British champion Ciganda to join

Arizona State in January 2009

British women's open amateur champion Carlota Ciganda has signed a Letter of Intent to enrol at Arizona State University from the spring 2009 semester onwards, i.e. enrolling in January next year.

Ciganda, picture right by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved), is the No 1 female amateur in Europe, and comes from Pamplona, the bull-run city of northern Spain.

She will be 18 years old on June 1 and should be defending the "British" title at North Berwick from June 11 to 15 although there is no indication on the Ladies Golf Union website of her entry for this year's championship.

The fact that one of her best friends, Azahara Munoz, is already at student at Arizona State almost certainly tipped the scales in favour of the Sun Devils who were one of a long queue of American colleges offering her a full golf scholarship.

It is mot all that common for for a golf student to start in January - although Roseanne Niven did it at the University of California Berkeley. It probably underlines Arizona State University coaching staff's feeling that the arrival of such a talented player could be the final piece in the jigsaw for winning the NCAA women's championship - at the end of May - in 2009.

"On the golf course Carlota has an amazing presence and a maturity well beyond her years," said Arizona State head women's golf coach Melissa Luellen.

"She hits the ball a mile and has a terrific touch around the greens."
Ciganda has been the No. 1 ranked female amateur in Europe for the past two years. At the age of 14, she became the youngest player to win the European women's amateur championship.

"Look for her to vie for Freshman of the Year, Player of the Year and to be a first-team All-American," said Luellen. "Of course, she'll have to battle our current Sun Devils for some of those honors, especially her best friend Azahara Munoz."
Last June, at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds, Ciganda defeated Arizona State's own All-American Anna Nordqvist in the final of the 2007 British women's open amateur championship.

"The entire team is excited about Carlota joining the team," said Luellen. "With our returning players and our new freshman [Italy's Giulia Molinaro], the Sun Devils will definitely be turning heads."

SLGA Tournament Assistant

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Limited is the governing body for ladies’ and girls’ amateur golf in Scotland. Applications are invited for the following position which will be based in Perth.

TOURNAMENT ASSISTANT
(Full Time)

Applicants must be familiar with competitive golf. They should be self motivated but able to work as part of a team and have strong communication and organisational skills. Fully conversant with Microsoft Office the person appointed will assist the Tournament Officer in the administration for and delivery of the Association’s Championships and Competitions. Attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines are imperative. A full clean driving licence and willingness to work away from home are essential.

Salary and benefits package will be commensurate with experience.

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association is an equal opportunities employer.

Applications, in writing, accompanied by a curriculum vitae should be sent to:
Dr S E Hartley, The Company Secretary, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Limited, The Den, 2 Dundee Road, Perth PH2 7DW
marking the envelope Ref:TA Private & Confidential.
Email: sheila@slga.co.uk
Closing date for applications: 26 May 2008

Orkney girls test their clubgolf skills. Image by Janette Mackie.

Orkney junior programme to expand

By ROB EYTON-JONES

Orkney Golf Club’s junior section, which grew impressively as a result of beginning its clubgolf programme in 2007, is set for further expansion this year.
“We recently put through seven new PGA Level 1 coaches and trained four of them on the new Advanced Level 1 CPD Course,” said Janette Mackie, the Club’s Junior Administrator.
“Adding these to our existing coaches we now have ten PGA Level 1 qualified coaches and four PGA Advanced Level 1 qualified coaches. This has given Orkney Golf Club a junior pathway for development from beginner through to the stage where they can gain a handicap.”
The club’s PGA Level 1 coaches will teach Stage 1 of the clubgolf programme. This involves 40 hours of coaching delivered over two years, and covers the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette.
So keen are the coaches to generate interest in the programme, they have visited local primary schools this spring to help introduce clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, to Primary 5 children. Taught with multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets, firstclubgolf gives nine year olds an enjoyable and safe first experience of the game.
These children will now have the opportunity to progress their skills at the Club, which has almost 60 children enrolled on this year’s coaching courses and will include girls-only lessons.
The club is working with sportscotland to provide new practice facilities for its juniors. “We are looking at erecting 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,” said Mrs Mackie.
“We also have plans for four shortened junior holes, a two-bay galvanised outdoor practice net and to increase our practice putting green from four to nine holes.
“We will be actively working this year to provide these facilities for our juniors so any clever ideas, donations or business sponsorship would be very welcome.”
Said clubgolf’s Highland Regional Manager, Willie MacKay, who along with sportscotland’s Martin Bowie, travelled to Orkney at the end of last season to present prizes to the juniors, “After a very successful junior coaching season for Orkney Golf Club it was a real pleasure to attend their prize giving with so many juniors and parents present.
“Their youngsters are very fortunate in having so many adult members interested in their development. The 2008 junior season looks very promising with Orkney Golf Club now having coaches qualified to deliver the clubgolf Stage 2 coaching programme which should see several gaining their handicap.”

