Draw for County Open & AGM at Elgin on Sunday 3 October

12.00 - M Alexander (DHR) & L Munro (Moray)
12.06 - R Topping (DHR) & F Neish (Moray)
12.12 - S Rowan (Inverness) & M Walker (Garmouth & Kingston)
12.18 - M Hayden (Tain) & L Ballantine (Garmouth & Kingston)
12.24 - P Moscati (Dornoch) & M Gauldie (Garmouth & Kingston)
12.30 - L Argyle (Bonar Bridge) & partner
12.42 - S Hooker (Muir of Ord) & V Wright (Forres)
12.48 - T Weeks (Dornoch) & D Marshall (Forres)
12.54 - M Blair (Dornoch) & M Grant (Moray)
1.00 - H McCook (Abernethy) & E McTavish (Elgin)
1.06 - B Little (Brora) & partner
1.12 - I Maclean (Inverness) & P Cronin (Forres)
1.18 - M Douglas (Dornoch) & C Marshall (Nairn)


Late entries will be accepted on 01343 544304 (Susan Mackenzie) up until Thursday 30 September thereafter entries to Dorothy Marshall, Secretary

County Open - Inverness 12th September - Results

A field of 59 members and non-members played at Inverness on Sunday 12th September.  Although there were a few showers in the morning the weather improved and it ended up being a very nice day.  The best news for most players will be that the CSS went up to 76 and the competition was "Reduction Only".  Winners were:-

1st Scratch - Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) - 80
2nd Scratch - Isobel McIntosh (Inverness) - 83

1st  Silver - Lynne Fraser (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) - 83 (9) 74
2nd Silver - Mairi Orr (Royal Dornoch) - 95 (19) 76
3rd Silver - Fiona MacDonald (Royal Dornoch) 95 (19) 76
4th Silver - Margot Barr (Gairloch) - 88 (22) 77

1st Bronze - Fiona Mackay (Muir of Ord) - 101 (21) 80
2nd Bronze - Chris Waterson (Grantown-on-Spey) -106 (26) 80
3rd Bronze - Pauline Cronin (Forres) - 109 (26) 83

The final open of the year, plus the AGM, is at Elgin Golf Club on Sunday 3rd October.  Entries to Susan Mackenzie, Abbotsford House, 100 Pluscarden Road, ELGIN, IV30 1VF

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

Captain has a new Grandaughter

Congratualtions to our Captain Florence who has just become a granny again to a new grandaughter Lara Jane out in Australia to her son David and his wife Tanya.

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

Scotland win Home Internations

2010 Ladies Home International Champions
Back Row: Hilary Wardell (Manager), Martine Pow, Megan Briggs, Kelsey MacDonald, Rachael Watton
Front Row: Laura Murray, Louise Kenney, Lesley Nicholson (Captain), Pamela Pretswell, Jane Turner

The Scotland Ladies' Team of Megan Briggs, Louise Kenney, Kelsey MacDonald, Laura Murray, Martine Pow, Pamela Pretswell, Jane Turner and Rachael Watton, skippered by Lesley Nicholson, has won the Home International Matches at Whitchurch (Cardiff) Golf Club. The Scots scored victories over the other three home nations by beating Wales 6.5-2.5 on Wednesday, England 5-4 on Thursday and Ireland 5-4 on Friday 10th September. Congratulations to Lesley and all her team.

This follows on from the Scottish Seniors Team win in Europe last week end and marks a fabulous two weeks for Scottish Ladies golf.

Florence Allan

Captain

Tain Sisters win European Gold Medals

Congratulations to Mary Smith and Anne Ryan from Tain who won European Gold Medals last week in Berlin when they played in the Scottish Seniors' team.

Florence Allan
Captain

Draw for County Open at Inverness - Sunday 12th September 2010

A few spaces are still available for the County Open at Inverness on Sunday 12^th September 2010.  Please call Eileen Robb on 01463 238101 if you would like to enter.

Abbreviations:  F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, G, Gairloch; GK, Garmouth & Kingston; GOS, Grantown-on-Spey; I, Inverness; MO, Muir of Ord;  N, Nairn; ND, Nairn Dunbar; Ry, Reay; RD, Royal Dornoch;  T, Tain.

10.18 - L. Fraser (FR) & J. Nicol 

10.24 - I. McIntosh (I) &  M. Barr (G)

10.30 - E. Coghill (RD) &  S. MacVicar (G)

10.36 - M. MacCulloch (FR) & M. Dick (GOS)

10.42 - C. Marshall (N) & M. Allan (GOS)

10.48 - M. Ritchie (MO) & E. Sloan (GOS)

11.00 - H. MacLeod (I) & E. Hill (GOS)

11.06 - J. Drummond (N) & C. Waterson (GOS)

11.12 - P. Moscati (RD) & S. Vickerman (GOS)

11.18 - L. Argyle (RD) & P. Wilson (GOS)

11.24 - L. Ballantine (GK) & C. Ramsay (RD)

11.30 - M. Gauldie, (GK) & M. Orr (RD)

11.36 - E. Hutton (MO) & F. MacDonald (RD)

11.42 - E. Wallace (MO) & T. Weekes (RD)

11.48 - C. Dingwall (MO) & D.McBride (RD)

12.00 - W. Spencer (MO) & A. Burnett (RD)

12.06 - N. Scrimgeour (MO) & A. Bartlett (RD)

12.12 - C. Graham (MO) & K. Lawson (RD)

12.18 - A. Rowe (MO) & W. Murray (RD)

12.24 - H. Stuart (MO) & A. Gowie (I)

12.30 - F. MacKay (MO) & A.Harding (RD)

12.36 - M. Brook (MO) & M. Douglas (RD)

12.42 - C. MacKay (MO) & M. James (F)

12.48 - A. Mackay (MO) &  D. Marshall (F)

 

13.00 - J. Cameron (FR) & P. Cronin (F) 

13.06 - A. Jack (FR) &  P. Davis (F)

13.12 - S. Ramsay (I) & V. Wright (F)

13.18 - I. Croal (G) & I.Wilson (F)

13.24 - E. Tunn (Ry), G. Dowling (ND), F. Allan (N) 

Dorothy Marshall

Secretary

KELSEY CAPS GREAT SEASON BY WINNING BELGIAN JUNIOR TITLE

Congratulations to Kelsey MacDonald, 19, a member of Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, who has just won the Belgian Junior International Tournament's Girls' individual title at the fourth and last attempt at Royal Golf Club of Belgium, near Brussels today.

Kelsey, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, winner this year of the Scottish Women's Amateur title and the Scottish Under-21 Girls Championship for the second year in a row and also beaten finalist in the British Women's Open Amateur Championship, capped her great season by coming from several shots in arrears with a brilliant last round of two-under-par 70.

That gave her a total of 293 after earlier rounds of 72, 73 and 78. She won by five shots from Federica Maria Costantini (Italy) who finished with a 76 for 298.

Golf Quiz

As the County Open at Thurso was cancelled, the draw for the golf quiz was done on Saturday 21st August instead of the Friday.  It was the Ladies' Open at Thurso so I asked Anne Simmonite the Lady Captain to draw the winners for me.  The winners were:

1st   Mrs Liz Fraser from Nairn
2nd  Mrs Margaret Young from Inverness
3rd  Mr & Mrs George Spark from Strathpeffer

M & S vouchers have been posted.

Most people got the connection which was that they had all won Majors.  There were only about four incorrect answers.  Anagram 7 was Angel Cabrera and not Bernhard Langer.

What a lovely course Thurso was and in excellent condition too.  The wind was really strong on the Saturday but two of the Forres ladies won prizes so the trip was worthwhile.

Dorothy Marshall

Secretary/Treasurer

HANNAH MCCOOK DOES IT AGAIN

On her way home from the Girls' Home Internationals in Northern Ireland the week before last, Hannah McCook from Abernethy Golf Club played in the North of Scotland Girls' Championship at Brechin on Sunday 15th August winning the North of Scotland Girls' title for the second year in a row.

