May 2005 Archive

Tuesday 31st May 2005

St Rule Trophy
Colin's photographs... he's not very pleased with them but they look OK to me!

Ayrshire v Renfrewshire Girls Match (thanks to June Kerr)
Despite giving a team total of 80 strokes to their opponents Renfrewshire, Ayrshire Girls finished with a creditable halved match at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Sunday. Members of the Ayrshire team were Morag MacPherson (Turnberry), Vicki Smith, Lynsey Weadon and Kathryn Rae (Barassie), Gillian Arnott and Linzi Allan (Kilbirnie), Sarah Hutton and Hannah Gaunt (Troon Bentinck).
In the top match Morag MacPherson was 5 over par, but lost out to Catherine Conejo-Watt by 5 & 3.
In the last match on the course Lynsey Weadon was dormie 2 down but played the final two holes beautifully to secure the vital half for her team. The afternoon stayed dry and although breezy there was lots of sunshine to add to the enjoyment of the day.

Futures Tour
Update on Heather Stirling and Linzi Morton
Former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion Heather Stirling from Bridge of Earn earned $206 for a joint 58th finish in the Northwest Indiana Futures Classic over 54 holes at New Innsbruck Country Club.
Florida-based Heather, who works as a caddie during the winter and spring, had rounds of 73, 72 and 77 for six-over-par 222 over the 6,196yd, par-72 course.
Heather is currently 102nd on the Futures Tour money list for 2005 with earnings of $430 from three tournaments.
Another past Scottish champion, Linzi Morton from Alloa failed to beat the 36-hole cut at New Innsbruck CC. Linzi had rounds of 79 and 76 for 155 – seven shots too many to get through to the final round.
Jo Clingan from Gloucester another to be eliminated with rounds of 81 and 79 for 160.
Nicole Castrale (California) beat Hye Jung Choice, one of the many Koreans now playing the Futures Tour, in a play-off for the first prize of $9,800 after they had tied on seven-under-par 209. Nicole shot 71, 66 and 72; Hye Jung 71, 71 and 67.

LGU Press Release
TROPICANA ESSENTIALS LADIES’ BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS FOR LITTLESTONE
When competitors set their sights on winning the Tropicana Essentials Ladies’ British Amateur Championship, being played at Littlestone Golf Club from 7 – 11 June, little will they appreciate the history and tradition behind the venue.
It was in 1894 that Littlestone hosted the second Ladies’ Amateur and Lady Margaret Scott won her second title in a repeat of her defeat, 12 months earlier, of Issette Pearson, the Honorary Secretary of the newly constituted Ladies’ Golf Union.
Not many more than 40 competitors played then but next month, 15 countries will be represented as players compete for women’s amateur golf’s most coveted trophy.
Last year at Gullane, Louise Stahle of Sweden defeated Anna Highgate in a Championship that was often disrupted by rain. However the location of Littlestone, on land reclaimed from the Romney Marsh almost guarantees that the microclimate experienced by that part of Kent will provide favourable conditions for an uninterrupted week’s play.
One of the bonuses of winning the Ladies’ Amateur, is being awarded an exempt place in the Weetabix Women’s British Open Championship, this year to be played at Royal Birkdale in July. Ms Stahle made the most of that exemption in 2004 when, at Sunningdale, she finished the leading amateur.
Ms Stahle is one of a strong continental entry and should she again win, she would join a small exclusive list of winners who have successfully defended their title. Mickey Walker was the most recent in 1971 – 1972.
To achieve that aim, Stahle will have to defeat players who this season have already tasted success. Included in that number are Irish international Martina Gillen, the winner of the Scottish Stroke Play at Troon, Felicity Johnson, 18, the Harbourne based winner of the English Championship at Burnham & Berrow, Henni Brockway from Yeovil, who won the recent West of England Stroke Play Championship and Sarah Jones, the Welsh Champion.
Although not a winner this year, Clare Queen, the 2004 British Ladies’ Stroke Play title holder has come close on several occasions, losing in the play-off for the Helen Holm and taking second place in Spain’s Sherry Cup.
Commenting in the high quality field for Littlestone, Susan Simpson, the LGU’s Championship Secretary said: "We are delighted to be revisiting this part of Kent, particularly since we have a first-time sponsor in Tropicana Essentials."
"Littlestone will present its own unique challenges to every competitor in the field and with the added input of Tropicana Essentials, we are looking forward to another highly successful week."
Col Charles Moorhouse, the secretary, said on behalf of Littlestone Golf Club; " We are delighted to be hosting the Championship which we have waited for the past 111 years to return. We are convinced that the course is in first-class condition and will provide every competitor with a fast-running yet fair test of true links golf."
Competitors play one round on each of the Tuesday and Wednesday and the top 64 players qualify for the match play stage starting on Thursday 9th June.

WGM Press Release
The Women Golfers’ Museum is delighted to have the opportunity to mount a small display of 1894 memorabilia in the Littlestone clubhouse during the 2005 British Ladies Open Amateur Championship (June 7-11). 
A description of the 1894 Championship, events leading up to it, and its importance in the history of the womens' game can be found here.

R&A Press Release
R&A FUNDING BOOSTS GOLF IN FOUR CONTINENTS
Golf events and development initiatives in countries ranging from Bhutan to Ecuador to Zambia are set to benefit from the latest series of grants and loans announced by The R&A. These include international amateur events in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
In announcing the latest awards, Duncan Weir, The R&A’s Director of Golf Development said: "The R&A is committed to promoting and developing golf both nationally and internationally through funding derived entirely from the annual surplus generated by The Open Championship. This aim will continue as we seek to encourage the expansion of the game throughout our sphere of governance."

• Arab Golf Federation: £10,000 towards the 2005 Pan Arab Championships being played in Egypt in December
• Bhutan Youth Golf Association: £3,000 annually towards junior coaching for three years
• Carnoustie Golf Links: £2,500 annually towards junior programme for three years
• Chilean Golf Federation: £12,000 annually towards junior development for two years
• Chinese Taipei Golf Association: £5,000 towards men’s international amateur team event involving Taipei, Japan and Korea
• Colombian Golf Federation: $5,000 US towards the 2005 South American Pre Junior Championships
• Czech Golf Federation: £25,000 towards the 2006 St Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophy matches
• Ecuador Golf Federation: £25,000 towards the 2005 Copa los Andes being played in Ecuador in November. This is the annual South American men’s and women’s international amateur team championship
• English Blind Golf Association: £2,000 towards 2005 training programme
• European Disabled Golf Association: £5,000 annually towards championships for three years
• European Golf Association: £18,000 towards the 2005 European Young Masters being played in Austria in July
• Israel Golf Federation: £3,000 annually towards junior programme for three years
• Ladies’ Golf Union: £25,000 towards research project into women’s golf
• Men’s Home Unions: £11,000 each towards participation in the 2005 Boys’ Home Internationals
• National Association of Public Golf Courses: £13,000 towards 2005 adult and junior championships
• Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Programme: £5,000 annually towards junior work for three years
• Rwanda Golf Union: £5,000 towards men’s international amateur team event involving Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
• St Andrews Links Trust: £1,000,000 loan towards course number 7, due to open in 2007
• Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils: £1,000 towards national championship
• Uganda Golf Union: £10,000 towards biennial All African men’s international amateur team event
• Zambia Ladies’ Golf Union: £25,000 towards biennial All African ladies’ international amateur team event

2005 TROON JUNIOR GOLF OPEN FOR THE TOM LEHMAN TROPHIES
This event is run by Golf South Ayrshire and takes place on 2nd August on Troon Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton. Boys and girls over the age of 8 and under 18 on 1st Jan 2005 are eligible to enter and you can pick up an Entry Form and Conditions of the Competition (both Word files) here.

Monday 30th May 2005

Surely something happened today????

Another photo of the winning line-up at the St Rule Trophy yesterday.
L to R: Felicity Johnson, winner of the under 18 Lawson trophy, Lisa Ball, holding the team salver and Naomi Edwards with the St Rule Trophy.
(Photo courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency)

Sunday 29th May 2005

Alma Robertson, Captain of the St Rule Club, and Jim White, Chairman of the St Andrews Links Trust, flank the England team who were the major trophy winners at St Andrews.
L to R: Felicity Johnson, winner of the under 18 Lawson trophy, Lisa Ball, holding the team salver and Naomi Edwards with the St Rule Trophy.
(Photos courtesy and copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency)

EDWARDS WINS ST RULE TROPHY PLAY-OFF AT SECOND EXTRA HOLE
By Colin Farquharson
Naomi Edwards, pictured right, from Ganton, Yorkshire, won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews in the evening sunshine yesterday (Sunday) with an eagle 3 at the second extra hole of a sudden-death play-off against English champion Felicity Johnson (Harborne) and Ireland's Heather Nolan (Shannon).
The trio had tied on two-under-par 225 at the end of the 54-hole tournament which started with 18 holes over the New Course on Saturday and concluded with two rounds over the Old Course.
Anne Laing from Vale of Leven led through the first and second rounds but slipped back to fourth place with a closing 78 for 227.
"I got stuck in a bunker at the second and took three shots to get out. That cost me a double-bogey 7 and then I dropped more shots at the third and seventh to be out in 41," said Anne who lost her Scottish title the previous weekend after a two-year reign.
"It was just one of those rounds. I got a few birdies coming home but it wasn't enough."
Edwards, 21, who finished fifth in the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play at Troon at the end of April, catapulted herself into the play-off by returning a six-under-par 70 in her final round over the Old Course.
That matched the brilliant 70 returned by Carnoustie's 17-year-old Katy McNicoll earlier in the afternoon as the lowest score of the tournament.
Naomi got an eagle 2 at the ninth and then, after bogeying the 10th, birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th - then squeezed in an eagle 3 at the infamous Road Hole 17th, before finishing with yet another birdie.
Felicity Johnson needed a par at the last to win by one shot but her approach shot with a sand wedge spun back into the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green and she took three putts from there for a bogey 5 and a 74.
But at least Felicity, 18, retained the Lawson Trophy for the best Under-18 performance. Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) tied for 2nd place in this category as they finished a highly creditable joint fifth overall with Ireland's Maura Morrin.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) tied for eighth place with Sara Bishop (Windyhill).
England won the team event from Scotland.
collated scoreboard
ST RULE TROPHY - St Andrews.
First round (New Course); Second & Third rounds (Old Course)
FINAL TOTALS (CSS 75 77 75)
225 H Nolan (Shannon) 77 75 73, N Edwards (Ganton) 75 80 70, F Johnson (Harborne) 75 76 74 (Edwards won sudden-death play-off at second extra hole.)
227 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 72 77 78.
229 K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76 76, M Morrin (The Curragh) 75 77 77, C Booth (Auchterarder) 79 73 77.
230 F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 78 76, S Bishop (Windyhill) 76 78 76.
231 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 79 74 78, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 77 77, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 79 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 76 76 79.
232 D Smith (Co Louth) 78 79 75, K Walker (Stirling Univ) 76 78 78, S Keane (The Curragh) 78 77 77, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 74 79 79.
233 J Wilson (Strathaven) 80 78 75, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 80 76.
234 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 86 70.
235 M Dunne (Skerries) 79 80 76, R Niven (Crieff) 82 77 76.
236 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 82 76, T Mangan (Ennis) 81 78 77, T Dellaney (Carlow) 81 81 74.
237 J Ewart (Catterick) 79 83 75, J Nicolson (Wrexham) 75 85 77, P Lindberg (Sweden) 82 80 75.
238 L Brand (Ilkley) 79 78 81, E Moffat (St Regulus) 76 83 79.
239 L Ball (Matfen Hall) 78 84 77, S Garbutt (Ganton) 80 81 78.
240 O Briggs (Stirling Univ) 78 85 77.
241 G Webster (Hilton Park) 86 77 78, L Barton (Coventry) 77 80 84, T Nilsson (Sweden) 86 79 76, J Hardy (Canada) 84 80 77.
242 J Carthew (Ladybank) 80 81 81, R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 85 78.
244 C Howells (Moor Hall) 80 86 78, L Harvey (Richmond) 79 83 82, J McGuigan (Royston) 79 80 85.
245 G O'Leary (Cork) 81 82 82, K Marshall (Baberton) 84 83 78, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 84 84 77.
246 E Lyons (West Surrey) 85 83 78, D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 82 86 78.
248 H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 84 82 82, L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 90 79 79, A Lowe (Royal Birkdale) 76 90 82.
251 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon) 83 85 83, E Cuthill (Lanark) 84 85 82.
252 S Brodie (Delamere Forest) 83 88 81.
253 R Adams (Addington Court) 84 91 78.
254 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 86 90 78.
256 C Starkie (Silsden) 84 86 86.
No Return: D Anisimova (Russia) 92 84 NR
Withdrew: K Milne (Dunfermline) 85 -, S O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 -.
TEAM EVENT
450 England (F Johnson, N Edwards, L Ball).
460 Scotland (H MacRae, M Pow, L Kenney).
461 Ireland (M Gillen, T Mangan, D Smith).
478 Sweden (P Lindberg, T Nilsson).

