Jane reaches quarter-finals of Orange Blossom Tournament

Having finished joint 38th in last week's Sally tournament, Jane Turner moved her attention to to this week's competition on the US Orange Blossom Tour, the 78th Jones/Doherty Amateur Championship Match Play Tournament at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Having finished 9th equal in the qualifying round, Jane made the Championship flight of the match play stage, where her first round opponent was Rebecca Wilson from Stirling University. Having won that match by a 3&2 margin, she progressed through the next round against Laura Mackin from Ranfurly Castle, the number 5 seed, by 5&4. This put her into the quarter finals where she met Martha Leach, holder of the 2009 US Women's Mid-Amateur Title. Sadly Martha was to prove too strong and her tremendous run was to come to an end as she went down 3&2. A fantastic effort by Jane and many congratulations.

Calling all Juniors!

The Junior monthly 12 holes will go ahead this Sunday (24th January) as originally planned. A correspondent from the Hermitage Golf Club confirmed that the course is open and, providing there is no snow between now and Sunday, will remain open and playable. It is playing to its full greens although, apparently, conditions are a wee bit on the damp side!

So MCLGA's 2010 season is finally getting under way. So, all juniors, come along to the first monthly 12 holes of the year and give it a try! The 4th hole comes back to the clubhouse, so even if you don't feel up to 12 holes, why not try 4?

The first tee time is 10.30 am, so turn up around 10.15-10.20 am and have a game!

Entry Forms 2010

Entry forms for 2010 comptitions are now available to download from the website. Click on ENTRY FORMS on the left hand side.

Forms for junior girls, including booking for coaching and competitions are also available. Click on JUNIOR ENTRY FORMS on the left hand side under Junior Girls.

Junior Training Squad

We are delighted to announce that the Junior Training Squad for 2010 is:

Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe), Kirsty Simpson (Murrayfield), Heather Tumblety (Liberton), Katherine Fisher (Baberton), Heather Laing (Glencorse), Jane Finlay (New Swanston) and Rebecca Trimble (Murrayfield).

We have a very different Squad this year with Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) having moved into the main squad, Natasha Shivji (Ratho Park) having moved out of the Junior section, Samantha Lamb (Glencorse) having been forced to give up golf due to an injury and both Isobel Hinds (Liberton) and Sally Naysmith (Dalmahoy) having decided to concentrate on their school studies. However, we are delighted to welcome four newcomers into the Squad, namely Katherine, Heather Laing, Jane and Rebecca. We hope that they enjoy all that is on offer and look forward to their participation.

This year the Squad has been offered coaching with Mark Berrie at the Braids Driving Range in January, February and March, as well as 9 holes with Mark giving some on course advice. Practice matches have been arranged with juniors from the Borders and Lanarkshire Counties and the squad will also take part in a Rules evening with the main squad organised by our rules' gurus, Vice-Captain Mary Richardson and Selector Linda Caine.

Karen Marshall has again agreed to oversee the Junior Training Squad and we hope that the girls will benefit from her vast experience in the golfing world.

Good luck to you all in 2010 and we hope that you enjoy your year in the Junior Training Squad.

Jane Turner starts 2010 in US

While the rest of us are still chittering in Scotland and hoping the snow will melt some time soon, Jane Turner took off this weekend to play in the second event of the Orange Blossom Tour in Florida, the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur (the Sally). This 72-hole stroke play event tees off on Wednesday and we wish Jane well.

Gabrielle Macdonald helps Craigielaw win in Spain

Many congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald and her Craigielaw Team mates who won the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship last week on a better match point score. Having won through to the Grand Final to represent Scotland at Westerwood Golf Club in Cumbernauld in the Autumn, the team faced Maylands Golf Club from England, Rosslare from Ireland and Morriston from Wales at the Polaris La Torre Resort near Murcia in Spain. A great start to 2010 for Gabrielle!

Junior Coaching - Sunday 10th January - CANCELLED

Please note that the Junior Coaching at the Braids Driving Range scheduled for Sunday 10th January 2010 has been cancelled due to the weather.

We are sorry to have to cancel this and look forward to seeing you all on 7th February.

Winter Foursomes

Following the posting on the 23rd December regarding the Winter Foursomes, there does not seem to be any let up in the freezing, snowy conditions and I very much doubt that courses will be open, let alone playable, by 17th January. With this in mind, the 3rd round "play by" date has again been extended (hopefully, but probably not, for the last time!) to the 31st January.

If no further extensions are required, the fourth round is extended to the 28th February, the semi-final to the 28th March and the final to 2nd May.

If further extensions are required, we will turn it into our Summer Foursomes!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of the members of Midlothian County Ladies Golf Association.

Your Committee hopes that you have had a good festive season and the snow will soon disappear so that you can take to the courses once more. We wish you all the very best for 2010 and hope you all have a very good golfing season.

Squad for 2010

We are delighted to announce that the MCLGA Squad for 2010 is:

Kirsten Blackwood (Craigmillar Park), Fiona de Vries (St Rule), Amanda Edwards (Liberton), Noreen Fenton (Dunbar), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Fiona Hunter (Baberton), Lindsey Hunter (Dalmahoy), Hilary Laughland (Mortonhall), Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Karen Marshall (Baberton), Arlene McGarty (Harburn), Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe), Sal Shepherd (Craigmillar Park), Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield), Jane Turner (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).

We welcome Lindsey Hunter and Sal Shepherd back into the squad, Kate McIntosh who has moved up from the Junior Training Squad and Arlene McGarty who moves into the main squad after a year away from the Junior Training Squad. As with previous years, we have practice games arranged amongst the squad members themselves as well as against the Borders and Lanarkshire Ladies' Counties, Duddingston Men and SUGS. We have also organised some coaching sessions for the squad members with Jane Connachan at Kingsfield Golf and Driving Range.

We have a great squad of golfers who are all keen to play and do well, and are proud to represent Midlothian. We know it is going to be a hard task to decide on the final 8 for the Team to take part in this year's Inter-County Matches at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club from Monday 28th -Wednesday 30th June. But we relish that situation and know the girls will all be doing their best to win the Divisional Inter-County Matches.

Snow is falling!

For those of you who haven't noticed yet, there is a lot of snow out there and a lot of golf courses are closed - bah humbug! As I headed round Tesco today, there was an announcement that due to the snow they are going to be open until 7.30 pm on Christmas Eve. Wow, I thought, the snow is causing chaos in Tesco, what about the Midlothian Winter Foursomes? Only 2 x third round ties have been played so far and a further 6 have still to be played. Will the players be able to find their yellow or orange balls in the snow? Will the power trolleys be able to cope with the depth of snow? And if the answers to those questions are no, when will the snow disappear and golfing life return to normal?

Whilst having these thoughts and trying to decide whether to go for 1 or 2 bottles of gin, the decision was made to extend the 3rd round "play-by" date by 1 week, at the moment. So, please note, the third round has been moved from January 10th 2010 to January 17th 2010, in the hope that a further week will alleviate any snow problems. Any further decision which may be needed will be taken in the New Year.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all of our members. We hope you have a wonderful day on Friday and a great New Year which brings good weather and good golfing!

Braid coaching

Today brought the last coaching at the Braids Driving Range for 2009. 22 girls turned up and all were in great, jovial mood. The Christmas treat of a chocolate had to be earned as Suzie put the girls' putting skills to the test. They had to sink 3 putts in a row to earn a sweetie and boy did the girls bring out their competitive spirit and succeed! It is great to see them all enjoying themselves, laughing and chatting away with one another.

Their swings and ball striking have greatly improved over the year thanks to the dedication of Ian Young, Mark Berrie, Paul Malone and Sandy Stephen. There is going to be some great golfers amongst them. Our thanks to the professionals and also, this month, to Sandra Hennessy to turned up to give a helping hand.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year and we will see you back at Braids on 10th January for the first coaching session of 2010.

Main and Junior Squads

Great fun was had yesterday when a season ending, main and junior squad get together was held at the Hermitage Golf Club. Luckily, a 1 pm tee-time was set and, as the clouds parted, we took to the course on the best part of the day. The junior squad members drew for partners and to, make things a wee bit more interesting, their senior partners were only allowed 4 clubs and a putter. Some of the scores were better than others but everyone enjoyed their game and there was good mixing and banter. Thanks to Karen Marshall, everyone was a winner and received a selection box - even the President, Selector and Captain spectators!

1st Louise Fraser & Hannah Scott
2nd Claire Hargan & Sally Naysmith
3rd Karen Marshall & Heather Tumblety
4th Kirsten Blackwood & Katherine Fisher
5th Hilary Laughland & Kirsty Simpson
6th Gillian Simpson &, junior of the day, Mary Richardson

Junior / Adult Golf Competition

Juniors who took part in the junior/adult competition.

(apologies to Emily Rigg who was omitted, somehow, from the photo - not quite sure how!)

What a great morning we had this morning. The sun shone, it was warm and not too windy as the juniors took to the Princes Course for the annual junior/adult foursomes. 14 girls had managed to persuade an adult not to be shy and to join them in the fun event. The groups were sent on their way by Margaret Rodgers with the juniors driving at the first. There was a nearest the pin in 2 at the 6th hole and a nearest the pin in 1 shot at the 9th. Great fun was had and as ever, everyone had a story to tell by the end. Emma and Ricky Morrison scored a birdie 2 at the 6th and put an end to anyone else getting any closer! At the 8th hole, one adult drove into the trees. The junior progressed the ball very well down the hole, for the adult to then have an unmentionable back into the trees immediately on his right. The President and Captain were blamed for this as they were watching! Another pair were through the back of the 212 yard 2nd hole in 2 but found themselves in a hole. Thinking, it wasn't actually lying that badly and could easily be chopped out of the hole, the adult had a swipe and ...... missed! The junior had a swipe and ...... missed. Eventually they progressed on to the 3rd hole, a quintuple bogey on their card. I must add, the rest of their card was very good with 3 pars, 4 bogeys and a double bogey. Some adults have been warned that they will need to practice if they want to make another appearance next year! Our thanks to Wendy Nicholson who kindly stepped in to partner one of the girls. This was apparently a popular move, her golf was very much admired by the girls, the opponent threatening to drop her mother next year in favour of a squad member!

