SLGA PAST 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

YOUR WEBMASTER AND PAST CAPTAIN TRY TO GIVE THE CURTIS CUP TEAM SOME SUPPORT

Renfrewshire County Curtis Cup Ambassador Carol Fell has teamed up with West Vets Past Captain and current Scottish Seniors  and Vets Captain Helen Faulds to add some support to Tegwen Mathews GB&I team at Nairn on the 8th - 10th June. Thanks go to Irene  McLellan from Bearsden Golf Club for writing the words and playing the piano -- CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTOUT OF THE WORDS

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

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LGU OFFICIAL CURTIS CUP VIDEO

SUMMER MEETING - Kilmacolm Thursday May 24th


The weather forecast looks a little more promising for the coming week, good news for all those participating in the Summer Meeting at Kilmacolm on Thursday 24th May.  As you will know, the best 8 scratch scores from the Summer Meeting, qualify for the West Division Vets Championship, match play, to be played at Renfrew Golf Club on 30th and 31st May. The winner of this match play Championship heads for Blairgowrie in September to represent the West Division in the Scottish Vets Championship.  It is always nice for those who qualify for the match play stages, to have support at Renfrew, and I hope that any of you who may have a morning or an afternoon free on 30/31st May might think of coming along to give them your support.

The first of our three annual matches takes place at Ranfurly Castle on 5th June against the Midlands Vets.  This is a singles match, played off scratch, 7 games, handicaps of between 10 and 15. It is always a competitive but fun day and the team chosen to do battle is:

Anne Aitken  (Eastwood)
Carol Fell  (Ranfurly Castle)
Sandra Gilchrist  (Whitecraigs)
Jennifer Graham  (Haggs Castle)
Cathy Morton  (Eastwood)
Rena Simpson  (Kilmacolm)
Enid Young  (Balmore)
Reserve:  Maureen Cook  (Ranfurly Castle)

I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday at Kilmacolm and wish you a good day's golf, hopefully in warm sunshine!

Fiona

SUMMER MEETING DRAW FOR KILMACOLM

The draw for the West Vets Summer Meeting at Kilmacolm  -- There have a been a few alterations
CLICK HERE to get your time.

The hazards of getting older !

Inter Division Match -- North wins against Midlands

Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Assocation's Northern Division, holders of the Patrick Rose Bowl, halved their annual match 3 1/2-3 1/2 against Midland Division at Glenisla yesterday - (Thursday 10th May).
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Alison Gemmill has the best score at Ralston

New member to the West Vets -- Alison Gemmill (Kilmarnock Barassie) had the best round of the day both with her gross and net scores in the Spring Meeting played over Ralston Golf course in cold and windy but reasonably dry conditions.

Despite the course playing very long everyone enjoyed the day with the magnificent views and Ralston's Golf Club hospitality at the 19th !!

Alison was out in 38 and back in 35 and her round of 73 was 6 shots ahead of Pat Hutton (Lanark) who had a 79.

 Scratch : Alison Gemmill ((Kilmarnock Barassie) 73

 Silver:
1st: Alison Gemmill (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73 (3) 70
2nd: Pat Hutton (Lanark) 79 (6) 73
3rd: Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 (4) 77 --- last 6 holes
Bronze:
1st: Anna MacDougall (Old Ranfurly) 104 (24) 80
2nd: Margaret Ramsay (Elderslie) 102 (21)81 bih

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS  FOR THE FULL RESULTS

GROSS SCORES
NET SCORES

 SSS 71, CSS 74 (Reduction Only)


5 Players managed to have Birdie 2's at the short holes  --- WELL DONE TO YOU ALL

Player	Score
9	Gemmill, Alison	2
13	Faulds, Helen	2
13	Glennie, Alex	2
13	Kane, Anabel	2
13	Mitchell, Maureen	2

 HANDICAP EXCHANGE LETTERS AND ALL  RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE  ON THE LINKS  RHS OF THE WEBSITE


Due to technical difficulties your webmaster has not got a photograph of Alison - She thought she had but she hasn't -- So sorry !

