RESULTS OF THE COUNTY JUNE MEDAL AT CALDWELL

Sandra Littlejohn - runner up 0-12

Maureen Taggart - winner 13+

The June Medal was played to-day over Caldwell in very unlike June weather!  Strong winds and at times heavy showers made conditions difficult.   Only 33 ladies played as many were either at Nairn for the Curtis Cup or watching the Olympic Torch passing through the Renfrewshire area.  The overall winner was IONA STEPHEN (Ranfurly Castle) with an excellent score of net 71.  Iona also had the best scratch score of 79.  Winner of the 13+ handicaps was MAUREEN TAGGART (Old Ranfurly) with a score of 87 (15) 72.  The SSS was 72 and the CSS 75.

Results:
0-12       1st    Iona Stephen  (Ranfurly Castle)   79 (8) 71
               2nd  Sandra Littlejohn (Erskine)           89 (12) 77 acb
               3rd  Maureen Woodhead (Gourock)   84 (7) 77
13+        1st    Maureen Taggart (Old Ranfurly)   87 (15) 72
               2nd  Julie Sobocinski (Ross Priory)      95 (20) 75
               3rd  Mary Gildea  (Caldwell)               97 (20) 77 acb

Click on this link ---- Handicap exchange letters  for Elderslie, Greenock & Lochwinnoch to follow - all others should be transferred by the Centralised Database of Handicaps to your Home Club (CDH). 

However please check your Home Club handicap records to see if they have got them as their appears to be problems and I no longer have an exchange letter for you. Therefore give your handicap secretary your score.

DAY 1 FOURBALL RESULTS AT THE CURTIS CUP -- SOME PHOTOS AND SHORT VIDEO

The GB&I Team managed to win this afternoons four ball at Nairn on a day that felt like winter with a stiff breeze and sea har.

Day 1 Afternoon four ball results USA names first:
Amy Anderson and Emily Turbet beat Pamela Pretswell and Charley Hull 4 & 3
Brooke Pancake and Erica Popson lost to  Kelly Tidy and Holly Clyburn 2&1
Lindy Duncan and Lisa McCloskey  lost to Bronte Law and Amy Boulden 4 & 2

Match Position after Day 1 Great britain and Ireland 2 USA 4






Click on this link to go to FOURBALL PHOTOS DAY 1

LIVE SCORING FROM THE CURTIS CUP -- GB&I lose all 3 Foursomes

The Foursomes were played this morning and GB&I lost them all

USA names first:
Austin Ernst and Brooke Pancake beat Kelly Tidy and Amy Boulden 1 up
Amy Anderson and Tiffany Lua beat Holly Clyburn and Bronte Law 2 &1
Lindy Duncan and Lisa McCloskey beat Leona McGuire and Stephanie Meadow 5&4

Tegwen Mathews quoted after the Foursomes:

"I'm afraid that wasn't quite the fast start we wanted.
"Its disappointing. There was some good golf play out there but the Americans were just that bit sharper than us around the greens.
"That's something I'm going to talk to the girls at lunch time. We need to hole a few putts and if we do that there's no reason why we cannot get back into the match.
"There's still a long way to go "

To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

SOME PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM THE OPENING CEREMONY AT NAIRN

CLICK ON A THUMBNAIL AND PRESS ON SLIDESHOW BUTTONS etc

PRE OPENING CURTIS CUP INTERVIEWS

The Curtis Cup is on SKY Sports 3 at 7:30pm tonight and then on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11pm  - 12 pm

Pre Curtis Cup Interview

Some of the Curtis Cup team were interviewed this afternoon and I took the chance of wishing Pamela Pretswell the best of luck over the weekend from all in the West of Scotland

GOLDEN OLDIES STEP BACK INTO LIMELIGHT AT NAIRN - RENFREWSHIRE'S WILMA AND MAUREEN ARE PLAYING

CURTIS CUP PIPE-OPENER TOMORROW MORNING
GOLDEN OLDIES STEP BACK INTO LIMELIGHT AT NAIRN

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Stars of past Curtis Cup matches step back into the spotlight tomorrow morning at The Nairn Golf Club in the Past Players' Match, a traditional eve-of-the-match get-together of mainly players who have represented Great Britain and Ireland in the biennial transatlantic amateur international fixture down through the years.
This year, Carol Semple Thompson, who has played in more Curtis Cup matches (12) than any other American - and who captained the US team in the 2008 match over the Old Course, St Andrews - is making an appearance, as is Irish legend Mary McKenna who holds the GBandI record of playing in nine Curtis Cup matches. Mary captained the team in the 2008 and 2010 matches.

