The winner of the SVLGA Championship on Monday was title defender Martine Pow who beat Gillian Kyle in the final over the Lansdowne course.
Huge credit to our East Champion Ann Sewell who fought hard to stay in the game with Gillian in their quarter final match on the Sunday.

Monday also saw the Patrick Rosebowl played for over Rosemount. Rather a successful day for East Division with Mandy McBain winning the Rosebowl, Sal Shepherd the second place Smith Medal. East also won the team Lyon Trophy for aggregate best three nett score; Mandy and Sal were joined by Karen Marshall for this.
Karen also had the second best nett score for the day with Frances McFadzean collecting the Buchanan Cup for best nett 65-69 years.
So, there was much to celebrate that evening after the AGM.

Tuesday saw us all on Lansdowne to play the Greensomes as a Stableford this year. The Beddows Quaichs were won by Louise Walker and Isabel Cullen from West Division but the Tony Moffat Quaichs for best gross score were won by our own Wendy Nicholson and Karen Marshall.
Great effort by all our players.

Full results below:
Patrick Rosebowl
Beddows Quaich
Prize Winners
2024 Championship


One thing of note from the SVLGA AGM is the confirmation of the Associations impending name change to Scottish Senior Women’s Golf Association (SSWGA) as from October 1st 2024.
I am keen to note here that despite this change coming soon, very little will change immediately other than website name and logo which Gail and Fiona will be working on over the next weeks. Our team jumpers will stay in use until we next require a bulk order and then the new logo will be used.

Next stop is 5th November East AGM and lunch at Gullane GC.

Captain Sal

Congratulations to our 2024 Knockout Competition Winners:

Winner of the Ramsden Cup: Rae Muir
Runner Up: Dulcie Barnes

Winners of the Friendship Foursomes: Caroline Steedman and Isla McCrone
    Runners Up: Gail Mathieson and Denise Turnbull

Well done to all!

The sun was shining for our last match of the season against the Borders at Torwoodlee G.C.

Unfortunately we lost a player to illness this week (get well soon Rae) but Captain Sal was happy to jump in and play.

The format was handicapped Greensomes and I had the unfortunate chore of telling our team how many strokes they were giving away on the first tee! However they still managed to smile for their photos.

The result did not go our way this time with Borders winning 4 1/2 to 1 1/2.
Congratulations to their team and a big well done to Louise, Jane, Elaine and Carole who secured points for East.

A big thank-you goes out to Torwoodlee G.C. for their welcome and hospitality, and we look forward to hosting Borders on home ground next year.

Results were as follows;

Gilly Glen & Maureen MacKay lost to Joyce Michie & Dawn Tomlinson
Louise Campbell & Jane Browitt won against Sheila Horsburgh & June Allan
Elaine Lumsden & Carole Mason finished AS with Flora Kerr & Dorothy Small
Caroline Kinnaird & Denise Turnbull lost to Janet Brown & Maria Smail
Sal Shepherd & Elsa Todd lost to Anne Paterson & Cherry Thom
Gill Ellis-Pow & June McEwan lost to Fiona Melrose &Pauline Hogg

Thanks to everyone who played
Gail

(More photos can be found in Photos section)

Our third match of the season took us away to Strathaven G.C. to play greensomes against the West division for the ASP Trophy.

Due to a very wet and thundery morning the course didn't open until 10am and our players started on the first tee with brollies up and waterproofs on. However the sun soon came out and the course was in great shape.
All five matches were very friendly with four of them going all the way to the eighteenth. In fact it came down to the last pairing who were all square going to eighteen. I'm happy to report that they won the last hole to give us a match win of 3-2.

A huge thanks goes out to the West for their hospitality and I'd be remiss not to mention the excellent catering including the ginormous sticky toffee portions!

I know all our players had a great day on a super course and I'd like to thank them all for coming out to represent East division so well.
Until next year
Gail

ASP Trophy: AMICITIA SEMPER PALMA "friendship always wins"

Sal Shepherd & Janet Fairweather won 2Up against Elaine Robb & Katherine Elland

Frances McFadzean & Letty MaKinnon lost 4&3 to Janet McCartney & Joanna Scott

Linda Boyle & Wendy Thummanond lost 2Dn to Pauleen Cameron & Mary Scott

Fiona Larnach & Patricia Smith won 3&1 against Chris Fowler & Jocelyn Faris

Fiona Ford & Louise Campbell won 1up against Angela Kettlewell & Jennifer Mack

(More photos from the day can be found in the Photos section of this website)

Thank you to Haddington Golf Club, for hosting our SVLGA East Division Championships on July 6th following our Summer Meeting qualifier in May.
What a pleasure every year to know we will be welcomed and hosted so well by all involved at the Club.

The course, for all the adverse weather conditions in the last many months, was in fabulous condition. Many players commented on its recovery from the harsh early spring.
And what a ‘Scottish Summer’s Day’ we had. Freezing cold winter full waterproofs and woolly hats for the semi finals in the morning, then thankfully in the afternoon a wee bit warmer for shirt sleeves, just!

