East Division Inter County Matches Day 2

Day two is generally movement day and what a move Midlothian made! On the first tee bright and early stood Jane Turner and Rachael Watton, leading the team into battle against defending East Division and Scottish Champions, Fife. The girls led by example winning by a great 5&4 margin. Next up Karen Marshall and Louise Fraser joined their team mates with a 2&1 victory. Finally in a hard fought battle, Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson succombed by 2&1. However a joyful team found themselves 2 - 1 up at lunchtime and after throwing down a sandwich, their attention turned to the afternoon singles as Michaela (below) waited patiently for the action to begin.

The weather and the golf got hotter and hotter as the afternoon went on. Jane lost to level the scores at 2 all, but not for long. Rachael recorded a great victory to put the team ahead just before Louise Fraser lost a gallant fight on the 18th. But before long Midlothian flags were flying as news resounded around the course of a victory by Claire MacDonald, followed swiftly by Claire H. Riding on a cloud up the 18th, Kirsten brought home another half point and another day's celebrations began.

We would like to add that the team have now been brought back down to earth as preparations for tomorrow's vital match against Stirling and Clackmannan begin.

Morning Foursomes:

Jane Turner & Rachael Watton beat Louise Kenney & Linda Dyball 5&4

Karen Marshall & Louise Fraser beat Susan Jackson & Karin Sharp 2&1

Claire Hargan & Wendy Nicholson lost to Fiona Hastie & Elaine Moffat 2&1

Afternoon Singles:

Jane Turner lost to Louise Kenney 6&4

Rachael Watton beat Fiona Hastie 2&1

Louise Fraser lost to Susan Jackson 1 down

Kirsten Blackwood halved with Lorna Fury

Claire Hargan beat Karin Sharp 3&1

Claire MacDonald beat Elaine Moffat 3&2

East Division Inter County Matches

The Midlothian team made a great start to the Inter County matches on a lovely warm day at Falkirk (Carmuirs) today. The team beat East Lothian by 7 points to 2. Having been 2.5-0.5 up at lunch time they thought it would be rather funny to make the officials and supporters sweat with a slow start. After 5 holes two of the team were all square with the rest all struggling somewhat. No amount of threats from the Captain seemed to ease the situation. Luckily by the back nine they seemd to see the error of their ways and realised they were there to win - and guess what? ........... much to everyone's relief they turned it around. Phew! We are all exhasted but happy bunnies. Looking forward to playing Fife tomorrow (7-2 winners over Stirling & Clackmannan today).

FOURSOMES

J Turner & R Watton beat L Nicholson & E Fairnie 5&3

K Marshall & W Nicholson halved with L Mortenson & F Prior

C Hargan & C Macdonald beat ML Renton & R Carroll 4&2

SINGLES

J Turner beat L Mortenson 4&3

C Hargan lost to L Nicholson 1 down

K Blackwood beat E Fairnie 1 up

L Fraser beat F Prior 3&1

R Watton beat R Carroll 3&2

C MacDonald halved with L Grieve

Scottish Senior Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship

Next week, while the County Team and Officials will be at Falkirk (Carmuirs) Golf Club playing in the Inter-County Matches - just in case you haven't realised that yet, get bored sometime between Monday and Wednesday, wonder what you could do or where you could go for a day out and suddenly fancy offering some support to your County Team! - the Scottish Senior Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championships are being held on the Montgomery Course at Kinross Golf Club. MCLGA has 9 members taking part in the field of 60 and wish all of you a good week and lots of success.

Centenary Tri Am Draw

Click HERE for the Centenary Tri Am draw. The event, which is part of our centenary celebrations, is being held at Duddingston Golf Club on Thursday 9 July 2009. There are generous team vouchers to be won as well as sponsored prizes at every hole! We hope you have a fabulous day!

If any team needs to withdraw, please contact MCLGA Vice Captain, Mary Richardson, by telephone on 07850 858608.

Junior Open Golf Competitions

Did you know, the Janice Moodie Trophy is being held on Friday 3rd July 2009 at Windyhill Golf Club, Glasgow and is open to all girls, under the age of 21, with a CONGU handicap. Prizes are awarded in age categories, with the age categories being 10-14, 15-17 and 18-21. Entries close on Thursday 25th June and entry forms can be found at http://www.gilliankirkwood.com/ercn86/2009/JaniceMoodieEntryform1.doc.