Austrian Open
Clare Queen plays with the Pros.
Scottish star, Clare Queen of Drumpellier, gave up her place in the St Rule field to take up an invitation to play in the European tour's Austrian Open which finished today at Golfclub Fohrenwald-Wiener.
Federica Piovano from Italy snatched victory in the event from France’s Gwladys Nocera with a dramatic eagle putt at the final hole. Federica finished on 272 (16 under par).
Clare scored 73, 73 for two over 146 and made the cut on Friday night with a shot to spare, then added a third round 70 on Saturday to bring her up the leader board to level par and joint 34th place.
Unfortunately Clare had a nightmare outward half of 41 in her final round, and added another bogey to her score before two birdies in the closing holes brought her back to a more respectable 76 and a share of 55th place.
Leading Scores
272 Federica Piovano (ITA) 70 62 72 68
273 Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 70 65 68 70
277 Laura Davies (ENG) 67 68 71 71, Marta Prieto (ESP) 68 68 70 71
Other scores
284 Julie Forbes (SCO) 73 71 71 69
292 Clare Queen (Am) (SCO) 73 73 70 76
did not make cut
149 Dale Reid (SCO) 72 77, Lynn Kenny (SCO) 76 73
155 Elizabeth McKinnon (NZ) 81 74

Second Round report
ANNE LAING KEEPS LEAD BUT CARLY SHOOTS UP WITH 73
Twelve-year-old Carly Booth came rocketing into the St Rule Trophy reckoning at St Andrews with the lowest score of the second round - an excellent three-under-par 73.
Added to her Saturday score of 79 over the New Course, the Auchterarder prodigy's 36-hole tally of 152 put her in joint third place - three behind the leader, Anne Laing, with one round still to go over the Old Course.
But for a two-stroke penalty imposed on Saturday for her caddie-dad Wally standing directly behind her as she was driving, Carly would have been only one shot off the pace after two rounds.
In her second round, Carly was out in one under par 37 with birdies at the long fifth and ninth and a bogey at the sixth. She had an eagle 3 at the par-5 13th, dropped a shot at the 16th but birdied the so-tricky Road Hole 17th which is a par-5 from the LGU tee. Miss Booth played an excellent approach shot, giving
herself a chance of another eagle but she failed to hole her eight-foot putt and had to settle for a tap-in birdie 4.
Her figures were:
OUT: 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 3 3 - 37 (one under par).
IN: 4 3 4 3 5 4 5 4 4 - 36 (two under par)
Anne Laing held on to her overnight lead but her one-over-par 77 for 149 opened the door of opportunity for her rivals, the nearest of which is the new 18-year-old English champion Felicity Johnson (Harborne) who won the Under-18 Trophy in this year last year.Felicity had a 76 for 151.
The Irish are having a good tournament. They have Heather Nolan (Shannon) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh) sharing third place with Carly Booth and Martine Pow (Selkirk) on the 152 mark.
Heather has had rounds of 77 and 75; Maura 75 and 77. Martine Pow has chalked up a pair of 76s.
Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play winner at Troon a few weeks back, former Irish champion Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) is lying joint seventh on 153 with 16-year-old Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), playing over her home course, and Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), who has been selected for the Scotland squad of six for the European women's amateur team championship in Sweden in early July.
Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) and Katrina Milne (Dunfermline) withdrew before the start of the second round.
SECOND ROUND SCORES
AND 36-HOLE TOTALS (CSS 75 77)
(1st round New Course Sat; 2nd round Old Course Sat)
149 A Laing (Vale of Leven) 72 77.
151 F Johnson (Harborne) 75 76.
152 H Nolan (Shannon) 77 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 76 76, M Morrin (The Curragh) 75 77, C Booth (Auchterarder) 79 73.
153 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 79 74, K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 76, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 74 79.
154 K Walker (Stirling Univ) 76 78, C Hargan (Mortonhall) 77 77, F Lockhart (St Regulus) 76 78, S Bishop (Windyhill) 76 78.
155 S Keane (The Curragh) 78 77, N Edwards (GBanton) 75 80.
156 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 77 79.
157 L Brand (Ilkley) 79 78, D Smith (Co Louth) 78 79, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 80, L Barton (Coventry) 77 80.
158 J Wilson (Strathaven) 80 78.
159 M Dunne (Skerries) 79 80, R Niven (Crieff) 82 77, E Moffat (St Regulus) 76 83, T Mangan (Ennis) 81 78, J McGuigan (Royston) 79 80.
160 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 82, J Nicolson (Wrexham) 75 85.
161 J Ewart (Catterick) 79 82, J Carthew (Ladybank) 80 81, S Garbutt (Ganton) 80 81.
162 L Harvey (Richmond) 79 83, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 78 84, T Delaney (Carlow) 81 81, P Lindberg (Sweden) 82 80.
163 G O'Leary (Cork) 81 82, G Webster (Hilton Park) 86 77, O Briggs (Stirling Unv) 78 85.
164 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 78 86, R Lomas (Hallowes) 79 85, J Hardy (Canada) 84 80.
165 T Nilsson (Sweden) 86 79
166 C Howells (Moor Hall) 80 86, H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 84 82, A Lowe (Royal Birkdale) 76 90.
167 K Marshall (Baberton) 84 83, E Cuthill (Lanark) 84 83.
168 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon) 83 85, E Lyons (West Surrey) 85 83, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 84 84, D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 82 86, S Brodie (Delamere Forest) 83 85.
169 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 90 79.
170 C Starkie (Silsden) 84 86.
175 R Adams (Addington Court) 84 91.
176 D Anisimova (Russia) 92 84, A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 86 90.
177 L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 88 89.
Withdrew: S O'Sullivan (Galway) 87 - , K Milne (Dunfermline) 85 -.

Saturday 28th May 2005

St Rule Trophy
ANNE LAING BOUNCES BACK TO LEAD IN ST RULE TROPHY AT ST ANDREWS
Seven days after her two-year reign as Scottish women's amateur golf champion was ended in the 2005 final at Cruden Bay, Curtis Cup player Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) rebounded back from that disappointment to open up a two-stroke lead at the end of the first round of the St Rule Trophy 54-hole women's tournament in almost wintry conditions at St Andrews.
Anne, 30-year-old lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar, gave the good-class field a lesson in how to play the New Course in three-under-par 72 in wet, cold and increasingly windy weather.
"That's more like it! I birdied five of the par-5s from the sixth but dropped a couple of shots late on - at the 14th and 17th or else I would have had a really good score," said Anne who played to her +3 handicap.
Miss Laing's birdies came at the sixth, 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th in halves of 36 (one under) and 36 (two under).
Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), another member of the Scotland squad for the European women's team championship in Sweden in early July, was clubhouse leader with a 74 until Anne Laing completed her round.
Heather, 21, just back from the end of her second year at San Diego State University in California, shot a one-under-par 74 over the New Course in wet, cool conditions.
"I played the front nine really solid to be out in level par 37," said Heather, "but I wasn't quite so straight down the middle after the turn, even though I came home in one-under 37."
Miss MacRae birdied the long sixth and the long 16th, both with pitch-and-putt 4s. She dropped her only stroke of the round by bunkering her tee shot at the front left of the green at the short fifth.
"I holed a couple of good putts to save par on the inward half - a 10-footer at the 13th and a 15-footer at the 17th."
Heather, who had already used up three of the maximum four years permitted for any player on the American college circuit, opted out of playing competitively during the 2004-2005 season so that she could use the last year of her eligibility to play the circuit on the 2005-2006 season.
Miss MacRae, a member of the LGU elite squad, has her sights set on winning a place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 2006 Curtis Cup match in the United States.
Welsh player Jo Nicolson, last year's British women's mid-amateur champion from Wrexham, had a 75.
Jo, bogeyed the second and third, but later birdied four of the par-5s in halves of 38 and 37.
Later Jo was joined on the 75 mark by the new English champion, 18-year-old Felicity Johnson (Harbone), who won the Under-18 Lawson Trophy in the St Rule Trophy last year, Naomi Edwards (Ganton) and Maura Morrin (The Curragh).
Naomi did very well to match the par, considering she ran up a triple bogey 8 at the eighth and dropped another at the next hole when she was still "shell shocked." Miss Edwards put her second into a bunker and took three shots to get out of the sand at the eighth. She felt a lot better when she holed a 40ft putt
up the slop for a 3 at the 15th, her fourth birdie of the round.
Felicity Johnson had a double-bogey 6 on her card, taking two shots to get out of a bunker at the second. She birdied the first, sixth, eighth and 18th but dropped shots at the 13th and 14th.
Maura Morrin was four over par after six holes, running up a double-bogey 6 at the second, where she was bunkered and then three-putted, and bogeys at the fifth and sixth. Highlight of her recovery, which saw her birdie the eigthth, 13th, 15th and 16th wasn and eagle 3 at the 427yd 10th, where she holed from
15ft after a drive and four-wood second.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) had a 76 (39-37).Carly Booth, at 12 years of age the youngest competitor in the field, had a 79 which included a two-stroke penalty for her caddie-father Wally standing directly behind her as she played a shot.
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), the Irish winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play title at Troon a few backs ago, lost a ball at the 18th and ran up a 7 for a 79.
Henni Brockway (Yeovil), teenage winner of the recent Welsh open stroke-play championship, was among the withdrawals since the publication of the draw.
ST RULE TROPHY - New Course, St Andrews
First round (Par 75 CSS 75)
72 A Laing (Vale of Leven).
74 H MacRae (Dunblane New).
75 J Nicolson (Wrexham), F Johnson (Harborne), N Edwards (Ganton), M Morrin (The Curragh).
76 A Lowe (Royal Birkdale), S Bishop (Windyhill), F Lockhart (St Regulus), K Walker (Buchanan Castle), M Pow (Selkirk), E Moffat (St Regulus).
77 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), L Barton (Coventry), K Caithness (St Regulus), H Nolan (Shannon), L Kenney (Pitreavie), C Hargan (Mortonhall).
78 L Ball (Matfen Hall), D Smith (Co Louth), S Keane (The Curragh), K McNicoll (Carnoustie), M Riordan (Tipperary), O Briggs (Stirling Univ).
79 L Harvey (Richmond), R Lomas (Hallowes), C Booth (Auchterarder), M Dunne (Skerries), J McGuigan (Royston), L Brand (Ilkley), Martina Gillen (Selkirk), J Ewart (Catterick).
80 J Carthew (Ladybank), S Garbutt (Ganton), C Howells (Moor Hall), J Wilson (Strathaven).
81 T Mangan (Ennis), G O'Leary (Cork), T Delaney (Carlow).
82 R Niven (Crieff), P Lindberg (Sweden), D Dewar (Stirling Univ).
83 E Saggers (Crowborough Beacon), S Brodie (Delamere Forest).
84 E Cuthill (Lanark), R Adams (Addington Court), H Aitchison (Bedfordshire), K Marshall (Baberton), S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), C Starkie (Silsden), J Hardy (Canada).
85 E Lyons (West Surrey), K Milne (Dunfermline)
86 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), T Nilsson (Sweden), G Webster (Hilton Park).
87 S O'Sullivan (Galway).
88 L Fraser (Kingsknowe).
90 L Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
92 D Anismova (Russia).
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
150 Scotland (H MacRae, M Pow, L Kenney), England (F Johnson, N Edwards, L Ball).
157 Ireland (M Gillen, T Mangan, D Smith)
168 Sweden (P Lindberg, T Nilsson).

