New Scotland captain Fiona Norris is aiming high

FIONA Norris, the new Scottish women's captain, has acknowledged she has a hard act to follow after watching Lesley Nicholson lead her team to a bronze medal in the European Team Championship last summer before winning the Home Internationals for the first time since 1991.

"I hope to build on last year," said Norris following her appointment for the same two events by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association. "Lesley and (national coach) Kevin Craggs did a great job last year and we should have a really strong team.

"Pamela Pretswell is the British Open Stroke-play champion and Kelsey MacDonald was runner-up in the British Amateur and there is great strength in depth."

Like her predecessor, Norris brings a wealth of experience to the post, the Hamilton member having not only played for Scotland in three Home Internationals but also served as captain for the 2008 Espirito Santo Trophy in Australia.

In addition to that, she worked alongside Ada O'Sullivan as manager of Great Britain & Ireland teams for both the Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup and has a useful shoulder to lean on in her sister, LPGA Tour player Mhairi McKay-Smith.