Emily Ogilvy (left) and Laura Walker after this afternoon's Perth & Kinross county championship final (image courtesy of Dawn Butchart).

Laura beat Emily in classic Perth & Kinross final

Schoolteacher Laura Walker (Muckhart) won the Perth & Kinross women's county championship for the second time in three years over the Blairgowrie Lansdowne course today.

The leading qualifier, Laura beat Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), the No 3 seed, by one hole in a quality match in which the better ball was seven under par.
Team-mates at the same United States university some years ago, Laura and Emily last met in the 2007 North of Scotland women’s championship final at Lossiemouth where Laura won at the 20th.
Their Blairgowrie clash was almost just as close once more. Laura, Scottish girls champion in 2002, had two chip-ins which, in the final analysis, proved to be the difference between two well-matched players.
Walker chipped in for an eagle 3 at the long seventh and again at the 10th for a birdie to square the match.
Laura went one up at the 11th but Emily squared it at the next. It was nip-and-tuck from there on in until they stood on the 18th tee all square. Walker was able to win the last for the county title. But what a match!
The handicap final was won by Susan McDougall (Aberfeldy), the leading qualifier. Playing off 25 of a handicap, she beat Linda Mailer (King James VI) by one hole.
Weekend results:

SCRATCH

FIRST ROUND

Laura Walker (Muckhart) bt Janice Lang (Alyth) 6 and 5.

Alexandra Bushby (Blairgowrie) bt Julie White (Auchterarder) 4 and 3.

Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) bt Annabel Niven (Crieff) 4 and 3.

Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld & Birnam) bt Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) at 19th.

Emily Ogilvy (Aucherarder) bt Moira Begbie (Ladybank) 6 and 5.

Fiona Ramsay (Crieff) bt Janet Griffiths (Strathmore) 2 and 1.

Jane Yellowlees (Murrayshall) bt Alyson Houston (Milnathort) 2 holes.

Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill) bt Norma Fleming (Blairgowrie) 6 and 4.
QUARTER-FINALS
Walker bt Bushby 4 and 3.
Watson bt Lambie 2 and 1.
Ogilvy bt Ramsay 7 and 5.
Milne bt Yellowlees 7 and 6.
SEMI-FINALS

Walker bt Watson 2 and 1.

Ogilvy bt Milne 4 and 3.
FINAL
Walker bt Ogilvy 1 hole.

HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

QUARTER-FINALS

Susan McDougall (Aberfeldy) bt Alyson Stockley (Craigie Hill) 1 hole.

Kathy McKay (Crieff) bt Helen Payne (Alyth) 6 and 5.

M Forbes (Muckhart) bt Elaine Davidson (Crieff) 3 and 2.

Linda Mailer (King James VI) bt Fiona Johnston (Alyth) 2 and 1.
SEMI-FINALS
McDougall bt McKay 4 and 3.
Mailer bt Forbes 3 and 2.
FINAL
McDougall bt Mailer 1 hole.