COLIN FARQUHARSON IS OFF TO THE ALGARVE UNTIL OCTOBER 21.
GILLIAN KIRKWOOD WILL HOLD THE FORT UNTIL THEN.

SWEDES ARE WORLD
TEAM CHAMPIONS
BY 12 STROKES

PRESS RELEASE FROM INTERNATIONAL
GOLF FEDERATION
Adelaide, Australia (11 October) – Sweden held the lead from the start to finish to capture the Espirito Santo Trophy and win the 2008 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship by 12 strokes over Spain and 14 over the USA at The Grange Golf Club’s East and West courses.
With a three-under-par 69 from Anna Nordqvist and a 2-under-par 70 from Caroline Hedwall, the Swedes finished at 19-under-par 561, just three strokes off the lowest score in championship history set by the USA in 1998 (558). Their 12-stroke margin of victory was the most since the USA won by 21 in 1998.
“It’s a fantastic feeling,” Sweden’s captain Walter Danewid said. “I am not surprised we are here because they are really good players. It’s been advertised that this event would have the stars of tomorrow. They lived up to that.”
Sweden, the only team to have finished in the top 10 in all 23 competitions, won its second championship after taking the victory in Puerto Rico in 2004. Their wire-to-wire win was the first in 18 years, since the USA did so in 1990.
“I was asked: ‘What is the secret to our success?,” Danewid said. “It’s hard work. There’s no secret.”
Spain finished second at 7-under 573 and could not make up the large deficit.
“We tried as hard as we could,” Spanish captain Macarena Campomanes, who was on two Espirito Santo winning teams. “But they were too many shots ahead.”
The best move of the day came from the USA. Amanda Blumenherst shot 4-under 68 and Tiffany Joh added a 3-under 69 for 137, the second-lowest final round score in history. The Americans jumped from a tie for 17th after the first day to third-place.
“The first day was like the wind out of our sails,”’ Blumenherst said. “We definitely fought back and played hard the last three days.”
The Americans posted the lowest score in the final 36 holes (279) in championship history.
Canada finished fourth at 583, followed by Japan in fifth at 584, Germany in sixth at 585, England in seventh at 586, Netherlands and Denmark tied for eighth at 587 and defending champion South Africa in 10th at 588.
Although there is not individual recognition, Caroline Hedwall of Sweden was the low scorer at 10-under-par 280.


The next Espirito Santo Trophy tournament will be staged in South America in 2010 - Buenos Aires, Argentina.


Scots skipper Fiona Norris disappointed


KAY SMART REPORTS FROM ADELAIDE
Scotland finished joint 11th in the women’s world amateur team championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy in Adelaide today.
Their 72-hole total of 592 was the same as that posted by Korea – and captain Fiona Norris could not hide her disappointment.
“We did not do ourselves justice. We had a lot of bad drives. Obviously the team had the ability to finish higher, having pulled up so much yesterday. The damage was done on the second day but nevertheless they tried their best and one cannot fault their effort and application.They are a great team,”said Norris.
A major plus point was the form of 19-year-old Curtis Cup player Krystle Caithness who ended up in joint sixth place in the individual standings alongside England’s Jodi Ewart.
Caithness had rounds of 71, 73, 71 and 75 for a 290 aggregate some 10 strokes behind Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, the best individual.
Back-to-back birdies on 4 and 5, where she sank good putts, put Caithness on the right track but bunker trouble at the sixth cost her a double bogey and she had bogeys at 7 and 8, both because of missed short putts, and the 12th.
It was the Caithness score that was discounted today as British stroke-play champion Roseanne Niven had a par 72 on the Grange West course and said afterwards “It has been an exciting event and I would like to start again now.”


Kylie Walker likewise recorded her best score of the four days, a 73 which looked like being a 69 until she had two late double bogeys.


SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE TOTALS AND THE SCOTS' CARDS

Krystle Caithness placed joint 6th in individual standings

Scots finish joint 11th in

Espirito Santo Trophy

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Scotland just failed to make their target of a top-10 finish in the women's world amateur team championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy at Grange Golf Club, Adelaide in Australia.
They had their best team effort on the fourth and final day - a 72 from Roseanne Niven, a 73 from Kylie Walker and a 75 from Krystle Caithness - but came joint 11th in the final standings, which is not a bad effort in a field of 48 teams.

Two years again in South Africa, when Scotland entered a tean first time since 1964, Heather MacRae, Jenna Wilson and Krystle Caithness finished 19th. Two years before that, when Great Britain & Ireland competed for the last time, they finished 25th.
Sweden, represented by Caroline Hedwall, Anna Nordqvist and Pernilla Lindberg - all students at American colleges, outclassed the field with a 19-under-par total of 561. Hedwall and Nordqvist finished first and second in the individual standings. Lindberg's scores did not count in any of the four rounds, yet she came 18th in the final placings.
The Swedish trio won the championship by 12 strokes from Spain with the United States, who started slowly but finished like a train, coming through to take third place on 575.
Canada, whose national coach is a Scot, Dean Spriddle from Fife, finished a creditable fourth on 583.
England came seventh on 586.
Wales were 23rd on 605 and Ireland 24th on 606.
Scotland can hold their heads up high on the world stage. Several bigger countries with much greater resources under-achieved, such as host nation Australia who finished a shot behind Scotland in 13th place.

France, joint 15th on 595, too must have been disappointed with their team effort.
Krystle Caithness was the star of the show for Scotland and one of the leading players in the star-studded field.
High-level competition on the American college circuit has raised the bar for her - and she is clearing it. Krystle came joint sixth with a level par aggregate of 290 in the overall standings.

FINAL TOTALS

(with individual fourth-round scores)
Par 570
1 - 561 SWEDEN (A Nordqvist 69, C Hedwall 70, P Lindberg 73).
2 - 573 SPAIN (A Munoz 70, B Mozo 70, C Ciganda 72).
3 - 575 UNITED STATES (A Blumenherst 68, T Joh 69, A Walshe 70).
4 - 583 CANADA.
5 - 584 JAPAN.
6 - 585 GERMANY.
7 - 586 ENGLAND (J Ewart 70, E Bennett 70, R Jennings 77).
8 - 587 DENMARK, NETHERLANDS.
10 - 588 SOUTH AFRICA.
11 - 592 SCOTLAND (R Niven 72, K Walker 73, K Caithness 75), SOUTH KOREA.

593 AUSTRIA.

594 COLOMBIA.

595 AUSTRIA, FRANCE.
596 ARGENTINA, SWITZERLAND.

599 PHILLIPPINES.

601 NORWAY.

603 NEW ZEALAND, THAILAND.

23 - 604 WALES (R Wyn Thomas 74, B Loucks 77, S Hassan 78).

24 - 606 IRELAND (T Delaney 73, D McVeigh 77, N Kitching 79).

607 FINLAND, BELGIUM, BRAZIL.

608 CZECH REP.

610 LATVIA

611 ITALY, MEXICO.

612 TAIPEI.

614 PUERTO RICO.

615 CHILE

620 CHINA

622 RUSSIA

623 MALAYSIA.

625 PORTUGAL

629 GUATEMALA

631 HONG KONG

637 ICELAND.

640 SINGAPORE.

641 BERMUDA.

646 TURKEY.

651 SLOVAKIA.

655 COOK ISLANDS.

671 GREECE

730 FIJI

LEADING INDIVIDUAL AGGREGATES

Par 290

1 - 280 C Hedwall (Swe) 67 70 73 70.
2 - 281 A Nordqvist (Swe) 70 68 74 69.

3 - 287 A Munoz (Spa) 71 72 74 70.

4 - 288 M-A LeBlanc (Can) 73 75 75 69.

5 - 289 C Boeljon (Net) 77 69 70 74.

6 - 280 K Caithness (Sco) 71 73 71 75, J Ewart (Eng) 73 72 75 70, C Masson (Ger) 75 74 71 70, M J Uribe (Col) 73 73 72 72, A Walshe (US) 78 73 69 70.

11- 291 A Blumenherst (US) 79 71 73 68, C Ciganda (Spa) 75 66 78 22, I Verwey (SAf) 75 67 76 73.

Other totals:

292 B Mozo (Spa) 74 72 76 70 (jt 14th).

293 P Lindberg (Swe) 72 72 76 73 (18th).

294 T Joh (US) 74 78 73 69 (jt 19th).

299 E Bennett (Eng) 79 75 75 70 (jt 27th).

302 T Delaney (Ire) 75 77 77 73, B Loucks (Wal) 75 73 77 77 (jt 40th).

304 D McVeigh (Ire) 74 77 76 77 (jt 49th).

305 K Walker (Sco) 76 81 75 73 (jt 51st).

306 S Hassan (Wal) 80 74 74 78 (jt 57th).

311 R Jennings (Eng) 76 79 79 77 (jt 84th).

314 R Niven (Sco) 78 81 83 72, R Wyn Thomas (Wal) 80 82 78 74 (jt 94th).

320 N Kitching (Ire) 82 78 81 79 (jt 111th).

SCOTS' LAST-DAY STATISTICS

ROSEANNE NIVEN 72 (one under par)

Birdies: 3 (eighth, ninth & 18th).

Bogeys: 3 (11th, 15th & 17th).

KYLIE WALKER 73 (level par)

Eagles: 1 (at first).

Birdies: 2 (second & fifth).

Double bogeys: 2 (16th & 18th).

Bogeys: 1 (fourth).

KRYSTLE CAITHNESS 75 (two over par)

Birdies: 2 (fourth & fifth).

Double bogeys: 1 (at sixth).

Bogeys: 3 (seventh, eighth & 12th).

Rebecca joint 13th after first round
of Mercedes Benz Championship

Rebecca Watson has had one of her best rounds as a Tennessee University team player to share 13th place individually and help her college lead the team event in the Mercedes Benz Women's Championship, hosted by Tennessee University, at Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville.
Elie & Earlsferry Ladies Golf Club member Rebecca, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, from South Queensferry, shot a level par 72 over the 6,058yd course to be four shots behind the three joint leaders, Sydney Crane (North Carolina), Lauren Doughtie (North Carolina State) and Marika Lendl (UCF).
Jacqueline Hedwall (Louisiana State University), twin sister of Caroline who is spearheading Sweden to victory in the Espirito Santo Trophy in Australia, had a 74 to be joint 31st.
Former English girls champion Ellie Givens (Denver) had a 77 to be joint 61st in a field of 96.
Tennessee (283) lead from North Carolina (289), North Carolina State (290) and Louisiana State (291) in a field of 18 teams.

Nicky Maddison, a winner twice over already on the American college golf circuit.

Newcastle's Nicky Maddison makes

it two wins in a row in Kansas

The signing of Nicky Maddison from Newcastle for the start of the 2008-2009 American college golf season must be the best bit of "business" done by the Hutchinson College, Kansas talent scout in a long while.

Nicky has just won his second straight tournament this week and Hutchinson College have won three team titles in a row in the Jayhawk Conference tournament circuit.

