Golf: Boatman depends on Scots to start Cup defence

LIZ BOATMAN, the Great Britain and Ireland captain, is relying on Scotland in the opening session of the 28th Curtis Cup at Chattanooga, Tennessee, today.

All four Scots - Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Mhairi McKay and Myra McKinlay - will play in the six singles which will open the contest over The Honors Course. Boatman has left out Eileen Rose Power, of Ireland, and Kirsty Speak, from Lancashire, both newcomers to the squad.

Lancy Smith, the United States captain, decided not to gamble on the fitness of Sarah LeBrun Ingram, who was reported to have come through a late test on the muscle strain in her neck and shoulder. However, she is expected to play in the foursomes.

Julie Hall will lead off for Great Britain and Ireland, the Cup holders, against Jill McGill, the US women's amateur champion of 1993. Moodie, one of the three Scots on golf scholarships at California universities, meets Emilee Klein, the No 1 American college player, in the second singles.

McKinlay, 21, is 24 years younger than her opponent in the fourth singles, Carole Semple Thompson, who first played Curtis Cup golf 20 years ago.

McKay, making her Curtis Cup debut at 19, plays Ellen Port in the fifth singles. Catriona Matthew, the Scottish champion, and the only other player apart from Hall with Curtis Cup experience in the visiting team, is given the responsibility of playing the final singles.

CARD OF THE COURSE

Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par

Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par

1st 375 4 10th 396 4

2nd 427 5 11th 535 5

3rd 184 3 12th 320 4

4th 365 4 13th 369 4

5th 402 4 14th 132 3

6th 520 5 15th 385 4

7th 372 4 16th 156 3

8th 162 3 17th 440 5

9th 339 4 18th 391 4

Out: 3,146 36 In: 3,124 36

Total: 6,270 72