SCHOOL'S OUT FOR PAMELA - NOW FOR THE ST RULE TROPHY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Having just completed four years at Glasgow University, Pamela Pretswell plans to celebrate in St Andrews by winning this weekend's big event on the women's amateur golf calendar, the St Rule Trophy 54-hole stroke-play over the New Course on Saturday and twice round the Old Course on Sunday.

"I was disappointed I had to miss the Scottish championship at Machrihanish, but my exams are now done so I am looking forward to getting my season underway at St Andrews this weekend," said the 22-year-old Bothwell Castle GC member who is based in Hamilton and is the current British women's open amateur stroke-play champion.

"The St Rule is one of my favourite tournaments and I am looking forward to playing over the weekend, especially without the worry of exams, etc."

Pamela, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, finished third in this event in 2009 and last year she came fourth, only one shot behind the three play-off participants - no wonder this is one of her favourites.

The field includes, for the first time, the 16-year-old Maguire twins from Co Cavan, Ireland. Lisa and Leona have already between them won the Portuguese and the Spanish women's open championships. Astonishingly, they both have a handicap of +4.

But, unlike the "Helen Holm," Scots have a very good record in winning the St Rule Trophy.

Alford's Laura Murray won it after a play-off last year and Kylie Walker had back-to-back wins in 2008-2009 while Krystle Caithness won in 2006.

Bidding to be the fourth to complete the Scottish championship-St Rule Trophy double - they are always played a week apart - will be the new national title-holder, Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).

Catriona (Matthew) Lambert did the double twice, in 1993 and 1994, Anne Laing in 1996 and Heather Stirling the most recent in 2002.

Almost alone among all the leading women's amateur events on the golf calendar, there is no cut in the St Rule Trophy format and the tee times for all three rounds (18 holes over the New course on Saturday and 36 holes over the Old Course on Sunday) are known in advance.