MacRae the first woman to play in the Scottish PGA

Published on Tuesday 19 May 2009 23:17

HEATHER MacRae has written herself into the golfing history books after qualifying for next month's Scottish PGA championship. The Gullane assistant professional came through an 18-hole qualifying round at Downfield in Dundee and will become the first woman to compete in the Tartan Tour's flagship event in its 101-year history.

MacRae, a former British women's amateur strokeplay champion, posted a two-over-par 75 to book her spot in the 55,000 tournament, which will be held at Gleneagles from 25-28 June. And the 25-year-old revealed it will be a family affair in Perthshire with her big brother, Andrew, also set to tee-up in the national championship.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted. This was the goal at the start of the year and to make it is a great feeling. My older brother is one of the professionals at Gleneagles and is already included in the field so it will be good for the two of us to be playing. I've been playing well recently and knew I had chance. I would've liked to have shot a low score but the conditions made it a battle."

Scottish PGA secretary Gordon Dewar added: "It's fantastic news that we will have Heather at our national championship. It will be something different and I'm sure it will add a new dimension to the event."

James Smallwood (Fereneze), Mark Barnard (Inchmarlo) and Peter McLachlan (West Kilbride) topped the qualifying standings with one-under 72s, while former Amateur champion Gordon Sherry, making a return to the pro game after four years away from competitive golf, gave his comeback a boost when he qualified alongside MacRae in a share of 11th after a 75.

Aberdour's Antonia Ffinch, the other female competitor the field, failed in her qualifying quest after an 89.