Solheim Cup: Rabble-rouser Christina

Kim gives United States an ugly edge

FROM THE TELEGRAPH.CO.UK WEBSITE

By MARK REASON
The Solheim Cup is turning ugly. Today Rich Harvest Farms was turned into another bear pit as Christina Kim took her American team-mates way over the edge of acceptable sporting behaviour.
The two-faced dog of jingoism and triumphalism ripped at the throat of Europe’s players as Kim whipped it on with unrestrained glee.
Let’s pray this match doesn’t come down to a crucial putt late this afternoon because it would make the 1999 Ryder Cup bearpit of Brookline look like a Boston tea party. If the American captain has any sense – and there is not much evidence that she has – then Kim will be kept well away from the closing moments.
You don’t want to take the bubble out of the girl’s character, but someone needs to have a word. Kim partnered Michelle Wie in yesterday morning foursomes and by the end she had turned even that well-mannered girl into a rabble rouser. Kim cupped her hands to her ears to encourage the home roars, she slapped palms with the crowds lining the hole, she whirled her finger above her head and she chanted USA.
Goodness knows what Lee Westwood might have made of it all. He would probably have taken Kim’s wedge and shoved it up her beret. Westwood was contemptuous of Tom Lehman when he began conducting the crowd in the national anthem on Brookline’s first tee. But this was way beyond that.
Kim’s behaviour took away from a largely good natured patriotic crowd of 30,000 people and some great excitement. It also detracted from the terrific golfing show that she had put on with the 19-year-old Wie as they came back from losing the first two holes to win 5&4 against Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui.
Wie said afterwards: “This is the most amazing thing I have ever done. It was the highlight of my career.” Wie’s five birdies put the 'mo’ in momentous and powered her team to victory. Kim said afterwards: “There is no shell in Michelle” and we are at last seeing the teenager come out of herself.
Her team-mates have had a bit of fun at her expense saying that Michelle didn’t know how to put her clubs into her new USA bag. Independence is a crucial part of any top golfer and it is the thing that has been missing from Wie’s career. These few days of team play away from her protective parents may just be the making of Wie the individual superstar.
The only blip in the week came when Beth Daniel, the American captain, said Wie had played “great” on the first morning and then left her out in the afternoon. Not many people have given Europe a chance this week but Daniel is one of them. She has decided on an insane tactic of not playing anyone in all five matches.
Paula Creamer didn’t like it and said so, but the heartbeat of the American team was left out yesterday morning. Even more bizarrely, both Wie and Cristie Kerr, two of the three best Americans on the first morning, were left out on Friday afternoon.
Momentum is everything in the Solheim and Daniel let Europe back into the match. She had five winning partnerships over the first four sessions and kept only one of them together. Madness.
Daniel said that Kerr would be just as good when she came back into the team. Horsefeathers. Kerr and Nicole Castrale lost their Saturday foursomes as Europe came back to win the session and square the match at 6-6.

AND HERE'S HOW THE EUROPEANS

LEVELLED IT AT 6-6 ....

Europe made an impressive rally to win the four-balls 2 1/2-1 1/2 and even the Solheim Cup at six points apiece ahead of Saturday afternoon’s foursomes.

Wie and Kim had the already festive crowd in a frenzy with an easy 5 and 4 victory over Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui that showcased Wie’s considerable talents. They were still exchanging hugs and high-fives on the 14th green when Cristie Kerr holed in from the fairway on 12 to even her and Nicole Castrale’s match with Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen, and chants of “The Cup stays here!” began to ring out across Rich Harvest Farms.

“All you need is a little momentum,” Kim said.

But Europe has it now.

Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew and Diana Luna were down two through 16 holes and hadn’t made a birdie since the turn. But Brittany Lang and Angela Stanford gave them an opportunity on 17th. Lang’s tee shot went into a bunker on 17 and she dug out for all of about 70 feet, while Stanford overshot the green.Matthew then buried a 30-footer from the left edge of the green for a birdie.

Lang had a chance to win the match, but her 30-foot birdie putt from the bottom of the green stopped 5 feet short. Luna then buried a 12-footer to halve the match, pumping her right fist and leaping as the ball went in the cup.

“It’s just amazing,” said Luna, a Solheim Cup rookie who didn’t play Friday. “Catriona said to me, ‘Come on, knock it in for the glory.’ I had a great partner, we got really lucky.”

There was more to come, too.Pettersen birdied 14, and Nordqvist made a 20-footer on the 16th to go two up on Kerr and Castrale. Castrale gave the Americans a chance to salvage a half-point, making a 15-footer for birdie on 17 after Nordqvist had missed a short putt. But Kerr landed in the frontside trap and, with Castrale crouching at the side of the green with her head bowed, Nordqvist made a birdie from 12 feet to win the match.

The Swedish rookie pumped her fist and yelled when the ball dropped in the hole and Pettersen – who had lost both her matches Friday – jumped up and down.

Maria Hjorth and Gwladys Nocera were three up after 10, but Brittany Lincicome and Kristy McPherson made three straight birdies to even the match through 15. But Hjorth put her tee shot within 18 inches on the par-3 16th, and knocked it in for what would be the decisive birdie.

Alison Nicholas has a problem with left-out Laura Davies

Bizarre decisions by US captain Beth

Daniels keep European hopes alive

FROM THE TELEGRAPH.CO.UK WEBSITE
By MARK REASON, Sugar Grove, Illinois
What do you do with a problem like Laura? It is difficult enough winning in America, something the European women have never managed in five previous attempts.
So Laura Davies was dropped by her captain, Alison Nicholas. Nicholas then had a problem with morale, as Davies moped about while Europe tried to hold off America having started the second day of the Solheim Cup trailing 4½-3½.
Davies has played in all five of those losses, and when she gets down a miasma of gloomy thoughts seems to seep out from under the visor.
Luckily for Nicholas, the Americans have been inventing their own problems. Some of Beth Daniel's pairings have been so bizarre that you almost wondered if she was trying to sabotage her own team. Not many people have given Europe a chance this week, but Daniel is one of them.
The crowd is always a huge factor in these matches and once the home team get some momentum the surge can become unstoppable. Christina Kim is louder than the wail of a passing freight train and a home crowd of over 20,000 jingoistic Americans is only marginally quieter.
Yet every time America threatened to get something going, Daniel benched one of her stars. It was bonkers, but Daniel had a theory and she was going to see it through no matter what.
Daniel left out Cristie Kerr on the first afternoon despite the fact that Kerr had been America's best player in the morning. It seemed as unthinkable as not playing Sergio Garcia after he had just taken out Tiger Woods.
Daniel said: "I didn't want to play Cristie five matches. I don't want to play anybody five matches. That's my goal. I'm trying to save their strength for Sunday. This is a very tough golf course to walk. There are a lot of big distances between greens and tees. I know Cristie played extremely well this morning, but she'll still have her golf game tomorrow."
This was nonsense. Momentum is everything in these matches. Kerr had a ton of momentum in the morning, but she was left to wander around. Daniel preferred to keep Angela Stanford in the Friday afternoon line-up, despite her awful form in the morning. Guess what, she lost again in the foursomes, and to some pretty dreadful golf from the Europeans. Momentum gone.
Daniel had decided beforehand that Kerr would sit out the first afternoon and that Stanford would play both matches. She did not alter her plan according to events and stands utterly condemned by her rigid thinking.
She also left out Michelle Wie on the first afternoon. So what did Daniel think of Wie's morning form. "Michelle played great. She hit so many good shots under pressure and really hung in there. I couldn't be more proud of what she did today." And now I'm going to drop her.
Wie did not sound happy about the tactic, but diplomatically said: "We all had an agreement that we were all trying not to play five matches."
Paula Creamer, the heartbeat of the team, told her captain: "I want to play five." Daniel dropped her from yesterday morning's foursomes.
Does Daniel not know that when Europe thrashed America in the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, four of the victorious team played in all five sessions and won 16½ points out of 20? They had some momentum going that week. Annika Sorenstam had a pretty good Solheim record and she frequently played in all five matches.
Daniel may get away with some crazy captaincy because she has much the better team. Nicholas does not have the strength in depth to pretend that she believes in some sort of crackpot egality. She needs to get as much out of her best players as possible, particularly with Davies in the doldrums.
Nicholas knows only too well that Europe have never won the Solheim Cup taking a lead into the final-day singles. There were times here when they looked to be playing for a draw, so slow was the pace of play.

Fife County Ladies Golf Association Centenary Open

Fife County Ladies Golfing Association are holding a Centenary Open at Dunfermline Golf Club on Sunday, September 27. Tee-times: from 9.30 am – 1.30pm.
The competition is open to members of any county association in Scotland.
Scratch & Handicap Prizes. Entry Fee: £12 .
It would be great to have some representatives from each county participating in this event, so please come along and join us in our celebration of 100 years of county golf in Scotland.
If you are interested, please submit entry with fee by September 6 to:
Mrs Margaret Steele, 26 South Dewar Street, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8AR (Tel: 01383 721840) .

Catriona and Janice lose but Europe

only one point behind after Day One


FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
Scotland's Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie lost their unbeaten record as a pair in the Solheim Cup, but Europe's women golfers ended Day 1 just a point behind the Americans at 4½-3½.
In the morning four-balls at Rich Harvest Farms near Chicago, Illinois, North Berwick's Matthew, the Ricoh Women's British Open Champion, snatched a half with Swede Maria Hjorth against Michelle Wie and Morgan Pressel.
But, along with Windyhill's Moodie, she lost by 3 and 1 against Juli Inkster and Paula Creamer in the afternoon foursomes.
The home side won the fourballs 2½-1½ and the foursomes were shared, leaving Europe still with high hopes of winning for the first time on US soil.
Matthew and Moodie were a key partnership in Europe's 2003 victory at Barseback in Sweden and have a proud record stretching back to when they played amateur golf for Scotland.
"It was disappointing to lose, but the team is still in a great position," sad Matthew, "It promises to be a really exciting weekend."
**The full article above appears in today's Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

FIRST DAY SCOREBOARD AT SOLHEIM CUP

Four-balls (USA names first) (2 1/2-1 1/2)
Match 1: Paula Creamer & Cristie Kerr bt Suzann Pettersen & Sophie Gustafson 1 hole.
Match 2: Angela Stanford & Juli Inkster lost to Helen Alfredsson & Tania Elosegui 1 hole.
Match 3: Brittany Lang & Brittany Lincicome bt Laura Davies & Becky Brewerton 5 & 4
Match 4: Morgan Pressel & Michelle Wie halved with Catriona Matthew & Maria Hjorth

Foursome (USA names first) (2-2)
Match 5: Christina Kim & Natalie Gulbis bt Suzann Pettersen & Sophie Gustafson 4 & 2
Match 6: Angela Stanford & Nicole Castrale lost to Becky Brewerton & Gwladys Nocera
3 & 1
Match 7: Kristy McPherson & Brittany Lang lost to Maria Hjorth & Anna Nordqvist
3 & 2
Match 8: Paula Creamer & Juli Inkster bt Catriona Matthew & Janice Moodie 2 & 1

Overall scoreline: United States 4 1/2, Europe 3 1/2

Futures Tour event hit by bad weather

First-round play of the US Duramed Futures Tour's $110,000 Turkey Hill Classic was suspended due to rain rendering the course unplayable. Play was suspended at 11:50 a.m local time as over an inch of rain fell on the already saturated course at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"Today's rain, along with the rain we had earlier in the week, was too much for the course to handle," said Christy Barks, Vice-president of Tournament Operations. "The course is just too wet to continue play and we'll resume Saturday to allow time for it to drain."
Hannah Yun of Bradenton, Florida was leading at the time of suspension, at 4-under-par, through nine holes.
Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, British Columbia, and Ashley Prange of Noblesville, Ind., share a tie for second at 3-under-par, also through nine holes.
First-round competition of the inaugural Turkey Hill Classic, presented by Felicita Garden Resort and Spa, will resume Saturday at 8 am local time. The second round is expected to start at 1:40 p.m. EDT. Players will not be paired by score, but will remain in their first-round pairings.
For scores and more information, visit www.duramedfuturestour.com.
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms. High in the mid 80s. Winds from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph.