County Golf
The Lanarkshire County Team to play in the West Jamboree at Lanark from 27 to 29 June is as follows:
Elaine Cuthill (Lanark)
May Hughes (Lanark)
Lesley Lloyd (Hayston)
Clare Queen (Drumpellier)
Ruth Rankine (Lanark)
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven)
Susan Wood (Drumpellier)
Alexandra Young (Torrance House)

Scottish Hickory Championships
Gullane No3 - Friday 27th May 2005
Americans clean up
Americans took just about all the prizes in the Scottish Hickory Championships held over Gullane No 3 yesterday.
Mark Wehring, a young 5 handicap player from Houston, Texas, had a net 69 and won the Championship by two strokes from Roger Hill of Grand Rapids Michigan. Bill Farmer of Dallas, Texas was in third place on net 72.
The scratch award was won by Randy Jensen, a pro from Omaha, Nebraska, with a 72. Neil Hutchinson from Middlesbrough a past winner of the Scottish Hickories, took second place with a scratch 79 on the better inward half from Chuck McMullin from Williamsburg, Virginia.
Gillian Kirkwood from Gullane won the Ladies prize with a net 77.
Picture right shows Mark Wehring being presented with his prize by Jean Jackson, wife of the British Golf Collectors' Society Captain, Alan Jackson.
Results
Scottish Hickory Championship
1. Mark Wehring 74-5 net 69
2. Roger Hill 81-10 net 71
3. Bill Farmer 77-5 net 72
Scratch
1. Randy Jensen 72
2. Neil Hutchinson 79 bih
3. Chuck McMullin 79
Ladies
1. Gillian Kirkwood 89-12= net 77

PRESS RELEASE FROM NGA HOOTERS TOUR, UNITED STATES
NGA HOOTERS TOUR TO START LADIES SERIES
12 Events from September 2005-February 2006
The National Golf Association's Hooters Professional Golf Tour, presented by Hooters Restaurants and Naturally Fresh Foods, announces plans to start a professional Ladies mini-tour in Florida, beginning in September 2005 and running through February 2006.
"We've been exploring the idea of operating a Ladies Tour for some time now," said NGA/Hooters Tour President Robin L. Waters. "We’re just continuing our goal of being involved in every aspect of competitive golf.”
The NGA/Hooters Ladies Series will run twelve 54-hole events with a guaranteed 85% pay out of member's entry fees to the top 33% of the fields.
The Ladies Series will only accept the first 120 applications for membership.
Scott Walker, the Winter Series and West Coast Series Director, will oversee The NGA Hooters Ladies Series.
The NGA/Hooters Tour is the third largest men’s 72-hole professional golf tour in the United States behind the PGA and Nationwide Tours.
For more information about the The Hooters Ladies Series call the tour office at (001) 843-281-TOUR (8687).

West of Scotland Girls Medal
The second medal in the West of Scotland Girls calendar was played at Paisley Bushes on Sunday 22nd May. 
SS  74       CSS   73
1st Silver:  Eilidh Briggs (18) 71
2nd Silver:  Kerrie Differ (14)  71
1st Bronze:  Kirsten Scott (22) 71
2nd Bronze:  Rachael McQueen (28) 76
Scratch:  Kerrie Differ (85)
 

Friday 27th May 2005

IRISH NEWS
ENNIS AND CO. LOUTH THROUGH TO SUZUKI SENIOR CUP FINALS
Ennis, winners of the Southern District regional competition, and Co. Louth (Eastern District winners) have qualfified for the Suzuki Senior Cup championship at at Woodstock Golf Club, Co Clare in September.
They will be joined by the winners of the Northern District (next week) and Midland and Western (both to be held in early July.
Ennis toppled multi-winners Killarney 4-1 in the semi-finals before beating Shannon 4 ½ - ½ to win the Southern District title at Lahinch.
The Ennis team comprised Tricia Mangan, Maura McNicholas, Pamela Murphy, Valerie Hassett and Sarah Cunningham.
Details:
SUZUKI SENIOR CUP – SOUTHERN DISTRICT
FIRST ROUND
Shannon 4, Clonmel 1.
Tipperary 3½, Bandon 1½.
Mallow 3½, Cork 1½.
Nenagh 4½, Castletroy ½.
Ennis 4, Dungarvan 1.
Douglas 4, Limerick 1.
QUARTER-FINALS
Shannon 3½, Muskerry 1 ½.
Tipperary 4, Mallow 1.
Ennis 4, Nenagh 1.
Killarney 3, Douglas 2.
SEMI-FINALS
Shannon 3½, Tipperary 1½.
Ennis 4, Killarney 1.
FINAL
Ennis 4 ½, Shannon ½.

Student Golf
SCOTT JAMIESON CHOSEN FOR PALMER CUP MATCH v USA
Scotland international team player Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes & Augusta State University) has been chosen for the first time to play for Europe against the United States in the annual Palmer Cup match between players from American colleges.
Jamieson, a former Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion, has returned to his best form on the American college circuit during the 2004-2005 season.
The ninth match in the Palmer Cup series will be held over the Pete Dye-designed 7,201yd, par-72 Irish Course at Whistling Straits Golf Club at Kohler, Wisconson on the exposed shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Other Brits in the Europe team are Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies and Englishmen David Skinns and Steve Tiley.
Welshman David Llewellyn is the assistant coach under Magnus Grankvist from Sweden.
Europe trail 3-4 with one match drawn but have won the last two Palmer Cup contests, their most recent winning being at Ballybunion in Ireland.
Teams:
EUROPE
Alejandro Canizares (Arizona State & Spain).
Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State& Wales).
Kalle Edberg (Augusta State & Sweden).
Scott Jamieson (Augusta State & Scotland).
Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State & Spain).
Alex Noren (Oklahoma State & Sweden)
David Skinns (Tennesee & England).
Steve Tilley (Georgia State & England).
UNITED STATES
Ryan Blaum (Duke).
Roberto Castro (Georgia Tech).
Matt Every (Florida).
John Holmes (Kentucky).
Spencer Levin (New Mexico).
Jeff Overton (Indiana).
Michael Putnam (Pepperdine).
Matthew Rosenfeld (Texas).

SCOTLAND’S BRIGHT YOUNG STARS IN ACTION IN SCHOOLGIRLS’ EVENT
Most of the bright young prospects in the country will be in actionin The Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish schoolgirls championship, to be blayed over the Torrance and Devlin courses at St Andrews Bay on Monday, June 13.
There will be a new champion because all of the previous title-winners are too old to compete.
Among the favourites will be Krystle Caithness, Scottish Under-16 girls’ open champion for the past two years, Sally Watson, who was second leading qualifier and reached the final of the Scottish women’s amateur championship at Cruden Bay on her debut, and women’s champions of their respective counties, Carly Booth (Perth & Kinross), Kelsey MacDonald (Northern Counties) and Emma Fairnie (Borders).
Order of play in the 36-hole tournament:
++ Torrance course times first; Devlin course times second.
7.20 & 12.20 Megan Barbour (E Lothian), Gillian Monteith (D&G), Susan Jackson(Fife).
7.30 & 12.30 Isla Craigie (Borders),Vicki Smith (S Ayrshire), Arlene McGarty(W Lothian).
7.40 & 12.40 Robyn McCulloch (D&G), Annabel Niven (P&K), Sammy Vass (Highland).
7.50 & 12.50 Camilla Tait (Fife), Laura Falconer (Angus), Lauren MacCallum (N Aberdeenshire).
8.0 & 1.0 Sarah Watters (Fife), Ashley Smith (Dundee), Kirsty Moss (Angus).
8.10 & 1.10 Fiona Blair (Angus), Mhairi Johnstone (Aberdeen City), Louise McGregor (Falkirk).
9.50 & 2.50 Kerrie Differ (N Lanarkshire), Beth Mackay (E Lothian), Lauren Whyte (Aberdeen City).
10.0 & 3.0 Andrea Bowie (Angus), Jill Meldrum (E Dunbarton), Samantha Leslie (S Aberdeenshire).
10.10 & 3.10 Cara Easton(Edinburgh), Lisa Byrne (Argyll & Bute), Nicola McAuley (S Aberdeenshire).
10.20 & 3.20 Eilidh Briggs(Renfrewshire), Karis McGhee (S Ayrshire), Jennifer Jones (N Aberdeenshire).
10.30 & 3.30 Jillian Pryde (Angus), Marsha Hull (S Lanarkshire), Laura Forgie (Glasgow).
10.40 & 3.40 Fiona Stewart (Angus), Ruth Cordiner (Glasgow), Zoe Differ (N Lanarkshire).
10.50 & 3.50 Karen Brodie (E Dunbarton), Hayley Thomson (N Aberdeenshire).
12.20 & 7.20 Krystle Caithness(Fife), Sally Watson (Edinburgh), Kelsey MacDonald (Highland).
12.30 & 7.30 Carly Booth (Perth & Kinross), Amanda Edwards (Edinburgh), Michele Thomson (N Aberdeenshire).
12.40 & 7.40 Roseanne Niven (Edinburgh), Laura Murray (S Aberdeenshire), Pamela Pretswell (S Lanarkshire).
12.50 & 7.50 Jane Turner (Edinburgh), Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire), Rachael Livingstone (E Lothian).
1.0 & 8.0 Rebecca Wilson(Angus), Emma Fairnie (Edinburgh), Ashton Ingram (Highland).
1.10 & 8.10 Rebecca Watson (Edinburgh), Hannah Harvey (Fife), Debbie Neilson (Glasgow).

ST RULE TROPHY'S QUALITY FIELD AT ST ANDREWS THIS WEEKEND
From COLIN FARQUHARSON
Sweden's Louise Stahle is not back in St Andrews this weekend to defend St Rule Trophy she won the week before she lifted the British women's amateur championship at Gullane last year.
Perhaps it is an omen for Louise's future prospects  - she is turning pro in July after the European Team Championships - that compatriot Annika Sorenstam did not return either after winning the "St Rule" in 1990!
But it is still a quality field of 60 players for what has become, over the past 21 years, one of the leading women's amateur stroke-play tournaments in Great Britain & Ireland.
Last year, the tournament was cut to 36 holes because the St Rule Trophy organisers did not feel it was fair to ask the field to play three competitive rounds immediately before the "British."
So it's back to one round over the New Course today (Saturday) and two rounds over the Old Course tomorrow (Sunday).
The field includes the winners of four of the top women's amateur events played over the past month - Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), the new Scottish champion, Felicity Johnson (Harborne), the new  English champion, Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play championship, and Henni Brockway (Yeovil), winner of the Welsh open stroke-play title.
Miss Johnson won the Lawson Trophy for the best performance by an Under-21 in St Rule Trophy tournament last year when she finished joint seventh (with Martina Gillen).
Fiona Lockhart, playing over home courses, came 13th 12 months ago.
Add in the names of British stroke-play title-holder Clare Queen (Drumpellier), Irish open stroke-play champion Tara Delaney (Carlow), Irish champion Deirdre Smith (Co Louth), Curtis Cup Scot Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play champion for the past two years, and you begin to get the feel of the strength of depth of talent in this tournament.
There will be much interest also in the performances of 12-year-old Carly Booth (Auchterarder) and 13-year-old Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), both two-handicappers and both tremendous prospects.
Carly missed the recent Scottish championship at Cruden Bay where Sally, on her debut, played very well to be the second leading qualifier and then go all the way through to become the youngest-ever semi-finalist before losing to defending champion Anne Laing.
Ireland have sent over one of their biggest representations  - 11 players - since the tournament began in 1984 and was won by US Curtis Cup player Penny Hamill.
Six of the eight who retained the women's home international title for Ireland at Royal Porthcawl last September will be in action at St Andrews.
One obvious omission from the Emerald Isle "army" is Curtis Cup player Clare Coughlan (Cork) who was unavailable to travel to Scotland.
The only Irish player to win the "St Rule" was Alison Coffey in 2001; Heather Stirling (2002) was the most recent Scot to win while England has not provided the winner since Kim Rostron in 1997.

