Golf Australia is pleased to announce that Golf Australia National Squad members Stacey Keating (VIC) and Jessica Speechley (WA) are the recipients of the 2010 Karrie Webb Scholarships. Scholarship selection criteria comprises a range of factors including competing in a minimum number of events, conducting themselves as befitting a great ambassador for Australian golf; showing outstanding demeanour on and off the course and performances in Karrie Webb Series events. Scholarship recipients receive international travel assistance, greater playing opportunities as well as personal training and mentoring from Webb herself. Keating and Speechley will also join Webb at the 2010 US Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. The Series component of the scholarship criteria comprises up to 13 events annually and forms part of the Australian Women&aposs Amateur Ranking System. Each Member State&aposs 72-Hole Stroke Play Championship is included in the Series, along with the Australian Stroke Play Championship, the Handa Women’s Australian Open, the ANZ Ladies Masters, the Bing Lee NSW Women’s Open and other four-round selection events. In addition to being excellent ambassadors for golf and Australia over the past year, Keating and Speechley were the two outstanding players of the year, winning 7 of the 13 counting events. Stacey in particular had a stellar year with wins at the Australian Amateur, Tasmanian, Victorian & West Australian Stroke Plays as well as the Dunes Medal. Speechley capped her first year in the National Squad with wins at the South Australian Stroke Play and Riversdale Cup, as well as a runner-up finish to Stacey at home in the West Australian Stroke Play. Keating said I am again honoured to be presented with this prestigious scholarship. The opportunity is an invaluable experience in spending a week with Karrie, Australia s number one female golfer, at this year s US Open. Both Keating and Speechley are currently in Scotland, preparing to play the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews, followed by another three tournaments within the United Kingdom, before travelling to the United States to meet Webb. Golf Australia High Performance Manager Matt Cutler said the scholarship and advice from Webb through the mentoring process was the best one could get. The opportunity that Stacey and Jessica have is amazing. To spend a full week with a player of Karrie s calibre during one of the biggest weeks of the year cannot be understated. They will not only see how Karrie prepares for a large event, but gain access to a number of the world s leading players via Karrie. It promises to be a phenomenal experience for them.
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