Walker glad Hydro will back female professionals

The absence of a female player from the five chosen for the first season of the new initiative led to criticism from Scottish No 1 Catriona Matthew, who has since been assured that similar support with playing expenses will be forthcoming for emerging Scottish women professionals in due course.

Walker, who finished 68th on the money list last season to retain the card she'd secured after turning professional at the end of 2009 following a successful amateur career that was highlighted by back-to-back wins in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews, is hoping her name will be on one of those spots in 12 months' time.

Having staged a strong finish to her rookie campaign, the 24-year-old from Drymen is looking forward to starting her 2011 season in earnest in Morocco next week, when Agadir stages a ground-breaking double-header as events on the Ladies European Tour and the European Tour take place alongside each other.

However, she admits there were times last year when she wondered if a lack of financial support would prevent her from seeing out the season, which was a daunting enough prospect in itself as she found herself competing against the players she'd idolised growing up in the game.

"No matter what anyone says, turning professional is a big step and, to be honest, it doesn't matter how good you were as an amateur because, to try to fund a full season is massively difficult," said Walker, who, a year on from making that career switch, is in the fortunate position of having just clinched a deal to be The Carrick on Loch Lomond's touring professional.

"I went to the Tour School and secured a top-ten card, finishing as the leading British player. I thought that would stand me in good stead when I went to companies looking for sponsorship, but sadly it didn't."

She only managed to secure a relatively small deal from a Scottish-based golf travel company and, although grateful for that, Walker soon discovered she was fretting about travel and accommodation costs when she needed to be concentrating on hitting solid shots and holing putts.

"The money side of things was tight for me last season and there's no denying the fact I found myself panicking about that, especially in the early part of the year. For instance, if it was costing me, say, 1500 in expenses that week, I would be thinking right away about where I needed to finish just to cover that.

"Which is why it is good to hear that two women are going to be added to Team Scottish Hydro next year.I wouldn't say I'm jealous of the five guys selected to receive the support this year because they are all playing on the Challenge Tour and deserve the chance to see if they can make that step up to the main circuit.

"I prefer to look at both that initiative and the one that will see me get support in terms of coaching and sports science as huge steps forward for Scottish golf, both for the men and women. These sort of initiatives are certainly welcome and, hopefully, they can help players like me move forward in the game."

Walker, who is coached by Kevin Craggs, recently spent three weeks in Portugal preparing for the main part of her season along with boyfriend Scott Henry, the former Scottish Stroke-play champion who will be concentrating mainly on the Alps Tour this year as he bids to mirror Walker by climbing the men's ladder.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back competing," said the 2008 Scottish Women's Order of Merit winner.

"After a nervy start last season, I showed have the potential to be contending in events, finishing eighth in both Finland, where I shot seven-under to lead after the first round, and also in China.

"I've been working hard on my game and genuinely believe I can do so much better overall than last season."