(Sorry girls, I seem to have had a complete disaster with my camera today!)

The results were:

Nearest the pin in 2 at 6th - Emma & Ricky Morrison

Nearest the pin at 9th - Alexandra Massey

1st Scratch - Heather & Jim Laing 39

1st Handicap - Alexandra & Louise Massey 49 - 18; net 31 (bl6)

2nd Handicap - Emily & Julie Rigg 45 - 14; net 31

3rd Handicap - Julia Smith & Wendy Nicholson 42 - 10; net 32 (bl6)

MCLGA AGM

The Midlothian AGM and prize giving was held last night at Liberton Golf Club. A good turn out of members saw the AGM pass without any problems. The golf season was rounded up by Captain Tracy Laughland while Treasurer Maureen McLeod, ably assisted by our Auditor, Brenda Russell, presented the Accounts for the 2008/09 year, Secretary Agnes Leslie presented her report of the competitions and membership standing, and Junior Secretary Kate Rorke summarised the junior activities during 2008/09. There being no proposals, the Office Bearers were re-elected with the audience aghast that Agnes will be moving into her 9th year as Honorary Secretary. Under AOCB, Gillian Kirkwood gave an update on the progress of the Centenary book. It was hoped to have this completed by the AGM but with there being so much information, it is taking longer than expected and will be out as soon as possible. It was hoped that members would bear with Gillian for it's completion.

The annual prize giving followed with the juniors present to collect their prizes before the year's prize winners, including the Centenary Tri-am winners, were announced.

Junior / Adult Golf competition

The annual junior/adult golf competition will take place on Sunday 15th November 2009 at the Princes Course. Places are still available so if anyone else would like to join in this fun 9-hole game, please contact Tracy and let her know to add you and your partner to the starting sheet.

The starting times are as follows:

10.30 am Lisa Macpherson & Sharon Macpherson
10.30 am Alexandra Massey & Louise Massey
10:37 am Joanna Lamb & Scott Macpherson
10:37 am Anna Massey & Ed Massey
10:44 am Carla Maran & Charlie Maran
10:44 am Heather Laing & Jim Laing
10:51 am Jane Finlay & Alan Finlay
10:51 am Emma Morrison & Ricky Morrison
10:58 am Sophie Aitchison & Elaine Aitchison
10:58 am Julia Smith & Wendy Nicholson
11:05 am Emily Rigg & Julie Rigg
11:05 am Caitlin Turner & Adrienne Turner
11:12 am Holly Gordon & Craig Gordon
11:12 am Heather Kynoch & Douglas Kynoch
11:12 am Ella Whitaker & Lynne Whitaker

Please check in at the starter's box at the Princes Course 15 min before your tee time.
Juniors will drive at the first hole.
Prizes will be given for best scratch and handicap scores as well as nearest the pin in 2 shots (on/off the green) at the 6th hole and nearest the pin in 1 shot (on/off the green) at the 9th hole.

The prize giving will be in the room at the top of the Braids Driving Range as soon as possible after the finish of play.

Good luck to all those playing and let's hope this dry weather continues to the weekend.

MCLGA AGM

Please note that the Annual General Meeting of the Midlothian County Ladies' Golf Association is to be held this Wednesday (i.e. 11th November) at Liberton Golf Club at 7.30 pm. The annual prize giving will take place on completion of the AGM.

Please also note that a raffle will be held in aid of the County Juniors and all raffle prizes will be gratefully received on the night.

October Princes Course

Even although it is half-term, five girls turned out for the monthly 9 holes at the Princes Course. It was ideal conditions, although a little chilly and the wind did blow a little towards the end. Congratulations to Emma Morrison who won the handicap with a 2 over par net 33, playing off her newly acquired CONGU handicap of 36. Second was Heather Laing with a net 39, playing off her recently cut handicap of 24. Rumour has it that Heather it on the hunt for a new foursomes partner after her dad did not come up trumps at the recent SLGA Adult/Junior Foursomes competition at Arbroath!

In the non-handicap section, Caitlin Turner, fresh from a fabulous victory over her mum at Baberton yesterday, won with 67. Second was new member Heather Kynoch with a 73 while third was Lisa Macpherson with a 75, furious at just missing out on her best ever score.

Tomorrow sees some of the juniors heading to North Berwick's Children's Course for the Girls' in Golf Fun Team competition. There was much excitement at the Princes Course today with thoughts of meeting Catriona Matthews tomorrow who is turning out to not only watch the girls but also to present the prizes. I hope you all enjoy the day and have fun meeting Catriona.

