MCLGA v Duddingston men

Your Captain, having been talked into the most ridiculous conditions, but in all credit to her, having successfully negotiated an extra shot, would like to thank the MCLGA team of Kirsten Blackwood, Stephanie Crolla, Fiona de Vries, Noreen Fenton, Louise Fraser, Gabrielle Macdonald, Wendy Nicholson, Karen Marshall, Gillian Simpson and Rachael Watton for the great fight they put up against the Duddingston men. Unaware that the men had prearranged to have the white tees moved as far forward as possible and the yellow tees as far back as possible so that there was, at most, a foot difference between the two, it was agreed that the girls would play from the yellows and the men from the whites, with the girls being given 3 shots. Because Duddingston had then introduced a professional into their team, who had just returned from a good run in the recent Tartan Tour Northern Open, the final couple were generously allowed to claim 4 shots. Never fear, note has been take of this for next year and the same thing will not happen again. They have had their chance!

The girls played fantastic golf and the challenge was on for Stuart Turner and Alistair Thomson to out drive Rachael Watton on at least one hole! A very tight contest led to a level match at the end of the night A big thank you to Duddingston Captain, Gordon Paterson and acting Secretary Gavin Clark for organising the match and for a great meal afterwards.

The results were:

Gavin Clark & Robert Binnie halved with Karen Marshall & Louise Fraser
Stuart Turner & Alistair Thomson beat Wendy Nicholson & Rachael Watton by 1 hole
Colin McNeil & Ian Stavert halved with Fiona de Vries & Gabrielle Macdonald
Mark Blore & Dave MacKinnon lost to Noreen Fenton & Kirsten Blackwood
Gordon Paterson & Ally MacKenzie halved with Gillian Simpson & Stephanie Crolla

St Rule Trophy

The St Rule Trophy tees off tomorrow with the 1st round being held over the New Course at St Andrews and two rounds on Sunday over the Old Course. Good luck to Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who are competing.

Centenary Tri-Am

Don't forget to put your entry in for the Centenary Tri Am - the closing date is 14 June 2009. The event, which is part of our centenary celebrations, is being held at Duddingston Golf Club on Thursday 9 July 2009. Click HERE to download an entry form.

Midlothian v Lanarkshire

On a gorgeous day, both the Midlothian Main and Junior Squads took on Lanarkshire County at Strathaven Golf Course, in their second pratice match. In glorious sunshine (if slightly windy) on a golf course in great condition (the greens were apparently superb), the main squad won their match by 3 games to 1, however the juniors lost by 1.5 to 0.5. Fresh from their recent trip to the Scottish Amateur at Southerness Golf Course, we were lucky to have Kirsten Blackwood, Louise Fraser, Claire MacDonald, Karen Marshall, Jane Tuner and Rachael Watton in the team, who put tiredness behind them to play some great golf.

Our thanks go to May Hughes (Lanarkshire Captain), the Junior Secretary and Secretary of Lanarkshire, Strathaven Golf Club and Lanarkshire Ladies and Juniors for their hospitality today and the great match (and to Nicole Benson for being an Honorary Junior Member of Midlothian today!)

The results were as follows:

Jane Turner & Rachael Watton beat Pamela Pretswell & Susan Wood - 1 up
Karen Marshall & Louise Fraser lost to Fiona Norris & Angela Devine - 1 down
Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood beat Ruth Rankin & Joanna Scott - 3&2
Gabrielle Macdonald & Gillian Simpson beat Elaine Cuthill & Lesley Lloyd - 4&3

Juniors:
Hannah Scott & Nicole Benson lost to Abi Gliksten & Amma Caddow - 6&5
Heather Tumblety & Katherine Fisher halved with Nicole Muir & Nicola McLuckie

Scottish (Close) Amateur Championship

In a week of very mixed weather and, at times, impossible playing conditions, the Midlothian girls put up a great display at the 2009 Scottish Amateur Championship, being held at Southerness. On a course stretched by the SLGA to over 6000 yards, after the 2 qualifying rounds, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) finished in joint 8th place, the highest placed MCLGA members. Congratulations to Linda Caine and Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) who won the net team prize. The previously mentioned McNeil Trophy (to celebrate the Counties' Centenaries), sadly, went to Lanarkshire!

Unfortuantely, Rachael was unable to qualify for the match play stages, needing instead to return to Edinburgh for exam commitments. Jane was joined in the match play by Fiona de Vries (St Rule), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies), Karen Marshall (Baberton) and Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe). Claire Hargan progressed following a very tense play off which involved 4 competitors playing for 2 places. One birdied the 1st play off hole (the 16th) and one bogeyed it, leaving 2 players for 1 place. At the 17th, a par 3, Claire had a 2.5 ft putt for par and to go through but the putt stayed out and down the 18th they went. A par 5, Claire was just off the front of the green in 2, with her opponent on the green in 3. Opting to putt, she tramlined it for an eagle and went through to the match play stages. Kirsten Blackwood (Craigmillar Park), Linda Caine (Dunbar) and Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) made it through to the consolation Clark Rosebowl.

