The 21-year-old, who won the national crown at Craigielaw in 2010, was a controversial omission from the GB&I team for next month's match with the USA, given her impressive track record and the fact that the biennial joust is taking place in her home town of Nairn.
MacDonald, who was named as a fourth reserve, has put that bitter blow behind here, though. With last season's champion, Louise Kenney, unable to defend her title due to work commitments and Curtis Cup pick Pamela Pretswell opting to compete alongside the professionals on the Ladies European Tour's Access Series, MacDonald, a +3 handicapper, will start as favourite in a 67-strong field.
"Curtis Cup selection was what I wanted," reflected MacDonald, who is building herself up for a switch to the professional arena in the next year or so. "But getting into the team wouldn't have guaranteed a successful professional career and that is the ultimate goal."
MacDonald will face stiff competition in her quest for silverware this week, not least from the Kilmacolm sister act of Megan and Eilidh Briggs. Megan landed the Scottish title at Southerness three years ago while Eilidh was runner-up in last season's championship at Machrihanish.
All players involved in the contest, which starts today, will play 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying with the top 32 progressing to the matchplay knock-out stages. The 18-hole final will take place on Saturday morning.
