admin67, Author at Gabrielle Macdonald

Big Toe Bone Spurs & January Decisions

8th February 2024

I saw a post on Instagram recently that had a video of a snow-covered golf course and the caption “The golfer in your life isn’t doing well” and I laughed at the accuracy. For me, it’s been more than just the Scottish weather that has given me a minor case of the January blues, as I’ve been struggling with a toe injury since returning from Morocco in December.

Although I experienced some pain and discomfort in my foot last season, the swelling and sharp pain in my big toe was new, and it’s taken a month or so to fully understand what’s going on. I now know that I have bone spurs on my big toe joint which is causing the pain when I bend my toe upwards or put pressure through my toe. After seeing various doctors and podiatrists I have decided to get surgery to remove the bone spurs. It’s the only option to get rid of the pain so fingers crossed that all goes well and it’s a speedy recovery!

It’s not the start of the year that I had hoped for but if there is an upside to to being injured (and needing expensive surgery) it’s having more time to do other things. For a while now, whenever I have had some time on my hands, I have thought about studying again or finding work that could be done alongside competing. However, by the time I’ve given it some thought I usually have a competition or trip coming up and it’s been sidelined. Now that I am home for the next few months, I’ve decided to become a personal trainer and I’m excited to start the course this month. It’s a perfect blend of practical classes and online studying – an ideal post-surgery task with my feet up!

It’s good to finally make some decisions and have a plan for the next few months to keep me busy. I’m hoping to be back fully fit for the start of the LETAS season in April. Fingers crossed 🙂

Summer 2023

19th September 2023

Just like the weather my performances got off to a promising start this summer. In mid-June, I flew out to the sizzling south of France for the Montauban Ladies Open where I finished 20th with a bogey-free final round of 69. Next, I went straight to the Czech Republic and I was sitting 16th going into the last day but dropped to 34th after a poor final day. Sadly, this has been a bit of a pattern for me this year with my final day performances letting me down. I think this is partly due to fatigue and then I have found it hard to not let things get to me on the golf course when I’m not performing so well. However, it was a solid couple of weeks and only 1 round away from having a good finish.

It’s been a fairly busy summer and I’ve played 9 other LETAS events since then as well as 2 qualifying stages for the Women’s British Open. I’ve played 4 events in Sweden, one in Denmark, one in France, and also had 3 events in England. Lots of flights, hire cars, and road trips down the A1… the Michelin car air fresheners and phone holder have been put to good use!

In between my events in July, I hosted a golf day at my home club, Craigielaw. There were 22 teams of 4 players, playing a fun competition and I did a beat the pro challenge on one of the par 3s. It was a successful day and I’m grateful to everyone who came along and supported me again this year.

I have finished between 28th-49th place in most of the events, making all but one cut, so I have been consistent with my results but less consistent with my play over the 3 days of competition. However, most recently I have been trending well. I finished 22nd in the Rose Ladies Open at Brockethall and then last week in France I was 17th, and only 1 shot from the top 10. The elusive good week is hopefully getting closer!

One thing that has helped was finding out my clubs were not the correct specifications for me, and I actually swapped back to my old irons for the event in France. It’s a temporary solution but I think they were better last week and now that I have some time at home, I’ll be getting my equipment sorted before my next few events. It’s always nice to have a few days at home to reflect on what I can do better and visit my coaches, so I’m looking forward to the next two weeks to work on my game.

There are just 3 events left on the LETAS schedule, one in Italy and then two in Spain in October. I’m hoping to record my best finish of the year and return to the form that saw me win twice in 2021. I’m currently 44th on the order of merit and trying to move into the top 20 before the end of the year. Wish me luck!

Time Off, Tournaments and Thinking Ahead

17th May 2023

Compared to this time last year when I spent 3 months on the road it’s been a much quieter Spring for me. After my trip to South Africa, I had a month before my next competition and I managed to get away for a week in Dubai for a holiday. I actually find time off practice and training quite difficult as I enjoy it so much and often feel guilty if I’m not trying to get better everyday. However, as I had a good chunk of time between events it was good to be able to take a week off and still feel I had time to then prepare again for my next event. That being said, the golf clubs did come with me to Dubai and I got a couple of fun games in whilst I was there.

