Megan Briggs spent the weekend studying for her law exams, but today (Tuesday) she starts the tough test of defending the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship at Craigielaw, near Aberlady.

The 20-year-old from Kilmacolm beat Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) in the final at Southerness last year, and she is looking forward to trying to make it back-to-back victories in East Lothian.

“I’ve only played Craigielaw once, and it was many years ago,” said Briggs. “I have been very busy with my law degree at Strathclyde University. I had third year exams on Thursday and Monday and I’ve got another one at the start of June. But I have also been working on my golf, and I do feel I’ve been paying well recently.”

The Renfrewshire youngster has shown form this year, winning the West of Scotland Championship by five shots at Cardross.

At Craigielaw, she will have another high profile Scottish sports star carrying her bag. Her boyfriend is Gordon Thomson, a two-time Scottish badminton champion.

“My Dad (Ian) caddied for me last year, but he is having knee surgery this week,” explained Briggs. “He will be with me at the start of the week, but then Gordon will take over.”

With Curtis Cup players Pamela Pretswell (exams) and Sally Watson (at University in America) both unavailable, Kenney and Nairn Dunbar’s Kelsey MacDonald are the two back markers. They both play off plus two.

Laura Murray (Alford) and Jane Turner are the other two members of the Aberdeen Asset Management Elite Squad in the field. They both have plus one handicaps, and Turner has home advantage as she is a member at Craigielaw.

Spectators are welcome. 

Live scoring will be available from the following link during the stroke play rounds.

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE SCORING

Photograph courtesy of Craigielaw Golf Club

Aberdeen Asset Management sponsors Scottish Ladies' Golf Team

Pamela Pretswell and Jane Turner pictured today at Craigielaw GC at the announcement of Aberdeen Asset Management's sponsorship of the Scottish Ladies' Golf Team

The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association is delighted to announce a three year sponsorship deal with Aberdeen Asset Management, the international investment management group. A major supporter of Scottish golf, Aberdeen Asset Management also sponsors the Scottish men's team, the Scottish Golf Academy and top players Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie, Mhairi MacKay, and Simon Yates.

The Aberdeen Asset Management logo will appear on the team kit whenever elite players are representing Scotland.

The sponsorship provides a boost for the elite ladies' golf team already celebrating the selection of two of its members to represent Great Britain & Ireland in next month's Curtis Cup match against the USA at the Essex County Club, Massachusetts, USA (11th to 13th June).

Announcing the deal today at Craigielaw Golf Club, host to next week's Scottish Ladies' (Close) Amateur Championship, SLGA Chairman Shona Malcolm said "We are delighted that Aberdeen Asset Management has decided to sponsor the Scottish Ladies' Golf Team. The support this gives the SLGA and the team is extremely important for our future plans for success on the golf course. It's particularly pleasing that we have in Aberdeen Asset Management a sponsor whose values are very close to our own."

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said "We are very proud to align our brand to that of the SLGA's. We currently sponsor the Men's squad and therefore this new partnership with the Scottish Ladies Team made perfect sense.

"At Aberdeen we are firm believers in supporting golf at all levels from the professionals all the way through to the amateur and grassroots level."

The Ladies' Golf Union is seeking a director to be responsible for marketing and sponsorship. Full details of the role and person specification are available here.

Congratulations to Pamela Pretswell, Bothwell Castle and Sally Watson, Elie & Earlsferry Ladies who have been selected to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the 2010 Curtis Cup.  Congratulations also to Kelsey MacDonald, Nairn Dunbar who is 1st reserve for the team. 

The 36th playing of the Curtis Cup match against the United States will be played at Essex County Club, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts from June 11 to 13 2010.

Good luck to all the GB&I team.

Danielle McVeigh, Royal County Down came from three shots behind to win the 2010 Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship at Royal Troon today (Sunday 25 April).  Danielle shot a one under par 74 for a three round total of 215 (10 under par) over the testing Royal Troon links to take the title by two shots from Nikki Foster, Pleasington who had a final round 79.  Hannah Barwood, Knowle took third place on countback from Rachel Jennings, Isaak Walton and the leading Scot, Louise Kenney, Pitreavie.

A full list of all the scores are avaiable here and all the 2010 prize winners here.