett will be hopeful of repeating her 2004 title winning campaign when she faces O’Brien Kenney in the morning.

FRIDAY SEMI-FINALS
09.00 Valerie Hassett (Ennis) v Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange).
09.09 Mary McKenna (Donabate) v Violet McBride (Belvoir Park).

RESULTS
QUARTER FINALS
Valerie Hassett (Ennis) bt Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) 2 holes.
Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) bt Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) 1 hole.
Mary McKenna (Donabate) bt Pauline Walsh (Headfort) 4 and 3.
Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) bt Helen Jones (Strabane) 2 and 1.
FIRST ROUND
Valerie Hassett (Ennis) bt Rhona Brennan (Bandon) 3 and 2.
Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) bt Eileen MacMullen (Donegal) 3 and 1.
Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) bt Val Shannon (Douglas) 3 and 2.
Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) bt Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort).
Pauline Walsh (Headfort) bt Mary Mather (Cill Dara) 5 and 4.
Mary McKenna (Donabate) bt Catherine Bird (Nenagh).
Helen Jones (Strabane) bt Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook).
Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) bt Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford)

Janet Collingham wins first
English title at age of 50

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Nottinghamshire’s Janet Collingham filled a gap in her golfing CV when she won the Senior Women’s English stroke-play championship at Beau Desert, Staffordshire today.
She’s a past British champion – but this was her first English title.
“It feels a bit weird because I’ve never been able to win an English title until now – but it feels good,” she said. “It’s a been a bit elusive.”
She claimed her over-50s title with a final-round 79, which left her one clear of Ganton’s Carolyn Kirk, who shot a best of the day 78.
Janet started the final round three shots adrift of 36-hole leader Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court). By the turn the Nottinghamshire player had made up the deficit and moved ahead.
She was helped by two birdies, on the fifth and ninth, while Roz lost confidence on the greens after a four-putt from 12ft on the eighth.
“It was just one of those days, said Roz. “But Janet putted really solidly and made all the clutch putts.”
Janet commented: “I got off to a good start and then played really steadily. My putting was never really there but I seemed to hole them when I needed to.”
This is Janet’s first year as a senior and the 50-year-old from Sherwood Forest has shot straight to the top. After a top-class amateur career she played little competitive golf until last year, when she began to prepare for her seniors’ debut.
She has been working with Hollinwell professional Mike Bradley and Sherwood Forest pro Ken Hole – and all their efforts have been rewarded. She was in the last group contesting the championship and her score ended the victory hopes of clubhouse leader Carolyn Kirk.
“I had much more feel for the greens today and putted and chipped a lot better,” said the Yorkshire golfer.
Buckinghamshire’s Sue McKeon won Division B by three shots after she returned the section’s best round of the day with an 82. “I’m affectionately known as steady Eddie,” joked Sue, who was co-leader at the start of the final round. “I have really enjoyed myself, the course was lovely and the greens were great.”
Sue (Harleyford) was the losing finalist in the English seniors’ championship at Stoneham earlier this season.
CHAMPIONSHIP LEADING
FINAL TOTALS
241 Janet Collingham (Sherwood Forest) 81 81 79.
242 Carolyn Kirk (Ganton) 77 87 78.
244 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 77 82 85.
246 Christine Quinn (Hockley) 81 85 80, Christine Stirling (Meon Valley) 82 81 83.
247 Sue Dye (Delamere Forest) 83 85 79.
248 Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 77 87 84, Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) 80 82 86.
249 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 84 85 80.

DIVISION B LEADING
FINAL TOTALS
251 Sue McKeon (Harleyford) 84 85 82.
254 Karen Lobb (Northants County) 86 83 85.
258 Sue Pidgeon (Wrekin) 85 90 83, Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies) 84 87 87.
265 Carol Liversidge (Sandiway) 85 91 89, Sheila McKinnon (Royal Liverpool) 87 88 90.
271 Jose Kellenberger (Camberley Heath) 84 95 92.
272 Jayne Long (Tidworth Garrison) 87 90 95.
276 Sue Mayman (Bedale) 84 93 99.
Full scores: www.englishwomensgolf.org

Amanda Blumenherst just

one of big names to go out

early in US WAPL

American Curtis Cup and college circuit ace Amanda Blumenherst (picture left by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved) was just one of the big names to be beaten in the first round of the match-play stages of the USGA's Women's Amateur Public Links Championship - despite it's name, it is one of the majors on the American women's summer golf circuit - at Hartford, Wisconsin.

The 2006 US Women’s Amateur queen Kimberly Kim also took the count as did joint leading qualifiers, Lizette Salas and Katie Kempter, Mari Chun and 2007 WAPL finalist Stephany Fleet lost.

Defending champion Mina Harigae - another US current Curtis Cup player - failed to make match play.

Perhaps Scottish champion and GB&I Curtis Cup team member Michele Thomson did the right thing in deciding not to make the long trip from North Berwick and the British women's amateur championship.

Thi is first USGA championship to be held at the much-talked-about Erin Hills, which opened late 2006. When asked for their impressions, one of the first things top players mentioned Wednesday was the length of the set-up.

While the course can be extended to a "monster" 8,000 yards, it’s playing at 6,158 this week. Blumenherst found herself hitting a wedge into many par 4s and when the wind died down, the short set-up served as a leveller between the big names and the not-so-big names.

“They needed to make it much longer,” Blumenherst said. “I’d much rather be hitting 5-irons into greens at a USGA event.”

It was poor putting, however, that ultimately led to the demise of Amanda, US female college golf’s No. 1 player. For the second consecutive year, a Michigan State player ousted Duke’s finest. This time it was Aimee Neff, a rising sophomore, who finished the season ranked 125th by Golfweek.
“Amanda’s an awesome player and I think she really has a target on her back,” said Neff, who won 2 and 1. “No one really expected me to beat her, but I’ve been playing well and if I just played my game I’d have a chance.”

Blumenherst went straight to the putting green immediately after the round. She will join Harigae and Kim on the early road to Interlachen, venue of next week’s U.S. Women’s Open in nearby Minnesota.

Chalk up much of Kim’s poor play to fatigue. After finishing her second round of stroke play Tuesday, she signed her scorecard and walked directly over to the first tee to caddie for her roommate this week, Grace Na.

Kim woke up at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and left the course at 7:15 p.m. She carried her own bag during stroke play as well as Na’s.

“My everything wasn’t in it,” said Kim, who lost to good friend Brianna Do, 3 and 2. “I was in the loony zone.”

Do, a rising freshman at UCLA, faces another Kim in Round 2 – Stacey Kim of Columbus, Georgia.

UCLA team-mates Sydnee Michaels and Tiffany Joh will square off in the second round. Joh, the 2006 WAPL champion, joins Jennie Lee as the only two remaining members of the victorious 2008 Curtis Cup team.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS

Par 73, 6718yd Erin Hills Golf Course

Hartford, Wisconsin

Ellen Mueller bt Lizette Salas 2 and 1.

Michelle Shin bt Becca Hugger 3 and 2.

Angela Oh bt Caroline Kim 7 and 6.

Grace Na bt Carly Werwie 2 holes.

Stephanie Kono bt Laura Luethke 5 and 3.

Ani Gulugian bt Julie Yang 3 and 2.

Shasta Averyhardt bt Demi Frances Runas 4 and 3.

Alexandra Stewart bt Gennifer Mendez 2 holes.

Lauren Doughtie bt Erica Moston 2 and 1.

Erica Creed bt Stephany Fleet 1 hole.

Emily Powers bt Megan Dowdy 4 and 3.

Kristen Schelling bt Victoria Trapani 6 and 5.

Ha-Na Jang bt Kelly Nakashima 2 and 1.

Madelle Swaney bt Sarah Brown 1 hole.

Kayla Mortellaro bt Mari Chun 3 and 2.

Jennifer Song bt Kristina Merkle 1 hole.

Tzu Chi Lin bt Katie Kempter at 20th.

Emily Street bt Pennapa Pulsawath 2 and 1.

Jennie Lee bt Joy Trotter 3 and 2.

Tiffany Lua bt Ryann O'Toole 4 and 3.

Mayule Tomimbang bt Candice Wiley 5 and 4.

Michelle Bowles bt Aurora Kan 6 and 5.

Stacey Kim bt Inah Park 4 and 3.

Brianna Do bt Kimberly Kim 3 and 2.

Lynette Duran bt Kate Ackerson 2 and 1.

Lee Lopez bt Kathleen White at 19th.

Jenny Lee bt Brooke Beeler 3 and 2.

Aimee Neff bt Amanda Blumenherst 2 and 1.

Rebecca Kim bt Kelly Fuchik 3 and 2.

Jaye Marie Green bt Ashley Sholer 2 holes.

Sydnee Michaels bt Christine Song 6 and 5.

Tiffany Joh bt Wonjoo Choi 3 and 2.