R&A BURSARS BETTY AND FOSTER
THIRD IN PERU TEAM EVENT

Stirling University student Paul Betty and Sam Foster (Exeter University), competing as the R&A Bursars team, finished third in the team event of the Manual Prado International men's amateur golf tournament at Lima Golf Club, Peru.
Betty came seventh and Foster 13th in a field of 64 players for the individual event for the Copa Carlos Raffo.
Leading results:
TEAM EVENT
574 Argentina: Julian Oscar Etulain & Tomas Cocha.
589 Costa Rica: Valentin Quiros & Alvaro Ortiz.
593 R&A Bursars: Paul Betty & Sam Foster.
608 Spain: Sergi Nogue & Ion Garcia Avis.
32 teams took part.
INDIVIDUAL EVENT
Par 288 (4 x 72)
284 Alvaro Ortiz (Costa Rica) 69 75 69 71.
Also:
294 Paul Betty (R&A Bursars) 73 74 74 73 (7th).
299 Sam Foster (R&A Bursars) 75 78 73 73 (13th).
64 players took part.

Danielle's solid start to Central

Regional Championship

Danielle McVeigh from Kilkeel, Northern Ireland and a student at Texas A&M University was joint 10th on one-under-par 71 after the first round of the NCAA Division 1 women's Central Regional college championship at the University of Texas course, Austin (par-72, 6301yd).

Danielle, winner of the women's world students golf title in Thailand last year and a candidate for Curtis Cup selection, had birdies at the fifth, ninth, 15th and 16th but bogeys at the first, 11th and 13th.

She was recently named to the Big-12 Conference women's team - a tribute to her consistent play all season.

England's Ellie Givens (Denver) opened with a double bogey 6 but compensated with an eagle at the 15th and a birdie at the long fifth. She did drop further shots at the seventh, 11th and 18th in returning a 74 for joint 30th position.

Tara Delaney (Kent State) from Carlow, Ireland, who lost her Curtis Cup place this year, had a 78 to be in joint 66th position. Tara had only six pars, birdieing the third, ninth and 14th and bogeying the remainder of the holes.

Twice past Welsh girls champion Lucy Gould (East Tennessee State) had double bogeys at the long fifth and the long 11th in halves of 39 and 41 for an 80 and a share of 81st place. Lucy did birdie the ninth and 10th.

Team-mate Sinead O'Sullivan from Galway had an 83 for a share of 97th place in a field of 108.

Sinead had a double bogey 6 at the fourth in halves of 41 and 42. She was nine over par after only 13 holes.

Spain's Maria Hernandez has a hole in one on her inward half, helping her to end the day in second place on 66, one off the pace being set by Maria Jose Uribe (UCLA).

LEADERBOARD

Par 72

65 Maria Jose Uribe (UCLA).

66 Maria Hernandez (Purdue).

67 Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian).

Other scores:

70 Caroline Westrup (Florida State) (jt 4th).

71 Danielle McVeigh (Texas A&M) (jt 10th).

74 Ellie Givens (Denver) (jt 30th).

80 Lucy Gould (East Tennessee State) (jt 81st).

83 Sinead O'Sullivan (East Tennessee State (jt 97th).

US college tournament news

Irish-born US Curtis Cup player shares lead in
California but Roseanne
has a quadruple bogey 8

Crieff's Roseanne Niven (University of California-Berkeley) had a disappointing start to the NCAA Division 1 women's West Regional championship over the par-72, 6338yd course at Lincoln Hills Golf Club, Sacramento in California.

The former Scottish girls champion ran up a quadruple bogey 8 at the par-4 13th and also dropped shots at the second, sixth, seventh, 10th, 14th and 17th in halves of 39 and 43 for a 10-over-par 82 and a share of 100th place in a field of 108.

Alison Walshe, pictured right, the Galway-born Irish girl who will be part of the United States team for the Curtis Cup match at the end of the month, is sharing the lead on 68 with Paola Moreno (Southern California).

Alison, a student at Arizona University, emigrated to America with her parents from Ireland before she was 10 years old. She had six birdies in her sparkling round, including four in a row from the eighth to the 11th.

US Curtis Cup team-mate Stacy Lewis (Arkansas) is one of four players in joint second place on 69.

English-born Hannah Bews (Portland State) is in joint 57th position after birdieing the first, eighth and 10th in a 76.

LEADERBOARD

Par 72

68 Alison Walshe (Arizona), Paola Moreno (Southern California).

69 Stacy Lewis (Arkansas), Azahara Munoz (Arizona State), Jaclyn Sweeney (Oklahoma State), Therese Koelbaek (UNLV).

Other score:

82 Roseanne Niven (California).

Fife girl has two-under-par 70 in Georgia

Krystle's good start to East
Regional championship

Curtis Cup-bound Krystle Caithness has made a good start to the NCAA Division 1 women's East Regional championship over her home University of Georgia course at Athens, Georgia.
The Fife girl, picture right from Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved), had a round of 70 over the par-72, 6,335yd course with birdies at the short third, short 13th, long 17th and long 18th. Her only bogeys came at the sixth and 11th.
America's No 1 Curtis Cup team player, Amanda Blumenherst (Duke University) was sharing second place with Belgian Benedicte Toumpsin (South Carolina), one shot behind the leader, Sara-Maude Juneau (Louisville University).
Another player bound for Curtis Cup action, Jodi Ewart (New Mexico University) from Yorkshire is back in a share of 38th place after a 76 which had no birdies, only pars and bogeys at the third, seventh,12th and 18th.
One shot ahead of Jodi was another English player, Anna Scott (Georgia State). Anna from Consett, Co Durham is in joint 31st place with halves of 37 and 38 for her 75. She birdied the foufrth and 13th.
Also on 75 is Channel Islander Olivia Jordan-Higgins (Charleston Southern). She had one birdie, at the 15th.
Portia Abbot (Jacksonville State) from Wiltshire is sharing 87th place with an 82 (40-42) which began brightly enough with a birdie at the first but she double bogeyed the third and bogeyed the fourth.
Team-mate Laura Cutler, also from England, had four double bogeys in halves of 41 and 45 for joint 104th position in a field of 108.
Yet another English-born player, Claire Starkie (Georgia State) from Skipton, Yorkshire, is on 83 and joint 95th place. She had halves of 40 and 43 with a triple bogey at the ninth, and double bogeys at the short eighth and long 18th. Claire did birdie the third.
Edinburgh-born Rebecca Watson (Tennessee), older sister of Curtis Cup selection Sally, had an 85 for joint 100th position. She had halves of 42 and 43, including double bogeys at the fifth, short eighth and long 17th.
LEADERBOARD
Par 72, 6335yd
67 Sara-Maude Juneau (Louisville).
68 Amanda Blumenherst (Duke), Benedicte Toumpsin (South Carolina).
69 Corrine Carr (Furman).
70 Krystle Caithness (Georgia), Cydney Clanton (Auburn), Kimberley Donovan (Duke).
Other scores:
75 Anna Scott (Georgia State), Olivia Jordan-Higgins (Charleston Southern) (jt 31st).
76 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) (jt 38th).
82 Portia Abbot (Jacksonville State) (jt 87th).
85 Rebecca Watson (Tennessee) (jt 100th).
86 Laura Cutler (Jacksonville State) (jt 104th).

Edimburgh inter-club tournament results

The three-day Edinburgh women's inter-club tournament began last night at Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club. Results:

FIRST ROUND
Lothianburn bt Merchants at 19th.
Ratho Park bt Royal Musselburgh 3 and 1.
Craigmillar Park bt Baberton 8 and 6.
Murrayfield bt Turnhouse 5 and 3.
Liberton beat Broomieknowe 2 and 1.
Musselburgh beat Prestonfield 10 and 8.
Kingsknowe beat Newbattle 10 and 8.
Glencorse beat Torphin Hill 11 and 10.

FRIDAY'S QUARTER-FINAL TEE TIMES
4.30 and 4.36: Lothianburn v. Ratho Park.
4.42 and 4.48: Craigmillar Park v. Murrayfield.
4.54 and 5.0: Liberton v. Musselburgh.
5.06 and 5.12: Kingsknowe v. Glencorse.

LGU Medal North Final

DOUBLE WHAMMY BY FORFAR
PLAYERS AT MONIFIETH

Forfar Golf Club players pulled off a double victory in the LGU Medal North Final over the Monifieth links today (Thursday).
Sarah Chapman won the Silver Division with a net 72 off 13 of a handicap.
Joan Spankie led the Bronze Division with a net 74 off 22 and a better inward half than two other players who had the same net total.
The first three players in each division qualified for the LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff Golf Club on Sunday, June 8.
Prizewinners at Monifieth (CSS 75):
Silver Division - Sarah Chapman (Forfar) (13) 72; Elizabeth Milligan (Dunblane New) (17) (better inward half), Jane Tough (Edzell) (4) 74; Jackie Brown (Whitemoss) (4) 75 (bih).
Bronze Division - Joan Spankie (Forfar) (22) (bih), Lynn Cameron (Muthil) (17) (bih), Kitty Drever (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (33) 74; Angela Dutch (Downfield) (22) 75.

MIDLAND VETS BEAT NORTHERN AT GLENISLA

Midland beat Northern 5-2 in an inter-divisional Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association match at Glenisla Golf Club, Alyth today .
Results (Midland players first):
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) bt Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose) 1 hole.
Fiona De Vries (St Rule) bt Heather Andereson (Downfield) 2 and 1.
Katherine Keir (Elie) lost to Sue McGregor (Edzell) 4 and 3.
Emma Wilson (Elie) bt Ann Smart (Banchory) 1 hole.
Sandy Bushby (Strathmore) lost to Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 2 and 1.
Mary Hope (Blairgowrie) bt Ros Dunsmuir (Cruden Bay) 2 holes.
Margaret Tough (Falkirik) bt Frances Neish (Forres) 6 and 5.

