CURTIS CUP COUNTDOWN CONTINUES : ONLY A WEEK TO GO

Next Thursday June 7th will mark the Opening ceremony of the 2012 Curtis Cup in Nairn. The practice rounds will all be over and the teams ready for competitive action over the 3 days of 8th to 10th June.

The GB & I Team comprises:
AMY BOULDEN (Conwy GC). Age 18.
HOLLY CLYBURN (Woodhall Spa GC). Age 20.
CHARLEY HULL (Woburn GC). Age 15.
BRONTE LAW (Bramhall GC). Age 16.
LEONA MAGUIRE (Slieve Russell GC). Age 17.
PAMELA PRETSWELL (Bothwell Castle). Age 22.
KELLY TIDY (Royal Birkdale GC). Age 19.
STEPHANIE MEADOW (Royal Portrush GC). Age 20.

If you’re already planning to be in Nairn to support our team, have a great trip and be sure to give them lots of vocal support. If you’ve not yet made plans to be there, why not come on up to Nairn for a day or two and see whether Tegwen’s Troops (named for the GB&I Team Captain) can add the Curtis Cup to the trophies held this side of the Atlantic (Solheim, Ryder and Walker Cups)?

For further information here’s a link to Nairn GC’s website with the build up to the event http://www.nairngolfclub.co.uk/curtiscup.php From Anne Brownie, Midlothian’s Curtis Cup Ambassador

Team for East Division County matches

The team for the East Division  inter-county team championship at Turnhouse Golf Club from June 18-20 is:

Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe)
Claire Hargan (Cardross)
Karen Marshall (Baberton)
Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe)
Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe)
Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe)
Jane Turner (Craigielaw)
Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

1st reserve: Linda Caine (Dunbar)
2nd reserve: Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse)

Midlothian are the current holders of both the East and Scottish titles. East Lothian, Fife and Stirling & Clackmannanshire are the other teams in the division. The divisional champions go forward to the Scottish women's county finals at Montrose from September 21 to 23.

Support for the team at Turnhouse would be appreciated!  Morning foursomes matches start at 9am on each of the three days and afternoon singles at 1.45pm.

Stephen Gallacher Foundation

Two years in the planning, the Stephen Gallacher Foundation will provide opportunities for juniors of any age to start playing golf, compete and improve their capabilities to the highest level. The aims of the organisation are:

• To encourage and develop junior golfers in the Lothian’s and Borders rolling out later throughout Central Scotland 
• To help them be better people by teaching them the disciplines, control and honesty required, while still enjoying the game. Promoting a healthy lifestyle 

Its aimed at  juniors just starting the game through to helping those who hope to make a profession out of the game. The Foundation will provide support to golf clubs with both time and equipment.   They will co-ordinate with the clubs and run competitions at club level within all the age groups and create a platform in way of a “Race to Dunbar”

The long term aim of the foundation is to get more juniors playing and enjoying golf and ensure they all achieve “The Best They Can Be”

Click HERE to download more information and competition dates

Jane on top form!

Congratulations to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) on winning the Montrose 36-hole women's open tournament for the Munross Trophy yesterday. Jane had rounds of 71 and 70 for an aggregate of five-under-par 141. She won by three shots from Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) (72-72) with Laura Murray in third place on 145 (74-71).

Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) was 4th (78 70 - better second round)

Well done girls!

Ethel's funeral arrangements

Ethel's funeral service will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium Main Chapel, on Friday, June 1, at 11 am, to which all family and friends are invited. No flowers, please. Bright colours may be worn.

Ethel (1939-2012)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ethel Jack:  Honarary Member, Past Captain and President of Midlothian County, a dear friend to so many, and a character that no one will ever forget.  Ethel's sense of humour, fun and wit was renown and Scottish and Midlothian golf will be a sadder place without her.

Ethel was President of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association from 2007-2010, Chairman from 1979 to 1981, and was one of a small group of individuals whose contributions to ladies golf are recognised by the appointment as Vice President of the Association.

She was a member of Prestonfield Golf Club and a member of Gullane Ladies’ Golf Club since 1957.  Ethel represented Scotland as a player at girls, women’s and veteran’s level.

She was a past captain of Gullane Ladies, Midlothian County Ladies (1971-72) and the Scottish Veterans among others, and has been President of Midlothian County (1993-95) and the Scottish Veterans (1995).

Ethel served as a handicap adviser and as Scotland’s representative on the Ladies Golf Union’s Standard Scratch Score Committee for many years.

Ethel led her county and played representative county golf for many years.  She was county champion on five occasions between 1959 and 1990.  She also was a great supporter of the county and junior girls golf.

She had a fantastic sense of humour and fun.  Many were the anecdotes and stories she could tell about her days playing county and international golf.  For example cycling to county matches, and persuading a well-known retailer to provide uniform for the Scottish Team first sent to play in the European Ladies Team Tournament. 

Ethel had been suffering from lung cancer since last summer, and despite treatment, she finally succumbed at the Eddington Hospital, North Berwick, this afternoon. The end was quick and peaceful, just as we all wanted it to be. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Philip,  and leaves behind her sister Doris, her nieces Catriona and Suzie, and nephew Graham.

