Kelsey runs up an 8, finishes third

in Belgian girls' title defence

Stirling University student Kelsey MacDonald from Nairn, the defending champion, finished third in the Belgian junior international girls golf championship at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, near Brussels today.
Kelsey, pictured right in Belgium, a member at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club and the Scottish Under-21 champion for the past two years, started the final day only one shot behind the leader but faded to a disappointing closing round of 80 for a total of 297.
She finished seven shots behind the winner, Italy's Marianna Causin who closed with a 74 for 290 and a six-stroke win from runner-up Nerea Salaverria (72 for 296).
Kelsey's hopes died with a quadruple bogey 8 at the 11th.
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Scott Gibson (Southerness) finished joint 31st and 41st respectively in the boys' championship. Jack finished with an 80 for 305 and Gibson and 84 for 307.
The winner by two shots was Dylan Boshart (Netherlands) with a 75 for one-over-par 289.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) for boys and girls

GIRLS

290 Marianna Causin (Italy) 70 74 72 74.

296 Nerea Salaverria (Spain) 78 72 73 73.

297 Kelsey MacDonald (Scotland) 74 71 72 80.

299 Isabel Gadea (Germany) 69 79 74 77.

303 Fanny Cnops (Belgium) 72 77 80 74, Noemi Jimenez (Spain) 78 74 75 76.

Selected scores:

310 Lauren Taylor (England) 81 77 79 73 (jt 14th).

315 Louise Mernagh (Ireland) 76 76 84 79.

BOYS

289 Dylan Boshart (Netherlands) 67 71 76 75.

291 Edouard Amacher (Switzerland) 72 72 73 74.

Selected scores

300 James Monaghan (Ireland) 68 77 81 74 (jt 17th).

305 Jack MacDonald (Scotland) 74 73 78 80 (jt 31st).

307 Scott Gibson (Scotland) 71 77 75 84 (41st).

Louise Larsson, Caroline Hedwall and Kyle Walker at the presentation of medals ceremony in Sweden.

Kylie 2nd and Pamela jt fourth in

European women's championship

Buchanan Castle's Kylie Walker and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle),both Great Britain & Ireland Vagliano Trophy team international players, finished second and joint fourth respectively in the European women's amateur golf championship at Falsterbo Golf Club, Sweden today.
It followed their sixth and joint seventh performances in the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen the previous week.
Judging by the general level of scores, it must have been very windy on the most southerly tip of Sweden on Saturday. Only one player matched the par of 72. Most of the better scores were in the mid-70s but others shot in the 80s.
But there was no doubting the supremacy of Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) who started the day with a seven-shot lead and extended it to win by 10 strokes with a 75 for one-over-par 285. The 20-year-old Oklahoma State University student also won this title in 2007.
"To be able to win a European championship in Sweden is a great experience and I have enjoyed the week," said a happy Caroline who lost to compatriot Anna Nordqvist in last year's British women's open amateur championship final at North Berwick.
Kylie Walker returned a 78, which included double bogeys at the fifth and eighth, but she birdied the par-5 18th to finish on 295 and hold on to the silver medal, one stroke ahead of Sweden's second player in the top three, Louise Larsson who closed with a 74 for 296.
Pamela Pretswell, the halfway leader after a second-round 69, was more like her old self after dropping out of the pole position with a third-round 80. In the difficult conditions, the Glasgow University student returned a 75 - same Saturday score as winner Hedwall - for 297.
Also on 297 was Royal Co Down's NUI Maynooth student Danielle McVeigh who signed off with a 77. Danielle won the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen in her last tournament before the European.
Only one player matched the par of 72 on the last day.
Caroline Hedwall's twin sister Jacqueline finished joint 32nd on 307.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
285 Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 70 74 66 75.
295 Kylie Walker (Sco) 70 76 71 78.
296 Louise Larsson (Swe) 70 78 74 74.
297 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 73 69 80 75, Marieke Nivard (Net) 74 75 74 74, Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 70 75 75 77.
298 Gidali Manon (Fra) 78 76 72 72, Lucie Andre (Fra) 72 72 77 77.
299 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 74 74 71 80.
300 Madelene Sagstrom (Swe) 74 80 69 77
301 Holly Clyburn (Eng) 76 72 74 79, Rachel Jennings (Eng) 74 75 72 80, Sophia Popov (Ger) 74 80 73 74, Daisy Nielsen (Den) 71 77 72 81.
307 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 73 69 73 82 (jt 32nd).
312 Hannah Barwood (Eng) 80 75 76 81 (jt 52nd)
314 Amy Boulden (Wal) 77 74 76 87 (jt 54th).

LET Q-School returns to La Manga

Club, Spain from December 12 to 22


NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY AZALEA GROUP
The Ladies European Tour (LET) has signed a three-year agreement to keep its Qualifying School at the prestigious La Manga Club resort in Murcia, Spain.
The first and second stages of tour school for the 2010 season will be held from December 12-22, 2009, with a prize fund of 7000 Euros.
The announcement follows a hugely successful qualifying event at La Manga Club in January, when Sweden ’s Anna Nordqvist took the honours by a three-stroke margin.
La Manga Club proved to be a true test and Nordqvist went on to claim her first professional victory at the LPGA Championship in June, which was a Major, before being selected as a wild-card pick for the 2009 European Solheim Cup team.
The 2009 rookie class has proved particularly strong, with Christel Boeljon steering the Netherlands to a four-stroke victory at the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup in Spain in April.
So far this year, a handful of rookies have registered top-five finishes, including Breanne Loucks, from Wales , the runner-up at the Open de Espana Femenino, and England ’s Florentyna Parker, who tied for second at the AIB Ladies Irish Open.
“Becoming a member of the LET continues to generate widespread interest and we’re delighted to be returning to La Manga Club, a first-class resort which understands the value and benefits that our golfers offer,” said Alexandra Armas, the LET’s executive director.
“The LET continues to make huge strides, adding new tournaments in exciting destinations across the globe and we are all working hard to secure the best possible 2010 schedule for the LET players, fans and partners.”
The highly competitive event will see players compete for 30 full playing cards for the 2010 LET season over seven tournament rounds in total. Practice rounds will be scheduled for December 12-13 ahead of the Stage I, to be played over La Manga Club’s North and South courses from December 14-15.
After 36 holes, a cut will be made to the leading 70 players and ties. The final round of Stage I will be played on December 16 over the North Course.
The leading 50 players will be progress to Stage II, Final Qualifying, to be played over the South Course, with a practice round on December 17.
The Final Qualifying stage will be played over four rounds from December 18-21. After three rounds a cut will be made to the leading 50 players and ties.
On December 22, amateurs will have the chance to play with the leading 30 qualifiers in a pro-am, each professional playing with three amateurs.
Synonymous with golfing excellence for over 35 years, La Manga Club’s three 18-hole championship golf courses offer a year-round sunny climate and high-tech practice facilities, making it the ideal location to stage the qualifying school.
La Manga Club’s golfing facilities are world renowned and the resort has been host to many prestigious golfing tournaments including the Spanish Open and Spanish PGA Championships.
La Manga Club was named Europe's Leading Golf Resort 2001, 2003 and 2005 and ‘ Spain 's Leading Golf Resort 2006’ at the World Travel Awards. It was also named World's Leading Sports Resort 2006 and 2007 at the World Travel Awards. Murcia airport is just 30 minutes from La Manga Club and Alicante is around an hour’s drive away.
For golfing enthusiasts who would like to be involved with the event, La Manga Club has rooms available.
More information and downloads are available via a link on ladieseuropeantour.com.

LPGA TOUR REPORT

Janice Moodie shoots eight birdies

for a 66, Catriona Matthew has 77

It may have taken the Solheim Cup to restore Janice Moodie's self-confidence. The Scot moved on from the transatlantic match to shoot eight birdies in a six-under-par 66 to lay joint fourth at the end of the first round of the LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, North Plains in Oregon.
The Glasgow-born player birdied the third, fourth, eighth, ninth, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th in halves of 33. She had bogesya t the 11th or 18th or else she would have been sharing the lead with Beth Bader.
Bader recovered from a bogey at the second to post an early lead of eight-under-par 64 .. and it stayed up there in the pole position all day.
Bader finished a stroke in front of Swedish rookie Anna Nordqvist and Seon Hwa Lee, who each had 65s.
Nordqvist and Lee were a shot in front of a group, including Janice Moodie, who were two shots back of Bader going into Saturday's second round.
Catriona Matthew, perhaps feeling her Solheim Cup exertions more than her fellow-Scot, could do no better than a 77.
Bader's round was her best since 2007. It was her best start to a tournament since the season-opening event in 2003.
"It's nice to get off to a good start," Bader said. "I've had a tendency of not getting off to a very good start and I haven't been able to come back from that."
Defending champion Cristie Kerr had a 69, playing in a star-studded group with Michelle Wie and Lorena Ochoa.
Kerr misplayed a chip shot from the rough on the 18th green to bogey her last hole of the day.
"It was an interesting day," Kerr said. "I hit it pretty bad, pretty poorly."
Ochoa finished with a 70, while Wie birdied the final hole to end with a 68.
Wie, playing a full schedule on the tour for the first time this year, made a putt of some 30 feet for her birdie. She raised her arms and hopped when it dropped.
"It was pretty cool," she said. "And I called it, too. I told my caddie, 'I might chip this in."'
Wie and Kerr were on the U.S. Solheim Cup team which defeated Europe last weekend at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Ten of the team's 12 players were at the Safeway Classic. Paula Creamer withdrew before Friday's first round because of illness.
She said it was a lingering bug she likely caught while playing in the team competition. She missed two tournaments earlier this year because of a stomach ailment.
Fellow teammate Juli Inkster withdrew earlier in the week.
"It was fun out there today," Wie said. "I thought after last week it was going to be anticlimactic, but there were a lot of fans out there and they were really riled up to see us play."
The large galleries from early in the day shrank quickly after Wie's group finished their round. A light rain fell for about an hour, although play was never suspended.
The Safeway Classic was played for the previous 19 years at Columbia Edgewater Country Club near Portland International Airport.
Pumpkin Ridge, which opened in 2009, is made up of the private Witch Hollow course and the public Ghost Greek Course, about a 20-minute drive west of Portland. The club has hosted numerous events, including the 1996 U.S. Amateur, won by Tiger Woods, and the 2003 U.S. Women's Open.
The Safeway Classic was being played on Ghost Creek, a par-72, 6,457-yard course with three straight par-5 holes.
Karrie Webb had a hole in one with a 4-iron on the 184-yard No. 5 hole Friday.
Last year at Columbia Edgewater, Kerr beat Swedes Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson with a 15-foot birdie putt.
LEADERBOARD
Par 72
64 Beth Bader.
65 Anna Nordqvist, Seon Hwa Lee.
66 Janice Moodie, Angela Stanford, Stacy Prammanasudh, Candie King.
Selected scores:
68 Michele Wie.
71 Laura Davies.
73 Johanna Mundy.
77 Catriona Matthew.

