April 2007 Archive

Sunday 29th April 2007

Melissa Reid (Chevin) with the Helen Holm Trophy

MELISSA REID RETAINS HELEN HOLM TITLE AFTER LAST-ROUND WOBBLE
Derby’s 19-year-old Curtis Cup player Melissa Reid, with the help of an incredible course-record round of 12-under-par 63 over Troon Portland, won the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship for the second year in a row today (Sunday) in very windy conditions.
The only other person to win the prestigious 54-hole tournament two years in a row was Muriel Thomson, now professional at Portlethen Golf Club, in 1975 and 1976.
Melissa’s second-round effort included a hole in one and, after two Saturday rounds over Troon Portland, she started today’s final round over the Royal Troon championship links with a six-shot lead from England team-mate Rachel Bell (Ganton) whose course-record 65 on Friday stood for only 24 hours!
But Miss Reid, who will probably turn professional at the end of this year – “I wouldn’t stay amateur just to get a second Curtis Cup honour at St Andrews in 2008, saw her considerable advantage disappear after only eight holes and she had to win the title all over again after that.
“The Royal Troon greens were a completely different pace from Troon Portland on Saturday and I was all at sea on them. I three-putted the first, third, seventh and eighth – and, standing on the ninth tee, I had lost my lead and Rachel was level with me,” said Melissa.
“I three-putted twice more before the finish but Rachel bogeyed the ninth and 10th and that gave me the breathing space to regroup and just take each hole at a time on the inward half.”
Melissa, who had been 17 under par after rounds of 70 and 63 at Troon Portland, signed off with a three-over-par 78 (40-38) at Royal Troon for a final total of 14-under-par 211, which equalled the tournament low record set by compatriot Emma Duggleby from Yorkshire in 2004.
Rachel Bell scored 65, 74 and 75 (35-40) to finished three shots behind on 204.
“I played like a wally on the inward half of the final round. I had little or no chance at the start, being six shots behind Melissa. But, having made up these six shots over the first eight holes on Royal Troon, I should have gone on from there to win. But I just couldn’t get the putts to drop and couldn’t get a birdie on the way home. Three putts on the last green meant I finished three shots behind her.”
Melissa Reid collected three awards at the prizegiving – the Helen Holm Trophy, the international team trophy for England in conjunction with Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), the Under-21 trophy and the Hole in One Trophy.
Scotland’s Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) and Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) finished runners-up in the international team event.
Jenna was the leading Scot, officially placed fifth with scores of 70, 73 and 77 for 220, having a better last six holes than the French girl, Caroline Afonso, who also totalled 220 and finished with a 77.
Heather Macrae (Dunblane New), third at the start of the third and last day and playing in the final threesome with Melissa Reid and Rachel Bell, finished joint seventh on 221 with scores of 70, 70 and 81.
The CSS for the third round went up to 77, a reflection of the higher scoring today due to a cold east wind.
HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN’S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
First two rounds over Troon Portland, third round over Royal Troon.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 225 (3 x 75). CSS 74 74 77
211 M Reid (Chevin) 70 63 78.
214 R Bell (Ganton) 65 74 75.
217 A Decharne (France) 71 73 73.
219 B Loucks (Wrexham) 72 73 74.
220 J Wilson (Strathaven) 70 73 77, C Afonso (France) 73 70 77.
221 C Hedwall (Sweden) 77 66 78, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 70 70 81.
222 K Caithness (St Regulus) 76 73 73, A Vilatte (France) 69 79 74.
223 C Lennarth (Sweden) 69 73 81, D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 70 75 78.
224 M Bernard (France) 74 74 76, K Smith (Waterloovile) 72 73 79, R Connor (Manchester) 72 73 79, E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 75 70 79.
225 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 74 76 75, L Herman (Belgium) 71 78 76.
226 C Wolf (Austria) 77 71 78, B Harries (Haverfordwest) 78 69 79.
227 C Booth (Comrie) 74 72 81.
228 L Gustafsson (Sweden) 75 76 77, N Edwards (Ganton) 76 75 77, N Muehl (Austria) 76 73 79, E Alonso (France) 72 76 80, D Smith (Co Louth) 72 76 80, C Lee (West Lancs) 72 76 80, H Barwood (Knowle) 71 74 83, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 74 72 82.
229 H Aitchison (The Bedfordshire) 80 75 74, E Sheffield (Newark) 71 80 78, R Svahn (Finland) 74 75 80, E Moffat (St Regulus) 75 73 81, S Stubbs (Shifnal) 76 72 81, R W Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 72 75 82.
230 J Hedwall (Sweden) 76 76 78, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 74 73 83, L-A Stempfle (Germany) 73 72 85.
231 S Harju (Finland) 78 77 76, B Mullins-Lane (Harefield) 74 80 77, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 78 76 77, C Fallay (France) 78 74 79, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 72 79 80, M Ricordeau (France) 76 71 84, L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 73 73 85.
232 L Gendronneau (France) 75 75 82, L Bennett (Brokenhuret Manor) 70 76 86.
233 L Collin (John O’Gaunt) 77 77 79, T Boyes (Meon Valley) 77 75 81, M Pow (Selkirk) 80 71 82, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72 87.
234 S Attwood (Gog Magog) 75 78 81, T McDonnell (Ennis) 78 75 81, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 79 73 82, J Hodge (Knowle) 79 70 85.
235 S Garbutt (Ganton) 79 76 80, J Turner (Mortonhall) 80 74 81, C-M Carlton (Fereneze) 79 74 82.
236 N Craven (Brough) 74 81 81, S Faller (Galway) 76 79 81, R Crepiat (France) 79 76 81, A Riguelle (France) 75 75 86, B Genuini (France) 73 73 90.
237 T Davies (Holyhead) 74 81 82, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 79 75 83.
238 C Douglass (Brocket Hall) 80 75 83, E Westrup (Sweden) 77 77 84.
239 E Tipping (Sandiway) 74 79 86.
240 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 79 75 86, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 76 75 89.
242 S Mantyniemi (Finland) 77 74 91.
The following players missed the cut (155) after two rounds:
157 L Hendry (Routenburn) 83 74, A Korkeila (Finland) 78 79, F Hernandez (France) 74 83, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 77 80, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 76 81, M Bazin de Jessey (France) 83 74, Kerri Harper (Inverness) 79 78.
158 L Murray (Alford) 80 78.
159 D Dewar (Monifieth) 82 77, L Roberts (Holyhead) 82 77, C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 80 79.
160 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 77 83.
161 H Schilling (Germany) 80 81.
162 L Robertson (Ranfurly Castle) 78 84.
174 E Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) 84 90.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
435 England (M Reid 211, K Smith 224).
442 Scotland (J Wilson 220, K Caithness 222).
448 France (C Afonso 220, E Alonso 228).
454 Austria (C Wolf 226, N Muehl 228).
456 Wales (B Loucks 219, T Davies 237)
460 Finland (R Svah 229, S Harju 231).
462 Ireland (D Smith 228, T McDonnell 234).
466 Sweden (L Gustafsson 228, E Westrup 238).

TAIN SMITH ONLY NORTHERN COUNTIES FORMER CHAMPION TO MAKE LAST FOUR AT ROYAL DORNOCH
Tain’s Mary Smith is the only previous title-winner through to Monday’s semi-finals of the Norther Counties Ladies Golfing Association championship at Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
In a bitterly cold North-east win, Mary advanced to a last-four meeting with the experienced Jenny Milne (Elgin) by beating Winnie Ross (Elgin) 7 and 6.
The other semi-final will feature the top qualifier, Donna MacLeod (Inverness) against clubmate Gillian Dowling.
QUALIFIERS
84 D MacLeod (Inverness) better inward half, J Milne (Elgin).
85 M Smith (Tain) better last six, E Manson (Thurso).
87 G Dowling (Inverness).
89 W Ross (Elgin).
91 A MacDonald (Tarbat) bih, S MacVicar (Gairloch), T Weekes (Royal Dornoch), D Hume (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), S Vass (Tain), A Dunnett (Thurso).
93 D McKinnon (Durness).
94 M Howieson (Inverness) bih, P Morrison (Muir of Ord), S MacKenzie (Elgin).
Match-play
First round – MacLeod bt MacKenzie 8 and 7, MacVicar bt Weekes 7 and 5, Dowling bt Dunnett 1 hole, Manson bt McKinnon 3 and 2, Smith bt Howieson 4 and 3, Ross bt Vass 2 and 1, Hume bt MacDonald 4 and 3, Milne bt Morrison 3 and 2.
Quarter-finals – MacLeod bt MacVicar 6 and 4, Dowling bt Manson at 195th, Smith bt Ross 7 and 6, Milne bt Hume 5 and 3.

Vikki has 69 in Futures Tour
Musselburgh exile Vikki Laing had her best round for some time to qualify with easy for the final round of the Jalapeno Futures Classic at McAllen, Texas.
The Scot had rounds of 74 and 69 for a one-under-par tlaly of 143 - six shots inside the qualifying limit. Vikki is five shots behind the leader, Emily Bastel from Ohio, with 70 and 68 for 138. Emily leads by one shot from another American, Danah Ford, with 68 and 71 for 139.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast failed to beat the 36-hole cut. She had scores of 83 and 77 for 160.

