Anja Monke takes over Dubai lead as
Annika trails by four with round to go

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Germany’s Anja Monke grabbed the third-round lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters with a four-under-par 68 on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club today.
Starting the day three shots behind halfway leader Annika Sorenstam, Monke carded three birdies over the front nine to make the turn in 32. She double-bogeyed the par-3 11th hole but came back with three birdies on holes 13, 16 and 18 for a one-under-par inward total of 36.
The recent French Open champion is on the nine-under-par 207 mark after 54 hole, two ahead of Italy’s Veronica Zorzi and Denmark’s Iben Tinning.
Zorzi was the outright leader on nine-under after 14 holes but was given a two-shot penalty after television commentators spotted that her ball had moved at address before she putted on the 15th green.
Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson shared fourth place with England’s Laura Davies on six-under-par.
Annika Sorenstam, who is playing in her farewell tournament, began the day with a one stroke lead but shot 75 to end the day four shots off the pace in a share of sixth.
Monke felt mixed emotions as she admitted that she would be sad to miss out on seeing Sorenstam’s final putt on the 18th green before she steps away from competitive play on Sunday.
“I have to say, it's really sad, because I play behind Annika, so I can't see her walking up the 18th hole,” said Monke. “That's really sad, actually, because that's her last round and it's her last tournament. I think it's so great that she is playing her last competitive round on the LET where she actually started many, many years ago.
"She is, of course, one of my idols and she is I think an idol or every girl who touches a golf club. She's done many, many good things for women's golf and I think without her, we wouldn't be here today.”
Monke added that she would be quite happy to see the former World No 1 take the trophy. “I just want to play well, and if she plays better than I do, it's fine. I'll be happy for her,” she said. “If she posted a really low number, or I played really bad, or whatever, it's good. I will still feel happy for her. She's great, no question. I think every one of us will miss her.”
Sorenstam birdied the par-four second hole to extend her early lead in the third round but then bogeyed holes four, nine, 10 and 16. She said: “I just really don't know what to say other than nothing really happened today. I thought I hit some good shots and just couldn't really get anything going. I made a few mistakes, and it just added up.
"A very disappointing day, I must say. I hit a few bad iron shots, some approach shots. I was pretty much in between clubs all day and the previous two days, I just had good yardages and today just couldn't find the range.
"You know, I didn't really feel like I did anything differently than yesterday. It's just a game and you just have to bounce back and not look back, just go forward. I really don't like to give excuses. I had a good night's rest and I was ready to go today. I was in a great position. I feel good about being here.
"No, there's nobody else than me to blame. I'm not giving up by any chance. I just walked off the course disappointed, but I'll be ready tomorrow. I've done it before. I just have to come out tomorrow, be fresh and get off to a good start and get some good momentum. I always say that it's never over until it's over.”
Sorenstam said she would try to keep her emotions in check during her last round after 15 years as a professional. “It's nothing that I've practised before. As you all know, it will be what it is, and it's a day in a way that we all knew it was coming and now it's here within 24 hours.
"So, just embrace it and go with the emotions. I've had many rounds to just absorb the atmosphere. I'm here to play, I always have been and I'm not going to change that just because it's the last round. I have a chance to win a championship that I care very, very much about. “Again, I love this golf course. Yesterday I played very well on the front and I know how to play the course. You just have to get it done, and today I didn't, but I know how to do it,” she added. Becky Brewerton from Wales is paired with Sorenstam in her last round, teeing off at 11:54 local time on Sunday.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Dubai Ladies Masters Scoreboard
Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
207 Anja Monke (Ger) 68 71 68
209 Iben Tinning (Den) 70 69 70, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 69 69 71
210 Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 72 72 66, Laura Davies 70 69 71
211 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 70 66 75, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 70 70 71, Julie Greciet (Fra) 71 70 70, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 71 66 74
212 Katharina Schallenberg (Ger) 69 71 72, Catriona Matthew 73 68 71, Melissa Reid 71 70 71, Becky Brewerton (Gbr) 73 72 67, Trish Johnson (USA) 70 70 72, Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa) 70 71 71
213 Johanna Head 66 72 75, Felicity Johnson 70 72 71, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 70 71 72, Nina Reis (Swe) 70 71 72, Martina Eberl (Ger) 71 72 70
214 Lora Fairclough 73 67 74, Amy Yang (USA) 71 69 74, Anna Rawson (Aus) 71 69 74, Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 72 69 73
215 Henrietta Zuel 75 71 69, Maria Verchenova (Rus) 72 66 77, Samantha Head 72 69 74, Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 71 73 71, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 75 69 71
216 Virginine Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 70 73 73, Julie Tvede (Den) 72 73 71, Leah Hart (Aus) 72 71 73, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 71 75 70, Cassandra Kirkland (Fra) 73 67 76
217 Carin Koch (Swe) 72 68 77
218 Karen Lunn (Aus) 71 75 72, Louise Stahle (Swe) 72 72 74, Kirsty S Taylor 72 73 73, Lisa Sorensen (Den) 73 70 75, Martina Gillen 71 70 77, Sofia Renell (Swe) 73 71 74, Anna-Lise Caudal (Fra) 74 71 73, Stefania Croce (Ita) 71 70 77 ,Margherita Rigon (Ita) 72 74 72, Carmen Alonso (Spa) 70 73 75
219 Hazel Kavanagh 72 70 77, Anna Rossi (Ita) 76 70 73, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 71 72 76
220 Dana Lacey (Aus) 72 73 75
221 Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 71 73 77, Joanne Morley 72 74 75, Maria Boden (Swe) 69 74 78, Lisa Hall 74 72 75
222 Louise Friberg (Swe) 73 74 75, Joanne Mills (Aus) 73 74 75, Charlotta Sorenstam (Swe) 72 73 77, Laura Cabanillas Gomez (Spa) 74 72 76, Lara Tadiotto (Bel) 74 71 77, Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 74 72 76
223 Nora Angehrn (Swi) 78 69 76
224 Frances Bondad (Aus) 71 75 78

Charlotte Dalton on the first tee at the 2008 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Festival (Cal Carson Golf Agency image). You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

Warwickshire county player Charlotte

using Festival to sharpen up for 2009

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Festival Organiser

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Warwickshire county team player Charlotte Dalton has entered the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival again because she wants to be a better player in 2009 than she was in 2008.

And she didn't do too badly this year!

Charlotte, who has her 20th birthday on January 22nd, reached the final of the English ladies' mid-amateur championship this past season.

Based at Solihull in the West Midlands, she also helped Warwickshire win their way through to the English women's county finals for the first time in many, many years!

"I spend a lot of time practising. I think it is the best way to improve your game. That's why I think the Hacienda del Alamo Festival is such a super combination of practice and competititve play," said the Ladbrook Park Golf Club member.

"The Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort practice facilities are really first-class, giving you the opportunity to work on every club on your bag. I'm flying out to Murcia a couple of days ahead of the competitive programme so that I can get down to serious practice before I get to the card-and-pencil stage."

