Mary Greig Funeral arrangements

Please note that Mary Grieg's Funeral is at Roucan Loch Crematorium  on Thursday 31st December at 11am.
From the Crematorium website...
From the North or South  Roucan Loch is easily located from the M74 at Lockerbie, take the A709 signposted Dumfries for 8 miles, once you are through the village of Torthorwald, drop down the hill for half a mile and take the first road on your left which is signposted Roucan Loch after 100 yds turn first right into the grounds.
From the West, either travel through Dumfries following signs for Lockerbie, or take the bypass until the Lockerbie Road roundabout.
Head east on the A709 until the foot of the hill below Torthorwald, turn right towards Collin and after 100 yards turn right again. Follow the road for approximately 400 yards until you come to the car park.

Mary Greig

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary Greig, one time Secretary of the Scottish Ladies County Golf Association.

Mary was the founder member of the Dumfriesshire County Ladies Golf Association, when they joined with Border Counties and Galloway to form the South Division of Scottish Ladies County Golf in 1972.

She was Secretary of Dumfriesshire Ladies for 23 years and latterly took over the secretary-ship of Scottish Ladies County Golf before it was subsumed into the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.
Failing eyesight caused her to retire for her administrative duties, but she still took a keen interest in Scottish Golf and would attend as many events as she could until her deteriorating health made travel impossible.

Mary (88) was a great character, always cheerful and well-loved by all who knew her.

Mary's sister died some years ago and Mary is survived by her niece, Dorothy Hill.

The funeral is at Roucan Loch Crematorium  on Thursday 31st December at 11am.
 Please note the change of venue

From the Crematorium website...
From the North or South  Roucan Loch is easily located from the M74 at Lockerbie, take the A709 signposted Dumfries for 8 miles, once you are through the village of Torthorwald, drop down the hill for half a mile and take the first road on your left which is signposted Roucan Loch after 100 yds turn first right into the grounds.
From the West, either travel through Dumfries following signs for Lockerbie, or take the bypass until the Lockerbie Road roundabout.
Head east on the A709 until the foot of the hill below Torthorwald, turn right towards Collin and after 100 yards turn right again. Follow the road for approximately 400 yards until you come to the car park.

Angus county prizewinners during 2009 season

Angus Ladies County Golf Association prizewinners during the 2009 season, pictured by courtesy of Aileen Hunter.
Ailsa Summer (Carnoustie Ladies) dominated the Angus season, winning the junior championship, the women's champion and the county scratch match-play. Julie Taylor from

Kirriemuir won the champion of champions' event.

Prizewinners from left to right are
Back row: Fiona Reid, Julie Taylor, Kathleen Sutherland, Chris Healey (captain), Ailsa Summers, Clare Penman, Sue Baxby, Sharon Young
Front row : Ashley Smith, Nancy Duncan, Heather Munro

Nancy Duncan receives

honorary membership

Retiring president Nancy Duncan received a presentation and honorary membership of Angus County in recognition of 10 years unwavering support as president and her efforts in representing Angus in over 180 matches as a player.

Pictured left (courtesy of Aileen Hunter):
Nancy Duncan (retiring president) with Mary Summers (vice-captain) on left and Chris Healey (captain) on right.

Angus office-bearers for 2010:

President: Sheena Hay
Captain: Chris Healey
Vice Capt: Mary Summers
Hon Secretary: Marilyn Raitt
Hon Treasurer: Sue Baxby
Hon Junior Secretary: Aileen Hunter

Aberdeenshire's new vice-captain and captain

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association's new vice-captain Marta Moody (left) of Murcar Links Golf Club and new captain Ellie Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies), pictured at the county's agm at the weekend. Image by courtesy of Karen Stalker.



IF ANY OTHER COUNTY HAS NEWS OR IMAGES THEY FEEL WOULD BE OF GENERAL INTEREST, E-MAIL Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association officials and prizewinners at the annual meeting in the Star Ballroom, Aberdeen. Scroll down for the caption with all the names. Picture by courtesy of county secretary Karen Stalker. Click on it to enlarge.

Joan Rennie and Ethel Farquharson are

honoured by Aberdeenshire Ladies CGA

Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association have awarded honorary membership to Mrs Joan Rennie and Mrs Ethel Farquharson.
Joan is a former Curtis Cup player (1966), past Scottish champion (1967, and beaten finalist 1968) and international, Aberdeenshire county champion (1980) and county team player. She was county president for the past two years..
Joan's roots are in Ayrshire. Her late father was Willie Hastings who was the club pro at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club for many years. Joan was a member at Kilmarnock Barassie before she moved to the North-east after her marriage to Aberdeen businessman John Rennie who died in 2008. Joan is a honorary member of Kilmarnock Barassie. She has been a member Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club for many years.
Ethel Farquharson, a past Scottish Ladies Golfing Association chairman, has run the Aberdeenshire girls' competitions for the past 20 years - and is not retiring!" The county are indebted to her for all her hard work with the county girls," said Karen Stalker, the Aberdeenshire LCGA secretary.
Ethel, a member of Balmoral Golf Club for many years, was inspired to put something back into the grass roots of golf by the golfing success of her own daughter, Elaine, who won the Scottish girls and women's amateur championships, reached the final of the British girls championship (twice) and the British women's open amateur championship, played in two Curtis Cup matches (1990 & 1992) and won the women's amateur better-ball championship in Brazil with England's Helen Dobson in the early 1990s.
Banchory's Morag Clapperton succeeds Joan Rennie as country president.
At the county agm, trophies were presented to the two girls considered to have made the most improvement in 2009. Rachel Polson (Peterculter) received the Fyfe Trophy, which goes to the older girl, and Olivia Borwick (McDonald Ellon) received the Bey Trophy, for younger girls.
New office-bearers for the 2010 season:
President: Morag Clapperton (Banchory).
Captain: Ellie Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies)
Vice-captain: Marta Moody (Murcar Links)
Treasurer: Laura McLardy (Duff House Royal)
Secretary: Karen Stalker (Cruden Bay)

Caption for the big group picture above of officials and prize winners, taken by Karen Stalker, at the annual meeting:
Back row: Lynne Terry, Mary Miller, Mandy Roger, Irene Strachan, Maureen Wilson, Georgette Hollingsworth, Mhairi Johnstone, Olivia Borwick, Laura McLardy
Front row: Ellie Whyte, Joan Rennie, Fiona Hay, Ros Dunsmuir, county champion Sara Mathieson (nee Thomson), girls' county champion, Sophie Alexander, Carol Wilson, Susan Murray and Rachel Polson

LANARKSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM

Lanarkshire Ladies County Golf Association held their AGM and Prizegiving at Cambuslang GC last night when Lesley Lloyd was installed as the new captain, Fiona Scott as vice-captain and Anne Prentice as honorary president.
Above image, by courtesy of Jean Macintyre, shows some of the prizewinners.
Back row: J Macintyre, C Smith, I Cooper, M Hughes, J Lees, J Glass, S Wood, J Scott, A Duffy, S Williamson, A Lloyd, R Rankin
Front row: Past captain May Hughes, captain Lesley Lloyd, champion Fiona Norris, vice-captain Fiona Scott.

