Gabrielle's Golf News Archives - Page 2 of 4

Gabrielle’s Golf Day

4th July 2019

On the 21st June, I hosted my golf funding day at Craigielaw. It was a fantastic day, with 21 teams taking part in a Texas Scramble and luckily the sun was shining! I hope everyone had a great day. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone, even those who beat me on the 17th in the nearest the pin challenge! Congrats again to the winning team of Michael Lumsden, Craig Davidson, Allan Reoch and Ross Colquhoun, with a winning score of 55.2

It was also really great to have Plum Films along to capture footage from the Beat the Pro challenge. Thanks to Micky and Ross for their expertise. Have a look at the fab videos below:

The day was a huge success, and I would like to thank everyone for your support. The money raised will help me reach my goals this year and I was delighted to support St Columba’s Hospice with a generous donation. Due to the success of the day, I also donated to the Edinburgh Maggie’s Centre who provide support to those with cancer and their family and friends. Both charities are very close to my heart and I was really happy to be able to give back to them.

I would like to thank my Dad and everyone who helped me organise the day. Massive thanks to Derek and Craigielaw for making the day possible, and to everyone who donated prizes for the auction and raffle. It was also great to have the golf prizes sponsored by: Pure Spa, Golf Fit, American Golf, Braid Hills Golf Centre and Craigielaw.

South Africa 2019

18th March 2019

PORT EDWARD, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 28: Gabrielle Macdonald during day 3 of the Supersport Ladies Challenge at Wild Coast Sun Country Club on February 28, 2019 in Port Edward, South Africa. EDITOR’S NOTE: For free editorial use. Not available for sale. No commercial usage. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images)

Five weeks ago I flew out to George, on the Western Cape of South Africa to start my professional career and now I’m sitting waiting to board my flight home. I can’t help but reflect upon my time out here. Having never been to South Africa I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’ve had a great time. The trip has been full of new experiences from hitting my first shot as a pro; playing in my first pro am; playing 5 weeks in a row; playing in my first LET event and being chased by a baboon at Cape Point. The latter being the most nerve-wrecking out of all these experiences!

I’ve played 5 events on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, with some satisfying results. My first event was the Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am and I could not have picked a better place to start my career. The courses at George and Fancourt were stunning and the hospitality was first class… with a daily selection of cake and ice cream in the players lounge! However, I wasn’t too distracted by the hospitality and I managed to get myself in contention after shooting 68 in round 2. It was such a buzz to have a chance at winning in only my first event as a pro and although I finished in a tie for 6th I was really pleased with this result. More so, as this was my 1st competitive event since early November and also since my mum passed away. I was a little emotional, knowing how much my mum would have loved to have seen me do well, and I guess I missed having my family around to support and celebrate.

Next up was Durban, to play in the SA Women’s Masters and the SuperSport Ladies Challenge. If I was on a high from the Di Data I was quickly brought back down to earth when we arrived at our digs! Life on tour really isn’t glamorous! After surviving a night with bed bugs we managed to find a new place to stay on site at San Lameer and we lucked out with a fab host family! Despite struggling a little with my game that week, I finished in 14th place and another cut made.

It was a tight turnaround as we then went straight into the practice round and Pro Am at Wild Coast Sun. The course really is wild! It covers some amount of land up on a cliff top and is on the edge of a wildlife reserve. It’s really exposed to the wind and we were all warned of high winds forecast. Fortunately it wasn’t quite like a windy day at Craigielaw and I seemed to cope with the trickier conditions that we had in round 2. I played some great golf that week, and finished outright 3rd. Again it was exciting to be in contention and I felt like maybe it could be my week when I teed off in the final round. However, I didn’t take advantage of my good approach play on the front 9 and my short putting let me down.

My final stop of the tour was Cape Town for two more events. After playing 3 events in a row, I was ready for a few days off! Luckily we had time to relax and do some site seeing which is actually quite rare on most of my golf trips. Cape Town really is incredible with the striking Table Mountain and scenic coastline. I know how lucky I am to visit such amazing places like Cape Town. After a few days off I felt mentally refreshed and raring to go again at Royal Cape GC. It wasn’t my best golf week but I am proud how I grinded it out after a poor opening round. In some very typical Scottish weather, I managed to move up each day and finished tied 13th in the end.

