Scottish Ladies Golfing Association AGM

The SLGA AGM was held in the Dewar's Centre in Perth on Saturday 16th January. There was a record attendance in which the P&K Clubs were extremely well represented.
The meeting ran very smoothly under the Chair of Shona Malcolm.
The highlights were the election of Catriona Matthew as Honorary Vice-President and the election to the Board of our very own past Captain Dawn Butchart  as the Boards nominee and county member Sandy Bushby who will complete our past President Liz Miskimmin's term of office.
We are privileged to have two new members from our County, they will be excellent ambassadors for P&K and both great assets on the Board.
I know all our members will join me in congratulating Dawn and Sandy and wishing them every success in their new venture.
Emma Wilson has been elected as new President and one other new Board member is Lorna Bennett both from Fife.
The full account of the AGM is available on the SLGA website http://www.slga.co.uk/ .

THE POWER OF THE WEE WHITE BALL!

With this awful weather we all are suffering from withdrawal symptoms so I thought this poem below would bring a little light relief! Enjoy

In My Hand I Hold A Ball,
White And Dimpled, Rather Small.
Oh, How Bland It Does Appear,
This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By It's Size I Could Not Guess,
The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.
But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell,
I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.
My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same,
Since I Choose To Play This Stupid Game.
It Rules My Mind For Hours On End,
A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.
It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry,
I Hate Myself And Want To Die.
It Promises A Thing Called Par,
If I Can Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball,
Should Not Be Very Hard At All.
But My Desires The Ball Refuses,
And Does Exactly As It Chooses.
It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies,
And Even Disappears Before My Eyes.
Often It Will Have A Whim,
To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.
With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land,
It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand.
Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul,
If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup,
And Swear That I Will Give It Up.
And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow,
But The Ball Knows .... I'll Be Back Tomorrow

True, oh so very true.....

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

A very Happy Christmas to you all and a Good Golfing in 2010!!

See you in the New Year!

NEWS FROM CARLY

Just heard from Carly and she is overjoyed with her result. She is delighted to be starting a fresh new adventure and is ready to take on the challenge.  She did say she was sorry she wouldnt be able to play in any more jambouree's but said they were 'good times'

Well done Carly we will watch you will interest and pride.

Read below for the results!

CONGRATULATIONS CARLY .

We all knew in P&K what a magnificent talent we had in Carly Booth and now she has proved it amongst the best in Europe. Carly has not only been placed in the top 30 qualifiers but has finished in an amazing 14th overall and 5th amateur with a 5 under par 289. A brilliant finish.


We are all so very proud of her achievements and hope that LET allow her to do what she has always wanted to do and that is to be a professional golfer and compete on the European Tour.


Congratulations also go to Kylie Walker who has also gained full playing rights by finishing in 9th overall and 3rd amateu . We will, ofcourse, have to wait to hear if both players are going to take the next step to being professionals. But whatever the decision our warmest congratulations go to them.

Well Carly you are always our star!!!

GO CARLY!

After a bit of a wet and snowy weekend where play was suspended on Saturday leaving yesterday a catch up day with two rounds, Carly has come up trumps. She is currently sitting in joint 8th position going into the final round. As I explained earlier only 30 full cards (category 8) are available, although those players finishing in positions 31-50 can take a lower category of membership which will give them a number of starts, but how many cannot be guaranteed.However as Carly is only 17 LET Press Officer Bethan Cutler has stated that if Carly came through Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Qualifying School with LET playing rights for the 2010 season, she "would have to seek special dispensation to compete before her 18th birthday (on June 21, 2010). It would be reviewed and the decision would be down to Alexandra Armas (the LET chief executive). The tour treats every qualifier on a case by case basis and takes the decision very seriously." So we will have to await their decision.

Fellow Scot Kylie Walker shared the best round score yesterday with 68 and is sitting in joint 6th and the good news is that both Scots are out together at 1pm this afternoon for the final round.

P&K send the very best wishes to both. Here's hoping they both receive an early Christmas Present!