Report from Ladies European Tour

A Lotta good golf for

Wahlin to get some
Turkish delight

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE:
Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin took a two-shot lead after the first round of the Garanti American Express Turkish Ladies Open with a two-under-par 71 today.
The 24-year-old was the only player to break par on the opening day at National Golf Club with Spain’s Paula Marti in outright second on level par 73.
Of the six players who finished on one over 74, only Jade Schaeffer from France played in the afternoon.
Melodie Bourdy, Anne-Lise Caudal, Stacy Lee Bregman, Ana-Belen Sanchez and Anja Monke all carded 74 in the morning.
On a clear and cool day in the Antalya region, Wahlin, picture above from the LET Tour website, parred each of the first nine holes and then fired off three birdies over the next five. She took just one bogey, at the par-417th, where she hit her drive behind a small pine tree and had to play her second shot out to the fairway.
“It’s a tough course and it wasn’t that easy because the wind was changing. It’s one of the toughest courses we have because it’s so narrow and long,” said Wahlin, who won an invitational event featuring 20 of the Ladies European Tour’s best players in Catalonia, Spain, just a month ago.
“I was playing really well on the front nine. They were quite easy pars actually. I had to make a five metre putt on the first one and then on the back nine I made the birdie putts. I was quite close to the pin.
"On 17 I just had to chip out from a little pine tree so that was a good bogey. I couldn’t have done any better.”
Wahlin said that she took increased confidence from her win so early in 2008, despite the fact that it was not an official event on the LET schedule:
“Now I know I can beat all of them, even if I didn’t get the winning category. I still know that I can win and the others know that I can win so it was very important.
“Actually my goal this year is to win three tournaments so if I win one, I’m not happy, I want to win even more. Catalonia was just a half point,” she added.
Wahlin rounded out last year ranked 21st on the New Star Money List and is aiming for a top ten position this year. She also took inspiration from the recent performances of fellow Swedes such as Emma Zackrisson, who won her maiden LET title at the Spanish Open three weeks ago, and Maria Boden, who was second last week in Scotland.
Marti, the 2002 LET order of merit winner, carded three birdies and three bogeys.
She said: “I didn’t start well and thought it would be a long day, but I looked at the score board and saw that Lotta was leading and plus one was second. I have taught myself not to get too stressed out early on because you can make up for a bad start and make it into a good round.”
COLIN FARQUHARSON WRITES:
Lynn Kenny (Archerfield Links) was the best of the Scots with a 77 to be in joint 21st place at the end of the first day. Lynn had halves of 41 and 36, birdieing the 11th, 12th and 17th on the inward journey.
Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) was a shot behind on 78 (40-38). She birdied the 14th and 17th.
Rookie Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) had an 81 to be in joint 77th position. Jenna had halves of 43 and 38, running up double boeys at the sixth and eighth.
One unexpectedly high score was the nine-over-par 82 by Rebecca Hudson. The Doncaster player had two halves of 41, which included a pair of double bogeys.
Eleanor Pilgrim from Wales had a sad day, finishing last of 125 on the first-day scores. She had a 90 (45-45) with three triple bogeys and two double bogeys. She did birdie the long fourth.
Eleanor is a far better player than this score would suggest. Let's hope for some Pilgrim's Progress on Day 2.
ALL THE FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 73

71 L Wahlin (Swe).
73 P Marti (Spa).

74 Melodie Bourdy (Fra), Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra), Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa), Ana B Sanchez (Spa), Anja Monke (Ger), Jade Schaeffer (Fra).
75 Anne Norman Hansen (Den), Zuzana Kamasova (Svk), Natalie Claire Booth (Eng), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Christine Hallstrom (Swe), Mianne Bagger (Den), Cassandra Kirkland (Fra), Emma Zackrisson (Swe).
76 Ana Larraneta (Spa), Stefania Croce (Ita), Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den), Rachel Bell (Eng)
77 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin), Martina Gillen (Irl), Maria Boden (Swe), Danielle Masters (Eng), Lynn Kenny (Sco), Nicole Gergely (Aut), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Emma Lyons (Eng), Iben Tinning (Den), Melissa Reid (Eng), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Becky Brewerton (Wal), Amy Yang (Kor), Laura Terebey (USA).
78 Nuria Clau (Spa), Natascha Fink (Aut), Clare Queen (Sco), Sophie Sandolo (Ita), Hazel Kavanagh (Irl), Dana Lacey (Aus), Trish Johnson (Eng), Nikki Garrett (Aus), Stephanie Arricau (Fra).
79 Julie Berton (Fra), Ursula Wikstrom (Fin), Maria Beautell (Spa), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Jehanne Jail (Fra), Karen Lunn (Aus), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha), Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Martina Eberl (Ger), Marianne Skarpnord (Nor), Anna Rawson (Aus), Kirsty S Taylor (Eng).
80 Nathalie David-Mila (Fra), Cherie Byrnes (Aus), Elisabeth Esterl (Ger), Caroline Afonso (Fra), Laura Cabanillas (Spa), Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Joanne Morley (Eng), Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor), Lara Tadiotto (Bel), Lisa Hall (Eng), Yuki Sakurai (Jpn), Henrietta Zuel (Eng), Lill Kristin Saether (Nor), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Samantha Head (Eng), Johanna Westerberg (Swe), Anna Temple (USA), Ellen Smets (Bel).
81 Kate Combes (Aus), Itziar Elguezabal (Spa), Jo Clingan (Eng), Rebecca Coakley (Irl), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Kiran Matharu (Eng), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Stefanie Michl (Aut), Elcin Ulu (Tur), Maria Verchenova (Rus), Julie Tvede (Den), Jenna Wilson (Sco).
82 Asa Gottmo (Swe), Fame More (Eng), Marta Prieto (Spa), Frances Bondad (Aus), Elizabeth McKinnon (Nzl), Rebecca Hudson (Eng), Beatriz Recari (Spa), Anna Rossi (Ita), Tania Elosegui (Spa), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Eva Steinberger (Aut), Marjet van der Graaff (Ned).
83 Claire Coughlan (Irl), Mette Buus (Den), Denise-Charlotte Becker (Ger), Vittoria Valvassori (Ita), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Kirsty J Fisher (Eng), Rui Yokomine (Jpn).
84 Marina Arruti (Spa), Lydia Hall (Wal), Neijla Gercek (Tur), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Sophie Walker (Eng), Katharina Schallenberg (Ger).
85 Carmen Alonso (Spa), Florence Luscher (Swi), Frederique Seeholzer (Swi).
86 Julie Greciet (Fra), Sofia Renell (Swe), Lena Tornevall (Swe), Anna Tybring (Swe), Federica Piovano (Ita).
88 Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus), Nora Angehrn (Swi), Muzeyyen Sasmaz (Tur)
90 Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal).