Fiona Anderson drops out of share of the lead

Rozalayn Adams leads last day qualifiers

at Beau Desert in testing conditions

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLAND WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Surrey’s Rozalyn Adams leads qualifiers in English seniors strokeplay Surrey’s Rozalyn Adams leads the qualifiers for the final day’s play in the Senior Women’s English Stroke-play Championship at Beau Desert, Staffordshire. She added an 82 to her opening 77 on a day when scoring was made difficult by strong, swirling winds and short, but heavy showers. More than one player came off the course commenting “Nightmare!” and there were plenty of bad-luck stories.
Kent’s Geraldine Bray marred a very good card with an 11 on the par five 15th after she tangled with deep, wet rough. “Why didn’t I take a drop?” she asked afterwards.
Despite that she shot 82 and was third qualifier for tomorrow’s final round in the 54-hole tournament.
Meanwhile, Rozalyn Adams had a triple bogey 7 on the sixth – after a birdie on the long fifth - and summed up: “It was a day for damage limitation,” she said. “It was very, very difficult because of the wind. It was swirling around and you just didn’t know where it was coming from. You had to try to contain your golf and play steadily. I had some very good holes, but I also left some shots out there.”
Former British champion Janet Collingham, who qualified second, found the putting difficult – in common with many players. “I actually felt I played well and that I didn’t putt badly - but I just didn’t get anything back.”
Defending champion Sue Dye, who was comfortably among the qualifiers, commented: “It’s a tough course and a tough exam.”
Former Scottish champion Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) dropped out of a share of the lead on 77 with a second-round 87 for 164 but she is still in joint fifth position, only five shots off the lead.
Division B, for players with handicaps of seven to 15, is led by Northamptonshire’s Karen Lobb and Buckinghamshire’s Sue McKeon. The top 16 players and ties in both divisions qualified for the final round.
Division A Qualifiers
159 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 77, 82.
162 Janet Collingham (Sherwood Forest) 81, 81, Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) 80, 82.
163 Christine Stirling (Meon Valley) 82, 81.
164 Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 77, 87; Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) 77 87; Carolyn Kirk (Ganton) 77, 80.
166 Liz Moverley (Copt Heath) 81, 85; Chris Quinn (Hockley) 81, 85.
167 Barbara Laird (Sandiway) 87, 80; Angela Duck (Northants County) 86, 81;Pat Wrightson (Huddersfield) 82, 85.
168 Sue Dye (Delamere Forest) 83, 85.
169 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 84, 85; Sue Ellis (Ferndown) 81, 88.
170 Pat West (Spalding) 84, 86; Sue Westall (Copt Heath) 83, 87; Anne Koychev (Ealing) 81, 89; Felicity Coulter (Banstead Downs) 80, 90.
Division B Qualifiers
169 Karen Lobb (Northants County) 86, 83, Sue McKeon (Harleyford) 84 85.
171 Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies) 84, 87.
175 Sheila McKinnon (Royal Liverpool Ladies) 87, 88; Sue Pidgeon (Wrekin) 85 90.
176 Carol Liversidge (Sandiway) 85, 91.
177 Jayne Long (Tidworth Garrison) 87, 90; Sue Mayman (Bedale).
179 Eppie Zandvoort (Eaton) 90 89; José Kellenberger (Camberley Heath) 84, 95.
181 Marie Watson (St. Mellion) 95, 86; Sue Carey (Crowborough Beacon) 91, 90.
182 Jaki White (Whipsnade Park) 92, 90.
185 Carol Atack (Moortown) 95 90.
186 Angela Dawson (Copt Heath) 96, 90; Dawn Tongue (Beau Desert) 95, 91

Valerie leads Irish senior qualifiers

PRESS RELEASE FROM IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Valerie Hassett (Ennis), champion in 2004, fired a remarkable five over par 78 in atrocious weather conditions to lead the qualifiers by one stroke at the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club today.
In high winds and persistent rain, Hassett weathered the elements to register birdies at the second, eight and fourteenth but a handful of bogeys around the turn put paid to her otherwise excellent effort.
Next best was Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) who birdied five, eight and twelve in her best of the day 76 to trail by one stroke.
Three shots further back was defending champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) who added an 83 to her opening 78 while Pauline Walsh (Headfort) added a 79 to her opening 82.
Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange) signed for her second 81 while Catherine Bird (Nenagh) fired an impressive 77 in which she overcame two sevens with birdies at eight and thirteen.
Overnight leader Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) slipped to an 88 but was happy with her efforts, having completed the first round of the Hermitage Lady Captain’s Prize in between her two qualifying rounds.
Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) improved by eight strokes in her 79 while Irish legend Mary McKenna (Donabate) matched her opening 83 to qualify comfortably.
The first round sees Hassett face a tricky assignment against Rhona Brennan (Bandon) while defending Champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) plays Patricia O’Reilly (Headfort). Another interesting tie sees Helen Jones (Strabane) play Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) while Mary McKenna (Donabate) faces an in form Catherine Bird (Nenagh).
QUALIFYING SCORES
157 Valerie Hassett (Ennis) 79 78.
158 Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) 82 76.
161 Pauline Walsh (Headfort) 82 79, Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) 78 83.
162 Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) 81 81.
163 Catherine Bird (Nenagh) 86 77.
165 Helen Jones (Strabane) 84 81, Eileen MacMullen (Donegal) 82 83, Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) 77 88.
166 Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) 87 79, Mary McKenna (Donabate) 83 83.
170 Val Shannon (Douglas) 86 84 Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort) 85 85, Mary Mather (Cill Dara)
83 87.
171 Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) 91 80, Rhona Brennan (Bandon) 83 88.

NON-QUALIFIERS
171 Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel) 82 89.
172 Madeline Brennan (Carlow) 90 82, Anna Moloney (Clonmel) 86 86, Noreen Granard (Portarlington) 85 87.
173 Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) 84 89 Laura Tolan (Co. Meath) 87 86.
174 Roma English (Larne) 86 88, Kay McCartan (Greenore) 85 89.
175 Mary Geaney (Killarney) 86 89.
176 Nano Brennan (Elm Park) 95 81.
177 Mai McCann (Narin & Portnoo) 93 84.
179 Pamela Morgan (Lahinch) 89 90.
180 Mary McGoey (Greenore) 91 89.
181 Catherine Carty (Tullamore) 89 92.
182 Mary McCabe (Headfort) 90 92.
183 Marie McIntyre (Occoneechee) 92 91.
184 Sighle Henigan (Ballybunion) 94 90 Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk) 93 91 Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush) 89 95.
186 Dinah Campion (The Heath) 91 95.
187 Rita McNamara (The Heath) 95 92.
188 Anna Somers (Cill Dara) 91 97.
189 Anne Heffernan (Hollystown) 91 98
192 Anne Stewart (Belvoir Park) 100 92 Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush) 92 100.
193 Woody Collins (Hollystown) 100 93.
194 Mary Kidney (Headfort) 97 97.
203 Bridget O'Brien (Tipperary) 103 100.
205 Marie McGrattan (Ardminnan) 104 101.
206 Patsy Butler (Headfort) 103 103.
207 Audrey Burke (Hollystown) 107 100.
211 Joan Buckley (Ballybunion) 110 101.
217 Anne Crotty (Tipperary) 112 105.

MATCHPLAY DRAW
9min intervals
9.0: Valerie Hassett (Ennis) v Rhona Brennan (Bandon), Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) v Eileen MacMullen (Donegal), Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) v Val Shannon (Douglas), Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort) v Mary Madden (Ballinasloe).
9:36 Pauline Walsh (Headfort) v Mary Mather (Cill Dara), Mary McKenna (Donabate) v Catherine Bird (Nenagh), Helen Jones (Strabane) v Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook),Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) v Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford).

England sending Alex and Kelly
to European Young Masters

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Teenagers Alex Peters and Kelly Tidy will represent the English Women’s Golf Association in the European Young Masters at Chantilly, France, from July 24-26.
Alex Peters, 14, plays at Notts Ladies. This season she has won the girls’ title in the Fairhaven Trophy, become the youngest-ever Nottinghamshire champion and partnered her mum, Ann, to a win in the Mothers and Daughters scratch foursomes. She’s a past English U13 champion and the current Midland ladies’ titleholder.
Kelly Tidy, 16, is a member at Royal Birkdale. The Lancashire champion was one of the leading English players at this season’s St Rule Trophy. Kelly is a past winner of the English U-13 and U-15 titles and won the U-21 trophy at the 2007 Welsh open stroke-play championship.
Both players are in the England line-up for the European girls’ team championship which takes place earlier in July. Christine Sparks (Bedfordshire) will be England captain at the European Young Masters.

Ladies' British Open Mid-Amateur

Championship is cancelled

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY LADIES GOLF UNION
The Council of the Ladies Golf Union has reluctantly decided to cancel the Ladies’ British Open Mid-Amateur Stroke-play championship, due to be played at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club, Berkshire from July 4 to 6.
“We have worked hard to publicise this event since we introduced it in 2002 but entries have been dwindling each year. We had received less than 60 for this year’s championship. We have tried everything to stimulate interest but it is clearly not viable in the busy fixture list.
This year’s tournament has been cancelled and we apologise to Bearwood Lakes Golf Club and the competitors for the inconvenience and disappointment,” said Susan Simpson, the LGU’s Director of Championships (picture above by Tom Ward).
The tournament was first played at The Berkshire Golf Club in 2002 and was for players aged over 25 years. The trophy, donated in memory of the late Angela Uzielli, will now be presented for the lowest score returned by an over-25 player in the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club discontinued the British men’s mid-amateur championship this year. Also for over-25s, it was started in 1995 and was played for the last time in 2007.

Annika Sorenstam motivates

new champion Anna Nordqvist

to keep improving

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
New British women's open amateur champion Anna Nordqvist will turn professional in two years after she completes her degree course at Arizona State University.
Does the 6ft 1in blonde Swedish player see herself as the "new Annika Sorenstam" from 2010 and beyond?
"Obviously Annika has had an unbelievable career so far and she has really set the standard high for women's golf," said 21-year-old policeman's daughter Anna.
"But I don't think there will be a 'new Annika Sorensatam.' I think she was a one-off but I do believe that if I reach my full potential I will be able to compete against the best players in the world."
On the LPGA or Ladies European Tour?
"I think everybody agrees the best players in the world are to be found on the LPGA Tour and that's where I aim to be when I turn pro," said Anna (pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved).
"Annika has been the biggest inspiration for me growing up and I really admire her for her performances on the golf course. She really inspires and motivates me to get better. She has shown me and the rest of the golfing world that hard work pays off and that there are no short cuts to succes - and that is also the way I look at the game."
For Anna Nordqvist to reach three finals in a row in the British women's open amateur championship speaks volumes for (a) Her consistently high level of performance and (b) Her determination to succeed.
There are umpteen players who have done well in the "British" and returned to the championship the following year, hoping for more of the same ... and it doesn't happen. There is a degree of luck involved in a match-play tournament, from a player's position in the draw to the form of the players she comes up against.
Anna Nordqvist, who has a handicap of +4, has been able to navigate her way round the potential pitfalls in three successive championships. Which takes some doing.
And, she says, "All being well, I will be back to defend the title in Wales next year at Royal St David's Golf Club, Harlech."
Anna has been a British champion before North Berwick. She won the British girls' open title at West Hill, Sussex in 2005.