In the latest event, the third in the series, played at The Highlands course, Hutchinson, in two days of simply awful weather - bucketing rain and wind on the first day, drier but windier (20 to 25mph wind) on the second day - Nicky had rounds out one-under-par 71 followed by an 81 for a total of 152.

Given the terrible weather conditions, Nicky's first-round was a great score and formed the basis for his three-stroke win from Miles Christensen (Johnson County) who had rounds of 79 and 76 for 155.

Dale Middleton from Coventry, Hutchinson College's other freshman recruit from England, finished 10th in a field of 50 wiht scores of 83 and 85 for 168.

Hutchinson (653) won the team title from Dodge City (662) and Johnson County (663). Ten college teams took part.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS

Par 144 (2 x 72) 6486yd

152 Nicky Maddison (Hutchinson) 71 81.

155 Miles Christensen (Johnson County) 79 76.

159 Christopher Grause (Allen County) 79 80.

160 Anders Engell (Dodge City) 73 87.

LEADING TEAMS

653 Hutchinson. 662 Dodge City. 663 Johnston County.

+The city of Hutchinson, Kansas was founded in 1871 by an Indian agent by the name of C C Hutchinson. It now has a population of 40,000 and covers an area of 21 square miles. It is in the central south of the state of Kansas, 40 miles north of Wichita and is the county seat of Reno County.

Programme for Daily Mail Foursomes
Finals at Marriott Dalmahoy

The Daily Mail Foursomes closing stages will be played at the Marriott Dalmahoy on Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21.
Here's the programme:

Sunday, October 19.
Official room check-in time from 4pm.
Courtesy of the course will be extended to all the finalists to play a practice round over the East course. Tee will be reserved from 10.32 am to 12.48pm.
At 6pm, the draw for the round of the last 16 will be made in the Marriott Hotel Cocktail Bar.
A drinks reception will be held in the Dalmahoy Foyer at 7.30pm followed by dinner in the Dalmahoy Suite at 8pm.

Monday, October 20
Breakfast from 6.30am.
Play will start promptly at 8am - men from the first tee; women from the 10th.
Winners of their last 16 match will go forward to the afternoon quarter-finals from 1.30pm.
Teams knocked out in the round of the last 16 can take part in a Champagne Stableford Foursomes competition on the West Course from 1.30pm.
Lunch from noon to 2pm. Afternoon tea from 4 to 6pm.
Gala Dinner for all finalists at 8pm, preceded by drinks reception at 7.30.

Tuesday, October 21
Breakfast at 6.30m.
Men's and women's semi-finals start from 8am on first tee of the East Course.
Champagne Foursomes for teams knocked out in the round of the last 16 and the quarter-finals to be played ont he West Course from 9am.
Men's and women's finals to be played over the East Course from the first tee at 1.30 and 1.45.
Lunch available from 12 tgo 2pm. Afternoon tea from 4 to 6pm.
Presentation of prizes at conclusion of finals. All finalists will receive a personal prize and the winning pairs will be presented with the Daily Mail Silver Challenge Trophy.

SCOTTISH QUALIFIERS

All of whom have come through seven match-play rounds to get to Marriott Dalmahoy.

WOMEN
Anstruther
Carnoustie Caledonia
Loudoun Gowf
Strathmore
MEN
Cawder
Dunwhinny (Gleneagles)
Muckhart

The Oxfordshire development

will rule out staging Ladies

English Open in 2009

PRESS RELEASE
The Leaderboard Group has reluctantly decided to end its partnership with the Ladies English Open.
It brings to the end a five-year association between the group and the event which was won earlier this year at The Oxfordshire by home star Rebecca Hudson.
The event had returned to the great course after a four-year stint at sister club Chart Hills in Kent.
But victory after a long legal battle to grant permission to build a hotel at the course means there would be too much disruption to host the event.
Paul Gibbons, chairman of the Leaderboard Group, said he was sad to end the association with the event but the hotel build and further development of the Oxfordshire as a major leisure resort is now top of his priorities.
He said: “I think we can hold our heads high with all the work we have done to help promote women’s golf and the Ladies European Tour. We have hosted five wonderful events but it’s now time for somebody else to take on that mantel.

"We have fought long and hard to be able to expand the leisure facilities at The Oxfordshire and now we have to make sure our new hotel, spa, swimming pool and expanded golf operations have our full attention.
“It was great to see an English contingent featuring so strongly in this year’s Ladies English Open particularly as Leaderboard have been such strong supporters of women’s golf over the years. We hope that the women’s game continues to grow and flourish in England and wish the LET well in their quest to find a new home for the LEO.”
The Oxfordshire, near Thame, has now been granted permission to commence building and the first visitors are expected to be welcomed in 2010, with building work due to start in November.
In addition to 46 double rooms and four suites, the new building will also house an indoor swimming pool and fitness suite including a fully equipped gym, sauna and treatment rooms.

Maria Hjorth - five months pregnant
- shares LPGA Tour lead

Nearly five months pregnant, Maria Hjorth shot a six-under-par 66 on Thursday for a share of the first-round lead with Michele Redman at the LPGA Tour's Longs Drugs Challenge.
“It affects me a little bit,” said Hjorth, the former Stirling University student from Sweden who is ranked the 12th best female pro golfer in the world.
“Sometimes my body gets a little bit slow and my hands get quicker than my body. Today, a few shots I pulled them a little bit left. Other than that it doesn’t really affect me too much. I’ve been feeling really good throughout the whole thing so far. I’ll keep on playing until I feel I can’t anymore.”
Hjorth matched Redman with seven birdies and a bogey on a sunny day at Blackhawk Country Club, Danville in California. In-Kyung Kim and Mikaela Parmlid were tied for second at 67.

Scotland aim for a top-10 finish
in Espirito Santo Trophy

KAY SMART REPORTS FROM ADELAIDE
Scotland will target a top-ten finish in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy in Adelaide.
They go into the fourth and final round over the Grange East course some 11 strokes outside the medal positions- and to bridge that gap would be too tall an order.
For the third consecutive day 19-year-old Curtis Cup player Krystle Caithness produced an almost flawless display and currently lies third in the individual rankings behind the crack Swedeish pair Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist.
The St Regulus star fired a two under par 71 and is three under for the 54 holes played.
"I am playing good, steady golf and am pleased with the way it has been going,"said the University of Georgia player.
Scotland's aggregate of 447 puts them level with Australia in 12th spot and they are only a stroke behind England and Columbia who are tieing for 10th place.
Sweden are set for the title and gold medals as they go out for the final round 11 strokes ahead of Spain with Japan a further three strokes behind in third spot.
Caithness recorded five birdies - one on the way out and four coming home. She rolled in 15-foot putts on the 10th and 14th holes,a six-footer on the 15th and got up and down at the 16th.
She bogeyed the first and 13th due to bunker trouble and the 18th where she just missed a 20-foot par putt.
Kyle Walker was round in 75 and said afterwards "I hit the ball well but could not hole a putt.She had three bogeys and one birdie.
British stroke-play champion Roseanne Niven was disappointed with her non-counting 83 which included three double bogeys and two bogeys.
"I got into a lot of trouble off the tees - it was a nightmare,"said the Crieff and University of California-Berkeley student.
Scottish captain Fiona Norris was upbeat. "It was really good today and Krystle had another fine day. We talked last night about how they were getting out of position."
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE THIRD-ROUND TOTALS AND MORE COMMENT

Fifer is joint third in Espirito Santo Trophy individual standings

Krystle sparkles again and Scots

climb to joint 12th position

Krystle Caithness had another great day at the women's world amateur team championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Grange Golf Club, Adelaide in Australia.

After matching her opening round of two-under-par 71, Krystle is lying joint third in the individual standings.

With Kylie Walker contributing a 75, it was a better day for Scotland with a Day 3 team score of 146. They have climbed to joint 12th position - one behind England - but 25 shots behind the runaway leaders, Sweden, who are 11 shots ahead of next-best Spain with one round to go.

A top-10 finish is now the realistic target for Scotland, which would still be a creditable effort on the world amateur stage.

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Par 436

422 SWEDEN (C Hedwall 73, A Nordqvist 74, P Lindberg 76).

433 SPAIN (A Munoz 74, B Mozo 76, C Ciganda 78).

436 JAPAN.

438 UNITED STATES (A Walshe 69, A Blumenherst 73, T Joh 73).

440 NETHERLANDS (C Boeljon 70, D-C Schreefel 78, M Nivard 79), SOUTH AFRIA.

442 CANADA.

443 DENMARK, GERMANY.

446 COLOMBIA, ENGLAND (J Ewart 75, E Bennett 75, R Jennings 79).

447 AUSTRALIA, SCOTLAND (K Caithness 71, K Walker 75, R Niven 83).

448 SWITZERLAND.

449 AUSTRIA.

450 FRANCE.

451 NEW ZEALAND.

452 SOUTH KOREA.

453 WALES (S Hassan 74, B Loucks 77, R Wyn Thomas 78), ARGENTINA.

456 ITALY, IRELAND (D McVeigh 76, T Delaney 77, N Kitching 81), BRAZIL, BELGIUM, THAILAND.

459 FINLAND.

460 MEXICO.

461 CHINESE TAIPEI, LATVIA.

462 PUERTO RICO, CZECH REPUBLIC

467 CHILE.

470 CHINA.

471 MALAYSIA, PORTUGAL.

474 GUATEMALA.

475 HONG KONG

476 ICELAND, RUSSIA.

483 SLOVAKIA.

485 SINGAPORE.

487 BERMUDA.

488 TURKEY.

490 COOK ISLANDS.

508 GREECE.

550 FIJI

SCOTS' INDIVIDUAL ROUND THREE SCORECARDS

Par 73

KRYSTLE CAITHNESS 71 (37-34).

Birdies: 5.

Bogeys: 3 (at first, 13th and 18th).

KYLIE WALKER 75 (38-37)

Birdies: 1 (at 12th).

Bogeys: 3 (at seventh, 13th and 15th).

ROSEANNE NIVEN 83 (39-44).

Birdies: 1 (at 13th).

Triple bogeys: 1 (at 18th).

Double bogeys: 3 (at fifth, 12th and 16th).

Bogyeys: 2 (at 11th and 17th).

OVERALL INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS

Par 218 (2 x 73, 1 x 72)

1-210 Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 67 70 73.

2-212 Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 70 68 74.

3-215 Krystle Caithness (Sco) 71 73 71, Christel Boeljon (Net) 77 68 70.

KAY SMART'S SPECIAL REPORT FROM ADELAIDE WILL BE WITH US SHORTLY.

IN THE MEANTIME, HERE'S A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ORGANISERS, THE INTERNATIONAL GOLF FEDERATION:

SWEDEN INCREASES LEAD TO 11 STROKES AFTER THIRD ROUND

Adelaide, Australia (10 October) – Steadfast Sweden increased its lead to 11 strokes over Spain after the third round of the 2008 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at The Grange Golf Club’s East and West Courses.