My first event on the LET Access Series this year was in France at the Terre Blanche Resort. I headed there after a few weeks of practice at home. We had some really windy conditions and after battling my way round and shooting a reasonable score play got suspended for the day. Due to the limited time there was to get the tournament finished the final round was cancelled, and I didn’t start my second round until the 3rd day. It was strange to have a day off between the rounds and I ended up in 25th place. I headed home a bit disappointed however took the positives in that I knew there was a lot more to come.

I had another few weeks before the next event on the LET Access Series and I competed in one of the Justin Rose Ladies Series events at Bearwood Lakes to keep me competitive. They are one day events and it’s great that Justin Rose and his wife Kate are supporting women’s golf and giving us more opportunities to compete in the UK. I finished tied 20th and importantly it showed me where I needed to improve before my next event. Long game, long game, and more long game practice!

WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: <> during The Rose Ladies Series at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club on April 25, 2023 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

It has been nice to have some down time between events, to rest and feel fresh before competing again, and to work on my game as I have been trying to improve my swing technically. However, I have missed being a bit busier and the extra time on my hands has got me thinking about studying again or potentially doing the PGA coaching course whilst still competing. I have always been academic and it might be useful to have further down the line in my career. Food for thought for now, as I know I am about to start a busy summer schedule competing.

Most recently I have just got back from Switzerland where the LET Access was at Gams-Werdenberg. It was a different format to normal and after 36 holes stroke play it went into a matchplay tournament. I qualified in tied 29th place however I lost my opening 9 hole match which dropped me back to 37th. Although it wasn’t my best result this year, I felt like I was making progress and I was hitting my irons and approach shots much better and more like what I know I’m capable of. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak which is really encouraging for me after a tough season last year. Fingers crossed I can keep going in this direction and the results will follow.

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Next up for me is US Open Qualifying in Belgium on the 29th May and then I have two LET Access Series events in a row in France and Czech Republic in June. Wish me luck!

As always thanks to my sponsors ML Direct, Pure Spa & Beauty and Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, Rohnisch, Yumax Golf, Caddyclub and Titleist for all your support.

2021 Season Reflections

15th December 2021

End of the golf season means time to reflect; what went well, what could be better and how am I going to improve? It’s the same thought process I usually have after a tournament… sometimes in my head but usually I type it up on my phone. This time I’ll attempt to blog about it. At least I tried… I started this blog over a month ago but got stuck on “what went well” and got too busy working on my weaknesses… but finally I’ve got there in time for Christmas! So here we go:

What was the difference? A few people asked me that, after returning home from my best season yet as a pro, where I won twice on the Ladies European Tour Access Series. At the time, I didn’t really know the answer, I’m working it out by writing this. Statistically the main difference has been a significant improvement to my putting. That’s black and white, the rest is grey or multicoloured … so many factors go into performance that it can be hard to ascertain why. But maybe it’s as simple as that, if I putt well – I play well…

I know I have a tendency to overthink, however, in this case I think I can justify delving deeper into ‘what went well & why’. It could be a blueprint after all.

My main goal of the year was to get my LET card, it was a clear goal and attainable, having come fairly close before. Outcome based goals are not always necessary but I think it definitely helped me to focus and kept me motivated each week. I felt like I needed to win in order to secure my card, as the players around me were playing well every week.

Another thing I’ve learnt is that experience counts. Both venues where I won, I had played there before. At Allerum, I played as an amateur in 2018 and missed the cut. However, on the final day I went out to watch the leaders and cheer on my room-mate who went on to win. Looking back now, I realise I learnt a lot just watching those few holes and maybe not surprisingly have performed well there since, with a top-10 in 2019 and a win this year. Knowing the courses also allowed me to prepare well – and efficiently – which helped a lot as I came to Allerum on the back of five straight events and was beginning to fatigue!

Despite the fatigue, I think having such a busy run of events was another key to success. It allowed me to find form, a prolonged period where I was highly tuned into my swing thoughts & feelings with a heightened sense of knowing where the ball was going. I wanted to keep playing. In hindsight now, I realise that there was another bonus to the busy schedule and fatigue. It meant I spent more of my practice time on the putting green and less time on the range… what did I say about my putting stats again!