SLGA NOMINATE ANNABEL NIVEN TO
PLAY IN R&A JUNIOR OPEN

The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has nominated Annabel Niven, a member of Crieff Golf Club, to play in the R&A Junior Open golf championship at Hesketh, Lancashire from July 14 to 16.
Annabel, whose family home is at Tibbermore to the west of Perth, is the 16-year-old sister of Roseanne Niven, Scottish girls' champion in 2006 and a semi-finalist in the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick last weekend.
The R&A competition, which draws competitors from around the world, is for boys and girls aged 16 and under.
Those with handicaps of three and under play 54 holes, those with higher handicaps play 36 holes.
After the tournament is finished, the R&A give all competitors the opportunity to attend the Open championship at nearby Royal Birkdale.

Annika will become an ambassador

for United States Golf Association

Annika Sorenstam, who is retiring at the end of the LPGA Tour season, is to become a United States Golf Association ambassador, involved in the Rules of Golf and with programmes to grown the game.
"Annika has earned a rare place in golf's history, and we are very privileged to bring her aboard the USGA," president Jim Vernon said.
The 37-year-old Swede is retiring after this year and looking forward to her work with the USGA. Sorenstam long has been a whiz with the rules, one of the few players on any tour who has attended the USGA rules seminars.
"It is the opportunity to help grow the game, especially among junior golfers, that I think is most exciting for me," Sorenstam said. "Golf has always been a very important part of my life, and I see this as a great opportunity to give something back to the game that has given me so much."

Fiona Anderson shares lead

in English senior

women's stroke-play

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S

GOLF ASSOCIATION

Four players share the lead after the first round of the Senior Women’s English Stroke-play Championship at Beau Desert Golf Club, Staffordshire.

Lancashire’s Fiona Anderson (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved), a former Scottish women's champion, set an early target of six-over par 77 when she set out in the third group, and she was never bettered. Instead she was joined by Norfolk’s Jo Ashmore, Surrey’s Rozalyn Adams and Yorkshire’s Carolyn Kirk.

The quartet enjoy a three-shot lead over their closest challengers.

Jo Ashmore, who is making her seniors’ debut this year, commented afterwards: “It was difficult out there. This isn’t a course where you can let rip, you have to play your way round it and the greens are very big – some are 40-yards long.

“On the back nine the wind got up and made it even more difficult. You had to be quite sharp to get the right club. It’s a very challenging course – and an excellent one, it’s got to be one of the best I have played.”

Jo, a past Norfolk champion from Barnham Broom, played steadily and helped her score with an eagle 3 on the long fifth, where she hit a three-iron to within 8ft, and a birdie on the short 10th, where her six-iron finished 2ft from the hole.

Three shots behind the leading foursome are Kent’s Geraldine Bray, a past winner of this title, and Felicity Coulter from Surrey. Defending champion Sue Dye – who also won the English seniors’ title earlier this season – scored 83 and is in a group sharing 13th place.

Division B, for players with handicaps seven to 15, is also led by a group of four players who all shot 84. They are: Sue Mayman (Bedale), Sue McKeon (Harleyford) José Kellenberger (Camberley Heath) and Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies).

After the second round the top 16 players from each of the two divisions will go forward to play the final round on Thursday.

Championship leading scores:

77 Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies), Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom), Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court), Carolyn Kirk (Ganton).

80 Geraldine Bray (Littlestone), Felicity Coulter (Banstead Downs).

81 Chris Quinn (Hockley), Sue Ellis (Ferndown), Janet Collingham (Sherwood Forest), Liz Moverley (Copt Heath).

82 Christine Stirling (Meon Valley), Pat Wrightson (Huddersfield).

83 Lorraine Richardson (Ashley Wood), Sue Westall (Copt Heath), Sue Dye (Delamere Forest), Vivien Saunders (Cambridge National).

84 Carole Weir (Beaconsfield), Barbara Cheetham (Chester-le-Street), Luci Foster (Bramhall).

Full details and hole-by-hole scoring: www.englishwomensgolf.org
Lyndsey Hewison

Press & PR Officer

Carmel Cahill sets pace in Irish

senior women's championship

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) fired a four over par 77 in wet and blustery conditions to lead the field after the first of two qualifying rounds at the ILGU’s Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club today.

In the worst of the afternoon conditions, Cahill started brightly and a birdie on 9 helped repair the damage of a nasty double-bogey on eight to turn two over par. A further birdie on 14 saw her steady the ship to return in 38 and lead the field by one stroke.
Next best is the defending champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) who has no intentions of relinquishing her title easily. A birdie on eight saw her turn level par and lead the field after a further birdie on thirteen.

However, back to back double bogeys on fifteen and sixteen blemished an otherwise perfect start to her title defence.
One shot further back is Valerie Hassett (Ennis) who birdied nine, thirteen and fourteen but encountered difficulties with the fast greens in blustery conditions.
Elsewhere, seasoned Internationals Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange), Eileen MacMullen (Donegal), Mary McKenna (Donabate), pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved), and Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) are well placed to challenge the first-round leaders for the top spots in the qualifying on Wednesday evening.
Competitors will play a final 18 holes qualifying on Wednesday, after which the top 16 qualify for match-play on Thursday with the final scheduled for Friday afternoon.
SCOREBOARD

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Hollystown Golf Club.
77 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage)
78 Mary Madden (Ballinasloe)
79 Valerie Hassett (Ennis)
81 Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange)
82 Eileen MacMullen (Donegal) Pauline Walsh (Headfort) Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel)
83 Mary McKenna (Donabate) Rhona Brennan (Bandon) Mary Mather (Cill Dara)
84 Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine) Helen Jones (Strabane)
85 Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort) Kay McCartan (Greenore) Noreen Granard (Portarlington)
86 Val Shannon (Douglas) Mary Geaney (Killarney) Anna Moloney (Clonmel) Roma English (Larne) Catherine Bird (Nenagh)
87 Laura Tolan (Co. Meath) Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook)
89 Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush) Catherine Carty (Tullamore) Pamela Morgan (Lahinch)
90 Madeline Brennan (Carlow) MAry McCabe (Headfort)
91 Anne Heffernan (Hollystown) Anna Somers (Cill Dara) Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) Mary McGoey (Greenore) Dinah Campion (The Heath)
92 Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush) Marie McIntyre (Occoneechee)
93 Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk) Mai McCann (Narin & Portnoo)
94 Sighle Henigan (Ballybunion)
95 Rita McNamara (The Heath) Nano Brennan (Elm Park)
97 Mary Kidney (Headfort)
100 Anne Stewart (Belvoir Park) Woody Collins (Hollystown)
103 Bridget O'Brien (Tipperary) Patsy Butler (Headfort)
104 Marie McGrattan (Ardminnan).

107 Audrey Burke (Hollystown)
110 Joan Buckley (Ballybunion)
112 Anne Crotty (Tipperary)

Mary Smith lowers Bonar Bridge record

and then Ann Macrae equals it

By ROBIN WILSON

Tain's Northern Counties team player Mary Smith lowered the women's course record of the Bonar Bridge-Ardgay golf course by one shot when spearheading her club to an eighth consecutive scratch win in the Ross–Sutherland women's inter-club team competition.
The previous record at Bonar Bridge was 77, set last year by Thurso's Eileen Manson in a similar event between the clubs of Caithness and Sutherland.
To Smith's 76 was added her sister Anne Ryan's 80, and their niece Sammy Vass's 79, for a three-score total of 235 to beat the Brora team total of 247 by 12 shots and win the G A Gordon Trophy.

Julie Vass completed the Tain team of four but her score of 82 did not count.
The Brora team members' total of of 247 for runner-up place came from Brora club champion Lesley Beaney (78), Ann Robertson (81) and Susan Smith (88). Fourth member Pat Ashe's card of 89 did not count.
Later in the day Golspie's Ann Macrae's equalled the new record for a net 65 of a handicap of 11 to help Golspie win the A B Connon Trophy for the first time since 1999.

Macrae's team-mates were Sheila Robertson, net 68 of 12, and Helen Ewan, also a net 68 off 16, for their three-score total of 199. Golspie's fourth player was Fiona More whose net 75 off 21 was not required.

Royal Dornoch were runners up with a net total of 208. Scorers: Moira Rennie (19) 72, Margo Smedley (22) 72 and Irene Hart (24) 64. Their non-counting score was Pam Moscati's 73 off 19.

++The Scottish Ladies Golf Union has confirmed that the first 76, from Mary Smith, gets recorded as the course record and Anne Macrae's later 76 equals it.
Smith's figures for the nine-hole course were:

5-4-2-5-4-3-4-3-5: 35
4-4-4-5-6-4-6-4-4: 41
Total 76.
Macrae's equalling scorecard read:

4-4-4-4-6-4-4-3-5: 38
4-5-3-5-5-5-4-3-4: 38
+Above picture (by Robin Wilson, all rights reserved): Tain's Mary Smith and Anne Ryan (back) with the handicap trophy winners Golspie in front of them. Golspie line-up, left to right, Sheila Robertson, Ann Macrae, Fiona More and Helen Ewan.

Vikki's grand putting performance

American Futures Tour second-year member Vikki Laing got her putter rolling to win the Tour’s “YES! Golf One Grand Challenge” and with it a $1,000 first prize in Decatur, Illinois.

The Musselburgh exile holed a 35-foot putt to edge Rebecka Heinmert of San Jose, California., and two other past “One Grand Challenge” winners, Caroline Larsson of Stockholm, Sweden and Janell Howland of Boise, Idaho in a play-off.

The putting competition is offered only to players who use a YES! Golf C-Groove putter in competition and offers a $1,000 cash prize to the player who wins.
“It’s a really good bonus because winning this contest pays a month’s rent,” said Vikki who has used a Tracy II YES! Golf C-Groove putter for a year and half. “Plus, it gets you into the mentality of thinking about scoring.”

Winning Highland pair, Kelsey MacDonald from Nairn and Sammy Vass from Tain, with tournament sponsor Paul Lawrie and Scottish Schools Golf Association secretary Dorothy Scott (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved). Click on the image to enlarge it.

Switch over to http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ to see the images of the schoolboys' leading prizewinners.

Paul Lawrie Scottish schools championships

Scoreboard

BOYS

The Laird's Course, Inchmarlo Golf Centre.