Saturday 28th April 2007

TOP SCOT HEATHER LYING THIRD – BUT SEVEN SHOTS BEHIND LEADER MELISSA IN HELEN HOLM
Scotland’s leading challenger Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), pictured right, is in third place on 10-under-par 140 with one round to go in the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Troon.
But despite a pair 70s, Heather is seven shots behind the leader, defending champion Melissa Reid (below left)
The Derby girl played the round of her 19-dear-old life to score a 12-under-par 63 and go six strokes clear of the field after 36 holes.
Melissa, from Chevin Golf Club and a Curtis Cup player last year, had a hole in one with a seven-iron at the 156yd 16th plus two eagle 3s, at the sixth and 12th, and seven birdies, at the second, third, fourth, ninth, 10th, 15th and 18th in halves of 33 (five under par) and 30 (seven under par).
“I learned from the mistakes I made in my first-round 70. That’s basically why I was able to improve by seven shots,” said Melissa.
“My dad and I worked out a game plan on Friday night for the second round and, even though there was a much stronger wind, it worked like a dream.
“Yes, I believe I am a better all-round player than when I won the ‘Helen Holm’ last year but I think the biggest improvement I have made is in my mental approach. I’m going out there and thinking positive, not defensively.”
Melissa’s 63, which included only 28 putts, slashed two shots off the new record set only 24 hours earlier by England team-mate Rachel Bell from Ganton, Yorkshire.
Her figures were:
OUT – 5 4 3 2 4 3 4 4 4 - 33.
IN – 2 5 3 4 3 4 1 4 4 - 30
With a 36-hole tally of a staggering 17-under-par 133 after two rounds over Troon Portland, Miss Reid carries a six-shot lead over Rachel and the rest into the final round over Royal Troon’s championship links which are likely to be a different kettle of finish, even although Melissa is playing “out of her skin” at the moment.
Rachel Bell “sagged” by nine shots to a second-round 74 – still one under par.
“I had a couple of three putts and didn’t get the breaks I did in the 65 but six shots to make up is not impossible. I was eight shots behind last year after two rounds and then had a 71 over Royal Troon and finished third behind Melissa, so I’m looking forward to the last round,” said Rachel.
The next best Scots after third-placed Heather MacRae are Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) on 143 (70-73), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) on 146 (74-72) and, also on that mark are 14-year-old Carly Booth (Comrie), home from America with scores of 74 and 72, and 16-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) with 74 and 72.
Carly was set to break 70 until she ran up a bogey and then a double bogey over the closing holes.
Players with two-round totals of 155 or better qualified for the final round.
HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN’S AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Troon Portland.
SECOND-R0UND TOTALS
Par 150 (2 x 75). CSS 74 74
133 M Reid (Chevin) 70 63.
139 R Bell (Ganton) 65 74.
140 H MacRae (Dunblane New) 70 70.
142 C Lennarth (Sweden) 69 73.
143 J Wilson (Strathaven) 70 73, C Hedwall (Sweden) 77 66, C Afonso (France) 73 70.
144 A Decharne (France) 71 73.
145 R Connor (Manchester) 72 73, H Barwood (Knowle) 71 74, L Stempfle (Germany) 73 72, D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 70 75, B Loucks (Wrexham) 72 73, E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 75 70, K Smith (Waterlooville) 72 73.
146 L Hall (Royal Porthcawl) 73 73, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 74 72, B Genuini (France) 73 73, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 70 76, C Booth (Comrie) 74 72, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72.
147 R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 74 73, B Harries (Haverfordwest) 78 69, R Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 72 75, M Ricordeau (France) 76 71.
148 E Moffat (St Regulus) 75 73, S Stubbs (Shifnal) 76 72, M Bernard (France) 74 74, E Alonso (France) 72 76, A Vilatte (France) 69 79, D Smith (Co Louth) 72 76, C Lee (West Lancs) 72 76.
149 N Muehl (Austria) 76 73, J Carthew (Ladybank) 73 76, L Herman (Belgium) 71 78, R Svahn (Finland) 74 75, K Caithness (St Regulus) 76 73, J Hodge (Knowle) 79 70.
150 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 74 76, A Riguelle (France) 75 75, L Gendronneau (France) 75 75.
151 S Mantyniemi (Finland) 77 74, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 72 79, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 76 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 80 71, N Edwards (Ganton) 76 75, L Gustafsson (Sweden) 75 76.
152 T Boyes (Meon Valley) 77 75, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 79 73, J Hedwall (Sweden) 76 76, C Fallay (France) 78 74.
153 E Tipping (Sandiway) 74 79, C-M Carlton (Fereneze) 79 74, S Attwood (Gog Magog) 75 78, T McDonnell (Ennis) 78 75.
154 L Collin (John O’Gaunt) 77 77, A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 79 75, J Turner (Mortonhall) 80 74, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 78 76, B Mullins-Lane (Harefield) 74 80, E Westrup (Sweden) 77 77, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 79 75.
155 C Douglass (Brocket Hall) 80 75, N Craven (Brough) 74 81, S Garbutt (Ganton) 79 76, S Faller (Galway) 76 79, T Davies (Holyhead) 74 81, H Aitchison (The Bedfordshire) 80 75, S Harju (Finland) 78 77, R Crepiat (France) 79 76.
DID NOT QUALIFY
157 L Hendry (Routenburn) 83 74, A Korkeila (Finland) 78 79, F Hernandez (France) 74 83, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 77 80, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 76 81, M Bazin de Jessey (France) 83 74.
158 L Murray (Alford) 80 78.
159 D Dewar (Monifieth) 82 77, L Roberts (Holyhead) 82 77, C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 80 79.
160 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 77 83.
161 H Schilling (Germany) 80 81.
162 L Robertson (Ranfurly Castle) 78 84.
174 E Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) 84 90.

NORTHERN COUNTIES WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Donna MacLeod (Inverness) beat Jenny Milne (Elgin) in a card countback (better inward half) to earn the No 1 seed position at the end of the qualifying round today (Sat) for the match-play stages of the Northern Counties women’s golf championship at windswept Royal Dornoch.
They both returned 84s – eight over par on a day when the CSS was literally blown up to 79.
The championship continues Sunday and Monday with the match-play stages.
QUALIFIERS
84 D MacLeod (Inverness) better inward half, J Milne (Elgin).
85 M Smith (Tain) better last six, E Manson (Thurso).
87 G Dowling (Inverness).
89 W Ross (Elgin).
91 A MacDonald (Tarbat) bih, S MacVicar (Gairloch), T Weekes (Royal Dornoch), D Hume (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), S Vass (Tain), A Dunnett (Thurso).
93 D McKinnon (Durness).
94 M Howieson (Inverness) bih, P Morrison (Muir of Ord), S MacKenzie (Elgin).
AUTOMATIC DRAW
8.30 MacLeod v MacKenzie, Weeks v MacVicar, Dowling v Dunnett, McKinnon v Manson.
9.02 Smith v Howieson, Vass v Ross, MacDonald v Hume, Morrison v Milne.

VIKKI OPENS WITH A 74 IN FUTURES CLASSIC EVENT
Vikki Laing returned a first-round score of two-over-par 74 (35-39) to be lying joint 47th in a field of 143 for the Jalapeno Futures Classic on the United States Futures Tour over the Palm View course at McAllen in southern Texas.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast had an 83 (41-42) to be 137th.
Danah Ford from Indianapolis led the field in the 54-hole event by two strokes with a 68 (35-33) over the par-72, 6,379yd course.

HEATHER ANDERSON TOPS QUALIFIERS IN ANGUS WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Downfield’s Heather Anderson was the surprise leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the Angus women’s county championship at Panmure Barry this evening.
She had a round of 77, four over par but only two over the CSS to claim the top seed spot ahead of Fiona Gilbert (Carnoustie Ladies) with a 78.
Two other players, Angus girls champion Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth) and defending champion Jane Tough (Brechin), also returned 78s but were placed third and fourth in the draw on a scorecard countback.
One of the features of the qualifying was the closeness of the scoring, only nine shots covering all 16 players, which promises some close ties when the match-plY starts at the same venue on Sunday.
QUALIFIERS
Par 73. CSS 73.
77 H Anderson (Downfield).
78 F Gilbert (Carnoustie Ladies), R Wilson (Monifieth), J Tough (Brechin).
79 F Millar (Carnoustie Ladies).
80 A Hunter (Monifieth), J Brown (Monifieth), S McGregor (Edzell).
81 S Murray (Edzell), J Taylor (Edzell), K Sutherland (Royal Montrose).
83 L Fotheringham (Grange), M Summers (Panmure Barry).
84 L Fenton (Grange).
85 A Hay (Letham Grange).
86 S Bushby (Letham Grange).
AUTOMATIC DRAW
10.0 Anderson v Bushby. Murray v McGregor, Millar v Fotheringham, Summers v Tough.
10.32 Wilson v Fenton, Sutherland v Hunter, Brown v Taylor, Hay v Gilbert.
HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
11.10 A Summers (Panmure Barry) v C Healey (Carnoustie Caledonian), A Chree (LPM) v S Arbuckle (Panmure Barry), S Baxby (Panmure Barry) v A Hemings (Ballumbie Castle), F Blair (Monifieth) v J Wilson (Downfield).
11.40 J Henderson (Royal Montrose) v N Turner (Grange), M Faulkner (Royal Montrose) v M Duthie (Panmure Barry), J Ganson (Arbroath) v S Todd (Panmure Barry), A Smith (Monifieth) v A Hutcheson (Panmure Barry).

Friday 27 April 2007

RACHEL BELL BURNS UP TROON PORTLAND WITH 65 IN HELEN HOLM FIRST ROUND
Yorkshire’s Rachel Bell led the sub-par surge in the first round of the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play championship with a magnificent round of 10-under-par 65 over the Troon Portland course.
It is almost certainly a record although the organising Scottish Ladies Golfing Association officials could not confirm this in the past. England’s Joanne Hockley and Fiona Brown had 67s over the same course on their way to victories in 1996 and 2001 respectively.
Miss Bell, a Ganton Golf Club member who spent four years on the American college golf circuit as a student at Southern California University, had one eagle and nine birdies in her halves of 30 and 35.
Astonishing for such a low round, Rachel had one bogey – at the 17th.
Her figures were:
OUT: 5 4 4 2 3 3 3 2 4 – 30.
IN: 3 5 4 4 3 4 3 5 4 – 35.
The eagle was a 3 at the sixth and the birdies came at the second, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 12th, 15th and 18th.
She covered the six holes from the fourth to the ninth inclusive in seven under par with a run of five birdies and an eagle.
The par-5s at Troon Portland are two-shotters to the quality of player in this field, the strongest ever assembled for the championship. Even so, the scoring on the first of a three-day schedule for the first time, was very good. So much so that the CSS was 74 – one below par, which is unusual.
Rachel Bell has gone four strokes clear of Alexandrea Vilatte from France and Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth. There are two rounds to go, another over Troon Portland on Saturday with the leading 66 players and ties at the end of 36 holes going forward to the testing championship links of Royal Troon on Sunday.
Leading the Scottish challenge on five-under-par 70 were Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) and Heather MacRae (Dunblane New). They are in joint fourth position with a score that in most years would have gone close to leading the first-round field.
HELEN HOLM SCOTTISH WOMEN’S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Troon Portland (Par 75)
FIRST ROUND
65 R Bell (Ganton).
69 A Vilatte(Fra), C Lennarth (Swe).
70 D Montgomery (The Lambourne), M Reid (Chevin), J Wilson (Strathaven), H MacRae (Dunblane New), L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).
71 L Herman (Bel), A Decharne (Fra), H Barwood (Knowle)..
72 S Evans (Vale of Llangollen), C Lee (West Lancs), R W Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan), E Alonso (Fra), B Loucks (Wrexham), D Smith (Co Louth), K Smith (Waterlooville), R Connor (Manchester).
73 J Carthew (Ladybank), B Genuini (Fra), L Hendry (Routenburn), C Alonso (Fra), L Hall (Royal Porthcawl), L-A Stemple (Ger)..
74 F Hernandez (Fra), M Bernard (Fra), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), E Tipping (Sandiway), N Craven (Brough), T Davies (Holyhead), P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), R Svahn (Fin), C Booth (Comrie), M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), B Mullins-Lane (Finchley).
75 A Riguelle (Fra), S Gendroneau (Fra), L Gustafsson (Swe), E Moffat (St Regulus), E Duggleby (Malton & Norton), S Atwood (Gog Magog).
76 C Hargan (Mortonhall), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), S Stubbs (Shifnal), N Muehl (Aut), S Faller (Galway), K Caithness (St Regulus), M Ricordeau (Fra), N Edwards (Ganton), J Hedwall (Swe)
77 L Ball (Matfen Hall), L Collin (John O’Gaunt), M Briggs (Kilmacolm), T Boyes (Meon Valley), C Hedwall (Swe), E Westrup (Swe), S Mantyniemi (Fin).
78 K Walker (Buchanan Castle), T McDonnell (Ennis), L Robertson (Ranfurly Castle), B Harries (Haverfordwest), C Fallay (Fra), A Korkeila (Fin), S Harju (Fin).
79 R Crepiat (Fra), A Laing (Vale of Leven), J Hodge (Knowle), A F Ramsay (Kirriemuir), C-M Carlton (Fereneze), S Garbutt (Ganton), F Lockhart (St Regulus).
80 H Schilling (Ger), C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), C Douglass (Brocket Hall), H Aitchison (Bedfordshire), M Pow (Selkirk), L Murray (Alford), J Turner (Mortonhall).
82 D Dewar (Monifieth), L J Roberts (Holyhead).
83 M Bazin de Jessey (Fra).
84 E Lowrey-Gold (Eaton).

