Riccarton Rose Bowl

This SLGA Order of Merit event is being held on Sunday 8th August at Hamilton Golf Club. It is a 36 hole stroke play competition and Midlothian once again has a few partakers, namely, Sue Dalrymple (Craigielaw), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) and Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe). Play well everyone and enjoy the course.

Winter is finally over!

All those of you who remember the floods and winds, and the snows and volcanic ash clouds of winter 2009/2010, will also remember the havoc they all played with the Winter Foursomes. Well, I'm delighted to be able to report that we are now through that period and can move on to summer safe in the knowledge that the final of the Winter Foursomes has been played!

Tuesday night saw Sharon Macpherson and Fiona Hunter (Baberton) take on Maureen MacKay and Katharine Logan (Kingsknowe and Baberton) at Baberton Golf Club and I received word yesterday that the winners were Maureen and Katharine. Congratulations to you both on your long awaited win!

Great sadness

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the deaths of both Eileen Hay (Ratho Park) on Sunday 4th July and Avril Robertson (Murrayfield) on Monday 26th July. Eileen was a long standing member of MCLGA, latterly becoming an Associate Member. Avril was Treasurer of the County until 1999, President from 2001-2004 and was a keen supporter of everything that was going on within Midlothian.

It is a great sadness and both will be sorely missed.

Re-arranged Summer Meeting

As announced last week on the website, the abandoned County SUMMER MEETING has been re-arranged and will now take place on TUESDAY 24th AUGUST, again at Baberton. If you were playing last week and would like to enter for the re-arranged date, please contact Agnes as soon as possible to let her know. If you were not available last week but would now like to enter, please also contact Agnes. Please note that there will be no charge for those who had entered and paid originally and a £10 charge for those "new entrants".

Please contact either Tracy or Agnes for an entry form.

Please note that you do need to re-enter this competition. Your name will not automatically go forward to the 24th August unless Agnes hears from you.

Entries close on Friday 13th August.

English Open Stroke Play Championship

Good luck to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who heads south next week to play in the English Open Stroke Play Championship. This year this is being held at Whittington Heath Golf Club in Staffordshire from Tuesday 3rd - Thursday 5th August, with a field of 120 playing 18 holes on Tuesday and Wednesday and the top 36 and ties then playing a further two rounds on Thursday.

Inaugural Midlothian v East Lothian Junior Match

Midlothian and East Lothian Juniors

Today saw the playing of the inaugural East Lothian v Midlothian Junior Match at Haddington Golf Club. Five girls from each County took part in what turned out to be a fun but serious match. Out first, leading the field in a singles, was Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) who, giving 10 shots to her opponent, Lara Frostwick, just lost by a 2&1 margin. The first of the foursomes matches saw Glencorse duo Jessica Dalgetty and Heather Laing taking on Nandini Nagra and Charlotte Munro and giving 2 shots. Again after a hard fought battle the Midlothian girls went down by 3&1. Finally Emily Dalgetty (Glencorse) teamed up with Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park) to play Sarah Dunlop and Joanne Free and, again giving 2 shots, recorded the only point for Midlothian by taking their match 2&1. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, the weather stayed dry for more or less the whole round, the golf was of a great standard, the girls all enjoyed their matches and the soup and sandwiches afterwards went down well! Our thanks go to Lesley Nicholson and Mary Lou Renton who organised the course and lunch on our behalves and to Karen Marshall who rallied the Midlothian troops into playing.

Mackie Bowl

Congratulations to Rachael Watton who finished fourth in the Mackie Bowl played over Gullane No. 1 this weekend after a 2 round score of 1 over par 149. Also to Gabrielle Macdonald who finished fifth and won the best second round gross score with a 71.

Up and coming events

Good luck to all those playing in the following events:

St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open from 2nd-5th August over the Strathtyrum, Eden and Old Courses at St Andrews - Kate McIntosh, Hannah Scott (both Broomieknowe), Gillian Simpson and Kirsty Simpson (both Murrayfield).

Girls' British Open Amateur Championship being held from 9th-13th August at Royal Belfast Golf Club - Gabrielle Macdoanld (Craigielaw), Kate McIntosh, Gillian Simpson and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).