CSS 71 70

137 C Robb (S Aberdeenshire) 67 70, S Strachan (N Aberdeenshire) 68 69 (Robb won sudden death play-off at first hole).

139 A Cappi (E Lothian) 70 69.

141 A Tester (Clackmannan) 69 72.

142 D Law (Aberdeen City) 71 71.

143 K McClung (Dumfries & Galloway) 70 73, O Huish (E Lothian) 70 73.

144 T Sharkey (W Dunbartonshire) 74 70.

146 P Shields (S Lanarkshire) 79 67, M Kelly (S Lanarkshire) 73 73, C Corbett (Dumfries & Galloway) 73 73.

147 S Gibson (Dumfries & Galloway) 78 69, R Pert (Angus) 73 74.

148 I Redford (Fife) 74 74, J Henry (W Dunbartonshire) 77 71.

149 C Bremner (S Aberdeenshire) 77 72, A Dunton (N Aberdeenshire) 78 71.

150 N Beattie (Fife) 73 77, J Arthur (Perth & Kinross) 70 80, D Gallagher (W Dunbartonshire) 76 74.

151 N McAndrew (Aberdeen City) 76 75, M Thomson (Dundee City) 72 79, L Reid (Highland) 75 76, C Stewart (Highland) 76 75.

152 S Fairbairn (Scottish Borders) 80 72, A Wiseman (N Aberdeenshire) 74 78, J Barrett (Stirling) 80 72.

153 K Howie (N Ayrshire) 79 74, M Bell (Perth & Kinross) 74 79, C Anderson (Glasgow) 81 72.

154 N Clenaghan (N Lanarkshire) 73 81, R Gillan (S Lanarkshire) 74 80.

155 C Trahan (S Aberdeenshire) 82 73, T White (Perth & Kinross) 80 75.

156 F Lawrie (N Ayrshire) 78 78, P Timmons (S Ayrshire) 77 79.

157 J White (Fife) 77 80, D Aitken (Glasgow) 79 78, L Allan (Clackmannan) 84 73.

158 R Forgie (Clackmannan) 80 78, C Bisset (Falkirk) 80 78.

159 C Maclean (N Ayrshire) 78 81, A Todd (Dundee City) 81 78, A Blaney (City of Edinburgh) 78 81.

160 J Treasurer (Highland) 79 81, M Murphy (Glasgow) 80 80, J Auchinvole (Falkirk) 80 80.

161 B Herriot (Scottish Borders) 80 81.

162 M Smith (S Ayrshire) 86 76.

164 R Beattie (Scottish Borders) 81 83, S Smith (Aberdeen City) 80 84, E Douglas (Stirling) 83 81.

165 J Westwell (E Lothian) 92 73, D Don (Stirling) 84 81.

166 S McGregor (Angus) 85 81.

167 C Norman (N Lanarkshire) 89 78.

168 S Campbell (N Lanarkshire) 86 82.

182 J Aird (City of Edinburgh) 92 90.

BOYS' TEAM

436 Dumfries & Galloway.

438 North Aberdeenshire.

441 South Aberdeenshire.

442 West Dunbartonshire.

446 South Lanarkshire.

447 East Lothian.

455 Fife.

456 Clackmannan.

457 Aberdeen City.

458 Perth & Kinross.

462 Highland.

468 North Ayrshire.

470 Glasgow.

477 Scottish Borders.

489 North Lanarkshire.

NRs Dundee City, Angus, City of Edinburgh, South Ayrshire.

GIRLS

143 K MacDonald (Highland) 71 72.

148 E Briggs (Renfrewshire) 73 75, J Meldrum (E Dunbartonshire) 73 75.

149 L Atkins (Scottish Borders) 77 72.

152 R Watton (City of Edinburgh) 75 77.

154 S Leslie (S Aberdeenshire) 76 78.

155 S Vass (Highland) 82 73, R Wilson (Angus) 79 76.

156 G Scanlan (S Lanarkshire) 77 79.

157 A Smth (Dundee City) 80 77.

158 R McQueen (S Ayrshire) 78 80, J Graham (Dumfries & Galloway) 80 78.

160 A Niven (Perth & Kinross) 81 79.

161 C Easton (City of Edinburgh) 78 83, A McKechin (Renfrewshire) 77 84.

162 L Allan (N Ayrshire) 80 82, L McGillivary (S Aberdeenshire) 84 78, R Polson (Aberdeen City) 80 82.

163 G Simpson (City of Edinburgh) 82 81.

164 I Craigie (Scottish Borders) 81 83, T MacTaggart (Scottish Borders) 80 84.

165 S Cameron (E Lothian) 82 83.

166 Z Differ (N Lanarkshire) 80 86, G Arnott (N Ayrshire) 82 84, K McIntosh (Midlothian) 82 84, K Scott (E Dunbartonshire) 83 83.

167 J Vass (Highland) 87 80, L Duncan (S Aberdeenshire) 76 91, N Wilson (Glasgow) 81 86, J Meek (Angus) 83 84.

168 A Summers (Dundee City) 88 90.

169 L Meldrum (E Dunbartonshire) 82 87, H McCook (Highland) 85 84, L Cosh (Glasgow) 83 86.

170 N McLuckie (N Lanarkshire) 89 81.

171 L Smith (Dundee City) 86 85, K Vannet (S Aberdeenshire) 86 85.

173 N Taylor (Fife) 89 84, E Bisset (Glasgow) 86 87.

174 C Prouse (Aberdeen City) 92 82, A Alston (Angus) 87 87.

175 F Fullerton (N Aberdeenshire) 89 86.

176 C Tait (Fife) 92 84, N Qayum (Renfrewshire) 85 91.

177 K Seam (S Aberdeenshire) 91 86.

179 S Munro (Fife) 89 90.

180 M McKay (N Ayrshire) 93 87, L Stevenson (Glasgow) 96 84.

181 H Peebles (Dundee City) 92 89, H Scott (City of Edinburgh) 83 98.

182 A King (Dumfries & Galloway) 91 91, K Reid (Dundee City) 92 90.

185 A Mitchell (Scottish Borders) 97 88.

187 C Freeburn (N Lanarkshire) 94 93.

188 K MacCallum (N Aberdeenshire) 90 98.

190 A Tait (Fife) 95 95.

192 E Aird (Perth & Kinross) 100 92.

210 M Aird (Perth & Kinross) 107 103.

GIRLS TEAM

298 Highland.

313 Scottish Borders.

315 City of Edinburgh.

316 South Aberdeenshire.

317 East Dunbartonshire.

324 Renfrewshire.

328 North Ayrshire.

329 Angus.

336 Aberdeen City.

338 Dundee City.

340 Dumfries & Galloway.

347 Glasgow.

349 Fife.

353 North Lanarkshire.

363 North Aberdeenshire.

370 Perth & Kinross.

NR East Lothian.

Kelsey MacDonald (Highland and Nairn Dunbar GC) with the Paul Lawrie Scottish schoolgirls championship trophy. She is flanked by Dorothy Scott, secretary of the Scottish Schools Golf Association, and tournament sponsor Paul Lawrie (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved). Click on the image to enlarge it.

CHRIS ROBB AND KELSEY MACDONALD

WIN PAUL LAWRIE SCHOOLS TITLES

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

North and North-east players dominated the Paul Lawrie Scottish schools golf championships played over the Banchory and Inchmarlo courses today.

Chris Robb (South Aberdeenshire), playing over his home Inchmarlo course, claimed the national schoolboys title after a play-off with Sam Strachan (North Aberdeenshire).

They tied for the top spot on 137, Robb with rounds of 67 and 70, Strachan with 68 and 69.

In the first hole of the sudden-death play-off, Strachan, first off the tee, found a bunker with his driver.

Robb, using his local knowledge, played safe with a five-iron off the tee, hit the middle of the green with his second and holed a 5ft putt for a winning birdie 3.

Full Scotland international Kelsey MacDonald, and member at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club and representing Highland Schools, won the girls' title with steady scores of 71 and 72 for a 143 total over the Banchory Golf Club course..

Kelsey covered the first 18 holes in little over 2hr 30min and she went on to win her first national title by five strokes from Eilidh Briggs (Renfrewshire) and Jill Meldrum (East Dunbartonshire) who both totalled 148.
Eilidh was officially placed second on a countback that went to the last six holes of the second round.
Thanks to Kelsey MacDonald and Sammy Vass's efforts, Highland won the girls' team trophy by 15 shots from Scottish Borders (Lesley Atkins and Isla Craigie) with City of Edinburgh (Gillian Simpson and Rachael Watton) third on 315.
Dumfries and Galloway (Scott Gibson, Kyle McClung and Chris Corbett) won the boys' team championship with a total of 436.
North Aberdeenshire (Adam Dunton, Alexander Wiseman and Sam Strachan) were runners-up on 438 with South Aberdeenshire (Chris Robb, Chris Bremner and Callum Trahan) third on 441.
=====================================================================

APOLOGIES TO KELSEY MACDONALD

& BANCHORY GOLF CLUB

Colin Farquharson very much regrets the wording of his earlier report that Kelsey MacDonald "hated" the Banchory course and apologises unreservedly to her and Banchory Golf Club for any embarrassment this has caused.

Kelsey has informed me that she has sent an apology to Banchory Golf Club.

My quote was taken out of context in that Kelsey had just come off the course after her first round and as she told me later :"I was frustrated, having birdied-bogeyed all the way round."

Kelsey has added the following:

"I have supported the Scottish schools event since I was in Primary 6 and was indeed honoured to win."

