Congratulations to Jane Turner (Craigielaw) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) who had terrific shows in the Scottish Amateur this week. Having qualified for the match play stages in 10th and 6th position respectively, both girls lost out this morning in tight quarter-finals matches which both went to the 18th hole. Rachael had a great first round win by 7&5 before meeting fellow squad member Wendy Nicholson (Bromieknowe) in the second round. She came out on top of that tie by 3&2 which set up this morning’s quarter-final tie against Curtis Cup reserve Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar). There was only ever 1 hole in it until Kelsey went 2 up on the 12th. But Rachael pegged her back to all square winning the 13th and 15th and so it stayed until the 18th. Kelsey then birdied the 18th to Rachael’s par and the tie was hers. Jane also got off to a great start, recording a 6&5 win against Gillian Monteith from Portpatrick. She then played Susan Jackson from Ladybank, the 7th qualifier, and won on the 18th before taking on fellow SLGA squad member and no. 2 qualifier Laura Murray (Alford). Again, in a very tight game in which there was only ever 1 hole in it, Jane parred the 17th to level the game but could only manage a par to Laura’s birdie on the 18th and Laura claimed the match.
Jane, Rachael and Wendy were also joined in the match play stages by Noreen Fenton (Dunbar), Claire MacDonald (Gullane), Karen Marshall (Baberton), and, on her first visit to the Scottish Amateur, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe).
In the second flight, the Clark Rosebowl, 6 MCLGA players qualified. Some great matches were seen in the first round with Linda Caine (Dunbar) going down on the 19th and Kirsten Blackwood being taken to the 20th before winning. For the other MCLGA players, Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and Suzanne Ireland (Prestonfield) lost their ties while Linda Bain (Lochend) went down to Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw). After her marathon morning round, Kirsten just lost out on the 18th in the afternoon, while Gabrielle made it through to the semi-final before losing out to the eventual winner, Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie).
Well done to all who took part. A great week, both weather-wise and golf-wise and a great display by the MCLGA members.