FOUR GIRLS FOR SCOTTISH FINAL OF
NICK FALDO JUNIOR SERIES

Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey), Lesley Atkins (Minto), Mhairi Johnstone (Northern) and Jordana Graham (Southerness) have qualified for the Scottish Final of the Nick Faldo Junior Series at The Roxburghe Golf Club, Kelso on Friday, August 22.
All the Scottish qualifiers and their scores - plus the non-qualifiers - can be found by switching over to our other website, www.scottishgolfview.com

LORENA OCHOA HEADS

STAR-STUDDED FIELD

FOR WOMEN'S BRITISH
OPEN AT SUNNINGDALE

Defending champion and World Number 1, Lorena Ochoa will be joined by the world’s other best players when she defends her Ricoh Women’s British Open title at Sunningdale Golf Club from 31 July to 3 August.
Seeped 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.
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 No. 4, Paula Creamer, Japan’s Yuri Fudoh - the World No. 18 and Miki Saiki - the World No. 29, have also qualified with a top 15 finish 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 since finishing tied 16th at last year’s Championship, looks set to qualify through the LET money list on which she is currently ranked 3rd.
Since winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open last August, the first Major of her career, Lorena (pictured above) has gone from strength to strength, consolidating her place at the top of the Rolex World Rankings by winning eight more tournament titles including a second Major title.
The 2007 Ricoh Women’s British Open was the first professional women’s golf tournament to be played on the Old Course at St Andrews and Ricoh’s first as title sponsor and fittingly the first Major title for the popular World No 1.
“Sometimes I think it could only have been a dream that I won my first Major at the Home of Golf – there couldn’t have been a better setting for me to achieve my goal of winning a Major title and to have my family around me to share in the celebrations at such a historic venue made it all the more perfect. The replica of the Trophy sits proudly on my mantlepiece and the memories of my win at The Home of Golf will live with me for ever,” enthused Lorena.
Lorena has made a dazzling start to 2008, winning three out of her first four events, including a second Major to add to her haul - the Kraft Nabisco Championship – by a five0shot margin last month.
Lorena confirmed; “I was thrilled to win my second Major at the Kraft Nabisco last month – jumping in the lake with my family and friends at the end was a very special moment. I can also say that I am very glad the tradition for winners at St Andrews is to pose with the trophy on the Swilcan Bridge rather than jump in the Swilcan burn as it would have been very cold!
"I was fortunate to win a lot of titles last year but of course the one I am most looking forward to defending is the Ricoh Women’s British Open. I am really excited about playing in Sunningdale again. I finished 4th there in 2004 so I know the course suits my game and I have a great chance.”
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.

Davidson v Allan at Grangemouth on Friday

ALISON THROUGH TO EIGHTH FINAL
AT STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN

Past Curtis Cup player and former British amateur champion Alison Davidson (Stirling) is through to her eighth final of the Stirling & Clackmannan county women's amateur golf championship.
Alison, the No 1 seed, beat the fourth qualifier, Louise McGregor (Falkirk) by 3 and 2 in the first semi-final at Grangemouth Golf Club tonight (Wed) after being one down at the 12th.
She has been county champion five times in all - 2005 and 2007 as Mrs Davidson and 1990-91-92 as Alison Rose. She also lost in the 2002 and 2003 finals.
In Friday's final (5.30pm), Alison will play the 2006 title-winner, Linda Allan who beat Vikki Stevenson (Stevenson) by one hole in a repeat of the final of two years ago. A tight semi-final was all square after 15 holes. The 16th and 17th were halved before Mrs Allan won on the last green.
This evening's results:
Semi-finals - A Davidson (Stirling) bt L McGregor (Falkirk) 3 and 2, L Allan (Falkirk Tryst) bt V Stevenson (Stirling) 1 hole.

DISAPPOINTING FLORIDA FINISH
FOR CARNOUSTIE'S KATY McNICOLL

Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll finished a disappointing joint 23rd in a field of 33 for the NCAA Division 2 Women's South Regional college golf championship at Mission Hills Golf & Tennis Resort, Florida today.
Katy, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, had rounds of 80, 79 and 79 for a total of 238 over the par-72, 6165yd course.
In her final round, she had a quadruple bogey 8 at the 13th and double bogeys at the short eighth and long ninth. On the credit side, Katy did have birdies at the first, 10th, 14th and 16th.
She finished 15 shots behind winner Sandra Changkija (Nova Southeastern) with 72, 76 and 75 for seven-over-par 223.
Lynn University (954) finished fifth of sixth in the team event behind Nova Southeastern (902).

