ESGGA Autumn Meeting

The East of Scotland Girls' Golfing Association held their Autumn Meeting at Craigielaw yesterday on a calm day - unheard of for Craigielaw! Many congratulations to Broomieknowe pair, Kate McIntosh and Hannah Scott who walked away with the leading scratch and best overall net scores respectively. Both scored gross 77s to a CSS of 72 but with Hannah playing off 11, her net 66 won her the best overall net score by 4 shots. Gabrielle MacDonald, playing on her home patch, won the Under 18 net prize with a 79, net 75. This result pushed Kate into an overall lead in the ESGGA Order of Merit Table and with only the individual County Junior Championships to come, it looks as though her lead is unassailable. Gabrielle is currently in second place with Hannah in fifth. Well done girls! A great result this weekend and best of luck for the Junior Championship.

MCLGA v Baberton Men

In preparation for the County Finals in a few weeks, tonight saw the County Team take on Baberton Men in a friendly greensomes match. Five of the team and the reserve were amongst those available to play and the evening gave the girls a valuable chance to not only play the course from different tees but also to get some top tips from the men. A big thank you to everyone who played and to all of the guidance on offer. Thank you also to the Baberton Board for agreeing to the match, to Norrie Robertson for organising the men's team and to Maggie MacPherson for being there to set everyone off.

It was a very windy night with the end of Hurricane Bill swirling around and it became bitterly cold by the end - even although the men insisted on playing round in shirt sleeves! In a very tight match, 2 games were decided on the 17th, while the other 2 went to the 18th. Unfortuantely the girls lost out by 2.5-1.5.

Kirsten Blackwood & Claire Hargan lost to Stephen Marshall & Andy Munro - 1 down
Gabrielle Macdonald & Kate McIntosh halved with Ron Bradly & Sandy McComish
Wendy Nicholson & Karen Marshall beat Colin Turner (who was partnerless) 2&1
Claire MacDonald & Sal Shepherd lost to Dougie Waugh & Ian Hunter 2&1

It should also be announced that the team for the County Finals will remain the same as that which played in the Inter-County Matches i.e.

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)

Reserve: Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw)

The matches, which are being held at Baberton Golf Club from the 18th-20th September, will see:

Galloway v Midlothian, and Renfrewshire v Northern Counties on the Friday
Midlothian v Renfrewshire, and Galloway v Northern Counties on the Saturday
Renfrewshire v Galloway, and Northern Counties v Midlothian on the Sunday

PLEASE come along to support your team. The morning foursomes tee off at 9.30 am each day with the afternoon singles beginning at 1.30 pm. It promises to be a great 3 days of competition and Midlothian has a great chance of retaining the trophy for another year within the East Division.

European Senior Ladies' Team Championship

Good luck from all in Midlothian to the Scottish Team taking part next week in the European Ladies' Team Championship which is being held at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in Dublin. As previously reported the team is captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and includes Fiona de Vries (St Rule) and Fiona Hunter (Baberton), with Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) as 1st reserve.

We all hope you play well and enjoy the tournament.

Womens Home Internationals

Many congratulation to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who has been named as one of the 8 members of the Scottish Team for the Women's Home Internationals. She is having a fantastic year, and this just caps it off! She is joined by Carly Booth (Comrie), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), in a team captained by Lesley Nicholson and managed by, Midlothian's, Claire Hargan.

The matches are being played from the 9th-11th September at Irvine (Bogside) Golf Course in Ayrshire and Scotland will play Ireland on day 1, England on day 2 and Wales on day 3. The format is the same as in the Inter-County matches with 3 foursomes being played in the morning and 6 singles in the afternoon.

Scotland have a very strong team and must have an excellent chance of winning the Home Internationals for the first time since 1991. As it is on home soil it would be great for the girls to win. Why not go along to support and cheer on your team? You are guaranteed to see some great golf and fantastic matches, into the bargain!

MCLGA Junior Championship

Just a reminder to all of our juniors with handicaps about the Junior Championship. This is being held on Sunday 13th September at Merchants Golf Club with tee-times starting from 12.30 pm. The closing date for entry, if you have not yet done so, is this coming Saturday i.e. 29th August. If you would like to enter, forms can be downloaded from the website by clicking on "Junior Entry Forms" on the left hand side of this page and then on "Competition Entry Forms". Please can you either e-mail your entries to Joan Simpson or post them to her at 4 Craigleith View, Edinburgh EH4 3JZ.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at the Championship. The Junior Prizegiving will be held after the golf.

East of Scotland Championship 2009

The East of Scotland Championship is being held at Mortonhall Golf Club on Sunday 4 October 2009. The competition is 18 holes stroke play and is open to all County members. Tee times are available from 10am. The entry fee is £10 and cheques should be made payable to MCLGA. Click HERE for an entry form or email you entry to Agnes Leslie. Closing date is 11th September.

To download an information leaflet click HERE.

Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship

Congratulations to Jane Turner who qualified 18th equal for the final two rounds of the British Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. On the first day, in horrendous conditions (winds of up to 30 mph), Jane shot an 85, 13 over the extremely testing par but only 6 over the CSS. Day 2 was even worse! Gales rising to 40 mph brought lashing rain with them. Somehow through it all, Jane held things together to shoot a very creditable 77, 5 over the par but 2 under the CSS - the 6th best score of the day. Good luck in the next 2 rounds Jane. Our fingers are crossed that the conditions improve ever so slightly!

SLGA County Golf Open Meeting

Congratulations to Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) who came second, winning second scratch and the GMH Muirhead Tankard, at the SLGA County Golf Open Meeting held, yesterday, at Dullatur Golf Club. Louise lost out on first scratch on a last 9 hole count back but won second scratch on a last 3 hole count back and shot an 82 to the CSS of 76.

Swanston's Par 3 Open Competition

The longest running Open competition finally came to a conclusion on Monday 17th August, having started on Saturday 18th July. If you can remember back, Swanston (New) Golf Club was holding an Open Competition for members and non-members over their par 3 Templar Course, to launch their short course. This was open to all categories of golfer including Novices, i.e. those without handicaps, but due to the Scottish summer weather conditions, the day had to be abandoned half way through and the various individuals were left to organise their matches whenever they could.

When we last reported on this, MCLGA Junior Member, Julia Smith from Murrayfield, was still in the running. Julia successfully made it through to the final, which was eventually played on Monday night. The Novice section being open not only to any age group was also open to either sex and so, Julia, who was seeded no. 7, met Adam Pollock who was around 14 years older than her and was seeded no. 1. A great final ensued with Julia playing excellent golf but unfortunately going down by a 3&1 margin. Julia, who won the MCLGA Junior non-handicap running competition at the Princes Course on Sunday (the Caton Trophy), can be seen, above, pictured with the runners up trophy. Many congratulations, Julia!

Autumn Meeting

The draw for the Autumn Meeting being held at Kingsknowe Golf Club on Tuesday 1st September 2009 has now been made and can be viewed by clicking the link ("Autumn Draw") on the left hand side of this page.

If anyone finds that they are no longer available to play, please contact the Captain on 0131 445 5957 prior to the day or Kingsknowe Professional, Chris Morris, on 0131 441 4030 on the day.

Please note that, as always, a raffle will be held on behalf of the County Juniors and any prizes will be gratefully received, on the day.

We hope that the weather is good, you all play well and enjoy your games.

9-holes at the Princes Course

Even in the dreadful conditions this morning that would have kept many a golfer at home, safely snuggled up in their bed, 7 juniors turned up to take part in the monthly 9-hole competition at the Princes Course. The rain was throwing it down at the start and the wind added to the challenge of the long first hole. But the girls were not to be put off as they, once again, recorded some great scores. Starting with an 8, Heather Laing pulled things together to record her best round of the year and score, net, one below par, showing that her recent reduction in handicap (from 30 to 26) is giving her no cause for concern. She was closely followed into second place by Emma Morrison with a net 3 over par. In the non-handicap section, Julia Smith again had a terrific score of 57 which included a 10 at the 6th hole - what could have been! The Hardy's were not to be out done, with older sister, Erin, finishing in 2nd place and Carys in third. Certainly the weather did not seem to upset the scoring, with Lisa Macpherson recording her third best round and Joanna Lamb her second best.

Well done girls and thanks again to everyone who helped out this morning and to Karen Marshall for kindly offering her time.

The results are:

1st Handicap: Heather Laing (43-13) net 30
2nd Handicap: Emma Morrison (55-21) net 34

1st Non-handicap: Julia Smith 57
2nd Non-handicap: Erin Hardy 66
3rd Non-handicap: Carys Hardy 70

August is the sixth and final month of the running competition and the final points table is as follows:

Handicap:
Heather Laing - 12 points
Emma Morrison - 11 points
Carla Maran - 6 points

Non-handicap:
Julia Smith - 21 points
Erin Hardy - 11 points
Sophie Aitchison - 9 points
Carys Hardy - 8 points
Kirsten McCorquodale - 7 points
Emma Morrison - 7 points
Lisa MacPherson - 6 points
Joanna Lamb - 4 points
Gemma Laughland - 4 points
Caitlin Turner - 3 points
Eilidh MacKinnon - 2 points
Anna Maran - 2 points
Cara McCorquodale - 2 points
Emma Watson - 2 points
Holly Gordon - 1 point

In the handicap section, Emma has put up a tremendous fight. She only got her handicap and, therefore, moved into the handicap section half way through the counting season. Congratulations to eventual winner, Heather who narrowly beats Emma to win the MacPherson Trophy for the handicap winner and to Julia who has played superbly in the non-handicap section and wins the Caton Trophy.

Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke-Play Championship

Last week all attention was on the girls at the Girls' British Open Amateur Championship but this week it is the turn of the ladies with the Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke-Play Championship being held at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club from 19-21 August. Unfortunately Claire MacDoanld (Gullane Ladies) has had to withdraw due to work commitments but MCLGA is ably represented by Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw). Good luck to all of you. We hope the sun shines and the golf is good.

Strathtyrum Tournament 2009

A great display was put on by the Midlothian girls in the match play stages of the Strathtyrum Trophy over the last few days. Of the 6 girls who qualified, 3 made it through to the quarter finals with Pamela Williamson losing out narrowly by 2 holes to Ann Ramsay from Kirriemuir and Louise Fraser going down by 5&4 to the eventual trophy winner Rachel Hanlon from St Regulus, playing on her home soil. The third member of the trio, Karen Marshall, made it through the quarter finals, after a tight match, but succombed in the semi finals, by 3&2, to Elaine Clark from Manchester. Obviously Elaine took to the early morning rise better than Karen - they teed of at 7.24 this morning!

Strathtyrum Tournament 2009

Congratulations to Karen Marshall who leads the way in pole position into the match-play stages of the Strathtyrum Tournament at St Andrews. Karen is joined by Louise Fraser (6th qualifier), Shona Simpson (16th qualifier), Sarah Ledingham (19th qualifier), Pamela Williamson (23rd qualifier) and Joan Marshall (24th qualifier). The match-play starts today, with the finals taking place on Friday afternoon. Good luck to all.

Scotland Finish Runners Up in Home Internationals

Scotland Girls finished runners up at the Home Internationals with a 4 ½-4 ½ draw with Wales, winning the Swansea Spoon for finishing second. Scotland’s top points winners were Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), both with 4 points out of six. Well done once again Rachael and good luck in leading the Scottish team in the International Team Event at the Girls' British Open Amateur Championship being held at West Lancashire Golf Club from 10th-14th August.

Scotland Vets Retain Miller Stirling Trophy

Congratulations to the Scotland team including Fiona de Vries and Fiona Hunter on bringing the Miller Stirling Trophy back to Scotland at the Veteran Ladies Golf Association Jamboree in Bath this week. They completed a 100 % record yesterday by beating England South 5 ½-3 ½. Sounds like they were playing in a bath at times with the weather conditions. Hope you dry out soon ladies!

Strathtyrum Tournament 2009

The Strathtyrum Tournament will be held over the Eden and New Courses in St Andrews from 10 - 14 August. Taking part are Karen Marshall, Joan Marshall, Pamela Williamson (all Baberton), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), and Shona Simpson, Elizabeth Simpson and Sarah Ledingham (all Murrayfield). Good luck to you all.

VLGA Jamboree

Scotland recorded another victory today in Veteran Ladies Golf Association Jamboree at Bath Golf Club today, beating England Midlands 5 - 3. The match was decided on a singles only basis due to waterlogged greens in the morning. Fiona Hunter (Barberton) contributed to the victory with a 3 & 2 victory over Denise Parker.

Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters - Regional Final Lothianburn

Congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald who, representing MCLGA, finished 7th in the Junior Masters Regional Final at Lothianburn today. Gabrielle has qualified for the Grand Final to be played over the Queen's Course at Gleneagles on Sunday 11 October 2009. Well done Gabrielle and good luck at Gleneagles.

Girls Home Internationals

Sadly Sotland suffered an 8-1 defeat at the hands of England today. However, well done to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall), who partnered by Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), won Scotland's only point of the day. Good luck to the team tomorrow against Wales.

St Andrews Junior (U23) Ladies' Open 2009

Congratulations to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who finished 3rd in St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open Individual Stroke Play competition with a 75. Today she recorded a 3&2 win over Ashley Smith (Monifieth) in the Golf Monthly Trophy (scratch) to reach a 2nd round tie against Carly Booth (Comrie) over the Old Course tomorrow (Wednesday). Good luck Jane.

VLGA Jamoree

Fiona de Vries (St Rule) and Fiona Hunter (Baberton) helped Scotland to an excellent start of their defence of the Miller Stirling Trophy in the Veteran Ladies Golf Association Jamboree at Bath Golf Club today, both wining their foursomes matches (2&1 and 6&5) and Fiona de Vries winning her singles match 2&1. The result was Scotland 7 ½, England North 1 ½.

Girls Home Internationals

Well done to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who helped Scotland girls beat the European champions Ireland on the opening day of the Under-18 girls’ home international matches at Fairhaven Golf Club, today. Rachael contributed to the 5-4 victory with a win in the morning foursomes with a tremendous 2 and 1 win over Leona Maguire in the singles! Good luck to Rachael and the team tomorrow against England – go get em girl!.

Riccarton Rosebowl

Congratulations to Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) for an excellent 3rd (equal) place (149) in the Riccarton Rosebowl SLGA 36-hole Order of Merit tournament at Hamilton Golf Club on Sunday. Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) finished 12th on 158.