Golf: Troon draws top field for amateur showdown

TESTIMONY to Troon as one of the most popular venues in golf has been underlined by the strength of the field for the Helen Holm Trophy, which starts today in Ayrshire.

Three members of last year’s winning home team in the Curtis Cup at Nairn – defending champion Amy Boulden, Bronte Law and Leona Maguire – head the line-up, which also includes challengers from Belgium, France, Slovenia and Sweden. Leading the bid to land a first home triumph since Heather MacRae achieved the feat in 2002 is Nairn Dunbar’s Kelsey MacDonald, who finished in the top ten 12 months ago as Boulden landed a Welsh win.

All playing off plus four, Boulden, Maguire and England’s Alexandra Peters are the backmarkers, with the excellent standard in women’s amateur golf at the moment being highlighted by the fact that MacDonald is among eight players off plus three.

For many of the young Scots in the field, including Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) and Nicola Callander (Mill Green), the 54-hole event is the biggest test of their careers to date and the experience alone will certainly stand them in good stead. Play comprises of 18 holes today and tomorrow on Troon Portland, with the top 66 and ties qualifying for Sunday’s final 18 holes on Royal Troon.