Booth family’s in full swing

Jun 3 2008 by Gordon Bannerman

IT was a weekend of mixed fortunes for talented brother and sister golf duo Wallace and Carly Booth at the Home of Golf.

While record breaker Carly (15) was part of the GB and Ireland Curtis Cup side which crashed to defeat at St Andrews, Wallace was savouring victory in the Bidwells Scottish Open Strokeplay championship.

Scotland international Wallace (22), from Comrie, was runner-up in last season’s SGU Order of Merit and yesterday he admitted his four-shot triumph at the Duke’s Course is a landmark in his amateur career.

The US college graduate admits pressure was building to land a national title after Scottish wins by county and international colleagues Kevin McAlpine and Glenn Campbell.

Booth was single-minded enough to handle the stress of a Sunday morning drive flying out of bounds.

And later in the day, when a superb seven iron to the 17th left him with a two footer, he knew the title was in his grasp.

“It was mine to lose at that stage and I just concentrated on getting the final drive away.”

Wallace powered his way to victory with birdies at the 2nd, 8th, 10th and 17th, dropping just one shot at the 13th.

His impressive form secured a closing 68, three under for the tournament.

It was a remarkable turn-around, with the Big County team player starting the final round three off the pace being set by former South African junior champion Johan de Beer, who trailed home in fifth slot.

While sister Carly was finally succumbing to a mystery illness which plagued her during Curtis Cup week – she lost her final match 6 and 5 – Wallace’s landmark victory cheered her up.

Proud dad Wallace senior, who was cheering on his son and daughter as their tournaments panned-out a few miles apart, said: “Its certainly been a Booth week. This is a fabulous result for Wallace and Carly is absolutely thrilled for him despite her own disappointment.

“I was actually about to leave the Duke’s for the Curtis Cup dinner at the Old Course Hotel when I was told Wallace was leading the tournament. My wife Pauline and I, and young Paul, split up to cover both events. Carly and all the Curtis Cup girls were thrilled when they heard Wallace had won.”