Catriona keeps cool to sink putt

that keeps Europe in touch

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
The United States gained the upper hand over Europe in the four-balls on the first morning of the Solheim Cup and carried a 2.5-1.5 lead into the afternoon foursomes at Rich Harvest Farms, Illinois
Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr got the defending champions up and running with a one-hole victory over Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson, but Europe hit back to level matters when Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui triumphed by the same margin against Angela Stanford and Juli Inkster.
Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome produced a comprehensive 5 and 4 win over Laura Davies and Becky Brewerton in match three to hand the Americans a 2-1 lead. And it would have been 3-1 had Catriona Matthew not held her nerve to hole a five-foot putt at the 18th to ensure she and Maria Hjorth halved their topsy-turvy encounter with Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie.
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The USA require 14 points to retain the cup, while Europe, who have never won on American soil, need 14.5 to win it.

OPENING RESULTS
FOUR-BALL MATCHES
(USA names first):
Match 1: Paula Creamer & Cristie Kerr bt Suzann Pettersen & Sophie Gustafson 1 hole.
Match 2: Angela Stanford & Juli Inkster lost to Helen Alfredsson & Tania Elosegui 1hole.
Match 3: Brittany Lang & Brittany Lincicome bt Laura Davies & Becky Brewerton 5 and 4
Match 4: Morgan Pressel & Michelle Wie halved with Catriona Matthew & Maria Hjorth.

United States lead Europe 2.5 - 1.5

The leading prizewinners after the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. Left to right: Danielle McVeigh, Hannah Turland, Katherine Kyle (Aberdeen Ladies captain), the winning Netherlands team, Chris Gallon (Royal Aberdeen captain), Louise Kenney and Pamela Pretswell (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click to enlarge).

Champion and runner-up: Danielle McVeigh (Royal County Down) & Hannah Turland (Tidworth). Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

DANIELLE PIPS FALTERING HANNAH FOR TITLE

DANIELLE PIPS HANNAH FOR BRITISH STROKE TITLE AT ROYAL ABERDEEN By COLIN FARQUHARSON In what must rank as one of the greatest turn-arounds in Ladies Golf Union tournament history, Northern Ireland's Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) came from six shots in arrears to catch long-time leader, 15-year-old Hannah Turland (Tidworth), down the home stretch of Royal Aberdeen's classic links to win the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship. Hannah, overnight leader by three shots, extended her advantage to four with a third-round 73 on a day when the weather improved dramatically – and so did the scoring. Hannah went even further ahead of Danielle by reaching the turn in the final round in 37 to her playing partner's 38 and starting for home with a par 4 to McVeigh's bogey 5. But suddenly what looked like a procession was transformed into a nightmare for the youngster from Wiltshire. It simply all went pear-shaped for the publican's daughter over two holes. A lost ball at the short 11th cost her a triple bogey 6 and Hannah ran up another triple bogey, this time an 8, at the par-5 next hole where she lost a ball in a gorse bush and then she lost her second ball in a lateral water hazard. Not surprisingly, Hannah, with her concentration shattered, also bogeyed the 13th and 14th That meant the four holes from the 11th to the 14th cost Turland 24 shots in all. In contrast, 21-year-old University of Ireland Maynooth student McVeigh, winner of the Welsh open amateur stroke play title earlier in the season, took only 16 strokes for the same four holes – an eight-shot swing which turned everything on it's head. Danielle finished with a 76 for a 16-over-par total of 304, one shot ahead of Hannah, who bravely birdied the last for an 81 and 305. "I didn't really think I had a chance of catching Hannah at the turn, with eight holes to go, because she was so far in front of me - although at the back of my mind, I knew that I had played Royal Aberdeen's back nine into the wind well every day," said McVeigh, a six-footer who gained her first GB&I cap in the recent Vagliano Trophy match in Hamburg. "There wasn't much wind today but it's still a very difficult inward half but Balgownie is so much like my home course, Royal County Down, and I know how to play it, so I hadn't given up hope entirely. Then Hannah had these triple bogeys at the 11th and 12th and suddenly it's me whose leading. "Hannah has great potential. She will go on to win a lot of things. I felt I was rewarded for playing steadily all week. Nothing spectacular, just steady links golf, the same golf I play over my home links." One had to feel sorry for Hannah who was hitting the ball well and far until she had that double misfortune after the turn. "I felt I played really well over the three days. These two holes just ruined everything. But I'll get over it," said the Wiltshire women's champion who helped England win the girls' home internationals title a week or two ago. Apart from the runner-up award, Hannah also won the Dinwiddy Trophy which goes to the leading Under-18 years player. Rachel Connor, daughter of the Manchester club's Scots-born professional, Brian, had earlier set the clubhouse target at 306 after a 75. She finished third on 18 over par. Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) and France's Lucie Andre tied on 307, Louise after a closing 73 and Lucie with a 76. Louise's better inward half officially placed her fourth. She won the Angela Uzielli Trophy for the best performance by a player over 23 years of age. "I just tried to stay out of the worst trouble over the three days and it seemed to work," said Louise after her best display in a tournament of British status. Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), determined to break 80 at the fourth and last attempt, went further than that - she broke 70! Pamela returned the lowest round by anyone over the three days in the fourth round – a three-under-par 69, which earned her the Taunton Trophy. Netherlands (Chrisje De Vries, Myrte Eikenaar and Maaike Naafs) won the international team event with a total of 315, ahead of England (317), Scotland (321) and Ireland (323). It was a good tournament for the Scots in the field of 99. Apart from Louise Kenney, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) finished sixth on 308, highlighting her final day with a third-round 71. Pamela Pretswell, Carly Booth (Comrie), who closed with her best round of 74, Alford's Laura Murray finished joint seventh on 310. Jane Turner (Craigielaw), chasing a first cap for Scotland in the home internationals, just made the top 20 with a total of 315. FINAL TOTALS Par 288 (4x72) CSS 79 79 76 76 304 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 75 79 74 76. 305 Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 79 72 73 81. 306 Rachel Connor (Manchester) 80 79 72 75. 307 Lucie Andre (France) 73 81 77 76, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 79 80 75 73. 308 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 83 79 71 75. 310 Charlotte Ellis (Minbchinhampton) 79 83 73 75, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 81 80 80 69, Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) 84 76 78 72, Carly Booth (Comrie) 82 76 78 74, Laura Murray (Alford) 79 76 79 76. 311 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 80 78 74 79. 312 Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) 76 90 73 73, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 85 77 72 78. 313 Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 78 77 79 79, Lucy Williams (Mid Herts) 81 76 79 77. 314 Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 79 85 74 76, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 79 77 81 77. 315 Hannah Ralph (Cowdreay Park) 79 86 76 74, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 85 77 75 78. 316 Amy Boulden (Maedsu) 79 87 73 77. 317 Isabelle Boineau (France) 79 86 78 74. 318 Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands) 82 79 84 73. 319 Margarita Ramos (Mexico) 87 78 77 77, Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) 85 79 74 81. 320 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 88 80 75, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 81 84 77 78, Marion Ricordeau (Franced) 85 77 81 77. 321 Nicola Rawlinson (Leylands) 76 89 75 81, Caroline Karsten (Netherelands) 76 87 78 80. 322 Marion Duverney (France) 86 80 71 85, Laura Collin (John O’Gaunt) 84 81 79 78, Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 87 77 76 82.. 324 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 81 85 79 79, Ciara Butler (Newlands, Ireland) 78 80 78 88.. 327 Natalie Lowe (Macclesfield) 82 83 82 80. 328 Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton) 81 84 78 85, Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge, Ireland) 79 81 87 81, Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 80 80 78 90.. 329 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 81 82 80 76. 332 Maaika Naafs (Netherlands) 78 87 76 74. 333 Eleana Collins (US) 80 84 82 87. 335 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 80 86 83 86. Retired: Tara Davies (Holyhead) 85 81 ret. INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT 315 Netherlands 160 155 (C De Vries, M Eikenaar, M Naafs) 317 England 161 156 (C Douglass, H Barwood, R Jennings) 321 Scotland 162 159 (R Niven, P Pretswell, K Walker). 323 Ireland (A Murphy, D McVeigh, S Cunningham(

Bronte Law in action, image by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography (click to enlarge).

Bronte Law (14) wins EWGA North

Region girls championship

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Cheshire’s Bronte Law won the EWGA North region girls’ championship at Moortown, Yorkshire, with a three-under par total for 36 holes.
Bronte, 14, shot three-under 72 in her first round and added an afternoon 75 for a total of 147 and a four-stroke win. The runner-up was Emma Harris from Peel on the Isle of Man, who felt unwell at the start of play but was determined to take part.
Bronte, who plays at Bramhall, is enjoying a great run of form this season. She’s also the English U18 strokeplay champion, the Cheshire girls’ champion and the North of England schools’ champion.
The North region championship produced very good results on a course which was in excellent condition, although playing long.
Spectators commented on the very high standard of golf that was played especially from some of the younger girls.
Results
CLEMENT BOWL
Best gross:
147 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 72 75
Runner-up gross:
151 Emma Harris (Peel, Isle of Man) 76, 75
Best net:
144 Melissa Eccles (Malton & Norton) 72 72
CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY (over 15 - under 18)
Best Gross:
152 Jenna Birch (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 79 73
Runner-up gross:
153 Emma Goddard (Vale Royal Millennium) 78 75
Best net: 150 Imogen Covell (Huddersfield) 77 73
KILBURN TROPHY (over 13 – under 16)
Best gross: 150 Sophie Godley (Lindrick) 76 74
Runner-up gross: 158 Sophie Miles (Ilkley) 82 76
Best net: Holly Vizard (Pleasington) 71 74
LIVERPOOL SOCIETY OF LADY CAPTAINS (under 14)
Best gross:
156 Ellie Goodall (Selby) 77 79
Runner-up gross:
158 Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 79 79
Best net:
152 Megan Lockett (Huddersfield) 75 77
TEAM TROPHY – BEST GROSS
Yorkshire 464 (on countback on the second 18 from Lancashire)
Sophie Godley 150 Ellie Goodall 156 Sophie Miles 158
TEAM TROPHY – BEST NET
Lancashire 436 (Jenna Birch 148 Emma Harris 143 Holly Vizard 145

Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Hannah Turland chips dead for a birdie 4 at the 18th in her third round at Royal Aberdeen today. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click to enlarge the image

NO NERVES AS 15-YEAR-OLD HANNAH EXTENDS BALGOWNIE LEAD TO FOUR Wiltshire 15-year-old Hannah Turland, the surprise halfway leader by three shots, showed not the slightest sign of nerves as she increased her lead to four at the end of the third round of the British women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Royal Aberdeen today. On the nicest day of the week so far - blue skies, sunshine and only a suggestion of a wind, Hannah returned a one-over-par 73 for a 54-hole tally of eight-over-par 224. Welsh open stroke-play champion Danielle McVeigh (Royal County Down), her nearest rival overnight and playing partner for the final two rounds, had a 74 to slip a shot further in arrears at 228. "I'm doing OK," said Hannah when asked how she felt as she headed for the clubhouse for a quick bite before being back on the first tee for a 3pm start to her fourth and final round. "I'm enjoying it, especially as the weather is a lot nicer." No nerves there than as the 15-year-old Wiltshire women's county champion and daughter of a Tidworth publican heads for a place in the golfing record books as one of the youngest ever British champions - outwith girls' tournaments - in Ladies Golf Union history. Europe No 1 Lucie Andre from France and Manchester's Rachel Connor took up joint third place on 231 on the best day of the week weatherwise so far - sunny and with just a gentle breeze in comparison to the gales of the first two days. Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and France's Marion Duverney both returned one-under-par 71s - the best of the championship so far. Defending champion Roseanne Niven (Crieff), who will be returning to the guaranteed nice weather of California shortly as a student at the University of California-Berkeley, had the misfortune to be bitten by a wasp under her left arm on the 17th tee. She carried on to return a third-round 80 and a tally of 243. Rhian Wyn Thomas from the Vale of Glamorgan had a nose bleed down the 18th as she completed a third-round 78 for 238. Welsh champion Tara Davies (Holyhead) withdrew with toothache before the start of the third roundl. THIRD-ROUND TOTALS Par 216 (3x72) 224 Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 79 72 73. 228 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 75 79 74. 231 Lucie Andre (France) 73 81 77, Rachel Connor (Manchester) 80 79 72. 232 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 80 78 74. 233 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 83 79 71. 234 Laura Murray (Alford) 79 76 79, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 78 77 79, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 79 80 75, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 85 77 72. 235 Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 79 83 73. 236 Lucie Williams (Mid Herts) 81 76 79, Ciara Butler (Newlands, Dublin) 78 80 78, Carly Booth (Comrie) 82 76 78. 237 Marion Duverney (France) 86 80 71, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 79 77 81, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 85 77 75. 238 Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 79 85 74, Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) 85 79 74, Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 80 80 78, Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) 84 76 78. 239 Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 79 87 73, Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) 76 90 73. 240 Nicola Rawlinson (Leyland) 76 89 75, Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 87 77 76. 241 Hannah Ralph (Cowdray Park) 79 86 76, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 81 80 80, Caroline Karsten (Netherlands) 76 87 78. 242 Margarita Ramos (Mexico) 87 78 77, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 81 84 77.. 243 Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton) 81 84 78, Isabelle Boineau (France) 79 86 78, Marion Ricordeau (France) 85 77 81, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 81 82 80... 244 Laura Collin (John O'Gaunt) 84 81 79. 245 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 81 85 79, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 77 88 80, Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands) 82 79 84. 246 Eleana Collins (US) 80 84 82. 247 Natalie Lowe (Macclesfield) 82 83 82, Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge, Ireland) 79 81 87. 249 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 80 86 83. 251 Maaike Naafs (Netherlands) 78 87 86. Retired: Tara Davies (Holyhead) 85 81 Ret.

