Rachel Polson tops Academy Winter Series Order of Merit

SCOTTISH GOLF ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Under-16 Girls' Winter Series
Final Order of Merit

1 Rachel Polson (Peterculter) 4 665.00 (pictured)
2 Ailsa Bain (Peebles) 4 615.00
3 Clara Young (North Berwick) 4 600.00
4 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 4 585.00
5 Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) 3 573.33
6 Samantha Munro (Aberdour) 3 510.83
T7 Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 3 425.00
T7 Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry) 3 425.00
9 Tara McTaggart Minto 3 423.33
10 Lauren Whyte St Regulus 2 415.00
T11 Jessica Meek Carnoustie Ladies 3 340.00
T11 Hannah McCook Abernethy 2 340.00
13 Eleanor Tunn Reay 3 332.50
14 Mhairi McKay West Kilbride 2 280.00
15 Alison Goodwin Glenbervie 2 195.00
Dates and venues of competitions:
Event 1 - Nairn Dunbar, October 18, 2009.
Event 2 - Whitekirk, November 22, 2009.
Event 3 - Eden course, St Andrews, February 7, 2010.
Event 4 - Forrester Park, March 7.
+Under-16 boys' Final Order of Merit table is on www.scottishgolfview.com

SLGA Under 16s Championship at Strathmore

FROM THE SLGA WEBSITE
Entries for the SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship are now closed. The event has once again been over subscribed with 108 entries for 102 places. Entrants with a handicap of 20 or better have been entered into the draw which will be posted to competitors in the next couple of days. Those with handicaps higher than 20 will be given the opportunity to be placed on the waiting list.

SLGA name teams for stroke-play tournaments

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION
The SLGA is pleased to announce the following teams to represent Scotland:

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship, Strathmore Golf Centre, April 8-9:
Team 1: Lesley Atkins (Minto), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Clara Young (North Berwick).
Team 2: Connie Jaffray (West Kilbride), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies).
Reserves: 1 Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), 2 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)

Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, Troon, April 23-25:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
Reserves: 1 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 2 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship, Southerndown Golf Club, May 1-2:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Laura Murray (Alford), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).
Travelling reserve: Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Newlands Golf Club, June 5-6:

Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Jane Turner (Craigielaw).

Travelling reserve: Laura Murray (Alford).

Reserve: Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)

England sending strong squad
-
to Strathmore for Scottish U16
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girls' open stroke-play

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

Two national girls’ champions are included in the English Women’s Golf Association squad for the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play championship at Strathmore Golf Centre near Blairgowrie, Perthshire from April 8-9.
They are English Under-15 champion Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies), pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and the Under-13 title-holder, Georgia Hall (Ferndown). They are joined by: Bronte Law, (Bramhall), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes), Lauren Taylor (Woburn) and Brogan Townend, (Pleasington).
The teams for the Nations Cup competition are:
A – Bronte Law, Elizabeth Mallett and Lauren Taylor.
B – Georgia Hall, Emily Taylor, Brogan Townend.
In the 2009 championship, Dorset’s Hayley Davis (Ferndown) won the individual title and the England teams were first and second in the Nations Cup.
The squad:
Elizabeth Mallett, 15, won the 2009 English U15 title and was also runner-up at the British girls’ championship. She is a past winner of the English U16 schools’ title.
Georgia Hall, 13, won last year’s English U13 title and was runner-up in the South West girls’ championship. At the age of 12 she represented Dorset at County Finals.
Bronte Law, 15, is the English U18 strokeplay champion, the North of England U16 champion, the Northern girls’ champion and already this year has retained the Andalucia Junior European Open title.
Emily Taylor, 15, is the Lancashire ladies’ champion and has twice been runner-up in the English U15 championship. She represented England in last year’s European Young Masters.
Lauren Taylor, 15, is an England girl international and a past winner of the English U15 championship and the English U18 strokeplay title
Brogan Townend, 15, won the 2009 Faldo Series U16 title and was in Lancashire’s winning team at County Finals.
All the players are member of EWGA training squads.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

England name top squad for Paris St Cloud event

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
A top-class squad of national champions and internationals will represent the English Women’s Golf Association in the French Lady Juniors’ Championship at St Cloud from April 1-5.
It includes: English champion Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), English stroke-play champion Charlotte Wild (Mere), English girls’ champion Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), 2008 English champion Hannah Barwood (Knowle), and 2009 Scottish U16 open stroke-play champion Hayley Davis (Ferndown).
Every member of the squad is either a full England international or a girl international and it is completed by Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry), Nikki Foster (Pleasington), Alex Peters (Notts Ladies), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) and Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison).
The teams for the Vilmorin Cup, the nations’ cup competition, are:
1 Hannah Barwood, Holly Clyburn, Charlie Douglass.
2 Alex Peters, Kelly Tidy, Charlotte Wild.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Aberdeen girl sixth in Florida junior golf

Aberdeen teenager Gemma Dryburgh finished sixth in a strong field for the Future Collegians' World Tour's Plantation Inn Open at Crystal River, Florida at the weekend.
Gemma had rounds of 78 and 77 for 155 - six shots behind the American winner, Minami Levonovich (76-73).
She had two double bogeys over the 36 holes and two birdies, both at the long 11th.
Gemma is now lying third in the FCWT's standings for the season.

Cuthbertson Cup girls' draw for Ratho Park

By Martin Dempster (Edinburgh Evening News)
Midlothian will face Stirling & Clackmannan in the East Junior Girls' Inter-County Matches for the Cuthbertson Cup at Ratho Park next month.
East Lothian take on Fife in the other opening tie on Sunday, April 18, with the two winners meeting in the afternoon to decide the title.

New Midlothian squad member Arlene McGarty bounced back from a broken arm she suffered last autumn to win the Scottish Universities Ladies' Golf Association's Stableford competition at Troon Portland.

July 29 date for West Kilbride Under-21 girls' open

The West Kilbride Golf Club Under-21 girls open will this year be played on Thursday, July 29.
Keith Howie, one of the organisers, explained: "We were encouraged by a good entry last year despite a clash with St Andrews Girls Golf Week. This year we have moved to Thursday, July 29, which seems relatively clear.
The event has trophies for pre-handicap, handicap and scratch categories, presented in turn by County Girls Convenor June Kerr, local bakery The Kandy Bar and ex SLGA President Nancy Chisholm MBE.
The pre-handicap girls will play nine holes in an adaptation of Wee Wonders format and then will staff a marquee dispensing cakes and soft drinks while the main body of the field passes through.
Hoping to defend their titles will be
Pre handicap - Lindsay Montgomery (West Kilbride)
Handicap - Mirren Fraser (Powfoot)
Scratch - Emma Hale (Troon Ladies)

Entry forms from the Club or by email request to khnextlevel@aol.com

...

Captain Lesley Nicholson tips
-

Rachael Watton to step up

-
FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Rising Lothians star Rachael Watton has been pinpointed as one of the players capable of forcing their way into the Scottish women's team this year.
Lesley Nicholson, who has been re-appointed as captain by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, believes the Mortonhall player, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, can be among those vying to fill the gaps left by the departure of Carly Booth and Kylie Walker to the professional ranks.
"Rachael has come on leaps and bounds," said Nicholson. "I have played with her a couple of times and she's a great striker of the ball."She also has a tidy short game which is a real benefit at the top level."
Nicholson, who has been appointed to lead the Scots in both the European team championship and the Home Internationals, is also hoping to see Jane Turner retain her place in the side.
"Jane really impressed us all on her debut in last year's Home Internationals," she added. "It can be a daunting experience when you are winning your first cap but she took it in her stride."
The Scots agonisingly missed out on a first success in the Home Internationals for 18 years as they lost to Wales on the final day at Irvine Bogside last September.
But Nicholson insisted: "It is only a matter of time until we get over that final hurdle again. The whole set-up has come on leaps and bounds since Kevin Craggs came on board as the Scottish national coach."