Both my experience gained and the busy schedule helped me to perform well, not because they improved my technique, but because they helped me tactically and they gave me confidence. Attitude is everything once you’re on the golf course, and I think this is where I have improved the most over the years. Winning isn’t flawless and I definitely made lots of mistakes during the weeks I won. But I was able to recover from them with positive self talk (inside my head) and a relaxed attitude. I wasn’t putting too much pressure on myself to win even though I had the lead – I was already proud of how I played to get into that position. My mum told me to “not get in my own way” and it’s something that comes to mind now. I’ll keep trying.

A Second Success – Lavaux Ladies Open Champion

2nd November 2021

Maybe winning is like waiting for a bus… you wait for ages and then two come along at once! It certainly seemed that way for me after winning my second LETAS title in less than a month. This one came at the Lavaux Ladies Open near Lausanne in Switzerland, another venue I had been to before.

The beautiful backdrop of Lake Geneva and rolling Swiss countryside, already had special memories for me as my family attended the event with me in 2018, one of the last times my mum was able to watch me play. As I headed up the 18th hole this time round, needing a birdie to force a play-off, I recalled my mum cheering me on as I got up and down from the greenside bunker three years prior. I missed the cut then – not that you could tell by my mum’s enthusiastic reaction. What a memory to have I thought – a memory to cherish, my mum, my most zealous supporter delighted seeing me do what I love. There were no tears this time at such a poignant reminder, only a brief moment of joyful reflection, and then it was back to the present. A wee downhill 6 footer to make in order to tie the clubhouse lead on -7. I knew it would break left to right, having just watched my playing partner make a similar putt, but I recalled over-reading a putt earlier in the round and doubt crept in- maybe it would straighten up at the hole? Luckily I had my friend Clara Young on the bag, who assured me it would break! Decision made, time to trust and execute. I felt a rush of adrenaline after I made that putt – something you can’t replicate in practice and definitely a feeling that’s hard to beat!

I managed to win at the first play-off hole and with this win secure my LET card for 2022. I was over the moon to have achieved my goal for the year.

My coach messaged me after I won reminding me that I didn’t need to win in a play-off every time and that 54 holes works as well, but winning play-offs is a habit I can definitely live with!

Allerum Open Champion – First Professional Win

2nd November 2021

My busy summer schedule ended in style, capturing my first professional win at the Allerum Open in Sweden. It was my third time returning to Allerum, having played as an amateur in 2018 and as a pro in 2019. This experience along with my run of good form gave me lots of confidence heading into the week. Mentally I was in a great place and so despite the terrible weather I really enjoyed myself and ending up leading after each round. Holding the lead was a new experience for me since turning pro, and I’ll admit to not getting a whole lot of sleep the night before the final round. Despite this, I felt fairly relaxed as I prepared to tee off and didn’t put too much pressure on myself, or the outcome, I wanted to enjoy the moment. I got off to a great start and through 9 holes I had opened up a 5 shot lead. However, this soon disappeared after I made a costly triple bogey on 11! Winning is never easy… and my head was soon scrambled!

I managed to steady the ship with a birdie on 13 which calmed me down and I remember thinking to myself that I was proud of how I had played all week, so not to dwell on my mistakes on 13. This self-talk and my attitude all week was definitely key and I managed to grind out the last few holes with some great par saves and a brilliant birdie on 17. I ended up tied on -4 with Lily May Humphreys and so we continued to the 19th. It took 5 extra holes to decide the winner, with a par on the 17th hole enough to secure my first win.

It was a magnificent feeling; one that is hard to fully describe, but it was incredibly satisfying – especially after recovering from a mini-meltdown on 13! There wasn’t a whole lot of time to let it sink in as I headed straight to the final event in Sweden after the play-off. However, looking back now, and knowing I hit some great shots and holed clutch putts under pressure gives me a lot of confidence going forward.