It was then onto Westlake for the Investec South African Women’s Open which was a co-sanctioned LET event. This event had the highest purse and so I was eager to have a good week! As it would happen, I was probably too eager! Although, after hitting two great shots on my opening hole and sinking the putt for birdie, I actually felt right at home in my first LET event. Unfortunately, after a shocker of a bunker lie on my 9th hole my golf started to slip and I let my mistakes get to me more than I normally do, thinking I had played my way out of the tournament. This was my biggest lesson learned of the trip – never think it’s over- as had I saved a few shots in my last few holes I would have been around the cut mark with a lot less to do in round 2. To be honest, I actually felt a little embarrassed with my score and also disappointed with myself and my attitude on the golf course. I needed the afternoon off to clear my head and the views along Chapman’s Drive and Hout Bay definitely helped distract me.

By the next day I was ready to give it my best shot at making it to the weekend, and I got off to a good start with 2 birdies in the first 4 holes. However, a double bogey on the 14th hole proved costly and I ended up missing the cut by 1. I was gutted, it was the first cut I’d missed on the trip and missing it by 1 is a tough one to take. However, I was happy with the way I had played in round 2 and how I had recovered from the double bogey, playing the last 4 holes in 1 under. They say you learn more from your mistakes than your wins and that has probably been the case on this trip!

Overall, It’s been a fun few weeks out here and a great start to my pro career. There’s nothing quite like playing competitive golf and to have that week after week has been such a good experience for me. I’m now looking forward to going home and spending time with my family and sleeping in my own bed! It will also be good to get some practice in before my season starts in Europe on the LET Access Series. Let the adventures continue!

Gabrielle’s Golf Funding Day – 21st June 2019

2nd March 2019

I’m delighted with the support that I’ve had for my golf day, from people coming along to play and also prizes that have been donated. I look forward to seeing you on 21st June for a 1.00pm start and please see below for some of the wonderful prizes on offer.

Golf prizes

There will be golf prizes provided by Craigielaw for 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams in the scramble, as well as prizes for nearest the pin and longest drives. I’m delighted that Pure Spa have donated a Spa Day package for two for the winner of the Ladies longest drive competition. Whilst the men’s longest drive competition has been sponsored by Golf Fit Ltd.

Auction prizes

Spa day for 2 at Archerfield.
4 Ball at Renaissance. Host to both this year’s Scottish Mens and Ladies Opens.
Behind the scenes Sky Sports day. Money can’t buy exclusive offer for two to see Steve Clarke’s rejuvenated Scotland Team. ‘Spend the afternoon with the Sky Sports team at a Scotland Euro 2020 qualifier at Hampden Park.
Overnight stay for 4 people at the 4 star Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews, with dinner, bed and breakfast included.
4 Ball at Muirfield. Kindly donated by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers to their favourite caddy. To be used between October 2019 – March 2020.
4 Ball at Prestwick Golf Club, the birthplace of the Open Championship and one of the best links courses in the world. Kindly donated by Prestwick, where Gabrielle won the 100th Scottish Ladies Amateur Open in 2014.
Craigielaw golf package for 4 people. 2 nights stay in 4 star Craigielaw Lodge, dinner bed and breakfast both nights, golf at Craigielaw on day one and golf at Kilspindie next day.

Raffle Prizes – £10 per ticket

Hearts Hospitality x 2 in the Executive European Lounge. Kindly donated by Ann Budge.
Hibs Hospitality x 2 in the Gallery at Easter Road. Kindly donated by the Hibs Commercial team.
Overnight stay for two at the Fairmont St Andrews, including breakfast. Kindly donated by the University of St Andrews.
Meal for 4 at the wonderful Ducks Restaurant, Aberlady.
Custom fitting session at Titliest Fitting Centre, Craigielaw.
Jaeger bomb machine with 6 bottles of Jaegermeister. Kindly donated by John Flucker.
Exclusive Malt Whisky from Wemyss & March Estate, donated by Craigielaw.
Voucher for Braids Hills Golf Centre donated by Ian Young.

Beat the Pro – £10.00

I will also be doing a nearest the pin contest, where you can challenge me to see if you can beat the pro. Double your money if you win.

Thank you for your support, which will also go towards St Columba’s Hospice.

