Gabrielle collecting the award for St Andrews University Sports Scholar of the Year, 2015
Saint Sports newsletter – scholar profile
Scholar Profile 1: Gabrielle MacDonald, Saints Golf In 2010 Gabrielle played for Scotland in the Girls Home International team, before going on to win the East of Scotland Girls Order of Merit a year later. She followed this by setting a new Course Record of 66 at Ladybank Golf Club in 2012 and was runner up at the 2013 British University Championships. In the same season Gabrielle took 5th place in the St Rule Trophy in St Andrews and also played for Scotland in the Ladies Home International team.
Now in fourth year, Gabrielle starts the new academic year on the back of her most successful season to date, the highlight of which was becoming the 100th Scottish Ladies Amateur Champion at Prestwick Golf Club earlier in May. Other successes from Gabrielle’s 2014 season include:
• 2014: Runner-up in the Scottish Ladies Junior Open Strokeplay (U21s)
• 2014: 15th in the British Ladies Open Strokeplay Championship
• 2014: Played for Scotland in the ladies team for the European Ladies Team Championships, Slovenia
• 2014: Played for Scotland in the ladies team for the World Amateur Team Championships, Japan
• 2014: 4th in the SLGA (Scottish Ladies Golfing Association) Ladies Order of Merit
Training next to Keegan Bradley
Warm weather training in Florida 2015, meant the opportunity to practice next to Keegan Bradley at The Bears Club
Warm weather training 2013
California Golf Trip
Saints Golf travelled to California in March 2014 on a fundraising trip and were incredibly lucky to play some of the finest courses in the Monterey area. The trip included games with St Andrews University supporters at CordeValle, Pasatiempo, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass and Tehema, and also included a look around Pebble Beach. Special thanks to Carol Kaufman for her hospitality and welcome at CordeValle.
Meeting Arnold Palmer at Bayhill
St Andrews University team are welcomed by Arnold Palmer at Bayhill golf club in Florida, the team had the honour of meeting Arnold in both 2013 and 2014 on visits for warm weather training.
Kevin Hale Golf
Kevin Hale came to the St Andrews Academy from The Belfry, a facility famous for playing host to European tour events and the Ryder Cup.
Kevin began playing the game at a young age and enjoyed notable success as an amateur. Whilst a junior, Kevin won the Staffordshire County Championship. As a result of his well-rounded play he turned professional, and shortly thereafter qualified as a member of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland.
Kevin is heavily involved in developing young talented golfers across Scotland and beyond and currently works as the National U16’s Head Coach and St Andrews University Ladies Head Coach.“I really enjoy my coaching here in St Andrews, whether I am helping visiting golfers to learn specialist Links shots, helping players lower their handicaps, or training elite golfers to be champions.”
