Michele Thomson, the Curtis Cup player who has gained a rookie card for the forthcoming Ladies European Tour season, is one of eight players who will be attending the SLGA’s winter training session at Desert Springs in Spain this week.

SLGA National coach, Kevin Craggs, psychologist Ed McCosh and fitness instructor Helen Weavers will all be helping the squad make the perfect preparation for the challenges ahead.

Thomson’s inclusion is a welcome sign of the new bridge that has been built between the women’s amateur and professional games in Scotland. She will launch her paid career at the Turkish Ladies’ Open in May.

The full squad is: Michele Thomson (Ellon McDonald), Carly Booth (Comrie), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Megan Briggs (Kilmalcolm), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) and Louise Kenney (Pitreavie).

Krystle Caithness, the other Curtis Cup player who won her LET card at the Qualifying School in Spain last month, was also invited. But, while grateful for the opportunity, the 20-year-old has decided to make her own arrangements in the build-up to a new career.