REGIONAL MEDAL FINAL (NORTH-EAST DIVISION)

JASMINE (14) LEADS THE SLGA 

FIELD AT KEMNAY WITH A 78

Fourteen-year-old Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) was the only player in the field of 38 to break 80 in today's SLGA Regional Medals Final (North-east Division) at Kemnay Golf Club.
Jasmine, pictured, who plays off seven, returned a gross 78 and her net 71 in the Silver Division earned her one of the two qualifying places for the Grand Final at King James VI Golf Club, Perth on Sunday, September 7.
The next best net scores in the Silver Division were a 73 by Joyce Robertson, who plays off 18 at Cruden Bay, and Ellie Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) with a net 76 off seven.
Sakuna Ramsay (Edzell) was the Bronze Division Qualifier for the Grand Final with a net 77 off 12.
Linda Bell (Kemnay), who had the best net of 72 off 21, in this division was unavailable to play at the Grand Final.
The third best Bronze score was an 80 off 2 by Margaret Kelly (Deeside).
The Kemnay par is 73 and the SS 72. The CSS was 75.
OTHER SCORES
SILVER
Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) (10) 76
Elaine Smith (Deeside) (19) 76 
Fiona Sim (Stonehaven) (9) 77
Shona Reid (McDonald Ellon) (12) 80
Norma Strachan (Tarland) (13) 81
Betty Cole (Montrose Caledonia) (18) 81
Joyce Wilson (Lumphanan) (18) 82
Fiona Watson (Brechin) (17) 82
Helen Jefferson (Forres) (17) 82
Sally Richardson (Banchory) (15) 83. 
Caroline Reid (Hopeman) (9) 85
Sheila Queen (Peterculter) (14) 85
Heather McCabe (Portlethen) (17) 87 
Rosemary Henderson (Edzell) (15) 87
Susie Robertson (Elie and Earlsferry) (14) 87
Muffie Munro (Aboyne) (14) 88
Nicky Fraser (Longside) (18) 92

BRONZE 
Lorraine Leith (Dunecht House) (21) 84
Melanie McCrory (Banchory) (26) 85 
Margaret Lambie (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) (33) 85
Elaine Ray (Aboyne) (20) 86
Pat Ramsay (Oldmeldrum) (20) 86
Carol Littlewood (Montrose Caledonia) (23) 86
Ulla Schaeffer (Hazlehead) (22) 88
Kathleen McGoldrick (Stonehaven) (24) 92
Elizabeth Buchan (Cruden Bay) (28) 92
Elsie Pockett (Hopeman) (33) 92
Anne Rae (Longside) (24) 95
Marilyn Paterson (Aberdeen Ladies) (20) 97
Sandra Nurcombe (Tarland) (24) 98
Heather Wilson (Forres) (20) 98
Dorothy Adam-Cheetham (Aboyne) (25) 112

AILSA SUMMERS, JESSICA MEEK RULED OUT BY CLASH OF BRITISH DATES

ANGUS WILL LACK TWO STARS AT

PITLOCHRY JAMBOREE IN JUNE

The Angus team for this year's North Division Jamboree at Pitlochry Golf Club from June 21 to 23 will lack the services of two of their best players - five times county champion Ailsa Summers and US college student Jessica Meek,
Both these Carnoustie Ladies Golf Club members have entered the British women's open amateur championship which is being played at Royal St George's Golf Club, Kent from June 24 to 28.
Angus team:Jackie Brown (Monifieth)
Jemma Chalmers (Monifieth)
Gillian Monteith (Royal Montrose)
Heather Munro (Monifieth)
Claire Penman (Carnoustie Ladies)
Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir)
Katie Reid (Monifieth)
Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth)

BABERTON HOSTS INTER-AREA GIRLS' MATCH

East Girls' Team with Mhairi McKay Trophy. Back row: Joanne Free, Emma Morrison, Jennifer Allan, Emily Dalgetty Front row: Catherine Goodwin, Clara Young, Charlotte Munro, Lauren Lee

EAST BEAT WEST TO WIN MHAIRI 

McKAY GIRLS' TROPHY AT BABERTON

REPORT FROM MARGARET McPHERSON
The annual match between the East Girls and the West Girls was played at Baberton Golf Club on Sunday. After torrential showers as the girls were starting off, the skies cleared and conditions became ideal for golf.