ELDERSLIE JUNIOR HEADS WINDYHILL
QUALIFIERS FOR LGU MEDAL FINAL

Alyson McKechin, a 14-year-old Elderslie Golf Club junior member, headed the eight qualifiers for the LGU Medal Final at Crieff on Sunday, June 8 with a net 70 off 11 of a handicap in the West Division qualifier at Windyhill Golf Club today.

The qualifiers were:
Silver Division - Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) (11) 70; Anne Mungall (Airdrie) (12) 72; Carol Whyte (Windyhill) (4) 73; Aileen Anderson (Loudon Gowf) (10) 75; Avril Leitch (Balmore) (11) 76 (better last six). Carol Whyte unavailable for Medal Final.
Bronze Division - Carol Anne Craig (Beith (27) 72; Sheila McLay (Bishopbriggs) (23) 73; Diane Tomlin (Gleddoch) (32) (better inward half), Saorcha Warren (Eastwood) (20) 74; Anne Fisher (Prestwick St Nicholas (23) 76 (better last six). Diane Tomlin unavailable for Medal Final.
The CSS was 74 (reduction only).

ends

Entering the HDA Festival?

Matthew has a villa to rent

Readers who are considering entering the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival from February 11 to 17 will be interested in the following E-mail from Matthew Simmons:

"I wondered if any of your golfers would be interested in renting our two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa which sleeps 4. It is situated in prime position near to the Hacienda del Alamo clubhouse, village and driving range.
"You will receive owners' rates when you go to pay at the clubhouse.
"Our rates include air/conditioning, central heating, linen towels and Sky TV.
"We also have a BBQ and communal pool.
"Our rates start at £275 per week. We are able to offer a 10% discount on these prices.
Based on four sharing, this works out at £63 per person in low season.
If you would like to see what the villa has to offer the web address is http://www.haciendagolfrental.com/"

Matthew Simmons

Haciendarental@aol.com

Space for one late entry to Sunday's

Ness Open at Inverness

Ness Open organiser June Nicol, ladies' vice-captain of Inverness Golf Club, says she has room for one late entry to Sunday's SLGA Order of Merit 36-hole women's tournament.
It's a small field but a quality one with several of the competitors going on to the Scottish women's amateur championship at Lossiemouth.
Inverness Golf Club telephone number is: 01463 23988.
Tee times (eight-minute intervals) are:

8.0 & 12.30 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon).
8.08 & 12.38 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Claire MacDonald (Gullane).
8.16 & 12.46 Laura Murray (Alford), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch).
8.24 & 12.54 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir).

8.32 & 1.02 Pam Mackay (Royal Dornoch), Lesley Hendry (Routenburn).
8.40 & 1.10 Susan Jackson (Ladybank), Sammy Vass (Tain).
8.48 & 1.18 Anne Ryan (Tain), Eilidh Br8iggs (Kilmacolm).
8.56 & 1.26 Ashleigh Wilton(Ladybank), Mary Smith (Tain).

9.04 & 1.34 Samantha Leslie (Murcar Links), Annabel Niven (Crieff).
9.12 & 1.42 Gillian Dowling (Inverness), Megan Aird (Strathmore).
9.20 & 1.50 Fiona Fullerton (Huntly), Julie Vass (Tain).
9.28 & 1.58 Ashley Alston Royal Montrose), Rachael Bannerman (Strathpeffer).

9.36 & 2.06 Donna Copland (Crieff), Pat Ashe (Brora), Kirsten MacCallum (McDonald Ellon).
9.44 & 2.14 Marian Howieson (Inverness), Christine MacAndrew (Nairn Dunbar), A N Other.

Brucefields’ new programme
for children with disabilities

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ROB EYTON-JONES
clubgolf and Brucefields Family Golf Centre have extended their commitment to local children this spring by launching the first golf coaching programme of its kind in Scotland for children with disablilities.
The Centre has a long association with clubgolf, the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, developed as a result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game.
In 2006 Brucefields was the venue for Forth Valley’s first pilot for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Last autumn it trialled a golf coaching programme for a small group of children. At the same time its professional, Gregor Monks, expanded his remit to coach 50 children from Bannockburn's six primary schools three nights a week for three months.
The most recent development in the Centre’s evolution is an eight week clubgolf Stage 1 programme for children with disablilities, which attracted 27 for its first lesson last week.
“Our trial course last year for children with disabilities was very popular and we are delighted that 27 children have signed up for this year’s course,” said Brucefields’ General Manager, Kirsty Burge. “It’s a fantastic response.”
Brucefields' professional coaching staff are experienced in working with children who have additional support needs. The new Stage 1 programme is being delivered by Brucefields pro Graham Gormley, and covers the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette.
“We have split the children into three groups and we started last week,” he said. “They thoroughly enjoyed the first session last week.”
With clubgolf creating the opportunity for over 30,000 primary school children in Scotland to experience the game this year through the programme’s introductory game, clubgolf, supportive centres like Brucefields are essential to keep children interested and developing in the game.
“We work very closely with clubgolf,” said Kirsty Burge. “In addition to the coaching for children with disabilities we are increasing the number of children that come from local schools and we could potentially have 60 children this year on our clubgolf Stage 1 course.
“We are a family centre and we do a lot of work with children on the weekends. On top of the clubgolf coaching a lot of children come here on the weekend, with over 50 children coming for coaching on a Sunday.”