Midlothian AGM

Prize winners after the Midlothian AGM

Midlothian County Ladies Golf Association held their 90th AGM at Liberton tonight.
Captain Tracy Laughland gave a report of the year which started with a bang with the Centenary lunch at the Roxburghe Hotel and continued with a very successful and enjoyable Centenary Tri-am at Duddingston.
The County team won the East Division Inter-County matches and went to the County Finals at Baberton with high hopes of bringing home the County Challenge Shield,  but were just pipped at the end by Northern Counties on count back of games won.
The audience heard that several members of the County had done well at outside events, including Rachel Watton and Jane Turner who had gained Scottish representative honours at Junior and Ladies level.  Fiona De Vries, Fiona Hunter and Noreen Fenton were members of the winning Senior Home International team at Newport.  Fiona de Vries, Pam Williamson and Claire Hargan had captained the Scottish European Ladies team, Scottish Senior team and Scottish Under 16 teams respectively.  Janet Wake, Karen Marshall and Claire Hargan had also acted as Scottish team managers during the summer.
At the end of the season Claire MacDonald won the East of Scotland Championship at Mortonhall.
The prizegiving followed the AGM,  and although Claire Hargan won the Championship for the sixth time, and should really be featured with a photograph, the person who hardly ever sat down was Louise Fraser from Kingsknowe (pictured right) who won the Scratch award at the three major meetings (Spring Summer and Autumn) as well as the Champion of Champions and net and scratch aggregate trophies.  [Well done Louise!... sorry Claire!]

Renfrewshire honour Megan and Carol

Megan Briggs (2009 Scottish Champion) and Carol Fell ( Outstanding Services to County Golf) - Click to enlarge

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Carol Fell Ranfurly Castle were both awarded with Honorary Membership of Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association at their 100th AGM held at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Wednesday 4th November.
To read all about the AGM --- GO TO the Renfrewshire County Website

To see some videos and photos from the AGM ----- CLICK HERE

Perth and Kinross AGM and Prizegiving

Prizewinners at the P&K AGM

Back row right to left, Laura Walker, Alison Stockley, Hazel Wylie, Rhianna Thom, Jane Yellowlees,

front row, Michelle McKay, Sandra Service, County Champion Carol Muir and Gwen Lambie.

Perth and Kinross County Golf Association held their AGM last week. As her last official duty, retiring Captain, Dawn Butchart, proposed honorary membership on the retiring County President, Liz Miskimmin. The new Captain is Lenore Kyle, and new President is Dorothy Farquhar.

Retiring Captain, Dawn Butchart and retiring President and new Honorary member, Liz Miskimmin

The new P&K committee,

Back row left to right, Carol Lambie, Jillian Milne, Laura Walker, Pam Drysdale and Gwen Lambie.
Front row, Treasurer Catherine Monks, new Captain Lenore Kyle, New president Dorothy Farquhar and new vice Captain Pat Colquhoun.

Ailsa and Katie win adult-junior greensomes at Edzell

FROM AILEEN HUNTER
Once again the Angus county's adult-junior competition, for county squad members and juniors, was was well supported. The winners of the modified greensomes at Edzell were Ailsa Summers, playing as an adult, and Katie Reid from Angus with 40 points, on the better inward half from Gwen Lambie and Rheanna Thom from P&K.

Fife County Prizegiving

The Fife County AGM Prizegiving Dinner was held last night at

Kirkcaldy Golf Club. About 60 members were present.

Back row: Anne Buchan, Joan Tulloch, Margaret Steele, Joan Blyth, Jean Kennedy

Front row: Lorna Fury, Jane McDonald, Louise Kenney, Cath McCallum, Joan Peden

Northern Counties Officebearers

Florence Allan from Nairn Golf Club has taken over from Jan Corbett as Captain of Northern Counties after their AGM last week.  Dorothy Marshall from Forres Golf Club is the new Secretary/Treasurer.

Perth & Kinross girls prizewinners

Pictured are the trophy winners for Perth & Kinross Ladies County Golf Association Junior Girls. The trophies were presented after the final meeting of the 2009 season at Alyth Golf Club.
The winners are: Eilidh Watson, Emily Aird, Rheanna Thom, Laura Aitken, Jennifer Saxton.
Image by courtesy of Lenore Kyle, soon to succeed Dawn Butchart as captain of P and K.

Gwen Lambie wins P&K champion of champions' title

Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnham) won the Perth & Kinross women's county champion of champions' tournament over the Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel.
Details:

CSS 75. Reduction only.
82 Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnam).
83 Caroline Dunbar (Aberfeldy).
84 Julie White (Auchterarder).
85 Carol Muir (Craigie Hill) (better inward half), Hazel Wylie (Comrie).

+Pictured, by courtesy of county captain Dawn Butchart, are P&K president Liz Miskimmin, tournament winner Gwen Lambie, and Dawn Butchart.

Tara Mactaggart with the two trophies she won over the Kelso course at the weekend.

Tara Mactaggart (13) wins Borders' Silver Jubilee

Quaich - and the Borders' girls championship

Thirteen-year-old Tara Mactaggart (Minto) scored a great double at the weekend. She not only took the Silver Jubilee Quaich in the Border Ladies County Golf Association competition at Kelso, but also won the scratch in the Border girls' championship over the same course.
Leading scores

Silver Jubilee Quaich
1 Tara Mactaggart (Minto) 34pts better last 6 holes.
2 Isobel Massie (Innerleithen) 34pts
3 Danielle Ker (Kelso) 32pts better inward half.

Borders girls' championship
1st Scratch: Tara Mactaggart 82 (Minto)
1st Handicap: Laura Mathewson (Kelso) (28) 71.

2nd Handicap: Vicky Shirra-Gibb (St Boswells) (32) 74.

Stirling and Clackmannan Girls' championship

Alexis Hutton and Alison Goodwin with their trophies

Alexis Hutton takes S&C Girls title

The Stirling and Clackmannan County Girls’ Championships were held this weekend at Falkirk Golf Club.

The Strokeplay Championship was held on Saturday and 9 girls took part. Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie) returned the lowest gross score with an 82. Second was Tiffiny Wood (Glenbervie) 89 and third was Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst) 91. Kirsty McGuckin (Bonnybridge) had the lowest nett score with a 74 (104 less 30) narrowly beating Catherine Goodwin (Glenbervie) by one shot. The CSS was 76 (reduction only)

The matchplay rounds were held today and Alison Goodwin beat her sister Catherine by 8&6 in the first semi final. In the other semi final Alexis Hutton beat Tiffiny Wood by 7&5. The final was very close and Alexis emerged the winner beating Alison by two holes.

Thanks go to Falkirk Golf Club for giving the courtesy of the course over the weekend.

[Thanks to Elizabeth Goodwin, Junior Secretary,Stirling & Clackmannan County Ladies Golf Association for this report]

Midlothian, pipped on the countback for the Scottish county title, by Northern Counties.
L to R: Margaret Rodgers (president), Louise Fraser, Rachael Watton, Jane Turner, Linda Caine (county selector), 

Karen Marshall, Tracy Laughland (captain), Claire Hargan, Mary Richardson (vice-captain), 

Wendy Nicholson, Kirsten Blackwood, Claire MacDonald.