Approximate tee times:
10.00 Jill Thornhill (England)
Ann Howard (England)
Claire Dowling (Ireland)
Maureen Richmond (Scotland)

10.10 Linda Bayman (England)
Lady Angela Bonallack (England)
Wilma Leburn (Scotland)
Ita Butler (Ireland)

10.20 Carol Semple Thompson (United States)
Breanne Loucks (Wales)
Gillian Stewart (Scotland)
Mary McKenna (Ireland)

10.30 Diane Bailey (England)
Bridget Jackson (England)
Maureen Madill (Ireland)
Suzanne Cadden (Scotland)

10.40 Mary Pickard (England)
Vivien Saunders (England)
Anne Laing (Scotland)
Ada O'Sullivan (Ireland)
Elaine Farquharson-Black (Scotland)

+ADMISSION FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND ALSO TO THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 6pm THURSDAY

JUNE MEDAL DRAWSHEET FOR CALDWELL

Please check your times

The draw for the June medal at Caldwell on Friday 8th June. For late entries or enquiries phone Liz Hale 07738518757. County mobile on the day 07523278637

 

Scroll down to see the complete draw.

GET YOUR FREE CURTIS CUP WRISTBAND AND WATCH SOME CURTIS CUP CAKE MAKING

Print this form and show your support with a free GB & I Wristband See you at Nairn very soon! FREE WRISTBAND FORM.

To see the Curtis Cup Girls trying out their hand at Cup Cake making go to the West of Scotland Website

THE GB&I CURTIS CUP TEAM HAS ARRIVED AT NAIRN

The GB&I Curtis Cup team has arrived at Nairn ready for their practice sessions before the matches begin against the USA on Friday

Arriving at Nairn Station

The Curtis Cup  Team

GO TO THE WEST OF SCOTLAND WEBSITE TO SEE THEM ARRIVING AT NAIRN STATION

THE ST RULE TROPHY - MEGAN IS THE LEADING RENFREWSHIRE PLAYER AND EILIDH HELPS SCOTLAND WIN THE INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT

Megan Briggs and Laura Murray

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Alford's Laura Murray has become only the fourth player to pull off the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship and St Rule Trophy winning double in the season.
The 23-year-old did it impressive style winning the prestigious 54-hole St Andrews tournament for the second time in three years this evening.
In 2010 she had to go to a play-off which she won against Curtis Cup selection Amy Boulden.
This weekend, Laura won it a bit more easily - by two shots in the end from Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool) with scores of 73 over the New Course on Saturday and 74-73 over the Old Course today (Sunday) for a seven-under-par total of 220.
Murray shared the lead after Saturday's round but forged two shots clear with her first circuit of the Old Course and when she used her long-hitting powers to birdie the par-5 second, fourth and fifth in her final round the title was hers to lose.
She did bogey the fifth but and eagle 3 at the 13th allowed her to bogey the treacherous 17th, the Road Hole, and still win with something in hand.
The last Scottish champion to win the St Rule Trophy three weeks after her national triumph was Heather Stirling 10 years ago. The only other Scots to pull off the big early-season double have been Catriona Matthew (twice) and Anne Laing.
"For once it wasn't my driving which was the key, as it was when I won the Scottish title at Tain a couple of weeks ago," said Laura.
"My driving has gone off a bit and my coach and boyfriend Keil (Beveridge) and I hav"e been working on that to get back to the straight and narrow. But I only hit six fairways on the New Course on Saturday.
"No, it was my putting that pulled me through. I holed an awful lot of good putts over the three rounds. From round about the 10ft range, I hardly missed anything.
"I'm playing well and that gives me confidence - I just wish I was playing in the Curtis Cup match this week! Seriously, I am really looking forward now to the British women's championship at Carnoustie at the end of this month. "
Emma Goddard posted the clubhouse target of five-under-par 222 with half the field still to finish - rounds were taking 4 1/2 hours - after posting a four-under-par 72. In the end only Laura Murray overhauled the Lancashire player.
Joint third place a shot behind Goddard went to three players, former Scottish champion Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham), whose final round of 70 was the best of the tournament, and Sweden's Jenny Haglund, all on 223.
The Lawson Trophy for the highest finishing Under-18 year old was won by Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham) who won the Welsh women's open amateur stroke play championship last weekend.
Her final round of 71 for 225 for seventh place overall pipped long-time Under-18s leader Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) by two shots,
Laura Murray, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jane Turner (Craigielaw) won the international team trophy for Scotland with a total of 446 - two ahead of runners-up England.
Ireland international Aedin Murphy (Carlow) won a special prize for a hole in one with a six-iron at the 145yd eighth hole in the second round over the Old Course. It was her third ace. She came into the field late on from the waiting list.