Saturday 6th July was a special day for us as we held our inaugural Nett Championship match play semi-finals and final.
Katy Gillies won through in the morning versus June McEwan to play the final against her Glencorse GC teammate (and our past Captain) Caroline Kinnaird, who had a very good semi-final win against Louise Campbell.
In the final, Katy had a great start and although Caroline made a fightback in the back nine, Katy prevailed at the 16th to become the first East Vets Nett Champion. Congratulations Katy, you played such steady golf in both your matches, very well deserved and I look forward to presenting you with the new trophy at our AGM in November.

As is the norm after the Summer Meeting at Haddington the Championship draw is done and the top eight qualifiers arrange their quarter final ties before finals day.
Results from the quarter finals were:
Karen Marshall beat Gilly Glen
Ann Sewell beat Hilary Laughland
Jennifer Bryans beat Fiona Larnach
Caroline Steedman beat Wendy Nicholson

So now we had the line up for semi-finals.
Karen Marshall, top qualifier v Ann Sewell.
Caroline Steedman v Jennifer Bryans.

Both semi-finals were brilliant matches played in rather tricky cold and certainly not full on summer conditions. Extremely good to watch with some lovely golf played and putts holed. From tee to green so consistent from all four players but from any wayward tee shots the recovery shots were brilliant.
The outcome of semis was Ann won 3&2 versus Karen, and Caroline won 2&1

Our 2024 East Championship final contested by Ann Sewell and Caroline Steedman was a truly exciting edge of the seat match.
Ann took an early impressive lead but Caroline, as always, her terrier self was able to pull it back mid-way then again for a second time from 2 down on the 17th tee.
So, extras were required with an electrical storm looming too.
Both Caroline and Ann hit beautiful shots into the 1st green for their third time that day.
Both putts just missed so along the second extra hole they played.
20th hole drama resulted in a win for our newest Champion Ann for 2024.
I am so proud of you both, Ann and Caroline, for how you played your way to the final and how you then played that final, with great golf, up and down but both of you showed such a calm and measured response whilst taking it all in. Hard for your Captain to see only one of you as the winner as you were both so brilliant.
As a result I am delighted to say our very own ESVLGA Committee member (an absolute rock solid support for me and us all for the last few years) ANN SEWELL is our CHAMPION.
Ann, I can stop calling you ‘boss’ now and instead ‘Champ’.
Brimming, your Captain Sal

*For more photos of the day’s proceedings please go to the PHOTOS section of the website *

We welcomed Captain Lesley Lloyd and her team from the West Division to Baberton GC for our annual singles scratch match on a rather cold and very windy morning, with the wind becoming gustier as the matches progressed.
Many thanks to Richard, Angie and all at Baberton GC for their excellent Clubhouse hospitality, and to the greenkeeping team for the presentation of the course, especially appreciated after the awful weather conditions they have had to work with in recent weeks.

Thank you all, and very well done to our team for winning back the Elise Duncan Trophy for East 5&1/2 to 3&1/2.
All the matches were well fought, and as always played in the best spirit of golf. As with all our Vets event there were stories to share, new friendships made or old to rekindle, and good memories made.

Results:
Wendy Nicholson beat Lesley Lloyd 3&2
Annie Laird lost to Ruth Hunter 5&3
Hilary Laughland beat Jane Gravil 4&3
Anne Hanson lost to Alyson Hendry 4&3
Susan Rennie lost to Liz Keohone 1dn
Fiona Steel beat Lindsay Mathie 5&4
Ann Sewell halved with Roisin Black
Caroline Steedman beat Beth Paterson 5&4
Kate Rorke beat Jennifer Mack 6&4

Every event we host, matches home or away or stroke play meetings. really are a team effort, so huge thanks from me to Vice Captain Gail for photography, ‘Boss’ Ann for playing, Secretary Fiona for posting this and our Treasurer Val for paying the bill! More images are posted in the Gallery section of this site.
Yours, Captain Sal.

There was no surprise that Tuesday was a very tricky stroke play round at Haddington GC for our 48 competitors at the 2024 East Vets Summer Meeting and Championship qualifier.
I give my thanks to all at Haddington GC for preparing the course in the best possible condition given what they, and all courses, have had to contend with this last winter and already this year. Scott Thomson, the Club Professional, and the Clubhouse team, as always, made us very welcome. Many thanks to them all for making it a successful Summer Meeting.

There were some good scores posted and special congratulations go to the following winners:
Gilly Glen Nett 70 - Summer Meeting winner
Karen Marshall 79 - Best Scratch
Fiona Findlay Nett 72 - Division 2 winner

Twos
Letty MacKinnon 10th
Susan Rennie 10th
Hilary Laughland 10th
Jennifer Bryans 10th
Louise Casey 16th

The draw for quarter finals of the Scratch Championship is as follows:
Karen Marshall v Gilly Glen
Hilary Laughland v Ann Sewell
Jennifer Bryans v Fiona Larnach
Wendy Nicholson v Caroline Steedman

Contact details for your opponents will be sent out to these competitors by email. Please ensure you play these quarter final ties at Haddington GC before the Championship Finals day on Saturday July 6th. We have kindly been granted courtesy of the course by Haddington GC for these ties so please make sure you let them know your playing an East Vets Championship tie when booking in with them.

