Scotland squad with officials, team captain Lesley Nicholson, second left front row, team manager Hilary Wardell, first left back row, and SLGA national coach Kevin Craggs pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency on the eve of the 2010 Women's Home Internationals at Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff.
Scotland's pairs for the opening foursomes against Wales are: Kelsey MacDonald and Louise Kenney, Martine Pow and Jane Turner, Pamela Pretswell and Laura Murray.
Full details and live scoring available Wednesday-Thursday-Friday on www.lgu.org

Cumbria pair win Ping Plate Final

 at windy Gainsborough

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Cumbria golfers Linda Young and Ruth Coleby won the Plate final of the 2010 PING Fourball Better-ball Tournament on a day when strong winds brought a large branch crashing down beside the first tee at Gainsborough Golf Club, Lincolnshire.
Linda and Ruth were safely on the course at the time, but EWGA president Ann Irvin, a photographer and competitors had to run to safety as the branch fell across a path where they had been standing moments before.

Tracey Freedman and Louise Johnson of Portal Premier, Cheshire, had just teed off and were waiting for their opponents to hit when the branch crashed down.
“We heard this creak, creak, creak,” said Tracey. “Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, but then I saw the photographer run and I ran too.”
Jude Gannon of Chilwell Manor, Nottinghamshire, was standing nearby: “It was just like a firecracker going off,” she said. “It was a good job it made a noise because that’s what warned people.”
Play was suspended from the first tee for about 40 minutes before the competitors who were still due to start began their rounds from the third hole. They played holes one and two at the end of their rounds.
The PING tournament, which is run by the English Women’s Golf Association, attracted entries from almost 17,000 women this year. The best 60 pairs of club winners qualified for the Grand Final, which takes place tomorrow, while the next 72 pairs went through to today’s new Plate Final.
The winds swept the course throughout the Plate Final, becoming steadily stronger as the day wore on, but despite the conditions the scoring was good. Linda and Ruth, who play at Penrith Golf Club, scored the narrowest of victories with their 42 points, taking the title on countback from Melanie Lesser and Mariette Robbertse of Bury St Edmunds.

Two more pairs were just a point behind, with Julie Ward and Diana Wood of Edgbaston taking third place on countback from Janet Duckels and Dawn Potter of Wike Ridge, Yorkshire.

We are cock-a-hoop,” said Ruth. “We are always the bridesmaids, that’s our motto!”

Linda added: “We were fortunate to play a practice round yesterday when we thought the wind was bad – but today it was even stronger. We also had very good partners who kept us going over the back nine.”

She went on: “This is a great event and is very good for club golfers. Our club has always taken part but we shall go back and encourage even more women to join in.”

Melanie Lesser and Mariette Robbertes did all they could to win, including a chip-in and a birdie on the back nine – and they were philosophical afterwards. “We were pleased with how we played and didn’t feel we left anything out there,” said Melanie. “It’s the best result we’ve ever had considering 17,000 women initially entered this competition!”

Leading final scores
44 pts Ruth Coleby and Linda Young (Penrith) on countback from Melanie Lesser and Mariette Robbertse (Bury St. Edmunds)
41 Julie Ward and Diana Wood (Edgbaston) on countback from Janet Duckels and Dawn Potter (Wike Ridge)
40 Val Ward and Wendy Roberts (Holtye); Gill Ludkiewicz and Sue Mason (West Bradford); Marie Forey and Sandra Argyle (Wheatley);
39 G. Davison and A. Hope (Parklands)
38 Marie Rooks and Mandy Mole (Littlestone), Tina Tuckwell and Christine Cooper (Cretingham); Jude Reiz and Anne Leggate (Woodhall Spa); Michele Alvin and Elaine Tordoff (Northcliffe)
37 Sharon Fell and Gina Myatt (Redditch), Mary Hawkes and Julia Gaunt (Drayton Park); Marie Kent and Corrina Knowles (Exeter); Louise Coggin and Lynn Longbone (Hull); Jackie Barraclough and Doreen Naylor (East Bierley); Valerie Dickens and Harriet Swinerd (Mid Sussex); Christina Warr and Sue Hickman (College Pines); Heather Neale and Rachel Johnson (Shirley Park); Claire Village and Pat Brown (Chatsworth); Sarah Harper and Jenny Readman (Meon Valley).