I hope friends and the wider golf and business community will come along and enjoy a fun afternoon, while helping to support my move into professional golf. The funds raised will also go towards St Columba’s Hospice, a charity that many of you know is very close to me and my family.

A fabulous day is planned, with the opportunity to win wonderful golf prizes as well as exclusive sporting and leisure experiences. There will also be a chance to beat the pro in a par 3 challenge.

The format will be a Texas scramble with a shotgun start at 1pm, followed by a two course meal in the excellent Craigielaw restaurant. The entry cost of each 4 player team is £275.

To enter, please email me at gabbygolfer23@hotmail.com

I’m very grateful to Craigielaw, my club for the last 12 years, for providing this opportunity. Craigielaw is not only a championship standard golf course with great practice areas, but a very welcoming, inclusive club. My experience from junior to international player and now professional has been helped enormously by the club, Derek and the team.

Gabrielle Turns Pro

3rd February 2019

Gabrielle has today announced that she has turned professional. Gabrielle will be continuing her journey with Craigielaw, and is delighted to be attached to the club. She has enjoyed her time as an amateur, representing Craigielaw, Midlothian Ladies and Scottish Golf over the years and now looks forward to starting her professional career.

Gabrielle spent time with some of the juniors at Craigielaw and reflected back upon her time playing for the junior team; “It was great to be part of a strong junior team and a club which welcomed juniors to play as much as they wanted. Craigielaw had only been opened for a few years when I joined and had a modern approach to club competitions, as both ladies and juniors could play in all medals with no restrictions. I also loved playing in the East Lothian Junior League, and being part of the team’s success at the Home Nations Finals in Spain. These competitions definitely helped me gain matchplay experience and likely played a part in my success in the Scottish Amateur Championship. Hopefully, the junior section can keep growing, and it’s great to see the juniors here today enjoying themselves despite the cold weather!”

Gabrielle with some of the current and future junior team members
Photos taken by David Hillson

Gabrielle is heading out to South Africa next week to play on the Sunshine Ladies Tour. She will play 4 events and hopes to qualify for the co-sanctioned LET event before flying home. She will then get her season started on the LET Access Series.

Gabrielle would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported her over the years.

“Big smiles today as I am excited to announce that I am turning professional! I can’t wait to start this new chapter in my golfing career and I’m delighted to have Craigielaw’s continued support. I want to thank the club and to everyone who has helped me along the way, I’m very grateful for all the support I have received over the years. Ready to start my 2019 season out in South Africa in just over a weeks time.”

LET Tour School

30th January 2019

After a successful 2018 season, Gabrielle headed out to Morocco in November for LET Tour School. Gabrielle successfully negotiated her way through pre-qualifying after shooting scores of 74, 74, 73, 75. Gabrielle played steady all week despite not quite putting it all together for a low score. Gabrielle finished t21st and was proud to have made it comfortably through after previous attempts in 2016/17. Gabrielle headed home and felt confident ahead of competing at final stage in December.

Unfortunately, Gabrielle was unable to travel to the final stage of LET Q School after her mum sadly passed away after a long fight with cancer.

Gabrielle and her caddy, Guy, after getting through pre-qualifying

Santander Golf Tour, Vizcaya

29th January 2019

Prior to heading to Morocco for LET Qualifying School, Gabrielle played in a Santander Golf Tour event in Bilbao, Spain. Gabrielle wanted to get some competitive rounds under her belt and to play a tournament in similar conditions to those she would experience in Morocco. She finished in a tie for 4th place after shooting rounds of 71 and 73. Gabrielle started round 2 only two shots behind the leader, and after getting off to fast start Gabrielle soon held the lead. Unfortunately, she dropped a few too many shots and finished 4 behind the eventual winner Laura Gomez. However, the event was a great confidence booster for Gabrielle, as she knew that she was capable of winning a professional event.

Link the scores: https://www.santandergolftour.eu/livescoring-vizcaya/

The Santander Golf Tour footage is on their youtube page and the link for the Bilbao event is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7TcdqsuZQ8

The rain in Spain falls mainly in Bilbao – Gabrielle t4th place

Gabrielle Macdonald secures a third final appearance in Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship

11th September 2018

Matchplay competitions can often be a long and winding road and Gabrielle Macdonald certainly put in the hard yards at Elie yesterday to secure her place in the final of the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship for the third time in five years.

