Student golfer set for Augusta challenge
°®Âþµº golfer, Louise Duncan, is taking on a unique challenge this week as she competes in the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur in Georgia, US.
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°®Âþµº golfer, Louise Duncan, is taking on a unique challenge this week as she competes in the prestigious Augusta National Women¡¯s Amateur in Georgia, US.
The 22 year-old Sports Studies student was invited to the event, hosted by the famous Augusta National Golf Club, as a result of winning the Women¡¯s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and her appearance follows a successful debut at the AIG Women¡¯s Open at Carnoustie last summer which has given her confidence heading into the new season.
She said: ¡°Playing in the AIG Women¡¯s Open I played well. I had Dean (Robertson ¨C coach) on the bag which was a great experience for us both and coming off that I¡¯d gained a lot of confidence and belief in my own game.¡±
And that enhanced belief will be a key component as Duncan prepares to take on some of the world¡¯s best players in Augusta and the West Kilbride-native is excited about putting her game to the ultimate test.
She said: ¡°Going to Augusta hasn¡¯t really sank in yet. I think it maybe will once I get there but it¡¯s every golfer¡¯s dream to go over there so I can¡¯t wait to say that I¡¯ve played it and I¡¯m really excited.
¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to getting experience playing on the American courses. I¡¯ve not had much exposure out there.
¡°I think the greens are a lot different from over here, it might be a wee bit trickier so to get over there and get some experience will be valuable for going forward.¡±
Duncan has also been invited to compete at the Women¡¯s US Open at Pine Needles in North Carolina, in June, and is hoping to use Augusta as a benchmark for assessing her early season form.
She said: ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to seeing where my game¡¯s at. So, to get out there early doors, I¡¯m looking forward to see where it¡¯s at and where I can improve on for a big season ahead.¡±
Duncan is part of the University¡¯s high performance golf programme which offers a fantastic package of support including training, competition and funding support to fit alongside athletes¡¯ academic studies.
The event was established to inspire greater interest and participation in the women¡¯s game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for some of the world¡¯s best amateur players.
The 2022 event will take place between 30 March ¨C 2 April.