United States put their big guns out first

in Solheim Cup opening four-balls

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
The 2009 Solheim Cup gets under way with Europe facing the toughest of starts against American stars Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr.
The USA's top-ranked duo go out first at 8.05am local time against Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson in a match home captain Beth Daniel admits is designed to send out a message of strength at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois.
Angela Stanford and 49-year-old wild card Juli Inkster tee off second against Swedish pairing Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui, the same duo that kicked off the 2007 event.
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Click on these lines for more news items:
Solheim Cup future in doubt
Olazabal delivers Solheim Cup pep talk
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Third out are European talisman Laura Davies, who could overtake Annika Sorenstam as Europe's top points scorer this weekend, and Wales' Becky Brewerton in their match against Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome.
There will be plenty of interest in the fourth match too, with US wild-card pick Michelle Wie teaming up with Morgan Pressel amid rumours of friction between the two in the past. They face Wales' second representative, Catriona Matthew, who pairs with Swede Maria Hjorth.
Upon revealing her four-ball pairings, USA captain Beth Daniel said: "When you consider we have the number one and number two in America going out in the first match you can see we're trying to make a statement, but they have some tough opponents.
"I think the pairings are pretty even and I don't think any match has an obvious advantage. The Davies and Brewerton partnership is pretty much a no-brainer after they played together in 2007 and we've got four very good matches."
Asked about her decision to pair rookie Wie with Pressel, Daniel brushed aside talk of a rift.
"They're sharing a lodge this week and they've been very good friends for a while. They told me they would like to play together and I think Morgan will be good for Michelle."
European skipper Alison Nicholas revealed that her pairings had been relatively simple to resolve.
"A lot of the girls wanted to play together and they told me that so that's pretty much how we did it," she said.
"The team spirit is fantastic and the girls are really up for it. We're intent to go and get as many birdies as possible.
"There's going to be some fantastic matches, it's so exciting and there is going to be fireworks."
Players not involved in Saturday's opening matches are Gwladys Nocera, Diana Luna, Janice Moodie and Anna Nordqvist from Europe and Kristy McPherson, Nicole Castrale, Christina Kim and Natalie Gulbis for the hosts.
Saturday's fourballs are followed by four afternoon foursomes.
Day One four-ball pairings:
Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr v Suzann Pettersen (Nor) and Sophie Gustafson (Swe).
Angela Stanford and Juli Inkster v Helen Alfredsson (Swe) and Tania Elosegui (Swe).
Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome v Laura Davies (Eng) and Becky Brewerton (Wal).
Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie v Catriona Matthew (Wal) and Maria Hjorth (Swe).

Draw for last two rounds of British women's

open amateur stroke-play at Balgownie

6.40 & 11.30 Duverney & MacDonald.
6.50 & 11.40 Moffat & Boulden.
7.00 & 11.50 Jennings & Davies.
7.10 & 12.00 O'Connor & Lowe.
7.20 & 12.10 Laura Collin & Margarita Ramosa.
7.30 & 12.20 Foster & Boineau.
7.40 & 12.30 Rawlinson & Ralph.
7.50 & 12.40 Naafs & Clyburn.
8.00 & 12.50 Drummond & Douglass.
8.10 & 01.00 Peters & Collins.
8.20 & 01.10 Kartsen & Niven.
8.30 & 01.20 Turner & Barwood.
8.40 & 01.30 Ricordeau & Walker.
8.50 & 01.40 Ellis & Eikenaar.
9.00 & 01.50 Pretswell & De Vries.
9.10 & 02.00 Mernagh & Wyn Thomas.
9.20 & 02.10 Connor & Kenney.
9.30 & 02.20 Booth & Butler.
9.40 & 02.30 James & Williams.
9.50 & 02.40 Wild & Bradbury.
10.0 & 02.50 Murray & Andre.
10.10 & 03.00 McVeigh & Turland.

Hannah Turland (15) surges three

shots clear with late-in-the-day 72

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Turland from Tidworth, Wiltshire played the round of her young life to come out of the blue and storm into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club today Hannah, pictued right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, in the third last group off the first tee, finished her round abut 6pm, just when a day of horrendous wind and rain was improving. She became the first player in the international field to match the testing women's par of 72 over the two days for the so-testing Balgownie links. Coupled with her opening round of 79 – which had been six shots adrift of leader Lucie Andre from France - Hannah's seven-over-par tally of 151 saw her leapfrog over the longtime joint clubhouse leaders, Lucie Andre and Northern Ireland's Danielle McVeigh, two opposing Vagliano Trophy match players. Danielle had a 79 for 154 and Andre matched that aggregate with an 81. "I did get the best of the weather late in the round but before that it was horrendous wind and rain. I thought it was still a two-club wind in our faces over the inward nine," said Hannah, Wiltshire women's county champion who has been putting together a string of improving performances this season. "No, I won't lose any sleep over leading a championship like this; That's what I play golf for. . I played well in the girls' home internationals (helping England win the title at Fairhaven) and was well up among the qualifiers for the match-play stages of the British girls' championship at West Lancs last week, so it's really just a continuation of that," she said. He outward half was a mixed bag of birdies (fourth and fifth) and bogeys (second, third and eighth) before she "made" her round with three birdies in a row over a difficult stretch into the wind and rain. She holed a 4ft putt for a 2 after a six-iron off the tee at the short 11th, had to go on her knees in a bunker at the 12th to cope with a bad lie, and played a magnificent recovery shot to 12ft from the stick – and downed the putt for a believe-it-or-not birdie/. Then she holed a 20ft birdie putt at the 13th. Even a double bogey 6 at the 15th and another shot dropped at the 16th were not going to shake Hannah's confidence. She parred the short 17th and then played a great five-iron third shot at the last, holing a 3ft putt for a birdie 3 to come home in 35 and surge clear of the field. Andre and McVeigh had battled through atrocious conditions to share the lead until Miss Turland swept past late in the day. The weather was even worse than it had been for Wednesday's first round. Tournament director Susan Simpson clocked the wind speed at gusts of 40mph, an increase of 10mph, And the new bad weather factor was rain – and lots of it, circling the Aberdeen area for hour after hour.. Nine Scots figured among the 44 qualifiers for Friday's final two rounds with two-round aggregages of 22-over-par 166 or better. If the weather does not improve, those who missed the cut might count themselves the lucky ones! Leading Scot in joint fourth place is international Laura Murray who almost qualifies for the "local " tag. She hails from Alford. Laura shot a great 76 in the horrendous conditions for a tally of 155 – four shots behind shock leader Hannah – and then said she couldn't have done it without her caddie, her mum Mary. "I'm not the excitable type but Balgownie is such a challenging course and the weather was so awful that you need somebody to keep your spirits up, keep encouraging you – and that's what Mum is so good at," said Laura who had her 21st birthday on August 8. "We were lucky that the rain stopped and the wind dropped a bit for the last few holes but it was simply awful before that. At least on Wednesday it was just the wind. Today it was an even stronger wind with lots of rain thrown in. "It's the kind of weather when golf is not much fun but just a hard slog. I got a couple of early birdies – at the sixth and seventh – and I knew they would come in handy when we turned into the wind. "Sure enough I bogeyed the 13th , 14th and 15th but, all in all, I played really steadily." Carly Booth from Comrie is sharing eighth place after a 76 for 158. "I'm playing solid golf from tee to green but I just can't sink any putts. I don't like putting when the wind is as strong as it has been. I don't mind it in my face on the tee but I detest what the wind does to the ball on the greens." said Carly. Tournament director Susan Simpson from Carnoustie admitted later that around 11am she did go out to the exposed 10th green to check the wind-and-ball situation. "We had been getting reports from the course that balls were being moved by the wind on the greens. I went out and it was touch and go whether we suspended play but just when we were about to make a decision, the wind did drop a little bit and saved us a lot of bother." Other Scots who made the cut were Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 80 for 159, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 80 for 161, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 79 for 162, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 77 for 162, defending champion Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 82 for 163, and, right on the limit mark, former Scottish title-holder Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 86 for 166 and repeating Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 85 for 166. Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) was agonisingly close – one shot too many with a 81 for 167. Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) crashed out with a 91 for 169, one shot better than North of Scotland champion Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie), 89 for 170. That it was a game of two halves for the second day in a row was underlined by the figures of France's Marion Ricordeau. She had the lowest outward half of the two days - three-under-par 33- but the No 2 in the European Golf Association's female rankings took 44 shots to come home for a 77.

BRITISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. QUALIFIERS (166 and better) Par 144 (2x72). 151 Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 79 72. 154 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 75 79, Lucie Andre (France) 73 81.. 155 Laura Murray (Alford) 79 76, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 78 77. 156 Charlotte Wild (Mere) 79 77. 157 Lucy Williams (Mid Herts) 81 76. 158 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 80 78, Ciara Butler (Newlands) 78 80, Carly Booth (Comrie) 82 76.. 159 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 79 80, Rachel Connor (Manchester) 80 79. 160 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 80 80, Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 79 81, Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) 84 76. 161 Pamela Pretswelll (Bothwell Castle) 81 80, Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands) 82 79.. 162 Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 79 83, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 83 79, Marion Ricordeau (France) 85 77, Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 85 77, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 85 77. 163 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 81 82, Caroline Karsten (Netherlands) 76 87. 164 Eleana Collins (US) 80 84, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 85 79, Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) 85 79, Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 87 77. 165 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 81 84, Maaike Naafs (Netherlands) 78 87, Hannah Ralph (Cowdray Park) 79 86, Nicola Rawlinson (Leyland) 76 89, Isabelle Boineau (France) 86 79, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 86 79, Margarita Ramosa (Mexico) 87 78, Laura Collin (John O'Gaunt) 84 81, Natalie Lowe (Macclesfield) 82 83, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton) 81 84. 166 Tara Davies (Holyhead) 85 81, Rachel Jennings (IzaakWalton) 76 90, Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 79 87, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 80 86, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 81 85, Marion Duverney (France) 86 80. MISSED THE CUT 167 Laure Castelain (France) 79 88, Lauren Taylor (Woburn) 82 85, Corisande Lee (West Lancs) 81 86, Faye Sanderson (Heworth) 86 81, Laura Charlier (Belgium) 83 84, Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 86 81, Kate Whitmore (Sandiway) 85 82... 168 Victoria Bradshaw (Bangort) 87 81. 169 Julie Maisongrosse (France) 83 86, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 78 91, Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 87 82. 170 Sarah Faller (Galway) 82 88, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 81 89, Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) 79 91, Valerie Sternebeck (Germany) 83 87, Franziska Neef (Germany) 92 78, Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor) 89 81. 171 Lesley Atkins (Minto) 91 80, Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 87 84. 172 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 86 86, Sammy Leslie (Westhill) 88 84, Tracey Boyes (Meon valley) 82 90, Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 95 77. 173 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 84 89, Joanne Hodge (Knowle) 83 90, Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 90 83.. 174 Giulia Carando (Italy) 86 88, Jeanne Metivier (France) 78 96. 175 Tessa de Bruijn (Netherlands) 85 90, Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) 87 88. 177 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 90 87, Kristy McLaughlin (Canada) 86 91. 179 Mhairi Johnstone (Northern) 88 91, Laura Chemarin (France) 83 96. 180 Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) 85 95. 181 Sarah Crowe (Tipperary) 87 94. 182 Joana Silva Pinto (Portugal) 89 93. 184 Monique Smit (South Africa) 87 97, Dianne Galbraith (Canada) 88 96, Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) 86 98. 185 Zala Jenko (Slovenia) 84 101. 186 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 90 96. 188 Morag MacPherson (Troon Ladies) 96 92, Louise McGillivray (Banchory) 95 93.. 190 Julia Brook (Croham Hurst) 88 102. 192 Emma Briggs (Chart Hills) 101 91, Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) 92 100.. 197 Sabine End (Germany) 95 102. 203 Christine Sparks (Mentmore) 104 99, Amanda Johnston (London Club) 100 103. Withdrew: Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) 90 - , Carrie MacKenzie (Beauchief) 103 -. No Returns: Linda Urquhart (Banchory) 89 NR, Annabel Niven (Crieff) 99 NR, Fiona Hay (Deeside) 98 NR, Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) 95 NR. DRAW FOR FRIDAY'S PLAY LATER

