HEATHER SET TO BLOOM AGAIN ON PAUL LAWRIE LADIES PRO TOUR

       Heather Stirling helps former US Tour player Brad Faxon with the line of a putt


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Former Curtis Cup Scot Heather Stirling is to make a comeback as a player on the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Ladies Open Tour.
The one-time Bridge of
Allan player earned Curtis Cup honours for GB and I in 2002, the year she won the Helen Holm Scottish stroke-play at Troon, the Scottish women's amateur championship at Stranraer and the Stirling and Clackmannan county title.
She has done more caddieing at venues such as the Old Course, St Andrews (pictured above with a satisfied customer), and Tampa, Florida than golfing in recent years but that may be about to change.
Now 36, Heather says in an E-mail:
"I think it's a great idea setting up a mini tour in Scotland for lady pros and low-handicap amateurs. Hope it all goes well! 
I am currently in Florida but will be home in April.  I am considering playing in some of the tournaments but would have to get my game in shape first!
"If there is anything I can do to help just let me know."
We have given Heather the same advice we give to everyone else: Enter now - it won't cost you anything until the tournament draws are made - and avoid disappointment if, as we expect to, receive a lot more entries nearer the tournaments.
Since then, Heather has entered the first two events on the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour - at Marriott Dalmahoy on Thursday, April 18 and Ratho Park on Friday, April 19.
We are limited to around 30 entries at most of the venues on our inaugural schedule and that will break down to a ratio of 20 amateurs to 10 amateurs.
If the amateurs don't take up their entitlement, then more places will go to the professionals - but don't rely on it happening.
Incidentally, if you are trying to recall who was in the same 2002 GBandI Curtis Cup team as Heather Stirling at Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania, where the United States beat Pam Benka's line-up 11-7, the side was:
 Alison Coffey, Emma Duggleby, Rebecca Hudson, Sarah Jones, Vikki Laing, Fame More, Kerry Smith and  Heather Stirling.

FREE USE OF PAUL LAWRIE GOLF CENTRE FACILITIES FOR PLGC SLOT

COMPETITORS AT DEESIDE

  
Other news from the PLGC SLOT is that Robbie Stewart, pictured, the PGA Director of Golf at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, on the south side of the River Dee, across the water from Deeside golf course, says all the competitors in the PLGC SLOT at Deeside Golf Club on Tuesday, May 7 can have free use of all the facilities - except the restaurant! - all morning until their tee times at the Bieldside course in the afternoon.

The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre facilities include a par-3 nine-hole course, driving bays and short-game practice that will be expanded before May.
There are good putting and short-game practice facilities at Deeside Golf Club but, on the driving range, the balls that are used fly only threequarters the distance of a "normal" ball, because new houses built at the far right of the range would be within range of big drives.
If you have SATNAV, the post code for the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre is: AB12 5YN.
Easiest way to drive there if you are coming up to Aberdeen from the south is to turn sharp left at the roundabout immediately before the Old Bridge of Dee. After that just keep going west and you will come to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on your right, on the banks of the River Dee, about 2 to 3 miles from the Old Bridge of Dee.
Robbie Stewart and his staff would be delighted to see all the competitors in the North-east double-header on May 6-7 (we hope to be able to tell you the name of the Monday venue before the end of the coming week).