SUCCESS for Kelsey MacDonald, Laura Murray and Heather MacRae at the Qualifying School Final in Morocco over the weekend means that there will be eight Scots on the Ladies European Tour next year, the highest number for many a year.
They join Kylie Walker, Sally Watson, Pamela Pretswell, Vikki Laing and Carly Booth on the circuit.
Three years ago, not a single Scot gained pass marks at the LET Q School and it was the motivating factor behind Nicola Melville and Colin Farquharson's idea of forming a domestic pro circuit on which the Scottish players could gain more competitive experience to cope with Q School pressure.
Paul Lawrie, Stewart Spence and Martin Gilbert liked the plan and the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tour came into being in 2013 - MacRae won its end-of-season championship - and continued this year under the umbrella of the PGA in Scotland as the PLGC Ladies Tartan Tour. Murray won the Murcar Links whistle stop and later the tour Order of Merit, a prize which earned her flights to Morocco and hotel accommodation when she got there.
While the Paul Lawrie Tour achieved its objective through MacDonald, Murray and MacRae, all eight Scots who will feature on the 2015 LET have played on the domestic circuit at one time or another and they have all expressed their gratitude.
Murray, the Alford pro who plays out of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, played the last four rounds in Morocco in six under par, a magnificent effort after a potentially demoralising opening round of seven-over 79. She made it on the limit pass mark, with improving rounds, capped by a five-under 67 closing score that put her into the top 30 and ties.
She said "After day one when I shot seven over par, I knew it was a case of birdie-hunting for me and, with much support from Keil [Beveridge] who, even though he is usually a coach, played the role of caddy in Morocco, my game came together nicely for the remaining four rounds.
"I played a lot of golf in the lead-up to the LET Q School Final, wherever and whenever possible. I'm so pleased I've achieved my full card. It wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Keil and my sponsors Saltire Energy, Paul Lawrie Foundation, Dynamic Edge and Motion Software.
"It's comforting to know that, when I needed to, I produced a score. It's topped off a fantastic year for me: winning the Paul Lawrie Ladies Tartan Tour order of merit, finishing 12th on the LET Access order of merit and now this."
MacDonald, from Nairn, finish joint sixth among the 34 qualifiers in Morocco and had among the top 10 scores from the first day of the Q School.
She said: "Just delighted to have gained my full card, with such a good results; can't thank coach Robert Rock enough for his amazing contribution to every aspect of my golf. ATR group, as an Aberdeen-based company, have been my sponsor since I turned professional and have backed me every step of the way, in particular Keith Moorhouse and John Cooper. Their personal encouragement is very much appreciated."
"I am delighted to be part of Scottish Ladies golf at this time and to have three Scots getting full cards at the weekend was phenomenal."
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