Liz McGowan, Scotland’s most distinguished Woman’s player, has enjoyed considerable international success. However, it is her often behind- the scenes, “pro bono” work, which she has undertaken for the UK and Scottish bridge over decades, which sets her apart.
Before Scotland became a separate NBO on 1st January 2000, Liz was the first female Scot to play for Great Britain, which she did for 13 years.
She is currently the leading player on the SBU MP ranking list.
In 2022 she was awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to the Game of Bridge in Scotland in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours.
She is married with 2 daughters.
International achievements
Liz has represented Great Britain, and then Scotland, when it became an NBO in 2000, 66 times in teams, and 37 times in pairs over a span of 35 years from 1988 to the present day.
- 1988 World Women Teams Olympiad, Venice, Silver medal, playing for Great Britain with Sandra Penfold
- 1992 World Women Teams Olympiad, Salsomaggiore, Silver medal, for GB, with Sandra Penfold
- 1993 Common Market Championship, Gold medal, playing captain for GB Women’s Team
1996 World Mixed Team Olympiad, Gold medal - 1997 43rd. Generali European Ladies Team Championships, 1st. for GB
- 1999 44th Generali European Ladies Team Championships, 1st. for GB
- 2003, 1st. European Transnational Championships, Menton, 3rd. Women’s teams with Fiona McQuaker, Paula Leslie and Suzanne Cohen
Liz is Scotland’s only World and European Grand Master. She was invited to play in the Women’s World Masters Individual in 1998, 2000 and 2008, the only Scot to be honoured by the WBF in this way.
She enjoys her international travels and has many bridge friends abroad. She will visit the press room to catch up with other bridge journalists and share interesting hands as she has been a member of IBPA for many years.