WEST VET MAY HUGHES WINS THE LANARKSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

West Vet May Hughes, the Lanarkshire County No 3 seed, won the Lanarkshire Women's County Golf Championship for a fourth time at Bothwell Castle Golf Club today.
In wet conditions, May beat Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes), the No 8 seed and conqueror of defending champion Rachael Taylor (Germany) in the quarter-finals, by 2 and 1. in the final.
Jenny was two up after three but May won the fifth and sixth to square the match and after nip-and-tuck over a sequence of holes, May went one up for good at the 14th.
She birdied the 16th to be two up and the 17th was halved.
Today's results:
Semi-finals - Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) beat Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 4 and 3; May Hughes (Lanark) beat Emma Caddow (Strathaven) 2 and 1.
Final - May Hughes beat Jenny Potter 2 and 1.

Spring Meeting at Ralston G.C.

The draw for the Spring Meeting is tomorrow --  Thursday 26 April. Unfortunately, even after Ralston being good enough to extend our tee time, we are unable to accommodate the huge number of entries received - 102 - and as such have had to ballot several people out.
I am looking forward to seeing all those of you who are playing in the Spring meeting tomorrow.  I hope the weather is good to us!  I am sorry that I had to ballot out several people, but it looks likely that those balloted out, will now be able to play, if still free, due to spaces becoming available.   I would like to remind you that distance measuring devices are allowed, but NOT ones with wind and slope assistance. Currently there are 2 spaces available - 12.39 and 9.37.
If anyone now finds that they are free and would like to play.   Now that the golf season is under way, I wish you all a successful and fun summer of golf.  
Fiona