New golf programme for Orkney children


PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF
A new programme designed to encourage children in Orkney to develop an interest in golf and adopt a more active lifestyle has been launched at St Andrew’s Primary School in Tankermess.
The Orkney Junior Golf Action Plan is linked to Scotland’s National Junior Golf Development programme, clubgolf, a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, Professional Golfers Association, The Golf Foundation and sportscotland that aims to create the opportunity for every child to experience golf by age nine, and to increase junior participation in golf in Scotland.
The Orkney Junior Golf Action Plan aims to:
Introduce 500 nine year olds in Orkney to firstclubgolf (clubgolf’s introductory game, delivered in school) programme by 2009
Retain 140 nine to fifteen year olds in Orkney’s clubgolf programme from 2009
Increase the number of girls playing golf in Orkney by 10 percent in 2008 and also in 2009
Increase junior membership numbers at golf clubs
Develop and sustain a base of qualified volunteer coaches, increasing the opportunity for children to sustain an interest in golf
Create a facility infrastructure for golf development which supports increased participation at club level.
The Orkney Junior Golf Action Plan is already making its mark. Stimulating the interest within local schools is clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf. Launched by former Open Champion, Paul Lawrie, firstclubgolf uses multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets to give nine year olds an enjoyable and safe first experience of the game within the boundaries of the school.
In 2007 alone, 26,000 nine year olds in Scotland were introduced to golf through firstclubgolf. Thirteen schools on Orkney - St Andrews Primary School is one of them – are teaching firstclubgolf to 271 of their Primary 5 children this summer. The game is being delivered by Active Schools and Sports Development Teams from Orkney Islands Council, with the support of school PE staff.
Three local clubs are now equipped to continue these children’s golf education with clubgolf junior programmes.
Stromness Golf Club’s clubgolf coaching attracts up to 22 children each week. Six of the Club’s members have become fully qualified PGA Level 1 coaches and are delivering clubgolf Stage 1, a 40 hour course covering the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette.
On the course that opened just three years ago, South Ronaldsay Golf Club has started clubgolf coaching this summer. The Club’s four PGA Level 1 qualified coaches also ran winter indoor coaching at the local youth club, where nets and putting mats were funded by sportscotland.
Geographically between these two clubs is Orkney Golf Club, which has run a clubgolf programme for the past three years. Fourteen PGA Level 1 coaches (four of them qualified at Advanced level) and a support team of 40 helpers coach nearly 70 children each week.
“The clubgolf coaching really took off last year,” said Junior Convenor Ali Learmonth. “It’s improving their abilities and increasing the number of kids that are playing in competitions. This year 34 children entered our first Open, compared to the beginning of last year where just three kids came to our first Open competition. I think the number of children entering our competitions could well double next year.
“Junior coaching has always been taught at our club by one or two people, but not structured as it now is or to so many juniors. We didn’t have a Pro up here but now we have a strong team of coaches we ensure that the children learn the fundamentals right from the start.
“Once the members saw the difference it was making to the juniors and how much they were enjoying it, more started coming on board to coach and help.
“Over the past couple of years we have brought several of our juniors up to the standard of being able to play in men’s 18 handicap competition, the youngest being just 12 years old. This would not have happened without our clubgolf coaching.”
The Club is working with sportscotland to provide new junior practice facilities: a three-bay indoor practice area with a video analysis system which will link to a Professional PGA Coach on the mainland for remote coaching is planned; four shortened junior holes; and a two bay outdoor practice net and an extension to the practice green.
Said Willie MacKay, Highland and Islands clubgolf Manager: “From the first meetings I had with staff at Orkney Islands Council and with the three golf clubs the level of co-operation and excellent communication have been strong features.
“As soon as we had qualified coaches plans were in place for training staff to deliver firstclubgolf and Open Days at each of the clubs were planned so that they did not clash.
“For a time the rapid growth in junior numbers presented capacity issues but these were solved by good planning and training extra coaches. With several coaches now qualified to deliver the clubgolf Stage 2 coaching programme we shall soon see more many juniors gaining handicaps.
“Last year 16 juniors from Orkney Golf Club made the Pentland Firth crossing to play in the Wick Golf Club Junior Open. The indoor golf practice nets and Huxley Putting has generated phenomenal interest and the South Ronaldsay coaches have travelled extensively for other juniors to enjoy the facility. This, along with the plans that Stromness have for their juniors, will bring stability to all three junior sections.
“The challenge that remains is to take golf to the rest of Orkney and bring them into the development. Sanday, Westray and Papa Westray are in the plans for 2009.”

ROOKIE MAJOR WINNER YANI TSENG HEADS
TO THE 2008 RICOH WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IMG
Yani Tseng, the first Taiwanese winner of an LPGA Major, has confirmed she will be playing in the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Sunningdale Golf Club from 31 July to 3 August, 2008.

The 19 year old LPGA rookie announced her arrival on Tour earlier this year with two second place finishes in her first six starts, before winning the second Major of the year, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola. Yani was undaunted playing her final round with World Number 1 and Ricoh Women’s British Open defending Champion, Lorena Ochoa, before defeating Maria Hjorth at the fourth of a hole by hole play off with a birdie.

Yani turned professional in 2007, winning on both the Asian and Canadian Tours before joining the LPGA Tour following a successful visit to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament last autumn. She is the second youngest player to win a Major (Morgan Pressel won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship aged 18 years 10 months). Lorena Ochoa, who was trying to win her third consecutive Major, finished in a tie for 3rd place, with Annika Sorenstam, who will be hoping to add one more Ricoh Women’s British Open title to her amazing haul before retiring at the end of the year.

Yani, clearly enjoying every minute of her success, enthused, “I can’t wait to come to the UK for the Ricoh Women’s British Open. It will be a very different experience for me now that I am a Major Champion as there will be huge expectations on me to do well, but I think I will handle it just fine. It is really exciting as it will be my first time playing in the Women’s British Open and it will be only my fourth time playing in a Major, but I think I will stand a little taller on the first tee with the confidence last weekend’s win has given me.”

Steeped in history and the only Major to take place outside of the USA, the 2008 Ricoh Women’s British Open is set to be one of the highlights on this year’s golfing calendar, with 144 players from around the world competing for a total prize fund of GBP£1,050,000 (US$2,100,000).

With the race for qualification for the 2008 Championship very much underway and entries closing on 1st July 2008, there are number of players who can relax, having already secured their place in a line-up that is starting to resemble a who’s who of women’s golf.

Former Champions at Sunningdale, Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak and Karen Stupples, qualify as former winners of the event, as does World Number 2, Annika Sorenstam who won the title in 2003. World Number 4, Paula Creamer, Japan’s Yuri Fudoh - the World Number 22 and Miki Saiki - the World Number 28, have also qualified with top 15 finishes at the 2007 Championship. So too have Scottish stars Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay, while the 2007 Amateur Medal Winner, England’s Melissa Reid, who has built on her magnificent performance finishing tied 16th at last year’s Championship, looks set to qualify through the LET money list on which she is currently ranked 7th.

The top five players on the 2008 JLPGA money list as of today, Monday 16th June 2008, have also qualified. They are Sakura Yokomine, Ji-Hee Lee, Eun-A Lim, Bo-Bae Song and Yukari Baba.


The Ricoh Women’s British Open is the most international of all the Majors. Millions tuned into the 2007 Championship in August as it was televised around the world, including on the BBC in the UK, ABC network television in the USA and on TV Asahi in Japan.

Sunningdale Golf Club has a rich heritage of hosting professional and amateur events, including the Women’s British Open on three occasions, 1997, 2001 and 2004, as well as the European Open, the inaugural Seve Trophy and the Walker Cup.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1976, has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and gained Major status in 2001. The event is managed and implemented in conjunction with IMG, the world’s largest sports marketing company.

For more information, including the latest news and advance ticket offers, please visit http://www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com/ or call our ticket line on +448719459421.

England name six for European
women's team championship

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The English Women’s Golf Association has named a strong side of internationals for the European ladies’ team championship at Stenungsund, Sweden, from July 8-12.
The team, captained by Sally Watkins (Teignmouth) is: Hampshire’s Liz Bennett and Kerry Smith, Yorkshire’s Naomi Edwards and Jodi Ewart, Staffordshire’s Rachel Jennings and Lancashire’s Florentyna Parker.
The reserve is Durham’s Ellie Givens. Liz Bennett, Jodi Ewart and Florentyna Parker were all members of the 2008 GB&I Curtis Cup team, while Rachel Jennings – the French lady junior champion – was a reserve.
Jodi, who is the English stroke-play champion, reached the last 16 in last week’s British championship while Florentyna was the runner-up in the recent English championship. Naomi Edwards and Kerry Smith are both past Curtis Cup players and English champions.
Team:
Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).
Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
Jodi Ewart (Catterick).
Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton).
Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale).
Kerry Smith (Waterlooville).
Reserve:
Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange).
Lyndsey HewisonPress & PR Officer

Strathaven Golf Club Centenary celebrations

Dressing up for the occasion at Strathaven Golf Club for shotgun hickory Stableford competitions. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Hickory victory for Elspeth

Thomson and Dick Walker

Strathaven Golf Club celebrated its 100th birthday last Friday with a number of nine-hole shotgun Stableford competitions throughout the day.

The competitors used hickory-shafted clubs and were dressed in 1908 costumes. The overall winners were Elspeth Thomson and Dick Walker with 22 and 20 Stableford points respectively for nine holes.

They are thinking of selling their Callaways and reverting to Hickory clubs (not that they used them in the past).

+Editorial and images provided by Jean MacIntyre.

Rookie Vicky Hurst wins again on

United States Futures Tour

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY DURAMED FUTURES TOUR
DECATUR, Illinois. Instead of taking a bite out of a jalapeno pepper, rookie Vicky Hurst of Melbourne, Florida, celebrated her second professional win by donning the champion's navy-blue blazer. Hurst overcame a four-shot deficit on Sunday to claim top honours and a sponsor exemption to the LPGA State Farm Classic at the $115,000 Michelob ULTRA Duramed Futures Players' Championship.
Tied for third when the final round began, Hurst was down by four shots to M.J. Hur of Seoul, South Korea, to start the day and won by as many strokes, carding the tournament's lowest round at five-under-par 65 with runner-up Sarah-Jane Kenyon of Queensland, Australia.