Leadng Scores: 

220 Laura Murray (Alford) 73 74 73
222 Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool Ladies) 75 72 72
223 Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham) 74 79 70, Jenny Haglund (Sweden) 73 78 72, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 74 75 74 
224 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 77 71
225 Emily M Taylor (Royal Lytham) 76 78 71, Charlotte Wild (Mere) 78 73 74
226 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 74 76
227 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 75 77 75
228 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 76 76 76, Clara Young (North Berwick) 79 76 73, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 77 78 73
231 Emilie Lundstrom (Sweden) 78 81 72
232 Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies)  74 75 83, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) 80 76 76, Ami Storey (Ponteland) 79 77 76, Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 78 79 75
233 Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 79 79 75, Gabriella Cowley (West Essex) 74 77 82, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 76 85 72
234 Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies) 78 80 76, Susan Jackson (Ladybank) 77 78 79
235 Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 80 78 77, Lauren Blease (Burhill) 76 81 78, Samantha Birks (Wolstanton) 75 83 77, Joelle Van Baarle (Belgium) 82 78 75, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 76 81 78
236 Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park) 76 82 78, Frida Gustafsson-Spang (Sweden) 80 79 77, Emma Henriksson (Sweden) 76 80 80 
237 Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 80 81 76, Catherine Herrera (Brae Burn, US) 78 82 77, Rachael Taylor (Germany) 79 76 82
238 Aedin Murphy (Carlow, Ireland) 80 80 78, Nikki Foster (Pleasington) 83 77 78
239 Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 88 74 77, Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 81 82 76
242 Linnea Johansson (Sweden) 76 82 84, Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall) 80 82 80, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) 78 82 82
243 Karen Delaney (Carlow, Ireland) 80 80 83, Heather Munro (Monifieth) 80 83 80, Lianna Bailey (Notts Ladies) 82 84 77, Katie Rule (Merlin) 73 85 85, Martine Pow (Selkirk) 81 82 80
244 Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 80 88 76
245 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 89 83 73, Stephanie Fransolet (Belgium) 82 82 81, Eva Schoenwald (Germany) 80 83 82
247 Lisa Warrilow (Lilleshall Hall) 81 82 84
248 Claire Hargan (Cardross) 84 81 83, Adriana Brent (Australia) 87 78 83
250 Dulcie Sverdloff (Garon Park) 83 84 83
252 Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) 82 83 87
253 Laura Watkins (Bicester) 86 83 84
Retired Sophie Madden (West Essex) 76 ret.

LEADING UNDER-18s TROPHY
225 Emily M Taylor
227 Jessica Meek.
228 Clara Young.
232 Lesley Atkins, Ailsa Summers.
233 Chloe Williams, Gabriella Cowley

INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
(Two scores to count each round)
446 SCOTLAND (L Murray, E Briggs, J Turner)
448 ENGLAND (E M Taylor, B Townend, C Wild)
462 SWEDEN (E Henrikson, F Gustafsson-Spand, E Lundstrom)
468 WALES (C Williams, S Birks, L Watkins)
480 BELGIUM (J Van Baarle, S Franscolet)
481 IRELAND (K Delaney, A Murphy)

THE 2012 GB&I CURTIS CUP TEAM

The first picture of all eight GB and I team players together at their Aberdeen hotel base since Wednesday. Back row (left to right): Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Charley Hull (Woburn), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), team captain Tegwen Matthews (Wales), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), Amy Boulden (Conwy), team manager Anna Hubbard (Wales).

Front row (left to right): Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), Bronte Law (Bramhall) and Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush).

Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

Ethel Jack - A FEW MEMORIES

The Funeral of Ethel Jack took place today at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh.

About 400 - 500 people attended the funeral all in bight colours !

 Click on this link to the East Vets Website for a few memories from East Vet's Captain Noreen Fenton.