Lyndsey Hewison
Press and  PR Officer
EWGA
Tel. 01603 507 416

Aberdeen girl fourth in AJGA girls'

championship in South Carolina

Aberdeen teenager Gemma Dryburgh, finished fourth in the American Junior Golf Association girls championship at Furman, South Carolina this week.
The course's degree of difficulty was reflected in the high scoring.
Gemma shot 75, three over par, in the final round for a total of 220.
Her father John told Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk:
"She had a roller coaster of a round, especially on the inward half where she had three birdies. She also had three bogeys one of which was after a wayward drive which ended up behind a tree and another after a 'Hamlet' (cigar) moment where she took three out of a bunker the last of which went in!"
The AJGA girls championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the US junior calendar and all the 78 girls had to qualify. To finish fourth was, therefore, an excellent result.
"Gemma’s score was two better than Stephanie Meadow’s last year when she finished second to set up her fantastic final junior year. I believe it underlines the huge progress Gemma has made over the last year and the hope is that with hard work and the benefit of Kevin Collins (Leadbetter/IMG ) and Lawrence Farmer’s (UK) coaching she can continue that progress," added Mr Dryburgh.



CLICK HERE FOR FINAL TOTALS

CANADIAN MURDOCH DEFENDS IRISH

SENIORS' TITLE


NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Canadian International Alison Murdoch defends her Irish Senior Women’s Open Strokeplay title when competitors tee up at Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club, from Wednesday to Friday this week (September 8 to 10).

Murdoch will be looking to claim her second consecutive title and 5th in the last 7 years. Strongest challenger for the 2010 crown is likely to be Ireland's Helen Jones who finished 3rd at the European Senior Women's Individual in Austria in June while Wales' Vicki Thomas, who has won the event in 2006 and 2008, is sure to feature on the final day.

Fellow Canadians Diane Williams, Karen Pultz and Lynda Palahniuk lead the sizeable party from north America in a field of 66 which includes competitors from England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

This year’s tournament is as competitive as ever with the majority of the field availing of the additional practice in advance of the following week’s British Seniors Open at West Kilbride on the Ayrshire coast. With the full Irish team in action, fresh from their 4th place finish at the Senior Women’s European Team Championship last week, home favourite Phil O’Gorman and in-form Sheena McElroy (Grange) look next best after Jones to secure an Irish victory, the first since Mary McKenna’s successful outing at Baltray in 2001.

The field will play two 18 hole strokeplay rounds on Wednesday and Thursday with the top 40 qualifying for the final 18 holes on Friday. Following the Championship, the Irish Seniors Team to play at the Seniors Home Internationals at Sheringham in England, 28th September, will be announced. Positions in the side will be determined by ranking in the Order of Merit and wildcard picks selected by Team Captain Roma English (Larne).

TEE TIMES - WEDNESDAY
08:20 Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel) Jenny Cagney (Lahinch)
08:30 Catherine Kavanagh (Mitchelstown) Catherine Carty (Tullamore) Patricia McAllister (Laytown & Bettystown)
08:40 Alice O'Neill (Laytown and Bettystown) Angela Mullins (Mitchelstown) Elizabeth Neville (Athenry)
08:50 Valerie Shannon (Lahinch) Barbara Biggart (SCO) Anna Moloney (Clonmel)
09:00 Marita Leech (Laytown & Bettystown) Elaine Elborn (Bangor) Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush)
09:10 Hilary Smyth (ENG) Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) Gemma Butler (Birr)
09:20 Mai McCann (Narin & Portnoo) Maida McGowan (Laytown and Bettystown) Dorothy Thomson (SCO)
09:30 Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) Judy Collins (CAN) Gill Rouiller (Mannan Castle)
09:40 Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk) Roma English (Larne) Ann McAuley (Laytown and Bettystown)
09:50 Denise Parker (ENG) Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) Ann Monteith (Slieve Russell)
10:00 Heidi Simpson (USA) Patsy McCarthy (Grange) Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush)
10:10 Linda Ward (CAN) Maj-Britt Laempe (SWE) Fionnuala McGrady (Dunmurry)
10:30 Sheila Bodmer (SWI) Mary Geaney (Killarney) Sonja Gottschalch (DEN)
10:40 Diane Williams (CAN) Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) Jean O'Connor (WAL)
10:50 Alison Murdoch (CAN) Pat Doran (Donabate) Catherine Reilly (The Heath)
11:00 Valerie Hassett (Ennis) Marianne Copp (ENG) Pamela Williamson (SCO)
11:10 Vicki Thomas (WAL) Phil O'Gorman (Laytown and Bettystown) Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire)
11:20 Pauline Walsh (Headfort ) Elisabeth Wendels (SWE) Susan Penman (SCO)
11:30 Karen Pultz (CAN) Helen Jones (Strabane) Mary Madden (Ballinasloe)
11:40 Kate Evans (ENG) Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock) Jane Gardner (Malone)
11:50 Lynda Palahniuk (CAN) Sheena McElroy (Grange) Rhona Brennan (Bandon)
12:00 Cornelia Fischer (GER) Adrienne Crowley (Woodbrook) Mary Kavanagh (New Ross)


