WALKER'S PACE IS TOO FAST FOR CHAMPIONSHIP RIVALS IN FIRST Q ROUND AT LONGNIDDRY
Rachel Walker from the Dumfries and County posted a one-over-par 75 to lead early in the day and at the end of the first qualifying round of the Scottish women's amateur championship at Longniddry Golf Club, she was still there on top of the leaderboard.
On a cold, wet and windy spring day, Rachel, pictured, had halves of 38-37 against the par scorecard of 37-37.
She had her 19th birthday two days ago, so a nice way, but not nice weather in which to celebrate!
In fact, Rachel and the early starters had the best of a bad day weather-wise. It was very wet for those playing at the end of the field.
Rachel gained valuable experience playing on the new Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour last month and hopes to go on improving after enrolling at Old Dominion University, Norfolk in Virginia in August.
Said Rachel at the end of her steady round: "I bogeyed the first and three-putted the second for a par but then steadied and played well.This is my second time at the Scottish - I was beaten by Laura Murray (the eventual champion) at the last 16 stage at Tain last year.
"I had a great 2012 playing for Scotland in European girls team championship, the girls' home internationals and then the Women's Home Internationals at Cork. Getting into the women's team was a big shock, even to me! Now my goal is to win a national title."
Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) are Walker's nearest rivals with 76 apiece.
Meek is also USA-bound before the end of the summer. The 19-year-old is heading for the University of Missouri.
Jess, who has been the star amateur on the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour of which she leads the Order of Merit, recovered from a slow start which saw her bogey the first and then double-bogey the long third. She steadied up with a string of pars before getting her first birdie of the day at the ninth.
Her inward half of 37 matched the par but it was a roller-coaster ride with three pars, three birdies (11th, long 14th and long 18th) and three bogeys.
Said Jess afterwards: "It was a bit of a frustrating day.
New Midlothian champion 19-year-old Hannah Scott (Blairgowrie) ran up double bogeys at the short 13th and 17th, sandwiching between them birdies at the 14th and 15th in returning a 78 (39-39).
She was joined on the 78 mark by Jane Turner (Craigielaw) whom she beat in the weekend county final. For Jane, 23, it was the proverbial game of two halves - six-over 43 to the turn and two-under 35 to come home.
Jane had a bag of seven birdies in all, five on them in her best-of-the-day inward half.
SLGA Order of Merit leader Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had a 79. The 19-year-old from Paisley did her best work on the way out in par 37 but stumbled to a double bogey 6 at the 12th and a triple bogey 8 at the long 18th in taking 42 blows for the second nine.
Former champion Hilary Wardell, who won the title at Stranraer before her marriage to Whitekirk pro Paul Wardell, had an 80 (39-41).
Another former Scottish champion, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) shot an 81 (41-40).
A third past title-holder, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) never really got going with halves of 43-41 for a disappointing 84, the same score as R and A staffer Claire Hargan, a former Scotland cap, who had four double bogeys in her first five holes and a bogey at the other!
Sixteen-year-old Clara Young (North Berwick), who recently regain the East Lothian women's county title, was last off in the worst of the day's weather but still looked set to break 80, even though she took 43 shots for the front nine, until she double-bogeyed the 18th, having bogeyed the 17th in an inward 39.
SCOREBOARD
Par 74 (37-37). CSS: Reduction only.
75 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 38-37.
76 Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 39-37, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 39-37.
78 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 39-39, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 43-35.
79 Louise Macgregor (Falkirk) 38-41, Rachel Polson (Peterculter) 40-39, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 37-42, Linda Urquhart (Banchory) 43-36, Elaine Allison (Stirling) 42-37.
80 Hilary Wardell (Longniddry) 39-41.
81 Nicola Ferguson (Milngavie) 42-39, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 41-40, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 43-38, Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New) 43-38, Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany) 41-40.
82 Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 42-40, Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies) 41-41, Clara Young (North Berwick) 43-39.
83 Rachael Livingstone (Craigmillar Park) 44-39, Tegan Seivwright (Deeside) 43-40, Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies) 43-40.
84 Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse) 43-41, Claire Hargan (St Regulus) 46-38, Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 43-41, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 43-41, Catherine Small (Gullane Ladies) 39-45.
