Gillman and Team USA ready to rock in Scotland
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The waiting is over for Kristen Gillman and her American team mates and the US Women’s Amateur Champion is eager to get out on the course for the beginning of the Junior Ryder Cup tomorrow (Monday) as her side attempt to claim the title for a fourth successive time.
Gillman turns 18 on the opening day of the prestigious amateur team event, taking place at The Blairgowrie Golf Club in Scotland, but there will be no time for celebration early in the morning as the Texan tees off alongside Sierra Brooks to battle it out against Virginia Elena Carta and Annabel Dimmock in the final pairing of the morning foursomes.
As the US Women’s Amateur Champion and winner of the Junior PGA Championship, Gillman is undoubtedly one of the stars of an American team bulging with talent and now she is eager show what she’s got against an equally-strong European side.
“I’m really excited now that we’ve got all of our practise rounds done with,” said Gillman. “I'm really to get out there to get it started and try and do our best.
“The anticipation definitely builds every day and by the end of every day you’re just so ready to go out there and play. We have definitely gotten a lot closer this week and we’ve had so much fun together on and off the course so I think it’s going to be a great week.
“I really like it here. The course sets up really nice for us. Scotland has been great too, all the people have been really nice and we had a really warm welcome here so it’s been awesome.”
The camaraderie within, and between, both teams has been clear for all to see and Gillman does believe that the team format eases the pressure on every player, but she knows that when the first tee shot is struck, the Americans will be desperate to represent their flag with honour and pride.
“I think the pressures are definitely different because now you’re competing for your country rather than just competing for yourself,” she said. “Whenever you go out there you need to make sure you represent your country how it should be represented.
“It’s nice to know that your team mates have your back, it’s great having them there beside you. I think everyone is equal, no one is more important than the other. We’re all just the same trying to encourage other as best we can.”
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