RAIN ARRIVES EARLY IN ST ANDREWS FOR RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

LATEST NEWS FROM ST ANDREWS WHERE THE RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN
CHAMPIONSHIP TEES OFF AROUND ABOUT 6.30am TOMORROW.

RAIN IS FORECAST FOR THURSDAY.
IN FACT, IT ARRIVED IN ST ANDREWS BEFORE 9pm TONIGHT (Wednesday).

WHO THAT WILL FAVOUR IS ANYBODY'S GUESS

HARRIET MOVES AHEAD AT ENGLISH UNDER-15 CHAMPIONSHIP

Shropshire’s Harriet Allsebrook took the halfway lead in the English U15 girls’ open championship at Tiverton, Devon, with a two-under 72 in the second round. She’s one-under par for the tournament and two shots clear of Warwickshire’s Victoria Mallett, while Surrey’s Sammy Fuller lies third on two-over par. Meanwhile, Austria’s Emma Spitz returned a three-under 71 to move to the top of the leaderboard in the English U13s, which is being played on the same course. She is four-under for the event and leads by 11 shots with one round left to play In the U15s, Harriet (Image © Leaderboard Photography) was below par throughout her round after starting with a birdie on her opening hole, the 10th. The 14-year-old kept hitting fairways and greens and after 16 holes was three-under par, only to drop a shot on the last, where she three-putted. “She was cross with herself for that - but overall she’s absolutely thrilled,” said her father, Neil, who is the PGA professional at Shifnal, where Harriet plays. “It’s very exciting and she’s looking forward to tomorrow.” Harriet, who is the Shropshire girls’ champion and will start a golf scholarship at Wellington College in September, will be in the last group for tomorrow’s final two rounds. She’ll play alongside Warwickshire’s Victoria Mallett, who also beat par today with 72 and moved into second place. Victoria also got to three-under par with two holes to play and also dropped a shot on the last, in her case the 18th. Like Harriet, she had a very tidy card with four birdies and just two bogeys. The Sutton Coldfield Ladies’ player is the sister of Elizabeth Mallett who is a past winner of the English girls’ championship. First round leader Sammy Fuller (Roehampton) was one-under par after 15 holes but suffered a nightmare end to her round with a double bogey on the 17th and a triple on 18. She added 78 to her opening 72 for a two-over par total. The field was cut after today’s round to the leading 36 players and ties, who go forward to play tomorrow’s final 36 holes. A total of 38 players qualified, including Devon ladies’ champion Chloe Howard (Boringdon Park), county girls’ champion Caitlin Evans-Brand (Yelverton) and a third Devon player, Jessica Francis of Churston. In the U13s, Emma Spitz has returned two sub-par scores and is now four-under for the championship. Today, she started with an eagle and had four birdies on her way to a three-under 71. Her closest challenger is Germany’s Anna-Maria Diederichs, who opened with 71, but slipped back today with 84 and is now seven-over for the tournament and trails by 11. The home challenge is led by Martha Lewis of St George’s Hill in Surrey, who has scored 81 78 for an 11-over total and is currently in third place. After today’s round the field was cut to the leading 18 players and ties for tomorrow’s final round. Exactly 18 players qualified. For full scores and images visit www.englandgolf.org/championships: Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org

Web: www.englandgolf.org Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EnglandGolf

