DONNA AND GILLIAN SELECTED FROR SCOTTISH VETS TEAM FOR IRISH MATCH

Kathleen Sutherland Captain of the Scottish Vets team, has announced her team for the match against Irish Seniors at Murcar on Sunday and Monday, 9th and 10th April. As she says, "a combination of youth, experience and new blood".

Fiona de Vries Midland
Donna Jackson West
Gillian Kyle West
Lesley Lloyd West
Lorna McKinlay Midland
Ashley Rose Highland
Meg Sievwright Highland
Sheena Wood Northern

Reserve: Jennifer Bryans East

Spectators and supporters would be very welcome

JUNIOR DAY COACHING SESSION AT KILMACOLM.

13 girls from 2 clubs met at Kilmacolm Golf Club on Sunday for a coaching session. Some of the girls were quite new to golf so it was great for them to meet up, make new friends and learns some basic skills.

The coaching session was lead by the club's professional Iain Nicolson and concentrated on short game skills. The girls then had an opportunity to play some 'real' golf, the more experienced girls playing over the 7 hole shortened course and the others playing 3 holes marked out on the driving range. The final session was a putting lesson and practice.

Drinks, snacks and an awartd certificate for all completed a very enjoyable day.

Many thanks to Lynda Bradley for the report and, of course, organising the day 

WEST OF SCOTLAND CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FORM

Kilmarnock Barassie

The West of Scotland Championship is being held at Kilmarnock Barassie on Sunday 7th May. 

To get your entry form ---- CLICK HERE

 If competitors wish to enter online rather than posting the form here is the link to the online form. CLICK HERE

If you enter this way Jean Macintyre (West Secretary) will e mail you the bank details so that you can pay electronically if you wish.

Please also download the original form to study the conditions of the competition.

NEW GIRLS CHRISTINE AND GILL FROM WILLIAMWOOD WIN THE WINTER FOURSOMES TITLE

On the 1st Tee Williamwood's Christine Leitch and  Gill McLeod
 

On the 1st Tee Sandra Winter and Norah Adams (Kilmacolm)

The Finalists on the 1st tee at Pollok GC 

The 2016/17 Winter  Foursomes Final took place today at Pollok Golf Club between Christine Leitch and Gill McLeod from Williamwood, who were playing in the competition for the 1st time, and Norah Adams and Sandra Winter from Kilmacolm. There was an extremely cold wind but it was dry overhead and the course was in remarkably good condition despite the recent rain and snow.

Norah and Sandra were receiving 9 shots and promptly won the 1st hole with a great 5, net 4. 

Williamwood had 2 putts to win the 2nd then a lovely putt from Sandra at the 3rd kept the game level. Kilmacolm were unlucky to find the fairway bunker at the 4th and a 5 was good enough to let Williamwood take the lead. 
Chances were lost at the 5th when they both 3 putted but a great 2 at the 6th for Kilmacolm squared the match again.

Kilmacolm struggled all the way up the right hand rough at the 7th and conceded the hole to Willamwood at the green. A tidy chip from Gill and 2 putts was enough to increase their lead to 2up after 8 holes. A half at 9 then a very good half at 10 despite Kilmacolm being in the burn kept the game tight.

Out on the course - with Captain Gillian Kyle

Pollok House in the background

Perhaps the excitement of the half at 10 was too much for the Kilmacolm pair and they conceded the 11th once nearer the green. But determined to keep fighting, Norah played her shot of the day on to the green at the short 12th. Gill had missed the green and Christine then found the bunker so all was looking good for the Kilmacolm pair. However, a magnificent sand save by Willamwood and a 3 putt from Kilmacolm saw the hole halved in 4's! Kilmacolm didn't really recover and lost the next hole to be 4 down with 5 to play. A super 5 was enough to win 1 back but the long 15th with no shots being given was just too much and
Williamwood played the hole very safely to win 4 and 3.

Some Williamwood and Kilmacolm Supporters out on the course - Maura Whyte (Kilmacolm) Gill Unick (Williamwood) and Trish Brown (Kilmacolm)

A big thank you to the spectators who came to support and to Carol McNally for arranging courtesy of the course at the last moment when snow had closed East Renfrewshire. 

