We are Scottish County Champions! 💪🤩

Woo hoo – we are Scottish County Champions!

Way to go Team Midlothian 💥

As you may be aware we were unable to go to County Finals with the same Team who won the Jamboree at Gullane in July as Karen Ferguson-Snedden, Karen Marshall and Hilary Laughland were selected to pay for Scotland in the European Seniors Team Championship; Freya Constable returned to America; and Megan Fallon was in Barcelona with Junior Tour. From the remaining team and squad, we had 8 players available to play in County Finals: Kate McIntosh, Rachael Livingstone, Molly Nicholson (all from Jamboree Team) and Nicky Graham, Wendy Nicholson, Anne Hanson, Lucy Fraser and Grace Cannon (from wider Squad).

What a Team they have been! I am incredibly proud, as Captain, of what they have individually and collectively achieved over the past three days, and extremely grateful for their support. Hilton Park Golf Club – aptly named as there are ‘tons’ of ‘hills’ 🤣 was demanding and challenging. Each and every one of the team delivered wonderful performances, committed their all to Midlothian, dug deep and pushed hard – against tough competition – to secure their individual match points which resulted in this terrific win. It was pure class in action and great team spirit, aided by amazing caddies who delivered above and beyond for their players.

Grateful thanks to Scottish Golf for organising and running, including their grant of £1500 towards the costs incurred for us to participate. Also to Hilton Park Golf Club for hosting the tournament on their course, which was in excellent condition. All the Team at Hilton Park – the greens staff, pro shop, bar and catering staff, who were first class throughout. Thanks also to the Dumfriesshire, Renfrewshire and North Captains and Teams for the great matches.

I want to especially thank Muriel Gilligan and Elaine Lumsden, who supported me with the caddy arrangements. We couldn’t have done it all without the incredible support of our Selector, Linda Wemyss, who gives her time so freely, bringing her knowledge and good judgment to discussions, and to Kate McIntosh who also supported selection.

Huge thanks to our incredible team for their talent and passion for Midlothian, and their ability to dig deep when it’s needed – they never cease to amaze me! To the wonderful support of our caddy volunteers across the three days – your support to the County and especially the players is greatly appreciated and you add significantly to the occasion. Our caddies were: Elaine Lumsden, Moyra Stratham, Jane Macdonald, Fiona Jackson, Muriel Gilligan, Angela Hughes, Isobel Halliday, Jacky Burnett, Letty McKinnon and Gill Petrie.

A full readout from the Tournament together with a photo gallery is below and there is a gallery of photos taken by Scottish Golf which can be access through the following link. PW to access: HiltonPark2023

https://scottishgolf.smugmug.com/Scottish-Golf-Events-2023/Scottish-Womens-County-Finals-Hilton-Park-September-2023/n-XcMsjR/

Scottish County Finals kicked off on Friday 1 September at Hilton Park GC. The practice round enabled us to experience the challenge of the course. and the realisation of the hard work ahead in playing 6 rounds in 3 days on a very hill course! Young Lucy Fraser had a bogie free round shooting 2 under Par 🤩👏👏.

Day 1

It was a nail biting first day as Midlothian took on the Dumfriesshire Team. The morning foursomes delivered a halved match 1.5/1.5 so we needed to do well in the afternoon singles. The Team did brilliantly securing 4 of the 6 matches and our first point for the overall win. 💪

Foursomes – 1.5/1.5:

Grace Cannon & Molly Nicholson v Katie Mccracken & Elie Harkness – Win 2up

Wendy Nicholson & Nicky Graham v Fiona Allison & Linda Jack – Half

Anne Hanson & Lucy Fraser v Cori Lee & Diane Macdonald – Loss 1 down

Singles 4/2:

Kate McIntosh v Cori Lee – Loss 1 down

Lucy Fraser v Diane Macdonald – Win 2&1

Wendy Nicholson v Amy McKie – Loss 3&2

Nicky Graham v Yvonne Scheider – Win 2&1

Molly Nicholson v Ellie Harkness – Win 5&4

Rachael Livingstone v Katie Mccracken – Win 2&1

Day 1 Final Result: 5.5/3.5

Day 2

On day 2 we took on our toughest competition on paper, North. We were first on the tee and brought in a great 2/1 result in the foursomes and a halved match in the afternoon 3/3. With a final score of 5/4, we secured our second point in the tournament. 💪💪

Foursomes – 2/1:

Kate McIntosh & Rachael Livingstone v Carinne Taylor & Sammy Fotheringham – Win 2&1

Grace Cannon & Molly Nicholson v Ellie Docherty & Eleaner Tunn – Loss 6&5

Anne Hanson & Lucy Fraser v Caitlin Boa & Laura Durrand – Win 7&5

Singles 3/3:

Kate McIntosh v Ellie Docherty – Win 3&2

Lucy Fraser v Sammy Fotheringham – Loss 2&1

Molly Nicholson v Iona Reid – Loss 3&2

Grace Cannon v Laura Durrand – Win 1 up

Anne Hanson v Eleaner Tunn – Win 2&1

Rachael Livingstone v Carinne Taylor – Loss 1 down

Day 2 Final Result: 5/4

Day 3

We entered day 3 in a strong position knowing if we halved the match against Renfrewshire, we would win the tournament. If we lost against Renfrewshire, it would go to a count back and we would probably have lost against North. So, we had everything to play for. The Team was pumped up and hungry for the outright win against the Renfrewshire girls. We secured an impressive 2.5/0.5 win in the foursomes which meant we only needed 2.5 points in the singles to secure the outright win. Come on girls! Well they certainly did, winning 4 of the 6 matches and the Tournament!

Foursomes – 2.5/0.5:

Kate McIntosh & Rachael Livingstone v Jennifer Rankin & Rosie Maguire – Win 5&4

Anne Hanson & Lucy Fraser v Emma Thomson Burns & Carol Whyte – Half

Grace Cannon & Nicky Graham v Julie Wilson & Liz Stewart – Win 3&1

Singles 4/2:

Kate McIntosh v Jennifer Rankin – Win 3&2

Rachael Livingstone v Julie Wilson – Win 3&2

Lucy Fraser v Emma Thomson Burns – Loss 2 down

Molly Nicholson v Carol Whyte – Loss 4&3

Wendy Nicholson v Liz Stewart – Win 5&4

Anne Hanson v Rosie Maguire – Win 2&1

Day 3 Final Result: 6.5/2.5