THE WEATHER'S WORSE AT BALGOWNIE

Rachel Jennings takes 52 for inward half as Balgownie weather worsens Great Britain & Ireland international team player Rachel Jennings crashed out of contention for the British women's open amateur golf championship at very wet and very windy Balgownie today. Rachel, who played in the recent Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe in Hamburg, had been up with the leaders after an opening round of 76, a good score in the high winds of Wednesday. But the weather was even worse today with the wind rising from 30mph to 40mph gusts and lashing the players with rain. Jennings returned an 18-over-par second-round score of 90, then said: "It was awful out there. I took 52 shots for the second nine into the wind and rain. That's the first time since I was about 14 years old that I have scored as high as a 90." Rachel has her 21st birthday next week. She did not have a single par on the inward half. She had a quadruple bogey 9 at the 12th and doubles at the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. Playing partner and Vagliano Trophy team-mate Danielle McVeigh from Northern Ireland showed that it was possible to break 80 even in the horrendous conditions. She had a 79 to be the early clubhouse leader on 10-over-par 154. "I played better than I did in Wednesday's wind and scored four shots worse but it is much more difficult out there today, very unpleasant weather." McVeigh, winner of the Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play championship earlier in the season, had birdies at the long second and long sixth but had a double bogey 6 at the ninth to give back the shots she had gained. She had another double bogey 6 at the 10th but covered the remaining eight holes in four over par, which was good going in the wind and rain. Ellie Givens (Darlington), who had a first-round 90, withdrew this morning because she was not feeling well and Carrie MacKenzie (Beauchief), who scored 103 on Wednesday, was another to pull out today. Annabel Niven (Crieff) was another No Return today Local player Linda Urquhart (Banchory), after an 89 in the first round, decided she was going to have a 'No Return' by the time she reached the turn today. With the weather so awful, it was almost certain that many would follow her example. Europe's No 1 ranked female amateur Lucie Andre from Lyon, France, overnight leader with a one-over-par 73, took 40 shots - four over par - to reach the turn in her second round. There was a chance that if the wind increased even just a little, the conditions might be declared unplayable. There were reports of stationary golf balls being moved by the wind.

EARLY SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72).
154 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 75 79.
162 Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 79 83, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 83 79, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 79 83..
163 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 81 82.
164 Eleana Collins (US) 80 84.
165 Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 81 84.
166 Tara Davies (Holyhead) 85 81, Rachel Jennings (IzaakWalton) 76 90..
167 Laure Castelain (France) 79 88.
169 Julie Maisongrosse (France) 83 86.
170 Sarah Faller (Galgway) 82 88.
175 Tessa de Bruijn (Netherlands) 85 90.
179 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 84 89, Mhairi Johnstone (Northern) 88 91.
184 Monique Smit (South Africa) 87 97, Dianne Galbraith (Canada) 88 96.
Withdrew: Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) 90 - , Carrie MacKenzie (Beauchief) 103 -.
No Returns: Linda Urquhart (Banchory) 89 NR, Annabel Niven (Crieff) 99 NR..

ROYAL ABERDEEN PRO STAFF HELP A SLOVENIA DAMSEL IN DISTRESS Royal Aberdeen Golf Club's professional staff came to the aid of a Continental competitor in distress as she waited to tee off this morning in the second round of the British women's open amateur golf championship over the Balgownie links. Zala Jenko, who has travelled all the way from Bled, Slovenia with her mother, watched in anguish as her trolley and the heavy bag of clubs blew over in the wind. The head of her driver snapped off when it hit the ground. The thought of tackling the Balgownie links in worse weather of wind and rain than prevailed on the opening day without a driver galvanised Zala's mum into action. She ran over to the professional's shop and explained the position. Golf clubs cost a lot of money in Slovenia - but head club pro David Ross and assistant Jonas Hedgeg of the Royal Aberdeen pro staff came up with a replacement driver and said Zala, who has a handicap of 1.3, could have it free of charge. She had an 84 in the first round and seemed to have a fighting chance of figuring among the leading 40 players and ties at the end of today's second round. EVENING FOOTNOTE: It just wasn't Zala's day. She had only one par figure - at the 18th - in a round of 101 that included a 13 at the par-5 12th hole.

It's a Canterbury tale: Jane retains

English south seniors' title

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Hendon’s Jane Rees successfully defended the 36-hole senior English women’s south regional stroke-play tournament at Canterbury.
Jane, who is the Welsh seniors’ champion, finished eight shots clear of the field with rounds of 74 and 75 for 149.
She won despite the head flying off her five-iron as she took her tee shot on the short fifth hole in the second round.
“The ball finished beside the green and the clubhead went about 40 yards. It has encouraged me to get a new set of clubs this winter!” she said.
Jane made her debut in seniors golf last year and as well as taking the Welsh title she won the 50-55 age group at the British seniors and helped Wales to victory in the senior Home Internationals.
Her closest challenger in this event was Julie Ballard of Kent, followed by Norfolk’s Eppie Zandvoort and Dorset’s Dee Wood.
The B division was won by Hampshire’s Christine Walker who finished one shot ahead of county colleague Bridget Moore and Buckinghamshire’s Pauline Olliver. Pauline was the first round leader but her challenge faltered on the second day when she took 14 on the 15th hole.
However, she had the consolation of winning the division’s 36-hole net prize.
Leading final scores
Par 142 (2x71) CSS 71 72
Division A
149 Jane Rees (Hendon) 74 75
157 Julie Ballard (Littlestone) 79 78
159 Eppie Zandvoort (Eaton, Norwich) 83, 76; Dee Wood (Crane Valley) 79 80
160 Caroline Caswell (Stoneham) 76 84
162 Carol Cass (Broadstone) 78 84
163 Jo Rumsey (Rochford Hundred) 85 78;Lynn Griffiths (Reading) 81 82; Judie Lewis (Hockley) 79 84
164 Pat Bennett (Reading) 80 84
Division B
168 Christine Walker (Stoneham) 85 83
169 Bridget Moore (Meon Valley) 85 84; Pauline Olliver (Burnham Beeches) 80 89
173 Judy McLintic (Wildernesse) 84 89
174 Jane Sach (Stoneham) 81 93
176 Elaine James (Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands) 88 88
177 Sheila Marshall (Haywards Heath) 87 90; Janet Robertson (Ferndown) 87 90; Kay Walshe (Hockley) 83 94; Kay Warner (Hockley) 81 96
Full details: www.englishwomensgolf.org
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Impressive Ulster win Irish Under-15

team title for fourth year in a row

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
The Ulster team impressed yet again to take the Under 15 title four years in succession, with Munster again the runners-up.
Munster started the final brightly with the emerging Chloe Ryan recording a notable 6&4 victory against Jessica Carty. However, Ulster had strength in depth with seasoned campaigners Jessica Boal and Colette McNichol and newcommers to the team Laura Fekkes and Sarah Boden all winning their matches.
Leinster turned on the style in their after battle against Connacht to take third place.
Emma Murphy, Jenny Sykes and Shannon Heery all won by convincing margins, however Roscommon's Blaithin O'Brien and April Timothy pulled two matches back for Connacht before Rebecca O'Regan secured the tie for Leinster.
Semi Finals
Munster new cap from Castletroy, Chloe Ryan had top match honours and gave her team a fine start with a 5&4 win against Leinsters' experienced Emma Murphy. The Munster panel proved strong down the order of play and went on to win the tie 5 matches to 1.
Munster should now feel somewhat confident taking on the Ulster team in the final for the second year in succession. Jessica Carty led her Ulster team to their fourth consecutive final at Athy Golf Club. Following a delayed start due to heavy early morning rain, Ulster took little time is disposing of the young, inexperienced Connacht team winning their top five matches in convincing fashion.
The sixth match between Connacht's Roisin O'Byrne and Olivia Mehaffey was called in with Olivia dormie.
DETAILS
FINAL
Munster 1½, Ulster 4½
(Munster names first)
Chloe Ryan bt Jessica Carty 6&4
Jean O'Driscoll lost to Laura Fekkes 2&1
Aoife Barry lost to Jessica Boal 3&2
Ann Marie Byrne lost to Collette McNichol 2 holes
Fiona Lacey lost to Sarah Boden 6&4
Edel Hehir halved with Olivia Mehaffey (called in)
3rd and 4th place match
Connacht 1½, Leinster 4½
(Connacht names first)
Lucy Golden lost to Emma Murphy 7&6
Sarah Prendergast lost to Jenny Sykes 6&5
Blaithin O'Brien bt Amber Gleeson 2&1
April Timothy bt Laura Doherty 2&1
Aisling Towey lost to Rebecca O'Regan 2&1
Roisin O'Byrne lost to Shannon Heery 7&6
Semi Finals
Munster 5, Leinster 1
(Munster names first)
Chloe Ryan bt Emma Murphy 5&4
Jean O’Driscoll bt Jenny Sykes 1 hole.
Aoife Barry halved with Amber Gleeson
Ann Marie Byrne bt Laura Doherty 5&4
Fiona Lacey bt Shannon Heery 4&3
Edel Hehir halved with Rebecca O’Regan (called in)
Connacht ½, Ulster 5½
(Connacht names first)
Lucy Golden lost to Jessica Carty 7&6
Sarah Prendergast lost to Laura Fekkes 7&5
Blaithin O’Brien lost to Collette McNichol 6&4
April Timothy lost to Jessica Boal 7&6
Aisling Towey lost to Sarah Boden 7&6
Roisin O’Byrne halved with Olivia Mehaffey (called in)
Sandra Barnett
Irish Ladies Golf Union

Sally wins top singles but United States

win back Junior Solheim Cup 15 1/2-8 1/2

Sally Watson from South Queensferry won the top singles but Europe crashed to a seven-point overall defeat by United States in the fifth Ping Junior Solheim Cup girls' amateur golf match at Aurora Country Club, Illinois. The Americans had established a 7 ½-4 ½ lead over the first-day foursomes (3 ½-2 ½) and four-balls (4-2) and took the final set of 12 singles 8-4 for a comprehensive 15 ½-8 ½ victory. And so the pattern of the matches was continued – the host team has always won so far. The United States won 17-7 in 2002 and 16-8 in 2005 on the previous occasions when they have had home advantage. Europe won 12 ½-11 ½ in 2003 and 14-10 in 2007 when both matches were played in Sweden. Manchester's Kelly Tidy, who withdrew from last week's British girls championship – she had been beaten in the 2007 and 2008 finals – at West Lancashire Golf Club so that she would be fresh for the Ping Junior Solheim Cup match, had her decision vindicated. Kelly was Europe's most successful player with three wins out of three. Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy player Sally Watson, 18, beat Jane Rah 4 and 3 in the lead-off singles tie. The Scot, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who will be enrolling at Stanford University, California later this month, finished with 1 ½pt out of a possible three, having halved and also lost her first-day ties. The 14-year-old Maguire twins from Co Cavan, Ireland had mixed foursomes. They usually play together in foursomes but Europe skipper Carin Koch split them up. Lisa won twice on Day 1 but lost her singles by 2 and 1 to Kristen Park. Leona halved and lost her first-day ties and lost by 5 and 4 o Ani Gulligian in the singles to finish with half-a-point to her credit. "The score doesn't show how close it was," said US team captain Nancy Lopez in a generous and sporting comment. "I'm so proud of my team for never giving up. They played with heart and are a fantastic team." American team members going undefeated through all three rounds were Sarah Brown, Tiffany Lua, Alexis Thompson, and Kristen Park. "The way my team has carried themselves and performed under pressure has really been impressive to me," European captain Carin Koch said. "I'm so proud of the girls and the way they stuck in there and played tough." Details: UNITED STATES 15 ½, EUROPE 8 ½ First day: US 7 ½, Europe 4 ½ Second day: US 8, Europe 4 SINGLES (US names first) Jane Rah lost to Sally Watson (Scotland) 4 and 3. Sarah Brown bt Klara Spilkova (Czech Rep) 2 and 1. Jessica Korda bt Rosanna Crepiat (France) 3 and 2. Ani Gulligian bt Leona Maguire (Ireland) 5 and 4. Stephanie Kim lost to Sherlyn Popelka (Switzerland) 4 and 3. Tiffany Lua bt Anna Arrese (Spain) 4 and 3. Alison Lee lost to Ana Fernandez de Mesa (Spain) 1 hole. Alexis Thompson bt Tonje Daffinrud (Norway) 1 hole. Kristina Wong bt Johanna Tillstrom (Sweden) 3 and 1. Jennifer Johnson bt Sophia Popov (Germany) 2 and 1. Alexandra Stewart lost to Kelly Tidy (England) 5 and 4. Kristen Park bt Lisa Maguire (Ireland) 2 and 1.

