 |
| Alison Davidson, back left, with fellow Scots Mhairi McKay, back right, and Janice Moodie, front, after helping Great Britain & Ireland win the 1996 Curtis Cup at Killarney. |
By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman)
Until a fortnight ago, Alison Davidson was the last Scottish player to have been crowned as the R&A Women’s Amateur champion, having landed the prize at Cruden Bay in 1994.
Only time will tell what lies ahead in the game for Louise Duncan after she ended Scotland’s drought in the event, but Davidson has shown that satisfaction can be found by staying in the amateur ranks.
The Stirling woman never even gave turning professional consideration at the height of a career that also saw her win four points out of four in a Curtis Cup and insists she has no regrets whatsoever.
How did you feel when West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan became the first Scot since then to claim the title with her recent win at Kilmarnock (Barassie)?
AD: It was nice to have that title of being the last Scot to win the British Amateur, but it was time someone else won it and I am absolutely thrilled for Louise. I think Scottish golf is in a great place right now and hopefully Louise can move on and, fingers crossed, we can have some Scots in the Curtis Cup later this year, if it goes ahead. Twenty-four years is a long time and it had to happen at some point, though I am surprised it took so long (laughing).
You might already have partly answered this one, but sum what golf has meant for you?
AD: Mainly it’s a game that I love. Even though I don’t play as much competitively now as I did, I still go out and give it my best shot every time I go out. I’m very passionate about golf and one of the main things I love about golf is the friendships I’ve made. All my good friends are golfers and I still follow all the girls I used to play international golf with. In my first Home Internationals, my foursomes partner was Catriona Matthew and I still follow their careers. I just think it’s a fantastic game for friendships.
