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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 | AILSA SUMMERS

Scottish Golf has defended its decision to leave out Scottish Women’s 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 Women’s 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’.

In response to the decision, Scottish Golf performance director Steve Paulding said: “Ailsa Summers, the reigning Scottish Women’s 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 Women’s Amateur Championship does not guarantee selection for the Home Internationals.

CONTINUES BELOW…

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“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 I’m 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.

Read more -> Letham Grange staff ‘optimistic’ over future

“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 Men’s 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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