Northern Counties team and officials after the prizegiving at Baberton Golf Club.  

Back row (left to right): Kelsey MacDonald, Julie Vass, Alison Bartlett, Jan Corbett (captain), 

Jenny Milne, Cara Gruber and May Alexander (secretary/treasurer).

Front row (left to right): Pam Mackay, Hannah McCook.

Image by courtesy of Fiona Farquharson of SLGA. 

You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

Northern Counties are Scottish champions on a countback after rally to draw with Midlothian Northern Counties won the Scottish women's county team golf championship in a nail-biting finish to the three-day programme at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh today. Northern Counties and Midlothian, the only two teams with 100 per cent records after two days, met in the title decider – and it ended in a 4 ½-4 ½ draw. The countback of games won previously gave Northern Counties the title (14 ½-14). It was Northern Counties' first title win in five years but their fourth win of the decade, having previously been national champions in 2000, 2003 and 2004. And yet, Northern Counties looked to have suffered a body blow to their title prospects when Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling University and Nairn Dunbar), Scottish Under-21 champion for the past two years, hurt her wrist hacking out of the rough during the morning foursomes and had to be taken to hospital where ligament damage was diagnosed. With Midlothian taking a 2-1 foursomes lead into the six afternoon singles – and Kelsey hors de combat, it looked odds on that the East Division champions would regain the title they won in 2005 and again in 2007. Midlothian increased their lunchtime advantage to 4-1 when Jane Turner beat Pam Mackay 4 and 3, and Claire Hargan won by 3 and 2 against Alison Bartlett. But then Northern Counties tail wagged with a vengeance. Elgin's Jenny Milne stopped the slide by halving her match with Scotland girl international Rachael Watton. Then Counties won the last three singles to salvage a halved match and win the title on a countback. Youngsters Julie Vass (15) and Hannah McCook (16) played like veterans to knock 2pt off the deficit. Tain's Julie beat Karen Marshall 5 and 4 while Hannah, the North of Scotland girls champion from Nethy Bridge, beat the experienced Louise Fraser by one hole. Then the Northern Counties' ploy of saving their champion, Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) for the anchor role in the singles paid a huge dividend. In a tight match that went all the way to the 18th green, Cara beat Claire MacDonald by two holes. Gruber was Counties' outstanding player of the tournament with 4 1/2pt out of six, just ahead of Hannah McCook and Mary Smith (Tain), each with 4pt. Mary, a senior Scotland international, did not play against Midlothian, either in the foursomes or the singles, after winning 4pt out of four through Friday and Saturday. Instead, she left to play at Blairgowrie on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship as Highland vets' champion - and she lost by 7 and 6! Midlothian had the two most successful players over the three days – Jane Turner and Claire Hargan, both with 5pt. Jane won five games out of six, Hargan won all five ties in which she played. Renfrewshire beat Galloway 7 1/2-1 1/2 to finish third in the table with 1pt. Megan Briggs won 4 1/2pt out of six for Renfrewshire wile sister Eilidh won 4pt. Today's results: RENFREWSHIRE 7 ½, GALLOWAY 1 ½ Foursomes: Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs bt Gillian Monteith and Tracy Milligan 4 and 3; Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart bt Christina Meldrum and Addi Shamash 2 and 1; lare-Marie Carlton and Gillian Kyle bt Sheila McMurtrie and Gwen Robson 1 hole (3-0). Singles: Megan Briggs bt Monteith 1 hole, Carlton bt Shamash 5 and 4, Eilidh Briggs lost to McMurtrie 1 hole, Alyson McKechin bt Meldrum 5 and 3, Carol Whyte halved with Robson, Kyle bt Milligan 1 hole (4 ½-1 ½). NORTHERN COUNTIES 4 ½, MIDLOTHIAN 4 ½ Foursomes: Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook lost to Jane Turner and Rachael Watton 6 and 5; Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay lost to Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson 1 hole; Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne bt Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald 1 hole (1-2). Singles: Mackay lost to Turner 4 and 3, Bartlett lost to Hargan 3 and 2, Milne halved with Watton, Julie Vass bt Karen Marshall 5 and 4, McCook bt Louise Fraser 1 hole, Gruber bt Claire MacDonald 2 holes (3 ½-2 ½). HOW THEY FINISHED Northern Counties, Midlothian 2 1/2pt each (Northern Counties won 14 ½-14 on countback), Renfrewshire 1pt, Galloway 0pt.

SCOTTISH COUNTY FINALS LAST DAY

Kelsey MacDonald injury blow to

Northern Counties' title hopes

Northern Counties' hopes of beating Midlothian in the title decider at the Scottish women's county team championship finals at Baberton Golf Club today received a body blow with an injury to Kelsey MacDonald, Scotland's Under-21 champion for the past two years.
The Stirling University student and Nairn Dunbar player, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency playing in the women's home internationals at Irvine, injured a wrist in playing out of rough during this morning's foursomes tie in which she was partnering Hannah McCook against Midlothian's Jane Turner and Rachael Watton.
The wrist quickly swelled up and the application of ice to it did not have an immediate effect. It was decided there was no way she could play in the afternoon singles and Northern Counties officials took her to a local hospital for an X-ray in case a bone had been broken.
Midlothian led 2-1 after the foursomes.
In the other match Renfrewshire took the foursomes 3-0 against Galloway.
FOURSOMES RESULTS
MIDLOTHIAN 2, NORTHERN COUNTIES 1
Jane Turner and Rachael Watton bt Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook 6 and 5.
Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson bt Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay 1 hole.
Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald lost to Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne 1 hole.
RENFREWSHIRE 3, GALLOWAY 0
Eilidh Briggs and Megan Briggs bt Gillian Monteith and Tracy Milligan 4 and 3.
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart bt Christina Meldrum and Addi Shamash 2 and 1.
Clare-Marie Carlton and Gillian Kyle bt Sheila McMurtrie and Gwen Robson 1 hole.

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S COUNTY FINALISTS

NORTHERN COUNTIES. Back row (left to right): Pam Mackay, Cara Gruber, May Alexander (Secretary/Treasurer), Jan Corbett (capt), Jenny Milne, Mary Smith, Alison Bartlett. Front: Julie Vass, Kelsey MacDonald, Hannah McCook.

GALLOWAY. Back row (left to right): Helen Nesbitt (president), Sheila McMurtrie, S Huntly (capt), Christina Meldrum, Pat Magill, Caroline Merrick, Addi Shamash. Front row: Gillian Monteith, Gwen Robson, Tracy Milligan.

RENFREWSHIRE. Left to right: Megan Briggs, Clare-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson, Eilidh Briggs, Gillian Kyle, Liz Stewart, Carol Whyte, Alyson McKechin, Christine Finlayson (capt).

All three team images by courtesy of Fiona Farquharson of the SLGA.
All the Midlothian players were not available at the same time for Fiona to take their team picture but she will do so on Sunday.