The Strathtyrtum Tournament from the 9th-13th August over the Eden and New Course at St Andrews - Margaret Alexander (Baberton), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), Sarah Ledingham (Murrayfield), Joan Marshall, Karen Marshall, Laura Reekie (all Baberton), Shona Simpson (Murrayfield), Adrienne Turner and Pamela Williamson (both Baberton).

European Senior Ladies' Team Championships

This year the European Senior Ladies' Team Championships are being held from the 1st-4th September at Sporting Club Berlin in Germany. The Scottish team, Captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton) includes Fiona de Vries (St Rule), with Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) as first reserve and Fiona Hunter (Baberton) as second reserve.

It seems a long way hence, but good luck when the Championships come!

Scottish U21s and Girls' Home Internationals

Well done to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who finished in 5th place at the Scottish U21 Girls' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship this week, being held at Dunfermline (Pitfirrane) Golf Club. She missed out on winning the Menzies Trophy for the lowest aggregate score by an under 18 by 1 shot to Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) but did return the best gross score in the second round, a 1 under par, 3 under the CSS 71.

At the prizegiving, the team to represent Scotland in the Girls' Home Internationals was announced. This is being played from the 4th-6th August at Bangor Golf Club and is Captained by Karen Marshall (Baberton). The Team of 8 players includes Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton. The girls will play Wales on day 1, England on day 2 and Ireland on day 3.

Good luck to you all.

Ladies Highland Open

Congratulations to Sal Shepherd (Craigmillar Park) who led the qualifiers into the match play stages of the Ladies' Highland Open at Pitlochry Golf Club, wininng the stroke play by 8 shots. Sal then had a scare in the first round of the match play stages where she met a 15-year old Pitlochry member. The match was all square on the 18th tee and her opponent just missed out on birdying the hole to take the tie. Extra holes were called for and Sal managed to scrape through on the 23rd. After an exceedingly tight first round, Sal won her matches in the next two rounds within the regulation 18 holes and was in to the final. However, her run of form came to an end as she lost 3&2.

Well done Sal and hard lines in the final.

Mackie Bowl

The Mackie Bowl is being held on Sunday over Gullane no. 1. Midlothian has a good number of members playing, namely Linda Bain (Lochend), Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe), Sarah Stichbury (Merchants) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall). Good luck to you all. I hope the weather remembers that it is summer and the wind does not blow

Mary McKenna Trophy

The Mary McKenna Trophy today fell out of Scotland's hands and into those of the Irish. After yesterday's fourballs, the teams were level both having won two of the games a-piece and so it was all to play for in the singles today. With 7 of the 8 matches going down the 18th, Ireland just sneaked the win by 4.5-3.5, giving an overall total of 6.5 to 5.5.

Hard lines to the Scottish team. It sounds like a great match.

MCLGA Not-so Summer Meeting!

Well I certainly didn't count on being home by this time of night and having to prepare my own dinner! I had it all planned - I'd eat at Baberton! But as we all know even the best laid plans go awry.

Who'd have believed that today was Midlothian's Summer Meeting? What dreadful weather we had. For those of you who braved the golf course, the above is a picture of Baberton in somewhat sunnier times! Only those who went out in the first 3 or 4 games got round dry, everyone else came in looking like a drowned rat. Some only held out for 4 holes, some braved all 18. But still there was the odd good score, but only from the early starters! A couple of net 69s led the way, one by Margaret Clark (Merchants) and the other by Morag Wardrop (Niddry Castle) and both were out around 10 am. Another early starter, Jane Neville (Murrayfield), scored a net 71, but the conditions really were miserable. As the day went on, more and more No Returns were being recorded, more and more golfers were walking in from all over the course and more and more greens were reported to be flooding. However, everyone bravely continued. The evening girls arrived and paid their dues. They took to the first tee. The Captain was taking phone calls telling players that the skies were looking brighter and then ......... the heavens opened once more. This time, it was not to be. The decision was made that the course was to be closed and for the first time in at least 4 years, the hooter was sounded to call an end to the day.

But don't fret, we will not be defeated! We will try again on Tuesday 24th August and Agnes or your Club Reps will be in touch shortly regarding play that day.

As for today, according to CONGU Part 4, Section 18.6 "if a Qualifying Competition is abandoned for any valid reason, the Competition Scratch Score shall be regarded as equal to the Standard Scratch Score and players returning Nett Differentials of less than zero shall have their Exact Handicaps reduced to the extent dictated by the Nett Differential. A Nett Differential of zero or above shall not result in a handicap increase." So basically, it counts as a reduction only competition but rather than the CSS going up, it stays at the course SS of 72. Therefore, only the three girls mentioned previously will have any change to their handicap.

On an even happier note, there were 4 x 2's by Jenny Taylor and Louise Wells at the 14th hole, Marge Gammie at the 17th hole and, after her drive left her 40 yards to the pin and she nipped a little gap wedge into the hole, Fiona de Vries at the 4th. Many congratulations to you all; each wins £14.75 which will be winging its way to you over the coming month or so.

Anne Brownie has asked that I thank you all for your kind support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The balls for guessing the number of tees in the bottle are divided between Barbara Lyle (Comiston Ladies) and Sheila Halliday (Kingsknowe) who each guessed within 7 of the exact number of 571. Nearest the pin at the 17th and the prize of pink champagne and champagne truffles goes to Elspeth Johnston (Broomieknowe) who hit her ball to 5 ft 6" from the pin.

We hope you all manage to dry out and hope you can all make the rearranged date of Tuesday 24th August, again at Baberton.

Vets Jamboree

The Scottish Veteran Ladies' Golfing Association has announced its team to play in the annual jamboree against the North, South and Midland Vets. This year, the team will be defending the Millar Stirling Trophy at Seascale Golf Club in Cumbria from 3rd-5th August. The team captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton) includes Fiona de Vries (St Rule) and Noreen Fenton (Dunbar).

Good luck to all those taking part.

Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy

This week sees the playing of the volcanic ask-hit Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy between the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association and the Irish Senior Ladies at Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin. Having been delayed due to travel problems in April, the team sets out again this week to take part on Wednesday and Thursday. A couple of changes to the team due to unavailability sees Fiona de Vries pulling out and Pamela Williamson becoming the player/Captain. Pamela is joined in the team by MCLGA member Noreen Fenton.

Good luck with both your travel arrangements and the defense of the Trophy!

Juniors at the Hermitage

Only two girls were at the Hermitage yesterday and enjoyed the support of the crowd on their way round the course! Both Emma Morrison, fresh from her appearance in her first ever SLGA event (the U14s), and Caitlin Turner impressed the followers with their fabulous golf. Even although Emma lost a ball in the very, very deep, thick rough at the 8th hole, having hit a lovely shot which just ran over the back of the green never to be seen again, she recorded a gross 9 over par 56 for the 12 holes. Caitlin, acknowledging claps from the dog walkers on her way round, was equally impressive with a 13-over par score of 60.

With 1 month to go in the running competition, July's score extends Emma's lead in the handicap section and moves Caitlin into first place in the non-handicap section, 3 points ahead of Kim Naysmith.

Midlothian does well at Scottish Girls

Kate and Lesley Atkin on the first tee being cheered on by the supporters!

What a week it has been at Eyemouth Golf Club in the Borders where the Scottish Girls (Close) Amateur Championship was being played. Although dry, the girls had huge winds to contend with and, when news of the Open being delayed at St Andrews due to the wind was relayed, the word "wimps" was heard around Eyemouth! The quarter finals saw 3 of the 4 Midlothian players still in contention, no. 1 seed Rachael Watton playing no. 25 seed Kate McIntosh and Gabrielle Macdonald, no.3 seed, playing the number 6 qualifer. The results saw Kate and Gabrielle progress to the semi-finals with 3&1 and 3&2 wins respectively. Having despatched with the top qualifier, Kate met no. 4 qualifier in the semi-final while Gabrielle had to take on no. 7 qualifier, who was totally lethal on the greens! Unfortunately, after battling away, Gabrielle had to bow out at the 17th where she lost 2&1. Kate, however, played magnificently and did not allow her opponent a look in as she marched to a 6&5 win. And so to the final in which Kate was taking on Lesley Atkin (Gullane), victor against Gabrielle. Kate started well with a magnificent putt at the first hole to score a birdie and take the lead. That was short lived as Lesley immedately won the next 2 holes to go 1 up and remained so until going 2 up on the 8th. Putt after long putt was again holed by Lesley as she stopped Kate getting back into the match. Kate started catching bunkers and before she knew it she was on the 14th hole and 4 down. The match was finally ended on the 14th as Lesley sank yet another long putt for a birdie and a 5&4 victory.