Caroline Hedwall shot an even-par 73 and Anna Nordqvist posted a 1-over-par 74 on the East course as Sweden picked up three strokes on second-place Spain. They finished 54 holes at 14-under-par 422, tying a championship record for the second-largest third-round lead.

“Normally in golf, the third day is moving day but it was more like a waiting day,” Sweden’s captain Walter Danewid said. “Spain was closest to us but not much was happening. We seemed like we were waiting.”

The Swedes are vying for their second title and the chance to become the first start-to-finish winners since the USA in 1990. This trio of Swedish players won the European Team Championships in 2008.

“It is a big lead but there is still a lot of golf to be played,” Danewid said. “We will do our thing and we will stay focused.”

Spain could not take advantage of Sweden’s 1-over-par third-round score and stands at 3-under-par 433.

“Golf is something special,” Spanish captain Macarena Campomanes said of overcoming the large lead of Sweden. “We will try. You never know in golf.”

Japan jumped two places to third place with a third-round 3-under-par 143.

The USA made the day’s biggest move with a 4-under-par 142 to advance four places to fourth with Alison Walshe notching a 4-under-par 69, the best round of the day. Teammates Amanda Blumenherst and Tiffany Joh both shot even-par 73.

“If all three of us play really well, we should be under par,” Walshe said of her team’s chances in the fourth round. “It’s the kind of a thing where Sweden might be too far away. But, you never know.

Also in medal contention were Netherlands and defending champions South Africa, who are tied for fifth place. Canada is seventh; Denmark and Germany are tied for eighth and Colombia and England are tied for 10th.

The host country, Australia, is tied for 12th.

In the Women’s World Amateur, each team, which has two or three players, plays 18 holes of stroke play for four days. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day (72-hole total is the team’s score for the championship.

The winning team receives custody of the Espirito Santo Trophy for the ensuing two years.
For round four, the teams at the top half of the leaderboard will play the West course. The bottom half teams will play the East.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

England’s medal hopes suffered a setback on the third day of the 2008 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia.
The team score was four-over par for the day and England dropped back two places to 10th position. They are 10 shots behind Japan, who returned three-under for the day and moved into the bronze medal position.
However, England will be pulling out all the stops in the final round of the championship. Team captain Julie Otto said: “The team are disappointed with their position after the third round of the championship.
“To be 10 strokes off the bronze medal position with one round to play is certainly challenging. But, golf is a game in which amazing things can happen and if all our putts drop who knows what we can achieve.”
England’s counting scores – the best two from three - came from Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) and Jodi Ewart (Catterick) who both returned two-over par 75.
Liz played consistent golf over the East course while Jodi again finished strongly. The English strokeplay champion was five over after 12 holes but had three birdies as she completed her round.
England’s third team member, Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton), was level par over the outward half but fell away on the back nine and her 79 was discounted.
Sweden continue to dominate in the competition for the Espirito Santo Trophy. They are 11 strokes clear of Spain who returned to the field after returning a third day team score of four-over par. They continue to hold the silver medal position but are only three shots ahead of Japan.

BANK CHARGES FORCE IMPORTANT CHANGE OF MIND

Festival entry fees can be paid on

arrival at Hacienda del Alamo

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Tournament Controller, 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

We have decided to scrap the need to pay a downpayment of 100 Euros towards competitors' entry fees for the four-event, six-day programme from February 11 to 17.

We are reverting to the format which was in place for the inaugural Festival last February, i.e. competitors don't pay their competition entry fees until they get to the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Why the about-turn, you might ask? Well, it's all to do with Bank Charges. We had opened a Euros currency account in this country into which all the advance payments would have been paid.

But after the first cheque for 300 Euros had been deposited, we received a Bank Statement a couple of weeks later, showing only 290 Euros in the account!

When we inquired what had happened to the missing 10 Euros, we were informed that this was the standard deduction for "bank charges."

So, had we continued to bank all the advance entry fees, the Bank, which shall remain nameless, would have deducted a minimum of 10 Euros and a maximum of 60 Euros for EACH transaction, depending on the size of the deposit.

As all the entry fees, less a few admin costs, go out again in cash or other prizes, the Festival just could not afford to continue this arrangement.

So, no entry monies needed up front. Simply fill in the entry form, cut and paste and E-mail it to Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

You can, if you wish, still post the entry forms .

New US honour for Jodi Ewart

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
English stroke-play champion Jodi Ewart has won yet another honour on the US women’s college circuit.The 20-year-old student at New Mexico University has been named as the Women’s Golfer of the Month for September by the Mountain West Conference.
Jodi, whose home club is Catterick in Yorkshire, won her third US college championship during September with a six-under par score. She currently tops the Conference rankings for stroke average and she’s ranked 19th nationally by Golfweek.
She’s previously been twice named an All-American. Jodi, who played in the 2008 Curtis Cup, is currently representing England in the World Amateur Team Championship in Australia.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Jodi Ewart is ranked No 1 in the new list of GolfStat's Head-to-Head Standings for NCAA Division 1 women.

And another Yorkshire player, Carley Warrington (Belmont Abbey), is No 3 in NCAA Division 2 Head-to-Head Standings.

Natasha Podmore makes top 20

in Eidean Ihlanfeldt Invitational

England's Natasha Podmore from Appleton, a student at San Francisco University, finished 18th in a field of 69 for the Eidean Ihlanfeldt Invitational women's college tournament at the Sahalee Country Club, Washington State.

Natasha (pictured right) scored 79, 75 and 79 for a total of 233 over the par-72, 6130 course.

Winner was Mari Chun (Stanford) with 75, 71 and 72 for 218. She won by four shots from Kayla Mortellaro (Idaho) with the pair sharing third place another four shots back.

Stanford won the team event by 16 shots from Oregon with Washinton third and San Francisco bracketed with California for fourth place in a field of 13 teams.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS

Par 216 (3 x 72) 6130yd

218 Mari Chun (Stanford) 75 71 72.

222 Kayla Mortellaro (Idaho) 74 73 75.

226 Danielle Cvitanov (San Francisco) 79 73 74, Karinn Dickinson (Wasington) 74 79 73.

Selected score:

233 Natasha Podmore (San Francisco) 79 75 79 (jt 18th).

63 Players took part.

LEADING TEAMS

905 Stanford.

921 Oregon.

922 Washington.

927 San Francisco, California.

13 Teams took part.

Scotland slip back on second day
of Espirito Santo Trophy

FROM KAY SMART IN ADELAIDE
Krystle Caithness was once again in inspired form in the World Amateur Team Championships for the Espirito Santo Trophy in Adelaide today.
The 19-year-old Curtis Cup star from St Regulus returned a level par 73 on the Grange East Course to add to her 71 the previous day on the West Course to put her in joint sixth place in the individual standings.
But unfortunately for Scotland's medal hopes, her fellow team members Kylie Walker and Roseanne Niven struggled and both took 81 which meant the side slipped down the rankings to joint 17th.
They now face an uphill battle in their quest for a medal.
At the halfway stage they are on 301- 11 over par, 26 strokes adrift of runaway leaders Sweden, 18 behind second-placed Spain and, more crucially, are 11 away from defending champions South Africa who are in third spot.
Caithness looked set for a round of 70 until she had three bogeys in the last five holes, failing to get up and down from a bunker at the 14th, three-putting the 15th and fluffing a chip at the 16th.
Those mishaps came on top of a double bogey at the fourth after finding considerable trouble.
Walker had two double bogeys while Niven recorded a triple bogey on the 18th where she found problems in the sand.
Scottish captain Fiona Norris said afterwards "We are disappointed with the scores in the 80's. It was the same story as yesterday, quite good on the front nine but fell away on the homeward stretch. Our players got into difficult positions too often. But it's another day tomorrow."
England, in joint eighth spot on 296. are leading the British challenge after day two.

HOW THEY STAND
275 Sweden (A Nordqvist 68, C Hedwall 70. Discounted P Lindberg 72).
283 Spain (C Ciganda 66, A Munoz 72. Discounted B Mozo 72).
290 South Africa (I Verwey 67, M Smith 76, K Williams 79).
292 Netherlands.
293 Japan.
295 Canada, Brazil.
296 United States (A Blumenherst 71, A Walshe 73. Discounted T Joh 78), England (J Ewart 72, E Bennett 75. Discounted R Jennings 79).
298 Austria, Germany, Denmark, France.
300 New Zealand, Colombia, Norway.
301 Korea, Scotland (K Caithness 73, K Walker 81. Discounted R Niven 71).
302 Switzerland, Wales (B Loucks 73, S Hassan 74. Discounted R Wyn Thomas 82).
303 Mexico, Ireland (D McVeigh 77, T Delaney 77. Discounted N Kitching 78).
305 Austria.
307 Italy, Taipei, Belgium.
308 Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Phillippines.
309 Argentina.
311 Russia, Puerto Rico.
312 Chile.
313 Thailand.
316 Portugal.

SCOTS' INDIVIDUAL DETAILS
Par 73 course

KRYSTLE CAITHNESS 73
Birdies: 5 (at fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth & 17th).
Double bogeys: 1 (at long seventh).
Bogeys: 3 (at 14th, 15th and 16th).

ROSEANNE NIVEN 81
Birdies: 2 (at sixth and seventh).
Triple bogeys: 1 (at 18th).
Double bogeys 1 (at 15th).
Bogeys: 5 (at first, 10th, 11th, 13th & 14th).

KYLIE WALKER 81
Birdies: 1 (at long sixth).
Double bogeys: 3 (at first, 10th & 12th).
Bogeys: 3 (at second, ninth & 18th).

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
England moved up the leaderboard on the second day of the 2008 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship in Adelaide, Australia – and are firmly in the hunt for a medal.
Sweden and Spain are dominating the race for the Espirito Santo Trophy itself but the bronze medal is within England’s reach.
The team’s score for the second day was one-over par, a big improvement on the first day when they were five-over, and they moved up five places to eighth on the leaderboard.
Yorkshire’s Jodi Ewart (Catterick) again led England’s scoring with a one-under par 72 on the East course at Grange Golf Club. The English stroke-play champion was two over par after 15 holes but finished in sparkling style with three consecutive birdies.
Hampshire’s Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) provided the team’s other counting score with a two-over 75 which included an eagle and a birdie. She could easily have been under par but a number of putts refused to drop.
Staffordshire’s Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) returned 79 and her score was discounted.
Team captain Julie Otto said: “We had a much better day today and if we continue to play as we are the bronze medal is within our reach. If we play better than we are – who knows!"
Meanwhile Sweden and Spain dominate the top of the table. Sweden broke the 36-hole scoring record and, at 15-under par, lead the championship by eight shots. But Spain made a strong challenge with a second day team score of eight-under par, helped by Carlota Ciganda’s 66.
They are seven-under par at the halfway stage of the event.
Defending champions South Africa are in third place, 15 strokes behind Sweden, followed by Netherlands in fourth and Japan in fifth. Brazil and Canada share sixth place; while England and USA are tied eighth on six-over par. Host nation Australia, Denmark, France and Germany are tied 10th.
Full details: www.i nternationalgolffederation.org
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Spanish girl show them how
in Waterlefe Invitational

Four British players finished out of the top 30 in this week's Waterlefe Invitational women's college tournament at Waterlefe Country Club, Bradenton in Florida.
Bethune Cookman College players Emma Taylor from Devon, Hannah Bews from Dorset and Fern Grimshaw, also from Dorset, finished joint 37th, joint 47th and joint 57th n a field of 87 players.
Shirley Harvey from Belfast came joint 53rd.
The winner was Madrid girl Aruka Felgueroso with 70 and 71 for 141. She won by a stroke from a group of five players.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 144. 5962 yds.
141 Aruka Felgueroso (Coastal Carolina) 70 71.
Five players tied for second place on 142.
Selected scores:
154 Emma Taylor (Bethune Cookman College) 74 80 (jt 37th).
156 Hannah Bews (Bethune Cookman Collee) 76 80 (jt 47th).
158 Shirley Harvey (South Alabama) 78 80 (jt 53rd).
159 Fern Grimshaw (Bethune Cookman) 81 78 (jt 57th).
87 Players took part.
LEADING TEAMS
581 Campbell.
590 South Florida.
Selected scores:
626 Bethune Cookman College (13t).
631 South Alabama (15th of 16).