9.30

Joanna Scott 5 Cathkin Braes

Maureen Mitchell 9 Cathcart Castle

Carol Fell 10 Ranfurly Castle

9.37

Suzanne Cadden 5 Cardross

Jennnifer Mack 6 Haggs Castle

Anne Robinson 8 Ranfurly Castle

9.44

Alex Glennie 4 Kilmarnock Barassie

Linda McDougall 5 Greenock

Janice Paterson 6 Drumpellier

9.51

Pat Hutton 5 Lanark

Helen Faulds 5 Douglas Park

Jane Finnie 5 Ladies Club Troon

9.58

Alison Gemmill 3 Kilmarnock Barassie

May Hughes 4 Lanark

Sheena McDonald Buchanan Castle

10.05

Helen Robertson 11 Douglas Park

Cathy Morton 11 Eastwood

Anne Edgar 14 Kilmarnock Barassie

10.12

Fay Storey 17 Old Ranfurly

Sally Macfarlane 13 Douglas Park

Sheilagh Osborne 14 Ladies Club Troon

10.19

Maureen Woodhead 7 Gourock

Enid Young 9 Balmore

Anabel Kane 9 Kilmacolm

10.26

May Myers 9 Clober

Marion Stewart 10 Kilmacolm

Jennifer Graham 11 Haggs Castle

10.33

Rena Simpson 13 Kilmacolm

Jill West 16 Irvine

Elinor Grant 14 Douglas Park

10.40

Maureen Cook 14 Lochwinnoch

Jess Blackwood 15 Kilmarnock Barassie

Jinty Halley 15 Douglas Park

10.47

Sheila Shaw 15 Lochwinnoch

Susan Young 17 Blairmore & Strone

Dorothy Horsfield 17 Balmore

10.54

Anne Mckellar 15 Whitecraigs

Anne Paton 16 Douglas Park

Rosemary Ogilvie 16 Ranfurly Castle

11.01

Patricia Richmond 16 Douglas Park

Eleanor Bremner 17 Ladies Club Troon

Christine Gauldie 16 Ralston

11.08

Margaret Mowat 15 Ladies Club Troon

Betty Connor 16 Cathcart Castle

Chris Dingwall 18 Douglas Park

11.15

Willeen McCallum 17 Ladies Club Troon

Janette Stewart 19 Kilmarnock Barassie

Margaret Gray 18 Old Ranfurly

11.22

Helen Burnet 19 Hilton Park

Evi Park 17 Haggs Castle

Hatty Forrest 19 Ladies Club Troon

11.29

Kay Murray 18 Whitecraigs

Kay McColl 19 Hilton Park

Sara Scott 19 Ladies Club Troon

11.36

Janey McFarlane 18 Cathcart Castle

Pat Robertson 20 Caldwell

Shelagh Young 20 Kilmarnock Barassie

11.43

Moira Cameron 18 Ladies Club Troon

Anna MacDougall 23 Old Ranfurly

Sheila Tollan 18 Dalmally

11.50

Marjorie Walker 17 Haggs Castle

Sheila Mitchell 17 Ladies Club Troon

Merope Dunlop 13 Old Ranfurly

11.57

Julie Will 17 Ladies Club Troon

Ann Colthart 20 Dalmally

Christeen Finlayson 19 Whitecraigs

12.04

Glennis Rintoul 20 Old Ranfurly

Patricia Brown 20 Ralston

Jean Irvine 21 Ranfurly Castle

12.11

Elizabeth Fazzi 20 Haggs Castle

Gail Brown 21 Ladies Club Troon

Christine Baird 23 Douglas Park

12.18

Elizabeth Hume 20 Ladies Club Troon

Christine Richmond 20 Erskine

Sheila Greenshields 22 Whitecraigs

12.25

Moira Hogg 21 Old Ranfurly

Sheila McLean 21 Whitecraigs

Ann Deakin 25 Ladies Club Troon

12.32

Margaret Ramsay 20 Elderslie

Sandra Carruthers 21 Whitecraigs

Morag Dunan 25 Milngavie

12.39

Morag McCartney 24 Milngavie

Anne Terry 23 Greenock

Maggie White 21 Ralston

12.46

Ann Donnelly 24 Whitecraigs

Janet Dow 25 Douglas Park

Sheena Niven 25 Hilton Park

12.53

Agnes Robertson 29 Erskine

Avril Berry 31 Douglas Park

Liz Stansfield 31 Erskine

Scots lose to the Irish in the Singles Matches to retain the Mary McKenna Trophy

Winning Irish Vets Captain Terry Saxton with Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds

The Irish Vets Team Celebrate

The Scottish Vets were beaten 7.5 to 0.5 in the singles on Day 2 of the Mary McKenna Trophy today

Singles Results:
Sheena McElroy beat May Hughes 3/2
Pat Doran beat Alison Bartlett 3/2
Gertie MacMullen beat Linda Urquhart 2/1
Pauline Walsh beat Heather Anderson 2 up
Carol Wickham halved with Mary Smith
Mairead MacNamara beat Elaine Allison 2/1
Suzanne Corcoran beat Lorna Bennet 2 up
Helen Jones eat Karen Ballantyne 4/3

Singles result 71/2 – ½
The Final Result was Irish Vets 9.5  Scottish Vets 2.5.

Helen said --- "Very disappointing day in the singles. At the halfway stage it was pretty even but somehow in the back nine the Irish established a lead and ran out deserved winners of the competition."

Scottish Vets Draw with Irish Vets on Day 1 of the Mary McKenna Trophy

The Scottish Vets Team in their new purple outfit
Back -L to R :Linda Urquhart, Elaine Allison, May Hughes, Mary Smith, Heather Anderson, Alison Bartlett
Front - L to R :Lorna Bennett, Helen Faulds (Captain), Noreen Fenton (Vice Captain) and Karen Ballantyne

The First day of the annual match against an Irish Senior Select Team for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy took place today (Sunday 15th April)at Hilton Templepatrick course outside Belfast on a bright, sunny but cold day.
Overall result of fourballs 2-2

Results: Scottish Vets Named first
Lorna Bennett and Mary Smith beat Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham 4/3
Heather Anderson and May Hughes lost to Helen Jones and Pat Doran 2/1
Elaine Allison and Linda Urquhart beat Mairead MacNamara and Suzanne Corcoran 2/1
Karen Ballantyne and Alison Bartlett lost to Pauline Walsh and Gertie McMullen 2/1

Mary McKenna Trophy

Scottish Seniors team leaves for Ireland

The annual match against an Irish Senior Select Team for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy will take place on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th April with Saturday as the practice day. The match will be played over the Hilton Templepatrick course outside Belfast, a course which will be familiar to a few of the team as it was the venue for the British Senior Ladies in 2008. West Vet Helen Faulds will captain the team and we are delighted that West Vet May Hughes will be playing for the team.