Hurst, pictured above, finished the week at 272 (-8), while Kenyon finished four shots back with a four-round total of 276 (-4).
In addition to her victory at the Jalapeno Duramed Futures' Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas, Hurst joined second-year pro Mindy Kim of Diamond Bar, Calif., as the only two players this season to win two tournaments on the 2008 schedule. She also moved past Kim and Hur to take the top spot on the season money list, earning $16,100 for her victory.
"It feels really good coming from four shots back," said Hurst, the 2007 American Junior Golf Association Rolex Player of the Year. "From the very start I felt really comfortable with my game, and even with the rain delay today, I felt like I had the momentum and kept attacking pins and making birdies.
Hurst was awarded an additional $1,500 from Duramed's "Foundation 4 Success" program to help cover expenses for the LPGA's State Farm Classic in Springfield, Illinois on July 17-20.
What was of left of a large crowd that filled the grandstands on the 18th hole roared with applause when Hurst saved par with a 15ft putt after chipping from the back of the green on the fringe. With just two holes left for the final group of Hurst, Hur and Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ontario, an afternoon storm brewed that threatened to postpone final-round play.
Airhorns blared at 4:08 p.m. to suspend play because of lightning. A 38-minute delay ensued as 45 mph winds ripped through the area and rain dumped on the Hickory Point Golf Course momentarily. Hurst was on the 17th tee when the remaining two groups were escorted inside, but play was restaged 4:36 p.m.
Hurst didn't skip a beat after the storm delay and iced her win with a birdie on the 17th hole. She sprinkled in eight birdies amidst three bogeys, including back-to-back birdies on three occasions.

Hur, the reigning Louisiana Pelican Classic champion, saw a three-shot advantage evaporate by the fourth hole as rookie Sara Brown of Tucson, Ariz., came out with three birdies in her first four holes to claim a share of the lead.

Early-round struggles doomed Hur with four consecutive bogeys after a par on the first hole, giving Brown the lead for the first time since second-round play. Brown (69) and Hur (74) tied for third at 277 (-3), both earning $7,014.
Kenyon threw herself into the mix with three straight birdies while making the turn on the back nine. A tournament winner in 2005, Kenyon opened her day with a bogey on the first hole, but was flawless the rest of the way, making four birdies on the back nine to finish the day with six birdies.
"I really wasn't expecting too much at the beginning because I was playing well, but the putts weren't going in," Kenyon said. "I had some really good putts to finish before the storm hit, so that was really nice."
When Hurst wasn't satisfied with her putting following Saturday's third round, she consulted YES! Golf representative, Glen Kirk, who had given her a "Sandy" model, mallet-style putter earlier in the week. Kirk analyzed Hurst's motion and altered her stroke -- a teaching session that Hurst said helped her feel more comfortable with a forward press.
"Today, I really felt comfortable with my putter and making putts just felt easy," Hurst said. "I was making more birdie putts that I couldn't hit yesterday. I was just so confident with it today." Hurst birdied her first two holes to climb within one shot of Hur, but kicked it into high gear with whipping winds and approaching storms bearing down towards the latter part of the back nine, knocking in back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15.
Hurst will be competing in her third career LPGA event this week, accepting a sponsor exemption at the LPGA's Wegman's Classic in Pittsford, N.Y.
"I love playing in LPGA events," Hurst said. "I'm excited to see where my game is right now against the big girls."

The Futures Tour continues its Midwest Swing in Mason, Ohio, for the second annual Duramed Championship.

For complete scores and more information, visit http://www.duramedfuturestour.com/.

Weather at Sunday's play: Mostly sunny with a high of 87 degrees and light winds blowing southwest at 10-20 mph. Strong, scattered thunderstorms developing in the late afternoon with winds between 40-45 mph.

US Duramed Futures Tour Scoreboard
£115,000 MICHELOB ULTRA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Hickory Point Golf Course, Decatur, Illinois
FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70). 6223yd.
1 Vicky Hurst (Melbourne, Fla.) 69-70-68-65 - 272 $16,100.
2 Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Queensland, Australia) 70-71-70-65 - 276 $11,500.
T3 Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) 67-69-72-69 - 277 $7,014.
T3 M J Hur (Seoul, South Korea) 70-67-66-74 - 277 $7,014.
T5 Kristina Tucker (Stockholm, Sweden) 69-70-70-69 - 278 $3,784.
T5 Lisa Ferrero (Lodi, Calif.) 69-72-67-70 - 278 $3,784.
T5 Jessica Shepley (Oakville, Ontario) 66-73-67-72 - 278 $3,784.
T5 Song Yi Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 72-69-71-67 - 279 $2,557.
9 Katie Allison (Little River, S.C.) 68-72-69-71 - 280 $2,270.
T10 Jean Reynolds (Newnan, Ga.) 70-71-70-70 - 281 $1,896.
T10 Leah Wigger (Louisville, Ky.) 69-71-69-72 - 281 $1,896.
T12 Caroline Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) 72-71-70-69 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Tiffany Tavee (Tempe, Ariz.) 73-67-72-70 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, Mexico) 72-69-71-70 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Stephanie Otteson (Wilson, N.C.) 71-68-72-71 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Mindy Kim (Diamond Bar, Calif.) 74-68-69-71 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Michelle Jarman (Wilmington, N.C.) 67-72-71-72 - 282 $1,349.
T12 Hana Kim (Los Angeles, Calif.) 74-69-67-72 - 282 $1,349.
T19 Onnarin Sattayabanphot (Bangkok, Thailand) 70-75-71-67 - 283 $956.
T19 Kim Welch (Sacramento, Calif.) 75-70-70-68 - 283 $956.
T19 Chella Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 68-74-70-71 - 283 $956.
T19 Haeji Kang (Seoul, South Korea) 72-70-69-72 - 283 $956.
T19 Stephanie George (Myerstown, Pa.) 71-71-69-72 - 283 $956.
T19 Devan Andersen (Guadalajara, Mexico) 72-72-67-72 - 283 $956.
T19 Misun Cho (Cheongju, South Korea) 72-68-70-73 - 283 $956.
T27 Jin Young Pak (Kang Leung, South Korea) 73-68-68-74 - 283 $956.
T27 Angela Buzminski (Oshawa, Ontario) 75-69-71-69 - 284 $880.
T27 Brandi Jackson (Greenville, S.C.) 74-69-70-71 - 284 $880.
T27 Danah Ford (Indianapolis, Ind.) 70-70-70-74 - 284 $880.
30 Briana Vega (Andover, Mass.) 73-73-71-68 - 285 $857
T31 Christi Cano (San Antonio, Texas) 69-72-76-69 - 286 $822.
T31 Clarissa Childs (Glendale, Calif.) 70-73-74-69 - 286 $822.
T31 Hwanhee Lee (Las Vegas, Nev.) 70-74-73-69 - 286 $822.
T31 Jill Frantz (Iowa City, Iowa) 74-71-71-70 - 286 $822.
T31 Nari Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 72-71-72-71 - 286 $822.
T31 Eunjung Yi (Murrieta, Calif.) 70-75-70-71 - 286 $822.
T31 LeAnna Wicks (Brighton, Mich.) 73-71-70-72 - 286 $822
T38 Alissa Kuczka (Phoenix, Ariz.) 71-75-70-71 - 287 $784
T38 Stephanie Kim (a) (Orlando, Fla.) 73-72-70-72 - 287 $784
T38 Maru Martinez (Maracaibo, Venezuela) 73-72-70-72 - 287 $784.
T38 Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 73-72-70-72 - 287 $784.
T42 Yeon Joo Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 73-72-73-70 - 288 $754.
T42 Janell Howland (Boise, Idaho) 72-73-73-70 - 288 $754.
T42 Kim Augusta (Rumford, R.I.) 73-70-74-71 - 288 $754
T42 Mandy Goins (Frankfort, Ky.) 76-67-74-71 - 288 $754
T42 Shayna Miyajima (Maui, Hawaii) 75-71-71-71 - 288 $754
T42 Yoora Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 74-72-71-71 - 288 $754
T42 Sarah Olsen (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 72-68-72-76 - 288 $754
T49 Rachel Bailey (Faulconbridge, Australia) 73-73-71-72 - 289 $723
T49 Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) 72-73-71-73 - 289 $723
T49 Charlotte Campbell (Heathrow, Fla.) 72-75-69-73 - 289 $723
T49 Meghan Little (Sturgis, S.D.) 75-72-69-73 - 289 $723
T53 Kelly Lagedrost (Brooksville, Fla.) 71-75-75-69 - 290 $702
T53 Taya Battistella (Portland, Ore.) 69-77-74-70 - 290 $702
T53 Y. J. Jin (Seoul, South Korea) 72-73-74-71 - 290 $702
T53 Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Va.) 72-74-73-71 - 290 $702
T57 Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, British Columbia)73-74-72-72 - 291 $688
T57 Jeehae Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 73-73-72-73 - 291 $688
T59 Nicole Hage (Coral Springs, Fla.) 74-73-73-72 - 292 $677
T59 Jennifer Ackerson (Dallas, Texas) 71-76-72-73 - 292 $677
T59 Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 75-69-74-74 - 292 $677
T62 Gerina Mendoza (Roswell, N.M.) 71-73-76-73 - 293 $666
T62 Amanda Mathis (Opelousas, La.) 72-74-73-74 - 293 $666
T64 Morgan Olds (Stamford, Conn.) 72-75-75-72 - 294 $656
T64 Jana Peterkova (Czech Republic) 75-72-75-72 - 294 $656
T64 Bridget Dwyer (Kailua, Hawaii) 75-72-73-74 - 294 $656
67 Stacey Tate (Auckland, New Zealand) 69-74-79-73 - 295 $650
T68 Melissa Eaton (Port Shepstone, South Africa) 73-71-79-73 - 296 $642
T68 Ashley Gomes (Pleasanton, Calif.) 73-73-73-77 - 296 $642
T68 Eileen Vargas (Ibague, Colombia) 70-73-73-80 - 296 $642
T71 Anastasia Kostina (Nakhabino, Russia) 75-70-80-72 - 297 $635
T71 Esther Moon (Nashville, Tenn.) 71-76-78-72 - 297 $635
T71 Lili Alvarez (Durango, Mexico) 74-73-77-73 - 297 $635
T71 Brenda McLarnon (Belfast, N Ireland) 73-73-76-75 - 297 $635
T71 Jenna Pearson (Wheaton, Ill.) 73-70-74-80 - 297 $635
76 Noon Huachai (Bangkok, Thailand) 73-73-77-75 - 298 $632
77 Jessica Schneider (Elgin, Ill.) 73-73-78-81 - 305 $630
Missed Cut
Juli Erekson, Annie Young, Sae Hee Son, Whitney Wade, Perry Swenson, Courtney Erdman, Libby Smith, Tanya Dergal, Rachel Newren-Harmon, Sasha Medina, Kimberly Goedecke, Lisa Meldrum, Cindy Lee-Pridgen, Gina Umeck, Stella Lee, Sin Ah Ham, Carling Coffing, Elizabeth Stuart, Lehua Wise, Nara Shin (a), Sam White, Jeanne Cho-Hunicke, Kelly Froelich, Kellee Booth, Ulrika Ljungman-Smith, Manuela Tarazona, Kristen Samp, Chris Brady, Sunny Oh, Vikki Laing, Kylene Pulley, Lynn Valentine, Cindy Pasechnik, Andrea VanderLende, Jin Hyun Kim, Hannah Yun (a), Jaclyn Burch, Christine Cho, Jenny Gleason, Cristina Baena, Sofie Andersson, Marcela Leon, Lauren Todd, Christine Boucher, Courtney Mahon, Lorraine Ballerano, Rebecka Heinmert, Lori Atsedes, Maggie Simons, Adriane Duke, Pamela Feggans, Ashley Grier, Katie Fraley, Bing Lim, Ashley Knoll, Amber Prange, Rak Kyung Oh, Amy Schmucker, Kaitlyn Wampler (a), Alejandra Shaw, Mandi McConnell, Kate Stepanek, Eom Ji Park, Amanda McCurdy, Jenny Hansen, Katherine Hepler (a), Cortney Reno, ; DNS - Dana Je