WOMEN'S COUNTY FINALS

NORTHERN COUNTIES v MIDLOTHIAN TITLE DECIDER ON SUNDAY AT BABERTON Midlothian and Northern Counties, the East and North champions respectively, will meet in the title decider tomorrow on the third and last day of the Scottish women's county golf team championship at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh. Both teams have played twice and won twice. Today Midlothian followed up their 8 ½- ½ win over South title-holders Galloway by beating West champions Renfrewshire 5 ½ -3 ½ while Northern Counties, who had beaten Renfrewshire 7 ½- 1 ½ on Friday whipped Galloway 7-2. After taking a 2-1 lead over Renfrewshire in the morning foursomes, the key singles match featured Scotland team-mates Jane Turner (Midlothian) and Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire). Turner won by 2 and 1 and further Midlothian wins by Claire Hargan and Claire MacDonald gave them a 2pt win overall. Northern Counties made a 3-0 clean sweep of the foursomes against Galloway but it was not quite so easy for them in the singles. Galloway's Gillian Monteith did well to halve the top match against North star Cara Gruber but wins by teenagers Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook as well as senior international Mary Smith consolidated Northern's victory. Saturday results MIDLOTHIAN 5 ½, RENFREWSHIRE 3 ½ Foursomes: Jane Turner, Rachael Watton lost to Megan Briggs, Eilidh Briggs 2 and 1; Claire Hargan, Wendy Nicholson bt Alyson McKechin, Lix Stewart 5 and 4; Kirsten Blackwood, Claire MacDonald bt Claire-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson 2 and 1 (2-1). Singles: Turner bt Megan Briggs 2 and 1, Nicholson lost to Carlton 3 and 2, Hargan bt McKechin 3 and 2, Louise Fraser halved with Carol Whyte; Karen Marshall lost to Eilidh Briggs 7 and 6, MacDonald bt Jackson 2 holes (3 ½-2 ½). GALLOWAY 2, NORTHERN COUNTIES 7 Foursomes: Gillian Monteith, Tracy Milligan lost to Kelsey MacDonald, Hannah McCook 1 hole; Christina Meldrum, Sheila McMurtrie lost to Cara Gruber, Pam Mackay 4 and 2; Addi Shamash, Gwen Robson lost to Mary Smith, Alison Bartlett 7 and 5 (0-3). Singles: Monteith halved with Gruber, Milligan lost to MacDonald 4 and 2, Shamash bt Julie Vass 2 holes, Robson lost to Smith 4 and 3, Meldrum lost to McCook 4 and 3, McMurtrie halved with Jenny Milne (2-4). HOW THEY STAND Midlothian 2 wins, Northern Counties 2 wins, Renfrewshire 2 losses, Galloway 2 losses. FINAL MATCHES Galloway v Renfrewshire, Northern Counties v Midlothian.

Megan Briggs, Kelsey MacDonald halve great match

Northern Counties, Midlothian

big winners on opening day of

County Finals at Baberton

Northern Counties and Midlothian look to be on a collision course with the title at stake after the opening day of the Scottish women's county golf championship finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh. Midlothian, East Division champions and the favourites with "home field advantage," whipped South title-holders Galloway 8 ½-½ while Northern Counties, the North Division champions, beat Renfrewshire, the West title-holders, by the surprisingly convincing margin of 7 ½-1 1/2 . Saturday's programme sees Galloway play Northern Counties, while Midlothian take on Renfrewshire. Sunday's final should feature a title-decider between Midlothian and Northern Counties – if both win their Saturday matches. Midlothian's strength in depth permitted them the luxury of not bringing in their county champion and former international Claire Hargan as well as the very experienced Wendy Nicholson until the afternoon singles, which gave all eight players in their squad an outing on the first day. Midlothian won the foursomes 2 ½- ½ and the singles 6-0 against Galloway. Teenagers and foursomes partners Jane Turner and Rachael Watton and Kirsten Blackwood were double winners for Midlothian. Northern Counties took the foursomes 2-1 against Renfrewshire before a cracking top singles tie between international team-mates, Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and national under-21 champion for the past two years, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) ended in a square match. Between them they had five birdies over the last six holes. Megan was one up one the 18th tee before Kelsey won the last hole to share the honours. Northern Counties then won the remaining five singles with wins by Cara Gruber, senior cap Mary Smith, Jenny Milne, and Northern Counties girls champion Hannah McCook, who birdied the 17th and 18th , and another youngster, Julie Vass. Day 1 results at Baberton: GALLOWAY ½, MIDLOTHIAN 8 ½ Foursomes: Gillian Monteith & Tracy Milligan lost to Jane Turner & Rachael Watton 4 and 3; Christina Meldrum & Sheila McMurtrie halved with Louise Fraser & Karen Marshall; Addi Shamash & Gwen Robson lost to Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood 7 and 5 (1/2-2 ½). Singles: Monteith lost to Turner 4 and 3, Milligan lost to Claire Hargan 4 and 3, Meldrum lost to Wendy Nicholson 6 and 4, McMurtrie lost to Fraser 1 hole, Shamash lost to Kirsten Blackwood 3 and 2, Robson lost to Watton 3 and 2 (0-6). RENFREWSHIRE 1 ½, NORTHERN COUNTIES 7 ½ Foursomes: Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs bt Kelsey MacDonald & Hannah McCook 2 and 1; Liz Stewart & Donna Jackson lost to Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay 4 and 2; Alyson McKechin & Gillian Kyle lost to Mary Smith & Alison Bartlett 4 and 2 (1-2). Singles: Megan Briggs halved with MacDonald, Eilidh Briggs lost to Gruber 2 and 1, Jackson lost to Smith 2 and 1, McKechin lost to Jenny Milne 3 and 2, Kyle lost to McCook 3 and 2, Carol Whyte lost to Julie Vass 3 and 2 (1/2-5 1/2). TO PLAY: Saturday - Galloway v Northern Counties, Midlothian v Renfrewshire. Sunday - Midlothian v Northern Counties, Galloway v Renfrewshire.

Jane Turner, won twice for Midlothian on opening day at Baberton (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on it to enlarge).

Midlothian beat Galloway to make

winning start to County Finals

Title favourites Midlothian, champions of the East Division, made a winning start to their bid to regain the Scottish women's county team championship with home-field advantage at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

They beat South Division champions Galloway 8 1/2-1/2, making a 6-0 clean sweep of the singles after winning the morning foursomes 2 1/2-1/2

Double winners for Midlothian were Jane Turner, Rachael Watton and Kirsten Blackwood.

So, an impressive start by Midlothian who were able to give all eight players in their squad a game on the opening day. It's a tribute to their strength in depth that they could afford to play former international and county champion Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson only in the singles.

Northern Counties led West Division title-holders Renfrewshire 2-1 after their foursomes.
Results:

MIDLOTHIAN 8 1/2, GALLOWAY 1/2

Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2)
Jane Turner & Rachael Watton bt Gillian Monteith & Tracy Milligan 4 and 3.
Louise Fraser & Karen Marshall halved with Christina Meldrum & Sheila McMurtrie.
Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood bt Addi Shamash & Gwen Robson 7 and 5.
Singles (6-0)

Turner bt Monteith 4 and 3.

