A COLIN FARQUHARSON EXCLUSIVE
Colin@scottishgolfview.com 
Sammy Leslie, one of Aberdeenshire’s top girl golfers, is winning in the round of her life against … Cancer.
Aberdeenshire women's county golf champion in 2010 when she was only 18, Sammy – she prefers that abbreviation to her Christian name of “Samantha,” is determined not to let her illness and the treatment knock her golfing aspirations out of bounds.
Now 20, the Kingswells-based girl, who is a member of Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club at Balgownie, reached the semi-finals of the recent county championship and will play for Aberdeenshire in the Northern Division inter-county team championship at Monifieth from June 16 to 18.
Sammy explained how she discovered she had cancer:
"After feeling extremely lethargic, i found a lump on my neck and went to the doctor. He referred me to the hospital to get some tests.
“After many biopsies and an incisional biopsy, they diagnosed Hodgkins Lymphoma, in layman's terms cancer of the immune system!"Naturally I was quite shocked but have now come to terms with it. I
am just about halfway through my treatment and am feeling OK. My
treatment consists of eight sessions of chemotherapy with involved field radiotherapy at the end.
"I managed to play in my county championship and I think I played quite well due to the support I received from all the county ladies who were there. Gutted I couldn't play in the Scottish championship at Tain a couple of weeks ago, as it coincided with a session of chemo but delighted that Aberdeenshire team-mate Laura Murray won!
"God willing, I will be back on the course in no time. Have to get out practising ASAP as dad has won a trophy already this year - and have not heard the end of it!"
Marta Moody, captain of Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association, said:
"When those of us at ALCGA heard the news of Sammy`s serious illness and related treatment we were devastated.  However, in our concern we had not factored in Sammy's bubbly, positive personality and immense courage. 

"We have in Aberdeenshire county golf a truly remarkable young lady who is dealing with serious illness and energy- sapping treatment in the most inspirational way.  Always bright, committed to her golf and so interested in, and caring of others she brings so much to life. 
"I am immensely proud to have someone of Sammy`s calibre in the county team but more importantly, privileged to call her a friend.  She is indeed a very, very special young person."
At the 2010 Scottish women’s amateur championship at Craigelaw, Sammy won the McInnes Shaw Cup and the St Rule Salver in the qualifying rounds. She is pictured above with these trophies.