GREAT START FOR CARLY

Team member Carly Booth made a fantastic start to the final stages of the LET quaifying round. Carly returned a magnificant 3 under par 70 to be placed joint 9th. Her round consisted of 6 birdies at 1 4 7 9 12 and 18. Carly amazing length helped her birdie 3 out of 5 of the par 5 holes. Carly did bogey 2, 3 and 10 which were a par 3 and two par 4's. 

Fellow scot Kylie Walker also had a good day finishing joint 26th on 1 under par. 

Good luck tomorrow Carly

WINTER COACHING BEGINS

The P&K Winter Coaching Squads for 2009/2010 have been announced. They are as follows:

Senior Squad:

Carly Booth (Comrie)
Alex Bushby (Blairgowrie)
Dawn Butchart (Strathmore)
Laura Campbell (Pitlochry) 
Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld and Birnam)
Jill Milne (Craigiehill)
Annabel Niven (Crieff)
Fiona Ramsay (Crieff)
Laura Walker (Muckhart) 
Gillian Wallace (Glenisla) 
Julie White (Auchterarder) 
Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall)
Not available for coaching in the UK at present: Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) and Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder).

Scholarship Girls:
Laura Aitken (Killin)
Claire Gadsby (Crieff)
Hannah Robb (Strathmore)
Eilidh Watson (Muckhart).

Again we are very lucky to have such a great squad of girls both and at senior and junior level. The first Senior Coaching Session took place on Sunday at Gleneagles when the girls were put their paces on long game and shot making. The day was very successful and the players are all looking forward to the next session in the new year.  

WELL DONE CARLY

Team member Carly Booth has sailed through the first round of the LET qualifying and is now set to play tomorrow in the Final Qualifying stages over four rounds at La Manga.



Carly returned scores of 74 73, 74 for six-over 221 and finished in joint 21st. Fellow Scot Kylie Walker also made it through the first round finishing a very impressive joint 10th. P&K also wish Kylie well tomorrow when she along with Carly join the top 46 players from this qualifying round, making a field of 84 for the final stage. After three rounds at Final Qualifying, a cut will be made to the leading 50 players and ties, following which the order of exemption will be finalised on the last day.


Only 30 full cards (category 8) are available, although those players finishing in positions 31-50 can take a lower category of membership which will give them a number of starts. 

Hope all this makes sense!!!

Good luck Carly!


ber Carly Booth sails into the final

CARLY CERTAIN TO PLAY TOMORROW

Following another solid round of 73 Carly is currently sitting in joint 20th position and will comfortably make the cut of 70 who will play in the final round of stage one. The top 46 from tomorrow progress to stage two. 

Fellow Scot Kylie Walker will also play tomorrow she is currently tied 10th.

Good Luck tomorrow!

CARLY GETS OFF TO A GREAT START

Carly Booth got off to a wonderful start to day recording a one over par 74 to finish the first days play in joint 13th position.

Fellow Scot Kylie Walker has also had a brilliant day, she has returned a one under par 72 and sitting in 6th position. Both girls completed the South course today.

A brilliant start Carly. Good luck tomorrow!!

GOOD LUCK CARLY

Team member Carly Booth was today scheduled to take part in the first day's play of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain however play was called off because of high winds and heavy rain. The first round will now take place tomorrow.


Although Carly is only 17 and technically too young to play on the LET her  +3 handicap more than deserves her a place in the field. She will make up a small band of  scots who are taking part this week, the other two are Kylie Walker who along with Carly is a member of the Curtis Cup short leet for the 2010 match in the United States, and North of Scotland women's amateur champion Katy McNicoll who is now a professional. Glasgow's Gemma Webster, who turned professional in the States following her graduation from Ohio State University, did enter Stage 1 but withdrew during the past week. Also Clare Queen and Pamela Feggans, who also finished outside the top 90 in the LET money table for 2009, will join the qualifiers from Stage 1 in the Final Stage over 72 holes.


A total of 166 players are targeting a place on the 2010 Ladies European Tour. Only 30 full cards are available at the end of seven rounds, although those players finishing in positions 31-50 can take a lower category of membership.


Qualifying School is known as one of golf’s most nerve-wracking events, as dreams of earning a living on tour can either be made or shattered.


