Female golfers join men at UAE winter training camp

Ewen Ferguson and Gabrielle Macdonald. Credit: Kevin Kirk.

• Male and female golfers to attend winter training camp together
• First time it’s been the case – squad flies out on November 19
• “You can always learn from the men,” said Gabrielle Macdonald

Positives of the newly-amalgamated Scottish Golf are already evident with the news that four of the country’s leading female amateur golfers will join their male counterparts at a winter training camp for the first time.

Home-based women Gabrielle Macdonald and Hannah McCook, along with girls duo Hazel MacGarvie and Shannon McWilliam, will fly out to Abu Dhabi tomorrow (November 19) for the intensive three-week camp, along with national ladies coach and bunkered tuition panel member David Patrick.

“It’s the first time we have gone out as a full squad together, so it should be really good to get the opportunity to practice in warm weather in great facilities,” said Craigielaw’s Macdonald. “I’m trying to do full-time golf just now, so as the weather is getting poorer here it will be great to get away and practice.

“I think the women will definitely be able to learn from the men” – Gabrielle Macdonald

“I think the women will definitely be able to learn from the men, as they have been really successful this year, with three players in the Walker Cup and winning the European Amateur Team Championship. You can always learn from them so hopefully that will help kick-start the women’s game and improve our performances next year.”

Part funded through support from the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation, Aberdeen Asset Management and sportscotland, the group will be based at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club throughout the trip, building on previous successful visits to the region where the focus will be on short game practice, playing Tour-style courses, as well as strength and conditioning work.

CONTINUES BELOW…

Walker Cup winner Jack McDonald.

Walker Cup winners Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest and Jack McDonald all travel, as do Connor Syme, Craig Ross, Calum Fyfe, Jamie Savage, Scott Gibson, Sandy Scott and Rory Franssen, along with national coach Ian Rae and staff at the sportscotland institute of sport.

“This is another great opportunity for the players to work on fitness and their golfing skills for an extended period,” said Scottish Golf performance manager Steve Paulding. “The venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer magnificent courses and superb practice facilities, and we have seen particular improvement in short game results from the camps in previous years.

“We are very grateful to the support of these venues and indebted to our supporters who ultimately help make this trip possible – Aberdeen Asset Management, the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and sportscotland.”

Winter training camp :: Long overdue?

What are your thoughts on Scottish Golf’s leading male and female players jetting off on the winter training camp together for the first time? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.