Successful Scots

Thanks to the success of Kelsey MacDonald (pictured) Laura Murray and Heather MacRae at the Final Q School in Morocco, there will be eight Scots on the Ladies European Tour next year - the highest number for many years.

They join Kylie Walker, Sally Watson, Pamela Pretswell, Vikki Laing and Carly Booth on the lady pro circuit.

Three years ago, not a single Scot gained pass marks at the LET Q School and that dismal statistic was the motivating factor behind Nicola Melville and Colin Farquharson's idea of forming a domestic pro circuit on which the Scottish players could  gain more competitive experience to cope with the Q School pressure.

Paul Lawrie, Stewart Spence and Martin Gilbert liked the plan and the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tour came into being in 2013 whenHeather MacRae won its end-of-season-championship and continued this year, under the umbrella of the PGA in Scotland as the PLGC Ladies Tartan Tour, on which Laura Murray won the Murcar Links whistle stop and later the tour Order of Merit, a prize which paid her flights to Morocco and her hotel accommodation when she got there.

So the Paul Lawrie Tour achieved its objective through MacDonald, Murray and MacRae. All eight Scots who will feature on the 2015 Ladies European Tour have played on the domestic circuit at one time or another and they have all expressed their gratitude.

Alford's Laura Murray, who plays out of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, played the last four rounds in Morocco in six under par, a magnficient effort after a potentially demoralising opening round of seven-over 79. She made it on the limit pass mark, with improving rounds, capped by a five-under 67 closing score that put her into the top 30 and ties.

Laura said on her return home: "After day one when I shot seven-over-par, I knew it was a case of birdie-hunting for me, and with much support from Keil (Beveridge) , who even though he is usually a coach, played the role of caddy in Morocco. My game came together nicely for the remaining four rounds.

"I played a lot of golf in the lead up to the LET Final Q School, wherever and whenever possible. I'm so pleased I've achieved my full card. It wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Keil and my sponsors: Saltire Energy, Paul Lawrie Foundation, Dynamic Edge and Motion Software.

"It's comforting to know that when I needed to, I produced a score. This is a great step towards a new chapter of my life, and what an exciting one it's going to be. It's topped off a fantastic year for me, winning the Paul Lawrie Ladies Tartan Tour order of merit, finishing 12th on the LET Access order of merit and now this."

Nairn's Kelsey MacDonald finish joint sixth among the 34 qualifiers in Morocco. She was among the top 10 scores from the first day of the Q School.

She said: "Just delighted to have gained my full card, with such a good results. Can't thank coach Robert Rock enough for his amazing contribution to every aspect of my golf.

"ATR group, as an Aberdeen-based company, have been my sponsor since I turned professional and have backed me every step of the way, in particular Keith Moorhouse and John Cooper. Their personal encouragement is very much appreciated.

"I am delighted to be part of Scottish Ladies golf at this time and to have three Scots getting full cards at the weekend was phenomenal."

CREDIT CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY