Great British effort on Orange Blossom Tour in Florida

Michele Thomson lifts Liz Bennett off her feet with a hug of congratulations (image from the Daytona Beach News-Journal online-com website) and Liz with the trophy after the presentation.

GREAT BRITISH EFFORT!

LIZ BENNETT WINS AND MICHELE THOMSON FINISHES

THIRD IN SOUTH ATLANTIC LADIES AMATEUR

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team candidates Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) from Hampshire and Aberdeenshire's Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) must have put a big smile on the face of skipper Mary McKenna by finishing first and third today in the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach in Florida.
Sway-based Liz (picture left by Cal Carson Golf Agency), who took over the lead from a third member of the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad, teenager Rachel Jennings, in the third round, maintained a two-shot lead over the fourth day.
Late developer Bennett, 25, a +3.1 player, the English women's stroke-play amateur champion of 2006 and Hampshire county title-winner in 2005 and 2007, signed off with a par-matching 72 for a one-under-par 287. The 2007 Vagliano Trophy team player had earlier scored 73, 72 and 70 - very steady scoring to chalk up what must rank as the best win on her CV todate. The last British or Irish player to win "The Sally" was Welsh Curtis Cup player Vicki Thomas in 1994.
Florida University first-year student Jessica Yadloczky was runner-up for the second year in a row in this the second event on the annual Orange Blossom Tour in Florida. She scored 72 for 289.
Aberdeenshire champion Michele Thomson, 19, was quoted before she went to Florida that she did not think in her heart of hearts that she would make the GB&I team of eight for the Curtis Cup match against the United States over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.
But this performance must have have put a star against her name in the selectors' notebooks.
Like Liz Bennett, a quarter-finalist in last year's British women's open amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds where the Scot gave champion Carolota Ciganda her toughest tie of the tournament, long-hitting Michele looks as though she is an even better player than she was last year. A little older, a little wiser in plotting her way around a golf course, maybe.
But for a triple bogey 8 at the long sixth in her final round of 72 for two-over 290, Thomson would have gone close to catching Liz Bennett down the home straight.
Bennett, whose short game was the feature of her last-round play, was out in one-under-par 35 with a birdie at the third and another at the 11th before dropping shots at the 12th and 16th in an inward 37.
Michele did not let her spirits sag when she had that eighth at the sixth. She showed she was made of the right stuff by birdieing the next hole, the long seventh, to turn in two-over 38. Then she birdied the short 14th and the long 17th to come home in two-under 34 for a great, fighting round under pressure
Rachel Jennings, the halfway leader after rounds of 71 and 70, dropped down the leaderboard with a third-round 78 but she did make up some ground with a closing 75 to share seventh place on 294 - one shot ahead of US Curtis Cup player Virginia Grimes.
The American team for the Curtis Cup match will be announced within the next few days. The GB&I team will not be chosen until March.

On the English Women's Golf Association website, Liz Bennett - born October 23, 1982 in Southampton - lists as her ambitions: "To become a successful professional golfer ... and to be a weekly contender on the LPGA Tour."

All of that can wait until after this year's Curtis Cup match of course!

*Scroll down past the scores to read two reports from American golf writers at the tournament.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
Players from US unless stated.
287 Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 73 72 70 72.
289 Jessica Yadloczky 69 76 72 72.
290 Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 73 76 69 72.
291 Meghan Bolger 76 69 72 74.
292 Alexandra Bodemann 71 73 74 74.
293 Kristina Wong 72 74 72 75.
294 Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) 71 70 78 75, Lindy Duncan 71 76 72 75, Candice Schepperle 72 80 73 69.
295 Virginia Grimes 71 73 75 76.
296 Katie Trotter 78 70 73 75.
298 Kathy Hartwiger 73 72 80 73.
299 Tiffany Chudy 71 74 74 80.
300 Kristy McLaughlin (Canada) 74 76 72 78.
302 Tara Allen 76 74 74 78, Rachel Carpenter 72 74 74 82.
303 Carlie Yadloczky 78 77 78 70.
304 Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 76 73 74 81 (18th).
305 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 77 81 76 71, Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 73 78 74 80 (jt 19th).
306 Courtney Harter 79 76 80 71, Kelly Calkin 76 78 77 77.
312 Jenny Schneider 77 78 75 83.
313 Rachel Connor (Manchester) 73 76 85 79 (24th).
314 Rachel Cassidy (Stirling Univ) 82 76 83 73, Paige Bromen 81 84 78 71 (jt 25th).
315 Carol Stemple Thompson 80 76 77 82.
316 Mayule Tomimbang 78 83 79 76, Kristen Wetzel 80 77 79 80.
317 Tonya Choate 77 83 84 73.
319 Stephanie Farrar (Stirling Univ) 77 82 80 80, Laura Murray (Robert Gordon Univ) 84 79 77 79, Taffy Brower 81 82 72 79 (jt 31st).
320 Holly Calvert (Stirling Univ) 82 80 82 76, Maggie Weder 84 73 85 78, Meredith Taylor 84 78 79 79 (jt 34th).
321 Therese Quinn 83 79 81 78.
323 Carly Truitt 85 82 77 79.
325 Kerri Connolly 82 81 81 81.
326 Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin) 83 78 77 88, Marie-Pierre Bernier (Canada) 85 82 80 79 (jt 40th).
Other total:
363 Stephanie Crolla (Heriot-Watt Univ) 97 94 87 85 (78th)

REPORT FROM GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE:

BENNETT WINS HARD-EARNED SALLY TITLE

By SEAN MARTIN, Assistant Editor

Liz Bennett “didn't know anything” about the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur before arriving on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

On Saturday, she scrambled her way to one of the most prestigious titles in women’s amateur golf.

The Englishwoman shot a final-round 72 at Oceanside Country Club to finish at one-under 287 and win “The Sally” by two shots over Florida freshman Jessica Yadloczky, who was runner-up for the second consecutive year.

The victory will help Bennett as she tries to earn a spot in another important competition later this year in another seaside town.

Bennett, the 2006 English stroke-play champion, is a member of the 16-woman practice squad for this year’s Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team. Six squad members made the trip to Florida as prepartion for the Cup, which will be held May 30-June 1 at The Old Course at St. Andrews.

Bennett, who started the final round with a two-shot lead, opened the day by holing a 6ft par putt. She hit just 12 greens in regulation Saturday, but got up-and-down four times in five opportunities.

“I’m pleased that I held it together going into the day with the lead,” Bennett said. “Even with bad ball-striking I still managed to get it around, which is a good feeling.”

She made three par putts of at least 5ft in the first five holes, as well as a 15-footer for birdie on No. 3. That stroke maintained Bennett’s two-shot lead over two-time US Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Meghan Bolger, who was playing with hopes of making the US Curtis Cup team (which will be announced this coming week).

Bolger made a second consecutive birdie on No. 4 to pull within a shot, but then found trouble. She had to take penalties for a lost ball and an unplayable lie on two of the next three holes after hitting shots into palm trees.

Despite making four birdies, she shot 74 to finish fourth at three-over 291.

Bennett didn’t make a bogey on the final day until the par-5 12th, where a botched lay-up found the water. Her only other miscue came on the par-3 16th, when she failed to save par from behind the green.

Yadloczky pumped her fist after hitting a 7-iron to 3ft on the same hole. She sank the birdie putt to pull within a shot with two holes to go, but Bennett made par on the final two holes to hold off Yadloczky, who made bogey on No. 18 after almost holing her chip shot to force a play-off.

Earlier in the round, Yadloczky burned the edge on two eagle attempts – a 25ft putt on the par-5 seventh and a bump-and-run on No. 12 – and watched several birdie putts lip out.

“I was giving myself close calls,” said Yadloczky, No. 32 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings. “She (Bennett) had a great tournament and made a lot of crucial putts, but I gave her a run for her money.”

Bennett graduated with an economics degree from Iowa University in May 2005. She was never strongly considered for the 2006 Curtis Cup, winning the English stroke-play while GB&I’s best were at Bandon Dunes.

But Bennett has “put in the difficult hours” to give herself a shot at being on this year's team, including a drastic change to her putting stroke. Bennett is so hunched over at address that she grips well down on her Ping Redwood putter, which is only 31 1/2 inches long.
She raised her fist above her head several times after holing especially crucial putts, like an 8-footer for par on No. 13 and a 6ft putt that completed a sand save on No. 15.

Bolger would like to have a rematch with Bennett at St. Andrews in late May. Despite her two US Mid-Am titles, Bolger came to the Orange Blossom Circuit in need of a couple strong showings. She closed 71-69 to finish tie seventh at last week’s Harder Hall Invitational before finishing fourth on Saturday.

Bennett only helped her chances of Curtis Cup selection with "The Sally" victory.

“The Curtis Cup is at St Andrews, which is nothing like Oceanside,” she said. “But it’s a competition, and they wanted us to come play. If you win, it can’t do any harm.”

REPORT FROM THE DAYTONA BEACH NEW-JOURNAL ONLINE.COM

LIZ GIVES LADIES GOLF UNION MONEY'S WORTH

By SEAN KERNAN, Staff Writer
ORMOND BEACH -- Liz Bennett made sure the Ladies Golf Union got its money's worth Saturday when the 25-year-old held on for a two-shot victory in the women's South Atlantic Amateur.
The Ladies Golf Union -- the governing body for ladies' amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland -- helped finance the trans-Atlantic trip for six squad members. Half of those golfers finished in the top 10, and England's Bennett became the first player from Great Britain or Ireland to win the Sally since Vicki Thomas in 1994.
"It's a pretty big deal for the Ladies Golf Union," said Great Britain & Irelandteammate Michele Thompson, who lifted Bennett into the air in celebration on the 18th green at Oceanside Country Club.
Bennett, a 2005 graduate of the University of Iowa, ranked the victory right up there with her 2006 English Stroke Play championship.
Asked if the Ladies Golf Union representatives will be happy to hear the news, Bennett quipped: "I don't think we'll hear any complaints."
Bennett was the only golfer to finish the four-day, 72-hole tournament under par. Her final-round 72 kept her at one under par 287, two shots better than University of Florida freshman Jessica Yadloczky and three strokes better than Thomson, a 19-year-old from Scotland.
Former U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur champion Meghan Bolger was fourth at 3-over 291 and Wake Forest University freshman Alexandra Bodemann was fifth at 4-over 292.
Bennett hopes her "Sally" triumph, in which she held the lead over the last two rounds, will help her secure one of the final eight roster spots for Curtis Cup play against the Americans on May 30-June 1 at St Andrews. At least one of her team-mates was ready to do her bidding.
"She's pretty near the top (of our team)," Thomson said. "Because she won here, I wouldn't say many people were better than her."
Bennett was steady throughout the week, shooting 73, 72, 70 and 72. The former Big Ten stand-out scrambled a bit on the back nine, however. After pulling a seven-iron into the water on No. 12, which led to a bogey, she made a 10ft putt to save par on No. 13 and got up-and-down for par from a bunker on No. 15.
But Bennett saw a three-shot lead cut to one stroke when she made bogey on the par-3 16th and Yadloczky knocked a seven-iron to two feet before making birdie.
"That putt was a lot of pressure," said Yadloczky, who had to wait several minutes before getting a chance to knock it in the cup. "I just asked my caddie to keep talking to me about anything but golf. I didn't want to look at that putt any more."
Bennett and Yadloczky each made par on No. 17 and it came down to the 18th. Bennett hit a five-iron to stare down a 12-foot birdie attempt, while Yadloczky's pin-high approach got caught in high rough on the bank of a trap. The 19-year-old from Casselberry, Florida made an excellent chip that rolled over the right edge of the cup.
Bennett's first putt came up a foot short and she eventually tapped it in for the win.
"It shows we can come over here and compete on American ground," said Bennett, who hopes to be able to do the same on the historic Old Course at St. Andrews in several months when the Americans pay a Curtis Cup visit.

HdA FESTIVAL IS FOR HANDICAP

GOLFERS AS WELL AS THE

PROFESSIONALS AND
SCRATCH PLAYERS

BY COLIN FARQUHARSON (Festival Controller)
This is your last weekend for thinking about entering the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival in sunny south-east Spain from February 10 (checking in for the first week) to February 23 (second team event rings down the curtain).
Tuesday, January 15 is the closing date for entries.
I had an E-mail last night from two players with handicaps in the 15 to 16 range. They said they would not be coming because the Festival was aimed at professionals and very low handicappers ... and there was "nothing for them."
WRONG!
Yes, the Festival is primarily geared to give the "better" players a chance to get in some serious practice at five-star facilities for the new season plus the bonus of low-key competition to help put an edge on their game.
But it is a Festival for all Female golfers. There will be handicap prizes in each of the six events over the two weeks. Take my word for it. The professionals will have their own cash prizes list (subsidised by Stewart Spence, owner of The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen); there will be an amateur scratch prize list and, as nobody can win two prizes in the same event, those with bigger handicaps should come into their own in the handicap prize list.
And, I almost forgot, there will be a prize list for Under-18 girls.

Glenmuir, the Scottish company with worldwide standing, are supporting the amateur prize lists.
Let's hope that has made up your mind. Go for it!
E-mail your entry NOW to colin@scottishgolfview.com

LIZ REPLACES RACHEL IN

SALLY LEAD AS MICHELE

(69) TAKES CLOSER ORDER

Aberdeenshire champion Michele Thomson shot a three-under-par 69 - the lowest score of the third round - to move into joint fourth place with one round to go in the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship (known as the "Sally" for short) at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, Florida today.
The 19-year-old from Ellon, a member of the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad - the short leet for the Great Britain & Ireland team for the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May - had a brilliant bogey-free outward half of 33, studded with birdies at the ffirst, second and 16th.
She bogeyed the 11th but bounced back with birdies at the 12th and 13th before dropping a shot at the 18th for level par 36 home.
Thomson is on two-over-par 218 for 54 holes.
Another LGU Elite Squad player, 25-year-old Liz Bennett, picture above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, the English women's amateur stroke-play champion from Southampton, replaced colleague Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) at the head of the field.
Teenager Jennings slumped over the inward nine holes for a 78 and a share of seventh place on 219 while Bennett, who plays out of (Brokenhurst Manor) returned a 70 for a two-shot lead on one-under-par 215.
Bennett, who has ambitions to play on the LPGA Tour, birdied the second, fourth, 12th and 13th and had bogeys at the seventh and eighth in halves of 36 and 34.
Jennings came out of an erratic first nine holes with a level par 36 although she had birdied the third, sixth and seventh and had a double bogey at the short fourth and a bogey at the short ninth.

Sadly, the inward half would cost Rachel six-over-par 42. She bogeyed the 11th, took a triple bogey 6 at the short 14th - the Oceanside short holes were a nightmare for her - and dropped shots at the 16th and 17th.

But the former English girls champion has done well to be only four shots off the lead going into the final round and could yet make the final 1-2-3.

LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
Players from US unless stated
215 L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 73 72 70.
217 J Yadloczky 69 76 72, M Bolger 76 69 72.
218 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 73 76 69, A Bodemann 71 73 74, K Wong 72 74 72.
219 V Grimes 71 73 75, L Duncan 71 76 72, T Chudy 71 74 74, R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 71 70 78.
220 R Carpenter 72 74 74, S Kim 74 786 70.
221 K Trotter 78 70 73.
222 K McLaughlin 74 76 72.
223 N Edwards (Ganton) 76 73 74.
224 T Allen 76 74 74.
224 C Schepperle 72 80 73, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 73 78 74.
Other scores included:
234 K Smith (Waterlooville) 77 81 76, R Connor (Manchester) 73 76 85.
238 S Carty (The Island, Dublin) 83 78 77.
239 S Farrar (Stirling Univ) 77 82 80.
240 L Murray (Robert Gordon Univ) 84 79 77.
241 R Cassidy (Stirling Univ) 82 76 83.
244 H Calvert (Stirling Univ) 82 80 82.
278 S Crolla (Heriot Watt Univ) 97 94 87.

THE GEORGINA CAMPBELL STORY CONTINUES ...

From Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk reader Mike Wilson:

I was interested to read your recent article on Georgina Campbell (Scot was first lady professional, in United States).
Her husband Willie Campbell was, I have discovered from my family history research, my great uncle (mother's mother's brother).
An interesting article was published by the Boston Globe in 2005 about Georgina, which your readers may be interested in. This is on-line at this link (Editor's note: We've put it up on the screen below the second photograph).
I've also attached a couple of photos that might be of interest to you.
One shows Willie and Georgina at their "shop". The caption, written by daughter Mary, reads "This is the front of the shop. Don't laugh at Mother!"
The other shows Willie with daughter Mary on a golf course somewhere.
Mike Wilson

Many thanks, Mike, for confirming that Georgina Campbell from Musselburgh was a notable figure in the early days of golf in North America.

FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE OF AUGUST 4, 2005
WILLIE AND GEORGINA CAMPBELL FROM MUSSELBURGH

AND THEIR PLACE AMONG GOLF'S FOUNDING

FATHERS IN THE UNITED STATES

By Jim McCabe, Globe Staff
Hickory is but a memory lost beneath decades of dust. So, too, the beloved gutta-perchas that took shape within her skilful hands. The sheep? They no longer graze the rolling terrain to keep playable the grass for the avid golfers.But the spirit?
Now that is something Georgina Campbell would recognize if she were to stand on the first tee and personally welcome her golfing ancestors to Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. Campbell envisioned a day when public golf would be what it has become; more passionately, she believed the game was good for women and women were good for the game.
The BJ's Charity Championship has proven her correct, and this Women's Senior Golf Tour event and its $400,000 purse would make Campbell proud. Legends of the LPGA Tour -- from Kathy Whitworth and Sandra Haynie, to Pat Bradley and Patty Sheehan, to Amy Alcott and Jan Stephenson, to Jane Blalock and Sandra Palmer -- will display for three days starting tomorrow the talents that have aged gracefully and the dignities that have remained unspoiled.
In competition they will be walking the velvet green fairways of a brilliant modern golf course; in truth, they will be following a trail that was blazed more than 100 years ago right here in Boston by ''the first lady of American golf."
History is our most precious commodity and it sits like a buried treasure until someone with a passion unearths it. So it is that we thank an unassuming gentleman from Jamaica Plain, Brian DeLacey, and a proud grandson from New Hampshire, Bob Lamprey, for shedding light on the grand story that centers around Willie and Georgina Campbell.
The game of golf has taken many twists and turns and various roads to ultra riches since the couple emigrated from their native Scotland, and while it would be wrong to give this husband-wife team from Musselburgh full credit for inventing golf in the United States, they most certainly deserve some recognition.
Through DeLacey's research, we have learned that Willie Campbell earns praise for perhaps being the golf professional who was the true catalyst for public golf in the new world. A renowned match-play competitor who learned the game under the tutelage of three-time British Open champion Bob Ferguson, Campbell was lured to the United States in 1894 by influential members of The Country Club in Brookline.
The salary of $300 a year too good to turn down. He left his young wife, Georgina Stewart Campbell, and daughter, Mary, in Musselburgh while he embarked upon a trip that would eventually be copied by many of his fellow Scottish golf pros.
Assigned the task of building a golf course at The Country Club, Campbell achieved so much more.
''He believed that if golf were to be successful in the United States, it had to go to the people," said Lamprey, Mary's son and grandson of Willie and Georgina. ''That became his mission, and he succeeded."
DeLacey's interest in the history of Franklin Park Golf Course led him to Campbell, which in turn led him to Lamprey, and together they have brought forth the story of a couple who were years ahead of their time.
Indeed, the Willie Campbell tale is intriguing, from his duties at TCC, Essex County Club, and the Myopia Hunt Club, to his competitive exploits (he was sixth out of 11 entrants in the first US Open, in 1895), to his becoming the first greenskeeper and head pro when Franklin Park opened in 1896, to his death at age 38 in 1900.
''As best we can tell, it was cancer," said DeLacey, whose painstaking research offers plenty of evidence to support the notion that Willie Campbell was the first great club professional in the United States. He not only played it well, he loved to teach, and he also served as club-maker, ball-maker, and greenskeeper.
But in his void, it didn't take long for there to be a second great club professional. That's because Georgina Campbell took over for her husband.
Consider the year, 1900, and how it was well before women had achieved the right to vote and decades before political fights such as the Equal Rights Amendment or social causes such as women's liberation. Georgina Campbell herself, in a 1927 article in the Boston Post, one of the gems uncovered by DeLacey, conceded how far things had come for women in golf.
Recalling that in her early years in Scotland it had been considered bad taste for women to take a full swing with a golf club, ''now you can't get anywhere in the game unless you do."
So imagine the joy Georgina Campbell would have felt regarding the growth of the LPGA Tour, which began more than 50 years ago. It wasn't always so successful, but thanks to the determination of many of the women who'll be at Granite Links, the LPGA Tour is the oldest women's professional sports league. Blalock, for one, has come to appreciate Georgina Campbell's role.
''To think what she accomplished in the era that she did it," said Blalock, who won 27 tournaments in her LPGA Tour career and is the guiding force behind the WSGT. ''She should be a hero to a lot of us."
Georgina had been involved in the golf business back in Scotland, but it wasn't until Willie called upon her to follow him to America, two years after he had arrived, that it became her passion, too. By then, Willie Campbell had left behind his duties at TCC, Essex, and Myopia to settle into his commitment at Franklin Park. Willie and Georgina lived in Dorchester, but they spent most of their time at the golf course, often working from 6 a.m. to sunset. After his death, she continued such a trend.
There was very little competition for women golfers at that time, though DeLacey's research seems to indicate that Georgina Campbell would score in the low 40s for the nine holes at Franklin Park, two of them being par 5s that stretched more than 500 yards. She made clubs, made balls, ran the golf club, but, even more than her husband, she taught the game.
From 1900-09 she was the club professional, then she served as club matron from 1909 to 1926, when she retired at age 62. During her days at Franklin Park, Campbell continued her husband's legacy -- teaching the game to all who wanted a part of it, so many of them women.
''It is not necessary to make any great effort when using the golf clubs," Georgina Campbell once explained when asked why so many women could play it. ''Hence, it is a grand exercise with the exact amount of effort used which suits the golfer's physique."
Georgina settled in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, and there are plans to turn that family home into a museum -- not specifically as a testament to her golf career, but more as a tribute to her life in the game and to celebrate that small, but proud town near Lake Winnipesaukee. Though she never played the game passionately after settling in New Hampshire, Georgina remained a source of great joy, her storytelling bringing much pleasure to her grandson, Bob Lamprey.
''Her prophecy was her husband's prophecy," said Lamprey, who has made it his life's quest to research and study everything he can about his grandparents, even to the point of visiting ancestors in Scotland a few years ago. ''She believed passionately in bringing golf to the people, just like Willie."
Georgina Campbell lived a quiet, but fruitful life in New Hampshire before her death in 1953, which was three years after the LPGA Tour had been founded. Her grandson doesn't have any doubt that Georgina would be proud to be connected to the growth of golf in some small way.
''I have always been considered the first teacher in America and my friends consider me so, until real proof is offered that another preceded me," Georgina Campbell said in that 1927 article.
No substantial proof has ever appeared to dispute her claim, and the LPGA Tour legends who'll be taking part in this weekend's BJ's Charity Championship would perhaps echo the words that Georgina Campbell spoke nearly 80 years ago.
''I could play the game forever," she said. ''It keeps the physical system in excellent state, brightens the cheeks, gives luster to the eyes, invigorates the lungs, and also stimulates the mental qualities."
Spoken like a true ambassador.
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

IRISH GOLFING ARMADA HEADING FOR SPAIN!

Martina Gillen driving from the 18th tee of the Old Course, St Andrews (Cal Carson Golf Agency image).

Claire Coughlan and caddie on the 17th green of the Old Course, St Andrews (Cal Carson Golf Agency image).

IRISH ACES MARTINA AND CLAIRE

BOOST THE PRO ENTRY FOR

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

WOMEN'S FESTIVAL

Martina Gillen and Claire Coughlan - two Irish members of the Great Britain & Ireland team in the 2006 Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon - are the latest professionals to confirm their entries for the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.

Entries will close on Tuesday, January 15 for this inaugural staging of the two-week, six-event Festival to be held at the five-star golf resort near the city of Murcia in south-east Spain from February 10 to 23.

The Festival is open to lady professionals as well as lady amateurs up to a handicap of 20.
The professionals will play off the Blue Tees (6,594yd) and the amateurs from the Red Tees (6,087yd).

The pros are playing for cash awards, their prize fund being boosted by the generosity of Stewart Spence, owner of The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel and Spa near Aberdeen. The first professional in each of the four individual events will earn at least 500 Euros and they will be handsomely rewarded in the two team events on the Saturdays of the Festival.

Glenmuir, the Scottish company with a worldwide reputation, hav contributed very generously to the amateurs' list of prizes.

Martin Gillen, who had her 25th birthday on January 7, and Claire Coughlan, 27, from Cork, have been two of Ireland's most outstanding amateurs of the past decade. They turned professional after the 2006 Curtis Cup and both played on the Ladies European Tour in 2007.

Martina, who won six American college tournaments as a student at Kent State University, Ohio, was Irish women's match-play champion in 2003, Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play winner in 2005 at Troon and Irish open stroke-play champion in 2006.

As a member at Beaverstown Golf Club, Martina was an Ireland team international from 1997 to 2006 and figured in at least two title-winning squads in the Women's Home Internationals.

Apart from the 2006 Curtis Cup, she played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy match of 2005.

Claire Coughlan was Irish champion in 1999 and Irish open stroke-play title-winner in 2003. In 2005, she was beaten in the final of the British women's open amateur championship. She played in two Curtis Cup matches - 2004 and 2006 - and also the Vagliano Trophy match of 2005

A qualified gym instructor, Claire worked at a Leisure Centre in Cork.

E-mail your Festival entry direct to the Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson, at colin@scottishgolfview.com before Tuesday's deadline.

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Claire COUGHLAN (Ireland)
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)

Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Martina GILLEN (Ireland)
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).
Jenna WILSON (Scotland).

AMATEURS

Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.

Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16/17.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.

Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.

Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.

Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.

Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.

Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.

Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.

Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.

Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.

Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Handicap 1. Age 18.

Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

ENGLISH TEENAGER SURGES

CLEAR AT HALFWAY IN

SOUTH ATLANTIC LADIES

AMATEUR IN FLORIDA

Staffordshire teenager Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton Golf Club) leads the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship by three shots after rounds of 71 and 70 for a three-under-par halfway total of 141 at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach in Florida.
Jennings, picture right by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography), is one of the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad – the short leet for the Curtis Cup match against the United States over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May – playing in the Orange Blossom Tour event.
Stoke-born Rachel, 19, won the 2006 English girls championship and finished fifth in last year’s British women’s stroke-play championship.
She had an up-and-down start to her second round in Florida with a birdie at the sixth but bogeys at the first and second and a double-bogey at the seventh. But, having got that out of her system, she covered the last 11 holes in five under par with birdies at the eighth, 10th and 13th and an eagle 3 at the long 12th.
Other members of the squad, Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 145, Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 149 and Aberdeenshire champion Michele Thomson from Ellon) 149 plus Rachel Connor, daughter of the Scots-born Manchester club professional, also on 149, are within eight shots of the pacemaker with two rounds to play.
Liz Bennett could not get a single birdie putt to drop over her last nine holes. She parred every one of the inward holes for a 72 to add to her opening 73.
Michele Thomson could not get a birdie at all in returning a 76, three shots more than she took on the first day. The 19-year-old Scot bogeyed the second, seventh, ninth and 10th but steadied up to par the last eight holes.

Leading second-round totals
Par 144 (2 x 72)
Players from US unless stated.
141 R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 71 70.
144 V Grimes 71 73, A Bodemann 71 73.
145 M Bolger 76 69, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 73 72, J Yadloczky 69 76, T Chudy 71 74, K Hartwiger 73 72.
146 K Wong 72 74, R Carpenter 72 74.
147 L Duncan 71 76, N Sheary 73 74.
148 K Trotter 78 70.
149 R Connor (Manchester) 73 76, N Edwards (Ganton) 76 73, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 73 76.
Other scores:
151 S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 73 78.
156 C Semple Thompson 80 76.
158 K Smith (Waterlooville) 77 81, R Cassidy (Stirling Unv) 82 76.
159 S Farrar (Stirling Univ) 77 82.
161 S Carty (The Island, Dublin) 83 78.
162 H Calvert (Stirling Univ) 82 80.
163 L Murray (Robert Gordon Univ) 84 79.
191 S Crolla (Heriot-Watt Univ) 97 94.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL THE SCORES IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC LADIES AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Florida's Orange Blossom Tour

