Shannen McGuire with the Murray Donald & Caithness Cup (picture by Gillian Kirkwood; copyright retained by Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk).

SCOTS UNDER-16 GIRLS OUTGUNNED AT CRAIGIELAW

BUT CANMORE'S SHANNEN WINS HANDICAP TROPHY

For the second year in a row, the Scottish players found themselves playing only a supporting role in the closing stages of the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play golf championship over the Craigielaw links, East Lothian today.
But there was a silver lining for Scotland when Shannen McGuire from Canmore Golf Club, Dunfermline won the Murray Donald & Caithness Cup for the best 36-hole net aggregate.
Shannen had gross rounds of 94 and 90 for 184. Playing off 24 of a handicap, Shannen's net rounds were 70 and 66 for a grand total of 136, pipping Ireland's six-handicapper Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) by a shot for the handsome handicap trophy.
Laura Sedda from Vicenza became the first ever Italian to win the scratch championship with scores of 69 and 76 for a three-over-par total of 145.
A birdie at the last gave Laura the title and the St Leonards Cup by a single stroke from three players: England's Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) and Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) and Welsh challenge Amy Boulden (Maesdu).

Amy was officially placed second by virtue of having the best second round of the three tie-ing players.
Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), 13-year-old twin sister of last year's champion, Leona, who was unable to defend because of a back injury, finished fifth on 147 after reaching the turn in one-under-par 34 only to let her title chance slip through her fingers with double bogey 6s at the 12th and 15th in a sad inward half of 42 for a 76, five more than she had taken on Thurday.
The top Scot was Annabel Niven from Crieff with 75 and 80 for 155 - 10 shots behind the title-winning Italian.
Annabel finished joint 12th, which was the same position as the leading Scot in the tournament 12 months ago.
Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) came next for the Scots with 77 and 81 for 158.
Scotland's No 2 team - Annabel Niven, Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) finished fifth of eight with a total of 311 in the team event.
The Scotland No 1 team of Lesley Atkins (Minto), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jill Meldrum came sixth on 319.
England's Alexandra Peters, Hannah Turland and Heidi Baek won with 292 from Italy (294) with Ireland in third place on 296. England also won the team title last year.

LEADING NET TOTALS AT CRAIGIELAW
136 Shannen McGuire (Canmore) (24) 70 66.
137 Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) (6) 72 65.
138 Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) (13) 68 70 (better inward half), Rachel Martin (Langley Park) (20) 68 70.
OTHER PRIZEWINNERS
Under-16s.
First round scratch: Laura Sedda (Vicenza) 69; net Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 65.
Second round scratch: Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 71; net Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 68.
Under-14s.
First round scratch: Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 70; net Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 68 (better inward half).
Second round scratch: Bronte Law (Bramhall) 75; net Shannon Maguire (Canmore) 66.
Under-12s
First round net: Annabel Bailey (Rushcliffe) 63.
Second round net: Eloise Healy (Lee Park) 67.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE FINAL GROSS TOTALS

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Title-winner Laura Sedda from Vicenza, Italy with the trophy (picture by Gillian Kirkwood; copyright retained by Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk)

SCOTTISH UNDER-16 GIRLS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian.

ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

Par 142 (2 x 71). CSS 71 (Round 1), 72 (Round 2).

145 Laura Sedda (Italy) 69 76.

146 Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 73 73, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 70 76, Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 70 76.

147 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 71 76.

148 Hayley Davis (Ferndown) 72 76.

149 Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 78 71.

150 Anna Antoniutti (Italy) 76 74, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 72 78.

151 Jessica Bradley (Tiverton) 78 73.

152 Emma Sticca (Italy) 77 75.

155 Jamie-Leigh Voss (Kirby Muxloe) 76 79, Annabel Niven (Crieff) 75 80.

156 Steph Hall (Lindrick) 77 79.

158 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 83 75, Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies) 78 80, Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) 77 81.

159 Sarah Helly (Enniscrone) 78 80, Emma Davies (Eaton) 78 81, Sophie Godley (Renishaw Park) 76 83.

160 Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 80 80.

161 Bethany Garton (Fleetwood) 85 76, Lesley Atkins (Minto) 81 80, Patrice Delaney (Birr) 80 81, Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 76 85.

162 Laura McCarthy (Muskerry) 82 80.

163 Amy Marper (Hillsborough) 85 78, Emily Chan (South Herts) 81 82, Emma Carberry (Highwoods) 80 83, Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) 76 87.