A quick reminder that November sees a 9-hole adult/junior competition at the Princes Course. This will be on Sunday 15th November with the first tee time being 10.30 am. If anyone has not yet entered but would like to, there is stil time! Please e-mail Tracy with details of name, partner's name and handicaps. Please note that you do not need a handicap to enter and you do not even need a partner. Let me know and I will find someone for you.

Donald Ross Junior International

The Donald Ross Junior International has been played at Royal Dornoch Golf Club over the last coupe of days. Being held over both of the courses, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) finished 3rd in the handicap girls section with a score of 150.

Janice Moodie Trophy

This competition, originally planned for the 3rd July, was rearranged and finally played at Windyhill Golf Club ysterday. Many congratulations to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who finished second overall with a net 71, two shots behind the 13-year-old winner. Rachael picked up the 15-21 age group prize by 3 shots. Gabrielle Macdonald finished in a tie for 4th place with a net 75.

P.S. Thanks to the avid reader for picking up on my spelling mistakes and omissions!

SLGA news

The SLGA Order of Merit Tables have now reached a conclusion. The final standings for MCLGA members are as follows:

Ladies' Order of Merit:
7th Jane Turner; 11th Rachael Watton; 14th Claire Hargan; 18th Claire MacDonald; 24th Gabrielle Macdoanld; 27th Louise Fraser; 58th Wendy Nicholson; 75th Noreen Fenton; 81st Karen Marshall; 87th Fiona de Vries; 105th Kirsten Balckwood

Girls' Order of Merit:
2nd Rachael Watton; 8th Gabrielle Macdonald; 39th Gillian Simpson


The SLGA has also announced its training squads for 2009/2010. For MCLGA members, they are as follows:

SLGA National Performance Squad: Jane Turner (Craigielaw)
SLGA National Performance Squad B: Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)
Scottish Golf Academy Programme: Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe)

Girls in Golf Fun Team Competition

Laura Rushby from Club Golf Scotland has asked me to let you know about a Girls in Golf Fun Team Competition which is being held on Monday 19th October at North Berwick’s Children Course, in East Lothian (next to the MacDonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick) between 10am-12.30pm.

They have organised for a very special guest to come along to see you all in action and to present the prizes. It is none other than 2009 Women's British Open Champion, Catriona Matthew who is a strong supporter of clubgolf and has very kindly agreed to support this event during her busy schedule.

This is a fun competition and is just for girls and all abilities are welcome (beginners, non-handicappers, handicappers etc etc). They would love to see as many of the girls at this event as possible, to meet Catriona, and show her that the East of Scotland has lots of girls in golf!

The details are:

Girls in Golf Team Competition
Venue: North Berwick’s Children’s Course (next to the Marine Hotel)
Date: Monday 19th October
Drop off: 1000
Pick up: 1230
Format: Teams of 3 or 4 will participate in a team scramble
Teams will be organised based on age and ability
Depending on how many handicap/non handicap players enter will dictate the final format
Entry fee: £2 (to be paid at registration on the day)

To book a place please complete the entry form by clicking on the link below and email it to:
Kate Green – Golf Development Officer (East Lothian)
Tel: 01875 619071
Email: kgreen@eastlothian.gov.uk

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If you have any questions please contact either Laura or Kate

ENTRY%20FORM%20FUN%20COMP%2009.doc

Winter Foursomes

Due to popular demand (i.e. there has been a number of requests!) the first round of the Winter Foursomes has been extended to Sunday 8th November. Please note that the rest of the "play-by" dates will remain as they are. We hope that this will give you enough time to arrange your ties.

SLGA Champion of Champions

Well done to Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) who narrowly missed out by 1 shot on becoming the 2009 SLGA Champion of Champions. On a wind swept Glasgow Gailes, Claire shot an 81, which was 1 over the day's CSS, to Kylie Walker's (Dunbartonshire & Argyll Champion) 80. Unfortunately Claire lost out to two others on the better inward half to push her into 4th place.

Gabrielle wins Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters

Many congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) who today won the girls Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters. Having made it through the Regional Finals at Lothianburn at the beginning of August, Gabrielle teed up in the Grand Final at the Queen's Course in Gleneagles. She scored a magnificent level par in windy conditions which gave her 39 stableford points and the championship title by 2 points. It was third time lucky for Gabrielle as this was the third year in a row where she had qualified for the final and her four birides at the 3rd, 4th, 13th and 16th certainly helped her on her way.

Many congratulations Gabrielle.

SLGA Championship Manager

Fiona Farquharson has decided to retire from her Championship Manager's job at the SLGA next year and the SLGA has asked us to display the following advertisement for her replacement on our website. Further details, including the job description can be viewed via the SLGA's own website at http://www.slga.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=30

Scottish Ladies' Golfing

Association Limited

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Limited is the governing body for ladies’ and girls’ amateur golf in Scotland. Applications are invited for the following position which will be based in Perth.

CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER
(Full Time)

Applicants must have an excellent knowledge of competitive golf. They should be self motivated but able to work as part of a team, and have strong communication and organisational skills. IT literate and fully conversant with Microsoft Office, the person appointed will be responsible for the administration for, and delivery of, the Association’s Championships and Competitions. Attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines are imperative. A full clean driving licence and willingness to work unsocial hours and away from home are essential.

Salary and benefits package will be commensurate with experience.

Applications, in writing, accompanied by a curriculum vitae should be sent to:
Dr S E Hartley, The Company Secretary, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Limited, The Den, 2 Dundee Road, Perth PH2 7DW
marking the envelope Ref:CM Private & Confidential.
Email: sheila@slga.co.uk
Closing date for applications: 2 November 2009

2009 Greensomes Competition

The final result from the 2009 greensomes competition has now been received. Congratulations to Ravelston Golf Club who has won this year's league with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, to give a total of 7 match points. In second place is Ratho Park with 3 wins, 2 losses and 6 match points. The final results table can be seen by clicking on "Greensomes" on the left hand side of this page.

Thank you to Phyl Early (Glencorse) who kindly acted as recorder for this competition this year.

SLGA Champion of Champions

Good luck to Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) and Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies') who play in the SLGA Champion of Champions competiton at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club. The girls qualified through winning the MCLGA County Championship and the East of Scotland Championship respectively and will take part in the one round stroke play competiton on Sunday, the final SLGA event of 2009.

2009-2010 Winter Foursomes

Fifty couples have entered this year's Winter Foursomes competition and the draw is now available on the website - click on the "Winter Foursomes" heading down the left handside of the page. I hope you all enjoy your matches and the snow does not interfere with play it way it did last year!

Good luck to you all.

East of Scotland Championship

An excellent field of 47 players took part in the East of Scotland Championship held today at Mortonhall Golf Club. After the dreadful gales of yesterday, the organising Committee were delighted that fantastic calm conditions prevailed today - although it was a bit chilly standing on the first tee seeing everyone off this morning! The course was reported to be in great condition with the Midlothian players appearing to cope the best!

Claire MacDonald (Gullane) put her putting woes behind her to record a great score of 72 against the day's CSS of 74 and to become the 2009 East of Scotland Champion. It was a great round in which Claire reached the turn in 39 (2 over par) before turning for home and really putting on the style. After hitting the ball wide at the 11th, she managed to get back onto the fairway before slotting her chip for a birdie 3. This was followed with another birdie at 12 and yet another at 14. Claire won by 2 strokes from both Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) and Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), with Rachael pipping Gabrielle to take second place by virtue of a better inward 9 holes.

The handicap section saw the only non-Midlothian winner of the day with Rachel Hanlon (St Regulus and Fife) claiming 1st place with a net 71. Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) took second place with a net 72, while home player, Carol Brown finished third with a net 73.

In the team event where 3 scores from the 4 nominated players count towards the trophy, again Midlothian came up trumps for the third year running. The team of Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Claire MacDonald, Rachael Watton and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) returned an aggregate score of 221, winning by 12 shots from Fife. Stirling were third and East Lothian fourth.

Many congratulations to all of the girls and many thanks to Mortonhall Golf Club for kindly agreeing to us using their course for this event and for all the help they and their Council gave to us in getting the day organised.

The results were:

1st scratch: Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies & Midlothian) 72

2nd scratch: Rachael Watton (Mortonhall & Midlothian) 74 (BIH)

3rd scratch: Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw & Midlothian) 74

1st handicap: Rachel Hanlon (St Regulus & Fife)

2nd handicap: Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe & Midlothian)

3rd handicap: Carol Brown (Mortonhall & Midlothian)

Team prize:

1st: Mortonhall (Claire Hargan, Claire MacDonald, Rachael Watton, Jane Turner) 221

2nd: Fife (Dorothy Ford, Rachel Hanlon, Elaine Moffat, Ashleigh Wilton) 233

3rd Strling & Clackmannan (Linda Allan, Alison Davidson, Alison Goodwin, Louise MacGregor) 246

4th East Lothian (Elinor Blair, Linda Grieve, Clara Young, Dawn Young) 260

ESGGA Order of Merit

The East of Scotland Girls' Golfing Association (ESGGA) today announced their 2009 Order of Merit title winner. The girls gain points for their scratch scores at the ESGGA Spring and Autumn Meetings as well as their Championship and the relevant Junior County Championships. This year's title went to Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) with 65 points, winning by 17 points from Rachel Hanlon from Fife. In third place was Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), with Alison Goodwin (Stirling and Clackmannan) fourth.

Many congratulations to Kate, who is pictured below with Rachel and Alison.

Scottish Seniors stop the curse!

After the Ladies' Team succombed on the final day of the Home Internationals at Irvine and MCLGA lost out, by the narrowest of margins, on a countback in the County Finals at Baberton, Pamela Williamson's team, which included MCLGA members, Fiona de Vries, Noreen Fenton and Fiona Hunter, with Janet Wake as Manager, held on, in style, at Newport Golf Club, Wales to maintain their 100% record and win the Senior Women's Home International Matches and the Sue Johnson Trophy for the first time in the 6 year history of the competition.

On Day 1, Scotland met Ireland and, having reached lunch 2-1 up after the morning foursomes, continued their great display in the afternoon, taking the match by 5.5-2.5. Fiona Hunter, who lost her morning foursomes, sat out the afternoon singles along with Noreen Fenton who, with Fiona de Vries, had recorded a 3&2 victory. Fiona kept up her 100% record in the afternoon with another 3&2 victory in the singles.

Day 2 brought Scotland against England, a team they had never beaten at this level before, but more of the same was to follow. Again a 2-1 lead was set at lunchtime with Fiona Hunter narrowly losing her foursomes, by virtue of the opposition holing from 10ft on the final green, and the successful duo of Noreen Fenton and Fiona de Vries bringing home a point with another 3&2 victory. In a very tight, nail biting afternoon, the singles matches were shared 2.5-2.5, giving Scotland the overall lead of 4.5-3.5 which they were looking for. With birdies and eagles flying around everywhere (16 birdies and 1 eagle were recorded between the two teams), Scotland lost the first singles match but moved ahead again after recording victories in the second and third matches, with Fiona de Vries again posting an ever popular 3&2 victory. The fourth match was lost with the final game being halved but not before Moira Thomson (East Lothian) put up a great fight, winning the 15th and 16th to square her match and halving 17 and 18 to keep it that way and give Scotland the necessary win.

So all was set. The hard work almost done. Scotland had 2 wins out of 2 and all that was needed was to face defending Champions, Wales, on their home soil and record a halved match! Sound familiar?

The morning foursomes started the excitement. Fiona Hunter holed from a bunker at the 16th to level their match before halving the 17th and 18th holes and give Scotland their first half point of the day. In the final foursomes, Noreen Fenton and Fiona de Vries, by now fed up with 3&2 victories, increased their winning margin and recorded a 4&2 victory to give Scotland a 2.5-0.5 lead at lunchtime. Scotland were left needing 1.5 points from the singles line up for a draw and 2 points for a win, both outcomes securing them the Sue Johnson Trophy. Having won the first of the singles matches, the Scots lost the second match before Fiona de Vries, playing in the third game, came to the fore. Her Welsh opponent was not sure what had hit her as Fiona went 6 up after 11 holes. She then lost the the 14th to a birdie but that left her dormie 4 up and one more hole was all that was needed. Again making her 3&2 score lines redundant, Fiona won the 15th and the match by 5&3, maintaining her unbeaten run. Scotland then secured the 4th game but lost the 5th to make the overall score 5.5-2.5.

Many congratulations to Pamela Williamson, Janet Wake and the whole of the Scotland Senior Womens' Home International Team. A fantastic result to not only win the Sue Johnson Trophy for the first time in the six year history but to win it in such style. The gremlins are now, hopefully, well and truely buried in Scotland!

East of Scotland Championship

The starting list and times for the East of Scotland Championship has been changed slightly. Please click below to see the revised version.

2009EOSdraw.doc

Gibson Cup

A great weekend, in testing windy conditions, was had at the Braid Hills Golf Course with the annual hosting of the Gibson Cup. I cannot take away from Anne Brownie's report which can be read at http://www.gilliankirkwood.com/ercn86/ but many congratulations to Wendy Nicholson and Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) who led the qualifiers on Saturday with a net 71.5 (0.5 under par), to Norma Richmond and Ray Lynch (Murrayfield) who won the second flight of the matchplay stage, to Louise Wells and Vivien Mitchell (Prestonfield) who won the Consolation Stableford Trophy with a bettter inward half from Dee Williams and Margaret Anderson (Craigmillar Park) and Ellice and Sandra Cackett (Broomieknowe), and especially to Karina Matson and Gillian Lithgow (Lothianburn) who are the 2009 winners of the 102 year old Gibson Cup.

SLGA Adult/Girls Foursomes

Congratulations to Margaret Alexander (Baberton) and her partner Jillian Farrell from Cardross who won their category in yesterday's SLGA Adult/Girls Foursomes which was being played at Arbroath. The pair won the 21-36 handicap category by 1 stableford point. Broomieknowe mother and daughter pair, Alison and Hannah Scott were second in the 13-20 handicap category.

Commonwealth Spoons

Congratulations to Carol Fulton and Frances Sorlie who finished a creditable third equal in the SLGA Commonwealth Spoons Final which was being played today, in windy conditions, at Longniddry Golf Club. Unfortunately the pair lost out to one of the couples tied with them on a last 9 hole countback and then to the other couple on the last 6 holes, which pushed them down to 5th place.

I hope that everyone who qualified for the final enjoyed their game. Rumour has it that the greens were like grease lightning!

East of Scotland Championship

The East of Scotland Championship is being held at Mortonhall Golf Club on Sunday 4th October with tee times between 9.30 am and noon. We have had a superb entry and the draw has now been made. Times can be seen by clicking on the link given at the bottom of this article.

Please remember to bring proof or your handicap with you and please be at the first tee 10 minutes before your specified tee time.

