MIDLOTHIAN COUNTY LADIES' GOLF ASSOCIATION

GIRLS' SECTION- NEWSLETTER 2005

Girls Convenor, Mandy Easton Tel: 0131 441 7111 Email: amandajeaston@aol.com
Assistant Girls Convenor, Viv Curran Tel: 0131 445 3376

This newsletter is sent out to Junior Girls, both existing and new members, to inform them of events which are organised or planned through the season. Please note that Midlothian County Ladies' Golf Association (MCLGA) has its own web site - www.mclga.co.uk. There is a separate section with information about junior events and the progress of our junior members. See 'Junior Page' in the Index on the left.

During 2004 Girls' membership increased to 100 with 26 girls having handicaps ranging between 3 and 36. 11 girls reduced their handicaps in 2004. Five of our girls have handicaps between 3 and 6 and are members of our County Squad. This is most encouraging for the future of the County and for ladies golf.

Coaching

Coaching is held through the Golf Foundation and the County Association with the help of some committed Golf Professionals including Mark Patchett (Broomieknowe), Ian Young and Mark Berrie (Braid Hills Golf Driving Range). This includes:-
Winter and Summer Coaching at the Braid Hills Golf Driving Range, 2005
One-hour sessions (usually held on the first Sunday in the month). There is a contributory charge of £5 per girl per session:
January 9th, February 6th, March 6th, April 3rd, June 5th, July 3rd, August 7th, September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th, December 4th

Introductory Course at the Braid Hills Golf Driving Range - Sunday May 8th 2005
Choice of one of two 2-hour sessions. Golf clubs can be provided for those who do not have their own. The contributory charge for these sessions is £7.50 per girl, per two-hour session.

9 holes of golf at the Princes Golf Course, Braid Hills, 2005
January 23rd, February 20th, March 20th, April 17th, May 15th, June 19th, July 17th, August 21st, September 18th, October 16th, November 20th
For those with some experience, the opportunity to play 9 holes of golf with other girls, under adult supervision. Charge to be confirmed. (In 2004 the charge was £2.50 - there may be a slight increase in 2005).

Competitions

Spring Meeting at Liberton Golf Club 29th March 2005 at 10am - 18 Holes.
Scratch and Handicap Prizes. Entries by 11th March on the enclosed form - send to Mandy Easton. This competition is open to all members, with or without a handicap. Players without a handicap will play 8 holes Fraser Trophy - Scratch Macpherson Trophy - Handicap

Championship at Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club on 11th September 2005 at 1 pm - 18 Holes
Scratch Scratch & Handicap Entries by 26th August on the enclosed form - send to Mandy Easton. Prizes This competition is only open to Juniors with a handicap Brown Trophy - Scratch Marshall Trophy - Handicap

Jack Trophy This is a knockout singles competition for those with a handicap. All players will be sent a copy of the draw and the rules for the competition. Games must be played by the due date. There will be NO extensions. Entries by 18th March on the enclosed form - send to Mandy Easton.

Cackett Salver This is a knockout foursomes competition for those with a handicap. Girls may enter with our without a partner. All players will be sent a copy of the draw and the rules for the competition. Games must be played by the due date. There will be NO extensions. Entries by 18th March on the enclosed form - send to Mandy Easton.

Cuthbertson Cup Pitfirrane, Dunfermline Golf Club 10th April 2005
A competition played between the four Counties of Midlothian, East Lothian, Fife, and Stirling & Clackmannan. Four girls (plus reserves) are chosen to represent Midlothian. Four singles matches are played in the morning. The teams who lose in the morning play two 2-ball foursomes matches in the afternoon to determine third and fourth place. Fife will host the competition this year and it will be held at Pitfirrane, Dunfermline Golf Club.

National Competitions

St Leonards under 16 Open Strokeplay Championship Strathtyrum - 7th-8th April
Scottish Schoolgirls Championship St Andrews Bay - 13th June
Scottish Boys & Girls U14 Championship Craigielaw - 8th July
Scottish Ladies' Junior Open Stroke Play Championship West Kilbride - 12th & 13th July
Janice Moodie Trophy for Junior Girls Windyhill - TBC
BP Scottish Girls (Close) Championship Tain - 25th-29th July
St Andrews Junior Ladies Tournament St Andrews - TBC
Girls Home International Matches Worplesdon - 3rd-5th August
Girls' British Open Championship West Hill - 8th-12th August
Adult and Junior Girls Foursomes Falkirk Tryst - 25th September

We would encourage girls with handicaps who are playing golf to enter as many of these competitions as possible. Note: Entry forms for most of these competitions, together with results and news on Scottish golf can be accessed via the SLGA website on http://www.scottishgolf.com. (click on the SLGA logo on the right of the screen). Girls with handicaps should also consider joining the East of Scotland Girls Golfing Association. Information on this is available from www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk (click on EoS Girls'). This is an excellent web site for news and regular updates on what is happening in girls and ladies golf.

News

Our Junior Champion for 2004 is Amanda Edwards (Liberton).
Sally Watson is East of Scotland girls champion. Sally also won the East of Scotland Girls Order of Merit in 2004 with Amanda Edwards being runner-up.
Rachael Livingstone and Sally Watson played for Scotland in the Girls' Home Internationals at Strathaven.

The following girls have been selected for Scottish Ladies' Golf Association National Squad 2 Training Amanda Edwards (Liberton), Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), Jane Turner (Glencorse) and Sally Watson (Murrayfield). Rebecca Watson (Murrayfield) has been selected for SLGA Training Development Squad. All five girls are in the Midlothian County Squad.

Social Evening

A Midlothian Junior Girls Social Evening will be held on Monday March 21st 2005 at 6.30 for 6.45 pm at Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club. Scott Dixon, golf professional, will give a presentation called "Get inside your Golf Brain". There will also be some fun competitions, a chance to try the "15th Club" and the opportunity to meet us and other girls and to arrange a game of golf. Do come along and bring a parent with you if you wish.

Golf Matches Against Other County Teams

The Midlothian County Ladies' Golf Association plays matches against the Borders County Ladies' Golf (Sunday March 20th 2005) and Lanarkshire County Ladies' Golf Association (Sunday April 3rd 2005). Matches will be played in the Borders and Lanarkshire. As well as a County Squad Team, we hope to offer matches for Junior Girls' Teams on both dates.