Kelsey MacDonald and Heather MacRae lifted by Morocco success

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 10/12/2012 01:57

KELSEY MacDonald has suffered some disappointments over the past year or so, notably when missing out on a Curtis Cup appearance in her home town, but the Nairn Dunbar player could be set to see out 2012 on a high.

Along with compatriot Heather MacRae, she is through to the final stage of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School after rounding off a polished performance in her pre-qualifying event in Morocco.

The 2010 Scottish Women’s champion, who has entered the Q-School as an amateur, signed off with a 70 at Almekis Golf Club in Marrakech for a ten- under-par total of 278 and a tie for fifth.

MacDonald, who covered her final 13 holes in three-under, finished seven shots behind leading qualifier Emily Taylor from England.

However, the Stirling University student’s sole objective was to be among the 45 and ties progressing to the next stage – it starts at the same two courses on Thursday – and she achieved that comfortably. So, too, did MacRae despite the Gleaneagles Hotel professional suffering a late wobble in her final round at Al Maaden Golf Resort.

Two-under with four to play, the former British Ladies’ Stroke-Play champion from Dunblane had hardly put a foot wrong until running up a quadruple-bogey seven at the 15th.

She also dropped a shot at the last but a closing 75 for a three-under-par total of 285 still proved good enough to earn her a share of 16th spot in the second of the pre-qualifiers.

However, Mallorca-based Lauren Mackin (74 for 295) missed out by one shot in the same event, which saw Alford amateur Laura Murray (73 for 300) finish in a tie for 60th.

Playing in the same event as MacDonald, Gemma Webster (75 for 300) missed out in joint-56th. Among those who MacDonald and MacRae are aiming to be joining next season is Carly Booth, who slipped down two places to fifth on the final LET money-list after the Omega Dubai Masters.

But, having won twice this season, including the Scottish Open at Archerfield Links, the Comrie player can feel proud of her efforts as she now looks forward to taking a holiday in Argentina with boyfriend Tano Goya.

“It’s time to head home, then Argentina on Saturday, I’m so excited for the holidays,” tweeted Booth.

Young Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, who was tenth in Dubai, has created history by becoming the first LET player since Laura Davies 27 years ago to claim the ISPS Handa Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year titles in the same season.