Charlotte, exact handicap 2.4, intends playing in all four Festival events for adults, including the Costa Calida Pairs on the Sunday. She is not quite definite about who her partner will be in that combination of greensomes and better-ball.

But that's one of the Festival Organiser's responsibilities - helping to get people together to make up teams for the St Valentine's Day pro-am on the Saturday and also the Costa Calida Pairs.

Another recent Festival entry has come in from Jessica Wilcox, a 17-year-old member at Blankney Golf Club and also at La Cala on the Costa del Sol.

Sleaford-based Jessica, who has an exact handicap of 1.7, has entered the Costa Calida Pairs with Robert Wilcox, who could be her father, could be a brother, and also the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open over 36 holes on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17.

That's shaping to be quite a competitive and classy field with England girl international Holly Clyburn, a +1 player at Woodhall Spa, heading the entries so far.

FESTIVAL ENTRIES SO FAR
MURCIA LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur entries
Mary McKenna (Donabate) Senior
Patricia Morris (Donabate) Senior

Pamela Morgan (La Cala) Senior
Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)
Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)
Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)
Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)
Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)
Louise Church (Hendon)
Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park)

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.
No entries todate.

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM
One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)
Saturday, February 14

Professional entries

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur teams:
Mary McKenna (4), Patricia Morris (11) & Fionnuala Forde (12) (all Donabate).
Mary MacLaren (4), Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4) (all Wellingborough).
Margo Habets (7), Caroline Harper (15) & Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20)) + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).

Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20) + two other amateurs.

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10) (both La Cala) + one other amateur

Amateur individuals:

Louise Church (Hendon) (9).

Charlotte Humphries (Burnham & Berrow) (17)

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdhu) (1.5) (to be confirmed).
Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) (2)

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS
One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Sunday, February 15
Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur pairings: Mary MacLaren (4) & David MacLaren.
Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4).
Holly Clyburn (+1) & India Clyburn (13).

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10).

Charlotte Humphries (17) & Rob Humphries (6).

Charlotte Dalton (2) & Lisa Barton (to be confirmed).

Jessica Wilcox (Blankney) (2) & Robert Wilcox.
Amateur individuals (need partner)

Louise Church (Hendon) (9)
Amy Boulden (1.5) (to be confirmed)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium).

Amateur entries:
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) (+1).
Mary MacLaren (4)
Rebecca Gee (4).
Louise Church (9)
Charlotte Dalton (2)
Jessica Wilcox (Blankney) (2)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN
Two rounds stroke play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17
Charlotte Humphries Age 14.

India Clyburn Age 12.

Meghan MacLaren. Age 14.

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu). Age 15
Alice Hewison (Berkhamsted & Moor Park). Age 11

More adults playing golf regularly in England
over past two years, according to research

PRESS RELEASE ISSUE BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The number of adults in England who regularly play golf has risen significantly over the past two years, according to new research.
The results of Sport England’s Active People Survey 2 shows that 948,000 people aged 16 and over play golf at least once a week. That’s an increase of 59,000 since the first Active People Survey was commissioned two years ago.
It means that golf is the fourth-fastest growing sport in England behind athletics, cycling and football.
Golf is one of 14 sports, among the 46 eligible for four-year funding from Sport England, which have shown a significant increase in participation. The result of the survey is good news for the English Women’s Golf Association and its fellow members of the England Golf Partnership who actively work to encourage more people of all ages and backgrounds to take up golf.
Overall, the Active People Survey 2 shows that the number of adults in England who play sport at least three times a week has risen by more than half a million over the past two years.
More than 6.8 million people aged 16 and over are now taking part in sport at least three times a week, for a minimum of 30 minutes, at moderate intensity. They are among 11.73 million people who choose to take part in physical activity.
Sport England’s targets – announced earlier this year – include getting one million people playing more sport by 2012.
For full details of the Active People 2 Survey visit www.sportengland.org

Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer
English Women's Golf Association

Catriona Matthew only Scot to beat the cut

Annika clickety-clicks to take lead in Dubai Ladies Masters

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

A second round of six-under-par 66 propelled Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam into the halfway lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters today.
An eagle at the third and four birdies gave the defending champion a one-stroke lead on 136, eight-under-par.

This is Annika's final tournament before she goes into retirement, from which she may or may not come out, to get married, start a family and pursue her many business interest.
Trailing England’s Johanna Head by four strokes on 70 after the first round, Sorenstam picked up the pace with a flawless display on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.
“My goal was to clean up the round that I had yesterday with no bogeys and I was able to do that so I’m very, very happy,” said Sorenstam, who added: “I wish I could have done a little better. I know I had a lot of chances and edges really. I hit the pin on the 11th hole, but I hit some good shots and I hit some good putts that just didn't go in.”
Playing in the afternoon heat, Sorenstam kick-started the day by hitting her five-iron approach shot to 10 feet at the par-five third hole and rolling in the eagle putt.

Further birdies on the sixth, seventh and ninth holes gave her an outward total of five-under-par 30 and she was level with first-round leader Head after nine holes on seven-under-par. Sorenstam birdied the 13th, which at 540 yards is the longest par five on the course, to move to eight-under-par and a step closer to a fairytale finish at her farewell tournament.

Despite being pulled from pillar to post she said that she was enjoying being the crowd favourite. “I'm aware of the attention and I'm aware of the support that I have. It's very nice of course. I embrace it more than anything. But you know, once I'm inside the ropes, I just focus on my game and the shots I need to hit. You know, after 15 years, I 've had a lot of practise at that. So I know where to put my energy and my focus,” she said.
Australia’s Nikki Garrett matched Sorenstam’s score of 66 to pull within one shot of the leader and took outright second position on seven-under-par.

Maria Verchenova’s 66 was her best score in two years on the Ladies European Tour and she shared third place on six-under with Veronica Zorzi, who had a 69, and Johanna Head, who carded 72.

“My iron game was really good, and I hit a lot of greens and I'm happy with my game,” said Verchenova, who is the only Russian player on tour. “It's quite tough. You definitely have to have a good short game, it's a good golf course and it suits my game. It's like before the week started, I feel like I was going to do well here.”

Germany’s Anja Monke, Denmark’s Iben Tinning and England’s Laura Davies shared sixth place on five-under-par. The cut fell to 61 players on three-over-par 147.

COLIN FARQUHARSON'S SCOTSWATCH: Catriona Matthew was the only Scot to survive the cut. The LPGA Tour player from North Berwick improved by five shots with a second-round 68 for 141 to be five shots off the pace.

Clare Queen and Lynn Kenny both missed out by three shots with aggregates of 150. Lynn scored 76 and 74. She had a double bogey 6 at the first hole today, her third double bogey of the two rounds. Her first-day double bogeys both came at short holes.

Clare Queen birdied the third today but that was her only sub-par figure. She came home in 41 for a 77, four shots worse than her first-day score.

Buchanan Castle amateur Kylie Walker, who has entered the LET Q School at La Manga early next month, scored 77 and 75 for 152, missing the cut by five shots.

