Midlothian B champion Hannah Scott, county president Margaret Rodgers, and county champion Claire Hargan (images by courtesy of Gillian Kirkwood).

Midlothian finalists, left to right, Hannah Scott, Helen Warnock, Gabrielle MacDonald and Claire Hargan

Claire Hargan overpowers young Gabrielle

MacDonald for sixth Midlothian title

Claire Hargan (Mortonhall), 32-year-old former Scotland international player, today won the Midlothian women's county championship for the sixth time in the past seven years. She was beaten by Rachael Livingstone in last year's final after chalking up five wins in a row.
At Newbattle Golf Club today, Claire, the No 6 qualifier, beat 16-year-old Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) by 3 and 2 in the final.
Gabrielle, the No 8 seed, could hardly have asked for a better start in the final. She was three up after only four holes on her very experienced opponent.
Then her fortunes changed quickly. Claire won the next five holes in a row to be in the driving seat at two up at the turn. Gabrielle kept pegging away but could not win back the initiative and Claire clinched the championship on 16th green.
In the morning semi-finals, Gabrielle won by two holes against Karen Marshall (Baberton) while Claire beat the No 2 seed, Mortonhall clubmate young Rachael Watton by 4 and 3.

"It's nice to be champion again, especially with some many young whippersnappers on the scene these days," said Hargan. "I didn't get off to the best of starts in the final but I had a few birdies in the middle of the round. I played solid in the semi-final and was able to take advantage of the fact that Rachael wasn't in top form."
The B Championship was won by youngster Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) who beat Susan Dalrymple (Craigielaw) 4 and 2 in the final.
Today's results:
Semi-finals - Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) bt Karen Marshall (Baberton) 2 holes, Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) bt Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) 4 and 3.
Final - Hargan bt MacDonald 3 and 2.
B CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals - Helen Warnock (Harburn) bt Pam Townsend (Murrayfield) 2 and 1, Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) bt Susan Dalrymple (Craigielaw) 4 and 2.
Final - Scott bt Warnock 2 and 1.

SOUTH QUALIFIERS FOR LGU MEDAL FINAL AT CRIEFF

Kirkcudbright Golf Club.
CSS 74 (reduction only)
Silver Division
Jordana Graham (Southerness) (4) 78, Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) (scr) 78.
Bronze Division
Agnes Gardner (Portpatrick Dunskey) (21) 78 (better inward half), Joy Little (Moffat (24) 79.

Jordana, Gillian, Agnes and Joy qualify for the LGU Medal Grand Final at Crieff Golf Club on Sunday, June 7.