LESLEY NICHOLSON WINS THIRD EAST LOTHIAN TITLE, BUT SPARE A THOUGHT FOR MARY LOU RENTON

Former Ladies European Tour player Lesley Nicholson won her third East Lothian county title over her home course at Haddington today. Lesley, playing in the final for the fourth time - she won the title in 1999 and 2000, having lost to Catriona Lambert (Matthew) in 1992 - beat county captain Mary Lou Renton (Gifford) by 6 and 5. Congratulations, of course, to Lesley, winning captain of the Scotland team at the 2010 home internationals. But commiserations to Mary Lou. She has now lost in five East Lothian finals - 1995, 2005, 2009, 2011 and now 2012. "One day I might win this championship," said Mary Lou with a smile after it was all over for another year. Apart from playing in the event and performing all the county captain's duties, Mary Lou has been reporting on the tournament for the Press! Nicholson had three birdies in the final and was two under par when the match finished on the 13th green. Renton won only one hole - the third - and she had to birdie it, having had her second-hole birdie matched by Nicholson who seized control of the final by winning the fourth, fifth and six to go three up. Still three ahead at the turn, Nicholson won the 10th with a par, the 11th with a birdie and finished the match with a birdie at the 13th. Jean McNeill (Longniddry) failed in her bid to win the county handicap championship two years ago - but at least she made it through to the green final, in which she lost by two holes to Irene Gray (Musselburgh). +Irene Gray (left) is pictured with Lesley Nicholson above after the presentation of trophies. Thanks to Mary Lou Renton for supplying the picture!  SEMI-FINALS Lesley Nicholson (Haddington) bt Elinor Blair (North Berwick) 5 and 4. Mary Lou Renton (Gifford) bt Susan Penman (Longniddry) 2 and 1. FINAL Nicholson bt Renton 6 and 5. HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Irene Gray (Musselburgh) bt Jean McNeill (Longniddry) 2 holes.