Dorset’s Sue Ellis wins English seniors’ championship
Dorset’s Sue Ellis won the Senior Ladies’ English Close Championship at Delamere Forest when she beat Yorkshire’s Hilary Smyth 3/2 in the final.
“I’m exhilarated,” said the Ferndown player who has never before got past the first round of the championship. “I want to cry!”
She went on: “To be honest I had nothing to lose. I wanted to do a decent qualifying score and if I made the matchplay it would be a bonus. Then I went on and on – and I realised I could do it. I am simply thrilled – and thrilled for my club.”
Sue is a former Dorset county player whose ultimate aim is to play for England seniors. The final brought her up against a player, Hilary Smyth of Pannal, who represented her country in the 2005 seniors’ home internationals.
Both golfers put on a fine show, demonstrating some excellent ball striking and they claimed two birdies apiece during the 16 holes they played.
The match was finely balanced, with only one hole separating the two players for much of the game. But Sue gained momentum when she holed a 30-footer from the fringe on the 13th. It gave her a par four and a half, when moments before she’d looked odds-on to lose the hole and go one down. “I think that was the turning point,” she remarked.
She birdied the 14th to go one up, parred the 15th to go two up and won her first national title when she parred the short 16th, where her five iron finished within 10ft of the hole.
The championship’s B Division title was won by Frances Lindley of Minchinhampton who was helped by a hole-in-one on the 139-yard 12th where she hit a five iron into the wind. It was her fifth ace, it took her to three up against three-times titleholder udy McCairns (Oxford Ladies’) and put her en route for a 2/1 victory.
“I’m on top of the world – this is the top-most thing I have ever done,” Frances said afterwards. “I’ve never got to these heights before.”
In the championship semi-finals Hilary Smith beat former hockey international Felicity Coulter (Banstead Downs) 1 up; Sue Ellis beat Sue Stradling (Worplesdon) 4/3.
B Division semi-finals: Judy McCairns beat Deborah Backhouse (Aldeburgh) 5/4; Frances Lindley beat Christine Stokes (Clitheroe) at the 19th.

US College Golf
FIFE STUDENT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Peter Latimer from Markinch, Fife, a freshman student at Guilford College, Greensboro in North Carolina, has been named Rookie of the Year in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
Latimer, a winner on his first season on the American college golf circuit, was also named to the All-Old Dominion Athletic conference team, selected by the head golf coaches in the conference.

US College Golf
RHYS DAVIES RANKED NO 1 ON US COLLEGE CIRCUIT
Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies, in his final year at East Tennessee State University, tops GolfWeek’s US college golf rankings this week for the second time in two months.
Walker Cup player Davies, brought up at Bridgend, South Wales, has won 10 times in his four years on the American college circuit.
The next best placed British & Irish players in the latest rankings are Niall Turner (Minnesota University) from Cork in 24th place; Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) from Waterford in 45th place and Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) from Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 46th spot.

US College Golf
GLASGOW STUDENT JOINT FIFTH IN LOUISIANA
Stephen Clark from Glasgow, a junior student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, finished joint fifth in the Mid-Continent Championship college golf tournament at Golf Club at Stonebridge, Shreveport in Louisiana.
The high finish earned Clark a place in the All-Mid-Continent “team” of six, a team that never plays any matches but is chosen by the golf coaches in the conference and reflects a player’s high standing.
Clark had rounds of 74, 73 and 69 for a level par total of 216 over the par-72, 6,954yd course.
Team-mate Alex Hogben, a 6ft 3in freshman student from Manchester, finished joint 17th in a field of 35 players with scores of 76, 71 and 76 for 223.
Tim Streng (Western Illinois) won the individual honours by three strokes with rounds of 71, 69 and 68 for eight-undere-par 208.
Western Illinois (863) won the team event by one shot from Oral Roberts with Southern Utah (871) third and UMKC (875) fourth of seven contesting colleges

US College Golf
US UNIVERSITY COACHES BANNED FROM USING TEXT MESSAGE TO RECRUIT
Recruitment of new players for their college programmes plays a major part of a golf coach's life in the United States. Their hands are tied in more ways than you might think. There is a strict list of what they can do and what they cannot do to get the best players to sign Letters of Intent to join this or that university.
The NCAA board of directors have added one more restriction, which reflects the way communication between individuals has changed in recent times.
The ruling body of American college sport has imposed a ban this week on ALL text messages from coaches to potential recruits. It will come into effect in August.
E-mails and faxes and letters - remember them? - would still be permissible and subject to current NCAA guidelines, which include some time periods that prohibit coaches from contacting recruits in any form.
"The board was swayed very much by what the student-athletes themselves had to say,'' said an NCAA official. "We heard anecdotal stories of someone waking up and having 52 text messages.''
It is recognised that enforcing the new measure could prove difficult.
"You're not allowed to buy a kid a hamburger when he goes on the road, but that's tough to enforce, too. There are many rules that, on the face of them, are unenforceable,'' said the official.

DAY OF UPSETS IN ENGLISH SENIOR WOMEN'S MATCH-PLAY
Surrey’s Sue Stradling led a day of match-play upsets at the Senior Ladies’ English close amateur championship at Delamere Forest in Cheshire.
The Worplesdon player beat defending champion Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) by one hole in the first round and then knocked out the former Curtis Cup player, Carole Caldwell of Sunningdale, by 3 and 2.
Sue’s wins marked a successful comeback to seniors’ golf after a four-year absence when she concentrated on Surrey duties, where she has been county captain.
“When I saw the first round draw I thought how nice it would be to be beaten by the current champion,” she joked. In fact they battled round to reach the 18th tee all square and Sue went through when she parred the hole. “It was a surprise, a big surprise,” she said.
In the afternoon she took on another seniors’ international when she met Carole Caldwell. Sue’s attitude was “to think about my golf and nothing else” and it quickly moved her ahead in the match.
She was four-up twice and withstood a fightback from the Sunningdale player on the back nine, before closing out the match with a half in 3 on the 178-yard 16th.
Meanwhile, Ferndown’s Sue Ellis reached the semi-finals when she beat Geraldine Bray, the reigning seniors stroke-play champion from Littlestone.
Sue won the last three holes, finishing with a birdie on the 18th, and said: “I had nothing to lose – and it was a cracking match.”
Top seed and local hope, Sue Dye of Delamere Forest, was another player to suffer an upset. She was beaten in the first round by 16th qualifier Felicity Coulter (Banstead Downs) who went on to defeat Elaine Elliott (Whitley Bay).
In the other quarter final Hilary Smyth from Pannal, a member of England's 2005 seniors’ home international team, beat Rozalyn Adams (Addingon Court) 3 and 2.
Friday's semi-final line-up is:
Felicity Coulter v Hilary Smyth, Sue Stradling v Sue Ellis.
In the championship’s Division B, the top qualifier, Elaine James (Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands), was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Deborah Backhouse (Aldeburgh).
Semi-finals: Deborah Backhouse (Aldeburgh) v Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies’). Frances Lindley (Minchinhampton) v Christine Stokes (Clitheroe).

Thursday 26th April 2007

Renfrewshire champion, Megan Briggs and runner-up Clare-Marie Carlton

YOUNG MEGAN BRIGGS RETAINS RENFREWSHIRE TITLE
Megan Briggs has retained the Renfrewshire women’s golf championship she won for the first time at the age of 16 last year.
At Erskine Golf Club, the Kilmacolm teenager, who qualified in fourth position, beat 10 times record county champion Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), the leading qualifier, for the second year in a row, this time by 4 and 3 in the morning semi-final instead of in the final.
In the final Megan beat 20-year-old Stirling University student Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), who won the title in 2003, by one hole in a very tight match. They were all square after 16 holes. Then Megan won the 17th and halved the last to be champion again.
Clare-Marie, the No2 qualifier, had beaten the No 3 seed, Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) by 3 and 1 in her semi-final.
Results:
Semi-finals – M Briggs (Kilmacolm) bt D Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 4 and 3, C-M Carlton (Fereneze) bt G Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 3 and 1.
Final – Briggs bt Carlton 1 hole.
[Thanks to Carol Fell for photos]

IN-FORM MELISSA FAVOURITE TO REPEAT HELEN HOLM WIN THIS WEEKEND AT TROON
Only two Scots – Lesley Nicholson (1999) and Heather Stirling (2002) – have won the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play championship in the last 14 years and it’s long odds against that record being improved at Troon over the next three days.
For the first time since Belle Robertson won the inaugural 54-hole tournament in 1973, the “Helen Holm” is being played from Friday to Sunday, instead of the traditional two days at Troon Portland and Royal Troon.
The field of 90 consists some of the best female amateurs in Great Britain & Ireland plus France, Sweden, Germany, Finlay and Austria. For some reason, the Spanish Federation continues to ignore the event even though it is now one of the tournaments that counts towards the European amateur rankings.
There are 45 players with handicaps of scratch or better, including the 19-year-old England international and Curtis Cup player Melissa Reid from Derby. Melissa won the title with a 13 under par total last year and a recent victory in the Whittington Heath Ladies’ Trophy 36-hole open event, in which she lowered the course record, indicates that she will be very hard to beat even though this is the best field ever assembled at Troon.
Scotland’s hopes of a home win may rest on the shoulders of Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) or Carly Booth (Comrie).
There will be much interest in the performance of 14-year-old Carly, a Junior Ryder Cup player, who has flown back for the event from the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida where she has been a student since last autumn.
Has she become an even better player by becoming immersed in golf morning, noon and night over the past nine months? This weekend should provide a pointer
After the first and second rounds on Friday and Saturday over Troon Portland – whose par-5 holes are two-shotters for this class of player – the leading 66 and ties will qualify for Sunday’s final 18 holes over Royal Troon which is more of a test, particularly if the wind blows.

Ayrshire Girls who competed at Brunstane Castle

Ayrshire Girls’ Medal – 22 April 07
Rachael McQueen (Troon Bentinck) had the top score in the Ayrshire Girls’ Medal played over Brunston Castle last weekend. Rachael’s gross 72 (SS and CSS 73) included a dropped shot at the first hole which was compensated with birdies at the 7th and 17th.
Results
Division 1 (H’cap. 0-22)
Rachael McQueen (Troon Bentinck) 72(5) 67
Emma Duncan (Barassie) 108 (25) 83
Division 2 (H’cap. 23-36)
Rachel Irvine (Largs) 113 (36) 77
Alex Sargent (Skelmorlie) 85 (15) 70
The Pre-Handicap girls played 9 holes over a shortened course. Their results are as follows:-
Age 12 and over
Nicola Turner (West Kilbride) 50
Cara Black (Skelmorlie) 57
Age 11
Grace Mackie (Troon Ladies) 48
Sophie Love (Skelmorlie) 64
Age 10 and under
Carly Brown (Brunston) 59
Hazel McGarvie (Bentinck) 69
[Thanks to June Kerr for results and photos]

Pre-handicap girls in the Ayrshire girls medal.

MEGAN BEATS DONNA AGAIN TO REACH FINAL OF RENFREWSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP
Renfrewshire women's county title-holder Megan Briggs, 17, from Kilmacolm beat 10 times champion Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) for the second year in a row.
Last year, it was in the final. Today, at Erskine Golf Club, it was in the first semi-finao with Megan winning by 4 and 3.
Winner of the other semi-final was another former champion, Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze). She beat Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) by 3 and 1.