We wish Helen and Vice Captain Noreen Fenton (E) an enjoyable and successful few days in Ireland.
Scottish Vets team
Elaine Allison (Midlands)
Heather Anderson (Midlands)
Karen Ballantyne (East)
Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (Midlands)
May Hughes (West)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Linda Urquhart (North)
Non-travelling reserves
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Jill Harrison (North)
Alex Glennie (West)
Captain Helen Faulds (West)

Vice-Captain Noreen Fenton (East)
President Jean Thomas (Borders)
Vice-president Sally Coster (West)

Helen and Bobby Faulds are celebrating their Ruby Wedding Anniversary today at the Masters

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

WEST VETS SECRETARY

As some of you may already know, Ruth Henderson has sadly had to step down as our Secretary due to health problems.

Ruth's organisational skills and attention to detail during her two years as secretary have been second to none and I would like to express my thanks to her for all she has done to ensure the smooth running of the West Division.

On behalf of all the West Vets may I wish Ruth well and say how much we look forward to seeing her back on the golf course as soon as possible.

I am delighted to say that Morag Key, from Ralston Golf Club, a west vet for some time, has very kindly agreed to take on the Secretary's position. A very organised and methodical person, Morag has, for many years, been involved with Ralston Golf Club committee in many different capacities and I know she will be a great asset to the West Vets committee and I look forward to working alongside her.

Should anyone wish to contact Morag for any reason, we have now got a West Division email address: sec.svlgaw1@gmail.com.

We have a big entry for the Spring Meeting on April 26th and I look forward to seeing everyone at Ralston. I suspect this current spell of very special weather may have disappeared, but hope that we will have a dry, sunny day for our first competition.

Fiona

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY .

Scottish Vets Captain Helen Faulds (West) and Vice Captain Noreen Fenton (East) are looking forward to playing in the Mary McKenna Trophy next month in Ireland. West Vet Mae Hughes and East Vet Lorna Bennett who are in the team are seen here all celebrating St Patrick's Day

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The Irish Select Team at Hilton Templepatrick GC Belfast, on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th April 2012.
Scottish Team
Captain: Helen Faulds
Elaine Allison (Midland)
Heather Anderson (Midland)
Karen Ballantyne (East)
Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (East)
May Hughes (West)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Linda Urquhart (Northern)

Reserves
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Jill Harrison (Northern)
Alex Glennie (West)

Irish Team
Captain,  Terry Sexton  (Dun Laoghaire GC)
Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna)
Pat Doran  (Donabate)
Helen Jones (Strabane)
Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook)
Sheena McElroy (Grange)
Pauline Walsh (Headfort)
Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown)
Gertie McMullen (The Island )

Some West Vets are Cinderella Stars for D&A

Past Captain Helen Faulds was the director of the Cinderella performance given by some D&A stars at their County Lunch yesterday. Scottish Vets Vice President Sally Coster was one of the actresses.

To see the first version filmed 4 years ago click on the link below
Scottish Seniors 2008 Version of Cinderella

NEW GOLF RULES FOR SENIORS

The AARP Negotiates with the USGA to Modify the Rules of Golf for Seniors!

Rule 1.a.5 A ball sliced or hooked into the rough shall be lifted and placed on the fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the rough with no penalty.  The senior should not be penalized for tall grass which groundskeepers failed to mow.

Rule 2.d.6 (b) A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed not to have hit the tree.  This is simply bad luck and luck has no place in a scientific game.  The senior player must estimate the distance the ball would have traveled if it had not hit the tree and play the ball from there.

Rule 3.b.3 (g) There shall be no such thing as a lost ball; the missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually is found and pocketed by someone else, making it a stolen ball.  The player is not to compound the felony by charging himself or herself with a penalty.

