Why it's too early to get giddy about new Scottish Golf Women and Girls Strategy

On the back of a new Women and Girls Strategy being announced by the governing body on the eve of the $2 million ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, it would have been perfect if a home player had been up on the leaderboard along with the likes of Lottie Woad and Nelly Korda over the weekend in the LET and LPGA co-sanctioned event.

Even better if it had been Hannah Darling or Lorna McClymont, the first two players to benefit from an exciting new partnership with the Sean Connery Foundation to support Scotland’s top female amateurs as they move into the professional ranks.

Alas, Darling and McClymont missed the cut along with Kelsey MacDonald and Kylie Henry while Gemma Dryburgh had to dig deep to be involved in the final two rounds. It was disappointing effort from the home hopefuls, but, at the same time, underlined the task facing the likes of Darling and McClymont as they bid to make headway in their new careers.

In fairness, Dryburgh has shown what is achievable on the global stage, having overcome a rude awakening to life on the LPGA to become a winner on the top circuit in the women’s game, as well as playing in the Solheim Cup. Given that, it’s pretty sad, really, that she doesn’t have a sponsor on either her bag or hat at the moment when she is flying the Saltire on the game’s biggest stages in the US in particular but also in the Far East.

Compared, of course, to Darling and McClymont, Dryburgh has a bit of experience under her belt. This was Darling’s professional debut while McClymont is just halfway through her rookie season in the paid ranks. For both, this was a first Women’s Scottish Open appearance and, though obviously exciting, the fact it was on home soil created additional pressure.

Yes, of course, it would have been gutting for both Darling and McClymont that they made early exits, but it’s by no means the end of the world. This was about gaining experience more than anything else and what matters most is that they feel better prepared when a similar opportunity comes round again.

The immediate aim for both will be to make their presence felt on the LET Access Series and, in fairness, McClymont has not only looked comfortable on that stage but the LET and Sunshine Ladies’ Tour as well after handling her first Q-School test really well at the end of last year.

Darling aims to visit both the LPGA and LET Q-Schools later this year and there can be no denying that the Sean Connery Foundation support should allow her to concentrate on playing golf, something she’s shown she is very good at since first picking up a club around a decade ago.

Yes, that new Women and Girls Strategy should be welcomed, with the aim to have 38,000 female golf club members in Scotland by 2035, as well as raising the female workforce - paid and voluntary - at clubs to 30 per cent by the same time.

However, as last week illustrated, it might prove a tad tougher to get those role models at the top echelons of the game - competing against the likes of Woad and Korda, for instance - to inspire those newcomers and let’s not forget that Catriona Matthew’s incredible achievements on the global stage seemed to go unnoticed by lots of people at the time.

Woad’s win at Dundonald Links on her professional debut, coupled with her other incredible exploits over the past couple of years, will certainly have inspired a new generation of girl golfers in England and here’s hoping the Scottish kids who were there last week will also feel equally energised.

It was certainly a treat for them to see Korda, the world No 1, teeing up in the event for the first time and, once again, it was a cracking tournament at a venue that has become a perfect fit for this event and also in terms of the test it provides as an AIG Women’s Open warm up. It also happens to have one of the best clubhouses in Scotland!

Two big weeks ahead for Scottish male professionals

If the odd eyebrow was raised about just six home players teeing up in the Genesis Scottish Open earlier in the month, then here’s hoping the same people recognise the opportunities being teed up for players flying the Saltire over the next two weeks.

A total of 22 players are in the field for the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A, which is taking place this week at Schloss Roxburghe in the Borders.

Recent HotelPlanner Tour winner David Law spearheads the Caledonian contingent along with Daniel Young and Euan Walker, with spots also having been secured by both Tartan Pro Tour and Tartan Tour players. Oh, and amateurs, too, with Connor Graham teeing up in the event along with his big brother, Gregor.

Then, in next week’s Nexo Championship, a DP World Tour event, a 14-strong Scottish contingent will be heading into battle at Trump International Golf Links at Menie Estate near Aberdeen.

Connor Syme and Calum Hill, both winners on the main tour this season, will be aiming to shine on home soil along with Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson, while it is great to see Martin Laird, a four-time PGA Tour winner, committing to his first appearance in Scotland since 2018.

This week, in particular, could be a game-changer for one of the home players in the field and here’s hoping that Liam Johnston, for example, can use it as a springboard to get back on the HotelPlanner Tour or Rory Franssen can rise to the challenge because he’s certainly got the talent to be playing at this level going on a regular basis.