Alex takes the record

Jun 17 2008

ELEVEN years after the previous record was set, a woman has stepped-up to the tee to set a new standard over Blairgowrie’s challenging Lansdowne Course, writes Gordon Bannerman.

Alexandra Bushby bagged four birdies, with two bogeys along the way, as she raised the bar during the first round of the club championship qualifiers.

And she followed it up by equalling her record 68 at Strathmore days later.

Her two under par 71 over Lansdowne carved three strokes off the previous best posted by Sally Gray back in 1997.

A Blair member for the past five years, 26-year-old Alexandra, daughter of ex-councillor Sandy Bushby, has been turning in eye-catching performances in recent years.

She has featured in the Perth and Kinross Ladies team for three years and won the county matchplay title last year, with a runners-up slot in 2008.

Alexandra was the North of Scotland champion in 2004 and already held the Strathmore course record for a woman.

Alexandra works with the family firm, LPT Productions, in Meigle.

Her nearest rival in the Lansdowne event carded a 77.

Alexandra said: “My form had been quite good but I have found Lansdowne tough in the past. In fact, you can probably count the number of competitive rounds I’ve played there on one hand.

“But I hit the ball well, found the fairways and greens and generally kept the ball in play.

“It was a good boost and I followed it up by equalling the ladies record at Strathmore, although I missed a couple of putts at 17 and 18 to beat it.”