Championship semi-finals and finals

Well, the weathermen once again got it wrong but the golfers certainly got it right! Not a drop of rain was felt at Newbattle Golf Course today as the semi-finals and the finals of the Midlothian Championships were held. Dry, sunny but windy conditions were on the cards as were lots of pars and birdies. The players did not let the spectators down in their bid to see some great golf.

The first semi-final saw, junior member, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) up against Karen Marshall (Baberton). After a tense, close match, Gabrielle found herself 1 up standing on the 18th tee. A good drive and an excellent approach to the green put Karen under pressure. She pulled her approach shot to the green and after a chip and a putt, conceded the hole, and the match to Gabrielle. Another junior featured in the second semi-final, as Rachael Watton took on Claire Hargan, a Mortonhall double act. Rachael was not quite firing on all cylinders as Claire claimed the tie by a 4 and 3 victory. It is claimed that Claire has been told to watch out in the Club Championship where revenge will be being sought! In the B-Championship, a very friendly match ensued between Helen Warnock (Harburn) and Pam Townsend (Murrayfield). Having started out very well, Pam struggled towards the end, allowing Helen to take the match 2&1. In the other semi-final, junior member, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) met defending Champion Susan Dalrymple (Craigielaw). Susan was pleased with the way she had played but unfortunately Hannah was too strong an opponent and came through 4&2. And so the afternoon final pairings were decided, Gabrielle Macdoanld would play Claire Hargan, while Hannah Scott would do battle with Helen Warnock in the B-section.

Gabrielle got off to a great start, going 3 up after 4 holes and being 1 under par. Claire then came back to win the following 5 holes with a conceded eagle, 3 birides and a par to be 2 up at the turn. The spectators were loving it and all the sideline chat that Kirsten Blackwood had to offer was put on hold while the golf was concentrated on! The back nine brought more of the same. A rare half was recorded at the 10th and Gabrielle won the 11th, only for Claire to reply with 2 more birides. A birdie by Gabrielle at the 14th brought Claire back to 2 up but unfotunately Gabrielle's second shot at the 15th found the bunker while Claire hit a great second shot on to the green. Coming out of the bunker and leaving herself too much of a putt to hole, Gabrielle walked onto the 16th tee 3 down. Claire found herself only needing a half on the 16th which she found to claim the match by a 3&2 victory.

In case the excitement of the main Championship did not meet the requirements of the spectators, the B-Championship was following on behind. Hannah immediately went 1 up after the opening hole and was 3 up after 4 and 4 up after 10, and was only 3 over par standing on the 12th tee. But Helen was not prepared to give up easily and battled away to square the match on the 15th. On the 16th, Hannah hit her second to the right of the green while Helen was in the left hand, greenside bunker in 3. Helen hit out onto the green and Hannah, playing the sensible shot, overshot the green onto the fringe. She then played a wonderful chip, forcing Helen to have to sink her putt for the half. Unfortunately the ball did not drop and Hannah regained her lead. Despite around 20 people searching on the 17th, Helen's tee shot was lost. She played another ball but after a great tee shot and approach to the green by Hannah, the hole was conceded and Hannah came out the winner by 2&1.

Our thanks must go to Newbattle Golf Club for allowing us to hold our Championship on their course and for the great condition of the course. Thanks also to our two referees, Gillian Kirkwood and Mary Richardson and to all the participants for the great displays of golf and wonderful matches that ensued over the last week.

Finally, many congratulations to our 2009 Champions, Claire Hargan and Hannah Scott, pictured above with the runners up, Helen Warnock and Gabrielle Macdonald and with Midlothian president, Margaret Rodgers.

Click HERE to view photos on Mary's Picasa site

Championship at Newbattle - what a day!

An absolutely tremendous day was had at Newbattle Golf Club today in the first day of the match play stages of the County Championship and "B" Championship. Luckily the weathermen got it wrong and apart from a heavy shower towards the end of the morning play and at the start of the afternoon play, no rain was seen. The morning brought some wind but the afternoon saw idea conditions with blue skies and no wind and the splendid sunshine matched the splendid display of golf which was on offer to the spectators.

The results, after day 1, can be seen by clicking on "C'ship M-Play" and "B C'ship M-Play" on the left hand side of the page. Great results were recorded by all and three of the juniors who had all been part of the victorious Cuthbertson Cup team, made it through to the afternoon; only Gillian Simpson stumbled in a great match against no. 2 seed, Rachael Watton by 2&1. Karen Marshall came through in a tough tie against Claire MacDonald. Claire halved the match on the 18th with a birdie 3 before the two players played par golf on the first two extra holes. Karen went on to win at the 3rd extra play off hole. The "B" Championship saw 2 matches going to extra holes with Mandy McBain and Dee Williams both winning at the 19th. Four of the remaining six matches fininshed at either the 17th or 18th hole.

The good golf continued into the afternoon and the juniors again offfered some stunning golf. Gabrielle Macdonald had a great tussle with Louise Fraser, the no. 1 seed. With never more than a hole in it, Louise three putted the 16th and 17th to let Gabrielle take the advantage and a half at the 18th hole saw Gabrielle, round in level par 72, make it through to Sunday. Karen Marshall, after her three extra holes in the morning, had the better of Kirsten Blackwood and Claire Hargan managed to keep things together to beat Fiona de Vries. The final match went down to the wire and saw Rachael Watton beat Kate McIntosh, with a better ball score of 6 under par. Throwing birdies and eagles at each other, it was a ding dong battle which reached the 18th tee all square. Rachael recorded an ever solid par 4 at the 18th to beat Kate's bogey and progress to meet her fellow clubmate, Claire Hargan, on Sunday morning.

In the "B"-Championship, defending Champion Susan Dalrymple progressed through against her rival in last year's semi-finals Margaret Alexander. She will now meet Cuthbertson Cup reserve, Hannah Scott who won 4&3 against Jaci Moriarty. At the 0ther end of the draw, Helen Warnock won convincingly against Mandy McBain and will meet Pam Townsend who came through a tough battle against Dee Williams.

I cannot stress enough how good the golf was and what a great spectacle it was to watch. The Committee will be conducting their anti-rain dance routines from now until Sunday at 9.30 am, in the hope that the good weather continues. So, why not come along and support the players? It promises to be an exciting climax!

Click HERE to view photos on Mary's Picasa site

2009 Championship

The first rounds of the MCLGA championship and B Championship were played at Newbattle Gold Club this morning in blistery conditions. There were some great matches with some going to the 18th and four to extra holes. Results can be viewed by clicking on C'ship M-Play and B C'ship M-Play on the left hand side of the page.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING

The championship qualifying was held at Newbattle Golf Club today with 22 players competing on a rather dull and cold day. At least everone stayed dry, although a player who shall remain nameless decided to throw herself down the steps at the 17th with her trolley on top!

Rachael Watton led the first round scores with an excellent 71 with Lousie Fraser then posting a superb 70 in the second round. The CSS for both rounds was 71.

The 16 qualifyers are: Louise Fraser (147), Rachael Watton (147), Fiona De Vries (149), Claire MacDonald (150), Kirsten Blackwood (152), Claire Hargan (154), Stephanie Crolla (155), Gabrielle MacDonald (156), Noreen Fenton (157), Kate McIntosh (159), Wendy Nicholson (160), Susan Rennie (164), Karen Marshall (165), Linda Caine (166), Gillian Simpson (167) and Diane Moncrieff (172).

The draw for the match play stages on Friday 1 May and Sunday 3 May is now available on the website by clicking on the "C'ship M-Play" heading on the left hand side of the page.

B-section Championship 2009

The draw for the 2009 "B"-section Championship match-play stages has now been published on the website and can be viewed by clicking on the "B C'ship M-play" link on the left hand side of the page. The first round takes place on Friday 1st May.

Good luck to all those who are involved. I hope your golf is good and you enjoy playing at Newbattle Golf Course.

MCLGA County Championship

The 2009 County Championship is being held at Newbattle Golf Club next week with the "A"-section qualifier being held on Tuesday 27th April and the matchplay stages for both the "A"- and "B"-sections being held on Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd May.

The draw for the qualifying competition is now available on the website by clicking on the "C'ship Q'ing Draw" heading on the left handside of the page. The top 16 scores from this will qualify for the matchplay stages. Please remember to bring your handicap certificate with you on Tuesday.

Good luck to all of those who are playing. Let's hope the good weather continues for another week!

MCLGA Championship

A reminder that the 2009 Championship is being held at Newbattle Golf Club, with the knockout stages for both the main and "B" Section Championships being held on Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd May. The qualifier for the "B" Section Championship (handicaps over 12) takes place on Monday 20th April as part of the County Spring Meeting, while the 2 round qualifier for the main Championship (handicap 12 and under) is being held at Newbattle Golf Club on Tuesday 28th April.

The closing date for the Spring Meeting and therefore the "B" Championship qualifier has passed but late entries or "turn up on the day" entries will be taken. Entries for the main Championship close on Friday 17th April. If you would like to take part in this competition, please send your entries to Agnes Leslie no later that the 17th April. No late entries will be accepted for the main Championship.

Rachael new champion

Rachael Livingstone is our new champion.

Well done Rachael. She has played great golf all week.

Rachael beat Wendy Nicholson 2 up in a close semifinal this morning and went on to beat Claire Hargan 4/3 in the final this afternoon. In the final Rachael had 7 birdies and Claire had 2. Claire beat Fiona de Vries in the other close semifinal, 2 up.

Thanks to Mary Richardson for refereeing the championship final.

B Championship

Susan Dalrymple is our new B champion. She beat Margaret Alexander 2/1 in the semifinal and went on to beat Denise Turnbull 4/3 in the final.

Denise beat Zandra Mathieson 3/2 in the other semi final.

Thanks to all those who took part in the championships, helped and came to watch.

Thanks to Tracy for refereeing the B final.

Thanks to Murrayfield for allowing us to play the championship qualifying and the matches.

The weather and the golf have been great all week.