Thursday, October 12, 2006

2007 Fixture List

April 22 - Elgin 40th Birthday
April 28,29 & 30 - Royal Dornoch for County Championship

May 17 - Strathpeffer - County Open
May 20 - Duff House Royal - Captains Match
May 26 - Isle of Skye - County Open

June 6 - Fort Augustus - Delegates Day
June 10 - Brora - County Foursomes
June 23,24 & 25 - Cruden Bay - Inter County Championships

July 2,3 & 4- Moray Old - North of Scotland Championships
July 13 - Alness - County Open

August 17 - Tarbat - County Open & Vets Trophy
August 26 - Boat of Garten - County Open
August 31, September 1 & 2 - Tulliallan - County Finals

September 8 - Buckpool - County Greensomes
September 9 - Inverness - Scratch League Final
September 20 - Tain - Commonwealth Spoons Final

October 7 - Nairn Dunbar - County Open & AGM


Junior Girls
April 15 - Fortrose - Ladies/Juniors Foursomes
May 13 - Fairways - McDermott Trophy
June 9 & 10 - Ballumbie Castle - Inter Div Girls
July 9 - Hopeman - Medal
August 1 - Moray New - Junior Championship
August ? - TBA - Girls North of Scotland

Mairi C Orr
Captain

County Open at Tain

The final county open at Tain had to be stopped as unfortunately the greens flooded. The field returned to the clubhouse wet, but in good spirits. Well done to all those who played. The AGM was held immediately afterwards and the members voted unanimously to adopt the re-written constitution and were pleased to note that the entry fees for girls was reduced as part of the ongoing attempts to encourage the young ones to play. Also decided at the meeting was to revert to 16 scratch qualifiers and 8 handicap qualifiers. It was also agreed to place the following courses on our list of approved Championship venues - Brora and Spey Valley, when they have completed their affiliation process with the SLGA and hopefully we will be able to play there in 2009. The following Officials were unanimously re-elected for a year:-
Hon President - Isobel McIntosh
Captain - Mairi C Orr
Vice-Captain - Eileen Manson
Secretary/Treasurer - Mary Hayden
Junior Secretary - Lorna Lloyd-Baker

The Scratch League trophy was won by Morayshire. The Silver Aggregate Trophy was presented to Susan MacVicar who is from Gairloch. The Bronze Aggregate Trophy was won by Aline Drummond of Fortrose & Rosemarkie. The Francis Souter Trophy for the most improved girl was shared this year between Hannah McCook of Abernethy who cut her handicap from 30 to 15, and Julie Vass of Tain who cut her handicap from 31 to 16. Next year Northern Counties shall be 40 years old and we plan a special day at Elgin on 22 April where the first Northern Counties event was played.

Mairi C Orr
Captain

Thursday, September 28, 2006

County Open at Tain Golf Club 1st October

Due to the field going out in three balls, the AGM starting time will probably be delayed from our estimated time of 5 pm and will now be nearer 6 pm, as we will be having the prize giving for the Open before the AGM. Hopefully you are all able to stay, as there is a full Agenda and a number of important issues to be addressed.

See you on Sunday.

11.08 - H Vass (Tain), M Lane (Tarbat)
11.16 - L Coghill (Dornoch), M Gordon (Tarbat), A Ryan (Tain)
11.24 - M Ross (F&R), D Macbride (Dornoch), A Macdonald (Tarbat)
11.32 - T Weekes (Dornoch), S Rowan (Inverness), L Thomson (Tain)
11.40 - A Burnett (Dornoch), C Selwyn (Fort Augustus), F Nicholas (Nairn)
11.48 - J Patterson (Fort Augustus), A Ross (Tain), P Moscati (Dornoch)
11.56 - M Smith (Tain), D Sinclair (Tain), H Stuart (Muir of Ord)
12.04 - M Hayden (Tain), J Russell (Tain), C Malcolm (Dollar)
12.12 - B Little (Brora, M Douglas (Dornoch), C Vass (Tarbat)
12.20 - D Sutherland (Tain), S Bruce (Brora), H Macleod (Inverness)
12.28 - M McCook (Abernethy), C Macleod (Nairn Dunbar), F Brand (Tain)
12.36 - D MacKinnon (Durness), N Green (Nairn), L Lloyd-Baker (Grantown)
12.44 - A Drummond (F&R), M Orr (Tain), A Strauss (Dornoch)
12.52 - M Barr (Gairloch), J Loudon (Nairn), M Ritchie (Muir of Ord)
13.00 - S MacVicar (Gairloch), K Graham (Muir of Ord), S Ramsay (Inverness)
13.08 - M Sutherland (Tain), L Mackay (Durness), W Spencer (Muir of Ord)
13.16 - S Vass (Tain), M Vass (Tain), I McIntosh (Invernes)
13.24 - J Vass (Tain), K Mackay (Durness), H Mackay (Tain)