Scottish County Golf
The Renfrewshire team for the forthcoming West Jamboree at Lanark GC Monday 27th - Wednesday 29th June is:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Clare - Marie Carlton (Fereneze)
Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle)
Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston)
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)
Gillian McGinlay (Cochrane Castle)
Kate O'Sullivan (Cochrane Castle)
Julie Wilson (Williamwood)

JORDAN FINDLAY TO JOIN GB&I "COLONY" AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE
British boys champion Jordan Findlay, pictured right, from Fraserburgh has become East Tennessee State University's latest golf recruit from Great Britain & Ireland.
Findlay, who is 17, will start his four-year course at the university in Johnson City, Tennessee in August.
Although Welshman Cennydd Mills is in his senior term and will not be there when Jordan arrives, he will be joining another former British boys champion, Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies from Bridgend, Wales, Ireland's Noel Kavanagh and Cian McNamara and Ulstereman Gareth Shaw.
Davies is not coming home for the British men's amateur championship at Royal Birkdale next week. Instead he is accepting the chance to play as an individual in the NCAA Division 1 men's championship.
Davies has been an outstanding success on the American college circuit, winning several tournaments and enjoying a high ranking.
Findlay will undoubtedly have been influenced by Davies' experience and the fact that he will be joining others "from back home" when he gets to Tennessee.
"Three years ago, East Tennessee State University spent $10 million on a new golf development. The course starts at the end of August and I'm really looking forward to it. I will be there for four years and it will really help bring on my game. The facilities are brilliant," said Findlay.

Hickory Golf
The Fourth Hickory Grail
In an exciting finish, worthy of any Ryder Cup, Europe and the USA tied at 9 points apiece in the 4th Hickory Grail match at Kilspindie yesterday and consequently Europe retained the trophy that they narrowly won in St Andrews, Hastings on Hudson, New York, USA two years ago.
Europe went into lunch 4 games to 2 down, and the first few singles matches were evenly shared, with three exciting last green victories by William Tanner, Scott Patrick and Nigel Notley. The latter holed from off the green in secure his victory. Claes Kvist from Sweden and Chris Homer had comfortable wins, followed by another John Sherwood point for the Europe on the 17th.
Needing only one point to ensure that the Grail cup remained in Europe, the next two games were lost, but Bob Strachan, the professional at Duff House Royal, came through with a 2/ 1 victory over Bill Farmer.
Trey Holland, Brian Siplo, Wayne Aaron and Mark Wehring were unbeaten on the USA side.
Nigel Notley and Scott Patrick were the only two-time winners for Europe.
Foursomes (European Names First) Europe 2 USA 4
Alan Jackson and Nigel Notley beat Winfield Padgett and Rob Ahlschwede 2/1
Peter Heath and Bob Strachan lost to Brian Siplo and Wayne Aaron 2/1
John Sherwood and John Still lost to Bill Farmer and Mark Wehring 2/1
Philip Truett and Scott Patrick beat Roger Hill and Chuck McMullin 4/3
Hamish Ewan and Tony Norcott lost to Ralph Livingston and Randy Jensen 6/4
John Mullock and John Hanna lost to John Miller and Trey Holland 1 up
Singles (European Names First) Europe 7 USA 5
Bill Tanner beat Ralph Livingstone 2 up
John Pearson lost to Mark Wehring 7/6
Scott Patrick beat John C. Miller 1 up
David Kirkwood (European Captain) lost to Brian Siplo 4/2
Nigel Notley beat Randy Jensen 1 up
Neil Hutchinson lost to Winfield Padgett 3/2
Claes Kvist (Sweden) beat Rob Ahlschwede 4/3
Chris Homer beat Chuck McMullin (USA Captain) 5/3
John Sherwood beat Roger Hill 2/1
Clive Mitchell lost to Wayne Aaron I up
John Hanna lost to Trey Holland 3/2
Bob Strachan beat Bill Farmer 2/1
Overall result Europe 9 USA 9

A HOLE IN ONE AT SKENE HOUSE HOTELSUITES
Aberdeen-based Skene House HotelSuites has launched a golf package, which will give guests a chance to be on a par with some of their all time favourite players.
The luxury four star accommodation provider will rename a selection of its suites during this year’s Senior British Open (21-24 July 2005), in honour of the golfing legends who will be out on the greens.
Guests who check in at Skene House HotelSuites during the prestigious tournament could end up sleeping in the Sam Torrance Suite, Greg Norman Suite or Tom Watson Suite. As part of the ‘Hole in One’ package each suite will be kitted out with the need to know information on that player so guests can swat up on the competitors.   
A 144-strong field featuring the cream of senior talent from across the world will fly into the Granite City for the prestigious event. The historic Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is playing host to the championship, which boasts an overall prize fund of £1 million and a winner’s cheque of £157,800.
The Skene House HotelSuite’s ‘Hole in One’ package costs from £105 per person, based on 6 people sharing a three-bedroom executive suite at Skene House Rosemount, and includes:
Two nights in a suite named after a golfing legend, with an info pack on their careers for bedtime reading
A selection of up to date golf magazines
Transport to the Senior British Open
Pack of Skene House HotelSuites branded golf balls
A round of golf on a Northeast course
Set in the heart of the city, Skene House HotelSuites provide an ideal venue for individuals or groups of golfers who are watching the tournament. Based on the American concept of an ‘all suite hotel’, Skene House HotelSuites is hugely popular with golfers across the UK, as well as Scandinavia and America.
After a long day watching the tournament or testing their own skills, guests can eat in or venture out to a range of restaurants, bars and cafes on the doorstep. A hearty Scottish breakfast is on offer before heading out for another 18 holes. 
Each suite has up to three bedrooms (sleeping 6 people), a lounge, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. With twice as much space as a conventional hotel room, storing clubs, shoes and other golf equipment in your suite is not a problem. 
Ten nationally-known interior designers created the suites - from the traditional to the contemporary - blending furniture, fabrics, prints and colours to provide a tasteful and comfortable home from home feel. And because the suites are priced per suite, per night, the larger suites become incredible value for money if shared by a group of golfers.
Many famous 18-hole courses - around 30 in total - are within 30 minutes driving distance of Skene House HotelSuites – enough to keep any enthusiastic golfer happy.
For more information on the ‘Hole in One Package’ or other golfing breaks at Skene House HotelSuites in Aberdeen, log onto www.skene-house.co.uk for further information. When booking the package quote ‘Hole in One’

Thursday 26th May 2005

ABERDEENSHIRE LEAVE OUT SJAVON, BRING IN MICHELE AND LAURA
Last year's Aberdeenshire women's champion Sjavon Wilson (Murcar) has been given only the second reserve spot in the county team to compete against Angus, Perth & Kinross and title-holders Northern Counties in the Northern Division women's inter-county championship at Elgin from June 25 to 27.
Sjavon, a 20-year-old golf scholarship student at Tyler Junior College, Texas, was unable to return to the North-east in time to defend her Shire title in this year's county championship at Murcar. She also missed the Scottish women's championship at Cruden Bay last week because she was competing in the NCJAA women's championship at Daytona Beach where she finished third.
The Aberdeenshire selectors have brought in teenagers Laura Murray (Alford), 16, and Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), 17, for the first time.
The county that tops the Northern Division tournament table will go forward to the Scottish women's county finals at Ranfurly Castle from September 16 to 18.
The Aberdeenshire squad is:
Julie Henderson (Inverurie), Laura McLardy (Murcar), Laura Murray(Alford), Donna Pocock (Murcar), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Linda Urquhart (Banchory), Carol Wilson (Murcar), Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies).
Reserves: Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay), Sjavon Wilson (Murcar), Fiona Hay (Deeside).

Wednesday 25th May 2005

CLARE CONTINUES TO HAVE BIG LEAD IN P&W RANKINGS
Clare Queen, who was the leading qualifier in last week's Scottish women's amateur golf championship at Cruden Bay, continues to hold a commanding lead in the Paull & Williamsons' Rankings.
The Drumpellier player has averaged 3.4 strokes under the CSS in five rounds of two designated tournaments - the "Scottish" and the Helen Holm Scottish women's stroke-play.
Her nearest rival is Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) who has averaged +0.8 over CSS in the same five rounds.
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) is lying in third place at +0.83 with 16-year-old Krystle Caithness fourth.
LEADING
(Number of rounds played in brackets)
1 Clare Queen (Drumpellier) (5) -3.4.
2 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) (5) +0.8.
3 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) (6) +0.83
4 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) (4) +1.
5 Kelly Brotherton (Tulliallan) (4)+1.25.
7 Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) (3) +1.33.
8 Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) (2) &Louise Kenney (Pitreavie)+1.5.
9 Carly Booth (Auchterarder)4 +1.75.
10 Katrina Milne (Dunfermline) (6) +1.83
11Sally Watson (Elie & Earslferry) (7) +1.86.
12 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) (6) &Clare-Marie Carlton(Stirling Univ) (2)+2.
14 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) (7) +2.29.
15Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) (5), Martine Pow (Selkirk) (5) +2.6
17 Claire MacDonald (Gullane) (4) +2.75.
18 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) (5) & Lesley Hendry(Routenburn) (3) +3
20 Gemma Webster (HiltonPark) (6) +3.17.

AYRSHIRE PAIR ARE SINGING IN THE RAIN AT OLD RANFURLY
Ayrshire's Audrey Thomson and Liz Keohone won the West Division inter-county women's golf foursomes finals, played in relentless  rain at Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club today.
Audrey and Liz returned an 82, one shot ahead of the Renfrewshire paiing of Donna Jckson and Pearl Orr.
Another Renfrewshire combination, Maureen Skinner and Gillian McGinlay, finished third with an 86.
Fiona Brawley and Frances Craig (Ayrshire), playing off 13, won the first handicap prize by four shots with a net 76.
WEST INTER-COUNTY FOURSOMES
Old Course Ranfurly GC
Scratch - A Thomson & L Keohone (Ayrshire) 82; D Jackson & P Orr (Renfrewshire) 83; M Skinner & G McGinlay (Renfrewshire) 86. Handicap- F Brawley & F Craig (Ayrshire) (13) 76; M Dunlop & M Hogg (Renfrewshire) (14) 80; H Heggie & L Duff (Lanarkshire) (12 ½) 84 ½.