Five Irish boys and girls bound for Brazil

from Faldo Series at Lough Erne

NEWS RELEASE
The third annual Faldo Series Ireland Championship was played this week at Lough Erne Golf Resort in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The overall winner was David Reilly who carded a two-round total of 146 (74, 72), enough to ensure a closely fought one stroke victory. The players were treated to wonderful conditions on Lough Erne’s recently opened course designed by Nick Faldo himself.
Ben Banerji produced the Resort’s first ever hole-in-one by holing a 3-wood at the par 3 13th during the first round of play.
Victoria Bradshaw was the winner of the Girls under 21 category and, as a result, she’ll return to her second Faldo Series Grand Final along with all of the winners from Lough Erne when the event returns to Brazil later this year.
The Grand Final will be hosted by Nick where he will hope to pass on some of the experiences that he has built up over thirty years of playing golf at the very highest level.
In addition to the events on course, the Faldo Series also organised grass roots activities to run alongside the Ireland Championship, which itself was organised in conjunction with LEGR and supported by the European Tour and The R&A. 37 local children took part in a golf development clinic aimed at giving an introduction to the game.
Faldo commented: “I’m delighted that the Faldo Series Ireland Championship was such a success, especially bearing in mind the fact that we have such a close association with our new venue at the Lough Erne Golf Resort.
"I look forward to welcoming all of the winners at this year’s Faldo Series Grand Final in Brazil where they will have the opportunity to meet and compete against young fellow golfers from around the world.”
Jim Treacy, owner of Lough Erne Golf Resort, added: "This is a great opportunity for some of Ireland's best young golfing talent to follow in the footsteps of previous Faldo Series winners like Rory McIlroy and test their skills on a course that we hope will go on to be recognised as one of Ireland and the UK's best championship courses."
Winners from the Faldo Series Ireland Championship at Lough Erne Golf Resort:
Boys Under 21: David Reilly
Boys Under 18: Matthew McKnight
Boys Under 16: Glynn Connor
Girls Under 21: Victoria Bradshaw
Girls Under 16: Paula Grant

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE.
(Helsinki, Finland – Friday 28th August 2009) – History repeated itself for Beatriz Recari as she held the opening day lead at the Finnair Masters.
The 22-year-old Spaniard led by a stroke on four-under-par after the first round of last year’s tournament, going on to tie for third place, which was her career best finish.
Fast forward 12 months and her love affair with Helsinki Golf Club continued today as she opened with a six-under-par 65, leading by one from Iben Tinning.
Recari, who hails from Pamplona, the Spanish city famous for the running of the bulls through the streets, was faultless with seven birdies over 17 holes but dropped a shot at the par-four 18th.
“It was probably lack of concentration with the driver. Overall I think I did a great job mental wise on every single shot,” she said. “I’m not going to punish myself for a bogey on the last because six-under is quite good and I have a good feeling for tomorrow.”
Recari birdied the first, sixth and ninth holes going out, followed by the 10th, 14th, 16th and 17th coming back.
Although a shot short of her career low round, she said it felt as if it was her best score ever.
“I love this tournament. I had two weeks off before this tournament and I was visualising it and really looking forward to coming here again; remembering good memories.
“I wrote in my blog that I was looking forward to this week. It was just, not magical, but it was such an enjoyable round. I was enjoying every shot, every hole; it was great,” she continued.
Recari hopes to maintain her position to seal a first victory in four years on the Ladies European Tour, while four-time Solheim Cup player Tinning is targeting a return to the winner’s circle, having not won since 2005, when she captured three titles and was the number one European player.
Sweden’s Johanna Westerberg shared third place with Wales’ Becky Brewerton, South African Lee-Anne Pace and the 17-year-old amateur Je-Yoon Yang from South Korea on four-under 67.
Westerberg, the 31-year-old Swede who captured her maiden tour victory at the Portugal Ladies Open at Golden Eagle Golf Club in Rio Maior in June, is five months pregnant with her first child.
She and fiancé/part-time caddie ATP tennis star Joachim Johansson, known as “Pimpim” are expecting the baby early next year.
She plans to play for as long as possible, at least until the Madrid Ladies Masters in early October and will come back for the start of the 2010 season. She hopes to follow the example of Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who won the Ricoh Women’s British Open 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the girls, Mimi (Hjorth) and Paula (Marti) and they said as long as you feel fine you’re okay and you can start playing,” she said. “We will see how everything goes. I am definitely planning on playing.”
With her 67, Brewerton was able to forget last week’s Solheim Cup disappointment and target a second tournament victory this season, after her win at July’s Spanish Open.
“I’m very happy. I played pretty good. I felt really relaxed and calm and it was nice after the furore of last week,” said Brewerton, who has been taking it easy over the last few days. “I used the pro am as my practise round as I wasn’t going to do too much this week. Literally that’s all I’ve done. I know the course well anyway as we’ve played here quite a few times. I didn’t need to know much more. It was nice to play one round before we started.
“Today is probably the first day I’ve felt normal again. The rest of the week so far I’ve been in a bit of a daze but I’ve had an unbelievably long sleep last night and felt really good this morning. I’ve probably timed it perfectly to be playing well today.”
Also playing well, a shot further back in equal seventh, were England’s Holly Aitchison, Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord, South Korean Jessica Ji, Denmark’s Malene Jorgensen and the 2007 event winner Bettina Hauert from Germany.
Minea Blomqvist, who is defending her home title, shot 69 to finish in a share of 12th place. The cut will be made to the leading 50 players and following the second round on Saturday.
Dunblane's Lynn Kenny is the leading Scot with halves of 35 and 34 for 69. Lynn was two over par after only four holes - bogeys at the first and fourth - but she covered the last 13 holes in four under par with birdies a thte fifth, 10th, 12th and 17th.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
65 Beatriz Racari.
66 Iben Tinning.
67 Becky Brewerton, Johanna Westerberg, Lee-Anne Pace, Je-Yoon Yang.
68 Holly Aitchison, Bettina Hauert, Marianne Skarpnord, Jessica Ji, Malena Jorgensen.
Selected scores
69 Lynn Kenny (35-34).
70 Claire Coughlan-Ryan, Emma Lyons, Elizabeth Bennett.
71 Trish Johnston, Felicity Johnson, Georgina Simpson, Breanne Loucks, Sophie Walker.
72 Sarah Heath, Hazel Kavanagh, Pamela Feggans 36-36, Rebecca Hudson, Krystle Caithness 34-38.
73 Rebecca Coakley, Martina Gillen, Michele Thomson 36-37.
75 Tara Delaney, Vikki Laing 37-38, Clare Queen 36-39.

KELSEY POISED FOR LAST-DAY SWOOP

FOR JUNIOR BELGIAN GIRLS’ TITLE

Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald is poised to make a last-round challenge to win the girls’ title in the Belgian junior international tournament for the second year in a row.
The Stirling University student and Nairn Dunbar GC member matched the par-72 returned by leader Marianna Causin in today’s third round, leaving the Scot on one-over-par 217, a single shot behind the Italian.
MacDonald and Causin are five shots ahead of the third placed Isabel Gadea (Germany) so it looks a two-filly race for the title at Royal Golf Club of Belgium at Teravuren, near Brussels.
Rachel Watton (Mortonhall), the other Scot in the girls’ field, shot an 82 for 245 to miss the cut by seven shots.
In the boys’ championship, Scott Gibson from Southerness and Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) are on 223 and 225 respectively, some way behind the three-shot leader Thomas Pieters (Belgium).
Gibson had a 75 and will start the final round in joint 16th place.
MacDonald had a 78 for a share of 22nd position.

Leading third round totals (Par 216: 3x72)
Boys
211 Thomas Pieters (Bel) 72 67 72.
214 Dylan Boshart (Net) 67 71 76.
216 Martin Prihoda (Cze) 73 72 71
Selected scores:
221 Rory McNamara (Ire) 77 74 70 (jt 10th).
223 Scott Gibson (Sco) 71 77 75 (jt 16th.
225 Jack McDonald (Sco) 74 73 78 (jt 22nd).
226 James Monaghan (Ire) 68 77 81 (jt 27th).
Girls
216 Marianna Causin (Ita) 70 74 72.
217 Kelsey MacDonald (Sco) 74 71 72.
222 Isabel Gadea (Ger) 69 79 74.
Selected scores:
228 Louise Coffey (Ire) 77 77 74 (jt 10th).
236 Louise Mernagh (Ire) 76 76 84 (24th).
237 Lauren Taylor (Eng) 81 77 79 (jt 25th).
MISSED THE CUT (238 or better)
245 Rachel Watton (Sco) 81 83 8 (jt 42nd.

Pamela Pretswell, overnight leader lost her touch in third round at Falsterbo, Sweden (image by Cal Carson Golf agency, click on it to enlarge).

Kylie 10 shots off the lead in second place

as Pamela crashes with an 80

Buchanan Castle’s Kylie Walker moved into second place as overnight leader Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) had a disastrous round to drop out of contention with one round to go in the European women’s amateur championship at Falsterbo Golf Club on Sweden’s southern tip today.
Kylie matched the par of 71 for a 54-hole tally of four-over 217 but finished the day seven strokes adrift the leader, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall who shot a brilliant inward half of 31 for a 66 and a three-under-par total of 210.
Hedwall, who reached the final of the British women’s open amateur championship at North Berwick last summer and plays on the US college circuit, birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th to get one hand on the championship trophy.
Walker birdied the fourth, seventh and 14th but bogeyed the sixth, eighth and 16th in halves of 34 and 37.
Her GB&I Vagliano Trophy team-mate Pretswell, who had looked so impressive in compiling a 69 for a two-shot lead on Thursday, had her worst day on a golf course for a long time in returning a nine-over 80 for joint ninth position on 222.
The feature of Pamela's rise to front-line amateur status over the past couple of years has been her ability to hit fairways and greens in regulation, and having little variation from par. But she lost her touch in Sweden today.
The 20-year-old Glasgow University student had double bogeys at the first, fifth, 16th and 18th in halves of 38 (four over) and 42 (five over). She did have birdies at the second and seventh but dropped five shots to par over the last three holes when on the point of salvaging a score in the mid-70s.
Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down), winner of the British women’s open amateur stroke-play title at Royal Aberdeen last Friday, had her second round of 75 in a row, to be sharing fourth place on 220, 10 shots behind Hedwall. McVeigh had only one birdie, at the seventh, and bogeyed the sixth, ninth, 10th, 12th and 13th in her uninspired round.
Majorca-based Lauren Mackin, the third Scot in the field, missed the cut – 60 players with totals of 233 or better – with an 83 for 243 and joint 101st place.

THIRD ROUND LEADERS
Par 213 (3x71)
210 Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 70 74 66.
217 Kylie Walker (Sco) 70 76 71.
219 Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 74 74 71.
220 Lara Katzy (Ger) 74 75 71, Daisy Nielson (Den) 71 77 72, Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 70 75 75.
221 Rachel Jennings (Eng) 74 75 72, Lucie Andre (Fra) 72 72 77.
222 Emma Nilsson (Swe) 76 77 69, Louise Larsson (Swe) 70 78 74, Holly Clyburn (Eng) 76 72 74, Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 73 69 80.
Selected scores:
225 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 73 79 73 (jt 18th).
227 Amy Boulden (Wal) 77 74 76 (jt 29th).
231 Hannah Barwood (Eng) 80 75 76 (jt 50th).
MISSED THE CUT
(60 players with 233 or better)
236 Tara Davies (Wal) 80 78 78 (jt 70th).
238 Rachel Connor (Eng) 83 76 79 (jt 75th).
243 Sarah Cunningham (Ire) 78 84 81, Lauren Mackin (Sco) 77 83 83, Charlene Reid (Ire) 80 79 84 (jt 101st).

Fife County Centenary putting competition winner Elaine Moffat with Marigold Speir,
who presented the prizes and Margaret Steele (President)

The Fife County Centenary Puttting Competition was played yesterday over the Himalayas putting course at The Ladies Putting Club, St Andrews.

Elaine Moffat St Regulus won with 39, Dorothy Peterson (Burntisland) was runner-up with 40 and a better inward half from Isabel Ireland (St Rule).

Kelsey climbs into Belgian title

picture as Scott slips back

Scott Gibson fell out of contention in the boys’ section but girls’ defending champion Kelsey MacDonald moved to within one shot of the leader on the second day of the Belgian junior international tournament at Royal Golf Club of Belgium at Teravuren, near Brussels today.
Stirling University student Kelsey, a member of Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, vbirdied the fifth, eighth, ninth and 38th in returning one-under-par 71 for a 36-hole tally of one-over-par 145.
The repeating Scottish Under-21 champion, pictured in Belgium this week, is now breathing down the neck of halfway leader Marianna Causin, the Italian who had a 74 for 144.
Rachel Watton (Mortonhall) had a nightmare inward half of 47 in a second-round 83 for 164, which placed her 48th in the girls’ field of 54 competitors.
Scott Gibson slipped from a 71 to a 77 for 148 which put him in a share of 18th place in the boys’ field of 84. The Southerness 16-year-old started with a double bogey 7 and had another double bogey at the 11th as well as birdies at the seventh and 13th .
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) moved above his compatriot with a 73 for 147 and a share of 14th place on 147. Jack also ran up a 7 at the difficult long opening hole but birdies at the fifth, sixth, 14th and 18th helped him to repeat the damage.
He is six shots behind the Dutch leader, Dylan Boshart who had a 71 for 138.