In the Ansley Reid Salver, Hannah Scott fought her way gallantly to the final. There she met on form, Fife County Team member, Rachel Hanlon, who won the match by 3&2.

An excellent display by all of the girls who all played exceptionally well. Pictured above are, from left to right, Winner of the Ansley Reid Salver, Rachel Hanlon, Winner of the 2010 Girls (Close) Amateur Champion, Lesley Atkin, Runner up, Kate McIntosh, beaten semi-finalist,Gabrielle Macdonald and beaten finalist in the Ansley Reid Salver, Hannah Scott.

Scottish Girls (Close) Amateur Championship

Congratulations to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who is the leading qualifier in the Scottish Girls (Close) Amateur Championship being played this week at Eyemouth Golf Club. After magnificent rounds of 73 and 71 to be 2 under par, Rachael takes first qualifying position by 11 shots. Also into the match play stages are Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) who finished in 3rd place, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) and Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield). The fourth member of Midlothian playing in the SLGA event, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe), qualified for the Ansley Reid Salver.

Good luck to all in your matches and I hope the weather improves for you!

Ladies' European Team Championships

Congratulations to the Scottish Ladies' Team, which included MCLGA member Jane Turner (Craigielaw), which won a bronze medal at the European Team Championships being held at La Manga Golf Club in Spain. The Scots qualified in 6th place in the Championship Flight after the 2 stroke play rounds, which set up a first round knock out tie against England. The girls won this by 4 matches to 3 and faced the no. 2 qualifiers, Spain, in the semi-finals. Unfortunately Spain got the better of the Scottish girls and came out on top by 4.5 to 2.5. This forced Scotland into a 3rd place play off against Germany who had qualified in 5th position just 1 stroke ahead of the Scots. After a great show in the morning, the girls headed into the afternoon with a 2-0 lead and it was Jane who brought home the vital point to win the tie and the bronze medal.

SLGA One Day Competitions

I have been asked to remind all MCLGA members about some one-day competitions which the SLGA is running over the next couple of months.

First up is the County Open Meeting at Duff House Royal Golf Club on Tuesday 17 August 2010.
The closing date for this is Monday 26th July. It is open to any lady who is a member of a Scottish Ladies' County Golf Association and both net and scratch prizes are available for both silver and bronze handicap categories. The venue for this year's event is Duff House Royal which is not only celebrating its centenary this year but is a flat, parkland course. However, it is not without its challenges which makes it an excellent day out for golfers of all abilities. Interested? Why not get together with some of your County chums and organise a day out to the event? You also have the option to enter with or without playing partners for this event.

Entries can be obtained from http://www.slga.co.uk/images/stories/entry_forms/com2010.pdf.

Next up is the Scottish Ladies' (Stroke Play) Foursomes at Douglas Park Golf Club on Sunday 29th August 2010
The closing date for this is Monday 2nd August. This event is an 18 hole stroke play foursomes event and is open to teams of two players who are both members of the same club or section affiliated to the SLGA. Please note that there is no need to be a member of a County Association to take part in this event. Each nominated player may play only for the club or section through which she is entered and must be an honorary or full member (including juniors) of that organisiation. Again both scratch and handicap prizes are to be won.

Entries can be found at http://www.slga.co.uk/images/stories/entry_forms/sfsp2010.pdf but please note that, for this event, entries should be made through your club secretary or captain, who will have been sent an entry form already, although may not realise it! Please note that the rules of this competition have been changed and clubs are now entitled to enter more than one team, if they so wish.

Scottish Golf Open Amateur Mixed Foursomes at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Sunday 12th September 2010
The closing date for entry is Monday 16th August. Haggs Castle is another club celebrating its centenary in 2010 so why not find yourself a partner and enter the Scottish Amateur Mixed Foursomes Championship? Again, it is an 18 hole stroke play foursomes competition open to teams of two players (one male and one female) who fulfill the entry criteria. There are both scratch and handicap prizes and teams do not necessarily need to members of the same club.