Hannah made hay while the sun shone over the Brechin course with a two-over-par round of 74 to win the title by one shot from Rachel Polson (Peterculter) and Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) with another member of  the Scotland girls’ team, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) in fourth place. 

 

The field of more than 30 players was the biggest the championship has attracted for a number of years. In the final analysis it was Hannah’s figures over the last six holes that retained the title to add to the Northern Counties' Girls’ Championship which she won earlier this season when she was also runner-up in the Paul Lawrie Scottish Schoolgirls' Championship.

 

Hannah covered holes 13 to 18 in one under par with a birdie 4 at the 16^th .for an inward half of 36. Rachel Polson was one over par for the same stretch, having an eagle 3 at the 14^th but bogeys at the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th in 38 home. 

Congratulations from everyone in Northern Counties.

Florence Allan

Captain

County Open - Friday 20th August - Thurso

Unfortunately this fixture has had to be cancelled due to lack of support.

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

County Open - Friday 20th August - Thurso

The next County Open will take place at Thurso Golf Club on Friday 20th August. 

Entry fees:  Members £8.00, Juniors £3.00, Non Members £12.00.  Members over 50 years of age will be eligible to win the Vets Trophy.

Enries should be sent to Eileen Manson, 49A Princes Street, THURSO, KW14 7AB Tel: 07934 298802.

Dorothy Marshall

Secretary

Hannah McCook wins Northern Counties' Girls' Championship

May Britovsek & Annabelle Brown

May Britovsek & Hannah McCook

The Northern Counties' Girls' Championship was played at Nairn Dunbar on Friday 30th July.
 
Despite the rain Hannah McCook from Abernethy carded an excellent score of 70 gross with birdies on the 2nd, 4th, 13th and 18th and an eagle on the 16th.  The handicap prize was won by Annabelle Brown from Nairn Dunbar playing off 12 with a net 77 beating Eleanor Tunn from Reay off 8 with a net 78. 
 
To encourage the junior girls without a handicap, May Britovsek oragnised a five hole competition to follow the main competition.  Six girls took part and although the results were very close, Kayrin Fraser from Inverness was the winner with Rachel McPherson from Nairn Dunbar in second place.  All these junior girls really enjoyed the competition and with a bit more encouragement will no doubt become stars of the future for Northern Counties.

Dorothy Marshall

Secretary

Girls' 2010 Championship Draw

Draw for the Girls' Championship at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club on Friday 30th July is as follows:-

1332  Hannah McCook, Eleanor Tunn
1340  Natalie Britovsek, Eilidh McTavish
1348  Annabelle Brown, Dana Stoddart

5-Hole Competition

1356  Katie Miller, Lauren Fraser
1404  Abby Cruden, Kirsty McBeath 
1412  Kayrin Fraser, Rachael Mackenzie, Rachel McPherson

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

ANNE RYAN AND MARY SMITH IN SCOTLAND TEAM

Congratualtions to sisters Anne Ryan and Mary Smith from Tain who have been named in the Scotland team of six to compete in the European Senior Women's Team Golf Championship at Sporting Club, Berlin from September 1st to 4th.

 

Anne earned her first cap by finishing joint second in the Scottish Senior Women's Stroke-play Championship at Fortrose and Rosemarkie in late June. She led the field until the last few holes of the 36-hole competition.

 

Mary is a regular selection for Scotland's over-50s teams.  Anne and Mary have also been named for the Scotland team, for the Veteran Ladies' Jamboree at Seascale Golf Club, Northumbria from August 3rd to 5th.

Florence Allan

Captain

THREE UNDER-21 TITLES IN A ROW FOR KELSEY

 Well done to Kelsey MacDonald who has just won the Scottish Under-21 Girls' Open Amateur Stroke-play Golf Championship at Dunfermline Golf Club for the third year in a row.

 

Nineteen-year-old Kelsey who is the Scottish women’s Champion from Nairn Dunbar Golf Club signed off in champion style with a two-under-par 70, the joint lowest round of the tournament, for a one-over-par total of 217.  That gave her a four-stroke winning margin from last year’s Scottish Women’s Champion, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).

 

Kelsey is the first player since Kathryn Imrie in 1985-86-87 to complete a hat-trick of wins in this event and she is still young enough to have a tilt at Suzanne Cadden’s four-timer record, set between 1974 and 1977.

 

The older she gets the easier it gets for Kelsey.  She was Under-21 champion for the first time by a single shot from Pamela Pretswell in 2008. Last year, over her home Nairn Dunbar course, she had to beat England’s Lucy Williams in a play-off to make it two in a row.  This week, Kelsey led throughout to follow up her victories in the Scottish Women’s Championship at Craigielaw and the R & A Bursars' Tournament at St Andrews before, reaching the final of the British Women’s Open Amateur Championship at Ganton in June.

She has more than made her point – Kelsey should have been in the GB & I Curtis Cup team last month.

 

Florence Allan

Captain

GIRLS' TEAM CAP FOR HANNAH McCOOK

Congratulations to Hannah McCook (Abernethy), who is one of three new faces in the Scotland team for the Under-18 girls’ home golf international matches at Bangor Golf Club, Northern Ireland from August 4th to 6th.  The other two are Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) and Craigielaw’s Gabrielle MacDonald.

 

Hannah was runner-up in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish schoolgirls 'championship at Murrayshall in May and beaten finalist in the North of Scotland women’s championship at Forfar earlier this month.

Florence Allan

Captain

County Foursomes/Commonwealth Spoons - Golspie 9th July 2010

It was wet for most of the time at Golspie today so the scores were really quite high.  Alison Bartlett and Margaret Baggott from Royal Dornoch won the scratch with a gross 86.  Trish Weekes and Dorothy Lloyd also from Royal Dornoch had the best net score of 76 winning the Foursomes Trophy.  As Alison and Margaret also had the second best net score these four players go through to the final of the Commonwealth Spoons at Cathkin Braes on Thursday 23rd September.

Results were:-

Trish Weekes & Dorothy Lloyd  (RDGC)  88 (12) 76
Alison Bartlett & Margaret Baggott (RDGC) 86 (9) 77
Pat Ashe & Angela GRant (Brora)  97 (16.5) 80.5 (better back nine)
Joan Darroch & Lorraine Nixon (F & R) 100 (19.5) 80.5
Anne Rose & Caroline Graham (Muir of Ord) 102 (20) 82
Fiona MacDonald & Wilma Murray (RDGC) 101 (17.5) 83.5
Angela MacBeath & Ann Robertson (Brora) 100 (16) 84
Elaine Hill & Elizabeth Sloan (Grantown) 104 (18.5) 85.5
Cara Gruber & Elaine Gruber (RDGC/Strathpeffer) 97 (11) 86
Irene Hart & Elizabeth Cruickshank (RDGC) 106 (17.5) 88.5
Jenny Thornton & Marine McCulloch (Fortrose) 106 (18) 88
Christine Marshall & Sheila Robertson (Nairn/Golspie) 101 (12) 89
Denise McBride & Marie Blair (RDGC) 113 (24) 89
Morag James & Dorothy Marshall (Forres) 109 (19.5) 89.5
Pat Morrison & Marlene Maclean (Muir of Ord) 108 (17.5) 90.5
May Dick & Paula Wilson (Grantown) 136 (30.5) 105.5
Sheila Macdonell & Lynne Fraser (Inverness/F&R) Nil Return
Mairi Orr & Pat Davies (Tain/Forres) Nil Return
Jeani Hunter & Marjory Matheson (Bonar Bridge) Nil Return
Wendy Spencer & Claire Dingwall (Muir of Ord) Nil Return
Ann Simmonsite & Kerry Sinclair (Thurso/F&R) Nil Return
Fiona More & Barine Little (Golspie/Brora) Nil Return

Many thanks to Golspie Golf Club for giving Northern Counties courtesy of their course which was in excellent condition and grateful thanks to Fiona More for all her hard work in organising this competition.