+The full article above appears in the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

Stephanie Meadow's jt 16th finish in Annika Invitational

Stephanie Meadow from Northern Ireland finished joint 16th in a quality field of 62 players for the Annika Sorenstam Girls' Invitational tournament over three rounds at the Indepence Course at Reunion Resort, Florida.
Stephanie, a student at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had rounds of 76, 74 and 76 for a total of 226 over the 6420yd course.
The winner was 16-year-old Victoria Tanco from Argentina. She had rounds of 73, 66 and 72 for 211. She finished three shots ahead of Israel's Laetitia Beck who is a student at a golf academy in Florida but will be enrolling at Duke University, Durham in North Carolina in the autumn.
Laetitia had scores of 68, 71 and 75, having been level with Victoria at the start of the final day's play.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
211 Victoria Tanco (Argentina) 73 66 72.
214 Laetitia Beck (Israel) 68 71 75.
216 Karen Chung 75 70 71.
218 Jessica Korda 77 72 69.
221 Ashlan Ramsay 77 71 73, Tiffany Lim 73 72 76.
Selected scores:
226 Stephanie Meadow (Northern (Ireland) 76 74 76 (jt 16th).
239 Daniela Lendl 81 76 82 (57th).

Annika Girls' Invitational Scoreboard
Reunion Resort, Renuin, nr Orlando, Florida
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72) 6420yd.
139 Victoria Tanco 73 66, Laetitia Beck (Israel) 68 71.
145 Karen Chung 75 70, Tiffany Lim 73 72.
146 Kristen Park 75 71, Simin Feng 74 72.
147 Doris Chen 69 78, Maria Stackhouse 74 73, A J Newell 74 73.
Selected scores:
149 Jessica Korda 77 72.
150 Stephanie Meadow (Northern Ireland) 76 74 (jt 16th).
+Final round will be played on Monday.

Gemma Dryburgh fourth in Florida FCWT event

Florida-based Aberdeen girl Gemma Dryburgh finished fourth in a field of 26 playeres for the Future Collegians World Tour's Mission Inn Challenge girls' tournament at Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, north of Orlando, Florida at the weekend.

Gemma was lying joint second with a 76, only one shot off the pace, after the first round but a second-round 81 saw her finish on 157, seven shots behind the winner, Audrey Monssoh (Los Angeles) with scores of 76 and 74.

Gemma's father, Aberdeen businessman John Dryburgh, reports:

"Unfortunately Florida was hit with the tail of the weather that produced record snow falls across the east coast of America and the girls played in conditions found more akin to Britain than Florida.

"Gemma's 76 on Saturday was good golf in the conditions .Unfortunately her start from the 10th on Sunday was not what she was looking for and she finished with an 81.
"Although she is still waiting for her first win on the tour she is finishing consistently in the top fifth and is now sitting 4th in the Laura Diaz FCWT season rankings."

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

150 Audrey Monssoh (Los Angeles) 76 74.

152 Isabel Southard (Massachusetts) 75 77.

153 Katerina Krasova (Czech Republic) 79 74.

157 Gemma Dryburgh (Aberdeen) 76 81.

For more information: http://www.lauradiazjrgolf.com/

Stephanie Meadow's solid

start with a 74

Northern Ireland's US-based Stephanie Meadow has made a solid start to this week's top junior tournament in America, the Verizon Junior Heritage 36-hole event over the Sea Pines Resort's Ocean Course and the Harbour Town golf Links, both on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Stephanie, pictured, had a 74 over the par-72 Ocean Course. This put her in joint third place, one shot behind Israel's Laetitia Beck, who attends a golf academy in Florida, and defending champion, 14-year-old Alexis Thompson from Florida.

Stephanie, a member at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Co Antrim and named in the GB&I Curtis Cup team short leet for the June match against the Americans at Essex County Club, Massachusetts, is a resident student at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Ocean Course, Sea Pines Resort

Par 72 for boys and girls

GIRLS

73 Laetitia Beck (Israel), Alexis Thompson
74 Sierra Sims, Stephanie Meadow (Northern Ireland)
75 Irene Jung, McKenzie Talbert, Ri Hyang Park, Katherine Perry, Juliet Vongphoumy
76 Collins Bradshaw, Monifa Sealy, Linda Luo, Suzie Lee
77 Portland Rosen, Janie Jackson, Simin Feng, Brittany Mai
78 Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai, Katie Rose Higgins, Minami Levonwich
79 Anne Marie Covar, Joyce Kim, Hally Leadbetter
80 Elizabeth Thompson, Jackie Chang, Daniela Lendl
81 Lauren Salazar
82 Alison Emrey, Jaye Marie Green, Jessica Korda
84 Harin Lee
86 Noriko Inoue
87 Yuri Otsuka

LEADING BOYS

72 Cody Proveaux.

73 Jim Liu, Andrew Knox.

74 Geoff Vartelas, Damon Postal, Stephen Behr, Nicholas Read.

Lancome continue support of ILGU championships

FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE
The Irish Ladies Golf Union are delighted to announce the continued support of cosmetics giant Lancôme as sponsors of the ILGU/Lancôme National Greensomes Championship, in addition to the Lancôme Irish Women's Close Championship and the Lancôme Irish Girls' Close Championship.
The ILGU/Lancôme National Greensomes Championship, which to date has raised over €2 million for Irish Charities, will consist of qualifying rounds held at 24 venues across the country with the National finals taking place on the October 3.
Qualifying venues and venue for National final will be announced at a later date and published on http://www.ilgu.ie/ once confirmed.
The Lancôme Irish Women's Close will be held at Portstewart Golf Club, 22-26 May 2010, while the Lancôme Irish Girls' Close will be played at Grange Golf Club, Dublin, 13-16 July 2010.

New look to Midlothian girls' squad

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Four newcomers have been included in this year's Midlothian County Ladies' junior golf squad, which will be coached by Mark Berrie at the Braid Hills Golf Centre.
Katherine Fisher (Baberton), Heather Laing (Glencorse), Jane Finlay (New Swanston) and Rebecca Trimble (Murrayfield) join 'old hands' Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe), Kirsty Simpson (Murrayfield) and Heather Tumblety (Liberton) in the much-changed group.
Broomieknowe's Kate McIntosh has been elevated into the main squad, while Natasha Shivji (Ratho Park) moves out of the junior section.
In addition, Samantha Lamb (Glencorse) has been forced to give up golf due to an injury while Isobel Hinds (Liberton) and Sally Naysmith (Dalmahoy) have decided to concentrate on their school studies.
Berrie will hold coaching sessions with the squad over the next three months, as well as spending some time on course management with them.

Alex Thompson (only 14) has already

switched to new grooves!

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Sean Martin
With Alexis Thompson’s 15th birthday not coming until February. 10, it’s safe to say the pro game is still a couple years away for the young phenom
But rising American star Thompson, pictured right, recently made a change that should help her when she does start playing for pay, and in the handful of LPGA starts she’s expected to make this year. Thompson switched to irons and wedges with the new, conforming grooves the December week of the Junior Orange Bowl, which she won.
Players competing in LPGA events (including amateurs) have to use the new grooves starting this season, but the new grooves won’t be mandatory for elite amateur events (like the U.S. Women’s Amateur) until 2014. Everyone else has to switch in 2024.
Thompson, Golfweek’s female junior amateur player of the year for 2009, could use the old grooves in amateur events this year, but hopes the full-time switch will put her ahead of the curve when she competes against professionals.
Thompson will likely be one of the amateurs invited to the Kraft Nabisco Championship (she shared low-amateur honors last year), and has qualified for the past three U.S. Women’s Opens.
Thompson’s success hasn’t been slowed by the change. With the new grooves, she won the Orange Bowl girls' title, tied for second at the Women's Dixie Amateur, lost a play-off at the Harder Hall Invitational and finished third at The Sally (South Atlantic Ladies Amateur) which finished at the weekend.
Editor's Note: Look out for Alexis (new grooves and all) making her Curtis Cup debut against GB&I at Essex County Club, Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts in June.