CARA SHAVES TWO SHOTS OFF ROYAL DORNOCH RECORD
Royal Dornoch scratch player Cara Gruber, pictured right, produced the best round of golf ever played by a woman over the world-rated links yesterday (Wed) when she shot a 69 - seven under par from the Ladies Golf Union tees - in the SLGA brooch ladies' club medal competition.
Cara, who comes from Strathpeffer, shaved two shots off the previous record held by Lindsey Anderson (Tain).
Her figures were:
OUT - 3 4 3  3 5 3  5 4 4: 34
   IN -  2 4 5  3 5 3  4 5 4 : 35
Miss Gruber, 24, had an eagle at the long fourth and birdies at the first, third, ninth, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th and 18th in halves of 34 (three under par) and 35 (four under par).
Like most great rounds, it could have been better because Cara bogeyed the second, fifth and 17th.
Ironically, Cara did not win the SLGA Brooch which was decided on net scores. Joan Dean beat her with the better inward half!

D&A County Team
The D&A County to play in the West Jamboree at Lanark - June 27th-29th is :-
Sara Bishop (Windyhill)
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)
Jill Foggo (Milngavie)
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven)
Claire McNeil (Cawder)
Louisa Ruane (Cardross)
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle)
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park)

Tuesday 24th May 2005

Sarah Jones and Vicki Thomas win Welsh titles
Former Curtis Cup player Sarah Jones (Pennard), pictured right, retained the Welsh women’s (close) amateur champion and another Curtis Cup player, Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) won the Welsh senior women’s (close) match-play title at Conwy Golf Club today.
Sarah, who was the No. 2 qualifier behind Melanie Peake, beat Jo Nicolson (Wrexham) by 2 and 1 in the semi-final and then accounted for the left-handed Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen)by 5 and 4 in the 18-hole final.
Vicki Thomas, Welsh close champion six times (1982-83-85-86-91-94) and beaten finalist three times, made a winning debut in the Welsh over-50s championship.
The No 1 seed, Vicki beat Pam Chugg (Whitchurch, Cardiff) by 4 and 2 in the final.
Results:
WELSH WOMEN’S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) bt Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 2 and 1, Sarah Jones (Pennard) bt Jo Nicolson (Wrexham) 2 and 1.
Final
Jones bt Evans 5 and 4.
WELSH SENIOR WOMEN’S CLOSE MATCH-PLAY
Semi-finals
Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) bt Jean O’Connor (Newport) 6 and 5; Pam Chugg (Whitchurch) bt Helen Joyce (Long Ashton) 6 and 5.
Final
Thomas bt Chugg 4 and 2.

EUROPEAN TOUR WIVES ASSOCIATION LAUNCH 'GOLFAID' FOR CHARITY
The European Tour Wives Association (ETWA), an organisation comprised of the wives and partners of members of the European Tour, today announced the launch of a new initiative to support charitable causes throughout Europe.
Under the slogan of 'GOLFERS GIVING BACK',' the project aims to raise money through the sale of coloured wristbands, which will go on sale to the public, beginning with this week's BMW Championship - the flagship event on the European Tour - at Wentworth Club in Surrey.
Many of the world's leading golfers, such as Ernie Els, and European Ryder Cup players, Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley, are staunch supporters of the ETWA initiative, which mirrors a similar scheme launched last month by the US PGA Tour wives.
The wristbands, which depict the colours of the European flag, bear the word 'GOLFAID' and will cost either £1 or two Euro each, or a donation as appropriate and will be available through the Website Shop on www.europeantour.com <http://www.europeantour.com/> 
The bands will be on sale this week in the tented village at the BMW Championship and at future tournaments on the European Tour. Proceeds will go to charities local to the areas where tournaments are played.
Pernilla Björn, wife of Danish Ryder Cup player Thomas, said: "We were inspired by the US Tour wives, who have already launched their own wristbands and have raised money for local charities in America.  All the ladies in the ETWA thought this was a great idea and wanted to emulate something that we are sure will be very successful.
"Although golfers throughout the world already donate to many charities, the wristbands are a popular fashion accessory and this is a fun way to make money through everyone who plays golf."
McGinley, whose wife, Ally, is part of the organising group, commented: "The ladies have excelled themselves by grasping this initiative to raise money for charities local to the event we play in. It is a highly commending project which I support wholeheartedly."
Els is also supporting his wife, Liezl, and the other members of the ETWA, in their fund-raising project. Ernie said: "This is an excellent way to give something back through the game of golf. If everyone who ever played golf bought just one band each, so many charities would be much better off."
George O'Grady, Executive Director of the European Tour, added: "Our members are always very generous with their time for charity initiatives around the world. We do everything we can to support player-led initiatives and we commend the ETWA for launching this worthy project at the BMW Championship - the players' own event."

BRITISH GOLF MUSEUM PRESS RELEASE
Stunning New Interactives Unveiled
Six stunning new interactive displays have been unveiled at the British Golf Museum!  Each interactive paints a unique picture of a different aspect of the game and takes the visitor on a fascinating journey of discovery with the players, places and past events of golf.
Visitors to the museum are now greeted with continuous highlights from past Open Championships in the first gallery of the museum.
Rarely seen and newly restored black and white footage of The Great Triumvirate, James Braid, JH Taylor and Harry Vardon, who won The Open Championship an amazing 16 times between them, has gone on display to the public.  The footage, dating from about 1909, shows how the past champions played the game and gives life to their legend.
What is The R&A? This absorbing new interactive will answer all your questions on The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.  Discover what The R&A means to golf today through its organisation of The Open Championship, governing the game and its significant contribution to golf development.  The disk also gives fascinating insight into the history of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
Relive your favourite Open memory from over 80 years of coverage with our fully interactive Highlights of The Open Championship 1926-2003.  Be gripped watching Bobby Jones in action in 1926 or Tiger Woods lifting the coveted Claret Jug in 2000.
Test your knowledge on our The Rules of Golf quiz and see the Rules working in action.  Watch footage of the rules in action with the great professionals, like Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.  You will be captivated until you can discover all the quiz answers!
Finally have a virtual flick through the Pages of History from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club from the 1754-1851. This will give real delight and amusement to any golf enthusiast.
Peter N. Lewis, museum Director, commented, 'These new interactive displays help bring the history of golf to life and are a fantastic addition to the galleries'.    

Pictured right: Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) with the Brabazon Trophy.
Lloyd won the Brabazon (equivalent to the English Open Amateur Strokeplay) and the Links Trophy at St Andrews in back-to-back weekends.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

Monday 23rd May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
Even more photos.. this time from Mags Morrison

TEN-YEAR-OLD JUST MISSES OUT AT US WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFIER!
By David Shefter, USGA
Far Hills, N.J. – Alexis Thompson, a 10 year old from Coral Springs, Florida., who is believed to be the youngest player to file an entry for the US Women's Open, has just missed advancing to the sectional qualifying round.
Thompson, playing at an 18-hole local qualifier at Imperial Golf Club in Naples, Florida., carded an impressive 77, but missed getting into a play-off for the final four spots by one stroke. Full report

Welsh Ladies Championship and Welsh Seniors Championship
LEADING WELSH QUALIFIER MELANIE BEATEN IN FIRST ROUND
Welsh women’s amateur championship leading qualifier Melanie Peake was beaten in the first round of the match-play stages at Conwy Golf Club. Her conqueror, Becky Harries, the last of the 16 qualifiers, has gone on to reach Tuesday morning’s semi-finals.
Defending champion Sarah Jones is through to the last four.
Verona MacKenzie, title-holder in the Welsh senior women’s championship, being played at the same venue, went out at the 19th in the second round.
Former Curtis Cup player Vicki Thomas, the leading qualifier on her debut in the over-50s championship, is through to the last four.
WELSH WOMEN'S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP
CONWY GOLF CLUB
QUALIFYING SCORES AFTER 36 HOLES
1 157 Melanie Peake (Rhuddlan GC) 79 78
2 159 Sarah Jones (Pennard GC) 79 80
3 161 Breanne Loucks (Wrexham GC) 81 80
4 161 Tara Davies (Holyhead GC) 79 82
5 161 Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen GC) 77 84
6 163 Amy Rees (Southerndown GC) 79 84
7 164 Rosie Vaughan Jones (Cardigan GC) 84 80
8 164 Kimberley Boulden (Llandudno (Maesdu) GC) 81 83
9 165 Donna Jones (Caernarfon GC) 84 81
10 167 Laura Weatherill (Gower GC) 85 82
11 167 Jo Nicolson (Wrexham GC) 80 87
12 168 Sarah Morgan (Mountain Ash GC) 84 84
13 168 Lucy Gould (Bargoed GC) 84 84
14 168 Natalee Evans (Pleasington GC) 80 88
15 169 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan GC) 82 87
16 171 Rebecca Harries (Haverfordwest GC) 88 83
DID NOT QUALIFY
17 171 Holly Watkins (Tenby GC) 87 84
18 172 Bethan Jones (Rhuddlan GC) 89 83
19 174 Hannah Jenkins (Cradoc GC) 86 88
20 175 Natalie Harrison (Rhuddlan GC) 88 87
21 175 Rachael Lewis (Pontypool GC) 85 90
22 179 Laura Jane Roberts (Holyhead GC) 84 95
23 180 Samantha Colecliffe (Rhuddlan GC) 85 95
24 181 Anna Carling (Glamorganshire GC) 86 95
25 183 Lucy Ambrozejczyk (Llanwern GC) 86 97
26 186 Julie McAloon (Aberdovey GC) 89 97
27 193 Natasha Gobey (Rhondda GC) 94 99
28 198 Laura King (Ruthin-Pwllglas GC) 104 94
MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Becky Harries bt Melanie Peak 1 hole.
Donna Jones bt Kim Boulden 3 and 2.
Steph Evans bt Sarah Morgan 5 and 4.
Tara Davies bt Lucy Gould 1 hole.
Natalee Evans bt Breanne Loucks 3 and 1.
Jo Nicolson bt Amy Rees 3 and 2.
Laura Weatherill bt Rosie V-Jones 3 and 1.
Sarah Jones bt Rian Wyn Thomas 2 and 1.
SECOND ROUND
Harries bt Donna Jones 1 hole.
Evans bt Davies 5 and 4.
Nicolson bt Evans 1 hole.
Sarah Jones bt Weatherill 3 and 1.
WELSH SENIOR LADIES' MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
36 HOLE QUALIFYING SCORES
1 162 Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen GC) 82 80
2 165 Helen Joyce (Long Ashton GC) 82 83
3 168 Pam Chugg (Whitchurch (Cardiff) GC) 87 81
4 168 Verona MacKenzie (Whitchurch GC) 81 87
5 169 Jean O'Connor (Newport GC) 86 83
6 169 Leila Jones (Pennard GC) 84 85
7 170 Lynda Jones (Royal Porthcawl GC) 90 80
8 173 Delyth Tuffnell (Wallasey GC) 86 87
9 175 Pamela Valentine (Wrexham GC) 86 89
10 177 Trudy Carradice (Pyle & Kenfig GC) 85 92
11 181 Sue Payne (Royal St David's GC) 93 88
12 184 Hazel Parry (Wrexham GC) 96 88
13 188 Paulene Williams (Conwy GC) 94 94
14 193 Ann Owen (Haverfordwest GC) 90 103
15 196 Janet Brown (Nefyn & District GC) 94 102
MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Bye: Vicki Thomas.
Pamela Valentine bt Delyth Tuffnel 4 and 2.
Jean O’Connor bt Hazel Parry 8 and 7.
Verona MacKenzie bt Paulene Williams 2 and 1.
Pam Chugg bt Ann Owen 6 and 5.
Leila Jones by Sue Payne at 21st.
Lynda Jones bt Trudy Carradice 4 and 3.
Helen Joyce bt Janet Brown 8 and 6.
SECOND ROUND
Thomas bt Valentine 1 hole.
O’Connor bt MacKenzie at 19th.
Chugg bt Leila Jones 3 and 2.
Joyce bt Lynda Jones 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies' Championship, Cruden Bay
More photos, this time from Emma Wilson's camera.

