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HIS - Scotland calls up Sammy Vass
Sammy qualified for the event after sparkling performances in her first Scottish Ladies Championships, staged last week by her favourite Moray Old Golf Course at Lossiemouth last week.
It was my first time I had played in the event and I was very keen to play as it is my favourite course in Scotland and have done well there before, said Sammy. Unfortunately, the timing of the event clashed with my exams so I didn't think I would be able to compete.
As a member of the Highland Institute of Sport, Sammy benefits from an extensive range of athlete support services. Over the last year she has benefitted from sports medicine, sports science and strength and conditioning. Last week it was career and lifestyle guidance that made the crucial difference.
I spoke to the Performance Lifestyle Advisor at the Highland Institute of Sport and she arranged for me to sit my higher English exam in the junior room in Moray's club house, she said. It was great of them and it meant I could play after all.
With her exam taken care of Sammy was able to focus fully on the task in hand.
In the first round I had to play Kelsey MacDonald, the No.1 seed, she said. She is a good friend and a very good golfer, a +2 handicap to my 3, so I knew I had to play my best to have a chance. I played the best I could, 3 under par. We had 11 birdies between us and I managed to win on the last.
With confidence and form brimming, Sammy faced former Scottish Universities Champion, Ann Ramsay, in the afternoon. She was 3 under again and won on the 16th green.
After a long and exciting day I had to sit my higher English in the clubhouse, she said. I felt it went well though I was getting a bit tired towards the end.
Sammy's performances on the course, particularly against Kelsey MacDonald, have earned her a place in the Scottish team competing in the European Championships. This will be her first experience in a Scotland under 18 team and she will find herself in formidable company. Curtis Cup players, Carly Booth (Comrie), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) and Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) are the other members of the Scottish quartet.
Sammy, whose mother Margaret is a former Scotland and GB junior player, started golf aged nine, coached at Tain Golf Club by Mike Sangster. For just over two years, Martin Piggot, Head PGA Professional at Fairways in Inverness, has been her mentor, helping her reduce her handicap from 9 to 3.
Supported by the Highland Institute of Sport for the last year, Sammy is noticing improvements in her game.
I worked on my swing with my coach Martin Piggott over the winter and it seems really solid, she said. With the Highland Institute I've been working on Strength & Conditioning training for the last year and it's been a great help. The training is specific to golf, I've noticed more power, I'm hitting the ball further and I'm generally stronger.
With the combination of Martin Piggott's coaching expertise and the Highland Institute providing the support services, Sammy hopes to further reduce her handicap this season and earn a place in the Home Internationals team. Her preparations for the European Championships begin this weekend when the team assembles for practice.