Megan is leading Scot after windswept

opening day at Balgownie

Scotttish champion Megan Briggs has perhaps not had the respect she has deserved since winning the national title at Southerness in May ... but that may be about to change.
The Kilmacolm 20-year-old student, pictured right, shot a 78 in a 30mpg gale at Balgownie today to be the leading Scot at the end of the first round of the 72-hole British women's open amateur stroke-play championship.
A six over par score is not generally one to write home about - but a southerly wind which made the inward half a battle for survival meant anyone who broke 80 had earned pass marks.
Ladies Golf Union tournament director Susan Simpson foresaw the problems that players would have even reaching some fairways into the teeth of the wind on the back nine.
"I went out early this morning and moved forward quite a few of the tees, some by up to 30 yards, to give the competitors a chance of clearing the rough from some of the tees," said Susan.
The wind was so strong that even downwind, with it at their backs on the outward half, it was little or no help as approach shots and pitch-and-runs were being blown through the greens.
Late in the day, when the wind had dropped just a tad, Europe's top-ranked female amateur, Lucie Andre, made the most of her window of opportunity and shot a one-over-par 73 to lead by two shots from Northern Ireland's Danielle McVeigh who has had plenty of experience of playing in high winds over her home course at Royal County Down.
"When the wind is this strong, knowing the yardages is no help at all. You have to develop an insttinctive feel for how hard to hit the shot, particularly downwind," said Danielle.
Megan Briggs did not make the best of starts downwind. She bogeyed the first, the fourth and the sixth. But a birdie 2 at the eighth settled her and she turned in two-over-par 38.
A birdie 3 at the 10th was followed by a double bogey 5 at the short 11th but she was able to limit any more damage over and above the single bogeys which were caused by greens being out of range as much as anything else.
Alford's Laura Murray (36-43), Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) (39-40) and schoolteacher Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), who birdied the last two holes in halves of 38 and 41, all finished on the creditable 79 mark.
Vagliano Trophy player Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) (39-42), repeating Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) (38-43), North of Scotland champion Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) (38-43) and defending champion Roseanne Niven (Crieff) (37-44) all finished on 81.
Curtis Cupper Carly Booh signed for an 82 with halves of 41 and then declared that she felt a wind of that strength affected her more on the greens than it did on the fairways.
"I hate it when the wind makes the balls bobble about on the greens," said 17-year-old Carly whose 19-year-old brother Paul arrived to cheer her on ... complete with four gold medals in powerlifting from the Special Olympics at Leicester.
Vagliano Trophy player Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), beaten by Roseanne Niven in a play-off for this British title 12 months ago, had halves of 42 and 41 for an 83.
There were several slow play warnings issued to players but, because of the abnormal conditions, no penalties were imposed ... but if the wind does not blow on the last two days, then
there is a more than even chance that the habitual slow coaches will be put on the clock and have a penalty stroke added to their score.
The Ladies Golf Union is determined to lead the way in taking steps to halt and eventually eradicate the creeping paralysis of slow play in tournaments.

BALGOWNIE SCOREBOARD

British women's open amateur

stroke-play championship

ALL THE FIRST-DAY SCORES

+The leading 40 and ties after the second round

will qualify for Friday's final 36 holes.

FIRST ROUND Par 72 (36-36). 6,231yd 73 Lucie Andre (France) 34-39 (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency) 75 Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 37-38. 76 Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) 37-39, Caroline Karsten (Netherlands) 35-41, Nicola Rawlinson (Leyland) 39-37. 77 Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 38-39 78 Ciara Butler (Newlands) 35-43, Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 38-40, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 38-40, Maaike Naafs (Netherlands) 36-42, Jeanne Metivier (France) 42-36. 79 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 38-41, Laura Murray (Alford) 36-43, Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 39-40, Laure Castelain (France) 39-40, Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 40-39, Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) 38-41, Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 39-40, Hannah Ralph (Cowdray Park) 38-41, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 38-41, Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) 39-40, Isabelle Boineau (France) 37-42, Charlotte Wild (Mere).. 80 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 39-41, Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 38-42, Rachel Connor (Manchester) 40-40, Eleana Collins (Hong Kong) 37-43, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 40-40. 81 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).39-42, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 38-43, Lucy Williams (Mid Herts) 41-40, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 37-44, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 40-41, Corisande Lee (West Lancs) 41-40, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 38-43. 82 Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) 36-46, Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands) 40-42, Carly Booth (Comrie) 41-41, Natalie Lowe (Macclesfield) 39-43, Sarah Faller (Galway) 41-41, Lauren Taylor (Woburn) 36-46. 83 Laura Charlier (Belgium) 40-43, Julie Maisongrosse (France) 42-41, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 42-41, Laura Chemarin (France) 44-39, Joanne Hodge (Knowle) 40-43, Valerie Sternebeck (Germany) 42-41. 84 Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) 41-43, Laura Collin (John O'Gaunt) 40-44, Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton) 42-42, Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 42-42, Zala Jenko (Slovenia) 40-44.. 85 Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 38-47, Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) 40-45, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 39-46, Kate Whitmore (Sandiway) 39-46, Marion Ricordeau (France) 41-44, Tessa De Bruijn (Netherlands) 42-43, Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) 45-40.. 86 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 40-46, Kristy McLaughlin (Canada) 42-44, Marion Duvenrney (France) 41-45, Giulia Carando (Italy) 44-42, Karen Delaney (Carlow) 43-43, Faye Sanderson (Heworth) 40-46, Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) 43-43.. 87 Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor).39-48, Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 40-47, Margarita Ramos (Mexico) 42-45, Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) 43-44, Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) 39-48, Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 41-46, Monique Smit (South Africa) 39-48, Sarah Crowe (Tipperary) 44-43. 88 Sammy Leslie (Westhill) 47-41, Dianne Galbraith (Canada) 48-40, Mhairi Johnstone (Northern) 40-48, Julia Brook (Croham Hurst) 46-42. 89 Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor) 43-46, Linda Urquhart (Banchory) 45-44, Joana Silva Pinto (Portugal) 42-47. 90 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 49-41, Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 45-45, Tara Davies (Holyhead) 44-46, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 39-51, Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) 47-43.. 91 Lesley Atkins (Minto) 44-47. 92 Franziska Neef (Germany) 44-48. 95 Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) 48-47, Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 47-48, Louise McGillivray (Banchory) 47-48, Sabine End (Germany) 45-50. 96 Morag MacPherson (Kilmarnock Barassie) 42-54. 97 Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) 44-53.. 98 Fiona Hay (Deeside) 50-48. 99 Annabel Niven (Crieff) 41-58. 100 Amanda Johnston (Kings Hill).49-51 101 Emma Briggs (Chart Hills).49-52 103 Carrie MacKenzie (Beauchief) 58-45. 104 Christine Sparks (The Bedfordshire) 52-52.

Carly's brother Paul wins four gold

medals at Special Olympics

Curtis Cup teenager Carly Booth's 19-year-old brother Paul turned up at Balgownie today to support his 17-year-old sister in her bid for the British women's open amateur championship.
And Paul certainly knows what it takes to produce a medal-winning performance - he won not one but FOUR gold medals in the Special Olympics at Leicester a few days ago.
"I don't think anyone has won all four gold medals available in the power-lifting," said father Wally, who was an Empire (Commonwealth) Games wrestling silver medal-winner in his younger days.
"So he won the overall junior champion award. I'm a power-lifting trainer so I've been able to make the most of Paul's strength and potential."

Irish eyes are smiling in the half-gale

that is blowing at Royal Aberdeen

The Irish were coping best with the bad weather which arrived for the start of the British women’s open amateur championship at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club today..
Irish girl Louise Mernagh from the Woodenbridge club, Co Wicklow was the first to break 80 in a 25mph wind from the south which put about about four shots on to the inward par of 36.
Later, 19-year-old Ciara Butler from the Newlands club, Dublin took up the running with a 78. It soon became clear that any round under 80 was a very good performance.
Carnoustie-based Susan Simpson, the Ladies Golf Union’s Head of Golf Operations, moved several of the tees forward by as much as 30 yards on the inward ha
“I realised when I arrived at Balgownie this morning that a lot of players would not be able to hit the ball far enough into the wind to reach some of the fairways on the second nine,” said Susan.
“So I have gone round, moving the tee markers forward where I thought it necessary.”
The first two players to finish did not break 100. Christina Sparks from The Bedfordshire Golf Club took 104 blows, Emma Briggs (Chart Hills) had 101.
“The wind wasn’t even a help behind us on the way out,” said Emma. “Because we couldn’t stop the ball. Our pitches and even little chips just took off and ran through the greens.”
“It was the toughest course in the toughest conditions I have ever played,” said Christina.
Local Sammy Leslie from Westhill, a Scotland girl international, looked to be heading for a very high score when she took 47 shots for the “easier” half.
But Sammy got her head down and came home in 41 with four pars and five bogeys.
Earlier she had a triple bogey 7 at the first and another triple bogey 6 at the short third.
Louise Mernagh took the lead with halves of 38 and 41 for a 79..
She led by a shot from Wales’ Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan), with halves of 39 and 41, and Sian James (Bristol & Clifton), 38-42.
Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley), who had gone out in 36, and Curtis Cup teenager Carly Booth (Comrie) both returned a score of 82.
“I struggled on the greens in that wind. The ball was bobbling about,” said Carly who had halves of 41.
Ciara Butler from the Newlands club had the best outward half of 35 as the first half of the field went through the turn. And she held it together well into the elements – rain started to fall around lunchtime – to come home in 43 (seven over par) for a 78.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72 (36-36). 6,231yd
78 Clara Butler (Newlands) 35-43.
79 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 38-41, Laura Murray (Alford) 36-43,
80 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 39-41, Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 38-42..
81 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).39-42, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).
82 Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) 36-46, Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands) 40-42, Carly Booth (Comrie) 41-41..
83 Laura Charlier (Belgium) 40-43.
84 Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) 41-43.
85 Hannah Barwood (Knowle) 38-47.
86 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 40-46.
87 Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor).39-48, Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 40-47.
88 Sammy Leslie (Westhill) 47-41.
90 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 49-41, Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 45-45.
92 Franziska Neef (Germany) 44-48.
95 Marion Ricordeau (France) 41-54, Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) 48-47, Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 47-48.
96 Morag MacPherson (Kilmarnock Barassie) 42-54.
98 Fiona Hay (Deeside) 50-48.
100 Amanda Johnston (Kings Hill).49-51
101 Emma Briggs (Chart Hills).49-52
104 Christine Sparks (The Bedfordshire) 52-52.

United States lead Europe by three points

at halfway in Junior Solheim Cup


Scotland's Sally Watson has been given the responsibility of getting a European team fightback on the road on the second and last day of the Ping Junior Solheim Cup match at Aurora Golf Club, Illinois today.
The 18-year-old Curtis Cup player from South Queensferry will play in the first of the 12 singles ties against Jane Rah of the United States.
The Americans lead 7 1/2 to 4 1/2 at the halfway stage.
They took the opening four-ball matches 4-2 and then the foursomes 3 1/2-2 1/2.
Sally and 14-year-old Irish twin Leona Maguire lost their four-ball by 2 and 1 to Sarah Brown and Alexandra Stewart.
Then Watson and Leona Maguire halved the lead fouorsomes against Alexandra Stewart and Jessica Korda after being one up with four to play.
Kelly Tidy from Manchester, the only English player in the Europe team of 12, and Leona Maguire's twin Lisa finished the day with 100 per cent records.
They beat Kristina Wong and Jennifer Johnson 3 and 1 in the four-balls and then won by 3 and 2 over Kristina Wong and Stephanie Kim.