FIONA GILBERT TOP SEED FOR
ANGUS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Fiona Gilbert (Carnoustie) is the leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the Angus women's county championship at Ballumbie Castle.

QUALIFIERS
76 F Gilbert (Carnoustie).
78 J Brown (Monifieth).
79 S Raitt (Forfar).
80 L Graham (Carnoustie), R Wilson (Monifieth).
81 S Arbuckle (Panmure Barry), F Millar (Carnoustie Ladies).
83 A Hunter (Monifieth), H Anderson (Downfield).
84 J Ganson (Arbroath), M Summers (Panmure Barry), S McGregor (Edzell).
87 D Dewar (Monifieth), A Freeman (Panmure Barry).
88 C Healy (Carnoustie), A Campbell.
SATURDAY'S MATCH-PLAY DRAWS
SCRATCH
10am F Gilbert v A Campbell.
10.08 H Anderson v A Hunter.
10.16 R Wilson v S McGregor.
10.24 D Dewar v L Graham.
10.32 S Raitt v A Freeman.
10.40 M Summers v S Arbuckle.
10.48 F Millar v J Ganson.
10.56 C Healy v J Brown.
HANDICAP QUALIFIERS
1 J Cowley
2 A Rennie (Monifieth).
3 G Wilson (Monifieth).
4 M Brown (Carnoustie).
5 S Snedden (Carnoustie).
6 J Chalmers (Monifieth).
7 A Summers (Panmure Barry).
8 H Munro (Monifieth)
HANDICAP DRAW
11.10 J Cowley v H Munro.
11.18 S Snedden v M Brown.
11.24 G Wilson v J Chalmers
11.32 A Summers v A. Rennie.

Katy McNicoll has much to

do in final Florida round

Katy McNicoll (Lynn University, Florida) from Carnoustie failed to improve her position significantly with a 79 in the second round of the 54-hole NCAA Division 2 Women's South Regional championship at Mission Hill Golf & Tennis Resort, Florida.

Katy, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved), had an 80 in the first round and her 36-hole tally of 159 leaves her in joint 19th position ina field of 33 players with one round to go.

Johanna Soderstrom (Barry University) leads by two shots with a pair of 73s for 146.

Nova Southeastern (601) lead the team event from Rollins College (607). Lynn University are fifth of 6 on 633.

Meanwhile, Neil McBride from Glasgow and Kevin Duncan from Ellon, both students at Atlanta State University, Georgia are in joint 18th and joint 30th positions in a field of 45 with one round to go in the NCAA Division 2 Men's Southeast Regional championship at The Point Lake Golf Club (par-72, 7,037yd).

Neil has scored 75 and 74 for 149 while Kevin has had a pair of 77s for 154.

Georgia College (580) lead the team event from South Carolina-Aiken (584) with Clayton State (602) fifth of eight.

Niclas Johansson (Georgia College) leads the team event with a pair of 71s for 146.

Why European Tour caddie Dave

Muscroft cannot carry Carly

Booth's bag in Curtis Cup

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
There is a story in one of the newspapers this morning that Dave Muscroft, who caddied for Sandy Lyle at one time and is a very experienced European Tour bagman , was willing to caddie for Carly Booth, the youngest player in either team – but was knocked back by the Ladies Golf Union.
The article poked fun at the LGU explanation which was that Muscroft caddieing for Carly would have given not only the 15-year-old from Comrie but also the Great Britain & Ireland team an “unfair advantage over the United States team.”

The writer of the article thought there was nothing wrong in that and suggested that the LGU were living in the past.
But as the LGU director of championships Susan Simpson, pictured above by courtesy of Tom Ward, underlined at Monday’s Curtis Cup Media Day at The Duke’s Clubhouse, St Andrews:
“There is a great tradition within the Curtis Cup match that no side has home advantage with caddies,” said Susan.
“All the caddies are nominated by the host. In our case that is St Andrews Links Trust. Their caddie master has a list of 16 of his most experienced men and women caddies and there will be a caddie draw for the Curtis Cup match.
“On a given day, the names of the caddies will be pulled out and paired at random with each of the 16 GB&I and American players who will be taking part in the match.
“That is a huge tradition of the Curtis Cup, one that everyone involved wishes to remain.”
The same applies when the United States Golf Association hosts the biennial match.
That’s why no father/mother has ever been allowed to caddie for their offspring in a Curtis Cup match, even though they might have done so on a regular basis in individual tournaments under the auspices of the Ladies Golf Union or the USGA for that matter.
Perhaps it would be different in the world of professional golf where winning at all costs is the order of the day.
But the Curtis Cup was donated by the American Curtis sisters to foster golfing friendship between the countries and both the LGU and the USGA have followed that principle over the past 56 years.

Breanne Loucks, the Welsh champion and winner of all three of her ties in the Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon two years ago, commented:

"We had different caddies for the practice rounds over the Old Course this week. They all know their stuff. They all know the best lines from the tee at every hole and that's where their advice is very important."

Alex Peters wins Fairhaven

Trophy with record

last round of 70

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

Nottinghamshire’s Alex Peters staged a record-breaking performance to win the girls’ title at the Fairhaven Trophy tournament at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire.

