Murrayfield wins the Mail on Sunday Classic in Spain

When competitive golf in Scotland has virtually hibernated, it is something to cheer about to hear of Murrayfield's great success in the Mail on Sunday Classic, held at El Rompido on the Spanish Costa del Sol. The four semifinalist teams, two from Scotland and two from England, bundled all their golf gear on to the aeroplane and met to do battle on November 23rd and 24th far from these shores. However, to all reports, this was hardly played out in lovely warm conditions such as might have been expected as apparently the rain in Spain had not stayed mainly on the plain and it had been raining cats and dogs in El Rompido. At least it has been dry here in the Lothians albeit a trifle nippy!

Three East Vets contributed to Murrayfield's great win - these being Norma Richmond, (their ace reporter), Caroline Johnstone and Ray Lynch, the remaining members of the team being Margaret Fergusson, Lyn Wilson and Rosie Dennis. On Day One, Murrayfield played and won against Wildwood Golf Club from Surrey, the scoreline being a convincing 5 : 0 and this in the face of the opposition all having caddies, always a major advantage in soggy conditions, which according to Norma had to be seen to be believed. Those who played in this game were Margaret Fergusson, Rosie Dennis, Lyn Wilson, Norma Richmond and Caroline Johnstone. The other Scottish team, from Skelmorlie, North Ayrshire were only just beaten to the post 3 : 2 by Beau Desert from Staffordsire or it would have been an all Scottish final.

On Day 2, Murrayfield then faced Beau Desert (weather conditions unclear in the final but obviously the same for both). The Murrayfield team was unchanged except for Ray Lynch playing in place of Rosie Dennis. Margaret Fergusson won by 5 and 4 and Lyn Wilson by 2 and 1. Ray Lynch got a very honourable half in spite of being dormie 2 down - so very well done indeed Ray. Norma unfortunately met heavier opposition and lost by 4 and 3, pushing the scoreline to a knife-edge at 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 with one game to play. All depended on Caroline's game but a 4 and 2 win meant the trophy was their's. Well done indeed Murrayfield and we all hope the well-deserved champagne headaches weren't so bad the next day.

Suffice to say that at a meeting of Midlothian and East Lothian Ladies in Kingsknowe golf club, news of the result was relayed before it started and a rousing cheer could have been heard not only in Murrayfield but even in El Rompido.