US College Golf
SCOTS IN EIGHTH PLACE LYNN TEAM AT SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Keir McNicoll from Carnoustie was a member of the Lynn University team of Boca Raton, Florida, who finished eighth in the NCAA Division 2 men’s college championship at Savannah Harbour, Georgia.
McNicoll had rounds of 71, 73, 74 and 71 over a testing 7,026yd, par-71 course for a five-over-par total of 289. Five birdies on the last day pushed him up to a to-10 finish.
Keir would have finished closer to individual winner Dane Burkhart’s total of 279 but for a double bogey at the ninth. Earlier in the tournament, the Scot had double bogeys in the first and second roundsand a triple bogey at the 18th in the third round.
Team-mate Gavin Dear from Murrayshall finished in a tie for 40th place with scores of 75, 75, 72 and 75 for 287.
Lynn University totalled 1176 compared to 1158 by team title winners South Carolina-Aiken.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
279 Dane Burkhart (South Carolina-Aiken) 71 68 68 72.
280 Nick Mason (Hawaii-Hilo) 74 69 67 70.
Other totals:
279 Keir McNicoll (Lynn) 71 74 73 71 (tied 10th).
287 Gavin Dear (Lynn) 75 75 72 75 (tied 40th).
LEADING TEAMS
1158 South Carolina-Aiken.
1163 Armstrong Atlantic.
1169 St Edward’s
Other total:
1176 Lynn (8th).

US College Golf
BRITISH TITLE-HOLDER DISAPPOINTS IN USA WOMEN’S COLLEGE FINALE
Sweden’s Louise Stahle (Arizona State), who defends her British women’s open amateur title at Littlestone, Kent next month, had a disappointing joint 16th finish in the NCAA Division 1 women’s championship at Sunriver Resort, Oregon.
Louise, who has announced she is turning pro after playing for Sweden in the European women’s amateur team championship at Karlstad, Sweden, from July 5 to 9, shot scores of 75, 77 74 and 70 for a 12-over-par total of 296 over the 6,312yd, par-71 course.
Duke University retained the team title and also provided the individual champion in Anna Grzbien whose total of two-over-par 286 included a brilliant third round of 65.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
286 Anna Grzbien (Duke) 73 75 65 73.
287 Lea Wigger (Virginia) 73 72 73 69.
288 Amie Cdochran (UCLA) 71 79 70 68, Brittany Lang (Duke) 74 75 68 71.
Other total:
296 Louise Stahle (Arizona State) 75 77 74 70 (tied 16th).
LEADING TEAMS
1170 Duke.
1175 UCLA.
1176 Auburn.

ELGA Press release
Champion success for ELGA’s lottery programme
New English champion Felicity Johnson, pictured right at St Andrews last year, has written a success story for ELGA’s lottery-funded training programme with her title triumph.
The 18-year-old from Harborne in Warwickshire is England’s first major winner to come right through the World Class programme.
Felicity, who became one of the youngest-ever champions at Burnham & Berrow on Saturday, leads a new wave of talented English players who look set to dominate the European golf scene.
Sophie Walker, 20, (Kenwick Park), Melissa Reid, 17, (Chevin), Kiran Matharu, 16, (Cookridge Hall) and Henni Brockway, 15, (Yeovil) have all been nurtured by ELGA’s programme and made their mark in events in Hong Kong, USA, France, Scotland and Wales, as well as in England.
Linda Bayman, ELGA’s performance director, commented: “Felicity’s achievement cannot be regarded as a one-off. The slow process of building and developing a top-class training programme is bearing fruit.
“ELGA aims to match and surpass the precocious achievements of the Spanish junior team and has great confidence that this new wave of talented players will deliver our targets over the next few years.”
Felicity added: “There’s a whole raft of us coming through now and we are all starting to make our mark. Hopefully this is the start of things to come for England.”
Felicity has been part of the World Class programme from its outset, after lottery funding first became available to ELGA in 1999-2000. She was spotted at the first talent assessment session and has had coaching, sports science and financial support since the age of 13.
She was fast tracked into the Potential programme at 15 and although still eligible for girls’ golf, she has been in the Elite Under 21 squad for two years.
Felicity said: “Without the World Class programme a lot of what I do wouldn’t have been possible. It covers a lot of my costs, which is ideal”.
“It also brings a lot of opportunities, like being able to go away with ELGA in the winter for a week of warm weather training.”

Sunday 22nd May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
Photo Album of event. Photos Courtesy and Copyright © Cal Carson Golf Agency

Scottish Ladies Golf
NEW CHAMPION FIONA WILL MAKE DEBUT FOR SCOTLAND IN SWEDEN
New Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart will make her international debut for Scotland at the age of 28 in the squad of six to compete in the European women’s team championship at Karlstad, Sweden from July 5 to 9.
It has long been the Fife girl’s ambition to play for her country but it has taken her surprise success in the 91st Scottish women’s amateur championship at Cruden Bay last week to persuade the SLGA selection committee that she really is a good enough player to wear Scotland’s colours.
“That has capped a great week for me,” said Fiona who works on the administration staff of the Scottish Golf Union at their Drumoig headquarters.
“I’m very pleased to have been chosen to play for Scotland and to make my debut in the European team championship is great.”
The full team, to be captained by former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion Elaine Farquharson-Black (Deeside), is:
Pamela Feggans (Doon Valley).
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus).
Heather MacRae (Dunblane New).
Clare Queen (Drumpellier).
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
Reserves
1 Kylie Walker (Stirling University).
2 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
3 Martine Pow (Selkirk).
Pamela Feggans will not have completed her commitments at Florida Southern College until early July and she will fly straight from the United States to link up with the Scotland team at Copenhagen Airport on their way to Sweden.
The outstanding performance of 13-year-old South Queensferry schoolgirl Sally Watson, a member of Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), in being the second best qualifier in the “Scottish” and then to reach the semi-finals at Cruden Bay clinched her place in the Scotland team of four for the European girls’ team championship at Lucerne, Switzerland from July 5 to 9.
The squad, to be captained by former international Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies), is:
Carly Booth (Auchterarder).
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
Reserves
1 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
2 Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
Players chosen to have their scores count for Scotland in international team events at individual tournaments:
Women’s British Open amateur championship (Littlestone, Kent, June 7-11).
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
Clare Queen (Drumpellier) capt.
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
Reserves
1 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New).
2 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus).
3 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).
Women’s Irish Open amateur championship (The Hermitage, July 23-24)
Kylie Walker (Stirling University)
Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart).
Karen Marshall (Baberton) capt
Travelling reserves
Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University).
Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank).
Non-travelling reserve
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).

US College Golf
GREAT SCOTT HELPS HIS COLLEGE WIN FIRST REGION GOLF TITLE
Scotland amateur international player Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), pictured right, in his last term of American college golf, played a big part in helping Augusta State University win the NCAA Division I Central Region championship for the first time on Saturday.
Starting the final round three shots off the pace, Augusta State finished nine shots ahead of the favourites, Oklahoma State in the 72-hole event over Notre Dame University's tough Warren course (7,012yd, par 70) in Indiana.
Scott Jamieson, a former Scottish boys' open stroke-play champion and a member of the Scotland men's home international team since 2002, and the Augusta State team are now bound for the NCAA Division 1 national championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, Maryland from June 1 to 4.
Jamieson, who shot nine birdies in the tournament and a double-bogey at the short fourth on the second day, had rounds of 72, 69 and 69 for a 54-hole total of level par 210 and joint seventh place.
Swedish team-mate Kalle Edberg won the individual title with 70, 68 and 67 for five-under 205 - holing a bunker shot at the second last hole in finishing one shot ahead of Spain's former British boys' champion Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State).
Augusta State needed Jamieson to back up Edberg with a top-10 finish as their other two team members, Major Manning and Emmett Turner, finished tied 30th and tied 43rd with 217 and 219 respectively.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
INDIVIDUALS
205 Kalle Edberg (Augusta State) 70 68 67.
206 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 65 70 71.
207 Ben Scott (Missouri) 71 67 69.
208 Korey Mahoney (Eastern Michigan) 71 68 69, Judd Easterling (Wichita State) 74 66 69.
209 Robert Gates (Texas A&M) 73 69 67.
210 Scott Jamieson (Augusta State) 72 69 69, Anthony Kim (Oklahoma) 75 70 65.
TEAMS
849 Augusta State.
858 Oklahoma State.
863 Texas A&M.
866 Tulsa, Kentucky.
870 Arkansas, Missouri.

clubgolf Press Release
Turnhouse Golf Club opens to the community’s children 
Turnhouse Golf Club, justifiably described on its web page as a “gem in Central Scotland's Golfing Crown,” became the first golf club in Edinburgh* to open its greens and fairways to the community’s children as part of the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf this week.
Designed and built in the late nineteenth century, Turnhouse maintains strong links to the best traditions of the game without being firmly rooted in the past. Its members are proud of its heritage, which introduced female players as early as 1906. The club has junior development high on its priority list and it is taking clubgolf, born out of the Scottish Executive's commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game by 2009, very seriously.
“Turnhouse Golf Club is fully aware of the importance of introducing youngsters to the game and we are delighted to be given this opportunity through the clubgolf initiative,” said Iain Holt, Turnhouse GC’s Junior Convenor.
“We have 12 fully trained Level 1 coaches taking 36 children (26 from Gylemuir, five from East Craigs and five from our waiting list) through a structured 15 week clubgolf programme.
“This initiative allows us to be part of the local community and now that the programme has started it is all about making sure the children enjoy themselves and learn the game in a safe environment.”
This week 36 Primary 5 aged children from Gylemuir and East Craigs Primary schools were the first ever clubgolf’s recruits to set foot on the course’s immaculate greens. Lesson one covered putting and a variety of games and activities designed to help develop their coordination. During the course they will be taught every aspect of the game.
Many of these children had their first ever taste of the game from former Open winner, Paul Lawrie at the introductory game, firstclubgolf’s launch at Gylemuir Primary in February. Since then they have completed the firstclubgolfcourse which uses multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets and is taught by teachers and Active Schools Coordinators within school time. Forty percent of the children who experienced firstclubgolf at Gylemuir chose to sign up for Stage 1 of the programme at Turnhouse.
“clubgolf is a fantastic opportunity for our P5 children to be involved in,” said Elizabeth Gordon, Head Teacher at Gylemuir.
“They are having a great deal of fun playing the game, meeting a whole new set of people, learning about etiquette and developing skills which will be part of a life long learning experience.
“In opening up their club to our children, Turnhouse Golf Club should be congratulated for their interest and tremendous support.”
* The Hermitage Golf Course and Education Centre delivered clubgolf Stage 1 last summer
 

Saturday 21st May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
FIONA LOCKHART IS NEW SCOTTISH CHAMPION
First-time finalist Fiona Lockhart, from the St Regulus club, St Andrews, beat the hot favourite and defending champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) by 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final of the 91st Scottish women's amateur golf championship at bright but breezy Cruden Bay today (Saturday).
So 30-year-old Anne's bid to become only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the tournament to win the title three years in a row was thwarted by a one-handicap player who recently won the Fife county championship but has never been selected to play for Scotland.
Miss Laing, a lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar, was expected to win easily in what was her sixth appearance in the final. A +3 rated player, she had been champion in 1996, 2003 and 2004.
But it was not to be. Fiona, the 28-year-old underdog who has made a career in golfing administration - first with the Ladies Golf Union, then the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and now with the Scottish Golf Union - made the kind of start that filled her with the confidence she needed to tackle such a redoubtable opponent.
Miss Lockhart birdied the first from 10ft, holed a 20ft putt after driving into a bunker to halve the second and then, after Anne Laing had squared the match by driving the green for a two-putt birdie at the third, the Fifer hit back right away by holding a 10ft putt for a birdie 2 at the fourth.
Fiona went two up with a par at the sixth, where the defending champion three-putted, and three ahead at the seventh as Anne Laing struggled to get her game into synch.
Miss Lockhart, indeed, should have gone four up when Anne pulled her drive into the rough at the eighth but Fiona missed from 3ft to let her opponent off with a half in bogey 5s.
Miss Laing at last got a revival going by birdieing the 10th, 11th and 12th to square the match.
But Miss Lockhart was not shaken. In fact she was stirred into taking the lead again with a par at the 13th. That became two up when Fiona birdied the 15th by getting down in two putts from 40ft.
Anne Laing finally capitulated at the short 16th where Miss Lockhart's two-putt three was enough to win the hole, the match by 3 and 2 and the coveted title.
Fiona was level par for the 16 holes while Anne was one over.
"I just played my own game. I had nothing to lose. All the pressure was on Anne. Even when she came back from three down to square the tie, I didn't feel as though the final was slipping away from me," said Fiona whose caddy was St Regulus clubmate, Elaine Moffat, who was Scottish champion in 1998.
Anne Laing said she was at a loss for words after her surprise defeat.
"I just can't explain it. My driving was OK except for that one bad one at the seventh but the rest of my game, particularly the putting, just wasn't there when I needed it. I played well all week to get to the final but never really got going at all against Fiona," said Anne.
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Cruden Bay Golf Club
FINAL (18 holes)
Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) bt Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 3 and 2.

