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.

Scottish Golf Awareness Week
Get a Scottish Golf Card and save50% of green fee at over 70 clubsNEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNIONTo kick-start the Scottish Golf Awareness Week, the SGU and SLGA have launched the Scottish Golf Card exclusively for golf club members as an added incentive, enabling them to take advantage of a 50% reduction off standard green fees at golf clubs participating in the programme.The new initiative has hit the ground running with over 70 clubs now accepting the Scottish Golf Card across the country, with that total increasing daily.For just £10, the card - the first of its type launched by the SGU and SLGA - will enable club members to take advantage of great savings as well as help clubs to increase capacity on their fairways. Scottish Golf Development Manager Andy Salmon commented: “I am delighted with the initial response to the Scottish Golf Card by both clubs and members alike. The number of clubs taking the Golf Card is increasing all the time which gives greater choice and value to golf club members."The benefits are twofold, in addition to this reward for membership, clubs can increase volume on their courses, so this really is a win, win situation.“I would urge any club which is concerned about decreasing memberships and revenues to promote the card to their members and accept card holders at their course.” He concluded: “In the current climate golf club members like everyone else are looking for added value and ways of cutting costs and the Scottish Golf Card can reap great benefits for those wanting to take a short golfing break or golfing holiday in Scotland, or for those who just like to play other courses.”Among the fantastic courses already signed up to the initiative are:*Marriot Dalmahoy in Edinburgh.*The ancient links of Royal Montrose.*The superb Murcar Linksto name but a few, with more clubs indicating they will come on board shortly.The card can make a great gift to a friend or colleague or yourself with the whole season ahead of you.To purchase simply phone 01334 466 477 or visit the Scottish Golf Union website to download an application form www.scottishgolf.org.Memberships are verified with your club before the card is issued. Kate WeldonCommunications ManagerScottish Golf Union

Jenny Milne and Mary Smith. I know it was cold, but that hat Mary!!

Help, I'm sure it would be just here.

Kerri Harper and Sammy Vass finding it a bit cold.

Spey Valley Photos

Julie Vass, Hannah McCook, Cara Gruber and Pam McKay setting off at the 1st at Spey Valley.

Below is the draw for the County Championship at Nairn this coming weekend. We have 69 entries so far but there is room for more.

Northern Counties Ladies Golf Association Championship at The Nairn Golf Club on Saturday 18th to Monday 20th April 2009. Players leave the tee in 10 min intervals and are from the host club unless otherwise stated.
Abbreviations: A, Abernethy; B, Brora; DHR, Duff House Royal; E, Elgin; F, Forres; FR, Fortrose & Rosemarkie; G, Gairloch; GS, Grantown on Spey; I, Inverness; MO, Muir of Ord; M, Moray; N, Nairn; ND, Nairn Dunbar; RD, Royal Dornoch; S, Strathpeffer; T, Tain; Th, Thurso.

9.0 – G. Dowling (I), S. Macdonell (I), E. Manson (T); C. Gruber (RD), S. Vass (T), P. Mackay (RD); A. Ryan (T), A. Bartlett (RD), J. Louden (N); H. McCook (A), C. McAndrew (ND), J. Milne (E);
9.30 – M. Howieson (I), J. Vass (T), L. Coghill (RD); M. Vass (T), R. Topping (DHR), F. Bell (I); J. Nicol (I), S. McKenzie (E), M. Barr (G);
10.0 – S. McVicar (G), C. Marshall (N); M. Bagott (RD); L. Munro (M), P. Morrison (MO), D. McBride (RD); H. Stuart (MO), A. Robertson (B), C. Dingwall (MO);
10.30 – T. Weeks (RD), P. Ashe (B), E. Wallace (MO); J. Maison (DHR), M. Ritchie (MO), J. Thornton (FR); M. Wilson (FR), E. Hutton (MO), P. Moscatti (RD);
11.0 – E. Sloan (GS), W. Spencer (MO), F. Fraser (FR); A. McBeath (B), S. Duncan (RD), J. Fraser (MO); M. Hayden (RD), E. Morrison (FR), D. Mckay (MO);
11.30 – K. Mckay (FR), R. Bruce (MO), Y. Gunn (N); A. Drummond (FR), B. Little (B), S. Rowan (I); A. McKay (FR), M. James (F), A. Burnett (RD); A. Rlose (MO), E. Gruber (S), S. Hellal (RD); M. Shanks (B), M. Webster (FR), S. Cobban (F); D. McNeil (I), E. Hill (GS), N. Burtwell (N);
12.30 – M. Holmes (RD), I. Wright (RD); M. Dick (GS), M. Douglas (RD).