All the games were closely contested with the girls playing excellent golf in a friendly and sporting manner.  

Congratulations to the East girls who managed to secure a narrow, 1pt victory and win back the Mhairi McKay Trophy which the West won last year. 

Our thanks to Baberton Golf Club for courtesy of the course and for a friendly welcome and excellent catering after the match.

EAST GIRLS 4 1/2, WEST GIRLS 3 1/2

(East names first)Clara Young (North Berwick) lost to Hazel MacGarvie (Troon) 3 and 2.

Emily Dalgetty (Glencorse) bt Ellie Bryce (Strathaven) 3 and 2.

Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies) halved with Kirsten Brown (Strathaven)

Jennifer Allan (Glenbervie) lost to Jillian Farrell (Cardross) 4 and 2.

Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies) lost to Alexandra Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) 1 hole.

Lauren Lee (Musselburgh) bt Lori MacDonald (Cardross) 3 and 2

Catherine Goodwin (Glenbervie) bt Lauren Gilbert (Ranfurly Castle) 3 and 2

Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park) bt Molly Richmond (Strathaven) 5 and 4

LOCHWINNOCH LASS ON P.E. DEGREE COURSE AT STIRLING UNIVERSITY

EILIDH'S CURTIS CUP DREAM COMES


TRUE BUT  STILL A CAREER-AMATEUR




NEWS RELEASE FROM SLGA

By ELSPETH BURNSIDE
Just a week after her 21st birthday and a dream came true for Scot Eilidh Briggs (pictured) when she won the Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play championship over 54 holes at Prestatyn and clinched a place in the GB and Ireland team to defend the Curtis Cup at St Louis Country Club, Missouri from June 6-8.
The 2013 SLGA Order of Merit winner and Gemma Dryburgh, an Aberdeen-born student at Tulane University, New Orleans, are the two Scots included in the eight-strong team.
“It really was a whirlwind few days,” admitted Briggs. “I didn’t know that winning the Welsh would secure one of the two Curtis Cup spots from the LGU Order of Merit but it certainly worked out well.
“At the start of the year, I had a hope of making the team. Now I am absolutely thrilled.
“Becoming a Curtis Cup player is something I’ve dreamed about since I took up golf.”
Briggs is different from so many of the modern day amateurs. She is not a teenager just biding her time before making the switch to the professional ranks.
The Kilmacolm golfer manages to combine elite sport with her studies for a teaching degree in physical education at Stirling University.
“The University is great and so supportive,” she said. “I have extended my degree to five years and been able to reorganise my teaching practices from the summer to the autumn terms. I should qualify in 2016. I love teaching PE and am so glad to be able to do both golf and university. And I’ll still be an amateur by the time of the next Curtis Cup.”
Briggs took up golf when she was just seven and her record is impressive. In 2011, she won the Scottish Girls’ Championship and reached the final of the Scottish Championship. 
She is a three-time Renfrewshire county champion, a three time winner of the SLGA Girls’ Order of Merit and has played for Scotland in two Women's Home Internationals and at the World Amateur Team Championship.
All her family - the family home is at Lochwinnoch - are great supporters. Older sister Megan - the 2009 Scottish women's amateur champion and a solicitor – and Mum Dorothy will both be going to St Louis as spectators and Dad Ian often caddies for his daughters.
It is Briggs’ consistency which has impressed over the last few years. “I had a lot of top tens in LGU events but needed the win,” said the player who is coached by Gregor Howie. 
“Finally making the breakthrough in Wales was perfect timing.”
As a Stirling University Curtis Cup player, Briggs is following in famous footsteps. Catriona Matthew, the 2009 Women’s British Open Champion, played in the team three times during her period studying for a business degree.
Two years ago, Briggs watched on TV as GB and Ireland won the Curtis Cup at Nairn. Now she is looking forward to her US adventure.
“The University always sends players to the Orange Blossom Tour in Florida in January so I have played some golf in America and I’ll get advice from the Scots that are studying over there,” she said. “I know it is going to be a fantastic experience.”
The Curtis Cup team flies out to Atlanta and then on to St Louis on May 26. Before then, Eilidh will be competing in the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Prestwick from May 20-24.

