Parliamentary Golf Group welcomes Lundin Ladies' stalwart as Honorary Member

Helen Melville, All-Party Parliamentary Golf Group Co-Chair Stephen Gethins MP
and Lundin Ladies Club Captain Sue Nicholso

A Lundin Links woman who has devoted 60 years to developing golf in the community has received Honorary Membership of the All-Party Parliamentary Golf Group.

Helen Melville, who moved to Lundin Links in 1956 when her father, Tim Low, took up a job at Lundin Golf Club, was presented with a certificate by Co-Chair of the Group and North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins at an event attended by many club members and friends on Friday (3 March).

Stephen Gethins MP said “I was delighted when Helen’s nomination for the Longstanding Achievement’ award for a volunteer was successful and she attended a presentation in Parliament. The Group was so impressed by Helen’s years of commitment to the Ladies club and her role in the development of golf for women and children - even overseeing the extension of the historic 1897 clubhouse as well as researching the history of the club - that we decided she should have Honorary Membership of the APPG as well. Helen has done so much for golf and I was so pleased to present her with her Honorary Membership.”

Helen Melville said “I have been involved with golf ever since I went along to my first Lundin Ladies GC AGM aged 18 and ended up on the committee. I was also involved with Fife County Ladies Golfing Association as well as taking part in various Scottish Ladies Golf championships. Over the years I have made so many friends and seen so many people take up and love golf; that’s what it has been all about. I was delighted to receive Honorary Membership of the APPG on behalf of everyone at Lundin Ladies.”

KYLIE FINISHES JT 4TH IN JOBURG LADIES OPEN

Kylie Henry

Kylie (Walker) Henry earned £1,402 for a joint fourth place finish in the Joburg Ladies Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club today (Tuesday).

The Scot had rounds of 72, 69 and 70 for a five-under-par total of 211 - six strokes behind the winner of the title and first prize of £4,428, South African Kim Williams (70-68-67).

Henry's late birdies at the 13th and 18th in her final round could not quite cancel out bogeys at the 11th, 14th and 16th, which cost her a higher finish.

Overnight leader Lauren Taylor (England) lost her victory chance with a final round of one-over 73. She tied for second place with Beonita Bredenham (Namibia).

JOBURG LADIES OPEN
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
par 216 (3x72)
205 Kim Williams (SAf) 70 68 67.
210 Bonita Bredenham (Nam) 70 70 70, Lauren Taylor (Eng) 68 69 73.

SELECTED TOTALS
211 Kylie Henry (Sco) 72 69 70 (T4).
212 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 74 70 68 (8th).
216 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 74 70 (T12).
238 Kirsty Fisher (Sco) 81 78 78 (T46)

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS CLICK HERE

KYLIE, NOW FIFTH, RUES LATE DOUBLE BOGEY

KYLIE, NOW 5TH, RUES LATE DOUBLE BOGEY

Kylie (Walker) Henry moved up to fifth place with a second-round, three-under-par 69 in the Joburg Ladies Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club today (Monday).

The Glasgow player is on three-under-par 141, four shots behind the leader, England's Lauren Taylor (68-69) who was the youngest ever winner of the British women's open amateur championship at Royal Portrush in 2011.

Kylie, who married tour player Scott Henry earlier this year, would have had only two shots to make up over the final round had she parred the short 16th in her second round instead of running up a double bogey 5.

Henry had five birdies on the day.

JOBURG LADIES OPEN
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC

SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
par 144 (2x72)
137 Lauren Taylor (Eng) 68 69.
138 Kim Williams (SAf) 70 68
139 Ashleigh Buhai (SAf) 69 70.
140 Bonita Bredenham (Namibia) 70 70
141 Kylie Henry 72 69.

SELECTED SCORES
144 Kiran Matharu Eng) 74 70 (T11).
146 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 74 (16th)
160 Kirsty Fisher (Sco) 79 81 (46th).
Field of 55 players

FOUNDER OF GOLFSTAT DIES AT 62

Mark Laesch

'He changed college golf': Golfstat founder Mark Laesch, 62, dies from ALS

By: Beth Ann Nichols

Mark Laesch, founder of Golfstat and friend to USA college golf, died March 4 in his home in Noblesville, Indiana after a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, an incurable disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. He was 62.
Laesch founded Golfstat in 1984, and his programs essentially took the guesswork out of college golf. From live scoring to detailed statistics and rankings, Golfstat provided new methods for NCAA coaches and committees to advance the game.
"I think what he did simply was a labour of love for him," said Florida State men's coach Trey Jones. "He changed college golf."
Laesch is survived by his three children – Jordan, Brian and Kelsey – and fiance Jennifer Porter. His father, sister and uncle all died from ALS. Laesch's sister Diane was diagnosed last May and died four months later at age 70.
Laesch graduated from Indiana University where he was an all-Big Ten baseball player. After charting his own detailed statistics in baseball and golf, Laesch got the idea to sell the service to college teams. He charged his first client, Illinois State, 25 cents per round.
A recent visit with Laesch at his elegant brick home on the outskirts of Indianapolis revealed a man at peace with what was to come. Lasech credited a strong faith for keeping his sense of humour and perspective intact. He spoke often about the strong relationships he had developed in his 30-plus years in college golf.
"I wish I could go another 10 years," he said.