Gabrielle Macdonald

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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.

Filed Under: Gabrielle's Golf News Tagged With: 2021, LET, LETAS, Season reflections

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!

Lavaux Ladies Open Champion

Filed Under: Gabrielle's Golf News Tagged With: Champion, Lavaux Ladies Open, LETAS

Allerum Open Champion – First Professional Win

2nd November 2021

First Professional Win

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

Filed Under: Gabrielle's Golf News Tagged With: Allerum Open, First Professional Win, LETAS, Sweden

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Back to it 💪💪 form needs work but fun to be Back to it 💪💪 form needs work but fun to be back training at home #workout #golffit #golffitness #friyay #sweatlikeawoman #rohnisch #progolf @rohnisch @rohnischgolf
MC by 2 this week @joburgopen got mad, sad and dis MC by 2 this week @joburgopen got mad, sad and disappointed but we march on 💪 ready for Cape Town tomorrow and the next challenge 🇿🇦 @sunshineladiestour @letgolf 

#howzit #marchon
Not my best stuff this week but happy to have qual Not my best stuff this week but happy to have qualified for next weeks Joburg Ladies Open @cityofjoburg @letgolf @sunshineladiestour 

The SA stint continues ✅🔜 @modderfonteingolfclub #joburgladiesopen #wegotgame #inspiringgreatness #sunshineladiestour #rohnischgolf #progolf #journeycontinues #letsgo #joburg
Happy 30th @dalzielguy 😘🥳 #30flirtyandthrivi Happy 30th @dalzielguy 😘🥳 #30flirtyandthriving 😂
You would think with 50mph winds it was obvious to You would think with 50mph winds it was obvious to tell the direction 🙈

Some of the windiest conditions I’ve played a tournament in, coming from a Scot that says a lot 🤪 

Tough week mentally and physically, looking forward to resetting and hopefully nicer conditions in Joburg next week! 🙏 @sunshineladiestour @ml_direct_ltd @purespauk @crieffhydroresort @rohnischgolf
Thanks @pinnaclepointestate for having us yesterda Thanks @pinnaclepointestate for having us yesterday, what a beautiful course 🫶 and nice way to end a fun week in George. Onto Cape Town now #sunshineladiestour #george #pinnaclepoint #gardenroute #southafrica #progolf #rohnischgolf
Fun first week in South Africa 🇿🇦 finished t Fun first week in South Africa 🇿🇦 finished t-13th at Sun City @sunshineladiestour and got to do safari as well 🦒🐘🦏🫶 #wegotgame #sunshinetour #safari #rohnischgolf #suncity #southafrica #seasonopener #progolf #2023
I’m delighted to be representing @ml_direct_ltd I’m delighted to be representing @ml_direct_ltd on tour this year ☺️

ML Direct is a licensee of Michelin products, distributing auto accessories across the world. It’s great to have their support and I’m looking forward to spreading the word about their products and the partnership ahead. 

Find out more about them on their website: http://www.mldirectbuy.com/ 

#sponsorship #partnership #mldirect #michelin #progolf #ambassador
Start of the 2023 season tomorrow 🥳 @sunshinela Start of the 2023 season tomorrow 🥳 @sunshineladiestour @suncityresortsa let’s go 💪

#sunshineladiestour #2023 #monkeys #southafrica #suncity #garyplayercountryclub #progolf #wegotgame 

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Fun day out in Glasgow with my sister to visit the Fun day out in Glasgow with my sister to visit the new @purehiltonglasgow spa 🫶 great facilities and definitely worth a visit💆‍♀️ @purespauk @hiltonglasgow 

We loved the sauna and the pool! @lauriemae222 had me swim 1200m in 30 mins so the full body massage afterwards was well deserved! Thanks @purespauk for looking after us 🫶

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Thinking of warmer places to play golf right now☀️💭 but at least @rohnischgolf winter range is keeping me cosy! The pile vest has been a regular this winter 🫶 

Less than 2 weeks until I head out to South Africa 🇿🇦 for @sunshineladiestour 🔥🙏 #imagolfergetmeoutofhere #wintergolf #scotland #rohnischgolf #golfgear
Found the elder wand at @golfclubs4cash and the go Found the elder wand at @golfclubs4cash and the golf bug is back 😂🫶 #happychristmas
Sometimes you work hard and prep well and still do Sometimes you work hard and prep well and still don’t get the results 🤦‍♀️ disappointing result at q school last week to end a tough year! Will use it as fuel to improve and comeback stronger 💪

Want to thank everyone who has supported and rooted for me this year 🫶 and to my sponsors who have made this year possible @purespauk @crieffhydroresort @craigielawgolfclub 💯🥰 thanks @rohnischgolf @caddyclub_golf @footjoyeurope @titleistukireland for all your support! 

Looking forward to 2023 and all it brings 🏌🏼‍♀️
Few pics from last week in Saudi Arabia, thanks @a Few pics from last week in Saudi Arabia, thanks @aramco_series @golf_saudi @letgolf for a great event! Nice to finish the season with a good week for me, will take the positives into q school in December 💪

Big thanks to all my sponsors this season 🫶 @purespauk @crieffhydroresort @craigielawgolfclub @rohnischgolf @caddyclub_golf @titleistukireland and everyone who has supported me this year! Will come back stronger! 

#raiseourgame #bringtheenergy
Namaste India 🙏🇮🇳 From the high of makin Namaste India 🙏🇮🇳

From the high of making a hole in one to the low of missing another cut by 1…. A memorable first trip to India 🇮🇳 and looking forward to next time! @herowomensindianopen thank you for your kind hospitality! 

It’s been tough going but one more event to go! I will keep grinding 🙏🙏🙏
Smiling cause it’s Friday and I’ve teamed up w Smiling cause it’s Friday and I’ve teamed up with my sponsor @crieffhydroresort to give away an incredible overnight stay for two at Crieff Hydro Hotel 🤩

With this fantastic prize you’ll be really indulged with a night of accommodation and a full Scottish breakfast. To enter all you need to do is like this post and tag your lucky plus  one. Winner will be chosen at random. 

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