164 Lucy Evans (Lilleshall Hall) 85 78, Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) 81 83.

165 Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 83 82, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 78 87.

166 Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) 81 85, Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) 89 77.

169 Becky Lynes (Lincoln) 84 85.

171 Gemma Brown (Thornton) 85 86, Charlotte Hindmoor (Blackwell Grange) 83 88.

172 Meg Illingworth (Stoke Rochford) 89 83, Hannah-Rachel Edmunds (Woodhall Spa) 86 86, Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe) 85 87.

173 Rachel Polson (Peterculter) 87 86, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 86 87, Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 85 88, Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) 82 91, Florence King (Kirby Muxloe) 87 86.

174 Ellie Goodall (Pontefract) 91 83, Emily Savage (Goring & Streatley) 87 87.

175 Julie Vass (Tain) 87 88, Emma Newlove (Notts Ladies) 86 89.

176 Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) 91 85.

177 Freya Barksby (Gainsborough) 91 86, Rachel Lewis (Llanishen) 89 88.

178 Grace Anderson (Morpeth) 90 88 Rachel Martin (Langley Park) 88 90, Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) 83 95.

179 Keren Ward (Glen) 96 83, Eloise Healey (Lee Park) 93 86, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 89 90, Hannah McCook (Abernethy) 88 91,
180 Megan Aird (Strathmore) 83 97.

182 Dolores Brown (Royal Cinque Ports) 93 89, Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry) 93 89, Nicola Taylor (Thornton) 92 90, Samantha Munro (Aberdour) 90 92,
183 Rebecca Horner (Woodham) 94 89, Emma Harris (Peel) 86 97,
184 Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park) 95 89, Shannon Maguire (Canmore) 94 90.

Other scores:
185 Tracey Stark (Dalmally) 92 93, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 91 94,
186 Kirstin Scott (Milngavie) 96 90, Tara MacTaggart (Minto) 94 92, Louise Smith (Monifieth) 89 97, Emily Cheshire (Notts Ladies) 89 97,
187 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 95 92,
188 Amelia Taylor (St Annes Old Links) 89 99,
189 Alice Watson (Park Hill) 92 97, Gail Wilson (Monifieth) 92 97.
190 India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 96 94.
191 Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie) 96 95, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 92 99.
197 Kirsten MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) 105 92, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 100 97.
199 Abigail Gliksten (Strathaven) 99 100.
200 Lauren Duncan (Aboyne) 109 91, Alexandra Tait (St Regulus) 99 101,
201 Heather Munro (Monifieth) 104 97,
202 Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) 100 102,
203 Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross) 102 101, Kelly McNulty (Tynemouth) 101 102, Emily Aird (Strathmore) 100 103.
204 Hollie Vizard (Lowes Park) 98 106,
205 Louise McGillivray (Banchory) 114 91, Rachel Bruce (Ponteland) 100 105.
210 Caitlin Geddes (Northern) 107 103.
211 Harriet Wilson (Lincoln) 108 103,
216 Rachel Howie (West Kilbride) 108 108,
No Return: Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst) NR 107,
Retired: Annabel Bailey (Rushcliffe) 91 Ret.
Withdrew: Jemma Chalmers (Monifieth) 87 w/d.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM TOTALS

(Best two from three scores to count in each round).

292 England 140 152 (H Baek 70 76, A Peters 72 78, H Turland 70 76).

294 Italy 145 149 (L Sedda 69 76, A Antoniutti 76 74, E Sticca 77 75).

296 Ireland (1) 149 147 (Lisa Maguire 71 76, E O'Driscoll 78 71, L McCarthy 82 80).

305 Wales (1) 151 154 (A Bouldon 73 73, E Davies 78 81).

311 Scotland (2) 151 160 (A Niven 75 80, R Watton 80 80, G Scanlan 76 87).

319 Scotland (1) 158 161 (L Atkin s81 80, J Meldrum 77 81, E Briggs 86 87).

320 Ireland (2) 159 161 (S Helly 79 80, P Delaney 80 81).

338 Wales (2) 165 173 (C Williams 76 85, R Lewis 89 88).

England trio win team title at Craigielaw

England's winning team of Alex Peters, Hannah Turland and Heidi Baek (picture by Gillian Kirkwood; copyright retained by Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk)

Lisa lets Scottish title chance slip over

last few holes at Craigielaw

Lisa Maguire, from Slieve Russell Golf Club, Co Cavan, was on course to succeed her 13-year-old twin sister Leona as Scottish Under-16 girls open stroke-play golf champion - until she hit double trouble over the closing holes of the 36-hole tournament over the testing Craigielaw Golf Club links, East Lothian today.

Lisa, who was well up with the leaders after a par-matching 71 in the first round, looked mighty impressive as she reached the turn in her second round in one-under-par 34.

Her only dropped shot on the outward half was a bogey 4 at the short third. Either side of that, Lisa had birdied the long second and the long fourth.

With seven holes to play, Miss Maguire, whose sister was unable to defend the title because of a back injury, was in with a great chance at one under par for the tournament.

Then Lisa's title bid came unstuck with six shots shed to par over five holes in a row. She ran up a double bogey 6 at the 12th ... had a bogey 5 at the 14th ... slipped to another double bogey 6 at the 15th ... and then bogeyed the par-4 16th.

Pars at the 17th and 18th got her home in 42 shots, a complete contrast to her outward half.

Lisa's 76 for 147 earned her fifth place behind the first ever Italian winner of the championship, Laura Sedda from Vicenza.

Laura had looked a class act on Thursday when she had a two-under-par 69 to lead the big field by one shot. But the Italian wobbled a bit with a second-round 76 for 145. It looked like being a tie at the top of the leaderboard when Sedda bogeyed the 17th but she birdied the last hole to win the title by one shot from two English youngsters, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) and Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) plus Wales' Amy Boulden (Maesdu), all on 146.

Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) gave Ireland two top-seven finishers with scores of 78 and 71 for 149. That 71 was the best score by anyone in the second round.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM TOTALS

(Best two from three scores to count in each round).

292 England 140 152 (H Baek 70 76, A Peters 72 78, H Turland 70 76).

294 Italy 145 149 (L Sedda 69 76, A Antoniutti 76 74, E Sticca 77 75).

296 Ireland (1) 149 147 (Lisa Maguire 71 76, E O'Driscoll 78 71, L McCarthy 82 80).

305 Wales (1) 151 154 (A Bouldon 73 73, E Davies 78 81).

311 Scotland (2) 151 160 (A Niven 75 80, R Watton 80 80, G Scanlan 76 87).

319 Scotland (1) 158 161 (L Atkins 81 80, J Meldrum 77 81, E Briggs 86 87).

320 Ireland (2) 159 161 (S Helly 79 80, P Delaney 80 81).

338 Wales (2) 165 173 (C Williams 76 85, R Lewis 89 88).

==========================================================

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ENGLISH WOMEN OUTCLASS

AUSSIE COUNTERPARTS
BUT TEAM PIPPED IN
GOLFING ASHES



England’s hopes of gaining revenge for last year’s 11-4 defeat were dashed when Australia hung on for their second golfing amateur "Ashes" victory by 13-12 in a contest that went right down to the wire over The Open Course at Moonah Links in Victoria, Australia.
In a strengthening breeze and cooler temperatures than day one, England turned their overnight deficit into a convincing lead, taking 4½ points from the first 5 matches on the course. However, they were unable to find the other two points needed for victory from the five remaining matches and the winning putt from Dale Whitnell in the final match with Scott Arnold served only as a consolation.
Once again, the Australian women failed to record a singles victory as the English top order ripped through the opening exchanges.
Only a final hole birdie from Aussie Steph Na against Liz Bennett prevented a clean sweep and in the end it was to prove the decisive match as once again the English men went down 4-2.
Daniel Willett turned round a late deficit against Dan Beckmann to record his first point of the match and Whitnell dominated throughout against Arnold but the remaining players couldn’t find the half point needed to force a tie.
Chris Wood and Sam Hutsby fought bravely from almost certain losing positions but both narrowly failed to complete their comebacks and take their matches down the 18th hole. England Team Manager Stephen Burnett said: “In the end it was the right overall result. The Australian men outperformed our players today and deserved their victory. Our women deserve great credit for their performances. They completely outplayed their opponents for the most part but unfortunately we fell just short in supporting them to cross the finishing line.” Australian Team Manager Phil Wood said “It was a great match played in the right spirit. The standard of golf from both teams was phenomenal and the players deserve enormous credit for putting on such a show.”
The England team (picture courtesy of the EGU) now go forward to next week’s Australian open amateur championships with the next Ashes match scheduled for Royal Birkdale in 2009.