Jenna Wilson had a pair of 77s for 154.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 144 (2 x 72)

136 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 70 66
137 Nikki Garrett (Aus) 71 66
138 Maria Verchenova (Rus) 72 66, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 69 69, Johanna Head (Eng) 66 72
139 Anja Monke (Ger) 68 71, Iben Tinning (Den) 70 69, Laura Davies (Eng) 70 69
140 Anna Rawson (Aus) 71 69, Katharina Schallenberg (Ger) 69 71, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 73 67, Trish Johnson (Eng) 70 70, Lora Fairclough (Eng) 73 67, Carin Koch (Swe) 72 68, Cassandra Kirkland (Fra) 73 67, Amy Yang (Kor) 71 69, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 70 70
141 Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa) 70 71, Nina Reis (Swe) 70 71, Melissa Reid (Eng) 71 70, Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 72 69, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 70 71, Julie Greciet (Fra) 71 70, Martina Gillen (Irl) 71 70, Stefania Croce (Ita) 71 70, Samantha Head (Eng) 72 69
142 Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 71 71, Hazel Kavanagh (Irl) 72 70, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 70 72
143 Leah Hart (Aus) 72 71, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 73 70, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 70 73, Martina Eberl (Ger) 71 72, Carmen Alonso (Spa) 70 73, Lynn Brooky (Nz) 71 72, Maria Boden (Swe) 69 74
144 Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 72 72, Louise Stahle (Swe) 72 72, Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 71 73, Sofia Renell (Swe) 73 71, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 75 69
145 Charlotta Sorenstam (Swe) 72 73, Kirsty S Taylor (Eng) 72 73, Becky Brewerton (Wal) 73 72, Lara Tadiotto (Bel) 74 71, Julie Tvede (Den) 72 73, Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra) 74 71, Dana Lacey (Aus) 72 73
146 Joanne Morley (Eng) 72 74, Henrietta Zuel (Eng) 75 71, Karen Lunn (Aus) 71 75, Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 74 72, Anna Rossi (Ita) 76 70, Frances Bondad (Aus) 71 75, Laura Cabanillas (Spa) 74 72, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 71 75, Lisa Hall (Eng) 74 72, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 72 74
147 Nora Angehrn (Swi) 78 69, Louise Friberg (Swe) 73 74, Joanne Mills (Aus) 73 74
MISSED THE CUT
148 Sophie Walker (Eng) 75 73, Rachel Bell (Eng) 76 72, Rebecca Coakley (Irl) 75 73, Caroline Afonso (Fra) 75 73
149 Melodie Bourdy (Fra) 75 74, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 75 74, Linda Wessberg (Swe) 74 75, Nathalie David-Mila (Fra) 76 73
150 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 73 77, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 74 76, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 77 73, Paula Marti (Spa) 72 78, Natascha Fink (Aut) 77 73, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 74 76, Lynn Kenny (Sco) 76 74, Clare Queen (Sco) 73 77, Lydia Hall (Wal) 72 78, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 75 75
151 Marta Prieto (Spa) 78 73, Georgina Simpson (Eng) 73 78, Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 82 69, Kiran Matharu (Eng) 75 76
152 Stefanie Michl (Aut) 74 78, Anna Tybring (Swe) 80 72, Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus) 73 79, Marina Arruti (Spa) 75 77, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 75 77, Kylie Walker (Sco) (am) 77 75
153 Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned) 77 76, Florence Luscher (Swi) 79 74, Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 80 73, Natalie Claire Booth (Eng) 76 77, Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa) 75 78
154 Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 76 78, Jenna Wilson (Sco) 77 77, Ellen Smets (Bel) 73 81, Nicole Gergely (Aut) 78 76
155 Jo Clingan (Eng) 76 79
156 Anne Norman Hansen (Den) 80 76, Bettina Hauert (Ger) 78 78
159 Federica Piovano (Ita) 81 78
160 Itziar Elguezabal (Spa) 79 81
161 Eva Steinberger (Aut) 81 80
Retired: Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe) 75, Danielle Masters (Eng) 80, Sandra Meyer (Rsa) 86, Zuzana Kamasova (Svk) 86

Johanna gets a Head start in Dubai
Ladies Masters with a six-under 66

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
England’s Johanna Head made the perfect start at the Dubai Ladies Masters with a flawless six-under-par 66 over the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club today.
The Berkshire-born twin, whose sister Samantha is also competing this week, fired six birdies with three on each nine to finish two shots clear of her nearest rival, Germany’s Anja Monke. Sweden’s Maria Boden, Germany’s Katharina Schallenberg and Italian Veronica Zorzi all finished on three-under-par, one stroke clear of Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam.
Playing in her last tournament before stepping away from competitive golf on Sunday, the Swede shot 70 to trail Head by four strokes and share sixth place with ten others including Denmark’s Iben Tinning and England’s Laura Davies.
Head credited her performance to a recent short game master class by Ian Poulter, for whom her husband, Terry Mundy, caddies.
“He gave me a bit of a short game lesson and I’ve been working on that for the last couple of weeks. It’s been really helpful,” said Head, who has won three tournaments in 14 years as a professional but none on the Ladies European Tour.
“I’ll give Ian credit for helping me with my short game; definitely. He and my husband have been on at me to not chip short all the time and they are getting me to practise all the time so when on the fourth hole I chipped in I was thrilled.”
Head grabbed the early lead after four birdies in her first 10 holes and added two more at the 16th and 18th. The last time she shot 66 was in the first round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and she was delighted to get back in the hunt.
“It’s a situation that you always want to get yourself into so whether I’m comfortable or not it’s where I want to be,” she added. “Every time you put yourself in a position like that it’s a new experience and you just enjoy it.”
Sorenstam was disappointed after her round, which included seven birdies, was marred by three bogeys and a double. Starting on the 10th, she looked unbeatable over the first four holes, but stalled with a bogey at the par-four 14th.
She took a 7 at the par-five 18th hole after her third shot span back into the water and three further birdies on the front nine were countered by back-to-back bogeys to finish.
“I got off to a tremendous start. Played well for about 14 holes, and collapsed on the other four, which is a bummer when you feel so good about something and then you come in with such a terrible finish,” she said.
“Luckily it's just Thursday and there's a long ways to go. The positive thing is I'm hitting some good shots and making some putts. Have to clean it up a little bit.”
She said she would treat her family to a desert experience before her second round at noon on Friday. At halfway a cut will be made to the leading 60 professionals and ties but there is only one amateur in the field: Kylie Walker from Buchanan Castle
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
66 J Head (Eng).
68 A Monke (Ger).
69 M Boden (Swe), K Schallenberg (Ger)(, V Zorzi (Ita).
70 C Alonso (Spa), I Tinning (Den), A Sorenstam (Swe), L Davies (Eng), S Giquel (Fra), F Johnson (Eng), E Cabrera-Bello (Spa), N Reis (Swe), V Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), T Johnson (Eng), A Simon (SAf).
Selected scores:
71 M Gillen (Ire), M Reid (Eng).
72 L Hall (Wal), S Head (Eng), J Morley (Eng), K S Taylor (Eng).
73 L Fairclough (Eng), L Hall (Eng), C Queen (Sco), C Matthew (Sco), B Brewerton (Wal).
75 R Coakley (Ire), G Nocera (Fra), K Matharu (Eng), H Zuel (Eng), S Walker (Eng).
76 R Bell (Eng), L Kenny (Sco), N C Booth (Eng) J Clinigan (Eng).
77 K Walker (Sco) (am), J Wilson (Sco).
80 D Masters (Eng)