Captain Gillian presents the winners with their trophies

Grateful thanks to Pollok Golf Club for making us so welcome.

CLICK HERE to see all the 2016 -2017 Winter Foursomes Results

NEW VENUE FOR THE WINTER FOURSOMES FINAL

Due to the snow this morning, we are moving the Foursomes Final to Pollok Golf Club tomorrow. Same time-11.30am.
Spectators welcome!

COUNTY DINNER SUCCESS AT HAGGS CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Cat Morrison and Captain Gillian

57 ladies enjoyed the Biennual County Dinner at Haggs Castle Golf Club last night. It was great to see Past Captains, Honorary members, non-playing members, new members and the regular County players all creating a real buzz in the clubhouse! 

Thanks have been passed on to the staff at Haggs for preparing and serving a delicious meal and also coping with the swapping of seats halfway through! June's quiz on RLCGA history was too difficult for everyone except Helen Crichton from Ranfurly Castle who was the last one standing.

Cat Morrison gave us a stimulating and very interesting talk about the world of duathlon and triathlon. Golf has never seemed so easy!

Vice-Captain June rounded off the evening with a very entertaining vote of thanks.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING -- COURTESY OF FIONA ARMOUR AND CAROL FELL

WINTER FOURSOMES FINAL

The Winter Foursomes competition has run on schedule this year due to the decent weather. The final will be played on Wednesday 22nd March at 11.30am at East Renfrewshire Golf Club.
The finalists are Christine Leitch and Gill McLeod from Williamwood and Norah Adams and Sandra Winters from Kilmacolm.
All spectators are very welcome as this will make the day more special for the players.

GIRLS GET TOGETHER FOR COACHING

The Girls at Mearns Castle 

18 girls representing 8 of our clubs came together yesterday at Mearns Castle Golf Academy. 

Most girls were quite new to golf so it was great for them to get together and see that there ARE other girls out there trying golf! Every club need to encourage them as there were some super swings to watch and lots of potential.

Joe 'the Pro' McBrearty, formerly of Haggs Castle GC, gave the girls some individual tips on their long game on the range then they did some putting drills out on the Short Game Area-in the sunshine! 

A keenly contested team competition rounded off the afternoon and the girls left happy with a goodie bag of pink accessories and sweets!

Thanks go to Gillian Kyle for the report and photos

MO RICHMOND - FINISHES TIED 6TH IN SPANISH SENIORS

RLCGA'S Honorary Member Maureen Richmond  (pictured left) was the highest-finishing Scot in the three-round Spanish senior women's international amateur golf championship which ended at Isla Canela Golf Club, Ayamonte today (Saturday).
Richmond tied for sixth place with rounds of 80, 80 and 75 for a total of 235 over the par-72 course.
She finished five strokes behind the Dutch winner, Nan Croockewit-Roland Holst who scored 79, 78 and 73 for 230.
Jane Rees from Wales was runner-up, two shots behind the winner, with scores of 80, 78 and 74 for 232.
Overnight leader Gertie McMullen from Ireland slipped back to a joint fourth place finish after a final round of 79, her worst of the three, for a total of 234.
Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) and Margaret Sievwright (Buckpool), the only other Scots apart from Richmond to survive the 36-hole cut finished joint 28th and 35th respectively.
Wood scored 81, 84 and 82 for 247. Sievwright had rounds of 83, 86 and 81 for 250.

SPANISH SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Isla Canela GC, Ayamonte.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
230 Nan Croockewit-Roland Holst (Ned) 79 78 73.
232 Jane Rees (Wal) 80 78 74.
233 Jo Shorrocks (Eng) 75 82 76
234 Maria de Orueta (Spn) 77 82 75, Gertie McMullen (Ire) 77 78 79.

SELECTED TOTALS
235 Maureen Richmond Sco) 80 80 75 (T6).
238 Aileen Greenfield (Eng) 75 83 80 (T10).
239 Angela Jones (Eng) 78 81 80 (T13)
240 Debbie Richards (Eng) 80 84 76 (T16)
241 Helen Lowe (Eng) 81 79 81 (T18).
245 Sandy Catford (Eng) 86 84 75 (T25)
247 Sheena Wood (Sco) 81 84 82 (T28)
250 Katharine Russell (Eng) 86 86 78, Margaret Sievwright (Sco) 83 86 81, Kate Evans (Ire) 85 80 85 (T35).
258 Marilyn Henderson (Ire) 88 88 82 (T55).