Grant Carnie helps Brevard College

win for second time this season

Ellon's Grant Carnie, pictured right, finished third and helped Brevard College, North Carolina golf team to achieve a second team win of the 2008-2009 US college golf season in the SMC Invitational tournament at Links O'Tryon, Campobello, South Carolina this week.
Carnie finished on level par 144 by matching the par of 72 twice over the 6,877yd course. He finished three shots behind the winner.
Team-mates Myles Johnston from Bo'ness, Craig Galloway from West Lothian and Tom Rennie from Aberdeen all made it into the final top 30 in a field of 60 players.

Senior year student Myles scored 82 and 68 to finished 10th equal of 150. Not only was that 68 the tournament low, it was also a record low score by any player in the history of the Brevard College golf programme. Well don, Myles!

Craig Galloway, also in his final year at Brevard College, scored 74 and 78 for 152 and a share of 16th place.

Freshman student Tom Rennie from Aberdeen and a member at Deeside Golf Club finished 27th with rounds of 77 and 79 for 156.
Brevard College won the team event by 15 shots from a field of 11 college squads.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS

Par 144 (2 x 72) 6877yd

141 Daniel Hardy (Spartanburgh Methodist) 72 69.

143 Dustin Philyaw (Johnston) 72 71.

144 Grant Carnie (Brevard College) 73 72.

Selected scores:

150 Myles Johnston (Brevard College) 82 68 (jt 10th).

152 Craig Galloway (Brevard College) 74 78 (jt 16th).

156 Tom Rennie (Brevard College) 77 79 (27th).

60 players took part.

LEADING TEAMS

582 Brevard College.

597 Spartanburgh Methodist.

11 teams took part.

Kelsey pulls out of Sunday's Champion
of Champions' tournament

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) has withdrawn from the ever-decreasing field for Sunday's Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Champion of Champions tournament over the Glasgow Gailes links, Ayrshire.
The maximum field could have been 28 but there will be only 15 competitors on Sunday.
There are a number of reasons why the figure of 28 could not be reached such as the Scottish Under-16 open girls' champion was an Italian, the Helen Holm Scottish stroke-play title winner came from France and Megan Briggs qualified both as Renfrewshire champion and East of Scotland title winner.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) might have played if they had not been in Australia taking part in the Espirito Santo Trophy world championship this week.
Having said that, Roseanne would have been in California at university but for the trip to Australia so there was no way she was ever going to be able to take her place in the Champion of Champions' field as winner of the British stroke-play championship.
Others, like Kelsey MacDonald, are unavailable due to genuine other commitments, domestic and otherwise. Missing for one reason or another are Scottish champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Fife champion Fiona Hastie (St Regulus), Stirling & Clackmannan champion Alison Davidson (Stirling), Borders champion Judith Anderson (Hawick) and Aberdeenshire champion Donna Pocock (Murcar Links).
So what's the answer? Play the tournament at the start of the following season perhaps? The Scottish men's champion of champions tournament is staged at Leven in early April.
Sunday's draw at Glasgow Gailes is (championship won in brackets):
11.30 Ruth Carroll (East Lothian), Lindsey Kirkwood (Dumfries-shire).
11.40 Rachael Livingstone (Midlothian), Alexandra Bushby (North of Scotland).
11.50 Louise Kenney (East of Scotland, Rebecca Wilson (Angus).
12.00 Lorna Bennett (Senior match-play), Susan Wood (Lanarkshire), Morag MacPherson (Ayrshire).
12.10 Laura Walker (Perth & Kinross), Fona De Vries (Veterans), Cara Gruber (Northern Counties).
12.20 Carly Booth (Scottish girls), Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire), Mary Smith (Senior stroke-play).

Lorena Ochoa to defend title
in Singapore next March

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY I M G
World Number One, Lorena Ochoa, has confirmed that she will be defending her HSBC Women’s Champions title at the Tanah Merah Country Club, Singapore from March 5 to 8, 2009.
Crowd favourite and two-time Major winner, Lorena won the inaugural HSBC Women’s Champions, fending off a stellar international field that included 18 of the World’s Top 20 ranked players and competitors representing over 20 countries.
Lorena finished the week at 20 under par and was an amazing 11 shots clear of the rest of the field, with Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer, both winners in the preceding weeks’ LPGA tournaments, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Lorena, winner of 24 LPGA titles including 7 events this year, explained, “It was very special for me to win the HSBC Champions at the start of this year – I worked really hard on my game over the winter so it was amazing and very satisfying to play so well and win in my first event of the season.
"There were so many great players in the field and the HSBC Women’s Champions tournament is undeniably one of the top events on our Tour. The strength of the field, and the condition of the course, as well as the way we are looked after during the week made it very enjoyable. It was also very exciting to get to look around Singapore so I am really looking forward to returning in March.”

Hannah has to settle

for second place deep

in the heart of Texas

Baylor University, Texas student Hannah Burke from Hertfordshire, a member of the GB&I preliminary squad for the 2009 Vagliano Trophy match, finished second in the Jeannine McHaney/Audrey Moorehead Invitational women's college tournament over the Rawls course at Lubbock, Texas this week.

Hannah (picture right by courtesy of English Women's Golf Association), 20-year-old Mid Herts Golf Club member, had rounds of 73, 74 and 73 over the par-73, 6525yd course for a one-over-par total of 220.

Swedish girl Sara Wikstrom (Arkansas-Little Rock) was the runaway winner by eight shots with a seven-under-par 212, made up of scores of 73, 68 and 71.

Missouri freshman Hannah Lovelock from Surry finished joint 32nd on 238 with scores of 82, 76 and 80.

Another newcomer on the US college circuit, Ami Storey (Kansas State) from Ponteland in the North-east of England has still to find her feet. She came joint 62nd with rounds of 81, 81 and 86 for 248.

Even with two players in the first three, Baylor University did not win the team title. The scored 913 - five shots more than winners Arkansas-Little Rock.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS

Par 219 (3 x 73) 6525yd.

212 Sara Wikstrom (Arkansas-Little Rock) 73 68 71.

220 Hannah Burke (Baylor) 73 74 73.

221 Lene Hafsten-Morch (Baylor) 73 73 75.

Selected scores:

238 Hannah Lovelock (Missouri) 82 76 80 (jt 32nd).

248 Ami Storey (Kansas State) 81 81 86 (jt 62nd).

LEADING TEAMS

908 Arkansas-Little Rock.

913 Baylor.

920 Colorado, Texas Tech.

922 Nebraska.

928 Missouri.

Selected score:

963 Kansas State (jt 11th).

BANCHORY STUDENT WINS
WISCONSIN PLAY-OFF

Adam Lindsay from Banchory, a junior (third year) student at Iowa Wesleyan College in America, survived a sudden-death play-off to win the Ronnie Eastman Invitational men's college golf turnament at La Crosse Country Club, Onalaska in Wisconsin on Monday.
Lindsay tied with Dusty Drenth (St Ambrose University) on 146 and then won the individual title at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off.
Lindsay (pictured right) had two rounds of 73 over the 6,714 (par 72) lay-out. Drenth, who had won a tournament on a play-off the previous week, scored 75 and 71.
Londoner Adam Saych, one of Lindsay's Iowa Wesleyan team-mates, finished joint 11th on 152 with a pair of 76s.
Iowa Wesleyan (610) finished third behind Wisconsin Eau Claire University and Viterbo University, both 607, in the team title event which went to Wisconsin after a play-off.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72) 6714yd
146 Adam Lindsay (Iowa Wesleyan) 73 73, Dusty Drenth (St Ambrose University) 75 71 (Lindsay won play-off at second hole).
148 Brady Strangstalien (Winona State Univ ersity) 75 73
150 Michael Riek (Carroll College) 75 75, Brett Nyumer (Waldorf College) 78 72, Mike Hesselman (Viterbo University) 76 74, K R Rucker (Wisconsin Eau Claire) 74 76.
Selected score:
152 Adam Saych (Iowa Wesleyan) 76 76 (jt 11th).
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
607 Wisconsin Eau Claire, Viterbo University (Wisconsin won play-off).
610 Iowa Wesleyan).
611 St Ambrose University.
15 Teams took part.

Slow start by England leaves

them tied 13th in Adelaide

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

Sweden took a 10-stroke lead after the first round of the 2008 Women’s World Amateur Team Championships in Adelaide – while England made a slow start.
The Swedes began their challenge for the Espirito Santo Trophy with a nine-under par team total. It’s the biggest lead in the history of the championship. Caroline Hedwall led the field individually with an impressive score of six-under 67 on the East Course at The Grange Golf Club. Her team-mate Anna Nordqvist recorded the other counting score of 70.
Meanwhile, the England team of Liz Bennett, Jodi Ewart and Rachel Jennings struggled a little, finishing with a team score of five-over par. They are tied 13th – but only four shots behind Spain, who are in second place. Japan is currently lying third on two-over, while Austria, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and defending champion South Africa share fourth place on three-over.
Jodi Ewart, the English stroke-play champion from Catterick, led the way for England and played some good, solid golf for a one-over par score of 73 on the West Course. Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) recorded the other counting score for England on 76. The 79 of Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) was discounted.
England team captain Julie Otto said: “It was certainly a disappointing start - but not disastrous. We played some good golf and certainly know that if we are to improve our position then we need to return more competitive scores tomorrow and for the remainder of the championships. We are only four strokes behind Spain in second place and after such a start we can only look to move forward."
Full details: www.internationalgolffederation.org
Lyndsey Hewison

Press & PR Officer

Espirito Santo Trophy report from Down Under

GOOD START BY SCOTS IN AUSTRALIA AFTER A 71

BY KRYSTLE CAITHNESS

FROM KAY SMART IN ADELAIDE

A team morale-boosting round one-under par 71 by Curtis Cup player Krystle Caithness has put Scotland in a strong position to challenge for a medal of some description in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy at the end of the four-day, 72-hole tournament in Australia.

