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