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

County Foursomes/Commonwealth Spoons - Golspie 9th July 2010

Draw for the County Foursomes/Commonwealth Spoons at Golspie on Friday 9th July is as follows:-

1100 - Jenny Thornton & Marina McCulloch (F&R), Fiona More & Barine Little (Golspie/Brora)
1108 - Marjory Matheson & Jeani Hunter (Bonar Bridge), Claire Dingwell & Wendy Spencer (Muir of Ord)
1116 - Wendy Murray & Fiona Macdonald (RDGC), Pat Morrison & Marlene Maclean (Muir of Ord)
1124 - Ann Robertson & Angela MacBeath (Brora), Mairi Orr & Pat Davis (Tain/Forres)
1132 - Sheila Robertson & Christine Marshall (Golspie/Nairn), Elizabeth Sloane & Elaine Hill (G-o-S)
1140 - Dorothy Marshall & Morag James (Forres), Pat Ashe & Angela Grant (Brora)
1148 - Dorothy Lloyd & Trish Weekes (RDGC), Lorraine Nixon & Joan Darroch (F&R)
1208 - Elizabeth Cruickshank & Irene Hart (RDGC), May Dick & Paula Wilson (G-o-S)
1216 - Denise McBride & Mhairi Blair (RDGC), A. Simmonite & Kerry Sinclair (Thurso/F&R)
1224 - Gillian Dowling & Diana Fraser (Inverness), Alison Bartlett & Margaret Baggott (RDGC)
1132 - Cara Gruber & Elaine Gruber (RDGC/Strathpeffer)

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

North of Scotland Women's Amateur Golf Championship

 

It was an all-Northern Counties final at the North of Scotland women’s amateur golf championship at Forfar Golf Club where Tain’s Sammy Vass beat Hannah McCook (Abernethy) by 2 and 1.

On a day of high winds, 18-year-old three-handicapper Sammy, a student at the University of Central Florida, coped with the testing conditions just that little bit better than her 16-year-old opponent who has one of a handicap.

Hannah had a definite edge off the tee, outdriving Sammy by up to 40 yards, but when it came to getting the ball in the hole in fewer strokes, Sammy showed how much she has benefited from her first year in America.
“The university’s practice facilities are tremendous, particularly for short-game work, and I feel I have definitely improved in that direction,” said Sammy who was a North of Scotland girls’ champion before she went to the States.

Hannah's putting was affected by the wind more than her long game and she was five down at the turn, having won only the third but lost the first, second, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth. But it was a different story after the turn. Hannah won three holes in a row from the 10th and was suddenly back in the game at “only” two down. However, Sammy stopped the slide with a birdie at the 13th and though Hannah holed one of her few long putts, a 20-footer to get a winning birdie at the 14th, she had lost the initiative. Halves at the 15th, 16th and 17th left Sammy, 14th of the 16 match-play qualifiers,  a well-deserved winner and Hannah, the No 9 seed and runner-up also in the recent Paul Lawrie Scottish schoolgirls championship, is a great prospect whose day will come.

Kimberley Beveridge, 15-year-old Aboyne player who plays off five, is another name to remember. Her figures, roughly par,  winning the handicap championship final by 4 and 3 against another five-handicapper, Ann Hay (Edzell) were better than those achieved by Sammy Vass in the scratch final.  Kimberley never looked back after winning the first hole.

Next year’s North of Scotland women’s amateur championship will be hosted by The Nairn Golf Club.

Congratulations to Sammy on an excellent win and to Hannah for reaching the final.

Florence Allan

Captain

Congratualtions to Kelsey MacDonald

Well done to Kelsey for reaching the final of the British Women's Amateur Championship.  Photo shows Kelsey with the Diana Fishwick Cup which was awarded to her as the beaten finalist.  She lost 2 and 1 to 18-year old Kelly Tidy from Royal Birkdale.

Florence Allan
Captain

County Foursomes/Commonwealth Spoons

There are still a few spaces left for the County Foursomes at Golspie on Friday 9th July.  If you would like to play please contact Fiona More on 01408 633504.

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

Inter-County Championship 2010 - Blairgowrie

Thank you to everyone who sent good luck cards to the team, they were much appreciated. 

Although we only managed second place on holes up, the team played very well but unfortunately Angus played better in the foursomes against Northern Counties when we lost all three matches.  Sadly it was the first time Mary Smith and Alison Bartlett had lost a foursomes match since they have been playing together. 

Overall our seniors did very well and Cara had a magnificent fight back on the first day when she had been 6 down aganst Sammy Leslie from Aberdeenshire then dormie 4, she managed to play some excellent golf to half the match giving us a draw with Aberdeenshire that day.

The results do not reflect the great golf played by the team and the way they kept fighting. Well done to everyone.

Hopefully we will do better at Inchmarlo next year.

Florence Allan
Captain

Congratulations to Hannah McCook

Well done to Hannah for coming second in the Scottish Schools' Championship at Marrayshall on Monday 7th June.  After carding a gross 75 in the morning on the Lynedoch course when the CSS was 68, Hannah went on to return a gross 70 in the afternoon over the Murrayshall course when the CSS was 73.  At the time the course record stood at 71, however the overall winner, Julie Yang returned a gross 69 in the morning and an amazing 64 in the afternoon, setting a new course record.



Hannah has been identified as a potential European Girls' Team or Girls' Home International Team candidate and has been invited to play at Archerfield on 13th June with the SLGA squads for their training.  We wish her well.

Florence Allan
Captain

Team Practice at Castle Stuart

On Saturday 5th June the team was very lucky to get in some practice at Castle Stuart, Inverness, in preparation for  the forthcoming Jamboree at Blairgowrie 26th - 28th June.  The weather was excellent, as can be seen from the attached photos, and everyone enjoyed the course.

 
(Top Left) Eilidh Mackay, Julie Vass & Sammy Vass

(Top Right) Eilidh, Julie, Anne Ryan & Sammy


Group Photos:
Back Row:
Eilidh Mackay, Cara Gruber, Mary Smith & Pam Mackay.
Front Row: Sammy Vass, Julie Vass, Alison Bartlett & Anne Ryan



Florence Allan
Captain

SLGA ANNOUNCE TEAMS TO RESPRESENT SCOTLAND

Kelsey MacDonald has been chosen to captain the team including Louse Kenney (Pitreavie) and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) for the St. Rule Trophy at St. Andrews - 29th - 30th May.  She will also captain the British Women's Open Amateur Championship team at Ganton 22nd - 26th June comprising Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) and Sally Watson (elie & Earlsferry Ladies)

Florence Allan
Captain

KELSEY WINS Scottish Women's Amateur Golf Championship

Congratulations to Kelsey MacDonald for winning the Scottish Women's Amateur Golf Championship at Craigielaw on Friday 21st May beating Louise Kenney from Pitreavie 5 and 3.   Well done to Sammy Vass (Tain) and Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) who both qualified for the match play.


Florence Allan
Captain

Results of County Open at Nairn Dunbar - 23rd May 2010

Photo of Denise McBride, Alison Bartlett & Nan Burtwell

1st Scratch Silver - Alison Bartlett -Royal Dornoch - 72
2nd Scratch Silver - Anne Ryan - Tain - 74
1st H'cap Silver - Denise McBride - Royal Dornoch - 85 (14) 71
2nd H'cap Silver - Eilidh Mackay - Nairn Dunbar - 78 (7) 71
3rd H'cap Silver - Liz McEwan - Nairn Dunbar - 89 (17) 72
4th H'cap Silver - Eleanor Tunn - Reay - 82 (10) 72
5th H'cap Silver - Ann Nicolle - Granton-on-Speayu - 92 (19) 73
1st Scratch - Bronze - Nan Burtwell - Nairn - 89
1st Handicap - Bronze - Kerry Sinclair - Fortrose & Rosemarkie - 92 (23) 69
2nd Handicap - Bronze - Sally Rowan - Inverness - 98 (22) 76

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

TEAM FOR JAMBOREE - BLAIRGOWRIE

The team for the Inter-County Championship (Jamboree) at Blairgowrie on 26th - 28th June 2010 is:-

Cara Gruber            Royal Dornoch

Pam Mackay           Royal Dornoch

Alison Bartlett          Royal Dornoch

Mary Smith              Tain

Anne Ryan               Tain

Sammy Vass          Tain

Julie Vass               Tain

Eilidh Mackay         Nairn Dunbar

Reserves: - Hannah McCook - Abernethy and Jenny Milne - Elgin

Florence Allan

Captain

County Open Draw - Nairn Dunbar - Sunday 23rd May 2010

Competitors are from the host club unless stated.