Day 1 Results (England names first):

WOMEN

Singles:

Naomi Edwards bt Clare Choi 1 hole.

Florentyna Parker halved with Kristie Smith.

Kerry Smith halved with Steph Na.

Liz Bennett bt Julia Boland 2 holes.

MEN

Dan Willett lost to Scott Arnold 3&2.

Steve Uzzell beat Matt Griffin 2 holes.

Chris Wood lost to Matt Jager 1 hole.

Sam Hutsby lost to Rohan Blizard 6&5.

Neil Chaudhuri beat Tim Stewart 3&2.

Dale Whitnell lost to Daniel Beckmann 5&4.

FOURSOMES

WOMEN

Parker & Bennett lost to Smith & Na 6&4.

Rachel Jennings & Edwards halved with Choi & Boland.

MEN

Willett & Uzzell lost to Blizard & Stewart 1 hole.

Wood & Hutsby beat Arnold & Jager 5&4.

Chaudhuri & Whitnell lost to Beckmann & Griffin 1 hole.

Day 2 Results (English names first):

WOMEN
Florentyna Parker bt Julia Boland 6&4.
Liz Bennett halved with Steph Na.
Kerry Smith bt Kristie Smith 3&2.
Rachel Jennings bt Clare Choi 6&5.
MEN
Daniel Willett bt Dan Beckmann 1 hole.
Steve Uzzell lost to Tim Stewart 5&3.
Chris Wood lost to Rohan Blizard 3&1.
Sam Hutsby lost to Matt Jager 2&1.
Neil Chaudhuri lost to Matt Griffin 3&2.
Dale Whitnell bt Scott Arnold 2&1.



A link to The Ashes scores and news can be found on the English Golf Union website, http://www.englishgolfunion.org/.



+++ John Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway), the 2002 Scottish boys' match-play champion, and Stephen Speirs are the only Scottish entrants for next week's Australian men's open amateur championship at Royal Adelaide. Eric Ramsay (Carnoustie), who has since turned professional, won the title in 2005.

ITALIAN LEADS SCOTTISH UNDER-16
GIRLS' OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Laura Sedda (Vicenza), one of the first Italians to play in the tournament, is leading after the first round of the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play championship at Craigielaw today. Her fine 69, two under par, put her one shot ahead of the English Under-13 champion, Wiltshire's Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison), and English Under-15 champion, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry).
Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), a semi-finalist in the British girls' championship last summer, is in fourth spot on 71. Lisa's twin sister, Leona, the holder of the Scottish open girls' title, withdrew with a back injury received in France recently.
The best Scot was Annabel Niven (Crieff) on 75, with Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) next on 76.
England are leading in the team competition on 140, with Italy second on 145 and Ireland 1 next on 149.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71
69 Laura Sedda (Vicenza)
70 Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison), Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry)
71 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell)
72 Hayley Davis (Ferndown), Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies)
73 Amy Boulden (Maesdu)
75 Annabel Niven (Crieff)
76 Anna Antoniutti (Villa Condulmer), Jamie-Leigh Voss (Kirby Muxloe), Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton), Sophie Godley (Renishaw Park), Chloe Williams (Wrexham)
77 Emma Sticca (Menaggio), Jill Meldrum (Dullatur), Steph Hall (Lindrick)
78 Emma Davies (Eaton), Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies), Jessica Bradley (Tiverton), Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion), Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe)
79 Sarah Helly (Enniscrone)
80 Patrice Delaney (Birr), Emma Carberry (Highwoods), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)
81 Lesley Atkins (Minto), Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield), Emily Chan (South Herts), Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield)
82 Laura McCarthy (Muskerry), Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw)
83 Bronte Law (Bramhall), Megan Aird (Strathmore), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Charlotte Hindmoor (Blackwell Grange), Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride)
84 Becky Lynes (Lincoln)
85 Bethany Garton (Fleetwood), Amy Marper (Hillsborough), Olivia Winning (Rotherham), Lucy Evans (Lillieshall Hall), Gemma Brown (Thornton), Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe)
86 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Emma Harris (Peel), Emma Newlove (Notts Ladies), Hannah-Rachel Edmunds (Woodhall Spa)
87 Emily Savage (Goring & Streatley), Rachel Polson (Peterculter), Julie Vass (Tain), Florence King (Kirby Muxloe), Jemma Chalmers (Monifieth)
88 Hannah McCook (Abernethy), Rachel Martin (Langley Park)
89 Meg Illingworth (Stoke Rochford), Cara Easton (Dalmahoy), Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), Rachel Lewis (Llanishen), Louise Smith (Monifieth), Emily Cheshire (Notts Ladies), Amelia Taylor (St Annes Old Links)
90 Samantha Munro (Aberdour), Grace Anderson (Morpeth)
91 Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Freya Barksby (Gainsborough), Ellie Goodall (Pontefract & District), Annabel Bailey (Rushcliffe), Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe)
92 Nicola Taylor (Thornton), Alice Watson (Park Hill), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Tracey Stark (Dalmally), Gail Wilson (Monifieth)
93 Dolores Brown (Royal Cinque Ports), Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry), Eloise Healey (Lee Park)
94 Rebecca Horner (Woodham), Tara MacTaggart (Minto), Shannen McGuire (Canmore)
95 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer), Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park)
96 Kirstin Scott (Milngavie), Keren Ward (Glen), Alison Goodwin (Glenbervie), India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa)
98 Hollie Vizard (Lowes Park)
99 Alexandra Tait (St Regulus), Abigail Gliksten (Strathaven)
100 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Emily Aird (Strathmore), Rachel Bruce (Ponteland), Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride)
101 Kelly McNulty (Tynemouth)
102 Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross)
104 Heather Munro (Monifieth)
105 Kirsten MacCallum (McDonald)
107 Caitlin Geddes (Northern)
108 Harriet Wilson (Lincoln), Rachel Howie (West Kilbride)
109 Lauren Duncan (Aboyne)
114 Louise McGillivray (Banchory)
N/R Alexis Hutton (Falkirk Tryst)