Anne-Lise Caudal leads all the way

for first win in Portugal Open

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Anne-Lise Caudal from France shot a final round 70 to claim her first Ladies European Tour title at the Portugal Ladies Open in the Algarve region.
The 24-year old second year tour player mixed five birdies and two bogeys for a 16-under-par 203 total and a one-stroke victory over compatriot Gwladys Nocera (66) and England’s Georgina Simpson (68) at Quinta de Cima Golf Club.
Caudal led after all three rounds of the tournament. She set a course record nine-under-par 64 in the first round and added a four-under-par 69 on the second day. She began the final round with a one-stroke lead over Sweden’s Louise Stahle but was delighted that her room-mate for the week, current European No 1 Gwladys Nocera, came second because it meant that the duo’s plan for the day came off perfectly.
Caudal said: “When we arrived at the golf course today, she said to me, “Okay, one and two; first and second.” I said, “Okay, why not.” “When I saw her on the leader board I thought “Unbelievable”. She is unbelievable. She is a great player.”
Caudal was tied for the lead with Stahle after the Swede birdied the first hole in the final round. Caudal birdied the sixth hole but Stahle took a one-stroke advantage into the back nine after three more birdies at the second, third and sixth holes.
After Stahle bogeyed the 12th and 13th holes and Caudal birdied the 13th, the Frenchwoman took a two stoke lead but then dropped a shot at the 14th hole. She then birdied the 15th but three putted the par-three 17th for bogey.
She shared the lead with Nocera and Simpson at 15-under standing on the 18th tee. Stahle, on 14-under at this point, was still in the hunt and both players hit two superb shots to the green at the par five 18th.
Both players faced similar eagle putts of 20 feet each, with Stahle putting first, uphill. When she missed hers short, Caudal followed suit with her downhill putt. However, she rolled in her second shot from three feet for birdie sealing the victory and a first prize of €30,000.
She was then soaked in celebratory water by her fellow French players, as has become the tour tradition.
“Before I hit the drive I saw the leader board and I saw that Gwladys and Georgina were minus 15,” said Caudal, who hails from the town of Ciboure near Biarritz. “I said, “Okay, if you make a birdie you win so just put the ball on the green and two putt.”
When I putted my ball and I saw the second was very short, I said, “Okay now you can do it! Okay, just watch the hole and no more.”
Caudal’s victory saw the trophy remain in French hands for the third consecutive year after Sophie Giquel and Stephanie Arricau won in 2007 and 2006 respectively. It was also the third tournament this year to be won by a French player after Nocera won both the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and the ABN AMRO Ladies Open.
Nocera revealed how pleased she was to see her friend clinch the victory. “Anne-Lise is like a little sister on Tour and I’m really happy for her,” she said. “She is going to be in Evian and I think that’s great. She lost her card last year and now she wins a tournament. I think it’s good. It’s good for us because it’s good motivation to have the new ones kicking our butts.”
Caudal became the third first time winner in nine events on the 2008 LET schedule after Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin won the Garanti American Express Ladies Turkish Open and her compatriot Emma Zackrisson won the Ladies Spanish Open earlier this year.
It wasn’t only a French affair however. Georgina Simpson’s efforts at securing a first professional title meant that she was tied for the lead on 15-under after 15 holes, but a bogey at the par-3 17th-hole did not help her chances.
“Unfortunately I just had a little stumble on the way in,” said Simpson. “We didn’t drop a shot until 13, we three-putted 13 which I think was a little stumble. We had plenty of birdies and then unfortunately we missed the shot on 17 and put it in the bunker trying to go too much for the flag and the wind took it. I managed to birdie 18 and I played as well as I probably could on the day.
“It’s another second to add to my seconds and thirds. As long as I keep coming second and third, I’ll try and try and try and never give up on searching for that win.
“I’ve just been stressing over what should be where swing wise and putting. This week we’ve tried to take a step back and everything’s come together. We’ve almost had to take that step back to see it come together.
"It’s a weird way round but that’s golf. I’ve got to not overdo the thinking, stay positive and let it happen."
An impressive final round charge from Germany’s Martina Eberl saw her finish tied for fourth place with Stahle on 14-under-par. Eberl’s final round 67 included five birdies in her first six holes while Stahle signed for a 71.
Ireland’s Martina Gillen shot a final round 66 to finish alone on 13-under-par in sixth, which was her career best finish in a Ladies European Tour event.
Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin shared seventh with England’s Lisa Hall on 12-under-par. Italy’s Diana Luna was ninth on 11-under and Thailand’s Titiya Plucksataporn finished on 10-under-par in 10th.

Ladies European Tour Scoreboard
LADIES OPEN DE PORTUGAL
Quinta da Ria, Vila Nova de Cacela
Algarve, Portugal
FINAL TOTALS
Par 219 (3 x 73)
203 Anna-Lise Caudal (Fra) 64 69 70
204 Georgina Simpson 69 67 68, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 67 71 66
205 Louise Stahle (Swe) 66 68 71, Martina Eberl (Ger) 71 67 67
206 Martina Gillen 70 70 66
207 Lotta Maria Wahlin (Swe) 70 70 67, Lisa Hall 70 68 69
208 Diana Luna (Ita) 65 71 72
209 Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 72 69 68
210 Caroline Afonso (Fra) 69 70 71, Iben Tinning (Den) 68 73 69, Stefania Croce (Ita) 66 73 71, Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 74 68 68
211 Rachel Bell 67 73 71, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 66 72 73, Lynn t Brooky (Nzl) 71 70 70
212 Anja Monke (Ger) 73 65 74, Lydia Hall 71 72 69, Samantha Head 70 73 69, Sophie Sandolo (Ita) 69 69 74
213 Felicity Johnson 73 66 74, Laura Terebey (USA) 70 70 73, Kate Combes (Aus) 68 73 72, Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa) 68 69 76, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 71 72 70, Julie Tvede (Den) 68 77 68, Lisa Sorensen (Den) 70 72 71, Kirsty S Taylor 68 74 71, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 71 70 72, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 71 70 72
214 Lora Fairclough 69 73 72, Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa) 68 73 73, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 70 68 76, Rebecca Hudson 73 71 70
215 Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 73 70 72, Dana Lacey (Aus) 74 72 69, Lynn Kenny 74 68 73, Cassandra Kirkland (Fra) 69 70 76
216 Marta Prieto (Spa) 71 71 74, Joanne Morley 74 72 70, Nicole Garret (Aus) 68 72 76, Nina Reis (Swe) 70 71 75, Cecillia Ekelundh (Swe) 75 67 74, Denise Becker (Ger) 72 71 73, Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus) 71 75 70
217 Ana-Belen Sanchez (Spa) 71 75 71, Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 73 72 72
218 Nathalie David-Mila (Fra) 70 74 74, Danielle Masters 67 74 77, Becky Brewerton
71 73 74, Trish Johnson (USA) 75 71 72, Clare Queen 76 70 72
219 Sophie Walker 73 73 73, Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 73 73 73, Rebecca Coakley 72 73 74, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 75 71 73, Beatriz Recari (Spa) 77 67 75, Julie Greciet (Fra) 73 72 74
220 Laura Cabanillas Gomez (Spa) 74 72 74
221 Joanne Mills (Aus) 71 75 75, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 72 74 75, Lara Tadiotto (Bel) 72 72 77
223 Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 74 72 77
224 Maria Boden (Swe) 76 70 78
225 Camille Fallay (Fra) 74 72 79, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 75 70 80
226 Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 70 74 82

Anna Nordqvist, 2008 British women's open amateur champion at North Berwick (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved). Click on the picture to enlarge it.

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR ANNA
NORDQVIST IN A QUALITY FINAL

Anna Nordqvist is the new Ladies British open amateur champion. Having lost the past two finals, the 21-year-old Swedish player from Eskilstuna and a student at Arizona State University made no mistake this time round.
She beat 19-year-old compatriot Caroline Hedwall by 3 and 2, in a quality final which was all over inside three hours – very good golf at the gallop!
The match provided a bonanza of birdies, 10 in all, which is what you would expect from two so highly-rated players. Nordqvist has +4 of a handicap while Hedwall, who beat her twin sister Jacqueline in the morning semi-finals, has a rating of +5.4.
Nordqvist killed off home hopes of a first British title-winner since Rebecca Hudson in 2002 when she beat Roseanne Niven from Crieff by 2 and 1 in the penultimate round.It is Anna’s second “British” title. She won the girls’ championship at West Hill, Sussex in 2005.
With both players pulling their clubs and striding out at a fast pace, the good-sized gallery were hard pushed to keep up.
The fast pace of play did not affect the standard of scoring – anything but.
The first hole was halved in birdie 3s, Nordqvist knocking her approach to within a foot of the hole. Hedwall sportingly conceded the putt, confident that she was going to hole her own five-footer for a half … and she did.
Nordvist made it three birdies in a row when she holed a 6ft putt to win the second and then took the long third with a birdie 4 to go two up.
Hedwall stopped the slide with a birdie 2 at the short fourth and the next four holes were halved, the eighth in birdie 4s in a quality final played at an old fashioned brisk pace.
There was an out-of-character blip at the long ninth which was halved in bogey 6s, but Nordqvist, one up, had still reached the turn in three-under-par 34, thanks to four birdies. Hedwall, with a bag of three birdies, was an approximate two under par 35 for the first nine.
Nordqvist was off on the birdie trail again with a 3 at the 10th to go two up but Hedwall was back in contention again when she birdied the 12th to get back to one down.
But Nordqvist had even more birdies up her sleeve. She produced her sixth birdie to win the 13th and go two up with five to play.
After the 14th and 15th were halved, Nordqvist wrapped up the title at the 16th with a par 4 for a 3 and 2 win.
Anna was five under par for the holes played. Caroline was one under the card.
A bonus prize for Nordqvist is that she gains exemption from pre-qualifying for the Ricoh British Women's Open at Sunningdale at the end of July.