SOPHIE PUTS STRING IN ENGLISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Dorset’s Sophie Keech started her day with a wasp sting and ended it at the top of the leaderboard on four-under par in the English girls’ open championship at Oake Manor in Somerset. With two rounds left to play, she holds a three shot lead over Surrey’s Annabel Dimmock, while Lincolnshire’s Emily Slater and Dulcie Sverdloff of Essex are a further stroke back on level par.   “I just need two more steady rounds,” said Sophie (Image © Leaderboard Photography), who is already the English schools’ and the South West girls’ champion. “I shall just take it as it comes.” The 17-year-old from Parkstone was stung when she was loading her bag onto her trolley before the start of play but, after treatment with an ice pack, she went out to play excellent golf. Sophie started and finished with a birdie on her way to a second round score of three-under 68, which moved her up from fourth place to take the halfway lead. “I had a really good front nine, when it hurt quite a bit – it must have taken my mind off things!” she remarked. “I always say it’s not good to start with a birdie, but I looked at the weather and thought there would be showers so I decided to get as many as I could early on.” She had an immaculate front nine with three birdies and six pars, before a couple of bogeys just after the turn. However, she finished well with more birdies on 16 and 18. “It could have been better if some of my putts had dropped in the middle of the round. I had so many lip-outs and putts going past it was driving me crazy! Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth) ground out her score of two-over 73, declaring: “I was struggling the whole way round. I just couldn’t get to grips with the greens and I found the pin positions a lot harder today. “But I held it together and later on I got a few birdies which helped my card. It was a good bad score, I didn’t play great but I didn’t shoot myself out of the tournament. Hopefully I’ve now got two rounds to put in some good scores.”  Annabel is one-under for the championship. Emily Slater (Woodhall Spa) and Dulcie Sverdloff (Garon Park) share third place at the halfway stage. Both scored one-under 70 today and are level par for the tournament.    Yorkshire’s Ellie Goodall (Selby) also beat par with a second round 70 and is currently fifth on two-over. First round leader Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park Ladies’) slipped back with a second round 79 and shares ninth place on four-over par. After today’s round the field was cut to the leading 36 players and ties who go forward to contest the final 36 holes tomorrow. A total of 41 players who scored 13-over par or better qualified. For full scores and images visit www.englandgolf.org/championships Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193 EDITORS’ NOTES England Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in England. England Golf was formed on 1st January 2012 following the merger of the English Golf Union Ltd. and the English Women’s Golf Association and is one of the largest sports governing bodies in England looking after the interests of over 1,900 golf clubs and 770,000 men and women club members. Responsible for the training of the country’s top amateur golfers, England Golf also organises all the major English amateur championships. England Golf works to actively encourage new golfers and increase the continued interest and participation in golf through its golf development initiative ‘Get into Golf’. England Golf is a member of The England Golf Partnership (EGP) together with the PGA and supported by the Golf Foundation and Sport England. Their Whole Sport Plan for golf identifies how England will achieve its vision of becoming ‘The Leading Golf Nation in the World by 2020’ from grass roots right through to elite level.

Web: www.englandgolf.org Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EnglandGolf Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnglandGolf

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S CLUB FOURSOMES MATCH PLAY RESULTS

Results and draw for the next round of the Scottish women's club foursomes match-play tournament:

FOURTH ROUND

Deeside bt Newburgh on Ythan 4 and 3.

Turriff bt Carnousie Caledonia 1 holesid

Strathmore bt Blairgowrie 4 and 3.

Braehead by Ladybank 7 and 6.

Turnhouse bt The Hirsel 4 and 3.

Lothianburn bt Craigmillar Park 2 holes

Whitecraigs bt Cathkin Braes 1 hole.

Kilmarnock Barassie bt Crichton 2 and 1.

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Deeside v Turriff

Strathmore v Braehead

Lothianburn v Turnhouse

Kilmarnock Barassie v Whitecraigs.

CARLY BOOTH BIDDING TO FOLLOW IN PAUL LAWRIE'S MAJOR FOOTSTEPS

 

      CARLY BOOTH AT THE MEDIA CENTRE PRESS CONFERENCE, complete with dangling ear-rings and painted fingernails. And why not? If you've got it, flaunt it. Picture

                                 by Cal Carson Golf Agency

 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

If Paul Lawrie can do it, so can Carly Booth! The 21-year-old daughter of an Aberdonian is one of only two players in the Ricoh Women's British Open championship field who has come through the pre-qualifying event then the Final Qualifier - with a play-off birdie at Kingsbarns on Monday - to earn the right to tee it up with Inbee Park & Co.

When Lawrie won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999, he was a qualifier from an eliminator at Downfield.

Carly played in the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course in 2008 and, like Catriona Matthew, has the course experienced gained from playing several St Rule Trophy tournaments, finishing runner-up on her last appearance before turning pro.

"It's great to be here at St Andrews and I'm very happy I managed to qualify," said the Comrie, Perthshire-born player who now has her base in Majorca.

" I love it here.  Such a great golf links and it's the widest golf course hole you'll ever play in a Major but it's not enough to hit the greens. They're huge, so you've got to hit it close with your approaches.

for me."
Carly has already played in one Major this year, the US Women's Open.
"It was a great experience but the nerves definitely got the better of me in the first nine holes.  But at least with the Women's British Open, I had my first experience of it last year at Royal Liverpool, so I know what it's going to feel like.  