TEAM SCORES

140 England (Hannah Turland 70, Heidi Baek 70)
145 Italy (Laura Sedda 69, Anna Antoniutti 76)
149 Ireland1 (Lisa Maguire 71, Emma O'Driscoll 78)
151 Scotland 2 (Annabel Niven 75, Gillian Scanlan 76)
151 Wales1 (Amy Boulden 73, Emma Davies 78)
158 Scotland 1 (Jill Meldrum 77, Lesley Atkins 81)
159 Ireland 2 (Sarah Helly 79, Patrice Delaney 80)
165 Wales (Chloe Williams 76, Rachel Lewis 89)

Scotland get ready for Under 16s

Pictured above: Member of the two Scotland teams for the Under 16 Open Championship at Craigielaw on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th April flanked by Scotland coach, Kevin Craggs, and Scotland Captain/manager, Claire Hargan.
Girls L to R: Eilidh Briggs, Lesley Atkins, Annabel Niven, Jill Meldrum, Rachel Watton and Gillian Scanlon.

Rachel Connor wins the Leveret

Rachel Connor from Manchester Golf Club won the prestigious Leveret Scratch tournament last weekend. Her scores of 73 and 75 for a total of 148 put her one shot ahead of Hannah Barwood and Samantha Round on 149.

Report from Fiona Anderson

10 miles away at Aintree ‘Comply or Die’ was winning the Grand National and at Formby Ladies Lancashire’s Rachel Connor from Manchester Golf Club kept very patient in the testing weather conditions to edge ahead of the quality field and win the Leveret Trophy for the first time.

In the morning it stayed fair and although the sun shone, the strong cold northerly wind showed how difficult Formby Ladies course can be become. In a field of 54 with the highest handicap being 5.7 the CSS rose by 2 shots to 74. Katie Best, Sherwood Forest dropped 3 shots to the turn then found her putting boots on the back nine. Katie came back in an unequalled 32 for 71 gross – the only score all day on the leader board in red figures. Samantha Round, Tadmarton Heath, was close behind with 72. Followed by Rachel Connor (73) and the 13 year old Elizabeth Mallett from Sutton Coldfield Ladies on 74.