Mairi Orr
Captain

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

County Update

Hello to you all from a dreich mist-enshrouded Dornoch. The last few weeks have been very busy for everyone, all trying to cut the handicaps before the end of the season. Some have been successful and others less so, although on information supplied by Delegates, it looks like handicaps are coming down, which can only augur well for the future of Northern Counties.

More mature golfers in the County drove the long winding road to Machrihanish to play in the Scottish Seniors, although none qualified for the matchplay championship. On the first day, Pam Moscati had a gross 92 and Evelyn Hutton had a 95. In the scheme of things, this was excellent golf - the greenkeeper had a sense of humour. Three ladies putted off the 17th green into a bunker. I am pleased to say none were from the north.

Next month is of course the Senior Home internationals at Hamilton and Pam Gordon is Captain of the Scottish Team. Please do try to take a trip down there to give your support. Contact Florence Allan as she is trying to organise a bus.

Last Sunday was the Scratch League Final played at Moray Golf club between Morayshire and Ross-shire, Moray won the match and congratulations to them; also to Moray golf club for the courtesy and the warm welcome we received from Aileen Johns, Lady Captain. The League is open to all cat. 1 & 2 players who are County members and although primarily designed to give the squad more matchplay practice, it is essential to encourage more people to take part as the golf does improve and of course brings more people into the "limelight". Ours is a big County and we must give everyone an equal opportunity to participate in County events.

News of the young ones is always encouraging and terrific to see them all travelling about, not only the County, but beyond. Kelsey was selected to be a reserve in the Home International Team, a terrific achievement. Kelsey if off to England this week to play in the Scottish Schools team.

Ashton has settled into her new life at Belmont College in America and plays 7 days in the week; not sure she is relishing the 3 mile runs, pilates and special diets.

Gordonstoun School have asked to play a match against the girls and Lorna is busy organising this.

The County Greensomes were a great success and the entry was encouraging; although the plan to back to back with the highland vets did not altogether work as a lot of the vets did not play in our competition.

We have distributed a number of pens and keyrings and the delegates who have them will hopefully be able to return the monies to Mary at the AGM.

Tain County Open on Sunday 1 October. Entries to Ann Ryan on 01862 892100. Members £7, Juniors £5 and £12 for non-member. Late entries will be accepted until next Sunday 24 September.

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

County Update

Hello to you all from a dreich mist-enshrouded Dornoch. The last few weeks have been very busy for everyone, all trying to cut the handicaps before the end of the season. Some have been successful and others less so, although on information supplied by Delegates, it looks like handicaps are coming down, which can only augur well for the future of Northern Counties.

More mature golfers in the County drove the long winding road to Machrihanish to play in the Scottish Seniors, although none qualified for the matchplay championship. On the first day, Pam Moscati had a gross 92 and Evelyn Hutton had a 95. In the scheme of things, this was excellent golf - the greenkeeper had a sense of humour. Three ladies putted off the 17th green into a bunker. I am pleased to say none were from the north.

Next month is of course the Senior Home internationals at Hamilton and Pam Gordon is Captain of the Scottish Team. Please do try to take a trip down there to give your support. Contact Florence Allan as she is trying to organise a bus.

Last Sunday was the Scratch League Final played at Moray Golf club between Morayshire and Ross-shire, Moray won the match and congratulations to them; also to Moray golf club for the courtesy and the warm welcome we received from Aileen Johns, Lady Captain. The League is open to all cat. 1 & 2 players who are County members and although primarily designed to give the squad more matchplay practice, it is essential to encourage more people to take part as the golf does improve and of course brings more people into the "limelight". Ours is a big County and we must give everyone an equal opportunity to participate in County events.

News of the young ones is always encouraging and terrific to see them all travelling about, not only the County, but beyond. Kelsey was selected to be a reserve in the Home International Team, a terrific achievement. Kelsey if off to England this week to play in the Scottish Schools team.