For more information and entry forms see http://www.slga.co.uk/images/stories/entry_forms/mixed2010.pdf.

And finally, the Adult and Girl Competition at Alloa Golf Club on Sunday 26th September 2010
The closing date for entry is Monday 6th September. This is open to any team consisting of a junior girl (under the age of 18 on the 1st January 2010) and either a male or female adult. The maximum handicap for adults is 28 for gents and 36 for ladies but girls do not have to have a CONGU handicap to enter.

for more information and entry forms see http://www.slga.co.uk/images/stories/entry_forms/adultgirls2010.pdf.

MCLGA Summer Meeting

The draw for the Summer Meeting, being played at Baberton Golf Club on Wednesday 21st July, has now been published on the website. To see the starting times, please click on "summer draw" on the left hand side of the page. Spaces are still available so if you would like a late entry please contact Agnes Leslie either by e-mail or by telephone on 0131 445 2411. You can also turn up on the day and will be put with the first group within your handicap category, should a space become available.

PLEASE remember to bring your handicap certificate with you on the day.

PLEASE also note that MCLGA does not allow the use of Distance Measuring Devices (DMDs) in ANY of its competitions and, as such, these devices are NOT permitted for use in the Summer Meeting, regardless of whether Baberton has a local rule permitting their use or not. Penalty for breach of this rule will be disqualification.

Please also note that there will be no raffle at the Summer Meeting. Instead, we will be holding a "nearest the pin" competition in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Midlothian "Girls" Triumph in East Vets Ladies Championship

Congratulations to Karen Ballantyne on winning the East Vets Ladies Championship at Haddington today. Karen beat Noreeen Fenton (Dunbar) at the 18th to take the title for the first time. In the semi-finals, Karen beat Ann Brownie (Lothianburn) and Noreen beat Moira Thomson (Gullane).

Well done Karen!

SLGA Junior events

The summer holidays are now in full swing and so is the SLGA golf calendar. With the European Ladies' and Girls' Team Championships currently underway, home soil sees the Scottish Girls' and Boys' U14s Championship being held at Auchterarder Golf Club today, next week brings the Scottish Girls' (Close) Amateur Championship at Eyemouth Golf Club (U18s) and, the week after, the Scottish Ladies' Junior Open Stroke Play Championship at Dunfermline (Pitfirrane) Golf Club (U21s). Good luck to all those taking part - Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park) in the U14s, Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Kate McIntosh, Hannah Scott (both Bromieknowe), Gillian Simpson, Kirsty Simpson (both Murrayfield) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) in the U18s and, together with Jane Turner (Craigielaw), in the U21s.

Disappointment for Midlothian Girls

Unfortunately Kate McIntosh and Gillian Simpson both lost out at the semi-final stage of the East of Scotland Girls Championship at Haddington today after very close matches. Gillian lost to Alison Goodwin (Stirling and Clackmannan) 2&1 and Kate lost to Rachel Hanlon (Fife) on the 18th. However both proved to be excellent caddies in the final which was won by Rachael 2&1. Congratulations to Rachel on retaining the trophy.

The spectators were entertained by great golf, low flying aircraft and a very stange noise coming from the direction of Kate who claimed it was Rachel's trolly - but we're not sure!

ESGGA Summer Meeting 2010

Congratulations to Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park) who won the overall handicap prize at today's East of Scotland Girls Golfing Association Summer Meeting at Haddington Golf Club, in her first ESGGA competition. Emma scored a net 70 (CSS 73) in difficult windy conditions.

Also congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Gillian Simpson (Murrayfield) and Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) who qualified for the East Girls Championship Matchplay, Gabrielle finishing in 2nd place with a 79, on the better last 3 holes.

In the first round of the Championship Matchplay, Gillian had a great comeback from 2 down to take the match against the top qualifier by 1 hole. At the opposite end of the draw, no. 2 qualifier Gabrielle met Kate in a tussle of the County Team newbies! Kate, on this occasion, had the upper hand and won the match by 4&3. In the semi-finals, Gillian will meet Alison Goodwin (Stirling and Clackmannan) while Kate will play Rachel Hanlon (Fife).