Annika level par on inward half at Dubai

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
The first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters is underway on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.
Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, playing in her last tournament before stepping away from the game, started at 8.00am from the 10th tee alongside the French pair of Gwladys Nocera and Anne-Lise Caudal.
She began strongly with birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th holes, bogeyed the 14th and then birdied the 16th. However she took a double bogey at the par five 18th hole when her third shot spun back from the green into the water, giving her an outward total of one-under, but birdied the first hole to get back into the hunt.
England’s Johanna Head, who began at 8.10am from the first tee, took the outright lead on four-under after four birdies over her opening 10 holes.

Sorenstam keeping door open for change of mind

It's the last hurrah for Annika ...
well, maybe it isn't!

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Annika Sorenstam, arguably the greatest female golfer in history, will play in her last tournament on the Ladies European Tour this week ... for the foreseeable future.
The 38-year-old, who dominated women’s golf for a decade, is hoping to end her farewell tour on a high note by winning the Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club for the third year running.
Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Sorenstam said: “It’s a little bitter sweet to make this my last professional tournament. I’m here to enjoy it. I’ve got both sets of parents here and my sister is here and (it’s) a little bit of a celebration week.”
Sorenstam’s sister Charlotta has received an invitation from tournament organisers to play in the €500,000 event, while Sorenstam’s fiancée Mike McGee is on call with the video camera to capture the memories.
McGee said he had a tear in his eye when he saw the giant-sized posters of his wife-to-be on the grandstands at the Majlis’s course’s 18th green. The pair will marry next month in Orlando, Florida and Tiger Woods is on the invite list.
“It’s an exciting time and I’m excited about a new chapter in my life. We would love to start a family and that’s going to be very different than I’m used to,” Sorenstam added.
However, despite announcing in May that she would step away from competitive play at the end of 2008, Sorenstam would not rule out a tour comeback.
“I don’t have any immediate plans on if I should return and if so, when. I’m just going to go with the flow and see how I feel.” As well as starting a family, Sorenstam will have her business interests to focus on in 2009, such as the ANNIKA Academy, her own perfume and red wine. She flew to Dubai from Malaysia, where she has a 63-hole golf course project.
“I had a really weird preparation for this week. I played in Singapore a few weeks ago and then I went to India on a yoga retreat and didn’t touch a golf club, did a lot of stretching. Then I went to Malaysia for a golf course design visit and now I’m here,” she said.
“I’ve never been to India and I’ve never been to such an experience.”
Yoga, meditation and chanting may constitute unusual preparation for the ten-time major champion but this is no ordinary week, even for Sorenstam. It is the final step in a career that has seen her win 89 victories worldwide, shoot 59 and become the first woman in 58 years to compete against the men on the US PGA Tour.
“If I had to pick one thing that defines me, I would say that it’s playing with the men in 2003,” she said, adding that the 1995 US Open was her favourite major championship victory. When reflecting on her career, she added:
“I made a lot of mistakes, and hopefully learned from them, but I can’t think of something I haven’t done. And I still have time. I’m only 38 so if there’s something I missed, I’m going to make sure that it’s done by the time I’m finished.”
We may not have seen the last of Sorenstam yet. Watch this space to see if, and when, the super Swede returns.

Annika and Laura win par-3 curtain-raising
event at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai

Annika Sorenstam and Laura Davies birdied the closing hole to win the Dubai Ladies Masters Challenge Match, sponsored by Leisurecorp, at the par-3 course of the Emirates Golf Club today.
The pair carded a brilliant four-under-par 23 to beat their nearest challengers, Gwladys Nocera (France) and Sophie Gustafson(Sweden), by one shot in a match which formally teed off the Dubai Ladies Masters week.
The pairing of Anna Rawson (Australia) and Catriona Matthew finished third on level par. The scores notwithstanding, the fun was the name of the game as it provided the fans a rare opportunity to watch the super stars of women’s golf up close and personal.
The huge crowd broke into a huge roar when Sorenstam struck a superb tee shot on the closing hole to set up an easy birdie putt for her partner. Included in the crowd were the family members of Sorenstam and her fiancé Mike McGee, who are all in Dubai to watch the ‘super Swede’ play her last competitive match.
Commented Mohammed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman of golf in Dubai, the promoters and organisers of the event: “The six players for the challenge match were selected on the basis of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour.

Ten Scots enter Ladies

European Tour Qualifying

School at La Manga

Ten Scots have entered the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga in the Murcia region of south-east Spain at the beginning of next month.
Eight of them must play the Stage 1 eliminator over 72 holes from January 7 to 10. There is no cut in this event and the number of qualifiers for Stage 2 the following week will be determined by the organisers at the venue.
Five of the eight Scots have retained their amateur status so far - Scottish champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), her Curtis Cup team colleague Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Jo Carthew (Ladybank).
The others who have to get past Stage 1 are Karyn Burns (Mearns Castle Academy), Pamela Feggans (Patna) and Vikki Laing (Musselburgh), pictured above, who was disqualified for a scorecard error at last week's LPGA Tour School in Florida.
Only two Scots are exempt from Stage 1 and go straight through to a field of 90 who will contest the Stage 2 72-hole event, also over the La Manga North and South courses from January 12 to 15.
They are Lynn Kenny (Archerfield Links), who has played the LET for a number of years, and Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) who failed to retain her players' card at the end of her rookie season. Both are former Scottish amateur champions.
At the Stage 2 competition, there will be a cut after 54 holes to the leading 50 and ties. After four rounds, the leading 30 will gain playing rights for the 2009 Ladies European Tour.
Apart from Michele Thomson and Krystle Caithness, other members of the GB&I team who lost the 2008 Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, who have entered the LET Q School are Breanne Loucks (Wrexham), Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) and Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale).

