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| Eilidh Briggs - 2011 RLCGA Champion - Click to enlarge |
CLICK HERE FOR SEMI FINAL PHOTOS AND PAST CAPTAINS LUNCH -Courtesy of Freda Tuck
CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTOS FROM THE FINAL AND PRIZEGIVING
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE 1st ROUND AND QUARTER FINALS - Thanks go to Maureen Woodhead for some of those photographs
What a fantastic day's golf was to be seen today at Haggs Castle Golf Club today when Eilidh Briggs continued her brilliant play with more eagles and birdies in both the semi finals and the final.
In the morning's semi final against Alyson McKechin she kicked off with a birdie at the 2nd hole and with par golf was 3 up after 7 holes. Alyson got her back to being only 1 down at the turn and then had a birdie 2 at the 11th to square the match. Eilidh then had a 2 putt birdie at the 12th to go 1 up to be immediately brought back to all square by a birdie by Alyson at the 13th to square the match. Eilidh then responded with an eagle at the 14th to go 1up and with pars all the way in Eilidh managed to win the tie by 1 hole.
Eilidh was 4 UNDER PAR and Alyson 2 UNDER PAR --- The semi final match was worthy of being a final and congratulations go to Alyson on great play.
Meantime in the other semi final sister Megan was in great form as well and was 2 under par when she defeated Carol Whyte to set up an all BRIGGS final -- a repeat of the final at Bonnyton in 2008
Well what a final it was --- Eilidh kicked off with by chipping in for an eagle 3 at the first (Megan had a birdie) and then sank a long putt at the 2nd for a birdie -- to be 2 up. Both sisters had pars at the 3rd and Megan then had a birdie at the 4th to go back to being 1 down. Eilidh won the short 7th and with pars at the 8th and 9th was 2 up at the turn. She then birdied the 10th to go 3 up, lost the 11th but then had another birdie at the 14th to go back to 3up. Megan responded with a birdie at the 15th to get back to being 2 down and with both of them having pars at the 16th and 17th -- Eilidh was the winner 2&1. Eilidh was again 4 UNDER in the final with Megan being LEVEL PAR.
What a great final it was. Credit should be given to Megan who put up a great fight --- her play was superb and with not as much practice as her younger sister due to University exams, essays, 11,000 word dissertations etc. etc. etc . it was remarkable that she was able to put up such a spirited fight.
Haggs Castle Captain Neal Stewart who was the referee of the final and also presented the trophies at the prizegiving said ---
"President Eileen, Captain Trish, Vice-Captain Maureen, officials and members of the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association, Ladies and Gentlemen,"
First of all can I say on behalf of Haggs Castle Golf Club that it is our pleasure to have hosted your County Championship this year. We hope you have enjoyed the course despite the early season conditions and the facilities.
As an organisation which is 1 year your junior I noted with some envy that following a successful Centenary Year in 2009 you followed with an extremely successful golfing season in 2010.
I can therefore only hope that following our own Centenary Year in 2010 we can emulate your 2010 success on the golf course this year. I therefore hope that all our teams – Greenlees, Brand Putter and Fleming Watson have successful years.
I hope you have enjoyed the golf course despite the heavy conditions on Wednesday although it improved over the following 2 days and that you have been well looked after by our Clubhouse, office and Professional staff. Thank you Trish for your kind words about our staff which I will gladly pass on to them.
I thank you all for your support for this golf club and wish you all the best for the golf season ahead. In particular I hope the County Team is successful at both the West District Inter-County matches at Barassie in June and successfully defends their County title at the Scottish County Championship at Dumfries & County in September.
I would also like to thank you for inviting me to referee the final and to present the prizes today. On the basis Trish had agreed to pay me per decision made – 5 in total – I believe I am quids in.
There has been some terrific golf played this week starting with the 71 on Wednesday by Eilidh Briggs. A humble hacker such as me would be delighted with that score and particularly her finish over the last 5 holes of 3,4,4,4,4. I am not sure how many people would realise how good that score was if they simply saw it reported in the paper given the conditions on Wednesday.
Both finalists played some excellent golf and either would have been an extremely worthy winner.
Eilidh obviously wanted a quick start and she got it with an eagle at the first and a birdie at the second. Usually after 5 shots I am still playing a pitch to the first not having completed two holes.
The quality of the golf was exceptional and I reckoned Megan was approximately level par and Eilidh 4 under for the 17 holes played.
Both ladies were excellent ambassadors for the County and also, of course, for Kilmacolm Golf Club".
Captain Trish Brown thanked Neal and Haggs Castle for all their wonderful hospitality over the week. Trish then also presented Haggs Castle Ladies Captain Carol McAuslin a copy of the Renfrewshire County Centenary Book as a small token of our appreciation.
Semi Finals
Eilidh Briggs beat Alyson McKechin 1 up
Megan Briggs beat Carol Whyte 6&5
Final:
Eilidh Briggs beat Megan Briggs 2&1
Prizewinners: Open Day:
Scratch: Eilidh Briggs - 71 (Kilmacolm)
Handicap: Eilidh Briggs 71 (0) 71 (Kilmacolm) (Peggy Clark Trophy)
2nd: Nicky Henderson 78 (5) 73 (Haggs Castle) ,
3rd: Anne Judge 83 (7) 76 bih (Ranfurly Castle)
Championship :
Semi Finalists : Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Carol Whyte (Windyhill)
Runner Up: Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Winner: Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)