EoS Championship 2010

Entry forms are now available for the 2010 East of Scotland Championship. This is open to all County Members within the East Division (i.e. Midlothian, East Lothian, Fife and Stirling and Clackmannan) and is being held this year at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club on Sunday 3rd October. Tee times are available from 10 am. The number of entries is restricted to 50 and application closes on the 3rd September. The cost is £10 and there are both scratch and handicap prizes. Entry forms are now available and can be requested from Agnes.

[A flyer for the event can be found here and you can download an entry form by clicking here  GGK]

There was a great entry for this competition last year. Why not come along again this year and support it?

ESGGA Summer Meeting

Good luck to all of the girls who are taking part in the East of Scotland Girls Golfing Association Summer Meeting and Championship this week. The 24 girls will play in the Summer Meeting at Haddington Golf Club tomorrow with the top 8 scratch scores going forward to the match-play Championship which will be held tomorrow afternoon and on Wednesday. Good luck to Gabrielle Macdonald, Gillian Simpson, Kate McIntosh, Hannah Scott, Katherine Fisher and, playing in her first ESGGA competition, Emma Morrison.

A note from the Captain.....

At last a few spare moments to put finger to key board to record my thoughts on last week. Once again the Midlothian County Team was superb. The support the girls offered to one another, the concentration they gave to each and every match, the commitment they showed to myself, Mary and, selector, Linda, and their excellent golf were second to none. It was an honour and a privilege to be involved with them yet again. I would love nothing better than to take the credit for winning the East Division Inter-County Matches but I must pass that back to the fantastic team we had.

Monday morning saw them take on Fife. It was a nightmare trying to work out who to play, who to rest, what pairings to go for and what order to play them in but with that finally decided, the chosen players were all well and truly up for their matches and eager to get going. We reached lunchtime 2-1 up but at the expense of one of our players. Claire MacDonald had suffered an injury during the morning round and could not play in the afternoon. After a visit to the physio, it was clear that she would have to pull out of playing in any other match. Rather than working against us, this ralied the girls together even more. Never a moan nor a groan was heard and the girls were even more determined to play well and win. We knew we couldn't ease up in the afternoon and would need everyone to play at their best. The 6 girls were sent out in the knowledge that they needed 3 points to record their first win. Junior Rookie, Gabrielle Macdonald, had an exceedingly tough introduction to County golf and played ex-Scotland International, Elaine Moffat. She had a fabulous game, taking Elaine to the 17th before losing 2&1. But it was celebrations all around when we drew the singles and, therefore, won the tie by 1 game point.

Monday night and we decided on the pairings for Tuesday's game against Stirling and Clackmannan; we'd play both rookies, Gabrielle and Kate McIntosh, together at no. 2. With Claire unable to play, we'd play Louise Fraser with Rachael Watton and we'd stick with Karen Marshall and Wendy Nicholson but move them to no. 3. Gabrielle and Kate had another tough game. They again played very well but went down 5&3. The other 2 pairings won and, once again, we took the lunchtime lead. The afternon brought the same 6 girls as we had played on Monday but in a slightly different order. The matches were tight. The nerves were jangling. The team was toying with us. But, eventually, they came through and won 4 games and halved one, to win overall.

And so to the final day. We were the only unbeaten team but were to play East Lothian who had lost both of their first two matches. They would be determined to win. We had to keep the Midlothian girls motivated. Again, we changed our middle pairing and opted for Kirsten Blackwood and Gabrielle. The idea was to be leading by 3-0 at lunchtime and give Kate her first taste of County singles in the afternoon. The team was warned not to be complacent and again, they went out all guns blazing. It was great to see as they brought in the lunchtime score we had been looking for. We only needed 2 points in the afternoon to be certain of victory and a place in the County finals. The team was hyper as we saw the 6 girls off the first tee. Wendy had offered to sit out the singles and, instead, took on caddying duties for Kate and, boy, did that work a treat! She was 3 up on the 6th tee, 4 up after 8, 5 up on the 10th, 6 up on the 12th and, after a birdie at the 13th, brought home the first of the afternoon points 6&5. That victory was followed very quickly by Kirsten winning 5&4. The match was ours, we were on our way to County Finals but no sooner had that sunk in than Louise recorded a 5&4 victory and Gabrielle a 2&1 victory. All that remained was the 2 team members, unbeaten all week having played in all of the matches. They were both looking for a 6 out of 6 final total. First was Rachael, up against Emma Fairnie. It had been a exceedingly tight game with never more than 1 hole in it. They reached the 18th all square. Both girls hit great drives and approaches to the green. Emma putted first and just missed the hole. Rachael was left with a 20 footer for a birdie 3 and the match. The ball was struck but stopped, agonisingly, dead on line but an inch short of the hole. The game was halved. Karen was then the only Mildothian player left on the course, playing youngster Clara Young. Another tight battle brought the two girls to the 18th all square. Again, two great drives and approach shots and the girls were on the green. Clara putted first and left her ball 5 ft short. Karen's putt just missed the cup and no more but gave her the 4. Clara stepped up to her 5 ffoter and calmly, with nerves of steel, knocked it in for a 4 anda halved game. Despite their disppointment at only making it 5.5 rather than 6 points out of 6, the girls joined in the celebrations.