HOPEMAN STUDENT COMING TO END OF FOUR YEARS IN AMERICA

GODSMAN BOWS OUT OF US COLLEGE 

GOLF AT NCAA DIV 2 CH/SHPS May 19-23

Kyle Godsman's last golf tournament of his four years as a student at South Carolina-Aiken University will be the NCAA Division 2 championships at the Meadows Golf Club, Allendale, Michigan from May 19 to 23.

SC-Aiken clinched their place in the US college golf season's finale by finishing third in the recent NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championship at Savannah Quarters, Pooler in Georgia.

The top seven teams advanced to the final.

Head coach Michael Carlisle's team finished with a three-round total of 876, 12-over par. The squad finished eight strokes back of Barry, which claimed the region title with a four-over par, 868. Nova Southeastern took the silver with an 874. Rounding out the teams that earned a spot at the NCAA Championships were Armstrong, Lynn, Delta State and North Alabama.
Godsman, who comes from Hopeman, Morayshire. registered a two-under par 214 for USC Aiken. His solid effort all week allowed him to shoot par or better for all 54 holes - 70, 72 and 72 for ninth place.
The Scot finished four shots behind individual winner Tim Crouch (Florida State) who scored 69, 70 and 71 for a six-under-par total of 210 over the par-72, 7016yd course.
Mitch Farrer from West Sussex and a final-year student at Nova Southeastern finished T19 on 219 (73-74-72).
Rob Prior (Lander University), a junior student from Surrey, finished T85 in a field of 108. He had a total of 236, made up of rounds of 81, 78 and 77.

SYMETRA TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

TAIWAN PLAYER WINS BY FIVE SHOTS

Photo Credit: Scott A. Miller

Wei-Ling Hsu celebrates winning the Symetra Tour's Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic at the Links at Stoney Point on May 11, 2014 in Greenwood, South Carolina.

