CONNIE, LAUREN MIGHT PROFIT FROM STARS' ABSENCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
It's 12 years since the last Scot - Clare Queen - won the British Under-18 girls' open amateur golf championship and after Scotland's last-place finish in last week's Girls Home Internationals, one might think no one from that team will break the losing sequence in the championship which tees off at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes tomorrow.

But Scotland's dismal overall performance hides two reasons to be cheerful - Scottish Under18 girls champion Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), top picture, was the most successful performer in the four-cornered international event at St Annes Old Links with five wins out of a possible six. 

And, what's more, her predecessor as Scottish girls title-holder, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), lower picture was the joint second best individual overall with 4 1/2pt to her credit.

The British girls championship has been hit by a clash of dates with the Junior Solheim Cup in Colorado.

Instead of defending the title at Fairhaven, Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak), who is also the British women's champion, is off to American with the girls team playing under the European banner (which has nothing to do with the Ladies Golf Union).

Also in that team are Curtis Cup player Bronte Law (Bramhall) and several Continentals who would have been expected to figure prominently in this week's British event at Fairhaven.

So, the Ladies Golf Union flagship event for Under-18s has been devalued through no fault of its own with the loss of star players to the Junior Solheim Cup.

Carnoustie-born Susan Simpson, the LGU Head of Golf Operations, does not want to comment on the situation apart from saying it's "unfortunate."

Behind closed doors, she must think it's a pretty poor show when a "Johnny-come-lately" hybrid event like the Junior Solheim Cup ranks above what is one of the world's leading Under-18 girls individual events with a history and tradition the Junior Solheim Cup will perhaps acquire 75 years down the road.

But, it's an ill wind... Connie Jaffrey and Lauren Whyte might find it just that bit easier to enjoy a good run in the championship which opens with two stroke-play rounds after which the leading 64 players go into match play.

And who knows, should either strike it lucky - and you need good fortune to win a match-play tournament of this status - and win the title, will anyone remember that Georgia Hall, Bronte Law and Co were not in the field?
Other Scots in the field of 144 are:
 Emma Hale (Troon Ladies), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), Heather Munro (Monifieth), Rebecca McGeehan (Germany-based), Clara Young (North Berwick) and Fiona Liddell (Germany-based).