English Ladies championship
Felicity Johnson wins English Championship
Warwickshire teenager Felicity Johnson is the new English champion, winning the title at the 20th hole at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club after an epic battle against Lincolnshire’s Sophie Walker.
The 18-year-old from Harborne Golf Club is one of the youngest-ever winners of the English Ladies Close Amateur Championship and is playing only her second season of full-time amateur golf.
“It’s a fantastic feeling – and it’s just starting to sink in. I’m just taking it all in and enjoying the moment,” she said, after being presented with the trophy.
The final, which was played in strong breezes, intermittent rain and the threat of thunder, attracted a good crowd of spectators who were treated to much drama, including super-accurate shots, a wasp sting and a brave fightback.
On the first, Sophie hit the pin with her approach to set up a winning birdie but Felicity came straight back, levelling the score on the second and was never again behind in the match.
She went one up on the 4th, where her birdie putt was conceded, and was three up after seven, but lost the 8th to Sophie’s birdie.
The two players halved the next five holes, including the 11th, where both had birdies and where Sophie was stung by a wasp on the knuckle of her right hand.
Felicity almost holed her four-iron tee shot on the 168-yard 14th, where the ball finished about 12 inches from the cup, and her birdie again gave her a three-hole advantage.
But then Sophie struck back, winning the next three holes to take the score back to all square. Despite the setback Felicity was still confident: “I was still feeling all right. I knew I was hitting it well and that I just had to keep going. I was still feeling pretty confident."
Both players parred the 18th and the match went into extra time. They halved the 19th, before Felicity broke the deadlock on the 20th.
There, Sophie’s drive caught the rough and her second finished in a bunker about 40 yards short of the green. Her third found the green and she putted up to about 5ft. Meanwhile, Felicity played the hole in textbook fashion: a great drive, a sand wedge to 12ft, two putts for a par – and the championship.
Felicity’s mother, Jay, was waiting in the clubhouse to share her daughter’s triumph. But her step-father and coach, Paul Johnson, was absent – accompanying her seven-year-old brother at a Wee Wonders tournament!
Paul, the professional at Harborne, has taught Felicity since she started golf as a five-year-old. She also works with England coach Pat Smillie. “They’ve both been great,” said the new champion, who is reaping the rewards of hard practice through the winter.
Her next major date, in a schedule which includes women’s and junior events, is the British championship at Littlestone. “I’ve just got to try and keep the form going,” she said.

Friday 20th May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
ANNE LAING v FIONA LOCKHART FINAL
Anne Laing is one match away from becoming only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the Scottish women's amateur golf championship to win the title three years in a row.
The Curtis Cup player and Vale of Leven Golf Club member beat the 13-year-old "overnight sensation" of this week's tournament over the Cruden Bay Links by 3 and 2 in the semi-finals this afternoon.
Miss Laing, who beat Michelle Wie twice in last year's Curtis Cup match at Formby, now plays 28-year-old Fiona Lockhart, an uncapped player from the St Regulus Club, St Andrews.
Fiona lived dangerously in both her Friday ties. She came back from two down with two to play to beat giant-killer Karen Marshall (Baberton), earlier conqueror of top seed Clare Queen, at the 19th.
n in the semi-finals, Miss Lockhart was one down on the 17th tee against 19-year-old Stirling University student Kylie Walker who made her debut for Scotland in last year's women's home internationals. Fiona squared the match at the 17th, halved the 18th and then came through smiling at the 19th once again with a winning par 4.
It will be Anne Laing's sixth final in the past 10 years. She won the title for the first time at Royal Dornoch in 1996 and again at St Andrews in 2003 and Prestwick last year. She was beaten finalist in 1999 at Nairn Dunbar and in 2002 at Stranraer.
"I'm delighted to be in the final again. I said before the start of the championship that I was just as hungry to win the title again as I had ever been and I think I've proved that," said Anne after finally ending the glory run of 13-year-old South Queensferry girl Sally Watson by 3 and 2 in the semi-final.
Elie and Earlsferry Ladies member Sally won the fifth and eighth to go one up but then lost the ninth, 12th and 13th, three-putting each green. After a half in birdies at the 15th, Anne Laing finished the match in champion style by holing a 40ft putt for a birdie 2 at the short 16th.
SEMI-FINALS
Lockhart beat Walker at 19th.
Laing beat Watson 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies Championship
DONNA POCOCK WINS CLARK ROSEBOWL
Murcar's Donna Pocock, pictured right, won the No 2 match-play event at Cruden Bay, beating Kirsty Wells (Dumfries & County) by one hole in the final.
Donna was never behind after winning the first and fourth and was still two up at the turn. She came under pressure on the inward half as Kristy won the 11th, the 14th with a birdie 3 and the 16th but Miss Pocock was able to win the 13th and 15th on her own account and hold her opponent at bay over the last two holes.
Semi-finals
D Pocock (Murcar) bt H Laughland (Mortonhall) 6 and 5.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co bt D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 3 and 2.
Final
Pocock bt Wells 1 hole.

English Ladies Championship
SOPHIE v FELICITY IN FINAL
Lincolnshire’s Sophie Walker and Warwickshire teenager Felicity Johnson will meet in Saturday’s final of the English women’s amateur championship at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.
Sophie (Kenwick Park) ended the reign of defending champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) with a 3 and 2 win in the semi-finals.
"I’m really chuffed to get through, it’s brilliant," said 20-year-old Sophie, who won the English stroke- play championship in 2003 and the English girls’ championship in 2000.
"I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it should be a good game." She got off to a quick start in against Kerry, winning the first hole, and she held the advantage throughout the match, which was played in strong winds and some rain.
"I played steadily and I was two up early on, three up at the turn and then just held on," said Sophie, whose score was around level par.
"It was good golf in the conditions."
In the morning quarter-finals, Sophie scored a one-hole win after a tight battle with English girls’ champion Melissa Reid (Chevin). Kerry beat Joanne Hodge (Knowle) 5 and 4.
The championship is providing Sophie with a break from her studies. She’s a sports science student at Loughborough University and will be taking her final exams in June.
"This is a bit of a break, it’s a week away," she remarked.
Meanwhile, Felicity Johnson (Harborne) ended the run of England international Julie Ross (Whitley Bay), who survived a play-off to reach the match-play stages of the championship.
Felicity, 18, quickly took charge of their semi-final, was up throughout the match and was a couple of shots under par when she won 5 and 4.
She was two up at the turn and then won the 10th, 11th and 13th to set up her victory. "It’s pretty exciting and I’m looking forward to the final," said Felicity, who won ELGA’s 2004 girls’ order of merit.
"It’s just nice to do well in this tournament, it’s the main one."
This will be her first final and she has reached it on only her second appearance in the championship.
FRIDAY RESULTS
QUARTER-FINALS
Felicity Johnson beat Leah Occleshaw 2 and 1.
Julie Ross bt Naomi Edwards 6 and 5.
Kerry Smith bt Joanne Hodge 5 and 4.
Sophie Waker bt Melissa Reid 1 hole
SEMI-FINALS
Johnson bt Ross 5 and 4.
Walker bt Smith 3 and 2.

Scottish Ladies Championship
Friday morning report and results
It will be defending champion Anne Laing against 13-year-old "overnight sensation" Sally Watson from South Queensferry in the second semi-final of the 91st Scottish women's amateur championship at Cruden Bay this afternoon.
The other semi-final will feature Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) against 19-year-old Kylie Walker (Stirling University & Buchanan Castle).
Anne, seeking to become the first player since the 1960s to win the national title three years in a row, was level par in beating teenager Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University & Fereneze) by 5 and 4.
Anne was two up at the turn and clinched victory with wins at the 10th, 11th (a birdie) and the 12th.
Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) was again under par in winning by 4 and 3 against 19-year-old Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart & University of Arkansas-Little Rock). Sally won the first, where her opponent was bunkered, and never looked back. She never lost a hole and though Emily matched her birdies at the fifth and sixth, Sally's third birdie of the outward half, a 3 at the eighth, put the younger player three up.
Another birdie, at the 12th, put Sally four up.
Giant-killer Karen Marshall (Baberton) looked like following up her victory over top seed Clare Queen when she was two up with two to play against Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus). Fiona had trailed from the fifth and sixth, which Karen won to go two up.
Miss Lockhart produced a grandstand finish, winning the 17th and 18th to level the match and then she won the 19th with a par 4 to Miss Marshall's bogey 5.
Kylie Walker was one under par in beating former finalist Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) by 4 and 3.
Kylie won the first the first two holes and the fourth to take a three-hole stranglehold on the match and was still three up at the turn.
Quarter-finals
F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt K Marshall (Baberton) at 19th
K Walker (Stirling Univ) bt C Hargan (Mortonhall) 4 and 3.
A Laing (Vale of Leven) bt C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 5 and 4.
S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) bt E Ogilvy (Muckhart) 4 and 3.
CLARK ROSEBOWL
Semi-finals
D Pocock (Murcar) bt H Laughland (Mortonhall) 6 and 5.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co bt D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 3 and 2.

US College Golf
SJAVON WILSON THIRD IN FLORIDA
Portlethen girl Sjavon Wilson had a final round of 73 - her best of the 72-hole tournament - to finish third in the NJCAA national women's college golf championship over the LPGA International course at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Murcar member Sjavon, last year's Aberdeenshire women's champion and a student at Tyler Junior College, Texas had an aggregate of 305 after earlier rounds of 77, 75 and 80.
Camila Sola (Redlands College) won the event with a final score of 72 for an aggregate of 287 - 16 shots ahead of second-placed Kristy McLaughlan (Daytona Beach).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
287 Camila Sola (Redlands) 69 75 71 72.
303 Kristy McLaughlan (Daytona Beach) 70 78 77 78.
305 Sjavon Wilson (Murcar) 77 75 80 73.
309 Christina VanWark (Daytona Beach) 81 80 71 77.
LEADING TEAMS
1249 Daytona Beach.
1282 McLennan.
1289 Redlands.
1310 Rend Lake.
1320 Tyler.