Stage I is being played over La Manga’s North and South courses over the next three days. After 36 holes, a cut will be made to the leading 70 players and ties. The final round of Stage I will be played on Wednesday over the North Course.


The leading 46 players will be progress to Stage 2, Final Qualifying, to be played over the South Course, with a practise round on December 17.


A field of 84 competitors will contest the Final Qualifying stage over four rounds from Friday to next Monday (December 18-21). After three rounds a cut will be made to the leading 50 players and ties, following which the order of exemption will be finalised on the last day.


My thanks go to Colin Farquarson for all the details regarding this event.
 
We wish Carly well and I will keep you as much up to date as possible.

AMENDED CONSTITUTION

During our AGM in October a proposal was put forward by County Captain Lenore Kyle to change the criteria regarding membership to the association. This change was agreed unanimously and the constution has been altered accordingly.


To see the new wording and download your new copy please click on the link below and follow the instructions.

CLICK HERE FOR NEW CONSTITUTION

CONGRATULATIONS EMILY AIRD

Junior member Emily Aird has been awarded a Personal Achievement Award for her golfing accomplishments this year. In particularly her participation in the US Kids Golf European Tournament at Gullane where she finished a very credible 6th and also for being invited to take part in the Teen World Championships in North Carolina.


The award ceremony was at the Perth concert Hall on Wednesday night where she had a photograph taken with Elizabeth Grant, Convenor of the Lifelong Learning Committee and John Fyffe the Executive Director for Education and Children's Services.


It fantastic for Emily to be recognised is this way and we are all very proud of her.


If you would like to see Emily being interviewed while she was in the US go to http://www.uskidsgolf.com/ and click on tournaments. A video screen comes up on the right hand side of the next screen. If you scroll down on the video list you should find one that is called Teen World Championship Day 1 Girls 2009 (it then tells you it is day 3 but just keep going). It's great.

Jacqueline has success at Monterey Bay.

County Squad member Jacqueline Sneddon had a very creditable 8th place in the Cal. State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational at Bayonnet Golf Club. Her College Team took 2nd place.
Well done Jacqueline, this is the final event for the year so she is looking forward to a rest until after the Christmas holidays.

CARLY SHOWS HER CLASS TO LEAD IN BRAZIL

After my search to find info yesterday, Colin Farquharson kindly sent me the following report.

Team member Carly Booth finished two strokes clear of the girls' championship field on the second day of the Nick Faldo Series Grand Final at Itanhanga Golf Club, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday.

17-year-old Carly had a brilliant second round of 70 over the par 73 course, improving her first round by seven strokes when she had to cope with very heavy rain.

With one round to go, Carly is on one-over-par 147 - two shots ahead of English girls' champion and fellow Curtis Cup squad member Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) who also had a second-round 70 after a first-day 79 in the wet conditions. Former English women's amateur champion Hannah Barwood (Knowle) is on 152 with scores of 78 and 74.

Londoner Jonathan Bell was the leading boy with a first-round 70, one shot ahead of Gregory Eason (Kirby Muxloe).

Good luck today Carly!

CARLY IN RIO DE JANERIO

Team member Carly Booth is in Brazil this week taking part in the Faldo Series Grand Final at the Itanhanga Golf Club in the Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro. Yesterday was the first day of competition and although I can find who is leading the boys (Jonathan Bell, 3 under) I have been unable to find any girls scores.

I understand that the 70 finalists had wet conditions to contend yesterday morning but the clouds cleared in the afternoon.

Nick Faldo welcomed the entrants to Brazil yesterday and hosted an intimate Q&A session in the evening for all of the finalists, both boys and girls all aged between 12 and 21 – they include players from the UK, Ireland, Russia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. There will be golf clinics and a skills challenge scheduled for later in the week, and the players have the opportunity to learn and draw inspiration from the six-time Major winner Nick Faldo.

Five winners will be invited to the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China and the overall boy and girl champion will receive a start in a professional event respectively. Play continues today and the tournament will be decided on Friday when Nick Faldo will present the Harold Riley Prize to this year’s Faldo Series Champion, following in the footsteps of previous Faldo Series winners, Nick Dougherty, Rory McIlroy and Oliver Fisher.