Alphabetical list of entries:
1 ABERCROMBY, Sarah (DEN) Denmark Entered (required to pre-qualify)
2 AITCHISON (AM), Holly (ENG) Bedfordshire Golf Club Entered (required to pre-qualify)
3 AITKEN (AM), Claire (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
4 ALLEN, Beth (USA) Sycuan Resort
5 BELIARD, Patricia (FRA) Air France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
6 BELL, Rachel (ENG) England
7 BENNETT (AM), Elizabeth (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
8 BERGER, Wendy M (AUS) Australia; Woodlands GC Entered (required to pre-qualify)
9 BERNARDO, Monia P (PGL)Portugal Entered (required to pre-qualify)
10 BERTON, Julie (FRA) Golf d'Arras Entered (required to pre-qualify)

11 BJARVALL, Eva K (SWE) Hasslegardens GK, Sweden
12 BOELJON (AM), Christel (NL) The Netherlands Entered (required to pre-qualify)
13 BONDAD, Frances (AUS) Nike
14 BORJESKOG, Karin I (SWE) Nykopings BK
15 BOYES (AM), Tracey (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
16 BRAND, Lizzie (ENG) Pinheiros Altos Entered (required to pre-qualify)
17 BURNS, Karyn (SCO) Scottish Entered (required to pre-qualify)
18 BUUS, Mette (DEN) Romo Golf & Wellness Entered (required to pre-qualify)
19 CAITHNESS (AM), Krystle (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
20 CARLBORG, Sandra (SWE) Bolagsstiftarna,Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
21 CARTHEW (AM), Jocelyn (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
22 CHRISTIANSEN (AM), Monica V (DEN) Denmark Entered (required to pre-qualify)
23 CLINGAN, Joanne (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
24 COMBES, Kate (AUS) Sportgrass, Australia
25 COUGHLAN-RYAN, Claire (IRE) Fota Resort, Team Ire, Ford
26 CUNINGHAM, Tandi M (SA) South Africa Entered (required to pre-qualify)
27 CURRY-BARTONOVA (AM), Emily (CR) Czech Reuplic Entered (required to pre-qualify)
28 CVITAN, Antonella (SWE) Kristianstad GC, Adria Airways
29 DEGERMAN, Jutta M (FIN) Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
30 DELANEY (AM), Tara (IRE) Ireland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
31 DORBES, Frederique (FRA) Air Mediterranee,SIREV,RAGT 12 (689) Entered (required to pre-qualify)
32 EASTWOOD, Laura J (ENG) Yewerton Golf Club Entered (required to pre-qualify)
33 EATON, Nicola (USA) South Africa Entered (required to pre-qualify)
34 EDWARDS (AM), Naomi (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
35 ELGUEZABAL, Itziar (ESP) Spain Entered (required to pre-qualify)
36 EMANUELSSON, Elin (SWE) Ingaro GK, Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
37 ENGSTROM, Maria (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
38 ERMAN, Courtney (USA) USA Entered (required to pre-qualify)
39 EVANS (AM), Stephanie (WAL) Wales Entered (required to pre-qualify)
40 FALLAY, Camille (FRA) Golf de Bussy, Mizuno, Par 72 Entered (required to pre-qualify)
41 FEGGANS, Pamela (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
42 FINK, Natascha B (AUT) Telekom Austria, GC Murhof
43 FISHER, Kirsty J (ENG) Pinheiros Alto Entered (required to pre-qualify)
44 FLEMING (AM), Jody (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
45 FODOR, Krisztina (HUN) Hungary Entered (required to pre-qualify)
46 FUGIER (AM), Ornella (FRA) Couleur Golf Entered (required to pre-qualify)
47 GENUINI (AM), Barbara (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
48 GIRAUD, Elena M (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
49 GOASGUEN, Caroline (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
50 GRADY, Caroline (ENG) Devere Dunston Hall Entered (required to pre-qualify)
51 GRANADA, Julieta (PAR) Paraguay Entered (required to pre-qualify)
52 GRANT (AM), Hannah (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
53 GREEN, Rebecca (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
54 GUFFIN, Smriti (IN) DLF, India Entered (required to pre-qualify)
55 HALL, Lydia G (WAL) Machynys Peninsula G&CC
56 HANSEN, Anne N (DEN) Asserbo Golf Club, Denmark Entered (required to pre-qualify)
57 HARKONEN, Sohvi (FIN) Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
58 HASSAN (AM), Sahra (WAL) Wales Entered (required to pre-qualify)
59 HAYASHI (AM), Ayaka (JPN) Japan Entered (required to pre-qualify)
60 HEATH, Sarah (ENG) TTI inc, Bearwood Lakes
61 HENRIKSSON (AM), Linda (FIN) Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
62 HERBIN (AM), Celine (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
63 HIGHGATE, Anna (WAL) Wales Entered (required to pre-qualify)
64 HOLDER, Tilly J (UK) English Entered (required to pre-qualify)
65 HOLMES-SMITH, Melanie J (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
66 IMBODEN, Sabina (SWI) Crans Sur Sierre Entered (required to pre-qualify)
67 JI, Youn Ju (KOR) Unattached Entered (required to pre-qualify)
68 JIMINIZ DE MIGUEL, Angeles (ESP) Unattached Entered (required to pre-qualify)
69 JOHANSSON, Sanna (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
70 JORGENSEN (AM), Malene (DEN) Odense Golf Club, Denmark Entered (required to pre-qualify)
71 KAMASOVA, Zuzana (SVK) Gray Bear - GC Tale, Slovakia
72 KAVANAGH, Hazel M (IRE) Ireland - Spawell D.R. Entered (required to pre-qualify)
73 KENNY, Lynn (SCO) Archerfield Links/Orion Group
74 KIRKLAND, Cassandra E (FRA) France
75 KOSTINA, Anastasia (RUS) Russia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
76 KUOSA, Jenni L (FIN) Espoo Golf Club, Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
77 LAING, Vikki (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
78 LARRANETA, Ana (ESP) La Sella, Learn2golf
79 LARRATT (AM), Kym Helen (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
80 LE BORGNE (AM), Olivia M (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
81 LEE, Hwanhee (KOR) Korea Entered (required to pre-qualify)
82 LEE (AM), Corisande (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
83 LEIJON, Josefin (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
84 LIM, Bing (MAL) Malaysia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
85 LOUCKS (AM), Breanne (CAN) Wrexham Golf Club Entered (required to pre-qualify)
86 LUNDGREEN, Cecilie (NOR) Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Entered (required to pre-qualify)
87 LUSCHER, Florence (SWI) Switzerland
88 MACDONALD, Rosemary (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
89 MACONI, Isabella (ITA) Piu Donna Golf Bogogno
90 MAFFIULETTI (AM), Matia (ITA) Italy Entered (required to pre-qualify)
91 MARTIN LOPEZ, Maria (ESP) Spain Entered (required to pre-qualify)
92 MASTERS, Danielle L (ENG) Chart Hills Golf Club
93 MBUKO (AM), Uloma (NGR) Nigeria Entered (required to pre-qualify)
94 MINCHIOTTI FABREGAS, Beatriz (ESP) Spain Entered (required to pre-qualify)
95 MOLTKE-LETH, Amanda (DEN) Royal Copenhagen Golf Club 9
6 MULLINS-LANE, Bronwyn G (AUS) The Shire, Brosnan Golf, AUS
97 NA (AM), Stephanie (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
98 NAGL, Miriam S (GER) Berlin. Luft, Golfr.Semlin Entered (required to pre-qualify)
99 NORDQVIST (AM), Anna (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
100 OGILVY (AM), Emily (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
101 PARK, Caroline (KOR) Korea Entered (required to pre-qualify)
102 PARKER (AM), Florentyna (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
103 PECOITZ, Jacqueline D (ARG) Argentina Entered (required to pre-qualify)
104 PINEDA (AM), Monica (USA) Unattached Entered (required to pre-qualify)
105 POLIAS, Marousa (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
106 PRITCHARD, Jo M (WAL) Wales Entered (required to pre-qualify)
107 RALPH (AM), Hannah (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)
108 RIGON, Margherita (ITA) Golf Castelfranco,RA-REFlowers
109 RINGDAHL (AM), Maria (SWE) Ekerum Golf & Resort Entered (required to pre-qualify)
110 RIORDAN, Marian (IRE) Ireland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
111 ROBBERTZE, Morgana (SA) South Africa Entered (required to pre-qualify)
112 ROMINGER (AM), Caroline (SWI) Switzerland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
113 ROSSI, Anna (ITA) Silcart - F.I.G. - Etonic
114 RUUTTILA, Kaisa (FIN) Lakeside Golf Vammala, Finland
115 SALMEN, Anna-Karin (FIN) PAF Entered (required to pre-qualify) 1
16 SALONEN, Hanna- L (FIN) Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
117 SANDOLO, Sophie (ITA) NUNI, Royal Mougins GC
118 SCHALLENBERG, Katharina (GER) buch.de
119 SCHLASBERG, Viva (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
120 SCHREEFEL, Dewi-Claire (NL) The Netherlands Entered (required to pre-qualify)
121 SEEHOLZER, Frederique (SWI) Swiss Golf, Golf Club Montreux Entered (required to pre-qualify)
122 SERRAMIA NEUNDORF, Elisa (ESP) Dark Dog, Calidona Entered (required to pre-qualify)
123 SHIMANSKAYA, Vera (RUS) Russia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
124 SIBILLE (AM), Laure (FRA) France Entered (required to pre-qualify)
125 SIMON, Denise (GER) G.C. St.Leon-Rot, Capri-Sonne Entered (required to pre-qualify)
126 SMETS, Ellen M (BEL) Deloitte, LGCC
127 SMITH, Kristie (AUS) Australia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
128 SUURSALU, Mari Estonia Entered (required to pre-qualify)
129 SVAHN (AM), Rosa (FIN) Finland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
130 SVEDELIUS (AM), Malin (SWE) Sweden Entered (required to pre-qualify)
131 TADIOTTO, Lara (BEL) Casa Gi/Computer Support/Cross
132 THOMAS (AM), Rhian W (WAL) Wales Entered (required to pre-qualify)
133 THOMSON (AM), Michele (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
134 TORNEVALL, Lena K (SWE) Hulta G.C., Sweden
135 TORSSON, Linnea (SWE) Halmstad GK Entered (required to pre-qualify)
136 VALVASSORI, Vittoria (ITA) F.I.G.,Golf Club La Margherita
137 VAN DER GRAAFF, Marjet (NL) Golf Team Holland
138 VAN LEEUWEN, Kyra (NL) Netherlands Entered (required to pre-qualify)
139 VAN NIEKERK, Crizelda (SA) South Africa Entered (required to pre-qualify)
140 WAHLBERG, Cissi (SWE) Gustavsviks GC Entered (required to pre-qualify)
141 WALKER, Sophie (ENG) England
142 WALKER (AM), Kylie (SCO) Scotland Entered (required to pre-qualify)
143 WEEKS, Emma L (ENG) Broadleaf Homes
144 WILLEMS, Lien (BEL) Belgium Entered (required to pre-qualify)
145 WILSON, Jenna (SCO) Strathaven Golf Club
146 YAMATO, Erina (JPN) Japan Entered (required to pre-qualify)
147 ZUEL, Henrietta (ENG) England Entered (required to pre-qualify)

