Golf: Claire Hargan keen to play on and defend title

CLAIRE HARGAN is hoping to defend her Midlothian Women's title this year despite landing a new job with the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.

The 33-year-old from Edinburgh has been appointed as the new championship manager by the Perth-based organisation.

She will be in charge of running the major women's and girls' amateur events in Scotland and expects to be kept busy.

But Hargan, who starts her new role next week after working for 11 years with Scottish Widows in the Capital, is keeping her fingers crossed that she'll be able to squeeze in the time to defend her Midlothian crown.

"I was wanting to do something in sport and the post with the SLGA came up at just the right time," said the Mortonhall member.

"I'll be involved in running all the major events and it will be a great new challenge. It is a fantastic opportunity to work in golf and do something new.

"I'll not be able to play in any of the major championships myself but I hope to defend my county title."

Hargan, a six-time Midlothian champion, reached the final of the Scottish Championship at St Andrews in 2003 and is a former Scottish international.