It really was the most excellent display of golf. Our thanks go to the girls for playing with such passion. My thanks also go to Mary, Linda, Margaret and Agnes for all their support. The team and all of our thanks go to the small, merry band of supporters who ventured out to cheer on Midlothian. There were two disappointments during the whole 3 days. The first was Claire's injury, which could not be helped, but the second was that not more members came out to watch and offer their support to the girls. We had thought and hoped that Royal Musselburgh was near enough to home soil to entice a few more spectators but this did not prove to be the case. Never the less, YOUR team have made it to County Finals and will be there in September. We can't believe that many of you will venture to Bothwell Castle between the 17th and 19th September, when Royal Musselburgh did not attract you, but wouldn't it be nice to be proved wrong!

Janice Moodie Trophy

Congratulations to Gabrielle Macdonald who returned from the Inter-County matches and finished 3rd in the Janice Moodie Trophy girls' tournament being held at Windyhill Golf Club yesterday. Gabrielle scored a 75 to the winning 72, was, net, 1 below the CSS and won the age 15-17 category.

Well done Gabrielle.

Scottish Seniors Match Play

Four of the 13 Midlothian players who ventured to Fortrose and Rosmarkie Golf Club qualified for the Scottish Senior Women's Amateur Match Play Championship, namely Fiona Hunter (Baberton) who played Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) in the first round, Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and Fiona de Vries (St Rule). Fiona Hunter and Pamela were stopped in the quarter finals but Fiona de Vries kept going, winning her first match 2&1 and her quarter final match 2&1, before being taken to the 20th hole in the semi finals by East Lothian's Moira Thomson. That set up a place in the final against winner of the Scottish Senior Women's Stroke Play title, Heather Anderson. Fiona was not to be put off by Heather's great play earlier in the week and won the match on the 18th green by 1 hole.

Many congratulations to Fiona.

Kate reaches a new high!

Still on a high after Midlothian's win in the Inter-County matches, Kate McIntosh reached a new high yesterday in the Morrison Millar. Playing for Broomieknowe and partnering her mother, Caroline, Kate stood up on the 11th tee at the Merchants Golf Club with a 6 iron in her hand and launched into her tee shot. With it being a blind hole, neither mother, daughter nor their playing partners saw the ball come to rest. On walking up the hill to the green they became aware of a commotion from the teams in front and immediately thought that one of the tee shots had been hit into them. As they got closer they could hear the shouts - "the ball is in the hole", "it's a hole in one". At this point none of the group knew whose ball was in the hole but then they were told it was the first ball struck from the tee. Immediately Kate's hands were in the air, there were crushing bear hugs and "high-fives" all round. She had lived one of her many golfing dreams - her first ever hole in one! A fabulous end to a terrific week!

Kate and Caroline maintained their concentration and walked away with the Dormie Salver for the best scratch score over the 36 holes (158). The Liberton A team of Fiona Hume, Pat Stables, Jill McLean and Anne White were the best of the 32 teams and won with a net 276. Murrayfield A (Finngerd Clark, Celia Nixon, Margaret Ferguson and Rosie Denis) were second on net 280. Out with the team prizes, the best net score over the 36 holes went to the Baberton pairing of Kate Johnston and Fiona McLaren with 139.

Many congratulations to all of the prize winners and especially to Kate!