Great East Vet Representation in Scottish Seniors Championship at Portpatrick Dunskey

There is a very commendable representation by East Vets of nineteen out of a total entry of 82. Last year at Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Moira Thomson of Gullane reached the semi-finals of the matchplay and the year before at Kinross, Fiona Hunter of Baberton won the Stroke-Play trophy. Fingers crossed at Portpatrick. Could we have another winner in this group.

This year there is a change to format. The first two days are the stroke-play days when the strokeplay champion amongst other winners, is found. The following two days, the top eight qualifiers battle it out for the match-play championship title. However it has been noticed over the years how, for the majority, the first two days was the important bit and after that if they didn't qualify, well they might as well go home - which they did, in their droves. What a shame. So this year, all change. After the top sixteen have qualified all the others are in the running for the next competition. The top eight nett scores, after the first sixteen scratch have been dismissed, will fight it out in a nail-biting handicap competition. What could be better. They should have thought of this years ago. The now abandonned consolation tournament (known as 'The Plate')for those eliminated in the first round of the match-play was all very well but that still only involved the same sixteen players out of the entire entry - so much for the rest. Now we have something for others to play for. Excellent.

So here are the aspiring nineteen East Vets - in the order of going out in the first round, for whom special notice will be given as regards reporting on strokeplay rounds.

Lesley Johnston (Gullane)
Ruth Brown (Lothianburn)
Karen Ballantyne (Craiglaw Park)
Sue Penman (Gullane)
Pamela Williamson (Baberton)
Anne Brownie (Gullane)
Fiona Hunter (Baberton)
Moira Thomson (Gullane)
Noreen Fenton (Dunbar)
Barbara Biggart (North Berwick)
Rita Dee (Kingsknowe)
Joanne Watt (Gullane)
Frances McFadzean (Craigmillar Park)
Clare Bowe (Gullane)
Maureen McRobb (Atalaya)
Dorothy Thomson (Gullane)
Gilly Glen (Craigmillar Park)
Mary Richardson (Craigmillar Park)
Vickie Sandeman (Gullane)

Have a great time ladies. Portpatrick is lovely or at least it will be if the rain stays away. Keep an eye on the website and a slideshow of the Jewel of Galloway might appear. If you have time off from the practice ground, have a jaunt around. You'll love it.