Kelsey MacDonald in GB team
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KELSEY MacDonald took a step close to selection for the Curtis Cup next year after being picked for the Ladies Golf Union Elite Squad that will contest next month’s Astor Trophy.
Reigning women’s national champion MacDonald and fellow golfers from Great Britain and Ireland face a selection of players from British Commonwealth countries over the course at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club.
Formally known as the Commonwealth Trophy, the competition takes place between 15-19th June with Great Britain and Ireland coming up against Australia, Canada and South Africa in what is almost a dress rehearsal for the Curtis Cup.
Alongside Nairn Dunbar member MacDonald, at Lytham will be fellow Scot Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Amy Boulden (Wales) and English pair Holly Clyburn and Kelly Tidy, who defeated MacDonald in last year’s final of the British Women’s Championship.
It has been MacDonald’s ambition since a young girl to play in the Curtis Cup and when it was announced that Nairn would host the competition in 2012, it became even more of a dream.
Upon hearing of her selection, the 20-year-old, now a student at Stirling University from where she recently won the British Universities Championship, was naturally very pleased.
"This news is fantastic as 2010 was my best year and it is a huge boost for the start of 2011," she said. "I am delighted to be rewarded with this selection."
* Tain’s Anne Ryan, who missed out on a first Northern Counties Women’s Championship title after losing in the final to Elgin’s Jenny Milne last month, had to settle for a runner’s-up place again last weekend when she lost in the final of the Highland Veteran Women’s Championship to Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) at Inverness Golf Club.
In the semi-finals, McAndrew defeated Isobel McIntosh (Inverness) and Ryan overcame Eileen Manson (Thurso).
* Nairn Dunbar Golf Club have a Spring Mixed Open on Sunday 15th May and the W. J. Gordon and McDermott Rosebowl Open on Sunday 22nd May.
Late entries are still being accepted and those interested can enter on www.nairndunbar.com, or phone (01667) 452741.