Claire Hargan bt Milligan 4 and 3.

Wendy Nicholson bt Meldrum 6 and 4.

Fraser by McMurtrie 1 hole.

Blackwood bt Shamash 3 and 2.

Watton bt Robson 3 and 2.

NORTHERN COUNTIES 2, RENFREWSHIRE 1

Foursomes
Kelsey MacDonald & Hannah McCook lost to Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs 2 and 1.
Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay bt Liz Stewart & Donna Jackson 4 and 2.
Mary Smith & Alison Bartlett bt Alyson McKechin & Gillian Kyle 4 and 2.

County finals at Baberton give WHI trio

chance to make up for Irvine heartbreak

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Three of the players left heartbroken by Scotland's failure to win the Women's Home Internationals at Irvine last week will be on opposing teams as they all attempt to bounce back at Baberton over the next three days.
The Juniper Green course is staging the Scottish Women's County Finals, with Midlothian, Galloway, Northern Counties and Renfrewshire the four teams set to battle it out for the title.
Jane Turner, who picked up two points from her three matches in Ayrshire, is in the Midlothian line up while her Scottish team-mates, Kelsey MacDonald and Megan Briggs, are representing Northern Counties and Renfrewshire respectively.
Claire Hargan, the Scottish team manager at Irvine, is also playing for Midlothian and she admits the experience suffered by the hosts in the Women's Home Internationals was very painful indeed.
"Lesley Nicholson (the team captain] and I were talking afterwards and, for all that we've both played in Home Internationals and European Championships ourselves, that was definitely one of the most disappointing experiences we've encountered on a golf course," said Hargan.
"We had such a strong team and everything was going according to plan until the singles against Wales. It was such a shame that we were unable to sink the putts we needed to in that session."
Hargan is something of a veteran when it comes to the County Finals, having represented Dunbartonshire & Argyll on a number of occasions before switching her colours to Midlothian after moving through to Edinburgh.
"It is definitely one of my favourite events," said the current Midlothian champion from Mortonhall. "There's great camaraderie yet it's still competitive at the same time. While I don't know a lot about Galloway, both Northern Counties and Renfrewshire will definitely be heading to Baberton with strong sides, so it promises to be very close over the three days.
"However, we've prepared well for the event – we were able to learn the best lines from tees during a recent match against a Baberton men's team – and we have a great mix of youth and experience.
"Rachael Watton, for instance, is one of the exciting youngsters in the side, while Louise Fraser, who is back after focussing on rugby for a couple of years, and Kirsten Blackwood both have bags of experience."
Midlothian face Galloway in the opening match tomorrow, the foursomes teeing off at 9.30am with the afternoon singles beginning at 1.30pm.
THE TEAMS
Galloway: Pat Magill, Sheila McMurtrie, Christina Meldrum, Caroline Merrick, Tracy Milligan, Gillian Monteith, Gwen Robson and Addi Shamash.
Midlothian: Kirsten Blackwood, Louise Fraser, Claire Hargan, Claire MacDonald, Karen Marshall, Wendy Nicholson, Jane Turner and Rachael Watton.
Northern Counties: Alison Bartlett, Cara Gruber, Kelsey MacDonald, Pam Mackay, Hannah McCook, Jenny Milne, Mary Smith and Julie Vass.
Renfrewshire: Eilidh Briggs, Megan Briggs, Clare-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson, Gillian Kyle, Alyson McKechin, Liz Stewart and Carol Whyte.

Renfrewshire name team

for Scottish county finals

At Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh, Sepember 18 to 10.

RENFREWSHIRE TEAM:

Eilidh Briggs, Kilmacolm
Megan Briggs, Kilmacolm
Clare-Marie Carlton, Fereneze
Donna Jackson, Cochrane Castle
Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire
Alyson McKechin, Elderslie
Liz Stewart, Greenburn
Carol Whyte, Windyhill


+Picture is of Alyson McKechin in action at the British girls open amateur championship at West Lancashire Golf Club last month (Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency, click on it to enlarge).

Hannah McCook takes Sammy Vass's place

in Northern Counties team for Baberton

By ROBIN WILSON

Teenager Hannah McCook, who cut her handicap to three in winning the Northern Counties LGA fixture at Torvean today with a 75 (net 71) against a CSS of 73, will play for Counties in the forthcoming Scottish women's county finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

Hannah, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, the North of Scotland girls champion, takes the place of Tain's Sammy Vass who is now at the University of Central Florida at the start of a four-year golf scholarship.

Hannah was a reserve for the Northern Counties squad who won the Northern Division title at Royal Dornoch but she did make a debut appearance.

The full Northern Counties line-up for the four-cornered contest against the champions of the three other areas of Scotland - Renfrewshire, Midlothian and Galloway - is:

ALISON BARTLET (Royal Dornoch)

CARA GRUBER (Royal Dornoch)

HANNAH McCOOK (Abernethy).

KELSEY MacDONALD (Nairn Dunbar).

PAM MACKAY (Royal Dornoch)

JENNY MILNE (Elgin).

MARY SMITH (Tain).

JULIE VASS (Tain).

Programme at Baberton from September 18 to 20:

Friday - Northern Counties v Renfrewshire, Galloway v Midlothian.

Saturday - Northern Counties v Galloway, Renfrewshire v Midlothian.

Sunday - Northern Counties v Midlothian, Renfrewshire v Galloway.

Midlothian field same team for Scottish county finals

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Midlothian have kept faith with a tried and tested side for the Scottish Women's County golf finals at Baberton later this month.
The selectors have picked the same players who won the East title earlier in the year.
A mix of youth and experience worked a treat on that occasion and there appeared to be no real need to make any changes for an event that will see them fight it out with Galloway, Northern Counties and Renfrewshire for the right to be crowned Scottish champions.
Midlothian open their campaign against Galloway on Friday, 18 September, before facing Renfrewshire then Northern Counties over the following two days.
As part of their preparations for the event, Midlothian recently took on a Baberton men's team at the Juniper Green course, giving a good account of themselves even though they lost narrowly.
Meanwhile, Baberton's Fiona McLaren and Louise Fraser from the host club were the main winners in the Midlothian Women's Autumn Meeting at Kingsknowe. McLaren lifted the McIntyre Trophy with a nett 69 off 14, while Fraser claimed the Lady Ford Cup with a scratch 74.
Midlothian team for the county finals:
K Blackwood (Craigmillar Park)
L Fraser (Kingsknowe)
C Hargan (Mortonhall)
C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies)
K Marshall (Baberton)
W Nicholson (Broomieknowe)
J Turner (Craigielaw)
R Watton (Mortonhall)
Reserve:
G MacDonald (Craigielaw).

+Kirkwoodgolf invites the other three qualifying counties - Galloway, Renfrewshire and Northern Counties - to send the names of their selected players for the Scottish county finals to Colin@scottishgolfview.com so that we can display them as we have done with Midlothian.