Also, the Tom Lehman Golf Tournaments for junior golfers both with and without CONGU handicaps are being held at the beginning of August in Troon. The Junior Golf Pre-handicap Open is being held at Fullarton Golf Club on Monday 3rd August and the Junior Handicap open for the Tom Lehman Trophies is being held on Tuesday 4th August at Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton Golf Courses. Entries for these close on Monday 20th July and can be found at https://www.secure-server-hosting.com/secutran/secureforms/sh205973/junior-prehandicap.htm (pre-handicap tournament) and https://www.secure-server-hosting.com/secutran/secureforms/sh205973/junior-tomlehman.htm (handicap tournament).

East Vets v West Vets

Congratulations to the East Vets who held off the West Vets last week to retain the Elise Duncan Trophy. Playing over Gullane No. 1 in slightly breezy conditions to say the least, the East won by 7-2. Included in the East Team, from MCLGA, were Ruth Brown, Anne Brownie, Noreen Fenton, Fiona Hunter, Gillian Kirkwood and Pamela Williamson.

Jane finishes third

Jane Turner returns from a fantastic weekend at Douglas Golf Club in Cork where she was called up to play for the Scotland Team in the Irish Women's Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship. With the 2 best scores from the 3 team members counting in each of the 3 rounds, Jane contributed in all three rounds with scores of 70, 73 and 75 against a par of 73 and helped Scotland to win the Team Trophy. Lying in second place after the 1st and 2nd rounds, Jane finished 3rd, 4 shots behind the joint winners. Congratulations Jane, a great result.

Juniors at the Princes Course

Another great turn out by the juniors for their monthly 9 hole competition at the Princes Course. Today 14 girls took part and all played extremely well with several personal best scores. It is great to see the advances the girls are all making and the improvements in their swings and course management. All of the girls appeared to enjoy themselves and our thanks go, as ever, to all of the mums and dads who came out to help and walk round with the girls and to Claire Hargan who kindly gave up her morning to help out.

It was great news to hear that Emma Morrison has gained her first ever handicap of 42 at Craigmillar Park and joining the handicap ranks for the first time certainly gave her a huge boost today. She had a tremendous score of 42 (net 21) to a par of 31 which included a birdie at the tricky 2nd hole. Her score could have been much better had she not ended with a triple bogey. Congratulations Emma and good luck to you, Julia Smith and Lisa Macpherson when you play in the regional finals of the Wee Wonders Tournament at Troon on the 30th June.

The results were as follows:

1st Handicap: Emma Morrison (42-21) net 21
2nd Handicap: Carla Maran (54-18) net 36

1st Non-handicap: Julia Smith 52
2nd Non-handicap: Sophie Aitchison 53
3rd Non-handicap: Erin Hardy 58

Points after month 4 of the running competition:

Handicap:
Heather Laing 7 points
Carla Maran 6 points
Emma Morrison 3 points

Non-handicap:
Julia Smith 13 points
Sophie Aitchison 9 points
Kirsten McCorquodale 7 points
Emma Morrison 7 points

A reminder that there will be no junior coaching at the Braids Driving Range in July and August but this will start up again on 6th September. The 9 holes at the Princes course will continue throughout the summer, the next date being 19th July.

European Team Championships

Congratulations to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who has been chosen as one of the four members of the team to represent Scotland in the Girls' European Team Championships to be held at Kokkola Golf Club in Finland from 7-11 July. Also to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who has been picked as 3rd reserve for the team to play in the European Ladies' Team Championships being held at Bled Golf Club in Slovenia at the same time. The latter team will be Captained by Fiona de Vries (St Rule) and Managed by Janet Wake (Merchants).

Having scored level par, followed by 5 under par in her two Championship qualifying rounds at West Linton Golf Club, Jane has had to pull out of the match play stages as she has been called up to represent Scotland in the Irish Ladies' Open Championship being held at Douglas Golf Club in Cork from the 20th-21st June.

SLGA Girls' Inter-Divisional Trophy

Congratulations to Maggie MacPherson and the East of Scotland Girls' Team who successfully defended the SLGA Girls' Inter-Divisional Trophy at Ballumbie Castle this weekend, beating teams from the West (2-1), North (3-0) and South (2-1). The East Team included MCLGA junior member Gabrielle Macdonald who contributed 3 out of 3 points to the victorious side - well done Gabrielle.

Wee Wonders Championships

Several of the Midlothian Juniors have been taking part in the Wee Wonders Championships and have been playing all over the Edinburgh area in the qualifying events. Many congratulations to Emma Morrison and Julia Smith who qualified in the 9-10 year old age category at the Hermitage Golf Club and Port Royal Golf Range respectively and to Lisa Macpherson who qualified in the 5-8 year old category at the Melville Golf Centre. Commiserations to Joanna Lamb who came second behind Lisa at the Melville Golf Centre. The girls now go forward to play in the Regional Finals which are being held at The Ladies' Golf Club, Troon on Tuesday 30th June. Good luck to all of you. We hope you enjoy your day and your golf.