I do hope to find more information but if any of you can enlighten me where please do!!

AGM 2009

Last night P&K L.C.G.A. held our 2009 AGM and what a super night it was. It was great to see so many like minded people gather in one room for the good of County Golf.

Captain Dawn Butchart opened the proceedings with the sad news of the passing of two members, Bunty Lawson and Kitty Annan and our condolences go to them. She then gave a full report of the years events. The few of the highlights being P&K Team personality of the year award, the jamboree and of course our centenary celebrations. Dawn paid tribute to the team and of course the committee members who were of the greatest support.

Carol and Pam gave a full report regarding our junior girls and as always this is the highlight of the evening. What is happening within the county regarding the promotion of Junior is golf is outstanding and Carol and Dawn both thanked the ladies present and the county golf clubs for the support of junior golf in P&K.

Catherine gave a full account of our finances and the increase of subscriptions to £20 was approved by the floor.

Alex provided us with figures regarding attendance and we were glad to see that this has increased.

Dawn then paid tribute to retiring President Liz Miskimmin and proposed that Liz be presented with honorary membership, this was unanimously agreed.

The came the election of office bearers with Lenore Kyle taking over the Captaincy and Pat Colquhoun became our Vice Captain. Lenore then proposed Dorothy Farquhar to the prestigious position of President and again this was unanimously agreed. Due to Alex's retirement from the committee, Jillian Milne accepted the position of secretary.

Lenore then said a few very kind words regarding the work done by past Captain Dawn Butchart and the Prize giving took place.

Out thanks go to Craigie Hill for the use of their club house for our AGM and also to Glen the chef who provided us with some excellent food.

As announced last night I will continue in the position of 'webmaster' so please contact me should you wish any events posted. Let me know about your AGM's and your new office bearers and I will be happy to publish.

Below is a slide show of the events, as always if you wish a particular photo then please contact me.

ADULT AND JUNIOR DAY


An inter-county Adult and Junior Day was held at Edzell yesterday and hosted by Angus. Each pair consisted of a player who had been or is a squad member of their county and the other member a junior county member. It was played as a 'modified green some' where each player teed off then the junior played the squad members ball and the squad member played the junior members ball then the team picked the best one and played alternative shots from there. Sounds a bit complicated but it truly wasn't. It was fantastic fun enjoyed by both the squad members and the juniors alike.

P&K had 5 couples playing they were Fiona Ramsay & Hannah Robb, Laura Walker & Allie Burnett, Dawn Butchart & Kirsty Brodie, Gwen Lambie & Rhianna Thom and Jane Yellowlees & Rosalyn Hall. The winners of the day were Ailsa Summers & Katie Reid of Angus with 40 stableford points closely followed by our very own Gwen Lambie and Rhianna Thom who also had 40 points but were narrowly beaten by virtue of better inward.

A huge thank you goes to Aileen Hunter of Angus for organising this very popular event and also well done to all the girls who took part. A team photo is above, Jane Yellowlees unfortunately missed the photo call!

ADULT AND JUNIOR DAY

Below is the draw for the inter-county Adult and Junior Day at Edzell on Sunday 18th Oct which is kindly organised by Aileen Hunter of Angus. The event is for adults who are Team players or have been team players out with junior girls in a modified Greensomes competitions.

We are delighted to take part in the event and I believe it is extremely important to give juniors all our time and effort...they are our future!!


Best of luck everyone.



10.30 Mary Summers & Jemma Chalmers - Fiona Ramsay & Hannah Robb
10.38 Ailsa Summers & Katie Reid - Laura Walker & Allie Burnett
10.46 Ashley Smith & Susan Cameron - Dawn Butchart & Kirsty Brodie
10.54 Jane Grubb & Gail Wilson - Gwen Lambie & Rhianna Thom
11.02 Heather Anderson & Louise Smith - Jane Yellowlees & Rosalyn Hall
11.10 Fiona Gilbert & Emily Jamieson - Susan Jackson & Shannen McGuire
11.18 Susan Arbuckle & Heather Munro - Lorna Fury & Kim Honneyman
11.26 Ann Hay & Alison Pryde - Julie Taylor & Ashley Alston