Abbreviations: A, Abernethy; BB, Bonar Bridge; B, Brora; F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie; G, Gairloch; GK, Garmouth & Kingston; GOS, Grantown-on-Spey; I, Inverness; M, Moray; MO, Muir of Ord; N, Nairn; Ry, Reay; RD, R, Rothes; Royal Dornoch; T, Tain.

0915 - J. Nalder (N) & R. Grant (GK)
0922 - M. Smith (T) & D. Philips (GK)
0929 - C. MacAndrew  & S. Vass (T)
0936 - A. Ryan (T) & E. Mackay
0943 - L. Nixon (FR) & M. Tomisson
0950 - K. Sinclair (FR) & N. Burtwell (N)
0957 - E. Spence (R) & C. Dingwall (MO)
1004 - H. Stuart (MO) & L. Fraser (FR)
1011 - L. MacEwan & L. Ballantine (GK)
1018 - M. Walker (GK) & I Hart (RD)
1025 - W. Spencer (MO) & M. Gauldie GK)
1032 - C. Delaney & M. Grant (M)
1039 - J. Drummond (N) & M. Rennie (RD)
1046 - J. Cameron (FR) & J. Wilkie
1053 - F. Macdonald (RD) & I Croal (G)
1100 - E. Robb (I) & T. Weekes (RD)
1107 - I. McIntosh (I) & A. Bartlett (RD)
1114 - S. Ramsay (I) & V. Wright (F)
1121 - D. McBride (RD) & D. Ma;rshall (F)
1128 - S. Rowan (I) & P Moscati (RD)
1135 - I. Wilson (F) & W.Murray (RD)
1142 - P. Cronin (F) & D. Crawford (M)
1149 - A. MacBeath (B) & M.Ritchie (MO)
1156 - M. James (F) & B. Little (B)
1203 - A. Robertson (B) & E. Tongue (Ry)
1210 - P. Morrison (MO) & F. Bell (I)
1217 - E. Hutton (MO) & J. Nettles
1224 - A. Harding (RD) & M. Hayden (T)
1231 - H. McCook (A) & M. Barr (G)
1238 - S. MacVicar (G) & E. McTavish (F)
1245 - L. Coghill (RD) & F. Allan (N)
1252 - C. Boyd (F) & A. Nicolle (GOS)
1259 - J. Coulthard (GOS) & M Matheson (BB)
1306 - J. Hunter (BB) & A. Fraser

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

Northern Counties' Girls' Association - Adult/Girls' Foursomes - Sunday 9th May Invergordon

With sunshine and showers for most of the day, 14 pairs of adults and junior girls braved the strong winds at Invergordon last Sunday.  Despite the inclement weather everyone had a great time and enjoyed the course which was in pretty good condition bearing in mind the severe winter just gone (or has it).

May Britovsek did a great job organising this event and is shown here with all the competitors.  The photo below shows May with the winning scratch and handicap pairs - Julie Vass (6) and Mary Smith (3) from Tain returned a gross 81 only just pipping Cara Gruber and her partner Kaylan from Royal Dornoch.  The best net score of 71.5 was returned by Rebecca Riddell (54) and Claire Riddell (5) from Royal Dornoch who also pipped Cara and Kaylan by one shot.

The Girls' Association would like to thank Invergordon Golf Club for giving courtesy of their course for this event.

Dorothy Marshall - Secretary NCLGA

ANOTHER WIN FOR KELSEY

With a final round of 68 on the St. Andrew's, Castle Course, 19-year-old Kelsey Macdonald had the best round of the day ensuring she was the Women's Champion in the R & A Foundation Scholars' Tournament finishing second overall behind fellow Stirling University student Patrick Spraggs.

Florence Allan
Captain

Team training day at Nairn Golf Club

A big thank you to the Nairn Mens' Team who turned out to play members of the Northern Counties team. 
The result was a draw.

Semi Final & Final Results

Scratch - Cara Gruber beat Jenny Milne 8 & 6. 
               Alison Bartlett beat Mary Smith 1 up.



Handicap - Eilidh McTavish beat Sally Rowan 2 up. 
                  Wilma Murray beat Alison Burnett 4 & 3.


Final Results:

Cara Gruber beat Alison Bartlett in the final. The match was all square at the 8th then Cara won the 10th and 11th to go 2 up. Alison won the next two holes to square the match again. They halved the 13th and 14th then Cara won the 15th and 16th and halved the 17th to win 2 and 1.

In the handicap match Wilma Murray beat Eilidh McTavish 1 up. Eilidh was 2 up at the 8th then lost the 9th to a birdie from Wilma who won the next 2 holes as well putting her 1 up. They halved the 12th and 13th then Eilidh won the 14th to bring it back to all square. A bad tee shot from Eilidh on the 15th - par 3 - when Wilma put her tee shot on the green put Wilma 1 up again. Wilma won the 16th and Eilidh won the 17th. Wilma was 1 up going on to the 18th which they halved.

Both games were very well fought. Wilma told me this is the first time she has played in a Northern Counties' competition. It was also Eilidh's first time but I'm sure we'll hear more of her in the future.


Dorothy Marshall
Secretary

County Championships - Quarter Final Results

Scratch:

Cara Gruber beat Anne Ryan 4 & 3
Jenny Milne beat Kay Vincent 4 & 2
Alison Bartlett beat Eilidh MacKay 4 & 2
Mary Smith beat Susan Mackenzie 5 & 4

Handicap:

Eilidh McTavish beat Clair Dingwell 6 & 5
Sally Rowan beat Monica Grant 3 & 2
Wilma Murray beat Sheila Duncan 3 & 2
Alison Burnett beat Anne Harding 1 up

First Round Matchplay for Mary Benton Trophy

Cara Gruber beat Margot Barr 6 & 4
Anne Ryan beat Julie Vass 3 & 2
Jenny Milne beat Susan MacVicar 5 & 4
Kay Vincent beat Gilling Dowling 1 up
Alison Bartlett beat Denise McBride 4 & 2
Eilidh MacKay beat Marion Howieson 3 & 2
Susan Mackenzie beat Dorothy Phillips 1 up
Mary Smith beat Fiona Bell 7 & 5

Championship Draw 18th April 2010 - Scratch & Handicap

0900 - Cara Gruber  -v- Margot Barr
0908 - Julie Vass -v- Anne Ryan
0916 - Jenny Milne - Susan MacVicar
0924 - Gillian Dowling -v- Kay Vincent
0932 - Alison Bartlett - Denise McBride
0940 - Eilidh MacKay -v- Marion Howieson
0948 - Susan Mackenzie -v- Dorothy Phillips
0956 - Fiona Bell -v- Mary Smith

1300 - Eilidh McTavish -v- C. Dingwall
1310 - Monica Grant -v- Sally Rowan
1320 - Wilma Murray -v- Sheila Duncan
1330 - Alison Burnett -v- Anne Harding

County Championship Draw for 17th April 2010

Abbreviations: A, Abernethy; BB, Bonar Bridge; DHR, Duff House Royal; DS, Dornoch-Struie; E, Elgin; F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, G, Gairloch; GK, Garmouth & Kingston; I, Inverness; M, Moray; MO, Muir of Ord; RD, Royal Dornoch, N, Nairn; ND, Nairn Dunbar; T, Tain.