Ashton has settled into her new life at Belmont College in America and plays 7 days in the week; not sure she is relishing the 3 mile runs, pilates and special diets.

Gordonstoun School have asked to play a match against the girls and Lorna is busy organising this.

The County Greensomes were a great success and the entry was encouraging; although the plan to back to back with the highland vets did not altogether work as a lot of the vets did not play in our competition.

We have distributed a number of pens and keyrings and the delegates who have them will hopefully be able to return the monies to Mary at the AGM.

Tain County Open on Sunday 1 October. Entries to Ann Ryan on 01862 892100. Members £7, Juniors £5 and £12 for non-member. Late entries will be accepted until next Sunday 24 September.

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

Monday, September 11, 2006

Northern Counties Scratch League FInal

The above competition was played on Sunday 10 Spetember in possibly the best conditions at Moray Old Course. The Counties are divided into South and North; the South comprising Banff, Moray & Nairn; while the North is Inverness, Ross-shire and Cathness & Sutherland. The Teams of four are selected from all Category 1 & 2 County members available to play. Todays final was between Moray and Ross-shire, the defenders.
Results -
Moray names first - Jenny Milne beat Pat Morrison, Winnie Ross beat Lynne Fraser, Audrey Gill beat Fiona Brand and Susan Dean lost to Helen Stuart.
Well done to Morayshire and many thanks to Moray Golf Club for the courtesy of their course and to Aileen Johns, Lady Captain for the welcome we received. The golf was superb and the girls are wondering how they can better the course record of 65 set by Elaine Farquharson Black. The par is 75. The opportunity may well come at the Northof Scotland Championships early July next year.

Mairi Orr, Captain

Sunday, September 10, 2006

County Greensomes

The Northern Counties Greensomes were played on 6th September at Bonar Bridge/Ardgay Golf Club, a little known gem at the top of the Dornoch Firth and well worth a visit. We are indebted to them for their hospitality and courtesy of their course. We had players from as far away as Wick and Gairloch. Bonar Bridge was presented to us looking at its' best and with the heather blooming, we could almost have been on our holidays.

The prize list is as follows -
1st - B Bremner & M Webster (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 63.4
2nd - S Hamilton (Brora) & M Hayden (Tain) 64.2
3rd - M Lane & M Gordon (Tarbat) 64.6

The winner of the County Putter was Elda Morrison (Fortrose)

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

Golspie Open and Vets Trophy

The above competition was played at Golspie Golf Club on 14th August by kind permission. The course was in excellent condition and as usual the weather was kind to us. Par 71, SSS 71, CSS 73.
The Cathy Ross Salver for ladies of a certain age was won by Barina Little of Brora (24) 71. The Cathy Ross Trophy was donated 25 years ago.

Silver Scratch - Sammy Vass, (Tain) 81
1st Handicap - S McVicar (Gairloch) (11) 75
2nd Handicap - I McIntosh (Inverness) (7) 76

Bronze 1st Handicap - B Little (Brora) (24) 71
2nd Handicap - M Johnson (Wick) (25) 73

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

Kerri's Course Record

Kerri Harper set a new course record at Nairn Golf Club on Tuesday 5th September, playing in the Ladies Medal
Par 75, SSS 75. The previous record of 70 was held by her team mate Laura Walker.

Par 4 5 4 3 4 3 5 4 4 36 5 3 5 5 3 4 5 4 5 39 75

Kerri 3 5 2 3 4 3 5 4 4 33 5 2 4 4 3 4 3 4 5 34 67

Well done to Kerri, whose golf is going from strength to strength.

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

Sunday, August 06, 2006

County Open

There is a County Open at Cullen on Friday 25th August. Entries to be sent to Dorothy Shepherd, 22 Reidhaven Street, Cullen AB56 4SY or telephone 01542 840685

Mairi Orr, Captain

County Vets Open

The above competition will take place at Golspie Golf Club on Monday 14th August. Entries are being taken by Marie Macleod on 01408 634030. Cost is £7 for members, £5 for girls and £12 for non-members.

Mairi Orr, Captain

Scottish Mixed Foursomes

This competition is to be played at Deeside Golf Club on Sunday 10th September. Entries are being taken until 14th August. Why not find a nice partner and have a great day out. Entry forms are available from SLGA on 01738 442357 or from the Sponsors, Paul & Williamsons 01224 621621 and ask for Elaine.