85 Katie Reid (Monifieth) 44-41, Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 43-42, Carol Wilson (Murcar Links) 44-41.
86 Tara MacTaggart (Minto) 45-41, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 44-42, Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) 45-41, Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) 45-41, Emma Caddow (Strathaven) 45-41.
87 Jordana Graham (Southerness) 46-41, Diane Fergusson (Longniddry) 41-46, Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle) 44-43, Ruth Rankin (Lanark) 42-45.
88 Karen Marshall (Baberton) 43-45, Linda Bain (Lochend) 45-43, Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay) 43-45.
89 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 45-44, Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies) 47-42
90 Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 48-42, Linda Dyball (Pitreavie) 41-49, Jemma Chalmers (Monifieth) 54-36, Alison Godwin (Glenbervie) 49-41, Hannah Robb (Scotscraig) 45-45, Alison Melvin-Ffinch (Hirsel) 48-42.
91 Alexandra Tait (St Regulus) 46-45, Olivia Fulton (Craigmillar Park) 48-43, Lindsay Mathie (Playsport) 46-45.
92 Eileen Gillespie (Lochend) 50-42
93 Christine Steedman (Pitreavie) 47-46, Dawn Young (North Berwick) 46-47.
94 Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) 48-46, Lauren d'Ambrosio (Carluke) 51-43, Diane Moncrieff (Lochend) 49-45, Sal Shepherd (Craigmillar Park) 53-41.
95 Mandy McBain (Turnhouse) 45-50
96 Angela Devine (Hamilton) 50-46.
98 Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 53-45.
99 Karen Ferguson (Liberton) 45-52.
101 Sophie Bain (Monktonhall) 51-50, Ruth McIntyre (Windyhill) 51-50.
107 Fiona Findlay (Lochend) 58-49, Shannon Young (Dunbar) 55-52.
Retired - Laura McLardy (Duff House Royal).
ends
On a cold, wet and windy spring day, Rachel, pictured, had halves of 38-37 against the par scorecard of 37-37.
She had her 19th birthday two days ago, so a nice way, but not nice weather in which to celebrate!
In fact, Rachel and the early starters had the best of a bad day weather-wise. It was very wet for those playing at the end of the field.
Rachel gained valuable experience playing on the new Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour last month and hopes to go on improving after enrolling at Old Dominion University, Norfolk in Virginia in August.
Said Rachel at the end of her steady round: "I bogeyed the first and three-putted the second for a par but then steadied and played well.This is my second time at the Scottish - I was beaten by Laura Murray (the eventual champion) at the last 16 stage at Tain last year.
"I had a great 2012 playing for Scotland in European girls team championship, the girls' home internationals and then the Women's Home Internationals at Cork. Getting into the women's team was a big shock, even to me! Now my goal is to win a national title."
Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) are Walker's nearest rivals with 76 apiece.
Meek is also USA-bound before the end of the summer. The 19-year-old is heading for the University of Missouri.
Jess, who has been the star amateur on the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour of which she leads the Order of Merit, recovered from a slow start which saw her bogey the first and then double-bogey the long third. She steadied up with a string of pars before getting her first birdie of the day at the ninth.
Her inward half of 37 matched the par but it was a roller-coaster ride with three pars, three birdies (11th, long 14th and long 18th) and three bogeys.
Said Jess afterwards: "It was a bit of a frustrating day.
"Playing alongside the pros on the Paul Lawrie Tour has been a great experience and helped my golf.
"This is my second time in the Scottish championship. I reached the Clark Rosebowl final when I was 16."
Eilidh Briggs, 20, who will be sitting Stirling University exams this week - she is a physical education student, also had a double bogey on her card, a 6 at the ninth, but she did birdied the second, seventh, 14th and 15th in halves of 39-37. New Midlothian champion 19-year-old Hannah Scott (Blairgowrie) ran up double bogeys at the short 13th and 17th, sandwiching between them birdies at the 14th and 15th in returning a 78 (39-39).
She was joined on the 78 mark by Jane Turner (Craigielaw) whom she beat in the weekend county final. For Jane, 23, it was the proverbial game of two halves - six-over 43 to the turn and two-under 35 to come home.