The 14-year-old scratch golfer shot a five-under par 70 in the final round of the 72-hole event – breaking the record set just 48-hours earlier by Giorgina Brown of Cheshire.

Alex, picture right by Tom Ward (all rights reserved), who is in the English Women’s Golf Association Futures Under-18 squad, had seven birdies and two bogeys in her final round score. She added it to rounds of 79, 78 and 86 for a five-stroke win in the girls’ event.

This is the latest in a string of successes for Alex, who plays at Notts Ladies’ and is the reigning Midland women's champion and a past winner of the English Under-13 title. She’s also the North of England Under-16 and Under-14 champion and last month she paired up with her mum, Ann, to win the Mothers and Daughters scratch foursomes tournament.

Giorgina Brown, who plays at Mere, returned a one-under par 74 on the first day, to knock two shots off the long-standing course record. She parred all the holes except one, the long 15th, which she birdied.

Giorgina, who finished third in the girls’ event, will be 18 this week and has only been playing golf for four years. She is in Cheshire’s county team and is studying for a sport BTEC at South Trafford College.

The weather tested the competitors after the fine, calm conditions of the first day were followed by wind and then rain. Full details: www.fairhavengolfclub.co.uk

'Helen Holm' winner bids for Scottish double

French Female Army returning

to Scotland for St Rule Trophy

over Old Course on May 25

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Sacre bleu! The French are coming back!

Buoyed by their success in the "Helen Holm" - Troon title-winner Barbara Genuini was one of a record number of 22 French entrants, the French Golf Federation are sending 18 players over to St Andrews for the St Rule Trophy tournament over the Old Course, on Sunday, May 25.

They include Mademoiselle Genuini (picture left by courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved) who will be bidding to become the first French player to win the St Rule Trophy, reduced to 36 holes on one day this year because of the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course from Friday to Sunday the following week.
Competitors will tee off in threes at 10min intervals and the pairings on May 25 are:

TEE TIMES FOR ST RULE TROPHY

7.0 & 11.50 A Bushby (Strathmore), Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies), Lisa Barton (Coventry); Charlotte Wild (Mere), Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park), Sam Round (Tadmarton Heath); S Jackson (Ladybank), E Fairnie (Dunbar), R Lewis (Newport).

7.30 & 12.20 R Watson (US), C Stockton (US), R Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan); C-M Carlton (Fereneze), N Podmore (High Legh Park), S Wood (Aberdeen Ladies); C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), J Nicolson (Wrexham), S Birks (Wolstanton).

8.0 & 12.50 T Davies (Holyhead), A Ramsay Kirriemuir), K Tidy (Royal Birkdale); E Moffat (St Regulus), C Ellis (Minchinhampton), K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies); H Jenkins (Cradoc), M Gidall (France), Kelly Brotherton (Forrester Park).

8.30 & 1.20 J Carthew (Ladybank), R Vilatte (Fra), A Storey (Ponteland); C Hargan (Mortonhall), J Dreher (France), S James (Bristol & Clifton); J Dotten (Canada), G O'Leary (Cork), L Charpier (France).

9.0 & 1.50 C Boutier (France), B Dowell (Enmore Park), R Livingstone (Musselburgh); L Walker (Muckhart), K Delaney (Carlow), A Decharne (France); S Derrey (France), L Grillot (France), M Pow (Selkirk).

9.30 & 2.20 M Briggs (Kilmacolm), M Ricordeau (France), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch); J Klatten(France), L Murray (Alford), C Abrahamiam (France); A Laing (Vale of Leven), L Sibille (France), N Kitching (Claremorris).

10.0 & 2.50 K Walker (Buchanan Castle), L Ball (Matfen Hall), E Alonso (France); M Morrin (The Curragh), J Turner (Craigielaw), A Goumard (France); R Niven Crieff), V Derrey (France), B Genuini (France).

10.30 & 3.20 D Smith (Co Louth), L Kenney (Pitreavie), I Boineau (France); K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), L Andre (France), A Davidson (Stirling); M Bazin de Jessey (France), S Hassan(Vale of Glamorgan), E Ogilvy (Auchterarder).

Kelsey is backmarker in Scottish

women's championship at

Lossiemouth next week

Nairn Dunbar teenager Kelsey MacDonald, picture right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved, who has a handicap of +2, is the highest-rated player, on paper, in the field of 96 for the Scottish women's amateur golf championship, hosted by Moray Golf Club over its Old Course at Lossiemouth next week from Tuesday to Saturday.
Two qualifying rounds will produce 32 players for the championship match-play stages and the next 18 for the Clark Rosebowl match-play competition. The 18-hole final will be held on Saturday morning, May 17.
Title-holder Jenna Wilson has turned professional since last year at Kilmarnock Barassie where she beat Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) in the final.
Emily, who only this week resumed playing competitive golf since seriously injuring a shoulder in a mid-winter gymnasium mishap, is in the field again.
So too is Curtis Cup player Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) who reached the semi-finals 12 months ago and would love to line up against the Americans at the end of this month as Scottish champion.
Although another Curtis Cup Scot, 15-year-old Carly Booth (Comrie) is home from Arizona for the match against the Americans, she is not in the field for Lossiemouth. Entries closed early in April.
Players will go out in threes at nine-minute intervals in the first qualifying round on Tuesday, May 13 (a fresh draw will be made for the second round on the W