Breakthrough win for Booth

Nick Rodger

Golf Correspondent

Monday 7 May 2012

analysis Scottish 19-year-old's talent is realised with first senior tour title, writes Nick Rodger

Carly Booth celebrates with the Ladies' Scottish Open trophy. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA

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Nick Rodger

Keep the faith. That was the message Carly Booth's manager instilled into those who had invested in the Perthshire teenager's talents. On Saturday, at Archerfield Links in East Lothian, the rewards arrived as she landed her first title on the women's European circuit with a one-stroke victory in the Ladies' Scottish Open.

She may only be 19, but Booth has been in the spotlight for years due to her bountiful achievements in the amateur game.When she made the switch into the paid ranks amid much fanfare in 2009, it was hardly surprising that representatives from IMG, the global marketing giant, swooped in to take her under their wing. A series of high-profile sponsors, including the weekend event's backer, Aberdeen Asset Management, swiftly came on board and everything seemed good to go. The career would remain on the launch pad, however, as Booth struggled to make an impact on the circuit and lost her full playing rights at the end of 2011. Now, the former Curtis Cup player, who was mentored by Nick Faldo during her junior days, has finally blasted off."Carly was very high profile as an amateur and it's a massive adjustment when a player moves into the professional game," said her manager, Vicky Cummings, last night. "There has been no pressure on her at all from us though. This is a long-term relationship. "She has good partnerships with sponsors and it is great that they have all stuck by her. She's so young and it would have been ridiculous for anyone to walk away. In fact, I guaranteed all her sponsors they would regret it if they had walked away. Now it's a case of onwards and upwards."With a three-year tour exemption, as well as guaranteed tee times for this season's Women's British Open and the lucrative Evian Masters, Booth has plenty to look forward to. Yet, as she basked in her glory, the young Scot took a look back. The support of her family has been key in her development, while the golf course carved out by her dad Wally in the grounds of his Comrie farm, where both Carly and brother Wallace could hone their skills, will always remain a cherished piece of terrain."I don't think I would've achieved anything near what I have, particularly in the amateur game, without that course in the garden," said Booth with a smile.Team Booth has been bolstered by the coaching nous of Sandy Smith, the highly respected Ladybank pro, who is helping to fine tune her natural talent and ensuring that she gets the most out of her superb ball-striking."She's got all the ability in the world," said Smith. "There's always been such great expectation on her, and she felt it, especially with the sponsors who came on board, and I think she found herself trying too hard in order to try to pay them back immediately. What we've tried to do is to put that aside and try to make her feel that golf is fun."Booth certainly enjoyed herself at Archerfield as she staved off the challenge of playing partner Florentyna Parker down a tense home stretch to claim the €32,706 first prize with a four-under aggregate of 212 after a closing 71.Having established a foothold on the European scene, Booth is eager to continue making strides on this side of the Atlantic and was quick to dismiss suggestions of her going to the US to compete on the LPGA circuit. There will be plenty of time for such ventures. As Barry Hume, the former Scottish champion, who was Booth's caddie at the weekend, said: "I don't even think she's scratched the surface of her potential yet."

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Breakthrough win for Booth

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