"I am pleased with my game - I played steadily,"said the 19-year-old St Regulus star who helped Scotland spearhead the challenge of the home countries. The Fifer's score was bettered only by the two Swedes who lead the field, Caroline Hedwall (67) and Anna Nordqvist (70).

Caithness (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency), who plays on the US college circuit for the University of Georgia, carded a birdie 3 on the sixth on the Grange West Course where she knocked in a difficult downhill 30yd putt and collected another birdie on the ninth by rolling in a 10-footer.

Her only blemish came on the 15th where she found a bunker on the left of the green and failed to get up and down.

With Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) returning a 76, Scotland posted a first day total of 147. Roseanne Niven's 78 was discounted.

That tally put the Scots in a tie for fourth place albeit some 10 strokes behind runaway leaders Sweden who are eight clear of nearest rivals Spain.

The Swedish team comprises Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall, winner and runner-up respectively of the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick back in June.

The Swedes were able to discard their third team member Pernilla Lindberg's 72 - one of the best individual scores of the day!

Big-hitting Walker had a topsy-turvy round with bogeys at 13 and 18, a double at the 16th and a triple bogey 7 at the ninth where she got into all sorts of trouble.

But the St Rule Trophy winner made some amends with birdies at the first, where she almost holed out from a bunker, the 15th with a 30-footer and the 17th where she knocked in a 10-footer.

"It was really scrappy - my short game and bunker shots saved me- I hit 14 bunkers out there," said Walker.

Niven, the 19-year-old British stroke-play champion from Crieff and a student at the University of California-Berkeley, had eight bogeys in her round and said afterwards: "I didn't get my rhythym going and I made a few mistakes."

Scotland captain Fiona Norris was quite upbeat about her side's display. "It was a reasonable start. We were great on the front nine and were second after five holes. We dropped a few strokes on the back nine but we'll talk tonight.

"It was a gutsy performance and the girls' short game was superb. I am quite happy and am sure we will improve tomorrow."

Sweden's score of seven-under-par 137 ties the championship's lowest first round total - Canada in 2004 and Japan two years ago were also on that mark and their 10-stroke lead after 18 holes is the largest in championship history, surpassing the five-stroke margin of the United States in 1972 and 1982.

One of the surprises of the day was the comparatively poor showing by the United States, expected to be among the front runners. But, with a team made up of three of the victorious Curtis Cup team at the Old Course, St Andrews back in June - Tiffany Joh, Irish-born Alison Walshe and Amanda Blumenherst, ranked No 1 on the US female college circuit - could do no better than a 152 first-round total, which leaves them with an awful lot of ground to make up.

Joh had a 74, Walshe a 78 and Blumenherst a 79.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2 x 72)

137 Sweden.

145 Spain.

146 Japan.

147 Canada, New Zealand, Scotland (K Caithness 71, K Walker 76. Discounted R Niven 78), South Africa.

148 Germany, France.

149 Austria, Brazil, Australia, Denmark, England (J Ewart 73, R Jennings 76. Discounted E Bennett 79), Ireland (D McVeigh 74, T Delaney 75. Discounted N Kitching 82).

150 Netherlands, Korea.

151 Italy, Colombia, Taipei.

152 Mexico, Chile, United States (T Joh 74, A Walshe 78, A Blumenherst 79).

153 Russia.

154 Latvia, Norway, Argentina.

155 Wales (B Loucks 75, R Wyn Thomas 80. Discounted S Hassan 80), Czech Republic, Puerto Rico, Portugal.

156 Philippines, China.

158 Malaysia.

159 Guatemala, Cook Islands, Singapore.

160 Finland.

161 Thailand.

162 Turkey, Belgium.

163 Slovakia.

165 Hong-Kong.

170 Greece.

171 Bermuda.

185 Fiji.

Neil Henderson finishes 11th in

Savannah Intercollegiate

Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk really appreciates the E-mails received from parents of students who are playing for American colleges.

GolfStat is a great service but it seldom gives you background information - did bad weather affect the scores, for instance.

And GolfStat does not give you scores from ALL the golfing colleges.

So thanks a lot to Linda, mother of Neil Henderson (Glen Golf Club, North Berwick) who won the Scottish schoolboys title and the Scottish junior champion of champions' boys title before going off to enrol at Old Dominion University.

Here's Linda's latest news:

Neil has been busy on the road again, this time with the Old Dominion University team at the Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate hosted by Georgia Southern.

He had rounds of 74 and 74 to lie 17th individually on the first day, then had an even par round of 72 yesterday in gale force winds.

That was the fourth best round of the day and enabled him to finish 11th out of 75 wotj a tpta; pf 220, which he was really pleased about.

He said it was a tricky course with water on 14 holes and an island green like Sawgrass on 15th, which he says was fun!

Neil's team-mate, Tom Wilde from Berkshire, finished 17th with 223 and Old Dominion came sixth, with hosts Georgia Southern taking the team prize.

The Old Dominion University team are looking forward to a break for two weeks after a hectic schedule before they host a tournament in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Editor's note: A third British player on the Old Dominion roster, Matthew Rendell, a junior year student from Reading, finished joint 6oth on 237.

SCOREBOARD
FINAL TOTALS

Par 216 (3 x 72) 7,016yd

Leading individuals

212 Anthony Aloi (Furman) 70 73 69, Logan Blondell (Georgia Southern) 67 72 73.

Selected scores:

220 Neil Henderson (Old Dominion) 74 74 72 (jt 11th).

223 Tom Wilde (Old Dominion) 74 74 75 (jt 17th).

237 Matthew Rendell (Old Dominion) 77 80 80.

Field of 75.

Leading teams

865 Georgia Southern.

866 Furman.

870 Kennesaw State.

Selected score:

897 Old Dominion (6th).

Field of 13 teams.

Roseanne Niven led Scots into
action in Espirito Santo Trophy

FROM KAY SMART IN ADELAIDE
Scotland are well prepared for the challenge facing them in the Worls Amateur Team championships for the Espirito Santo Trophy which began in Adelaide this morning.
“The players like both courses which are being used. Both provide different challenges,”said team captain Fiona Norris.
Scotland are represented by British stroke-play champion Roseanne Niven, Krystle Caithness, who boasted a 100 per cent record in the Curtis Cup match earlier in the summer, and British stroke-play runner-up Kylie Walker.
Neither Niven nor Caithness could play for Scotland in the recent women's home internationals at Wrexham because of their US college commitments.
Niven (California-Berkeley) and Caithness (Georgia) have both flown to Australia from the States and will return there to continue their exploits on the US women's college golf circuits.
Niven led the Scots into action in the first of the four rounds of this gruelling contest being staged over the Grange West and East courses in Adelaide.
Caithness followed and Walker played the anchor role.
They are tackling the par-72 West course first and go out with New Zealand and Spain. The Spaniards are highly rated with the former British Ladies Open amateur champion Carlota Ciganda,Belen Mozo and Azahara Munoz carrying their hopes.
“We have a great team but realise there are many other excellent sides in the tournament – Spain and America are always hot,”said Norris.
In all 48 countries are competing in what is described as the Olympic Games of Golf with South Africa defending the title they won on home soil two years ago.
SLGA national coach Kevin Craggs is also in Adelaide to provide support to the team and the colourful opening ceremony was held in the centre of the city.
In each of the four rounds the leading two scores count.

+WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ROUND SCORES FROM ADELAIDE LATER TODAY.

Hampshire golfers win PING
Four-ball Championship of England

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Hampshire golfers Bridget Moore and Jenny Readman defied wet and windy weather to become the 2008 PING Four-ball Better-ball Champions of England.
The pair, from Meon Valley, scored 39 points in the grand final at Marriott Forest of Arden in Warwickshire and won the title by a point from Mary Brenstuhl and Gina Rudkin of Elton Furze, near Peterborough.
Another Hampshire pair, Hazel Quarrington and Shirley Rees of Portsmouth, were third on 36 points.
The tournament is run by the English Women’s Golf Association.
“We are very excited, ecstatic,” said Jenny, who will be giving her trophy pride of place in her pub, The Crofton at Stubbington, near Fareham, which boasts its own golf society.
Bridget added: “It was fantastic to reach the final and to win is a real bonus.”
Conditions were difficult for the entire field but the winners, both 12-handicappers, coped well and scored on every hole.
“It was quite tough but we didn’t get het-up about the weather and we didn’t try to force it,” said Bridget.
They have had plenty of opportunity to learn to cope with rain. Their first regional qualifier – at their home club – had to be abandoned when torrential rain flooded the greens. It also rained on the re-arranged date.
Runners-up Mary Brenstuhl and Gina Rudkin were delighted with their 38 points – and philosophical about being pipped. “We’ve had a wonderful day and just enjoyed it so much. It was tough out there and we were really pleased with our score,” said Mary.
Meanwhile, Jo Pearson of St Andrews Hospital, Northamptonshire, won the praise of her partner, Chris Gore, for the quality of her golf – while 37 weeks pregnant. “She was wonderful and she was on the green at all four short holes,” said Chris.
Jo, who used a buggy, played all but three of the holes. “Hopefully it will encourage other people to keep on playing when they’re pregnant!”
Dorset’s Dee Wood, from Crane Valley, encountered an unexpected obstacle on the 12th – where a deer chewed her ball. It wasn’t to the animal’s taste but by the time it dropped the ball it had left deep gouge marks on the cover. Dee replaced it and continued playing.
The award for the pair with the biggest gallery went to Kay Beaman and Kathryn Harvey from Bewdley Pines in Worcestershire. Nine spectators turned up to walk the course with them and they came armed with a banner which declared “The fan club of the K Club.”
“I was almost in tears, it was fantastic,” said Kay.
The tournament winners each received the PING trophies and £500 vouchers for PING goods or Ping Collection clothing, less the value of prizes won in earlier rounds.
The runners-up each received £100 vouchers and the third-placed pair each won £50 vouchers.
Nearest the pin prizes of a PING custom fit driver were awarded on the four short holes. They were:
5th Natalie Ireland (Shipley).
8th Jane Whyatt (Matlock).
15th Jean Capes (Romsey).
18th Jenny Readman (Meon Valley).
The tournament will be run again in 2009. Full details will be sent to (English) clubs.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Nicky from Newcastle

swinging in the rain

to lead USA event

FROM A HUTCHINSON WEBSITE
Newcastle's Nicky Maddison, a freshman student at Hutchinson College, Kansas, led the Jayhawk Conference Invitational entering the final round.
Maddison, pictured right, felt right at home at The Highlands course.
Unfortunately for Hutchinson College, he was one of the few Dragon who felt comfortable during the opening round of the two-day event.
Maddison shot a one-under-par 71 and is two strokes ahead of Dodge City's Anders Engell.
No one else shot better than 79 on a day when it rained for most of the round.
"You just had to keep your concentration, keep your focus," said Maddison who actually welcomed the conditions.
"It's pretty cold back home in the North-east of England and you can get some horrendous conditions for golf. So I was pretty pleased when I got up this morning and saw it what raining," said Maddison.
He hit 15 greens in regulation, had four birdies and three bogeys on the day.
"That tells you how much golf is mental," added Hutchinson College golf coach Chris Young.
"Nicky comes to the golf course with a positive frame of mind because he doesn't let the weather bother him."
The Hutchinson College golf team is ranked fifth nationally - its highest ever ranking - but the Dragons have some work to do to win another tournament title.
Hutchinson has a team score of 331 and is in third place behind Dodge City (321) and Kansas City (329).