RLCGA HONORARY MEMBER MAUREEN IS LEADING SCOT IN SPAIN

RLCGA HONORARY MEMBER -- Maureen Richmond is the leading Scot, in joint 13th place, with one round to go in the Spanish senior women's international individual golf championship at Isla Canela Golf Club, Ayamonte today (Friday).
Maureen has had a pair of 80s for 160 - five behind the Irish leader, Gertie McMullen (77-78 for 155).
Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) is sharing 23rd place after rounds of 81 and 84 for 165.
Margaret Sievwright (Buckpool) has scored 83 and 86 for 169 and a share of 38th place.
Scots May Hughes (185) and Lesley Johnston (186) missed the cut which fell at 177.
Pamela Williamson retired.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES
par 144 (2x72)
155 Gertie McMullen (Ire) 77 78.
156 Melissa Luk (Austria) 73 83.
157 Casilda Castillejo Oriol (Spn) 81 76, Nan Croockewit-Roland Holst (Net) 79 78, Jo Shorrocks (Eng) 79 78.
158 Jane Rees (Wales) 80 78, Aileen Greenfield (Eng) 75 83.

SELECTED SCORES
159 Angela Jones (Eng) 78 81 (T8)
160 Helen Lowe (Eng) 81 79, Maureen Richmond (Sco) 80 80 (T13)
164 Debbie Richards (Eng) 80 84 (T21).
165 Sheena Wood (Sco) 81 84, Kate Evans (Ire) 85 80 (T23).
169 Margaret Sievwright (Sco) 83 86 (T38).
170 Sandy Catford (Eng) 86 84 (T42).
172 Katherine Russell (Eng) 86 86 (T49).
176 Marilyn Henderson (Ire) 88 88 (T58)

MISSED THE CUT (177 and better qualified)
178 Barbara Woodham (Eng) 91 87, Pamela Morgan (Ire) 90 88.
181 Catherine Reilly (Ire) 87 94.
182 Mary Dowling (Ire) 84 98.
185 Vivienna Houston (Ire) 92 93, May Hughes (Sco) 91 94, Terry Linskey (Eng) 87 98.
186 Lesley Johnston (Sco) 94 92.

Retired: Pamela Williamson (Sco), Lindsey Shaw (Eng)

NEW ON LINE BOOKING SYSTEM FOR COMPETITIONS -- COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP (OPEN DAY) AVAILABLE FOR ENTRY

Click Here to go to the new HowDidIDo Website

As from now on the County are changing the way we enter the Competitions On Line Booking (the form on the RLCGA website) to the program that they use for running the competitions,membership etc etc.

In previous years as an AWAY player HowDidIDo could not be used for on line booking but this has now been resolved and the Committee would like to move forward with this initiative since it will make booking and draw / starting times much easier and your webmaster Carol can stop having to set up the Entry Forms etc !!

The software we use is ClubV1 which uses HowDidIDo as the site where we upload our results — From there your score goes to the CDH database and finally back to your club which either uses the same software as the County or uses a different software.

Many of you may already be registered with the old Howdidido Website area so you will only need to log into the new site. Those who have not done this before will need to register with their email address and a password.
In fact if you are also a member of another Club that uses this software e.g. Haggs Castle and Troon Ladies you will see their competition on line bookings as well (if they do this)

The members of Clubs that use a different software i.e. Cathcart Castle, Ranfurly Castle, Whitecraigs and Williamwood have already been notified of their procedure - and their Home Club will not appear 

You will find the link to the new HowdidIDo  website by clicking on their icon on the LHS of this Website or by Clicking on this link  —— http://www.howdidido.com

The County Championship Qualifier (Open Day at Pollok) is now on (under Bookings) as is the Foursomes which is not open for bookings at the moment.
We are looking forward to a good turn out -- Remember our 2009 Centenary Shotgun was held there.

Also note if your handicap looks wrong on Howdidido it is because the handicap there is only as good as the last time you played in a County Medal but we are able to update your handicap from the CDH where your true Home handicap is stored or when we enter you score it can be changed at that time. 

