Gleneagles remains a home from home for Carly Booth. Brought up just 15 miles away in Comrie, the 25-year-old is so familiar with the Perthshire resort’s golfing terrain she is just about on first name terms with each blade of grass.
Given this background, it’s hardly surprising that Booth has been named an ambassador for August’s European Golf Team Championship at Gleneagles.
“I couldn’t even guess how many rounds I’ve played here,” she said. “It was mostly when I was a kid. I’d get up at half-six in the morning, be here by seven and have the first tee time. I’d play on my own with the headphones on and three or four golf balls. It was great.
“My dad used to drop me off and the guys at the pro shop would either bring me home or phone to get me picked up
“That was when I was between 10 and 13. That was all I did really. I’d play different sports at school, like swimming and gymnastics, then the rest of my day was here. And at the weekends.”
Being the local poster girl for the European Team Championship is one thing. Actually playing in the event, which sees teams made up of players from both the men’s and women’s European Tours, is another.
The Ladies European Tour’s schedule remains worryingly sparse in the first half of the season and racking up enough world ranking points to make the qualifying grade will be extremely difficult for Booth and others.
With the 2019 Solheim Cup also taking place at Gleneagles, and Europe’s captain being North Berwick great Catriona Matthew, the next year and a bit is huge for Booth and her Scottish compatriots on the tour.
Having two significant events in her own backyard is a sizeable carrot being dangled. The frustration, of course, is that lack of events.
“It is great to be part of August’s event with this ambassadorial role but obviously I would love to play in it,” said Booth, a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour. “It would be an incredible experience. To play my first Solheim Cup on home turf would be incredible too. That’s something you dream of.
“But we’re at a disadvantage in Europe because of the lack of events. That doesn’t help with your world ranking. I need to produce a few good results this year and the start of next year.
“The fact that I’m from here and know the course would hopefully be an advantage (for a Solheim Cup pick).
“In golf, we rarely get the opportunity to play as part of a team, particularly when you turn professional. It would be sad to miss these events.”
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