Kelsey MacDonald (University of Stirling) and Graeme McDougall (University of Strathclyde) receive their winning awards at Ladybank.

Kelsey and Graeme top of the class

at Scottish University Merit event

Scottish Under-21 girls champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), a first year sports management student at the University of Stirling, and Graeme McDougall, s second year sports engineering student at Strathclyde, won their respective divisions in the opening Scottish Universities Order of Merit tournament at Ladybank Golf Club, Fife.
Kelsey had two steady scores of 74 and 73 for an aggregate of 147 and a six-shot victory over Stirling team-mate Rachel Cassidy from Ireland.
Alford's Laura Murray (Robert Gordon University) finished third with 82 and 77 for 159.
McDougall shot a fine second round of 67 - and he needed it to win by two shots from Stirling's David Booth and Colin Thomson who both finished on 141.
McDougall had been off the pace with an opening round of 72 but his impressive two-round total of 139 made him a worthy winner.
Booth had rounds of 72 and 69, Thomson 71 and 70.

The next event will be held at Blairgowrie Golf Club on October 27-28.

LEADING TOTALS

MEN

139 Graeme McDougall (Strathclyde) 72 67.
141 David Booth (Stirling) 72 69, Colin Thomson (Stirling) 71 70.
143 Gordon Yates (Stirling) 72 71.
144 James White (Stirling) 72 72.
146 Andrew Wallace (Stirling) 76 71, Graeme Robertsdon (Stirling) 71 75.
147 Alan Murdoch (Stirling) 73 74.
149 Chris Wedgeworth (Glasgow Caledonian) 77 72, K Shanks (Aberdeen) 75 74.
150 Michael Gray (St Andrews) 77 73, Jon Corke (St Andrews) 73 77.
151 Colin Baird (Stirling) 75 76, J Thomson (Glasgow) 75 76, Lean Stevenson (Abertay Dundee) 73 78.
152 John Wybar (Aberdeen) 78 74, R Forgie (Edinburgh) 76 76, Steven Scott (Abertay Dundee) 73 798.
153 S Brown (Strling) 80 73, J Clarke (Abertay Dundee) 78 75, R Coutinho (Edinburgh) 78 75, Bobby Rushford (StIrling) 75 78.
154 Gavin Dunn (Heriot Watt) 78 76, Craig Cowie (Robert Gordon) 74 80.
155 Ross MacDonald (Edinburgh) 78 77.
156 Malcolm Pennycott (Heriot Watt) 77 79, W Wrisdale (St Andrews) 77 79.
157 Ben Sloan (Heriot Watt) 79 78, Fraser Inglis (Strathclyde) 77 80, Adrian Styles (Robert Gordon) 73 84.
158 Joe Lockie (St Andrews) 82 76, Cameron Gray (St Andrews) 80 78, John Duff (Aberdeen) 78 80, David Morrison (UHI) 76 82.
159 Scott Henderson (Edinburgh) 82 77, Fraser Moore (Stirling) 82 77, G Nelson (Glasgow) 80 79, Mark Bookless (Stirling) 79 80.
160 Paul Betty (Stirling) 81 79, T Noall (St Andrews) 75 85.

161 Iain Finlay (Edinburgh) 81 80, Mathew Burt (Glasgow Caledonian) 80 81.

164 A Bailey (UHI) 84 80, Peter Keeling (Stirling) 83 81, A Foley (Heriot Watt) 83 81, Simon Borley (UHI Millenium Inst) 80 84.

165 Steve Pointin (St Andrews) 84 81, Tom Murdoch (Abertay Dundee) 81 84.

166 Jonny Fleming (Strathclyde) 82 84.

167 James Mann (St Andrews) 90 77.

170 Neil Pirie (Abertay Dundee) 86 84.

177 Michael Fraser (UHI) 83 84.

No Returns - Mathew Dargie (Stirling), Alex Main (Edinburgh).

Disqualified - T Dutton (Edinburgh), Paul Robinson (Strathclyde).
WOMEN
147 Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling) 74 73.
153 Rachel Cassidy (Strling) 75 78.
159 Laura Murray (Robert Gordon) 82 77.
161 Jane Turner (Robert Gordon) 86 75.
162 Stephanie Farrar (Stirling) 81 81, A Smith (St Andrews) 80 82.
163 Holly Calvert (Stirling) 85 78.
164 Jennifer Linklater (St Andrews) 83 81.
166 Rebecca Wilson (Stirling) 81 85.
172 Faye Haffey (Edinburgh) 91 81.
174 Charlotte Davis (Stirling) 87 87.
177 Nadia Green (St Andrews) 89 88.

England first off tee in Espirito

Santo Trophy Down Under

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

England will lead out the field on the first day of the World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy, which starts tomorrow morning at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia.

The team will tee off in the first three groups on the West Course, alongside Japan and Denmark.

English stroke-play champion Jodi Ewart (Catterick) will play first at 7.30am, followed by Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton), pictured right at the recent Women's Home Internationals by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).

Team captain Julie Otto is upbeat about England’s chances. "We have prepared as well as possible during the four practice days here in Adelaide and I am confident that the team is ready and will do well this week," she said.

The 72-hole tournament will be played over two courses, the East and the West, and the two best scores from each rounds will count for the team’s score. The championship has attracted a record entry and 49 countries were represented at the opening ceremony.

IRELAND READY TO LAUNCH IN ADELAIDE

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Tara Delaney (Carlow), Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) and Danielle McVeigh (RCDL) commence Ireland’s challenge on the Espirito Santo Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championships at Grange Golf Club over the East & West courses, 8-11 October 2008.
The Irish team, captained by Phil O’Gorman (Laytown/Bettystown), left Ireland on the 28th of last month and have acclimatised well to the Australian humidity over the past ten days. The players have played four practice rounds since arriving, two on the East course and two on the West course, and will tee it up around 1.30 am on Wednesday morning with hopes of improving on the 23rd place secured at Stellenbosch in South Africa, two years ago
“We’re pleased with our practice to date and the girls aren’t experiencing any difficulties with the daily temperatures and humidity” said an upbeat O’Gorman as the first competitive day approached.
“We are well prepared, will take one shot at a time and at this point we just want to get going” she added.With temperatures a cool 14 centigrade looking to rise to 25 by the weekend, the humidity in excess of 80% is of more concern to the players. Each will play four rounds, two over each course, with the two best scores from three to count each day.
In South Africa in 2006, Ireland’s Claire Coughlan (Cork), Martina Gillen (Mountbellew) and Tricia Mangan (Ennis) finished 23rd, behind England in twelfth, Scotland 19th and Wales in 20th positions.
Defending champions South Africa hope to capture back-to-back titles in this biennial event run by the International Golf Federation in conjunction with the host nation's governing body of golf. Over 100 men's and women's teams come from all over the world to compete for the Eisenhower Trophy (men) and the Espirito Santo Trophy (women) in one of three different zones: Asia/Pacific, European/African and American.

Fairhaven stages 72-hole junior open
BEFORE Girls' Internationals

Fairhaven Golf Club at Lytham St Anne's, Lancashire will be hosting two major National Junior Championships in 2009, namely the Fairhaven Trophies & Nations Cup, between May 1 and 3, and the Girls' Home Internationals, between August 4 and 6.
The Fairhaven Trophies is a 72-hole international scratch championship for boys and girls (aged under 18 on January 1, 2009).
Previous winners include English internationals Gary King (Tyrells Wood) in 2007 and Tom Boys (Royal Liverpool) and Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) in 2008, when the championship was extended to include a girls' category.
The championship includes a Nations Cup played over the first 36 holes, won in 2008 by England ‘U16A'
Club Secretary Bob Thompson commented:
“The 2008 championships attracted international players from a number of countries and produced some excellent golf. The addition of girls into the championships was without doubt a great success, with Alexandra Peters winning the championship whilst setting a new course record of 70 during the final round.
“A great deal of interest has been shown since by numerous international teams. It has been wonderful to see many players who competed in the 2008 champions earn a place in their national teams.”
The championship is both a category ‘B’ event in the PING / EGU Boys Order of Merit and a counting event in the 2009 R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings.
As Fairhaven Golf Club are hosting the Girls Home Internationals between the 4th and 6th August 2009, the 2009 Fairhaven Trophies provides an ideal opportunity for the home nations to send players to compete over this famous championship course, under championship conditions, thereby gaining invaluable experience in readiness for the Home International matches.
Entry forms are available on the club’s website www.fairhavengolfclub.co.uk

LGU want top players to seek out warm-weather training/competition venues

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's two-tier driving bays plus the chance to hit balls off grass, which is not possible at many driving ranges. There is also a six-hole academy course, big practice greens for chipping/pitching (another rare facility) as well as putting. On top of that there are even practice bunkers.

Hacienda del Alamo Festival

is tailor-made for players chasing Vagliano Trophy

team places in 2009

By COLIN FARQUHARSON,

Tournament Controller, 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival

The Ladies Golf Union has today named a short leet of 26 players for next year's Vagliano Trophy match and is recommending that they should all consider going to a warm-weather venue in the winter to get in some intensive practice and competitive play at the same time.

Sounds very much like the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival to me ... superb practice facilities at this five-star Murcia resort with the unique opportunity to play in a four-event competitive programme over the February 11 to 17 weekend.

All the results from the Festival will be sent to the Ladies Golf Union and they will appear on http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ every evening. I have no doubt that the GB&I selectors will be taking note.

Of course, as the LGU's Press Release today underlined, not being named in the preliminary GB&I squad does not mean that you cannot force your way into the team with outstanding displays in tournaments such as the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Festival.

If you scroll down, you can read about contacts for arranging rental accommodation at the Hacienda del Alamo Resort before, during and after the Festival.

Here's an E-mail on the subject, received just a few minutes ago:

Dear Colin
Many thanks for including our e-mail address on website information regarding the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Golf Festival. Just to point out that our e-mail address has changed to: floss@crampies.co.uk, which is the ideal e-mail address to use, although I can still pick up anything sent to the old address.

Our villa – “The Boat House” (own pool, sleeps six) can be viewed on the web-site www.haciendadelamovillas.com plus we also have a smaller, two-bed, two-bath townhouse with shared pool.