DEATH OF KATHLEEN COPLEY, FORMER SLGA CHAIRMAN AND CHAMPIONSHIP FINALIST
Mrs Kathleen Copley, one of the leading players and administrators in Scottish women’s amateur golf from the 1960s to the early 1990s, died earlier this week at Borders General Hospital. She was 63.
As Kathleen Lackie, playing out of Montrose Royal Albert Golf Club, she was a gifted young player who soon made her mark in the Montrose and Angus area.
In 1974, Kathleen reached the final of the Scottish women’s amateur championship at Nairn and had an epic duel with Dr Aileen Wilson (Haggs Castle) before losing at the 22nd hole.
She was capped for Scotland in 1974 and 1975 before marrying Malcolm Copley.
Kathleen served on the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association executive in the late 1980s and became chairman in 1990.
She was a member of Gullane Ladies and Broomieknowe Golf Clubs.
Golf was not her only forte. She was an extremely good Bridge player.
The funeral service will be held at Warriston Crematorium Lorimer Chapel at 11am on Monday, April 30. All friends are invited.
A private interment will be held at Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose.
Our sympathies go to her husband, Malcolm.

ROSEANNE PRAISED BY CALIFORNIA COACH AFTER GRITTY COMEBACK IN FINAL ROUND
It can’t be easy going from Scotland in mid-winter to play on the American college circuit when you join it halfway through their season, so words of praise from the University of California Berkeley head golf coach Nancy McDaniel must have been music to the ears of Scottish Under-18 girls champion Roseanne Niven from Crieff.
Roseanne had rounds of 86, 81 and 76 for a total of 243 and a share of 36th position in a field of 50 players for the Women’s Pac-10 Championship over a par-72, 6,196yd course at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle.
Miss Niven, only 18, had two triple bogeys and two double bogeys in her first round and on double bogey in her second.
That would be enough to put anyone down in the dumps but Roseanne kept her chin up and was able to birdie the short seventh and long 11th in a morale-boosting final round which included bogeys at the second, third, ninth, 11th, 16th and 18th.
Miss Niven’s last-round effort counted for the California team and enabled them to finish fifth among 10 top-notch teams from the conference.
"Roseanne played better for us today," said coach Nancy McDaniel. "We really needed a solid effort from her today, and she came through."
Now Roseanne and the California Bears are looking forward to the regional championships in mid-May.
The individual Pac-10 title went to Tiffany Joh (UCLA) who birdied the second hole of a sudden-death play-off to beat Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State), the 2005 British girls’ open champion.
Belen Mozo, the Spanish girl who won both the British women’s and British girls’ titles in Northern Ireland last summer, is taking time to settle in her first year with Southern California University. She finished joint 30th on 241 – only two shots ahead of Roseanne.
Compatriot Azahara Munoz (Arizona State), winner of the British girls title at Lanark in 2004, finished joint 15th.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
218 Tiffany Joh (UCLA) 74 70 74, Anna Nordqvist (Arizona State) 68 72 78 (Joh bt Nordqvist at second hole of sudden-death play-off).
219 Mari Chun (Stanford) 71 73 75.
Other totals:
231 Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) 76 77 78 (jt15th).
241 Belen Mozo (Southern California) 78 84 79 (jt 30th).
243 Roseanne Niven (California) 86 81 76 (jt 36th).
LEADING TEAM FINAL TOTALS
897 Arizona State. 915 UCLA. 921 Southern California. 923 Arizona. 926 California. 10 Teams took part.

Lesley shows what she can do!
Lesley Johnson (nee Hope), 1975 Scottish Champion and captain of the Scottish European team bound for Italy in July, had a 77 on Gullane No2 in very windy conditions yesterday. Lesley has recently been recruited to the Scottish Seniors Squad after reaching a significant birthday.

Wednesday 25th April 2007

New Lanarkshire Champion Pamela Pretswell and Runner-up Jenna Wilson

TEENAGER PAMELA BEATS FAVOURITE JENNA IN LANARKSHIRE WOMEN’S FINAL
Bothwell Castle teenager Pamela Pretswell achieved her best golf performance todate at Cathkin Braes Golf Club today (Wed) when she beat Scotland international Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) by one hole in the final.
It was 17-year-old Pamela’s first county title success and she prevented her more experienced opponent completing a hat-trick of title wins.
Miss Pretswell, the No 2 qualifier, won the second hole to square the match and went one up for the first time with an eagle at the fourth. The sixth was halved in birdies before Pamela went two up at the 10th.
Jenna Wilson, the top seed, then squared the game with a birdie at the 13th and a par at the 15th, but Pamela’s confidence was still high and she took what proved to be a winning lead by winning the 16th. The last two holes were halved.
In the morning semi-finals on a quite windy day, Jenna had beaten Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) by 6 and 5 while Pamela beat Susan Wood (Drumpellier), the No 3 qualifier, by 5 and 4.
Today's details:
Semi-finals – J Wilson (Strathaven) bt E Cuthill (Lanark) 6 and 5, P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) bt S Wood (Drumpellier) 5 and 4.
Final – Pretswell bt Wilson 1 hole.

MEGAN MEETS DONNA IN SEMI-FINALS OF RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Defending champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) will meet record-setting 10 times champion Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), the No 1 qualifier, in the first of this morning's (Thu) semi-finals of the Renfrewshire women's county golf championship at Erskine Golf Club.
It will be a repeat of last year's final in which the 17-year-old Megan beat Donna by 6 and 5 with five birdies in 13 holes.
In the other semi-final, Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) will play Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), the 2003 county champion and No 2 qualifier this week.
The semi-finals will tee off at 9.30 and 9.45 with the final at 2pm.
Results:
First round - D Jackson (Cochrane Castle) bt B Biggart (Kilmacom) 5 and 4, J McCartney (Erskine) bt A Judge (Ranfurly Castle) 1 hole, L Robertson (Ranfurly Castle) bt Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 5 and 4, M Briggs (Kilmacolm) bt L Morrow (Erskine) 4 and 3, G Kyle (East Renfrewshire) bt F Campbell (Erskine) 7 and 6, S Smyth (Ranfurly Castle) bt C Fell (Ranfurly Castle) at 19th ,G McGinlay (Cochrane Castle) bt Denise Cowan (Cochrane Castle) 8 and 7, C-M Carlton (Fereneze) bt L McDougall (Greenock)1 hole.
Quarter-finals - Jackson bt McCartney 5 and 4, M Briggs bt Robertson 3 and 1, Kyle bt Smyth 4 and 3, Carlton bt McGinlay 4 and 3.

NIGHTMARE OUTWARD HALF FOR FIONA IN ENGLISH SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP
Blairgowrie-born Fiona Anderson had a nightmare outward half of 48 on her way to finishing joint 22nd in the English senior women’s closed amateur golf championship over 36 holes at Delamere Forest Golf Club today (Wednesday).
Fiona, who has lived in North-west England for a number of years and is a member of Formby Ladies, had rounds of 80 and 85 for 165.
Miss Anderson, who played in five Scottish women’s finals between 1980 and 1991 and won her native title in 1987, finished 19 shots behind the winner by eight strokes, Susan Dye, who scored 72 and 73 for a one-over-par total of 145 over her home course.
In the second round,Fiona had five double bogeys before the turn but then reeled off eight pars and one bogey to come home in 37.
Fiona failed to make the top 16 who go on to the matchplay stages on Thurday and Friday.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
145 S Dye (Delamere Forest) 72 73.
153 G Bray (Littlestone) 81 72.
155 C Caldwell (Sunningdale) 77 78.
156 C Watson (Beaconsfield) 75 81, J Rumsey (Rochford Hundred) 75 81, H Smyth (Pannal) 78 78.
157 R Lindley (Hartlepool) 82 75.
158 P Wrightso (Huddersfield) 84 75.
159 E Elliott (Whitley Bay) 78 80, S Ellis (Ferndown) 78 81.
160 S Stradling (Worplesdon) 78 82.
161 J Tootell (Lancaster) 77 84, R Adams (Addington Court) 80 81.
162 I Brien (Wentworth) 80 82, P Parker (Abbotsley) 85 77, A Vine (Stockport) 82 80, F Coulter (Banstead Downs) 81 81.
Other score:
165 F Anderson (Formby Ladies) 80 85.

US College Golf
PABLO WINS BIG 12 CONFERENCE TITLE
Pablo Martin, the Spanish student who won on the European Tour as an amateur a few weeks ago, is back in the winners' circle on the American college golf circuit.
Pablo, a student at Oklahoma State University, won the Big 12 Conference championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club, Hutchinson, Kansas with rounds of 70,73 and 68 for a two-under-par total of 211 over the par-70, 6611yd course.
He won by three strokes from team-mate Ryan Posey (Oklahoma State) who shot 73, 73 and 68.
Oklahoma State (866) also won the team title by 13 shots from Texas A&M (873) with Texas Tech (893) third and Texas (894) fourth of 12 teams.
Martin, a former British boys champion, will turn professional after the NCAA championships at the end of next month.

US College Golf
SHEFFIELD STUDENT WINS OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE TITLE IN AMAZING LAST NINE HOLES TURN-AROUND
Daniel Willett from Sheffield scored a double whammy success at the Ohio Valley Conference men's college golf championship at the Country Club of Paducah in Kentucky (tournament finished Tuesday).
Daniel, a sophomore student, won the individual title by six shots with an amazing, come-from-behind charge of the final round - and he helped his Jacksonville State University, Alabama team to win the team title.
Willett was seven shots behind the leader, Scott Schallings (Texas Tech) at the start of the final round of the 54-hole tournament. When Schallings reached the turn in 33 over the par 72, 6,872yd course, Daniel, even though he had birdied the first, fifth and eighth and dropped only one shot, at the second, had actually lost ground, falling eight strokes behind.
Then came an astonishing change of fortunes over the second nine holes. Schallings' game came apart at the seams and he took 47 strokes for a round of 80 and a total of 220.
Meanwhile Willett birdied the 10th and 11th, bogeyed the 14th, but then finished in style with birdies at the 17th and 18th for a five-under-par 67 - the lowest round of the championship - and a total of two-under-par 214. His earlier rounds were 73 and 74.
The unfortunate Schallings tied for second place with two of Willett's JSU team-mates, Julian Colmenares and Bryan Rozier.
Jacksonville State (884) won the team event by 22 strokes from Eastern Kentucky (906) with Austin Peay State (909) third in a field of 10 teams.
INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
214 Daniel Willett (Jacksonville State) 73 74 67.
220 Julian Colmenares (Jacksonville State) 74 76 70, Bryan Rozier (Jacksonville State) 74 76 70, Scott Schallings (Texas Tech) 71 69 80.
LEADING TEAMS
884 Jacksonville State.
906 Eastern Kentucky.
909 Austin Peay State.
10 teams took part.