Claire Hargan appointed SLGA's
-
Championship Manager

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION
Claire Hargan, a former Scottish internationalist, has been appointed the new Championship Manager for the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association and will take up the post on January 18.
After 11 years working for Scottish Widows in the insurance industry, the 33-year-old Dundee University graduate is delighted to make the career change.
“I was wanting to do something in sport and the post with the SLGA came up at just the right time,” said Hargan. “I’ll be involved in running all the major events and it will be a great new challenge.”
A member of Mortonhall Golf Club and a six-time Midlothian County Champion, Hargan reached the quarter-finals of the British Women’s Amateur Championship and achieved a career highlight when she finished runner-up at the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship in the SLGA’s centenary year at the Old Course, St Andrews, in 2003.
Having played for Scotland in Home Internationals, she added to her administrative experience through her role as Captain of last year’s Scottish Under-16 team and Manager of the Home International side that finished runner-up to Wales at Irvine Golf Club last September.
“I hope to defend my county title, but I’ll not be able to play in any of the major Championships,” added Hargan. “But this is just a fantastic opportunity to work in golf and do something new.”

English initiative to create more female golfers

NEWS RELEASE BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Supporters of English county golf will be able to take advantage of a more streamlined English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) grant system in 2010 to encourage more girls and women into the sport.
The grant, which was aimed at girls only last year, has now been opened up to include provision for welcoming new women players of all ages to start and develop their golf at golf clubs. The scheme has the express aim of creating more female players in England and ensuring they stay in the game.
For 2010 the English Golf Union (EGU) and EWGA Development Team is combining two former grants (Development and Subscription Grants) into a single ‘Women & Girls’ Grant. This simpler grant for reaching a wider age group of new golfers will be accessed through the England Golf County Golf Partnership (CGPs) structure.
There are currently 31 CGPs in England and for further details on their specific websites visit www.englishgolfunion.org/CGPs
It is believed that the new streamlined grant will build on some positive achievements last year in girls’ golf development. In 2009, every one of 35 County Golf Associations in England ran girls’ golf coaching, thanks to the EWGA grants, which were administered by the EGU and EWGA Development Team.
Coaching activity was directed at junior club members and girls at the early stages of playing the game. In each county there was an average of 90 girls taking part, with over 80 per cent of counties running some form of follow-on activity to sustain the girls’ involvement moving forwards.
County Associations already run a series of very successful junior events and activities, and this combined grant will provide further support for the women’s game to ensure that club membership is healthy in the future.
The EWGA Women & Girls Grant is an initiative jointly provided by the EWGA and EGU in support of the EWGA’s strategy to ‘Drive Women’s Golf’, and forms part of England Golf’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf and vision to ‘Grow the Game.’

Ireland name captains, managers for 2010 international teams

FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Claire Robinson (Knock), Sinead Keane (The Curragh), Roma English (Larne) and Ailish McCartan (Greenore) will captain the Irish women's, girls' and senior international teams for the 2010 season.
Sinead Keane, a past international, will continue as captain for the Irish girls' European team championships at Aalborg, Denmark from July 6 to 10. Keane will look to lead her team to a successful defence of the title won by Irish side in Finland in 2009.
Ailish McCartan (Greenore) will accompany Sinead as team manager for the European championships before taking over the reigns as team captain for the girls' home international matches at Bangor from August 4 to 6. Aisling O'Leary (Wexford) will act as team manager for this event.
Claire Robinson, a past Curtis Cup player, will once again lead the Irish team for both the European women's team championships at La Manga, Spain from July 6 to 10 and the women's home international matches at Whitchurch, Cardiff from September 8 to 10.
Ballycastle's Fiona McComb will accompany the sides as team manager.
Roma English, with many years' experience of international events, will serve as captain of the Irish senior teams for both the Seniors' Europeans team championships at Berlin, Germany, from August 31 to September 4 and the Seniors Home Internationals at Sheringham, from September 28 to 30.

COURSE DEVELOPMENT KOs THIS YEAR'S

ROEHAMPTON GOLD CUP

NEWS RELEASE
The 84th Ladies’ Open Gold Challenge Cup, scheduled for April 17 at Roehampton Club, London, will NOT take place this year.
It is with much regret that the Organising Committee has had to take this decision due to major development works at the Roehampton Club, which began last September and unfortunately are likely to continue well into April.
This work includes the implementing of a flood mitigation programme. In addition, there is to be extensive bunker renovation. The Organising Committee would like to present the course in the best possible condition.
They ask for your understanding and invite you to support the Gold Cup next year when the event will be played on SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011.

+The Roehampton Gold Cup is a two-round competition open to lady professionals and amateurs.

REPORT AND SCORES FROM FLORIDA

Holly Clyburn in challenging position

with a par-matching 72

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
England international Holly Clyburn kept up her fine transatlantic form to challenge the leaders in the Harder Hall Invitational, the first event on the amateur women’s Orange Blossom Tour in Florida.
Holly (Woodhall Spa), pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, shot a level par 72 in the opening round and is two shots behind a trio of American players who share first place. Another US golfer, the 14-year-old star, Alexis Thompson, is sandwiched in between on 71.
Play was delayed by rain for 90 minutes and 14 competitors have yet to complete their first round.
Last year, Holly finished seventh on her first appearance in this 72-hole strokeplay event. The 18-year-old English girls’ champion has arrived at Harder Hall fresh from a fine performance in the Women’s Dixie Amateur, also in Florida, where she tied for second place.
Holly is also the reigning French U-18 Open champion, the Faldo Series girls’ title-holder and the winner of the 2009 English Women’s Golf Association girls’ Order of Merit, sponsored by Lorrin Golf. She is in the GB&I squad for this year’s Curtis Cup team.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer, EWGA

Lauren Mackin from Majorca leads

Scots in rainy start at Harder Hall

Majorca-based Scot Lauren Mackin, a member at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club, was the third best placed British or Irish player in the rain-hit first round of the Harder Hall Women's Invitational, the first event on the Orange Blossom Tour for female amateurs in Florida.
Lauren, pictured right, who has successes as a runner on her sporting CV, returned a two-over-par 74 over the 6,151yd course at Sebring to be lying joint 16th behind the three joint leaders, Taylor Karle (Arizona), Dolores White (Florida) and Kyle Roig (Florida).
British girls champion and Curtis Cup team place contender Holly Clyburn from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire headed the challenge from this side of the Atlantic. Winner of the Nick Faldo Series' girls' title in Brazil and joint second in last week's Women's Dixie Amateur in Florida, Holly matched the par of 72 to share fifth place.
Another member of the GB&I Curtis Cup squad for the 2010 match at Essex County Club, US-based teenager Stephanie Meadow was joint ninth with a 73.
Stephanie is a student at the Hank Hainey International Golf Academy, Hilton Head, South Carolina and hails from Northern Ireland where she is a member of Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Stirling University's Kesley MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and Rachel Cassidy (The Island, Dublin) were in joint 35th place after returning 78s.
Another Stirling student, Rebecca Wilson from Monifieth had a 81 for joint 52nd place.
Welsh international Lucy Gould (Bargoed), a student at East Tennessee State University and a Curtis Cup squad member, had an 83 for a share of 62nd place.
Stirling University's Harriet Beasley from Woburn was in joint 72nd place after an 86.
Play was held up for 90min because of rain and 14 players were unable to finish their rounds because of darkness. They included Stirling students Jordana Graham from Southerness and Eilidh MacKay (Nairn Dunbar).
Fourteen-year-old Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida, winner of the Junior Orange Bowl girls' title at Coral Gables, Florida over the Festive period and joint runner-up alongside Holly Clyburn at the Women's Dixie Amateur, is handily placed in fourth spot, only one stroke behind the joint leaders with a one-under-par 71.
Defending champion Candace Schepperle (Birmingham, Alabama) is on the same 72 mark as Holly.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
(14 players still to finish)
Par 72, 6151yd
70 Taylor Karle (Arizona), Dolores White (Florida), Kyle Roig (Florida).
71 Alexis Thompson (Florida).
72 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa, England), Candace Schepperle (Alabama), Michelle Shin (Florida), Dawn Woodard (South Carolina).
73 Brittany Benvenuti (Pennsylvania), Cydney Clanton (North Carolina), Courtney Ellenbogen (Virginia), Megan Grehan (New York), Stephanie Meadow (Hilton Head Island & Northern Ireland), Calle Nielson (Tennessee), Meghan Stasi (Florida).
74 Nicola Agnello (Florida), Abby Bools (North Carolina), Lauren Mackin (Majorca), Haley Wilson (Alabama).
75 Isabelle Lendle (Florida), Amela Lewis (Florida), Aimee Neff (Indiana).
76 Alexandra Bodemann (Florida), Jackie Chang (Arizona), Joy Kim (Virginia), Nora Lucas (Illinoir), Mary Mattson (Maryland), Whitney Neuhauser (Virginia), Paloma Nunez (Texas), Tovie St Louis (Florida), Alex Stewart (Nevada).
77 Ashley Lance (Tennessee), Emma Lavy (Arizona).
78 Jan Bowers (Illinoir), Rachel Cassidy (Stirling Univ & The Island, Dublin), Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling Univ & Nairn Dunbar), Wendi Golden (Florida), Kristen Simpson (Virginia), Ashley Jo Smith (Arizona), Jaclyn Sweeney (Massachusetts).
79 Jordan Allyne (Washington), Melanie Audette (Florida), Gennifer Mendez (Florida), Nicole Quinn (Florida), Sarah Thead (California), Carlie Yadloczkey (Florida).
80 Karlin Beck (Alabama), Emily Flanigan (Florida), Jaye Marie Green (Florida), Mayura Skowronski (New Jersey).
Selected scores:
81 Rebecca Wilson (Stirling Univ & Monifieth) (jt 52nd).
83 Lucy Gould (East Tennessee State Univ & Bargoed, Wales) (jt 62nd).
86 Harriet Beasley (Stirling Univ & Woburn) (jt 72nd).
Still to finish include:
Jordana Graham (Stirling Univ & Southerness), Eilidh Mackay (Stirling Univ & Nairn Dunbar).
LEADING SENIORS
Par 72, 5,119yd
79 Gail Brown (Florida).
82 Mary Lou Edwards (Florida).
83 Dollie Watson (North Carolina).
84 Nancy Newberry (North Carolina).
85 Helen Ferneyhough (Virginia), Susan Trombley (Pennysylvania).
86 Carroll Dethrow (Nevada), Brenda Frye (South Carolina).