LEADING SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Boys
Par 144 (2x72)
138 Dylan Boshart (Net) 67 71.
139 Thomas Pieters (Bel) 72 67.
143 Joachim Brandt Hansen (Den) 72 71, Dewi Merckx (Belg) 68 75.
144 Jacob Holst (Den) 73 71, Edouard Amachar (Swi) 72 72.
Selected scores:
147 Jack McDonald (Sco) 74 73 (jt 14th).
148 Scott Gibson (Sco) 71 77 (jt 18th).
151 Rory McNamara (Ire) 77 74 (jt 39th of 84).
Girls
Par 144 (2x72)
144 Mariana Causin (It) 70 74.
145 Kelsey MacDonald (Sco) 74 71.
148 Chiara Brizzonari (Ita) 75 73, Isabel Gadea (Ger) 69 79.
149 Laura Sedda (Ita) 73 76, Fanny Cnopps (Bel) 72 77.
Selected scores:
152 Louise Mernagh (Ire) 76 76 (jt 11th).
154 Louise Coffey (Ire) 77 77 (jt 17th).
158 Lauren Taylor (Eng) 81 77 (jt 32nd).
164 Rachel Watton (Sco) 81 83 (jt 48th).

European women's individual amateur championship

Another great round of 69 by Pamela Pretswell, this time in Sweden to take the European amateur championship lead with two rounds to go at Falsterbo Golf Club.

Pamela Pretswell finishes with an eagle 3

to post a 69 and lead by two strokes

Glasgow University student Pamela Pretswell opened up a two-stroke halfway lead with a sparkling two-under-par second round of 69 in the European women's amateur golf championship at Falsterbo Golf Club on the southern tip of Sweden today (Thursday). There are two Scots in the limelight as Pamela's fellow GB&I Vagliano Trophy team player Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) is in fifth place. It was a final round of 69 at Royal Aberdeen last Friday that earned the 20-year-old Pretswell from Hamilton the Taunton Trophy for the best round over the three days of the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship in which she finished joint seventh. And Bothwell Castle member Pamela hit that 69 mark again, thanks to a grandstand finish of an eagle 3 at the 18th hole. She had earlier bogeyed the first, the only shot she dropped, and birdied the long 13th in halves of 35 (one over) and 34 (three under). Showing an improvement of four shots on her first-day 73, Pretswell is on the 142 mark for the par-71 course. Late last summer Pretswell won the Swiss women's international open amateur championship on what was primarily a holiday trip! In Sweden, she leads by two shots from France's Lucie Andre, No 1 in the European Golf Association rankings, and Sweden's Caroline Hedwall, a US college circuit player who was beaten in the final of the British women's open amateur championship at North Berwick last year. Then comes Northern Ireland's Danielle McVeigh, winner of the British title at Balgownie last Friday, on 145, one shot ahead of fifth placed Kylie Walker who slipped back from a 70 to a 76, thanks to a double bogey 7 at the long 18th, the same hole that Pretswell reduced to three strokes. Walker had earlier bogeyed the fifth, sixth, 10th and 12th but looked to have stopped the bleeding of strokes when she got a birdie 2 at the short 14th. Then came the calamitous 18th hole which meant she had taken 40 shots to cover the inward nine. The third Scot in the field of 133, Majorca-based Lauren Mackin had three double bogeys in a round of 83 (37-46) for 160. SECOND ROUND LEADERS Par 142 (2x71) 142 Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 73 69. 144 Lucie Andre (Fra) 72 72, Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 70 74. 145 Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 70 75. 146 Kylie Walker (Sco) 70 76. 147 Maaike Naafs (Net) 73 74. 148 Holly Clyburn (Eng) 76 72, Marion Ricordeau (Fra) 74 74, Josephine Janson (Swe) 73 75, Emelie Lundstrom (Swe) 73 75, Daisyt Nielsen (Den) 71 77, Louise Larsson (Swe) 70 78. Selected scores: 148 Rachel Jennings (Eng) 74 75 (jt 13th). 151 Amy Boulden (WAl) 77 74 (jt 19th). 152 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 73 79 (jt 23rd). 155 Hannah Barwood (Eng) 79 76 (jt 47th). 158 Tara Davies (Wal) 80 78 (jt 68th). 159 Rachel Connor (Eng) 83 76, Charlene Reid (Ire) 80 79 (jt 74th). 160 Lauren Mackin (Sco) 77 83 (jt 83rd). 162 Sarah Cunningham (Ire) 78 84 (jt 100th). 163 Samantha Birks (Wal) 85 78 (jt 108th). 167 Aedin Murphy (Ire) 83 84 (jt 119th of 133).

Rachael Livingstone following Heather

MacRae route into PGA training

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
First it was Heather MacRae. Now Rachael Livingstone, one of the leading amateurs in the Lothians in recent years, has opted to go down the route of training to become a PGA professional.
The 21-year-old has already started to work in Fraser Mann's shop at Musselburgh, her home town, and she will officially start her three-year training at the beginning of October."It was last year, when I wasn't playing as well as I had hoped, that I decided I needed to go down a different route as far as a career in golf was concerned," said Livingstone (pictured), who reached the final of the Scottish Girls' Championship at Peebles in 2006.

"I needed a bit of a change to get things moving because I definitely feel as though I'm not ready to go to the Tour School, even though I'd like to give that a shot one day."

Having just finished a sports coaching course at Telford College, Livingstone jumped at the chance of a trainee post at the Monktonhall club, where she's not only known Mann for a number of years but also Norman Huguet.

"Fraser and Norman have both given me coaching over the years and I had spoken to them about my options, one of which was to follow in the footsteps of Heather MacRae and enter the PGA training programme," she said.

"As everyone probably knows, Heather has done really well so far, both in the shop at Gullane and also out on the golf course, having qualified for the Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles earlier in the year.

"I'm hoping that I will also be able to keep playing myself but, equally, I really enjoy the coaching side of the game and that's something I'll be able to learn more about as part of my training."

Livingstone, who cut her golfing teeth at Musselburgh Old, lost to Roseanne Niven in that Scottish Girls' final at Peebles but helped Scotland win the Girls' Home Internationals in 2006 before earning a full cap in the Women's European Team Championship the following year. She won the Midlothian Women's Championship in 2008, having also been a member of the Scottish title-winning Midlothian team in 2007.

"I really enjoyed my amateur career and there's no doubt that Scottish ladies' golf is strong at the moment, spearheaded, of course, by Catriona Matthew," remarked Livingston.

Meanwhile, Craigielaw's Jane Turner has been rewarded for an excellent season with a place in the team for next month's Women's Home Internationals at Irvine.

Lesley Nicholson will captain the side for the second year running and has high hopes for Turner and her team-mates.

Louise Kenney leads SLGA Order of Merit by 350pt

Top 10 in the updated Scottish Ladies Golfing Association women's Order of Merit are:

1 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 3090pt.
2 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 2740pt.
3 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 2375pt
4 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 2355pt.
5 Laura Murray (Alford) 2095pt.
6 Carly Booth (Comrie) 1788pt.
7 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 1551pt.
8 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 1398pt.
9 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 1155pt.
10 Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 915pt.

Daisy Dyer wins East Region girls' title by six strokes

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Essex teenager Daisy Dyer set a new course record on her way to a six-shot victory in the inaugural EWGA East Region girls’ championship at The Links, Newmarket.
Daisy, from Chigwell, shot a three under par 69 in the first round, followed by a two-over 74. Her morning score is a new course record following alterations lengthening the course.
The record was one of a string of achievements for Daisy, 18, who is a member of EWGA’s Select South East Squad. It was the first time she had broken 70 in competition and, as this was her last junior event, it meant she signed off in style.
“I am really pleased, I really wanted to win this,” she said.
Her win also marked an impressive return from injury after she sprained her wrist at the British girls’ championship. “Just two days ago I thought I would have to withdraw,” said Daisy.
The runner-up was another Essex youngster, Dulcie Sverdoff of Ballard Gore. She was five-over par gross for the 36 holes – playing off a handicap of 11. Dulcie also won the cup for the best U15 score.
Essex won both team prizes.
Leading gross scores
Par 144 (2x72) CSS 72 71
143 Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 69 74.
149 Dulcie Sverdoff (Ballard Gore) 77 72.
150 Chelsey Herbert (Gog Magog) 72 78.
151 Georgia Gilling (Rochford Hundred) 76 75; Steph McEvoy (Old Fold Manor) 74 77.
153 Sophie Hillier (John O’Gaunt) 78 75.
154 Siobhan Pamenter (Upminster) 78 76; Ashleigh Greenham (West Essex) 75 79.
Handicap prizes (net scores)
137 Sophie Hillier (John O’Gaunt) 70 67; Laura Tuttle (Links) 68 69.
140 Fiona Cooper (Bedford & County) 69 71
Teams
Gross
Essex: Daisy Dyer, Dulcie Sverdoff and Georgia Gilling.
Net
Essex: Ashleigh Greenham, Georgina Blackman (Chelmsford), Ashlee Tyrrell (Lords of Rayleigh)
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Teamwork has made a big difference for


Louise Kenney - and there's more to come

From Spencer Henderson
National Junior Coach

Colin.
Thanks for the good article on Louise Kenney (scroll down to read it). She was very complimentary and I am delighted for her this year.
Thought I could maybe add my thoughts for the readers of Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk if you think it is something that may interest them.
I am fortunate enough to work with some very promising girls/ladies such as Louise, Kelsey Macdonald, Rachael Watton and Rebecca Wilson. The close working relationship between the SGU and SLGA means that I can use some of my time to help develop the girls.
They all have a great team supporting them through the SLGA and Institute network who compliment all the work that I do with them.
Although Louise has thanked me for her improvements I believe that it is a professional team around her that has helped her achieve the great results this year. I like to work on the adage that it is easier to improve 10 things 1% than one thing 10%.
Below is the journey Louise has taken over the past two years to make her one of the most consistent performers in Britain this year.
Louise has always been a good player and we decided together to improve her technique to help her gain more length and add some variety to her short game. It has been a two-year process to implement the changes in both long and short game and she has worked extremely hard both on and off the golf course.
She was biomechanically tested, where she had sensors attached to different parts of her body so we could have some objective feedback during her swing. The results were that her power output was quite low, resulting in a loss of distance even on her good strikes.
It may sound quite scientific, however the way things were explained to us both made it very simple as we wanted her body to move as efficiently as possible during the swing, delivering maximum power at impact.
Through the SLGA she has been supported by the Institute from January this year which has undoubtedly helped her to make some of the changes we have implemented.
Karen Young- Lead physiotherapist for golf in the Institute and I looked at Louise's swing together and she identified some tightness and flexibility issues which could affect her ability to make the swing changes.
She initially received remedial physiotherapy for six weeks before commencing a strength and conditioning programme three times a week during the winter. The programme was put in place to increase overall strength but also flexibility which in turn translates to more power in her golf swing.
The strength training is not for the faint-hearted as it is rigorous. However her gains have made it all worthwhile. Louise also does three cardio sessions a week to help her stamina as she can play up to eight rounds in a tournament week.
Once we felt that her swing was taking shape, she had her clubs fitted to her personal specification by Ed Robertson and his team at Applied Golf Technology. This can help not only physically but also mentally knowing that she has the best possible clubs for her swing. She has been in a couple of times further during the season for further check-ups.
At the end of every round she enters her statistics into “Golfdatalab” which allows us to identify any strengths and areas to improve for the next tournament.
Graeme Leslie (developer) has been brilliant and is always available whenever I have questions about her performances.
To assist her swing technique we use swing analysis on my laptop as Louise is a very visual learner and likes to see the improvement that she is making. We also do a lot of feel work during a tournament week so she is focusing mainly on her process. Her practice has become very productive and I encourage her to be very creative around the greens (like my hero Seve), using different clubs for a variety of shots.
As you can see there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and everyone in the team around her deserves praise for the professional attitude they adopt.
I believe that ultimately it is the desire, commitment, preparation, dedication and attention to detail that dictates who will be successful in making the transition from good amateur to successful professional.
I believe Louise has the potential to play at an even higher level if she keeps improving the 1%’s.
Spencer Henderson
National Junior Coach
DDI: 01334 466486
s.henderson@scottishgolf.org
http://www.scottishgolf.org/

