Midlothian County Ladies Golf Association

SLGA Teams

2010-03-08T19:01:00.002Z

Many congratulations to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who has been picked to represent Scotland at the Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship at Southerndown Golf Club from the 1st-2nd May and in the Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Newlands Golf Club from the 5th-6th July. Also Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) is called up as the travelling reserve for the Welsh Championship.

SLGA/SGU Amalgamation

2010-03-08T18:17:00.004Z

Some members may be aware of an article which appeared on the East Vets Ladies website on the 11th February regarding the planned merger, by the end of 2011, of the SLGA and the SGU (see article entitled "East Vets Weel-kent Faces" at http://www.eastvetsblogspot.com/) or may have seen articles in the Press or even the latest issue of the Bunkered magazine. Having been touched on very briefly at the SLGA AGM in January, the East Division Captains brought this up at their Divisional Meeting on the 6th February. It was very evident at that meeting that not a lot, if anything, is known about this planned merger, not even by the East Division's SLGA Representatives! As a result, the East Division Captains asked for it to be added to the agenda for the SLGA Captains' Meeting which was held on Sautrday.

At that meeting, a statement was read out on behalf of the SLGA by Dawn Buchert. Having thought that was the end of the item, questions and comments then followed, being answered by Sheila Hartley. The SLGA Representatives on the Amalgamation Committee are Shona Malcolm, Sheila Hartley, Lynne Terry and Lorna Bennett. Apparently, nothing has been done. It is not a done deal. There is nothing to report. Nothing has happened. It is just a proposal. They can't answer any questions because they haven't had any discussions.

So all those reports in the Press that the merger is going ahead at the end of 2011 are wrong!

The Committee's first meeting was held on the 23rd February and that, we were told, was the start of the formal talks. Their next meeting is at the end of April. They have no proposals to put forward, no framework to work towards nor even, at the moment, a starting point.

The Captains stressed to the SLGA that they must keep their members informed to stop rumours spreading. Communication is vital. The Captains were told that they were responsible for informing the County members. However, this was thrown back as we asked that the SLGA issues a statement informing us all of where they have got to and what their next steps are. A positive statement is what is needed to let everyone know that the merger has not got any further than a proposal. A statement letting us all know that both the SLGA and SGU memberships WILL be asked to vote to give their approval for the merger. A statement letting us all know that an EGM WILL be called and lady golfers do not just have the 2011 AGM to voice any opinions.

There are various issues, some of which were raised, that need to be looked at. The County structures between the men and the ladies differ greatly. The voting structures between the two groups are far different. The County Championships are run far differently. The SLGA has assets specifically sidelined for County affairs. They need to be protected. The SLGA and SGU office letting contracts run out at different times but neither apparently is big enough to cope with both administrative groups. These and many more questions need to be addressed when the Committee finally get down to discussing this possible proposal.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for the SLGA statement!

Scottish Vets Team announced

2010-03-08T17:57:00.002Z

The Scottish Vets team to play against an Irish Senior Select team for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy has been announced. This year's match, being held over Portmarnock Links from 18th-19th April, will be Captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton). The team of nine players consists of two Midlothian members, namely Fiona de Vries (St Rule) and Noreen Fenton (Dunbar), with a further member, Fiona Hunter (Baberton) being named as second reserve.

Good luck to all.

Champion of Champions Draw 2010

2010-03-04T08:39:00.003Z

The draw for the 2010 Champion of Champions was made at the first Committee Meeting of the year last night and has now been published on the website. Please click on the "Champ of Champions" link on the left hand side of this page to see the draw. The first round has to be played by May 1st. Agnes will be in touch with contact details for your opponent, rules for the competition etc.

Good luck to all who have qualified for this event.

West Kilbride GC Under-21 Girls' Open

2010-02-26T18:18:00.002Z

West Kilbride Golf Club is to hold an Under-21s Girls' Open on Thursday 29th July. This is open to girls both with and without handicaps, with trophies for pre-handicap, handicap and scratch categories up for grabs. Those without handicaps will play 9 holes in an adaptation of the Wee Wonders format, before staffing a marquee and handing out cakes and drinks to the handicap contenders. Presumably you will be able to keep the biggest, creamiest, best looking cakes for yourselves!

If you are interested in taking part in this, entry forms can be obtained either from West Kilbride Golf Club or by e-mailing khnextlevel@aol.com.

Junior Spring Meeting 2010

2010-02-26T15:03:00.003Z

The Junior Spring meeting will be held at Swanston New Golf Club on Tuesday 6 April 2010. The 18-hole competition for junior members with a handicap will start at 10 am and a 12-hole competition on the Templar Course for those without handicaps will start at 10.30 am. There will also be a putting competition for those without handicaps.

Entires are now being taken and can be sent to Joan Simpson, whose details are on the entry form. Please note that entries must be received by Tuesday 23rd March.

To download an entry form click HERE

This and other entry forms can be downloaded from the website by clicking on the left hand side of this page under Junior Girls - Junior Entry Forms.

Arlene wins Scottish Unis Stableford

2010-02-23T18:47:00.002Z

Many congratulations to new squad member Arlene McGarty who bounced back from injury to win the Scottish Universities Ladies' Golf Association's Stableford competition which was held on Sunday at Troon Portland. Having suffered a broken arm in the autumn, Arlene has just returned to golf and scored a marvelous 39 points to win by 1 point.

This win has got the Captian thinking that maybe a springtime of broken arms is on the cards for the squad instead of practice games and coaching sessions!

Cuthbertson Cup and Inter-County Draws

2010-02-23T18:22:00.004Z

The draw for the Junior Inter-County Matches, the Cuthbertson Cup, was made at the recent East of Scotland Captains' Meeting. To be held on Sunday 18th April at Ratho Park Golf Club, the morning singles sees Midlothian take on Stirling & Clackmannan in one tie and East Lothian play Fife in the other. The first match tees off at 9.30 am, with the winners playing each other in the afternoon, with a tee-off time of 2 pm. The losing teams in the morning will follow this match and play foursomes to determine the third and fourth places.

Also at the meeting, the draw for the Inter-Counties Matches to be held from Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th June at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club was made and is as follows:

Day 1: East Lothian v Stirling & Clackmannan; Midlothian v Fife
Day 2: Midlothian v Stirling & Clackmannan; East Lothian v Fife
Day 3: Stirling & Clackmannan v Fife; East Lothian v Midlothian

Please put these dates in your diaries and come along to support your teams. The girls will be defending the Cuthbertson Cup for the 5th year in a row and the main team will be out to make it to the finals for the second year in a row.

Hermitage Monthly 12-holes

2010-02-22T11:59:00.002Z

Sunday saw this year's first visit to the Hermitage Golf Club for the Juniors' monthly golf. Although a bit frosty under foot, the sun was out with a little bit of warmth. Six girls braved the conditions and played round for the first time. Many thanks to May Hardy for setting the girls off and to Gillian Simpson who came along to help and inspire the girls.

This was the start of the Hermitage Course league, which runs until August. Points are awarded for turning up as well as for 1st and 2nd handicap and 1st, 2nd and 3rd non-handicap; the winners at the end of the season receiving the Maggie MacPherson and Sue Caton Trophies respectively.

Yesterday's results were as follows:

Handicap:
1st Carla Maran - net 39
2nd Emma Morrison - net 41

Non-handicap:
1st Caitlin Turner - 64
2nd Kim Naysmith - 70
3rd Lisa MacPherson - 85

The Hermitage Golf Course has teamed up with Queen Cake to provide catering in their clubhouse. Having sold their home baking and cakes at Farmers' Markets and online, Queen Cake will be offering teas, coffees, soups and snacks, as well as their home baking, at the Hermitage. To kick start this new venture, an Open Day is to be held on Saturday 27 March from 10 am - 3 pm. There will be free golf lessons, a BBQ, a family golf competition, a bouncy castle, face painting and free pilates and yoga workshops, not to mention the free cake tastings! Why not grab your parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents and head along for a visit? Try out what to eat after your next MCLGA 12 hole competition! For more information see www.queencake.co.uk.

Squad news

2010-02-22T11:48:00.003Z

After 2 great days on which the sun shone and the squad played warm up games amongst themselves at Gullane Golf Club, the focus moves to short game coaching next weekend. Jane Connachan will be putting everyone through their paces at Kingsfield Golf Centre in Linlithgow, the focus being on short game, bunker play and putting. Fingers crossed for a few more decent weekends!

Meanwhile, the Junior Training Squad were out in force yesterday at their second session at the Braids Driving Range with Mark Berrie. They are all swinging the club and hitting the ball exceptionally well. It is wonderful to see the advances being made and they are all keen for the season to begin.

SLGA International Team Captains announced

2010-02-22T11:39:00.002Z

Many congratulations to Karen Marshall and Pamela Williamson who are amongst the Captains announced by the SLGA for their team competitions in 2010. Karen will take care of the Girls' Home International Team which plays at Bangor Gofl Club in Northern Ireland in August and the team for the Girls European Championship being held in July at Aalborg in Denmark. Pamela has been given the reigns for the European Senior Team Championship at Berlin and the Senior Home Internationals at Sheringham Golf CLub in Norfolk, both of which take place in September.

Good luck to you both in your roles. We are sure you will do a great job and will motivate your teams to great results.

Jane reaches quarter-finals of Orange Blossom Tournament

2010-01-22T18:03:00.005Z

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!

2010-01-21T17:58:00.002Z

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

2010-01-18T21:44:00.003Z

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

2010-01-16T16:47:00.003Z

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

2010-01-11T14:17:00.002Z

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

2010-01-11T13:51:00.002Z

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

2010-01-07T13:54:00.004Z

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

2010-01-06T18:38:00.002Z

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

2010-01-04T17:01:00.002Z

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

2010-01-04T16:42:00.005Z

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!

2009-12-23T14:08:00.004Z

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

2009-12-06T16:08:00.003Z

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

2009-12-06T15:33:00.003Z

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

2009-11-15T15:35:00.003Z

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)