For any enquiries between now and the 4th October, please contact Agnes Leslie either by e-mail (click here) or by telephone on 0131 445 2411. If you need to contact us on the day, please phone either Tracy Laughland on 07714 980524 or Mortonhall Golf Club on 0131 477 6902.

Good luck to you all. I hope you play well, enjoy the course and the sun shines!

Link to tee-times: 2009EOSdraw.doc

MCLGA Silver Summer Knockout 2009

Congratulations to Dee Williams (Craigmillar Park) for winning this year's Silver Summer Knockout competition and to the runner up Sandra Cackett (Broomieknowe). The other semi-finalists were Carole Mason (Dalmahoy) and Katharine Logan (Baberton).

It sounds like you all had some great matches this year. Thanks to everyone who took part and for playing all your matches on time!

Senior Women's Home Internationals

The Scotland team for the Senior Women's Home Internationals has been announced. The team, Captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and managed by Janet Wake (Merchants), sees Fiona de Vries (St Rule), Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) and Fiona Hunter (Baberton) amongst its players. The round robin competition will be held at Newport Golf Club in Wales from September 29th - October 1st. On day 1 Scotland will take on Ireland, on day 2 England and on day 3, host nation, Wales. Three foursomes matches are played each morning, with 5 singles matches taking place each afternoon.

Good luck to all those involved from the players to the officials.

This week's competitions

Having recovered (ever so slightly!) from this weekend's huge disappointment, it is time to turn our attention back to the golfing calendar. This week sees not only the final of the Commonwealth Spoons but also the annual Gibson Challenge Cup.

The Commonwealth Spoons Final, which was won last year by Suzanne Ireland (Prestonfield)and Diane Moncreiff (Lochend), takes place on Thursday at Longniddry Golf Club. Good luck to all who have qualified and are playing. The times for the Midlothian players are:

10.00 Val Hallam & Phyl Early
10.06 Carol Fulton & Frances Sorlie
10.12 Kate Johnston & Ann Barr
10.18 Moira Wilson & Rita Veitch
10.24 Moira Kinnear & Davida Simpson
10.30 Maggie McPherson & Anne Patrick
10.36 Madge Hutchison & Alaco Cowan

The 2009 Gibson Challenge Cup kicks off with the medal foursomes round on Saturday. It is again being held at the Braids Golf Course with, this year, seeing an entry of 52 pairs Best of luck to all those who are taking part in this event.

County Finals

I am so disappointed, as are the rest of the team, to report that we missed out by the narrowest of margins in the County Finals. Having had a superb win against Galloway by 8.5-0.5 and having beaten Renfrewshire by 5.5-3.5, we went into yesterday's final match knowing that a draw would not be good enough - we had to win. Things were looking rosie at lunchtime when our morning foursomes pairings put up a 2-1 lead, Jane and Rachael recording a magnificent 6&5 victory over Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook, Claire Hargan and Wendy going to the 18th but coming away with a 1 hole win over Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay, and Kirsten and Claire MacD missing out narrowly to Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne by 1 hole. The team had made the dream start and all that was needed was to build on that.

A lunchtime chat put the records straight - a 6-0 win in the afternoon was needed; no-one was to rely on anyone else to bring home the points; they all needed to go out onto the course and win - and boy, were they up for it! Northern Counties had lost Mary Smith, who had departed for Blairgowrie and the Scottish Veteran Ladies' Championship, and Kelsey MacDonald who had been taken to hospital for an x-ray on a wrist she had damaged in the morning match. Jane did as asked, winning early and sending a message through the team. Next came Claire Hargan winning on the 16th and the message was clear, we only needed another 1 point. That however was to elude us. Karen unfortunately lost to young Julie Vass, but the rest of the matches, although close, looked comfortable. But then the nerves started to kick in, anxiety struck and the situation started to change. Jenny Milne had a great up and down on 17 to square the match against Rachael and with news that Louise was 1 down on 17 and Claire MacD was all square on 16, a half at the 18th gave Midlothian another half point but the outcome looked very very tight. Louise remained 1 down at the 18th, a great match play finishing hole. Her second to the green unfortunately just ran off the left hand side of the green but a superb up and down gave her a par finish. Her opponent, Hannah McCook hit the green in two but was left with a testing putt to half the hole and win the match. To the Midlothian opposition, it looked as if the ball just caught the right hand edge of the hole but it still dropped in. So it was down to back marker Claire MacD to bring home the needed half point. The pressure on MacD was immense as the entire gallery surrounded the 18th green - Midlothian team and spectators waiting for half a point and Northern Counties wanting a win. Having lost 16, MacD and Cara Gruber halved the 17th with birdie 2s and headed to the 18th with Midlothian 1 down. Great drives by both girls were followed by Cara running through and over the back of the green and MacD hitting a superb shot onto the left hand edge of the green. Cara had a magnificent chip which stopped short of the hole but MacD, by this time, knew she needed to sink her putt. It was a sweetly struck putt and looked fantastic on the way to the hole but sadly shaved the hole and stayed out, much to everyone's disappointed and especially MacD's. Cara then added the final nail to the coffin and sank her putt to square the match.

I would like to say that the team were absolutely superb. Each and every one of them played their hearts out and gave as much as they could. Their golf over all three days could not be faulted and the support they showed to one another was, yet again, totally and utterly amazing, as was the support they showed to myself and the backroom team. Not a cross word or a moan was heard the whole time and the atmosphere both on and off the course, both at the golf course and back at the hotel was wonderful. They were all keen and eager to play and certainly stepped forward when asked. They were disappointed when rested but took that in their stride. I could not have asked for anything more.

My backroom team were magnificent and held me together each and every day when things were tough. It is hard watching and keeping track of all 6 matches but thanks to the support from President Margaret, Vice-Captain Mary and Selector Linda and the use of modern technology, the airways were busy as messages were being texted back and forth with the individual game situations.

The caddies, as ever, were a treat and got as involved in the matches as the players - egging the players on, giving them lines, helping them to read putts and keeping their concentration going. It was superb to see and such an important aspect of the whole weekend. I never once felt alone while watching as the support from the spectators was fantastic. Thank you to all of you who came along to watch. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the spectacle that was put on. My thanks also go to Gillian Kirkwood who very kindly took on the task of MCLGA website reporter so that all of the readers could be kept up to date with the results.

There is absolutely nothing I would change from the three days but to lose out by half a game point is exceedingly hard to bear. It could not have been closer. We are all devastated but will bounce back with renewed vigour next year - so all counties beware the injured golfers!

Juniors at the Prince Course

On top of all the excitement going on at Baberton yesterday, the Juniors were playing in their monthly 9 holes at the Princes Course. Emma Morrison again showed great form in winning the handicap section with a net 3 under par and Erin Hardy took the honours in the non-handicap section.

The scores were:

1st Handicap: Emma Morrison 49 less 21, net 28
2nd Handicap: Carla Maran 61 less 18, net 43
3rd Handicap: Jane Finlay 61 less 15, net 46

1st Non-handicap: Erin Hardy 69
2nd Non-handicap: Carys Hardy 70
3rd Non-handicap: Heather Kynoch 80

Well done girls and many thanks to Mums, Dads, Sharon Macpherson and May Hardy for helping out yesterday.

Midlothian just pipped on countback

 

Midlothian Captain Tracy Laughland accepts the runner-up trophy

from Baberton Captain, Harry Waugh

Title Decider 4 ½- 4 ½, Northern Counties win with higher "games won" total

Midlothian's hopes to become Scottish County Champions in our centenary year were cruelly dashed today at Baberton on the last day of the 2009 championship.
After leading the foursomes 2-1,  we went into the singles needing only three points to clinch victory.  Were we expecting too much?  Sometimes it seems you can wish for something too much...  it's as if the more you want something the more unobtainable it becomes.
Early on the signs were good...four of the team were up,  and wins from Jane Turner (4/3 against Pam Mackay) and Claire Hargan (3/2 against Alison Bartlett) put another two points on the board.  Karen Marshall lost to youngster Julie Vass,  but we still had Rachael Watton, Louise Fraser and Claire Macdonald with chances to win, and we only needed one more point.
Alas it was not to be... Rachael got a half in her match against Jenny Milne, but Louise and Claire both lost on the 18th to Hannah McCook and Cara Gruber respectively.
At any other time a halved match would be considered respectable in the circumstances,  but in the countback our 8½ points from the Galloway game,  plus 5½ points from Renfrewshire game gave us only 14 points.  Northern Counties had beaten Renfrewshire by 7½ points and beaten Galloway by 7 points... a total of 14½.
Getting to the County Finals is a feat in itself given the competition in the East Division,  and our girls should be proud that they got so close to a winning position.  They all worked extremely hard over the gruelling three days, and this experience can only strengthen their resolve to come back next year stronger and more determined.

NORTHERN COUNTIES 4 ½, MIDLOTHIAN 4 ½

Foursomes: Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah McCook lost to Jane Turner and Rachael Watton 6 and 5; Cara Gruber and Pam Mackay lost to Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson 1 hole; Alison Bartlett and Jenny Milne bt Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald 1 hole (1-2).

Singles: Mackay lost to Turner 4 and 3, Bartlett lost to Hargan 3 and 2, Milne halved with Watton, Julie Vass bt Karen Marshall 5 and 4, McCook bt Louise Fraser 1 hole, Gruber bt Claire MacDonald 2 holes (3 ½-2 ½).

Midlothian Team at Baberton this morning

L to R: Margaret Rodgers (President), Louise Fraser, Rachel Watton, Jane Turner, 

Linda Caine (Selector), Karen Marshall, Tracy Laughland (Captain), Claire Hargan, 

Mary Richardson (Vice-Captain), Wendy Nicholson, Kirsten Blackwood, Claire Macdonald.

Click on the image to see it larger in a new window.

[Image courtesy SLGA]