England slam Spain in Under-16 mixed match

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
England’s youngsters hit top form to beat Spain 9-3 in the annual mixed Under-16 international at Heswall.
The combined team was made up of four players representing the English Women’s Golf Association and four from the English Golf Union: Sophie Godley (Lindrick), Bronte Law (Bramhall), Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies’), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes), Oliver Carr (Heswall), Harry Casey (Enfield), Seb Crookall-Nixon (Workington) and Max Orrin (North Foreland).
Pat Smillie, EWGA’s national junior coach, commented: “We all had a great day and we are really chuffed. The girls started slowly in the foursomes but Bronte Law and Emily Taylor birdied the last hole to snatch a half while the boys won one and halved one.
"In the singles England overpowered Spain, conceding just one point, and all the girls scored well. Elizabeth Mallett was two under, having had five birdies, when she won on the 15th. Bronte Law, who had the toughest match, was also two-under, helped by four birdies, but lost on the last green. Sophie Godley and Emily Taylor also notched up the birdies as they won their games. “The girls were a bit down at lunchtime but they really got their act together and played as they know they can,” said Pat. “The boys also had a great day and won all their singles.”

ENGLAND 9, SPAIN 3

FOURSOMES
Sophie Godley & Elizabeth Mallett lost to Andrea Vilarasau & Luna Sobron 1 hole.
Bronte Law & Emily Taylor halved with Natalia Escuriola & Mar Giminez.
Oliver Carr & Seb Crookall-Nixon bt Eder Mireno Pep Angles 4 and 2.
Harry Casey & Max Orrin halved with Mario Beltran & Rafael Mustienes

SINGLES
Mallett beat Vilarasau 4 and 3.
Law lost to Sobron 2 holes.
Godley bt Escuriola 3 and 2.
Taylor bt Jiminez 4 and 2.
Carr bt Angles 2 and 1.
Crookall-Nixon bt Moreno 1 hole.
Casey beat Mustienes 4 and 3.
Orrin beat Beltran 5 and 3.

Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Bathgate Ladies Open on Saturday, September 5

Spaces are available in the field for the above tournament.
Entry fee of Ł8 per person includes sweepstake and Magic 2s.
Scratch and handicap prizes, Bronze and Silver.
On line entry forms click here
Or call Lady Captain Lesley on 07788645794

European women's individual amateur championship

Kylie (70) sharing second place and

Pamela (73) joint eighth on Day 1

Kylie Walker and Pamela Pretswell, top 10 finishers in last week’s British women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship, carried on at Falsterbo, Sweden in the European women’s individual amateur championship where they left off at Royal Aberdeen.
Kylie (Buchanan Castle), pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, shot a one-under-par 70 to be sharing second place, one behind pacemaker Karlijn Zaanen (Netherlands).
Pamela (Bothwell Castle) returned a 73 to be joint eighth at the end of the opening day.
Majorca-based Lauren Mackin did not do so well as her compatriots. She had a 77 for a share of 33rd place.
The long-hitting Walker deviated from par only five times, which was a sign that she was hitting the fairways again as she did at Balgownie. She birdied the seventh, the long 12th and the long 18th, dropping shots only at the first and 36th in halves of 34 and 36.
Also on the 70 mark was Danielle McVeigh, the six-footer from Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, winner of the British stroke play title last Friday.
Pretswell started with eight pars and then dropped a shot at the ninth to be out in one-over-par 35.
A bogey at the 14th put the Glasgow University student two over par but she got a shot back with a birdie at the 17th before she bogeyed the 18th for her 73.
Mackin wasn’t doing too badly when she got her second birdie of the day at the 12th – the first was at the third – to get her score back to two-over-par. Then she bogeyed four of the last five holes for 40 home and a 77.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71 (34-37)
69 Karlijn Zaanen (Net) 35-34.
70 Danielle McVeigh (Ire) 32-38, Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 35-35, Louise Larsson (Swe) 35-35, Kylie Walker (Sco) 34-36.
71 Daisy Nielsen (Den) 36-35.
72 Lucie Andrew (Fra) 33-39.
73 Josephine Janson (Swe) 34-39, Emelie Lundstrom (Swe) 34-39, Maaike Naafs (Net) 35-38, Pamela Pretswell (Sco) 35-38, Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 35-38.
Selected scores:
74 Rachel Jennings (Eng) 36-38 (jt 13th).
76 Holly Clyburn (Eng) 38-38 (jt 25th).
77 Lauren Mackin (Sco) 37-40, Amy Boulden (Wal) 36-41.
78 Sarah Cunningham (Ire) 39-39 (jt 49th).
80 Charlene Reid (Ire) 40-40, Hannah Barwood (Eng) 38-42, Tara Davies (Wal) 38-42 (jt 74th).
83 Aedin Murphy (Ire) 41-42 (jt 105th).
85 Samantha Birks (Wal) 39-46 (122nd of 133)

Gibson is best of Scots on opening

day of Belgian junior week

Southerness 16-year-old Scott Gibson was the best placed of the four Scottish competitors at the end of the first day of the Belgian junior international golf tournament at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, Tervuren near Brussels today.
Gibson shot a one-under-par 72 to be one of six players sharing second place in the boys’ section, four shots behind the pacemaker, Dylan Bishart (Netherlands).
Gibson birdied the third, fourth, seventh, eight and 17th in halves of 34 (two under par) and 37 (one over). He had bogeys at the first, second and 14th.
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), also 16, is lying joint 17th after a 74 which was highlighted by an eagle 2 at the par-4 14th. That helped to make up for a double bogey 7 at the long fifth and bogeys at the seventh and 16th in halves of 39 and 35.
The leading 60 boys after 54 holes will play the final round.
Girls’ title-holder Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), an 18-year-old student at Stirling University, had a bad run of bogeys on her way to a two-over-par 74, which ut her in joint sixth place, five shots behind leader Isabel Gadea (Germany).
Kelsey bogeyed the ninth, 10th, 15th and 17th, after cancelling out a second-hole bogey with birdies at the long fifth and seventh. A birdie at the 18th saw her home in two-over-par 38.
Rachel Watton (Mortonhall) had a nightmare outward half of seven-over-par 43 on her way to a disappointing opening round of 81. Her only birdie ame at the long 13th and she had a double bogey at the ninth. Rachael is sharing 34th place. Only the leading 30 will survive a third-round cut.

SCOREBOARD
.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Boys
Par 72
67 Dylan Boshart (Net).
71 Scott Gibson (Sco) 34-37, Joachim Brandt Hansen (Den), Raphael Higuet (Bel), Fabian Lohr (Ger), Edouard Amacher (Swi), Thomas Pieters (Bel).
Selected scores:
74 Jack McDonald (Sco) 39-35 (jt 17th).
77 Rory McNamara (Ire) (jt 32nd).
Girls
Par 72
69 Isabel Gadea (Ger).
70 Marianna Causin (Ita).
72 Fanny Cnops (Bel).
73 Camille Richelle (Bel), Laura Sedda (Ita).
Selected scores:
74 Kelsey MacDonald (Sco) 36-38 (jt 6th).
76 Louise Mernagh (Ire).
77 Louise Coffey (Ire).
81 Rachel Watton (Sco) 43-38 (jt 34th).

Scotland expect to make European senior

semi-finals in Ireland next week

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Defending champions Sweden seek their second successive title when Ireland plays host to the 15 nation European senior women’s amateur team championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club from Monday, August 31 to Friday, September 4.
France look likely to be Sweden’s strongest challengers for the title with Virgine Burrus and Cecilia Morgue d’Algue hoping to repeat their successful victories of 2006 and 2007.
Spain’s Vicky Pertierra and Catalina Castillejo should lead their side to a top four finish while Lorna Bennett and Fiona de Vries join a formidable Scottish line-up expecting to make the semi-finals.
Host nation Ireland will be led by close champion Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock) while Helen Jones (Strabane), Violet McBride (Belvoir Park), Phil O’Gorman (Laytown & Bettystown) and Sheena McElroy (Grange) are sure to feature regularly in team captain Roma English’s (Larne) line-ups.
Competitors will play two rounds of 18 holes stroke-play qualifying over the parkland lay-out on Monday and Tuesday. The top eight teams then progress to the top flight of matchplay from Wednesday through to Friday, while the remaining seven teams play for the minor placings. The newly designed Dun Laoghaire course is sure to produce very worthy winners on Friday afternoon as a mixture of men's and women's tees will ensure a challenging test for competitors throughout the week.
With no admission fee, spectators are encouraged to travel and support their national teams, while taking the opportunity to sample Dun Laoghaire’s excellent facilities both on and off the course.
More information on the 2009 European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship, including Live Scoring throughout the event, is available at www.ilgu.ie

Jane Turner (Craigielaw) on Balgownie's 18th fairway in last week's British women's open amateur stroke-play championship. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click on it to enlarge.

First full cap for Jane in Scotland team

for women's home internationals

Craigielaw’s Jane Turner, a 19-year-old student at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, is the only new cap in Scotland’s team for the women’s home golf internationals at Irvine Golf Club, Ayrshire from September 9 to 11.
“Gaining my first full cap was definitely one of my goals for this year, even more so since we are the host nation for the tournament,” said Jane who played for Scotland at Under-18 girls’ level.
“I felt I had to use my performances throughout the season like stepping stones in order to fulfil this goal and I believed I achieved this in what has been my best season todate. Making the Scotland team has been the icing on the cake.
“I think our team is exceptionally strong this year, so hopefully, we will be able to get our hands on the trophy.”
There are two changes in the Scotland line-up compared with the one that finished third behind Wales and England at Wrexham last year. Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), now a professional, and Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) are replaced by Turner and 17-year-old Carly Booth (Comrie) who last played in the home internationals of 2007.
North of Scotland championship winner Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) has been named as first reserve and Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), winner of the Mackie Bowl 36-hole at Gullane by four shots, is the No 2 stand-by. Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth) is the third reserve.

Scotland team is:
Carly Booth (Comrie), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle).
Captain: Lesley Nicholson. Manager: Claire Hargan.

Teams named for Women's Home Internationals

at Irvine Golf Club, September 9 to 11

FROM THE LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE
The following players will represent their countries in the 2009 Home International Matches at Irvine Golf Club, Ayrshire from September 9 to 11:

ENGLAND
Captain - Julie Otto
Hannah Barwood (Knowle)
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa)
Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall)
Charlotte Ellis (Michinhampton)
Nikki Foster (Pleasington)
Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton)
Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale)
Charlotte Wild (Mere)

IRELAND
Captain - Claire Robinson
Manager - Fiona McComb
Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
Sarah Cunningham (Ennis)
Mary Dowling (New Ross)
Niamh Kitching (Claremorris)
Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies)
Aedin Murphy (Carlow)
Gillian O'Leary (Cork)
Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush)

SCOTLAND
Captain - Lesley Nicholson
Manager - Claire Hargan
Carly Booth (Comrie)
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie)
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)
Laura Murray (Alford)
Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle)
Jane Turner (Craigielaw)
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle)

WALES
Captain - Sue Turner
Manager - Anna Hubbard
Samantha Birks (Wolstanton)
Amy Boulden (Maesdu)
Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park)
Katie Bradbury (Cottrell Park)
Tara Davies (Holyhead)
Lucy Gould (Bargoed)
Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath)
Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan)

Reference Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk item about the trend for golf clubs to have women as secretaries/club managers. Scroll down to read it.

