Scotland´s Heather MacRae is currently lying 5th on the LETAS Order of Merit and with a strong chance of competing full time on the Ladies European Tour next season. Heather finished tied for 9th in her last event, the CostaBlanca Ladies Open in Alicante.
Heather turned professional in 2008 and completed her PGA Training Degree. She has played 13 events this year on LETAS, with a win at the Sölvesborg Ladies Open.
We asked Heather a few questions to get to know her a little better:
Q: How and when did you start to play golf?
I started when I was ten, we live right on the golf course. At the time we lived in Callander, just a little town in the middle of Scotland and my dad took my brothers and me. We could just walk to the golf course from our house. I was the only girl member at the club. My brother was good and I used to play with him and his friends. And it went on from there. When I was 15, I joined the Scottish training squads.
Q: Your studies, did you go to university?
I went to San Diego State and I graduated there in 2006 in Public Administration. I stayed there for five years and I liked it. Then I came back and played full time amateur golf for a year and a half and then turned professional in 2008.
After failing the Qualifying School at my first attempt, I started the PGA training for three and a half years. I did it at Gullane and then at Gleneagles. I finished this two years ago and have been playing full time since then.
Q: How has your experience been this season?
It has been good this year, because I knew I was going to play all of the events and I have been able to plan it a little better. I won in May, which was good for me and I was also able to play the LET event in Scotland (Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland), where I finished 6th, so since then I feel that I am confident enough to play the last few events.
Q: Your expectations this year?
Hopefully I can avoid Tour School so…. I missed my card by a shot last year so it will be really nice to avoid Morocco. It is so close…it depends on how the rest of the players do. I am going to Turkey straight from here, where my boyfriend is also playing a professional event. He is going to caddy for me.
Q: What is the best part of your game? And the weakest?
Probably my driving, which it is normally straight and long, an average of 250 yds. And then my putting has been a lot better this year. This year my putting average is around 30-31 putts. It is a lot better than it was before. This was the weakest part of the game.
Q: Where do you normally practice? How are the weather conditions there?
In Scotland, it has been nice these two weeks.
Q: Your lowest round ever?
68, last year, in Morocco. Also this year I think I have had a round of -4 under par.
Q: How many holes in one?
No, not yet.
Q: Favourite golf course that you have played this year on LETAS?
Font del Llop Resort is very good, it is a shame the weather was so tough, but it is a good challenge. It is a little bit longer than the rest of the courses and you have to be on your game. All of them are very good. I also like the one in England, which was very good (Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa)
Q: Have you many friends already on tour?
Yes, lots of friends. It is so friendly. When you go to practice, it is “hello, hello” to everyone… it is nice. I normally travel with Pamela Feggans… But I think it is nice to mix it up.
Q: Have you any superstitions when you play golf?
I try not to.
Q: How many people would be in your team and what do they do?
I have two people working with me at the moment: Andrew MacRae, my brother who also coaches me, and David Bowmaker, the physiotherapist. My family and Chris Kelly are also supporting me and Stewart Spense is my sponsor.