SGU Press Release
Aberdeen Asset MANAGEMENT to Invest in Scottish Golf Team
Aberdeen Asset Management added the Scotland amateur golf team to their growing sponsorship portfolio in a significant five figure sum boost to the Scottish Golf Union’s talent development programme.
One of the world’s leading investment managers, Aberdeen Asset Management will become the Official Sponsors of the Scotland Men’s Amateur Golf Team as well as a partner of the SGU’s Academy, in a new deal which will see the Aberdeen logo appearing on the clothing and bags of Scotland’s leading amateur golfers whilst representing their country.
Earlier this year, Aberdeen Asset Management announced a sponsorship agreement with Colin Montgomerie, whilst also extending their eight-year association with former Open Champion Paul Lawrie. The company is in its third year of partnership with the British Seniors Open, whilst also sponsoring golfers Simon Yates and Mark McNulty.
Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management Martin Gilbert said:
“We are extremely delighted to be supporting the Scottish Golf Union, the national team and the Academy programme. With the emergence of young players such as Richie Ramsay and Lloyd Saltman, it’s been a very exciting period for Scottish amateur golf and hopefully our investment will help that success continue.”
“As a company we are very proud of our Scottish heritage and it is important that we invest in the grass roots end of the game as well as supporting our top professionals like Colin and Paul.” he added.
Speaking at the launch, SGU Chief Executive Hamish Grey, said:
“The performances of our leading young players over the past few years have created an unprecedented interest in Scottish amateur golf and the capture of Aberdeen Asset Management as sponsor of the Scotland team reflects that.”
“Golf plays an important role in the business community and it’s great that a company with the scale and profile of Aberdeen are putting so much back into the game. We are committed to growing the game and developing talent and this sponsorship will allow us to expand the work we are doing in these areas.”
The Scotland team will be hoping that the sponsorship will boost their chances of a home victory when Western Gailes hosts this summer’s European Amateur Team Championships (3 – 7 July), whilst a third consecutive Home Internationals title awaits them at County Louth in Ireland if successful in September.
Aberdeen Asset Management is an international investment management group managing assets totalling £78.4 billion (as at 28 February 2007) for clients around the world. The company joins leading golf brands adidas and TaylorMade – official apparel and equipment suppliers to the Scottish Golf Union – as partners of the Scotland golf team.

Tuesday 24th April 2007

JENNA WILSON GETS A GIMME EAGLE IN LANARKSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP
So bad was the weather at Cathkin Braes Golf Club today (TUESDAY), that at one stage the organisers of the Lanarkshire women’s county championship feared they would have to abandon the second day’s play.
But the competitors struggled on in awful conditions to produce a semi-final line-up on Wedneday morning of Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) v Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) and Susan Wood (Drumpellier) v Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
For the second day in a row, Jenna had a eagle. This one came in her 10 and 8 first-round win over clubmate Marion Brodie. In fact, Jenna almost holed her second shot for an albatross 2. The ball came to rest so close to the flagstick, it was a “gimme.”
Jenna, bidding to complete a hat-trick of Lanarkshire title wins, went on to beat Pat Milligan (Hamilton) by 4 and 3 in the afternoon quarter-finals.
Young Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), the No 2 qualifier, beat clubmate Fiona Scott, an experienced campaigner and the No 7 seed, by 6 and 5 to reach the last four.
LANARKSHIRE WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Cathkin Braes Golf Club.
First round – J Wilson (Strathaven) bt M Brodie (Strathaven) 10 and 8, P Milligan (Hamilton) bt J Scott (Cathkin Braes) 2 holes, E Cuthill (Lanark) bt I Robertson (East Kilbride) 6 and 5, M Hughes (Lanark) bt J McMillan (Hayston) 2 holes, S Wood (Drumpellier) bt L Lees (Hamilton) 2 and 1, A Devine (Hamilton) bt J Wiles (Drumpellier) 2 and 1, F Scott (Bothwell Castle) bt G Scanlan (Hamilton) 1 hole, P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) bt D McTaggart (Cambuslang) 2 and 1.
Quarter-finals – Wilson bt Milligan 2 holes, Cuthill b Hughes 2 holes, Wood bt Devine 6 and 4, Oretswell bt F Scott 6 and 5.

DONNA TOP SEED AS SHE CHASES TITLE NO 11 IN RENFREWSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP
Donna Jackson, 10 times winner – and that’s a record – of the Renfrewshire women’s county golf championship, headed the 16 qualifiers at Erskine Golf Club today (Tuesday) for the match-play stages.
In wet conditions, the CSS went up to 76, three over par, and so Miss Jackson’s score of 74 was quite a good one in these circumstances.
She claimed the top seeding ahead of the 2003 title-winner, Clare-Marie Carlton) who shaded Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) on a card countback. They both had 77s.
The fourth best qualifier was the 17-year-old defending champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) with a 79.
RENFREWSHIRE WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Erskine Golf Club.
Par 73. CSS 76
QUALIFIERS
74 D Jackson (Cochrane Castle).
77 C-M Carlton (Fereneze) better inward half, G Kyle (East Renfrewshire).
79 M Briggs (Kilmacolm).
82 L Robertson (Ranfurly Castle).
85 C Fell (Ranfurly Castle), bih, Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle).
86 J McCartney (Erskine).
87 A Judge (Ranfurly Castle) bih, D Cowan (Cochrane Castle).
88 S Smyth (Ranfurly Castle) bih, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) better last hole, L Morrow (Erskine) (bih), F Campbell (Erskine).
89 L McDougal (Greenock).
90 B Biggart (Kilmacolm).
AUTOMATIC DRAW
First round: 9.15 Jackson v Biggart, Judge v McCartney. 9.30 Robertson v E Briggs, Morrow v M Briggs, Kyle v Campbell, Smith v Fell. 10.0 McGinlay v Cowan, McDougal v Carlton.
Quarter-finals: 1.15 to 2pm.

ELGA Press Release
Mother and daughter win Northern foursomes
The mother and daughter pairing of Jackie and Katie Barraclough won the Northern ladies’ close foursomes championship at Scarcroft Golf Club on their first appearance in the event.
They both play off five handicap at East Bierley Golf Club in Yorkshire and Katie, 17, is a member of the English Ladies’ Golf Association’s Select North Squad.
“I’m really pleased because it was our first time in the competition,” sad Jackie. “It was a bit of a surprise to win but we do play a lot of foursomes together.”
The Barracloughs beat Keighley’s Elaine Pearson & Adele Mitchell by 5/4 in the final. Adele is a former English seniors’ champion. The losing semi-finalists were Sue Warrington & Andrea Holt (Bury) and Helen Braddock & Carole Leece (Bolton Old Links).
Two other events were held alongside the championship. The stableford foursomes competition was won by Ruth Lindley and Penny Thompson (Hartlepool/ West Lancashire). Runners up were Patricia Simpson and Deborah Simpson (Brancepeth Castle) while third place went to Judy Leake & Joanna Hearld (Harrogate).
The foursomes team competition was won by Lynda Ireland and Val Exley, Ann Smith and Michelle Leatherland (Shipley). The runners-up were Rita Cullen and Sue Greasby, Mary Smith and Louise Scott (Wakefield).

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 – CARNOUSTIE
DISCOUNTED SEASON TICKETS
Time is running out for spectators to take advantage of discounted season tickets for The Open Championship to be played at Carnoustie from Sunday 15 to Sunday 22 July.
Until the end of April, £170 buys a season ticket which gives entry for the eight days of practice and Championship play, a saving of £105 on the full price daily tickets.
“We are continuing our policy of making The Open affordable to all spectators,” said David Hill, The R&A’s Director of Championships.
“While it will still be possible to pay at the gate, a season ticket represents particularly good value and spectators should take advantage of the discounted rate before this ceases at the end of the month.”
During the four days of the Championship, a daily ticket will cost £50, with concession tickets available. Juveniles, under the age of 16, will again be admitted free of charge by applying to The R&A in advance or if accompanied by a responsible adult on the day.
Ticket applications should be directed in writing to: Ticket Office, The R&A, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JD; by telephone on: ++44 1334 460010 or through on-line purchasing at www.opengolf.com.

US College Golf
DANIEL LYING SECOND BUT SEVEN SHOTS IN ARREARS
Daniel Willett (Jacksonville State) from Sheffield is lying in second place of 49 players but seven shots behind the leader with one round to go in the Ohio Valley Conference men's college championship at Country Club of Paducah.
Daniel has scored 73 and 74 for 147 over the par-72, 6,872yd course. Leader Scott Stallings (Tennessee Tech) has had rounds of 71 and 69 for 140.
Jacksonville State (597) lead the team event from Eastern Kentucky (608) in a field of 10 teams.

US College Golf
FIFE STUDENT SLIDES TO SEVENTH WITH DISASTROUS LAST ROUND
It all went pear-shaped for Peter Latimer from Markinch, a freshman student at Guilford College, Greensboro in North Carolina, in the final round of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference college golf championship at Poplar Grove Golf Club, Amherst in Virginia.
Peter, a tournament winner just a week or two ago, was in contention again at level par with one round to go but a disastrous closing round of 80 relegated him to a final placing of joint seventh in a field of 45 players.
Latimer’s three rounds were 68, 76 and 80 over the par-72, 7,059yd course for a total of eight-over-par 224.
He finished 13 shots behind Guilford College team-mate Colin Clark who birdied the last six holes for a 66 and a total of five-under 211 after earlier scoring 72 and 73.
Consolation for Peter was that his effort helped Guilford College win the title by the runaway margin of 17 strokes from Washington & Lee University.

Monday 23rd April 2007

SVLGA (MIDLAND DIVISION) SPRING MEETING
Midland Vets held their Spring Meeting today in miserable, wet conditions at Falkirk Tryst. Scottish Seniors Champion Fiona De Vries won the scratch with 76 and the winner of the Allan Cup/Captain's Prize (best overall nett) was local member Anna Hunter, with a nett 71.
Leading Scores
(CSS 74 – 61 Players)
Allan Cup/Captain’s Prize – A. Hunter (Falkirk Tryst) 93-22=71.
1st Scratch – F. de Vries 76
2nd Scratch – C. Kenny 82 bih
Div. 1: 1st M. Macrae 83-11=72
2nd S. Hartley 83-10=73
3rd L. Cunningham 84-10=74
Div. 2: 1st M. Seymour 90-17=73
2nd D. Dunn 90-13=77 bih
3rd E. Murrison 92-15=77
Div. 3 1st A. Hunter 93-22=71
2nd A. McBay 98-23=75

JENNA TOP SEED AS SHE CHASES LANARK COUNTY TITLE TREBLE
Strathaven’s Jenna Wilson made a good start to her bid to win the Lanarkshire women’s county golf championship three years in a row at Cathkin Braes Golf Club today (MONDAY).
The 22-year-old Scotland international headed the 16 qualifiers for the match-play stages on a very wet and sometimes windy day with a par-matching round of 72 which was one under the CSS.
Jenna highlighted her card with an eagle and two birdies.
Teenager Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) did well to claim the No2 seed berth, only one shot behind Jenna.
Then there was a three-shot gap to the No 3 qualifier Susan Wood (Drumpellier).
The fourth seed, after an 81, is May Hughes (Lanark), Lanarkshire champion three times between 1993 and 2004 and also beaten finalist on three occasions.
QUALIFIERS
Par 72. CSS 73
72 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
73 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
76 Susan Wood (Drumpellier).
81 May Hughes (Lanark).
82 Elaine Cuthill (Lanark).
83 Angela Devine (Hamilton).
85 Fiona Scott (Bothwell Cstle).
89 Joanna Scott (Cathkin Braes).
90 Pat Milligan (Hamilton), Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton).
91 Jennifer Wiles (Drumpellier), Isa Robertson (East Kilbride).
92 Jan mcMillan (Hayston).
98 Liz Lees (Hamilton).
99 Dorothy McTaggart (Cambuslang).
100 Marion Brodie (Strathaven).
AUTOMATIC DRAW
Wilson v Brodie, Milligan v J Scott, Cuthill v Robertson, McMillan v Hughes, Wood v Lees, Wiles v Devine, F Scott v Scanlan, McTaggart v Pretswell.

