For female golfers, the Curtis Cup is very special. It is the pinnacle of an amateur career. For someone who lives in Fife, the opportunity to compete in the event when it is staged at the Old Course really is the stuff of wildest dreams.

Sally Watson, representing Elie and Earslferry, and Krystle Caithness, from St Regulus, are the two local teenagers set to face the most memorable four days of their young golfing lives at the famous St Andrews links.

On Thursday, May 29, they will line-up for Great Britain and Ireland in the emotional opening ceremony – then it will be down to business, and three days of hard work to try and defeat the mighty US team.

Comrie's Carly Booth, who becomes the youngest Curtis Cup player at just 15 years old, and Michele Thomson (Ellon McDonald), the new Scottish Amateur Champion, are the other two Scots in the eight strong GB & I team.

But for 16-year-old Sally and 19-year-old Krystle, there is sure to be an extra tingle of excitement in competing so close to home.

Sally got a taste of being the county's heroine when she played all four rounds in last year's Ricoh Women's British Open at the Old Course.

"I loved every minute of it," reflected the 16-year-old, who attends the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida. "It was the first time I had played in a professional tournament and the crowd was fantastic. I had so many friends and family for support, and it really was a once in a lifetime experience.

"The Curtis Cup will be the same, and I can't wait. I am a little apprehensive, but I'm even more excited. I'm going to soak up every moment."

Sally's only slight disappointment is that her Dad - Graham - is not going to be in his usual place as caddie. "Unfortunately, it is not allowed, and I'll miss him," she admitted. "I love having him on the bag. He knows me so well and helps deal with the stress.

"But Dad, Mum (Maggie) and my sister (Becky) will be there, following me every step of the way, and I'll also have loads of other family and friends to cheer me on. It's going to be huge."

Krystle, who comes from Cellardyke and is in her first year at the University of Georgia in the States, will also have a huge band of fans.

"Playing in the Curtis Cup is going to be so special to me," she said.  "There is sure to be massive support and it is going to be great for the town. It is the first time that the event has been held at the Old Course and with four Scots in the team it really is going to be huge."

The Americans dominate the Curtis Cup record with 25 victories, three draws and just six losses from the previous 34 encounters. But, as regular competitors in the States, neither Sally nor Krystle will be overawed by their opponents' credentials.

"I'm really enjoying Georgia and the first season has gone really well," continued Krystle. "I heard that there are 8,000 tickets each day for the Curtis Cup and they are close to a sell-out. I also know there are going to be loads of kids, which is terrific."

For Krystle's parents, Jim and Nancy, her older sister, Cherie, and even her 15-month-old nephew, Jack, the whole Curtis Cup experience is sure to be the proudest of occasions.

All four Scots in the team have certainly given a huge boost to Scottish women's golf. They are the perfect role models for other youngsters taking up the game, and the hope is that they can inspire many more girls to take up a sport that can provide a lifetime of fun and friendship.

If GB and Ireland do manage to wrestle the Cup back from the Americans, it will be the perfect result. But, whatever happens over three exciting days of competition, Sally, Krystle, Carly and Michele have given Scottish women's golf a huge dose of pride.

CURTIS CUP - SOME FACTS AND FIGURES

There are eight players in each side - and this year it is a new three-day format.
Thursday, May 29 - Opening ceremony
Friday, May 30 - 3 x Foursomes 8:00-8:24; 3 x Fourballs 12:45 - 13.15
Saturday, May 31 - 3 x Foursomes 8:00-8:24; 3 x Fourballs 12:45 - 13.15.
Sunday, June 1 - 8 X Singles 10.00 - 11.10.

There are 20 points at stake. As holders, the US need 10 points to retain the Cup. GB and Ireland need 10.5 points to win it.

• This is the 35th Curtis Cup. The US has won 25, GB and Ireland has won 6 and there have been three halved matches. The US has won the last five matches.
  
• This year, the other four members of the team are England's Florentyna Parker (18), Liz Bennett (25), Jodi Ewart (20) and Breanne Loucks (20), from Wales.
  
• The US team: Amanda Blumenherst (21), Meghan Bolger (29), Mina Harigae (18), Tiffany Joh (21), Kimberly Kim (16), Jennie Lee (21), Stacy Lewis (22) and Alison Walshe (22)
  
• This is the first time since 1994 that four Scots have been in the team. Back then, Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Mhairi McKay and Myra McKinlay made up the tartan quartet. The match was drawn 9-9 at Chattanooga.
  
• The Curtis Cup was named after the two Curtis sisters - Harriet and Margaret - who donated the Trophy in 1927. It is inscribed: "to stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of many lands." However, mainly due to financial reasons, the first official match was not played until 1932 at Wentworth. The US beat GB&I 51/2 - 31/2.
  
• This is the fourth time that the Cup has been staged in Scotland. Gleneagles (1936), Muirfield (1952), Western Gailes (1972) and Muirfield (1984)
  
• Carly Booth, at 15, becomes the youngest ever Curtis Cup player - Royal Musselburgh's Jane Connachan was 16 when she played in 1980.
  
• Catriona Matthew, Scotland's best ever professional, played in three Curtis Cups - 1990, 1992 and 1994.
  
• England's Trish Johnson (Prairie Dunes, 1986) and Scotland's Alison Rose (Killarney, 1996) are the only two GB and Ireland players to complete a series with 100% records.
  
• The first time that GB and Ireland won the Cup on US soil was at Prairie Dunes in Kansas in 1986. The score was GB and I 13 US 5. Belle Robertson was the only Scot in the team.
  
• The last time GB and Ireland won the Cup was in 1996 at Killarney in Ireland. The score was GB and I 11.5 US 6.5. Alison Rose, Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay were the three Scots in the team.

EB
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