TEE TIMES - THURSDAY
08:30 Sheila Bodmer (SWI) Fionnuala McGrady (Dunmurry) Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush)
08:40 Diane Williams (CAN) Pat Doran (Donabate) Pamela Williamson (SCO)
08:50 Alison Murdoch (CAN) Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) Marianne Copp (ENG)
09:00 Valerie Hassett (Ennis) Catherine Reilly (The Heath) Jean O'Connor (WAL)
09:10 Vicki Thomas (WAL) Helen Jones (Strabane) Susan Penman (SCO)
09:20 Pauline Walsh (Headfort ) Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) Phil O'Gorman (Laytown and Bettystown)
09:30 Karen Pultz (CAN) Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) Elisabeth Wendels (SWE)
09:40 Jane Gardner (Malone) Sheena McElroy (Grange) Adrienne Crowley (Woodbrook)
09:50 Lynda Palahniuk (CAN) Kate Evans (ENG) Patricia McAllister (Laytown and Bettystown)
10:00 Cornelia Fischer (GER) Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock) Rhona Brennan (Bandon)
10:10 Mary Geaney (Killarney) Mary Kavanagh (New Ross) Judy Collins (CAN)
10:30 Catherine Kavanagh (Mitchelstown) Barbara Biggart (SCO) Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford)
10:40 Alice O'Neill (Laytown & Bettystown) Elaine Elborn (Bangor) Dorothy Thomson (SCO)
10:50 Valerie Shannon (Lahinch) Catherine Carty (Tullamore) Sonja Gottschalch (DEN)
11:00 Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush) Elizabeth Neville (Athenry) Maida McGowan (Laytown and Bettystown)
11:10 Denise Parker (ENG) Roma English (Larne) Anna Moloney (Clonmel)
11:20 Mai McCann (Narin and Portnoo) Angela Mullins (Mitchelstown) Marita Leech (Laytown and Bettystown)
11:30 Gill Rouiller (Mannan Castle) Ann Monteith (Slieve Russell) Hilary Smyth (ENG)
11:40 Patsy McCarthy (Grange) Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk) Gemma Butler (Birr)
11:50 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) Maj-Britt Laempe (SWE)
12:00 Heidi Simpson (USA) Ann McAuley (Laytown and Bettystown) Linda Ward (CAN)

STRONG TRIO SELECTED FOR WORLD

 CHAMPIONSHIP IN ARGENTINA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and Sally Watson (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) have been named in Scotland’s team for the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship – the Espirito Santo Trophy – in Argentina from October 20-23.

Curtis Cup player Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), who won the British Srokeplay Championship last month, was unavailable due to her commitments at Glasgow University, while Jane Turner (Craigielaw) has been chosen as the reserve.

All three members of the team have had outstanding seasons, and team captain, Lesley Nicholson, is confident that the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s line-up can challenge for the top honours.

“There is absolutely no reason why we can’t win the title,” said Nicholson, who led Scotland to a bronze medal at this summer’s European Championships in Spain. “This has been a super year for Scotland’s amateur women and I think we will do really well in Argentina.

“It is slightly disappointing that Pamela is unavailable, but Kelsey has had an amazing year, Louise won six out of six at the Europeans and Sally has had a hugely successful season on the US college circuit.”

Kelsey (19) is the reigning Scottish Amateur and Scottish Under-21 Open Strokeplay Champion and she reached the final of the British Amateur in June.

She is also on course to top the SLGA Order of Merit, with 27-year-old Kenney, the Scottish Amateur runner-up, in second place.

Watson, 19, has just completed her first year at Stanford University in California and has been one of the top performers on the US College circuit. She has already played in two Curtis Cups and qualified for this year’s US Women’s Open.

“It is a very good team and I think that conditions in Argentina should suit our team,” added Nicholson. “It won’t be too hot and it’s an inland course with tough, sloping greens.”