Carly's goal is to make it to the LPGA Tour and will probably attempt to play in its Qualifying School process next year.

Carly's form in Europe has been patchy. She won the Scottish Women's Open at Archerfield Links last year but has not been in contention so much so far this season.

"I think for me, it's question of building my confidence back up and and focusing on targets and really just trusting my golf swing.  It's not changed at all since last year, so there's in reason to not be doing as well as last year.

"I have to really believe that I'm good enough to be here in the field for the Women's British Open and that I can score really low and just play positively."

ens

STRONG INTERNATIONAL FIELD FOR ENGLISH WOMEN'S STROKE-PLAY

International Alex Peters will defend her title against a strong field when the English women’s open stroke play championship takes place next week at Mannings Heath, Sussex, from August 6-8. The 19-year-old from Notts Ladies’ – who won by six shots last year – was also runner-up in this season’s English amateur, reached the last 16 in the British championship and represented GB and I in the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe. Alex (image © Leaderboard Photography) will be challenged for the title by leading players from across England and further afield. The host of internationals include English and British stroke play champion, Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro), who will make her way to Sussex after playing in this week’s Women’s British Open at St Andrews. Others include Hayley Davis (Ferndown), a past English women’s and girls’ champion, Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), the Irish open stroke play champion, and Lauren Taylor (Woburn) who became the youngest winner of the British championship when she took the title in 2011 at the age of 16. There will be a strong contingent of Sussex players led by reigning English mid-amateur champion Emma Carberry (Highwoods) and British senior champion Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest). They’ll be joined by the Highwoods pair, Chelsea Masters and Belinda Whent, and by Alice Barnes (West Sussex), Amber Cockram (Goodwood) and Jelina Fernando (Pyecombe) . The championship has attracted competitors from all the home nations, including Welsh champion Becky Harries and Curtis Cup player Amy Boulden, also from Wales, and Scottish international Eilidh Briggs. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Nicole Garcia is taking part to gain experience as she makes her way to the LET qualifying school later in the season. The championship will be played on the Waterfall course at Mannings Heath, where  a combination of gold, white, yellow and red tees will be used to provide a layout measuring 6125 yards. It mixes a combination of heathland, downland and parkland. Steve Slinger, general manager at Mannings Heath, said: “To be chosen to host such a prestigious championship is a great honour and privilege for the club and Exclusive Golf. “The Waterfall course is held in great regard by golfers across the south of England. It is in fantastic condition and, with the way it is going to be set up, the players will be playing a truly unique course in what is a spectacular setting for golf.” The championship starts on Tuesday, 6 August and all competitors will play 36 holes over the first two days. The field will then be cut to the leading 36 players and ties who will play the final 36 holes on Thursday, 8 August. Spectators are welcome and there will be full reports, images and scores at www.englandgolf.org/championships Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193 EDITORS’ NOTES England Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in England. England Golf was formed on 1st January 2012 following the merger of the English Golf Union Ltd. and the English Women’s Golf Association and is one of the largest sports governing bodies in England looking after the interests of over 1,900 golf clubs and 770,000 men and women club members. Responsible for the training of the country’s top amateur golfers, England Golf also organises all the major English amateur championships. England Golf works to actively encourage new golfers and increase the continued interest and participation in golf through its golf development initiative ‘Get into Golf’. England Golf is a member of The England Golf Partnership (EGP) together with the PGA and supported by the Golf Foundation and Sport England. Their Whole Sport Plan for golf identifies how England will achieve its vision of becoming ‘The Leading Golf Nation in the World by 2020’ from grass roots right through to elite level.

Web: www.englandgolf.org Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EnglandGolf Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnglandGolf

The English Golf Union Ltd, trading as England Golf, is a Company limited by Guarantee registered in England. Registered Office: The National Golf Centre, The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6PU. Registered number: 5564108.

TEE TIMES FOR NCLGA COUNTY OPEN AT STRATHLENE, BUCKIE

DATE OF COMPETITION:  Sunday 4 August 2013.

Competitors will leave the tee in two’s at seven minute intervals and are from the host club unless stated. Late entries are welcome, please contact Doreen Work 01542 835040.