0900 - C. Gruber (RD), A. Ryan (T)
0908 - J. Milne (E), G. Dowling (I)
0916 - A. Bartlett (RD, M. Howieson (I)
0924 - J. Vass (T), K. Vincent (M)
0932 - E. MacKay (ND), A.Gowie (I)
0940 - S. Macvicar (G), J. Cumming (I)
0948 - E.Coghill (RD), J. Nicol (I)
0956 - L. Fraser (FR), J. Robertson (M)
1004 - C. Dingwall (MO), M. Barr (G)
1012 - F. Bell (I), S. Mackenzie (E),
1020 - S. Macdonell (I), P. Morrison (MO)
1028 - M. Bagott (RD), T. Weekes (RD)
1036 - D. McBride (RD), J. Maison (DHR)
1044 - C. Marshall (N), D. Marshall (F)
1052 - D. Phillips (GK), W. Murray (RD)
1100 - E. Hutton (MO), I. Wilson (F)
1108 - R. McGregor (DHR), M. Rennie (RD)
1116 - L. Nixon (FR), F. MacDonald (DS)
1124 - I. Croal (G), C. Boyd (F)
1132 - S. Duncan (RDK) J. Corbett (DHR)
1140 - K. Mackay (FR), F. Wood (DHR)
1148 - A. Burnett (RD), S. Rowan (I),
1156 - I. Hart (RD), K. Sinclair (FR)
1204 - J. Darroch (FR), D. MacNeil (I),
1212 - M. Grant (M), E. McTavish (E)
1220 - A. Harding (RD), L. Offin (BB)

A few late entries can be accepted - please call me on 01309 671939

Dorothy Marshall
Secretary - 9th April 2010

Victory in Spain

Kelsey MacDonald has won the Hacienda del Alamo Open in the Murcia region of south-east Spain.  Now at Stirling University, Kelsey started the final round in third place, seven shots behind leader Hayley Davis (Ferndown).  Her final round of 68 included seven birdies in her inward half.  Her winning total was three-under 213.

Florence Allan
Captain

Competition Dates for 2010

Championship - Moray (Old) - 17/18/19th April
County Open - Nairn Dunbar - 23rd May
County Foursomes - Golspie - 19th July
County Open (Vets) - Thurso - 20th August
County Open - Inverness - 12th September
County Open & AGM - Elgin - 3rd October

The winners of our Golf Quiz are,
1st Laura MacLardy Aberdeen £15 book token
2nd Anne Taylor Brora £10 book token
3rd Mrs E E Home Elgin £5 book token
Many thanks to Pam Gordon for not only providing the Quiz but also for donating the prizes, the quiz increased our funds by the sum of approx £180.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

SCOTLAND CLINCH FIRST SENIORS TITLE BY BEATING WALES
There may be many a slip twixt cup and lip - but Scotland made none on the final day of the Senior Women's Home International Matches at Newport Golf Club, Wales today.
Having beaten first Ireland and then England, the Scots won the title and the Sue Johnson Trophy for the first time, completing a 100 per cent winning record through the three days by beating last year's winners, Wales, 5 ½-2 ½ today.
England, trailing 2-1 after the foursomes, rallied to draw 4-4 with Ireland and finished with 1 1/2pt, to be runners-up ahead of Wales (1pt) and Ireland (1/2pt).
Skipper Pamela Williamson's Scotland team – unlike their younger "sisters" in the Women's Home Internationals at Irvine three weeks ago - showed no sign of last-day nerves as they captured the morning foursomes by 2 ½ to ½ against Wales to make their task in the five afternoon singles that much easier.
They began the afternoon play needing only 1 ½ pt for a draw which would have been enough to clinch the over-50s team championship but the rampant Scots had their sights set higher than that and had three singles winners.
Heather Anderson (Alyth) beat the Senior British champion Vicki Thomas by one hole.
Fiona De Vries (St Rule), who beat Pamela Valentine by 5 and 3, ending the series with a perfect 6pt from six matches was the MVP of the tournament.
Tain's Mary Smith, who helped Northern Counties win the Scottish women's county championship last week at Baberton, beat Jane Rees by 4 and 3 for her fifth point in six outings. What an end of season it's been for Mary!
Mention should be made of Dunbar's Noreen Fenton who played only in the foursomes each day – and won each time in partnership with Fiona de Vries.
And also that Scotland went to Wales without their potential star player – Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) who withdrew last week due to domestic reasons. But Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose), who took Lorna's place, played, as they say "a blinder." Skipper Williamson used Kathleen only in the singles and she won two out of three ties.

TAIN SISTERS WIN SLGA COMMONWEALTH SPOONS AT LONGNIDDRY
Tain sisters Mary Smith and Anne Ryan, representing Northern Counties, won the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association's Commonwealth Spoons foursomes final at Longniddry Golf Club.They had a good gross round of 76 in windy conditions and, less 2 1/2 (half their combined handicap), they won the day with a net score of 73 1/2.
Mary is a senior Scotland international and county player while Anne was a county team player until a season or two ago.Laura McLardy (Murcar Links) and Cruden Bay's Ros Dunsmuir, (representing Aberdeenshire) finished runners-up with a net 74 1/2 off 5 1/2.The first two pairs finished well clear at the top of the leaderboard.Third best were Fiona Reid and Lynda Birse (Angus), playing off 17, with a net 77 (better inward half).Results were as follows:1st Mary Smith & Anne Ryan Northern Counties 76 (2.5) 73.52nd Laura McLardy & Ros Dunsmuir Aberdeenshire 80 (5.5) 74.53rd Fiona Reid & Lynda Birse Angus 94 (17) 77 BIH4th Joan Gemmell & Anne Ferguson Dunbarton & Argyll 86 (9) 77 BL65th Carol Fulton & Frances Sorlie Midlothian 92 (15) 77

NORTHERN COUNTIES WILL BE THE FIRST NAMES ON THE NEW TROPHY FOR THE SCOTTISH COUNTY CHAMPIONS.

Unfortunately I can't get the pictures I have to upload on to the web page, but they will be available to view at the AGM on Sunday 4th October at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth.

Northern Counties are Scottish champions on a countback after rally to draw with MidlothianNorthern Counties won the Scottish women's county team golf championship in a nail-biting finish to the three-day programme at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh today.
Northern Counties and Midlothian, the only two teams with 100 per cent records after two days, met in the title decider – and it ended in a 4 ½-4 ½ draw.
The countback of games won previously gave Northern Counties the title (14 ½-14).
It was Northern Counties' first title win in five years but their fourth win of the decade, having previously been national champions in 2000, 2003 and 2004.
And yet, Northern Counties looked to have suffered a body blow to their title prospects when Kelsey MacDonald (Stirling University and Nairn Dunbar), Scottish Under-21 champion for the past two years, hurt her wrist hacking out of the rough during the morning foursomes and had to be taken to hospital where ligament damage was diagnosed. They were also without Mary Smith (Tain) who had to leave Baberton to take part in the Scottish Vets Championship at Blairgowrie.
With Midlothian taking a 2-1 foursomes lead into the six afternoon singles – and Kelsey hors de combat, it looked odds on that the East Division champions would regain the title they won in 2005 and again in 2007.
Midlothian increased their lunchtime advantage to 4-1 when Jane Turner beat Pam Mackay 4 and 3, and Claire Hargan won by 3 and 2 against Alison Bartlett.
But then Northern Counties tail wagged with a vengeance.
Elgin's Jenny Milne stopped the slide by halving her match with Scotland girl international Rachael Watton.
Then Counties won the last three singles to salvage a halved match and win the title on a countback.
Youngsters Julie Vass (15) and Hannah McCook (16) played like veterans to knock 2pt off the deficit. Tain's Julie beat Karen Marshall 5 and 4 while Hannah, the North of Scotland girls champion from Nethy Bridge, beat the experienced Louise Fraser by one hole.
Then the Northern Counties' ploy of saving their champion, Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) for the anchor role in the singles paid a huge dividend. In a tight match that went all the way to the 18th green, Cara beat Claire MacDonald by two holes.
Gruber was Counties' outstanding player of the tournament with 4 1/2pt out of six, just ahead of Hannah McCook and Mary Smith (Tain), each with 4pt. Mary, a senior Scotland international, did not play against Midlothian, either in the foursomes or the singles, after winning 4pt out of four through Friday and Saturday. Instead, she left to play at Blairgowrie on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association championship as Highland vets' champion - and she lost by 7 and 6!

