SOLID START BY DEFENDING CHAMPION
FLORENTYNA PARKER IN FRANCE

Well-nigh impossible to find a list of first round scores (see footnote to this message) on the French Golf Federation website fr0m the French Junior Lady championship at Paris St Cloud but, thanks to a Press Release from the industrious English Women's Golf Association, we can tell you that Curtis Cup team selection and defending champion Florentyna Parker, Germany-based but entered from Royal Birkdale, is in joint second place after a two-under-par 69 in the first qualifying round before the match-play starts for the 32 qualifiers.
Berliner Lara Katzy (Germany) leads with a four-under--par 67.
Florentyna, 18, had three birdies and only one bogey on her card, at the short sixth.
LEADERBOARD
Par 71
67 L Katzy (Ger).
69 F Parker (Eng), C Hedwall (Swe), L Gonzales (Bel).
70 A Urchegui (Spa).
71 A Fernandez (Spa), C Masson (Ger), J Dreher (Fra), M Goyos (Spa), S Hausladen (Ger).
72 C Ciganda (Spa), A Maggetti (Swi), J Jansson (Swe), G Molinaro (Ita).
Other scores:
73 Sian James (Bristol & Clifton), Leona Maguire (Ireland) (jt 15th).
74 Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton).
76 Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), Lisa Maguire (Ireland).
80 Rachel Connor (Manchester).
83 Kelly Tidy (Manchester).

The English Women's Golf Association, in the person of Claire Lilley, has very kindly provided the website links that will enable you to keep up todate with the subsequent scores and match-play results on the French Federation website:

http://www.ffgolf.org/index.aspx?news=12160 This link is the main page and has nations cup info - scroll about two-thirds of the way down the page for the ladies

eventhttp://fleole.ffgolf.org/resultats/results2.htm?pg=0055&pn=075&dc=20/03/2008&res=B This is the scoring link.

Irish Ladies Golf Union Press Release

ULSTER FAVOURITES FOR FOUR-IN-A-ROW
UNDER-18 INTER-PROVINCIAL TITLE

Ulster look to capture their fourth successive Under-18 Inter-provincial title when the three-day tournament is played from March 26 to 28 at Bangor Golf Club, Co. Down.
The defending champions once again look the strongest of the four sides as they field five players from last year’s successful line-up. Victoria Bradshaw, playing on home soil, is joined again by 13-year-old twins Leona and Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) who will have just returned from action in the French U-21 championship at St Cloud Golf Club.
The only newcomer to last year’s squad in US student Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), last year’s Irish girls’ (closed) runner-up, who makes a welcome return to the Ulster underage squad.
Nearest challengers Munster also field five from last year’s team with U18 Internationals Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) and Holli Snelling (Tralee) hoping to lead their side to victory on Friday afternoon.
Connacht field four players from last year’s team and will need things to go their way if they are to regain the title they surrendered to Ulster in 2005. Leinster’s Niamh O’Connor (Naas) and Ciara Sharkey (Enniscorthy) are the only survivors from last year’s team and the side will need to punch well above their weight to make an impact in this year’s Championship.
This year’s tournament takes place on the challenging parkland at Bangor and with a par 73 track over 6,052 yards, Friday’s winners will be worthy champions of this highly competitive opener to the 2008 season.
Fixtures:
Wednesday, 26th March
09.00 & 13.30 CONNACHT –v- LEINSTER
09.18 & 14.28 MUNSTER –v- ULSTER

Thursday, 27th March
09.00 & 13.30 ULSTER –v- LEINSTER
09.20 & 14.30 MUNSTER -v- CONNACHT

Friday, 28th March
08.30 & 13.00 LEINSTER –v- MUNSTER
08.48 & 13.58 CONNACHT –v- ULSTER
Teams
CONNACHT – Regina Kerr (capt). Sarah Helly (Enniscrone), Leah Kerr (Castlebar), Aisling O’Connor (Co. Sligo), Carmel O'Connor (Westport), Hannah O'Connor (Loughrea), Julie O'Gara (Roscommon).
Reserves: Daryl Conroy (Castlebar), Amy Gaynor (Co. Sligo).
LEINSTER – Sinead Keane (capt). Patrice Delaney (Birr), Caroline Murphy (Grange), Rebecca Mulholland (Kilkenny), Niamh O'Connor (Naas), Carla Reynolds (Seapoint), Ciara Sharkey (Enniscorthy)
Reserves: Laura Boylan (Skerries), Anna Courtney (St. Annes).
MUNSTER – Maura Breathnach (capt). Sarah Crowe (Tipperary), Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Laura McCarthy (Muskerry), Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion), Ciara Pender (Ennis), Holli Snelling (Tralee).
Reserves: Hannah O’Brien (Lahinch), Jill Pierse (Ballykisteen)
ULSTER – Brenda Strain (capt). Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor), Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), Caoimhe Quinn (Dungannon), Sarah Louise Winter (Carnalea)
Reserves: Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint), Agnes Doherty (Ballyliffen)