The draw for the semi finals of the Handicap Championship is as follows:
Louise Campbell v Caroline Kinnaird
Katy Gillies v June McEwan
These semi finals will be played on the morning of Saturday July 6th at Haddington GC. We have the tee booked from 9:30am but individual match tee off times will be advised nearer the time.

Hot on the heels of playing the Midlands we were straight back to Fife for the annual match at Elie versus a British Senior Men’s team. I had half hour of panic in the morning when I realised we were one player down due to illness, but I am very grateful to super sub Tricia for last minute finding a frock and hitching a lift with Sue and Mairi. Great commitment, thankyou Tricia.
Less drama for the rest of the assembled team who met up at the Clubhouse for a drink and a chance to size up the opposition, followed by a lovely two course meal. Many thanks to the Men’s team and all at Elie GC for the hospitality provided. I must apologise for not taking a team picture!

Off to the first tee for the golf, and what an opening tee shot Elie provides. There is literally a periscope in the starters box so you can see where the first green is hiding.
The weather was not the kindest but our team clearly coped well with the east wind and the squally rain that came and went. Here are the results to illustrate:
David Simpson and Douglas McNair lost 3&2 to Wendy Nicholson and Karen Marshall
Nigel Watt and Alistair Brown lost 7&5 to Sue Penman and Sal Shepherd
John Duncan and Johnny Allbrook lost 1dn to Kate Rorke and Gail Mathieson
Richard Muckart and Douglas Donaldson lost 2&1 to Annie Laird and Ann Sewell
Graham Duncan and Roddy McDonald lost 2&1 to Mairi Pollock and Sharon Lynch
Campbell Evans and Stuart Allison won 7&6 against Annabel Edmond and Tricia Smith
ESVLGA win 5-1.

My appreciation and thanks go to Johnny Allbrook the new Captain of the Men’s team. The match was played in the best spirit of the game, very competitive but with great fun too. Thanks also to Wendy for assisting in team persuasion and selection, and as always your committee for their support. I have resisted this match in the past but it really is a super day out and what a fantastic course to play.
Obviously, I am a very happy Captain Sal and so proud of the team and this win after so many years. Very well done everyone.
(I am keen to do a bit of digging into the history of this match find out when we did last win. I have a couple of potential leads to follow so please watch this space.)

Our opening match of the season took us across the Forth to Fife and Ladybank GC to play our annual scratch singles match.

The course was in great condition and appearance. Unfortunately, we had to leave the Liz Miskimmon Friendship Quaich behind again but I am sure our team enjoyed the day out and the golf with some old and new friends.
Results:-
Barbara Biggart lost 3&1 to Elsie Hutcheon
Dianne Brown lost 2dn to Lesley Gibb
Mairi Pollock halved with Jude Allardyce
Sharon Lynch lost 3&2 to Claire Capocci
Gail Mathison lost 1dn to Morag Wardrop
Louise Casey lost 5&4 to Joyce Murdoch
Fiona Larnach won 4&3 against Fiona Johnston

So, Midlands win 5.5 to 1.5 & keep the Quaich.

Thanks to all those who played for our team and to Midland’s Fiona Johnston, Evelyn Hamilton and Ladybank GC for hosting such a lovely day out. I think I am right in saying I was the only one to see a red squirrel. Clearly not paying attention to the golf!
Captain Sal.

55 East Vets came along to Winterfield GC at Dunbar for the first golf event for the new season to play in the Spring Meeting. We felt rather fortunate to be playing on that calm and dry day as the Sunday was so windy the course was unplayable, and the following was a downpour day.
The difficulty of the conditions and the rather ‘interesting’ pin positions was reflected in a PCC of +3.
Congratulations to Isla McCrone, who won with an excellent Nett 69, clearly enjoying life after MCLGA Captaincy. Division 2 winner was June McEwan with Nett 73. Both Caroline Steedman and Anne Hanson had impressive scratch scores of 74, Caroline takes the prize with the better inward half.
There were 4 players who made a two, Anne McCarthy, Hilary Laughland, Anne Hanson and Louise Campbell.

Many thanks to all the team at Winterfield GC who as with every visit made us all very welcome. I had a very enjoyable day and would like to thank all participants and especially your EV committee who navigated the reporting of scores perfectly meaning no post Spring Meeting sleepless nights for me. One absence to note was our Vice Captain Gail who had to call off after a seemingly trauma filled trip home at the weekend from Texas, probably felt like being on a spin cycle on a plane in that wind!

Next up is the Summer Meeting & Championship Qualifier on May 21st at Haddington. Don’t forget we have added a Handicap Championship for this year, so it is all to play for at Haddington. All information will be emailed out in due course.