The old HowDidIDo site was great for results and stats but over 50% of visits were from mobile devices like iPhones and tablets so they needed to redesign the site from the ground up to accommodate those users.
You therefore can go to the Apple Store for the HowDidIDo App 
or the equivalent on the Android Google play store and download the App onto your phone or tablet.

Alternatively by Clicking on the Photo on the website you will get there.

Results Secretary Sandra Littlejohn and Carol Fell are both available to help with this transition.
 sandra.littlejohn@sky.com 
webmaster@rlcga.com

If you are unable to get booked into the County Championship email either of us and we will enter your booking from the software and it synchronises with the online booking - You will receive a confirmation email to say you have been entered  

We will also try to resolve any problems. --- Plus to help us solve any problems please fill in the following form

Newsletter from the Chief Executive of Scottish Golf - Blane Dodds

Carol McNally our RLCGA Secretary has received this newsletter -

On behalf of our Chief Executive Blane Dodds, please find attached the latest edition of the Scottish Golf Areas & Counties Newsletter, which I hope is of interest.
CLICK HERE to read the latest edition

GO TO SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE TO READ MORE

THE R&A AND THE USGA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO MODERNISE RULES OF GOLF

1 March 2017, St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf, as part of a joint initiative to modernise the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.

The online release of this preview begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalised in 2018 and take effect on 1 January 2019.

The announcement follows a comprehensive review process that began in 2012 with a working group of key R&A and USGA Rules administrators, professional tour officials and other Rules experts. While the Rules are revised every four years, this is the first fundamental review since 1984, and was established to ensure the Rules fit the needs of today's game and the way it is played around the world. 

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, "Our aim is to make the Rules easier to understand and to apply for all golfers. We have looked at every Rule to try to find ways to make them more intuitive and straightforward and we believe we have identified many significant improvements. It is important that the Rules continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played but we have been careful not to change the game's longstanding principles."

"We are excited and encouraged by the potential this work brings, both through the proposed new Rules and the opportunities to use technology to deliver them," said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status for the USGA. "We look forward to an ongoing conversation with golfers during the feedback period in the months ahead."

The proposed 24 new Rules, reduced from the current 34, have been written in a user-friendly style with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, bulleted lists and explanatory headings. The initiative also focuses on assessing the overall consistency, simplicity and fairness of the Rules for play.

The Rules are currently delivered in more than 30 languages, and the proposed wording will support easier translation worldwide. When adopted, the Rules will be supported by technology that allows the use of images, videos and graphics.

Highlights of the proposed Rule changes include:

• Elimination or reduction of "ball moved" penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is "virtually certain" that he or she did so.

• Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.

• Relaxed rules for "penalty areas" (currently called "water hazards"): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.

• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.

• Relying on player integrity: A player's "reasonable judgment" when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.

• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of "ready golf" in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.

• Simplified way of taking relief: A new procedure for taking relief by dropping a ball in and playing it from a specific relief area; relaxed procedures for dropping a ball, allowing the ball to be dropped from just above the ground or any growing thing or other object on the ground.

A series of materials have also been prepared to explain the proposed Rule changes and provide background on the initiative. Found on randa.org and usga.org/rules, they include:

•  Overview of the Rules Modernisation Initiative: goals, proposed changes and process for implementation in 2019

• Draft New Rules of Golf for 2019: the full text of proposed Rules 1-24 and Definitions

• Draft Player's Edition of the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Written from the perspective of "you" the golfer, this shorter version covers the most commonly used Rules and is meant to be the rule book golfers will use when finalised and adopted in 2019

• Explanation for Each Major Proposed Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Short summaries of each major proposed change

• Summary chart of major changes

• Videos and Infographics: Visual explanations of the proposed Rules.

Golfers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org or usga.org/rules from now until 31 August 2017.

The feedback will be reviewed by The R&A and the USGA in establishing the approved final version of golf's new Rules. These are due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a 1 January 2019 implementation. Social media users can also follow the discussion using #GolfRules2019.

Players are reminded that the current 2016 Edition of the Rules of Golf remain in force when playing, posting scores or competing, until the new Rules are officially adopted by The R&A and the USGA in 2019. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.