From Magi Vass at Tain


Hi Colin
Just to let you know Joanna Bell is the secretary at Tain Golf Club and has been here for six years. Ably assisted by me. We think we are some team but the members might not agree!!

Magi Vass

also
From Margaret Joss at Alford

Here is one more female secretary to add to your list. Alford Golf Club have recently appointed Mrs Julie Alexander as administrator.

Margaret Joss

A unique photograph - courtesy of Lynne Cameron (Press Association) - of the majority of Scotland's lady professionals in one group. The occasion was the all-women pro-am at Archerfield Links. Left to right: Lynn Kenny, Vikki Laing, Krystle Caithness, Heather MacRae, Karyn Burns (standing at back), Michele Thomson, Jenna Wilson, Pamela Feggans and Clare Queen. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Jenna + Clydebank & District trio win all-women pro-am at Archerfield

Team Winners at the all-women pro-am at Archerfield Links were Morag Wright, Gael Davidson and Janice Aikman, all representing Clydebank & District Golf Club, accompanied by professional Jenna Wilson.
They one by one shot with a net 61.
Three teams tied on 62. Placed second were Fiona Leslie, Alison McKellar and Liz Blincow from East Renfrewshire Golf Club, accompanied by professional Michele Thomson.
Third were Gillian Kyle, Linda Ellery and Anne McGeoch, also from East Renfrewshire Golf Club and accompanied by professional Vikki Laing.
The Longest Drive competition was decided on an accumulative yardage basis and the prize was won by Belle Robertson, Anne Wilson and June Lockhart who were accompanied by professional Pamela Feggans who contributed a massive 312yds with her drive!
Nearest the pin prizes were won by Alyson McKechin (amateur) and Vikki Laing (professional). An external putting competition,where the pros were blindfolded and directed by their team was won by Heather MacRae, assisted by Clare-Marie Carlton, Alyson McKechin and Gillian McGinlay representing Playsport Golf.
Over Ł300 was raised for 'The Teddy Bear Foundation.'
Groups taking part in the pro-am were:
Jane Herd, Clare Queen, Cynthia Guthrie, Fiona Playfair.
Belle Robertson, Pamela Feggans, June Lockhart, Anne Wilson.
Morag Wright, Jenna Wilson, Gael Davidson, Janice Aikman.
Anne McGeoch, Vikki Laing, Gillian Kyle, Linda Ellery.
Margaret Quin, Lynn Kenny, Elma Perry, Audrey Barclay.
Alyson McKechin, Heather MacRae, Clare-Marie Carlton, Gillian McGinlay.
Denise Parr, Krystle Caithness, Pat Lunney, Alison Chisholm.
Fiona Leslie, Michele Thomson, Liz Blincow, Alison McKellar.

Low scores win South-east Medal Finals
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Essex golfer Shirley Clayton and Norfolk’s Brenda Mace took the honours with low scores in the LGU Medal Finals for the South-east of England.
Shirley, from Basildon, won the Gold Medal Final at Frinton-on-Sea with a net score of 69. Gold Medal Finals are contested by the Silver Division players who returned the four best net medal scores at their club last season.
Brenda, a 21-handicapper from Bawburgh, won the Silver Medal Final at Colchester, where she also returned a net 69. The Silver Medal Finals are contested by Bronze Division players.
Results
Gold Medal Final
Frinton-on-Sea
Par 73, SSS 73, CSS 75
1st - Shirley Clayton (Basildon) 83 less 14 = 69.
2nd - Georgina Blackman (Chelmsford) 80 - 10 = 70.
3rd - Jane Sheppard (Norfolk Golf & CC) 85 - 11 = 74.
4th - Wendy Lodder (Elton Furze) 80 - 6 = 74.
5th - Rosalie Tucker (Winter Hill) 85 -11 = 74.
6th - Sophie Myles (Ilkley) 79 - 5 = 74.
Silver Medal Final
Colchester Golf Club
Par 72, SSS 73, CSS 73
1st - Brenda Mace (Bawburgh) 90 less 21 = 69.
2nd - Ann Barke (Gosfield Lake) 95 - 25 = 70.
3rd - Cathy Rollinson (Bletchingley) 95 - 25 = 70.
4th - Eunice Gray (Woodbridge) 94 - 23 = 71.
5th - Maureen Fox (Chart Hills) 94 - 22 = 72.
6th - Juliet Smith (Weston Park) 100 - 27 = 73
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer

Professional Michael Hackett, assistant Daniel Wood, Level 1 coach Bob Holmes and helper Jim Martin with children from Eyemouth Golf Club's junior coaching programme (image by Rob Eyton-Jones). Click to enlarge.

Eyemouth junior section transformed

in just two years

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF
In just two years Eyemouth Golf Club has expanded its junior section from 12 to 75, after a new starting a new initiative which verges on being revolutionary.
“Juniors are the future of the game and the future of any golf club,” said Michael Hackett, who was shocked by the lack of junior members when he became Eyemouth’s first Club Professional in 2007.
“If you don’t have a thriving junior section you don’t have future members coming through as adults.”
Tackling the challenge Michael recommended to the Club’s committee (and it was accepted) to make membership for under 12 year olds free. Then, together with his Assistant Professional, Daniel Wood, and volunteer helper, Jim Martin, he began offering junior coaching.
This year the national junior golf programme, clubgolf, awarded the Club a Ł350 grant to put one of its members, Bob Holmes, through the Level 1 coach training course.
clubgolf is the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA), the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, launched after Scotland’s successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup.
A share of this grant went towards improving the Club’s practice facilities to benefit the juniors. Last year the Club had been awarded a Ł10,000 Awards for All grant which has since been used for an indoor area, complete with video analysis equipment.
Having an extra coach and upgraded facilities meant that this year, for the first time, the Club could offer coaching in three stages. Bob, who is the Club’s junior convenor, teaches the youngest children the fundamentals, including the basics of the swing and etiquette. Michael develops their skills and prepares them for playing on the course. Daniel and Jim then take them onto the golf course and play a few holes.
Through the four coaches’ efforts the Club’s junior membership now stands at 75.
“Hopefully we will have another group of kids coming through after this one, which will put the Club in a very strong position,” said Michael. “If we can then get half of the children becoming adult club members it will have been very worthwhile.”
The presence of a junior-friendly club so near to the local primary schools allows children a clear route to progress their golfing skills. Through the Active Schools network these schools already introduce their P5 children to the game through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, which uses modified equipment.
Eyemouth GC’s Bob Holmes, a retired school teacher, is now making moves to involve the local High School.
“We’re hoping we can link golf to the secondary school PE curriculum to encourage older pupils to have golf coaching,” said Bob, who recognises the need for more volunteers to follow his lead and become volunteer coaches.
“If we can recruit three of four more coaches or helpers then we would really take off,” he said.
“We have more children coming in, more parents saying good things about the coaching and club members responding positively about seeing juniors out on the practice ground.
“We are pushing golf and getting as many kids involved as we can. We need to go out to talk to them and their parents about the benefits of playing golf and joining Eyemouth Golf Club.
“We will help raise the bar in relation to playing standards and instil in our young players the value of the etiquette of golf - not just in relation to the game - but to life in general.”
Rob Eyton-Jones
clubgolf Media Manager
rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Kelsey confident of Total

success in Belgium ...

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Nairn Dunbar’s Kelsey MacDonald is bidding to retain the Tournament of Nations title at the TOTAL Belgian International Juniors which gets underway at the Royal Golf Club of Belgium tomorrow.
The University of Stirling student won the girls' team event with Comrie’s Carly Booth last season and is this time partnered by Mortonhall’s Rachel Watton, whilst Jack McDonald and Scott Gibson represent Scotland in the boys' event.
MacDonald heads to Belgium in excellent form having just managed a successful defence at the Scottish Ladies Junior Open Stroke Play Championship as well as coming close to another title at the Helen Holm earlier in the year.
Paired with Watton - who is currently in second place in the SLGA Girls Order of Merit having reached the semi-final of the Scottish Girls Match Play Championship – it is a partnership which promises to make a strong challenge for the team title with both players also bidding for the individual girls title.
MacDonald, pictured above, said ahead of the tournament, “I am feeling confident about the individual and team event. It is already very hot out here so the conditions will be tough this week but I have done well on this course before and I think Rachel and I will make a good team.”
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) who has bagged two wins on the SGU Junior Tour this season and more recently has gone on to claim the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship is joined by Scott Gibson from Southerness. Gibson, a fellow Scotland Boys cap has also enjoyed a good season including a great run at men’s level in the Scottish Amateur recently, where he made the fifth round.
They hope to improve on the results of last year’s entrants Scottish Boys Champion and finalist, David Law and Paul Shields who finished fourth in the boys international team event.
The 72 hole event gets underway on Wednesday 26 August, competitors play18 holes each day and the top 32 boys and 32 girls plus ties that survive the cut after 54 holes proceed to play the final round.
+Results and news will be available from the official website - http://www.sij.be/home.php as well as Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

THREE SCOTS COMPETE IN EUROPEAN

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Scots competing in the European women's individual amateur golf championship at Falsterbo Golf Club, Sweden, starting on Wednesday are Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), both GB&I Vagliano Trophy players, and Majorca-based Laura Mackin.
England has four entries - Rachel Jennings, Hannah Barwood, Holly Clyburn and Rachel Conner; Wales four - Amy Boulden, Rhian Wyn Thomas, Samantha Birks and Tara Davies, and Ireland four also - Aedin Murphy, Charlene Reid, Danielle McVeigh and Sarah Cunningham.

Louise Kenney gets a congratulatory hug from her coach, SGU staff man Spencer Henderson, after she finished fourth and won the Angela Uzielli Trophy in the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen last Friday. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency (click on it to enlarge).

I owe it all to coach Spencer, says Louise Kenney

Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk was on hand at Balgownie last week when Fifer Louise Kenney finished the top Scot in joint fourth place with Europe's top-ranked female amateur, Lucie Andre, at the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship.

The Angela Uzielli Trophy, which was formerly the trophy to be won in the British women's mid-amateur championship (now discontinued), went to Louise for finishing the leading Under-25 player.

Scottish girls champion in 2000 and beaten finalist (by Heather MacRae) in 2001, 2009 has been a season in which Louise reached the final of the Scottish women's amateur championship at Southerness and now her best ever finish in a "British event."

Going into the tournament at Royal Aberdeen, Louise had a clear lead in the SLGA Order ot Merit, so she must have gone further ahead at the top of the table.

We asked her for her own assessment of her 2009 campaign.

Louise Kenney says:

"I feel this season has been my best yet by far. I am very pleased by how well I've played in all the major competitions and consistency has been the key for me. The highlight so far has been my fourthth place finish at the British stroke-play.

"I would never have had the season I've had without my coach, Spencer Henderson. He has done so much work with me over the past couple of years and has transformed my swing and overall golf game.

"I definitely owe all my achievements to him. He is a fantastic coach and gives me so much encouragement and belief in my game."

