DRYBURGH, MEEK AND SUMMERS NEW SCOTLAND CAPS FOR FULFORD

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

St Rule Trophy winner Ailsa Summers, a student at St Andrews University, and Carnoustie Ladies clubmate Jessica Meek and Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh are new full Scotland caps in the squad of six named by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to compete in the European women's team golf championship at Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire from July 9 to 13.

Dryburgh, who plays on the US women's college circuit as a student at Tulane University, New Orleans and whose father is an Aberdeen-based oil executive, is the No2 Scot in the world amateur rankings next to Sally Watson who is turning professional later this month.

Meek leads the professionals on the Paul Lawrie Ladies Tour Order of Merit after four events during which she has not finished out of the top five. She was the leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the recent Scottish women's amateur championship at Longniddry.

The team is completed by Stirling physical education student Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), new Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Rachel Watton (Mortonhall), a student at Denver University.
 Dryburgh, Meek and possibly Watton are unlikely to be available for the Women's Home Internationals at Scotscraig Golf Club, Fife from September 13.
In Meek's case, she will have enrolled at the University of Missouri only a few weeks previously and freshmen are not normally released while they are still learning the ropes.
As far as Dryburgh and possible Watton is concerned, Gemma's father explained to me the situation:

"Gemma is delighted with her inclusion for the European team championship. It is the cherry on the cake after a good run starting with her second win of the season at the Conference USA final and eleventh place at the NCAA Regionals and seventeenth place at Nationals, one shot out of the medals. Her end of season Golfweek ranking of 75th is again an improvement on her freshman season despite some ordinary play mid-season.

"Her joy has been tempered a bit this afternoon as she has just learned that Andrew Pratt, her college coach, is heading to Auburn University next season and that the Fall Preview tournament, the biggest US college tournament outside of the National Finals, has been brought forward to early September and coincides with the Home Internationals.

"Gemma was desperate to play for Scotland and we thought that this year she would get the chance, if picked, but that's not to be as no college team invited to the Fall Preview, which doubles up as the venue for the National Championship, will release a player during that week."

If Denver University are invited, that would also rule out Watton from selection in September.

 EUROPEAN WOMEN'S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire: July 9 to 13

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield)

Alyson McKechin (Elderslie)

Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies)

Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies)

Rachael Watton (Mortonhall)

 

 EUROPEAN GIRLS' TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Linkopings Golf Club, Sweden: July 9 to 13

Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies)

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)

Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany)

Heather Munro (Monifieth)

Lauren Whyte (St Regulus)

Clara Young (North Berwick)

 

EUROPEAN YOUNG MASTERS (Under-16s)

Hamburger Golf Club, Germany: July 25-27

Emma Hale (Troon Ladies)

Fiona Liddell (Schloss Vornholz, Germany)

HENRY COOPER JUNIOR MASTERS (Under-18s)
Nizels Golf Club, Kent, June 20-23

Tegan Seivwright (Deeside)
 Tara MacTaggart (Minto)