MERRY CHRISTMAS

On behalf of all on the committee I would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a very healthy happy and successful 2008!

I have attached a 'virtual Christmas Card' which I hope you will all enjoy! Just click on the link below!

CLICK HERE FOR CARD

Hope you all have a wonderful time.

JUNIORS WINTER SQUADS

Following a meeting of Carol Lambie (Junior Convenor), Dawn Butchart (Captain), Lenore Kyle (Vice Captain), Shona Leighton (Match Secretary) and Pam Drysdale the following girls have been awarded the Gleneagles Scholarship:

Caitlin Bartrop (Murrayshall)
Erin Millar (Pitlochry)
Eve Muirhead (Pitlochry)
Annabel Niven (Creiff)

All four girls will be afforded full membership to Gleneagles for a period of 1 year, coaching will be provided plus full use of the practice facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity for the girls and one which I hope they take full advantage of. Two of the above girls have also been named in the senior squad, they are Eve and Annabel.

The Elite Squad has also been announced they are:

Emily Aird (Strathmore)
Megan Aird (Strathmore)
Caitlin Bartrop (Murrayshall)
Allie Burnett (Dunkeld)
Laura Campbell (Pitlochry)
Lauren Marchbank (Auchterarder)
Patricia Mennie (Auchterarder)
Erin Millar (Pitlochry)

The above girls will recieve three half day coaching sessions at Gleneagles Golf Academy.

The Intermediate Squad are as follows:

Laura Aitken (Killin)
Louise Campbell (Craigie Hill)
Claire Gadsby (Muthill)
Laura Ross (Auchterarder)
Abbie Scrimgeour (Blairgowrie)
Jennifer Smith (Kinross)

These girls will receive 3 coaching dates at Noah's Ark Perth. All other girls will be contacted soon regarding their coaching arrangements.

All girls have been notified and we look forward to seeing the girls in the early part of the new year.

COUNTY SQUAD FOR 2007/8

Following a meeting of the County Selectors, Dawn Butchart (Captain), Lenore Kyle (Vice Captain), Liz Miskimmin (President) and Shona Leighton (Match Secretary) we are delighted to name the following players as squad members for winter training and practice matches. A team of 8 players will then be selected to represent P&K at the jamboree next year at Downfield.

The squad members are:

Carly Booth (Comrie) USA
Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore)
Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld)
Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill)
Carol Muir (Craigie Hill)
Eve Muirhead (Pitlochry)
Annabel Niven (Crieff)
Roseanne Niven (Crieff) USA
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder)
Fiona Ramsay (Crieff)
Sal Shepherd (Pitlochry)
Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) USA
Laura Wlaker (Muckhart)
Gillian Wallace (Glenisla)
Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall)

As you can see we have an excellent squad for next year with five players holding a handicap of 2 or less, including three players who have represented Scotland at international level and a total of 12 category 1 players.

We are very pleased to welcome the following players back to the squad they are Carly Booth, Jillian Milne and Gillian Wallace. Carly had an excellent season last year and is in the LGU Elite squad for 2007/2008. Although Carly is in the states at present she is returning in May next year and we look forward to seeing her then. Jillian, a team player for some 13 years, took a year off following the birth of her daughter Esme and Gillian took time out to spend with her family, so a very warm welcome back to you all. We are also very pleased to welcome new Perth and Kinross member Laura Walker. Laura has recently moved to this area from Northern Counties where she has represented Northern for many years. Laura is a very experienced player who is a tremendous addition to the squad. Also it will be wonderful to have Emily join on the coaching and practice match days over the winter as she has now completed her 4 years in the States.

Roseanne Niven a stalwart County Team player and Jacqueline Sneddon who represented P&K at last years Jamboree (where she made a very impressive debut) are both at University in the states but like Carly will join us early in the season next year. Therefore there is a squad of 12 who will take part in the coaching session at Gleneagles and of course the practice matches and we will keep you all informed of their progress and the match results.

COUNTY COACHING

In preparation for the pre-season winter coaching I forwarded a letter to all P&K clubs requesting handicap records of all ladies and girls with a handicap of 7 of better who would wish to be considered for senior squad coaching over the winter at Gleneagles Golf Academy. By the clubs responding we are ensuring that no player with potential will be excluded.

A huge thank you now goes to your Handicap Secretary's who took the time to forward this information to me. A meeting will be held on December 3rd prior to our full Committee, with the selectors who are Captain Dawn Butchart, vice Captain Lenore Kyle, Match Secretary Shona Leighton and President Liz Miskimmin and all successful squad members will be notified. This year, more than any other, we are in a fantastic position of having a large number of players with a handicap of 5 or less! Great news for P&K!

