It was the turn of the juniors this week to keep the MCLGA flag flying in the Scottish Girls’ (Close) Amateur Championship being held at Lanark Golf Club, and what a great effort they made! Rachael Watton, returning from a good display in the European Girls’ Championships at Kokkola Golf Club in Finland, led the way, winning the Stroke Play Championship. Lying 3rd equal after the morning round, 2 behind the leader and having shot a respectable 3 over par 77, Rachael continued to play well in the afternoon, adding a 2 over par 76 to her score and claiming the title of Scottish Girls’ Stroke Play Champion for 2009 by 3 shots. Qualifying for the match play stage in pole position, she was joined by Gabrielle Macdonald and Gillian Simpson, while another MCLGA member, Kate McIntosh qualified for the Ansley Reid Consolation Salver.
A great contest for the title of Scottish Girls’ Match Play Champion enused. Gillian lost out on the first round by 3&2 while Gabrielle was norrowly beaten on the final green in the second round. Rachael kept going to the semi-finals where her 3 birdies were not quite enough to see off the eventual overall winner. Having won a couple of very tight tussles on the way, one against European Girls’ Championship team mate, Lesley Atkins (Minto), she finally succumbed on the 18th hole.
In the Consolation Salver, Kate McIntosh, having qualified in last place, turned up the heat and played some superb golf, despatching the leading plate qualifier in the first round and recording a 2-over par score in the second round. She progressed through to the final where she met and took the better of the second seed to win the Ansley Reid Consolation Salver by 1 hole.
Many congratulations to all of the girls who took part and especially to Rachael Watton in winning the Stroke Play and Kate McIntosh in winning the Consolation Salver.
The girls take off to Nairn Dunbar next week to play in the Scottish Ladies’ Junior Open Stroke Play Championship. Good luck to the eight MCLGA members who are taking part: Rachael Archibald (Merchants), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Kate McIntosh, Hannah Scott (both Broomieknowe), Gillian Simpson, Kirsty Simpson (both Murrayfield), Jane Turner (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).