In the afternoon with 13 players within 5 shots of the leader Formby had its own race where the lead kept changing hands. The wind had turned to the North West making the well guarded greens all the more difficult to find and many approaches fell into the new bunkers. Taking an early lead was the former British Champion, Janet Collingham, country member of the nearby Royal Birkdale club but whose home club is now Sherwood Forest. Janet carded an excellent 72 – 3 under the afternoon CSS of 75 – for a total of 150. Later the 14 year old Alex Peters of Notts Ladies dropped shots on the 14th and 17th for a 74 to match Janet’s 150. Then the talented Hannah Barwood, Knowle who is determined to master this tricky course dropped a shot on the last for 74 and a total of 149. Meanwhile Samantha Round was in complete control at one over par through 28 holes but an ugly triple bogey at the 11th unsettled her. £ more dropped shots on 12,14 and 15 sent her to Banbury with a rueful smile and a 77 for joint second place on 149.

The course was now clear for the 17 year old Rachel Connor to canter home with a 75 for a winning scratch aggregate of 148. On winning, Rachel was very proud to win the Leveret after years of coming close. She, like so many of the field, who travel from all over England, Wales and Scotland, see it as a great opener to the domestic amateur season. “The course is presented in such great condition and the event is always very well planned “ said Rachel & she’s already looking forward to defending next year.

Everything ran smoothly throughout the day and the club is immensely proud to have hosted such a popular and prestigious event. It is hoped to hold the next Leveret Trophy on Saturday 28th March 2009.

Full list of scores

MS RACHEL CONNOR 73 + 75 148 Manchester Golf Club
MISS HANNAH BARWOOD 75 + 74 149 Knowle Golf Club
MISS SAMANTHA ROUND 72 + 77 149 Tadmarton Heath Golf
MRS JANET COLLINGHAM 78 + 72 150 Sherwood Forest Golf
MISS ALEXANDRA PETERS 76 + 74 150 NOTTS LADIES
MISS REBECCA MCGINLEY 75 + 76 151 Tyneside Golf Club
MS KYM LARRATT 76 + 76 152 Kibworth Golf Club
MS KEENAN ELLIS 76 + 76 152 Sunningdale Golf Clu
MS SAMANTHA BIRKS 77 + 76 153 Wolstanton Golf Club
MS SIAN JAMES 78 + 76 154 Bristol & Clifton Go
MS LAURA MURRAY 77 + 77 154 Alford Golf Club
MISS KATIE BEST 71 + 83 154 Sherwood Forest Golf
MS NIKKI DUNN 79 + 76 155 Harrogate Golf Club
MS CHARLOTTE WILD 75 + 80 155 Mere Golf Club
MS HOLLY CALVERT 75 + 80 155 Lancaster Golf & Cou
MS BRONWYN DAVIES 80 + 76 156 Wolstanton Golf Club
MISS ELIZABETH MALLETT 74 + 82 156 Sutton Coldfield Gol
MS SARAH-JANE EAVES 79 + 78 157 PROFESSIONAL
MISS PAT SMILLIE 78 + 79 157 PROFESSIONAL
MS AMY BOULDEN 80 + 78 158 Llandudno (Maesdu) G
MISS EMMA CLEGG 77 + 81 158 Wilpshire Golf Club
MISS NIKKI FOSTER 75 + 83 158 Accrington & Distric
MS NATALIE LOWE 83 + 76 159 Macclesfield Golf Cl
MISS CLAIRE MACDONALD 81 + 78 159 GULLANE LADIES
MS CHARLOTTE ELLIS 80 + 79 159 Minchinhampton Golf
MISS KATE WHITMORE 80 + 79 159 Sandiway Golf Club L
MISS KIM CROOKS 79 + 80 159 Saltburn Golf Club
MS RACHEL GOODALL 77 + 82 159 Heswall Golf Club
MS SARAH WALTON 84 + 76 160 Clitheroe Golf Club
MISS GIORGINA BROWN 81 + 79 160 Mere Golf Club
MS LISA BARTON 76 + 84 160 Coventry Golf Club
MISS SARA GARBUTT 84 + 77 161 Ganton Golf Club
MS LAURA THOMAS 78 + 83 161 DIDSBURY GOLF CLUB
MS JENNA BIRCH 83 + 79 162 Royal Lytham & St An
MISS RHIAN THOMAS 76 + 86 162 VALE OF GLAMORGAN
MS CAROLINE MARRON 78 + 85 163 Bromborough Golf Clu
MS KIRSTY RANDS 87 + 77 164 Burhill Golf Club
MS KATHERINE O'CONNOR 85 + 80 165 Tadmarton Heath Golf
MS BETH DAVIES 81 + 84 165 FORMBY LADIES GOLF CLUB
MS RACHEL LEWIS 84 + 82 166 Newport Golf Club
MS GEMMA BRADBURY 82 + 84 166 Cottrell Park Golf C
MS HARRIET KEY 81 + 85 166 South Herefordshire
MS ANNA CARLING 86 + 81 167 VALE OF GLAMORGAN
MS LAURA WATKINS 85 + 82 167 BICESTER
MS NICOLA RAWLINSON 82 + 85 167 Leyland Golf Club
MISS LOUISA STIRLING 79 + 88 167 FORMBY LADIES GOLF CLUB
MRS DEBBIE PORTER 78 + 89 167 FORMBY LADIES GOLF CLUB
MS ALEXANDRA BUSHBY 77 + 90 167 Strathmore Golf Cent
MISS LUCINDA MILEHAM 86 + 84 170 Aldwickbury Park Gol
MS JENNY ELLIS 91 + 82 173 NOTTS LADIES
MS TILLY HOLDER 90 + 85 175 OXFORD LADIES
MS STEPHANIE HALL 87 + 90 177 Lindrick Golf Club
MRS SHARON HEWER 90 + 89 179 Sherwood Forest Golf