Junior Solheim Cup Scoreboard

AURORA GOLF CLUB, ILLINOIS

DAY 1

United States 7 1/2, Europe 5 1/2

MORNING FOUR-BALL MATCHES (4-2)

US names first

Jessica Korda & Alexis Thompson bt Ana Fernandez de Mesa (Spain) & Anna Arrese (Spain) 4 and 2.

Tiffany Lua & Jane Rah bt Johanna Tillstrom (Sweden) & Rosanne Crepiat (France) 5 and 4.

Sarah Brown & Alexandra Stewart bt Sally Watson (Scotland) & Leonna Maguire (Ireland) 2 and 1.

Stephanie Kim & Ani Gulugian lost to Sherlyn Popelka (Switzerland) & Klara Spilkova (Czech Republic) 5 and 3.

Kristen Park & Alison Lee bt Tonje Daffinrud (Norway) & Sophia Popov (Germany) 2 and 1.

Kristina Wong & Jennifer Johnson lost to Lisa Maguire (Ireland) & Kelly Tidy (England) 3 and 1.

AFTERNOON FOURSOMES (3 1/2-2 1/2)

US names first

Alexandra Stewart & Jessica Korda halved with Sally Watson & Leona Maguire.

Tiffany Lua & Jane Rah bt Sherlyn Popelka & Klara Spilkova 3 and 2.

Sarah Brown & Alexis Thompson bt Ana Fernandez de Mesa & Anna Arrese 3 and 2.

Ani Gulugian & Alison Lee lost to Tonje Daffinrud & Johanna Tillstromg 2 holes.

Jennifer Johnson & Kristen Park bt Sophia Popov & Rosanna Crepiat 4 and 3.

Kristina Wong & Stephanie Kim lost to Lisa Maguire & Kelly Tidy 3 and 2 .

DAY 2

SINGLES

Rah v Watson.

Brown v Spilkova.

Korda v Crepiat.

Gulugian v Leona Maguire.

Kim v Popelka.

Lua v Arrese.

Lee v Fernandez de Mesa.

Thompson v Daffinrud.

Wong v Tillstrom.

Johnson v Popov.

Stewart v Tidy.

Park v Lisa Maguire.

Midland Vets Stableford Greensomes

Midland Vets played the August Stableford Greensomes at a rather soggy, but not soaking, Tulliallan, today (Tuesday 18 August). Stirling Golf Club members figure rather prominently in the prize list!

Results:
1st - S Quinn and R Graham (Stirling) - 37 pts
2nd - E Allison & F Campbell (Stirling)- 36 pts
3rd - J Mulgrew & D Davidson (Stirling)- 35 pts
4th - P Cockshoot & A Taggart (Stirling)- 34 pts

P&K county president Liz Miskimmin, scratch winner Laura Walker and county captain Dawn Butchart.

Laura Walker and Rheanna

Thom win top prizes at P&K

Centenary Day

FROM DAWN BUTCHART, P&K county captain
We had a brilliant Centenary day at Glenisla. We had 134 players plus invited guests. Laura Walker took Captain's Centenary Trophy which was I was very honoured to donate. Junior member Rheanna Thom (pictured above with Dawn Butchart and county president Liz Miskimmin) won the newly donated Past Captains Tray with a fantastic net 66.
The full results are:
Captain's Centenary Trophy - Laura Walker.
Past Captains' Handicap Tray - Rheanna Thom
SCRATCH
73 Laura Walker (Muckhart) 73 (crystal decanter).
74 Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnam) (bih) (round of golf for four at Pitlochry), Jane Yellowlees (Murrayhall) (round of golf for four at Craigie Hill).
HANDICAP
66 Rheanna Thom (Alyth) (28) (Bacon roll, coffees & round of golf for four, then two-course meal at Strathmore Golf Centre).
68 Jennefer Wivell (Pitlochry) (25) (round of golf for four at Blaigowrie Lansdowne).
70 Kim Morrison (Alyth) (11) (round of golf for four at Milnathort).
Best Past Captain - Hazel Gibson (12) 70 (high tea for two at Luncarty Inn).
Best Front Nine: Scratch - Ena Bennie (St. Fillans) (meal to value £30 atAlyth Hotel).
Best Front Nine: Handicap - Helen Lang (Pitlochry) (meal for two at Dunkeld Golf Club Catering).
Best Back Nine: Scratch - Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) (Meal to value £40 at Red House Hotel)Best Back Nine: Handicap - (Liz Fertacz (Blairgowrie) (tapas to the value £30, Diels Caldron)Lowest Number of Putts: Silver - Fiona Ramsay (Crieff) (bottle of wine, C J Lang).
Lowest Number of Putts: Bronze - Frances Anderson (Alyth) (bottle of wine, C J Lang).
Junior Medal Winner - Rheanna Thom (donated by Kathleen Duncan).
For the full list of prizes (and there were many more), log on to the Perth & Kinross County Ladies Golf Association website.

Anna Telfer tops in tight finish at Dullatur

Milngavie's Anna Telfer won the top Silver Division scratch prize in a tight finish at the SLGA county open meeting at Dullatur Golf Club today.
Two other players, Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and Nicola Ferguson (Clober) matched the 82 returned by Anna but lost out in the card countback. Anna had a better inward half than Louise and Nicola. Then Louise had a better last three than Nicola.
Annabel Kane (Kilmacolm) won the Silver Division handicap award with a net 73 off 12.
In the Bronze Division, Irene Gray (Musselburgh) won both the scratch and handicap awards with a gross score of 109 and a net socre of 88 off 21.
The par was 72, the standard scratch 73 and the CSS 76

Great course should produce a Great

British champion at Royal Aberdeen

.... although let's remember that Europe's

No 1 & No 3, France's Lucie Andre & Marion

Ricordeau, are in the field of 99

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

It's a long time - if ever - since I heard almost universal agreement within a field of competitors that they are privileged to be playing a particular course.

Yes, every competitor worth her salt is raving about the choice of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club's Balgownie links as the first-time venue for the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship which tees off on Wednesday with the first of four rounds and a field of 99. "Fantastique et magnifique" chorused the French girls after a couple of practice rounds. "They could and should play the men's and women's Opens here," enthused a competitor from England. "I must come back and play here myself," said one father caddieing for his daughter." "What a course, what a challenge," said three times Scottish champion Anne Laing who beat Michelle Wie not once but twice in the Curtis Cup foursomes of 2004 at Formby. It's been a momentous week inside the Royal Aberdeen clubhouse which, not all that long ago, permitted women in the clubhouse on infrequent occasions. Director of Golf Ronnie MacAskill has been at the club for 34 years now and he is not prepared to get involved in discussions about days of yore but he is genuinely pleased that the club and its all-male membership have not objected in the slightest about giving up their locker-rooms – and toilets – to the females for the week. "We really are delighted to be staging a Ladies Golf Union championship for the first time. We are hosting the Walker Cup men's international match in 2011 but this British women's amateur championship is also a notable first," said Ronnie. So who's going to win the title? A bit like trying to predict the winner of the Grand National although as Sir Michael Bonallack once said: "The great players almost always come to the front over great links courses." Two Scots fought out a play-off for this British stroke title in Northern Ireland 12 months ago with University of California-Berkeley student Roseanne Niven (Crieff), pictured above, beating Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle). The current women's champions of Scotland (Kilmacolm's Megan Briggs), England (left-hander Charlie Douglass from Brocket Hall) and Wales (Tara Davies of Holyhead) are in the field as are England's mid-amateur title-holder Lucy Williams (Mid Herts), Scotland's repeating Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Curtis Cup teenager Carly Booth (Comrie) and the 15-year-old brilliant prospect from Notts Ladies, Alexandra Peters, who lost in the semi-finals of the British girls' open championship at West Lancashire Golf Club only last Friday. If a Continental player is going to triumph, then it could be either of the two French aces in the pack – Lucie Andre or Marion Ricordeau, currently Nos 1 and 3 in the European Golf Association women's amateur rankings. The leading British player in the EGA rankings, No 5 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan), is also in the Balgownie field. +Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and the Ladies Golf Union would welcome spectators on all three days of the championship. Admission and car parking is free. WEDNESDAY'S FIRST ROUND TEE TIMES 7.30 Emma Briggs (Chart Hills), Amanda Johnston (Kings Hill), Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor). 7.41 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven). 7.52 Sammy Leslie (Westhill), Laura Charlier (Belgium), Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge). 8.03 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley), Franziska Neef (Germany). 8.14 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton), Myrte Eikenaar (Netherlands), Marion Ricordeau (France). 8.25 Fiona Hay (Deeside), Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir), Morag MacPherson (Kilmarnock Barassie). 8.36 Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Donna Pocock (Murcar Links), Ciara Butler (Newlands). 8.47 Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands), Carly Booth (Comrie), Hannah Barwood (Knowle). 8.58 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog). 9.09 Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), Rachel Connor (Manchester), Margarita Ramosa (Mexico). 9.20 Laura Collin (John O'Gaunt), Natalie Lowe (Macclesfield), Jane Turner (Craigielaw). 9.31 Lesley Atkins (Minto), Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield), Jill Meldrum (Dullatur). 9.42 Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor), Aedin Murphy (Carlow), Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park). 9.53 Kristy McLaughlin (Canada), Hannah Turland (Tidworth), Kate Whitmore (Sandiway). 10.05 Louise McGillivray (Banchory), Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield), Sabine End (Germany). 10.15 Lucy Williams (Mid Herts), Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton), Marion Duverney (France). 10.26 Laure Castelain (France), Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton), Tara Davies (Holyhead). 10.50 Julia Maisongrosse (France), Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton), Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies). 11.01 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Monique Smit (South Africa), Roseanne Niven (Crieff). 11.12 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies), Tessa De Bruijn (Netherlands), Sarah Faller (Galway). 11.23 Eleana Collins (Hong Kong), Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa). 11.34 Dianne Galbraith (Canada), Mhairi Johnstone (Northern), Annabel Niven (Crieff). 11.45 LaurenTaylor (Woburn), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park). 11.56 Amy Boulden (Maesdu), Giulia Carrando (Italy), Maaike Naafs (Netherlands). 12.07 Corisande Lee (West Lancashire), Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange), Hannah Ralph (Cowdray Park). 12.18 Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Sarah Creowe (Tipperary), Julia Brook (Corham Hurst). 12.29 Laura Chemarin (France), Caroline Karsten (Netherlands), Karen Delaney (Carlow). 12.40 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus), Linda Urquhart (Banchory), Nicola Rawlinson (Leyland). 12.51 Joana Silva Pinto (Portugal), Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), Lucie Andre (France). 1.02 Carrie MacKenzie (Beauchief), Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest), Zala Jenko (Slovenia). 1.13 Charlotte Wild (Mere), Valerie Sternebeck (Germany), Faye Sanderson (Heworth). 1.24 Johanna Hodge (Knowle), Emma Fairnie (Dunbar), Jeanne Metivier (France). 1.35 Nikki Foster (Pleasington), Isabelle Boineau (France), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie). The leading 40 and ties after two rounds will qualify for Friday's third and fourth rounds.

Ladies' British open amateur stroke-play championship

Jane Turner seeks to clinch first full

cap with good display at Balgownie

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
Craigielaw's Jane Turner is hoping a strong show in this week's Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Aberdeen will clinch a first full Scotland cap.
The 19-year-old student at Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University, has enjoyed her best season to date and would love to top it off by earning a place in the side for next month's Home Internationals at Irvine
"I'm hoping I've done enough already but one more good performance this week wouldn't do me any harm," said Jane (picture), who is joined in the field at the Balgownie links by two other players from the Lothians, Clare Hargan (Mortonhall) and Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield).