South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship
OCEANSIDE COUNTRY CLUB
Ormond Beach, Florida
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
141 Rachel Jennings (Staffordshire, Eng) 71 70.
144 Virgina Grimes (Meridian, MS) 71 73, Alex Bodemann (Palm City, FL) 71 73.
145 Meghan Bolger (Haddonfield, NJ) 76 69, Liz Bennett (Sway, Eng) 73 72, Jessica Yadloczky (Casselberry, FL) 69 76, Tiffany Chudy (Miramar, FL) 71 74, Kathy Hartwiger (Birmingham, AL) 73 72.
146 Kristina Wong (Bradenton, FL) 72 74, Rachel Carpenter (Suffolk, VA) 72 74.
147 Lindy Duncan (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 71 76, Natalie Sheary (West Hartford, CT) 73 74.
148 Katie Trotter (Pittsburgh, PA) 78 70.
149 Rachel Connor (Royton, Eng) 73 76, Naomi Edwards (Scarborough, Eng) 76 73, Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon, Scot) 73 76.
150 Kristy McLaughlin (Wasaga Beach, Ontario) 74 76, Tara Allen (Daytona Beach, FL) 76 74. Stephanie Kim (Orlando, FL) 74 76.
151 Sahra Hassan (Bridgend, Wales) 73 78.
152 Candice Schepperle (Birmingham, AL) 72 80.
154 Kelly Calkin (Palm Coast, FL) 76 78.
155 Courtney Harter (Clearwater, FL) 79 76, Jenny Schneider (Strafford, MO) 77 78, Carlie Yadloczky (Casselberry, FL) 78 77.
156 Carol Semple Thompson (Sewickley, PA) 80 76.
157 Maggie Weder (Greenville, NC) 84 73, Kristen Wetzel (Middletown, NY) 80 77.
158 Kerry Smith (Hampshire, Eng) 77 81, Rachel Cassidy (Stirling Univ, Scot) 82 76.
159 Stephanie Farrar (Stirling Univ, Scot) 77 82.
160 Tonya Choate (Mt Vernon, MO) 77 83.
161 Janie Carpenter (Garland, TX) 80 81, Mayule Tomimbang (Kissimmee, FL) 78 83, Sarah Carty, Sarah (Dublin, Ireland) 83 78.
162 Holly Calvert (Stirling Univ, Scot) 82 80, Meredith Taylor (Lexington, SC) 84 78, Therese Quinn (Jacksonville, FL) 83 79, Janice R Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 78 84.
163 Laura Murray (Robert Gordon Univ, Scot) 84 79, Taffy Brower (Boynton Beach, FL) 81 82.
Kerri Connolly (Duxbury, MD) 82 81, Angel Sze (San Marino, CA) 83 80.
164 Erin Fitzpatrick (Wauchula, FL) 82 82, Tama Caldabaugh (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) 81 83, Natalie Easterly (Richmond, VA) 81 83.
165 Meg Hughes (New Smyrna Beach, FL) 78 87, Paige Bromen (Stillwater, MN) 81 84, Melanie Granville (Pinehurst, NC) 84 81.
166 Maureen Sheehan (Grayslake, IL) 84 82, Ginny Zanca (Memphis, TN) 87 79.
167 Marie-Pierre Bernier (St Sebastian, Canada) 85 82, Lauren Blount (Winston Salem, NC) 85 82, Carly Truitt (Marysville, OH) 85 82.
169 Teri de Luis (Ontario, Canada) 84 85.
171 Suzanne Kenkel (Dallas, TX) 86 85, Regine Parker (Hobe Sound, FL) 84 87.
172 Deb Mielke (McKinney, TX) 84 88.
173 Barbara Pagana (Selinsgrove, PA) 80 93.
174 Emily Brand (Alexandria, MN) 87 87, Clate Aydlett (Elizabeth City, NC) 87 87, May Jacques (Ormond Beach, FL) 87 87, Debbie Mook Sang (Valrico, FL) 87 87.
175 Penny Lester (New Smyrna Beach, FL) 89 86.
176 Carol Turnage (Anna, TX) 88 88, Dianne Yelovich (Pinehurst, NC) 88 88.
177 Marci Likens (Winter Springs, FL) 84 93, Mayura Skowronski (Jersey City, NJ) 87 90, Andrea Buccilla (Dublin, OH) 90 87, Kayla DeSuza (South Daytona, FL) 87 90, Mary Kozak (Orlando, FL) 87 90, Bronwyne Bruwer (Tampa, FL) 82 95.
178 Debe Schwedler (Palm City, FL) 92 86.
179 Carol Ann Kulzer (Ormond Beach, FL) 92 87, Karen Smith (Chestertown, MD) 88 91, Jean Mowry (Hot Spring Village, AR) 92 87, Elizabeth Breza (Jacksonville, FL) 90 89.
180 Denise Callahan (Canton, Ohio) 82 98, Jan DeMarco (Ormond Beach, FL) 90 90, Caria Wasienko (Rockville, MD) 90 90.
181 Joan Roberts (Holly Hill, FL) 95 86
186 Kerry Johnson (Virginia Beach, VA) 96 90.
187 Nancy Williams (Richmond, VA) 95 92, Jo Glenn (Tulsa, OK) 91 96.
188 Sue Joy-Sabota (Verona, WI) 94 94.
189 Diane Masterson (Cambridge, OH) 98 91.
191 Stephanie Crolla (Heriot-Watt Univ, Scot) 97 94.
194 Marcella Rose (St Louis, MD) 91 103.

LET ROOKIE JENNA WILSON
PLAYS FOR PAY FOR FIRST
TIME AT HACIENDA DEL
ALAMO WINTER FESTIVAL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
The reigning Scottish women's amateur champion, Jenna Wilson from Strathaven, now a Ladies European Tour professional, has entered next month's inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival in Murcia, south-east Spain.Last November, Jenna came through the pre-qualifying competition and then the LET Final Qualifying School to gain her player's card for the 2008 season.
"I am going to make my debut on the LET in the Spanish Open in April (17 to 20th) at Panoramica Golf & Country Club (situated between Valencia and Barcelona) so Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort with its five-star practice facilities will be ideal for some good quality practice and my first competitions as a professional," said 23-year-old Jenna.
"I have some sponsorship set up to finance the start of my new career as a pro golfer. I am getting support from the Cross Garage in Stonehaven and Waterpoint, also based in Stonehouse."
Jenna was the dominant player of Scottish women's amateur golf for the past two seasons. She was a prolific winner of the 36-hole Order of Merit weekend competitions and she finished top of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association women's rankings in 2006 and again last year. In 2007, Miss Wilson finished ahead of Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder).
That means the 1-2-3 in the SLGA Rankings for 2007 will all be playing in the Hacienda del Alamo Festival as Michele and Emily, who were Scotland's female pairing in the The Spirit tournament in Texas last autumn, were among the first to lodge their entries.
Jenna was Lanarkshire county champion in 2005 and 2006 and won the Scottish Under-21 girls title in 2003.
But now the days of amateur trophies and international honours - she played for Scotland in the Women's Home Internationals of 2004-2005-2006-2007 - are over. Jenna is entering a play-for-pay golfing career, something she has always wanted to do and which she is quite excited about.
Thanks to the generosity of Aberdeen hotelier Stewart Spence who is underwriting the professionals' prize fund, Jenna will be chasing a first pro prize of at least 500 Euros, maybe more, in each of the individual events at the Festival.
So if she does well in these and the two team events, she could easily have a first take-home pay of 2,000 to 3,000 Euros. That would more than cover the cost of the trip to Spain and set her up for the return trip to make her first appearance on the 2008 Ladies European Tour.
The professionals and the amateurs will play off different tees and have separate prize lists in the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Festival.
The professionals will play off the Blue Tees at Hacienda del Alamo. That's a course measuring some 6,594yd. The amateurs will play off the Red Tees (6,087yd). The women's par is a uniform 72.
Remember, the deadline for entries by professionals and amateurs to the Festival is Tuesday, January 15. Get your entry off now to colin@scottishgolfview.com

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).
Jenna WILSON (Scotland).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.
Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16/17.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.
Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Handicap 1. Age 18.
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

Marion Turner reports on a dramatic conclusion to the Home Nations Junior Finals at La Manga:

DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION COSTS CRAIGIELAW
THE HOME NATIONS TITLE AT LA MANGA

Last-day results were:
Wales beat England 4-2
Scotland (represented by Craigielaw) beat Ireland 5-1 – BUT had two players disqualfied through signing for wrong scores.
So, amended result was: Scotland 3, Ireland 3, which meant that Ireland took the trophy.

In the last match, which saw the Craigielaw player disqualified, the scoreboard, his scorecard and his partner's card all showed him with a 4 at one particular hole. But, 15 minutes after the scores had been checked and signed for, a spectator came in and claimed that the Craigielaw player had in fact had a 5 at that hole, not a 4. This led to the costly disqualification.

Scotland's Jane Turner (Mortonhall & Craigielaw) won the first scratch prize. Her three scores over the South Course at La Manga were +2, -1 and -3.
Jane also won first handicap but as she could not win both prizes this went to Grant Forrest, also of Craigielaw.

TRACEY CRAIK GAINED FULL

SCOTLAND CAP IN 1988

From Joan Marshall (pictured right):

Reference article about Tracey Craik, the 1984 Scottish girls' champion, entering the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival next month.

"A little bit more long forgotten history for your archives. 1988 - Barassie - Home Internationals. Tracey and Elaine Farquharson were "the rookies" of the winning Scotland team which I captained. Therefore, Tracey can be credited with a full cap for Scotland."

Many thanks, Joan, for the memory-jogger!

Orange Blossom Tour's "Sally" event

MICHELE THOMSON BEST OF SCOTS

IN FLORIDA FIRST ROUND

Aberdeenshire champion Michele Thomson did best of the Scots in the first round of this week's Orange Blossom Tour for women amateurs in Florida - the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship (known as "The Sally" for short).
Michelle, 19, pictured left, from Ellon had a one-over-par 73 over the Oceanside Country Club course at Ormond Beach.
She birdied the second, 15th and 18th but dropped shots at the fifth, seventh and ninth to be in 10th place going into the second day of the four-round stroke-play tournament.
The leading British competitor was teenager Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton), like Michele a member of the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad for winter training and practice.
Rachel had a one-under-par 71, thanks to birdies at the 12th, 13th and 17th. She bogeyed the 10th and 18th.