I still await contact from Murrayshall, Pitlochry and Muckhart Golf Clubs therefore if you are a member of the above clubs and you have a handicap of 7 or less and your information has not been sent through another club, please request your information be sent to myself as soon as possible.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S GOLF FESTIVAL

The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival is open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs with handicaps under 10. There is no minimum or maximum age but you must either be a professional or a single-figure handicap amateur. It's a player-friendly tournament. You can arrive any day of the week and you can leave any day of the next week at a five-star golf resort with five-star practice facilities: a six-hole Academy course, a 36-bay driving range, a bunker practice green, a practice putting green (huge) and a pitching and chipping practice green, represents a great setting to get your game back into shape for 2008. Within the 2 week festival there is a minimum 8 competions, some 18 hole some 36 also practice rounds will be available.

Emily Ogilvy is the first (and only so far) P&K entry for the event which will be held from February 10 to 23 ... six competitions in 14 days, open to Lady Professionals and Lady Amateurs (max handicap 9).

For more details click on the link below for Kirkwood Golf then follow the link on the left hand side. Or email colin@scottishgolfview.com. why don't a few get together and a holiday with all your golf organised! Sounds great.

KIRKWOOD GOLF

CONGRATULATIONS SAL

Congratulations go to squad member Sal Shepherd (Blairgowrie) who has just returned from a trip of a lifetime. Sal has just climbed 5895 metre high Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The climb took 6 days and was in aid of Scottish SPCA. When I spoke with Sal she had this to say 'For Scottish SPCA we , so far as there is still money coming in, have raised over £51,000. By the way I am 2nd from left, front row.....I tell you that as half my family didnt recognise me!!'

This is not the first trip Sal has embarked on she has also completed the Inca Trail for the SSPCA as well. I think you have excelled yourself this time Sal. Well done and keep up the good work.

(Perthaps we should have Sal in charge of our fund raising!, What do you think Sal!)

P&K LADIES AND GIRLS FEATURE HIGH

Congratulations to Emily Ogilvy who finished in 3rd place in the SLGA Ladies ranking for 2007, a fantastic achievement. County Champion Alexandra Bushby also finished a very credible 18th. The over all winner was Jenna Wilson.
Our congratulations also go to Eve Muirhead who was our top P&K junior member in the girls rankings at 12th place, Jacqueline Sneddon in 16th place, Annabel Niven in 20th, Megan Aird in 48th place and her little sister Emily in 53rd. The overall winner of the girls was of course Carly Booth who has had a fantastic season.

Well done to all our players, it is wonderful to see so many featured on the leader board. To view the full leader board click on the link below.

CLICK HERE and follow the links on this website.

AGM

Last night was our AGM 2007. It was fantastic to see so many members coming along to both the EGM and AGM, thank you to you all. Janet Griffiths carried out her final duty as Captain by chairing both meetings. Janet has done a fantastic job as Captain and was thanked by the committee for all her hard work and dedication.

I am very honoured to be your next Captain and look forward to doing my very best to promote our county and players to the very best of my ability. Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have any ideas or queries regarding county golf. The new committee are pictured above and are back row left to right Pam Drysdale, Joan Merry,Liz Fertacz, Shona Leighton, Catherine Monks, Mary Hope, Carol Lambie and Carol Muir. Front row left to right, County Secretary Alexandra Bushby, Vice Captain Lenore Kyle, County Captain Dawn Butchart and County President Liz Miskimmin.

I am delighted Lenore Kyle has agreed to be Vice Captain. With Lenore's vast experience she will be a huge asset to the county and I am looking forward to working along side Lenore over the next two years. Liz Fetacz has stepped down as Treasurer but will remain on committee to fulfil her three year term as committee member. Liz has been a great treasurer and we thank her for her time and efforts. Catherine Monks (Dunkeld) has accepted the treasurers post and we are very pleased to welcome her on board. Shona Leighton has accepted the position as Match Secretary and selector. Shona, a past team member, has vast golfing experience and will be of great benefit to the County players and team members. Alexandra Bushby has agreed to remain as Secretary. As a past secretary myself I know how much work and time this entails and I am extremely grateful we have someone like Alex agreeing to take on this roll. Alex is a perfectionist and everything she takes on is always completed to the highest standard, this includes her golf! Carol Lambie is one in a million, she is just the most wonderful Junior Convenor ever! We are extremely lucky to have someone like Carol in charge of our juniors. Liz Miskimmin has also agreed to continue in her roll as President. Liz is the most wonderful President and is always so very happy to help and advise. She is a fantastic roll model for us all. The remaining committee members are Joan Merry, Mary Hope, Carol Muir and new committee member Pam Drysdale who has agreed to help Carol with the older junior girls.

Following the AGM was the prizegiving above are the prizewiners, they are back row left to right Liz Fertacz, Catherine Peebles, Sue Jones, Meriel Walker. Front row left to right Dawn Butchart, County Champion Alexandra Bushby and Jane Yellowlees.