Rule 4.c.7 (h)  If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped.  The law of gravity supersedes the Rules of Golf.

Rule 5 Putts that stop close enough to the cup that could have blown in, may be blown in.  This does not apply to balls more than three inches from the hole.  No one wants to make a travesty of the game.

Rule 6.a.9 (k)  There is no penalty for so-called "out of bounds." If penny-pinching golf course owners bought sufficient land, this would not occur.  The senior golfer deserves an apology, not a penalty.

Rule 7.g.15 (z)  There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float.  Senior golfers should not be penalized for manufacturers' shortcomings.

Rule 8.k.9(s)  Advertisements claim that golf scores can be improved by purchasing new golf equipment.  Since this is financially impracticable for many senior golfers, one-half stroke per hole may be subtracted for using equipment.

Please advise all your Senior friends of these important rule changes!

Thanks go to Janice Paterson for this one

Support the Curtis Cup Team this year at Nairn

Support your Curtis Cup Team Poster .

Your Webmaster Carol Fell is a Contact person if you are looking for more details about the Curtis Cup which is being played at Nairn Golf Club on June 8th - June 10th 2012
To read some information on the BIG EVENT then go to the Renfrewshire County Website .

Some Photos from the 2012 Spanish Seniors at La Manga

Helen and Jen

PHOTOS FROM THE SPANISH SENIORS  (CLICK ON THE LINK) -- COURTESY OF EAST VET SUE PENMAN

Curtis Cup Team Manager Sue Turner has died.

It is with great sadness to announce the death yesterday of Sue Turner. She was the team manager to International Team Captain Tegwen Matthews for the 37th Curtis Cup Match against the USA which will be held at The Nairn Golf Club, Scotland from June 8 to 10, 2012.
To read more go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Pam Williamson is the best Scot in Spain

Past Scottish Vets Captain Pamela Williamson (Baberton) was the third highest placed British or Irish player and the top Scot in the Spanish Seniors in La Manga Spain. She finished in 16th place. The Spanish dominated the competition and West Vets Suzanne Cadden,  Helen Faulds and Jennifer Mack all struggled.
The exceedingly difficult greens seemed to be a major problem and the cause of many of the high scores
Leading Scores:
1  MARIA CASTILLO DOLAGARAY -  81, 72 (153)
2  MARÍA DE ORUETA PEMARTÍN - 76, 83 (159)
3  ROCIO RUIZ DE VELASCO COLAS -  79, 82 (161)
Leading Scots :
16 PAMELA WILLIAMSON 83, 87 (170)
35 LESLEY JOHNSTON 96 83 (179)
39 JENNIFER MACK 92 88 (180)
   
To see all the results  CLICK HERE

Alternatively CLICK HERE for all the results and then on your chosen player's name to see a hole by hole account !!

Scots struggle in Spanish Seniors "Doubles"

The second round of the Spanish Seniors "Doubles" was played today at La Manga Golf Club over the South Course. The format yesterday was Better Ball and today the format was Foursomes.
The Spanish Pairing of Catalina Castillejo Oriol and Maria Orueta Pemartin had the best round of the day with an 80 to add to their 74 yesterday to be crowned the Champions. The Spanish pairings were in the top 6 positions on the leader board.
The scoring was very high in the foursomes --- your webmaster does not know why at this stage - mind you the South Course is a bit of a tester !!
Leading Scores:
1st: Catalina Castillejo Oriol and Maria Orueta Pemartin 74, 80, (154)
2nd:Christina Marsana Arstareco and Maria Castillo Dolagaray 71, 86 (157)
3rd: Emy Garzon and Rocio Ruiz de Velasco 73, 85, (158)
Scottish Scores:
13th : Pamela Williamson and Diane Williams (Canada) 81, 87 (168)
23rd : Suzanne Cadden and Lesley Johnson 81, 94 (175)
26th : Sue Penman and Dorothy Thomson 84, 92 (176)
31st : Helen Faulds and Jennifer Mack 84, 95, (179)
To see all the scores click this Spanish Website Link

