STAR CURLER EVE MUIRHEAD IS NEW P AND K GOLF CHAMPION

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com International curler Eve Muirhead turned to golf for her latest title today. The 22-year-old Pitlochry GC member won the Perth and Kinross women's county championship for the first time on a day of horrendeous wind and rain at Auchterarder Golf Club. Eve beat former champion Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill) by one hole. It was the second year in a row that Jillian had lost in the final. Eve was playing in the last stage for the first time. Muirhead, the sixth best of the 16 qualifiers for the match-play stages, was never ahead in the final until the 18th green. "I lost the first two holes but got back level fairly quickly," said Eve later. "Then I lost the 12th and 13th to go two down a second time. We kept battling on in the wind and rain and I won the 15th and 17th holes to be all square on the 18th tee. I won the last hole and that was it. "I suppose it is my biggest ever golfing win. I won the Highland Ladies Open at Pitlochry in the past and been my club champion but being Perth & Kinross County champion is something else. "My handicap has just gone up to three but curling is really my sport and I won't be practising hard to bring it down again." Eve Muirhead will now spearhead the Perth and Kinross squad of eight at the Northern Division inter-county team championship against Aberdeenshire, Angus and Northern Counties at Monifieth Links from June 16 to 18. The winners of the title go forward to the Scottish women's county finals at Montrose Links from September 21 to 23. Catherine Peebles (Alyth) beat Sally Crystal (Taymourth) 2 and 1 in the final of the P and K handicap championship for the Gibb Trophy. Today's resuls at Auchterarder GC: SCRATCH CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS Eve Muirhead (Pitlochry) bt Gwen Lambie (Dunkeld) 5 and 4 Jillian Milne (Craigie Hill) bt Nicola Robertson (Dunblane) 5 and 4. FINAL  Muirhead bt Milne 1 hole. HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP Final Catherine Peebles (Alyth) bt Sally Crystal (Taymouth Castle) 2 and 1.