First of all, I hope you have all got your season started and enjoying being out on the fairways once again.
Membership: We are hoping for more members this year, I know it's early days yet, but hopefully the fixture list will encourage more members to join the County.
Free Four ball raffle: The draw will be done Monday 20th April immediately after the prize giving at the Championship at Nairn. Time this week for a final push to get all the tickets sold.
May and I will be leaving Banff on Friday to travel to Nairn for the Championship so any ticket stubs and monies should be sent to her now by first class post, to arrive no later than Thursday, otherwise, should be brought to Nairn at the weekend. A list of the prize winners will be sent to you all for display at your Club and will be posted on the web page.

Some members of the squad for the County Team have attended two training days with Martin Piggot at Castle Heather and had a practice game at Spey Valley Golf Club, Aviemore at the weekend.
They all enjoyed their time with Martin who shows great patience and understanding with the girls, they all had plenty to work on after the lesson.
Spey Valley were most generous giving us courtesy of the course and thankfully 'buggies' as well, it was a bright sunny day, however, there was a cold wind coming from the mountains.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Nairn and I hope the weather is kind to us.

Regards to you all
Jan Corbett
Captain

Another success for Kelsey

Well done Kelsey, winner of the Girls Order of Merit 2008, hope you have a great night in Glasgow.

Scottish Golf Dinner
Press releasethe Scottish Golf Dinner in Glasgow (Friday 27 March)..In the domestic season Kylie Walker and Kelsey MacDonald (pictured left, courtesy idealimages.co.uk), won the ladies and girls Order of Merit titles respectively by impressive margins.

News from your Captain

Some members of the squad along with some juniors had a great day with Martin Piggott last weekend. After they blew away the cobwebs from their clubs, they all enjoyed their time with Martin who put them all through their paces and certainly gave them all something to work on. Our next coaching day is the 28 March when it is hoped that more of the squad will be there along with the four juniors.
We have a practice game arranged at the Spey Valley Golf Club on Sunday 11 April, looking forward to that challenge and hoping that the snow will be well gone by then.
I hope you all have paid your subs and have entered for our Championship at Nairn on 18 - 20 April. If not, get in touch with your Delegate, join the County and don't miss out on playing some great courses this year.
Thank you to Grantown on Spey for the invite to join them in their opening competition on 7 April; May and I will be there and we are both looking forward to it.
I hope you have sold all your raffle tickets to win a 'free four ball' during the season ahead. Please remember to bring the stubs and monies raised to the Championship where the draw will be done on Monday 20 April. If you are not coming to Nairn, then the stubs etc. must reach May Alexander by Monday 13 April as we leave for Nairn on Friday 17 April.
I hope you and your Club have a successful year ahead, and that you 'keep it on the fairway' and sink those putts.

Jan Corbett, Captain

2009 Competition dates

Sat 18 - Mon 20 April - NC Championship at Nairn Golf Club
Sat 23 May - NC Foursomes at Tain Golf Club
Wed 15 July - NC Open meeting at Grantown on Spey Golf Club
Fri 14 August - NC Open Vets meeting at Muir of Ord Golf Club
Sat 5 September - NC Open meeting at Torvean Golf Club
Sun 4 October - NC Open & AGM at Moray Golf Club (New Course)

