ANNIKA LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO ST ANDREWS FOR WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

Here's an interesting extract from Annika Sorenstam's Media Centre interview by Rhonda Glenn prior to the US Women's Open:

Q. Can you just talk about how much you're looking forward to St. Andrews and the British (Women's) Open?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, that's another fantastic golf course. I played St Andrews as an amateur, and I'm trying to remember when it was, it's so long ago. But that is, I think, a big step in women's golf.

If you think of it, for us to play a championship like that at St. Andrews, because I remember when I played as an amateur there was a sign out there that said, "No dogs or women allowed" (laughter). For us to be able to go there now is -- is it still there? Hopefully they'll take it out for the week (laughter). Oh, no women? So, it won't be quite the dog fight then. But anyway, I think it's going to be great for women -- for us to go play there. I'm looking forward to that.

ANY COMMENTS?

Was there every really a sign that said "No dogs or women allowed" at the R&A clubhouse? Does anyone else remember it or was it something that somebody invented as a joke and has become part of the mythology of the R&A clubhouse?

E-mails, please, to colin@scottishgolfview.com

PUTTING ANNIKA SORENSTAM STRAIGHT

By the way, we can put Annika Sorenstam straight about the last time she played the Old Course. It was 1990 when she won the St Rule Trophy after a play-off with Jennifer Allmark.

Christine Middleton, who won the St Rule Trophy in 1988 and 1989, recalled at the weekend during the North Division women's inter-county team championship, that Annika was also among the players she beat to win the tournament in 1989.

And Ms Sorenstam did not even finish second in 1989 which was the first year the tournament was played over 54 holes.... Donna Jackson and Julie Forbes tied for second place on 235, three shots behind Christine, who now lives quite close to Cruden Bay Golf Club.