Amelia Taylor with her trophy at the US Kids Desert Shootout.

Lancashire lass Amelia finishes fourth in Arizona

Amelia Taylor, a junior member of St Anne’s Old Links Golf Club, finished fourth in the US Kids Desert Shootout Age 14 category at Phoenix, Arizona from December 28 to 30.
After lying second after two rounds, Amelia slipped back to finish fourth after the third round, 11 shots back from the winner Heather Nail from Alabama.
Four shots behind Heather in joint second place were Alexis Sedeghy from Oklahoma and Abigail McGrew from California.
The course chosen for Amelia’s age group at the Wigwam Golf Resort was the Gold Course (5762yd, par 72) and nicknamed the ‘Monster,’ containing 60 bunkers and water coming into play on 12 holes.
Annika Sorenstam represented this golf club and lists the Gold Course as one of the most favourite courses she has ever played.
After finishing runner-up on the Red Course last year, Amelia enjoyed the experience of the more testing Gold Course and was pleased with a fourth place finish.

+Amelia Taylor is competing again in next month's 3rd Hacienda del Alamo February Festival (13th to 20th). Entry forms available by clicking on the relevant words at the top of the left hand column on this website.

Women's Dixie Amateur Championship Scoreboard HERON BAY GOLF CLUB, CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA THIRD-ROUND TOTALS (one round to play on Sunday) Par 216 (3x72) 211 Alexis Thompson (Coral Springs, Florida & Eagle Trace GC) 69 69 73, Lindy Duncan (Davie, Florida & Duke Univ) 70 71 70. 214 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa GC, Lincolnshire, England) 67 72 75. 215 Sandra Changkija (Orlando, Florida & Nova Southeastern Univ) 72 70 73. 216 Marina Alex (Wayne, New Jersey & Vanderbilt Univ) 73 70 73. 218 Candace Schepperle (Birmingham, Alabama & Auburn Univ) 71 72 75, Laura Blanco (Colombia & Pendleton School) 75 72 71. 220 Emilie Alonso (France) 74 70 76, Suzie Lee (East Northport, New York & Commack High) 73 72 75. 222 Alex Stewart (Carson City, Nevada) 76 74 72. 223 Kyle Roig (Puerto Rico & American Heritage School) 74 72 77, Stefanie Kenoyer (Lighthouse Point, Florida & Furman Univ) 74 74 75. 224 Jaye Green (Boca Raton, Florida & Florida Virtual School) 74 75 75, Yueer Feng (Orlando, Florida & Windermere Prep) 75 74 75. 225 Jessica Alexander (Riverview, Florida & Coastal Carolina Univ) 74 75 76, Isabelle Lendl (Bradenton, Florida) 78 75 72. 226 Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Scarborough, Canada & Northview Heights High) 75 77 74. 227 Taylor Collins (Davie, Florida) & Nova Southeastern Univ) 79 74 74, Shelby coyle (Pembroke Pines, Florida & American Heritage School) 76 78 73. 228 Trisha Witherby (Richmond, Indiana & Richmond High) 76 76 76. 229 Brittany Smith (Rancho Murieta, California & UC Davis) 70 75 84, Nicola Race (Essex, England & Missouri Univ) 75 74 80, Katia Joo (Rancho Palos Verdes, California & Peninsula High) 75 77 77, Elizabeth Alger (Tequesta, Florida & Florida Atlantic Univ) 79 77 73. 230 Laura Raffo (US) 80 74 76. 231 Abby Bools (Hickory, North Carolina & East Carolina Univ) 76 78 77, Andrea Watts (Gainsville, Florida & Univ of Florida) 76 78 77, Olivia Lansing (Dellwood, Minnesota & Drake Univ) 78 76 77, Alex Buelow (Palm City, Florida & Stetson Univ) 78 78 75, Paula Reto (Coral Springs, Florida & Purdue Univ) 79 78 74. 232 Courtney McKim (Raleigh, North Carolina & Oklahoma State Univ) 79 73 80, Ani Gullugian (Irvine, California & UCLA) 77 77 78. 233 Ashley Mooney (Port St Lucie, Florida & Dayton State Univ) 76 78 79, Nicole Quinn (Windermere, Florida & TFA) 77 77 79, Meghan Chapman (Seminole, Florida & North Carolina State) 78 76 79, Federique Bruell (Aventura, Florida) 74 81 78. 234 Anna Keith (Moultrie, Georgia & Vanderbilt Univ) 81 76 77. 235 Ashley Malinchak (Parkland, Florida & Westminster Acad) 77 74 84, Ashleigh Albrecht (Murrieta, Georgia & Kentucky Univ) 84 74 77. 236 April McCoy (Carrolton, T4exas & Creekview High) 76 80 80, Kailey Walsh (Boca Raton, Florida & St Andrews Univ) 78 78 80, Victoria Trapani (Hollywood, Florida & St Thomas Aquinas) Univ) 80 77 79. 237 Carly Ragains (Highland Village, Texas & Marcus High) 81 76 80, Meghan Stasi (Oakland Park, Florida) 77 81 79, Nora Lucas (Glenview, Illinois & Illinois Univ) 82 76 79. 238 Alexandra Bodemann (Palm City, Florida & Wake Forest Univ) 79 81 78. 243 Marilynne Cadieux (Quebec, Canada & Florida Atlantic Univ) 79 79 85. 244 Andrea Kaelin (Fleming Island, Florida & Florida State Univ) 83 75 86. 245 Rachel Kropf (Pompano Beach, Florida & Broward Virtual) 84 77 84, Whitney Neuhauser (Barboursville, Virginia & Virgina Univ) 82 80 83. 247 Catherine Elliott (Malvern, Pennysylvania & Pennsylvania Univ) 84 78 85. SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL TOTALS Par 216 (3x72). 6,000yd course. 218 Diane Lang (Weston, Florida & Weston CC) 76 69 73. 223 Lisa Schlesinger (Laytonsville, Maryland & Norbeck CC) 77 76 70. 234 Brenda Pictor (Marrietta, Georgia & Pinetree CC) 79 71 74. 226 Marian Barket (Lubbox, Texas & Lubbock CC) 78 74 74. 230 Mimi Hoffman (Springfield, Virginia & Belle Haven CC) 79 75 76. 235 Maggie Weder (Greenville, North Carolina & Ironwood) 79 79 77. 239 Anna Schultz (Rockwall, Texas & Honors Club) 83 77 79. 241 Ivy Steinberg (Cedar Valley, Canada & Granite Golf) 84 79 78. 242 Lynn Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio & Obannon Creek GC) 85 73 84, Jewell Malick (Rockwall, Texas & Honors Club) 81 80 81. 243 Kelly Koselek (Toronto, Canada & Cedar Brae) 84 82 77. 244 Angela Stewart Greenville, North Carolina & Ironwood) 82 78 83. 253 Kathy Baker (Wellington, Florida & Wanderers) 87 80 86. 259 Jean Mowry (Hot Springs Village, Arizona) 92 85 82. 278 Rita Dominguez (Rockville, Maryland & Redgate GC) 99 93 86. 284 Than Parham (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina & Wachesaw Plantation) 101 94 89.