Abbreviations:  C, Carrbridge, E, Elgin, F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie; G, Gairloch, GOS, Grantown on Spey, I, Inverness;

09.35- L Fraser (FR), V Wright (F), I Wilson (F) M Anderson, D McCaig (F), C Campbell, J Cooper (F), P Crawford

10.03 - B Grant (F), J Mair D Marshall (F), L Geddes, M James (F), M Smith. S Morgan (F), M Walker (E)

10.31 - S Rowan (I), L Wood (F) F Grant (F), E Ballentine (E), J Cameron (FR), M McCulloch (FR), S Macdonnell (I)

11.20 - A Rae (C), J Coulthard (GOS), J Cowe (E), B Hodge, M Barr (G), E Simpson (E), S Macvicar (G)

Jacqui Coulthard

NCLGA Sec

CATRIONA MATTHEW HAS WON MORE THAN ONCE OVER OLD COURSE

     Catriona Matthew in relaxed mood at today's Media Centre Press Conference.

                              Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Inbee Park, bidding for a unique four women's Major titles in a row in the Ricoh's Women's British Open which tees off tomorrow, THINKS her game is suited by the Old Course, St Andrews.
Catriona Matthew, from North Berwick - one of only two Scots in the field of 144 at the Home of Golf, KNOWS she has the game to win over the Old Course.
Twice a winner of the prestigious St Rule Trophy 54-hole event as an amateur, Catriona reckons she has played between 30 and 40 competitive rounds over the Old Course in her career.
The Scot has already lost a Major tournament play-off to Inbee Park on the LPGA Tour earlier this season.
Here are some points from Catriona's interview in the RWBO Media Centre this morning.
CATRIONA:  Yes, I am really looking forward to it. I have played well in all the Majors this year. Nice to be back at St Andrews, which has always been one of my favourites, going back to my amateur days. You get a buzz no matter what you are playing in when you go down the first hole and then, later, come up the 18th, so very excited about playing this week in particular.
"This is my 19th year on the LPGA and LET Tours and the overall standard and depth of of very good players has increased dramatically from when I first started.
"There were maybe around 30 potential winners in any tournament field when I  started but nowadays just about everyone who tees it up on Tour has a chance of winning. The LPGA has become a world tour now and more and more players with world-class potential are gravitating towards it.
"So it you don't keep improving, you are going to lose your place on the tour because the standards
are going up every year. I find that kind of spurs you on.
"I am still working to improve my own game. When I get to the stage when I don't think I am improving or can improve anymore, that will be the day to consider retiring.
"It is disappointing that Carly Booth and I are the only Scots in a tournament of this quality at the Home of Golf. I don't know why this is. I think there are some good Scottish youngsters coming up. I played with the new Scottish girls champion, Connie Jaffrey, yesterday and she is a very good prospect.
"Where they seem to struggle is making the transition from the amateur ranks to the pro game.
"Hopefully, we will get a few more Scots coming through in the years ahead.
"I don't think it is fair to compare South Korea with its huge population and lots of girl golfers, amateur and professonial, with Scotland which has a  much smaller population.
"I do think that we have to get more Scottish girls taking up the game of golf, which would increase the possibility of the best ones going on to play professionally.
"To win the Ricoh Women's British Open over the Old Course this week would be a very big deal for me. When I won the title for the first time I had just given birth to Sophie, our second child, so that was a very big deal."Maybe I need the big occasion to win ... but I think I'll stop at having two children (laughter)!"

TURNBERRY TO HOUSE 2015 RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

NEWS RELEASE FROM IMG
Turnberry's famous Ailsa course was announced today as the venue for the 2015 Ricoh Women's British Open for only the second time in the Championship's history.
Turnberry, the Luxury Collection Resort in Ayrshire and host of the Open Championship on four occasions, was the scene of the Women's British Open Championship in 2002 when Australia's Karrie Webb won this prestigious title for a third time. The stunning location of the Ailsa course makes Turnberry one of the most scenic golf destinations in the world.
A top-quality links, the Ailsa couse was the scene of the 1977 Open Champg location of the Ailsa course makes Turnberry one of the most scenic golf destinations in the world.ionship provided the stage ofr the famous "Duel in the Sun." In brilliant sunshine, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head-to-head over the final two days, with Watson eventually finishing a shot clear of his rival - and 11 shots ahead of the rest of the field.
Turnberry also hosted the Open in 1986 (winner Greg Norman) 1994 Nick Price, and, more recently in 2009 when Stewart Cink was the winner.
Webb's triumph at Turnberry in 2002 saw her open with a stunning round of 66 and close the tournament with the same score. She came from three strokes back in the final round to clinch victory with a flawless final round over the Ailsa Course.
 In winning, she became the first player to win the Championship three times.
Next year's Ricoh Women's British Open will be played at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lancashire from July 10 to 13.