The Truth about Golf Clubs - Part One

Modern Technology or Marketing

Gimmick? – You decide

By GRAHAM DALLAS (Tg54.com)
So modern clubs hit the ball further, no dispute – but how?
For the past 50 years we have all been using the same basic equipment, stainless steel heads, steel shafts and rubber grips, so how come we hit modern clubs so much further?
Well, golf manufacturers know that the major factor in how far you hit your clubs is loft. It is no coincidence that your driver has the least amount of loft and your sand wedge the most.
The manufacturers also know that most of us have a desire to hit the ball further and so over the years clubs have been tweaked to accommodate this desire.
For example, in the 1960s a typical wedge would have 52 degree loft. By the 1980s it was down to 50 degrees, 48 degrees in the 1990s and, since the turn of the Century, 45 degrees is common for the loft on a wedge.
I have even seen one of the major manufacturers release a 43 degrees pitching wedge.
Taking this amount of loft from your club will add 20-30 yards to your shot.
I should point out that they also know most of us struggle to get the ball up and out of the bunker.
As a result, the loft on a sand wedge has stayed consistent at 56 degrees throughout the period being discussed.
All this has had a beautiful spin-off for the big boys, enabling them to sell more clubs.
Gap Wedges began appearing in the early 1990s and as today’s 3 and 4 irons are yesterday’s 1 and 2 irons (notoriously difficult to hit) we now have to buy utility clubs.
Buy a set of clubs like you would buy a pair of shoes. Find the ones you like the look of, and try them on (hit a demo on a course you know).
And if they don’t fit, don’t buy!!

+Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

EWGA and EGU to re-open merger talks
early in the New Year

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The English Women’s Golf Association and the English Golf Union have agreed to re-open talks about the possibility of a merger between the two organisations.
Representatives of the two governing bodies of English amateur golf will discuss the way forward at an informal meeting early in the New Year.
Sue Whittaker, who chairs the EWGA management board, said: “I am pleased the Boards of our two organisations have agreed to re-open discussions about a potential merger.
“The EWGA and the EGU already work together through their joint development team and their membership of the England Golf Partnership. It is sensible to explore ways in which we might move towards a merger.”
One of the first tasks of the merger working party will be to create a communications system to ensure all members of both organisations are kept informed on the progress of the talks.
The EWGA represents about 120,000 women and girl members of about 1780 golf clubs. The EGU has about 740,000 members in 1900 golf clubs.

Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer
English Women's Golf Association

Alison (11) becomes youngest entrant

at the Hacienda del Alamo Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Alison Hewison, age 11, becomes the youngest entrant for the Hacienda del Alamo Festival

She had her 11th birthday on August 19 which is a year younger than India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), sister of the England girl international Holly Clyburn who will also be competing at the five-star Spanish golf resort in the Murcia region of south-east Spain.

Alice, a member at Berkhamsted and Moor Park golf clubs, played in the Wee Wonders National Finals and is pictured above with Colin Montgomerie.

She has a handicap of 14.