+SCROLL DOWN FOR A REPORT ON THE THIRD DAY'S PLAY

WOMEN'S DIXIE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Holly Clyburn lying third with one

round to go in Florida

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY JEFF HUNT
The brutal cold winds that swept over Heron Bay Golf Club, Coral Springs, Florida during Saturday's third round of the Women's Dixie Amateur championship made moving day a truly memorable experience for the best women's amateurs in the world. Sunday's final round will feature a final pairing of three players that will surely all make their marks on the world's professional tours in the very near future. Lindy Duncan (pictured right) of Davie, Florida and Duke University fired the round of the day with a two-under par 70 to tie with Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida in the lead at five-under-par 211.
England's Holly Clyburn shot a 75 to put her three strokes off the lead.
Sandra Changkija of Orlando, Florida is four strokes back after complimenting her 72 and 70 with a 73 on Saturday.
The Inaugural Senior Dixie Amateur's final round ended as many expected it would. Three time US Senior amateur champion Diane Lang fired an impressive 73 to hold onto her five-shot lead that she took into the final round.
Making the strongest move of the day was Lisa Schlesinger of Laytonsville, Maryland whose field-leading 70 in the final round gave her a second-place finish, one stroke ahead of Brenda Pictor of Marrietta, Georgia who finished who finished with a total of 224.

Emma Wilson: "Wonderful to be given the opportunity to promote women's golf, and especially girls' golf."

NEW SLGA PRESIDENT EMMA WILSON

-

REMEMBERS GOLDEN GREATS HELEN

-

HOLM AND JEAN McCULLOCH

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Emma Wilson, the new Scottish Ladies Golfing Association president, is a direct link with some of the country’s great women golfers of the 1930s and 1940s/
“I come originally from Lanark and came up through the West of Scotland Girls’ Golf Association, encouraged by names such as Helen Holm, Jean McCulloch, May Menzies and Irma Douglas,” says Emma who would reach county team standard as a player.
“I remember Helen Holm, pictured right, as a tall ,striking figure who came up and spoke quietly to you, inquiring how you had played and just generally very supportive of West girls.
“Also Jean McCulloch (another past Scottish champion) came to give us vocal support: ‘Girlies, come along now! We, of course, had little or no idea who these old dears were!
“It is only in later life that you realise the great love of golf they had and their pedigree. I exchanged a Christmas card with Miss McCulloch for a good number of years.”
Emma Wilson lives in Kirkcaldy now. She worked for Ladybird in Slough, then moved to Kirkcaldy in 1973.
“I was chief designer for Babygro Ltd for nine years. I missed my golf as it was so expensive down south.”
She has been strongly associated with Fife women’s golf at club and county level for the best part of 40 years. Of her appointment to be Ethel Jack’s successor as SLGA President, Emma says:
“It is a great honour to be following such illustrious Presidents of the SLGA and wonderful to be given the opportunity to promote women’s and especially girls’ golf by emphasising the many life-long friendships made and the camaraderie enjoyed among golfersm, both competitively and socially.
“I’m looking forward to supporting our Scotland teams – girls, women’s and seniors.”
She is a member of Elie & Earlsferry Ladies Golf Club and Leven Golfing Society and was captain of Kirkcaldy Golf Club in 1983. After being a Fife county team player, she became Fife county captain in 1983-84, county president in 2000 and an honorary member in 2006.
Emma was chairman of the SLGA in 2004-2005 and chairman of the selectors.
She played for the Midland Vets team and has taken over as captain of the Midland Vets for 2010.

EDITOR'S FOOTNOTES:

Younger readers might not be aware of the outstanding playing records of Helen Holm and Jean McCulloch. Here are the highlights of their careers:

HELEN HOLM (Troon Ladies)

Born: Helen Gray, Glasgow, March 14, 1907. Died: December 14, 1971.

British women's open amateur championship: Won title in 1934 and 1938.

Scottish women's (closed) amateur championship: Won title in 1930, 1932, 1937, 1948 & 1950. Beaten finalist: 1933, 1938, 1949, 1956 & 1957.

Curtis Cup appearances: 1936-1938-1948. Mrs Holm declined selection for the 1950 match in the United States because she considered her son was too young to be left at home.

JEAN McCULLOCH (West Kilbride)

Scottish women's (closed) amateur championship: Won title in 1913, 1928 and 1931.

The first Curtis Cup match was not played until 1932.

*From the West Kilbride Golf Club website: Jean McCulloch won the Scottish Ladies’ championship while still in her teens. It was the start of an astonishing career which would see her national champion twice more, a career in which she would win the West of Scotland Championship 40 years after her first national success and live to attend the 75th anniversary dinner in 1988 of that win at Machrihanish in 1913. In addition her encouragement to ladies’ golf, in particular girls' golf was to be a life-long commitment.

Scroll down for all the first round scores from Florida

Holly Clyburn: A great start in Florida to what looks like being a big year for the Lincolnshire lass (click on the image by Cal Carson Golf Agency to enlarge).

Holly Clyburn's hole in one helps her lead

by two shots in Women's Dixie Amateur

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN' S GOLF ASSOCIATION

England international Holly Clyburn had a hole-in-one as she took the first-round lead in the Women’s Dixie Amateur Championship in Florida with a five-under par 67.

Eighteen-year-old Holly (Woodhall Spa) aced the 150yd 5th hole. Her super-shot helped her to a two-stroke lead over her playing partner, 14-year-old Alexis Thompson, Coral Springs, Florida, who was the 2007 Dixie Champion and won the Junior Orange Bowl girls' title earlier in the week.

The English girls’ champion from Lincolnshire returned her score as winds picked up during the day, making the 6,500yd lay-out at Heron Bay Golf Club, Coral Springs a true test for some of the world’s top ranked female amateurs.

Americans Lindy Duncan of Florida and Brittany Smith of California are both three strokes back after shooting 70.

The 2008 Dixie Amateur champion, Candace Schepperle from Birmingham, Alabama and Duke University, is four shots back after her 74.

The top 50 players plus ties will make the cut after the second round.

Holly, who is also the French Under-18 open champion and the Faldo series girls' champion, won the English Women’s Golf Association girls’ order of merit for 2009. She is in the GB&I squad for the 2010 Curtis Cup team.
Lyndsey Hewison

Press & PR Officer

EDITOR'S NOTE: Holly Clyburn is just one of five members of the 2010 Curtis Cup squad who have entered the 3rd Hacienda del Alamo February Festival in Spain. Entries close around the middle of this month for the February 13-20 programme which comprises of a better-ball pairs (male partners permitted) on the first Saturday, a 36-hole stroke play on the Monday and Tuesday and a 54-hole stroke-play on the Thursday-Friday-Saturday. There are Under-16, Under-18, Ladies and Senior Ladies prize categories in the two individual events.

Entry forms are available by clicking on the relevant words at the top of the left hand column on the Home Page of only this website.