Fife County Centenary putting competition winner Elaine Moffat with Marigold Speir,
who presented the prizes and Margaret Steele (President)

The Fife County Centenary Puttting Competition was played yesterday over the Himalayas putting course at The Ladies Putting Club, St Andrews.

Elaine Moffat St Regulus won with 39, Dorothy Peterson (Burntisland) was runner-up with 40 and a better inward half from Isabel Ireland (St Rule).

Fife County Ladies Golf Association Centenary Open

Fife County Ladies Golfing Association are holding a Centenary Open at Dunfermline Golf Club on Sunday, September 27. Tee-times: from 9.30 am – 1.30pm.
The competition is open to members of any county association in Scotland.
Scratch & Handicap Prizes. Entry Fee: £12 .
It would be great to have some representatives from each county participating in this event, so please come along and join us in our celebration of 100 years of county golf in Scotland.
If you are interested, please submit entry with fee by September 6 to:
Mrs Margaret Steele, 26 South Dewar Street, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8AR (Tel: 01383 721840) .

Anna Telfer tops in tight finish at Dullatur

Milngavie's Anna Telfer won the top Silver Division scratch prize in a tight finish at the SLGA county open meeting at Dullatur Golf Club today.
Two other players, Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and Nicola Ferguson (Clober) matched the 82 returned by Anna but lost out in the card countback. Anna had a better inward half than Louise and Nicola. Then Louise had a better last three than Nicola.
Annabel Kane (Kilmacolm) won the Silver Division handicap award with a net 73 off 12.
In the Bronze Division, Irene Gray (Musselburgh) won both the scratch and handicap awards with a gross score of 109 and a net socre of 88 off 21.
The par was 72, the standard scratch 73 and the CSS 76

Perth & Kinross Centenary Day at Glenisle on Monday

FROM DAWN BUTCHART, Perth & Kinross Ladies county captain
P&K are holding a Centenary Day at Glenisla Golf Centre on Monday 17th August and we have over 130 players plus invited guests such as past captains and SLGA President Ethel Jack.
We have been very lucky to have loads of sponsors and have lots and lots of prizes on offer at almost every hole, plus of course 1st, 2nd, and 3rd scratch and handicap, best back and front nines etc.
We also have a new Centenary Trophy and Handicap Tray which have both been kindly donated. We will also have a putting competition plus a fantastic all day running buffet. So promises to be a gre just hope the sun shines!
Dawn Butchart
PS We still have one space to fill.

Jordana Graham wins Dumfries-shire county championship

Jordana Graham (Southerness) is the new Dumfries-shire women's county champion. She beat Lindsay Kirkwood (Powfoot) by 6 and 5 in the final at Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club.
In the handicap section, Sheila Townsley (Dumfries & County) beat Margaret Davidson (Thornhill) at the 20th.

Galloway county captain Sally Huntley (left) presents the championship trophy to Gillian Monteith.

Gillian Monteith wins Galloway county title

Nineteen-year-old SLGA B squad player Gillian Monteith, a member at Portpatrick Dunskey, won the Galloway women's county championship at Newton Stewart Golf Club on Sunday.
A +1 player, Gillian had rounds of 76 and 72 for 148.
Runner-up was Gwen Robson, who plays off seven at Wigtownshire County), with scores of 78 and 79 for 157.
They were the only competitors in the field - and you can blame the nearness of the Open championship venue - Turnberry - for that.
Most of the players who might otherwise have been in the Galloway women's county championship field were either spectating at the Open or acting as crowd marshalls at the Turnberry venue.

Ayrshire Centenary Dinner

Ayrshire celebrate their Centenary in style!

Top Table at the Ayrshire Centenary Dinner

by Marian Wilson

The Provosts of North and South Ayrshire held a Civic Reception to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ayrshire County Ladies on the evening of Friday 3rd July in the County Hall in Wellington Square. Captain Nora McCrossin - sporting mysterious dark glasses to hide the bruises from a [losing] encounter with a runaway caddy car - bravely wecolmed eighty Ayrshire members and invited guests to drinks followed by a superb meal and an evening of entertaining and informative speeches - including those from familiar faces from the SLGA, Chairman Shona Malcolm and Chief Selector Isobel Crawford. Richard Cole-Hamilton, Past Captain of the R&A, outlined his love of Ayrshire and Ayrshire golf and encouraged the up and coming junior Ayrshire team [who have won the Kennedy Salver for the past 3 years] to emulate the achievements of former Ayrshire teams which still held pole position in Jamboree/County finals wins, but had struggled in more recent times. David Purdie, Professor of Obstetrics, with what might be described as an inside knowledge of women, kept everyone entertained with a speech filled with highly amusing anecdotes.

Ayrshire’s newest MBE, Nancy Chisolm was another, most welcome, special guest at the top table. The whole evening reflected the best of golf; we can compete ‘to the death’ on the fairways, but the friendships we make throughout the years, the bond between young and old, and the fellowship of the game we both love and hate at times, endures for ever.

Nancy Chisholm welcomes past Captains of Ayrshire

Six-team line-up for English counties

championship week at Pleasington

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The finals of the English Counties Championship will be contested by Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Gloucestershire and Surrey.
They all qualified by winning their regional county match weeks and now go forward to the County Finals at Pleasington, Lancashire, from September 14-18.
Hertfordshire will represent the East region of the English Women’s Golf Association. They successfully defended their regional title at Stock Brook Manor where they won all five of their matches.
Their team, captained by Jackie Foster, was: Hannah Burke (Mid Herts), Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), Charlie Field (Bishops Stortford), Alison Franklin (Harpenden), Lucy Glyn (Porters Park), Tina Jeary (Bishops Stortford), Harriet Key (South Herts), Steph McEvoy (Old Fold Manor), Lucinda Mileham (Aldwickbury Park) and Lucy Williams (Mid Herts).
Warwickshire will represent the Midlands South region, also for the second successive season. They won all five of their matches at Ladbrook Park.
Their team, captained by Bev Belcher, was: Lisa Barton (Coventry), Hannah Coles (Maxstoke Park), Ashley Cramond (The Warwickshire), Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park), Elizabeth Gallands (The Warwickshire), Abbey Gittings (Walmley), Elizabeth Haycock (Moseley, individually affiliated to Warwickshire),Claire Howells (Moor Hall), Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies’), Hannah McLoughlin (Sutton Coldfield Ladies’), Lauren Taylor (Rugby/Woburn).
Lincolnshire won all five of their matches at the Midlands North county match week at Trentham. It’s 20 years since they qualified for County Finals.
Their team, captained by Linda Davey, was: Sophie Beardsall (Greetham Valley), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), Helen Hewlett (Seacroft), Megan Illingworth (Stoke Rochford), Jessica Schiele (Kenwick Park), Emilee Taylor (Gainsborough), Jessica Wilcox (Blankney), Rachel Woodcock (Blankney).
Lancashire beat all five of their opponents at the North region county match week at Heswall. Their victory ended Yorkshire’s hopes of defending their national title, which they have held for the past five years.
The team, captained by Linda Wilson, was: Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes), Emma Clegg (Clitheroe), Rachel Connor (Manchester) , Nikki Foster (Accrington & District), Karen Heywood (Crompton & Royton), Cori Lee (West Lancashire), Catherine Roberts (Pleasington), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Brogan Townend (Pleasington), Sarah Walton (Clitheroe).
Gloucestershire represent the South-West region after winning all five of their matches at Bristol & Clifton.
The team, captained by Susan Reeve, was: Linda Carruthers (Broadway), Jamie Lee Casling (Brickhampton), Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton), Joanne Hodge (Knowle), Sian James (Bristol & Clifton), Alison Kelly (Cirencester), Leah Occleshaw (The Players), Bethan Popel (Long Ashton), Karen Rix (Bristol & Clifton), Shelby Smart (Knowle).
Surrey emerged victorious at the South region county match week at Ealing. They tied with Hampshire with three points apiece but were successful on a countback of matches won. Surrey went through with 21½ matches won during the week – one more than their rivals.
The team, captained by Lisa McGowan, was Andrea Downer (Bramley), Ellis Keenan (Sunningdale), Hannah Lovelock (Hindhead), Katie Laud (Worplesdon), Lisa McGowan (Worplesdon), Kirsty Rands (Burhill), Kate Shepherd (Guildford Ladies), Jo Stocks (Worplesdon).
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