Angus Junior County Championship

Semi-finals: Louise Smith, Andrea Bowie, Ashley Alston, Jemma Chalmers.

Eighteen year old 6 handicapper Andrea Bowie from Monifieth won the Angus County junior championship (under 21s) over the Monifieth Medal course today. She beat sixteen year old Ashley Alston, a 14 handicapper from Royal Montrose by 4 and 3, having beaten 14 handicapper, Louise Smith From Monifieth by 1 hole in a nail biting semi final.

In the other semi, Ashley beat Jemma Chalmers, a 15 handicapper from Monifieth by 3&2.

The standard of golf in both semis and the final, was excellent. The weather stayed reasonable in the morning, but it just rained constantly in the afternoon.

Trophy Picture left Andrea Bowie, right Ashley Alston.

Angus Junior Spring Meeting Monday 7th April
Results:
1st Handicap Katie Reid Monifieth 89-26 = 63 bih
2nd Handicap Jemma Chalmers Monifieth 79 - 16 = 63
3rd Handicap Alison Pryde Monifieth 94 - 27 = 67 bih from Ashley Alston Royal Montrose

Scratch Prize Andrea Bowie Monifieth 77

Qualifiers were
Andrea Bowie 77
Jemma Chalmers 79
Ashley Alston 81
Louise Smith 83

East of Scotland Vets

Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) won the scratch prize at the East of Scotland Vets Spring Meeting over Gullane No3 yesterday. Her score of 72 was five shots better than Pamela Williamson (Baberton) on 77.
Veryan Biggar (Gullane Ladies) won the Silver Handicap with a net 69, and Sylvia Cunningham took the Bronze Handicap with a net 70.
The CSS went up one from 69 to 70.

Scratch Noreen Fenton 72
H'cap 1. Veryan Biggar 83 (14) 69
2. Gillian Kirkwood 80 (10) 70 (bih)
3. Barbara Halliday 85 (15) 70
4. Maureen Cranston 86 (14) 72 (bih)

Bronze
H'cap 1. Sylvia Cunningham 90 (22) 68
2. Anne McIntosh 92 (21) 71

ANOTHER MAJOR PERFORMANCE
BY LORENA OCHOA

World No 1 female golfer Lorena Ochoa claimed another major title with a five-stroke victory in the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills in California.
The Mexican, who won the Women's British Open over the Old Course, St Andrews last summer, began the day with a one-shot lead over South Korea's Hee-Won Han. But four birdies in her first 10 holes put her in an unassailable position, and she closed with a five-under-par 67 to finish 11 under.
Her nearest challenger for the title and $300,000 first prize was former world number one Annika Sorenstam, whose 68 was matched by Sweden's Suzann Pettersen as the pair shared second place on six under.
Hee-Won's disappointing level-par final round of 72 dropped her to fifth.
England's Karen Stupples finished 12th after a 72 - her third successive round in the 70s.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
277 L Ochoa 68 7171 67.
282 A Sorenstam 71 70 73 68, S Pettersen 74 75 65 68.
283 M Hjorth 70 70 72 71.
Other scores:
288 K Stupples 67 75 74 72 (12th) ($35,621).
291 J Moodie 73 73 74 71(jt 19th) ($23,815).
296 M McKay 78 71 72 75 (jt 42nd) ($9,383).
MISSED CUT (by two shots)
151 C Matthew 77 74.