+Picture (by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved) shows Roseanne Niven with the trophy she received for being the semi-finalist beaten by the eventual champion.

"I didn't play as well as Anna Nordqvist as I had done in beating Azahara Munoz but I enjoyed the experience. Anna is a very good player," said Roseanne.

NORDQVIST TWO UP IN BRITISH FINAL

Anna Nordqvist was two up after 11 holes on fellow-Swede and top seed Caroline Hedwall in the 18-hole final of the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick this afternoon.
In a quality final played at a breakneck pace by modern standards - 90min for the first nine holes as both players pulled their own clubs - Nordqvist birdied the first, second, third, eighth, 10th and 11th.
Hedwall birdied the first, fourth and eighth to be one down at the turn and two down after 10.
The 11th was halved in par 5s.
Hedwall birdied the 12th to get back to one down but Nordqvist hit back with yet another birdie to go two up at the 13th ... two up with five to play!

Stirling & Clackmannan name
team for East Division title

Stirling & Clackmannan have named their team for the forthcoming East Division inter-county team championship. It is:
Linda Allan (Falkirk Tryst)
Elaine Allison (Stirling ) - Captain
Alison Davidson (Stirling)
Jill Harrison (Linlithgow)
Louise MacGregor (Falkirk)
Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst & Dunbracken Ladies)
Vicki Stevenson (Stirling)
Margaret Tough (Falkirk)
Reserve
Lesley Gibb (West Lothian)

Roseanne Niven beaten in semi-final

IT'S CAROLINE HEDWALL v ANNA
NORDQVIST IN ALL-SWEDEN FINAL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Top seed Caroline Hedwall from Sweden will play compatriot Anna Nordqvist, the seventh qualifier for the match-play stages, in this afternoon's 18-hole final of the Ladies British open amateur championship at North Berwick.
Caroline has a handicap of +5.4 while Anna has a rating of +4. Caroline Hedwall played 83 holes to reach the final; Anna Nordqvist played 79 holes.
Caroline beat 19-year-old twin sister Jacqueline, the 26th qualifier, by 4 and 3 with one-over-par figures. Seventh seed Anna beat 14th qualifier Roseanne Niven (Crieff) by 2 and 1.
It will be the first all-Swedish final in the history of the championship first played in 1893.
The last Swedish player to take the title was Louise Stahle in 2004 and 2005.
Whoever wins the final it will be the sixh year in a row the title has been won by a Continental player and the third consecutive final to feature two players from the Continent.
The 6ft 1iin Nordqvist, who had her 21st birthday on June 10 and was beaten in the 2006 and 2007 finals, becomes the fifth player to appear in three successive finals.
She follows in the footsteps of Lady Margaret Scott, who won the first three championships in 1893-94-95; Cecil Leitch, who won in 1914 and after the championship resumed following a hiatus for the World War I years, won again in 1920 and 1921; Pam Barton, who lost the 1934 and 1935 finals before winning in 1936, and Mickey Walker who won in 1971 and 1972 before losing the 1973 final.
The meeting of the Hedwalls was an historic occasion ... no twins had ever contested a British semi-final previously. Jacqueline led twice by one hole on the outward half, winning the first and the sixth with pars but Caroline won the third with a birdie 4 m the seventh with a par 4 and the eighth with a par 5 to be one up for the first time on the ninth tee.
Jacqueline had her third bogey in five holes to lose the 11th and go two down. She also bogeyed the 13th and 15th to lose both holes and the match by 4 and 3.
Caroline was approximately one over par to her sister's five over. They completed the 15 holes in just under three hours.
Nordqvist reached the turn in one-under-par 36 to be two up. She won the first with a conceded birdie and regained a one-hole lead with a birdie 4 at the third after the Scot had won back the second with a par 4.
Niven was conceded a birdie 3 to win the fifth and be back on level terms but Nordqvist quickly got back in the lead with a par at the sixth.
Nordqvist birdied the ninth to be out in 36 and two up.
Niven birfdied the short 10th to cut her deficit to one but her opponent was always quick to reply and she did it again with a birdie 4 at the 11th to regain a two-hole lead.
The Swede's advantage extended to three holes with a bogey 5 at the 13th but Roseanne was not finished yer. She chipped in for a birdie 2 at the 15th and holed a 4ft second putt to win the 16th.
One up on the 17th tee, Nordqvist sank a birdie putt to win that hole and the match by 2 and 1.
The tie had lasted under 3 1/2 hours. Nordqvist was approximately one under par, Niven two over.

Paul Laurie (Front row, centre), and local competitorsfrom Banchory Academy, Chris Robb (left), LouiseMcGillivray (right) and (Back row, left to right) Banchory GC secretary Bill Crighton, Inchmarlo Golf Centre chairman and Managing Director Johnathan Shelbourne and Banchory Golf Captain Jim Christie

Paul Lawrie Scottish schools championships
at Banchory & Inchmarlo on Monday
Young golfers from all over Scotland will be converging on Banchory on Royal Deeside today for tomorrow's Paul Lawsrie Scottish schools championship.
The Scottish schoolgirls championship will be played over 36 holes at Banchory Golf Club while the Scottish schoolboys' championship, also over two rounds, will be played over the Laird’s course at Inchmarlo Resort and Golf Club on the outskirts of Banchory.
The leading finishers in both sections will boost their claims of being selected for the schools internationals against England schools.
++You can read the Scottish schools championship results - with pictures - first on this website on Monday evening.

UPDATES FROM THE BRITISH WOMEN'S

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Caroline Hedwall bt Jacqueline Hedwall 4 & 3

Hole 1 Jacqueline won with 4 to 5. J Hedwall one up.
Hole 2 Halved in 4.
Hole 3: Caroline won with birdie 4. All square.
Hole 4: Halved in 3.
Hole 5: Halved in 4.
Hole 6: Jacqueline won with par 3. J Hedwall one up.
Hole 7: Caroline won with par 4. All square.
Hole 8: Caroline won with 5 to a 6. C Hedwall one up.
Hole 9: Halved in 5.

Caroline Hedwall out in one-over-par 38; Jacqueline in two-over-par 39.

Hole 10: Halved in 3.

Hole 11: Caroline won with 5 to 6. C Hedwall two up.

Hole 12: Halved in 4.

Hole 13: Caroline won with 4 to 5. C Hedwall three up.

Hole 14: Halved in 4.

Hole 15: Caroline won with 3 to 4. C Hedwall wins 4 and 3.

Anna Nordqvist bt Roseanne Niven 2 and 1.

+Roseanne pictured right, driving from first tee (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved).
Hole 1: Anna Nordqvist won with conceded birdie 3. Nordqvist one up.
Hole 2: Niven won with 4 to a 5. All square.
Hole 3: Nordqvist won with birdie 4. Nordqvist one up.
Hole 4: Halved in 3.
Hole 5: Niven won with conceded birdie 3. All square.
Hole 6: Nordqvist won with 3 to 4. Nordqvist one up.

Hole 7: Halved in 4.

Hole 8: Halved in 5.

Hole 9: Nordqvist won with birdie 4. Nordqvist two up.

Nordqvist out in one-under-par 36; Niven in one-over-par 38.

Hole 10: Niven won with birdie 2. Nordqvist one up.

Hole 11: Nordqvist won with birdie 4. Nordqvist two up.

Hole 12: Halved in 4.

Hole 13: Nordqvist won with bogey 5. Nordqvist three up.

Hole 14: Halved in 4.

Hole 15: Niven chipped in for birdie 3. Nordqvist two up.

Hole 16: Niven holed 4ft second putt for par 4 to win the hole. Nordqvist one up.

Hole 17: Nordqvist won with a birdie 3. Nordqvist wins by 2 and 1.

BRENDA QUALIFIES BUT DOWN THE
FIELD IN FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIP

Brenda McLarnon from Belfast, the only British player to qualify for the last two rounds of the Michelob Ultra Duramed Futures Tour Players' Championship, had a third-round 76 for 222 for joint 68th position.
South Korean rookie M J Hur leads by three on 203.
LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3 x 70)
203 M J Hur (South Korea) 70 67 66.
206 Jessica Shepley (Canada) 66 73 67.
207 Vicky Hurst (Florida) 69 70 68.
208 Lisa Ferrego (California) 69 72 67, Sara Brown (Arizona) 67 69 72.
Other score:
222 Brenda McLarnon (Belfast) 73 73 76.

Jocelyn lowers her Ladybank record

Scottish championship beaten finalist Jocelyn Carthew broke her own course record over her home course at Ladybank on Saturday.
Jocelyn shaved a shot off her previous mark of 69 with a three-under-par 68.
She had havles of 36 (level par) and 32 (three under par) against a CSS of 75.

Anna Nordqvist (left) from Sweden and Crieff's Roseanne Niven before the start of the second semi-final of the British women's open amateur championship at sunny North Berwick this morning (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved).

Swedish twins meet in British semi-final at North Berwick

Swedish 19-year-old twins Caroline (left) and Jacqueline Hedwall before the start of the first semi-final in the British women's open amateur golf championship at sunny North Berwick today (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved).