June 2006 Archive

Friday 30th June 2006

RECORD NUMBER OF SCOTS IN FIELD FOR IRISH STROKE-PLAY AT CO SLIGO
A record number of 11 Scots are competing in the Irish women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship at County Sligo Golf Club this weekend.
They are: Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Kate O’Sullivan (Paisley), Elaine Cuthill (Lanark), Sara Bishop (Windyhill), Lesley Hendry (Routenburn), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Emma Fairnie (Dunbar).
They will be bidding to prevent Tara Delaney (Carlow), one of four Irish players selected for the Curtis Cup match on July 29-30, winning the 54-hole stroke-play title for an historic third time in a row.
Meanwhile, in Denmark, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) and Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) will be representing Scotland in the Danish international women’s amateur championship at Silkeborg Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday.

Palmer Cup
EUROPE STUDENTS BEAT AMERICANS BY RECORD MARGIN AT PRESTWICK
EUROPE have scored the biggest win ever in the Palmer Cup international students' match against their United States counterparts over the Prestwick Golf Club links.
The final margin was 19 1/2pt to the Europeans (most of whom are students at American colleges) and only 4 1/2pt to the Americans.
Europe won all four sessions of play - four-balls, foursomes and two sets of singles.
In the final set of singles, the results were:
(European names first)
Martin bt Castro 3 and 2.
Floren lost to Blaum 4 and 2.
Haastrup bt Harman 5 and 3.
Canizares bt Baca 1 hole,
KLuiten bt Larsen 2 holes.
Lewton halved with Ogden.
Davies bt List 3 and 2.
Ramsay lost to Kirk 1 hole.
EUROPE 5 1/2, UNITED STATES 2 1/2
Overall result:
EUROPE 19 1/2, UNITED STATES 4 1/2

Irish Youths
GARETH SHAW WINS BY FIVE; SCOT LATIMER DOWN FIELD WITH 305
Overnight leader Gareth Shaw (Lurgan), a member of the successful East Tennessee State University team alongside Rhys Davies from Wales and Scotland's Jordan Findlay, won the Irish youths open amateur championship by a five-shot margin at Royal Tara Golf Club today.
Shaw laid the platform for his success with opening rounds of 66 and 67. He kept the door shut on his rivals with two scores of 73 for 279.
Peter Latimer from St Andrews New Golf Club, the only Scot in the field, finished on 305 with scores of 71, 76, 80 and 78.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
279 G Shaw (Lurgan) 66 67 73 73
284 S Power (West Waterford) 71 73 69 71, P Cutler (Portstewart) 71 70 73 70, R Enoch (Wales) 69 75 69 71
285 A O'Callaghan (Douglas) 72 68 72 73, S Ward (Co Louth) 72 66 73 74
286 F Rafferty (Dungannon) 74 70 71 71, N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 72 71 71 72
288 Z Gould (Wales) 73 75 71 69, P O'Kane (Moyola Park) 72 72 73 71
289 H Bacher (Austria) 68 71 76 74, N O'Briain (Royal Dublin) 67 75 69 78
290 P O'Hanlon (Curragh) 68 74 73 75
291 P Figueiredo (Portugal) 77 70 74 70, P Connolly (Clontarf) 73 71 77 70, S Lowry
(Esker Hills) 72 76 75 68, A Glynn (Porters Park) 70 73 75 73
294 L Weber (France) 77 71 72 74, D Leathem (Lisburn) 75 73 71 75
295 P McGibney (Elm Park) 72 76 75 72
296 D Rawluk (The Island) 72 75 78 71, N Grant (Knock) 72 70 79 75
297: A Hogan (Newlands) 76 72 76 73, D Angkawidjaja (Austria) 75 74 77 71, L Nemecz (Austria) 75 73 79 70, C McNamara (Limerick) 74 75 74 74, G Reid (Spa) 71 75 76 75
299: Greg Williams (Wales) 74 75 74 76
300: B Walton (The Island / UCD) 68 73 81 78
301: P Fendt (Austria) 78 71 76 76, M Trow (Wales) 72 77 77 75
303: M Mayrhauser (Austria) 72 77 77 77, L Thomas (Wales) 72 76 80 75
305: P Latimer (Scotland) 71 76 80 78
306: M Glauert (Germany) 72 74 84 76
311: J Rodgers (Galgorm) 75 74 81 81

McTEAR SLIPS BACK TO FINISH JOINT FIFTH IN PGA CLUB SENIORS’ EVENT
John McTear could do no better than a two-over-par 74 in the third and final round of the PGA Club Seniors’ championship at King’s Lynn Golf Club, Norfolk today (Friday).
That gave the North Gailes Golf Centre staff pro a final total of one-over-par 217 and pushed him down into joint fifth place with a cheque for £1,675.
John, winner of the title in 2001, had three birdies but five bogeys on his third-round scorecard.
England’s Stewart Graham who had been sharing the lead with McTear overenight shot a two-under-par 70 for a total of three-under-par 213 to win the title and the top cash prize of £4,750.
He won by two shots from compatriots Graham Burroughs and David Jagger.
Garry Harvey from Bearsden Golf Range was the second-best Scot with a 72 for joint eighth place on 220, signing off with a 72. He earned £1,066.
PGA CLUB SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – King’s Lynn Golf Club.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
213 S Graham (Eng) 70 73 70.
215 G Burroughs (Eng) 74 72 69, D Jagger (Eng) 70 73 72.
216 D Stirling (Eng) 73 74 69.
217 J McTear (Sco) 74 69 74, M Gallagher (Eng) 71 75 71.
Other Scottish totals:
220 G Harvey 73 75 72.
223 J Farmer 74 73 76.
224 B Lockie 72 75 77.
225 K Stevely 75 75 75.
226 R McDonald 77 72 77.
227 N D Wood 76 78 73.
230 R Webster 76 78 76, R Fyfe 76 76 78.
232 R Watkins 79 73 80, D Craik 76 76 80.
233 M White 76 74 83.

Palmer Cup
EUROPEANS PILE ON THE AGONY FOR AMERICANS AT PRESTWICK
As if the American students did not have enough problems trying to get accustomed to the Prestwick Golf Club's ancient links and quirkiness in the Palmer Cup, they had to try to play foursomes against their European counterparts this morning.
Result: A 4-0 clean sweep for the Europeans, which made the lunchtime scoreline an embarrassing (if you are an American): EUROPE 14, UNITED STATES 2.
It's the most lopsided scoreline in the history of the event so far - and there are still the singles to be played!
Day 2 foursomes results (European names first):
Alejandro Canizares & Pablo Martin bt Ryan Blaum & Roberto Castro 6 and 4.
Oscar Floren & Mark Haastrup bt Ryan Baca & Clay Ogden 1 hole.
Joost Luiten & Richie Ramsay bt Brian Harman & Luke List 3 and 2.
Rhys Davies & Stephen Lewton bt Chris Kirk & Keven Larsen 4 and 3.

Excess Baggage... the cost of taking golf clubs on flights
I found this informative webpage on the cost of excess baggage on the Airport Parking and Hotels website. Download the table and check out your chosen airline... that bargain air fare might not be a bargain after all!
Also read their information on the cost of mobile phone calls from abroad.

LAURA MURRAY TAKES SALLY WATSON PLACE IN SCOTS TEAM
Alford’s Laura Murray has been called up from the reserve list to replace Sally Watson (David Leadbetter Academy) in the Scotland squad for the European Under-21 junior girls’ team championship at Pan Golf Club in the Netherlands from July 11 to 15.
Sally, from South Queensferry, has withdrawn because she is competing in the United States girls’ open championship at Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina from July 17 to 22.
Miss Watson, who will be 15 on July 10, will also not be able to defend the Scottish Under-18 girls’ match-play title at Peebles from July 18 to 21.
“It’s a pity but there are just not enough days in the week,” said Sally’s father, Edinburgh businessman Graham Watson.
Sally Watson and Carly Booth will represent Scotland in the European Junior Masters at Styrian Golf Club, Austria from July 27 to 29.
This means that Sally and Carly will miss the Scottish Under-21 junior girls’ open stroke-play championship at Stirling Golf Club on July 27 and 28.
Carly Booth lost to Sally Watson in the final of last year’s Scottish Under-18 girls’ championship at Tain. Like Sally, Carly will miss this year’s event at Peebles because she is Scotland’s girl representative in the R&A Junior Open at Heswall Golf Club, Merseyside from July 17 to 19.

LGU Press Release
STRONG FIELD FOR LADIES’ MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Three times Curtis Cup player Emma Duggleby is one of several national title holders, present and past, competing in the Ladies’ British Mid-Amateur Championship to be played at Nairn Golf Club from 7-9 July.
Duggleby won the British title in 1994 was English Champion in 2000 and 2003 and competed in three Curtis Cup matches from 2000-2004. Now, she is attempting to add a further British title to her collection, from a field of almost 70 players.
Earlier this year Martine Pow of Selkirk won the Scottish title at Dunbar and she is joined in the field by fellow Scots Fiona Lockhart, her immediate predecessor as Scottish Champion, and Claire Hargan, the losing finalist in 2003.
Former professional Vivien Saunders is also competing and will be hoping to add to her collection of titles that most recently includes her 2004 win in the English Senior Ladies’ Stroke Play Championship at Sandiway.
Overseas competitors include +2.9 player Thuhashini Selvaratnam of Sri Lanka, Minna Kaarnalahli of Finland and several others from the USA, South Africa, Portugal and Australia.
Nairn Golf Club has a long pedigree of hosting major championships and first welcomed lady golfers competing in a British event in 1979. Since then it has seen competitors at every level and has an unrivalled reputation as a spectacular layout on the Moray Firth that provides a layout that is testing yet fair.
Competitors play 18 holes on each of the first two days and the 40 lowest and ties play a further round on Sunday 9 July.
The full list of competitors can be viewed at www.lgu.org.

SLGA Extraordinary Meeting
At yesterday's SLGA Extraordinary Meeting the resolutions put before the members received 100% support.
The Financial Year end will now be 30 September and in future AGMs will be held in January or February. The Executive of the SLGA were authorised to form a new company limited by guarantee called "Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association Limited" and to tranfer the assets and liabilities of the SLGA to the new company, at which point the Association will be dissolved.

Thursday 29th June 2006

ST ANDREWS LAD SURVIVES CUT AS GARETH SHAW LEADS BY FIVE SHOTS
East Tennessee State University student Gareth Shaw (Lurgan) has a commanding five-shot lead after two rounds of the Irish youths' amateur championship at Royal Tara Golf Club. He has had scores of 66 and 67 to leave the field trailing.
Peter Latimer (St Andrews New), the only Scot in the field, did not survive the cut in last weekend's Scottish youths open championship but he safely made the 36-hole cut here with rounds of 71 and 76 for 147.
LEADING TWO-ROUND TOTALS.
133 G Shaw (Lurgan) 66 67
138 S Ward (Co Louth) 72 66
139 H Bacher (Austria) 68 71
140 A O'Callaghan (Douglas) 72 68
141 P Cutler (Portstewart) 71 70, B Walton (The Island / UCD) 68 73
142 N Grant (Knock) 72 70, P O'Hanlon (Curragh) 68 74, N O'Briain (Royal Dublin) 67 75
143 N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 72 71, A Glynn (Porters Park) 70 73
144 F Rafferty (Dungannon) 74 70, P Connolly (Clontarf) 73 71, P O'Kane (Moyola Park) 72 72, S Power (West Waterford) 71 73, R Enoch (Wales) 69 75
146 M Glauert (Germany) 72 74, G Reid (Spa) 71 75
147 P Figueiredo (Portugal) 77 70, D Rawluk (The Island) 72 75, P Latimer (Scotland) 71 76.
148 L Weber (France) 77 71, A Hogan (Newlands) 76 72, D Leathem (Lisburn) 75 73, L Nemecz (Austria) 75 73, Z Gould (Wales) 73 75, S Lowry (Esker Hills) 72 76, L Thomas (Wales) 72 76, P McGibney (Elm Park) 72 76
149 P Fendt (Austria) 78 71, D Angkawidjaja (Austria) 75 74, J Rodgers (Galgorm) 75 74, Greg Williams (Wales) 74 75, C McNamara (Limerick) 74 75, M Mayrhauser (Austria) 72 77, M Trow (Wales) 72 77

WEE JOHN WALKING TALL AT PGA CLUB SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP
Wee John McTear is sharing the lead on one-under-par 143 with one round to go in the PGA Club seniors’ golf championship at King’s Lynn Golf Club, Norfolk.
The North Gailes Golf Centre staff pro had a little bit of everything in his three-under-par 69 in the second round, which was five shots better than his opening effort.
McTear had an eagle 3 at the 487yd par-5 13th and birdies at the second, seventh, eighth and ninth. He also had a double-bogey 6 at the third and another shot shed to par at the sixth.
Up there with the Scot in pole position are Englishman Stewart Graham (70-73) and David Jagger (70-73).
Bill Lockie, also from the North Gailes golf Centre, is back in a share of 10th place on 147 after running up a triple bogey 7 at the 11th in a second-round 75.
St Andrews-based Jim Farmer is also on 147 with a 73 which included birdies at the first, second, 13th and 1`7th.
Kemnay club pro Ronnie McDonald is rueing double bogeys at the second and fourth in a first-round 77 because he reeled off a par-matching 72 in the second round, no bother at all. Ronnie birdied the fifth, eighth and 14th and had boges at the 11th and 12th to be in 19th place on 149.
PGA CLUB SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP
King’s Lynn Golf Club, Norfolk.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
143 J McTear (North Gailes) 74 69, S Graham (Eng) 70 73, D Jagger (Eng) 70 73.
144 G Smith (Eng) 73 71, P Hinton (Eng) 70 74.
Other Scottish qualifiers:
147 B Lockie (North Gailes) 72 75, J Farmer (J Farmer G&L) 74 73.
148 G Harvey (Bearsden GR) 73 75.
149 R McDonald (Kemnay) 77 72.
150 K Stevely (Cawder) 75 75, M White (Penfold Park) 76 74.
152 D Craik (Frilford Heath 76 76, R Fyfe (Nairn) 76 76, R Watkins Solent Meads) 73 79.
154 N D Wood (Royal Guernsey) 76 78, R Webster (Eaglescliffe) 76 78.
Scottish non-qualifiers:
156 I Clark (Hagley) 79 77.
157 D Bonthron (Stonelees) 76 81.

Palmer Cup
EUROPE HAMMERING AMERICANS AT HALFWAY POINT
Europe were well on their way to a big win over the United States at the halfway point of the two-day men’s college student match for the Palmer Cup at Prestwick Golf Club today.
The United States team, packed of top-ranked players from the American college circuit, were whitewashed 4-0 in the four-ball play of the first session.
It didn’t get much better in the afternoon singles, which the Europeans took 6-2.
So, with Friday’s four foursomes and eight singles ties to come, the scoreline reads:
EUROPE 10, UNITED STATES 2

World Golf Hall of Fame Unveils Special Exhibit in Celebration of 2006 Ryder Cup at Waterford Crystal in Ireland
Exhibit’s two-stop tour includes stop at National Museum of Ireland in Dublin
St. Augustine, Fla. (June 29, 2006) – In honor of the 2006 Ryder Cup, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Waterford Crystal, an official sponsor of the 2006 Ryder Cup, have unveiled a special exhibit at the Waterford Crystal Visitor Center in Kilbarry, Waterford, Ireland. The exhibit, “The World Golf Hall of Fame and Waterford Crystal Present: A Tribute to the Ryder Cup” features the stories of Hall of Fame members who have participated on or captained Ryder Cup teams over the years. The exhibit will move to the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks in Dublin for the months of August and September 2006, then return to Waterford through Summer 2007.
The project marks the first time the World Golf Hall of Fame has opened an exhibit outside of its museum in St. Augustine, Florida, and collaborated with another museum to present an exhibit. The display is expected to draw in excess of 500,000 visitors between the two locations throughout its seventeen-month stay in Ireland.
The exhibit in Ireland provides a historical overview of The Ryder Cup, including the origin of The Matches, scores, venues and captains, and video of significant Ryder Cup moments. From wartime matches of the 1940s to the story of Nicklaus and Jacklin’s “concession” in 1969 and comeback prediction by Crenshaw (U.S. Captain) in 1999, the exhibits looks at significant moments in the history of the tournament through the achievements of the Hall’s members.
Thirteen Hall of Fame members have donated or loaned personal artifacts for the exhibits, including Seve Ballesteros, Billy Casper, Neil Coles, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Faldo, Raymond Floyd, Tony Jacklin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Gene Littler, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Payne Stewart.
“Creating an exhibit to be displayed at Waterford Crystal Visitor Center and National Museum of Ireland as the Ryder Cup makes its first appearance in that country is a great opportunity to share the story of the Hall of Fame and our members with a keen international audience,” said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful for the assistance we’ve received from our members, the National Museum of Ireland, PGA European Tour and PGA of America, as well as the support we’ve received from Waterford Crystal, to bring the exhibit to life.”
Items on display will include Nicklaus’ 1969 Team blazer, Jacklin’s 1989 Ryder Cup Trophy, Stewart’s uniquely designed Ryder Cup headwear and Crenshaw’s famous Sunday teamshirt from the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline, and much more. The exhibit also will carry one of only five full-scale Ryder Cup trophies.
Brian McGee, Sales and Marketing Director of Waterford Crystal, who attended the opening today at Waterford along with Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue T.D, said, “For over 60 years Waterford Crystal has been associated with incredible moments of achievement in the world of international sport. When the idea emerged for this exhibit, we recognized it immediately as a unique opportunity to be involved in the sport of golf, and a great occasion to work with the World Golf Hall of Fame, with whom we share a great relationship.”
Dr Patrick Wallace, Director of the National Museum of Ireland said, “We are delighted to host this unique historical exhibition of The Ryder Cup at Collins Barracks and we hope that by offering visitors an insight into the personal stories behind the achievements, it will give people a greater connection with this prestigious sporting event.”
The exhibit at the National Museum of Ireland also will look at Waterford’s involvement in the sport of golf over the years. For more information, visit www.wgv.com or www.waterford.ie.

SALLY’S US SUCCESS COSTS HER CHANCE TO DEFEND SCOTTISH GIRLS’ TITLE
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Sally Watson, the 14-year-old winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls’ match-play championship at Tain last year, will not be defending the title at this year’s tournament at Peebles from July 18 to 21.
The South Queensferry girl has also withdrawn from the Scotland squad for the European Under-21 junior team championship in the Netherlands from July 11 to 15.
That’s the double sequel to the success of Miss Watson earlier this week in winning a place in the United States girls’ championship at Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina from July 17 to 22.
Sally tied for first place in a qualifying event at Braelinn Golf Club, Peachtree City near Atlanta, Georgia with a par-matching round of 72 over a 6,200yd course.
“Sally has decided to play in the US girls’ championship,” said her father, Edinburgh businessman Graham Watson, “and that means she will have to withdraw from the Scotland Under-21 team and from the Scottish girls championship. It’s a pity but there are just not enough days in the week.”
Sally has already played in three American junior events and one Swedish tournament since May 19.
She finished 16th in the Scott Robertson Memorial junior tournament at Roanoke, Virginia, which was her first competitive rounds since December.
Then she tied seventh in the Swedish Under-21 event followed by a creditable joint seventh in the St Rule Trophy 54-hole event – not a junior tournament.
From there it was off to the Rolex girls’ championship in Utah where Sally tied for 12th place behind the highly-rated Esther Choe and finished several shots ahead of two girls named as reserves to the US Curtis Cup team.
Sally then returned to Scotland for a week to finish school before jetting back to the States to compete in the US girls’ championship qualifier in Georgia.
Sally has an older sister Rebecca and the Watson girls both played for Scotland in the girls’ home internationals last summer. Rebecca will not be going to university until the autumn of next year but this week she received her first scholarship offer from a top-10 United States university.
+First reserve for the Scotland squad for the European Under-21 team championship is Laura Murray (Alford).

Wednesday 28th June 2006

Fife, East Division County Team Champions 2006
(Photo Courtesy Dorothy Ford)

FIFE GO TO COUNTY FINALS AS EAST CHAMPIONS
FIFE overpowered Midlothian in the decisive match of the three-day East Division women’s inter-county team championship at Dunbar Golf Club today (WED).
Both teams started the last day with 100 per cent records but Fife soon forged clear of Midlothian, who won the East title last year and went on to take the Scottish championship as well.
Fife won the foursomes 2 ½- ½ and the singles 4-2 for a convincing 6 ½-2 ½ victory that sends them to the Scottish county finals at The Hirsel Golf Club in September as East Division champions.
Fife had the most successful individuals of the championship with Curtis Cup reserve Krystle Caithness and former Scottish champion Fiona Lockhart both achieving 5pt out of six.
Not far behind in the Fife effort were Louise Kenney abnd Katrina Milne with 4 ½ pt each.
East Lothian finished third by beating Stirling & Clackmannan 5-4.
Wednesday results:
MIDLOTHIAN 2 ½, FIFE 6 ½
Foursomes – K Blackwood & C MacDonald lost to K Caithness & K Milne 1 hole; W Nicholson & K Marshall halved with L Kenney & J Carthew; C Hargan & B Murphy lost to E Moffat & F Lockhart 4 and 3 ( ½ -2 ½ ).
Singles: Hargan lost to Kenney 3 and 2, H Laughland lost to Caithness 1 hole, Nicholson bt Moffat 4 and 2, R Livingstone bt Lockhart 4 and 2, Murphy lost to Carthew 1 hole, Blackwood lost to Milne 5 and 4 (2-4).
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 4, EAST LOTHIAN 5
Foursomes: S Mitchell & L Robertson lost to F Prior & L Mortensen 1 hole; A Davidson & V Stevenson lost to K Brotherton & E Fairnie 3 and 2; E Allison & H MacRae bt M Thomson & L Fortune 4 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: Robertson halved with Brotherton, Mitchell bt Mortensen 1 hole, MacRae bt Prior 4 and 3, L McGregor lost to J Smith 4 and 2, Stevenson halved with S McMaster, Allison lost to Fairnie 3 and 2 (3-3).
FINAL PLACINGS
1 Fife (3 wins), 2 Midlothian (2 wins, 1 defeat), 3 East Lothian (1 win, 2 defeats), 4 Stirling & Clackmannan (3 defeats).

Renfrewshire, West Division County Team Champions
(Photo Courtesy Carol Fell)

RENFREWSHIRE ARE WEST CHAMPIONS
Renfrewshire, the host county, won the West Division women’s inter-county team golf championship at East Renfrewshire Golf Club today (WED).
After beating defending champions Lanarkshire, then Dunbartonshire & Argyll, Renfrewshire completed a clean sweep over the three days by beating Ayrshire 5 ½-3 ½ .
Ayrshire made the new champions fight all the way in the singles, two of which were halved and three of the others went to the last green.
Renfrewshire’s top player was Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle) with 4 1/2pt out of a possible six. Donna was followed closely by Stirling University student Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) with 4pt.
Dunbartonshire & Argyll finished runners-up by beating Lanarkshire 5-4 in the other last-day match.
Most successful player in the tournament was Lanarkshire’s Jenna Wilson with 5 ½ pt out of six. Gemma Webster (D&A) was next best with 5pt.
Renfrewshire now go forward to the Scottish county finals at The Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream from September 22 to 24. They have not won the Scottish title since 1987.
Results:
RENFREWSHIRE 5 ½ , AYRSHIRE 3 ½
Foursomes: D Jackson & G McGinlay halved with L Hendry & R Kennedy; M Briggs & K O’Sullivan bt A Thompson & L Keohone 1 hole; C-M Carlton & J Jenkins bt C Malcolm & M McPherson 1 hole (2 ½ - ½).
Singles: Carlton halved with Hendry, Briggs lost to D Watt 1 hole, Jackson bt Keohone 1 hole, L Robertson halved with Malcolm, G Kyle lost to McPherson 2 and 1, McGinlay bt Kennedy 1 hole (3-3).
LANARKSHIRE 4, DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 5
Foursomes: M Hughes & A Hendry lost to A Laing & S Bishop 4 and 2; E Cuthill & A Young lost to G Webster & K Walker 1 hole; J Wilson & S Wood bt J Galbraith & F McLean 4 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: Wilson bt Webster 1 hole, Cuthill lost to Laing 1 hole, Wood lost to Bishop 8 and 6, R Rankin lost to J Foggo 1 hole, L Lloyd bt Galbraith 3 and 2, Young bt S Cadden 3 and 2 (3-3).
FINAL PLACINGS
1 Renfrewshire (3 wins), 2 Dunbartonshire & Argyll (2 wins, 1 defeat), 3 Lanarkshire (1 win, 2 defeats), 4 Ayrshire (3 defeats).

ROBERTSON STILL TOP SCOT IN SUFFOLK
Dean Robertson maintained the leading Scottish challenge with a 71 for three-under-par 141 in the second round of the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Stoke by Nayland International Open at the Suffolk venue today (WED).
Robertson is in joint eighth place, four shots behind leader Guy Woodman, going into the final round.
Dean birdied the second, fifth, eighth, 11th and 15th but bogeyed the third, seventh, ninth and 14th in halves of 36 and 35.
Colin Mitchell from Blairgowrie and Paul Doherty (Vale of Glamorgan) qualified safely on level par 144, Mitchell with a 70 and Doherty with a 71.
Colin was moving well up the leaderboard when he birdied the third, fifth, seventh and 15th. Then he bogeyed the 17th and 18th.
Late finisher Ross Cameron from Ellon beat the cut with nothing to spare with a 72 for 145. A double bogey 7 at the 16th put the pressure on him but he parred the last two to reach the safety mark.
Graeme Brown from Montrose had a nightmare round of 76 to miss the cut on 147. Graeme had double bogeys at the eighth, ninth and 13th. A bag of five birdies gave him a respectable score.
PGA EUROPRO TOUR – Stoke by Nayland International Open
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, Suffolk.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
137 G Woodman (Eng) 67 70.
138 J Brown (Eng) 70 68.
139 M Sell (Eng) 70 69, S Doherty (Eng) 70 69.
Scottish qualifiers:
141 D Robertson 70 71.
144 C Mitchell 74 70, P Doherty 73 71.
145 R Cameron 73 72.
Scottish non-qualifiers:
147 G Brown 71 76.
149 J Doherty 76 73.
NR S Lamb 77 NR

IRELAND BEAT WALES IN YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL
Ireland scored a decisive 7 ½ - 1 ½ victory over Wales in their annual youths international match at Royal Tara Golf Club.
Having shared the foursomes at 1 ½ - 1 ½ the Irish players dominated the afternoon by winning all six singles matches.
Reigning Irish close champion Rory McIlroy and his partner Gareth Shaw set the ball rolling for the Irish in the foursomes with a solid 3 and 2 win over the Welsh pair, Stuart Runcie and Rhys Enoch.
Irish youths champion Seamus Power and Aaron O’Callaghan went down by 3 and 1 to Zac Gould and Greg Williams, while the pairing of Shane Lowry and Simon Ward, one down playing the 18th, made a nice birdie four to snatch a half against Mark Trow and Luke Thomas.
In the singles, Rory McIlroy scored a one hole win over Zac Gould. Seamus Power followed with a 3 and 2 win over Mark Trow while Gareth Shaw earned a 3 and 1 win against Rhys Enoch.
Shane Lowry beat Greg Williams by 4 and 3 and Simon Ward was next with a 3 and 2 win over Luke Thomas.
In the final match Aaron O’Callaghan completed the clean sweep in the singles with a 3 and 2 win over Stuart Runcie.
RESULTS:
(Irish names first)
Foursomes: Rory McIlroy & Gareth Shaw beat Stuart Runcie & Rhys Enoch 3 and 2; Aaron O’Callaghan & Seamus Power lost to Zac Gould & Greg Williams 3 and 1; Shane Lowry & Simon Ward halved with Mark Trow & Luke Thomas.
Singles: Rory McIlroy beat Zac Gould 1 hole; Seamus Power beat Mark Trow 3 and 2; Gareth Shaw beat Rhys Enoch 3 and 1; Shane Lowry beat Greg Williams 4 and 3; Simon Ward beat Luke Thomas 3 and 2; Aaron O’Callaghan beat Stuart Runcie 3 and 2.

FIFE BUILD UP TWO-POINT FOURSOMES LEAD OVER TITLE RIVALS MIDLOTHIAN
Fife set themselves up as favourites to win the East Division women’s inter-county team championship when they took the foursomes 2 ½- ½ from Midlothian, the only other team with a 100 per cent record going into the final day at Dunbar Golf Club.
Krystle Caithness and Katrina Milne won the top foursome for Fife. Then Louise Kenney and Jo Carthew were held to a square game by Wendy Nicholson and Karen Marshall before the St Regulus pairing of Elaine Moffat and Fiona Lockhart gained a second morning win for Fife.
Foursomes – K Blackwood & C MacDonald lost to K Caithness & K Milne 1 hole; W Nicholson & K Marshall halved with L Kenney & J Carthew; C Hargan & B Murphy lost to E Moffat & F Lockhart 4 and 3 ( ½ -2 ½ )
Singles to play: Hargan v Kenney, H Laughland v Caithness, Nicholson v Moffat, R Livingstone v Lockhart, Murphy v Carthew, Blackwood v Milne.

RENFREWSHIRE MOVE CLOSER TO WEST TITLE
Renfrewshire moved a step nearer clinching the West Division women’s inter-county team championship when they took the foursomes by a 2 ½- ½ pt margin from Ayrshire on the third and final day at East Renfrewshire Golf Club.
Renfrewshire beat Dunbartonshire & Argyll and Lanarkshire in their earlier matches.
Dunbartonshire & Argyll took a 2-1 lead into the singles against Lanarkshire in the battle for second place.
RENFREWSHIRE LEAD AYRSHIRE 2 ½- ½
Foursomes: D Jackson & G McGinlay halved with L Hendry & R Kennedy; M Briggs & K O’Sullivan bt A Thompson & L Keohone 1 hole; C-M Carlton & J Jenkins bt C Malcolm & M McPherson 1 hole (2 ½ - ½).
Singles: Carlton v Hendry, Briggs v D Watt, Jackson v Keohone, L Robertson v Malcolm, G Kyle v McPherson, McGinlay v Kennedy.
LANARKSHIRE ARE LOSING TO D & A 1-2
Foursomes: M Hughes & A Hendry lost to A Laing & S Bishop 4 and 2; E Cuthill & A Young lost to G Webster & K Walker 1 hole; J Wilson & S Wood bt J Galbraith & F McLean 4 and 3 (1-2).

ELGA Press Release
Danielle and Rachel make quick start in Russian championship
England's Danielle Montgomery and Rachel Bell are both comfortably in the top ten after the first round of the Russian Open Amateur Championship at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
Danielle, from Lambourne, shot a one-over par 73 and lies fifth, three shots behind the leader, Maria Verchenova. Rachel, the Yorkshire champion from Ganton, is in seventh place after returning a five-over 77.
After 54 holes the top 30 players and ties will go forward to play the final round on Friday.

SOPHIE STUBBS WINS BRIDGET JACKSON BOWL
Shropshire county player Sophie Stubbs, a 22-year-old Shifnal Golf Club member, won the Bridget Jackson Bowl 36-hole women’s open golf tournament at Handsworth Golf Club, near Birmingham yesterday (TUES).
Sophie, who has just completed her golf scholarship four-year term at the University of Minnesota, had rounds of 70 and 72 for a total of 142, which which was two under par and two under the combined CSS.
Sophie, who has four of a handicap, won by one shot from Joanne Hodge (Knowle) and Emma Lyons (West Surrey).
Curtis Cup team selections Naomi Edwards and Melissa Reid, who had entered, did not in fact play but it as still a good-class field that Miss Stubbs beat.
Anna Stubbs (Consett), the holder of the title, retired after a first-round 80.
FINAL TOTALS
Par and SSS 72. CSS 72 both rounds.
142 Sophie Stubbs (Shifnal) 70 72.
143 Joanne Hodge (Knowle) 75 68, Emma Lyons (West Surrey) 72 71.
144 Elizabeth Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 72 72, Laura Eastwood (Yelverton) 70 74.
145 Ellie Givens (Blackwell Grange) 72 72, Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) 71 74.
146 Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 72 74.
147 Kate Combes (Australia) 76 71, Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 71 76.
148 Fiona Smith (Chelmsford) 74 74, Sally Hinton (Bridgnorth) 73 75.
149 Jody Fleming (Australia) 74 75, Laura Jones (Royal Liverpool) 74 75.
150 Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) 78 72, Felicity Johnson (Harvborne) 77 73, Fiona thompson (Ellesborough) 75 75, Emma Sheffield (Newark) 76 76, Sarah-Jane Eaves (Cosby) 73 77.
151 Laura Collin (John O’Gaunt) 77 74, Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog _) 76 75, Claire Aitken (The London) 76 75.
153 Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) 79 74, Harriet Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) 78 75, Samantha Birke (Wolstanton) 77 76, Janet Phipps (Exeter) 77 76.
154 Jenny Rhodes (South Staffs) 74 80, Glenna Beasley (Woburn) 71 83.
156 Kaye Orme (Saddleworth) 78 768, Becky Dowell (Enmore Park) 77 79.
157 Clare Howells (Moor Hall) 80 77, Holly Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 75 82.
158 Claire Starkie (Silsden) 768 80.
159 Lucy Gould (Bargoed) 81 78, Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 80 79, Julie Brown (Brocton Hall) 79 80, Gemma Hardie (Forest Pines) 76 83.
160 Elizabeth Over (Forest Pines) 83 77, Lisa Barton (Coventry) 77 83.
162 Gemma Easton (Bargoed) 78 84.
163 Annette Deeley (Handsworth) 85 78, Hanah Coles (Maxstoke Park) 82 81.
164 Emma Stodart (Rugby) 83 81, Emily Priest (Stourbridge) 81 83, Victoria Jones (Sandwell Park) 80 84.
166 Gemma Parkes (Cosby) 80 86.
167 Hayley Selman (Wolstanton) 82 85.
170 Debbie Loach (Enville) 81 89.
170 Natalie Harrison (Rhuddlan) 87 95.
Retired – Anna Scott (Consett) retired.

SALLY WINS US GIRLS GOLF QUALIFIER
South Queensferry girl Sally Watson has won a sectional qualifying tournament at Braelinn Golf Club, Peachtree City in Georgia for next month’s United States girls’ championship.
Sally, who will be 15 on July 10 and is the holder of the Scottish Under-18 girls championship, matched the par of 72 over the 6,200yd course, to claim one of the five spots available in this qualifier, one of 32 nationwide for the championship which will be played at Carmel Country Club, Charlotte in North Carolina from July 17 to 22.

ALEX IS MAIN MAN IN FIFE ORDER OF MERIT
Alex Main (Thornton) has a five-point lead over Scottish champion George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle) after 10 events of the Forrester Park Fife Order of Merit.
The next counting event is the Swallow Hotels East of Scotland championship at Lundin on Saturday and Sunday.
Leading Order of Merit points totals:
1 Alex Main (Thornton) 330; 2 George Murray (Earlsferry Th) 325; 3 Euan Malcolm (Dunfermline) 310; 4 David Imrie (Thornton) 255; 5 Stuart Meiklejohn (Aberdour) 205; 6 Stewart Elder (Kirkcaldy) 160; 7 Kevin Blyth (Kirkcaldy) 150; 8 Scott Michie (Thornton) 130; 9 (equal) Alfred Brown (Dunfermline), Alan England (Balbirnie Park), Paul Stewart (Ladybank) 125.

Tuesday 27th June 2006

IT’S MIDLOTHIAN versus FIFE FOR THE EAST DIVISION TITLE
Scottish champions Midlothian and Fife, the only two teams with 100 per cent records after two days of the East Division women’s inter-county team golf championship, meet in the decisive match at Dunbar Golf Club today (Wed).
The winners will be East champions and will go forward to the Scottish county championship finals at The Hirsel Golf Club in September.
In Tuesday’s matches, title-holders Midlothian ground out a 5-4 win over East Lothian. Midlothian gained a vital 2-1 edge in the foursomes and then got the singles wins they needed from Claire Hargan, Wendy Nicholson and Belinda Murphy.
Fife overpowered Stirling & Clackmannan 6 ½-2 ½ after making a clean sweep of the three morning foursomes. Fife singles winners were Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) and Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank).
Tuesday’s details:
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 2 ½ , FIFE 6 ½
Foursomes: A Davidson & H MacRae lost to E Moffat & F Lockhart 3 and 2; S Mitchell & L Robertson lost to K Caithness and K Milne 3 and 2; L McGregor & V Stevenson lost to L Kenney & J Carthew 8 and 7 (0-3).
Singles: MacRae lost to Kenney 5 and 4, Robertson bt Moffat 5 and 4, Mitchell lost to Lockhart 5 and 4, McGregor bt B Copland 4 and 3, Davidson lost to Carthew 3 and 2, E Allison halved with Milne (2 ½- 3 ½)
MIDLOTHIAN 5, EAST LOTHIAN 4
Foursomes: K Blackwood & C MacDonald lost to F Prior & L Mortensen 4 and 2; W Nicholson & R Livingstone bt L Fortune & E Fairnie 5 and 3; C Hargan & B Murphy bt K Brotherton & J Smith 3 and 2 (2-1).
Singles: Hargan bt Prior 3 and 2, Nicholson bt S McMaster 7 and 5 , K Marshall lost to Fairnie 3 and 1, H Laughland lost to Mortensen 1 hole, Murphy bt M Thomson 5 and 4, Blackwood lost to Brotherton 2 and 1 (3-3).
HOW THEY STAND
1 Midlothian (2 wins) and Fife (2 wins), 3 East Lothian (2 defeats) and Stirling & Clackmannan (2 defeats).

RENFREWSHIRE SET FOR WEST DIVISION TITLE
Renfrewshire, the only team with two wins out of two, look set to clinch the West Division women’s inter-county team golf championship at East Renfrewshire Golf Club today (WED).
Renfrewshire followed up their opening-day win over title-holders Lanarkshire by beating Dunbartonshire & Argyll 5-4.
D&A looked set fair when they took the foursomes 2-1 and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) won the top singles tie for them by beating Renfrewshire’s young champion, Megan Briggs.
But Renfrewshire clawed their way back from a 1-3 deficit with wins by Clare-Marie Carlton (over three times champion Anne Laing), Donna Jackson, Kate O’Sullivan, Lesley Robertson before Gemma Webster got D&A’s second point of the afternoon.
Lanarkshire beat Ayrshire 6 ½- 2 ½ in the other match on the second-day programme, taking the foursomes 2 ½- ½ and the singles 4-2.
In their final match, Renfrewshire can wrap up a place in the Scottish women’s county championship finals at The Hirself Golf Club, Coldstream in September by beating bottom dogs Ayrshire.
Tuesday scoreboard
WEST DIVISION WOMEN’S INTER-COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
East Renfrewshire Golf Club
RENFREWSHIRE 5, DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 4
Foursomes: J Jenkins & C-M Carlton lost to S Bishop & A Laing 4 and 2; D Jackson & G McGinlay bt S Cadden & J Foggo 7 and 6; M Briggs & K O’Sullivan lost to K Walker & G Webster 5 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: Briggs lost to Walker 3 and 2, Carlton bt Laing 1 hole, Jackson bt Bishop 1 hole, O’Sullivan bt J Galbraith 5 and 4, L Robertson bt Cadden 5 and 4, G Kyle lost to Webster 4 and 3 (4-2).
LANARKSHIRE 6 ½, Ayrshire 2 ½
Foursomes: J Wilson & S Wood bt L Hendry & R Kennedy 1 hole; E Cuthill & A Young bt L Keohone & A Thompson 2 and 1; M Hughes & A Hendry halved with C Malcolm & D Watt (2 ½- ½ ).
Singles: Wilson halved with Hendry, Young halved with Kennedy, Cuthill bt A Glennie 3 and 2, Wood bt M McPherson 4 and 3, L Lloyd bt Watt 2 holes, R Rankin lost to Malcolm 4 and 3 (4-2).

HOW THEY STAND
1 Renfrewshire (2 wins), 2 Lanarkshire (1 win, 1 defeat) and Dunbartonshire & Argyll (1 win, 1 defeat), 4 Ayrshire (2 defeats).

MIDLOTHIAN LEAD EAST LOTHIAN 2-1
Midlothian established a 2-1 foursomes lead over East Lothian on the second day of the East Division women’s inter-county team championship at Dunbar Golf Club today.
The partnerships of Wendy Nicholson and Rachael Livingstone, and Claire Hargan and Belinda Murphy got the points for Midlothian after East Lothian’s Fiona Prior and Line Mortensen had beaten Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald in the opening foursomes.
Fife started the singles with a 3-0 lead over Stirling & Clackmannan after making a clean sweep of the foursomes.
Details
Scores after morning foursomes:
STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 0, FIFE 3
Foursomes: A Davidson & H MacRae lost to E Moffat & F Lockhart 3 and 2; S Mitchell & L Robertson lost to K Caithness and K Milne 3 and 2; L McGregor & V Stevenson lost to L Kenney & J Carthew 8 and 7 (0-3).
Singles: MacRae v Kenney, Robertson v Moffat, Mitchell v Lockhart, McGregor v B Copland, Davidson v Carthew, E Allison & Milne.
MIDLOTHIAN 2, EAST LOTHIAN 1
Foursomes: K Blackwood & C MacDonald lost to F Prior & L Mortensen 4 and 2; W Nicholson & R Livingstone bt L Fortune & E Fairnie 5 and 3; C Hargan & B Murphy bt K Brotherton & J Smith 3 and 2 (2-1).
Singles: Hargan v Prior, Nicholson v S McMaster, K Marshall v Fairnie, H Laughland v Mortensen; Murphy v M Thomson, Blackwood v Brotherton.
Morning results from East Renfrewshire
WEST DIVISION WOMEN’S INTER-COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPEast Renfrewshire Golf Club
DAY 2
Scores after foursomes:
RENFREWSHIRE 1, DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 2
Foursomes: J Jenkins & C-M Carlton lost to S Bishop & A Laing 4 and 2; D Jackson & G McGinlay bt S Cadden & J Foggo 7 and 6; M Briggs & K O’Sullivan lost to K Walker & G Webster 5 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: Briggs v Walker, Carlton v Laing, Jackson v Bishop, O’Sullivan v J Galbraith, L Robertson v Cadden, G Kyle v Webster.
LANARKSHIRE 2 ½, AYRSHIRE ½
Foursomes: J Wilson & S Wood bt L Hendry & R Kennedy 1 hole; E Cuthill & A Young bt L Keohone & A Thompson 2 and 1; M Hughes & A Hendry halved with C Malcolm & D Watt (2 ½- ½ ).
Singles: Wilson v Hendry, Young v Kennedy, Cuthill v Glennie, Wood v M McPherson, L Loyd v Watt, R Rankin v Malcolm.

VIKKI BACK IN ACTION THIS WEEK
Vikki Laing returns to action on the Duramed Futures Tour in the United States later this week in the Northwest Indiana Futures Class at Hammond, Indiana.
The 26-year-old, Edinburgh-born player has not played in recent weeks.
Also in the field will be three other British players - Brenda McLarnon (23) from Belfast, a former student at the College of Charleston, South Carolina; Samantha Head (33) from Bedford, and Lisa Hall (38) from Stoke on Trent.
The Northwest Indiana Futures Classic will be over 54 holes, starting on Friday and finishing on Sunday. Total prizefund is $75,000. The winner will received $10,500.

SGU Press Release
SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPION HEADS EUROPEAN BOYS TEAM
Scottish Boys Champion James White will lead the Scotland charge for the European Boys Team title next month (11 - 15 July) in Sweden.
White has emerged as a promising talent this year, picking up the silver medal at the Scottish Youths Stroke Play last week, as well as winning the Boys title at West Kilbride in April, leading the SGU Junior Tour, and guiding Fife to victory in the Glenvargill Peugeot Scottish Boys Area Team Championship.
The 17-year-old helped tee off this season with an international victory for Scotland in the Boys Quadrangular. It was the first time in over a decade the Scots had won the event, having defeated Italy, France and Sweden to maintain a 100% record in the tournament.
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), James Byrne (Banchory) and Ross Kellet (Colville Park) also keep their place from the winning Boys Quadrangular side.
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar) was runner up in the 2004 Scottish Boys Stroke Play, whilst 17 year old James Byrne (Banchory) reached the semi final of this year’s Scottish Boys Championship. Ross Kellet (Colville Park) has made his mark on the men’s circuit, picking up bronze medals in the Scottish Stroke Play and Scottish Youths Stroke Play, and finishing third in West of Scotland Championship.
Michael Stewart is drafted into the team for the European Boys Team Championships after impressing selectors in the SGU Junior Tour this year. The 16 year old youngster from Troon Welbeck has won two of the Junior Tour events this season and currently holds the third position in the Scottish Junior Golf Ranking table.
The team will be looking to improve on last year’s performance and replicate Scottish success six years ago. The side in 2000, which included Walker Cup star David Inglis, were crowned champions in the Netherlands after defeating Ireland in the final.
Boys Team Captain Barrie Douglas is confident that the team selected will have a successful week. He said: “All the boys in the side are playing well and they have great determination and team spirit. Much of this is down to the enthusiasm and professionalism of their coach Spencer Henderson.
“They enjoyed a wonderful win together earlier in the year at the Boys Quadrangular and it has given them the taste of team success. They are keen to emulate that victory by doing well in Sweden.”
A total of 24 teams will line up for the five day championship, which will be played at Bokskogens Golf Club, Sweden. The event will consist of two phases – 36 holes of stroke play qualifying over the first two days, followed by three days of match play within two flights, the top flight consisting of eight teams.

Monday 26th June 2006

Perth and Kinross, winners of the North Division County Championship 2006
Captain Janet Griffiths said " How proud I am of the Perth & Kinross team. Their preparation for the tournament was second to none and their golf during the tournament was outstanding. The atmosphere of good sportmanship and camaraderie was marvellous to experience. We are all looking forward to the finals in September and hope we do well."

PERTH & KINROSS WIN NORTH DIVISION TITLE FOR FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS
Perth & Kinross will compete in the Scottish women’s county golf championship finals in September for the first time since 1982.
They booked their place alongside the three other area title-winners by winning the North Division women’s county team championship at Crieff Golf Club today (Monday).
Perth & Kinross did it in champion style by winning all three matches over the three-day tournament. They clinched the divisional title for the first time in 24 years – Crieff was also the venue in 1982 – by beating Aberdeenshire 6 ½-2 ½.
P & K made a clean sweep of the morning foursomes 3-0 to take most of the pressure off the singles. Needing only 2pt from the six afternoon ties to make sure of victory, they got them from Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore).
A win for Emma Napper (Craigie Hill) and half a point from Fiona Ramsay (Crieff) extended the winning margin.
Perth and Kinross had the outstanding player of the tournament – Alexandra Bushby, pictured right, who won all six of her ties. Fiona Ramsay ran her close with five wins and a halved match.
“It’s fantastic to have won the divisional title after 24 years,” said vice-captain Dawn Butchart. “It was an awesome team effort and it’s rather nice that Perth & Kinross are champions in the year that Jessie Valentine (who was a Craigie Hill Golf Club member all her life) passed away.”
Northern Counties, bidding to win the area title for a fourth year in a row, finished runners-up by beating Angus 5-4.
Monday results:
PERTH & KINROSS 6 ½, ABERDEENSHIRE 2 ½
Foursomes: J Milne & F Ramsay bt S Wood & L Murray 2 and 1, R Niven & A Bushby bt M Thomson & L McLardy 4 and 3, E Ogilvy & E Napper bt C Wilson & K Thomson 3 and 1 (3-0).
Singles: Ogilvy bt K Thomson 3 and 2, Milne lost to Wood 2 and 1, J Yellowlees lost to M Thomson 2 and 1, Bushby bt J Harrison 3 and 2, Napper bt D Pocock 4 and 3, Ramsay halved with Murray (3 ½-2 ½).
NORTHERN COUNTIES 5, ANGUS 4
Foursomes: K MacDonald & J Milne lost to A Ramsay & R Wilson 2 and 1, K Harper & L Walker bt K McNicoll & F Millar 7 and 6, A Ingram & E Manson lost to M Summers & A Hunter 4 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: MacDonald lost to McNicoll 4 and 3, Ingram lost to Ramsay 7 and 5, Harper bt S Murray 3 and 2, Milne bt J Tough 7 and 5, M Smith bt Summers 3 and 2, Walker bt Hunter 6 and 4 (4-2).
Final placings: 1 Perth & Kinross (3 wins), 2 Northern Counties (2 wins, 1 defeat), 3 Angus (1 draw, 2 defeats) and Aberdeenshire (1 draw, 2 defeats).

MIDLOTHIAN'S GOOD START TO TITLE DEFENCE
Scottish title-holders Midlothian made a good start to their defence of the East Division women’s inter-county team golf championship at Dunbar Golf Club today.
They beat Stirling & Clackmannan 6 ½ -2 ½ after taking a 3-0 lead from the morning foursomes.
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) won the top singles tie for Midlothian, beating Curtis Cup team first reserve Heather MacRae (Dunblane) by 4 and 3.
Fife shade East Lothian 5-4, that vital point of a difference coming from a 2-1 morning lead gained in the foursomes.
Two St Regulus players, Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Curtis Cup team second reserve, and last year’s Scottish champion, Fiona Lockhart, finished the day as double winners for Fife.
Results:
EAST DIVISION WOMEN’S INTER-COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Dunbar Golf Club.
DAY 1
FIFE 5, EAST LOTHIAN 4
Foursomes: L Kenney & J Carthew lost to F Prior & L Mortenson 3 and 1; E Moffat & F Lockhart bt L Fortune & E Fairnie 5 and 4; K Caithness & K Milne bt J Smith & K Brotherton 1 hole (2-1).
Singles: Kenney bt Prior 1 hole, Caithness bt Mortensen 3 and 2, Moffat lost to Fairnie 3 and 2, Lockhart bt S McMaster 3 and 1, L Bennett lost to M Thomson 3 and 2, Carthew lost to Brotherton 1 hole (3-3)
MIDLOTHIAN 6 ½ , STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 2 ½
Foursomes: K Blackwood & C MacDonald bt A Davidson & Lesley Robertson 5 and 4; K Marshall & W Nicholson bt S Mitchell & Linda Robertson 4 and 2; C Hargan & B Murphy bt S Macgregor & V Stephenson 5 and 4 (3-0).
Singles: Hargan bt H MacRae 4 and 3, MacDonald halved with Linda Robertson, H Laughland lost to Davidson 2 and 1, R Livingstone lost to Mitchell 2 and 1, Marshall bt M Tough 1 hole, Blackwood bt E Allison 3 and 1 (3 ½-2 ½)

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS LANARKSHIRE LOSE THEIR OPENING TIE TO RENFREWSHIRE
Title-holders Lanarkshire lost their opening match of the West Division women’s inter-county golf team championship at East Renfrewshire Golf Club today.
They lost 5 ½-3 ½ to Renfrewshire after sharing the foursomes 1 ½-1 ½.
Lanarkshire made a sound start to the afternoon singles with victories for Jenna Wilson and Alexandra Young.
Renfrewshire turned the tables by taking the last four ties with wins for Clare-Marie Carlton, Donna Jackson, Lesley Robertson and Gillian Kyle
Highlight of Dunbartonshire & Argyll’s 6-3 win over Ayrshire was a winning comeback – after 27 years! – by former Curtis Cup star Suzanne Cadden (Cardross), pictured right with her caddy, Sally Coster. (Photo courtesy of Jean Campbell)
Suzanne beat Morag McPherson (Turnberry) by 6 and 5. She was one of four D&A winners in the singles after the morning foursomes were shared.
Results
WEST DIVISION INTER-COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
East Renfrewshire Golf Club
DAY 1
DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 6, AYRSHIRE 3
Foursomes: A Laing & S Bishop halved with C Malcolm & D Watt; J Galbraith & F McLean lost to L Hendry & R Kennedy 5 and 4; G Webster & K Walker bt A Glennie & L Keohone 5 and 3 (1 ½-1 ½).
Singles: Walker halved with Hendry, Laing bt Kennedy 6 and 4, Bishop bt Malcolm 3 and 2, J Foggo lost to A Thompson 3 and 2, S Cadden bt M McPherson 6 and 5, Webster bt Watt 3 and 2 (4 ½-1 ½ )
RENFREWSHIRE 5 ½, LANARKSHIRE 3 1/2
Foursomes: D Jackson & G Kyle lost to J Wilson & S Wood 2 and 1; J Jenkins & C-M Carlton halved with E Cuthill & A Young; M Briggs & K O’Sullivan bt M Hughes & A Hendry 1 hole (1 ½-1 ½).
Singles: Briggs lost to Wilson 6 and 5, O’Sullivan lost to Young 1 hole, Carlton bt Cuthill 4 and 3, Jackson bt Wood 3 and 2, L Robertson bt L Lloyd 3 and 1, Kyle bt R Rankin 1 hole (4-2).

IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION GET GREEN LIGHT TO PURCHASE NEW HEADQUARTERS
From the Irish Ladies Golf Union website:
On Saturday 24th June, the lady members of golf clubs nationwide adopted a proposal to purchase new headquarters for the Union at an Extraordinary General Meeting at Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa.
“Due to the phenomenal growth in the Union's activities, it is necessary to expand our facilities at HQ to sustain a quality service to our membership,” explained chief executive Sinead Hearty following the 303-13 majority verdict. “We are delighted by the overwhelming support of the clubs in this regard,” she added.
The ILGU will purchase three units at Q House in Sandyford Industrial Estate where building is due to commence in the last quarter of 2006. The move will be financed by the sale of offices at Clonskeagh Square, borrowings and a one-off levy of 40 Euros each by the 50,000 fee-paying membership.
The move from Clonskeagh to Sandyford is scheduled to take place in early October 2007.

Kate Combes wins Pleasington Putter
Touring Australian player Kate Combes from Long Island Country Club, Victoria won Sunday's Pleasington Putter 36-hole open competition by a record margin of eight shots at Pleasington Golf Club, Blackburn.
Kate had scores of 70 and 71 for a seven-under-par total of 141.
Runner-up on 149 with scores of 76 and 73 was Laura Eastwood (Yelverton).
Three players had the next best total of 151.
Left-handed Welsh champion Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen) was placed third ahead of Sarah-Jane Eaves (Cosby) on a card countback. They both scored 76 and 75.
Rachel Lomas (Hallowes) was placed fifth because Sara-jane had a better second round, 75 to 76.
Combined Results - GROSS
1 Kate Combes Long Island (Australia) 70 71 141
2 Laura Eastwood Yelverton 76 73 149
3 Stephanie Evans Vale of Llangollen 76 75 151
4 Sarah-Jane Eaves Cosby 76 75 151
5 Rachel Lomas Hallowes 75 76 151
6 Jody Fleming Yarra Yarra (Australia) 72 80 152
7 Janet Phipps Exeter 79 74 153
8 Clare Brown Furness 75 78 153
9 Tracey Boyes Meon Valley 79 75 154
10 Rebecca Wood Glossop & District 79 75 154
11 Liz Bennett Brokenhurst 79 75 154
12 Rachel Connor Manchester 78 76 154
13 Emma Lyons West Surrey 78 76 154
14 Kamilla Lawton Prestbury 74 80 154
15 Sophie Stubbs Shifnall 80 75 155
16 Sophie Beardsall Greetham Valley 79 76 155
17 Ellie Givens Blackwell Grange 76 79 155
18 Caroline Marron Bromborough 80 76 156
19 Gemma Thornell Oswestry 79 77 156
20 Louisa Stirling Formby Ladies' 82 75 157
21 Jennie Pease Braintree 79 78 157
22 Laura Collin John O'Gaunt 77 80 157

RHIND LETS IT SLIP ON LAST NINE
Lee Rhind from Livingston finished joint 13th in the Tight Lies Tour’s Stonebridge Open at Bossier City, Louisiana on Sunday.
Rhind, 27, had rounds of 71, 69, 68 and 71 for a total of nine-under-par 279.
He birdied the first, third, fourth, seventh and eighth with only one bogey, at the second, in improving to 13 under par for the tournament with 10 holes to play. At that point he was within striking distance of back-to-back wins on the Tight Lies Tour.
But Lee then bogeyed the ninth, 12th, 13th and 16th before adding a final birdie at the 18th.
Winner by three shots was American Alan Weant with 17-under-par 271, made up of 70, 68, 68 and 65.

LOW-NOTE FINISH FOR JULIE FORBES
Julie Forbes from Aboyne had rounds of 78, 73 and 83 for a total of 234 in the Estoril Ladies Open of Portugal over the Oitavos course at Quinta da Marinha. She was the only Scot to survive the 36-hole cut.
Julie earned 660 Euros for the week which ended on a low note for her with nine bogeys, a double bogey and not a single birdie in her closing round.
France’s Stephanie Arricau won the title – her second tournament win in three weeks. She finished on nine-under-par 207, five shots ahead of compatriot Gwladys Nocera, to win the 45,000 Euros top prize.
LEADING TOTALS
207 Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 71 71 67.
212 Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 69 73 70.
213 Sarah Kemp (Aus) 69 72 72.
214 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 74 71 69.
215 Becky Brewerton (Wal) 72 69 74.
Other total:
234 Julie Forbes (Sco) 78 73 83.

A FEW DOLLARS MORE FOR SAMANTHA
Samantha Head, the only British or Irish player to contest the final round, finished tied 38th in the Duramed Futures Tour’s Lima Memorial Hospital Classic at Lost Creek Country Club, Lima in Ohio.
Samantha, from Bedford, had rounds of 71,70 and 72 for a total of 213 in a very low scoring tournament over a 5,992yd, par-72 course. Samantha eared $333 for her three-under-par effort.
Ji Min Jeong, one of many Koreans on the tour, scored her first win with rounds of 69, 66 and 68 for a 13-under-par total of 203. By birdieing the last hole, she had one shot to spare over Mollie Fankhauser. Her cash prize was $9,800.

SGU Press Release
STROKE PLAY CHAMPION HEADS EURO YOUTHS TEAM
Scottish Stroke Play Champion Scott Henry headlines a strong Scotland side to play in the European Youths Team Championships next month (11-15 July).
The 19 year old secured his first senior title at Craigielaw at the beginning of the month to underline his reputation as one of the country’s hottest young golfing talents.
Cardross ace Henry came from behind to take the title from England’s Ross McEwan in the Scottish Stroke Play, and he will be hoping to carry this form into the European Youths Team Championships in Spain, where Scotland will be looking to become only the fourth nation to successfully defend their crown.
Joining Henry in the side is Walker Cup star Lloyd Saltman, who was a member of the victorious Scotland side in 2004. The 20 year old from Craigielaw impressed last year, clinching a unique double on The Old Course, St Andrews – winning the Links Trophy and securing the Silver Medal in The Open Championship.
The Scotland team, also includes Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) who missed out on the Scottish Youths Stroke Play Championship at the weekend after setting the pace at the halfway stage.
Former British Boys Champion Jordan Findlay, will also be hoping to repeat the performance of Scotland’s youths team in 2004, when they held on to take the European Youths Team title in a nail biting final against England. The dramatic match went down to the final game to decide the champions, with 2004 Scottish Stroke Play Champion Richie Ramsay securing the last vital point to make the victory safe.
Team Captain, and former Walker Cup star Barclay Howard is confident that his side can mount a serious challenge. He said: “We have a strong team with a number of extremely talented individuals. More importantly though, they are able to perform well as part of a team.
“I have been lucky enough to be part of winning side in the Walker Cup and I know what a great experience it can be to share success as a team.
“I am keen to pass on this experience and help the boys perform well in Spain and emulate Scotland’s success in the event two years ago.
“I know they will be focused and determined to play to the best of their ability. Let’s just hope that their best will be good enough to win the title.”
The European Youths Team Championship is a biennial event which was last held in Scotland in 2000, hosted by Kilmarnock Barassie. A total of 17 teams will line up for the five-day championship to be played at La Canada Golf Club, Spain.
Full team is as follows:
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh)
Scott Henry (Cardross)
Russell Knox (Nairn Dunbar)
Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park)
Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw)

EGU Press Release
Fisher heads strong team for European Youths Championship
Oliver Fisher, the youngest ever GB&I Walker Cup player, and three other full internationals, have been selected in a strong England team for the European Youths Team Championship in Spain next month.
The Championship, being staged at La Cañada Golf Club near Cadiz from 11th - 15th July, will also see England field full caps David Horsey, James Ruth and Paul Waring with former boy internationals Gary Boyd and Ben Parker completing the team.
Fisher, pictured ((Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)), became the youngest Walker Cup player when he represented GB&I in Chicago last August, just weeks before his 17th birthday. Over the past three years the Essex lad has underlined his enormous talent by collecting a string of titles and representative honours at home and abroad. His latest success came earlier this month when he won the St Andrews Links Trophy over the Old Course.
Horsey earned his first England cap against France in Bordeaux last month, having just won the West of England Stroke Play Championship. After losing to James Heath in the final of the English Amateur at Hollinwell in 2004, Horsey won the County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa last September by seven strokes after a closing course record of 64 over the Hotchkin Course. Earlier this year the 21 year old from Cheshire was a member of the victorious England squad in the Costa Ballena Tournament in Spain and finished tied third in the South African Stroke Play Championship.
Ruth, 21, from Devon, has been capped at all levels over the past five years. He made his full England debut against France at Sandwich in 2004 and played against Spain last year. He has also represented England in the past two Home Internationals. Last year, he represented the EGU in Portugal, Spain and Belgium, then won the St Mellion International, finished third in the Berkshire Trophy and reached the last 16 of the English Amateur. This year, Ruth was also a member of the winning England team in the Costa Ballena Tournament, tied third in the Duncan Putter and won the EGU south-west Regional Qualifier earlier this month.
Waring, 21, is another with an extensive representative record with England. Capped at all levels since 2001, he was England boys captain in 2003, but after winning the Peugeot Classic in France and finishing second in the Duncan Putter in 2004, he was sidelined by injury. After being out for nine months, he celebrated his return by becoming English Champion over his home course at Bromborough last July. He then made his long overdue full England debut in September’s Home Internationals. This year, he played against France, finished runner-up to Horsey in the West of England and fifth in the Mexican Amateur. He is the only member of the side who played in the 2004 European Youths Team Championships in Ireland.
Boyd, 19, from Northamptonshire, is a former Midland Youths Champion, who was capped at under 16 level before earning his first boys cap in England’s victorious Boys Home Internationals side in Ireland in 2004. He finished third in the Carris Trophy that year and represented GB&I against Europe in the Jacques Leglise Trophy. Last year, he reached the quarter finals of the English Amateur and after playing his part in the Costa Ballena Tournament victory this year, reached the semi-finals of the Spanish Amateur. He was named as reserve for the international with France last month.
Parker, 18, who is based in Germany where his father is a club professional, has been a member of the winning England sides for the past two years in the Boys Home Internationals and of the victorious team in the 2004 European Boys Team Championships.
A former winner of the European Young Masters, he won the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl in America last Christmas, followed this up with another international victory by winning the Tasmanian Open in February, the first non-Australian player to do so, and recently finished tied third in the Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship.
England’s only win in the European Youths Championship came in Scotland in 2000 but they have finished runners-up three times, to Sweden in 1992 and 2002 and to Scotland two years ago in Ireland.
The complete England team is:
Gary Boyd (Cherwell Edge), Oliver Fisher (West Essex), David Horsey (Styal), Ben Parker (Gut Waldhof), James Ruth (Tavistock), and Paul Waring (Bromborough).

Sunday 25th June 2006

PERTH & KINROSS FAVOURITES TO WIN NORTH DIVISION TITLE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1982
Perth & Kinross are on the brink of winning their first North Division women’s inter-county team golf championship for the first time since 1982.
Twenty-four years ago they beat Angus, Aberdeenshire & Northern Counties to win the title at Crieff – and, by coincidence, that is the venue for this year’s three-day championship.
Perth & Kinross followed up their 7-2 Saturday win over Angus by beating Northern Counties, champions for the past three years, 5 ½-3 ½
In the other match, Aberdeenshire and Angus drew 4 ½-4 ½.
In Monday’s final programme, Perth & Kinross play Aberdeenshire, while Northern Counties play Angus.
The winners of the North Division team title go forward to the Scottish women’s county finals at The Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream in September.
Details:
SUNDAY
ANGUS 4 ½ , ABERDEENSHIRE 4 ½
Foursomes: R Wilson & A Ramsay lost to S Wood & L Murray 1 hole; M Summers & A Hunter bt L McLardy & M Thomson 2 holes; K McNicoll & F Millar bt J Harrison & C Wilson 1 hole (2-1)
Singles: J Tough lost to K Thomson 4 and 3, Hunter lost to Wood 4 and 2, R Wilson lost to M Thomson 5 and 3, Summers bt C Wilson 6 and 5, McNicoll bt D Pocock 4 and 3, Ramsay halved with Murray (2 ½ -3 ½ ).
NORTHERN COUNTIES 3 ½ , PERTH & KINROSS 5 ½
Foursomes: K MacDonald & Jenny Milne lost to Jillian Milne & F Ramsay 4 and 2; K Harper & L Walker lost to R Niven & A Bushby 2 and 1; A Ingram & E Manson bt E Ogilvy & S Kettlewell 5 and 3 (1-2).
Singles: MacDonald bt Niven 3 and 1, Harper lost to Jillian Milne 3 and 1, Walker bt J Yellowlees 3 and 2, Ingram lost to Bushby 2 and 1, Jenny Milne lost to Ramsay 2 holes, M Smith halved with E Napper (2 ½ -3 ½ ).
HOW THEY STAND
1 Perth & Kinross (2 wins), 2 Northern Counties (1 win, 1 defeat), 3 Aberdeenshire (1 draw, 1 defeat) & Angus (1 draw, 1 defeat).
MONDAY MATCHES:
9am & 1.30: Perth & Kinross v Aberdeenshire; Northern Counties v Angus.

Francisco Pintor with the Scottish Youths Trophy

SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SPANIARD WINS SCOTTISH OPEN YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP
FRANCISCO Pintor , only 16, became not only the first Spanish winner but also possibly the youngest ever holder of the title at the conclusion of the Scottish youths’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh today.
Francisco, from Alicante, came from four shots off the pace at the halfway stage to go two clear of the field with a four-under-par 68 in the third round. A closing 74 was good enough to see him win the Under-21s' title by two shots with a total of four-under-par 284.
Scottish boys match-play champion James White Lundin) and Ross Kellett (Colville Park) were joint runners-up on 286.
Halfway leader Steven McEwan (Barassie) faded with closing rounds of 74 and 76 to a level par total of 288 which earned him joint fourth place.
Pintor described the win as the biggest of his career, and hopes it will secure his place in Spain’s side for the European boys’ team championship next month.
He said: “I have won county championships in Spain, but never a national title, so this is really special. t is also my first time playing in Scotland, so I am delighted to have played so well here.
“I knew that I was playing well, and the course really suited my game, so I was hoping to do well in the event.
Pintor flies over to Scotland every three months to receive tuition from Kingsacre Golf Centre, Edinburgh headoach Alan Murdoch. It was on Alan’s advice that young Francisco entered the Scottish youths open championship.
The trophy will now head back to Kingsacre – the home of former Scottish youths champion and European Tour player Andrew Oldcorn.
McEwan cut Pintor’s lead to just one shot after the first hole of the final round. The Spaniard bogeyed the par-4 hole to slip back to five under par.
Pintor’s nervous start continued with bogeys at the second and fourth as he approached the turn at three over par for his round.
McEwan kept up the challenge with an eagle 3 at the eighth but his bid for the title crumbled with consecutive bogeys at the 14th and 15th.
A fantastic birdie at the last hole – his first at the tricky 18th – was enough for Pintor to become the first Spaniard to secure the title.
SCOTTISH YOUTHS OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh
FINAL TOTALS (Par 72)
284 F Pintor (Spa) 69 73 68 74.
286 J White (Lundin) 75 69 75 67. R Kellett (Colville Park) 74 69 72 71..
288 M Larusson (Ice) 69 75 74 70, A Main (Thornton) 76 71 70 71, S McEwan (Barassie) 68 70 74 76.
289 S Mann (Carnosutie) 75 72 69 73.
291 P Westermann (Ger) 75 71 70 75.
292 M Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 71 74 74 73, R McKnight (Barassie) 70 71 75 76.
293 M Smyth (Royal Troon) 73 76 73 71.
294 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 73 71 77 73, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 71 73 79 71, T Curtis (Pannal) 70 75 76 73.
295 K Glen (Royal Musselburgh) 73 72 76 74.
297 K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 74 73 72 78.
298 M Kraemer (Ger) 77 71 75 75, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 72 73 75 78
299 T Benatzky (Ger) 73 75 76 75, J Byrne (Banchory) 73 72 77 77, R Noon (Musselburgh) 74 73 76 76.
300 D Parlane (Helensburgh) 71 73 77 79, A Gordon (Portpatrick) 70 76 80 74.
301 E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 70 77 76 78, D Yeats (Newmachar) 76 71 78 76.
302 A Lauder (Paisley) 71 77 77 77, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 77 72 74 79, C-H Raindre (Fra) 74 75 78 75, M Bozio (Fra) 74 70 79 79, S Simants (Dunbar) 71 75 76 80.
303 P Okan (Ger) 77 72 76 78, S Barras (Helensburgh) 72 77 78 76, A Moir (Thornton) 78 71 81 73, S Fraser (Northern) 75 72 76 80, S Borrowman (Dollar) 76 72 78 77, R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 70 73 83 77.
304 M Main (Thornton) 68 77 80 79, F Dunlop (Broomieknowe) 74 72 78 80, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 78 68 82 76, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 73 75 80 76.
306 C Gray (West Kilbride) 75 73 73 85.
307 F Bone (Cardross) 81 68 69 79.
308 K Smith (Barassie) 74 75 81 78, D Laing (Craigielaw) 74 75 79 80.
309 M Spence (Newmachar) 76 71 79 83.
311 A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 76 72 81 82, S Jaeger (Ger) 77 72 80 82.
312 B Campbell (Malone) 78 71 80 83.
Retired: R Graham (Hayston) 69 74 80 Ret.
NR F McKenna (~Balmore) 76 73 76 NR.

WARDELL COVERS EDZELL FRONT NINE ON WAY TO GRAND PERFORMANCE
Whitekirk Golf Club professional Paul Wardell reduced the first nine holes to only 31 strokes in winning the top prize of £1,064 in the £7,500 Edzell Golf Club pro-am today (Sunday).
Wardell finished with a five-under-par 66 but all the magic came before the turn. Paul birdied the first, second, third, sixth and ninth to be five under par after nine holes.
The inward half was positively humdrum after that – nine straight pars for 35 home.
He won by one stroke from Ross Drummond (Prestwick Driving Range) and Colin Gillies (Kingsfield).
The last group to finish, Alan Reid (unattached)and the Angus Tyre Company trio of Bill Annandale (14), Andrew Mitchell (19) and Duncan Henderson (16), won the pro-am team event with a net score of 20-under-par 122.
They pipped the clubhouse leaders - Lee Vannet (Carnoustie) and the Ryden team of Gus Stewart (12), Mike Loggie (14) and Dave Manzie (4) - by one shot.
LEADING SCORES
66 P Wardell (Whitekirk).
67 R Drummond (Prestwick DR), C Gillies (Kingsfield).
68 K Walker (Castle Park).
69 D B Scott (Douglas Park), S Henderson (Kings Links).
770 G McFarlane (World of Golf), J McKinnon (Troon), I Bratton (Newburgh on Ythan).
TEAM WINNERS
122 Angus Tyre Company (Alan Reid (unattached) Bill Annandale (14) Andrew Mitchell (19) Duncan Henderson (16) )
123 Ryden (L Vannet (Carnoustie) & Ryden: G Stewart (12), M Loggie (14), D Manzie (4) )

GALLAGHER SWOOPS TO CONQUER IN TENNANT CUP AT KILLERMONT
Cack-handed John Gallagher once again demonstrated that it’s not how, but how many when he came with a Sunday swoop to win the prestigious Tennant Cup 72-hole tournament at Glasgow Golf Club’s Killermont course today (Sunday).
The Swanston man was in third place overnight after rounds of 69 and 72 at Glasgow Gailes on Saturday, six shots behind leader Craig Watson.
But Watson opened door to his challengers with a third-round 75 and Gallagher swept through with scores of 68 and 69 for a four-round total of four-under-par 278.
He won by two shots from Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) and Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire).
TENNANT CUP – First two rounds Glasgow Gailes; second two rounds Killermont.
FINAL TOTALS (CSS 74 74 69 69)
278 J Gallagher (Swanston) 69 72 68 69.
279 S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes() 76 64 68 71, G Dear (Murrayshall) 72 72 65 70, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 68 67 75 69.
282 J King (Glasgow) 72 70 68 72.
283 E Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 71 68 71.
284 M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 74 71 70 69.
285 C MacAulay (Tulliallan) 71 74 69 71, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 76 69 70 70, I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle) 71 75 71 68.
286 P O’Hara (Colville Park) 77 70 69 70, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 72 74 73 67.
290 G Gorrie (Glasgow) 73 69 73 75.
293 B Anderson (Cambuslang) 80 70 69 74, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 73 72 79 69.
295 D Simpson (Comrie) 71 78 71 75.
297 K Shanks (Hilton Park) 77 79 74 67.
298 C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 76 79 71 72, W Booth (Comrie) 81 77 70 70.
299 J mathers (Haggs Castle) 75 77 73 74.
300 R Taylor (Downfield) 78 71 72 79, A
301 G Munro (Ranfurly Castle) 76 75 77 73.
302 G Yates (Hilton park) 76 74 73 79, S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 78 75 72 77.
303 P Dempsey (Alloa) 74 75 77 77.
304 S Rennie (Airdrie) 76 77 77 74, S Hume (Murrayshall) 78 76 78 72.
305 J Hempstock (Dumfries & Co) 79 77 74 75.
307 D Miller (Fereneze) 75 78 76 78.
308 S Turnbull (Hayston) 78 81 80 69.
312 P Betty (Hayston) 78 81 82 71.
313 C Carson (Inellan) 83 75 77 78.
314 F Inglis (Murrayshall) 79 78 79 78.
NR J Whitelaw (Lanark) 83 75 78 NR

Craigmillar Park Junior Open
Monday 3 July
There are still some times available for the Craigmillar Park Junior Open. In particular the organisers would like to see more girls play, at the moment there are 4 girls from Sweden playing. For more information please contact secretary@craigmillarpark.co.uk or phone Barry Knowles on 0131 667 0047. Entry Fee £3

BRENDA FAILS TO BEAT THE CUT
Belfast's Brenda McLarnon matched the par of 72 in the second round of the Duramed Futures Tour's Lima Memorial Hospital Classic at Lima, Ohio but missed one of the lowest cuts of the season. One-over-par 145 made it, but 146 did not not.
Brenda, a former student at the College of Charleston, South Carolina, saddled herself with an opening score of 79. Her 36-hole total of 151 was always going to be five or six shots too many on a short course with small greens.
Ji Min Jeong from Kyungki, Korea bogeyed the last for a 66 and a nine-under-par tally of 135. She leads by only one shot.
Six shots off the pace is Samantha Head from Bedford. She has scored 71 and 70 for 141 and a share of 35th place.

McLEARY JOINT SIXTH ON CHALLENGE TOUR
Scots Jamie McLeary and Andrew McArthur finished joint sixth and joint 11th respectively in the Credit Suisse Challenge tournament at Wylihof Golf Club. McLeary, in contention for the 22,400 Euros first prize over the final round, finished with scores of 70, 72, 64 and 73 for a 13-under-par total of 279 to earn 4,340 Euros.
Former Scottish amateur champion McArthur had rounds of 69, 70, 73 and 69 for 281 to win 2,590 Euros.
Spain's Francisco Cea beat Englan's Tim Milford at the second extra hole of a sudden death play-off to take the title and the top cash award. They had tied on 16-under-par 276.
CREDIT SUISSE CHALLENGE
Wylihof Golf Club
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
276 F Cea (Spa) 73 69 69 65, T Milford (Eng) 65 72 71 68 (Cea won play-off at second extra hole.
277 G Davies (Eng) 73 68 70 66, M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 69 69 70 69.
Other placings:
279 J McLeary (Sco) 70 72 64 73.
281 A McArthur (Sco) 69 70 73 69.

Saturday 24th June 2006

NORTHERN COUNTIES’ GOOD START TO BID FOR TITLE FOUR-TIME AT CRIEFF
Northern Counties boosted their hopes of a fourth success title win in the North Division women’s inter-county team championship when they beat their main rivals, Aberdeenshire, 5 ½-3 ½ in the opening match at Crieff today (Saturday).
Northern Counties took the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 3 ½-2 ½ with 15-year-old Kelsey MacDonald from Nairn Dunbar winning the battle of the county champions by 2 and 1 against Katie Thomson (Kintore).
In the other opening match of the three-day tournament, Perth & Kinross had a surprisingly convincing 7-2 win over Angus. P&K, who have not won the North Division title since 1982, took the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 5-1.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) won the top singles tite by 5 and 4 against Angus county champion Jane Tough (Brechin).
Details:
ABERDEENSHIRE 3 ½, NORTHERN COUNTIES 5 ½
Foursomes: S Wood & L Murray lost to K MacDonald & J Milne 3 and 2; D Pocock & M Thomson lost to K Harper & L Walker 4 and 3; J Harrison & C Wilson bt M Smith & D Sinclair 3 and 1 (1-2).
Singles: K Thomson lost to MacDonald 2 and 1, Wood lost to Walker 1 hole, Murray bt Smith 3 and 2, C Wilson halved with Milne, L McLardy lost to A Ingram 5 and 4, M Thomson bt Harper 3 and 1 (2 ½-3 ½ ).
ANGUS 2, PERTH & KINROSS 7
Foursomes: M Summers & A Hunter lost to J Milne & R Ramsay 3 and 2; R Wilson, A Ramsay lost to R Niven, A Bushby 4 and 3, K McNicoll & S Murray bt E Ogilvy, E Napper 2 and 1 (1-2).
Singles: J Tough lost to Niven 5 and 4, Summers lost to Bushby 2 and 1, Wilson lost to J Yellowlees 3 and 2, Murray lost to S Kettlewell 3 and 2, F Millar lost to F Ramsay 4 and 3, McNicoll bt Ogilvy 5 and 4 (1-5).
Sunday matches (9am & 1.30):
Angus v Aberdeenshire, Northern Counties v Perth & Kinross.

BARASSIE BOYS 1-2 AT HALFWAY STAGE OF SCOTTISH YOUTHS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Kilmarnock Barassie boys Steven McEwan and Robert McKnight lead the field at the halfway stage of the Scottish youths’ open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh.
McEwan, winner last year of the Scottish Under-18 boys’ stroke-play title and capped recently for Scotland youths against Ireland, added a two-under-par 70 to his opening round of 68 for a six-under-par tally of 138.
McEwan reached the turn in one under par with birdies at the fifth, seventh and eighth, dropping shots at the third and sixth. Coming home, he birdied the long 12th and the par-4 14th and dropped only one more shot, at the 15th in coming home in 35 for a 70.
He leads by three shots overnight from clubmate Robert McKnight who has had scores of 70 and 71.
A total of 50 players with totals of 149 qualified for Sunday’s final two rounds.
QUALIFIERS
138 S McEwan (Barassie) 68 70.
141 R McKnight (Barassie) 70 71.
142 F Pintor (Spa) 69 73.
143 R Kellett (Colville Park) 74 69, R Graham (Hayston) 69 74, R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 70 73..
144 G Paterson (St Andrews New) 71 73, S McAllister (Craigielaw) 73 71, M Bozio (Fra) 74 70, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 71 73, J White (Lundin) 75 69, M Larusson (Ice) 69 75.
145 K Glen (Royal Musselburgh) 73 72, M Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 71 74, T Curtis (Pannal) 70 75, M Main (Thornton) 68 77, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 72 73, J Byrne (Banchory) 73 72.
146 P Westermann (Ger) 75 71, S Simants (Dunbar) 71 74, A Gordon (Portpatrick) 70 76, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 78 68, F Dunlop (Broomieknowe) 74 72.
147 R Noon (Musselburgh) 74 73, D Yeats (Newmachar) 76 71, S Mann (Carnoustie) 75 72, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 74 73, M Spence (Newmachar) 76 71, S Fraser(Northeren) 75 72, E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 70 77, A Main (Thornton) 76 71.
148 T Benatzky (Ger) 73 75, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 73 74, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 76 72, M Kraemer (Ger) 77 71, A Lauder (Paisley) 71 77, C Gray (West Kilbride) 75 73, S Borrowman (Dollar) 76 72.
149 F Bone (Cardross) 81 69, S Barras (Helensburgh) 72 77, B Campbell (Malone) 77 72, S Jaeger (Ger) 77 72, K Smith (Barassie) 74 75, C-H Raindre (Fra) 74 75, M Smyth (Royal Troon) 73 76, D Laing (Craigielaw) 74 75, A Moir (Thornton) 74 75, F McKenna (Balmore) 76 73, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 77 72.
MISSED CUT
150 L Kirton (Newmachar) 77 73, S Neilson (Dunbar) 72 78, K Spence (Newmachar) 79 71, S Binning (Old Ranfurly) 76 74, S Mann (Moray) 74 76, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 74 76, A Kristinsson (Ice) 74 76, A Hay (Westhill) 75 75.
151 B Rushford (Grangemouth) 79 72, E Polson (Inverness) 75 76, N Cameron (King James VI) 74 77, R Anderson (Duddingston) 77 74, A Nelson (Douglas Park) 74 77, R Rebecchi (Greenock) 77 74, R Leeds (Muckhart) 76 75, J Duff (Newmachar) 73 78.
152 G Wood (Crow Wood) 78 74, A Bews (Murcar Links) 77 75, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 83 69, R Hyland (Newmachar) 82 70, G Nicolson (Mortonhall) 72 80, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 74 78, R Jamieson (US) 76 76, B Mackay (Prestonfield) 76 76.
153 G Turner (West Linton) 77 76, M Oueld-Es-Cheik (Fra) 77 76, J Meechan (Dullatur) 78 75, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 75 78, M Murray (Brora) 76 77, P McCabe (Wishaw) 80 73, M Lawrence (Kintore) 81 72, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 78 75, O Loftsson (Ice) 76 77.
154 D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 82 72, J Lockie (Tantallon) 74 80, T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 78 76, L Vettese (Nigg Bay) 77 77, M Greil (Ita) 81 73, G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) 77 77, C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 80 74. M Hamm (Ger) 82 72, K Wilson (Moffat) 79 75,
155 C Malcolm (Dunfermline) 79 76, E Brown (Barassie) 79 76, J Donaldson (Falkirk Tryst) 77 78, D Chapman (Costessey Park) 73 82, J Bradley (Paisley) 77 78, S Crichton (Aberdour) 84 71, S Steffansson (Ice) 76 79..
156 A Rollo (Elgin) 78 78, C Cannon (East Sussex National) 78 78, K Truscott (Newmachar) 76 80, J Neilson (Dunbar) 80 786, R Lando (Colville Park) 79 77, J Mackay (Barassie) 76 80, A Finnbjornsson (Ice) 82 74, C Aitken (Glencruitten) 77 79, S McGarvey (Glencorse) 81 75.
157 M Bookless (Sandyhills) 79 78, C Kelly (Kirkhill) 80 77, D Addison (Barassie) 79 78, A Boyle (Dublin) 82 75, M Junker (Ger) 76 81.
158 A Brown (Kilsyth Lennox) 77 81, T Machleid (Ger) 81 77, C Storrier (Downfield) 78 80.
159 F Fotheringham (Nairn) 80 79.
160 S McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle) 81 69, S Tully (Duddingston) 80 80, C Young (Eastwood) 81 79, C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 82 78.
161 M Gentles (Edzell) 78 83, J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 86 75.
162 A McKie (Glencruitten) 84 78, J Laing (Longniddry) 80 82, D Sommerville (St Andrews) 83 79.
163 M Watson (Elgin) 83 80, S Henderson (Barassie) 81 82, T Gissurarson (Ice) 78 85, N Sinclair (Barassie) 83 80.
164 J Foley (Forres) 80 84.
165 R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan) 83 82, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 85 80, R Bell (Downfield) 81 84, D Torrance (Wentworth) 84 81.
167 D Broadfoot (Kirkcudbright) 86 81.
170 S P Olafsson (Ice) 80 90
.

THE WONDER OF WATSON: CRAIG LEADS TENNANT CUP BY FIVE AT HALFWAY
Former British amateur champion Craig Watson turned the clock back a few years with a vintage performance to lead by five strokes from a good-class field at the halfway stage of the Tennant Cup today.
Watson, playing out of the East Renfrewshire club, shot rounds of 68 and 67 over Glasgow Gailes links – against a CSS of 74 morning and afternoon – for a 36-hole tally of 135.
Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) dashed up to Ayrshire from Kent after a Friday morning exit from the British amateur championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club to be Watson’s nearest rival on 140.
Jamieson, who tied with Watson for the Edward Trophy over two rounds at the same course in April, was a bit travel-weary with an opening score of 76 but then he slashed 12 strokes off that after lunchtime with a brilliant score of seven-under-par 64.
The final two rounds switch to Glasgow Golf Club’s Killermont course on Sunday.
HALFWAY TOTALS
135 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 68 67.
140 S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 76 64.
141 J Gallagher (Swanston) 69 72.
142 G Gorrie (Glasgow) 73 69, J King (Glasgow) 72 70.
144 G Dear (Murrayshall) 72 72, E Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 71.
145 C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 71 74, M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 74 71, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 76 69.
146 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 72 74, I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle).
147 P O’Hara (Colville Park) 77 70.
148 P Dempsey (Alloa) 74 74.
149 D Simpson (Comrie) 71 78, R Taylor (Downfield) 78 71.
150 B Anderson (Cambuslang) 80 70, G Yates (Hilton Park) 76 74.
151 G Munro (Ranfurly Castle) 76 75.
152 J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 75 77, N Gold ( Bonnyton) 74 78.
153 S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 78 75, S Rennie (Airdrie) 76 77, D Miller (Fereneze) 75 78.
154 S Hume (Myurrayshall) 78 76.
155 C Colraine (Windyhill) 77 78, A Love (Dunbar) 73 82, A Howard Murrayshall) 76 79, C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 76 789, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 780 75.
156 K Shanks (Hilton Park) 77 79, S Michie (Thornton) 82 74, J Hempstock (Dumfries & Co) 79 787.
157 F Inglis (Murrayshall) 79 78.
158 W Booth (Comrie) 81 77, C Carson (Inellan) 83 75, J Whitelaw (Lanark) 83 75.
159 P Betty (Hayston) 78 81, S Turnbull (Hayston) 78 81.
TOP TEE TIMES AT KILLERMONT
9.37 & 1.52 - O’Hara & Colquhoun.
9.45 & 2.00 - Campbell & Clark.
9.52 & 2.07 - McNicoll & Kerr.
10.0 & 2.15 - Macaulay and E Saltman.
10.06 & 2.22 - Dear and King.
10.15 & 2.30 - Gorrie & Gallagher.
10.22 & 2.37 - Jamieson & Watson.

JULIE MAKES IT BUT LYNN, LIZ AND CLARE MISS CUT IN PORTUGAL
Aboyne exile Julie Forbes made the 36-hole cut in the Ladies European Tour event at Oitavos golf course in the Estoril and Sintra region of Portugal today.
Julie had rounds of 78 and 73 to be joint 46th on seven-over-par 151 going into Sunday's final round.
Players with totals of 154 and over did not qualify.
They included Lynn Kenny (Brucefields Family Golf Centre) and Inverness-based Kiwi Liz McKinnon on 159. Lynn and Liz both scored 78 and 81.
Sarah Kemp (Australia) and Becky Brewerton from Wales share the lead at three-under--par 141. Sarah has scored 69 and 72, while Becky did it the other way round, 72 and 69.

SUPERMAC HITS SIX BIRDIES IN SUCCESSION IN WINNING PORTLETHEN PRO-AM WITH A 62
Irvine tour pro Jim McKinnon shot a brilliant 10-under-par 62 to win the Portlethen Golf Club pro-am by four shots today (Saturday).
McKinnon picked up the £1,035 prize with a bogey-free card and his 10 birdies included six in a row from 12th to the 17th in halves of 32 (four under par) and 30 (six under par).
Gary Colinson (Esporta Dougalston) and Kenny Walker (Castle Park) were joint runners-up on 66.
Alan Reid (unattached) led the Randy Smith Training team No 1 to victory in the team event with a net score of 19-under-par 55. The amateurs were Duncan Bonner (6), Jay Richardson (15) and George Robertson (14).
LEADING SCORES
62 J McKinnon (Irvine).
66 G Collinson (Esporta Dougalston), K Walker (Castle Park).
67 C Gillies (Kingsfield).
68 G McFarlane (World of Golf.
69 N Murray (Cruden Bay), S Henderson (Kings Links), G Hutcheon (unatt), S Cairns (Westerwood), S Gray (Hayston), L Vannet (Carnoustie), M King (Kingsfield), A Reid (unatt).
TEAM WINNERS
55 A Reid (unatt) & Randy Smith Training team No 1: D Bonner (6), J Richardson (15), G Robertson (14).

FRENCHMAN IS NEW CHAMPION
Julien Guerrier (France) beat Englishman Adam Gee from Leatherhead by 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final of the British men's open amateur championship at Royal St George's Golf Club, Kent today

BRENDA MISSES OUT ON BIRDIE BONANZA
Belfast-born Brenda McLarnon had a poor inward half while most of the field were enjoying a birdie bonanza in the first round of the Duramed Futures Tour’s Lima Memorial Hospital Classic.
Some 57 players returned sub-par scores over the 5,992yd, par-72 course but Brenda slumped to a seven-over-par 79 despite reaching the turn in par 36.
Miss McLarnon played the American college circuit when she was a student at the College of Charleston, South Carolina.
Leading the field at Lost Creek Country Club, Lima in Ohio is 17-year-old rookie Song-Hee Kim from Seoul, South Korea.
Already a winner three times this season and the Futures Tour money-table leader, Song-Hee shot a seven-under-par 65 with halves of 31 and 34.

LEE IN TOP 20 IN LOUISIANA
Lee Rhind from Livingston was lying joint 16th at the halfway stage of the Stonebridge Open – the latest event on the Tight Lies Tour – at Bossier City, Louisiana.
Rhind, a winner on the EuroPro Tour last year and a former Scottish boys’ open stroke-play champion, has had rounds of 71 and 69 for a four-under-par tally of 140.
The 27-year-old is seven shots behind leader Casey Yates who has had 68 and 65 for 11-under 133.
Rhind won the $14,000 first prize in the previous week’s event, the Lake Charles Open, and has won $20,262 in five events on the US satellite circuit.
Lee is based in Midland, Texas for the summer.

JAMIE McLEARY EQUALS COURSE RECORD
Former Scotland amateur international Jamie McLeary produced just about his best performance as a tour produring Saturday’s third round of the Credit Suisse Challenge.
He matched the course record of nine-under-par 64 (33-31) to move from 26th place into pole position going into the final round at the Wylihof Golf Club.
McLeary, who was a member of the Leven Golfing Society, began the day on four under par, but his stunning third round, which matched the course record set by Spain’s Juan Parron on Thursday, took him to 13-under 206 and gave him a one-shot lead from England’s James Heath with 18 holes to play, with England’s Tim Milford and Denmark’s Mads Vibe-Hastrup tied in third place on 11 under.
McLeary, 25, was ranked the fifth best amateur in the world by the R&A in 2004 but his professional career has never matched that standard - until now!
“I enjoyed that,” smiled McLeary. “I have been playing really well for the last couple of weeks and felt that a round like today’s was coming. I finished sixth at the Challenge Tour event in Norway last week, and I hope I can do even better tomorrow.
“The main goal for Sunday is to out and play well. If I can do that then I’ll be happy. I don’t want to think too much about wining, but it would be huge for my career.”
McLeary was not the only Scot in the field producing magical golf. Former Scottish amateur champion Andrew McArthur, produced the shot of the week so far on the par-3 13th hole – a perfect five-iron from 203 yards that buried itself in the bottom of the cup without a single bounce.

Friday 23rd June 2006

NORWAY PIP SWEDEN FOR WORLD BOYS TEAM GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN JAPAN
Norway pipped Sweden for the world boys' team golf championship in an all-Scandinavian finish that few would have predicted at the start of the 72-hole tournament at Chukyo Golf Club in Japan.
Norway totalled 832, one shot ahead of Sweden with the host nation third on 839.
The highly-rated Americans (852) could finish only fifth while England trailed in 12th of 15th on 872.
England peaked with a second-round team total of 208 – one of the best by any country during the tournament – but they fell away badly over the last two rounds. Tom Hesketh, who had a third-round 80, did not play the final round.
Norway’s Marius Thorp had the lowest individual aggregate of 17-under-par 271. He had rounds of 68, 71, 65 and 67 to finish five shots clear of Sweden’s Bjorn Akesson and Japan’s Naoto Nakanishi.
England’s best player of the week was Sam Hutsby with a one-over-par total of 289.
WORLD BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chukyo Golf Club, Japan.
FINAL TOTALS
832 NORWAY (Marius Thorp, Are Friestad, Anders Kristiansen, Espen Kofstad) 207 208 207 210.
833 SWEDEN (Bjorn Akesson, Jesper Kennegard, Robin Wingardth, Pontus Widergren) 206 205 214 206.
839 JAPAN (Syunsuke Sonoda, Naoto Nakanishi, Yusaku Matsuoka, Ryutaro Nagano) 208 210 209 211.
848 CHINESE TAIPEI (Pan Fu-Chiang, Pan Cheng-Tsung, Liu Chun, Hunag Tao) 211 205 216 216.
852 UNITED STATES (Jordan David Cox, Kyle Stanley, James H Swafford, Alex M Volpenhein) 216 209 215 212
853 ARGENTINA (Estanislao Goya, Alan Wagner, Luciano Dodda, Esteban Martinez) 215 210 214 214.
857 CANADA (Mitch Fox, Eugene Wong, Matt Hill, Nick Taylor) 216 213 216 212.
859 NETHERLANDS (Thrisan Bierenbroodsp, Reinier Saxton, Tim Sluiter, Floris de Vries) 229 295 214 220.
867 COLOMBIA (Andres Echavarria, Esteban Aristizabal, Sergion Franky, Carlos Rodriguez) 219 218 211 219.
869 NEW ZEALAND (Samuel Shin, Ben Wallace, Peter Sperman-Burn, Gary-John Hill) 219 215 212 223.
870 KOREA (Jeong Yeo-Jin, Shin Boo-Ho, Nam Gang-Yul, Lee Min-Joo)213 219 222 216.
872 ENGLAND (Luke Goddard, Sam Hutsby, James Watts, Tom Hesketh) 220 208 221 223.
873 SOUTH AFRICA (Deward Smit, Ryts West, Matthys Daffue, Derick Petersen) 218 218 215 222.
878 VENEZUELA (Julio Vegas, Diego Tamayo, Felipe Velazquez) 226 216 212 224.
894 MEXICO (Gerardo Porras, Maurico Azugue, Juan Pablo Solis, Roberto Rodriguez) 223 227 223 220.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
271 Marius Thorp (Nor) 68 71 65 67.
276 Bjorn Akesson (Swe) 69 67 70 70, Naoto Nakanishi (Jap) 72 69 65 70.
277 Jesper Kennegard (Swe) 68 69 70 70, Kyle Stanley (US) 70 69 70 68.
279 Anders Kristiansen (Nor) 71 67 70 71.
280 Syunsuke Sonoda (Jap) 70 68 71 71, Jeong Yeon-Jin (Kor) 69 71 73 67.
England’s individual scores:
289 Sam Hutsby 76 68 70 75.
291 James Watts 71 70 78 72.
292 Luke Goddard 73 70 73 76.
Retired: Tom Hesketh 78 72 80 Ret.

SCOTTISH YOUTHS OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
FAVOURITE HENRY TOO ILL TO CONTINUE
Scottish men’s open amateur stroke-play golf champion Scott Henry sensationally bowed out of the Scottish youths’championship at Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh today.
The hot favourite for the Under-21s’ open stroke-play title retired with a mystery bug that has floored him for over a week.
The Cardross 19-year-old bravely started his round at the Lothians course, but had to retire afteronly eight holes.
Henry, twice Scottish boys match-play champion and also Scottish boys’ stroke-play champion over the past three years, was laid up for over a week with a sickness bug before failing to survive the qualifying rounds of the British men’s amateur championship in Kent earlier this week.
Returning to Scotland, Henry struggled to prepare for his challenge against a good-class field at Mortonhall.
He explained: “I really haven’t been well at all, and struggled in the British Amateur at the start of the week.
“I had woken up after playing in the St Andrews Links Trophy, feeling dizzy, and then was violently sick for about three days. I was in bed for about a week.
“I felt okay for the first five holes today, and I was hitting the ball well. The course was playing fair and I think that I could have played alright but I just couldn’t go on.
“I started to feel sick and was struggling to hit the ball. I just don’t feel as though I have any energy. I’m just going to head home to bed.”
Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Thornton’s Michael Main were the first-round pacesetters on four-under-par 68.
With birdies at the sixth, eighth and ninth, Scotland youth cap and last year’s Scottish boys open stroke-play champion, McEwan was three under par at the turn. ~The only deviation from par on his inward card was a birdie 4 at the long 12th.
Sixteen-year- old Michael Main, beaten finalist in the Scottish boys championship at West Kilbride in April, eagled the par 5 eighthh in a round which also included four birdies and two bogeys.
Mortonhall Golf club, Edinburgh.
FRIDAY SCORES
SCOTTISH YOUTHS OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Mortonhall Golf club, Edinburgh.
FIRST ROUND SCORES
68 M Main (Thornton), S McEwan (Barassie).
69 M Larnsson (Ice), R Graham (Hayston), F Pintor (Spa).
70 E Malcolm (Dunfermline), A Gordon (Portpatrick), R McKnight (Barassie), R Crowe (Newcastle Utd), T Curtis (Pannal).
71 A Lauder (Paisley), G Paterson (St Andrews New), M Stewart (Troon Welbeck), D Parlane (Helensburgh), S Simants (Dunbar).
72 C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch), S Neilson (Dunbar), S Barras (Helensburgh), G Nicolson (Mortonhall).
73 M Smyth (Royal Troon), J Byrne (Banchory), J Duff (Newmachar, K Glen (Royal Musselburgh), T Benatzky (Ger), J Findlay (Fraserburgh), S McAllister (Craigielaw), D Chapman (Costessey Park).
74 N Cameron (King James VI), C-H Raindre (Fra), Z Saltman (Craigielaw), K Smith (Barassie), A Kristinsson (Ice), J Lockie (Tantallon), F Dunlop (Broomieknowe), R Kellett (Colville Park), A Culverwell (Dunbar), A Nelson (Douglas Park), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon), D Laing (Craigielaw), M Bozio (Fra), S Mann (Moray), R Noon (Musselburgh).
75 P Latimer (St Andrews New), S Mann (Carnoustie), C Gray (West Kilbride), J White (Lundin), S Fraser (Northern), A Hay (Westhill), E Polson (Inverness), P Westermann (Ger).
76 S Binning (Old Ranfurly), J Mackay (Barassie), R Jamieson (US), R Dixon (Barassie), S Borrowman (Dollar), D Yeats Newmachar), M Junker (Ger), S M Stefansson (Ice), F McKenna (Balmore), A Main (Thornton), B Mackay (Prestonfield), M Spence (Newmachar), O B Loftsson (Ice), R Leeds (Muckhart), K Truscott (Newmachar), M Murray (Brora), A Weir (Montrose Mercantile).
77 R Rebecchi (Greenock), A Brown (Kilsyth Lennox). R Anderson (Duddingston), P Okan (Ger), G Stevenson (Whitecraigs), L Vetesse (Nigg Bay), G Turner (West Linton), J Donaldson (Falkirk Tryst), A Bews (Murcar Links), L Kirton (Newmachar), C Aitken (Glencruitten), J Bradley (Paisley), G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle), S Jaeger (Ger), M Kraemer (Ger).
78 S Herald (Whitecraigs), M Gentles (Edzell), A Rollo (Elgin), C Storrier (Downfield), S Keane (Cathkin Braes), A Moir (Thornton), C Cannon (East Sussex National), T Spencer (Inchmarlo), G Wood (Crow Wood), B Campbell (Malone), T Gissurarson (Ice), J Meechan (Dullatur).
79 C Loughlin (Cawder), K Wilson (Moffat), C Malcolm (Dunfermline), E Brown (Barassie), M Bookless (Sandyhills), R Lando (Colville Park), B Rushford (Grangemouth), D Addison (Barassie), D Addison (Barassie), K Spence (Newmachar).
80 S Tully (Duddingston), J Laing (Longniddry), P McCabe (Wishaw), C Baron (Oldmeldrum), J Foley (Forres), J Neilson (Dunbar), C Kelly (Kirkhill), F Fotheringham (Nairn), J Neilson (Dunbar), S Olafsson (Ice).
81 T Machleld (Ger), C Young (Eastwood), M Lawrence (Kintore), F Bone (Cardross), S McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle), M Greil (Ita), R Bell (Downfield), S Henderson (Barassie), S McGarvey (Glencorse)
82 M Hamm (Ger), D Morrison (Duff House Royal), N McBride (Cowglen), A Boyle (Dublin), R Hyland (Newmachar), C Thomson (East Renfrewshire).
83 D Sommerville (St Andrews), N Sinclair (Barassie), M Watson (Elgin).
84 D Torrance (Wentworth), S Crichton (Aberdour), A McKie (Glencruitten), R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan).
85 G Robertson (Glenbervie).
86 J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile).
87 C Johnston (Dunbar).
Retired – S Henry (Cardross).

AUSSIE WINS AS GRAY FADES OUT OF FINAL-ROUND PICTURE AT WHITEKIRK
Australian Daniel Gaunt came with a strong late run to win the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Kronenbourg Classic at Whitekirk Golf Club today after Hayston’s Stephen Gray slumped out of the lead over the final round.
Gray shot a brilliant second-round 65 to have a one-shot advantage over the field going into the final round. But he bogeyed the first, sixth, eighth and 16th and could muster only one birdie in returning a three-over-par 75 for a total of three-under-par 213.
Gaunt scored 73, 66 and 69 for a tally of eight-under-par 208 and a two-shot win from Carnoustie’s Eric Ramsay whose scores – a hat-trick of 70s – suggested steadiness personified.
In fact, in his final round, the former Australian open amateur champion had a roller-coaster ride of birdies and bogeys. He birdied the second, fifth, ninth, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th and had bogeys at the first, third, sixth, eighth, 12th and 14th in halves of 36 (one over par) and 34 (one under par).
The three late birdies lifted Eric up into second place on 210, a shot ahead of Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) and England’s Scott Jackson.
Rankin dropped a shot at the 17th in a closing 69.
SCOREBOARD
PGA EUROPRO TOUR – Kronenbourg Classic
Whitekirk Golf Club, East Lothian
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
208 D Gaunt (Aus) 73 66 69.
210 E Ramsay (Carnoustie) 70 70 70.
211 G Rankin (Drumpellier) 71 71 69, S Jackson (Eng) 71 69 71.
213 G Clark (Eng) 75 65 73, S Gray (Hayston) 72 66 75.
214 F Mann (Musselburgh) 71 73 70, M Prue (Eng) 75 70 69, D Jones (Ire) 74 69 71, P Rowe (Eng) 69 73 72.
215 N Fox (Ire) 75 71 69, G Oliver (Eng) 76 71 68, N Walker (Eng) 76 69 70, C Billing (Eng) 75 68 72, M Woods (Eng) 74 69 72.
Other Scottish scores:
217 S Lamb (Cardrona) 75 73 69.
219 L Vannet (Carnoustie) 75 71 73, J Doherty (Vale of Glamorgan) 80 69 70.
222 L Harper (Archerfield) 77 70 75.
223 G McInnes (Murcar Links) 77 69 77.
225 R Cameron 77 72 76.
227 C Nicoll (Prestwick) 73 73 81, C Mitchell (Blairgowrie) 78 68 81.
SCOTS WHO MISSED CUT
150 L Kelly 79 71, P Wardell 76 74.
152 D Roger 83 69, R Valentine 80 72, C Everett 83 69.
154 S Savage 79 75.
155 G Gordon 79 76, P Doherty 82 73.
160 E Thomson 82 79.
163 S Gillespie 80 83.

British Amateur Championship
ENGLISHMAN v FRENCHMAN FOR TITLE
Saturday's 36-hole final of the British men's amateur championship at Royal St George's Golf Club, Kent will feature an Englishman, Adam Gee (Leatherhead) , and a Frenchman, Julien Guerrier.
In the semi-finals,Gee beat compatriot Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) by 5 and 4. Gee had earlier knocked out the last remaining Scot, Scott Jamieson, by one hole.
In the other semi-final, Guerrier beat Mitchell Brown (Australia) by 3 and 2.

Newmachar Ladies Open
Late entries being accepted for the Newmachar Ladies Open, Aberdeen, Saturday 1st July
Contact Lynn Joss on 01569 730475

NO AUSSIES BUT QUALITY SCOTTISH FIELD FOR WEEKEND 72-HOLE EVENT
Australians have won Glasgow Golf Club’s last two Tennant Cup open 72-hole tournaments at Glasgow Gailes and Killermont – but none has entered this weekend’s event.
Considering the British amateur championship has been on all week at Royal St George’s and the three-day Scottish youths championship began yesterday (Friday) at Mortonhall, the Tennant Cup field is a high quality one.
Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), outright winner of the Craigmillar Park Open (72) and joint winner (with Craig Watson) of the 36-hole Edward Trophy over the Glasgow Gailes course in April, is top-ranked alongwith Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw). Both have a +4 handicap.
On +3 there are Wallace Booth (Comrie), John Gallagher (Swanston), Elliot Saltman (Craigielaw) and Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie).
West of Scotland Open winner Callum MacAulay (Tulliallan) is only one of a crop of very good players on the +2 bracket, including Scottish champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Jonathan King (Glasgow), Paul O’Hara (Colville Park) and Bryan Fotheringham (Forres).

BOYS AND GIRLS IN RUNNING FOR SCOTS TEAM
The Scottish Schools Golf Association has named boys’ and girls’ short-leet squads for the schools international match against England at Hillside Golf Club, Lancashire on Monday, September 18.
A team of 12 boys and six girls will be selected from the following:
BOYS – Simon Barras (Vale of Leven Acad), Ross Bell (Harris Acad), Sam Binning (St Columba’s High), Mark Bookless (Uddingston Grammar), James Byrne (Banchory Acad), Andrew Campbell (Vale of Leven Acad), Joshua Clarke (Montrose Acad), Mark Collin (Eyemouth High), Michael Daily (Trinity High), Danny Fitzpatrick (Notre Dame High), David Graham (Campbeltown Grammar), Cameron Gray (Glasgow High), Neil Henderson (North Berwick High), Michael Main (Balwearie High), Fraser McKenna (Boclair Acad), Euan McLaren (Dumfries (Acad), Alan Murdoch (Stranraer Acad), Graeme Robertson (Larbert High), Chris Robinson (Douglas Ewart High), Paul Shields (Trinity High), Kyle Smith (Marr College), Colin Thomson (Hutchesons Grammar), James White (Buckhaven High).
GIRLS – Megan Briggs (Gryffe High), Krystle Caithness (Waid Acad), Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Grammar), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Acad), Gillian Monteith (Stranraer (Acad), Laura Murray (Alford Acad), Roseanne Niven (Kilgraston School), Pamela Pretswell (Hamilton College), Jane Turner (George Watson’s College), Sally Watson (Mary Erskine School), Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth High).
Michele Thomson (Ellon Academy), winner of the Scottish schoolgirls title at Troon earlier this month, was unavailable for selection as she will be at Jacksonville State University, Alabama in September.

Thursday 22nd June 2006

NORTHERN COUNTIES GO FOR FOUR-TIMER AT CRIEFF THIS WEEKEND
Northern Counties will be bidding for a fourth successive title win in this weekend’s North Division women’s inter-county golf championship at Crieff.
Aberdeenshire have not won the title since 2002, Angus in 1999 and Perth & Kinross back in 1982.
The winners of the three-day round-robin tournament go forward to the Scottish county championship finals to meet the East, West and South divisional team champions at The Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream from September 22 to 24.
Teams:
ABERDEENSHIRE – Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay), Laura McLardy (Murcar Links), Laura Murray (Alford), Donna Pocock (Murcar Links), Katie Thomson (Kintore), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Carol Wilson (Murcar Links), Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies).
ANGUS – Aileen Hunter (Monifieth), Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), Frances Millar (Carnoustie Ladies), Susan Murray (Brechin), Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir), Mary Summers (Panmure Barry), Jane Tough (Brechin), Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth).
NORTHERN COUNTIES – Kerri Harper (Inverness), Ashton Ingram (Fort William), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Eileen Manson (Thurso), Jenny Milne (Elgin), Donna Sinclair (Tain), Mary Smith (Tain), Laura Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
PERTH & KINROSS – Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore), Sally Kettlewell (Dunblane), Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill), Emma Napper (Craigie Hill), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Fiona Ramsay (Crieff), Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall).
Programme:
Saturday – 8.30 & 1.0: Aberdeenshire v Northern Counties, Angus v Perth & Kinross.
Sunday – 9.0 & 1.30: Angus v Aberdeenshire, Northern Counties v Perth & Kinross.
Monday – 9.0 & 1.30: Perth & Kinross v Aberdeenshire, Northern Counties v Angus.

Muckhart Ladies Open
There are still a few places available in the Muckhart Ladies Open on Sunday 2nd July. Anyone interested should contact the Ladies' Captain, Jan King on 01577 840524 until Sunday, and after Sunday, should contact the Club Professional, Keith Salmoni on 01259 781493.

Renfrewshire Girls

RENFREWSHIRE GIRLS WIN KENNEDY SALVER AT STRATHAVEN
Renfrewshire won the West of Scotland girls’ inter-county matches for the Kennedy Salver at Strathaven Golf Club on MONDAY.
Renfrewshire beat Lanarkshire 3-2 in the final.
Ayrshire beat Dunbartonshire & Argyll 3-2 in the play-off for third place.
Results (girls' handicaps in brackets):
SEMI-FINALS
DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 1 ½, LANARKSHIRE 3 ½
Jill Meldrum (2) halved with Pamela Pretswell (2).
Kerrie Differ (8) bt Allison Lewis (12) 3 and 1.
Lauren Meldrum (120) lost to Gillian Scanlan (12) 6 and 5.
Zoe Differ (11) lost to Jenny Potter (15) 1 hole.
Lysa Byrne (14) lost to Lucy Clark (23) 2 and 1.
RENFREWSHIRE 3, AYRSHIRE 2
Eilidh Briggs (10) bt Vicki Smith (10) 3 and 2.
Lucy Bannerman (11) lost to Rachael McQueen (13) 3 and 1.
Catherine Conejo (14) bt Linzi Allan (14) 6 and 5.
Lesley Cosh (20) bt Jenny Linklater (14) 1 hole.
Nicky Wilson (22) lost to Gillian Arnott (16) 2 and 1.
FINAL
RENFREWSHIRE 3, LANARKSHIRE 2
Briggs (10) lost to Pretswell (2) 1 hole.
Bannerman (11) bt Lewis (12) 3 and 2.
Conejo (14) lost to Scanlan (12) 1 hole.
Cosh (20) bt Potter (15) 1 hole.
Wilson (22) bt Paton (20) 5 and 4.
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
DUNBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 2, AYRSHIRE 3
K Differ (8) lost to Smith (10) 4 and 3.
J Meldrum (9) lost to McQueen (13) 9 and 7.
L Meldrum (10) bt Linklater (14) 7 and 6.
Z Differ (11) bt Arnott (16) 4 and 2.
Byrne (14) lost to Gaunt (16) 3 and 2.

ANDREW AND GAIL ARE ABERDEEN SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONS
Andrew Dingwall (Cults Academy) and Gail Richens (Harlaw Academy) won the boys’ and girls’ titles at the Aberdeen schools golf championships at Craibstone Golf Centre.
Andrew, a five-handicapper, had a gross round of 68 – which matched the CSS - to win the SAC Trophy by two shots from Scott Brown (Oldmachar Academy) with Jack Scott (Robert Gordon’s College) third on 71.
The winner of the Aberdeen City Council Trophy for the lowest net score by a boy was Ali MacDonald (Robert Gordon’s College) with a 64 off eight. Runners-up were Mark Hay (Harlaw Academy) (9) 65 and Douglas Elrick (Hazlehead Academy) (11) 66.
In the higher handicaps boys’ section, the G&G Trophy went to Ryan Dick Hazlehead Academy with a gross round of 74. He won by five shots from Richard Lawrence (Oldmachar Academy) and nine from Melvin Dow (Cults Academy).
The best net score in the higher handicaps boys’ section was a 59 off a handicap of 23 by Mitchell Lawrie (Oldmachar Academy).
Joint runners-up on the 62 mark were Luke McIntosh (Hazlehead Academy) (18) and Cameron Allan (Robert Gordon’s College) (23).
The girls’ championship, contested by only five girls, was decided on net scores and Gail Richens had the lowest score of 65 off 15 of a handicap, five shots below the CSS.
Gail won by two shots from Natalie Thomson (Bridge of Don Academy), playing off 18, and by five shots from Mhairi Johnstone (Grammar School), playing off seven.

LEE RHIND WINS IN UNITED STATES
Texas-based Lee Rhind from Uphall has won the rain-delayed Lake Charles Open, the latest event on the Tight Lies Tour in the United States.
Lee, a former Scottish boys’ open stroke-play champion and a winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour last year, paved the way for his capture of the $14,000 first prize with a brilliant opening round of 11-under-par 61. at Gray Plantation Golf Club, Lake Charles in Louisiana.
He followed that with scores of 67, 68 and 70 for a 22-under-par total of 266. Even so, Lee won by only one shot from American Ryan Vermeer who scored 62, 67, 71 and 67 for 267.
The first rain in the Lake Charles region for 40 days flooded the course at the weekend.
Over the 72 holes, Rhind had two eagles, 23 birdies, one double bogey and three bogeys.
Lee is based at Midland, Texas – birthplace of President George Bush - where he went to university on a golf scholarship.

St Andrews University win Scottish University League
Women Students at Scottish Universities have played in league matches throughout the year, the last one at Bishopbriggs was won by 5 handicap Faye Haffey from Edinburgh with a scratch 84. The top five scratch and handicap scores at each match are awarded points from 5 to 1, and the points are aggregated across the league matches to produce a team score. St Andrews University have won the Team award for the third year in succession.
League Table After 4th Game
1st St Andrews 38
2nd Edinburgh 33.5
3rd Glasgow 32.5
4th Strathclyde 14
5th RGU 2

‘TEEING OFF’ AT THE UK’S FIRST CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY GOLF COURSE
Youngsters are set to benefit from an exciting range of new golfing opportunities at The Hermitage Family Golf Course in Edinburgh. This was the clear message from the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, MSP, today, as she officially opened the UK’s first purpose-built children’s and family golf course.
The facility, funded by a £200,000 sportscotland Lottery award, will also play a key role in delivering ‘clubgolf’, Scotland’s national junior golf strategy, which today launched the roll-out of its programmes nationwide across Scotland.
Speaking at the opening Ms Ferguson said: “Scotland is the home of golf and I hope that our budding Open Champions of the future enjoy the new course and take this great opportunity to experience the game.”
“This new course will introduce Scotland’s young people to the game in a fun and exciting way and alongside the clubgolf initiative it will give young people more opportunities to get physically active and ensure that game in Scotland has a bright future.”
The design of the new course, with its variety of 12 holes ranging from 60 – 250 yards, was carefully considered to ensure that it would provide a fun and stimulating experience in a safe, controlled environment in which to introduce children and people with disabilities, as well as beginners of all ages, to the game of golf.
The facility also boasts an education centre, which aims to heighten awareness of environmental, ecological, wildlife and heritage issues on the course.
The new facility will provide youngsters with a quality introduction to the sport and will also help to create clear pathways for them to develop their potential through the clubgolf programme.
Scotland’s golf clubs play a pivotal role in the delivery of clubgolf programmes, with their involvement vital to the development of clubgolf and the sport at local, regional and national level.
One hundred and twenty nine clubs have already signed up to deliver Stage 1 of the clubgolf strategy, and more than 50 new facilities are being developed. Over 23,000 nine year olds will be introduced to clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, at schools across Scotland this year. clubgolf’s target is to retain 10,000 nine to 14 year olds in club programmes in 2006.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: ”sportscotland is delighted to have supported the development of this fantastic children’s golf facility with an award of £200,000 from the Lottery funded Sports Facilities Programme. This course at Hermitage is one of the growing number of golf facilities to have established a formal partnership with the clubgolf programme, which aims to provide youngsters with a quality introduction to the game and encourage increased participation at a recreational or competitive level.”
“I am convinced that there are many more potential Open Champions and Ryder Cup players out there in Scotland and through clubgolf and facilities like Hermitage, we will make it far easier for them to be discovered and developed.”
Andrew Renton, Chairman of the Hermitage Educational Company Ltd, said: “The path we have been down has not been easy but we are all proud of the facility we now have at The Hermitage. Our aim is to help the Executive’s objective of introducing young people to lifelong activities. We hope others will be encouraged to adopt a similar approach to the provision of facilities for introducing golf to children and beginners, particularly in urban centres."
Andrew Coltart, the Former Ryder Cup team member and Hermitage’s Patron who was at The Hermitage today to award prizes to competitors in the Pro-Am, is giving the project his full support.
“The course is fantastic and it has a tremendous lay out,” he said. “The first six holes are relatively wide open, with minimal problems for the children to develop their game. Once they know what they are doing they can progress to a further six holes that are a bit more of test.
“Without a doubt, a child that starts to play golf here could go on to play at the highest levels. Children are our future ambassadors and we need to encourage them. The Hermitage is a fantastic place to do that and I would have loved to come to a place like this when I was a kid.”

JAMIESON LONE SCOT IN QUARTER-FINALS

LESLEY BURN SUCCEEDS ANDY SALMON

LAURA IS NAIRN’S DOUBLE CHAMPION

ETHEL JACK TO BE NEXT SLGA PRESIDENT

Wednesday 21st June 2006

THREE SCOTS SURVIVE AT ROYAL ST GEORGE'S
There are three Scots left in the British men's amateur championship after the opening day of match-play ties at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich in Kent.
They are Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) who plays Ross McGowan (Banstead Downs) in the third round; Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), who plays Niklas Lemke (Sweden) next, and Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) who meets Jamie Arnold (Australia).
McGowan was the long-time leader in the Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship at Craigielaw before late slips relegated him to second place, one shot behind Stephen Henry.
Walker Cup player Rhys Davies from Wales beat Jonathan King (Glasgow) at the 22nd hole in an epic match.
Duncan Stewart beat fellow Scot John Gallagher by 3 and 2. Gallagher reached the final last year.
Jamieson beat Nicklas Glans (Sweden) 3 and 2.

SWEDEN LEAD FROM NORWAY AS ENGLAND IMPROVE
Sweden and Norway continued to hold down first and second places at the halfway stage of the world boys’ team golf championship at Chukyo Golf Club, Toyota-shi Japan. But England, slashing 12 shots off their first-round team score, moved up to eighth place in the field of 15 countries.
SCOREBOARD
LEADING TEAM TOTALS
411 Sweden 206 205.
415 Norway 207 208.
416 Chinese Taipei 211 205.
418 Japan 208 210
425 Netherlands 220 205, United States 216 209, Argentina 215 210.
428 England 220 208 (James Watts 71 70, Luke Goddard 73 70, Sam Hutsby 76 68, Tom Hesketh 78 72)..
429 Canada 216 213.
432 Korea 213 219.
434 New Zealand 219 215.
436 South Africa 218 218.
437 Colombia 219 218.
442 Venezuela 226 216.
451 Mexico 223 228.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
136 B Akesson (Swe) 69 67, T Sluiter (Net) 71 65.

MUNROSS TROPHY WINNER JENNA JUMPS TO THIRD IN TABLE
Munross Trophy winner Jenna Wilson has moved up from seventh to third in the Paull and Williamsons’ Scottish women’s stroke-play golf rankings as a result of her weekend win at Montrose.
Strathaven’s Jenna is averaging 1.1 shots under the CSS of the designated tournaments, compared with table leader Krystle Caithness (-2.33) and second-placed Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) (-1.12).
Neither Krystle nor Anne played in the Montrose 36-hole tournament because of their involvement in the Ladies’ British open amateur championship at Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland earlier in the week.
The biggest climber of the updated rankings was Bothwell Castle youngster Pamela Pretswell. She finished joint sixth in the Munross Trophy, the first counting event in which she has played.
Pamela is in sixth place in the updated table with an average score of 0 in relation to CSS.
Ohio State University student Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) achieved joint eighth place in the Munross Trophy and she comes into the rankings for the first time in joint ninth place with a stroke average of 0.5.
LEADING RANKINGS
1 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) -2.33
2 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) -1.12
3 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) -1.10
4 Sally Watson (David Leadbetter GA) -0.66
5 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) -0.50
6 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 0.00
7 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) 0.10
8 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 0.16
9 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 0.50
9 Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) 0.50
11 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 0.75
12 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 1.00
12 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 1.00
12 Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 1.00
15 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 1.33
16 Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) 1.60
17 Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 1.83
18 Mary Summers (Panmure Barry) 2.00
19 Carly Booth (Comrie) 2.20
20 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 2.33
21 Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 2.40
21 Jane Turner (Mortonhall) 2.40
23 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 2.50
24 Ann F Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 2.57
25 Aileen Hunter (Monifieth) 2.66
26 Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) 3.10
26 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 3.10
28 Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 3.12
29 Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 3.42
30 Kerri Harper (Inverness) 3.50
30 Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 3.50
30 Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston) 3.50
33 Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) 4.00
33 Noreen Fenton (Merchants of Edinburgh) 4.00
33 Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) 4.00
33 Pamela Williamson (Routenburn) 4.00
33 Laura Murray (Alford) 4.00
33 Ruth Rankin (Lanark) 4.00

PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT BEHIND SCHEDULE
Play on the first day of this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Kronenbourg Classic at Whitekirk Golf Club was abandoned due to gale-force winds. Winds of 30-35mph and gusts of up to 45mph were recorded on the East Lothian course during the day.
Play was suspended at 11.30am with the hope that the winds would drop sufficiently for a resumption to be possible on the longest day of the year. However, officials were forced to abandon the idea at 6pm of getting the players back on the course.
Play is scheduled to resume at 7am on Thursday morning with the first round continuing and the second round taking place before an expected cut to the leading 50 players and ties on Friday morning.
No players finished their rounds before the abandonment but Fraser Mann showed his talent in the windy conditions to be one under par for the first nine holes.

KELSEY (15) CLAIMS A THIRD NORTH GOLF COURSE RECORD TO GO TO +1
Nairn schoolgirl Kelsey MacDonald, 15, pictured right, has brought her golf handicap down to +1 by breaking a third course record over the past few weeks.
Her latest achievement was to return a 65 – eight under par and five under the CSS – in winnng the Highland schoolgirls championship at Kingussie
Golf Club.
Kelsey slashed five shots off the previous women’s record for the 5,091yd women’s course, which had stood at 70 since 1994.
Miss MacDonald had 10 birdies and two bogeys on her scorecard which read:
OUT: 3 4 4 5 5 3 4 3 4 – 35
IN: 2 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 3 - 30
She birdied the first, second, sixth, ninth, 10th, 12th, 14th and a glorious finish of birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th.
She had bogeys at the fifth and seventh.
Nairn Dunbar clubmate and Inverness Royal Academy pupil Eilidh Mackay was second to Kelsey in the Highland schoolgirls championship with an 86.
Eight under par seems to be Kelsey’s favourite figure as she has started to rewrite the record books of North of Scotland golf clubs. First she retained the Northern Counties women’s championship at Forres, lowering the record there to eight-under-par 64.
Then, over her home course at Nairn Dunbar, she brought the record down to 67, again eight under par.
Now Miss MacDonald has achieved a brilliant hat-trick of eight-under-par records.

GALES SUSPEND PLAY AT WHITEKIRK
Gale-force winds forced an indefinite suspension of play at 11.30am on the first morning of the Kronenbourg Classic PGA EuroPro Tour 54-hole tournament at Whitekirk Golf Club, East Lothian today

RICHIE RAMSAY GOES DOWN IN HIS FIRST MATCH
Walker Cup player Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) was knocked out in his first match-play tie of the British men's amateur championship at Royal St George's Golf Club, Kent today.
Ramsay lost by one hole to the No 1 qualifier, Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown) in a second round match.
Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) and Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) won their opening ties but Wallace Booth (Comrie) and former title-winner Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) joined Richie Ramsay on the sidelines.
FIRST ROUND
Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) bt Ben Westgate (Perranpath) 2 and 1.
Dustin Pimm (US) bt Wallace Booth (Comrie) 6 and 5.
Bryan Fotheringham (Forres) bt Martin Young (Brokenhurst Manor) 2 and 1.
Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) bt Paul Waring (Bromborough) 3 and 2.
Lorenzo Gagli (Ita) bt C Watson (East Renfewshire) 2 and 1.
SECOND ROUN
Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown) bt Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) 1 hole.
posted at 1:46:46 PM by Colin

RAMSAY PULLS OUT AFTER LEADING STIRLING TO BRITISH TEAM VICTORY
Walker Cup player Richie Ramsay from Aberdeen helped Stirling University to win the British universities men’s team golf championship but did not stay on to contest the last two rounds of the individual title at De Vere Mottram Hall, Prestbury in Cheshire.
Ramsay, who has a handicap of +4, shot rounds of 71 and 69 and, with a 36-hole total of 140, the Royal Aberdeen player had a five-shot lead with two rounds to go in the individual championship, staged in conjunction with the two-round team event.
But Richie withdrew to have some time off before heading to Kent for the British men’s amateur championship.
Other members of the winning Stirling team were Euan Polson (Royal Dornoch), Paul Betty (Hayston) and Karl Shepherd. They totalled 441 to win by five shots from Northumbria with the Stirling No 2 team of Graham Turner, Jonathan Watt and Evan Bryceland, finishing third on 459.
Kerri Harper (Abertay University) from Inverness finished runner-up in the women’s individual championship. She had rounds of 82, 79, 84 and 78 for a total of 323 – eight shots behind title-winner Janet Phipps (Exeter).
Dawn Dewar (Stirling University) from Monifieth finished fourth on 334.
LEADING RESULTS
BRITISH UNIVERSITIES CHAMPIONSHIPS
De Vere Mottram Hall, Prestbury.
Leading scores:
MEN’S INDIVIDUAL
289 E Parker (Birmingham) 74 73 69 73.
291 S Heads (Northumbria) 69 77 77 68.
292 M Davies (Exeter) 72 75 72 73.
Other totals:
295 G Turner (Stirling) 74 76 74 71.
296 J Watt (Stirling) 74 77 73 72.
298 S Borrowman (Stirling) 72 74 76 76, K Shepherd (Stirling) 73 77 75 73.
306 E Polson (Stirling) 81 75 79 71.
308 C Colraine (Strathclyde 78 74 74 82, P Betty (Stirling) 76 77 72 83.
310 M Russo (Glasgow) 74 82 75 79, G Minnes (Strathclyde) 78 77 75 80.
MEN’S TEAM
441 Stirling (R Ramsay, E Polson, P Betty, K Shepherd).
446 Northumbria.
459 Stirling 2 (G Turner, J Watt, E Bryceland).
461 Bournemouth.
466 Stirling 3 (B Paterson, B Rushford, B Brooke, S Borrowman).
468 Bournemouth 2.
474 Strathclyde (C Colraine, A Gordon, D McInroy).
475 Strathclyde 2 (G Minnes, G McInroy, A Brown).
476 Glasgow (R Hutton, M Russo, C Morrison, P Mulcahy).
490 Plymouth.
WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL
315 J Phipps (Exeter) 84 84 73 74.
323 K Harper (Abertay) 82 79 84 78.
330 J Campbell (Warwick) 81 84 82 83.
334 D Dewar (Stirling) 84 82 81 87.
Other totals:
346 C Winstanley (St Andrews) 94 91 80 81.
347 C Paterson (St Andrews) 84 88 89 86.

Tuesday 20th June 2006

MAJORITY OF SCOTS FAIL TO MAKE IT THROUGH TO MATCH-PLAY
Only a handful of Scots survived the 36-hole qualifying test to decide the 64 qualifiers (and ties) for the match-play stages of the British men’s amateur championship at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich in Kent.
Those who made it through included:
148 John Gallagher (Swanston) 70 78.
149 Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) 78 71.
150 Jonathan King (Glasgow) 74 76.
151 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 75 76, Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) 74 77, Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 75 76.
152 Wallace Booth (Comrie) 75 77, Bryan Fotheringham (Forres) 74 78..
There were 13 players on the 152 in joint 64th place. Under the championship rules, everyone in 64th place gets through which will necessitate quite a few "extra" ties to reduce the number of qualifiers to 64.
One of the major non-qualifiers was Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman with 76 and 78 for 154.
NON-QUALIFIERS INCLUDED:
153 R Dixon (Barassie) 77 76, S Mann (Carnoustie ) 76 77.
154 L Saltman (Craigielaw) 76 78, S Clark (Barassie) 79 77.
155 S McEwan (Barassie) 79 76, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 74 81, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 75 80.
156 P O’Hara (Colville Park) 80 76, M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 77 79, G Murray (Earlsferry Th) 74 82.
157 G Wood (Crow Wood) 80 77, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 79 78.
158 R Knox (Inverness ) 76 82.
160 S Twynholm (Morpeth) 80 80, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 78 81, E McIntosh (Newmachar) 79 81.
164 E Saltman (Craigielaw) 86 78.
167 S Henry (Cardross) 82 85.
169 P McKellar (East Renfrewshire) 89 80.
The leading qualifier was Llewellyn Matthews, a Welshman from Southerndown with 74 and 68 for 142.
Oliver Fisher (West Essex) made it through on 144 (73-71). So too did Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) with 75 and 71 for 146.
posted at 8:00:00 PM by Colin

COLETTE MURRAY REACHES QUARTER-FINALS
Colette Murray from Dumfries, head women's golf coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, made a rare competitive golf appearance recently in the Tennessee women's amateur championship at the Country Club of Bristol, Tennessee.
She reached the quarter-finals before losing to 21-year-old Holly Cantwell, a student at the University of Tennessee.
Miss Cantwell went on to reach the final before losing by 4 and 3 to Shelley Anderson, a 33-year-old private investigator and a graduate of the University of Tennessee.
Colette has been given the task of re-starting the UTC women's golf programme which has been dormant since the mid-1980s. The women's team will play on the American college golf circuit from the autumn of next year and Miss Murray is hoping to recruit British and Irish girls to be the backbone of the UTC team.
posted at 7:12:53 PM by Colin

JOHN McTEAR WINS TOP PRIZE WITH 70
Heavy rain washed out the afternoon play in the BMI Ross Hall Hospital/Lexus double shotgun pro-am at Bonnyton Golf Club today
A prize list was drawn up by tournament director Hugh Malcolm on the scores returned by the field who started at 8.30am.
John McTear (North Gailes) won the top pro prize of £560 with a two-under-par round of 70 – one shot ahead of Finlay Menzies (Milngaive), Scott Garrett (East Renfrewshire) and Jim McKinnon (Irvine).
Duncan Williamson (Kirkhill) led the Bonnyton Golf Club trio of Nilam Purewall (3), Kevin Ockrim (15) and Peter Cassidy (17) to victory in the team event with a net score of 19-under-par 125.
BMI ROSS HALL HOSPITAL/LEXUS DOUBLE SHOTGUN PRO-AM
Bonnyton Golf Club
LEADING SCORES (second shotgun start abandoned).
70 J McTear (North Gailes).
71 F Menzies (Milngavie), S Garrett (East Renfrewshire), J McKinnon (Irvine).
72 C Ronald (Carluke).
73 A McCloskey (Bothwell Castle).
74 A Marshall (Houston GR), K Stevely (Cawder), S Russell (East Renfrewshire).
TEAM WINNERS
125 D Williamson (Kirkhill) & Bonnyton GC: N Purewall (3), K Ockrim (15), P Cassidy (17).

ENGLAND TRAILING IN JAPAN.
England were tied for 12th position in a field of 15 countries at the end of the first day of the Toyota world boys’ golf team championship at Chukyo Golf Club, Toyota-shi in Japan today.
Sweden and Norway made it a good day for Continental Europe by setting the pace on 206 and 207 respectively over the par-72, 6,886yd Ishino course.
Hosts Japan (208) were in third place.
United States, always the favourites, did not do so well this time round. They were in eighth place on 217.
England scored 220 with a 71 from James Watt, a 73 from Luke Goddard and a 76 by Am Hutsby. Tom Hesketh had a non-counting 78 under the best three from four scores to count daily format.
TOYOTA WORLD BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP
Chukyo Golf Club, Toyota-shi, Japan.
LEADING FIRST ROUND TOTALS
206 Sweden.
207 Norway.
208 Japan.
211 Chinese Taipei.
213 Korea.
215 Argentina.
216 Canada.
217 United States.
218 South Africa.
219 Coliombia, New Zealand.
220 England, Netherlands.
223 Mexico.
226 Venezuela.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS (Par 72)
68 J Kennegard Swe), A Friestad Nor), M Thorp (Nor), Y Matsuoka (Jap), E Martinez (Arg).
69 R Wingardth (Swe), B Akesson Swe), Liu Yu Chun (Chinese Taipei), Jeong Yeon-Jin.
posted at 6:14:43 PM by Colin

CARLY BOOTH AND MICHELE THOMSON ARE JOINT LEADERS
Title-winning Carly Booth (Comrie) and Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) are joint leaders of the Paull and Williamsons’ Scottish girls stroke-play golf rankings.
Carly, who has her 14th birthday tomorrow (JUNE 21), won the Scottish Under-16 girls’ open championship at St Andrews in April.
Michele, 18, winner of the Scottish schoolgirls’ championship at Troon last week, flies out to Alabama in August to start a four-year golf scholarship at Jacksonville State University.
They both have an average score of 2.5 over CSS in designated events for the P&W girls’ rankings and are a shot ahead of 16-year-old Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
Leading positions in the rankings:
1 (equal) Carly Booth (Comrie), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon).
3 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).
4 Jane Turner (Mortonhall).
5 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).
6 Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth).
7 Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).
8 Rachael Livingstone (Old Musselburgh).
9 Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth).
10 Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon).
11 Fiona Blair (Monifieth).
12 Laura Murray (Alford).
13 Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey).
14 Zone Differ (Dullatur).
15 Susan Jackson (Elmwood).
16 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm).
17 Kerrie Differ (Dullatur).
18 Sammy Vass (Tain).
19 Eve Muirhead (Pitlochry).
20 Ashley Smith (Kirriemuir).
21 Louise MacGregor (Falkirk).
22 Cara Easton (Dalmahoy).
23 Mhairi Johnstone (Northern).
24 Gillian Simpson (Baberton).
25 Samantha Leslie (Westhill).
26 Heather Peebles (Monifieth).
27 Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton).
28 Donna Mackinnon (Nairn Dunbar).
29 Ailsa Bain (Peebles).
30 Lauren Meldrum (Dullatur).

Monday 19th June

Four generations
L to R: Pam Williamson, Claire Provan (nee Williamson) and Pam's Mum.
Harry David Michael Provan born 4.43 am on 15th June weighing in at 9lbs 4 ozs.
Congratulations!!!

Scottish at Dunbar last month.
I've had reports that some of you can't download the slide-show..... try this instead.

Curtis Cup Practice Matches
The Curtis Cup team are playing at Kingsbarns on Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th June. The format is Fourballs on Friday 23rd at 9:20am, Singles matches on Saturday at 3:40pm and a Texas Scramble on Sunday at 9:00am. Alison Nicholas is coming to talk to the girls on Saturday morning. Come and watch if you can.

DICK KEEPS SCOTTISH MID-AMATEUR TITLE
Shotts Golf Club member Allyn Dick today (MONDAY) became the second player to win the D M Hall Scottish men’s mid-amateur championship twice and, at the same time, the first to retain the title.
Appearing in the final for the third year in a row, Allyn beat Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) at the 19th in one of the most exciting finals since the over-25s tournament was introduced in 1994.
“I seem to relish playing in this event and I’m delighted to win it again. My putting hasn’t been great all weekend but I played really solid golf from tee to green for six rounds,” said Allyn.
“Terry played well in the qualifying rounds and I was happy to avoid him until the final. It was a really good game despite neither of us really holing many long putts.”
Dick revealed that he aims to play much more golf over the next few months as a certain big occasion might get in the way at the end of the season.
“I’m getting married in October so I need to make the most of the rest of the golf season. My wife-to-be may not let me play as much after the big day!” joked Allyn.
The final was a ding-dong battle with first Mathieson and then Dick in the lead.
Dick took a two-hole lead for the first time when he won the 11th with a par and the 14th with a birdie 3.
Aberdonian Mathieson, at 25 the youngest player in the field and the No 3 qualifier, hit back to square the contest with pars at the 15th and 16th only to slip one down again when Dick birdied the 17th.
Terry, under pressure, responded by winning the 18th to take the tie down the 19th which Dick won with a par 3.
D M HALL SCOTTISH MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Dullatur GC
Semi-finals
A Dick (Shotts) bt K Clark (Shotts) 3 and 2.
T Mathieson (Murcar Links) bt C Elliot (Carrickvale) 4 and 3.
Final
Dick bt Mathieson at 19th

CLARE JOINT 33RD IN BMW LADIES ITALIAN OPEN
Clare Queen's fortunes in her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour may be changing for the better.
She finished joint 33rd in the BMW Ladies Italian Open with scores of 71, 68, 77 and 71 for a one-under-par total of 287 to earn 2,992 Euros.
Julie Forbes (79-71 for 150), Liz McKinnon (76-76 for 152) and Lynn Kenny (78-76 for 154) missed the cut.
Tournament winner was France's Gwladys Nocera with a 14 under par total of 274, made up of rounds of 71, 66, 65 and 72.

Attention Girls!
Time is running out to enter a Girls Order of Merit Event
Janice Moodie Open @ Windyhill Golf Club Friday 7th July.
Contact Nan Jamieson on 0141 950 1553 for tee off times.

Press Release
Junior golf programme up and running at Bonnybridge Golf Club
(picture above – Denny Primary School children with volunteer coaches at Bonnybridge Golf Club)
Ten Denny Primary School Children are amongst the first in Falkirk to enjoy golf lessons at a local club following the recent formation of the Falkirk Junior Golf Partnership, a joining of forces between clubgolf, Scotland’s junior national golf strategy, and Falkirk Council’s Active Schools and Sports Development Team.
Between January and April, P5 children in four of Falkirk’s eight school clusters got to grips with the multi-coloured clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets of firstclubgolf, the strategy’s introductory game. Taught in school by link workers, the six-week course has been designed as a safe and exciting introduction to the game for nine year olds.
Last week, Bonnybridge Golf Club, one of four local clubs signed up to the programme, opened its doors to children from Denny Primary who enjoyed their school golf experience and chose to progress to the second level of the player development pathway.
“Golf requires young recruits and so we are delighted that these children decided to come here and play,” said Hamish Mullen from Bonnybridge, one of the Club’s three fully qualified volunteer coaches.
“We are in clubgolf for the long term and our hope is that these children will go on to become members.”
The fact that as many as half of Denny Primary’s initial group of 20 clubgolfers elected to move on to take lessons at the Club is testimony to the popularity of the game amongst children. Lesson 1 of the clubgolf’s Stage 1 syllabus at Bonnybridge covered the fundamentals putting and chipping. The twelve-week course will teach every aspect of the game including rules and etiquette.
“Everybody enjoyed Monday night’s coaching,” said Mr Mullen. “The coaches are very positive and are determined to keep it going; the children were very interested and attentive. They are all very good and one young girl showed exceptional potential.”
Falkirk Carnmuirs, Falkirk Tryst and Polmont Golf Clubs will soon join Bonnybridge in giving local children access to their courses, and if a fraction of the 200 children in Falkirk who experienced firstclubgolf this year sign up they will have their hands full.“Having clubs like Bonnybridge on board, who have done very well in finding members willing to become coaches, is a big move forwards,” said Active Schools Co-ordinator, Elaine Brierley.
“The children loved the firstclubgolf equipment and we are delighted that half of the group which started the game at school have decided to move on to the Club.
“Most of these children have never had the opportunity to play golf or experience this environment before. But now there is a pathway in place for the kids to progress and they are clearly loving it.”

SGU Press Release
ALLYN ON COURSE FOR DULLATUR DEFENCE
THE 2006 DM Hall Scottish Mid-Amateur Championship takes place this weekend at Dullatur Golf Club from the 19th - 21st June, with Shotts player Allyn Dick looking to maintain his impressive record in this event.
Twenty-seven year old Allyn won the title at Dunfermline last year, having finished runner-up to Englishman Roger Roper twelve months previous. The plus-two handicapper enjoyed a great season in 2005, also winning the West of Scotland Open whilst finishing in the top 15 of the SGU Order of Merit.
This year sees the 13th staging of the championship – sponsored by one of the SGU’s longest serving partners DM Hall, Chartered Surveyors – and the list of previous winners highlights the profile of the event. Former British Amateur Champion Craig Watson was the first winner of the event back in 1994 at Blairgowrie, with reigning Scottish Amateur Champion Glenn Campbell and current Scotland team captain George Crawford also among the names etched on the trophy.
The 2002 winner Craig Elliot (Carrickvale) is also in the field, whilst former British Mid-Amateur Champion Andrew Farmer (Kilmalcolm) will start among the favourites in the Scottish Golf Union event. Dumfries & Galloway’s Clark Riddick – who took the notable scalp of Lloyd Saltman in last year’s Scottish Amateur Championship – will be hoping for more match play success, with last year’s South-East District Championship winner Stuart Smith (Duddingston) another name to look out for.
Emma Strachan, Marketing Manager for DM Hall, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Mid-Amateur Championship. We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with amateur golf in Scotland and this event provides us with a great platform to showcase that partnership.
“The DM Hall Scottish Mid-Amateur Championships is one of our longest standing sponsorships, attracting a top quality field and strong local interest. The partners of DM Hall are delighted to be sponsors of such a consistently successful Championship and one which has encouraged local talent to take part.”
The 6248-yard Carrickstone course at Dullatur, on the outskirts of Cumbernauld, will provide an enjoyable and challenging test for competitors, with a modern clubhouse facility to match the best in Scotland. The championship begins on Saturday with 36-holes of stroke play, with the leading 16 players qualifying for the knock-out stages. The final takes place on Monday afternoon.
For more information on DM Hall’s services, please visit their website at www.dmhall.co.uk.

R&A Press Release
R&A ANNOUNCE GRANTS IN EXCESS OF £1 MILLION
The R&A has announced a series of grants totalling more than £1 million to recipients in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
These grants are in addition to the ongoing annual provision to developing countries of TaylorMade starter clubs for children, range balls provided by St Andrews Links Trust and reconditioned greenkeeping machinery.
In 2005 direct grant support for golf development was £2.3 million, a total that will be at least matched in 2006. The R&A’s stated ambition, to deliver more than £50 million of grant and other benefits to the game by the end of the decade remains on track.
Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development for The R&A said: “We are pleased to continue our support of golf throughout the world and hope that one day, top class golfers emerge from those nations where golf is still in its infancy.”
“Many of these awards are as a result of approaches made by federations and other organisations and we remain committed to consider every request for funding, no matter how small.”
“We are now targeting eastern Europe and next month I am going to Slovenia for the qualifying event for the 2007 European Men’s Amateur Team Championship. A number of Europe’s smaller countries are competing, some of whose officials we are inviting to The Open at Royal Liverpool.”
Arab Golf Federation
£20,000 towards the 2006 Pan-Arab Championships being played in the Lebanon
British Universities Sports Association
£10,000 towards golf activities
British Amputees and Les Autres Sports Association
£3,000 towards 2006 Championship
Caribbean Golf Association
US $35,000 towards the 2006 Junior and Adult Championships being played in Puerto Rico and Jamaica
Chilean Golf Federation
US $5,000 towards the 2006 South American Junior Championship
Chinese Taipei Golf Association
£25,000 towards the 2007 Nomura Cup. This is the biennial Asia-Pacific men’s international amateur team championship
Colombian Golf Federation
US $5,000 towards the 2006 South American Pre-Junior Championship and £25,000 towards a public facility in Bogota
Ecuador Golf Federation
£7,000 towards coaching
Elmwood College
China-Scotland Partnership
£400,000 over three years to continue greenkeeping/ management education programme first funded in 2000
English Blind Golf Association
£2,500 towards 2006 activities
French Golf Federation
£100,000 towards new academy facility near Paris
Hermitage Children’s Course
£25,000 towards facility enhancement in Edinburgh
Kenya Junior Golf Foundation
£1,500 towards junior recruitment campaign
Korean Golf Association
£5,000 towards 2006 Neighbours Trophy. This is an international men’s amateur team event played between Japan, Korea and Chinese Taipei
Ladies Asian Golf Tour
US $10,000 towards refereeing expenses
Ladies European Tour
£75,000 towards operating costs
Malaysian Ladies Golf Association
£5,000 per annum for three years towards coaching
National Association of Public Golf Courses
£10,000 towards 2006 Championship plus £2,500 towards its junior equivalent
Peru Golf Federation
£28,000 towards the 2006 Copa Los Andes. This is the annual South American men’s and women’s international amateur team championship
Professional Golfers’ Association
£110,000 per annum for three years towards training programmes
Professional Golfers’ Associations of Europe
£50,000 towards 2006 activities
RAF Kinloss
£5,000 towards air force base driving range enhancement
Ruchill Community Golf Course
£25,000 towards re-introduction of public facility in Glasgow
Scottish Blind Golf Society
£2,500 towards 2006 activities
Scottish Golf Union
£7,500 towards child protection initiatives
Society of One Armed Golfers
£1,000 towards 2006 Championship
Sports Turf Research Institute
£400,000 loan and £100,000 grant towards facilities plan in Yorkshire
Sri Lanka Golf Union
£5,000 towards agronomic advice provided by the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute
St Maarten Golf Association
US $5,000 towards junior programme
Tunisian Golf Federation
£10,000 per annum for three years towards coaching
Venezuela Golf Federation
£10,000 towards 2007 Simon Bolivar Cup. This is a men’s international amateur team event
Virgin Islands Golf Federation
US $5,000 towards coaching
Wales Deaf Golf Association
£500 towards 2006 activities
Women’s Golf South Australia
£13,000 towards 2006 Queen Sirikit Cup. This is the annual Asia-Pacific women’s international amateur team championship
Zambia Ladies’ Golf Union
£28,000 towards the 2006 All-Africa Challenge Trophy
Zimbabwe Ladies’ Golf Union
£10,000 towards 2006 amateur international matches

England dressed by Ping

ELGA Press Release
England’s leading players have won the backing of PING with a renewed sponsorship deal.
The company is providing with PING bags, umbrellas and caps for the 23 members of ELGA’s performance, U21 and U18 squads.
In addition the players wear PING Collection waterproofs and ECCO golf shoes.
Melissa Reid, who has been English girls’ championship for the past two years and who won 2006 Scottish open strokeplay title, is one of the players who are being kitted out.
“We are all really grateful for this support,” said Melissa, who plays at Chevin, Derbyshire. “Everything is such good quality and, because we all look the same, it helps to create team spirit and confidence.”

LGU Press Release
Record Crowds Expected at the 2006 Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes
Take Advantage of Several Special Ticket Offers to Watch the World’s Best Women Golfers in Action
Organisers are anticipating a record crowd at the 2006 Weetabix Women’s British Open, to be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes from 3rd to 6th August.
Just over 75,000 spectators attended the Championship the last time it was staged at Lytham in 2003 and more are expected this time, taking advantage of several special offers to watch the best women golfers in the world.
This year’s Championship has attracted a stellar field that includes the World’s No. 1 Annika Sorenstam, defending champion Jeong Jang, recent McDonald’s LPGA Championship winner Se Ri Pak, as well as 16 year-old sensation, Michelle Wie, who created colossal interest while finishing tied third at last year’s Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The field also includes Mexican star, Lorena Ochoa, a two-time victor on this season’s LPGA Tour as well as the resurgent Karrie Webb, a popular winner in 1995, ’97 and 2002. There is also a strong British and Irish challenge headed by Karen Stupples, who won the Championship at Sunningdale in 2004, plus the evergreen Laura Davies, the champion in 1986.
Sorenstam completed a career Grand Slam with a one stroke victory over Se Ri Pak in 2003 and is delighted to be returning to the scene of that previous success. “I am happy to hear the Weetabix British Open is returning to Royal Lytham & St Annes,” said the Swedish World No. 1. “It’s a good test of golf and a nice venue for a Major Championship. Hopefully, the great experiences I had there in 2003 will set me up for another successful week.”
Last year, when the Championship was held at Royal Birkdale, South Korean Jeong Jang completed a rare wire-to-wire victory to claim her first professional title at the 2005 Weetabix Women’s British Open, defeating Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson and another Korean, Young Kim, by a four stroke margin with a four round 16-under par aggregate of 272.
On that occasion, the massed crowds also marvelled at the skill displayed by Michelle Wie from Hawaii, who tied for third place with Swede Liselotte Neumann and also produced the best ever finish by an amateur in the Championship.
Wie, now a professional, will remain one of the star attractions but the favourite might well be 28 year-old Se Ri Pak, who confirmed that she is now back at her formidable best by winning her fifth Major title at the recent McDonald’s LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock Golf Course, Havre de Grace, Md.
After defeating Karrie Webb in a sudden-death play-off to record her first victory since May 2004, a jubilant Pak said: “It totally feels like I’m back, and that my game right now has more consistency than before. I was just comfortable out there and that augers well for the rest of the season.”
This year, Championship organisers have persisted with their avowed intention to make the Weetabix Women’s British Open one of the most accessible events in sport.
The Ladies’ Golf Union is continuing its policy to give free entry to all Juniors under 16 years, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Daily Adult tickets cost £20 (£5 for Pro-Am day), an Adult Season Ticket is priced at £50, and Senior Citizen prices are £16 and £40, respectively. However, a £1 discount will be available on every ticket purchased before 1st July 2006. Additionally, the LGU is also offering two free tickets for every ten adult tickets purchased (£1 discount does not apply). All tickets can be purchased by calling the NEC box office on 08700 109 021 (please have your credit/debit card details ready) or by logging onto www.LGU.org and booking tickets on line.
“We are delighted to announce that we have continued our policy to give free access to the Championship to the under-16s when they are accompanied by an adult,” said Susan Simpson, LGU Director of Championships. “It is something we believe is important and will be beneficial to the future of the game.
“We also believe our adult prices represent wonderful value. For as little as £15, an adult can watch the world’s best women golfers on one of Britain’s finest links courses. It is hardly surprising that interest in tickets is already high.”
Royal Lytham, which has hosted 10 Open Championships, most recently in 2001, will measure 6,480 for this year’s Weetabix Women’s British Open Championship, 172 yards longer than 2003. The back nine has the more significant changes with only the 14th retaining its 2003 yardage of 418 while the other eight holes have increases ranging from nine to 25 yards.
For more infomation please contact Neil Gray at GMS on +44 (0)1438 718399. Accreditation form can be downloaded from www.lgu.org

LGU Press Release
CURTIS CUP TEAM ANNOUNCED
The Curtis Cup team to play the U.S. at Bandon Dunes on 29 and 30 July was announced on Saturday 17 June. Claire Coughlan is the only team member to have played in the 2004 Match at Formby.
Team:
Claire Coughlan (26) member a Cork GC, played in 2004 Curtis Cup and 2005 Vagliano Trophy; runner-up in 2005 Ladies British Championship at Littleston; Irish Ladies’ Champion 1999 and Irish Stroke Play Champion 2003; second in qualifying for the 2006 Ladies’ British Championship but lost in the second round to Naomi Edwards.
Tara Delaney (20) member of Carlow GC, Ireland; 2004 and 2005 Irish Stroke Play Champion; 2004 Irish Girls’ Champion
Naomi Edwards (22), member at Ganton GC, Runner-up 2003 and 2006 English Championships; winner St Rule Trophy 2005; winner 2005 English Mid-Amateur Championship; lost in semi-final of 2006 Ladies’ British Championship.
Martina Gillen (24) member of Beaverstown GC, from Ballyjamesduff, Ireland; attended Kent State University, graduating in 2004 in business management. Vagliano Trophy team 2005; runner-up 2006 Irish Championship; 2000 Irish Girls’ Champion.
Breanne Loucks, (18) member of Wrexham GC. Runner-up 2003 and 2004 Welsh Girls’ Championship; third in 2006 Sherry Cup; beat Anna Nordqvist in Spanish Amateur.
Tricia Mangan, (32) member of Ennis GC; Irish Ladies’ Champion 2005 and 2006, Irish Order of Merit winner 2003 & 2005. Irish Intermediate Champion 1994 1996 and 1997; Vagliano Trophy 2003. Lost to Naomi Edwards in quarter-final of 2006 Ladies’ British Championship.
Kiran Matharu, (17) member of Cookridge Hall GC and lives in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. Winner 2006 English Ladies Championship; winner Faldo Series 2005; runner-up English Stroke Play 2005; runner-up Welsh Stroke Play 2005; member of English team that won the European Girls Team Championship.
Melissa Reid (18) Lives in Breadsall Village and is a member of Chevin GC. Winner of the Helen Holm (Scottish Stroke Play Championship) in 2006; 2006 English Girls’ Champion.
Reserves:
1. Heather Macrae (22) member of Dunblane New GC.
2. Krystle Caithness (17) member of St Regulus GC, St Andrews.
3. Florentyna Parker (16 ) Member of Gut Waldorf GC , but originally from Birkdale;
4. Felicity Johnson (18) member of Harborne GC
Captain: Ada O’Sullivan
Manager: Fiona Norris

Sunday 18th June 2006

JENNA BOUNCES BACK WITH A REPEAT WIN IN MUNROSS TROPHY AT MONTROSE
Strathaven’s Jenna Wilson bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s Ladies British open amateur golf championship at Royal County Down to win the Munross Trophy for the second year in a row at Montrose today (Sunday).
Jenna, a member of the Ladies Golf Union training squad but not named in the Curtis Cup team or as one of the four reserves, shot two rounds of 69 for a total of 138, which was six shots under the combined standard scratch.
Last year Miss Wilson won by three shots. Today the margin of victory in was extended to five strokes from five players on the 143 mark.
Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank) was officially placed second with the best second round (68) of the quartet.
Teenager Jane Turner (Mortonhall) was awarded third scratch prize because she had a better second round (70) than another youngster, Roseanne Niven (Crieff).
It was not quite so to split Roseanne and Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), the fourth player with a total of 143. They both had second-round 71s and it went down to the inward halves before Roseanne prevailed.
Other prizewinners (not in first four):
Best first round: Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 70
Best second round: Kerri Harper (Inverness) 70 (better inward half).
Handicap aggregate: Jane Grubb (Montrose Mercantile Ladies) (11) 135 (67 68)
Scoreboard
MUNROSS TROPHY – Montrose Links
CSS 72 71
LEADING TOTALS
138 J Wilson (Strathaven) 69 69.
143 J Carthew (Ladybank) 75 68, J Turner (Mortonhall) 73 70, R Niven (Crieff) 72 71, C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 72 71.
144 K Harper (Inverness) 74 70, P Prestswell (Bothwell Castle) 71 73.
145 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 70 75, G Webster (Hilton Park) 74 71.
146 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 76 70, M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 70, L Walker (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72.
148 H MacRae (Dunblane New) 77 71, S Bishop (Windyhill) 75 73, M Summers (Panmure Barry) 75 73.
149 E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 75 74.
150 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 74 76.
151 C Booth (Comrie) 74 77, J Jenkins (Ralston) 76 75.
152 L Murray (Alford) 76 76, R Rankin (Lanark) 74 78, E Cuthill (Lanark) 75 77.
153 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 75 78, W Nicholson Broomieknowe) 74 79.
155 A Ingram (Fort William) 79 76, K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 76 79, E Moffat (St Regulus) 75 80.
156 R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) 78 78.
157 J Grubb (Montrose Mercantile Ladies) 79 78.
J Meldrum (Dullatur) 81 78.
160 C McLoughlin (Gullane) 84 76, S Murray (Brechin) 78 82.
161 L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) 84 77, R Wilson (Monifieth) 79 82.
162 S Leslie (Westhill) 83 79, E Napper (Craigie Hill) 84 78, A Bushby (Strathmore) 79 83.
165 E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 81 84, F Blair (Monifieth) 85 80.
167 A Niven (Crieff) 84 83.
169 J Sneddon (Alyth) 78 91.
170 L Morrow (Erskine) 80 90.
174 M Johnstone (Northern) 89 85.
176 A Smith (Kirriemuir) 93 83.
180 L Meldrum (Dullatur) 90 90.

KELLETT WINS FROM KIRTON AT BARASSIE
Motherwell’s Ross Kellett (Colville Park) won the fifth and last event on the Scottish Golf Union Junior Tour at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club today (Sunday).
Kellett had rounds of 74 and 73 against a par of 72 for a total of 147, which represented quite good scoring because the CSS for both rounds was 76.
Conditions were tough in the morning with a lot of rain and quick thick rough in which quite a few golf balls. Although it was dry in the afternoon, the rough remained the same length for balls for wayward shots.
It was Kellett’s second win on the Junior Tour – he led at Cardrona – and he also finished in the top three at Newmachar in the fourth competition.
Lewis Kirton from Newmachar was runner up at Barassie with 74 and 75 for 149.
Joint third on 150 were Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) with 74 and 76 and Scottish boys’ champion James White (Lundin) with a pair of 75s.
Stewart was the winner of the Newmachar competition.

NEW CHAMPION BELEN SAYS SHE IS NOT THE BEST IN SPAIN
Things you might not know about the new Ladies British open amateur golf champion, Belen Mozo.
Belen comes from the Cadiz Region of Spain and will not be 18 years old until September. She played for the Continent of Europe in the 2005 Vagliano Trophy match at Chantilly when she was still only 16.
She has signed a Letter of Intent to join the University of Southern California but will not go there until January 2007 because she wants to play the full Continental circuit, including the European women's individual amateur championship in Hamburg from August 30 to September 2.
If she enrolled at USC for the beginning of the 2006-2007 term, it would mean she would have to report to Southern California in mid-August.
She said that most of the top American college wanted her to commit herself to them. She finally decided on Southern California because she thought they offered the best mix of golf AND education.
Belen does not consider herself the best female golfer in Spain:
"No, Carlota Ciganda is the best. I am No 2 to her in the Spanish junior rankings and perhaps No 3 or No 4 in the Spanish women's rankings," said the modest Belen.
"I was lucky and Carlota was unlucky that she was off-form during the week of the ladies' British open amateur championship at Royal County Down."
Beaten finalist Anna Nordqvist is 19 and her father is a policeman - which perhaps explains why the Swedish girl is so tall!
Anna is going to go to the University of Arizona State - where Spain's Azahara Munoz, the leading qualifier at Royal County Down, has completed her first year. Once Anna settles in the States - and Azahara Munoz said that it was not until the second half of the 2005-2006 college golf season that she got over homesickness and settled down to play her best golf - then Arizona State could be challenging for the top college team honours.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)

Saturday 17th June 2006

NO SCOTS IN GB&I TEAM FOR CURTIS CUP MATCH
There is not a single Scottish player in the Great Britain & Ireland women’s amateur golf team of eight named today to challenge the United States for the Curtis Cup at Bandon Dunes, Oregon on July 29 and 30.
The selectors have gone for four Irish players – believed to be a record number for Ireland – three from England and one from Wales.
Crumbs of comfort for the Scots were the selection of Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), holder of the British women’s open amateur stroke-play title, as first reserve, and 17-year-old Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) as second reserve.
Skipper Ada O'Sullivan had some words of encouragement for Krytle: "She is definitely one for the future - and I am not talking about years to come, I'm talking about the Vagliano Trophy next year. "
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) who played in the Curtis Cup match at Formby two years ago is not listed even as a reserve. She did not qualify for the match-play stages of this week’s Ladies British open amateur championship at Royal County Down, Newcastle in Northern Ireland.
United States lead the biennial series with 25 wins to GB&I’s seven with one match halved since the Curtis Cup was first contested at Wentworth in 1932.
The GB&I team, to be captained by Ireland’s Ada O’Sullivan, with ages, is:
Claire Coughlan (Cork) 26.
Tara Delaney (Carlow) 20.
Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 22.
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) 24.
Breanne Loucks (Wrexham) 18.
Tricia Mangan (Ennis) 32.
Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 17.
Melissa Reid (Chevin) 18.
Reserves:
Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) 22.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) 17.
Florentyna Parker (Gut Waldhof) 16.
Felicity Johnson (Harborne) 18.
The team with captain Ada O’Sullivan and Scots team manager Fiona Norris will lead the Curtis Cup squad on a three-day training session at Kingsbarns, Fife from June 22 to 24.

Mozo wins BritishAmateur
Belen Mozo, pictured right, a 17-year-old from the Cadiz region of Spain, is the new Ladies British open amateur golf champion. She beat 19-year-old Anna Nordqvist, the 19-year-old British girls champion from Stockholm, by 3 and 1 in the 18-hold final at Royal County Down GC, Newcastle in Northern Ireland, today (Sat).
The long-hitting Mozo was two under par for the holes played.
(Photo Courtesy and Copyright © Tom Ward)
Saturday results
LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Royal County Down GC, Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
Semi-finals - A Nordqvist (Swe) bt M Hernandez (Spa) 2 and 1; B Mozo (Spa) bt N Edwards (Ganton) 7 and 6.
Final (18 holes) – Mozo bt Nordqvist 3 and 1.

NORDQVIST v MOZO FOR TITLE
Anna Nordqvist, 19, from Stockholm, and Belen Mozo, 18, from Cadiz met in this afternoon's 18-hole final of the Ladies British open amateur golf championship at Royal County Down GC, Newcastle in Northern Ireland.
Anna, the reigning British girls' champion, was bidding to become the first player in golfing history to hold the Under-18 and the women's titles at the same time.
Miss Nordqvist, two down after 10 holes finished strongly to beat Maria Hernandez (Spain) by 2 and 1 with five-under-par figures in this morning's first semi-final.
Miss Mozo, the No 3 qualifier who has played very well all week, overpowered Naomi Edwards (Ganton) by 7 and 6 with two-over-par figures in the second semi-final.

Friday 16th June 2006

NORDQVIST GOES ON TO REACH SEMI-FINALS
Miss Nordqvist went off the boil in the afternoon quarter-finals but found her game again in time to birdie the 13th, 14th and 15th and win the 16th with a par to go from two down to one up against Florentyna Parker, the 16-year-old daughter of a Germany-based club professional.
Halves at the last two holes put Anna through to the a semi-final meeting against Spain’s Maria Hernandez.
There will also be a Spaniard, Belen Mozo, in the second semi-final which also features the only Great Britain & Ireland player to survive, Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
add results from
LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
QUARTER-FINALS
Hernandez bt Walker 7 and 6.
Nordqvist bt Parker 1 hole.
Mozo bt Edwards 2 holes.
Edwards bt Mangan 2 holes.

KRYSTLE TWO UNDER PAR BUT BRILLIANT YOUNG SWEDE BEATS FIFER IN THIRD ROUND
Sophie Walker from Kenwick Park ended the giant-killing run of the 64th qualifier, Stacy Bregman from Johannesburg, in the third round of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle in Northern Ireland this morning.
In steady rain, Sophie won by 3 and 2 to reach the quarter-finals in which she will play Maria Hernandez from Spain. Maria won by 2 and 1 over Ireland’s Maura Morrin.
Sophie, 21, the 17th qualifier, lost the first hole to a birdie from Stacy but fought back with wins at the fourth, fifth and nine (with a birdie) to be two up at the turn.
Miss Walker was conceded the 10th and birdied the long 12th to establish a four-hole lead.
Miss Bregman rallied with wins at the 13th and 15th (with a birdie) to be two down with three to play before Sophie finished her off with a par at the 16th.
"I was three under par except for one bad hole," said Sophie. "I hit the fairways and greens and that was the secret."
Maria Hernandez got off to a flyer in her tie against Maura Morrin from The Curragh. The Spanish 21-year-old, a student at Purdue University, won the first three holes but Maura hit back with successes at the fourth and seventh before falling two down again at the ninth.
The Irish player looked to be on a roll when she won the 10th and 11th to square the tie. However, Maria birdied the long 12th to edge ahead again. After a series of halves, the Spaniard clinched her place in the last eight by winning the 17th. She was roughly level or one under par for the holes played.
British girls’ champion Anna Nordqvist, 19, from Sweden produced some of the best golf of the championship so far when she was seven under par in beating recent St Rule Trophy tournament winner Krystle Caithness, 17, from the St Regulus club, St Andrews.
Anna started birdie-birdie-eagle to be three up and that lead was increased to four with a par at the sixth. The Scottish teenager got a birdie of her own with a 2 at the short seventh.
But Miss Nordqvist got back in the driving seat with a par at the eighth and a birdie at the ninth to be a commanding five up at the turn.
Krystle kept fighting and birdie the 11th but the Swede countered with a birdie at the long 12th to regain a five-hole advantage.
Miss Caithness had to birdie holes to live with her bang-in-form opponent. Krystle got a 4 at the long 13th to cut the deficit to four and the long 15th was halved in birdie 4s to finish the tie.
Krsytle was two under par at the finish, figures that would have been good enough to win most of the other third-round ties.
Naomi Edwards (Ganton), the 22-year-old Welsh open stroke-play champion, won by 5 and 3 against 18-year-old Argentina-born Spaniard, Mariana Macias. Naomi was two up at the turn.
Florentyna Parker, 16-year-old daughter of the professional at German golf club, Gut Waldhof, had a very good one hole win over Sandra Gall, the 21-year-old German who plays for Florida University on the American college circuit.
Miss Parker was one up at the turn, and went two up after 11 but Miss Gal had cut her deficit to only one hole after 15 holes.
Spain’s Belen Mozo, only 18, was another teenager to reach the last eight. She was three up after nine holes on Py Bengtsson, a 19-year-old Swede who attends New Mexico Univerity, but the match went all the way to the 18th before Belen won by one hole.
Katharina Schallenberg from Osnabruck, Germany won at the 19th against Laura Matthews from Windsor, Ontario and a golf coach at Oklahoma Universtiy.
Vagliano Trophy player Katharina missed from 3ft after an excellent approach shot to the 18th green and had to settle for a half in birdie 4s but she seized her winning chance at the first extra hole to reach the last eight for a second year in a row.
Irish champion Tricia Mangan (Ennis) and Australian Emma Bennett also went into extra holes in the last third-round tie to finish. All square after 16 holes, Tricia three-putted the next to let her opponent escape with a half but the Irish player did well to get down in two from a hollow at the side of the green to halve the 18th in birdie 4s.
Friday results
LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
THIRD ROUND
S Walker (Kenwick Park) bt S Bregman (South Africa) 3 and 2.
M Hernandez (Spain) bt M Morrin (The Curragh) 2 and 1.
A Nordqvist (Sweden) bt K Caithness (St Regulus) 4 and 3.
F Parker (Gut Waldhof) bt S Gal (Germany) 1 hole.
B Mozo (Spain) bt P Bengtsson (Sweden) 1 hole.
K Schallenberg (Germany) bt L Matthews (Canada) at 19th.
N Edwards (Ganton) bt M Macias (Spain) 5 and 3.

Thursday 15th June 2006

SPARKLING KRYSTLE THE LONE SCOT IN LAST 16 AT ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
Recent St Rule Trophy winner Krystle Caithness is hot on the trail of even bigger prizes.
The 17-year-old Waid Academy pupil from Cellardyke is through to the last 16 of the Ladies British open amateur golf championship at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle in Northern Ireland.
And Krystle, a member of the Ladies Golf Union training squad, must
have enhanced her prospects of being named in the eight-strong Curtis Cup team which will be announced after Saturday afternoon's 18-hole final.
In this context, the Fifer won a crucial tie in the first round with a conceded birdie 4 at the 19th against Melissia Reid (Chevin), teenage winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play at Troon in April and a serious contender for a GB&I team place.
Then Miss Caithness turned on the style by sweeping into the third round with a 4 and 3 win over French-Canadian Maude-Aimee Leblanc
Krystle really was sparkling in this one. "I was conceded an eagle putt at the first hole after getting on in two and then birdied the second, fifth, eighth and 13th," she said later. "I had one bogey, to lose the fourth, so I reckon I was five or six under par for the 15 holes we played."
Now Krystle plays the tall, 19-year-old blonde Swedish ace, Anna Nordqvist, who won the British girls' open title last year and is being tipped as the next Annika Sorenstam.
"I'm playing well so anything could happen," said Krystle, which, coming from a lass of few words, amounts to a statement of confidence.
Fellow Fifer Louise Kenney from Pitreavie was the only other Scot to clear the first-round hurdle. Louise did it with an eagle 3 at the 19th against Mary-Ann Lapointe (Canada).
Then Louise had a tiger by the tail in experienced Irish champion Tricia Mangan in the next round. Tricia went four holes up on the outward half and there was no way back for Miss Kenney who lost by 5 and 4.
No 1 seed Azahara Munoz (Spain) was shocked by the 64th qualfier, Stacy Bregman from Johannesburg's six-birdie barrage en route to a 2 and 1 defeat. Stacy, 19, showed it was no fluke by reaching the last 16 with a 4 and 2 win over Malene Jorgensen (Denmark).
Miss Bregman should be tested by her next tie, against Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) who is chasing a Curtis Cup team place
SECOND ROUND RESULTS
Bregman bt Jorgensen 4 and 2.
Walker bt Schreefel 3 and 2.
Morrin bt Gillen 4 and 2.
Hernandez bt Loucks 6 and 4.
Caithness bt M-A Leblanc 4 and 3.
Nordqvist bt Eikenaar 1 hole.
Parker bt Schaeffer at 19th.
Gall bt Klatten 4 and 3.
Mozo bt Hoffmeister 2 and 1.
Bengtsson bt Van der Graaff 4 and 2.
Matthews bt Gendronneau 5 and 4.
Schallenberg bt Fleming 2 and 1.
Mangan bt Kenney 5 and 4.
Bennett bt T Delaney 5 and 4.
Macias bt Combes 1 holes.
Edwards bt Coughlan 3 and 2

KRYSTLE AND LOUISE THROUGH TO LAST 32 WITH 19TH HOLE VICTORIES
Two girls from Fife, Krystle Caithness and Louise Kenney, gave it their best shot under pressure to score 19th hole victories in the first round of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Royal County Down Golf Club at Newcastle, Northern Ireland yesterday (Thu).
They were the only Scots to make it through to the last 32.
Impressive St Rule Trophy winner Krystle Caithness scored a crucial win over Helen Holm Scottish women's open stroke-play champion Melissa Reid, a rival for a place in the Curtis Cup team to be announced at the end of the week.
St Regulus member Krystle from Cellardyke beat the talented English teenager at the 19th in a tie watched closely by the Great Britain & Ireland team selectors.
St Regulus member Krystle went two up with a birdie at the long 12th but the tie suddenly swung the way of Melissa, the reigning English girls champion from Chevin, Derby, after that.
Melissa won the 14th, 15th and 16th to go one up with two to play but Krystle hit back by squaring the tie at the 18th . The Fifer did not have to putt on the first extra hole. Miss Reid conceded the hole and the match to the Scot after getting into trouble.
Louise, from Pitreavie, was three down after seven holes to French-Canadian Mary-Ann Lapointe. Then Miss Kenney won the 12th with a par and the 13th and 14th with birdies to go one up. She lost the 17th to be pulled back to all square and after the 18th was halved, Louise showed her class.
She got home at the 496yd par-5 first hole with a drive and a seven-wood and holed the 6ft putt for a knock-out eagle 3 to her opponent's birdie 4.
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) lost by 2 and 1 to former Irish champion Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) after holding her to all square at the turn.
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) went down by 2 and 1 to Maria Hernandez, a Spanish player who is ranked among the top 30 on the American college circuit. Roseanne was two down at the turn.
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), one down at the turn, lost by 3 and 2 to Australian Emma Bennett.
Heather MacRae, the British open stroke-play champion from Dunblane, saw her Curtis Cup selection hopes diminish when she lost by 4 and 3 to Australian Kate Combes. Heather was six down at the turn.
South African Stacy Bregman, 19, from Johannesburg shocked the leading qualifier, Azahara Munoz from Spain. Stacy, who had to survive a play-off to become the 64th qualifier - having taken 16 more shots than her opponent for the 36 holes of stroke play - won by 2 and 1.
Stacy had six birdies and only two bogeys and said she was not put off in the slightest by Azahara's outstanding CV.
"She's only human and I knew I could beat her if I played well," said Miss Bergman.
RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
First quarter
S Bregman (SA) bt A Munoz (Spa) 2 and 1.
M Jorgensen (Den) bt C Ellis (Minchinhampton) 3 and 2.
S Walker (Kenwick Park) bt S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 4 and 3.
D-C Schreefel (Netherlands) bt K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 2 and 1.
M Gillen (Beaverstown) bt G Webster (Hilton Park) 2 and 1.
M Morrin (The Curragh) bt D Anderson (Mex) 4 and 3.
M Hernandez (Spa) bt R Niven (Crieff) 2 and 1.
B Loucks (Wrexham) bt L Krog (Nor) 2 holes.
Second quarter
M-A Leblanc (Can) bt M Backstedt (Swe) 4 and 3.
K Caithness (St Regulus) bt M Reid (Chevin) at 19th.
M Eikenaar (Net) bt C Boeljon (Net) at 19th.
A Nordqvist (Swe) bt S Doering (Ger) 6 and 4.
F Parker (Gut Waldhof) bt K Meixner (Can) 8 and 7.
J Schaeffer (Fra) bt R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 4 and 3.
J Klatten (Fra) bt D Smith (Co Louth) 2 holes.
S Gal (Ger) bt L Ball (Matfen Hall) 3 and 1.
Third quarter
B Mozo (Spa) bt M Leblanc (Can) 6 and 5.
T Hoffmeister (Ger) bt D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 4 and 3.
P Bengtsson (Swe) bt E Geury (Bel) 4 and 3.
M Van der Graaff (Net) bt C Lorentzen (Den) 2 and 1.
L Gendronneau (Fra) bt F Johnson (Harborne) at 20th.
L Matthews (Can) bt C Ciganda (Spa) 1 hole.
J Fleming (Aus) bt K Smith (Waterlooville) 1 hole.
K Schallenberg (Ger) bt K Delaney (Carlow) 6 and 4.
Fourth quarter
T Mangan (Ennis) bt C Westrup (Sweden) 1 hole.
L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt M-A Lapointe (Can) at 19th.
E Bennett (Aus) bt E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 3 and 2.
T Delaney (Carlow) bt S Andersson (Swe) 3 and 2.
M Macias (Spa) bt A-L Caudal (Fra) 4 and 2.
K Combes (Aus) bt H MacRae (Dunblane New) 4 and 3.
N Edwards (Ganton) bt S Keane (The Curragh) 5 and 4.
C Coughlan (Cork) bt M Bazin de Jessey (Fra) 5 and 4.

SVLGA
MIDLAND BEAT WEST
Midland beat West of Scotland 5-2 in an inter-divisional veteran women's match at Douglas Park Golf Club.
Details (West names first):
Bunny Grant lost to Sheila Travers 3 and 2, Sally McFarlane lost to Liz Cunningham 1 down; Fiona Roger bt Fiona Glass 3 and 2, Sheila Shaw bt Danuta McLachlan 1 hole, Moira Cameron lost to Beverley Brown 3 and 1; Patricia Richmond lost to Eva Muller-Allan 2 down, Jinty Halley lost to Joyce Mulgrew 6 and 5.

IRELAND WIN TEAM TROPHY
Claire Coughlan (Cork), Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) and Tricia Mangan (Ennis) won the international team trophy event for Ireland, staged in conjunction with the two qualifying rounds at the Ladies British open amateur golf championship at Royal County Down.
The leading placings were:
290 IRELAND 144 146 (C Couglan, M Gillen, T Mangan).
292 GERMANY 146 146 (Katharina Schallenberg, Sandra Gal, Stephanie Doering).
294 SPAIN 147 147 (Carlota Ciganda, Azahara Munoz, Maria Hernandez); SWEDEN 145 149 (Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Westrup, Sofie Andersson).
298 FRANCE 148 150 (An ne-Lise Caudal, Melodie Bourdy, Jade Schaeffer).
301 ENGLAND 152 149 (Kiran Matharu, Melissa Reid, Naomi Edwards); NETHERLANDS (Dwi-Claire Schreefel, Marjet Van der Graaff, Christel Boeljon).
303 WALES 151 152 (Stephanie Evans, Sahra Hassan, Breanne Loucks).
306 AUSTRALIA 158 148 (Emma Bennett, Sunny Park, Kate Combes).
307 CANADA 153 154 (Laura Matthews, Marry Ann Lapointe, Lindsay Knowlton).
311 DENMARK 154 157 (Malene Jorgensen, Charlotte Lorentzen).
317 SCOTLAND 156 161 (Anne Laing, Heather MacRae, Martine Pow).
319 BELGIUM 164 155 (Tamara Luccioli, Lien Willems, Emilie Geury).

IRISH MEN'S AMATEUR CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sponsored by Golfsure
The European Club
10th - 14th June 2006
SEMI-FINALS
Rory McIlroy (Holywood) bt Connor Doran (Banbridge) 2/1.
Simon Ward (Co. Louth) bt Paul O'Kane (Moyola Park) 2/1.
FINAL
Rory McIlroy (Holywood) bt Simon Ward (Co. Louth) 3/2.

SCOTLAND THIRD BEST WITH SIX QUALIFIERS AT ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
England were the most successful country in the qualifying rounds of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle in Northern Ireland.
They had 10 qualifiers. Ireland were next best with nine and Scotland, perhaps surprisingly in view of the early exit of Scottish champion Martine Pow and three times national champion Anne Laing, were third best with six qualifiers.
The collated totals were:
10 England.
9 Ireland.
6 Scotland.
5 Spain, Canada, France, Sweden.
4 Netherlands.
4 Germany.
3 Australia.
2 Wales, Denmark.
1 South Africa, Belgium, Mexico, Norway.

Wednesday 14th June 2006

JENNA GOES OUT IN PLAY-OFF ….SIX SCOTS LEFT IN MATCH-PLAY STAGES
Strathaven's Jenna Wilson bogeyed the first hole to lose out in a nerve-racking play-off after 8.30pm tonight (Wed) and will be on the sidelines when the match-play stages tee off today in the Ladies British open amateur golf championship over the Royal County Down links in Northern Ireland.
Jenna, a quarter-finalist in the tournament 12 months ago, slumped to a second-round 81 and her total of of 158 for the 36-hole qualifying test put her into an eight-way play-off for the last six spots in the draw.
Miss Wilson, a member of the Ladies Golf Union Elite squad, three-putted for a bogey 4 from a fair distance away from the flag at the short hole used for the play-off.
A Canadian player, Anita Gahir, was the other player eliminated in the play-off.
That left six Scots in the match-play stages - Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and Gemma Webster (Hilton Park).
Earlier, just before eight, three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Laing) bowed out of the championship in the last group to finish. Anne set off in determined mood to make up for her opening round of six-over-par 81.
But her fightback never materialised. She reached the turn in three-over-par 40 and then stumbled home in 47 for a distrastrous 12 over par score of 87 and a total of 168.
The failure to make it through to the match-play stages might well cost Anne her place in the GB&I Curtis Cup team which will be announced on Saturday afternoon.
Emily Ogilvy, 22-year-old Auchterarder player, was the top Scottish qualifier with rounds of 75 and 77 for two-over-par 152. Emily matched the par of 37 on her outward nine but took 40 for the inward half.
Louise Kenney from Pitreavie was next best Scot with a 77 for 153.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and Gemma Webster (Hilton) also extended their active interest in the championship.
Krystle had a 78 for 155, the same total as another 17-year-old, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) who had an second-round 80. Heather had a 78 for 156 and Gemma an 80 for 157.
Scottish champion Martine Pow (Selkirk) failed to make it on 161 (78-83) The 41-year-old scaffolder dropped five shots over the first four holes with a double bogey 7 at the first, a bogey 5 at the second and a double bogey 5 at the short fourth.
Kylie Walker's disappointing run continued. The Buchanan Castle player had an 81 for 164.
South Queensferry teenager Rebecca Watson (David Leadbetter GA) had an 85 for 165.
Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) started at the 10th and took 45 shots for her first nine holes. She did birdie the first and third but it was too little too late and an 83 for 170 left her well outside the qualifying mark.
Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University) had a 10 at the par-4 second hole in repeating a 92 for 184.
Azahara Munoz, the 18-year-old Spanish girl who won the British girls' open title at Lanark two years ago, claimed the No 1 qualifier spot with scores of 69 and 73 for eight-under-par 142 - one shot ahead of Ireland's Claire Coughlan (Cork), beaten finalist 12 months ago. Claire shot 70 and 73.
QUALIFIERS
142 A Munoz (Spa) 69 73,
143 C Coughlan (Cork) 70 73.
144 B Mozo (Spa) 73 71.
146 S Gall (Ger) 74 72, K Schallenberg (Ger) 72 74, M Backstedt (Swe) 73 73, C Westrup (Swe) 72 74.
147 M Gillen (Beaverstown) 74 73, T Delaney (Carlow) 73 74, B Loucks (Wrexham) 74 73.
148 F Johnson (Harborne) 75 73, F Parker (Royal Birkdale) 72 76, A Nordqvist (Swe) 73 75.
149 M Van der Graaf (Net) 74 75.
150 A-L Caudal (Fra) 79 71, S Walker (Kenwick Park) 76 74, K Combes (Aus) 76 74, K Matharu (Cookridge Hall) 77 73.
151 M Eikenaar (Net) 72 79, J Schaeffer (Fra) 72 79, P Bengtsson (Swe) 75 76.
152 L Matthews (Can) 77 75, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 75 77.
153 K Smith (Waterlooville) 75 78, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 76 77, M Morrin (The Curragh) 78 75. J Klatten (Fra) 74 79, M Hernandez (Spa) 78 75, M Reid (Chevin) 75 78.
154 S Keane (The Curragh) 75 79, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 80 74.
155 D Smith (Co Louth) 79 76, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 79 76, D Anderson (Mex) 73 82, M Jorgensen (Den) 80 75, J Fleming (Aus) 77 78, M-A Lapointe (Can) 76 79, K Caithness (St Regulus) 77 78, N Edwards (Ganton) 79 76, C Ellis (Minchinhampton) 81 74, R Niven (Crieff) 75 80.
156 S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 77 79, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 78 78, D-C Schreefel (Net) 77 79, R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 80 76, M Macias (Spa) 75 81, C Boeljon (Net) 81 75, C Lorentzen (Den) 74 82, E Geury (Bel) 78 78, E Bennett (Aus) 82 74, C Ciganda (Spa) 82 74.
157 S Andersson (Swe) 79 78, S Doering (Ger) 80 77, G Webster (Hilton Park) 77 80, L Krog (Nor) 76 81, K Meixner (Can) 82 75, L Gendronneau (Fra) 79 78, T Mangan (Ennis) 74 83.
158 Six of eight players on 158 qualified after play-off: K Delaney (Carlow) 84 74, M B De Jessey (Fra) 77 81, S Bergman (SA) 76 82, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 80 78, M Leblanc (Can) 80 78, M-A Leblanc (Can) 82 76.
DID NOT QUALIFY
158 Eliminated at first hole of play-off: J Wilson (Strathaven) 77 81, A Gahir (Can) 81 77.
159 M Verchenova (Rus) 79 80, D Montgomery (Lambourne) 82 77, S Sherlock (Can) 81 78, C Andrade (Spa) 77 82, P Lindberg (Swe) 79 80.
160 S Derrey (Fra) 84 76, M Bourdy (Fra) 76 84, S Park (Aus) 82 78, K Kinnerud (Swe) 79 81, C Loehr (Ger) 86 74, L Eastwood (Yelverton) 82 78.
161 B-L Erais (Can) 86 75, M Pow (Selkirk) 78 83, E Sheffield (Newark) 80 81, J Kim (Can) 83 78. F Sanderson (Heworth) 84 77.
162 C Kirkland (Fra) 82 80, C Lee (West Lancs) 86 76, J Hardy (Can) 86 76, B Henderson (Can) 80 82, F Carroll (Athenry) 82 80.
163 L Knowlton (Can) 80 83, M Dunn (Skerries) 83 80, J Berton (Fra) 81 82, C Kim (Can) 82 81.
164 E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 85 79, J Hodge (Knowle) 78 86, J Hodge (Knowle) 78 86, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 83 81, J Ross (Whitley Bay) 83 81, N Kitching (Claremorris) 81 83.
165 J Dotten (Can) 80 85, C Martens (Nor) 81 84, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 81 84, R Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 80 85, R Bell (Ganton) 81 84.
166 T Luccioli (Bel) 89 77, H Warren (Aus) 78 88, K Van Leeuwen (Net) 85 81, R Lomas (Hallowes) 88 78, M Riordan (Tipperary) 77 89.
167 K Rothengatter (Ger) 84 83, T Boyes (Meon Valley) 84 83, S Ovadia (US) 85 82, C De Vries (Net) 88 79, S Kirchmayr (Ger) 87 80.
168 L Gould (Bargoed) 84 84, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 81 87.
169 I A Valcarce (Spa) 87 82, N Holleder (Ger) 88 81, L Willems (Bel) 86 83, H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 82 87, C Starkie (Silsden) 85 84.
170 B Lane (Aus) 83 87, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 87 83.
171 G Doran (US) 85 86, C Seel (Ger) 83 88, S Kim (Can) 86 85.
172 A Decharne (Fra) 82 90, G O'Leary (Cork) 83 89.
173 L Winkelman (Net) 81 92, L Collin (John O'Gaunt) 91 82, D Pytlewski (Can) 84 89, S Attwood (Gog Magog) 87 86.
174 B Dowell (Enmore Park) 89 85.
175 A Valle (Nor) 81 94, E Gassiot (Fra) 92 83.
176 M Sapin (Fra) 87 89.
177 I Martens (Nor) 85 92, F Grimshaw (Weymouth) 95 82.
178 L Barton (Coventry) 93 85, M Mabanta (Can) 89 89.
179 M L Weeda (Net) 86 93.
180 V Macharis (Fra) 85 95.
182 V Tomko (Bel) 92 90.
184 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 92 92, C Armanasco (Enniscrone) 93 91, S O'Sullivan (Galway) 88 96.
193 J Lochhead (Can) 92 101.

VIVIEN VICTORIOUS AT FIRST ATTEMPT
Retired physical education teacher Vivien Welsh was the surprise first-time winner of the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association's Highland division championship.
Playing out of Elgin Golf Club, Vivien, who became a member of the Highland vets only this year, beat senior international Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) by one hole in the final over the Nairn Dunbar links.
In the semi-finals Vivien beat Louise Clark (Nairn) by 5 and 4 while Christine beat Janet Buist (Forres) 6 and 5.

EAST DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT DUNBAR
The Stirling & Clackmannan team for the East Division women's inter-county team championship matches against East Lothian, Fife and Midlothian at Dunbar Golf Club from June 26 to 28 is:
Elaine Allison (Stirling), Alison Davidson (Stirling), Heather MacRae (Dunblane), Louise MacGregor (Falkirk), Stella Mitchell (Falkirk Tryst), Linda Robertson (Falkirk Tryst), Vicki Stevenson (Stirling), Margaret Tough (Falkirk)
Reserves:Tricia Chillas (Stirling), Lesley Gibb (West Lothian).

ROSS AND MICHELE WIN SCHOOLS TITLES
We now have a fuller list of results from Monday's The Royal Bank of Scotland schools championships over the Troon Darley and Lochgreen courses.
Ross Bell (Dundee City) and Michele Thomson (North Aberdeenshire) won the individual titles.
Ross had rounds of 71 and 72 for a total of 143 - two shots ahead of Michael Daily (Renfrewshire) (72-73) with James Byrne (South Aberdeenshire) third on 146 (71-75).
Dumfries & Galloway won the boys' team event from West Dumbartonshire with Dundee City.
Michele scored 71 and 83 for 154 to win the girls' title by two shots from Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire) (77-79) with Jane Turner (City of Edinburgh) third on 157 (82-75).
Renfrewshire (339) won the girls' team event from Angus (334) and East Lothian (340).
BOYS
(First score Troon Darley, second Lochgreen)
143 R Bell (Dundee City) 71 72.
145 M Daily (Renfrewshire) 72 73
146 J Byrne (S Aberdeenshire) 71 75.
149 C Robinson (Dumfries & Galloway) 68 81, C Thomson (Glasgow City) 73 76, M Main (Fife) 74 75, D Fitzpatrick (Inverclyde) 75 74.
150 K Smith (S Ayrshire) 71 79, P Shields (S Lanarkshire) 75 75.
Leading boys' teams
456 Dumfries & Galloway (C Robinson, A Murdoch, E McLaren).
463 West Dunbartonshire.
464 Dundee City.
GIRLS
154 M Thomson (N Aberdeenshire) 71 83.
156 M Briggs (Renfrewshire) 77 78.
157 J Turner (City of Edinburgh) 82 75.
163 R Wilson (Angus) 75 88, K MacDonald (Highland) 81 82.
165 G Monteith (Dumfries & Galloway) 80 85.
167 P Pretswell (S Lanarkshire) 83 83.
167 R Livingstone (East Lothian) 85 82.
171 F Blair (Angus) 89 82, E Muirhead (Perth & Kinross0 89 82.
Leading girls' teams
329 Renfrewshire (M Briggs, E Briggs).
334 Angus (R Wilson, F Blair).
340 East Lothian (R Livingstone, L MacCallum).

Tuesday 13th June 2006

KRYSTLE HAS 77 AFTER BEST OF THE DAY 33 TO THE TURN
Fife teenager Krystle Caithness looked to be carrying on where she left on in winning the recent St Rule Trophy when she swept to the turn in a best of the day 33 (four under par) in the first qualifying round of the Ladies' British open amateur golf championship over the Royal County Down links in Northern Ireland.
Then the 17-year-old Waid Academy pupil from Cellardyke crashed to a quadruple bogey at the 11th where her troubles started with a drive into the right rough. She could only hack the ball along the long grass, finishing up in an unplayable lie in a greenside bunker.
That meant a lift and drop under penalty, still in the bunker, and she holed out in eight strokes at this 387yd par-4 hole. She finished on two-over-par 77 after requiring 44 shots for the inward half.
A six-over-par first qualifying round of 81 has put Anne Laing's hopes of reaching the match-play stages in jeopardy.
But the three times Scottish champion from Vale of Leven was surprisingly upbeat at the end of the first qualifying round of the Ladies' British open amateur golf championship over the Royal County Down links at Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
"I drove my first ball little over a foot out of bounds and that cost me a double bogey 7 and then I had a double bogey 6 at the eighth where I took three to get on and then three-putted," said the 31-year-old lecturer at Elmwood College, Cupar.
"But do you know what kept me from getting down in the dumps? It was my playing partner, Azahara Munoz. She was simply awesome in shooting a 69, hitting the ball like a dream and holing everything from 10ft in.
"I was only one over par for the last seven holes myself and I came off the course thinking that if the Spanish girl can score six under par, then I should aim for at least a 71 in the second round.
"So, I'm certainly not writing off my chances. I'll be trying my hardest to make up the ground in the second round."
Miss Laing did get an eagle 3 at the third in her adventurous outward half of 40 and then bogeyed the 10th and 11th with bunker visits at each.
If Anne fails to figure among the leading 64 players who will go forward to the match-play stages, then her hopes of retaining a place in the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team will be considerably reduced - unless all her fellow contenders fail to make it to at least the quarter-finals.
Which is by no means beyond the realms of possibility, given the number of Continentals in the leading positions overnight.
Roseanne Niven, 17, from Crieff and Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) could feel pleased at hitting the par mark of 75 over a hard and fast running links with fiery greens.
"I had an amazing start of eagle-double bogey-eagle," said a cheerful Emily. "I got home with a drive and a four-iron at the first (496hd), hit it right and and to lift and drop from an unplayable lie at the second and then knocked a six-iron approach to within a foot for another eagle at the third (455yd).
"I was heading for a 73 until I bogeyed the last two holes but I had good luck as well as back luck so I'm not unhappy."
Roseanne too had a double-bogey on her card - a 5 at the short 14th, having started at the 10th, but with birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th she was able to cover her first nine in one-under-par 37 and another birdie at the first gave her a cushion for the late bogeys at the fourth, sixth and eighth.
Louise Kenney from Pitreavie had a 76, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) and Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), both 77, Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and Scottish champion Martine Pow (Selkirk) a 78 each, Rebecca Watson (David Leadbetter GA) an 80, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) an 83, Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) an 87, and Clare-Marie Carlton (Stirling University) a 92
LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Par 75
69 A Munoz (Spa).
70 C Coughlan (Cork).
72 J Schaeffer (Fra), C Westrup (Swe), M Eikenaar (Net), F Parker (Royal Birkdale), K Schallenberg (Ger),
73 T Delaney (Carlow), M Backstedt (Swe), B Mozo (Spa), A Nordqvist (Swe), B Mozo (Spa), D Anderson (Mex).
74 B Loucks (Wrexham), J Klatten (Fra), M Van de Graaff (Net), C Lorentzen (Den), T Mangan (Ennis), M Gillen (Beaverstown), S Gal (Ger).
75 M Macias (Spa), S Keane (Curragh), R Niven (Crieff), M Reid (Chevin), P Bengtsson (Swe), E Ogilvy (Auchterarder), K Smith (Waterlooville), F Johnson (Harborne).
76 K Coombes (Aus), L Krog (Nor), M Bourdy (Fra), L Kenney (Pitreavie), M-A Lapointe (Can), S Walker (Kenwick Park), S Bregman (SA).
77 K Matharu (Eng), J Wilson (Strathaven), C Andrade (Spa), M Riordan (Tipperary), L Matthews (Can), J Fleming (Aus), S Evans (Vale of Llangollen), D-C Schreefel (Net), G Webster (Hilton Park), K Caithness (St Regulus), M B De Jessey (Fra).
78 M Hernandez (Spa), E Guery (Bel), M Morrin (Curragh), H Warren (Aus), H MacRae (Dunblane New), J Hodge (Knowle), M Pow (Selkirk).
79 K Kinnerud (Swe), L Gendronneau (Fra), P Lindberg (Swe), A-L Caudal (France), S Andersson (Swe), D Smith (Co Louth), D McVeigh (Royal Co Down), M Verchenova (Rus), N Edwards (Ganton).
80 L Knowlton (Can), R Watson (David Leadbetter GA), E Sheffield (Newark), L Ball (Matfen Hall), M Leblanc (Can), B Henderson (Can), T Hoffmeister (Ger), J Dotten (Can), S Doering (Ger), M Jorgensen (Den), R Jennings (Izaak Walton).
81 C Ellis (Minchinhampton), C Boeljon (Net), S Sherlock (Can), J Berton (Fra), A Gahir (Can), N Kitching (Claremorris), R Bell (Ganton), A Laing (Vale of Leven), C Martens (Nor), A Valle (Nor), L Winkelman (Net), S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan).
82 D Montgomery (Lambourne), H Aitchison (Bedfordshire), K Meixner (Can), C Kim (Can), E Bennett (Aus), M-A Leblanc (Can), C Ciganda (Spa), L Eastwood (Yelverton), F Carroll (Athenry), C Kirkland (France), A Decharne (Fra), S Park (Aus).
83 C Seel (Ger), M Dunn (Skerries), J Ross (Whitley Bay), J Kim (Can), B Lane (Aus), G O'Leary (Cork), K Walker (Buchanan Castle).
84 F Sanderson (Heworth), K Rothengatter (Ger), K Delaney (Carlow), S Derrey (Fra), L Gould (Bargoed), T Boyes (Meon Valley), D Pytlewski (Can).
85 V Macharis (Fra), C Starkie (Silsden), E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), I Martens (Nor), A Ovadia (US), G Doran (US), K Van Leeuwen (Net).
86 L Willems (Bel), S Kim (Can), C Loehr (Ger), C Lee (West Lancs), E Bari-Lynn (Can), J Hardy (Can), M L Weeda (Net).
87 S Attwood (Gog Magog), S Kirchmayr (Ger), I A Valcarce (Spa), M Sapin (Fra), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch).
88 S O'Sullivan (Galway), R Lomas (Hallowes), C De Vries (Net), n Holleder (Ger).
89 B Dowell (Enmore Park), M Mabanta (Can), T Luccioli (Bel).
91 L Collin (John O'Gaunt).
92 J Lochhead (Can), V Tomko (Bel), C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ), E Gassiot (Fra).
93 C Armanasco (Aus), L Barton (Eng).
95 F Grimshaw (Weymouth).

Winning Murcar Links team left to right is: Frances Neish, Carol Wilson, Laura McLardy and Donna Pocock

MURCAR LINKS 1 WIN AT NEWBURGH ON YTHAN
Murcar Links 1 team, represented by Laura McLardy, Donna Pocock, Carol Wilson and Frances Neish, won the Aberdeenshire Ladies' Watt Duffus Trophy club team tournament at Newburgh-on-Ythan.
They totalled 233 - three from four scores to count - to win by 10 shots from Cruden Bay 1.
Aberdeen Ladies 2 won the team handicap trophy.
Laura McLardy (Murcar Links) won the Mrs J P Kennaway Cup for the best individual score, a 77. The best net score award was won by Jenny Wheeler (Aberdeen Ladies), pictured right, with a 71 off 13 of a handicap.
LEADING SCRATCH TOTALS
233 Murcar Links: L McLardy 77, D Pocock 78, C Wilson 78, F Neish 79.
243 Cruden Bay 1: L Terry 78, J Harrison 81, K Esslemont 84, A Ross 86.
247 Aberdeen Ladies 1: S Wood 80, S Fil 83, E Whyte 84, L Hardie 86.
255 Banchory: A Smart 79, L Urquhart 81, P Nicoll 95, M Clapperton 96.
258 Murcar Links: P Wilson 82, S Wilson 85, M Robinson 91, K Stalker 99.
262 Aboyne 1: E Brown 84, M Burgess 87, J Slater 91, E Rose 96. Aberdeen Ladies 2: J Wheeler 84, G Bruce 87, C Kyle 91, A Stalker 91; Deeside 2: A Harper 86, M Parkinson 87, A Downie 89, J Mair 94.
263 Fraserburgh: K Stalker 86, A Bell 88, M Attfield 89, E Parker 98.
265 Westhill: Y Gilbert 84, B Gurden 90, A Fraser 91, F Ramage 100.
268 Peterculter: G Hall 85, P Fraser 91, J Watson 92, Y Richal 99.
269 Deeside 1: S Shepherd 88, F Hay 90, M Millership 91, K Teow 97; Cruden Bay 2: H Gray 85, J Robertson 90, M Miller 94, J Bruce NR.
278 Inchmarlo: K Leiper 86, L Smith 88, E Rae 104, P Halliwell 104; Newmachar: S Tait 91, M Horn 92, L Johnston 95, L Joss 98; Ballateer: S Gordon 89, R Roy 89, A Home 100, M Joss NR.
281 Aboyne 2: E Anderson 93, M Sime 94, S Mortimer 94, M Wilson 101.
LEADING HANDICAP TOTALS
221 Aberdeen Ladies 2: J Wheeler (13) 71, G Bruce (14) 73; A Stalker (14) 77; C Kyle (13) 78.
222 Murcar Links 1, Cruden Bay 1.
225 Westhill.
226 Deeside 2.
228 Cruden Bay 2.
231 Newmachar, Aberdeen Ladies 1, Fraserburgh, Peterculter.
233 Banchory.
234 Murcar Links 2.
236 Aboyne 1.
239 Inchmarlo.
242 Aboyne 2.
246 Ballater.
250 Deeside 1.

Monday 12th June 2006

TWO-TEE START AT ROYAL COUNTY DOWN IS A FIRST FOR LADIES GOLF UNION
This week's Ladies' British open amateur golf championship will be the first event under the auspices of the Ladies Golf Union to use the device of two-tee starting to cope with a maximum field of 144 at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, a few miles down the Ulster coastline from Belfast.
"We've been thinking about it for some time now and decided to go for it this year," said Carnoustie-born Susan Simpson, the Ladies Golf Union's director of championships.
"The main purpose is help us avoid the sometimes very late finish on the (Wednesday) evening of the second qualifying round when we usually have to have a play-off to get the exact number of 64 qualifiers for the match-play stages.
"In the past, the play-off has gone on for quite a few holes - even until darkness was beginning to fall. "
The LGU fear was that the day would come when the play-off could not be completed because of bad light and that would throw a huge spanner in the works if the play-off had to be resumed on the Thursday morning when the match-play programme should start.
"It is a strain on our resources because we have to have two sets of starters and recorders for players who are completing their qualifying rounds at the 18th and also for those who have started at the 10th and will be finishing at the ninth. But we think it is worth the effort," said Susan.
There are 13 Scots in the field.
++ Heather Nolan (Shannon) and Anna Scott (Consett) have withdrawn and been replaced by two Australians, Christine Armanasco and Jody Fleming.

ASHTON INGRAM HITS FORM ON HOME COURSE
Northern Counties team player Ashton Ingram has cut two shots off her home course women's record at Fort William. She already shared the old mark of 70.
Now young Ashton has shot a three-under-par 68 in her club's Captain's Prize and Gleneagles Medal competition.
She had a hat-trick of birdies at the third, fourth and fifth before stumbling to a double-bogey 6 and a bogey 5 at the eighth in reaching the turn in level par 37.
Miss Ingram's only deviations from par after the turn were birdies at the 13th and 14th en route to a three-under-par inward half of 31.

PING RENEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL FOR LEADING ENGLISH PLAYERS
England’s leading players have won the backing of PING with a renewed sponsorship deal.
The company is providing with PING bags, umbrellas and caps for the 23 members of ELGA’s performance, U21 and U18 squads.
In addition the players wear PING Collection waterproofs and ECCO golf shoes.
Melissa Reid, who has been English girls’ championship for the past two years and who won 2006 Scottish open strokeplay title, is one of the players who are being kitted out.
“We are all really grateful for this support,” said Melissa, who plays at Chevin, Derbyshire. “Everything is such good quality and, because we all look the same, it helps to create team spirit and confidence.”

Sunday 11th June 2006

WALKER CUP TEENAGER OLIVER FISHER WINS HIS FIRST BIG TOURNAMENT
Walker Cup teenager Oliver Fisher (West Essex) chalked up what should be the first of many big amateur tournament triumphs before he turns professional by making almost the running over the weekend in the St Andrews Links Trophy over the Old and New Courses.
Oliver's total of 280 was seven under par. At the finish, he had two shots to spare from Australian Stephen Dartnall.
Carnoustie youngster Keir McNicoll carried on his good US college circuit form for Lynn University, Baton Rouge in Florida by finishing third on 284.
FINAL TOTALS
1 Oliver Fisher West Essex GC 66 70 71 73 280
2 Stephen Dartnall Australia 69 73 68 72 282
3 Keir McNicoll Carnoustie GC 68 71 72 73 284
4 Nigel Edwards Whitchurch GC 64 77 75 69 285
5 Mitchell Brown Australia 71 73 74 68 286
5 Robert Dinwiddie Barnard Castle 71 69 70 76 286
7 Ben Evans Rye GC 71 74 70 72 287
7 Chris Cousins Aberdare GC 69 73 72 73 287
9 Thomas Sherreard Chart Hills 72 75 71 72 290
9 James Ruth Tavistock GC 75 72 69 74 290
9 Duncan Stewart Grantown 74 72 72 72 290
9 Steven McEwan Barassie 72 70 72 76 290
13 Tristan Lambert Australia 73 74 74 70 291
13 Lawrence Dodd Thetford GC 68 78 72 73 291
13 Chris Geraghty St Annes Old Links 71 71 75 74 291
16 James Freeman Retford GC 71 74 73 74 292
16 Gregg Blainey East Berkshire 69 74 77 72 292
18 Paul W Randle Nuneaton GC 72 76 75 70 293
18 Jamie Howarth Stockport GC 76 71 70 76 293
18 Elliot Saltman Craigielaw GC 68 79 72 74 293
18 Chris McDonnell Stocksfield 75 72 71 75 293
18 Adam Gee Leatherhead GC 71 75 74 73 293
18 Andrew Martin Australia 70 74 68 81 293
24 Jonathan King Glasgow 73 75 75 71 294
25 Mark Searle High Post GC 73 75 72 75 295
25 Cennydd Mills Vale of Glamorgan 74 73 72 76 295
25 Richard Ramsay Royal Aberdeen 72 74 73 76 295
25 Seve Benson Wentworth Club 73 73 70 79 295
29 Craig Watson East Renfrewshire 74 74 72 76 296
29 Iain Colquhoun Ranfurly Castle 72 75 76 73 296
31 Ross McGowan Banstead Downs 74 74 78 71 297
31 Ryan Thomas Aberdare GC 74 74 74 75 297
31 Won Joon Lee Australia 70 77 77 73 297
31 Rob Harris Woodhall Spa GC 70 77 79 71 297
31 Jonathan Hurst Shaw Hill 70 74 73 80 297
36 Lloyd Saltman Craigielaw 76 71 76 75 298
36 Richard Hooper Neath 72 75 75 76 298
38 Bryan Fotheringham Forres 72 76 76 75 299
38 Mark Kerr Marriott Dalmahoy 74 74 77 74 299
38 Robert McKnight Barassie 74 72 75 78 299
41 Garry Wood Crow Wood 71 75 77 77 300
42 Neil Chaudhuri Leicestershire 74 74 75 78 301
43 Benjamin Choe United States 72 76 80 77 305

GRAND PERFORMANCE BY CHRIS AND COLIN
Colin Gillies (Kingsfield) followed up his victory on Saturday by sharing first prize with Chris Kelly (Cawder) in Sunday’s Monkland Masters Charitable Trust Charity pro-am, sponsored by Alfred McAlpine Business Services, at Drumpellier Golf Club.
Both hit the four-under-par 67 and each received £1,055.
Gillies had a double-bogey 5 at the short 12th and bogeys at the seventh and 13th but he was able to make up for them with an eagle 2 at the 17th and birdies at the second, third, ninth, 14th, 15th and 18th.
Kelly had an eagle 3 at the second and birdies at the ninth, 10th, 14th, 15th and 17th. He bogeyed the fifth, eighth and 18th.
LEADING SCORES
67 C Gillies (Kingsfield), C Kelly (Cawder).
70 S Garrett (East Renfrewshire), S Gillespie (Balbirnie Park), A Lockhart (Ladybank), C Ronald (Carluke).
71 D McIntosh (Carrick on Loch Lomond), M Naylor (Westin Turnberry), G Hutcheon (unatt), K Walker (Castle Park).
TEAM WINNERS
57 A Lockhart (Ladybank) & LAGTA: C Campbell (12), T Brown (11), D Peacock (18).

LOWEST SCORE AT BOYS' AREA TEAM
Mark Collin (Borders) won the Niagara Cup for the best individual score of 70 which was one under par in the Glenvarigill Peugeot Scottish boys' area team championship at Paisley Golf Club today.

FAVOURITES FIFE WIN SCOTTISH BOYS AREA TEAM GOLF TITLE AT PAISLEY
Fife, with a line-up including Scottish boys champion James White (Lundin) and beaten finalist Michael Main (Thornton), won the Glenvarigill Peugeot Scottish boys’ area team golf championship for a fifth time in all and for the first time since 1996 today (Sunday).
Fife’s total of 367, compiled by White, Main, Scott Crichton and Alex Moir (149 from the foursomes and 218 from the singles) at Paisley Golf Club, won them the trophy and the title by four shots from the North-east quartet of Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), James Byrne (Banchory) and Northern’s Graeme Mitchell and Scott Fraser (foursomes 149, singles 222).
Angus, represented by Ross Bell, Daniel Elder, Josh Clarke and William Bremner (foursomes 146, singles 227), finished a close-up third on 373.
Defending champions Lothians finished back on 384.

GLENVARIGILL PEUGEOT SCOTTISH BOYS’ AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Paisley Golf Club
HOW THEY FINISHED
367 Fife (Foursomes 149: J White & M Main 77, S Crichton & A Moir 72. Singles 218: White 72, Moir 73, Main 73, Crichton 76).
371 North-east (Foursomes 149: L Kirton & J Byrne 71, K Duncan & S Fraser 78. Singles 222: Kirton 73, Duncan 74, Byrne 75, Fraser 79).
373 Angus (Foursomes 146: R Bell & D Elder 71, J Clarke & W Bremner 75. Singles: Bremner 74, Bell 76, Clarke 77, Elder 80).
379 South.
380 Renfrewshire.
382 Perth & Kinross.
384 Lothians, Stirlingshire.
387 Dumbartonshire, Ayrshire.
388 Borders.
389 North.
395 Lanarkshire.
499 Glasgow.
411 Argyll & Bute.
421 Clackmannanshire.

North of Scotland Girls

NORTH TAKE GIRLS’ DIVISIONAL TITLE FROM EAST 2-1 IN FINAL
North beat title-holders East 2-1 in the final of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association’s girls’ inter-division tournament on a gloriously sunny day Ballumbie Castle, near Dundee.
Annabel Niven (Crieff) and Eilidh Mackay (Nairn Dunbar) gave North a good start in the all-foursomes match by beating Rachael Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh) and Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) 5 and 4.
Then Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) and Sammy Vass (Tain) clinched the title for North by beating the all-Baberton pairing of Rachael Watton and Gillian Simpson 3 and 2.
East won the third and last foursome with Arlene McGarty (Bathgate) and Hannah Dalrymople (Glenbervie) beating Kirsty Moss (Monifieth) and Ashley Smith (Kirriemuir) by 2 and 1.
South and West were joint third as they drew the play-off for the third and fourth places 1 ½ pt each.
These year’s tournament was restricted to girls with handicaps of eight and higher to give them a taste of representative golf.
SLGA GIRLS’ INTER-DIVISION TOURNAMENT
Ballumbie Castle Golf Club.
Semi-finals
North 3, South 0 (E Mackay & A Niven bt I Craigie & A Mitchell 4 and 3; S Vass & L MacCallum bt A McDonald & R Harvey 7 and 6; K Moss & A Smith bt A Ford & A Bain 6 and 4).
East 3, West 0 (R Archibald & C Easton bt K Differ & J Meldrum 4 and 2; R Watton & G Simpson bt V Smith & E Briggs 2 and 1; A McGarty & H Dalrymple bt A Lewis & L Meldrum 1 hole).
Final
North 2, East 1 (Niven & Mackay bt Archibald & Easton 5 and 4; MacCallum & Vass bt Simpson & Watton 3 and 2; Moss & A Smith lost to McGarty & Dalrymple 2 and 1).
Third & Fourth place play-off
South 1 ½, West 1 ½ (McDonald & Harvey halved with L Meldrum & V Smith; Craigie & Mitchell lost to Lewis & Differ 2 and 1; Ford & Bain bt J Meldrum & Briggs 2 and 1.

MARY BACK IN SPOTLIGHT AS WINNER OF NORTHERN OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE
Six times Angus women’s county champion Mary Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) won the Carnoustie Rosebowl for the lowest scratch score in Saturday’s Northern Ladies Open golf tournament over the Carnoustie championship course.
Mary, a former British girls championship finalist at Edzell, shot a 79 – matching the CSS for the tournament – to win by one shot from young Katy McNicoll, also a Carnoustie Ladies member and recently returned from her first year at Lynn University, Baton Rouge in Florida.
NORTHERN LADIES OPEN
Carnoustie championship course.
CSS 79.
Leading prizewinners:
Carnoustie Rosebowl – M Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 79.
Gourlay Rosebowl – G Watson (Carnoustie Caledonia) (19) 74.
Scratch – K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 80; L Fenton (Grange) (better inward half), L Fotheringham (Grange) 84; A Chree Ladies Panmure Monifieth) 85 (bih).
Handicap – Class 1 (0-12) – J Petrie (Panmure Barry) 75; S Greenshields (Hayston) (bih), P Sawers (Carnoustie Ladies) (bih), F Sinclair (Carnoustie Caledonia) 77.
Class 2 (13-17) – M Boyd (Royal Montrose) (bih), A Leiper (Carnoustie Caledonia) 81; J Pirie (Lundin Ladies) 82; S Mitchell (King James VI) 83.
Class 3 – (18-28) – M Sinclair (Dunblane) 78; J Allan (Renfrew) 84; M Hogg (Old Ranfurly) 85 (bih).

A FEW DOLLARS MORE FOR KIRKPATRICK
Former Scotland amateur international David Kirkpatrick from Edinburgh, now based at Lakeland, Florida, won $3,149 for a tied 13th finish in the Grey Goose Gateway Tour event at Martin Downs Country Club, Cranke Creek, Florida on Saturday.
Kirkpatrick shot rounds of 70, 69, 74 and 70 for a total of 283.
Sean Quinlivan from Ballybunion, Ireland shared seventh place on 279 with scores of 71, 72, 69 and 67 to pick up $4,873.
American Jamie Neher won the top prize of $25,335 with 67, 73, 69 and 66 for 13-under-par 275.

COLIN DROPS OUT OF STATESVILLE HUNT
Colin Speirs from Dunkeld dropped out of contention with a third-round 75 for a 54-hole tally of 211 in the NGA Hooters Tour’s Statesville Classic golf tournament at Statesville, North Carolinia.
Speirs had been well up the field after opening rounds of 69 and 67 but he went into the final round in a tie for 50th place behind leader Emmett Turner on 17-under-par 199 (65-68-66).
Ulsterman Gareth Maybin from Ballyclare, a winner of a recent NGA Hooters Tour event, was sharing 23rd place on 207 (70-70-67).

LISA WILL MAKE CUT BUT NOT BRENDA
Lisa Hall from Stoke has had a pair of 73s for 146 to be assured of making the 36-hole cut in the rain-affected Team WLF.org Classic, the latest Duramed Futures Tour event, at Saint Anne, Illinois.
There was a delay of 2 1/2hr because of the bad weather and 36 players still have to complete their second rounds, but Lisa is assured of being among the top 70 and ties who will go through to the final round.
Not so for Brenda McLarnon whose scores of 83 and 80 for 163 will miss the cut.
Leaders in the clubhouse on level par 144 are Charlotte Mayorkas (74-70) and Ji Min Jeong (73-71).

Saturday 10th June 2006

SCOTTISH VETS' LINE-UP FOR BLAIRGOWRIE IS FILLING UP WITH AREA CHAMPIONS
The line-up for the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship at Blairgowrie on Sunday, September 24 iis taking shape as the areas hold their championships. The eight area championship winners make up the quarter-finalists at Blairgowrie.
Galloway v East.
Dumfries v Borders.
North (Kathleen Sutherland) v Highlands (Vivien Welsh).
West (Helen Faulds) v Midlands.
We would be pleased to publish and display pictures of area Vets Championships. Just email me or Colin

TEENAGER FISHER LEADS BY THREE AT HALFWAY IN ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY
Teenage Walker Cup player Oliver Fisher from West Essex had his second-round lead cut from six to three strokes before the end of play on the second day of the St Andrews Links Trophy.
Fisher had surged well clear of the field with rounds of 66 and 70 for 136.
Then Keir McNicoll, pictured below right, of Carnoustie Golf Club and Lynn University, Baton Rouge in Florida narrowed the gap at the top of the leaderboard with scores of 68 and 71 for 139.
Robert Dinwiddie (Barnard Castle), a Walker Cup team-mate of Fisher at Chicago Golf Club last summer and last year’s winner of the Scottish men’s amateur stroke-play championship at Balgownie, moved into third place with two rounds go. He shot 71 and 69 for 140.
SECOND ROUND TOTALS
1 Oliver Fisher West Essex GC 66 70 136
2 Keir McNicoll Carnoustie GC 68 71 139
3 Robert Dinwiddie Barnard Castle 71 69 140
4 Nigel Edwards Whitchurch GC 64 77 141
5 Chris Cousins Aberdare GC 69 73 142
5 Stephen Dartnall Australia 69 73 142
5 Steven McEwan Barassie 72 70 142
8 Gregg Blainey East Berkshire GC 69 74 143
9 Andrew Martin Australia 70 74 144
9 Mitchell Brown Australia 71 73 144
11 Ben Evans Rye GC 71 74 145
12 Seve Benson Wentworth Club 73 73 146
12 Duncan Stewart Grantown 74 72 146
12 Lawrence Dodd Thetford GC 68 78 146
12 Richard Ramsay Royal Aberdeen 72 74 146
12 Robert McKnight Barassie 74 72 146
12 Adam Gee Leatherhead GC 71 75 146
18 James Ruth Tavistock GC 75 72 147
18 Cennydd Mills V of Glamorgan 74 73 147
18 Chris McDonnell Stocksfield 75 72 147
18 Elliot Saltman Craigielaw 68 79 147
18 Iain Colquhoun Ranfurly Castle 72 75 147
18 Thomas Sherreard Chart Hills 72 75 147
18 Rob Harris Woodhall Spa 70 77 147
18 Richard Hooper Neath GC 72 75 147
18 Jamie Howarth Stockport GC 76 71 147
18 Won Joon Lee Australia 70 77 147
18 Lloyd Saltman Craigielaw GC 76 71 147
29 Mark Kerr Marriott Dalmahoy 74 74 148
29 Bryan Fotheringham Forres 72 76 148
29 Jonathan King Glasgow GC 73 75 148
29 Neil Chaudhuri Leicestershire 74 74 148
29 Craig Watson East Renfrewshire 74 74 148
29 Paul W Randle Nuneaton GC 72 76 148
29 Ryan Thomas Aberdare GC 74 74 148
29 Mark Searle High Post GC 73 75 148
37 Scott Jamieson Cathkin Braes 75 74 149
37 Matthew Mills Wentworth 76 73 149
37 Hugo Leon Chile 77 72 149
37 Ben Parker Germany 78 71 149
37 Johan Du Buisson S Africa 74 75 149
37 Lloyd Campbell Rochester 74 75 149
37 Taco Remkes Netherlands 72 77 149
44 Mitchell Krywulycz Australia 76 74 150
44 Colin Colraine Windyhill 76 74 150
44 John Gallagher Swanston 75 75 150
44 Paul Waring Bromborough 76 74 150
44 George Murray Earlsferry Th 75 75 150
44 Gary Boyd Cherwell Edge 73 77 150
44 James Dale Rochford Hundred 73 77 150
44 Gavin Dear Murrayshall 76 74 150
44 Jordon Findlay Fraserburgh 72 78 150
44 Carl Wakely Whitchurch 76 74 150
44 William Johnson United States 73 77 150
55 Jamie Moul Stoke by Nayland 77 74 151
55 Richard Gurney Kings Norton 76 75 151
55 Barry Scott Dumfries & G 74 77 151
55 Ben Westgate Perranporth GC 76 75 151
55 Kyle Ritchie United States 74 77 151
55 Herve Gevers Royal Antwerp 76 75 151
55 Callum Macaulay Tulliallan 72 79 151
62 Daniel Coughlan Wyke Green 72 80 152
62 Wallace Booth Comrie GC 77 75 152
62 Zac Gould Vale of Glamorgan 73 79 152
62 Llewellyn Matthews S’down 74 78 152
66 Paul Moultrie Troon Portland 75 78 153
66 Louis Calitz S Africa 78 75 153
66 John Hempstock Dumfries & G 75 78 153
66 Neil Dean Minchinhampton GC 74 79 153
66 Jamie Arnold Australia 76 77 153
71 Oliver West United States 75 79 154
71 Gary Sharp St Andrews GC 73 81 154
71 Mark Thistleton The Hayling 75 79 154
71 Scott Mann Carnoustie 78 76 154
71 Wesley Tucker S Africa 73 81 154
71 Chris Harkins Belleisle GC 78 76 154
71 Nick Olson Faversham GC 73 81 154
71 Brad Stuart New Zealand 78 76 154
79 Kevin Weir St Andrews New 77 78 155
79 Sam Stuart Chorley GC 74 81 155
79 Sander Van Duyn Netherlands 78 77 155
79 Robert Steele Kenilworth GC 78 77 155
79 Ryan McKenzie Easter Moffat 78 77 155
79 Brian Moore Largs GC 77 78 155
79 David Horsey Styal GC 78 77 155
79 Tim Dykes Wrexham GC 74 81 155
87 Sandy Twynholm Morpeth GC 81 75 156
87 Euan McIntosh Newmachar 81 75 156
87 Jason Palmer Kirby Muxloe GC 83 73 156
87 Stuart Wilson Forfar 79 77 156
87 Bryan Innes Murcar Links 72 84 156
92 Tommy Hunter Ilford GC 75 82 157
92 Tim Stewart Monash Australia 78 79 157
92 Mathieu Baroche France 76 81 157
92 Ronnie A Clark Erskine GC 78 79 157
96 Shane Winstone Knowle GC 76 82 158
97 Daniel Robertson Australia 79 80 159
97 Jason Wellings Canada 76 83 159
97 Garry Hill S Africa 82 77 159
100 Euan Polson Inverness 77 83 160
100 Paul McKellar E Renfrewshire 79 81 160
100 Glenn Campbell Blairgowrie 78 82 160
100 David Corsby Fleetwood GC 77 83 160
104 Jacques Blaauw S Africa 79 82 161
105 Jan-Carel Nel S Africa 82 80 162
105 Matthew Clark Kilmacolm 77 85 162
107 Lynden Hinks Hawarden 82 82 164
108 Neville Barnett S Africa 75 90 165

Scottish Girls Interdivisional Matches
It's East v North in the Final tomorrow. That's all I know!

Scottish Girls Interdivisional Matches
The Scottish Girls Interdivisional Matches take place over two days at Ballumbie Castle Golf Club Dundee (girls with handicaps of 8 upwards are eligible to play). The Team to represent the East of Scotland is Rachael Archibald, Hannah Dalrymple, Cara Easton, Arlene McGarty, Gillian Simpson and Rachael Watton. On June 10th from 2:30 pm East play West and North play South. On Sunday June 11th from 10:30am winners play winners for the title, and losers play losers for third and fouth place.

TEENAGER FISHER GOES SIX SHOTS CLEAR BEFORE END OF SECOND ROUND
Walker Cup teenager Oliver Fisher (West Essex) opened up a six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the St Andrews Links Trophy today before the second round had been completed.
Oliver had rounds of 66 and 70 for a tally of 136.
His nearest challenger was Welshman and former US college circuit player Chris Cousins (Aberdare) with 69 and 73 for 142.
LEADING HALFWAY TOTALS
+Second round not completed
136 O Fisher (West Essex) 66 70.
142 C Cousins (Aberdare) 69 73.
146 S Benson (Wentworth) 73 73, L Dodd (Thetford) 68 78, R Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) 72 74.
147 J Ruth (Tavistock) 75 72, C Mills (Vale of Glamorgan) 74 73, C McDonnell (Stocksfield) 75 72, E Saltman (Craigielaw) 68 79, I Colquhoun (Ranfurly Castle) 72 75, T Sherreard (Chart Hills) 72 75.
148 M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 74 74, B Fotheringham (Forres) 72 76, J King (Glasgow) 73 75.
149 S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 75 74, M Mills (Wentworth) 76 73, H Leon (Chile) 77 72, B Parker (Germany) 78 71.

CATRIONA EXPECTING IN DECEMBER
According to reports from the United States, Catriona and Graeme Matthew are expecting their first baby in December. Catriona, from North Berwick, will be 37 on August 25.
She was a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 1995 and has since earned $4,351,304 in prize money. She has won twice on the LPGA tour.

LISA IN TOP 20 AT SAINT ANNE, ILLINOIS
Lisa (Hackney) Hall from Stoke was sharing 20th place at the end of the first round of the Duramed Futures Tour event, the Team WLF.org Classic, at Kankakee Elks Country Club, Saint Anne in Illinois.
Lisa had halves of 37 and 36 for a one-over-par 73 over the 6,266yd course which has par halvs of 35 and 37.
The only other British player in the field, Brena McLarnon from Belfast, was back in joint 83rd place with an 83 (40-43).
Stephanie George from Pennsylvania led the field with a five-under-par 67.

RAMSAY JOINT SECOND AFTER LATE SLIP ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT
Carnoustie’s Eric Ramsay won himself £3,750 for finishing joint second in the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Heydon Grange International Open in Hertfordshire today – but it could have been more.
Eric birdied the first, fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth to be out in four-under-par 32 – he dropped a shot at the fifth – but he could squeeze out only one more birdie – at the 14th – on the inward journey and a bogey at the 18th for a four-under-par 68 and a total of eight-under-par 208 cost him dearly.
A par 4 at the 18th would have given the Scot second place on his own behind the winner, rookie pro Neil Walker, a former England international from Rotherham, who finished with a 72 for 11-under-par 205.
As it was Ramsay’s eight-under 208 aggregate put him in a tie with England’s Michael Skelton and they split the £7,500 second and third place prizes.
Eric’s earlier rounds were a pair of 70s.
Chris Kelly (Cawder) was the second best Scot in joint fifth place on 211. Chris pocketed £1,300 for rounds of 69, 72 and 70.
Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) won £775 for joint eighth place on 213.
Graeme Brown (Montrose) tied for 16th place on 215 and picked up £403.
Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) earned £325 for a level par total of 216 and Stephen Gray (Hoyston), the seventh Scot to survive the 36-hole cut, tied for 34th place on 218 and earned £252.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS (Par 72)
205 N Walker (Eng) 65 68 72.
208 E Ramsay (Carnoustie) 70 70 68, M Skelton (Eng) 69 68 71.
209 J Bandurak (Eng) 69 67 73.
211 C Kelly (Cawder) 69 72 70, J Levermore (Eng) 72 66 73.
Other Scots:
213 G Rankin (Drumpellier) 70 71 72.
215 G Brown (Montrose) 69 74 72.
216 C Nicoll (Prestwick) 71 71 74.
218 S Gray (Hoyston) 72 69 77.

COLIN SPEIRS IN TOP 10 AT HALFWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA TOURNAMENT
Colin Speirs from Dunkeld was lying in joint ninth place at the halfway stage of the NGA Hooters Tour’s Statesville Classic at Statesville Country Club in North Carolina.
Colin, who has won $3,233 on the satellite circuit this year, had rounds of 569 and 67 for an eight-under-par tally of 136 – eight shots behind American leader Kenneth Staton who shot a pair of 64s for 16-under-par 128 to go four shots clear of the field.

Friday 9th June 2006

IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION WANT TO BUY NEW HQ PREMISES
The Irish Ladies Golf Union is to hold an extraordinary general meeting at the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa on Saturday, June 24.
The ILGU Council is proposing that new headquarters be purchased at Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18.
The meeting will be asked to approve the borrowing of up to two million Euros to enable the purchase to go ahead.
Should the proposals be adopted, the Irish Ladies Golf Union will move to its new administration headquarters in September this year.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PAYS OFF AT MURCAR LINKS
Murcar Links made the most of local knowledge to head the 10 qualifiers over their home course on Thursday for the Belhaven Best Captains and Secretaries’ Championship Grand Final at The Duke’s Course, St Andrews on September 12.
Murcar Links – represented by captain Derek Mortimer and Dave Ritchie - won with the first regional final – there will be four in all – with a score of net score of 61 – four shots ahead of Nigg Bay (Gary Stewart and Lee O’Connor), Alyth (Ian Waddell and Jim Docherty) and Kintore (Stuart Archer and Ali Thomson).
QUALIFIERS
61 Murcar Links.
65 Nigg Bay, Alyth, Kintore.
68 Peterculter.
69 Banchory.
70 Murrayshall, Newmachar.
71 Lochgelly (inward half 35), Kingussie (ih 36, last 6: 24).
NON-QUALIFIERS
71 Burntisland (inward half 36, last 6: 25).
72 Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Inchmarlo, Strathmore, Duff House Royal, Brechin.
73 RAF Leuchars, Deeside.
74 Taymouth Castle, Turriff, Scotscraig, Whitemoss, Black Watch, Garmouth & Kingston.
76 Craigmillar Park, Moray, Aberdour.
78 Nairn Dunbar, Helensburgh.
79 Hopeman.
80 Royal Montrose.
81 Torphins.
85 Ballater.
Disqualified – Silverknowes, Lagganmore, Caird Park.

LUNDIN LAD FAVOURITE FOR SCHOOBOYS’ TITLE
Scottish boys’ golf champion James White (Lundin) will attempt to add the Scottish schoolboys title to his collection over the Troon Darley and Lochgreen courses on Monday.
With Michael Main (Thornton), the boy James beat in the final, also in the field, Fife must have a good chance of winning the team title.
Other leading candidates include James Byrne (Banchory), the new North-east District youths champion, and Chris Robinson (Dumfries & Galloway).
Laura Murray (Alford) will be defending the girls’ title she won at St Andrews Bay last year. She faces stern opposition from competitors such as Kelsey MacDonald (Highland), Michele Thomson (North Aberdeenshire), Megan Briggs (Renfrewshire), Jane Turner (City of Edinburgh), Pamela Prestwell (South Lanarkshire) and Rachael Livingstone (East Lothian).
The leading competitors in both the boys' and girls' championships will earn automatic selection for the international match against England at Hillside Golf Club, Southport on September 18.
This is the final year of The Royal Bank of Scotland’s sponsorship of the Scottish schools championship.

TGI SCOTTISH GOLF SHOW A BIG SUCCESS
Pro-Sports Promotions Ltd, organisers of the inaugural TGI Scottish Golf Show in association with Visit Scotland, have declared the three-day event, held at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston at the weekend, a resounding success.
Just under 11,000 Scottish golfers made their way in glorious sunshine to the Edinburgh venue to be part of what truly was a fantastic festival of golf.
The warm summer weather brought visitors onto the outdoor driving range where they were able to try out the latest clubs from leading equipment companies including TaylorMade and Nike – both of whom brought their famous Tour trucks to the show – as well as Ping, MacGregor, Yonex, Benross, Cobra and Ben Sayers among others.
TGI Golf pros were also on hand to help custom-fit Nemesis RSd drivers and RSq utilities whilst US Kids ran a special range for juniors. Trick-shot expert David Edwards entertained the crowds who, between enjoying the garden party atmosphere, could also test out their putting skills on both the outdoor and indoor putting greens
Other indoor highlights included a 20min fashion show, which took place four times per day, a bunker instruction area, plus long-drive, nearest-the-pin and putting competitions. But, undoubtedly, one of the main attractions was the 500sq/m TGI Golf Shop which was a hub of activity over all three days.
Event organiser Tom Lovering was overwhelmed not only by the success of the show but also by the positive feedback he received from the exhibitors, many of whom reported record sales over the three days.
Lovering commented: “Many of the exhibitors I spoke to told me that, compared with other similar events, the TGI Scottish Golf Show is, by far, one of the best around and many of them have already signed-up for larger stands at next year’s show.”
Ian Johnston, the managing director of TGI Golf, the show’s principal retailer and title-sponsor, added: “From both the consumer and exhibitor perspectives, the show was a huge success. There was a distinct family atmosphere, which is unique for a show like this and added to the festival feel. It was also a very knowledgeable audience, which pleased the exhibitors, as it generated genuine interest in the products and brands on show.”
The organisers have confirmed that the show will become a permanent fixture in the golfing calendar and they plan to announce details shortly of an even bigger event for 2007.

Thursday 8th June 2006

CAROL SETS KEMNAY WOMEN’S RECORD
Murcar Links player Carol Wilson has shaved two strokes off the Kemnay women’s course record with a 72 in the club’s women’s open tournament. The previous mark was set by Julie Henderson (Inverurie).
Carol had an eagle 3 at the 16th and birdies at the first, fourth, 13th and 14th. She also had bogeys att the eighth, ninth 11th, 12th and 18th in the following figures:
OUT – 3 5 3 3 4 3 5 6 5: 37
IN – 3 6 5 3 2 5 3 4 4: 35
Ann Smart (Banchory) had a hole in one with a five-iron at the 142yd sixth hole in the same tournament.

Go and make yourself a cup of coffee/tea as I've finally processed the photos from the Helen Holm, Scottish Championship and St Rule into slideshows... Enjoy!
(Colin took most of them, I took a few and Mags Morrison provided the photos from the Friday night party at the Scottish)

Wednesday 7th June 2006

RUSSELL KNOX RANKED 10TH BEST STUDENT GOLFER IN UNITED STATES
Russell Knox from Inverness finished a highly commendable 10th in the GolfStat Cup rankings at the end of the 2005-2006 US college season.
Russell has just completed his junior (second) year at Jacksonville University, Florida.
For his 23 rounds that counted towards the GolfStat Cup, Knox had an average score of 71.74
Spaniard Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State), former winner of the British boys’ open championship, topped the GolfStat Cup and the GolfWeek/Sagarin rankings.
For 40 rounds, Pablo averaged 70.40 strokes.
Edinburgh-born Welshman Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State), another past British boys’ champion, finished fourth in both tables with an average of 70.79 for 42 rounds.
Duncan Stewart (Jacksonville) from Grantown-on-Spey finished 60th with an average of 72.43 for 28 rounds.
Another Jacksonville student, Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh, was placed 143rd with 73.37 from 28 rounds.
Wallace Booth (Augusta State) and Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) did not figure on the GolfStat Cup which went down to 250th place.
But Booth was placed 440th with 73.89 on the GolfWeek/Sagarin ratings and Findlay 519th with 74.24.
Other Scots at college in America, including Stephen Clark, Peter McLachlan, Keir McNicoll, Gavin Dear, Stuart Geddes and Adam Lindsay are not eligible for Division 1 rankings.

EMMA WINS ASTOR SALVER BY THREE SHOTS
What a pity that Emma Duggleby recently confirmed that she will not change her mind about her decision to retire from international golf at Great Britain & Ireland team level.
Otherwise she would have been an automatic form choice for the side to play in the Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon at the end of July.
Today, the Yorkshire player won the prestigious Astor Salver at The Berkshire Golf Club by three strokes with rounds of 71 and 72 for a total of 143. The CSS was 73 for both rounds.
Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley), whose second-round 70 was the lowest score of the day, Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Kate Combes (Australia) and Lucy Gould (Bargoed) all finished on 146.
LEADING TOTALS (CSS 73 73)
143 E Duggleby 71 72
146 T Boyes 76 70
146 K Smith 74 72
146 K Combes 73 73
146 L Gould 71 75
147 F Smith 75 72
147 J Hodge 74 73
147 J Fleming 74 73
147 Elizabeth Bennett 72 75
148 S James 73 73.
149 Emma Bennett 76 73.
151 B Dowell 76 75, S Hinton 75 76, C Cummins 73 78.
152 E Brede 77 75, S Hassan 75 77, D Montgomery 74 78.
153 L Clarke 72 81.
155 L Housman 78 77, E Ellis 78 77, F Grimshaw 77 78, C Starkie 75 80.
157 L Occleshaw 80 77, J Pease 74 83.
158 T Watters 81 77, F Thompson 79 79, N Whitmore 79 79.
159 E Lyons 78 81, J Rees 75 84.
160 S Park 82 78.
161 J Punia 84 77, S Peters 82 79, G Dunn 81 80.
162 F Coulter 83 69, L Davies 80 82.
163 C Partridge 86 77, A Silk 81 82, T Holder 80 83, H Legg 76 87.
165 G Easton 82 83, G Beasley 82 83, J Phipps 82 83, S Watkins 81 84, D Court 79 86.

FIONA SLUMPS TO FOURTH PLACE WITH “SOME DREADFUL GOLF”
Former Scottish women’s amateur champion Fiona Anderson, the leading qualifier, slumped to a final position of fourth place in the English senior women’s closed amateur championship at Hillside Golf Club, Southport.
Fiona from Blairgowrie, but now based in Formby, had rounds of 77 and 87 for a total of 164 over the par-75, 5,919yd course.
The title was won by Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) with a 79 and 77 for 156.
Runner-up was Susan Dye (Delamere Forest) on 158.
Susan Pickles (Lee on the Solent) had the same total as Fiona Anderson but was awarded third place by virtue of having the better second round, an 81 to an 87.
“It’s a bit embarrassing since I never had a three-putt. I just played some dreadful golf on a lovely course in great weather,” said Miss Anderson.
LEADING TOTALS
156 Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) 79 77.
158 Susan Dye (Delamere Forest) 78 80.
164 Susan Pickles (Lee on the Solent) 83 81, Fiona Anderson (Formby Ladies) 77 87.
166 Laraine Hague (Rothergham) 86 80, Kate Charles (Burnham & Berrow) 86 80.
167 Carole Caldwell (Sunningdale)79 88.
169 Sue Westall (Copt Heath) 85 84, Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) 80 89.
170 Christine Stokes (Clitheroe) 86 84, Carol Atack (Morotoown) 86 84, Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 84 86.
171 Carolyn Kirk (Ganton) 87 84, Julie Ballard (Littlestone) 87 84.
172 Denise Parker (Woodhall Spa) 84 88.
174 Jeannie O'Keeffe (Guildford Ladies) 90 84, Julie Smith (Rotherham) 87 897, Penelope Thompson (West Lancashire) 86 88, Irene Brien (Wentworth) 83 91.

Northern Vets: After the scratch final, honorary president Toni Moffat congratulates new champion Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose). Beaten finalist and last year's title-winner Ann Smart (Banchory) is in the centre.

KATHLEEN SUTHERLAND BEATS ANN SMART IN VETS’ FINAL
Royal Montrose’s Kathleen Sutherland thwarted Ann Smart’s bid to win the Northern Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship at Edzell Golf Club yesterday (TUESDAY).
Title-holder Ann from the Banchory club reached the final for the second year in a row but lost by 3 and 1 to Kathleen who won the Scottish veterans’ title a couple of years ago.
Miss Sutherland play steady par golf throughout, driving long and straight and hitting accurate wedge shots to the greens.
In the morning semi-finals, Ann Smart had a good 4 and 3 win over Scotland seniors international Rose Anderson (Huntly) while Kathleen Sutherland beat Pat Wilson (Murcar) 5 and 4.
A Banchory player, Moira Allan, also lost in the final of the Bronze Division championship. She went down by 2 and 1 to Wendy Somerville, the host club lady captain.
In the semi-finals, Moira beat H McIntosh (Murcar) 2 and 1 while Wendy beat A Willox (Murcar) by 7 and 6.
QUALIFIERS
Silver - Ann Smart (Banchory) 75; Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose) 77; Rose Anderson (Huntly) 80; P Wilson (Murcar) 81 (Susan McGregor, Edzell had the lowest score of 73 but was unable to take part in the match-play).
Bronze - Helen M'Intosh (Murcar) 96; Wendy Somerville (Edzell), Avril Willox (Murcar) 97; Moira Allan (Banchory) 99.
MATCH-PLAY
Silver – Semi-finals – Smart bt Anderson 4 and 3, Sutherland bt Wilson 5 and 4. Final – Sutherland bt Smart 3 and 1.
Bronze – Semi-finals – Allan bt McIntosh 2 and 1, Somerville bt Willox 7 and 6. Final – Somerville bt Allan 2 and 1.

Northern Vets: After the handicap final, honorary president Toni Moffat congratules winner Wendy Somerville (Edzell). Beaten finalist Moira Allan (Banchory) is in middle.

EX-SCOTTISH CHAMPION FIONA LEADS THE ENGLISH
Former Scottish women's amateur champion Fiona Anderson, originally from Blairgowrie but now a member of Formby Ladies' Golf Club, led the qualifying round of the Senior English Ladies' close amateur stroke-play championship at Hillside Golf Club.
Fiona, Scotland's home internationals team skipper for the past two years, had a creditable round of two-over-par 77.
Miss Anderson, who played for Great Britain & Ireland in a Vagliano Cup match when she was at her peak - reaching five Scottish women's finals and winning the title at Nairn in 1987 - has only this year been eligible to compete in the English close competition following a chance in the qualification rules.
Fiona birdied the first, ninth and 18th and had two three-putts to drop shots on the back nine.
"The greens are lovely and the course is superb," said Fiona, adding "Now that I'm no longer Scottish captain I'm enjoying concentrating on my own golf and supporting Lancashire girls golf".
Prior to Fiona's return of a 77, Mary Weaver from the Mere club, Cheshire had been the clubhouse leader with a 78, thanks to an outstanding finish of birdies at the 14th and 17th and an eagle at the par-5 18th.
Former Curtis Cup player Carol Caldwell (Sunningdale) came in late in the day with a 79 to join Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) on that mark.
Hampshire's Christine Stirling was unable to defend her title due to family commitments.
This is the first time ELGA has run this championship following the merger with the English Senior Ladies' Golf Association at the end of last year. These events are open to all its members aged over 50.

INJURED MITCHELL OUT OF SCOTTISH BOYS’ AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
North of Scotland boys’ champion Graeme Mitchell (Northern) has had to withdraw from the North-east squad of four for the Glenvarigill Peugeot Scottish boys’ area team golf championship at Paisley Golf Club on Sunday.
Mitchell has broken an elbow in a bicycle accident and has been replaced in the party to travel by Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon), who finished fourth behind Mitchell in the North boys’ championship.
The three other North-east members are new North-east District youths champion James Byrne (Banchory), Lewis Kirton (Newmachar) and Scott Fraser (Northern).
In the morning foursomes, Kirton will partner Byrne and Duncan will take Mitchell’s place as Scott Fraser’s partner.
North District are represented by Neil Howitt (Nairn Dunbar), Chris Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) and Michael Brand (Tain).
Howitt and Gaittens will be North’s lead-off foursomes pairing followed by Fotheringham and Brand.

DRUMMOND SHOOTS RECORD 64 TO WIN STRATHAVEN PRO-AM
Ross Drummond was in record-breaking form in winning the top prize of £1,130 in today’s (TUESDAY) Strathaven Golf Club pro-am. The 6ft 4in tour pro attached to Prestwick Driving Range shot a seven-under-par 64 to win by a couple of shots from Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) with Kenny Walker (Castle Park) in third place with a 67.
“I hit my first approach shot to within a foot of the hole and that was me off and running,” said a delighted Drummond.
“From thereI birdied the third, seventh and eighth to get it out in four-under-par 35. Then I birdied the 10th. Dropped my only shot of the day at the 12th but got it rolling again with birdies at the 14th, 16th and 18th for three-under 34 home.
“Certainly the best I’ve played this season. I think the longest putt I had all day was about 6ft. Let’s hope it continues!”
The previous Strathaven record mark was 65. The course has been lengthened since David Huish held the record with a 63.
LEADING SCORES (Par 71)
64 Ross Drummond (Prestwick DR).
66 Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
67 Kenny Walker (Castle Park).
68 Gary Dingwall (Royal Dornoch), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range).
69 Jim McKinnon (Irvine), Gary McFarlane (World of Golf), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield).
PRO-AM WINNERS
54 Gary McFarlane (World of Golf) & P&J Joinery 2: Stephen O’Brien (+1), David Irvine (11), Bob Paton (13).

Tuesday 6th June 2006

KRYSTLE JUMPS TO TOP OF PAULL & WILLIAMSONS RANKINGS
Krystle Caithness has jumped into a clear lead at the top of the Paull and Williamsons Scottish women's stroke-play golf rankings.
The 17-year-old St Regulus club player won the St Rule Trophy at the weekend with an 11-under-par total over 54 holes.
That has enabled the Waid Academy pupil, who lives at Cellardyke, to move to the top of the rankings with a stroke-play average of (minus) -2.33 against the CSS in the two counting events in which she has played.
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) is in second place with an average of -1.12.
South Queensferry girl Sally Watson (David Leadbetter Golf Academy), who will be 15 years old next month, comes into the rankings at third place on the strength of her St Rule Trophy scores, the only counting event in which she has played. Sally has an average of -0.66.
British women's open amateur stroke-play champion Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), leader of the rankings prior to the St Rule Trophy, drops back to fourth place on minus 0.37.
TOP 20 P&W RANKINGS
1 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) -2.33
2 Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) -1.12
3 Sally Watson (D Leadbetter Acad) - 0.66
4 Heather MacRae (Dunblane) -0.37
5 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 0
5 Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) 0
7 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 0.11
8 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 0.16
9 Sara Bishop (Windyhill) 0.33
9 Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) 0. 33
11 Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 0.4
12 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 0.5
13 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 1.0
14 Carly Booth (Comrie) 1.33
15 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 1.5
16 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 1.6
17 Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 1.8
18 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 2.33
19 Aileen Hunter (Monifieth) 2.66
20 Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 3

RUSSELL KNOX HONOURED BY AMERICAN COACHES
Russell Knox from Inverness, a junior golf scholarship student at Jacksonville University, Florida, has been named by the Golf Coaches Association of America to the All-Southwest Region team.
The “team” will never play any matches but the Highlander’s selection indicates that he is considered one of the top players in the area.
Knox finished the season ranked 12th on the American men’s college circuit.
"This is a great honour for Russell," said Jacksonville University head coach Jim Taketa.
"Russell played well all season long and it's great to see that he's recognized as one of the top players in a very deep and talented region."
Russell had a top-20 finish in all eight events that he played, including five top five finishes.
Team-mate Duncan Stewart from Grantown-on-Spey and Knox tied for the Atlantic Sun Conference individual championship, shattering the A-Sun scoring record at 13-under par.
Stewart, Knox and Jamie Kennedy from Edinburgh were the backbone of Jacksonville University’s outstanding 2005-2006 season.

LEWIS KIRTON SIGNS UP FOR UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
Lewis Kirton, one of Scotland’s top teenage golf prospects, has signed a Letter of Intent to enrol at the University of Louisville, Kentucky in the autumn.
The Newmachar teenager made a visit to the United States earlier this year to visit American colleges who wanted him to join their golf scholarship programmes.
“Lewis is as fine a player as I have ever signed here at Louisville,” said head golf coach Mark Crabtree. “He has tremendous potential and will certainly elevate our programme immediately. Lewis has national and international experience which will only strength his contributions.”
Kirton, a Scotland boys’ international team player, was joint runner-up (with new Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry) in last year’s Scottish boys’ open stroke-play championship.
He is the current course record-holder at Newmachar with a nine-under-par 63 and also at Banchory.
Lewis explained last night why he chose Lousville.
“For a few reasons really. The facilities Louisville have, and have access to are fantastic as they have their own course and practise facilities nearby,” he said.
“The weather should suit a golf programme perfectly as Kentucky lies quite central and therefore has nice climate.
”The coach is a very keen and professional man and his personality came across really driven, which is very like myself. He also has a fantastic team of coaches working with him including Ted Shultz who is a multiple winner on the PGA Tour. No doubt his knowledge will be invaluable.
“These are among some of the reasons why I have chosen Louisville above many other offers. I feel that Louisville will be the best place for me to take my golf to the next level.
”Now that all the paperwork has been signed I can put it too the back of my mind and focus on winning events this summer and hopefully go over to America with a few titles under my belt.”
Kirton is the second North-east teenage golfer to sign up for a golf scholarship from an American college. Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), the North of Scotland women's champion, will join Jacksonville State University, Alabama after the summer holidays.
Both Lewis and Michele will be starting four-year courses at their universities.
+Louisville, Kentucky is the birthplace of Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhamad Ali. He was known as the “Louisville Lip” when he was on his way to the top of boxing.

Some of the prize-winners at the Ayrshire Adult/Girls Competition on Sunday

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION
ADULT & GIRL FOURSOMES
RAVENSPARK GOLF COURSE, SUNDAY, 5th JUNE 2006
Weather: Glorious, sunshine!
Division 1 (Girls with Congu Handicaps)
1st Caitlin Barr & Ian Barr 94 (19) 75
2nd Sarah Hutton & Fiona Kelly 95 (17) 78
3rd Mhairi McKay & Iain McKay 101 (22) 79
Division 2 (Pre-Handicap Girls Age 12 and above)
1st Louise McKinley & Jim Jardin 97 (21) 76
2nd Emily McGarva & Guy McGarva 101 (22) 79
3rd Kate Wilson & Rhona Walker 107 (24) 83
Division 3 (Pre-Handicap Girls Under 12)
1st Katie McGarva & Colin McGarva 97 (20) 77
2nd Connie Jaffrey & David Jaffrey 98 (21) 77
3rd Grace Mackie & Julie Mackie 111 (29.5) 81.5
Nearest the Pin in 2 shots at 17th (Congu girls) Winner: Sophie Clarke (14 ft)
Nearest the Pin at 4th hole (Pre-handicap girls) Winner: Connie Jaffrey (10 ft)

WIN - Two nights luxury stay at The Grove for two people including golf
Just a few days after golf's Ryder Cup contest has reached its thrilling climax in Ireland, the world's greatest golfers will make the short journey to The Grove in Hertfordshire, England, to compete in the World Golf
Championships - American Express Championship from September 26 to October 1, 2006. With the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking all qualifying to enter the Championship, the field is set to be the finest ever assembled within the London area.
THE PRIZE:
The prize is a fantastic offer of two nights accommodation for two people (bed and breakfast) staying at The Grove, plus golf for two on the on the Kyle Phillips designed course on a date to be confirmed (which will not coincide with the Championship).
In addition the lucky winner will also receive VIP hospitality tickets for two in The Ambassador Club on the final day of the WGC - American Express Championship on Sunday 1st October. The hospitality package includes:
Tickets & Car Parking
The Grove Breakfast & Three Course Lunch including selected wines
Complimentary Bar throughout the day & Traditional Afternoon Tea
Exclusive Grandstand Access
Programme and Drawsheet
Click this link for your chance to enter:

Sunday 4th June 2006

St Rule Winner Krystle Caithness, runner-up Katharina Schallenberg and (r) Claire Coughlan with the team salver won by Ireland

KRYSTLE SPARKLES TO WIN ST RULE TROPHY BUT GERMAN RUNS HER CLOSE IN THE END
FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON
Fifer Krystle Caithness, only 17, struck a great blow for the standing of women's amateur golf in Scotland by beating an international field to win the St Rule Trophy over 54 holes of the New and Old Courses, St Andrews at the weekend.
Krystle, from Cellardyke and a St Regulus club member, which means she plays the St Andrews courses regularly, made almost all the running with scores of 71 (New Course), 72 and 73 (both Old Course) for an 11-under-par total of 216.
She finished one shot ahead of Katharina Schallenberg, one of eight Germans in the field.
Krystle's total of 216 was only one shot outside the tournament record low set by Catriona (Lambert) Matthew in her 1993 victory. Krystle's total was 12 shots better than Annika Sorenstam shot in 1990 when she won the St Rule Trophy after a play-off.
Waid Academy pupil Krystle has still to make up her mind which university she will go to after the summer. No doubt she will now be inundated with offers from colleges with golf programmes, including the United States.
"I played pretty solid over the three rounds and I putted very well, particularly in the first and second rounds. I had only 27 putts on Saturday and then 29 and 32 in the two rounds over the Old Course," said Krystle who missed the recent Scottish women's amateur championship at Dunbar because of examinations.
She has won the Scottish Under-16 girls' open title twice and, apart from the prestigious St Rule Trophy yesterday, Krystle also won the Lawson Trophy for the best 54-hole aggregate by a player aged under 18. Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) was runner-up for the Under-18 trophy with 224, one shot ahead of third-placed Sally Watson (David Leadbetter GA).
Krystle shared the first-round lead on 71 on Saturday with Katharina Schallenberg. A second-round 72 over the Old Course - with an eagle 3 at the 13th and six birdies more than compensating for a double-bogey 5 at the short 11th, saw her go two shots clear of the field at eight-under-par 143. Miss Schallenberg slipped back to second place on 145 with a 74.
The draws for all three rounds of the St Rule Trophy are made in advance of the tournament. Krystle had a comparatively early starting time in the last round, which meant she posted the clubhouse target of 11-under-par 216 some two hours before the end of play.
Only Katharina Schallenberg threatened it. Playing in the second last group as a wind got up for the first time in an otherwise becalmed and latterly sunny day, the German girl was able to reach the turn in her final round in five-under-par 33. Needing to come home in par 38 to force a play-off, Katharina birdied the 10th but droped shots at the 11th, 12th and 15th. After a birdie 4 at the 17th, the German stood on the last tee at 8pm, needing a birdie 3 to tie with Krystle who had finished at 4.35pm.
She hit her approach shot to within 18ft of the flagstick but left her vital putt short and finished with a 4 for 72 and 217. Irish champion Tricia Mangan (Ennis) finished third on 220 and spearhead the Irish trio of Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen to victory in the international team event.
Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll had the second hole in one of her young golfing life - with an eight-iron at the 145yd eighth hole in her second round of 73. The Lynn University, Florida student finished with a 74 for 228.
FINAL TOTALS
ST RULE TROPHY
New & Old Courses, St Andrews.
Par 75 76 76. CSS 75 76 76
216 K Caithness (St Regulus) 71 72 73.
217 K Schallenberg (Germany) 71 74 72
220 T Mangan (Ennis) 72 74 74.
222 E Bennett (Australia) 72 75 75, M Gillen (Beaverstown) 74 72 76.
224 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 76 73 75, N Edwards (Ganton) 75 71 78.
225 N Holleder (Germany) 79 70 76, S Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 76 73 76, C Lee (West Lancs) 73 77 75, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 76 75 74, C Westrup (Sweden) 73 74 78.
226 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 75 75 76, R Bell (Ganton) 78 71 77.
227 K Combes (Australia) 77 73 77, C Coughlan (Cork) 74 73 80, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 76 74 77, T Hoffmeister (Germany) 73 76 78, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 73 79 75, C Masson (Germany) 77 76 74.
228 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies) 81 73 74, R Lomas (Hallowes) 73 75 80.
229 M Dunne (Skerries) 77 77 75, C Loehr (Germany) 77 75 77, M Pow (Selkirk) 80 74 75, J Wilson (Strathaven) 81 78 70, S Bishop (Windyhill) 73 80 76, A Nordqvist (Sweden) 75 76 78
230 S Keane (The Curragh) 77 79 74, R Niven (Crieff) 79 79 72, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 78 73 79.
231 A Coffey (Worplesdon) 80 74 77, J Fleming (Australia) 72 80 79, S Doering (Germany) 73 81 77, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 75 78.
232 F Lockhart (St Regulus) 79 77 76, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 81 79 72.
233 M Riordan (Tipperary) 77 77 79, B Lane (Australia) 84 75 74.
234 S O'Sullivan (Galway) 78 78 78, B Loucks (Wrexham) 83 71 80, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 75 77 82.
235 E Moffat (St Regulus) 75 79 81, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 77 76 82.
236 N Podmore (Delamere Forest) 78 79 79, S Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 80 79 77, A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 81 78 77, V Sternbeck (Germany) 78 80 78.
237 D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 76 84 77, E Lyons (West Surrey) 79 78 80.
238 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 82 74 82, L Krog (Norway) 83 80 75.
239 D Smith (Co Louth) 78 79 82, S Park (Australia) 81 79 79, S Walker (Kenwick Park) 77 79 83.
240 G O'Leary (Cork) 81 77 82, J Turner (Mortonhall) 79 79 82.
241 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 81 81 79, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 88 75 78, S Kirchmayr (Germany) 81 80 80.
242 L Harvey (Richmond) 79 81 82, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 88 74 80.
243 L Brand (Ilkley) 79 82 82, L Taylor (West Essex) 84 81 78.
245 K Harper (Inverness) 87 81 77.
246 J Carthew (Ladybank) 79 82 85.
247 H Butterfield (Bingley St Ives) 78 84 85.
248 J Pain (Walton Heath) 84 79 85.
249 L Holmes (Hessle) 87 81 81.
255 D Dewar (Stirling Univ) 85 90 80.
289 C Montgomery (US) 95 97 97.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
+Best two from three scores each round to count.
441 Ireland (C Coughlan, M Gillen, T Mangan) 146 145 150.
442 Germany (S Doering, C Loehr, K Schallenberg)
444 Australia (E Bennett, K Coombs, J Fleming) 144 148 152.
451 Scotland (A Laing, H MacRae, M Pow) 153 149 149.
453 Wales (S Evans, B Loucks, J Nicolson) 153 146 154.
454 Sweden (A Nordqvist, C Westrup) 148 150 156, England (N Edwards, D Montgomery, S Walker) 151 148 155

East of Scotland Girls line up at Deer Park today
L to R: Gillian Simpson, Arlene McGarty, Susan Jackson, Rachael Archibald,
Cara Easton, Rachael Watton, Rachael Livingstone, Beth Mackay.

West of Scotland Girls line up at Deer Park today
L to R: Vicky Smith, Megan Briggs, Pamela Pretswell, Lauren Meldrum,
Kerry Differ, Jill Meldrum, Zoe Differ, Lucy Bannerman

East of Scotland v West of Scotland Girls
West of Scotland Girls retained the McKay trophy by 6 games to 2 in the annual match against East of Scotland Girls at Deer Park today.
Results (East girls names first)
Rachael Livingstone lost to Megan Briggs 5 & 4
Susan Jackson lost to Paamela Pretswell 6 & 4
Rachael Archibald lost to Kerry Differ 1up
Cara Easton lost to Vicky Smith 6 & 5
Rachel Watton lost to Lauren Meldrum 8 & 6
Beth Mackay lost to Jill Meldrum 5 & 4
Arlene McGarty beat Zoe Differ 4 & 3
Gillian Simpson beat Lucy Bannerman 3 & 1

BYRNE EQUALS NEWBURGH RECORD ON WAY TO WINNING NE YOUTHS TITLE
Banchory's James Byrne, only 17 years and 4 months old, became the youngest winner of the North-east District youths championship at Newburgh on Ythan Golf Club yesterday evening (Sunday).
Byrne equalled the course record of five-under-par 67 in his first round and a second-round 70 for a total of 137 earned him the title by five shots from Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon).
Byrne bogeyed the second on his way to his 67 but then got into his stride with birdies at the third, fifth, sixth and eighth in an outward 33. James birdied the 12th and 14th in a bogey-free inward half of 34.
The previous record was held by home course player Ross McKen who finished joint fourth on 145, the same mark as defending champion Philip McLean (Peterhead).
NORTH-EAST DISTRICT YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Newburgh on Ythan Golf Club.
Par 72
137 J Byrne (Banchory) 67 70.
142 K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 70 72.
143 S Fraser (Northern) 69 74.
145 A Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 74 71, R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan) 74 71, P McLean (Peterhead) 72 73.
146 A Hay (Westhill) 72 74.
147 K Beveridge (Aboyne) 75 72, A Bews (Murcar Links) 75 72, C Munro (Westhll) 74 73, D Cowe (Inchmarlo) 74 73, G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan) 73 74.
148 M McMillan (Aboyune) 76 72, S Griffiths (Cullen) 74 74.
149 L Sang (Aboyne) 78 71, L Vitesse (Nigg Bay) 77 72, J Duff (Newmachar) 76 73.

KRYSTLE GOES TWO CLEAR WITH ONE ROUND TO GO IN ST RULE TROPHY
Local teenager Krystle Caithness, joint leader overnight after a first- round 71 on the New Course, surged two shots clear of the field with a four-under-par 72 over the Old Course today.
That gave her an excellent 36-hole tally of eight-under-par 143.
Germany's Katharina Schallenberg, who had shared the pole position at the start of the day, had a 74 for 145.
Defending champion Naomi Edwards from Ganton had a 74 to be sharing third place on 146 with the Irish pair, Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) and champion Tricia Mangan (Ennis).
Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) had a hole in one at the eighth hole with an eight iron.
SCOREBOARD
ST RULE TROPHY
First round New Course par 75 (CSS 75); Second Round Old Course par 76 (CSS 76).
LEADING 36-HOLE TOTALS
143 K Caithness (St Regulus) 71 72.
145 K Schallenberg (Germany) 71 74.
146 N Edwards (Ganton) 75 71, M Gillen (Beaverstown) 74 72, T Mangan (Ennis) 72 74.
147 C Coughlan (Cork) 74 73, C Westrup (sweden) 73 74, E Bennett (Australia) 72 75.
148 R Lomas (Hallowes) 73 75.
149 N Holleder (Germany) 79 70, R Bell (Ganton) 78 71, S Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 76 73, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 76 73, T Hoffmeister (Germany) 73 76.

CAROLINE AND HANNAH WIN THE LGU MEDALS IN SCOTTISH FINAL AT CRIEFF
Caroline Barclay from Milnathort and Tain's Hannah Mackay won the leading awards in the LGU Medal Scottish Final at Crieff Golf Club yesterday (Sunday).
Caroline had a net 68 off 19 to win the gold medal in the Silver Division while Hannah had a net 70 off 21 to take the silver medal as leader of the Bronze Division scores.
The CSS was 73, one under the par of the course.
Some 412 competitors started out in the competition at all the participating clubs in Scotland. A total of 24 qualified for the Scottish Final.
LGU MEDAL SCOTTISH FINAL
Crieff Golf Club. Par 74 CSS 73.
Silver Division - Caroline Barclay (Milnathort) (19) 68; Jane Ashdown (Largs)
(14) 72; Jill West (Troon Welbeck) (17) 73.
Bronze Division - Hannah Mackay (Tain) (21) 70; Janine Strang (Beith) (20) 73;
Ann Brown (Deer Park) (22) 76.

DISAPPOINTING END FOR FINDLAY AND TEAM-MATES
The 2005-2006 American college golf season ended in disappointment for Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay and his team-mates at East Tennessee State University.
They failed to survive the third-round cut in the NCAA Division 1 men's championship at Sunriver, Oregon.
Findlay, only recently turned 18 and at the end of his first year in the States, had the worst total of the five ETSU players. He shot 78, 81 and 77 - his second round including a 10 at a par-5 hole - for a 20-over-par total of 236.
Walker Cup player Rhys Davies, an Edinburgh-born Welshman, was the best of the bunch on 217 with 74, 73 and 70.
Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) won the individual title with 68, 70, 69 and 69 for 12-under-par 276.
Englishman Stephen Lewton (North Carolina State) claimed a share of 20th place on 288. Oklahoma State also won the team award with a total of 1143 - three shots ahead of Florida.
LEADING INDIVIDALS
276 Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma Sate) 68 70 69 69.
280 Chris Kirk (Georgia) 71 71 70 68, Kyle Reifers (Wake Forest) 65 70 73 72
281 Dawie Van der Walt (Lamar) 70 70 74 67.
282 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 66 72 71 73.
284 Alejandro Canizares (Arizona State) 73 66 72 73, Bronson LaCassie (Minnesota) 70 71 75 68.
Also:
288 Stephen Lewton (North Carolina State) 70 76 70 72.
MISSED CUT (all East Tennessee State)
217 Rhys Davies 74 73 70.
220 Gareth Shaw 72 71 77, Cian McNamara 68 78 74.
235 Adam Hodkinson 72 79 84.
237 Jordan Findlay 78 81 77.
LEADING TEAMS
1143 Oklahoma State.
1146 Florida.
1147 Wake Forest, Minnesota.
1153 Kentucky, Georgia.
MISSED CUT
877 North Carolina State.
885 East Tennessee State.

Saturday 3rd June 2006

SPARKING KRYSTLE SHARES LEAD WITH KATHARINA AT END OF ST RULE TROPHY FIRST ROUND
St Regulus member Krystle Caithness knows all the St Andrews courses like the back of her golf glove - and she cashed in on that local knowledge to share the field in the first round of the 54-hole St Rule Trophy tournament over the New Course today.
Krystle, 17, shot an eagle and six birdies on the plus side and four bogeys on the debit column for a four-under-par 71.
Her halves were 36 (one under par) and 35 (three under).
Late in the day Katharina Schallenberg, one of eight Germans in the international field, matched Krystle's 71 with halves of 35 and 36, inclinding an eagle at the sixth and six birdies, three of them over the last four holes.
Two Australians - Jody Fleming, who was drafted into the field when 14-year-old Carly Booth (Comrie) withdrew, and Emma Bennett - and Irish champion Tricia Mangan were sharing third place on 72 at the end of the day.
Tricia produced a stunning finish - birdie 4, birdie 2, birdie 4 - over the last three holes to upgrade what looked like be a par round.
Jody packed in an eagle and five birdies to her scorecard of 72 (36-36). Emma was one over par after five holes and then covered the remainder in four under par with halves of 37 and 35.
Defending champion Naomi Edwards from Yorkshire had a par-matching 75.
One of the best finishes of the day came from 15-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar). She eagled the 16th, birdied the 17th and eagled the 18th for 34 home and a 75.
New Scottish champion Martine Pow (Selkirk) found the eagles and birdies in short supply as far as she was concerned and signed for an 80.
SCOREBOARD
ST RULE TROPHY
New Course, St Andrews.
Par 75
FIRST ROUND SCORES
71 K Caithness (St Regulus), K Schallenberg (Germany).
72 J Fleming (Australia), E Bennett (Australia), T Mangan (Ennis)..
73 R Lomas (Hallowes), S Doering (Germany), C Westrup (Sweden), S Bishop (Windyhill), T Hoffmeister (Germany), L Ball (Matfen Hall), C Lee (West Lancs).
74 C Coughlan (Cork), M Gillen (Beaverstown).
75 E Moffat (St Regulus), J Nicolson (Wrexham), N Edwards (Ganton), L Kenney (Pitreavie), A Nordqvist (Sweden)..
76 E Ogilvy (Auchterarder), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), S Watson (David Leadbetter GA), A Laing (Vale of Leven), D Montgomery (Lambourne).
77 M Riordan (Tipperary), M Dunne (Skerries), K Coombes (Australia), C Loehr (Germany), C Masson (Germany), S Keane (The Curragh), H MacRae (Dunblane New).
78 S O'Sullivan (Galway), L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), V Sternbeck (Germany), N Podmore (Delamere Forest), S Evans (Vale of Llangollen), R Bell (Ganton), D Smith (Co Louth, H Butterfield (Bingley St Ives).
79 E Lyons (West Surrey), J Carthew (Ladybank), S Walker (Kenwick Park), L Harvey (Richmond), F Lockhart (St Regulus), N Holleder (Germany), R Niven (Crieff), L Brand (Ilkley), J Turner (Ilkley)
80 M Pow (Selkirk), S Wood (Aberdeen Ladies), A Coffey (Worplesdon)..
81 G O'Leary (Cork), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), S Kirchmayr (Germany), K McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), J Wilson (Strathaven), C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ), S Park (Australia).
82 C Hargan (Mortonhall).
83 L Krog (Norway), B Loucks (Wrexham).
84 L Taylor (West Essex), B Mullins (Australia), J Pain (Walton Heath).
85 D Dewar (Stirling Univ).
87 L Holmes (Hessle), K Harper (Inverness).
88 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), K Walker (Buchanan Castle).
95 C Montgomery (US).
TEAM EVENT
144 Australia (E Bennett, K Coombes, J Fleming), Germany (S Doering, C Loehr, K Schallenberg).
146 Ireland (C Coughlan, M Gillen, T Mangan).
148 Sweden (A Nordqvist, C Westrup).
151 England (N Edwards, S Walker, D Montgomery).
153 Scotland (A Laing, H MacRae, M Pow), Wales (S Evans, B Loucks, J Nicolson).
*Two from three scores to count.

MCGOWAN LEADS BY THREE AT HALFWAY STAGE IN SCOTTISH AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY
Ross McGowan from Surrey led the field by three shots at the halfway stage of the Scottish men's open amateur championship at Craigielaw today.
McGowan repeated his opening 68 for a six-under-par tally of 136. He leads by three shots from Motherwell youngster Ross Kellett who had a superb second-round 65 for 139.
Wallace Booth from Comrie via the United States did even better. He shot a 64, 12 shots better than his first-day score.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
Par 71
136 R McGowan 68 68.
139 R Kellett 74 65.
140 S Henry 71 69, W Booth 76 64, M Baldwin 74 66.
141 G Cambell 72 69, R Steele 74 67.
142 T Hunter 72 70.
143 G Murray 72 71, B Parker 71 72.
144 K McNicoll 72 72, S Jamieson 76 68, P O'Hara 75 69, S Van Duyn 76 68, J Howarth 75 69.
145 S Mann 70 75, M Cryer 73 72, L Saltman 76 69, J Mason 70 75, S Benson 76 69, R Smyth 76 69.
146 E Saltman 71 75, S McEwan 73 73, B McInnes 76 76.
147 P Waring 77 70, B Fotheringham 74 73, D Belch 73 74, R McKnight 78 69, C Heslip 75 72, B Stuart 77 70, R Ramsay 77 70, J Farmer 76 71, J Morrison 75 72.

WOLSTENHOLME AND NORWEGIAN TIE IN EUROPEAN MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme from Kilworth Springs tied with Norwegian Jakob Thomsen for the European men's mid-amateur championship after 54 holes at Grand Ducal Golf Club, Luxemburg today.
They shot identical 18-hole scores of 73, 70 and 67 for three-under-par 210.
Under the rules of the championship, they were due to meet in a sudden-death play-off. There was no immediate news of the outcome of the play-off.
There were three Englishman in the leading four places. Roger Roper from Wyke Ridge, Leeds had 73, 68 and 72 for 213.
Paul Griffiths (Sandwell Park) finished fourth on 214 with 73, 71 and 70.
Devon-based Scot Craig Townsend (Teignmouth) finished 83rd on 235 with scores of 83, 76 and 76.

FORMER SCOTLAND GOLF CAP EWAN TO BE INVERNESS SECRETARY-MANAGER
Former Scotland amateur international golfer Ewan Forbes is to be the new secretary-manager at Inverness Golf Club. He suceeds Jocky Thomson who is retiring after a number of years in the post.
Forbes, originally from Grantown-on-Spey, played out of Turriff Golf Club in recent years and has been sales & marketing executive at the exclusive Meldrum House Golf Club at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.
He will take up his new post at Inverness at the start of next month.
Beverley Smth, operations manager at Meldrum House GC, said:
"Ewan worked hard to build bonds with members and to contribute to the everyday management of all aspects of the Meldrum House club. He will be familiar to most members for his twice weekly score updates, his ready and knowledgeable conversation about the game of golf at the clubhouse and the introduction of new members.
"Ewan is looking forward to new challenges at Inverness Golf Club and this is a great opportunity for him. I am sure I speak for the directors and the members when I wish him well in his new post."

LAURA BEATS KERRI IN NAIRN CLUB FINAL
Former Scottish girls’ match-play champion Laura Walker beat Northern Counties team-mate Kerri Harper from Inverness by 2 and 1 in the final of the Nairn Golf Club women’s championship on Friday evening.
Laura won by 2 and 1, having covered the last eight holes of the tie in two under par.

SCOT DOWN THE FIELD IN OREGON CHAMPIONSHIP
Former British boys golf champion Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh was lying in 150th place at the end of the third round of the NCAA Division 1 men’s golf championship over the Crosswater course, Sunriver Golf Club in Oregon.
Findlay, an 18-year-old first-year student at East Tennessee State University, has had rounds of 78, 81 and 77 for a tally of 236. He had a quintuple bogey 10 during his second round.
Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) leads the field of 156 with 68, 70 and 69 for nine-under-par 207.
East Tennessee State are in 21st place in a field of 30 for the team event.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
207 J Moore (Oklahoma State) 68 70 69.
208 K Reifers (Wake Forest) 65 70 73.
209 P Martin (Oklahoma State) 66 72 71.
British and Irish players:
210 S Lewton (North Carolina State) 70 76 70.
217 R Davies (East Tennessee State) 74 73 70.
220 C McNamara (East Tennessee State) 68 78 74, G Shaw (East Tennessee State) 72 71 77.
235 A Hodkinson (East Tennessee State) 72 79 84.
237 J Findlay (East Tennessee State) 78 81 77.
LEADING TEAMS
857 Washington.
860 Oklahoma State, Wake Forest, Arizona State.
Other total:
885 East Tennessee State.

Friday 2nd June 2006

MCLGA v SUGS
Margaret McPherson, Captain of Midlothian Ladies County Golf Association, presents the Scottish Universities Golf Society Captain with a quaich to celebrate SUGS' centenary.

Midlothian Ladies v SUGS
The match between Midlothian Ladies and SUGS is the second oldest match on the SUGS calendar; it started 76 years ago, and the 58th encounter, played tonight over Gullane No 2, was drawn with two matches each and one halved.
Results (SUGS names first)
Michael Mullins & Andrew McCrone lost to Kirsten Blackwood & Karen Marshall 5/4
Andrew Thomson & Richard Harvey beat Tracy Laughland & Wendy Nicholson 3/2
Tim Edwards & Douglas May halved with Liz Stewart & Ellice Cackett
John Wood & Jim Barnett lost to Mandy Easton & Gillian Kirkwood 3&2
Nigel Watt & Joanne Watt beat Pamela Williamson & Margaret McPherson 1 hole
SUGS 2.5 MCLGA 2.5

Fantastic Start for TGI Scottish Golf Show
The launch of the TGI Scottish Golf Show has been declared an overwhelming success by the show organisers after a fantastic first day, which saw thousands of keen golfers pass through the doors.
The Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston was a veritable hot-bed of golf on Friday 2nd June from the minute the doors opened, as golfers from all over Scotland swamped the venue for a glimpse at Scotland's first ever interactive retail golf show.
Both the organisers and exhibitors were delighted with the overwhelming flood of Scottish golfers who passed through the gates at the centre and event director Tom Lovering confirmed the opening day was a massive success.
He commented: "The launch of the TGI Scottish Golf Show was everything that we could have hoped for. It was a success in every way possible. From the driving range to the exhibitors' stands to the competitions and various shows that took place, it couldn't have been a more successful opening day and we are all delighted with how well it has gone."
Lovering added that the opening day success was all the confirmation he needed to confirm that the show will return, adding: "There will definitely be another show next year. Today has proven there's a huge demand out there for the event."
There is still time to catch the show, as it is taking place tomorrow and Sunday. To book your tickets for the TGI Scottish Golf Show, call 0141 950 2400 or log-on to www.tgiscottishgolfshow.co.uk to order online.
Remember, children under 16 years of age go free when accompanied by an adult.

BIG NAMES TOIL IN FIRST ROUND OF SCOTTISH AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY
Many of the pre-tournament favourites to win the Scottish men’s open amateur stroke-play championship at Craigielaw Golf Club look to be out of the running after only one round.
While comparatively unknown Englishman, Ross McGowan from Banstead Downs, Surrey, did not seem to find the course too testing – he shot a 68 to lead by two shots from another anglo, Chris Geraghty (St Annes Old Links) and Scott Mann (Carnoustie), far more established players toiled to stay in contention.
Defending champion Robert Dinwiddie had an 80.
Walker Cup men Lloyd Saltman (playing over his home course) and Richie Ramsay returned 76 and 77 respectively.
Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), winner of the Craigmillar Park Open and the Edward Trophy already this season, could do no better than a 78.
Former British amateur champion Stuart Wilson from Forfar had an 81, the same score as new Scottish boys’ match-play champion James White (Lundin).
Scores
68 R McGowan (Banstead Downs).
70 Chris Geraghty (St Anne’s Old Links), S Mann (Carnoustie), J Mason (Rotherham).
71 S Henry (Cardross). B Parker (Ger), E Saltman (Craigielaw).
72 G Campbell ( Blairgowrie), T Hunter (Ilford), K McNicoll (Carnoustie), G Murray (Earlsferry Th), R Neil-Jones (Southern Valley).
783 D Belch (Hillside), P Betty (Hayston), L Campbell (Rochester & Cobham Park), M Cryer (Coventry), G Dear (Murrayshall), S Elder (Kirkcaldy), J Freeman (Retford), R Maunder (Cumberwell Park), S McEwan (Barassie), G Yates (Hilton Park).
74 D Addison (Barassie), M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale), S Borrowman (Dollar), P Cormack (Inchmarlo), S Cormerais (Fra), B Fotheringham (Forres), J Gallagher (Swanston), N Gold (Bonnyton), G Gorrie (Glasgow), T Hayes (West Byfleet), R Kellett (Colville Park), T Maddison (Castle Eden), D Marmion (Delamere Forest), T Mathieson (Murcar), E McIntosh (Newmachar), D Simpson (Comrie), R Steele (Kenilworth), N Steven (St Andrews), R Thornton (US), J-W Van-Hoof (Net).
75 S Clark (Haggs Castle), J Donaldson (Falkirk Tryst), C Heslip (Monifieth), J Howard (Stockport), M Kerr (Dalmahoy), J King (Glasgow), P McLean (Peterhead), J Morrison (St George’s Hill), D Murray (Blairgowrie), P O’Hara (Colville Park), F Syme (Musselburgh).
76 S Benson (Wentworth), W Booth (Comrie), S Buchan Royal Aberdeen), J Farmer (St Andrews), R Gurney (Kings Norton), J Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway), B Innes (Murcar), S Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), A Martin (Australia), J McGhee (Gullane),C Morrow (Ulverston), R Noon (Musselburgh), J Palmer (Kirby Muxloe), G Paterson (St Andrews New), S Rennie (Airdrie), L Saltman (Craigielaw), S Smith (Duddingston), K Smyth (Windyhill), D Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey), R Thomas (Aberdate), S Van Duyn (Net).
77 A Ait Lafkih (Ivory Coast), N Barnett (SA), M Clark (Kilmacolm), L Dodd (Thetford), R Hooper (Neath), L Kirton (Newmachar), P McLachlan (Eastwood), R Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), D Robertson (Aus), F Skene (Tantallon), M Smith (NZ), B Stuart (NZ), S Turnbull (Hayston), P Waring (Bromborough).
78 B Choe (US), S Dartnall (Aus), B Edmond (Bon Accord), M Gentles (Edzell), R Hyland (Newmachar), C MacAulay (Tulliallan), J Mathers (Haggs Castle), S McAllister (Craigielaw), C McDonnell (Stocksfield), R McKnight (Barassie), L Miller (Cawder), E Polson (Inverness), T Pulling (Droitwich), B Soutar (Leven GS), R Taylor (Downfield), C Watson (East Renfrewshire), P Waugh (Hexham).
79 E Laird (Royal Aberdeen), E Malcolm (Dunfermline), R McKenzie (Easter Moffat), J Meijer (Net), G Turner (West Linton), G Wood (Crow Wood).
80 R Dinwiddie ( Barnard Castle), R Dixon (Barassie), C Haugh (Cathkin Braes), M Henson (Bedale), J McMahon (Cardross), Z Saltman(Craigielaw), S Schaap (Net), B St John (Hilton Park).
Other scores included:
81 J White (Lundin), S Wilson (Forfar).

KATHRYN IMRIE LEADING SCOT AT EINDHOVEN
Kathryn Imrie returned a one-over-par 73 to be in joint 38th position at the end of the first round of the KLM Ladies Open at Eindhoven Golf Club today.
Lynn Kenny was sharing 56th place after a 74 and Clare Queen a 78 to be tied 105th.
Inverness-based Liz McKinnon had an 80 to be in 120th place.
Australian Lea Hart set the first-round pace with a seven-under-par 65 - two shots ahead of France's Stephanie Arricau.

D&A Team for West Inter-County Championship
Sara Bishop, Suzanne Cadden, Jill Foggo, Judy Galbraith, Anne Laing, Fiona McLean, Gemma Webster, Kylie Walker.

Eastwood Invitational shotgun pro-am
WHITE'S INWARD HALF EARNS HIM £500 AT EASTWOOD
Colin White (Prestwick Driving Range) pipped Alastair Forrow (Whitecraigs) for the £500 top prize after they had tied on the one-over-par 71 mark in windy conditions for the Eastwood Invitational shotgun pro-am at Eastwood Golf Club today (FRIDAY).
On a card countback, White's inward half of 37 to Forrow's 39 won the day.
Forrow had to settle for the £300 runner-up award.
Ken Hutton (Downfield) finished third on 73 and collected £200.
Hutton steered the BRS Ltd team of Robert Auld (6), Scott Paton (4) and John Rankin(12) to victory with a net total of 57 in the pro-am.
Stuart Kerr (Strathaven) and the Walters Holland Ltd team of Martin Glancy (6), John Walker (10) and Marco Guarino (17 were runners-up on 58.
Alastair Forrow and the Cars.com trio of Craig Young (1), Andrew McLachlan (4) and David King (12) finished third on 58.
Fourth with a score of 60 were the Mearns Castle Gofl Academy team of Gillian Kyle (6), Lewis Burnett (4) and John Grant (5) and their pro, Fraser McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle).

EUROPEAN MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
SCOT MAKES MID-AMATEUR CUT WITH NOTHING TO SPARE
Devon-based Craig Townsend, the only Scot who made the halfway cut in the European men’s mid-amateur golf championship, achieved his goal with nothing to spare at the Grand Ducal Golf Club, Luxemburg.
Towsend, a member of the Teignmouth club, had rounds of 83 and 76 and his total of 159 was the cut-off point for the 92 players who will contest Saturday’s final round.
Norway’s Tom-Arne Tollefesen leads the field by two shots on three-under-par 139 (71-68) but there must still be a chance of an English winner with Roger Roper in second place on 141 (73-68) and countrymen Giles Legg (142) and Gary Wolstenholme (143) waiting in the wings.
SCOREBOARD
EUROPEAN MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Ducal Golf Club, Luxemburg.
LEADING QUALIFIERS
139 T-A Tollefsen (Nor) 71 68.
141 R Roper (Eng) 73 68.
142 G Legg (Eng) 70 72, J Thomsen (Den) 68 74.
143 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 73 70.
144 P Griffiths (Eng) 73 71, K Bornemann (Ire) 73 73.
145 R Baird (Wal) 74 71, P Renard (Bel) 75 70, J Malinen (Fin) 71 74.
Other qualifiers included:
159 C Townsend (Sco) 83 76.

AMERICAN RETAINS IRISH OPEN SENIOR TITLE
All American John Baldwin needed to retain the Irish senior men’s open amateur championship at Limerick Golf Club was a final round of one-over-par 72.
Baldwin had a three-stroke lead entering the final round, in which one of his playing partners, former Walker Cup player Arthur Pierse (Tipperary), who had been four off the pace, covered the front nine in two under par to close the gap to two shots.
Bogeys on the 10th and 11th holed halted Pierse's advance and solid play by Baldwin over the back nine ensured that he enjoyed a three stroke lead walking to the 18th tee.
Pierse's birdie on the 18th was not enough to close the gap and Baldwin became the fifth player to successfully defend the championship.
Bob Edgar finished the leading Scot in joint 11th place on 225 with scores of 76, 76 and 73…IRISH SENIOR MEN’S AMATEUR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Limerick Golf Club.
FINAL TOTALS
214 J Baldwin (US) 72 70 72.
215 A Pierse (Tipperary) 72 74 69
219 M Kelly (Killeen) 75 72 72, P Cowley (Cork) 73 74 72 (Over-60s trophy winner).
223 S King (Eng) 78 71 74, S McParland (Greenore) 71 75 77,
224 T Goode (Lucan) 74 77 73, D Lane (Eng) 73 78 73, N Duke (Killiney) 72 78 74, B Reddan (Co Louth) 70 75 79.
225 J Browne (Belvoir Park) 78 75 72, B Edgar (Sco) 76 76 73, P Jones (Wal) 74 78.
73, C Reynolds (Eng) 73 75 77.
226 D McCart (Sco) 79 74 73, L White (US) 76 75 75, B McCarroll (Ballyliffin) 75 75 76.
Other Scottish scores:
233: R Gill 81 75.
237: J Broadfoot 77 74 86.

KELSEY CLAIMS ANOTHER COURSE RECORD
Kelsey MacDonald, pictured right, who won’t have her 16th birthday until October, has shaved three shots off the women’s course record at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club where she is a member.
Kelsey’s figures in returning an eight-under-par 67 in the Moulaidh Trophy competition on May 31 were:
OUT: 4 4 2 5 4 4 4 3 4 – 34 (four under par).
IN: 4 3 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 – 33 (four under par)
She had no bogeys and eight birdies – at the third, fifth, sixth and ninth on the way out, and at the 12th, 13th, 16th and 18th. on the return journey. The CSS was 75, the same as the par.
The previous Nairn Dunbar women’s record was a 70, set in July 2000 by former Scottish girls’ match-play champion Laura Walker.
It was Kelsey’s second course record within a matter of weeks. She had an eight-under-par round of 64 at Forres in the Northern Counties LGA championship in early May.

FIVE MORE SCOTS IN ST RULE TROPHY FIELD DUE TO LATE WITHDRAWALS
By Colin Farquharson
The silver lining to the withdrawal of players such as new English champion Kiran Matharu, England international Faye Sanderson and current British universities title-holder Olivia Briggs is that five additional Scots have been called into the international field for the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews this weekend.
Dawn Dewar (Monifieth & Stirling University), Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie Ladies), who has been playing on the American college circuit, Sara Bishop (Windyhill), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir) have all been promoted from the the waiting list.
Ann replaces Faye Sanderson and Michele gets the place vacated by Irish cap Maura Morrin.
In terms of prestige and quality of field, the St Rule Trophy has come a long way since it was introduced in 1984 as a 36-hole event.
This year’s field of 72 who will play one round over the New Course today (Saturday) and two over the Old Course tomorrow (Sunday) is as good as it gets.
The selectors of the GB&I team for the Curtis Cup at the end of next month will be disappointed that they cannot see the 17-year-old Matharu in action against the class of opposition. One would have thought that the St Rule Trophy would have taken precedence over an English Ladies Golf Association Under-21 training week, particularly in a Curtis Cup year.
The three other national championship winners last month – Martine Pow (Scotland), left-hander Stephanie Evans (Wales) and Tricia Mangan (Ireland) – are definitely playing.
Martine sometimes lacks confidence in her own ability but the victory over Anne Laing in the Scottish final at Dunbar should have given her more self-belief.
There are nine Germans, five Australians and two classy Swedes in the international field, even though, rather surprisingly, it is not a counting event for the European Golf Association women’s rankings.
Young Miss Matharu excepted, all the English-Welsh-Irish players who are chasing Curtis Cup places will be on view so it would be a real feather in the cap of Scottish golf, if a home player can finish on top at the end of three rounds. There is no cut.
Talented teenagers Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and Sally Watson (entered from David Leadbetter Golf Academy) missed the Scottish championship because of school exams. Sally did well in the Swedish Junior Open last weekend.
The Swedish girl who won that Under-21 event, Anna Nordqvist, may be the one they all have to beat in the St Rule Trophy. She won the British girls’ open championship and the girls’ title in The Duke of York Young Champions’ tournament last year.
Miss Nordqvist may well be shaping as the next Annika Sorenstam …. who herself won the St Rule Trophy in 1990 before going on to her glittering professional career on the LPGA Tour.

HEATHER LEADS P AND W RANKINGS
British women’s stroke-play champion Heather MacRae from Dunblane has taken over the leadership of the Paull & Williamsons’ Scottish women’s stroke-play rankings.
Heather’s low scores in the qualifying rounds of the Scottish women’s championship at Dunbar recently have helped to bring down her average score in the SLGA-designated events to minus 2.2 against the CSS.
Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) is currently second with an average of minus 1.4.
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), who broke the 16-year-old Dunbar course record with a 65 during the “Scottish,” is third with minus 1.6
TOP 20
1 H MacRae (Dunblane) -2.2.
2 A Laing (Vale of Leven) -1.4.
3 L Kenney (Pitreavie) -1.6.
4 K Caithness (St Regulus) -1.
5 J Wilson (Strathaven) -0.1
6 Sara Bishop (Windyhill), E Cuthill (Lanark), A F Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 0.
9 E Moffat (St Regulus) 0.3.
10 M Pow (Selkirk) 0.4.
11 Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus) 0.6.
12 Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 1.
13 Carly Booth (Conmrie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 1.3.
15 S Wood (Aberdeen ladies) 1.6.
16 R Niven (Crieff) 2.
17 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 2.2
18 Aileen Hunter (Monifieth) 2.6.
19 C Hargan (Mortonhall) 2.8.
20 W Nicholson (Broomieknowe), C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 3.

Critchley Salver
Felicity Johnson (Harborne) bounced back quickly from the loss of her English women's close championship at West Lancashire Golf Club last week (she was beaten in the semi-final by the eventual champion: Kirath Matharu).
Miss Johnson won the prestigious Critchley Salver 36-hole tournament at Sunningdale this week with rounds of 73 and 71 for a total of 144.
England team-mates Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) and Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton) as well as Liz Bennett (Brockenhurst Manor) tied for second place on 146.
Leading Scores
144 Felicity Johnson (Harborne) 73,71
146 Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) 72,74. Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 76,70
146 Liz Bennett (Brockenhurst Manor) 71,75
148 Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) 72,76
149 Clara Leathers (Ellesborough) 71,78. Emma Lyons (West Surrey) 75,74
151 Claire Aitken (Mid Kent) 75,76
152 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton) 76,76. Sarah Attwood (Gogmagog) 75,77
153 Holly Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 75,78. Nikki Dunn (Harrogate) 77,76
154 Kelly Tidy (Manchester) 75,79. Rhian Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 75,79. Jenny Pease (Braintree) 71,83
155 Louisa Stirling (Formby Ladies’) 76,79
156 Danielle Montgomery (The Lambourne) 79,77. Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil) 74,82
157 Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) 75,82. Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) 76,81. Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) 78,79. Hannah Ralph (Cowdray Park) 77,80

JORDAN FINDLAY RUNS UP A 10 AS THINGS GO FROM BAD TO WORSE IN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Jordan Findlay’s first year as a golf scholarship student at East Tennessee State University is ending on a low note at the NCAA Division 1 men’s championship in Oregon.
The 18-year-old from Fraserburgh’s first round of 78 was disappointing enough but things got even worse for him on the second day. Jordan could do no better than a nine-over-par 81, which included a 10 at the par-5 12th of the 7,630yd Crosswater course at Sunriver.
Apart from his quintuple bogey, Findlay has bogeys at the first, fourth, ninth, 11th, 14th and 17th… He did birdie the short 13th and 15th in halves of 39 and 42.
Findlay’s halfway total of 15-over-par 159 sees him in 152nd place of a field of 156, admittedly the best players on the American college circuit.
East Tennessee State’s dream of winning the coveted title have evaporated. Their 36-hole total of 587 has them in joint 18th place – 24 shots behind leaders Washington.
Leading individual by three shots is Kyle Reifers (Wake Forest) with 65 and 70.
SCOREBOARD
INDIVIDUALS
135 Kyle Reifers (Wake Forest) 65 70.
138 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 66 72, Zach Bixler (Washington) 70 68, Niklas Lemke (Arizona State) 70 68, Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) 68 70.
Other totals:
143 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 72 71.
146 Stephen Lewton (North Carolina State) 70 76, Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 68 78.
147 Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 74 73.
151 Adam Hodkinson (East Tennessee State) 72 79.
159 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 78 81.
LEADING TEAMS
563 Washington.
566 Arizona State, Wake Forest.
Other total:
587 East Tennessee State.

Thursday 1st June 2006

LAYLA FIFTH, MELANIE EIGHTH IN NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
In our round-up of the Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh girls competing on the American college golf circuit, we completely overlooked a Welsh girl international, Melanie Peake from Abergele, and Layla Ahmed from Portsmouth.
Layla Ahmed, a freshman (first year) student at McLennan Community College, Waco in Texas finished a creditable fifth in the NJCAA women’s national championship at Halifax Golf Club, Daytona Beach in Florida last month.
Layla had scores of 76, 79, 72 and 78 for 305.
Melanie Peake, pictured right, has also just completed her first year at Daytona Beach Community College.
She finished joint eighth with scores of 78, 69, 80 and 83 for a total of 310.
Winner was Japanese student Woori Shin (Redlands CC) with 72, 74, 72 and 78 for eight-over-par 296 for the par-72, 6,0001yd course.
Redlands (1217) won the team event from Daytona Beach (12236) with McLennan (1268) third in a field of 12.

FOUR SCOTS MAKE LAST DAY AT LIMERICK
John Broadfoot was the best placed of four Scottish qualifiers for the final round of the Irish senior men’s open amateur championship at Limerick Golf Club.
John had rounds of 77 and 74 for 151 – nine shots behind the new leader, American John Baldwin who shot 72 and 70.
IRISH SENIOR MEN’S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Limerick Golf Club.
LEADING QUALIFIERS (CSS 72 72)
142 J Baldwin (US) 72 70.
145 B Reddan (Co Louth) 70 75.
146 A Pierse (Tipperary) 72 74, S McParland (Greenore) 71 75.
147 M Kelly (Killeen) 75 72, P Cowley (Cork) 73 74
148 R Mason (Old Conna) 74 74, C Reynolds (Eng) 73 75
149 S King (Eng) 78 71.
150 B McCarroll (Ballyliffin) 75 75, N Duke (Killiney) 72 78
Scottish qualifiers:
151 J Broadfoot 77 74.
152 B Edgar 76 76.
153 D McCart 79 74.
156 R Gill 81 75.
Scottish non-qualifiers:
157 J Kinloch 77 80.
159 A Laird 78 80.
164 P Kinloch 77 87.

BLACK DAY FOR SCOTS IN EURO MID-AMATEUR
The two Scots who entered the European men’s mid-amateur championship – Devon-based Stuart McAllister and Craig Townsend, playing over his home course – did not cover themselves in glory in the first round of the 54-hole event at Grand Ducal Golf Club, Luxemburg.
Townsend had a 12-over-par 83 to be lying in 116th place in the field of 146. McAllister was disqualified.
Denmark had a good opening day with two of their representatives, Claus Molholm and Jakob Thomson - sharing the lead on three-under-par 68 while a third Dane, Gert Meeske, was sharing third place with Giles Legg (England).
Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme was sharing 11th place on 73 with compatriots Roger Roper and Paul Griffiths.
SCOREBOARD
EUROPEAN MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Ducal GC, Luxemburg.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
68 C Molholm (Den), J Thomson (Den).
70 G Legg (Eng), G Meeske (Den)
Other scores:
73 P Griffiths (Eng), G Wolstenholme (Eng), R Roper (Eng).
74 C Scott (Eng), R Baird (Wales).
75 M Wharton (Eng).
83 C Townsend (Sco).
Disq – S McAllister (Sco).

LGU Press Release
TEAM MEMBERS PREPARE FOR CURTIS CUP
Team Captain Ada O’Sullivan and Manager Fiona Norris will lead Curtis Cup team members on a three day training session to Kingsbarns from 22-24 June as preparation for the match in America in July.
The Curtis Cup was first played in 1932 and is a biennial match between the lady amateurs of Great Britain & Ireland and the U.S. This year’s contest will be played from 29-30 July over the Pacific Dunes course on America’s west coast.
“It is essential that we get as much practice as possible on courses that are similar in layout to Pacific Dunes, the venue for the match in July,” said Ada O’Sullivan.
“Kingsbarns perfectly fits that requirement and over the three days there, we will be trying out different pairings and concentrating particularly on our foursomes play and short game skills.”
“In the match, it is essential that we get off to a good start in the morning foursomes and since most of the team members will have limited experience in that form of team play, we will have to consider how we tackle that opening session.”
“Matches often hinge on a player’s short game and round Pacific Dunes a lot of shot visualisation will be needed. We are therefore lucky to have Alison Nicholas coming to Kingsbarns, not only for a ‘pep talk’, but also to give the team an insight to how top professionals ‘roll two shots into one.”
Before flying to Vancouver on Wednesday 19 July, the team have been invited to a Tuesday reception in Buckingham Palace. On the Saturday, they have a training session against a Canadian select in Vancouver and on the following day travel to the Bandon Dunes complex in Oregon.
Pam Chugg, Chairman of the Ladies Golf Union said, “We have some very talented and exciting players from which to select our team. In addition, we are fortunate to have such a strong and experienced management team led by Captain Ada O Sullivan with assistance from Fiona Norris as manager and Coach Lawrence Farmer. Ada has left no stone unturned in her preparation for this match and if commitment, dedication and desire count for anything, Ada will surely be bringing the Curtis Cup back to our shores this summer.”
Ada added, “I’m certain we will have a strong team for the July match and both Fiona and I fully expect to have additional luggage – the Curtis Cup – when we return to the UK.”
The team will be selected after the Ladies British Amateur Championship to be played at Royal County Down, Newcastle from 13-17 June.

West announce team for Inter-Divisional
The Team to represent the West in the SLGA Under-18 Inter-Divisional Matches at Ballumbie Castle on 10/11th June, is as follows:- Eilidh Briggs, Kerrie Differ, Allison Lewis, Jill Meldrum, Lauren Meldrum and Vicki Smith.

EGU Press Release
HILLSIDE GOLF CLUB TO HOST 2009 MENS HOME INTERNATIONALS
Hillside Golf Club in Southport, Lancashire, has graciously agreed to the English Golf Union’s request to host the Home Internationals in 2009. The annual three-day team event between the four Home nations will be played on 26th - 28th August 2009.
This will be the second occasion that Hillside (pictured left - photo courtesy of Tom Ward) has been the venue for the tournament. It played host in 1977 when England were triumphant and it proved a happy hunting ground for the home side last July when England won the European Men’s Team Championships over the magnificent and testing course.
The 1977 event was one of many Home Internationals staged in the north west. Royal Lytham and St Anne’s has hosted five Home Internationals, Royal Liverpool and Formby two each, and Royal Birkdale one. But the Home Internationals have not been held in the north west since the 1993 matches at Hoylake.
England staged the 2005 Home Internationals at Royal St George’s in Kent when Scotland were the winners while this year’s tournament will be played in Wales at Lyle & Kenfig.

NEW ENGLISH CHAMPION DROPS OUT OF ST RULE TROPHY THIS WEEKEND
Kiran Matharu, 17-year-old winner of the English women’s amateur championship last week, has withdrawn from the field of 72 for the St Rule Trophy 54-hole tournament over the Old and the New Courses, St Andrews on Saturday and Sunday.
Kiran, a member of Cookridge Hall Golf Club, Yorkshire, is attending an English Ladies Golfing Association training week at Woodhall Spa for Under-21s.
“It’s a pity for us but we still have a good field and are delighted at the quality. We have three of the national champions – Martine Pow (Scotland), Stephanie Evans (Wales) and Tricia Mangan (Ireland) – playing as well as a number of Curtis Cup hopefuls,” said Alison White of the organising committee.

NO BIRDIES FOR JORDAN FINDLAY IN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Jordan Findlay had a six-over-par 78 to be sharing 143rd place at the end of the first round of the NCAA Division 1 men’s championship over the Crosswater course at Sunriver, Oregon.
The 18-year-old past British boys’ open champion from Fraserburgh, playing in the final tournament of his first year at East Tennessee State University, had no birdies in his disappointing round.
Kyle Reifers (Wake Forest) leads the field of 156 of the best college golfers in the United States with a seven-under-par 65, one ahead of former British boys’ open champion Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) and Taylor Wood (Southern California).
The scores of Findlay’s team-mates ranged from 68 to 74. Irishman Cian McNamara had his best round of the 2005-2006 season – a 68 – to be joint fifth overnight.
Ulsterman Gareth Shaw had a 72 to be in joint 51st place alongside Adam Hodkinson from England but ETSU’s star man, Walker Cup player Rhys Davies, another former British boys’ open champion in the field, would have been very disappointed to score a 74 for joint 83rd place.
Englishman Stephen Lewton (North Carolina State) had a 70 to be joint 15th.
Wake Forest (277) lead the team event by three shots from UCLA with Washington and Oklahoma State (281) in joint third place.
East Tennessee State (266) were back in 10th place in a field of 30 teams.