Scotland international amateur golfer Sally Watson has signed for the Stanford University Golf Program, it was announced yesterday on the official team website, joining ‘the Cardinal’ in time for the 2009 / 2010 season.

Watson, from Elie, is currently a scholarship student at the Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida.  However she will adapt easily to life on the west coast in California, having lived there with her family for three years from 2000-2003.

Sally was out of action for half the year in 2008 with an ACL injury.  Her last major tournament was as a member of the 2008 GB & Ireland Curtis Cup team who lost to the USA at St Andrews in May. 

Though she was the second youngest player to compete, Sally shone through as one of the stars of the show, winning a dramatic tie on the opening day with a last ditch putt, much to the delight and relief of the local crowd.

In 2007 she shocked the golfing world by making the cut ahead of many top professionals in the Women’s British Open at the same venue, and was medallist at the Girls' British Amateur Championship.

She was also a member of the European Junior Solheim Cup team who were victorious against the United States.

She will be joined on the programme by Kristina Wong, one of the top junior golfers in the United States, and a three time AJGA Rolex All-American.

"We are very excited to have both Sally and Kristina join the Stanford Golf program," said Stanford women's golf head coach Caroline O'Connor. "This is by far one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. They were two of the most highly sought after recruits in the country and they'll bring a wealth of international experience to our squad next year.

“I have been following Sally since she was 14 and playing for the Scottish team at the European Girls Team Championship in Switzerland," added O'Connor. "She is an outstanding all-around athlete with exceptional ball striking skills and a very comprehensive knowledge of the finer details of the sport.  She's a gifted and tenacious competitor and we're really happy to have her as a part of our program."