Note from Editor Colin Farquharson: Intrigued by the entry to this year's Scottish girls' championship of a "Rachael Taylor from Bad Griesbach," I asked her to let me - and Kirkwood golf readers - know more about her and life/golf as she grows up in Germany.
With the help of her mother, Rachael (pictured left playing for Scotland in the recent Girls Home Internationals) has sent the following very readable "Letter from Germany":

Growing up in Germany as a head

pro's daughter - by Rachael Taylor

Hello Colin,
Here is some information about the "Hartl Golf Resort, Bad Griesbach"
Bad Griesbach is a small town situated in south-east Germany, about 90min from Munich Airport.
It is part of a triangle (trio) of Spa towns, Bad Griesbach, Bad Birnbach and Bad Füssing. These areas have built up their own tourist industry around the 60 degree thermal waters which are available as thousands of Germans come here rest and recuperate.
The Golf Resort began in 1989 with one golf course and the Golfodrom (now the largest Golf Academy and training facility in Europe with 36 Professionals)
The Resort boasts five championship golf courses (all with their own individual styles- three hillly, two flat) with three nine-hole courses and a further two six-hole courses. The Golfodrom driving-range has 200 grass and 89 covered practice spaces with 21 heated boxes. It also has a club fitting centre, a swing analysis centre with all the latest technology and,of course, a putlab. There are over 4000 members in the Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
My parents came here in 1992 when the Golf Resort was just developing and was the No 1 destination for would-be golfers. At that time there were American, English, Irish and many Scots pros working here.
Throughout the years many of the original pros have moved on and many German assistants who trained here have stayed.
My dad became head professional in 2006. He trains the Junior Section and both adult and senior teams.
I started playing golf at around eight years and did my "Platzreife" (playing license) at the age of nine. There weren't many young people playing then and I only started playing golf tournaments at 11. From that time on I only played golf tournaments with adults. There are approximately 160 tournaments per year and the standard of golf has continued to improve through the years.
My dad started the Junior Section in 2004 and from the year 2006 kids with handicap 36 or better were allowed to join.
There are other facilities for beginners. We developed a team and took part in a series of golf events which culminated in us winning the "Niederbayerische Meisterschaft" (Lower Bavarian Championship).
I have held the title of "Niederbayerische Meisterin" for three of the last four years, having retained my title only 3 weeks ago.
Three years ago I started to take part in tournaments run by the Bavarian Golf Association where I played with young people my age and around the same standard.
Last year I was fourth in the Bavarian Championship Finals and qualified for the German National Championships. Around this time it was obvious that I would have to make a choice about my nationality as I have dual citizenship. The only reason I had German citizenship was to have access to particular tournaments, simply because I live here.
This year I was third in the Bavarian women's championship which was a great thrill. I had always wanted to come over to Scotland and play, but I always seemed too busy with other tournaments here.
I decided to have a go at a Scots tournament and entered the Scottish girls championship at Lanark. Schools don't break up here in Germany until the end of July, so I had to steal a week from school, otherwise I would have stayed on and played in Nairn (at the Scottish Under-21 girls' stroke-play championship).
My first experience playing in Scotland was fantastic. The ladies from the SLGA were so friendly and welcoming and I felt very much at home playing with my fellow Scots. I reached the quarter finals and was beat on the 18th hole by Ailsa Bain who, of course, went on to win the title.
I was surprised, delighted and very very proud to be chosen to play for Scotland in the Girls' Home Internationals at Fairhaven GC in Lancashire. It was a dream come true.
I have just returned home from Lancashire after my first foray into British golf and had a terrific time with the team. Margaret McNaughtanand Karen Marshall and all the travelling officials were just great.
Kevin Craggs is a terrific trainer and motivator and I really look forward to working with him in the future.
I am travelling back over to Scotland to play in St Andrews with the girls and officials at the end of August. I only regret not having entered the British girls championship at West Lancashire GC.
I have still one year of school to do, the German system being completely different from Britain, and I am weighing up my further-education options at the moment. I do though, fully intend entering as many Scottish tournaments in 2010 as is possible.
I hope I have given you a little "Überblick" (overview) of Germany and where I am at the moment.
Thanks,
Rachael Taylor