Alice and her dad Dominic will not fly into Murcia Airport until the Sunday night, less than 24 hours before the Hacienda del Alamo Under-16 girls' 36-hole stroke-play starts on the Monday (February 16).

That means that Alice will not be able to take advantage of the fact that every entrant to any of the competitions is entitled to a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed course.

From the red (front tees), the course measures 6,087yd with a demanding par of 72.

Former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish champion Elaine Farquharson-Black (Deeside) set the women's course record with a 70 in a charity event last year. She is the only female player to have bettered 72 so far.

Holly Clyburn, incidentally, will be playing in Florida before she heads for Spain.

She is going to play in the Harder Hall Women's Invitational at Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring in Florida. It's the opening event of the Orange Blossom Tour, the results of which will be published on this website.

United States Curtis Cup skipper Carol Semple Thompson is the chairman of the Harder Hall Women's Invitational organising committee and she also plays in the event, having won it more than once over the years, I'm sure.

FESTIVAL ENTRIES SO FAR

MURCIA LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur entries
Mary McKenna (Donabate) Senior
Patricia Morris (Donabate) Senior

Pamela Morgan (La Cala) Senior
Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)
Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)
Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)
Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)
Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)
Louise Church (Hendon)

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.
No entries todate.

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM
One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)
Saturday, February 14

Professional entries

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur teams:
Mary McKenna (4), Patricia Morris (11) & Fionnuala Forde (12) (all Donabate).
Mary MacLaren (4), Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4) (all Wellingborough).
Margo Habets (7), Caroline Harper (15) & Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20)) + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).

Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20) + two other amateurs.

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10) (both La Cala) + one other amateur

Amateur individuals:

Louise Church (Hendon) (9).

Charlotte Humphries (Burnham & Berrow) (17)

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdhu) (1.5) (to be confirmed).

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS
One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Sunday, February 15
Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur pairings:
Mary MacLaren (4) & David MacLaren.
Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4).
Holly Clyburn (+1) & India Clyburn (13).

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10).

Charlotte Humphries (17) & Rob Humphries (6).

Amateur individuals (need partner)

Louise Church (Hendon) (9)
Amy Boulden (1.5) (to be confirmed)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium).
Amateur entries:
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
Mary MacLaren (4)
Rebecca Gee (4).
Louise Church (9)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN

Two rounds stroke play

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17

Charlotte Humphries Age 14.

India Clyburn Age 12.

Meghan MacLaren Age 14.

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu). Age 15
Alice Hewison (Berkhamsted & Moor Park). Age 11

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT
VILLA RENTAL ACCOMMODATION

John Green of Hacienda Golf Properties is the Festival's "preferred partner" for the rental of villas/accommodation at the five-star resort.
That means if you are going to the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival, you should do one of two things, or maybe both.
1 E-mail John Green at mailto:info@hdagolfproperaties.com to find out what he can offer you and at what price.
2 Log on to John Green's website - http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/ - and see for yourself what he has to offer.

+The Hacienda del Alamo February Festival is a non profit-making enterprise, devised by Colin Farquharson and Billy Sim, the prizes for which are sponsored by Glenmuir, Stewart Spence (owner of The Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen), John Green (Hacienda Golf Properties) and, of course, the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort management.

British women's amateur champion Anna Nordqvist
turns pro after top-30 finish at LPGA Q School

Anna Nordqvist has sent an E-mail to Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk to tell us that she has officially turned professional and will not be defending the British women's open amateur championship at Royal St David's Golf Club, Harlech next June.
Anna was also winner of the British girls' amateur title in 2005 at West Hill, Sussex.
The Swedish player, who is not returning to Arizona State University since she finished in the top 30 at the LPGA Tour School at the weekend, was beaten in the 2007 British women's final by Carlota Ciganda at Alwoodley, Leeds.
But this year Miss Nordqvist won the title by beating compatriot Caroline Hedwall in the final at North Berwick.
Anna's name will appear in the list of entries for the Ladies European Tour School at La Manga in January when they are released shortly. But she told Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk
"I think I have a good enough ranking on the LPGA Tour to get me into enough events in 2009. I put my entry in for the LET School a while ago, just in case things did not work out for me at the LPGA Tour School."

Coaches and children from Polkemmet's clubhgolf coaching programme (image by Rob Eyton-Jones).

Polkemmet drive keeps golf on track

through the winter

CLUBGOLF PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ROB EYTON-JONES
The coldest week of the winter might have kept many indoors but the ice and snow did not deter 13 budding young West Lothian golfers from turning up for a new golf coaching course which started at Polkemmet Golf Club this month.
The cub, in Polkemmet Country Park (Whitburn), run by West Lothian Council's Countryside Section, is one of the most recent to join forces with clubgolf, the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, which emerged from Scotland’s successful bid to host the Ryder Cup.
One of its regulars, Macrina Crawford,became a qualified coach, enabling the club to offer a clubgolf Stage 1 programme, a 40hr course covering the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette, over the next two years.
The difference between Polkemmet and the 200+ clubs across Scotland delivering the programme is that the West Lothian club is offering the coaching year round.
“clubgolf said there were quite a few schools in West Lothian with children who have played the introductory game but there weren’t facilities to take the coaching further over the winter,” said Stuart Mungall, Polkemmet Country Park’s Service Co-ordinator.
“We have the ideal set up here for kids yet we don’t have the amount of juniors playing that we’d like. We have a driving range and putting green which is floodlit, plus a 9-hole course which we plan to use over the Christmas period for a game with the children.
“We decided to start a clubgolf Stage 1 coaching course with the intention of having just one session but we became inundated with juniors wanting to start so we decided to run back to back sessions on a Thursday evening.
“We have two groups, with the 13 children, and we already have a waiting list for the next course.”
Stimulating the interest within local schools is clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, which uses multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets to give primary school children a safe and enjoyable first experience of golf.
Active School Co-ordinators are responsible for training and supporting school staff in this key phase of the programme as well as encouraging children to progress their golfing skills at nearby clubs like Polkemmet.
“The response to the coaching here at Polkemmet has been fantastic with children coming from all over West Lothian - from Livingston, Stonyburn and Whitburn - so there’s obviously a big demand for it,” said Active Schools Co-ordinator, Paul Stark.
“With the Countryside Section and clubgolf supplying all the clubs it takes out the cost implications for the pupils as well. They’ve invested in the programme to buy the resources, and trained their coaches, and as most of the children who attend don’t have their own clubs this is a fantastic opportunity for them.
“We are also working with Greenburn Golf Club in Fauldhouse, which is also full to capacity, to run clubgolf sessions so we’re very lucky to have two golf clubs in this area providing clubgolf opportunities.”