NO NEED TO GO WEST, YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN - UNIVERSITY GOLF HERE HAS MUCH TO OFFER
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Going to the States to combine competitive, inter-collegiate golf with gaining a degree works for some. Just ask Walker and Ryder Cup players Luke Donald and Paul Casey or Solheim Cup stars Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay, all of whom have prospered with the help of US golf scholarships.
But it does not work for all those who see America as the land of opportunity. In another era, even Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle failed to stay the course at their US university of choice and countless other promising British and Irish players have returned home early. Some come back disappointed at the lack of technical help available on the golf swing from their “college golf coaches.” Read more.......

ELGA Press Release
Liz and Alex score hat trick at Mothers and Daughters
Liz Boatman and Alex Howe (pictured right) completed a hat trick of consecutive wins when they scored a three-shot victory in the Mothers and Daughters 27-hole scratch foursomes at Royal Mid-Surrey.
Liz, a former victorious Curtis Cup captain and a previous chairman and president of the English Ladies’ Golf Association, is a member at Royal Worlington. Alex plays at Royal County Down. This was their fifth win overall, after previous successes in 1996 and 1999.
The runners-up were former Curtis Cup golfer, Jill Thornhill, and her daughter, Caroline Weeks, who have twice won this title. The Walton Heath pair staged a late surge but were frustrated by a couple of three putts over the closing holes – while Alex Howe found the measure of the greens and sank two birdie putts.
Third place went to competition newcomers, Gillian and Sarah Attwood from Gog Magog, who shared with the lead after 18 holes.
The handicap prize was won by Rita and Nicole Whitmore from Woburn. Rita plays off 26 while her 18-year-old daughter is a two-handicapper.
The youngster competitor in the field was 13-year-old Alexandra Peters, the English U13 champion and a member of ELGA’s Select Midlands Squad. She and her mother, Ann, from Notts Ladies’, shared fifth place.
Leading final scores
114 - E Boatman & A Howe (Royal Worlington/Royal County Down) 78, 36; 117 – J Thornhill & C Weeks (Walton Heath) 82, 35; 119 - G & S Atwood (Gog Magog) 78, 41; 120 – R & N Whitmore (Woburn) 79, 41; 121 – G & H Beasley (Woburn) 81, 40, A & A Peters ( Notts Ladies) 80, 41; 124 – J & E Hickson (Hockley/Royal Mid Surrey) 82, 42, S & J Hicks-Beach (Stover) 79, 45; 125- J & K Tenniswood (West Hill/Wentworth) 82, 43, A & N Taylor (Walton Heath) 84, 41, C & C Griffiths (Walton Heath) 80, 45, J & K Fallows (Manchester GC) 83, 42.

ELGA Press Release
Melissa Reid wins Whittington Trophy
Derbyshire’s Curtis Cup star Melissa Reid (pictured) won the Whittington Ladies’ Trophy for the third successive time – helped by equalling a new course record.
The 19-year-old England international from Chevin shot a second round 69 at Whittington Heath to secure her success over the highest quality field ever to enter the competition.
Melissa’s rivals included Naomi Edwards from Ganton in Yorkshire and Breanne Loucks from Wales who are both fellow Curtis Cup players and members of the GB team for the Commonwealth Tournament, which will be played in May.
Her afternoon score, which was three under par and four under CSS, equalled the new record set in the morning by English strokeplay champion Liz Bennett of Brokenhurst Manor. Liz was runner-up overall, one shot behind Melissa.
The competition also attracted the two youngest players ever to take part in the event: Elizabeth Mallet, 12, of Sutton Coldfield Ladies’, who has been playing two years and has a five handicap; and English U13 champion Alexandra Peters, 13, of Notts Ladies. They are both members of English Ladies’ Golf Association squads.
Leading scores. Par 72 CSS 73.
142 Melissa Reid (Chevin) 73, 69.
143 Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 69, 74
144 Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Finchley) 74, 70
148 Clare Howells (Moor Hall) 73, 75.
149 Kerry-Anne Haskell (Broadstone) 77, 72.

NORTHERN COUNTIES 40TH BIRTHDAY PARTY COMPETITION RESULTS
By MAIRI ORR, Northern Counties LGA captain.
In almost tropical conditions at Elgin Golf Club on Sunday, 84 ladies played in the Northern Counties 40th birthday celebration competition.
The format had been specially thought out to allow all ages and abilities to feel they were contributing. It was teams of four, best stableford score to count and maximum six scores per player.
Teams were also tasked with labelling themselves. As you will see they were quite clever (and it broke the ice and gave them something else to do).
Results:
49pt Chuntering Grannies (Helen Stuart, Hazel Little, Alison Burnett, Chris Matheson.
49pt Northern Belles (Louise Hampton, Alison Gowie, May Alexander, Marina Webster).
47pt Next Week We Are Going Bowling (Linda Fraser, Dorothy Marshall, Louise Clark, Marion Howieson).
47pt The Final Four (Jenny Milne, Susan MacKenzie, Denise McBride, Maureen Ritchie).
47pt The Marvels (Susan McVicar, Trish Weekes, Elizabeth Sloan, Sheila Smith).
40pt The Fore Tease (Isobel McIntosh, Lorna Lloyd Baker, Ann Park, Sheilagh Ramsay).
Best name: Penultimate Prats (Liz Coghill, Rosemary Bruce, Lynne Fraser, Lucy Mackay).
Longest drive: Kelsey MacDonald.
Nearest pin: Sheila Smith.

SALLY RUNNER-UP TO JUNIOR RYDER CUP PLAYER IN FLORIDA GIRLS’ EVENT
Sally Watson from South Queensferry finished runner-up to European Junior Ryder Cup team player Giula Molinaro from Turin, Italy in the IMGA/DLGA Junior Girls championship at IMG Academies Golf & Country Club, Bradenton, Florida at the weekend.
Sally, a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Academy, at Bradenton had rounds of 76 and 69 for an aggregate of one-over-par 145.
Molinaro scored 72 and 69 for three-under-par 141.
Jessica Korda from Florida finished third on 146 with scores of 75 and 71.
Laetitia Beck (Israel) came fourth with 74 and 73 for 147.

CALLUM HAS FIVE DOUBLE BOGEYS BUT STILL MAKES TOP TEN AT SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
Callum Macaulay, in his final month or two of a four-year course at Mississippi University, finished joint ninth in the Southeast Conference men’s college championship at Sea Island Golf Club, Georgia.
The Tulliallan Golf Club member must have been pressing too hard to produce results for he had an uncharacteristic five double bogeys over the 54 holes. Three of them came in his final round of three-over-par 73.
He had 6s at the par-4 eighth, 14th and 18th which wiped out the birdies he achieved at the sixth, seventh, 15th and 17th.
The Scot’s earlier rounds were 75 and 71, giving him a total of nine-over-par 219 over a tough par-70 course (6,991yd) where even the winner, Patton Kizzire (Auburn) was over par, returning 72, 69 and70 for 211 and a four-stroke advantage over a field of 60.
It may have been some consolation for Callum that he had three of the recently announced United States college team for the Palmer Cup match against Europe – Billy Horschel, Chris Kirk and Luke List – behind him in the final standings.
Chris Paisley (Tennessee) from Newcastle and team-mate Tino Weirr finished joint runners-up on 215. Paisley shot 76, 70 and 69.
Not surprisingly, Tennessee (869) won the team title from Alabama (871) with Auburn (874) third and Mississippi fourth (876) in a field of 12 college squads.

TARA THIRD, GEMMA JT 18TH IN FINAL LADY BUCKEYE INVITATIONAL PLACINGS
Ireland international Tara Delaney (Kent State University) and Scottish cap Gemma Webster (Ohio State University) finished third and joint 18th respectively in the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational women’s college tournament over the Ohio State University’s Scarlet course at Dublin, Ohio.
Tara had scores of 76, 73 and 74 for a total of 224 eight over par for the 6,228yd, par-72 course.
She had birdies at the fifth, 11th, 14th and 15th but also ran up a double boghey at the ninth and dropped single shots at the seventh, 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th. In her first round, Tara had a double-bogey 5 at the short eighth.
Gemma Webster scored 80, 78 and 79 for 237. She had no birdies in her final round which included a triple bogey 8 at the lont 14th and a double bobey 6 at the 11th. Over the 54 holes, the Scot had two triple bogeys and three double bogeys.
Tara’s older sister Karen Delaney, also a student at Kent State, scored 83, 85 and 83 for 251 and a share of 60th place in a field of 87. She had six consecutive bogeys from the 11th to the 16th in her final round.
Spaniard Maria Hernandez (Purdue University) scored her second win within a few weeks, scoring 72, 70 and 73 for one-under-par 215. Team-mate Christel Boeljon was runner-up on 218 with 71, 71 and 76.
Purdue won the team title by 20 shots with a total of 891. Michigan State (911) were runners-up with Kent State (933) third and Ohio State (935) fourth of the 14 competing teams.

Sunday 22nd April 2007

FIONA LOCKHART REGAINS FIFE TITLE
Leuchars-based Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) won the Fife women’s county golf championship at Dunfermline Golf Club today.
This is the second time that Fiona, a member of the Scottish Golf Union staff at Drumoig, has won the Fife title. The last time – two years ago – she went on to complete a notable double by winning the Scottish women’s title at Cruden Bay a few weeks later.
In Sunday’s semi-finals, Fiona, the No 6 seed,.was taken to the 18th green before beating Lesley Rolland (Dunfermline) by two holes, but in the final, against Scottish senior international Lorna Bennett (Ladybank), the No 8 qualifier, Fiona stepped up a gear to win by 6 and 4.
Miss Lockhart was one under par in the final with two birdies and one bogey. Lorna struggled a bit on the greens.
Defending champion Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) and top seed Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) failed to make it through to the last four.
Elaine pitched in for an eagle 2 to win at the 19th over Susan Jackson (Ladybank) in the first round then lost by 2 and 1 to Lesley Rolland (Dunfermline).
Louise Kenney won her opening tie by 4 and 3 over Ann Moffat (St Regulus) before losing by 3 and 2 to Lorna Bennett..
Weekend results:
First round – L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt A Moffat (St Regulus) 4 and 3, L Bennett (Ldybank) bt B Copland (Scotscraig) 5 and 4, L Fury (Thornton) bt E Hodgetts (Balbirnie Park) at 20th, K Sharp (Kirkcaldy) bt D Ford (Scotscraig) 4 and 3, J Carthew (Ladybank) bt H Harvey (St Rule) 3 and 1, F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt J Blyth (Lundin Ladies) 5 and 4, L Rolland (Dunfermline) bt E Wilson (Elie & Earlsferry) 7 and 5, E Moffat bt S Jackson (Ladybank) at 19th.
Quarter-finals – Bennett bt Kenney 3 and 2, Sharp bt Fury 5 and 4, Lockhart bt Carthew 3 and 2, Rolland bt E Moffat 3 and 1.
Semi-finals – Bennett bt Sharp 3 and 1, Lockhart bt Rolland 2 holes.
Final – Lockhart bt Bennett 6 and 4.

