"GETTING THINGS RIGHT" FOR WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Gemma Dryburgh, in action at Prestwick last August when she finished second in the British      open amateur women's stroke-play. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

GEMMA DRYBURGH MISSES STROKE

-PLAY TO WORK ON SWING CHANGES
 
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
It was Gemma Dryburgh's performance in finishing second in the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Prestwick last August that propelled the Aberdeen-born player, recently turned 21, up the World Amateur Rankings and eventually into the GB and I Curtis Cup team.
But Gemma is not going to try to go one better in the same championship at Ashburnham Golf Club, South Wales this week. She has withdrawn from the field, leaving only seven Scots in a field of close on 100 - Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Tara Mactaggart (Minto), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) and Ailsa Summers.
So if the British stroke-play championship was so important for Dryburgh 12 months ago, why is she not playing in it this year.
Her father John, a North Sea oil company executive, explained:
"Gemma has been working with her coach, Lawrence Farmer, on some important changes to her swing and putting.  With the demands of tournaments and travelling over the summer she just hasn't had time to work on them properly.

"As you know, she is representing Scotland in the world amateur team championship in Japan the week after next and she is using this week and next to get things right for Japan and the upcoming US college season, her last before turning pro next May.

"It's a shame that she won't be at the British stroke-play. She would certainly have started as one of the favourites but I think she's right to look at the bigger picture as she won't get the same time once she returns to Tulane University, New Orleans."