KELSEY WANTS LAST SEASON AS AN AMATEUR TO BE THE TOPS

Kelsey MacDonald is preparing to turn professional in 2013 - but not before signing off from her amateur career in style. Kelsey, part of the GB and I team which won the 2011 Astor Trophy and a record four-time Scotland U21 Strokeplay champion, is working hard towards selection for the 2012 Curtis Cup team, starting with a trio of tournaments in Florida next month.
The 21-year-old is one of seven students from the University of Stirling heading for the Orange Blossom Ladies Amateur Tour.
A strong field is expected at the prestigious events, where Kelsey has fared well in the past, including reaching the 2009 Jones/Doherty final against American teenager Lexi Thompson, who last week became the youngest professional winner of a Ladies European Tour event.
Kelsey, ranked 86th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, said: "Making that final was probably my proudest moment. I played with her [Lexi] at all three tournaments that year and it was good to get an idea of the level of my golf and test myself against some great players.
"Playing on the Orange Blossom Tour is really important for us as it gives us a head-start with the season back home not starting until April. I don't think there can be too much emphasis placed on results, but it's a good chance to get some important warm weather training as a team and to represent the University of Stirling and Scotland.
"The plan is for the 2012 season to be my last before I turn professional and it just so happens to be a Curtis Cup year, and in Nairn. I know everyone back home would be over the moon if I was picked as the Curtis Cup is already such a big deal for them, but I have to try and treat it like it is being played anywhere.
"I can only do my best and hope it is enough. I have to go and have the best season I can to give me the platform to do well in tour qualifying. I've even bought new clubs and I'm really looking forward to putting them to the test in Florida."
Following the Stirling University team's return from Florida, Kelsey will continue her warm weather training in Abu Dhabi before the spring semester starts in February.