Jane had a bag of seven birdies in all, five on them in her best-of-the-day inward half.
SLGA Order of Merit leader Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had a 79. The 19-year-old from Paisley did her best work on the way out in par 37 but stumbled to a double bogey 6 at the 12th and a triple bogey 8 at the long 18th in taking 42 blows for the second nine.
Former champion Hilary Wardell, who won the title at Stranraer before her marriage to Whitekirk pro Paul Wardell, had an 80 (39-41).
Another former Scottish champion, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) shot an 81 (41-40).
A third past title-holder, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) never really got going with halves of 43-41 for a disappointing 84, the same score as R and A staffer Claire Hargan, a former Scotland cap, who had four double bogeys in her first five holes and a bogey at the other!
Sixteen-year-old Clara Young (North Berwick), who recently regain the East Lothian women's county title, was last off in the worst of the day's weather but still looked set to break 80, even though she took 43 shots for the front nine, until she double-bogeyed the 18th, having bogeyed the 17th in an inward 39.
SCOREBOARD
Par 74 (37-37). CSS: Reduction only.
75 Rachel Walker (Dumfries and Co) 38-37.
76 Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) 39-37, Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 39-37.
78 Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) 39-39, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 43-35.
79 Louise Macgregor (Falkirk) 38-41, Rachel Polson (Peterculter) 40-39, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) 37-42, Linda Urquhart (Banchory) 43-36, Elaine Allison (Stirling) 42-37.
80 Hilary Wardell (Longniddry) 39-41.
81 Nicola Ferguson (Milngavie) 42-39, Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 41-40, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 43-38, Nicola Robertson (Dunblane New) 43-38, Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany) 41-40.
82 Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) 42-40, Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies) 41-41, Clara Young (North Berwick) 43-39.
83 Rachael Livingstone (Craigmillar Park) 44-39, Tegan Seivwright (Deeside) 43-40, Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies) 43-40.
84 Kirsten Blackwood (Glencorse) 43-41, Claire Hargan (St Regulus) 46-38, Susan Wood (Drumpellier) 43-41, Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) 43-41, Catherine Small (Gullane Ladies) 39-45.
85 Katie Reid (Monifieth) 44-41, Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) 43-42, Carol Wilson (Murcar Links) 44-41.
86 Tara MacTaggart (Minto) 45-41, Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) 44-42, Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) 45-41, Lorraine Morrow (Eastwood) 45-41, Emma Caddow (Strathaven) 45-41.
87 Jordana Graham (Southerness) 46-41, Diane Fergusson (Longniddry) 41-46, Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle) 44-43, Ruth Rankin (Lanark) 42-45.
88 Karen Marshall (Baberton) 43-45, Linda Bain (Lochend) 45-43, Jill Harrison (Cruden Bay) 43-45.
89 Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 45-44, Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies) 47-42
90 Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 48-42, Linda Dyball (Pitreavie) 41-49, Jemma Chalmers (Monifieth) 54-36, Alison Godwin (Glenbervie) 49-41, Hannah Robb (Scotscraig) 45-45, Alison Melvin-Ffinch (Hirsel) 48-42.
91 Alexandra Tait (St Regulus) 46-45, Olivia Fulton (Craigmillar Park) 48-43, Lindsay Mathie (Playsport) 46-45.
92 Eileen Gillespie (Lochend) 50-42
93 Christine Steedman (Pitreavie) 47-46, Dawn Young (North Berwick) 46-47.
94 Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) 48-46, Lauren d'Ambrosio (Carluke) 51-43, Diane Moncrieff (Lochend) 49-45, Sal Shepherd (Craigmillar Park) 53-41.
95 Mandy McBain (Turnhouse) 45-50
96 Angela Devine (Hamilton) 50-46.
98 Lynne Terry (Cruden Bay) 53-45.
99 Karen Ferguson (Liberton) 45-52.
101 Sophie Bain (Monktonhall) 51-50, Ruth McIntyre (Windyhill) 51-50.
107 Fiona Findlay (Lochend) 58-49, Shannon Young (Dunbar) 55-52.
Retired - Laura McLardy (Duff House Royal).
ends
Labels: SLGA
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