PAMELA ILL, WILL MISS VALENCIA FINALE - BUT HER LET CARD HAS BEEN WON

PAMELA PRETSWELL IN CURTIS CUP ACTION. Image by Cal         Carson Golf Agency

 
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com  
Pamela Pretswell, leader of the Ladies European Tour's developmental tour order of merit, has been advised by her doctor not to travel to this week's final event of the season in Valencia, Spain.
Fortunately, the Hamilton player, a star of GB and I in the Curtis Cup victory over the United States at Nairn last June, has done so well since turning pro that she is guaranteed a place on next year's Ladies European Tour.
"I have been unwell since last Thursday and as a result have been advised by my doctor not to travel so I have to withdraw from the final LETAS event in Valencia," said Pamela.
"The doctor is doing some tests as she thinks I may have picked up an infection when I was in Morocco a couple of weeks ago.
"I haven't eaten since Thursday and have been sick etc. 
"The good news though is that I have already secured my LET card for next season!
"I am just over 5,100 points ahead of the player in third place in the table and with the maximum points available in the final event this week "only" 5,000, I am guaranteed a 1st or 2nd place finish in the table. The top three gain automatic promotion to the Ladies European Tour.
"I am delighted and looking forward to my rookie season on the LET next year. It's been a long haul because I started playing on the developmental circuit early in the year as an amateur so that I could gain valuable experience - and the move has paid off."

Apart from the Scot, it's‘make or break’ time on as the LETAS season reaches its climax at the Banesto Tour 54-holel vent, teeing off in Valencia on Thursday when 83 players will be gunning for glory.
Carnoustie's Katy McNicoll, if she can produce a grandstand finish, could yet make the top three in Order of Merit and be promoted to the LET alongwith Pretswell.
McNicoll, in fourth place, is only 186.85 points behind the third-placed Norwegian, Cecilie Lundgreen.
Players in fourth to 15th positions after the Valencia tournament will be able to bypass the LET Q School Stage 1 in Morocco and go on to the Final Stage a week or so later at Marrakesh.
Pamela Feggans from Patna, Ayrshire is currently ninth and even victory at Valencia would not enable her to make it into the three to be promoted. But she should be able to earn a ticket through to the Q School Final Stage.