Regards
Mairi Orr, Captain

Northern Counties Junior Girls Championship

On a very warm day at Moray New Golf Club course, the junior girls played their Championship. Eilidh Mackay of Nairn Dunbar posted a gross 80 to win for the first time. Eilidh has battled with a sports injury, but has obviously overcome it. In the handicap section, Chloe Macleod, also of Nairn Dunbar, did the double playing off 12 had a 75 nett to win, not only this trophy, but also the senior handicap trophy at Forres in May of this year. Nadia Green, Nairn Golf Club, off 10, was the runner up on a better inward half with a 78 nett.
Well done to all the girls who took part. We know you have all been working hard over the summer months to cut your handicaps and at the same time have a bit of fun. We would also like to thank Moray Golf Club for their continuing support of Northern Counties Ladies Golf by granting us courtesy of the courses. It is most appreciated.
We hear that Julie Vass posted a 71 at Tain in the Ladies Open, but her young clubmate Hannah Mackay posted a 68 nett. Hannah won the bronze medal earlier this year at Crieff, and as a cousin of Lindsay Anderson must have the genes to do well, if her bagpiping does not interfere, so also, well done to them.

Regards,
Mairi Orr, Captain

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Kelsey and Roseanne for Belgium

Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) have been selected by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to represent Scotland in the Belgium International Junior Open at the Royal Golf Club of Belgium, Brussells from August 23 to 26. Roseanne won the Scottish Under-18 Girls' match-play championship at Peebles recently, while 15-year-old Kelsey won the Under 16 award in the Scottish Under-21 girls open stroke-play championship which ended at Stirling on 28 July

Mairi Orr
Captain

Sunday, July 23, 2006

County Open results

Muir of Ord County Open 20 July 2006
Silver Scratch - Louise Hampton (Forres) 79
Silver Handicap - 1st Dorothy Mackay (Muir of Ord) (17) 65; 2nd Jenny Thornton (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (17) 66; 3rd Merle Allan (Grantown on Spey) (19) 67
Bronze Handicap - 1st Paddy Ross (Kingussie) (29) 63; 2nd Jan Paterson (Fort Augustus) (21) 66; 3rd Wendy Henry (Muir of Ord) (28) 68; 4th Aline Drummond (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (21) 69

Mairi Orr
Captain

Thursday, July 20, 2006

County Open Draw at Muir of Ord on 20 July 2006

10.00 - M Ross (FR), W Spencer (MO)
10.08 - J Glen (Spa), J Thornton (FR)
10.16 - H Cumming (FR), E Robb (Inv)
10.24 - A Drummond (FR), J Cairns (Boat)
10.32 - P Roxburgh (Boat), B Bremner (FR)
10.40 - P Morrison (MO), M Barr (Gair)
10.48 - E Hutton (MO), S McVicar (Gair)
10.56 - M Maclean (MO), J Cameron )Spa)
11.12 - E Wallace (MO), D Marshall (F)
11.20 - D Mackay (MO), S Cobham (F)
11.28 - R Rollo (Gair), S Rowan (Inv)
11.36 - L Hampton (F), T Weekes (RD)
11.44 - V Wright (F), L Fraser (FR)
11.52 - R Brown (F), J Fraser (MO)
12.00 - M James (F), J Paterson (FA)
12.08 - D Rae (FW), D McKinnon (Dur)
12.24 - I McIntosh (Inv), L Lloyd Baker (Gr)
12.32 - S Vickerman (Gr), S Ramsay (Inv)
12.40 - M Orr (Tain), M Ritchie (MO)
12.48 - M Allan (Gr), J Russell (Tain)
12.56 - W Hendry (MO), M Douglas (RD)
13.04 - P Magee (MO), S Dunn (FR)
13.12 - L Barras (MO) & partner
13.20 - P Moscati (RD), J Grant (King)
13.28 - P Webster (Tain), M Murray (King)
13.36 - P Ross (King), E Dey (King)
13.44 - N Bain (MO), A Armstrong (Spa)


Mairi Orr
Captain

Sunday, July 09, 2006

British Mid Amateur Championships at Nairn

Congratulations to Northern County members, Christine McAndrew and Gillian Dowling who have 'made the cut' for the final round on Sunday. We wish them good golf and perhaps some members will be there to support them.

Mairi Orr
Captain

North of Scotland Championships

Well done to Sammy Vass from Tain who is the new Handicap Champion of the North of Scotland and to Kerri Harper who was the runner-up to Michelle Thomson in the Scratch.

Mairi Orr
Captain