TOP ROUND 1 AND 2 PAIRINGS AT RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN OVER OLD COURSE

THU 06.41 and FRI 11.26
MIKA MIYAZATO (Japan)
STACY LEWIS (USA)
KARRIE WEBB (Australia)
PAULA CREAMER (USA)
SANDRA GAL (Germany)

THU 07.03 and FRI 11.48
JODI EWART SHADOFF (England)
BEATRIZ RECARI (Spain)
INBEE PARK (South Korea) 

THU 07.36 and FRI 12.21
GWLADYS NOCERA (France)
JEONG JANG (South Korea)
CARLOTA CIGANDA (Spain)

THU 08.53 and FRI 13.38
AMY BOULDEN (Wales) (amateur)
JULI INKSTER (USA)
CAROLINE HEDWALL (Sweden)

THU 11.26 and FRI 06.41
GEORGIA HALL (England) (amateur)
LAURA DAVIES (England)
SO YEON RYU (South Korea)

THU 11.37 and FRI 06.52
MICHELLE WIE (USA)
JESSICA KORDA (USA)
CHARLEY HULL (England)
 
THU 11.48 and FRI 07.03
JIYAI SHIN (South Korea)
MORGAN PRESSEL (USA)
CATRIONA MATTHEW (Scotland)

THU 11.59 and FRI 07.14
MAMIKO HIGA (Japan)
SUZANN PETTERSEN (Norway)
NATALIA GULBISI (USA)
THU 14.00 and FRI 09.15
ALISON WALSHE (USA)
AMY YANG (South Korea)
CARLY BOOTH (Scotland)

 

RWBO AT OLD COURSE, ST ANDREWS EXCITES SUNDAY WINNER KARRIE WEBB

The Old Course Hotel provides the backdrop to the Old Course's infamous 17th (Road) Hole. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agench

FROM THE AGE WEBSITE
Karrie Webb can thank Inbee Park for allowing her to fly under the radar in her tilt for a fourth Women's British Open title.
Webb couldn't be better primed as she heads a cast of nine Australians in the field for the Ricoh Women's British Open on the Old Course at St Andrews from Thursday

A late decision to enter the Ladies European Masters to boost her links golf preparation paid off in spades with a victory on Sunday, raising hopes the 38-year-old Australian (pictured with trophy) can claim an eighth major championship title – the first in seven years.
It's been 11 years since Webb last won the British Open, but she's excited by her form and the fact the women get to play their Open at the home of golf for only the second time.
"I loved playing the British Open here in 2007," said Webb.
"Although I didn't play all that well, I'm hoping that I've learnt a little from that and can apply it this week.
"All links courses have their quirks but St Andrews in many ways is in a league of its own.
"I think the keys this week are to have a very sure game plan with options depending on the conditions ... then stick with it and be patient."
Webb is joined by countrywomen Katherine Hull, Lindsey Wright, Sarah-Jane Smith, Bree Arthur, Nikki Campbell, Whitney Hillier, Sarah Kemp and Stacey Keating.
But all eyes at the Old Course this week are on world No.1 Inbee Park.
The 25-year-old South Korean is trying to become the first player – male or female – to win four consecutive professional major championships in the same calendar year in the modern era.
So unflappable has she been while winning the LPGA Championship in a play-off, the Kraft Nabisco Championship by four shots and then the US Women's Open by four strokes, that Webb jokingly questioned whether she had a heartbeat.
She's currently level with Babe Zaharias (1950), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) as the only players in LPGA history to win three majors in a season.
However, if she wins this week, there will be debate about whether she's actually achieved the coveted grand slam of majors.
For reasons best known to themselves the LPGA has deemed the upcoming Evian Masters – an event she won last year – as a fifth major championship from this year.
"I'll call her a grand slam winner if she wins four," LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan said last week.
"I think we've created the super slam for five [to include the Evian Masters]."
AAP

COME AND PLAY ON THE PAUL LAWRIE TOUR AT ST ANDREWS IN AUGUST

Lisa Shervill, Eleanor Givens and Tara Mactaggart at one of the earlier Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour events this season. They look as if they are enjoying themslves. Come along and join the happy golfing girls on the Scottish Tour for any nationality of competitor.
 