 Click on the following link for --- The  Obituary: From the Scotsman Newspaper by Gillian Kirkwood

THE 2012 MUNROSS TROPHY RESULTS

Scottish Women's Amateur Golf Championship runner-up Jane Turner of Craigielaw Links edged Scottish Ladies Golf Champion Laura Murray of Alford, to win the Montrose Links 36-hole open golf tournament for the Munross Trophy yesterday .
Renfrewshire's Emma Hale (Troon), Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood), Iona Stephen (Ranfurly Castle) and Linsey Stevenson (Elie and Earlsferry) were all playing . Iona was the best of the RLCGA players on the day.
To read all the results go to the West of Scotland Website.

STREET PARTY AT CURTIS CUP VENUE

The Ladies Golf Union and women members of the host golf club are combining forces to stage a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Street Party next Tuesday (June 5) from 3.30pm in the Curtis Cup tented village at The Nairn Golf Club.

"Tickets are not required and the party is open to all," said Susan Simpson, the LGU Head of Golf Operations.

 "The GB and I Team will joining the celebrations at some stage in proceedings."

The 37th Curtis Cup match will be held from Friday to Sunday, June 8 to 10 at The Nairn Golf Club. The GB and Ireland, and United States teams will be arriving at Nairn at the weekend.

The teams will practise over the course each morning and afternoon  from Monday onwards and members of the public are welcome to watch.

The opening ceremony - which Susan Simpson promises will be "spectacular" - starts at 6pm on the Thursday. 

GB and I have not won the biennial match against the Americans since Killarney in 1996.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE RENFREWSHIRE JUNIOR GIRLS

Some of the A Squad RLCGA Junior Girls

Juniors girls, 18 and under, who have Congu Handicaps and are members of a Renfrewshire course or were  born in the area will be invited to join RLCGA when their handicap reaches 20. There is no fee for juniors girls and they do not pay County fees until age 23. Junior girls who are members are permitted to enter RLCGA competitions.

Some of the younger Junior Girls at Playsport Fun Day with Lesley Mackay

At the start of every year we ask all clubs in Renfrewshire for a list of all junior girl members. We then invite girls with handicaps for coaching over 4 weekends with Lesley Mackay at Playsport. All other girls without handicaps are invited to a fun day at the beginning of the season. Any help from RLCGA members in gathering and updating this information will always be appreciated.

On the RLCGA web site there is now a junior diary of events which covers SLGA, County events and Club Open days along with other relevant national events

This year we have set up a facebook page where we can keep up to date with junior news throughout the county and this has proved very popular. Any news please contact Janette McCartney  or Carol Fell.

There are 2 major events for Junior Girls in Renfrewshire each year The Kennedy Salver hosted by Ayrshire this year at West Kilbride on the 6th August and The Campbell Clock hosted every year at Whitecraigs, this years date is 2nd Sept.

The 2010 Kennedy Salver Winners
from L to R: Saorcha Warren (Eastwood), Alexandra Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Emma Kennedy  - reserve (Paisley), Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Samantha Cowan (Cochrane Castle), Mairi Gray (Williamwood), Lesley Cosh  - missing in team photo (Cowglen)

The Kennedy Salver 

In 1988 the SLGA wished all girls to be allowed to compete in Club Championships for match experience.  Consequently, The Kennedy Salver was presented by Mrs. I.M. Kennedy, a member of Milngavie Golf Club, Buchanan Castle Golf Club and the Dunbartonshire & Argyll Ladies County Golf Association for annual competition between the Junior girls of Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire & Argyll, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.  Mrs Kennedy (Eileen) was the Dunbartonshire & Argyll Secretary from 1962 to 1973 and Captain from 1975 to 1977.  Her intention was to encourage and foster enthusiasm amongst Junior girls in the West Division. This Junior Inter-County Team Tournament provides girls from the four West Counties with experience of match play and gives the Scottish Selectors the opportunity to spot potential national players.   It is played over 1 day with 3 foursomes matches in the morning and 6 single matches in the afternoon. The girls wear RLCGA colours and are representing our county. The Kennedy Salver has been won by Renfrewshire in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010

The Campbell Clock

The Campbell Clock

In 1998 Renfrewshire Junior Secretary Mrs Leslie Campbell presented the Campbell Clock to be played for by Junior Girls annually in a Stableford Competition at Whitecraigs Golf Club. After Leslie’s death in 2003 the competition has been organised by the Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association.  Up until 2008 it was recognised as a qualifying event for the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association’s Order of Merit.  To encourage youngsters there is also a 10 hole competition for those with handicaps over 30 and a Par 3 competition for the non-handicappers.  (Unfortunately no longer an SLGA Order of Merit)  Any help from RLCGA members would be appreciated for this day as there is lots of assistance needed. Please let Janette know if you are able to help.