The match play stages saw more fantastic golf. Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), playing Wendy Nicholson in the first round, was 4 under par after 5 holes and Wendy was slightly shell-shocked, playing good golf herself! Needless to say, Megan went on to win the tie. By the end of the first round Jane was the only one to survive, beating Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) by 3&2 and Sara Bishop (Windyhill) by 5&4. In the quarter finals this morning, Jane met Carol Wilson (Murcar Links) who had put out the no. 1 seed. Jane had the upper hand and progressed through by a 4&3 victory. She came up against Megan Briggs, still going strong after her great start against Wendy, in this afternoon's semi-finals. Jane went 1 up at the second, only for Megan to quickly returned the score to all square at the third. Jane won the 8th and 9th to be 2 up at the turn but yet again, Megan answered by wining the 11th and 12th to return it to all square before also winning the 13th to take a 1 hole lead. Jane levelled the score at the 15th and so it stayed throughout the rest of normal play, to force extra holes. Unfortunately, it was not to be and Jane had to concede the 19th and bow out. Congratulations to Megan, who went on to win the Scottish Amateur on Saturday morning.

In the Clark Rosebowl, Linda Caine put up a great fight and unfortunately her putt on the 18th just shaved past the hole allowing her oppoonent to take the tie. Kirsten Blackwood had a fantastic first round sitting on the sidelines having been given a walkover, waiting for her afternoon opponent to appear, which she did in the shape of Louise Fraser. Louise found herself 5 up after 7 holes against Kirsten but the fightback began and after 18 holes the match was all square and headed to extra holes. Louise managing to win the 19th made it through to this morning's semi-finals. Playing Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston), Louise played good golf to win 5&3 and meet Sammy Vass (Tain) in the final. Unfortunately, Sammy proved too strong, winning by 4&3.

Congratulations to everybody who took part this week and especially to Louise and Jane. A great display, great golf and a fantastic effort to get so close.

Summer (maybe not weatherwise!) Foursomes

Some great scores were recorded at Liberton today in the MCLGA Summer Foursomes. 73 couples took part and the first couple to tee off in the morning held the lead until late on into the evening when the fifth last foursome returned. Mother and daughter, Caroline and Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), playing in probably the best weather of the day, returned a great score of net 65.5 to win the competition and be the leading qualifiers for the Commonwealth Spoons Final, being held this year at Longniddry Golf Course on Thursday 24th September. All of the qualifiers, as well as the 2 reserve couples, scored below net 70. Caroline and Kate also recorded the best scratch of the day (75) but, because they win first handicap, the scratch prize for the competition goes to Fiona Hunter and Sharon Macpherson (Baberton) with an 81.

Caroline and Kate's round got off to an interesting start. After much discussion on the first tee about the ball they were going to play with and questions from Kate as to the newness, roundness and perfection of the ball Caroline had produced, Kate duly struck the first shot. Unfortunately it found some trees and Caroline was despatched to chip it out. This she did, only for them to then watch it being attacked by a crow who, firstly, stood on it, then pecked at it and, once it realised Caroline was in hot pursuit of it, took off with the ball in its beak! Needless to say, it was never seen again!

Thank you to everyone who took part today. It is great to have so many golfers supporting the County events. Thank you again to those who donated prizes for the raffle and to those of you who bought tickets. The raffle raised £128 for the County Juniors. Finally a big thank you to the ladies who helped out on the check-in desk this morning, to Agnes for all the work she did in preparing for today and in being in attendance for the whole day and to Liberton Golf Club for allowing us to hold the event on their course and for tending to our every need within the Clubhouse.

The results were as follows:

1st Scratch: Fiona Hunter & Sharon Macpherson (Baberton) 81

1st Handicap: Caroline McIntosh & Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 75 less 9.5 = 65.5

2nd Handicap: Carol Fulton (Mortonhall) & Frances Sorlie (Ratho Park) 83 less 16 = 67

3rd Handicap: Moira Wilson & Rita Veitch (Ravelston) 87 less 19.5 = 67.5

Other qualifiers for the Commonwealth Spoons Final:

Davida Simpson & Moira Kinnear (Liberton)

Val Hallam & Phyll Early (Glencorse)

Madge Hutchison (Baberton) & Alaco Cowan (Glencorse)

Barbara Hamilton & Ann Cockburn (Newbattle)

Reserves:

Kate Johnston & Ann Barr (Baberton)

Maggie McPherson & Anne Patrick (Baberton)

Juniors at the Princes Course

What a glorious day we had today for the May visit of the Juniors to the Princes Course. In gorgeous sunshine (with a little wind!), 10 girls turned out for the 9 holes. A big welcome was made to Joanna Lamb who joined in the fun for the first time and said she had enjoyed some of her golf. All of the girls played some great shots and have all taken something home to remember. There were various personal bests for the 9 holes and a remarkable chip in at the second made it a day to remember for Lisa Macpherson. The first group of Emma Morrison, Julia Smith and Sophie Aitchison showed some stunning stuff to their helpers and came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, Julia losing out by 1 shot on the last 6-hole count back. According to one of the adults walking round with the group, there is some real talent amongst the girls - and it was not just amongst those 3! It was great to see the girls afterwards, chatting together and recounting their various trials and tribulations over their sandwiches in the Braids Driving Range.