SAM PLAYS IT AGAIN – WINNER OF SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT AT GLEN
Perth’s Sam McLaren (King James VI), winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys’ title at Deeside last year, won today’s (Sunday) Scottish Golf Junior Tour 36-hole event at Glen Golf Club, North Berwick by two strokes.
McLaren put together two par-matching rounds of 70 for a total of 140. Joint second to first-round pacemakers Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) and Royal Aberdeen’s Scott Fraser on 69, Sam started the afternoon badly with a couple of bogeys but a birdie at the third stopped the rot and another birdie at the seventh got him back to level par.
On the way home, McLaren dropped a shot at the 11th but birdied the 15th.
Joint runners-up on 142 were Scotland boys team-mates Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and James Byrne (Banchory). Stewart had rounds of 73 and 69, birdieing the sixth and 15th in his afternoon round. Byrne had two steady rounds of 71.
New Scottish boys’ match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) finished in joint 13th place with 74 and 72 for 146.
SGU JUNIOR TOUR – Event 2
Glen Golf Club, North Berwick
FINAL TOTALS
Par 70. SSS 70
140 Sam McLaren (King James VI) 70 70.
142 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 73 69, James Byrne (Banchory) 71 71.
143 Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) 71 72, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 70 73.
144 Neil Henderson (Glen) 71 73, Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) 69 74, Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 69 75.
145 David Parlane (Helensburgh) 76 69, Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) 76 69, William Bremner (Edzell) 72 73, Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) 70 75.
145 Michael Main (Thornton) 76 70, Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 76 70, Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie) 74 72, Euan Brown (Barassie) 74 72, Jack Thow (Crieff 74 72, Paul Ferrier (Baberton) 74 72, Christopher Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 73 73.
147 Jack Bradley (Paisley) 73 74.
148 Kyle Smith (Barassie) 77 71, Craig Wyper (Hayston) 76 72, Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 74 74.
149 Michael Daily (Erskine) 74 75.
150 Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo) 72 78.
152 Alan Murdoch (Stranraer) 76 76, Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 75 77, David Law (Hazlehead) 75 77.
153 Simon Barras (Helensburgh) 77 76, Sean Thompson (St Andrews) 75 78.
159 Sean McGarvey (Glencorse) 82 77.
165 Alistair Lauder (Paisley) 81 84.
Withdrew: Fraser McKenna (Balmore).

JODI EWART SCORES FIRST US WIN IN THRILLING MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH
New Mexico University first-year student Jodi Ewart from Middleham, Yorkshire won the individual title at the Mountain West Conference women's college championship after a neck-and-neck finish with French girl, Valentine Derrey, who was a beaten finalist in the British girls' open championship at Lanark in 2004.
Jodi, pictured right, won by one stroke after a final round of one-over-par 72 for a seven-over total of 220 at the challenging par-72, 6,210yd Entrada at Snow Canyon course at St George, Utah.
Apart from chalking up her first win on the American women's college circuit - and becoming only the second New Mexico University freshman to be a winner - Miss Ewart was named Co-Player of the Year (2006-2007) and also Freshman of the Year for the Mountain West Women's Conference.
Jodi had to keep her nerve to hole a final putt of 4ft at the 18th for victory.
"The last four or five holes were extremely nerve wracking," explained Ewart. "I've been in that situation before so I just tried to stay calm. However, my hands were shaking on the last putt."
Ewart and Derrey started the final round tied for second place, two shots behind Brigham Young's Rachel Newren. While Newren droppped herself out of contention with a four-over 39 to the turn, Jodi and Valentine were steady in the early going before trading several leads over the final nine holes.
Jodi birdied the eighth and 11th but bogeyed the 14th, 15th and 16th.
Valentine birdied the first, 11th and 124th but bogeyed the 12th and 17th and had a disastrous triple bogey 8 at the long 16th.
Ewart held a one-shot lead after Derrey bogeyed the par-3 12th. Derrey regained the top spot when she birdied the par-3 14th and Ewart made bogey.
Derrey pushed her advantage to two shots after Ewart bogeyed the par-4 15th.
Derrey, however, lost the tournament at 16 when she ran up a triple-bogey 8. Ewart had her third straight bogey on 16, but the twosome were tied with two holes remaining.
The final lead of the tournament was in Ewart's hands, though, after Derrey made bogey 5 on 17. Ewart parred the final two holes to take medalist honors.
Ewart's first college season has been impressive - if not historic. Never finishing lower than 15th place in nine tournaments this year, she is on track to break her university's season scoring record of 73.40 set by Sweden's Mikaela Backstedt (the only other freshmen to win an event) a year ago.
Ewart has a 72.96 average after 27 rounds with at least one tournament remaining.
Next event for Jodi and the Lobos is the NCAA regional championship, starting on May 10.
HOW THEY FINISHED
Par 213 (3 x 71)
220 Jodi Ewart (New Mexico) 77 71 72.
221 Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian) 76 72 73.
223 Rachel Newren (Brigham Young) 72 74 77.
TEAM TOTALS
903 Texas Christian. 904 Brigham Young. 926 New Mexico.

TARA JOINT FOURTH BUT GEMMA OUTSIDE TOP 20 IN LADY BUCKEYE INVITATIONAL
Irish cap Tara Delaney (Kent State University) and Scotland international Gemma Webster (Ohio State University) were lying joint fourth and joint 23rd respectively in a field of 87 players for the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational women's college golf tournament over the Ohio State University's course at Dublin, Ohio.
Tara has scored 76 and 73 for 149, bogeyed two of the last three holes in her second round after birdieing the third, 14th and 15th.
Gemma is on 158 for the par-72, 6,288yd Scarlet course after rounds of 80 and 78.
Gemma had a triple bogey 7 at the first and a double bogey 5 at the short fifth in her first round. Then she birdied the eighth and 10th in her second round before running up a double bogey 6 at the 15th.
Tara Delaney's older sister Karen, also a student at Kent State, continues to score in the 80s. She had rounds of 83 and 85 for a 24-over-par tally of 168 and a share of 60th place. Karen has not had a birdie in the 36 holes.
Purdue (593) lead the team event from Michigan State (604) with Kent State (616) third and Ohio State and Iowa sharing fourth place on 626 in a field of 14.
Two Purdue University players, Christel Boeljon and Spain's Maria Hernandez share the lead on 141, Christel with a pair of 71s, Maria with 72 and 70.

DOUBLE BOGEY FINISH BLUNTS CALLUM'S CHALLENGE AT SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
Callum Macaulay (Mississippi University) from Tulliallan was lying in joint ninth position in a field of 60 players with one round to go in the Southeast Conference men's college golf championship at Sea Island Golf Club, St Simon's Island, Georgia.
Callum had rounds of 75 and 71 for a six-over-par tally of 146 for the par-70, 6,991yd course.
Callum ruined a very good card with a double-bogey 6 at the 18th in his second round in which he had earlier birdied the first, fifth and 15th, dropping shots only at the second and 14th.
The Scot was five shots behind leader Patton Kizzire (Auburn) who shot 72 and 69 to lead by three from four players in joint second place on 144.
Charles Ford (Tennessee) from Leicester was on the same 146 mark as Macaulay with rounds of 75 and 71. A second Tennessee University player, Chris Paisley from Newcastle, was also on 146 with scores of 76 and 70.
Tennessee (584) led the team event from Alabama (586) with Florida and Mississippi joint third on 588 in a field of 12 college squads.

VIKKI MISSES CUT IN LOUISIANA PELICAN CLASSIC
Musselburgh exile Vikki Laing missed the 36-hole cut in the Louisiana Pelican Classic women's professional tournament at The Wetlands golf course, Lafayette. Vikki had rounds of 78 and 72 over the 6,437yd, par-72 course for a total of 150, which was three strokes too many to qualify her for the final round.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast, another former US women's college circuit player, missed out with an aggregate of 147, made up of rounds of 74 and 75.
The lead was shared on seven-under 137 by Jenny Gleason from Florida (68-69) and Janell Howland (Idaho) with 65 and 72.

Saturday 21st April 2007

TITLE-HOLDER ELAINE AND TOP SEED LOUISE FAIL TO REACH FIFE SEMI-FINALS
Defending champion Elaine Moffat and top seed Louise Kenney failed to make it through to Sunday morning's semi-finals of the Fife women's county championship at Dunfermline Golf Club.
Elaiine pitched in for an eagle 2 to win at the 19th over Susan Jackson (Ladybank) but then lost by 2 and 1 to the seventh qualifier Lesley Rolland (Dunfermline) in the quarter-finals.
Louise Kenney won her opening tie by 4 and 3 over Ann Moffat (St Regulus) before losing by 3 and 2 to Scottish senior cap Lorna Bennett by 3 and 2.
The semi-finals line-up is:
9.30am - Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) v Karin Sharp (Kirkcaldy).
9.37am - Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) v Lesley Rolland (Dunfermline).
Results:
FIRST ROUND
L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt A Moffat (St Regulus) 4 and 3.
L Bennett (Ladybank) bt B Copland (Scotscraig) 5 and 4.
L Fury (Thornton) bt E Hodgetts (Balbirnie Park) at 20th.
K Sharp (Kirkcaldy) bt D Ford Scotscraig) 4 and 3.
J Carthew (Ladybank) bt H Harvey (St Reule) 3 and 1.
F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt J Blyth (Lundin Ladies) 5 and 4.
L Rolland (Dunfermline) bt E Wilson (Elie & Earlsferry) 7 and 5.
E Moffat bt S Jackson (Ladybank at 19th.
QUARTER-FINALS
Bennett bt Kenney 3 and 2.
Sharp bt Fury 5 and 4.
Lockhart bt Carthew 3 and 2.
Rolland bt E Moffat 3 and 1.

JODI SHARING SECOND PLACE IN UTAH WITH ONE ROUND TO GO
Yorkshire girl Jodi Ewart, a first-year student at New Mexico University, was sharing second place with one round to go in the Mountain West Conference women's college golf championship at Entrada at Snow Canyon course, St George in Utah.
Catterick Bridge Golf Club member Jodi, from Middleham, has had rounds of 77 and 71 for a six-over-par tally of 148 over the 6,210yd, par-71 course.
Jodi's 71 was the lowest second-round score by anyone in the field of 35.
Miss Ewart had birdies at the second and fifth before bogeys at the eighth and ninth in matching the par of 35 to the turn. On the way home, Jodie parred every hole.
She shares second place with Valentine Derrey (Texas Christian University), the French player who was a beaten finalist in the British girls championship at Lanark in 2004. Valentine score 76 and 72.
Leading by two shots is Rachel Newren (Brigham Young University) with 72 and 74 for 146.

US College Golf
DOUBLE BOGEYS KNOCK BACK CALLUM AT SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
Tulliallan Golf Club member Callum Macaulay, a final-year student at the University of Mississippi, was lying in joint 15th position in a quality field of 60 players for the South-east Conference Championship men’s college tournament at Sea Island Golf Club, Georgia.
Callum from Kincardine had a five-over-par score of 75 over the 6,991yd, par-70 Seaside course. The West of Scotland Open champion had birdies at the fourth, 13th and 16th but he also had two disastrous double bogeys – a 7 at the par-5 seventh and a 6 at the par-4 14th. He also dropped single shots at the second, eighth, ninth and 10th in halves of 39 and and 36.
Macaulay was six strokes behind the three-shot leader, Mississippi team-mate Will Roebuck with a 69.
Chris Paisley (Tennessee) from Newcastle had a 76 to be in joint 22nd player.
American Chris Kirk (Tennessee), one of the top-ranked players on the US college circuit and a member of the American team for the forthcoming Palmer Cup students’ match against Europe, was joint 46th in a field of 60 players. He struggled for a 10-over-par 80 which included two double bogeys.
The efforts of Macaulay and Roebuck helped Mississippi to jump into a three-shot lead with a first-round tally of 295 in the team event. Alabama (298) were lying second ahead of joint third Louisiana State and Tennessee (301) in a field of 12 teams.