Gemma Webster wins $630 after last-round 84

Richdale wins Monday play-off on Futures Tour

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY US DURAMED FUTURES TOUR
After a weekend of weather delays and darkness suspensions, the $110,000 Turkey Hill Classic, presented by Felicita Garden Resort and Spa, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania came to an end on a sunny Monday, with Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, British Columbia, claiming her third Duramed Futures Tour victory in a play-off against Amanda Mathis of Opelousas, Louisiana.
Today's final marked the first time a Duramed Futures Tour event finished on a Monday since the 1997 SunTrust FUTURES Classic in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Richdale (68) and Mathis (69) ended regulation tied at 10-under-par (206), forcing the one-hole play-off on No 18. Both players' second shots ended in the rough, just shy of the green. Richdale managed to get it up and down for par and the win, with Mathis having to settle for a bogey.
"I didn't have a very good second shot," said Richdale, who is currently a member of the LPGA Tour. "I usually hit it a little short when I'm nervous, so I was trying to make sure I didn't do that. I'm glad I had to just tap it in for par."
Richdale started the morning's three strokes behind the leaders, after Sunday's final-round play was suspended for darkness.
"I was just hoping to have a good finish," said Richdale, who recorded 10 wins in collegiate competition while at Illinois State University. "I finished a lot better than I thought. I didn't start off too smooth. I had a bogey on the second hole. After that I just started concentrating on making good shots and good putts."
Saturday's second-round play was also suspended for darkness following Friday's first round weather-related suspension, something Richdale is very familiar with, having won the rain-shortened Louisiana Pelican Classic in Lafayette, Louisiana early in the season. Richdale also won the 2008 The Gettysburg Championship in nearby Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
"It's been a long week," said Richdale. "The grounds crew did an amazing job trying to clean up the course. It reminded me of when I won in Louisiana. It was exciting to come back to Pennsylvania. I've got some really great fans here. That helped me a lot."
While Mathis came up short for the victory, her second place finish marks her best finish on the Futures Tour.
"I'm happy," said Mathis, who recorded five top-10 finishes in collegiate competition, including two wins, while at Mississippi State University. "It was my first time in the final group, my first time to be in contention. I think my adrenaline kicked in a little too much. When I saw the leaderboard on No. 18, I knew I had to make a birdie to win and I think I pushed it a little."
Sharing a tie for third are Jean Reynolds (68) of Newnan, Georgia, and Mina Harigae (70) of Monterey, California, at -9 (207).
With her win, Richdale is now ranked fourth on the money list, as the tour nears the end of its season. The top-10 money list leaders will earn their LPGA cards after the ILOVENY Championship in Albany, New York State from September 4-6.
"It takes a little stress out of it," said Richdale, who was previously ranked fifth. "I'm pretty excited to have a bit of a lead going into Albany."
Harigae remains on top of the money list, with Reynolds in second and Misun Cho of Cheongju, South Korea, in third. Whitney Wade of Glasgow, Kentucky, moves from fourth to fifth.
"I wasn't hitting well this week," said Harigae, a rookie who has won three times this season. "I wasn't making any putts. But I'm pretty sure I have secured an LPGA card, so that's a positive. I've had a good season and any top-five finish is good. We'll have to see what happens in Albany."
For scores and more information, visit duramedfuturestour.com.
Weather: Sunny. High in the low 80s. Winds from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, British Columbia)69-69-68 - 206 $15,400 (after play-off)
Amanda Mathis (Opelousas, La.) 69-68-69 - 206 $11,000 (after play-off)
Jean Reynolds (Newnan, Ga.) 71-68-68 - 207 $6,723
Mina Harigae (Monterey, Calif.) 67-70-70 - 207 $6,723
Christine Song (Fullerton, Calif.) 70-70-68 - 208 $4,508
Jennie Lee (Henderson, Nev.) 68-72-69 - 209 $3,463
Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Va.) 69-73-69 - 211 $2,968
Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) 74-70-68 - 212 $1,994
Pornanong Phatlum (Chaiyaphum, Thailand) 72-69-71 - 212 $1,994
Angela Oh (Maple Shade, N.J.) 67-73-72 - 212 $1,994
Maria Hernandez (Pamplona, Spain) 68-71-73 - 212 $1,994
Amanda Blumenherst (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 69-67-76 - 212 $1,994
Gerina Mendoza (Roswell, N.M.) 74-70-71 - 215 $1,231
Libby Smith (Essex Junction, Vt.) 71-72-72 - 215 $1,231
Lori Atsedes (Ithaca, N.Y.) 72-71-72 - 215 $1,231
Yoora Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 72-71-72 - 215 $1,231
Lene Krog (Lier, Norway) 71-71-73 - 215 $1,231
Pernilla Lindberg (Bollnas, Sweden) 74-73-68 - 215 $1,231
Alison Walshe (Westford, Mass.) 69-70-76 - 215 $1,231
Selected score:
Gemma Webster (Glasgow, Scotland) 75-73-84 - 232 $630.

The 'new' Michelle Wie must be allowed

to let her genius run free ...

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By MARK REASON
Finally the parents let Michelle Wie go out of the house alone and she found a fabulous future.
But will she be allowed to keep it? Will Wie be given the freedom to let her prodigious talent run away with her or will she be closed up in that claustrophobic room of childish genius that runs from Capriati to Cipriani?
The women's tour may depend on what happens next. The Solheim Cup was a blast, but who wants to turn up this week for something called the Safeway Classic in North Plains, Oregon? The answer is likely to be a lot of people. Wie will be playing and the world wants to know if her Solheim performance was a one-off.
Of course it was a one-off. No other woman can play golf like that. No other woman could have stuck a long iron to three feet on the second hole – Wie called it "the best shot I've hit ever" – or panned a drive 305 yards on the 15th hole. The 19 year-old is still a prodigy even though she seems to have been around for ever.
"Yes Wie can" say the banners. If only. No woman has ever hit the ball like Wie. But a lot of women have won tournaments. A Swede with not half so much talent as Wie has 72 victories on the LPGA Tour. Wie hasn't won anything since she was 13.
That may be about to change. Juli Inkster, a team-mate and an LPGA Tour veteran with over 30 victories, said after Wie's performance at the Solheim Cup: "I will bet you a large amount of money that Michelle Wie will win before the year is out."
Wie needs to think that she has already won. Wie needs to think of the Solheim Cup as a victory. She was America's most successful player, she was unbeaten and she won a crucial singles against the second-best scoring European on the final day. She also now appears to have a short game after starting work with two-time major winner Dave Stockton and his son Ron.
Wie said: "People have seen a different side of me here. I can't tell you how much fun this has been. This week has given me a great confidence boost."
That confidence may stop her looking into the void.
The void is no place for a teenager to be hanging out as Wie knows only too well. She was disqualified in her first pro tournament; she has been accused of faking injury; she has had bodyguards, and wrist injuries and maybe even death threats. She's not quite sure on that last one and she doesn't want to know.
That's no way for a girl to grow up. The way for a girl to grow up is with kids her own age. Wie was able to do that these past few days.
A Chicago newspaper once called Capriati "The poster child for burned out sports prodigies." Last week, Wie looked like just another mugshot in the file of failed childhood geniuses.
Today, Wie can see her fabulous future

Cults Academy team who won the A T Personnel Handicap Trophy at the Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge at Peterculter GC today - left to right: Lewys Anderson, Andrew Carrell and Samuel Duncan. Images by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click on them to enlarge.

UP TO SCRATCH. The winning Robert Gordon's College team in the scratch section: left to right - Steven Smith, Neale Barnes and Jack Scott.

Robert Gordon's College score first win in Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge Robert Gordon's College, represented by Jack Scott, Steven Smith and Neale Barnes, won the Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge Scratch Trophy for the first time at Peterculter Golf Club today. Scott had a one-over-par 72, and Smith and Barnes 76 each for a team total of 224. They won by 11 strokes from Peterhead Academy's Ross Gordon (75), Jamie Reid (80) and Charles Cross (80). Grove Academy, Dundee finished third on 238 with Ross Munroe returning a 71, the lowest score of the day. Katie Reid (78) and Iain Douglas (89) were the team's other scorers. Cults Academy repeated last year's win in the handicap section, winning the A T Personnel Trophy with a net total of 220. Their team players and individual scores were: Andrew Carrell (6) 79, Lewys Anderson (10) 71 and Samuel Duncan ((18) 73. Alford Academy were runners-up with a net total of 222 and Torry Academy were third with 223. SCRATCH TOTALS Par 71, CSS 71. 224 ROBERT GORDON'S COLLEGE: Jack Scott 72, Steven Smith 76, Neale Barnes 76. 235 PETERHEAD ACADEMY: Ross Gordon 78, Jamie Reid 80, Charles Cross 80. 238 GROVE ACADEMY: Ross Munroe 71, Katie Reid 78, Iain Douglas 89. 240 ALFORD ACADEMY. 244 ELLON ACADEMY. 246 WESTHILL ACADEMY. 249 BANCHORY ACADEMY. 250 ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 251 HAZLEHEAD ACADEMY, CULTS ACADEMY. 255 ABOYNE ACADEMY, BANFF ACADEMY. 261 TORRY ACADEMY 267 THE GORDON SCHOOLS Huntly, MACKIE ACADEMY. 268 KEMNAY ACADEMY. 268 HUNTLY ACADEMY. 271 MINTLAW ACADEMY. 276 MONIFIETH HIGH. 286 MONTROSE ACADEMY. 289 BRIDGE OF DON ACADEMY. 298 SPEYSIDE HIGH. NR MELDRUM ACADEMY LEADING HANDICAP TOTALS 220 CULTS ACADEMY: Lewys Anderson (10) 71, Samuel Duncan (18) 73, Andrew Carrell (3) 76. 222 ALFORD ACADEMY: Ritchie Manson (3) 72, Matthew Fraser (11) 73, Ryan Gordon (4) 77. 223 TORRY ACADEMY (Aidan Ross (14) 72, Stephen Bennett (15) 75, Zac Wood (9) 76.

'Awesome' Catriona Matthew is praised by

losing captain Alison Nicholas

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By ELSPETH BURNSIDE
Scots Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie both did the business for Europe by adding points to the board in the singles but their heroic efforts couldn't stop the United States from retaining the Solheim Cup in the most dramatic of final days at Rich Harvest Farms near Chicago.
With the sides tied at 8-8 going into the 12 singles, Alison Nicholas's European underdogs had sights on an upset that would have matched the home victory in the second match at Dalmahoy all of 17 years ago. But an historic win failed to materialise as the Americans' greater strength in depth proved to be just good enough for Beth Daniel's side to clinch a 16-12 victory that was much closer than the scoreline suggests.
Half of the singles went to the final hole. It was 21-year-old Morgan Pressel, a Major winner when she was just 18, who had the honour of claiming the winning point in the 11th tie when she beat Anna Nordqvist by 3 and 2.
Paula Creamer, Angela Stanford and teenage superstar Michelle Wie – with a thrilling final green win over Helen Alfredsson – all put red USA points on the board before the ever reliable Matthew struck a blow with a 3 and 2 win over Kristy McPherson.
The North Berwick golfer, who won the Ricoh Women's British Open at the start of the month, was in control all the way against the rookie and finished her fifth Solheim with a win and two half points from her four outings.
"It was a great week and just a pity that we couldn't quite pull it off," she said. "They were the strong favourites, but it was really close all week."
Moodie, in the last match, led all the way against Natalie Gulbis, but lost the 16th and 17th and they called it a half at the 18th.
It was a ding-dong battle throughout a gloriously sunny final afternoon, but the tide started to turn in the home team's favour when Laura Davies, who has played in all 11 Solheims, lost the final two holes to finish with only half a point from the fourth match against rookie Brittany Lang.
Juli Inkster also came from behind to take a half point from Gwladys Nocera and then a 3 and 2 win from Brittany Lincicome over Sophie Gustafson set up Pressel for the glorious finale.
The Florida girl made the score 14-10 in the US favour, and Christina Kim went on to add another full point that was topped up by halves from Gulbis and Cristie Kerr.
The final singles score was 8-4 for the defending champions. The only other European to win a full point was Diana Luna, the first Italian to play in the Solheim, with a 3 and 2 triumph over Nicole Castrale, who was the only player on either side to finish without even half a point.
On Saturday, Luna had joined Matthew in a half point in the four-balls, and she paid tribute to the Scot. "Catriona was just great, I couldn't have asked for a better partner in my first match," she said. "The pressure this week has been unbelievable."
Nicholas admitted: "I was so proud of my team. It was so close all afternoon and it just seemed to turn in their favour during the last half hour. But I thought our team played really well. "Catriona was awesome and our rookies showed how much talent we have on the Ladies' European Tour. My side battled hard but, unfortunately, it just wasn't quite good enough."
As for Matthew, she will celebrate her 40th birthday tomorrow by heading west to Portland in Oregon for the LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic.