Polkemmet is one of clubgolf’s newest clubs yet already they have seen the potential of running a junior programme.
“We’re running a clubgolf Stage 1 programme at the moment but thinking of setting up a network in the West Lothian area where the kids will all come for Stage 1 then move to another venue for Stage 2,” said Mr Mungall.
“David Burns is our Pro and the plan is for the kids who want to go beyond Stage 1 can to go to him for coaching.
“There are a number of improvements going on in the park. Work has just started on a brand new play area which will be finishing in March and we’ve got a new cafe which is children orientated to go along with our on-site golf clothing shop, GolfPoser.
“So next summer we hope to see the park full of kids.”
Official clubgolf wesbite: http://www.clubgolfscotland.com/

Stacy Lewis wins top card

at LPGA Tour School,

Michelle Wie jt seventh

- but she's back!

Stacy Lewis, a member of the United States' winning Curtis Cup team over the Old Course, St Andrews, last May, won the LPGA Tour Final Qualifying School over 90 holes at Daytona Beach.
The former Arkansas University student, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency on the first tee at St Andrews, had rounds of 69, 66, 71, 67 and 69 for an 18-under-par total of 342, thus maintaining her impressive record since she turned professional and did well in the US Women's Open.

Michelle Wie finished joint seventh on 348 but she and her advisers will not be worrying about the position, only the fact that she has full playing rights restored for the LPGA Tour in 2009.

Only three Europeans finished in the top 20 who will be eligible to play in all the events on the world's richest women's pro golf tour.

Sophie Giquel from France finished highest - tied fourth on 347. Germany's Anja Monke made it in joint 15th position on 353 and twice British women's amateur champion Louise Stahle from Sweden regained her LPGA Tour card in joint 17th position with a total of 354.

South African Ashleigh Simon scraped in with a stroke to spare after a very good final round of 68 for 354. Her compatriot Stay Bregman blew it with a final round of 78 for 366.

The current British women's amateur champion Anna Nordqvist from Sweden will not be going back to Arizona State University. She finished tied 25th, a final round of 71 improving her position by ten places. She will get into most of the 2009 LPGA Tour events but not them all.

Spain's Tania Elosegui also gained Category 16 ranking with a total of 356.

Irish-born Alison Walshe, who played in the same US Curtis Cup team as Stacy Lewis, will be rueing a final round of 77 which left her on the same 362 mark as rising LET star Melissa Reid.

TOP 20 FINISHERS WITH FULL LPGA TOUR RIGHTS IN 2009

Par 360 (5 x 72)

342 Stacy Lewis 69 66 71 67 69.
345 Amy Yang 67 71 70 67 70.
346 Anna Grzebien 71 70 70 70 65
347 Beth Bader 73 70 69 66 69, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 72 68 69 69 69, Shiho Oyama 64 70 71 71 71 .
348 Michelle Wie 69 65 72 68 74, Lisa Strom 73 66 72 68 69.
350 Mollie Fankhauser 67 71 66 73 73.
351 Charlotte Mayorkas 75 67 66 69 74, Carolina Llano 70 70 71 70 70.
352 Mika Miyazato (am) 66 74 72 68 72, Anna Rawson 71 71 68 71 71, Jeehae Lee 68 73 69 72 70.
353 Jeanne Cho-Hunicke 71 71 69 68 74, Anja Monke (Ger) 75 66 72 71 69.
354 Louise Stahle (Swe) 74 69 73 65 73, Ashleigh Simon (SAf) 70 72 71 73 68.
355 Marcy Hart 72 70 71 71 71, Audra Burks 69 72 71 72 71.

PLAYERS FINISHED 21st to 30th AND GAINING CATEGORY 11 RANKING
356 Allison Hanna-Williams 75 71 68 70 72, Chella Choi 70 73 70 71 72, Leah Wigger 70 75 66 72 73, Nari Kim 73 71 69 73 70.
357 Anna Nordqvist (Swe) (am) 74 71 72 69 71, Angela Buzminski 76 68 73 69 71, Samantha Richdale 72 70 74 69 72, Sarah Kemp 71 77 65 72 72.
358 Christi Cano 73 70 73 68 74, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 79 66 71 69 73, Nontaya Srisawang 77 72 68 70 71, Brandi Jackson 74 69 73 70 72, Haeji Kang 75 69 71 71 72.

OTHER FINAL TOTALS INCLUDED:
360 Taylor Leon 78 69 68 71 74. (jt 40th).
361 Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa) 74 72 72 72 71 (jt 44th).
362 Martina Eberl (Ger) 80 68 73 69 72, Alison Walsh (US/Ire) 79 72 64 70 77, Melissa Reid (Eng) 79 74 65 71 73 (jt 48th).
364 Liz Janangelo 72 74 69 73 76 (jt 61st).
366 Stacy Bregman (SAf) 72 72 74 70 78 (jt 65th).

Katherine Hull puts name down for first NZ Women's Open

Australian Katherine Hull, ranked 30th in the world, is a definite starter in next month's inaugural New Zealand Women's Open in Christchurch.
After four years on the US women's college circuit as a student at Pepperdine University, Hull, 26, achieved her breakthrough win in the Canadian Women's Open on the LPGA Tour last August and has eight top-10 finishes.
She is the first world-class player to sign up for the NZ Women's Open to be played at the Clearwater course from January 30 to February 2.
Her late season run included a second, a fourth, a sixth and a seventh.
"It's actually addictive when you start to see your name up on the leaderboard," Hull said.
"But it's not something I got carried away by - it makes you work harder because you realise how much you want to do it and see it up there again."
Hull said she was keen to add to her winning run in New Zealand.
"I came to New Zealand for the first time last year on holiday and it's probably my favourite place on earth right now," she said.
"I am really looking forward to playing there and to win the very first New Zealand Open would be fantastic."
Promoters New Zealand Golf say they are confident of signing more quality players ranked in the world's top 100 to play in the NZ Women's Open.

CATHY PANTON-LEWIS'S TEAM BEATEN
BY AMERICAN SENIOR WOMEN PROS

A World team, captained by Cathy Panton-Lewis, lost by 31pt to 17 to the United States, led by Kathy Whitworth, in the annual Handa Cup senior women's professional golf match at St Augustine, Florida.
The Americans won nine of the final programme of 12 singles, each win earning them 2pt.
England's Alison Nicholas, winner of the 1997 US Women's Open, was beaten 3 and 1 in the lead-off singles by Sherri Turner.
The scoreline at the end of the first day's nine-hole foursomes and better-ball ties was 13-11 in favour of the United States.

Saturday singles results
US names first
Sherri Turner bt Alison Nicholas 3 and 1, Christa Johnson bt Alicia Dibos 5 and 4, Beth Daniel bt Barbara Scherbak 3 and 2, Patty Sheehan bt Dawn Coe-Jones 2 and 1, Cindy Figg-Currier lost to Meiko Nomura 2 holes, Amy Alcott lost to Jan Stephenson 4 and 3, Marilyn Lavander bt Nancy Harvey 2 and 1, Cindy Rarick bt Anne Marie Palli 2 holes, JoAnne Carner bt Tina Tombs 2 and 1, Rosie Jones bt Jenny Lidback 2 and 1, Sandra Haynie lost to Masumi Inaba 5 and 4, Pat Bradley bt Michiko Okada 4 and 3 (9-3).