There is still over £20,000 to be won in cash and amateur prize vouchers over the last six competitions on the inaugural Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour.
If you are a lady pro or a female amateur with a single-figure handicap, you can enter any or all of the following events through the website www.scottishladiestour.co.uk

MONDAY, AUGUST 26 - Venue: Fairmont St Andrews. 18 holes. Entry fee £50. Prize fund: £3,000 minimum if there are 30 entries.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 - Venue: The Duke's, St Andrews. 18 holes. Entry fee £50. Prize fund: £3,000 minimum if 30 entries.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - Venue: Haggs Castle GC, Glasgow. 18 holes. Entry fee £50. Prize fund: £3,000 minimum if 30 entries.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 - Venue: Drumpellier GC, Glasgow. 18 holes. Entry fee £50. Prize fund: £3,000 minimum if 30 entries.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 - Venue: Craigielaw GC, East Lothian. 18 holes. Entry fee £50. Prize fund: £3,000 minimum if 30 entries.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9-10
Tour Championship over 36 holes at Marriott Dalmahoy, Edinburgh.
Entry fee: £100. Prize fund: £5,000 minimum if 30 entries + championship trophy.

REMEMBER, THERE IS NO JOINING MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR THE PAUL LAWRIE SCOTTISH LADIES OPEN TOUR.
Bigger entries mean bigger prize funds because all the entry money goes into each tournament's prize fund.
Our competitions normally start in the early afternoon to allow competitors to travel long distances.
With the exception of the Tour Championship - for which we aim to have a splendid trophy - we do not have prizegiving ceremonies.
You can leave as soon as your scorecard has been checked. Pick up your prize - if you have won one - at the next competition or have it transferred to your Bank Account if you are a lady pro.

The Paul Lawrite Scottish Ladies Open Tour is open to ANY lady pro and to ALL lady/girl/senior lady amateurs with handicaps of nine or less.
The Paul Lawrie Tour is approved and supported by the Royal and Ancient. It is funded in the main by the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, Aberdeen.


Any queries: Telephone Tournament Director - PGA professional Nicola Melville. 07816 353 434.
Nicola is working this week as a PGA Rules Referee at the EuroPro Tour event at Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire.
She knows her stuff!

