Date: July 13, 2010
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Keating and Speechley reflect on Oakmont

Golf Australia National Squad members Stacey Keating (VIC) and Jessica Speechley (WA) have left Pennsylvania following an exciting week with Karrie Webb at the US Women&aposs Open at Oakmont Country Club. As recipients of the Karrie Webb Series scholarships, Keating and Speechley travelled the US to meet Webb and spend the week shadowing her through the championship. Keating, the current Srixon Australian Amateur Champion, said it was a positive experience. “To stay with Karrie was unreal. Not only do we get to see what she is like while she is at practice, but away from the course too. She is just like you or me, she is human, and so relaxed and fun away from the course,” Keating said. “There were many highlights this year including meeting Ai Miyazato, seeing Arnold Palmer, not missing one of Karrie&aposs shots, getting dressed up in our Aussie colors and then getting interviewed because of it.” Speechley said the time inside the ropes was her favourite part. “The highlight of the trip was getting inside the ropes when Karrie was having a practice round and Stacey and I carried her bag for half a hole each. We even had the caddy bib on!” Speechley said. “I asked Karrie questions about when the best time to turn pro, the best tour to play in and being here made me really determined to practice harder and it gave me a big boost towards golf,” Speechley added. The Karrie Webb Scholarships are awarded annually to two women on the basis of the following criteria: performance in the Karrie Webb Series events, community work supported by the individual (either inside or outside of golf), performance as an ambassador for golf in Australia and overseas, exhibits outstanding demeanour both on and off the golf course and is an Australian citizen.