Senior Ladies European Team Championship

Days 1 and 2 of the Strokeplay Qualifying stage of this competition have been completed at Dun Laoghaire Golf Course in Ireland in very difficult conditions, when all competitors have donned the obligatory waterproofs and worn concrete-soled golf shoes simply to keep their balance. Scoring has been fairly high with few really low rounds. However Scotland has achieved its primary goal by qualifying for the first flight of the competition after which all teams are on an even playing field when the matchplay games kick off.

Scotland was fifth out of fifteen having a total for the top five players of +109 over par for both days. Ireland (home team) hold the honours with +78 over par. Scotland's total of 423 on Day One was improved by seven strokes on Day Two. The first flight consists of (in order of scoring) - Ireland, Sweden, Spain, England, Scotland, France, Italy and Germany.

At the time of posting, the draw had not been made but following general principles it will be:

Ireland v Germany
Scotland v England
Spain v France
Italy v Sweden

Individual scoring for our girls over the two days was :

Fiona de Vries(St Rule) 81,87
Lorna Bennett(Ladybank) 83,85
Mary Smith(Tain) 87,82
Heather Anderson(Alyth) 90,79
Moira Thomson(Gullane Ladies) 86,85
Fiona Hunter(Baberton) 86,85

An aimless meandering through the individual hole-scoring by our team produced only four birdies - two by Mary Smith, one by Moira Thomson and one by Fiona de Vries. Less than half the holes throughout the two days were pars. This gives some idea of the horrendous conditions. Many congratulations to Heather Anderson who recouped on a disastrous first round of 90 with a pretty fantastic 79 in Round 2 - and that included a seven at the par 5 twelfth which she successfully put straight out of her mind by producing six straight birdies. Well done, Heather.

Tomorrow the matchplay stage begins with one two ball foursome and four singles, each game having the same value when it comes to scores on the doors. Good luck to you all!

PS Have you noticed that there is a link straight to the live scoring on the left hand side? Just in case this only applies to the qualifying rounds you should have access to the matchplay results as they happen if you go into http://www.ilgu.ie/. and click on the European Senior Ladies Championship top left.