She might not be taking a traditional route on the LPGA Tour, but Stockport sensation Bronte Law has the ability to succeed according to Britain’s most successful female golfer, Dame Laura Davies.
Law is currently competing across the pond as part of the University of California, Los Angeles’ athletic programme, and the 20-year-old has risen to number five in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
But she has underlined her credentials in recent months, claiming her second English Women’s Amateur Championship title in July – winning by 16 strokes with a score of 13-under par, and becoming the first player to go back-to-back at that tournament in 20 years.
And while Davies admits it might be a difficult path into professional golf, she believes in learning her craft in the States, Law could put herself in the best possible position in future.
“The college path is a different one from the one I took, and it’s not one that a lot of the English golfers at the moment, but why not give it a go,” said Davies.
“The great thing about the college system is that they play so much competitive golf, so I think it gets them ready for the tour a lot quicker than other paths.
“It’s not a bad way to go at all for Bronte. If you can get a scholarship and enjoy some time out there then it’s great.
“It’s a good way to find a good coach too, and all the youngsters coming through love their coaches. I’ve never had one, but if you can get one that suits you and you get on, then great.
“Even if I’d had the chance I don’t think I would have gone over, but only because I hated school.
“The only thing I liked about it was the sport. I’ve never been a great scholar. I don’t think I’m bright enough.”
Davies was speaking at the SSE Women’s Invitational, an event which paved the way for female executives from all industries to mix business and golf.
And as one of the R&A’s first ever female members, Davies couldn’t be more in favour of getting more women out on the course and breaking down the barriers preventing more diversity in golf.
“Women’s golf, especially in England, is in such great shape at the moment with girls like Charley Hull and Melissa Reid playing so well,” said Dame Laura.
“But from a business side of things, we play a pro-am every single week, and it’s always with men, and it’s such a shame. Nine times out of ten there are no women in the group.
“But they should be out there, partly because it’s such fun and because it’s great for business.
“I think people are sometimes put off because they think golf is boring, because it is slow. It’s really important we do something about that.
“We were talking about pace of play all weekend at the Solheim Cup, and we need to make it change so that when you go out to the golf course it’s not five or six hours, it’s just three.
“The game has to adapt to make it easier for people to get out and play.”
The SSE Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen
Image courtesy of Jason Floyd Golf Academy via YouTube, with thanks.