The team leaves this week for the County Finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.
The practice round is on Thursday, with the competition being played Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our team is mostly the same as won the Jamboree in June at Royal Dornoch, with the exception of Sammy Vass who is now at College in Florida.
Alison Bartlett, Royal Dornoch; Cara Gruber, Royal Dornoch; Pam Mackay, Royal Dornoch; Hannah McCook (Abernethy); Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Jenny Milne (Elgin), Mary Smith (Tain) and Julie Vass (Tain).
It's a long way to go, but we would be gratful for the support of any of you could make to Edinburgh this weekend.
The team will be doing their best to bring the County Championship Trophy back to the North.

RESULTS FROM TORVEAN OPEN ON SAT 5TH SEPTEMBER 09

CSS 73 (PAR 71)

Silver 1st Scratch - Hannah McCook (Abernethy) 75
Silver H'cap - Christine Marshall (Nairn) 85 (17) 68; Pat Morrison (Muir of Ord) 85 (13) 70; Sheila MacDonell (Inverness) 87 (14) 73.
Bronze 1st Scratch - Jaqui Coulthard (Grantown) 97
Bronze H'cap - Mora Douglas (Royal Dornoch) 103 (31) 72; Florence Allan (Nairn) 99 (23) 76; Sally Rowan (Inverness) 99 (22) 77.

Well done Cara, another course record broken.
Cara has taken the course record at Strathpeffer Spa to 65.
The previous record of 66 was held by Jayne Barnetson for many years.
Her scorecard read:
OUT: 5 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 4 - 32
IN: 3 2 3 4 4 6 4 3 4 - 33
Cara had an eagle 2 at the 11th and birdies at the 4th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 17th, she had bogeys at the 1st, 7th, 14th and 15th.
This is Cara's third course record, she already holds Royal Dornoch at 69 and Invergordon at 67.
Congratulations Cara.

There are still places for late entries for the NORTHERN COUNTIES OPEN at TORVEAN GOLF CLUB on SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2009

10.40 - P Morrison (MofO), J Cumming (Inv)
10.48 - M MacLean (MofO), S Rowan (Inv)
10.56 - I McIntosh (Inv), H McCook (Abnthy)
11.04 - S Ramsay (Inv), F Hunter (Grtwn)
11.12 - L Nixon (F&R), A Nicolle (Grtwn)
11.20 - K MacKay (F&R), E Hill (Grtwn)
11.28 - J Darroch (F&R), J Coulthard (Grtwn)
11.36 - M James (Forres), F Allan (Nairn)
11.44 - C Diethe (Nairn), M Douglas (R/Dornoch)
12.00 - A McBeath (Brora), E Wallace (MofO)
12.16 - M Howieson (Inv), D Marshall (Forres)
12.24 - M Hayden (Tain), A Harding (R/Dornoch)
12.32 - D McNeil (Inv), I Wright (R/Dornoch)
12.48 - M Rennie (R/Dornoch), J Hunter (Bonar)
12.56 - T Weekes (R/Dornoch), C Marshall (Nairn)
13.04 - M Alexander (DHR), J Corbett (DHR)
13.12 - H MacLeod (Inv), A Burnett (R/Dornoch)
13.20 - J Thornton (F&R), M McCulloch (R/Dornoch)
13.28 - S McDonnell (Inv), G Dowling (Inv)

HANNAH McCOOK WINS NORTH OF SCOTLAND GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Many congratulations to Hannah McCook, has won the North of Scotland girls' golf championship.
A four-handicap member at Abernethy Golf Club, Nethybridge, Hannah, who had her 16th birthday last month, returned a scratch round of 74, which matched the CSS for the day, at Nairn Golf Club to win the title by three strokes from Lauren Duncan (Aboyne).
Tegan Seivwright (Deeside) won the leading handicap award with a net 68 off 13, clubmate Sophie Alexander was runner-up with a net 72 off six.

NORTH OF SCOTLAND GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP - Nairn Golf Club - SCORES (CSS 74)
Scratch
74 H McCook (Abernethy); 77 L Duncan (Aboyne); 78 S Alexander (Deeside);
79 R Polson (Peterculter); 80 L McGillivray (Banchory); J Vass (Tain);
81 T Seivwright (Deeside); 83 K Beveridge (Aboyne); 89 E Tunn (Reay);
92 V Powell (Deeside); 94 K MacCallum (Newburgh); 95 E Reid (Deeside);
96 K Mackay (Durness); 96 F Fullerton (Meldrum House);
101 O Borwick (McDonald Ellon); 123 S McWilliam (Aboyne).
Handicap
68 T Seivwright (Deeside) (13); 70 H McCook (Abernethy) (4), L Duncan (Aboyne) (7).
72 S Alexander (Deeside) (6); 73 J Vass (Tain) (7);
74 R Polson (Peterculter) (5), L McGillivray (Banchory) (6), V Powell (Deeside) (18).
76 K Beveridge (Aboyne) (7); 80 E Reid (Deeside) (15); 81 K Mackay (Durness (15);
83 O Borwick (McDonald Ellon) (19); 84 K MacCallum (Newburgh) (10);
86 F Fullerton (Meldrum House) (10); 87 E Tunn (Reay) (13);
CAMERON COURSE SCORES
48 K Hardie (Fortrose & Rosemarkie); 57 E Murray (Moray).

August News

Rain and more rain, forced the Vets open at Muir of Ord to be abandoned, I am sure all the ladies who were to take part were disappointed, unfortunately we can do nothing about the weather.

The next Open is at Torvean on Saturday 5th September, a chance to get another score in for the aggregate cups, entries are very low for this at the moment so please get your entry in to Christine Marshall on 01463 223024 as soon as possible, closing date is 22nd August.

As you know there will be a change to the Committee at the AGM on 4th October. Florence Allan will be the new Captain and has a Secretary/Treasurer and Junior Convener in place, however, the Vice Captain's position is still vacant. I am sure there are many of you who would be very capable of taking this position and who would enjoy being involved in the County organisation.
Please get in touch with Florence on 01667 455229 or if you want any further information you could get in touch with me on 01261 812848.
We will be waiting for your call and hope that we will be busy answering our phones'

Jan Corbett
Captain

August news

There are still plenty of places in the Northern Counties Vets Open at Muir of Ord on Friday 14th August, please get in touch with Evelyn Hutton on 01463 782309 for a late entry. My apologies to all as I am unable to attend this event.



10.00 - Norma Scrimgeour (MofO); Dorothy Mackay (MofO)
10.06 - Helen Stuart (MofO); Aline Drummond (F&R)
10.18 - Jenny Thornton (F&R)' Wendy Spencer (MofO)
10.24 - Jean Cameron (Strath); Harriet Cumming (F&R)
10.30 - Eveline Hutton (MofO); partner
10.42 - Jean Hunter (BB); Christine Marshall (N)
10.48 - Morag James (F); Marjory Matheson (BB)
10.54 - Denise Goldstein (RD); Dorothy Marshall (F)
11.00 - Kate Lawson (RD); Julie Fraser (MofO)
11.06 - Anne Hardine (RD); Anne Mackay (F&R)
11.12 - Denise MacBride (RD); Elinor Wallace (MofO)
11.18 - May Alexander (DHR); Trish Weeks (RD)
11.24 - Rae Topping (DHR); Margot Barr (Gair)
11.30 -Clair Dingwall (MofO); Susan MacVicar (Gair)
11.36 - Sylvia MacDonald (RD); Carol Diethe (N)
11.42 - Mairi Orr (RD); Elaine Hill (Gr)
11.48 - Pam Moscati (RD); Sheila Smith (Gr)
11.54 - Mary Hayden (T); Rosemary Bruce (MofO)
12.00 - Seonaid Vicerman (Gr); Marlene MacLean (MofO)
12.06 - Anne Armstrong (Strath); Jean Russell (T)
12.12 - Merle Allan (Gr); Maureen Ritchie (MofO)
12.18 - Ann Nicolle (Gr); Pat Morrison (MofO)
12.24 - Alison Burnett (RD); Liz Barras (MofO)
12.30 - Wendy Henry (MofO); partner


Something for us to think about next year is the Tain Four Day Tournament for Ladies and Gents which by all reports was a great success this year. The ladies scratch final was won by Anne Ryan who beat Hannah McCook by 2 and 1, Anne having beat Julie Vass in the semi-final.
Also congratulations Anne on your birthday, one of the special one's

Congratulations also to Mary Smith who was part of the team who retained the Miller Stirling Trophy at the Veteran Ladies Golf Association Jamboree at Bath Golf Club. Scotland bt England 5 1/2 to 3 1/2

In the Girls' Home International golf matches at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire Sammy Vass was part of the team who helped Scotland finish runners-up and take the Swansea Spoon. They lost to England, halved with Wales and beat Ireland.