Prices for your dates in February: for The Boat House £600-700 per week, for the townhouse £400-£500 per week, depending on number of people and length of stay.
Thanks again and we look forward to being of help to you.
Kind regards,
Floss Cramp

Eight Scots on short leet of 26 to play Continent of Europe

MAGUIRE TWINS NAMED IN GB&I PRELIM SQUAD
FOR 2009 VAGLIANO TROPHY MATCH

MEDIA RELEASE ISSUE BY LADIES GOLF UNION
The talented Maguire twins from Ballyconnell in Ireland's County Cavan have been named in a Great Britain & Ireland preliminary squad for the 2009 Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Hamburger Golf Club, Falkenstein,Germany on July 24 and 25 next year.
It is an indication how far Lisa and Leona, 14 years of age on November 30, have progressed in the comparatively short time since they were introduced to golf.
Leona is the current Irish women's amateur champion, having beaten Lisa in the final. Lisa is the Irish girls’ champion, and won this year's European Junior Masters' girls' championship, beating Leona into second place. Their Masters’ performances earned them both automatic selection for Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup match against the United States.
Two other members of this year's European squad for the Junior Ryder Cup are included in the squad of 26 - Scottish Under-18 girls champion Carly Booth (Comrie) and England’s Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), beaten in the final of the British girls' championship at Monifieth.
All eight members of this year's GB&I Curtis Cup team who played in the match against the United States over the Old Course, St Andrews have been named, while four of the squad, including Roseanne Niven (California) are currently students at American colleges.
Niven, a Crieff Golf Club member, won the 2008 British Stroke Play Championship at Malone Golf Club, near Belfast, beating fellow squad member Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) in a play-off for the title.
The victory by Glasgow University student Pamela Pretswell (Buchanan Castle) in the Swiss women's open amateur championship, in which she finished ahead of many of the Continent's leading players, played no small part in the Scot's inclusion in the squad, which also includes English Amateur Champion Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Scottish Champion and Curtis Cup player Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Welsh Stroke Play title holder Rhian Wynn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan).
The naming of a large squad of 26 specifically for the Vagliano Trophy match represents a change from the Ladies’ Golf Union’s previous policy of selecting an Elite Squad for winter training and coaching sessions.
Ladies’ Golf Union Chairman, Trish Wilson, explains
“Each of the national organisations provides technical training and performance support to its international class players and prospects, and there has been a growing recognition that the additional layer of coaching formerly provided by the LGU is not required.
Consequently, our focus will be more on performance monitoring and team preparation. On the performance side, we will monitor the results, attitude and commitment of players by working closely with the performance managers and national coaches within the four home countries. The national selectors will rely heavily on this information when reaching decisions on the final team selection.
On team preparation it is intended to have a practice match once the Vagliano Team has been selected after the 2009 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Royal St David’s Golf Club in June. We will call on specialist help as necessary to make sure the team is well positioned to win back the Vagliano Trophy next summer.”
In practice, players will determine their own playing schedules with the help of their performance managers and national coaches, although the LGU will provide details of certain tournaments which squad players will be expected to play in. Players are also encouraged to consider playing in overseas tournaments, which fall between the end of 2008 domestic season and the start of the 2009 tournament calendar, and which are being highlighted as warm-weather venues where competition and practice can be combined in a way unlikely to be possible during the winter months in Great Britain & Ireland.
The LGU stresses that, although 26 squad players have been named, there is nothing to stop other players from competing in the designated tournaments with a view to forcing their way into the Vagliano Trophy team of nine players and two reserves.
Ireland's Mary McKenna will again captain the GB&I team in 2009, and is aiming to overturn the Continentals’ record-margin win in the last Vagliano Trophy match at the Fairmont St Andrews in 2007.
On hearing the named squad, Mary reacted
“I am really delighted with this squad. It is great to see so many new names on the list, a great mix of youth and experience. This will make for a lot of exciting golf early next year in the lead up to selection at the British Ladies Amateur Championship.”
The breakdown of the nationalities of the 2009 squad is:
English 9, Scottish 8, Irish 5, Welsh 4.
NAMES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
1 Hannah Barwood (ENG) (Knowle).
2 Liz Bennett (ENG) (Brokenhurst Manor).
3 Carly Booth (SCO) (Comrie).
4 Amy Boulden (WAL) (Maesdu).
5 Hannah Burke (ENG) (Mid Herts)
6 Krystle Caithness (SCO) (St Regulus)
7 Tara Delaney (IRE) (Carlow)
8 Naomi Edwards (ENG) (Ganton)
9 Jodi Ewart (ENG) (Catterick)
10 Sahra Hassan (WAL) (Vale of Glamorgan)
11 Rachel Jennings (ENG) (Izaak Walton)
12 Niamh Kitching (IRE) (Claremorris)
13 Breanne Loucks (WAL) (Wrexham)
14 Kelsey MacDonald (SCO) (Nairn Dunbar)
15 Leona Maguire (IRE) (Slieve Russell)
16 Lisa Maguire (IRE) (Slieve Russell)
17 Danielle McVeigh (IRE) (Royal County Down Ladies)
18 Roseanne Niven (SCO) (Crieff)
19 Florentyna Parker (ENG) (Royal Birkdale)
20 Pamela Pretswell (SCO) (Bothwell Castle)
21 Kerry Smith (ENG) (Waterlooville)
22 Rhian Wyn Thomas (WAL) (Vale of Glamorgan)
23 Michele Thomson (SCO) (McDonald Ellon)
24 Kelly Tidy (ENG) (Royal Birkdale)
25 Kylie Walker (SCO) (Buchanan Castle)
26 Sally Watson (SCO) (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies)

DON'T LEAVE IT TOO LATE TO SWING IN THE FEBRUARY SUN

Renting villa accommodation for the


Hacienda del Alamo Women's


Winter Golf Festival

Before you enter the Festival, which has four events and a free practice round packed into seven days (February 11 to 17), you
should make inquiries about the rental accommodation available at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo, where all the competitions will be played.
Quotes for the short-term rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort during the period of the Festival are available by E-mailing any of the following addresses:
management@stvgestion.com
info@spaingolfrentals.com
floss@crampies.freeserve.co.uk
haciendarental@aol.com
There is also rental information on the following websites:
http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.haciendagolfrental.com/
http://www.haciendadelamovillas.com/

It is important to realise that one person renting a villa will find it quite expensive. Four (or more) people sharing the cost of renting a villa brings the cost per head down to affordable levels.
If you wish clarification on the arrangements at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, direct your inquiries in the first instance to:
Billy Sim, Director of Golf, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Mobile telephone: 0034 690 295 650
or E-mail him at
billysim@hdagolf.com

Festival Controller Colin Farquharson is available to handle your inquiries about the tournaments and entries at 01224 869782 or by E-mail at:
Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

Some points to bear in mind:
1 There are four competitions but you don't have to play in all of them. You may want to take Saturday or Sunday off to go sightseeing, no problem with that. You may have time only to play in one competition. That's OK with the Festival organisers. You are still entitled to one free practice round.

2 The 100 Euros to be sent with your entry form is not over and above your entry fees. It is part of or even more than your entry fee if you are playing in only one competition. You will be refunded at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort by Colin Farquharson if you have overpaid.

3 Buggies are available for hire at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort and will permitted for competition play. Where possible, two people should hire one buggy.

4 When making your flight arrangements, Murcia Airport is the one to fly to. It is less than 30min from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort and is not an expensive taxi journey. Alicante Airport, on the other hand, is well over an hour away and a taxi trip from Alicante to Hacienda del Alamo is expensive.

5 Although the Festival events are open to lady professionals as well as low-handicap lady amateurs/girls and those with handicaps up to 20, as well as senior ladies (50 and over on January 1), no amateur will be in direction competition with a professional. Each category has its own prize list.


6 We are encouraging MEN to come out to play in the St Valentine's Day pro-am when we hope all the professionals will be ladies but the amateur teams can be of mixed sex. If your husband, partner or boyfriend is a golfer, he can play in the pro-am and he will get a free practice round as well. If we get enough inquiries, we can also have mixed partnerships in the Sunday pairs competition which is nine holes of alternate shot and nine holes of better-ball.


7 January 15 is the deadline for entries but you are advised to enter before the end of this month to make sure of your place in what is a unique festival of fun and competitive play. And if you are a serious golfer, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort has five-star practice facilities: a two-tier driving range, a six-hole academy course, practice putting and pitching greens, a bunker practice facility.

PERTHSHIRE STUDENT JOINT SIXTH IN TEXAS

Ross Leeds from Glenfarg, Perthshire, a student at Odessa College, Texas, finished joint sixth in a field of 36 for the Andrews College Invite golf tournament at Andrews, Texas (at the weekend).
Leeds had rounds of 70 and 71 for a total of 141 - eight shots behind the winner, team-mate Diego Castilla who had rounds of 66 and 67 for nine-under-par 133 over the 6,355yd, par-71 course.
Odessa (555) finished two shots behind team winners McLennan in a field of six squads.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 142 (2 x 71). 6355yd
133 Diego Castilla (Odessa) 66 67.
135 Jeremy Lambright (McLennan) 65 70.
Selected score:
141 Ross Leeds (Odessa) 70 71 (jt 6th of 36).
LEADING TEAMS
553 McLennan. 555 Odessa. 561 Midland. 6 Teams took part.

GEMMA 60th IN LADY TAR HEEL INVITATIONAL

Former Scotland international Gemma Webster from Glasgow, a student at Ohio State University, finished joint 60th in a field of 92 players for the Lady Tar Heel Invitational college tournament over the University of North Carolina's Finley course at Chapel Hill.
Gemma had rounds of 80, 77 and 79 for 236 - 20 shots behind Jean Chua (Wake Forest), Catherine Donald (North Carolina) and Natalie Sheary (Wake Forest) who tied for the individual title.
Ohio State (908) came seventh of 18 teams behind winners Wake Forest (876).
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
216 Jean Chua (Wake Forest) 73 73 70, Catherine Donald (North Carolina) 74 72 70, Natalie Sheary (Wake Forest) 71 70 75.
Selected scores:
223 Caroline Westrup (Florida State) 73 78 72 (jt 13t).
224 Marika Lendl (Central Florida) 76 70 78 (jt 17th).
236 Gemma Webster (Ohio State) 80 77 79 (jt 60th).
LEADING TEAMS
876 Wake Forest. 888 North Carolina. 892 Vanderbilt. 893 Virginia. 901 Auburn. 908 Texas A&M. 908 Ohio State.
18 Teams took part.

WELSH CHAMPION KIRSTY JOINT SIXTH IN IOWA

Welsh women's champion Kirsty O'Connor (Ball State, Indiana) from Burnley finished joint sixth in a field of 87 for the Hawkeye International women's college tournament at Finkbine Golf Club, Iowa City.
Kristy shot rounds of 77, 73 and 79 for a total of 13-over-par 229 over a par-72, 6202yd course.
She finished seven shots behind the winner Olivia Lansing (Drake), but the Welsh student's total help Ball State to win the team title by five shots.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 216 (3 x 72). 6202yd
222 Olivia Lansing (Drake) 71 76 75.
225 Mary Carmody (Longwood) 77 75 73.
Selected score:
229 Kirsty O'Connor (Ball State) 77 73 79 (jt 6th).
LEADING TEAMS
921 Ball State. 926 Iowa. 929 Northern Iowa. 15 Teams took part.

