Ladies Interclub 2017 - Semi Finals

Broomieknowe v Glencorse and  Turnhouse v Murrayfield.

The first game was definitely an all youth affair with Hannah Scott & Kate McIntosh taking on Jessica and Emily Dalgetty and no player over 23.  Broomieknowe took an early lead and maintained it through the 16th although Glencorse were constantly
challenging.  At the 15th, the lead was reduced to one then a fantastic eagle, after Jess drove the green at the 16th, brought the score level.  However Kate & Hannah withstood the pressure and went 2 up on the 18th when Hannah drove the green.  The second match was no less exciting or skilful - Kirsten Blackwood puposefully striding up the fairways, determined to match Hannah Darling's long hitting with her accurate short game.  Hannah treated the spectators to two magnificent shots at the 6th & 7th, clearing trees nonchantly.  The games moved to the 16th with Broomie two up with three to play but Glencorse were not for lying down and so it went into the 18th all square Hannah rose to the occasion, driving the green whilst Glecorse's second shot found the greenside bunker.  A wayward flier out of the bunker sealed the match in the home club's favour.
The second match seemed to follow a similar path to Murrayfield's game against  Liberton last night.  The first team ended their match three down against a very good pairing of Jen Dick and Susan Rennie then had to wait to see how many their second were up after the 16th.  Caroline Johnston and Fiona  Ford had played well to command a six hole lead and so Murrayfield ended the  match 3 up with 2 to play.

Final: Broomieknowe v Murrayfiel

Ladies Inter Club 2017 - Quarterfinals

The sun was shining, the cold wind was blowing as the Inter Club moved to the quarter final stages and teams were hoping to claim a place on tomorrow's stage.  The winners from Wednesday and Thursday evenings matches met in the top and bottom halves of tonight's draw i.e. Broomieknowe v Mortonhall, Baberton v Glencorse, Kingsknowe v Turnhouse and Murrayfield v Liberton.

Broomieknowe's young team led from the off  looking extremely comfortable on their own patch.  Hannah Darling treated the onlookers to  a tremendous drive at the dogleg 6th that cleared the trees and the fairway.  Throughout both teams jelled well with Kate and Hannah shaking hands on the 17th being 6 up.   Baberton and Glencorse could not have been closer with their first couples through the 18th all square and Glencorse 1up coming up the last.  Baberton narrowly missed their putt so halving the hole and sending Glencorse through 1 up.

The scoring in bottom half was a mirror image of the top half.  Turnhouse turned in a strong performance against Kingsknowe to win very convincingly at the 15th whilst Liberton and Murrayfield fought to the final putt.  Murrayfield's first couple finished four down then watched as their team mates came up the 18th four up.  Again it came down to the final putt - sinking it would level the score and the match would go up the 1st.   Mandy Bell had the agony of watching her putt do a 360 round the hole before popping back out.

Four teams play tomorrow starting at 10.00

1000 & 1010             Broomieknowe    v     Glencorse
1020  & 1030            Turnhouse           v      Murrayfield

1430 & 1440              Final

Midsummer Foursomes Draw - Liberton Golf Club 15th May

Ladies, the draw for the Midsummer Foursomes to be held at Liberton Golf Club on 15th May is now on the left hand side.  This event is well attended with a few spaces left in the afternoon.  If anyone is looking for a late entry please contact me ASAP.

This is also a qualifiying event with approximately 8 couples qualifying for the Scottish Finals to be held at Alyth Golf Club on Monday 11th September.

As normal we will be running a raffle in aid of the juniors.  Any prizes will be greatly received.  Looking forward to seeing you at Liberton on 15th May. 

Please note I will be moving house this weekend and the week ahead.   If anyone needs to speak with me best to contact me on my mobile 0790 319 1009.

Ladies InterClub 2017 - Round 2

On a sunny but cold and windy evening the second round of this complex, fascinating team competition got underway.  Kingsknowe teed off first against Royal Musselburgh and led from the start, qualifying for the next round at the 13th and 14th.  Turnhouse were next to qualify against Prestonfield and will meet Kingsknowe tomorrow night.   After a close tussle, Murrayfield beat Dalmahoy on the 17th and 18th.

