LADIES: Curtis Cup reflections

Before we get too downbeat about another defeat for GB and I, there were plenty of positives to come out of what was a fantastic long weekend of high-class amateur competition. St Andrews was the perfect setting to this year's contest and again, following last year's Ricoh Women's British Open, it showcased women's golf to the full with some fantastic talent brought to the fore over the three days.

A new format also proved to be a popular addition with fourballs added to the programme plus a full batch of singles on the final day. But while 2008 ushered in a new look for the Curtis Cup, it was still the same old result with America getting their noses in front early on and never looking back.

And this is where the major changes need to come in. For how long can GB and I's confidence take a pounding from the American machine that is bred to win on the supremely organized and high quality college circuit? I believe it is now time to call for re-enforcements and invite our friends from Continental Europe to join the party. After all you have to go back to 1996 at Killarney, Ireland to find the last win for GB and I.

Just to put that into perspective, 2008 USA captain Carol Semple Thompson was still playing in the Curtis Cup and LPGA Tour players Mhairi McKay, Janice Moodie and Karen Stupples lined up for the host nation.

Let's face facts. GB and I have not been good enough for a period of 12 years and even when everything was supposed to be weighted in our favour, we still fell short of the mark. This was supposed to be one of the most promising teams in years, filled with youthful talent and a sprinkling of experience.

We had the greater knowledge of The Old Course, with more practice sessions, more experience and better acclimatised to the conditions. With crowds of 13,600 over all three days, home support was also in great shape. Yet with all this going for us, the result still eluded GB and I. You can argue that had Melissa Reid and Henrietta Zuel prolonged their amateur status for just a few more months, we may had stood a greater chance. But this is just conjecture and it should take nothing away from the girls who did their best against an extremely strong USA team.

But the question now needs to be asked of the LGU. Wouldn't we stand a better chance if we include a few Europeans to the line up?

After all, as Lady Golfer's Mickey Walker pointed out on Sky's Golf Night, the inscription on the Curtis Cup reads: "To stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of many lands."

It doesn't need to be an exclusive club and by inviting Europe into the proceedings it can only enhance the Curtis Cup and bring even larger crowds, improve the quality of both British and European Golf as well as adding a greater degree of competition to the event.

However, GB and I Captain Mary McKenna, plus the vast majority of people at the LGU, still believe that the current format is still the best way forward.

McKenna said: "I don't think it would have the same impact. I think it's very special, it's very important that we keep it, especially for GB and I, because it gives the girls something to focus on, something to strive for, even if the results are going against us. There's no doubt that the Curtis Cup is the thing to make."

By McKenna's own admission, she was given a tough assignment against an American team that was 'very, very good'. But she also deservedly praised the efforts of her own team and added: "I just feel very disappointed for the girls. Obviously we came here very much intent on winning, and we did believe we could win. I think the girls put up a great show.

"I'm very proud of them and they're going to be names that we're going to see a lot of in the future."

That final statement is very true and the Spice Girls pairing of Breanne Loukes and 15-year-old Carly Booth, who is now the youngest ever player to take part in the Curtis Cup, shared the greatest degree of limelight. While Booth may be remembered more for her backflips down the 18th fairway than for her standard of golf that week, it was another Scottish teenager
who should take the biggest plaudits. Krystle Caithness was undefeated in her three matches and had she not have been left out of both foursomes matches, could well have gone on to improve that record.

However, the likes of Jodie Ewart, Sally Watson, Florentyna Parker and the rest of the team will surely make a name for themselves in the not too distant future. Whether that is before they make a second Curtis Cup appearance remains to be seen, but should they line up alongside one of their European counterparts, I believe they could make an even bigger impact.