Futures Tour
VIKKI STRUGGLING IN LOUISIANA PELICAN CLASSIC
Former Scottish girls champion and past Curtis Cup player Vikki Laing from Musselburgh has a first-round score of six-over-par 78 to be lying joint 123rd in a field of 144 for the Louisiana Pelican Classic women's professional golf tournament at The Wetlands golf course, Lafayette.
Vikki had halves of 39 (three over par both ways) to be 13 shots behind the leader, Janelle Howland, from Boise, Idaho.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast, like Vikki a former US college circuit player, had a 74 (36-38) to be in joint 79th position.

Friday 20th April 2007

NOT A GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR JODI EWART IN 'MOUNTAIN WEST'
Jodi Ewart from Middleham, Yorkshire, a freshman student at New Mexico University, was sharing 12th place at the end of the first round in the Mountain West Conference women's college championship at Entrada at Snow Canyon golf course, St George in Utah.
Jodi, a member of Catterick Bridge Golf Club, was below her best in returning a six-over-par 77 for the 6,210yd, par-71 course.
She bogeyed the first, second, eighth and ninth to be four over par at the turn. Then came a disastrous double bogey 6 at the 13th and another shot dropped at the 15th. Her only birdie amd at the 17th in halves of 39 and 38.
The lead is shared by Cathering Matranga (Texas Christian) and Rachel Newren (Brigham Young) on one-over 72 in a field of 34 players.
Brigham Young (294) have opened up an early six-shot lead from Texas Christian (300) with New Mexico (314) in third place of the seven competing college teams.

TRICIA MANGAN GOING FOR TITLE HAT-TRICK IN IRISH LADIES CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT MONTH
FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE:
Tricia Mangan (Ennis), pictured right, looks to make it three in-a-row when she tees it up at this year’s Lancôme Irish Ladies’ Close Championship at Lahinch, 19-23 May.
Not since Claire Hourihane’s victories at Cork, Co. Sligo and Waterville in the early eighties has the feat been achieved, although Alison Coffey surrendered her treble attempt to Rebecca Coakley in the final at Cork in 2002.
Ireland’s top amateurs will be keen to impress the LGU selectors who will announce the GB&I team to play Europe for the Vagliano Trophy at St. Andrews Bay following the British Matchplay in mid June.
The (Irish) Championship begins Saturday, May 19 with the first round of the Leitrim Cup, a 36-hole qualifying strokeplay event. Sunday sees the completion of round two after which the leading 32 players will go into the Championship Draw on Monday, concluding Wednesday afternoon. The next 16 qualifiers play for the Ita Wallace Trophy.
The Lancôme Irish Ladies’ Close was first played in 1894, just one year after the foundation of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union, the oldest national union or association in ladies’ golf.
2007 sees another consecutive year’s hosting of the event, excluding the war years.
Munster Champion Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Marian Riordan (Tipperary), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh) will arguably pose the most serious threat to Mangan’s title aspirations while Eileen Rose Power (Kilkenny) makes a welcome return to the ILGU’s blue riband event.
Entries received to date:
Orla Barry (Galway), Kay Bermingham (Youghal), Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne), Charlotte Crowe (Tipperary), Sarah Crowe (Tipperary), Jennifer Gannon (Co. Louth), Margaret Hayes (Tralee), Fiona Healy (Headfort), Gemma Heggarty (Greencastle), Vivienne Houston (City of Derry), Helen Jones (Strabane), Sinead Keane (The Curragh), Lynda Maher (Charleville), Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge), Mai McCann (Nairn & Portnoo), Claire McGonagle (Whitekirk), Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey/Stranorlar), Gertie McMullan (The Island), Ruth Maguire (Corrstown), Maura Morrin (The Curragh), Shauna O'Brien (Clonmel), Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange), Hannah O'Connor (Loughrea), Sue Phillips (Woodbrook), Eileen Rose Power (Kilkenny), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth), Holli Snelling (Killarney), Catherine Tucker (Limerick).

Thursday 19th April 2007

AYRSHIRE HAT-TRICK OF TITLE WINS BY LESLEY HENDRY
Lesley Hendry of Routenburg Golf Club, Largs completed a hat-trick of title wins in the Ayrshire women’s county championship over the Troon Portland course today (Thursday).
Lesley, who qualified as the No 4 seed this year, beat the top qualifier, Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) by two holes in the morning semi-finals before winning the final by 6 and 5 over Morag McPherson (Troon Ladies), the No 10 seed, in the final.
In the final, Miss Hendry had a birdie at the sixth and an eagle 3 at the 11th. Morag’s putting was not good enough to put the defending champion under pressure.
In the semi-finals Morag beat the 14th qualifier Jennifer Linklater (Largs) by 3 and 2.
Lesley Hendry is the first player to win the Ayrshire county title three years in a row for many years. The nearest was former Scottish champion Alison Gemmill (Barassie) who won the Ayrshire title in three years out of four – 1994, 1996 and 1997.
AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Troon Portland
Semi-finals – L Hendry (Routenburn) bt A Thompson (Loudoun) 2 holes, M McPherson (Troon Ladies) bt J Linklater (Largs) 3 and 2.
Final – Hendry bt McPherson 6 and 5.

SCOTS’ CHALLENGE FADES ON FINAL DAY OF PETER McEVOY TROPHY
Perth’s Sam McLaren and Banchory’s James Byrne dropped out of their overnight top eight placing over the final two rounds of the Peter McEvoy Trophy boys’ tournament at Copt Heath Golf Club, Solihull today (Thursday).
The trophy was won by four shots by Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park) with the highly respectable total of seven-under-par 277, made up of consistently good rounds of 70, 66, 71 and 70.
The third Scot to survive the halfway cut, Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) climbed up past McLaren and Byrne with rounds of 73 and 71 to add to his first-day 73 and 71. Michael totalled 288 and finished joint ninth.
McLaren, Scottish Under-16 boys’ champion last year, could not maintain the form that put him in third place at the start of the day with ronds of 69 and 71. Sam finished with 77 and 75 for 292 and a share of 21st place.
Byrne, joint eighth after 36 holes with scores of 74 and 69, signed off with 74 and 77 for 294 and a share if 27th place.
The Scots were competing against the very best of Under-18 golfing talent south of the Border. It is an indication of the standard on parade that Matthew Nixon, the Manchester lad who won the British boys’ title at Royal Aberdeen last summer, did not beat the halfway cut in this event.
COLLATED SCOREBOARD
PETER McEVOY TROPHY
Copt Heath Golf Club, Solihull.
Par 284 (4 x 71). CSS 71 71 72 72
FINAL TOTALS
277 M Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park) 70 66 71 70.
281 Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) 70 69 72 70, Billy Britton (Pedham Place) 70 71 67 73.
284 B Fowles (Wentworth) 72 73 70 69, E Pepperell (Drayton Park) 70 72 70 72.
286 S Hodgson (Sunningdale) 75 69 72 70, D Renwick (Worthing) 71 73 71 71.
287 O Sharpe (Minchinhampton) 68 75 71 73.
288 M Stewart (Troon Welgbeck) 73 71 73 71, J Clarke (Chelmsford) 74 72 69 73.
289 G King (Tyrrells Wood) 74 72 75 68, A Mayers (Northampton Co) 71 72 77 69,D Thomas (Braintree) 69 77 70 73, T Robson Rowlands Castle) 71 72 72 74, R Prophet (Shifnal) 72 69 73 75.
280 J Hiluta (Chelmsford) 77 71 71 71, G Porteous (Bamburgh Castle) 73 70 74 73.
291 J Galbraith (Rochford Hundred) 74 69 76 72, T Fleetwood (Formby Hall) 71 73 74 73, H Smart (Walton Heath) 72 75 70 74.
292 S Dodds (Coventry) 70 73 76 73, D Rowland (Boston West) 74 73 71 74, S McLaren (King James VI) 69 71 77 75, J Bartlett (Worthing) 71 75 70 76.
293 M Swan (Stoke by Nayland) 72 76 75 70, A Wills (Sandiway) 75 71 73 74.
294 J Wilson (Formby) 75 70 73 76, J Byrne (Banchory) 74 69 74 77.
295 J Vickery (Newport) 71 76 74 74, D Shevill (Prudhoe) 74 72 75 74, S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 71 74 76 74, R Fitzgerald (Bromborough) 75 71 72 77, A Best (Cleveland) 71 73 73 78.
296 T King (Cleveland) 77 71 76 72, O Glaze (The Kendleshire) 75 72 75 74.

LLOYD SALTMAN’S DOUBLE WIN BOOSTS HIM TO NO 15 IN R&A WORLD RANKINGS
Lloyd Saltman’s victory in both the Scottish champion of champions and Craigmillar Park Open has seen him rise to No 15 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Craigielaw GC member Lloyd and US amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), ranked No 3 behind Jamie Moul (England) and Rory McIlroy (Ireland), are the only Scots in the top 50.
The current top 50 are:
1 Jamie Moul (Eng).
2 Rory McIlroy (Ire).
3 Richie Ramsay (Sco).
4 Rhys Davies (Wal).
5 Billy Horschel (US).
6 Pablo Martin (Spa).
7 Gary Wolstenholme (Eng).
8 Chris Kirk (US).
9 Jamie Lovemark (US).
10 Webb Simpson (US).
11 Bronson LaCassie (Aus).
12 Jonathan Moore (US).
13 Kyle Stanley (US).
14 Niklas Lemke (Swe).
15 Lloyd Saltman (Sco).
16 John Parry (Eng).
17 Dustin Johnson (US).
18 Alan Wagner (Arg).
189 Gary Boyd (Eng).
20 Julien Guerrier (Fra).
21 Rohan Blizard (Aus).
22 Seve Benson (Eng).
23 Stephen Lewton (Eng).
24 Louis e Jager (SAf).
25 Kevin Chappell (US).]
26 David Horsey (Eng).
27 Charlie Beljan (US).
28 Marius Thorp ()Nor).
29 Rob Grube (US).
30 Cameron Tringale (US).
31 Johan Carlsson Swe).
32 Nigel Edwards (Wal).
33 Ruan Botha (SAf).
34 Dawie van der Walt (SAf).
35 Gary Woodland (US).
36 Rick Kulacz (Aus).
37 Colt Knost (US).
38 Hudson Swafford (US).
39 Brian Harman (US).
40 Alex Prugh (US).
41 Branden Grace (SAf).
42 Luke List (US).
43 Daniel Summerhays (US).
44 Trip Kuehne (US).
45 Andrew Dodt (Aus).
46 Lucas Lee (US).
47 Cennydd Mills (Wal).
48 Seung Su Han (Kor).
49 Roberto Castro (US).
50 Benhamin Alvarado (Chi).

AMERICANS FAVOURITES TO GAIN PALMER CUP REVENGE
The United States look like starting hot favourites to avenge last year’s Palmer Cup thrashing by the Europeans when the next transatlantic students’ international match is played at Caves Valley Golf Club, Maryland on June 7 and 8.
The American team has just been selected and it includes four of the R&A World Rankings top 10 – Billy Horschel (Florida) (5), Chris Kirk (Georgia) (8), Jamie Lovemark (USC) (9), Webb Simpson (Wake Forest) (10).
The rest of the eight-man team, with their world rankings, are:
Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) (12), Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina) (17), Brian Harman (Georgia) (39) and Luke List Vanderbilt) (42).
The European team for the Palmer Cup contest has y