I am sure you all wish Sammy all the best as she leaves next weekend for Florida to begin a University Course.





Remember, I don't always hear what is going on out there at your Club, so please let me have items of interest which I will post on the web page.



Jan Corbett
County Captain

Girls Championship 2009

Picture from Northern Counties Girls Championship at Tain on Monday 27th July.

Northern Counties Girls Championship at Tain on Monday 27th July.
Sponsored by MacKenzie & Cormack Solicitors & Estate Agents (Tain & Beauly). Lawson Keir of that firm in middle of picture. I 'd like to thank them very much for their very generous sponsorship.
Winner of scratch = K MacKay (Durness) 90
Winner of handicap = E Tunn (Reay) 91 - 13 = 78

Many congratulations to Kelsey MacDonald who has won the Scottish Under-21 Girls' Open Stroke-play Championship which was held at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club. Kelsey showed her 'true grit' winning a play off at the 2nd extra hole, against Lucy Williams of Mid Herts, they halved the first hole with birdies and then Kelsey won at the second extra hole with another birdie. Pictures and a full report on all the prize winners can be seen on http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

Some other members of the Northern Counties team have also had success this season and must be congratulated also. Playing in the Scottish Girls' Championship at Lanark earlier this month were Sammy Vass, Julie Vass and Hannah McCook, they all qualified and Sammy just lost out in final to Ailsa Bain (Peebles), and I am sure you all know that Sammy is off to the University of Central Florida next month and our best wishes go with her.

Mary Smith (Tain) has been named in Scotland Vets team for bath in August 4-6 and also in the Scottish team for the European Senior Women's team championship in Co Dublin in September 1-4.

Hannah McCook (Abernethy) has been picked for the Grampian Houston Junior Trip to Texas in October 11 for 10 days (the only girl) I am sure she will enjoy the experience.



Results from Grantown: This was a non counting event, we had a great entry of over 60 but the heavens opened and we all experienced a thunder and lightening storm, 26 ladies went out in light rain when the course was re-opened and completed their round.

1st Scr - Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) 80; 1st Silver H'cap - Jean Russell (Tain) (18) 74; 2nd Silver H'cap - Fiona Williams (Inverness) (15) 74; 1st Bronze H'cap - Mora Douglas (Royal Dornoch) (31) 76; 2nd Bronze H'cap - Maureen Walker (Garmouth & Kingston) (22) 79; 3rd Bronze H'cap - Meg Shanks (Brora) (22) 82.



Our next Open is the Vets at Muir of Ord on Friday 14th August.

Jamboree

This time last weekend the Northern Counties has won the first two games of the Jamboree at Royal Dornoch. We beat the defending champions Perth & Kinross 5 1/2 to 3 1/2 and Angus 7 to 2. We awoke on Day 3 to yet another wonderful day and defeated Aberdeenshire 5 1/2 to 3 1/2.
The girls all contribued to a wonderful Championship and we should be very proud of them all.
Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) Pam Mackay (Royal Dornoch), Jenny Milne (Elgin), Mary Smith (Tain) Julie Vass (Tain), Sammy Vass (Tain) and reserve Hannah McCook (Abernethy).

Sammy Vass holed her tee shot at the 6th and the only player to beat Carly Booth in the singles was Kelsey MacDonald, playing in her first Jamboree was Julie Vass who had a very exciting game which she won on the 18th to give us a winning point.

I am very proud to have been their Captain and was extremely touched when the girls presented May and myself with a set of lovely Table Mats, this was very much appreciated by us both.

Also, many thanks to all of you who sent the Team 'good wishes' by card and email.

We now go forward to Baberton, Edinburgh in September 18th - 20th for the finals and there we will play Mid Lothian, Renfrewshire and Galloway. Sammy Vass will have moved to the USA by then but we still believe that we are capable of becoming champions again.

There is a great article published in the Northern Times which can be seen on their web page www.northern-times.co.uk this article has already been sent to your club delegate and should be placed on a prominent place in your Clubhouse.

Many thanks
Jan

Monday, June 29, 2009

NORTHERN COUNTIES WIN TITLE
Northern Counties have joined Renfrewshire and Galloway in the line-up for the Scottish women's inter-county team golf championship finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh from September 18 to 20.
Northern Counties wrapped up the North Division title at Royal Dornoch Golf Club today (Monday) when they beat Aberdeenshire 5 1/2-3 1/2, giving them three wins out of three.
In the other tie, Perth & Kinross beat Angus 6-3

The Inter County Championship (the Jamboree) takes place this coming weekend at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. The team members - Alison Bartlett (Royal Dornoch), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch), Kelsey Macdonald (Nairn Dunbar), Pam Mackay (Royal Dornoch), Jenny Milne (Elgin), Mary Smith (Tain), Julie Vass (Tain), Sammy Vass (Tain) and reserve - Hannah McCook (Abernethy) will have a practice round on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday we play Perth & Kinross, Sunday its Angus and on Monday we play Aberdeenshire.
The foursomes start at 9.00am and the singles at 2.00 pm each day.
I hope to see lots of Northern Counties red colours on the course giving lots of support to the girls.
Jan Corbett
Captain

The Foursomes at Tain went very well with an entry of 30 pairs and the results were –
1st Scratch – Mary Smith & Anne Ryan gross score 80.
1st H’cap – E Gruber (Strathpeffer) & C Ross (Royal Dornoch) 74; E Ballantyne & M Walker (Garmouth & Kingston) 76; M Barr & S McVicar (Gairloch) 76.5; A Ross (Tain) & L Beannie (Brora) 77.

Many thanks to Pam Gordon who has done a ‘Golf Quiz’ to help with our funds, this has been sent to your Delegate, so please get a copy, costs £1 and is a lot of fun.

Our next Open is at Grantown on Spey on Wednesday 15th July, the closing date being 1st July. I think this will be a popular venue so please get your entries in early.

Remember your news from your club should be on our web page.

Aberdeenshire is looking for more entries for the North of Scotland Championship at Newmachar 6th to 8th July.

Jan Corbett, Captain

Success at Southerness in the the Scottish Ladies (Close) Amateur Championship.

Well done Sammy and Kelsey.
Sammy Vass beat Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) by 4and3 in the final of the Clark Rosebowl, this being the competition for those whose scores were below the 32 qualifiers for the Championship.
Kelsey Macdonald also played well and qualified in 6th place for the title, Kelsey won her first round match against Karen Marshall (Baberton) but was beaten in the second round by Elaine Moffat (St Rugulus).

Kelsey and Cara Gruber will be taking part in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews on 30/31 June and I am sure we all wish them well.

Northern Counties - County Foursomes
Tain Golf Club - Saturday 23rd May 2009
B, Brora; BB, Bonar Bridge; D, Duff House Royal; F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie; G, Gairloch; Gr, Grantown on Spey; GK, Garmouth & Kingston; I, Inverness; MO, Muir of Ord; N, Nairn; RD, Royal Dornoch; S, Strathpeffer; T, Tain;

11.00 - C Dingwall (MO), W Spencer (MO), and M Smith (T), A Ryan (T); P Morrison (MO), J Fraser (MO), and N Burtwell (N), C morrison (N); P Moscati (RD), I Wright (RD) and C Cranston (FR), C McMartin (FR); E Hutton (MO), M Maclean (MO) and M Wilson (FR), A Drummond (FR);
11.32 - M Vass (T), J Vass (T) and L Fraser (Fr), J Kennedy (FR); T Fraser (FR), K Bissett (Fr) and N Bartlett (S), J Carr (S); M Maclachan (Gr), M Dick (Gr) and A Mackay (FR), H Cumming (FR); E Hill (Gr), E Sloan (Gr) and A Armstrong (S), J Russell (T);
12.12 - I Blease (Gr), J Coulthard (Gr) and F Fraser (FR), M Webster (FR); N Scrimgeour (MO), H Stuart (MO) and M Hayden (T), M Alexander (D); M Barr (G), S MacVicar (G) and L Thompson (T), F Brand (T);
12.36 - J Nicol (I), F Williams (I) and A Ross (T), L Beannie (B); E Ballantyne (GK), M Walker (GK) and D Marshall (F), M James (F); M Orr (RD), P Davis (F) and L Offin (BB), G Mackay (BB).

Magi and Sammy Vass pip Lorraine and Hannah MacKay for Northern Counties adult-girls' prize
There is no rule in the book against organising a golf competition - and then winning one of the major prizes yourself!
Step forward Mrs Magi Vass (Tain) who staged a Northern Counties Girls' adult-girl greensomes at Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club on Sunday - and won the handicap prize with her daughter Sammy with a 68 net on a better inward half countback over Lorraine MacKay and her daughter Hannah, also from Tain, who also returned a net 68.
Magi (as Margaret Russell) was a Scotland junior international team member in her day while Sammy is a Scotland girl international.
Dana Stodart and her mum Margo (Royal Dornoch) won the pre-handicap section with a 75 net.
Magi Vass writes:"The Nairn and Nairn Dunbar Ladies teamed up (spearheaded by Jen Abbott who has 50 girls playing regularly at The Nairn Golf Club!) in a fund-raising effort for the Northern Counties Girls. They held a coffee morning in Nairn on Saturday and raised £1,300.
"They deserve a very big thank you from me and all the girls as this will make a massive difference to the coaching, etc that we can provide."

Kylie, Carly and Kelsey win Welsh Team Trophy for Scotland
Good news Kylie Walker, Carly Booth and Kelsey MacDonald - Scotland won the Nations Cup team event at the weekend's Welsh women's open amateur stroke-play championship at windswept Royal Porthcawl. Kylie said – “Obviously we were disappointed not to do better as individuals but we were happy to do Scotland proud by bringing home the Nations Cup Trophy. Thanks to the SLGA for sending us," Kylie figured in a three-way tie for the lead with one round to go eventually finishing joint sixth, Carly Booth joint 12th and Kelsey MacDonald 17th.

NORTHERN COUNTIES LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION
PRIZE RAFFLE – FREE FOUR BALL 2009
The draw for the ‘Free Fourball’ during 2009 was done at the end of the prize giving at the Championship at Nairn Golf Club by the Vice Captain, Florence Allan and the Ladies President of Nairn Golf Club, Mrs Jenni Drummond. An estimate of the funds this has generated is £2245 an absolutely wonderful achievement, this sum will greatly help the funds of both the Ladies and Girls Associations. Some of the vouchers were taken by friends of the winners and the rest will be posted this week.
Many thanks to you the members for generating this sum and for your continued support and generosity.
We are extremely grateful to the Clubs who donated the prizes and enabled us to make this fundraising event such a success.
MORAY - ALISON BARTLETT, ROYAL DORNOCH GOLF CLUB
TORVEAN - IRENE BLEASE, GRANTOWN ON SPEY GOLF CLUB
DUFFTOWN - NICOLA THOMAS, CASTLE VIEW, KINTORE
BOAT OF GARTEN - JOANNA FLOCKHART, MAIN STREET NEWMILLS, FIFE
ROYAL DORNOCH (STRUIE) - MAC ALLAN, FORRES GOLF CLUB
FORT AUGUSTUS - SEONAID VICKERMAN, GRANTOWN ON SPEY GOLF CLUB
ELGIN - MGT SPARK, STRAPEFFER GOLF CLUB
STRATHLENE - VIVIEN MCINTOSH, 3 FAIRWAYS, NAIRN
FORTROSE & ROSEMARKIE - SUE HELAL, ROYAL DORNOCH GOLF CLUB
LYBSTER - W PLEASANT,29 PEBRIE CRESCENT ELGIN
TAIN - F HOSSACK.WATERSIDE HOUSE, WEST SHORE STREET, ULLAPOOL
FORT WILLIAM - J ALEXANDER, DUFF HOUSE ROYAL
STORNOWAY - ISOBEL ROBERTSON NAIRN GOLF CLUB (SEE YVONNE GUNN)
NAIRN DUNBAR - D GRAY, CRANGTON N. KESSOCK
BUCKPOOL - D ROSS, ELGIN GOLF CLUB
GOLSPIE - STAN FARQUHAR, DUFF HOUSE ROYAL
ULLAPOOL - A ADAM,EASTER BUTHILL, ELGIN
STRATHPEFFER - E CRUICKSHANK, DUFF HOUSE ROYAL
BONAR BRIDGE - C RIACH,CORONICH ,BOAT OF GARTEN
GAIRLOCH - K GREEN,BREMNER, GAIRLOCH CRESC CONON BRIDGE
HOPEMAN - E MCLAREN,8, HOLM PARK, INVERNESS
ROYAL TARLAIR - K L KELLY,56, INVERGOWRIE DRIVE, DUNDEE
REAY - R CORBETT, DUFF HOUSE ROYAL
BRORA - F MCLEOD,13, STATHERICK PARK, INVERNESS
ABERNETHY - JAN GRANT, KINGUSSIE GOLF CLUB
SKYE - L FRASER, 9 CROWN DRIVE, NVERNESS
DUFF HOUSE ROYAL - P MCPHERSON, 7 TULLOCH DRIVE, NAIRN
CULLEN - MRS GRANTHAM,24, RIVER PLACE, NAIRN
ORKNEY - A FINDLAY,8, WELLSIDE GARDENS, ABERDEEN
FORRES - G K LAWSON,4 THE PILLARS ,DORNOCH
INVERNESS - M MCKAY,6 PORTDUNBAR, WICK
NAIRN - G C WILLIAMS,CRAIGEWEN, CAWFIELD RD ,INVERNESS
THURSO - C BROWN, NAIRN GOLF CLUB

Many congratulations Kelsey from all the Northern County members on your great play at the Helen Holm in Troon and our best wishes go with you to Southerness next month.
Leona Maguire from Northern Ireland finished first, two shots ahead of Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), in the 37th Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Troon.
Kelsey’s ambition is to play in the Curtis Cup match in her home town of Nairn in 2012.
She has run into form at the right time with the Scottish women's amateur championship coming up next month at Southerness.
A full report on the Helen Holm and pictures of the prizewinners can be seen at www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Our 2009 Championship at Nairn is now over and what a wonderful weekend the 70 participants had. Great location, facilities and weather. We all saw Nairn Golf Club at its best.
We now congratulate our Northern Counties Champion - Cara Gruber, Royal Dornoch who beat Jenny Milne, Elgin in the final by 6 and 5. Cara played some wonderful golf and ended the match at the 13th with a eagle 3 having chipped in from off the green, Jenny could give not a lot more than she gave after having gone to the 22nd hole in the morning against Alison Bartlett, Royal Dornoch. Cara won her semi final against Eileen Manson, Thurso by 4 and 3.
The Handicap champion is Sally Rowan, Inverness who beat Sheila Duncan, Royal Dornoch by 4 and 3.
You can see all the results and photograph of the prizewinners by going on to - www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk



Sally Rowan (Inverness), who plays off 21 and whose mother Sylvia won the same title in 2001, won the handicap championship. She beat Sheila Duncan (Royal Doroch), playing off 19, by 4 and 3 in the final.Today's results:Semi-finals - C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) bt E Manson (Thurso) 4 and 3, J Milne (Elgin) bt A Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) at the 22nd.Final - Gruber bt Milne 6 and 5.Handicap championshipSemi-finals - S Rowan (Inverness) (21) bt A Burnett (Royal Dornoch) (21) 5 and 4, S Duncan (Royal Dornoch) (19) bt D McBride (Royal Dornoch) (13) 4 and 3.Final - Rowan bt Duncan 4 and 3.