Great golf - but could something be done to help Great Britain and Ireland stop the Curtis Cup slide?

Great Britain and Ireland fielded a spirited, young team and the golf from both sides was impressive over the Old Course at St Andrews. But, whichever way you look at it, 13-7 was still a sound beating, and America now has a lop-sided 26 victories from the 35 Curtis Cup encounters.

The question must be asked: Could anything have been done - or be done - to make it a more even contest?

For instance, would it be a good idea to follow the pattern of the Ryder Cup? When the result was becoming a foregone conclusion, Great Britain and Ireland was transformed into Europe. Since the change, which was put in place almost 30 years ago, the bi-denial joust with America has become one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting duals.

Or was there a flaw in the home team's strategy? For instance, it did seem bizarre that Krystle Caithness, a member of the St Regulus Club in St Andrews, sat out both foursomes. The fact that she went on to win three out of three matches said it all.

But Mary McKenna, the GB and I Captain, was having none of it. After a closing ceremony put the Cup in American hands for the sixth time in succession, she addressed a few of the issues, and stuck out for the status quo.

"I would say 'no' to Europe," said the Irish woman. "It wouldn't have the same impact. The British and Irish girls need something to strive for and the Curtis Cup is an important step up to the next level."

She also dismissed the notion that she any of her team selections had been out of sync. "The team was strong all the way though," she countered.

The positives mostly came from the strong Scottish contingent. Krystle, with her 100% records from three matches, and Sally Watson, who won three points from five, were the top scorers, and it bodes well for their future professional careers.

Ellon's Michele Thomson, the new Scottish Amateur Champion, could also be pleased with her efforts, including a gutsy half from the singles with Jennie Lee.

Carly Booth, the youngest ever GB and I player at 15, was struck down with a mystery rash at the start of the week, but still did enough to show that she is a star in the waiting.

What made Sally's efforts even more praiseworthy was that she played with a knee injury - she will have the surgery this month and miss the whole of the summer season. She hopes to be back for the Home Internationals in September.

"It is an injury dating back to the time when I played basketball for Scotland," she explained. "I had it investigated a couple of months ago and I must thank the Scottish Institute of Sport for getting me ready to play in the Curtis Cup.

"There is never really an ideal time to have it done, but I have one more year in Florida (at the David Leadbetter Academy) and I want to get the operation out of the way."

Sally, Krystle and Carly should all be strong contenders for the 2010 Curtis Cup at the Essex County Club in Massachusetts but, by then, Michele hopes to be earning her living on the Ladies' European Tour. She will try for her card at the end of this year.

As for the Americans, they were certainly a formidable force and Stacy Lewis deserves a special mention as she won a full house of five points.

Carol Semple Thomson, naturally, was full of praise for her charges, and she also dismissed the notion of a change to European status. "I like the tradition," she insisted.

Perhaps McKenna just got it right when she said: "The US girls are very, very good - they were just the slightly better players."

But, in two years' time, it will be even tougher for GB and I to win on foreign soil.

EB
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