This year we have also organised a friendly team match with D & A at Kilmacolm on 8th July. This should help the girls get some match play experience in preparation for the Kennedy Salver.

Junior Girls also play for the RLCGA Junior Championship. Last year this was by invitation to the 4 lowest handicaps. The semi final was played in the morning over Ranfurly Castle and the final in the afternoon over The Old Course Ranfurly.

Renfrewshire Clubs are generally very supportive of Junior Girls at club level and we really appreciate this as we all know juniors are the future of the game of golf which sadly is in decline. Lots of clubs run Open Days which are on the whole very welcoming to girls so check out the junior calendar of events to see what is on.

Contact Janette McCartney RLCGA Junior Secretary on janmcc@btinternet.com or 01389 87733 or 07810 566996 with any junior girls golfing news or if you are able to assist at any girls events.

ATTENTION ALL JUNIORS --- THE JANICE MOODIE TROPHY

Places are still available for Janice Moodie Open at Windyhill Golf Club on Friday 6th July.  Prizes are awarded in the following age categories 10 - 14, 15 - 17 and 18 - 21 (age as at 31st December 2011). 

CLICK HERE  TO GET YOUR ENTRY FORM

ALYSON IS THE BEST RENFREWSHIRE PLAYER IN IRELAND'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKEPLAY

From the Irish LGU Website:
England's Emily Taylor, won the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay by three strokes from Ireland’s Mary Dowling (New Ross) and Gillian O’Leary (Cork) at at The Island Golf Club, Sunday 27 May.
Trailing overnight leader O'Leary by one stroke, Taylor captured her first Irish title in style with birdies on eight, ten, fifteen and held from twelve feet at the last to sign for a closing 76. Dowling matched the Champion’s final round score to edge O’Leary into third place on count back after the Cork international struggled to repeat Saturday’s form on the outward nine.
As the wind abated marginally from Saturday’s 35 mile per hour gusts, competitors once again struggled to match par as the north easterlies presented a stiff challenge to the field. Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare), Katherine O’Connor (WAL) and Gabrielle MacDonald (SCO) all comfortably broke 80 to extract sweet revenge on the previous days’ trials
Ireland B won the Nations Cup from by two strokes from Ireland A, with Scotland third and England fourth.

FINAL TOTALS (PAR 74 74 74 CSS 80 79 77)

233 Emily Taylor (ENG) 85 72 76
236 Mary Dowling (New Ross) 81 79 76 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 79 77 80
238 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 81 79 78
239 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 83 75 81
240 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 80 82 78
242 Hannah McCook (SCO) 79 84 79
243 Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 84 81 78 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 83 81
245 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 88 78 79 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 82 83 80
246 Katherine O'Connor (WAL) 86 83 77 Olivia Mehaffey (RCD Ladies) 86 80 80 Anna Courtney (St. Anne's) 83 85 78
247 Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 88 83 76 Kristina Rothengatter (GER) 86 80 81 Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) 85 83 79 Joelle van Baarle (BEL) 84 79 84 Jessica Ross (Donaghadee) 78 87 82
248 Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 89 80 79 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 87 81 80 Gabrielle MacDonald (SCO) 86 85 77 Sarah Helly (Enniscrone) 85 82 81
250 Jessica Meek (SCO) 87 84 79 Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park) 87 83 80 Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry) 83 83 84
251 Laura Grant (Lisburn) 88 82 81
252 Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye) 84 85 83
253 Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare) 92 84 77 Alyson McKechin (SCO) 83 86 84
254 Karen O'Neill (Douglas) 90 81 83 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 90 80 84 Alison Taylor (Malahide) 88 83 83 Eilidh Briggs (SCO) 82 84 88
255 Amy Farrell (Moate) 86 84 85
256 Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) 89 86 81
257 Sammy Vass (SCO) 83 93 81
259 Aoife Lowry (Tipperary) 87 83 89
263 Ashleigh Wilton (The Island) 88 86 89
RTD Megan Briggs (SCO) 87 82 RTD Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) 85 85 RTD