Suzanne and Lesley are the leading Scots in Spain on Day 1 at La Manga

The International Women's Doubles Spanish Seniors 2012 Spain celebrated its first day in La Manga Club (Murcia) with the leader board comprising of six of the seven top ranked couples being entirely Spanish.
Leading Scots in today's first round (Better ball Fourball) were West Vets Suzanne Cadden who was partnered with Lesley Johnston (Hope)- Gross  81. This score was also recorded by Past Scottish Vets Captain Pamela Williamson and Diane Mathews (Canada)
The West Vets Partnership of Helen Faulds and Jennifer Mack recorded an 84 as did Sue Penman and Dorothy Thomson (East Vets)
To see all the scores click this Spanish Website Link
Once you have clicked on the Spanish Website Link -- Then click on the pairings to see the hole by hole scores e.g. Helen and Jen had a triple bogey 7 at the 16th that did not help !!

Spanish Seniors - La Manga Spain

Helen Faulds (Douglas Park), Suzanne Cadden (Cardross) and Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle) left early yesterday morning to travel to La Manga in Spain where they will take part in the Spanish Seniors. They will play as a partnership Thursday and Friday and as individuals Saturday and Sunday. We wish them good weather, good golf and a good result.

I am fast receiving entries for the Spring Meeting in April which means thoughts are turning to spring golf although conditions outside, I am sure, are not yet having everyone rush to the cupboard to dust down their clubs! I do hope however, to see a lot of you at the Spring Meeting to start what I hope will be a successful golf season for us all.

My Congratulations go to May Hughes who has been selected to play in the team for the Annual Match for the Mary McKenna Trophy, being played this year in Ireland in April and to Alex Glennie who has been named as a reserve. It is nice to see our West Vets being represented in this match.

Fiona

West Vets May Hughes is selected for the Mary McKenna Trophy Match

The Irish Select Team at Hilton Templepatrick GC Belfast, on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th April 2012.

Elaine Allison (Midland)
Heather Anderson (Midland)
Karen Ballantyne (East)
Alison Bartlett (Highland)
Lorna Bennett (East)
May Hughes (West)
Mary Smith (Highland)
Linda Urquhart (Northern)

Reserves
Anne Ryan (Highland)
Jill Harrison (Northern)
Alex Glennie (West)

Captain Helen Faulds
Vice captain Noreen Fenton

KIRKWOOD GOLF WEBSITE PROBLEM

Apologies to all those trying to read kirkwoodgolf.co.uk this weekend.  You can get to it via ercn86.gilliankirkwood.co.uk 

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

CURTIS CUP REGISTRATION -- HELP THE LGU

Please register with the Ladies Golf Union if you are going to the Curtis Cup

The Ladies Golf Union would like to know if you are
going to Nairn to watch the 37th Curtis Cup match
June 8-10. You can watch the practice days earlier
in the week as well.

CLICK HERE

2012 West Vets Fixture List

The Fixtures for 2012 are as follows :-
Spring meeting - Thursday 26th April 2012 at Ralston GC. 9.30. till 12.30pm
Summer meeting – Thursday 24th May 2012 at Kilmacolm GC. 9.30 till 1pm
Autumn meeting - Wednesday 5th Sept 2012 at Hilton Park GC (Allander). 9.30 till 12.30pm
Matches :-
West v Midlands - Tuesday 5th June 2012 at Ranfurly Castle GC at 11am
West v East (Singles) – Wed 11th July 2012 at Troon (Portland) at 11am
East v West (Foursomes) - Tues 14th Aug at Gullane no 2 at 3pm
Championship:-
Renfrew GC – Wednesday 30th May 2012 – 9.30am and 2pm
Thursday 31st May 2012 – 11am

Curtis Cup Poster Arrives in Golf Clubs

The countdown has started with a vengeance towards the June 8-10 staging of the 37th Curtis Cup encounter at The Nairn Golf Club, – a biennial, eight-a-side three-day match between the best female amateur golfers in Great Britain & Ireland and their counterparts from the United States. GB & I  last won the trophy at Killarney, Ireland in 1996 but last summer’s Astor Trophy success at Fairhaven GC, Lancashire, where skipper Tegwen Matthews’ team of five beat New Zealand, Canada, Australia and South Africa to win the once-every-four-years tournament, has raised hopes that the tide may turn in this year’s Curtis Cup match at Nairn


To read more go to the LGU Website

Happy New Year to all our West Vets Website Readers

West Vets Captain Fiona Roger and Vice Captain Anna Telfer wish everyone in the West Vets a Happy New Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

Merry Christmas to all our readers

Moira Thomson Funeral Arrangements

Moira's funeral will be at 2pm on Wednesday 30th November at Mortonhall Crematorium.

