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Scottish Golf defend decision to leave out Ailsa Summers
Summers won Scots Women’s Amateur at West Kilbride
She won’t feature in upcoming Ladies’ Home Internationals
Scottish Golf has defended its decision to leave out Scottish Womens Amateur champion Ailsa Summers from the Ladies Home Internationals squad.
The 22-year-old, who defeated Gabrielle Macdonald in the 18-hole final at West Kilbride, was unable to play in Scottish Golf’s Womens European Amateur Team Championship in Iceland due to work commitments, but was available for selection this time around.
Read more -> Controversy surrounds Scottish Amateur match
The decision from Scottish Golf has caused a backlash, with Ladies European Tour player Heather MacRae branding Summers being overlooked as outrageous.
It’s outrageous, especially when we are all trying so hard to get women into golf, not exactly encouraging. https://t.co/rkC4gWzHP3
HEATHER MACRAE (@hezzmacgolf) July 27, 2016
So, @aksummers19 is National Champion and 2nd on @ScottishGolf order of merit but not selected for the Home International team?!? Come on!!
HEATHER MACRAE (@hezzmacgolf) July 27, 2016
In response to the decision, Scottish Golf performance director Steve Paulding said: Ailsa Summers, the reigning Scottish Womens Amateur champion, was available for selection for the event. However, we currently have a good group of players to select from and, on this occasion, we felt other players were stronger, with performances in other ranking events to back that up.
Although disappointed at not being selected, Ailsa understands that this is no slight on her and that winning the Scottish Womens Amateur Championship does not guarantee selection for the Home Internationals.
CONTINUES BELOW…
Work commitments restrict Ailsa in being able to practice and compete more regularly and consistently, however we commend her decision to follow her career rather than play full-time golf. She maintains the drive and ambition to compete for Scotland in the future and is more than capable of achieving that.
“Work commitments restrict Ailsa in being able to practice and compete more regularly” – Steve Paulding
We have a published selection document which outlines our criteria and Im comfortable that we have applied the principles within it. Team selections are generally difficult with tough choices to make and players will always be disappointed in being left out. Selection is open to everyone who meets the criteria, whether full-time or working amateurs, as demonstrated by previous team selections.
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However, we always select teams with the aim of winning events with the strongest side possible. There will always be debate, but we believe we have a good track record, evidenced by back-to-back European Mens Amateur Team Championship successes. As a governing body, we remain committed to raising standards and achieving success at national and international level.
Scottish Golf :: Your thoughts
What do you make of Scottish Golf’s decision to leave out Ailsa Summers from the upcoming Ladies’ Home Internationals? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.
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