On the same 73 mark as Michele Thomson were Rachel Connor, teenage daughter of the Scots-born professional at Manchester Golf Club, Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) and Sahra Hassan from Vale of Glamorgan. Liz and Sahra are also LGU Squad members, so not a bad first day for Curtis Cup team skipper Mary McKenna!

Stephanie Farrar, one of three Stirling University students in the field, had a 77. She bogeyed the 14th and 15th and then double-bogeyed the 16th.
Florida University first year student Jessica Yadloczky opened up a two-stroke lead with a three-under-par 69. She was runner-up last year.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
Players from US unless stated
69 J Yadloczky.
71 L Duncan, A Bodemann, V Grimes, T Chudy, R Jennings (Izaak Walton).
72 K Wong, C Schepperle, R Carpenter.
73 R Connor (Manchester), B Grotvedt, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan), N Sheary, K Hartwiger, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).
Other scores:
76 N Edwards (Ganton).
77 S Farrar (Stirling Univ), K Smith (Waterlooville).
82 H Calvert (Stirling Univ), R Cassidy (Stirling Univ).
83 S Carty (The Island, Dublin).
84 L Murray (Robert Gordon Univ).
97 S Crolla (Heriot-Watt Univ).

SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL "THE SALLY" FIRST-ROUND SCORES with the exception of Lynsey Hunter (Edinburgh University) whose score has not appeared on the tournament website.

Orange Blossom Tour in Florida

South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship
OCEANSIDE COUNTRY CLUB
Ormond Beach, Florida
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
69 Jessica Yadloczky (Casselberry, FL).
71 Lindy Duncan, Lindy (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Alexandra Bodemann (Palm City, FL), Virginia Grimes (Meridian, MS), Tiffany Chudy (Miramar, FL), Rachel Jennings (Staffordshire, Eng).
72 Kristina Wong (Bradenton, FL), Candice Schepperle (Birmingham, AL), Rachel Carpenter (Suffolk, VA).
73 Rachel Connor (Royton, Eng), Benedikte Grotvedt (Orlando, FL), Michele Thomson (Ellon, Scot), Sahra Hassan (Bridgend, Wal), Natalie Sheary (West Hartford, CT), Kathy Hartwiger (Birmingham, AL), Liz Bennett (Sway, Eng).
74 Stephanie Kim (Orlando, FL), Kristy McLaughlin (Wasaga Beach, Ontario).
76 Tara Allen (Daytona Beach, FL), Meghan Bolger (Haddonfield, NJ), Kelly Calkin (Palm Coast, FL), Naomi Edwards (Scarborough, Eng).
77 Stephanie Farrar (Stirling Univ, Scot), Kerry Smith (Hampshire, Eng), Jenny Schneider (Strafford, MO), Tony Choate (Mt Vernon, MO).
78 Meg Hughes (New Smyrna Beach, FL), Carlie Yadloczky (Casselberry, FL), Mayule Tomimbang (Kissimmee, FL), Janice Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Katie Trotter, Katie (Pittsburgh, PA).
79 Courtney Harter (Clearwater, FL).
80 Kristen Wetzel (Middletown, NY), Janie Carpenter (Garland, TX), Barbara Pagana (Selinsgrove, PA), Carol Semple Thompson (Sewickley, PA).
81 Paige Bromen (Stillwater, MN), Taffy Brower (Boynton Beach, FL), Tama Caldabaugh (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL), Natalie Easterly (Richmond, VA).
82 Holly Calvert (Stirling Univ, Scot), Rachel Cassidy (Stirling Univ, Scot), Denise Callahan (Canton, Ohio), Bronwyne Bruwer (Tampa, FL), Kerri Connolly (Duxbury, MD), Erin Fitzpatrick (Wauchula FL).
83 Therese Quinn (Jacksonville FL), Sarah Carty (Dublin, Ir), Angel Sze (San Marino, CA).
84 Regine Parker (Hobe Sound, FL), Marci Likens (Winter Springs, FL), Laura Murray (Robert Gordon University, Scot), Meredith Taylor (Lexington, SC), Maggie Weder (Greenville, NC), Deb Mielke (McKinney, TX), Teri de Luis (Sanford, FL), Maureen Scheehan (Grayslake, IL), Melanie Granville (Pinehurst, NC).
85 Lauren Blount (Winston Salem NC), Marie-Pierre Bernier (St Sebastien, Can), Carly Truitt (Marysville, OH).
86 Suzanne Kenkel (Dallas, TX).
87 Clate Aydlett (Elizabeth City, NC), Kayla DeSuza (South Daytona, FL), Debbie Mook Sang (Valrico, FL), Ginny Zanca (Memphis, TN), Mary Kozak (Orlando, FL), Mayura Skowronski (Jersey City, NJ), May Jacques (Ormond Beach, FL), Emily Brand (Alexandria, MN).
88 Karen Smith (Chestertown, MD), Dianne Yelovich (Pinehurst, NC), Carol Turnage (Anna, TX).
89 Penny Lester (New Smyrna Beach, FL).
90 Elizabeth Breza (Jacksonville, FL), Andrea Buccilla (Dublin, OH), Caria Wasienko (Rockville, MD), Jan DeMarco (Ormond Beach, FL).
91 Marcella Rose (St Louis, MD), Jo Glenn (Tulsa, OK).
92 Jean Mowry (Webster City, IA), Debe Schwedler (Palm City, FL), Carol Ann Kulzer (Ormond Beach, FL).
94 Sue Joy-Sabota (Verona, WI).
95 Joan Roberts (Holly Hill, FL), Nancy Williams (Richmond, VA).
96 Kerry Johnson (Virginia Beach, VA).
97 Stephanie Crolla (Heriot-Watt University, Scot).
98 Diane Masterson (Cambridge, OH).

Image of Tracey Craik, in action on the Ladies European Tour, by Bethan Cutler, the LET Press Officer.

REMEMBER TRACEY CRAIK? 1984

SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPION

ENTERS HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

WOMEN'S WINTER FESTIVAL

It’s a long time since Tracey Craik, whose Edzell-born father Derek was at the time club professional at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire, won the Scottish Under-18 girls’ match-play title at Peebles.
Twenty-three years ago, in fact, since Tracey, who was a bit of a runner – a lean and wiry distance specialist rather than a sprinter in her early teens, beat Donna Jackson 3 and 2 in the 1984 final after knocking out Elaine Farquharson – who would win the title the following year – in the semi-finals.
Now Tracey, who was capped for Scotland at girls' international level, is back in the “news” by becoming the seventh professional to enter the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Golf Festival at the Spanish golf resort in the southeastern province of Murcia.
To be fair to the Scottish, English & Irish lady professionals who have not entered, Tracey will not have far to go to compete in the Festival.
“We live on the club at La Manga – which is just along the road from Hacienda del Alamo. I have been out here for 11 years now,” Tracey told http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/.
“I have played Hacienda del Alamo a few times, although not recently. I have not played on the Ladies European Tour for a few years now. I’ve got a bit of a dodgy shoulder. Can’t take too many Neurofens! I am still playing golf but this year probably the least since I started.”
Tracey has just completed a three-year, online course for greenkeeping.
“Sportsturf they call it. Quite interesting, especially the soil bit, which surprised me. The reason I did the course was because we (John and Tracey) bought a golf course in France and apart from speaking appalling French (though probably still better than my Spanish), we knew virtually nothing about course maintenance. To prevent them from ‘pulling the wool over our eyes,' I laboured through this course for three years and drove John mad in the process,” she said.
Tracey’s brother Derek junior succeeded their father as pro at Frilford.
“I’m going over to England to the Golf Trade Show at NEC in early February but we will be back at La Manga just after the start of the first week of the Hacienda del Alamo Festival,” said Tracey.

Even later with her entry than Tracey was 17-year-old Dublin girl Caroline Murphy who plays off nine at Grange Golf Club. Caroline is really making a flying visit to the Festival. She will fly to Spain on Sunday, February 10, play the 36-hole tournament on the Monday and Tuesday - and then fly home to Ireland on the Wednesday.

Caroline's golfing CV lists her as the current holder of the Duggan Cup and the Tom Funge Cup so she will be one of the favourites for a lowest net total prize in the opening event of the Festival.
Thanks to the generosity of Aberdeen hotelier Stewart Spence, the leading professional in each of the four individual events at the Festival will be guaranteed a minimum prize of 500 Euros in cash.

Glenmuir are supporting the amateurs' prize lists.
There is less than a week to go now to the deadline for entries (Tuesday, January 15).

Who can enter the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival?

Open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs (maximum handicap 20).

No minimum or maximum age.

Separate prize lists for professionals and amateurs.

No competition entry fees to be paid until you check in with Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at the Tournament Desk at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

All you have to do to enter is E-mail colin@scottishgolfview with your details, professional or amateur, home club, handicap, date of birth if under 20 years; arrival and departure dates.

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)

Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).

Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS

Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.

Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16/17.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.

Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.

Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.

Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.

Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.

Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.

Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.

Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.

Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.

Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.

Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Handicap 1. Age 18.
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

ACCOMMODATION

It is much cheaper to share a villa so try to organise something with your golfing friends. Information about how to book accommodation is available by clicking on the words HDA WOMEN'S FESTIVAL near the top of the left hand column of your screen.

