The SLGA is pleased to announce the following teams to represent Scotland.

SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play Championship, Strathmore Golf Centre, 8-9 April:
Team 1 Lesley Atkins (Minto), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Clara Young (North Berwick);
Team 2 Connie Jaffray (West Kilbride), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies);
Reserves 1 Linsey Stevenson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), 2 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)

Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, Troon, 23-25 April:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle);
Reserves 1 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), 2 Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Welsh Ladies' Open Amateur 54 Hole Stroke Play Championship, Southerndown Golf Club, 1-2 May:
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Laura Murray (Alford), Jane Turner (Craigielaw);
Travelling reserve Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

Irish Ladies' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Newlands Golf Club, 5-6 June:
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Jane Turner (Craigielaw);
Travelling reserve Laura Murray (Alford); Reserve Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar)

The annual mailing containing the 2010 Handbook, posters and entry forms was posted on 5 and 8 March to those clubs whose subscription has been paid. Clubs are reminded that the 2010 subscription fell due on 1 January.

LESLEY RETAINS SCOTTISH CAPTAINCY 

Lesley Nicholson is hoping to make it third time lucky when she Captains Scotland at the Women’s Home Internationals at Whitchurch in Wales in September. 

Scotland finished third when Nicholson was a rookie Captain at the Home Internationals in 2008 and, last year, the side narrowly lost out to Wales in a final day showdown for the title at Irvine Golf Club.  

This year, Nicholson, a former Ladies’ European Tour professional, has also been appointed Captain for the European Ladies’ Team Championship at La Manga in Spain in July.  

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association has named the full list of Captains for the 2010 season and the Baberton pair of Karen Marshall and Pamela Williamson have also been handed double roles.  

Marshall has been named captain of the Scottish team for both the Girls’ Home Internationals (Bangor in August) and the Girls’ European Championship (Aalborg, Denmark, in July), while Pamela is in charge for September’s European Senior Team Championship (Berlin) and the Senior Home Internationals (Sheringham). 

Elaine Cuthill (Lanark) has been appointed Captain of the Scottish side for the SLGA Under-16 Championship, a tournament that marks the start of the domestic season at Strathmore in April. 

Nicholson is looking forward to the challenges ahead.  “We came very, very close to lifting the trophy at the Home Internationals last year and I think we have a great chance to do well in all competitions this year,” she said. 

“We have lost Kylie Walker and Carly Booth to the professional ranks, but there are so many new players coming through. There is a lot of golf to be played before the teams are picked and the SLGA coach, Kevin Craggs, makes sure everyone is extremely focused. 

The amateur side of the game has come on by leaps and bounds in Scotland in recent years and this is going to be a very exciting year.”  

National Squad players Megan Briggs, Eilidh Briggs, Gillian Monteith, Laura Murray, Gabrielle Macdonald, Kelsey Macdonald, Alyson McKechin, Jane Turner, Rachael Watton and Rebecca Wilson have just returned from Desert Springs, Spain after attending a Warm weather training camp. The squad were fortunate to be accompanied by the Ricoh Women’s British Open winner, Catriona Matthew, who played and trained as part of the squad. This provided an excellent opportunity for our young players to gain from her experience. Catriona gave the girls great encouragement. The girls were extremely excited about Catriona travelling with them, something they will never forget. 

Also, travelling with the squad were SLGA National Coach, Kevin Craggs, sportscotland Institute of Sport physiotherapist, Karen Young and SLGA Performance Director, Beth Paterson. 

Desert Springs gave the players a chance to train in good conditions in preparation for the forthcoming season. The Golf Union of Wales was in Desert Springs at the same time and this gave the squad a chance to play a competitive match, which the Welsh won. The Welsh team had Walker Cup Captain and four times Walker Cup player, Nigel Edwards playing for them. 

We are very grateful to our funding partners; the R & A and sportscotland who helped to fund this trip.

The 2010 Handicap Mailing addressed to Ladies Handicap Secretaries at clubs was posted on Thursday 4 February.  It contains:

 - The 2010 Handicap Pack which includes the list of qualifying competitions for 2010
 - A CONGU Manual
 - An order form for additional CONGU Manuals
 - An application form for a 9 hole course SSS
 - The entry form for the Scottish Match Play Foursomes