 
GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA – Wei-Ling Hsu from Taiwan fired a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to win the inaugural Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic at The Links at Stoney Point.  
Hsu’s three-day total of 8-under-par 280 cleared the rest of the field by five strokes.
Europeans Marta Silva (Spain) and France's, Joanna Klatten plus South Korea's Min Seo Kwak finished in a three-way tie for second at 3-under 285.
Hsu was steady over the first nine making one birdie on the par-4 eighth hole and eight pars.  She seized control of the event with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes.  
Hsu entered the day with a one stroke lead over Kwak and a two shot edge on Klatten and Silva. While Hsu flourished, Silva and Klatten shot just 1-under while Kwak shot an even-par 72.
Hsu finished on a high note with a birdie on 16, a bogey on 17 and an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.  She was doused with water by fellow Symetra Tour players after dropping the putt that sealed victory. 
“It’s very exciting to win this tournament,” said Wei-Ling Hsu.  “The big prize ($30,000) is very good.”
Hsu skyrocketed all the way from 81st to fourth on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.  Her best finish prior to the win was a T27 at the Volvik Championship.
“When I made the putt and everyone started running at me, I said to myself ‘oh my god’,” said the 19-year-old Hsu.  “When I won last year in Albany, nobody threw water on me, so I’m happy they did here.”
Hsu, who is in her second year on the Symetra Tour, won the Credit Union Challenge in Albany, New York last year.
With her $30,000 pay cheque, the largest in Symetra Tour history, Hsu jumps into the top-10 on Volvik Race for the Card money list with season earnings of $31,810.
“A four-day event is very tough and everybody knows how important the money list is on the Symetra Tour.  We also have to travel a lot and spend a lot of money and the money is very important for me and my family.”
This week, Hsu’s caddie was her mother, which was especially fitting on Mother’s Day (celebrated later in the USA than in the UK).
“This morning, my brother told me to win this championship and give your mom a big Mother’s Day gift.  Two days ago, I was thinking about what I should get my mom for Mother’s Day, but today I won and I think she is very proud of me.”
Hsu is now eligible for the $1 million Park Sterling Cup challenge.  If she also wins the Friends of Mission Charity Classic next week in Asheville, N.C. and the Symetra Classic in Charlotte in two weeks, she will win $1 million.  
TIFOSI OPTICS LOW ROUND: Min Lee shot a 5-under-par 67 on Sunday to move from T19 to a tie for sixth.  She had the lowest round on Sunday and therefore is the Tifosi Optics Low Round winner. 
Lee wins a free pair of Tifosi Optics sunglasses, the official sunglasses of the Symetra Tour.
With her impressive day, Lee also jumps from 26th to 16th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.
“I hit the ball better today and my putting is getting better,” said Lee.  “I just tried to focus on ever shot today.”
Min Lee is only 18-years-old.  
WOODS HAS GREAT ROUND: Cheyenne Woods struggled on hole number two on Friday and Saturday, scoring an eight on the par-5 both days.  
Today, she made birdie on the second hole and fired a 5-under-par 67.  
“Today was really solid, I played a lot better than I had the last two days,” said Woods, who shot a 77 and 78 on Friday and Saturday. 
 “I was really happy with number two, it gave me a lot of trouble this week, and I ended up with a birdie there today to start out my day and from there it was solid.”
Woods made six birdies and just one bogey on the day to finish 5-over for the tournament, good for T22.
She also closed strong with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.  She played the par-5 holes 3-under-par. 
“I definitely played the par-5 holes well today.  I just felt like my game came together today.  Nothing was extraordinary; I hit the fairways and greens and hit a few putts.”
Woods was complimentary of the staff, volunteers and fans that put this event together.   
“This event has been one of the best we’ve had this year.  I feel like everyone has put in so much effort.  Everyone truly cares about the event, cares about the girls and wants to make this the best experience possible and I feel like they have.  From the volunteers to the sponsors and the fans that came out to watch, everyone has been so supportive.  It feels like a big event and it’s fun to play when you have great people around you like this.”
MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL ROUND FOR RANKIN: Mother’s Day is special to most, but for Reilley Rankin it carries extra meaning because her mother has battled cancer and has dementia.  
Rankin shot a 3-under-par 69 and finished at 2-over for the weekend.  She birdied five of her first 11 holes.
Rankin finished T12 in the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic. 
“It was nice to end on a good note,” said Rankin.  “I felt close all week and it is a good confidence builder for next week.”
Rankin got emotional when asked about the significance of her performance on Mother’s Day.
“I wouldn’t be here without my mom.  Obviously it has been tough with my mom recently, she has been sick, but it means a lot to play well and I know she would be proud.”
KWAK MAKES COSTLY BOGEY: Min Seo Kwak made a bogey on the 18th hole to slip into a three-way tie for second place.  If she had made par, she would have had sole possession of second place.
Solo second place would have paid out $18,784, but instead she tied for second and made $14,172.
 Kwak has produced back-to-back strong weeks and is now third on the Volvik Race for the Card money list at $14,172.
VOLVIK RACE FOR LEADER STILL FENG: Cindy Feng had one of her toughest rounds of the year, closing the event with a 4-over-par 76 and moving down to a tie for 22nd place.  
Feng still holds a tight grip on the number one spot on the Volvik Race for the Card money list with earnings of $43,531.
Feng has yet to finish outside the top-40 this year and has five top-10 finishes.   

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE 

LEADING FINAL TOTALS 
AND PRIZEMONEY
par 288 (4x72) players from USA unless stated
280 Wei-Ling Hsu (Taiwan) 72 68 72 68 ($30,000).
285 Marta Silva (Spain) 71 69 74 71, Joanna Klatten (France) 71 67 76 71, Min Seo Kwak (S Korea) 70 71 72 72 ($14,172 each)
286 Brittany Altomare 71 73 72 70 ($8,406)
287 Min Lee (Taiwan) 75 72 73 67, Sarah Kemp (Australia) 73 71 72 71 ($6,401 each).
288 Sara-Maude Juneau (Canada) 70 72 78 68, Casey Grice 74 72 71 71, Marissa Steen 70 71 75 72, Alejandra Llaneza (Mexico) 71 72 72 73 ($4,490 each).
SELECTED TOTALS
292 Stacey Keating (Australia) 73 77 67 75 (T28) ($2,522)
293 Cheyenne Woods 71 78 77 67 (T22) ($2,124)
294 Olivia Jordan-Higgins (Channel Islands) 74 71 78 71 (T28) ($1,713)
295 Louise Friberg (Sweden) 69 78 74 74 (T34) ($1,400) 
297 Therese Koelbaek (Denmark) 75 74 72 76 (T42) ($1,054)