Holly dreaming of Curtis Cup selection

CLEETHORPES golf star Holly Clyburn will be looking to take another step closer to her dream on Wednesday.

She is aiming to make the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 2010 Curtis Cup match against the Americans.

The 19-year-old is ready to tee-off in this week's Faldo Asia Series Grand Final, at Mission Hills Golf Club, in Shezhen, China.

Clyburn – who is affiliated to Woodhall Spa Golf Club – qualified for the event by winning the girls' title at the Faldo Series Grand Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November. She overcame Scottish Curtis Cup player Carly Booth to win that title. Now the former Toll Bar pupil will be looking for a similar conquest in East Asia.

Clyburn is one of five English players in the provisional Curtis Cup squad of 19 that will be whittled down to eight for the top amateur international match at the Essex County Club, Massachusetts, from June 11-13.

The 2009 England girls' champion admitted it would be a dream come true to be the first Lincolnshire golfer to play in the Curtis Cup since Helen Dobson of Skegness in 1990.

"It would be an amazing achievement," Clyburn said.

"The Curtis Cup is one of the top highlights you can have in an amateur career.

"To be able to say I've represented Great Britain, as well as England, would be fantastic and make myself and my family proud, as well as my town."

Clyburn's chances of making the team have been boosted by 22-year-old Yorkshire golfer and 2008 Curtis Cup team member Jodie Ewart's decision to turn professional – which has ruled her out of selection.

But, having been edged into fourth position behind Curtis Cup selection rivals Amy Boulden, Kelsey MacDonald and Charlie Douglass at last month's Murcia Ladies Open in Spain, Clyburn knows she still has a fight to make the plane.

"Jodie is not available for selection now she has turned professional," Clyburn said.

"That does open doors for the rest of the players – but it's game on at the same time. However, the provisional squad is the youngest selected in history – so fingers crossed that will improve my chances of making the final team."

On whether selection would prompt her to turn professional later this year, Clyburn said: "It might be the last box ticked before I join the pro ranks.

"However, if I am selected for this Curtis Cup I would probably also want to play another.

"Whether I turn professional might depend on how well the rest of the season goes.

"I might reach the right turning point for me at the end of next season or even at the end of this season."

The Faldo Asia Series Grand Final gives Clyburn an excellent opportunity to improve her position in the rankings to impress the selectors.

The runaway winner of the 2009 English Women's Golf Association girls' order of merit, will then represent England at the French Lady Juniors' Championship from April 1-5 at St Cloud – the same Paris course where she won the French Open Under-18 title last year.

However, the most significant competition will be the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Troon, from April 23-25, which concludes on the day the Curtis Cup team is revealed.

Clyburn added: "The Helm Home in April is the 'big one' for the Curtis Cup. The final team will be picked after that event, so it's important I perform well there and everything in my game comes together when it counts."