We will all miss you Ethel.

Juniors at Swanston

Our monthly 9 hole junior competition was held at Swanston yesterday in sunny conditions - the first for a very long time! The results were as follows:  
Handicap
1st Emma Watson 41 (17) 24
2nd Lisa MacPherson 49 (21) 28
3rd Emma Morrison 40 (8) 32  

Non-handicap
1st Samantha MacGregor 43
2nd Emily Rigg 45
3rd Lucy Morrison 47

Midlothian Success at Tain

What a fantastic performance by our Midlothian players at the Scottish Amateur Ladies Championship at Tain this week. All of our players qualified for the match-play stages: Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Karen Marshall (Baberton), Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), Claire Hargan (Cardross) and Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe),all qualified for the main championship and Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse), Linda Bain (Lochend) and Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe), qualified for the Clark Rosebowl. Jane was top qualifier with two rounds on 75 in atrocious conditions, winning the Margaret Scouler-Buchanan Cup for the best gross aggregate. Jane also won the Beddows Memorial Trophy for the lowest gross score in Round 1 and the St Andrews Quaich for the lowest net score in the same round, with Louise second. Wendy had the second lowest net score in Round 2.





Our team of Jane, Karen and Claire won the McNeill Trophy for the best County team aggregate score.

 

 Hannah went on to win the Clark Rosebowl subsidiary match-play competition, beating Heather Munro (Monifieth) by one hole in the final. Munro was two up after 10 holes but Hannah turned it around by winning the 11th, 13th, 14th (with a birdie) and the 18th.

Jane made it all the way to the Championship final beating Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 5 and 4 in the quarter final and Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) 7 and 6 in the semi-final to reach the final against Laura Murray (Alford). It was a fantastic final,with both Jane and Laura playing great golf. It went all the way to the 18th where Laura pulled out a magnificent approach shot to within a foot of the hole for a "gimme" birdie 3. Well done Jane - a fantastic week and brilliant performance!!

Well done Hannah!

Sorry for the silence - Web access limited. However worth the wait to report that Hannah Scott got through to the final and beat Heather Munro to win the Clarke Rosebowl at the Scottish in Tain. This is the matchplay championship for the best 16 qualifiers not in the main Championship.

Can we do the double?? Jane Turner has reached tomorrow's final, beating Susan Wood 5 and 4 in the quarter final this morning and Eilidh Watson 7 and 6 in the semi final this morning.  She plays 2nd qualifier Laura Murray starting at 9 am. Good luck Jane!!

And.......

And we won the McNeill Trophy for the best Country team!! Well done Jane, Karen and Claire!!

Well done Jane!!

Quick report on the move..... Jane certainly went for it on the back 9 today, with 4 birdies and 5 pars to be top qualifier at the Scottish! Karen Marshall, Wendy Nicholson, Louise Fraser, Claire Hargan  and Kate McIntosh also qualified and they have all managed to avoid each other in the first round!  Kirsten Blackwood, Linda Bain and Hannah Scott qualified for the Clark Rosebowl. Come on Midlothian ladies!!!

Go Jane go!!

Well done Jane Turner - leader after the first round of the stroke-play qualifying at the 98th Scottish Women's (close) Amateur Championship in Tain today. Jane shot a 2 over par 75 today in wild, cold, wet and windy conditions to be 2 shots clear of Kelsey MacDonald. Louise Fraser also had a fantastic round of 80 to be lying in 6th place, with Claire Hargan, Wendy Nicholson, Karen Marshall and Kate McIntosh just a few shots further back, all above the projected cut off point for match-play qualifying. Come on girls - stick in there!!

Linda does it again!

In the 2010 championship at Prestonfield, Linda Caine (Dunbar) won her first County title at the ripe old age of xx?? Her only one previous appearance in the final had been 19 years previously. Well would you believe it? - not only did the sun shine today but Linda did it again!!

In this morning's semi finals, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) had a great battle with defending champion Karen Marshall (Baberton), Jane eventually winning 1 up.  In the other semi, Linda beat Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 3 and 2.

The final was a very close affair - Linda had great start, winning the 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th to go 3 up. They both played pretty much par golf but Jane eventually got it back to all square at the 12^th with a birdie.  13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were halved.  Jane was striking the ball well, but the putter wasn’t quite working for her today, and Linda, despite being 30-40 yards shorter off the tee,  played really steady golf, and chipped and putted well.  At 18,  Jane looked like she was blocked out after she hit her tee shot slightly left, but played a great shot onto the green.  Linda missed the green with her second shot  leaving herself a testing chip and two putted for a 5. It looked liked the title was going to be Jane’s but she three putted and off they headed for extra holes

The 19^th was halved in 4.  On the 20^th Linda hit her drive up the middle and Jane’s ball landed at the root of a tree.  She played a miraculous left handed shot just short of the green, chipped on and then sank a long putt to match Linda’s regulation par. At the 21^st hole both were on the green in regulation but once again, Jane’s putter let her down and Linda recorded yet another regulation par to claim the title.  Well done Linda - a well deserved win.