PRICE SLASHED FOR ONE WEEK'S PRACTICE
AT HACIENDA DEL ALAMO FESTIVAL

Some good news for those who are going to the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
Billy Sim, the five-star Murcia resort's director of golf, has slashed the special one-week charge from 55 Euros to 30 Euros for unlimited use, i.e. any amount of buckets of range balls you wish, of the excellent practice facilities.
For 55 Euros, Festival competitors will get TWO weeks' unlimited use of the practice facilities which amount to:
+A two-tier driving range with 36 bays.
+A big putting-only practice green.
+A big pitching and chipping practice green.
+Bunker practice facility.
+Six-hole academy course.
EUROS CASH ONLY AT THE TOURNAMENT DESK
A word in the ear of those who have committed themselves to playing in the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival from February 10 (checking in day for first week) to February 23 (second team event ringing down the curtain) from Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson.
"It will be Euros cash only when paying competition entry fees at the Tournament Desk. Same goes for the 30 or 55 Euros fee for the run of the practice facilities. No credit card facilities will be available from me," he said.

Four Nations Junior Team Finals at La Manga

CRAIGELAW JUNIORS BEAT

WALES, DRAW WITH ENGLAND

Latest news from Marion Turner about the Four Nations Junior Team Finals at La Manga:

Craigielaw team, accompanied by junior convener Gordon Smith:

Jane Turner (Mortonhall) scr, Age 18 (pictured right).

Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) scr, Age 18.

Shaun Deegan, capt., handicap 3. Age 18.

Greg Smail, handicap 6. Age 15.

Grant Forrest, handicap 6. Age 14.

Scott Speakman, handicap 8. Age 14.

Gabrielle MacDonald (Prestonfield), handicap 15. Age 14.

+Where player's club is not listed, Craigielaw is the home club.

Results so far:

Tuesday

Ireland 5, England 1.

Scotland 5, Wales 1.

Today

Scotland 3, England 3.

Ireland 4, Wales 2.

Press Release

R&A CONTINUES SUPPORT OF

LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR

WITH £75,000 GRANT

The R&A has supported the Ladies European Tour since the early 1990s and a cheque for the latest grant of £75,000 has been presented to Executive Director Alex Armas.
In 2008 The R&A will also provide referees at selected LET tournaments.
A starting place in one of the 2008 LET events will be awarded to the winner of the women’s section in The R&A Foundation Bursars tournament being played in St Andrews in April.
In its 30th anniversary year the Ladies European Tour will stage 28 events in 20 countries including Australia, Turkey, India and Dubai.

+Image from The R&A website shows Alison White of The R&A Golf Development staff with Alex Armas, chief executive of the Ladies European Tour.

STEWART SPENCE CHIPS IN TO

HELP LADIES-ONLY GOLF FESTIVAL
IN SPAIN NEXT MONTH

Aberdeen hotel owner Stewart Spence, pictured right, is chipping in 2,000 Euros to the prize fund for a Spanish golf festival for women professionals and amateurs next month.
It's the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival from February 10 to 23 at the five-star golf resort in Murcia, south-east Spain where the mid-February temperatures are reputed to be the warmest in Spain.
There will be six competitions, two of them 36-holers, over the two weeks. Competitors can go for one week or two.
Former Open champion and past Ryder Cup player Paul Lawrie, his coach Neil Marr and Scotland youth cap Philip McLean (Peterhead) recently spent a week at Hacienda del Alamo and came home raving about the Dave Thomas-designed course and the excellent practice facilities.
North-east man Billy Sim is the director of golf at the five-star resort.
"I am always delighted to help out a new golfing venture and this sounds a great idea for the lady professionals and amateurs to get in some serious practice for the new season with the bonus of some low-key competition to help sharpen them up," said Stewart Spence, a former Royal Aberdeen Golf Club champion and owner of The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel & Spa in Aberdeen's leafy, western suburbs.
The deadline for entries is January 15 and should be E-mail to the Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson, at colin@scottishgolfview.com

"Stewart Spence has been helping people in golf for as long as I can remember. Muriel Thomson and Paul Lawrie are just two who were given a leg-up by him in their early careers," said Colin.

"What his donation of 2,000 Euros will enable us to do for the Hacienda del Alamo Festival is to guarantee a minimum first prize of 500 Euros for the professionals in each of the four individual events.

"Billy Sim and I devised this warm-weather, mid-winter Festival to give both lady professionals and amateurs alike the chance to really get down to serious golf practice at the best facilities in Spain at a time of year when it will probably be too cold to get out and about if they stay at home in Britain & Ireland or anywhere in northern Europe for that matter.

"The amateurs have responded well but I have to admit I am disappointed by the professionals' limited response. Stewart Spence's gesture may boost the numbers before the entry deadline next Tuesday."

Billy Sim is convinced that the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival will become a permanent and very popular fixture on the golf calendar and that it might not be so easy to get into the field in years to come.

"Those who support the inaugural event will certainly get preferential treatment when it comes to putting a ceiling on how many competitors we can accommodate in 2009 and beyond," said Billy.

SCOTS TEE IT UP ON ORANGE

BLOSSOM TOUR AT ORMOND

BEACH, FLORIDA TODAY

Six students from Scottish universities plus members of the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad chasing places in the GB&I Curtis Cup team make up one of the strongest European challenges ever for the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur 72-hole championship which tees off at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach in Florida today.
It is the second event on the annual Orange Blossom Tour for female amateurs.
Alford's Laura Murray (Robert Gordon University) and Edinburgh's Stephanie Crolla (Heriot-Watt University) accepted invitations to join the University of Stirling travelling squad of Rachel Cassidy, Holly Calvert, Stephanie Farrar and Lynsey Hunter.

Rachel Cassidy, pictured above, from Dublin is the Stirling team captain.
PGA Trainee of the Year and former Stirling graduate and past Scotland amateur international Lesley Mackay is with the group to offer guidance and coaching support.
Aberdeenshire county champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) is also there alongwith with other LGU Elite Squad members Liz Bennett, Naomi Edwards, Sahra Hassan, Rachel Jennings and Kerry Smith.
Sarah Carty from Dublin completes a 13-strong challenge from this side of the Atlantic.
US Curtis Cup team captain Carol Semple Thompson is in the field but the leading American is likely to be a past Curtis Cup team player Virginia Grimes, who won the “Sally” in 1998 and 2006 and, with a handicap of +4.1, is the highest rated player – on paper – in the big field.
Claire Hourihane (Ireland) in 1983, Claire Waite (England) in 1984 and Vicki Thomas (Wales) in 1994 figure on the list of previous winners.
The Scottish students are also playing in next week’s Orange Blossom Tour event - the Jones/Doherty match-play championship at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale from January 14 to 19.
It is 16 years since LPGA Tour top Scot Catriona Matthew from North Berwick, then a Stirling golf scholarship student, brought home the Jones/Doherty Cup.

CRAIGIELAW BEAT WALES 5-1 AT LA MANGA

Many thanks to Marion Turner for supplying Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk with news from the Four Nations Junior Cup tournament in which Craigielaw are playing at La Manga, Spain, which, if you did not know, is not all that far away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Midlothian girls Jane Turner and Gabrielle MacDonald helped Craigelaw, representing Scotland, beat the Welsh team 5-1.
Craigielaw play England's representatives today.

January 15 the cut-off point for entries

DEADLINE FOR HACIENDA DEL
ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER
GOLF FESTIVAL APPROACHES

Only seven days to go (Tuesday, January 15) until the deadline for entries to the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival at the five-star golf resort near Fuente Alamo and the city of Murcia in south-east Spain from February 10 to 23.

Who can enter the Festival?
All six events over the two weeks (2 x 36 holes, 2 x 18 holes stableford, 2 x 18-hole team) are open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs (maximum handicap 20).
You do not need to come for both weeks and you do not need play in every event. You would only pay for the competitions you enter.

Unlimited use of practice facilities

There is Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort management bargain offer of 55 Euros which entitles a competitor to unlimited use - as many buckets of balls as you like - of the excellent practice facilities for both weeks. A great chance to get your game in shape for the 2008 season.

No minimum or maximum age.

Separate prize lists for professionals (minimum 500 Euros cash first prize per competition) and amateurs (a combination of vouchers and prizes donated by Glenmuir).

When do entry fees have to be paid?

Not until you check in with Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at the Tournament Desk at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Is there a choice of weeks?
There certainly is. A competitor can go for both weeks or the first week only or the second week only. A week straddling the first and second weeks is also a possibility if it helps you take advantage of cheaper midweek flights

Accommodation
Click on to the HDA Festival words at the top of the first column of your screen to get all the details.
An opportunity to share accommodation at the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort during the second week of the Festival has come up. Anyone interested should E-mail colin@scottishgolfview.com to obtain details.

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.
Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16/17.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1. Age 20.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19
Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Handicap 1. Age 18
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

HOW TO ENTER
You must E-mail your entry to colin@scottishgolfview.com, giving name, state whether amateur or professional, name home golf club and handicap if an amateur, give date of birth if under 20 years. Also state arrival and departure dates.