Friday's matches

Broomieknowe   v       Mortonhall
Baberton             v       Glencorse
Kingsknowe       v       Turnhouse
Murrayfield        v       Liberton   

Ladies Inter Club 2017

This year's Inter Club is being hosted at Broomieknowe GC in Bonnyrigg and got started in sunny, blue skies last night.  On paper many people would consider the opener to be the hardest tie - Broomieknowe v Craigmillar Park and it was fairly close for the first 12 holes with the lead changing hands a few times.   Supporters were treated to some fine examples of driving, with Morag MacPherson reaching round the corner and halfway down the hill at the dogleg 7th and Hannah Darling reaching the green at the 16th.   Reportedly, the greens were slow but hopefully by Friday when all competitors have become more accustomed we can expect  a display of putting prowess.  Broomieknowe emerged as the winners at the 17th.
Mortonhall overcame Merchants to meet Broomieknowe is the first quarter final on Friday in what should be another good game as the visitors were last seasons 5 a side winners.  Musselburgh were swept away at the 11th and 12th by a very efficient Baberton team of Karen Marshall, Fiona DeVries, Wendy Nicholson & Mandy Dougal.  The Dalgetty sisters,  Jessica & Emily with Kirsten Blackwood & Caroline Kinnaird beat Ratho Park on the 15th & 16th to secure the fourth spot on Friday evening.

Tonight is round 2, staring at 4.00 pm.  Come and see some great golf.

Kingsknowe v Royal Musselburgh
Turnhouse  v Prestonfield
Dalmahoy v Murrayfield
Liberton v Newbattle

Barbara Hamilton 'B' Champion

Barbara Hamilton, from Newbattle GC, wins the 'B' Championship in style. 

Having finished the 'A' Championship with a very credible 84 (16th qualifier was 83)
Barabra went on to qualify for the 'B' Championship a  week later.  The Spring Meeting was contested at Craigmillar Park GC on a very cold April day where hailstones reputedly fell but Barbara wasn't deterred one bit.  She turned in an 86 to be first qualifier and  her run of good steady play continued over championship weekend as she claimed the trophy.  Barbara was unstoppable beating Rachel Steedman, Murrayfield 6/5 then Kate Johnston 3/2 on the way to the final against Jaci Moriarty, Lochend GC.  Jaci had much closer games beating Isobel Halliday on the 19th followed by Catherine Wilke, Baberton, by 1up.

Jaci Moriarty, Jacky Burnett & Champion Barbara Hamilton

The final saw Barbara 3 up for much of the match but Jaci refused to be beaten, putting up a great struggle finally going down 2/1.

Champion Louise

Congratulations to Louise Fraser of Kingsknowe Golf Club who became the 2017 Midlothian Champion yesterday. 

In an effort to attract more competitors a new format was introduced for a two year pilot, so 2017 saw the championship qualifier and knock out stages become an all weekend affair.  36 entrants played at Turnhouse Golf Club on Sunday 16th April to qualify for the match play stages that were scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April over the same course.  Thanks to Turnhouse GC for their warm welcome and hospitality in addition to a testing course that managed to have lightning quick greens just to make sure players had to bring their A game to the event.

The qualifier went according to plan for most competitors with Karen Marshall, Baberton GC, being the surprise casualty.  Gabrielle MacDonald, playing off +1, qualified first with a73 from Alison McBride, 76 and Louise Fraser 77.  Morag Wardrop was the leading home player with a very creditable 77 whilst Hannah Darling 79 was the leading junior whilst Rachel Livingstone was 16th with an 83.

Saturday was full of drama with wonderful golf being the order of the day.  The first two matches went up the 19th and 20th respectively whilst Kate McIntosh beat Jennifer Bryans on the 18th with a clinical eagle. Wendy Nicholson, Louise Fraser, Hannah Scott and Alison McBride moved into the afternoon ties reasonably easily whilst Susan Rennie came from behind to beat Hannah Darling on the 19th.  In the main the afternoon matches were completed by the 14th or 15th except for Susan Rennie's match against Louise where again Susan used her excellent short game to full advantage against her long hitting opponent.

On Sunday the players were faced with strong winds that made it difficult to keep the ball on the fairway and we saw some unusual wayward shots.  At least it let a player of my lesser ability see what is really meant by a recovery shot!  Rachel was 1up going down the 18th and would have been forgiven for thinking a steady half at the 18th would suffice.  However an inspired chip in from just off the green ensured Wendy Nicholson was still in contention so yet again the a game went up the 1st to be decided.  A tricky downhill putt left Rachel needing to hole for a half but unfortunately her ball lipped out leaving Wendy to challenge Louise for the cup.

Neither finalist had been champion so we had a rare treat in the afternoon.  It was great to see so any MCLGA members supporting and I know the players really appreciated it.  Again both battled with the wind and the game stayed close with Louise managing to just stay ahead. 

With some massive drives, notably on the 12th and 14th, Louise still could not relax being only too aware that Wendy was on form and ready to deliver accurate chips and approach shots that would quickly reverse the score.  Louise clinched the game on the 16th to win 3/1/Each was ably supported by experienced caddies who incidentally have been long time golfing friends. 

Thanks to Sheila Stuart for all her input this weekend - host, referee, chauffeur and adviser

Thanks also to our president, Norma Richmond, who braved the cold to start the players off.










Well done Louise.  As you said - three times a bridesmaid, now you've walked up the aisle!