SOLHEIM CUP SINGLES RESULTS
(USA names first):
United States 8, Europe 4
Paula Creamer bt Suzann Pettersen 3 & 2.
Angela Stanford bt Becky Brewerton 5 & 4.
Michelle Wie bt Helen Alfredsson 1 hole.
Brittany Lang halved with Laura Davies.
Juli Inkster halved with Gwladys Nocera.
Kristy McPherson lost to Catriona Matthew 3 & 2.
Brittany Lincicome bt Sophie Gustafson 3 & 2.
Nicole Castrale lost to Diana Luna 3 & 2.
Christina Kim bt Tania Elosegui 2 holes.
Cristie Kerr halved with Maria Hjorth.
Morgan Pressel bt Anna Nordqvist 3 & 2.
Natalie Gulbis halved with Janice Moodie

OVERALL RESULT
United States 16, Europe 12

Carol O'Neill continues the trend

as Murcar Links' new secretary

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Murcar Links Golf Club has appointed Carol O'Neill to be its new secretary. Carol, who had been close on 15 years as assistant secretary at Newmachar Golf Club, took up her new duties today.
"Carol is well known in North-east golfing circles and brings a wealth of experience in golf administration to the club," said Murcar Links captain Hugh Stuart.
"Murcar Links is celebrating its Centenary this year and has capacity membership with a waiting list.The club hosted the European girls' team championship in 2008 and the Scottish men's open amateur stroke-plsy championship in May this year. They may be a further announcement soon regarding the hosting of another big event.
"With our excellent clubhouse, course and practice facilities, we can think of no better time for Carol to be joining us - at the start of our next 100 years."
Carol, renowned for her multi-tasking at Newmachar Golf Club, succeeds Joanne Mitchell who is getting married soon.
Ironically, Carol, who lives in Dyce, has just bought a new house in NEWMACHAR ... "but it's not far to Murcar Links across country from Newmachar" she says.
Carol O'Neill's appointment continues if not a ladies-only, certainly a ladies-favoured trend in North-east golfing circles over the past 10 to 15 years - perhaps with the advent of computerised administration and the need for specialised knowledge and training - for clubs to appoint female secretaries/club managers.
Debbie Pern, Deeside Golf Club's secretary-manager for the past five years, has a different explanation, with tongue in cheek: "I don't think members shout so much at lady secretaries as they do at men doing the job!"
Banchory Golf Club recently appointed Ann Smart to succeed the retiring Bill Crighton as its secretary and Stonehaven's Willie Donald, when he came up to retirement age earlier this year, was replaced by Morag Duncan as club manager.
Two of the longest serving permanent club staff officials in the North-east are Sandra Webster who has been secretary at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club for 20 years and Rosemary Pittendrigh who is retiring at the end of the year after 15 years as secretary/manager at Cruden Bay Golf Club. .
Others in the area include Eva Beech-Campbell at Oldmeldrum, Yvonne Forgen at Elgin and Marion Ferries at Aboyne.
Are there as many lady secretaries/club managers of golf clubs in your area?
E-mail Colin@scottishgolfview.com if you can name names.

Competitors at the North of Scotland girls championship, pictured after the prizegiving at Nairn Golf Club.
Scratch winner Hannah McCook (Abernethy) is left centre.
Handicap winner Tegan Seivwright (Deeside) is right centre
Also in the front row, on the left, Louise McGillivray (Banchory), and on the right, Shannon McWilliam from Aboyne.
Image supplied by Magi Vass (Tain), the North girls' secretary, who organised the championships and was impressed by the girls' scoring.

HANNAH McCOOK WINS NORTH OF SCOTLAND GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP Hannah McCook, daughter of North-based Press and Journal photographer Sandy McCook, has won the North of Scotland girls' golf championship. A four-handicap member at Abernethy Golf Club, Nethy Bridge, Hannah, who had her 16th birthday last month, returned a scratch round of 74, which matched the CSS for the day, at Nairn Golf Club to win the title by three strokes from Lauren Duncan (Aboyne). Tegan Seivwright (Deeside) won the leading handicap award with a net 68 off 13. Clubmate Sophie Alexander was runner-up with a net 72 off six. SCORES (CSS 74) SCRATCH 74 Hannah McCook (Abernethy). 77 Lauren Duncan (Aboyne) 78 Sophie Alexander (Deeside). 79 Rachel Polson (Peterculter). 80 Louise McGillivray (Banchory), Julie Vass (Tain). 81 Tegan Seivwright (Deeside). 83 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne). 89 E Tunn (Reay). 92 Vikki Powell (Deeside). 94 Kirsten MacCallum (Newburgh). 95 Emma Read (Deeside). 96 K Mackay (Durness). 96 Fiona Fullerton (Meldrum House). 101 Olivia Borwick (McDonald Ellon). 123 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne). LEADING HANDICAP 68 T Seivewright (Deeside) (13). 70 H McCook (Abernethy) (4), L Duncan (Aboyne) (7). 72 S Alexander (Deeside) (6). 73 J Vass (Tain) (7) 74 R Polson (Peterculter) (5), L McGillivray (Banchory) (6), V Powell (Deeside) (18). 76 K Beveridge (Aboyne) (7). 80 E Reid (Deeside) (15). 81 K Mackay (Durness (15). 83 O Borwick (McDonald Ellon) (19). 84 K MacCallum (Newburgh) (10). 86 F Fullerton (Meldrum House) (10). 87 E Tunn (Reay) (13). CAMERON COURSE SCORES 48 K Hardie (Fortrose & Rosemarkie). 57 E Murray (Moray).

Europe go down fighting as US

take singles to win Solheim Cup


FROM THE TIMES ONLINE WEBSITE
By Peter Dixon Sugar Grove, Illinois
Europe’s hopes of winning the Solheim Cup for the first time on American soil came to nothing as the United States took complete control of the singles matches on the final day at Rich Harvest Farms.
Level with the United States on eight points after the first two days of four-balls and foursomes, Europe needed 6˝ points to regain a trophy they last held in 2003 — and at one point looked within reach.
Midway through, Europe had been up in six, down in five and all square in the other and were fighting for all they were worth. But their record in the singles in the previous 10 Solheim Cups — lost 63, won 40 and halved nine — did not augur well and in the end their challenge was swept away.
From the moment that Angela Stanford put the first point on the board for the home side, with a 5 and 4 victory over Becky Brewerton, things started to unravel for Europe.
Paula Creamer, out in the top match against Suzann Pettersen, secured a 3 and 2 win for the second point, courtesy of her opponent’s nervy putting from short distances, and then Michelle Wie added a third point with a one-hole victory over Helen Alfredsson.
What a week it turned out to be for Wie. A captain’s pick, the 19-year-old Hawaiian seemed to be the player the US team were hoping could lead the way. And no wonder. In four matches, she was unbeaten, winning three and halving the other.
Wie played wonderful, controlled golf over the first two days and looks finally to have everything in place. Her driving was long and, for the most part, straight. Her iron play — as witnessed by laser-sharp shots into the 2nd, 6th and 8th — was crisp and accurate and her putting was assured. She has had her detractors but finally, it seems, she has won them over.
Three up after six holes, it looked as if Wie would stroll to victory. But she had to dig deep after Alfredsson pulled level at the 11th. She never trailed, however, was dormie two after 16 and closed out the match with a birdie at the last.
Catriona Matthew claimed the first point for Europe, with a calm and assured 3 and 2 win over Kristy McPherson, but by this time the US were on a roll.
Laura Davies, playing in the fourth group, looked to have a point wrapped up after coming to the 17th tee leading by two holes, but she proceeded to lose the next two holes and with that went Europe’s dreams. Surely Laura's last Solheim Cup appearance.
With Juli Inkster fighting back from two down to take a half-point off Gwladys Nocera and with a 3 and 2 win for Brittany Lincicome over Sophie Gustafson, the United States moved into a 13-11 lead and needed just one point from the remaining four matches to win the cup for the eighth time in 11 attempts.
And it came from Morgan Pressel, who defeated Anna Nordqvist 3 and 2.

Solheim Cup Scoreboard
RICH HARVEST FARMS, SUGAR GROVE, ILLINOIS
Day 2 results:

AFTERNOON FOURSOMES: Europe 2, United States 2

Janice Moodie-Sophie Gustafson (E) bt Paula Creamer-Juli Inkster (U.S.) 4 and 3.

Kristy McPherson-Morgan Pressel (U.S.) bt Helen Alfredsson-Suzann Pettersen (E) 2 holes.

Becky Brewerton-Gwladys Nocera (E) bt Natalie Gulbis-Christina Kim (U.S.) 5 and 4.

Cristie Kerr-Michelle Wie (U.S.) bt Anna Nordqvist-Maria Hjorth (E) 1 hole.

MORNING FOUR-BALLS: Europe 2 1/2, US 1 1/2

Christina Kim-Michelle Wie (U.S.) bt Helen Alfredsson-Tania Elosegui (E) 5 and 4.

Catriona Matthew-Diana Luna (E) halved with Angela Stanford-Brittany Lang.

Suzann Pettersen-Anna Nordqvist (E) bt Nicole Castrale-Cristie Kerr (U.S.) 1 hole.

Gwladys Nocera-Maria Hjorth (E) bt Brittany Lincicome-Kristy McPherson (U.S.) 1 hole.

Overall scoreline: UNITED STATES 8, EUROPE 8

SOLHEIM CUP THRILLER

Europe prove the pessimists wrong: It's an

8-8 tie with last-day singles to come

The pessimists said the United States would slaughter their "poor relations" from Europe in the Solheim Cup.

How wrong could they be. Going into Sunday's final singles, the scoreline could not be closer: USA 8, Europe 8 at Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove, Illoinois.

OK, so the Americans will still probably win in the end but surely not by the rout proportions that had been predicted.

The doom merchants should have known better. Never make predictions about golf ... and certainly not women's golf of any description.

The United States last lost the singles finale in 2003 which was the last time Europe won the Solheim Cup. Europe has never won the match at an American venue.

"I'm just really proud of them the way they came back. It was not looking too good for us for a while, and they really rallied in those last couple of matches there in the afternoon," U.S. captain Beth Daniel said.