Gabrielle second and Rachael third!

Many congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) who finished second and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who was tied third in the Paul Lawrie Scottish Schools Championship held over the Buddon and Burnside Courses at Carnoustie yesterday. Rachael was the tied leader with eventual winner Aisla Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) after the morning round on the Buddon Course with a score of 71 (CSS 68), while Gabrielle lay 7 shots behind. I'm not sure what Gabrielle had for lunch but that lead was soon whittled down in the afternoon on the Burnside Course as she shot a 3 under CSS, 68 to jump up to second place and finish one shot behind Aisla. Rachael had a second round 77 which left her, tied, in third place. Great golf and great scoring - well done girls!

Golf, golf and more golf!

Next week appears to be very busy in the golfing callendar and MCLGA would like to wish all the best to Noreen Fenton (Dunbar), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) in the Munross Trophy being held tomorrow, Sunday, at Montrose Golf Club, all of the Juniors taking part in the Paul Lawrie Scottish Schools Championship at the Carnoustie Burnside and Buddon courses on Monday 8th June (sorry, I've been unable to find an entry list for this competition to tell who all is playing), Jane Tuner (Craigielaw) in the Ladies' British Amateur Championship at Royal St Davids in Wales from the 9th-13th June and Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) who has been chosen to play in the East of Scotland girls team to play in the Girls' Inter-Divisional Matches at Ballumbie Castle on the 13th and 14th June. Good luck to all of you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team who played against the SUGS last night. Thanks to all our stand-ins and sorry I was unable to be there to join in your celebrations - my bed had far more appeal, sadly!

MCLGA v SUGS

Nine golfers and your Vice Captain (our esteemed Captain being poorly) ventured down to Gullane on a lovely evening to play our annual match against SUGS. Following on from our experiences at Duddingston, good negotiations took place, with the men playing off the white tees, which I must admit were on occasions about 2 miles behind the reds. Buy hey - all's fair in golf and war and we managed to win 4 -1 and win the SUGS Centenery Trophy for the first time since it's presentation in 2007. Thanks to the MCLGA team of Jane Turner, Rachel Watton, Noreen Fenton, Linda Caine, Gillian Simpson, Gabrielle Macdonald, Karen Marshall and Claire Hargan, and super-subs Sal Shepherd and yours truly the Vice Captain for a great win. I am sure there will be a bit of re-negotiation on tees from SUGS next year!

After the match we were presented with a beautiful crystal decanter for our centenary. It has been suggested that the Captain fills it up for us when she is feeling better! A big thank you to SUGS Captain, Richard Inglis for presenting us with this lovely gift and to Andrew Thomson (and Tracy) for organising the match.

The results were:

Neil Steven & Jonathan Dargie beat Rachael Watton and Jane Turner 5&3

Andrew Thomson & Kenny McKay lost to Noreen Fenton and Linda Caine by 1 hole

Richard Inglis and John Wood lost to Gillian Simpson and Gabrielle Macdonald 4&3

Tim Edward and Douglas May lost to Mary Richardson & Sal Shepherd 3&2

Jim Barnet and Sandy Kirkwood lost to Karen Marshall and Claire Hargan by 1 hole

Only one week left to enter!

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. There are generous team vouchers to be won as well as sponsored prizes at every hole! Click HERE to download an entry form.

County Team for Inter-County Matches

This year the Inter-County matches are being held at Falkirk (Carmuirs) Golf Club from Monday 29th June until Wednesday 1st July and the Selection Committee are delighted to announce the team to take part as:

Kirsten Blackwood (Craigmillar Park)
Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe)
Claire Hargan (Mortonhall)
Claire MacDonald (Gullane Ladies)
Karen Marshall (Baberton)
Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe)
Jane Turner (Craigielaw)
Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Reserves:
Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw)
Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield)

Please come along to support your team. All of the squad have been playing well all season and it promises to be a great Inter-County Championship. As ever, 3 foursomes matches will be played in the morning with the tee times starting at 9 am and 6 singles will take place in the afternoon, the tee times being 1.30 pm for the first match and 2.15 pm for the second. The order of play will be as follows:

Monday 29th June:
Fife v Stirling and Clackmannan; Midlothian v East Lothian

Tuesday 30th June:
Midlothian v Fife; East Lothian v Stirling and Clackmannan

Wednesday 1st July:
East Lothian v Fife; Midlothian v Stirling and Clackmannan