Dryburgh aims for U18 championship

SCOTTISH U18 GIRLS: Aberdeen teenager Gemma Dryburgh will tee off this morning on a high in the first qualifying round of the Scottish Under-18 girls' championship at Glenisla Golf Club in Alyth.

She played in the pre-qualifying round of the Ricoh Women's British Open championship at The Berkshire Golf Club, Ascot yesterday - and a par round of 72 secured a place in the final qualifier at Panmure Golf Club for the major championship at Carnoustie later this month.

She then made the 400-mile journey to the Perthshire venue for this week's championship.

Dryburgh has recently flown home for the summer from Florida where she is a student at the IMG David Leadbetter Academy in Bradenton. An experienced player in American junior events, Dryburgh has yet to make a name for herself here. Playing off one of a handicap, she aims to impress the SLGA selectors enough for them to award her her first Scotland cap for the girls home internationals at Gullane early next month.

Standing between Dryburgh and the Under-18s title are players of the calibre of Kilmacolm's Eilidh Briggs, Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Clara Young (North Berwick) and Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).