We are the champions! Midlothian's winning squad in the East Division tournament at Falkirk Golf Club. Image by courtesy of Midlothian LCGA. Click to enlarge

Back row: Jane Turner, Karen Marshall , Claire Hargan , Wendy Nicholson (holding the team mascot, Michaela), Louise Fraser and Mary Richardson (vice-captain)
Front Row: Kirsten Blackwood , Rachael Watton, Tracy Laughland (captain) and Claire MacDonald.

MIDLOTHIAN COMPLETE COUNTY FINALS

LINE-UP AT BABERTON IN SEPTEMBER

Midlothian completed the list of four qualifiers for the Scottish women's county team championship finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh from September 18 to 20 when they clinched the East Division team championship at Falkirk Golf Club today.
Having already beaten Scottish champions and divisional title holders Fife as well as East Lothian, Midlothan completed their 100 per cent success record by outclassing Stirling & Clackmannan 8 1/2- 1/2.
In the other closing match Fife beat East Lothian 5 1/2-3 1/2.
So the line-up in the Scottish county finals will be Midlothian, Renfrewshire, Galloway and Northern Counties.

Outstanding individual performer for Midlothian was teenager Rachael Watton. Making her debut at this level, Rachael won the "Most Valuable Player" of the tournament - (There isn't an award but there should be! Editor) - with six wins out of six. ~Well done, Rachael!
Last-day details in the East Division team championship:
MIDLOTHIAN 8 1/2, STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 1/2
Foursomes: Jane Turner & Rachael Watton bt Vicki Stevenson & Lesley Gibb 2 and 1; Karen Marshall & Louise Fraser bt Louise MacGregor 2 holes; Kirsten Blackwood & Claire MacDonald bt Linda Allan & Jill Harrison 2 holes (3-0).
Singles: Turner bt Elaine Alison 3 and 2, Claire Hargan bt MacGregor 2 and 1, Wendy Nicholson halved with Stevenson, Marshall bt Claire Capocci 3 and 2, Watton bt Mhairi Hall 3 and 2, MacDonald bt Allan 1 hole (5 1/2-1/2).
FIFE 5 1/2, EAST LOTHIAN 3 1/2
Foursomes: Louise Kenney & Linda Dyball lost to Lesley Nicholson & Emma Fairnie 2 and 1; Fiona Hastie & Elaine Moffat halved with Line Mortensen & Fiona Prior; Susan Jackson & Karin Sharp bt Mary Lou Renton & Linda Grieve 5 and 4 (1 1/2-1 1/2).
Singles: Kenney bt Nicholson 5 and 4, Jackson bt Fairnie 4 and 3, Hastie lost to Mortensen 4 and 3, Sharp lost to Ruth Carroll 1 hole, Ashleigh Wilton lost to Renton 4 and 2, Moffat bt Prior 1 hole (4-2).
HOW THEY FINISHED
Midlothian 3 wins, Fife 2 wins, East Lothian 1 win, Stirling & Clackmannan 0 wins.

Northern Counties in the driving

seat after two days at Dornoch

Northern Counties are in the driving seat with two wins out of two as the North Division women’s inter-county team championship enters its third and final day at Royal Dornoch Golf Club on Monday.
Mathematically, they can still be caught if they were to lose their last match to Aberdeenshire while Angus had a big win over Perth & Kinross, but the odds against such a double whammy are long, to say the least.
Northern Counties opened their campaign by beating title-holders Perth & Kinross 5 ½-3 ½ on Saturday and followed that up with an impressive 7-2 win today over Angus who had edged a 5-4 win over Aberdeen on the first day.
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) who had beaten P&K's Carly Booth in the lead-off singles on Saturday, continued in good form with a 2 and 1 win over Angus youngster Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) who has won both her county's women's and girls' titles this year.
Angus introduced Ailsa's mother Mary Summers into the singles line-up - and she won the No 5 tie. In fact Angus both both the last two singles, thanks to Mary and Ann Ramsay.
But the damage had been done higher up the batting order with Northern Counties winning the top four ties through Kelsey MacDonald, Cara Gruber, Sammy Vass and Pam Mackay.
Perth & Kinross drew 4 1/2-4 ½ with Aberdeenshire in today's other match. The top singles between Scotland team-mates Carly Booth (Comrie) and Laura Murray (Alford) ended in a surprisingly easy win for Carly by 7 and 5.
The winners of the Northern Division title go forward to the four-cornered contest for the Scottish women’s county team championship at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh from September 18 to 20.

Today's results:

PERTH & KINROSS 4 ½, ABERDEENSHIRE 4 ½
Foursomes – Emily Ogilvie & Carly Booth bt Laura Murray & Carol Wilson 5 and 4; Annabel Niven & Alex Bushby bt Sammy Leslie & Sheena Wood 2 and 1; Eve Muirhead & Laura Walker lost to Mhairi Johnstone & Laura McLardy 5 and 4 (2-1).
Singles – Booth bt Murray 7 and 5, Ogilvie bt Wood 4 and 2, Bushby halved with Wilson, Niven lost to McLardy 7 and 5, Fiona Ramsay lost to Leslie 4 and 2, Walker lost to Donna Pocock 4 and 3 (2 ½-3 ½)

NORTHERN COUNTIES 7, ANGUS 2
Foursomes – Sammy Vass & Kelsey MacDonald bt Ailsa Summers & Rebecca Wilson 3 and 2; Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay bt Katy McNicoll & Ann Ramsay 3 and 2; Alison Bartlett & Mary Smith bt Fiona Gilbert & Fiona Blair 3 and 2 (3-0).
Singles – MacDonald bt Ailsa Summers 2 and 1; Gruber bt Wilson 4 and 3; Vass bt McNicoll 3 and 1; McKay bt Shonagh Raitt 3 and 1, Bartlett lost to Mary Summers 5 and 4; Smith lost to Ramsay 2 and 1 (4-2).