NICOLA HAYNES SETS PACE WITH 67 IN ENGLISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Northumberland’s Nicola Haynes shot four-under par 67 to head an impressive leaderboard after the first round of the English girls’ championship at Oake Manor, Somerset. Nicola, the Northumberland ladies’ champion (image © Leaderboard Photography), is one ahead of Surrey’s Annabel Dimmock, while Emily Royer of Kent shot 69 and Dorset’s Sophie Keech returned a one-under 70. Gloucestershire’s Bethan Popel is the new South West ladies’ champion and continued her good form with a level par score, which was matched by Ashleigh Greenham of Essex. On the tightly packed leaderboard there are four players on one-over par: girl international and Helen Holm Scottish ladies’ open stroke play champion Olivia Winning (Rotherham), Dulcie Sverdloff (Garon Park), Lianna Bailey (Notts Ladies’) and Emily Slater (Woodhall Spa). Nicola Haynes, 17 (Gosforth Park Ladies) described her round as: “Just solid stuff, I didn’t make too many mistakes and I holed a couple of nice putts. “I put the ball in play and made my score from there. I’m very happy, it’s a good start - but there’s a long way to go,” she added. Nicola was three-under to the turn, helped by an eagle on the long fifth, and came home in one-under, with three birdies outweighing two bogeys. Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth) fashioned her 68 after travelling from Fife in Scotland, where she had played in Monday’s Final Qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open. The 16-year-old suffered no ill effects from the journey and dropped shots on only one hole, the par five 15th, where she had a double bogey after finding a bad lie in a bunker and then visiting the water. She had the perfect answer, with birdies on the last three holes: “I just told myself I had to try and make the shots up.” First she put the ball within 6ft of the hole to set up a birdie on the par three 16th. Then she got up and down from a greenside bunker for a birdie on the par five 17th. Finally, despite driving into the trees on the right on the 18th, she holed a 15-footer for birdie on the last. Kent champion Emily Royer (Chart Hills) steered clear of the water and drove the ball well to set up her score. Her putter also served her well, holing a couple of putts of over 30ft for birdies on the outward nine and reliably converting more chances on the way home. “It’s put me in a good position – I just hope I can do the same tomorrow!” she remarked. Dorset’s Sophie Keech staged a remarkable comeback in her round, after she took a quadruple-bogey seven on the short sixth hole, where she was twice in the water. The 17-year-old from Parkstone refused to let it derail her round. “I knew it was horrendous but I told myself to just carry on playing steadily. I just kept on going for par and when I had birdie chances I tried to take them.” She was rewarded with six birdies and just one bogey in the remainder of the round, signing off with a grandstand finish with birdies on 15, 17 and 18. “I’ll take that any day!” said Sophie, who has recently won the South West girls’ and English schools’ championships, and was runner-up in the South West ladies. Curtis Cup player Bronte Law (Bramhall) withdrew from the championship after being involved in a late evening play-off at Kingsbarns, Fife at Monday’s final qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open After Wednesday’s second round the leading 36 players and ties will qualify for the final 36 holes, to be played on Thursday. For full scores visit www.englandgolf.org/championships Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

SAMMY FULLER'S FIFE-T0-DEVEON DASH PRODUCES LEADING PERFORMANCE

Issued 30th July, 2013   Surrey’s Sammy Fuller made a dash from Scotland to Devon to lead the first round of the English U15 girls’ championship at Tiverton with a two-under par score of 72. She holds a three-shot lead over Harriet Allsebrook (Shifnal) and Olivia Hamilton (Cleckheaton and  District), who both scored one-over 75, while Emily Price (Cleobury Mortimer) is a further stroke behind. Meanwhile there was more low-scoring in the English U13 championship, which is being played simultaneously at Tiverton. The lead is held by Anna-Maria Diederichs of Germany, who scored three-under 71, two ahead of Emma Spitz of Austria. Sammy Fuller (Roehampton, Image © Leaderboard Photography), opened her campaign immediately after playing in Monday’s final qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns, Fife. And, although she missed out on a place in the championship over the Old Course, St Andrews, the experience has spurred her on. “I was so buzzed,” she said. Despite the long journey south on Monday evening, she was in fine form yesterday and was three-under par after four holes. Sammy, 14, had just two bogeys in her round on the eighth and 11th, and finished in style, holing a 30-footer for a birdie on the 18th. “It was a nice way to finish,” said Sammy, who represented GB and I in the Junior Vagliano Trophy and who has won the Bridget Jackson Bowl this season. She won the English U13 title in 2011 and was runner-up last year before leaving the age group. Olivia Hamilton was on course to match her score and was two-under par after 16, but the final two holes  of her round proved costly with a double bogey on 17 and a bogey on 18. Her eventual score of one-over was matched by Harriet Allsebrook, who played steadily and was one-over par on the front nine and level par on the back. Devon champion Chloe Howard (Boringdon Park) and county girls’ champion Caitlin Evans-Brand (Yelverton) both returned eight-over 82 and currently share 19th place. After tomorrow’s round the field will be cut to the leading 36 players and ties, who will play the final 36 holes on Thursday. In the U13 championship, the pace was set by Germany’s Anna-Maria Diederichs, who played a stunning back nine, with five birdies and four pars to get to three-under for the round. Norfolk’s Amelia Williamson (Royal Cromer) leads the home challenge with a very steady three-over par 77, which included one birdie and four bogeys. She’s being chased by Ebonie Lewis (Knowle) and Annabell Fuller (Roehampton) who both scored 78. Annabell is the younger sister of U15 leader Sammy Fuller. After Wednesday's second round the leading 18 players and ties will qualify for the final 18 holes on Thursday. For full scores and images visit www.englandgolf.org/championships Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193