MISSING OUT AT TOUR SCHOOL

COULD PROVE BLESSING IN

DISGUISE FOR HEATHER

AND MARIAN

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Former British and Welsh women’s open amateur stroke-play champion Heather Macrae from Dunblane and Marian Riordan from Tipperary, winner of the 2007 Irish women’s amateur Order of Merit have both been international-class amateur golfers.
They also both failed to gain pass marks at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School late last year.
Heather, pictured right, and Marian have one more thing in common. They have both decided their immediate futures lie in being trained to Professional Golf Association standards.
Heather will start work later this month as a trainee assistant professional in Alasdair Good’s shop at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian.
Marian, who has spent the last two years as a teacher in a class room – not at golf club or driving range, has already taken the plunge. She has started training as a PGA assistant professional at Greystones Golf Club in County Wicklow.
When front-rank female amateurs talk these days about turning professional, they mean tournament-playing professionals. Very few of them, like Heather and Marian, opt to take the route that will see them – if they pass the tests along the way – become PGA qualified professionals at the end of their training.
As Gullane head professional Good – he’s the man behind the Wee Wonders scheme, by the way, says:
“Heather can still decide to pursue a career as a tournament-playing professional after she has completed her PGA training but the big bonus will be that she then has some qualifications on her CV she can fall back on.”
In Scotland, the number of girls/women in the club professional or coaching side of golf hardly makes it into double figures.
There’s Muriel Thomson and Karyn Dallas who are established as head club professionals in their own right at Portlethen and Kirriemuir golf clubs respectively.
Then there are coaches such as Karyn Burns (Mearns Castle Golf Academy), Lesley Mackay (World of Golf ), Jane Connachan (Kingsfield) and Inverness-based Gillian Stewart.
Undergoing PGA training at Aspire Golf Centre, near Aberdeen is former Aberdeenshire county champion Katy Thomson.
Heather MacRae, now 24, spent four years at college in the United States and was a regular member of the Scotland international team. She was a shade unlucky to be given reserve status instead of a place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the Curtis Cup match of 2006 at Bandon Dunes.
She failed to make the grade at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School late last year but is optimistic about the future.
“By starting the PGA training now, it will give me a good foundation and a lot more options at the end of the three years when I can then decide if I want to pursue the playing or coaching route – or both,” she said.
“I will be able to compete in the assistants’ events, which I am very much looking forward to.
“Being attached to Gullane with its great reputation, and getting a sound PGA training from Alasdair Good will no doubt stand me in good stead for the future. I will be starting at Gullane later this month as soon as I get my accommodation sorted out and I am very excited about it.”
Gullane pro Good believes that the Macrae move has the potential to be beneficial all round.
“Heather joining my staff this month is not only good for her it is good for me!
“Gullane has one of the biggest lady memberships in the country and it is obviously in our interests to cater for their needs. With that in mind, Heather will fit in very well here,” he said.
“PGA training stretches the window of opportunity for her. I want Heather to keep up the playing side of her career and there will be opportunities for her to play in WPGA events and, of course, the Tartan Tour assistant events.”
Beaten in the final of last year’s Irish women’s amateur championship, Marian Riordan has an education CV that could have opened doors for her right, left and centre – a BA in Business Studies and Recreation Leisure from the Waterford Institute of Technology and a Higher Diploma (with honours) in Education at University College, Dublin.
Yet, Marian’s love of golf is such that she has followed her heart – and is in her first year of training as an assistant professional at Greystones Golf Club.
“Joining the PGA training programme was something I had rolling around in my head for a few years and I feel now is the best time for me to make that move,” she said.
“The amateur game has been great to me, a lot of great times along with a few not so good but that is sport. I suppose after teaching full-time in a secondary school for two years, I felt it was now or never. No better time for me to make the move into PGA training than now.
“Joining the PGA is a very important aspect in my plan. It provides some great opportunities along with the chance of doing what I love. I'm delighted to have my qualifications and work experience and it gives me a cushion to do what I want. If it all goes pear shaped well it won't be the end of the world! Hopefully that won't be the case.
Heather and Marian are demonstrating that there is more than one career to be enjoyed in golf. Perhaps failing to gain an LET players’ card at the first attempt will prove a blessing in disguise for both.

MONIFEITH GOLF CLUB GIRLS CONTINUE TO BLOSSOM

The presentation of prizes won in 2007 by junior girls of Monifieth Golf Club took place in the clubhouse this week. A large gathering of parents and members heard of the achievements of the girls at international, national, regional, county and club level.

Rebecca Wilson was club and junior county champion, Ashley Smith was junior links champion and Andrea Bowie was junior club champion. The President's Cup was won by Ashley Smith and the Captain's Trophy by Alison Pryde.

Rebecca Wilson has been selected for the Scottish B squad, Gail Wilson and Heather Munro for the Scottish Prospects squad. Prizes were resented by Pamela Wicksted, captain of the Monifieth Golf Club ladies; section. Picture by Aileen Hunter.

NEW EDITION OF DAVE ANDREWS'
NOVEL COMING OUT LATER
THIS MONTH

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Here's an update from Dave Andrews, American author of the novel "Pops and Sunshine" which is a love story played out to the background of the US Duramed Futures Tour:

"I heard back today from a woman at the London office of IMG World. They are involved in organizing the Women's British Open as well as an LPGA event here in the States.
"They are going to consider my book as an item for the VIP gift bag at the Open.
"I have been writing all the LPGA events organizers with that suggestion and pointing them to the great reviews that keep coming in on the book ( more than a dozen now).
"I have done some rewriting of the story ... added a prologue and an epilogue... improved a lot of the dialogue (much of which was terrible) ... and modified a lot of the descriptive lines that some women readers have had issues with.
"The new edition will be coming out at the end of January. A lot of promotional developments are in the works now. I even have a lot of interest in Australia and some possible joint-marketing possibilities with a golf ball manufacturer there."
DAVE ANDREWS
Concord
New Hampshire
+ If you want to order a copy direct from the author, you can E-mail Dave Andrews at popsandsunshine@comcast.net. Simply give your mailing address. When you receive your book, send back a cheque to Dave Andrews, for $24.95 which includes half the $ transatlantic postage. Dave will cover the other half himself.

SALLY WATSON JT 17th AS US CURTIS
CUP TEAM CONTENDERS FILL FIRST
THREE PLACES AT HARDER HALL

South Queensferry sisters Sally and Rebecca Watson finished joint 17th and 32nd respectively in the Harder Hall Women's Invitational tournament, the first event of the Orange Blossom Tour, at Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring in Florida on Sunday.
Sally, 16, a student at the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida, had rounds of 77, 77, 73 and 77 for a 16-over-par total of 304 over the 6,151yd course. She finished fourth in the event last year.
Rebecca, 18, a first-year student at the University of Tennessee, scored 80, 77, 80 and 82 for a total of 319.
The first three places were filled by players who will almost certainly be selected next week for the United States Curtis Cup team to play Great Britain & Ireland over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.
Alison Walshe, a senior student at the University of Arizona shot 72, 73, 68 and 68 for an impressive seven-under-par total of 281.
She won by three strokes from Taylore Karle (Pepperdine University) - 74, 66, 72, 72 for 284 - and the 2006 title-winner, Arkansas student Stacy Lewis (74,71,70,74 for 289).
Former tennis ace Ivan Lendl's daughters Isabelle and Marika finished joint foufrth and joint 11th on 294 and 298 respectively.
Carol Semple Thompson, the US Curtis Cup captain and chairman of the Harder Hall Invitational organising committee and winner of the tournament four times since 1999, finished joint 28th on 315.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
(Par 288, 4 x 72; 6,151yd).
Players from US unless stated
281 Alison Walshe 72 73 68 68.
284 Taylore Karle 74 66 72 72.
289 Stacy Lewis 74 71 70 74.
294 Lauren Hunt 78 73 71 72, Tiffany Joh 73 74 75 72, Isabelle Lendl 78 72 72 72.
295 Mallory Blackwelder 83 75 68 69, Meghan Bolger 78 77 71 69, Virginia Grimes 75 75 68, Kristen Simpson 76 75 75 69.
298 Lauren Doughtie 77 73 77 71, Marika Lendl 76 75 73 74, Jessica Yadloczky 81 72 74 71.
Other totals:
304 Sally Watson (Sco) 77 77 73 77 (jt 17th).
315 Carol Semple Thompson 82 76 78 79 (jt 28th).
319 Rebecca Watson (Sco) 80 77 80 82 (jt 32nd).

AMERICAN TEAM TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK

It will be a while before the Great Britain & Ireland team for the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course at the end of May is finalised but the American line-up will be announced at the conclusion of next week's event on the Orange Blossom Tour, "The Sally" or South Atlantic Ladies Amateur.
Beth Ann Baldry, one of the leading writers on women's amateur golf in the United States, has been revealing her thoughts on the possible composition of the American team of eight on the Golfweek.com website as she reports on the Harder Hall Women's Invitational:

HARDER HALL INVITATIONAL FINISH WILL
HAVE BEARING ON UNITED STATES' CUP
TEAM FOR ST ANDREWS IN MAY

The frigid temperatures in Florida kept many players inside the snack shop and off the practice areas following Thursday’s first round of the Harder Hall Invitational. The conversation among some of the nation’s top amateurs moved from hot soup and the day’s scores to Virginia Derby Grimes’ stolen car at the 1995 Southern Amateur and, of course, the upcoming Curtis Cup.
Alison Walshe didn’t want to jinx herself by conceding that she had a very strong chance of getting on the eight-player team. But the Arizona senior has to be a lock. She beat one of the strongest fields in women’s golf this summer over Pinehurst No. 2 to win the North and South and remains one of the nation’s best college players.
Actually, as far as I’m concerned, seven spots might as well be sealed up. Stacy Lewis, Amanda Blumenherst, Walshe, Tiffany Joh, Mina Harigae, Kimberly Kim and Jennie Lee all deserve the chance to compete May 30-June 1 over the Old Course at St. Andrews.
It’s that last spot that must be giving USGA committee members a headache. Anyone left in the running wisely made the trip to Harder Hall Country Club.
Jacqui Concolino seemed a strong candidate going into the summer but did nothing special. She finished the fall at Vanderbilt ranked 53rd in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings and withdrew due to illness.
That leaves Meghan Bolger, Mallory Blackwelder and a dark horse, Taylore Karle, on my short list (Although I will give a shout-out to Candace Schepperle, who has struggled this fall at Auburn but was runner-up at this event last year, a semi-finalist at the Trans National and medalist at the North and South. She’s No. 9 in the Golfweek/Titleist Amateur Rankings).
None of these players has to win the Harder Hall Invitational to get on the team (though that would be impressive). Beating Lewis, Walshe and Joh always is a tall order. They must beat everyone else vying for that last spot on the team, though.
Bolger might seem a lock to many with her back-to-back US Women’s Mid-Amateur titles, but she’s not convinced.
“A lot of people think that way but I don’t,” said Bolger. “You still have to perform throughout the year.”
Bolger played a full schedule of events this season, advancing to the third round of the North and South, qualifying for the US Women’s Open and finishing T-13 at the Eastern. Lowlights include losing in the first round of the Southern Amateur and failing to make the match-play at the US Women’s Amateur.
The 29-year-old has had a lot of time to work on her game after her contract was not extended at Ole Miss. Bolger served as head coach at Mississippi for six years but said it was a mutual decision between she and the administration that she step down.
“It was just time for them to go in a new direction and for me to pursue what I’ve always wanted to do ... and that’s play golf,” Bolger said. She’s been without a job since leaving Mississippi last spring and spent the last several months living out of her car at several spots in the Southeast (Before you feel sorry for her, she’s mostly been at her parents’ home in Pinehurst.)
Bolger said she has no desire to go back to coaching, but would like to give LPGA Q-School another shot in the fall. She failed to advance through the first stage last September and didn’t play in the second qualifier because it conflicted with the Mid-Amateur.While two consecutive USGA titles is always impressive, keep in mind that Mid-Am champs don’t always make the Curtis Cup team. In fact, more often they’re left out.
None of the Mid-Am champs between 1999 and 2005 were named to the subsequent (US) Curtis Cup team. Sure Grimes was on the 2006 team, but that’s largely because she won "The Sally" that year. Not because she finished runner-up at the 2004 Mid-Am.
Does winning the Mid-Am earn a spot on the team? “No,” Grimes said without hesitation. “You’ve got to get out and play in tournaments with the youngsters.”
There’s no doubt that Bolger beefed up her schedule this year. Advancing to the third round at Pinehurst is good, but now is the perfect time to prove she can hang with players she once coached against.
Speaking of youngsters, let’s look at Blackwelder’s credentials. The Florida-turned-Kentucky player needs to pick things up to make her case after an injury slowed her down last fall.
Blackwelder definitely showed her match-play moxie last summer with a victory at the Women’s Western Amateur and a runner-up finish at the Trans National. There’s no doubt these two fields were watered down compared to most years, but they certainly rival the competition Bolger sees at the Mid-Am.
Blackwelder, No. 3 in the Golfweek/Titleist Amateur Rankings, also advanced to the second round of the US Women’s Amateur.
As for Karle, well, consider her a late contender. She’s the only player in the Harder Hall field ranked inside the top 30 in college golf who isn’t already a lock for the team. The Pepperdine freshman finished the fall ranked 22nd and shared the recent Silver Belle title in Arizona with UCLA frosh Glory Yang, beating Kimberly Kim in the process.
Karle qualified for the 2006 US Women’s Open and made the cut at the LPGA’s Safeway International last March. Like Bolger, she advanced to the third round at the North and South and lost in the first round of the Women’s Am.
Karle might not have a USGA title, but she does own the record for stroke-play qualifying at the US Girls’ Junior, shooting 130 (63-67) in 2005. She was also a member of the victorious 2005 US Junior Solheim Cup team.
In terms of raw talent, it’s easily Karle over Bolger. But for Karle to be considered, she must give Lewis and Co. a run this weekend while edging out both Blackwelder and Bolger.
Here’s something else the USGA committee should keep in mind: Karle and Blackwelder will be playing all spring (on the college circuit).
After Bolger finishes up the Florida swing this month, amateur tournaments effectively end until the summer. If Karle guides Pepperdine to another NCAA Championship appearance, she’ll be joining most of the Curtis Cup team in New Mexico before heading to Scotland.
The committee is scheduled to meet after "The Sally" to determine the team. Bolger will keep on playing in Ormond Beach while many of the college players head back to class. The Harder Hall Invitational should carry the most clout as it is the strongest field.
Bolger does have one more thing to motivate her: She’ll be turning 30 on Day 1 of the Curtis Cup. Can’t think of a better place to celebrate than the Home of Golf.

WALLACE BOOTH JT 46TH FINISH IN

DIXIE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Scotland cap Wallace Booth from Comrie finished joint 46th among the 63 qualifiers who survived the halfway cut in the Dixie men's amateur championship at Palm-Aire Country Club, Pompano Beach near Fort Lauderdale in southern Florida.Wallace, who graduated last spring after four years at Augusta State University, Georgia, had scores of 80, 72, 76 and 74 for a total of 302.

Sweden's David Lingmerth beat Germany's Stephan Gross in a four-hole play-off for the title after they had tied on 283 at the end of the regulation 72 holes.

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE:

Not yet a teenager, Alexis Thompson has won a major amateur event.
The 12-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida posted a final-round 71 to win the Dixie women's amateur title by eight shots at Palm-Aire Country Club.
Thompson finished at seven-over 291, eight shots ahead of 15-year-old Shelby Coyle (75).
Thompson, who has won a host of junior events including the Westfield Junior PGA and the past two Doral-Publix Junior Classics, is ranked No. 18 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings. Jennifer Hirano, No. 34 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings, shot a final-round 71 to finish third at 19-over 303.
Leading final totals (players from US unless stated):
MEN
Par 284 (4 x 71)
283 David Lingmerth (Sweden) 74 71 68 70, Stephan Gross (Germany) 73 70 68 72 (Lingmerth won four-hole play-off).
284 Jeffrey Kang 73 71 72 68, Gregory O'Mahony 75 68 68 73.
285 T J Vogel 71 72 72 70, Jon McLean 71 73 69 72.
Other total:
302 Wallace Booth (Scotland) 80 72 767 74 (jt 46th).
WOMEN
Par 284 (4 x 71).
291 Alexis Thompson 74 74 72 71.
299 Shelby Coyle 74 74 76 75.
303 Jennifer Hirano 76 78 78 71.
306 Stephanie Connnelly 76 80 75 75.
307 Tiffany Chudy 82 74 77 74, Laura Gonzalez-Escallon 76 80 74 77.
309 Audrey Goumard 82 77 72 78, Rebecca Kuhn 81 78 73 77, Carrie Morris
78 81 77 73.
310 Christina Hirano 78 80 71 81, Madison Pressel 82 77 73 78, Kyle Roig
81 74 80 75.

SALLY POISED FOR ANOTHER

LAST-DAY RUN AT LEADERS

IN FLORIDA

Scotland international Sally Watson from South Queensferry stepped up her game to return a third-round 73 in the Harder Hall Women's Invitational amateur tournament, the first event of Florida's Orange Blossom Tour, at Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring.

The 16-year-old from South Queensferry, a student at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida, had scored five-over-par 77s in her opening rounds.

Last year Sally, pictured left, came with a strong late run to finish fourth in this prestigious event and she will start the final round in joint 13th place.

Sister Rebecca, an 18-year-old student at the University of Tennessee, also survived the halfway cut in a field of 100 and added a third-round 80 to her scores of 80 and 77 over the first two days. She is sharing 27th position.

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE:

Pepperdine University freshman Taylore Karle shot a par-matching third-round 72 Saturday at the Harder Hall Invitational but saw her lead dwindle from five shots to one.

Karle is at four-under 212, one shot ahead of Arizona University senior Alison Walshe (68). Walshe, winner of last year’s North and South Amateur, chipped in twice in returning a third-round 68 for 213.

Stacy Lewis, who won this tournament in 2006, is at one-under 215 after a third-round 70. She is the only other player within five shots of the lead.

Former US Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Virginia Derby Grimes birdied four of the final six holes to shoot a 68 and move into fourth place on 218.

Mallory Blackwelder, winner of last year’s Women’s Western Amateur, had Saturday’s other 68 to move up 18 spots on the leaderboard into a tie for 10th.

Two-time US Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Meghan Bolger (71) is also bracketed for 10th place.

Karle, Blackwelder and Bolger are all trying to play their way onto the US Curtis Cup team for the match against GB&I over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May. Lewis, Grimes and Tiffany Joh are almost assured of selection.

The American squad of eight will be named after next week’s The Sally (South Atlantic Ladies Amateur).

The US Curtis Cup captain, Carol Thompson, is not only chairman of the Harder Hall Invitational tournament, she is also playing in it.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD

Harder Hall Women's Invitational scoreboard
HARDER HALL COUNTRY CLUB
Sebring, Florida
THIRD ROUND
Par 216 (3 x 72), 6,151yd.
Players from US unless stated
212 Taylore Karle 74 66 72.
213 Alison Walshe 72 73 68.
215 Stacy Lewis 74 71 70.
218 Virginia D. Grimes 75 75 68.
222 Lauren Hunt 78 73 71, Tiffany Joh 73 74 75, Isabelle Lendl 78 72 72.
224 Marika Lendl 76 75 73.
225 Candace Schepperle 76 76 73.
226 Mallory Blackwelder 83 75 68, Meghan Bolger 78 77 71, Kristen Simpson 76 75 75.
227 Sally Watson (Sco) 77 77 73, Lauren Doughtie 77-73-77, Jessica Yadloczky 81 72 74.
228 Alexandra Bodemann 76 78 74, Beneditke Grotvedt 81 72 75, Natalie Sheary 79 75 74.
229 Nannette Hill 81 71 77.
232 Garrett Phillips 79 75 78.
233 Ann Laney 81 74 78.
235 Heather Burgner 79 79 77, Kelly Fuchik 79 75 81, Lucy Nunn 81 77 77.
236 Meghan Gockel 78 78 80, Carol S. Thompson 82 76 78.
237 Rebecca Watson (Sco) 80 77 80, Emily Street 83 77 77.
239 Daniela Lendl 81 75 83, Natalie McNicholas 81 74 84, Tiffany Phelps 80 77 82.
249 Meghan Chapman 86 74 80, Eleana L. Collins 81 78 81, Alex Schulte 78 81 81.
242 Erica Still 83 77 82.