Our thanks go to all of the Mums and Dads who turned out to help and to Fiona Hunter for kindly agreeing to give up time this month to come along.

The results were as follows:

1st Non-handicap: Emma Morrison 55 (better last 6)
2nd Non-handicap: Julia Smith 55
3rd Non-handicap: Sophie Aitchison 58

(No golfers with handicaps took part today.)

Points after month 3 of the running competition:

Handicap:
Heather Laing: 6 points
Carla Maran: 4 points

Non-handicap:
Julia Smith: 9 points
Emma Morrison: 7 points
Sophie Aitchison: 6 points
Kirsten McCorquodale: 6 points

Thank you all for coming along and taking part today. It is great to see you all enjoying yourselves and doing so well and also great to see you all making friends with one another. I hope you enjoyed it as much as the adults enjoyed being out with you.

Scottish Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship

This year the Scottish Amateur is being played at Southerness Golf Club, Dumfriesshire from the 19th-23rd May. Midlothian has 14 members taking part in the Championship. As well as all the normal trophies that are up for grabs, this year the SLGA have introduced The McNeil Trophy to commemorate 100 years of County Golf. For this, each County has been invited to nominate a team of 3 players and a reserve. The best 2 scratch scores from the 3 on each of the 2 qualifying days will count and the winners will be the team with the lowest overall score. Midlothian will be represented by Jane Turner, following her Scottish Universities Order of Merit and British Universities Stroke-Play Championship wins, and Louise Fraser and Rachael Watton who were the leading qualifiers in the recently held County Championship. Fiona de Vries, third qualifier in the Championship, has been named as our reserve.

We wish all of the participants a great week of golf. We hope the weather is fine, you enjoy the course, your golf is good, you enjoy your week, more importantly you enjoy the party on Friday night and, most importantly, the McNeil Trophy is brought to Midlothian for its first year!

Midsummer Foursomes

The draw for the Midsummer Foursomes, to be played on Monday 18th May at Liberton Golf Club, can now be viewed by clicking on "Mid'r 4somes Draw" on the left-hand side of the page.

Please note that a raffle will again be being held at this Meeting with proceeds going to the County Juniors and their coaching. Any small gifts you would like to donate to the raffle will be gratefully received. These can be brought along on the day and your donations will be very much appreciated.

Ladies' Inter-Club

Many congratulations to Baberton who won the Ladies' Inter-Club for the 5th time in 6 years this weekend at Murrayfield Golf Club. Having had some close matches along the way, the Baberton team of Fiona de Vries, Fiona Hunter, Katherine Logan and Karen Marshall came out best in the dreadful weather conditions, beating the Lothianburn team of Ruth Brown, Anne Brownie, Viv Curran and Catherine Stewart in the final, despite a hole in one by Ruth at the 13th, by 3&2.

The results were as follows:

Round 1:
Murrayfield beat Torphin Hill 12&10
Merchants beat Broomieknowe 3&1
Lothianburn beat Ratho Park 5&3
Craigmillar Park beat Liberton 5&4
Musselburgh beat Prestonfield at the 19th
Baberton beat Newbattle 8&7
Turnhouse beat Glencorse 9&6
Kingsknowe beat Royal Musselburgh 9&7

Round 2:
Murrayfield beat Merchants 6&3
Lothianburn beat Craigmillar Park 1 hole
Baberton beat Musselburgh 1 hole
Kingsknowe beat Turnhouse 7&6

Semi-Final:
Lothianburn beat Murrayfield 6&4
Baberton beat Kingsknowe 3&2

Final:
Baberton beat Lothianburn 3&2

Ladies' Inter Club

The Ladies' Inter Club Tournament is being held this week at Murrayfield Golf Club. The draw for the first round matches, which take place on Thursday evening, is as follows:

4.00 & 4.06 pm Murrayfield v Torphin Hill
4.12 & 4.18 pm Merchants v Broomieknowe
4.24 & 4.30 pm Ratho Park v Lothianburn
4.36 & 4.42 pm Craigmillar Park v Liberton
4.48 & 4.54 pm Prestonfield v Musselburgh
5.00 & 5.06 pm Newbattle v Baberton
5.12 & 5.18 pm Turnhouse v Glencorse
5.24 & 5.30 pm Royal Musselburgh v Kingsknowe

Good luck to all those who are taking part. I hope you enjoy your matches and that the weather is kind to you.

Championship semi-finals and finals

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click HERE to view photos on Mary's Picasa site

Championship at Newbattle - what a day!

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

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

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

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

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

Click HERE to view photos on Mary's Picasa site

2009 Championship

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