ALL THE WOMEN'S DIXIE AMATEUR FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72

Clyburn, Holly (Woodhall Spa GC, Lincolnshire, England) 67
Alexis Thompson (Coral Springs, Florida) 69
Lindy Duncan (Davie, Florida & Duke Univ) 70
Brittany Smith (Rancho Murieta, California & UC Davis) 70

Candace Schepperle (Birmingham, Alabama & Auburn Univ) 71

Sandra Changkija (Orlando, Florida & Nova Southeastern Univ) 72

Marina Alex (Wayne, New Jersey & Vanderbilt Univ) 73

Suzie Lee (East Northport, New York & Commack High) 73

Jessica Alexander (Riverview, Florida & Coastal Carolina Univ) 74

Emilie Alonso (France) 74.

Federique Bruell (Aventura, Florida) 74.

Jaye Green (Boca Raton, Florida & Florida Virtual School) 74.

Stefanie Kenoyer (Lighthouse Point, Florida & Furman Univ) 74

Kyle Roig (Pembrokes Pines, Florida & American Heritage High) 74.

Laura Blanco (Columbia & Pendleton School) 75.

Yueer Feng (Orlando, Florida & Windermere Prep) 75

Katia Joo (Rancho Palos Verdes, California & Peninsula High) 75.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Scarborough, Canada & Northview Heights High) 75.

Nicola Race (England & Missouri Univ) 75.

Abby Bools (Hickory, North Carolina & East Carolina Univ) 76.

Shelby Coyle (Pembroke Pines, Florida & American Heritage High) 76.
April McCoy (Carrolton, Texas & Creekview High) 76.

Ashley Mooney (Port St Lucie, Florida & Daytona State Univ) 76.

Alex Stewart (Carson City, Nevada) 76.

Andrea Watts (Gainsville, Florida & Univ of Florida) 76.

Trisha Witherby (Richmond, Indiana & Richmond High) 76.

Ani Gullugian (Irvine, California & UCLA) 77.

Ashley Malinchak (Parkland, Florida & Westminster Acad) 77.

Nicole Quinn (Windermere, Florida & TFA) 77.
Meghan Stasi (Oakland Park, Florida) 77.

Alex Buelow (Palm City, Florida & Stetson Univ) 78.

Meghan Chapman (Seminole, Florida & North Carolina State Univ) 78.

Olivia Lansing (Dellwood, Minnesota & Drake Univ) 78.

Isavelle Lendl (Bradenton, Florida) 78.

Kailey Walsh (Boca Raton, Florida & St Andrews Univ) 78.

Elizabeth Alger (Tequesta, Florida & Florida Atlantic Univ) 79.

Alexandra Bodemann (Palm City, Florida & Wake Forest Univ) 79.

Marilyne Cadieux (Quebec, Canada & Florida Atlantic Univ) 79.

Taylor Collins (Davie, Florida & Nova Southeastern Univ) 79.

Courtney McKim (Raleigh, North Carolina & Oklahoma State Univ) 79.

Paula Reto (Coral Springs, Florida & Purdue Univ) 79.

Laura Raffo (Hollywood, Florida & St Thomas Aquinas Univ) 80.

Anna Keith (Moultrie, Georgia & Vanderbilt Univ) 81.

Carly Ragains (Highland Village, Texas & Marcus High) 81.

Emily Rymer (Orlando, Florida & The First Acad) 81.

Nora Lucas (Glenview, Illinois & Illinois Univ) 82.

Whitney Neuhauser (Barboursville, Virginia & Virginia Univ) 82.

Kayla Stewart (Chattanooga, Tennessee) 82.

Sydney Wilson (Lawrence, Kansas & Univ of Kansas) 82.

Julia Hitchins (Palm Beach, Florida) 83.

Andrew Kaelin (Fleming Island, Florida & Florida State Univ) 83.

Alexa Rancourt (South Portland, Maine & Furman Univ) 83.

Samantha Wagner (Clermont, Florida & Windermere Prep) 83.

Ashleigh Albrecht (Murrieta, Georgia & Kentucky Univ) 84.

Sarah Almond (Albemarle, North Carolina & Gray Stone Day School) 84.

Catherine Elliott (Malvern, Pennsylvania) 84.

Sunny Harris (Pensacola, Florida & Cental Florida Univ) 84.

Rachel Kropf (Pompano Beach, Florida & Broward Virtual Univ) 84.

Maria Messana (Plantation, Florida & American Heritage Univ) 84.

Alexandra Papell (Boca Raton, Florida) 84.

Hunter Ross (Manakin Sabot, Virginia & Wake Forest Univ) 84.

Kristen Sammarco (Pembroke Pines, Florida) & American Heritage Univ) 86.

Kaile Tuccio (Windermere, Florida & Bishop Moore Univ) 87.

Marina Karamanis (Barrington, Illinois & Illinois Univ) 88.

Lauren Giesecke (Kokomo, Indiana & Indiana Univ) 89.

Tariqah Walikraam (Hamilton, Bermuda) 89.

Ellen Privitera (Delray Beach, Florida) 96.

Jane Linn (Fort Lauderdale, Florida & Hamilton Farms GC, New Jersey) disqualified.

Alyssa Randolph (Knoxville, Tennessee & Kentucky Univ) disqualified.

Dakoda Dowd (Palm Harbor, Florida & Halm Harbor High) withdrew (ill).

Gia Fanelli (West Palm Beach, Florida & Penn State Univ) withdrew (ill).

SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD

Par 72

Diane Lang (Weston, Florida & Weston CC) 76.

Lisa Schlesinger (Laytonsville, Maryland & Norbeck CC) 77.

Marian Barker (Lubbock, Texas & Lubbock CC) 78.

Mimi Hoffman (Springfield, Virginia & Belle Haven CC) 79.

Brenda Pictor (Marrietta, Georgia & Pinetree CC) 79.

Maggie Weder (Greenville, North Carolina & Ironwood) 79.

Jewell Malick (Rockwall, Texas & Honors Club) 81.

Angela Stewart (Greensville, North Carolina & Ironwood) 82.

Anna Schultz (Rockwall, Texas & Honors Club) 83.

Kelly Koselek (Toronto, Canada) & Cedar Brae) 84.

Ivy Steinberg (Cedar Valley, Canada & Granite Golf) 84.

Lynn Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio & Obannon Creek GC) 85.

Kathy Baker (Wellington, Florida & Wanderers) 87.

Jean Mowry (Hot Springs, Arizona & Hot Springs Village) 92.

Babs McIntosh (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina & Wachesaw Plantation) 93.

Rita Dominguez (Rockville, Maryland & Redgate GC) 99.

Rhan Parham (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina & Wachesaw Plantation) 101

Arizona Silver Belle Championship Scoreboard

RAVEN GOLF CLUB, SOUTH MOUNTAIN, ARIZONA
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
209 Janine Fellows (Texas) 75 66 68, Katerina Ruzickova (Arizona) 71 70 68 (Janine won a sudden-death play-off at the first hole).
210 Lauren Weaver (Arizona) 70 68 72, Jennifer Yang (British Columbia) 71 67 72.
211 Casey Grice (Texas) 69 73 69, Tiffany Lim (Caliifornia) 72 70 69, Mariana Sims (Texas) 73 68 70.
+Read all the results by logging on to www.golfstat.com
Age category of competitors ranged from 13 to 23 years.

EWGA to permit use of distance-measuring devices

but only at club level from January 1

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

The English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) will permit the use of distance measuring devices (DMDs) in its competitions at club level from January 1, 2010.

The change will apply to EWGA medals, the Australian Spoons and the PING Four-ball Better-ball Tournament at club level – provided there is a local rule in place allowing the use of DMDs.

Until now, EWGA has banned the use of DMDs in all its competitions, in common with the R&A and the other home unions, apart from the EGU. But, it has become clear that this has caused problems at club level.

Many clubs have adopted a local rule to allow the use of DMDs in their competitions, but their women members have not been able to use the devices when playing in EWGA events. DMDs will continue to be banned at all EWGA regional and national competitions. This includes the Medal Finals, the regional and national finals of the Australian Spoons and the PING Plate and Grand Finals.