MACDONALD SEALS LETAS WIN AFTER PLAY-OFF IN ALLERUM

PURE SPA AMBASSADOR

13th August 2020

I’m delighted to be a brand ambassador for Pure Spa & Beauty and I’m really grateful for their support. This partnership is a great fit for me as a professional golfer as it’s important for me to take care of my mind and body and Pure Spa is the perfect place for me to do so. They have three spas in Edinburgh as well as others across the UK. It’s great to have access to the Spa, and I have loved being able to relax after training in the David Lloyd Newhaven Spa. I also have benefitted from regular massage treatments, which are great for muscle recovery and for keeping me flexible.

I’m thrilled to be representing Pure Spa & Beauty as I compete across the world. If you want to find out more about Pure Spa, have a look at their website:https://blog.purespauk.com/6669/introducing-pure-ambassador-gabriella-macdonald

Gabrielle signs with Momentum Athlete Group

17th June 2020

Gabrielle is delighted to have signed with sports management company, Momentum Athlete Group and looks forward to working with team MAG over the next few years. More details can be found at https://www.momentumathletegroup.com/gabriellemacdonald

South Africa 2020

22nd March 2020

A win, 3 missed cuts, and the Coronavirus

I got back from South Africa last Thursday and it was the quietest I have ever seen Edinburgh Airport! Which would be great if it wasn’t due to the coronavirus pandemic. I was slightly apprehensive about travelling home but fingers crossed I haven’t caught anything and my flights went ahead as normal, so it was a relatively smooth experience. South Africa is only just starting to have cases of the virus, so during my time I felt as though I was escaping all the panic and mayhem that was happening back home.

I started my trip in Johannesburg 4 weeks ago, and I was travelling with two girls from the UK and we were all getting put up by a lovely host family at Ebotse Links. It was so exciting to be out competing again on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, where I had started my professional career almost exactly a year ago. After a few days adjusting to the heat and altitude I played my first competition, over the brand new 18 hole par 3 course at Serengeti Estates. Having never played a par 3 tournament before, it was a great new concept and lots of fun. It was also a pro am team event, where we played as team of two pros and two amateurs. After the two rounds we finished tied for the lead, and needed to play-off for first and second place. It was exciting to be involved in a play-off with a fair sized crowd watching, and I admittedly felt pretty nervous! Luckily for me, my partner holed a great putt on the 4th extra hole to crown us the Canon Serengeti Par 3 Challenge winners! It was a fantastic way to start my trip, and I finished in 11th place individually.

After that I had two more events in Johannesburg, the first was at Soweto Country Club. Soweto is one of the largest township areas in the city, and the golf course was recently upgraded and refurbished by the city. The course proved difficult due to the thick rough and bouncy greens and unfortunately I missed the cut by 2 shots. It was disappointing for me but I was optimistic about my golf by the following week at Glendower Country Club. I had a solid first round of 73 but after getting off to a bad start in round 2, I was battling to make the cut again. I dropped a couple shots at the end of the round and missed it for the second week in a row. I felt like my golf wasn’t that far away as I was striking the ball well, but my putter was costing me.

The tour then moved to Cape Town for the final event, the South African Women’s Open which is also a Ladies European Tour event. The field was strong with all the regular tour players over for it. My boyfriend also came over to caddy for me… and to see all that Cape Town offers! I felt a lot more comfortable in this environment than the previous year but there are fine lines in sport and again I missed the cut by 2 shots. I felt a bit deflated to finish my trip on a disappointing note, but I know I’ll come back stronger, I just have to keep working hard.

I had a few days to explore Cape Town before flying home, and it really is a beautiful city and part of the world. We went to Cape Point (the most southerly part of Africa), saw the penguins on boulders beach, went on a wine tour, explored the V&A waterfront and relaxed on the beach at Camps Bay. We had been planning to go up Table Mountain and hike Lion’s Head but there was a fire that broke out on Lion’s Head and the mountain was shut for the next few days whilst they tried to put it out, before eventually being closed due to coronavirus!

Now that I’m home, like everyone else I’m not sure what lies ahead. My next few events have been postponed until later in the year so at the moment the earliest I will be competing is May. However, I think it is highly likely that those events will also be cancelled or rearranged. I plan to use this time to rest my elbow injury which has been lingering since October, so I will be limiting my practice to short game over the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed we know more soon, and I hope everyone stays as healthy as possible!