For more photo's of the evening click below.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Congratulations to Roseanne Niven (Crieff) who shot her best round so far on the US women's college circuit - a three-under-par 68 - to improve from joint 28th overnight to a final placing of joint 11th in a top-quality field of 93 for the Stanford Intercollegiate at Stanford University, California. Roseanne birdied the fifth, sixth, seventh, 11th and 12th with bogeys at the first and 18th in halves of 33 and 35 over the 6,089yd course. With earlier rounds of 73 and 77, she totalled 218 - seven shots behind the winner, Stacy Lewis (Arkansas). For the second time in a row, Roseanne was the best placed member of her University of California Berkeley team which finished 5th overall. Well done Roseanne and the best of luck for your next tournament.

Good luck to County team member Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) who is taking part in The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championships being staged at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Texas from 24th to 27th October 2007. Ninety six participants enjoy the Houston Experience, which starts today, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, accommodations at the International Village at Camp Olympia and Spirit Sponsor events each night. All part of a week dedicated to international fellowship and fantastic competition by the world’s best amateur golfers for the coveted Spirit gold medal. The competition is both individual and team format, Emily partners Aberdeenshire's Michele Thomson - well done to both girls and good luck!

SLGA Winter Training C Squad Update

County team member Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) is named as a member of the SLGA Winter Training C Squad - congratulations Jacqueline.

Well done to County team member Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore) who took part in the SLGA Champion of Champions at Glasgow Gailes on Sunday. Alex finished in joint 6th place having scored a very creditable 84. The winner of the tournament was Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) who scored 75.

Well done to County Senior and Junior members Sal Shepherd and Laura Campbell (top), Shona Leighton and Megan Aird (middle) and Jane Yellowlees and Erin Millar (left) who took part in the Angus County Senior & Junior Greensomes held at Edzell Golf Club on Sunday. Sal & Laura scored 38 points, Shona & Megan 36 points and Jane & Erin 31 points. The event was won by Linda Allan & Alexis Hutton from Stirlingshire with 43 points. Everyone enjoyed the day and it is hoped that this competition will be an annual event.

Good luck to current and former County team members Shona Leighton, Sal Shepherd and Jane Yellowlees who are competing along with Perth & Kinross junior members Megan Aird, Laura Campbell and Erin Millar in the Adult and Junior Greensomes Competition at Edzell on Sunday.

Play well everyone.

Good Luck to Perth & Kinross County Champion Alexandra Bushby who is competing in the SLGA Champion of Champions tournament at Glasgow Gailes on Sunday 14th October. Alexandra qualified for the competition having won the P & K championship at Kinross in May.

Play well Alex!

Congratulations to County team member Roseanne Niven who achieved her best finish since joining the University of California Berkeley. She has been competing in the three day Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational tournament hosted by Washington at the Salahee Golf Club. Roseanne's final round matched her excellent first round 73 (1 over par) to finish in joint 10th place, just six over in total, and only 5 shots behind the joint leaders Belen Mozo (South California) and Alison Walshe (Arizona). Roseanne's three round total for 54 holes was 222 (including 7 birdies and no double bogies) and was the best score of her universty team. The team finished in 5th place. Really well done Roseanne and good luck for the next tournament!
Photo courtesy of Cal Carson

Well done to County team member Jacqueline Sneddon who's second round 82 saw her finish in 17th place in the Western Washington Invitational over the Bellingham Golf Course. Jacqueline was the second best scorer in her Grand Canyon University team with her team mate Jessica McKay winning the tournament with scores of 73 & 74. Jacqueline's university team finished in 5th place overall.

On the second day of the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational hosted by Washington at the Salahee Golf Club County team member Roaseanne Niven scored a 76 (4 over par) to go with her exceptional first round score of 73 (1 over par) This puts Roseanne in tied tenth place overall with one round to go. Roseanne's second round included 6 bogies and an excellent birdie, birdie finish. Roseanne's team, California Berkeley, lie in 5th place after yesterday's round. Good luck to Roseanne and her team mates for today's final round!

County team member Jacqueline Sneddon is taking part in her third tournament since joining Grand Canyon University in Arizona. In the first round of the Western Washington Invite, Jacqueline posted an 81 and lies in 14th place. Her fellow team mate Jessica McKay leads the two day tournament with a 73 over the Bellingham Golf Course. The Grand Canyon University team lies in 4th place - good luck to Jacqueline in the second round being held today.

Well done to County team member Roseanne Niven who returned an excellent 73 - (1 over par) her best round so far as a member of the California Berkeley University team - in the first round of the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational hosted by Washington at the Salahee Golf Club. Roseanne's score put her in tied 5th place and her team in tied 4th place on +17. In her round Roseanne had 3 birdies including two 2s and 4 bogies. Good luck to Roseanne for the rest of the tournament.

Photograph courtesy of Tom Ward