All friends are welcome afterwards at the Nether Abbey Hotel, Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick to join the family in a celebration of Moira's life.

LANARKSHIRE HONOURS MAY HUGHES AT THEIR AGM

May Hughes

Many Congratulations go to West Vet May Hughes who received Honorary Membership of Lanarkshire County at their AGM last night. To read the full report go to the Lanarkshire County Website

DEATH OF MOIRA THOMSON (61) SHOCKS SCOTTISH GOLF

By Gillian Kirkwood

It is with huge regret that I report the death of Moira Thomson (nee Dewar) at the young age of 61.   
She died this morning (19th November) at the Western General Hospital.   I am sure all who read this will be as shocked as I am at the speed in which her illness took her.   It has been only 13 weeks since her diagnosis,  and she fought a courageous battle to the end.
Moira won the Scottish Girls Championship at Dalmahoy in 1968.   Starting out as a County player for Midlothian, and then a stalwart of the East Lothian County team,  she really came into her own on reaching the age for seniors golf,  and was a regular Scottish Senior International player for over 10 years.   
She worked very hard on her golf in these latter years,  and gained the respect of her international colleagues as a strong match player.  She thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of senior golf and her  friends at Gullane will miss her in their regular Saturday game.
Our heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Alastair, her daughter Claire and son Andrew, her sister Anne and their families.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

To read more go to the EAST VETS WEBSITE -- Some memories from recent times are seen in the photos below CLICK HERE for larger photos

WEST VETS AGM MINUTES AND 2012 FIXTURES -- COURTESY OF SECRETARY RUTH HENDERSON

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SVLGA WEST DIVISION

COWGLEN GC – 3RD NOVEMBER, 2011

Captain Fiona Roger welcomed 35 members to the 43^rd Annual General Meeting of the West Vets AGM at Cowglen Golf Club.

APOLOGIES were received from 39 members.

MINUTES of 2010 AGM. The adoption was proposed by Ann Dunn and seconded by Helen Faulds.

MATTERS ARISING.  None

FINANCIAL REPORT.  Sheila Shaw thanked Jan Macnab for auditing the accounts and Fiona Roger for taking care of the sale of the sweaters.

Total income for the year was £3151 and expenditure was £3167 leaving a deficit, of £16.

Sheila reported that bank interest was considerably reduced and in fact has now disappeared completely. Trophy insurance costs show a sizeable increase and this is being looked at seriously before the annual renewal in May.

The financial report was approved having been proposed by Janette Stewart and seconded by Ann Prentice.

SECRETARY'S REPORT.  The secretary announced that the membership currently stood at 178 (there having been 2 resignations prior to the AGM. There are 44 ladies on the waiting list.

The fixtures for 2012 are as follows :-

Spring meeting   - Thursday 26^th April 2012 at Ralston GC. 9.30. till 12.30pm

Summer meeting – Thursday 24^th May 2012 at Kilmacolm GC. 9.30 till 1pm

Autumn meeting  - Wednesday 5^th Sept 2012 at Hilton Park GC (Allander). 9.30 till 12.30pm

Matches :-

West v Midlands   - Tues 5^th June 2012 at Ranfurly Castle GC at 11am

West v East (singles) – Wed 11^th July 2012 at Troon (Portland) at 11am

East v West (foursomes)  - Tues 14^th Aug at Gullane no 2 at 3pm

Championship:-

Renfrew GC – Wed 30^th May 2012 – 9.30am and 2pm

                         Thurs 31^st May 2012 – 11am

CAPTAIN'S REPORT.  The Captain began by saying how much she had enjoyed her first year in office. The weather for the year had not been spectacular but the meetings had all been successfully completed and Prestwick St Cuthbert's at the Spring meeting had been particularly enjoyed by all. The numbers entering the meetings had been very high and extra tee times had had to be arranged for two of the meetings.