Note from Editor Colin Farquharson: Intrigued by the entry to this year's Scottish girls' championship of a "Rachael Taylor from Bad Griesbach," I asked her to let me - and Kirkwood golf readers - know more about her and life/golf as she grows up in Germany.
With the help of her mother, Rachael (pictured left playing for Scotland in the recent Girls Home Internationals) has sent the following very readable "Letter from Germany":

Growing up in Germany as a head

pro's daughter - by Rachael Taylor

Hello Colin,
Here is some information about the "Hartl Golf Resort, Bad Griesbach"
Bad Griesbach is a small town situated in south-east Germany, about 90min from Munich Airport.
It is part of a triangle (trio) of Spa towns, Bad Griesbach, Bad Birnbach and Bad Füssing. These areas have built up their own tourist industry around the 60 degree thermal waters which are available as thousands of Germans come here rest and recuperate.
The Golf Resort began in 1989 with one golf course and the Golfodrom (now the largest Golf Academy and training facility in Europe with 36 Professionals)
The Resort boasts five championship golf courses (all with their own individual styles- three hillly, two flat) with three nine-hole courses and a further two six-hole courses. The Golfodrom driving-range has 200 grass and 89 covered practice spaces with 21 heated boxes. It also has a club fitting centre, a swing analysis centre with all the latest technology and,of course, a putlab. There are over 4000 members in the Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
My parents came here in 1992 when the Golf Resort was just developing and was the No 1 destination for would-be golfers. At that time there were American, English, Irish and many Scots pros working here.
Throughout the years many of the original pros have moved on and many German assistants who trained here have stayed.
My dad became head professional in 2006. He trains the Junior Section and both adult and senior teams.
I started playing golf at around eight years and did my "Platzreife" (playing license) at the age of nine. There weren't many young people playing then and I only started playing golf tournaments at 11. From that time on I only played golf tournaments with adults. There are approximately 160 tournaments per year and the standard of golf has continued to improve through the years.
My dad started the Junior Section in 2004 and from the year 2006 kids with handicap 36 or better were allowed to join.
There are other facilities for beginners. We developed a team and took part in a series of golf events which culminated in us winning the "Niederbayerische Meisterschaft" (Lower Bavarian Championship).
I have held the title of "Niederbayerische Meisterin" for three of the last four years, having retained my title only 3 weeks ago.
Three years ago I started to take part in tournaments run by the Bavarian Golf Association where I played with young people my age and around the same standard.
Last year I was fourth in the Bavarian Championship Finals and qualified for the German National Championships. Around this time it was obvious that I would have to make a choice about my nationality as I have dual citizenship. The only reason I had German citizenship was to have access to particular tournaments, simply because I live here.
This year I was third in the Bavarian women's championship which was a great thrill. I had always wanted to come over to Scotland and play, but I always seemed too busy with other tournaments here.
I decided to have a go at a Scots tournament and entered the Scottish girls championship at Lanark. Schools don't break up here in Germany until the end of July, so I had to steal a week from school, otherwise I would have stayed on and played in Nairn (at the Scottish Under-21 girls' stroke-play championship).
My first experience playing in Scotland was fantastic. The ladies from the SLGA were so friendly and welcoming and I felt very much at home playing with my fellow Scots. I reached the quarter finals and was beat on the 18th hole by Ailsa Bain who, of course, went on to win the title.
I was surprised, delighted and very very proud to be chosen to play for Scotland in the Girls' Home Internationals at Fairhaven GC in Lancashire. It was a dream come true.
I have just returned home from Lancashire after my first foray into British golf and had a terrific time with the team. Margaret McNaughtanand Karen Marshall and all the travelling officials were just great.
Kevin Craggs is a terrific trainer and motivator and I really look forward to working with him in the future.
I am travelling back over to Scotland to play in St Andrews with the girls and officials at the end of August. I only regret not having entered the British girls championship at West Lancashire GC.
I have still one year of school to do, the German system being completely different from Britain, and I am weighing up my further-education options at the moment. I do though, fully intend entering as many Scottish tournaments in 2010 as is possible.
I hope I have given you a little "Überblick" (overview) of Germany and where I am at the moment.
Thanks,
Rachael Taylor

Window of opportunity .. driving from Balgownie's first tee with the clubhouse lounges only a few feet behind.

Waiting to tee off for their practice rounds at Balgownie.

Who could putt with boaties sailing about in the bay? As Andra Kirkcaldy was once supposed to have excused some poor putting by himself over the Old Course. In fact, there are not many links courses like Royal Aberdeen that have some magnificent views of the sea and Aberdeen bay from the first tee. Practice putting in progress for the British women's stroke-play championship.

Royal Aberdeen's first hole with bunkers left and right to catch the not-so-straight drives. The tiny figure in the centre of the picture is approaching the first green. In the background, oil rig supply ships at anchor in the bay. Images by Cal Carson Golf Agence. Click on them to enlarge.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! ROYAL ABERDEEN GIVE

LADY COMPETITORS FREEDOM OF CLUBHOUSE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
It would have been unthinkable a generation or two ago, but men-only Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, founded in 1780 and the sixth oldest in the world, has thrown open its clubhouse doors and facilities – even the men’s toilets - to WOMEN this week!
The occasion is the British women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship, over four rounds between Wednesday and Friday.
It’s not the first female golf tournament to be played over the Balgownie links. The Scottish women’s amateur championship was played there in 1992 but Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club, which has its own clubhouse and membership, were the hosts then in its Centenary Year.
But this is the first women’s tournament with a “British” tag to be hosted by Royal Aberdeen Golf Club which, for many years, allowed females in the clubhouse only on very special occasions.
But the times are a-changing as Royal Aberdeen’s Director of Golf for the past 34 years, Ronnie MacAskill says:
“We are delighted to welcome the Ladies Golf Union and the Ladies’ British open amateur stroke-play championship to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. It’s the first time we’ve staged this event, the first time we’ve hosted a major ladies’ golf championship and, obviously, Aberdeen Ladies are helping out.
“We are very much looking forward to a week of exciting golf and good weather.
“The lady competitors have the run of the Royal Aberdeen clubhouse. Our members can only go into one little room – that’s the first time that’s ever happened. But I have to say that the members are delighted about it.”
Carnoustie-born Susan Simpson, who, as the LGU Head of Golf Operations, is running the championship, said:
“We’ve been made very welcome at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and the competitors have free run of the men’s clubhouse. We have been given use of the spacious men’s locker room and also the men’s toilets. The men are having to use the ladies’ toilet in the clubhouse this week.
“I can say, quite honestly, that we’ve been welcomed with open arms and the competitors are set to enjoy a spectacular links golf course.”
In 2010 Royal Aberdeen Golf Club will host the men’s Walker Cup match between Great Britain & Ireland the United States.
If the Ladies Golf Union hierarchy are favourably impressed with all aspects of what Royal Aberdeen Golf Club has to offer, and first impressions are very favourable, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Balgownie will be pencilled in as a future venue for a prestige occasion such as the Curtis Cup or Vagliano Trophy international representative women’s amateur team match.

+Spectators will be made very welcome by the Ladies Golf Union at the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship. The draw for the first round cannot be made until the last of the competitors have arrived and registered. They have until 2pm Tuesday to do that. Once we get the tee times for Wednesday, we will post them on this website.

+There is no admission charge and car parking is free! Come along and enjoy the best female golf ever played over Balgownie's historic links.

Middlesex pair win South Region foursomes
Middlesex golfers Nicola Foster and Nicola Grover won the EWGA South Region foursomes championship at Copthorne in Sussex.
Nicola Foster, who plays off eight at Pinner Hill and Nicola Grover, a six-handicapper from Wyke Green had a gross 75.
The runners up were Jane Shergold and Christine Edwards from Blackmoor with 81.
The handicap prize was won by Solveig Burton and Tessa Stockwell from Cowdray Park with a net 71, and the runners up were Anne Howard and Rose Gould from Copthorne with 74.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

US FUTURES TOUR REPORT

Lisa Meldrum becomes third Canadian to

win on US Futures Tour this season

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE US DURAMED FUTURES TOUR
Lisa Meldrum became the third Canadian to win on the 2009 Duramed Futures Tour (on Sunday) when she captured her first Tour title at the $100,000 iMPACT Classic.
The quiet champion not only grabbed her first professional title Stateside, but she broke free from a crowded leaderboard and posted a final-round score of 5-under 67 to finish at 208 (-8) at Richmond Country Club.
Tied for second at 209 (-7) was the trio of Gerina Mendoza (68) of Roswell, N.M., Song Yi Choi (69) of Seoul, South Korea, and Pernilla Lindberg (73) of Bollnas, Sweden.
"It feels unbelievable," said Meldrum, 27, a fourth-year professional from Montreal, Quebec, who jumped from 45th to 15th on the Tour's season money list. "I expected to be in a play-off and I was preparing for that. My heart was pounding a little fast on the last hole, so when I finished, I just went up to the practice green and waited."
But from the practice green, located behind the 18th hole, the Canadian tried to calm her nerves as the final three groups finished their rounds. She knew that Choi needed to make a birdie to force the play-off and she knew that Lindberg's approach to the final hole had landed short of the green. Lindberg would have to chip in to force an extra hole.
"I heard the crowd go 'Awwwwwww' after each and I knew they had missed, and then the next thing I knew, [the Tour staff] came to get me for the trophy presentation," said Meldrum, who won her first professional title at the 2006 CN Canadian Women's Tour Championship. All week long, Richmond Country Club's smooth-rolling and speedy greens had drawn high praise from the pros.
An old-fashioned what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of course with subtleties both in the fairways and on the greens required careful course management. The final three finishing holes, all par-4s, demanded well-placed tee shots to avoid being blocked out by mature trees lining the fairways.
Playing at 6,278 yards, the par-72 course was not the Tour's longest, but it proved to be challenging, particularly on the greens. In the final round alone, there were eight lead changes by early afternoon with as many as five players crowded at the top of the leaderboard and that many more right behind, one shot back.
Lindberg, the former Oklahoma State University All-American who had led after the first and second rounds, held the lead through six holes today, but she stumbled with a double-bogey on No. 7 to fall into a four-way tie at seven under. A long-hitter who used mostly 3-woods off the tee all week, Lindberg birdied two of the last three par-5 holes, but bogeys on the 13th (a lip-out putt for par) and on the 16th (where she was "on the wrong side of the hole" from 12 feet) were costly down the stretch.
The rookie saved par from eight feet on the 17th, but when she pushed her approach shot on No. 18 and clipped a tree to fall short of the green, it left her with a tall task to catch the Canadian.
"It was tight all day," said Lindberg, who moved to No. 10 on the Tour's 2009 money list with two tournaments to play. "It's a little bit disappointing, but I'm pleased with the whole tournament. You always want to win, but this was another great experience."
Mendoza picked up steam on the back nine to move onto the leaderboard with four birdies on her last seven holes. The popular player from the Golf Channel's recent "Big Break Prince Edward Island" series and one who already has finished second twice on the Duramed Futures Tour, stayed steady on the back nine today and finished the round hitting 16 greens in regulation.
She ended with a 27-foot side-hill breaking putt for birdie on the last hole for a share of second place once again. Choi, who also has a runner-up finish this season, grabbed the lead today after 12 holes only to be chased down by Lindberg, Meldrum and three-time season winner Mina Harigae (72) of Monterey, Calif., who ultimately tied for fifth at 6-under 210.
Eventually, it was only Choi and Meldrum and then, it was only Meldrum as players ran out of holes and late mistakes left them short of a playoff invitation. Choi three-putted for bogey on the 16th, and attempted to roll in a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole. Instead, she tapped in for par.
"My irons were good, but I had two 3-putts," said Choi, who hit 17 greens in regulation, but needed 34 putts today. "I didn't play bad, but it was not easy." Rookie Jennie Lee (68) of Henderson, Nev., also held the lead briefly today. She hit all nine greens on the front and rolled in three birdie putts from 10 to 12 feet, making the nine-hole turn at three under.
"When I had an opportunity for birdie, I made the putts," said Lee, a recent Duke University graduate. "It was a solid stretch on the front nine."
Lee birdied two of the first three holes on the back, but on her last four, she missed two 10-foot birdie chances and had to scramble to get up and down for par from a bunker on the 17th. The kicker was missing a four-foot downhill par putt on the 18th. "I just didn't feel as comfortable with my putter as I did earlier in the round," she said. "I made some late errors."
All this time, Meldrum was quietly producing a bogey-free, five-birdie round. She glanced at the leaderboard from the 12th hole during today's final round. She didn't look at the names, but she could see a bunch of players at -8, -7 and -6. "I was at six under and I knew it was in reach," she said. "I knew 16, 17 and 18 were good finishing holes, so when I got to the 16th, I told myself, 'Let's do this. Let's make some birdies. Let's finish it off.'"
Meldrum did make birdie on holes 12, 14 and 15, lacing her approach to one foot on the 14th and to five feet on the 15th. She had a 12-foot birdie chance on No. 17, but it didn't find the cup, and on the 18th hole, the best she could do was make her 15-foot birdie chance a two-putt par. Only then, on the 18th, did she glance at the leaderboard. She saw that she was alone at the top. And she knew there were three groups with nine players behind her.
A lot of things went through Meldrum's head on the practice green as she putted and waited and wondered if, at last, this would be her week. "Out here, you work hard and you see the low numbers every week," she said. "You play with the winners all the time and you think you should be there."
When fellow Canadian Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, British Columbia won in Louisiana back in April, Meldrum was happy. And when Angela Buzminksi of Oshawa, Ontario won the Duramed Futures Tour tournament a week later, she was happy again.
Even last year, when Ontario native Jessica Shepley played well all season and contended often, Meldrum was happy for her friend. But watching them all lit a little fire under her. If the Canadians were going to start stepping up Stateside, she might as well be among them. "I knew that I had it in me and I kept telling myself that I just had to be patient and stay determined," said Meldrum, a three-time Canadian National Amateur champion who became a three-time collegiate winner at the University of Oklahoma.
"I knew it was going to be my turn at some point." And today, when it was finally her turn, Lisa Meldrum was more than ready.
For scores and more information, visit duramedfuturestour.com.
Weather: Sunny with temperatures reaching the low 90s with only a slight breeze.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FINAL TOTALS OF THE LATEST TOURNAMENT

