MICHELE THOMSON ENTERS SCOTTISH YOUNG PROS' CHPSHIP

Left to right: Lady professionals Julie Forbes (formerly Aboyne, now based in Ireland), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Portlethen Golf Club head pro Muriel Thomson, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency at Saturday's Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association Centenary Year luncheon at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Pitfodels near Aberdeen.

FORMER CURTIS CUP PLAYER AND SCOTTISH CHAMPION REGAINS APPETITE FOR GOLF
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish women's amateur champion Michele Thomson has recovered her appetite for golf and entered the Scottish Young Professionals' Championship at Craigielaw on April 14-15.
After a spell in England on the staff of Brian Connor, Manchester Golf Club's head pro, Michele is back in her Aberdeenshire home town of Ellon and club pro Sandy Aird has taken her on as a member of his staff at a club where she is an honorary member.

Big-hitting Michele lost her European Ladies Tour playing rights at the end of the 2009 season and a family bereavement also dampened her ambition. She gave up the game completely for several months.

“During 2009 I became very disillusioned with golf. After really enjoying the competitive and social side of my amateur golf career it seemed that after the experience of the Curtis Cup joining the pro ranks was the natural way forward,” said Michele.

“Maybe it was a step too soon, but then again maybe life as a golf tour pro is just not for me. I don’t know. Now, I am back in Ellon and looking forward to the new season. I've regained my appetite for golf and entered the Scottish young professionals’ championship at Craigielaw on April 14 and 15.
"I also intend joining the North-east Alliance again for its 2011-2012 winter season."
Sandy Aird, junior, the McDonald Ellon club pro, commented:
“I am delighted to have Michele join our team here at the pro shop. Michele is obviously very popular here in Ellon but, more importantly, she is extremely enthusiastic about developing her knowledge base in golf and becoming a fully qualified PGA professional.
“Already in her first few weeks here she has shown what an asset she will be, assisting me in starting up new junior classes, some of which she will be taking herself.
“We hope to help her with her development and have her with us at McDonald Golf Club for a long time into the future.”