Midlothian County Championship
Duddingston, 4th May 2003
 "New
girl" Claire Hargan (Prestonfield), pictured left, won the Midlothian
County Championship for the first time today over a very blustery Duddingston
course when she beat Fiona de Vries (St Rule) by 3&1 in the final.
Starting with a birdie 4 at the first, where she was on in two at the
471 yard par 5, Claire was never down in a match of excellent golf played
in a very friendly yet competitive spirit.
Fiona took the short second with a single putt 3, and but lost the fourth
where a skied drive meant that she had to play short of the water. Claire
put it close at the short sixth to go two up, and she remained in this
position through the turn, which she reached in 37 shots, to Fiona's 39
(par is 37).
Fiona won the short tenth to get one back but immediately gave it away
again at the next. They shared the 265 yard twelfth in birdie 3's and
Fiona won the 385 yard 13th Temple hole by holing a long putt. Both missed
the green at the short 14th when they took three to get down.
Two down with three to play, Fiona put her second to six feet at the 290
yard 16th, but Claire followed her in even closer. Fiona missed her putt
and Claire holed to be two up with two to play, and steady play by Claire
down the par 5 17th gave her the title.
Ciaire, who was a member of Dunbartonshire and Argyll for many years,
joined Midlothian at the turn of the year. She now lives and works in
Edinburgh where she is training to be an actuary.
This was her first County Championship title.
In the morning. Claire Hargan beat Jane Williamson (Mortonhall) by 2&1,
while Fiona de Vries beat Rita Dee (Kingsknowe) by 3&2.
Champion Claire Hargan (Prestonfield) and runner-up Fiona de Vries (Sr
Rule)
In the B Championship Sandra Ashurst (Murrayfield) beat Margaret Ritchie
(Harburn) by 2&1. June Oliver and Sylvia Ritche (both Craigmillar
Park) were the beaten semifinalists.
Sandra Ashurst (Murrayfield) winner of the "B" Championship,
and runner-up Margaret Ritchie (Harburn)
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