ABERDEEN-BORN PLAYER LIKELY TO TURN PRO IN 2015 SUMMER

Gemma Dryburgh in action at Prestwick last season when she finished runner-up. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

 

CURTIS CUP APPEARANCE IS GEMMA

DRYBURGH'S No 1 TARGET IN 2014

SLGA NEWS RELEASE

Gemma Dryburgh was born in Aberdeen but has spent most of her golfing career in America.  But she is very much a Scot at heart and her season’s dream is to play against the USA in the Curtis Cup at St Louis Country Club in June.  

The 20-year-old forced her way into consideration for the Great Britain and Ireland line-up that will defend the Curtis Cup from June 6-8 with a terrific second place in the British Women’s Strokeplay Championship at Prestwick last summer. 

“That was probably my best performance to date,” says Dryburgh when reflecting on the narrow one shot defeat in Ayrshire from the Chinese teenage sensation, Jing Yan. “It was a shame not to win but second was the next best thing.” 

A member of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association team at the Under-18 level, Dryburgh made her senior debut at last year’s European Team Championships.

 “I love playing for Scotland and try and get home for tournaments every summer,” Dryburgh continued. “This year, I’ll definitely be back for the British Amateur and another shot at the British Strokeplay.” 

Dryburgh spent her first ten years in Aberdeen but it was only after her dad John, an accountant, moved base to London that she really took up golf, joining Beaconsfield Golf Club in Buckinghamshire. 

“I got a handicap when I was 12 and really enjoyed it from the start,” she said. “I started to progress and it was through Carly Booth that I heard about the IMG Academy in Bradenton in Florida. 

"I went out for an Easter and a New Year camp and when I was 15 I moved over there to go to school.

“My parents came with me and Mum (Marjory) stayed there full-time and Dad went back and forth to London. It was a big sacrifice for all of us, but well worth it.”

Dryburgh moved from school to a University golf scholarship at Tulane in New Orleans – and she has rewarded her parents and dedicated herself to achieving both in the classroom and on the golf course. 

Tulane is one of the top 50 US Universities and she is now in her third year of a marketing degree and is also one of the top golfers on the US College circuit. 

But the ultimate for any amateur is to make the Curtis Cup. “I’ve definitely got my sights on making the GB and Ireland team but I know it is going to be tough,” she surmised. 

“I can only go out and do my best. The selectors’ decision is out of my control.” 

Whatever happens as regards the Curtis Cup, one plan in her own hands is a decision to make a career out of golf.

“I definitely want to turn professional and it will probably be summer 2015, once I have completed my degree,” she said. 

“While I have spent most of my golfing time in the US, I'd love to try the Ladies’ European Tour. I was at the IMG Academy at the same time as Sally Watson and it will be interesting to watch her progress this season.”

But, before then, the 2014 summer of expectation lies ahead. The Curtis Cup is the main goal – but a whole host of tournaments fill up a busy schedule. 

“Unfortunately, I can’t get back for the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Prestwick in May,” she regretted from her New Orleans base. “My first tournament at home will be the British Amateur at Royal St George’s in June.”