Jan Corbett, Captain

Kelseys' success in Florida

Kelsey through to quarter-finals, but Laura Murray is beaten.
Stirling student Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) is through to the quarter-finals of the Jone-Doherty Matchplay Championships at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, but Alford's Laura Murray (Robert Gordon University) lost her second round tie. MacDonald will now play Carly Rae Goldstein after beating Daniela Lendl, one of the former tennis ace Ivan Lendl's golfing-playing daughters, by one hole. Rachel Connor, daughter of Scots-born Manchester club pro Brian Connor, will meet 14-year old US girls champion and top qualifier Alexis Thomson, for a place in the last four after beating Sandra Changkija by one hole. Thomson beat Stirling student Rachel Cassidy (Dublin) by 8 & 7. Laura Murray lost by 4 & 3 to Marilyn Hardy. Two other Stirling students, Rebecca Wilson (Monifieth) and Holly Calvert (Lancaster) will meet in the final of the Second Flight. Rebecca beat Jane Little by 6 & 4 while Holly won at the 19th against Mayura Skowronski in the semi-finals.

Kelsey through to play American Curtis Cup star in semi-final.
Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald, a member of Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, will play Meghan Bolger, who played in last year's winning US Curtis Cup team at St. Andrews, in Friday's semi-finals of the Jones/Doherty women's amateur match-play championship at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Stirling University student Kelsey, 18, beat American Carly Ray Goldstein 3 & 2 in today's quarter-finals. Kelsey was pipped for third place behind winner Alexis Thomson in last weeks' South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship, the second competition of the women's amateur Orange Blossom Tour in Florida. Bolger was United States women's mid-amateur champion in 2006 and again in 2007. Rachel Connor, daughter of the Scots-born Manchester club professional Brian Connor, lost to Alexis Thomson, the 14 year old US girls champion, by 4 & 3 in her quarter final. The second semi-final will feature Thompson against defending champion Isabelle Lendl, one of the golfing daughters of former world tennis ace Ivan Lendl. Stirling student Holly Calvert (Lancaster) won the Second Flight final, beating Monifieth's Rebecca Wilson, also a Stirling student, by one hole in the final.
Results:
Championship Flight
Quarter-finals
Isabelle Lendl bt Marily Hardy 6 & 5
Alexis Thompson bt Rachel Connon (Manchester) 4 & 3
Meghan Bolger bt Victoria Trapani 2 holes
Kelsey MacDonald bt Carly Ray Goldstein 3 & 2

It's Kelsey v US Wonder girl Florida match-play final
Scottish under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald is through to Saturday's final of the Jones-Doherty women's amateur match-play golf championship at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Kelsey, 18 year old Stirling university student and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club member, will play the 14-year old United States girls champion Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida.
Alexis won last weeks' South Atlantic Ladies amateur championship at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, which was the second event in the Orange Blossom women's amateur tour in Florida.
MacDonald, who finished third behind Thompson, had a great win in today's (Friday) semi-finals. She beat Megham Bolger, twice winner of the US women's mid-amateur title and member of the winning US Curtis Cup team at St Andrews last May.
Kelsey won by 3 & 2
Thompson beat the defending champion, Isabelle Lendl, 6 & 5 in the other semi-final.

Kelsey loses to US wonder kid Alexis in Final of Florida matchplay
Scottish under-21 girls golf champion Kelsey MacDonald of Nairn Dunbar Golf Club lost to the 13 year old United States girls title-holder, Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida in today's 18-hole final of the Jones-Doherty women's amateur match-play championship at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Kelsey, 18 year old first year sports studies student at Stirling University, played brilliant golf to reach the final, including a 3 & 2 semi-final win over Meghan Bolger, twice winner of the US women's mid-amateur title and a member of the winning American Curtis Cup team at St. Andrews last May.
But in the final Kelsey went down by 5 & 4 to a rare talent, Alexis Thompson, the wonder kid of US golf - she will be 14 on February 10 - who won last weeks' South Atlantic Ladies amateur championship at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach - the second event in the Orange Blossom tour of Florida. MacDonald finished third in that event.
Kelsey's ambition is to play for Great Britain & Ireland in the 2012 Curtis Cup match which will be played in her home town of Nairn. Alexis Thompson is certain to be in the next US women's amateur line-up that comes to Scotland and might even make the team for the 2010 match in the States...so too might Kelsey MacDonald for that matter.
The students, who have also included Laura Murray (Alford) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, now return home after having spent three weeks in America competing on the Orange Blossom Tour. The trip was funded through Stirling university's International Sports Scholarships Programme.

Jan Corbett, Captain