TRISH AND REBECCA WIN FOR
ENGLAND AT ALICANTE

England's Trish Johnson and Rebecca Hudson claimed a five-stroke victory on Sunday in the inaugural VCI European Ladies Golf Cup at La Sella near Alicante.
The pair combined for rounds of 64, 70, 65 and 71 for an 18-under-par total of 270.
Belgium and Germany tied for second on 13 under par. Belgians Lara Tadiotto and Ellen Smets carded a final round of 71, while Germans Martina Eberl and Anja Monke fired a 65.
"We gelled perfectly," said Johnson. "The two Belgian girls were absolutely fantastic.
"They deserve better than what they got actually in the end but they played great and they pushed us all the way."
Hudson added: "For me I've just enjoyed the whole week and knowing that Trish was always going to be there or thereabouts was just great."
Clare Queen and Lynn Kenny finished on 289.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
270 T Johnson & R Hudson (Eng) 64 70 65 71
275 A Monke & M Eberl (Ger) 66 73 71 65, E Smets & L Tadiotto (Bel) 65 70 69 71
282 M Van der Graaf & N (Ned) 70 73 70 69
283 S Croce & V Zorzi (Ita) 68 75 73 67
284 A Kostina & M Kostina (Rus) 73 70 69 72
285 P Marti & T Elosegui (Spa) 68 73 72 72
286 N Anghern & Seeholz (Swi) 69 75 74 68, L Wahlin & J Westerberg (Swe) 73 71 70 72
287 I Tinning & L Sorensen (Den) 66 77 70 74
288 K Lindstrom & L Terebey (USA) 70 75 72 71, N Gergely & Steinberger (Aut) 72 72 71 73
289 R Coakley & M Gillen (Irl) 67 76 75 71, C Queen & L Kenny (Sco) 71 74 71 73
291 K Lunn & J Mills (Aus) 69 75 73 74, L Hall & E Pilgrim (Wal) 74 74 67 76
292 U Wikstrom & K Ruuttila (Fin) 73 74 71 74
294 S Arricau & L Kreutz (Fra) 68 79 73 74
298 C Lundgreen & L Saether (Nor) 70 78 76 74
307 Z Kamasova & Bubanova (Svk) 74 79 76 78

PAMELA FEGGANS, SAMANTHA
HEAD FINISH JOINT 40th
AT DAYTONA BEACH

Ayrshire exile Pamela Feggans from Patna earned $645 for a share of 40th place in the $100,000 American Systems Invitational tournament at LPGA International Golf Club, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Vikki Laing from Musselburgh, the other Scot competing in the this the latest event on the Duramed Futures Tour, missed the 36-hole cut by one shot.
Feggans, pictured right, had scores of 72, 78 and 73 for a seven-over-par total of 223 over the 6,464yd course. On the same mark was Samantha Head from Bedford with scores of 77, 72 and 74.
Laing scored 78 and 74 for 152 while Brenda McLarnon from Belfast also missed the cut with scores of 78 and 77 for 155.
Leah Wigger from Louisville, Kentucky won the $14,000 top prize with a four-under-par total of 212, made up of scores of 68, 698 and 75.
The non-exempt LPGA Tour rookie finished two shots ahead of Danah Ford from Indianapolis. Ford scored 70, 74 and 70 for 214 and a $10,000 pay check.
Although temperatures for the event touched 81 degrees, it was marred by rain which delayed the finish of the second round until Sunday morning. The final round was played over a saturated course.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
212 Leah Wigger (US) 68 69 75.
214 Danah Ford (US) 70 74 70.
215 Song Yi Choi (SKor) 72 72 71, Caroline Larsson (Swe) 73 71 71.
Other scores:
223 Samantha Head (Eng) 77 72 74, Pamela Feggans (Sco) 72 78 73 (jt 40th).
Non-qualifiers included:
152 Vikki Laing (Sco) 78 74.
155 Brenda McLarnon (NIre) 78 77.





+A fuller report with all the scores is available on www.duramedfuturestour.com