Thursday 19th May 2005

Scottish Ladies Championship
TOP SEED QUEEN TRUMPED AT CRUDEN BAY
Top seed Clare Queen was toppled by a three-handicap Edinburgh player, Karen Marshall, in the second round of the Scottish women's amateur golf championship at Cruden Bay today.
British stroke-play champion Miss Queen, who sailed through the qualifying stages with a three-under-par total and won her first match-play tie by 5 and 4 over Pamela Williamson (Baberton), was knocked out by 35-year-old Karen, another Baberton player, who took 14 more shots than Clare did on Tuesday and Wednesday and qualified in 17th place.
But, as the defending champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), said later, when she had made it through to the quarter-finals after a birdie battle with Sara Bishop (Windyhill): "Cruden Bay is a great match-play course and you cannot take anything for granted."
"I just kept plodding along, playing my own game and trying not to be too concerned with what my opponent was doing," said modest Miss Marshall whose 2 and 1 victory took her through to the quarter-finals, matching her best ever performance in the championship.
"Nothing happened for Clare at all against me. I was out in level par and all square and one under par coming home. I was never behind but there was only one hole in it for most of the way. I think the crucial holes for me were the 14th and 15th. I birdied them both to go two up and Clare could only halve the 16th and 17th.
On a bad day for the selectors of the Scotland squad of six for the European team championships in Sweden at the beginning of July, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), a full international, lost out by 2 and 1 to Emily Ogilvy (Muckhart) in a battle between two American college players.
Louise has been an outstanding player for Iowa State University for the past two seasons. Emily, only 19, is beginning to find her feet at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Miss Ogilvie birdied the first two holes against Miss Kenney and, though pulled back to all square at the 10th holes, forged clear again with winning birdies at the 14th and 15th.
Other teenagers in the last eight are Stirling University students Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and, of course, the 13-year-old overnight sensation of the tournament, Sally Watson from South Queensferry.
The Elie & Earlsferry player could yet give the SLGA selectors, who meet on Friday night to pick the six for Sweden, a major headache. Sally was four under par in beating the new Ayrshire champion, Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) by 4 and 2 in the second round.
Clare Queen's defeat opened up the top half of the draw and shortened the odds against Anne Laing becoming only the fourth player in the 102-year history of the championship to win the title three years in a row.
"Our better ball was 10 under par and I had six birdies and an eagle at the eighth," said Anne after she had kept calm and focused to win by 2 and 1 against her Dunbartonshire & Argyll county team foursomes partner, Sara Bishop.
Three times Midlothian county champion Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) had to go to the 23rd in the morning to beat San Diego State University student Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and then ousted former champion Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) on the last green. Elaine had come back from three down after six holes with birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th to be one up with three to play.
Kylie Walker beat Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), another Scotland team place contender, at the 19th which Jenna bogeyed. Kylie, two down twice on the outward half, birdied the 12th, 15th and 17th to be one up playing the 18th ... only to three-putt and let Jenna square the game with par 4.
Fife county champion Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), suffering from a heavy cold, held on well to win by one hole against Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).
Clare-Marie Carlton, making her debut in the champion, won by 2 and 1 over Claire MacDonald (Gullane). Clare birdied the 14th and 16th to edge ahead.
Thursday results:
C Queen (Drumpellier) bt P Williamson (Baberton) 5 and 4.
K Marshall (Baberton) bt K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 4 and 2
F Lockhart (St Regulus) bt A Young (Torrance House) 2 and 1.
G Webster (Hilton Park) bt J Carthew (Ladybank) at 19th.
J Wilson (Strathaven) bt D Jackson (Cochrane Castle) 6 and 4.
K Walker (Stirling Univ) bt A Davidson (Stirling) 2 holes.
C Hargan (Mortonhall) bt H MacRae (Dunblane New) at 23rd.
E Moffat (St Regulus) bt M Pow (Selkirk) at 19th.
A Laing (Vale of Leven) bt R MacLennan (Baberton) 6 and 5.
S Bishop (Windyhill) bt K Milne (Dunfermline) 1 hole.
C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) bt C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 4 and 3.
C MacDonald (Gullane) bt W Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 1 hole.
E Ogilvy (Muckhart) bt C Wilson (Murcar) 8 and 7.
L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt E Cuthill (Lanark) 6 and 5.
L Hendry (Routenburn) bt J Henderson (Inverurie) 5 and 4.
S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) bt K Blackwood (Glencorse) 4 and 3.
SECOND ROUND
Marshall bt Queen 2 and 1.
Lockhart bt Webster 1 hole.
Walker bt J Wilson at 19th.
Hargan bt Moffat 1 hole.
Laing bt Bishop 2 and 1.
Carlton bt C MacDonald 2 and 1.
Ogilvy bt Kenney 2 and 1.
Watson bt Hendry 4 and 2.
CLARK ROSEBOWL
Quarter-finals
Hilary Laughland bt Gillian Roy 2 and 1.
Donna Pocock bt Fiona Hay 7 and 6.
Dawn Dewar bt Laura Walker 3 and 2.
Kirsty Wells bt Judith Anderson at 19th.
First round
H Laughland (Mortonhall) bt P Hutton (Lanark) 4 and 2.
G Roy (Abertay) bt B Murphy (Prestonfield) 3 and 2
D Pocock (Murcar) bt F Neish (Murcar) at 19th.
F Hay (Deeside) bt F De Vries (St Rule) 5 and 4.
L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) bt L Fraser (Kingsknowe) 1 hole.
D Dewar (Stirling Univ) bt N Melville (Bridge of Allan) 1 hole.
J Anderson (Hawick) bt K Thomson (Kintore) 3 and 2.
K Wells (Dumfries & Co) bt M Easton (Dalmahoy) 3 and 2.

English Ladies Championship
TOP SEED LAURA TOPPLED BY LEAH
First-time qualifier Leah Occleshaw staged a major upset when she defeated top seed Laura Eastwood in the second round of the English women’s amateur championship at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Somerset.
"It was amazing, absolutely amazing. It's a real dream," said 37-year-old Leah after her 2 and 1 victory which put her through to Friday’s quarter-finals and a match against 18-year-old Felicity Johnson (Harborne)..
The four-handicapper from Lansdown has been playing in the championship since 1997 but this is the first time she's reached the match-play stages.
Leah credits this and other recent successes to the work she's done on golf psychology. "I've always known I could do this, I've wanted it and worked for it for so long and now I'm actually letting it happen," she said.
She took early control of the match and was five up after 11 holes. But Laura fought back and was just one down after the 16 th . "I just started to get a bit ahead of myself, a bit fidgety, and Laura played some great shots," said Leah.
But, after watching Laura miss the green on the par-3 17th , the former Gloucestershire champion was determined to make no mistakes and secured her win with an accurate seven-iron shot.
"I thought I'm absolutely going to commit to this shot and I hit it out of the middle and into the centre of the green."
Another of the championship's early high-fliers was also beaten on Thursday. Kiran Matharu, the Yorkshire 16-year-old, led the first round of stroke-play qualifying with a three-under par 69, but her challenge ended in the first round of match-play.
She was beaten 4 and 2 by England international Julie Ross ( Whitley Bay ), who had played alongside Kiran as she compiled her 69. "She was impressive," said Julie. "But you need to be confident in your own game. I hit the fairways and made the most of it." She won again in the afternoon and now plays Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
Another prominent teenager, 15-year-old Henni Brockway (Yeovil) also bowed out. The Welsh open stroke-play champion was beaten 2 and 1 in the second round by England international Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park), who goes on to meet English girls' champion Melissa Reid, 17, (Chevin).
Defending champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) is safely through to the quarter-finals after defeating Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 3 and 2 and Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) 5 and 4. Now, Kerry plays 18-year-old Joanne Hodge (Knowle) who had to go to the 19 th to beat Claire Aitken (Mid-Kent).
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
L Eastwood bt C Smith 3 and 2.
L Occleshaw bt L Ahmed 1 hole.
H Ralph bt C Marron 3 and 2.
F Johnson bt C Starkie 4 and 3.
N Edwards bt F Parker 3 and 2.
S-J Eaves bt C Howells 3 and 1.
C Ellis bt K Heywood 4 and 2.
J Ross bt K Matharu 4 and 2.
K Smith bt S Attwood 3 and 2.
L Ball bt R Jennings 3 and 2.
J Hodge bt L Collin 3 and 1.
C Aitkin w o C Lee scr.
M Reid bt M Smith 8 and 7.
E Sheffield bt R Bell 2 and 1.
H Brockway bt H Grant 3 and 2.
S Walker bt K Holford 2 holes.
SECOND ROUND
Occleshaw bt Eastwood 2 and 1.
Johnson bt Ralph 4 and 2.
Edwards bt Eaves 2 holes.
Ross bt Ellis 3 and 2.
K Smith bt Ball 5 and 4.
Hodge bt Atkin at 19th.
Reid bt Sheffield 3 and 2.
Walker bt Brockway 2 and 1.

Irish Ladies Midland Womend Championship
Results from the Midland Womens Championship at Mt. Wolseley Golf Club, 18-20 May 2005.
The top qualifiers play two days matchplay to determine this year's champions at both Senior and Junior levels.
Senior Matchplay:
Final - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Semi-finals - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Quarter-finals - Thursday, 19th May:
Marian Riordan (Tipperary) beat Tara Delaney (Carlow) 4&3
Mary Dowling (New Ross) beat Michelle Carroll (Grange) 2&1
Maura Morrin (Curragh) beat Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 5&4
Karen Delaney (Carlow) beat Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) 3&2
Round 1 - Thursday, 19th May:
Marian Riordan (Tipperary) beat Anne McCormack (Roscommon) 3&2
Tara Delaney (Carlow) beat Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) 19th
Michelle Carroll (Grange) beat Shauna McVeigh (R.C.D.L.) 3&2
Mary Dowling (New Ross) beat Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne) 2&1
Maura Morrin (Curragh) beat Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) 4&2
Gillian O'Leary (Cork) beat Brenda McLarnon (Fortwilliam) 1up
Karen Delaney (Carlow) beat Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush) 1up
Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) beat Ann Marie Dalton (Coollattin) 4&2 
Senior Qualifying:
Total   1st18   2nd18   Player  Club
148     71      77      Marian Riordan  Tipperary
149     74      75      Sinead O'Sullivan       Galway
149     73      76      Maura Morrin    Curragh
153     74      79      Mary Dowling    New Ross
154     77      77      Michelle Carroll        Grange
154     75      79      Brenda McLarnon Fortwilliam
155     79      76      Maura Diamond   Royal Portrush
160     76      84      Tara Delaney    Carlow
160     76      84      Emma Gilmore    Mountbellew
162     79      83      Karen Delaney   Carlow
162     78      84      Gillian O'Leary Cork
163     82      81      Shauna McVeigh  R.C.D.L.
164     83      81      Dawn Marie Conaty       Ashbourne
165     84      81      Suzanne Corcoran        Portumna
167     85      82      Evelyn Crotty   Kilkenny
168     79      89       Ann Marie Dalton       Coollattin
169     85      84      Anne McCormack  Roscommon
169     81      88      Caitriona Hogan Enniscorthy
Junior Matchplay:
Final - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Semi-finals - Friday, 20th May:
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Player A (club) -v- Player B (club)
Quarter-finals - Thursday, 19th May:
Aideen Murphy (Carlow) -v- Sighle Hennigan (Ballybunion) 
Maeve McCarthy (Blainroe) -v- Sinead Kearney (Gowran Park)
Tess Ryan (New Ross) -v- Michelle Butler (Mt. Wolseley)
Angela O'Shea (Carlow) -v- Pat Joyce (Ballybunion)
Round 1 - Thursday, 19th May:
Aideen Murphy (Carlow) beat Bernie Whelan (Enniscorthy) 7&6
Sighle Hennigan (Ballybunion) beat Celia Hill (Faithlegg) 2&1
Maeve McCarthy (Blainroe) beat Laura Dempsey (Enniscorthy) 4&2
Sinead Kearney (Gowran Park) beat Kathy Mitchell (Borris) 2&1
Tess Ryan (New Ross) beat Lelia Dunne (Tullamore) 3&2
Michelle Butler (Mt. Wolseley) beat Brid Whelan (Borris) 6&5
Angela O'Shea (Carlow) beat Josette O'Donnell (Ballybunion) 4&3
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