British Universties Women's Stroke Play

Many congratulations to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) who successfully defended the British Universities and Colleges Women's Stroke-Play Championship being held, this week, at Dundonald Links. Having won the title 12 months ago in Nottinghamshire, Jane left it until the 71st hole, this year, to take the lead and finished on 4 under par. One behind the leader after the first round, she drew level after two, scoring 2 under the CSS. However, in round 3 she dropped to 2 off the lead but came back strongly in the final round with another 2 under the CSS to pick up first place by 1 shot.

Jane's attention stays in Ayrshire as she tees up at the end of next week on Troon Portland and Troon Old courses in the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke-Play Championship. She is joined in that by Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall). Good luck to the girls for that event.

Team Events

While the juniors will be doing battle at Ratho Park on Sunday for the Cuthbertson Cup (which I am sure you are all going to be at to cheer them on - you have all had plenty of warning!) the Scottish Vets will be taking on an Irish Senior Select team at Portmarnock Links for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy.

Good luck to all involved, especially Pamela Williamson (Captain), Fiona de Vries, Noreen Fenton and Fiona Hunter (reserve) in the Vets team and Gabrielle Macdonald, Kate McIntosh, Hannah Scott (reserve), Gillian Simpson and Rachael Watton in the Midlothian Cuthbertson Cup side.

East Vets Spring Meeting

A belated congratulations to Pamela Williamson (Baberton) and Mairi Pollock (Craigmillar Park) who won 1st scratch and 1st handicap at the East Vets Spring Meeting last week, respectively. Held on Gullane no.3, Pamela scored a gross 74 while Mairi recorded a very tidy 4 under CSS 67. Midlothian members also finished in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places with Elsa Todd (Prestonfield) scoring a net 68, Barbara Halliday (Murrayfield) a net 71 and Anne Brownie (Lothianburn) a net 72. Midlothian also featured in the Bronze section which was won by Katy Gillies (Melville) with a net 74.

MCLGA 2010 Championship Qualifier

The draw for the 36 hole Championship qualifier, being held at Prestonfield Golf Club on Monday 26th April, has now been published and can be viewed by clicking on "C'ship Q'ing Draw" on the left hand side of this page.

Please remember to bring handicap certificates on the day.

Please also note that the top 16 gross scores will qualify for the match play stages being held at Prestonfield on Friday 30th April and Sunday 2nd May.

Finally, please remember 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 at any stage of the Championship, regardless of whether Prestonfield Golf Club has a local rule permitting their use or not. Penalty from breach of this rule will be disqualification.

MCLGA Junior Singles Hole and Hole

This year four girls have entered the Summer Junior Hole and Hole competition. To make it more of an event, it has been decided to make it a round robin rather than a straight forward knockout. Each of the girls will play each of the others either home or away and will gain 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. The ties will be as follows and will be played off full handicap difference. The first named individual will be the challenger and will play on their home course.

To be played by the 16th May:
Emma Morrison v Jane Finlay
Katherine Fisher v Rachel Steedman

To be played by the 11th July:
Jane Finlay v Katherine Fisher
Rachel Steedman v Emma Morrison

To be played by the 5th September:
Emma Morrison v Katherine Fisher
Jane Finlay v Rachel Steedman

Good luck to you all.

ESGGA Spring Meeting

Congratulations to Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who today won first scratch at the East of Scotland Girls' Golfing Association Spring Meeting with a fabulous 3 under par score of 69. Being held at Pitreavie Golf Club, Dunfermline in fantastic sunny conditions, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) brought home a second prize for Midlothian with the best U18 net score, a net 68. Obviously the girls practice match at Turnhouse yesterday did them them both the world of good!

Midlothian take on Lanarkshire

The Midlothian squads were once again on winning form as they took on Lanarkshire in the second warm up match of the year. Playing at Turnhouse today in glorious conditions, the girls recorded a 3-1 win and the juniors a 1-5-0.5 win. Unfortunately the leading pair of Rachael Watton and Claire MacDonald came unstuck against Pamela Pretswell and Susan Wood but Kirsten Blackwood playing with Gabrielle Macdonald, Wendy Nicholson with Kate McIntosh, and Claire Hargan playing with Arlene McGarty, all recorded wins. Midlothian were one short in the junior match due to illness but Katherine Fisher put up a fantastic fight on her own, winning her match by a mighty 7&6. Hannah Scott (who played extremely well in the Scottish U16s last week, reducing her handicap to 8) and Jane Finlay had a fabulous game which ended all square.

Our thanks go to Turnhouse Golf Club for allowing us courtesy of the course for the match and to the caterers for providing a well needed bowl of soup and sandwiches, to Helen Ross, Lady Captain at Turnhouse, for turning out to welcome us and see us off, and to Margaret Rodgers for her help in organising the course. A great day was had by all!

Results:

Rachael Watton & Claire MacDonald lost to Pamela Pretswell & Susan Wood 2&1

Kirsten Blackwood & Gabrielle Macdonald beat Elaine Cuthill & Joanna Scott 4&2

Wendy Nicholson & Kate McIntosh beat Ruth Rankin & Fiona Scott 2&1

Claire Hargan & Arlene McGarty beat Angela Devine & Gillian Scanlan 5&3

Hannah Scott & Jane Finlay halved with Emma Cadow & Alison Reid

Katherine Fisher beat Eva O'Connor & Nicole Muir 7&6