475 IRELAND B Mary Dowling 81 79 76, Paula Grant (89) (89) (), Deirdre Smith 83 75 81
477 IRELAND A Jessica Carty (88) 78 79, Leona Maguire 82 (83) (80), Lisa Maguire 81 79 78
503 SCOTLAND Eilidh Briggs 82 84 88, Megan Briggs (87) 82 RTD, Alyson McKechin 83 (86) 84
...... ENGLAND Lauren Blease 88 96 (), Emily Taylor 85 72 76

EILIDH, MEGAN AND ALYSON ALL MAKE THE CUT IN IRELAND

Scotland girl international and Stirling student Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) spearheaded Scotland's challenge after two rounds of the Irish women's open amateur stroke play golf championship at The Island GC, Donabate in Co Dublin.

Hannah, the new Northern Counties champion, has scores of 79-84 for 163, which left her in joint eighth place the Irish leader, Gillian O'Leary (Cork).

Teenager McCook is two shots ahead of Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), the defending champion and a member of the GB and I team for next month's Curtis Cup match at Nairn GC.

On a very windy day, particularly for the first round, all the Scots in the field made the cut.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 148 (2x74) CSS 80 79

156 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 79 77

157 Emily Taylor (Eng) 85 72

158 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 83 75

160 Mary Dowling (New Ross) 81 79, Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 81 79

162 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 80 82, Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) 79 83

163 Joelle van Baarle (Bel) 84 79, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 79 84

SELECTED SCORES

165 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 82 83.

166 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 82 84.

169 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 82, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 83 86.

171 Jessica Meek (Carnoustie), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) 86 85.

176 Sammy Vass (Tain) 83 93

Players with aggregates of 176 or better qualified for Sunday's play.

Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report.

PAST SLGA PRESIDENT ETHEL JACK HAS DIED

Ethel Jack (nee Philip) 1939-2012

Scottish Ladies' Golf will be a sadder place today with the announcement of  the death of  Ethel Jack.

Ethel had been suffering from lung cancer since last summer,  and despite chemo and radio treatments, she finally succumbed at the Eddington Hospital, North Berwick, this afternoon. The end was quick and peaceful, just as we all wanted it to be.

Ethel's sense of fun was infectious.  She could not suppress it at times,  and her outbursts always cracked the ice on any occasion where the proceedings were getting just a little too staid and boring.   Her wit was renown,  but her repartee even more so!

Ethel started her golf at Prestonfield, encouraged by her father, who was a member of Duddingston.  Ethel played for Scotland at all levels.  In 1955 she played in a Girls' Home International match along side Connie Lugton and Marjorie Ferguson,  who were to become life-long friends, and encouraged her to join Gullane Ladies' Golf Club in 1957.  She played for GB&I against France in an Under 21 team,  and for Scotland at adult level in 1965, 66 and 67 and then later as a Senior in the Scottish Veterans' Ladies team.  She was a stalwart of the Midlothian County Team, winning the County Championship five times between 1959 and 1990.

But it was in administration that Ethel excelled.  Captain of Midlothian County in her early thirties, she went on to be Secretary of Scottish Girls' Golf in the days when there was a separate committee, and later served on the Executive Council of the SLGA, becoming Chairman from 1979 to 1981.  During her term of office Scotland hosted the European Ladies' Team Championships at Turnberry,  and Ethel ran the show.  The SLGA made her a Vice President in her early forties as an acknowledgement of the work she had put in.

A born leader and organiser, Ethel was a Handicap Advisor and Scratch Score Assessor for Scotland.  Even when the SLGA adopted the USGA Scratch Score method,  a perfect time to step down,  Ethel continued to lead the East Lothian team in their re-assessment task.

Ethel was Captain and often later President of numerous teams and clubs, including Prestonfield, Longniddry, Gullane Ladies', Midlothian County and Scottish Vets, but probably her proudest achievement was to take on the Presidency of the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association from 2007 to 2010.

Ethel was pre-deceased by her husband, Philip,  and leaves behind her sister Doris, her nieces Catriona and Suzie, and nephew Graham.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Ethel Jack, fourth from left, with some of her Saturday Girls

On a personal note, and speaking as one of Ethel's Saturday Girls, we are all going to miss her.

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the obituary

DOWNLOAD YOUR CURTIS CUP SONG

DOWNLOAD YOUR SONG FOR YOUR COMPUTER OR PHONE CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTOUT OF THE WORDS