Anstruther pair in Daily Mail Foursomes Grand Final

We now know the names of the Anstruther Golf Club qualifiers for the Grand Final of the Daily Mail Women's Foursomes at Dalmahoy:
Nicola Gemmell and Janet Thomson.

Paula Creamer wins Samsung World Championship

Paula Creamer won the Samsung World Ladies Championship at Half Moon Bay, California.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
279 Paula Creamer 68 74 68 69
280 Song-Hee Kim (Kor) 69 73 70 68
281 Juli Inkster 73 72 68 68, Angela Stanford 69 73 69 70, Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 69 73 70 69, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 74 70 69 68
282 Katherine Hull (Aus) 70 73 69 70
283 Ji-Yai Shin (Kor) 67 76 70 70, Eun Hee (Kor) Ji 73 73 70 67
285 Cristie Kerr 73 73 68 71
286 Jeong Jang (Kor) 72 76 68 70
287 Seon Hwa Lee (Kor) 75 69 72 71
289 Ya-Ni Tseng (Tai) 69 74 74 72, Hee-Won Han (Kor) 75 71 72 71
291 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 69 77 75 70
293 Karrie Webb (Aus) 74 76 73 70
294 Na Yeon Choi (Kor) 69 71 75 79, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 75 73 76 70
296 In-Bee Park (Kor) 77 71 74 74
300 Angela Park (Bra) 76 76 75 73

29th Lancome Scotch Foursomes Final
Killarney Golf Club

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
45 pts Maria Keating Cahir Park & Katherine Fitzgerald Cahir Park (15).
43 pts Ciara Smith Malahide & Aileen Conlon Malahide (22).
39 pts Carol O'Flynn Clontarf Aoife & Considine Clontarf (15).
39 pts Marie O'Brien East Cork & Elaine Murphy Fermoy (17).
37 pts Nicola Reddan Co. Louth & Eleanor Branigan Co. Louth (14).
37 pts Ana Galvin Waterford & Francis Doyle Waterford (20).
36 pts Mary Dowling New Ross & Liz Bennett Nenagh (3).
36 pts Ada O'Sullivan Monkstown & Evelyn Hearne Waterford (2).
35 pts Kate Sheehan Courtown & Mary Kilbride Courtown (22).
35 pts Noreen O'Mara Nenagh & Una Hanley Nenagh (20).
35 pts Ann McCormack Roscommon & Sarah Cunningham Ennis (3).
35 pts Mary Kavanagh New Ross & Margaret Cuddihy Kilkenny (9).
34 pts Anne Duffy Mullingar & Marjorie Donoghue Mullingar (22).
34 pts Maria McNamara Athenry & Margaret Lavelle Athenry (11).
34 pts Karen Shaw Tandragee & Shirley Dennison Tandragee (9).
33 pts Kathleen O'Sullivan Douglas & Tara McCarthy East Cork (16).
33 pts Catherine O'Sullivan Blainroe & Patricia Delahunt Blainroe (24).
32 pts Jenny Wallace Kilkenny & Niamh Spratt Kilkenny (18).
31 pts Rita Murray Monkstown & Helen Hegarty Bandon (16).
31 pts Ann Hallinan Clontarf & Siobhan Fallon Clontarf (15).
29 pts Terri Mullinan Ballinrobe & Angela Gill Ballinrobe (15).
29 pts Eithne Knight Island Ciara Geoghegan O'Hara Donabate (14).
27 pts Eilis Ward Galway & Rose Kavanagh Glenlo Abbey (30).
27 pts Enid Spencer Thurles & Maria Cormack Thurles (27).
27 pts Niamh Keogh Oughterard & Ann Casburn Oughterard (15).
27 pts Dolores Touhy Ballina & Frances Burke Ballina (11).
25 pts Siobhan Smyth Woodbrook & Maeve Long Dun Laoghaire (22).
25 pts Emma Walsh Castlecomer & Emer Foley Castlecomer (11).
21 pts Eileen Walsh Harbour Point & Marion O'Leary Harbour Point (15).

MEGAN PIPS LESLEY FOR

WEST OF SCOTLAND TITLE ON BETTER INWARD HALF

Scotland international Megan Briggs (Kimacolm) pipped Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) for the West of Scotland women's amateur golf championship at Old Ranfurly today (Sunday).
Both finished on 76 and 19-year-old Megan, pictured right with the trophy (courtesy of Carol Fell) won the card countback with an inward half of 36 to Lesley's 37.
It was close too for third place with three players finishing on 77 - Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) and Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze). Former Scottish champion Anne Laing won the third scratch prize on a countback.
Gillian Arnott (Kilbirnie Place) had the best net score of 70 off a handicap of eight, a shot ahead of Alyson McKechin (6) with Alyson McGinnigle (Cochrane Castle) third with a net 72 off six.
Renfrewshire - Megan Briggs, Clare-Marie Carlton and Alyson McKechin - won the team event.

A field of 43 played in the West championship which was reschuled after being washed out Haggs Castle in May.
LEADING SCRATCH
CSS 73
76 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Lesley Hendry (Routenburn).
77 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze).
78 Sara McCorkell (Williamwood), Gillian Arnott (Kilbirnie Place), Alyson McGinnigle (Cochrane Castle).
79 Louisa Ruane (Cardross), Susan Wood (Drumpellier), Linzi Allan (West Kilbride).
80 Jill Meldrum (Dullatur), Helen Faulds (Douglas Park).
81 Lorraine Campbell (Cardross), Carol Whyte (Windyhill), Ruth Rankin (Lanark), Hannah Gaunt (Barassie).
82 Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies), May Hughes (Lanark),.
83 Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride).
84 Kirsten Scott (Milngavie), Valerie MacKinnon (Old Ranfurly).

County president Joan Rennie (left) and Fiona Hay (right) flank the two Aberdeenshire girl title-winners, scratch champion Louise McGillivray and handicap champion Kristina Vannet (Cal Carson Image). You can enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Louise McGillivray beats
Samantha Leslie to win

Aberdeenshire girls'

scratch championship

Louise McGillivray, 15-year-old Banchory player, did not have far to travel to win the Aberdeenshire girls' championship over the Laird's Course, Inchmarlo on the outskirts of the Deeside town ... but she took the long route to victory.
Louise (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) beat Samantha Leslie (Murcar Links) at the 20th hole in the final. It was the second year in a row that Samantha (pictured left) had lost in the final.
Louise won the third and fourth to jump into a two-hole lead but had her advantage cut to one by the turn. Samantha birdied the 11th to square the match.

McGillivray regained a narrow lead by winning the 12th before Leslie squared at the 17th. After halves at the 18th and 19th, Leslie pulled her tee shot at the short 20th and McGillivray was able to win the title with a par 3.
Kristina Vannet (Peterculter), 17-year-old daughter of the Peterculter professional, Dean Vannet, beat Vikki Powell (Deeside) by 3 and 2 in the Aberdeenshire girls' handicap championship final.
Kristina, who has brought her handicap down from 28 to 13 this season and was conceding six shots to her opponent, came back from two down after three holes to be two up after seven and three ahead after 11 holes before winning by 3 and 2.

That meant a double victory for Banchory-based girls as Kristina lives in Banchory with her parents.
Today's results:
SCRATCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals - Louise McGillivray (Banchory) bt Megan Clyne (Deeside) 6 and 5, Samantha Leslie (Murcar Links) bt Nikita Lamond (McDonald Ellon) 4 and 3.
Final - McGillivray bt Leslie at 20th.

HANDICAP CHAMIONSHIP
Semi-finals - Vikki Powell (Deeside) (19) bt Rachel Polson (Peterculter) (11) 1 hole, Kristina Vannet (Peterculter) (13) bt Kirsten MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (11) 2 and 1.
Final - Vannet bt Powell 3 and 2.

IMPORTANT CHANGE IN VILLA RENTAL ARRANGEMENTS

Note from Colin Farquharson,

2009 Hacienda del Alamo

Women's Winter Festival Controller.

Sue Gardiner is no longer running a Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort villa rental business. This means that the information concerning Sue on all the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival entry forms in circulation no longer applies.

Below is a new list of contact E-mail addresses for arranging accommodation over the period of the Festival.

The entry form for downloading in the left hand column has also been updated.

ENTRY FORM FOR 2009 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

WOMEN’S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: JANUARY 15, 2009

FIRST NAME SURNAME

ADDRESS

TOWN/CITY POSTCODE

COUNTRY

NATIONALITY

DATE OF BIRTH: (day-month-year)

AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL GOLFER

HOME GOLF CLUB/ATTACHMENT

EXACT HANDICAP (if amateur) ………

E-MAIL ADDRESS

TELEPHONE NUMBER MOBILE PHONE

COMPETITIONS I WISH TO ENTER.

Tick where appropriate

1 MURCIA LADIES OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

(Thu/Fri February 12- 13) o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur.

2 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO VALENTINE’S DAY PRO-AM (Sat February 14) o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur

+If you are an amateur and you know the names of the other two amateur team members, please list. Otherwise the organisers will include you in an amateur team of three.


3 COSTA CALIDA LADIES PAIRS TOURNAMENT (Sun February 15). o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur

+If you know the name of your partner, please indicate. ………………………………….
+If you wish the organisers to fix you up with a partner, please indicate. o

4 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (Mon/Tues February 16-17). o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur


I enclose a cheque for 100 Euros, made payable to Colin Farquharson.
I understand that the balance of my entry fees will be paid on arrival at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Print out and post entry form and cheque to: Colin Farquharson, Cal Carson Golf Agency, Littleways, Baillieswells Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen AB15 9BS, Scotland.

SIGNATURE

DATE


RENTING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FESTIVAL

Quotes for the short-term rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort during the period of the Festival are available by E-mailing any of the following addresses:

management@stvgestion.com

info@spaingolfrentals.com

floss@crampy.freeserve.co.uk

haciendarental@aol.com

There is also rental information on the following website:

http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.haciendagolfrental.com

It is important to realise that one person renting a villa will find it quite expensive. Four (or more) people sharing the cost of renting a villa brings the cost per head down to affordable levels.

Log on to http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ for regular Hacienda del Alamo Festival news.

If you wish clarification on any point, direct your inquiries to:

Billy Sim, Director of Golf, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
billysim@hdagolf.com
Mobile telephone: 0034 690 295 650
or
Colin Farquharson, HDA WWW Festival Controller.
Calcarsongolf@aol.com
Telephone: (+44) 01224 869782

Paula Creamer leads by one stroke

Paula Creamer leads by one shot going into Sunday's fourth and final round of the Samsung Ladies World Championship at Half Moon Bay Links, California.
LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3 x 72)
210 P Creamer 68 74 68.
211 A Stanford 69 73 69.
212 K Hull 70 73 69, L Ochoa 69 73 70, Song-Hee Kim 69 73 70.
Selected scores:
213 S Pettersen 74 70 69 (jt 6th).
221 A Sorenstam 69 77 75 (15th).
224 H Alfredsson 75 73 76 (19th).