In the 'B' Championship final Pam Stevenson (Glencorse) had a very close match with last years runner up Carole Mason (Dalmahoy), with Pam eventually winning on the first extra hole.
 

MCLGA Championship - Day 1

What a day!! Last night we didn't think we would be playing any golf today after the constant rain of yesterday, but all credit to the greens staff at Broomieknowe who got the course playable for us this morning.  It was cold and wet all day and hot baths are on the agenda all round tonight.  But there was also some great golf on display.

Results

Championship round 1

Jane Turner (Craigielaw) beat Caroline Steedman (Murrayfield) 5&4

Claire Hargan (Cardross) beat Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 3&1

Kate Mcintosh (Broomieknowe) beat Linda Bain (Lochend) 2 up

Karen Marshall (Baberton) beat Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 3&2

Linda Caine (Dunbar) beat Jessica Dalgetty (Glencorse) 4&3

Emily Dalgetty (Glencorse) beat Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse) 7&6

Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) beat Rachael Livingstone (Craigmillar Park) 5&4

Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) beat Sarah Stichbury (Merchants) 2&1

Quarter-finals

Turner beat Hargan 5&4

Marshall beat McIntosh at 19^th

Caine beat E Dalgetty 4&2

Nicholson beat Scott 3&1

Semi-finals (Saturday)

09.00 Turner v Marshall

09.07  Caine v Nicholson

‘B’ Championship Round 1

Julie Baird (Glencorse) beat Phyl Early (Glencorse) 6&5

Pam Stephenson (Glencorse) beat Lynda Taylor (Dalmahoy) 3&2

Denise Turnbull (Kingsknowe) beat Sue Cowie (Comiston Ladies ) W/O

Carole Mason (Dalmahoy) beat Sandra Craig (Prestonfield) 6&4

Semi-finals

Stephenson beat Baird 2&1

Mason beat Turnbull 4&3

Final (Saturday) 

09.15  Stephenson v Mason

Championship Qualifying

Championship Qualifying took place over 2 rounds at Broomieknowe Golf Club today.  Jane Turner (Craigielaw) was leading qualifier with 146 (73 73) and wins the Robertson Salver for the best scratch score. CSS 73 for both rounds. The 16 qualifiers for the match play stages on Friday and Saturday are:

146 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 73 73
147 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 74 73
148 Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse) 72 76
154 Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 76 78
154 Karen Marshall (Baberton) 75 79
155 Linda Caine (Dunbar) 79 76
159 Rachael Livingstone (Craigmillar Park) 81 78
161 Claire Hargan (Cardross) 84 77
161 Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 84 77
161 Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 80 81
162 Jessica Dalgetty (Glencorse) 81 81
163 Karen Ballantyne (Craigmillar Park) 84 79
168 Linda Bain (Lochend) 85 83
169 Emily Dalgetty (Glencorse) 83 86
170 Sarah Stichbury (Merchants) 83 87
171 Caroline Steedman (Murrayfield) 87 84

 The first rounds of the Championship and 'B' Championship take place on Friday 11 May starting at 9.00 am with the next rounds starting at 13.30. The semi-finals and finals are on Saturday 12 May starting at 9 am and 1.30 pm at Broomieknowe. Draws are available on the left hand side of this page.

Midsummer Foursomes

87 couples took part in the Midsummer Foursomes at Liberton Golf Club today. Why is it called the Midsummer Foursomes when it is held in Spring?  The Captain is not sure, but this year we held it in winter!  it was a pretty cold day, but I guess we were lucky in that it only rained near the end. But everyone seemed to have an enjoyable day. The results were:

Scratch - Ruth Brown (Lothianburn) & Anne Brownie (Gullane)
1st Handicap - Janet Collin & Jill McLean (Liberton)
2nd Handicap - Jean Ingles (Murrayfield) & Iris O'Neill (Ratho Park)
3rd Handicap - Evelyn Hogg & Susan Walker (Liberton)


There were 11 twos and balls will be distributed via the reps.


We raised £218 in the raffle for junior golf  - thanks everyone!

Many thanks to Hilary, Sheila and Janet for all their hard work and to Anne Hume from Liberton Golf Club.  Thanks to Liberton for hosting the event.

Craigmillar Park win Inter-club

Congratulations to the Craigmillar Park Ladies team of Karen Ballantyne, Marion Quigley, Sal Shepherd and Frances McFadzean who won the Edinburgh Inter-Club at Ratho Park yesterday. They beat Liberton in the first round, Dalmahoy in the 2nd and Broomieknowe in the semi-final, to reach the final against Glencorse who had beaten holders Kingsknowe in the other semi. It was a hard fought final played in great spirit. In the first match Karen Ballantyne and Marion Quigley needed all their experience to keep Kirsten Blackwood and youngster Emily Dalgetty in check, leaving Sal Shepherd and Frances mcFadzean to battle it out with sister Jessica Dalgetty and Caroline (Mum) Kinnaird behind. The match went to the 18th with Sal, who had been hiting the greens all day, playing another well struck iron into the heart of the green to seal the title for Craigmillar Park.