"That was huge. Also, it should be a huge momentum swing for us to come back that way. They feel like they're ahead, and they should feel that way."
For the Europeans, it was an opportunity lost.
They managed to erase the one-point lead the Americans had after the first day, and looked midway through the afternoon as if they might go into Sunday ahead. But with the U.S. history in singles, they couldn't afford to give anything away - especially with points there for the taking down the stretch.
"After being one point down yesterday and bringing it back to all square, I'm happy with that," captain Alison Nicholas said. "Singles is always difficult. We haven't been that good over the years, but we have won that series. We've got nothing to lose and hopefully we'll just do a bit better than we have in the past."
When Wie and Christina Kim easily beat Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui 5 and4 in the opening four-ball match, it looked as if it might be the start of a big day for the Americans. Kerr was holing out from the fairway two holes back about the same time, and the Americans had a lead in another match, too.
As Wie and Kim bumped hips and hugged it out on the green, the raucous crowd chanted "The Cup stays here."
It was way too early for that.
Europe rallied to win the Saturday four-balls 2 1/2-1 1/2 and tie tournament up, then took an early lead in the Saturday foursomes with two easy wins.
"It looked like we were going to go in down a point or two, and to be even is big," Daniel said. "It's really big."
Pretty, however, it was not.
Morgan Pressel missed an 18-footer on 17 that would have won her and Kristy McPherson's foursomes match against Alfredsson and Suzann Pettersen. With Pettersen making a long putt for birdie, the Europeans had a chance to halve the match. But Pettersen missed a 25-footer, and Pressel made her putt to give the Americans a 2-hole victory.
"We knew just how important our match was," Pressel said.
So did Wie and Kerr.
Kerr is one of the steadiest players on the U.S. team, which made her decision on 17 all the more shocking. Wie's tee shot found rough on the right side, and there was a big pond between Kerr and the green. The Americans were two up, and Hjorth had gone in the sand off the tee.
Instead of playing it safe, Kerr decided to go for it. Sure enough, the ball skipped through the water, nearly hitting one of the fake swans in the middle. Wie mishit the next shot and flew the green, landing in deep rough. Kerr's flop shot for a bogey skirted the hole, but didn't drop.
Advantage Europeans? Nope. Hjorth missed a 6-footer for bogey and the hole, and Wie rolled in a 3-footer for the half.
"That halve on that hole was ridiculous," Kerr said.
The Americans caught more breaks on 18. Kerr's drive kicked out into the fairway after hitting a tree, Wie found her own way through a tree. Kerr's approach flew the green, leaving Wie with a long putt. She got it close, curving the ball around the edge of the cup and bringing her team-mates to their feet.
But the ball wouldn't drop. Neither, though, would a short putt by Hjorth.
"We did lose some ground today, but we're still tied going into singles," Pressel said. "We've got 12 points available and we have a very, very, very strong team."
And no one is stronger than Wie at this point.
Expectations for the big-hitting Hawaiian have been huge since she was in grade school, but injuries and other mishaps have cost her and she's yet to have that breakthrough performance. This week might be it.
She put an approach shot within 18 inches from 149 yards out on the sixth hole of her four-ball match with Kim, starting a run that gave the Americans four straight holes. She didn't flinch when she needed to make big shots with Kerr. Her drives were impressive, as always, and she showed a deftness with her short game.
Perhaps most impressive was how animated she was. Oh, she's given fist pumps before, even yelled a few times. But this was Michelle Unplugged. She sprinted along the side of the green after making a nice chip. She played to the crowd, waving her arms and cupping her hand to her ear to urge them to cheer louder. She and Kim even had a special handshake.
"She was so pumped up, I was worried about it," Daniel said.
She needn't have been.
"We just had a ball out there," Wie said. "It was just fun."

Catriona and Diana halve their match by

winning last two holes

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE

The destination of the Solheim Cup is delicately poised ahead of the decisive singles round after Europe edged the day to draw level with the USA at 8-8 at Rich Harvest Farm.
Alison Nicholas' side carried a one-point deficit into the second day but had restored parity by the end of the morning four-balls.
Another strong showing in the afternoon foursomes, which saw both sides take two wins, kept Europe on track for a final-day tilt at a first ever win on US soil.
Christina Kim and Michelle Wie got the hosts off to a dream start with a 5&4 drubbing of Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui 5&4.
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But the tide began to shift in match two, with Scotland's Catriona Matthew and Italy's Diana Luna - in her first outing of the weekend - fighting back from two down at the 16th to halve their match with Angela Stanford and Brittany Lang - a result which left the holders 6-4 up with two matches of the morning remaining.
The fightback continued as the final two European pairings each prevailed by one hole.
Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist saw off Nicole Castrale and Cristie Kerr, while Gwladys Nocera and Maria Hjorth got the better of Brittany Lincicome and Kristy McPherson.
The afternoon session began with the momentum still with the Europeans, as Swede Sophie Gustafson and Scot Janice Moodie beat big-name US pairing Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster 4 and 3.
Morgan Pressel and Kristy McPherson led from the off against Scandinavian duo Suzann Pettersen and Alfredsson to secure a point for home team, before Becky Brewerton, of Wales, and Frenchwoman Nocera dominated Kim and Natalie Gulbis with a 5 and 4 triumph.
That put the underdogs a point ahead as the final game approached the 18th green but Kerr and Wie held on against Swedish duo Horth and Nordqvist to take the point by a one-hole margin.

US Duramed Futures Tour Scoreboard
$110,000 TURKEY HILL CLASSIC
The Golf Club at Felicita, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
SECOND ROUND SCORES (incomplete)
Par 144 (2x72) 6,319yd.
Stephanie Connelly (Pasadena, Md.) 72-70 - 142
Lehua Wise (Kauai, Hawaii) 73-72 - 145
Hannah Jun (San Diego, Calif.) 73-72 - 145
Whitney Myers (York, Pa.) 71-74 - 145
Susan Nam (Edmonton, Alberta) 73-72 - 145
Tzu-Chi Lin (Taichung, Taiwan) 78-68 - 146
Devan Andersen (Guadalajara, Mexico) 74-72 - 146
Cindy Lee-Pridgen (Sabah, Malaysia) 75-73 - 148
Marlowe Boukis (Lutherville, Md.) 72-77 - 149
Christina Jones (Jensen Beach, Fla.) 76-73 - 149
Priscilla Duffield (Gold Coast, Australia) 77-73 - 150
Mallory Hetzel (Summerville, S.C.) 73-77 - 150
Melissa Eaton (Port Shepstone, South Africa) 76-76 - 152
Kylene Pulley (Kokomo, Ind.) 77-75 - 152
Jasi Acharya (Columbus, Mont.) 77-75 - 152
Anastasia Kostina (Nakhabino, Russia) 76-76 - 152
Blair Lamb (Flat Rock, N.C.) 78-74 - 152
Maria Laura Elvira (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 76-78 - 154
Christine Shimel (a) (Kennett Square, Pa.) 76-78 - 154
Tatiana Gammicchia (a) (Khabarovsk, Russia) 84-82 - 166
Nicola Eaton (Port Shepstone, South Africa) WD
STILL TO FINISH ROUND 2
Mina Harigae (Monterey, Calif.) 67
Angela Oh (Maple Shade, N.J.) 67
Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 68
Hannah Yun (Bradenton, Fla.) 68
Jennie Lee (Henderson, Nev.) 68
Kelly Froelich (Raizeux, France) 68
Maria Hernandez (Pamplona, Spain) 68
Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, British Columbia) 69
Jenny Suh (Fairfax, Va.) 69
Amanda Blumenherst (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 69
Amanda Mathis (Opelousas, La.) 69
Alison Walshe (Westford, Mass.) 69
Christine Song (Fullerton, Calif.) 70
Tiffany Tavee (Tempe, Ariz.) 70
Angela Buzminski (Oshawa, Ontario) 70
Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, Mexico) 70
Lene Krog (Lier, Norway) 71
Noon Huachai (Bangkok, Thailand) 71
Jean Reynolds (Newnan, Ga.) 71
Kelly Lagedrost (Brooksville, Fla.) 71
Christi Cano (San Antonio, Texas) 71
Libby Smith (Essex Junction, Vt.) 71
Aimee Cho (Orlando, Fla.) 72
Stephanie George (Myerstown, Pa.) 72
Carling Coffing (Middletown, Ohio) 72
Perry Swenson (Charlotte, N.C.) 72
Rachel Bailey (Faulconbridge, Australia) 72
Lidya Jaya (Sidoarjo, Indonesia) 72
Pornanong Phatlum (Chaiyaphum, Thailand) 72
Min Seo Kwak (Seoul, South Korea) 72
Song Yi Choi (Seoul, South Korea) 72
Michelle Jarman (Wilmington, N.C.) 72
Yoora Kim (Seoul, South Korea) 72
Cindy LaCrosse (Tampa, Fla.) 72
Lori Atsedes (Ithaca, N.Y.) 72
Malinda Johnson (Eau Claire, Wis.) 72
Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 72
Christine Cho (Kent, Wash.) 72
Mayule Tomimbang (Kissimmee, Fla.) 73
Danah Ford (Indianapolis, Ind.) 73
Garrett Phillips (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 73
Nontaya Srisawang (Chiang Mai, Thailand) 73
Whitney Wade (Glasgow, Ky.) 73
Jessica Shepley (Oakville, Ontario) 73
Emma Calderone (Toronto, Ontario) 73
Ashley Mylton (Charlotte, N.C.) 73
Virada Nirapathpongporn (Bangkok, Thailand) 73
Jennifer Ackerson (Dallas, Texas) 73
Maggie Steciuk (London, Ontario) 73
Moah Chang (Los Angeles, Calif.) 74
Lili Alvarez (Durango, Mexico) 74
Missie Berteotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 74
Violeta Retamoza (Aguascalientes, Mexico) 74
Lisa Meldrum (Montreal, Quebec) 74
Paola Moreno (Cali, Colombia) 74
Liz Janangelo (West Hartford, Conn.) 74
Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) 74
Sae Hee Son (Seoul, South Korea) 74
Lisa Ferrero (Lodi, Calif.) 74
Lynn Valentine (East Lyme, Conn.) 74
Gerina Mendoza (Roswell, N.M.) 74
Molly Birmingham (Cornelius, N.C.) 74
Pernilla Lindberg (Bollnas, Sweden) 74
Laura Crawford (Lancaster, S.C.) 74
Seema Sadekar (Toronto, Ontario) 74
Haley Gildea (East Greenwich, R.I.) 74
Hwanhee Lee (Las Vegas, Nev.) 74
Danielle Mills (Pointe-Claire, Quebec) 74
Lindsey Bergeon (Sarasota, Fla.) 74
Meghan Little (Sturgis, S.D.) 75
Gemma Webster (Glasgow, Scotland) 75
Stella Lee (Seoul, South Korea) 75
Alejandra Shaw (Vina Del Mar, Chile) 75
Janice Olivencia (Caguas, Puerto Rico) 75
Caroline Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) 75
Catherine Matranga (Fort Worth, Texas) 75
Lee Ann Walker-Cooper (Southport, N.C.) 75
Ashley Knoll (The Woodlands, Texas) 75
Katie Miller (Jeannette, Pa.) 75
Briana Vega (Andover, Mass.) 75
Gina Umeck (Redlands, Calif.) 75
Elisa Serramia (Barcelona, Spain) 75
Nicole Hage (Coral Springs, Fla.) 76
Carmen Bandea (Atlanta, Ga.) 76
Janell Howland (Boise, Idaho) 76
Dewi Claire Schreefel (Diepenveen, Netherland 76
Kim Augusta (Rumford, R.I.) 76
Rebecka Heinmert (Hassleholm, Sweden) 76
Sam White (Potomac, Md.) 76
Laura Bavaird (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 76
Selanee Henderson (Apple Valley, Calif.) 76
Michaela Cavener (Ponca City, Okla.) 77
Tiffany Joh (San Diego, Calif.) 77
Ashley Grier (Hagerstown, Md.) 77
Sofie Andersson (Angelholm, Sweden) 77
Ryann O'Toole (San Clemente, Calif.) 77
Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) 77
Madeleine Holmblad (Stockholm, Sweden) 77
Benedikte Grotvedt (Nesbru, Norway) 77
Stephanie Otteson (Wilson, N.C.) 77
Jill Frantz (Iowa City, Iowa) 77
Taylor Leon (Dallas, Texas) 77
Ulrika Ljungman-Smith (Daytona Beach, Fla.) 77
Maggie Simons (Raleigh, N.C.) 77
Kira Meixner (Richmond, British Columbia) 77
Lauren Doughtie (Suffolk, Va.) 77
Patricia Beliard (Pontarlier, France) 78
Sarah Olsen (Grosse Ile, Mich.) 78
Tanya Dergal (Durango, Mexico) 78
Courtney Mahon (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 79
Jennifer Hong (Windermere, Fla.) 79
Jae Oh (Je Ju, South Korea) 80
Stephanie Oukeo (Paris, France) 80
Alana Johnson (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) 80
Kathryn O'Rourke (Holmes, N.Y.) 81
Mary Kate Morgan (Longview, Wash.) 81
Juli Erekson (Chicopee, Mass.) 82
Lorraine Ballerano (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) 82
Jackie Gonzalez (Valencia, Venezuela) 84
Renee Skidmore (Everett, Wash.) 86