Press Release

PRINCE’S TRUST HAS

FUND-RAISING FOR

GOLFERS DOWN

TO A TEE

The Prince’s Trust has announced details of its annual celebrity golf tournament which will be held in the North-east of England on June 26 to raise valuable funds to change young lives across the region.
The amateur golf event is one of three sporting activities to be held this year as part of ‘The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy’ which last year raised almost a quarter of a million pounds to support disadvantaged youngsters in the North-east of England.
The one-day golf tournament will take place at the picturesque Slaley Hall in Northumberland and will offer guests a chance to enjoy an exclusive alongside celebrity supporters such as actor Tim Healey and Newcastle United player Paul Bracewell.
David Beavis, North-east Regional Director for The Prince’s Trust, said: “This is not just a fantastic opportunity to play a serious round of golf on a championship course alongside celebrity supporters; this is about raising money to change the lives of many disadvantaged youngsters here in the North-east (of England) who deserve a second chance in life.”
The Challenge Trophy’s series of events will involve two teams of celebrities and members of the public going head-to-head under the colours of team presidents, His Grace, The Duke of Northumberland and The Right Honourable Earl of Durham, Lord Durham.
The tournament will involve 80 players for either the Duke or the Earl and will see celebrities captain each of the 20 four-ball matches over 18 holes of the Hunting Course Championship green. The handicap on the day will be a maximum of 24 for men and 30 for women.
Last year’s hugely popular golf tournament saw 80 players enjoy a sunny round to raise £30,000 with the help of celebrities such as Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, England cricketer Steve Harmison and former Newcastle United defender John Berseford.
Former Sunderland AFC Captain Kevin Ball and captain of The Lord’s Challenge Trophy 2008 team felt that last year’s golf tournament was a resounding success. “Everyone enjoyed a brilliant day with all proceeds going to an important cause. I would urge keen golfers to sign up this year and help us raise even more money for The Prince’s Trust- A fantastic day, a fantastic golf course and all for a fantastic cause.”
In 2007, The Prince’s Trust supported almost 4,000 14-30 year olds in the North-east of England by providing a range of programmes including personal development courses, business start up finance and grants for community projects.
The youth charity, which works with those who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law needs to raise around £1million per week to continue its valuable work.
The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy 2008 is also set to include a Celebrity Clay Shoot and a Celebrity Track Day Driving Experience on 15th July. For further information on all three events, call the regional office on 0191 4973 210.
For information on The Prince’s Trust, please visit www.princes-trust.org.uk/northeast or call us free on 0800 842 842.

Press Release

THREE-YEAR GUARANTEE

ON STYLISH GLENMUIR

WATERPROOF JACKETS

The strength of Glenmuir’s growing performance outerwear range is showcased this Spring Summer by the Scottish company’s flagship Rain Bloc ® waterproof jackets.
The men’s Inverurie and ladies’ Elie waterproof jackets from Glenmuir - one of Europe’s leading golf apparel brands - deliver superb weather-beating performance backed by a three-year guarantee.
Both high-quality jackets feature the Glenmuir Rain Bloc ® waterproof system, comprising a laminated microfibre fabric which uses a special inner membrane to allow moisture vapour created by the body to escape, but repels external wind and rain.
The fabric is extremely lightweight and quiet, waterproof and breathable, with the waterproof system guaranteed against laminate breakdown or leakage through the fabric or taped seams for three years.
Both the Inverurie, pictured above left, and Elie are styled in a performance fit and feature concealed zip-off sleeves, Velcro side tabs for fit adjustment, elasticated cuffs with Velcro adjusters, adjustable draw cord waist, high-neck storm collar, water repellant full-length zip and side pockets and chest ventilation flaps.
The Inverurie, which also boasts a stretch panel at back shoulder for freedom of movement and a back scorecard pocket, is available in sizes S-XXL and three colourways – Caribbean blue/navy, storm grey/burnt orange and black/sand.
The Elie comes in S-XL and a choice of three eye-catching colours – sky blue, mint and raspberry – with black detailing.
Both jackets are available for a suggested retail price of £84.00.
Andy Bough, Glenmuir Marketing Director, said: “The waterproof market has been identified as a key area for growth for Glenmuir and our 2008 range of top-quality jackets, trousers, wind shirts and fleeces uses a variety of fabric technologies to deliver superb weather-beating performance.
“In addition, the Inverurie and Elie waterproof jackets are backed by a three-year guarantee as part of our on-going commitment to customer service.”