United States Duramed Futures Tour Scoreboard
$100,000 IMPACT CLASSIC
Richmond Country Club, Richmond, Virginia
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) 6278yd.
Lisa Meldrum (Montreal, Quebec) 71-70-67 - 208 $14,000
Gerina Mendoza (Roswell, N.M.) 73-68-68 - 209 $7,416
Song Yi Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 71-69-69 - 209 $7,416
Pernilla Lindberg (Bollnas, Sweden) 65-71-73 - 209 $7,416
Jennie Lee (Henderson, Nev.) 70-72-68 - 210 $2,865
Cindy LaCrosse (Tampa, Fla.) 70-71-69 - 210 $2,865
Christine Song (Fullerton, Calif.) 69-71-70 - 210 $2,865
Kim Welch (Sacramento, Calif.) 70-68-72 - 210 $2,865
Mina Harigae (Monterey, Calif.) 71-67-72 - 210 $2,865
Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) 71-70-70 - 211 $1,700
Min Seo Kwak (Seoul, South Korea) 69-71-71 - 211 $1,700
Danah Ford (Indianapolis, Ind.) 74-69-69 - 212 $1,400
Stephanie Otteson (Wilson, N.C.) 69-73-70 - 212 $1,400
Stella Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 73-67-72 - 212 $1,400
Carling Coffing (Middletown, Ohio) 71-70-72 - 213 $1,200
Pornanong Phatlum (Chaiyaphum, Thailand) 72-73-69 - 214 $949
Dewi Claire Schreefel (Diepenveen,Netherlands) 75-70-69 - 214 $949
Paola Moreno (Cali, Colombia) 74-70-70 - 214 $949
Lee Ann Walker-Cooper (Southport, N.C.) 73-70-71 - 214 $949
Hannah Yun (Bradenton, Fla.) 72-71-71 - 214 $949
Amanda Costner (Claremore, Okla.) 73-70-71 - 214 $949
Katie Miller (Jeannette, Pa.) 68-74-72 - 214 $949
Seo-Jae Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 70-72-72 - 214 $949
Briana Vega (Andover, Mass.) 66-71-77 - 214 $949
Whitney Wade (Glasgow, Ky.) 75-71-69 - 215 $810
Juli Erekson (Chicopee, Mass.) 71-74-70 - 215 $810
Garrett Phillips (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 78-65-72 - 215 $810
Ryann O'Toole (San Clemente, Calif.) 70-72-73 - 215 $810
Perry Swenson (Charlotte, N.C.) 70-72-73 - 215 $810
Misun Cho (Cheongju, South Korea) 71-71-73 - 215 $810
Amanda Blumenherst (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 69-72-74 - 215 $810
Janice Olivencia (Caguas, Puerto Rico) 72-69-74 - 215 $810
Gina Umeck (Redlands, Calif.) 74-72-70 - 216 $753
Michaela Cavener (Ponca City, Okla.) 74-72-70 - 216 $753
Virada Nirapathpongporn (Bangkok, Thailand) 70-75-71 - 216 $753
Moon Su (Incheon, South Korea) 69-75-72 - 216 $753
Christi Cano (San Antonio, Texas) 72-72-72 - 216 $753
Rachel Bailey (Faulconbridge, Australia) 72-71-73 - 216 $753
Jessica Yadloczky (a) (Casselberry, Fla.) 69-77-71 - 217
Amanda Mathis (Opelousas, La.) 70-75-72 - 217 $710
Michelle Jarman (Wilmington, N.C.) 72-72-73 - 217 $710
Janell Howland (Boise, Idaho) 71-73-73 - 217 $710
Liz Janangelo (West Hartford, Conn.) 73-71-73 - 217 $710
Noon Huachai (Bangkok, Thailand) 69-73-75 - 217 $710
Jessica Shepley (Oakville, Ontario) 69-73-75 - 217 $710
Caroline Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) 69-73-75 - 217 $710
Moah Chang (Los Angeles, Calif.) 73-69-75 - 217 $710
Lili Alvarez (Durango, Mexico) 69-72-76 - 217 $710
Jennifer Ackerson (Dallas, Texas) 70-76-72 - 218 $666
Alejandra Shaw (Vina Del Mar, Chile) 73-73-72 - 218 $666
Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, British Columbia) 76-70-72 - 218 $666
Sofie Andersson (Angelholm, Sweden) 69-76-73 - 218 $666
Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 71-74-73 - 218 $666
Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) 74-71-73 - 218 $666
Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, Mexico) 73-71-74 - 218 $666
Lehua Wise (Kauai, Hawaii) 72-72-74 - 218 $666
Angela Buzminski (Oshawa, Ontario) 72-71-75 - 218 $666
Madeleine Holmblad (Stockholm, Sweden) 73-73-73 - 219 $637
Devan Andersen (Guadalajara, Mexico) 72-72-75 - 219 $637
Jenny Gleason (Clearwater, Fla.) 72-72-75 - 219 $637
Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 74-70-75 - 219 $637
Lucy Nunn (Lawton, Okla.) 72-71-76 - 219 $637
Ashley Knoll (The Woodlands, Texas) 71-75-74 - 220 $623
Lori Atsedes (Ithaca, N.Y.) 73-72-75 - 220 $623
Elisa Serramia (Barcelona, Spain) 73-72-76 - 221 $615
Hwanhee Lee (Las Vegas, Nev.) 74-71-76 - 221 $615
Jasi Acharya (Columbus, Mont.) 70-74-77 - 221 $615
Sarah Olsen (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 72-72-78 - 222 $607
Kelly Lagedrost (Brooksville, Fla.) 72-72-78 - 222 $607
Laura Crawford (Lancaster, S.C.) 74-72-78 - 224 $603
Selanee Henderson (Apple Valley, Calif.) 74-71-80 - 225 $600

Europeans will do well to lose by

eight points at the Solheim Cup

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.SPORT.COM WEBSITE,
PUBLISHED IN TODAY' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
By JOHN HUGGAN
It's only a small wager, but – sadly – I'm quietly confident of collecting. Should the European side that will line up in this week's Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms near Chicago capitulate by eight points or more to their formidable-looking American opponents, then the £201,965 Catriona Matthew picked up for winning the recent Women's British Open at Royal Lytham is going to be reduced by a tenner. On this occasion, Scotland's best golfer is betting with her heart rather than her head.
It isn't going to be close. In fact, an eight-point loss would represent a moral victory for a European side that is way, way out of its depth. By way of example, hands up those who have heard of either Tania Elosegui or Diana Luna. Anyone? T hought not.
And let's not even get into the fact that the leading Solheim qualifier from the Ladies European Tour (Scottish Third Division versus the Premiership that is the LPGA), Gwladys Nocera, opened the aforementioned Women's British Open with a less than stellar 91. Ninety-one!
Or that Laura Davies is now so far past her best that her best is available only on sepia-coloured cine-film. Or that Helen Alfredsson is a terrible yipper from short range under pressure. Or that perhaps the best European player, Norway's Suzann Pettersen, missed the cut at Lytham.
Over the years the Solheim Cup has been a lot of fun to watch, but one has stuck with me. As the 2003 Solheim Cup in Sweden reached its unexpectedly early climax in only the sixth of the 12 last-day singles matches, those European players who had already finished – Janice Moodie, Carin Koch, Sophie Gustafson, Iben Tinning, Annika Sorenstam and Ana Belen Sanchez – were closely gathered around Barseback's 17th green watching Rosie Jones putt for birdie.
The American, two down with two to play against Matthew, "Beany" to her pals, had to make her putt to have any chance of extending the match. With Matthew ten feet away in two shots at the par-4, nothing less than birdie would do. Anyway, it wasn't to be. When Jones missed her lengthy putt, she conceded the match – and the cup – to the Europeans, whose obvious togetherness in that time of victory epitomised perfectly the extra dimension team matches bring to this most individual of sports.
Even the normally stoic Beany was bouncing.
Just as the Ryder Cup has become the most eagerly-anticipated week in men's golf, so the Solheim Cup has followed suit in the women's game. Which is no surprise. The added spice that match play brings to any event – plus more than a dash of rampant nationalism – elevates the stature of both.
Think about it: when does stroke play become interesting? That's right; when it turns into match play over the closing holes. And when is the cut and thrust of match play at its most vivid? Right again – when the vulgarity of cash is removed in favour of pride and patriotism.
For all of that to work, however, the matches need to be at least reasonably close. Which they have been in the past, even if the Europeans are perennial underdogs.
"You know how dogs don't like cats, well, most British players take most pleasure from beating Americans," says Mickey Walker, who led the Europeans in the first five Solheim Cups. "It's instinctive. The Americans are not always good winners and they dominated the women's game for a long time. That added up to a lot of incentive for the underdogs. No European team of mine ever needed motivating.
On the other side of that coin, the extra dimension head-to-head, continent-to-country match play brings with it has inevitably provoked extreme emotions on both sides. And with that emotion has come incident, not always of the kind those involved will look back on with pride.
In no particular order, the Solheim Cup has had numerous instances of appalling etiquette, nearly all of them provoking bad feeling along the way. There was the dreadful Dottie Pepper at the Greenbrier in 1994, screaming 'yes!' as an opponent, Davies, missed a putt for a half.
There was Michelle McGann and Meg Mallon – neither of whom fights in the lightweight class – deciding it was okay to stand on Sorenstam's putting line during a four-ball match in the '96 matches at St Pierre in Wales. There was Pat Hurst and Kelli Robbins unsportingly demanding that Sorenstam replay her holed chip shot at Loch Lomond in 2000.
There was Moodie selfishly insisting on playing Loch Lomond's final hole against Nancy Scranton in pitch darkness, long after the destination of the trophy had been decided.
There was European captain Catrin Nilsmark labelling members of the US side, "bitches" – all right, Cristie Kerr – before the 2001 matches.
There was Pettersen's uttering of the world's favourite curse word – not "flip" – live on NBC. And, on the lighter side, there was the perplexed look on Pamela Wright of Scotland's face as she hoisted what turned out to be the flag of Nova Scotia (white background, blue cross) during the '94 opening ceremony.
All of which only adds spice to an already volatile cocktail.
"Everyone wants to beat the Americans," confirms Alison Nicholas, six times a European team member and this year the non-playing captain. "They misinterpret our sporting mentality at times. I think they think we don't like them, which isn't the case at all. To us, there is nothing better than beating your mates. It certainly doesn't mean you don't like them."
This plea for understanding is echoed by Davies, a Solheim Cup ever-present, record points scorer and iconic leader of the old world side.
"A lot of the Americans on their teams are good friends of mine," she smiles. "There's nothing like shaking hands with your mates knowing you've just beaten them."
The format helps, of course. In match play you have to have winners and losers: there are no congratulatory hugs or large cheques for those who come second, facts that have been especially noticeable in the more individualistic Yanks.
Any sense of oneness, indeed, has belonged almost exclusively to the Europeans. Typically, but not perennially, Uncle Sam's nieces have fared better in singles play.
"The pressure is different," claims Matthew. "Normally you are out there for yourself, but suddenly you have people rushing out to cheer you on. Getting the winning point in '03 was a big thing for me. Then again, I've also had the 'pleasure' of losing the match that lost the Cup at Muirfield Village in '98. As the Americans were celebrating, no one knew what to say to me. It was very flat and empty."
So there you have it, the Solheim Cup: a glorious smorgasbord of all that is good – and sometimes bad – about golf in its most psychologically revealing form. If only we had a halfway decent team.
***The full article above contains 1183 words and appears in today's Scotland On Sunday newspaper.