Sheena Wood uses a putter at the 18th ..... and Carly puts on her shorts when the sun comes out.

Kelsey MacDonald watches a (one-handed?) shot by curling champion Eve Muirhead.

Sammy Vass in action at the sixth, watched by her aunt, Ann Ryan, extreme left, Kelsey MacDonald and Sammy's mother Magi. Images by courtesy of Robin Wilson. Click on them to enlarge.

Northern Counties

loosen P & K

grip on North

Division title

Perth & Kinross's grip on the North Division women's inter-county title was loosened at Royal Dornoch yesterday when they lost their opening match 5 1/2-3 1/2 to Northern Counties.
In the other tie, Angus beat Aberdeenshire 5-4.
Northern Counties had a 2-1 edge over P&K from the morning foursomes and got a vital point from the top singles when Kelsey MacDonald, the Scottish Under-21 champion from Nairn Dunbar, beat Curtis Cup teenager Carly Booth (Comrie) by 4 and 3.
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Laura Walker (Muckhart) won their ties for P&K to level the scoreline at 3-3 but Northern Counties prevailed when Sammy Vass (Tain) and Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) won the fourth and fifth singles and Mary Smith (Tain) halved the last match with P&K's Fiona Ramsay.
Aberdeenshire, lacking the services of their county champion, Sara Mathieson, who is on honeymoon following her wedding to Kings Acre assistant professional Terry Mathieson, trailed Angus 2-1 after the morning foursomes and then split the singles 3-3.
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), the teenager who holds both the Angus women's and girls county championships, beat Scotland cap Laura Murray (Alford) 5 and 4 in the top singles.

Results on Day 1 at Royal Dornoch:
NORTHERN COUNTIES 5 1/2, PERTH & KINROSS 3 1/2
Foursomes - Sammy Vass & Kelsey MacDonald lost to Emily Ogilvie & Carly Booth 4 and 3; Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay bt Eve Muirhead & Laura Walker 2 and 1; Alison Bartlett & Mary Smith bt Annabel Niven & Alex Bushby 5 and 4 (2-1).
Singles - MacDonald bt Booth 4 and 3, Gruber lost to Ogilvie 1 hole, Mackay lost to Walker 1 hole, Vass bt Bushby 1 hole, Bartlett bt Jane Yellowlees 3 and 2, Smith halved with Fiona Ramsay (3 1/2-2 1/2).
ANGUS 5, ABERDEENSHIRE 4
Foursomes - Ann Ramsay & Katy McNicoll lost to Laura Murray & Carol Wilson 6 and 5; Rebecca Wilson & Ailsa Summers bt Donna Pocock & Sheena Wood 2 holes; Fiona Gilbert & Fiona Blear bt Laura McLardy & Gill Murray 5 and 3 (2-1).
Singles - Summers bt Murray 5 and 4, McNicoll lost to C Wilson 2 and 1, Gilbert lost to Wood 5 and 4, Ramsay bt Mhairi Johnstone 5 and 4, R Wilson bt Sammy Leslie 4 and 3, Shonagh Raitt lost to Pocock 2 and 1 (3-3).

+Action pictures by courtesy of Robin Wilson: Carly Booth (left) and Cara Gruber (right) come out well from bunkers.

Midlothian could be even money

chance to win East Div title

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Midlothian will be hoping a recent pattern continues in the three-day East Division women's inter-county team championship, which get underway at Falkirk Carmuirs on Monday.
They've won the event in the odd years since 2005, with Fife having taken the title in the even years. On both occasions, Midlothian also went on to claim the Scottish crown.

Six members of the side from four years ago will be in action again next week, namely Kirsten Blackwood (Craigmillar Park), pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), Karen Marshall (Baberton), Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw).

Hargan, MacDonald, Marshall, Nicholson and Turner were also in the team two years ago and with them this time around are Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).

County champion Hargan and Turner will be the mainstays of the team, the latter having boosted her hopes of a call-up for this season's home internationals at Irvine in September with a third-place finish in last weekend's Irish open stroke-play championship.

Midlothian tee off against East Lothian, with Fife facing Stirling & Clackmannan in the other tie.

++The full article above contains 181 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

Scottish champion Megan Briggs wins all six Strathaven ties

We are the champions! Renfrewshire team with the West Division championship trophy. Image by courtesy of Carol Fell.

Renfrewshire rule the

West Division again

Renfrewshire beat Dunbartonshire & Argyll 6 1/2-2 1/2 in the decisive match between the two teams with 100 per cent records going into the final day of the West Division women's inter-county team golf championship at Strathaven Golf Club today.
That meant Renfrewshire topped the table for the second year in a row and will go to Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh in September (19-21) as West's representatives in the four-cornered contest for the Scottish women's county championship.
Ayrshire came back from losing the foursomes 2-1 to beat Lanarkshire 5-4 in the battle between the teams who had lost both their first two matches.
Renfrewshire had the player of the tournament in Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), pictured above, winner of all six foursomes and singles ties she played. In the final set of singles, Megan beat former Curtis Cup player and past champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) by 2 and 1. It was Anne's first singles defeat of the tournament.
Renfrewshire had the strength in depth their rivals lacked. Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) was close behind Megan Briggs in the points table, earning 5 1/2 out of a possible six.
Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) top scored for runners-up Dunbartonshire with 4 1/2pt.
Final placings - 1 Renfrewshire 6pt, 2 Dunbartonshire & Argyll 4pt, 3 Ayrshire 2pt, 4 Lanarkshire 0pt.

Wednesday match details:

DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 2 1/2, RENFREWSHIRE 6 1/2
Foursomes (1-2)

Anne Laing & Jill Meldrum lost to Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs 5 and 4

Nichola Ferguson & Lorraine Campbell bt Donna Jackson & Liz Stewart 1 hole

Suzanne Cadden & Laura McGeachy lost to Clare-Marie Carlton & Gillian Kyle 3 and 2
Singles (1 1/2-4 1/2)

Laing lost to Megan Brggs 2 and 1

Ferguson lost to Carlton 6 and 4

Meldrum halved with Eilidh Briggs

Cadden lost to Jackson 6 and 5

McGeachy lost to Kyle 3 and 2

Helen Faulds bt Carol Whyte 7 and 5

LANARKSHIRE 4, AYRSHIRE 5
Foursomes (2-1)

Fiona Norris & Susan Wood bt Lesley Hendry & Rachael McQueen 1 hole

May Hughes & Lesley Lloyd bt Jenny Linklater & Alex Glennie 1 hole

Elaine Cuthill & Joanna Scott lost to Audrey Thompson & Liz Keohone 3 and 2
Singles (2-4)

Norris bt Hendry 1 hole

Wood lost to Catherine Malcolm 3 and 1

Cuthill lost to Thompson 1 hole

Scott lost to McQueen 1 hole

Ruth Rankin lost to Linklater 4 and 2

Angela Devine lost to Lesley Williamson 1 hole