Counties will also be strongly advised not to allow the use of the devices in their competitions.
Lyndsey Hewison

Press & PR Officer

Arizona Silver Belle Tournament Scoreboard
RAVEN GOLF CLUB, SOUTH MOUNTAIN, PHOENIX
LEADING SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
138 Jennifer Yang (British Columbia) 71 67, Lauren Weaver (Arizona) 70 68.
140 Beverly Vatananuqulkit (California) 72 68.
141 Alexandra Kaui (Nevada) 75 66, Mariana Sims (Texas) 73 68, Katerina Ruzickova (Arizona) 71 70.
142 Anne Cheng (California) 73 69, Deborah Martinez Villareal (Texas) 72 70, Tiffany Lim (California) 72 70, Jane Rah (California) 72 70, Doris Chen (Florida) 71 71, Brittany Mai (Poway) 70 72, Casey Grice (Texas) 69 73.
+This tournament is open to girls in the age group 13 to 23.

Volvo offers discounts on new cars to EWGA members

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Volvo are offering EWGA members special discounts on new cars as part of their sponsorship package with the association. The Volvo Privilege Price Plan is being extended to all EWGA members. It offers discounts ranging from £250 to £1,750 on a range of cars and includes free-of-charge metallic paint.
EWGA members can obtain full details of the scheme from Volvo Car UK by calling 0800 400 430 and can take advantage of the offer by taking their current handicap certificate to any UK Volvo dealer.
Volvo has partnered EWGA to sponsor competitions for club golfers: the EWGA Medals, the Australian Spoons stableford foursomes tournament and the Rose Spoon awards. The company also joined the sponsors of the 2009 PING Fourball Better-ball Tournament of England, which is run by EWGA.
Volvo is keen to create a relationship with women amateur golfers at club level and to welcoming more of them on to future Volvo Masters Amateur Tour events.
These are open to golfers of all ages and handicaps and take place all over the UK.Next year, the top two players at the EWGA Medal Finals and the winning pair at the PING Tournament will qualify for the 2010 UK final of the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour.
EWGA chief executive Jim Robinson said: “We are delighted to be working with Volvo for the benefit of our members.”
For more information on Volvo cars visit: www.volvocars.co.ukFor more information on the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour visit: www.vmatour.com
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Gemma Dryburgh finishes sixth in

strong field at Orlando

Aberdeen teenager Gemma Dryburgh played in the Future Collegians' World Tour's Champions Gate Challenge last weekend.

The tournament was played over 54 holes at the Orlando course by a strong field representing 15 countries in the girls' section alone and 24 overall .

Gemma's dad, John Dryburgh, reports:
"Unfortunately Gemma got off to a slow start with a 79 with too many putts on the slow greens. She played much better on the Saturday and shot 75, three over. She had a plugged ball on the 17th and had a triple bogey, otherwise she would have been closer to the leaders.

"Her Sunday score of level par 72 left her finishing sixth, nine shots behind the winner, Dottie Ardina, one of the strong Philippines squad playing in the United States."

Gemma, pictured above, is a student the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida.

If you want to read more, the tournament websites are ;
http://www.lauradiazjrgolf.com/
http://fcwt.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/fcwt9/event/fcwt915/contest/7/leaderboard.ht

Stephanie Meadow loses in Florida first round

Ireland's Stephanie Meadow, the No 6 seed, went down in the first round of the match-play stages of the Girls' Division of the Polo Golf Junior Classic at PGA National Golf Resort, West Palm Beach in Florida.
She lost by two holes to the No 27 qualifier, Grace Na from Oakland, California.
Tiffany Lim of San Jose, California, kicked off the match-play stages with the biggest upset of the day, as she defeated the No. 1 seed Nicole Zhang of Calgary, Alberta, 4 and 3. Lim made two birdies on the front nine of her match to take a three-up lead at the turn, then parred her way through the back nine until she closed out Zhang on the 15th hole.
Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, one of the title favourites, cruised past Cindy Feng of Orlando by a score of 6 and 4. Thompson was three under par for the 14 holes.
In other matches: Rolex Junior Player of the Year Victoria Tanco of Bradenton, Fla., advanced with a 6-and-5 victory over Kyle Roig of Pembroke Pines, Calif. Austin Ernst of Seneca, South Carolina, awaits after winning 5 and 4 over Gabriella Then of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Second-seeded Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., was defeated at the 19th by Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif.
The morning play had to be suspended from 9.14am to 11.30am local time because of lightning in the area. Second-round ties were halted at 5pm because of more bad weather and darkness.
View PDF versions of the match play brackets: Boys Division and Girls Division.
Follow the matches via FootJoy Live Scoring when play resumes.

Stephanie Meadow (71) lying joint sixth

in Polo Golf Junior Classic in Florida

FROM THE AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE

Emiliano Grillo of Resistencia, Argentina, Tanner Kesterson of Plano, Texas, Oliver Schniederjans of Powder Springs, Ga., and Curtis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., share the lead after solid first qualifying round play at the Polo Golf Junior Classic. All four high school juniors shot 5-under-par 67 on the Haig Course at PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Doris Chen of Bradenton, Florida holds sole possession of the Girls Division lead after carding five birdies in a four-under-par 68 on the Champion course.
The Polo Golf Junior Classic, which has been conducted annually since 1978, marks the first tournament of the American Junior Golf Association's 2010 season. The 156-player invitation-only field is made up of 78 boys and 78 girls, ages 12-18, from 25 states and 11 foreign countries. Former champions include Stewart Cink (1989), Trevor Immelman (1995), Tiger Woods (1991), Paula Creamer (2002), Grace Park (1994, 1996) and Morgan Pressel (2004).
In the Girls Division, over a par-72 course of 6,457yd, Chen's successful approach shots set her up for short birdie putts throughout her round. She holds a one-stoke lead at 4-under-par 68.
“I haven't made a cut in a while so that was my goal for this tournament,” Chen said. “I had five birdie putts under 12 feet and was able to capitalize.”
Casey Grice of College Station, Texas, sits in second at 3-under-par 69, while Madelene Sagstrom of Enkoping, Sweden, Nicole Zhang of Calgary, Alberta, and Simin Feng of Orlando, Fla., all share third with 2-under-par 70.

Former Irish girls champion Stephanie Meadow from Jordanstown, Northern Ireland and a student at the Hank Hainey International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is lying in joint sixth position on 71 in a field of top-ranked 78 players after sharing the nine-hole lead with an outward 34.

Stephanie, pictured above, has some "big" names behind her on the scoreboard - Laetitia Beck from Israel had a 74, "wonder girl" Alexis Thompson a 75 and Daniela Lendl a 77.

Monday and Tuesday at the Polo Golf Junior Classic are all about one thing: Finishing among the top 32 players and making match play.
While a high seed number is nice, match play is the goal. Case in point: Esther Choe made birdie in a stroke play play-off just to qualify for match play in 2006 at Sea Island Golf Club. She then ploughed her way through the bracket to win the championship.
On the other hand, Vicky Hurst won the 2007 Polo Golf Junior Classic from the pole position, earning the No. 1 seed, then running the match play gauntlet.