The results of the matches were as follows:

Midlands v West – Played at Alloa and win 4-3 by West

East v West singles – Played at Gullane and halved

West v East Foursomes – Played at Troon and won 3.5 – 1.5 by West

CHAMPIONSHIP -  This was held as usual at Renfrew GC and was won by Pat Hutton with the runner up being Jennifer Mack. The Bronze championship was won by May McGhee with Mary Irving being the runner up. Thanks were extended to Renfrew for granting courtesy of the course again.

The Captain then congratulated the many West Vets who had played in competitions in Scotland and elsewhere throughout the year and who had, in many cases, been very successful.

BLAIRGOWRIE REPORT   The captain reported that June Irons was second in the Patrick Rose Bowl and Sheilagh Osborne was 5^th. The Buchanan Cup was won by June Irons with Sheilagh Osborne runner up. The Greensomes was won yet again by Helen Faulds and Carol Fell who retained the Tony Moffat Trophy for the best scratch score and the Beddows Quaich for the 1^st handicap

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NEXT YEARS COMPETITIONS  :-

Jamboree   - The Hirsel GC Coldstream from 7^th to 9^th August, 2012

Irish match  - Hilton Temple Patrick GC Belfast from 14^th to 16^th April, 2012

Championship  - Blairgowrie from 16^th to 18^th September, 2012

The President, Jean Thomas, was absent due to illness and Sally Coster (Vice President) chaired the meeting. Pam Williamson handed over captaincy of the Scottish Vets to Helen Faulds who announced that her Vice Captain will be Noreen Fenton (East)

The Championship draw has now been changed to a rolling draw rather than an ad hoc annual draw. It was agreed that the use of distance measuring devices will be allowed at Blairgowrie from 2012.

SCOTTISH VETS MATCH REPORTS. 

Irish Match. May Hughes reported that Craigielaw was the venue for the Irish match contesting the Mary McKenna Trophy. The team consisted of Elaine Allison, Heather Anderson, Allison Bartlett, Lorna Bennett, May Hughes, Anne Ryan, Mary Smith and Moira Thomson. The match was played in excellent weather and the Irish won by the narrow margin of 6.5 to 5.5

JAMBOREE. Alex Glennie reported that this was held at Wellingborough GC from 10^th to 12^th August. It was an interesting course with a very testing final hole! The results of the matches were:-

Scotland v England midlands - 6 -3 to Scotland

Scotland v England south – 8.5 – 0.5 to England south

Scotland v England north - match halved

The Miller Trophy was won by England South

HOME INTERNATIONALS. In appalling weather the Scottish team lost to both Ireland and England and beat Wales to finish third overall. Next year they will be held at Elie and a good turn out is hoped for.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS. The Captain thanked Helen Faulds and Jinty Halley who will both be stepping down. Sheila Shaw and Ruth Henderson will remain as Treasurer and Secretary respectively for a further year. Two new committee members were proposed by Captain Fiona:-

Helen Burnett  and Morag Key. These ladies were seconded by Sheilagh Osborne and will serve for a period of 2 years.

AOCB.

The captain proposed that the use of distance measuring devices be allowed in all West competitions from 2012 and this was approved.

Cathy Morton suggested that the West division might consider underwriting the cost of the Trophy insurance ourselves by depositing money each year into an account to be used for the purpose. It was agreed that the committee will look into this.

It was agreed that all meetings from 2012 will be pre-ballotted.

Carol fell was presented with a gift in appreciation of all her work on the web site.

The captain reported that a special trophy would be given to Sally Coster to mark her hole in one at the Spring meeting at Prestwick St Cuthberts.

After the presentation of the prizes Jennifer Mack proposed a vote of thanks.

DATE OF 2012 AGM – 8TH NOVEMBER, 2012


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