The Craigielaw golfer, who won the national title in 2014 and was runner-up two years later, once again demonstrated her competitive instincts and sturdy resolve in the head-to-head format as she battled to a brace of extra-hole wins to set up an 18-hole showdown with Gemma Batty this morning. She could have put in a claim for overtime.

In yesterday morning’s quarter-finals, Macdonald finally put the No1 seed, Chloe Goadby, to the sword with a birdie at the 23rd hole as she emerged triumphant from a nip-and-tuck tussle with her Scotland team-mate.

Her semi-final joust with the in-form Hannah McCook was equally as tight and had more ding-dong than a night at the St Salvator’s Society of Bell Ringers.

Macdonald was two down through eight, all-square after 13 and one down standing on the 18th tee. There was a late twist, though, as McCook, aiming to add the Scottish crown to the Irish and Welsh Open titles she has won recently, slipped to a bogey on the last to lose her slender advantage.

Another marathon was on the cards for Macdonald and, having traded birdies on the 19th with her Grantown opponent, the East Lothian girl made a decisive two on the par-three third to thwart McCook’s ambitions and progress to another final.

Gabrielle Macdonald out to test her professional credentials

25th November 2016

Craigielaw’s Gabrielle Macdonald will find out over the next four days if she’s ready to make the leap into the professional ranks. The former Scottish Women’s champion is trying her luck as an amateur in the first stage of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at Mohammedia Golf Club in Morocco along two fellow Scots, Jane Turner and Rachel McQueen. “I’m really looking forward to getting started this week, having enjoyed Morocco so far,” said Macdonald. “The course is fun and challenging so should be a good test of golf over the four rounds. “This week will help me decide on what I’m doing in the future. I feel as if I’ve prepared well at home at Craigielaw and with my coach in St Andrews so hopefully the hard work pays off!”

Turner will be hoping to use her LET Access Series experience to pass the test.

Season so far…

10th June 2016

The first half of the season has been positive with some solid performances and lots of progress. Highlights have been finishing 13th in the Irish Ladies Open Strokeplay, 7th in the Welsh Open Strokeplay and finishing runner-up in last week’s Scottish Amateur Championship. My world amateur ranking (wagr) has improved by nearly 500 spots, and I’m currently lying 2nd in the Scottish Golf Order of Merit. In addition to this, I’ve gained great experience by playing in two events on the LET Access Tour. Those events gave me great insight into the professional game, and what it is like to travel and to compete at that level. I know that those experiences will benefit me in the future when I do take the step into the professional game.

I am now back to practicing after some rest and looking forward to my next event which is the British Amateur Championship at Dundonald on the 21st-25th June. Roll on the rest of the season!

Scottish Women’s Close Amateur Championship

5th June 2016

The 2016 Scottish Women’s Close Amateur Championship took place this week at West Kilbride Golf Club. Gabrielle, fresh off shooting -6 on the Old Course in the last round of the St Rule Trophy made a strong start to the week qualifying in T8th position after 2 rounds of strokeplay. Next came the matchplay stages, and Gabrielle faced Turnhouse’s Alison Mcbride in the first round. After a tight game, Gabrielle came out on top, winning by 1 hole. In the last 16, Gabrielle knocked out former Curtis Cup player Eilidh Briggs having not made a bogey to win 4&3. Friday morning’s quarter final saw Gabrielle overcome the top seed Jessica Meek by 2 holes and then go on to beat Tara McTaggart 2&1 in the semi-final.

In the final, Gabrielle faced Ailsa Summers from Carnoustie, a 4th year student at the University of St Andrews, making it a all St Andrews contest. The early advantage went to Ailsa, who won the 2nd and 3rd and was 2 up at the turn. However, Gabrielle fought hard, winning the 11th and 12th to go back to all square. The game was all square going down the 16th, when Summer’s hit her long approach shot close and Gabrielle was unable to match her, losing the hole. Despite 2 solid shots up the par 5 17th, Gabrielle found herself in trouble at the greenside bunker, and Ailsa’s birdie saw her clinch the title. Ailsa became the 102nd Scottish Amateur Champion and thanked those at Carnoustie for all of their support in her speech.