GIRLS' FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 72

68 Doris Chen 34-34.

69 Casey Grice 35-34.

70 Nicole Zang 345-35, Madelene Sagstrom (sweden) 35-35, Simin Feng 36-34.

71 Jessica Korda 36-35, Stephanie Meadow (NIr) 34-37, Kelly Shon 35-36.

Selected scores:

74 Laetitia Beck (Israel) 37-37.

75 Alexis Thompson 39-36.

77 Daniela Lendl 38-39.

Holly Clyburn runaway winner of

EWGA girls' Order of Merit

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Lincolnshire’s Holly Clyburn is signing off from junior golf in spectacular style as England’s top girl golfer.
Holly, 18, is the runaway winner of the English Women’s Golf Association girls’ order of merit, which is sponsored by the golf holiday company, Lorrin Golf.
The runner-up was Wiltshire’s Hannah Turland, ahead of Lancashire’s Kelly Tidy.
Altogether 198 girls figured in this year’s table, that’s up from 175 in 2008.
The result reflects Holly’s superb season in which she won the English girls’ championship, the French Under-18 open championship and the Faldo Series girls’ title in Brazil.
She completed her career as a girl international on a high when she was part of the winning England team at the girls’ Home Internationals.
Holly, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, has also made an impressive impact in women’s golf. She made her debut as a full international, helping England win the silver medal at the European ladies’ team championship before also playing in the Home Internationals. She has been selected for GB&I’s 2010 Curtis Cup squad.
“I’ve surprised myself by what I’ve achieved and I’m very happy,” said Holly, who is a member at Woodhall Spa.
Winning the girls’ order of merit was one of Holly’s goals for the season. “This is my last year in girls’ golf and it means a lot to me. It shows how consistent I have been – and it’s a great sign off from girls’ golf,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the support of the English Women’s Golf Association. “I’ve been wearing a pink England jumper since I was 11 and the support I have had from EWGA has been great. All this is down to them as much as to me.”
Holly will complete her season next week when she plays in the finals of the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, presented by the Daily Telegraph, from November 27-29.
She’s planning an early start to 2010 with New Year tournaments in the USA. Her Faldo win will also take her to China in March for the Faldo series Asia Grand Final and it will give her a start alongside the professionals in a Ladies European Tour event.
EWGA girls’ order of merit, sponsored by Lorrin GolfLeading final placings:
1 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa)
2 Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison)
3 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale)
4 Hayley Davis (Ferndown)
5 Alex Peters (Notts’ Ladies)
6 Nikki Foster (Pleasington)
7 Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry)
8 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies’)
9 Bronte Law (Bramhall)
10 Charley Hull (Kettering)
Full details: www.englishwomensgolf.orgLorrin Golf: http://www.lorringolf.com/
Lyndsey Hewison
Press Officer
English Women's Golf Association

HOLLY GOING TO SPANISH FEBRUARY FESTIVAL ONCE AGAIN - ARE YOU?

*Holly Clyburn has again entered the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival from February 13 to 20. As well as a pairs' competition on the Saturday to break the ice, there is a 36-hole event on the Monday and Tuesday and a 54-hole event from the Thursday to the Saturday.

*Each of the individual stroke-play events has sections for Under-16 girls, Under-18 girls, ladies up to the age of 50, senior ladies (50 and over).

*Entry forms and more details are available by clicking on the appropriate words at the top left hand column of this website's Home Page.

Gemma Dryburgh, work with IMG coaches paying off ABERDEEN GIRL FINISHES JOINT THIRD IN NORTH CAROLINA Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh, a 16-year-old resident student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida, finished joint third in the latest Future Collegians World Tour girls' tournament at Bermuda Run Country Club, North Carolina at the weekend. On a course playing very long after five inches of rain immediately before the event, Gemma had scores of 79 and 77 for 156 - five shots behind the American winner Juliet Vongphoumy who scored 74 and 77. Gemma has finished in the top 10 in all three FCWT events so far this 2009-2010 season. Gemma's father, Aberdeen businessman John Dryburgh, writes: "The course, which was beautiful in the autumn colours, is situated near Winston Salem in North Carolina.It is a real test of golf with extreme sloped greens and some very tight holes.It was made trickier by the five inches of rain before the tournament. "The work Gemma has put in with the coaches at IMG is really paying off as her ball striking has improved significantly. She is really hitting the ball well. Unfortunately she still hasn’t mastered the art of putting on extreme sloped greens. Hopefully,that will come with hard work. "She is now placed third after three events in the FCWT East standings,behind Isobell Lendl and Halley Leadbetter and fifth US wide, out of over 100 girls."

Amelia (14) bidding to go one better next

month in Shootout at Phoenix, Arizona

Amelia Taylor, 14-year-old junior member of St Annes Old Links Golf Club, Lancashire, has accepted an invitation to compete in
the Desert Shootout at Phoenix, Arizona from December 28 to 30.

Amelia finished second in the age 13 group last year
and is hoping to go one better this year in the age 14 group. Amelia is currently the USkids European champion
in the age 14 group,which she won in May over Gullane 2.

Amelia will also be competing in the girls' events at the 3rd Hacienda del Alamo February Festival at the five-start golf resort in the Murcia province, the sunny south-east of Spain.

ENTRY FORMS FOR ALL THE HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

FEBRUARY FESTIVAL (February 13 to 20) ARE AVAILABLE

BY CLICKING ON THE APPROPRIATE WORDS AT THE TOP OF THE LEFT HAND COLUMN OF THIS WEBSITE'S HOME PAGE.

Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies), in action in the semi-final of the British girls' championship at West Lancashire Golf Club this past summer. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency (click on it to enlarge).

CALLING ALL GOLFING MOTHER AND DAUGHTERS

NEWS RELEASE
The 2010 Mothers and Daughters' 27-hole stroke-play foursomes, at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club, Richmond, Surrey, will be played on Saturday, April 17.
This unique and historic event has been contested since 1932 and past winners include some of our greatest women amateur golfers dating back to 1935 when Pam Barton won the event with her mother the year before she became British and United States Champion.
Other distinguished winners include past Curtis Cup players, Jill Thornhill with her daughter Caroline Weeks, Liz Boatman and daughter Alex Howe, Lady Angela Bonnallack with her daughter Glenna Beasley and most notable Angela Uzielli, who dominated the event from 1965, winning an extraordinary 22 times with her mother Peggy Carrick and once with her daughter Caroline in 1996, before her untimely death in 1999.
Although the event always attracts a stong field and the title, for the lowest scratch score over the 27- holes, is fiercely contested, there are also net prizes for the higher handicaps and a delicious lunch!!
Following in the footsteps of all these greats, English international, Alexandra Peters, who reached the semi-finals of this year's British girls' championship, and her mother Ann, from Notts Ladies have won the event for the last two years. Can they make it hat-trick!!
If you and your mother or daughter would like to play in the 2010 Mothers and Daughters please contact the competition organiser, Frances McAdam, for an application form at fmmcadam@aol.com.

Eilidh Briggs wins SLGA Girls' Order

of Merit from Rachael Watton

Kilmacolm's Eilidh Briggs, pictured right, whose older sister Megan won the Scottish women's amateur golf championship in May, has won the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association girls' order of merit. She totalled 2,285pt, winning by over 500pt from Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) with Lesley Atkins (Minto) third with 1300.
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) was fourth with 1120.

Leading final points totals

1 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 2,285pt

2 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 1,720 (pictured below)

3 Lesley Atkins (Minto) 1,300.
4 Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 1,120.
5 Sammy Vass (Tain) 1,090.
6 Rachel Hanlon (St Regulus) 1,015.
7 Carly Booth (Comrie) 955.
8 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 890.
9 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 850.
10 Hannah McCook (Abernethy) 845.
11 Sophie Alexander (Deeside) 840.

Stephanie Meadow chooses

University of Alabama

for August 2010 start



Stephanie Meadow, the rising teenage star from Northern Ireland, based in the United States as a student at the Hank Haney Junior International Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has made up her mind about which United States university she is going to go to next August.
Stephanie and her parents had a range of leading American colleges keen to add the name of one of America's top 10 girl golfers to their roster. They have plumped for the University of Alabama.
Stephanie, who is in the GB&I preliminary squad for next year's Curtis Cup match in the States, finished 13th at the recent Ping Invitational in a field of the top 27 girls in the United States.
The event was held over Oklahoma State University's course at Karsten Creek, Stillwatter.
Stephanie's dad, Robert Meadow, told "Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk"
"It was one of the most difficult courses I have come across. The greens were running at 13 (which is very fast indeed)."
Stephanie has been named in The Rolex Junior 2nd Team All-American. She finished 14th on the Polo Rankings, narrowly missing out on a place in the 1st Team award. The top 12 gain the 1st team.
On the Golfweek ranking system Stephanie is presently No 10 in the USA.
Robert Meadow says his daughter's forthcoming schedule is:
November 6-8: Golfweek Invitational.
November 21-27 - Polo Golf Junior Classic.
January 6-9: Orange Blossom Tour - Harder Hall Women’s Invitational
January 13-16: Orange Blossom Tour South Atlantic Amateur Championship (known as The Sally).