Wow, what a day, what a weekend!
President Margaret Fergusson and I were ready to welcome the Championship semi-finalists in the morning on a dull and wet Sunday prior to heading up to the first tee for 11am, where Michaela, Mini Mac and Junior, Megan Fallon were ready to wish the players good luck 🍀
The B Championship
Our four B Championship semi finalists returned to Turnhouse raring to go. Our first match was between Margaret Parr (Merchants) and Meg Laidler (Harburn) both providing a good display of golf and a keenly fought match which finished on the 17th with a 2&1 win for Meg. Fiona Findlay (Lochend) took on fellow Lochend and Comiston Ladies player, and also home player, Susan Randall (Turnhouse). Susan shot level par for the first 9 holes which Fiona struggled to come back from and Susan won the match 6&5.
Both Meg and Susan put on a great show of golf and an exciting match in their battle for the B Championship silverware. Susan won the first two holes but the match was all square by the 4th.
Their match was nip and tuck with Meg’s dogged determination preventing Susan from getting ahead again until the 16th when Susan holed a great putt and then again on 17th to secure the pars and win the match 2&1. Well done to both players getting to the final, a great achievement and Congratulations Susan Randall, Midlothian B Champion.
The A Championship
Our 4 semi finalists for The Championship were well prepared for the forecasted weather and unsurprisingly, it didn’t disappoint☔️ ☔️. Karen Ferguson-Snedden (Mortonhall) and Kate Rorke (Kingsknowe) had a very tight and exciting match. Kate pushed hard all the way round keeping the pressure on Karen but the last couple of holes saw the pressure ease and Karen clinched the tie on the 18th, 2up and secured her place in the Final for the second year in a row.
Reigning Champion, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) and young Lucy Morrison (Gullane) also had a great match. Lucy was a little unsettled in the first few holes and was quickly down but she fought hard all the way round pushing Kate to have to deliver and that she did, eventually winning the match 5&3 and a worthy place in the Final for the second year in a row.
The Spectators were in for some high class golf as the two times Scottish Senior’s Champion Karen, took on the talented and three times Champion, once again in The Championship Final.
Karen birdied the first and a par at the 4th saw her take a 2up lead. The match was all square by the 7th and remained that way until 13th then Kate parred the next two holes to go 2up. The 16th was halved and they headed up the 17th dormie. Kate’s drive was on the green and Karen was in the right hand Greenside bunker on a down hill lie. She didn’t manage to get it out and then played a lovely shot onto the green in 3. Kate lagged her putt and Karen conceded the match.
As Kate was current Champion, she was unable to present herself with the Champion necklace, so Captain, Isla McCrone did the honours on the 17th. Well done to both players getting to The Championship Final, a fabulous achievement and congratulations to Kate McIntosh, The Midlothian 2023 Champion.
The event cannot run without the assistance of volunteers. Thanks to President Margaret Fergusson for starter duties, the role of rules official for the whole weekend and refereeing the Championship Final, Jane MacDonald for refereeing the B Championship and for ensuring everyone received their vouchers! Linda Wemyss for supporting the matches, as Selector, and all the caddies, who were definitely needed today!
It was great to see so many supports throughout the weekend, in what has not been pleasant weather. We all appreciate your support!
Thanks are very much extended to Turnhouse Golf Club for the courtesy of the Golf Course for the match play stages of the Midlothian County Championship. The Team at Turnhouse have been exceptional and contributed to a successful Championship weekend. And finally to the Greenkeeping team for the set up and high standard of the course after challenging winter weather.
Next Midlothian event is the Commonwealth Spoons at Prestonfield GC on Monday 5th June. We look forward to receiving your entry and seeing you there!
Some further photographs from today –
